Mixed reaction to the easing of EU targeted sanctions

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
16 February 2011

The European Union on Tuesday lifted targeted sanctions on 35 members of the
Mugabe regime, who are the subject of travel restrictions and a freeze on
assets. A total of 163 people and 31 companies remain on the list, including
Robert Mugabe, with the EU citing a lack of progress towards political
reforms and a recent spike in ZANU PF instigated violence.

The targeted measures were put in place in response to human rights abuses
by the Mugabe regime. The removal of individuals from the list, that takes
place at most reviews, is apparently meant to encourage those on the
blacklist to mend their ways. Emilio Rosetti, the first secretary of the EU
delegation to Zimbabwe, announced the results of this latest review, but did
not offer any explanation as to why they de-listed the selected individuals.

It was left to the media to try to make sense of the reasons for delisting.
The more obvious were Mugabe’s sister Sabina, Police Assistant Commissioner
Thomsen Jangara, former Mashonaland Central governor Ephraim Masawi and
Thenjiwe Lesabe, who have all passed away.

Dominating the names of those removed on Tuesday are the spouses of key
regime members still on the blacklist. According to a report by Newsday,
“Willia Bonyongwe, chairperson of the Securities Commission and wife of the
Central Intelligence Organisation director-general, Happyton Bonyongwe, Anne
Flora Chairuka, who is married to the Commander of the Zimbabwe Prison
Service, Paradzai Zimondi and Rudo Grace Charamba, wife of Presidential
spokesman George Charamba, were removed.”

Also benefiting from the review were Isobel Halima, the wife of police chief
Augustine Chihuri, Helen Gono the wife of central bank Governor Gideon Gono,
Tsitsi Chihuri the wife of State Security Minister Sydney Sekeremayi, Choice
Parirenyatwa, former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa’s wife, and Patricia
Made, the wife of Agriculture Minister Joseph Made.

A surprising removal was Council of Chiefs President, Fortune Charumbira,
who has been at the centre of many reports on political violence and
intimidation. It was speculated that his rant in January last year, blasting
the government for politicizing traditional leaders and demanding the
formation of an independent administration body to oversee their affairs,
might have helped his cause.

Other notable people removed from the list include former health minister
Timothy Stamps, Zimbabwe Cricket Chief Peter Chingoka and former cabinet
minister and veteran nationalist Victoria Chitepo. Former Attorney General
Sobusa Gula Ndebele, a victim of the power struggles in ZANU PF, was also
removed from the list, as was victimized former Finance Minister, Chris
Kuruneri.

Geoffrey Van Orden, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) who spearheads
their campaign for freedom and democratic change in Zimbabwe, welcomed the
council's decision to maintain the restrictions on the remaining 163 people
and 31 companies.

"While there has been some economic progress in Zimbabwe, little has changed
in the political situation and democratic rights continue to be seriously
abused. Mugabe and Zanu-PF have flouted the key terms of the 'Global
Political Agreement' they signed with Tsvangirai's MDC party more than 2
years ago. Mugabe has unilaterally appointed his cronies to key positions,”
he said.

Van Orden said Mugabe, “with help from his security apparatus, still clings
on to the levers of power and manages to trample on the basic rights of the
Zimbabwean people. Journalists and MDC supporters are still routinely
targeted by Zanu-PF activists.” He added that until “there is real evidence
of change, including free elections and an end to harassment of the
opposition and journalists alike, the EU is right to keep its measures in
place.”

Several pro-democracy activists who spoke to SW Radio Africa expressed
concern at the timing of the easing of the measures. Most felt that with
escalating violence in rural and urban areas more ZANU PF people should have
been added to the list, instead of removing them.

Other activists however felt the easing of the measures was meant to divide
ZANU PF and encourage regime players to reform. Whatever the motive for the
EU to ease the measures, one thing for certain is that ZANU PF has still not
shown any intention to stop using violence as a political tool.

PM drivers freed, vehicles seized

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Tobias Manyuchi     Wednesday 16 February 2011

HARARE –Two of Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s drivers
arrested last Friday for having blue beacon lights in two of his official
vehicles were yesterday released on bail of US$100 each.

But the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) immediately impounded the premier’s
vehicles, the drivers’ lawyer Kossam Ncube said.

Ncube was still in the dark why ZIMRA impounded the government-owned
vehicles at the time when ZimOnline spoke to him, while ZIMRA boss Gershom
Pasi was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

"ZIMRA has impounded the two vehicles belonging to the Prime Minister
despite the fact the vehicles are registered under the government through
the Prime Minister's office," Ncube said. "The two drivers were released
this morning after paying a US$100 fine (each)."

The drivers will return to court on March 8 to face charges of possessing
the beacon lights without permission. The state says only vehicles from the
police and army or Mugabe’s escort can use such lights.

The Toyota Prado vehicles impounded by ZIMRA are normally used to escort
Tsvangirai’s Mercedes Benz limousine.

The arrest of Tsvangiari’s drivers and impounding of his vehicle is seen
stoking up tensions in Zimbabwe’s troubled unity government.

On Monday Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka said the arrest of the
drivers was an attempt to “embarrass and persecute” the Prime Minister.

Analysts see the arrest of the drivers and impounding of the vehicles as the
work of the hardliner security establishment out to demean Tsvangirai and
challenge his authority.

Police chief Augustine Chihuri and other security commanders are opposed to
the unity government and have refused to salute Tsvangirai or recognise his
authority.

The security chiefs are seen as wielding a de facto veto over Zimbabwe’s
troubled transformation process and as likely to block transfer of power to
the winners of elections that Mugabe insist should take place this year
should the victors not be the veteran President and his ZANU PF party. -- 
ZimOnline

Address by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, to the New Zimbabwe Lecture Series, Harare, Tuesday February 15th 2011

Journalists blocked from attending Tsvangirai’s address

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
16 February 2011

Journalists have expressed their frustration after many were blocked from
attending a ‘public’ address by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, comparing
the action to ZANU PF’s treatment of the media.

Tsvangirai was addressing a ‘Zimbabwe Lecture Series Forum’ at the Jameson
Hotel in Harare on Tuesday night, which was open to the public and the
media. But SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa reported on
Wednesday that he and most journalists were blocked from entering the venue
by security personnel, who claimed there was not enough room.

“But we could see through the doors that there were acres of space. The
security weren’t even letting people sit on chairs, so the media could
easily have occupied the chairs and even the space in front of the podium,”
Muchemwa explained.

He added that the only media allowed into the venue was a cameraman from
South Africa’s SABC, a journalist from the Prime Minister’s office, a
NewsDay reporter and a reporter from the state’s mouthpiece, the Herald
newspaper.

Muchemwa said that the journalists who were blocked from the venue were
angry; “It would appear this was a direct attack on the media itself.” He
said the journalists expressed their frustration, with some saying;
“Whenever there is a crisis, the Prime Minister runs to the independent
media, but whenever the Prime Minister feels content in his position, he
starts behaving like Robert Mugabe.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, told SW Radio Africa that
the incident was “unfortunate,” attributing the situation to the large
number of people who arrived for the speech. He dismissed claims that it was
a deliberate move to block the media, saying “it is in the Prime Minister’s
best interest to ensure the media are there.”

“I don’t think this was a deliberate effort by some people. We are not ZANU
PF; the Prime Minister is not ZANU PF. They are the people who are popular
for making sure information is not available,” Tamborinyoka said, adding:
“The Prime Minister is a disciple of free speech.”

ZANU PF’s refusal to allow Zimbabwe’s media space to open up, and their
ongoing control of the state media, formed part of Tsvangirai’s speech on
Tuesday, where he marked the two year anniversary of the unity government.
Tsvangirai said the coalition was not worth celebrating, blaming ZANU PF for
refusing to implement the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

“It is easier to mark the event (two years) of the inclusive government than
to celebrate it,” Tsvangirai said.

He said Mugabe and ZANU PF’s actions have frustrated the progress in the
inclusive government, because they act as competitors instead of partners in
the coalition government.

“There is increased polarisation in this inclusive government and this has
led to delays and deadlocks on implementing even the simplest of reforms,”
the Prime Minister said. “For ZANU PF, politics has no simple rule, their
game plan is to restore power at all costs.”

