World leaders reject Mugabe's election

Yahoo News

Tue Jul 8, 10:41 AM ET

TOYAKO, Japan - World leaders are rejecting the legitimacy of Robert
Mugabe's election in Zimbabwe and have called for officials in that country
to work for a prompt, peaceful resolution of the political crisis.

Leaders of the Group of Eight industrial powers, meeting in Japan, expressed
grave concern about Zimbabwe. Violence and intimidation there prompted the
opposition candidate to pull out of the race with Mugabe.

G-8 leaders say they will take financial and other measures against those
people responsible for violenc

G8 to seek sanctions on Zimbabwe

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com

July 8, 2008

TOYAKO, Japan (BBC/AFP) - G8 leaders meeting in Japan have said they will
seek targeted sanctions against members of the Zimbabwean government over
last month's polls.

Their call for financial and other measures against individuals "
responsible for violence" in Zimbabwe marks a change of stance for Russia.

The G8 also called for a special UN Security Council envoy to report on the
situation in Zimbabwe and help mediate.

African leaders earlier told the G8 they opposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, the chief regional negotiator on
Zimbabwe who has been urging a unity government, reportedly told G8 leaders
that UN sanctions could lead to civil war.

"I said that sanctions. wouldn't change the regime," Senegal's leader,
Abdoulaye Wade, told AFP news agency.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe won re-election after the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) pulled out of a June run-off
presidential vote, citing state-sponsored violence.

Tuesday's announcement by leaders of the G8 group of industrialised nations
followed a change of position from Russia, which had previously refused to
support such sanctions.

"We will take further steps, inter alia introducing financial and other
measures against individuals responsible for violence {in Zimbabwe}," the
statement said, quoted by Reuters news agency.

The BBC's James Robbins in Hokkaido, Japan, says the G8 has said it does not
accept the legitimacy of a government that does not reflect the will of the
Zimbabwean people.

The move comes against strong opposition from several African leaders,
including Mr Mbeki, our correspondent says.

By calling for a UN representative to be involved in the mediation process,
the G8 leaders are making it clear that they do not think Mr Mbeki's efforts
have been adequate, he says.

Diplomats say they expect a sanctions package to be presented to the United
Nations by the weekend and that Russia will not oppose the measures, our
correspondent adds.

The US and UK have been pushing for the UN Security Council to tighten
targeted sanctions this week.

On Monday, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who also heads the African
Union, said African leaders favoured some sort of power-sharing government.

Meanwhile, the opposition MDC has denied reports it is ready to resume talks
with the government.

The party says 5 000 of its members are missing and more than 100 of its
supporters have been murdered since a first round of elections in March.

The African Union last week ignored calls to condemn Mr Mugabe's re-election
in last month's second round of voting and called for a power-sharing
government to be set up.

The Zimbabwean government blames interference from Western countries for
delaying a solution to the country's political impasse.

"It is the UK that is pushing for sanctions, but isolating and demonising
Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone. They should treat Zimbabwe
as a partner rather than an enemy," South Africa's News24 website quotes
Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga as saying.

Transcript: G8 leaders on Zimbabwe

http://www.hararetribune.com

By News Editor | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 13:30
news@hararetribune.com

Tokyo, Japan-- G8 leaders Statement on Zimbabwe

1.We expressed our grave concern about the situation in Zimbabwe. We
deplore the fact that the Zimbabwean authorities pressed ahead with the
presidential election despite the absence of appropriate conditions for free
and fair voting as a result of their systematic violence, obstruction and
intimidation.

2. We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not
reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people.

3. We strongly urge the Zimbabwean authorities to work with the
opposition to achieve a prompt, peaceful resolution of the crisis.  It is
important that any mediation process respect the results of the March 29
2008 election.

4.We support the Africa Union (AU) as it expresses deep concern with
the negative reports from the Southern African Development Community (SADC),
the AU and the Pan-African Parliament observers on the elections and the
loss of life that has occurred in Zimbabwe.  We also support the AU's call
to encourage Zimbabwean leaders to initiate dialogue with a view to
promoting peace and stability.  We encourage regional bodies, including SADC
and the AU, to provide strong leadership towards a quick and democratic
resolution of this crisis, including by further strengthening the regional
mediation process.

5.We are deeply concerned by the humanitarian dimension of the
situation in Zimbabwe.  The Zimbabwean authorities must allow the immediate
resumption of humanitarian operations and full and non-discriminatory access
to humanitarian assistance to prevent the suffering of the most vulnerable
people in Zimbabwe.

6. We will continue to monitor the situation and work together with
SADC, the AU, the UN and other relevant organisations for a prompt
resolution of the crisis.  We recommend the appointment of a Special Envoy
of the UN Secretary-General to report on the political, humanitarian, human
rights and security situation and to support regional efforts to take
forward mediation between political parties.  We will take further steps,
inter alia introducing financial and other measures against those
individuals responsible for violence

--Harare Tribune News

G8 pledges to prosecute those responsible for chaos etc

http://www.hararetribune.com

By Sam Javangwe | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 9:32
news@hararetribune.com

Zimbabwe, Harare--The Group of Eight agreed on Tuesday to impose
targeted sanctions against leading Zimbabwean officials after a violent
election last month that extended President Robert Mugabe's 28-year rule.

The grouping of major industrial powers said it was deeply concerned
by events in the impoverished southern African country and did not accept
the legitimacy of any Zimbabwean government that failed to reflect the
people's will.

Mugabe was the only candidate in the June 27 run-off election after
opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, citing state-sponsored
violence against candidates and supporters of his Movement for Democratic
Change. "We will take further steps, inter alia introducing financial and
other measures against those individuals responsible for violence," the G8
leaders said in a formal statement after discussing the issue over dinner.

The statement did not give further details as to what the steps might
be. The United States said last Thursday it expected the U.N. Security
Council to vote this week on sanctions against Mugabe and top aides. The G8
leaders, urging Harare to work with the opposition to peacefully resolve the
crisis, also recommended U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a
special envoy for Zimbabwe

. Zimbabwe's state media reported on Tuesday that Mugabe's ruling
party and the opposition were to resume talks under the mediation of South
African President Thabo Mbeki. Tsvangirai has said the opposition will not
participate in any negotiations until Mugabe's government halts political
violence against his supporters and accepts that Tsvangirai won the election
in the first round of voting on March 29.

