The ZIMBABWE Situation
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Secret Zanu, MDC talks confirmed

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The two MDC formations are talking to reform-minded elements in Zanu (PF)
with a view to striking an “historic compromise” on post-Mugabe
“transitional arrangements” ahead of the next elections, a leading
think-tank has revealed.
30.07.1102:45pm
by Vusimusi Bhebhe

London-based Africa Confidential said both Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
and Welshman Ncube, who head the MDC-T and MDC-N, have confirmed ongoing
secret talks with Zanu (PF) officials in separate interviews.

“Neither Tsvangirai nor Ncube would be drawn on the details of such a deal
but both told Africa Confidential that there were serious talks about
‘transitional arrangements’,” the think-tank said.

These are believed to involve ridding the post-Mugabe government of partisan
bureaucrats and a governance system beholden to the security forces.

Zimbabwe's military has taken day-to-day control of key elements of the
government, limiting the authority of Mugabe as he struggles to maintain
power after 31 years.

Mugabe's clout has diminished as the military supremos have deployed forces
widely across the country and in government agencies – including the
electoral commission, many parastatals and government ministries.

National decision-making has been consolidated within the Joint Operations
Command, a shadowy group consisting of the leaders of the army, air force,
police, intelligence agency and prison service – the "securocrats."

Zanu (PF) insiders say that even Vice President Joice Mujuru and Defence
Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa have been having clandestine meetings with
Tsvangirai and other senior MDC-T figures about how to handle post-Mugabe
politics.

Mujuru and Mnangagwa lead the two factions believed to be jostling to
succeed Mugabe. Neither man relishes the prospect of inheriting a country
with a crippled economy, diplomatically isolated from its neighbours and
beholden to the military.

A deal with the MDC factions would be anathema to the securocrats, so the
generals are now believed to be promoting a third Zanu (PF) faction led by
Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Constantine Chiwenga as a serious
candidate to succeed Mugabe.


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Zuma loses patience

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

South Africa will launch a multi-national offensive against President Robert
Mugabe to see him isolated regionally if he continues to refuse to implement
the terms of the SADC election roadmap.
30.07.1102:51pm
by Staff Reporter

The latest showdown is due on August 16 when regional leaders meet in
Luanda. The crucial SADC summit will urge Zimbabwe's suspension if Mugabe
remains defiant.

SA broke cover this week in its diplomatic wrangle with Mugabe when
President Jacob Zuma, speaking through his official spokesperson Lindiwe
Zulu, made it clear Pretoria had finally lost patience with Mugabe’s
increasingly oppressive regime.

In an interview after an outbreak of Zanu (PF) sponsored violence in
Parliament, Zulu pledged to put Mugabe "on the spot" by urging a concerted
drive against him.

Diplomatic sources said this could include a sanctions regime, halting aid
and effectively kicking Zimbabwe out of SADC.

"The facilitator is not happy that we are remaining fixed on the same issues
(violence)," Zulu said. "The facilitator is gravely worried by the violence,
any violence from any quarter. We want to go to Angola with a progress
report. It seems there is regression.

"We have been to Livingstone, Windhoek, Sandton and now Luanda and we are
stuck with the same problem. The facilitator is not happy about this."

A SADC diplomat told The Zimbabwean: "The tragedy unfolding in Zimbabwe is
driven by one man's ruthless campaign to hang on to power whatever the cost.
He's destroying his country, damaging the rest of southern Africa and making
wretched the lives of his people."

Zulu's attack will inflame the already combustible stand-off between Harare
and Pretoria. He has been blamed by Mugabe's spindoctors for seeking to
topple the veteran despot in what the regime calls a Western-inspired plot.

Pressure has been growing from human rights groups for SA to lead the way in
a tougher stance against Mugabe, as human rights abuses continue unabated.

They include widespread torture and persecution of members of the MDC, a
ruthless crackdown on freedom of the press and prevention of independent
international observers at the election.

Sources said SA's attitude toughened after it became clear that Mugabe was
going to ignore pleas for moderation. Introducing SA economic sanctions had
been put on hold in the hope Mugabe would relent and allow the global
political agreement to be fully implemented.

Diplomatic sources said Britain, whose leader David Cameron was in SA two
weeks ago, was urging a sanctions programme that would force Mugabe to clear
obstacles to a free and fair vote. There is acknowledgement in the UK that
the Western targeted measures have been ineffective.

The House of Lords last week recommended a change in the Zimbabwe foreign
policy. Mugabe and his henchmen find themselves faced with the real prospect
of losing power at the next poll.

The MDC has some extraordinarily courageous people and overwhelming evidence
of wide popular support. Mugabe's response has been to unleash the "war
veterans" campaign to terrorise the political opposition.

The response of the SADC has been feeble indeed. The refrain from the club
of dictators is that this kind of thing was to be expected in Africa. But
Zuma has been a lone voice in the wilderness, flatly refusing to countenance
Mugabe's arrogance.


