Zimbabwe: A Bad Place for Journalists

OhMyNews

There are no signs the situation will improve

Ambrose Musiyiwa

     Published 2007-01-25 11:16 (KST)

Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe has been named as one of the 33 leading
"predators of press freedom" in the world.

"Whether presidents, ministers, chiefs of staff, religious leaders or the
heads of armed groups, these predators of press freedom have the power to
censor, imprison, kidnap, torture and, in the worst cases, murder
journalists," Reporters Without Borders said.

The organization pointed out that President Mugabe, who has been in power
since 1980, uses the country's intelligence and security agencies "to
silence all opposition voices" and to "spy on and punish independent media
outlets."

Reporters Without Borders is not alone in its criticism of the Zimbabwe
government's continuing assault on the media. The World Association of
Newspapers recently ranked the country as one of the top three most
dangerous places to be a journalist.

The insecurity and crisis within which journalists are working in Zimbabwe
is a direct result of how the government deals with the media.

In the recent past, newspaper offices and printing presses have been bombed;
journalists have been tortured in police custody and others have been
deported or forced to flee the country. Citizens have also had their copies
of newspapers seized and have been assaulted by military personnel and the
Zanu PF militia if seen with copies of newspapers that are deemed to be
critical of the government.

In addition to this, journalists and media services operators or newspaper
publishers are required, by law, to apply for registration and have
accreditation with the government-controlled Media and Information
Commission (MIC) before they can be allowed to operate. Even when
journalists and media organizations apply for registration and
accreditation, there are no guarantees that the MIC will grant this
accreditation.

At present a local mass media service operator or publisher is required to
pay a registration fee of Zim$600,000 (US$2,392)while a foreign mass media
service or news agency is required to pay US$12,000. Journalists working for
local media houses need to pay a registration and accreditation fee of
Zim$25,000 (US$99) while foreign journalists are required to pay US$100
registration fee before they can be allowed to go about gathering and
disseminating news. Those Zimbabwean journalists who are working for foreign
media organizations are expected to pay US$1,200 in application and
accreditation fees.

These exorbitant fees are an additional factor that is challenging the
viability of publishing and working as a journalist in Zimbabwe.

The few community newspapers that remain operational in the country will
also feel the pinch because in the prevailing economic environment, they are
struggling to get revenue and are increasingly reliant on donor funding to
remain operational.

The fees will also act to discourage freelance journalists from registering
with the MIC while the punitive measures that are in place will deter them
from practicing without accreditation. For example, between Feb. 1 and July
31, 2005 alone, 49 journalists were arrested under the Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) for practicing journalism without
accreditation. Under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Bill
journalists who are caught working without accreditation face prison
sentences of up to two years.

Those journalists and newspapers who manage to pay these fees and try to go
about their business of gathering, publishing and disseminating news are
routinely arrested, detained and harassed by the various arms of the
country's security services.

Journalists, especially those who write for international newspapers and
magazines, also face harassment and intimidation from government officials
who have described them as "traitors" who are being paid to demonize the
country and its leaders.

In January 2006, for instance, the Minister for National Security, Didymus
Mutasa, told the government-owned Manica Post: "It is sad to note that there
is a crop of journalists who are selling the country to the enemy by writing
falsehoods, with the intention of agitating violence and undermining
national security. The net will soon close in."

In September last year, Mike Saburi, a freelance television journalist, was
arrested and jailed after he was caught filming the police assaulting people
who were gathering to take part in the trade union protest march in Harare.
Saburi was accused of having gone beyond his journalistic work while filming
the protest march.

In the month that followed, security agents raided the Harare office of the
London-based independent newspaper, The Zimbabwean and seized its import
authorization and old copies of the newspaper.

The year before that, three sports journalists, Robson Sharuko, Tendai
Ndemera and Rex Mphisa were dismissed from the government-owned daily
newspaper The Herald for contributing to U.S. public radio Voice of America
(VOA).

Since 2002, nearly 100 Zimbabwean journalists have been forced into exile.

The Zimbabwe government is also making renewed and concerted efforts to
silence the remaining independent newspapers in the country. Recently, the
country stripped Trevor Ncube of his citizenship as part of its ongoing
campaign to close The Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard, the two
independent newspapers that remain operational in Zimbabwe.

At the same time, the MIC is moving to remove Nunurai Jena, who is chairman
of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Chinhoyi branch, from the roll of
journalists who are allowed to practice in Zimbabwe and has accused him of
peddling anti-government propaganda and "malicious reports" about human
rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe government has also introduced the Interception of
Communications Bill, which allows security agents to intercept and monitor
email, Internet access and letters in the course of their transmission
through the telecommunications or postal service. The Bill also makes it
possible for news materials to be intercepted during transmission and will
hinder the operation of journalists and media houses. The Bill also
interferes with citizen's rights to access information and freedom of
expression.

In the Mashonaland East province of Zimbabwe, teachers are reportedly being
rounded up by Zanu PF militias and assaulted as part of their "re-education"
if they are found in possession of short wave radios which allow them to
listen to radio stations other than the government controlled Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) channels. According to recent media reports,
a number of teachers have been forced to flee their schools as a result of
these attacks. The ZBC has a monopoly on broadcasting in Zimbabwe: there are
no private or independent radio or television channels broadcasting within
Zimbabwe; those that have tried have been arrested and have had their
equipment seized or have had their licenses revoked.

These are just a few examples of the treatment journalists and media
consumers are receiving from the Zanu PF government.

There are no signs that the situation will improve anytime soon.

Mugabe should go now to save Zimbabwe, says Biti

zimbabwejournalists.com

By Sheila Ochi

HARARE - Zimbabwe's economic decline has been worse than that of failed
states like Somalia, making President Mugabe's early departure more critical
to save the country from further collapse, Tendai Biti, a senior opposition
official, has said.

Addressing more than 200 people gathered for a public meeting in Harare
Tuesday night, Biti, the secretary general of the main opposing Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), said his party was working on strategies to oust
Mugabe by March next year when his term expires. He said his party aims to
do this either through elections or mass mobilisation against Mugabe's
continued stay in power.

The ruling Zanu PF party has recommended that Mugabe's tenure be extended by
two more years to facilitate the harmonization of presidential and
parliamentary polls in 2010.

The opposition has vowed to resist the plan, which needs Parliament's
approval. Mugabe enjoys enough the parliamentary majority required to change
the constitution and prolong his 27-year rule.

"This year marks 10 years on continued economic decline. Even countries that
went through devastating wars, like those in Europe since the 1940s did not
suffer such a decline. The extent of decline is unmatched, even by failed
states such as Somalia which has had no central authority for years on end.
Zimbabwe is operating at between 15-20 per cent of production levels when a
country like Somalia is operating at 40 per cent. We must demand an end to
Mugabe's rule," said Biti to thunderous applause.

On the harmonization of elections and the subsequent presidential poll
postponement that would follow as a result, Biti said he doubted Mugabe
would postpone the poll.

Biti said Mugabe was likely to call for elections next year, hoping to catch
the opposition unawares. He said while the opposition and civic society
spent time debating about the poll delay plans, Mugabe's party would be
preparing for a presidential election next year.

He said Mugabe could call for elections next year under the same flawed
constitution and voters roll condemned by civic society and the opposition.
This, said Biti, would give Mugabe an edge over his rivals.

He said the MDC would press for a presidential election next year, but under
a new constitution.

"To hell with the harmonization because it does not address the suffering of
the people here. The harmonization does not address the constitutional and
electoral flaws we have always complained about," said Biti.

Biti added Mugabe would contest the elections next year, as he needed time
to juggle how best to solve an internal crisis over his succession. But he
would only announce the elections late this year, giving the opposition less
than three months to prepare, Biti said.

"The danger is that we will demand for an election in 2008, and we will get
it. Mugabe will pretend to run with his party's Goromonzi resolution, while
civic society and the opposition will continue campaigning against that
resolution," he said. "Come November this year, Mugabe will say he is a
democrat and therefore will give in to our demands and he will call for an
election, catching us unawares and unprepared for the election as we would
have been busy campaigning against the postponement of the election. The
election would then be held next year, under the same old flawed
constitution and electoral framework," said Biti.

Mugabe, fearing threats of being hauled before an international court to
answer allegations of human rights abuses, planned to die in office enjoying
the immunity accorded head of state, said Biti.

"Mugabe's plan is to die in office so that he continues to enjoy immunity as
a sitting head of state. After next year's elections, he would amend the
constitution to make him ceremonial president, while Parliament would elect
a prime minister to run the government," said Biti.

Eldred Masunungure, a political science professor at the University of
Zimbabwe said the harmonization of the elections would be meaningless
without an overhaul of the electoral laws and playing field.

"What is important is to have quality elections where every vote counts. The
current scenario encourages cheating and the harmonization would breed even
more rigging. We need to cleanse the constitution and the voters' roll
before holding any elections," Masunungure told the same gathering.

