The Times
February 21, 2007
Jan Raath in Harare
Robert Mugabe celebrates his
83rd birthday today as his supporters prepare a
cake-and-fizzy-drinks party
in the central city of Gweru.
Africa's oldest leader and the world's
oldest head of state and government
is fit, active and alert, according to
senior sources in his ruling Zanu
(PF) party. But he is under pressure as
never before.
The party has been deducting money from civil servants'
wages and bullying
near-bank-rupt businesses for donations to raise the 300
million Zimba-bwean
dollars (about £30,000 at real rather than official
rates) to pay for the
celebration on Friday. In attendance will be the 21st
of February Movement,
an organisation of children established with the sole
purpose of gathering
on this day each year to pay homage.
Together
with hundreds of Mr Mugabe's rich and powerful cronies, they are
expected to
hear a long address from the Most Consistent and Authentic
Revolutionary
Leader - his official title. The cost of the party would
supply 300 Aids
sufferers with antiretroviral drugs for a year in a country
where only
50,000 people out of 500,000 infected have access to them.
"If they said,
'Come and join us', and sent a car here to fetch me, I would
never go,"
Abigail Zvikomo, who sells vegetables on the streets of Harare,
said. "Even
though I am starving, I would not go. I hate him." The price of
bread rose
136 per cent yesterday. Four loaves would cost a f a r m w o r k
e r 15,000
dollars, a month's wages. On Friday the Government doubled the
price of
maize-meal, the national staple, to the point where it will take a
farm-worker two months to pay for a 50kg (130lb) bag, enough for a family of
six for a month.
With inflation at 1,600 per cent, the country is
seething with discontent.
The 450-odd junior doctors who run the hospitals
are in their eighth week of
a strike. So are about a quarter of the 100,000
teachers. The civil service
is mooting similar action. And, while the
President's guests party on
Friday, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
will review his failure to
bring workers' salaries into line with the cost
of living and decide whether
to strike.
"We send him regular reports
on the situation," said a provincial head of
the Central Intelligence
Organisation, Mr Mugabe's secret police. "We tell
him the truth, that the
population is fed up with the economic situation and
that it is building up
to an explosion."
On Sunday morning, when supporters of the opposition
leader Morgan
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change gathered in Harare
for the
launch of its campaign for presidential elections, due next year,
they were
met by armed riot police with teargas grenades and
Israeli-manufac-tured
water cannon, in defiance of a High Court order the
day before that ordered
police not to interfere with the rally.
Mr
Mugabe has no intention of holding elections next year. He is whipping
the
central committee into shifting the date to 2010, thus extending his
tenure
Zim Online
Wednesday 21 February 2007
By
Brian Ncube
BULAWAYO - Zimbabwe Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri has
appealed to
police officers to remain loyal to President Robert Mugabe's
government in
the face of an unprecedented economic crisis that has made
life in the
southern African nation unbearable.
In an internal memo
dispatched to police stations on February 13, Chihuri
admitted most of
Zimbabwe's about 25 000 police officers were unable to
"make ends meet" due
to poor salaries. But Chihuri urged police officers to
be "calm in these
trying times" and said they should continue dutifully
serving the state out
of love for their country.
"We know that the times under which we are
made to operate are very hard as
most police officers cannot make ends
meet," wrote Chihuri in the memo
entitled "Review of Salaries and
Allowances" and whose reference number is
JC59/2007.
"The government
is currently reviewing salaries and allowances of members,
hence the need
for patience and calm ahead of these trying times. Members
are requested to
continue showing the love for their country that they have
always
unquestionably shown until things get back to normal," added
Chihuri.
Neither Chihuri nor police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena were
immediately
available to take questions on the matter.
But sources in
the security forces say discontent is fast rising among
junior police
officers as well as among lower ranking soldiers who have not
been spared
from the harsh effects of Zimbabwe's unprecedented economic
meltdown.
As first reported by ZimOnline last year, Chihuri wrote to
the government
imploring it to hike salaries of police officers who he said
were
increasingly disgruntled by poor pay.
Soldiers and police are
credited with keeping Mugabe and his ruling ZANU PF
party in power, always
ready to use brutal tactics to keep public discontent
in check in the face
of an economic crisis that has spawned hyperinflation
and shortages of food,
fuel, essential medicines, hard cash and just about
every basic survival
commodity.
However Mugabe, who has kept top army and police commanders
well fed, has
virtually neglected the rank and file of the security
forces.
For example, a police constable - the lowest ranking police
officer - earns
about Z$75 000 a month, a figure way below the $460 000 that
the Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe says a standard family of five people
requires for basic
goods and services per month.
Political analysts
rule out the possibility of well-paid top army generals
staging a coup
against Mugabe. But they have always speculated that
worsening hunger could
at some point force the underpaid ordinary trooper to
either openly revolt
or to simply refuse to defend the government should
Zimbabweans rise up in a
civil rebellion. - ZimOnline
Zim Online
Wednesday 21 February 2007
By
Brian Ncube
BULAWAYO - Five junior members of the Zimbabwean army were
arrested in the
South African border town of Mussina last weekend after they
allegedly
deserted their posts to seek a better life in the country's more
prosperous
southern neighbour, ZimOnline has learnt.
The soldiers are
not part of the 45 junior officers who deserted their jobs
earlier this
month.
Sources within the army confirmed to ZimOnline yesterday that the
five, who
are all members of the army's mounted unit, were caught in Mussina
a day
after they crossed into South Africa.
The soldiers, who were
part of the Beitbridge-based army mounted unit that
patrols the border with
South Africa, failed to return to their base on
Friday afternoon immediately
raising suspicion within the army on their
whereabouts.
The
Zimbabwean army immediately notified their South African counterparts in
Mussina.
"Members of the Military Police found the deserters'
uniforms piled on the
ground at some point along the border and horses tied
to trees, and they
immediately radioed their base, to alert the South
African authorities.
"The boys were all caught by the South African
authorities in Mussina the
following day at about 2pm and repatriated back
to Zimbabwe," said a senior
army officer based in Bulawayo.
The
senior army officer, who refused to be named because he is not
authorized to
speak to the press, said the deserters are detained at
Chikurubi Maximum
Security Prison in Harare.
Defence Minister, Sydney Sekeramayi refused to
comment on the matter when
contacted for comment yesterday.
"Why do
you always want to write about sensitive issues? Are you not
concerned about
the country's security? Leave me alone," he said.
The Zimbabwean army has
been hit by a spate of desertions and resignations
over the past few years
as soldiers quit in protest over poor pay and
working conditions.
The
lowest paid junior army officer earns a paltry Z$75 000 a month, an
amount
that is way below the Z$460 000 that the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe
says
an average family of five needs per month to survive.
Zimbabwe is in its
eighth year of a bitter economic recession that has seen
inflation close to
1 600 percent and spawned severe shortages of food, fuel,
electricity and
essential medicines, hard cash and just about every basic
survival
commodity. - ZimOnline
Zim Online
Wednesday 21 February
2007
By Tsungai Murandu
HARARE
- Zimbabwe will know its fate in the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) on
Friday when the Bretton Woods institution's executive board is
expected to
discuss the country's unpaid financial obligations and the
deteriorating
economic conditions.
The Fund's powerful board is scheduled to meet
on February 23 in
Washington, during which Harare's growing arrears bill is
expected to top
the discussions.
Zimbabwe's arrears to the Fund
stood at US$129.5 million by the end of
January this year, slightly up from
US$127 million in October 2006.
Latest figures from the IMF show
that Harare has failed to meet its
financial obligations since around March
last year when it cleared a large
portion of its arrears, which then stood
at more than US$300 million.
Zimbabwe has on three occasions
survived expulsion from the global
lender. Last year the country made last
minute payments to the critical
General Resources Account, which it cleared
in March 2006.
The country's problems with the IMF started in 1999
when the Fund
pulled the plug on economic assistance to Harare.
In September 2001, Zimbabwe was declared ineligible to receive further
loans
from the IMF, before the Fund was declared its non-cooperation with
Harare
in June 2002 and suspended technical assistance to the country.
In
June 2003, the Fund suspended the voting and related rights of
Zimbabwe in
the IMF. - ZimOnline
VOA
By Patience Rusere and Irwin Chifera
Washington
20 February 2007
Founding president
Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for
Democratic Change
has called a presidential campaign rally Saturday in
Bulawayo in a challenge
to an apparent ban on political meetings imposed by
the
government.
Riot police turned out in force on Sunday in the Harare
district of
Highfield to block the MDC faction led by Tsvangirai from
holding a rally at
which the former union leader planned to launch his
candidacy in the
presidential election due in 2008.
President Robert
Mugabe has proposed to postpone the vote until 2010,
galvanizing the
political opposition and Zimbabwean civil society groups
which have been
demanding Mr. Mugabe's resignation over the economic
meltdown.
Home
Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi could not be reached to confirm if Harare
has
formally banned all political meetings. But opposition officials said
the
minister stated such a ban late last week, citing the "volatile"
political
climate in the country.
Spokesman Nelson Chamisa of the Tsvangirai's MDC
faction told reporter
Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that
the opposition branch
will continue to hold political meetings and does not
take instructions from
Mohadi.
Meanwhile, two senior officials of
the Tsvangirai faction and seven other
activists accused of assaulting or
inciting the assault of police in a
protest Friday were finally arraigned
Tuesday afternoon and released on
Z$50,000 bail.
Harare correspondent
Irwin Chifera reported on the court appearance, during
which a lawyer for
the arrested men charged they were abused by police in
detention.
Reuters
Tue Feb 20,
2007 4:17PM GMT
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe opposition officials and
supporters arrested on
public violence charges were freed on bail on Tuesday
by a court which
ordered an investigation into complaints the detainees were
assaulted by
police.
Nine members of the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC), including two
legislators, who had been in police custody
since Friday were charged with
public violence after clashes with
police.
Police said the group tried to embark on an illegal march in
central Harare.
When they were stopped, authorities said they attacked
police, seriously
injuring one officer.
Defence lawyer Alec
Muchadehama said his clients denied the charges.
Harare magistrate
Brighton Pabwe released the nine on bail and ordered an
investigation into a
defence lawyer's charges that three of his clients had
been assaulted by
police while in detention and denied food.
One of the opposition
supporters appeared in court with a blood-stained
shirt.
On Sunday,
heavily-armed riot squads prevented the MDC from holding a rally
in
Highfield township, despite the opposition party having obtained a court
order to go ahead. Police arrested 40 MDC members after clashes with the
opposition supporters, who are yet to appear in court.
