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muriel_volestrangler

(101,415 posts)
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 04:37 PM Nov 2017

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 family’s extensive business interests, would receive a “cash payment of $5m” immediately, with more paid in coming months.

The 93-year-old’s $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.

Mugabe’s 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



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Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe to get $10m payoff and immunity for his family (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Nov 2017 OP
Does Zimbabwe have that kind of money? christx30 Nov 2017 #1
Probably just symbolic of continued respect. JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2017 #12
It's a crime against humanity that he has been allowed to rule that country for as long as he has oberliner Nov 2017 #2
Do I dare ask how many 1st world countries profited from that? dixiegrrrrl Nov 2017 #6
The UK propped him up for a while oberliner Nov 2017 #7
...and they've managed to name a new leader without bothering the voters..... brooklynite Nov 2017 #3
Is that 5 million US or Wolf Frankula Nov 2017 #4
I have 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollars for him. roamer65 Nov 2017 #5
I used to think a 5,000,000 Bolivianos banknote was amazing. No longer Bernardo de La Paz Nov 2017 #9
We are rich! roamer65 Nov 2017 #11
Like Trump wouldn't take a similar deal. Solly Mack Nov 2017 #8
His new tax bill will give him way more than a mere ten million. JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2017 #13
He's making a fortune like the little dictator he is. Solly Mack Nov 2017 #14
In the past, such "immunity" was quickly rescinded Igel Nov 2017 #10
They'll do nothing as long as he is still alive rpannier Nov 2017 #20
Their new President left-of-center2012 Nov 2017 #15
Surely Mugabe and his cronies have stolen ten or a hundred times as much over the years . . . MrModerate Nov 2017 #16
Yup. You nailed it. roamer65 Nov 2017 #17
A bullet to the head Codeine Nov 2017 #18
yeah probably 47of74 Nov 2017 #19

christx30

(6,241 posts)
1. Does Zimbabwe have that kind of money?
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 04:54 PM
Nov 2017

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)
12. Probably just symbolic of continued respect.
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 07:03 PM
Nov 2017

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)
2. It's a crime against humanity that he has been allowed to rule that country for as long as he has
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 05:00 PM
Nov 2017

Decades-long horror show - one the most corrupt and brutal dictatorships in modern history.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
6. Do I dare ask how many 1st world countries profited from that?
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 06:22 PM
Nov 2017

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.

Wolf Frankula

(3,605 posts)
4. Is that 5 million US or
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 05:19 PM
Nov 2017

5 million Zimbabwe? I think 5 million Zimbabwe will buy you a hamburger at the Harare McDump.

Wolf

Solly Mack

(90,803 posts)
8. Like Trump wouldn't take a similar deal.
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 06:28 PM
Nov 2017

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)
13. His new tax bill will give him way more than a mere ten million.
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 07:05 PM
Nov 2017

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)
14. He's making a fortune like the little dictator he is.
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 07:07 PM
Nov 2017

Plundering the country for his own wallet.

For now...but I hope not forever.

Igel

(35,390 posts)
10. In the past, such "immunity" was quickly rescinded
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 06:54 PM
Nov 2017

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)
20. They'll do nothing as long as he is still alive
Sun Nov 26, 2017, 08:06 AM
Nov 2017

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)
15. Their new President
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 07:40 PM
Nov 2017

Mnangagwa, who was a loyal aide of Robert Mugabe for decades, has urged the country’s citizens not to undertake any form of “vengeful retribution” ...

 

MrModerate

(9,753 posts)
16. Surely Mugabe and his cronies have stolen ten or a hundred times as much over the years . . .
Sat Nov 25, 2017, 08:43 PM
Nov 2017

What is this, the tip?

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