The ZIMBABWE Situation Our thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe
- may peace, truth and justice prevail.
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The Herald

Zanu-PF deplores US, UK

Herald Reporters
Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Cde Nathan Shamuyarira
yesterday deplored the United States and Britain for supporting the MDC
planned stayaway scheduled for today.

In a statement, Cde Shamuyarira said it was a shock that the US and Britain
were supporting a demonstration whose intention is to engage in a coup d'
etat.

"An illegal assembly organising military coup cannot be called peaceful and
democratic. It is shocking that the Government of Britain and US should be
supporting such a demonstration," said Cde Shamuyarira.

However, despite the two countries' support for the planned demonstration,
there has not been any travel warnings or evacuation plans for their
citizens as has been the case when such demonstrations occur.

The non-issuing of any warnings by the two embassies is an indication that
the two countries did not expect much out of the planned illegal stayaway.

Cde Shamuyarira urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and oppose
in public and at workplaces the activities of the MDC.

"It is you who will be hurt by these lawless activities; and not the leaders
of the MDC," said Cde Shamuyarira.

He said the people had voted for President Mugabe and that vote was to stand
until the next presidential election.

He said that decision was made by the people with the full support of
parliament, the army, the police and all the security forces.

"Foreign powers, especially Britain and America, and their Zimbabwe puppets,
cannot and will not change that. But the time has now come for showdown with
the MDC. Their activities can no longer be tolerated. They must be
confronted and taught the lesson that Zimbabwe is a sovereign nation," Cde
Shamuyarira.

Security has been beefed up at essential services to protect all those
people carrying out their normal businesses. Employers who sympathise with
the demonstrators have been warned that they would have to face the full
wrath of the law.

MDC leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai last week called his supporters to brace
themselves for what he called the "final push", to remove President Mugabe
from power.

Self-proclaimed proponents of democracy and the rule of law - Britain and
US - have already rendered their support for the planned illegal
demonstration.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association at the weekend
urged all war veterans to be alert and thwart any attempts to violently
remove an elected Government from power.

Speaking at a Press conference in Harare the ZNLWVA chairman, Cde Patrick
Nyaruwata, said it had been learnt with dismay plans by the
British-sponsored MDC to use unconstitutional means of seizing power through
the so-called mass action.

"We are convinced that mass action which is aimed at unconstitutional take
over of political power amounts to a coup and we will not stand by and allow
the gains of our independence to be tampered with," said Cde Nyaruwata.

"We are fully behind the system of democratic elections whenever they are
due, but we will resist undemocratic methods of gaining political power."

He added that they are ready to deal with any activities or people who may
want to cause mayhem and anarchy in the country.

"This is a dangerous route to State House, since the consequences of such
action translate into casualties on both MDC and Zanu-PF supporters.

The belief that if the West was to militarily intervene, the MDC would
automatically assume power is naïve because bullets, bombs and other
ammunitions of war do not discriminate between the ruling party, opposition
party, black, white, animals and property," he said.

Cde Nyaruwata said they fought for the liberation of this country and
therefore urged the business people, shop owners and schools to be open on
today.

"We fought for the liberation of this country and we have been at the
forefront of the Third Chimurenga," he said.

"Having completed the land reform programme, we would have been
concentrating on rebuilding our economy through increased agricultural
production."

Cde Nyaruwata also said the MDC leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai should wait for
another election re-run in 2008 than to cause mayhem and anarchy in the
country.
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The Herald

Firms warned against supporting mass action

Herald Reporter
COMPANIES that support the proposed MDC illegal mass action scheduled to
start today risk having their operating licences withdrawn by the Government
while thousands of people throughout the country over the weekend marched in
protest against the proposed one-week mass action.

In Harare business is expected to be as usual with all banks expected to
open for business.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde
Ignatius Chombo, told hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters in Banket over the
weekend that the operating licences of businesses that will participate in
the illegal mass protest would be given to others who will be invited to
operate at existing premises.

In the past some employers shut their workers outside their premises
although most of the workers would have reported for duty.

"We are ready to take stern measures against companies that support the
illegal stayaway. Company officials who turn away workers will be
penalised,'' said Cde Chombo.

Workers who take heed of the mass action would be replaced and new recruits
would be hired particularly in Government ministries and parastatals.

Cde Chombo said schools and businesses will be open as usual during the
week.

Contingency measures have also been put in place to ensure that there will
be enough transport to ferry workers to their workplaces.

The Government has already dispatched circulars to all governors, provincial
and district administrators to ensure that normal business continues during
the week.

The chairman of the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe, Mr Washington Matsaira,
said business would be as usual today.

"As far as we are concerned, yes, business will be as usual," he said.

Most indigenous businesspeople yesterday said they would continue with their
business since most stayaways had negatively impacted on their businesses.

"Who am I staying away from because this business is mine and which leader
in their serious mind would ask me to stop the work that feeds my family?
This is like telling me to kill myself and my family for them to go into
power," said one businessman.

Other businessmen said they would assess the situation before opening.

Hundreds of women briefly staged a demonstration against the illegal
stayaway in the small agricultural town of Banket in response to reports
that some white commercial farmers were going round in the province telling
newly resettled farmers that they would be back farming in six days' time.

Chanting slogans and revolutionary songs, the women denounced the MDC
arguing that the illegal stayaway was part of machinations by the British
government and other MDC sympathisers to reverse the land reform programme.

The women briefly camped at Banket Hardware and Building Suppliers were they
denounced some of the company officials who they accused of being behind the
illegal stayaway.

Mashonaland West Zanu-PF Women's league chairman, Cde Rudo Chakweza, said
women in the province would never allow anyone to reverse the land reform
programme through so-called mass actions.

"President Mugabe was democratically elected by the people of this country
and no one has the right to remove him from power through illegal means.

"Tsvangirai must wait for the next general election and he will be trounced
once again by Cde Mugabe.

"We know the whites and MDC who have been against empowering the landless
Zimbabweans are trying to use all means possible to reverse the land reform
programme. We will not allow anyone to reverse the noble programme,'' she
said.

The demonstration coincided with a belated celebration for the International
Women's Day.

In Mbare hundreds of youths marched in protest against the proposed stayaway
called by the opposition MDC.

Another 15 000 people marched through Marondera town in a peaceful
demonstration against the MDC.

Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Mudzi district Cde Ray Kaukonde delivered a
special message on the rule of law as well as the nation's sovereignty.

He castigated the use of violence by the opposition MDC in its bid to topple
President Mugabe saying for long Zanu PF had been patient with the
opposition's penchant for violence and that it was time to put to an end MDC
lawlessness.
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The Herald

Comment - Tsvangirai must pay for his sins

THE time has now come for opposition MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, to pay
the price for his sins against the people of Zimbabwe and to show him that,
like everyone else, he is not above the law.

The people's tolerance has been stretched to the limit as they have been
subjected to the most vicious political violence, economic sabotage and
international sanctions that have brought extreme difficulties in people's
lives since the formation of the British-funded MDC more than three years
ago.

His unprecedented backing by the United States, Britain, some members of the
European Union and the white Commonwealth has made him feel invincible and
that no one can touch him no matter how many laws he breaks and how much
suffering he has brought to bear on the people of Zimbabwe.

With almost the majority of established law firms, senior advocates and
prominent lawyers being retained by the MDC, courtesy of the US government,
Mr Tsvangirai sincerely believes he is above the law.

He believes he has enough support to cower the judiciary system, which
explains why he can arrogantly call for an unconstitutional removal of the
President and Government despite his ongoing high treason trial in which he
is being charged for plotting to assassinate President Mugabe.

Even though he denies plotting to assassinate the President, Mr Tsvangirai
is on record as saying that the President will be removed violently if he
does not resign on his own.

There comes a time in every country, organisation or even home when drastic
measures have to be taken to deal firmly and decisively with those who
endanger their fellow countrymen, co-workers or family members.

Almost every organisation will exercise a degree of tolerance in the spirit
of democracy, good governance, freedom, human rights and so on.

Families will tolerate their children throwing tantrums once in a while, and
governments as well as private organisations will also do the same for
citizens and workers respectively when they demonstrate, strike, break some
rules here and there as long as it is all in good faith.

However, when such tantrums become dangerous and threaten the universal
rights of fellow citizens, co-workers and family members, there has to be a
price to pay.

