Arrested activists severely assaulted

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
01 June, 2011

It has been reported that the MDC-T activists who were arrested in the wake
of the murder of a police officer in Glen View are being severely beaten
while in detention. The Zimbabwean newspaper quoted “police sources” who
said that Last Maengahama, one of the party activists arrested Monday night,
had been “brutalized”.

Police officer Petros Mutedza died after violence broke out at a beer hall
in the Glen View area of Harare on Sunday. The police claim he was killed by
MDC activists who were holding a meeting at the venue, and have been
arresting MDC supporters randomly since then.

But the MDC-T has denied the allegations and accused the police of arresting
people who were not even at the scene of the violence. Lawyers finally
gained access to the arrested activists for the first time on Thursday,
after police blocked them since Monday.

A statement by the MDC-T said the number of arrests has risen and more than
20 are currently in detention. The party explained that once again police
are ignoring the law, which says the accused must appear before a
magistrates' court within 48 hours. “Some of those arrested were seriously
injured after being assaulted in custody but are not receiving any medical
treatment,” the party said.

Police are also reported to have “descended heavily” on residents of Glen
View 3 suburb in Harare, as they continued investigations into the death of
officer Mutedza. Local residents confirmed that people were being arrested
at random and with no link to the Sunday incident.

Meanwhile, the Youth Forum in Harare released a statement saying they were
concerned at the “unprofessional and unethical” conduct of the police, who
were arresting and harassing anyone they find out on the streets.

The Forum’s Wellington Zindove said business came to a standstill in Glen
View on Wednesday. “Vendors are afraid to do business like what we saw
yesterday. They cannot sell their tomatoes and it’s bad because they survive
on this work,” Zindove explained.

He added that people were afraid to go anywhere for fear of being victimized
by the police. “We have no problems with the investigations taking place and
whoever is responsible must be brought to book. But there must be a
professional way of doing that and not this selective application of
 effort.”

It was also revealed on Wednesday that the dead policeman was well known to
vendors in the Glen View area, who described him as an openly corrupt thug
who regularly robbed them of their wares. Local residents interviewed by SW
Radio Africa on our Callback programme said Inspector Mutedza gained
considerable wealth by demanding bribes and confiscating goods. They said he
even owns a fleet of minibuses in Harare.

The arrests are a continuation of ZANU PF’s crackdown against the MDC and
civic groups in the country. There has also been an illegal ban on public
gatherings, including prayer services and national healing workshops.

Below is the list of MDC activists in police custody:
• Yvonne Musarurwa
• Rebecca Mafukeni
• Steven Manjoro
• Cynthia Manjoro
• Gabriel Banda Shumba
• Eliah Mukamba
• Farukai Felix
• William Njenda
• Stanford Mangwiro
• Casper Chinyanga
• Brian Kasungama
• Edwin Nhingiri
• Last Maengahama
• Stanley Maengahama
• Edison Maengahama
• Lazarus Maengahama
• Odeus Chitanda
• Lloyd Chitanda
• Precious Chitanda
• Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere
• Mavis Madzokere
• Ollyn Madzokere
• Stefan Takaedzwa
• Benjamin Majecha

Urgent High Court Application To Release MDC Activists

http://www.radiovop.com/

7 hours 25 minutes ago

Harare, June 02, 2011 - Frustrated by the police’s continued refusal to
allow them to see their clients, lawyers representing Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) activists who were arrested this week for allegedly
murdering a police officer on Thursday filed an urgent High Court
application seeking an order to compel the police to take their clients to
court or release them.

Human rights lawyer Marufu Mandevere told Radio VOP on Thursday that since
the accused person were arrested beginning this past Sunday, police have
continuously stifled efforts by them to interview the accused in police
custody.

“We have applied in the High Court on an urgent basis to ask court either
take our clients to court today or release them if they are not yet ready to
do so. We also want the police to allow us to see our clients,” said
Mandevere. “What the police are doing is totally unlawful. In terms of
Section 18 of the Constitution, an accused has the right to see their legal
practitioner upon arrest.”

The Prime Minister's Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC on Wednesday denied its
activists were involved in the murder of police Inspector Petros Mutedza
saying the cop was fatally assaulted by ordinary patrons at a Glen View bar
who were discussing football.

The MDC further claimed its activists were being tortured in police custody
while trying to induce confessions from them.

The party said on Wednesday that its National Executive Member and MP, Last
Maengahama and others who were arrested since Monday have been tortured.

“In order to justify their earlier accusations against the MDC, the police
started rounding up and detaining all known MDC officials and activists in
Glenview. Those arrested have not been allowed access to their lawyers. We
now have it on good authority that some of these including Mr Last
Maengahama have been brutally assaulted and are being denied medical
treatment,” said Tendai Biti, MDC Secretary General.

The party confirmed that the following party members had so far been
arrested:  Last Maengahama, Stanley Maengahama, Edison Maengahama, Lazarus
Maengahama, Cynthia Manjoro and her unidentified brother, Odius Chitanda,
Lloyd Chitanda, Precious Chitanda, Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere, Mavis
Madzokere, Ollyn Madzokere, Stefan Takaedzwa and Benjamin Majecha.

“They are arresting everyone whether you are a tenant, lodger or house girl
without determining prima facie grounds for arrests." Biti said the arrests
are an inducement for confusion ahead of a Sadc summit that is likely to be
held around June 12 and 13.

“The SADC summit will not be fooled, we have been the victims of violence
and the people of Zimbabwe are the victims not perpetrators,” said Biti.

Biti said his party expects the regional body to adopt a roadmap for
elections."MDC expects SADC to endorse the very important resolutions of the
Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation that was held in
Livingstone, Zambia on 31 March 2011. As we have always said before, we are
ready for free and fair elections based on a clear roadmap that is
underwritten by SADC and the AU.  The roadmap must have specific timelines
and benchmarks," said Biti adding that "we call upon the parties to
undertake serious security sector reforms in view of the partisan behaviour
of some of the security forces."

Meanwhile Home Affairs co-minister Kembo Mohadi says police would now be
armed when dealing with groups of people. Mohadi told the State media
Wednesday that police had been risking their lives by confronting large
groups of people with bare hands.

