The Zimbabwe Situation

http://www.zimeye.org/

By Caroline Sithole

Published: July 14, 2013

A Troublemaker Emerges In Zimbabwe Elections, Zimbabwe’s Julian Assange Dishes Dirty: these were some of the top stories on Sunday morning.

A latest popularity index tip based on the “Helmut Norpoth Cycle of Presidential Popularity” has sprung ZANU PF into panic amid a rising belief that Facebook personality Baba Jukwa has become more popular and community gripping than the country’s old national television and radio broadcaster, ZBC.

“If Baba Jukwa truly represents Morgan Tsvangirai, and Amai Jukwa Robert Mugabe and these digits were quickly converted into live ballot votes, then Robert Mugabe’s political career has come to a sudden end,” commented political analyst Perry Mukwatira.

Jukwa Index

The report debated by Indigenisation Minister Savior Kasukuwere, propaganda mouth-ripper Jonathan Moyo and other senior cadres suggests that ZANU PF is now no more. In the report, the pro-Tsvangirai Baba Jukwa was ranked more than 86% in popularity above the pro-Mugabe Amai Jukwa Facebook page. It has resulted in Saviour Kasukuwere admitting in public that he actually intently follows Baba Jukwa’s posts daily.

Said Kasukuwere: “I do read (Baba Jukwa), I am a politician and a smart one too. I find myself in this limelight because of the portfolio I am in charge of. It naturally would attract much more than what I am going through. It is about the liberation of our people. It’s about the economic independence of our country.”

Both Likes and Site-wide talk influence were measured and Baba Jukwa was found to be daily and exponentially towering over Amai Jukwa.

The index has since resulted in top ZANU PF functionaries monitoring progress and encouraging the youth in ZANU PF to “like” Amai Jukwa.

Meanwhile, Baba Jukwa’s Facebook page’s likes continued to rise every second with both the Central Intelligence Organisation(CIO) and top ZANU PF officials following closely.

COMMENT:
21 days to go. Its election count down. Is it too early to celebrate? Celebrate for a new dispensation of a democratic Zimbabwe. Just wondering….

It’s written all over, everybody is eagerly watching as the curtains are coming down on the inclusive government formed in 2009, as the moment of truth draws nigh at hand. Even the atmosphere, the birds, the trees and indeed stones everywhere, seem to be saying, in their hundreds of voices, “Enough is enough, the time for change has come, yes- together we can complete the change.”

This month, history will be made. Very soon you will decide your future. The next election is a simple choice. It is a choice between hope and destruction.

The much awaited Zimbabwe’s watershed elections to be held on the 31st of July will officially mark the end of hunger, joblessness, lack of education, breakdown of rule of law and atrocities as people will vote for change.

No unhallowed hand can stop the work of democracy from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but MDC noble plan of economic recovery will go forth boldly, nobly, and independently, till it has penetrated every dusty street of Zimbabwe, visited every clime, swept every ward, and sounded in every ear, till the vision of hope, prosperity and freedom shall be brought to pass, and even the hard hearted and stiff-necked shall say- “Lo and behold-change has come “.

Let us, then, press on confidently in the fight for what is right as we look forward to the glorious years of peace, food, jobs and justice ahead.

This year’s election will be an election to end a crisis. Zimbabweans have declared to vote for change, for jobs and for prosperity. No amount of violence, intimidation and frustrations will stand between the people and their vision.

This is a great time to live, my fellow Zimbabweans, and it is up to us to end tyranny on the people of Zimbabwe that has been the hallmark of previous generations. This is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford to be passive during these elections; indeed the pen is mightier than the gun.

It’s not hard to decide whom to vote for. There is a distinctive narrative between the performance of Zanu PF in governance and MDC performance in governance. We should not repeat a culture of corruption created by Zanu Pf.

