Arrest, arrest, and a beating: it's daily life in Zimbabwe

The Times, UK December 07, 2006

Jan Raath

            The audience in the cinema in Bulawayo was distressed, said the
German Ambassador. Pius Ncube, the outspoken Roman Catholic Archbishop, was
quite emotional. Paul Themba Nyathi, the articulate opposition figure, had
just been charged with inciting the Armed Forces to rise against Robert
Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe. Police had intercepted pamphlets that he
and a party worker were distributing, which criticised the Government's
failure to ensure their welfare . "They are struggling to pay for food and
health and education because they are poorly paid," it said. He could get 20
years in jail.
            The reason for the audience's distress, though, was the film
they were watching, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days. Miss Scholl was also
arrested for distributing pamphlets that criticised the Government over its
reckless military policies. Only it was in Munich, in 1943, and the pamphlet
was about the Wermacht's casualties at Stalingrad. She was guillotined.

            "It was the echo that was so disturbing," the ambassador said.
The film won first prize in the local film festival, probably because of
that, he said. Here it comes again.

            Miss Scholl's father was jailed after a workmate reported him
for making a critical remark about Hitler; just like Bassanio Chikwiriri in
Gwanda, who remarked in a bar that Mr Mugabe was the architect of Zimbabwe's
economic collapse. He got three months - suspended.

            That's all that seems to happen these days, arrest, arrest,
arrest, usually with a beating, for the crime of inciting revolt or
insulting the President, which seem to be the same thing. A word, a gesture
out of line is hammered flat when it's barely spoken. Last week four street
actors in Bulawayo were performing a skit on hunger and queues. They were
arrested and beaten up. No one in the commuter minibuses in Harare opens his
mouth any more because of the likelihood of a Central Intelligence
Organisation plant among the passengers.

            "Die Sonne scheint noch," (the Sun still shines), Miss Scholl
said before they cut off her head. Like-minded Germans had an Allied
invasion to look forward to, but Zimbabweans are content with lesser
victories - such as Charles Zinyembe after he staged a demonstration in the
small, dangerous town of Rusape with a placard saying, "Mugabe must go".

            Which Mugabe? The magistrate asked, and bravely acquitted him.

            Or the elderly white man caught cursing the President under his
breath as he left a Harare supermarket, which is what most people do, in
shock at the latest surge in prices. He sped off before the police could
stop him, and they couldn't track him down at the central vehicle registry
because the records were in chaos. He got away with it, and those who heard
the story rejoiced in their hearts.

Zimbabwe Noise Protest Gathers Momentum; Union Threatens Action

VOA

      By Blessing Zulu
      Washington
      06 December 2006

More than 500 people took part in a five-minute lunchtime noise protest
organised in Harare Wednestoday by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which unites
churches, civic groups and opposition parties against President Robert
Mugabe.

The Save Zimbabwe Campaign has called on citizens to engage in a peaceful
five-minute protest every Wednesday by banging pots, hooting car horns,
whistling and shouting. Witnesses said there was a heavy police presence in
the capital and participation seemed to be stronger than on the two previous
Wednesdays.

Protesters were led by parliamentarians and top officials of the Movement
for Democratic Change faction of MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, while the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called out industrial workers and the
Zimbabwe National Students Union said it had called marches in Harare,
Bulawayo and Masvingo.

Student union sources said two leaders of the organization were questioned
for hours by police wanting to know the source of fliers distributed in the
capital.

The campaign's general council met in Harare and resolved to press ahead
with what it is calling the "Sounds of Freedom" protest. The governing body
decided to increase the length of time during which protesters would make
noise to 25 minutes.

Foreign affairs spokeswoman Grace Kwinjeh of the Tsvangirai faction told
reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe the protests went as
planned.

Elsewhere, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has vowed to make good on
its threat of mass protests against the government, citing news that the
cost of living rose 47% in November. The ZCTU general council resolved to
negotiate with Harare and confront it in the streets until the conditions
improve for Zimbabwean workers.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said Wednesday that the basic cost of
living for a family of six rose from Z$141,706 in October to Z$208,714 in
November.The group said basics such as maize meal, cooking oil and soap rose
in price more than 100%.

ZCTU Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe told reporter Blessing Zulu of
VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that most workers are now living under the
poverty line.

Govt limits size of farms

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
HARARE - The Zimbabwean Government has announced maximum sizes for
commercial farms, and says that any farm, which exceeds the limit, will be
sub-divided into smaller plots.
The new regulations apply to those remaining white-owned farms, which have
not already been listed for government seizure. The government says that in
rich, arable farming areas, no property can exceed 250 hectares (2.5 sq.km).
And on poorer land used for cattle ranching, the limit is now 2,000 hectares
(20 sq.km).
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made said the new maximum size regulations have
been introduced with immediate effect. Many white farmers own farms of
several thousand acres in size.
According to a Zanu (PF) report compiled by the ruling party's commissariat
department, there are 72 white farmers remaining under the A2 scheme and
operating on 927 farms.
"Their case is being considered and they will be given offer letters, which
will be followed by 99-year leases. Those who fail to get offer letters will
have their farms given to indigenous land seekers," says the audit report
prepared by Elliot Manyika, the ruling party's political commissar.
The report claims that much of the land owned by white farmers is not being
effectively used. But economists warn that the new regulations - if
enforced - would destroy the viability of some of Zimbabwe's most productive
farms. The move comes hard on the heels of new laws, the Gazetted Land
(Consequential Provisions) Bill which government wants to use to force off
the few remaining white farmers off their land.
Last week, Mugabe told the 199th ordinary session of the Zanu (PF) Politburo
that the main opposition party and white farmers were terrorists, and said
the British Government have been funding terrorism in Zimbabwe. Britain
maintains the accusation is absurd.

