Cry The Beloved Zimbabwe

Could it be that Robert Mugabe is not the evil tyrant that he is made out to be? Maybe he is not sole author of Zimbabwe’s economic peril and ‘humanitarian crisis’. Might there be more to it? Perhaps the man is just one ugly head of a larger and much more sinister socio-societal beast.

Thinking broadly about the land question in Southern Africa in the 20th century as a legacy of colonialism and a dispersion of political power in postcolonial Zimbabwe between War Veterans and urban based worker unions, Mamdani thinks there is more going on in a letter to the London Review of Books. But then R.W Johnson (never heard of him before to be honest), response letter finds Mamdani’s arguments selective and altogether spurious. However, Mamdani’s come back letter suggests that his respondents either romanticize Mugabe or demonise him with little room for other more interesting arguments.

Powerboats

Via International Trade Law News a very interesting story about the US Commerce Department attempting to prevent the reexport from South Africa of a Bladerunner 51 powerboat to Iran.  The temporary denial order is here.  The order asserts that it it is believed that the powerboat is being purchased for use by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

Zuma’s 5 backup plans

Africa Confidential has an outline of the options available to Mr Jacob Zuma in his pursuit of the country’s presidency.  They count from (A) to (F).

Carl Niehaus makes the case in the Business Day as to why, legally, Mr Zuma’s right to a speedy trial has been infringed. Prof De Vos’ response is here. While Prof De Vos may be correct from the perspective of the law (I have no opinion on the matter), it is fairly clear that failing to charge Mr Zuma earlier was a major strategic error from his opponents, and in the endgame that may be all that matters.