Former information minister and independent MP, Jonathan Moyo, said Zanu PF
could be forced to abandon the poll postponement project because it had
caused serious divisions within the party.

Moyo, who presided over the crafting of the draconian Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), a law used to close newspapers and
detain journalists critical of Mugabe, said the ruling party would dump the
project quietly, leaving the opposition to spend time campaigning against a
dead project. The party would then spring a surprise and call for elections
next year.

"When Zanu PF lets go a dangerous kite, they don't announce it to the
public. There will be an election next year and the opposition should be
prepared."

Only 2 clinics, 1 lab working in Harare

The Zimbabwean

BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE - Only two out of 54 clinics and hospitals run by the City of Harare
are fully functional.
The city, which requires about 15 ambulances, only has two or three working.
It was also established that Harare, which serves a population of about 1,5
million and has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world,
only has one laboratory currently functional, at Beatrice Hospital, out of a
total of 57 laboratories. The rest have become derelict and subject to
massive looting.
The city only has two CD4 machines - vital for assessing immunity levels of
the infected and determining ARVs prescription. The machines were donated by
the Centre for Diseases Control and the city has failed to purchase its own
despite collecting huge revenues monthly.
Investigations by The Zimbabwean revealed that most facilities have been
left to collapse under the prevailing economic problems coupled with
persistent politicking and bungling in the management of the city.
Only Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital and Wilkins Hospital in the
capital are currently providing basic services - but they also suffer from
acute shortages of drugs and equipment.
Consistent exodus of staff has left the city with only four doctors instead
of 20. Two of the remaining doctors have expressed their desire to leave as
well.
Freeman Chari, a medical practitioner who recently quit the beleagured
council, said "I left recently because it doesn't make sense to be working
in an institution where not only do you get pathetic remuneration but also
have to struggle with insufficient resources," he said. "Indeed only two
hospitals are fully functional, the rest are useless. The same applies to
the other aspects of health delivery in the city."
Visits to clinics run by the city in suburbs of Highfield, Mbare and Mabvuku
showed that in some cases there weren't nurses whilst in others there were
only some part-time attendants, whose credentials as health personnel were
seriously in doubt, according to sources in the council.
Highly-placed sources within the commission running the city revealed that
proposals have been made for up to 20 of the clinics in Harare 's high
density suburbs to be closed down because of failure to maintain basic
services. Questions sent to the acting director of health services, Dr
Prosper Chonzi had not been replied by the time of going to press.
Sources said there were investigations into the looting of laboratory
equipment, which implicates top officials in the Sekesai Makwavarara-led
commission.
Former Mayor, Elias Mudzuri of the Movement for Democratic Change, who was
ousted by the Zanu (PF) government blamed the crisis on government's
meddling in the operations of the city.

Mugabe faces unprecedented ridicule

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, is now the subject of embarrassing insults from angry members of the public reeling from a biting economic crunch, which many blame on the 82-year-old leader's rule which they charge  has outgrown its usefulness.
In the early years of independence, Mugabe was viewed with such reverence that it was taboo for anyone to criticise him publicly. Instant justice was meted out to anyone who dared.
But now, with a deepening economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation, mass poverty, daily price rises and a serious commodity shortage, the President is facing a dramatic change in fortunes through a massive slide in popularity ratings.
And it is not only at home where his 27-year rule is being roundly condemned, he has also earned himself a reputation as an international tyrant.
In Scotland, the Edinburgh University is thinking of stripping the veteran ruler of an honorary degree it conferred on Mugabe in 1984. The university said last week "the episode of awarding a degree to Mugabe has been embarrassing for the university which gave the award in good faith and which, rightly celebrates its connection with Africa."
Back at home, it is now commonplace to hear Mugabe being subjected to all kinds of ridicule, especially over plans to illegally extend his mandate by another two years. The public expression of anger is widespread, in kombis, in hotels, in nightclubs, through SMS, at soccer matches, in the homes and at workplaces.
The few who still regard Mugabe highly are careful to air their opinions behind closed doors, for fear of being branded boot lickers or ignorant persons. 
In fact, it can be argued those who still admire Mugabe do so in the hope of being thrown a scrap from his overflowing table, or because they have already been rewarded handsomely for their loyalty. Such is the politics of patronage pervading Zimbabwe today.
While Mugabe is arguably the most unpopular man in Zimbabwe today - a few individuals have gone out of their way to publicly demonstrate their negative feelings towards him.
Obviously, such dramatic acts have not been taken lightly by the State, which has been quick to prosecute, using the vast array of draconian and often flimsy laws at its disposal. The most notorious of these is the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act and the Public Order and Security, which many believe should be relegated to the dustbin of history on account of its violations of fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and
association.
In August last year, Tichaona Muchabaiwa, a Comoil fuel dealer was arrested at a cash search and seize roadblock in Mazowe on allegations of shouting insults undermining the authority of President Mugabe.
Since then more than 30 people have been arrested for slandering Mugabe. In Harare last month, Gerald Murota, perhaps spurred on by the drinks he had consumed, allegedly walked up to a uniformed police officer and said: "Why don't you go and arrest Mugabe?" He was arrested and charged.
The reasons for the various arrests have been varied, including Hitler jibes targeted at Mugabe. Earlier this month a man was arrested in Chitungwiza after shouting in a kombi that he wished the US government could bring Baghdad-style carnage to Harare and help in toppling Mugabe.  He was charged under the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act for making subversive statements. 
In Masvingo two weeks ago a man was arrested after pointing at a picture of Mugabe during a TV news bulletin in a bar and shouting if the president died, Zimbabwe crisis would end.  Selestin Jengeta, a teacher, spent three days in in police custody over   the remarks last month.
Gibson Murinye and Collen Mwachikopa were hauled before Masvingo provincial Magistrate, Timeon Makunde, accused of undermining or insulting the President as defined by a chapter of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act. They were singing a song alolegeing that the president was impotent.
They were allegedly singing: "Bob hauna mwana, tora vana vaPamire udzorere kudzinza ravo, Mugabe chibva hatikendenge chero wakabata pfuti."(Bob, you have no child; take Pamire's children and return them to their roots. Mugabe, leave office now; we don't care if you are armed with a gun.)
Still fresh in many people's minds in the capital is the recent Oliver Mtukudzi show at the Andy Miller Hall where revelLers gave the middle finger to a portrait of Mugabe hanging on the walls of the show's venue while Tuku belted out his massively popular hit track, Bvuma, which ridicules old men who refuse to accept that age has caught up with them. As has become the norm at most shows, people waved open palms - the campaign symbols of the opposition MDC.
Four people were whisked away by police and subsequently accused of inciting people to insult the person of the president. The state has, however, dropped the charges and has said it will proceed by way of summons, if need be.
A senior police officer told The Zimbabwean this week: "Mudhara ava liability manje (President Mugabe is now a liability.) I sincerely think it is time for him to make a dignified exit. People have suffered enough."

Health fees soar as strike continues

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - The Zimbabwean government has increased hospital fees by between 50
and 100 percent as the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare grapples to meet
escalating health costs and raise funds to pay the striking doctors.
The hike in hospital fees is in line with the National Association of
Medical Aid Societies charges, deputy minister of Health and Child Welfare
Edwin Muguti said. The revision of hospital fees and tariffs is one strategy
through which his under-funded ministry intends to supplement its budget
allocation.
The hike comes as government gazettes statutory instrument 263/2006 which
has fixed new fees for registration of medicines, licences and permits under
the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act. Striking doctors dug in
their heels, refusing to return to work despite a bout of threats from
government.  The striking doctors want a salary of $5 million plus other
perks. They are currently taking home $56,000.
It is hoped that the increases in hospital fees will help resuscitate health
standards which have virtually collapsed at some hospitals, the junior
deputy minister added. He denied reports that he had threatened to fire
striking junior doctors who did not return to work as ordered.

Daily power blackouts in Harare

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - Blackouts have returned to haunt power-starved Zimbabweans amid a
deepening power shortage caused by intermittent breakdowns at the archaic
national power station, a regional power deficit and increased demand by
industries re-opening after the holidays.
Urban families are turning to firewood for cooking and heating. Household
electricity goods are getting damaged as the power utility sometimes pumps
freak electrical surges after restoration of supplies.
The state-run Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) said the power
utility had to resort to "massive load-shedding on a rotation basis"
following a breakdown on some of the six generators at the Hwange power
depot and cable theft on a line bringing electricity from the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
A crippling foreign currency crisis has hampered the rehabilitation and
expansion of the Kariba South and the Hwange Power Stations. The loss-making
power utility is currently producing only 550 megawatts instead of the
installed capacity of 920 megawatts.
ZESA made a loss of Z$8 trillion by December last year. The power utility is
currently saddled with debts in excess of US$330 million.
Zimbabwe imports 40 percent of its power needs, with 100 megawatts a month
from the DRC, 200 megawatts from Mozambique and up to 450 and 300 megawatts
from South Africa and Zambia respectively. ZESA is currently in talks with
Mozambique to ramp its imports to 300 megawatts. Its also negotiating for
increased imports from DRC to 150 megawatts and another 300 megawatts from
Zambia.
Imports were expected to stop in 2007 due to an anticipated power deficit
across southern Africa resulting from increased demand.
In December, the populous township of Chitungwiza, south-east of Harare, was
plunged in darkness for two weeks due to technical problems at a local power
station.