Civil society team visits Zim

The Zimbabwean

( 07-12-06)
BY MAGUGU NYATHI
JOHANNESBURG - Members of Civil Society from across the continent have been
in Zimbabwe for the past week speaking a wide cross-section of the
population on challenges facing civil society there.
CIVICUS' Civil Society Watch (CSW), an international alliance based in
Johannesburg, sent a high level Advocacy Team to provide an opportunity for
regional civil society and the international community to offer solidarity
to Zimbabwean civil society during the country's current crisis.
Speaking to the media on their return, the team expressed concern about the
continued crackdown on freedom of expression, association, assembly and the
Zimbabwe's government's apathy towards spiralling poverty in the country.
"There is devastating poverty in Zimbabwe; in Porta farm, the houses people
live in are like the houses of war. In Bulawayo I saw anger. The young
people want to fight and die for sanity in Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe is burning yet its South African neighbour does nothing to put out
the fire.  We label Zimbabwean all sorts of names and we send them to
Lindela detention centre. We claim there is no war in Zimbabwe yet people
are dying," said team member Dr Don Mattera, a writer and community activist
Elinor Sisulu, media manager for Crisis Coalition, said the AU has failed
the people of Zimbabwe.
"There is hopelessness among the people of Zimbabwe they want the situation
to end now but it's not an overnight thing. It needs resilience. Most of the
SADC countries are in chaos but they continue doing nothing at all, because
they can not pinpoint Mugabe when their houses are not in order," she said.
The team pledged to continue putting pressure on the Mugabe government.

Zim swimming champ's family driven off land

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
MUTARE - Zimbabwe's chances of getting a medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics
may have gone up in smoke following the forceful eviction of a top swimming
family, the Richters from their family farm, Redsands, in Chipinge.
Bruce and Sharon Richter, whose farm produced coffee and macadamia nuts, are
the parents of Samantha, a national swimmer and the reigning Junior
Sportsperson of the Year, who is based at the Pretoria High Performance
Centre were she is honing her skills preparation for the All Africa Games in
Algiers next year and the Olympics in 2008. After their farm was invaded the
family sought refuge in New Zealand.
"It's very sad. I was forced off my farm at gunpoint. Zimbabwe is my country
and this is the only place that my children have known, but I have no choice
leave," Bruce Richter said.
Redsands Farm used to be pride of Manicaland, earning US$1 million every
year, after the husband and wife team put 120 hectares under coffee and
cropped macadamia nuts on 130 hectares.
On 30 hectares, the family grew tea - the bulk of which was 'consumed' by
Tanganda Tea Estate - and 50 hectares was put under gum trees. The Richter's
also employed 400 workers, who have been rendered jobless with the latest
invasion.
"I was told to abandon my farm in the dead of night at gunpoint with one of
the invaders wielding an AK and a handgun. My little daughters were
terrified, but we were forced to abandon everything. I was never shown an
offer letter from the new owners or any documentation but I was just told to
pack leaving all my equipment and crops. I do not want to leave this farm,
this is my home. I have been on this farm since my father (Roy Richter)
bought it in 1980, when it was a mere bush, which was being used for cattle
farming. I developed and imported a tea and coffee processing plant from
Australia," Richter said.
For the past year he had co-existed with four 'new farmers' who had been
offered a portion of his farm - at least 165 hectares.
"The lands committee came here and pegged 165 ha which was given to four
guys and we have co-existed amenably for a year until I was told I should
leave for good by Manicaland CIO boss Innocent Chibaya," Richter said.
Samantha Richter (17), who was Zimbabwe's only medal winner at the 8th All
Africa Swimming Championships held in Senegal last month.
She earned three bronze Medals for the 50m butterfly (29.13sec ), 100m
freestyle (59.44sec) and 50m freestyle (27.56sec) to underline the benefit
of her current full-time status at the Pretoria High Performance Centre in
South Africa.
Sam's 50m butterfly was a new Zimbabwe 17-year age group record, as was her
100m-butterfly time of 1min 05.00sec. Samantha who has already attained All
Africa Games times is gunning for the Olympics Games. She was not at home
when the evictions were in enforced as she was away in South Africa.
"It was most unpleasant for the children. I hope one day things will change
and we will come back," said Sharon Richter. - CAJ News

WOZA members survive latest ordeal

WOZA women and children assaulted by the police
HARARE - The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has come under withering criticism from political and civic groups for ruthlessly breaking up a peaceful march by WOZA last week to mark the launch of their "People's Charter", a declaration on political and economic rights.
Baton-wielding police rounded up 40 demonstrators in Bulawayo and dragged them to a neighbouring police drill room where they were savagely beaten. Six of them, including an 11-month old baby, sustained severe injuries, including bone fractures.
The brutal attack on peaceful demonstrators and innocent children violates basic tenets of international law and has been widely condemned by the international community. The last of the protestors were eventually released on Monday, after several days in police custody.
WOZA leaders say the police are in a quandary about how to deal with peaceful protestors.  "True to their 'strategy', overheard being discussed at WOZA's last court victory, they beat up WOZA/ MOZA protesters. Although the same officer overheard discussing this 'strategy' was again overheard saying that they obviously did not beat them viciously enough," said Jenni Williams.
"We know that those who fear the truth will always resort to violence, the only language they know. But WOZA will continue undeterred - the power of love can overcome the love of power!"
She thanked the many who supported WOZA during their latest ordeal, by calling, faxing or emailing and adding your voices to those of thousands of Zimbabweans who want a socially just future and will not be silenced. - Staff reporter

