Janet Banana seeks asylum in UK
Paul A
Paul A
Friday, January 25, 2002
Janet Banana seeks asylum in UK
in the United Kingdom. The wife of Zimbabwe's first president, Canaan
Banana, is surviving on 10 pounds a week in a tiny London flat a far cry
from the grandeur of State House, the Guardian reports. Banana fled
Zimbabwe with her 18-year-old daughter in October 2000 with one suitcase
and 40pounds to her name.
"I had lived as the president's wife in Harare, but I arrived in Britain
with nothing, fleeing for my life," Banana told the London newspaper.
Although her story and background makes her situation different from most
of the other 106 Zimbabweans awaiting asylum in the UK, it reflects the
climate of fear that increases daily in Zimbabwe in the run-up to the March
elections, the Guardian reports.
The paper says she only agreed to be interviewed at all after discussing it
with officers from the Special Branch. They consider her to be in danger
from secret agents thought to have been planted by President Robert Mugabe.
Banana said while Independence bought freedom, it also brought to light an
increasingly autocratic streak in Mugabe, especially from 1987 when he took
over the role of executive president, effectively forcing her husband out
of office and taking complete control of the country.
"At the beginning, when Mugabe was prime minister, he was a friendly and
approachable gentleman. But when he became the executive president he
became a different man. They say power corrupts and it does. It corrupts
absolutely," said Banana.
Decadent spending replaced the ascetic socialism that Mugabe had once
adhered to, she said.
"I remember visiting his mansion outside Harare for a party after his
marriage to his second wife, Grace. His children had their own playroom
with every kind of gadget you can imagine.
"But each time he entered a room the servants had to squat on the floor.
They looked so nervous."
She said she believed Mugabe planned to assassinate her husband just before
he was sentenced on homosexuality charges.
"Mugabe used the issue of my husband's sexuality as a way of mobilising
opinion against Canaan. Mugabe was jealous of Canaan's role in the OAU,
which offered him an international platform not available to him," she
said.
After the trial, Banana found herself in an untenable situation.
"I began to feel that if I stayed in Zimbabwe, my life would be in danger,"
she told the Guardian. "I was followed and monitored by plain-clothes
government agents, and my daughter was harassed in school. I felt I was
about to 'disappear' at any moment. The situation had also deteriorated
between Canaan and me, so even if he came out of prison I knew he wouldn't
support me." Staff Writer.
walthur
Paul A <pa...@bigfootNILSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:a2rti0$bm2$1...@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
> From the Zim Independent.
> Paul A
>
> Friday, January 25, 2002
Janet Banana seeks asylum in the United Kingdom.
------------------------------------
The wife of Zimbabwe's first president, Canaan Banana, is surviving on 10
pounds a week in a tiny London flat a far cry from the grandeur of State
House, the Guardian reports.
Banana fled Zimbabwe with her 18-year-old daughter in October 2000 with one
suitcase
and 40 pounds to her name.
"I had lived as the president's wife in Harare, but I arrived in Britain
with nothing, fleeing for my life," Banana told the London newspaper.
. . . . . . . . ~ . ~ .
This lady deserves nothing other than to be deported home.
She and her husband were some of the first big looters of Zimbabwe. In the
early 80's they strutted from store to store in Harare with their armed
entourage "ordering" goods purportedly for State house. Anything from
electrical goods to books were on their "affirmative shopping" list. Their
surly accompanying officials declined to provide purchase requisitions, or
any indication as to how the goods were to be paid for. Of course few if any
saw their due money. A major soft goods store (Sanders) had to shut down
soon after because of financial losses attributed to the refurnishing of
State House. One of their sons was implicated in a murder charge. It is
believed he did not get what he deserved.
Just another one of those "lost docket" type stories that seem to happen in
Zimbabwe for the benefit of the Zanu PF Party faithful. The above
illustrates the often seen point that the Zanu PF elitists are unqualified
for employment in a civilised country without the platform of graft and
favour under their feet.
What goes around comes around.
WH
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bernard
deserving asylum seekers, his government have been sheltering the likes of
her.
bt.internet.com
"Paul A" <pa...@bigfootNILSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:a2rti0$bm2$1...@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Paul A
> Friday, January 25, 2002
> Janet Banana seeks asylum in UK
> in the United Kingdom. The wife of Zimbabwe's first president, Canaan >
Banana, is surviving on 10 pounds a week in a tiny London flat a far cry
More lies this lady would have her rent paid,, rates paid ,,water paid,,
heating paid ,, she would have social workers at her beck and call ,, making
sure that the £110.00, living allowance was enough. She would have all
medical and dentist fees paid,, She would only have to cry racist and all
the left wingers would be there wringing their hands. Sheesh it makes me
sick.