$400m credit secured from Africa - Ncube

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15966

April 29, 2009

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has secured US$400 million in credit lines from
African countries to revive its ailing industries, battered by years of
economic contraction and hyper-inflation, a minister said Wednesday.

Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube told state media African
countries had committed to providing the credit lines to companies in
Zimbabwe.

A unity government formed by rivals President Robert Mugabe and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has appealed for billions of dollars to repair
the shattered economy.

Ncube said Zimbabwe had managed to secure about US$200 million from
countries in the Southern African Development Community and another US$200
million from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to meet
urgent and pressing working capital requirements for local companies.

He did not say which countries had offered the funds, but said companies
would start accessing the credit lines in the next few weeks.

Zimbabwe's industries are currently operating at an average 10 percent of
capacity, but a new government economic plan has targeted to raise this to
about 60 percent by the end of the year.

The country's manufacturing sector has been affected by the decline in
agriculture following Mugabe's seizure of white farms to resettle landless
blacks.

Donors, who are expected to provide the bulk of funding for Zimbabwe's
economic recovery, have demanded broad economic and political reforms,
including ending a new wave of farm invasions targeting the few remaining
white farmers.

Mugabe agrees to swear in Bennett BUT only after court acquittal

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
29 April 2009

The three principals in the unity government, Robert Mugabe, Morgan
Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, have met five times recently to discuss the
controversies surrounding the implementation of the Global Political
Agreement, but they have still failed to come up with a solution. Observers
say this 'dilly-dallying' has been part of ZANU PF's strategy to wear the
MDC down while not addressing the fundamental issues.

However, it has emerged that Robert Mugabe has agreed to swear into office
MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture appointee Roy Bennett, but only after the
former commercial farmer has been acquitted of the charges hanging over his
head. Bennett was arrested in February and spent a month in prison, charged
with 'conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential
services'. Although he is out on bail his trial has yet to  start and could
drag on for a long time.

MDC insists he is innocent until proven guilty.

Mugabe argues that Bennett is facing serious 'terrorism' charges, and that
he is only prepared to swear-in the MDC official after his case has been
finalised by the courts. Most analysts agree that these are merely trumped
up charges and attempts to hamper the MDC. Bennett is also not the only MDC
ministerial candidate facing charges in court.

Eric Matinenga, the MDC Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs
was sworn into the new government although he has a case pending in the
courts for election related public violence. The Minister spent three weeks
in remand prison last year after he was arrested when representing his
clients - MDC supporters who were facing political persecution. Judgement in
his case was set for May 4th and Minister Matinenga is currently working in
the inclusive government. Also, MDC Finance Minister Tendai Biti is facing
treason charges and his case has not been concluded, and Mugabe appears not
to have a problem with this.

It is believed that Mugabe has agreed to give Nelson Chamisa his
Communications portforlio back, but as usual there is a catch. MDC insiders
said there was a trade-off, and it appears that the 'monitoring/snooping
powers' which were under Chamisa's Communications' portfolio will be given
to Nicholas Goche's Transport and Infrastructural Ministry - the same
ministry that had recently been given the Communications portfolio by
Mugabe. Some argue that while Mugabe is giving back with one hand, he is
taking away with the other.
While the crisis talks remained deadlocked in a number of areas, it has
emerged that the rival parties have agreed to share the original positions
of governors. It is reported the MDC-T will get 5 governors, ZANU PF 4, and
MDC-M 1.
The principals are expected to meet again on Monday to thrash out the
unresolved issues that include the appointment of permanent secretaries and
ambassadors. Information is not readily available but according to insiders,
the parties have so far agreed that 13 current permanent secretaries will
remain, while the inclusive government has to review 25. There are still
disagreements over how the other 25 permanent secretary positions will be
distributed by the political parties. The issue of the ambassadors, farm
invasions and media freedoms are still not resolved.
Mugabe had not budged on any of the issues on Monday, but it is understood
he made some of these 'very slight' concessions after the MDC threatened to
boycott Tuesday's cabinet meeting, and threatened to hold a press conference
to expose his insincerity concerning the Global Political Agreement.
Observers say it is clear that the delaying tactics by Mugabe have a motive,
and the motive is to stall the reforms spearheaded by the MDC until ZANU PF
has access to its assets, frozen under the targeted sanctions. This is why
the regime has been pressuring the MDC to push for the removal of targeted
sanctions. An MDC MP said: "Like the fresh farm seizures, ZANU PF is aware
that this revolution is not stopping and they want their money. They want to
try and secure their freedom and get their money that has been blocked as a
result of the sanctions. Mugabe knows that if he settles the outstanding
issues without securing this, he will lose politically."