Of the state media, Tsvangirai said they have “become a threat to national
security by promoting hate, division and even genocide.” He criticised the
state media for continuing to vilify the MDC, warning of “the increase in
hate speech and unbridled propaganda.” Most recently, the national ZBC
broadcaster and the Herald newspaper have both reported that the MDC was to
blame for a recent upsurge of violence in Harare, despite ZANU PF youths
leading the attacks.

These same attacks have also put the police force’s partisan nature on
display, with the police arresting MDC victims of violence, harassing
families displaced by the violence, and refusing to intervene in the ZANU PF
led attacks. Tsvangirai said in his speech that the security sector “have
failed to adjust to the realities of an inclusive society by refusing to let
go of their partisan attitude, which has eroded national confidence at a
time when the people want assurance of their security well ahead of the next
election.”

The Prime Minister also insisted that elections will not be called until “we
have achieved the necessary conditions for a free, fair, credible and
legitimate election.” He also voiced his commitment to getting the country
ready for elections, saying that “the main agenda for 2011 is to support the
road-map to a free and fair election; a roadmap with clear benchmarks and
time lines that will put in place mechanisms to ensure a legitimate and
credible poll.”

Police Transfer Mwonzora To Nyanga As Villagers Languish In Police Cells

Police Charge Mwonzora And 22 Villagers With Public Violence

Three singers incarcerated for brilliantly converting Robert Mugabe’s jingle

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

16 February, 2011 02:03:00    By Sebastian Nyamhangambiri

THREE residents from Penhalonga, which is situated about 300 kilometres east
of the capital Harare, have been languishing in prison for over a week for
allegedly singing a modified version of Mbare Chimurenga Choir’s
‘Nyatsoteerera’ song, reported Freemuse’s stringer in Zimbabwe

The State alleges that the three craftily turned Nyatsoteerera's song that
heaps praise on President Robert Mugabe into a “defamatory” funeral hymn.
The trio is now being charged for contravening Section 41 of the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

“On 3 February 2011 and at Tsvingwe cemetery, Penhalonga, Patrick Chikoti,
Faith Mudiwa and Phillip Dowera or one or more of them engaged in disorderly
and ritious (sic) conduct and threatening words i.e. ‘Nyatsoterera unzwe
kupenga muhofisi mune mboko nyatsoterera unzwe kupenga’ and ‘Ngatishandei
nesimba takabatana tibvise kamudhara aka muoffice mupinde president wenyika
Morgan Tsvangirai,’ that they would remove President Mugabe from office
intending to provoke a breach of the peace, realising that there was a real
risk or possibility that a breach of peace may be provoked,” reads the State
outline.

Peggy Mapfumo-Tavagadza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
successfully applied for the trio’s bail last week. But the State invoked
Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (CPEA), which
automatically suspends the bail order for seven days while the State decides
on whether to appeal or not.

Campaign song

Nyatsoteerera is enjoying unprecedented airplay on all radio stations as
well as on television, as ZANU PF heightens its election campaign.

Section 121 of the CPEA has been increasingly used by the State over the
past years in cases involving political activists to suspend bail granted by
the courts. Lawyers say this unnecessarily infringes upon citizens’
fundamental right to liberty.

Recently, Florence Ziyambi, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the
Attorney General’s Office, barred prosecutors from consenting to bail
without consulting their superiors.

Tight Security Ahead Of Mugabe Rally, Banks Ordered To Release Funds

http://www.radiovop.com

16/02/2011 11:37:00

Masvingo, February 16, 2011 - War veterans and Zanu (PF) youths are on the
rampage here where they are moving door to door in townships ordering
residents to attend an anti sanction petition launch rally to be addressed
by President Robert Mugabe at Mucheke stadium on Thursday amid tight
security.

Masvingo governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke is said to have wrote
a letter demanding donations for the rally and other anti-sanctions
activities in the province from the banks in the town.

“We therefore demand a reasonable amount of money as donations from you…We
are going to have several anti-sanctions meetings in the province but we
lack resources to fund the meetings,” read part of the letter given to all
bank managers in Masvingo.

Masvingo bankers were on Wednesday said to be in a panic and consulting each
other on how much to give.

“We need to stay safe so we are running around to find if we can donate
something. You never know what they will do to us. We are consulting each
other to find out an average amount of money we can give to these guys,”
said a bank manager who did not want to be named.

“I have no time for you, are you a bank manager?" asked Maluleke when
contacted for comment by Radio VOP. "We know what we are doing and we are
sure you can not help us...”

The rally is being launched in this political hot bed area at a time when
the European Union announced it would extend targetted sanctions on Zimbabwe
for a year until the requirements of the Global Political Agreement (GPA),
that brought about Zimbabwe's shaky unity government, have been fulfilled.

The petition, set to be signed by over one million people, has already
sparked political violence in Harare's suburbs and other parts of the
country as Zanu (PF) youths have been forcing people to sign it. Zanu (PF)
is accusing the targetted sanctions for the economic woes Zimbabwe is
facing.

Party insiders told Radio VOP on Wednesday that the party had put a high
security alert in the city as a way to intimidate residents to go to Mucheke
stadium in a bid to force them to sign the petition.

Residents say they are frightened by the presence of security forces every
where in the city as well as constant harassment by the youth and war 'vets'
who are threatening unprecedented violence to all those who will not attend
the rally.

“We have been scared by the heavy presence of armed soldiers and police in
virtually all the streets of the city, particularly in the high density
residential areas. But we have since been told that the president is coming
for a rally in Mucheke stadium by some youths and war 'vets' who have been
visiting our homes since Monday. They have threatened us to be there or we
will face violence,” said Edmore Gutu of Mucheke suburb.

He added that this was gross violation of their rights as they had a freedom
to choose whether or not to attend rallies.

The Morgan Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) here
condemned the actions by Zanu (PF) saying the party had resorted to forcing
citizens in the country to attend its functions by using security forces
because of its growing unpopularity.

“We are not amused by this continued use of force by Zanu (PF) on local
citizens.It shows that they are now aware of their high level of
unpopularity in the country so we urge it to respect people and desist from
forcing them. People must attend these rallies by choice not by force,” said
MDC-T provincial chairman, Wilstaff Stemere.

Efforts to get a comment from the Army and Police by Radio VOP were
fruitless but Zanu (PF) defended its youths saying they were carrying a
mobilisation exercise to its supporters ahead of a historic rally to be
addressed by its president.

“We are moving around the residential areas mobilising our people to attend
this historic rally to be addressed by our president a first in the fight
against these sanctions by the west,” said Masvingo party spokesperson,
Kudakwashe Mandebvu.

Mutambara leaked secret information to Mugabe – MDC-N

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

16 February, 2011 07:30:00    By Gift Phiri

HARARE - The smallest party in Zimbabwe's GNU says it fired Deputy Prime
Minister Arthur Mutambara for leaking classified party information to
President Robert Mugabe.

Several attempts right up to the time of going to print to verify these
sensational and scandalous claims with Mutambara himself were fruitless

The MDC said the dismissal of Mutambara last Thursday resulted from
information that emerged from a Tuesday meeting between the party’s new
president, Welshman Ncube, and Mugabe after Cabinet, and an in-house
investigation aimed at party operations that had been the subject of intense
Zanu (PF) interest.

MDC deputy spokesman Kurauone Chihwayi told Zimbabwean newspaper in an
exclusive interview: "The President told Ncube that Mutambara knowingly
shared classified intelligence, including party information.”

Secretary-general of the MDC Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said: "Mugabe
had notes on all meetings that Mutambara had with senior party members,
including details such as which restaurant we had coffee at when we
discussed party matters.”

Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who is also minister of Regional Integration and
International Cooperation, accused the Deputy Prime Minister of being a
"sellout." The sensational details of the covert operation were used as the
principal basis for the party's decision to fire Mutambara. But party
officials in Mutambara's faction said they found it "amazingly hypocritical"
that "Ncube's National Council" was revealing the outing of Mutambara as a
secret Zanu (PF) operative only after failing to have him recalled from the
office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Ncube had met Mugabe after a Cabinet meeting said to be "tense" and demanded
that Mutambara be removed from his post as a deputy prime minister. But
Mugabe flatly rejected Ncube's demands to replace Mutambara, saying he loved
working with the robotics professor.

