07 December 2006
THE environment may be better off with the 220-hectare Mosi oa Tunya Hotel and Country Club golf development in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, says Legacy chief executive, Bart Dorrenstein. ( Tel: +27 11 806-1200 Fax: +27 11 234-1828 E-mail: cklostermann@legacyhotels.co.za)
The site is presently used by picnickers and is being damaged through the indiscriminate cutting of trees, as well as the increased population of elephant crossing the river from Zimbabwe, Dorrenstein told Travel News Now recently.
According to the hotel group, bird life, flora and fauna on the site will be enhanced by the development, and game, once evident in the park, will be reintroduced. "These are all pluses for the area and environment," said Dorrenstein, who blames local stakeholders with their "own agenda or conflicting interests" for fanning the flames of outrage around the development.
The real issue, says Dorrenstein, is whether the environment on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls will be better or worse off with the development. Legacy, he says, believes the development could be a model for others to follow, "one which sets the standard for how man, nature and wildlife can live together."
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the development is growing, with international and local mainstream media having added their voices to the outrage. But, as Legacy points out, this is not the first tourism development to have been built in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. "We are surprised to note that none of the other developments on the Zambian side seem to have been attracting any of the attention ours has," says Dorrenstein.
Ian Manning, steering committee member of the Natural Resources Consultative Forum of Zambia, says there was similar controversy around these developments, including the Sun International site. "Zambia has always suffered from a weak environmental lobby. Efforts were made to fight the Sun International development at the time, but the development was pushed through by the Zambian Vice President," says Manning.
Natalia Thomson
(nataliat@nowmedia.co.za)
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Well, so what : Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls could go on UN worry list...
Gosh.
"Even the attraction of the Victoria Falls has failed to reverse the fortunes of a tourism industry hit hard by an unprecedented economic crisis largely blamed on President Robert Mugabe's government's seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks.
Western visitors, who have traditionally topped arrival numbers, have shunned the southern African state mostly over safety fears following the often violent land grabs.
Earnings from the industry plunged by more than 70 percent to $98 million last year from $340 million in 1999, just before the land reforms started."
Gosh.
Victoria Falls & Zambezi River developments should be halted!
The difference between ownership and responsibility is one that few seem to grasp in today’s world of quarterly stock price reviews, Moore’s Law and Global Warming.
Ownership implies responsibility. Responsibility implies much more than simple ownership.
There have been conflicting efforts throughout the years to protect the environment. Jack Curtis, of Kasaba Bay fame, built the paths through the rain forest, with much regret, in order to protect the plants on the edges of the muddy paths.
I remember the outcry when, in contravention of Township regulations, the Casino Hotel went above tree level in height. Of course, that was before the blogosphere and instant global outrage. The casino stayed up.
Then the Sheraton, (was it?) ruined the Zambian skyline.
Then on a sacred hill overlooking the wide, lazy stretch of the Zambezi above the Falls, the Elephant Hills Hotel was i) built; ii) torn down; iii) rebuilt; iv) hit by a Sam 7 heat seeking missile; v) rebuilt; and vi) nearly burnt down again. And of course vii) rebuilt again. You’d think we’d learn.
In the meantime, Gary Player’s Golf Course gave elephant and hippo, buck and warthog an upmarket open zoo to wander through. Hardly natural, but the animals coped with change in the environment.
As they coped with Bungy jumpers, canoe safari’s, white water rafters, helicopters and booze cruises. They even occasionally got in a bite in revenge.
But let’s get real about the situation at the Falls. The animals are already too enclosed. We need to improve land planning, increase profits and give back to the animal’s land that is under used.
Move people from the numerous poverty-stricken villages that surround the area into the urban space and build an infrastructure designed to repair the damage with tree planting, intensive agriculture and other suitable sustainable activities.
Fence off the suburbs and restrict travel at night.
Hah, fat chance,
Changes coming make our stewardship more difficult. And our record so far with the Falls environment has been, lets face it, pretty appalling.
So what is to be done?
· ALL development should be stopped.
· Hotel and tourism prices should be doubled, tripled and more!
· Quality in all services should be improved until visitors get value for money.
Hah. Even fatter chance!
Too simple? One person who thought a great deal about the future of tourism in Africa was the late, great, much missed Dave Kauffman of Bulawayo. He came up with two visions, it must have been 20 years ago.
His one idea was to only let into Zimbabwe very rich people and backpackers. No tours, no groups, only small parties. But why backpackers? Because they have a light footprint and will come back as very rich people.
His other idea to save the true heart of Africa was to provide people who now couldn’t afford the outrageously expensive visit with a virtual reality experience that would make the environment and grandeur of the “Smoke that thunders” available and real to everyone.
Bit ahead of his time, but now the time is here, I hope the reality is still worth saving.
Check out http://victoriafallsheritage.blogspot.com/2006/12/kk-advises-government-on-legacy.html for something to do to help.
And as Nick Drake said, “if you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
Ownership implies responsibility. Responsibility implies much more than simple ownership.
There have been conflicting efforts throughout the years to protect the environment. Jack Curtis, of Kasaba Bay fame, built the paths through the rain forest, with much regret, in order to protect the plants on the edges of the muddy paths.
I remember the outcry when, in contravention of Township regulations, the Casino Hotel went above tree level in height. Of course, that was before the blogosphere and instant global outrage. The casino stayed up.
Then the Sheraton, (was it?) ruined the Zambian skyline.
Then on a sacred hill overlooking the wide, lazy stretch of the Zambezi above the Falls, the Elephant Hills Hotel was i) built; ii) torn down; iii) rebuilt; iv) hit by a Sam 7 heat seeking missile; v) rebuilt; and vi) nearly burnt down again. And of course vii) rebuilt again. You’d think we’d learn.
In the meantime, Gary Player’s Golf Course gave elephant and hippo, buck and warthog an upmarket open zoo to wander through. Hardly natural, but the animals coped with change in the environment.
As they coped with Bungy jumpers, canoe safari’s, white water rafters, helicopters and booze cruises. They even occasionally got in a bite in revenge.
But let’s get real about the situation at the Falls. The animals are already too enclosed. We need to improve land planning, increase profits and give back to the animal’s land that is under used.
Move people from the numerous poverty-stricken villages that surround the area into the urban space and build an infrastructure designed to repair the damage with tree planting, intensive agriculture and other suitable sustainable activities.
Fence off the suburbs and restrict travel at night.
Hah, fat chance,
Changes coming make our stewardship more difficult. And our record so far with the Falls environment has been, lets face it, pretty appalling.
So what is to be done?
· ALL development should be stopped.
· Hotel and tourism prices should be doubled, tripled and more!
· Quality in all services should be improved until visitors get value for money.
Hah. Even fatter chance!
Too simple? One person who thought a great deal about the future of tourism in Africa was the late, great, much missed Dave Kauffman of Bulawayo. He came up with two visions, it must have been 20 years ago.
His one idea was to only let into Zimbabwe very rich people and backpackers. No tours, no groups, only small parties. But why backpackers? Because they have a light footprint and will come back as very rich people.
His other idea to save the true heart of Africa was to provide people who now couldn’t afford the outrageously expensive visit with a virtual reality experience that would make the environment and grandeur of the “Smoke that thunders” available and real to everyone.
Bit ahead of his time, but now the time is here, I hope the reality is still worth saving.
Check out http://victoriafallsheritage.blogspot.com/2006/12/kk-advises-government-on-legacy.html for something to do to help.
And as Nick Drake said, “if you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
Friday, December 01, 2006
Freedom In Our Lifetime ~ Zimbabwe Solidarity Festival, Joburg, 9 Dec
Uhuru Network Presents
THE FREEDOM IN OUR LIFETIME FESTIVAL ~ A RESISTANCE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN SOLIDARITY WITH ZIMBABWE
XARRA BOOKSHOP QUAD, NEWTOWN, JO'BURG
SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER
12 MIDDAY - 7PM
FEATURING:
- FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN (HIP HOP - SA)
- COMRADE FATSO & CHABVONDOKA (HIP HOP-POETRY-CHIMURENGA FUSION - ZIMBABWE)
- SOUNDS OF EDUTAINMENT (POETRY - SA)
- TOYI TOYI ARTS KOLLEKTIVE (HIP HOP - ZIMBABWE)
- JOSH MECK & MAONERO (AFRO-JAZZ - ZIMBABWE)
STALLS BY ZIMBABWEAN ORGANISATIONS AND MOVEMENTS ~ ARTS AND CRAFTS ~ COLD BEER
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
INFO: UHURU_NETWORK@HOTMAIL.COM
DON'T MISS THIS EXPLOSIVE FESTIVAL OF THE MOST REBELLIOUS TALENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LIMPOPO!
FREEDOM! ~ NKULULEKO! ~ UHURU! ~ RUSUNUNGUKO!
............................................................................................
ABOUT THE FREEDOM IN OUR LIFETIME FESTIVAL
The Freedom In Our Lifetime Festival aims to raise awareness on the oppression faced by Zimbabwean people today. We hope the festival can unite the Zimbabwean Diaspora and South Africans in coming up with creative solutions for freedom in Zimbabwe. Music is the key as we bring together rising, outspoken artists from both countries. Artists whose message and music are both rebellious and new, truthful and innovative.
Fire on the Mountain are one of South Africa's most respected grassroots hip hop movements, uniting dozens of MCs across the country. Samm Farai Monro, better known as Comrade Fatso, is amongst Zimbabwe's top resistance poets
mixing poetry, hip hop and chimurenga to create a funky, anarchic afro-beat sound with his band Chabvondoka. Sounds of Edutainment are a diverse movement of poets that bring together voice and percussion in a powerful way. Like Comrade Fatso the Toyi Toyi Arts Kollektive are also part of the Uhuru Network and are Zimbabwe's fastest rising Shona-language hip hop group as they merge tradiion and street culture. Josh Meck and Maonero are one of the freshest jazz groups in the Harare jazz scene, combining beautiful melodies and deep afro-jazz basslines.
ABOUT THE UHURU NETWORK
The Uhuru Network is a network of Zimbabwean community youth struggling for social justice. Based in Harare's townships the network uses creative ways of mobilising ghetto youth to fight for their rights, ways ranging from
radical arts performances to community medai intiatives, from street clean-ups to subversive soccer battles. Uhuru has recently infected Jo'burg where it now has an Uhuru Solidarity Desk which distributes democracy material and raises awareness about the Zimbabwean struggle. The Freedom In Our Lifetime Festival is one such intiative.
THE FREEDOM IN OUR LIFETIME FESTIVAL ~ A RESISTANCE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN SOLIDARITY WITH ZIMBABWE
XARRA BOOKSHOP QUAD, NEWTOWN, JO'BURG
SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER
12 MIDDAY - 7PM
FEATURING:
- FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN (HIP HOP - SA)
- COMRADE FATSO & CHABVONDOKA (HIP HOP-POETRY-CHIMURENGA FUSION - ZIMBABWE)
- SOUNDS OF EDUTAINMENT (POETRY - SA)
- TOYI TOYI ARTS KOLLEKTIVE (HIP HOP - ZIMBABWE)
- JOSH MECK & MAONERO (AFRO-JAZZ - ZIMBABWE)
STALLS BY ZIMBABWEAN ORGANISATIONS AND MOVEMENTS ~ ARTS AND CRAFTS ~ COLD BEER
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
INFO: UHURU_NETWORK@HOTMAIL.COM
DON'T MISS THIS EXPLOSIVE FESTIVAL OF THE MOST REBELLIOUS TALENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LIMPOPO!
FREEDOM! ~ NKULULEKO! ~ UHURU! ~ RUSUNUNGUKO!
............................................................................................
ABOUT THE FREEDOM IN OUR LIFETIME FESTIVAL
The Freedom In Our Lifetime Festival aims to raise awareness on the oppression faced by Zimbabwean people today. We hope the festival can unite the Zimbabwean Diaspora and South Africans in coming up with creative solutions for freedom in Zimbabwe. Music is the key as we bring together rising, outspoken artists from both countries. Artists whose message and music are both rebellious and new, truthful and innovative.
Fire on the Mountain are one of South Africa's most respected grassroots hip hop movements, uniting dozens of MCs across the country. Samm Farai Monro, better known as Comrade Fatso, is amongst Zimbabwe's top resistance poets
mixing poetry, hip hop and chimurenga to create a funky, anarchic afro-beat sound with his band Chabvondoka. Sounds of Edutainment are a diverse movement of poets that bring together voice and percussion in a powerful way. Like Comrade Fatso the Toyi Toyi Arts Kollektive are also part of the Uhuru Network and are Zimbabwe's fastest rising Shona-language hip hop group as they merge tradiion and street culture. Josh Meck and Maonero are one of the freshest jazz groups in the Harare jazz scene, combining beautiful melodies and deep afro-jazz basslines.
ABOUT THE UHURU NETWORK
The Uhuru Network is a network of Zimbabwean community youth struggling for social justice. Based in Harare's townships the network uses creative ways of mobilising ghetto youth to fight for their rights, ways ranging from
radical arts performances to community medai intiatives, from street clean-ups to subversive soccer battles. Uhuru has recently infected Jo'burg where it now has an Uhuru Solidarity Desk which distributes democracy material and raises awareness about the Zimbabwean struggle. The Freedom In Our Lifetime Festival is one such intiative.
Friday, November 24, 2006
SW Radio Africa is International Radio Station of the Year.
SW Radio Africa has won the award for International Radio Station of the Year from the AIB, the Association for International Broadcasting. Other winners included the BBC World Service.
Mandisa Mundawarara was highly commended in the award category, International Radio Presenter of the Year.
These non commercial awards offer peer review of output, personalities and technology - they are the only awards that celebrate excellence in international cross-border broadcasting. The 2006 awards have been judged by an international panel of broadcasting experts, including professional TV and radio critics from leading newspapers.
See links:
http://www.aib.org.uk/
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/article/221106/bbc_and_sky_win_broadcast_awards
Mandisa Mundawarara was highly commended in the award category, International Radio Presenter of the Year.
These non commercial awards offer peer review of output, personalities and technology - they are the only awards that celebrate excellence in international cross-border broadcasting. The 2006 awards have been judged by an international panel of broadcasting experts, including professional TV and radio critics from leading newspapers.
See links:
http://www.aib.org.uk/
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/article/221106/bbc_and_sky_win_broadcast_awards
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Who is marching from Norwood?
ANGRY ABOUT CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA
Hi all South Africans
My name is Lorraine, In April 2006 one of my best friends Richard Bloom and his best friend Brett Goldin were murdered in Cape Town. As a South African I have decided to make a difference and March to give a memorandum to our president. Please help me to make this a success. If we all don’t stand together, nothing will ever be done. March with me – let’s be seen and heard
70 people are murdered in South Africa every day. This number excludes the other evils of crime such as rape, robbery and hijacking.
South Africa is at war. Crime is out of control, Now, more than ever before in our history, the people of South Africa need to stop doing nothing. We need to prevent the evil of crime from spreading any further.
Do you feel safe in your own home? Is your family safe? Have you personally experienced the evil of crime in South Africa? Are you satisfied that your President cares about your safety and well-being? Are you angry about crime?
On 24th November 2006, at 10.30 am the people of South Africa will come together to say to our President that we are angry about crime and we want action. No more talking, no more denial, we want action and we want it now.
If you believe in South Africa and want to live a long and happy life in this beautiful country of ours, take time out for yourself and the ones you love and let us march together from Wits University Empire Road entrance and gather outside the SABC to deliver a message to our President that all is not okay. We are angry about crime and demand action now.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY .
March on the 24th NOVEMBER 2006 at 11.00pm
Bring lots of water and sun block
No littering
Hi all South Africans
My name is Lorraine, In April 2006 one of my best friends Richard Bloom and his best friend Brett Goldin were murdered in Cape Town. As a South African I have decided to make a difference and March to give a memorandum to our president. Please help me to make this a success. If we all don’t stand together, nothing will ever be done. March with me – let’s be seen and heard
70 people are murdered in South Africa every day. This number excludes the other evils of crime such as rape, robbery and hijacking.
South Africa is at war. Crime is out of control, Now, more than ever before in our history, the people of South Africa need to stop doing nothing. We need to prevent the evil of crime from spreading any further.
Do you feel safe in your own home? Is your family safe? Have you personally experienced the evil of crime in South Africa? Are you satisfied that your President cares about your safety and well-being? Are you angry about crime?
On 24th November 2006, at 10.30 am the people of South Africa will come together to say to our President that we are angry about crime and we want action. No more talking, no more denial, we want action and we want it now.
If you believe in South Africa and want to live a long and happy life in this beautiful country of ours, take time out for yourself and the ones you love and let us march together from Wits University Empire Road entrance and gather outside the SABC to deliver a message to our President that all is not okay. We are angry about crime and demand action now.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY .
March on the 24th NOVEMBER 2006 at 11.00pm
Bring lots of water and sun block
No littering
Saturday, November 11, 2006
ZIMBABWE: Doctors protest condition of health system
BULAWAYO, 10 November (PLUSNEWS) - Doctors in Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo, have gone on strike to protest against deteriorating health services characterised by widespread shortages of drugs, food and equipment.
The stayaway, which started on Monday, is expected to spread to other parts of the country during the course of the week.
"It has become very difficult to work with basically nothing to use in all departments; it is disappointing to watch patients deteriorating in a hospital, as no help can be given to them," medical practitioners at the city's two main referral centres, Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals, said in a statement.
"Doctors took an oath to save lives, and do not want to continue lying to patients that they can do something for them when they know very well there is nothing they can do, as the hospitals can no longer function."
The striking doctors said there was virtually nothing to administer to patients at the two hospitals, and the situation was the same in government-owned health institutions across the country.
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, an NGO, indicated in a recent statement that the country's health facilities had "in fact become death traps, as patients continue to die unnecessarily due to drug shortages." In some instances hospitals had no running water.
Officials have acknowledged shortages of key drugs in the recent past.
The health delivery system has virtually collapsed in the last seven years due to lack of foreign exchange to purchase medical requirements and a shortage of qualified personnel, who have fled low pay and poor working conditions for greener pastures in other countries.
