Zim Online
Thu 27 April
2006
HARARE - Zimbabwe State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa has
confirmed
security forces have asked for more pay from the government but
dismissed
claims of low morale among soldiers and police, like everyone else
struggling to survive under Zimbabwe's punishing economic
conditions.
Mutasa said the security forces were highly
disciplined, followed
correct channels to raise grievances and would never
listen to
"opportunistic opposition leaders" - a clear reference to
opposition leader
Moran Tsvangirai who has urged security forces not to
oppose anti-government
protests because they were underpaid.
The Security Minister, who spoke to ZimOnline on a number of
security-related issues this week, said: "A lot has been said about low
morale within the force. Some, like Morgan Tsvangirai were even saying
because of that (low morale) the security organs would not stop their
protests.
"But we have highly disciplined
security personnel that do not play to
the tune of opportunistic opposition
leaders. That is why, as I speak, they
are in salary negotiations with the
Ministry of Labour. They know the right
channels to follow when they want
issues addressed."
ZimOline three weeks ago revealed that Zimbabwe
Defence Forces
commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, told Mugabe to raise
soldiers'
salaries to secure their support in the event of a Tsvangirai-led
mass
revolt.
According to our sources, Mugabe has already given
the go-ahead for a
salary hike for police and soldiers and on-going
negotiations between the
Labour Ministry and the Defence Services Commission
that Mutasa referred to
were just to iron out the finer
details.
Tsvangirai has vowed to call mass protests this winter to
force Mugabe
to step down and pave way for a government of national unity
that will be
tasked to lead the writing of a new constitution and to
organise fresh
elections under international supervision.
Defence spokesman of Tsvangirai's main faction of the splintered MDC,
Giles
Mutsekwa, yesterday accused the government of wanting to raise
salaries of
security forces to bribe them to thwart mass protests.
Mutsekwa
said: "We are not opposed to improving the welfare of
soldiers. We are just
concerned about the timing and the discrimination in
the whole process. If
the government is sincere about improving the welfare
of workers, then why
are they not involving the rest of the civil service in
the negotiations for
new salaries?"
Tsvangirai has refused to back down from the mass
protest threats,
even after warnings by Mugabe that an attempt to instigate
Ukraine-style
revolt in Zimbabwe would be a "dice with death".
Political analysts say Mugabe, who has in the past deployed armed
soldiers
and police to smother dissent, will again be looking to his loyal
security
chiefs to marshal the country's security forces into crushing
Tsvangirai and
his supporters. But they caution that this could fail if a
mass swell of
public anger spills into the streets. - ZimOnline
Zim Online
Thu 27 April 2006
BULAWAYO - Two police officers dressed
in faded, sun burnt uniforms
lean on a Kukura Kurerwa bus at the bustling
Renkini bus terminus in
Zimbabwe's second biggest city of
Bulawayo.
The officers look distraught, with their caps tipped
right below their
eyes as if to cover up their sullen faces.
As
the bus driver revs the engine, the two police officers jump on
board ready
to begin the grueling 460km trip to Harare.
Inside the bus, are
three other officers, also in full police gear.
The three had already
reluctantly given up their seats to members of the
public.
The
police officers represent a growing band of police officers and
soldiers who
put on their uniforms to cut on transport costs. Police
officers and
soldiers in Zimbabwe do not pay bus fare when travelling on
official
duty.
But due to the high fares, even police officers who are
off-duty have
resorted to putting on their official garb to exploit this
"facility."
"We have got used to that now and we don't bother
asking them if they
are travelling on duty," says bus conductor Ephraim
Mabhuwe, squeezing
himself between standing passengers to issue tickets.
"It is an unwritten
rule for public transporters to assist the police. But I
think they are
taking advantage of the arrangement to go on private errands
for free," he
says.
Fares between Bulawayo and the capital
Harare have more than doubled
from Z$300 000 to $750 000 over the past three
months in line with
Zimbabwe's run-away inflation which currently stands at
a staggering 913.6
percent.
Due to soaring operating costs,
transport operators who source fuel on
the parallel market, say they have no
choice but to hike their fares.
But the fare increases have hit
hard the travelling public reeling
under a severe six-year old economic
crisis which has spawned shortages of
fuel, essential medicines, food and
virtually every basic survival
commodity.
The main opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party and
major Western governments
blame the crisis on repression and wrong policies
by President Robert
Mugabe.
Mugabe denies the charge insisting the crisis is as a
result of
sabotage by Britain and her allies whom he says are punishing his
government
for seizing farms from whites for redistribution to landless
blacks six
years ago.
Police officers and soldiers, accused by
the MDC and human rights
groups of propping up Mugabe, have not been spared
from the economic crisis
with rumblings of discontent said to be rife among
the uniformed services.
Mabhuwe said in the past police officers
travelling on official duty
were issued with travel requisitions which they
would hand over to bus
crews. The operators would then submit these
requisitions to the state's
Central Payments Office in Harare.
But bus operators have since abandoned that practice because of the
bureaucracy they would encounter in cashing the travel
vouchers.
"It took more than six months to get reimbursed by the
government.
Although companies would eventually get paid, it was not worth
the hassle,"
Mabhuwe said.
A bus driver with another transport
company, Clarion Mbewe described
the law enforcement officers as having
become an "irritant" for taking
advantage of public transporter's courtesy
to go on free rides.
"Non-paying police officers on board have
become an irritant," says
Mbewe shaking his head.
Mbewe says
although the issue of fares is between the conductor and
the passenger, his
concern stems from fears that it has become a habit
eating into the
transport operator's profits.
"You cannot tell who is a genuine
police officer and who is not. The
guys just want some free rides," he
asks.
Last month, Zimbabwe army commander Chiwenga told Mugabe to
increase
soldiers' salaries in a bid to buy their support ahead of
opposition-led
protests against the government this winter.
With a take-home salary of about Z$10 million a month, lower ranking
soldiers and police officers are struggling to make ends meet in Zimbabwe's
hyper-inflationary environment.
And until Mugabe heeds
Chiwenga's pleas for more pay for police and
soldiers, the service men and
women have little option but to keep on
abusing the public transporters'
courtesy. - ZimOnline
Zim Online
Thu 27 April
2006
HARARE - Investigations by the police into the massive looting
of fuel
by senior Zimbabwe government officials have hit a brick wall after
the
officials threw spanners into the probe, ZimOnline has
learnt.
Several government officials have been accused of diverting
fuel
allocated to them at subisidised rates for use at their farms to the
lucrative black market. Two senior ruling ZANU PF party officials have
already been arraigned before the courts over the scandal.
A
senior police officer in Mutare, who is closely linked with the
investigations into the scandal told ZimOnline yesterday that the probe had
virtually hit a brick wall after some government ministers refused to
co-operate with the investigations.
"Police officers have
virtually gone nowhere with the investigations.
They are failing to visit
even the farms of the accused persons. They have
only arrested the small
fish," he said.
The police officer who refused to be named because
he is not
authorized to speak to the press said some investigating officers
had been
physically threatened and were reluctant to pursue the
matter.
"There is so much interference and threats from senior
politicians,"
said the officer.
Among those being accused of
diverting fuel to the black market in
Manicaland Province are Energy
Minister Mike Nyambuya, Women's Affairs
Minister Oppah Muchinguri and
Manicaland governor Tinaye Chigudu.
ZANU PF legislator for Chipinge
South constituency, Enock Porusingazi
and the party's central committee
member Esau Mupfumi and Mutare businessman
Fred Kanzama have already
appeared in court facing fraud charges involving
the looting of
fuel.
Contacted for comment yesterday, police spokesperson in
Mutare
Inspector Jessie Banda said: "I will have to find out from the
investigating
officers in Mutare. At the moment, I cannot confirm or deny
the
allegations," said Banda.
Fuel, like most other basic
commodities, is in short supply in
Zimbabwe because of a serious shortage of
foreign currency to buy the
commodity. The fuel crisis has resulted in a
lucrative parallel market for
the comodity where prices are almost six times
the official pump price. -
ZimOnline
Zim Online
Thu 27
April 2006
HARARE - The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
has finally
taken delivery of a consignment of badly needed sanitary towels
donated by
well-wishers after paying more than one billion dollars import
duty.
ZCTU secretary-general Wellington Chibhebhe said the labour
body
received the 19 tonnes of sanitary towels, which had been stuck in
South
Africa for over a month last Saturday and will soon distribute the
sanitary
pads to the working women of Zimbabwe through its structures. "We
were made
to pay Z$1.7 billion," said Chibhebhe.
The pads were
donated by well wishers from South Africa after an
appeal by the ZCTU
Women's Advisory Council (WAC) which said many Zimbabwean
women were
resorting to using newspapers as sanitary towels because they
were either in
short supply or too expensive in the country.
But the government
had blocked entry of the pads by refusing to exempt
the ZCTU from paying
duty on the consignment arguing that the labour union
could not be exempted
from paying duty because it was not a registered
welfare organisation. -
ZimOnline
The Post
(Lusaka)
April 26, 2006
Posted to the web April 26, 2006
Joe
Kaunda
Washington, DC
SOUTHERN African states will be asking the
international co-operating
partners to support Zimbabwe in its efforts to
get out of its economic woes,
Botswana's Minister of Finance and Development
Planning Baledzi Gaolathe has
said.
At a joint press briefing of
African ministers at the close of the
International Monetary Fund and World
Bank Spring Meetings here, Gaolathe
said members of the Southern African
Development (SADC) were concerned and
also felt affected by the current
problems in Zimbabwe. "If any member
within SADC has economic or whatever
other problem, all of us are affected,
and therefore we have to work
co-operatively to try to solve those,"
Gaolothe said.
