The ZIMBABWE Situation Our thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe
- may peace, truth and justice prevail.
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Daily News - Leader Page

      Zimbabwe's forces of terror and insecurity

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)

      AFTER recent public protests by Mozambican authorities against the
brutality of Zimbabwe's soldiers stationed at the Forbes Border post, the
time has come for the government to take serious stock of the manner in
which it is using not just the country's army, but all its security
agencies.

      On Friday, The Daily News reported that the Mayor of Manica town in
Mozambique, Mougene Candiero, warned the Zimbabwean government to withdraw
its soldiers from the border post or risk scuttling the fledgling twinning
arrangements between the City of Mutare and cities in Mozambique.

      The warning comes in the wake of constant complaints that Zimbabwean
soldiers are almost routinely beating up Mozambican citizens at the border
post.

      But Candiero is not the first Mozambican official to complain about
Zimbabwean soldiers' inclinations towards brutality. Following the fatal
shooting of two Mozambicans by Zimbabwean soldiers who suspected them to be
illegal cross-border traders, Soares Nhaca, the Governor of Manica Province,
complained bitterly about the trigger-happy tendencies of Zimbabwean
soldiers.

      His reaction was hardly unexpected in light of Zimbabwean soldiers'
tendency to resort to physical abuse of the people at the slightest excuse.

      In fact, following that incident, relations between the two countries
became strained. It was inevitable since that is simply not the way good
neighbours are expected to treat each other's citizens. And Mozambique and
Zimbabwe are not mere neighbours.

      They have long considered themselves sister nations in light of the
enormous debt of gratitude this country owes Mozambique for the tremendous
sacrifices the government and people of that country made when they played
host to Zimbabweans during the liberation struggle. Zimbabwe does not need
to be burdened with the tag of being the bully-boy of the region.

      If the truth be told, however, the brutality Zimbabwean soldiers are
subjecting the Mozambican citizens to is only an extension of the far more
vicious brutality to which they are subjecting their own people back home on
a daily basis.

      A current case in point is what they are reportedly doing to the
people of Binga in Matabeleland North, where they are abducting people,
including MDC MPs, and taking them away for torture because they purportedly
rejected Zanu PF at both the parliamentary and local government elections.

      What are supposed to be security forces in Zimbabwe have clearly been
turned into forces of terror and insecurity by a government scared to death
of losing power and morbidly hostile to democratic change.

      Instead of applying themselves diligently to their sworn duty - that
of maintaining law and order and providing maximum security to the people -
they have been turned against the people under a new brief from the
government, which is to maintain Zanu PF in power at any cost.

      Indeed, so insecure does the government appear that the terror
unleashed by the regular forces may not be enough to cow the people into
total acceptance of the status quo, it has resorted to creating the
equivalent of Adolf Hitler's Brown Shirts to beef up the regular forces in
their terror campaign against the people.

      This can only happen in a country under totalitarianism, which is what
many people think this country has become, government's pretensions to
democracy notwithstanding.

      While from 1980 up to June 2000, this country was, in essence, a
police state in that the police had been turned into a partisan force that
consistently turned a blind eye to transgressions by supporters of the
ruling party, and systematically harassed everyone who opposed it,
especially at election time, after June 2000 the country has become a
combined police and military state.

      And there is only one person to blame: President Mugabe who has public
ly - and on numerous occasions - boasted that no one can surpass his party
in violence.

      And as long as violence is used to preserve his party in power, it is
perfectly alright by him.

      It is a cruelly crooked logic now so ingrained in the "security"
forces that a future, truly democratic government will find hard to
exorcise.
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Comment from ZWNEWS, 9 December

Lock up your valuables

So, Chris Pasipamire, aspirant doctoral researcher and one-man crime-wave, has been granted a visa to study in Britain. The Sunday Times reported yesterday on the recent arrival of Pasipamire in the UK, and his ambition to study land reform at Greenwich University. An "articulate man with an easy smile", who says he has been wrongly labelled as a thug, Pasipamire denied involvement in farm and company invasions and serious charges of violence and assault.

The following is just a small sample of his activities over the last few years...

March 2000 – Pasipamire, and John Bredenkamp, both directors of Bredenkamp’s Zimalzam group, sued Philip Chiyangwa over disputed tender procedures at NOCZIM. Zimalzam was one of three companies permitted to import fuel into Zimbabwe. Pasipamire was also a backer of Royal Oil, one of eight companies permitted to distribute fuel in Zimbabwe. The fuel importation and distribution system in Zimbabwe has been characterised by widespread corruption, and a marked failure to provide supplies.

May 2001 – Following high level complaints from EU, Swedish, and Belgian envoys in Harare, home affairs minister John Nkomo initiated a crack-down on company invasions by war veterans. Companies such as the Avenues Clinic, Alcatel Italia, Dandy, NCR Zimbabwe, Speciss, Philips Electrical, and Fawcetts Security, among many others, had their premises invaded, and management and staff detained and assaulted. Zanu PF headquarters in Harare was the epicentre of the illegal blitz, where company executives were detained and assaulted in the presence of senior war veterans such as Joseph Chinotimba and Chris Pasipamire.

August 2001 – Pasipamire, along with others, was sued by Zimbank for bad debts amounting to almost Z$1 billion dating back to 1996.

September 2001 - The case against Pasipamire, who was suspected of extorting Z$4 million from commuter omnibus company Leno Trading Private Limited, was dropped by the company. Leno Trading managing director Imran Chaudry, was forced to flee Zimbabwe at the height of the company invasions.

January 2002 – Pasipamire and unnamed Zanu PF members beat up resettled farmers in Nyabira, after they were robbed of their poultry. Pasipamire was arrested on charges of robbery and assault.