Zimbabwe is going through a severe economic crisis, with serious fuel and food shortages brought on by recurring droughts and the government's fast-track land redistribution programme, which have disrupted agricultural production and slashed export earnings.
Doctors in the Bulawayo hospitals were also concerned about the quality and quantity of food being given to patients, and claimed that malnutrition was rampant in government health institutions. At least five patients at the Ingutsheni Hospital for the mentally challenged in Bulawayo died last month after allegedly being diagnosed with malnutrition.
The Zimbabwean deputy health minister, Edwin Muguti, confirmed the five deaths at the hospital, but said the authorities had yet to establish the cause.
"There is basically no food to feed the sick, yet it is only natural that patients need to eat for their conditions to improve. This is worrying us so much, and we demand that government sets its priorities right and starts working towards rebuilding the health sector," the doctors said.
There was no comment from the Zimbabwe Doctors Association, which officially represents the country's medical practitioners.
nn/jk/he/oa
The stayaway, which started on Monday, is expected to spread to other parts of the country during the course of the week.
"It has become very difficult to work with basically nothing to use in all departments; it is disappointing to watch patients deteriorating in a hospital, as no help can be given to them," medical practitioners at the city's two main referral centres, Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals, said in a statement.
"Doctors took an oath to save lives, and do not want to continue lying to patients that they can do something for them when they know very well there is nothing they can do, as the hospitals can no longer function."
The striking doctors said there was virtually nothing to administer to patients at the two hospitals, and the situation was the same in government-owned health institutions across the country.
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, an NGO, indicated in a recent statement that the country's health facilities had "in fact become death traps, as patients continue to die unnecessarily due to drug shortages." In some instances hospitals had no running water.
Officials have acknowledged shortages of key drugs in the recent past.
The health delivery system has virtually collapsed in the last seven years due to lack of foreign exchange to purchase medical requirements and a shortage of qualified personnel, who have fled low pay and poor working conditions for greener pastures in other countries.
Zimbabwe is going through a severe economic crisis, with serious fuel and food shortages brought on by recurring droughts and the government's fast-track land redistribution programme, which have disrupted agricultural production and slashed export earnings.
Doctors in the Bulawayo hospitals were also concerned about the quality and quantity of food being given to patients, and claimed that malnutrition was rampant in government health institutions. At least five patients at the Ingutsheni Hospital for the mentally challenged in Bulawayo died last month after allegedly being diagnosed with malnutrition.
The Zimbabwean deputy health minister, Edwin Muguti, confirmed the five deaths at the hospital, but said the authorities had yet to establish the cause.
"There is basically no food to feed the sick, yet it is only natural that patients need to eat for their conditions to improve. This is worrying us so much, and we demand that government sets its priorities right and starts working towards rebuilding the health sector," the doctors said.
There was no comment from the Zimbabwe Doctors Association, which officially represents the country's medical practitioners.
nn/jk/he/oa
Friday, November 10, 2006
At large with John Makumbe: ALOOTER CONTINUA
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
John Makumbe
‘Matsotsi haagerani (Thieves look after each other)’
Media reports on the recent, and not so recent, looting of Zisco finances by Zanu (PF) officials confirm what most Zimbabweans have long suspected - that the level of asset stripping taking place under Robert Mugabe’s watch has risen to astronomical proportions. It is unfortunate, however, that he sits there like a zombie, incapable of stopping the rot, let alone arresting and prosecuting any of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. In the past, government and ruling party officials used to be so frightened of what Mugabe would say that they would be panic-stricken whenever they did something that the “dear leader” disapproved of. Today, they carry on looting regardless of his remonstrations and much fist-shaking from the spent force that is Mugabe.
But there have to be good reasons for this reckless disregard for presidential authority by Mugabe’s minions as demonstrated through the Zisco stories. It is possible that the looters are aware that Mugabe has become so impotent that his bark is much worse than his bite. He threatens what he has neither capacity nor interest to undertake. It is therefore quite safe just to ignore him and carry on looting. After setting up the much-touted Anti-Corruption Commission, Mugabe and Zanu (PF) proceeded to uproot the commission’s teeth, thereby making it harmless to the looters.
A second possible reason for Mugabe’s impotence may be that he himself has long ceased to be “holier than thou”, and has small and big “sins” that he has committed as well. Some of his underlings are aware of these, and will not hesitate to disclose them should they be threatened by the old man. We have not forgotten that some time last year Mugabe threatened senior Zanu (PF) and government officials who had acquired more than one farm from the grand invasion with punishment. Recently, it has been disclosed that there are still numerous such cases, and none of them has been punished. It is possible that after making the threat, Mugabe, given his age, went to sleep on the job and forgot all about the threat. But it is equally possible that he himself has more than one farm and cannot challenge fellow looters in this regard.
Was it only last year that Mugabe was ranting and raving about lacklustre performance by some of his ministerial “wives”? The media then speculated that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent. Twelve moons down the road, nothing has happened. Good old Joseph Made, minister of Agriculture, has sweated himself sick after Mugabe specifically mentioned his ministry as a non-performer. I shudder to think of how much he may have spent on traditional healers to safeguard his position. The “muti” (magic) seems to be working; Mugabe has forgotten all about the matter.
But back to the Zisco looters, they seem to have used every trick in the book to illegally get at the parastatal’s resources. According to the story published in The Zimbabwe Independent (3-9 Nov. 2006), they used such corrupt methods as claiming large unaccounted for allowances, dubious contracts, supplies over-pricing rip-offs, non-competitive procurement procedures, as well as unwarranted sitting fees for managers, and fees for public relations campaigns. The list could easily be endless.
Corruption demands that its perpetrators be highly innovative, and this comes easily to an evil mind. Efforts are underway to suppress the truth from being exposed. It is feared that the Zisco scandal could scare away foreign and local investors. That is actually ridiculous since there are none on the horizon given Zimbabwe’s continued deterioration as an investment destination. Will anyone be arrested and prosecuted for this corruption? I have my doubts. Matsotsi haagerani (Thieves look after each other).
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
John Makumbe
‘Matsotsi haagerani (Thieves look after each other)’
Media reports on the recent, and not so recent, looting of Zisco finances by Zanu (PF) officials confirm what most Zimbabweans have long suspected - that the level of asset stripping taking place under Robert Mugabe’s watch has risen to astronomical proportions. It is unfortunate, however, that he sits there like a zombie, incapable of stopping the rot, let alone arresting and prosecuting any of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. In the past, government and ruling party officials used to be so frightened of what Mugabe would say that they would be panic-stricken whenever they did something that the “dear leader” disapproved of. Today, they carry on looting regardless of his remonstrations and much fist-shaking from the spent force that is Mugabe.
But there have to be good reasons for this reckless disregard for presidential authority by Mugabe’s minions as demonstrated through the Zisco stories. It is possible that the looters are aware that Mugabe has become so impotent that his bark is much worse than his bite. He threatens what he has neither capacity nor interest to undertake. It is therefore quite safe just to ignore him and carry on looting. After setting up the much-touted Anti-Corruption Commission, Mugabe and Zanu (PF) proceeded to uproot the commission’s teeth, thereby making it harmless to the looters.
A second possible reason for Mugabe’s impotence may be that he himself has long ceased to be “holier than thou”, and has small and big “sins” that he has committed as well. Some of his underlings are aware of these, and will not hesitate to disclose them should they be threatened by the old man. We have not forgotten that some time last year Mugabe threatened senior Zanu (PF) and government officials who had acquired more than one farm from the grand invasion with punishment. Recently, it has been disclosed that there are still numerous such cases, and none of them has been punished. It is possible that after making the threat, Mugabe, given his age, went to sleep on the job and forgot all about the threat. But it is equally possible that he himself has more than one farm and cannot challenge fellow looters in this regard.
Was it only last year that Mugabe was ranting and raving about lacklustre performance by some of his ministerial “wives”? The media then speculated that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent. Twelve moons down the road, nothing has happened. Good old Joseph Made, minister of Agriculture, has sweated himself sick after Mugabe specifically mentioned his ministry as a non-performer. I shudder to think of how much he may have spent on traditional healers to safeguard his position. The “muti” (magic) seems to be working; Mugabe has forgotten all about the matter.
But back to the Zisco looters, they seem to have used every trick in the book to illegally get at the parastatal’s resources. According to the story published in The Zimbabwe Independent (3-9 Nov. 2006), they used such corrupt methods as claiming large unaccounted for allowances, dubious contracts, supplies over-pricing rip-offs, non-competitive procurement procedures, as well as unwarranted sitting fees for managers, and fees for public relations campaigns. The list could easily be endless.
Corruption demands that its perpetrators be highly innovative, and this comes easily to an evil mind. Efforts are underway to suppress the truth from being exposed. It is feared that the Zisco scandal could scare away foreign and local investors. That is actually ridiculous since there are none on the horizon given Zimbabwe’s continued deterioration as an investment destination. Will anyone be arrested and prosecuted for this corruption? I have my doubts. Matsotsi haagerani (Thieves look after each other).
More new cars for senior officers
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe, already being blamed for the country's seven-year economic rot, has once again broken the bank by pampering top police and army officers with new Mazda vehicles, while allowing them to buy at giveaway prices the Peugeot 306 and Nissan Almeras his government bought for them last year.
The influential police officers, ranking assistant commissioners and army lieutenants, were sold the 306s and Almeras at $30 000 each, while they were promised they could take the new vehicles home when they retire.
Sources from within the police and army this week told The Zimbabwean that the officers received more that 80 new Mazda 3 vehicles and Peugeot 406 vehicles, costing over US$1,6 million.
"They received the new cars in mid-October and were sold the ones they have been using at the end of the month. Most of them have ceded the old cars to their wives, and now drive around in the new vehicles. They have also been promised to take home the new vehicles in the event that they want to retire," said a police source.
Police national spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, himself a beneficiary of Mugabe's generosity, refused to comment on the issue saying it had nothing to do with the press.
"I have nothing to tell you on that because it is an internal police matter. Where is your interest coming from?" he said before switching off his mobile phone.
However, Home Affairs Minister, Kembo Mohadi, in charge of police and his defence counterpart, Sydney Sekeramayi, who is overall in charge of the Defence Forces, both admitted the purchases, which they said were part of the benefits of the senior security officers.
"We are not the first ones to do this. Every other country is doing it, including your own foreign masters that make you turn against your country. Why is it an issue when it is done by Zimbabwe? Go to Britain and you will see things are not different there," said Sekeramayi.
However, government critics have observed this as another attempt by Mugabe to retain loyalty among the influential chefs in the uniformed forces - on whom he is dependent for protection from mass uprisings by a population in crisis since the government's watershed decision in 2000 to expropriate white owned farms for redistribution to political cronies. – Own correspondent
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HARARE - President Robert Mugabe, already being blamed for the country's seven-year economic rot, has once again broken the bank by pampering top police and army officers with new Mazda vehicles, while allowing them to buy at giveaway prices the Peugeot 306 and Nissan Almeras his government bought for them last year.
The influential police officers, ranking assistant commissioners and army lieutenants, were sold the 306s and Almeras at $30 000 each, while they were promised they could take the new vehicles home when they retire.
Sources from within the police and army this week told The Zimbabwean that the officers received more that 80 new Mazda 3 vehicles and Peugeot 406 vehicles, costing over US$1,6 million.
"They received the new cars in mid-October and were sold the ones they have been using at the end of the month. Most of them have ceded the old cars to their wives, and now drive around in the new vehicles. They have also been promised to take home the new vehicles in the event that they want to retire," said a police source.
Police national spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, himself a beneficiary of Mugabe's generosity, refused to comment on the issue saying it had nothing to do with the press.
"I have nothing to tell you on that because it is an internal police matter. Where is your interest coming from?" he said before switching off his mobile phone.
However, Home Affairs Minister, Kembo Mohadi, in charge of police and his defence counterpart, Sydney Sekeramayi, who is overall in charge of the Defence Forces, both admitted the purchases, which they said were part of the benefits of the senior security officers.
"We are not the first ones to do this. Every other country is doing it, including your own foreign masters that make you turn against your country. Why is it an issue when it is done by Zimbabwe? Go to Britain and you will see things are not different there," said Sekeramayi.
However, government critics have observed this as another attempt by Mugabe to retain loyalty among the influential chefs in the uniformed forces - on whom he is dependent for protection from mass uprisings by a population in crisis since the government's watershed decision in 2000 to expropriate white owned farms for redistribution to political cronies. – Own correspondent
UK supports ZCTU - Triesman
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LONDON - The British government is becoming increasingly worried about European Union solidarity on the Zimbabwe issue according to Lord Triesman, Minister for Africa. He was speaking at a meeting in London arranged by ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa, the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement) in support of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
The meeting was attended by Lovemore Matombo, one of the ZCTU leaders who was beaten up with his colleagues by Zanu (PF) thugs after their recent pro-democracy protest. Also attending was Kate Hoey, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, who was warmly praised for her work by the Minister.
Lord Triesman said targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his supporters must be maintained, yet there were signs of wavering from France and Portugal. President Chirac of France wanted to host a conference for African leaders, including Mugabe, in defiance of the EU’s policy. The French were supported in this by Portugal, which takes over the EU Presidency in July next year and wants to host a meeting with the African Union.
Lord Triesman said the EU sanctions were due to be renewed in February and trade unions and others should press for them to be continued.
In a remarkably outspoken speech, he said that Zimbabwe was a failing state which faced all its problems with brutal suppression.
He said the UK Government unequivocally supported the ZCTU and the Zimbabwe Ambassador had been called in to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and asked to account for his government’s actions.
South Africa had genuine dilemmas about the situation in Zimbabwe but there were signs of increased willingness by Pretoria to confront the issue. It was crucial, he said, to continue to apply pressure on South Africa.
Lord Triesman said his government couldn’t stand aside while Zimbabweans starved and had spent £38 million on food aid for Zimbabwe in the last financial year. It was also pressing the UN to engage the Zimbabwe issue as well as putting pressure on other African governments. – Zim Vigil
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LONDON - The British government is becoming increasingly worried about European Union solidarity on the Zimbabwe issue according to Lord Triesman, Minister for Africa. He was speaking at a meeting in London arranged by ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa, the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement) in support of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
The meeting was attended by Lovemore Matombo, one of the ZCTU leaders who was beaten up with his colleagues by Zanu (PF) thugs after their recent pro-democracy protest. Also attending was Kate Hoey, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, who was warmly praised for her work by the Minister.
Lord Triesman said targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his supporters must be maintained, yet there were signs of wavering from France and Portugal. President Chirac of France wanted to host a conference for African leaders, including Mugabe, in defiance of the EU’s policy. The French were supported in this by Portugal, which takes over the EU Presidency in July next year and wants to host a meeting with the African Union.
Lord Triesman said the EU sanctions were due to be renewed in February and trade unions and others should press for them to be continued.
In a remarkably outspoken speech, he said that Zimbabwe was a failing state which faced all its problems with brutal suppression.
He said the UK Government unequivocally supported the ZCTU and the Zimbabwe Ambassador had been called in to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and asked to account for his government’s actions.
South Africa had genuine dilemmas about the situation in Zimbabwe but there were signs of increased willingness by Pretoria to confront the issue. It was crucial, he said, to continue to apply pressure on South Africa.
Lord Triesman said his government couldn’t stand aside while Zimbabweans starved and had spent £38 million on food aid for Zimbabwe in the last financial year. It was also pressing the UN to engage the Zimbabwe issue as well as putting pressure on other African governments. – Zim Vigil
Britain ready to help, but only if property rights respected
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BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - Britain is ready to help fund an equitable land reform programme in Zimbabwe, but only once President Robert Mugabe stops using arbitrary presidential powers to ride roughshod over Parliamentary laws protecting individual property rights, Britain’s ambassador to Zimbabwe has said.
“The UK remains a strong advocate of land reform and has, since 1980, provided 44 million Pounds for land reform, and 500 million Pounds in bilateral support – more than any other donor – for development in Zimbabwe,” British envoy Andrew Pocock said in a statement.
“The UK has honoured its commitments, from Lancaster House onwards, and remains willing to contribute to an equitable land reform programme. Its objections are to the arbitrary seizure of property, the use of that property as a means of political patronage rather than to benefit the needy, the use of violence; and the destruction of Zimbabwe’s agricultural productivity – and therefore its economy – in the interests of the few and at the cost of the many.”
Pocock’s comments came amid a flurry of “disingenuous” reports in the official media rallying behind President Mugabe, calling for international funding for the agrarian reform to end the country’s escalating crisis.
State security minister responsible for land reform Didymus Mutasa told the official media weekend that Western governments should make good on their promise at a 1998 donor conference to fund the redistribution of farm lands mainly owned by whites.
“British colonial settlers took the land by force, and black Zimbabweans are entitled to reclaim their property by any means. If Britain wants its white children to be compensated for their loss, Britain must pay,” Mutasa said.
Pocock said Britain had never opposed land resettlement and money was available for the agrarian reform but that the settlement scheme must be “transparent, just and fair”. He said between 1980 and 1985, the UK provided £47 million for land reform: £20 million as a Specific Land Resettlement Grant and £27 million in the form of budgetary support to help meet the Zimbabwe government’s contribution to the programme. By 1988, the Land Resettlement Grant had been substantively spent.
“But what happened from 2000 triggered so much destruction – of agricultural productivity, asset values, employment, foreign exchange earnings – and had so many consequences – social dislocation, food insecurity, scarcity, inflation – that it is important to get the history right,” said Pocock.
Mutasa said the violent invasions of white owned farms were just the “symptom” of the problem. The real cause is British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s refusal to accept the solemn commitment to pay for land made by his Tory predecessors, Mutasa claimed.
He said all other issues - such as government corruption, the allocation of land to cronies, violence on the farms, democracy and the systematic intimidation of the opposition - are internal Zimbabwean matters to be solved by Zimbabweans.
