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Bottlenecks in voter registration removed

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
24 April 2013

Cabinet has directed the Registrar-General’s office to remove all
bottlenecks associated with voter registration to ensure every citizen above
18 years is afforded an opportunity to register and vote.

The MDC-T has long accused Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede of deliberately
disenfranchising perceived opponents of President Robert Mugabe by blocking
them from acquiring identity cards.

Issuing national ID’s is the duty of Mudede’s office. But current estimates
suggest that thousands of youths reaching maturity are unable to register as
voters because they do not have identity cards.

Co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone on Wednesday told SW Radio Africa
that government had to act quickly following a national outcry over the
issue of voter registration.

‘There was a big outcry and as government we had to do something,’ she said.
During a media briefing on Tuesday Makone said the new measures will accord
all Zimbabweans above the age of eighteen a chance to get identity
documents, free of charge. This exercise will extend across the entire
country until the closing of the roll.

Makone, who addressed the media flanked by Defence Minister Emmerson
Mnangagwa, who was standing in for Kembo Mohadi said those not on the voters’
roll can be automatically entered on it, if they present their ID numbers.

Makone said the changes are part of a bid by the government to shake-up a
department widely seen as partisan and sympathetic towards ZANU PF. The
MDC-T accuses ZANU PF of using the shambolic state of the voters roll to
engineer election results.

The Morgan Tsvangirai led party has also been calling on the fresh
registration of voters and the creation of a new voters register before the
country holds elections expected in a few months time.

Cabinet has in the last few weeks been working on a new policy document on
the civic registration of citizens. The document provides new measures to
ensure citizens register as voters.

The cabinet also directed the Registrar-General’s office to provide an
electronic version of the voters’ roll to all stakeholders, while the
printed version would cost US$5,000 per copy. In the last election, the
voters’ roll cost about US$30,000 which political parties said was not
affordable.


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RG scraps fees for ID card replacement

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:29
HARARE - The Registrar General’s office has scraped fees for national
identification cards replacement, under a massive voter registration
campaign in preparation of the watershed election.

Co-Home affairs minister Theresa Makone said with immediate effect,
documents lost through arson and  those forcibly removed from the owner
through for instance theft, can be immediately replaced for free to enable
the owner to register.

Makone said this would remain effective only for the period before the voter
registration exercise is closed.

“Further, prior to harmonised elections of 2013, all identity documents
shall be availed to citizens free of charge.

“At the same time, those who are not on the voters’ roll can be
automatically entered onto it,” Makone said.

The minister also said aliens can now go and swap their IDs for Zimbabwe
citizen IDs.

“The current law allows aliens to register as voters right away. If one is
born in Zimbabwe, or if either parent is Zimbabwean, they automatically are
Zimbabwean.

Aliens with alien ID’s but who qualify as voters must have these swapped for
citizen IDs,” said Makone.
However, the $13 million needed for voter education has not been found.

She also moved in to reduce chaos and congestion at the passport office by
ordering the quick processing of ordinary passports following complaints
from the public.

“With immediate effect, there shall be two separate windows for passport
applications, one for the urgent passports and another for ordinary
passports.

“The ordinary passport shall be issued no later than four weeks from the
date of submission of the application.”

Makone was flanked by acting co-minister of Home Affairs, Emmerson
Mnangagwa. - Bridget Mananavire


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US ‘lifts’ sanctions on two Zimbabwean Banks

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Violet Gonda
24 April 2013

The United States government has lifted sanctions on the Agricultural
Development Bank of Zimbabwe and The Infrastructure Development Bank of
Zimbabwe (IDBZ), in a clear sign that the Obama Administration is easing its
position on Harare.

An announcement Wednesday by the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets
Control said they had issued a general license authorizing all transactions
involving the two banks in Zimbabwe, “provided the transactions do not
otherwise involve any person whose property and interests in property are
blocked.”

Sharon Hudson-Dean, the Counsellor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in
Harare confirmed the Treasury Department had issued licenses for the banks
to operate but said a more detailed statement would be issued on Thursday.

The latest easing of restrictions does not at present include ZANU PF
individuals, including President Robert Mugabe, who were slapped with an
asset freeze and a travel ban in 2001. Several other firms also remain on
the list of targeted sanctions.

The United States recently said it is reviewing its sanctions on Zimbabwe
following the holding of a “peaceful and credible constitutional referendum”
in March. The European Union suspended an assets freeze and visa ban against
most Zimbabwean firms and people after the referendum, but 10 individuals
including the President and several service chiefs remain blacklisted by the
EU.


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Govt to seize land from third company

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
24 April 2013

The government has stated its intention to seize land belonging to the
agro-industrial group CFI Holdings, which will be the third company in
recent months to be targeted by the state in this way.

According to a Government Gazette published last Friday, over 1,000 hectares
of land that belongs to the CFI Holdings owned Crest Breeders International
chicken group will be acquired for “urban development.” The notice, which
states that the land will be acquired by the President, also says that the
land was ‘ready for inspection’ by the Ministry of Lands.

CFI Holdings has confirmed the development and said in a statement that they
were concerned about what this means for their operations.

“As CFI we are concerned at this development as it affects our operations on
the piece of land in question. The farm targeted for compulsory acquisition
houses our (egg) layers facilities and nearly 600 people are employed
 there,” the company said in a statement.

CFI said if it is assumed that an average family has five people, then close
to 3,000 people whose livelihoods were derived from the farm would be
affected.
“We are proceeding to make representations through our lawyers to the
relevant ministry why the land should not be compulsorily acquired. It is
our hope that this matter will be amicably resolved,” the company said.

The government earlier this year successfully took almost 1,600 hectares of
land from the Mazoe Citrus Estate, owned by the agro-producer Interfresh.
The group said the land that was taken by the government, and allocated to
Grace Mugabe, constituted 46% of Mazoe Citrus’s total arable land, which
translated to 30% of their budgeted revenue.

More recently, the platinum mining group Zimplats is fighting to retain some
28,000 hectares of its land gazetted last month by the government “for the
benefit of the public”. Zimplats said this would constitute almost 50% of
their mining area, and have since filed an objection. The company said
Wednesday that it has still not received a response to the objection from
the government.

Although the companies are exploring ways of fighting the land seizures, the
law is not on their side, with the new constitution enshrining the state’s
right to seize land. Chapter 72 in the new constitution states that all
agricultural land, including forestry land, conservation land and
horticultural land, among others, may be “acquired” by the State for “public
purpose.” Section 2 states: “the land, right or interest may be acquired by
the State by notice published in the Gazette identifying the land, right or
interest, whereupon the land, right or interest vests in the State with full
title with effect from the date of publication of the notice.”

These takeovers will also be done without compensation, according to the new
charter, and compensation issues cannot be challenged in the courts.

Former Chegutu farmer Ben Freeth, who has vocally criticised this section of
the constitution, said Wednesday that the targeting of the three companies
is a continuation of the same land thefts seen in Zimbabwe over the past 13
years.

“The constitution has endorsed what has been happening for the last 13
years. And we will continue to see more and more of this as we head to
elections,” Freeth told SW Radio Africa.

He continued: “There will be more seizures, more gazetting of land, more
takeovers of companies, more people left unemployed and more companies left
without management and going to rack and ruin.”

Freeth went on to warn that this situation has been ‘normalised’ to the
detriment of Zimbabwe, because it is causing even more damage to the country’s
investment profile.

