Mugabe Supporters Disrupt US Ambassador's Meeting

http://www.voanews.com/

 

 

 

July 21, 2011

Peta Thornycroft | Johannesburg

Photo: AP

United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray prior to a press conference at the US embassy in Harare (File Photo)

The U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray, was unable to address a meeting in central Zimbabwe as rowdy members of President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party disrupted the gathering.

Ambassador Ray was meeting in central Zimbabwe Wednesday with members of a group known as Zimbabwe Youth in Politics.

Before the gathering could get started, witnesses say a group of ZANU-PF activists arrived and made so much noise and disturbance that the meeting had to be called off.

The group jeered the ambassador and tossed and waved anti-U.S. literature around the scene.

The meeting had been cleared in advance with the police, according to Ambassador Ray, but he said it was “disrupted.”  Witnesses said the ambassador walked towards the group during the disturbances.

The ambassador later said in a statement that “elements of the security sector and some political parties remain afraid of allowing a free exchange of ideas.”

Witnesses at the meeting said some of the ZANU-PF activists are well known in the area, and are loyal to a senior ZANU-PF minister in Zimbabwe's inclusive government.  The fragile government, which has plagued with tension, includes members of ZANU-PF and its rival, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

There was no one at the information department at the local police headquarters able to answer questions Thursday.

ZANU-PF regularly accuses the United States of interfering in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs. 
U.S. officials have repeatedly condemned President Mugabe and his party for human rights abuses, while rights groups accuse them of trying to intimidate and suppress political opponents, including top officials in the MDC.

Zimbabwe Accepts Mining Firm Indigenization Proposals - With Reservations

http://www.voanews.com

20 July 2011

Kasukuwere said the government has accepted the 25 percent equity stakes the
companies have offered, though it intends to vigorously pursue the remaining
26 percent on behalf of communities around the mines

Sandra Nyaira | Washington

Zimbabwean Indigenization Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said Wednesday that it
is not true, as reported, that Harare rejected all of the 175 local
ownership proposals received from foreign mining firms while issuing warning
that it will eject firms that fail to meet a September deadline on
transferring majority ownership to blacks.

Kasukuwere told VOA that the government has accepted the 25 percent equity
stakes offered by foreign-owned mining companies, though it intends to
vigorously pursue the remaining 26 percent of equity on behalf of
communities around the mines.

Reuters earlier quoted Kasukuwere as saying Harare had rejected all the
proposals from mining firms that did not offer a 51 percent controlling
stake for black investors.

Under the government's controversial black empowerment law, foreign miners
operating in Zimbabwe must sell a majority stake to local black investors or
risk seizure.

"We have received 175 proposals from mining companies and while we are not
entirely happy about it, we have received the bids and are proceeding and
doing our job," said Kasukuwere in an interview. "The proposals were that 26
percent would be done through social credits and 25 percent direct equity."

He said the government had rejected the offer of 26 percent in social
credits.

Social credits are notional equity points credited to firms for investing in
infrastructure and local development projects such as roads, schools and
hospitals.

"That is the job of the government to provide infrastructure and not the
mining firms so we will work with what is here now while we pursue the
remaining 26 percent equity," said Kasukuwere.

Zimbabwe has the world's largest known platinum reserves after neighboring
South Africa. Major foreign miners operating there include Zimplats
Holdings, a unit of Impala Platinum, global mining giant Rio Tinto and Anglo
Platinum.

The country's mining sector, which has been starved of capital after years
of decline, also produces gold, diamonds, ferrochrome, coal and iron ore
reserves.

Kasukuwere told VOA Studio Seven reporter Blessing Zulu that the government,
though unhappy with the offers has accepted those received to date.

Economic commentator Rejoice Ngwenya said he does not see mining companies
being booted out of the country in September even if they fail to meet
indigenization targets.

‘Govt ill-advised on mining threshold’

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Roadwin Chirara and Diana Chisvo
Thursday, 21 July 2011 15:33

HARARE - Cabinet was ill-advised in its approval of the 51 percent equity
threshhold for the mining sector, Industry minister Welshman Ncube said.

He said current challenges facing the mining sector over the empowerment
quota had an impact on the entire economy.

“The mining sector says its ready to give 26 percent immediately yet cabinet
was told the sector had offered 51 percent, showing something is not right,”
the minister told an empowerment conference in the capital yesterday.

“Imagine if that had been communicated, we would have indigenised the sector
by now not the current contesting which is going on,” he said.

He said there was lack of consensus in government over the implementation
method of the exercise.

“We have never had a national consensus on these issues and because of these
inconsistencies we are always explaining and explaining and if you are
explaining you are losing,” the industry minister said.

“We need consensus on the indigenisation law and policy. We need to get to a
stage where we have one voice in black and white,” he said.

Ncube’s statements also come as Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said
government had not agreed on the indigenisation issue there was need for
further consultations.

He said that interpretation of the law was being abused to suit various
quarters.

“The law is an aspirational clause not a directional clause, then others
choose to interpret it as directional. If we could simply agree the law is
aspirational we could move much more in empowerment,” he said.

Ncube said there was also need for a transparent implementation process to
allow the economy to recover.

“There is an obsession that equity is the primary source of empowerment.
There are constraints, we have people biting more than they can chew and
will keep on going round and round,” the minister said.

Ncube said it was surprising that the National Empowerment Board had come up
with a 51 percent equity threshhold for most sectors despite sector
differences.

“If you look at the report of the board after interpreting and
re-interpreting the sectorial reports you are still looking at 51 percent,”
he said.

Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere in his presentation dismissed
Ncube’s assessments of the law and its implementation.

“There is no discord, he is a learned man but I am the minister in charge of
the law and it has to be followed,” Kasukuwere said.

“We are governed by the law of the land and not the laws of individuals,” he
said.

Kasukuwere said his ministry had received 175 proposals from the mining
sector which it was currently assessing.
“We rejected the 25 percent that industry had proposed and it’s unacceptable
to us,” he said.

“There are some mining companies who think something would change, but it
would not .Some were busy walking around with our minerals in their brief
cases striking deals in night clubs, now they have to come through us,” the
Indigenisation minister said.

Mugabe looks frail at Heroes Acre

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
21 July, 2011

Robert Mugabe’s deteriorating health is reported to be much more visible,
after he stumbled, and several times had to be helped to walk, at a state
funeral on Wednesday. Witnesses at the Heroes Acre ceremony for Andrew
Sikajaya Muntanga, the late liberation war hero and former Binga MP, said
Mugabe had problems supporting himself and was at one point helped by his
wife Grace and Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi.

Muntanga was the first MP for the Binga area after independence and won
again between 1995 and 2000. He died last week after a long illness and was
declared a national hero by ZANU PF.

But in a brave and moving speech, his son Dominic blasted ZANU PF for
mistreating his father by arresting and disqualifying him from contesting
the Binga parliamentary seat in 2000. ZANU PF then lost every election to
the MDC after Muntanga retired.

“It’s unfortunate that my father was arrested in a free Zimbabwe whose
independence he contributed to," the son reportedly told mourners, who were
said to be mostly uniformed officers and ZANU PF youth.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa was at the national shrine
Wednesday and sat close to the casket with a full view of Mugabe and his
entourage. Muchemwa described the 87 year old Mugabe’s appearance as “very
frail.”

“Mugabe arrived late and appeared to have problems with his right leg,” our
correspondent said, adding that Grace Mugabe and Mohadi stayed close to the
ageing leader and stepped in to assist whenever it seemed he had stumbled.

Muchemwa said Mugabe’s right leg looked swollen as he sat listening to
relatives of the deceased. And at the podium he became emotional as he
admitted that Muntanga had been arrested. At times Mugabe even sounded
confused, our correspondent said.

