Zimbabwe hikes maize price in new inflation risk

Reuters

Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:26 PM GMT

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has drastically hiked prices for the staple
maize, adding a new potential inflation risk for consumers already battling
the fastest rate of price rises in the world.

President Robert Mugabe, who critics blame for a deepening economic crisis,
also publicly criticised his axed finance minister, labelling Herbert
Murerwa's policies a "disaster".

The official Herald newspaper reported that the price of maize rocketed up
to Z$58,000 a tonne from a heavily-subsidised Z$600.

The move follows criticism last month from central bank governor Gideon Gono
of the government's policy of subsidising grain, fuel and electricity, which
he said was distorting the economy.

The increase would immediately affect consumers -- already grappling with a
deep recession largely blamed on Mugabe's government policies -- and may
stoke rising tensions in the troubled southern African country.

Analysts said the increase would hit consumers although the commodity was
already being sold at a higher price on the black market.

"Such an increase will have a huge effect on consumers who will now have to
buy maize-meal at a much much higher price but on the other side the
commodity was largely scarce anyway and people were paying a premium on the
black market," James Jowa, a Harare-based economist said.

Food shortages are part of a wider economic crisis, also seen in the world's
highest inflation rate of nearly 1,600 percent, unemployment above 80
percent and rising poverty.

BORROW MORE

The government is expected to also remove subsidies on fuel, electricity and
agriculture inputs, which Gono claims are being resold at the black market.
He says the removal of subsidies would see inflation spiral, before easing.

Critics say the subsidies are a major drain on the country and accuse the
government of using them to win political support.

On Friday, Mugabe was quoted as saying their scrapping and the sale of
loss-making state firms depended on the commitment of his government.

"(There) is a lot we can do as government and a lot will depend on (us) ...
doing certain things or not doing certain things," Mugabe told the Herald in
an interview, in which he labelled some of his former finance minister's
policies as cautious and a "disaster".

Mugabe sacked Murerwa in a cabinet reshuffle last week, with analysts
suggesting he may have been punished for public clashes with Gono, who
enjoys the veteran leader's support.

Mugabe criticised Murerwa for not borrowing more money to build dams and
roads.

"On that one, I was talking to the governor, I don't want (a cautious)
policy review which was at (Ministry of) Finance. It's a disastrous policy,"
Mugabe told the paper in an interview.

"If you borrow money in order to construct a dam, it will in future produce
products you can sell. So what is wrong with that? Borrow that money,"
Mugabe said.

Shunned by foreign donors over policies such as the seizure of land from
white commercial farmers for redistribution to blacks, the government has
relied on domestic borrowing and printing money to fund national budget
requirements -- policies that have helped fuel inflation to the highest rate
in the world.

1$=250 Zimbabwe dollars

Students, NCA & MDC protestors clash with police in Harare

By Violet Gonda
16 February 2007

On Friday Harare witnessed a spate of spontaneous demonstrations by
supporters of the Tsvangirai MDC, members of the Zimbabwe National Students
Union and activists from the National Constitutional Assembly. In an
unprecedented move the protestors defended themselves against the brutal
police and ZANU PF youths. It's reported a police officer was injured during
the clashes. Several people were also arrested but we were not able to
confirm the figures.

Freelance journalist Itai Dzamara said scores of protestors carrying
placards denouncing Robert Mugabe sang revolutionary songs as they marched.
But a group of police officers emerged at Angwa Street and started attacking
them. One of the people beaten up was Kambuzuma MP Willas Madzimure.

One of the demonstrators said: "What happened was as we were approaching
XIMEX Mall near the main Post Office, the police pounced on MP Madzimure and
then as we were trying to rescue him the police tried to resist and we had
no option but to inflict a bit of pain so that they would release him."

He elaborated; "What they had done to the MP is exactly what we did to them.
Unfortunately, maybe they felt more pain than our MP."

This is the second time this week that angry protestors have retaliated
against police brutality. On Tuesday the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe
Arise (WOZA) staged mass protests in Harare and Bulawayo marking their 5 th
Valentines Day and distributing the People' Charter. WOZA coordinator Jenni
Williams, who was with the protestors in Harare said they were confronted by
riot police who fired teargas canisters at them but the activists threw the
tear gas canisters back in defiance.

Dzamara, who witnessed the latest incident, said after that the activists
proceeded to the First Street Mall where they smashed a police vehicle as
they marched through the city centre singing and chanting slogans calling
for Robert Mugabe to go.

It's reported that the activists kept regrouping in different parts of the
town catching the police unaware. But this resulted in the police going
around town and harassing and beating people suspected of being part of the
demonstrations. Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa is one of the people who
was caught in the crossfire. He said he was assaulted by the police at the
old Warren Park bus terminus along Chinhoyi Street . Muchemwa was standing
with a group of other people at a telephone call box when they were
violently dispersed by police. He said there was a heavy presence of riot
police with dogs from Chinhoyi Street to Fourth Street .

It is reported that the Harare demonstrations were led by the Tsvangirai MDC
ahead of their star rally in Harare this Sunday. The police ordered the MDC
to cancel the rally but Tendai Biti, the party's secretary general, has
filed an urgent application in the High Court. The court hearing is set for
Saturday morning. Morgan Tsvangirai plans to launch his party's 2008
presidential election campaign at the rally, despite Mugabe's plan to move
the elections to 2010.

Meanwhile, the Mutambara MDC reports that police raided their Bulawayo
offices and confiscated party materials saying they had subversive
statements. In his defiance campaign Arthur Mutambara said: "It is defiance
or death" and "we choose to defy or to confront." He is supposed to
kick-start his 'defiance campaign' in Bulawayo on Saturday. A party official
told us the police have also banned this public meeting. The official said
Victor Nyoni, the regional office administrator was arrested and released on
Friday.

Both opposition parties say as far as they are concerned their rallies are
going ahead this weekend.

Sources say more spontaneous demonstrations are planned.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Released Majongwe vows to continue teachers strike

By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 February 2007

The Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Raymond
Majongwe and the group's treasurer McDonald Mangauzana were finally released
by police at Harare Central Law and Order Section on Thursday. The 2 had
been arrested on Tuesday while addressing striking teachers at Haig Primary
school in Harare . Police said they would proceed by way of summons.
Majongwe said despite his ordeal the teachers will not end the strike. He
revealed that a new salary structure was supposed to be released Friday by
government via the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA), but the teachers'
payslips reflect no increases.

As for his arrest, Majongwe said the headmistress at Mabvuku High School had
contacted the Law and Order division complaining that he had said teachers
earn 17 bananas a day. This was the basis of a docket waiting for him at
Harare Central. Majongwe admitted making the statements and explained that
teachers are earning Z$2816 per day which translates to 4 ½ bananas. He
asked: "I was wondering how I could really be charged for making a
mathematically correct statement?"

There was also a second docket with charges relating to his speech at Haig
Primary. But the union leader cited a statutory instrument from 1998 which
he said permits them as PTUZ leaders to visit teachers during work hours
according to their terms of reference.

The defiant Majongwe said police treated him quite reasonably while in
detention but the conditions in the cells were horrendous. He described
crowded cells infested with human waste, urine, lice and a strong stench.
There are also no lights in the holding areas.

Teachers were forced to go on strike on the 5 th of February after
government failed to commit to any salary increases. The teachers are
demanding wages in line with the poverty datum line which is currently at
Z$566 400 for a family of five. Yet currently a teacher's monthly pay
averages only Z$84 000.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Army provides manpower for Zanu (PF) candidate in Chiredzi

By Tichaona Sibanda
16 February 2007

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has observed that the Zanu (PF)
candidate for Saturday's by-election in Chiredzi South is receiving
logistical support from the army.Callisto Gwanetsa, a serving lieutenant
colonel in the Zimbabwe National Army has been seen driving an army vehicle
around the constituency. The vehicle is however fitted with civilian plates,
according to ZESN.

A preliminary report compiled and released on the eve of the by-election by
ZESN said its observers reported seeing army vehicles being used to ferry
Zanu PF supporters around the constituency. The headmaster of Chilonga
primary school, on behalf of Chief Charumbira, also invited traditional
leaders and their subjects to attend a Zanu PF meeting. The leaders received
invitation letters with the school stamp. There were also allegations that
the Zanu PF candidate was using an army vehicle to conduct his campaigns,'
said the report.

The Chiredzi by-election is being held following the death of Zanu (PF) MP
Aaron Baloyi in September last year. Four candidates are contesting the
election. Apart from Gwanetsa, they're Immaculate Makondo of the Tsvangirai
led MDC, Nehemiah Zanamwe of the Mutambara led MDC and Miyethani Chauke from
the United Peoples' Party (UPP).

ZESN has observed that while the election campaign has been peaceful there
are concerns that a deputy minister Fortune Charumbira has allegedly been
making disturbing comments. Charumbira is reported to have threatened
opposition supporters with eviction from the constituency should they vote
for the parties of their choice.

'The alleged statements by Charumbira are unconstitutional, illegal and in
gross violation of human rights. These statements violate the following laws
and regional and international standards. The Constitution of Zimbabwe
section 23 protects all citizens against discrimination on various grounds,
one of which is political opinion. It is also a serious criminal offence in
terms of section 134 of the Electoral Act to use undue influence to induce
or compel any person to vote or refrain from voting,' said ZESN in the
report.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Bulawayo members release without appearing in Court

The Zimbabwean

(16-02-07)
The 174 members arrested in Bulawayo on Tuesday were
finally released at 5 pm without appearing in court.
Police ran out of delaying tactics when lawyers made
ready a High Court application. The members were
arrested on 13 February as they conducted a peaceful
Valentines Day protest. As members were arrest in one
protest another sprung up elsewhere - police officers
confirmed arresting people at five different locations
in the city where protests had sprung up.

Late yesterday, it had been understood that only seven
would be charged under the Criminal Law (Codification
and Reform) Act and that the rest would be released,
Police made an about turn and only released mothers
with babies and minors, leaving 141 in custody for a
second night.

Today as lawyers attended prepared to go to Court, the
investigating officers indicated they had had 'orders'
to charge everyone and take them to court. This meant
preparing warned and cautioned statements from
everyone. This process of course meant the 48-hour
deadline, up at midday, was exceeded by several hours.

