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Daily News

Leader Page

      Who wants 20 more years of this kindness?

      1/3/2003 9:20:57 AM (GMT +2)


      By Piniel Moyo

      Listening to 3FM on Saturday 28 December 2002 between 10.30pm and
10.45pm was like attending a political rally.

      The man behind the microphone was Rebel Souljah who literally
campaigned for the Great Leader, the man who is above all Zimbabweans.
      One wonders if the DJ really lives or even stays in this country.

      The man probably decided to be conveniently economical with truth as
he conversed with a caller who identified himself as a Chinese national.
      He told the caller that Zimbabwe was experiencing a few problems which
we would soon easily get over.

      This begs and certainly begets the following questions: Does he not
notice, if he hasn't joined one, the several long and winding queues for
bread, maize-meal (if there is still any), fuel and other basic commodities?

      Is he not aware of the critical shortages of foreign currency, and, of
late, bank notes in our banks?

      Does he not notice the high rate of unemployment in the country; the
galloping and walloping three-digit inflation; the breakdown in law and
order; the politically motivated violence; the collapse of social services
especially the health delivery system? You may name the rest...

      I hope the DJ wasn't satirical.
      As if that wasn't enough, Rebel S was at pains to explain how he wants
the Great Leader to rule the country for the next 20 years.

      As he spoke to another caller he emphasised that he was going to plead
with Jah to make the President younger because in his opinion the Great
Leader is the kindest man he has ever known.

      That smacks of the reverend's "he is holier than me". But, Mr DJ, don'
t we have young and capable presidential hopefuls?
      Nevertheless, I totally agree with you that our Great Leader is the
kindest man in the world.

      Lest people have forgotten, let's remind them that our Great Leader
was very kind in 1997 when he gave out the unbudgeted $50 000 to our dear
war vets and he even generously gave compensation to healthy ministers and
senior officers in the uniformed forces who had 98 percent disability.

      In August 1998 he was also kind to the Democratic Republic of Congo's
President Laurent Kabila when he sent our troops to the interlacustrine
region without consulting Parliament.

      Was he not kind in the early 80s when he sent the 5th Brigade to
Matabeleland and Midlands to lavishly donate bullets to the Ndebele?
      His typical kindness has been demonstrated by the way he haphazardly
gave everyone of us land.

      He is even kind with words. Tony Blair, George W Bush and even Morgan
Tsvangirai can testify to this.

      He has been extremely kind by endowing us with a war cabinet that is
very economical with truth and at times is little acquainted with it: the
likes of the brother who after flying around Zimbabwe concluded that we will
have a bumper harvest; what about the other brother who wants everyone to
queue for fuel at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and The Herald where
there is always plenty of it?

      Isn't our Leader the kindest because instead of retiring from politics
and office, he has decided to devote his energy towards procuring fuel for
you and I? To that effect he has worked so tirelessly that he now complains
of stomach aches and headaches.

      Don't we enjoy his kindness and generosity every year on 22 December
when he gives us a holiday to celebrate the day when his party "swallowed"
leaders of the only viable opposition in the 1980s?

      He surely deserves another 20 years because Tsvangirai will not be
able to do the same if we gave him power.

      Overall, he was very kind in the year 2000 by affording us a new,
democratic constitution which the British-sponsored opposition MDC, the
opposition and British-sponsored newspapers and, of course, the British
puppets in the National Constitutional Assembly rejected. Man, that was the
only referendum in the country since the one held by imperialists in 1923.

      Since the detractors of the Great Leader spurned the offer for a new
constitution he has been kind enough not to bother Zimbabweans with another
constitution-making process.

      It does not require a rocket scientist to appreciate such kindness.
Ndicho chimurengaka ichi!

      Beware God is watching us, Rebel S.
      If that is kindness, who wants it?

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Daily News

      World Vision suspends food distribution

      1/3/2003 9:04:02 AM (GMT +2)


      From Ntungamili Nkomo

      A shortage of supplies has forced World Vision, a humanitarian aid
organisation, to suspend distributing food aid in the Plumtree and
Beitbridge areas for almost two months.

      Vongai Makamure, World Vision's communications manager, confirmed that
they had not been distributing food aid because consignments had not arrived
on time.

      Makamure said the food programme in the two areas was run in
partnership with the United States Agency for International Development
(USaid).

      In other parts of the country such as Gwanda, Matobo, Chiredzi and
Mount Darwin, the organisation is funded by the World Food Programme.

      "There were delays in receiving food allocations for the aid programme
in the Plumtree and the Beitbridge areas, and, as a result, we have not been
distributing food in these two areas for one-and-a-half months," said
Makamure.

      But she said they had so far received enough food to resume
distribution today.

      "There are now about 10 000 tonnes of food in our warehouses, and
distribution is set to resume soon," she said.

      Makamure said the non-governmental organisation fed 59 359 people in
the Bulilima and Mangwe districts, and Plumtree, and 115 452 in the
Beitbridge district.

      World Vision and USaid run a feeding scheme for 6 755 children in the
Bulilima and Mangwe districts. The food is mainly kept at schools where
parents prepare it for the children.
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Daily News

Leader Page

      Only return to sanity will end food shortages

      1/3/2003 9:18:00 AM (GMT +2)



      The only way to end the food shortages caused by a self-inflicted
economic crisis - the worst in Zimbabwe's history - is for the government to
face reality, by accepting aid from the international community.

      It is imperative for the government to bring back sanity and peace so
as to create an economic environment that does not drive potential investors
away or cost the country thousands of lives through starvation.

      The survival of the nation should not be made a sacrificial lamb on
the altar of political expediency.

      An ill-planned and haphazardly implemented land reform programme,
spearheaded by the war veterans and supervised by untrained people, has put
a big dent to the agricultural sector, in a country whose economy is
agro-based.

      Thousands of former peasants who have been allocated large tracts of
land have yet to prove their mettle. Most of them do not have the
wherewithal to conduct viable farming. They have no money to buy seed, which
is not only expensive, but difficult to find, while most lack basic skills
in commercial agriculture.

      This chaotic land redistribution programme could not have come at a
worse juncture as the vagaries of the weather seemed to have conspired to
make things even more difficult.

      The Southern African Development Community's Drought Monitoring Centre
warned late last year that the entire southern African region should brace
itself for a disappointing rainfall season, a euphemism for a drought. So
far those fears seem to have had a sound base.

      In Zimbabwe, normally around this time of the year in most rural
areas, the fields would be green with maize and other summer crops.

      But, the pattern today is not the same as large tracts of fertile land
lie fallow because of the disorder associated with the land reform
programme.

      As a result, this season's harvest will be much lower than normal.
      The government is compounding the food shortage by politicising the
little food available in an attempt to quash the opposition.

      Daily, there are reports of maize-meal and maize grain being sold or
distributed only to card-carrying members of Zanu PF, as if they alone are
entitled to the food being donated by well-wishers.

      Not so long ago, tonnes of food aid sourced from outside the country
by the opposition MDC were confiscated at the border with South Africa and
to this day its fate remains a mystery - has it been distributed to the
needy or has it been parcelled out to the Zanu PF faithful?

      Quite a number of government officials have been accused of literally
cashing in on the food distribution programme. They have made money from
selling food intended for the needy on the black market.

      The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has said that it plans
to feed nearly four million Zimbabweans who face starvation, especially in
the rural areas, by March this year. This figure is actually much lower than
other estimates of the people in critical need of food aid.

      Since February last year, the WFP has distributed 18 630 tonnes of
food to more than half a million people in the rural areas.

      It is heartening that the WFP has promised between 15 000 and 20 000
tonnes of more food aid to the country by July. This is being very generous
on their part, considering how Zanu PF hijacked the food they had intended
to give to the desperately hungry people of Insiza and instead distributed
to their supporters in the run-up to the by-election in the constituency
last year.

      If the government is really anxious about the fate of the millions of
people facing death from starvation, they must swallow their pride and
accept responsibility for the current food shortage. They must create the
appropriate conditions to resuscitate the economy which has itself been
starved of investment.

      The land reform programme is a disaster because it was ill-planned.
      Millions of people cannot pay for that blunder with their lives.
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Daily News

      Government ups propaganda campaigns to record levels

      1/3/2003 10:28:03 AM (GMT +2)


      By Maxwell Sibanda

      THE year 2002 was one of the most challenging for the arts industry as
the Zimbabwean government intensified its use of artists' products to
promote Zanu PF policies and propaganda.

      By the end of the year, more than five music albums by established
musicians had been recorded to promote government policies on the chaotic
land reform programme in which more than 10 million hectares of land have
been forcibly acquired.

      Dubbed the Third Chimurenga (Third Revolution) Series, the catalogue
includes albums Hondo Yeminda Volume 1 & 2, a collaboration between the
Minister of State for Information and Publicity in the President's Office,
Jonathan Moyo, and musicians Chinx Chingaira, Marko Sibanda, Mechanic
Manyeruke and Adam Chisvo; Mwana Wevhu by the Minister of Gender and
Employment Elliot Manyika and Bryn Mteki; Nhaka Yedu by the Air Force of
Zimbabwe Band; Rangarirai by Peter Majoni; Hoko by Simon Chimbetu and More
Fire by Andy Brown.