"We deplore the fact that the Zimbabwean authorities pressed ahead
with the presidential election despite the absence of appropriate conditions
for free and fair voting as a result of their systematic violence,
obstruction and intimidation," the G8 leaders said.

"We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not
reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people." British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown said the G8 statement showed the international community was united
against President Robert Mugabe's government.

"This is the strongest possible statement. It shows the unanimity of
the whole international community, reflecting the outrage people feel about
the violence and the intimidation and the illegitimate holding of power by
the Mugabe government," Brown told reporters. The G8, which had already made
clear it considered the election to be invalid, on Monday warned African
leaders that trade and investment flows to the continent would suffer unless
they dealt with Mugabe.

The seven African leaders expressed reservations about sanctions.
Italian President Silvio Berlusconi, who said on Monday the Africans had
told him they feared sanctions could cause a civil war, came out in support
of the punishment after the G8 leaders' discussion.

"The others' views let me see how it's necessary today to declare ...
the illegitimacy of Mugabe's position and therefore to indicate the urgency
of sanctions at the U.N. Security Council," he told reporters on Tuesday. An
African Union summit issued a resolution last week calling for talks leading
to a national unity government in Zimbabwe. --Harare Tribune News/ Additonal
facts by Reuters

US confident on passage of UN sanctions against Zimbabwe

Yahoo News

30 minutes ago

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The US ambassador to the UN said Tuesday that he was
confident a sanctions resolution targeting Zimbabwean President Robert
Mugabe and his cronies would be passed by the Security Council this week.

Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters after closed-door council consultations on
the US draft resolution that "absent a veto (from Russia) which we do not
anticipate, the votes are there" for passage during a vote expected "as soon
as possible, but this week."

A resolution requires nine votes out of 15 and no veto from any of the five
permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said elements of the US draft were
"quite excessive" and noted that G8 leaders meeting in Japan had made no
reference to sanctions against the Mugabe regime.

"We do not accept the legitimacy of any government that does not reflect the
will of the Zimbabwean people," the G8 leaders said in a joint statement
issued at their summit on Japan's northern Hokkaido island.

"We will take further steps, inter alia introducing financial and other
measures against those individuals responsible for the violence," they
added.

A senior Russian official however said earlier Tuesday that Moscow was
opposed to new sanctions on Zimbabwe.

"We believe the G8 has provided the support needed for us to move,"
Khalilzad told reporters.

He added that sanctions were needed to push the Mugabe regime to stop the
violence and start substantive negotiations with the opposition led by
Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mugabe, who has been in power 28 years, was re-elected to a sixth term in a
one-man run-off poll on June 27 that was widely denounced as a sham and
marred by the use of violence.

Tsvangirai, who won the first round of the poll on March 29 but fell short
of a majority, pulled out of the contest citing a campaign of violence and
intimidation.

U.N. sanctions on Zimbabwe could pass this week: France

Yahoo News

By Claudia Parsons Tue Jul 8, 11:50 AM ET

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council could vote for
sanctions against Zimbabwe as soon as this week, France said on Tuesday,
despite pressure from African states to give their mediation efforts a
chance first.

France's U.N. ambassador, Jean-Maurice Ripert, told reporters before a
council meeting on Zimbabwe that while council members would respect the
position of the African Union, "the Security Council has to make its own
decision."

An African Union summit issued a resolution last week calling for talks
leading to a national unity government in Zimbabwe, and several states
expressed concerns that sanctions could lead to civil war in the
impoverished country.

The United States circulated a U.N. resolution last week that would impose
targeted sanctions on individuals in the government and an arms embargo on
Zimbabwe.

Asked if there were sufficient votes in the council to pass that resolution,
Ripert said: "Yes, I think (so)." Asked if that could happen this week, he
said: "We hope."

Ripert said a statement by the Group of Eight on Tuesday agreeing to impose
sanctions showed there was global support for tougher measures after a June
27 election in which President Robert Mugabe was the only candidate and the
opposition pulled out in the face of violence.

MEDIATION EFFORTS

U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told the council the United
Nations was ready to do whatever was necessary to support mediation efforts
by the AU and the Southern African Development Community.

"Zimbabwe's flawed elections produced illegitimate results," Migiro said,
briefing council members before they retired behind closed doors to hold
private consultations on how to proceed on Zimbabwe.

"The U.N. secretariat stands ready to provide assistance to the mediation
mechanism that's being established on the ground under SADC leadership,"
Migiro told reporters later.

Asked whether she was in favor of sanctions, Migiro said that was a question
for the member states to decide.

Tanzania's U.N. ambassador, Augustine Mahiga, whose country chairs the
African Union, said there was no disagreement between African and Western
countries on the seriousness of the problem in Zimbabwe, only on how to
approach it.

He said the consensus among AU countries after a summit last week in Egypt
was that "the onus at this point in time is on SADC." He said African
efforts, led by South African President Thabo Mbeki, should be given a
chance to work.

"Probably there could be a desire and I think wisdom in waiting to see how
that goes," he told reporters outside the Security Council.

"Now more than ever before I think the African continent is more united and
more seized in addressing this issue."

Migiro said state institutions in Zimbabwe were in a state of paralysis, the
rule of law needed to be established and if a food crisis was not addressed,
some 5.1 million people would be at risk. "There is a humanitarian crisis,"
she said.

(Editing by Eric Beech)

G8 decision on Zimbabwe racist: government

Yahoo News

49 minutes ago

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's government said Tuesday that the G8 leaders'
rejection of President Robert Mugabe's legitimacy and threats of financial
measures against his regime are racist and an insult to African leaders.

"They want to undermine the African Union and (South African) President
Mbeki's (mediation) efforts because they are racist, because they think only
white people think better," said Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga.

"It's an insult to African leaders," Matonga told AFP.

Matonga insisted that Mugabe, elected last month in a widely denounced
one-man vote, was the southern African nation's rightful leader.

"President Mugabe is the legitimate president of Zimbabwe and no amount of
force or pressure will reverse that," he said.