State media
has suggested the authorities feared that the MDC wanted to use
the aborted
rally to launch a wave of protests against President Robert
Mugabe's
government.
Tensions have been mounting in recent months over Zimbabwe's
deteriorating
economy and skyrocketing cost of living, prompting some
workers, including
doctors and teachers, to embark on wage strikes as
inflation tops 1,600
percent.
CNN
POSTED: 10:58 a.m. EST,
February 20, 2007
Story Highlights
. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe
will turn 83 on Wednesday
. Celebrations take place amid social unrest and a
crumbling economy
. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from
Britain in 1980
. Ruling party approved first steps of plan to postpone the
2008 elections
to 2010
HARARE, Zimbabwe (Reuters) -- Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe turns 83 on
Wednesday, fit for his age and combative
in the face of a crumbling economy,
social unrest and a looming battle over
who will succeed him.
Mugabe, the subject of frequent health rumors but
who last year said he
feels like a 28-year-old, will celebrate his birthday
with a huge party on
Saturday.
But gathering clouds risk
overshadowing the festivities.
Critics accuse Mugabe -- one of Africa's
longest-serving leaders -- of
plunging the southern African state into a
severe political and economic
crisis through controversial
policies.
Although Mugabe has managed to ride out the storm in the past
seven years,
political analysts say he faces a more potent threat now
because the
economy -- seen by the World Bank as the fastest shrinking
outside a war
zone -- could spark anti-government protests.
On
Sunday, police riot squads fired tear gas and water cannon to stop a
major
opposition rally which the government said was a launch pad for a new
street
campaign against Mugabe's rule.
"The economic situation is deteriorating
so fast ... and as it does,
Mugabe's own situation gets more and more
desperate," said John Makumbe, a
veteran political commentator and an
outspoken Mugabe critic.
"The deteriorating economy may prove a much more
implacable opponent even
for a cunning politician like Mugabe, and I think
we are going to see more
social unrest and that unrest will destabilize
Mugabe and ZANU-PF (the
ruling party)," he added.
Critics say Mugabe,
a master of political intrigue, has so far seen off
challenges through tough
policing, vote-rigging, skillful use of political
patronage to reward his
supporters and terror to cow his rivals.
But Mugabe -- who has ruled
Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in
1980 -- is losing his grip on
the economy, which has all but collapsed since
he ordered the seizure of
white-owned farms to give to landless blacks in
2000, gutting the key
commercial agriculture sector.
Along with the world's highest inflation
rate of 1,600 percent, Zimbabwe has
seen unemployment climb to 80 percent
while food, fuel and foreign exchange
are in short supply.
"The state
of the economy is going to define our politics this year," said
political
science professor Eldred Masunungure of the University of
Zimbabwe.
"And so far it is pointing to a year of labor and political
unrest, although
the unrest may not be strong enough to force a change in
government."
Another front
Since the start of the year, Zimbabwe has
suffered a spate of industrial
strikes for higher wages, including by
doctors and some teachers, and unions
are threatening more job
boycotts.
Outside the economy, analysts say Mugabe faces a battle in his
own ruling
party over his possible successor and whether to retire at the
end of his
current term next year.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF has approved the
first steps of a plan to postpone the 2008
presidential elections to 2010 --
effectively handing Mugabe another two
years in office -- so that the polls
are "harmonized" and held together with
a parliamentary vote.
But
analysts say this has not won the backing of some top officials, who
could
organize themselves to challenge Mugabe.
The ruling party's policy-making
central committee is expected to debate
"the harmonization program" at a
meeting before April, and likely push it
for approval by parliament by
mid-year.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which has been
weakened by a
leadership split and Mugabe's combative approach, is also
threatening to
tackle Mugabe on the issue with a resistance
campaign.
"It's a year full of fights, but it's difficult to say at the
moment who is
going to win," Masunungure said.
Inspire
UK relief and development agency Tearfund says it welcomes the EU
decision
to renew the 'restricted measures' against President Mugabe's
regime in
Zimbabwe as it sends a message of continuing disapproval from the
international community. But the charity says the poor and marginalised have
never been so desperate. Human rights abuses are spiralling and leaving many
without a sense of hope.
The measures that have been in place since
2002 are aimed to curb travel and
freeze assets of over 150 government
officials. They also include arms
restrictions.
It is estimated that
over 80% of Zimbabwe's 12 million people are now living
in poverty, with
unemployment rates now exceeding 80%. In January inflation
rose to around
1600% with the cost of basic goods out of reach for many
people.
Parents can no longer afford to send children to school and
their sense of
despair grows amidst strikes from public servants whose bus
fares exceed
their wages. Children who desperately need food and medical
care are instead
going hungry and dying in silence. In many parts of the
country children are
growing weaker and have lost hope altogether.
"I
have never seen such a depressing outlook," says Tearfund aid worker,
Karyn
Beattie, who has recently returned from Zimbabwe. "The people I have
met
just want the basic elements of life. They don't have enough food and
medicine and the structures in society are unable to provide them with
essential care. They are suffering from every side, losing everything - and
in many cases they have even lost hope."
Children are suffering from
malnutrition, HIV - and AIDS-related conditions,
among other lingering
illnesses, fear and isolation. Children often head up
families in villages
where orphans outnumber the adult population and the
number of street
children has risen rapidly.
Tearfund has supported church involvement in
development and social justice
in Zimbabwe for over 25 years and has
witnessed the deterioration of the
basic services that are no longer
available to so many people throughout the
country.
Many of
Zimbabwe's Christian leaders are working to help those who are
suffering.
They are standing together to advocate for change and are
mobilising their
churches to act.
The Zimbabwean Christian Alliance (ZCA) is a network of
Christian leaders
working to help the marginalised. Their focus of support
is on those in
remote rural areas who they reach through church and
community networks.
"The thing with us is that we are at the grass roots
level. We know what is
happening and are doing our best to help," says
Pastor Ray Motsi, a
spokesperson for the ZCA. He knows that the church's
fight for justice has
not been an easy one. He was one of seven church
leaders - members of the
Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, recently arrested when
armed riot police broke
up a dedication service in Kadoma, south west of
Harare. Another pastor was
detained when he visited the prison to provide
soap for those in custody.
"NGOs must be allowed to continue the work
they are doing to help the poor
and marginalised," adds Karyn Beattie. "We
must not stand by and watch while
ordinary people are robbed of their basic
rights to life, by the actions of
a dysfunctional government."
20 Feb 2007 15:28:00
GMT
Source: Christian Aid - UK
Christian Aid
Website: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/news
A
Christian Aid partner organisation has been forced to close its offices
in
Mbare, Zimbabwe, after being threatened by ruling party militia.
The
threats against the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) were
made
at a meeting in the local Church between residents of Mbare, one of the
poorest and most crowded districts in Harare, and local
leaders.
Militia stormed the meeting, threatening to beat people and
warning CHRA
that they should close their offices.
These meetings,
organised by CHRA and funded by Christian Aid, are popular
with residents
who can raise their concerns about local issues that affect
their lives -
such as the rising cost of water, broken sewers or rubbish
collection.
The most recent meeting coincided with a ruling party
meeting in the same
area. The ruling party meeting was poorly attended and
this, coupled with
rising tensions because of the ongoing strikes of doctors
and teachers, is
believed to have provoked the threats.
In a
statement, CHRA said: 'The Association would like to assure residents
and
civic partners that CHRA will not be deterred by this interference but
will
use it to further mobilise the marginalised community of
Mbare.
'Activities will continue as CHRA finds a new office to continue
its action
plans. CHRA is concerned with the continued harassment and
interference from
ZANU PF into Civic Society issues.
'The Association
would like to reinforce that it is non-partisan and does
not deal with
political issues. The regime is timid and is now afraid of its
own people.
It will use violence and any tactics to support residents'
voices demanding
change.
'CHRA is committed to defending residents and advocating for
effective,
accountable and transparent governance.'
Sokwanele Civic Action Support Group (Sokwanele)
Date: 20 Feb
2007
There is no question that
food aid is necessary in this country; the lethal
cocktail of aids, poverty
and malnutrition is quietly killing 3500 every
week. While the Mugabe regime
is clearly the responsible party for these
killings, the victims of this
regime cannot be made to suffer more by
withholding food aid from them in a
bid to punish the government.
If anyone needs to be convinced of the need
for food aid, they should read
the latest Fews Net report on the hunger
situation:
- 1.4 million rural people (perhaps even more) will not have
adequate food
during the peak hunger period
- the CSO food poverty
line went up almost ten times between December 2005
and November 2006; it
increased by an average of 23 percent every month
during this
period
- in November 2006, more than 3 000 MT of food was distributed to
at least
500 000 people
- The forecast is for below normal rainfall
for almost the whole country
- domestic wheat production is expected to
yield less than 135 000 MT,
against a requirement of about 265 000 MT, with
the highest deficits in the
southern districts and the western and eastern
margins of the country
This makes grim reading.
The main problem,
then, lies not in the granting of food aid, but rather in
the way in which
the EU and the West have kowtowed to the Zanu PF regime.
Millions of (US)
dollars worth of food aid has been used as a weapon by the
regime, and of
this we have numerous examples:
- Zanu PF MP's and councilors clearly
have a degree of control over
distributors of food aid, and have used this
control to manipulate
distribution in the run up to all the elections held
in this decade
- in the most recent RDC elections, the chiefs told
villagers that they
would 'wait to see how the election result turns out'
before distribution
took place
- Andrew Langa (the Zanu PF MP for
Insiza) is often in attendance at
functions held by some of the
food-distributing NGO's
- Binga has consistently been sidelined for its
obstinacy in not recognizing
the supremacy of the ruling party
-
Serious corruption exists around the sourcing and sale of grain
- Sale of
donated food to the GMB takes place
Added to this, The Grain Marketing
Board, through which all maize must pass,
appears to be bankrupt. They have
failed to pay farmers for their 2005 maize
crop (at $40 - revalued - per
tonne) and for their 2006 crop (at $4 000 -
revalued - per tonne); in many
instances this maize was seized at gunpoint
by the parastatal.
In
many instances, former Agritex workers are the ones employed by NGO's to
organize and distribute food aid - a bitter irony as these are the very
people who facilitated the farm invasions, and who now drive around in fancy
4x4 vehicles and earn US$-linked salaries. Quite apart from the utter
inappropriateness of the situation, they are hardly likely to be impartial
in their work of distribution.