Fears of imminent blackout

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
 HARARE - Zimbabwean listeners and viewers risk an unprecedented radio and
television signal blackout if the government does not move with speed to
replace obsolete transmission equipment.
Alfred Mandere the chief executive officer of Transmedia Corporation, the
sole national signal carrier operator, confirmed the possibility of the
imminent blackout. "The equipment is now old and definitely a transmission
blackout for both television and radio is inevitable, it's more like an old
car that now needs to be replaced," said Mandere.
"Government must do something fast because eventually the blackout will
dawn. There is need for national investment in the radio and television
sector."
Transmedia has made an appeal for US$ 64 million to the government for the
acquisition of new equipment from China, South Africa and Europe as part of
its National Grand Plan aimed at replacing the existing 40-year old
equipment and improve transmission coverage.
Due to lack of transmission sites and depleted stations, only 30 percent of
the country receives radio and television coverage from the state-controlled
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings, while the other 70 percent relies on foreign
stations. - MISA

Relentless horror for Bikita residents

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
BY GIFT PHIRI
BIKITA - Victims of the ruling Zanu (PF) party's growing oppression at
Chikuku - a dirt-poor rural settlement in Bikita - on Sunday confided in
Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for
Democratic Change, on the relentless horrors they have endured in the run-up
and the aftermath of rural district council elections held in October.
As the fiery opposition leader left Chikuku for another rally at Negovano
Business Centre, he visited fields now lying fallow, guided by some of those
persecuted during the dark days that preceded the rural district poll in
which MDC won five wards in Gutu and Bikita.
Tsvangirai heard harrowing tales of how Zanu (PF) officials, chiefs and
headmen had barred them from ploughing their fields this season because they
voted for the MDC during the rural district council elections.
They have also been told that they would not get any food this season
because they supported the MDC. The people, including old men and women,
said some shops were refusing to sell maize meal to known MDC supporters on
the orders of Zanu (PF) thugs and hooligans.
Paying tribute to the people for swaying the vote, Tsvangirai said: "You
have sent a clear message to Mugabe that you want change and development,"
Tsvangirai told the cheering throng. "Remain united and continue to speak
with one voice against the Zanu (PF)'s machinations to instil fear through
harassment and violence."
Tsvangirai said the MDC would soon name and shame all headmen, chiefs and
village heads who had abandoned their traditional duties to embed themselves
with a rogue regime.
Tsvangirai, who was accompanied by national chairman Isaac Matongo and
national organising secretary Engineer Elias Mudzuri, said his party was
aware that Mugabe's campaign strategy is repression on a scale surpassing
previous polls. Tsvangirai said the Mugabe regime was mimicking the
repressive tactics used by Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front.
"They have copied and perfected the art of repression," said Tsvangirai.
"The only difference is that ours is a brother on brother oppression. Zanu
(PF) continues to brutalise the rural people for daring to express
themselves in the last elections. But dictators always come second best
against the people."
Tsvangirai said in a new Zimbabwe, the people would never be vilified for
following the conviction of their conscience.

Black market grocery shopping

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - "Eeh blaz" the streetwise young man called, as I walked past a
concrete roadside bridge at the end of an alley flanked by durawalls. The
adolescent was furtive, but it was not a twist of mbanje that he was trying
to sell me - it was food. He was offering 10 litres of cooking oil for
Z$10,000, which is equal to anything from US$5 to US$50 depending on which
exchange rate you use.
The minimum wage for a labourer is about Z$15,000 a month, the same price as
5kgs of imported margarine in the nearby supermarket. Local margarine is no
longer available. So is cooking oil following the decision by Olivine
Industries to stop production due to shortages of soyabean and cotton seed.
So much for land reform. We whisper arrangements. I will meet him behind the
garage across the road in Southerton in 45 minutes. At the appointed time, I
walk along a sanitary lane at the back of the garage, and wait.
Phew! These deals take time. Two youths emerge from under a canvas covering
the back of a derelict pick-up and hiss at me. I lift my hand and start
walking towards them. They hand me two 5litre containers of cooking oil.
The containers are wrapped in loose black plastic bags to disguise. I place
the cooking oil on the ground and dig into about three inches of Z$1,000
bearer cheques, pick out 10 of the notes, and the transaction is over. The
youths disappear back under the tarpaulin of the pick-up, and I have my
cooking oil, enough to last me after New Year.
But more shopping has to be done. Sugar. That is usually available from
youths at a shopping centre further west. As they see me and my friend's old
car roaring round the corner, they smile and disappear for a couple of
minutes, re-emerging with two 2kgs packs of sugar in a cardboard box.
"Sorry blaz, the price has gone up to Z$1,200."
Next on my list is milk. Too late - it's 9.30am and all the milk in the
supermarkets was sold an hour earlier. The bread queues at bakeries are too
formidable to join. Many of the bakeries are next door to coffee shops, yet
sipping an espresso while watching people queue for bread is too
uncomfortable.
Then a shocker. We notice that my friend's skorokoro(old car) petrol gauge
is near empty. We had a week of no fuel queues, and like summer, I thought
it would go on for ever. There is not enough in the tank to even get to
"Mukoma vekuFilling Station". Mukoma vekuFilling Station is a friendly
garage owner, and is essential for those who cannot face queuing - or rather
can afford not to. We will have to phone 10 minutes ahead before getting
there - which is difficult as mobile phones hardly work and are congested.
Calling ahead is necessary so that the garage owner can tell in advance if
the coast is clear, so that he can arrange for us to jump the queue without
being lynched by other angry drivers who slept in the queue. We hop into a
kombi, drive 10 kilometres to mukoma vekuFilling Station and fill up a jerry
can at the friendly garage, then travel back to our skorokoro where we suck
a tube and siphon all the petrol into the car.
On the way back from the hunt for cooking oil, sugar and milk, we pass
children begging at traffic lights. There are six traffic lights to get
through before home, and at each one we give them sugar, a teaspoonful
wrapped in paper, taken from coffee shops. There is no point in giving them
money, as most people cannot afford to give enough on a regular basis to buy
even a banana, and sugar is a treat.
Along Enterprise Road, four-wheel-drive vehicles, including the famous
Hummers, Prados and X5s speed to the suburbs, driven by rich members of the
black middle class, girls with hair expensively plaited, ears fixed to cell
phones. On the side of the uneven streets, the dwindling working class
trudge home, unable to afford even a bus ticket. Out in the desolate
townships and shanty towns it's worse.
A woman bit the lip off another who jumped a queue last week in Mbare. On a
hot afternoon recently fists flew at a bread queue on the western outskirts
of town. At a township east of Harare on the same day there was a queue for
cheap maize meal distributed by a local ruling party officials in Seke. He
was selling it to people with a ruling party card that pre-dated the
disputed rural district council elections, which was won by Zanu (PF).
Opposition youths, who far outnumbered the ruling party shoppers, were
grinning broadly. They claimed to have "redistributed" some of the food to
those who had been turned away.
Last week, the World Food Programme issued a sudden warning about the
deteriorating food situation in Zimbabwe at the same time announcing it was
scaling back its operation in Zimbabwe due to donor fatigue. Yet for those
whose pockets are stuffed with a few inches of Z$10,000 bearer cheques,
everything can still be all right in Harare.