Finally at 5 pm today, the group was finally released
at 5pm - five hours after their 48-hour deadline had
passed. The Prosecutor advised Law and Order officers
to proceed by way of summons. Another factor is that
once again no police officer is willing to write the
necessary affidavit to allow evidence necessary to
charge the activist.

However whilst we recognize that it is positive step
for them to refuse to be used to convict innocent
people, we appeal to police officers to help ' name
and shame' the senior police officer who shouted at
Riot police not to dialogue with the activists at the
scene but gave the order for the peaceful women and
men to be beaten. We also deplore the manner in which
those arrested were beaten as they ascended the
staircase into the law and order department of
Bulawayo Central. Those who had sustained injuries due
to beatings on arrest and in custody have been taken
to receive medical treatment.

It appears that the group has been charged under
Section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and
Reform) as read with Section 2(v) of the schedule to
the Criminal Code - 'employs any means whatsoever
which are likely materially to interfere with the
ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of the
public or any section of the public, or does any act
which is likely to create a nuisance or obstruction'.

This morning, the Central Intelligence Organisation
(CIO) located Magodonga Mahlangu at Sauerstown Police
Station. Monitors were dispatched to ensure she was
not abducted and their presence ensured she was moved
with the rest of the group to Bulawayo Central. She
has been released and is also receiving medical
treatment for the beatings that she received upon
arrest.

The petty nastiness of the Zimbabwe Republic Police
was again evident today. Having informed those on
support yesterday that the breakfast feeding time had
been changed to 5am, volunteers were mobilised to
provide food at 5am but were kept waiting until 7am,
the normal feeding time. A woman at Queens Park was
consistently denied her ARV medication. Reports have
also come in that several members were forced to eat
the paper placards that they had been carrying during
the demonstration - some of these read, 'love can
bring a brighter day' and 'From WOZA with love'.
Despite the inability of some officers to choose love
over hate, WOZA would like to salute those officers
who did treat our members with respect and
professionalism and who recognized that WOZA is
fighting for a better future for ALL Zimbabweans.

Woza Moya!
For more information, please contact Jenni Williams on
+263 91 898 110  or +263 91 300 456  or Annie on +263 91
898 112 or email wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com or check on
our brand-new website at www.wozazimbabwe.org.

News update
Wednesday 14th February - 8pm
www.wozazimbabwe.org

Bulawayo:
131 members remain in custody in Bulawayo for a second
night. The 36 released into the custody of their
lawyers once again have been allowed to return to
their homes having spent the day at Bulawayo Central.
Initial reports from one lawyer indicated that there
were 274 in custody but the figure from another lawyer
was 174 members that were arrested. This figure
includes 17 juveniles, 20 mothers with babies and
three pregnant women.

Only seven of the group are being charged under
Chapter 37, Section (2) of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act - 'participating in a
gathering with intent to promote public violence, a
breach of the peace or bigotry is committed whether
the action constituting it is spontaneous or planned
in advance, and whether the place or meeting where it
occurred is public or private.' These seven being the
only ones that arresting officers were prepared to
come forward to testify against. The rest of the
group, including Magodonga Mahlangu, are not being
charged and at 4 pm today, police dealing with the
case agreed that they should be released. The head of
the Law and Order Section at Bulawayo Central, G
Ndlovu, refused to allow them to go home tonight
however, insisting that they only be released in the
morning after the seven had appeared in court - the
lives of 124 people made miserable by the petty whim
of one individual.

Magodonga Mahlangu remains isolated from the rest of
the group as Law and Order officers have resisted
attempts to have her moved back to join others,
arguing that as a leader of WOZA, Mahlangu 'deserves
the dignity of having a cell to herself' - having an
entire police station to herself does seem a little
excessive however! Concerns for her safety continue
whilst she remains in solitary confinement.

Members in Queens Park are still being denied
medication - please call Queens Park Station on +263 9
22641/2 to demand that those taking ARV treatment be
allowed to take their medication.

Harare:
The eight women arrested in Harare yesterday and held
at Harare Central overnight are out of custody having
paid admission of guilt fines early this evening. The
women complained of terrible and inhumane conditions
in the cells and having been beaten in custody.
Attempts are still being made to ascertain exactly
what happened in Harare Central and more information
will be given when it becomes available.

Court reverses university directive to bar male students from residence

By Lance Guma
16 February 2007

The High Court this week reversed an order by University of Zimbabwe
authorities that sought to bar male students from all halls of residence in
favour of female students. According to the student leadership the idea was
to crush student activism on the campus by getting female students generally
perceived as less aggressive to inhabit the hostel accommodation. The
Students Executive Council however resolved to take the matter to court and
challenge the directive. Rangu Nyamurundira from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights represented the students while Justice Yunus Omerjee presided
over the case.

The UZ authorities published a notice in the local press on the 4 th
February advising male students they could not apply for accommodation in
the complexes previously reserved for them. Complexes like Montrose,
Georgette, Manfred Hodson Hall, New Hall, New Complex 1 ,2 ,3 and 5 were
initially reserved for males before the new directive came into effect. The
student leadership decided their response stood a better chance of success
if it involved students who were not members of the SEC since they felt the
tendency was to politicise all their activities. It's not yet clear whether
the UZ will abide by the court decision.

Meanwhile three members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union who were
being held by police were released Friday. ZINASU president Promise
Mkwananzi, Maurine Kademaunga and Lawrence Mashungu, the Secretary General
were arrested Tuesday alongside 29 other students and lecturers at the
Harare Polytechnic. They were all charged under the Public Order and
Security Act for holding a meeting with students.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Water Levels on Kariba

Whenever someone mentions Lake Kariba, the first thought that most people have is associated with some form of recreational activity that they fell in love with on their first visit. With hotels, lodges, houseboats and fishing camps there is something for everyone.  The main recreational activity is undoubtedly the fishing and more specifically the hunt for the Tiger Fish.  These memories are what attracts visitors to the lake time and time again.
However the lake came about not for recreation but first and foremost as a means to generate hydro electric power. The water of Lake Kariba has over the years been harnessed to generate hydro electrical power and in doing so lessened the country's need to import power. Over the years the water levels were expertly managed and not to rely to heavily on imports but also keeping in mind the delicate ecological balance. 
Under the current economic conditions however, the acute shortages of foreign currency has meant that the taps have been left on and not even this season's prolific rainfall can stop the tide from going out.  Feedback from a client who had come off a houseboat recently reiterated this as he commented on how low the water was, adding 'I have never seen the water that low'.  Zimbabwe's embattled electricity authorities are almost solely reliant on this electricity supply (now more than ever with South Africa's Eskom implying in the press that they were looking to decrease exports to support South Africa's booming economy) and one wonders if the water level will drop lower than the turbine intake in the wall?
The lowest level it has been this year is 477.70 metres. The current Lake level is 478.01metres. on the 5th of February  it was 477.99metres.   These stats show that it has marginally risen in a few days.  The water level in Kariba should be at it's highest now as it is in the middle of the rainy season. 
Low water levels also spell trouble for the recreational side of Kariba.  Fossilised trees that were never a problem for boats before now become dangerous. As the water retreats the sand banks also come up and sometimes even blocking access to certain popular spots on the lake.  Islands have become part of the main land and game roams freely on to the island that they were previously denied access to. Even the fish don't like the fluctuating levels and go off the bite frustrating fisherman.
Understandably authorities have no alternative and given the choice between maintaining water levels or sustaining what little is left of the once thriving economy it is no surprise they have opted for the latter.  One can only hope that the continued efforts of Parks and Wildlife, safari operators and hoteliers who have the lake's best interests at heart do not go in vain and the exploitation of the lake's resources come to an end.
info@venues4africa.com
www.venues4africa.com

Murerwa was disastrous says Mugabe as he backs Gono

Zimbabwejournalists.com

By a Correspondent

ZIMBABWE'S President Robert Mugabe has endorsed his central bank chief's
recently announced monetary policy statement and attacked former finance
minister Herbert Murerwa's policies during his time in office as
 "disastrous".

In an interview with the state-controlled Herald newspaper, Mugabe portrayed
Murerwa as a person who did not understand his portfolio and was
over-cautious resulting in many a government projects being stalled.

Murerwa was dropped from Mugabe's Cabinet this month after years of veiled
attacks from his boss for apparently failing to deliver. Samuel Mumbengegwi,
who was the minister of State for Indigenisation and Empowerment, took over
from Murerwa who reportedly had been at loggerheads with Reserve Bank
Governor Gideon Gono over policy issues for a long time.

Said Mugabe: "If you look at some of our projects, they maybe civil or
industrial, they have proceeded with interruptions and sometimes long, long,
long stoppages that reverse even the start you will have made."

"You build a road today and you stop and you do not do anything to it for
two or three years. Even that bit you have done will deteriorate. Either you
do not start the road or you start and persist to the finish."

"On that one, I was talking to the Governor, I don't want policy view
yecaution yanga iri kuFinance. It's a disastrous policy."

"When the Ministry of Finance reads the budget ugoroverwa mawoko, excellent
budget, excellent budget, riri kuti chii? . . . So much money on Tokwe
Murkosi and so much money on Gwayi Shangani and that money will only see
work on Tokwe Murkosi for two months, three months on Gwayi Shangani yapera
mari yacho and you cannot do anything. He (Minister of Finance) folds his
hands and says totomirira rimwe budget. Three months and this is March or
April, rimwe budget richauya gore rinouya."

He continued: "No, you don't do things like that. You should ensure that
what you need to continue the work for the year will be secured either
through revenue, which is difficult, or through borrowing.

"If you borrow money in order to construct a dam richashanda mangwana to
produce products you can sell. So what is wrong? Borrow that money."

Murerwa has refused to respond to questions put to him over his previous
position, the future and Mugabe's statement.

Mugabe also said there were about four major road projects that had gone on
and on for the past 20 years without being completed due to poor planning
hence his government could not build tollgates to raise revenue as initially
envisaged.

Mugabe said he fully supported Gono's proposed roadmap to economic recovery
that many have said will not work in the absence of political will to deal
with the crisis facing Zimbabwe.

The recovery plan involves, among other things, the removal of price
distortions, the implementation of a social contract and a price and wage
freeze. Gono refused to devalue the dollar when he announced the statement
saying there was need for the government to deal with staggering distortions
in the pricing of basic commodities.

A lot, he said, would depend on parastals that are meant to implement Gono's
proposals.

