THERE is an interesting front page story in this weeks edition of The Zimbabwean newspaper that explains how President Robert Mugabe and former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, allegedly tried in 2008 to bribe two former US lawmakers with the hope that they will persuade American President Barack Obama after his first election to end sanctions against the Zimbabwean veteran leader and his inner circle. Citing documents sourced from the Chicago District Court, the newspaper reveals that Mugabe had agreed to pay a $3 milion bribe to Prince Asiel Ben Israel and Gregory Turner. Ben Israel has already pleaded guilty to illegally lobbying for the removal of the sanctions which remain in place to date and Turner has fled from the US, the report reads in part. Its unclear if the bribe money was paid, but for agreeing to Mugabes alleged covert request, the two American lawmakers violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. With the Oscar Pistorious murder trial taking the spotlight away from the election hype and other stories in our country, I am not surprised that this story hasnt received a deserving publicity in the South African media.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 21:38:37 +0000
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