Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe. The Mugabes reportedly own
properties in South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and Zimbabwe‚ and could
choose to live in any of those countries. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe made enemies in world
politics during his 37-years at the helm, thanks to his sharp tongue.
Following his fall from grace, the veteran leader now has the task to pick on a ‘retirement home’.
At
home, and in many other countries, he is reviled for running down an
economy once rated as the continent’s breadbasket, his clampdown on
freedom of expression and the massacre of the Ndebele ethnic community
civilians in the early 80s, popularly known as Gukurahundi.
Mr
Mugabe has sought healthcare services in Singapore over the years and
had his children attend school in countries like Singapore, China, Dubai
and South Africa.
“He ran down our country and
stopped using our hospitals and universities because they were
dysfunctional, yet he didn’t want to step down,” said Mr Liberty Nkuna, a
Zimbabwean residing in Pretoria.
And as his lengthy
spell as Zimbabwe president came to an unforeseen end of Tuesday, the
million-dollar question was where he would spend his retirement.
The Mugabes reportedly own properties in South Africa, Hong
Kong, Singapore and Zimbabwe‚ and could choose to live in any of those
countries.
But, even before he stepped down, South
African politically parties were already dabbling with the idea of
hosting him and his family.
The Economic Freedom
Fighters (EFF) led those calls, saying: “We call on the South African
government to prepare to welcome President Mugabe for political asylum.
He must be allowed to come to South Africa so that a peaceful transition
can indeed take place.”
EFF’s call has been backed by the African Diaspora Forum (ADF).
“Mugabe
needs to leave Zimbabwe. I think he should be granted refugee status in
one of the African countries and South Africa is well placed to host
him because of its leadership role in the SADC,” said Mr Marc Gbaffou,
the ADF chairperson.
Of course there have been dissenting voices – the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Congress of the People (COPE).
With the hostility he faces back home, his stay in Zimbabwe may not be a rosy one.
International
relations expert, Prof Lucky Mathebula believes South Africa would be
the safest haven for the 93-year-old leader.
“It would
be the safest because South Africa has better systems to protect him
and his family. South Africa has a constitutional framework guaranteeing
their rights,” Prof Mathebula said.
He noted that South Africa has previously given refuge to former heads of state.
“Experience
tells us that they did that to the president of Haiti during Thabo
Mbeki’s era, they provided similar asylum to other presidents,” he said.
Ousted Haitian president‚ Jean-Bertrand Aristide‚ and
his family were hosted in 2004 for seven years. That cost the country
approximately $285 000 (R5 million) a year.
“The
monthly costs related to his accommodation‚ transport‚ office staff and
security are similar to the cost associated to a South African cabinet
minister‚” the Department of International Relations said at the time.
Lesotho
Prime Minister Tom Thabane spent his two-year self-imposed exile in
South Africa. He fled his country after an army commander he fired
threatened to kill him.
“On the basis of that track
record, South Africa might not be hostile to hosting Mugabe until the
situation in Zimbabwe is friendlier to come back,” said Prof Mathebula.
Political
analyst Thulani Ndlovu believes if Mugabe and his family choose to move
to South Africa‚ the government may not necessarily have to provide
them with a house and state security.
“Aristide was in
South Africa for about seven years‚ meaning about R35 million (about $2
million) of taxpayers’ money was spent on him and his family.
But
I doubt government would have to do the same for the Mugabes. They will
have the rights and privileges of any citizens‚” Mr Ndlovu said.
Grace Mugabe
Interestingly,
the former Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe‚ who was born in Benoni,
South Africa, has a pending court case in the country.
And Mr Ndlovu warns it may not be a quiet and peaceful asylum.
And Mr Ndlovu warns it may not be a quiet and peaceful asylum.
“Their
stay here may be made a bit uncomfortable because of the Grace case,
because AfriForum will go all out to pursue private prosecution. People
want her to stand trial,” he added.
However, Prof Mathebula believes the case will not be resuscitated.
“The
case is buried under diplomatic immunity provision given to Grace
Mugabe, if you open it you’re questioning her immunity at the time the
crime was committed.”
Mrs Mugabe was granted diplomatic immunity by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, a move that sparked outrage in some quarters.
Mrs Mugabe was granted diplomatic immunity by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, a move that sparked outrage in some quarters.
Prof
Mathebula also believes international human rights activists were
unlikely to come after Mr Mugabe to force him to stand trial for crimes
he committed in the 80s and 90s.
“It’s quite tricky because if you’re to prosecute Mugabe, you’ll have to prosecute Mnangagwa as well.”
The Mugabes already have their two sons‚ Robert Junior and Chatunga‚ residing and schooling in South Africa.
Dr
John Akokpari‚ an associate professor in the department of political
studies at the University of Cape Town‚ is convinced it would be wise
for South Africa to host the Mugabes.
“Opposition
parties have in the past suggested the simple toppling of Mugabe to
decrease the high number of migrants in the country‚ but South Africa
needs Zimbabwe more than Zimbabwe needs South Africa‚” said Dr Akokpari.
Zimbabwe is South Africa’s have a shared history of economic relations and are big trading partners.
He believes “the chances are higher that they will come to South Africa‚ and South Africa will most likely accept Mugabe”.
The
South African government on Wednesday said it had received no official
request for political asylum or refugee status for Mr Mugabe.
Deputy
minister for International Relations and Cooperation Luwellyn Landers
said: “At this point there is no indication he or anyone else has
requested asylum.”
It remains to see where the loathed leader will spend his retirement.
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