January 2002 – Pasipamire and Mike Moyo were jointly charged with attempting to extort Z$15 million or 50 percent of the profits of the Mayfield farm, from Arthur Duncan Parkes, the previous owner of the farm, which had been allocated to Pasipamire under the land redistribution program. The two are then alleged to have assaulted the farmer after he refused to pay. Mike Moyo was also charged with armed robbery and assault at a Harare service station.

June 2002 – Pasipamire was implicated in the illegal seizure of Glen Forest Farm, and the closure of a boat-building business based on the farm. The boat business supported two-thirds of the employment of boat-drivers and crew on Lake Kariba.

June 2002 – Pasipamire was implicated in the illegal invasion of St Marnocks farm. Pasipamire, together with Mike Moyo, Dr Marsh, Chris Pasipamire, one Sekemari, a Pastor Chisinde and George Humela arrived on the farm declaring that they were now the owners. They did not bother to obtain any legal documentation and the farm at that time was unlisted for acquisition.

July 2002 – Pasipamire, vice-chairman of the Zanu PF Harare provincial executive, was implicated in a financial scandal involving Z$40 million of his own party’s funds. The money, given to the executive ahead of the March presidential election, could not be accounted for. The entire executive, led by Amos Midzi, was sacked. Other members of the executive were Mike Moyo, Omega Hungwe, Douglas Mahiya, Joseph Chinotimba, and Stalin Mau Mau. Pasipamire blamed everyone else.

Those familiar with the recent sad history of Zimbabwe will recognise the roll-call of other individuals mentioned above. For an innocent man, Pasipamire moves in some incriminating circles. One wonders what the criteria are for a UK visa? Pasipamire is let in, those seeking asylum from men like him are denied entry. All that can be hoped is that the administrators of Greenwich University have taken adequate precautions to protect their students, staff, and property. For the good citizens of Greenwich: lock up your valuables.
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Daily News

      Sugar worth $60m a write off in Chiredzi

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)

      From Energy Bara in Masvingo

      SUGAR cane in the field worth over $60 million in farms occupied by
invaders in Chiredzi is now a complete write-off after the former property
owners took away their irrigation equipment, leaving the new farmers
stranded.

      The former property owners took away their state-of-the-art
computerised irrigation equipment after they were chased away from the farms
under the government's land reform programme.

      The latest development is going to drastically impact on the sugar
industry and worsen the existing shortages of sugar.

      Officials of the Commercial Farmers' Union yesterday said at least 100
sugar cane farmers were kicked out of their properties last year to pave way
for the new farmers. The new farmers hurriedly grabbed plots on which sugar
cane was ready for harvesting.

      "We just took what belonged to us and we believe the new farmers will
be able to buy their own equipment," said one official who refused to be
named.

      "It is not sabotage, but a chance for the new farmers to prove that
they can produce more than us. About $60 million worth of sugar is now a
write-off and it is not our problem at all."

      Some of the irrigation equipment taken away included pivots and pipes
valued at about $40 million. One of the new farmers said: "There is no way
you can say people have been assisted to enter the lucrative sugar industry
when things are like this.

      "The white farmers have taken their equipment in an act of sabotage
and we expect the government to act."

      The Masvingo provincial land committee, chaired by Governor Josaya
Hungwe, has held a series of meetings to try and have water supplies
restored in the affected areas, but to no avail.

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Daily News

      Border Gezi youths severely assault Chitungwiza man

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      Staff Reporter

      ABOUT 10 youths from the Border Gezi National Training Institute last
week severely assaulted Lancelot Masiiwa, in broad daylight in Chitungwiza.

      He sustained bruises on his back and face and cuts on the head.



      Masiiwa said he had disembarked from a bus coming from the city centre
carrying three loaves of bread when he was confronted by the youths.


      The youths accused him of selling bread at an inflated price.


      Masiiwa said: "I told the youths that I was not selling bread but had
actually bought it for my family. But they didn't listen to me. They
assaulted me with clenched fists and some objects."


      Masiiwa said his brother, who was with him, tried to rescue him but he
was also attacked and he fled from the scene.


      The youths were moving around Unit H in Seke, Chitungwiza identifying
people who were allegedly selling bread at inflated prices. He said the
youths would take away the bread after beating the people selling it.


      Masiiwa made a report at a police post at Chitungwiza Town Centre.


      Police at the post confirmed receiving the report and said
investigations were underway.


      The government is accused of enlisting desperate and unemployed youths
into its controversial national youth service and brainwashing them to
become violent zealots of the ruling Zanu PF party.


      The government denies the charges, saying national youth service is
vital in instilling discipline and patriotism among the youths.


      It says it will soon enact legislation making it mandatory for all
school leavers to undergo training at the Border Gezi National Training
Institute in Mt Darwin.
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Daily News

      Samdef says Mudenge's statement misleading

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      Staff Reporter

      THE Southern Africa Media Development Fund (Samdef) has described as
"incorrect and misleading" recent comments by a government minister
concerning its programme of support in the country.

      In a statement from Gaborone, Botswana, Samdef, which operates in
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries, said it invested in
three media companies in Zimbabwe as early as 1998/2000.



      "These companies were subjected to the normal evaluation procedures
used in any investment we make in any company in any part of the Sadc.


      "All the three companies are Zimbabwean, legally registered under the
laws of Zimbabwe and run by Zimbabweans themselves. The government of
Zimbabwe, through the Reserve Bank, cleared these investments.


      "We believe Zimbabwe has appropriate and sufficient laws to deal with
institutions that have proved to destabilise the country," the statement
said.


      In October, the State-controlled Sunday Mail newspaper reported Dr
Stan Mudenge, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, alleging the West was using
non-governmental organisations to destabilise Zimbabwe.