He reportedly said "angifuni" or "I don’t want." Mutambara argues he inked
the unity deal with Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and his
party has no right to recall him and his office was a creation of the
Constitution. Ncube accused Mutambara of further tilting the balance of
power in favour of Mugabe in the troubled unity administration. - The
Zimbabwean

Civil service wage bill tops US$117 million

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

16/02/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

ALMOST 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s monthly revenue is going towards a
ballooning civil service pay bill, Finance Minister Tendai Biti told
Parliament on Tuesday, describing the situation as unsustainable.

In January, Zimbabwe’s revenue stood at US$168 million, but US$77 million
went towards paying civil servants and a further US$40 million went into the
pensions and medical aid pot for government workers.

This left the government with just US$54 million to spend across all
sectors, which in January was insufficient by US$34 million.

“We are back at ‘kukiyakiya’ [wheeling and dealing] where money is just
going to salaries,” Biti said, demanding improved oversight on the country’s
diamond sales.

“The monthly wage of US$117,6 million leaves very little room for other
government operational requirements as well as projects. It means certain
areas will have to suffer.”

Biti said treasury had received US$62,1 million from diamond sales this
year, and yet the cabinet chief secretary had presented him a schedule put
together by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and the Minerals
Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, showing US$174,2 million had been raised
in January.

“This clearly shows a discrepancy,” Biti said in a ministerial statement
reviewing the 2011 budget performance. “I have since instructed the
Accountant General and the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue
Authority to verify figures of the diamond proceeds received so far.

“In addition, I have instructed the Comptroller and Auditor General to audit
the books of the relevant parastatals involved in the sale of diamonds.
“I hope officials are not speculating with this money.”

Biti appeared to call for a bigger involvement by his ministry in the
diamond sale process to guarantee quicker deployment of the money towards
government projects.

“From a cash management basis, it is extremely difficult to plan for such
resources when one has no control over the timing of both the sale and the
remittances,” the minister said.

The Finance Ministry, he said, had received unbudgeted financing request to
the tune of US$97 from Air Zimbabwe (US$2,5 million), the Constitutional
Parliamentary Committee (US$10 million,) arrears for the 2010 cadetship
programme (US$13 million), winter wheat (US$10 million), arrears to service
providers (US$40 million) and pension commutation arrears (US$13 million).

Zimbabwe’s media commission issues licences to three new players

http://www.apanews.net/

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) said on Wednesday
that it had licensed three new players in the print media as part of reforms
to broaden participation in the sector dominated by state outlets.

ZMC disclosed that it had granted operating licenses to a new daily
newspaper, the National Daily, as well as to a magazine to be known as
Yellow Pages.

It has also approved the registration of a local office of the foreign news
agency, Bloomberg.

This brings to 12 the number of new players licensed by ZMC since its
inception in April last year.

It is illegal under Zimbabwe’s Access to Information and Protection of
Privacy Act (AIPPA) for a media house to operate without a licence from the
state-appointed ZMC.

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) welcomed ZMC’s decision to
grant operating licences to the three organizations, saying it would provide
Zimbabweans with increased alternative platforms through which to receive
and impart information.

“VMCZ is also of the opinion that the licensing of new players in the media
will increase employment opportunities for journalists and media workers,”
the watchdog said in a statement.

VMCZ however noted with concern the hostile media environment that still
exists in the country and called on the coalition government, parliament and
the ZMC to actively consider the repealing of repressive media laws such as
AIPPA and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

Both AIPPA and POSA have been used by the police to harass journalists from
the private media.

JN/daj/APA
2011-02-16

‘Flea markets for Zanu PF supporters only’

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Chengetai Zvauya
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 15:23

HARARE - Zanu PF intends to replace current stallholders at flea markets in
the city, whom it perceives to be supporters of  the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC), with its own supporters.

The party last Saturday unleashed its belligerent Mbare-based “Chipangano”
mobsters on city vendors to flush out informal traders suspected to be MDC
supporters as it struggles to regain a foothold in the capital where it lost
all but one parliamentary seat in the last general election.

Zanu PF spokesperson and Politburo member Rugare Gumbo confirmed the
development saying that his party was going to select the people who will
operate at the flea markets and give preference to their supporters.

“This is part of our empowerment programme; we want to give the market
stalls to our supporters, and in particular to our youths. We don’t want MDC
supporters to hijack our programmes,” Gumbo said.

He claimed that Zanu PF supporters from surrounding rural areas were being
denied selling space at Mbare Musika by MDC council officials and the party
had decided that they should be allocated space in the city centre currently
occupied by opposition supporters.

“The MDC supporters should be catered  for by their party. Some of our
supporters from the rural areas are being denied space at Mbare Musika. We
are accommodating them here in the city and they should be given space and
not chased away,” Gumbo said.

He denied that  the move was political victimisation of people with a
different political preference.

“It is not political victimisation but it is one of the programmes of
empowering our supporters. We are doing it countrywide as we want to help
our unemployed youths so that they cannot engage in non-productive matters
such as attending MDC meetings,’’ he  added.

Chipangano members closed flea markets along Leopold Takawira street but
failed to commandeer vendors to attend a rally that was to be addressed by
Zanu PF Harare provincial leaders.

Police were called in to quell disturbances as the youths started to evict
the traders who were selling an assortment of goods including shoes,
clothes, blankets, vegetables and toys among many other items on display on
their tables.

The latest political purge started last weekend when Zanu PF youths moved to
Road Port Bus station along Fourth Street where they arbitrarily registered
vendors and promised to come back the following weekend to distribute seed
maize and fertiliser  to the traders as they were deemed to be Zanu PF
supporters.

They threatened to move around all city flea markets evicting traders who
were not taking part in their political party programmes.

Scores of traders who spoke to the Daily News but did not want to be named
for fear of victimisation confirmed that they were being forced to buy Zanu
PF party cards and to  attend the mini-rallies.

Flea markets which operate during the weekends are scattered throughout the
city’s open spaces and have become popular with the public who are able to
buy clothes and items at reasonable prices.

Zanu (PF)'s Controversial War Vet In Child Soldier Training

http://www.radiovop.com

16/02/2011 10:28:00

Gutu, February 16, 2011- Zanu PF’s controversial veteran of the liberation
war Jabulani Sibanda is being accused of child soldier training here.

Sibanda has however defended himself saying he is ‘only teaching the
children to be patriotic’.
He has ordered boys aged 12 and above to report at various bases in the
district for training.

The boys have been seen at different centres, marching,singing and
toy-toying for about two
and half hours every day.

“We are not going back because you don’t want us to train our children to
become patriotic," he said. "Anyone who sees this programme in bad light is
naïve in his or her thinking, this is a noble exercise that I think should
be taken to every district in the country,” he said.

Parents in the area complained that the children were being withdrawn from
lessons to attend the drills. Parents of children who are absent are ordered
to explain the reason or face severe disciplinary action.

“Our children no longer have peace; they are being abused on daily basis. We
have problems but we do not have someone to help us. We appealed to our
chiefs but they remained mum on the issue,” said
Zvapano Chirinda.

Parents in areas such as Chitsa, Guzha, Mutero, Maungwa and Magombedze said
they were planning to hide or send their children away to stay with
relatives in towns.

However, Chief Mawere said he was very disturbed. “I never agreed with
Sibanda from the start. I am going to confront him and order him to stop
what he is doing but my problem is that some of my colleagues are afraid to
speak out,” he said.

Red Cross to withdraw Zimbabwe prison food aid

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

15/02/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

THE Red Cross announced on Tuesday it is withdrawing food aid to the
Zimbabwe Prison Service due to the country’s improved economy.

The aid organisation said it would help the Zimbabwean authorities to
gradually take over full responsibility for meeting the nutritional needs of
8,000 inmates to whom it has been distributing food since April 2009.

“The direct food aid we have been providing in prisons for almost two years
was an emergency measure taken in response to a situation in which
malnutrition had reached critical levels,” said Thomas Merkelbach, head of
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional delegation in
Harare.

He added: “An assessment undertaken jointly with the authorities established
that the Zimbabwe Prison Service is now far more capable of meeting the
dietary needs of inmates.

“During the handover period, which will last until 2012, the ICRC will
closely monitor the situation. Together with the authorities, it will ensure
that an appropriate diet for detainees is maintained.”

As a framework for the handover, a memorandum of understanding between the
ICRC and the Ministry of Justice was signed in Harare on Tuesday.