Coal shortage cripples industry

The Zimbabwean

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - Zimbabwe's manufacturing and agriculture sectors, which thrive on
coal for their daily operations, are facing a critical shortage of the
product forcing many to import coal from South Africa in order to survive.
The imported product costs almost 10 times more per tonne than when secured
locally.
Hwange Colliery public relations manager, Clifford Nkomo, said the colliery,
which mines Zimbabwe's vast coal deposits, was unable to verify reports that
South African coal was finding its way into the Zimbabwean market. He said
there were two major problems responsible for coal shortages - shortage of
funds and a breakdown on the secondary crushing plant and conveyor belting
systems.
He said due to the erratic wagon supplies, the colliery company had been
unable to load a steady stream of wagons and time lost due to wagon shortage
could not be recovered.
Nkomo told the official media that the coal mining company was owed almost
$3 billion by ZESA Holdings  and the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company
(Ziscosteel).
Ziscosteel is currently reeling under heavy debts following massive asset
stripping and looting by top government officials, including the two Vice
Presidents Joice Mujuru and Joseph Msika.
ZESA Holdings owes Hwange Colliery $2 billion while Ziscosteel is in debt of
$800 million to the colliery company. "This debt has been accumulating since
October last year and as a result, we have been failing to viably operate
owing to intermittent breakdowns of our machinery and we cannot respond
quickly to breakdowns due to lack of funds," Nkomo was quoted in the
official press here.
Industrialists who spoke to The Zimbabwean said they were disappointed by
the continued problems in coal supply as there seemed to be no improvement
despite assurances from Hwange Colliery, and NRZ that the problem would be
rectified.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Amos Midzi was said to have hurriedly
flown to Hwange "to get some answers" last week.
Ziscosteel spokesperson Augustine Timbe staunchly refused to comment amid
reports government has banned any form of correspondence between the press
and company officials since the eruption of the Ziscogate scandal last year.
The critical coal shortage has also adversely affected the curing of
tobacco, which is one of the major source of foreign currency to Zimbabwe.
Farmers spoke of a critical shortage of the washed grade coal for curing
tobacco. Most tobacco farmers have started curing their tobacco, but they
wanted the washed grade because they use automatic feeders.
"In the current crisis, we have resorted to using low-grade coal dust. It is
absolutely unacceptable," said a tobacco farmer who declined to be named.

ZNA plans war vets reserve force

The Zimbabwean

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - The Zimbabwe National Army will this year set up a reserve force of
war veterans in a plan that will see the discharge of thousands of junior
and non commissioned troops in a move ostensibly aimed at streamlining the
force and cutting back on military spending.
Classified documents seen by The Zimbabwean reveal a plan by the Joint
Operation Command, comprising heads of the army, the shadowy Central
Intelligence Organisation (CIO), police and prisons to "shift from a large
robust force to a minimal self-defence capability."
The Defence ministry public relations and international relations director
general, Brigadier General Trust Mugoba, prepared the document for the JOC.
The plan involves the establishment of a department under the ministry of
defence, which will deal only with the war veterans reserve force.
Mugoba states in the document that the department is being established after
realizing that "war veterans had military skills and could be better managed
by the ministry." The report states that only war veterans with "special
skills" would be considered under the scheme.
"We have situations where war veterans have been called to participate in
the defence of the country since independence, we need a reserve army and
only those with certain skills will be called when needed. We are going to
retrench thousands of junior troops to cut back on expenditure," says the
report.
The document states that since the 1990s, Zimbabwe reduced the size of its
military establishment from 82,000 to 40,000 and then to around 30,000.
Defence attachés said it was clear the move was an admission by government
that it was broke and was struggling to maintain its army amid reports that
troops were protesting at food shortages in the barracks.
Those involved in the protests are mainly junior and have been confined to
their barracks amid reports that some will be court-marshalled, according to
military sources.
Defence attachés said the purge of junior troops betrayed Mugabe's fears of
a military coup.
"It shows he is increasingly getting unsettled by junior troops as he fears
they could overthrow him or disobey his orders," said a defence attaché
privately.
"Remember he has said the army will be given instructions to turn their guns
on protesters. I don't see the junior troops blindly following such orders,
hence the need to recall war veterans who have traditionally been loyal to
him. What the commander-in-chief needs right now is absolute loyalty."
A similar purge is also underway in the Presidential Guard amid reports the
force is being turned into a loyalist corps of quasi-military militia
through
the discharge of professionals and the recruitment of green bombers.
But Mugoba's report denied this, saying "Loyalty is not an issue here, but
we realise that war veterans have a military background."
Observers say a military coup is no longer out of the question due to the
rising groundswell of discontent in the armed forces stemming from poor
salaries and working conditions.

Grovelling messages for VP Joice's 'anniversary'

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - .Grovelling messages continue to be churned out by the official
press celebrating the so-called 2nd anniversary of Vice President Joice
Mujuru.
Extravagance-loving Harare mayoress Sekesai Makwavara has issued a full page
advert "commemorating" the "second anniversary of Mai Mujuru's election as
Vice President and second secretary of Zanu (PF).
"It is indeed a first in every way," said Makwavarara, a political turncoat
voted into office on an MDC ticket who later defected to the ruling party.
"Isu tinozvida izvi. Pamberi nechimurenga (We love this. Forward with the
struggle)."
Almost all parastatals, even loss-making ones, among them Zimpost, CMED,
ZESA Holdings, Net One, ZUPCO, Hwange Colliery Company, ZINWA, ZIMDEF, POSB,
NSSA,issued full colour adverts celebrating Mujuru's "incredible feat" as
"the first woman Vice President."
Said Hwange Colliery: "May her wisdom continue to lead the way in the
government's efforts to turn around the country's economy."
The messages were laced with nauseating bootlicking extolling the virtues of
a vice president who has recently been named in a corruption scandal at
Ziscosteel. During her two-year reign Mujuru has only been visible in
small-scale projects such as official opening of boreholes and donating
day-old chicks to rural women.
Observers say the gushing messages were "dishonest" and were not in tandem
with Mujuru's insignificant contribution to Zimbabwe's crisis-torn
economy. - Own correspondent

Town clerk regrets Murambatsvina

The Zimbabwean

BULAWAYO - Town Clerk Moffat Ndlovu is calling it a day after serving 24
years with the local authority - he retires in April.
He told The Zimbabwean this week that he was leaving the local authority
with mixed feelings. He is proud that, despite the economic crisis, the
country's second capital has managed to continue providing essential
services to residents.
"As a municipality we have maintained the city under extremely difficult
conditions. The city has remained habitable without foreign assistance," he
said.
He is also happy with the industrial peace that prevailed during his tenure,
which he attributes to transparency, regular dialogue and his introduction
of a participatory management style.
During his tenure, the council successfully implemented the Millennium
Housing Development Project and the TransLimpopo Spatial Development
Project.
On the downside, Ndlovu regrets the persistent water shortages Bulawayo
residents have endured since he was appointed Town Clerk in 1999.
"Water shortages have been an annual nightmare, like this year we are in a
tight spot now that bulk water supply is the responsibility of ZINWA.
(Zimbabwe National Water Authority). We have been fortunate not to have a
cholera outbreak."
He also regrets the implementation of Operation Murambatsvina and the
follow-up programme Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle.
"These were nightmarish programmes. We were not consulted as a city. We
would have found alternatives. What Operation Murambatsvina did was bad.
No - that's an understatement, it was cruel. Extremely cruel. The idea was
to make the city clean but that objective has not been realised. The city is
not clean at all," he said.
In the eight years he has been at the helm of Bulawayo City Council, Ndlovu
has served under four ministers of local government.
Looking back, he says: "John Nkomo was the best minister I worked with. He
was very clear, he talked to everybody. He called regularly for information
and you could reason and argue with him. Under Nkomo local government grew."
Ndlovu says the secret of his success has been adhering to sound systems
especially when dealing with councillors. "It's proved important to remain
professional in a politically charged environment. Politics is not part of
the game."
Looking ahead, Ndlovu says he would have loved to go into farming once he
retires. "Unfortunately, I never got a farm in spite of being an
ex-combatant. If the economy was stable I could afford to rest and survive
on my pension - but now I have to look for work."
He hopes to go into local government consultancy, and plans to produce a
manual to help councillors and other local government stakeholders
understand their roles and execute their duties efficiently. - Own
correspondent

