WikiLeaks fever grips Harare

The story exploded last week with many political and economic heavyweights were alleged to have leaked sensitive information to US Ambassador Charles Ray. The Zanu (PF) bigwigs quoted in official documents include Vice President Joice Mujuru, largely seen as the first in line when the incumbent President Robert Mugabe departs, Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Constantine Chiwenga, better known as "Zim 2", Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Gideon Gono, Mugabe's "personal banker", Grace Mugabe, his second wife, former Minister of Education and ZIDECO boss, Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu, Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Employment, Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister and businessman Sylvester Nguni, and non-constituency MP Jonathan Moyo. Also in hot soup are members of the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has already told Zimbabweans to "forget about WikiLeaks and worry about their future". Media baron Trevor Ncube is said to have misled the nation on his $4 million loan from the Americans. Ncube has, however, also quickly dismissed the WikiLeaks revelations saying his ownership of the Alpha Media Holdings Group is "above board". Last Sunday virtually all local newspapers lead with the scandal story. "What this has done is to tear apart Zanu (PF) and separate further its many camps," said a senior journalist. "Whether the allegations are true or not the party will have to rebuild its tattered image." Another said: "The US Ambassador is not telling lies. Don't you know that all US envoys are alleged to belong to the CIA and so there is nothing really shocking about a US Ambassador simply squealing about what top bigwigs are telling him here.” Others interviewed pointed out that Zimbabwean scribes had run out of "news" and were simply "regurgitating" what is in the leaked documents currently making their rounds worldwide. "WikiLeaks is about chefs and how they are using our money," said a street kid in an exclusive interview speaking in Shona when asked about what he thought about the scandal. "It is about how ministers lied to our great President, VaMugabe," said another. "I hope he takes them all to jail if they said that he is dying. How can you say such a thing - especially if you are his friend?” "I wonder how all those guys feel and how they behave in Cabinet meetings today knowing fully well that Mugabe no longer trusts them," said a top businessman. "It must be fireworks in Cabinet right now.”