      Along with the albums, the government sponsored the production of
several musical videos, most of which promote hatred and racism. Violent
video footage of war scenes and scattered dead bodies make up ugly scenes of
carnage in the films.

      The videos, flighted repeatedly on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
Television (ZBC/TV), have disgusted many viewers previously used to family
programmes.

      With all these albums and music videos, the State-controlled radio and
television shut out most other Zimbabwean musicians whose themes revolve
around human rights abuses, poverty, hunger and corruption.

      Musicians and bands who recorded propaganda music were the only ones
hired by government in 2002 to sing at all State functions, including the
Independence Day celebrations.

      And because the government is still reluctant to open up the airwaves
to independent radio and television stations, protest music and plays
continued to suffer throughout 2002.

      Dr Thomas Mapfumo, who relocated to the United States citing
government harassment because of the hard-hitting lyrics of his music, had
his last album, Chimurenga Rebel, banned from radio as the authorities felt
it was not politically correct.

      Popular Radio Zimbabwe presenter, Brenda Moyo was struck off the
station's duty roster and later retrenched after playing two controversial
songs.

      The two songs were Black Roots', Jongwe and Zvinhu Zvaoma by Hohodza
band. In Jongwe, the singer calls for the killing of the cock, the ruling
party's symbol, while Zvinhu Zvaoma is a social comment on Zimbabwe's
economic problems.

      The year 2002 will also go into history as the year during which the
Zimbabwe government used artists to produce catchy radio jingles and
television videos promoting the land reform programme. On radio, the jingles
are played so frequent that they dominate all programming.

      The government did not end with the recording of the propaganda music
as it coordinated several arts festivals and events.

      Among them were the Heroes gala in Chinhoyi stadium and Independence
celebrations held in Harare.

      The 2002 Miss Zimbabwe pageant was organised with the help of the
Department of Information and Publicity in the President's Office.
      An official invitation extended to journalists read: "With the
compliments of the Director of State Occasions in the Office of the
President and Cabinet."

      This was a clear indication that the Miss Zimbabwe pageant was no
longer an independent event, but a political occasion, like the 2001
Southern African Dance Festival in which senior government officials were
heavily involved.

      The African beauty showcase, Miss Malaika 2002 was coordinated by the
department of Information and Publicity in the President's Office.

      The $65 million pageant was held against people's wishes as they
argued that there were better things to fund - such as food for the starving
masses and drugs for hospitals whose dispensaries are virtually empty.
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Daily News - letter

      Under what law is Customs seizing fuel at border post?

      1/3/2003 10:06:52 AM (GMT +2)



      I would like you to publish this letter as a warning to motorists
travelling over the border at Beitbridge and I presume at any other border
crossing.

      I proceeded to the border post early on the morning of the 4 December,
and as I stopped at the Customs/Immigration building, I noticed a Safeguard
security guard walking around peeping into peoples car's and trucks. I
thought to myself things are looking up - no beggars and parking/leaflet
touts, plus security!

      Well, after completing the necessary clearance procedures in the usual
filthy hall, we were ready to proceed to the South African side and still
have plenty of time to view the "magnificent eclipse", the ever vigilant
Safeguard security man came up to the car when we got in and asked us what
we had in our chigubhu (container). Laughing, my wife and I said water (as
Beitbridge had no water for the last five days). He did not question this
and we proceeded to the boom, where upon we came across another two
Safeguard men and one Customs official.

      The Safeguards were all over the car like a rash, peering into the
windows and doors. The question was asked: "What's in the "garron"
 (gallon)?" This I presumed was my chigubhu, and I replied that I had diesel
for my return trip. I was then quizzed very unpleasantly by the Safeguard
man why I had not handed it in. When I asked him what for, he replied that I
could not cross the border with fuel and that I would have to go back to
Customs and "declare" the fuel.

      On arriving back in the filthy Customs hall, I was served by a very
polite officer, and on explaining my dilemma to her, she said that she had
to seize the fuel.

      I tried to explain my situation, offered to pay duty on the Zimbabwe
fuel that I would be using once back in Zimbabwe, pointed to the fuel
shortages on the route to the Bridge but all in vein. That my wife was
pregnant and my imminent return to Zimbabwe held no weight.

      She insisted that seizure was the only way out. When I asked her under
what law or code or tariff did this seizure come under, she did not know but
dutifully went of to speak with some body of authority.

      I watched her as she walked from pillar to post and seemed to get
fobbed off each time she spoke to any of the other officers. Another lady
wearing a white shirt came over to me and said that the "person with the
rule book or code" would only report for duty at 8:00am, as it was it was
7:30 and we were cutting it fine to watch the eclipse from Musina.

      By now there were about five other people with their chigubhus. I
decided that Africa had won again and handed over my chigubhu of precious
diesel, praying that I would be able to buy some on my return trip and
promised the very polite Customs lady that I would take it further. She said
that it was my right and that I should have a nice day.

      I would like somebody responsible for these actions at Customs to
write explaining under which tariff, code or law did this come under and to
explain to the public where these thousands of litres of "fuel" go to (maybe
I can now buy it back).

      Needless to say my return journey was a nightmare. It took me eight
hours to cover the distance between Beitbridge and Harare.

      Sean Cairns
      Mount Pleasant
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Daily News

Residents predict tougher year

1/3/2003 9:07:35 AM (GMT +2)


Staff Reporter
MOST people in Harare yesterday predicted a gloomy 2003, with some hoping
they would be able to save enough money to flee to greener political and
economic pastures.
Most said the country's woes could be traced back to the government which
has failed to resolve problems which it created in the first place.

In a snap survey in Harare yesterday, several people said they expected a
more difficult year than 2002 because of a spill-over of problems including
the food and fuel shortages, and the spiralling cost of living.

Loicey Kamamuna of Emerald Hill said she hoped that the socio-economic
conditions would improve and people would meet the escalating cost of
living.

"I will fly out of the country to wherever I dream of because life here is
becoming increasingly difficult," she said. "The situation is compounded by
the fact that disposable income is continuing to shrink."

Dautington Blackaha of Budiriro said he did not know what the New Year had
in store for him because he was only two days into it.

"It is more like 2002 where I had planned to do a lot of things, but I
couldn't manage to because of a lack of money," he said. "I am unemployed."

Blackaha said people should brace themselves for a more difficult year.
Mohammed Hassan, a Somali national, said Zimbabweans must seek divine
intervention to help weather the storm.

A Waterfalls resident, Eva Kwenda, said people must seek God before they
start searching for the elusive Zimbabwean dollar.
"Everything flows from there for the better," she said.

Davison Chingono of Murehwa said he had not made any plans for 2003 because
he did not have resources to implement his plans
"My life is difficult to predict. I lost my job and I have no resources to
start any project to benefit my family," he said.
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iafrica.com

DAN'S WORLD
Mad Bob and the spies

A Happy New Year, then, and all the other standard greetings a thousand
people mass-SMS'd me at Christmas and New Year (when did the festive season
become so technologically impersonal?). And happy the year has been thus
far, in as much as one can take joy from thumping the abysmal and thoroughly
disinterested Pakistanis, or celebrate the now standard English victory over
Australia once the series is well and truly buried.


2003 is a feast for the sportsfan; the year's opening salvo was to have
looked prophetically towards what lies ahead these coming twelve months.
Alas, my partner in soothsaying crime, Darrel Bristow-Bovey, is still locked
away in the romantic enclave that is the Hotel Formula One in Despatch,
having fallen victim again to the feminine wiles of Big Brother's
Ilse-Marie. (I have warned him against such behaviour on numerous occasions,
but Darrel is powerless when faced with a the quiet, shy, Catholic
schoolgirl type that Ilse-Marie epitomizes.)

So that will wait until later in the week, which is lucky, as there are far
more important matters that require attention. One matter, actually, albeit
a wide ranging one, involving cricket matches, undercover agents, and
everybody's favourite raging lunatic, Robert Mugabe.

The English and Australian governments have been banging on for weeks about
the moral need to ban Zimbabwe from hosting World Cup games (English MPs
quietly ignoring the British companies happily trading with Bob's Regime of
Evil; surely none of those companies fund the MPs and their respective
political campaigns.). New Zealand have joined the boycott bandwagon,
despite not being scheduled to play a game in Zimbabwe (small, boring
country looking for attention). But the most surprising person to endorse
the boycott is Mad Bob himself. The little dictator who can't quite manage
to grow a proper moustache is, it seems, more than a touch paranoid. And
then some. Bob is terrified, we are told, of the possibility that the
Australian and English squads will arrive in Zimbabwe loaded to the teeth
not just with players doubling as spies, but also with assassins bent on
taking out Harare's most high-profile nutcase. Yes, Bob.