Update on three WOZA court appearances

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Wednesday, 29 April 2009

EIGHT WOZA members and two lawyers appeared in Harare Magistrate's
Court today, 28th April. Although due to appear on trial, the State did not
have its house in order for the trial to proceed so the magistrate removed
the activists off remand. The State will have to proceed by way of summons
if they still wish to do so. The group of 10 were arrested on 10th February
after an early Valentine's Day protest in Harare. They were facing charges
under Section 37 1 a i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act -
'disturbing the peace, security or order of the public'. They were
represented by Andrew Makoni.
In another matter, five members arrested on 25 February outside the
Ministry of Education, the Education 'Five', appeared in Harare Magistrate's
Court on 19th March and were remanded out of custody to Monday 4th May.
Their lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, will apply for them to be removed off remand
if the State is not ready to proceed to trial on this date. They face the
same charges of disturbing the peace, security or order of the public.
In the third WOZA matter before the courts, Jenni Williams and
Magodonga Mahlangu will appear before Magistrate Charity Msipa in the
Bulawayo Magistrate's Court on Thursday 30th April.
The matter was last heard on 18th March when defence lawyer, Kossam
Ncube, indicated that he would be taking a direct application to the Supreme
Court.
The magistrate had thrown out an earlier request to apply to the
Supreme Court saying the application was frivolous and vexatious  and that
the trial should proceed immediately. (For a copy of the full ruling, visit
the WOZA website at
http://wozazimbabwe.org/?p=371) Under a separate clause of the
Constitution, Section 24 (1), applicants can apply directly to the Supreme
Court if they feel that they are still aggrieved. This was subsequently
done. (The text of the two applications is also available on the WOZA
website at http://wozazimbabwe.org/?cat=17).
The Supreme Court has yet to allocate the urgent application to a
judge as they are all said to be on leave.
It is difficult to predict what will occur Thursday as Magistrate
Msipa has previously ignored appeals to higher courts and had disallowed the
first Supreme Court application. Williams and Mahlangu face a possible five
years in custody if convicted. - Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)

Tsvangirai 'eases' doubts

http://news.iafrica.com

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:08
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday sought to overcome
worries about the country's unity government insisting that restoring the
rule of law was a top priority.

"Only through restoration of the rule of law can we remove the uncertainy of
doing business in Zimbabwe and restore investor confidence," Tsvangirai told
a gathering of executives on the sidelines of a trade show in the city of
Bulawayo.

His speech was part of a major push to ease doubts about the power-sharing
deal with President Robert Mugabe, as Finance Minister Tendai Biti headed to
Washington for an International Monetary Fund meeting on Zimbabwe next week.

The government is seeking 8.5 billion dollars over three years to revive the
economy that has been shattered by a decade of hyperinflation, but major
donors have said they want Mugabe to show concrete signs of reform.

Human Rights Watch said Wednesday that donors should withhold development
aid until Zimbabwe improves its rights record by cracking down on violence
on white-owned farms and ending police intimidation and arrests of
activists.

"Humanitarian aid that focuses on the needs of Zimbabwe's most vulnerable
should continue," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at the US-based
group.

"But donor governments such as the UK should not release development aid
until there are irreversible changes on human rights, the rule of law, and
accountability," she said in a statement.

The unity government installed in February, after nearly a year of political
turmoil stemming from disputed elections, has taken some steps to halt the
economic collapse.

The local currency has been abandoned, after it was left worthless by
astronomical levels of hyperinflation. Price controls and import
restrictions have been lifted, meaning food has returned to store shelves.

But most Zimbabweans have no way of buying food. Unemployment is an
estimated 94 percent and more than half the population depends on
international food for survival.

Teachers and doctors returned to work only after the government promised to
try to seek aid to improve salaries.

Teachers say their patience is wearing thin with their 100 dollar monthly
salaries, and are threatening to strike from Monday unless they receive an
increase.

"There has not been any concrete response to address the issue of teachers
salaries," Tendai Chikowore, president of the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association
told AFP.

In Tsvangirai's speech, he tried to reassure potential investors but offered
no concrete measures to improve confidence. "The uncertain political climate
over the past decade has created a negative image of the country
internationally," Tsvangirai said.

"Restoring the rule of law is both a moral imperative and business
necessity," he said.

"The rule of law is the catalyst that provides the foundation of confidence
for contractual dealings and investor activity without which no economy can
run effectively."

Deputy premier Arthur Mutambara has launched an investigation into violence
on the farms, which were once the backbone of the economy but have
devastated by Mugabe's chaotic land reforms.

So far Mutambara has not announced any steps to curb the violence.

Tsvangirai spoke at the launch of a trade fair meant to lure investors to
Zimbabwe, but no major international firms are attending. Most of the
foreign business leaders came from South Africa, with a few from China,
Indonesia and Malaysia.

Sapa

Text: Prime Minister's address to ZITF business forum

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to the International Business
Forum at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on April 29,
2009:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted to the web: 29/04/2009 15:48:56
Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara,
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Professor Welshman Ncube,

All Ministers here present,

The Chairman of National Economic Consultative Forum, Dr Robbie Mupawose,

Captains of Industry both local and international,

Union Leaders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to be with you this morning to give you my
vision regarding the direction our economy is taking. What is clear is that
Zimbabwe belongs to all of us, its fate is in our own hands and we all have
a role to play in ensuring the success of our beautiful nation.

The key issue to consider is how we can best reshape our economic destiny,
and create a national economy which responds to the expectations of our
citizens for jobs, decent earnings, stable prices, a bankable currency and
that provides for sustained economic growth and development.

All citizens of this country deserve, as a right, a stable economy which can
provide adequate goods and services at prices which are affordable to
consumers and viable to business.

Zimbabweans have clear expectations on how their national economy should
function and be managed. As Prime Minister, I am committed to ensuring that
Zimbabwe once again assumes its position as a beacon of economic growth,
stability and production both on the continent and in the region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Rebuilding our shattered economy is a priority for every Zimbabwean and it
must be driven by you the business community. However, what you are able to
achieve will be dependent on the leadership role played by your government.

In this urgent and important process, we must be open and honest with each
other. The role of Government is to provide a stable environment that
facilitates the growth and development of business in line with
international standards and accepted norms that also serve to ensure the
rights and welfare of employees.