“Investment is not coming to Zimbabwe. Investors look at what is going on
and they see investments being taken in this way, and they look elsewhere.
And without investment, there is no future in the country,” Freeth said.


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Villagers forced to buy ZANU PF cards in exchange for food

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Nomalanga Moyo
24th April 2013

There are increasing concerns that ZANU PF is using the food relief
programme to coerce villagers to take up party membership, amid a severe
grain shortage in the country.

Reports from the drought-prone areas of Matabeleland and the Midlands
indicate that ZANU PF officials have taken over the distribution of grain,
after kicking out non-governmental organisations that used to hand out food
to villagers.

Villagers in Silobela, Midlands, revealed that since the NGOs were barred,
soldiers are now overseeing the distribution of grain such as rice and wheat
under operation code-named ‘Maguta’ (Well-Fed).

Desire Mangena told SW Radio Africa that only ZANU PF supporters are
well-fed, as the selective distribution means that members of other parties
are missing out on the much-needed food aid.

Mangena said hungry villagers had resorted to using ZANU PF membership as an
access card to food aid. However, he said it will be folly for ZANU PF
officials to think that party membership means people support the regime.

He said: “Most people in Silobela support either of the MDCs or ZAPU and if
ZANU PF is using membership cards to gauge their popularity they will be
very disappointed come the day of the elections.”

In Matebeleland South, MDC-T parliamentarian Gabriel Ndebele told this
station how ZANU PF supporters on Friday took hijacked grain meant for all
Matobo South villagers and allocated it to their party’s members only.

Ndebele said the incident at Bidi Business Centre happened in his presence,
but he was powerless to do anything and could only confront the youths, led
by war veteran Soul Ndlovu, for an explanation.

“They told me that food is sourced by ZANU PF and therefore reserved for our
people only.

“The grain comes from national silos and is being distributed under the
grain loan scheme. It is meant for all Zimbabweans and not supporters of
just one party.

“Some of our supporters have been asking why the MDC does not come up with a
parallel food aid programme for its members but as a party we are trying to
operate in a manner that unifies, rather than divides the people.

“The partisan allocation of food by ZANU PF is not helping anyone as we are
still trying to unite people divided by the politics and violence of 2008,”
Ndebele added.

The legislator said he was in the process of writing a report to his
leadership in Harare expressing his concerns, and said it would help if food
distribution was left in the hands of traditional leaders as well as
district administrators from all constituency wards to ensure inclusivity.

In February Matebeleland South Governor Angelina Masuku expressed ignorance
over reports that people in Gwanda were being asked to prove ZANU PF
membership as a pre-condition to receiving food aid.

Masuku told SW Radio Africa that grain should be distributed to all
residents regardless of party affiliation.

However, MP Ndebele said Masuku’s response was a standard answer from all
ZANU PF officials: “Events on the ground suggest that the leadership is to
blame for the discrimination of members of other parties when it comes to
food relief.”


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Zanu PF’s harvest of fear

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:32

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s  Zanu PF is embarking on a more
sophisticated and multi-pronged approach to cover its terror tactics in
order to regain political legitimacy, a leading analyst has said.

Phillan Zamchiya, outgoing regional coordinator for Crisis in Zimbabwe
Coalition, said in a new report that the reign of terror unleashed by Zanu
PF in the run-up to the June 27, 2008 election undermined the party’s
legitimacy in the Sadc, African Union (AU) and internationally.

“Hence, physical violence in 2013 will not be as blatant and as extreme as
in the previous June 27, 2008 ‘election’,” Zamchiya says in his 27-page
report dubbed ‘Pre-election detectors — Zanu PF’s attempts to reclaim
political hegemony.’

“Zanu PF is aware that naked physical violence will not be accepted by Sadc
and yet at the same time a relatively free and fair election might undermine
its electoral chances.”

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zamchiya says the party will use
“psychological warfare premised on manipulating the fear inculcated in
communities over years among other strategies.”

“These include partisan registration of voters, ideologically appealing to
popular groups; State-financed patronage, control of State-controlled media
and targeted persecution (devoid of physical harm) against civil society
leaders and opposition supporters,” the report says.

Zamchiya says Zanu PF would prefer a psychological warfare as compared to a
physical warfare, with the broader intent summarised as a “harvest of fear.”

“It is a plan to intimidate and threaten citizens with violence by drawing
on past memories of the June 27, 2008 election,” he said.

“This plan is already unfolding in targeted constituencies.”

“Whether these political strategies will work in favour of Zanu PF only the
next election will tell.”

The latest poll by the Mass Public Opinion Institute, a Zimbabwean
organisation that conducted the fieldwork for the poll commissioned by
Freedom House, a United States-based group, showed the resurgent Zanu PF on
33 percent with support for the MDC, dropping dramatically to 31 percent.

The survey of about 1 200 Zimbabweans, shows that the collapse is the most
dramatic of the MDC in its 14 years in existence.

But Zamchiya argues that Mugabe’s gain in electoral support does not
translate into a clear victory, discrediting analysts who claim Zanu PF will
go for a democratic election.

“As I have argued earlier, one requires 50 percent+1 vote to be president,”
Zamchiya says.

“The second reason is that the cost of losing is too high, given the
allegations of gross human violations and corruption by the incumbent and
those who surround him.

“The third reason is that the cost of manipulating the vote is low as long
as it is not visible. For these reasons the election will not complete the
chain of democratic choice.”

Zamchiya said the second myth was that Zanu PF will go for a closed
authoritarian election.

Pessimists claim Zimbabwe will witness a “blood-bath” in this election
synonymous with the June 27, 2008 election.

Theresa Makone, the co-minister of Home Affairs, speaking on March 8 on the
recent arrest of human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, said: “I said it
before and I will say it again…this time we are in for a blood bath. Some
people believe they have the title deeds to Zimbabwe and its wealth.
 Period.”

Earlier,  Tendai Biti, Finance minister and secretary-general of the
mainstream MDC, claimed on February 24 in Chitungwiza that Zanu PF was
plotting to assassinate the MDC leadership.

“They cannot win any elections without using violence but we are not afraid
of anyone,” Biti said.

But Zamchiya believes Zanu PF will not engage in such blatant violence,
given that Sadc is engaged on the Zimbabwean issue.

“Given the context some tactics are most likely to have more consequences
than others; they affect the acceptability of the result and the legitimacy
of the government,” he argues.

Zamchiya said while Zanu PF is conscious of the real possibility that it
will not get a two thirds majority in the House of Assembly, its strategy is
to win a simple majority.

“From our study, Zanu PF is determined to defend its seats in the swing
arena and claim the MDC swing constituencies,” he says.

A swing constituency is defined as a constituency where the difference in
votes tallies between the MDC and Zanu PF in the March 29, 2008 election was
five percent or less and there are 20 swing constituencies countrywide.

“The first tactic of electoral alchemy in the swing constituencies is the
postal votes,” the report says.

“It is most likely that postal votes by members of the disciplined forces
absent from Zimbabwe and those in the service of the Government of Zimbabwe
will be deposited to swing constituencies where the MDC won by a narrow
margin.”

Zanu PF will also target swing constituencies in terms of voter intimidation
and bussing in people to register as a way to regain majority in the House
of Assembly and hence claim its political hegemony, Zamchiya’s report says.

Zanu PF will also try “candidate manipulation”, or attempting to buy MDC
candidates to withdraw at the last minute, he claims.