Zanu pf performance before and in inclusive government was proof beyond reasonable doubt of an exhausted party and simply dysfunctional. That anyone can think that Zimbabweans can throw their future in this bungling lot for the next five years somewhat eludes my wisdom.

We have to change the political culture set by Zanu PF over the past three decades of one man one rule, of an imperial President.

MDC national economic blue print currently held under the theme JUICE: Jobs, Upliftment, Investment Capital and the Environment outlines a framework for full economic recovery, with a return to sustainable and inclusive growth policies aimed at uplifting every Zimbabwean. JUICE is the pathway to macroeconomic stabilization, institutional and structural reforms that will restore hope and pride in our economy and spur long term economic growth.

Consistent with its vision to create a better future for our citizens, the MDC approach is a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at job creation, upliftment, capital investment and sound environmental management.

Through a cluster based development model, its policy approach will facilitate the development of economic growth nodes in peri-urban zones to create a more balanced economy, all of which is aimed at reducing high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Come July 31, I will vote for change and so is everyone with genuine intentions for Zimbabwe and its people.

Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC represent the hopes of millions of Zimbabweans, both at home and abroad, for a NEW ZIMBABWE anchored on equality and upliftment. Since joining the coalition government in 2009, Morgan Tsvangirai has shown his capacity to deliver. Today Zimbabweans have access better heath care and education, which had collapsed before he stepped in. But Morgan Tsvangirai can do much more if you give him the job to run the country. 2013 is the year. Let’s complete the change. Yes, together we can complete the change.

Related articles:

Zimbabwe dollar coming back

http://www.insiderzim.com/

Sunday, 14 July 2013 15:46

The Zimbabwe dollar is coming back, probably sooner than most people think.
And central bank governor, Gideon Gono, may have nothing to do with its
return, because he has now only five months in office as he is completing
his second and final term this year.

Not only is the dollar coming back but it will compete with, and might even
be stronger than, the region’s dominant currencies, the South African rand
and the Botswana pula.

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front leader Robert Mugabe
announced at the launch of his party manifesto that the dollar will come
back as a gold-backed currency.

Finance Minister and Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai
Biti brushed this off as undiluted rubbish.

“It is bad enough to suggest the return of the Zim dollar at this present
moment in time but foolish to the point of insanity to suggest in this
century a bullion backed currency,” he said.

Gono also had to chip in: "As monetary authorities, we advise that as per
the announcement by His Excellency President RG Mugabe, the re-introduction
of a local currency is rather a medium to long term aspiration than an
immediate, near-term agenda item on our radar as the central bank.

"Essentially, it is every country's desire to have its own currency in order
to avail potent policy options to policy makers, and Zimbabwe is no
exception in this case. This notwithstanding, the re-introduction of a local
currency requires that (certain) preconditions be met, which pre-conditions
His Excellency the President clearly outlined on the subject."

The return of the Zimbabwe dollar may have nothing to do with the
politicians. God just wants to prove to Zimbabwe that that country will
never go to the dogs because a Man of God was born and died in that country.

The fate of the Zimbabwe dollar was prophecised even before it was phased
out when the Zion Christian Church began constructing its mammoth temple at
Mbungo which accommodates up to 18 000 under one roof.

The church, whose construction started in 2005, is now, however now too
small for its congregation.

The church was officially opened by President Robert Mugabe in April 2011,
nearly six years after construction began.

It was entirely funded by members of the church without any outside help.

ROHR Zimbabwe demonstrates in Harare for the right to vote

Well over 100 ROHR Zimbabwe activists thronged the Zimbabwe Electoral Offices on Friday 12^th July demanding that voter registration be continued until all young people and the so-called aliens are registered to vote in the upcoming plebiscite. Messages on their placards included “my vote, my right”, “allow diaspora vote”, “vote in peace”, “free and fair election” and many more. Passers-by in Harare, surprised at the bravery of these gallant men and women, could only marvel and cheer the peaceful procession. A few members of the public though could not resist the temptation to join but many stayed on the side-lines in fear of what could happen. An election petition was handed over to a representative at the ZEC offices and another at the Home Affairs ministry.