Commercial farmers are reporting the
Catch-22 situation which they are
caught in, courtesy of the NGO's misguided
policies: their farm workers are
resigning from their jobs because they will
receive more food for their
families if they are unemployed.
We have
no argument then, with the fact of distribution of food by the
NGO's, but
the manner in which this is being done is flawed, and we believe
that it is
incumbent upon the West to find more responsible ways of
distributing food,
through apolitical means.
We suggest that the churches are best placed to
assist in this task, and
should be the international community's first port
of call - remember that
over 90% of Zimbabweans belong to a religious group.
Many religious
organizations have developed infrastructure which, with help,
could handle
the logistics of food distribution. They have some means or
another of
transport, and their church buildings could be used for short
term storage,
and as distribution centres.
Failing that, the neutral
NGO's could be brought in to assist. Zimbabwe
boasts some of the best civic
and social organizations in Africa, such as
Orap, The Legal Resources
Foundation, various Aids organizations, mission
hospitals and mission
schools. Again, these have existing links to the rural
communities which
they serve, and could provide an impartial service,
linking the donors with
the beneficiaries.
It is also imperative that the NGO's engaged in food
aid bring independent
monitors into the field to ensure fair
distribution.
If the regime baulks at such threats to its control over
food supply, the
donor countries should become more strident in their
demands: increasing
international pressure on Mugabe to put an end to human
rights abuses in his
country, publicly and vocally linking human rights
abuses to the
humanitarian crisis, and demonizing him in the international
forum. The food
must still come in, but Mugabe must be made to
suffer.
We are moving towards catastrophe with the current dry spell, and
drought is
now a reality. The regime will of course use this to their
advantage, by
blaming the starvation on drought and on the West. But the
reality is that
people are dying, and food needs to get to them. It is not
enough that the
food is brought in by the international NGO's, it must get
to the people in
need, and not be hijacked by politicians and their cronies
- lives are at
stake!
The Telegraph
By David
Blair, Diplomatic Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:13am GMT
20/02/2007
Zimbabwe may gain the vice-presidency of the
World Food Programme
(WFP) - despite the collapse of its own agricultural
sector.
All seven African countries presently on the WFP's
36-strong executive
board are believed to support the bid of Robert Mugabe's
regime.
If successful, Zimbabwe will be in line to become the
president of the
world's largest supplier of humanitarian aid next
year.
Once one of Africa's leading food exporters, Zimbabwe has
needed WFP
supplies since 2001. At present, almost one million of its
people, mainly
orphans and schoolchildren, are receiving emergency food
aid.
Mr Mugabe has blamed drought, but critics say the country
enjoyed
better than normal rains last year. They also point out that the
onset of
the food shortages coincided exactly with the regime's seizures of
white-owned farms.
In addition, Zimbabwe has the world's
highest inflation rate of 1,594
per cent, putting even basic foodstuffs
beyond the reach of many families.
Feb 20th 2007
From Economist.com
Robert Mugabe has
run Zimbabwe for 27 years. It will only recover when he
goes
IT'S
still there, and just as bad as ever. The outside world has all but
forgotten Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe continues to preside over economic
and political collapse. But the southern African country is marking
miserable milestones by the day. Four out of five adults are now unemployed.
Zimbabwe suffers the world's highest inflation rate, a stratospheric 1,600%
and rising. Toilet paper is more valuable than bank notes. The price of
bread (when it's available) more than doubled in January; mealie meal, a
staple, rose by 500% last week.
Price freezes mean that basics, like
milk and sugar, are rarely available.
Many recently printed bank notes have
not been issued because they are
already worthless. Roughly 3m people, by
some estimates, have fled the
country, leaving about 12m behind. On Monday
February 19th the European
Union-to little fanfare-agreed to renew "smart"
sanctions, including an arms
embargo and travel ban for Zimbabwe's
leadership, that have been in place
for years.
The cause of
Zimbabwe's collapse, ultimately, is Mr Mugabe's refusal to
leave office.
Increasingly under pressure from unhappy Zimbabweans, he has
lashed out at
an array of enemies, including black opposition leaders, white
farmers,
trade unions, women's groups, urban voters and Britain-the former
colonial
power. By seizing commercial farms and handing them to political
cronies, Mr
Mugabe may have staved off the end of his political career, but
at the cost
of ruining an economy dominated by agriculture. Aid and
investment have
dried up. Manufacturing has slumped.
The prolonged economic collapse is
more typical of a country wrecked by war.
The purchasing power of the
average Zimbabwean today, for example, is back
at levels last seen soon
after the second world war, according to the Centre
for Global Development,
a think-tank in Washington, DC. Given widespread
AIDS and hunger, this
translates into thousands of unncessary deaths each
year.
When will
anything be done about it? Weary analysts have stopped trying to
predict how
far the economy will have to collapse, or for oppression to
worsen, before
something snaps. But even leaders in the ruling ZANU-PF party
know that
recovery depends on getting the old crocodile out of office.
Investors,
farmers, refugees, tourists and others will not return while Mr
Mugabe's
misrule continues. Yet managing his exit is proving impossible.
Rival
camps in the ruling party are vying for eventual control, so nobody
dares
push the chief to go. (Indeed Mr Mugabe may be dividing his allies for
precisely this reason). The army is watching suspiciously. The big
neighbour-South Africa-is reluctant to get involved, fearing that any
intervention may backfire. The opposition, deflated after seeing general
elections rigged and its supporters crushed, has become timid and divided.
Many of the brightest and bravest, in any case, are moving abroad. Nor are
sustained street protests likely, though there are occasional signs of
violence in the townships around the capital, Harare. Strikes are becoming
more common. At the weekend heavily armed riot police in Harare crushed an
opposition rally-despite High Court approval for it to go ahead-by firing
teargas and using water cannon. Protesters responded by throwing stones.
Over 120 people were arrested.
This week, to mark his birthday, Mr
Mugabe will have a lavish party, to
which teachers and nurses have been
forced to contribute. He will also give
a speech in which he is expected to
mention his succession. Officially,
after nearly three decades in office, he
is supposed to go in March 2008.
But a presidential election scheduled for
that month may well be postponed
for another two years, when he will be 86.
In any case he has told foreign
journalists, perhaps in jest, that he plans
to rule until he is "a century
old".
Is anything like that dismal
prospect possible? Mr Mugabe is relatively
healthy and alert, and has the
tacit support of both other African countries
and of China, which is
asserting itself on the continent. And though
outsiders occasionally grumble
about the misery in Zimbabwe-America has
called it an "outpost of
tyranny"-the West has broadly decided that ignoring
Mr Mugabe is the least
bad strategy. Any change, therefore, is going to have
to come from within.
And, so far, Mr Mugabe has proved a master at stamping
that out.
20 February
2007
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed the Chiredzi
South
parliamentary by-election that was held on the 17th of February 2007.
The
network deployed 45 accredited observers in the by-election, which was
characterized by a low voter turnout of 29.4%.
At the close of
polling, polling stations such as Hippo Valley had recorded
a low turnout of
only 12 votes. Emobeni Primary School and Malipati Primary
School both had
22 voters each. There were however a few exceptions as
centers such as
Chikombedzi Community Hall and Chanienga Primary School
which recorded 601
and 460 voters respectively.
The low turnout could be attributed to
several factors including the
disgruntlement over the choice of candidate by
ZANU PF. Chiredzi South is a
predominantly Shangani constituency and the
ZANU PF candidate is Karanga.
This could have resulted in ZANU PF Shangani
supporters staying away from
the polls. The opposition MDC supporters could
also have stayed away from
the election in protest against the split within
their party. ZESN observers
also noted that most young people did not
participate in the elections
leaving the task to the elderly.
A
significant number of voters were turned away. At Machindu Primary School
80
voters were turned away mostly because they did not appear on the voters'
roll. There were 397 voters at this centre, 59 of whom were assisted to vote
and at Chanienga Primary School there were 123 assisted voters. The high
number of spoilt papers in the by-election coupled with the equally high
number of assisted voters indicates a high level of illiteracy in the
constituency and the need for continuous and effective voter
education.
Most presiding officers were cooperative and conducted
themselves in a
professional manner. However, at Gurungweni ZESN observers
were not allowed
to enter the polling station while at Gozonya Primary
School the presiding
officer refused entry in the polling station to an
accredited ZESN observer.
There were many instances of party polling
agents being evicted from polling
stations due to lack of accreditation.
Invariably, the ZANU PF and
anti-senate MDC factions were the ones affected.
They were however allowed
back after 1300hrs.
The changing of the
marking system using a marker was cause for concern for
the political
parties and voters who were sceptical about the quality of the
ink and the
new procedure. ZESN also observed that some election officers
were also
using acetone on everyone instead of only on those with painted
nails. The
network recommends education and consultation on any changes to
the
electoral processes and procedures to avoid unnecessary confusion and
suspicions.
Four candidates, Killian Callisto Gwanetsa of ZANU PF,
Immaculate Makondo of
the anti-senate MDC, Nehemiah Zanamwe of the
pro-senate MDC and the United
Peoples' Party (UPP) Miyethani Chauke,
contested this election. ZANU PF
retained the seat after Gwanetsa was
declared duly elected Member of
Parliament for the constituency after
garnering 10 401 votes ahead of
Makondo who got 3300 votes. The UPP and MDC
pro Senate candidates got 896
and 674 votes respectively. There were 332
spoilt ballots.
While the polling day was generally peaceful, ZESN notes
with concern that
the pre-election period was fraught with tensions as
traditional leaders and
other ZANU PF officials were accused of vote buying
and threatening to
withdraw food relief if the residents of the constituency
voted for the
opposition. ZESN urges the winners to embrace all in the
citizens in the
development of Chiredzi South without discrimination based
on political
affiliation.
PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE
VOA
By Patience Rusere and Jonga Kandemiri
Washington
19 February 2007
Zimbabwean civil
servants could be the next group of workers to walk off the
job in the
increasing social turmoil generated by acute economic distress,
following
the deadlock Friday of talks between Harare officials and the
Public Service
Association.
Public workers were offered a monthly Z$200,000, some US$40
at the parallel
market exchange rate, far beneath their demand of Z$566,000
(US$113), the
poverty line for the country as determined each month by the
Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe.
The country's 180,000 civil servants
staged crippling strikes in 1998. A
walkout in the current climate would
deal a heavy blow to a government which
since late 2006 has faced one labor
brushfire after another. Resident
doctors in state hospitals went on strike
in December, and many school
teachers stopped working two weeks
ago.
Reflecting government fears of a strike by state workers, the
state-controlled Sunday Mail accused civil servant representatives of
serving the interests of the West.