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Travellers stranded as Zim pilots strike

http://www.iol.co.za

July 30 2011 at 01:08pm

Harare - A strike by Air Zimbabwe pilots in support for demands for payment
of outstanding allowances and salaries left travellers stranded for the
second day running on Saturday.

The bankrupt airline has suspended all its flights from Harare International
Airport.

“I was supposed to have flown to London from Johannesburg on Friday. I could
not fly yesterday and it is the same story today,” said Hendricks Dube,
threatening never to use the airline again.

Moses Mapanda, Air Zimbabwe acting chief executive officer, could not be
reached for comment, but the state-owned Herald daily newspaper quoted him
as saying the airline had started negotiations with the pilots.

“We have not been able to pay the pilots their June and July salaries and
allowances, so that is what they are demanding,” he said.

“It was only the pilots who went on strike, everyone else is at work. In the
meantime we are not offering any air service.”

The airline has experienced several strikes recently and its flights have
been grounded five times this year.

Air Zimbabwe operates a daily Harare-Johannesburg route, a twice-weekly
flight to London and a weekly flight to Beijing as its only international
routes.

In May, the airline, one of Africa's oldest, was suspended by the
International Air Transit Association (IATA) over a debt of 280,000 dollars.
This affected its ability to take bookings abroad. - Sapa-dpa


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Red Cross Feeds Starving Prisoners

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, July 30, 2011 - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
is providing food supplies to 17 detention places, the organisation has
confirmed.

ICRC said they have been providing food supplies to 17 detention places in
Zimbabwe but denied getting into the exact details saying they regard their
partnership with prison authorities in a confidential manner.

Head of communication for the ICRC regional headquarters, Tendayi Sengwe
told Radio VOP that for the past two years the humanitarian organisation has
been supplying beans, cooking oil and groundnuts for more than 8000 inmates
in the country's prisons across the country.

"For more than two years, the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) has been regularly supplying beans, cooking oil and groundnuts for
more than 8,000 inmates in 17 places of detention around Zimbabwe, including
Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. The ICRC also
provides assistance and technical support to the Zimbabwe Prison Service to
boost food production at prison farms, upgrade water and sanitation
facilities, monitor the nutrition of inmates and improve access to
healthcare services," Sengwe said.

Sengwe could not confirm a stroy carried by Radio VOP on Wednesday that part
of the cooking oil they donated were allegedly stolen by two prison
officials but reiterated that the ICRC was not the source of the
information.

"The ICRC is not the source of this information. We are not in a position to
confirm or deny these allegations. In line with the ICRC's worldwide
approach to visits to places of detention, the organisation shares any
concerns about treatment and conditions of detention with the prison
authorities in a confidential, bilateral dialogue," Sengwe said.

The ICRC regional office in Harare monitors the humanitarian situation in
Malawi, Namibia,Zambia and Zimbabwe. The ICRC which is based in Geneva,
Switzerland was established in 1863, and has many offices across the globe
mainly to provide provide humanitarian assistance to people in affected by
"conflict and armed violence and to promote the laws that protect victims of
war."

In Zimbabwe apart from assisting detained prisoners with food, the ICRC has
been embarking in projects that include helping communities with clean
water, health care and providing inputs for small scale farmers for
subsistence farming. The international humanitarian organisation has also
been lecturing on international humanitarian law to Zimbabwe's uniformed
forces.

"Throughout 2009, the ICRC has assisted the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in
improving knowledge of, and respect for international humanitarian law
(IHL). Between January and September, the ICRC gave presentations on basic
IHL to over 500 officers and soldiers of the Zimbabwe National Army at its
training institutions in Bulawayo, Gweru, Harare and Nyanga.

The presentations also emphasized modern military commanders’ responsibility
to comply with IHL," the ICRC said.


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State given ultimatum in activists’ case

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

By Court Writer
Saturday, 30 July 2011 14:00

HARARE - Magistrate Shane Kubonera has given the state until Thursday to
produce medical affidavits for MDC activists facing charges of murdering a
policeman in Glen View, failure of which he said the state will be in
contempt.

Kubonera said this when the residents appeared in court yesterday for their
routine remand.

“When the accused first appeared in this court, the court made a ruling that
they should be examined by a government medical doctor,” said Kubonera.

The residents’ lawyer, Jeremiah Bamu, told the court on their previous
appearance in court that his clients were being denied access to medical
attention by prison officials despite the court ruling that they receive
treatment.

Kubonera said the state was supposed to furnish the court with the medical
affidavits on August 4 in order for him to make a determination on August
10.

Kubonera had given an order that the activists should have access to medical
attention after allegations surfaced that they were brutally assaulted by
police while in detention.

Of the 24 activists arrested over the murder, 17 have been granted bail.