The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) rich countries wound up their summit
in Japan rejecting Mugabe's legitimacy and promising "further steps" against
the regime over its disputed election.

Matonga accused them of trying to set up a "parallel structure" to the
African Union (AU), which appointed Mbeki as a regional mediator in
Zimbabwe's electoral crisis.

The AU called for dialogue and a national unity administration between the
country's political foes during a summit in Egypt last week.

Matonga said that if they were unhappy with the decision of the continental
body on Zimbabwe, they should have raised their concerns through the
relevant AU channels.

He heaped praise on Mbeki, saying the leaders of the industrialised nations
should have taken a cue from him.

"Mbeki is more experienced and familiar with the Zimbabwean terrain because
he is the man on the ground," he said.

"The British and the Americans are trying to set up a parallel structure to
the AU ... and they should have adopted Mbeki's recommendations."

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai snubbed talks this week, saying
dialogue would not resume until pre-conditions set by his party, the
Movement for Democratic Change, are met.

These conditions include the cessation of violence against opposition
supporters, and the appointing of a permanent envoy by the AU to assist
Mbeki in mediating.

The party has often said Mbeki should step down as mediator in the crisis.

Mbeki confesses, for the first time, that Mugabe is not legitimate

http://www.hararetribune.com

By News Editor | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 10:53
news@hararetribune.com

Zimbabwe, Harare--President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, the same man
who has been working 'tirelessly' to find a solution to the Zimbabwean
Crisis for the past eight years, told the Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda yesterday that there was no legitimate government in Zimbabwe which
was why a government of national unity was needed.

This is the first time that Mbeki has gone on record admitting that
Zimbabwe is being ruled by an illegitimate group of people drawn from
ZANU-PF.

Mbeki has been, on several occasions, accused by frustrated
Zimbabweans of not only shielding Robert Mugabe but of being is spiritual
counselor and pillar of support.

Japanese foreign ministry deputy press secretary Tomohiko Taniguchi
referred to Mbeki's remark in a press briefing about Mbeki's meeting
yesterday with Fukuda on the margins of the G8 summit.

South Africa, though Mbeki, has worked had to prevent Unted Nations
action on Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans believe likes to see the crisis in Zimbabwe
continue because his country benefits, as Zimbabweans flee their own country
for South Africa, where their skills are higly sought.--Harare Tribune News

Zimbabwe opposition denies talks to resume

Reuters

Tue 8 Jul 2008, 15:02 GMT

HARARE, July 8 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on
Tuesday denied a newspaper report that his party had agreed to resume talks
with the ruling ZANU-PF party to resolve the country's political crisis.

"The MDC unequivocally states the report by the Herald is false and is a
figment of the dictatorship's imagination," Tsvangirai said in a statement
released by his Movement for Democratic Change.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the state-controlled Herald
newspaper that talks between President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and the
MDC would take place under the mediation of South African President Thabo
Mbeki, the designated regional negotiator.

President Tsvangirai Statement

Movement for Democratic Change (Harare)

DOCUMENT
8 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008

Harare

The MDC has noted a report in today's (8 July 2008) state run newspaper, The
Herald, to the effect that dialogue between MDC and ZANU PF "will resume
soon." The paper writes on its front page;

"INTER-PARTY talks between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations will soon
resume under the continued facilitation of South Africa's President Thabo
Mbeki. Cde Patrick Chinamasa, one of Zanu-PF's representatives in the talks,
yesterday said he had received confirmation that both formations - one led
by Arthur Mutambara and the other by Morgan Tsvangirai - were ready to
return to the negotiating table. "We have received communication from both
MDC Mutambara and MDC Tsvangirai that they are ready for a resumption of the
inter-party talks."The talks will resume sooner rather than later, but I
obviously cannot tell you what is on the table or when or where we will be
meeting as we do not want to negotiate in public. The talks will be under
the facilitation of President Mbeki"

The MDC unequivocally states the report by The Herald is false and is a
figment of the dictatorship's imagination. The MDC is not aware of any
dialogue that will "soon resume."

Our position remains consistently clear that there can not be genuine and
serious dialogue as long as the issues that the MDC has raised as
preconditions to dialogue have not been satisfactorily met. We reiterate
again that genuine and serious dialogue can only take place if all of the
following conditions are met;

  1.. The immediate cessation of violence and the withdrawal and disbanding
of militia groups, paramilitary camps and illegal road blocks. All
structures and infrastructure of violence must be disbanded. Amongst other
things, war veterans, youth militia and others encamped on the edges of our
cities, towns and villages need to be sent home and be reintegrated into
society.
  2.. The normalization of the political environment, including the release
of the more than 1 500 political prisoners, cessation of political
persecution and allowing the currently besieged MDC leadership to conduct
business and travel without hindrance
  3.. The reinstatement of access by humanitarian organizations to the
people of Zimbabwe in order to provide food, medical and other critical
services through out the country.
  4.. Parliament and Senate must be sworn in and begin working on the
people's business
  5.. The mediation team is expanded to include an AU permanent envoy.

Dialogue is inevitable, but these conditions must be met.

We welcome the statement attributed to President Mbeki in Japan to the
effect that there is no legitimate government in Zimbabwe. We have
consistently stated that we have a constitutional crisis which is now being
presided over by the Joint Operations Command (JOC). For all intents and
purposes, we are in a military state.

The MDC is however gravely disturbed by statements to the effect that if
there is no Government of National Unity there will be a civil war in
Zimbabwe. The MDC, as a people's project, in the midst of provocation, has
remained steadfast in our quest for peaceful democratic change. We still
remain committed to this goal. To suggest that there will be civil war if
there is no Government of National Unity is therefore malicious. Any form of
violence should and must be put squarely on the ZANU PF. It is clear that
the people of Zimbabwe want change and the only way the regime can continue
to hang on is by use of violence against the people of Zimbabwe.

For more information please call President Tsvangirai Spokesperson George
Sibotshiwe 0766330314

MDC MP Naison Nemadziwa 'Safe in Hiding'

SW Radio Africa (London)

8 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008

Tichaona Sibanda

The MDC MP for Buhera South in Manicaland, Naison Nemadziwa, is now safe in
hiding after he was released on police bail on Saturday. The whereabouts of
the MP had been a mystery since last week Tuesday when he was abducted by
six armed men outside the High court in Mutare.