In creating such an environment, restoring the rule of law is both a moral
imperative and a business necessity. If business is the engine of growth,
then the rule of law is the fuel that drives that engine.

The rule of law is the catalyst that provides the foundation of confidence
for contractual dealings and investor activity without which no economy can
run effectively.

The Global Political Agreement, upon which this inclusive Government is
founded, calls for the promotion and adherence to the law, amongst other
essential requirements for an operational democracy. My office is committed
to ensuring that these conditions are met despite the fact that there
continues to be blatant violations of the laws of this country by some
hardline elements.

We as Zimbabweans all have a role to play in ensuring that the rule of law
is applied and adhered to impartially for, as we have experienced, if one
sector suffers then we all suffer.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The uncertain political climate over the past decade has created a negative
image of the country internationally and this has caused key international
partnerships created over long periods to be set aside or terminated to the
detriment of the growth of industry.

Only through restoring the rule of law can we remove the uncertainty of
doing business in Zimbabwe and restore investor confidence. The restoration
of the rule of law is also an essential factor in attracting back to our
country the millions of Zimbabwean economic exiles who have the education,
skills and determination that are essential to reviving our ailing
industrial sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The role of my Government in the national economy remains that of creating
an enabling environment for business and labour to engage in the actual
production and output of goods and services. We are in the process of
formulating and implementing policies and regulations to enhance business
confidence and wealth creation.

Last month we launched the Short Term Economic Recovery Plan which, coupled
with the full implementation of the GPA, will provide the framework for our
economic recovery.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we face the challenge of demonstrating to the rest of the world a
politically mature Zimbabwe that can offer greater opportunities for
economic prosperity, political stability and poverty alleviation. An economy
that does not benefit its citizens can neither guarantee political stability
nor real harmony.

Zimbabwe is part of the global economy and as such we are seeking to harness
financial, technological and market opportunities, which grow our economy.
We have already started to build collaborative arrangements with private
investors, international co-operating partners and financial institutions.

Coupled with this is our absolute need to commit ourselves to sound
management of the national economy. It is imperative that all partners and
stakeholders in the national economy act with a single resolution and
communicate their single determination to grow Zimbabwe's economy and
wealth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are all aware of the challenges facing us, from acute balance of payments
problems, brain drain, deteriorating infrastructure, energy shortages, low
capacity utilization in manufacturing, low mineral production and continued
deliberate disruptions to the agricultural sector.

To overcome these challenges we must have a collective national resolve to
cooperate and create opportunities and partnerships which will enable our
people to benefit from the vast wealth potential which this country
possesses. Government alone cannot do it. Labour alone cannot succeed.
Business alone cannot succeed. Zimbabwe's economic stability requires access
to foreign markets, finance, technologies, skills and ideas, which are only
made possible by all the key stakeholders working together as partners
committed to our nation's development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Zimbabwe is richly endowed with human and natural resources to create
sufficient wealth for all its citizens irrespective of race, colour, tribe
or creed.

Greed, economic opportunism and corruption have been our weakest link.
Rather than aspiring merely to be wealthy individuals, we should aspire to
be citizens of a wealthy country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The National Economic Consultative Forum, must advise Government as a
stakeholder institution professionally and without fear or favour. The NECF
must come up with concrete advice on policy interventions aimed at
stabilizing and growing the economy and Zimbabwe's goodwill in the
international community.

As Government, our task is to ensure that the public sector delivers quality
services such as health, education, clean water, efficient transport,
communications and energy services.

The responsibility to save and protect the quality of life for all must
preoccupy us, the political leadership, irrespective of race, colour, tribe,
religion or political affiliation. It is a historic burden borne by all
those who offer to serve people. My Government has made a serious commitment
to make policy and institutional adjustments which will drive a new
development agenda that will sustain wealth generation for our citizens.

However, any real, long lasting rebound of a successful economy has to be
accompanied by an equal if not more powerful value system. This value system
can only rest on the pillars of civil liberties, the right of association
and the right of civil society to challenge those entrusted with governance.

In this, business must also share in the responsibility of creating the
future you want and put the long-term prosperity of the society ahead of
instant gratification of dividends and capital appreciation. Corruption will
not be tolerated and those that practise or promote corruption will be
actively sought out and prosecuted by this government.

As the business community, you must commit to joining with us to rebuild our
society and our economy. You cannot choose the aspects of the old way which
you feel may be beneficial to you personally and still hope to benefit from
the new measures we are implementing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us use our combined national intellectual capacity to create policies
and practices that lead Zimbabwe to the highest level of growth and
development. All foreign direct investment will be given the necessary
courtesies and treated with professionalism at all times but based on the
rules and regulations governing such investment. New partners will be sought
and old partnerships intensified.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We all know what is best for our families, our businesses, our nation and
our future. There is no logic in destroying the future of our country and
that of our children. Let us desist from working towards the destruction of
our country and our heritage.

Let us all speak with one voice and stand united regarding the Zimbabwe that
we want and deserve. A nation where business is encouraged to flourish, the
laws of the land are applied and adhered to and where a person can find a
job, feed his or her children and watch them grow and prosper.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

That Zimbabwe is possible, but it is not guaranteed. Only by working
together can that dream become a reality.

I look forward to working with you to make it so.

It now gives me great pleasure to declare the International Business
Conference officially open.

I thank you.

Police get 2000 new reports of violence

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15947

April 29, 2009

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Zimbabweans continue to throng police stations countrywide to
make fresh reports of harassment, torture and violence committed during the
run up to last year's June 27 presidential election re-run.

