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Police bias exposed

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor
Thursday, 28 July 2011 13:28

HARARE - Police yesterday arrested 13 human rights campaigners who were on a
peaceful demonstration at the High Court, exposing law enforcement agents’
blatant selective application of the law.

The human rights campaigners were at the court as part of a peaceful protest
to show solidarity with MDC activists who have been languishing in remand
prison for over eight weeks after being accused of killing a policeman.

Lawyers and human rights observers lashed out at yesterday’s arrest of
peaceful campaigners from Restoration of Human Rights (Rohr), pointing out
that dozens of Zanu PF mobsters who beat up an MP and journalists in chaotic
scenes at Parliament on Saturday were still walking free.

None of the Zanu PF mobsters was arrested for the unprecedented fracas that
happened in front of police officers at Parliament, a development observers
say confirms that police is now working more as an extension of Zanu PF.

“We have been highlighting this for a long time that the police are not
carrying out their obligation of upholding the rule of law,” said Irene
Petras, executive director at Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

Rohr human rights campaigners arrested yesterday are Cosmas Ndira, Kimberly
Nyatsanga, Tungamirai Muzulani, Barnabas Mwanaka, Leo Mutema, Kudakwashe
Usavi, John Gumeni, David Mazibiye, Wycliff Chimhandama, Wencilus
Nyamunokora, Trymore Matsitsiro, Isaac Kalongonda, and one Mafodya.

Stendrick Zvorwadza, the Rohr spokesperson, confirmed the arrests. He said
the police action showed gross selective application of the law. “It is very
interesting to see that what is happening (storming of Parliament) is taking
place in the presence of the police who are not taking any action We have
seen how the police have moved in quickly to arrest top politicians from the
MDC or civil society members,” said Zvorwadza.

He said his organisation would continue to demonstrate until the restoration
of human rights in the country.

“We are prepared to die. That is why we are going on to confront this
regime,” Zvorwadza said.

Petras said police had become willing appendages of President Robert Mugabe
and his Zanu PF party. She said police action showed why the issue of
security sector reforms should remain high on the Sadc agenda on election.

“If police were professional and had been arresting perpetrators of violence
instead of victims then we were not going to witness those violent scenes at
Parliament. There is no political will to arrest hooligans and the chaos and
lawlessness shall continue because there is no action taken,” said Petras.

Human rights researcher Pedzisai Ruhanya said the arrest of the activists
revealed that police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri had lost it and
needed to be more professional.

“Zimbabwe needs a police commissioner. As far as Zimbabweans are concerned
we do not have a police commissioner.
“If you want to know how useless the police are, the arrest of these
activists is a typical example yet the thugs who beat up parliamentarians
and journalists are yet to be arrested,” Ruhanya said.

“We even doubt whether those thugs had not spoken to senior police officers
beforehand. If Chihuri needs Zimbabwe to respect him and his office, the
only thing he has to do is resign. He has no conscience,” Ruhanya said.

Ruhanya said the “desperate” actions by security forces who are believed to
be the real power behind Zanu PF and Mugabe were a sign that change was
nearby.

“Whatever the regime is doing, there has never been a government under the
sun that has been there for all time.
“These are signs of the times when such things that we do not expect to
happen begin to happen.

It shows that the regime is almost collapsing when these uncouth and
unlawful things begin to happen. It tells us we are closer to transition,”
Ruhanya said.

The activists were arrested as they held placards denouncing police and the
selective application of law during a demonstration which took place in
front of the High Court where eight MDC activists were due to appear for a
bail hearing.

The matter was postponed to today because prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba failed
to attend court citing family reasons.

The Rohr activists held placards with messages such as: “Stop illegal
detentions, Justice denied is justice delayed, No arbitrary arrests and
Release Cynthia (Manjoro) now, she is innocent.”


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Part 5 of the leaked CIO list

http://www.swradioafrica.com/News280711/ciopart5280711.htm
 

By Lance Guma
28 July 2011

SW Radio Africa continues with Part 5 of the list of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents working in and outside Zimbabwe. The document dated 2001 contains a list of state security agents working at that time. Some may have retired or passed away, but evidence has shown many are still serving. Although the document contained their home addresses, we are not publishing these details.

Last week SW Radio Africa reported on Eleanor Mtangi, listed as an ‘operative’ at number 281 on the list. We also reported on how she and her husband Collin Cephas Mtangi, ran Cottel Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd from Harare, supplying electrical equipment and consumables to the mining and industrial sectors. The company boasted contracts with the army, police, air force, national oil company, ZESA, Zimglass, Shabani Mashava Mines and the Department of Irrigation, among others.

This week the matter took a new turn as our investigations showed Eleanor is now the Treasurer for the MDC-T Women’s Assembly in the United States. SW Radio Africa has been told that she divorced her husband and moved to the US but this has not been confirmed. Den Moyo, the MDC-T USA Chairman, told SW Radio Africa that they instituted their own investigations and a committee which included officials from the ‘Intelligence & Security Sub Committee’ called Mtangi to a hearing.

“Mtangi confirmed that she was once employed by the CIO, not as an operative, but as an administrator in the communications department, and that she resigned in December 2001. She sighted one of her reasons for resigning as the fact that she did not agree with the way the government was operating, and she wanted to see change. She joined the MDC around that time. She stated that she immediately left Zimbabwe, and when entering the USA, she disclosed her prior involvement with the CIO,” Moyo told SW Radio Africa in a written response.