Further negotiations are set for
Wednesday, at which time civil service
representatives say they will "beg"
the government for concessions. PSA
President Alexander Khova told reporter
Patience Rusere that if the talks
fail, state workers could
strike.
An ongoing strike by primary and secondary school teachers was
fueled Monday
with news that the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, previously
considered
aligned with the government, announced its own strike until
Harare met its
demands.
The decision resulted from the stalemate
Friday in the same meeting in which
the PSA took part within the so-called
Apex Council of public employees.
Sources said Harare offered ZIMTA teachers
a monthly base salary of
Z$180,000, something more than a 100% increase from
the present Z$84,000
salary, but the offer was rejected.
ZIMTA issued
a statement Monday saying it regretted that the state not only
came up short
but refused to make its offer retroactive to January 1. ZIMTA
President
Tendai Chikowore confirmed that his association has joined the
Progressive
Teachers Union of Zimbabwe whose members have been on strike for
two
weeks.
PTUZ General Secretary Raymond Majongwe told reporter Jonga
Kandemiiri of
VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that his union welcomes ZIMTA's
decision to
officially join the strike, as many of ZIMTA's members were
already
participating in the action.
Business Day
Dumisani
Muleya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harare
Correspondent
ZIMBABWE's President Robert Mugabe is expected to bare his
soul on state
television today on his party's explosive leadership
succession race. His
term of office expires in March next
year.
Sources said that Mugabe's embargoed hour-long interview, marking
his 83th
birthday tomorrow, would be aired at 9pm on state-run ZBC
television.
The sources said the interview, two hours long before
editing, was
considered too revealing as Mugabe speaks out in a "rarely
forthright and
no-holds-barred" manner about his succession.
State
editors absorbed in Zanu (PF) faction politics were attempting last
night to
edit out sections of the interview.
"They are busy right now trying to
edit out the succession issues from the
interview," a source said last
night. "Some people are not happy with it."
They said Mugabe warns in
the interview that Vice-President Joyce Mujuru's
ambitions to succeed him
have been "ruined" by her associating with people
on a campaign to
"denigrate me".
Mugabe is said to refer for the first time to the "Mujuru
faction", a group
led by Mujuru's husband, influential politburo member
retired army commander
Gen Solomon Mujuru.
Mugabe also reportedly
says the faction's political ambitions have been
harmed by recent events
linking it to efforts to push him out of office. He
has condemned the fierce
jockeying for his position, saying would-be
presidential candidates are
witches waiting to see him go.
Sources say that he undermines Mujuru and
casts her rival, Emmerson
Mnangagwa, a senior party official, in a good
light.
Mugabe speaks of Mnangagwa's history in glowing terms, and traces
their
relationship to the days of the anticolonial struggle in
1970s.
This is said to be a reference to former minister and Zanu (PF)
secretary-general Edgar Tekere's revealing autobiography, A Lifetime of
Struggle, which Mugabe has condemned.
Sources said Mugabe complains
in the interview that Tekere and the book's
publisher and editor, Ibbo
Mandaza, a member of the Mujuru faction, want to
embarrass
him.
Mugabe says the book is intended to advance Mujuru's political
agenda,
presenting her as "founding mother of the armed anticolonial
struggle".
Mujuru is one of Zimbabwe's best-known female former
combatants.
The European Union yesterday extended by another year
targeted sanctions
that include travel bans, asset freezes and an arms
embargo against Mugabe
and his comrades.
International Herald Tribune
The Associated PressPublished: February 20,
2007
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Opposition party leader
Morgan Tsvangirai said
Tuesday that weekend street clashes with security
forces showed there was a
growing mood of defiance among opponents of
Zimbabwe President Robert
Mugabe.
Tsvangirai's statement came a day
after police confirmed they had arrested
38 people after police crushed an
opposition rally on Sunday in the capital,
Harare, where Tsvangirai had
planned to give a speech.
"Mugabe is now heavily dependent on a rogue
militia and partisan
paramilitary forces in his war against the people,"
Tsvangirai said in a
statement.
Riot police fired tear gas and water
cannons at thousands of people who had
gathered for the launch of
Tsvangirai's presidential campaign. Cars were
stoned, roads barricaded and
shops hastily shut down, reports said.
Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for
Democratic Change, claimed scores of
its supporters were beaten and said the
Harare suburb of Highfield was
turned into a "war-zone."
Police
spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena told state radio late Monday that 38
people had
been arrested.
"This arose from the stone-throwing and illegal blocking
of roads in the
Highfield area using burning tires and stones, so as police
we moved in to
ensure the free movement of traffic," he said.
Information
Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu charged that the MDC deliberately
engaged in
"violent activities" in a bid to provoke the authorities ahead of
a key
meeting of European Union ministers in Brussels on Monday. At the
meeting
the EU extended its sanctions by another year, including an arms
embargo,
travel ban and asset freezes on Mugabe and more than 100 top ruling
party
officials.
"The MDC supporters were busy engaging in acts of violence in
Harare and
Bulawayo just to provoke us," Ndlovu told the official Herald
newspaper on
Tuesday. At least 10 members of a breakaway MDC faction were
reported
arrested in Bulawayo on Saturday when police broke up a
meeting.
Political tension has been rising during the last week as Mugabe
readies to
celebrate his 83rd birthday.
The former guerrilla leader
has been in power in Zimbabwe since independence
in 1980 and recently
announced his support for plans to push back
presidential elections until
2010, giving him another two years in power.
A fundraising committee has
been tasked to raise 300 million Zimbabwe
dollars (US$1.2 million; ?0.91
million) for a presidential birthday party in
the central town of Gweru on
Saturday.
But many ordinary Zimbabweans can barely afford to feed
themselves after the
annual inflation rate reached 1,593.6 percent in
January and the prices of
many goods rise on a near-daily basis.
In
some shops retailers are defying government price controls and selling a
loaf of bread for up to 4,000 Zimbabwe dollars - half a farmworker's monthly
salary.
The authorities are worried by the threat of spreading
strikes: state media
this weekend reported that 180,000 civil servants were
readying for action
over poor pay.
Major hospitals in Harare and
Bulawayo have been paralyzed by an eight-week
strike by doctors and nurses,
and teachers belonging to the militant
Progressive Teachers Union of
Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have engaged in "staff-room
sit-ins" to press for large
pay-hikes.
"The actions by workers, activists and all professionals on
the ground are
commendable and more is on the way," Tsvangirai promised in
his statement.
Zimbabwejournalists.com
By Dennis Rekayi
TEACHERS
in Mutare have heeded calls by their unions to join a nationwide
strike
pressing for better salaries and working conditions but those in the
rural
areas were forced to attend classes after renewed intimidation from
Zanu PF
politicians and traditional leaders.
But in some areas such as in Zimunya
District, which falls under rural
schools in manicaland, teachers did not
report for duty, leaving students to
loiter around aimlessly as their
teachers fight for better treatment and
recognition from the
government.
In remote areas such as Mutasa, Buhera, Makoni, Chimanimani
and Chipinge
most teachers reported for duty due to fear. Local headmen,
Zanu PF
councillors and other ruling party activists have allegedly
victimised those
that had earlier failed to attend classes, urging others to
join in.
Teachers in the rural areas have been at the receiving end for
some time now
with local traditional leaders, Zanu PF activists and youths
from the
notorious Border Gezi training camps beating them up and
confiscating radios
that enable them to listen to short wave radio stations
that are outside the
government's control.
Flyers from the main
teachers' union in the country, ZIMTA, have since
Sunday been filtering
through to schools around the country resulting in
many more joining the
strike action. But their rural colleagues do not have
the liberty to do
so.
"I work here on the outskirts of Mutare but with my paltry salary I
cannot
enjoy the congugal rights that should keep me and my husband
together," said
Sarah, who did not want to divulge her surname. "I cannot
afford to pay for
transport every Friday so I can go to Mutare and come back
Sunday in time
for lessons Monday. My salary cannot pay for that so what
about my food, my
home, my extended family that I should look after and many
more. It is
pathetic. I just wish I could join in like those in the cities.
Here jungle
law rules."
An official from the ministry of education in
Mutare said teachers in the
rural areas were vulnerable because the majority
of them stay at their
respective schools so it was easy for headmen,
councillors and Zanu PF
activists to force them to attend
classes.
"It is easy for rural teachers to be forced to work because most
of them
stay at school accommodation rendering them vulnerable even to
physical
attacks," the official said, preferring not to be
identified.
But in Mutare city itself, there was no teaching at all at
all schools.
"There is no activity at all schools in Mutare," said the
official from the
education ministry. "All schools are ghost areas today.
The children have
gone back home,"
The official, who did not want to
be named, said many more teachers across
the country were joining the strike
initially called for by the militant
Progressive Teachers Union in Zimbabwe
(PTUZ) led by Raymond Majongwe.
Since Monday teachers from the country's
biggest union, the Zimbabwe
Teachers Union (ZIMTA), have been joining the
strike to press for better pay
and better working condition after the unions
collectively turned down a
paltry increment offered by the
government.
Tendai Chikowore, the ZIMTA president, issued circulars over
the weekend
advising teachers under their union to go on strike with
immediate effect
after negotiations with the government failed to bear
fruit.
With students from higher institutions of learning intensifying
their
protests against high fees and the collapsing education sector in the
country, the teachers join their colleagues from PTUZ who have been on
strike with doctors and nurses who have all been on strike for several weeks
now demanding better pay and working conditions. The civil service union
which represents over 200 000 workers is also considering strike action in
the next few days.
By Tichaona Sibanda
20 February
2007
The MDC's deputy secretary for International Affairs, Grace Kwinjeh,
claimed
on Tuesday that Zanu (PF)'s persecution of the MDC top leaders and
their
supporters reveals its ruthlessness and also the depth of opposition
to its
rule.
Gwinjeh said the way the regime violently blocked their
rally in Highfields
on Sunday shows just how nervous they are. Equally
important for the
opposition is how ordinary citizens are standing up
against police
brutality. Last week four police officers were injured in
central Harare
when an angry crowd retaliated against police
beatings.
Since the beginning of the year wildcat strikes for better pay
have hit the
country, triggering spontaneous street protests and escalating
the political
tension.
Opposition attempts to organise peaceful
demonstrations against Mugabe have
been brutally suppressed and freedom of
speech and association have
plummeted even more than normal since
January.
'The regime has been shaken to its foundations because every
other
organisation is now defying its authority. By way of protest we are
asking
them to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,' Kwinjeh
said.
