Zimbabwe - The Mugabes Are Building Interests In The Far East To Featherbed Any Future Exile

[Ochiengzim]

Extracts from Sunday Times, London, England:

"WHEN President Robert Mugabe's wife Grace landed in Hong Kong last month on the final lap of a lengthy Asian holiday, she had more on her mind than her usual extravagant shopping for baubles and handbags.

The first lady was focused on two investments designed to keep the Mugabes rich should they one day be forced into exile from Zimbabwe, where thousands are starving and ravaged by cholera and opponents are jailed, beaten and tortured.

One investment was a £4m Hong Kong property in a walled and gated complex where residents enjoy quiet gardens, a clubhouse and a swimming pool. The other was a multi-million-pound diamond venture she is considering launching in China. This involves locating a centre for cutting and polishing diamonds at Qingdao, on China's east coast, in conjunction with Zimbabwe's central bank, which is notorious for funding her extravagant travels abroad.

The money trail throws up an odd cast of Asian characters in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore, acting as courtiers for the Mugabes.

One is Mahmood Awang Kechik, a Malay urologist and specialist in erectile dysfunction who is Mugabe's personal physician. Kechik has treated him for prostate problems for years but the relationship developed into a business one. Just over a year ago, Kechik abandoned his medical practice and went into business.

In Thailand is Nalinee Joy Taveesin, a prosperous and well connected businesswoman who prides herself on her charity work and who is president of the Thai-Australian Association.

In November, the US Treasury Department tightened sanctions against Mugabe and the cronies who had ruthlessly campaigned to keep him in power through the violent intimidation of opponents who had defeated him and his party at the polls.

As a result Kechik and Taveesin both found themselves blacklisted. Any assets within US jurisdiction were frozen and Americans were prohibited from conducting transactions with them.

The US Treasury Department was particularly hard on Taveesin, accusing her of facilitating financial, real-estate and gem-related transactions on behalf of Grace Mugabe and Gono while participating in good works.

"Ironically, Nalinee Taveesin has participated in a number of initiatives on corruption and growth challenges in Africa and southeast Asia while secretly supporting the kleptocratic practices of one of Africa's most corrupt regimes," it said.

Taveesin confirmed last week that she had been a friend of the Mugabes for years, but said: "I have no business involvement with the Mugabes."

The US Treasury Department claimed that Kechik had been conducting secret transactions with a number of Zimbabweans under sanctions, including Gono and Chiwenga, the defence chief, to generate wealth for them and for the regime. It also said he had used his medical practice to disguise the ultimate destination of medical equipment shipped to Mugabe. Associates of Kechik said last week that they had no idea where he had gone. "

Zimbabwean blogger, Benjamin has been commenting on some of these stories in recent weeks - visit zimbabwean-benjamin-dot-blogspot-dot-com

[Maizefarmer]

Thats interesting ........ China, as a matter of interest for readers, is the largest investor at the moment in Sub-Saharan and Central Africa - the insinuation been that Mugabe will get some protection from the Chinese authorities once he moves - no doubt encouraged by his (i.e. Mugabe's) and other African leaders who have given China such a free hand in Africa over the last decade(?).

... can't think of many other countries where he would be able to go.

[JetsetBkk]

... can't think of many other countries where he would be able to go.

I can't believe he's still alive.

[Maizefarmer]

Yes ....... suprizes me as well: but does have an agressive and well trained close protection detail - still, I am also suprized he hasn't been taken out by some lone brave man(iac).

[pop_corn]

Ummm.. Thats because the Thai woman is very close to her more than him. My ex is his step son, and I have met them all, so I saw what is the situation. They do have business in Thailand as well... What else do you expect? Thai government also welcome them all quite alot, when they come over they have 1000 facilities and stuff.. tbh I don't like them. Doesn't mean that my ex is bad tho, he just passed to be in a wrong family.

[JetsetBkk]

Yes ....... suprizes me as well: but does have an agressive and well trained close protection detail - still, I am also suprized he hasn't been taken out by some lone brave man(iac).

Or even some high flying (very high flying) guy in a plane equipped with laser-guided thingummyjigs.

Does Rhodesia Zimbabwe have any oil?

[MiG16]

sorry folks

we do have to try to keep our discussions on Thailand related events, happenings, news and such.