RBZ bars journalists from illegal mining hearing

New Zimbabwe

By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 02/16/2007 11:58:01
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Thursday sought and was granted
permission for a parliamentary enquiry on alleged illegal mining dealings by
its
subsiadiary company to be held in camera.

The central bank's Finance, Intelligence, Inspectrorate, evaluation and
security chief Mirirai Chiremba told MPs: " I do not want to say anything
that will cause instability in the country (in the presence of the media)."

He did not elaborate.

The media was ordered out, and Chiremba gave his testimony.

The RBZ was summoned for a hearing by the Parliamentary Committee on Mines,
Environment and Tourism after small scale miners told MPs in previous
hearings that an RBZ subsidiary company, Carslone Private Limited was
involved in illegal gold dealings.

Acting Police Commissioner Godwin Matanga also told the committee that
influencial politicians and members of the ruling Zanu PF party were
involved in illegal gold dealings, but did not name them.

On the other hand, small scale miners said they had names of "powerful
individuals" violating the law but were afraid to name them fearing
reprisals.

After the hearing, Zanu PF Midlands senator Tsitsi Muzenda, in a briefing to
the media, said Chiremba had told them about the company's operations and
had also invited them for a tour to see for themselves its operations.

According to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gedion Gono, Zimbabwean gold
producers declared 10.96 tonnes of gold in 2006, down from 13.45 tonnes in
2005.

Cumulative gold deliveries in 2006 painted a disappointing picture in this
critical sector when compared to 21 tonnes achieved back in 2004. Gold
deliveries for 2005 were similarly lower than for 2004.

The decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of
equipment, and reduced exploration and mine development, as well as illegal
smuggling of gold.

Police deny permission for Tsvangirai rally

Business Day

Dumisani Muleya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harare Correspondent

ZIMBABWE'S main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction, led
by unionist Morgan Tsvangirai, has vowed to launch its 2008 presidential
election campaign on Sunday despite police attempts to block the rally.

Fearing the rally could be a platform for Tsvangirai to instigate mass
antigovernment protests, police have withheld permission to hold the
gathering.

Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, who leads the other faction of the MDC,
have threatened a nationwide defiance campaign against President Robert
Mugabe's regime.

Police efforts to prevent Tsvangirai's rally in the capital, Harare, follows
a clampdown on widespread strikes and dissent.

In the latest of hundreds of arrests over the past two weeks, Progressive
Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe president Raymond Majongwe and two other
unionists were detained in Harare and have been charged under the Public
Order and Security Act with inciting more teachers to strike. They were
demanding adequate wages.

"(Low wages are) degrading and inhumane to teachers . as long as teachers,
and other workers of Zimbabwe, including the army and police are not earning
equated wages, strike action will characterise 2007," the Zimbabwe Congress
of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) yesterday condemned the
arrests. "We agree fully with ZCTU that the arrests are a violation of human
rights, as teachers are allowed to go on strike," said Cosatu spokesman
Patrick Craven.

Zimonline reported yesterday that Mugabe's government had called in the
military to force striking teachers to return to work by intimidation and
threatening to withhold their pay. Several school heads on Wednesday said
they had been summoned to provincial head offices where senior education
officials and army officers ordered them to force teachers to call off the
strike.

The teachers union confirmed striking teachers were being intimidated by the
military.

At least 174 members of the activist group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza)
and a related organisation, Men of Zimbabwe Arise, remained in custody
yesterday. Police arrested 284 Woza members in Harare and Bulawayo on
Tuesday.

An estimated 1300 members of the groups had demonstrated against the
deteriorating economy and intensifying political crisis, said the Voice of
America on Wednesday.

Several student union representatives were in custody this week after
protesting against a 2000% increase in fees.

Zimbabwe's inflation has topped 1600%, the highest in the world.

Mutambara to launch defiance campaign

Zim Online

Saturday 17 February 2007

Own Correspondent

BULAWAYO - A faction of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) party led by Arthur Mutambara says it will today launch a
defiance campaign to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.

Earlier this month, Mutambara said he would soon lead a defiance campaign
against the ruling ZANU PF party's plans to extend Mugabe's term of office
to 2010 saying "only death would stop him" from dislodging Mugabe from
power.

MDC national executive member, Maxwell Zimuto, confirmed that the party will
today launch the defiance campaign in Bulawayo at a rally to be attended by
Mutambara and other members of the party's national executive.

"The launch will take place in Bulawayo tomorrow (Saturday) and President
Mutambara and other national executive leaders will attend the rally and
details of the nature of the campaign will be explained there," said Zimuto.

Zimuto refused to shed light on the nature of the protests referring
ZimOnline to the party's spokesperson Gabriel Chaibva who could not be
reached for comment as he was said to be in meetings in Bulawayo.

State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa could not be reached for comment on
the MDC plans. Mutasa has in the past however threatened to crack down on
anti-government demonstrations.

A bigger faction of the splintered MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has also
threatened to stage anti-government protests to force ZANU PF to drop plans
to extend Mugabe's rule.

At its annual conference in Goromonzi last December, ZANU PF said it will
seek to extend Mugabe's term in office by two more years to 2010 in order to
harmonise presidential and parliamentary elections.

Both factions of the MDC have roundly criticised the plan.

The move to extend Mugabe's term has also met fierce resistance within
Mugabe's own ZANU PF party with senior officials in the party said to be
against plans to extend the veteran president's term in office. - ZimOnline

Six police officers injured in skirmishes in Harare

Zim Online

Saturday 17 February 2007

By Sebastian Nyamhangambiri

HARARE - At least six police officers were injured on Friday after they
beaten up in Harare during a demonstration organised by the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

At least 800 MDC supporters fought running battles with the police in Harare's
central business district during the demonstration to protests against plans
to extend President Robert Mugabe's term in office.

A ZimOnline crew witnessed the fracas in Harare that left some police
officers' uniforms in tatters while one police officer was left with a
bloody nose.

Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed the skirmishes.

"We are actually tracking down all those who were responsible for the
violence. Some of our officers were severely assaulted. The police had not
authorised the demonstration," said Bvudzijena.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson for the MDC denied that their supporters
had assaulted the police blaming the violence on ruling ZANU PF party
militia.

"In actual fact, we have it on camera that the police deployed some armed
youth militia to quell our demonstration,' said Chamisa.

"We are not aware of any MDC member who is violent. It is the police who
were today indiscriminately assaulting people in the CBD whom they suspected
of planning to take part in the MDC demonstration," he added.

Under Zimbabwe's tough Public Order and Security Act (POSA) it is illegal
for political parties to organize demonstrations without first seeking
permission from the police.

The MDC and civic groups accuse the police of using the law to stifle
legitimate political dissent. - ZimOnline

MDC Suffers "Mugabe Syndrome"

Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Supporters say party founders have run out of ideas, but they will not admit
it - despite it being clear they aren't advancing the people's cause any
more.

By Takesure Torwa in Harare (AR No. 95, 16-Feb-07)

Zimbabweans at the moment are in a hole, casting around desperately for
anything that promises change. The failure of the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change to bring about political change since its formation eight
years ago has caused despair and desperation.

The most dramatic manifestation of the MDC's bankruptcy came when the party
split dramatically in October 2005 into two factions. One is headed by
long-time leader Morgan Tsvangirai and the other by computer engineering
whiz-kid Arthur Mutambara, who returned home to take up the baton after
fifteen years away working with NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space
administration, in the United States and the Oxford Robotics Research Group
in the United Kingdom.

The official line was that the party was split over whether to contest
elections to a new upper house introduced by State President Robert Mugabe.
The Senate is largely powerless, but it enabled the head of state to provide
more jobs for his supporters in the ruling ZANU PF party. The MDC-Mutambara
contested the Senate election in November 2005: the MDC-Tsvangirai refused
to take part.

However, it has slowly emerged that the fundamental cause of the split was
about whether to resort to violence as a strategy in an attempt to beat ZANU
PF at its own game. ZANU PF militants have killed hundreds of MDC supporters
over the past eight years.

The reverberations of the split spread well beyond Zimbabwe. With more than
four million Zimbabweans having fled into exile, MDC party branches in South
Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom aligned themselves to one or other
of the factions according to perceptions of which of the two was genuinely
based on the founding principles of the party.

It is clear that both MDC schisms have been weakened by oppressive Mugabe
legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act that forbids them from
holding rallies without police clearance. But nobody was prepared to tell
either Tsvangirai or Mutambara that they were both in a quagmire, and that
in order to cut their losses they needed to stop digging.

The MDC, whether fighting under the Tsvangirai label or the banner of
Mutambara, suffered serious losses in rural council elections last year. It
triggered panic among supporters who realised that all was not well in the
divided party, despite complacent assurances from both leaders.

The MDC's travails and decline have led to a desperate search for an
alternative focus of opposition to Mugabe and ZANU PF.

The latest straw that drowning Zimbabweans are clutching is an association
called the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, an eclectic collection of at least 24
political parties and civic organisations.

Tsvangirai said in a recent interview that the Save Zimbabwe Campaign is the
"name of the game in town". He said "unity of purpose, not individuals" is
important among the country's spread-eagled and fragmented pro-democracy
forces. He was responding to accusations that the MDC had played into ZANU
PF's hands by splitting over the Senate election when what was needed was
unity.

Both MDC factions are members of the amorphous Save Zimbabwe Campaign that
includes the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Party, the Media
Institute of Southern Africa, the National Constitutional Assembly, the
small ZANU-Ndonga party, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the Zimbabwe
Election Support Network and residents' associations and student bodies.

Although the opposition leaders will not openly admit it, their support for
the Save Zimbabwe Campaign is a tacit admission that the 2005 MDC split
repelled voters. The Save Zimbabwe Campaign is seen as a way of trying to
build a critical mass of opposition forces in order to resist the extension
of President Robert Mugabe's term of office to 2010. The presidential
election is legally scheduled for next year: before then, the Save Zimbabwe
Campaign will push for a new constitution.

The campaign seems a logical way of uniting opposition forces, but a
University of Zimbabwe political scientist was dismissive of its
significance. Speaking to IWPR, he described the group as "a mélange lacking
any political focus beyond saying 'no to the extension of the presidential
term' and opposition to elections 'under the current constitution'".

He asserted that the Save Zimbabwe Campaign would "not change the political
landscape of Zimbabwe," adding, "I hear they hold lunch time meetings in the
city centre and distribute leaflets calling for a new constitution. Is it
true that they also hold all night women's prayers calling for change? Zanu
PF will not lose sleep over such an organisation."