She warned the regime that its brutality will only inflame the
situation as
disgruntled citizens were no longer afraid to confront it head
on. Already
doctors, nurses and teachers have taken the lead with a rash of
recent
strikes that have triggered street protests led by the national
constitutional assembly, Women of Zimbabwe Arise and the Zimbabwe National
Students Union.
This has set these organisations on a collision
course with the government,
which relies on the police and army to quash the
protests.
But Gwinjeh remained defiant; 'We have had enough of these arrests,
beatings
and torture. This is the year we are saying enough is enough and
this will
also certainly be a turning point in the country's political
landscape.'
SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news
ANC betrays black Zimbabweans
These
comes with the latest disappointing state of nation address by the ANC
leader Thabo Mbeki who has again vowed to persist with his justification of
his betrayal to Black Zimbabweans in the hands of the
tyranny.
Considering the state of affairs in Zimbabwe being economic and
human rights
abuses, a nation with the world highest inflation rate,
mortality and lowest
life expectancy due to bad governance the ANC leader
will say Zimbabwe will
solve its problems.
Is it the Government that
owns the International community solidarity
payback due to the solidarity
movement it got all over the globe in the
fight against the evil Apartheid
regime?
We as young Africans we find it shocking that the ANC could
forget so easily
the ideological bondage of Africans to restore the power to
the masses of
Africans from bosses (being white or black).ANC should be
reminded the role
of the people of Zimbabwe(vana vevhu)in the fight against
Apartheid that
Zimbabwe had its own policy against Apartheid which was
outside the
Non-Aligned Movement(NAM),ACP and African Union (AU,then
OAU).Which clearly
condemned oppression against our African brothers(South
Africans)and a hand
over of political power to the masses of Africans(South
Africans).
Zimbabweans solidarity against Boers went on to assist South
Africans who
were we fleeing the oppressive regime by accommodating refugees
and
advocating for systematic sanctions against the Boer regime. Apartheid
was
condemned all over the globe in Africa, Asia, Latin, and Europe under
the
Anti-Apartheid banner which clearly condemned the oppressive,
suppressive
and repressive system by the settlers on the people of South
Africa.
The Boer regime instigated a segregation system which undermined
the
ordinary African's racial justice and moral rights which created a class
struggle. Having all South African's subjected to racial discrimination,
exploitation, denied legal aid, shelter and above all denied Land and
political participation on their own land.
Contrary to the Zimbabwe
question Zanu PF have no doubt but betrayed the
aspirations of the African
people which was founded on the principles of
egalitarianism to see the
power in the hands of the masses not the hands on
Zanu PF bosses and
elite.
We as young Africans will stand firm and expose Mbeki's double
standards at
the expense of the suffering of ordinary Africans (Zimbabweans)
we all know
South Africa is benefiting a lot due to the political imbalance
in Zimbabwe,
having access to our borders at cheap and unconditional
grounds.
Why Zimbabweans are angry: It sounds politically immature for
Mbeki to say
South Africa cannot have its own policy which is outside the
Organization
SADC.
(1)So does it mean the South Africans observer
team which continues to
legitimise the Mugabe regime (forcibly endorsing
2000, 2002 and 2005
elections as free and fair) despite cries of violates
and terror by
Zimbabweans was the will on the organization? And all this
against SADC' s
standards and norms of a democratic free and fair election
which all member
states have signed in Windhoek Namibia on August 17 1992.A
member which does
not uphold press freedom, no independent electoral system,
does on uphold
which Constitutional rights.
(2)South Africa has been
on the record of blocking any calls for UN to probe
human rights abuses in
Zimbabwe.
(3)ANC's continued support and assistant to the Mugabe regime
has prolonged
the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans. The exploitation of
Zimbabwe's
resources(mining interest ,Zesa -Eskom deals).The recent
exploitation tactic
by South African mining firm African Pearl Mining to
engage into a bourgeois
Diamond mining deal with the regime through its
subsidiary Better Mining Pty
Ltd.
Better Mining Pty Ltd has just
recently donated $4000 US dollars towards
celebration for Mugabe's
birthday.
Comrades it is high time Africans stand firm and expose this
exploitation of
Zimbabwe's resources by the ANC government which is
tactically sustaining
and prolonging the solution and end to the suffering
of Africans
(Zimbabweans).Yes we support Black Empowerment (Land and natural
resources)but to the masses of African people not Zanu PF bosses and elite.
It is high time we expose this fake and weak Socialist Ideology which is
being perpetuated by Mugabe that he is a nationalist,its now time we attack
Zanu PF from the Left !!The cheap Propaganda tactics!!
We have
declared that ANC bosses shall be treated like boys and girls(Ambush
of
Nkosazana Zuma)until they fulfill the self imposed solidarity movement in
return of the Comradeship they got from workers ,peasants ,professionals,
children, housewives and senior citizens across the globe under the
anti-Apartheid Movement.
We salute our Comrades in Cosatu and Young
Communist League (YCL) who have
vowed not to betray the aspirations and the
spirit of One Africa One Nation,
with their continued support for the
ordinary masses of Zimbabwe.
Power To People
Free-ZimYouth
Comrades
From The Daily Mirror, 20 February
Takunda Maodza
National passenger airline, Air
Zimbabwe (AirZim) owes its creditors a
staggering US$20 million, a
parliamentary portfolio committee on Transport
and Communication heard
yesterday. The airline's former acting chief
executive officer Oscar
Madombwe told the committee chaired by Leo Mugabe
that the debt was
negatively affecting the turnaround programme of the
parastatal. "In 2004,
we set down to come up with the turnaround programme.
We said where is the
airline? It is riddled with a US$20 million debt and we
said (sic) what is
happening? We looked at various issues like the cost
structure, market
performance and declining tourists.we were losing the
market share,"
Madombwe said. He said management then devised ways of
rejuvenating AirZim
operations and opted to go into partnerships with other
airlines. "We
thought of partnering with other airlines, but that was not to
be. At this
moment, big airlines are not ready to work with us, they are
working against
us," Madombwe said. He added that this forced AirZim to
enter into strategic
alliances with small airlines like Air Zambia and Air
Malawi.
He
said various observations were made when the turn around strategy was
initiated three years ago, chief among them, that some of the parastatal's
aircrafts were old. "We realised our fleet was aged with some of the planes
15 to 20 years old," Madombwe said. He revealed that some of the old planes
make a lot of noise to the displeasure of passengers and also consumed a lot
of fuel. Madombwe said management also looked into the airline's human
resources department and observed that some employees were inadequately
trained. He said steps were being taken to turnaround AirZim's fortunes as
witnessed by the purchase of three new planes and the buying of equipment.
Madombwe, who branded the airline's marketing strategy as "very weak" at the
time the turn around strategy was initiated, said the government was yet to
takeover the parastatal's debt. "The balance sheet is just as it was in
2004," he added. AirZim chairman Mike Bimha concurred with Madombwe that the
airline was facing viability problems when his board took over in July
2005.
However, Bimha said things were now changing for the better.
"We are
experiencing some achievements. In December 2006, for the first time
in 10
years, we made a small profit.enough to cover our costs. AirZim was
making
loses since year 2000," he said. Bimha was optimistic that the
national
airline was on its way to recovery. "We are going into alliances
with small
boys (airlines). Bigger boys do not want us. We said we are weak,
let's
group up with weak guys to become stronger," he added. Chitungwiza
senator
Forbes Magadu condemned the decision by the national airline to
enter into
partnerships with small airlines like Air Zambia saying there was
no need
for striking alliances with "somebody poorer than you are". He
described Air
Zambia and other such small airliners as "Tuvana Tonde." The
recently
appointed AirZim chief executive officer, Peter Chikumba, yesterday
told the
committee that he was open to advice from stakeholders on how to
change the
fortunes of the parastatal. "Support is nowhere else except
within
ourselves, I can assure you I would be knocking on your doors asking
for
ideas," Chikumba said. Arrangements were made for the committee to tour
Air
Zimbabwe operations.
New Zimbabwe
By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 02/21/2007
05:18:54
ZIMBABWE'S Iron and Steel company, Ziscosteel, has recorded zero
production
since the start of the year with the lowest output since 1980,
the company's
board chairman David Murangari said Tuesday.
The
company is also burdened with an external and local debt of US$222
million
and $7 billion respectively.
Murangari made the reveleations while giving
oral evidence before the
Foreign Affairs, Industry and International Trade
on the operations of the
company.
Murangani also revealed there was
no production in September and December
last year when a major corruption
scandal was unearthed at the state-owned
steel-making
enterprise.
Several high ranking government officials were sucked into
the Ziscogate
scandal after it emerged that they were fleecing thr company
by claiming
large unaccounted for allowances from Zisco after travelling on
business
that had nothing to do with the company. Others benefited through
dubious
contracts and a supplies over-pricing rip-off.
Murangari told
MPs the loss of production at Ziscosteel was a result of
"lack of working
capital, high turnover of skilled personnel and high input
costs."
He
added that that Ziscosteel had been badly hit by low coal receipts as a
result of Hwange Colliery Company's failure to supply "coaking coal of good
quality
throughout the year."
Ziscosteel's blast furnace No 4, the
only one operational, was said to be
operating at below 50 percent capacity
due to its dilapidated state.
To get out of the woods, Murangari said the
steelmaker needs a new strategic
partner who can bring foreign currency.
There were talks with one Chinese
firm,
he added.
The board
chairman also said his company needs Z$4 billion as a matter of
urgency for
the purposes of funding the acquisition of raw materials and
services.
Murangari added: "It is estimated that US$144 million is
required for the
rehabilitation programme over a six month period. Of this
amount about US$
56,17 million and Z$ 3, 426,47 billion is required for
2007."
The board chairman declined to comment on the alleged looting of
resources
at the company as his board was never shown the damning report
detailing the
alleged graft.
Murangari added that "the company is a
price taker when it comes to prices
of
major inputs" and between January
2006 and January this year, they had been
hit by an increase of 4 378
percent in electricity charges.
He added that the National Railways of
Zimbabwe (NRZ) had increased coal
railage charges from $1 500 per tonne to
$82 934, an increase of $5 427 over
the same period.
Oxygen from
Sable Chemicals to Zisco was said to have been increased by 1
519 percent
from $1,05 per cubic meter to $17 per cubic meters over the same
period.
The Herald
(Harare)
February 20, 2007
Posted to the web February 20,
2007
Harare
THE Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social
Welfare, Cde Nicholas
Goche, was yesterday taken to task by a Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee on
Public Accounts on why his ministry has not been
submitting books of
accounts for the Social Dimension Fund to the
Comptroller and Auditor
General and Parliament since 1999.