It has now emerged Nemadziwa was in police custody all along, at a remote
police post in Buhera. Pishai Muchauraya, the MDC spokesman for Manicaland,
said Nemadziwa was released on a Z$100 billion bail after police charged him
with inciting violence in his constituency.

'We have a strange judicial system in our country. The MP went to court to
hear an election petition against him and ended up being abducted and kept
from the public eye for a week. What we know now is he has since been
charged and released on bail,' Muchauraya said.

Nemadziwa, now resting at a safe house, was held incommunicado by the police
under instruction from the losing Zanu-PF candidate for Buhera South, Joseph
Chinotimba. The newly elected MP was bundled into the back of a waiting car
and driven away after he became involved in an argument with a group of six
men at the courthouse.

The MDC identified one of his abductors as Zimbabwe National Army Colonel
Morgan Mzilikazi. The army officer, together with Chinotimba, has been
waging war against MDC activists in Buhera.

Four other MPs in the province are still on the police wanted list. They're
reportedly all in hiding. These are John Nyamande, Makoni central, Mathius
Mlambo, Chipinge East, Misheck Kagurabadza, Mutasa South and Elton Mangoma,
Makoni North. Buhera North MP Eric Matinenga was recently released from
prison after being held without charge for close to a month.

5 MDC supporters killed, 2 raped

http://zimbabwemetro.com

By Investigations Unit ⋅ © zimbabwemetro.com ⋅ July 8, 2008 ⋅
Despite calls by the MDC for the cessation and withdrawal of youth militias
and closure of several torture bases around Manicaland,the bases are still
fully operational and ZANU PF thugs are still terrorizing its supporters.

So far recorded deaths this week:

Dickson Sibamba 60, MDC activist from Buhera South, Ward 28. He was murdered
by armed war veterans and youth militias on 03/07/08at around 2200hrs at his
home. The militias had made him pay a goat as form of punishment after which
they murdered him. He issurvived by a wife and 5 children, 3 of which are
soldiers under Zimbabwe National Army. His body is still at Murambinda
Mortuary.

Masitafundikera Gumura 72, and his wife Aqualine Sanzvemgwa 61, all from
Headlands, were abducted on 25/06/08 by Zanu youths ataround 2100 hrs.
Gumura died on the spot after severe torture while his wife Aqualine died
three days later on 28/06/08 They were all buried on 03/07/08.

Maxwell Machasi 40, from Mararakuenda Village, Chief Nyashanu was murdered
on 06/07/08 by War veterans lead by Gapu and Chimbara. His body is still at
Murambinda mortuary.

Alex Kazembe 42, of Dekeya Village, Ward 26 in Makoni South, died on
06/07/08 after sever assault by Zanu PF youths at Nyazura River.

Rape Cases:
Memory Mufambi 32, from Nhamo Village, Buhera Central was abducted to
Baravara Torture Base on 19/06/08, where she spent 3 days subjected to
severe torture in being gang raped. She had unprotected sex with various of
the youth militias and war vets at
Baravara. She was released and dumped days later on the road near her home.
She is currently at SASU recieving treatment.

Janet Jekesa from Nyazura, Makoni South, was abducted at her house on
30/06/08 at around 2100hrs by armed soldiers, she was later gang raped by
the same group along the road near her house.

Abductions:
Maggie Mangwiro Chirao from Makoni South, was abducted on 06/07/08 at her
house by Zanu militias, she is said to be kept atNzvimbe Torture base in
Makoni South.

Rachel Mhandu 34, from Mutare North was abducted on 01/07/08 by Zanu
militias, she was released on 03/07/08, after she was forced to pay
50billion and going through severe torture.

ZANU-PF militia violence in Gutu District

http://www.hararetribune.com

By Masvingo Reporter | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 14:02
news@hararetribune.com

Zimbabwe, Masvingo-- Masvingo Province is one of the handful of
provinces in the country that has seen intense violence during the post
March 29 election period. In recent weeks, there were gruesome images of MDC
supporters and activist burnt alive at Jerera Growth Point, in Zaka
District.

Cases of ZANU-PF militia attacking MDC supporters and activists in
other districts of the province have been reported, including in Bikita,
Mwenezi, Chiredzi and Chivi districts.

Now that Robert Mugabe is in office, one would expect the violence in
district to cease, but alas that is not the case. Violence, fomented by a
faction in ZANU-PF aligned to Emerson Montana, that man who masterminded and
executed Gukhurahundi, is still taking across the length and breath of
Masvingo Province, just like in other provinces of the country.

In Gutu District, the local branch of the ZANU-PF militia has been on
the rampage, setting homes belong to the MDC supporters and activists on
fire, assaulting, torturing and etc suspected MDC activists. Their campaign
has a military feel to it, a credit to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)
soldiers who have been embedded within the ranks of the ZANU-PF militia.

In Gutu District, Ward 14, Ushe Village, this is the list of people
who have been tortured, beaten, persecuted, by ZANU-PF militia. After
beating, torturing and assaulting, the ZANU-PF militia, now living 'off-the
land' like a genuine guerilla army in the mould of the 1970's ZAPU/ZIPPRA
units, commandeered/confiscated food and other items from their victims.