He said the group has "nuisance value only" in the current struggle,
explaining that the police had not even bothered to arrest them for holding
unauthorised meetings. "Look at the way the police treat the WOZA (Women of
Zimbabwe Arise) women or the NCA (National Constitutional Assembly) if you
want to gauge an organisation's political impact," he said.

"The police will not allow WOZA or the NCA to hold a public meeting even
when it is explained that it is a peaceful one. It is strange that the two
MDC factions think they can raise their profile and increase their impact by
joining Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which ironically is a product of frustration
with the failure of the MDC itself. ZANU PF is having a good laugh because
opposition forces are spreading themselves too thin on the ground to present
a credible threat to its citadel of power. Where is their centre of
 gravity?"

Another analyst told IWPR that the MDC's decision to join the Save Zimbabwe
Campaign was a serious error: it dramatically illuminated a leadership that
lacked confidence in itself. "From the little that I have heard of Save
Zimbabwe Campaign it is an incomprehensible conglomerate with no leader," he
said. "The general council of the group is chaired by another group called
Christian Alliance. Who is the leader and why are they afraid to come out in
the open?

"I can tell you frankly that the MDC is making a strategic and tactical
error in joining this group, unless they hope to take over the leadership."

He said that would present problems because people are now confused about
whether whether they are supporting MDC-Tsvangirai or MDC-Mutambara or the
Save Zimbabwe Campaign, "Imagine the confusion that Mugabe can create in
this body if he called for the presidential election early next year. How
would these people campaign - as MDC or as the Save Zimbabwe Campaign and
led by whom?"

The University of Zimbabwe political scientist asserted that the Save
Zimbabwe Campaign had no future in Zimbabwean politics and that by joining
it the MDC had exposed itself as a group of opportunists lacking maturity
and principles, "ready to sleep with any one who promises them votes".

He continued, "These guys have not learnt anything from the troubled origins
of their party. They were a product of protest politics against Mugabe's
ruinous economic policies, but protest can't be an ideology. They can have
unity of purpose in fighting for change, true. But what happens once Mugabe
leaves power?

"What will be the unifying factor after that because Mugabe will not last
forever; and ZANU PF is beginning to accept that inevitable reality, as
demonstrated by the succession struggles in the party. After seven years in
opposition politics, I expected the MDC to have matured and to be more
focused."

A supporter of one of the MDC factions told IWPR that the MDC was beginning
to suffer from what he described as a "Mugabe syndrome", "Those who founded
the party have run out of ideas, but they will not admit it. They now
believe they own the party, despite the fact that it is clear they are not
advancing the people's cause any more.

"The economic situation is getting worse [with inflation having reached 1600
per cent and increasing by the day] and ZANU PF has no solution. Now the MDC
are clutching at straws and will follow any group that makes them appear to
be doing something.

"While it is obviously clear that the current ZANU PF leadership has to go,
it is time also for change in the MDC leadership so that we have some fresh
ideas."

Takesure Torwa is the pseudonym of an IWPR contributor in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai Now a "Man of the Past"

Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Its seems unlikely that he can ever regain the support he enjoyed when he
launched his party seven years ago.

By Tari Ziyambe in Harare (AR No. 95, 16-Feb-07)

When Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, party was
launched 100 kilometres away from the capital, Harare, in the small farming
town of Banket in Mashonaland West district in September 1999, Zimbabwe was
gripped by a fever.

Nothing like it had happened since the demise of previous attempts at
opposition politics like the Zimbabwe Unity Movement in 1990, the Forum
Party of Zimbabwe three years later and the Zimbabwe Union of Democrats in
1995.

The MDC launch was attended by hundreds of white commercial farmers from
across the country, but especially Mashonaland West province, the grain
heartland. This was unprecedented in the politics of Zimbabwe where whites
had always taken a back seat, preferring instead to focus on the engine of
the economy - farming.

The MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, had become a hero, easily rivalling
President Robert Mugabe, after he led demonstrations, as secretary-general
of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, in 1998 for electoral reform and
against soaring food prices and unpopular tax increases. The government was
forced to backtrack on its proposed tax hikes.

The MDC's instant popularity was on the back of protest against economic
decline which had caused massive job losses for workers who constituted the
backbone of Tsvangirai's labour movement. The ruling ZANU PF party was
blamed for precipitating the decline and being unable to halt it. People
were in a mood for a revolt and the MDC provided an immediate outlet.

It was also fortuitous that the formation of the MDC coincided with the
launch of the independent and highly professional Daily News as the main
challenge to government's media monopoly. The Daily News quickly became the
voice of the opposition. Through the newspaper's columns, the MDC was able
to marshal support against a proposed new constitution which, according to
its opponents, conferred too much power on President Mugabe and legitimised
the seizure of white commercial farms without compensation.

The proposed constitution was overwhelmingly rejected in a referendum in
February 2000 and Tsvangirai grew in stature. The MDC was on a roll.
Mugabe's black opponents and whites alike were ecstatic. Mugabe was stunned.
It was the first time in twenty years that he had been defeated in a popular
vote. He acknowledged the defeat in a terse statement on national television
and said people "had exercised their democratic right".

"The world now knows Zimbabwe as that country where opposing views can file
so singly and so peacefully to and from the booth without incident ... May I
also make special mention of the white part of our community who this time
around sloughed off apathy to participate vigorously in the whole poll," he
went on.

But veteran Africa foreign correspondent Martin Meredith, now a fellow at St
Anthony's College, Oxford, noted in Robert Mugabe: Power, Plunder and
Tyranny in Zimbabwe, his biography of Zimbabwe's head of state, "These fine
words concealed an inner rage at what had happened.

"Mugabe attributed his defeat principally to the whites and was determined
to make them pay for it. At an emergency meeting of ZANU PF's central
committee on 18 February, three days after the results of the referendum
were announced, there were recriminations all round. The ruling elite had
suddenly seen their grip on power slipping and with it all the wealth, the
salaries, the perks, contracts, commissions and scams they had enjoyed for
twenty years."

In that apparent referendum success also lay the source of the MDC's future
destruction and its current malaise.

What followed was a catastrophe beyond everybody's imagination which
blighted Zimbabwe's human rights record and led to the country's economic
collapse and current pariah status in the international community.

Mugabe launched a brutal campaign of terror across the country that only the
Ndebele people of Matabeleland and Midlands had experienced before, during
the mass killings by Mugabe's personal North Korean-trained 5th Brigade in
1983-86 - commonly referred to as Gukurahundi, a Shona word meaning "the
early strong rain that washes away the chaff before the spring rains". In
the Gukurahundi, the 5th Brigade, made up entirely of men from Mugabe's own
Shona people, massacred some 20,000 villagers and tortured and maimed
countless others.

In his 2000 terror operation, Mugabe had two targets - black supporters of
the MDC and white farmers. The army, police, veterans of Zimbabwe's
independence war and ZANU PF party militia formed the spearhead of this
campaign to "politically reorientate" people who had "strayed" from ZANU PF
and to punish whites who had dared to question ZANU PF's right to rule.

The MDC immediately became an enemy organisation and its officials and
candidates faced acute danger. A ZANU PF gang in Buhera, about 170
kilometres south of Harare, allegedly ambushed a car driven by Morgan
Tsvangirai's driver, Tichaona Chiminya, setting it on fire. Chiminya and a
colleague, Talent Mabika, were burned to death. Although their attackers
were well-known, no action was taken against them.

In Bulawayo, an MDC agent, Patrick Nabanyama, was allegedly abducted by
Mugabe supporters and never seen again. He is presumed to have been
murdered.

In Rushinga district, a mob of armed ZANU PF supporters reportedly descended
on Nyaktondo village, 350 km northeast of Harare, looking for MDC
parliamentary candidate Elliot Pfebve. Failing to find him, they are said to
have abducted his brother and father: his brother was killed, his father
severely wounded.

In a carefully coordinated campaign beginning on February 26, 2000, ZANU PF
gangs armed with axes and pangas invaded white-owned farms across the
country. Army trucks were used to transport them to the farms and keep them
supplied with food rations. They were called veterans of the 1970s war of
liberation, but the majority were too young to have participated in the
pre-independence war twenty years earlier.

Their purported task was to peg out plots of land for redistribution to
landless peasants. But Mugabe's wider purpose for them was to crush support
for the opposition in the run-up to a parliamentary election in June 2000.

The first white farmer to die was David Stevens, a prominent 47-year-old
farmer in Macheke, 110 km southeast of Harare, and an MDC organiser. "War
veterans" allegedly attacked Stevens' farm, beat him about the head and tied
his hands behind his back with wire. He was taken into the bush, where he
and his foreman, Julius Andoche, were killed.

The MDC, overwhelmingly black, was accused by Mugabe of trying to give the
country back to former white colonisers. News film of white commercial
farmers signing cheques at the launch of the MDC in Banket were played over
and over again on government-owned national television to stress the point.

Teachers in rural areas and farm workers became the prime target of assault
because they were seen as highly committed agents of the MDC who were
accused of making their pupils chant MDC slogans. Ruling party thugs invaded
primary and secondary schools, harassing and abusing teachers in front of
pupils. Some were beaten and some were taken away to ZANU PF "re-education
camps". Martin Meredith wrote, "Hundreds of teachers in rural areas
abandoned their schools and fled to nearby towns for safety. By late May
[2000], some 7000 teachers had deserted, forcing 250 primary and secondary
schools to close."

It became suicidal to be seen putting on MDC regalia or reading the Daily
News.

Hundreds of thousands of black farm workers were also targeted because they
stood by their employers against the unplanned and unstructured onslaught on
commercial farms described by Mugabe as the "Third Chimurenga" or fast-track
land reform.

Chimurenga is a word that translates from the Shona language as "struggle".
The Shona identify three periods of chimurenga in their history. The First
Chimurenga refers to the 1896-1897 Shona revolt against colonial rule by the
British South Africa Company. The Second Chimurenga refers to the guerrilla
war of 1972-1980, which led to the end of white minority rule in Rhodesia
and to the independence of Zimbabwe. Mugabe defined his expropriation of
white-owned farms as the Third Chimurenga.