The MDC leader has clearly shown his contempt for the rule of law and his
preparedness to plunge the country into the abyss of economic catastrophe
and civil unrest.

His impunity is staggering as he is not bothered by the consequences of his
actions such as the disruption of people's lives, the closure of companies,
or exposing everyone to the dangers of civil unrest.

Until his case is finalised, the MDC leader must be put into protective
custody so that he does not further endanger the lives of innocent people
who might be caught up in the crossfire of his reckless actions.

There is sufficient evidence to show that Mr Tsvangirai has been
criss-crossing the country to organise an unlawful mass uprising.

There is also a clear precedent that his mass actions are destructive,
violent and ruinous.

It is now time to act and reassure Zimbabweans that everyone is equal before
the law, irrespective of how many top-ranking lawyers the MDC employs or how
many powerful countries support it.
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The Herald



We will enforce court order: ZRP

Herald Reporters
POLICE said yesterday the High Court order compelling the opposition MDC to
stop its illegal mass action will be enforced to its fullest and anyone
defying the order would meet the full wrath of the law.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police wish to advise the public and any other
interested parties that we will enforce, to the fullest letter of the law,
without fear or favour the High Court's order declaring illegal the mass
action which the MDC and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai called for tomorrow
(today)," police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzi-jena said in
a statement last night.

High Court Judge Justice Ben Hlatshwayo on Saturday night issued a
provisional order directing the MDC and Mr Tsvangirai, cited as the first
and second respondent respectively, to stop the action called to oust a
constitutionally elected Govern-ment.

The Commissioner of Police Augustine Chihuri filed the application.

According to the law, anyone who goes ahead with any action in violation of
a court order would be in contempt of court and the law would take its
course.

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company, which on Friday, had filed an
application seeking to bar the MDC from holding the mass action, yesterday
said it had withdrawn its case.

"Zupco welcomes the judgment by Justice Ben Hlatshwayo interdicting MDC and
its leader from proceeding with the illegal demonstration planned for
tomorrow (today).

"Our urgent chamber application sought precisely the same remedy," the bus
company said in a statement.

It said it had instructed its lawyers to pursue damages in excess of $500
million for loss of property during the illegal MDC mass action in March.

Friendly members of the Zimbabwe National Army were by yesterday patrolling
most parts of Harare.

Some were deployed at the Chitungwiza shopping complex while others were
patrolling known trouble spots of Glen View, Kuwadzana and Glen Norah.

The deployment was to ensure that all peace-loving Zimbabweans would be able
to continue with their daily chores.

In Chitungwiza, members of the national army public relations addressed the
public and told them to be free in doing their day-to-day business.

"We are a friendly force," said members of the national army through loud
hailers. The Chitungwiza shopping complex will be open as police and the
army are on guard.

Roadblocks have also been mounted in all roads leading into the city and
police are conducting searches where any offensive material will be
confiscated.

Patrols were also increased around the major security points of the country
and in all public places members of the national army would be accompanied
by police.

All previous trouble spots in Glen Norah, Glen View, Kuwadzana and other
high-density suburbs had received increased police attention and police
would not entertain any nonsense.

At the roadblocks police asked for identifications and luggage and body
searches were done on all people.

Justice Hlatshwayo ruled that MDC and its leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had
acted unlawfully in calling for demonstrations intended to oust a
legitimately elected President.

"Accordingly, it is ordered that: (1) The respondents be interdicted from
organising, urging or suggesting or setting up the mass demonstrations
intended to remove the lawfully elected President and Government," he said.

"The respondents are interdicted from holding the mass stayaway and public
demonstrations scheduled for 2 June to 6 Jun 2003."

The Minister of State for National Security and chairman of the Joint
Operation Command, Cde Nicholas Goche warned last Friday that security
forces are on full alert countrywide and have the means and capacity to deal
with individuals and groups bent on overthrowing the Government.

The JOC incorporates the ministries of Defence, Home Affairs and National
Security.

"The MDC's persistent calls for violent mass actions, not only negate
national democratic practices but also undermine national security," he
said. "This is not acceptable and the security forces will discharge their
constitutional responsibilities of maintaining law and order."

He said avenues for a constitutional change of government are there in the
Constitution of Zimbabwe and stipulate that multi-party parliamentary and
presidential elections be held every five or six years respectively.

"Any other means of ascending to power are unconstitutional and therefore
treasonous," Cde Goche said.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa also
warned that the perpetrators of the illegal mass actions would face the full
wrath of the law.

He said it was quite clear that the motive behind the threatened action was
to effect a coup over a legitimately elected Government of Zimbabwe.

The MDC is reported to have teamed up with the NCA and Crisis Zimbabwe - all
externally sponsored organisations, in their proposed march to oust
President Mugabe.

Some white farmers in Mashonaland West and Central provinces were reportedly
going around telling newly resettled farmers that they "will be back in
farming in six days" after the supposed ouster of President Mugabe.

Nigerian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe Mr Wilberforce Juta said as in
previous cases his country always emphasised on the need for dialogue
between the MDC and the Government in solving the country's problems.

He said the function of the judiciary was to mediate in conflicts and the
MDC should respect and abide with court rulings.

"Our courts are institutions set up to mediate in issues like that and we
expect that people will abide by court orders. It's difficult for me to give
a comprehensive comment because I have just arrived in the country from
Nigeria but if there is a court order I suppose there is need to consider
and abide by it," said Mr Juta.

He added: "We want Zimbabweans to talk and discuss their problems. Dialogue
is very important. Nigeria will not participate in anything that is not
dialogue."

Nigeria, South Africa and Malawi are engaged in efforts to revive
inter-party dialogue between Zanu-PF and MDC.

However, it was not clear whether MDC would challenge the court order on
not.

"They might, it is not binding (court order), but I'm still consulting with
my client," said MDC lawyer Mr Innocent Chagonda yesterday.

The spokesperson for the British High Commision Ms Sophie Honey whose
government is alleged to be the real brains behind the MDC contradicted Mr
Chagonda saying the MDC had already appealed against the provisional order.

"Our understanding is that MDC have lodged an appeal against the interim
order. The case thus remains before the court and it would be in appropriate
for us to comment.

"However as a matter of general principle we believe that people's
fundamental rights to freedom of expression and association should be fully
respected," she said in a statement.
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                                                    SOKWANELE

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

 

Zimbabwe update

Build-up to peaceful Marches 02 June 2003

Press Release 5

 

1 June 2003

21H30pm

 

Two Law & Order officials arrived at Alderman Charles Mpofu’s house.  He was not home, but his wife was.  They wanted to know where he was and demanded his cell number, and then departed.  He is an MDC councilor for Nketa in Bulawayo.

 

Law & Order officials also visited the house of Mrs D York, but she was not home.

 

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Letters

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Mugabe is to blame

Monday June 2, 2003
The Guardian

President Thabo Mbeki's article defending his ineffectual handling of the
Zimbabwe crisis and chastising Robert Mugabe's critics, was largely
unpersuasive and, in the end, patronising (Don't blame Mugabe for
everything, May 29). Colonialism has a lot to answer for, and it must do so,
but to bang this drum in Mugabe's defence every time he is criticised is
ludicrous.
Whatever Mugabe's past achievements, he is currently a despot who is
systematically eradicating the free press and the independent judiciary in
Zimbabwe. He uses violence and other oppressive means in an attempt to
silence opposition to his ruling party, and he and his loyal supporters lead
profligate lifestyles, while many in the country suffer in poverty.

Zimbabwe's once thriving economy is in a mess and continues to decline.
President Mbeki needs to face these facts, rise to the challenge and stop
making excuses.
Christopher Catherine
London

· Pretoria recently blocked discussion of Zimbabwe's human rights record at
the UN commission on human rights. It lobbied for Zimbabwe's readmission to
Commonwealth meetings, despite overwhelming evidence that the reasons for
Zimbabwe's suspension had not been addressed. Contrary to the findings of
most election observers, it declared the elections "acceptable". It accepted
Harare's assurance that it would amend its repressive press and public order
legislation. At the same time, the Zimbabwean information minister said that
the Zanu-PF government would not make any significant changes.

