Tomana seeks prosecutions over WikiLeaks

HARARE — Zimbabwe will appoint a commission to investigate the “treasonous collusion” that led to several embarrassing reports being released by WikiLeaks, the country’s attorney-general said Saturday.

“With immediate effect, I am going to instruct a team of practising lawyers to look into the issues that arise from the WikiLeaks,” Attorney-General Johannes Tomana told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

“The WikiLeaks appear to show a treasonous collusion between local Zimbabweans and the aggressive international world, particularly the United States.”

Tomana was this week slapped with sanctions and an asset freeze by the United States, making him the latest ally of long-ruling President Robert Mugabe to be black-listed by the US government.

His statements came after WikiLeaks this month released a series of cables from US diplomats that have been embarrassing to 86-year-old Mugabe and his inner circle.

One discussed the United Nations’ efforts to get Mugabe to stand down by offering him a retirement package and an exile deal. Another contained accusations that Mugabe’s wife, Grace, and Central Bank Governor Gideon Gono were earning huge profits from illegal diamonds.

Mugabe’s wife has filed a lawsuit claiming 15 million dollars in damages from a local independent weekly that reproduced a WikiLeaks report which said she had been involved in underhand sales of diamonds from the controversial Marange mines. AFP