Acting
committee chairman, Masvingo Senator Dzikamai Mavhaire said his
committee
had noted with concern that money was being disbursed for purposes
the fund
was not originally set for.
Sen Mavhaire said the ministry was not
seeking approval from Treasury when
it made some investments of some money
using the fund or when it carried out
certain activities that required
approval from Treasury like transfer of
funds.
In response, Cde Goche
said the fund, which was initially set up to assist
with loans Government
employees retrenched through Economic Structural
Adjustment Programme, had
since stopped receiving and considering
applications.
Cde Goche said
the SDF stopped operating in 2001 but has not yet formally
wound
up.
He said staff shortage was another reason that affected the smooth
discharge
of duties, saying his ministry had even appealed to the Public
Service
Commission and the Ministry of Finance for more staff.
Due to
staff shortage, messengers working in some districts were now doing
clerical
work, a situation that might create abuse, said the minister.
Cde Goche
said he gave a directive in 2005 that no further disbursements
should be
made from the fund.
But Sen Kantibai Patel (Non-Constituency) produced a
schedule of payments
made to different companies and individuals from the
fund in 2006.
At that stage, Cde Goche requested the committee to allow
Director of Social
Service from his ministry, Mr Sydney Mhishi, who had
accompanied him, to
explain.
Sen Mavhaire declined saying the
committee had in the past called ministry
officials who gave explanations,
which were not satisfactory to the
committee, hence, the decision to call
the minister.
"These expenditures occurred as opposed to disbursements.
Disbursement
refers to a situation when people apply for loan and money is
then released,
but I will need time to look into that so that I can
respond," said Cde
Goche.
Sen Mavhaire said despite the fund being
dormant, the ministry was using--
again without approval from Treasury --
its assets like motor vehicles and
furniture.
"We are saying you
did not seek authority from Treasury, so you were
breaking the law," said
Sen Mavhaire, who was standing in for Glen Norah
Member of House of
Assembly, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC).
The committee also
took the minister to task saying he was giving
conflicting statements with
his officials who had in the past given oral
evidence before it regarding
the fund.
Cde Goche said the rate of recovery for the SDF had been five
percent,
something that the committee felt was unhealthy as it meant that 95
percent
of the loans were not repaid.
The Herald (Harare)
February
20, 2007
Posted to the web February 20, 2007
Harare
ZIMBABWE'S
milk production last year took a sixth successive decline, with
about 85
million litres of fresh milk having been produced, down from 177
million
litres in 2000.
Between 2001 and 2005 the sector produced 171, 149, 111,
94 and 95 million
litres respectively.
Acting chief dairy officer
in the Dairy Services Department of Livestock
Production and Development Mrs
Harriet Moyo attributed the decline to lack
of expertise among new farmers
and shortages and rising cost of stockfeed.
She said price controls on
milk had also contributed to the decline.
"Milk is a controlled product
and if viable prices are to be put in place,
things might stabilise and the
industry can start improving," she said in an
interview.
"However, we
have also noted that shortage of stockfeeds has impacted
negatively on the
performance of the industry."
Mrs Moyo added that technical and financial
support should also be given to
the new crop of farmers who had benefited
from the land reform programme.
"But is should be noted that the sector
is still organised and has the
potential to come out of these difficulties.
If some of these issues are to
be addressed, we might see a difference this
year," she said.
Zimbabwe has been facing milk shortages as processors
cut down on production
citing "uneconomic prices". Producers argued that the
gazetted price for
milk was not viable when taking into account escalating
production costs.
The Ministry of Industry and International Trade has
pegged the price of
milk at $1 050 per litre, which producers say is
"totally inadequate to meet
production costs or just to break
even".
No comment could be obtained from the Ministry of Industry and
International
Trade.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Dairy
Farmers has pledged to continue
supplying the market with milk despite the
harsh economic environment
prevailing in the country.
In a statement
at the weekend NADF chairperson Mr Ajs Kirk said his
association was working
hard to revive the industry that has taken a knock
in the past six years
owing to recurrent droughts and shortages of
stockfeed.
"Zimbabwean
dairy farmers remain committed to producing sufficient milk for
the nation
and the NADF is working with all stakeholders to protect this
vital
industry," he said
Mr Kirk also distanced himself from recent media
reports claiming that his
association had ceased milk production in protest
against Government
gazetted prices, resulting in milk shortages.
The
reports alleged that farmers were not getting support from central
Government, implying the authorities were not worried about the sector's
survival.
"NADF wishes it to be widely known that it disassociates
itself from what
appeared in the some sections of the media
recently."
However, flesh milk remains scarce in most supermarkets across
the country,
a situation that has been blamed on limited supplies from the
milk
processors.
A survey conducted last week showed that only a few
supermarkets had the
commodity in their refrigerators and this was confined
to the mornings only.
The scarcity has precipitated speculative
activities, worsening shortages of
dairy products on the market.
Last
year one of the country's leading milk processing firms -- ZSE-listed
Dairibord Holdings -- embarked on a dairy herd rebuilding exercise, which
has, however, been hampered by lack of foreign currency.
Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
jag@mango.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the
subject
line.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
1 - Linda Costa, Queensland, Australia
What is a lucky
one?
Anybody who has observed the past 6 years or so in Zimbabwe, will
have
realised that "to be lucky" does not follow a formula, rather a
random
selection. It seems to have little to do with where one has come from,
or
where one is trying to go to. I don't think that anyone in Zimbabwe
is
"lucky" at all. I think that some pretend to themselves that they are,
that
some used to be, and that some wish they were now .....................
but
luck has nothing to do with it at all. I completely agree with Jean Simon
-
that there are no lucky ones. If one feels that they are lucky now
in
current Zimbabwe, I just wonder how they substantiate that.
Maybe
it is possible to survive by being politically correct - this might
lead to
"Zimbabwean luck". Does that mean one will be free from
political
interference in the future?
Maybe one has a huge cushion of
wealth and this might lead to "Zimbabwean
luck" - will this protect you in
the future?
Maybe one has been able to hang on in the fringes, and passed
under the
radar. Does this "Zimbabwean luck" give you confidence, or fear
for
tomorrow?
I wish I could say that this Zimbabwean madness was all
going to pass. I
wish I could say that I and my family were wrong in our
decision to leave
Zimbabwe in 2000. Our hopes for the millennium were far
different to the
reality we see now. In fact, the reality is far worse than
we ever imagined
it could be.
In 1999, I used to wake each morning in
Harare and think with a sinking
feeling "I wonder what's going to happen
today?" These days, I wake each
morning and I speculate with pleasure
"hmmmn ........ I wonder what's
going to happen today?"
It's the same
question ...........
But - at the most basic level, my "luck" - if you
can call it that - is
that I can sign my name,
Linda Costa,
Queensland,
Australia
---------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
2 - Ann
Thank you to those who felt the threat inherent in Clive
Midlane's letter.
and who spoke out for those of us who are still on farm ( a
bit of). A
visitation and three phone calls this week do not make for easy
residence,
and those of us who are 'left over' - for that is all it is - are
still
dreading the white car at the gate, the phone calls, the official
letters,
or even the handcuffs. If anyone thinks that is fun after seven
years, then
they have a strange idea of fun, luck, and whatever else is
thought to make
life worth living.
Of course everyone is complicit,
but at least a lot of us are still here,
and trying to keep a community
together. Perhaps Clive Midlane has been
able to move on to another life,
but we have
not.
Valour.
Ann
------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
3 - Anonymous
Dear Jag,
It was with some relief that I saw at least a
few farmers respond to Clive
Midlanes "lucky Ones" letter.
I do
realise that there are many people out there who perceive the few
remaining
white farmers as being the "lucky ones" and who believe that
bribes and
corrupt policy are the reason that they remain on their land.
I will
certainly accept that there are a number of farmers who have followed
this
route, however to suggest that all of them are "allies" is insulting
and
shamelessly ill informed.
I would further point out that a great many
remaining farmers have been
through endless heartache and have steadfastly
refused to involve themselves
in corrupt activities. I find it strange that
whilst persons like Mr Midlane
are ok with buying loaves of Bread(wheat grown
largely by New Farmers), and
trading in foreign currency on the black market,
they pass ill informed and
badly directed comments such as
these.
Perhaps the glass house will break when he throws the next
stone!!!!
Anonymous
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
4 - Willie
Dear Jag,
Let's not point fingers.
Yes
Clive, I agree it is very tempting and very easy to want to blame some
people
for still being on their farms.
By showing bitterness, and fighting
amongst ourselves, you are giving the
very people whom chased you of your
farm, great satisfaction and telling
them they have won.
Stand back
and smile at the mess that they have made. Let them see that you
now feel
sorry for them as they did not want to believe you when they
started. That
will give you more satisfaction and they will still look at
you as the
"Boss".
Most people that have managed to stay on their farms or part of
their farms,
have done so with great difficulty. Many marriages have been
stretched to
the limit. It is their choice.
The others will have their
conscious to deal with, maybe not now but believe
me some day it will haunt
them.
It would be a good story for another film "Out of Africa".
I
agree with Jean Simon,
"It would help us all to heal and to move
forward.".
Willie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
5 - Cathy Buckle
Dear Family and Friends,
Early these mornings the
mist lies in thick blankets across the vleis,
giving a surreal, dreamlike
start to the February days. The tops of the
Msasa trees with their twisting
branches and low, spreading canopies are
first to emerge from the mist as the
sun comes up. Then the grassland, tall
and gold now, with heavy, bursting
seed heads comes into sight and the first
birds appear. At this time of year
the Paradise Whydahs are about early and
the breeding males are wonderous to
watch. Their flight is frantic and
laboured, it has to be to carry their
magnificent black tail feathers which
are longer than their bodies. Tails
which stream behind them in a
spectacular display. Just spending a few
minutes looking out at the beauty
every morning has to be enough to give
strength and courage to face another
day in the disaster that has become life
in Zimbabwe.
For a long time the analysts and commentators have been
saying that it will
be the economy that eventually brings an end to the
situation in the
country. I don't know if most of us ordinary Zimbabweans
have understood
what this would actually entail but recently we have all
started learning
very fast.
This week it was officially announced that
inflation in January soared to
1593%. This staggering rise of over three
hundred percent in one month, from
December to January, has crippled us all
and has made the situation in the
country completely unsustainable. On Monday
a friend priced a pair of work
overalls and they were forty thousand dollars.
