Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace built up a huge personal fortune and property empire while their countrymen suffered in the starvation and grinding poverty that his brutal regime brought about.
Mugabe, who died in Singapore today at the age of 95, owned a lavish 25-bedroom mansion in Harare and a luxury villa in Hong Kong while his playboy sons lived in luxury in Dubai and South Africa.
Leaked diplomatic cables estimated the family wealth at more than $1billion, including six residences and a series of farms around the country.
The controversial land seizures which the Zimbabwean President claimed would distribute land to poor black people also boosted the Mugabes’ own property empire, while causing economic crisis.
The Mugabe mansion in Harare’s Borrowdale suburb became known as the Blue Roof house for its turquoise tiles imported from China.
Set in extensive grounds, the property had 25 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and spas, massive reception rooms and a series of offices.
It was rarely pictured and there were severe penalties for taking photographs of the presidential home.
Originally built to house the ruling white elite during the colonial era, it is now home to Zimbabwe’s leadership and Mugabe’s successor Emmerson Mnangagwa also has a home there.
The Mugabes also had use of the official State House.
One U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks said that ‘the full extent of President Mugabe’s assets are unknown, but are rumoured to exceed $1billion in value’. That was in 2001.
The cable also revealed that an engineering firm chaired by Mugabe’s nephew had won a contract to build a new airport terminal in Harare.
The Zimbabwean President was thought to have made millions of U.S. dollars from the deal.
On top of that, the Mugabes bought a £4million villa in Hong Kong in 2008, just as his reign appeared under threat in a controversial election.
They purchased the three-storey villa after Mugabe’s 20-year-old daughter began studying at the University of Hong Kong, according to reports at the time.
That year Mugabe lost the first round of the presidential vote against his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai.
But Tsvangirai dropped out of the second round after a campaign of violence against his supporters and Mugabe sneaked back into power.
Grace Mugabe was known for her shopping and holiday trips to Asia, including Hong Kong and Bangkok, and earned the nickname ‘Gucci Grace’.
The former first lady set up a school and ran a dairy farm in Mazowe, projects that she said would boost Zimbabwe’s devastated economy but were widely seen as an attempt to build a business empire for personal gain.
Land reform was supposed to take much of the country’s most fertile land – owned by about 4,500 white descendants of mainly British and South African colonial-era settlers – and redistribute it to poor black people.
Instead, Mugabe gave prime farms to ruling party leaders, party loyalists, security chiefs, relatives and cronies.
Many of the most profitable farms ended up in the hands of well-connected public figures including Mugabe’s wife, Grace.
Robert Mugabe was reported at the time to have given 15 of the stolen farms to himself.
Grace is also believed to own houses in South Africa, Dubai and Singapore.
In August 2017, Grace was accused of beating the ‘hell out of’ a young South African model who was partying with her sons in Johannesburg.
But last December, it was claimed Grace – whose property portfolio is worth more than £50million – had not paid her farm workers for three months.
That came after about 400 illegal gold miners invaded one of her farms in March 2018, and allegedly uprooted lemon trees, digging shafts and put gold ore on lorries.
The reports of her lavish spending and explosive temper earned her the title ‘Dis-Grace’ – and eyebrows were raised in 2014 when she gained a PhD in three months.
In the last months of Mugabe’s rule the family’s lavish ways became outlandish, even to Zimbabwe’s jaded public.
Grace Mugabe pressed a lawsuit against a Lebanese diamond dealer in which she charged she had paid him for a 100-carat diamond but he only gave her a gem of 30 carats.
One of the couple’s sons posted images on social media of himself pouring champagne over his diamond-encrusted watch.
The first family’s antics made uncomfortable viewing in a country which Mugabe’s regime had reduced to a basket case.
The farm seizures helped ruin one of Africa’s most dynamic economies, with a collapse in agricultural foreign exchange earnings unleashing hyperinflation.
Inflation reached billions of per cent at the height of the crisis before the local currency was scrapped in favour of the US dollar.
Info News
Cloud Backup Solutions for Small Business: Protect Your Data Before Disaster Strikes
Every small business depends on data. Customer records, invoices, payroll files, email, contracts, website files, and accounting records are all critical. If that data is lost because of ransomware, hardware failure, accidental deletion, fire, theft, or natural disaster, the business may face serious downtime.
rnrn
Cloud backup solutions help protect important files by copying data to secure off-site storage. Unlike a simple external hard drive, cloud backup can provide automated protection and recovery options from almost anywhere.
rnrn
A good backup strategy should include more than one copy of important data. Many businesses follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep three copies of data, use two different storage types, and store one copy off-site. Cloud backup helps with the off-site part of this strategy.
rnrn
Automation is one of the biggest benefits. Employees may forget to manually copy files, but automated backup software can run on a schedule. This reduces the risk of missing important data.