“She insists that she severed all ties with the CIO, and that she is truly involved with the MDC,” Moyo added.

Despite claims by Ms. Mtangi that she disclosed her prior involvement with the CIO to the US authorities, it does not seem her fellow colleagues in the MDC-T knew her background. SW Radio Africa spoke to her by telephone on Thursday, and, despite refusing an official interview, she claimed she had told MDC-T US Columbus District Chairman Zvidzai Ruzvidzo about her CIO background.

Meanwhile at number 356 on the list is the late CIO Deputy Director General Livingstone Menard Muzariri, a man who exemplified all that is wrong with the organisation. In 2001 he was listed as an ‘operative’ but now Muzariri’s name remains synonymous with the Gukurahundi Massacres in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces. A ruthless operator within CIO circles, Muzariri played a prominent role in the Massacres alongside the current Air force Commander Perrance Shiri.

Although Muzariri generally remained out of the public eye and shunned publicity his fellow colleagues in the CIO confirmed his notoriety for being brutal during assignments. A former CIO operative now based in London told SW Radio Africa that Muzariri committed some of the most serious atrocities during the Gukurahundi Massacres. He led public executions, often forcing victims to dig their own graves in front of family and villagers.

With help from the 5th Brigade army units, Muzariri and his fellow agents would routinely round up villagers and march them at gun point to a central place. There they would be forced to sing Shona songs praising ZANU PF, at the same time being beaten with sticks. These gatherings usually ended with public executions, another source told us. At the time of his death Muzariri was into farming and was a neighbour to Reward Marufu, brother to Grace Mugabe who died last year.

Floyd Ndaudzwa at number 371 is listed as a ‘Deputy Intelligence Officer’. Investigations by SW Radio Africa revealed that around August 2005 he was based at Chaminuka Building (CIO headquarters) and was working there as the chief personnel officer (CPO) of the organisation. Ndaudzwa was cited in a high profile case in which a CIO agent, sacked in 2002, went to court challenging his dismissal for allegedly training his four-year-old daughter on how to use an AK47 rifle.

At number 383 is the recently appointed Deputy Director General Aaron Daniel Tonde Nhepera, who replaced the late Livingstone Menard Muzariri. Shockingly Nhepera in 1997 claimed to have suffered 98 percent disability from injuries sustained in the liberation war. He subsequently made five different claims and received Z$650 901 from the War Victims Compensation Fund. He claimed to be suffering hallucinations, persistent headaches, ear and stomach aches.

Nhepera, just like his predecessor Muzariri, played a key role in the Gukurahundi Massacres. By his own admission he only resigned from the notorious 5th Brigade army unit because of ill-health. The 5th Brigade was an elite unit of soldiers specially trained by North Korean instructors and had about 3500 ex ZANLA fighters. They rampaged through the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces killing an estimated 20 000 perceived opposition ZAPU supporters.

The late Corneous Nhloko a ‘Deputy Intelligence Officer’, at number 385 on our list, died in a fire at his farm in Wozoli, Silobela, in February this year. Known by his liberation war nickname of Victor Mlambo he was declared a national hero by ZANU PF. He joined the CIO in 1979 and rose through the ranks to become assistant intelligence officer in 1986 before he was then appointed head of the counter-subversion unit for Harare Province.

In 1992 Nhloko was posted to Lagos, Nigeria where he worked as a ‘liaison officer’ before being transferred to the CIO Training Academy in Harare in 1996.

See Part 5 of the 2001 CIO List


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Zimbabwe Finance Minister warns of govt shutdown over deficit

http://www.theafricareport.com

Thursday, 28 July 2011 16:17

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti has warned of a "long winter of
despair" saying there is a real danger of government shutting down
completely down as early as October.

Biti made the warning on Tuesday as he presented his midterm fiscal policy
statement that showed the country’s budget deficit hitting US$700 million
this year, largely because of an unbudgeted salary increment for government
workers.

The statement delivered in parliament policy was a reality check for
Zimbabweans who were becoming optimistic about the country’s economic
recovery and future prospects.

"Zimbabweans must brace themselves up for a long winter of despair,” Biti
said.

“We have made this bed and we must lie in it. Zimbabwe is facing an
unsustainable US$7, 15 billion debts.”

Although macroeconomic fundamentals remained stable and the 9,3 growth
projection for this year was still on track, unbudgeted expenditures seem to
have complicated matters for Biti.

The recent public servants’ salary increases, which would require an
additional US$262 million, and other unbudgeted expenditures amounting to
$500m would put a further strain on the $2, 7 billion budget for this year.

State wages would now take up 65% of revenue, something the International
Monetary Fund warned against in April.

But the minister remained optimistic that the economy will continue with its
positive growth that began in 2009 when President Robert Mugabe formed a
unity government with his former opponents.

"Agriculture and mining, with 19, 3% and 44% growth respectively, are at the
epicenter of this growth," he said.

“The real problem is not in 2011, it is in 2012 because we are going to
start off with a budget of US$2 billion and US$1,1 billion on anything
 else,” he said.

“The real gnashing of teeth will be in 2012 and you must brace for a long
winter of despondency,” Biti said.

“More importantly, there is said a real danger of government running
completely down as early as October 2011.

“We are likely to run monthly cash deficits and we shall face difficulties
in covering obligatory expenditure commitments."

But the minister unveiled a cocktail of measures aimed at protecting local
industry from cheap imports.

Import duty on some food stuffs ranging between 10 percent and 25 percent
was restored.


