Sanctions, the Rule of Law and Business Investment in Zimbabwe: A Conversation between Ronny Levi Musan, Zimbabwe’s Honorary Consul to Israel and Goddy Mapundu Shereni, a Member of the Connections2Communities (C2C).

The 25^th of October 2020 has been declared as an Anti-Sanctions Day by Zimbabwe’s political governing authority led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is leading a crusade against sanctions imposed on the country by the western community including America and Britain.

Mnangagwa and his followers believes that sanctions are the main cause of the economic rot in the country but those who have imposed the same sanctions are saying they are only targeted to ‘a specific few’ who do not value democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Therefore, as we reflect on the controversy surrounding sanctions and the way forward to make Zimbabwe conducive for human settlement and economic investment, we publish a conversation between Ronny Levi Musan, Zimbabwe’s Honorary Consul to Israel and Goddy Mapundu Shereni (GMS), a member of the Connections2Communities (C2C).

GMS: Good morning brother Ronny. May I ask you some few questions..?

Ronny Levi Musan: Good morning yes of course.

GMS: I will ask you questions in threefold, first with regards to your role, 2nd with regards to the spiritual aspect then finally investment opportunities between Zimbabwe and Israel.

You indicated that Israel through your role is willing to help lobby against sanctions. What’s your take on the human rights record of Zimbabwe considering that Western countries point to this as the rationale behind the sanctions?

Ronny Levi Musan: Here is my answer to this one: The issue of human rights is a very sensitive issue and a very comparative issue. And I will explain. Throughout the world this issue is making headlines not only in Zimbabwe but also in Israel. On the one hand you can get complaints every day from certain organizations including the UN about human rights violations by Israel against the Palestinians, but on the other hand no one complains when children are used as human shields, or schools are used as weapons depots, or when there is mass murder right on the border of Israel or in other countries … therefore we should examine every claim and treat things responsibly and bring proof of each claim, because there is a lot of politics and interests in these claims and everyone knows it. To come and blame His Excellency the President or any other factor, is neither serious nor responsible. We should rely only on facts, otherwise it has no end.

I can tell you what we learned a lot about this issue in Israel. Israel operates within a very problematic area, in face of hostile elements whose human rights are from them onwards … Every day Israel learns lessons and works to improve the accuracy of its actions in order to do good with the citizens under its control and avoid harming innocent people. It requires a lot of learning, experience, technology and training of the forces on the ground.

If we go back to Zimbabwe… there too, we need to examine the allegations of human rights violations and see if they are real of perhaps political or self-interested claims. If they are true, then every effort should be made to address the problem, because it is a very serious problem! This problem can certainly be addressed by training the security forces and security institutions, on how to deal with problems of disorder and security in front of the demonstrators or the attackers.

We also need to check what is happening in the prisons in Zimbabwe and how prisoners are treated there, we need to check the interrogation methods and more and more. Israel has enormous knowledge on this matter because of the day-to-day security challenges that threaten the peace of both Jewish and Palestinian citizens living in Israel. I am sure that Israel will be able to contribute a lot to ZIM in this area and we are already working on programs that will be published soon. 

It is not a shame to talk about this issue… it is solvable and it must be resolved because solving this problem will bring a lot of international benefit to Zimbabwe and instill hope in the hearts of the citizens, that here is something real changing. I am sure His Excellency the President has put on his table this issue as a central issue. Changing processes takes time but it will happen.

GMS: Thank you for the spirited response. Still on the human rights issue; you may be aware of the recent abduction of a student journalist Tawanda Muchehiwa. It took a High Court order for the state security agents to release him after 2 days and his abduction was captured through CCTV cameras. How best can Israel assist in ensuring that Zimbabwean citizens are not subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment like abductions and torture? Talking of technology how best can Zimbabwe make use of Israeli technology in holding human rights perpetrators to account?

Ronny Levi Musan: My answer:   The issue of security for the citizens of Zimbabwe must be coordinated with His Excellency the President and the Government. This is not a simple issue. This is a process at the end of which a significant change can certainly be seen.

These days, as we approach October 25,  the Zimbabwe’s Anti Sanction Day, I have spent a lot of time meeting with Israeli technology and security companies to think together about what can be done to help Zimbabwe on this important issue, and I am preparing an orderly plan for His Excellency the President.

I want you to know, His Excellency the President is working hard to improve Zimbabwe’s image and working day and night for the sake of the citizens of Zimbabwe.

GMS: Obviously the President’s efforts require some meaningful reforms. Currently we have legislation like the Reconstruction of State indebted and Insolvent Companies Act. Through this Act the state has deprived and divested citizens and companies of their property without any redress. Legal experts agree to the unconstitutionality of the Act and have been calling for its repeal. What’s your take on the issue of property rights and security in Zimbabwe given that you are rallying investors to come and invest in Zimbabwe?

Attached here is a judgment (attach ZIMRE Judgement) where provisions of that law were subject to court interpretation

Ronny Levi Musan: Every person who invests money wants to know that his money is safe and secured and he will see profits from his investment. It’s A. B. C in investments.

Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic situation makes it difficult to obtain international credit. Investors are afraid to invest even though they want to. I personally know some big investors willing to invest capital in Zimbabwe but they ask me: “Ronny… what guarantee we get for our money? Who assures us that they will not throw us out after we have invested?” These are legitimate questions that need to be considered in particular when we want to bring significant growth to Zimbabwe and not empty slogans.

Significant growth requires large investments, a long-term plan, only then can Zimbabwe grow and the children of today be able to live in a better and more promising Zimbabwe.

We have significant plans for Zimbabwe that the issue holding them back from immediate implementing is funding. Once we reach a formula that guarantees the money of investors in Zimbabwe, then we can start to see significant results on the ground.

Investor confidence helps the economy of the country, because when there are no investors there is no growth.

If we work together with the authorities in Zimbabwe and set goals, produce economic conferences with the participation of large investors from Israel, then I invite you to do another article with me in which we present significant results.

We must have full cooperation with the decision makers in this area in Zimbabwe because investors do not like to fall between chairs. By the way… all that has been said applies to every country not just to Zimbabwe, so I do not invent anything… the only news I can bring is a line of investors waiting to invest in Zimbabwe with us!

GMS: That is good to hear Honorable Musan. Security for one’s investments is key. As you know Zimbabwe has vast mineral resources, some yet to be exploited, some already being exploited albeit not to the maximum. Apart from Agriculture, is there something in waiting for the Zimbabwe mining sector from Israel?

Ronny Levi Musan: Zimbabwe is indeed one of the 5 leading countries in the field of diamonds that can supply 25% of the consumption of diamonds in the world.  Israel is known as a leading country in the field of diamond trade, with branches in almost every country in the world.

The absurdity is that there are many companies from all over the world who buy diamonds from Zimbabwe and come to Israel to sell them after adding their profit. I am working hard to open a direct and daily channel in the field of the diamond trade between Israel and Zimbabwe; this will allow many traders from Zimbabwe to earn more.

The issue of mines is also very interesting and by the way one of the significant security measures that can be given to investors for their investment in the development of the various projects in Zimbabwe.

Currently, I have a long list of merchants waiting to see and purchase goods from Zimbabwe. I am working to regulate the process so we can start activities immediately.

The fact that I am trustee of Zimbabwe and Israel as Consul, can certainly give full confidence to those who want to work with us in this area, which relies mainly on trust.

The diamond field is an area that can bring lots of money to Zimbabwe, can help ZIM propel its economy and develop ZIM in all other fields and we are happy to have the opportunity to mobilize all the forces working in this field to bring support to Zimbabwe and encourage its diamond industry.

GMS: Are we going to see Israeli investors in the mining sector as well?

Ronny Levi Musan: Once we open a supervised and managed system that will manage this issue, I can assure you that investors will come. Every day investors come to our offices in Tel Aviv to offer their financial capabilities.

GMS: That’s good to hear and sounds very promising. Now going to the spiritual aspect. I once heard of a project where your company wanted to partner PHD founder prophet W. Magaya in the construction of replica holy sites in Zimbabwe. How far have you gone towards that project?

Ronny Levi Musan: On one of my visits to Zimbabwe I was invited to PHD church. I admired the professionalism and development ability of PHD church, and indeed Prophet Magaya came for a reciprocal visit to Israel during which we thought of building a replica of the Garden Tomb of Jesus in the compound of PHD church. Indeed such a small model was built and I am happy about that, because it gives spiritual joy to the people of PHD church.

The churches in Zimbabwe are large and very important, I work very closely with Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi who is very active in Israel and together we work to bring Zimbabwe closer to Israel on the spiritual level as it has not been to this day. 

I personally invest a lot of time to help Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi build his church in Jerusalem that will that will be a spiritual bridge between Zion and Jerusalem, and Zion Christian Church in Zimbabwe.

GMS: Good progress. I was not aware that you actually built the replica tomb and I was not alive to your exploits with Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi. Both Ministers command a huge following in Zimbabwe. Would you be in a position to work with upcoming Ministers of God and those leading smaller congregations in Zimbabwe as well?

Ronny Levi Musan: I am ready to work and help anyone who wants to be close to Israel both spiritually and commercially. I am a person who believes in God!  In the eyes of God we are all at the same level, He loves us all, so for me to work with a “big” ministry or a” small” ministry is the same thing. I respect everyone equally.

GMS: This is good news. We will discuss this in detail as there are various mining consultancy companies seeking to bring investors to Zimbabwe but currently they lack contacts and trustees like you!

Ronny Levi Musan: I do not know about other companies … each company is responsible for itself…I know what I am doing and am responsible for what I say; after all I am an honorary consul of Zimbabwe in Israel, a position that requires responsibility and commitment.

I am committed to do everything possible to assist Zimbabwe in any area in which we can assist!!!  This was my promise to His Excellency the President when we met, and this is my promise to every resident of Zimbabwe. We did not come to Zimbabwe to be photographed with H.E. the President … we came to work hard with H.E. for the sake of the people of Zimbabwe.

GMS: That’s great. We look forward to more investors coming to Zimbabwe from Israel through your cooperation

Mr Shereni is a member of the C2C initiative promoted and powered by the 1873 Network and FM radio platforms. This engagement is part of the pursuit of shared values and understanding on what matters to our common future.