For the presidential crown, Zamchiya said Zanu PF is depending on maximum
turn out in its perceived electoral strongholds.

“In order to maintain its turnout Zanu PF will create electoral buffer zones
in these provinces, that is make it difficult for the opposition to
campaign,” Zamchiya argues.

He says intertwined with the above strategy is a concerted effort to
re-invent the image of Mugabe.

“President Mugabe is no longer viewed as unacceptable and as demonic as he
was in 2008 following the violence,” the report says.

Zanu PF was also drumming up support through the church, which is an
important organised constituency given that more than 70 percent of the
Zimbabwean population are Christians, according to the 2012 population
census.

“Zanu PF is determined to take advantage of this organised constituency and
turn it into electoral support in the forthcoming election,” Zamchiya says.

Some church leaders have pledged support to Mugabe including Bishop Johannes
Ndanga, the current president of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe
(ACCZ), a conglomeration of over 620 churches, Noah Taguta Momberume of
Johane Marange, Paul Mwazha of the African Apostolic Church and Obadiah
Msindo of the Destiny for Afrika Network.

The appeal to popular groups is not limited to the church, as Zanu PF is
also appealing to other popular groups like youths and women.

It is also doling out grain and other farming inputs. - Gift Phiri,
Political Editor


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African bank experts say Zimbabwe’s strategic food reserves are severely depleted

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, April 25, 3:00 AM

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s grain reserves are running dangerously low
ahead of new but poor harvests caused by erratic rain, an independent
continent-wide development bank said Wednesday.

The African Development Bank said the strategic reserves have become so
depleted that commercial millers have been stopped from buying supplies from
the state.

The shortage of corn has also raised prices of the staple food as 1.6
million Zimbabweans already depend on food aid, it said.

The nation has 92,000 tons in store, the bank said in its latest economic
bulletin, but imports of another 150,000 tons are needed to meet consumer
demand before the new harvest lands on the market.

In one province, three-fourths of planted corn was written off after a
prolonged dry spell and other areas reported having had too much rain.

The state grain marketing agency sells locally grown corn to milling
companies that is about $110 cheaper than imports for each ton.

The bank said the reserve stock was now only being used for distribution
paid for by the government to needy communities. But it said these supplies
were “erratic and in consistent.”

“This is because the reserve grain is insufficient and transporters are not
willing to move it to the affected areas because they are not paid on time,”
the bank said

The United Nations World Food Program said in a separate statement that the
peak hunger period before the next harvests posed “the highest level of food
insecurity” seen in the past three years. It said aside from weather
patterns, the recent planting season was hit by shortages of seed and
fertilizer.

Less farmland was also planted with maize, the corn staple, as more small
scale growers turned to tobacco and other cash crops with quicker and better
financial returns, the U.N. food agency reported.

Farmers’ organizations have forecast total grain harvests this year of about
1.2 million tons. Annual consumption by the population of nearly 13 million
is 2.2 million tons.

Zimbabwe’s finance ministry, controlled by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s
party in a shaky coalition with longtime President Robert Mugabe, says it
can’t raise enough money to import the shortfall for distribution by the
Grain Marketing Board, the state grain sales monopoly, and wants private
enterprises to share the burden. Mugabe’s party insists private importers
are driven by profit that puts food basics out of the reach of ordinary
Zimbabweans who live on about $1.50 a day.

In the troubled economy, many families survive on a single meal a day.

Before the often violent seizures of thousands of white-owned commercial
farms began in 2000, Zimbabwe exported its corn surplus and was seen as a
regional breadbasket.

The African Development Bank said Zimbabwe must give priority to restoring
collapsed irrigation schemes and save dams and water reservoirs that have
been damaged by silting, often with soil from illegal gold panning upstream.

The government also “needs to come up with strategies to ensure that grain
reserves are well stocked,” it said.


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MDC-T denies fiddling with voters roll

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
24 April 2013

The MDC-T on Wednesday refuted allegations that it was fiddling with the
voters roll in Marondera and launched a verbal attack on ZANU PF.

ZANU PF, through its State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, this week
told the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that MDC-T officials were
registering their supporters using other people’s houses and unoccupied
condemned council hostels in Marondera.

Piniel Denga, the MDC-T provincial chairman for Mashonaland East, denied the
allegations saying they were ‘rubbish…unfounded and untrue.’

‘These allegations are a clear cut indication of extreme desperation of a
party that has run out of ideas. Having failed to convince Zimbabweans to
vote for them, ZANU PF has started blame games to save their own skin,’
Denga.

Denga told SW Radio Africa’s Hidden story program that he could provide a
plausible explanation to what he described as being ‘a great deal of
misrepresentation, baseless and a bundle of lies’ by Sekeramayi.

‘Who controls the voters roll? It’s certainly not the MDC-T but one of their
staunch party supporters, Tobaiwa Mudede,’ claimed Denga. He insisted if
there were people registering under unoccupied flats or under other people’s
houses, then it was a fault of their own.

‘I can only assume that the people who occupied those dilapidated flats in
Dombotombo moved elsewhere within Marondera but because of the difficulties
they face getting letters from their landlords to confirm their residential
status, I believe they revert to use their old addresses,’ Denga said.

The bureaucratic requirements create serious bottlenecks on a daily basis
for people wishing to register to vote. Denga said the government should
remove some of the requirements and let people register using ID card only.

‘An ID card is the property of the government of Zimbabwe. It is not right
to deny individuals the right to register because they have failed to
produce letters from their landlords,’ he said.

Government on Tuesday did make some sweeping changes to the rules governing
the registration of voters, declaring that anyone born in Zimbabwe, or if
either parent is Zimbabwean, is automatically Zimbabwean and entitled to
vote.

Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans of Zambian, Mozambican and Malawian
origin have in the past been denied the right to acquire citizenship that
would have allowed them to register and vote. This applied mostly to second
generation Zimbabweans of foreign parentage, namely from countries that
share a border with Zimbabwe.

Co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone told journalists in Harare that
aliens with alien IDs should have these swapped for citizen IDs.

‘Aliens can go right now to register as voters after changing their IDs to
become Zimbabwean IDs, not alien IDs immediately. They should not wait for
the new Constitution to become law,’ Makone said.


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Zimbabwe's Elections Roadmap Divides Unity Govt Partners

http://www.voazimbabwe.com/

Blessing  Zulu
23.04.2013

WASHINGTON — President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
who had come under fire for allegedly forming a parallel negotiating
structure, are now climbing down and allowing tripartite talks to continue.

The two agreed last week that Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa of Mr.
Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga of Mr.
Tsvangirai's MDC formation should formulate an election roadmap. Industry
Minister  Welshman Ncube's led MDC formation was sidelined.

The role of the negotiators from the three parties in the government of
national unity already engaged in talks with South African president Jacob
Zuma’s facilitation team for years was not made clear, causing serious
confusion and friction.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is the gurantor of
Zimbabwe's coalition government and Mr. Zuma is the body's mediator in
Harare.

Mr. Zuma’s team is expected in Harare next week for talks on the roadmap and
timelines.

Mr. Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka told VOA that there is no
parallel process on the roadmap as the two cabinet ministers will work
together with the six member negotiating team already in place.


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Ex-Zim minister: Unity govt has failed

http://www.news24.com/

2013-04-24 18:16

Harare - Zimbabwe's unity government has failed during its four-year tenure
to carry out key reforms to guarantee upcoming elections will be fair and
violence free, an opposition leader said on Wednesday.