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Mugabe spends US$20 million on travel in 6 months

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
28 July, 2011

Figures published by a daily newspaper in Zimbabwe have revealed that Robert
Mugabe spends an extravagant amount of money on foreign travel, gobbling up
over US$20 million so far this year. According to the Daily News, that
amount is “way beyond” Mugabe’s US$15 million travel budget for the year.

In comparison the paper said Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his
deputies have so far spent just US$3, 7 million, or almost three quarters of
their US$5 million travel budget for the year.
Using statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the paper
calculated that travel expenses for government officials were “enough to
finance anti-retroviral treatment for almost 600 000 people for six straight
months in a public health system.”

The 87 year old Mugabe has reportedly travelled to the Far East at least
five times this year, allegedly seeking medical treatment. He also attended
the beatification of Pope John Paul II ceremony in Rome in May and was
reportedly the only head of state at a youth conference in New York this
week.

“It is embarrassing because he has no business at a youth conference,” said
political commentator Professor John Makumbe, adding that Mugabe is always
itching to go to the West to “facilitate shopping” for his wife Grace and
replenish their supplies of luxurious goods.
Makumbe told SW Radio Africa that Mugabe’s trips are “irresponsible” given
the dire economic straits that the country is in.

“Civil servants are being paid slave wages and cannot make ends meet.
Programmes are in limbo because government claims there is no money. So it
is irresponsible,” Makumbe explained.
Most of Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s travel allocation was reportedly spent
on a recent regional tour to lobby regional SADC leaders on the Zimbabwe
crisis. The MDC-T leader has been known to travel with a small delegation,
as opposed to Mugabe’s well documented 70-men entourage.

In his Medium Term Budget report on Wednesday Finance Minister Tendai Biti
told parliament he feared the travel budget for government officials would
drain the national treasury of much needed development funds. He also said
the country is facing a debt of about US$9 billion which needs to be
serviced.

Unfortunately ZANU PF has continued with policies that discourage investment
in Zimbabwe and the economy is not likely to improve as long as the
political crisis is not resolved.

 


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ZANU thugs burn Down MDC member's house

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The house of Marjorie Chikwasha, an MDC activist in Ward 12 Nyanga South,
Manicaland province was burnt by known Zanu PF mobsters on Tuesday night.
Chikwasha lost three bags of fertiliser, two 50kg bags of maize and kitchen
utensils. She made a report at Nyanga Police Station but no arrests have
been made.
28.07.1104:50pm
by MDC Information & Publicity Department

This is the second attack on MDC members in less than a week. On Sunday
night, in Chiredzi West, Tawanda Imbayago's house, the MDC secretary for
Ward 28, was burnt down by known Zanu PF arsonists. A report was also made
at Chiredzi Police Station but again no arrests have been made although the
culprits have been identified.

Meanwhile, the 13 human rights activists who were arrested yesterday for
holding a peaceful demonstration outside the High Court are still detained
at the Harare Central Police Station.

The demonstrators were calling for the granting of bail to eight MDC members
who were arrested in May on false allegations of murdering a police officer
in Glen View. One of them, Cynthia Manjoro was granted a US$500 bail today.
The police officer was murdered by unknown people at a night club.

Tomorrow the 24 MDC activists who were arrested in connection with the
murder will appear at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for routine remand.

The MDC Today - Issue 223


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Zimbabwe journalist Arrested, Prosecutors Throw Out Case

http://www.radiovop.com/

Bulawayo, July 28, 2011- Police in Bulawayo on Thursday morning arrested and
dragged to court Newsday senior court reporter, Richard Muponde on charges
of criminal defamation.

However Muponde was temporarily released after state prosecutors based
Bulawayo Tredgold Magistrate Court refused to present him before a
magistrate court saying that police should bring more evidence in the case.

According to the police Muponde defamed a bogus Bulawayo Estate Agent,
Christopher Mangisi who is also facing charges in court of defrauding a 70
year-old city woman Sophie Mpofu.

Mangisi made a report to police against Muponde saying that he defamed him,
by writing his fraud case in the Newsday before talking to him. Police then
picked the journalist at his Bulawayo Newsday offices on Thursday morning
before dragging him to court.

Speaking to Radio VOP Muponde’s lawyer Josphat Tshuma of Webb Low and Barry,
said he was surprised that the police had arrested a journalist who was
exposing corruption.

“When a case is in court it’s longer a private matter but it is for public
compensation and I don’t see the reasons why police arrested a journalist
for reporting such a case. This is just continuous harassment of media
practitioners in Zimbabwe by police,” said Tshuma.

The arrest of Muponde comes barely two weeks after police arrested four
other journalists from the same city, Nqobani Ndlovu of The Standard, Pindai
Dube of Daily News and two freelancers, Osca Nkala and Pamenos Tuso who were
detained at Ntabazinduna police training depot for witnessing an eviction of
senior police officer who had been fired from the force for playing Movement
of Democratic Change (MDC) songs.


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Mixed Reactions to Zimbabwe Finance Minister Biti's Mid-Year Budget Review

http://www.voanews.com/

27 July 2011

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce President Trust Chikohora said Biti’s
US$40 million fund for distressed industries stands to boost companies
unable to finance locally

Gibbs Dube | Washington

Business people and economists offered mixed reactions on Wednesday to
Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s mid-term budget review with some
economists calling it a non-event but industry leaders praising Biti's plan
to expand credit to struggling firms.