"Let me tell the nation that the ZRP is going to defend itself because some
people have declared war on us. We did not declare war on them," he said.

Mohadi said those involved in the murder of Inspector Mutedza should
surrender themselves to the police saying police will not stop hunting for
them. "Those who are still outstanding should come forward and surrender
themselves because we will hunt them down even if they go into hiding. They
should not waste time," he said.

The number of those arrested was not yet known although it is believed they
could be between 20 and 30. These include families and relatives of known
MDC activists who were found at their homes by police.

Anglicans under siege from Kunonga

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

Written by The Rt. Rev'd Dr. Chad N. Gandiya
Thursday, 02 June 2011 12:12

Anglican Diocese of Harare (Church of the Province of Central Africa)
Harare
Dear Friends,
Alarming developments are unfolding in our beloved diocese. Last  Sunday a
Kunonga priest forced himself into the house of our priest  (Rev'd
Muzanenhamo) at Mubayira in Mhondoro while he was on trekk  taking services.
He was informed and came back immediately and pushed  Kunonga's priest out
of the house. The police came and instead of  arresting the intruder they
arrested our priest and charged him with  assault. He spent the night in
cells and we had to bail him out.
That same evening our newly ordained Deacon was evicted from the  church
house by Kunonga's people. Police were called and they sided  with those
evicting our Deacon. In all both cases there no eviction  orders as is
required by the laws of the land. Then last night when we  were holding a
Harare Churchwardens meeting we were informed that  Kunonga's people were
breaking into the House of Rev'd Julius  Zimbudzana and some of our people
went there to try and stop both the  break in and forced eviction. When they
got there they managed to  apprehend one of the thugs and the others ran
away. They took the thug  to the police station and this time the police
arrested him. They went  back to the rectory to be with the priest and to
comfort him and his  family. They were surprised that riot police (the black
boots) came  and rounded everyone and took them to Highlands police station
were  they are detained as I write this email.In all they have arrested 16
people as of last night including priests and 3 ladies one of who is  Fr.
Julius Zimbudzana's mother. I am still to get the names of all who  were
arrested. When Fr Julius tried to give a report to the police  station on
Monday concerning the eviction of our Deacon i am told the  police refused
to open a docket which in turn means the incident never  happenned. I am
really concerned about this. We shall be running  around to try and bail the
whole group out today if the police will  listen. Please pray for our
registrars as they try to sort out their  bail. Pray for those arrested.
Pray especially for the families of all  who were arrested last night. They
are greatly traumatised by all  this. I am told by some of my priests about
their children who are  affected and are worried about their fathers. Please
continue to pray  for us as a diocese.

+Chad.

The Rt. Rev'd Dr. Chad N. Gandiya
Diocese of Harare CPCA
9 Monmouth Road
Avondale
Harare. Zimbabwe

Zanu shifts into election mode

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Tobias Manyuchi     Thursday 02 June 2011

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU (PF) party has shifted into election
mode, holding vote mobilisation rallies across the country, while
re-establishing campaign bases in several rural districts, a leading
pro-democracy group has said.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said its monitors deployed in
all the country’s 210 voting constituencies have reported an increase in the
number of rallies and meetings by ZANU (PF) especially in rural areas where
Mugabe’s party has traditionally enjoyed more support.

"Observers deployed in rural constituencies have noted an increase in ZANU
PF rallies and meetings which could be taken as an indication that they are
going ahead to prepare for elections for 2011,” the ZESN said in its Ballot
Update report for April-May.

"The calls for elections by ZANU (PF) should also be analysed as a strategy
by ZANU (PF) to keep its rank and file in an election mode," the group said
in the report made available to ZimOnline on Wednesday.

The ZESN that campaigns for democratic polls in Zimbabwe said its agents
have observed pro-ZANU (PF) traditional chiefs threatening villagers
suspected of backing the MDC with eviction from their areas – a usual tactic
used by the traditional leaders to coerce their subjects to back Mugabe’s
party.

"Observers also noted that some traditional leaders in areas such as Gokwe
Nembudziya are threatening residents with evictions if they are seen to be
supporting MDC," ZESN said.

The NGO also expressed concern at the revival of campaign bases that ZANU
(PF) militants have in previous elections used as tortures camps, with
scores of MDC supporters tortured or even murdered at the bases.

It said its observers had identified ZANU (PF) campaign bases in some parts
of Mashonaland Central, East and West provinces.

There was no immediate reaction to the ZESN report from ZANU (PF).

Mugabe, who bowed to pressure from regional leaders to form a unity
government with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai after inconclusive
elections three years ago, is pushing to have polls this year to choose a
new government to end the coalition.

But Mugabe, who says he is sure ZANU (PF) will win the next elections, faces
stiff opposition from Tsvangirai and South African President Jacob Zuma who
insist elections should take place after adoption of new constitution and a
mechanism to transfer power to the winners to avoid another political
stalemate as happened in 2008.

Tsvangirai has warned that a rushed election will lead to violence, while
hinting he could boycott any election hastily called either without a new
constitution or without giving the proposed new governance charter time to
take root.

Zuma is the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s official
mediator between the Zimbabwean parties and is pushing for Harare to adopt
an elections charter or roadmap.

The roadmap proposed by Zuma will among other things include adopting a new
constitution, drawing up a fresh voters’ roll, ending political violence and
passing of new electoral rules by Parliament. -- ZimOnline

Current voters roll will prevent free elections, warns SA group

How Zanu (PF) plans to steal the Zimbabwe elections

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by RW JOHNSON
Tuesday, 31 May 2011 17:10

Electoral register is grossly rigged
New data on the voters' roll makes it crystal clear that Robert Mugabe
intends to subvert the GPA and cheat his way back to power again, writes RW
JOHNSON.

JOHANNESBURG - ‘The illegal decision to retain the 2008 register has fatal
consequences’ ‘The register includes 41,119 voters aged over 100’

Despite clear and binding international agreements to the contrary, evidence
now available shows that President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu (PF) is again
planning to steal the next elections with the help of a grossly rigged
electoral register.