"The people of Zimbabwe continue to be fearful everyday, we live in fear.
All of us," said Simba Makoni, a former finance minister under President
Robert Mugabe.

"The highest priority of national action must be to eliminate or remove that
fear."

In perhaps the strongest criticism of the Mugabe-Tsvangirai power-sharing
government by a senior Zimbabwean politician, Makoni described the unity
government as "pathetic" and "dismal".

"Among all the high issues that will make up conditions to free and fair
elections none of them has been implemented, not a single one of them," said
Makoni.

The 63-year-old Makoni, who came third in 2008 elections with 8.3% of the
vote, urged Mugabe's opponents to forge a "coalition" to unseat the
long-time ruler, who has been in office for 33 years, since Zimbabwe gained
independence.

"We want to work for a grand coalition of change," Makoni said.

"By committing ourselves to working with others, we are committing ourselves
to support the most competent, the most eligible [candidate] for the office
that is open."

Makoni thinks Mugabe, at 89, stands a slim chance of winning the election.

"Mugabe was not electable in 2008, I don't see how he can be electable in
2013," he said. "I know Mugabe fears losing his position."

Makoni, a former member of Zanu-PF's politburo, the party's supreme decision
making body, formed his Mavambo Kusile Dawn party after ditching Mugabe in
2008.

Mugabe has labelled him a "prostitute" of the West and a "bloated frog".

- AFP


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MDC-T national chairman calls for peace amid reports of infighting

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Violet Gonda
24 April 2013

MDC-T National Chairman and Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo, called for
peace and tolerance in Bulawayo Wednesday, amid reports of serious
infighting and growing complaints from aspiring candidates who were
disqualified from participating in the MDC-T primary elections in early May.

Moyo was among a group of party leaders that included Deputy Prime Minister
Thokozani Khupe, who conducted a meeting with MDC-T structures in Bulawayo
to launch a ‘door to door’ campaign which focuses on grassroots
mobilization.

“The issue of candidate selection, in Bulawayo in particular, that is one of
the provinces where we have least problems in terms of fierce contestation
or fights,” Moyo told SW Radio Africa. “All I did was to encourage that we
conduct ourselves in a disciplined manner… to call for peace and tolerance
as we begin the process of dealing with the primaries.”

The Speaker of Parliament said reports of serious divisions in his party are
over-exaggerated.

Commenting on the vicious court battle between Makoni South legislator
Pishai Muchaurai and aspiring candidate former newspaper editor Geoff
Nyarota, Moyo said the party leadership had now directed organising
secretary Nelson Chamisa to meet the individuals to resolve the dispute.

“I can say that is work in progress and we want to see those two people
working in peace or towards achieving peace.”

Nyarota, who accuses the MP of threatening him with death, has said he was
left with no option but to go to the police after he received no response
from the party.

But Moyo said: “I am not aware of any efforts by Mr. Nyarota to try and
bring the issue to the leadership. Maybe he did so at a lower level, at
district level, which we were not favoured with that information.

“Avenues are open that is why I am saying we can do things internally and
conclude them internally… So I don’t think he is correct to say he had
exhausted all the party channels in dealing with this matter.”

We were not able to reach Nyarota or Chamisa for comment. Muchauraya
confirmed that he was summoned by the party saying he told Chamisa he could
not be part of the meeting as he has a bail condition, which stipulates that
he should not interfere or influence the state witnesses into withdrawing
the case since he is the one accused.

The trial was adjourned on Wednesday to next week.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament said the meeting in Bulawayo was part
of preparations by his party to visit people in their homes in order to ask
them to join the movement, and to assess the needs of the people in terms of
job creation in a new government.

He said: “We have developed unemployment forms which we are trying to find
out how many – of those that are employable – are out of employment.  We are
doing that assessment in preparations for governance as we are clear that as
a party we are going to form the next government.”


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ZITF opens on a low note, EU firms stay away

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Nomalanga Moyo
24th April 2013

The 54th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair kicked off on a
low note in Bulawayo on Tuesday, with a notable absence of businesses from
Europe.

The annual fair will run until April 26th and will be officially opened by
Malawian President Joyce Banda on Friday. The first three days of the fair
are traditionally reserved for business, while the public will be allowed in
from Friday until Saturday.

More than 460 companies, most of them local, are participating in this year’s
trade showcase while firms from Europe and the US chose to stay away.

According to correspondent Lionel Saungweme, South Africa is the largest
foreign exhibitor at the fair, followed by China.

Saungweme said a lot of government departments had also taken up stands,
including the office of the Prime Minister and JOMIC, which was using the
exhibition to highlight its work.

He said Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had a speech read on his behalf by
DPM Thokozani Khupe, in which he underlined the importance of unity and
political stability to the country’s development.

Part of the PM’s statement read: “Going forward, we anticipate that the
various industry groups like Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce,
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe,
Tripartite Negotiating Forum and others will collaborate to champion the
national cause rather than focus on their individual interests.”

ZITF deputy general manager Noma Ndlovu told the press on Monday that this
year’s edition was better than last year, as more exhibition space had been
taken up and the number of countries taking part had grown from 14 last year
to 17.


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Cash-strapped Zimsec yet to pay examiners

http://www.herald.co.zw/

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 00:00

Herald Reporter

Government is struggling to pay examiners who marked last year’s public
examinations with the markers still to get 60 percent of their allowances.
Financial constraints within the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council have
resulted in its

failure to pay Grade Seven, Ordinary and Advanced Level markers. These are
ordinarily supposed to be paid seven days after the end of marking.
The examiners were only given between 40 and 45 percent of their allowances
in January and are yet to be given the remainder four months after marking
ended.

Zimsec director Mr Esau Nhandara yesterday said Government had not released
the US$1,5 million Grade Seven grant to the examination body, resulting in
its failure to pay thousands of examiners who participated in the marking.

Zimsec does not charge pupils fees for Grade Seven examinations.
Government meets the costs.

However, Treasury has not released funds, creating cash-flow problems and
forcing Zimsec to divert “reserved money” for the examinations to take
place.
Mr Nhandara said they received US$550 000 from Treasury last week but would
pay the examiners after getting the full grant.

“All in all we need a figure of about US$2,1 million to pay all the markers
from Grade Seven to A Level, but we are expecting a total of US$1,5 million
from Treasury,” he said.
The markers were supposed to be paid between 90 cents and US$1,20 per script
marked.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday said he
would inquire from the Finance Ministry when the money would be paid.

“Who wants to work for nothing? We have been used and abused and now the
June examinations are about to be written without us getting last year’s
allowances,” a marker said.
“I do not think many people will dedicate themselves to that exercise
because at the end of the day you get nothing.”

The marking of the examinations was delayed, as the examination body was
waiting for Treasury to release the money to pay the markers.
The marking only commenced after Cabinet ordered Zimsec to use its own
resources.
Over the years markers and the examination body have clashed over delays in
paying them the allowances.


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Outcry over Zimbabwe's poor spending on public schools

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

Staff Reporter 47 minutes ago

HARARE - Zimbabwe spent $500 000 on public schools last year and over $50
million on foreign trips.

Education Minister David Coltart says poor spending priorities are partly to
be blamed for the low public examination pass rate over the last six years.

Last year, only 18% of pupils who sat for the Ordinary level exams, passed.

Coltart has criticised government for spending more on defence than it does
on the youth. He says there is no short term solution.