Economist Eric Bloch said the mid-year fiscal policy review statement was
somewhat disappointing as Biti did not go into much detail on how he’ll
close the deficit gap which he projected at some US$700 million by year's
end, other than to promise to slash foreign travel by government officials
and scrub state payrolls of ghost workers.

“The minister gave a lot of statistical information ... but could not
indicate any plans whatsoever to reduce expenditure or to minimize the
deficit,” Bloch said.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce President Trust Chikohora said Biti’s
US$40 million fund for distressed industries should help companies unable to
finance locally.

Under the Distressed and Marginalized Areas Fund, the government and a local
pension fund will each make US$20 million available, though details have yet
to be finalized.

Chikohora said that some companies stand to benefit from the restoration of
customs duties on commodities. “We hope our industries will be in a position
to fully produce mealie-meal and cooking oil despite some of these
challenges,” Chikohora said.

Economist Tony Hawkins said some of the problems that companies are
highlighting are arising from production of poor quality goods, rather than
a lack of credit.

Political commentator Roderick Fayayo said that despite Biti’s optimism
about growth this year, economic risks are on the rise. “If friction among
the governing parties continues this will derail economic recovery,” Fayayo
cautioned.

Elsewhere, Biti and President Robert Mugabe are set to clash over proposals
for Zimbabwe to join the South African rand zone.

Biti said the country will benefit from adopting the rand, but President
Mugabe and hardliners in his ZANU-PF party say Zimbabwe should restore its
own dollar, abandoned in 2009 after it became worthless, arguing that issues
of sovereignty are at stake.


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CZI Attacks Political Leaders

http://www.radiovop.com/

Victoria Falls, July 28, 2011 - The head of the Confederation of Zimbabwe
Industries (CZI) has taken a swipe at the country’s political leaders for
engaging in what he termed 'political supremacy' at the expense of economic
growth as the country is set to have a budget deficit of US$ 700 million
this year.

The CZI president, Joseph Kanyekanye, was addressing an annual congress of
the businesses organisation.
He said political parties in government were more interested in political
scores than the growth of the economy.

“Our politicians are engaged in mortal danger for political supremacy at the
expense of our economic growth, industry viability and ultimately at great
disservice to young generations,” Kanyekanye told business leaders on
Wednesday.

“We are a nation of elections, restructuring of parties, congresses and
primaries between an election and outstanding issues. These elections about
elections and election dissipate economic recovery efforts and create
deep-seated anti-business policies and actions.”

Kanyekanye's statements conflicts with his earlier statements when he
attended a Zanu (PF) anti-sanctions campaign earlier this year where he
praised President Robert Mugabe and war veterans of the liberation struggle.
Other business leaders said the statements by Kanyekanye did not reflect all
the industry representatives.

Although the unity government formed two years ago was initially set to
stabilise the economy, the talk of elections has seen investors holding on
to their monies as they fear chaos will disrupt business activity during
elections.

Although no dates have been set for holding of elections, President Robert
Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) party have been insisting that the country hold
elections, while Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC have demanded
for reforms before holding any polls.


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No empowerment feed-back from govt: Zimplats

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/07/2011 00:00:00
    by Gilbert Nyambabvu

THE government has not officially responded to empowerment proposals made by
the country’s leading platinum mining firm Zimbabwe Platinum (Zimplats), the
company's chief executive said on Thursday.

"We submitted our plan in terms of the law. The plan takes into account our
agreement with government as well as community involvement," Alex Mhembere
told Reuters, adding the company has yet to hear back from empowerment
minister, Saviour Kasukuwere.

Zimplats is 87 percent contrlled by South Africa-based Impala Platinum
(Implats), the world’s second largest platinum producer. Implats also has a
50 percent interest in Mimosa Platinum Mine located in the Midlands town of
Zvishavane.
"He (Kasukuwere) has not officially communicated to us," Mhembere said.

Mhembere’s comments come after Kasukuwere announced that all the 175
proposals submitted by companies had been thrown out after failing to meet
the minimum requirements.

Foreign companies are required by low to localise control of at least 51
percent of their shareholding as part of measures aimed at economically
empowering the country’s historically disadvantaged black majority.

But Kasukuwere said most of the proposals submitted to his office fell far
short of the minimum threshold with companies offering around 26 percent
equity and the balance in a combination of so-called social credits that
include investing in local communities’ development.

Zimplats has particularly come under attack from the government with
President Robert Mugabe accusing the company of looting from the country.
“Zimplats has never given us any substantial money,” Mugabe said early this
year.

“They are taking all the money to South Africa that’s why I have told
(Empowerment Minister Saviour) Kasukuwere to deal with those mines.

The company had a prior deal with the government under which it gave up part
of its mineral resource base in return for empowerment credits and wants the
arrangement to be considered as part of its overall compliance plan.
The government is resisting the proposal.

A proposed US$450 million expansion programme which will see platinum
production boosted by 90 000 ounces to reach annualized output of 270 000
ounces will, however, not be affected by the indigenization dispute, company
officials insist.


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Zim needs change: Finance Minister

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Sapa | 28 July, 2011

Zimbabwe is in talks with US financial authorities to import American coins,
after dollarisation left the country without any change, Finance Minister
Tendai Biti says.

"Efforts to import small dollar coins to ease the small change problem are
continuing, with the Bankers' Association of Zimbabwe now spearheading the
process in liaison with US financial authorities," he said in The Herald
newspaper.

"It is envisaged that the coins will be availed before the end of the year,"
he said.

Zimbabwe abandoned its local currency in 2009, after years of hyperinflation
left it worthless. Now the government allows trade in major foreign
currencies, but the US dollar has taken over as the currency of reference.