Throughout 2010, the ICRC supplied with beans, groundnuts and oil 17 of the
largest prisons in Zimbabwe , holding over 65 per cent of the total prison
population of the country.

It also helped the detaining authorities enhance their ability to monitor
the nutritional status of inmates, improve management of the food supply
chain and boost production on prison farms.

In addition, the ICRC upgraded prison cooking and sanitary facilities and
helped improve health-care and legal services provided for detainees. The
charity said it would continue to conduct activities of these kinds in 2011.

ZANU appeals for Mugabe's birthday funds

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Itai Mabasa
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 06:11

In a desperate attempt to please the country’s aging dictator, Zanu (PF) has
resorted to begging from members of the public for some money to celebrate
their leader’s birthday.
The advertisements encouraging the public to make donations towards Mugabe’s
birthday have now surpassed any other song or jingle played on the party
controlled state broadcaster in terms of airplay.
Traditionally party members of the public would make their own pledges on
the without the encouragement of the adverts.
According to Zanu (PF) critics, the appeal for donations is a clear
indication of the revolutionary party’s bankruptcy.
“We have never heard of this kind of appeal coming from this self esteemed
party called Zanu (PF) until just recently. This is a clear sign that the
party is now dead chuff and can only be revived with funds from Chiadzwa,
whose whereabouts is not known to the people of Zimbabwe with Minister Biti
saying he did not receive any diamond proceeds while Zanu (PF) Minister
Mpofu says he gave him,” said Masimba Chinogurei of Mbare.
The advertisements are being played on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation’s
four radio stations and two television stations.
The losing Zanu (PF) candidate for Harare East’s parliamentary seat, Noah
Mangondo, is the contact person for the 21st February celebrations to be
held on the 26th of February in Harare.

Zimbabwe finance minister: millions missing from diamond sales

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/

Feb 16, 2011, 13:42 GMT

Harare - A total of 300 million US dollars from the sale of diamonds by
Zimbabwe from its controversial Marange diamond field and two smaller mines
has not been accounted for, Finance Minister Tendai Biti was quoted as
saying Wednesday.

According to the independent daily Newsday, Biti told parliament Tuesday
that the recent diamond sales and remittances have 'lacked transparency' and
that an official investigation would be launched.

The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) has indicated that an
amount of 174.2 million dollars should have been remitted to treasury, while
an additional amount of 125.8 million dollars realized in January 2011
remains outstanding.

However, the state treasury had received only 62 million dollars from the
sale of gems, Biti said.

'Clearly the ZMDC and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe are not
remitting in full the revenues which they have themselves declared as due. I
hope officials are not speculating with this money,' he was quoted as
saying.

Biti said he had ordered audits of the missing cash by the state
accountant's office, the auditor general and the state revenue authority.

The missing millions add to the controversy surrounding the Marange field in
the east of the country, where operations are shrouded in secrecy.

The Kimberley Process, which monitors the global trade in diamonds used to
fuel conflicts, allowed Zimbabwe to sell some of the Marange gems in July,
but is yet to approve further export and marketing.

Zanu wants ALL the diamonds – Politburo

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Gift Phiri
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 14:11

HARARE – Zanu (PF) wants all diamond mining in Zimbabwe to be nationalised,
according to confidential Politburo minutes that have been confirmed by
party spokesman Rugare Gumbo (pictured).
It is not clear how they plan to do this. The party’s position is at
variance with government's position that only alluvial diamond mining
operations will be nationalised.
The Diamond Act, still being debated by the Cabinet committee on
legislation, proposes handing management contracts to those private
companies currently mining diamonds.
But the minutes say: "the diamond sub-sector still has enclaves dominated by
multi-national companies, including those from countries that imposed
sanctions on Zimbabwe."
The other diamond mines are Murowa and River Ranch's open pit and
underground mine, both 75 percent owned by De Beers. Global miner Rio Tinto
is one of the foreign mining companies that faces the threat of
expropriation.
“Zanu (PF) will continue to push for the nation’s greater say in the
exploitation of all our mineral resources,” the Politburo resolved,
according to the leaked minutes
“Empowerment cannot be limited to diamonds, let alone a specific deposit
area," say the minutes - referring to the Marange diamond fields.
"Zimbabweans must have a stake in all diamond claims in the country, as
indeed they should in all minerals, regardless of who owns them currently.”
Gumbo said the Politburo was discussing resolutions passed at last year’s
party conference. This plan "should be implemented right away" and "2011
should be a turning point in the overall indigenisation and empowerment
drive", he said.
The diamond fields in Marange communal lands have already been nationalised
and handed over to a government-appointed consortium, which includes a
Chinese company and Mbada, a Zanu (PF)-linked company run by the military.
Human Rights Watch and the group Partnership Africa Canada say the Kimberley
Process monitor responsible for Zimbabwe has ignored gross human-rights
abuses in the Marange area.  The human-rights groups say the diamond fields
have been "militarized" by Mugabe's security chiefs.

Zimbabwe tobacco crop to leap with Chinese funding

http://af.reuters.com

Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:56pm GMT

* Farmers receive more funding

* Chinese firms now buying most of the tobacco

By Alfonce Mbizwo

HARARE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's tobacco output will increase at least
40 percent this year after a boost in funding to farmers from banks and
firms, many of which are Chinese, and due to good weather, an industry
official said on Wednesday.

Chinese companies have become the major financiers and buyers of Zimbabwe's
tobacco crop and industry officials say these firms will buy at least half
of this year's tobacco.

Tobacco's earnings potential has fallen behind that of mining in recent
years. Before the collapse of commercial agriculture in 2000, as President
Robert Mugabe oversaw the seizures of white-owned farms, it was the
country's single largest foreign currency earner, generating $400 million.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chief executive Andrew Matibiri
told Reuters during the opening of the 2011 selling season that he expected
sales of at least 170 million kg this year, up from 120 million kg last
year.

"The rains and other conditions have been favourable this year and while
farmers still experienced some problems -- such as power shortages,
shortages of working capital among others -- overall the situation was ideal
for tobacco farming," Matibiri said.

More than 30,000 small holder farmers have replaced white-owned commercial
farmers, who had traditionally produced the crop, which reached a peak of
236 million kg in 2000.

The government has said the agriculture sector is recovering, and that
farming had now become lucrative after Harare abandoned its worthless
Zimbabwe dollar in favour of foreign currencies like the U.S. dollar and
South African rand.

The southern African country's economy grew for the first time in 2009 after
Mugabe formed a unity government with his rival, Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, and officials see growth of up to 15 percent this year due to
growth in agriculture and mining.

On Tuesday tobacco prices ranged between $1.20 and $4.20 a kg on the auction
floor in Harare. Last season prices were highest at $4.80 and lowest at
$0.50 and the average was $2.91.

Mugabe, who turns 87 next year, has defended his land seizure drive as
necessary to correct colonial land imbalances and sees the recovery in
agriculture as a vindication of the policy.

Zanu (PF) thugs attack researchers

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by John Chimunhu
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 10:41

BULAWAYO - Researchers from the Mass Public Opinion Institute were chased
away from Mashonaland Central before completing a survey on a variety of
issues affecting Zimbabwe, the organisation has said "Intimidation by
ZANU-PF militias forced the fieldwork team to withdraw prematurely from a
primary sampling area in Mashonaland Central Province," MPOI said.
"Reflecting a worsening security situation in parts of rural Zimbabwe, the
target sample in the October 2010 survey fell short by eight interviews."
Violence has marked the life of the inclusive government since it was formed
in 2009 precisely to end it. This has led to fears that the situation will
get out of control before elections that may take place this year.
Among the findings of the survey is a popular view that elections should
take place this year.

Boka Holdings granted license for daily newspaper

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 February, 2011

A new daily newspaper is set to hit the streets soon after the owners were
granted a license by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) last week.

In a meeting with editors from the state and independent media held in
Harare on Tuesday, the ZMC chairman, Godfrey Majonga, announced that Boka
Holdings had been registered last week as owners of a new daily newspaper -
the National Daily.

The company is owned by Rudo Boka, the daughter of the late, controversial
businessman Roger Boka, whom many Zimbabweans remember from the notorious
United Merchant Bank (UMB) of the 1990s.