Cases of violence previous unreported are now being reported because there
is a new expectation that the inclusive government will now deal with
perpetrators.

A confidential report compiled by the police says about 2000 fresh reports
of cases of political violence committed during last year's polls were
reported since February 11 this year when Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
took office.

None of the 2000 fresh reports made has been thoroughly investigated.

The report which was compiled from the country's ten provinces indicates
that most of the complainants are MDC supporters who were allegedly
targetted by Zanu-PF supporters during the run-up to the bloody election.

"There has been an upsurge in the number of people who come to make fresh
reports of violence committed last year since the formation of the inclusive
government", reads the report in part.

"Since February a total of 2000 fresh reports were received countrywide and
the number continues to increase each day. None of the reported cases has
been thoroughly investigated to date.

"It appears most of the reports are coming from one political party the
 MDC."

Commissioner General of the police Augustine Chihuri confirmed on Tuesday
that the police had compiled such a report.

"We have compiled such a report but I can not tell you how many cases have
been reported because I do not have the report with me right now," said
Chihuri.

In Masvingo complainants queued on Tuesday to make fresh reports. Some said
they feel the inclusive government will decisively deal with the
perpetrators.

One of the victims of last year's violence during the run to June 27
presidential election run said they were now making reports with the
expectation of either being compensated or that the perpetrators will be
punished.

Albert Mukwacha who was brutalised during the period said, "I am making a
fresh report because we want the perpetrators to be punished.

"It appears that the situation is now ripe for us to report because before
the formation of the inclusive government we were afraid of reporting these
cases."

"We did not have faith in the police force which was too partisan and
unprofessional as it acted like a Zanu-PF police force.

"We are also calling upon the inclusive government to deal with this issue
once and for all because some of us lost property."

Chihuri and other has been accused of trying to drop all cases of murder
committed during the run-up to the election arguing that it was in the
spirit of reconciliation.

However on the other hand the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC has called on the
inclusive government to deal with the issue and make sure that all
perpetrators are brought to book.

The MDC claims that nearly 300 of its supporters were killed during the
period while thousands others were brutalised or displaced.

Zanu-PF supporters, among them war veterans and youth militia, tortured,
harassed and killed opposition supporters in a bid to ensure that President
Robert Mugabe retained power.

Senior police officers here have warned of the prospect of renewed political
violence if perpetrators are not seen to be punished while victims receive
compensation

Zimbabwe teachers threaten strike over pay

7 hours ago

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's teachers on Wednesday vowed to go on strike when
the new school term begins next week after government reneged on a pledge to
increase their salaries.

"There has not been any concrete response to address the issue of teachers
salaries," Tendai Chikowore, president of the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association
told AFP.

"We issued an ultimatum to the minister to say if the issues of remuneration
of teachers are not addressed before schools open, teachers will not report
for work."

Teachers in state schools earn 100 US dollars a month, which they say is too
little.

"We want a salary that will enable us to meet our basic needs and pay our
own children's fees. In the absence of that the government can at least
waive school fees for children of teachers."

Schoolteachers returned to work in February following the creation of a
unity goverment, after striking since early last year to demand payment in
foreign currency to cope with galloping inflation.

Education Minister David Coltart, who took office when the Movement for
Democratic Change joined the government, had agreed to review their demands
while seeking international aid.

The unity government is seeking 8.5 billion dollars over three years to
revive the economy and restore public services, including schools and
hospitals.

Major donors have been reluctant to give new aid until the government makes
more tangible reforms to break from President Robert Mugabe's past policies,
which are blamed for wrecking the economy and trampling human rights.

The International Monetary Fund is set to discuss Zimbabwe next week, but
Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged donors not to give development aid
until the government ends ongoing rights abuses.

Major split over Zimbabwe posts

http://www.nation.co.ke

By KITSEPILE NYATHI, NATION CorrespondentPosted Wednesday, April 29 2009 at
18:41

HARARE, Wednesday

Zimbabwe's unity government is edging closer to a crisis as its leaders have
failed to resolve a series of contentious issues that are threatening to
paralyse the shaky coalition.

President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy
Professor Arthur Mutambara have met five times since April 16 to discuss
outstanding issues from their global political agreement.

After another round of meetings on Monday and Tuesday, the parties had not
made any headway in resolving disputes over the appointment of senior
government employees, a new attorney general and a central bank governor.

A fierce power struggle is now reportedly raging behind the scenes.

Sources close to the talks said the relationship between the coalition
partners had been further strained by the continued detention of officials
and activists from Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) on
"cooked up" terrorism charges.

Mr Mugabe and the two MDC leaders, Mr Tsvangirai and Prof Mutambara are also
fighting over the 85 year-old leader's tendency to make crucial policy
decisions without consultations.

The sources said the problems intensified at the weekend when Finance
Minister Mr Tendai Biti returned home from World Bank and International
Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings empty handed.

Zimbabwe needs US$10 billion to fund its economic recovery but the Bretton
Woods institutions want to see evidence that the coalition will work before
committing themselves.

"Tsvangirai and Mutambara are fast losing patience with Mugabe," said a
source in the unity government. "It's now a matter of time before their
disagreements start playing out in the open."

Prof Mutambara whose small faction of the MDC is seen as sympathetic to Zanu
PF this week lashed out at Mr Mugabe saying the veteran leader was not
showing any commitment to the unity government.