US banknotes are now readily available, but the country has no coins.

If shoppers make a purchase that doesn't total an even dollar amount, they
are forced to buy candies or other small items to make up the difference.
Otherwise they receive a handwritten IOU on the back of their till slip,
redeemable back at the same shop.


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Cynthia Manjoro released on bail after two months in detention

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
28 July 2011

IT specialist Cynthia Manjoro, who was arrested and charged in connection
with the murder of a police officer in Glen View in May this year, was
finally released on bail on Thursday.

High Court Judge, Justice Samuel Kudya conceded there was “a change in
circumstances” in Manjoro’s case, which warranted the 26 year old and mother
of one to be released on US$500 bail. The judge however denied the other
seven bail, saying they were still a flight risk considering that at the
time of their arrests, all had fled their homes.

Initially when Manjoro was first denied bail, Judge Tendai Uchena said she
had no child, when in fact the information was contained in the state’s own
case outline.

Pro-democracy activist, Hopewell Gumbo told SW Radio Africa that one of the
other circumstances that led to Manjoro being released was that she was due
to start a post graduate degree with the National University of Science and
Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo.

“Her offer letter to study for a Masters’ degree came when she was in
custody. The fact that she is a young mother with a son to look after and
due to start a degree program wouldn’t make her a flight risk,” Gumbo said.

Human rights groups, friends and family have all welcomed her release. But
they have also voiced their dismay over the conditions the remaining seven
activists are facing in detention, and urged the authorities to free them.

Those who remain in custody are councillor Tungamirai Madzokere of Ward 32
Glen View, brothers Lazarus and Stanford Maengahama, Phineas Nhatarikwa,
Stanford Mangwiro, Yvonne Musarurwa and Rebecca Mafikeni.

Manjoro’s mother, Anna used Facebook, the social networking site to thank
people for their support. She wrote “the burden was getting heavier
sometimes but you were all there to make it lighter.”

“May the almighty god bless each and every one of you for your unwavering
support. Stage one is over, we continue fighting for the final acquittal.
Thank you all,” she said.

The defence team is already working on plans to launch an appeal at the
Supreme Court following indications from state prosecutors that the murder
trial of police inspector Petros Mutedza will begin in early next year.

“This is outrageous because it will mean these comrades will spend another
six to seven months (in prison) before their trial begins,” Gumbo said.

These seven are part of a group of 24 MDC activists who are facing the same
false charges. Inspector Mutedza was murdered by unknown revellers at a
night club in Glen View. The other 16 members were granted bail in July.

Meanwhile police have charged 13 Restoration of Human Rights of Zimbabwe
(ROHR) activists with ‘public nuisance’ after they were arrested outside the
High court on Wednesday. The group staged a protest against the continued
detention of the MDC activists facing the murder charges.

Lawyer Gift Mtisi said the charges laid against the protesters were changed
from that of ‘unlawful gathering’ to the lesser charge of ‘public nuisance’.

“They were asked to pay a fine of US$20 each so hopefully they should enjoy
their freedom once the money is paid by ROHR,” Mtisi said.


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NGOs want 2008 abuses probed

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Edward Jones     Thursday 28 July 2011

HARARE – A planned Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission should be fully
independent and mandated to investigate rights abuses dating back to the
violent 2008 presidential election run-off, local rights groups have said.

A parliamentary committee has been trying to gather views from Zimbabweans
on a new Human Rights Bill seeking to establish the independent rights body,
but a hearing at Parliament building last Saturday degenerated into violence
after ZANU-PF supporters disrupted the meeting.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, a local grouping of rights bodies, said
the commission should be independent to investigate rights violations and
have the power to force witnesses to appear before the body to produce
evidence.

“The Commission should be given a mandate that enables it to investigate the
2008 violations,” the rights group said in its submissions on the bill.

“The Commission should be given the broad mandate to monitor compliance by
the government of its obligations under the international law. As a result,
its scope of violations should cover all issues covered by international
human rights instruments to which Zimbabwe is a party.”

The current bill restricts the commission to investigate abuses carried out
after February 13, 2009 when the unity government was formed but the NGO
Forum also said in its form, the bill limited the scope of the commission’s
operations.

Critics have often accused President Robert Mugabe’s government of human
rights violations, one of the reasons Western countries imposed sanctions on
the octogenarian leader and his allies.

In 2008, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of an election run-off
saying he was shocked by the level of political violence aided by the
military, which his Movement for Democratic Change party says led to the
death of more than 200 of the party’s supporters.

State security organs have also come under fire for failing to act on abuses
and abetting rights violations to keep the 87-year-old leader in power.

Mugabe denies the charges and instead says he is a victim of a hostile
Western campaign to remove him from power.

“The Commission should be given the competence to promote, protect and
secure human rights and this should be clearly outlined in the Act. Its
specific powers in that regard should be clearly and expressly prescribed,”
the NGO Forum said in the submissions.

Some rights groups also want the commission to investigate abuses during the
turbulent early years of independence when North Korean-trained soldiers,
under Mugabe’s command, are accused of brutally putting down a rebellion in
Matabeleland and Midlands Province.

More than 20,000 people are estimated to have been killed during the army
crackdown infamously known as Gukurahundi.

The NGO Forum said the Human Rights Commission should be divorced from any
government activities and should be empowered to file its own reports before
international human rights treaty bodies.

In the current bill, that is still to be debated by Parliament, the
commission will help the government to draft reports that will be presented
at international fora that handle or deal with rights issues.

