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04/19/2008: "South African dockers refuse to unload China arms shipment for Zimbabwe"
South African dockers are refusing to unload a Chinese cargo ship carrying 77 tonnes of small arms destined for Zimbabwe.
The arms, including three million rounds of ammunition suitable for AK47s and 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades, were ordered by the Zimbabwean military at the time of the March 29 election" which Britain and other Western powers have accused Robert Mugabe of trying to rig.
The arms arrived at Durban, South Africa, on Wednesday aboard the Chinese-owned An Yue Jiang and must be taken by road to landlocked Zimbabwe, where the Government has been accused of arming rural militias before a possible run-off vote for the presidency. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has even accused Mr Mugabe's Zanu (PF) of preparing for a "war" against the people.
[ The US would be delighted at this action. They are concerned about China's growing influence in Africa. Could this be the real reason for this seemingly conscientious objection? ]
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3772113.ece