rnrn
Ransomware protection is another key feature. Some backup services offer version history, which allows a business to restore files from a point before the attack. This can be extremely important if files are encrypted or corrupted.
rnrn
When comparing cloud backup providers, look at storage limits, backup frequency, recovery speed, encryption, compliance features, customer support, and pricing. Some providers charge by storage amount, while others charge per device or user.
rnrn
Recovery testing is just as important as backup. A backup is only useful if you can restore it when needed. Small businesses should periodically test file recovery and document the process.
rnrn
Business continuity should also be considered. If a server fails, how quickly can operations continue? Some advanced backup solutions offer disaster recovery features that allow systems to be restored to virtual environments.
rnrn
Security matters because backup data may include sensitive customer and financial information. Look for services that offer encryption during transfer and storage, multi-factor authentication, access controls, and activity logs.
rnrn
Cloud backup is not only for large companies. Small businesses are often more vulnerable because they may not have dedicated IT staff. A reliable backup solution can reduce risk, protect customer trust, and help the business recover faster after a problem.
rnrn
The best time to create a backup plan is before something goes wrong.
rn
Wrongful Death Lawyer: Legal Help After Losing a Loved One
wrongful death lawyer, wrongful death attorney, fatal accident lawyer, death lawsuit lawyer, wrongful death claim, family injury lawyer
rnrn
Wrongful Death Lawyer: Legal Help After Losing a Loved One
rnrn
Losing a loved one because of another person’s negligence is devastating. Families are left with grief, financial pressure, funeral costs, unanswered questions, and a future that suddenly looks different.
rnrn
A wrongful death lawyer helps families pursue legal claims when a death was caused by negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct.
rnrn
This type of case is not just about money. It is about accountability, financial stability, and answers.
rnrn
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
rnrn
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought after someone dies because of another party’s conduct.
rnrn
Common causes include:
rnrn
Car accidents
rnTruck accidents
rnMotorcycle crashes
rnPedestrian accidents
rnMedical malpractice
rnWorkplace incidents
rnDefective products
rnNursing home neglect
rnDangerous property conditions
rnViolent or reckless acts
rnrn
Wrongful death laws vary by state. Who can file and what damages are available depends on local law.
rnrn
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
rnrn
Depending on the state, the claim may be filed by:
rnrn
Spouse
rnChildren
rnParents
rnPersonal representative
rnEstate representative
rnOther eligible family members
rnrn
Because rules vary, families should speak with an attorney in their state.
rnrn
What Damages May Be Available?
rnrn
Wrongful death damages may include:
rnrn
Funeral expenses
rnBurial costs
rnMedical bills before death
rnLost income
rnLoss of financial support
rnLoss of companionship
rnLoss of parental guidance
rnPain and suffering, where allowed
rnEstate-related damages
rnrn
The exact damages depend on state law and the facts.
rnrn
Why Families Need Legal Help
rnrn
Wrongful death cases can involve:
rnrn
Complex investigations
rnInsurance companies
rnMultiple responsible parties
rnExpert witnesses
rnAccident reconstruction
rnMedical evidence
rnFuture income calculations
rnEstate issues
rnStrict deadlines
rnrn
A lawyer can help protect the family from being pressured into a quick settlement.
rnrn
Evidence in a Wrongful Death Case
rnrn
Important evidence may include:
rnrn
Police reports
rnMedical records
rnDeath certificate
rnAutopsy report
rnAccident photos
rnWitness statements
rnVideo footage
rnEmployment records
rnTax records
rnInsurance policies
rnExpert reports
rnCompany records
rnrn
The earlier evidence is preserved, the stronger the investigation may be.
rnrn
Common Wrongful Death Case Types
rnrn
Fatal Car Accidents
rnrn
These may involve drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, or reckless conduct.
rnrn
Truck Accidents
rnrn
Commercial truck crashes may involve trucking companies, drivers, maintenance contractors, or cargo loaders.
rnrn
Medical Malpractice
rnrn
A fatal malpractice claim may involve delayed diagnosis, surgical error, medication error, or failure to monitor.
rnrn
Workplace Death
rnrn
Some workplace deaths may involve workers’ compensation and third-party claims.
rnrn
Defective Products
rnrn
If a dangerous product causes death, the manufacturer or seller may be investigated.
rnrn
Do Wrongful Death Cases Settle?
rnrn
Many wrongful death cases settle, but not all.
rnrn
A settlement may avoid trial, but families should understand the full value of the claim before accepting.
rnrn
Once a settlement is signed, the family may give up the right to pursue additional compensation.
rnrn
Final Thoughts
rnrn
A wrongful death lawyer can help families seek answers and accountability after a preventable death.
rnrn
No lawsuit can replace a loved one. But a legal claim may help cover financial losses, protect surviving family members, and hold responsible parties accountable.
rnrn
If your family lost someone because of negligence, speak with a qualified attorney before important deadlines pass.
rn