Sally Mutseyami, Publicity & Information Secretary of the ROHR UK Chapter, spoke to some of the participants soon after the demonstration. According to Mr James Ndoro, one of the co-ordinators, the event was originally scheduled to commence at 11 am. However, they chose to delay the start for strategic reasons. On arrival at the ZEC offices at around 12:30pm, they found an armoured police vehicle with riot police, which appeared to have been lying in wait for them, preparing to leave the venue. It would appear that the element of surprise and the strategic move to delay the demonstration was crucial to the successful outcome of the event. As soon as the police van drove away, activists felt safe enough to start the protest and they quickly pulled out their posters and banners – all with the ROHR Zimbabwe logo.

Onlookers who watched intently from a distance, afraid to take part, reminded participants of the danger of what they were doing and the fact that Zimbabwe was still a military state. Clearly, Zimbabweans are still gripped with fear of arbitrary arrest, harassment and torture should they choose to freely associate or express themselves like any other citizen of the free world. In apparent defiance, the demonstrators sang and danced, chiding the ZEC for denying the right to vote to many and challenging the ZEC Chairperson Rita Makarau to do the right thing.

Once the petition was handed over, the demonstration quickly moved to the Ministry of Home Affairs where activists expected to petition a minister. However, both ministers were said to be away from their offices, leaving them with no option but to leave the signed petition with one of the officials. They dispersed soon after, worried that police might accost them.

James Ndoro explained that participants were fully aware of the possibility of police harassment, brutality and even possible imprisonment as memories of the bloody 2008 election were still fresh. But true to the “voice of the voiceless” ROHR motto, activists braved the tyranny. In his final words, Mr James Ndoro said "If the election is for the people, then the people should be allowed to vote".

Other ROHR activists interviewed voiced their appreciation of the logistical support received from the ROHR UK Chapter and their preparedness to continue with the campaign until their grievances are addressed. When contacted, Mr Ephraim Tapa, ROHR Zimbabwe President and Founder, emphasised the 2013 election would not pass the credibility test with 4 million diaspora Zimbabweans being denied the right to vote, hundreds of thousands of young people and the so-called aliens not registered to vote, international observers blocked, state media still biased and partisan implementation of the rule of law, among other things. He added that the result would be a sham election with a pre-determined outcome. He concluded by saying this election was a non-event to all those who had been denied the right to vote and that protests in demand of a free and fair election would continue abroad and at the home front, pre and post the election.

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk

Zimbabwean activist killed

Press Release from the Zimbabwe Vigil – 14^th July 2013

With elections due in Zimbabwe in a few weeks, a human rights activist has been killed a day before a planned protest by the organisation Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) against election rigging.

The activist, Elliot Dhliwayo, was in a car with a senior ROHR official travelling near Chivhu on the Harare-Masvingo road when two vehicles took turns to sideswipe their car and did not stop when it crashed. Both victims and witnesses believed this was an assassination attempt.

Mr Dhliwayo died of his injuries. He was 38 and leaves a wife and three children. His companion is recovering in hospital.

The incident took place on 3^rd July. The protest was postponed and took place on Friday 12^th July. More than a hundred ROHR activists delivered petitions to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Home Affairs Ministry demanding free and fair elections (for full report see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/504-rohr-zimbabwe-demonstrates-in-harare-for-the-right-to-vote).

The ROHR President, Ephraim Tapa, described the death of Mr Dhliwayo as an assassination and said that the Mugabe regime would stop at nothing to suppress opposition and win the elections on 31^st July. He added that being a human rights defender was currently the most dangerous job in Zimbabwe.

ROHR was started by the Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been protesting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London every Saturday for the past eleven years against human rights abuses and in support of free and fair elections.

For further information, contact: Ephraim Tapa 07940 793 090 or Dennis Benton 07932 193 467.

Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators

SADC: stand up to Mugabe – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 13th July 2013

As we gathered for our weekly Vigil on the hottest day of the year so far (30 degrees) one of the management team was on the phone to his mother in Mbare who told us businesses were being closed and people forced by Chipangano thugs to attend a Zanu PF rally – ‘or you know what will happen to you’. Other Vigil supporters also heard what was going on: such is the ease of communications today.

With only a couple of weeks before the elections, one would have hoped that SADC observers would be there on the ground to see this. But our hopes are not raised by a surreal Voice of America interview with SADC’s Director of Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, a former Lesotho military officer, the appropriately named Tanki Mothae, who we note gloomily was a SADC observer at the stolen 2008 elections.

He said some SADC observers are in Zimbabwe but ‘the bulk of other observers will be in Zimbabwe, as soon as member states are ready, which is what we are waiting on now. The SADC Secretariat is busy trying to put together a team that will go to Zimbabwe as the SADC poll observer mission.’ Let’s hope they will make it on time!

Mothae added ‘We are convinced that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is ready. The referendum was a test case, which they managed very well, and I think everybody was happy to see that under these illegal sanctions that Zimbabwe has been put under, they managed to pull through and the referendum was very a well-managed process’ (see: SADC Working With Zimbabwe Ahead of Election – http://www.voanews.com/content/sadc-working-with-zimbabwe-ahead-of-election/1700149.html).

So the problem for SADC is ‘illegal’ sanctions? Not the SADC election requirement that observers should be in place three months before the polls . . . ?

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum accuses Mugabe of trying to intimidate SADC by threatening to withdraw from the organisation (see: http://www.hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/RFK_Zimbabwe_Report-130708_LR.pdf – A democratic promise in peril?) Judging from Mothae’s comments we don’t believe intimidation is necessary . . .

Either way, the Vigil believes the real problem is the stuffing of ballot boxes by Zanu PF and we were joined by Mugabe himself (in the form of Fungayi Mabhunu in our Mugabe mask) who showed us how to carry out this clever Israeli trick.

Vigil supporters have written to President Zuma in the hope of putting some spine into SADC. Here’s our letter:

On behalf of our fellow countrymen we apologise for the discourteous and ungrateful comments on South Africa’s mediation efforts made recently by President Mugabe. We can assure you that his views do not represent those of the majority of Zimbabweans who, on the contrary, welcome particularly your concern for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe has made it clear that he will not respect the requirements of the recent SADC meeting in Maputo and has continued to obstruct any attempt to implement the reforms he undertook to make under the Global Political Agreement. Furthermore, there is clear evidence that the elections on 31^st July are already being systematically rigged.

The Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been protesting outside Zimbabwe House in London every Saturday for the past 11 years in support of free and fair elections, urges you not to recognise the results of disputed elections.

The Vigil also wishes to record our total opposition to any attempt to form a new Government of National Unity if real power again rests with the atavistic Zanu PF party under Mugabe.

If President Mugabe carries out his threat to withdraw Zimbabwe from SADC it is a price we Zimbabweans are prepared to pay as we believe it will deprive the Mugabe mafia regime of the support which has enabled it to survive for so long.’

As the Vigil ended we discussed whether the MDC could win the elections. Sadly nobody thought they could because of rigging. We believe SADC must now choose between standing by its obligations to the desperate people of Zimbabwe or continuing to prop up a geriatric genocidaire.

· The Vigil is to join Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) in a ‘Demonstration for Democracy’ outside the Zimbabwe Embassy on election day 31^st July. More details to follow.