Together with their wives, farm workers constituted fifteen per cent of the
electorate. To Mugabe they were as much part of the "enemy" as white
farmers. On one farm after another, the labourers and their families were
subjected to violence and intimidation by war veteran gangs acting with
impunity. Human rights organisations recorded thousands of incidents as
workers were kicked and whipped. Men were abducted and their women raped:
their homes were destroyed and their property looted.

Several farms were turned into "re-education centres" after the white owners
had been driven off. "Using convoys of stolen trucks, tractors and trailers,
war veterans rounded up workers en masse, taking them for indoctrination
sessions lasting sometimes for days," wrote Martin Meredith. "Lists of
workers said to be MDC supporters were read out before large gatherings,
then the individuals named were hustled to the front to be beaten and
whipped."

Communal areas, where the majority of Zimbabwe's rural people live, were
declared "no-go areas" for the opposition. War veterans set up torture camps
across the country where villagers spent the night chanting ZANU PF slogans
and denouncing the MDC and its supporters who were routinely beaten,
tortured or killed. White farmers were sometimes required to attend sessions
and join in songs and dances to provide a "good example" to their workers.

The MDC was banned in all but name. But despite the blanket intimidation it
still notched an unprecedented and astonishing 57 seats against the ruling
party's 63 in the June 2000 parliamentary election, widely alleged to have
been rigged to deny the MDC governmental power.

But history demonstrates that the MDC had reached the peak of its popularity
and from then on it was downhill all the way. Two years later, Mugabe
managed to win a presidential poll with 56 per cent of the vote in another
election marred by widespread violence and allegations of fraud. Some 200
opposition activists and supporters were killed in the course of the
electoral campaign.

Tsvangirai's leadership shortcomings began to manifest themselves more
clearly. He described his loss in the presidential election as "daylight
robbery", but was unable to lead shocked Zimbabweans into protest marches.
The indecision displayed by the MDC leadership then has become its hallmark
and has led to deep and widespread frustration among its activists and
former supporters.

In parliamentary elections in March 2005, the party saw its tally of seats
fall to 41 against ZANU PF's comfortable 78.

Under the weight of its own lethargy, the MDC split into two factions in
October 2005 over leadership and policy differences. The factions began
attacking each other with more vigour than they criticised Mugabe and his
government.

Tsvangirai increasingly demonstrated that he lacked political savvy. Time
after time, he was found wanting when his leadership was needed most. In
2003, he promised to lead street protests against Mugabe in a show of people
power in what he called the "final push". He made clear that he expected
"the masses" to lead the street demonstrations while the MDC leaders
followed. Inevitably, he failed to mobilise the necessary critical mass to
carry through his threat.

He has also vacillated at critical moments about whether to take part in
elections or boycott them. That was partly the reason the MDC lost the 2005
election by such a huge margin and led to its split. Tsvangirai had
announced the MDC would participate only a month before the vote.

Last year, Tsvangirai promised a restless and oppressed nation "a winter of
discontent and democratic resistance" which never materialised. In a recent
interview, he said he had been speaking only in metaphor and that his words
were taken out of context.

Yet again, in 2007, Tsvangirai is talking of "mobilising the people to
resolve the national crisis" and of launching "a campaign that will ensure
that the ZANU PF project collapses". Sadly, large numbers of people who once
admired Tsvangirai and were waiting to be led no longer take him seriously.
They are unwilling to take to the streets under his banner.

"Tsvangirai has lost credibility and he has no one to blame but himself,"
one political analyst told IWPR. "In politics it is dangerous to make
promises you can't fulfill, especially if you are in opposition. People
begin to doubt everything you say."
He said it is unlikely Tsvangirai can ever regain the support he enjoyed
when he launched the party seven years ago. "People have become
disillusioned over the years. They have been waiting for change for far too
long and, in spite of its own internal problems, ZANU PF seems to be more
organised while the MDC appears to be getting weaker."

Another analyst said Tsvangirai had missed clear opportunities to give
direction to the people when some one million were displaced and had their
homes destroyed under the government's widely condemned Operation
Murambatsvina (Operation Clean Out the Trash) in May and June 2005. "There
was yet another lost opportunity for leadership when [Reserve Bank Governor
Gideon] Gono launched Project Sunrise [in which people in possession of
large sums of near-valueless Zimbabwe dollars were arrested and had their
money confiscated following the revaluation of the local currency] in August
last year in which hundreds of people lost their money overnight," said the
analyst.

The analyst concluded, "The trouble is that Zimbabweans are so desperate for
change they will cling on to the coattails of anyone who promises change.
But Tsvangirai has become a man of the past just like President Mugabe. What
support he still retains is for what he did in the past than what he can
still do in future.

"Mugabe's biggest enemy now, his unending nightmare, is the economy that
keeps getting worse, with inflation at 1600 per cent and set to rise within
months to 4000 per cent according to the International Monetary Fund. He has
stopped worrying about Tsvangirai as a leader."

Tari Ziyambe is the pseudonym of an IWPR contributor in Zimbabwe.

MDC Petition

The Zimbabwean

16-02-07
BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) main faction led by Morgan
Tsvangirai on Friday afternoon filed an urgent application in the High Court
seeking for the police to be barred from banning the party from holding its
Star Rally on Sunday.
The party's secretary general, Tendai Biti filed the affidavit following
repeated threats from police ordering the postponement of the Sunday rally
at which Tsvangirai plans to launch his party's 2008 presidential election
campaign in defiance of President Robert Mugabe's plans to defer the
elections to 2010.
Police, who earlier in the week ordered the MDC to cancel the rally on the
flimsy claim that it wouldn't be having enough manpower to provide security,
wrote again on Friday to say the opposition party had shown a desire to
cause chaos in the country hence were barred from holding the rally.
However, the MDC responded by filing the urgent application in the High
Court citing the police and minister of home affairs as the respondents.
The MDC argues in the affidavit that police have no legal authority even
under the obnoxious Public Order and Security Act (POSA) to want to give
permission to the party to hold its rally. POSA only provides for a
notification to be made to police about such events.
"The applicant's national rally on 18 February 2007 is critical because it
launches the applicant's political programme for 2007, running to the
presidential election that must be held by 11 March 2008," reads the
affidavit. "It launches the applicant's 2008 presidential elections campaign
and publicise the applicant's roadmap to a new Zimbabwe premised on a new
constitution authored by an all stakeholders' conference."
Speaking to The Zimbabwean, MDC spokesman, Nelson Chamisa said they were
going ahead with their preparations for Sunday's rally, adding the outcome
from their court application wouldn't even stop them.

With Political Tensions Rising, Zimbabwe By-Election Closely Watched

VOA

      By Carole Gombakomba and Safari Njema
      Washington and Chiredzi
      16 February 2007

On the eve of a parliamentary by-election to be held Saturday in the
Chiredzi South constituency in Masvingo province, the Zimbabwe Election
Support Network said the conditions for the ballot fall short of regional
standards for democratic elections.

ZESN issued a report saying conditions in Chiredzi  South violated the
principles and guidelines set by the Southern African Development Community,
a regional body.

Numerous reports have emerged of intimidation and political manipulation of
food aid by ruling party officials. Local traditional chief Fortune
Charumbira said "only ZANU-PF supporters" would be allowed to live in his
area. Charumbira is also said to have told other traditional leaders to deny
government food aid to opposition members.

ZESN issued a statement saying such declarations by government officials
ahead of the by-election are unconstitutional and violate human rights.

Political analyst Farai Maguwu told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's
Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that such allegations have become standard in Zimbabwe
elections.

Maguwu said the Chiredzi by-election is particularly significant because it
may serve as a barometer for future ballots, including the next presidential
election.

Reporter Safari Njema visited Chiredzi  South this week and heard from
residents that they hope candidates understand the need for an overhaul of
local infrastructure.

Zanu-PF tries to win over Bulawayo

Mail and Guardian

      Julius Dawu

      16 February 2007 11:59

            A government directive to take over the management of Bulawayo's
water and sewerage reticulation has triggered a war of words with residents.
They are alleging political skullduggery, which is likely to cost the ruling
Zanu-PF future votes in Matabeleland, a long-standing opposition turf.

            Zimbabwe's Cabinet last month directed the Zimbabwe National
Water Authority (Zinwa) to take over the network from local authorities.
Government has insisted the move is in the best interests of the city, but
residents and civil society leaders are not convinced. Opposition to the
takeover has fallen on deaf ears; government is determined not to reverse
its decision, which has divided even the ranks of ruling party members.

            Zimbabwe Minister of Water Resources and Infrastructural
Development Munacho Mutezo met with Bulawayo city councillors in an attempt
to defend government's decision.

            "The decision is very clear that we are saying no to the Zinwa
takeover of the water and sewerage reticulation," executive mayor Japhet
Ndabeni-Ncube told the Mail & Guardian in Bulawayo. "We are firm on that. We
asked him to take our standpoint back to the government, even if it means
taking it to the Cabinet with a view of a revision to that decision."

            The issue of water provision to Bula­wayo and the Matabeleland
region has remained a political sore point for residents and industrialists
who have long blamed government for ignoring successive crises in a region
that is prone to drought. Bulawayo has traditionally been Zimbabwe's
industrial and commercial capital.

            Ndabeni-Ncube said the city's refusal to hand over to Zinwa is
owing, at least in part, to the fact that it generates significant income
for local authorities.

            The water and sewerage reticulation account is the city's cash
cow, contributing 40% of its total income. The city stands to lose
Z$62,9million a month in revenue should the takeover be effected.

            "As it is, for this year we are expecting a surplus from the
water and sewerage account of about Z$30billion. This surplus enables us to
cross-subsidise other vital service delivery areas in the city, such as
education, housing and community services," said Ndabeni-Ncube, who was
elected to the position of second executive mayor for the city on an
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) ticket. He added: "This is
our money. As we make it, we want to keep it and use it."

            Residents and civil society have interpreted the planned
takeover as a political move meant to frustrate the smooth running of the
city, which many say is the best-administered local authority in Zimbabwe.
In Bulawayo, the MDC has 25 out of 29 wards. The party also won the majority
of parliamentary seats in Matabeleland during the landmark 2000 elections.

            Sources in Zanu-PF's structures in Bulawayo Provinces told the
M&G that, during a closed-door meeting with Mutezo, party members told him
the Zinwa move would further sink Zanu-PF's political fortunes.