It is understandable that the Mbeki government should value regional
solidarity and liberation movement camaraderie above what it sees as the
neo-colonial dictates of the west. But this comes at a cost: the systematic
abuse of Zimbabweans and the collapse of Zimbabwe's economy.
Dr Steve Kibble
Africa advocacy officer,
Catholic Institute for International Relations

· Thabo Mbeki seems unwilling to recognise that Zimbabwe's "problems"
include systematic torture, political violence, denial of freedom of
expression and assembly, subversion of the judiciary, arbitrary detention
and discrimination against supporters of the political opposition - all
perpetrated by government agents in an effort to cling on to power. While
Mugabe cannot be blamed for all of Zimbabwe's ills, he and his supporters
are responsible for ongoing abuses of basic human rights.
Lorna Davidson
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
New York
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Scotsman

Zimbabwe braced for week of volatile demonstration

JANE FIELDS IN HARARE


ARMY trucks rolled into Harare's satellite town of Chitungwiza yesterday, a
stronghold of opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Soldiers patrolled the
streets of the capital's volatile suburb as Zimbabweans braced for violent
clashes in a week of mass street marches scheduled to start this morning.

Military police in combat uniform manned roadblocks on main roads into
Harare while mounted patrols moved into the tree-lined avenues surrounding
Mr Mugabe's official residence.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and its leader, Morgan
Tsvangirai, have pledged what is called a "final push" to persuade Mr Mugabe
to resign. The coming protests are described even by pro-government
newspapers as a "defining moment" for Zimbabwe.

Mr Tsvangirai, who will lead the march, yesterday vowed to defy a
last-minute court order barring the demonstrations. "The mass action will
proceed as planned," he told a hastily-convened press conference. "The
provisional order given to me is not binding on me or the MDC."

It was a move calculated to inflame the government: Mr Mugabe's loyal
ministers have spent the last week issuing threats to anyone planning to
take part in the protests.

The home affairs minister, Kembo Mohadi, warned the police would "deal with
mischief makers". Interviewed by the Standard newspaper, he said: "We are
ready for whatever is coming... the police are mine. I am their general. We
are ready!"

Leaders of so-called "war veterans" have already vowed to resist what they
say is an attempt to oust the 79-year-old president.

There will be "casualties" if the march goes ahead, the war veterans'
leader, Patrick Nyaruwata, warned last week.

Memories are still fresh here of civic protests in 2000, when war veterans
attacked marchers. There were reports yesterday that the government was
bussing supporters in from rural areas to lead counter-marches.

The state media is claiming that Britain, the former colonial power, is at
work. "They are planning to petrol bomb some government offices, bridges and
service stations," the Sunday Mail alleged yesterday.

This reporter was stopped twice yesterday, with military police searching
both inside the car and the boot, presumably looking for explosives. Mr
Tsvangirai has told people not to underestimate "the potential of this
degenerating into shooting". But among his supporters, there was a sense of
defiant desperation.

"The final hour has come," the MDC said in advertisements in the private
press.

"Do or die," the state-run Standard chimed in in a front-page editorial.

The streets of Harare were meanwhile eerily calm. In central Angwa Street,
workers were welding last-minute iron grills on to shop windows, while a few
youths clutching Bibles hurried disconsolately from church meetings.

Zimbabwe is a predominantly Christian country and church attendance has
reportedly soared as economic hardships have worsened.

Inflation is running at more than 269 percent and there are crippling
shortages of food, fuel, cash and electricity. Analysts here say those
frustrations may just be enough finally to persuade people on to the
streets.

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The Star


      Anti-Mugabe activists vow to march despite interdict
      June 2, 2003

      By Basildon Peta

      Zimbabwe's main opposition party has vowed to proceed with mass
protests despite a last-minute High Court order banning the action.

      Judge Ben Hlatshwayo yesterday outlawed the Movement for Democratic
Change protests due to start today, after police sought an urgent
application to stop them. The police argued that the protests would
undermine law and order and challenge the country's constitutional
democracy.

      But MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai countered the High Court yesterday.
"The provisional order given to me is not binding on me or the MDC. The mass
action will proceed as planned," he said.

      His decision to defy the High Court order has put him on a collision
course with President Robert Mugabe.

      Nathan Shamuyarira, a spokesperson for the ruling Zanu-PF, said the
time had come for a showdown with the MDC and that the opposition party had
to be "confronted and taught a lesson".

      The police and army were patrolling townships to discourage people
from participating in the demonstrations. - Independent Foreign Service

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The Star

      Teamwork can rescue Zimbabwe
      June 2, 2003

      By Khathu Mamaila

      Zimbabweans are cursed. Their president has shown little attention to
their suffering. And as if that were not enough, they have a leader of the
opposition who behaves like a president of the student representative
council.

      To say that Zimbabwe is in a serious crisis, is to state the obvious.
But for some reason, the collective political leadership of that country do
not seem to grasp the gravity of the catastrophe. If they do, they are
either unwilling or unable to take tough decisions in the interests of their
people.

      The ruling Zanu-PF and the main opposition, the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) seem to be living in different worlds. Each wants to
wish the other away, and this is the first major error.

      In the MDC's view, Zimbabweans must be mobilised to render the country
ungovernable to usher a new "democratic" order. For Zanu-PF those organising
against the government have to be dealt with by any means necessary. The
hardening of positions makes the resolution of the crisis seem completely
unlikely.

      With all humility and without projecting the political transition of
South Africa as the only workable model, Zimbabwe can learn from the
negotiations between the National Party and the ANC.

      The process was far from perfect but the difference was that there was
political will to resolve the political impasse in the country. The will was
brought about by the realisation that apartheid was not working.

      FW de Klerk took a huge gamble when he unbanned political parties,
including the ANC, in February of 1990 and announced the release of
political prisoners.

      Some of his own people were not happy with the changes but De Klerk
knew that was the only way forward for the long-term stability of the
country including the very people who were only concerned with short-term
interests.

      On the other hand, Nelson Mandela also had a responsibility to
convince his ANC to suspend the armed struggle. Balances of forces had not
changed and in fact the apartheid regime was still firmly in control.
Pleading with Umkhonto weSiwe to suspend armed activities before securing
final victory, amounted to an act of capitulation. But Mandela took the risk
and it paid off.

      The subsequent government of national unity was established to massage
fears of the white minority who were in charge of the state machinery - the
defence force, the police, the civil service. It would have been impossible
for the ANC to rule the country without the co-operation of the Nats.

      This simple logic appears to be rocket science for both Zanu-PF and
the MDC. They have displayed little sophistication to undertake the
necessary risks that will break the impasse.

      MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has committed some serious blunders. He
has openly called for the removal of President Robert Mugabe by force. He
has called for sanctions on his country. He has met with people he did not
even know well allegedly to discuss the elimination of Mugabe, hence the
current trial in which he stands accused of a conspiracy to murder Mugabe.

      His party has been organising strikes and boycotts. Tsvangirai's
immaturity was exposed when he confirmed media reports about the exit
strategy of Mugabe a few months ago. Negotiations between the two parties
had reached a sensitive stage but even before the parties had agreed on the
plan, the matter had become public knowledge, which meant that negotiations
were being conducted in bad faith.

      Several weeks ago, President Thabo Mbeki and his counterparts in
Nigeria and Malawi met Mugabe and Tsvangirai in an attempt to revive the
dialogue. An agreement to resuscitate the discussion between Zanu-PF and the
MDC was reached. In fact the dialogue had moved a step further in which the
possible successor of Mugabe was being discussed openly.

      But last week Tsvangirai dashed the hopes of the people of Zimbabwe
for any solution soon, saying that he would never be party to any coalition
or transitional government between Zanu-PF and the MDC.

      Instead he opted for what his party termed the "final push" to get rid
of Mugabe.

      This is an unfortunate path. Tsvangirai is contributing to the
destruction of his country and the suffering of his people. There may be
very little left to rule over if he achieves his ambition of becoming
president.

      The MDC, or any other party for that matter, cannot rule Zimbabwe
without the co-operation of Zanu-PF that has firmly entrenched itself in the
defence force, the police and the civil service. Equally, there cannot be
any real political solution by Zanu-PF without the MDC.

      But for now, they both seem to be myopic and incapable of fulfilling
their historic mission of rescuing Zimbabwe from the brink of total
meltdown. Betraying this mission will not only affect Zimbabweans but the
entire Southern African region.
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Mugabe moves to crush protest strike

Andrew Meldrum
Monday June 2, 2003
The Guardian

Tanks moved into Harare's townships yesterday and the security forces were
put on alert in preparation for the start, today, of a week-long national
strike and protests against President Robert Mugabe.
Panic buying highlighted the anxiety gripping the country after the
opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, urged Zimbabweans to "rise up in their
millions" to demonstrate against Mr Mugabe.