· Following the Vigil’s joint action with ACTSA to mark the fifth anniversary of the Presidential fun-off, the following entry has been posted on Southwark Cathedral’s website. Following a Vigil recently outside the Zimbabwean Embassy in London a Tree of Hope was created. The Tree is now in Southwark Cathedral to focus our prayer for the people of Zimbabwe until the time of the Election. Tree of Hope is covered in red paper roses, with people’s messages of hope for free and fair elections. Roses are used by the women’s movement in Zimbabwe as a symbol of peace. The Bishop of Southwark is calling on the parishes of the Diocese to observe a pre-Election Act of Prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday 28 July. There will be special events at Southwark Cathedral that day.’ ACTSA informs us that other churches in the Southwark diocese are also creating trees of hope for Zimbabwe.

· Vigil management team member Fungayi Mabhunu was interviewed about the forthcoming elections on Arise TV. To watch the broadcast, check: http://www.arise.tv/arise-news-show/arise-news-09-07-2436. Fungayi’s interview is about 35 minutes into the broadcast.

· Thanks to Sihle Sibanda, Egenia Mushonga, Lorrein Gumise, and June, Ashley and Thomas Pedzeni who were at the Embassy at the start of the Vigil to help set up.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website.

· ROHR Central London branch meeting. Saturday 20^th July from 11 am – 1 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA (see forum notice for directions).

· Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 20^th July from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a big sign high above and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It's next to a newsagent. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.

· ROHR North East Region Zimbabwe Day Fundraising Event. Saturday 27^th July from 1 – 8 pm. Venue: Benton Community Centre, 17 Edenbridge Crescent, Benton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE12 8EP. Food, drink & entertainment. Contact Givemore Chitengu 07912747744, Kennedy Makonese 07979914429, Tapiwa Semwayo 07412236229, Collet Dube 07951516566.

· Demonstration for Democracy. Saturday 31^st July. The Vigil is to join Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) in a protest outside the Zimbabwe Embassy on election day. More details to follow.

· The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.

I'm ready to govern: Tsvangirai

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

STAFF WRITER • 14 JULY 2013 7:09AM

MUTARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday said his promise in
the first 100 days of his government was to restore the collapsed system of
governance and the liberation dream for freedom.

“We don’t want power for power’s sake,” Tsvangirai told tens of thousands
who packed Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.

“We want to lead this country to change with a viable plan. Our first
promise is to change the culture of governance in this country. We want a
country that has a free people. But that freedom cannot come if people are
living in fear, violence and always checking their backs on who is behind
them.”

Tsvangirai doffed his hat to liberation war heroes from Mutare, saying he
was actualising their dream for a free Zimbabwe that he said had been stolen
by 33 years of misrule by President Robert Mugabe’s party, which his MDC
squares off with in a crunch poll on July 31.

“I want to thank you Manicaland for providing heroes such as (Herbert
Wiltshire) Chitepo, Ndabaningi (Sithole), Edson Sithole, Chief Tangwena and
his wife and many other heroes who sacrificed so that we can build a
Zimbabwe where democracy flourishes,” Tsvangirai said.

“We are here to revitalise that dream.

“Manicaland never abandoned the noble fight for democracy because you have
always known that independence without freedoms is useless. This is the
reason you have supported the MDC since its formation. Manicaland has never
strayed from the cause. We are already there.”

He added: “We don’t want to be stuck in history. Hondo yakapera (the war is
over), we now need progress. We cannot live in the past, it shows a lack of
vision. We are part of the global village, as such, we ought to respect Sadc
and the UN.”

The MDC leader said the forthcoming election was a choice between a bleak
future and hope saying the MDC’s only objective was to give Zimbabweans a
“breathing space.”

“It may be hard, but I am thankful that we are all committed to cross the
Red Sea until victory is assured,” he said.

Reacting to insults hurled by Mugabe’s wife Grace, who called him loose and
ugly, Tsvangirai said he did not want to exchange vitriol with Mugabe.

“I do not tolerate people who speak the language of hate, provocation, of
violence,” Tsvangirai said.

“Today’s enemy is no longer yesterday’s enemy. Today’s enemy is poverty,
starvation, underdevelopment. Let us not look at personalities, but let us
look at facts of what is on the ground,” he said.