"Some of us are showing dubious commitment to the GPA," he said. "When we
say we need to begin to work, they start fresh farm invasions.

Khaya-Moyo says coalition working

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15956

April 29, 2009

By Mxolisi Ncube

JOHANNESBURG -Zimbabwe's ambassador to South Africa, Simon Khaya-Moyo, has
denied reports that the two-month-old national unity government formed by
Zanu-PF and the MDC is threatened with collapse.

He claimed the coalition government was growing stronger by the day.

"There are simply no problems in the unity government," said Khaya-Moyo.

"The government is working well and all parties are committed to making it
grow even stronger. All that we need now is for the lifting sanctions
against Zimbabwe, so that we put our economy back on track."

His remarks come against the background of growing concerns that some
hardliners within President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party are trying to
torpedo the inclusive government.

The unity government, formed after a deal brokered by the regional Southern
African Development Community (SADC) following disputed election, was
constituted in February.

This was after months of haggling over the sharing of power, especially some
cabinet posts that included the security ministries.

Leaders of the splintered Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) accused
Mugabe of trying to grab all key government functions.

After the formation of the new government, the MDC has continued to accuse
some hardliners within Zanu-PF, believed to be enjoying the support of
military chiefs and former freedom fighters, of trying to destroy the
coalition.

Some senior members of Mugabe's party, who include the President of the
Senate Edna Madzongwe, have been accused of invading farms owned by
commercial farmers.  The MDC says such moves discourage donors of
much-needed aid.

Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the mainstream MDC,
have so far also failed to resolve contentious issues threatening to
paralyze the shaky coalition government.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and leader of the smaller MDC and Deputy Prime Minister
Arthur Mutambara have met four times to try and resolve issues dividing the
government.

The parties have disagreed on the appointment of permanent secretaries,
provincial governors and diplomats.

Other issues include the continued detention of MDC officials and activists
over allegations of trying to overthrow Mugabe by Tsvangirai's MDC and the
impending trial of MDC treasurer, Roy Bennett.

Mugabe has so far refused to swear in Bennett as deputy Minister of
Agriculture.

The MDC has also expressed grave concern at the stripping of the
communication department from party spokesman Nelson Chamisa's Ministry of
Communication Technology.

Khaya-Moyo told journalists in the South African capital city of Pretoria
Tuesday that the unity government was intact.

He said that due to the "positive direction" the government had taken, there
was a growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe.

"The Short Term Economic Recovery Plan (STERP), which the inclusive
government has put in place, is always working, and we have seen a growing
number of foreign investors making inquiries and indicating their
willingness to come into Zimbabwe," said Khaya-Moyo.

He dismissed reports that there were some individuals within Zanu-PF bent on
derailing the new formation.

"There are no such elements," said Khaya-Moyo, "and as I have said, both
parties are working towards the success of the unity government."

Zim now an American colony - Mutambara

http://www.zimeye.org/?p=4257

By Moses Muchemwa

Published: April 29, 2009

Bulawayo  - Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has launched a scathing
attack on President Mugabe declaring that Zimbabwe was now a colony of the
United States as it has suspended local currency for the green back.

Speaking during a business conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade
Fair Wednesday, Mutambara said Mugabe's favourite saying "Zimbabwe will
never be a colony again" as a joke arguing that without its own own
currency, it will forever be a colony.

President Mugabe has repeated the statement for many year as he throw his
usual vitriol to mainly the US and UK.

"We lost our sovereignty when we discarded our own Zim dollar and we are now
a colony of America.
In a direct attack to President Mugabe, Mutambara said the country's
sovereignty can not be measured by the issue of ownership but the utilsation
of resources.

"Owning ZESA, owing TelOne or owing land is not sovereignty. It's not all
about ownership but it's about how we use the resources. Just because
someone owns the land does not mean we are sovereign. We will only become
sovereign when we utilize these resources."

He said the country must be involved in constructive interaction rather than
petty destructible issues.
"We must not be involved in petty and destructive issues like what was
happening at the central bank when cars were being distributed. Instead we
must seek partnership and work out to see how maybe those cars can be used
properly," said Mutambara, to a round of applause from the delegates.

RBZ, Governor, Gideon Gono, had to reverse a decision to distribute cars to
MPs after Minister of Finance Mr Tendai Biti ordered that the decision be
reversed as it was tantamount to engaging in quasi-fiscal activities.

Over the years, Gono fished foreign currency from companies accounts to
finance programmes that were perceived to prop up President Mugabe' grip on
power.

However his powers have been greatly reduced since the formation of the
Government as Biti stamps his authority to ensure that the bank sticks to
its core business of monitoring the country's monetary sector.

Gono sponsors Herald ad admitting he stole money from farmers

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
29 April 2009

Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, battling to block an investigation into
his alleged illegal activities at the bank, has splashed out cash to sponsor
a 20 page supplement in the state owned Herald newspaper on Monday. In the
advert Gono, who is accused by Finance Minister Tendai Biti of running a
parallel government structure, admitted raiding US$18 million that was meant
to go into the accounts of tobacco farmers. This he did without their
authority. On top of owing wheat farmers US$2 million the governor has
already admitted taking more than US$30 million from accounts belonging to
the country's gold mines. Astonishingly Gono has promised to pay back the
farmers using bags of fertilizer claiming this was, 'the most direct way of
supporting their current season's production activities.'