In terms of the GPA, the new constitution has to be passed by a popular
referendum before elections can take place, probably around June 2012. The
new register is thus fundamental to both the referendum and the elections -
for parliament and President.

In all previous elections the electoral register has been a major source of
controversy. Drawn up by Tobaiwa Mudede, an outspoken Zanu (PF) supporter,
it was notoriously full of dead and fictional voters - who always voted Zanu
(PF). Mudede regarded the register as a state secret and defied all court
orders to make it available to the press or opposition parties.

When an NGO did finally procure a copy in 2002, it was found to contain at
least twice as many voters as was plausible. Despite that, the supposedly
independent Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) - in fact stuffed with
government supporters - never upheld any complaints about the register.

With this unhappy history in mind SADC insisted that a wholly new voters'
roll be drawn up and that all the personnel of ZEC be changed to allow a
properly independent commission to be constituted. These changes were then
confirmed by the Zimbabwean parliament.

In fact all this has been illegally set aside by ZEC. Mudede, though rising
70 and way past retirement age, has been retained as Registrar-General -
clearly for political reasons. Similarly, several of the old ZEC members
have, despite the stipulations of the GPA, been re-appointed to the new ZEC.

Under their guidance the ZEC has agreed not to do as SADC and Parliament
determined - but simply to keep the old, discredited register and add new
names to it. The results are grotesque. Although the new roll is a closely
guarded secret I have managed to gain sight of a copy.

The first notable fact is that an impossible 5,727,902 voters were
registered on the 2008 register. Given that over four million Zimbabweans
have fled Mugabe's rule, most analysts now believe Zimbabwe's population has
fallen to between 8 and 10 million. Even if the 10 million figure is
preferred, 60% of the population is aged under 18 and all previous surveys
show a maximum 80% voter registration rate.

So the maximum possible number on the voters' roll should be 3.2m. So the
2008 register had at least 2.5m too many voters on it - more than enough to
settle any election. Thus the (illegal) decision to retain the old 2008
register as a baseline has fatal consequences.

However, Mudede has now added another 366,550 new voters - a remarkable
figure given that Zimbabwe's population is shrinking. Moreover, these are
not all young voters coming of age. Although Zimbabwe's average life
expectancy is now down to 44.8 years, an astonishing 33,206 of these new
voters are aged 50-70, and another 16,649 are over 70.

Even more remarkable, 1418 are over 100, although everyone knows that the
famines and hardships of recent years have carried off most of the elderly.
Oddly, although it is legally required for all voters to give a valid
address, quite a few names on the roll lack one. There are also hundreds of
under-age persons registered, some of them as young as two or three years
old.

It is also striking that these anomalies are by no means evenly distributed
across all constituencies. Instead they are concentrated in seats where Zanu
(PF) feels under threat. Thus in Mount Darwin East one finds 118 voters aged
over 100, the majority of them all born on the same day, 1 January 1901.
Another nine 96 year olds are all born on 1 January 1905 and 25 further 91
year olds are all born on 1 January 1910.

Once one looks at the new register as a whole one finds there are no less
than 16,828 voters all born on the same day, 1 January 1901. Such a
concentration of 110 year olds with identical birthdays is no doubt a
planetary record. Even more remarkable, though, no less than 1101 of these
are concentrated in Mugabe's birthplace, Zvimba, which, no doubt, will help
to guarantee a pleasing election result there.

All told the register includes 41,119 voters aged over 100. Yet in Britain,
with a population more than five times the size of Zimbabwe and with an
enormously higher life expectancy, there are only 10,000 people aged over
100. It seems clear that Mudede has only arrived at such absurd figures by
systematically failing to remove dead voters from the rolls.

What is clear enough of Zimbabwe's 41,119 centenarians is that if they ever
really existed they doubtless died long ago. It is also interesting to note
that 18,525 voters are listed merely as being attached to "housing
co-operative" associations without any proper address. Such phantom voters
vote early and often in Zimbabwe. There is a notable concentration of such
address-less voters in Harare North which helped Zanu (PF) evict the MDC MP
Trudy Stevenson from the seat in 2008.

I will publish a full report on the voters' roll under the auspices of the
South African Institute of Race Relations, together with supporting
documentation.  President Zuma has acted well on this matter so far,
insisting that Mugabe be held to the terms of the Global Political Agreement
(GPA), to Mugabe's vocal irritation.

However, this new data on the voters' roll makes it crystal clear that
Mugabe intends to subvert the GPA and cheat his way back to power again. If
President Zuma and his SADC colleagues are serious, they can prevent this.
The agreement to free and fair elections with a new voters' roll was part of
the Global Political Agreement which Mugabe personally signed. SADC is due
to meet to consider the situation on May 20 in Windhoek, Namibia. - This
article first appeared in Business Day

Mount Darwin East
118 voters aged over 100, most of them all born on the same day, 1 January
1901.
9 voters aged 96 - all born on 1 January 1905
25 voters aged 91 -  all born on 1 January 1910.

Impossible figures
366,550 new voters – added by Mudede
44,8 years - average life expectancy
33,206 new voters - aged 50-70
16,649 new voters – over 70
1418 new voters - over 100
16,828 voters - all born 1 Jan 1901

Referendum by September: Zanu PF

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

01/06/2011 21:10:00    Staff Reporter

HARARE - Zanu PF Politburo has held a meeting in the capital this Wednesday
and deliberated on the progress the constitution-making process and its
tactical position ahead of the SADC Summit scheduled for 11 June 2011 in
South Africa and came out with no signficant plan to force an election this
year.

Zanu PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, said by the end of next month, they hope
to have completed the drafting of the constitution and by end of September
they will hold a referendum followed by harmonised elections, possibly
before the year ends.

He said issues also discussed included the Livingstone Troika meeting and
the SADC Extraordinary meeting in Windhoek, Namibia.

Gumbo added that Zanu PF adheres to the spirit and letter of the GPA as
originally signed by the three principals and rejects those who want to add
or subtract from it as this is tantamount to re-negotiating the GPA.