Idah Mandaza, a worker in Harare, said: "Everybody is getting ready. This is
the final push to tell Mugabe that he must go." MDC leaders said the
protests were designed to force Mr Mugabe to negotiate.

The government won a high court ruling over the weekend declaring the
protests illegal. The MDC lodged an appeal yesterday saying the protests
would be peaceful. Officials said they would not call off the protests.

Welshman Ncube, the secretary-general of the MDC, said: "Engaging in
peaceful protests is our right. A new government can only be installed by
the people through a free and fair election."

Nathan Shamuyarira, a spokesman for the ruling Zanu-PF party, said: "The
time has come for a showdown with the MDC. They must be confronted and
taught a lesson."

Zimbabwe is in a severe economic crisis with shortages of food, fuel and
currency.
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MSNBC


Zimbabwe vows to put down anti-government demonstrations



ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 1 - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's government
deployed troops and armored carriers Sunday in the capital and warned it
will crush demonstrations called by the opposition for this week.
       Stores and supermarkets reported panic buying of food and provisions
over the weekend as the nation awaited a showdown between the government and
main opposition group and labor unions.
       State television said demonstrations and strikes scheduled to start
Monday will be ''met with the full wrath of the law'' and youths loyal to
the government would break up the protests.
       Mugabe, 79, has been under pressure to retire as the nation faces its
worst economic crisis since he became its first black leader after the
southern African country won independence in 1980.
       Only international food aid has averted mass starvation amid record
inflation of 269 percent and acute shortages of money, gasoline, medicine
and food.
       The opposition says it wants Mugabe to agree to step down so new
presidential elections can be held, but it expressed little hope that he
would do so.
       In weekend advertisements under the headline ''Countdown to the final
push,'' the opposition said: ''Any thought of the dictator giving up power
quietly is sheer delusion. The Zimbabweans' story begins to unfold - sadly,
in our streets. We are now ready to go. The end is now in sight.''
       The government has alleged that the opposition was planning a coup to
oust Mugabe through the demonstrations and strikes and has warned that plans
by labor unions to shut down power and telecommunications would cause chaos.
       Zimbabwe also has repeatedly accused Britain, its former colonial
ruler, of funding the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and
opposition-backed labor unions to mount a campaign to oust Mugabe.
       A High Court judge also declared the protest action illegal after the
state bus company brought a suit against the opposition on grounds its
vehicles and passenger services would be endangered by the protests.
       But defiant opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said protesters would
not be deterred. ''We are going to go ahead,'' he said.
       Defense Minister Sidney Sekeramayi said ''enough measures'' were
being taken to stop anti-government unrest, according to the Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corp. ''Our soil is very sacrosanct. We shall not allow it to
be recolonized,'' Sekeramayi added.
       The television showed troops and riot police being deployed in Harare
and broadcast file footage of tear gas being fired on demonstrators in
previous protests.
       Government vehicles sped through Harare late Sunday throwing out
fliers urging Zimbabweans to ignore opposition calls for the protests. It
was the first time the government distributed political fliers, which
littered the streets, with few being picked up by passers-by.
       Government Minister Ignatius Chombo said business owners who support
the protests by shutting out their workers will have their operating
licenses withdrawn and be forced to close, state television said.
       The government's response to the calls for protest was seen as
unusually forthright and a desperate effort to pre-empt the biggest
challenge to its rule, analysts said.
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JAG OPEN LETTER FORUM

Email: justice@telco.co.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet: www.justiceforagriculture.com

Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
justice@telco.co.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the subject line.

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Letter 1: J L Robinson

My dear Hendrick,

I have just been reading about the French Navy in the Second World War. It
seems that there was some dilemma as to what course should be taken at the
time. Would it not be good idea for us to record the history of the Union,
since February 2000, to enable future generations of farmers to study the
demise of Commercial Agriculture in Zimbabwe? History records that on 3rd
July, 1940, "Admiral Gensoul refused to go back on the Franco-German
Armistice." On the 4th July, at 0555 hours RN Admiral Sir James Somerville
opened fire on the French and five minutes later called a cease fire. By
then one of the two French battle-cruisers had been beached, a cruiser
blown up and 1,200 French sailors killed. One battle-cruiser managed to get
away.

Am I mistaken to see a parallel here?

Exactly a year ago a few arrogant young sailors from HMS Matabele
questioned the bearing of the flagship HMS Titanic under the command of the
First Sea Lord, Sir Colin. Simultaneously, the Captain of HMS Mashona WS,
Capt. Gundry and his ship's Chaplain, Father Freeth, also became agitated.
At that stage only 28% of the fleet's sailors were shipwrecked.

It appears that the First Sea Lord saw the Chaplain as a threat of a
possible mutiny in his home Port, and with the restructuring of the Fleet,
he arranged for HMS Mashona WS to be scrapped. Then, along with the
assistance of "Chief Navigator Hasluck" he charged the Chaplain with
mutiny, for not faithfully enunciating the official fleet line. The quaint
old Port at Dodhill has since become a Pawn Shop for wrecked sailors'
equipment, so many of whom have fallen on hard times - known as Agri Ware
House I think.

In October, the Chief Navigator decided that he would take his leave of the
Titanic, and suggested that it would be opportune for the First Lord, Sir
Colin, to accompany him. Sir Colin declined the suggestion, stoically.

In November, the HMS Matabele found itself under the command of a very
headstrong principled new Captain (T.G. Conolly), resulting in a new
appointment of Vice Admiral Crawford. The word came out that the Titanic
had changed its course, and this has been echoed for six months now.

Many more sailors have since been shipwrecked - over 80% - and the
mutinous Chaplain is still at sea, still afloat in his little boat, helping
those he can and singing "For those in peril on the sea..." He has not
emulated Noah it seems, and takes groups of any size.

In the Royal Navy, the rule is that "the Captain goes down with his ship" I
am told. I do not know how it holds for the Chief Navigator, unfortunately.

My simple question is: "Has the Titanic taken a new bearing?" - I look
forward to your reply, and ask you to start on the official history if
possible.

Yours faithfully,
J.L. Robinson.

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Letter 2: C Alexander

Many thanks for the support and continuing work being done on our behalf.

Because we were made aware of our farm listing through your email list, (we
did not buy or read the herald as we try to do on Fridays) we were on time
with our objection letter . The man from the lands department issued the
document on a Friday afternoon, 2 days before the expiry date for
objection, it would have been almost impossible to object on time from this
distance.

Thanks to you, we had already done so. Please keep up the good work. Your
subsequent listing did not have farm or company names. Please can you
include these.

Yours faithfully C Alexander

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Letter 3: B Osborne

I am a Zimbabwean citizen who is living in America because it has become
virtually impossible to live any kind of viable or peaceable existence in
my beloved country ... where there is now a complete breakdown of
responsible Governance and Law and Order.

For those who have followed the sad saga in Zimbabwe it is plain to see
this wanton destruction has been brought about by the megalomaniac
mismanagement of the leader, President Robert Mugabe and his corrupt
cohorts ... including the Commissioner of Police, Augustine Chihuri!!!!

One would've thought it would be essential for an organization such as
yours to be correctly and well informed on such a tragic and chronic state
of events.

For the past century, Zimbabwe (nee Rhodesia), has had one of the most
respectable and efficient police forces in the world.  Until the last few
years, when, under the present putrid regime, it is now beyond contempt!?!?

During this time, Commissioner Chihuri and, under his evil auspices, most
of the Z.R. Police have shown a complete disregard for the lives and
liberty of the ordinary Zimbabwean.  It is more than shocking ... it is
SHAMEFUL!!!

And now I read with utter disbelief that INTERPOL ... supposedly the
arbiter of Police Forces and Law and Order throughout the WORLD ... is
appointing Mr A Chihuri, as an Honorary Vice President of your
organization????

It is beyond belief!!!!

This man is a disgrace to his uniform and to his country!!  He has been
personally involved in taking over at least two white-owned commercial
farms!!  He has defied High Court of Zimbabwe rulings!!!  He is IN CHARGE
of a Police Force which murders, tortures and maims innocent members of the
population they have PLEDGED to DEFEND!!!