Nice as the thought is, it's hard to see the England cricket team posing
much threat to anyone (fifth Ashes Test notwithstanding), and I can't see
the Australians really being bothered about anything other than winning
matches, drinking beer, and perhaps smashing the odd dressing room window
(nice one, Matthew). But it hasn't stopped Bob from rounding up his secret
service agents, and instructing them to keep the visitors under wrap.
'Phones will be tapped, movements monitored, and each player will have not
one, not two, but three agents assigned to follow them.

So not only will Bob know exactly which Australian player is ordering his
martini shaken rather than stirred, but when Knight and Trescothick walk out
to bat at Harare Sports Club, look out for six extra fielders at backward
square leg, all dressed in trenchcoats, Trilby's, and dark sunglasses. And I
would have had more for you, but my secret Zanu-PF source suddenly took
fright, cut through the wall of the deserted warehouse I met him in with the
lazer built in to his watch, and screamed off back to State House in his
invisible Aston Martin.

All of which would be completely laughable if it weren't quite so painfully
true. Add the weekend murder of an Australian tourist in Victoria Falls, and
the chances of games actually being played in Zimbabwe has diminished
greatly. In a country where two thirds of the nation are starving while the
fat cat elite live off twisted foreign currency earnings and the looted
treasures of the Congo, cricket isn't really that important. But, as Neil
Johnson summed up so accurately in the Sunday Times at the weekend, the
World Cup was set to bring a little ray of sunshine to a country so
desperately in need of it. Well done, Bob. You just keep outdoing yourself.

dan@metropolis.co.za
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The Invisible Man



Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

EDITORIAL
January 5, 2003
Posted to the web January 6, 2003


The invisible man, Morgan Tsvangirai, is still stunned at the steam rolling
he received through threats,violence and state propaganda during the
presidential election in early 2002. Now that he knows the exact calibre of
the opponents he is dealing with, and how they will use every trick in the
book against him, what is his next strategy, other than having his smiling
portrait prominently displayed on full page ads in the papers? Sometimes
acts as if he was dragged kicking and screaming into opposition politics,
rather than having entered of his own choice

A too-gentle personality for the primitive propaganda onslaught of Mugabe,
Moyo & Co, we may yet see the poor chap drift into obscurity, despite his
having cornered and scared Mugabe like never before. A brave man but one who
has not been particularly innovative as an opposition leader. You can't be
gentlemanly when battling thugs, murderers and crooks and then expect to get
anywhere

Poorly suited for the rough and tumble of the Zimbabwean political jungle.
Puts too much faith in the sympathy of foreigners like Thabo Mbeki and Tony
Blair, not realising Zimbabwe and its problems are relatively low on their
list of priorities. No game plan in evidence.
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Farewell to the House Nyarota Built



Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

January 5, 2003
Posted to the web January 6, 2003


FOR those of us who have a genuine regard for journalism and want it to
improve in quality and stature, recent developments at The Daily News are
particularly painful

Being an independent journalist in Zimbabwe is bad for one's health. The
person who said the 'pen is mightier than the sword' has not been to this
country. Journalists in the private media have been harassed and arrested.
There has been a determined and sustained assault on the free media
landscape in the country. But despite all this, the torch continues to be
carried



It is therefore sad to witness turbulence if not a storm in that small
sector which is in the very front trenches of this battle for freedom in
Zimbabwe. As the deputy chair of The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef)
Iden Wetherell said: "This is not the time for media managers and workers to
show timidity or division that can be exploited by enemies of a free press."
Together with his distinguished media colleagues notably Wilf Mbanga,
Davison Maruziva and Bill Saidi, Geoff Nyarota established The Daily News in
1999 as an independent and alternative voice and the paper quickly carved a
niche for itself in the life of the nation

Along with other free and vibrant weeklies and monthlies notably The
Zimbabwe Independent, The Financial Gazette, The Standard, Moto, Parade and
the defunct Horizon, pluralism of the media and the rules of the democratic
game with all its rights of diversity, of controversy and of polemic, were
alive and well in Zimbabwe

Journalists do not claim to be infallible. Geoff Nyarota and his colleagues
at The Daily News made mistakes as all active and creative people do. It is
only the people who never try to achieve anything who get away with
criticism. Freedom must include the freedom to make mistakes

No law must say you cannot publish lies. The only way to deal with perceived
excesses of the media is not by legislation but by collective action among
news organisations and the efforts of individual news organisations to build
faith and trust within their readers and audiences-each in its own way.
Government restrictions on the media are abhorrent and anathema in this day
and age

There is no doubt that from time to time, The Daily News let both their
readers and standards down. The paper did publish lies which were
sensational and crowd-pleasing. Some of the articles it published tended to
be informed not by open-minded reporting but by partisan biases. It is not
for nothing that The Daily News is perceived to be an MDC mouthpiece

These stories are now a matter of public record. People have rightly
deplored this. As the world drowns in information, people will be willing to
pay more for information they believe they can trust. This means that
old-fashioned virtues like accuracy, proper sourcing, lack of malice,
fairness and balance, will become more-not less-valuable

Nyarota's arrogance, vanity and 'I know it all syndrome' were not to
everyone's taste but few people could claim possession of the resilience and
courage he showed in the face of tremendous odds. He is a man unable or
unwilling to spell the word 'modest' but he brought to The Daily News, along
with his entire editorial staff, a style and independence of action which
few contemporaries could emulate. Remember, this is the man, who, 15 years
ago, with his staff at The Chronicle, exposed what became known as the
Willowgate scandal

None of that scandal would have meant anything or even seen the light of day
but for the dogged hard work of an Editor determined not to allow truth to
become the casualty of greedy and corrupt ministers and senior government
officials. We remain convinced that the litany of awards that have gone to
him have been won because of his courage and professionalism. Even in times
of adversity, for example when The Daily News was bombed, Geoff Nyarota
showed courage, determination and ingenuity, and together with his staff,
stood his ground and kept his newspaper coming out

As pointed out earlier, it was inevitable that mistakes would be made.
Nyarota was far from being a paragon of virtue. But to attack him without
giving him the right of reply, as is currently being done by the newspaper
he established, is a very tragic situation. It is the kind of thing that we
expect government-controlled media like the ZBC and Zimpapers to do

It is predictable, for instance, for a newspaper like The Herald to savage
him for obvious reasons but for The Daily News of which he was the founding
editor-in-chief to sink to that level, is highly ironic. Sportsmanship and
journalistic objectivity are on the line here. How sad that Geoff is being
made into a sort of unprincipled ogre by some of the more trashy newspapers
and the backstabbers among his former colleagues at The Daily News

It is particularly sad given that as journalists across the great divide, we
face more or less the same challenges. The Editor of this newspaper would
not sleep easily if even a fellow Editor of The Herald or The Sunday Mail
were to be sacked. There is always a communality of interests among the
journalists in Zimbabwe. It does not matter whether one is working for The
Herald or The Zimbabwe Independent. When one journalist is censored or
evicted from his position, we all suffer. There is need for solidarity among
all the media professionals in Zimbabwe to ensure our survival

Like politics, journalism is always a bumpy, dangerous and rough road and
any journalist of repute undergoes a constant flux in his or her
life-time-it is all an essential part of creative living. Those who
evangelise against their colleagues must look at themselves in the mirror
and rethink the manner in which they are going about their journalistic
duties. Relations amongst members of the same fraternity are more important
than anything else on earth. Political inclinations should not affect our
'family' relations

We have established a tradition of robust, vibrant and dynamic press in
Zimbabwe and The Daily News has made a substantial contribution to that
tradition. We recognise the sacrifices that have been made by Geoff Nyarota
and his colleagues on that paper and strongly believe that Geoff's good bold
strokes will be remembered long after the disputed details of this sorry
saga.
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Daily News

      Why Nyarota was fired

      1/3/2003 9:01:40 AM (GMT +2)


      By Columbus Mavhunga

      SAMUEL Sipepa Nkomo, the Executive Chairman of Associated Newspapers
of Zimbabwe (ANZ), publishers of The Daily News, has finally disclosed why
Geoffrey Nyarota was fired.

      Nyarota was The Daily News' founding Editor-in-Chief.
      Nkomo told journalists yesterday afternoon that Nyarota was booted out
because he forked out $9,4 million from his own pocket to pay ANZ workers
who were on strike which resulted in the paper being off the streets for
nine days.

      "The facts are that on 19 December 2002, two days after ANZ workers
embarked on an illegal job action, management took a decision to suspend
payment of the December salaries until 31 December . . . ," said Nkomo.

      The salaries would have normally been paid on 21 December.
      "Geoffrey Nyarota was part of the team that took the decision to pay
the workers on 31 December . . . However, on 24 December Geoff unilaterally
took a decision to pay the striking workers without authority. He told the
workers that he had made these personal arrangements to pay them because he
supported their action."

      Last week on Monday, Nkomo said Nyarota's employment at ANZ had been
terminated with immediate effect.