“The issue is not about bad mouthing but it is all about ensuring the
country gets back to where it was. We have passed an era where we talk of
personalities. We are past that. We need as a nation to focus on issues that
affect our people on a daily basis.”

Meanwhile, Simba Makoni, who recently entered into a Grand Coalition with
Tsvangirai to end Mugabe’s rule, said he learned many lessons from the 2008
vote, where he garnered 8 percent of the vote.

The ex-Zanu PF politburo member said there was need to destroy the fear
factor which he alleged has been instilled in people by Mugabe and Zanu PF.
He said even Mugabe was living in fear.

He said his pact with Tsvangirai was meant to redeem Mugabe and every
Zimbabwean of fear.

Makoni said the pact was a commitment to ensuring that Zimbabwe ends hunger.

Zimbabweans were able to feed themselves but expressed regret that with
fertile lands, the country was begging neighbouring countries for food aid.

He bemoaned de-industrialisation in Mutare, saying Border Timbers, Ford
Assembly, and all the companies that used to employ people had closed shop.

University graduates could not get jobs, he said, and ended up selling
airtime on the streets.

“Yes, there are some who should sell airtime, but should one get a degree so
that they sell airtime?” he asked.

He said the door was still open for more players to join the coalition so
that they field one candidate to stand against Mugabe.

“So we are united so that we may have upliftment of every person,” he said.

He added that they were united to build a nation with servant leadership to
end the humiliation faced by the country arising from violence, arson and
intimidation.

“We are still open for others to join us so that we end poverty, hunger and
create employment, end fear and unite Zimbabwe as a nation,” Makoni said.

“That is why we are calling on people to come together in support of the
great vision of a better Zimbabwe”.

MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti highlighted the MDC’s record in the
inclusive government, stressing achievements in the energy sector, ICT
development, road infrastructure, and delivering 13 million books in
schools.

He also noted the dire conditions prior to the GNU.

Biti said the upcoming election will be a defining period and must be a
victory over corruption, underdevelopment, starvation and hunger.

He recounted how thousands died from cholera, schools closed down and
hospitals where dysfunctional.

He said if Tsvangirai could transform the country within the GNU setup, what
more when he is in full control of government.

“Let’s give president Tsvangirai the keys to this country, let’s all go and
vote on 31 July for more,” Biti said.

Sakubva Stadium explodes to change message

http://www.zimbabweprimeminister.org

It was loud and clear. Tens of thousands of people filled Sakubva Stadium in Manicaland Province to make the bold statement that they are ready for change.

It was colossal. Mutare was turned into a sea of red as President Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC-T family converged at Sakubva Stadium for what turned into a giant rally. President Tsvangirai thanked Manicaland for remaining steadfast to the values of the liberation war.

He also thanked the province for providing heroes such as Herbert Chitepo, Ndabaningi and Edson Sithole, Chief Tangwena and his wife and many other heroes “who sacrificed so that we can build a Zimbabwe where democracy flourishes. We are here to revitalise that dream”.

“Manicaland never abandoned the noble fight for democracy because you have always known that independence without freedoms is useless. This is the reason you have supported the MDC-T since its formation. Manicaland has never strayed from the cause. We are already there,” he said.

“We want to lead a government that provides free primary education to all. I do not tolerate violence and hate speech and we denounce that as a party. Hondo yakapera, our enemy right now is lack of jobs and violence, the challenges we are facing today not 30 years ago,” said President Tsvangirai, pledging economic recovery based on pragmatic and pro-people policies.

Coalition for Change partners Dr Simba Makoni of Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn and Reketai Semwayo, representing ZANU Ndonga, joined President Tsvangirai and the crowd just the loved the unity existing among likeminded forces of change.

Dr Makoni said the Coalition for Change was united to build a nation with servant leadership.