The rights groups are seeking a clause in the Bill to provide for punitive
measures against people who interfere with the work of the Commission to
undermine its independence.

They also want the Commission to follow up on the implementation of its
recommendations and decisions and to intervene in relevant cases before the
courts. -- ZimOnline


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Zim Street Child Accuses Soldier/Police Members Of Sexual Abuse

http://www.radiovop.com

By Beven Takunda, Harare, July 28, 2011 - A Harare street kid on Thursday
told a media workshop here that he and other street children had experienced
sexual abuse from members of the army and police who raided their makeshift
homes every night.

Giving a testimony, the street child who is now a peer educator under the
Streets Ahead, a non-governmental organisation dealing with homeless
children, revealed that street children were under threat from people who
were supposed to be protecting them.

“Both police and soldiers come in the night harassing us as to why we are on
the streets and pretend to ask us about our identity documents. Young girls
are raped within the vicinity of our bases, while defenceless boys are often
sodomised,” said the boy who could not be named because he is a minor.

The young boy said the majority of the street children were seeking for
treatment at local hospitals for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

“Most of us are suffering from gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis as a
result of such abuses," said the boy, adding the situation was worsened by
the fact that the street children lacked knowledge of safe sex practices.

An estimated 12 000 street children are believed to be staying in the street
of Zimbabwe, 5 000 of whom live in Harare.

Streets Ahead confirmed receiving street children who are infected by STIs
including HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies. It said it registers at least
20 new children every month.

Once living on the street, children are particularly vulnerable; especially
the girls who often risk back street abortions. These girls later suffer the
trauma of dealing with the terrible impact of these abortions on their own
health. Other girls keep their children. As a result of this Harare is
beginning to see second and third generations of children who only know a
community on the streets.


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Zim Minister Calls For Closure Of Condemned Prison

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, July 28, 2011 - Minister of State in Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai’s Office Jameson Timba has launched an ambitious fight for the
closure of the condemned Matapi police cells.

Timba who was arrested and locked up at the Matapi police cells last month
has written to Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda asking him to close the cells
because they are not fit for human habitation.

The Matapi police cells where condemned in 2005 by the Supreme Court in a
ruling passed by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.

“Your worship, the above inadequacies in the holding cells are a threat to
public health in the city and beyond,” said Timba in a July 22 letter to
Masunda also copied to the city of Harare Town Clerk, City Health Director,
co-ministers of Home Affairs, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs,
Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs and the International
Committee of the Red Cross.

“I am, therefore, requesting that the city invokes the relevant by-laws and
shut down this inhuman facility in the interest of public health until the
relevant authorities have rectified the above inadequacies to your
satisfaction.”

Timba was arrested for calling Mugabe a “liar”.

“May l also say that any policeman who has detained anyone at Matapi –
before council rectifies the inadequacies noted by the Supreme Court – is in
contempt of court from the date of the ruling,” Timba said.

The latest calls by Timba – one of Tsvangirai’s closest aides and advisors –
come as the country has witnessed an escalation in the arrests of non-Zanu
(PF) members and others fighting for more enhanced individual freedoms.

In a 2005 ruling on the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union secretary general
Wellington Chibebe, Nancy Kachingwe and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights’ application for better detention conditions, Chidyausiku described
the Matapi cells and those in Highlands as “degrading, inhumane and unfit
for holding criminal suspects.”

The ruling also ordered the Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) to improve
conditions in the country’s jails.

Zimbabwe’s correctional services are generally deplorable and in recent
years a commission led by another Supreme Court judge Rita Makarau decried
overcrowding, poor diet and the high prevalence of disease, and pestilence
in the country’s jails.

Recently, a parliamentary committee also raised the same issues – bordering
on human rights abuses – and urged authorities to act on the state of the
country’s prisons.

The committee concluded that some of the country’s jails are a death
sentence in themselves.


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Tsvangirai's Aide On Trial Over Falsehoods

http://www.radiovop.com/

Hwange, July 29, 2011 - The trial of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
deputy national chairperson and non constituency Senator Morgan Komichi for
allegedly communicating falsehoods commenced this week at Hwange Magistrates
Court.

Regional Magistrate Ndlovu presided over the trial on Tuesday where one
witness only turned up leading to the postponement of the trial to 15
August.

Prosecutors allege that Senator Komichi, who is represented by Nosimilo
Chanayiwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), communicated
falsehoods when he addressed and told supporters at an MDC rally in Lupane,
Matabeleland North province in February last year that the provincial
police, led by the Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Senior Assistant
Commissioner, Edmore Veterai, were unwilling to release three party vehicles
which were impounded by the police.

They claim that Senator Komichi made reference to the impounding of the
vehicles at a rally held at Negasha stadium in Lupane in February this year
where he allegedly said Veterai had confiscated these vehicles to further
the interests of Zanu (PF).

Lupane police impounded Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s campaign vehicle
and two others belonging to the party’s Matabeleland North province and the
Youth Assembly during the run-up to the sham June 2008 presidential
elections.

The vehicles are still being kept by the police.


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Indigenisation hijacked: Gono

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor
Thursday, 28 July 2011 16:02

HARARE - Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono still stands by his 2007
statement on indigenisation saying the there was need to strike a balance
between the objectives of indigenisation and the need to attract investment,
a development which could set him for a collision course with Zanu PF
officials.

He said a few greedy well connected officials were making the most noise on
indigenisation to grab so that they grab the wealth on their own.