The Politburo was also briefed by Patrick Chinamasa on the possible
electoral reform in keeping in line with the GPA.

Sources said, talks also centred on the security reforms as proposed by SADC
mediators.

"If the country goes through a referendum in September, elections would be
difficult in winter time of between October and the festive period of
December, hence the prospects of elections being held next year between
March and April are now more compelling," a senior Zanu PF said in private.

Chinese loot Zim

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Farai Mutsaka, Deputy News Editor
Thursday, 02 June 2011 17:07

HARARE - Zimbabwe has mortgaged diamonds from Chiadzwa worth US$100 million
to the Chinese in exchange for military support, in one of the most
controversial deals since the advent of the inclusive government.

The deal, which is shockingly skewed in favour of Beijing, has raised
suspicions of sleaze along its entire value chain.

Under the arrangement, the Chinese will provide Zimbabwe with a US$98
million loan to complete the construction of a state-of-the-art defence
college for top military officers on the outskirts of Harare.

On its part, Zimbabwe will offset the loan using proceeds from Anjin
Investment (Private) Limited – a shadowy joint venture project between
Harare and the Chinese government’s Anhui Foreign Economic Construction
Group (AFECC).

The structure of the agreement ensures that the Chinese government will not
risk a cent of their own money, a matter that has caused great consternation
among MPs and diamond watchdog groups.

China’s Export-Import Bank, wholly owned by Beijing, is supposedly providing
Zimbabwe with the cash to build the Zimbabwe Defence College, which is being
designed and constructed by AFECC.

To recoup its expenses, AFECC will garnish Zimbabwe’s diamond proceeds from
Anjin’s operations in the industry, with the deal stipulating that China
will be the preferential primary supplier of materials to be used during
construction – reducing the struggling local industries to bystanders.

Article 9 of the deal reads: “The related Zimbabwe side should establish an
escrow account to secure the payment and repayment of the facility with the
revenue of Zimbabwe’s side benefits from Anjin Investment (Private) Limited.

“An agreement on the escrow account should be signed by Zimbabwe sides and
the Lender (Export-Import Bank of China)”.

To cement benefits accruing to the Chinese, part of Article 2 of the
agreement reads: “The goods, technologies and services shall be purchased
from China preferentially (and) also from Zimbabwe where this will benefit
the Project and End User”.

In addition, Zimbabwe will pay 0.5 percent management fees to the Chinese.

The Chinese will also provide specialist manpower for the project, although
unions such as the Zimbabwe Construction and Allied Trades Workers’ Union
(ZCATWU) say even some of the general labourers are being shipped from the
Asian economic giant.

There was uproar in parliament on Tuesday when defence minister Emmerson
Mnangagwa presented the agreement for approval.

MPs from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC queried why the country
should bind itself to such an exploitative arrangement. They were incensed
that the loan would particularly benefit the military, which for years has
been accused of driving violent human rights abuses against perceived
opponents of President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF.

However, both the House of Assembly and Senate ended up approving the deal
on Tuesday.

Finance minister Tendai Biti signed the deal on March 21 this year, despite
more pressing funding needs in sectors such as health and education.

Ironically, Biti signed the deal barely two weeks after his boss Tsvangirai
had publicly questioned Anjin’s legitimacy, as the firm had been licensed
without going through cabinet vetting.

Anjin claims to have stockpiled over one million carats to date, which are
awaiting a Kimberley Process Certification Scheme stamp, the gateway to
legitimate international markets.

“This development is very unfortunate,” said Farai Maguwu, whose
organisation the Centre for Research and Development has been instrumental
in exposing shady activities at Chiadzwa.

“China will do well investing in Zimbabwe's social sector as opposed to
strengthening the military. We don’t think it’s a wise investment and it
will not improve the quality of life for the ordinary Zimbabwean,” said
Maguwu, who has in the past suffered harassment by the state for his work.

AFECC, which boasts of construction operations in 16 African countries,
received a carte blanche mandate from Mugabe last year to exploit Chiadzwa.

The firm boasts that Mugabe assured AFECC president Jiang Qingde last year
that he would allow the company to exploit Chiadzwa diamonds in exchange for
the military college – on the sidelines of the inauguration of Mozambican
president Armando Guebuza.

“Therefore he (Mugabe) places a great hope to AFECC for participating in the
development of Zimbabwe, and expects AFECC to quicken the pace in the
Zimbabwe National Defence College project as well as diamond resource
exploitation. Later on he repeatedly expressed his willingness of joint
exploitation of all diamond resources of the country,” the firm said then.

Mugabe laid the first stone six months later at a ceremony attended by
Tsvangirai and deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara.

While the Chinese are having it all rosy, a few Zimbabweans employed as
labourers at the construction site have suffered abuse, including poor
remuneration, according to ZCATWU secretary general Nicholas Mazarura.

“When we tried to intervene, the soldiers and Chinese managers at the site
told us to go and see the army generals. The Chinese are always quick to
refer to political or army superiors when we demand that they adhere to
statutory requirements,” said Mazarura.

Pleas to Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa, a Tsvangirai appointee, to
intervene had failed to resolve the situation, Mazarura added.

Mpariwa says she has set up a committee to investigate alleged abuses by
Chinese employers countrywide.

Anjin is one of the Chinese firms in Chiadzwa. The other, Sino-Zimbabwe, has
not been so lucky and recently retrenched workers, claiming its exploration
had revealed scant diamond resources at the site it was awarded.