Life without sugar

The Zimbabwean

BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE - Zimbabweans might soon have to adjust to life without sugar as the
country's sugar manufacturer, Zimbabwe Sugar Refineries (ZSR) has
drastically scaled down production and is said to be nearing closure.
ZSR has not made supplies to the local market for the past few weeks and
sugar was conspicuous by its absence from the shelves of supermarkets in
major cities and towns.
Supplies were available on the black market for Z$6000 per 2kg pack,
compared to between $1 500 and $2000 that it has been selling when available
in supermarkets.
Sources in management at ZSR raised fears of an outright closure. "We have
seriously scaled down operations. In fact there have not been deliveries for
quite sometime now, save for trickle supplies here and there," a senior
manager said. "It is possible we might have to close because the situation
increasingly becomes untenable. The main problem is the balancing of huge
production costs with government controlled prices."
A visit to ZSR headquarters in Harare last week showed a general lack of
production at the plant whilst most of the workers were reportedly forced to
take leave. A worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "Very few
of us are here as you can see. There is very little production. Isn't it
they told you when you inquired that there is no sugar. We hear they are
considering total closure."
Over 2000 workers employed by ZSR countrywide face a bleak future as they
could soon join the swelling ranks of the unemployed.
Officials at ZSR ducked questions from The Zimbabwean citing their fear of
reprisals amidst reports that some senior government officials had visited
them threatening arrest if they increased prices of sugar or closed down
operations.
Meanwhile Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu said the
shortage was an arm-twisting tactic by producers to force the
government to raise the price of sugar. He said hoarding was compounding the
problem.

Govt adept at stealing from the poor

The Zimbabwean

John Makumbe
The planned NSSA national health insurance scheme is clearly intended by the
rotten Mugabe government to rob the poor workers of their meagre financial
resources in order to fund the virtually collapsed health sector. The past
26 years have taught us that the deceitful Zanu(PF) regime has become adept
at setting up all kinds of "schemes" purportedly to benefit the workers and
the poor people in Zimbabwe, and then the chefs help themselves to the
resources.
We still remember the Pay-for-your-house Scheme that was looted by such
people as Chihuri, the Commissioner of Police, and the second First Lady,
while very few, if any, civil servants benefited from the scheme. Then there
was the War Victims Compensation Fund, which was ransacked by many,
including Joice Teurairopa Mujuru. Administered by Christopher Mushowe, the
national scholarships scheme has been notorious for targeting only the
children of top Zanu(PF) chefs and a sprinkling of poor students.
Evidence abounds to the fact that the majority of the beneficiaries of the
Aids Levy that is charged against the salaries of workers comprise senior
Zanu(PF) and government officials. Admittedly, most of them are sick and
need the antiretroviral drugs, but so do thousands of other deserving
Zimbabweans who have not benefited from the funds.
The proposed national health insurance is obviously going to be another
grand scheme aimed at committing daylight robbery against the workers and
the companies or employers in this country. Further, NSSA has a very poor
record of managing whatever resources the state forcibly extorts from the
workers.
For example, a pensioner currently receives a pittance $12 500 per month
from NSSA. This year the NSSA senior staff is going to be issued with state
of the art vehicles that the vampire organisation has purchased in the face
of so much poverty among the poor. In this economy, the top people look
after themselves very well
while the nation is in economic shambles.
But the proposed insurance scheme is not going to rescue the health sector
from total collapse. Although the money that will be extorted from both
workers and employers will be used for the purchase of desperately needed
drugs and some equipment, it is very unlikely that such money will be
adequate to stem the severe brain drain that has witnessed the exodus of
medical personnel from Zimbabwe into the Diaspora.
At the time of writing this piece, all junior doctors and some senior
doctors and nurses are into the fourth week of industrial action. It is an
exercise in futility for the Mugabe regime to think that the proposed NSSA
medical scheme will halt such job boycotts.
It is time the workers and employees in this country put their act together
and tackle this evil regime head on. The regime must not be allowed to
continue to suck the lifeblood of the people of Zimbabwe to feed itself. The
regime has to be stopped in its tracks.
The ZCTU has already started meetings at all levels of its structures in
order to mobilise the workers against this evil plot. Without some serious
street demonstrations and other forms of civic disobedience this regime will
stop at nothing from exploiting both employees and their employers for its
own benefit.
It will be unwise the ZCTU to wait until July when the proposed scheme is
expected to commence. The time to fight against this evil blood sucking by
the vampire is now. The workers and employers will be fully supported by the
now severely malnourished students of tertiary institutions who are being
made to pay hefty tuition and boarding fees. The Mugabe regime has never
been riper for the picking than it is right now.

IATA threatens to suspend Air Zim

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - Air Zimbabwe faces suspension from the International Air Travel
Association over a US$15 million debt that has been accumulating for about
four years.
This move comes barely two months after it was forced to suspend its
lucrative London route over a US$2,8 million debt it owed the European
Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation, which had considered confiscating
its planes
The Zimbabwean this week saw internal documents for management at the
beleaguered airline revealing that there was growing concern over repeated
warnings by IATA over the US$15 million.
"We have to do something about the debt to IATA because there are real
dangers we could be suspended," one of the documents states. "IATA has
issued the last warning and we must at least make some payment before things
get out of hand. Suspension has dire consequences."
A highly-placed source who supplied copies of the document said the board
had submitted a request to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for at least US$7,5
million. However, the source added, the response from RBZ governor, Gideon
Gono had not been pleasing.
"Gono promised to try and do something following what we understand to be a
directive from Mugabe's office to attend to the matter. But he made it clear
the RBZ was hard-pressed on foreign currency reserves and under pressure
from a lot of serious commitments the government wanted attended to," the
source said.
Air Zimbabwe spokesperson, David Mwenga admitted the national airline had
outstanding debts but declined to discuss further.
It also emerged this week that workers at the airline are back to the battle
front with management over remunerations, a scenario likely to lead to a
halt in operations within the coming weeks. "We are demanding a 300%
increase but it appears there is going to be a serious impasse because it is
reported that management wants to offer us s silly percentage increase of as
low as 30%," a member of the workers committee said.
A victim of Zanu (PF)'s abuse over the years, Air Zimbabwe has been
struggling to achieve viability over the years despite having been one of
the best airlines in Africa at Independence in 1980. - Own correspondent

Land bank denies abandoning farmers

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - The Land Bank has denied reports that it is abandoning farmers in
favour of short-term lending on the lucrative money market, saying it was
only diversifying its activities into other sectors of the economy. The
denial came amid shrill calls by new farmers that they have been neglected
by the bank since it became fully commercialized. They said some of the
farmers who had been dealing with the financial institution for years were
now failing to secure loans for their farming operations, despite having
maintained a clean record in repayments and also armed with government's
99-year leases. "It is not true that we are neglecting one section of our
customer base in preference of the money market," said the bank in a
statement.
A spokesman insisted the bank was actively assisting its traditional
customers (farmers) through facilitating the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Agriculture Sector Productivity Enhancement Facility and was now actively
working with them on the productive sector facility - again extended by the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Z$150 million budget for birthday bash

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - As President Robert Mugabe prepares to celebrate his 83rd birthday
in a lavish ceremony in the Midlands provincial capital of Gweru on February
24, the mood among the country's opposition, media and judiciary could
hardly be less festive.
To Mugabe's few remaining admirers the gala will be an outpouring of
adoration for a man who has dared defy western imperialism and taken long
overdue steps to end years of colonial injustice. But it coincides with
increased harassment of the opposition, restrictive registration
requirements for journalists, intimidation of critical domestic media and a
debilitating economic crisis that has left more than 80 percent of the
population living in abject poverty.
The ruling Zanu (PF) party officially launched the preparations for the 21st
February Movement on Saturday at the Zanu (PF) headquarters.
Youth Affairs secretary Absalom Sikhosana announced that this year's
celebrations would be run under the theme: "Youth Empowerment for a
Prosperous and Peaceful Zimbabwe."
Sikhosana said Zanu (PF) was looking for Z$150 million and Emmanuel Fundira,
deputized by Chipinge South MP Enock Porusingazi, would spearhead the
fundraising