The bank went under after top ZANU PF officials raided it and took many
unsecured loans which they failed to pay. Boka fled from creditors and died
in the United States.
It is not clear when the new daily newspaper will start publishing but
reports said Boka Holdings has already placed adverts for various positions,
including drivers and the company been reported that the company is already.

ZMC chairman Majonga is quoted as saying: “To date, the commission has
registered 15 media houses with the latest one having been registered last
week.”
But the ZMC has yet to license any independent broadcast media companies and
the state maintains firm control of the electronic media – which remains a
useful propaganda tool for ZANU PF.

Skepticism as Zimbabwe Deputy PM Mutambara Said to Propose Cabinet Shuffle

http://www.voanews.com

Sources said the power struggle in the MDC wing could strengthen President
Robert Mugabe’s hand in determining the timing of new elections this year,
as he has argued that the government is so divided that new elections are
urgently needed

Blessing Zulu | Washington  15 February 2011

Zimbabwe's long-troubled government of national unity faces further strains
as embattled Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara is said to be seeking a
Cabinet reshuffle that would target his opponents in the smaller Movement
for Democratic Change formation.

Sources said the power struggle in the MDC wing could strengthen President
Robert Mugabe’s hand in determining the timing of new elections this year,
as he has argued that the government is so divided that new elections are
urgently needed.

Political sources say Mr. Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are
likely to scotch any move by Mutambara to settle political accounts. He is
said to wish to fire his main rivals in the MDC formation: Trade minister
Welshman Ncube, elected president of the formation in its congress last
month; Regional Integration Minister Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga; and
Education minister David Coltart.

Political sources say Mutambara is likely to seek the reshuffle when Mr.
Mugabe returns from Singapore where officials of his ZANU-PF party said this
week that he has traveled for follow-up treatment after an operation to
correct an eye cataract.

Mr. Mugabe has declined to swear in Ncube to replace Mutambara as deputy
prime minister despite Ncube's election as party president, displacing Mr.
Mutambara, noting a pending court case in which disgruntled members have
challenged Ncube's election.

A spokesman for Mutambara's faction of the now-divided MDC formation, Morgan
Changamire, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu that Mutambara has a
mandate for a shuffle of the MDC formation's ministers. But Nhlanhla Dube
spokesman for Ncube's faction, said Mutambara has no mandate to fire or hire
ministers.

Political analyst Earnest Mudzengi said Mutambara’s move is not likely to
have a major impact on the cohesion of the already fractious unity
government. The power-sharing arrangement, launched in February 2009, has
been in place for just over two years.

Hague fears over Zimbabwe violence

Press Association

(UKPA) – 1 hour ago

Foreign Secretary William Hague has expressed deep concern over political
violence in Zimbabwe, following the European Union's decision to extend
sanctions on the African nation for another year.

The EU has renewed Restrictive and Appropriate Measures on Zimbabwe for a
further 12 months - but has removed 35 people from a list of those subject
to an EU visa ban and asset freeze.

In a written statement to MPs, Mr Hague said: "Although this amendment
reflects the progress made by the government of Zimbabwe on economic issues
and in delivering public services, it also reflects our strong concern that
this has not been matched by equivalent political and democratic reform.

"Essential reforms to promote the rule of law, human rights and democracy,
as agreed under the Global Political Agreement, have not yet been
implemented.

"We are particularly concerned at the upsurge in political violence and
intimidation in recent weeks."

The restrictions that have been renewed involve travel constraints and asset
freezes for 163 people and 31 businesses. The arms embargo remains in place
and UK development aid will be channelled directly to the people of Zimbabwe
through the UN rather than through the government.

The EU's Restrictive Measures are targeted at those who "corruptly
appropriate the country's wealth for their own personal benefit", Mr Hague
said.

Zimbabweans Prefer Unity Government - Survey

http://www.radiovop.com

16/02/2011 20:13:00

Bulawayo, February 16, 2011- More than half of Zimbabweans want the
inclusive government to continue because it is doing well, a survey by the
Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) has shown.

“We ... carried a survey on the public mood on the Inclusive Government and
our results shows that 58% of Zimbabweans feel that the Inclusive Government
is doing fairly well and should not collapse,” said Stephen Ndoma, the
principal researcher, on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe's shaky government coalition has been in existence for two years
with President Robert Mugabe calling for elections this year to end the life
span of the new government. However, Prime Minister and leader of the main
faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-) has said elections
should only be held after a new constitution is put in place.

Ndoma added that 56 'per cent' of Zimbabweans felt that the country’s local
currency should not be re-introduced as they preferred the adoption of
foreign currencies to be permanent. Zimbabwe introduced a multiple foreign
currency policy two years ago when the new unity government came into being,
a situation which saw a world record inflation going down to the present one
digit.

He said the next survey will be held next month and it will seek to find out
if Zimbabweans are ready for elections this year.

The survey results showed that 42 'per cent' of Zimbabweans agreed that most
members of the police were very corrupt. Thirty six 'per cent' said
officials from all government ministries were corrupt while 30 'per cent'
cited tax collectors from the state-owned Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
(ZIMRA).

Officials of the President's office, followed by Members of Parliament,
local government councillors, judges and magistrates and traditional leaders
were also found to be corrupt. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and
officials in his office were listed as the least corrupt.

Ndoma told members of political parties, civic society and journalists that
the survey was carried on October 16-29 last year randomly among Zimbabweans
in both urban and rural areas.

Political parties’ members who were present during the release of the survey
results in Bulawayo were from both factions of the Movement of Democratic
Change and the newly formed Mthwakazi Liberation Front.

Miss Zimbabwe pageant turned into ZANU PF rally

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 February, 2011

The Miss Tourism Zimbabwe pageant that took place in Harare on Saturday is
reported to have been turned into a ZANU PF rally, complete with top party
officials and military escorts. The beauty contestants reportedly fell
victim to businessman and Mugabe’s nephew, Phillip Chiyangwa, who quizzed
them on ZANU PF history and philosophy, saying they ‘should know the country’s
politics’.

The event, which was scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm, started 3 hours late
after the organizers waited for the special, political guests who were due
to crown the winners. And the list of VIP’s read like a who-is-who of ZANU
PF officials.

Among them were the Senate President Edna Madzongwe, Minister of
Indigenisation Savior Kasukuwere, Harare resident Minister David
Karimanzira, Minister of State and Security in the President’s office Sydney
Sekeramayi and the Minister of Tourism, Walter Mzembi.

Ironically the theme this year was “Promoting Peace through Tourism”, at a
time when a violent campaign by ZANU PF sponsored thugs has gripped the
country, destroying property, looting and assaulting innocent citizens and
MDC officials and supporters, while also invading the popular Lake Chivero
tourist resort.

The deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara, was also there as a “guest”,
which may have been bad timing, coming as it did at a time when he is being
suspected of being a ZANU PF sympathizer by his former colleagues in the
MDC-M faction. Just last week they said they had “donated” Mutambara to ZANU
PF.

The army band played and uniformed soldiers escorted the beauties down the
runway, a disturbing image itself because it is symbolic of the situation in
the country right now. Soldiers have been deployed in many rural districts
and are reported to be, once again, intimidating villagers and campaigning
for ZANU PF.

Professor Ken Mufuka, who is based in the United States and brings students
to Zimbabwe, said it was a mistake to politicize the beauty pageant.
“Politicians should watch but not take part. The country is beautiful
enough. We have so many resources that we can publicize abroad and we want
everybody to come to Great Zimbabwe, not just supporters of one party.”

He added that once you politicize tourism, you turn away people in Europe
and the U.S. where the party, especially ZANU PF, is not very much
appreciated.

The MDC-T released a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, blasting ZANU PF’s
increased political interference with the pageant. The statement included a
reminder that “ZANU PF and Mugabe banned the Miss Zimbabwe pageant in 1981,
saying this was against our African tradition and the party’s socialist
dream.”

“It was later resuscitated due to popular pressure, but ZANU PF continued to
frown at the contests,” said the MDC.

According to the MDC, the 33 girls were quizzed on the structure of Zimbabwe’s
defense forces, ex-combatants from the war of liberation and the first
commander of Zimbabwe’s guerrilla force in the 1970s.