On their initial remand, the suspects appeared in court with visible marks
of injuries sustained after the alleged assaults by police, prompting
Kubonera to order immediate medical attention.

The activists were arrested following the death of Inspector Petros Mutedza
during a public brawl at a shopping centre in Glen View in May this year.

The state alleges that Mutedza had gone to Glen View as part of a team that
was assigned to disperse a group of alleged MDC supporters who were braaing
and drinking alcohol.

The residents allegedly started shouting at the police officers and began
throwing stones, empty bottles, steel stool frames and other missiles before
allegedly killing Mutedza, who was leading the police team.

Outnumbered, Mutedza allegedly rushed to a Nissan Hardbody that he
mistakenly identified as a police vehicle but was hit by a brick on the left
side of his head.

The group allegedly kicked him until he became unconscious, the state
alleges.

Defence lawyers however say Mutedza was not killed by MDC activists and that
the police randomly arrested known activists.


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Zanu (PF) desperate to stop probe

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

President Mugabe's Zanu (PF) is frantically trying to stop a judicial probe
into the Gukurahundi massacres.
29.07.1105:16pm
by Chief Reporter

Zanu (PF) MPs moved in Parliament this week to close the Gukurahundi debate
that has divided the house and heightened tensions in the hung Parliament.

The debate came as international experts on genocide meeting in Argentina
resolved that the Gukurahundi massacres could be classified as genocide and
that the perpetrators must be brought to book.

Genocide Watch chairperson, Professor Gregory Stanton, said the Mugabe
regime has been trying to sweep this atrocity under the carpet but the
latest classification now means the perpetrators can be prosecuted no matter
how much time has passed.

"Looking at the motion under discussion, it is clear that the motion was
just aimed at whipping political emotions and sending people to outrage,
which the nation does not look forward to, especially considering that as
Members of Parliament, we have to lead by example," said Kudakwashe
Bhasikiti, a Zanu (PF) MP.

He rejected a motion to allow the National Organ of National Healing to
probe the massacres, saying the Gukurahundi "incident" was not part of the
mandate of the organ.

"The mandate of the organ was looking at the 2008 elections and its
aftermath and how people can reconcile and get healed," Bhasikiti said.

MDC-T MP Editor Matamisa said Zimbabwe needed to deal with its past in order
to confront the future. She said national healing should address every era
of Zanu (PF)’s madness..

"When we went for COPAC, people expected national healing. They thought that
God had intervened. National healing should have touched everyone,” she
said.


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Copac faces funding problem

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Bridget Mananavire, Staff Writer
Saturday, 30 July 2011 14:04

HARARE - Copac is set to resume the constitution making process on Monday
but with uncertainties over how the process is going to be further funded, a
development which might delay the exercise.

More than $7 million will be required to complete the entire process.

Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora told the Daily News yesterday that the
committee has limited funds.

The committee is desperately hoping that the government and donors will chip
in with funds to take the process forward.

“The funds we have are only enough for the compilation of information and we
need about $7,7 million for the whole process. We are however hoping for
more funds from the donor community and government for the drafting stage,”
said Mwonzora.

The constitution making process will resume on Monday with the compilation
of districts and provincial reports, a process expected to take about a
week.

Thereafter researchers will compile the special narrative of districts and
provincial reports for a week before the reports are handed over to the
drafters for the actual constitutional drafting.

“The document will be ready for the drafters thereafter and immediately the
drafting will begin,” Mwonzora said adding that barring any delays, the
constitutional document should be ready by December 31.

“Assuming that everything goes according to plan, funds are made available
and there are no further political impediments, we are likely to produce the
document by December 31. However, disputes may arise during drafting and at
the second all stakeholder conference.”

Disputes on methodologies to be used to interpret people’s views have in the
past stalled the process.

The process also nearly suffered a still birth when the very first all
stakeholders conference was disrupted by Zanu PF supporters who invaded the
main conference hall where the preparatory meetings for the constitution
making process were taking place.

A total of 355 delegates are expected to participate in the upcoming
exercise.


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ZANU-PF Accused of Forcing Local FIrms to Sponsor Party's Anti-Sanctions Campaign

http://www.voanews.com

29 July 2011

Jonga Kandemiiri | Washington

Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party is reportedly coercing and blackmailing private
companies to support its anti-sanctions drive, this time a dinner and a
concert featuring international artistes like U.S.-based Haitian musician
Wycleaf Jean, Mali’s Salif Keita and rhumba legends Kofi Olomide and Yondo
Sister, among others.

Firms are being asked to contribute $100,000 each in what some corporate
executives have described as extortion.

The independent Newsday reported that an entertainment company, Yedu Nesu,
has been contracted by ZANU-PF to organize the event to be held next month.

According to the Newsday, the company has been given permission by the
Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity to approach individuals and
companies for support. Also lined up to perform at the concert are South
Africa’s Rebecca Malope and top Zimbabwean artistes.