            "We told him that we are battling to win back lost political
ground in Bulawayo and then we have this. We made it clear to him that Zinwa
was playing with fire and the ruling party should expect to get zero votes
from this region in any elections," said a source in the ruling party who
attended the stormy meeting.

            Ndabeni-Ncube played down the political connotations of the
Cabinet directive when asked if he thought it was political. "For the time
being I do not want to think politically, because I am talking as a
professional and a civil leader," he said. "However, if they take over, we
shall begin to look as to why exactly they are taking over. I am not blind
to the fact that it may be political, but I am wondering which side of
politics."

            Political activist Dumisani Nkomo remains convinced that Zanu-PF
is playing a political game. "This is an attempt to destroy the local
authorities, most of whom are not controlled by the ruling party. Government
has been known to implement suicidal policies without caring about the
impact on ordinary people. They have failed to find inroads into Bulawayo
and this is an opportune time for them to destroy the good work of the
council of Bulawayo."

Government to defy police orders

The Zimbabwean

( 16-02-07)
Harare - A top Zanu (PF) and government official said on Thursday government
will ignore the latest of police orders demanding that illegal squatters
vacate from private land owned by white farmers.
The police on Tuesday ordered thugs sent by Zanu (PF) spokesman Nathan
Shamuyarira to vacate the property they had occupied, which is under the
ownership of prominent commercial farmer Ben Freethe. Freethe's farm is in
Chegutu.
Acvting Police Commissioner Godwin Matanga said by evicting the squatters,
police was  enforcing Judge Rita Makarau's judgement, ,which upheld an
application by about 60 landowners asking the court to force judicial
officials and police to begin immediate evictions of farms that had been
occupied but were not under a Section 5 or 8 order.
But State Security minister responsible for Land Reform, Didymus Mutasa said
on Thursday
that police and security personnel will not be used to carry out any
evictions of black "demonstrators" on farms.
"There is no turning back. No courts will be allowed to stand in the way of
a just resolution of the land question," Mutasa told State radio. "These
people are just fooling themselves."
On Monday, the Administrative Court responsible for hearing appeals against
land seizures said a "fast track" program of farm confiscations did not
follow procedures laid down in land reform laws passed by the ruling party
in 2005 under its amendment no. 17. The court held that two white-owned
farms whose owners appealed seizure could not be taken over until those laws
were followed. And this included Freethe's farm.
Freeth is challenging the constitutionality of 'Amendment no.17' in a
landmark case in the Supreme Court. The amendment took away the right of any
farmer to legal recorse once his property is targeted for acquisition.
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down judgement on the case on March
22.
Freeth told The Zimbabwean that a group of thugs laid siege to his farm and
house last week. The thugs claimed to have been sent by Shamuyarira and was
led by the ruling party spokesman's brother.  They claimed they had been
granted rights to the farm.The squatters were accompanied by Shamuyarira's
nephew Peter Chamada, the lands officer for the district one Mr. Kunonga,
and Zanu (PF) Central Committee member Jamaya Muduvuri and district war
veterans.
The police however moved in after the occupation received international
media attention.
Ruling party militants have illegally occupied land on more than 1,700
white-owned farms since 2000. Last year, the government renewed its land
seizure drive again, confiscating the remaining 600 white-owned properties
it says it wants to carve up and hand over to landless blacks.
Illegal squatters led by violent veterans of the bush war that ended white
rule in 1980 have occupied many of the remaining 1,000 white-owned farms
that have not been targeted for confiscation.
President Robert Mugabe has repeatedly supported often-violent occupations
of the farms, calling them a legitimate protest against whites'
disproportionate ownership of land.
According to the government, about 60,000 black families have resettled on
seized land since June, compared with the 74,000 families resettled on
former white-owned farms during the first two decades after independence.
Since 1980, the land reform program has been plagued by corruption and
mismanagement, with many prime farms being shared out by politicians and
their cronies.
The Supreme Court has ruled in the past that the government had not paid
compensation
as required for improvements, such as roads and irrigation, on seized
properties and had not honored landowners' constitutional rights to
reasonable notice of seizure to enable them to appeal or make other plans.
It said farmers and their workers also had been denied protection from
violence and intimidation, and their rights to carry on with farming were
infringed by squatters, ruling party militants and state officials.

Police Presence Bolstered In Zimbabwe Cities Amidst Social Unrest

VOA

      By Patience Rusere
      Washington
      15 February 2007

Zimbabwean police stepped up their presence in cities around the country
Thursday in an indication the government is bracing for further street
protests and strikes.

Eyewitnesses said Harare bristled Thursday morning with police wielding
batons and teargas canisters. Members of the so-called Green Bombers youth
militia were also in circulation, and were reported to have clashed with
street vendors.

Sources said members of the Central Intelligence Organization infiltrated
academic institutions and government offices in anticipation of a strike by
civil servants.

Senior Programs Officer Phillip Pasirayi of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the public
at this point in the crisis is not likely to be intimidated by a stepped-up
police presence.

Pasirayi added that police in Kadoma, in Mashonaland West some 140
kilometers from Harare, refused permission for the organization to hold a
meeting to discuss a ruling party proposal to postpone the 2008 presidential
election until 2010. He said police told the group they could not guarantee
security in case of a disturbance.

Zimbabwe Parliamentary Panel Seeks Solution To Strike By Doctors

VOA

      By Carole Gombakomba
      Washington
      15 February 2007

The Zimbabwe parliament's committee on health said Thursday that it is going
to try to resolve a crippling strike by state hospital resident doctors now
in its eighth week.

Committee chairman Blessing Chebundo said seven members of his committee
agreed they must engage both the striking doctors and officials of the
Ministry of Health. But sources said government officials warned the doctors
not to engage members of the panel, whose head belongs to the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change.

Junior and senior residents are demanding at least Z$5 million (US$1,000) a
month, having turned down a government offer of up to Z$1 million dollars.

Chebundo, who represents Kwekwe for the MDC faction of Morgan Tsvangiria,
told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that his
committee cannot stand by as conditions deteriorate in the public hospital
system due to the government's failure to do what is necessary to end the
strike.

Sekeramayi delays Mpofu hearing

New Zimbabwe

ZISCOGATE SCANDAL

By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 02/16/2007 11:57:48
SYDNEY Sekeramayi, the chairman of Zimbabwe's Parliamentary Privileges
Committee investigating contempt of parliament charges against the Industry
and International Trade Minister postponed a hearing for a second time
Thursday.

Industry Minister Obert Mpofu may be forced to give up his post if the
committee rules that he lied to a parliamentary committee over corruption at
Ziscosteel, a state-owned steel manufacturer.

Sekeramayi told five other members of the committee, and Mpofu, that he was
unable to preside because he was attending a funeral.

At the previous postponement of the hearing, last week, no reasons were
given.

A parliamentary source said: "Some members had been informed that the
hearing would be on Thursday. We were in the process of informing the others
on Wednesday when Sekeramayi said he could no longer make it.

"The hearing has been moved to a later date that is yet to be announced."

Mpofu is facing charges of breaching the Privileges, Immunities and Powers
of
P arliament Act for allegedly falsifying information while giving evidence
before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Industry
and International Trade.

Zimbabwe's Speaker of Parliament John Nkomo ruled at the start of the year
that there was a prima facie case against Mpofu, and triggered the
investigation by Sekeramayi's committee.

Nkomo's determination followed a motion moved by Zanu PF MP and the chairman
of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Industry and International
Trade, Enock Porusingazi, calling for the minister's impeachment after he
made contradictory statements in two separate sittings.

In his first appearence before the committee, Mpofu made claims that top
government officials were involved in the Ziscosteel looting saga. He made
an about turn after an emergency meeting with Vice President Joice Mujuru -- 
herself named by a top secret government report into the corruption.

Mujuru summoned Mpofu to a meeting while he was giving evidence to the
parliamentary committee on September 20. When he came back to conclude the
hearing on September 27, Mpofu was a changed person.

He claimed he had initially been "quoted out of context" by people with
"agendas" and who were up to some "mischief".

Mpofu initially told the committee that influential people were milking
Zisco while the government-owned company was bleeding.

"There were people making money out of Zisco while Zisco was actually
bleeding. There was even at some stage, a team that was sent by the Ministry
of Finance to go and investigate Zisco and there is a thick file which, if
you see it, you will be shocked," Mpofu said on September 20.

"The people that are complaining about these things are actually culprits
and some of them are colleagues of mine in parliament."

But Mpofu changed his tune after meeting with Mujuru.

"I'm not aware of any particular minister -- it is very annoying -- or
senior person or MP or anybody (who is involved in Zisco)," he said. "Even
the report was not commissioned by me. It was done a long time ago. I have
not even got that report."

The report in question was the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI)
document on Zisco.

At his first appearance Mpofu said he had spoken to Anti-Corruption minister
Paul Mangwana to delay making the report public because government was still
negotiating with investors who wanted to come to Zisco. This was after
Zisco's US$400 million deal with Global Steel Holdings Ltd had collapsed.
The parliamentary committee was investigating that collapse.

A close check on Mpofu's remarks means that he had stopped Mangwana from
releasing a report which -- by his own admission -- he had not seen.

Ruling on Mpofu's impeachent, Nkomo said: "The minister's evidence was given
under oath on 27 September denying any knowledge of the said report without
retracting his earlier statements or offering an explanation for his sudden
change of position.

"He conducted himself in a manner that would surely lead a reasonable person
to conclude that he was prevaricating with the intention to mislead the
committee or that he presented to the committee false, untrue, fabricated or
falsified evidence with the intent to deceive the committee.

"Accordingly, it is the chair's ruling that the facts clearly disclose a
prima facie case of prevarication as a witness or of presenting false,
untrue, fabricated or falsified evidence to the committee by the Honourable
Minister as envisaged in the Act."

President Robewrt Mugabe kept Mpofu in his post when he announced a
mini-cabinet reshuffle last week.

80 Zimbabwean nurses under investigation

TV3, New Zealand

Fri-16-Feb-2007 1:31pm

The Nursing Council is investigating whether 80 Zimbabwean nurses working in
New Zealand rest homes and hospitals are using false papers.

The nurses' status has been under investigation since August, and similar
inquiries in Australia and Britain have led to some nurses being
deregistered.

All the Zimbabwean nurses involved have been granted New Zealand
registration and are still working in public and private hospitals.