Gaolothe, who
is also current chairperson of the Council of Ministers Of
SADC, said in the
coming week member states would be having consultative
meetings with
co-operating partners in Namibia at which support for various
initiatives
and programmes will be tabled. "In this respect, we will be
asking our
international co-operating partner to support Zimbabwe in its
efforts to get
out of the problems it is confronting now. Specifically,
because we are in
the IMF, you are aware that dialogue is always in the
process of opening,"
Gaolothe said. "I think Zimbabwe was having a problem
of arrears which they
have now sorted out. It is our hope that in the coming
months, the two sides
will make some progress because one of the hindrances
to recovery for
Zimbabwe is a shortage of foreign exchange, balance of
payments problems,
where IMF can play a major role."
He said it was the hope of African
leaders that now that Zimbabwe was
up-to-date with its payments, there would
be progress in that regard.
Gaolothe, giving an update on the SADC region's
move towards Establishing a
free trade zone, said the target for reaching
free trade status was 2008. He
said by 2011, SADC should have reached
Customs Union status where all
countries should have a common
tariff.
"Beyond that, we should be working toward a common market. When
we reach
that stage, there should be a freer movement of labour across the
region. At
the moment, although this has been removed, there is generally
free movement
of people, but we see they have their work permits and the
like," Gaolothe
said.
Senegal's Minister of Economy, Finance, and
Planning, Abdoulaye Diop, hailed
Africa's economic performance which he said
had registered significant
growth rates never seen before.
The
performance had made it possible to achieve rates of five per cent, and
the
prospects for 2006 are five per cent or above, according to IMF
projections.
Diop further noted that the Spring Meetings had taken
place at a time when
African countries had a chance to review their
positions within the Bretton
Woods Institutions with regard to
representation.
"At a time when we are benefiting from debt forgiveness,
there is also a
question of debt relief for some other countries," he said.
He also revealed
that in West Africa there had been efforts towards making
operational, the
West African Economic and Monetary Union which is an
economic union of eight
countries that have a common currency, economic and
monetary . Also in
attendance at the joint briefing was Jean-Claude Masangu
Mulongo, Governor
of the Central Bank of Congo and Antoinette Sayeh,
Minister of Finance of
Liberia.
Sayeh, who has just been in the job
for two months after leaving the World
Bank, said Liberia had drawn up an
interim 150-day programme to re-establish
all structures to ensure sound
operations of its economy.
This, she said, includes putting in place
accountability institutions,
reviewing the revenue collection measures and
dealing with corruption. "As
many of you know, Liberia is just emerging from
17 years of very brutal
conflict, and the new government is entering its
third month this month,"
she said. "Liberia is a devastated place, is a
broken economy in many, many
ways. We are in the process of discussing with
the Fund in particular a
programme that will help us to re-establish basic
financial management
institutions and to get control over our expenditures
and revenues in a way
that there has not been for many, many
years."
On corruption, Sayeh said the vice had been a major issue in
Liberia on the
part of government officials as well as in the private sector
when it comes
to revenues.
"So we are also putting in place actions
to bring to account people clearly
involved in corruption. We have had to
dismiss some staff in the Ministry of
Finance that have been found, through
various audits that we are carrying
on, to be guilty of malfeasance, so we
have tried to address that as well,"
said Sayeh. "And clearly, in the cases
where there is clear evidence of
business, private sector, involvement in
corrupt practices, we are also
addressing those."
Central bank
governor of Congo, Jean-Claude Masangu Mulongo during the
briefing welcomed
the review within the IMF regarding the quotas and
representations.
"In general, the African countries are pleased with
the initiative to
increase the quotas and also to have different
representation. Our
continent, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, has 45
countries, and all the
countries are members of the IMF, and most of these
countries have a
programme with the IMF," he said. "So the question of the
quota represents a
very important one. We have at the moment five per cent,
and we would like
to have our share, once only, but only if those that are
at a disadvantage
can catch up." Mulongo explained that as for
representation at the IMF,
there were only two seats for sub-Saharan Africa
with 45 countries.
SouthScan (London)
April 21, 2006
Posted to the web April
26, 2006
The government has launched its seventh economic recovery
programme in a
decade, but analysts have already dismissed it as mere talk,
with
unrealistic targets.
Much more widely disseminated and more
damaging was President Robert
Mugabe's declaration at Independence Day
celebrations earlier in the week
that he was determined to put control of
foreign-owned mines into the hands
of locals, despite earlier postponements
(SouthScan v21/07).
At the same time the government has reversed itself
and it putting up for
sale seven parastatal organizations in the hopes of
attracting inward
investment.
"The non-renewable resources are ours
in the first place. The investor will
get a reward but that reward should be
balanced with what we keep for
ourselves. Time had now come for Zimbabweans
to take control of their
natural resources", said Mugabe in his Independence
Day speech. Zimbabwe has
over the years lost wealth as only foreign
companies benefited from the
exploitation of its minerals, some of them
nonrenewable.
"It should be clearly stated, however, that foreign
investment should take
cognisance of our Indigenisation and Empowerment
policy and programmes under
which the equity balances between foreigners and
Zimbabweans are regulated",
he said.
Neighbouring South Africa has
also developed a minerals policy that will
'indigenise' more of the wealth,
but it has not mooted the idea of forced
takeovers of 51 percent of foreign
companies.
Instead Mugabe's statements recalled the violent land grab of
2000, which
chased thousands of white farmers off their land and is widely
blamed for
the fall of the once prosperous economy. His ministers
immediately sought to
play down his declaration.
On Friday his
minister of justice said the government did not want to take a
controlling
stake in the mines. "We need investment in the sector and it's
obvious that
the investment has to be external. All the government wants is
indigenous
participation in the sector", he told the state radio.
The permanent
secretary in the ministry of mines, Thabani Ndlovu said there
was need to
balance indigenisation and investment. "We want to give local
people a stake
in the industry and at the same time attract investment, so
it has to be
balanced. I think what we are looking at is to come up with
percentages that
are achievable and at the same time come up with a
mechanism of how the
[local] people would raise the funds", he said.
But mining officials said
the finance required for indigenisation was too
much for locals to mobilise
or even for government to afford. "It means that
both the government and
locals will have to fork out at least ZD3 trillion
(US$3 billion) to take
any significant equity in the current mining
operations alone", noted the
president of the Chamber of Mines, Jack
Murehwa.
Growth anticipated
Mugabe also said the Zimbabwe economy would grow by
between one and two
percent this year, underpinned by agriculture with a
forecast growth rate of
nine percent.
The new economic programme, called the 'National Economic
Development
Priority Programme' (NEDPP) seeks to raise US$2.5 billion in
cash and
investments within the next three months and has a life span of up
to nine
months.
Earlier programmes such as the Economic Structural
Adjustment Programme
(ESAP), its successor, the Zimbabwe Programme for
Economic and Social
Transformation (ZIMPREST), Vision 2020, the Millennium
Economic Recovery
Plan, and the National Economic Recovery Programme all
failed, but Mugabe's
officials said that this one would
succeed.
"This is different from previous initiatives. We have a clear
vision of what
needs to be achieved and we have deadlines by which certain
deliverables
must be achieved", Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono noted. But
Oscar
Chiwira, an economics lecturer at the National University of Science
and
Technology remains doubtful. "In a lot of these economic programmes you
basically find that they come up with attractive policies and well-defined
policy targets and instruments. However, the problem is that they are not
implemented. The NEDPP is high sounding but the time frame that has been
proposed here is rather short because what they are saying cannot be done in
the six to nine months that have been proposed," he
said.
Parastatals for sale The mines takeover plans have been joined
by the
planned sales of underperforming parastatals as a means to fill the
empty
forex coffers.
Since the start of the IMF-driven Economic
Structural Adjustment Programme
in 1990 Mugabe has resisted shedding
state-owned companies despite their
continued parasitism on the fiscus. But
now, 16 years later and with no
foreign currency inflows or donor support,
with failing services and
crumbling infrastructure, he has no choice but to
invite in foreigners who
are willing to ignore the capricious nature of the
regime.
Economic Development Minister Rugare Gumbo accepts that it will
be a tough
task to attract investment in its parastatals and some of the
companies are
failing to attract interest despite controlling a virtual
monopoly in their
sectors. But he insisted there have been inquiries from
both local and
foreign companies who are interested in buying "significant
stakes" in the
parastatals.
The reserve bank has been implementing
non-monetary interventions to
reorientate some parastatals for privatization
without burdening the fiscus.
Other parastatals have more or less
survived on funding from the central
bank, whose quasi-fiscal activities
have been a subject of disagreements
with both the IMF and Finance Minister
Herbert Murerwa.
Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono says parastatals are
plagued by
operational inefficiencies and weak balance sheet positions, with
huge debt
overhangs. A "radical de-clogging of these institutions would
unlock
invaluable economic inertia that can anchor a buoyant economic
turnaround",
he says, adding that they have become "drunk on free money",
with poor
financial accountability and financial management systems, weak
corporate
governance, a negative attitude towards turnaround, entrenched
lethargic
business culture, poor liquidity management, poor pricing
structures,
inadequate capital investment over the years, poor corporate
governance,
incompetent management, skills drain, and severe capacity
under-utilisation.
The companies for sale are the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel
Company (Ziscosteel),
Cold Storage Company, TelOne, NetOne, Zimbabwe Power
Company and Air
Zimbabwe.
Ziscosteel, a major steel producer in
Southern Africa whose stock has fallen
due to decades of mismanagement, has
been taken over Indian firm, Global
Steel Holdings Limited (GSHL), which
will run the company for the next 20
years in a deal worth US$400 million.
As part of the deal, GSHL agreed to
make Zimbabwe its regional headquarters
for Southern Africa, to help raise
the country's investment
profile.
"This transaction will send a message to the world that Zimbabwe
is a
country that serious investors can do business with", said
Gono.
Yet beyond the Indian deal it remains uncertain who is willing to
take the
plunge. In South Africa business investment analysts are watching
the
situation keenly, to anticipate when will be the right moment to advise
investment in what was once the second strongest industrial economy in
Southern Africa. That moment may not come until Mugabe leaves the stage and
the dust settles on the successor regime. Then may follow what many
anticipate is an unavoidable takeover of the economy by SA
interests.