At large with John Makumbe

The Zimbabwean

( 07-12-06)
Zanu(PF) Annual Circus
John Makumbe
The Zanu(PF) annual feeding frenzy begins in Goromonzi in a few days. As
usual, there has been considerable media speculation on what might be
discussed at the decaying party's conference this year, with Mugabe's
succession debate topping the chart. I have strongly resisted and rejected
the meaningless speculation because it has not yielded any realistic
outcomes in the past. There is no reason why it should do so this time
around. State institutions have been taking considerable space to
congratulate VP Joice Teurairopa Mujuru for surviving two years of
co-presiding over one of the world's fastest declining economy. I do not
remember anyone showering Joseph Msika with similar accolades two or three
years since his ascension to the VP position. What is so special about Spill
Blood?
But this contribution is not just about VPs and their bootlickers. Instead,
I think it may be more useful to focus our attention on those national
concerns that the Goromonzi Circus is unlikely to discuss. The reason why
the delegates at the conference are unlikely to discuss the succession issue
is that no one in Zanu(PF) will have the courage to place that item on the
agenda. Fear of Mugabe rules and overrules all of his minions to the extent
that placing the succession issue will be viewed as treasonous. Another
issue that will not be discussed is the rampant looting that is going on in
government, in parastatals and even in the private sector. The major
perpetrators of corruption in Zimbabwe are none other than senior Zanu(PF)
and government officials, including both VPs who have been fingered in the
Ziscosteel-gate. We have recently learnt that several top heavies in the
rotten political party have been spared the name and shame process in regard
to the importation of white sand from South Africa.
The Zanu(PF) conference will not dare discuss the reasons for the collapse
of the Zimbabwean economy. To do so would be to point an accusing finger at
the old man who once said that no one could have run the Zimbabwe economy
better than himself. That would be hazardous to one's health, indeed. The
delegates are very likely to be actively celebrating the awarding of the
worthless 99-year lease agreements to a few farmers regardless of their
performance in agricultural productivity. The agreements are worthless in
that they have not been accepted as collateral by financial institutions in
Zimbabwe. Perhaps the Goromonzi gala will pass a resolution asking the
dictator to legislate for the acceptance of the leases as collateral. Let's
wait and see.
Will the feeding frenzy have the courage to discuss the irrelevance and
impotence of Mugabe's look east policy? Will they be able to openly state
the various ways in which the Chinese have ruined our textile industry, and
how they threaten to literally shut down our manufacturing industry? Very
unlikely. The IMF team is currently in town, but they are not likely to
receive any mention at the circus since they are viewed with almost naked
hatred for simply having money. It is also very unlikely that the rulers
will have time to discuss some of the serious problems pertaining to the
escalation of the cost of living vis-à-vis levels of incomes in this
country. They are unlikely to ask why more than 90% of Zimbabweans are now
living below the poverty datum line. To do so would be to criticise the dear
leader on whose generosity they all depend for survival. The Goromonzi
circus is not worth even a quarter of the media attention it gets. I wish
they would discuss regime change.

An exercise in futility

The Zimbabwean

Editorial 07-12-2006

One has to admire the tenacity of the gentlemen of the IMF. They are in
Harare again this week for what must certainly be the most frustrating of
negotiations. For years now they have been trying to knock some economic
sense into Mugabe and his cabinet. But this is a Herculean task because the
only principle the goons in Harare understand is that of personal and
political survival.
Mugabe has frequently denounced the IMF and its policies in the past - and
yet they keep going back for more. Just what do they think they can achieve
by continuing to negotiate with Harare? The discussions are totally at
cross-purposes. They will come to nought.
In order to keep himself and Zanu (PF) in power, Mugabe needs to keep
certain people on side - notably the military, the police and the Border
Gezi thugs. That is the only way he can thrash the populace into submission
to the horrors they are enduring under his tyranny.
The business community is reeling under the effects of more than a decade of
bad governance, economic mis-management and rampant corruption.  Yet
businesses are not permitted to price their goods accordingly.  This fuels
shortages, which in turn fuels the black market, which in turn puts money
into the pockets of the politically well-connected.
Parastatals, by contrast, are given carte blanche to increase their charges
constantly - in many cases for non-delivery of basic essentials such as
water, electricity and fuel.
Mugabe resolutely refuses to take any meaningful action on corruption and
profligacy that abound at every level of his government. Meaningless action,
such as creating ministries of anti-corruption, investigative boards and
commissions, etc, abound - but achieve nothing.
Everything Zanu (PF) does flies in the face of the IMF's basic contention
that governments should not interfere with business.
Just this week finance minister Herbert Murerwa has been quoted as saying
Zimbabwe was unlikely to clear the remaining arrears of its IMF debt,
currently at US$120 million, because it had no guarantees of new aid or
having its voting rights restored.
In addition, there is Mugabe's crazy Look East Policy, which has wrecked the
nation's once prosperous and diverse industrial base and turned the economy
into a cash and carry bazaar.
Against this background, we are amazed that the IMF continues to persist in
such an exercise in futility.