I do not understand how you can ACCEPT this man into your ranks, let alone
choose to give him such a prestigious award!!!  He is a despicable
human-being.  I can only presume that your interpretation of Honorary has
nothing whatsoever to do with Honour!!!

This has completely destroyed any respect, faith or trust that I and, I
have no doubt, many of my fellow-countrymen, have ever had for
International Law!!!

I am totally disgusted and shall forward this appalling news to the many
"decent" people I know throughout the world!!!!

For and on behalf of all peace-loving Zimbabweans throughout the world!!!

Barbara Carlisle Osborne

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Letter 4: J Sankey

We spoke briefly on the telephone on Tuesday afternoon. I work for a
business consultancy practise in London. Your name comes from Annabel
Hughes who works with my Nephew Edward Sankey, who was brought up in
Zimbabwe.

We are currently in the process of applying for a contract with the UK
Department for International Development [DFID] for 2 Agricultural
consultants in Afghanistan, as a joint venture with a Zimbabwean chap
called Gordon Eccles. If we are successful we would be seeking a second
consultant to go with Gordon and almost certainly another 6 months or so
after contract commencement: The aim of the consultancy is to:

· Capacity building in the Public Sector in rural development/agriculture.
[Government rural and agricultural development and policy building]
· Experience in West/South Asia [take a view on that 1!]
· Sustainable Livelihoods approaches. [Give a man a fish*Teach a man to
fish..etc!]
· Ability to work in a participating way with local stakeholders.[tact in
dealing with the locals and recognising the political subtleties]
· Formulation of rural development policies.[sustainable, achievable growth
policies suited to the local environment]
· Organising/conducting workshops, training events and study
days.[training, identifying and promoting best practise, teaching local
people]

The words in brackets are my interpretations of the `government speak' used
in the notice from the DFID, preceding the brackets. We need to submit our
notice to participate by Wed 3 June and answer the Invitation to Tender
sent to us by 30 June, if we're successful.

By way of developing the theme we seek to find another individual of robust
nature and adventurous spirit who may be interested in joining us in this
venture if we're lucky enough to be accepted on the tender list, because at
that juncture we are required to submit the qualifications of individuals
who would do the job. Anyone interested can send their CV to my email
address and prepare an 8 line version of their qualifications in font size
10, a stipulation from the DFID to be contained in the reply to the ITT.

I can promise nothing other than the opportunity to join us in having a go.
I am more than happy to talk or write [by email] to any individual who
would like to know more.

Thank you for agreeing to publish this opportunity for me. If you would
like any more information please ask.

Regards,

Jonathan Sankey
Tel: 00 44 [0]20 7357 9600

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All letters published on the open Letter Forum are the views and opinions
of the submitters, and do not represent the official viewpoint of Justice
for Agriculture.

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PUT THOU MY TEARS INTO THY BOTTLE

 

To the children of God in Zimbabwe.  Fear not for the Lord your God has heard your cries - remember the word for these are your cries to the Lord :-

Psalm 56: 6,7,8

' They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?'

 

The Lord has your tears in His bottle, they are in His book.  Stay close to Him.  Do not do like some and use His name in vain when you behold the evils in your land, for that is the way of the cowardly and the wicked to curse the Lord when things go wrong.

 

PSALM 59 (verses 1-8)            The Cry of David - when Saul sent , and they watched the house to kill him

 

The cry of all the god-fearing, the good Zimbabweans who have suffered and suffer under the rule of the devils of Satan.

 

"Deliver me from mine enemies O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.

They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

Thou therefore, O Lord God of Hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

But thou, O Lord, shall laugh at them: thou shalt have all the heathen in derision."

 

The chosen are citizens of heaven, not of this world.  It is only a little time, then the Lord will be here to rule with a rod of iron.  Until then, He still judges NATIONS, LEADERS AND PEOPLE WHO PUT THOSE LEADERS INTO POWER.

 

Rulers are put into place by God.  By whatever means, be it election or succession.  However God gives us the right to have a say when a ruler becomes oppressive.  In this case Zimbabwe cried out against Mugabe, but the patently rigged elections reeked of the breath of the hyena that feeds on carrion, it smelt of the sulfur of hell.  Mugabe, in his Satan-driven madness raised up an army of fellow Satan-followers to beat, murder, rape and burn the opposition.  He has done this to get his way ever since he came to power.  The clearly rigged ballot and extra votes 'cast' for him, stuffed into boxes by the minions of the devil, showed the world exactly who he is and who he represents.  A Nazi in the mold of Hitler, using one Ben - Menashe whose vile duplicity is as bad as those Jews who turned from God to follow Baal, Dagon and Ashtoreth.

 

Here in Zimbabwe, the people did NOT vote in Mugabe.  His government stands as an illegal government before law, before the international community and is clearly illegal in the sight of God Almighty.

 

 

By: Harold Richards - Director of Counselling & Communications, Bible Broadcasting Network. USA.

Is morality a biblical requirement for leadership?
This question has been dealt with in the media, in discussion groups, and in the minds of many citizens in the light of the scandals that have dominated our political scene. Some feel that a leader’s private life is no one’s business. They feel the real test of a leader is how well he can lead others.

If we leave the Bible out of the discussion, that might very well be a good test of leadership. However, God laid down some principles for choosing a leader. He said, in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, the person who would be the king, or leader of the people, should be a person who is not covetous (does not multiply horses or silver and gold to himself), and he must be one who is sexually pure. He is not to have a multitude of wives (or mistresses) so that his heart is not turned away from God.

Further, this leader is to have a copy of God’s law beside him at all times. He is to study it so that he may keep his heart in tune with God. He is to remind himself of the standards God puts upon leadership. God blessed Israel when she had kings that were righteous, and He cursed them when the king was a wicked, immoral person.

Yes, morality is a biblical requirement for leadership in government.

Clearly Mugabe and his cronies are guilty of all these things - living like kings in mansions and stolen farms while the population starve with over two million refugees and one million made homeless inside the country.

 

By: Harold Richards - Director of Counselling & Communications, Bible Broadcasting Network. USA.

Why do Christians try to get morality put into law?

There are times that people will ask, "Since we live in a pluralistic society in our country, why do Christians try to get their morality put into law?" Or they will ask, "Why do Christians back certain candidates for office?"

The answers to these questions involve much Bible study and knowledge of the Word. As we read the history of Israel in the Old Testament, we see that Israel either flourished or languished depending on the leadership that was present. When Israel had a leader that "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord," the Lord blessed Israel. On the other hand, when the leadership was sinful, Israel suffered under the hand of God, and became all the more sinful as a nation.

As long as Israel obeyed the Lord, the promise to Israel in Deuteronomy 28 was one of blessing. However, almost twice as much of that chapter speaks of the cursing that would come upon the land when it chose to disobey the Lord. In other words, the nation was dealt with according to its moral conduct, with that conduct being measured by the law of the Lord. Since we are told in I Cor. 10:11 "Now  all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. " we need to heed the warning! God says, in essence, "Obey my law and be blessed, but disobey my law and be cursed!"

It follows to reason, that a person who studies and believes the Bible would want godly leaders in office and God’s law as the rule of the land. It is not a matter of legislating morality. Every ruling body legislates some kind of morality, but it is a matter of accepting God’s law as the authority for our lives and the law for our land. That does not mean that every person in the land must be a Bible believing Christian, or attend a Bible believing church. (However, it would be wonderful if everyone did.) It does mean however, that when God has spoken about a matter, we must accept His Word as final.

Psalm 33:8 - 22.

 

OBTAIN FOR YOURSELVES LEADERS OF INTEGRITY AND HUMBLENESS BEFORE GOD.

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Daily News

      MDC presses on

      6/2/2003 6:55:13 AM (GMT +2)


      Staff Reporter

      THE opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will today proceed
with street protests to press President Robert Mugabe to resolve Zimbabwe's
economic and political crises, despite a High Court order declaring the
planned mass action illegal.

      MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai told journalists in Harare yesterday
that the court order, granted by High Court judge, Justice Ben Hlatshwayo,
on Saturday night, was defective and could not force him to stop people from
demonstrating against Mugabe's government.

      The planned mass action is supposed to involve nationwide street
protests lasting for a week.

      MDC secretary-general Welshman Ncube, who also attended yesterday's
Press conference, described Justice Hlatshwayo's order as "a legal nullity''
.