“Dominic said his father was angry and felt let down by the Mugabe regime
because the Tonga people have been marginalized. They sacrificed their
traditional land when they were displaced in order for the Kariba Dam to be
built, yet 31 years since independence the Tonga people still don’t have
electricity,” Muchemwa said.

He added that Mugabe deviated from his prepared speech to respond to the
accusations, but he did not make much sense. He also appeared to be leaning
against the podium to support his weight.

There has been much speculation and discussion over Mugabe’s failing health
over the years, with reports claiming the numerous visits he made to
Malaysia recently were to seek treatment for prostate cancer. Mugabe insists
he is in good health, but his public appearances are proving that at 87 he
is an old man who should now retire

Hero’s son humiliates Mugabe

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

By Chengetai Zvauya, Senior Writer
Thursday, 21 July 2011 13:36

HARARE - Dominic Muntanga, the son of the late Zapu cadre, Andrew who was
buried at the National Heroes’ Acre yesterday, turned on President Robert
Mugabe, accusing his regime of harassing and jailing his father after
independence.

A humiliated Mugabe and senior Zanu PF officials, could not believe the
volley of attacks coming from Dominic.

Mugabe looked pensive while Zanu PF officials looked down in embarrassment.

An embarrassed Mugabe later tried to limit the damage during his own speech
saying in politics such infighting usually occured.

Mugabe gave a graveside speech about Andrew Muntanga’s liberation war
history, but fell short of justifying his government’s harassment of the
hero years after the end of Mugabe humiliated at Heroes Acre colonial rule.

Dominic, a polished speaker, had opened the Pandora ’s Box in his eulogy by
exposing how Mugabe and Zanu PF tormented his erstwhile liberation war
comrades from rival political party PF Zapu after independence.

He spoke of how his father was detained and imprisoned during the
Matabeleland and Midlands provinces military killings, also known as
Gukurahundi, from 1982-1987.

“In 1980, he became the first MP for Binga and the deputy political
commissar for PF Zapu.

“Unfortunately, he was again imprisoned in a free Zimbabwe,” said Dominic,
adding that his father’s harassment continued well after the 1987 unity
accord that brought Zanu PF and PF Zapu together.

“In 1990, he contested and won the Zanu PF primaries but I am told that he
was disqualified on false accusations.
“Undeterred, he contested and won the parliamentary seat for Binga in 1995.

“ But in 2000, he retired from active politics when some people he mentored
not only ran against him, but history also records that after his
retirement, Zanu PF had a decade-long electoral loss for Binga,” said
Dominic.

Despite this harassment, Andrew remained committed to Zanu PF, according to
his son.

“But when our leaders came together to affirm the oneness of our nation and
the supremacy of unity, my father set out on a mission to mobilise people
for one cause.

“He was preaching the gospel of unity and in 1987, he was one of the team of
leaders in the integration of Zanu PF and PF Zapu,” said Dominic.

“The open palm (MDC) prevailed over the fist in the parliamentary elections
in Binga, but my father remained in (Zanu PF) National Consultative
Assembly,” said Dominic.

He said the MDC took over the Binga seat because of political divisions in
Zanu PF.

Since 2000, MDC’s Joel Gabbuza has been the MP for Binga. He is also the
Minister of Public Works in the shaky coalition government.

Mugabe tried to save face after Dominic’s speech by briefly mentioning that
Muntanga faced political problems during and after the liberation war after
he was detained after independence in 1980.

“The political history of Muntanga is very clear, and I know that he had 10
straight years as an MP for Binga.
“In politics there are some ups and downs but a revolutionary person will
not change his principle and this was the character of Muntanga.”

“We know that there was a lot of fighting amongst ourselves in the two
parties.

“It was a nasty period in the history of our revolution and we decided that
period had to go and we managed to do so and united our people,” said
Mugabe.

Andrew Muntanga, 74, was one of the senior members of PF Zapu.

He died on Sunday in Victoria Falls but his hero status, like many involving
PF Zapu heroes, took time before being confirmed by the Zanu PF politburo.

SADC Facilitation Urges Full GPA Implementation

http://www.radiovop.com/

Harare, July 21, 2011 – The South African facilitation team is in Harare to
map up final details on the roadmap to elections scheduled to be held next
year.

The facilitators  are meeting the country’s political parties to encourage
them to implement the  Global Political Agreement (GPA) in full.

A representative of the South African facilitation Lindiwe Zulu confirmed
the meetings to Radio VOP on Wednesday evening.

“We are meeting all the role players and the political parties to engage
them on the need for the full implementation of the GPA. The meetings are a
continuation of our previous meetings,” said Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu who is
President Jacob Zuma’s International Affairs Advisor.

The facilitation team appointed by Zuma to facilitate the Zimbabwean
political dialogue met with representatives of the country’s three political
parties and was expected to meet with the Joint Monitoring and
Implementation Committee (Jomic).

Zuma is the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s mediator on
Zimbabwe.

“The meetings are focusing on the GPA and roadmap discussions. We are also
going to engage other role players whom we think are crucial to the GPA and
the roadmap. These are the human rights commission, the media commission and
the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC),” said Zulu about the closed door
meeting.

The last Sadc summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa directed the country’s
leaders to agree to a roadmap for the country’s next elections and implement
the GPA in full before the next summit of the
regional body to be held in Luanda, Angola next month.

Under a draft election roadmap drawn up by the Zimbabwean parties,
Parliament would need to first pass amendments to the Electoral Act and the
Public Order and Security Act, while the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)
must clean up the chaotic voters’ roll and the country adopts a new
constitution before polls can take place.

Significant ground has already been covered towards reaching a roadmap
agreement. The have already agreed on the majority of issues. Few but
decisive issues however remain outstanding. Among these is the key question
of security sector reform that the two MDC parties want addressed.
The parties are demanding that the military must not have anything to do
with elections and move out of the country’s villages. More so the parties
want the activities of the CIO to be regulated by an act of parliament.

SA facilitators to focus on GPA, roadmap discussions

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Tonderai Kwenda, Deputy News Editor
Thursday, 21 July 2011 15:36

HARARE - A team of South African negotiators yesterday met representatives
of the country’s political parties in marathon meetings aimed at nailing a
roadmap for the country’s next elections, amid a toxic relationship between
South African President Jacob Zuma’s team and some Zanu PF anti-reformists.

The mediators, appointed by Zuma to facilitate the Zimbabwean political
dialogue, met with representatives of the country’s three political parties
and were expected to meet with the Joint Monitoring and Implementation
Committee (Jomic).

Jomic is a cross-party organ set up to monitor implementation of the power
sharing Global Political Agreement (GPA). The closed door meetings look like
a final assault on getting Zimbabweans to agree on a formula towards free
and fair elections.

“We are meeting all the role players and the political parties to engage
them on the need for the full implementation of the GPA. The meetings are a
continuation of our previous meetings,” said Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu, who is
Zuma’s International Affairs Advisor and spokesperson for the team.

“The meetings are focusing on the GPA and roadmap discussions. We are also
going to engage other role players whom we think are crucial to the GPA and
the roadmap. These are the Human Rights Commission, the Media Commission and
the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC),” said Zulu.

The last Sadc summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, directed the
country’s leaders to agree to a roadmap to ensure the next elections are not
disputed. A progress report should be ready by the next Sadc summit set for
Luanda, Angola next month.

Significant ground has already been covered towards the roadmap with parties
having already agreed on the majority of issues. Few but decisive issues
however remain outstanding.

Among these is the key question of security sector reforms that the two MDC
parties want addressed. The parties are demanding that the military must
stay out of politics and move out of the country’s rural communities where
rights organisations accuse them of perpetrating violence.

Zanu PF on the other hand wants the MDC to be more active in denouncing
travel and financial sanctions imposed by western countries on Mugabe and
his close military, political and business associates.

Yesterday’s discussions came as Zanu PF hardliners, led by former
information minister Jonathan Moyo, have turned up the heat against the
roadmap and the SA facilitation team.