      But yesterday Nkomo said they had to disclose what had really happened
because Nyarota had been quoted by the United Kingdom-based Guardian
newspaper as saying he had resigned.

      "If a case is to be heard in court, restraint must, of necessity, be
exercised in the discussion of the issues . . . Moreover, we wanted to
protect his integrity, but he was the first one to go out first, so we had
no option but to tell it like it is," said Nkomo.

      Asked why Nyarota was saying he had resigned, Nkomo said: "What
happened on the day in question is that I gave Nyarota a letter of
suspension without salary and benefits. He then came back with a resignation
letter from ANZ addressed to Strive Masiyiwa, ANZ's major shareholder.
Technically, he had not resigned from ANZ."

      He quashed speculation that the dismissal of Nyarota had been done
without consultation.

      "Masiyiwa, whose Independent Media Group owns 60 percent equity in
ANZ, and Derek Smail, whose Africa Media Investments (Private) Limited owns
38 percent, were both consulted and both agreed that Geoffrey should step
down. It was a difficult decision, but one which Geoffrey left us with no
option but to make," said Nkomo.

      It has turned out that Nyarota had clashed with ANZ management on a
number of issues.

      Without explaining much, Nkomo yesterday said: "This particular action
was the culmination of a series of actions by Nyarota which went against
almost all principles of good and ethical management.

      "We painfully avoided parting ways with Geoff for sometime, but the
paralytic effect that the strike had on the company and Geoff's unfortunate
decision to support this action . . . was the one which left us with no
option but to let Geoff go."

      Nkomo was quick to deny that Nyarota's dismissal was resorted to to
facilitate the registration of ANZ and its journalists with the Media
Commission as required by the draconian Access to Information and Protection
of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

      "ANZ has not applied to register under AIPPA, because ANZ's lawyers
are making final touches to a court application to challenge the
constitutionality of the registration provisions. No trade-off is possible
for us on the legitimacy of AIPPA and, for this reason, we have sought to
exercise our legal rights to protect the company from what we believe is an
unconstitutional law, which will obstruct our ability to deliver news to our
readers in an independent manner," said Nkomo.

      "Only our journalists - and not the company - have submitted
applications for registration. Amongst those whose applications were
submitted was Geoff Nyarota's. Each of our journalists decided individually
whether or not to register and the company merely facilitated the lodging of
applications with the commission."

      Nkomo said The Daily News had always been produced through team effort
and was not dependent on one individual.

      "We are guided by our Editorial Charter which reaffirms our commitment
to independent journalism and the promotion of the freedom of the Press."

      He took the opportunity to reaffirm his confidence in the Acting
Editor, John Gambanga.

      "The new team leader in the editorial department, John Gambanga, was
recruited to head the newsroom in the crucial position of News Editor by
Geoff Nyarota himself in 2001. Geoffrey had great confidence in John and we
share this confidence.

      "He is the man who, for almost two years, has been leading our
courageous reporters into the field to gather and write news that earned The
Daily News its reputation for independent, courageous journalism."

      He dismissed suggestions that Nyarota had been sacrificed for
political expediency.

      "We are greatly saddened by this attempt to twist what is clearly a
labour matter between Geoffrey Nyarota and ANZ into a political issue,"
Nkomo lamented.
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Dead BC Blunders On What's On Air



Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

January 5, 2003
Posted to the web January 6, 2003

Peter Moyo


WE welcome the year 2003 with the fervent hope that it will usher in a new
era of professionalism at Dead BC

We also hope the corporation will take heed of the cries of the
long-suffering viewers and listeners and bring them better programmes and
much, much less propaganda. Knowing Dead BC the way we do, this will prove
to be a forlorn hope

Nothing, however, changed at the rocky hill during the festive season. Pot-
bellied chief propagandist, Reuben Barwe, was on the screens singing for his
supper by telling us that the best thing that happened in 2002 was the
unearthing of an MDC plot to assassinate the Guvnor

This is despite the fact that the matter is before the courts which are
still to decide on its merits

Then there was that pathetic rented crowd, belonging to an organisation
calling itself Zimbabwe Patriotic Youths Party whose membership apparently
comprises 10 youths who, instead of spending their precious time doing
something constructive, were paid to demonstrate against the Daily News. As
expected, the story was blown out of proportion by the state media including
Dead BC which treated it as their lead story

Maybe the entire rocky Hill should go for therapy over what appears to be
their addiction to silly blunders. Not a programme passes without foul-ups

When was the last time we saw a breaking story on Dead BC? Will there be any
investigative pieces this year, we wonder?

Was in Chinhoyi over Christmas. The reception was poor and viewers spent the
larger part of the day adjusting their sets in vain. There was not a word of
apology from Dead BC

Throughout the festive season, there was a heavy dosage of repeats, from
cartoons produced more than 20 years ago to comedies which are no longer
funny as they have been repeated so often we know exactly what the actors
will say

Apart from an advert on a mobile phone company one which has hit hard times
as evidenced by its appalling service, there are hardly any commercials to
speak of on Dead BC. The result has been an upsurge in the Hondo Yeminda
adverts. Any technical hitch or break sees the notorious propaganda adverts
being flighted

We wonder why the Guvnor saw it fit to give each of the non-achieving Mighty
Warriors, hefty $250 000 cheques when they were knocked out in the
preliminary round of the African Cup of Nations tournament. Surely there are
more deserving cases for assistance, such as the starving millions? Should
the Guvnor not be setting up a Hunger Fund as well?
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2002 End of Year Awards:



Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

OPINION
January 5, 2003
Posted to the web January 6, 2003

Chido Makunike


Worst manager of the year, President Robert Mugabe

HELD on to the presidential palace through a tainted election that further
reduced his waning stature. Is more feared than respected, but the fear is
evaporating. Silly new laws enacted to try to protect him from an uprising
or mere ridicule, show increasing paranoia and insecurity, despite all the
bravado

Has proved rigid and poorly adaptable to fast-changing situations, thus a
poor problem solver. Is treated politely by the likes of Libya's Gaddafi,
and then looks foolish when he mistakenly takes this to mean support, as
evidenced in the fuel procurement debacle

Is more steeped in the liberation struggle era than the present. Dismal
failure at economics, despite having memorised enough facts to obtain an
economics degree

Will likely make a lot of noise and threats in 2003, but is largely
irrelevant to the search for solutions on problems plaguing Zimbabwe. Not a
free man, confesses to being plagued by stress-related stomach aches

I had a sinking feeling when, in December, he threatened to personally
oversee the sourcing of fuel. It's too late for him to try to appear
concerned, relevant and in charge, I don't know why he bothers. Not at all
surprisingly, within days of Mugabe's statement, fuel became harder to come
by and the queues fewer, longer and more desperate.
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Guardian

Zimbabwe players oppose World Cup

Neil Manthorp in Cape Town
Tuesday January 7, 2003

Four of Zimbabwe's most prominent cricketers are opposed to World Cup
matches being played in their country and another five are too concerned
about the consequences of venturing an opinion to comment.
The Guardian asked Zimbabwe international players two questions: "Should
2003 World Cup matches be played in Zimbabwe?" and "Do you have any sympathy
with the positions taken by the British and Australian governments on the
issue?"
Six matches in the tournament are scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe,
including those of England and Australia against the hosts. The
International Cricket Council has declared the country safe for players and
officials but governments have asked their national cricket authorities to
reconsider sending teams there in protest against Robert Mugabe's autocratic
regime.
"You've got more than six million people starving; there's no fuel - people
were queuing at petrol stations on Christmas Day - and basic commodities
have run out; half-a-million people are displaced," one player said. "It's a
question of morality. I'm completely against World Cup games being played
here." None of the respondents answered "no" to the second question. One
replied: "I don't know what the governments have been saying," while only
one ventured, "I'm just interested in my cricket." Five declined to comment
on either question, even after being assured that the results of the survey
would be published anonymously.
Another said it was time for sport to take cognisance of the bigger picture.
"I used to be one for keeping sport and politics separate but maybe it's
time to take a stand," he said. "If the political side doesn't work -and it
hasn't, with the government getting a slap on the wrist from the European
Union - then sport should try and sort out the problems."
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  New Zealanders advised not to visit Bali, Zimbabwe

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

      Xinhuanet 2003-01-07 09:06:55


      ?? WELLINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Foreign Affairs Minister Phil
Goff has advised New Zealanders to heed government warnings not to visit
such trouble spots as Bali and Zimbabwe.

      ??Travel agents say New Zealanders are booking up to 50 percent more
flights to Bali than a year ago, despite the October terrorist bombings that
killed almost 200 people and led to the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministries
advising against all non-essential travels there.

      ??A similar warning applies to Zimbabwe, where an Australian tourist
was stabbed to death at the weekend while visiting Victoria Falls.

      ??The Dominion Post on Tuesday quoted Goff as saying "people can
consider our advice, but in the end they've got to make their own decisions
about their safety."