Pocock said: “If we are to build bridges, we need to begin laying stable foundations. We need a common analysis of the real causes of Zimbabwe’s difficulties. These do not include EU economic sanctions – there are none, nor, after a record rainy season, drought. We are ready to talk sensibly. We are ready to do more than this, to drill through the rhetoric to the bedrock reality. But we need evidence of serious intent and capacity to contemplate and deliver change.”
Mutasa said Britain the coloniser couldn’t teach democracy to the colonized.
But in Zimbabwe the obsession with colonialism is wearing very thin, especially among the growing number of young urban Zimbabweans who have known no other leader but President Mugabe.
Political analysts said the majority of Zimbabweans were no longer interested in the history of colonialism, but in their future in an independent Zimbabwe.
They said Mugabe was not concerned in solving the land question, but was more interested in stoking the fires of land grievances and conflict with Britain.
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BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - Britain is ready to help fund an equitable land reform programme in Zimbabwe, but only once President Robert Mugabe stops using arbitrary presidential powers to ride roughshod over Parliamentary laws protecting individual property rights, Britain’s ambassador to Zimbabwe has said.
“The UK remains a strong advocate of land reform and has, since 1980, provided 44 million Pounds for land reform, and 500 million Pounds in bilateral support – more than any other donor – for development in Zimbabwe,” British envoy Andrew Pocock said in a statement.
“The UK has honoured its commitments, from Lancaster House onwards, and remains willing to contribute to an equitable land reform programme. Its objections are to the arbitrary seizure of property, the use of that property as a means of political patronage rather than to benefit the needy, the use of violence; and the destruction of Zimbabwe’s agricultural productivity – and therefore its economy – in the interests of the few and at the cost of the many.”
Pocock’s comments came amid a flurry of “disingenuous” reports in the official media rallying behind President Mugabe, calling for international funding for the agrarian reform to end the country’s escalating crisis.
State security minister responsible for land reform Didymus Mutasa told the official media weekend that Western governments should make good on their promise at a 1998 donor conference to fund the redistribution of farm lands mainly owned by whites.
“British colonial settlers took the land by force, and black Zimbabweans are entitled to reclaim their property by any means. If Britain wants its white children to be compensated for their loss, Britain must pay,” Mutasa said.
Pocock said Britain had never opposed land resettlement and money was available for the agrarian reform but that the settlement scheme must be “transparent, just and fair”. He said between 1980 and 1985, the UK provided £47 million for land reform: £20 million as a Specific Land Resettlement Grant and £27 million in the form of budgetary support to help meet the Zimbabwe government’s contribution to the programme. By 1988, the Land Resettlement Grant had been substantively spent.
“But what happened from 2000 triggered so much destruction – of agricultural productivity, asset values, employment, foreign exchange earnings – and had so many consequences – social dislocation, food insecurity, scarcity, inflation – that it is important to get the history right,” said Pocock.
Mutasa said the violent invasions of white owned farms were just the “symptom” of the problem. The real cause is British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s refusal to accept the solemn commitment to pay for land made by his Tory predecessors, Mutasa claimed.
He said all other issues - such as government corruption, the allocation of land to cronies, violence on the farms, democracy and the systematic intimidation of the opposition - are internal Zimbabwean matters to be solved by Zimbabweans.
Pocock said: “If we are to build bridges, we need to begin laying stable foundations. We need a common analysis of the real causes of Zimbabwe’s difficulties. These do not include EU economic sanctions – there are none, nor, after a record rainy season, drought. We are ready to talk sensibly. We are ready to do more than this, to drill through the rhetoric to the bedrock reality. But we need evidence of serious intent and capacity to contemplate and deliver change.”
Mutasa said Britain the coloniser couldn’t teach democracy to the colonized.
But in Zimbabwe the obsession with colonialism is wearing very thin, especially among the growing number of young urban Zimbabweans who have known no other leader but President Mugabe.
Political analysts said the majority of Zimbabweans were no longer interested in the history of colonialism, but in their future in an independent Zimbabwe.
They said Mugabe was not concerned in solving the land question, but was more interested in stoking the fires of land grievances and conflict with Britain.
Residents need to understand their role in a struggle
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RESIDENTS have a lot of work to do before they can become the key factor in how Central Government treats local governance. The absence of key provisions in the Urban Councils’ Act (Chapter 29:15) that deals directly with residents’ participation must be viewed as opportunities for greater involvement by the grassroots.
Presently, residents are only being brought in to participate in areas of local governance through voting for their respective councillors and mayors. Annual city budgets are drawn up by manipulative municipal departments, only eager to increase revenue that the respective local authority can generate through levying residents. The residents’ interests are only treated as minor through legislative provisions that requires the budget to be advertised and objections lodged.
This presents an opportunity for residents’ groupings like the Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA), the Bulawayo Residents’ Association (BURA), the Mutare Residents Association (MURA) and all other progressive residents’ bodies to set a clear agenda of dealing with such retrogressive provisions of the Act that gives too many powers to ministers like Ignatius Chombo.
The agenda for collective resistance must be defined from the experiences of residents in their daily lives. Residents understand first-hand what it means to go for days without water, they appreciate the meaning of an inflated bill and they can tell you without fear what they went through during the satanic Operation Murambatsvina, beginning 18 May 2005.
At a public meeting held in Mbare on October 19 and 02 November 2006, the residents categorically denounced Zanu PF for being a bully in their lives. They fail to access the market stalls because the Zanu PF structures think it is wrong for an opposition activist to make money.
The myths of a Zanu PF backlash were demystified. Residents felt encouraged to discuss how best to deal with a vindictive ruling party. For this to occur, an enabling environment has been created. Mbare residents have for long been subjected to intense intimidation, harassment, illegal detentions and arrests. This has been at the instigation of the Chipangano clique in Zanu PF, collaborating with some illiterate policemen.
More residents are beginning to open their mouths to castigate the government for its abuse of the local governance system. They want to know why their bills are inconsistent, why Minister Chombo does not want to hold elections in Harare, and also why the commissions in the capital is not fired yet it has failed to deliver on water and service delivery.
Residents of Dzivarasekwa are a clear example of an awakening CHRA membership that will no longer let Zanu PF thugs, masquerading as policemen to bully them and steal their wares. We received a sad report that six armed ‘policemen’ pounced on vendors and fled with their wares after firing gunshots in the air, a clear testimony of the lawlessness that abound in Zimbabwe.
CHRA’s thrust has been to have its values and vision clearly understood by the individual member to the Association’s leadership. Every person who drives the CHRA agenda must understand the reasons for engaging in any of our actions from street action, petitions to legal battles.
We do not want a situation where people engaged in an action do not know why they have signed a petition, why they are on the streets or why CHRA takes matters to the court.
By Precious Shumba, Information Officer
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
RESIDENTS have a lot of work to do before they can become the key factor in how Central Government treats local governance. The absence of key provisions in the Urban Councils’ Act (Chapter 29:15) that deals directly with residents’ participation must be viewed as opportunities for greater involvement by the grassroots.
Presently, residents are only being brought in to participate in areas of local governance through voting for their respective councillors and mayors. Annual city budgets are drawn up by manipulative municipal departments, only eager to increase revenue that the respective local authority can generate through levying residents. The residents’ interests are only treated as minor through legislative provisions that requires the budget to be advertised and objections lodged.
This presents an opportunity for residents’ groupings like the Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA), the Bulawayo Residents’ Association (BURA), the Mutare Residents Association (MURA) and all other progressive residents’ bodies to set a clear agenda of dealing with such retrogressive provisions of the Act that gives too many powers to ministers like Ignatius Chombo.
The agenda for collective resistance must be defined from the experiences of residents in their daily lives. Residents understand first-hand what it means to go for days without water, they appreciate the meaning of an inflated bill and they can tell you without fear what they went through during the satanic Operation Murambatsvina, beginning 18 May 2005.
At a public meeting held in Mbare on October 19 and 02 November 2006, the residents categorically denounced Zanu PF for being a bully in their lives. They fail to access the market stalls because the Zanu PF structures think it is wrong for an opposition activist to make money.
The myths of a Zanu PF backlash were demystified. Residents felt encouraged to discuss how best to deal with a vindictive ruling party. For this to occur, an enabling environment has been created. Mbare residents have for long been subjected to intense intimidation, harassment, illegal detentions and arrests. This has been at the instigation of the Chipangano clique in Zanu PF, collaborating with some illiterate policemen.
More residents are beginning to open their mouths to castigate the government for its abuse of the local governance system. They want to know why their bills are inconsistent, why Minister Chombo does not want to hold elections in Harare, and also why the commissions in the capital is not fired yet it has failed to deliver on water and service delivery.
Residents of Dzivarasekwa are a clear example of an awakening CHRA membership that will no longer let Zanu PF thugs, masquerading as policemen to bully them and steal their wares. We received a sad report that six armed ‘policemen’ pounced on vendors and fled with their wares after firing gunshots in the air, a clear testimony of the lawlessness that abound in Zimbabwe.
CHRA’s thrust has been to have its values and vision clearly understood by the individual member to the Association’s leadership. Every person who drives the CHRA agenda must understand the reasons for engaging in any of our actions from street action, petitions to legal battles.
We do not want a situation where people engaged in an action do not know why they have signed a petition, why they are on the streets or why CHRA takes matters to the court.
By Precious Shumba, Information Officer
Logistics, corruption could hamper 99 year lease scheme
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HARARE – In a bid to boost food production, the Zimbabwean government will give 99-year leases to the first batch of resettled black commercial farmers this week.
Ngoni Masoka, permanent secretary in the ministry of lands, said in a statement that the leases would demonstrate the government's commitment to empowering black farmers who had benefited from the government's controversial fast-track land reform programme.
The leases will provide resettled commercial farmers with security of tenure, which could serve as collateral for loans to procure inputs. They have cited their inability to raise money and uncertainty about their future as reasons for the drop in production.
The leases will be issued to farmers who have been on their plots for at least three years, and have been vetted by the National Land Board for competence and commitment to farming.
Land expert and former head of the technical unit of the presidential land review committee Sam Moyo said the 99-year leases would increase the confidence of farmers. "Generally, many farmers falling under the A2 [commercial] scheme perceive having leases as a reason for them to feel more secure and, hopefully, to increase production."
However, the group of beneficiaries could be small. "Given that there is a need to survey the farms, the numbers of farmers might not be large, since the capacity to survey the land seems limited. I doubt if the figure will go beyond 1,000." Moyo added that the vetting process by the land board, while desirable, "might tend to be cumbersome".
He said there was also concern that influential people could take advantage of their positions to get the leases ahead of the intended beneficiaries. At the height of the fast-track programme, many top politicians were accused of grabbing multiple farms in violation of the land policy, which stipulated that a person was entitled to only one farm.
Since the land would remain state property, there was a need for the government to clarify whether farmers could use their farms as collateral, said Moyo. "It is not yet clear how the government will deal with cases whereby a farmer goes to borrow from a bank and defaults: will the bank be able to repossess the farm and sell it? Because for as long as the plots remain state land, the government would still be involved." - IRIN
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HARARE – In a bid to boost food production, the Zimbabwean government will give 99-year leases to the first batch of resettled black commercial farmers this week.
Ngoni Masoka, permanent secretary in the ministry of lands, said in a statement that the leases would demonstrate the government's commitment to empowering black farmers who had benefited from the government's controversial fast-track land reform programme.
The leases will provide resettled commercial farmers with security of tenure, which could serve as collateral for loans to procure inputs. They have cited their inability to raise money and uncertainty about their future as reasons for the drop in production.
The leases will be issued to farmers who have been on their plots for at least three years, and have been vetted by the National Land Board for competence and commitment to farming.
Land expert and former head of the technical unit of the presidential land review committee Sam Moyo said the 99-year leases would increase the confidence of farmers. "Generally, many farmers falling under the A2 [commercial] scheme perceive having leases as a reason for them to feel more secure and, hopefully, to increase production."
However, the group of beneficiaries could be small. "Given that there is a need to survey the farms, the numbers of farmers might not be large, since the capacity to survey the land seems limited. I doubt if the figure will go beyond 1,000." Moyo added that the vetting process by the land board, while desirable, "might tend to be cumbersome".
He said there was also concern that influential people could take advantage of their positions to get the leases ahead of the intended beneficiaries. At the height of the fast-track programme, many top politicians were accused of grabbing multiple farms in violation of the land policy, which stipulated that a person was entitled to only one farm.
Since the land would remain state property, there was a need for the government to clarify whether farmers could use their farms as collateral, said Moyo. "It is not yet clear how the government will deal with cases whereby a farmer goes to borrow from a bank and defaults: will the bank be able to repossess the farm and sell it? Because for as long as the plots remain state land, the government would still be involved." - IRIN
Enormous cost of bearer cheques shocks MPs
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HARARE - Deputy Finance minister David Chapfika has been forced by Parliament to defend government’s decision to blow Z$8,6 billion (revalued) printing bearer cheques that have dismally failed to tame Zimbabwe’s rampaging hyperinflation.
Chapfika was challenged by Mberengwa West MP, Joram Gumbo to respond to opposition allegations that government had become the laughing stock for its profligacy in printing lower denomination bearer cheques in the vain hope that it could slow inflation.
Responding during a question and answer session in Parliament, Chapfika said the central bank blew $8,6 billion during the one-month countrywide operation.
“The operation cost $8,6 billion revalued, $4,6 billion of which was for capital expenditure and $ 4billion for printing of new bearer cheques and other operational expenses,” Chapfika said.
Opposition MPs said they were horrified at the cost of the operation and the decision to print a 1cent bearer cheque.
Chapfika told Parliament that as at August 22, 2006, which was the cut off date for the changeover, at least $35,1 billion had been collected from the public while at least $10,6 billion worth of old bearer cheques could not accounted for from various government ministries and departments.
There were howls of protest when Chapfika told the House that the central bank had subsequently written off that amount from its books, adding it had the technical effect of writing off costs incurred during the operation.
He also stated that 304 vehicles had been purchased for the operation.
The currency reforms saw the central bank lopping off three zeroes from the local unit to accommodate IT systems that had breached their digital handling capacity ceiling. People were given three weeks to swap their money to the new cheques and no one was allowed to carry more than $100,000 in cash in the course of doing so. Police set up roadblocks and literally seized anything over that amount - no receipts given. – Own correspondent
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE - Deputy Finance minister David Chapfika has been forced by Parliament to defend government’s decision to blow Z$8,6 billion (revalued) printing bearer cheques that have dismally failed to tame Zimbabwe’s rampaging hyperinflation.
Chapfika was challenged by Mberengwa West MP, Joram Gumbo to respond to opposition allegations that government had become the laughing stock for its profligacy in printing lower denomination bearer cheques in the vain hope that it could slow inflation.
Responding during a question and answer session in Parliament, Chapfika said the central bank blew $8,6 billion during the one-month countrywide operation.
“The operation cost $8,6 billion revalued, $4,6 billion of which was for capital expenditure and $ 4billion for printing of new bearer cheques and other operational expenses,” Chapfika said.
Opposition MPs said they were horrified at the cost of the operation and the decision to print a 1cent bearer cheque.
Chapfika told Parliament that as at August 22, 2006, which was the cut off date for the changeover, at least $35,1 billion had been collected from the public while at least $10,6 billion worth of old bearer cheques could not accounted for from various government ministries and departments.
There were howls of protest when Chapfika told the House that the central bank had subsequently written off that amount from its books, adding it had the technical effect of writing off costs incurred during the operation.
He also stated that 304 vehicles had been purchased for the operation.
The currency reforms saw the central bank lopping off three zeroes from the local unit to accommodate IT systems that had breached their digital handling capacity ceiling. People were given three weeks to swap their money to the new cheques and no one was allowed to carry more than $100,000 in cash in the course of doing so. Police set up roadblocks and literally seized anything over that amount - no receipts given. – Own correspondent
Detention Watch from Zimbabwe Association
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LONDON - Welcome news received last Saturday is that the Court of Appeal has granted AA permission to appeal. The court directed that the appeal should be heard "if possible this term [which ends on 19 December]". The suspension on forced returns will continue until the outcome of AA's appeal is known. For those of you who have been dreading going to report, there should be little danger of being detained until AA’s appeal has been heard.
While many Zimbabweans can breathe more easily we were distressed to learn that one man was detained when going to report last Friday and is now facing removal to Malawi. Zimbabweans who have travelled on other passports such as South African or Malawian passports are in a different category to most Zimbabweans unless the Home Office has accepted that they are Zimbabwean.
At the end of a tiring day of waiting at Yarls Wood Hearing Centre we were delighted to witness bail being granted to two ladies who have been in detention for a very long time. To see the slow smile spreading all over L’s face was a sight to behold and something to warm the heart for many a day. Equally moving was poor D, who collapsed sobbing with the relief of knowing that she was getting out. Our tributes to all their friends and relatives who made long journeys and patiently submitted to intensive questioning by the Home Office representative before they were accepted as being suitable sureties.
What was disturbing about the day was watching a representative from the Home Office smoothly claiming to the judge that removals to Zimbabwe were ongoing. It took timely intervention from friendly lawyers to get a letter to the judge disproving this assertion in the case of failed asylum seekers. Without the letter those ladies would still be in detention. We hope they had a great weekend! Four Zimbabweans known to us were released from detention during the week so that’s something positive to ponder on.
ZA members participated in The Way Forward meeting later the same day and we understand it was a successful and positive occasion. The following day saw us going to hear Lovemore Matombo speak at the Actsa event in support of the ZCTU at Congress House, along with so many others. It was interesting to hear from some speakers (whose own families had suffered colonial oppression) how very difficult it had been for them and so many left-leaning people to stop viewing Mugabe as the hero he once was, and to see him as the oppressive dictator he had become.
We can be contacted at the office on 020 7549 0355 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, messages may be left on the answer machine at other times, or by fax 020 7549 0356 or email: zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk. We also have a website at www.zimbabweassociation.org
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
LONDON - Welcome news received last Saturday is that the Court of Appeal has granted AA permission to appeal. The court directed that the appeal should be heard "if possible this term [which ends on 19 December]". The suspension on forced returns will continue until the outcome of AA's appeal is known. For those of you who have been dreading going to report, there should be little danger of being detained until AA’s appeal has been heard.