Beaten, tortured, assaulted:

1. Sarudzai Chinyamutondo: Beaten, tortured, assaulted, 8 chickens
taken, a bottle of cooking oil, soap, salt, matches and pets
2 Betserai Manyange and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, 3 goats, 2
buckets Rapoko and 7 chicken.
3 Benard Manyange and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, 3 goats, 8
chicken, 2 turkeys, 1 bucket mealie-meal
4.Gamuchirai Swinurai, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
5.Eunice Switsi, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, 4 chickens, 1 bucket
mealie-meal
6.Jebeni Manyange, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, destroying property, 2
Guinea fowl taken
7. Jaison Chiwara, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, property destroyed,
wife beaten.
8.Tinozivashe Munoda, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, 1 goat,and 1 bucket
mealie-meal taken
9. Alfred Mashaba and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
10. Charles Mashaba and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
11. Vengesai Mashaba and daughter-in-law, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
12. Tawanda Chibvukwa, Beaten, tortured, assaultedproperty destroyed,
13. Sabhuku Mavhurira Chiwara and two wives, Beaten, tortured,
assaulted
14.Steven Chiname and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
15. Ndonga and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
16. Guhu, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, arm broken
17. Judah Jeke , Beaten, tortured, assaulted
18. Jairos Chara ,Beaten, tortured, assaulted
19 Tafuma Masotsha and wife, Beaten, tortured, assaulted
20. Marufu Shumbanhete, wife and daughter -in-law, Beaten, tortured,
assaulted
21.Garikai Mujakani , Beaten, tortured, assaulted
22. Thulani Chabvuka, Beaten, tortured, assaulted, house destroyed
23. Chikwiriro, Beaten, tortured, assaulted.

Below is the list of people, who formed part of the ZANU-PF militia
unit that is waging a war aganist the people in Gutu District. This active
ZANu-PF militia unit is based at a torture camp located at Mataruse Clinic,
in Gutu District. The lauch foraging camapigns in villages around the
clinic.

1.Godhealth Gotore War veteran and leader
2 Jefurisi Musendekwa War Veteran leader
3. Mubaiwa Ushe
4.Grace Manyange
5. Mabharani Ushe Local War vet leader
6.Paurosi Chiwara
6. Onias Kufa
7. Tapera Kufa
8 Ngavaite Kufa
9. Kesias Muchengwa
10. Gracious Sengweni
11. Misheck Mambiyo
12. Richard Ushe
13. Shadreck Ushe
14. Simbarashe Matenga
15. Masuka
16. Majoni Mutonga Gwama
17. Upenyu Maswa
18. Matunga Mugokwe
19. Noel Mumwe
20. Vengesai Chitombo
21. Loveson Chihuvo
22. Mercy Shumbanhete
23. Memory Manzanga
24. Mavis Dzivakwi
25. Silvia Mahuni
26. Lilian Tazvishaya
27. Kirion Chara
28. Vote Chara
29.Saverino Gotore and many more youths--Harare Tribune News

Gokwe under siege as violence and torture escalates

By Alex Bell
08 July 2008

Robert Mugabe's regime of thugs and militia has intensified it's reign of
terror as reports of political violence and torture of MDC supporters across
Zimbabwe continue to emerge.

Reliable sources on the ground told Newsreel on Tuesday that Gokwe has been
completely shut down by armed groups and youth militia, with extensive road
blocks preventing aid agencies from reaching victims of torture in the area.

We have been unable to clarify Monday's initial reports that a refugee
centre in Gokwe was attacked over the weekend, but information received
indicates that there has been widespread violence in the area over the past
few days. Our sources have said that at least 32 civilian victims are being
detained at the Gokwe hospital with serious burns and axe wounds as a result
of torture and that there are three confirmed deaths.

Newsreel has also learnt that ambulances have been refused access to the
hospital to remove the victims for treatment and that medical emergency
crews have been held up at roadblocks surrounding the Gokwe area. Sources
said a Red Cross crew was stopped by youth militia while trying to gain
access to the Gokwe hospital. The crew was then detained and questioned for
eighteen hours before being turned away.

The information from the ground coincides with a report from the MDC that
ten party supporters who were attacked by Zanu PF thugs in Gokwe over the
weekend were being detained at the Gokwe Hospital. The MDC said two soldiers
hijacked ambulances transporting the injured on Sunday. They are now at the
Gokwe hospital where they have not received any medical attention due to a
lack of medicine.

Among those in need of urgent treatment is the Gokwe MP Costin Muguti, who
was abducted from his home by men in army uniforms and severely beaten. He
was handed over to the police at the Gokwe Centre where he is reportedly
still in custody.

At the same time, 14 people who were abducted during a militia raid on a
refugee centre in Ruwa on Sunday night are still missing. The attack came as
the group of more than 300 men, women and children were sleeping at the Ruwa
local squash courts, where they have been sheltering since last month. The
group were removed to the so called "place of safety" after fleeing to the
South African Embassy in Harare in the week leading up to the election run
off.

The refugees fled their Epworth homes after an upsurge of violence there,
and turned to the embassy for refuge. They were removed to Ruwa after an
agreement facilitated by the South African ambassador and approved by the
International and Zimbabwean Red Cross.

The group had been promised twenty four hour protection, but were forced to
form their own security patrols. On Sunday night a group of masked men with
shotguns burst into the squash courts and started beating up the refugees,
including pregnant women and children. Eight people were hospitalised. The
fourteen people who are missing were mainly young men who were part of the
camp's security patrol.

An official from The Federation for Red Cross and Crescent Societies in
Johannesburg told Newsreel on Tuesday that it was still providing basic
humanitarian care at the Ruwa refugee site, but that it was not responsible
for providing security. The official said the group would not be commenting
further of the issue.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Buhera Woman Gang Raped By 21 Zanu-PF Thugs

SW Radio Africa (London)

8 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008

Tichaona Sibanda

A 35 year-old woman from Buhera is recovering at a private clinic in Mutare
after 21 Zanu-PF youths put a gun to her head and took turns to rape her.

The gang rape described as 'horrible' by the MDC spokesman in Manicaland,
Pishai Muchauraya took place over the weekend at Barawara torture base in
Buhera central.

Doctors said Memory Mufambi is still too traumatised to talk about her
ordeal but managed to detail the degrading incident to local MDC officials
who rushed her to Mutare for urgent medical help.

Muchauraya said Mufambi narrated that her crime was that she voted for the
MDC during the harmonised elections and the gang rape was revenge for that.

'Some of what happened to her is too graphic to be repeated anyway. But a
gun was used to subject her to this unspeakable crime. We pray the gang
spared her life but otherwise if caught one day these men should rot in
prison,' Muchauraya said.

Violence in Chimanimani

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 08 July 2008 11:40
BY STAFF REPORTER
CHIMANIMANI ---Fear and uncertainly engulfs the Chimanimani communal
area in Manicaland province following a reign of terror by ZANU PF youths
towards the June 27 presidential run off.