      ??Goff last week asked New Zealand Cricket to support calls for the
International Cricket Council to abandon plans to stage some World Cup
cricket matches in Zimbabwe, citing human rights abuses there and possible
dangers to the safety of players and spectators.

      ??New Zealand is not scheduled to play cup matches in Zimbabwe but
Australia and England are. The foreign ministers of both countries have
urged that the matches be moved.

      ??Goff said the murder of the Australian man strengthened the case for
New Zealanders to heed the warning against travel to Zimbabwe.

      ??Asked about the flood of New Zealanders to Bali, Goff said, "onthe
balance of probabilities" it is probably safe there at present,but there is
no guarantee there would not be another attack. Enditem

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Daily Telegraph

Mugabe puts governors into restive urban areas

President Robert Mugabe sought to undermine Zimbabwe's opposition mayors
yesterday by announcing that he will appoint governors to the country's
increasingly restive urban areas. The move came after food riots spread to
the sprawling dormitory town of Chitungwiza, 12 miles south of Harare.

The youth militia of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party attacked police and sparked
six hours of clashes. Mr Mugabe's decision marks a clear attempt to attack
the Movement for Democratic Change's local government strongholds, notably
its elected mayors in Harare and Bulawayo.

Supermarkets in Zimbabwe are bereft of staple foods and the United Nations
World Food Programme is feeding three million people. Half would starve
without help. Peta Thornycroft, Harare
ZIMBABWE: Mugabe to appoint governors over MDC mayors

JOHANNESBURG, 7 January (IRIN) - President Robert Mugabe's decision to put two new governors in charge of the opposition-run capital Harare and second city Bulawayo was an attempt to dilute the power base of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC's), analysts allege.

The official Herald newspaper on Monday quoted Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo as saying the appointed governors would work with government agencies to implement development projects like roads, schools, and public works programmes and address "uncoordinated issues".

The two key cities have already been declared provinces, but unlike the other eight provinces, did not have appointed governors and were run by the elected mayors Elias Mudzuri of Harare and Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube of Bulawayo.

"The executive mayors are supposed to run the show but now they will have to report to the governors. It is a frustrated attempt by [the ruling] ZANU-PF to reduce the power, authority and political activity of the MDC by appointing an overseer," said John Makumbe, political lecturer and chairman of Transparency International Zimbabwe.

It would make the mayors, whose main functions are the provision of services and collection of revenue, a secretariat to the governor and would reduce them to ceremonial functions, Makumbe told IRIN.

The government also announced last week it would redraw the cities' administrative boundaries, turning districts previously part of Harare and Bulawayo into rural areas, traditionally considered ZANU-PF strongholds.

"It is gerrymandering in reverse," Makumbe said, referring to the practice of redefining urban boundaries before elections. "It means the MDC is reduced to a toothless bulldog."

However, the government has faced a complication as although the country's constitution allows for more than eight governors, only eight can sit in parliament.

"If they violate the constitution, they would have to amend the constitution," said constitutional law expert Greg Linington. "But although it is creeping up to the 100 [out of 150] seats required to change the constitution, the government doesn't have enough votes. So they may turn to ordinary legislation which they can pass in parliament through their simple majority."

MDC legal affairs director David Coltart said that the party's leadership had sought urgent advice on the legality of the move.

"I have told them it is illegal," he said. "It is a violation of the Provincial Council and Administrative Act. It would also create an overlap between that act, which gives power to provincial governors, and the Urban Councils Act, which gives the mayor sole responsibility for development within the council," he added.

The party's national executive would decide whether to challenge the matter in court.

Of the mayors, MDC party spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi said: "They are already under severe strain and they are really frustrated by this latest invasion of their territory. Their jobs are difficult as it is."

Last month the Harare council was embroiled in a battle to extract enough foreign currency from the government to pay for the chemicals required to keep the city's water supply safe, and the Bulawayo council has struggled to bring in revenue from rates defaulters.

[ENDS]
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CNN

ECB, government to discuss Zimbabwe

Posted: Monday January 06, 2003 6:05 PM


LONDON (Reuters) -- The England and Wales Cricket Board will meet the
British government on Thursday to discuss whether England should play their
World Cup match in Zimbabwe, an ECB spokeswoman said on Monday.

Several British politicians have called for the team to boycott the February
13 game in Harare as a show of opposition to the Robert Mugabe regime.

Mugabe has received widespread criticism for his controversial land reform
program, a policy opponents blame for the country's deepening economic
crisis and food shortages.

Zimbabwe is scheduled to host six of the 54 matches in the World Cup
tournament, which is being staged in southern Africa from February 9 to
March 23.

ECB Chief Executive Tim Lamb will head the team of officials who will meet
the government after he returns from Australia where England have just
completed the Ashes series.

The British government has said it cannot order the England team not to play
in Zimbabwe.

"While it is not for us to tell the International Cricket Council or the
England and Wales Cricket Board what to do, it is Mr [Jack] Straw's [foreign
secretary] personal view that it would be better if England didn't go," a
British Foreign office spokesman said.

Straw told British ambassadors and senior diplomats at a meeting on Monday:
"In Zimbabwe, bad governance and the collapse of the rule of law is the
principle cause of both hunger and anger amongst its people."

On Sunday, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain -- a former Foreign Office minister
and famous anti-apartheid activist -- told BBC Television: "The odious
Mugabe regime would gain an enormous propaganda victory if the World Cup
went ahead."

The ECB has said it wants a decision from the government.

The Australian government has also raised concerns about playing in
Zimbabwe, where their team are scheduled to meet the host country in
Bulawayo on February 24.

India, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands are the other four teams
scheduled to play in Zimbabwe.
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Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 8:15 AM
Subject: Outright condemnation of ICC's safety &security report on Zimbabwe

An outright condemnation of the ICC's Report of IDI Safety and Security in Zimbabwe

Organised Resistance takes this valued opportunity to present to you a rebuttal of many of the claims that the ICC Delegation made in their vague, inaccurate and self-serving report on the safety and security situation in Zimbabwe.

Aware of your heavy schedule we have listed key issues as raised in the ICC Report and have refuted them based on independent and accurate information.

Organised Resistance is outraged that a professional body such as the ICC has seen fit to publish and promote a report that clearly treats the volatile situation in Zimbabwe with little respect.

We appreciate you taking the time to read this critique of the ICC Report and remind you that agreeing to allow Zimbabwe to host any World Cup Cricket matches will serve to legitimise one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world.

We would like to emphasise that the reason why we ask your cricket team not to come to Zimbabwe is based predominantly on the hostile and precarious situation in Zimbabwe which places international cricket players, officials and Zimbabwean spectators at risk

It's not a game anymore.

Organised Resistance
Harare
Zimbabwe

Organised Resistance Zimbabwe

Tolerance ° Freedom ° Diversity

 

 

Email: organisedresistance@hotmail.com

 

 

Please take a moment to read this critique of the ICC's Zimbabwe Report of IDI Safety and Security delegation during November/December 2002

 

 

'Our quarrel is not with the people of Zimbabwe. Indeed, the European Union today committed itself to assisting ordinary Zimbabweans through the country's mounting food crisis. Our quarrel is with the regime that is responsible for Zimbabwe's man-made disaster. The nature of the regime is clear for all to see. At the weekend, the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Abedinico Ncube made clear that people would not receive food aid if they supported the Opposition. It is essential that the Zimbabwe regime understands that the world will not ignore its callous behaviour.'

Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

 

 

Organised Resistance Zimbabwe

Tolerance ° Freedom ° Diversity

 

 

Email: organisedresistance@hotmail.com

 

January 2003

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

An outright condemnation of the ICC's Report of IDI Safety and Security in Zimbabwe

 

Organised Resistance takes this valued opportunity to present to you a rebuttal of many of the claims that the ICC Delegation made in their vague, inaccurate and self-serving report on the safety and security situation in Zimbabwe.

Aware of your heavy schedule we have listed key issues as raised in the ICC Report and have refuted them based on independent and accurate information.

Organised Resistance is outraged that a professional body such as the ICC has seen fit to publish and promote a report that clearly treats the volatile situation in Zimbabwe with little respect.

We appreciate you taking the time to read this critique of the ICC Report and remind you that agreeing to allow Zimbabwe to host any World Cup Cricket matches will serve to legitimise one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world.

We would like to emphasise that the reason why we ask your cricket team not to come to Zimbabwe is based predominantly on the hostile and precarious situation in Zimbabwe which places international cricket players, officials and Zimbabwean spectators at risk

 

It's not a game anymore.

 

Organised Resistance

Harare

Zimbabwe

 

ICC Itinerary in Zimbabwe

The ICC Delegation spent two and a half days in Zimbabwe in their attempt to ascertain the safety and security situation in a country that has been rocked by massive political violence and social unrest for the last three years.

On the first day the ICC set aside only one hour for a meeting with representatives of Mugabe's formal militia, the Police, Army and Air Force

On the second day the ICC Delegation flew to Bulawayo. They spent just one hour meeting with representatives of the Zimbabwe Republic Police force and one hour with the Executive Mayor.