      Mudenge singled out Samdef for supporting "independent private media
enterprises" and identified The Daily News and The Mirror as two of the
media organisations which benefited from Samdef loans. He did not name the
third beneficiary.


      The Botswana-based organisation said it noted with concern "recent
political statements" published in the Zimbabwe media concerning its support
programmes.


      "The comments, attributed to a government minister, are incorrect and
misleading. We would like to set the record straight about activities in
Sadc in general, and Zimbabwe in particular," the statement said.


      Samdef was established in 1998 as a media development agency of the
Media Institute of Southern Africa, the regional media lobby, to provide
access to affordable financing of the media in southern Africa.


      The statement said: "Samdef seeks to grow existing media and promote
the establishment and growth of start-ups. We focus on needs of our
customers by providing them with services that directly lead to or add value
to their businesses. An important condition of our support is that the
companies must have majority citizen ownership.


      "Where we believe that the long-term financial rewards are reasonable,
just like any other venture capital, we will take a risk."


      Right now, Samdef is funding an array of businesses in the field of
radio and television broadcasting, printing presses, newspapers, advertising
agencies and multi-media houses in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.


      To qualify for assistance, an investor should be from a Sadc member
state, except for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Seychelles, and
belong to the independent media.


      The investor should be a legally registered entity in the country of
operation.


      "The reason for this is that Samdef respects the laws of every
country. In that sense, Samdef has respected the laws of every country that
it has operated."
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Daily News - Feature

      Dictators' Union of African Leaders is growing

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)



      THE trade union of African leaders is working itself full-throttle.

      There is open solidarity amongst the leaders despite the devilish
legacies of some members of the union.



      Dictators are finding solace from the support they get from other
leaders.


      Good leaders are having their images tainted by virtue of their
association with the trade union.


      Emancipation and sovereignty has been transformed into a comfortable
refuge where dictators can hide from the calls of accountability.


      The wicked defence of national independence by deranged dictators has
been made an acceptable way of life by our leaders. It is frightening that
those we look up for salvation are also paid-up members of the DUAL, the
Dictators' Union of African Leaders.


      If I really could, I would forgive them. I would grudgingly forgive
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. I would also forgive President
Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. I am a mere earthling, therefore I can only be
part of erring, and not of forgiving. I have had to accept the adage that to
err is human and to forgive is divine. Maybe God will want to forgive these
gentlemen for allowing our leader to prosper when they had a chance to stop
him in his tracks.


      I could not believe that of all the people, Mbeki could allow another
six months of turmoil for both the people of Zimbabwe and those of South
Africa. I could not believe that Mbeki would have respect for President
Mugabe after the latter had made the value of the South African rand plummet
to new levels. Maybe Mbeki thinks that the economic meltdown in southern
Africa is of a natural cause? Well, the problems in southern Africa are
artificial, the root cause being Mugabe. The rest of the leaders of southern
Africa are culpable in this problem.


      I could not understand why Mbeki, of all the people, would allow the
suffering of the peoples of southern Africa to continue unchecked for
another six months. It was a sad day for democracy in southern Africa as
well as for West Africa. It was a blow to the fledgling New Partnership for
Africa's Development (Nepad), an idea that was mooted to stimulate Africa's
development. It is not a secret that Mbeki and Obasanjo were the principals
in Nepad's formation.


      The actions of Mbeki and Obasanjo could make Nepad another pipe dream.
The two gentlemen from Africa's powerhouses know the implications of
dictatorship on one hand, and democracy on the other to the operations of
Nepad. Nepad is strict on the values of democracy. Democracy is not robbery.
Democracy is not causing social and economic turmoil.


      Democracy is not an integral part of fascism, racism and tribalism.

      The defence of a dictator by the two gentlemen certainly saw the last
nail being hammered into the coffin bearing the remains of Nepad. In
refusing to have Mugabe's regime face the consequences of tyranny, Mbeki and
Obasanjo failed their people. They sacrificed millions of people for an
individual who might have already outlived his sell-by date by almost a
decade. Mugabe can smile all the way to some more meetings were his
boastfulness would irk many people. He will sing loudest and make the whole
issue to punish Zimbabwe seem a racist ploy by the Australian Prime
Minister.


      My sixth sense tells me that the two gentlemen were actually doing
themselves a favour. The gentlemen might be seeing a replica of their own in
Mugabe. It is possible that the two esteemed gentlemen may have discovered
that their hands are actually tainted by the same blood that taints Mugabe's
hands. There is a strong chance that the two gentlemen are dictators in the
making. By historical inference, Obasanjo could pass for a full-time
dictator as he once ruled Nigeria as a military ruler after a coup. He only
managed to salvage his stature by handing over to a civilian government.


      Mbeki is the newest kid on the block. He is not only new to the hot
seat in politics, but he is also new to the initiation ceremony of
dictatorship.


      He is learning fast! Within his first term, the gentleman has
developed a great affinity to power that would certainly exceed any other
known love for power.


      The young Mbeki is digging into the trenches of power. By the time the
world realises that it is time to force a regime change on some southern
African dictator, there will be two in the world to contend with!


      I have great respect for Africa and some of its leaders. I have
respect for those leaders who endeavour to do the best for their people.

      My admiration of the good leaders is ably guided by the notion that
there is no person under the sun who is perfect. I believe in those leaders
who improve on their imperfection.


      I shall never agree to fraudulently praise those people who, in the
calling of their personal interests, knowingly tarnish their images and hide
behind national interests.


      I respect Botswana and her people. The big country with a tiny
population should be given a larger role in Africa's affairs.


      Yes, Botswana has a small economy, but they have a large gross
domestic product. Yes, Botswana has a small army, but it has the longest
occasion of post-independence peace. Botswana is geographically and actually
defined as a desert, yet it boasts of shop counters that are full with
foodstuffs. This is because of good management principles.