Observers say Moyo has been largely vocal because he has a hard time proving
that he has abandoned his political turncoat tendencies to doubtful Zanu PF
bigwigs such as Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo.

Asked if the issue of her abuse in the media by Moyo was part of yesterday’s
deliberations, Zulu said: “We are not going to discuss that because it’s a
side issue and we would not want to discuss anything outside our mandate. In
fact it’s not something that worries us. I don’t represent myself. I am part
of a team and as a team we are not worried.” Zuma has been showing a
toughened stance since taking over mediation from his predecessor and close
Mugabe ally Thabo Mbeki.

A top South African government official hinted in a newspaper interview with
a weekly South African newspaper recently that Zuma was seriously
considering confronting Mugabe to ensure the 87-year-old agrees to fair
elections.

Ebrahim Ebrahim, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and
Co-operation, said Zuma was prepared to dump quiet diplomacy in favour of a
more robust approach to force progress.

NCA Launches A No Vote Campaign

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, July 21, 2011 - Zimbabwe’s National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
has launched a campaign to urge voters to reject a government written
constitutional draft in a referendum scheduled for end of the year.

The NCA is a political pressure group bringing together civil rights and
pro-democracy groups, opposition parties, churches, the labour and student
movements’ opposed to ongoing constitutional reforms
led by the government.

The mainstream Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai was a member of the NCA until recently when it was
expelled from the organization for participating in the government led
constitutional reform process.

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) which launched a successful “No
Vote” campaign in 2000 which led to the rejection of a draft constitution
produced by the Chidyausiku commission has launched a campaign for a “No
Vote” once again.

The organisation has produced millions of fliers carrying the “No Vote”
message.

“Zimbabwe had a referendum on a new constitution in February 2000. The
majority of the people who participated in that referendum voted No and
rejected a constitution that was being imposed by the politicians of the
day,” read one the million fliers which are also translated in Shona and
Ndebele languages.

“There is no difference between the referendum of 2000 and the referendum
that the GPA political parties are talking about. This is because like in
2000 the constitution that will be presented to the people in 2011 is not
coming from the people. It is coming from the politicians of the day. Copac
has not been driven by the people but by selfish Zimbabweans.”

Copac is a parliamentary body leading the constitution making process. NCA
says the political parties want to impose a constitution on the people.

“The political leadership is drawn by its own selfish political interests.
Political leaders do not want a democratic constitution. Zimbabwean must not
allow a constitution driven by the interests of the political leadership.
They must vote NO whenever politicians want to impose a constitution,” the
fliers read.

“Rejecting a bad constitution at the referendum by voting NO will allow the
people to write a constitution for themselves.”

The fears of a negotiated constitution were heightened at the weekend
following reports by the leader of the smaller MDC party, Welshman Ncube who
told a rally in one of Harare’s high density suburbs that
the final constitutional document is likely to be a negotiated settlement.
Zimbabwe is supposed according to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) to
have a new constitution in place before the country can hold the next
elections.

So crucial is the constitution that the country’s political parties have in
recent months argued over matters such as methods of interpreting
information gathered from the public.

Zimbabweans hope a new constitution will guarantee human rights, strengthen
the role of Parliament and curtail the president's powers, as well as
guaranteeing civil, political and media freedoms.

Drive to bring Zim migrants in from cold 'nearly done'

http://mg.co.za/

NICKOLAUS BAUER - Jul 21 2011 15:55

The department of home affairs says its campaign to document hundreds of
thousands of illegal Zimbabwean migrants is almost complete, even though it
has finished processing fewer than half of the work and study permit
applications it has received.

Last year the department embarked on the Zimbabwean Documentation Project
(ZDP) to formalise the stay of Zimbabweans who had entered the country
illegally, offering a temporary amnesty during which migrants, many of whom
had initially sought refugee status, were invited to apply for permits.

The department's deputy director general, Jackie McKay, told reporters in
Pretoria on Thursday that after receiving 275 762 applications, about 134
000 work or study permits had been issued. The applications that had not yet
been processed were waiting on applicants to supply supporting
documentation.

"There are a number of issues we are dealing with, such as the slow arrival
of passports from the Zimbabwean government, as well as still needing to
take fingerprints of some applicants," McKay said.

The ZDP is due to finalise the adjudication of permits from undocumented
Zimbabweans by the end of July -- a deadline the department has vowed to
keep.

"We will conclude the adjudication of the applications by July 31 and
finalise all outstanding matters in August," McKay said.

The department expects as many as 99% of the applications to be successful.

Reasons for leaving
The department's campaign aims to not only provide study or work permits to
Zimbabweans living in South Africa, but also to record their reason for
leaving their country.

The department could not immediately confirm how many Zimbabwean migrants in
South Africa were seeking refugee status -- rather than applying for work or
study permits -- but estimates vary from one million to five million.

The majority of asylum seekers claim they are political refugees, fleeing
violence and civil turmoil in their homeland.

"Zimbabwean asylum seekers were not obliged to apply for these permits, but
those who did apply relinquished their asylum claims," McKay said.

The department of home affairs confirmed that, following consultations with
the Zimbabwean government, a deadline for providing any outstanding
documentation would be set in due course.

McKay warned that illegal migrants who had not applied faced arrest and
deportation.

"We will document those Zimbabweans who have applied to regularise their
stay in South Africa, but those who have not applied and are found to be
illegal will be deported like any other illegal immigrant," McKay said.

Observers See Danger in Zimbabwe Budget Reliance on Diamond Revenues

http://www.voanews.com/

20 July 2011

Experts said that while the Marange alluvial diamond field is rich, it is
not clear the companies working it in joint ventures with Harare will
declare interim dividends to maintain public salaries

Gibbs Dube | Washington

Though Zimbabwean civil servants were pleased this week to see their
salaries raised thanks to an infusion of funds from Marange diamonds,
observers saw the risk that such revenues could one day fail to materialize,
sending the unity government into crisis.

More specifically, they warned that the ZANU-PF side of the government,
which controls the controversial Marange field and the flow of diamond
revenues, could withhold them to whipsaw Finance Minister Tendai Biti,
obliging him to revert to previous pay levels as the new salaries are
unsustainable without continual injections of diamond revenues.

Experts said that while the Marange field is rich, it is not clear the
companies working it in joint ventures with Harare will declare interim
dividends to maintain public salaries.

Economist Daniel Ndlela said higher public salaries will only be sustainable
if there is greater transparency on Marange revenues. “Right now we do not
even know how much has been submitted to Treasury since the discovery of
those diamonds,” said Ndlela.

President Robert Mugabe said at an African Union Summit earlier this year
that US$250 million in diamond revenues would allow a pay hike for public
workers. But the tranche deposited into the Treasury recently by the
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation in apparent coordination with the
Mines Ministry amounted to just US$27 million.

Economic commentator Masimba Kuchera said the ZANU PF side of the government
might one day withhold such revenues to bring down the government.

ZANU PF Emptied Reserve Bank Coffers- GONO

http://www.zimeye.org/?p=32684

Published: July 20, 2011

Zimbabwe Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono has pointed a finger at Zanu PF
government led by President Robert Mugabe for bringing the central bank to
its knees.

Mr Gono who has become synonymous with multiple zeroes on Zimbabwe currency
notes in the past decade denied full responsibility for the Bank’s financial
difficulties but put blame on previous government’s unsound policies and
legislative requirements.

According to BusinessDay report, Mr Gono denied the crisis the central bank
faces was in contravention of the Banking Act , saying that 60% of the
financial mess was imposed by the government through its finance ministers,
under instruction from President Robert Mugabe. He said the central bank was
raided for funds for the 2008 election. Zanu (PF)’s Herbert Murerwa was
finance minister at the time.

“I have broader shoulders to say that whatever we did, we erred (but) the
problem was with the laws of the country which were coined by the MPs
themselves.