Some students from Mutambara Methodist mission in the area who spoke
to us in Mutare said they are afraid to go back to school after what they
experienced before the run off elections."The two headmasters from the
primary and secondary schools at the mission and most staff members were
severely assaulted in the presence of all students by ZANU PF youths who
accused them of campaigning for the opposing MDC during the build up to the
March 29 harmonized elections," said a secondary school student who can not
be identified for fear of victimization.

The students said the youths set up a base at the mission a week
before the run off elections where all night campaign meetings were being
conducted."The primary school headmaster is in the Second Avenue Surgical
Unit in Mutare where he is recovering and he has said he will not go back to
Mutambara,' said a primary school pupil.Following the invasion of the school
by the youths the school had to close prematurely and some of the school
children had to hide in the forest for several days before making their way
to Mutare.

The students said they were assisted by the local pastor who phoned
parents of some of the students to make arrangements to collect their
children who were scattered all over Chimanimani.The youths also set up
bases in surrounding communal areas where some business people were
assaulted for allegedly selling goods at inflated prices to discredit the
Mugabe regime.

Manicaland Province Report July 06, 2008

http://www.hararetribune.com

By Staff | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 9:08
news@hararetribune.com

Zimbabwe, Harare--Post Election Violence for week ending 06/07/08
(Manicaland Province)

Despite calls by the MDC for the cessation and withdrawal of youth
militias and closure of several torture bases around Manicaland, ZANU-PF
thugs are still terrorizing people, marking an end to democracy in Zimbabwe.

Deaths:
Dickson Sibamba 60, MDC activist from Buhera South, Ward 28. He was
murdered by armed war veterans and youth militias on 03/07/08 at around
2200hrs at his home. The militias had made him pay a goat as form of
punishment after which they murdered him. He is survived by a wife and 5
children, 3 of which are soldiers under Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). His
body is still at Murambinda Mortuary.

Masitafundikera Gumura 72, and his wife Aqualine Sanzvemgwa 61, all
from Headlands, were abducted on 25/06/08 by ZANU-PF youths at around 2100
hrs. Gumura died on the spot after severe torture while his wife Aqualine
died three days later on 28/06/08. They were all buried on 03/07/08.

Maxwell Machasi 40, from Mararakuenda Village, Chief Nyashanu was
murdered on 06/07/08 by War veterans lead by Gapu and Chimbara. His body is
still at Murambinda mortuary.

Alex Kazembe 42, of Dekeya Village, Ward 26 in Makoni South, died on
06/07/08 after sever assault by ZANU-PF PF youths at Nyazura River.

Rape Cases:

Memory Mufambi 32, from Nhamo Village, Buhera Central was abducted to
Baravara Torture Base on 19/06/08, where she spent 3 days subjected to
severe torture in being gang raped. She had unprotected sex with several of
the youth militias and war vets at Baravara. She was released and dumped
days later on the road near her home. She is currently at SASU receiving
treatment.

Janet Jekesa from Nyazura, Makoni South, was abducted at her house on
30/06/08 at around 2100hrs by armed soldiers, she was later gang raped by
the same group along the road near her house.

Abductions:

Maggie Mangwiro Chirao from Makoni South, was abducted on 06/07/08 at
her house by ZANU-PF militias, she is said to be kept at Nzvimbe Torture
base in Makoni South.

Rachel Mhandu 34, from Mutare North was abducted on 01/07/08 by
ZANU-PF militias, she was released on 03/07/08, after she was forced to pay
50billion and going through severe torture. --Harare Tribune News

Mnangagwa faction fomenting violence to scuttle talks

http://zimbabwemetro.com

By Roy Chinamano ⋅ © zimbabwemetro.com ⋅ July 8, 2008 ⋅

Zanu PF’s turf war involving two factions led by retired general Solomon
Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa is adversely affecting talks with the MDC.The
Mnangagwa faction is bitterly opposed to the talks and is responsible for
the violence that has continued against MDC supporters unbated.Metro has
established.
Soon after arriving back from the AU Summit in Egypt, Mugabe met with the
Joint Operations Command , namely Chiwenga, Chihuri, Shiri, Mnangagwa,
Zimondi and others and they agreed on a plan to destroy the MDC completely
but the plan was rejected by the Mujuru faction which said violence will
backfire.

The Mujuru faction is supportive of talks with the MDC and power sharing
deal,while the Mnagagwa faction is of the idea that any inclusion of the MDC
in government will destroy its political prospects.

Despite the fact that the Mnagagwa faction is represented in the talks by
Patrick Chinamasa,he does not have the full endorsement of the faction as
they suspect he is striking individual deals with the opposition to avoid
prosecution for corruption and political violence, leaving other faction
members exposed.

Last month when MDC Secretary General,Tendai Biti was in prison,the faction
sent its emissaries to interrogate Biti.

“There is so much distrust and suspicion in Zanu-PF that these people wanted
to verify what Goche and Chinamasa are after. There was a sense from the
questions that the interrogators thought Goche and Chinamasa were trying to
negotiate their own future and not protect everybody else at the top of the
party,” said a source.

Most members of the Mujuru faction have vast investments in Zimbabwe and
they are worried that Zimbabwe’s economy is collapsing ever more rapidly,
with prices of ordinary goods now running into billions of local dollars
amid 1,600,000% inflation, and ZANU PF has no answers. So the only way to
protect their investments is a negotiated settlement with the MDC which will
resuscitate the economy.

‘Do you think Gono can improve the economy,the only thing Gono is good at is
printing more Bearer cheques’ a source in the Mujuru faction told Metro.

On the other hand,most members of the Mnagagwa faction are not in business
and some including Mnagagwa himself have invested outside Zimbabwe,so there
is a feeling that the economy to them is not a priority.

The Mnagagwa faction is also relying on rumours that Mugabe wants to
parachute him in as prime minister so talks with the MDC will destroy that
plan.

The Mnagagwa faction’s strategy is also to eliminate the few MDC MPs from
their strongholds,to compensate for loses on March 29 and fight by-elections
so they could have more MPs which could be strategic when parliament votes
for Mugabe ’s successor.