Information Minister Webster Shamu confirmed the development to Newsday,
saying: "That is confirmed. There are no qualms on the issue of sanctions,
we are going all out until people are aware that sanctions are illegal; that
they are not sanctioned by the United Nations and are meant to reverse the
gains we made through the land reform exercise."

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo, however, denied his party was coercing or
blackmailing companies and individuals to cough up for the bash.

Gumbo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that companies and
individuals were freely contributing towards the anti-sanctions concert and
snapping up tables at the dinner which are going for $1,000 each.

Political analyst Nkululeko Sibanda told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube
that it was impossible that private companies were willingly footing the
ZANU-PF anti-sanctions programs.


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Journalist arrested, case thrown out

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Police here arrested and dragged to court Newsday senior court reporter,
Richard Muponde on charges of criminal defamation.
29.07.1104:46pm
by Radio VOP

Muponde was temporarily released after state prosecutors refused to take it
to the magistrate’s court without more evidence.

According to the police, Muponde defamed a bogus Bulawayo Estate Agent,
Christopher Mangisi, who is also facing charges 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 up on Thursday morning before dragging him to court.

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 no 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 the eviction
of senior police officer who had been fired from the force for playing MDC
songs.


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Civil society raps Parly storming

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Helen Kadirire, Staff Writer
Saturday, 30 July 2011 14:07

HARARE - Civil society organisations say the storming of parliament by Zanu
PF supporters last weekend is a clear sign that President Robert Mugabe and
his party are not willing to implement the Global Political Agreement (GPA)
and usher in a new regime of democratic reforms in the country.

The Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) said a familiar
pattern of disruptions of important national events, by known Zanu PF
supporters, has been witnessed throughout the country yet the perpetrators
are left scot free, a situation that suggests that they might actually be
doing so with the blessings of Zanu PF officials.

“These same people continue to act with impunity because they know they have
protection from the highest political offices. The violence perpetrated
against parliamentarians was planned and systematic,” CCDZ said.

The organisation said police did not take appropriate action against the
group and only reacted when they went on to pounce on the journalists and
parliamentarians.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CIZC) said the demands by Zanu PF for the
Human Rights Commission to try cases that occurred after 2008 are calculated
and designed to cover up their heinous crimes.

“Judging from past history, if Zanu PF supporters are allowed to continue
with such attacks, the country will slide back to June 2008 period when more
than 150 MDC supporters were murdered while thousands were displaced in
post-election violence,” Crisis said in a statement.

The human rights lobby group added that it was concerned by police inaction
and said such behaviour only adds up to the growing calls for security
sector reform.

“It is surprising that when a peaceful demonstration is staged, riot police
pounce on protestors in their numbers yet when parliamentarians and citizens
who are exercising their freedom of expression are attacked, the police are
ill-prepared,” the rights group said.

In addition, Crisis said the police continue to “protect” perpetrators of
violence yet they have a constitutional obligation to uphold the rights and
interests of every citizen and apprehend violators of the law.

The group also want the Zanu PF leadership to dismantle its terror machinery
which has ignited the embers of political violence which torched the 2008
political violence.

The Zanu PF supporters stormed Parliament, singing party songs and
physically attacked journalists and a Member of Parliament.


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Zimbabwe road accident claims 18 people

http://www.bulawayo24.com

by Moyo Roy
2011 July 30 21:07:39 |

Eighteen people have died when a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus veered off
the road after hitting a tree at the 86 kilometre peg along the
Harare-Centenary Road.

16 people died on the spot while two others died on admission at Mvurwi
Hospital.

Deputy National Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka,
says preliminary investigations indicate that the right rear wheel studs
broke resulting in the entire wheel getting off the vehicle as it was in
motion.

Meanwhile, details of the deceased are still being verified.


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Malawi risks becoming next Zim - protest leader

http://www.iol.co.za

July 30 2011 at 10:38am
By Joshua Howat Berger

Johannesburg - Malawi, once considered a southern African success story,
risks going down the same road as regional basket case Zimbabwe, said the
leader of recent anti-government protests that left 19 dead.

Undule Mwakasungula had been in hiding since security forces launched a
violent crackdown to quell two days of demonstrations that erupted July 20.

Re-emerging in South Africa for a forum on Malawi held Friday in
Johannesburg, the chair of the Human Rights Consultative Council - an
umbrella organisation of rights groups that organised the protests - said
Malawi is undergoing twin economic and political crises that are reminiscent
of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe.

“We are almost Zimbabwe, both in the economy and in political governance,”
Mwakasungula, who also heads the non-profit Centre for Human Rights and
Rehabilitation in Lilongwe, told AFP in an interview.

He drew parallels between Mugabe and Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika,
who has been criticised for a series of increasingly autocratic moves seen
as restricting political freedoms.