While many Zimbabweans can breathe more easily we were distressed to learn that one man was detained when going to report last Friday and is now facing removal to Malawi. Zimbabweans who have travelled on other passports such as South African or Malawian passports are in a different category to most Zimbabweans unless the Home Office has accepted that they are Zimbabwean.
At the end of a tiring day of waiting at Yarls Wood Hearing Centre we were delighted to witness bail being granted to two ladies who have been in detention for a very long time. To see the slow smile spreading all over L’s face was a sight to behold and something to warm the heart for many a day. Equally moving was poor D, who collapsed sobbing with the relief of knowing that she was getting out. Our tributes to all their friends and relatives who made long journeys and patiently submitted to intensive questioning by the Home Office representative before they were accepted as being suitable sureties.
What was disturbing about the day was watching a representative from the Home Office smoothly claiming to the judge that removals to Zimbabwe were ongoing. It took timely intervention from friendly lawyers to get a letter to the judge disproving this assertion in the case of failed asylum seekers. Without the letter those ladies would still be in detention. We hope they had a great weekend! Four Zimbabweans known to us were released from detention during the week so that’s something positive to ponder on.
ZA members participated in The Way Forward meeting later the same day and we understand it was a successful and positive occasion. The following day saw us going to hear Lovemore Matombo speak at the Actsa event in support of the ZCTU at Congress House, along with so many others. It was interesting to hear from some speakers (whose own families had suffered colonial oppression) how very difficult it had been for them and so many left-leaning people to stop viewing Mugabe as the hero he once was, and to see him as the oppressive dictator he had become.
We can be contacted at the office on 020 7549 0355 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, messages may be left on the answer machine at other times, or by fax 020 7549 0356 or email: zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk. We also have a website at www.zimbabweassociation.org
Econet fights for right to communicate
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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s already hard-pressed citizens will be forced to pay for cellphone calls in foreign currency under a new plan signed into law by President Robert Mugabe last week in which the country’s largest mobile phone operator will be forced to pay for outgoing traffic in hard currency.
The directive, which Econet Wireless is challenging in the Supreme Court, would remove the right of many Zimbabweans to communicate with their exiled colleagues and family members in the diaspora and will make access to international calls a privilege of only a few.
The directive has been condemned by business groups as potentially damaging to the Zimbabwe economy. Judge President Rita Mukarau on Monday suspended the regulation saying the Supreme Court – sitting as a constitutional court - needed to hear the case first.
The government has fought since 1995 to defend a cherished monopoly in the telecommunications industry.
Econet Wireless, which enjoys about 57 percent of the local subscriber share,
competes with privately owned Telecel Zimbabwe, which has 17 percent of
the local market, and state-run Net*One with 26 percent.
Under statutory instrument 70/06, which came into force on November 01 through a presidential decree, the State-owned Net*One would charge US$0,15 while Econet will be forced to pay US$0,20.
Econet Wireless in its court papers contends that Mugabe’s government is attempting to reintroduce Tel*One’s monopoly “through the back door” and this was in violation of a 1995 Supreme Court order that granted it “unrestricted right to move traffic within, into and from Zimbabwe”.
The directive comes at a time when Econet has announced the launch of third generation (3G) cellular services next year. 3G offers high-speed data transmission and allows callers to see real-time video images of each other.
Econet contends in its court papers that government is attempting to make it submit to draconian measures, designed to curtail one of the last arenas of free speech left in Zimbabwe. – Own correspondent
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
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HARARE – Zimbabwe’s already hard-pressed citizens will be forced to pay for cellphone calls in foreign currency under a new plan signed into law by President Robert Mugabe last week in which the country’s largest mobile phone operator will be forced to pay for outgoing traffic in hard currency.
The directive, which Econet Wireless is challenging in the Supreme Court, would remove the right of many Zimbabweans to communicate with their exiled colleagues and family members in the diaspora and will make access to international calls a privilege of only a few.
The directive has been condemned by business groups as potentially damaging to the Zimbabwe economy. Judge President Rita Mukarau on Monday suspended the regulation saying the Supreme Court – sitting as a constitutional court - needed to hear the case first.
The government has fought since 1995 to defend a cherished monopoly in the telecommunications industry.
Econet Wireless, which enjoys about 57 percent of the local subscriber share,
competes with privately owned Telecel Zimbabwe, which has 17 percent of
the local market, and state-run Net*One with 26 percent.
Under statutory instrument 70/06, which came into force on November 01 through a presidential decree, the State-owned Net*One would charge US$0,15 while Econet will be forced to pay US$0,20.
Econet Wireless in its court papers contends that Mugabe’s government is attempting to reintroduce Tel*One’s monopoly “through the back door” and this was in violation of a 1995 Supreme Court order that granted it “unrestricted right to move traffic within, into and from Zimbabwe”.
The directive comes at a time when Econet has announced the launch of third generation (3G) cellular services next year. 3G offers high-speed data transmission and allows callers to see real-time video images of each other.
Econet contends in its court papers that government is attempting to make it submit to draconian measures, designed to curtail one of the last arenas of free speech left in Zimbabwe. – Own correspondent
Editorial: Toothless anti-corruption commission deep in slumber
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Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Africa, indeed in the world, with an anti-corruption commission and a minister in charge of anti-corruption. Fantastic.
But every time a major corruption scandal breaks, the minister and his commission seem to be oblivious and unconcerned. Each new revelation is simply greeted by a deafening silence.
A case in point is the Zisco scandal, happening under their noses right now. The allegations of wholesale looting of this invaluable, and highly strategic, parastatal have been investigated by a government agency.
Names have been named. We understand the list of names of those high-ups involved is eye-popping to say the least. All the groundwork has been done. The report has been produced.
All that remains is for the minister and his commissioners to wake up and do something. Authorise the police to pick up those named and get them to a magistrate.
The minister of trade and industry, himself, has admitted the existence of the report to a parliamentary committee of inquiry. After promising to give the report to the committee, he mysteriously changed his mind. Nobody has seen the report.
There are various rumours of a leak but nothing substantive has so far come to light. We understand that Mugabe himself ordered the report to be suppressed, and furthermore that he himself is implicated.
As with so many reports before, the government shredders are no doubt working overtime. And so the corrupt ministers and politburo members, already obscenely wealthy, get away with it once again.
We sincerely hope that somebody has had the foresight to keep a copy. Given the machinations in the top echelons of Zanu (PF) as the succession struggle continues, we have no doubt that somebody must have a copy tucked away carefully somewhere.
The best thing they can do is to make this available to the people of Zimbabwe who have a right to know just who is looting their children’s future.
If anyone is brave enough to get a copy to us, we will surely publish it.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption minister and his band of merry commissioners continue to draw their fat government salaries, and do nothing.
Roll on accountable government for Zimbabweans.
Word for Today 44
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed
and broken. We are perplexed, but we dont give up and quit. We are
hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we
get up again and keep going.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT)
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Africa, indeed in the world, with an anti-corruption commission and a minister in charge of anti-corruption. Fantastic.
But every time a major corruption scandal breaks, the minister and his commission seem to be oblivious and unconcerned. Each new revelation is simply greeted by a deafening silence.
A case in point is the Zisco scandal, happening under their noses right now. The allegations of wholesale looting of this invaluable, and highly strategic, parastatal have been investigated by a government agency.
Names have been named. We understand the list of names of those high-ups involved is eye-popping to say the least. All the groundwork has been done. The report has been produced.
All that remains is for the minister and his commissioners to wake up and do something. Authorise the police to pick up those named and get them to a magistrate.
The minister of trade and industry, himself, has admitted the existence of the report to a parliamentary committee of inquiry. After promising to give the report to the committee, he mysteriously changed his mind. Nobody has seen the report.
There are various rumours of a leak but nothing substantive has so far come to light. We understand that Mugabe himself ordered the report to be suppressed, and furthermore that he himself is implicated.
As with so many reports before, the government shredders are no doubt working overtime. And so the corrupt ministers and politburo members, already obscenely wealthy, get away with it once again.
We sincerely hope that somebody has had the foresight to keep a copy. Given the machinations in the top echelons of Zanu (PF) as the succession struggle continues, we have no doubt that somebody must have a copy tucked away carefully somewhere.
The best thing they can do is to make this available to the people of Zimbabwe who have a right to know just who is looting their children’s future.
If anyone is brave enough to get a copy to us, we will surely publish it.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption minister and his band of merry commissioners continue to draw their fat government salaries, and do nothing.
Roll on accountable government for Zimbabweans.
Word for Today 44
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed
and broken. We are perplexed, but we dont give up and quit. We are
hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we
get up again and keep going.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT)
Human rights watch: Militants move onto white-owned farms
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Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE - The looming risk of mass starvation in Zimbabwe worsened this week as militants moved on to more white-owned farms, beating one worker for refusing to shout ruling party slogans and forcing hundreds of others to stop work.
On Sunday three white farming families were barricaded in their homes after scores of militant supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party, gathered on four farms in Guruve, 125 kilometres north of Harare.
Despite an official announcement that the land reform was a “done deal”, the occupiers told farm workers they had to make room for new black settlers on the land.
The continuing violence threatens to worsen already critical food shortages in Zimbabwe. Farming experts have predicted a 40 per cent fall in agricultural output this year due to the communalisation of commercial farming. The country needs to import at least 700,000 tons of wheat and maize, but has no foreign currency to buy it. A recent report said nearly three million villagers had registered for food aid with the government. The worst hit people had already started eating tree roots and leaves for lack of other food.
Conceding that a quarter of Zimbabwe’s 12.5 million people were now living in abject poverty, the Finance Minister, Hebert Murerwa, warned last week that the country urgently needed aid from abroad. But analysts say President Mugabe will remain the major hurdle to efforts by some of his more moderate ministers to normalise ties with the donor community. While Murerwa was urging ties with donors, the Foreign Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, a close ally of Mugabe, was summoning British and EU diplomats in Harare to censure them for their stance on Zimbabwe. Mumbengegwi is said to have expressed dismay at the EU’s “confrontational attitude” towards Zimbabwe.
He also launched a broadside at Britain claiming it was mobilising negative international opinion against Zimbabwe. But, in private, Zimbabwe has asked the United Nations Development Programme to help mobilise food aid worth £200m. The president sent the Finance Minister to hold urgent private talks with Agostinho Zacarrius, the UNDP resident representative in Zimbabwe, reports said last week. – Own correspondent
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General: 07714736382
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HARARE - The looming risk of mass starvation in Zimbabwe worsened this week as militants moved on to more white-owned farms, beating one worker for refusing to shout ruling party slogans and forcing hundreds of others to stop work.
On Sunday three white farming families were barricaded in their homes after scores of militant supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party, gathered on four farms in Guruve, 125 kilometres north of Harare.
Despite an official announcement that the land reform was a “done deal”, the occupiers told farm workers they had to make room for new black settlers on the land.
The continuing violence threatens to worsen already critical food shortages in Zimbabwe. Farming experts have predicted a 40 per cent fall in agricultural output this year due to the communalisation of commercial farming. The country needs to import at least 700,000 tons of wheat and maize, but has no foreign currency to buy it. A recent report said nearly three million villagers had registered for food aid with the government. The worst hit people had already started eating tree roots and leaves for lack of other food.
Conceding that a quarter of Zimbabwe’s 12.5 million people were now living in abject poverty, the Finance Minister, Hebert Murerwa, warned last week that the country urgently needed aid from abroad. But analysts say President Mugabe will remain the major hurdle to efforts by some of his more moderate ministers to normalise ties with the donor community. While Murerwa was urging ties with donors, the Foreign Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, a close ally of Mugabe, was summoning British and EU diplomats in Harare to censure them for their stance on Zimbabwe. Mumbengegwi is said to have expressed dismay at the EU’s “confrontational attitude” towards Zimbabwe.
He also launched a broadside at Britain claiming it was mobilising negative international opinion against Zimbabwe. But, in private, Zimbabwe has asked the United Nations Development Programme to help mobilise food aid worth £200m. The president sent the Finance Minister to hold urgent private talks with Agostinho Zacarrius, the UNDP resident representative in Zimbabwe, reports said last week. – Own correspondent
Govt not serious about SADC: Politics of violence and vengeance at work
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General: 07714736382
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BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE – Serious electoral irregularities in rural district council elections held last week bore clear testimony that the Zimbabwe government is not serious about conforming to the SADC protocol on free and fair elections, a coalition of civic groups said this week.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition noted in an election synopsis that the rural elections saw the recurrence of the politics of violence and vengeance targeted at opposition candidates. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which is responsible for administering elections, remained conspicuously silent and there has been no investigation into allegations of electoral malpractice, including political violence, to date.
“The just ended elections depict a flawed electoral system run through de facto institutions being headed by ex-army officials and divorced from the SADC elections framework,” Crisis Coalition said.
According to ZEC, Zanu (PF) garnered 765 wards, while the Tsvangirai led MDC polled 54 and the Mutambara-led faction won 42.
The civic group said in the run up to the RDC elections, opposition candidates were not allowed to campaign freely in their respective constituencies adding the public media relegated the opposition to the peripheries of media coverage.
“When ever they got air play, the opposition was being caricatured and subjected to hate messages,” the report said. “In the just ended elections, the electronic media was not opened to opposition contestants. This is part of the state’s instruments of gagging dissenting voices.”
Crisis Coalition said opposition supporters faced a wave of politically-motivated violence and discrimination.
“In areas such as Buhera, Mutoko, Mudzi and Gokwe, MDC supporters had their homes reduced to ashes by Zanu (PF) youth militia.”
In Chitungwiza, a magistrate barred the MDC candidates from campaigning and addressing their constituencies on the grounds that they had failed to pay certain electoral fees, which the court could not substantiate.
“It is in this light that the courts are aiding in the shrinkage of democratic space by failing to execute their duties with impartiality and objectivity.”
Crisis Coalition said the elections were characterized by poor voter education processes resulting in more than 1000 people being turned away from the polls for failing to comply with the voting requisites such as proper identification details.
Opposition parties were denied the right to converge in constituencies they were campaigning in before registering with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (Z.R.P) for clearance. The report states that the MDC was refused permission to hold rallies in Gokwe, Mudzi among other areas before the elections
“The nefarious Public Order and Security Act (POSA), remains a barricade for the full democratization of the Zimbabwean socio-political and economic environment,” Crisis Coalition said.
According to a report by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network, thousands of prospective voters were turned away for various reasons.
“Disturbing figures were noted in Mashonaland Central. For instance, at Rusununguko Primary School in Chaminuka District, Shamva, by 1000hrs on the voting day at least 120 voters had cast their vote and 81 had been turned away. In Manicaland, at Govingo Business Centre, by 1445hrs, 344 voters had voted and 92 had been turned away. In addition, in Mashonaland West, at Sanyati Welfare Centre polling station, ZESN observed that by midday, 124 voters had cast their votes whilst 61 were turned away. At Msitha polling station in Matebeleland South, by close of poll, 507 voters had cast their votes whilst 100 were turned away.”
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE – Serious electoral irregularities in rural district council elections held last week bore clear testimony that the Zimbabwe government is not serious about conforming to the SADC protocol on free and fair elections, a coalition of civic groups said this week.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition noted in an election synopsis that the rural elections saw the recurrence of the politics of violence and vengeance targeted at opposition candidates. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which is responsible for administering elections, remained conspicuously silent and there has been no investigation into allegations of electoral malpractice, including political violence, to date.
“The just ended elections depict a flawed electoral system run through de facto institutions being headed by ex-army officials and divorced from the SADC elections framework,” Crisis Coalition said.
According to ZEC, Zanu (PF) garnered 765 wards, while the Tsvangirai led MDC polled 54 and the Mutambara-led faction won 42.
The civic group said in the run up to the RDC elections, opposition candidates were not allowed to campaign freely in their respective constituencies adding the public media relegated the opposition to the peripheries of media coverage.
“When ever they got air play, the opposition was being caricatured and subjected to hate messages,” the report said. “In the just ended elections, the electronic media was not opened to opposition contestants. This is part of the state’s instruments of gagging dissenting voices.”
Crisis Coalition said opposition supporters faced a wave of politically-motivated violence and discrimination.
“In areas such as Buhera, Mutoko, Mudzi and Gokwe, MDC supporters had their homes reduced to ashes by Zanu (PF) youth militia.”
In Chitungwiza, a magistrate barred the MDC candidates from campaigning and addressing their constituencies on the grounds that they had failed to pay certain electoral fees, which the court could not substantiate.
“It is in this light that the courts are aiding in the shrinkage of democratic space by failing to execute their duties with impartiality and objectivity.”
Crisis Coalition said the elections were characterized by poor voter education processes resulting in more than 1000 people being turned away from the polls for failing to comply with the voting requisites such as proper identification details.
Opposition parties were denied the right to converge in constituencies they were campaigning in before registering with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (Z.R.P) for clearance. The report states that the MDC was refused permission to hold rallies in Gokwe, Mudzi among other areas before the elections
“The nefarious Public Order and Security Act (POSA), remains a barricade for the full democratization of the Zimbabwean socio-political and economic environment,” Crisis Coalition said.
According to a report by the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network, thousands of prospective voters were turned away for various reasons.
“Disturbing figures were noted in Mashonaland Central. For instance, at Rusununguko Primary School in Chaminuka District, Shamva, by 1000hrs on the voting day at least 120 voters had cast their vote and 81 had been turned away. In Manicaland, at Govingo Business Centre, by 1445hrs, 344 voters had voted and 92 had been turned away. In addition, in Mashonaland West, at Sanyati Welfare Centre polling station, ZESN observed that by midday, 124 voters had cast their votes whilst 61 were turned away. At Msitha polling station in Matebeleland South, by close of poll, 507 voters had cast their votes whilst 100 were turned away.”
Family fears for Hitschmann’s health in custody
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HARARE - The family of a man accused of masterminding a plot to topple President Robert Mugabe in the eastern city of Mutare have spoken of their anger and anguish over a court ruling to keep him in jail until March.