      "If something is a legal nullity, it means it doesn't exist,'' Ncube
said.

      Tsvangirai said the MDC was not represented at Saturday's High Court
hearing because he received notice of the proceedings at 6pm, the time that
the hearing was supposed to start.

      He pointed out that the affidavit filed by Police Commissioner
Augustine Chihuri in the High Court was not even signed by Chihuri himself.

      "Neither the MDC nor myself received a proper notice of a hearing and
the purported notice handed to me by a police officer did not indicate the
date of the hearing," he said.

      Tsvangirai added: "Even assuming that the order is binding on me,
which I deny, it has no effect as it merely interdicts me and the MDC from
holding demonstrations. It does not interdict members of the public from
participating in any form of mass action.

      "The order was not served on me in terms of the rules of the court. I
merely received a copy from a police officer in circumstances which I
believe to be a matter of courtesy. The MDC cannot be held accountable for
something that is not binding. As an organisation, we observe the rule of
law and if there is something irregular about a court order, then we cannot
be expected to adhere to it."

      Justice Hlatshwayo granted the order against the planned
anti-government protests after Chihuri applied to the High Court to bar the
MDC from going ahead with its demonstrations.

      Chihuri argued that the MDC mass action should be declared illegal
because it was intended to oust a legitimately elected President.

      The opposition party has, however, denied allegations by the
government and State security officials that the mass action is tantamount
to a coup.

      Tsvangirai said the marches could still proceed without the
participation of the MDC.

      He told journalists: "In addition, and in any event, the call for mass
action was not only made by me and the MDC.

      "Various organisations, including the ZCTU (Zimbabwe Congress of Trade
Unions), the NCA (National Constitutional Assembly), student movements and
other civil society groups called for mass action, but have not been
enjoined to the so-called court order. In effect, the mass action may
proceed without the MDC or me."

      The NCA, an umbrella body for opposition political parties, students,
churches and trade unions that are fighting for constitutional reform in
Zimbabwe, yesterday said its members would participate in the protest
marches despite the courtorder.

      The NCA and its affiliates have backed the MDC's call for mass action.

      Lovemore Madhuku, the NCA chairman, said Justice Hlatshwayo's order
should be ignored.

      "It was predictable that the court would make such a ruling, but it
changes nothing.

      "The judge is just placing himself in the same position as those
people who proclaimed the Public Order and Security Act, which we have
defied.

      "His order will face the same fate.''

      Madhuku said Zimbabweans had an opportunity to assert their legal
rights and they should do so in a peaceful manner.
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Daily News

      Harare's sewerage system falls apart

      6/2/2003 7:04:04 AM (GMT +2)


      By Obert Matahwa Staff Reporter

      ON the "shore" of a stagnant large pool of raw sewage in Harare's
Dzivaresekwa high-density suburbs, five-year old Natasha Mamombe mimics what
she has observed her mother doing in the kitchen.

      Oblivious of the possible danger of contracting diseases, Mamombe
scoops water from the putrid pond and with the air of a seasoned housewife
goes through the paces of cooking a traditional dish of sadza.

      But Mamombe is not alone in her new found pastime. Thousands of
children in Harare's high-density suburbs such as Dzivaresekwa risk
contracting diseases such as typhoid and cholera from tones of raw sewage
spewed into the open as the sprawling capital's aging sewerage reticulation
system collapses under the strain of a rapidly expanding population.
      Mercy Chikura, who bought a house in Dzivaresekwa two months ago, told
the Daily News she had to send her two and a half old year daughter to live
with a relative who stays in Harare's affluent northern suburbs where
sewerage spillage is rare.

      "Sewerage bursts have occurred every two months since we bought the
house in November last year. We are worried about our health and had to send
our daughter to live with her grandmother, " Chikura said. "We cannot
continue like this. The council must find a lasting solution to this
problem, or have they given up and would rather watch like everybody else as
this beautiful city rots.?" a visibly frustrated Chikura asked.

      Founded in 1890 by British colonists, who named it Salisbury after the
then British Premier Lord Salisbury, Harare developed over the years to
become one of the cleanest cities in Africa. Known to its admirers as,
Sunshine City, Harare was popular for its wide and clean - kept streets and
the impressive jacarandas. But an economic decline gripping the entire
nation has taken its toll on the city. Dzivaresekwa's burst sewer pipes are
only an indication of a plethora of problems and ills threatening to reduce
the once magnificent city into yet another decaying Third World city.

      Street lights, particularly in less affluent areas like Dzivaresekwa
rarely function, and rubbish is strewn everywhere because the council does
not have fuel for garbage collection trucks while a drive along some of
Harare's streets is virtually a test of endurance because of the potholes.

      Meanwhile a fight for control at Town House between the government and
the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) appears to have stalled
efforts to revive Harare with Executive Mayor Elias Mudzuri, who was the
driving force behind efforts to reclaim some of the city's lost glory now
temporarily ousted from his job. Mudzuri, who won the city's mayorship on an
MDC ticket last year, immediately launched a refurbishment exercise of
Harare, resurfacing roads and expanding the city's sewerage system.

      The MDC mayor was however last month suspended by Local Government
MInister Ignatius Chombo. One of the hard-liners in the ruling ZANU PF party
Chombo said he suspended Mudzuri
      because the mayor had among other things failing to produce a turn
around plan for the city.

      Some analysts said Chombo dismissed Mudzuri because the government did
not want the capital city run by an opposition mayor.

      Whatever the reasons Mudzuri was suspended for, the renewal of Harare
appears to have ended with opposition mayor's temporary departure from the
city council.

      For example senior officials at Town House could only say the city
required huge amounts of money to revamp its sewerage system but would not
say how they were planning to raise that money or when exactly residents of
Dzivaresekwa could expect the municipality to replace the old pipes in their
area.

      The city's acting director of works Vumisani Sithole said the city
council was planning to overhaul the entire sewerage system but he could not
specifywhen this was likely to happen besides saying the whole project
depended on availability of funds.

      Sithole said: "There are no plans to overhaul the whole system as some
parts are currently operating satisfactorily. However, plans are on hand to
upgrade the Crowborough outfall sewers, (which were recently tendered out),
Highlands and Bluff hill outfalls, Chisipite and Budiriro pump stations
(which are currently under construction). "The implementation and completion
of these plans is dependent on the availability of capital funding which has
to be borrowed. "

      Acting executive Mayor Sekesai Makwavarara, said the frequent sewer
bursts in most of the city's high-density suburbs were an indication of a
reticulation system that was stretched beyond its capacity. But she also
could not lay out a detailed programme by the city council to redress the
breaking sewerage system or any of the myriad problems threatening the city.

      Sithole said the best the city council could do for now was to
timeously respond and repair any reported sewer or water pipe bursts. But
that does not appear too helpful for many residents here in Dzivaresekwa who
say council workmen never repair the burst pipes but only sprinkle some
disinfectant on the sewage.

      Crymore Mutesva, a neighbour to Chikura in Dzivaresekwa said: "When
the council officials responded to our call for assistance, they could only
sprinkle disinfectants despite the heavy flow."

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Daily News

      State gets excuse to crush protests

      6/2/2003 7:05:36 AM (GMT +2)


      By Luke Tamborinyoka Chief News Editor

      A COURT order obtained by the government outlawing today's mass
demonstrations organised by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) could just be the excuse the State wanted to ruthlessly crush the
protests, analysts told The Daily News yesterday.

      They said the government, which even before the court order had
strongly indicated it would use strong-arm tactics to quell the protests,
could now justify repression against the protesters arguing it is merely
putting down an illegal demonstration.

      University of Zimbabwe law lecturer and human rights activist Lovemore
Madhuku said: "The order is simply meant to give the government the moral
high ground to clamp down on the protesters.

      "Obviously the government is not ashamed of its own double standards
because this is the same government which has a history of throwing court
orders into the dustbin but today expects the Movement for Democratic Change
to abide by them. This is nonsense."
      Madhuku was referring to the government's refusal in the past to abide
by court rulings against it, especially several orders by the courts in the
last three years ordering the government to remove its supporters illegally
occupying white-owned farms.

      Last month the government deported British Guardian newspaper's Harare
correspondent Andrew Meldrum despite a High Court order barring his
expulsion from Zimbabwe.

      In an unprecedented move last Saturday night, High Court judge Ben
Hlatshwayo granted an application by Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri
and provisionally outlawed today's demonstrations.