      Mozambique is another African country that is being ably steered away
from economic death by President Joaquim Chissano. The people are no longer
hostile towards one another. The country's economic growth rate is
phenomenal.


      The leadership of Mozambique has shifted from being an
imperialist-bashing and a sloganeering nation. The discovery of peace and
proper management skills in Mozambique has led to marvellous strides towards
achieving a respectable way of life.


      These are the few good examples about Africa.


      The rest of the larger African story smacks of wars, turmoil,
divisions, hunger and poverty.
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Daily News

      Farmers panic as dry spell persists

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      By Takitei Bote Farming Editor

      FARMERS are pressing panic buttons countrywide following a month-long
dry spell.

      The whole country had received significant, well-distributed rainfall,
marking the start of the 2002/2003 rainy season by beginning of November.



      The wet spell up to the beginning of November 2002 had begun around 21
October and had resulted in substantial rainfall totals.


      About 99 percent of the country had received more than normal rainfall
from end of October to beginning of November.


      There however has been a dry spell since beginning of November, with
early planted crops now suffering from moisture stress.


      The dry conditions have persisted for more than 25 days in most areas,
with the southern districts being the most affected. Beitbridge has so far
been dry for the past 27 consecutive days while most of the northern areas
had light to moderate rainfall on 24 November.


      The accumulated rainfall received so far from the beginning of October
to date ranges between 19mm and 100mm in most areas. The percentage of mean
rainfall indicates large rainfall deficits of 50mm around Beitbridge and
surpluses of 100mm around Mutare with the bulk of the rainfall having been
received at the end of October.


      The Department of Meteorological Services warned this year that the
country would receive normal to above normal rains during the first half of
the season, October to December 2002, while there are chances of receiving
normal rainfall biased towards below normal during the second half of the
season, January to March 2003.


      Poor rains in the second half of the season are associated with the El
Nino weather phenomenon, which causes dry weather conditions in southern
Africa.


      The department said in its 10-day weather outlook from 5 to 14
December that the system responsible for the dry conditions experienced in
the past month was showing signs of weakening such that it could be replaced
by wet conditions from 6 December.
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Daily News

      $7,2bn raised to support new farmers

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      By Takaitei Bote Farming Editor

      SYFRETS Corporate and Merchant Bank (Sybank), the financial
institution co-ordinating the fund-raising of a $60 billion agribond to
finance new farmers, says about $7,2 billion has so far been raised from
Agrobills issued by the bank last month.

      While Sybank is the leading bank in the process of raising the $60
billion, there are 15 banks participating in the scheme aimed at assisting
farmers resettled under the commercial farm resettlement programme (A2).



      The A2 farmers eagerly awaited for the funds from the agribond as
there had failed to access money through other means for the 2002/2003
farming seasons.


      A2 farmers were finding it difficult to borrow money from the banks
because of uncertainties caused by the land issue while lack of title deeds
compounded the problem.


      A Sybank spokesperson said in a statement that investors applied for
276-day Agrobills worth about $8,5 billion at maturity, which, at a discount
rate of 24,47 percent, had yielded net proceeds of about $7,22 billion.


      The Agrobills, issued on 22 November were the first batch to be issued
in terms of a plan to raise a projected $60 billion to help finance the
working capital and capital development needs of farmers resettled under the
government's A2 scheme.


      The Agrobills are intended for working capital purposes. Capital
development is expected to be financed at a later stage through three-year
agribonds.


      The Sybank spokesperson said disbursement to farmers of the money
raised through the agrobills was already underway through the banks of
farmers and agroprocessors. Agroprocessors were expected to borrow a good
deal of the money for on-lending to farmers with whom they have agreements
for the supply of various agricultural products.


      Farmers can apply for funds through their bank or through an
agroprocessor. The interest rate on loans payable by farmers is between 30
and 34 percent.


      Sybank agreed with participating banks at the outset that the issuing
of Agrobills and agribonds would be demand-driven, the spokesperson said.


      The spokesperson said borrowing was being monitored. If it appeared
more money was required, Sybank could be expected to return to the market
with a fresh issue of Agrobills on terms that would be decided at the time,
according to the spokesperson.


      "As more applications from farmers are received, the lending banks may
approach the investors for additional funds at terms to be announced at the
time of going to market," the spokesperson said.
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Daily News - Leader Page

      Pan-Africanist's encounter with Nigerian state security

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)



      ON Tuesday 3 December 2002, Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem was due to fly
out on British Airways Flight 074 scheduled for London Heathrow. He was
stopped at the Security Desk as he cleared immigration and other departure
formalities.

      He was "invited" to their office, Room 1062 in the basement floor of
the international wing of the airport. The duty officer, one Yekini,
informed him that it was not possible for him to travel that night because
he needed to "clear yourself".



      All efforts to determine what he needed to clear and with whom were
not successful.


      Yekini put him through to his overall boss, a woman who refused to
identify herself. The unidentified boss made very sympathetic remarks, but
claimed that the matter was beyond her control insisting "only the
Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja" could make
the decision to allow him to travel. As both Wednesday and Thursday were
public holidays, she advised him to report on Friday.


      "Your name is in our system" was all the officials he spoke to kept
repeating. His query as to who put it there, what offences necessitated this
and how it could be expunged were all parried by another mantra: "Go and
clear yourself."


      His luggage, which had been checked in, was retrieved from the
aircraft and returned to him with a receipt given for his passport as it was
withheld.


      It was not the first time Abdul-Raheem has had a brush with the
Nigerian state security. In November 1993, in the week of the coup by the
late dictator, Sani Abacha, he was similarly stopped by the SSS and his
passport confiscated. He escaped from the country by other means.