Gono has in the past clashed with the Minister of Indigenisation Saviour
Kasukuwere while several Zanu PF hawks, who are eying to grab companies
through the controversial indigenisation law, have also been at odds with
the central bank governor over the issue.

The central bank maintains that senior government officials and well
connected individuals were already positioning themselves to muscle into
certain mining, manufacturing, financial and other entities that are
performing well and contributing to foreign currency inflows of the country.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday Gono said he still stands by “every
word” of what he said in the statement but reiterated that since the law had
already been approved by Parliament and ascended to by President Robert
Mugabe, the law had to be followed.

“The law must be complied with but my advice of 2007 still stands. Our
advice is still valid. Our advice on the banking sector remains that those
who want banks must come to us and we give them banking licences,” said
Gono.

This comes amid reports that  Zimbabwe is losing huge sums of money with
investors transferring millions of dollars from the country as they are not
sure if their investments are safe.

Gono said while the policy is “noble” as it is aimed to empower the majority
of Zimbabweans, it is being done in the wrong way and therefore benefitting
a small clique who wanted to amass wealth  in a “starkly greedy but
irresponsible manner.”

An advisor to government on economic policies, Gono said: “ We should ensure
that the empowerment drive was not derailed by a few well-connected cliques,
some who are already making the most noise in ostensible support of this
initiative, who would want to amass wealth to themselves in a starkly greedy
but irresponsible manner whilst the intended majority remain with nothing as
happened in the past with respect to government empowerment schemes such as
the land reform programme.”

The monetary policy document of the October 1, 2007 states that
indigenisation should be implemented in a manner which would enable the
investors to plough back while at the same time getting a return on their
investment.

“Specifically, the local foreign-ownership thresholds must be taken and
implemented as down the horizon targets as opposed to excitable but
impractical overnight conversion events.”

He recommended that for organisations worth over $500 million, the degree of
indigenisation should be 20 percent over a period of five years and 45
percent from the sixth to the 10th year and that full compliance of the 51
percent could only be possible after 15 years.

This approach he said,  would not only  promote fair valuation and
reasonable return of initial investment outlays but would go a long way in
ensuring a smooth transition from old to new shareholders.

“Where foreign investors bring in clear long-term benefits to the country, a
reasonable degree of flexibility ought to be exercised in allowing investors
to hold at least in the initial stages, majority shareholding so as to
deliberately accord them escalated dividends that enable them to plough back
their initial investments outlays.”

“Beyond pre-agreed time thresholds, foreign shareholding can then be diluted
on a gradual win-win basis, in line with the otherwise noble objectives of
indigenisation and empowerment.

Turning to the issue of foreign-owned banks Gono said: “Of particular
concern to us as monetary authorities would be attempts to forcibly push the
envelop of indigenisation into the delicate area of banking and finance.

“To this end, we call upon those with interests in the financial sector to
approach the central bank with their applications for new banking licences.
Generally, we believe that 27 years down the road, there should be no free
lunches,” said Gono in the 2007 statement which he said is still valid
advice.

Government, however insists that indigenisation should  take place at 51
percent across the board but the flip side is that at this rate only a few
will benefit from the national programme.


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'Ensure transparency in voting'

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

By Xolisani Ncube, Staff Writer
Thursday, 28 July 2011 14:56

HARARE - Members of the army and police must be allowed to freely exercise
their political choices during election time without any supervision from
their superiors, an electoral law specialist has said.

Alex Magaisa, a United Kingdom-based lawyer and political analyst, said this
while speaking at an electoral lecture organised by Zimbabwe Elections
Support Network (Zesn) yesterday.

Magaisa said the new electoral law should ensure transparency in the special
voting process for security forces to ensure that members of the military
and police were allowed to vote without fear or intimidation.

According to reports police, army and prisons commanders have in the past
closely supervised junior members while exercising their right to vote in
police stations and military barracks.

The Kent Law School lecturer said new electoral law should have provisions
for the sanctioning of military personnel and other civil servants who make
inflammatory statements that have potential to undermine constitutional
democracy.

Several army chiefs have openly declared they will not accept anyone without
liberation credentials to become president, in a veiled reference to MDC
leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Magaisa added that the new electoral law should give teeth to the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission to sanction the media against using hate speech and
derogatory messages against political parties.

“There must be clear and specific sanctions against media companies for
breaching these rules. This could include suspension of broadcasting
licences for a specified period. These powers must be exercised by the
commission,” said Magaisa.‘


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Mugabe 'spends £2m per month on travel abroad with his huge entourage'

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk
 
 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 2:06 PM on 28th July 2011

Tyrant Robert Mugabe spends £2million per month on luxurious foreign travel, according to a Zimbabwean newspaper.

The president splashes cash on first-class jaunts around Africa and Asia, often with an entourage of more than 70, while his country remains desperately poverty-stricken.

The Daily News, one of the few independent newspapers in Zimbabwe, claimed official papers revealed the despotic leader spent £12million on travel in the first six months of this year.

Spendthrift: Mugabe is accused of spending over £12 million on travel so far this year

Spendthrift: Mugabe is accused of spending over £12 million on travel so far this year

That means that Mugabe has already considerably overspent his entire annual budget for transport, at a time when millions of Zimbabweans face poverty.

The publication reported: 'President Robert Mugabe is the biggest spender in government as revelations emerge that he overshot his annual foreign travel budget by a massive 133 percent in just six months.

'So legendary is Mugabe's penchant for foreign travel that he has chewed over $20million to date, way beyond his $15million annual presidential travel budget.'