“There are similarities in terms of their president and Bingu wa Mutharika,
their style of leadership. They're both using a heavy hand in terms of their
governance, in terms of how they want to rule. And also disregarding other
branches of government Ä the judiciary, the legislature,” Mwakasungula said.

Mutharika, who came to office in 2004, has been criticised for expelling
rivals from the ruling party, expanding presidential power and signing laws
that have restricted protests, media freedom and lawsuits against the
government.

The moves have alienated foreign donors, causing the United States and
Britain to cut their aid to the impoverished country at the same time it is
facing massive fuel shortages that have forced drivers to queue overnight
for petrol.

Mutharika has also presided over a foreign exchange crisis that has seen
international currencies become virtually unavailable, leaving businesses in
the import-dependent country unable to buy goods and materials abroad.

“Malawians right now are frustrated,” Mwakasungula said. “Malawians are
disgruntled in terms of how the country is being governed, how the economy
is moving. They want to have more voice.”

The day of the demonstrations, Mwakasungula says he and his fellow
organisers were rounded up and beaten by police at the church in Lilongwe
where they had gathered to monitor the protests.

“It was a fracas. The police were just brutal. They were just animals,
really,” he said.

Mwakasungula said he was briefly detained, then released to get medical
attention. Afterward, he went into hiding.

But he said he plans to return home and organise another demonstration, even
though his lawyers have told him there is a warrant out for his arrest on
treason charges - which carries the death penalty in Malawi.

“I have to go home. If you want to make things change, there has to be
change in the country, not outside,” he said.

“I was not part of this organising just for the sake of my own interest, but
for the sake of making sure that Malawi becomes a better place.” - Sapa-AFP


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Activists banished by headman

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Seven MDC-T political activists in the Mutsamvu area in Chimanimani East
were this week banished from the area by their local headman, Timothy
Madzianike, for reporting to the police three Zanu (PF) leaders who had
assaulted them.
30.07.1102:08pm
by Zwanai Sithole Harare

The seven MDC-T supporters: Mary Kuretu, Lina Marova, Agnes Chishuro, Vivian
Chase, Eunice Kuretu, Ndorekeraani Chirongwe and Naume Mutereke on Wednesday
this week appeared before the traditional court of headman Madzianike at
Mutsamvu primary school facing charges of reporting to the police Zanu (PF)
thugs who in March this year severely assaulted them for attending an MDC
restructuring meeting in the area.

The seven MDC supporters identified the assailants’ leaders as Kumbirai
Mushango, the Zanu (PF) district chairperson for the area and his deputy,
Uleki Mugebe and Marangani Mutambara, a war veteran.

One of the victims, Chirongwe suffered a fractured arm and was admitted at
the United Methodist Church run hospital, after Mushango hit him with a log.
Mushango is also accused of being involved in the torching of MDC supporters’
huts in Nyambeya area in Cashel valley last month.

Following the assault, the victims reported the case to the police but the
police took their time to investigate the case.

“Headman Madzianike summoned us to his court on Wednesday and accused us of
reporting Zanu (PF) officials and war veterans to the police without first
seeking his permission. As punishment, we have been asked to pay US$30 each
and leave the area with immediate effect. The headman said he does not want
MDC supporters in the area. Last night we slept in the bush,” Mary Kuretu
told The Zimbabwean in an interview.

Kuretu sought refuge at the MDC Chimanimani district offices. Mushango and
Mugebe also attended the court session where the seven’s fate was decided.

“Since the 2008 elections, we have not known peace here in Mutsamvu. We are
being harassed, beaten and sexually abused by Mushango and his colleagues.
The headman is a Zanu (PF) supporter. We do not know what to do because now
for the love our party we are now homeless,” said Kuretu in tears.

The MDC district coordinator for Chimanimani office, Pardon Maguta,
confirmed the incident.

“The situation prevailing at Mutsamvu is now getting out of hand. How can a
mere headman punish ordinary citizens for expressing their democratic right
to join a party of their choice?” said Maguta. The headman could not be
reached for comment.


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Education standards slip

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

The Minister of Education, Sport and Culture David Coltart has expressed
grave concerns over the deteriorating standards of the country’s education
system.
28.07.1105:07pm
by Tony Saxon

Speaking after a tour of schools in Masvingo last week Coltart said there
was need to revamp the country’s education system and restore Zimbabwe’s
status as a leading education provider.

“As government there is great need to improve the working conditions of
teachers in a bid to revamp the education system whose standards are slowly
deteriorating due to shortage of personnel and resources,” said Coltart.

He said his ministry was working hard to restore the education system to the
standard it once was.

“There is a strategic plan of action in place that is going to help to
restore the education system in the country and this prioritizes the welfare
of the teachers. We are also intending to provide primary and secondary
schools with text books,” he said.

The education minister added that they were finalizing with UNICEF the
contracts that will assist in the provision of the text books on a
one-to-one ratio.