‘The strategy is to keep up the harassment of the MDC and completely
paralyse it to a state where they will accept anything,keeping Tsvangirai
away from assuming any senior position in government will mean options for
Mnagagwa are still open’, the source said.

Last night Mnagagwa was personally responsible for sending solders to
Tsvangirai’s Strataven home,the strategy is to strike fear in Tsvangirai and
make him either completely dismiss the talks or make hastly decisions for a
settlement but taking a junior role.

‘They know how Tsvangirai thinks under pressure,so if enough pressure is
applied on him,he will bend,and they get what they want and life moves
on,its the same strategy Mnagagwa used against Nkomo ‘, said the source.

Contact the writer of this story,Roy at harare[@]zimbabwemetro.com

Mozambique bank chief warns Zim economic collapse a threat to region

http://www.hararetribune.com

By Business Editor | Harare Tribune News
Updated: July 8, 2008 10:34
news@hararetribune.com

Zimbabwe, Harare--The economic meltdown in Zimbabwe has the potential
to put the brakes on economic growth throughout the whole of the southern
African region, Mozambique's central bank governor said on Tuesday.

In his annual report, bank chief Ernesto Gove said that Mozambique's
economy grew by 7.3 percent in 2007 but he warned that the situation across
its western border was already impacting on the prospects of further
progress.

"In the SADC region, the political and economic problems in Zimbabwe
remained unchanged, with tendencies to escalate, creating adverse side
effects for the neighbouring countries like Mozambique," said Gove.

Zimbabwe has been one of Mozambique's biggest regional partners, using
the country's ports of Beira and Maputo to access sea routes to move goods
to and from international markets. As Zimbabwe faces an increasing political
and economic crisis, mass food shortages and sky high inflation, hundreds of
thousands of Zimbabweans have fled to Mozambique in search of jobs.

Mozambique, once one of the world's poorest countries during its
bloody 16-year civil war, has recorded a strong record of growth since the
end of the conflict in 1992. Since holding democratic elections in 1994 and
achieving macro-economic stability in 1996 the country has averaged eight
percent growth a year, with other factors beyond Mozambique's control posing
a threat to growth.

However despite global challenges of rising fuel and cereal costs the
economy's growth was in line with initial forecasts, the report showed.

"In 2007 the economy grew 7.3 percent, in line with initial forecasts,
even though the country was faced with exogenous shocks deriving from rising
prices of crude oil and cereals in the international market, which dictated
periodic adjustments in domestic prices."

The increase in food and fuel costs internationally also impacted the
bank's efforts to reduce inflation to a single digit, however inflation had
slowed to 8.16 percent from 13 percent in 2006.

The inflation in Zimbabwe is estimated at 9 000 000%, and unemployment
is at 95%. The informal sector now empolys more people that the civil
service.--Harare Tribune News

Biti needs passport to attend talks with ZANU PF

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 08 July 2008 15:48
HARARE - Zimbabwe's High Court will on Wednesday hear an application
by opposition secretary general Tendai Biti to have his passport returned to
him so he could attend talks with President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU PF
party to resolve the country's crisis.

Biti - who is on bail on charges of treason, insulting Mugabe and
causing disaffection among the defence forces - is the opposition Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC)'s chief principal negotiator in the talks
mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki.The talks are scheduled to
resume in South Africa later on Wednesday. However, the fact that Biti has
to go to court to get back his passport that authorities are holding as part
of his bail conditions highlights the acrimonious environment under which
the dialogue is taking place. "The applicant is the principal negotiator for
MDC-T. He has spent considerable time negotiating with other key
stakeholders in the Zimbabwean political platform with a view to achieving a
negotiated settlement to the Zimbabwean political stalemate," Biti's lawyer
said in the application urging the court to order the release of the MDC
secretary general's passport. The lawyer, Lewis Uriri, said he was reliably
informed that the negotiations were resuming in South Africa on July 8.
African leaders have urged ZANU PF and the MDC to use the talks to reach
agreement on a transitional government of national unity that would
stabilise the political and economic environment before calling fresh free
and fair elections. But major obstacles threaten to scuttle the talks with
Mugabe insisting that the MDC should recognise him as President of Zimbabwe
after his victory in a June 27 presidential run-off election in which he was
sole candidate after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out.The run-off
election that was condemned by both African and Western governments as
undemocratic was held because Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a March 29 first
round ballot but failed to secure the required majority to takeover
power.The MDC has insisted it would not recognise Mugabe and would not take
part in talks until the government stopped political violence against the
opposition party's supporters. Tsvangirai and his party also insist that any
talks should be based on the March vote that is widely regarded as
reflective of the will of Zimbabweans.The hearing of Biti's application to
get his passport back is scheduled to kick off at 0900hrs at the Harare
High. - ZimOnline

MDC leader's treason trial delayed

IOL

    July 08 2008 at 03:54PM

Harare - The Zimbabwean opposition's number two, Tendai Biti, has
appeared briefly in court to face treason charges and was ordered to return
on August 27, when a trial date will be announced.

Biti, secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change, made no
comment during Monday's hearing at the Harare magistrate's court.

His lawyer, Lewis Uriri, asked that a trial date be set by the time he
returns to court in August and charged that his arrest on June 12 "bordered
on abduction".

Uriri also asked that a report ordered by the court in June on
complaints by Biti surrounding the conditions in which he was held on remand
for a fortnight be made available by the same date.

Biti was arrested within minutes of flying back home from South Africa
in order to campaign for the June 27 run-off election between MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe, which Tsvangirai subsequently
boycotted.

He was freed on bail on June 26. - Sapa-AFP

Mavambo official flee

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 08 July 2008 11:21
BY STAFF REPORTER
BULAWAYO--A campaign manager in the Mavambo Kusile Dawn project led by
Simba Makoni, Retired Lft Col Moses Dendere has fled the country following
threats from state security agents.

Col Dendere told The Zimbabwean that members of the CIO were not
comfortable with document that he wrote which called  Mavambo  to take a
pro-active position and help protect victims of violence during the build up
to the presidential run off elections.

In the document Dendere states that "by virtue of being one of the
major players in the March 29 harmonized elections Makoni remains a key
stakeholder to the resolution of the current political crisis in the
country.  As such it is important that both Makoni and Mavambo become pro-
active rather than adopt a reactive posture to the events in the country."