The alleged details of Mugabe's spending come after the president made a series of high profile overseas trips.

The Daily News claimed the 87-year-old leader had been to the Far East at least five times already this year, with several trips believed to be for him to receive medical attention at a top private hospital in Singapore.

Morgan Tsvangirai: The prime minister is also accused of spending too much on foreign travel

Morgan Tsvangirai: The prime minister is also accused of spending too much on foreign travel

He has also made numerous visits to other countries within Africa, and flew to Rome in May to witness the beatification of the late Pope Jean Paul II.

Mugabe has been widely criticised for his expensive tastes in Zimbabwe, where many state workers earn just £60 a month and millions experience unemployment.

Local media has previously reported how the country's national airline Air Zimbabwe is often forced to hand over one of its seven planes at the whim of the president.

Mugabe is believed to have chartered jets from the state-owned company several times this year to travel overseas with his huge entourage of friends, assistants and security guards.

The Daily News claimed that the £12million he has spent on foreign travel could have funded life-saving medication for six months for almost 600,000 HIV patients.

The controversy over Mugabe's spending follows criticism from his Zanu-PF party this week over the amount spent on travel by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mr Tsvangirai, who has served as Zimbabwe's prime minister under a unity government since February 2009, has reportedly already spent £2.2million of his department's annual £3million transport budget.

The country's finance minister Tendai Biti told parliament he feared excessive spending on travel could delay Zimbabwe's economic recovery. Presenting his budget this week, he added that the country faced a £430million deficit.

Controversy: Mugabe trips include his visit to Rome, pictured, for the beatification of John Paul II

Controversy: Mugabe trips include his visit to Rome, pictured, for the beatification of John Paul II

Campaigners have called for the government to slash its spending on luxuries like travel and concentrate on improving the lives of its people.

Joy Mabenge, head of the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, told the Daily News the current wastage was unacceptable.

She said: 'The meagre revenue by government should be directed towards critical needs like health, antiretroviral drugs and education.

'Government leaders should avoid squeezing the fiscus on issues that do not benefit the entire nation.'


 


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ROHR Zimbabwe Statement on the arrest of its Activists

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

ROHR Zimbabwe strongly condemns the arrests of its activists on Wednesday.
The arrests are a despicable, barefaced and appalling show of discriminatory
policing.
28.07.1106:39am
by Staff Writer Zim Office

Just days ago hooligans got away with stone age like beatings, muggings,
theft as well as defilement of the August house while peaceful human rights
activists are wantonly arrested ,beaten and detained for harmlessly carrying
placards and merely reminding that justice is a right to any persons whether
facing allegations or note.

The Police’s behavior is both unparalleled and unimaginable in this century.
We challenge the Police to move away this unacceptable, despicable and
shameful policy of heavy handedness, selective policing and human rights
abuse.

We therefore demand the immediate unconditional release of the thirteen ROHR
Zimbabwe activists without further delay. Justice, equality and freedoms
cannot be taken away or denied on political grounds. Furthermore, the
sovereign police force must be there to serve Zimbabwe without fear of
favour.

It is regrettable that this country has had an unfortunate heritage of
pleasure arrests where the arresting of any opposing figure massages the ego
of police commanders. Illegal arrests, detentions, intimidation and torture
seem to stand out more like state policy. Human rights activist, lawyers;
journalists, political activists and political leaders have been among those
who have fallen victim to this Iron Age Headman type of silencing dissent.

Understanding that these wanton arrests causes serious physical and
psychological irreparable damage, ROHR Zimbabwe notes with concern that in
cases in which the state is accused of carrying unlawful arrests and
detentions on members of the public, the victims have stood no chance of
restitution even when they are vindicated by the law as always is the case.

We demand a fundamental Policing shift from this medieval macho man style to
modern day professional conduct.

ROHR Zimbabwe challenges the inclusive government to guarantee the right to
freedoms of speech and after, freedoms of expression and movement and to
ensure basic human rights are observed and religiously upheld.


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Torture a Pastime in Zimbabwe

Sokwanele

Simon Moyo

28 July 2011

Torture, oh torture why is it so much used against my brethren?

Since I was a kid in the 80s torture in my beloved Zimbabwe has been used by the state. I vaguely remember the likes of Lookout Masuku, the ZIPRA commander who was tortured to death by President Mugabe hard boys in the late 80s. More poignantly I recall heartbreaking sight of political and social activists limping into the court rooms scattered around the country, painfully wobbling on feet beaten in order to induce submission.

Victims or rather survivors of torture speak of harrowing tales in the lice infested dungeons that the authorities call cells.

In recent times the MDC has borne the full brunt of torture and I remember vividly Tendai Biti, now Finance Minister, limping to courts after he was charged with treason in 2008; Biti was beaten. Jestina Mukoko was also tortured in the same year.

But that is all in the past and many hoped that with the advent of the Government of National Unity which also includes the MDC, torture in beloved Zimbabwe would end, somehow it has not and I personally don't see it ending as the state and terror seem to go hand in hand in our dear and beloved Zimbabwe.

In recent days the MDC-T has had its activists arrested on trumped up charges of killing a cop in Glen View, but perhaps more fresh is the arrest and subsequent torture of Minister of State in the Prime Minister officer James Timba.

If the state can torture ministers and prominent activists what about the simple people, who fight daily for survival and democracy?

I yearn for a Zimbabwe that condemns torture for as the UN chief put it; torture can never be justified.

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