Finance Minister Biti is having none of it and prompted a heated debate in
cabinet last week by demanding that Gono be investigated. Mugabe however is
blocking the move, arguing it is an attempt by the MDC to expose his
administration. Gono meanwhile is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to
justify his actions. In the adverts he talks about how he used the money to
buy cars for ministers, sponsored farmers and other quasi-fiscal activities
that he says helped the government survive the harsh economic climate. Other
reports also accuse Gono of taking cars from central bank staff in order to
give to parliamentarians, in what has turned out to be nothing more than a
plot to buy their loyalty and dilute the strength of any enquiry from the
legislators.

The trench warfare between Biti and Gono escalated this week with the
governor taking a swipe at the reviewed national budget presented by the
finance minister. In Gono's Herald advert he alleged that Biti's budget had
'alien pieces of advice' because it sought to cut activities by the central
bank that Gono claimed were 'crucial' in helping the country's farmers. The
ad has been seen in some quarters as an attempt to incite war veterans and
ZANU PF officials, who have grabbed most of the farms, to revolt against
Biti.

Amidst this petty sniping though is a power struggle between ZANU PF and the
MDC. Mugabe is determined to hold onto his blue-eyed men like Gono and
Attorney General Johannes Tomana, while the MDC wants them relieved of their
duties to allow investor and donor confidence to flourish.
But Mugabe is refusing to back down.

Former African presidents call for land reform at Berlin talks

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Europe News
Apr 29, 2009, 16:56 GMT

Berlin - A group of ten former African presidents agreed Wednesday to a
communique calling for land reform, at an event in Berlin marking 125 years
since Europe's colonial powers set off the 'scramble for Africa'.

Former presidents of Tanzania, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mauritius

, Benin and Botswana signed the statement at the end of a two-day conference
at Berlin's Humboldt University, more than a century after Africa had been
carved up at a meeting convened by then-chancellor Otto von Bismarck in
1884.

'Future formulas for land distribution, redistribution and ownership can not
continue to reflect or perpetuate the legacy of colonialism,' the final
communiqué read.

The document described land reform as 'one of Africa's most daunting
challenges,' which was 'potentially volatile at every level.'

The round table, convened by Boston University's African research centre,
agreed to a broad range of solutions, calling on African governments to
'initiate transparent national conversations' aimed at reforming land
ownership.

Western governments were called on to provide financial aid to the land
reform process.

'Why can't the...former colonialist countries come in to help us to
compensate the owners so we can go on with the land reforms? asked former
Mauritian president, Karl Offmann, at a press conference ending the talks.

Other proposals included the provision of financial tools to aid
development, the role of religious institutions to foster a 'culture of
work, sacrifice and savings,' and a call for the media to remain 'vigilant
and true' in reporting African development.

Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings said the fundamental problem was a
'lack of integrity' in countries like his own, which meant the local chiefs
in charge of land did not always look after it responsibly. As a result,
Rawlings said, commonly used land was often sold for personal gain.

Rawlings said much of the blame lay with African leaders, who did not always
govern responsibly.

'We seem to lose the capacity to be able to empathise with people, but most
of all we lack the courage,' the former Ghanaian president later told German
Press Agency dpa.

Tanzania's former president Ali Mwinyi said, in his country land was the
property of the government and could be used by anyone for a given purpose,
as long as they kept to the use they had applied for.

On the situation in Zimbabwe, where land reform involved the expropriation
of white farmers, Rawlings said although many leaders were not happy about
the way President Robert Mugabe had carried out his reforms, he did also
command respect across the continent.

'Mugabe is one person who enjoys the respect of Africans because he stands
up to these colonial masters who have humiliated us and keep humiliating us,
while others grovel and kowtow to them, Rawlings said.

In the closing words, the signatories said there was a 'crying need for
equitable land reform, in such a way that it becomes useable for
development,' and expressed their hope that the communiqué would 'serve as a
framework for the kind of national dialogue that needs to take place' to
resolve land issues.

Signatories to the communiqué also included former presidents John Kufuor of
Ghana, Aristide Pereira from Cape Verde, Nicephore Soglo of Benin and Festus
Mogae from Botswana.

Zimbabwean authorities continue persecution of political activists - Amnesty International

http://www.amnesty.org

29 April 2009

The authorities in Zimbabwe have continued their persecution of two
officials of the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC). Gandhi Mudzingwa and Kisimusi Dhlamini have been
detained under armed police guard in a Harare hospital since 20 April,
despite having been released on bail on 17 April.

The two men are receiving medical treatment at the Avenues Clinic in Harare
following alleged torture by Zimbabwean security agents. On Monday, their
lawyers made an urgent High Court application to remove the armed police
guards posted at the hospital.

Amnesty International has written to the Zimbabwean authorities calling for
the immediately withdrawal of the armed police.

"Their presence amounts to unlawful detention of people who have been
granted bail by a Zimbabwean court," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of
Amnesty International's Africa Program, in a letter to the
Commissioner-General of Police in Harare.

A High Court judge reserved judgment on the matter to 30 April. Prior to the
hearing which took place on 27 April, the State made a court application on
25 April in which it argued that the three accused persons were improperly
released and should be sent back to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

The police are reported to be searching for freelance journalist Andrison
Manyere, who was released on bail at the same time Gandhi Mudzingwa and
Kisimusi Dhlamini. The police have so far failed to locate him.

All three men were released on bail by the High Court on 17 April 2009 after
the State did not lodge a notice to appeal against the bail order within the
prescribed seven days, as required by law. Their lawyers deposited bail with
the Magistrate's Court in Harare.