"You are going to cut back on the size of military; you can’t just put
soldiers out on the street. That will create a lot of instability, defence
chews up far too much money, this size of government as a whole is far too
expensive and the amount of foreign travel that we engage in. The whole
lifestyle of cabinet."

Meanwhile, last week Zimbabwe withdrew its appeal for United Nations (UN)
funds to help hold key elections this year, this was after the world body
demanded to meet civic groups.

Zimbabwe had appealed for funding from the UN for its elections later this
year and for the UN to consider the request it was invited to undertake an
assessment mission to the country.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa was quoted as saying, "The ball is back
on our court and what we have to do is to look for local resources to
conduct our elections and that we have already started doing." - Additional
Information from SAPA


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Zanu PF angers Zuma

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

by Moses Matenga 11 hours 46 minutes ago

ZANU PF is headed for a showdown with Sadc over the party’s refusal to
implement a Global Political Agreement (GPA) resolution to effect security
sector, media and other reforms before the holding of the next election.

The party has, through its senior officials, publicly declared a total shut
out of any further negotiations on the issues despite insistence by Sadc
that all reforms must be implemented as agreed in the electoral roadmap and
the GPA.

Zanu PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa, the party’s security secretary
Sydney Sekeramayi, who is also Zimbabwe’s National Security minister, and
Zanu PF legal secretary and Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa have openly
declared no security sector reforms would take place, describing the
suggestion as “nonsensical”.

The defiance by Zanu PF has irked the Sadc facilitation team led by South
Africa’s President Jacob Zuma which yesterday declared that its role was to
make sure the agreed reforms were implemented ahead of elections expected
later this year.

Spokesperson of the facilitation team Lindiwe Zulu yesterday said they would
engage Zanu PF and other political parties over the recent remarks by Zanu
PF officials. Zulu said nothing in the GPA was a closed chapter.

Chinamasa said on Monday that the role of Sadc was merely to facilitate.

He said the regional body had no right to impose anything on Zimbabwe,
adding that the security sector realignment issue and media reforms were a
closed chapter.

But Zulu said: “The purpose of the facilitation team is to make sure what is
in the GPA is implemented and to make sure all the necessary institutions
and frameworks for free and fair elections are in place. That is the
responsibility of Sadc.”

She added: “Nothing in the GPA is a closed chapter until it’s completed. I
cannot, however, respond to the statements (by the Zanu PF officials)
outside our meetings and the only reason I am commenting on this is to set
the record straight as the matter is already in the public domain.

“We can only advise them (Zanu PF) in the meeting not through newspapers,”
she said.

Some hardliners in Zanu PF are reportedly attempting to elbow Sadc out of
Zimbabwe politics to stop the body from pushing for the implementation of
agreed reforms. The party claims security sector reforms were a product of
regime change agenda financed by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP).

Sekeramayi said at the weekend: “That (security reforms) is nonsense . . .
We are saying that to all intents and purposes it’s a lot of nonsense — we
will not accept it. Nobody should tell us to do security sector reforms,
security sector alignment and that type of rubbish. That will not be done.”

Defence minister Mnangagwa also said the same recently, arguing that
security sector reforms were not part of the GPA deal and that the only
outstanding issues were the closure of pirate radios and the removal of
sanctions.

Last week Chinamasa told diplomats that their push for security sector
realignment would not succeed and was “a closed chapter”.

Article 13 (b) of the GPA, however, clearly reads: “. . . all State organs
and institutions strictly observe the principles of the rule of law and
remain non-partisan and impartial.

Laws and regulations governing State organs and institutions are strictly
adhered to and those violating them be penalised without fear or favour and
recruitment of policies and practices be conducted in a manner that ensures
that no political or other form of favouritism is practiced.”

Zimbabwe’s military and police commanders have openly declared their
allegiance to Zanu PF — going as far as saying they would not accept any
other leader outside Zanu PF to lead this country even were they to win
elections. - NewsDay


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‘Hands off corruption busters’

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:32

HARARE - Government must stop using scare tactics against corruption busters
such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), which should operate
independently, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has said.

Tiz, a local chapter of the international movement leading the fight against
corruption, said the compromised independence of anti-corruption
institutions is an unwelcome situation as the country celebrates its 33th
birthday.

“After three decades of independence expectations were that the government
would have put solid anti-corruption structures that deter corruption, but
this has not been the case.

“Corruption is not only a crime against humanity but it exacerbates the
suffering of ordinary citizens and most vulnerable people in society,” said
Tiz in a statement.

According to Tiz, 33 years since attainment of independence, Zimbabwe has a
score of 20 on a scale of zero to 100. A score of zero is regarded as highly
corrupt and 100 as very clean.

Tiz specifically named the “Willowgate and the Nieebgate” scandals as
examples of a government that has failed to address crooked tendencies by
public office bearers.

The anti-graft lobby group claims that government has come up with “cosmetic
means of addressing the social scourge” including forming the toothless
Zacc.

“To some extent, (the Willowgate scandal) gave the impression that the
government would put the issue of corruption to rest, however, since then
there has not been much impetus in fighting against corruption up until the
creation of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission.

“Even then, Zacc is yet to effectively combat corruption.

“Recently Zacc officers were being victimised for trying to expose alleged
corrupt deals at various government departments and agencies,” said
Transparency International.

In 1988, government set up a commission which investigated the Willowvale
motor scandal, more widely known as the Willowgate Scandal.

The scandal involved top government officials  and ministers who acquired
vehicles from the firm for low prices which they resold for exorbitant
profits.

A commission of inquiry resulted in top officials being exposed.

Today, those trying to investigate possible corruption are hounded, a
situation Transparency said undermined Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption drive.

Early this year, gun-toting police officers blocked Zacc investigators who
were armed with a warrant to search the offices of some influential
ministers from President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.

This was after the Daily News exposed gross misrepresentation of
indigenisation deals that resulted in Zimbabwe being prejudiced of millions
of dollars in purported empowerment deals in a series now known as
Nieebgate.

Zacc officials and a commissioner were arrested while a media onslaught was
launched against them after an attempt to search offices of ministries run
by Indigenisation minister Savior Kasukuwere and his Mines counterpart Obert
Mpofu.

Tiz said such actions are inconsistent with a regime sincere about tackling
corruption.

“As Zimbabweans commemorate political independence there is need for the
government to ensure that freedom cascades into achieving a corruption-free
Zimbabwe,” Tiz said. - Wendy Muperi


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Feeding off the military

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Fungai Kwaramba, Staff Writer
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 10:57
HARARE - Violent vigilante groups such as Chipangano exist with the approval
of the feared military establishment in the country, according to think tank
group Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI).

In a research paper released yesterday titled Security Sector Factor in
Zimbabwe’s Political and Electoral Affairs, ZDI says the security sector
establishment which has continued to divide opinion in the hybrid government
is still in charge despite the existence of a civilian authority.

President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are in a
power-sharing government that was formed at the behest of Sadc after an
inconclusive poll in 2008.

But they have never agreed on the role of the security sector — whose bosses
periodically threaten to undermine the civilian authority and plot a coup if
Mugabe loses the upcoming election.

The power-sharing Global Political Agreement (GPA), which is the foundation
of the coalition government, espouses security sector reforms.

But Mugabe and his Zanu PF party have refused to tinker with the
establishment which is widely credited for propping up the former ruling
party back into government after the March 2008 harmonised elections.

