WEAPONS destined for Zimbabwe have arrived in Harare, according to a report in South Africa’s The Weekender newspaper today.
The report said the Zimbabwean government confirmed that 3-million rounds of assault rifle ammunition, 3 000 mortar rounds and 1 500 rocket-propelled grenades—ordered from the Chinese government—had arrived in Harare.
According to the report South Africa refuelled the Chinese vessel, An Yue Jiang, which was transporting the arsenal.
The South African government denied media reports that it assisted in the delivery of the arms.
The Weekender quoted a Mozambican online newspaper, Canal de Moçambique, which reported that the ship had been refuelled by the SAS Drakensberg off the coast of South Africa before sailing north to offload its cargo.
It reported that the ship was offloaded at Ponta Negra in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, Zimbabwean government officials said it was offloaded in Angola, according to the report.
Canal de Moçambique reported that President Thabo Mbeki gave "a direct instruction" to Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George to send the SAS Drakensberg to refuel the An Yue Jiang.
Presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga dismissed the reports, saying "it seems that the season of propaganda is upon us".
George said he had no instruction from Mbeki to dispatch the SAS Drakensberg and that the allegations had no substance.
However, the Canal de Moçambique article also said the arms were flown to Harare in an Ilyushin Il-76 belonging to Avient Aviation, a freight charter airline based in Zimbabwe but registered in the UK.
This was confirmed by government officials in Harare, The Weekender said.
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga confirmed the weapons have been delivered.
The Angolan government’s assistance came after an appeal by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairman, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, to member states to bar the delivery of the ammunition to Zimbabwe, saying the arms could deepen the country’s election crisis.
The US and British governments had also exerted concerted pressure on the SADC and China to stop the ship from docking in the region.
The ship has been spotted off the coast of Port Elizabeth, The Weekender said.
The Times (SA)/Zimbabwe Guardian
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READER OPINIONS
Oliver Mtyambizi • omutyambizi@yahoo.co.uk Subject: ???? Sun, 18 May 2008 07:12:10 • Ladies and gentleman,this is just a replinshment of weapons by the govt.It happened that the timing of delivery was at the helm of opposition's propaganda.If at all the govt intended to use this against the innocent masses of zim,i think they have enough arsenal to do that.We are not an outlaw govt,we do not arm ourselves to maim or kill innocent souls. Every govt is at liberty to equip themselves interms of artilery wise.We have seen the west arming rebels in Angola,DRC and plenty in the middle east in the name of fighting islamic terrorism and its the same weapons that have caused the death of close to a million INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN IRAQ.Why do you bent yourselves to cheap propaganda from the media.The rights of an civilian in zimbabwe are no different from the rights of an iraq civilian who is killed by US soldiers.You blind enough to ignore legitimacy in pursuit of falsehoods.In an case,we knew that we would get the replinshment that we required.we are tired of sickening hypocrise and preachings of holliness by the unholy.Give us a break,we do not meddle into other sovereign states' way of lives,we do not arm rebels to plunder the resources of siera leon,DRC,Iraq to mention a few.Irrespective of what you say,we are a legitimate govt of the Republic of Zim full stop
Dave • observer2121@yahoo.com Subject: Response to OMugabe Sat, 17 May 2008 18:57:15 • If you think the Chinese are not out to capture African resources then you are sorely mistaken, uneducated or just stupid. The Chinese only want one thing from Africa and that is resources so that they can continue their rapid growth. They are not concerned in the least that these weapons will be turned on innocent Zimbabwean citizens who want a change in their lifetime. Why don't you travel to China yourself and you will also se racism there. It is unfortunate that we have misinformed people like you posting their nonsense opinions on the web so that people like me have the misfortune of reading this drivel.
Omugabe • dziva@sanandresano.com Subject: Africa for Africans -- LOOK INWARD & 'LOOK EAST' ZIM PATRIOTS Sat, 17 May 2008 16:35:28 • What difference does it make how a SOVEREIGN NATION, Zimbabwe gets its supplies?
Every bodily system has a right to protect and promote its existence!
It is just natural!
It is only the racist enemies of Africans and their unfortunate apologists who would want to see the Immune Systems of African bodies, of African families, of African nations and of the African Continent be compromised!
It is good and gratifying to see that more and more Africans understand the stakes in Southern Africa, and the relentless enmity of the racist and evil Europeans against African peoples.
It is also wise for Africans to recognize that Africans have TRUE FRIENDS in the Chinese.
No Chinese are imposing crippling sanctions on Africans.
No Chinese are seeking to capture African indigenous Lands, Wealth & Resources!
Look Inward! & Look East, Africans.
In the East lies at this time ALL of the present technological assistance Africans may need for their Self-determination, Self-development, Self-sufficiency and Self-reliance!
Africans who are wise will know to turn away from their racist and relentless enemies in the WICKED WEST!
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