Following the payment of bail, their lawyers were issued with "warrants of
liberation" on the basis of which Gandhi Mudzingwa, Kisimusi Dhlamini and
Andrison Manyere were released from custody.

Once proud Zimbabweans - living on handouts

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


Wednesday, 29 April 2009

HARARE -LAST week thousands of Zimbabweans trekked to Makoni Shopping
Centre in the sprawling town of Chitungwiza 27km from Harare, where the
International Red Cross was giving food to not only the elderly and the
orphaned but also to hordes of the unemployed who are yet to get tangible
results from the Government of National Unity which has been in office for
three months now.
"I don't have anything to eat, since I am not going to work I just
have to live on the handouts otherwise I will starve to death." said Vincent
Bande who is aged 25.
Vincent like many other 'needy' people is not proud to live on
charity. "I used to go to Mozambique but my ETD (Emergency Traveling
Document) has since expired and I don't have the money to get another one."
The Zimbabwean government recently slashed the prices of traveling
documents by over 50% , the present fees are still too high for  many who
are still living on handouts with the few employed including legislators
living on allowances which are less than US$100.
According to humanitarian organisations, over half of the country's 11
million population require food aid.
Already UNICEF has embarked on a survey with a US$1.5million budget to
ascertain the vulnerability of children which has risen in the past years
especially in the areas of education, water and sanitation, and access to
other basic social services. The Multiple Indicator Monitoring Survey
(MIMS), has a sample size of 12 500 households and will cover all provinces
of Zimbabwe.
Police clampdown on the black-market has had a adverse on thousands
who were living as vendors. " I used to sell fruits and vegetables but the
police have been breathing on our necks, confisticating our goods, once the
goods are taken by the police one cannot recover them." , said Joseph
Kanyepa 27 who passed his Advanced Level but cannot afford the amounts of
fees which the colleges are presently asking.
Indeed stocks in the shops have increased, with prices going down, but
many Zimbabweans who are still living on less than a dollar a day cannot
afford the prices. Zimbabwe has shelved its currency and is using the
greenback and the rand, stable currencies indeed but equally elusive.
"I don't earn any foreign currency so I have to live on donations as
if I did not go to school.", said Joseph.
Over the past 10 years education has lost any significance with a few
well connected ones making it big as money changers and doing other jobs
that do not require any education. With the collapse of the education sector
thousands of children dropped out of school in order to fend for themselves.
"I should be doing form four but since we were not going to school
last year I ended up a money changer. The Zimbabwe dollar is gone and I am
now selling cell phone top up cards," said Godfrey Chibaye who swears never
to go to school again.
However, while hundreds of the unemployed have been living on
handouts, child headed families have been skipped, they mill around the
venue looking wistfully at the unemployed and in some cases the butt of
derision.
"I don't know how I can get my name on the food list because I don't
have a residential address, I live in the streets and survive by selling
firewood and helping people carry their groceries,", said a dirty wiry
teenage boy who wanted money to give his full story.
Urban poverty is so widespread that even those who are employed have
enlisted their names with donor agencies in order to get food assistance and
cushion themselves against hunger which stares them in the face.
Unfortunately they have also elbowed those who are clenched in the jaws of
poverty yet the have no idea on where to go. - By Fungi Kwaramba

Zimbabwe's moment of opportunity

http://www.oxfam.org.uk

This entry was posted by Barbara Stocking on April 29th, 2009 at 9:55 am

Positive changes are starting to take root in Zimbabwe. Now is the time to
start investing in its future, according to Oxfam CEO Barbara Stocking.

My visit to Zimbabwe turned out to be quite a surprise. I expected, a
flattened, depressed place with people worn out by the lack of food and then
cholera.

More than 4,000 people have died in the country's worst-ever cholera
epidemic; and the total number of cases reported is fast approaching the
100,000 mark.   More than half the population had relied on international
food hand-outs during the "hunger months" of November to March.
Instead, I found a place of new energy with everyone talking of a "moment of
opportunity".

Since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) just a few
weeks ago, there is a real sense inside the country that things have started
to change.

For a start, a monetary economy is being reborn.  The hyperinflationary
Zimbabwean dollar has been dropped; and several foreign currencies are now
in use, mainly the US dollar and the South African rand.

Goods are in the shops again; prices are falling and civil servants -
including teachers, nurses and the police - are getting paid in US dollars.

Oxfam and other aid agencies need to maximise this moment of opportunity; to
start to make irreversible positive changes that have started to take root
in communities across the country.

I met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and found him open to our ideas.  The
GNU has said one of its top priorities is to tackle the humanitarian crisis;
to stem the cholera epidemic and ensure that those who need food get help,
regardless of their political or tribal affiliations.
The grip of the current cholera epidemic now seems to be easing. And the
number of cholera-related deaths has fallen, in part thanks to efforts by
Oxfam and other international organisations who began an integrated response
last October.

Oxfam has drilled boreholes and put in water pumps in vulnerable
communities, to ensure people have access to clean water.  It also ran a
huge health promotion and education campaign, spreading messages about how
people can minimise the risks from cholera. reaching more than 1.2 million
people.

But the extent of damage to the country's water and sewerage systems means
Zimbabwe may face another cholera outbreak before the end of the year. This
video from my trip shows clearly what we are doing, but also why we need
continuing support:

It's likely to be years before Zimbabwe's broken infrastructure can be
properly fixed. Donors are still very nervous about funding reconstruction
work.