Chinese 'grab' construction projects

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

Written by Ngoni Chanakira
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 13:14

Murray & Roberts boss cries foul
HARARE - The Chinese are now dominating Zimbabwe's construction industry,
grabbing the few projects on offer, top construction firm Murray & Roberts
(Zimbabwe) has claimed.
Stewart Mangoma, M&R Chief Executive, told international investors that his
construction firm faced serious and "stiff competition" from China and,
sometimes, South Africa.
"South African and Chinese contractors are moving into our industry and
taking most of the few projects," a worried Mangoma said.
"The Chinese have also taken over the telecommunications industry and we
face stiff competition because they have cheaper and more skilled labour.
"Most skilled Zimbabweans have left the country and we definitely need
long-term funding for the industry to survive. We currently have a very low
order book and this is worrying. China is a very significant player in the
SADC."
The construction industry employed about 100 000 people in the 1990s, but in
2011 only 30 000 workers have jobs.
Mangoma said maybe the best way forward for his firm was to join hands with
Chinese construction firms, who have been given major projects in the
region.
The Chinese, now a major player in Zimbabwe's economy, built the 60
000-seater National Sports Stadium in Harare, Chitungwiza General Hospital,
and Chinhoyi General Hospital.
They also designed and built President Robert Mugabe's lavish mansion at
Kutama Village in Zvimba Communal Lands a few kilometres outside Harare.
"Most of our projects right now are in the mining sector," Mangoma said. "As
far as buildings are concerned, we are facing stiff competition. In the
telecommunications sector we are being kept very busy and it is this sector
that is keeping us going."
The Chinese were given "Favoured Nation Status" by the Zanu (PF) government
for helping it during the liberation struggle.
“The construction industry is a good economic barometer - because it is the
first to feel the impact of a recession and is a good indicator of the stage
of economic recovery. Minimal construction activity has occurred in Zimbabwe
despite the infrastructural decay, due to liquidity constraints and the high
cost of local building materials," says Imara Edwards Securities.
"Estimates indicate that Zimbabwe will require approximately $15 billion in
the next five years for infrastructure development. Local pension funds are
heavily invested in commercial property. That said, we believe significant
growth will come from the residential market as the mortgage market
redevelops."

Zim Farmers To Seek Justice At International Courts

http://www.radiovop.com

2 hours 37 minutes ago

Bulawayo, June 02, 2011 - Zimbabwe white commercial farmers will seek
justice at the international courts following the suspension of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal which always ruled in their
favour over farm disputes with the government.

A recent SADC summit held in Windhoek, Namibia, suspended the Tribunal by a
year arguing that it was not properly constituted.

The move dealt a severe blow to the white commercial farmers fighting the
Zimbabwe government at the regional court over their eviction from their
farms.

But Deon Theron, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) president told
Radio VOP that the white commercial farmers will for now seek justice at the
international courts, pending the lifting of a one year suspension of the
SADC Tribunal.

“We have no option but to turn to the international courts to seek justice
since the SADC Tribunal has been suspended. We are not deterred and we will
continue with the legal battles against the Zimbabwe government elsewhere,”
Theron said in an interview.

The SADC Tribunal raised hope among white commercial farmers that their
grabbed farms will be returned back to them after the regional court’s
rulings.

Farmers had also hoped that the Tribunal would put an end to the continuing
farm invasions.

However, Zimbabwe had always argued that the tribunal’s verdict did not
apply to the country.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa insisted that Zimbabwe would no longer
participate in further hearings at the Windhoek-based regional court, saying
that the country was not bound by the court’s decisions.

The Tribunal in November 2008 ruled in favour of 78 white farmers who were
challenging President Robert Mugabe’s land reform programme on the grounds
that it discriminated against them on the basis of the colour of their
skins.

Biti rejects ‘loan shark’ offer to rescue AirZim

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
02 June 2011

Finance Minister Tendai Biti has reportedly rejected an offer by a notorious
‘loan shark’ to bail out the bankrupt Air Zimbabwe, saying it will happen
“over my dead body.”

Controversial business and property magnate Nicholas van Hoogstraten has
said he is prepared to step in to save Air Zimbabwe from collapse, revealing
last week that has previously extended “small short term emergency loans” to
the airline at no interest. He said that AirZim is now seeking US$2 million
to pay off the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA has suspended the cash-strapped airline over a US$280,000 debt which it
insists must be paid, on top of a US$1.7 million penalty fee, before the
AirZim suspension can be lifted.

Hoogstraten said:; “It is correct that I have been asked by Air Zimbabwe’s
London office for a US$2 million loan which I have agreed to - subject to
Minister Biti personally signing the acknowledgment of debt agreement.”

But Biti has now reportedly shunned this offer, saying the airline was at
the mercy of “loan sharks.”

“As long as I live, this government will not borrow money from any
individual, and that includes Mr Van Hoogstraten,” Biti is quoted by the New
Zimbabwe website as saying.

“For all I care, Mr Van Hoogstraten can go and throw himself in the River
Thames but we will not sanitise his nefarious activities. Let him try his
luck elsewhere, not from this ministry. Over my dead body!”

Van Hoogstraten divides most of his time between the UK and Zimbabwe, where
he owns more than a million acres of land and 600 buildings in Harare and
Bulawayo. The multi millionaire also has a controversial background. In 1968
he was convicted, and sent to prison, for paying a gang to attack a business
associate. And then in 2002 he was sentenced to 10 years for the
manslaughter of a business rival. The verdict was overturned on appeal and
he was subsequently released.

MDC-T cave in on controversial defence college

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
02 June 2011

Parliament on Tuesday ratified a US$98 million loan from China to build a
controversial Defence College on the outskirts of Harare. The upper and
lower houses of parliament were hastily convened to rubber-stamp the
agreement signed between the government and the Export-Import Bank of China.

The project has been described by many observers as nothing more than a
giant spy centre.
Despite the MDC-T objecting to the deal and having a majority of MP’s in
parliament to block it, the party said its hands were tied as they were no
longer an opposition but also part of the inclusive government. Party Chief
Whip Innocent Gonese spoke to SW Radio Africa on Thursday and explained
their position.

“We have reservations about the whole deal. We are not happy with it. As far
as we are concerned, it’s a clear indication of misplaced priorities. Be
that as it may we are cognizant, we are in an inclusive government and this
was an agreement between the government of Zimbabwe and the Export-Import
Bank of China.”

Despite black empowerment rhetoric from Mugabe’s regime, Chinese companies
like Anjin Investments, also involved in controversial diamond mining in
Chiadzwa, have been contracted to construct the college. The college located
at the Chitamba Farm in the Mazowe Valley is also described as an
intelligence academy, where members of the notorious Central Intelligence
Organization (CIO) will be trained.