      From then he never returned to the country until 1999 when the country
returned to civilian democracy and a new Nigerian passport was issued to him
by the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, where he has been serving as the
General-Secretary of the Pan African Movement since 1993.


      Since then Abdul-Raheem has again become a regular visitor to Nigeria
both for official and private purposes. In the past two weeks alone he had
visited the country three times to participate in public workshops and other
events.


      For instance, during 18-20 November he was at the Temperance Hotel and
Conference Centre of the Africa Leadership Forum to participate in a Youth
and Conflict in West Africa conference jointly organised by Community
Development and Advocacy Centre, Centre for Democracy Development (CDD) and
Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Programme (all of them are
international non-governmental organisations which he serves as a
non-stipendiary chairperson).


      After Otta he travelled back to Kampala to host a consultative meeting
on the Sudan Peace Process facilitated by Justice Africa (of which he is a
director) and hosted by the Pan African Movement.


      After that he returned to Nigeria to preside over a board meeting of
the CDD held at the Excellence Hotel in Lagos. Then he left Nigeria for
Addis Ababa to attend a Ford Foundation Special Initiative for Africa
meeting on Regional Integration
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Daily News

      Youth brigade confiscates forex at border post

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      From Our Correspondent in Bulawayo

      THE pro-Zanu PF youth brigade is reportedly harassing travellers at
the Plumtree border post, where they are allegedly conducting body searches
and confiscating foreign currency on government orders.

      They are said to be also waylaying border-jumpers and beating them up.



      Their activities have raised anxiety among Zimbabweans working in
Botswana and South Africa who are planning on coming home for the Christmas
holiday.


      A Bulawayo man, Andrew Matshazi, claimed his wife, who was not readily
available to narrate her ordeal to The Daily News, fell victim to the youth
brigade last week and lost property worth thousands of dollars.


      Matshazi said: "The situation at Plumtree is very bad, and someone
should do something to stop the lawlessness going on there.


      "Some of the travellers are robbed in broad daylight at the border
post where some Zanu PF militia subject them to body searches, and even
confiscate foreign currency from them, claiming that they are acting on
government orders."


      He said his wife, who had gone to Botswana last week, lost a lot of
money and groceries to the youths.


      An official at the border post refused to comment, while the police
were not immediately available to explain on whose authority the youths were
acting, and why no action was being taken against them.


      "My friend, I' m not going to comment," the official said.


      Last week, 11 militia members raided illegal foreign currency dealers
in Bulawayo and allegedly stole about $600 000 in cash from the dealers.


      The youths accused the dealers of sabotaging the economy by illegally
trading in foreign currency. The police have not taken any action.
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Daily News

      Fuel shortage hits MDC rally

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      From Our Correspondent in Mutare

      AN MDC rally failed to kick off in Sakubva, Mutare, last Saturday
because Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader, was stranded in Harare
because of the critical shortage of fuel.

      "I am stuck here and can't go anywhere," Tsvangirai said. "I am
stranded in Harare. There is no fuel here. This is ridiculous. We have not
had petrol for some time now. The situation is so bad. It is very
unfortunate."



      Pishai Muchauraya, MDC's provincial spokesperson, said: "The rally has
been cancelled because our president was unable to make it. He failed to
secure fuel therefore the rally could not go ahead without the key speaker,
Morgan Tsvangirai."


      The country is experiencing fuel shortages despite the government's
assurances that the situation is under control.


      Meanwhile, commuter bus operators have ignored directives from Dr
Ignatius Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National
Housing, to charge gazetted fares.


      Francis Mubvuta, the head of traffic police in Mutare said: "We are
now targeting the operators and not the employees because the $500 fine we
are charging them seems not to be a deterrent .


      "We have realised that they are paying the fines happily and continue
to charge illegal fares. We will be taking the operators to court where they
risk being fined hefty penalties of up to $2 000."
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Daily News

      Deputy mayor implicated in assault of boss

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      By Lloyd Mudiwa Municipal Reporter

      PHINEAS Mariyapera, the Deputy Mayor of Chegutu, has been implicated
in last month's vicious attack against Executive Mayor Francis Dhlakama in
his office at Town House.

      Dhlakama has not yet reported for work since the incident which
occurred on 29 November.



      Mariyapera, Zanu PF's youth chairman for Mashonaland West province, is
named in an anonymous letter sent to the Member of Parliament for Chegutu
and former Zanu PF provincial chairman, Webster Shamu.


      The deputy mayor vehemently denied the charges. Instead, he accused
Dhlakama of bringing in ruffians from Chitungwiza to cause trouble in the
town.


      "Dhlakama hired thugs from Chitungwiza, but he must know that a mayor
is not a king who can do whatever he likes," Mariyapera said.


      Part of the anonymous letter to Shamu, dated 2 December, reads: "I was
having a drink at Svikos Bar and saw Mariyapera give Councillor Harrison
Chikazhe some keys. Chikazhe, in turn, gave some youths axes and other
weapons from a storeroom.


      "Town House was damaged at the instigation of the deputy mayor and
again ratepayers are going to pay for such a horror."


      Shamu declined to comment yesterday.


      About 40 Zanu PF youths and two Chegutu Municipality workers attacked
Dhlakama last month in his office at Town House. Demanding his resignation,
they accused Dhlakama of "insulting" Mariyapera.


      Dhlakama said his political rivals were engaging in criminal
activities to avoid scrutiny as attacks were made every time he called for
an audit.


      Mariyapera alleged Dhlakama defrauded the council of more than $4
million and was falsely accusing his deputy of assaulting him to divert
attention from him.


      "Dhlakama is implicated in a case of theft and fraud and is trying to
run away from that by falsely accusing me of attacking him.