Property rights were key Economists say near fatal damage to
Zimbabwe's
investment hopes was inflicted by the takeover of the commercial
farms. But
Mugabe, in his speech on Tuesday, blamed the economic collapse on
a "spate
of devastating droughts and an evil program of unjustified
sanctions" by
Western nations.
Craig Richardson, a US
economist, in a paper published last week, dismissed
these and other
oft-cited reasons. Instead he locates the collapse in the
expropriation of
the commercial farms and the destruction of property
rights. GDP and
rainfall track each other closely until the farm takeovers,
when GDP starts
its rapid and continuing plummet.
For the present there is little
realistic hope for an upturn. The IMF
estimates that the government deficit,
driven mainly by quasi-fiscal
activities of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,
reached nearly 60 percent of GDP
in 2005, up from 27 percent of GDP in 2004.
Local analysts say this could
reach 80 percent in 2006.
Without cash
injections from another source the ministry of finance is
likely to table a
supplementary budget by June since line ministries have
exhausted budgets in
the first quarter because of hyper-inflation.
News24
26/04/2006 12:23 -
(SA)
Harare - All foreigners seeking treatment in Zimbabwe's troubled
state-run
hospitals must now pay their fees in foreign currency, a
government minister
was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
Deputy health
minister Edwin Muguti said: "From now on, tourists and
foreigners, even
those foreigners resident in Zimbabwe, will be expected for
pay for
treatment in foreign currency."
He said the new requirement - which came
hot on the heels of a massive rise
in fees for local patients in public
hospitals - was meant to generate
desperately needed foreign
currency.
He said: "There are now in place stricter systems to ensure
that people who
are capable of paying for treatment are made to
pay."
The measure would cause consternation to thousands of foreigners -
many of
them from the southern African region - who had been resident in
Zimbabwe
for a long time, but did not have Zimbabwean identity
papers.
Zimbabwe was critically short of foreign currency needed to pay
for imports,
but it was illegal in many other sectors of society to demand
fees in hard
cash.
The proposed law seeks to empower the chief
of defence intelligence, the
director-general of the Central Intelligence
Organisation, the Commissioner
of Police and the Commissioner General of the
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to
intercept telephonic, e-mail and cellphone
messages.
The Bill also empowers state agencies to open mail passing
through the post
and through licensed courier service providers.
This
comes despite a Supreme Court ruling in 2004 which declared
unconstitutional
Sections 98 and 103 of the Posts and Telecommunications
(PTC) Act because
they violated Section 20 of the Constitution.
Section 20 guarantees
freedom of expression, freedom to receive and impart
ideas without
interference with one's correspondence.
The Bill stipulates that
operators of telecommunications services will be
compelled to install
software and hardware to enable them to intercept and
store information as
directed by the state.
********* ********* *********
*********
Introduction
This is an inquiry into the
constitutionality of the interception of
citizens' private mail and
telecommunication-related activities, by the
government, as provided in the
Draft Bill.
Interception connotes interference, obstruction, and stoppage
of flow,
seizure, and grabbing, among other negative processes.
Communication
involves the imparting or exchange of information, ideas, or
feelings. This
can be done via verbal, physical, electronic, written,
telephonic, virtual
or other various available channels. The Draft Bill
targets
"telecommunication, postal or any other related service system",
which means
practically all forms of
communication.
Premise
This discussion proceeds from the premise
that Zimbabwe is a free and
democratic society. After all, as they say, the
impetus behind the war of
liberation was the quest for freedom and democracy
for all Zimbabweans. In
the first place, the reigning government came to
power in 1980, via a
democratic process.
The government is in power
on claims that it was democratically elected into
office, by free citizens.
After all, isn't freedom and democracy the essence
of the annual
Independence celebrations that both the 'equal' and the 'more
equal'
citizens celebrate.
Indeed, it has been proven in many countries that the
governance of people
in almost all societies is best optimized under a
democratic configuration.
It is also true for many that the potential of an
individual or a society,
best matures into reality, where freedom
prevails.
Constitutionality and Reasonableness
The above
introductory statements set out the framework within which
governance is
discharged, or should be discharged in a country, more so how
citizens'
rights are bestowed and ought to be respected.
The subject of this
analysis . constitutionality . is one of those ambient
factors that are
fundamental to the sustenance of a democratic society. In a
democratic
society, decisions, actions, plans, operations and laws, all have
to be
constitutional.
The reference to constitutionality then makes it
absolutely necessary to
also deal with the concept of 'reasonableness'. That
is to say relevant
things must be "reasonable" in a "democratic society". It
is only these two
variables - 'constitutionality' and 'reasonableness in a
democratic society'
that informs the analysis of the Interception of
Communications Bill.
Constitutionality - refers to the extent or degree
to which a particular
statutory or administrative provision is consistent
with a constitution.
This concept should be differentiated from
constitutionalism, which means
that statutory, administrative and other
forms of provisions must be crafted
in compliance with the basic principles,
spirit, or system of governance in
accord with widely accepted
characteristics of a good constitution. Hence,
one law might be
constitutional but at the same time be inimical to the
concept of
constitutionalism.
In the context of Zimbabwe, an instrument, provision
or decree is
constitutional only if it is consistent with the Constitution
of Zimbabwe
[1] ("the Constitution"). Section 3 of this Constitution
establishes the
supremacy of the Code, and it also establishes the test for
Constitutionality upon all Zimbabwean laws.
Any law, that does not
comply with any section of the Constitution, is
unconstitutional and
therefore null and void.
The Draft Bill and the Constitution
The
twenty-one (21) sections of the Interception of Communications Draft
Bill
deal essentially and precisely with the activity described in the
document's
title - that is, the interception of Communications. The question
therefore
is - the interception, or interference with, obstruction of,
stoppage of the
flow, seizure or grabbing - of communications by government
constitutional?
The sections of the Constitution that deal with
communication include:
1. s11 (b) protection of the freedoms of
conscience, expression, ... and
association
2. s11 (c) protection of
the right to privacy
3. s13 protection of the right to personal
liberty
4. s15 Protection from . inhuman or degrading punishment or
treatment.
5. s16 Protection from deprivation of property
6. s18
Protection by the law
7. s19 Protection of Freedom of
Conscience
8. s20 Protection of Freedom of Expression
9. s21
Protection of Freedom of .. Association
Reasonableness
At law, as
in most other fields of study or anthropology, to every general
rule there
is an exception. It is therefore widely accepted that in
enshrining
fundamental rights and freedoms in the Constitution and in other
legal
instruments, drafters may formulate exceptions to the enshrined rights
and
freedoms.
In the famous case of Ratigan [2], the court held
that:
". where rights and freedoms are conferred on persons, derogations
therefrom, as far as the language permits, should be narrowly or strictly
construed".
Wide and vague formulations are, therefore especially,
unacceptable in
rights-related, or constitutionally enshrined entitlements
and freedoms.
Such formulations are therefore
unconstitutional.
Further, in any democratic society, these exceptions
ought to be subjected
to the reasonableness test. If an exception has to be
made, then it must be
absolutely necessary, justifiable or "reasonable in a
democratic society".
If it fails that test, then what remains is for it to
be struck down for its
want of reason. It becomes unconstitutional. The onus
is on the person who
seeks to impose the exception, to illustrate the
reasonableness or sound
necessity of the imposition.
The Constitution
itself already carries exceptions to the rights and
freedoms clauses. This
Draft Bill seeks to supplement the enshrined
exceptions, relating to
communications.
However, the gods of the Draft Bill, that is under review
could not provide,
or at least conjure up any reason or justification for
these "bonus"
exceptions. In most statutes or statutory instruments, the
motives or
explication of the given provisions, are furnished in the
preamble to the
instrument.
In the Draft Bill, according to the
Preamble section, the 'purpose' is
simply to establish . (interception) that
is, to intercept for the sake of
interception. Can that be reasonable? In
most democratic societies,
additional exceptions would arise only from
additional or fresh
circumstances. In this case, what fresh mischief has
necessitated this
proposed Zimbabwean law?
In Zimbabwe no new
circumstances or threats to national security have arisen
and besides the
Zimbabwe government could simply be out to replace those
sections of the
Postal and Telecommunications Act [3] ("the Act") which were
struck down by
the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe on 15 May 2003.
Postal and Telecomms
Act
Despite objections from concerned citizens, and from the
telecommunications
industry, the Zimbabwe government all the same introduced
the Act on 16 June
2000, and the statute came into operation on 1 January
2001. Two, among many
sections of the Act, were particularly repulsive.
Section 98 (2) and s103
had exactly the same effect as the menace that is
proposed for enactment in
the Draft Bill.
Irked by the asinine nature
of the Act, the Law Society of Zimbabwe then
challenged the Minister of
Transport and Communication, and the Attorney
General [4] at the Supreme
Court. The Society successfully argued that the
two sections were repugnant
to s20 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, i.e. the
right to freedom of
expression.
The Supreme Court made the following key points in the Law
Society case:
i) the definition of "postal services" as given in the Act, and
in light of
s98 (2), was very broad. Yet the Act did not impose any
restrictions on the
manner in which the adventure of interception would be
carried out
ii) freedom of expression as enshrined in s 20 (1) of the
Constitution,
includes freedom from interference with correspondence
iii)
The statutory provisions in the Act conferred wide and unfettered
powers to
the President, to intercept correspondence and communications. The
only
limitation to the exercise of that power was that the president had to
hold
some "opinion". Yet it was not a legal requirement that the holding of
the
opinion be based on reason or good cause
iv) The issue was not about whether
the powers had been abused, or were
likely to be abused, but rather that the
Act did not offer any mechanisms to
prevent such abuse.
v) The impugned
sections gave no guidance as to what a citizen should not do
to avoid the
interception of his/ her mail, if he/ she does not wish to have
mail
intercepted
vi) The provisions were too vague, and they bestowed extremely
broad and
unfettered powers to an individual without the necessary checks
and
balances - to degrees that were not reasonable in a democratic
society.
vii) It was quite clear from a reading of the two sets of provisions
(i.e
those of the Constitution, and those of the Act), that the sections in
the
Act amounted to a derogation of the relevant constitutional
provisions
The subject sections were, therefore, declared
unconstitutional and were
struck down. This Draft Bill, therefore, cannot
escape the damnation of
unconstitutionality, for three specific
reasons:
First, it yields the same effects as those that arose from the
debunked s98
(2) and s103 of the Act. It follows that this Draft Bill is
unconstitutional
in as far as it violates s20 of the
Constitution.