The party blasted Chiyangwa for his angry rant at the competing girls,
saying he reacted with rage when the girls appeared ‘not only confused, but
thoroughly flabbergasted’. Professor Mufuka agreed and added that these
young girls should not have been subjected to ZANU PF propaganda. “They
always forget that we all belong to that country. The whole spirit of a
unity government is to work together, not to be devisive,” said the
professor.

The winners were crowned by Ministers Sekeramayi, Kasukuwere and Mzembi,
along with their wives. Who perhaps wanted to keep an eye on what their
husbands might be up to?

Business moguls debate economy

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Ngoni Chanakira
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 09:52

HARARE - More than 400 business moguls and top politicians are meeting in
Nyanga to discuss how Zimbabwe can attain a growth rate of above 15 per cent
this year.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara, last week told international
investors that Zimbabwe would not return to economic sanity unless it
achieved a growth rate of "not less than 15 per cent. Otherwise bringing
back the Zimbabwe dollar will only be a pipe dream for us and nonsensical".

Mutambara said figures currently being dished out (such as four per cent by
economists and six per cent by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)), as
well as the nine per cent being regularly thrown around by the Minister of
Finance, Tendai Biti, would not "do the trick for the cash-strapped nation"
currently recovering from an economic malaise.

The meeting in Nyanga is being organised by top financial advisor, Kenias
Mafukidze, who runs his own firm Kenias Mafukidze Financial Solutions
(KMFS). Last year he invited about 350 business tycoons and politicians
including Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, to attend and address the
heated debate.

"The economy is anticipated to grow by up to 15 per cent this year,"
Mafukidze said. "This is the inspiration. If the Zimbabwean economy
continues to grow at 15 per cent annually over the next 20 years, it will be
a US$100 billion economy by December 31, 2030."

He said the theme this year was: "Towards a US$100 billion Economy by 2030".

Mafukidze said the structure of this year's conference would allow more
"intense deal negotiations and networking for the business leaders".

"From a one-day event the event will now be held over two days and
incorporate a Golf Day on the challenging Trout Beck Golf course," Mafukidze
said. "More than 400 leaders have participated in this fast growing network
of decision makers in Zimbabwe."

Confirmed prominent participants include the Minister of Finance, Tapiwa
Mashakada, Dr David Ndii from the Economics Department at Oxfrod University
in the United kingdom, Johan Greyling from KPMG, Denys Denya from
Afreximbank.

They also include top banker, Nigel Chanakira, founder of the ambitious and
flamboyant Kingdom Financial Holdings Limited (KFHL), Jonathan Kadzura, a
successful commercial farmer, Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, former Zimbabwe
Envoy to China, Shingai Munyeza, from the African Sun Group which is listed
on the Zimbabwe Stock exchange (ZSE), and Joseph Kanye Kanye,
Conferederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), President.

Mafukidze said major institutions such as Interfin Financial Holdings
Limited (Interfin) , Nissan Clover Leaf (Nissan), Trinidad Industries
Limited, ZB Financial Holdings Limited (ZB), Infinity Asset Management,
James North (Zimbabwe) (Private) Limited and KPMG, had already agreed to
participate.

Analyst: Easing EU Sanctions on Mugabe Allies 'Serious Blunder'

http://www.voanews.com

Peter Clottey  February 15, 2011

The deputy chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly in South Africa’s
capital, Pretoria, told VOA the European Union “betrayed oppressed”
Zimbabweans after the EU dropped sanctions against 35 allies of President
Robert Mugabe.

George Mkwananzi said many Zimbabweans are shocked and disappointed that the
European Union will revise its sanctions, in his words, to the detriment of
the victims of ongoing violence allegedly perpetrated by supporters of
President Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party.

“The European Union is making a serious blunder by scaling down and even
reducing the numbers of those people who are on the sanctions list at a time
that we expect them to be increasing the list and tightening even the
conditions of the sanctions because there is nothing really to reward there
at home (Zimbabwe),” said Mkwananzi.

“When you take some people off the sanctions, you are actually saying that
you have done a good job, we have seen some significant progress. But, in
this case, we have seen the reversal of what has been considered as
progress. So, this move may have been ill-timed.”

The individuals were on a list of people banned from traveling to the EU and
whose assets in the bloc were frozen because of their ties to the Zimbabwean
leader. The EU extended the sanctions for another year on 163 people,
including Mr. Mugabe, and 31 businesses.

Mkwananzi said the European Union committed, in his words, a serious gaffe
by lifting sanctions against Mr. Mugabe’s allies.

“When you witness an upsurge in violence, at a time when things are supposed
to be cooling down in preparation for elections, when you expect the process
of constitution-making to be teetering towards a conclusion, which is going
to create grounds for election which is going to be free and fair, you have
this which, in fact, is the opposite and nemesis of what one will consider
conditions that are ripe for elections,” said Mkwananzi.

“You cannot reward such a situation. I don’t know what kind of lenses these
people (EU) are using, which gives them such a bleared vision of the
situation in Zimbabwe.”

EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton said Zimbabwe has made “significant
progress” toward addressing its economic crisis and delivering basic
services to its citizens. However, she said political reforms in Zimbabwe
have not kept pace, and said she was deeply concerned about a recent surge
in violence, mainly in the capital, Harare.

The ZANU-PF and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formed a contentious
power-sharing government in 2009 after disputed elections. President Mugabe
has proposed that new elections be held this year, two years ahead of
schedule.

We can't all be intellectuals: Coltart

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

16/02/2011 00:00:00
    by Senator David Coltart

Speech by Education Minister David Coltart to the Greatness Career
Conference in Harare delivered on February 10, 2011:

Ladies and Gentlemen, young men and women,

Thank you, good morning to you all. I don’t know about you, but I certainly
want to be here this morning. This is not a ‘have to’ meeting for me at all.
And I have to say as well that I consider myself incredibly blessed to have
been given this opportunity at this time in our nation’s history to have
this particular job, and to have the opportunity to be able to influence and
help the coming generation. I consider it to be a great privilege.

And because of that, I am very supportive of this conference designed to
explore career opportuntities. I am in fact delighted to be here today. And
I want to congratulate Rabison Shumba and his Greatness Trust for organising
this event. I think that the organisation of this event shows great vision
on the part of Shumba and the team who support him.

An event like this is incredibly important for the future of our nation. If
this coming generation does not have a clear idea, individually and
collectively, about what it needs to do for our nation then our nation is
lost because it is true that any nation without a vision is doomed.

It is in my experience that children, the world over, battle with what is
arguably one of the most important decisions in their lives – namely when
they get to the end of their secondary schooling they battle with this
decision of ‘what to do with their lives?’  And it can be an incredibly
confusing decision making process.

There is a certainty that we enjoy in school. In primary school and
secondary school, we have a definitive path set out for us. We have a lot of
assistance from parents and teachers who guide us in the decisions that we
have to take and often we don’t have to take any decisions at all because
those decisions are just made for us.  But when we get to the end of our
secondary school education, we are sometimes confronted with a bewildering
array of choices, and there is much confusion as a result.

Sometimes we make these critical decisions in our lives based on, for
example, romantic notions. I have to tell you friends this morning that
although I made a decision to become a lawyer when I was just 14, and I had
a very clear understanding that that was what I wanted to do, I didn’t make
that decision to become a lawyer with any profound knowledge of what being a
lawyer entailed. I made the decision on a romantic notion.

My father had two friends who played Bridge with him every Friday evening
and these two men impressed me greatly. Simply because of their character,
without knowing anything about what they actually did, I decided I wanted to
become a lawyer and that was the basis that formed my decision. Thankfully,
God took that decision and has used it. But I suspect when we joke about
children who want to be firemen and nurses that sadly, many children
actually make their decisions without any real knowledge about what the
career they are embarking on entails. And so that is why conferences like
this are so important.

If we move away from the individual to the national collective choices
facing  Zimbabwe, and if we look at the state of our education sector and
the role it plays in this process, I think that we can all be proud of the
education sector. Although it has been battered in the last two decades,
what was established in the first decade, post independence, was something
our nation could be truly proud of.

The tragedy, however, from a career perspective is that what was built up in
the first decade was an education system that was almost exclusively
academically orientated. What do I mean by that? It was an education system
that focused on academic subjects, such as maths, English and science. But
it was exclusive in that focus. So what we found as a nation was that by the
late 1980s and 1990s, our education system was turning out some 300,000
graduates every year, people who had had a wonderful education. We were
turning out the highest percentages per capita in Africa of Maths and
science and English graduates.