On Wednesday, when he went
with the cash to buy them, the price had gone up
to seventy five thousand
dollars.
None of us are able to cope with
these sort of price increases and so we go
without. We put the little money
we have back in our pockets, not yet really
understanding that we must spend
it when we have it as its buying power is
shrinking every day. It is a
lesson we are learning fast and it is hard one
because it contradicts
principles of saving, careful spending and budgeting.
As the days pass
and the deprivations increase, the discontent is rising and
so too is the
presence of police, army and Border Gezi youths on the
streets. The air of
intimidation and control is all around us. In just five
blocks of a small
town this week. I counted twenty eight police and army
personnel in uniform.
They stroll and patrol, on foot, bicycles and in open
pick up trucks. At one
supermarket there were between 250 and 300 people
queuing for sugar. The
line did not go to the front of the shop but to a
back door where all these
multitudes of people were being controlled by two
scruffy youths wearing Zanu
PF T shirts, two policemen and one soldier in
army
camouflage.....
>From the sugar queues the police, army and Gezi
youths go to the road
>blocks
and from there to the scramble for
fertilizer or the lines for maize meal.
And everywhere you look the feeling
is of the increasingly fragile hold on
control. In this one week over 170
women from Woza were arrested for
Valentine protests; teachers union leaders
were arrested and 14 student
union leaders were arrested. Seven years of
misery are coming to a head.
Until next week, thanks for reading, love
cathy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All
letters published on the open Letter Forum are the views and opinions of
the
submitters, and do not represent the official viewpoint of Justice
for
Agriculture.
As a JAG member or JAG Associate member, please send any classified
adverts
for publication in this newsletter to:
JAG Classifieds: jagma@mango.zw
JAG Job Opportunities: jag@mango.zw
Rules for
Advertising:
Send all adverts in word document as short as possible
(no tables, spread
sheets, pictures, etc.) and quote your subscription
receipt number or
membership number.
Notify the JAG Office when Advert
is no longer needed, either by phone or
email.
Adverts are published
for 2 weeks only, for a longer period please notify
the JAG office, by
resending via email the entire advert asking for the
advert to be
re-inserted.
Please send your adverts by Tuesdays 11.00am
(Adverts will not appear until
payment is received.). Cheques to be made out
to
JAGMA.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
For Sale Items
2. Wanted Items
3. Accommodation
4.
Recreation
5. Specialist Services
6. Pets
Corner
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
OFFERED FOR
SALE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1
Generators & Inverters for Sale
The JAG office is now an
official agent for GSC Generator Service (Pvt) Ltd
and receives a generous
commission on sales of all Kipor generators and
equipment. Generators are on
view at the JAG office.
The one stop shop for ALL your Generator
Requirements SALES:
We are the official suppliers, repairs and maintenance
team of KIPOR
Equipment here in Zimbabwe. We have in stock KIPOR Generators
from 1 KVA to
55 KVA. If we don't have what you want we will get it for
you. We also
sell Inverters (1500w), complete with batteries and
rechargeable lamps. Our
prices are very competitive, if not the lowest in
town.
SERVICING & REPAIRS: We have a qualified team with many
years of experience
in the Generator field. We have been to Kipor, China for
training. We
carry out services and minor repairs on your premises. We
service and
repair most makes and models of Generators - both petrol and
diesel.
INSTALLATIONS: We have qualified electricians that carry out
installations
in a professional way.
SPARES: As we are the
official suppliers and maintainers of KIPOR Equipment,
we carry a full range
of KIPOR spares.
Don't forget, advice is free, so give us a call and
see us at: Bay 3,
Borgward Road, Msasa.
Sales: 884022, 480272 or admin@adas.co.zw
Service: 480272, 480154
or gsc@adas.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2
For Sale
So Far and No further! Rhodesia's Bid for Independence during
the Retreat
from Empire 1959-1965 by J.R.T. Wood
533 pages; quality
trade paperback; pub. Trafford ISBN 1-4120-4952-0
Southern African edition,
pub. 30 Degrees South : ISBN 0-9584890-2-5
This definitive account traces
Rhodesia's attempt to secure independence
during the retreat from Empire
after 1959. Based on unique research, it
reveals why Rhodesia defied the
world from 1965.
Representing Volume One of three volumes, Two and Three
are in preparation
and will take us to Tiger and thence to 1980;
To
purchase:
Zimbabwean buyers contact Trish Broderick: pbroderick@mango.zw
RSA buyers:
WWW. 30 degreessouth.co.za or Exclusives Books
Overseas buyers see: http://www.jrtwood.com
and a link to
Trafford Publishing http://www.trafford.com/04-2760
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.3
Pet Food for Sale (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Still supplying pets food
which consists of 500g of precooked pork offal and
veg costing $700 and 250g
of pigs liver or heart costing $700 for 250g.
Collection points:
Benbar in Msasa at 10.30
Jag offices in Philips Rd, Belgravia at
11.30
Peacehaven which is 75 Oxford St at 13.00
This is on
Fridays only. Contact details: phone 011 221 088 and E mail at
claassen@zol.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.4
For Sale (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
"Harrington Rare Books. For Sale,
Rhodesian Verse 1888-1938,1st Edition,
Blackwell, Oxford. With a forword by
His Excellency Sir Herbert J.Stanley,
governor of Southern Rhodesia,and an
introduction by Arthur Shearley
Cripps.SIGNED by Cripps.A lot of the poems
are by Cripps(Cripps Rd),a
maverick missionary and poet.His great nephew,the
Wales based, award winning
author, Owen Sheers recently published the
bestselling"Dust Diaries"in which
the mail subject is Cripps and his life in
Southern Rhodesia.See
www.owensheers.com .The book,by itself is a
collectable piece of Rhodesiana
but the inscription and signature by Cripps
makes it an important and highly
collectable book.Asking US$200.00 equivalent
ono.We also value and purchase
books in hardback,with dust jackets preferably
from the
following
authors:Hemingway,Boyd,Orwell,Steinway,Joyce,Huxley,Tolkien,Sinclair,Plath,Naipaul,
Hughes,Wodehouse,T.S.Elliot,Greene,Golding,Scott-Fitzgerald,Miller,Pynchon,Christie,Shiel,Fleming,L.Frank
Baum,Sewell,W.E.Johns(Biggles)Potter,Milne,Graheme.Please
Contact Mr
Wallis,evenings,on HRE 496829,023894597,or email zermatt@mweb.co.zw "
ADVERT NO 2
UNDER "FOR SALE"
"Sunflower Cake for sale,collect Glen Lorne,Phone
091875035"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5
For Sale (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
SECOND HAND
1
COT
1 ADJUSTABLE CHAIR
1 PRAM WITH CARRY COT
1 CAMP
COT
For more information please contact Charmaine at work 620687
up to 9 for
the
above.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.6
For Sale (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
"THE WEAVERY".
Super gift
ideas for local and overseas friends and family. Hand woven
articles which
are light, easy to pack, and send, and fully washable.
Contact Anne on 332851
or 011212424.Or email joannew@zol.co.zw
Crocheted oven
gloves--$20,000.
Cotton oven gloves--$15,000.
Small woven
bags--$12,000.
Large woven bags--$18,000.
Crocheted
bags--$22,000.
Queen(approx.250x240cms) size bedcover--$162,000.
Other
sizes to order.
Single Duvet cushions(open into a duvet)--$112,000.
Other
sizes to order.
2x1 meter Throw--78,000.
Baby
Blanket(1x1meter)--$45,000.
3 piece toilet set--$37,000.
Bath
mat--$30,000.
Decorated cushion covers--$16,000.
Table
runner--$13,000.
Set(4)Bordered table mats +
serviettes--$39,000.
Set(6)Bordered table mats +
serviettes--$60,000.
Set(4) crocheted table mats
only--$27,000.
Set(6)fringed table mats + serviettes--$48,000.
Lots of
other combinations.
Small(approx.105x52cms) plain cotton
rug--$25,000.
Medium(approx.120x65cms) plain cotton
rug--$35,000
Large(approx.150x75cms) plain cotton
rug--$45,000.
Ex.Large(approx.230x130cms) plain cotton
rug--$115,000.
Small patterned cotton rug--$35,000.
Small rag
rug--$25,000.
Medium rag rug--$35,000.
Medium patterned cotton
rug--$45,000.
Large patterned cotton rug--$80,000
Ex.Large patterned
cotton rug--$135,000.
Small patterned mohair rug--$80,000.
Medium
patterned mohair rug--$100,000
Large patterned mohair rug--$125,000.
Ex.
Large patterned mohair rug--$225,000.
Lots of other articles.PLEASE be
aware that prices may change
without
notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.7
Family Of 3 Hippos For Sale (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
These beautifully
carved, wooden hippos are still "homeless" and going for
US$2000.They really
are unique and worth every cent. Phone Robyn -011413609.
Or you can view them
at Serendipity Coffee Shop--2a, Serendip Close, Mount
Pleasant (entrance on
Golden Stairs Road). Open from
9am-5pm-Tuesday-Saturday. Phone
334377.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.8
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
SIX ANTIQUE CAST IRON BATHS FOR SALE
WITH BRASS FEET.
CHESSA FISHERMAN FOR SALE: 60HP YAMAHA OUTBOARD/NEW
RIDE GUIDE INSTALLED.
IF INTERESTED PLEASE PHONE: 091777062. (07:00AM
TO
08:00PM)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.9
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Brand new swimming pool net, never
been used. Includes safety net with
tensioner, float, plates, hooks,
anchors, rope, DIY manual. Net size 6m x
12m. Manufactured by Honeydew Nets
in South Africa (can view net on their
website). Paid R2200 so looking for
equivalent. Please e-mail
carol@powerspeed.co.zw or sms 091
264160 if
interested.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.10
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Totota KZTE 3l diesel doublecab,
4
x2, 70 000km, with canopy
Immaculate condition.
Nissan 2.7 diesel
doublecab,
4 x 2, 1999 model, 300 000km,
good condition.
Phone 04
443017 or 091
337640.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.11
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
HARDWOOD FURNTURE- Sleepers and Teak
Custom made Dining Tables, Coffee
Tables, Bars ,Even Wrought iron and Pine
Phone Simon Silcock persistently
668843 or sms 091 233 103 and I will reply
quickly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.12
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
2001 DID Pajero (new Shape) - RSA
import, Silver with Black Leather, 3,2
Turbo Diesel, Tiptronic Auto Gearbox,
immaculate vehicle Company Maintained
and driven by owner. Offers
Please.