The economy - driving force behind change

The Zimbabwean

BY MUONGORORI
'At last the patience and tolerance of the Mugabe regime is running thin in
the SADC region'
'The day that the Police stand by or even join in a protest over living
standards, is the day that Zanu (PF) is finished'
BULAWAYO - The driving force behind political change this year will be the
economy. Already the reality of the conditions forecast by analysts is
impacting on the consciousness of the majority of Zimbabweans. Inflation has
begun to accelerate in earnest. Workers are unable to afford transport and
are walking to and from work, doctors in the State sector are on strike and
wildcat strikes are taking place in many other sectors.
The state is just making things worse - we have seen certain
state-controlled institutions buying foreign exchange on the open market and
driving down the value of the local currency. The attack on the mining
industry has frozen all development and expansion and totally disrupted the
informal sector, displacing hundred of thousands of people who were making a
living from gold and diamonds.
The threat to change the currency over 24 hours (a ridiculous action
designed to completely dislocate the smooth change over that is required)
will also cause much distress. The announcement that the State social
security agency (NSSA) is going to raise compulsory contributions to 16 per
cent of gross salaries (an enormous new tax) to pay for State run hospitals
is also pending. We are already the most highly taxed community in the
region and this will push the situation into the realm of the impossible in
terms of tolerance and capacity. Take home pay for many will be reduced to a
fraction of their pay by this measure with no significant benefit.
The question is, will this situation push people over the edge? I think it
will and it is the deteriorating economy that will be the most significant
factor in the political realm this year. This will be made even more
significant by the fact that we are in the throes of a very poor
agricultural season. It is difficult to know what will push people over the
edge, but food prices and shortages might well be the trigger, as they were
in the late 90's.
I also see growing signs that at last the patience and tolerance of the
Mugabe regime is running thin in the SADC region. Its about time and these
leaders remain the most effective means of bringing pressure to bear on the
present government to put their house in order. I think international
pressure will be unrelenting. The targeted sanctions against the leadership
of this regime will be renewed in February and the same states that are
leading this campaign will increase their pressure on African leaders to "do
something" about Mugabe and the errant leadership of Zanu (PF).
But change may also come from another unexpected quarter. Last week a senior
Police Officer spoke to a colleague in the MDC and said that if ever the
country needed the MDC leadership on the streets, it was now. He is in the
law and order section in Bulawayo (the political unit) so these remarks from
someone who spends his days trying to keep the lid on the protests is
significant. We are also getting reports from all the other sections of the
security forces including the CIO. People are unhappy and the patronage that
has served Zanu (PF) so well in the past decade is disintegrating as the
State runs out of money and capacity to maintain the system.
The day that the Police stand by or even join in a protest over living
standards, is the day that Zanu (PF) is finished. They no longer have any
significant support among the general populace. That day could be closer
than we think and the sole remaining pillars of support for this oligarchy
are the police, the army and the CIO.
My great fear has always been that without significant external influence
and pressure (possible only from the SADC States) that weary, battered
Zimbabweans would be subjected to a chaotic and violent transition - the
outcome of which would be anyone's guess, instead of the kind of orderly,
negotiated transition to a constitutional democracy such as was achieved in
South Africa, largely under the influence and guidance of the British and
the Americans.
The world has moved on since then and this sort of neo-colonial action is no
longer possible. So it is really up to us. Like mariners approaching the
beach through the waves, we know the beach is close - we can hear the surf
breaking. What we do not know is what rocks lie under the surf and how much
of a soft landing we will get when we get there. A business colleague asked
me about my expectations and I said - I have my life jacket on and am ready
for whatever this year throws at me. I am sure we will get wet, but I am
also sure we do not have that long to wait any longer.

Top MDC women leave for AU

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - The Tsvangirai-led MDC has dispatched a high-powered delegation to
the 6th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa next week,
as the party cranks up its international diplomatic offensive.
Another delegation led by lands secretary, Seiso Moyo, has gone to Kenya to
sensitise heads of state meeting at the World Social Forum on the deepening
political crisis in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwean heard that the MDC team, Policy and Research secretary Sekai
Holland and deputy International Relations secretary Grace Kwinjeh, would
present an "important message" from Morgan Tsvangirai to the current AU
chairman, Ouma Konare.
They were also due to seek an audience with the new United Nations secretary
general Ban Ki-Moon, who is scheduled to attend the ordinary session.
It was unclear if President Robert Mugabe would attend the session, amid
speculation that, for the first time, he would stay away fearing strong
censure over his ruinous handling of the economy. The AU's peer review
mechanism committee has been under sustained pressure to call Mugabe to
order.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the party had embarked on a broad
international campaign that involved enlisting the support of key regional
and international bodies in a bid to pressure Mugabe to abandon his plan of
postponing Presidential elections, constitutionally scheduled for March
2008, to some date in 2010. - Own correspondent

Only the chefs can get fertilizer, seeds

The Zimbabwean

BY ITAI DZAMARA
MUTOKO - There is very little hope left for Garikai Makatsa and he now looks
forward to another delivery of food aid by World Vision expected soon for
villagers in Chief Chimoyo's area.
"There is little to expect in the form of harvests," Makatsa remarks. "In my
case, I have lost hope of getting any fertilizer and as you know, our type
of soil can't yield anything without fertilizer. Besides, I planted less
than half of my fields because of insufficient seeds."
Makatsa, a former construction worker in Harare, left the capital two years
ago after becoming a victim of the Zanu (PF) government's Operation
Murambatsvina, which rendered more than 700 000 families homeless. He was
left with no option but to pack up his meagre belongings and head for his
rural home at Nyamakosi Village in Mutoko.
There, he had to improvise in one of the dilapidated huts at his ailing
father's homestead together with his wife and three kids. His father
responded to the situation by apportioning small pieces of land to his
returning two sons, including Makatsa's young brother who is still employed
as a security guard in Harare but without any fixed aboard in the capital
city. His wife and two kids are at home.
The rainy season has been erratic and has exacerbated the plight of Makatsa
and other villagers in Chief Chimoyo's area. With the continuously
escalating prices of all basic commodities, the patience of the people of
this area has been stretched to the limit and it is now only a matter of
time before they explode and shock President Robert Mugabe's government.
A recent visit to the area revealed that people have realised the folly of
the land reform programme. They now openly denounce Mugabe and his regime
and freely discuss political alternatives. The people of Mutoko have in the
past been known for their blind loyalty to Mugabe and his party, despite the
area lagging behind in terms of development.
"It is pointless to intimidate people and expect them to remain supportive
when we can't even afford to do subsistence farming," John Makwembe angrily
points out.
"Maybe these vision people (World Vision) might continue bringing whatever
little they can. But on the issues of fertilisers I have lost hope," he
said.
Opposition politician, and former Grain Marketing Board head, Renson Gasela,
said the situation on the ground pointed to another year of very low output,
even in areas that would receive normal or above normal rainfalls in the
latter part of the season.
"It is another terrible season mainly due to lack of inputs as well as
continuous chaos on the land as the Zanu (PF) government still struggles
with the land reform," he said.
Agriculture minister Joseph Made, who in the past had become infamous for
making wild, but unrealistic projections, has admitted the lack of seeds and
fertilizer but, characteristically, blamed it on lack of foreign currency as
a result of (non-existent) sanctions.
Zimbabwe has been grappling with unprecedented economic problems since the
government embarked on violent lands seizures in 2000, ostensibly as a moral
duty to address imbalances but dismissed by critics as sour grapes following
the rejection of Mugabe's draft constitution.
Brown fields, yet to be planted, characterize the way as one drives back to
Harare after listening to people's emotional stories of how a government
which had promised them all would be well after the land reform, seems to
have floundered into oblivion. It is the same story as one travels through
the valleys of Murehwa and Juru.
But, wait a minute, Mashonaland East governor, Ray Kaukonde's farm, Pajero
Rarubi Farm, about 20 kilometers before reaching Harare has a different
story. A thriving soya bean and maize crop tell of a story of better levels
of production.
"It is only those with a lot of money or politicians who can access or
afford inputs. But they can't meet the national food requirements alone,"
Makatsa said as he lamented the failure of Mugabe's misguided land reform
programme.
Indeed, next to Kaukonde's farm is one Nyamasvisva farm, most probably owned
by another poor Zimbabwean or a number of them, which still has brown fields
of uncultivated land. There is no sign of any serious farming taking place
at Nyamasvisva Farm.

Chiefs obstruct MDC candidates

The Zimbabwean

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - Chiefs and village headmen in 15 rural district councils have
disenfranchised opposition candidates by refusing to give them letters
confirming their residence in the wards, giving Zanu (PF) an unassailable
lead at the end of the Nomination Court that sat last week to accept
candidates for the rural district council by-elections scheduled for
February 17.
MDC failed to field candidates in Mazowe Ward 24, Muzarabani wards 1,10, 11,
18 and 21. Headmen in Hurungwe ward 6, Zvimba ward 16, Marondera ward 7,
Nyaminyami ward 6, Runde (Zvishavane) ward 3 and Mwenezi ward 16, all
complicity refused to provide letters confirming the bonafides of the
residence of the MDC candidates.
A spokesman of the main wing of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa, told The
Zimbabwean that his party however managed to field candidates in Rusape Town
Council ward 5, Umguza Rural district council ward 1, Bulilima ward 5,
Redcliff municipality ward 5 and Mberengwa ward 19.
"The regime used the provisions of the Electoral Act in denying our
candidates the right to file their nomination papers, presumably because
they could not obtain letters from headmen, who have recently enmeshed
themselves with this rogue regime in denying the people of this country to
choose leaders of their choice," said Chamisa.
Chamisa said the papers for MDC candidate for the Chiredzi South by-election
were duly accepted at the close of nomination. MDC's Immaculate Makondo, who
lost the 2005 March legislative poll, will contest the forthcoming election
with Nehemiah Zanamwe (Mutambara-led MDC), Mayethani Chauke of the United
People's Party and retired Major General Callisto Gwanetsa of the governing
Zanu (PF) party.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spokesperson Utloile Silaigwana announced the
setting up of the multi-party liaison committee composed of all contesting
parties to deal with cases such as violence and electoral irregularities.
He said translucent ballot boxes would be used. Polling would be in one day
and the results would be displayed at the polling station soon after
counting and verification and are expected to be announced at the command
centers on the same day.
Silaigwana said presiding officers would be deployed to the various areas
three days before polling and voter education was already underway.