Second, although powers and capacities have been shifted
from the president,
to the Chief of Defence Intelligence and others, many of
the provisions in
the Draft Bill remain broad, vague, embarrassing and
erosional in nature.
For instance, the definition of "postal services" is
retained in the Draft
Bill [5].
Third, its unconstitutionality is
compounded by its incompatibility with the
other above listed fundamental
rights.
Fourth, its vagueness, lack of any sound justification, and
wanton invasion
into the private lives of citizens, makes the Draft
unreasonable in a
democratic society, and therefore
unconstitutional.
The Answers: What is about to be grabbed now are the
fundamental rights and
freedoms, or civil liberties of ordinary citizens,
including the right to
free communication. There clearly is no fresh
mischief to be combated in
Zimbabwe. Interference with the communications of
its citizens is,
therefore, patently unnecessary and therefore
unreasonable.
The move comes now because it is inspired by no reason or
by Anglo-American
ambitions within certain 'more equal comrades. Or it could
possibly and
probably be an attempt to overturn the 2003 Supreme Court
determination, in
typical patriotic fashion (PF).
The provisions of
the Draft Bill are unconstitutional!.
This analysis may be reproduced and
used in any research, advocacy,
educational and lobby work, except for
profit, with the acknowledgment of
MISA-Zimbabwe.
MISA-Zimbabwe
84
McChlery Drive Eastlea
Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone 00 263 4 77 61 65, 746
838,
E-mail misa@mweb.co.zw
Website
www.misazim.co.zw
For more
information contact Rashweat Mukundu at director.misa@zimbaweb.net
Reuters
Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:12 AM BST
LONDON (Reuters) - The
government will urge China on Wednesday to work more
closely with the
international community to help resolve global challenges
as its diplomatic
influence grows, rather than pursuing short-term bilateral
interests.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will say in a speech in
London that Britain
wants China to define its role broadly and help sustain
the integrity of the
whole international system.
London hopes China
will become a partner who will work closely with others
to support good
governance in other countries, he will say, according to
extracts from the
speech given to Reuters by a Foreign Office spokesman.
"I greatly look
forward to working together with China ... on the challenges
of the
developing world including serious problem cases like Zimbabwe, Sudan
and
Burma," he will say.
"These are countries where China has the clout to
make a real difference."
Straw will also say that it is vital that
economic reform in China is
accompanied by political reform and that it is
wrong to think this will lead
to instability.
"The opposite is true
... Freedom of expression and the rule of law are
fundamental to long-term
economic success".
Journalists must be allowed to report and courts must
be allowed to uphold
the law, he will say.
"Wider political
participation, freedom of expression and rule of law are a
force for
stability rather than fragmentation."
Britain, the United States and
France are trying to win the support of
fellow U.N. Security Council
permanent members China and Russia for possible
sanctions against Iran to
rein in its nuclear activities. China and Russia
are resisting the
pressure.
Tehran says its nuclear activities are peaceful and has said it
will freeze
ties with the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog and speed up its atomic
programme if
it is hit by sanctions.
Straw, speaking to a private
audience, will say China has been a positive
partner in fighting bird flu,
in addressing the Asian financial market
crisis in the 1990s, and on
Iran.
Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the United States last week, a
trip that
was marred by demonstrations and during which the two sides failed
to
resolve differences over the strength of China's currency or
Iran.
The Telegraph
(Filed:
26/04/2006)
Bob Geldof yesterday threw down a striking challenge
to the advanced
democracies: make good on your pledges to Africa or risk
being usurped by
the unscrupulous Chinese. In Gleneagles last summer, the G8
countries agreed
to double aid to the continent by 2010, which would mean at
least $25
billion more per year; they also promised to promote democracy and
improve
terms of trade. That virtuous circle of increased assistance and
better
governance has been the hallmark of the approach taken, with varying
degrees
of success, by the West and Japan since the end of the Cold
War.
China now threatens to blow apart that consensus. Having grown by an
annual
average of more than nine per cent since 1978, its economy is
ravenous for
raw materials. The Chinese view Africa as a vast source of
supply - whether
oil from Angola, Gabon, Nigeria and Sudan or copper from
Congo and Zambia -
and are not concerned about the nature of their trading
partners'
governments, provided they seem reasonably stable. Thus, Beijing
has blunted
UN efforts to bring to account the Islamist regime in Khartoum
for its
depredations in Darfur, is happy to deal with Robert Mugabe's vile
tyranny
in Zimbabwe and has extended a $3 billion loan to Angola despite
that
country's being criticised by the International Monetary Fund for lack
of
financial transparency.
Bob Geldof, who organised the Live 8
concerts last summer, told Reuters in
Johannesburg that unless the G8 moved
fast, "China would be all over
Africa . and it will embrace any government".
His challenge is twofold.
First, members must deliver on their promises.
Second, they need to persuade
President Hu Jintao, who is currently touring
Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya,
that it is not in his interest to prop up
misrule.
Robert Zoellick, the American deputy secretary of state, has
spoken of
urging China to become a "responsible stakeholder" in an
international
system that has enabled its astonishing economic
transformation.
There is good sense in the suggestion: China's rise has
made it more
vulnerable to global instability, to which the likes of Mr
Mugabe and
President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan are notable contributors. It
would be
tragic if the slow and patchy improvement in African governance
were to be
undermined by crude Chinese mercantilism.
Business Report
April 25,
2006
Johannesburg - Zimbabwe, the world's fifth-biggest top-grade tobacco
exporter, today began selling its smallest crop in 34 years as
government-backed farm seizures reduce production and prolong a seven-year
recession.
The southern African country is expected to produce
between 50 million and
60 million kilograms of tobacco this year, the
smallest crop since 1972,
Rodney Ambrose, chief executive of the Zimbabwe
Tobacco Association, said in
a phone interview from the capital Harare
yesterday.
"Spiralling inflation of 914 percent and shortages of diesel,
fertilisers
and chemicals have played havoc with the crop," John
Worsley-Worswick,
Chairman of Justice for Agriculture, a group lobbying for
compensation for
evicted farmers, said in a phone interview from
Harare.
Tobacco processing fell after the government of President Robert
Mugabe
began seizing white-owned commercial farms in 2000 for redistribution
to
black subsistence farmers. Last year Zimbabwe, once the world's
second-largest tobacco exporter after Brazil, sold 74 million kilograms of
the crop compared with a record 234 million kilograms in
2000.
Tobacco was selling for $1.85 a kilogram in early trade, an
auction house
official said in a phone interview from Harare. The crop sold
for an average
of $1.63 a kilogram in 2005, compared with $2 a kilogram a
year before.
The fall in tobacco production, compounded by the
government's introduction
of a system whereby farmers can bypass the
auctions by growing the crop
under contract, has threatened the viability of
auction floors.
"Over the past couple of years we have had to tailor our
employee numbers
due to the fall-off in the volumes," said David
Mashingaidze, managing
director of Harare's Tobacco Sales Floors, which runs
what was six years ago
the world's biggest tobacco auction floor.
TSF
plans to sell half of Zimbabwe's tobacco this year, Mashingaidze
said.
"We've come to agreement with the merchants to sell some of that
contracted
crop across our floors," he said. "There are two other floors,
they will
have viability problems." - Bloomberg
The Scotsman
ANGUS
SHAW IN HARARE
ZIMBABWEANS, already reeling from the effects of rampant
inflation, received
another shock yesterday when health authorities
announced up to 30-fold
increases in state hospital fees.
Edwin
Maguti, the deputy health minister, said consultation fees in accident
and
emergency departments in the main government hospitals would increase
3,000
per cent to nearly one million Zimbabwe dollars with immediate effect,
state
radio reported.
Surgery will cost the equivalent of about 55p a minute,
more than the
average Zimbabwean earns in a day. District hospitals and
clinics will
charge about 15 times more.
Special fees for the
elderly, impoverished and other vulnerable groups
remain unchanged, along
with immunisation programmes, Mr Maguti said, adding
that patients trying to
cheat the system by claiming this status would be
fined.
Mr Maguti
said the increases were necessary to shore up crumbling public
health
services and ease overcrowding.
Pretoria News
April 26, 2006 Edition
1
Basildon Peta
Zimbabwe's public health care is no longer
affordable for many after a
government decision to more than treble charges
for basic services at all
state hospitals and clinics.
The decision
means that the poor, who are already shut out from the hugely
expensive
private medical service, no longer have any alternative but to
resort to
traditional methods of healing as suggested by the Zimbabwe
Traditional
Healers Association.
With immediate effect, ordinary Zimbabweans will now
be asked to fork out
$Z1-million (about R60) for basic consultation at
public health
institutions, up from the Z$300 000 (R18) they have been
paying.
Deputy health minister Edwin Muguti told journalists in Harare
that the
increases were aimed at improving the standards of service in state
hospitals and clinics which, according to the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), has virtually collapsed.
Muguti said the
government hoped to generate enough income via the latest
increases to
improve the salaries of medical staff and pay for equipment.
Zimbabwean
traditional healers are seeing an opportunity to promote their
medicines and
are pushing hard for recognition from the government. It has
been reported
that many Zimbabweans are already using the traditional
healers anyway
because of unaffordability of medical services.
As a JAG member or JAG Associate member, please send any classified adverts
for publication in this newsletter to:
JAG Classifieds: jag@mango.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
For Sale Items
2. Wanted Items
3. Accommodation
4. Recreation
5.
Specialist Services
6. Pets
Corner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
OFFERED FOR
SALE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Sokkia Automatic Dumpy - Level /
Theodolite
In immaculate condition with Tripod contact 851380 or
091272572 to view or
with realistic
offers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2
Items for Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Various second hand items for sale
- All must go!!!