A family spokesperson said the family felt grief and bitterness over the continued detention of Peter Hitschmann, who appeared in court last week looking famished, and intermittently breaking into uncontrollable coughing spasms.
“We find it difficult to understand why a judge who has been selected for his wisdom and expertise would refuse to grant bail on medical grounds when it is blatantly obvious that his health is failing and any further detention could result in his death,” he told The Zimbabwean.
Judge Alfas Chitakunye opposed bail on the grounds that the charges Hitschmann was facing were grave and that he was likely to abscond if he was granted bail.
Hitschmann’s lawyer Trust Mhanda said he had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court for bail because he could not wait for March 2007 for the trial to re-open the next time the High Court will be on circuit in Mutare.
Police nabbed Hitschmann in March, leading to the arrest of opposition lawmaker Giles Mutseyekwa and six others who were charged but later released on bail.
The eight men including four police officers were charged under Zimbabwe’s tough security laws of possession of weapons to carry out an insurgency, sabotage or terrorism.
The prosecution claimed Hitschmann was working for a shadowy organisation called the Zimbabwe Freedom Movement (ZFM) based in Britain, which it said was seeking to overthrow Mugabe’s government.
Government’s star witness, a military intelligence official, Israel Phiri, told the High Court that Hitschmann was part of a goon squad working for ZFM. He claimed he had gone undercover for three months investigating the case. – Own correspondent
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HARARE - The family of a man accused of masterminding a plot to topple President Robert Mugabe in the eastern city of Mutare have spoken of their anger and anguish over a court ruling to keep him in jail until March.
A family spokesperson said the family felt grief and bitterness over the continued detention of Peter Hitschmann, who appeared in court last week looking famished, and intermittently breaking into uncontrollable coughing spasms.
“We find it difficult to understand why a judge who has been selected for his wisdom and expertise would refuse to grant bail on medical grounds when it is blatantly obvious that his health is failing and any further detention could result in his death,” he told The Zimbabwean.
Judge Alfas Chitakunye opposed bail on the grounds that the charges Hitschmann was facing were grave and that he was likely to abscond if he was granted bail.
Hitschmann’s lawyer Trust Mhanda said he had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court for bail because he could not wait for March 2007 for the trial to re-open the next time the High Court will be on circuit in Mutare.
Police nabbed Hitschmann in March, leading to the arrest of opposition lawmaker Giles Mutseyekwa and six others who were charged but later released on bail.
The eight men including four police officers were charged under Zimbabwe’s tough security laws of possession of weapons to carry out an insurgency, sabotage or terrorism.
The prosecution claimed Hitschmann was working for a shadowy organisation called the Zimbabwe Freedom Movement (ZFM) based in Britain, which it said was seeking to overthrow Mugabe’s government.
Government’s star witness, a military intelligence official, Israel Phiri, told the High Court that Hitschmann was part of a goon squad working for ZFM. He claimed he had gone undercover for three months investigating the case. – Own correspondent
FOCZ to challenge govt “theft” of companies
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FOCZ to challenge govt “theft” of companies
JOHANNESBURG – The Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition (FOZC) has embarked on a massive membership drive in a move aimed at giving voice and demanding an urgent stop to property, land and company invasions by the marauding Zanu (PF) government.
Chairman of the Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition, Sox Chikohwero, announced the opening of new chapters in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (PE) Wit bank, Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) and Pietermaritzburg.
He said Zimbabweans must say a “BIG NO” to company seizures, invasions and persecution of local citizens under flimsy allegations aimed at justifying theft of property, companies and land. “FOZC is apolitical and we are indeed friends of Zimbabwe. The response we have received so far is overwhelming,” he said.
The membership drive was not only targeting Zimbabweans but anyone within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Echoing same sentiments was Mukhachana Mahenye of Giyani-Malamulele, South Africa, who said the initiatives by the FOZC needed the regional support in order to stop company and property seizures in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe must preserve the little resources left in the country by coming together and challenge this monster called the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act,” he said. - CAJ News
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FOCZ to challenge govt “theft” of companies
JOHANNESBURG – The Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition (FOZC) has embarked on a massive membership drive in a move aimed at giving voice and demanding an urgent stop to property, land and company invasions by the marauding Zanu (PF) government.
Chairman of the Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition, Sox Chikohwero, announced the opening of new chapters in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (PE) Wit bank, Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) and Pietermaritzburg.
He said Zimbabweans must say a “BIG NO” to company seizures, invasions and persecution of local citizens under flimsy allegations aimed at justifying theft of property, companies and land. “FOZC is apolitical and we are indeed friends of Zimbabwe. The response we have received so far is overwhelming,” he said.
The membership drive was not only targeting Zimbabweans but anyone within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Echoing same sentiments was Mukhachana Mahenye of Giyani-Malamulele, South Africa, who said the initiatives by the FOZC needed the regional support in order to stop company and property seizures in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe must preserve the little resources left in the country by coming together and challenge this monster called the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act,” he said. - CAJ News
News from Jozi
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CIO agents still stalk me – Moyo
JOHANNESBURG - Former opposition Movement for Democratic Change security chief in Bulawayo, Remember Moyo, who is now exiled in South Africa says Zimbabwe government’s psychopathic agents of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) castrated him during torture sessions in 2003.
Moyo fled to South Africa soon after the High Court in Harare acquitted him and his MDC colleagues of kidnap and murder charges. He was arrested by the CIO agents after the kidnapping and eventual murder of Bulawayo war veteran leader Cain Nkala in 2003.
Moyo has been in hiding in Johannesburg since he fled to South Africa. But he recently came out of his hiding for the first time and gave an interview to Voice of the People, VOP, one of Zimbabwe’s two independent radio stations operating from exile.
Speaking in his native Ndebele language, Moyo told VOP that severe torture to his genitals had left him impotent.
“My brother, I am no longer a man. Women have left me because they can not stay in a home where there is no sex,” Moyo told the radio station .He blames Robert Mugabe for all his troubles and has vowed to bring his government down.
“I would rather die in the battle fighting Mugabe than to die of hunger and frustration,” he said. Moyo also told VOP that CIO agents who tortured him were recently spotted in the bustling streets of Jozi. He says they are still after his head. - Themba Nkosi
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CIO agents still stalk me – Moyo
JOHANNESBURG - Former opposition Movement for Democratic Change security chief in Bulawayo, Remember Moyo, who is now exiled in South Africa says Zimbabwe government’s psychopathic agents of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) castrated him during torture sessions in 2003.
Moyo fled to South Africa soon after the High Court in Harare acquitted him and his MDC colleagues of kidnap and murder charges. He was arrested by the CIO agents after the kidnapping and eventual murder of Bulawayo war veteran leader Cain Nkala in 2003.
Moyo has been in hiding in Johannesburg since he fled to South Africa. But he recently came out of his hiding for the first time and gave an interview to Voice of the People, VOP, one of Zimbabwe’s two independent radio stations operating from exile.
Speaking in his native Ndebele language, Moyo told VOP that severe torture to his genitals had left him impotent.
“My brother, I am no longer a man. Women have left me because they can not stay in a home where there is no sex,” Moyo told the radio station .He blames Robert Mugabe for all his troubles and has vowed to bring his government down.
“I would rather die in the battle fighting Mugabe than to die of hunger and frustration,” he said. Moyo also told VOP that CIO agents who tortured him were recently spotted in the bustling streets of Jozi. He says they are still after his head. - Themba Nkosi
Letter from America
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Letter from America
Economic growth without democracy
‘China has become Mugabe’s handmaiden in the repression of Zimbabweans’
BY STANFORD MUKASA
WASHINGTON - China’s “economic growth without democracy” policy is spoiling African dictators like Mugabe.
The announcement by President Hu Jintao that China will double its aid to Africa to the tune of US$5 billion over the next three years will have some implications on efforts by Zimbabwean civil society and church leadership to negotiate with Mugabe and Zanu (PF) a return to democracy and the rule of law.
The excessive generosity with which China has assisted Mugabe and other dictators of the world makes Mugabe and Zanu (PF) scoff at any appeals for human rights or democracy.
Against this background, the document by a section of Zimbabwean church leaders and which was handed to Mugabe last week will probably carry little, if any, weight with Mugabe and Zanu (PF) who feel their Look East policy will soon bear fruit.
China’s policy of economic progress without democracy has historically been a model and a source of great inspiration for dictators in Africa. Virtually all appeals to the Chinese by the international community to bring pressure to bear on Mugabe have been ignored.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhang Xianyi, recently spelt out the principles governing Chinese policy towards Zimbabwe, namely, what he called equality, mutual benefit, solidarity and common development.
The ambassador said China’s bilateral trade with Zimbabwe would increase by 11.5 percent to US$500 million in 2008. In 2005 the figure was US$283 million.
Overall, China’s trade with Africa in the past 10 years increased 10 times to about $40 billion last year.
China has also announced it will forgive debts owed to it by the poorest African countries. President HU also announced other measures by China to boost trade with Africa.
At a recent meeting of the American Enterprise Institute it was noted that:
• More exports from Africa to China will receive tariff-free status.
• China will train 15,000 African professionals.
• China will build schools, hospitals and anti malaria clinics.
• China will send experts and youth volunteers to Africa.
• China will double the number of scholarships to African students to 4,000 by 2009.
China is an emerging world economic power and the second largest consumer of energy and petroleum products. To meet internal demand China has invested heavily in oil resources in Nigeria, Sudan, Angola, and Gabon as well as in copper purchases mainly in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Zimbabwe China is eyeing the country’s untapped platinum resources reported to be the second largest in the world. Zimbabwe has also other mineral resources like uranium, gold, silver and copper that China would like to tap into.
In its aggressive quest for increased trade China has totally ignored the human rights implications of its economic growth without democracy policy.
This may well explain why Mugabe is dragging his feet on any pressures to negotiate a resolution of the country’s crisis of governance with the opposition and civil society.
Mugabe’s survival can be attributed to number factors including a strong military and generous looting of the national resources to reward his cronies, notably top party and government officials as well as the army. But the China factor is increasingly becoming a significant lifeline for the aging dictator.
According to reports China has extended generous financial and other forms of assistance to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) in exchange for the wholesale mortgaging of national resources to China. Some people are calling this Look East policy a new colonialism from China, and China has become Mugabe’s handmaiden in the repression of Zimbabweans.
The opposition movement and civil society leadership must come to grips with the fact that Mugabe has in China a real and substantive promise of support – whether or not China will actually deliver on all promises made to Mugabe. Strategies for confronting Mugabe must factor this reality.
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Letter from America
Economic growth without democracy
‘China has become Mugabe’s handmaiden in the repression of Zimbabweans’
BY STANFORD MUKASA
WASHINGTON - China’s “economic growth without democracy” policy is spoiling African dictators like Mugabe.
The announcement by President Hu Jintao that China will double its aid to Africa to the tune of US$5 billion over the next three years will have some implications on efforts by Zimbabwean civil society and church leadership to negotiate with Mugabe and Zanu (PF) a return to democracy and the rule of law.
The excessive generosity with which China has assisted Mugabe and other dictators of the world makes Mugabe and Zanu (PF) scoff at any appeals for human rights or democracy.
Against this background, the document by a section of Zimbabwean church leaders and which was handed to Mugabe last week will probably carry little, if any, weight with Mugabe and Zanu (PF) who feel their Look East policy will soon bear fruit.
China’s policy of economic progress without democracy has historically been a model and a source of great inspiration for dictators in Africa. Virtually all appeals to the Chinese by the international community to bring pressure to bear on Mugabe have been ignored.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhang Xianyi, recently spelt out the principles governing Chinese policy towards Zimbabwe, namely, what he called equality, mutual benefit, solidarity and common development.
The ambassador said China’s bilateral trade with Zimbabwe would increase by 11.5 percent to US$500 million in 2008. In 2005 the figure was US$283 million.
Overall, China’s trade with Africa in the past 10 years increased 10 times to about $40 billion last year.
China has also announced it will forgive debts owed to it by the poorest African countries. President HU also announced other measures by China to boost trade with Africa.
At a recent meeting of the American Enterprise Institute it was noted that:
• More exports from Africa to China will receive tariff-free status.
• China will train 15,000 African professionals.
• China will build schools, hospitals and anti malaria clinics.
• China will send experts and youth volunteers to Africa.
• China will double the number of scholarships to African students to 4,000 by 2009.
China is an emerging world economic power and the second largest consumer of energy and petroleum products. To meet internal demand China has invested heavily in oil resources in Nigeria, Sudan, Angola, and Gabon as well as in copper purchases mainly in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Zimbabwe China is eyeing the country’s untapped platinum resources reported to be the second largest in the world. Zimbabwe has also other mineral resources like uranium, gold, silver and copper that China would like to tap into.
In its aggressive quest for increased trade China has totally ignored the human rights implications of its economic growth without democracy policy.
This may well explain why Mugabe is dragging his feet on any pressures to negotiate a resolution of the country’s crisis of governance with the opposition and civil society.
Mugabe’s survival can be attributed to number factors including a strong military and generous looting of the national resources to reward his cronies, notably top party and government officials as well as the army. But the China factor is increasingly becoming a significant lifeline for the aging dictator.
According to reports China has extended generous financial and other forms of assistance to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) in exchange for the wholesale mortgaging of national resources to China. Some people are calling this Look East policy a new colonialism from China, and China has become Mugabe’s handmaiden in the repression of Zimbabweans.
The opposition movement and civil society leadership must come to grips with the fact that Mugabe has in China a real and substantive promise of support – whether or not China will actually deliver on all promises made to Mugabe. Strategies for confronting Mugabe must factor this reality.
We need government in exile
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We need government in exile
BY MAGAISA IBENZI
SOMEWHERE IN SOUTH – I have been absolutely delighted with the news from England about the Free Zim youths who gave south Africa’s foreign minister Amai Zuma a hard time when they heckled her while she was trying to convince Londoners about South Africa’s solidarity with other struggling Africans. Bravo! Well done Free Zim.
We need more of this from you young boys and girls of ours. We are proud of you. This is why we, your parents, suffered so much to educate you. Why has it taken you so long to get started. You have shown the way to other Zimbabweans around the world. This is what they should do whenever South African officials visit. This type of activism should also be extended to other SADC officials who are also backing Mugabe.
I was particularly pleased that the first target was Nkosazana Zuma, who herself spent many years living in London during the apartheid years. She was a member of the South African diaspora. But now she tells those in the diaspora that they should keep quiet. Hah! It was actually South Africans in the diaspora who successfully lobbied the international governments and media to put the squeeze on the apartheid regime.
I appeal to all Zimbabweans wherever they are in the diaspora to completely ignore the comments of Zuma and her ilk.
We all know very well that the ANC supports Zanu (PF). They care nothing for the suffering people of Zimbabwe – all they care about is propping up the façade of a fellow liberation movement. Despite their fancy constitution, human rights really means nothing to Mbeki and his crowd, Zuma included. Even the youngsters in the ANC have been brainwashed as we saw last week. It’s really a very worrying situation.
I therefore appeal to our young Zimbabweans, and the old ones out there, you are all needed. Please step up this campaign of confrontation, to include all visits by South African government officials to anywhere in the world. And please extend this campaign to cover all SADC leaders because they are all complicit in the crimes against the Zimbabwean people through their silence.
It is not that they don’t know the real situation. The life expectancy of Zimbabweans has been reduced in six years from 60-something to 30-something. And that is not simply because there is an AIDS pandemic in the region. People are dying from hunger, malnutrition, malaria and many other preventable diseases that even the least developed Third World country should be able to prevent. The people of Zimbabwe are dying from cruelty by one man.
But I digress. Zimbabweans in the diaspora constitute a sizeable force. More than a quarter of Zimbabweans live outside their own country. We are all denied our right to vote. We did not vote for Zanu (PF). We were not allowed to vote. Why don’t we have our own government in exile, to represent our interests, to look after ourselves? We could be a focus for those wanting to help our nation and channel resources back home. At the moment we have nobody to represent us. Our embassies in the countries where we live are there for Zanu (PF) – not for us. In fact they spy on us.
I would like to hear from your readers, Mr Editor, about how we can take this idea forward. – write to magaisa@thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
We need government in exile
BY MAGAISA IBENZI
SOMEWHERE IN SOUTH – I have been absolutely delighted with the news from England about the Free Zim youths who gave south Africa’s foreign minister Amai Zuma a hard time when they heckled her while she was trying to convince Londoners about South Africa’s solidarity with other struggling Africans. Bravo! Well done Free Zim.
We need more of this from you young boys and girls of ours. We are proud of you. This is why we, your parents, suffered so much to educate you. Why has it taken you so long to get started. You have shown the way to other Zimbabweans around the world. This is what they should do whenever South African officials visit. This type of activism should also be extended to other SADC officials who are also backing Mugabe.
I was particularly pleased that the first target was Nkosazana Zuma, who herself spent many years living in London during the apartheid years. She was a member of the South African diaspora. But now she tells those in the diaspora that they should keep quiet. Hah! It was actually South Africans in the diaspora who successfully lobbied the international governments and media to put the squeeze on the apartheid regime.
I appeal to all Zimbabweans wherever they are in the diaspora to completely ignore the comments of Zuma and her ilk.
We all know very well that the ANC supports Zanu (PF). They care nothing for the suffering people of Zimbabwe – all they care about is propping up the façade of a fellow liberation movement. Despite their fancy constitution, human rights really means nothing to Mbeki and his crowd, Zuma included. Even the youngsters in the ANC have been brainwashed as we saw last week. It’s really a very worrying situation.
I therefore appeal to our young Zimbabweans, and the old ones out there, you are all needed. Please step up this campaign of confrontation, to include all visits by South African government officials to anywhere in the world. And please extend this campaign to cover all SADC leaders because they are all complicit in the crimes against the Zimbabwean people through their silence.
It is not that they don’t know the real situation. The life expectancy of Zimbabweans has been reduced in six years from 60-something to 30-something. And that is not simply because there is an AIDS pandemic in the region. People are dying from hunger, malnutrition, malaria and many other preventable diseases that even the least developed Third World country should be able to prevent. The people of Zimbabwe are dying from cruelty by one man.