'Sinister rigging plot' - MDC

The Zimbabwean

BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE - Zanu (PF) plans to gain an advantage ahead of the August council
elections through the changing of boundaries to include farms close to towns
and cities, it has been established.
Sources within the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said this week that the
decision has already been made for the delimitation of boundaries in towns
and cities, a move which the opposition parties have blasted as a clear ploy
to rig the elections.
"There will be the delimitation of boundaries ahead of the elections and
this will effectively see the broadening of constituencies," a source said.
"Most of the farms close to towns and cities will be included as
constituencies and people staying there will vote during the council
elections."
The battle to control urban councils has been one of the political boiling
pots in the country and the August polls will be crucial in the power
dynamics between the ruling party and the opposition.
Zanu (PF) hopes to gain a cushion over the opposition through beneficiaries
of the land reform programme whom it believes are among its dwindling
support base.
Both factions of the opposition MDC condemned the planned change of
boundaries as a sinister rigging plot. The little-represented Democratic
Party (DP) also blasted the plans but went further to reiterate the call for
boycott of elections.
"It is the same story of Zanu PF planning bogus elections, which have
predetermined outcomes," DP leader, Wurayayi Zembe said. "The changing of
boundaries is the regime's old trick to rig the elections. But as DP we have
maintained our position that all opposition parties must not participate in
bogus elections."

CHRA column

The Zimbabwean

By Precious Shumba, Information Officer, CHRA
HARARE - SO much has been said and written about possible alternatives to
the illegal commission imposed to run the City of Harare.
Personally, I believe that in as much as we have strong and legitimate
issues against Minister Chiminya Chombo and his illegal puppet commission
there is need to be pragmatic in our approaches to emancipate ourselves from
oppression.
Let me just highlight CHRA's position regarding the illegal entity running
the affairs of the capital.
In June 2005, CHRA approached the High Court challenging the legality of the
commission running the City of Harare. It took the High Court three months
to rule that our urgent application was unnecessary and dismissed our case.
In August 2005 and in April 2006, CHRA made composite submissions to the
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, demanding among other
things, the holding of elections in Harare and the repeal of the Urban
Councils' Act (Chapter 29:15). It is our strong belief and understanding
that the Act as it stands, gives too much unnecessary powers to the Minister
of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development.
On 2 July 2006, CHRA chairpersons and ward coordinators, as the General
Council gathered for a constitutional review seminar at the Montclair Hotel
in Nyanga, resolved to carry out central and decentralised peaceful street
protests, and to pursue any other alternatives to restore legitimacy to the
City of Harare.
The Association's leadership immediately established a structure of
resistance through that resolution. Residents' leaders at ward level then
mobilised their constituencies for a collective response.
On Wednesday 19 July 2006, CHRA leadership, inspired by the Vice
Chairperson, stormed the City centre and bravely marched down the streets of
Harare towards Town House, with the sole objective of delivering a petition,
rejecting the commission.
The petition had several demands owing to the collapsed service delivery,
the inconsistent billing system, and the continued re-appointment of illegal
commission running the affairs of Harare.
One demonstrator, Makwiridza Shumba Musarurwa, 60, of Hatcliffe expressed
disappointment at the way some people scurried for their safety after some
baton-stick wielding policemen pounced on them.
Residents in Budiriro, Dzivarasekwa, Highfield, Hatcliffe and Mabvuku have
organised themselves for the visible and popular peaceful protests at City
of Harare district offices. In all these actions, the residents carried
bucketfuls of raw sewerage, piles of garbage and poured them in and around
the offices of the District Officers.
These were merely tactical responses to an overwhelming crisis. Strategies
are being developed to enhance our fight for transparent, accountable and
legitimate local governance in Harare and Zimbabwe.
CHRA has also advocated for a total rates boycott, legal challenges; and
peaceful street demonstrations, which have succeeded beyond our
expectations. The Government owes City of Harare $1, 47 billion while the
residents owe the municipality $6, 62 Billion, thanks to our rates boycott
campaign. Some undisclosed creditors owe the City of Harare $130 billion.
The resolution to the crisis of local governance in Harare will be
incomplete without addressing the national crisis where the Executive has
subverted the judiciary and the legislature in terms of implementation and
interpretation of the Constitution.
The national crisis is centred on President Robert Mugabe's headstrong
attitude towards good governance. The President has become the national
constitution where everything starts and ends.
The crisis at Town House cannot be resolved without Mugabe's approval, for
now. He could direct Chombo to order mayoral and council elections in
Harare.
Residents, backed by the media, civil society and the international
community have the capacity to bring Harare to its knees through rates
boycott. The solution does not lie in CHRA castigating or denouncing
Makwavarara and Chombo.
The solution to our multiple problems lies with Zimbabweans uniting against
President Mugabe through collective action. Words alone will not resolve our
issues but sustained deeds.

Internal dissent re Mugabe 2010 election

The Zimbabwean

HARARE - The governing Zanu (PF) party has set the last week of March as the
time the Central Committee will meet to adopt the resolution to postpone
presidential elections from 2008 to 2010.
The Zimbabwean heard that the Politburo would meet prior to the Central
Committee meeting, marking the first meeting of the decision making body
following the Goromonzi National People's Conference held last month.
Zanu (PF) insiders said there was massive lobbying for "synchronization"
through the shortening of the Parliamentary term by two years. This
effectively means the country would go to the polls in March 2008 to cast
both the Parliamentary and Presidential ballot. Parliament's current term is
expected to end in 2010 and the Presidential term in 2008.
Zanu (PF) was attempting to postpone the presidential elections so that they
coincide with the parliamentary elections in 2010.
But there is disquiet in the ruling party over this issue amid reports that
certain faction leaders are staunchly opposed to any attempts to extend
Mugabe's mandate.
The issue of the harmonisation of elections was agreed by eight out of the
country's 10 provinces during the ruling party's national conference.
But political developments over the past month have resulted in a change of
positions, sources said. Both factions of the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change and their partners in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign have
vowed to challenge the extension through massive popular demonstrations.
Zanu (PF) spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said the central committee would also
discuss other resolutions from the conference, such as mining reforms and
proposed indigenisation laws. - Own correspondent

Activities for Change

The Zimbabwean

BY SEKAI HOLLAND
HARARE - The MDC has taken the political lead in 2007 by unveiling a
comprehensive agenda of novel activities for change in 2007. Party
President, Morgan Tsvangirai, is on the road for his update on the extent of
the changing and deepening crisis. Every member of the National Standing
Committee is responsible for an area in the 2007 Change Agenda.
New Zimbabwe Series - The first topic attracted a full house of NGOs,
academics, diplomats, activists and members of the public. Addressed by
Economists John Robertson and Peter Robinson the meeting was chaired by
Professor Gordon Chavunduka.
Robertson detailed the importance of  'Property Rights' if Zimbabwe is to
move forward - no matter who comes to power after Mugabe. He emphasised how
impossible it would be to get the support required for investment for the
reconstruction of our country without these guarantees.
Robinson is now part of the team working on the framework for a post-Mugabe
reconstruction programme by the Zimbabwe Institute. He outlined the team's
inclusive complex strategy to get the country off its knees onto its feet.
All Night Prayer Meeting - The Christian Alliance 'Save Zimbabwe Campaign'
last week organised the 2nd 'All Night Prayer' meeting at Borrowdale
Neighbourhood Church. A male support team of Rev Berejena and Jonah Gokova
came with a vibrant pastor who gave an inspirational sermon. The format of
the prayer was an education for me. It was disciplined, professionally
handled, a building block in the DRC process and Change, with grassroots
women in the lead.
There were enlightening procedures and pronouncements which forced me to
reflect on the just, tolerant, democratic and inclusive Zimbabwe we want.
Kuwadzana Rally 2007 - The Organising Department's 2007 programme following
the 2006 structures' audit for Party preparedness for the DRC started with a
bang in Kuwadzana district. Attending as National Executive Committee (NEC)
member supervising Harare Province I was part of the more than 25,000
present. Harare Province with 14 seats in Parliament holds the largest
number of MDC Parliamentary seats. The Kuwadzana Rally was one of the
party's most empowering, exciting, best-organised and largest constituency
rally so far.
The National Organising Secretary, Elias Mudzuri, took the constituency
through the disgusting conditions they live in, of flowing raw sewerage,
uncollected refuse, lack of water, electricity cuts and numerous other
Makwavarara-imposed deprivations. His question to the rally was 'where on
earth do people pay for nonexistent services as Zimbabweans do?' He
requested of the crowd that in 2007 we change our accommodating attitude in
the face of unprecedented abuse by the Mugabe regime. The DRC programme is a
concrete programme to bring change quickly.
The Secretary General Tendai Biti included statistics which shocked the
crowd as he spelt out the death toll under Ian Smith during the entire armed
struggle where the figure of dead is put at 20 000.
Today, Biti stated, we are burying 4 000 people a week which is 208 000 a
year. These figures tell us how our numbers are diminishing at an
unprecedented pace. He spoke about the new life expectancy age heavily
reduced by Mugabe's policies and analysed Gono's excesses on personal
expenditures to match the national budget. Biti asked the rally if Gono is
now God.