On their third and final day the ICC Delegation spent their time in a number of one hour meetings with representatives of the relevant High Commissions of countries due to play cricket in Zimbabwe. One of these meetings, with the Namibian High Commission, was in fact cancelled. They spent just one hour in a security briefing with the Zimbabwe World Cup Security Directorate, Mr Paul Friendship.

Quote

The Delegation was able to obtain a clear picture of the safety and security environment within Zimbabwe through its discussions with a broad cross section of Government, security and diplomatic contacts.
ICC Report

Reviewing their itinerary, it is disingenuous to suggest that a "broad cross section" of organisations were consulted. Indeed, by selectively meeting with only those people who have a direct and immediate interest in the World Cup taking place in Zimbabwe, the ICC Delegation displayed a gross lack of respect for the safety of cricket players and spectators.

Conclusion

It is patently clear that a two and a half day visit to a volatile country wherein three hours are dedicated to security discussions, and where the ICC has made no attempt to meet with any independent civil society organisations working in violence and victim rehabilitation, is woefully inadequate. It speaks to the fact that the ICC Delegation were in no way committed to securing a true reflection of the security situation in Zimbabwe.

Organised Resistance believes that the ICC Delegation are putting the safety of not only the cricket players, but also cricket spectators at risk by using such an expedient and unprofessional approach in ascertaining the risks involved in staging World Cup Cricket matches in Zimbabwe.

Specific Points

No inspections of any medical facilities were made. Currently Zimbabwe is experiencing a critical shortage of basic drugs. Nurses and doctors strike regularly.

No independent human rights organisations were consulted.

Can the ICC Delegation explain why the Executive Mayor of Harare was not consulted? It is well known that the Executive Mayor is an MDC supporter and therefore highly likely to offer an alternative view of the security situation in Zimbabwe.

 

 

 

 

Internal Safety Environment

a) The ICC Delegation met with representatives of various High Commissions including the British and Australian High Commissions. In the ICC Report, they emphasise the fact that these Diplomatic Missions felt that it was safe to travel to Zimbabwe with "caution".

Both the British and Australian Government web sites clearly express an alternative view. We quote for your interest information being offered by the British and Australian governments to tourists intending on visiting Zimbabwe:

 

Australian

Australians should avoid large gatherings or public demonstrations, especially in Harare, regional cities and towns. They should maintain a high level of personal security awareness and keep themselves informed of developments that might affect their safety.

Official Australian Government web site

 

British

British nationals travelling to Zimbabwe are advised to keep a low profile, maintain a high level of vigilance, avoid situations where there might be tension and stay in touch with world events. Demonstrations and public events should be avoided. There continues to be considerable political tension in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe, which has led to incidents of political violence, which have resulted in serious injury and deaths. Visitors should also be aware that an open hand is the political symbol of one of the main political parties and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted as a provocative gesture. Similarly the carrying of the main independent newspapers (Daily News, the Financial Gazette, the Independent and the Standard) in rural areas and even in some urban areas can provoke a hostile reaction from Zanu (PF) supporters.

Official British Government web site

Whilst the official web site of the United States of America offers the following advice:

U.S. citizens residing in or travelling to Zimbabwe should be aware of continuing conditions in the country that could affect their safety. These conditions include the outbreak of sporadic demonstrations driven by deteriorating economic conditions. Demonstrations occur in both urban and rural areas. Clashes between police and demonstrators have sometimes resulted in injuries to demonstrators as well as to innocent bystanders. Political activity in the country can also result in serious violence, and U.S. citizens are urged to avoid political rallies and exercise caution prior to and during elections.

 

b) Once more the ICC Report inaccurately describes the situation in Zimbabwe when it states quite clearly that no foreign tourist or individual has been killed or harmed in Zimbabwe. The report includes the naïve wording "for political motives". The situation in Zimbabwe is politically charged. Nationals from countries like Britain and England are at particular risk because of the complete breakdown in diplomacy between Zimbabwe and these two countries in particular. Indeed the British web site specifically states:

The leaders of the ruling party regularly single out Britain for fierce criticism, alleging British interference in Zimbabwe's internal affairs. British travellers should therefore be aware that they may be exposed to particular risk and should avoid being drawn into political discussions.

To clearly repudiate the ICC Delegations claims of the safety of foreign nationals in Zimbabwe, we ask you to review the following:

 

As recently as November 2002 (whilst Pakistan was touring Zimbabwe) Richard Gilman an American citizen was shot and killed at a police roadblock. http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_708109.html?menu=

A British UN official was subjected to a terrifying ordeal of violence and robbery while carrying out a food survey in Zimbabwe. http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_712639.html?menu=

 

The Presidential Guards patrolling the public streets outside Mugabe’s residence have killed at least three, unarmed, innocent people who had inadvertently used these roads during the night curfew. One person was a British tourist, the son of Mr. Rupert Pennant-Rea who headed the Bank of England at the time. These heavily armed guards operate within 200 meters of where the wickets will stand during the Harare-based World Cup Game.

c) Diplomatic Missions are continually quoted in the ICC report as advising their nationals in official travel warnings to avoid large crowds. This is precisely what the World Cup cricket matches will be.

Additionally, it must be noted that Zimbabwean activists seldom have opportunities to exploit world media attention. It is therefore highly likely that political pressure groups will take full advantage of the perceived protection of the press during the World Cup and use this event to highlight the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

 

d) The ICC Report states that the opposition political party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) controls both major cities, Harare and Bulawayo and that the deputy Mayor and Town Clerk of Harare supported the hosting of the World Cup Matches in Zimbabwe.

Again the ICC Report is wholly inaccurate. The Movement for Democratic Change has issued a Press Statement criticising the ICC's decision to continue with Zimbabwe as a venue. Indeed, both the President of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai has publicly denounced the ICC's decision whilst Paul Themba Nyathi, MDC's Spokesman has also been highly critical.

MDC wants a boycott of the World Cup in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's main opposition party said on Monday that the England cricket team should pull out of a World Cup game in the southern African country to avoid endorsing President Robert Mugabe's regime. "If the English captain is aware of the situation in Zimbabwe, I don't think he would find it appropriate to come to this country in a situation in which everything is collapsing," said Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change.
http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Cricket/0,1231,2-9-839_1302518,00.html

 

e) It is naïve and dangerously expedient to rely on information from diplomatic sources regarding the intentions of political parties, or political pressure groups operating within Zimbabwe. For the ICC Delegation to use innuendo as substantive evidence that Zimbabwe is a safe place to play cricket is alarming.

The ICC Delegation uses a number of quotations in its report. These quotations are attributed vaguely to "senior city officials" or "consular officials". These so-called officials were consulted by (presumably) a respected and reputable organisation being the ICC. And indeed, the officials were being asked their advice on the situation in Zimbabwe in their official capacity. It is extremely disturbing that none of these quotations which the ICC have craftily used to lend credibility to their report, are named. This anonymity is an indictment of the ICC Report and an indication of the fear that has permeated every corner of Zimbabwe making silence one's best defence.

f) One of the unattributed quotations that the ICC Delegation uses in their report speaks of the Police and Military in Zimbabwe being able to "contain" any disturbances should they arise.

The incompetence of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army is well known. Their ability to professionally handle mass demonstrations in a manner where civilians are "contained" through the use of extreme force is legendary. The ZRP and the ZNA rely on tear gas, sjamboks (leather whips), dogs and batons to control crowds.

Please review the following incident which left Zimbabweans hurt or killed under similar circumstances to the forthcoming World Cup Cricket and which flies in the face in the following unattributed quotation in the ICC Report:

"Zimbabwe has the expertise, infrastructure and capability to deliver a safe and secure event."

Senior Consular Official
ICC Report

 

 

Example

30/01/01 Football Violence
Just a few months ago, more than a dozen people were killed during violence at a football game between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/fasttrack/

 

External Safety Environment

The ICC Report states that a terrorist attack from outside of Zimbabwe, rather than from internal elements is the more likely destabilising scenario in holding the World Cup in Zimbabwe and that Zimbabwe does not pose any greater risk than other countries.

Organised Resistance is not in a position, and would not be as presumptuous as the ICC in determining the likelihood of this. What we can discuss is the fact that Zimbabweans are more angry, and hungry than they have ever been.

We reiterate that the ICC Delegation's inadequate fact finding mission to Zimbabwe makes their report almost defamatory, lacking in credibility and that it should be dismissed as self-serving at best, and dangerous at worst.

Security and safety in Zimbabwe is precarious. People are starving. People get beaten and harassed by the very organisations (Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army) that the ICC chose to meet with and accept assurances from.

Whilst there haven't been any recent external terrorist attacks in Zimbabwe - the ICC Report again fails to recount terrorist attacks in Zimbabwe emanating from South Africa just after Independence - there have been a series of internal acts of terrorism.