But I digress. Zimbabweans in the diaspora constitute a sizeable force. More than a quarter of Zimbabweans live outside their own country. We are all denied our right to vote. We did not vote for Zanu (PF). We were not allowed to vote. Why don’t we have our own government in exile, to represent our interests, to look after ourselves? We could be a focus for those wanting to help our nation and channel resources back home. At the moment we have nobody to represent us. Our embassies in the countries where we live are there for Zanu (PF) – not for us. In fact they spy on us.
I would like to hear from your readers, Mr Editor, about how we can take this idea forward. – write to magaisa@thezimbabwean.co.uk
The black spot
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BY CHIPO, grade 6D, Mvurwi
It was on the 20th of July 2002 when I was admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital because of a black spot, which was developing, on my left eye. I was admitted in the Hospital for one week, my mother was worried about it.
When the ambulance came to take me, I was scared, I arrived at the hospital and the doctor gave me some medicine, which I would take while at home. After two weeks, we went back to the hospital. The specialist took me into a small room, which was tidy. In the room, I was asked to look on a white chart, which was glued on the wall with alphabet letters on it. The specialist told me to read the alphabet using the eye with a spot, whilst the other one was closed. I managed to read all the letters from A to Z, but the doctor told me to stay in the hospital since the spot was becoming bigger and bigger as the days passed by.
I stayed in the C3 ward with ill strangers and I was afraid of them. My mother visited me every visiting hour; at times she brought bananas, oranges and cascade drink. After a couple of days I was used to the hospital life though I was missing my friends and family members. In the morning, porridge would find its way down our throats and in the afternoon, sadza would be dished to us with cabbage.
After a week the doctor said we had to go for an operation. I became very worried but my mother raised my faith when she told us to kneel down and pray. We sang a hymn and prayed to the almighty. I was taken to the theatre though I was afraid of past information of people who died because of unsuccessful operations. Four people entered the room wearing white dustcoats. I knew these men were surgeons because I had read about them at school. My life was in the hands of these four men and I trusted that they knew what they were going to do. The anesthetist gas me a special gas to breathe and I immediately fell asleep. After a long while, I woke up. The operation was over and was successful. We gave thanks to God for answering our prayers.
I will not forget my experience at Parirenyatwa Hospital, the nurses and doctors were kind and knew their job for the black spot was completely removed and I trust it will never resurface again.
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BY CHIPO, grade 6D, Mvurwi
It was on the 20th of July 2002 when I was admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital because of a black spot, which was developing, on my left eye. I was admitted in the Hospital for one week, my mother was worried about it.
When the ambulance came to take me, I was scared, I arrived at the hospital and the doctor gave me some medicine, which I would take while at home. After two weeks, we went back to the hospital. The specialist took me into a small room, which was tidy. In the room, I was asked to look on a white chart, which was glued on the wall with alphabet letters on it. The specialist told me to read the alphabet using the eye with a spot, whilst the other one was closed. I managed to read all the letters from A to Z, but the doctor told me to stay in the hospital since the spot was becoming bigger and bigger as the days passed by.
I stayed in the C3 ward with ill strangers and I was afraid of them. My mother visited me every visiting hour; at times she brought bananas, oranges and cascade drink. After a couple of days I was used to the hospital life though I was missing my friends and family members. In the morning, porridge would find its way down our throats and in the afternoon, sadza would be dished to us with cabbage.
After a week the doctor said we had to go for an operation. I became very worried but my mother raised my faith when she told us to kneel down and pray. We sang a hymn and prayed to the almighty. I was taken to the theatre though I was afraid of past information of people who died because of unsuccessful operations. Four people entered the room wearing white dustcoats. I knew these men were surgeons because I had read about them at school. My life was in the hands of these four men and I trusted that they knew what they were going to do. The anesthetist gas me a special gas to breathe and I immediately fell asleep. After a long while, I woke up. The operation was over and was successful. We gave thanks to God for answering our prayers.
I will not forget my experience at Parirenyatwa Hospital, the nurses and doctors were kind and knew their job for the black spot was completely removed and I trust it will never resurface again.
The merciless nature of AIDS
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BY BRADLEY, Grade 5, Bulawayo
For six months, my young sister lay on her deathbed, with sores all over her body. She looked pale and thin and to this day, that haunts me although she passed away last year.
I questioned myself, “why is it that AIDS is merciless even to the young and innocent like my young sister. Why her specifically, who lay crying in agony every day, itching and scratching with a body full of blisters and sores.” First of all, I blamed my mother and accused her of being unfaithful to my father but as time passed, I discovered my father’s promiscuity.
My father sleeps everywhere with everyone and feels unashamed. He is merciless in the sense that he even goes for young girls who want to live the life they cannot afford. Right now, my father is going out with a student nurse at Mpilo general hospital. The lady is exceptionally beautiful and young. At times, I feel like telling her of about my father, but I am afraid he might ruthlessly beat me.
I feel very sorry and this torments my soul every day, especially if I remember my young sister whom I saw suffering up to her last breath. To her I say “ rest in peace my dearest sister and to the young nurse, please drop my father before it is too late and pray to God for redemption.”
AIDS is one of the dangerous and evil killer diseases which even tortures the young ones. Personally, If I had money, I would go behind my parents’ back and have a medical check up even though I look healthy. I assume that I was born before my mother was infected with the virus.
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P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY BRADLEY, Grade 5, Bulawayo
For six months, my young sister lay on her deathbed, with sores all over her body. She looked pale and thin and to this day, that haunts me although she passed away last year.
I questioned myself, “why is it that AIDS is merciless even to the young and innocent like my young sister. Why her specifically, who lay crying in agony every day, itching and scratching with a body full of blisters and sores.” First of all, I blamed my mother and accused her of being unfaithful to my father but as time passed, I discovered my father’s promiscuity.
My father sleeps everywhere with everyone and feels unashamed. He is merciless in the sense that he even goes for young girls who want to live the life they cannot afford. Right now, my father is going out with a student nurse at Mpilo general hospital. The lady is exceptionally beautiful and young. At times, I feel like telling her of about my father, but I am afraid he might ruthlessly beat me.
I feel very sorry and this torments my soul every day, especially if I remember my young sister whom I saw suffering up to her last breath. To her I say “ rest in peace my dearest sister and to the young nurse, please drop my father before it is too late and pray to God for redemption.”
AIDS is one of the dangerous and evil killer diseases which even tortures the young ones. Personally, If I had money, I would go behind my parents’ back and have a medical check up even though I look healthy. I assume that I was born before my mother was infected with the virus.
Human Rights Watch : New constitution or else - NCA threatens
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BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
HARARE - A pro-democracy group is threatening more protest action against President Robert Mugabe if steps are not taken to start meaningful constitutional reform.
The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), an ad-hoc pro-democracy alliance of trade unions, human rights and legal support and advocacy groups, has given President Mugabe until early next month to respond to their concerns or face a "peaceful march" to Munhumutapa Building, Mugabe’s Office on Samora Machel Avenue.
The NCA's direct demand to Mugabe comes after the organisation delivered a petition to Parliament last week in a demonstration, which was broken up by riot police in Africa Unity Square.
The theme of the demonstration demanding constitutional reform was: "The Supreme Law of the Land is Illegitimate".
Previous attempts by pro-democracy reformers and other organisations, such as student and labour unions, to air their grievances have been broken up by riot police.
The NCA is currently embroiled in a High Court action challenging the legitimacy of the 17 times amended constitution which has given Mugabe ultimate executive, judicial and legislative control of government, thus entrenching the prevailing political status quo.
The alliance petition included demands to investigate torture of labour leaders in police custody and to respect the rule of law.
A recent report by Amnesty International cited numerous instances of torture and abuse by the police and the military, resulting in the serious injuries of several suspects.
Political analysts, who declined to be identified, said the petition was designed to put the government on the defensive about its track record of ignoring court decisions that it disliked.
“Government will probably not respond to the NCA's list of demands by next month, and probably not ever. Any attempt by NCA to see the President will be broken up by police. The NCA strategy appears to be one of casting a spotlight on rule of law and human rights in the country, lest the international community become complacent about the situation in Zimbabwe,” said one analyst.
Most of the NCA's grievances deal with demands for a new constitution, which Mugabe rejected last week Friday following the launch of a National Vision document by church leaders in Harare.
“We need an all-inclusive, people-driven process,” said the NCA in the petition .
Opposition parties have been harassed ever since the rejection by Zimbabweans in 1999 of government’s proposed draft constitution.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
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BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
HARARE - A pro-democracy group is threatening more protest action against President Robert Mugabe if steps are not taken to start meaningful constitutional reform.
The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), an ad-hoc pro-democracy alliance of trade unions, human rights and legal support and advocacy groups, has given President Mugabe until early next month to respond to their concerns or face a "peaceful march" to Munhumutapa Building, Mugabe’s Office on Samora Machel Avenue.
The NCA's direct demand to Mugabe comes after the organisation delivered a petition to Parliament last week in a demonstration, which was broken up by riot police in Africa Unity Square.
The theme of the demonstration demanding constitutional reform was: "The Supreme Law of the Land is Illegitimate".
Previous attempts by pro-democracy reformers and other organisations, such as student and labour unions, to air their grievances have been broken up by riot police.
The NCA is currently embroiled in a High Court action challenging the legitimacy of the 17 times amended constitution which has given Mugabe ultimate executive, judicial and legislative control of government, thus entrenching the prevailing political status quo.
The alliance petition included demands to investigate torture of labour leaders in police custody and to respect the rule of law.
A recent report by Amnesty International cited numerous instances of torture and abuse by the police and the military, resulting in the serious injuries of several suspects.
Political analysts, who declined to be identified, said the petition was designed to put the government on the defensive about its track record of ignoring court decisions that it disliked.
“Government will probably not respond to the NCA's list of demands by next month, and probably not ever. Any attempt by NCA to see the President will be broken up by police. The NCA strategy appears to be one of casting a spotlight on rule of law and human rights in the country, lest the international community become complacent about the situation in Zimbabwe,” said one analyst.
Most of the NCA's grievances deal with demands for a new constitution, which Mugabe rejected last week Friday following the launch of a National Vision document by church leaders in Harare.
“We need an all-inclusive, people-driven process,” said the NCA in the petition .
Opposition parties have been harassed ever since the rejection by Zimbabweans in 1999 of government’s proposed draft constitution.
China pledges billions to Africa
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China pledges billions to Africa
LONDON - The China-Africa Forum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by at least 50 African countries including heads of state and business officials. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that 16 deals worth US$1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese and African governments and companies.
During the opening ceremony the Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans and $2 billion in export credits. A $5 billion fund will be established to encourage Chinese investment in Africa. Jintao also promised to cancel any debts owed by the poorest African countries.
Among the invited guests were Robert Mugabe and several controversial leaders who have been criticised for serious human rights abuses against their own people. The host country China is accused of protecting these figures on the global stage, flooding Africa with cheap products, destroying local businesses, and ignoring environmental standards. At the forum Chinese officials repeatedly said they were making major efforts to address all concerns. They also argued that China’s huge market was opening up to Africa and this would mean growth for African businesses. – SW Radio Africa
Free Zim Youth to meet SADC chair
LONDON - The diligence and determination of the energetic UK-based pressure group, Free Zim Youth, has resulted in them being granted a meeting with Southern African Development Community (SADC) officials here this week. They will urge SADC to change its policy on the political and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. This was significant because Lesotho’s Prime Minister Pakalitha Musisili is the current co-chairperson of SADC, said spokesperson Alois Mbawara.
The youth activists said in a statement; “This is a follow up to the just ended SADC finance protocol summit in South Africa in which we feel member states are mocking our suffering by signing Zimbabwe to the trade protocol. They know there is no economy to talk about due to bad policies, with no balance of trade.” – SW Radio Africa
UN selection unfair say cops
HARARE - There are allegations that Police Commisssioner Augustine Chihuri is excluding officers from United Nations peacekeeping duties because they sympathise with the opposition MDC.
Press reports say he has barred about 150 junior officers from taking part in lucrative peacekeeping duties in Kosovo because of their ‘questionable loyalty’ to Robert Mugabe’s regime.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has been participating in UN peacekeeping missions for the last 15 years. ZRP officers have served in Angola, and currently they have personnel keeping peace in Liberia, Sudan and East Timor.
It is believed the commissioner has also warned officers during pre-deployment briefings not to make any negative statements about Zimbabwe while abroad. – SW Radio Africa
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
China pledges billions to Africa
LONDON - The China-Africa Forum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by at least 50 African countries including heads of state and business officials. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that 16 deals worth US$1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese and African governments and companies.
During the opening ceremony the Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans and $2 billion in export credits. A $5 billion fund will be established to encourage Chinese investment in Africa. Jintao also promised to cancel any debts owed by the poorest African countries.
Among the invited guests were Robert Mugabe and several controversial leaders who have been criticised for serious human rights abuses against their own people. The host country China is accused of protecting these figures on the global stage, flooding Africa with cheap products, destroying local businesses, and ignoring environmental standards. At the forum Chinese officials repeatedly said they were making major efforts to address all concerns. They also argued that China’s huge market was opening up to Africa and this would mean growth for African businesses. – SW Radio Africa
Free Zim Youth to meet SADC chair
LONDON - The diligence and determination of the energetic UK-based pressure group, Free Zim Youth, has resulted in them being granted a meeting with Southern African Development Community (SADC) officials here this week. They will urge SADC to change its policy on the political and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. This was significant because Lesotho’s Prime Minister Pakalitha Musisili is the current co-chairperson of SADC, said spokesperson Alois Mbawara.
The youth activists said in a statement; “This is a follow up to the just ended SADC finance protocol summit in South Africa in which we feel member states are mocking our suffering by signing Zimbabwe to the trade protocol. They know there is no economy to talk about due to bad policies, with no balance of trade.” – SW Radio Africa
UN selection unfair say cops
HARARE - There are allegations that Police Commisssioner Augustine Chihuri is excluding officers from United Nations peacekeeping duties because they sympathise with the opposition MDC.
Press reports say he has barred about 150 junior officers from taking part in lucrative peacekeeping duties in Kosovo because of their ‘questionable loyalty’ to Robert Mugabe’s regime.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has been participating in UN peacekeeping missions for the last 15 years. ZRP officers have served in Angola, and currently they have personnel keeping peace in Liberia, Sudan and East Timor.
It is believed the commissioner has also warned officers during pre-deployment briefings not to make any negative statements about Zimbabwe while abroad. – SW Radio Africa
News briefs: Rotary award for SPCA’s Harrison
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HARARE – The SPCA’s Meryl Harrison has been honoured by Borrowdale Brooke Rotary Club for her work to help alleviate the suffering experienced by animals during the farm invasions.
Farm animals in Zimbabwe were subject to the most horrific suffering during the invasions. There were reports of men cutting off the legs of every cow on the farm, locking horses in corrals and lighting them on fire and farmers’ pet dogs being hung alive on their former properties. Meryl Harrison and her team at the SPCA went on to farms often at great personal risk to rescue and minister to animals suffering from neglect and abuse.
“Some of the sights I saw on the farms involving the animals, I will never forget,” said Harrison. “But we had a job to do so we just had to get on with it.”
She believes the animals “bore the brunt of the viciousness of the land invasions - they were the silent victims - innocent and uncomprehending.”
This is the second time Harrison has been awarded The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship, which is almost unheard of. It is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a non-Rotarian.
Harrison, who moved to the UK recently, said: “I feel very honoured to have been made a Paul Harris fellow twice.” She has had “a few heart problems” which her cardiologist has told her are due to the stress of the last few years. - KJW
HR Foundation targets Zim refugees
JOHANNESBURG - The Human Rights Foundation of South Africa, in conjunction with the Aids Consortium, has poured several thousands of rands into training Zimbabwe refugees about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
The disease claims over 800 lives per day in SA. Among other issues, the Aids Consortium said they targeted refugees from Zimbabwe simply because they were being neglected, and many had been forced to embark on unprotected sex in order to earn a living.
In an interview after the workshop held at Braamfontein this week, Aids Consortium Media and Communications Manager, Rhulani Lehloka, said the workshop was to encourage responsible behaviour among Zimbabwean refugees.
She said the workshop was necessitated by the need to make Zimbabweans aware of how they could access Anti-Retrovial Drugs (ARVs) and how best they could access self-sustaining projects for their livelihood whilst in exile in South Africa.
"We have targetted the Zimbabwe group of refugees because are the ones so vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. We are also conducting another workshop on women, who don't have access to ARVs. We really know that the South African government is not doing anything to the Zimbabwe refugees but we have to address that because HIV/AIDS knows no boundaries," said Lehloka. - CAJ News
Zim$ continues to dive
JOHANNESBURG - As importers struggle to raise the much-needed foreign currency to continue their business operations, the Zimbabwean dollar continues tumbling downwards on the parallel market.
A foreign currency dealer, Scott Philips, speaking to CAJ News from Johannesburg where he was attending an Economic Forum Workshop, pointed out that there was no serious business and activity on the official exchange market in Zimbabwe.
He said this was a result of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe directive, which demanded that movements had to be volume-linked.
”The past few weeks have witnessed insignificant transactions to move the rate on the official exchange market, prompting exporters to hold on to their receipts,” said Philips.
The British Pound made significant gains against the Zimbabwe dollar and is now fetching way above Z$3 000 up from Z$2 700, and the US$ is now trading at Z$2 000 up from Z$1 500.
The official rate remained fixed at Z$250 against the US$ and Z$474 to the British pound.
Last year the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced the auction system, which was meant to restore stability in the foreign exchange market.
However, this was soon overtaken by the parallel market.The exchange rate on the auction system is adjusted periodically, but critics argue that this is of little benefit to exporters because the adjustments are not realistic and do not allow exporters to break even.
RBZ governor Gideon Gono said the move behind the re-introduction of the interbank trading system was to promote the “allocative efficiencies in the foreign exchange market”. - CAJ News
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General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE – The SPCA’s Meryl Harrison has been honoured by Borrowdale Brooke Rotary Club for her work to help alleviate the suffering experienced by animals during the farm invasions.