      "Chegutu police have the crime reference number as 50/12/2002 and he
will be appearing at the Chegutu magistrates' courts soon," said the deputy
mayor.


      An Inspector Miti of Chegutu Police Station, who was said to be
handling the case, said: "The police Press office in Harare will give you
more facts."


      But, Dhlakama said police had not informed him of the charges.

      Eric Rwodzi, a former council employee, has also accused Mariyapera
and Chikazhe of sending Zanu PF youths to attack him. The youths damaged his
house at number 5-22nd Street, in Chegutu, Rwodzi claimed.


      Mariyapera subsequently sacked Rwodzi, who is a Zanu PF member, on
accusations of supporting Dhlakama in the 2001 mayoral poll. Rwodzi made the
allegations in letters to President Mugabe and Charles Majange, the chairman
of the parliamentary committee on local government, public works and
national housing, in September and November, respectively.


      Majange, the MP for Chivi South, yesterday said his committee would
meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue or call for a public hearing, but hoped
the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing would
have completed an inquiry to find out what has been happening.


      "Most likely we will recommend to the ministry to look into the
 issue," he said.


      "As a parliamentary committee, we can only make recommendations to the
parent ministry"


      Rwodzi, when contacted, said: "First and foremost I want to say I am a
Zanu PF supporter. I have already reported the issue to my party so I will
cause confusion if I comment about it in the Press."


      Rwodzi alleged Mariyapera was spearheading the looting of public funds
by the Zanu PF-dominated council. As a result the council had not conducted
an audit committee since 1999 in contravention of the Urban Council's Act.


      Mariyapera had taken over the hiring, promoting and firing of staff
from council's management, they claimed. They accused Mariyapera of recently
engaging Anna Jekero, as a nurse aide at the council's Welfare Clinic,
although she held no medical qualifications, and Richard Masawi, a former
MDC member, as a clerk in the debt recovery office.


      Masawi, who has defected to Zanu PF, was among the two council
employees accused of attacking Dhlakama. Rwodzi, in his letter, said the
municipality would soon grind to a halt if the recruitment was not
controlled.


      Mariyapera said he had seen the letter written by Rwodzi to the
President, but denied conniving with Chikazhe to send youths after Rwodzi.


      "If we sent the youths, why is it that the police have not opened a
docket against us?" Mariyapera denied firing Rwodzi saying that decision was
taken by the whole council, which is chaired by Dhlakama. He said the mayor
was the right person to ask.
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Daily News

      Council finally receives foreign currency to buy water purifier

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      Staff Reporter

      THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has provided the Harare Municipality with
US$500 000 (Z$27,5 million) for the procurement of one key chemical needed
in the treatment of water.

      The move has averted a potential water crisis in the Greater Harare
area.



      Cuthbert Rwazemba, the council's spokesperson, yesterday said the
Reserve Bank had provided some money for the purchase of ecol 2000, the
chemical used to kill algae, following the city's application for foreign
currency in September.


      Rwazemba said they were today expecting deliveries of lime, another
key chemical which is required to reduce the acidity of the water after its
treatment with other chemicals.


      He urged Harare residents to conserve water while the council
rectifies the anomalies affecting the city's water supplies.


      He said: "The shortage of ecol 2000 due to foreign currency shortages
resulted in reduced output of water as the filters are clogged with algae.


      "Although the Reserve Bank has now provided some foreign currency to
purchase ecol 2000, it does not in any way meet the foreign currency
requirements of the water reticulation upgrading programme.


      "Lime had almost run out by Friday, but our supplier has promised to
deliver a further 200 tonnes by Monday (today)."


      Highdon Investments is the supplier.

      Elias Mudzuri, the Executive Mayor of Harare, last week warned that
the city may have to ration water at the end of this month if the council
fails to obtain the two water treatment chemicals soon.


      Mudzuri also alleged that the government had delayed in assisting the
council with the procurement of the necessary foreign currency.


      Addressing a full council meeting, Mudzuri said Dr Charles Utete, the
Secretary to the President and Cabinet, had only responded last week to the
city council's letter which implored the government to assist them to
acquire foreign currency from the central bank.


      Rwazemba said they had resumed water supplies in other parts of the
city.


      Supplies to Mabvuku and Tafara high-density suburbs had been
temporarily stopped to facilitate the repair of water valves that were
vandalised on Saturday along the pipeline supplying the areas.


      "Supplies to Msasa Park, Epworth, Ruwa, Hatcliffe, Emerald Hill,
Highlands and Philadelphia have been restored.


      "However, areas of Greendale, Kambanji and Chisipite are yet to
receive normal supplies as pumping to Letombo from the Warren Pump Control
is at a reduced capacity," Rwazemba said.
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Daily News

      Article on MDC petitions incorrect and misleading

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)



      In response to The Daily News article of 11 November 2002 headed "MDC
demands hearing of petitions", it is not true that there is any delay on the
courts' part.

      The history of the petition is:


      - The petition was filed on 12 April 2002

      - In terms of the law the four respondents were entitled to oppose;
this they did between May/June 2002

      - Thereafter, the issue of security for costs arose. The respondents
objected to the amount fixed by the Registrar. The matter was eventually
heard by Justice Anne-Marie Gowora and a decision was made on 10 July 2002,
increasing the amount.

      - In the meantime the petitioners also sought to engage the services
of a senior lawyer from South Africa. By letter dated 5 September 2002 the
petitioners' lawyers advised the Registrar that the South African lawyer had
been granted an exemption certificate by the Minister.

      Arrangements were then made for the lawyer to be admitted towards the
end of September 2002.


      On 16 September 2002 a pre-trial conference took place before the
Judge President. As a result, all parties were ordered to effect discovery
and to file a summary of their evidence. In the case of the petitioners,
this was by 4 October 2002 and the respondents by 31 October 2002.