Prices are negotiable.
Filing cabinet, 2 draw, wooden
(good condition) - $25m
Wooden and black leather bar 140 x 50cm with 3
leather stools - $20m
5 man Tent (dome shape - water resistant) -
$18m
Camp bed x 2 (army edition) - $5m each
Square folding table,
wooden 92 x 92cm - $2m
Roller Blades size 5/6 - $2m
The Mad Max
Magazine Game (good condition) - $3m
Cluedo (good condition) -
$3m
Please contact Monique 309274(w) 091 315 411 (cell)
monique@oxfordit.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.3
Items for Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Leather Coat - full length - size
107cm - only worn once
Leather Coat - 3/4 length - size 112cm - in very good
condition.
Health Walker
A set of 18 Volumes of Claxton
Encyclopaedias
A set of 4 volumes of Claxton Children
Encyclopaedias
Serious offers only
Contact R. Jordaan on 011 603
110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.4
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
One Humidifier.
Phone 04 - 701940 or
011 -
616342.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Brand new (unused) Delco Remy 24 volt
starter suitable for Mercedes, MAN or
ADE engine trucks, complete with all
mounting brackets and solenoid.
$100 million ONCO.
Contact 091
321006 or 335573 (after hours) to view or for further
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.6
FOR SALE (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
30,000 litre steel tank on skids,
complete with lockable filler and outlet
fixtures. In excellent condition
and suitable for fuels. $1 billion. New
tank costs in excess of $2 billion.
Contact 091 321006 or 335573 (after
hours) to view or for further
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.6
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
NISSAN SE 3.2 Diesel , D/Cab , 4 X
4, White , 2001 .
14,000 Kms ( only )
Rubberised back, Canopy, Bull bar,
Roll bar, as new
usd 27,000:
cell 011
208848.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.7
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
A NUMBER OF LARGE BANANA
TREES
PLEASE PHONE:- 071 8 474
CELL 091 238 462/ 091 303
097
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.8
Toyota Starlet 1997 (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Wonderful runner round town.
Extremely fuel-efficient.
Air conditioning, alarmed, cut out switch, anti
hijack, central locking
Kenwood front loader CD with speakers.
Please
phone
851558/851375
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.9
For Sale (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
CHILDREN'S, COLOURED CHAIRS
$350,000
TABLE TENNIS TABLE & TRESTLES $ 35 MILLION.
BATS, NET &
BALLS $ 5 MILLION
APPLY mnmilbank@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.10
For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Hewlett Packard printer 610C (brand
new)
French lessons course (Oxford) never used
Supersonic radio
and record player (superb condition)
.270 rifle with Lynx scope (4x40)
licensed.
2 Black and Decker bench grinders
1 Hoover bench
grinder
Small ladder
Various motors 1 to 3 hp in working
order
2 BC jackets (excellent condition) for diving
1 old English
saddle and a polocrosse helmet.
To view in Bulawayo
Contact no:
011 416937 or 09
234757
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.11
For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Cottage at Sunshine Motor Club, Lake
Chivero for Sale. Ideal for weekends &
holidays - for more details
please phone
741671.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.12
For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
1991 Toyota Hilux 2.8D 4 x 4 for sale in
good running order - offers Phone
741671.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.13
For Sales (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
S.E.E.D. DESIGNS (Based in
Chiredzi)
Beautiful hand embroidered exclusive ethnic items for sale
:-
Duvet covers Q/size $13,500 000
Muslin
Throwovers/tablecloth $ 3,150 000
Wall hangings and
throws $11,850 000
Wallets (accommodate chqe book) $
1,300 000
Webbing handbags $ 2,900 000
Medium
size cushion covers $ 2,600 000
Small size cushion
covers $ 1,700 000
Set of 6 table mats & serviettes
$ 6,600 000
Shoulder bags $ 2,500
000
Oven gloves $ 1,340 000
Pillow
cases matching duvets $ 1,100 000
And much more!! Prices
subject to change. For further details, please
contact Michelle Ross
(Harare rep) on 091 202 138 or alternatively
883606.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.14
For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Baby fold up camp cot (new) (fits into
bag) red, yellow and green for sale
$25 000 000.
Small carry cot for
sale $500 000
Please contact Michelle Ross on 091 202 138 or alternatively
883606.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.15
For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
MAZDA 323 YEAR 1986
One careful
owner
Excellent condition
Please phone: 011603070, 486326, 486293, or
011605219
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.16
Whiskey Collection For Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Large whiskey
collection. Must all go together? Serious buyers only.
Please phone
884076 or
011204060
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.16
For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Excellent Canon EOS still Camera (2004)
with automatic focus and other
beautiful features (three films to go with
the camera
A brand new pair of men's waterproof leather boots
(size
Ten)
A beautiful Black leather jacket (large)
All these were
bought in the UK.
Phone Grasian on 091 430
799
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.17
For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
SONY HANDYCAM VIDEO Hi8 VIDEO CAMERA 330x
DIGITAL ZOOM IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION.
OFFERS?
PHONE STEVE 067 23112
OR 011 808 262 OR KATE 091 356
981
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.18
For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Panasonic Hifi, 5 CD Changer, 6 month old,
remote, manual, silver in colour
$35m - Phone 04
335820
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.19
For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
RADIUM
Imported harrow discs 24"
and 26"
New Montana boom sprayers 10m boom, 600l tank.
New 16KVA
generators
Radium Zimbabwe 04 870264 / 011 600
389
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.20
For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04//06)
HONDA XR 250 R, trail bike with lights
and indicators, 18000km only. In
near original mint condition.
Phone:
091 326 965 for
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.21
Chemicals For Sale (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Dithian (M45)
Copper
Oxy
Dual Magnum
Punch Extra
Phone: John 334764, Cell
011208893
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.22
FOR SALE (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
1x Kipor 6.5 kva, Petrol, Single Phase,
Portable, Electric Start Generator
Set brand new. Change over switches
available. Call Harry
091-244245
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.23
FOR SALE (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
As new, golf caddy cart for sale.
Suitable too, to transport someone
suffering ill health.
For futher
details, contact Dr. Brana 091 324
283
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.24
CARS FOR SALE (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
Toyota Starlet Year 1997
116 000
km
Incredibly economical
Air conditioning
Kenwood Front Loader
CD
New tyres
Alarmed, cut out switch, anti hijack
Central
Locking
Available immediately
BMW 323i 1997
133 000
km
Alarmed
Central locking
Excellent condition
Available
immediately
Please phone 884076
Or
011204060
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.25
ITEMS FOR SALE (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Household goods for sale
4
upholstered swivel bar chairs
Kitchen table and 6 stools
Old pine
table
Tennis court/ driveway/garden roller
Pine bedroom suite, single
headboard, bedside table, desk and chest of
drawers
1 painted white chest
of drawers
5 large pot plants
Garden spray back pack for roses, fruit
trees etc
Metal birds
Coal/charcoal
Singer hand sewing machine
Small
table
Childrens games and Books
Kitchen
utensils
Files
Curtains
Carpets
Braais
Please phone 884076 or
011204060
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.26
Car for Sale (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
1989 really neat, tidy and very
economical
VW Fox 1600 with mags, tow bar, radio & tape.
$540
million negotiable
Contact Kirsty Noble on
304426
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.27
Motor Bike for Sale (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
Honda CBX 1200. Good
Condition.
Offers
Contact Daniel on
091380837
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.28
Vehicle for Sale (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
1983 Toyota Landcruiser
Station Wagon with 4.2 Nissan Diesel Motor. Neat
Condition, with new
Interior, roof rack with side tent, good tires, etc.
$ 3
Billion
For further details please contact Venetia Bratley on 309914 or
011777668
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.29
For Sale (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
G.E.C Fridge/Freezer, recently overhauled
$25 Million
PR Roller Blades in good condition $ 2 Million
9
Children's Illustrated Encyclopaedias by Arthur Mee $ 3 Million
4
Blazers. 3 Watershed, 1 Peterhouse all in good condition $1 Million
each.
Tel: 073-3399 or
011423614
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
1999 Nissan Double Cab, 2.7 diesel, full
house, canopy. One owner, good
condition 190 000km.
Tel. 086 22582 or
email benfer@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.31
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
"THE WEAVERY."
Phone your orders
to--Anne--011212424 or 332851.
Email joannew@zol.co.zw
Fax--332851.
SUPER
GIFT IDEAS FOR LOCAL OR OVERSEAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY. LIGHT,EASY TO
WASH AND
SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Prices.(subject to change).
Small woven
bags--$440,000 each.
Large crocheted bags.--$1,200,000 each.
Large woven
bags.--$880,000 each.
Table Runners.--$640,000.
Set of 4 Fringed
Table mats + serviettes--$2,000,000.
Fringed mats
only(4)---$1,200,000.
Set of 6 Fringed mats+
serviettes--$2,900,000.
Set of 4 Bordered table mats+
serviettes---$2,300,000.
Bordered mats only(4)--$1,800,000.
Set of 6
Bordered mats + serviettes--$3,500,000.
Set of 8 Bordered mats +
serviettes---$4,700,000.
2m Throws--$2,800,000.each.
Tea
cosy(L)--$360,000.
Tea cosy(m)--$350,000
Tea
cosy(s)--$340,000.
Crocheted oven
gloves(pair)--$860,000.
Cotton(lined)oven
gloves(pair)--$500,000.
Aprons--$900,000.
Decorated cushion
covers--$800,000.
Plain cushion
covers---$600,000.
Scarves(knitted)--$850,000. each.
Hand Woven
Scarves--$1,000,000 each
Hats(Beanies)--$480,000 each.
Large plain
cotton rug--$2,000,000.
Med. plain cotton rug---$1,300,000.
Small plain
cotton rug.---$800,000.
Cotton Rag Rug--$800,000.
Med. plain mohair
rug--$1,500,000.
Med.patterned mohair rug.--$2,000,000.
X Large plain
mohair rug.--$5,800,000.
