Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe to get $10m payoff and immunity for his family
Source: The Guardian
Robert Mugabe and his wife will receive a golden handshake worth many millions of dollars as part of a deal negotiated before the resignation of the ageing autocrat last week. The exact sums to be paid to the former president and his wife Grace are still unclear, though one senior ruling party official with direct knowledge of the agreement said the total would not be less than $10m.
The official said that Mugabe, who has been granted immunity from prosecution and a guarantee that no action will be taken against his familys extensive business interests, would receive a cash payment of $5m immediately, with more paid in coming months.
The 93-year-olds $150,000 salary will also be paid until his death. The 52-year-old first lady, reviled for her extravagance and greed, will then receive half that amount for the rest of her life.
Mugabes 37-year rule left Zimbabwe with a worthless currency, massive debts, an impoverished population and an estimated unemployment rate of more than 80%. Roads are rutted, many rural communities have no electricity, education is basic and healthcare almost non-existent. A life expectancy of 60 is one of the lowest in the world.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/25/robert-mugabe-payoff-family-immunity-zimbabwe-zanu-pf
Do you think Trump is taking notes?
christx30
(6,241 posts)And if they do, shouldn't they spend it on reforming their farming? So the rest of the population doesn't starve and die?
Well, it wouldn't be Mugabe unless he was living off the backs of the starving poor.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,384 posts)I'm sure he (and his successor) have many more millions socked away in foreign banks. If he isn't jailed or executed, he'll live lavishly.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Decades-long horror show - one the most corrupt and brutal dictatorships in modern history.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)With so many nations piling into Africa for its resources, there is not much incentive to support an actual functioning society.
Or, as Klein put it....Disaster Capitalism.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)No question about that.
brooklynite
(95,012 posts)Wolf Frankula
(3,605 posts)5 million Zimbabwe? I think 5 million Zimbabwe will buy you a hamburger at the Harare McDump.
Wolf
roamer65
(36,748 posts)I used to be a trillionaire in Zimbabwe.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,075 posts)roamer65
(36,748 posts)Solly Mack
(90,803 posts)Oh, he would want a lot more money but he'd still take such a deal. Money and no chance of prosecution for his entire family - he'd take it.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,384 posts)Getting rid of the alternative minimum tax will save tens of millions each year. And getting rid of the estate tax will save his heirs a bundle.
But, for now, he seems to be beyond prosecution. For now.
Solly Mack
(90,803 posts)Plundering the country for his own wallet.
For now...but I hope not forever.
Igel
(35,390 posts)amidst a groundswell of progressive opposition to the very idea.
Maybe it's okay to prise power from the hands of the corrupt and criminals, but to let them actually live in peace after what they did simply can't be allowed.
My prediction is that this won't happen with Mugabe. Many only reluctantly decided to turn on him, even if his initial election was bathed in blood and corruption is was whitewashed. When I started posting here in 2004 there were still quite a few supporters of the idiot (Qaddhafi had more than a handful of supporters, as well).
rpannier
(24,350 posts)He is still respected by many in the country and the surrounding area as one of the leaders in the fight against white Euro rule. Once he has passed away, all bets are pretty much off. I'm guessing Grace won't last the month after his funeral
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Mnangagwa, who was a loyal aide of Robert Mugabe for decades, has urged the countrys citizens not to undertake any form of vengeful retribution ...
MrModerate
(9,753 posts)What is this, the tip?
roamer65
(36,748 posts)Codeine
(25,586 posts)and a burlap sack for the lot of them.