When it was first discussed it was reported it would be called the Robert
Mugabe National School of Intelligence and would be run by the Chinese and
its foreign intelligence service, in conjunction with the CIO and the local
military intelligence. The facility will also have “groups of tracking
dishes and its own satellite system, with some groups used to intercept
telephone calls, faxes, and computer communications in general.” Other
reports said the “facility will also monitor diplomatic, domestic,
commercial and military communications.”

Asked if the MDC-T was not shooting itself in the foot by not blocking the
deal, Gonese said; “We didn’t support it; we simply did not vote against it,
there is a difference. We can’t oppose something from government when we are
part of government.”

Meanwhile several legislators from the party expressed concern that even
though there is a law prescribing 51 percent indigenous ownership in
business, the Chinese were being treated like Zimbabweans and were not
subjected to the same law.

ZANU-PF Rejects Zimbabwe Panel of Elders Launched by Prime Minister Tsvangirai

http://www.voanews.com

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo issued a statement saying the panel was
formed to promote regime change and urged Zimbabweans to distance themselves
from 'such machinations by the enemy'

Jonga Kandemiiri | Washington  01 June 2011

The ZANU-PF party of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said it will not
recognize a Zimbabwe Panel of Elders launched last week by Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai, charging that it is inspired by the West and intended to
destabilize the country.

ZANU-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Rugare Gumbo issued a
statement saying the panel was formed to promote regime change and urged
Zimbabweans to distance themselves from “such machinations by the enemy.”

Gumbo accused Mr. Tsvangirai of trying to confuse Zimbabweans in a bid to
further his party’s agenda of entrenching Western interests in Southern
Africa.

Mr. Tsvangirai launched the elders panel last week saying its purpose was
discourage political violence and support the efforts of the national organ
on reconciliation.

Its members include former University of Zimbabwe Professor Gordon
Chavhunduka, former Education Minister Fay Chung and Retired Colonel Mawire
Mutasa.

Gumbo told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that ZANU-PF was not consulted about
the panel and believes the United States is sponsoring groups to raise the
MDC’s profile at the special Southern African Development Community summit
June 10 in South Africa.

Elders Panel Interim Leader Gordon Chavhunduka dismissed the ZANU-PF charges
and asserted that the panel has no political affiliations.

Siwela awaits release after granting of bail

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
01 June, 2011

The jailed leader of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), Paul Siwela, is
expected to walk out of jail on Friday after the success of his bail appeal
case in Harare. Lawyer Kucaca Phulu told SW Radio Africa that the chief
justice dismissed the Attorney General’s appeal against it on Thursday,
saying there was no basis for a case against granting bail to the MLF
leader.

Siwela is still detained at Khami Prison Hospital, where he was admitted
recently after his blood pressure shot up. The Supreme Court has been
delaying the appeal hearing without any explanation and the Attorney General
has also been accused of using delaying tactics each time they appeared in
court.

Lawyer Phulu explained that Thursday’s result means the bail Siwela was
previously granted by the High Court in Bulawayo still stands. That decision
required him to pay $2,000 dollars and adhere to strict bail conditions.

John Gazi and Charles Thomas, the two other MLF leaders arrested along with
Siwela back in March, were earlier released after paying $2,000 each, but
Siwela was further detained after the AG brought up another pending case
against him.

The three were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government
after distributing fliers calling for Matabeleland province to be separated
from the rest of Zimbabwe. They were also accused of holding an illegal
meeting.

“We are now waiting for records to be sent from Harare so that Siwela’s
release papers can be signed and he can be released to see doctor of his
choice,” Phulu said. He added that Siwela has been stressed because school
has started and he does not know whether fees for his children have been
paid.

Some observers have expressed doubt that the MLF leader will finally be
released on Friday. They pointed to ZANU PF’s history of delaying legal
progress on Fridays in order to extend detention into the weekend.

Out-going German Envoy Accuses Zim Generals Of Politicking

http://www.radiovop.com/

7 hours 26 minutes ago

Harare,June 02 2011 - Outgoing German ambassador to Zimbabwe, Albrecht Conze
has advised that while Zimbabwe was on its way out of the doldrums, the
military should stop dabbling in politics.

“Generals should stay in their barracks,” he advised. “It never works if
generals mix in politics, not anywhere in the world.”

Conze’s remarks come in the wake of statements by Brigadier-General Douglas
Nyikayaramba that the country should have elections this year, while at the
same time saying President Mugabe should be life president.

“There are two statements that Zimbabwe should hold elections this year and
the other that Mugabe should be president for life, even someone at
secondary school would be laughing at these contradictions,” he said.

Nyikayaramaba’s statements have elicited condemnation from political parties
and civic society, who argue that this is evidence that the country needs
security sector reform before any elections are held.

On sanctions, the German ambassador said he was optimistic that these would
have been repealed within the next two years.

“These restrictive measures for 160 people are not cast in stone, my
personal prognosis on that is that two years from now nobody will be talking
about them as they would have seen their day,” Conze who has been in
Zimbabwe for almost three years said.

He was optimistic that Zimbabwe was on its way out of the woods and in about
a decade it would be self sufficient and able to bail out its African
neighbours.

The out-going ambassador said he was optimistic that the Southern African
Development Community would be able to stamp its authority on the Zimbabwe
issue, making sure that the country would not have flawed elections.

“All signals from Pretoria are pointing to the direction that the troika
meeting in Zambia will be the basis of that meeting,” he said.

The Zambia meeting, held about two months ago, was considered as a turning
point with regional leaders taking a harder stance against Mugabe. A follow
up meeting is scheduled for 12 and 13 June in South Africa, although proper
dates are still to be fixed.

Conze said he had been able to change how Zimbabwe was viewed in Germany and
this had seen a lot of investors seeking investment opportunities in the
country.

He said Zimbabwe was now viewed as a rogue and a failed state and was now
seen in the same light as the Democratic Republic of Congo, something that
was far from the truth.

Conze also said his country could have brought in lots of foreign direct
investment in the country if the government had not introduced the
controversial business laws.