Bedspreads-- QS/DB/3/4 and
Single--$6,500,000,/$5,700,000/$5,200,000/$3,500,000.
Wholesale
prices available for orders(over 6 of an article) or large
purchases.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.32
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
JALAPENO pepper pickle in plastic bags,
250 g net weight. $ 80 000
contact on 091 338573 or e mail gbeam@zol.co.za
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.33
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
Playground equipment and nursery school
tables, chairs etc. surplus to
requirements as we have moved to another
fully equipped school. Tel 884294
or 011602903 or
E-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.34
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
1992 BEDFORD AWD TRUCK AND TRAILER IN
VERY GOOD CONDITION
CAN BE VIEWED AT 23 SARK HSE, BLUFF HILL INDUSTRIAL
PARK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.35
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
25 TONNES COMPOUND "D" FERTILIZER FOR
SALE
PHONE ESTELLE 331176/90
pran@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.36
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
Enquiries and offers welcome; please
speak to Alec at 086 22302, or 091 257
161
1. Landcruiser PZ 75,
disassembled. +/- 70% complete.
2. Hunting seat and frame. Complete.
Tromps 4J
3. Two Poster car hoist. Complete
4. 10 x 16" used tyres
(mostly 750 x 16)
5. Various Buffalo tractor
spares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.37
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
VICTORIAN BATH, with original feet and
taps - $20million
100 LITRE ROOF GEYSER - $70M
150 LITRE DOUBLE
ELEMENT NEW ROOF GEYSER - $120M
Please phone 334355 evenings or 091 305
313
anytime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.38
For Sale (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
Office safe, two door, electronic
keypad. $40000000.00 (forty Million)
Phone Teresa Hook 305381, 331970,
331976,
011201744
---------------------------------------------------------------
2
WANTED
ITEMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1
Wanted (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
PICK-UP VEHICLE WANTED!
Mazda B1600,
1995 - 1998, petrol or
Ford Bantam/Mazda Rustler 1995 - 1998
LAWN
MOWER WANTED!
Electric, used but in good condition.
Call 091 256 326
or mail rejoice@earth.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2
Wanted (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
City Bowling Club
Desperately
required: Lawnmowers (drum type) for bowling greens. If you know
of any
clubs that are closing their bowls or golf sections please let me
know.
Contact Malcom Evans 011 604929 or motley@zol.co.zw or Joe 04 756363-9 or
091-338414 or joe@radius.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3
Wanted (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Petra Junior School in Bulawayo needs to
buy a good quality lawn mower for
its premises. A second hand will be an
option if the condition is
good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.4
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/3/06)
Planning to leave? We will buy your T.V. or
Video and you can use it up
until the last moment - Phone Hire Electric -
741913.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.5
WANTED ITEMS (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
TEDDY BEARS - any condition, old
etc.
BOOKS. - MAMMALS OF SOUTH AFRICA. - by Austin Roberts.
JOCK
OF THE BUSHVELD - early illustrated.
phone
882713.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.6
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
I am looking for a small tape recorder, for
recording purposes. If you have
one to sell please ring me at 332798 or 011
231 541or email me on
pcj@earth.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.7
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
WANTED urgently is a Working / Non- Working
TV, VCR and Hifi. Cash paid
instantly. Please contact Joel on joelsonwozhi@yahoo.com or leave a
message
with Mercy on 011 611
637.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.8
Items Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
1. Swimming Pool Fence, for a young
couple with baby.
2. A Playpen.
Please contact Venetia Bratley
on 309914/304426 or
011777668
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.9
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
HAS ANYBODY GOT ANY SECOND HAND POOL FENCING
FOR SALE AT A REASONABLE
PRICE - WE ONLY NEED ABOUT 5 OR 6 SECTIONS TO
SAFEGUARD OUR POOL FOR OUR
GRANDCHILDREN. PLEASE PHONE SHARON LONG ON
302919.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.10
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
I am looking for unwanted Rhodesian history
books and general non fiction
covering the turn of the century 1890/1930's
including the Matabele War and
the
Rebellions or any other similar
books with British South Africa Police
content up to 1980 - perhaps someone
has some old Outposts or Police
Reviews stacked away
somewhere?
Contact me on andrew@field.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.11
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Looking for a truck preferably a Toyota land
cruiser second hand but in good
working condition.
Am happy to do
the transaction in Either US$ or pound sterling.
"Most people pursue
pleasure with such breathless haste they often hurry
past it"
Phone
Grasian on 091 430
799
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.12
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Motorcycle BMW GS 80 or GS 100. Any
condition!
Phone: 04 442681
Cell: 011 621
572
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.13
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
1. Swimming Pool Fence, for a young
couple with baby.
2. A Play pen and Baby high chair
Please
contact Venetia Bratley on 309914/304426 or
011777668
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.14
Wanted (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
WANTED: Cash paid for old Wisdens
Cricketers Almanacs. Contact
mnmilbank@zol.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.15
Wanted (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
LOOKING TO RENT OR BUY "BREEZE BLOCK
MOULD"
PLEASE CONTACT
jahme@zol.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.16
Wanted (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
Second Hand Trailer for vehicle and tow bar
application! Good condition
incl. lighting! Should be able to take 2
motorcycles!
Phone: 04 442681
Cell: 011 621
572
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.17
Wanted (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
"Harare Dawn Rotary Club are looking for
playground equipment to install at
the Safety Sam Training Centre in Mt.
Pleasant, which they were responsible
for
rehabilitating.
If
anyone has any equipment they would like to donate or to sell at a
reasonable price please can you let me know by e-mail on hderobeck@mango.zw.
The only type of
equipment we do not need is a swing. The reason is that
there is too much
danger of children being hit by over-exuberant swingers.
Replies can go
to Greg Pozzo at Interprint,
770908.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
Accommodation Wanted and
Offered
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1
Looking for House Sitter (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
House sitter required
from May to end of July in Bulawayo. Large house with
3 dogs and 3 cats
plus staff. Traceable references please
Contact: 011
416937
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2
House Wanted for Rent (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
A reliable married couple
(no children) are looking for a 3 or 4 b/roomed
house to rent as from Ist
June 2006. (Long term lease) preferably with lock
up garage and domestic
quarters. A granny cottage/bachelor flat would be a
bonus. We are able to
maintain home and garden very well.
Contact:
Dudley or Colleen
Potgieter
04 335455 - evenings
091 202303 (Dudley)
011 613268
(Colleen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
HOUSE / COTTAGE WANTED
2 - 4
Bedroomed House
Long lease preferred
Marlborough / Highlands / Chisi /
Borrowdale
Eastlea or near to these
$ in the region of 30 per
month
Please contact - Elizabeth Lundt garage@adhart.co.zw
or Jo Lundt jlundt@mweb.co.zw
or
Karen Lundt ljs@hms.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4
House for Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Arcturus upmarket residential
suburb Cromlet Township. Stunning executive
hilltop residence with
unbeatable 270degree northfacing panoramic views over
the Enterprise Valley,
10 acres, electric fenced, electric gate, fully
serviced with water, zesa,
roads. Recently built needing a few finishing
touches, double storey
''safari style'' home, under chromadek, comprises of
double carport, view
deck, 3 lounges, openplan dining/kitchen area, laundry,
workshop, 5
bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (MES). Property has many indigenous trees,
and a haven
for birds.Ideal for retired/displaced farmer wanting to do small
scale agric
projects. Adjoining this property are 2 x 10acre, 1 x 14 acre
undeveloped
plots with stunning views, serviced, with great agricultural
potential. Just
30kms from city centre, 15kms to Chisi, quick and easy
access via Enterprise
Rd, Cromlet Rd (Pig Industry Board). Share transfers,
all with individual
Title Deeds. Preferable Sale or possible Rental - Tel
011 610 222, email ecolynx@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5
APARTMENTS TO LET (Ad inserted 11/04/06)
Choice of two apartments to let
in a small, quiet secure block in Avondale.
Fully furnished two bed roomed
apartments with private garden. One, whose
owner would prefer letting on a
short-term basis, is available immediately,
whilst the other becomes vacant
on the 1st May 2006.
For further enquiries, please call 011 602
144
---------------------------------------------------------------
4
RECREATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1
(Ad inserted 11/04/06)
SINGLES DINNER CLUB
Looking to meet new
single friends? Join the singles dinner club held at a
variety of
restaurants! Ages 25 to 45 preferred.
For further information please
contact Lesley on 091 832129 or 300963
between 6 pm and 8 pm during the
week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
SPECIALIST
SERVICES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1
G - TECH (Ad inserted 14/03/06)
G - TECH: Diesel and plant
maintenance, site contracting, generator and
stationary engine installation
and maintenance, tractors and hydraulics.
Contact Graham at gtech@zol.co.zw or call 011 406023, 091
286657, 04 741001,
075
2264
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2
For Hire (Ad inserted 14/03/06)
21 & 14" Televisions & videos for
hire - Please phone Hire Electric on
741913.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3
(Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Air-conditioning
Servicing and re-gassing of
aircon done on all vehicles and fridges/deep
freezes. Reasonable rates -
same day car return.
Call Russell or Teresa Hook on 305381 331970 331976
091201744
011201744
Plastic Repairs
For all plastic repairs, on
car bumpers ,grilles, door handles, trims,
mouldings, cowlings, right down
to cooler box handles. Anything plastic
bring to us.
Call Russell or
Teresa Hook on 305381 331970 331976 091201744
011201744
Boats
All Fibre Glass repairs to boats, Repairs and
Servicing done on all motors.
Call Russell Hook at Dragon Marine on 305381
331970 331976 091201744
011201744
Motor Vehicles
Servicing and
minor repairs to all motor vehicles. Affordable rates. Come in
and see us at
6 Childwall Road Bluff Hill or phone Russell Hook 305381
331970 331976
091201744 011201744
Stationery
For all your stationery
requirements call AF Stationers. Our prices include
delivery!
Phone
Teresa Hook 305381 331970 331976 011201744
Holiday in
Amanzimtoti
2 Bedroom flat at Toti Cabanas. Sleeps 6. Available from 15-22
or/and
22-29 May.