He revealed that the ministry would also initiate the provision of clean
safe drinking water and build ablutions at various schools. Coltart said the
ministry had embarked on a computerization programme that would see most
schools getting computers.


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US Universities Parade Study Opportunities To Zim Students

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, July 30, 2011 - More than 30 United States of America colleges and
universities will host a fair at a local school in Harare this Saturday to
provide information on scholarships they provide as the US continues to
assist hundreds of Zimbabweans students with scholarships.

In a statement the US embassy in Harare said over 1600 students from
Zimbabwe are studying in different US higher learning institutions.

US ambassador, Charles Ray will attend the fair at Prince Edward School on
Saturday that is expected to attract "A" level and prospective
under-graduate students to get infromation on scholarships, and to know more
about the different universities or colleges.

"The Fair will enable “A” level and other prospective undergraduate students
to access more information about further study in the United States,
including information on scholarships, campus and college life at a wide
variety of colleges and universities," the US embassy said.

"Ambassador Charles A. Ray will attend the Fair which will showcase more
than 30 U.S. universities and colleges. There will be presentations on the
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), financial aid and other topics related to
U.S. higher education application processes."

The embassy said last year it granted 400 visas to Zimbabwe students to
study in the US. The embassy has also been providing library facilities to
Zimbabwe students and ordinary people in three main cities of Harare, Mutare
and Gweru.

"Over 1,600 Zimbabwean students are studying in the U.S. in a wide range of
fields and at a diverse group of institutions. Last year, the U.S. Embassy
granted about 400 visas for Zimbabwean students to begin or continue their
studies in the U.S. A large percentage of those who pursue U.S. studies from
Zimbabwe do so under full or substantial scholarships given for their
academic, artistic or sporting talent," the embassy said.

Zimbabwe education which was not spared by the economic collapse in the last
years has been in the doldrums. Students at the country main colleges and
universities were struggling to pay fees and their upkeep resulting in some
dropping out of school. Grants that were once provided by the government
were scrapped as hyper-inflation sank the once stable economy.

Most of the students that have gone overseas or in the region to study have
been lured by the better working conditions and better salaries outside the
country resulting in the country losing out on qualified personnel.


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Villagers united

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Villagers here recently buried their political differences and joined forces
to construct a bridge over Agorst River that will enable the community to
access the neighbourhood.
30.07.1102:10pm
by Jane Makoni

MDC-Councillor Passmore Mangwiro congratulated his constituents for their
willingness to work together. MDC-Councillor Passmore Mangwiro congratulated
his constituents for their willingness to work together.

“In the true spirit of inclusiveness traditional leadership and other
villagers across the political divide pooled resources for the bridge
construction project. The selflessness and team spirit made the project a
success.

During the rainy season these areas were cut off from each other resulting
in children not attending school across the river”, said MDC-T councillor
for the ward, Passmore Mangwiro.

Mangwiro commended headmen Zuva, Chizanga, Makate, Mavhunga and other
traditional leaders who inspired locals to participate in the programme.

“I want to express special appreciation for services offered by a villager,
Gilbert Mheyamwa, who provided a tractor which was used to fell and
transport stones to the construction site. Another selfless villager, Peter
Ngondo, contributed immensely to the provision of other construction
requirements,” said Mangwiro.

The construction of infrastructure such as roads and bridges is the
responsibility of the government-funded District Development Fund (DDF),
which struggled to fulfil its mandate due to lack of resources.


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US-Africa business summit

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The US's top envoy in Harare is assembling a delegation of Zimbabwean
business leaders to attend US-Africa summit that is expected to reach over
250 American officials and State department officials.
29.07.1104:59pm
by Chief Reporter

The idea was mooted after a four-day major international conference on doing
business with Africa where US ambassador Charles Ray spoke to hundreds of
representatives from US, European, and African businesses and handed out
information sheets that said: “Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”

"Given the interest that we sparked from that event, we put on a trilateral
business dialogue in conjunction with the Corporate Council on Africa and
Business Unity South Africa where we brought together a dozen firms each
from the US, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in Victoria

Falls in June to talk about the opportunities for business here," Ambassador
Ray told a policy dialogue seminar in Harare Thursday.

"We had Microsoft, Proctor and Gamble, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Cargill,
General Electric, and many other firms here to see for themselves the
prospects for business in Zimbabwe. Building on the success of that event,
we are now working with the American Business

Association in Zimbabwe – or ABAZ – to assemble a delegation of Zimbabwean
business leaders to attend a U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Washington, DC.”

Ambassador Ray said the US was eager to work closely with the business
community and

Zimbabwean government across the political spectrum to find new and
collaborative ways to build on these efforts for the mutual benefit of the
two countries.