Nursing Council chief executive Marion Clark says it is a major
investigation.

Zimbabwean nurses 'victims of fraud'

Stuff., New Zealand

By JOANNA DAVIS - The Press | Saturday, 17 February 2007

The Zimbabwean nurses accused of holding fake registration papers are
innocent victims of corrupt clerks in their homeland, a lawyer representing
them says.

Wellington lawyer Roger Palairet, who is representing 25 of about 80
immigrant nurses facing hearings before the New Zealand Nursing Council over
the next few weeks, said the question mark hanging over his clients was a
"disservice to them" as all were properly qualified.

"What's happened is that there have been irregularities and alleged fraud
occurring in the new offices of the Nursing Council of Zimbabwe in Harare,"
he said.

Palairet said the nurses had paid a fee over the counter for certificates
verifying their Zimbabwe nursing registration.

"Apparently the clerical people who were there were pocketing the fees and
issuing the certificates without recording them in the official records of
the Nursing Council of Zimbabwe."

Palairet said details about qualifications and experience on the
certificates was correct. The problem was that they were signed by people
who did not have the authority.

"The Zimbabwe nursing council has found out and put their hand up."

The regulatory authority is understood to have advised licensing councils in
Britain and Australia as well as New Zealand.

Some Australian-based nurses have been stood down from direct patient care
while the issue is investigated.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council chief executive Karen Cook said
that was a procedural requirement in some of the Australian states and did
not reflect any perceived risk in the nurses' clinical practice.

Palairet said the nurses he was acting for had all reapplied for
verification certificates, requiring them to pay another $US150 fee, but the
papers had not yet arrived.

"The really important message is that there's absolutely no suggestion that
the nurses aren't qualified and perfectly competent," he said.

South Island Zimbabwean Association secretary Taz Mukorombindo said he could
not have complete confidence in the Nursing Council of Zimbabwe because it
was operating in a regime that he described as "not in good order".

Under the authoritarian regime of President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe is in
economic crisis, partly due to a campaign of land seizures that has
devastated the African country's agricultural industry.

Annual inflation was reported this week as topping 1500 per cent.

Despite the country's problems, Christchurch nurse Grace Chaza, who worked
in Zimbabwe for 10 years from 1992 to 2002, said the profession was
reputable and Zimbabwean nurses could be trusted. "The only problem that I
see is lack of equipment (in Zimbabwe)."

SA firm looks to invest in Zim diamonds

Mail and Guardian

      Harare, Zimbabwe

      16 February 2007 01:41

             A South African mining company is set to invest more than
$100-million in diamond-mining projects in Zimbabwe over the next three
years, it was reported on Friday.

            The investment will be carried out through Better Mining, the
local subsidiary of African Pearl Mining, the official Herald newspaper
said.

            "We intend to invest over $100-million into minerals production
and beneficiation in the country," said Chishi Mashile, a company director.

            "This is part of our mission to eradicate poverty in Africa
through broad-based black empowerment-driven investment in African minerals
and natural resources," he told the Herald.

            Better Mining has just donated a Z$1-million (US$4 000) towards
celebrations for President Robert Mugabe's 83rd birthday next week, the
paper added.

            Proposed mines for investment have been earmarked in Zimbabwe's
remote eastern Buhera and Marange districts, where the discovery of diamonds
last year sparked a huge diamond rush and massive environmental damage.

            Police have since cracked down on illegal diamond and gold
diggers and dealers throughout the country, arresting more than 28 000 in an
operation codenamed Chikorokoza Chapera, or No More Illegal Panning.

            Suspected illegal miners have complained that police and top
politicians are involved in the illegal deals. -- Sapa-dpa

'Plotter' fears E Guinea torture

BBC

A Zimbabwe court has begun hearing an application to have the British leader
of a group of alleged mercenaries extradited to Equatorial Guinea.
Simon Mann is accused of being the mastermind of a plot to overthrow
Equatorial Guinea's president in 2004.

The former SAS officer was arrested and jailed in Zimbabwe for apparently
trying to buy arms as part of the plot.

His lawyer argued the request should be turned down, as he would not receive
a fair trail and could face torture.

Mann, who is serving a four-year prison term in Zimbabwe for buying weapons
without a licence, is due to be released in May for good behaviour, Reuters
news agency reports.

'Key person'

"Because this case is political, he [Mann] will not get a fair trial and he
will be severely tortured," Mann's lawyer Jonathan Samkange told the court.

Twenty-three suspected mercenaries have already been convicted in Equatorial
Guinea in connection with the coup plot.

"Others facing the same charges have not received a fair trial, one has died
from torture," he said.

But in a written request to the court, Equatorial Guinea's attorney general
said it was important that Mann answer questions in connection with the
conspiracy.

"Simon Mann is the intellectual head of the mercenary operation and coup
plot. He is the key person who planned and led this operation," AFP news
agency quotes Jose Olo Obono as saying.

The lawyer representing the oil-rich state said there was enough evidence to
show Mann had a "legal case to answer".

"The applicant has also given assurances that the death sentence will not be
pursued if Mr Mann is convicted, and that he will get a fair trial," Joseph
Jagada said, Reuters reports.

No show

Mr Samkange said his client, who did not appear in court on Thursday, was
ill and was due to have an unspecified operation soon.

But he said Mann was expected to give evidence at later proceedings.

Mr Mann was arrested in March 2004 for allegedly purchasing weapons in
Zimbabwe for the planned coup attempt.

More than 60 men arrested with him - most of them South African citizens of
Angolan origin - were released in 2005 after serving a year's sentence in
Zimbabwe.

They flew to Zimbabwe from South Africa to pick up the weapons and were
allegedly on their way to Equatorial Guinea to meet another group involved
in the plot, when both groups were arrested.

Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former UK Prime Minister now Baroness Thatcher,
was fined and received a suspended sentence in South Africa for his
involvement in the affair.

The relatives of those being held in Equatorial Guinea have complained of
abuse and unfair treatment.

One suspect, a German, died in prison after what Amnesty International said
was torture.

Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, has been ruled by President
Teodoro Obiang Nguema since he seized power from his uncle in a coup in
1979.

JAG Job Opportunities dated 15 February 2007

Please send any job opportunities for publication in this newsletter to: JAG
Job Opportunities; jag@mango.zw or justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 18/01/2007)

LARGE SCALE FARM AVAILABLE LONG TERM LEASE January 2007

INVITATION
Welcome to individuals or companies interested in taking up lease for
agricultural land.

LOCATION
2-½ hour drive; from Nairobi in the world famous Rift Valley, Lenginet is a
30-minute drive from Nakuru, home of flamingoes and along the tourist
circuit to lake Bogoria hot springs.

TOPOGRAPHY
One Hundred and forty (140) acres, arable flat land, well suited for
floriculture, horticulture or any other export oriental agriculture
activity, that may require irrigation. The farm has a permanent river
frontage.

FARM DEVELOPMENT
Located on the farm is a 5 bed roomed old English farmhouse with 2 kitchens
2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms and dining room. The house can accommodate 2
families if need be. There is also an adjoining 2 bedroom, 1 living room
guesthouse.

There are 2 underground water reservoirs, supplementing piped water to the
main house. There is a three-phase electricity supply suited for both
domestic and industrial - heavy machinery power supply.

There are 2 sites already mapped as potential underground (bore hole) water
source.  Other developments include barns, stores, carport for 4 cars and
servants housing units.

The farm is immediately available for occupation on long-term lease
contract, 10+ years, with the option to renew.

Interested parties may contact either of the undersigned.

DR. DAVID K. CHEMIRMIR    SUSAN CHEMIRMIR
P.O. Box 14703, 6400 Independence Pkwy Nairobi, Post Code 00800, #4701,
Kenya
Plano, Texas 75023, USA
PHONE: +254 20 272 2046   Cell: 972-898-2493, Cell: + 254 722 715 417
schemirmir@hotmail.com, E MAIL: dchemirmir@hotmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 18/01/07)

Receptionist/Debtors Controller

Two positions to be filled.  However we would require that they would be
able to learn both fields, to enable back up for each other:-

Post Title:               Receptionist/Debtors Controller
Responsibilities:      Front Office Management,   Receptionist, Accounts
Queries, Dealing with Clients, Debtors, Invoicing, Receipting, Handling
Cash, Banking, General Secretarial Duties, Debt Collections

Post Title:              Wages Clerk/Debtors Assistant
Responsibilities:     Wages for 65 employees, Debtors - Entering
Invoices/Receipts, Vat Returns, NEC, NSSA etc Returns, handling Petty Cash,
Cash Book Knowledge, Internet/Email.

Computer literacy in Pastel Version 8 and Belina Payroll System.  Previous
experience in these fields would be advantageous.  Only basic fields
covered, it entails various other duties.

Personality Traits:  Efficient, hard working, pleasant, must be
self-motivated to be-able to perform duties without constant supervision,
honest and trustworthy.

Dress Code:         Smart.
Salary:                  Salary / Package to be discussed.

Please contact: Multi-Link (Pvt) Ltd
P O Box HG 659, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tel. 737688, 705021, 708310.  Fax 733844
e-mail: multilink@mweb.co.zw

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Estate Manager (January 2007)

A vacancy needs to be filled at Peterhouse:

Responsibilities include;

Maintenance of sports fields, swimming pools and sporting facilities.
Overseeing water supply and borehole upkeep. Controlling lawn mowers,
tractors and equipment usage.
Managing a forestry plantation and estate gardens
Usage and maintenance of generators
Managing a small labour force

Please send a detailed CV with 3 references and application to:

The Rector, Peterhouse, P/Bag 3741, Marondera
Or fax to:  079 - 24200, or e-mail to: peterrec@mweb.co.zw

--------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Sales Agents/Representatives for our company:

Company:         Alfa P/L
Business:          Calendars; diaries and corporate gifts
Job Title:           Sales Representative
Reporting to:      Branch Manager/Sales Co-Ordinator
Package:          To be discussed
Environment:     Female

This post will be ideal for mature responsible ladies with drivers licence
and own car. Previous selling experience will be an advantage. Please
contact Anthea Reeler on 776772; 011 604 151, alternatively, please email CV
to alfahre@zol.co.zw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

The following positions are immediately available within our organisation.

Bookkeeper / Accountant
Qualifications not absolutely necessary but experience vital as must be
competent, professional and confidential.