Conze said every foreign investor who looked at Zimbabwe's indigenisation
laws which forces companies to cede 51 percent of their shares to locals,
must think which world Zimbabwe lives. He said Zanu (PF's) claims that
everyone in the world was indigenising and favouring locals to foreigners
was not true, adding that the big rise of the Eastern Tigers and then of
China came from the opposite attitude.

"It came from opening up and attracting foreign capital. It came from saying
look we are here we want to develop but we are undercapitalized, what do you
want to invest?"

Zanu (PF) is using the law for its political mileage by threatening to seize
foreign owned companies which it is promising to give to indigenous people.

Conze was bidding journalists farewell on Thursday. He said he would embark
on a one year study at Harvard University.

UF researchers suggest cholera vaccination strategies for Zimbabwe

http://news.ufl.edu/2011/06/02/cholera/

Thursday, June 2, 2011.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Mathematical models analyzing how a cholera outbreak
spread in Zimbabwe are providing new insights into the most effective
vaccination strategies for preventing future cholera epidemics, according to
University of Florida researchers.

The mathematical models employed to analyze a large cholera outbreak in
Zimbabwe in 2008-2009 suggest that mass vaccinations deployed strategically
could prevent future cholera epidemics in that country and others.

The researchers’ findings, published online in late April in the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, provide a tool for aid agencies in
Zimbabwe and in other nations prone to cholera to deliver treatments more
cost-effectively.

“We wanted to know where the hot spots of the outbreaks were occurring, and
we needed to factor how many people one sick person could potentially
infect,” said the paper’s lead author, Zindoga Mukandavire, a postdoctoral
associate from Zimbabwe with an appointment at UF’s Emerging Pathogens
Institute.

To find answers, the UF-led research team examined how cultural, political
and economic factors influenced routes of cholera transmission. Cholera is a
waterborne disease caused by a bacterium that affects the human intestinal
track and an afflicted person may experience days of diarrhea and
dehydration, which can lead to death.

The cholera bacterium is not native to the natural environment of Zimbabwe
and researchers think it was imported from neighboring nations during the
1970s. During the 2008-2009 cholera epidemic, nearly 100,000 people were
sickened and 4,300 died. UF researchers estimate the majority of those cases
were the result of human-to-human transmission.

Researchers looked closely at cultural and other practices that might
contribute to the spread of the epidemic. In order to account for regional
differences in such factors, the researchers tracked weekly cholera
incidence rates for each of the country’s 10 provinces.

One practice that stood out was funeral feasts, which are common in Zimbabwe
and other African countries. At these feasts, people often eat in a communal
fashion, and it is also customary to shake hands with the bereaved, who may
have been infected as they cared for the deceased under unsanitary
conditions. The bodies are often transported from towns and cities for
burial in the rural areas.

“Cholera transmission through these types of direct contacts among people
accounted for much of the observed illness,” said Dr. J. Glenn Morris Jr.,
director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute and an author of the paper.
“There were also striking differences in transmission patterns from province
to province, reflecting differences in environment, socio-economic
conditions, and cultural practices.”

The country’s economic meltdown during the study period likely contributed
to cholera outbreaks. As the public health system and infrastructure
collapsed, burst sewers and unprotected wells lead to contaminated drinking
water. In addition, the economic crisis made life-saving oral rehydration
medication financially unaffordable for many Zimbabweans afflicted by
cholera.

The differences observed among provinces suggest that approaches to disease
control should be tailored to specific regional characteristics. For
example, different areas may require different rates of vaccination to
control the disease, potentially resulting in cost savings in less severely
affected regions.

Additional authors on this paper include: David L. Smith, Emerging Pathogens
Institute and UF Department of Biology; Shu Liao, School of Mathematics and
Statistics, Chongquing Technology and Business University, China; Jin Wang,
departments of mathematics and statistics, Old Dominion University; and
Holly Gaff, Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University.

Out of Africa - and not a moment too soon

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

CALL OF THE LITANY BIRD: SURVIVING THE ZIMBABWE BUSH WAR BY SUSAN GIBBS
(Loose Chippings £17.99)

By Jane Shilling

Last updated at 6:53 PM on 2nd June 2011

When Susan Gibbs was still a schoolgirl, her father died. ‘I remember with
clarity the only words my mother spoke to me [at the time],’ she writes in
the final pages of her memoir of living in Zimbabwe. ‘You will be going back
to school soon, Susan. Be careful not to wear your heart on your sleeve.’

That childhood memory resurfaces at a later moment of wrenching loss: the
sale of the farm in Matabeleland where Gibbs and her husband, Tim, lived
with their four children.

When the sale was over - and with it the African life they had both loved -
she and Tim sat silently together in the cool evening. ‘Neither of us spoke
about our feelings that day, there was no need, and a lifetime of keeping
emotions tucked away inside was, if at times lonely, also in a strange way
comforting - perhaps the one part of life it was possible to control.’

Susan Gibbs’s extraordinary memoir describes how violently uncontrollable
almost every other part of her family’s life became after the end of British
colonial rule and the collapse of Ian Smith’s regime in 1979.

Her memoir begins with the death of her first husband, Duncan Fleming, in
1977. Soon after they were married, he was diagnosed with the cancer that
eventually killed him.

After Duncan’s death, Susan married Tim Gibbs, a dairy farmer, and joined
him on the estate owned by his parents Sir Humphrey Gibbs, the penultimate
Governor of Rhodesia, and his wife, Dame Molly.

Life there was beautiful and increasingly troubled - the beauty of the
African landscape and its wildlife disturbed by an unstable security
situation in which both the black and white population were violently
attacked.

The Gibbs’s life was regulated by their Agric Alert system of security
checks and strewn with guns - one of Gibbs’s deadpan anecdotes finds her on
a weapons training course for farmers’ wives, run by a hostile Afrikaner
sergeant during which he accidentally shoots one of his pupils in the thigh.

Gibbs manages to wrestle some humour into this grim story, and her account
is threaded with amusing anecdotes of the eccentricities of her white
neighbours and black servants.