“The (central bank) is a creature of legislation and when such instructions
were given in terms of the law, it was legally necessary for me to follow
them. There also has been a misconception to believe the $1,1bn debt is a
creation of Gono.”

The Zimbabwean government compounded the problem by borrowing $1,5bn from
the central bank, leaving it a virtual shell.

Mr Gono said if the government repaid its $1,5bn debt, the Bank would be
able to clear its debt and remain with a $400m balance. “You cannot say this
constitutes a disaster because the total debt of this country is over $8bn
and the (central bank) debt is only an eighth of that.”

Mr Gono said the biggest banks were “sitting on” $1bn sourced from external
sources. He criticised interest rates charged by the banks that ranged from
14% to 25%. He said he would introduce a facility in his next medium-term
monetary policy review into which banks with surpluses would deposit funds
and earn market-related interest.

Mr Gono made the remarks on Monday before the parliamentary portfolio
committee on budget, finance and investment promotion, chaired by Goromonzi
North MP Paddy Zhanda.

origin: businessday

NetOne of Zimbabwe Attracts at Least 6 Investors to Buy Stake

http://www.bloomberg.com/

By Godfrey Marawanyika - Jul 21, 2011 9:09 PM GMT+1000

NetOne, Zimbabwe’s state-owned mobile-phone operator, has attracted interest
from at least six foreign investors to buy a stake in the company, said
Reward Kangai, its managing director.

“In the last two weeks alone, we have received four inquiries from foreign
companies wishing to acquire a stake,” Kangai said in a telephone interview
today from Harare, the capital. Bharti Airtel Ltd. (BHARTI) of India and MTN
Group Ltd. (MTN), Africa’s biggest mobile-phone operator, have also been “in
contact” with the company, he said, declining to give more details.

“At the moment we cannot announce anything as a result of the non-disclosure
agreements we have signed,” he said.

Zimbabwe agreed in March to allow foreign investment in NetOne to help boost
capital in the company. It needs to inject as much as $100 million a year
into its network to grow its subscriber base and roll out a 3G network and
data services, Kangai said March 9. NetOne competes with Econet Wireless
Zimbabwe Ltd. (ECWH), the southern African country’s biggest operator, and
Telecel Zimbabwe, a unit of Orascom Telecom Holdings SAE.

Last minute reprieve for Zimbabwean Deportee

COPAC deadline for a referendum now 31 December

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
21 July 2011

The country’s draft constitution is now only expected to be ready for a
referendum by December and not September, as originally set at the beginning
of this year, a co-chairman of COPAC said on Thursday.

The new charter is meant to clear the way for fresh polls following the
country's bloody 2008 elections, but the drafting process is running months
behind after public outreach meetings were repeatedly postponed over
outbreaks of violence.

Now divisions between the parties in the Global Political Agreement (GPA)
have created more delays in the drafting of the new constitution. MDC-T’s
Douglas Mwonzora, co-chairman of COPAC, told SW Radio Africa the September
deadline was no longer possible.

Mwonzora said they told the visiting South African facilitation team, who
are still in the country, that the new deadline would be 31 st December.
COPAC was represented at the meeting with the facilitators on Thursday by
Mwonzora ( MDC-T) and co-chairs Paul Magwana (ZANU PF) and Edward Mkhosi (
MDC-N).

‘In January we had a meeting with the facilitation team where we indicated
that the referendum would be ready by 30 September. We are all agreed this
is no longer practical because of two factors,’ Mwonzora said.

‘Firstly the delays have been caused by continuous bickering and failure to
adhere to agreed positions by the political parties. This is causing a lot
of delays in the conclusion of this exercise. The second issue is that of
funding. People should understand that everything in the roadmap is now
dependent on the completion of the constitution,’ Mwonzora added.

As a result, the facilitation team, comprising Mac Maharaj, Lindiwe Zulu and
accompanied by the South Africa Ambassador to Zimbabwe, told the COPAC trio
they would take the issue of funding to SADC with a view to getting help
from the regional bloc.

Zuma’s team on Wednesday held marathon meetings with negotiators to check on
the progress made by party negotiators towards crafting a roadmap for free
and fair elections.

The team is also due to meet with members of the Human Rights Commission,
the Media Commission and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC),” said
Zulu.

PM spokesman says broadcasting licences a ZANU PF ‘ruse’

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
21 July 2011

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson has called plans to licence
two commercial radio stations a ZANU PF ‘ruse’, to give the illusion of real
media reforms in Zimbabwe.

15 applications have been put forward, after the May announcement by the
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) that the commercial licences were
up for grabs. But the plans have raised a number of eyebrows for different
reasons, including the fact that the BAZ Board is improperly constituted and
still headed by known ZANU PF strongman.

Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, said on Wednesday that the
“illegality of the BAZ board is a matter of public record,” likening the
board to a “group of thieves.” He was speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Question
Time series on Wednesday, and said the call for radio licence applications
“is all part of ZANU PF machinations ahead of the next SADC summit.”

SADC will be meeting in Angola next month and Zimbabwe will again be high on
the agenda, with the region still trying to negotiate a working plan towards
elections. Real media reform, including the licencing of independent
broadcasters, has remained an outstanding issue in the Global Political
Agreement (GPA). The plans to licence commercial radio stations is now
widely believed to be an attempt by ZANU PF to go along with SADC’s demands
for reform, without making any real changes.

“This is a ruse by a board that is improperly constituted to give the
impression that the airwaves are being freed in Zimbabwe,” Tamborinyoka
said.

The Director of the media rights group MISA-Zimbabwe, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, told
SW Radio Africa on Thursday that Tamborinyoka’s opinion echoes what civil
society has been saying. He explained that the whole process, since
announcing the radio licences would be available, has been questionable.

“Last week the BAZ board addressed the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on
the Media and they remained very ambivalent on plans to free the airwaves
completely, saying they have the incapacity to monitor the independent
broadcasters,” Ngwenya explained.

He added: “Why are they prioritising monitoring over liberalising the
broadcasting sector? They are clearly still interested in control over what
is being said and not real reform.”

The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) has meanwhile insisted that
the illegal BAZ board is standing in the way of genuine reform. The group
said in a recent statement that: “Only with the appointment of an
independent, credible, new board, which Zimbabweans can trust, will there be
any genuine reform of Zimbabwe’s broadcasting sector.”

The MMPZ has also questioned the transparency of the licence application
process, after its requests for details about who has applied were rejected
by BAZ. The Authority has insisted that the application process will be
fully transparent, and the public was invited to request more information
about the potential broadcasters, who in turn had to publicise their
intentions in the local press.

But the MMPZ said in a statement this month that it was “denied access to
any information beyond that published in the Press, on the grounds that it
was confidential. The only information about the applicants in the Press
notices was the names of the companies applying and their head office
addresses.”

“Denying such information to the public subverts the open and transparent
process of selection… and the right of Zimbabweans to have a say in the
selection of these broadcasters,” the MMPZ said.

Part 4 of the leaked CIO list

By Lance Guma
21 July 2011

SW Radio Africa continues with Part 4 of the list of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents working in and outside Zimbabwe. The document is dated 2001 and is a list of ‘operatives’ working at that time. Some agents may have retired or passed away, but evidence has shown many are still serving. Although the document also contains their home addresses, these details have been removed.

At number 247 is Thomas Matutu listed as a Deputy Intelligence Officer at the time. Our information is that he is currently based at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Namibia having previously served at the embassy in Nairobi, Kenya around 1986.

273 is Win Busayi Juyana Mlambo listed as an ‘operative’ at the time. We understand he first joined ZANU PF in 1974 when he was 18 years. In 1999 he was appointed into the ZANU PF Central Committee. Dr Mlambo, as he is now known, is the ‘Minister Counsellor’ at the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. This we are told effectively means he is the Deputy Ambassador.