Farm animals in Zimbabwe were subject to the most horrific suffering during the invasions. There were reports of men cutting off the legs of every cow on the farm, locking horses in corrals and lighting them on fire and farmers’ pet dogs being hung alive on their former properties. Meryl Harrison and her team at the SPCA went on to farms often at great personal risk to rescue and minister to animals suffering from neglect and abuse.
“Some of the sights I saw on the farms involving the animals, I will never forget,” said Harrison. “But we had a job to do so we just had to get on with it.”
She believes the animals “bore the brunt of the viciousness of the land invasions - they were the silent victims - innocent and uncomprehending.”
This is the second time Harrison has been awarded The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship, which is almost unheard of. It is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a non-Rotarian.
Harrison, who moved to the UK recently, said: “I feel very honoured to have been made a Paul Harris fellow twice.” She has had “a few heart problems” which her cardiologist has told her are due to the stress of the last few years. - KJW
HR Foundation targets Zim refugees
JOHANNESBURG - The Human Rights Foundation of South Africa, in conjunction with the Aids Consortium, has poured several thousands of rands into training Zimbabwe refugees about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
The disease claims over 800 lives per day in SA. Among other issues, the Aids Consortium said they targeted refugees from Zimbabwe simply because they were being neglected, and many had been forced to embark on unprotected sex in order to earn a living.
In an interview after the workshop held at Braamfontein this week, Aids Consortium Media and Communications Manager, Rhulani Lehloka, said the workshop was to encourage responsible behaviour among Zimbabwean refugees.
She said the workshop was necessitated by the need to make Zimbabweans aware of how they could access Anti-Retrovial Drugs (ARVs) and how best they could access self-sustaining projects for their livelihood whilst in exile in South Africa.
"We have targetted the Zimbabwe group of refugees because are the ones so vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. We are also conducting another workshop on women, who don't have access to ARVs. We really know that the South African government is not doing anything to the Zimbabwe refugees but we have to address that because HIV/AIDS knows no boundaries," said Lehloka. - CAJ News
Zim$ continues to dive
JOHANNESBURG - As importers struggle to raise the much-needed foreign currency to continue their business operations, the Zimbabwean dollar continues tumbling downwards on the parallel market.
A foreign currency dealer, Scott Philips, speaking to CAJ News from Johannesburg where he was attending an Economic Forum Workshop, pointed out that there was no serious business and activity on the official exchange market in Zimbabwe.
He said this was a result of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe directive, which demanded that movements had to be volume-linked.
”The past few weeks have witnessed insignificant transactions to move the rate on the official exchange market, prompting exporters to hold on to their receipts,” said Philips.
The British Pound made significant gains against the Zimbabwe dollar and is now fetching way above Z$3 000 up from Z$2 700, and the US$ is now trading at Z$2 000 up from Z$1 500.
The official rate remained fixed at Z$250 against the US$ and Z$474 to the British pound.
Last year the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced the auction system, which was meant to restore stability in the foreign exchange market.
However, this was soon overtaken by the parallel market.The exchange rate on the auction system is adjusted periodically, but critics argue that this is of little benefit to exporters because the adjustments are not realistic and do not allow exporters to break even.
RBZ governor Gideon Gono said the move behind the re-introduction of the interbank trading system was to promote the “allocative efficiencies in the foreign exchange market”. - CAJ News
Politics: Voters commended for courage
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P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY PAUL THEMBA NYATHI
HARARE - MDC (Mutambara) expresses its gratitude to the people of Zimbabwe for coming out to vote during the just ended rural district council elections. MDC is conscious of the immense economic burden associated with hunger and starvation which the people of Zimbabwe are enduring as a result of a crisis of mis-governance and corruption in the country caused by Zanu (PF) and the Mugabe government.
We are also mindful of the threats of violence, threats of denials of state supplied agricultural inputs and threats of denials of food assistance that the people of Zimbabwe were subjected to by the ruling party during the election campaign. In spite of all these pressures the people of Zimbabwe were still able to come out in numbers to vote for their preferred candidates. For this we salute them for their courage and resilience.
Not withstanding the uneven electoral playing field, which favours the ruling party, MDC (Mutambara) is pleased with the party’s performance in which it won in 45 contested wards. We note the Tsvangirai group won in 35 contested wards. We congratulate them for their efforts and victories. We hope that these results will demonstrate once and for all that we are a definitely not a splinter group with no grassroots support. The truth of the matter is that in this national election we won more contested seats than the Tsvangirai-led MDC.
(According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Zanu (PF) garnered 765 wards, while the Tsvangirai-led MDC polled 54 and the Mutambara-led faction won 42.)
We are also pleased with our improved performance in light of the statistics which show that in the 2003 rural district council elections the united MDC only managed to win no more than 15 wards throughout the whole country.
We as the MDC strongly believe that our concern should be to come up with strategies of dislodging the Zanu (PF) regime and rescuing the people of Zimbabwe from hunger and dehumanizing abuses by the regime.
We recognize that there is still a lot of work ahead in removing the corrupt and dictatorial regime of ZANU PF and to that extent we as a party are prepared to go the extra mile in our struggle against the regime. – Nyathi is Director of Elections for the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY PAUL THEMBA NYATHI
HARARE - MDC (Mutambara) expresses its gratitude to the people of Zimbabwe for coming out to vote during the just ended rural district council elections. MDC is conscious of the immense economic burden associated with hunger and starvation which the people of Zimbabwe are enduring as a result of a crisis of mis-governance and corruption in the country caused by Zanu (PF) and the Mugabe government.
We are also mindful of the threats of violence, threats of denials of state supplied agricultural inputs and threats of denials of food assistance that the people of Zimbabwe were subjected to by the ruling party during the election campaign. In spite of all these pressures the people of Zimbabwe were still able to come out in numbers to vote for their preferred candidates. For this we salute them for their courage and resilience.
Not withstanding the uneven electoral playing field, which favours the ruling party, MDC (Mutambara) is pleased with the party’s performance in which it won in 45 contested wards. We note the Tsvangirai group won in 35 contested wards. We congratulate them for their efforts and victories. We hope that these results will demonstrate once and for all that we are a definitely not a splinter group with no grassroots support. The truth of the matter is that in this national election we won more contested seats than the Tsvangirai-led MDC.
(According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Zanu (PF) garnered 765 wards, while the Tsvangirai-led MDC polled 54 and the Mutambara-led faction won 42.)
We are also pleased with our improved performance in light of the statistics which show that in the 2003 rural district council elections the united MDC only managed to win no more than 15 wards throughout the whole country.
We as the MDC strongly believe that our concern should be to come up with strategies of dislodging the Zanu (PF) regime and rescuing the people of Zimbabwe from hunger and dehumanizing abuses by the regime.
We recognize that there is still a lot of work ahead in removing the corrupt and dictatorial regime of ZANU PF and to that extent we as a party are prepared to go the extra mile in our struggle against the regime. – Nyathi is Director of Elections for the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara
Media forum launched
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General: 07714736382
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PRETORIA - The Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition has set up a media forum that will act as a media watch for all socio-economic and political developments taking place in Zimbabwe.
The Media Forum’s Organizing Secretary, Nowell Marufu, a Zimbabwean journalist living in exile in South Africa, said the new body had been necessitated by the need to create a space where all concerned friends of Zimbabwe could air their views with respect to redressing the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.
“We have set up the forum to facilitate public discourse on all matters that are affecting Zimbabwe, and it is our sincere hope that all Zimbabweans at home and in the Diaspora will make use of this platform on how best we can help Zimbabwe out of the many crises that are bedeviling the country,” said Marufu.
The Organizing Secretary indicated that they would liaise strongly with partners in the print media and some Zimbabwean websites.
“Zimbabweans have to make use of this forum if they intend to have their concerns heard, and we encourage all those who have some positive comments to help re-build the image of Zimbabwe to come forward and utilize this space,” said Marufu. - CAJ News
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
PRETORIA - The Friends of Zimbabwe Coalition has set up a media forum that will act as a media watch for all socio-economic and political developments taking place in Zimbabwe.
The Media Forum’s Organizing Secretary, Nowell Marufu, a Zimbabwean journalist living in exile in South Africa, said the new body had been necessitated by the need to create a space where all concerned friends of Zimbabwe could air their views with respect to redressing the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.
“We have set up the forum to facilitate public discourse on all matters that are affecting Zimbabwe, and it is our sincere hope that all Zimbabweans at home and in the Diaspora will make use of this platform on how best we can help Zimbabwe out of the many crises that are bedeviling the country,” said Marufu.
The Organizing Secretary indicated that they would liaise strongly with partners in the print media and some Zimbabwean websites.
“Zimbabweans have to make use of this forum if they intend to have their concerns heard, and we encourage all those who have some positive comments to help re-build the image of Zimbabwe to come forward and utilize this space,” said Marufu. - CAJ News
Saving a stranger
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
LONDON – A new Community Channel documentary appealing for Asian and Black minority groups to save lives by joining the bone marrow register will broadcast in the UK during November.
Saving a Stranger is a powerful, heart-wrenching documentary that highlights the suffering of the thousands of people waiting for bone marrow transplants in the UK.
The film introduces the12-year-old Yvette Gate from Bristol, whose only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant. Yvette suffers from aplastic anaemia. Her bone marrow has stopped functioning, which means she cannot produce her own blood, and has to rely on transfusions to say alive. Yvette originates from the Gambia and is more likely to find a match from someone of the same ethnic origin. But there is a desperate shortage of all bone marrow donors and a particular shortage of donors from black and ethnic minority groups.
The film also concentrates on the inspiring Asma Meer, who lost her three-month old son Ibrahim because they couldn’t find a match for a bone marrow transplant. Asma is now a dedicated campaigner, raising awareness and trying to recruit more donors onto the bone marrow register. The register is administered by the Anthony Nolan Trust. Participating individuals need to be 18-40 years old in good health and fully committed to undergo the donation procedure if required. The Anthony Nolan Trust specifically needs to recruit more young male donors. - www.anthonynolan.org.uk or visit www.communitychannel.org
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
LONDON – A new Community Channel documentary appealing for Asian and Black minority groups to save lives by joining the bone marrow register will broadcast in the UK during November.
Saving a Stranger is a powerful, heart-wrenching documentary that highlights the suffering of the thousands of people waiting for bone marrow transplants in the UK.
The film introduces the12-year-old Yvette Gate from Bristol, whose only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant. Yvette suffers from aplastic anaemia. Her bone marrow has stopped functioning, which means she cannot produce her own blood, and has to rely on transfusions to say alive. Yvette originates from the Gambia and is more likely to find a match from someone of the same ethnic origin. But there is a desperate shortage of all bone marrow donors and a particular shortage of donors from black and ethnic minority groups.
The film also concentrates on the inspiring Asma Meer, who lost her three-month old son Ibrahim because they couldn’t find a match for a bone marrow transplant. Asma is now a dedicated campaigner, raising awareness and trying to recruit more donors onto the bone marrow register. The register is administered by the Anthony Nolan Trust. Participating individuals need to be 18-40 years old in good health and fully committed to undergo the donation procedure if required. The Anthony Nolan Trust specifically needs to recruit more young male donors. - www.anthonynolan.org.uk or visit www.communitychannel.org
Background to the News: Excessive abuse of presidential powers
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
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BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe is now running the country under an undeclared state of emergency by invoking sweeping presidential powers, openly encouraging violence with rhetoric invoking war and depicting opposition and civic groups as traitors, analysts said this week.
Political analysts said there was shocking judicial tampering and legislative engineering through the circumvention of Parliament by Mugabe’s excessive abuse of his presidential powers. Analysts said Mugabe’s continued use of the police to harass and torture opponents had effectively imposed a state of emergency through the backdoor. In this culture of impunity, violent threats against the country’s core democratic institutions, including the judiciary, have become commonplace.
“In almost every way, Mugabe is now running this country under an undeclared state of emergency,” said Dr. Lovemore Madhuku, a constitutional law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
Madhuku, who is also chairman of the militant pressure group National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), was interviewed as he led a democracy march demanding a new constitution last week.
“Mugabe is using the Presidential Powers Act to amend existing laws and create new ones without having to put them to Parliament. The way he is operating, he does not need to declare a state of emergency,” he noted.
Mugabe has invoked his presidential powers three times this year alone. In July he signed into law a statutory instrument granting immunity to security officers, including the notorious youth militia, tasked with seizing currency and merchandise from innocent citizens. The cash search and seize operation, ostensibly aimed at crashing the black market, was widely condemned by countless human rights bodies as patently unconstitutional and illegal. But caution was thrown to the wind.
Mugabe is currently crafting a statutory instrument, which will further postpone the eagerly awaited Harare mayoral and council elections. His ruling Zanu (PF) party’s supreme decision-making body, the Politburo, has also unanimously adopted a resolution to use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to amend the constitution and delay presidential elections from 2008 to 2010.
Professor Greg Linington, a UZ constitutional law expert, said Zimbabwe was now under an unofficial state of emergency because of the way Mugabe abused his presidential powers.
“It is a very sad situation. The Presidential Powers Act enables President Mugabe to do exactly the same things he would do under the Emergency Powers Act in an official state of emergency,” said Linington.
“All regulations created by President Mugabe under the Act are unconstitutional,” said Linington, adding that he saw no reason why Zimbabwean courts should not adopt the South African constitutional court’s view of the presidential powers.
Prof. Welshman Ncube, another leading local constitutional law expert, said Mugabe was relying on the use of violence and coercive tactics to consolidate and maintain his iron-fisted 26-year rule. He said there was also a strong repressive backlash towards the opposition and its supporters in reaction to shows of discontent.
Ncube said Zimbabweans were now at the mercy of Mugabe and he could do whatever he wanted to trample on their fundamental rights.
“The Presidential Powers Act permits Mugabe to make whatever regulations he wants and even to repeal primary legislation instituted by Parliament. The safeguards against the abuse of the Act are so ineffectual as to be any safeguards at all,” said Ncube, who is also a senior official of the Mutambara-led faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Analysts said Mugabe has also increasingly circumvented Parliament, ordering troop
deployments, ruling by decree and branding critics as “terrorists.”
In the past Mugabe has used the Presidential Powers Act to pass legislation banning private radio stations and regulating other broadcast media.
The same Act has banned strikes and been used to pardon perpetrators of political violence, most of them members of his ruling Zanu (PF) party. A ruling made under the Presidential Powers Act is valid for six months before it can be turned into draft legislation and put to Parliament.
Mugabe has also used the Act to take away the rights of white farmers to facilitate his
controversial land acquisition drive for black resettlement that he conveniently used as his re-election ticket.
His government recently announced plans to bulldoze through the House legislation that will empower him to snoop on private communications of citizens.
MDC legislator David Coltart urged the international community to start planning for the consequences of Mugabe postponing the elections.
Coltart said the Harare authorities have already made it clear that they would postpone elections to 2010.
Last week, Mugabe told off U.S. President George Bush and Britain Premier Tony Blair for “lecturing” him on human rights and the rule of law.
The EU, which Mugabe has accused of being a “Goliath”, has already set in motion a process leading to the Zimbabwe crisis being put on the UN Security Council agenda.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe is now running the country under an undeclared state of emergency by invoking sweeping presidential powers, openly encouraging violence with rhetoric invoking war and depicting opposition and civic groups as traitors, analysts said this week.
Political analysts said there was shocking judicial tampering and legislative engineering through the circumvention of Parliament by Mugabe’s excessive abuse of his presidential powers. Analysts said Mugabe’s continued use of the police to harass and torture opponents had effectively imposed a state of emergency through the backdoor. In this culture of impunity, violent threats against the country’s core democratic institutions, including the judiciary, have become commonplace.
“In almost every way, Mugabe is now running this country under an undeclared state of emergency,” said Dr. Lovemore Madhuku, a constitutional law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
Madhuku, who is also chairman of the militant pressure group National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), was interviewed as he led a democracy march demanding a new constitution last week.
“Mugabe is using the Presidential Powers Act to amend existing laws and create new ones without having to put them to Parliament. The way he is operating, he does not need to declare a state of emergency,” he noted.
Mugabe has invoked his presidential powers three times this year alone. In July he signed into law a statutory instrument granting immunity to security officers, including the notorious youth militia, tasked with seizing currency and merchandise from innocent citizens. The cash search and seize operation, ostensibly aimed at crashing the black market, was widely condemned by countless human rights bodies as patently unconstitutional and illegal. But caution was thrown to the wind.
Mugabe is currently crafting a statutory instrument, which will further postpone the eagerly awaited Harare mayoral and council elections. His ruling Zanu (PF) party’s supreme decision-making body, the Politburo, has also unanimously adopted a resolution to use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to amend the constitution and delay presidential elections from 2008 to 2010.
Professor Greg Linington, a UZ constitutional law expert, said Zimbabwe was now under an unofficial state of emergency because of the way Mugabe abused his presidential powers.
“It is a very sad situation. The Presidential Powers Act enables President Mugabe to do exactly the same things he would do under the Emergency Powers Act in an official state of emergency,” said Linington.
“All regulations created by President Mugabe under the Act are unconstitutional,” said Linington, adding that he saw no reason why Zimbabwean courts should not adopt the South African constitutional court’s view of the presidential powers.
Prof. Welshman Ncube, another leading local constitutional law expert, said Mugabe was relying on the use of violence and coercive tactics to consolidate and maintain his iron-fisted 26-year rule. He said there was also a strong repressive backlash towards the opposition and its supporters in reaction to shows of discontent.
Ncube said Zimbabweans were now at the mercy of Mugabe and he could do whatever he wanted to trample on their fundamental rights.
“The Presidential Powers Act permits Mugabe to make whatever regulations he wants and even to repeal primary legislation instituted by Parliament. The safeguards against the abuse of the Act are so ineffectual as to be any safeguards at all,” said Ncube, who is also a senior official of the Mutambara-led faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Analysts said Mugabe has also increasingly circumvented Parliament, ordering troop
deployments, ruling by decree and branding critics as “terrorists.”