Pedzisai Ruhanya, the director of ZDI, says the security sector is in charge
of the country and “has the capacity to control the use of violence and they
have done that consistently to influence the political and electoral
direction of the country for the past three decades and most significantly
with the rise of organised and coordinated opposition and civic politics at
the turn of the 21st century.”

ZDI says in its paper that Zanu PF has always relied on the bullying tactics
of the army since the Gukurahundi days of the 1980s to force people into
accepting Mugabe’s rule.

Although Mugabe has of late consistently preached peace, the continued
existence of shadowy vigilante groups such as Chipangano raises questions on
the sincerity of the octogenarian leader’s peace calls.

“In Zimbabwe, militia politics exist with the acquiescence of the State and
the security establishment.

“The failure to implement security sector reforms has the potential to block
possible democratic transition as the country prepares for the first
election after the formation of the unity government,” said Ruhanya.

Mugabe is the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Ruhanya
says he is still in control of the security sector and would rely on the
establishment as the country plunges yet again into elections which many
fear would be the fiercest fought since the country attained independence
from Britain in 1980.

“The political situation is still too fragile to hold a credible election at
the moment, let alone any time before practical security sector reforms.

“As it stands, through political and security leadership public
pronouncements, Zanu PF retains full control of the security sector
apparatus and this unquestionably raises justifiable fears that there can be
a replicate of 2008 violence.

The MDC and some civic rights organisations claim that nearly 200 people
were killed in the run-up to the presidential election runoff by either
military sector members or Zanu PF militia groups.

“Zanu PF has unwaveringly refused to divorce itself from the security
apparatus especially with the top leadership of the security forces.

“What we have now is a military, police service, State intelligence and
other critical arms of the security sector that are so impartial in the
manner that they carry out what they are obliged to do,” reads the report.

The report says as the country trudges yet again towards elections the
security sector remains the greatest threat to a free and fair election.


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Zim's banking sector foundation is about to be shaken

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/

Sipho Ngcobo|
24 April 2013 00:50

Its current ‘BEE’ approach is a Reserve Bank Governor’s nightmare.

The true test of Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation Programme, the country’s own
version of Black of Economic Empowerment (BEE) is still to be felt.

And when it (this test) is finally felt, it is most likely to shake the very
foundation of the stability and the efficiency of the Zimbabwean banking
sector.

This is when the banks, including foreign banks, with a number of South
African banks in the mix, are forced to give away 51% stakes to local
blacks. Not that there is anything wrong with giving stakes to black
shareholders. But if it is done recklessly and carelessly, it would achieve
the direct opposite of what it sought to achieve.

South Africa has had to deal with many challenges with BEE over the years,
and we still have not got it right. But maybe what is good for Zimbabwe may
not be necessarily be good for South Africa. Zimbabwe may have its own
antidote to this challenge. Good luck to it.

But Zim’s current approach, particularly with regards to banks is a Reserve
Bank Governor’s nightmare.

But it’s the law in Zimbabwe and the man calling the shots is Saviour
Kasukuwere the Minister of Empowerment. He is not a banker – you give up 51%
to the locals. As to how that’s structured, is a totally different story
altogether.

But a lot of it would be through trusts and other types of fancy financial
footwork.

Talking of ‘totally different stories’ – banks are different compared with
other sectors of the economy – not that other sectors deserve the worst –
far from it.

What really, is going to break the camel’s back as far as the banks are
concerned, is the main issue of capital adequacy ratios or capital
requirements.

Capital adequacy ratio is a measure of banks’ capital expressed as a
percentage of a bank’s risk weighted exposure.

Also known as capital to risk weighted assets ratio (Crar), this risk is
used to protect depositors and promote the stability and efficiency of
financial systems around the world.

There are two types of capital that are measured: (i) Tier One Capital,
which can absorb losses without a bank being required to cease trading. (ii)
Tier Two Capital, which can absorb losses in the event of a winding-up and
so provide a lesser degree of protection to depositors.

Now, what’s the point?

The point is when you give up 51% of the bank to indigenous blacks you are
basically giving it away for free because these shareholders do not have
capital. I do not care what you call it. But it’s free.

But you see, when issues of capital injection or capital adequacy ratios
come into question, ordinarily, the bank must look to its major shareholder
to provide liquidity so it can meet capital requirements.

For instance, in terms of the Zimbabwean Reserve Bank’s 20/20 Vision set by
Governor Gideon Gono, banks will be required to comply with the new
requirements by year 2020.

In July last year, the Zimbabwe Reserve Bank raised minimum capital
requirements for commercial banks to US$100 million from US$12.5 million.
That’s just an example. And in this case, 51% Zimbabwean black majority
shareholders would be expected to dig deep into their pockets to come up
with the difference to meet the new capital adequacy requirements. Where
would they get the difference from, if for instance, they were asked to do
so? Not even the Zimbabwean government can stand surety for that kind of
money. Robert Mugabe’s government does not have that kind of cash.

It’s a fact, some banks in Zimbabwe are looking for potential shareholders
to inject capital to comply and keep these institutions afloat ahead of the
2020 deadline.

There you are – a banker’s nightmare!


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Elections: hoping for the best but fearing the worst

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

24.04.13

by Edgar Gweshe

As Zimbabwe heads towards elections, the electorate has high expectations of
a free and fair poll with a credible outcome - but fears of a return of the
violence and intimidation that characterised the June 2008 elections
continue to grip many.

It is common knowledge that a free and fair election, with an
internationally recognised result, will assist in Zimbabwe’s re-engagement
with the international community - thereby bringing relief from a more than
decade-long economic crisis characterised by massive unemployment.

Calls for peace and political tolerance ahead of the elections have been
welcomed, but skepticism still remains on whether this will translate into
real action. More specifically, people are doubtful whether Zanu (PF), the
major culprit of the June 2008 violence that claimed around 200 lives (of
MDC supporters), is sincere in its calls for peace.

Zanu (PF) has in the past preached peace and tolerance during election time,
and gone on to use uses tactics such as intimidation and violence against
opposition supporters in its determination to win elections at any cost.

Other fear factors include the resurgence of torture bases in some parts of
the countryside as well as in urban areas. Perpetrators of the June 2008
violence, that included widespread torture and rape of MDC-T activists by
Zanu (PF) youth militia, are still walking free with some reportedly
campaigning for Zanu (PF).

The culture of impunity that has enabled the guilty ones to escape from the
long arm of the law is cause for concern – and leaves room for a resurgence
of the atrocities. Wonder Sibanda (37) from Chitungwiza, said “Although Zanu
(PF) has been preaching peace, I think the culture of violence is still
embedded in them, because if you look at the situation in some rural areas
you will find that people belonging to the MDC-T or any other party beside
Zanu (PF) are being harassed.

“We are worried that Zanu (PF) peaches peace during the day and practices
violence during the night and we are not so sure whether they are sincere
this time around in their calls for a peaceful election. “

Another Chitungwiza resident, Chamunorwa Madaya (33), said the resurgence of
torture bases in some parts of the dormitory town pointed to a sinister plot
to disrupt the forthcoming elections.

“We are expecting to hold free and fair polls in which the electorate is not
intimidated by anyone. But we are concerned that in some areas, places which
were used as torture bases are now being used for Zanu (PF) meetings and
that has raised fears among the electorate. There are also issues like
attempts by Zanu (PF) to tamper with the voter’s roll and voter registration
processes that we fear might disturb the credibility of the forthcoming
polls,” said Madaya.