ZRP denies torture charge

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-2006)

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - It has emerged that the notorious Mbare-based Zanu (PF) terror
squad, known as Chipangano, was responsible for the torture while in police
custody of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and MDC leaders.
According to police sources, the acts of torture which led to widespread
international condemnation of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, were not
committed by bona fide police officers, but by Zanu (PF) thugs.
The minister of home affairs, Kembo Mohadi, is said to be furious at the
actions of the youth militia at Matapi Police Station in September and has
allegedly demanded a full report.
The ZRP is facing a Z$2 billion lawsuit for damages as a result of the
torture of ZCTU secretary general, Wellington Chibebe, and 14 other union
and political leaders.
Top police sources this week gave The Zimbabwean a peek into the ZRP's
formal response to the lawsuit for unlawful arrest, detention, assault and
torture.
The ZRP's response came as a Harare Magistrate on Monday handed down
judgement approving the referral of the ZCTU's constitutional challenge
against the repressive Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act to the
Supreme Court on the grounds that it was ultra vires the Zimbabwe
constitution.
Magistrate William Bhila gave the labour leaders a long remand to March 26
pending the determination of the Supreme Court on the constitutional
challenge to Section 37 (1) of the Code which outlaws "uttering words that
are obscene, insulting or such similar words."
The ZCTU, through its prominent Harare lawyer Alec Muchadehama, argued that
the clause violated citizens' fundamental freedoms of assembly and
expression.
The ZCTU further argued that according to Schedule 24 of the draconian
Public Order and Security Act, labour organizations were among a special
group that was exempt from notifying police before holding any
demonstration.
The constitutional challenge, which is expected to be heard by a full
Supreme Court bench, seeks the wholesale repeal of the Criminal Law
Codification and Reform Act on the grounds that it violated the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and many other domestic and international
statutes.
In its 18-page response, the ZRP said there was a "lack of merit in the
allegation" and that the accusations were "frivolous and vexatious."
The ZCTU's "intention to sue" cites all the police officers who were
involved in the torture of labour leaders, among them Special Constable
Oripa, Constable Nicasio Majaya, Constable Paswairi, Constable Edmore
Munodawafa and the Matapi Police Station officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector
Mukuze.

Discontent smoulders in Zanu (PF)

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
HARARE - The ruling Zanu (PF) party next week goes to its December annual
people's conference, which has been described by political analysts as a
"sublime mysticism of nonsense," without anything tangible on the plate -
except the land issue and the restructuring of its administrative wing, the
politburo.
Party insiders are quietly concerned about the prospect of having
82-year-old Robert Mugabe continue at the helm of the party. Vocal
challenges to Mugabe's reign have so far only marginalised the dissenters.
Several Zanu (PF) officials who spoke to The Zimbabwean on the sidelines of
the Harare provincial conference held at the weekend acknowledged simmering
discontent within the rank-and-file of Zanu (PF) over Mugabe's seemingly
interminable stay in power.
Not even the over-zealousness of officials from the Department of
Information and Publicity in denying this reporter accreditation to the
provincial conference could hide the fact that all was not rosy within the
ruling party as it gears itself for its 9th National People's Conference
whose theme would be 'Consolidating Independence through Land, Mining
Reforms and Empowerment.'
In a rare admission of failure, Zanu (PF) Harare provincial chairman Amos
Midzi admitted "poor service delivery, high unemployment, high prices of
goods and services have made the people to develop a negative attitude
towards the ruling party."
Authoritative party sources said even amongst the old guard there was
considerable discomfort at having Mugabe remain at the helm of the party
indefinitely.

RBZ U-turn on forex agencies

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
HARARE - The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has re-registered seven of the 16
money transfer agencies it banned in October due to non-performance and
deviant behaviour.
The agencies whose licences were returned are Fedex Financial Services,
Stanbic Bank, NMB Bank, Zimpost, Barnfords, Pacific and CFX.
In a press statement, central bank chief Gideon Gono - battling to breathe
life into Zimbabwe's comatose economy - said the re-registered money
transfer agencies had pledged to comply with standing forex rules.
"This registration process was premised upon anticipated performances and
pledges to comply with provision of the Exchange Control Statutory
Instrument 77 of 2004 by the respective money transfer agencies," said a
statement from the RBZ's Exchange Control Inspectorate. "These licences are
valid with immediate effect for a period of one year and Reserve Bank will
from time to time continue to monitor the operations of these money transfer
agencies to ensure compliance."

Govt bans human rights education

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
HARARE - The Zimbabwean government has suspended the teaching of human
rights and democracy in secondary schools and announced the setting up of
the Chitepo Ideology College, poised to indoctrinate youths in Zanu (PF)'s
socialist policies.
This is in addition to Border Gezi youth militia training - already a
prerequisite for admission to tertiary institutions, including the
Journalism School at the Harare Polytechnic.
The government has been implementing a pilot project to include human rights
and democracy education in the syllabi of secondary schools in three
provinces. The project was to be extended to the remaining seven provinces
next year.
Documents in possession of The Zimbabwean show that the government has
directed that the pilot project be withdrawn immediately and all teaching of
human rights and democracy suspended. No reasons were cited in the education
ministry's circular to the affected schools.
The move comes at a time when teachers and principals in Gokwe have been
forced by gun-toting youths to form Zanu (PF) branches and cells at schools.
The youngsters, headed by notorious gang leader Toki Marufu, brutally
assaulted five teachers - one of them a pregnant woman - at a primary school
in Gokwe about two weeks ago after the teachers failed to produce Zanu (PF)
cards.
He has now banned the circulation of The Zimbabwean in the area because it
was "indoctrinating people with neo-colonial hogwash."
The gang of Zanu (PF) youths has ordered all teachers to buy Zanu (PF) cards
and convene regular meetings at which the teachers must shout slogans and
sing revolutionary songs.
"There is total lawlessness here. We have now been forced to become Zanu
(PF) politicians despite the fact that on enrolling into the teaching
profession we are told never to engage in politics," said a teacher, who
spoke on condition of anonymity. "We have no option but to comply because
the youths are armed and violent. We have failed to get protection from
anyone, not even the police or education officials."