Dendere further states that most of the supporters of the Mavambo
movement have their roots in ZANU PF and were aware that ZANU PF will go to
any length to achieve its set objectives."The very militant nature of the
party stems from its days as a liberation movement. As a ruling party it has
maintained close links with the military. It has provided the retiring home
for many soldiers who have gone on to contest as members of parliament."

Dendere says because of the extent of violence during the build up to
the run off, Makoni should push for a negotiated settlement.Dendere states
that the ward-based nature of the previous election had led to the partial
revelation of the identity of the voters.  This he said had led to the
identification of villages that were singled out as MDC activists,
supporters and sympathizers.

The retired col who left the country with his family on the eve of the
presidential run off and is now in Brussels, Belgium said  the net effect of
the violence unleashed on the people in the rural areas had been to cow them
into submitting to ZANU PF domination at least to save their life and
property.

After the announcement of the run off dates Dendere had been working
with voluntary  non governmental organizations in assisting victims of
violence in the ZANU PF terror campaign. Dendere had also briefed the team
of retired military officers from South Africa deployed  by the SADC
mediator Thabo Mbeki in May to try and  establish  the extent of violence
during the build up to the presidential run off elections.

Dendere said he had been under pressure from the state agents to
persuade  Makoni to issue a statement to the effect that he would support
Robert Mugabe in the run off which he was not prepared to do as the position
of the movement was that in the event of the run off going ahead it would
put its weight behind Morgan Tsvangirayi.

No foreign currency, no food

Photo: IRIN

No confidence in Zimbabwe's currency

BULAWAYO , 8 July 2008 (IRIN) - A R100 (US$13) remittance from a relative living in South Africa was a lifeline to food for Lydia Nxumalo, 36, and her family in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city.

After searching in vain for maize-meal in the shops and supermarkets, Nxumalo, with her five-year-old daughter in tow, eventually managed to buy a 10kg bag of the staple food from a vendor at the bus terminus.

"This bag of mealie-meal [maize-meal] will only last me a week and then I will need to purchase some more to feed my family, but where am I going to get the foreign currency to buy the mealie-meal? It is too expensive," Nxumalo told IRIN.

Maize-meal is no longer available from formal businesses, and for many the only recourse is the informal market, but while the illegal market thrives and maize is available in abundance, it is sold only for foreign currency. The price varies, depending on the dealer, from US$10 to US$13 for a 10kg bag. Officially a 10kg bag of mealie-meal costs Z$15 billion (US$0.40).

Other basic commodities, such as cooking oil, sugar and bread, are also only available on the informal market, but vendors charge for these in the currency of neighbouring South Africa and Botswana.

Since 2000, more than three million Zimbabweans are believed to have left the country in response to the economic meltdown, which independent economists believe now has an annual inflation rate somewhere between one million percent and 10 million percent, and unemployment of more than 80 percent. Zimbabwe's currency is fast becoming obsolete as more and more traders demand foreign currency for their goods.

Ahead of the 27 June presidential run-off vote - from which the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew in protest over the widespread violence - the incumbent, ZANU-PF leader Robert Mugabe, promised to import 600,000mt of maize.

Half was said to be sourced from South Africa, and half from Zambia and Malawi; however, the maize does not appear to have found its way to the streets.

Playing politics

"President Mugabe is playing politics with our stomachs. Before the elections he said a lot of maize will be arriving in the country from South Africa and three weeks down the line we are still waiting for the maize. He should stop politicking and make sure the maize comes in before people die of hunger," said Martin Ndlovu, a resident of Bulawayo's Makokoba township.

We are tired of politicians playing around with our lives. What we need right now is food, and President Mugabe should stop lying to us. If there is no maize and mealie meal available, he should say so

"We are tired of politicians playing around with our lives. What we need right now is food, and President Mugabe should stop lying to us. If there is no maize and mealie-meal available, he should say so," Ndlovu said.  

For those Zimbabweans who cannot rely on relatives or friends to remit money to them from other countries, a 10kg bag of mealie-meal costs the equivalent of a month's wages for those who still have a job.

"The shortage of mealie-meal is so intense we are spending weeks without eating any sadza [a thick porridge cooked from maize-meal], said Nhalnhla Sibanda, a self employed cobbler. He told IRIN he had last bought mealie-meal two months ago on the informal market, but could no longer afford it.

"People in the townships are now relying on sweet potatoes and vegetables for survival, but the price of those is also going up daily," he said.

"Everyone is charging in South African rands and in Botswana pula for basic commodities - where do these people expect us to get the foreign currency from?" Sibanda asked, hammering at a shoe.

"We are waiting with bated breath for the maize promised by President Mugabe, because if it does not come soon we will all die of hunger. Let us hope it is not one of those campaign gimmicks President Mugabe has used in all elections to woo voters to vote for his party," Sibanda said.

Cain Mathema, the governor of Bulawayo, dismissed the belief that Mugabe's promised maize imports were being distributed to ZANU-PF supporters. "The government is committed to feeding all Zimbabweans, irrespective of political affiliation, and we are currently awaiting maize supplies from South Africa, Zambia and Malawi.

"That maize [import] has been paid for ... We are aware that the black [informal] market is selling maize and mealie-meal at exorbitant prices," he said.

Mathema said the government had introduced a ward-based food distribution programme, in which basic commodities were sold at government-controlled prices, but residents claim the system is only benefiting supporters of Mugabe, who came to power in 1980 after the country won its independence from Britain.

"The ward-based food programme benefits ZANU-PF supporters, and what they sell is not enough for everyone, and supply is erratic," a city resident who declined to be identified, told IRIN.
  
In the lead-up to the 27 June ballot, the government ordered non-governmental organisations involved in humanitarian assistance, including food distribution, to suspend their activities.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Zimbabwe projected in its forecast, released in June 2008, that about 5.1 million Zimbabweans will suffer food insecurity.

"The Mission estimates that 2.04 million people in rural and urban areas will be food insecure between July and September 2008, rising to 3.8 million people between October [and December] and peaking to about 5.1 million at the height of the hungry season between January and March 2009."

We who fought against these things now practise them. Why? Why?