The total destruction, by use of anti-tank mines and other explosives, of the printing presses and printing house of the Daily News, an independent newspaper.
16th February 2001
http://www.ifex.org/alerts/view.html?id=8218

The bombing of the Daily News offices in Bulawayo city centre.
10th February 2002
http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=129

The bombing of the offices of the Movement of Democratic Change in Bulawayo city centre.
September 2000
www.mdczimbabwe.com

The bombing of the offices of the Voice of the People (VOP) less than 3 kms from the world cup cricket venue in Harare.
29th August 2002
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/news/2002/August/Friday30/508.html

 

To the best of our knowledge no arrests have been made and as a consequence these terrorists continue to roam the streets and no doubt, the hotels of Zimbabwe. Yet the ICC Report states:

" the security forces themselves believed that they were entirely capable of dealing with this issue".

Further the report makes no mention of the persistent "hate speeches" made by Mugabe and Jonathan Moyo, Zanu PF Minister for Information against the British and Australian governments.

Zimbabwe has banned Tony Blair and many UK ministers from entering the country, and imposed visa requirements on British tourists. The list includes Mr Blair, about 90 government ministers and officials, some members of the European Parliament and leaders of external pro-democracy pressure groups.

Recently, in December 2002 the head of the Commonwealth, Rob McKinnon, was banned by the Mugabe regime from entering Zimbabwe. He intended to visit Zimbabwe on a humanitarian fact finding mission.

Yet England, Australia and other countries are prepared to send their cricket teams to Zimbabwe.

The ICC report goes on to discuss the danger of civil uprising and dismisses the threat to safety based on the fact that such action would be remote and dealt with by security forces.

"Equally, it is likely that any violence, should it occur, would be well away from the players and officials. This type of outbreak is likely to occur in the suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo while the teams and officials will be located in the centre of the city.

It was also highlighted to the Delegation that in the event of any violence of this type, the internal security forces were very well equipped to quickly isolate, contain and address the problem."
ICC Report

The ICC Report fails to mention the NCA march for peace in April 2001, which took place in the centre of Harare, within a "stones throw" of the Meikles Hotel. The security forces being the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stood by while a large group of thugs, organised by the Mugabe regime, clubbed and beat peaceful marchers of all ages and sexes with iron bars, wooden sticks, barbed wire flails and bricks. Once these thugs had dispersed most of the crowd the security forces moved in and arrested the few protestors who had withstood the assault. To this day none of the perpetrators of this violence have been brought before the courts.

Zimbabwe - Player and Officials Security

a) The ICC Report uses the Pakistan ODI as an example of how safe and secure players and spectators are at cricket matches in Zimbabwe.

Activists in Zimbabwe, many from Organised Resistance's ranks, managed to achieve material breaches of the security arrangements during this particular game. These breaches were achieved in spite of the full strength of security (commercial & plain clothed) and substantial police presence during the ICC's one day "model security" arrangement in preparation for the World Cup. We will not divulge the full nature of these breaches at this stage as this would compromise our initiatives should the games not be moved from Zimbabwe. We must stress that our initiatives would take the form of non-violent civil disobedience within the ambit of the country’s constitution.

However we cannot speak on behalf of the more radical groups in Zimbabwe particularly those heading the present campaign being perpetrated by the State and its more militant instruments under the slogan - Chave Chimurenga - (It is now war).

Organised Resistance would like to share with you the treatment meted out on demonstrators arrested at the Pakistan ODI by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Force. These activists were involved in non-violent activity being the raising of banners and the blowing of whistles.

Whilst it might be understandable for activists to be ejected from the venue, it is both abhorrent and deplorable that they are then tortured. The ICC must, we believe, take full responsibility for the human rights abuses that will go hand in hand with staging the World Cup in Zimbabwe.

Tortured because of the Pakistan ODI

EDDISON Mukwasi, the MDC youth chairman for Harare province, was on Saturday arrested by the police together with five other people while watching a cricket match on allegations of distributing offensive material to incite violence. Mukwasi said after they were arrested they were taken to the police station where they were tortured and interrogated. He said they were brutally assaulted by officers named only as Jena and Sergeant Chikande.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200212030227.html

 

b) Organised Resistance is appalled at the faith that the ICC Delegation has put in the medical facilities in Zimbabwe should trouble break out during the World Cup in Zimbabwe.

It is well known that Zimbabwe is experiencing an unprecedented exodus of medical staff, that hospitals and trauma centres are understaffed and that drugs and medication are often inaccessible.

Of course, we are aware that the ICC has the ability to evacuate players and their families from Zimbabwe for medical treatment should this be required. However, the average Zimbabwean caught up in the anticipated violence surrounding the World Cup, will have very little access to adequate medical assistance and facilities.

Harare, Zimbabwe's capital city is currently serviced by a small fleet of ambulances which are constantly on call. Organised Resistance notes that the ICC intends to have 2 ambulances on permanent stand-by for the World Cup.

We hope, with respect to ordinary Zimbabweans, that the ICC will import these vehicles rather than overburden an already pressurised medical rescue system.

Insurance

In the section on Insurance in the ICC report, concern and forewarning is only directed at players, players families and visiting spectators.

It is clear that the ICC Delegation engaged in scant research regarding the situation for Zimbabweans and Zimbabwean businesses likely to be affected by violence associated with the World Cup. The fallout and the damage to both person and property in Zimbabwe particularly through spontaneous riots has become so ubiquitous that Zimbabwean insurance companies do not offer cover to their clients for damage of a "political nature".

There is mounting local and international consensus regarding the fact that internal rioting will take place during the World Cup. In this event it is highly likely that cars, buildings and people will be adversely affected or injured.

Zimbabweans will not be compensated by insurance companies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The ICC Conclusions as stated in their report

The ICC Delegation state that they met with "a sufficient number of people in a diversity of positions in Zimbabwe" to determine the state of safety and security in Zimbabwe.

This assertion has been roundly refuted.

That the ICC Delegation is satisfied that there is widespread support within Zimbabwe for the World Cup to take place.

This assertion flies in the face of the massive support for the call to boycott the Pakistan matches by local pressure groups in preparation for a World Cup boycott. Never before has attendance been so low at an international cricket event.

In addition, please read these latest poll reports on whether the World Cup should proceed in Zimbabwe:

From ZWNEWS, 2 January

Cricket poll result

On 31 December, we asked readers to have their say on the planned World Cup Cricket matches in Zimbabwe. We asked: Do you think World Cup Cricket matches should be played in Zimbabwe? YES or NO. The voting has been brisk. The NO vote was 94.8%. The YES vote was 4.4%. 0.8% were undecided. A total of 4687 votes were cast. Voters were restricted to a single vote per email address. The ZWNEWS poll result is in line with other recent polls on the same subject. On 19 December, Channel 4 News, a UK TV News programme, asked their viewers: Do you believe England should send cricketers to Zimbabwe? Of a total of 7128 votes cast, 93% voted that the England team should stay away. A recent online poll by mweb.co.za, a South African internet service provider, asked: Do you agree with the International Cricket Council's decision to stage six of the World Cup matches in Zimbabwe? Of 2989 votes cast, 9.6% agreed with the ICC’s decision. 18.6% disagreed, on the grounds that the safety of players and spectators could not be guaranteed, while 71.8% said that sporting sanctions should be imposed on Zimbabwe, regardless of the safety of players and spectators. An ongoing online poll by the UK Guardian newspaper asks: Should England's cricket team boycott their upcoming World Cup fixtures in Zimbabwe? Of 1370 votes currently cast, 87% said Yes.

 

That, in its flying visit the ICC Delegation identified that many more groups than not would benefit from Zimbabwe hosting the World Cup.

Organised Resistance would like to point out that the only beneficiaries will be:

The ICC

Robert Mugabe's illegitimate Government

The Zimbabwe Cricket Union

A handful of associated businesses

The most deserving group, namely young potential cricketers are unlikely to benefit from this event because of persistent political violence, intimidation of school teachers, poverty and hunger.

Outside of the Cricket Academy and a handful of private and prestigious urban government schools the desperate atmosphere is hardly conducive to learning, let alone playing cricket.

Several schools in the rural areas have been closed as they have been targeted by the Mugabe regime as being staffed by opposition supporters.

Quote:

The period under study saw the reported closure of 30 schools throughout the country. Most of the reported closures were due to teachers fleeing violence perpetrated against them and their subsequent refusal to go back until their safety was guaranteed. Apart from school closures, teachers were also chased away from their places of employment by either "war veterans" or Zanu PF supporters. The perpetrators would either go to the school where the individual taught and then physically remove them from their places of employment, or just order the transfer of teachers that they suspected to be MDC supporters. Teachers were also threatened with either job loss or personal injury if it was established that they supported MDC.
Source: Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum www.hrforumzim.com

In schools that are still open, teachers have been fired for being non-sympathetic to the regime. As we write this letter these vacant teaching positions are being filled by the youth militia wing of the ruling party. The vast majority of children will spend any spare time they have being subjected to indoctrination and undergoing propaganda lessons at the total expense of sport, including cricket.