Funds sought for Ndebele bibles

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
BULAWAYO - Supplies of The Bible in Ndebele have completely run out in
Zimbabwe. The British Bible Society and its Zimbabwean counterpart, the
Zimbabwean Bible Society are raising funds for a new print run of at least
10 000 copies. The cheapest place to get it done is in Nairobi.
"The Bible Society version is King James translation but there has very
recently been an NIV translation finished which is distributed by the
International Bible Society of Zimbabwe. We feel that both versions are
necessary. The King James version is still much preferred amongst older
people and in the rural areas but for younger people and students the
preference is for the NIV. For this reason we also plan 10,000 NIV to be
printed," said a spokesperson for the fundraisers.
Anyone interested is asked make a donation and also to pass this information
on to potential donors. "We have already had offers of churches willing to
do a special gift day for the bibles and would appreciate anything you could
do to help us raise the money needed. Even the smallest gift is welcome,"
she said. - For bank details for transferring  money online please contact:
kingsjill@aol.com

SADC needs to act now

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
BY MUONGORORI

Very few analysts hold out any hope of political change in Zimbabwe in the
near future. They point to the shambles in Zanu (PF) where the fight to
succeed Robert Mugabe in the Presidency has taken on a life of its own and
threatens to tear Zanu (PF) apart. They point to the divided opposition and
argue that it no longer has the capacity to force change and claim that the
Security Services show little sign that they think change is desirable.
The question that faces all of us who live in Zimbabwe is can this state of
indecision carry on for much longer? How much more punishment can the
country and its people take? What next?
The answer to all of the above is not much more and something has to break
soon. The danger of simply sitting back and waiting for the inevitable will
invite chaos and further damage - both inside Zimbabwe and within the wider
SADC region. The threat of collateral damage may in fact be the final
catalyst that triggers some sort of regional and international intervention.
The question remains as to what form this intervention might take. Nobody
wants South African tanks rolling over Beitbridge and there is a real
reluctance to dictate a solution. The argument that the future should be
left to the people of Zimbabwe has some validity although this is clearly
not enough to get the process going.
The answer may be found in the fact that Zanu (PF) and Mugabe both claim to
be democrats and to hold democratic credentials. In fact the main line of
defence of the regime in Harare by the region has been just that - the
argument that Zanu (PF) has "won" the three elections since 2000.
Zanu (PF) also allows a continued modicum of respect and adherence to the
present National Constitution - flawed as it is by numerous amendments and
its birth in 1980 out of the strange alliances at Lancaster House.
Perhaps because of these set positions, the answer is to see if we can find
a consensus around the view that the Presidential elections planned for
March 2008, as laid down in the present Constitution should proceed and that
no deferments should be permitted as has been suggested by elements in Zanu
(PF) over the past few months.
If this can be agreed then all that remains is to ensure that the subsequent
election is free and fair. The only question remaining being what conditions
might allow the election to be adjudicated by the international community as
meeting the laid down criteria for such events. Why the international
community - simply because they hold the purse strings to the funds needs to
begin Zimbabwe's recovery and because it is a generally agreed principle
that they are the best judge or referee for such contests between local
rivals with different regional supporters clubs.
The qualifying criteria are not onerous and there is ample time to comply if
action is taken now. They are: -
>Either a system of universal voting rights based on residence and
>citizenship or a voter's roll that is inclusive and allows all eligible
>persons to vote where they live.
>The appointment of an independent Electoral Commission that is broadly
>representative and neutral and has complete control over the whole
>electoral process, including voter registration and the conduct of the poll
>itself
>A campaign period during which all political parties can campaign without
>restriction and have equal access to the media.
>The absence of all forms of coercion - violent or other, during the
>campaign and the voting period.
>Conducting the poll itself under conditions where all eligible or
>registered voters can vote conveniently within a set period - on one day
>preferably.
>Allowing international monitors complete access to the process and to all
>polling stations and to the count and the subsequent tallying.
>Providing for all participating political parties to appoint polling agents
>and to allow them access to the polling stations and to the subsequent
>count and delivery of results to the national Electoral Commission.
Should the State agree to these conditions the international community,
either directly or via the United Nations should state now that they will
recognise the outcome and will work with the incoming administration to
create the conditions for economic recovery and humanitarian support.
The SADC clearly has a responsibility to take up this sort of agenda and to
see that it happens. Zanu (PF), despite its protests about being
"democratic" will fiercely appose the conduct of a poll under these
conditions. However, they have surely run out of space from which they can
defend the status quo. Such a free and fair electoral process would produce
a new government that would have all the power it required to sort things
out and plot a new course for the country.
It would also allow Zimbabweans to choose their new leadership without
external intervention. The SADC Protocols on free and fair elections provide
a laid down foundation for such an exercise. SADC leaders also have the
power and the influence to make it happen. Such an exercise would redeem our
leadership in the eyes of the watching world and demonstrate the capacity of
African leadership to sort out African problems.
Leaving things as they are and simply standing back and watching this
tragedy unfold is no longer an option for any of us.