      The government immediately warned the MDC to respect the order
nullifying the mass action or risk facing the full wrath of the law.

      The MDC yesterday vowed to press ahead with the protests disregarding
the court order. Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai and his secretary-general Welshman Ncube said the marches
would proceed today as planned.

      A political commentator, Takura Zhangazha, said the the State security
agents would use the order granted by the court to justify a violent
clampdown on the demonstrators.

      He said: "The government wants to hide behind this order and justify
the spilling of blood in the streets in the name of upholding justice. The
trick is to make the MDC appear a violent party which is not genuine when it
talks of the rule of law."

      Zhangazha said the government was already prepared to use iron-fist
tactics to put down the protests.

      He noted that last week the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and State Security
Minister Nicholas Goche had sternly warned the opposition that security
forces would not stand by while the MDC staged the anti-government protests.

      The MDC says the protests are meant to push President Robert Mugabe to
step down or to concede that he can no longer run the country and agree to
negotiate with the opposition party a solution to the political and economic
crises gripping the country.

      The opposition party, which accuses Mugabe of stealing last year's
presidential ballot, wants a fresh election once and if Mugabe resigns.

      Mugabe and his ruling ZANU PF party rejects charges that they stole
the election nor that they have failed to steer Zimbabwe out of its worst
economic crisis.

      Instead they argue that the acute shortages of the local Zimbabwe
dollar, hard cash and about almost every other basic commodity is because of
sabotage by Britain and the MDC because they oppose the government's land
redistribution programme.

      Zhangazha said: "One can see that even before that court order, the
government had already set the stage for violent repression and what they
have now simply obtained is a veneer of legality to their repression, which
had been promised anyway.

      "When we see blood in the streets, the government will always claim
they were quelling an illegal demonstration."

      Madhuku said with or without the court order, the MDC should proceed
with the protests because the government had cushioned itself against
demonstrations with repressive legislation such as the Public Order and
Security Act.

      "For the MDC to succeed, it has to act outside the framework of the
existing legislation which is too protective of the status quo," Madhuku
said.

      "It must be borne in mind that when Zimbabweans went to war against
the Rhodesian government of Ian Smith, the action itself was illegal and
unconstitutional, but it won us our independence."
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Daily News

      34 arrested in mass protests clampdown

      6/2/2003 7:06:23 AM (GMT +2)


      Staff Reporters

      AT least 34 people were arrested and more than 10 were assaulted and
injured during the weekend in the run up to anti-government protests
scheduled to begin today.

      According to reports received yesterday, about 11 people were arrested
in Harare, six in Bulawayo, 11 in Gweru and another six in Masvingo between
Friday and Sunday.

      Those arrested included supporters and officials of the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), which is spearheading the mass action.

      The protests, which have been declared illegal by the High Court, are
supposed to last for a week.

      Among those arrested was Peter Karimakwenda, an MDC councillor for the
Harare high-density suburb of Dzivaresekwa, who was detained on Saturday for
allegedly masterminding the planned mass action.

      Youths wearing ZANU PF T-shirts and T-shirts inscribed with slogans
reading "No to mass action" yesterday besieged the MP's house after his
arrest.

      The youths were perched on the roof of Karimakwenda's house in
Dzivaresekwa Two when The Daily News visited the scene yesterday morning.

      Some of the youths sat on the roof of a house belonging to Omega
Hungwe, the losing ZANU PF candidate in the June 2000 parliamentary election
for the Dzivaresekwa constituency, while others were standing on guard
holding sticks and stones.

      Hungwe's house is adjacent to Karimakwenda's residence.

      Aaron Karimakwenda, the councillor's son, said a group of about 30
members of the ZANU PF militia came to their home around 10am yesterday and
severely assaulted his mother, Doreen.

      "The youths forced us to chant ZANU PF slogans before they started
pasting their posters on our house's inside walls, including my parents'
bedroom," he said.

      "They also broke the windows of my father's commuter omnibus."

      Meanwhile, Anthony Phiri, the MDC's Mufakose district secretary, said
four party activists were also arrested during the weekend in the
high-density suburb.

      He said: "Patrolling police arrived at the shops and started asking
people if they knew what was scheduled to take place.

      "When the MDC youths told the police that there was going to be a
protest march against government, they were immediately taken to Marimba
Police Station for allegedly being the organisers of the mass protests."
Phiri said one of the arrested youths was later released.

      Paurina Mpariwa, the Member of Parliament for Mufakose, said the
arrests were meant to deter people from participating in the mass action,
which she said would go ahead despite the intimidation.

      In Masvingo, the police on Saturday arrested six MDC activists
including Lucia Masekesa, the leader of the women's league in the province.

      They were arrested at their homes for organising the mass action in
the city.

      They remained in police custody yesterday although they had not been
charged.

      Their lawyer, Tongai Matutu, said: "I don't see any possibility of
charging people who were arrested at their homes.

      "The police ransacked their houses and confiscated MDC T-shirts as
they failed to find anything offensive."

      Heavily armed soldiers and police officials patrolled urban areas
during the weekend, with violence blamed on the uniformed forces erupting in
Masvingo on Friday night.

      At least 10 people sustained serious injuries in the city when
uniformed officials raided beerhalls and bottle stores and assaulted
patrons.

      Meanwhile, a Daily News distribution vehicle was yesterday impounded
by the law and order police unit in Masvingo, whose officials accused the
driver, Shadreck Mupambi, of running away from the police on Saturday.

      The police have said they will not release the vehicle until Mupambi
produces a registration book for the car. Simon Mbedzi, the deputy officer
commanding Masvingo province, would not comment on the incident, saying it
was handled by a different section of the police.

      There was no comment from police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena.
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Leader Page

      The price of inertia

      6/2/2003 6:53:47 AM (GMT +2)



      TODAY the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party begins a week of
mass demonstrations which the opposition party says are aimed at forcing
President Robert Mugabe to resign or to concede that he can no longer run
the country and restart dialogue with the MDC to break the political and
economic impasse gripping the country.

      MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his party may or may not succeed in
this onerous task they have set themselves.

      But that the Zimbabwe crisis must now be resolved in the streets and
possibly with innocent blood being shed in the process is a sad indictment
against those to whom ordinary Zimbabweans and indeed millions of ordinary
Africans look up to for leadership.

      It would be an indictment against Mugabe personally if Zimbabwe burns
in the days ahead. This once glorious nation is now reduced to yet another
banana republic chiefly because Mugabe has refused to see the futility in
this Global Village of holding on to a dictatorship.

      Even as the forces of change gather against him like a dark storm on
the horizons, Mugabe does not appear ready to let go or at least any time
soon.

      Mugabe has in recent weeks only signalled his ZANU PF party to begin
debate on his successor, but he will not go the distance and publicly state
when exactly he plans to leave office.

      If Mugabe is serious about leaving power then he should know that the
correct thing to do is to clearly lay out his exit plan.

      Doing so would assure those in ZANU PF wanting his job in that party
to declare their ambition which would enable Zimbabweans at large to assess
and judge their ability and suitability if only because being leader of ZANU
PF qualifies one to contest in any future election to choose Zimbabwe's
President.

      But the Zimbabwe tragedy now unfolding is by no small measure also an
indictment against Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo
of Nigeria and Bakili Muluzi of Malawi.

      Numerous committees, missions, troikas and delegations have sat in
Harare and other foreign capitals to try and cobble out a solution to the
Zimbabwe crisis.

      But nothing positive has been achieved chiefly because Mbeki, Obasanjo
and Muluzi would rather not tell Mugabe the truth that he had to close his
chapter simply because his time was up.

      We have said it before and we repeat it here: Mbeki, Obasanjo and
Muluzi would rather have solidarity with Mugabe and not with the 14 million
Zimbabweans who had reposed so much faith in them.

      Had the three African leaders dealt honestly and genuinely Zimbabwe
would not today be staring possible bloodbath and anarchy.

      Clearly Obasanjo, Muluzi and especially Mbeki, who is chairman of the
African Union, cannot hide behind the finger from their responsibilities to
Zimbabweans and to this continent by telling us that the political and
economic crisis in this country can and should be resolved by Zimbabweans
themselves.

      Needless to say that, given the geographical position of Zimbabwe at
the heart of the Southern African Development Community, the impact of its
escalating crisis will extend beyond its borders.