It would appear that members of the CIO are richly rewarded in terms of business contracts with government and parastatals. Eleanor Mtangi, listed as an ‘operative’ at number 281 on our list, is testament to the patronage system. She and her husband Collin Cephas Mtangi, run Cottel Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd from Harare, supplying electrical equipment and consumables to the mining and industrial sectors.

The company profile shows that Cottel supply the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Air Force of Zimbabwe, National Oil Company of Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, Zimbabwe National Army, Zimglass, Shabani Mashava Mines and the Department of Irrigation, among others. Having been unable to get Eleanor’s number we contacted her husband, Mr. Mtangi, and asked about her work for the Central Intelligence Organisation. He replied:

“Why are you asking me? Go and ask her. Don’t you know it’s possible for married people to belong to different political parties? You can have one as a Republican and another as a Conservative. I don’t know anything about her background.” Interestingly the couple set up their company in 1992 and according to our list Mrs. Mtangi was still employed by the CIO in 2001.

At number 282 is Loveleen Tafadzwa Mucheuki, listed as an ‘operative.’ Our investigations show that she has various qualifications in Systems Analysis and Computer Programming and is employed as a ‘Systems Administrator’ in the President’s Office. Her job entails maintaining and operating the computer system and/or network in the office.

Despite working for the CIO, an organization that has sanctioned the abduction, torture and murder of opposition members, Mucheuki is a member of a UK registered charity, the International Governance Institute (IGI) “a membership-driven organisation fighting fraud, corruption and the abuse of power.”

According to its website the IGI is “an international network of active citizens, mainly in Africa” who work through “monitoring, education, training and networking, to promote a culture of transparency, honesty and accountability in public service, based on a Christian ethos.”

Number 318 is Beven ‘Shungu’ Murahwa, who in 2001 was an ‘operative’. We understand Shungu, as he is often called by his liberation war nickname, is quite senior in Mugabe’s Close Protection Unit (CPU) and regularly travels with him. An article penned by George Charamba in April 2011, reflecting on the life of the late CIO boss Mernard Muzariri, confirmed the fact that Murahwa is still a regular traveller with Mugabe.

See CIO List of Operatives 2001 Part 4

Public hearing on human rights bill abandoned in Masvingo

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
21 July 2011

A rowdy and often threatening ZANU PF mob on Thursday disrupted a public
hearing on the Human Rights Commission Bill at the civic centre in Masvingo
town.

The consultative meeting, conducted by a Parliamentary group, had to be
abandoned a few minutes after it started when the ‘hired mob’ began
toy-toying, singing and denouncing the team.

The group comprised a joint committee of the House of Assembly Portfolio
Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, Constitutional and Parliamentary
Affairs and the Senate Thematic Committee on Human Rights.

Team leader for the group, MDC-T Senator for Zaka Misheck Marava, told SW
Radio Africa he was disappointed ZANU PF hijacked a program meant to empower
the people of Masvingo through education and discussions about the Bill.

‘Initially people protested that all material about the Bill was in English.
Since we are well versed in the Bill we opted to use Shona in our
deliberations and that we would be translating from English to a language
that everyone understands.

‘They wouldn’t have any of that. They told us to go back to Harare and have
the material translated into Shona and then come back. We noted their
concerns but explained it involved a lot of money,’ Marava said.

To the group’s surprise, former ZANU PF MP for Bikita West, Claudius Makova,
stood up and told the gathering he could barely read or understand the
material printed in English.

Makova’s statement inflamed the already tension filled hall, which erupted
into ZANU PF songs and slogans. Makova is also a former Colonel in the army
and was at one time its spokesperson.

‘They started singing ZANU PF yaramba zvemadhisinyongoro (colloquial for
ZANU PF against confusion or disorder) and some started hurling insults and
threatening to manhandle the group, which included MPs and Senators from
ZANU PF and MDC-N,’ Marava added.

The Senator said for someone like Makova’s status, to behave in that manner,
was ‘criminal’ as it put the lives of the parliamentary group and others in
the hall in danger.

‘Even MPs and Senators from ZANU PF tried to calm them down but it was all
in vain and we were left with no option but to retreat from the venue. This
is a lost opportunity for people in Masvingo to have contributed to the
Human Rights Bill,’ the Senator said.

The hearings are open to all and so far the team has been to Chinhoyi,
Bulawayo, Gweru, and Gwanda. They’re scheduled to be in Mutare on Friday and
will wind up their program this Saturday in Harare.

The first meeting in Chinhoyi on Monday also had some problems from rowdy
elements, but it did eventually continue.

The meetings are meant to gather public views on the Bill before it is
debated in the House of Assembly and later in the Senate. The joint
committee will produce a report which will be presented in both Houses when
the Bill comes up for its second reading in due course.

The Bill was only gazetted recently, despite the formation of the inclusive
government more than two years ago. It is supposed to pave the way for the
enactment of a legal framework to govern the operations of the human rights
body and to protect the human rights of all Zimbabweans.

But civic groups have already dismissed the Human Rights Commission, because
political parties in the unity government agreed to limit its mandate to
abuses that occurred after February 2009.

The GPA required the establishment of a rights commission, to safeguard
human rights, investigate past abuses and to promote national healing. But
as it stands the most violent periods in the country's history are excluded.

It means thugs and militia groups aligned to ZANU PF will never be brought
to justice for the horrendous crimes committed during the Gukurahundi and
the extreme election violence of 2008.

 

Cholera threat remains in Chisumbanje

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

Thursday 21 July
By Thomas Madhuku

Chipinge -- More than two years after the cholera outbreak that killed more
than 4 000 people across Zimbabwe, the people of Chisumbanje are living in
fear of another major outbreak due to a suspect drinking water source and
lack of adequate sanitation.

This year, one person is reported to have died and more than 150 people have
contracted the disease.

James Jamela (not his real name) works at Chisumbanje Estate and shares two
rooms with his family in a company house. They share a single toilet with
two other families and they experience regular water cuts.

“Our biggest problem is water shortages; we have to draw water for drinking
and other household use from nearby canals and dams which are unprotected,”
says Jamela.

When water taps run dry, the toilet becomes unusable. This prompts Jamela
and his family to use a nearby field to relieve themselves.

Jamela’s neighbor, Eddy Mshandu said that the main problem at the Estate is
the old water and sanitation facilities. “The current water system was
inherited from ARDA estate and now needs complete overhaul.”

Jamela’s case is typical of many workers and residents at Chisumbanje Estate
who face the threat of cholera as a result of the regular water cuts and
inadequate sanitation.

Surrounding communities such as Machona, Vheneka, Munepasi and Chisumbanje
are under serious threat of cholera and people in these areas blame the
estate workers for spreading the disease. “It is difficult to interact with
estate workers because cholera is reported to be coming from there, and we
are scared,” said Mbuya Mubhangi, a local villager.

Though non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have sunk boreholes and
provided drugs, the measures fall short of the requirements of the large
population of the estate.

The surrounding communities blame the estate owners over their failure to
ensure healthy living conditions for its workers. “They are heartless. How
can they employ workers for whom they cannot guarantee safe and reliable
water supply?” said an irate Wedzerai Gwenzi, a local villager.

Headman Chisumbanje had no kind words for estate owners either. He accused
them of failing to ensure that their workers are safe from disease.

“These people are providing much needed labour yet the company fails to
ensure they are healthy, who will work for them if all the workers are to
fall ill?”

He continued: “There is need for an assessment on the demands of the
increased population on the existing infrastructure.”

Sister Priscilla Sigauke, a nurse at the local clinic pointed out that
unprotected water sources and lack of adequate sanitation are the chief
causes of cholera at the estate and there is need to seriously address the
problem.

Overcrowding is also a problem, the nurse added, “There are reports of a
serious housing shortage at the estate and single family houses being
occupied by as many as three families.”