Tragically, our country’s economy only had a capacity to absorb a maximum of
some 30,000 of those 300,000 graduates. In other words, our education sector
was not preparing the vast majority of our children for what our country had
to offer. And to that extent,  our education system was deficient. And it
was intensely frustrating for the vast majority of children who had worked
so hard in primary and secondary school because they found that  when they
got the end of their secondary education, there were very limited
opportunities for them. It was also a shocking waste of national resources.

In fact the harsh reality if we consider our education system in Zimbabwe
today is that we have developed an education system that has benefited the
rest of the world far more that it has benefited Zimbabwe. The vast majority
of children that have been generated by our magnificent schools, that have
been nurtured by our magnificent teachers – and mark my words we have some
of the best teachers in the world  in this country – have not remained in
Zimbabwe, have not benefited Zimbabwe. They have benefited Wall Street and
London and Sydney and Johannesburg and businesses elsewhere in the world,
not Zimbabwe.

In the last two years, and it is almost two years to the day since I took
over this job, we have been consulting widely in the education sector, with
our international partners, with our teachers, with trade unions, with
businesses, to understand the nature of problems facing the education
ministry and the education sector.

In the last year, we made some critical policy decisions to address the
problem I have just outlined. I want to discuss two of these policy
decisions briefly with you now because they are relevant to this
conference – young men and women here today, they are relevant to your
future and especially to the future of your younger siblings.

The first is that we realised that we have a lot of work to do regarding our
current curriculum. It came as a profound shock to me when I took over as
Minister to realise that Zimbabwe’s education curriculum has not been
comprehensively reviewed or reformed for over two decades. We last
comprehensively reviewed  our curriculum in the 1980s.

Whilst individual subjects have been changed, we haven’t looked at the
curriculum holistically for over two decades. And we have now committed
ourselves to do that comprehensive review and reform and we have started to
put people in place to do that. It is going to take at least two years to
conduct this exercise. But it is necessary and I on this point want to speak
not so much to the young men and women here today but to the teachers, to
the business community, to the churches, to every sector of society, to say
that we need your assistance as we embark on this exercise.

We need to build a curriculum in Zimbabwe which will serve Zimbabwe in
future, which will be appropriate to Zimbabwe’s needs in future, a
curriculum which is responsive to the needs of Zimbabwe, and important and
responsive to the needs and aspirations of our young men and women. And so
we are now embarking primarily on a process of consultation. We need your
input; we need the input from business, from mining, from agriculture. We
need input from the church and leaders such as Pastor Tom, whose words today
were profound, and profoundly important for our nation, because our
curriculum must look beyond just the technical teaching of Science and Maths
and Geography.

We need to look at how we produce the coming generation – including what
qualities and standards and aspirations that coming generation believes in.
Because as Pastor Tom said today if we do not produce a coming generation
that believes in tolerance, in non violence, in respect for fundamental
human rights, in respect for all our people, then our nation is doomed. We
can produce the finest scientists and mathematicians, but without a soul,
without deeply ingrained principle, a nation is doomed.

So we need your input, and we need your input young men and women here
today. You have experienced our education system in the last 10 years. You
know its merits, you know its deficiencies, you know what needs to be
changed and we need your input.

The second key policy decision that we have taken is that we need to move
away from this focus which concentrates on an academic education. We need to
balance our education system. We need to recognise that God has given each
person different talents. And whereas some people may be talented in Maths,
that is not the only talent. Some people have been given amazing talent by
God to use their hands, to create beautiful things. And that is an equal
talent to someone who is a great mathematician or orator.

Our education system at present does not recognise that. Our education
system at present holds up people who are good at Maths and Science and
English and Geography. But it doesn’t nurture other talents as it should.
Our great sportsmen and women, our great artists, our great carpenters, the
people, who perhaps don’t use their mouths, but use their hands. And that is
what we have to do to make out education system truly world class.

Internationally, the country which is recognised objectively as having the
best education system in the World is Finland and Finland accords equal
status to academic and vocational education. And that is what I aspire to in
our nation. We need to ensure, for example, that sport and art should not be
seen as mere extracurricular activities. Sport and art should be seen as
business, as careers for the future. We need to develop our education system
to recognise that –  to identify all talent, to nurture it because that is
the future of the world.

Let me say this young men and women, that Zimbabwe in that regard has a
unique advantage, a competitive advantage over so many countries in the
world because we have some of the most supremely talented artists;  we have
a climate and an attitude in our nation that can develop some of the best
sports men and women in the world. And so friends a conference like this is
so important because it can play an important role in informing that process
of reform that we are embarking upon.

So you may say ‘well that’s the future but that about the present what about
us today’. All of you here today are not going to benefit from these future
plans, and I want to conclude by speaking to you today regarding matters
which are directly relevant to you.

I want to start by asking a fundamental question of each one of you here
today – and that is “where are you, in terms of geographical position, where
are you going to pursue your career and your life?”

Tragically, so many of our young men and women think that there is no future
in Zimbabwe, and think that to pursue a successful career they will have to
go elsewhere. It is a fact that in the last 20 years, tens, possibly
hundreds, of thousands of our brightest young men and women have left. I
understand why that is. I understand that even the most determined people in
the last 20 years may have struggled to stay in Zimbabwe and to get
appropriate jobs. But I want to speak to you today as a patriot, as someone
who deeply loves this magnificent nation that God has given us.

For all its troubles, we need to be reminded that Zimbabwe is a country of
enormous opportunity. It is a country with wonderful attributes. In fact
those attributes are almost unrivalled anywhere else in the world, in terms
of our natural resources and our climate and our soils and our water, but
most importantly our people. This country has lacked one ingredient, one
vital ingredient since it was founded over 100 years ago. An ingredient that
hasn’t just been missing the last 30 years, it’s an ingredient that has been
missing for well over 100 years. That ingredient is democracy.

When we instil  democracy in our nation, and by democracy I don’t mean
something superficial, I mean something that is deeply felt, deeply rooted,
that is democracy not just in our parliament, democracy in our homes. When
we start to tolerate each other, respect each other irrespective of gender
or race or ethnic background, mark my words – this country is going to boom.
And I believe that we are now on the brink of that.

You never arrive at democracy because it’s a process, a process that takes
decades and centuries to evolve. It’s a bit like childbirth  - it’s painful,
and even when a child is born it has a life to live, and there can be a lot
of pain in that. But we have been through a great trauma in our nation and I
believe that we are now on the cusp of the next stage in our nation’s
progression and development. And when that happens, when we get to that next
stage, mark my words there will be opportunity not just for all of you here
today, but for every child in Zimbabwe.

If you think that I am overly optimistic, I want to challenge you. Let’s say
that I am being openly optimistic – that this future is not as rosy as I
would have you believe – and if that’s what you’re thinking, then I want to
challenge you. One of the verses in the Bible that has guided me very
importantly is a verse found in 1 Corinthians 7.  Apostle Paul was writing
to people in a very difficult situation, and he wrote the following words:
“I would rather you remain in the situation God called you in." That applied
2000 years ago but it has equal application today.

In other words, our default as individuals should be to remain in the
situation God has placed each one of us in. And as Zimbabweans, that default
is Zimbabwe. It’s not to say that some of us don’t get called to other
nations, but our default should be our nation, come what may. Come trials,
come hardship, God has placed us here with particular purpose. And yes we
may face trials, but there are other verses that say we are to rejoice in
our trials. Why? Because those trials refine us, and if we persevere they
make us better people, they make for a better nation.

Working through a problem is always better than running away from it. And my
experience, friends, young men and women today, is that the most satisfying
aspect of any career can be in fact confronting problems and working through
them and that applies to us individually and to us all collectively as a
nation.

So this is the first point I want to leave you with. As you think about your
future career, think of committing yourself to Zimbabwe. Think of a career
that is going to be the most appropriate in terms of giving back to your
nation.

Secondly, and this follows on from the point I have just made about working
through problems rather than running away from them, I was delighted with
what you had to say in this regard Pastor Tom. Tragically, many of the
decisions that all of us make in choosing a career are dominated by what
will result in the most comfort for us as individuals. What job will pay the
most; will get the biggest car; the biggest home; the most overseas
holidays?