Other residents expressed hope that the new constitution would guard against
violence and intimidation. “I think this time the elections will be free and
fair if the new constitution is respected. We have some fears because
intimidation seems to be still there, but if the new constitution comes into
effect, we hope all will be okay,” said Jennifer Muduzu (49).

Nelson Gwangwava (42) said: “My hope is that we will carry out the
forthcoming elections in a way that allows people to freely express
themselves. Calls by President Mugabe and the Prime Minister (Morgan
Tsvangirai) should be embraced by everyone so that we have a free and fair
election. The onus is on Zanu (PF) to desist from their culture of preaching
peace but engaging in violence during the night.”

With regards to Mugabe’s calls for peace, the electorate concurs that the
proof of the pudding is in the eating and time will tell whether the calls
are genuine or merely driven by an attempt to present Zanu (PF) as a
peace-loving party.

“We have heard Zanu (PF) talking of peace and only time will tell whether
they are really genuine on this,” said Martha Tsanga.


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Can new constitution rein in service chiefs?

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

24.04.13

by Edgar Gweshe

The partisan conduct of service chiefs, who on numerous occasions have
openly declared their support for Zanu (PF) and vowed to block MDC rule, has
been an issue of major concern to the two MDC formations in the Government
of National Unity.

Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri and high ranking army personnel such
as Major General Martin Chedondo, Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba and
Lieutenant Thabani Khumalo have made no secret of the fact that they belong
to Zanu (PF), while urging their subordinates to ensure the party remains in
power. Chihuri is on record warning police officers that those who vote for
the MDC are unfit to stay in the force.

Alarmed by these utterances, the two MDCs have on numerous occasions
appealed to the Southern African Development Community, the guarantors of
Zimbabwe’s Global Political Agreement, to ensure that the issue of security
sector reform is treated as a matter of urgency.

The advent of the new constitution was viewed as a major step in checking
the conduct of the service chiefs, whose wings it clipped by including
provisions prohibiting them from interfering with political affairs.

Chapter 11 of the COPAC draft constitution spells out that service chiefs
must act constitutionally and desist from acting in a partisan manner and
furthering the interests of any political party or cause. They are
prohibited from prejudicing the interests of any political party or cause or
violating the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.

However, doubts remain on whether the service chiefs, notorious for their
violation of the Lancaster House Constitution for over 30 years, will feel
bound by provisions of the country’s new charter.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora believes the new constitution is a good
starting point but is not adequate to clip the wings of the service chiefs.

“The constitution provides a good framework for the behaviour of the
security chiefs to be checked, but a good constitution alone is not enough.
Political parties and the international community must intervene to make
sure the security chiefs do not harm people,” said Mwonzora.

The spokesperson for the MDC led by Welshman Ncube, Kurauone Chihwayi ,said
service chiefs had a history of violating the law and there was a high
likelihood they would not respect the new constitution. “Although it is very
clear, they (service chiefs) have always disrespected the laws of the
country so there is likelihood that they will disrespect the new
constitution. It all lies with Mugabe because he is supposed to control the
military, the CIO and the police and tell them to respect the laws of the
land,” said Chihwayi.

Political analyst Alexander Rusero said that the prevailing political
environment limited any chance of clipping the wings of the service chiefs
as they had for a long time been Zanu (PF’s) power base.

“The new constitution properly positions the service chiefs to where they
belong. But to try to make use of it to check their behaviour is a bit
tricky. That is why there have been calls for a roadmap to elections to
complement the new constitution,” said Rusero.


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Press Intimidated in Zimbabwe

http://www.aljazeera.com/

The media in Zimbabwe continue to struggle against threats and intimidation
as the election approaches.

Jeffrey Moyo Last Modified: 24 Apr 2013 05:28

HARARE - As Zimbabwe heads to the polls later this year, media analysts and
journalists are concerned about increasing crackdowns on both the judiciary
and the media.

This comes as stalwarts from President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe
African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) remain defiant about
implementing the media reforms outlined in the Global Political Agreement
(GPA). The GPA is a 2008 pact between Zanu-PF and the Movement for
Democratic Change that paved the way for the current unity government and
the elections later this year.

"Forget about security sector reforms, forget about media reforms. What we
are going to have are elections soon after June 29 this year when the term
of parliament expires. Zimbabweans should brace for the polls," Goodson
Nguni, a well-known Zanu-PF leader, said.

According to the GPA, for Zimbabwe to hold credible, free and fair elections
in 2013, it needs to implement media and security sector reforms. It is also
required to revamp the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which is suspected to
be staffed with state security operatives.

The country also needs to amend repressive laws like the Access to
Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which stipulates that journalists
should be registered annually with the Zimbabwe Media and Information
Commission, and the Public Order and Security Act, which criminalises
reporting falsehoods and leaves journalists open to litigation.

According to US-based global watchdog Human Rights Watch, both laws have
been used by Zanu-PF to "to harass political opponents and rights activists"
and to prevent criticism by the media and public debate.

Nguni's remarks have left many journalists in this Southern African nation
bracing for a difficult road ahead as they come at a time when High Court
Justice Charles Hungwe faces persecution from the government over recent
court rulings.

Hungwe has allegedly been targeted by Zanu-PF for his decisions to grant the
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission leave to institute investigations
against ruling party politicians implicated in corruption, and for granting
bail to prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa.

She is accused of obstructing the course of justice after she requested that
police produce a search warrant when they raided Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's offices in March.

Hungwe was reportedly summoned to appear before Chief Justice Godfrey
Chidyausiku for misconduct, a move that the Law Society of Zimbabwe called
the deliberate targeting of the judge.

"What Nguni said, added to the recent arrests of civil society leaders and
human rights lawyers like Beatrice Mtetwa, sends shivers down our spines. It
means that worse is coming for us as the elections loom, especially in the
face of unimplemented media reforms four years after the formation of the
unity government," Evans Muranganwa, a freelance journalist, said.

Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said that if media reforms were not
implemented, journalists would be headed for a confrontation with the
country's national security officers.

"Right now journalists are vulnerable and the law may be used against them
during elections and the already-jittery security sectors see themselves
brandishing an open (invitation) to intimidate journalists.

"Media reforms have to be enforced as part of the GPA, but Zanu-PF still
resists this, although the new constitution makes it clear that they should
be implemented before the elections," Ngwenya said.

The Daily News, NewsDay and Zimbabwe Independent, which are privately-owned
newspapers, are being sued for millions of dollars by top politicians for
various investigative pieces they published. It is a move that analysts say
is aimed at incapacitating independent newspapers ahead of the elections.

Ernst Mudzengi, director for Media Center - Zimbabwe, said it has become a
tradition for journalists in Zimbabwe to face intimidation around election
time.

"We have always had the intimidation of journalists. There is no enabling
environment for journalists to carry out their duties during the elections,
contrary to the country's GPA," Mudzengi said.

But Bright Matonga, a media analyst for the state Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation and Zanu-PF parliamentarian for the Mhondoro-Ngezi constituency,
said that contrary to claims by most independent journalists that the media
climate was repressive, this was not the case.

"The media environment has always been conducive, although some journalists
have been irresponsible in their reportages, blatantly distorting stories,
blending them with truths and half-truths. But it is now up to them to abide
by the law as the elections approach," Matonga added.

However, journalists who operate from the Media Center – Zimbabwe in Harare,
said they were suspicious of strangers.