She said the cholera outbreak has led to the death of one person and 153
were treated at the clinic for cholera since February.

She added that though the last cholera case the clinic dealt with was in
June, they expect more given the fact that the circumstances that led to the
people being infected have not been addressed.

Due to the employment opportunities at the estate, some people bring cholera
from their areas to the estate. Sigauke said one death was of a woman from
Chibuwe. “She was admitted to the clinic less than a day after starting work
at the estate. We discovered that she started having stomach pains while in
Chibuwe,” she said.

Macdom Investments, current owners of Chisumbanje estate said they are
engaged in a cholera awareness campaign urging workers and residents to stop
using unprotected and suspect water sources.

Dr Portia Mananganzira, the Director of Epidemiology and Disease control in
the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare said her Ministry visited
Chisumbanje to assess situation.

“Their water system needs refurbishment and we advised them to fetch
purified, safe to drink water from Checheche which is supplied by ZINWA,”
she said.

Manicaland province was hit very hard during the cholera outbreak.
Conditions in a lot of areas there have not changed and cases of cholera
continue to be reported.

The province accounts for 77 percent of the cholera cases reported in
Zimbabwe in 2011 according to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO)
Epidemiological Bulletin.

 

British envoy raps inflammatory statements

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

By Pindai Dube
Thursday, 21 July 2011 15:49

HWANGE - Keith Scott, the British Embassy spokesperson and First Secretary
says inflammatory statements by the country’s security chiefs are not good
for Zimbabwe development.

Addressing journalists in Makwandara village in Hwange on Tuesday after
touring British irrigation projects in the district, Scott said: “I don’t
think these inflammatory statements by anybody whether in the military or as
a politician are of any help.”

Scott also said the British government has already put aside significant
funds to help poor Zimbabweans despite restrictions imposed on President
Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF officials.

“This year alone we have put aside $1, 5 million developmental funds meant
for Zimbabwe and still have a budget to help the ordinary people until 2015.
We will even increase these funds each and every year.  These funds are
there for poor Zimbabweans like orphans and for health and education
sectors.

“On the issue of restrictive measures the EU is ready to review these
restrictive measures on Zimbabwe officials anytime, provided there is
progress on the ground in terms of reforms," said the British envoy.

The European Union and the United States, imposed targeted sanctions against
Mugabe and his top officials  nine years ago as punishment for allegedly
stealing elections, human rights violations and failure to uphold the rule
of law.

Mugabe, who denies violating human rights or stealing elections, says the
sanctions have had a wider impact beyond the targeted individuals to damage
Zimbabwe’s once vibrant economy.

Mugabe and his Zanu PF party in March this year launched a petition calling
for the lifting of the Western visa restrictions and asset freeze.

The party is seeking two million signatures and has also threatened to seize
foreign companies from countries that have  imposed travel and financial
restrictions on Mugabe and his inner circle.

The British Embassy has put $65 000 in the Hwange Water  and irrigation
projects that  started early this year.

2008 deaths worry MDC

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

By Godfrey Mtimba
Thursday, 21 July 2011 15:38

MASVINGO - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC in Masvingo says the
number of its activists dying from injuries sustained in political violence
dating back to 2008 has become a major worry.

Speaking to the Daily News following the death of Betty Zimoto, the party’s
former deputy chairperson of the provincial youth wing, MDC Masvingo
spokesperson Harrison Mudzuri said three years after the violent 2008
elections, the party continued to lose members from long-running injuries.

“The issue is becoming serious because every month we lose one or two
members since 2008 and this must be addressed at national level,” said
Mudzuri.

“We are increasingly becoming concerned at the rate at which our members are
losing their lives as a direct result of the injuries and wounds they
sustained in the 2008 violent presidential election run-off participated by
a single candidate Robert Mugabe after we pulled out our candidate,” said
Mudzuri.

Tsvangirai pulled out of the run-off citing gross violence that he said left
over 200 of his supporters dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands
displaced as Mugabe sought to overturn a first round loss to the former
trade unionist.

The violence forced the African Union (AU) to mandate Sadc to push for the
formation of a coalition government between Mugabe and Tsvangirai as well as
oversee a fresh free and fair election.

The AU decision was made at a summit in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh days after
Mugabe’s solo election and swearing-in.
Zimoto’s attack bears the hallmarks of the brutal 2008 violent days.

The MDC claims Zimoto (37) was abducted by suspected state security agents
in Masvingo city and was tortured and beaten before being dumped in the
gigantic Gonarezhou National Park.

Gonarezhou is infested with dangerous wild animals such as lions, elephants,
leopards and cheetahs.

She was, however, rescued by patrolling game rangers who untied her from a
tree after spending three days in the jungle.

Her death came barely two weeks after the party buried another official,
Kamurai Sarai in Chivi, who was allegedly abducted during the same period
and sustained internal injuries that he eventually succumbed to.

The MDC claims that it has lost over 100 activists in the province who were
victims of torture and assaults since 2008.

Mudzuri said the government should take up the matter and come up with a
solution to assist the victims and their families.

“There is need for some sort of reparations and justice. We are angered by
the fact that this national healing organ has done nothing to resolve this
issue which is contentious.

“Perpetrators of the violence are known and out there. They are walking scot
free yet they should be brought to book and face punishment,” he said.

“We are losing patience over the continued delay by the inclusive government
and its toothless national healing organ in dealing with victims of
political violence and the perpetrators,” read a joint statement by the
party’s provincial women’s assembly chairperson Judith Muzhavazhi and youth
secretary for information Arnold Batirai.

Tsvangirai's Party, Like Mugabe's ZANU-PF, Rejects Elections Road Map

http://www.voanews.com/

20 July 2011

ZANU-PF rejected the road map last week saying it wants the timeline for
implementation of key reforms under the Global Political Agreement to be
telescoped so elections can be held this year

Ntungamili Nkomo | Washington

The Movement for Democratic Change formation of Zimbabwean Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday joined President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF in
rejecting the election road map drawn up by party negotiators saying it does
not address key issues.

The MDC statement came as the facilitation team of South African President
Jacob Zuma arrived in the Zimbabwean capital to assess progress on the road
map and push for resolution of issues still outstanding from the 2008 Global
Political Agreement.

ZANU-PF rejected the road map last week saying it wants the timeline for
implementation of key reforms to be telescoped so elections can be held this
year.

The Tsvangirai MDC’s standing committee issued a statement after a meeting
in Harare on Wednesday saying that it noted with “displeasure” that the
election road map does not seek to address fundamental issues including
reform of the military to ensure the country's generals and other top
officers do not meddle in electoral politics.

The MDC also demanded the reconstitution of the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission and that election monitors for the Southern African Development
Community and the African Union be deployed to Zimbabwe from six months
before to six months after elections.

It also criticized ZANU-PF for demanding the removal of the electoral body's
chairman, Simpson Mutambanengwe, on the grounds that he was being
sympathetic to the MDC, saying the move was "an attempt to undermine the
independence of ZEC."

The Zuma facilitation team, meanwhile, was meeting with negotiators telling
them to step up their efforts to bring closure to all troublesome issues
ahead of a crucial Southern African Development Community summit next month
in Angola.

"It is therefore, misleading for some people to say that the road map has
been concluded," the Tsvangirai MDC said in a statement. "While we
appreciate the very good efforts made by our negotiators, we believe that
more has to be done in order to complete the road map."

Negotiator Moses Mzila Ndlovu of the smaller MDC wing led by Welshman Ncube
told VOA reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that he agrees with Mr. Zuma’s
facilitators that there are many issues Harare should resolve without
turning to Mr. Zuma or SADC.

Political analyst Effie Dlela Ncube opined that it is high time parties in
the unity government resolved their differences and moved forward.

"The problem that we have in this negotiation process is that ZANU-PF has no
interest making concessions. That's what makes the situation difficult,"
Ncube commented.