Following a national food shortage, which has now reached famine proportions, many communities are being denied food aid by the government as part of a thinly disguised program of genocide through starvation. These practices have been well documented by local and international food aid organisations operating in Zimbabwe.

Quote:

A report by the Danish Human Rights Group - Physicians for Human Rights/ Denmark (entitled Voting ZANU PF For Food: Rural District and Insiza Elections) based on extensive interviews in Zimbabwe over the last three months, alleges that President Robert Mugabe has cut off food supplies to opponents who have challenged the power of his ruling party. It is the group’s opinion that "if it is not possible to increase non-partisan food supplies into the country, starvation and eventually death, will occur along party political lines in Zimbabwe."
Source: Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum www.hrforumzim.com

Our children are suffering terribly in all parts of the country. The fact that journalists who attend the World Cup games in Zimbabwe have been told that they cannot move outside the cities is a powerful indicator of things sinister.

Quote:

We would be better off with only six million people, with our own people who support the liberation struggle. We don't want all these extra people."

- Didymus Mutasa, ZANU (PF) Organising Secretary, August 2002, on the plight of starving Zimbabweans who don't support the ruling party

It is estimated that up to 6 million people will face serious food depravation, if not starvation, this year. This equates to over 4 million children who will soon be too hungry to lift a bat or bowl a ball should it be their desire. It is pertinent to note that the food problems of Zimbabwe lie squarely at the feet of Mugabe following a bloody and chaotic land grab.

In summary the future for children of Zimbabwe under the current fascist regime is bleak and our prediction is that Zimbabwe will, within the next decade, fall out of the test playing cricket arena unless we can encourage an adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratic change in Zimbabwe.

 

Conclusion

It is Organised Resistance's belief that it will not be safe, or secure for players, officials, their families or spectators should the World Cup take place in Zimbabwe.

The spiralling economy and its associated humanitarian disasters, namely starvation, unemployment, violence and desperation will have worsened considerably by February.

We advise with respect, and with the safety and security of Zimbabweans foremost in our concerns, that the World Cup matches be rescheduled with immediate effect.

 

Organised Resistance

Harare, Zimbabwe, January 3rd 2003

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The Times

            New calls to boycott Zimbabwe as tourist murdered
            By John Goodbody



            THE cricket World Cup faced a new threat yesterday when
officials expressed their concerns about the safety of spectators in
Zimbabwe after the murder of an Australian backpacker at Victoria Falls.
            The stabbing triggered a wave of worry that foreign spectators,
including England's Barmy Army, might be targeted when the World Cup starts
next month. England are due to play in Harare on February 13.

            When the ICC visited Zimbabwe in November, the inspection party
gave the go-ahead for the six matches scheduled for the country to take
place because its members were satisfied that there were no security or
safety risks.

            However, yesterday an ICC spokesman said: "We urgently want to
get details and as much information as we can on what happened at Victoria
Falls." He added that supporters of the teams playing in Zimbabwe should get
advice from their embassies and high commissions.

            A spokesman for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which
is meeting British Government ministers on Thursday to explain why it is
still planning to play the match in Harare, said: "We are concerned about
what might happen to any of the Barmy Army who travel to Zimbabwe and will
ask advice from the Foreign Office."

            The answer will be a recommendation for supporters not to travel
and now the ICC has to weigh up whether to move the six games scheduled for
Zimbabwe to South Africa. The other five countries due to play matches there
are Australia, India, Pakistan, Namibia and Holland.

            If the decision to move the games is taken, it will come as a
relief to the ECB, which is under pressure from the Government to pull out
of the match.

            John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia, said that it has
"got to be one-in, all-in, or one-out, all-out" for playing in Zimbabwe. He
is trying to engineer a boycott but with little success. "I don't think it
would be right for any country to say to its cricket authority, 'well our
team can't go to Zimbabwe, irrespective of what others do'," he said.
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Everyone knows how much our family love their cricket - these are only my thoughts on politics and sport - so many sportmen missed out during sanctions and apartheid, so many dreams turned to dust because of anothers greed...... anyway attached are my thoughts.

Pam

CRICKET’S THE NAME OF THE GAME.

"To Play or Not?’ That is the question!

"Consider Zimbabwe - the mess it is in!"

Many cry - "Don’t Go - Stay Away!"

Others plead - "Please come and play!"

Do we boycott this country on its knees?

Pay out money in fines and fees?

Do we go and play - risk our lives

against madmen, with guns and knives?

If we don’t go - what will come to pass

As men in bright clothes play on the grass

of Queens in Bulawayo, Sports Club, Harare?

What will happen? What will be?

Don’t condemn these men of age-old sport

And cast your anger as a last resort.

Look to the Governments of this world to say

To this dictator - "You’ve had your day!"

Don’t expect sportsmen to change

Your world - it will not impact the deranged

Tyrant who stolen your sanity

All in the ‘name’ of Independence - we’re born free!

These men play cricket with fire and passion!

Why else wear clothes of gaudy fashion?!

Six balls in an over - Stumps and bails -

Not of their world - Mugabe’s jails!

Runs on the board, Overs to bowl,

Wickets to take - the trophy - their goal!

Don’t make these men into politicians -

It’s not their job - Not their mission!

Zimbabwe - You have the truth on your side! -

Remember your passion! - Remember your pride!

Don’t turn these players into pawns in your game

This sport is not chess - CRICKET’s the name!

 

7TH JANUARY 2003.

The international hysteria over a cricket match, yet businesses and Governments continue to trade this this tyrant who is guilty of so many crimes!

Pam Crowther

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icWales

AM pledges support for people of Zimbabwe Jan 7 2003




      David Williamson David.Williamson@Wme.Co.Uk, The Western Mail - The
National Newspaper Of Wales


      THERE are claims that it is a political football, but for one Assembly
Member, Zimbabwe is a very real problem.

      Education Minister Jane Davidson lived in Zimbabwe from the time of
her fifth birthday to the age of 14. Her family moved from the United States
to Zimbabwe, where her father helped found the country's first multiracial
medical school.

      Today, Ms Davidson clearly remembers becoming aware of the latent
racism in the white-dominated society.

      She said, "My nanny and I couldn't go to the same park. It seemed
fundamentally wrong - a white person told her off and she had to go out when
I was on the swings.

      "We had a Ugandan Asian family who came to live next door to us. My
parents were asked whether or not they would be happy about this, which was
ludicrous to us."

      In 1965 Zimbabwean Prime Minister Ian Smith declared independence from
Britain and firmly established white minority rule.

      "When we were there, there were 400,000 white people and four million
black people, and yet under Ian Smith the power was under one race," she
said.

      "It was an appalling situation." Ms Davidson's own political views
began to crystallise at this time.

      "It taught me the basis of my political philosophy."

      When Ian Smith's regime finally crumbled and a democratic-ally-elected
government was installed in 1980, she had great hopes for the country's
future.

      Unlike Kenya, the nation had managed to avoid tribal violence, and she
hoped democracy would spread from Zimbabwe to the rest of southern Africa.

      She said, "It was absolutely right that Zimbabwe should have its
independence. I was very excited about political independence and proud to
have been brought up in a country that achieved independence in a way I
wanted it to be achieved."

      While studying and working in Britain, Ms Davidson imagined returning
to the country in which she had grown up. She said, "I remember going to
Kenya with a group of kids and I burst into tears when I got off the plane
because the smells were the same as in Zimbabwe. It was the smell of home."

      When Ms Davidson had children of her own she told her parents she
dreamed of taking them to Zimbabwe when her eldest son would turn 18. Now
she refuses to travel to the country.

      "There was no way I was taking them this year."

      She said she has written to English Captain Nasser Hussein,
Westminster Minister for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell, and Baroness
Amos at the Foreign Office in advance of a planned meeting between
Government representatives and the England and Wales Cricket Board on
Thursday.

      Although Ms Davidson does not want to see sports bodies coming under
Government control, she is convinced it is crucial Britain does not suggest
it is prepared to tolerate Mugabe's human rights abuses.

      She said, "We know Mugabe will try to use sport to demonstrate to the
world a thriving nation.

      "We all use sport as a means of selling our nation. Look at what we've
done with the FA Cup.

      "Look at what we're going to do with the Ryder Cup. We're saying,
`Come to Wales, it's wonderful place to be'."

      She said in her statement, "Remember, we are talking about a country
which has sanctions taken against it by the Commonwealth for its atrocities,
led by man who is now a pariah for his misgovernment; where legitimate
opposition supporters are being deprived of food in a starving nation.

      "These are the pictures Mugabe doesn't want us to see; over which
members of the Zimbabwean independent press have died or been removed. We
should not be helping him to exploit the World Cup to demonstrate the
beauties of a country he has ravaged."

      Ms Davidson made her statement as an Assembly Member, and not as a
National Assembly Government minister.

      "As someone who had grown up in the country, and wants to see Zimbabwe
grow again, I had to add my voice."
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