Those considerations dominating our decision making process. Indeed our
nation has been blighted by what I call the ‘get rich quick’ syndrome. We
make our decisions not on what is on the basis of the good of the community,
but what selfishly is going to be best for me. And we disregard principle
and law -- and the interests of others, especially the the disadvantaged.
And in that regard, I want to come to what is in fact my favourite chapter
found in Philippians chapter 4.

The whole of Philippians chapter 4  is a magnificent piece of writing. But
in verse 8, there are the following words: “Fill your minds with those
things that are good and deserve praise,  which are true, noble, right, pure
and lovely.” I believe that those verses, those principles, need to underpin
whatever decision you make regarding the choice of a career. I challenge you
to think of a career that will noblely help your nation – that will help
your family, your community, not just you.

Finally, if you read on in that same chapter, Paul writes: “I have learned
to be satisfied with what I have. I have learnt to be content whether I am
full or hungry.” Now how does this apply to us? That doesn’t mean to say
that we should be complacent and be happy with a second rate job or career.
On the contrary, we need to strive for excellence.

But in striving for excellence, in striving for the best possible career,
what we need to understand is that the most important thing in the pursuit
of any career path is satisfaction and acceptance of our current position.
If we seize every opportunity, no matter what the circumstances, difficult
or good, and that in that environment we strive for and achieve contentment,
then mark my words,  irrespective of the career you chose, you will know
happiness and fulfilment and satisfaction.

I wish you well in this conference, in these forthcoming two days. I hope
Rabison, that this becomes an annual event that spreads to benefit not just
Harare, but schools and cities throughout our nation. Because I have no
doubt that if the coming generation understands not just what their career
options are, but also holds to these other principles  we have discussed
today, the prosperous future of our nation will then be assured.
Thank you.

Chiwenga for President?

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Chief Reporter
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 14:12

HARARE - The head of Zimbabwe's Defence Forces, General Constantine
Chiwenga, is emerging as a new contender for the leadership of Zanu (PF) and
Zimbabwe.

According to an authoritative Zanu (PF) source, also a retired Colonel,
Chiwenga could soon quit the military to go into fulltime politics. Another
source, a Politburo member, said Chiwenga's interest in taking over from
President Robert Mugabe had infuriated the Mnangagwa faction - currently
leading the succession race. Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current Minister of
Defence, has consistently entrenched his power since 1980 by making himself
indispensable to Mugabe.

Nicknamed "The Crocodile" and well-known for his ruthlessness, he and his
tight-knit group of top military and security officials in the shadowy Joint
Operations Command allegedly directed the violence that reversed Mugabe's
stunning defeat in 2008. Mnangagwa was Mugabe's chief election agent.

Another Zanu (PF) Politburo source corroborated that indeed there was now
friction in Mugabe's team amid fresh reports that Chiwenga had joined the
race. But the general is said to be maintaining the facade that he supports
the Mujuru faction, led by retired army general Solomon Mujuru, husband to
vice president Joice Mujuru.

The factionalism has festered over the years but Mnangagwa's camp has gained
the upper hand after Joice Mujuru, 55, was linked to the formation of
Mavambo, the opposition party fronted by Simba Makoni.

Fresh details of Chiwenga joining the race have heightened concerns that the
three-way succession fight could destroy the party. A Zanu (PF) succession
committee, formed to paper over the cracks, has been dissolved due to
friction. The Politburo Succession Committee was composed of Vice President
John Nkomo, Mnangagwa, who is also the party’s secretary for legal affairs,
General Solomon Mujuru, Women's League chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri,
secretary for national security, Sydney Sekeramai and administration
secretary Didymus Mutasa.

While the party has chosen Mugabe to continue as its leader for the next
five years, many are concerned the internal divisions were becoming even
more internecine as concerns about the President's health increase. Last
Friday he flew back to Singapore for an eye check up after the removal of a
cataract during his annual holiday. The President's spokesman George
Charamba has consistently denied claims that the President was suffering
from cancer.

Our source said there was now widespread acknowledgement that the
President's days were numbered. This reality has dangerously heightened
tensions in Zanu (PF) and focused their minds on what happens after Mugabe.

Chiwenga the man

Constantine Chiwenga was born in 1956 in Hwedza. He attended St Mary's
Mission in Hwedza, together with Air Marshal Perence Shiri and Brigadier
General Shungu, Commander of the Mechanised Brigade. They left school
together in form 4, 1973, to join Zanla in Mozambique.

Chiwenga's nom de guerre was Dominic Chinenge. He rose through the ranks to
become a provincial commander for Masvingo/Gaza Province. He was later
promoted to the High Command in 1978 as Josiah Tungamirai's deputy.

In 1981 Chiwenga joined the newly-formed Zimbabwe National Army as an
officer. In a failed suicide attempt, he shot himself after failing a
promotions exam, but Mugabe promoted him anyway.

In 1994 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and made commander
of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). Upon the retirement of General Vitalis
Zvinavashe in 2004, he was promoted to the rank of General and Commander of
the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

He is the chairman of the controversial Joint Operations Command and sits in
the National Security Council, a security thinktank that also includes the
Prime Minister and the President. He and his estranged wife, Jocelyn, are
under Western targeted measures, banning them from travel to the EU and the
United States.

Is Egypt possible in Zimbabwe?

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by John Makumbe
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:29

Robert Mugabe’s good old friend, Hosni Mubarak, former president of Egypt,
is now political history. Deposed by his own people on Friday last week,
Mubarak was embarrassed when hundreds of thousands of his fellow Egyptians
screamed and shouted insults at him and his cronies for eighteen consecutive
days. The question is: can that kind of popular rejection ever happen in
Zimbabwe?

There are some people who have recently argued that what happened in Tunisia
and Egypt can never happen in a country like Zimbabwe. It is argued that
Zimbabweans are too peace-loving, docile and cowardly to stage such a
massive resistance to dictatorship.

It is further claimed that the Mugabe dictatorship is not as vicious as some
of the Arab dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East have been.
Whether this is true or imagined remains to be seen with the passage of
time. History is bound to instruct us accordingly sooner rather than later.

My personal view on this matter is that what the world has been watching on
most international TV channels for the past three weeks is quite possible in
Zimbabwe. We must not forget that in 1998 Zimbabwe experienced some serious
riots in most urban centres, resulting in the Zanu (PF) capitulating on
certain policies proposals. Recent outbursts of unprovoked violence
perpetrated against innocent Zimbabweans are very likely to eventually
result in the people of this country mobilizing themselves to become the
change they would like to see.

The call for elections in 2011, when the country is not ready for such a
momentous task is a sure way of inviting trouble for its major perpetrators.
We all know that Zanu (PF) does not have even a ghost of hope of winning a
free and fair election in this country. It is therefore obvious that the
former liberation movement intends to resort to indiscriminate political
violence in order to cow the people to vote for Mubarak’s ageing friend
Mugabe and his blasted party. There are now numerous voices that are calling
for self-defence and outright retaliation should they be subjected to acts
of violence.

The military in Egypt made the professional decision not to take sides in
the dispute between Mubarak and his people. It is highly unlikely that the
military in this country will ever be that professional. In fact, we all
know that both the military and the police are likely to fight against any
peaceful resistance to the Mugabe dictatorship. They will be on the dictator’s
side because they are fed by him their daily bread.

But the major lesson from the Egyptian ouster of Mubarak is that people
power is invincible in the long run. Yes, in the short run the military and
the police in this country will hold sway, kill several scores of people,
make others disappear and imprison others. But in the end, these forces will
also be defeated by people power.

Mubarak’s supporters put up a spirited defence of their benefactor, but they
were in such a woeful minority that they were quickly overwhelmed by the
sheer numbers of the protesters. In Zimbabwe, the number of people who
genuinely support Mugabe and Zanu (PF) is so small that the best they can do
when big trouble comes to town is to crawl under their beds and be afraid,
very afraid.

Fortunately, most of these people are well known to the general public and
will be followed up wherever they will go in search of safety. There will be
no place to hide. Mugabe and his family are likely to fly out to Namibia in
an Air Force of Zimbabwe aircraft. I can hardly wait for the day. Thank you
Tunisia and Egypt for making us realize what is possible with people power.
The day of the jackal is coming very fast.

Will the removal of bob’s cataracts enable him to see the truth at last?