MDC UK fracas 'not about politics'

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
WOLVERHAMPTON - Felix Nyamayaro, who was accused by members of the Movement
for Democratic Change Wolverhampton Branch of being a Zanu (PF) agent has
denied any political affiliation.
He also denied pushing, dragging and verbally assaulting the branch
vice-chair, and taking photos of people attending the meeting as alleged by
branch chairman Charles Masawi in last week's edition of The Zimbabwean.
"I am a businessman," he said this week.  "And the problem in Wolverhampton
is not about politics at all.  It is about offensive language being used at
public meetings."
Nyamayaro said he had gone to collect his girlfriend from an MDC meeting and
heard the vice chair using abusive language, at which he protested.
The police in Wolverhampton confirmed having received a report of the fracas
that ensued and said their investigations were continuing.
Nyamayaro admitted sending text messages to several branch members to
protest about the abusive language.

Welshman gets 99-year lease

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
HARARE - The Mutambara-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s secretary
general Professor Welshman Ncube is among political cronies given 99-year
leases by President Robert Mugabe last month, Parliament heard last week.
Responding during a question and answer session, Rural Housing and Social
Amenities minister Emmerson Mnangagwa said the allocation of a 99-year lease
to Ncube was a clear demonstration that government was allocating land to
every Zimbabwean, including those that initially spoke ill of the agrarian
reform programme.
Mnangagwa was responding to a question posed by Gweru Urban MDC MP Timothy
Mukahlera who asked whether opposition MPs could be allocated land under the
government's bloated land reform programme.
Mnangagwa drew howls of laughter when he said Ncube had defied party policy
and applied for land and that government "had allocated him farms."
"I am grateful to the member of the opposition for coming around to realize
that land is important," he said.
Ncube was unavailable for comment, but a spokesman for his party, Gabriel
Chaibva said his party was opposed to Mugabe's land reform.
Harare Central MDC MP Murisi Zwizai castigated Mukahlera for giving the
ruling party an opportunity to poke fun at the opposition through his
question.

Chinamasa sues The Zimbabwean

The Zimbabwean

(07-12-06)
LONDON - Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa is suing The Zimbabwean and it's
editor, Wilf Mbanga, for defamation and demanding immediate payment of
damages to the value of  the eye-watering sum of Z$3,500,000,000 (3,5
trillion).
This sum is back-dated to October 7, 2005, and interest calculated at 30%
per annum plus the costs of the suit. This is believed to be a record figure
for a defamation case.
Papers were sent by post to the newspaper at its UK office this week,
accompanied by a letter from Simplicius Chihambakwe of the legal practice
Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and partners dated November 10, 2006. Attached to the
letter is a plaintiff's declaration bearing the High Court of Zimbabwe date
stamp of December 20, 2005. The reason for the 11-month delay in filing the
papers is not clear.
The issue at stake is a story, published in The Zimbabwean of October 7,
2005, about Zimbabwe's descent into lawlessness and the violence sweeping
some parts of the country prior to the senate elections.

The Zimbabwean Letters

Dying moments of a regime
EDITOR - I felt very depressed after reading about the lawlessness,
repression,
and lack of accountability from The Zimbabwean of the 30 Nov-6 December
2006. What the Mugabe regime is doing does not fit the description of an
institution of  government. The things they do have eroded the fabric of
their existence. Zimbabwe has no government!
The regime relies on force and intimidation. But worse still is that its
cronies seem to further erode it from the inside through corruption and
other deviant ways. When a  regime is beginning to self-devour, that spells
the end.
SM Mngadi, Jozi

--------

Prodigal sons welcome
EDITOR - I would like to put the point straight in regards to previously
publicised article which appeared in our local print media houses, where the
main stream MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai was misquoted by whoever was
responsible with an intention to cause despondency among MDC supporters in
Zimbabwe and abroad.
The truth is that Tsvangirai, as a father figure of the party, only extended
an olive branch to those who might have been willing to swallow their pride
and return home to the 100 % MDC.  He remains ready to accept his prodigal
sons under any circumstances.
That in itself was a clear indication that the talk of unity accord was
never discussed but, that it was just a welcome home from a loving father
who forgives his children so that we face the common enemy with one voice.
I feel ashamed for those who were jostling for positions after the merger.
F Tinago, Glen View

-----

Suffering of ordinary people
EDITOR - I have just returned from another visit to Zimbabwe - what a
difference is apparent since my visit last year. This time I was in Harare
for two weeks. There were still large bottles of water being stored in every
kitchen, toilet, and bathroom that I visited, to cope with the continual
water cuts. Every household had candles, paraffin lamps, or 'Bazookas' which
are battery charged lights, that come on automatically when the lights go
off, to give you enough light to locate torches, candles, matches etc. (Of
course paraffin was in short supply).
I visited my sister in hospital and was driven by various nieces, but it was
never a simple straight there-and-back journey, but a case of visiting every
shop we passed on the way to see if there was bread or milk, or whatever was
short at the time.
One thing that seemed very noticeable to me, was that every one seemed very
tired.  I had to wonder how the elderly, with no means of transport, were
coping. I went in to one shop and just walked around looking at prices.  The
shopping basket shown in your newspaper is read, and one thinks Wow! and
turns over the page.  But I saw an elderly gentleman, with white in his
hair, wearing overalls and gum boots - presumably a gardener or similar,
trying to buy a loaf of bread which was priced  at  $4500.  Shaking his head
in sad disbelief, he asked,  " Not $450?" He was told firmly -  $4500.
Sadly shaking his head he put it back on the shelf and walked out empty
handed.  I wished I could have paid for it, but it really brought home to me
the suffering of the ordinary people.
 I visited a Building society to find out how the revaluation of the
currency had affected people.  The last three figures on all accounts were
knocked off. If there was $100995, you then remained with $100. This brought
the account down to below the minimum balance so they started charging
administration fees, which soon ate up what little was left. The gentleman I
spoke to said he had worked hard and saved so he would be alright in his
retirement, as would his family. He now had $50, that wouldn't buy anything.
A cup of tea costs $1500.
At the airport when I left, I thought I would spend what money I had left,
and went to buy a bottle of fruit juice. It was $1750, so I had to settle
for the tea.  I was told they were not allowed to take more than $5000 in
Zimbabwe money, and a lot of prices were quoted in US$'s.  The only thing I
saw while looking around for under $5000 were small warthog key rings, with
a picture hook and a split ring through it.
One would have thought they would want to keep their Zim money in the
country, but even they don't seem to want it. I was told $1000 notes were
illegal currency, and would be confiscated, but I was given 4 x 1000, and 1
x 1 dollar notes for my 5 cents change. Very confusing to say the least.
 Still the people seem optimistic, and are always working and planning, and
the average person in the street is still the same kind cheerful fellow he
always has been.  I never had any dealings with officials or military,
except the immigration officer at the airport and he wished me a happy
visit.
Mrs W, UK