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West partly to blame – Coltart

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

The West should take some of the blame for propping up Zimbabwean dictator
Robert Mugabe whose human rights excesses they conveniently ignored since
the 1980s, Education Minister David Coltart said last week.
30.07.1102:30pm
by Vusimusi Bhebhe

In an address to the Annual Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom in Sydney,
Australia, last Tuesday, Coltart said former colonial master Britain and
other Western nations bankrolled the Mugabe regime without regard to the
atrocities it committed in Matabeleland and Midlands soon after independence
in 1980.

Many of the wars fought by the West since the 2nd World War have occurred
because of the appeasement and sometimes encouragement of dictatorial
regimes.

Since the 2nd World War many corrupt and violent regimes have prospered
because of either Western support or indifference. Saddam Hussein was
supported by the US in its fight against the Iranians as were the Taliban in
their battle against the Russians.

Cosying up to Gaddafi

He said the same situation recently repeated itself in Libya where Britain
has, until last year, been “cosying up” to long-serving leader Muammar
Gaddafi in order to secure access to Libyan oil.

Western support bolstered and strengthened Gaddafi who has been accused of
ruthlessly crashing a protest against his 42-year reign.

“In Zimbabwe the West looked the other way when Zanu (PF) committed a
genocide in Matabeleland and even rewarded Robert Mugabe with a knighthood
in 1994 – this was mainly because they were more focused on keeping Mugabe
out of the Soviet sphere of influence,” Coltart said.

In the early 1980s, Mugabe, then Prime Minister, unleashed the North Korean
trained Fifth Brigade into the volatile Matabeleland regions, wiping an
estimated 20 000 civilians, including innocent women and children.

Several ministers and top army officials in Mugabe’s side of Zimbabwe’s
inclusive government were directly involved in the atrocities, popularly
known as the Gukurahundi massacres, and are believed to be hanging on to
power to prolong their freedom.

Learn the lesson

Coltart noted that experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Zimbabwe
should serve as lessons for the West that propping up profligate and corrupt
governments has long-term repercussions.

“I have no doubt that if the West changes it will be less likely to be
dragged into the intractable messes it now finds itself in Afghanistan, Iraq
and Libya,” he said.

Relations between Zimbabwe and the West have soured over the past decade
after a cornered Mugabe turned against white farmers from whom he grabbed
commercial farmland without compensation. Faced with a formidable political
opposition, he also intensified the repression of fellow black Zimbabweans
whom he accused of being Western puppets for voting against him and his Zanu
(PF) party.


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Lessons for Zimbabwe’s constitutional reform process

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Having inherited a constitution negotiated between the colonial and
liberation forces at the dawn of independence (the Lancaster House
Constitution) in 1979 and having amended that constitution 19 times in the
last 30 years, Zimbabwe is trying for the second time in just over a decade
to completely overhaul its constitution.
28.07.1102:53pm
by DR ALEX T. MAGAISA

The first attempt to create a new constitution failed when voters at the
referendum rejected the proposed constitution in February 2000. The major
grievance was in regards to the process of making the new constitution,
which civil society groups criticised as dominated by, and intended to
advance, government interests.

The current process, which is led by a Parliamentary Committee (Copac), is
part of the agreed package of reforms in the Global Political Agreement
(GPA) that should culminate in a referendum in 2011. Experience since
independence has demonstrated the government’s pre-occupation with the
constitution as a

means of legitimising its power and less as a mechanism for limiting such
powers. A number of the 19 amendments have served to reverse the effect of
decisions made by the courts of law and some have even ousted the
jurisdiction of the courts leading effectively to the concentration of power
within the executive branch of government.

Arbitrary power

The government appears to have been interested only in
legality/constitutionality and paid scant regard to constitutionalism by
which principles governmental power must be limited.

This article demonstrates the dearth of constitutionalism by analysing some
court decisions and constitutional amendments that have effectively eroded
the limits on governmental power. This article also warns that a narrow
focus on constitutionality can mean that instead of the constitution being
the supreme legal document controlling the exercise of state power, it
simply becomes an instrument for autocratic control, legitimising rather
than preventing arbitrary power – the very antithesis of constitutionalism.

This article demonstrates that constitutionality is not enough and that to
promote democracy, it is necessary to implement the principle of
constitutionalism. The article draws heavily on Zimbabwe’s recent
constitutional history to illustrate shortcomings in regards to
constitutionalism. It will argue that through the colonial period and most
of the post-independence era there has been an erroneous focus by successive
governments on mere constitutionality (or simple legality) at the expense of
constitutionalism.

Overall, this article advocates a serious re-evaluation of the collective
attitude and approach towards the constitution; that in making it, concern
is not only in defining what is constitutional but also in ensuring that
those constitutional clauses conform to and advance the principles

and values that underpin constitutionalism. The hope is that as Zimbabwe
undertakes the drafting of a new constitution, those tasked with drawing up
the draft can learn some lessons about the critical elements that are
necessary for this purpose.