      This has now been done and in accordance with the same order a further
pre-trial conference to discuss all issues related to the holding will now
take place.


      Clearly, therefore, there have been no delays on the part of the
courts. Mr Welshman Ncube will be aware that before trials in the High Court
take place, certain procedures have to be followed in order to narrow the
issues and deal with any other relevant matters so that the trial proceeds
expeditiously once it starts.


      J Manzunzu

      High Court Registrar

      Harare
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Daily News

      Muchinguri calls for banning of millers

      12/9/2002 (GMT +2)


      From Brian Mangwende in Mutare

      OPPAH Muchinguri, the Provincial Governor for Manicaland, last week
accused senior Zanu PF officials of working together with millers and Grain
Marketing Board (GMB) officials to divert maize grain intended for the
needy, for corrupt gains.

      She said the distribution of maize grain to millers should be stopped
to curb the corrupt practices involving senior party officials and those
from the GMB and milling companies.



      Millers were diverting maize allocations from the GMB depots to
unknown destinations, she said, and charged that those responsible for the
distribution at community levels were favouring their relatives at the
expense of about 800 000 people facing starvation in Manicaland.


      At an emergency meeting of the food distribution committee at Queen's
Hall in Mutare, which was called to discuss anomalies in food distribution,
Muchinguri stood up in anger and said: "There is a lot of corruption in this
whole thing. Millers are dealing and want to make a profit at the expense of
the needy.


      "I have since recommended that as was the case when the government
stopped the operations of all bureaux de change in the country, millers be
banned.


      "The maize grain is not reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Politicians in the province are also interfering in the distribution
exercise. This has to stop forthwith."


      She blasted millers selling grain at inflated prices, and politicians
who refused to address rallies unless shipments of maize were delivered to
venues for rallies they were scheduled to speak.


      "The other day, a truck full of maize meant for Mutare was seen
off-loading in Honde Valley," she said. "What is that? President Mugabe has
instructed us to supply him with the names of Zanu PF officials giving us
problems in the provinces. Be you a member of the central committee or a
provincial executive, I am not going to hesitate to do so."


      The emergency meeting was attended by chiefs, war veterans, soldiers,
GMB officials and headmen.


      The governor advised GMB depot managers engaging in underhand deals
with politicians and individuals for personal gains to stop forthwith.

      The GMB regional manager for Rusape, Ronia Tanyongana, who was at the
meeting, said corruption among GMB and Zanu PF officials was very high.

      "It is true. There is a lot of corruption in the grain distribution
exercise," she said. "A lot of maize is not reaching the needy."


      At the same meeting, Chief Tangwena complained about the involvement
of soldiers in the distribution exercise.


      He said: "I do not see their purpose because they are attacking us.

      "They are beating up people, moving into villages to terrorise people
under the pretext of protecting trucks distributing maize."


      But Muchinguri defended the soldiers' involvement and said they were
there to ensure that relief food was not stolen.


      "They are there to see to the smooth transportation of maize and not
to distribute it."


      Another participant said there was confusion as to who exactly between
the soldiers, war veterans, Zanu PF youths, politicians, millers and the
GMB, was running the show.
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New Banks Target Top Earners



Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

December 8, 2002
Posted to the web December 8, 2002

Kumbirai Mafunda


INTERMARKET Banking Corporation and Barbican Bank Limited, whose banking
operations are set to commence this month and in the first quarter of next
year respectively, will target high income individuals and corporates as
their client base, Standard Business learnt this week

Sources in the financial industry revealed that to open an account with the
two banks, one must be earning a monthly salary in the range of $300 000 to
$750 000

"We are looking at individuals who are at the top end of the market. These
will afford us money to lend more profitabily over a long time," said the
source at intermarket

Muthuli Ncube, Barbican Holdings chief executive, confirmed that his bank
would target high income earners in order to obtain better returns

"We are looking at people with deposits of around $250 000, if not more. The
cost of serving a high or low income client is the same so we want to get
better returns. It is a simple cost containment measure to make sure that
management is efficient and effective from day one," said Ncube

With inflation raging above 140% and projected to surge to around 500% next
year, Ncube said rolling out many branches would be expensive and the bank
will only open three or four branches in a period of four years

Analysts said the minimum bank balances for the two banks would remain very
high so they could lend money with more certainty

Quizzed on the feasibility of the banking operations and whether they will
be able to attract clients considering the hostile economic environment,
Ncube said: "We already have the experience of dealing with these individual
clients and corporates and as an asset management company, we already have
these clients in our books." The recently listed financial services group
operates under a holding company structure with subsidiaries both locally
and regionally in Botswana and South Africa. It offers client-specific
services in asset management, unit trusts, corporate advisory services,
treasury, private equity investment and short term insurance

Barbican also intends to set up a subsidiary in the United Kingdom in
advisory services and consolidate its domestic and regional operations in
the coming year

On Thursday Barbican shares were at 3 300 cents.
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Mining Industry Asks Govt to Devalue Dollar Mining Industry



Financial Gazette (Harare)

December 5, 2002
Posted to the web December 8, 2002

Harare

THE mining industry has proposed to the government the devaluation of the
Zimbabwe dollar to $674 from $55 against the American greenback in a bid to
protect mining companies from the impact of exchange control measures
introduced last month, it was learnt this week.

Industry officials said the devaluation, proposed in a submission made to
the Ministry of Mines and Energy last week, would only apply to mining
companies.

They said the proposals were made by a committee comprising representatives
of mining houses, which was created last week to discuss the implications of
measures announced by Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa when he presented the
2003 national budget in last month.