"We are certainly (living) in fear because there are strangers who we
suspect are state spies who were sent to man our operations," Vimbai Kamoyo,
an independent journalist, said.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has taken the reports of journalists
being intimidated seriously.

"The level of fear among our journalists as the country gears up for the
elections is certainly not an exaggeration. But as a union we have
mechanisms to act as a safety net for journalists who may fall prey to
intimidation. We are part of a campaign to demand the safety and protection
of our journalists from African governments," ZUJ secretary general, Foster
Dongozi, said.

He also said owing to Zimbabwe's traditionally volatile environment during
elections, ZUJ has placed a team of lawyers on standby to defend journalists
who may be arrested.

"Around the time of the elections, we will have a rapid legal reaction force
on standby to defend journalists who may fall prey to arrest," he said.

Freelance journalists like 28-year-old Thomas Madhuku, who was arrested by
police in 2012 after they accused him of tampering with the voters' roll,
said Hungwe's persecution signalled increased intimidation ahead of the
elections. Charges against Madhuku were dropped because of a lack of
evidence.

"If interpreters of the law like Hungwe are being persecuted for executing
their duties, what is going to be the fate of ordinary journalists like us
who happen to be the fourth arm of the state? Certainly, it's not going to
be an easy road for journalists ahead of the polls," Madhuku said.

A version of this article was originally published by Inter Press Service.


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Bill Watch 12/2013 of 23rd April [Bills for Next Sitting & Government Gazettes 5 to 19 April]

BILL WATCH 12/2013

[23rd April 2013]

Both Houses of Parliament are Adjourned until Tuesday 7th May

Although the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Bill will be ready for debate on Tuesday 30th April [having been gazetted, as is the constitutional requirement, at least 30 days before this] there has been no indication that Parliament will be recalled early.

Important Bills Scheduled for when Parliament Resumes

Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Bill 

Ministry of Finance Bills

The Minister of Finance has three major Bills on the House of Assembly order paper, each one waiting for the Minister to present his Second Reading speech and all previously labelled urgent, although so far they have not been treated as such.  

·      Income Tax Bill

·      Securities Amendment Bill

·      Microfinance Bill

Private Members Bills

At the end of the last Parliamentary session three proposed Private Member’s Bills lapsed, having failed to make it through Parliament during the session: the POSA Amendment Bill, the Urban Councils Amendment Bill and the Bill to repeal section 121(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment.  Not one of these Bills has re-appeared on the current Order Papers for the House or Senate.  The Supreme Court has not yet handed down its decision in the case brought by Minister of Local Government Ignatious Chombo arguing that during the life of the GPA Parliament is constitutionally restricted to passing Government Bills only, thereby barring the Urban Councils Amendment Bill in particular and Private Member’s Bills generally.  The court’s decision is expected early in the next court term, which starts on 6th May. 

After the Bill for the new Constitution has been passed by Parliament, other Bills must also be brought to Parliament to enable the forthcoming elections to be held in terms of the new Constitution: 

·      Electoral Amendment Bill

·      Urban Councils and Rural District Councils Amendment Bills

·      A Bill for the new-style metropolitan and provincial councils, which must be formed under the new Constitution.

·      Bills to remedy at least the most obvious inconsistencies between existing laws and the new Declaration of Rights, given that it will be coming into force immediately the Constitution Act is gazetted

·      Rules of the Constitutional Court must also be enacted, either in a separate Constitutional Court Bill or under the Supreme Court Act, to give effect to the court’s constitutional jurisdiction

 

Government Gazette 5th April

Statutory Instruments

Collective bargaining agreements

Agricultural industry  SIs 41 and 42/2013 gazette new wages effective 1st March 2013 for the agricultural industry’s general sector and kapenta sector, respectively. 

Tobacco industry  SI 43/2013 gazettes wages for the industry’s grading sector effective 1st December 2012 to 30th November 2013.  The agreement also covers deduction of NEC levies by employers and remittance of levies to the NEC.

Textile industry  SI 44/2013 gazettes minimum rates of pay for the industry for the period 1st January to 30th June 2013, plus a new schedule for calculation of gratuities.

Government Gazette Extraordinary 5th April

Statutory Instrument

A controversial SI about unpaid ZESA bills [available from veritas@mango.zw]

SI 44A/2013 sets out the Electricity (Unpaid Bills, Prepaid Meters and Smart Meters) Regulations made by the Minister of Energy and Power Development under the Electricity Act.  The Parliamentary Legal Committee may find it necessary to consider the validity of section 3 of this SI in depth.  This section seems to be aimed at making the property owner legally liable to pay for all electricity consumed on a property and shown on the prepaid meter, regardless of contractual arrangements between ZESA and the actual consumer of electricity on the property, such as a tenant or sub-tenant.  Consumer protection organisations should also study this SI.

Another section defines “smart meters” as gadgets which not only record electricity sales, but also allow two-way communication between consumer and electricity supplier.  Consumers are allowed to purchase and install these smart meters as long as they are not “persons in rural areas, high density domestic or light load farms”.  Compulsory installation of smart meters is not mentioned in the SI. 

Government Gazette of 12th April

Statutory Instruments

Collective bargaining agreement: construction industry

SI 45/2013 sets out comprehensive new conditions of service for workers in the construction industry, embracing the former building, civil engineering and concrete products industries and replacing the agreement published in SI 244/1999,

Customs duty suspensions

SI 47/2013 republishes with corrections suspensions of duty first enacted by SI 36/2013.  The suspensions affect tariff headings 25.23, 30.04, 40.16, 48.07, 69.03, 73.18 and 74.11 and 76.05. 

Local authority by-laws: Chegutu 

SI 46/2013 enacts new residential rents and service charges applicable to the incorporated area under the jurisdiction of the Chegutu Municipal Council.

General Notices

Government Financial Statements:  

Two General Notices announce the publication with this Gazette, as required by the Public Finance Management Act, of the consolidated monthly and quarterly financial statements for the month and quarter ending 31st December 2012 [GN 213] and the monthly statements for January 2013 [GN 214]. 

Diamond industry trade union applies for Labour Act registration 

GN 208/2013 gazetted on 12th April notifies that application of an application for registration of the Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Workers’ Union to represent the interests of diamond miners, cutters, polishers, sorters, drillers and blasters, and other trades within the diamond industry.  Those wishing to make representations relating to the application have until 13th May to lodge them with the Registrar of Labour. 

Government Gazette of 19th April

Statutory Instruments

Import and export of medicines

SI 48/2013 clarifies the scope of application of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (Import and Export of Medicines) Regulations, which were gazetted in SI 57/2008, with an express statement that the regulations apply to all medicines with the following exceptions: those medicines controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act; psychotropic substances controlled under; medicines imported under section 75 of the Act for a named person as long as  the consignment is cleared in the usual way and via an official port of entry, including Forbes Border Post which is added to the official list; medicines imported by an individual for personal use. 

Local authority by-laws

SI 49/2013 enacts new rents and service and supplementary charges for Masvingo City Council’s incorporated area.

General Notices

Land acquisitions under section 16B of Constitution

GN 221/2013 notifies the immediately effective acquisition of three pieces of land, including one belonging to Goromonzi Sports Club and a smallholding in the Gweru area owned by Moral Rearmament.

Preliminary notice under Land Acquisition Act

GN 222/2013 notifies the Government’s intention to acquire for urban development 1057 hectares making up Remaining Extent of Saturday Retreat Estate near Harare.  Objections and compensation claims must be lodged on or before 20th May. 

 

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied


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