1995 Nissan Sentra 160GX - Ideal for young boy/girl;
re-sprayed with custom
Graphics (white with Carbon Black Stripes); Newly
Reconded Mags; New Tyres;
Big Sound System...........Needs a new home, driver
now at Varsity!!
For Viewing or More Details, on both the above, call
Grant Evans Cell- 011
402 122, or,
664224/666235/666169.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.13
For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
GENERATORS AND
INVERTERS
Following units ex stock: Generators -
5 Kva
Silenced, 15 Kva Silenced, 30 Kva open frame, 40 Kva Silenced, 60
Kva
Silenced
Inverters - 1500 Watt complete with 1 x 100 Amp Hr
battery and charger
5000 Watt complete with 4 x 100 Amp Hr Batteries and
charger
Large Range of Generators available from 5 - 2200 Kva ex
import (some in
Bond South Africa)
Please phone:- Radium Africa
Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11
800859
1.14 HARROW DISCS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
We
will have imported Harrow discs (24", 26" and 28") available end March,
2007
book now to avoid disappointment.
Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263
4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11
800859
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.15
FORAGE HARVESTERS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Single Row forage
harvesters available ex stock
Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263
4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11
800859
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.16
AGRICULTURAL SPRAYERS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Tractor Mounted
12 Metre / 600 Litre tank Boom sprayers and Canon sprayers
in
stock.
Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: +
263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11
800859
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
WANTED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1
Wanted (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Computer wanted by conservation
organisation - Wilderness Africa Trust,
preferably as a donation. Any age or
capacity would be gratefully received
to help us protect Zimbabwe's
wildlife. Please phone
747929.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2
Wanted (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Racing Canoe, preferably K2 otherwise
K1. Please contact Ben on
011 882926 or email ben@yo.co.zw
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.3
Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Second-hand Toyota Surf or Twin Cab.
Please call
091241258
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.4
Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
I am looking for a Toyota Prado body.
Phone Johnny 011 603213, email
galorand@mweb.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
ACCOMMODATION WANTED AND
OFFERED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1
Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Single lady looking for a
3 / 4 bed roomed house either to rent or to repair
and maintain or both. Must
be secure premises
Preferred areas are: Avondale ; Mount Pleasant ;
Alex park ; Gunhill ;
Newlands ; highlands ; Greendale ; Mandara ; Belvedere;
Milton park
Please contact Debbie on 091 830
953
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.2
Accommodation Offered (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Two bedrooms with
bathroom (bed sit), No pets
For more information please contact
Charmaine at work 620687 up to 9 for
the
above.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.3
Accommodation Offered (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Bromley 55km from
Harare. Attractive thatched cottage. Self contained two
bed roomed, with
garden and own entrance. Rent $150000
Also available
Self
contained flat, two bedrooms. Rent $70000.
Please contact 011423614
or 04
572513.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.4
Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Young lady desperately
looking for a 2 bed roomed flat in the Avondale/Mount
Pleasant area please
call Denise Fussel 091815956 or
336753
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5
Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
My wife and I are
currently resident in a house in Greendale that we have
been maintaining and
developing for the past two years in lieu of rent. We
have recently been
advised that the house is to be sold and are urgently
looking for
accommodation with a cottage, as we also care for
my
parents-in-law.
I run a small company that specializes in
domestic and corporate property
maintenance and am therefore able and willing
to maintain and repair any
prospective residence and / or rent. We would
prefer accommodation in
Greendale if possible but are willing to consider any
options.
Please contact Russell on: 011-620-745 or Renee on:
011-601-855 or landline
498723 or reply to shelvan@earth.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
RECREATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1
MEET AND GREET fun day (13/02/07)
Saturday 3rd March 2007 at SANDY'S
CORNER PRE- SCHOOL; 3 TROON AVE - HARARE.
BORROWDALE
We will also
be holding a Car Boot Sale which you are invited to participate
in. If you
do not have a car we can rent a space to you but all umbrellas,
tables etc
will need to be supplied by yourselves. This is on a first come
fist serve
basis and the space will cost 10 000.00 / Space
FOOD & DRINKS ON
SALE
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to
contact Debbie
Victor on 091 830 953 or 495
078.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2
Savuli Safari (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Self catering chalets in the
heart of the Save Valley Conservancy. Game
watching, fishing, horse riding,
canoeing, walking trails and 4x4 hire. Camp
fully kitted including cook and
fridges. Just bring your food, drinks and
relax. Best value for money. U12
are 1/2 price
Contact John: savuli@mweb.co.zw or Phone 091 631
556
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3
Hippo Pools Wilderness Camp (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Need a break from
your hectic everyday life, for a relaxing weekend or
midweek getaway Hippo
Pools Wilderness Camp is the place to go. For details
phone Tracy on 747929
or email mailto:wildernessafrica@zol.co.zw
"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
SPECIALIST
SERVICES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1
STRESS & BURN OUT SEMINAR (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
In late
2006, two one-day Stress & Burn Out Seminars were held,
specifically
aimed at farmers. These two days were both fully subscribed and
it became
apparent that there is a great need to continue this support for
our
community. In 2007 we will conduct similar one-day sessions leading
towards
group therapy and support-group sessions.
We have asked the
Christian Counselling Centre to gear two introductory days
on 3rd and 24th
February towards this end. Thereafter, we will be looking
for a number of
facilitators to take the process further. Please contact
the JAG offices to
enrol for either of these two introductory days. Or,
alternatively, contact
the Christian Counselling Centre directly on
hcc@mweb.co.zw or telephone 744212.
As a
community, we need to help one another heal.
MANAGING STRESS
Led
by: Ian Wilsher
A one-day, practical workshop for anyone wanting to
manage the pressure of
modern day life in Zimbabwe. This workshop puts
theory into practice.
Topics include:
+ Identifying
symptoms and stresses
+ Time management
+ Dealing with
the unchangeable
+ Managing anger and more
Come and find out
how you can harness stress to bring positive change to
your
life.
Date: Saturday, 24th February
Time: 9.00 am - 4.30
pm
Cost: Z$50 000 (includes lunch, manual and teas).
Venue: Christian
Counselling Centre, 8 Coltman Road, Mount Pleasant,
Harare. Tel:
744212.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2
Nursery School Places Available (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
Places
available for 4-5 year olds at nursery school in Pomona due to
classes being
moved around. Need mainly girls to even out numbers.
Children need to go for
interview at school. Fees to be agreed at
interview. Pse call Lindie on
883230.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3
Borehole Pumps (13/02/07)
T M Lambert (Pvt) Ltd, Agent for Mono
Pumps, Zimbabwe
Capacity Test, Installations, Repair and Maintenance on
all Borehole pumps.
Phone: 494796, 091 288 448, 011 726 062
Email:
tlambert@zim.co.zw, Address: 22 Highland
Glen,
Umwinsidale.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.4
Personalised Vehicle Service (Ad inserted
13/02/07)
ATTENTION
Do You Need a Personalised Vehicle
Service?
Opened in Msasa at No: 179 Loreley cr. Msasa, a small
workshop specialising
in basic services and brake repairs.
Phone Noel
or Sandy Odendaal during work hours on 447110 or Cell No:
011615894 to book
in your
vehicle.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.5
Mr. Handy Man (13/02/07)
For general Handy repairs in and around the
house!
For all those jobs you don't have the time for!
Moving
into a new place and need help putting up pictures and other annoying
little
jobs?
Can't seem to get the right person to fix things in your
house?
Call 011 211 852, 495078, E- mail lloyd@pcpitstop.co.zw
Mr. Handy
Man
Can!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.6
PARA LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES (Ad inserted 13/02/07)
....14yrs
on.......
and still providing the following much needed valuable
Advisory
Services......
1. Obtaining
- Full (Long)
Birth Certificates (FBC) for Zimbabwe (replacement of
old style)
- Registration of new births
- Adoption Orders - Certified Extract
of originals with FBC
(identifying biological
parent/s)
- Marriage Certificates - Certified Extract of
originals
- Death Certificates (only possible in some
instances)
- Zimbabwe Drivers Licenses - new, replacement of lost,
& Letter of
Confirmation (required when needing to obtain a
Drivers Licence
in
another
country)
- Divorce
Orders - certified extract of originals
- Certificate of
Non-Marriage
2. Facilitating
- Immigration formalities
into Zimbabwe,
ie Residence & Employment Permits
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - New Investor formalities
3.
Company Registration Procedures
- New Companies
- Statutory
Returns
- completion & submission of changes in Company/'s
details
4. Para-Legal Services
- Wills (preparation of and
amendments)
- Establishment of Discretionary Trusts
-
enquire further as to what you are needing
Contact us for further
information and/or to arrange a no obligation
consultation.
Financial
Arrangements - We will always assist 'bona fide' financially
challenged
persons.
Contact: Thomas Vallance ACIArb Commissioner of
Oaths
PARADiGM TRUST (Pvt) Ltd, Para-Legal Advisory Services
Trust
Executives & Administrators, Tels: (B) 302 207 (M) 011-617
161
Emls:[paradigm@zol.co.zw], paradigm@mango.zw]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.7
MESSE SERVICE CENTRE (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
We continue with the
preparation, repair & service of tractors for re-sale
on a commission
basis, which has worked very successfully for those selling
and buying
tractors as the demand for tractors is constant and convenient
for those who
are selling units through ourselves on a commission basis.
At present
we have the following for sale:-
1 x Ford 6610 - 1 x MF390 - Both in
working condition
1 x Mushandi 500 - 1 x Zambezi - Both requiring some
attention. Would be
suitable for small farm/plot operators
1 x
Flatbed 4 wheel trailer - Excellent condition
Contact us during
business hours only - Monday to Friday - 068-22463 /
011212454 / tracspray@zol.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.8
Vehicle Repairs (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Vehicle repairs carried out
personally by qualified mechanic with 30 years
experience. Very reasonable
rates.
Phone Johnny Rodrigues: 011 603213 or 011 404797,
email:
galorand@mweb.co.zw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.9
Personalized Novelty Cakes (Ad inserted 20/02/07)
Stunning personalized
novelty cakes for children's or adults' birthdays.
Email galorand@mweb.co.zw for prices and photos
from our catalogue or we can
design something new - anything
goes.
Phone Cheryl 011
404797
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
PETS
CORNER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
No
Adverts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAG
Hotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799 410. If you are in trouble
or
need advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!
To
advertise (JAG Members): Please email classifieds to: jagma@mango.zw
with subject
"Classifieds".