      At the very least the crisis will destabilise especially Mbeki's own
South Africa, but also Botswana and Mozambique by driving thousands of
refugees into these countries fleeing political upheaval in Zimbabwe.

      And so much for the principle of providing African solutions to
African problems that we are told is the "noble cornerstone" of Mbeki and
Obasanjo's New Partnership for Africa's Development brainchild.

      We can only hope that the events of this week will be clear enough to
Mbeki, Obasanjo and Muluzi that they should stop shielding Mugabe.

      And that instead they should convey to Mugabe the message that
Zimbabweans by coming out into the streets are trying to put across to him
and that is: for all the good he may have done for this country in the past
he must step down in order to give this country a chance to start afresh and
move forward.

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Leader Page

      Now is the time to reclaim your power

      6/2/2003 6:54:27 AM (GMT +2)


      By Cathy Buckle

      "Dear God, please help Zimbabwe. All of us don't like what is going on
now so will you please help Zimbabwe and my family and all my friends and
teachers. Armen (sic)."

      This prayer, written unaided and unprompted by a nine-year-old
Zimbabwean schoolchild recently, says it for us all.

      We don't like what is going on, we are cold and tired and hungry and
we need help.

      Our own police and army will not help us, they say we are unpatriotic
and are British puppets.

      They will not act on our complaints or take our reports. They do
nothing about murder, torture, rape and arson, saying that if these offences
are perpetrated by government supporters, they are "political".

      The men and women war veterans who fought to free us in 1980 have been
used and paid and now, when we need them the most, they threaten to crush
us, destroy our calls for democratic governance and fight us in the streets.

      Some of our children have been given green uniforms and jack boots and
they too are being paid to intimidate, terrorise and beat us.

      Men and women in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) listen to
our telephone calls, watch our movements and invade our privacy.

      A very generous guess allows for perhaps 160 000 people who are
oppressing eleven and a half million people - one oppressor for every 72
ordinary Zimbabwean citizens.

      All of these people have forgotten one simple fact: they are being
paid through our taxes and levies.

      We paid the war veterans their compensation in 1997 and it is us who
pay their monthly pensions.

      We pay the salaries of the men and women in the police, army and CIO
and we pay for the training of the youth militia.

      It is our hard-earned money which is being used to pay all these
people at the end of every month, but now we have had enough and there is no
money left.

      Zimbabweans have finally got to the end of their amazing patience and
will this week tell the government that now it is enough.

      No food, no fuel and no money has finally added up to: No More.

      For a week we have prayed daily for God's help, strength and
protection in the days ahead.

      People gathering and praying in the streets of Harare have been kicked
and assaulted by the police, but as they are taken away, more come to
replace them.

      People in many countries have joined us in our prayer for an end to
this 40 months of hell, and we hope that their appeal is also for divine
guidance for those who are our oppressors.

      Not only do the ordinary men and women of Zimbabwe pay the salaries of
our oppressors, we also grow food which they eat, sew clothes which they
wear, build houses which they live in and maintain services which they rely
on to survive.

      Those who have chosen to oppress us must look deep into their hearts
in the coming week.

      They must ask themselves if this is the type of society in which they
want to live, work and raise children.

      A society where racism is preached by government ministers and radio
stations.

      A country in which title deeds do not ensure legal ownership.

      A nation without food, fuel, money or employment.

      A Zimbabwe in which there is no freedom of speech, movement,
association or even worship.

      Our oppressors must remind themselves that, like many who have gone
before them, they are not indispensable, their jobs are not forever.

      The world's most famous orator, Martin Luther King Jr, said that he
had a dream in which he saw freedom and unity in his country.

      His words of half a century ago are inscribed on his tombstone: "Free
at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, free at last."

      The days ahead for Zimbabwe need courage, determination and peaceful
protest - from us all.

      Our call is not only for freedom but for food, fuel, jobs and, most
importantly, for the restoration of our dignity as human beings.

      Until three years ago, we were such a proud nation and we will be
again soon when we can say: "Thank God Almighty, free at last."

      Cathy Buckle is a social commentator
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Feature

      It all starts with losing touch with the people

      6/2/2003 6:53:15 AM (GMT +2)


      By Magari Mandebvu

      I remember vividly my first visit after Independence to an old friend
who had become a government minister, and I can't help asking myself how
things have become so different now.

      His government house was in a less expensive suburb than all the chefs
live in now, and it didn't look any different from the other houses in the
street.

      I went to the gate and the gardener, wearing overalls and a floppy old
felt hat, came to let me in.

      He did check that I was known: in his toolshed near the gate, he had,
along with his muddy spade and badza, a well-oiled AK47 and a radio phone.

      Security was necessary, as we know that the apartheid regime in South
Africa did not wish us or our new government well. But the security was
discreet. When I left, I noticed again two young men standing on the other
side of the road. They might have been unemployed, just lounging and waiting
for a job to come along, but there was something about their manner that
told me they were not.

      I am sure they were comrades watching the minister's house. They didn'
t bother me the way armed guards do question us all now; they just observed
everything and would, I am sure, have been ready to act if necessary.

      The minister's style of living was just as simple. He has passed away
since, so I don't suppose I can offend anyone by telling this. He showed me,
with great delight, the acre or so of land behind the house where he was
planting maize and the swimming pool which he intended to fill with fish,
which they would catch and eat.

      He wasn't unique in this.

      Remember President Canaan Banana's chicken co-operative at State
House?

      There are even stories that visitors sometimes found him wearing
overalls and taking his turn at cleaning out the chicken houses.

      In those days, they still lived close to the people: maybe in areas
where most of the people did not live, but like the ordinary people. They
knew how life was for us.

      Their security arrangements did not isolate them from the people, and
security men were probably more efficient for that. I noticed that, as they
were given uniforms and military ranks, their heads became filled with
parade ground drill, leaving little room for intelligence and imagination.

      Some of them were given ties to wear, to restrict the flow of blood to
their brains and reduce their thinking even more. So if they couldn't rely
on thinking intelligently, they had to rely on brute force and they had to
make it difficult for anyone to approach the chefs because they had lost the
ability to judge who is a security risk.

      Of course, they often say it was the job of some superior officer to
judge, but that superior officer is never available.

      A good friend of mine, a sound Irish revolutionary who married a
Zimbabwean wife, said this all very well in a poem he wrote about his coming
as a mukwasha (son-in-law) to meet the family of Zimbabwe.

      He even warned President Robert Mugabe in 1980 about the dangers of
taking over someone else's Special Branch and expecting them to follow his
orders.

      The favourite trick of the British Special Branch in Northern Ireland
is "sense deprivation", locking suspects, naked in a cold dark cell,
blindfolded, then submitting them, still blindfolded, to a series of
indignities without causing any visible injury, until they were so confused
they would be easy to interrogate.

      The former Rhodesian Special Branch, he argued, were doing the same to
Mugabe: But will they work for anyone?

      O, Brother Mugabe, come, come, come; as Cockneys say: "Where is your
nous having these about the house?"

      Do you really believe the leopard lost his spots and turned into a
mouse?

      Why then, when I and comrades write you, don't you get the mail we
send?

      Why must we send copy after copy through mail, through friends,
through all departments until one day, with great grand slam, someone puts
it in your palm?

      The answer is BSAP.

      (Oh please reply, RSVP) and the hounds of Special Branch who are
leading you are diverting mail keeping you from people and, without doubt,
peeping through your keyhole.

      It all adds up to much the same: S-E-N-S-E DE-PRY-VA-TION.

      He didn't see (did any of us?) or didn't say the chief chef wanted to
be isolated from the people. It looks now as if he did.

      So there is a warning for the next occupant of State House. You may
not want, chef or sir, to be isolated from people, but if you listen to your
security people, you will be.

      That way they stay in control, telling you only what they want you to
hear until you become like wet clay in their hands, to be moulded into any
shape they want.

      Some of the security people at Harvest House are behaving like that
already, even before they are given uniforms: mis-hearing names and
information you give them, to confuse the official you want to see, maybe
even, just as the Central Intelligence Organisation did to me in 1984 when
they were guarding some comrades from further south I was training.

      They denied knowing their member who had told me to come and ask for
him.

      Incidentally his name was Innocent Mugabe (may he rest in peace) and
his mother was still able to pass the message.

      But next time, Brother Next-President, someone with an important
message for you might not be so lucky.

      Watch out!
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