But Oxfam believes donors should now consider broadening support to
Zimbabwe - moving away from purely humanitarian aid towards helping people
during the recovery phase.

We need to look at longer-term funding to help build local capacity and help
communities to become more self-sufficient - especially in areas of food
security.

And we're doing that in many communities; providing seeds, tools, and
fertilizers to farmers.  This year's harvest was very poor because of
limited planting, and depleted soil, so we know food shortages will continue
through the lean season this year. There's more detail on the food situation
in this interview I did with local Zimbabwean journalists:

Changes are taking place in Zimbabwe, though it is still too early to know
if it will last.  But I know the work of Oxfam is making a huge difference.

When I left the country, the young man at the security check asked if I was
from Oxfam.  He then told me he lived in Glenview,  a suburb of the capital,
and one of the areas worst hit by cholera.  He said his sister had died of
cholera; but no-one else in his house had been infected because Oxfam had
come round day after day with trucks of clean water, soap and hygiene
messages.  He couldn't stop talking about  how wonderful Oxfam was; I wish I
had him on video!

Who should write Zimbabwe's constitution?

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
29 April 2009

The making of a new constitution is slowly turning into one big fight. That
our country needs to revitalise itself is in no doubt, and the fact that it
needs a constitutional overhaul is also a well known fact.

But the road to constitutional reform is full of landmines, and more will be
planted if threats by the National Constitutional Assembly and the Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions are to be taken seriously.

Political analysts fear that if the country does not overhaul its
constitution to suit its 21st century needs then the next elections in two
years time, especially for the Presidency, will still divide the country.

NCA chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku argues that since Independence every
modification to the constitution has been  selfishly driven by ZANU PF with
dire consequences for the general populace, as it has been aimed at
consolidating power in one individual and his henchmen.

The 2000 attempt to come up with an overhauled constitution ended up in a no
vote which some analysts say gave Robert Mugabe the licence to rig the 2002,
2005 and 2008 elections. This year has been promised to be the year of a new
constitution. But our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us that
another round of constitution making in the country does not promise much
hope.

'Madhuku and lately the ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo are saying the
politicians can never be trusted. They have shown propensity to gag the
media and gross mismanagement of funds, so they cannot be trusted to move
the country forward,' Muchemwa said.

However, supporters of the inclusive government, including those who are
pro-MDC claim there are two groups that are against the current
constitutional review in the country. They are the pro-democracy activists
under the umbrella of the civil society, and a group that consists of human
rights and constitutional lawyers.
The ZCTU on Tuesday called for an independent commission to lead the
drafting of a new constitution for the country, rejecting plans by the
government for Parliament to spearhead the writing of the governance
charter.

Matombo told journalists in Harare that ZCTU 'could not trust politicians
with the writing of the new constitution,' and vowed to mobilise workers to
reject any proposed new constitution drafted by Parliament in a referendum
scheduled for next year.

The Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo has appointed a 25-member committee
of legislators drawn from ZANU PF and the two formations of the MDC that
will oversee the drafting of the country's new constitution.

While the inclusive government has said the process will lead to measures
that would help build consensus and further dialogue in adopting the new
constitution, the NCA, the ZCTU and student bodies argue that issues of
national importance will be lost in the corridors of power if parliament
controls the process.
But Moyo reiterated that parliament will drive the writing of the new
constitution over the next 18 months as outlined under the power-sharing
agreement signed by the three main political parties last year. The Speaker
added that apart from lawmakers, contributors drawn from groups including
business, students, rights organisations, churches, the media, women's
groups, labour and farming will assist the parliamentary-select committee.
But the committee will still have the final say in the drafting of the new
constitution.

The draft constitution would be put before the electorate in a
referendum expected in July next year and if approved by Zimbabweans will
then be brought before Parliament for enactment. Once a new constitution is
in place the power-sharing government is expected to then call fresh
parliamentary, presidential and local government elections.

'New Constitution Paves Way For Poll Reforms'

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

Daniel Nemukuyu in Victoria Falls

29 April 2009

Harare - The decision by the inclusive Government to craft a new
constitution creates opportunities for further electoral reforms, a deputy
minister has said.

Officially opening a two-day workshop on challenges of election management
and prospects for election reform in Zimbabwe here yesterday, Justice and
Legal Affairs Deputy Minister Jessy Majome said the difficulties encountered
in the previous polls could be overcome through revisiting the electoral
laws and processes.

"With the agenda set by the new inclusive Government, particularly the
people-driven constitutional reform that has begun, there are now currently
real opportunities for reform.

"Democratic space has relatively increased signified by freer political
activity, reduction in hate speech in the media and a relative enjoyment of
basic human rights and freedoms.

"The inclusive Government has an open door policy that allows major
stakeholders in the democratisation process to constructively engage
policy-makers.

"This is merely a start and it should be acknowledged that as a process, a
lot of input, resourcefulness and tenacity will be required from both ends,"
said Deputy Minister Majome.

She said Zimbabweans were capable of instituting electoral reforms on their
own problems as demonstrated by the peaceful harmonised elections held in
March last year.

"It is indisputable that the March 28 election showed the potential that we,
as Zimbabweans, have in terms of instituting real reform.

"Even though the same elections were marred by some last-minute reversal of
reforms, the election saw the opening up of public media to all political
players and the ability to campaign in so-called no go areas for the
opposition," she said.

The two-day workshop that was organised by the Zimbabwe Election Support
Network in conjunction with the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa is
being attended by senior Government officials, MPs and the civic society.