S. African dockworkers refusing to unload Zimbabwe arms ship

[Dartzap]

Beeb

Row over Zimbabwe arms shipment

A large arms consignment bound for Zimbabwe remains on board a ship at the South African port of Durban after running into a political row.

South African dockworkers are refusing to unload the Chinese vessel, which arrived off the port two days ago.

South Africa's government says it cannot legally prevent the arms being transported through the country.

The row comes amid continuing tension in Zimbabwe over the failure to publish election results.

Critics say Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF government will use the weapons to further suppress democratic rights.

Grenade

The ship, the An Yue Jiang, contains three million rounds of ammunition for AK-47s, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and several thousand mortar rounds, according to South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper.

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Aerial footage of the Chinese ship

The paper reports that a subsidiary of a state-owned South African company, Armscor, was approached to handle the transport of the weapons after several private companies refused to handle the cargo due to its sensitivity.

South African Defence Secretary January Masilela said the country's National Conventional Arms Control Committee had given approval for the transit of the weapons.

"If the buyer is the Zimbabwean sovereign government and the seller is the Chinese sovereign government, South Africa has nothing to do with that," he said.

Mr Masilela added that there was no United Nations or African Union embargo on weapons sales to Zimbabwe.

'Grossly irresponsible'

Several Western countries have banned arms shipments to Zimbabwe as has the European Union.

With continuing tension in Zimbabwe over the failure of the authorities to issue results from the presidential election three weeks ago, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), said it would be "grossly irresponsible" to allow the cargo through.

The union said it was planning to hold protests at Durban harbour.

Zimbabwean opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the weapons were not needed.

Mr Tsvangirai, who maintains he won the election, said Zimbabwe was not at war.

"The only war that is there is Mugabe's war against the people," he said.

Well, this could go badly.

[Shroom Man 777]

The Chinese are selling guns to Zimbabwe? What malign scheme could Fu Manchu have for Robert Mugabe? And why would the Chinese want to support that madmang? I mean, supporting Nigeria and Angola make sense - they have oil. Zimbabwe? Just those magic rocks. And a terrible economy. The Zimbabweans probably can't even pay China for those guns.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

The Chinese are selling guns to Zimbabwe? What malign scheme could Fu Manchu have for Robert Mugabe? And why would the Chinese want to support that madmang? I mean, supporting Nigeria and Angola make sense - they have oil. Zimbabwe? Just those magic rocks. And a terrible economy. The Zimbabweans probably can't even pay China for those guns.

Erm, you have forgotten that the Chinese in general just take the money and no questions asked.

[mr friendly guy]

The Chinese are selling guns to Zimbabwe? What malign scheme could Fu Manchu have for Robert Mugabe? And why would the Chinese want to support that madmang? I mean, supporting Nigeria and Angola make sense - they have oil. Zimbabwe? Just those magic rocks. And a terrible economy. The Zimbabweans probably can't even pay China for those guns.

If Taliban ruled Afghanistan can afford to pay whoever they bought weapons from, then Zimbabwe could most probably afford to pay the Chinese for a bunch of weapons. Its not like they are selling Zimbabwe jets.

[CJvR]

Nice to see the South African dock workers showing more courage and moral fiber than the leadership in that entire shitty region.

[Sidewinder]

The Chinese are selling guns to Zimbabwe? What malign scheme could Fu Manchu have for Robert Mugabe? And why would the Chinese want to support that madmang? I mean, supporting Nigeria and Angola make sense - they have oil. Zimbabwe? Just those magic rocks. And a terrible economy. The Zimbabweans probably can't even pay China for those guns.

Erm, you have forgotten that the Chinese in general just take the money and no questions asked.

I have to second Shroom Man 777. Considering how crappy Zimbabwe's economy is, the Chinese have to be total morons to accept payments in Zimbabwean currency. Are Mugabe & Co. paying for the ammo in foreign currency, e.g., USD or Euros? Barter for whatever the hell Zimbabwe exports? Going, "Go, China! Yay, China!" whenever the African Union has discussions?

[phongn]

Somehow I doubt the Chinese are stupid enough to accept payment in the local currency.