USD150 for the week.
Call Noeleen on 011 205 183 or
305381 or
065-204.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.4
(Ad inserted 28/03/06)
MODULAR MINING MACHINERY
Small Mining
Supplies manufacture process machiney for many ore types
contact Small
Mining Supplis p/l
satmark@zol.co.zw
011601230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.5
Savuli Safari (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Savuli Safari, self-catering chalets
in the heart of the Save Valley
Conservancy. Game watching, fishing, horse
riding, canoeing, walking trails
and 4x4 hire. Camp fully kitted including
cook and fridges. Just
bring your food, drinks and relax. $1 500 000 pppn,
1/2 U/12.
Booking direct to John Tayler at 091 631 556 or savuli@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.6
For Hire (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Primgate Contracting Services has a Case
2344 combine and tractors available
for land prep.
Contact:
011-633190
Email: devon@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.7
(Ad inserted 28/03/06)
NATUREWAYS SAFARIS
LOWER ZAMBEZI
CANOEING
SPACE AVAILABLE - CAMP ZAMBEZI 14 - 17 APRIL 2006
Z$12,000,000per
person per night
Includes : All meals, all drinks (Zimbabwean), all
activities (canoeing,
walking, game drives)
services of professional
walking & canoe guides, fully backed-up Luxury Camp
Excludes : National
Parks Fees and transfers to Mana
Contact Julie on julie@natureways.com or phone 333414,
339001
28 Bath Road,
Avondale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.8
(Ad inserted 11/04/06)
Transport for Hire --- Harare area. Mazda T35 -
Box body - with Driver.
Contact zanadu@zim.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.9
(Ad inserted 25/04/06)
FULL BIRTH CERTIFICATES & other ADVISORY
SERVICES
.... 13yrs on and still providing much needed Advisory
Services...
.... As follows:
BIRTHS - Full (Long) Birth
Certificates
- New Registration of Births
ADOPTED
CHILDREN - Full Birth Certificates (Tracing of biological parents)
DEATHS
- Death Certificates (original & duplicate)
MARRIAGES - Licence to
marry
- Marriage Certificates (duplicates)
ID
CARDS - New & replacement
PASSPORTS - See Note
below
IMMIGRATION - Residence & Work Permits for
Zimbabwe
- Re-entry Visas
CITIZENSHIP -
Restoration
- New applications
- Surrendering (renouncing)
COMMISSIONER OF OATHS - Certification of
documents
-
Affidavits
- Power of
Attorney
PARA-LEGAL SERVICES - Enquire as to your specific
requirements
DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS -
Mediation
- Arbitration
NOTE:
Passports - currently these are only being issued in special
instances.
Financial Arrangements - We will always assist 'bona fide'
financially
distressed persons.
Phone us for further information
and/or to arrange a no obligation
consultation.
Thomas Vallance
ACIArb
Paradigm Trust (Pvt) Ltd
Trust Executives &
Administrators
Tels: (B) 744 648 (M) 011 617
161
Eml:[paradigm@zol.co.zw]
[paradigm@mango.zw]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.10
(Ad inserted 25/04/06)
EXTRA TUITION FOR O LEVEL ( GCSE) CHEMISTRY AND
PHYSICS
Need some help? Private lessons offered.
Phone 442610 or
091609077, or email carolyn@cajj.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
6
PETS
CORNER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1
Wanted (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
Staffordshire Pup
We are looking for
a Staffordshire Bitch Pup. Preferably between 6 and 8
weeks old. Please
contact Colleen on 091275624, or email us at
peat@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.2
Looking for a Home (Ad inserted 21/03/06)
English Bull Terrier
Lovers.
Magnificent white English Bull Terrier Male, 4 years, looking for
kind and
loving home. Came from a farm but owners have left. Please help as
will be
put to sleep if home not found soon. Tel Michelle on 884294 or
e-mail
gandami@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.3
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Toy Pom (male or female)
preferably
puppy
Please contact:
Riana Inger 011-220955 or email wombat@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.4
Dog Meal for Sale (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
"Dog Meal $ 900 k per 20 kg
bag, please order on Harare
495897"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.5
WANTED (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Looking for a Miniature Toy Pom Puppy (male
or female). Anyone who breeds
them please let me know.
E-mail - charlespat@zol.co.zw
Tel -
481419
Cell - 011-611-360
011-603-889
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.6
Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
I am desperately looking for a Toy Pom
puppy. Preferably a female puppy.
Please contact Willem on 068 - 24577
or 091326882 or email
albotha@ecoweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.7
Home Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
We are urgently seeking a home for our
beautiful 12 year old Lab / Border
Collie... We are leaving the country on
Monday 27th. Will put her into
Friendly Foundation on
Sunday.
PLEASE HELP
Beryl Park-Pearson
861714 / 091 240
823
bushbaby@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.8
Home Wanted (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Staffy Lovers! 3 beautiful
black/brindle staffies looking for good home,
owners left. 1 male Rusty, 2
spayed bitches Lady and Sandy, can go together
or separately. Tel Michelle
on 884294 or e-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.9
Found (Ad inserted 28/03/06)
Elderly female, black and white Jack Russel,
very sweet and well behaved.
Found Sunday night on Ridgeway North
Road.
Contact 011
408044
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.10
Home Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
TYSON, absolutely magnificent
red/brindle pedigreed and registered staffy
dog needing special home as soon
as possible as owner leaving. Please help.
Tel Michelle on 884294 or e-mail
gandami@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.11
Home Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Looking for a good home for a 1 1/2
year old female staffy cross jack
russel.
Good guard dog. Cheeky
with strangers and strange dogs. Not sure about
children, does not seem to
like them. She also seems to have a slight skin
problem.
Please
contact Venetia Bratley on 309914 or
011777668.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.12
BORDER COLLIES (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
Pure bred but unregistered. Pictures
of both parents available. Pups due to
be born this week, ready in 6 weeks.
Please contact Maria (BYO) 286155 or
091266 476. or email antlaw@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.13
Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
BUDGIES TO JOIN A LONELY ONE IN
AVIARY!
PHONE 067 23112 OR 091 356 981
KATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.14
Homes Wanted (Ad inserted 4/04/06)
LOOKING FOR HOMES FOR 2 MIX BREED
DOGS, ONE A VERY GOOD GUARD DOG,
(RIDGEBACK-ISH), ONE A "SMILER"
(BRINDLE
POINTER-ISH)!
PHONE 067 23112 OR 091 356 981
KATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.15
Wanted (Ad inserted 25/03/06)
I am desperately looking for a Toy Pom
puppy (5-6 weeks old).
If anyone breeds them please let me
know.
E-mail - stodd@zw.safmarine.com
Cell - 011
421
289
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.16
Home Wanted (Ad inserted 25/04/06)
Please another appeal for white male
bull terrier, approx. 4 years desperate
for a kind and loving home Tel
Michelle on 884294 or 011602903 or e-mail
gandami@mweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.17
Good Home/s Wanted (Ad Inserted 25/04/06)
Julio - 7 year old Tan coloured
male Dashchund (pedigree) & Duke - 6 year
old Tan coloured male
Dashchund (slight mixed breed with jack russell
somewhere!). Both are very
good natured, love people and loads of
attention. They both have been
nutured and are up-to-date with all
injections etc. Would prefer if they
are taken together as they are big
buddies. Pictures are available to send
via email.
Please contact Marlene on pott@zol.co.zw or telephone 020 -
64007.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAG
Hotlines:
+263 (011) 205 374 If you are in trouble or need advice,
please
don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!
+263 (04) 799 410 Office
Lines
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To
advertise (JAG Members): Please email classifieds to: jag@mango.zw with
subject "Classifieds".
New Zimbabwe
MASOLA WA DABUDABU HOPEWELL
Last updated: 04/26/2006 21:01:07
ONCE in a long and rare while, it is forgivable for Robert Mugabe's
critics
to find themselves sincerely praising him for any dint of informed
decision
or utterance.
I personally had vowed never to mention anything good
he does, lest
the struggle for emancipation from Mugabe's perfidy is
misconstrued as
softening its hard-line resolve. I was one in favour of not
taking any
prisoners in the form, shape, likeness or resemblance both in
flesh and
spirit of Mugabe's person.
It is said that in every
dark cloud above the skies in Zvimba village,
there is a dint of silver
lining. The cloud may be laden with lightning and
thunder and pregnant with
the prospects of a deluge of unprecedented
proportions, yet the thin silver
lining may not be ignored.
Perhaps in all his wickedness, only this
time has he managed to
surprise his never capitulating critics and opponents
by submitting to the
harsh realities of the truth.
I have to
swallow my un-waning pride and offer some praise to the
dictatorial Mugabe
for his recent admission that Zimbabwe has lost immense
expertise through
skilled people leaving Zimbabwe to ply their trade in
countries far and
near. This realisation by Mugabe deserves mention even by
his most fervent
critics.
To the skilled countrymen, semi-skilled citizens and all
unskilled
denizens of Zimbabwe, finally Mugabe has decided to come out
clean. He has
conceded that many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe with an
endowment of a
variety of skills have left Zimbabwe for the so-called
greener pastures in
foreign lands.
It is the naked truth. So
many men and women with skills that would
make a first-world economy drool
with envy were made in Zimbabwe; yet again
their prospects of a rewarding
future were destroyed in Zimbabwe. For
realising this unclothed fact, Mugabe
deserves measured eulogy. The world
had been wondering when he was going to
indisputably acknowledge this
anomaly.
Finally, the small
chickens with big egos have come home to roost!
The crux of the
matter is that over the years, Zimbabwe developed an
impressive manpower
base. Well trained experts were churned from training
institutions.
Well-educated graduates were delivered to the door-steps of
employers from
the colleges. A well-groomed blend of apprentices was
delivered to industry
by industry for industry. The base for an economic
boom had been
established.