Constitutionalism’s core ideas

It is a basic tenet of constitutionalism that a constitution is not simply a
collection of rules and institutional arrangements regarding the use of
state power but it is, in addition, about placing limits on that power (Belz
1998). It is the idea that government should be legally limited1 and that
the authority of government is dependent on the enforcement of such
limitations against itself (Wormuth 1949).

The principle says that a constitution not only describes but also restrains
government. The core idea of constitutionalism is probably best encapsulated
in the words of one of the Founding Fathers of the United States
Constitution, James Madison, who wrote in The Federalist No. 51:

“In framing government which is to be administered by men over men, the
greatest difficulty lies in this: you must first enable government to
control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A
dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on government but
experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”

This passage confirms three critical points:

• First, that a government is necessary and that its power must be
facilitated to enable it to have control and to fulfil the interests of the
governed;

• Second, that government cannot be completely trusted with power and that
this power must therefore be restrained (Allen & Thomson 2005); and,

• Third, whilst acknowledging the role that people may play in controlling
government it says that this is inadequate and unreliable and therefore that
it is necessary to create ‘auxiliary precautions’ to control governmental
power. As Wormuth (1949) states, constitutionalism is synonymous with these
‘auxiliary precautions’.

According to Kay, “The special virtue of constitutionalism … lies not merely
in reducing the power of the state, but in effecting that reduction by the
advance imposition of rules.”3 Furthermore, as asserted by Wormuth, the
legitimacy of governmental authority turns on its enforcement of the rules
limiting its authority. In this regard, it may be said that
constitutionalism is synonymous with the rule of law, which is the more
commonly used terminology.

Next week the principle of constitutionality will be explained, and we will
also look at the effects of previous amendments to the constitution. - First
published by OSISA (www.osisa.org)


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Miss Muffet



Dear Family and Friends,
This week I asked a friend who had returned to the country after
living in the diaspora for a couple of years if she was still glad to
be home. She replied: “I have had absolutely no regrets about
returning to Zimbabwe, it’s the best thing I have done for a long
time (though I am sure that not everyone thinks that!)”

I first met Meryl Harrison six years ago, just when she was preparing
to leave Zimbabwe. Meryl had risked her life time and time again
rescuing the thousands of animals stranded on invaded farms and stuck
in the middle of Zimbabwe’s mayhem. Meryl’s courage and bravery
then put most of us to shame and we watched in awe at what one totally
determined and dedicated woman could achieve.

Leaving Zimbabwe wasn’t what Meryl wanted to do but was something
that a quarter of our population had to do, for all sorts of reasons,
as the country collapsed into economic and political mayhem. Coming
back to Zimbabwe is a huge decision but for Meryl it was right as it
gave her back the ability to really make a difference.

Meryl told me this week about a dog called Miss Muffet, the reason her
return to Zimbabwe might not be such a popular move.

Miss Muffet was a three month old Labrador puppy, axed to death one
night in late February. She was one of three dogs sleeping in the
garage of a house in Penhalonga during an invasion of the farm by a
mob of 21. Sleeping alongside Miss Muffet at the time were a female
Rottweiler which was stabbed in the spine, and a male Labrador which
was axed three times in the head by the invaders.

Meryl got involved in her capacity with a private animal welfare
organization (VAWZ) and she was determined to see justice. Thanks to
swift action and skilled expertise of a vet in Mutare, the Rottweiler
and adult Labrador were saved. Tragically for Miss Muffet, it was too
late for intervention.

From that point on everything about this familiar and tragic story was
different.

Meryl described how the Police in Penhalonga acted very swiftly and
arrested the invaders. They said the accused were to be charged with
Public Violence but Meryl and her colleagues weren’t satisfied. A
long meeting followed and it was eventually agreed that the accused
would also be charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Then followed eight court appearances, four subpoenas and hundreds of
kilometres of travelling between Harare and Mutare. In the VAWZ docket
for the court, Meryl included a photograph of a 3 month old Labrador
puppy. She told me she did this: “so that the Magistrate could see
that the puppy would have been absolutely no threat to anyone - at
that age, they think the whole world is their friend!”

The case finally went to trial a couple of weeks ago and nine of the
twenty accused, who were the main perpetrators of the attack on the
dogs, pleaded guilty. In mitigation the accused apologized for killing
the puppy and offered to replace it. They were sentenced to 18 months
in prison, 1 year of which was suspended and the remaining 6 months
made up of each being given 140 hours of community service.

For Meryl, seeing justice being done for Miss Muffet, a Rottweiler and
a Labrador makes all the effort, frustration and grit worthwhile.
There are many people, like Meryl, and many organisations, like VAWZ,
working tirelessly out of the spotlight, to bring Zimbabwe back from
darkness. In them is our hope. Until next time, thanks for reading,
love cathy 30 July 2011. Copyright � Cathy Buckle. www.cathybuckle.com

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