Mugabe's daughter 'studying at Hong Kong university'

A human rights activist today urged Hong Kong to deport the daughter of Robert Mugabe if it is confirmed she is studying at a local university and the Zimbabwean president is funding her education.

Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Director Law Yuk-kai said the government should confirm a newspaper report that Bona Mugabe is studying at the University of Hong Kong, and if it is accurate, examine her finances.

“If the money she is spending was siphoned off the ordinary people, there is a problem,” Mr Law said. “Just like other members of the international community, Hong Kong should do its part in imposing sanctions.”

The US and European Union have imposed sanctions on Mr Mugabe’s ruling clique, including asset freezes and travel bans.

Australia has also banned the children of members of Mr Mugabe’s administration from studying there.

The South China Morning Post reported today the 20-year-old daughter of the Zimbabwean president is enrolled under an alias, but gave no more details.

The University of Hong Kong’s media manager didn’t immediately respond to a reporter’s e-mail seeking comment. Bona Mugabe didn’t immediately respond to a message sent to her on the social networking website Facebook.

Robert Mugabe, 84, has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980. He has been accused of overseeing the country’s economic collapse, which has led to a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 2,773 and left millions of Zimbabweans dependent on international food aid.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement today it had no comment.

A freelance photographer for The Sunday Times said last week that Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, repeatedly hit him in the face when he tried to take pictures of her outside a luxury hotel in Hong Kong on January 15. Hong Kong police have not made any arrests.