Murerwa announced that exporters would now be required to remit 50 percent
of their earnings with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, with the remainder also
being lodged with the central bank and made available to exporters based on
a priority import list.

Previously, exporters had to submit 40 percent of their proceeds to the
Reserve Bank, while the remainder could be sold on the parallel market for
foreign currency, where the Zimbabwe dollar was last month trading at nearly
20 times its official rate against the United States dollar.

Mining companies have indicated that the new exchange control measures will
slash their earnings and make it impossible for many of them to pay their
wage bills and meet production costs, forcing them to close down.

At least 40 mining companies have shut down in the past two years, throwing
more than 4 500 workers onto the streets.

"It was strongly felt that the crux of the problems being faced were centred
on the exchange rate, which has not been reviewed since it was fixed in the
year 2000 whilst almost all input costs have escalated by over 700 percent,"
a source close to the committee said.

The committee also recommended that the exchange rate applied to the mining
industry should be linked to inflation on a monthly basis, so that it could
keep pace with rising operating costs.

Mining companies also proposed remitting 50 percent of their proceeds
immediately to the central bank, with the rest remaining in their foreign
currency accounts.

Alternatively, the industry has proposed that 50 percent be surrendered
immediately to the central bank, which would also hold a further 20 percent
that would be exchanged at a rate of $674 to the US dollar.

The remaining 30 percent would be held in the companies' foreign currency
accounts.

The committee is expected to meet again early next week to discuss the
mining industry's future.

Murerwa has indicated that the government is not willing to devalue the
Zimbabwe dollar, although several exchange rates presently apply to
different exporters, including gold producers, who have been hard hit by the
fixed exchange rate.
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Zesa Lobbies for Exporters to Settle Half of Bills in Forex



Financial Gazette (Harare)

December 5, 2002
Posted to the web December 8, 2002

Staff Reporter
Harare

THE Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is lobbying the government
to amend the country's foreign exchange control legislation to force
exporters to pay part of their electricity bills in hard cash, officials at
the power utility said this week.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in September rejected a proposal from ZESA
requesting that exporters pay their power bills in foreign currency, saying
such a measure would be illegal.

But ZESA officials said the parastatal had not abandoned its quest.

They said the power utility was now seeking that the Foreign Exchange
Control Act be amended by parliament so exporters can be forced to pay half
their bills in foreign currency.

"We have not withdrawn our request from the Reserve Bank and what we want
now is to have legislation that will be introduced to make them (exporters)
pay in foreign currency," an official at the parastatal said.

"After all, we are not saying they should pay all the bills in foreign
currency but only 50 percent."

Daniel Maviva, the ZESA spokesman, did not respond to written questions from
the Financial Gazette but sources said the power utility was critically
short of foreign currency to import electricity, service debts and import
spare parts.

The company needs US$208 million a year, or US$17.4 million every month, to
meet these requirements but was allocated only US$19.7 million by the
central bank between January and June this year.

The remainder of the parastatal's forex requirements had to be secured on
the parallel market for foreign currency.

As of July ZESA owed suppliers US$24 million for electricity imports but
sources said the debt, which had shown signs of easing early this year, was
swelling again because of critical foreign currency shortages.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, which represents the country's
manufacturers, has described ZESA's demands for payment in forex as
unacceptable and called on the Reserve Bank to intervene.

But the sources at ZESA were this week adamant that the only way the power
utility could survive Zimbabwe's macroeconomic instability was to make
exporters pay their bills in foreign currency.

"The foreign currency situation is not improving, and exporters are being
charged in local currency. This amounts to subsidised rates while we have to
bear the burden of sourcing the foreign currency," a ZESA official said.

"We will use the foreign currency to normalise our relationships with our
foreign suppliers and this will not be to our own benefit but for the
exporters and the country," he added.

Major foreign suppliers of electricity to Zimbabwe include Eskom of South
Africa, Hydro Cabora Bassa of Mozambique, Societe Nationale d' Electricity
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Zambia Electricity Supply
Commission.

The companies have at one point all threatened to switch ZESA off for
failing to pay its debts.
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Daily Telegraph

Letter to the Editor



      Re: Cricket to fight Mugabe
      Date: 9 December 2002

      Sir - The International Cricket Council (ICC) can rest assured that
World Cup players will be safe in Harare and Bulawayo (report, Nov 26). Our
brutal regime will make sure of that.

      Robert Mugabe has been retained by the Cricket Union as its patron: a
decision unanimously reached at an annual meeting in July. Is it not ironic
that this most English of games, which for years stood for all that is fair
in sport, should have Mugabe as its patron?

      Politics in Zimbabwe has gone far beyond people holding different
opinions on how a country should be governed. The apolitical have to become
involved because of the awful things that are happening. We are talking
about being for or against real evil.

      It is precisely because some players have, as farmers' sons, been
directly affected by the current crisis in Zimbabwe that one hoped they
might have had the moral courage to say that they are happy to play for
"their" Zimbabwe elsewhere, but not in "his" Zimbabwe. How do the farmers,
and the hundreds of thousands of farm children and their parents whose lives
have been shattered in the past two years and who are now hungry and
homeless, feel?

      If our professional cricketers haven't got the courage to reject the
most infamous lover of the game as their patron, let the ICC take that
decision from them and move the venue to Bloemfontein. It would be a real
morale booster to the thousands of brave people of all races who are
fighting for justice and peace against all odds, and who often feel that the
rest of the world does not care about the terrorism they fight daily.

      The excuse that money will be pumped back into cricket at grassroots
level and that it will boost tourism is irrelevant. The money spent on the
press box at the Harare Sports Club grounds alone could feed countless
people who need food, security and democracy - not runs, wickets and
possible glory for a day.

      From:
      Mary Casson, Borrowdale, Zimbabwe
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