Book Review

The Zimbabwean

Was the fight for freedom in vain?
Persona Non Grata, by Bart Wolffe, 286 pages Lulu.com, 2006 ISBN-10:
1430304774 ISBN-13: 978-1430304777, 286 pages
Can one be white and an African? Whites came to then Rhodesia as settlers,
soldiers or missionaries. Many of them retained the mentality of the
conqueror and invader. Many never really sank roots in the country.  Swathes
of whites left the country at the time of independence. Many of these were
recent arrivals, with shallow roots in the country, though many did
undoubtedly form ties to the country and of those who left, many consider
themselves exiles, not emigrants.
But Mugabe's pursuit of indigenisation was always implicitly predicated on
the basis that whites could not be African. His definition was racial - in
the belief that the differences between the races could not be overcome by a
non-racial, inclusive definition of 'African', based on a shared residence
and love of a particular locale, but would always rest on an irreconcilable
genetic difference.
Bart Wolffe's short stories feature a variety of white characters that find
themselves marginalised in their own homeland - Africa. They belong to that
group which generally tends to merit the least sympathy among cultural
critics - the white male. Discourses of the oppressed normally have the
white man presiding at the top of the oppressive hierarchy.
But the situation of Wolffe's characters is anything but.  As the title
indicates, his characters are a collection of marginalised fugitives, lost
souls who frequently drink too much and are hunkering down for the day of
reckoning. A sense of impending demise looms over many of the characters,
with little else but drink and sex available to provide temporary
distraction.
These white men are not the lords of the land but spiritual paupers who
subsist on sufferance, permanently teetering on the edge of a drunken
oblivion. Frequent references to the contemporary situation in Zimbabwe in
the 1990s anticipate the dénouement of 2000. But one derives the sense of
unease that the malady of the white man in African did not derive from the
specific policies of Mugabe in 2000.
Perhaps their malady lies in some fundamental clash of cultures, where the
white man - disconnected from his European roots - has no other place to
reside but Africa but cannot truly settle there. His characters are pincered
on this dilemma. They have nowhere else to go. If they are not accepted in
Africa, it is still where they belong.
On occasion the baroque style of his writing makes this book an
unnecessarily difficult reading experience.  The occasional extravagance of
prose could benefit from pruning. One thinks of the leanness of JM Coetzee's
prose in Disgrace in representing similar depictions of the new, post
minority-rule order.
Nonetheless, his book is rich in ideas and bristles with intelligence. His
choice of the unfashionable white male as a vehicle for examining the vexed
issues of difference raises broader questions of inclusion and belonging.
For wasn't the heart of the freedom struggle in Rhodesia and South Africa
directed at rejecting the proposition that difference could only be overcome
by one group's one expulsion, exclusion or extermination of the other?
The answer given by the culmination of the so-called indigenisation
programme in Zimbabwe was that, in the last analysis, this is in the fact
the only solution. Will this be the answer in South Africa in due course? If
the answer turns out to be yes, then the freedom struggle in both nations
will have been in vain. - FH

The Zimbabwean - Editorial 03

An unfriendly act
Next month the European Union will announce its decision on the renewal of
targeted travel restrictions against Mugabe and his cronies. We have had
disturbing reports that the French and the Portuguese have reservations
about the roll-over.
But we do not believe the two governments would actually vote against it.
To do so would be tantamount to rewarding Mugabe for his continued
repression of the people of Zimbabwe.
Since the restrictions were renewed last February, the Mugabe regime has
tightened its grip on the country, continue to loot state resources until
there is nothing left, thrashed and locked peaceful protestors (including
women and babies) and trampled with impunity upon the human rights of the
majority of its citizens.
What possible reason could there be for removing the restrictions?
Maintaining them sends the right message to Mugabe et al that their
behaviour is unacceptable in a modern world.
Of course Mugabe will jump up and down and fulminate about imperialists
destroying his economy through imaginary punitive sanctions. He knows and we
know that this is utter rubbish.
The economy is in tatters because of mismanagement and rampant theft of
resources by those in power.  So thorough has been Mugabe and his cronies'
destruction of the once-successful nation that the majority of Zimbabweans
are now worse off than they were in 1953.
The country, under the Smith regime, was subjected to real economic
sanctions between 1965 and 1979. It is painful to realise, and even more
painful to admit, that a minority settler government provided better for the
populace than our own nationalist government.
We trust the French government will NOT extend an invitation to Mugabe to
attend the forthcoming France/Africa Summit in Cannes. Such an invitation
would be regarded as an unfriendly act by the people of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe's misrule breeds passionate youngsters

The Zimbabwean

BY KJW
LONDON - After obtaining a diploma in Computer Science Alois Mbawara, like
any recent graduate, should have been looking forward to securing a good
job. Instead he found himself in the same position as many young
Zimbabweans - stuck at home unemployed and watching helplessly as the
economy spiralled out of control.
Alois' family of seven could only afford to eat one meal a day, despite the
fact that his father had a respectable job. Tired of being a burden on his
family, Alois moved to Britain and, with other young exiles, set up a
non-political youth movement with the single goal of taking part in the
restoration of democracy to Zimbabwe.
The organisation, Free Zimbabwe Youth (FZY), aims to lobby African leaders
to take a firm stance on the problems in Zimbabwe. "We want to put pressure
on our African brothers; the Zimbabwe crisis needs an African solution. It
is a privilege for us to meet any African President that comes into the UK
and ask them why they are not doing anything about it," says Alois.
With their passion and energy FZY have reinvigorated the large exiled
Zimbabwean community in the UK, organising successful marches and a recent
'ambush' of the South African Foreign Minister during a speech she made at a
London University. Alois hopes that the actions of FZY will inspire other
young Zimbabweans: "Our dream is to see all young people stand up and demand
their future."
Alois, 25, says he was politically conscious from an early age. "My mom and
dad used to force me to read the newspaper," he says laughing as he recalls
how when the Daily News was launched, his father brought home a copy every
day. As a result, Alois became a great admirer of Morgan Tsvangirai. From
the age of 12 he started sneaking out of his house in Mbare, against his
mother's wishes, to see Tsvangirai speak at the trade union rallies held at
the national football stadium every May Day.
After completing his O Levels, Alois went on to study for a diploma.
However, it became more and more difficult for him to go to classes, due to
the escalating cost of tuition fees.  Becoming increasingly politically
active, he took part in many mass demonstrations, risking beatings, arrest
and torture by the police every time he joined a protest. He said he was
inspired to act by his mother who he says: "Is a true solider who schooled
me on how to be responsible."
Alois is passionate about his cause and he firmly believes he is doing
something that will inspire Zimbabweans all over the world. "We represent
the 99 per cent of young Zimbabweans who would want to do what we are doing.
I wish to tell all the young people who are growing up in poor conditions
that you do not have to be rich to get the most out of life," he said.
 