In the past Mugabe has used the Presidential Powers Act to pass legislation banning private radio stations and regulating other broadcast media.
The same Act has banned strikes and been used to pardon perpetrators of political violence, most of them members of his ruling Zanu (PF) party. A ruling made under the Presidential Powers Act is valid for six months before it can be turned into draft legislation and put to Parliament.
Mugabe has also used the Act to take away the rights of white farmers to facilitate his
controversial land acquisition drive for black resettlement that he conveniently used as his re-election ticket.
His government recently announced plans to bulldoze through the House legislation that will empower him to snoop on private communications of citizens.
MDC legislator David Coltart urged the international community to start planning for the consequences of Mugabe postponing the elections.
Coltart said the Harare authorities have already made it clear that they would postpone elections to 2010.
Last week, Mugabe told off U.S. President George Bush and Britain Premier Tony Blair for “lecturing” him on human rights and the rule of law.
The EU, which Mugabe has accused of being a “Goliath”, has already set in motion a process leading to the Zimbabwe crisis being put on the UN Security Council agenda.
Zim student heckles Mabuza
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BY LANCE GUMA
LONDON - Lindiwe Mabuza, the South African High Commissioner to the UK, was heckled by a Zimbabwean student during her visit to Oxford University last week. Mabuza was delivering an address on the state of post apartheid South Africa at Oxford’s Exeter College when an unidentified student managed to take over the question and answer session.
The student is said to have questioned South Africa’s foreign policy in terms of its perceived success in the Ivory Coast, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and yet the Zimbabwean crisis remained unresolved. Before Mabuza could respond, the student declared, ‘I have a present I would like to give you on behalf of all Zimbabweans.’ He reached inside his satchel and produced a placard, on which “Shame on South Africa” was emblazoned.
Although the student tried to walk out of the venue the commissioner asked him to sit down so she could answer his queries. This was in stark contrast to Zuma’s outbursts in London after she was heckled and declared that Zimbabweans were busy sitting in the diaspora doing nothing. Mabuza decided to respond and said, “There has been loud diplomacy from critics of Zimbabwe other than South Africa and what has loud diplomacy achieved?”
The student quickly responded by saying, ‘And what has six years of South African quiet diplomacy achieved?’ Mabuza is said to have angrily replied “Zimbabwe is not South Africa’s tenth province, we will not send our army into Zimbabwe and neither will we apply economic sanctions because we believe Zimbabweans should solve their problems by themselves. Only Zimbabweans can solve Zimbabwe’s problems. “Zimbabweans in the Diaspora must shame South African officials whenever they are out and about making hypocritical utterances of an African Renaissance. I am calling on all of them to maintain the precedent that has been set in the last two weeks,” declared the student, believed to be a member of the activist group, Free Zim Youth. – SW Radio Africa
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General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BY LANCE GUMA
LONDON - Lindiwe Mabuza, the South African High Commissioner to the UK, was heckled by a Zimbabwean student during her visit to Oxford University last week. Mabuza was delivering an address on the state of post apartheid South Africa at Oxford’s Exeter College when an unidentified student managed to take over the question and answer session.
The student is said to have questioned South Africa’s foreign policy in terms of its perceived success in the Ivory Coast, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and yet the Zimbabwean crisis remained unresolved. Before Mabuza could respond, the student declared, ‘I have a present I would like to give you on behalf of all Zimbabweans.’ He reached inside his satchel and produced a placard, on which “Shame on South Africa” was emblazoned.
Although the student tried to walk out of the venue the commissioner asked him to sit down so she could answer his queries. This was in stark contrast to Zuma’s outbursts in London after she was heckled and declared that Zimbabweans were busy sitting in the diaspora doing nothing. Mabuza decided to respond and said, “There has been loud diplomacy from critics of Zimbabwe other than South Africa and what has loud diplomacy achieved?”
The student quickly responded by saying, ‘And what has six years of South African quiet diplomacy achieved?’ Mabuza is said to have angrily replied “Zimbabwe is not South Africa’s tenth province, we will not send our army into Zimbabwe and neither will we apply economic sanctions because we believe Zimbabweans should solve their problems by themselves. Only Zimbabweans can solve Zimbabwe’s problems. “Zimbabweans in the Diaspora must shame South African officials whenever they are out and about making hypocritical utterances of an African Renaissance. I am calling on all of them to maintain the precedent that has been set in the last two weeks,” declared the student, believed to be a member of the activist group, Free Zim Youth. – SW Radio Africa
SA govt supports Mugabe – Leon
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BY FRANCO HENWOOD
LONDON - The South African government has a de facto policy of support for the Mugabe regime said the main opposition Democratic Alliance party leader Tony Leon in London last week.
He said President Thabo Mbeki’s policy of ‘silent diplomacy’ was in reality a policy of ‘silent approval.’
“Mbeki’s own deadline for the policy to have delivered results by 2004 – the staging of free and fair multi-party elections in Zimbabwe – came and went. Mbeki’s self-proclaimed policy failed, yet his credibility survived unscathed. Why then the absence of pressure from below to make good his assurances?” said Leon.
He attributed this to a variety of factors: South Africans are weary of Zimbabwe. They perceive the crisis to be hopeless and intractable, perceptions reinforced by the MDC’s recent split. For these reasons the country has slipped off the news agenda.
Controversially, Leon noted that many South Africans question why Zimbabweans do not do more to emancipate themselves. He conceded that Mugabe was ruthless – there would be ‘cost and consequences’ for those standing up to him – but no less perhaps than borne by those resisting apartheid in the 70s and 80s.
“None of this belittles the heroic efforts to diminish the heroic efforts made by organisations like Women of Zimbabwe Arise and the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions. It is easy for those in the comfort zone to exhort those on the front line to do more,” said Leon.
In the days of the anti-apartheid struggle, those in the diaspora made a critical contribution. The disinvestment campaign which removed the apartheid regime’s financial prop was on account of massive lobbying efforts by the diaspora.
Leon said, considering the size of the Zimbabwean diaspora in South Africa, it was astonishing that Zimbabwe was off the news agenda in the one country where it ought to matter most.
“If salvation is to come from the South Africans, then it will come through the efforts of the diaspora. If the diaspora does not stir itself, then this prospect is dim indeed,” he added.
Leon acknowledged the post-apartheid government success in maintaining stable macro-economic policy, and said indications of a deepening trend towards authoritarianism and corruption in the governing ANC threatened the consolidation of post-apartheid democracy. – Franco Henwood writes in his personal capacity
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General: 07714736382
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BY FRANCO HENWOOD
LONDON - The South African government has a de facto policy of support for the Mugabe regime said the main opposition Democratic Alliance party leader Tony Leon in London last week.
He said President Thabo Mbeki’s policy of ‘silent diplomacy’ was in reality a policy of ‘silent approval.’
“Mbeki’s own deadline for the policy to have delivered results by 2004 – the staging of free and fair multi-party elections in Zimbabwe – came and went. Mbeki’s self-proclaimed policy failed, yet his credibility survived unscathed. Why then the absence of pressure from below to make good his assurances?” said Leon.
He attributed this to a variety of factors: South Africans are weary of Zimbabwe. They perceive the crisis to be hopeless and intractable, perceptions reinforced by the MDC’s recent split. For these reasons the country has slipped off the news agenda.
Controversially, Leon noted that many South Africans question why Zimbabweans do not do more to emancipate themselves. He conceded that Mugabe was ruthless – there would be ‘cost and consequences’ for those standing up to him – but no less perhaps than borne by those resisting apartheid in the 70s and 80s.
“None of this belittles the heroic efforts to diminish the heroic efforts made by organisations like Women of Zimbabwe Arise and the Zimbabwean Congress of Trade Unions. It is easy for those in the comfort zone to exhort those on the front line to do more,” said Leon.
In the days of the anti-apartheid struggle, those in the diaspora made a critical contribution. The disinvestment campaign which removed the apartheid regime’s financial prop was on account of massive lobbying efforts by the diaspora.
Leon said, considering the size of the Zimbabwean diaspora in South Africa, it was astonishing that Zimbabwe was off the news agenda in the one country where it ought to matter most.
“If salvation is to come from the South Africans, then it will come through the efforts of the diaspora. If the diaspora does not stir itself, then this prospect is dim indeed,” he added.
Leon acknowledged the post-apartheid government success in maintaining stable macro-economic policy, and said indications of a deepening trend towards authoritarianism and corruption in the governing ANC threatened the consolidation of post-apartheid democracy. – Franco Henwood writes in his personal capacity
Vermeulen faces arson charges
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE – Zimbabwean cricketer Mark Vermeulen is facing arson charges following a fire (see photo p23) which destroyed the offices and pavilion of the country's cricket academy last week.
Vermeulen, 27, who played eight Test matches and 32 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, has been described by friends as "depressed" following a recent car accident in which he suffered serious head injuries. He also suffered head injuries after being struck by a cricket ball in two separate incidents in 2003 and 2004.
Zimbabwean police spokesman Andrew Phiri said Vermeulen was being held in
custody and was scheduled in court Friday. He could be jailed for at least
two years.
Zimbabwe Cricket, the sport's governing body, quoted witnesses saying
Vermeulen was seen near the site of the fire that razed the two-storey straw
thatched building in eastern Harare.
SW Radio Africa reporter Tichaona Sibanda said: "Vermeulen allegedly
confessed to the police that he was responsible for the attacks and was seen
on Thursday in the company of detectives at the burnt-out academy showing
them how he carried out the attack."
The fire destroyed national squad equipment including kit used by players
preparing for a trip to Bangladesh, computers and files in offices at the
pavilion. There were no reports of injuries.
In September, Vermeulen was banned from playing in England for three years after throwing a ball at and brawling with spectators. Two of the three years were suspended.
Vermeulen was rumoured to have returned to Zimbabwe to fight for a place in
the team for next year's World Cup and may have been rebuffed by officials.
He was briefly arrested last month after demanding an interview with President Robert Mugabe at his heavily guarded official residence in Harare.
"He loves cricket, and loves playing the game but he clearly looks slightly
unbalanced. He deserves our help than condemnation," said Sibanda.
* Meanwhile, the ICC looks set to re-instate Zimbabwe as a Test-playing nation next year, provided it can improve its internal structure.
The ICC said Zimbabwe could return by November 2007 if it can establish a competitive first-class domestic competition, and play several 'A' sides in the next 12 months.
The announcements came after ICC president Percy Sonn and chief executive Malcolm Speed went on a fact-finding trip to the African nation earlier this year.
Zimbabwe withdrew from Tests in January after two years of playing a second-string side because of the retirement and defection of most of its first team after Heath Streak was dismissed as captain in April 2004. – Sports reporter
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE – Zimbabwean cricketer Mark Vermeulen is facing arson charges following a fire (see photo p23) which destroyed the offices and pavilion of the country's cricket academy last week.
Vermeulen, 27, who played eight Test matches and 32 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, has been described by friends as "depressed" following a recent car accident in which he suffered serious head injuries. He also suffered head injuries after being struck by a cricket ball in two separate incidents in 2003 and 2004.
Zimbabwean police spokesman Andrew Phiri said Vermeulen was being held in
custody and was scheduled in court Friday. He could be jailed for at least
two years.
Zimbabwe Cricket, the sport's governing body, quoted witnesses saying
Vermeulen was seen near the site of the fire that razed the two-storey straw
thatched building in eastern Harare.
SW Radio Africa reporter Tichaona Sibanda said: "Vermeulen allegedly
confessed to the police that he was responsible for the attacks and was seen
on Thursday in the company of detectives at the burnt-out academy showing
them how he carried out the attack."
The fire destroyed national squad equipment including kit used by players
preparing for a trip to Bangladesh, computers and files in offices at the
pavilion. There were no reports of injuries.
In September, Vermeulen was banned from playing in England for three years after throwing a ball at and brawling with spectators. Two of the three years were suspended.
Vermeulen was rumoured to have returned to Zimbabwe to fight for a place in
the team for next year's World Cup and may have been rebuffed by officials.
He was briefly arrested last month after demanding an interview with President Robert Mugabe at his heavily guarded official residence in Harare.
"He loves cricket, and loves playing the game but he clearly looks slightly
unbalanced. He deserves our help than condemnation," said Sibanda.
* Meanwhile, the ICC looks set to re-instate Zimbabwe as a Test-playing nation next year, provided it can improve its internal structure.
The ICC said Zimbabwe could return by November 2007 if it can establish a competitive first-class domestic competition, and play several 'A' sides in the next 12 months.
The announcements came after ICC president Percy Sonn and chief executive Malcolm Speed went on a fact-finding trip to the African nation earlier this year.
Zimbabwe withdrew from Tests in January after two years of playing a second-string side because of the retirement and defection of most of its first team after Heath Streak was dismissed as captain in April 2004. – Sports reporter
Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 28th October 2006
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Vigil supporters sent out a clear message to the South African government this week: we will harass you until you stop supporting Mugabe. Both Alois and Wellington were booted out for interrupting a lecture in London on Wednesday given by the South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Alois said “We were sickened to hear Dr Zuma talk about international solidarity when her government is refusing to show solidarity with the persecuted people of Zimbabwe.”
We were pleased to have with us today young Tatenda Tsikire whose mother is to be released from prison just before Christmas. In the Vigil diary of 30th September, we wrote that she had been imprisoned for working with bogus papers and appealed to the British government to allow asylum seekers to work. It was a joy to watch Tatenda dancing as previously he has been so withdrawn. Congratulations to Obey – we have a new Vigil baby, his daughter, Florence. For this week’s Vigil pictures: http://uk.msnusers.com/ZimbabweVigil/shoebox.msnw. FOR THE RECORD: 69 signed the register.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Vigil supporters sent out a clear message to the South African government this week: we will harass you until you stop supporting Mugabe. Both Alois and Wellington were booted out for interrupting a lecture in London on Wednesday given by the South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Alois said “We were sickened to hear Dr Zuma talk about international solidarity when her government is refusing to show solidarity with the persecuted people of Zimbabwe.”
We were pleased to have with us today young Tatenda Tsikire whose mother is to be released from prison just before Christmas. In the Vigil diary of 30th September, we wrote that she had been imprisoned for working with bogus papers and appealed to the British government to allow asylum seekers to work. It was a joy to watch Tatenda dancing as previously he has been so withdrawn. Congratulations to Obey – we have a new Vigil baby, his daughter, Florence. For this week’s Vigil pictures: http://uk.msnusers.com/ZimbabweVigil/shoebox.msnw. FOR THE RECORD: 69 signed the register.
WOZA members walk free
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
* Officers threaten severe beatings *8th court victory
BULAWAYO - One hundred and fifty-two members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, (WOZA) including 30 members of Men of Zimbabwe Arise, walked free from court on Tuesday. The state, represented by rosecutor, Mr Manata, withdrew charges before plea citing lack of evidence to support the case. Magistrate Msipha presided over the case.
The members were being charged under Chapter 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘participating in a public gathering with the intent to cause public disorder, breach of peace or bigotry’.
WOZA said the prosecutor was overheard bearing down on the state witnesses just before the trial, for writing ‘useless’ statements, which he said, were too watery and could not be used to pin down WOZA.
The frustrated Law and Order officers were later heard devising strategies to be employed to stifle future dissent by WOZA members, among which were thorough beatings to cow the members. Another officer replied saying ‘ but these do not run away, they will just sit down and wait for us to stop’.
Riot police arrested WOZA members as they were marching towards the RBZ offices where they intended to hand over an open letter to Gideon Gono. The peaceful protest started at 11am at the Post Office in Main Street. As the procession turned into Leopold Takawira St, to go to the Reserve Bank, police appeared and stopped the march, arresting the members. Over 20 members, many of them minors were subjected to different forms of torture whilst in the offices of the Law and Order Department. They were made to sit on ‘air chairs’ and beaten under their feet.
Advocate Perpetua Dube, a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, defended the women. This is the eighth court victory for WOZA members.
The organisation’s leadership declared it a victory for economic reforms. “By withdrawing charges against us, we take it that it is a confirmation that Gono has a case to answer. We marched to demand economic reforms not just a slashing of zeroes and we have been vindicated. You cannot criminalize the speaking of the truth. So we say once again to Gideon Gono – if you want to be a hero you must slash more than a zero!” they said. – Own correspondent
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
* Officers threaten severe beatings *8th court victory
BULAWAYO - One hundred and fifty-two members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, (WOZA) including 30 members of Men of Zimbabwe Arise, walked free from court on Tuesday. The state, represented by rosecutor, Mr Manata, withdrew charges before plea citing lack of evidence to support the case. Magistrate Msipha presided over the case.
The members were being charged under Chapter 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘participating in a public gathering with the intent to cause public disorder, breach of peace or bigotry’.
WOZA said the prosecutor was overheard bearing down on the state witnesses just before the trial, for writing ‘useless’ statements, which he said, were too watery and could not be used to pin down WOZA.
The frustrated Law and Order officers were later heard devising strategies to be employed to stifle future dissent by WOZA members, among which were thorough beatings to cow the members. Another officer replied saying ‘ but these do not run away, they will just sit down and wait for us to stop’.
Riot police arrested WOZA members as they were marching towards the RBZ offices where they intended to hand over an open letter to Gideon Gono. The peaceful protest started at 11am at the Post Office in Main Street. As the procession turned into Leopold Takawira St, to go to the Reserve Bank, police appeared and stopped the march, arresting the members. Over 20 members, many of them minors were subjected to different forms of torture whilst in the offices of the Law and Order Department. They were made to sit on ‘air chairs’ and beaten under their feet.
Advocate Perpetua Dube, a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, defended the women. This is the eighth court victory for WOZA members.
The organisation’s leadership declared it a victory for economic reforms. “By withdrawing charges against us, we take it that it is a confirmation that Gono has a case to answer. We marched to demand economic reforms not just a slashing of zeroes and we have been vindicated. You cannot criminalize the speaking of the truth. So we say once again to Gideon Gono – if you want to be a hero you must slash more than a zero!” they said. – Own correspondent
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