My praise for Mugabe will end here! I will not waste
my time praising
him for his entreaty on all foreign-based specialists to
return home to
revive the very economy he relegated to the doldrums. The old
geek sits at
State House with Grace and their progeny; they mutilate the
economy inside
out and then he has the impertinence and audacity to ask the
very people
whose livelihoods he destroyed to return so they can mend the
gashing and
fatal wounds in the economy.
That to me was the
ultimate insult. My natural reaction to insult is
neither to insult back nor
to apologise on behalf of the perpetrator. I
shall therefore not proceed
with my praise for Mugabe; not especially when
he found pleasure and
amusement in slaughtering the goose that laid the
golden eggs!
In a spiteful gesture towards the skilled workers, Zanu PF,
destructively
led by Mugabe, decided to collectivise the economy with Zanu
PF
ill-qualified and ill-tempered political commissars taking charge of
ruining
the economy. Strategic positions in industry and commerce were
offered to
ill-prepared Zanu PF members. Proficient workers with no strings
linking
them to Zanu PF were actively sidelined, leaving them passively
culpable in
the death of the economy.
The age of merit was assigned to the
archives whilst nepotism based on
political affiliation to Zanu PF stepped a
few gears up. Regardless of
qualifications, experience and suitability, the
Zanu PF membership card
became the licence to the top. Zanu PF slogans began
to slowly erode the
confidence of those who wanted to work and advance
within their chosen
trade. With merit thrown out through broken windows,
disquiet, despondence
and dejection started setting in within ambitious
workers.
Advancement within the work-place and up the corporate
ladder was
firmly dependent on one's membership to Zanu PF. A bumpkin with a
Zanu PF
membership card stood a better stead to be the chief executive of,
say, ZESA
yet someone with professed apolitical tendencies would face a
life-time
career insult.
Agreeably, not all Zanu PF appointed
managers were daft. Conversely,
not all non-Zanu PF workers make good
managers. Merit that is determined by
acceptable standard tools instead of
political party membership would have
saved the day.
Political
interference in the day-to-day running of industry and
commerce began to
send shivers to the economy. It never dawned to those in
positions of
influence that the economy was reacting to the Zanu PF
sponsored
mismanagement spree. Instead of prescribing an early remedy to the
economic
decline, more damage was caused by the arrogant increase of Zanu PF's
stake
in economic mismanagement.
Those with the power to foresee economic
tendencies saw the economy
spiralling downwards and doom-wards. It was
unfortunate that they did not
have the power to turn things around. They
were highly skilled individuals
who were merely subordinate to bureaucracy.
They could only watch in
disbelief as everything that mattered to them
crumbled.
The money they earned could only buy misery for their
families. Pay
day was a curse that opened putrid wounds. The disposable
income available
to skilled personnel was eroded. Someone likened the
skilled experts to
monkeys; for as long as they remained accepting the
offered pittance of
peanuts! Their future was blocked by Zanu PF arrogance
and skilled workers
who were worth their salt easily anticipated the
dead-end.
Those with no intention to work under Maoist/Stalinist
conditions
left! The hungry ones, dying with a desire for better salaries
and better
working conditions also left. Some with clear and clean
consciences left
their jobs in Zimbabwe to search for the ideal! It is the
ideal as
prescribed by nature they seek, not the ideal prescribed by
Mugabe's learned
ignorance!
(Next we will see what some of the
skilled workers do in foreign
lands!)
Masola wa Dabudabu is a
columnist for New Zimbabwe.com and was
previously a regular columnist with
the banned Daily News. He writes from
London. CONTACT MASOLA: hopemasola@hotmail.com
The Nation, Malawi
by Olivia
Kumwenda, 26 April 2006 - 05:12:43
The Forum for the Defence of the
Constitution (FDC) has said it is
against the visit of Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe scheduled for next
week despite civil society's change of tune
on the matter.
FDC member Kamlepo Kalua disclosed this on Tuesday,
saying the
decision was reached during a meeting the body held after getting
the news
that non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who earlier were
protesting the
visit, now support it.
The NGOs backtracked on their
earlier decision after meeting President
Bingu wa Mutharika. According to
Programme Manager of Church and Society of
the Blantyre CCAP Synod Billy
Mayaya, who spoke on behalf of others, the
civil society's statement was
made in haste when they had inadequate
information surrounding Mugabe's
visit.
However, Kamlepo said the decision made by the NGO's is a very
sad
development and all concerned Malawians should come out and voice their
concerns.
"Soon after having a State lunch they change their minds.
This is very
sad, the lunches or dinners at the State House should not
affect the way we
make our decision, without this State lunch these people
could not have
still gone on protests, as FDC we are against the visit and
even the naming
of the Midima Road after Mugabe," said Kalua who is
chairperson of the FDC's
Action Committee.
He said the FDC is not
against the people of Zimbabwe or Mugabe as a
person but his leadership
style which Kamlepo claims has lead to the
violation of human rights and
suppressed the multiparty democracy in
Zimbabwe.
"The problem is
his leadership style. That is why even the
international community are
against him. They just want to stop his
autocratic rule and put some sense
into him. Supporting Mugabe's visit will
be in defiance of the international
community and we will destroy the stand
we have with the international
community. If we are not careful Malawi will
not be the same again after
this visit," said Kamlepo.
He said FDC will work on what action to
take, saying: "We will think
of something now that the NGO's have withdrawn.
We will probably come up
with political banners against the visit and we
can't rule out
demonstrations but a final decision on the action will be
made when we meet
again."
Kamlepo said FDC will not accept if
Mutharika decides to summon them
to a meeting as he did with the
NGOs.
FDC chairperson Reverend Daniel Gunya could not comment on the
matter,
saying he did not attend the meeting as he was away to a funeral but
the
body's Information Officer Maganizo Mazeze confirmed that the meeting
took
place and that the members made a decision to protest against the
visit.
"Mr. Kamlepo as the chairperson of the Action Committee has been
given
the mandate to look into what action can be taken," said
Mazeze.
But Mayaya insisted Tuesday that the decision by the NGO's to
support
Mugabe's visit is the right one based on what they discussed with
the
President.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati
said what FDC
intends to do is wrong and that the issue on the protest
against Mugabe's
visit is over.
"If they don't know, by not wanting
Mugabe to visit Malawi they are
also violating somebody's rights, and the
problems in Zimbabwe have been
there for long. Where were they all this
time? Come rain, come sunshine
Mugabe is coming," said Kaliati.
She
said there is nothing wrong with the President inviting the NGOs
to State
House and that he is ready to meet anyone.
"It is the same people who
say the President should be able to discuss
issues with his people and now
they are saying it is wrong, that's crazy,"
said Kaliati.
IOL
Basildon Peta
April 26 2006 at 10:36AM
Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert
Mugabe's government is being sued
in a South African court in a case that
reveals what South African mining
companies can expect when they are forced
to go into business partnerships
with the Zimbabwean
government.
Instead of profits going for the development of the
economy, it could
end up in the pockets of Mugabe's cronies.
Mugabe last week said all major foreign mining companies would have to
cede
at least 50 percent equity to the government, effectively imposing
partnerships with it.
But having the Zimbabwean government as
your business partner might
become your worst nightmare, as revealed in
documents presented in the
Johannesburg High Court by Southern African
Asbestos Sales (SAS). Owned by
Nathan Mariemuthu, SAS is asking the court to
set aside a liquidation order
which was brought by the Mugabe government in
its takeover of the business
empire of South African citizen Mutumwa
Mawere.
It has since emerged that Alfres Gwaradzimba, now
running one of
Mawere's companies, used debt repayments from SAS to a Mawere
company to buy
a large shareholding in a Zimbabwean company.
It
was on the basis of this "failed" debt repayment that the judge
granted the
liquidation order.
Gwaradzimba was paid a huge sum for his
shareholding. Legal observers
said this was a bad omen for South African
mining companies expected to
surrender equity to the Zimbabwe government. -
Mercury Foreign Service
This article was originally
published on page 5 of The Mercury on
April 26, 2006
Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe
The Daily Mirror
Reporter
issue date :2006-Apr-26
THE governor of the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe (RBZ), Gideon Gono, has told
tobacco farmers who cannot produce the
crop to acceptable quality standards
to pull out of the business.
He said farmers should only undertake the production of crops they are
best
at producing.
Officially opening the 2006 tobacco selling season held at the
Tobacco Sales
Floor (TSL) Limited in Harare yesterday, Gono challenged
tobacco farmers to
make use of funds government provided to grow tobacco
according to desired
quantity and quality standards.
"If you come to my
farm, you will see that I venture into crops that I am
best able to grow,"
Gono said.
"I do not grow tobacco. But those crops I am able to grow, I grow
them
well," he added.
The governor expressed grave concern at farmers
whom he said waited for
government to fund agricultural programmes, while
they (farmers) never
bothered to take any initiatives in becoming
self-reliant.
"Our farmers have often demanded support from government and we
have
provided that. But at the end of the day they say the support is not
enough.
"We increase the support but they continue to say the support is
still not
adequate," Gono said.
Gono told farmers to use funds earned
after selling their produce to ensure
that they met family needs including
paying school fees.
"After receiving money from selling tobacco, farmers
should use the
remaining funds to source farming inputs as they prepare for
the next
season."
Gono urged tobacco merchants to be honest when buying
the crop as a way to
create confidence among farmers who
in turn would
increase production.
He challenged tobacco merchants to show their business
acumen when they buy
tobacco to prove that they are reliable business
people.
Such a development would create trust among farmers who sell the crop
to
them, he said.
Said Gono: "It must be borne in mind that corruption
should be stopped at
all costs to ensure good business."
He urged farmers
to deliver their crop early since government was paying
incentives to
farmers who delivered their crop within a set time frame.
Minister of
Agriculture, Joseph Made, had earlier on said that the 2005/6
farming season
had been a difficult one.
"While I appreciate that farmers have done well
during this season, I wish
to say that the 2005/6 season was a very
difficult one, especially during
the early stages," Made said.
"Although
the country received heavy rains during the middle of the season,
farmers
still experienced problems."
Farmers faced impediments in securing various
farming inputs like
fertilisers, chemicals and fuel for tillage, as they
were in short supply.