"We are still open for others to join us so that we end poverty, hunger and create employment, end fear and unite Zimbabwe as a nation. That is why we are calling on people to come together in support of the great vision of a better Zimbabwe,” said Dr Makoni.

Tsvangirai checkmates Mugabe at Mucheke

http://www.mdc.co.zw

Sunday, 14 July 2013

President Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday today threw the gauntlet on Zanu PF
leader Robert Mugabe in the former Zanu PF stronghold of Masvingo.

Addressing tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Mucheke stadium that
turned the sleepy townh into a sea of red, the President said the MDC is
ready to provide a God fearing leadership that is emphathetic to the people.

"We want people to know that we are dedicating this country to God, rule of
law and the respect of the individual rights. As MDC, we have a plan.

"This country needs leadership not judges. Leaders should respect the people
as the people respects the government. Not to rule by fear. We want a
government of the people, by the people with the people," President
Tsvangirai said.

He added, "We want to change from a culture of non-accountability. Where the
people ask for transparency and they are assaulted. We can not have a
government that exercises selective application of the law. We are talking
about Zanu PF's record in government."

He said the MDC promises Zimbabweans a government that is led by servant
leadership. A government that consults.

While Mugabe and Zanu PF have always claimed the MDC is against the land
reform programme the President addressed this issue and told cheering
supporters the party is against multiple land ownership and the parcelling
out of land to the elite.

"We are in disagreement on the issue of farms because the majority of the
people never got land. Only Zanu PF, some police and army chefs got land,
the the majority of our people are still landless.

"We want land reform because vakuru makazvigovera. vaigara mumakomo,
vachirimo now they have the land and do not produce, we have to import
food," President Tsvangirai said.

On Mugabe's threats to bring back the Zim Dollar, President Tsvangirai said.

"This money was not able to buy anything for breakfast. Bush economics has
no place in a new Zimbabwe. The economy can only be revived by people with a
vision. Our economy is functioning at half the capacity," he said.

Meanwhile, President Tsvangirai has questioned the capacity of thew Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) to run a free and fair election given that by
midday yesterday, the Special Voting exercise had not started in most areas
due to lack of the basic voting materials like ink and ballot papers.

“ZEC has been tasked to run a free, fair and credible election but I have
information that the special vote has not started because there are no
ballot papers at most centres. ZEC, do you have the capacity to run an
election of six million voters if you are unable to conduct an election of
80 000?” President Tsvangirai asked.

He however, urged the disciplined forces to remember that their future lay
in voting for a government of the future. A government that can provide for
their families, even after the elections and one that listens to citizens.

“Remember that you have a future. It is your right to choose so that you may
stand proud to have participated in defending the future of the country. We
must protect our vote, and we must protect the outcome of that vote. There
is a semblance of peace in the country with sporadic reports of violence. We
need to ensure that people vote in peace and subsequently celebrate the
outcome of that vote without violence,” President Tsvangirai has said.

“How nice it would be that the loser would shake hands with the winner,” he
added.

He added that peace and a sense of belonging, security and dignity is all
the people and the nation want, and this can only be provided for under a
new administration.

He said the dying opposition, Zanu PF had shown its disregard for humanity
when it made 90-year old Mugabe to stand as its presidential candidate
despite the Constitution stating that no one over 70 years should stand as
president.

“There was a reason for that. Zanu PF ine hutsinye (is cruel),” he said.

On food security, President Tsvangirai said the MDC has a plan aimed at
seeing the land being productive again. He bemoaned the Zanu PF chaotic land
reform process saying it did not reflect the need the people have
in the country.

“The MDC is the party that is going to provide answers to all our problems.
We are in disagreement on the issue of land and farms because the majority
of the people never got land. Only Zanu PF chefs, some police and army chefs
got land, the remainder are still landless.

We want land reform because vakuru makazvigovera. Vaigara mumakomo land
reform isati yaitwa, vachirimo. While you have given yourself the land, you
are not producing anything, we have to import food,” President Tsvangirai
said.

President Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe needs leaders not judges. He said people
should know that the MDC is dedicating this country to God, the rule of law
and respect of the individual. He said in order to do this, the leadership
should have a plan to rebuild and refocus the attention of the nation.

“The leadership should respect the people as the people respects the
government, not to rule by fear. We want a government of the people, by the
people with the people. We want to change a culture of unaccountability,
where the people ask for transparency and they are assaulted not have the
issues addressed. We cannot have a government that exercises selective
application of the law. We are not attacking anyone, we are merely talking
about their poor record in government. I promise you a government that is
led by servant leaders. A government
that consults the people, President Tsvangirai said.

To add to that, Amai Tsvangirai made pleas to the people of Zimbabwe to
refrain from violence.

"I want to speak in relation with women's issues. Women are struggling to
work for their children to go to school, then after graduation, the children
are unable to get jobs. We are now suffering from stress related illnesses
because we are always thinking about the welfare of our children,” she said.

She castigated violence and the use of hate language saying political party
supporters are Zimbabwean first before they support any party.

“We are going to election time, I was in Zaka last year and I saw some of
our children who were burnt in 2008. Please, please ngatisakuvadzana.
Despite our political difference, we ought to tolerate one another. Let us
not fight each other because we are children of the same parents. We are all
Zimbabweans,” she said.

She strengthened the people by referring to the scriptures in the books of
Samuel where she said God’s time is always best.

“In the bible there is the story of Saul and David. Saul attacked David not
knowing the David was merely moving in God's time. David may have suffered,
but his time was coming when he would take over the leadership of Israel.
God's time is the best and this is the Time,”

she said much to the amusement of the people of Masvingo. She further urged
the people to go and vote in their millions.

Hon Tendai Biti took the time to narrate the roadmap travelled and how the
MDC made lives better for the people.

"We must never underestimate President Tsvangirai's love for the people. His
life has been that of service and sacrifice. Schools were closed but today
our children have textbooks" Hon Biti said.

Mai Sibusisiwe Masara, the Women’s Assembly Secretary also spoke and pledged
the women’s vote to President Tsvangirai.

The Youth Assembly, represented by its Secretary General Promise Mkwananzi
said;

"The youth have an obligation in this final journey to vote for a New
Zimbabwe. We define our destiny by voting for jobs, good governance,
upliftment and transparency. We define our destiny by voting Morgan
Tsvangirai for President. The young people need to protect the vote of the
people until the MDC takes over party. We must be ready to protect our vote.
we should demand that the votes are announced after counting.

"The Youth Assembly is a principled Youth Assembly. We are going to defend
our vote using peaceful and constitutional means,"Mkwananzi said.

Yes, together we can complete the change!!!

Vince Musewe new book: None but Ourselves-imprisoned by our liberators

Please can you circulate information on my latest book None but Ourselves:

My country, Zimbabwe, is a beautiful country endowed with unimaginable
natural resources including humble talented people, whose lives have been
turned into a nightmare over the last ten years because a few men and women,
have deemed it necessary to declare that theirs is a God given right to
govern us, with or without a full democratic mandate from us. The philosophy
of ZANU (PF), the ruling party in Zimbabwe is "None but Ourselves" where
only a few elite are entitled to political power and access to unimaginable
wealth at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans. This must change.

This book is a collection of my writings over the last year based on my
experience and observations in Zimbabwe.

It is for those readers who are curious about how a country as endowed as
Zimbabwe can deteriorate to a dictatorship unable to feed its people.It is
also for Africans who wish to lead Africa in the future who must learn from
Zimbabwe's problems.

The book is available on:
https://www.dictus-publishing.eu/catalog/details//store/gb/book/978-3-8473-8
697-1/none-but-ourselves

--
Regards,
*Vince Musewe*
*Independent Economist.*
*In Harare, Zimbabwe.*
Cell: +263776917440

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