ZANU-PF to Highlight Anti-Sanctions Petition at Regional Summit

http://www.voanews.com/

20 July 2011

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said President Mugabe will take the petition
signed by 2.2 million Zimbabweans against targeted travel and financial
sanctions to a SADC summit next month

Violet Gonda | Washington

Zimbabwe's former ruling ZANU PF party says it will highlight an
anti-sanctions petition it says was signed by 2.2 million Zimbabweans at a
summit next month in Angola of the Southern African Development Community.
But civic groups promised to produce evidence at the summit that many of the
signatures were coerced.

The state-controlled Herald newspaper quoted ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo
as saying the party would point to the signatures as evidence Zimbabweans
back ZANU-PF calls for the removal of US and other Western sanctions against
President Robert Mugabe and about 200 other top ZANU PF officials and
related companies.

But civic groups have accused liberation war veterans and ZANU-PF youth
militia of forcing school children and teachers to sign the petition.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition programs manager Pedzisai Ruhanya told VOA
Studio 7 reporter Violet Gonda that civil society will put the petition into
perspective.

Ruhanya said relatively few people support ZANU-PF to the extent of going
out of their way to sign such a petition, noting that Mr. Mugabe received no
more than 1.2 million votes in the 2008 election and ZANU-PF has lost
control of most municipalities.

The activist accused ZANU-PF supporters of force-marching people to meetings
regarding the anti-sanctions petition, at times closing schools. It is
charged that in some cases school children were ordered to get their parents
to sign the petition.

18 reported killed in Malawi anti-government protests

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Lance Guma
21 July 2011

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika was under increasing pressure to quit
after two days of anti-government protests spread to major cities. At least
18 people were confirmed to have been killed in unprecedented rioting over
what they see as the Presidents increasing authoritarian rule.

On Thursday an under pressure Mutharika made a special broadcast on state
radio appealing for calm. "Stop the rioting and let's sit down to discuss. I
have a responsibility, based on the powers vested in me by the Constitution
to bring law and order," he claimed.

It’s reported that matters came to the boil when a court ruled on Tuesday
that nationwide protests, called against the high cost of living, were
illegal. People defied the ruling and went onto the streets. In the capital
Lilongwe the situation was said to be tense with crowds chanting "Let him
(Mutharika) go".

Starving pensioners get a lifeline in Zimbabwe

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Cheryl Robertson helps out a charity that supports the elderly in Zimbabwe

11:14AM BST 21 Jul 2011

I’m among the Zimbabwean diaspora, having left the country in 1987.
Periodically I return home from my Dubai base, and last month’s visit was to
establish how one organisation was helping pensioners unable to support
themselves.

Many of these people lost homes and livelihoods after the government
introduced a land redistribution policy whereby commercial farms were taken
from some and given to others – those loyal to the government. At the same
time pensions and savings were wiped out as the Zimbabwean dollar reached an
annual inflation rate of 231 million per cent (back in 2008).

Having no state support there is little they can do – apart from start a
business or find a job, not easy at 70-plus. Enter Hannes Botha, who, along
with his brother Attie and volunteers from the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support
Fund (ZPSF) non-profit organisation, regularly deliver basic food parcels to
1,650 pensioners.

Most have somewhere to live but even so it is difficult to survive on $19 a
month, a typical pension. Some don’t get anything at all. So the ZPSF team
source, collate then every 6 to 8 weeks deliver two truck-loads carrying
about 20 tons of non-perishable food from Malelane in South Africa to 28 old
age homes, private homes and feeding kitchens in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Attie, aged 64, and volunteer driver Boet Holmes, 68, picked me up in
Harare in a 16 ton Nissan diesel UD 90 and we headed to Chinhoyi, a town 115
kilometres to the northwest. At Sunningdale Trust in Chinhoyi 36 boxes were
off-loaded for pensioners here and in the Karoi and Kariba areas. Each box
included small bags of maize meal, rice, sugar and oats; spaghetti, cooking
oil, jam, coffee, salt, peanut butter, soup packets, yeast, candles,
matches, a tin each of pilchards, baked beans, Vienna sausages, mixed
vegetables and corned meat; plus one bar of soap and chocolate. The
residents clad in hand-knitted jumpers gathered around the truck and looked
for their boxes although some – including two over 80 - had already left for
work.

Ex-farmer Koos, in his seventies, is on the nightshift at a bakery in
Chinhoyi. After 53 years farming, he doesn’t like it much, the dark rings
under his eyes indicating possibly why. “At least I have a job. I cannot
afford to just give up.”

From Chinhoyi we headed south to Kadoma and the Westview Trust Homes where a
resident made me a cup of tea and told me about her incurable macular
degeneration. We stayed the night at our host’s home, a farmer turned gold
miller. The ZPSF has a network of supporters throughout the country who
identify those that genuinely need help.

Next morning we deposited 27 parcels at the Lynbrook Homes in Kwe Kwe. The
crisp, clear wintery air, the deep blue sky etched with bougainvillea and
frangipani brightened the poignant situation. Boet and Attie heaved boxes
out of the truck despite the nagging pain in Attie’s knee. He should have an
operation soon.

“We lost absolutely everything,” says Sonia, a retired nurse of about 70.
“My husband had an ex-railways pension – that went down the tube. It has
been reinstated but it’s around $19 a month. We were farming, and sold all
of our cattle, I think we ended up with 26 cents for them as they took 14
noughts off the currency at the time, so that was gone, and of course you
got nothing for your farm.”

We met Hannes, 58, at the Hubert Lee Cottages in Redcliff, driving the
second smaller truck up from Bulawayo. Twenty-five parcels were deposited. I
asked Hannes, initiator of the fund, what motivated him. “The majority of
these people are in this situation through no fault of their own,” he
replied.

Widow Sue, 72, is destitute because the inheritance she was entitled to was
not shared by her step-son. She cannot afford either dentist or doctor, and
once pulled out her own troublesome tooth and stitched up a dog bite on her
own arm. She sells old furniture for cash and looks after 11 other people on
her property. “Together we form a 'family’, watching out for each other and
doing the best we can to keep going,” she said.

Few appeared bitter. “There is no point in harbouring bitterness,” says a 68
year-old ex-tobacco farmer wearing a broad-rimmed hat and a sleeveless body
warmer. “It’ll eat you up if you do.”

The ZPSF supports a small proportion of the needy in the country. “The
plight of the real pensioners in Zimbabwe has not improved. Many totally
rely on what they receive from donors,” Hannes said.

Last week the government announced it would be establishing a new
parliamentary Bill to help the elderly, many of whom had become vulnerable
as a result of Aids destroying the traditional family support network.

It’s good to see the food parcels get into the right hands. Each recipient
is checked off against a list from the ZPSF database. The town, home and the
name of every recipient is taped onto the sides of each cardboard box. There
is even a spare box, just in case.

Boet told me about the Malvern Trust Home in Mvurwi, which recommends new
elderly residents be measured for their own coffin. The named box is kept in
“the coffin room”, and when the time comes the resident gets a service in
the chapel followed by a quick burial in the adjacent cemetery - a field
donated by a local farmer. “It sounds a terrible thing to do but the reality
is that there are no mortuaries or crematoriums that work,” he said.

Hannes and I arrived in his home town of Gweru, where he is welcomed at the
Huisvergesig and Boggies Trust Home like a long lost friend. We then met two
pensioners in their own run-down houses, one of which had an electricity
power cut. These are frequent and frustrating daily occurrences throughout
Zimbabwe. Both pensioners are thin, vulnerable, yet feisty – they were
overjoyed to meet Hannes for the first time. He has become a legend.

Each round trip costs around US$30,000, provided mostly by South African
donors. The trucks cover two routes, parting company after the Beitbridge
border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, one going via Bulawayo to
Gweru and the other travelling via Masvingo to Harare. The total distance
covered is about 7,500 kilometres.