Personal Assistant
Reporting to the General Manager,  a highly competent and professional PA is
required. Must have computer experience in Word and Excel.

Vehicle Sales Person
Responsible for all vehicle sales hence knowledge of vehicles and good,
administrative skills required.

Workshop Manager
Responsible for maintenance and running of  company vehicles/transport  and
construction fleet. Must be able to manage general workshop requirements and
staff.

Please forward C.V.s and contactable references to email address :
auctions@yoafrica.com
For further information please contact / refer to Glynis Wiley on :
751904/5/6 - 751498 - 751343
ABC Auctions, Hatfield House, Seke Road
Telephone 263 4 751904/906, Fax 263 4 751904/906

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Breakfast Chef

Position available at a leading Guest House in Somerset West, Cape Province,
RSA for a young Zimbabwean male or female kitchen breakfast chef.

Please respond directly to email address : info@ivoryheights.co.za with all
relevant CV, reference, work experience details.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Vacancy

A vacancy exists for a couple to manage a caravan
park and small harbour at Lake Chivero, Harare.

Required skills:
General management chores with a labour force of 9 workers
Maintenance of showers, toilets, out houses
Maintaining water and electrical reticulation systems already in place.
Liasing with caravanners and guests taking care of the park gardens.
Overseeing general harbour clearing and maintenance
running a small shop including daily stock checks,
ordering supplies and banking takings.

A house and vehicle is provided with reasonable remuneration.

This position would suit a retired farming couple who are not afraid of
work. Driving licence essential.
The park is quiet during the week. The shop opens all week and services
members, staff and national park
employees.

Contact the advertiser with cv at nella@comone.co.zw
or phone 04-305721/2 (work) or 091200030 (anytime)

----------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Personal Assistant - Mornings only

MORNINGS ONLY PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE MD REQUIRED TO COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY.
Mature and experienced person, capable of working without supervision,
shorthand advantageous, reasonable computer literacy and accurate typing
skills essential.

Please apply in writing to with a copy of your CV, to:
General Manager, P.O. Box 2432, Harare.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 8 February 2007)

Junior Bookkeeper

A leading software support organization seeks a Junior Bookkeeper who will
assist the Bookkeeper on a day to day basis.  Duties will include debt
collection, petty cash and general bookkeeping to keep the accounts up to
date.  The incumbent must be computer literate and a knowledge of Pastel
Partner is an advantage but not essential.

Contact Norman on 091-727835 in the first instance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 8 February 2007)

FINANCIAL MANAGER (ACCOUNTANT OR SENIOR BOOKKEEPER)

Experience essential with sound knowledge of computerized accounting
practices to balance sheet.
Incumbent to head a department of 3 subordinates in a long established
family business in graniteside harare

Telephone - Glynis 751904/6 or cell 011 630164
Email: auctions@yoafrica.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 8 February 2007)

MANAGER

Experienced manager wanted for an expanding banana / tomato / crocodile farm
in southern Mozambique.

Previous experience in the above fields, although not an absolute
requirement, will be given preferential consideration.

The incumbent must be healthy, have plenty of energy, be able to make
decisions and handle a large Portuguese speaking labour workforce.
Mechanical and electrical knowledge and hands on capability would be an
advantage.

Persons without children will be given priority attention.

Send CV to tapson@tdm.co.mz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 8 February 2007)

PIGGERY MANAGER

Looking for a manager for a highly productive pig unit on a Marondera Farm.
Few hundred sows.  Will be up to slaughter level. Person must be self
motivated, dedicated, have good labour relations and have record and
administration skills. Phone early mornings 091295736

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 15 February 2007)

Senior Accounts Person

Mornings only / Flexitime.  Suitable person with integrity and
professionalism essential.

Knowledge of Trust Accounts and Money Markets, an advantage.  Package
commensurate with experience and includes company vehicle and full medical
aid.

To commence 1st April 2007 or soon there after.

Contact Gabriel Real Estate P/L 708564, 882221

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Positions Available (Ad inserted 15 February 2007)

A) JUNIOR BOOKKEEPER

We are a software support company looking for a junior bookkeeper with a few
years experience.  The candidate must be computer literate and a knowledge
of Pastel Partner would be an advantage but not essential.  The successful
candidate would be required to assist our bookkeeper with debt collection as
well as preparing management accounts.

B) SALES PERSON

An opportunity exists for a dynamic, self motivated person to sell
stationery in the Northern suburbs initially and expanding elsewhere later.
Good terms are offered to the right person.

Send your CV to pastel@zimbiz.net or contact Norman on 091-727835

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMPLOYMENT REQUIRED

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 18/01/07)

Employment Wanted

I am a Diesel Mechanic with 12 years experience.  I am looking for a
position as a Workshop Manager /Fleet Manager or any position in a related
industry. I have been running my own business in Mozambique for the last two
years but wish to return home.

For further information and CV please contact the following:- Riaan Ferreira
at mtemwa@zol.co.zw
Contactable on +258 823864815 until end of January 2007

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ad inserted 25/01/07)

Mature Lady aged 32

Position sought             :    credit control/debt collector
Experience                   :     10+ years
Qualifications               :     Bookkeeping and accounts, SAAA (former
ZAAT) 2ND PART
Computer packages      :    sage 2000,  Accpac,  chameleon, windows, excel &
powerpoint

For more information call 091745939

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Employment Wanted (Ad inserted 15 February 2007)

Been self-employed for 17 years, in Zimbabwe, specializing in the service,
spares, and sales of tractors but due to the change of the economy it has
become almost impossible to make self-employment worthwhile at present.

Due to this, I am looking for a consultancy, management, supervisory work,
willing to do hands on work only when necessary, related to the above, our
first preference being Zambia, second Mozambique. My wife is computer
literate with ICDL certificate and office experience and certificates and
would be able to handle the administration side if a position were
available. Our preference would be something along the lines of servicing,
managing, repairing a fleet of tractors belonging to a large farming
operation or a syndicate of farmers in close proximity of each other.  With
33 years experience in the above type of work, specializing particularly in
Fiat, Ford and MF, I would request an attractive package including
accommodation, vehicle and salary which would make my efforts worth while.
I wish to stress that regular work hours are not a necessity and that if my
services were required I would be fully committed to whatever contract I
agree to. My wife is computer literate and would be able to handle
administration work.

My wife and I would like to do this together and would need to travel back
to Zimbabwe fairly regularly to spend time with our children as they are all
being schooled locally.

For CV and/or interviews, please contact us on 263-68-22463 / 263-11212545 /
tracspray@zol.co.zw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the latest listings of accommodation available for farmers, contact
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw (updated 15 February 2007)

Cellphone companies to cut back international calls

HARARE, 16 February 2007 (IRIN) - Zimbabwean cellular phone operators have
begun limiting the number of international telephone calls from Zimbabwe,
citing the unavailability of foreign currency to pay for termination rates,
charged by foreign networks to connect cellphone calls to recipients in
their countries.

Officials in the communications industry told IRIN that the tariffs charged
by local companies were no longer viable because the government was fixing
the Zimbabwean dollar at "unrealistic rates" against major international
currencies.

The Zimbabwean dollar is fixed at Z$250 to one US dollar, while on the
informal market it trades at above Z$5,000 to one US dollar; the South
African rand is fixed at R34 to the local currency, but fetches Z$760 on the
informal market.

This week Zimbabwe reported that in January the annual inflation rate had
reached 1,593.6 percent, the highest in the world. There appears to be no
end in sight to the economy's woes: chronic shortages of foreign exchange,
food and fuel persist, and unemployment levels have reached about 80
percent.

Cellphone operators' rates for international calls are about Z$86 (US$0.34
at the official exchange rate) a minute, from which they are also obliged to
pay their international counterparts termination rates in foreign currency.

Douglas Mboweni, chairman of Telecommunications Operators Association of
Zimbabwe (TOAZ) and chief executive officer of cellphone operator Econet
Wireless, said international calls would be viable once there was a
correction to international tariffs. At present, "pipes are congested
because tariffs are cheap".

"Instead of people calling home, they are now sending money to Zimbabwe,
which is changed on the black market and used to pay the cheap tariffs,
while mobile operators struggle to raise foreign currency to pay as
termination rates," said Mboweni.

Zimbabwe's three cellphone operators - Econet Wireless the government-owned
NetOne and Telecel - have a combined subscriber base of about 1.5 million.

Mboweni said discussions were in progress with the regulator, the Postal and
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), to increase
tariffs, as cellphone operators were using the revenue from incoming calls
to settle the termination rates of outgoing calls.

In his monetary policy review last month, reserve bank governor Gideon Gono
said the telecommunications sector continued to incur net debts in foreign
exchange, a "situation ... threatening the stability and availability of the
country's connectivity with the rest of the world".

"Because of the misalignment in our pricing, it has become cheaper for
foreign telephone recipients to ask their Zimbabwean friends, family members
or business partners to be the ones initiating the international calls,
against which less than US$3 would be sent from abroad [for conversion at
parallel market rates] to cover as long as 100 minutes ... in local
currency," Gono said.

Call for Submissions: New Literary and Art Magazine

Dear Sir or Madam,

I¹m hoping that you can help me get the word out about a new African
literary and art magazine, currently accepting submissions of nonfiction
writing, artwork (to publish within the magazine and on its cover) and
portraits of the average African family.See attached word document ..... briefly, ³A: Nonfiction Narratives of Africa²
is the first exclusively nonfiction literary magazine dedicated to
publishing Africa¹s stories written by writers from across the globe, and,
most importantly, emerging and established writers who call the continent of
Africa their home.  ³A.² is published quarterly, available in U.S.
bookstores and to subscribers world wide.

I hope that you can help me distribute this information to your staff and
any other writers or artists that you know who may be interested.  If
possible, please print and post the attached information in a visible spot
within your newsroom and send it out to your list-servers.  This is a great,
paying opportunity for established or emerging writers and artists.

Alternatively, if you think there's someone out there doing really strong
work that I should approach, please pass along their information.  We're
really trying to build a community of great artists working and creating
from their experiences on the continent will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance for your help.  Please don't hesitate to get in touch
if you have any questions or if you would prefer that I fax or post more
copies of this information.

Best,

Tracey D. Samuelson
Managing Editor

A. Magazine
PO Box 1128
Hoedspruit 1380
South Africa

US efax: 5094728560
SA efax: +27.086.517.1044

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