--------

Letter to diasporans
EDITOR - I was against the idea that you work in the diaspora. My argument
was that we should work here and develop our country. I believe I am still
right although I now understand and appreciate your situation. You have
managed to buy a house of your own, are feeding the extended family, paying
medical bills for most of us and sending several children (none of whom are
yours) to school. If you had not been working in the diaspora, I do not know
how we would have survived because the political, economic and social
situation in the country is untenable:
1. The government has taken an indefinite vacation leave. So the country is
on automatic pilot. We do not know where we are going but we can tell we are
sliding (tiripanhanzva) downhill at very fast speed. The brakes have failed,
therefore we are going to crash-land.
2. We miss fresh milk. It seems we are on animal farm where cows have
revolted. They are tired of giving milk to human beings. Even lacto (sour
milk) is not easy to find.
3. We have to spend several nights in fuel queues because very few fuel
stations sell the scarce commodity at the stipulated Z$335 per litre. If the
other fuel stations have fuel at all, they sell it at between Z$1 400 and
Z$2 000 per litre. A sizeable number of cars have immobile due to the acute
shortage of fuel and/or its high cost. So commuter omnibuses are doing brisk
business.
4. Government officials at various levels are busy farming. They use all
manner of excuses to be absent from official duty to attend to their farms.
Government motor vehicles and fuel are abused in the name of land reform.
Asi chinozobuda muminda iyoyo hapana (Nothing comes out of it).
5. The prices of all commodities are soaring out of control. Beef now costs
at least Z$3 500 a kilogram, chicken around Z$5 000 a kilogram. Small items
now cost at least Z$1 000, but salaries and wages are going up too slowly to
catch up with the rate of price increases.
6. Strangely enough, our banks charge you a high fee for keeping your money
in their banks. If you bank Z$20 000 today, you can only withdraw Z$19 000
tomorrow because the other Z$1 000 goes to bank charges. So you are better
off keeping your money at home. But the Reserve Bank Governor does not want
that.
7. Our country is unique. You buy a new or use car today, used it
extensively and roughly for several weeks, months or years and sell it at a
huge profit. The older it is the more money you make. The reverse is true in
any other country in the world: a use car loses value.
8. Because of hyperinflation, schools invite parents to meet at least once
every term to review levies and boarding/tuition fees. At those meetings,
parents resolve to increase the levies and fees by at least 50% and in some
cases 100%. If parents do not do that, their children will starve.
9. If you want to hold any meeting, you seek permission from the police.
Demonstrations/protests are can only be sanctioned by the police. If the
demonstration supports government or ruling party policies, you get police
escort. If it is against official policies, the police will not allow it. If
you insist, you will either be arrested or assaulted.
10. The health delivery system has virtually collapsed. Zimbabweans believe
that if you go to public hospitals where there are no drugs and facilities,
you go there to die so that your relatives can easily obtain a death
certificate. Dying at home invites the police. Medical personnel are joining
you in the diaspora in big numbers. Therefore there is an acute shortage of
doctors and nurses, leading to long queues at public hospitals and clinics.
Private institutions are too expensive for the common person or someone who
is not under by a medical aid scheme.
11. We are getting used to power outages countrywide and water cuts in
Harare. Imagine going for days without water: no flushing of toilets, no
bathing or laundry. When power goes, paraffin, gas or firewood, as an
alternative is not easy to come by.
My brother, I could go on and on. What you want to know is that government
officials say all the above problems are challenges which are caused by
sanctions instigated by Britain in retaliation for taking land previously
owned by whites. Anybody who views this differently is a sell-out and a
puppet of the British. You and your kind in the diaspora are not patriotic.
They look at you with contempt.
That is the grave situation at home. You have no option but to continue
working and looking after your family and all of us. I know you miss home,
but if you come, you will not be able to go back. So hang in there, Mwari
ndowedu tose. Rimwe zuva uchanzavo kuchema kwedu.
Mukoma Takafirei Wafawanaka, Harare

-----------

Court orders worthless
EDITOR - It is very sad that the Zanu (PF) regime has made it its priority
to destroy tertiary education in Zimbabwe. After hiking tuition fees beyond
the reach of many the regime has unleashed the dreaded CIO, and the police
to crush any protests by students. The recent unlawful arrest and expulsion
of student leaders in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo is a case in point.
Despite the fact that the High Court issued an order that the students be
reinstated, they are still in the streets. All this betrays the regime's
innate fear of insurrection to such an extent that court orders are not
worth the paper they are written on. The rule of law has thus been
overthrown overnight, Security guards at the UZ continuously torture
students and disrupt student meetings as if they are above the law. Shame on
you, the government of Zimbabwe, you have lost the moral right to rule.
Pleae go peacefully.
KUDZAYI KADZERE, Harare