From Gweru we drove 35 kilometres to Muus Lodge residential home in Shirugwi
where we also left boxes for Zvishavane’s destitute with Jack who, having
been there for 46 years, knows who they are. The residents gave Hannes some
enormous avocado pears, and said: “Everything’s all right here really” or
“Can’t complain”. They didn’t want to talk about their problems.

At night we returned to Kwe Kwe, where Hannes’ friends hosted us. Don’t
their families do any caring - the question is asked. Many do, but equally,
many don’t or can’t. Some may not even know a family member is receiving a
food parcel. “There is pride in all of us no matter how down-and-out we
 are,” one lady admitted quietly.

Others lived with and expected to inherit the family farm from their
parents, so now they too are struggling – or have joined the Zimbabwean
diaspora.

Analysis Of The Electoral Amendment Bill 2011

: U.S. Measures no Hindrance to Zim Progress: U.S. envoy

Ambassador Ray's speech in Kwe Kwe.

Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch : Issue 29

Mugabe exit plan, ill-advised, insensitive and probably illegal

Mugabe exit plan, ill-advised, insensitive and probably illegal

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 21/07/11

Shock and disbelief is how it feels about reports that the South African
President Jacob Zuma and MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai have crafted a safe
exit plan for Zanu-pf leader Robert Mugabe (The Zimbabwean, Zuma, PM agree
Mugabe exit plan, 20/07/11).

Morgan Tsvangirai should be careful not to be seen to be insensitive to the
Gukurahundi genocide especially as people would think all Shona people don’t
care about the human rights abuses committed against other ethnic groups in
the country.

One needs to be very brave to read a full chapter of the Justice and Peace
Commission’s Report on Gukurahundi unmoved by emotion. Furthermore, reports
that surviving mothers who were raped by soldiers are facing problems to
obtain birth certificates for their children up to now are very distressing.

It would be grossly insensitive to try and work out a secret immunity plan
for Mugabe amidst renewed anger about Gukurahundi genocide. Last year,
Genocide Watch called for Mugabe and his army to be prosecuted for the
Gukurahundi genocide.

Should Mugabe eventually stand trial and be found guilty for Gukurahundi
massacres, it will not be out of revenge but the rule of law, therefore, any
interference with the rule of law is bound to be controversial.

It would be ill-advised to alienate voters in Matebeleland North and South
and Midlands by giving Mugabe a safe exit to South Africa where he was
allegedlyb bought a retirement home during Thabo Mbeki’s reign. The effect
would be an Egypt-style revolution as is now happening in neighbouring
Malawi.

MDC should be wary of Zuma’s and ANC’s real intentions of trying to save the
face of their “fellow comrade”. South Africa’s Jacob Zuma is in a very
precarious situation right now.

Zuma is fighting for survival as leader of the ANC, which is due to have
elections in 2012. As SADC mediator, Zuma’s credibility is on the line
because of the intransigence of his comrade-in-arms Robert Mugabe, who is
stubbornly stalling on implementing the GPA signed 3 years ago at South
Africa’s instigation.

It is not only the people of Matebeleland and Midlands who want Mugabe to
stand trial for human rights abuses, but the rest of the country especially
in view of election violence, some of the evidence which is probably
contained in the report that President Zuma is withholding despite court
orders for its release to the Mail and Guardian newspaper.

The exit plan is probably illegal for an accused person to be shielded from
the rule of law because his sympathisers have threatened to stage a military
coup. In short, that would be giving in to blackmail. Similarly, nothing
would stop Zimbabweans from challenging Mugabe’s secret exit plan in a well
constituted court of law.

It would also be unfortunate and probably short-sighted for any Zimbabwean
politician to enter into private arrangements with a foreign government
seeking to frustrate justice for the government and people of Zimbabwe. The
plan is potentially divisive of the people of Zimbabwe on tribal lines. That
is undesirable.

If South Africa was so concerned about Mugabe’s welfare or statesmanship,
why did they not take him when he lost presidential elections in 2008? Why
wait until he loses another election with the possibility of more
abductions, torture and murder?

Zimbabwe’s case is different from that of Zambia, because Kenneth Kaunda did
not allegedly commit any massacres and atrocities that we know of as is
alleged of Robert Mugabe’s regime. It is therefore incorrect to equate the
two.

The plan is potentially a source of political instability and is an
undesirable distraction. The exit plan further plays into the hands of
secessionists who will not see any reason to expect justice if Mugabe is
protected from prosecution for rights abuses.

Sadly, the government of Zimbabwe which should be trying to heal the wounds
of Gukurahundi has been arresting and harassing political leaders, human
rights lawyers, activists and journalists from Matebeleland North.

Since January 2011 the following have been arrested, some of them more than
once: Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Welshman Ncube, Florence Ndlovu, Walter Dube,
Joram Dube, Lizwe Jamela, Nosimilo Chanaiwa, Nikiwe Ncube, Pindai Dube,
Pamenus Tuso, Nqobani Ndlovu and Oscar Nkala. As they have not been
convicted of any offence, they deserve an apology for the sake of national
unity.

The brave remarks of Dominic Muntanga at the burial of his father the late
Zapu cadre, Andrew Muntanga at the Heroes Acre on Wednesday 20th July 2011
(The Daily News, Hero’s son humiliates Mugabe, 21/07/11) should serve as a
reminder to all leaders.

Dominic spoke of how his liberation war hero father was detained and
imprisoned by the post-independence government during the Gukurahundi years
(1982- 1987). His bitterness should be seen as a reflection of the feelings
of the people of Matabeleland and Midlands about the outstanding issue of
Gukurahundi. To suggest that the Gukurahundi issue is closed is
irresponsible and naive.

Therefore, Mugabe’s exit plan is ill-advised, insensitive and probably
illegal.

Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London,
zimanalysis2009@gmail.com

Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committees and Status of Bills Series [New Venue for Harare Public Hearing on Human Rights Commission Bill]

BILL WATCH

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE SERIES

[20th July 2011]

Change of Venue for Harare Public Hearing on Human Rights Commission Bill

Saturday 23rd July  

Saturday’s public hearing on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill will now take place at Parliament itself, not at the Cyril Jennings Hall in Highfield as originally scheduled.  Details are as follows:

Venue:  Senate Chamber, Ground Floor, Parliament Building, Harare

Date:  Saturday 23rd July

Time:  10 am

The hearing is open to all.  Those wishing to attend should use the Nelson Mandela Avenue entrance to Parliament, between Second and Third Streets.   IDs must be produced. 

This hearing will be the last of seven being held around the country this week by a Joint Committee of the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs and the Senate Thematic Committee on Human Rights. The first meeting, in Chinhoyi on Monday, had to be abandoned after it was disrupted by rowdy elements objecting to criticism of the Bill expressed by a member of the public giving evidence at the hearing. 

The object of the hearings is to gather public views on this important Bill before it is debated in the House of Assembly and later in the Senate.  The joint committee will produce a report which will be presented in both Houses when the Bill comes up for its Second Reading in due course.  The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee is Hon Douglas Mwonzora MP.  The chairperson of the Thematic Committee is Hon Senator Misheck Marava.

If you are unable to attend a hearing, written submissions and correspondence may be addressed to: The Clerk of Parliament, Attention: Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, P.O. Box CY298, Causeway, Harare.  If delivering, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue entrance to Parliament, between Second and Third Streets.  The sooner written submissions are delivered the better, because there is an element of urgency to this Bill.

For further information please contact the committee clerk, Ms Precious Zenda.  Telephone 04-700181, 252931, 252941.  Mobile:  0772 281533.  Email zendap@parlzim.gov.zw

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied.

Bill Watch 29/2011 of 21st July [Facilitation Team in Town for Election Roadmap; Parliamentary Update]