Food distribution under way

The Zimbabwean

BY JOHAN MAKURA
GUTU - Food distribution under way
The Zanu (PF) government indefinitely suspended all food distribution
activities by United Nations food agencies arguing that the country had
enough food, and accusing them of channelling opposition propaganda to rural
folk.
In an about turn, some 800 starving families were given mealie-meal and
beans on Sunday a week ago valued at Z$12 million (about US$60 000) by Care
International at Chatikobo communal lands, some 300 kilometres from Harare.
Other areas in Gutu to benefit from the food distribution included the late
Vice President Simon Muzenda's rural home area, Zvavahera.
"I am really happy that the government has finally admitted that it can not
afford to feed millions of starving villagers on its own hence allowing the
UN food agencies to restart its abandoned feeding scheme. The government had
swallowed its pride and confronted the realities of life. Villagers do not
eat propaganda, but they need food," said Jaravazi Madondo of Chatikobo.
Care International Area Leader for Gutu District, Laina Matsikiti, could not
be reached for comment as to whether the food provision would cover the
entire Masvingo province. But the officer responsible for food distribution
in the area confirmed that the agency would continue providing food to the
starving villagers in the area. -CAJ News

The Zimbabwean - Letters 25-01-2007

Act now to stop 'clean-up'
EDITOR - Mugabe is planning another 'clean-up'. This is very unfortunate
but, I believe, will send a strong message to the United Nations on its
failure to follow up on Anna Tibaijuka's damning report.
Why is nobody doing anything to stop the madness that has gripped our
country? On Monday, the chairman of the SADC was in Britain and was
confronted by the courageous Free Zim Youths on what plans he had for
countries like Zimbabwe. The reply was wishy-washy. He just chewed his words
and by the end of his statement he had actually said nothing.
We in the Diaspora have to act now and thwart any moves by Mugabe to destroy
people's homes again.
We have already delivered a letter to the president of South Africa citing
our concerns over the move by the Zimbabwean government to destroy more
homes and the livelihoods of the poor.
Where many are going wrong is that they think Mugabe holds all power. The
people hold the power and it is they who have allowed Mugabe to do what he
has done.
Many assisted Mugabe in destroying Zimbabwe's food security and the
supporting infrastructure. In this way, they handed their power to Mugabe.
Now the people have to beg Mugabe to provide food to feed their children.
We have brought this upon ourselves. Unfortunately, we are nowhere near the
point of recognising our collective irresponsibility.
There are many things that can be done to speed up change towards a
prosperous and happy Zimbabwe. The problem right now is that we have become
totemless and behave like servants, not citizens.
JAY JAY SIBANDA (Concerned Citizens Abroad), SA

Students demobilised by high fees
EDITOR - The 2000 per cent fees hike in tertiary education by the government
is a plot to demobilize the students. It is a 16th century, desperate
strategy for which the 'government by deception' must be exposed.
Students are an organized catalyst of social/democratic change in any
country fighting authoritarianism.
In the light of this, the government is eagerly waiting for students to
stage demonstrations and then disgruntled police will be unleashed on the
peaceful protest. Knowing students, from my humble experiences as a former
student leader, these clashes will turn violent and the government will then
find a justification to shut down all the major colleges/ universities in
Zimbabwe.
If research conducted by Zinasu (Zimbabwe National Students Union) is
anything to go by, then a demobilization strategy is already in work - 31.5
percent of students have been forced out by high fees. At Hillside Teachers
College in Bulawayo, there has been a drastic decrease of intake from the
usual 600 student teachers to 200.
The country is on fire. On 7 December 2006, the Ministry of Public Service
and Social Welfare released a damning assessment of the crisis that has
overshadowed the country since 2000. The report showed that standards of
living had dropped by 150 percent in the last decade.
Given such a worrying state of the nation, students - being an organized
centre of resistance - are expected to provide alternative leadership to the
nation desperate for a solution. Mugabe knows it. How can the students pay
more than $700 000 in tuition and accommodation fees in state-owned
universities and colleges when most of the students are sons and daughters
of poor peasantry farmers and civil servants who are also living way below
the poverty datum line?
Students, like all other citizens of Zimbabwe, have endured enough pain and
the endurance bowl is now spilling over.
The fight for academic freedom is going to be the rallying cry for students
as they reclaim their place in a robust political culture, where the
interests of the last are put first. The Save Our Education, Save Our Future
campaign will feed into broader democratic initiatives such as the Save
Zimbabwe campaign.
We will vote in 2008. Little by little, freedom will come.
WASHINGTON KATEMA, (former President of Zinasu) e.mail

Onus is on Britain, not Malawi
EDITOR - On reading the article 'Britain dumping Zimbabweans in Malawi' (The
Zimbabwean, 2 November 2006) I was puzzled to learn that the Malawian
government has no powers to intervene in the deportations to Malawi of
Zimbabweans who used Malawian passports.
The fact of the matter is those people are Zimbabweans, so why then accept
them if the Malawi government will not look after them? This really is a
violation of human rights, accepting people when you are going to treat them
inhumanely.
The question to be asked is: If Britain is a sovereign state not to be
challenged, is Malawi not also a sovereign state able to refuse those
Zimbabweans? Most of these people do not hold Malawian nationality as per
the Malawi Citizen Act. Also, both Malawi and Zimbabwe do not permit dual
citizenship. These people only used the Malawian passport as a travel
document, most of them running away from the brutal regime of Robert Mugabe.
It seems Malawi is scared of the British government. Is Malawi still a
British colony? Is it a matter of a third world country scared to challenge
a first world country because it will be deprived of aid?
Britain must be challenged and be told to verify the deportees' true
citizenship before deportation. Unless the Malawian government does
something, it may seem they are assisting the Zimbabwean government to force
the deportees to return and face a brutal regime. History will judge them
harshly.
WISDOM SOWOYA, e.mail

We need Vodacom service
EDITOR - It was with great joy that I learnt of Vodacom SA's intention to
invest in Zimbabwe as a mobile-phone provider. I thought this was good news
to those like me, who have struggled for years to get a mobile line in
Zimbabwe but failed mainly because the lines are never available to the
public conveniently.
Now that POTRAZ has rejected the investment, it means the chance of having a
mobile line is gone.
It was not for the reason given, that is to protect indigenous providers,
but rather the government fears it cannot control traffic on a foreign-owned
network.
The government must come clean on the real reasons, rather than hiding
behind their excuse to protect indigenous providers who are failing to
upgrade existing infrastructure, expand coverage and release more lines.
I for one enjoy the services of Vodacom here in SA and it's nice to know
that there are four mobile-phone service providers here doing well.
Competition is causing the price of calls to stabilise and lines are
everywhere. There is no need for a black market for lines, as is the case in
Zimbabwe.
When shall we enjoy freedom of expression in Zimbabwe?
STANFORD, South Africa

Tekere fought for freedom
EDITOR - When Edmund Burke said, "Evil triumphs when good men say nothing"
he should have gone on to say, "yet when they speak they are often ridiculed
and taken for fools".
Such is the reception given to Edgar Tekere by the media upon the release of
his autobiography, 'A lifetime of struggle'. Partisan commentators favoured
by the public media have poured vitriol on a man who has consistently
struggled for freedom.
Indeed, it did not take Mugabe to plunder the war veterans' compensation
fund and embark on a chaotic land programme for Tekere to abandon the Zanu
(PF) camp that had long before reneged on its sound ideals. The formation of
Zum (....) in the early '90s, when most were still blind to the dictatorship
of Harare, exhibits Tekere's loyalty to the struggle of oppressed people.
Zum was a refusal to be cowed into silence in full view of injustice and
corruption. Zum was the voice of an anointed visionary to whom a blessed few
gave heed. Zum was a denial of dictatorship.
Today, Tekere continues to expose the culprits who have caused the demise of
the Zimbabwean economy.
The life of Tekere is the life of a man who is guided by the love for
justice and freedom. On the day death finally visits him, Tekere should be
laid among the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. And may his grave be
inscribed, 'Today sleepeth a patriot who pursued freedom unto death'.
EMMANUEL WaCHIRENJE, Harare

Mayor shows way forward
EDITOR - The Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust would like to commend the Mayor
of the city of Gweru for a fine display of true leadership qualities. The
Mayor hosted the local war veterans in the area to discuss the development
issues in the city.
The war veterans on their part acknowledged the initiative and commended the
Mayor for his all inclusive approach to leadership.
ZIMCET strongly believes that leaders should be above party politics to
fully carry out and fulfil their obligations as leaders.
Development cannot be achieved when there is no co-operation and thus the
Mayor of Gweru and the war veterans have demonstrated a high level of
maturity for social responsibility. The war veterans showed respect for
their Executive Mayor despite the fact they are from different parties. This
is a show of how true democracy functions. There is no need to hide one's
political affiliation for fear of retribution.
Many city authorities are currently reeling under problems with no end in
sight and they can learn from the way Gweru officials are conducting
themselves.
ZIMCET believes that differences in political or other affiliations need not
be a recipe for disharmony and violence. Political violence usually is the
result of intolerance and therefore other political stakeholders should
emulate the example set by Mr Zvidzai and the war veterans.
DAVID A CHIMHINI, (Executive Director, Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust)

Did big fish flee
Ziscogate net?
EDITOR - It is irrational for the police to claim they are a crack unit in
the anti-corruption drive when top officials in the Zisco scandal appear to
have evaded the long arm of the law.
Why should the police act with reservations when dealing with these
government heavyweights? Could it be that the big fish have become too heavy
for the net?
If not, police must launch a massive blitz that will result in the arrest
and prosecution of those who masterminded the Ziscogate scandal.
It can only be after such arrests that the public will re-invest trust in
government's thrust to curb corruption.
Mugabe  turns a blind eye to these calls, only to send his armed forces to
kill gold-panners by the river bank, sparking outrage as to who is
suffocating the economy - is it the Makorokozas or the Zanu thieves?
CHIEF WHIP, Harare