But even her composure falters at the spectacle of a train seeping with the
blood of its massacred passengers, or the news that two little girls -
schoolfriends of her children - have been tortured and shot with their
grandparents.

She repeatedly makes the point that the black population of Zimbabwe
suffered as grievously as the white, but inevitably, given her situation as
a wealthy white woman in Africa, there are aspects of her account that give
an unconscious insight into the continuing turmoil in Zimbabwe.

She writes with affection and respect for her black servants, but her use of
the word ‘piccaninnies’, though evidently common parlance at the time, is
jarring.

In the end, one cannot avoid the conclusion that, great though her loss was,
she was in the privileged position of being able to escape a situation in
which others, less fortunate, were trapped.

Gibbs is not a professional writer, and reading her memoir, with its vast
cast of characters, is sometimes like attending a cocktail party full of
people to whom one hasn’t been introduced.

But she writes vividly about her love of Africa and its people, and it is
impossible not to admire her courage.

ZANU PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo Behind the Headlines

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by SW Radio Africa
Thursday, 02 June 2011 15:09

ZANU PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo  is the surprise guest Behind the Headlines.
SW Radio Africa journalist Lance Guma questions him on reports that his
party has instructed their negotiators not to entertain any discussion on an
election roadmap or security sector reforms.
Why are they resisting these reforms? Why have they deployed soldiers and
youth militia countrywide? Why are security chiefs making statements that
show no respect for elections? Gumbo also makes the stunning statement that
he does not know of anyone who died in the run-up to the June 2008 one man
presidential run-off.

Interview broadcast 30 May 2011
Lance Guma: Hallo Zimbabwe and welcome to Behind the Headlines. Reports
currently circulating suggest that Robert Mugabe will use the next SADC
Summit in South Africa to tell regional leaders that Zimbabwe does not need
an election road map and there will be no security sector reforms. The 87
year old ZANU PF leader will hide behind the 2008 power sharing deal and
claim it already lays the framework for elections.
Additionally we are told ZANU PF negotiators have already been instructed
not to enter into any discussions on the election road map or reforms to the
security sector. So we decided to get comment from the ZANU PF spokesperson
Rugare Gumbo and my first question was – have they already instructed their
negotiators not to enter into any discussions (on a roadmap).

Rugare Gumbo: No, that is not true. We have not, we merely stated our
position and we hope that when our negotiators go for discussion they are
taking the cue that the party has sort of set, we didn’t instruct them
anything.

Lance: But what’s the problem with mapping out a road map to have fresh
elections? People ask what is ZANU PF scared of.

Gumbo: ZANU PF are not scared of anything. I mean it’s just a simple thing.
You have a GPA which was negotiated by the three parties and they all agreed
that step one will be constitution making; step two was going to be the
referendum; step three was elections. So what sort of new road map do we
want? That’s what we are saying in ZANU PF…

Lance: Over the last couple of weeks…

Gumbo: …because we can’t keep negotiating.

Lance: But over the last couple of weeks negotiators have been in Cape Town
mapping out this road map. There’s actually already a draft so it seems you
are already making a U-turn on this.

Gumbo: No we are not making a U-turn. All we are saying is stick to the GPA
as agreed in 2000 and, was it 2008? Yah 2008. So that’s what we are saying.
How can the negotiators go and cut new road map when they themselves are the
ones who did it. If there were new negotiators that would be a different
matter but they are the same negotiators that keep negotiating, keep
negotiating, we don’t know when is it going to end? You can’t have these
things going on ad infinitum when we’ve agreed that the GPA was going to
last for two years, 18 months to two years. So that’s what we are saying,
please, please stick to the GPA.

Lance: Now we’ve spoken to Jacob Zuma’s international advisor Lindiwe Zulu,
they’ve clearly also stated the SADC position that they’d like something
much more comprehensive in terms of reforms and hence these negotiations on
the road map and there’s a feeling the GPA on its own is not adequate.

Gumbo: Oh come on. After they had signed? After the three parties had
signed? After the three principals had signed? And now they are saying it’s
inadequate? What’s going on here? You know it seems we really don’t seem to
understand what we want to achieve in Zimbabwe. People have an agenda you
know, if people have an agenda it’s a different matter but if you want the
people of Zimbabwe to have a democratic constitution, participatory
constitution and if you want to have democratic, credible, peaceful and fair
elections you follow what we have agreed upon.
You know how can a negotiator keep negotiating what they have agreed upon?
Negotiating what has been agreed upon? I mean it’s ludicrous. We want
something written definitively, that is why we are saying let’s stick to the
road map, ah to the GPA I’m sorry. Why do you want new road map when the GPA
is clear as far as fundamental issues are concerned? People are bringing
exigencies, eh external issues which have nothing to do with what we agreed
upon initially.
So some of us are really tired and fed up of this inventing the wheel,
having a new roadmap with reforms and so on. Reforms are done by the people
of Zimbabwe. Reforms are not done by outside forces. It is the people of
Zimbabwe who have to institute reforms because the institutions that they
have are inadequate. We understand that? Do you want people coming out,
coming to run the show in Zimbabwe? We can't accept it.
You know we fought for this country and because we fought for this country
we have to defend this country, we have to defend the institutions that we
created. We can’t have people, some who, where, as a matter of fact
sell-outs, who didn’t even fight for this country are now trying to poke
their noses into our, into the affairs of the country. You know that in
Zimbabwe that if you don’t have that kind of integrity, that kind of loyalty
to yourself then some of us don’t really think you belong.

Lance: But some will make the argument that ZANU PF and indeed President
Mugabe, having lost the elections in March 2008 were saved by the same SADC
that you are now showing a middle finger to.

Gumbo: No, no, no, no, no, we were not saved by anybody, we saved ourselves.
We didn’t, yes parliamentary, we lost but presidential we won.

Lance: But Morgan Tsvangirai did not participate in the run-off that…

Gumbo: He declined, he declined, the space was there, he declined so he
pulled out. Why are we having Mugabe as head of state?

Lance: Maybe because ZANU PF was able to hang onto power through violent
means.

Gumbo: Ah come on, come on, you know you talk about these violent things,
violence, that’s the myth that is out there. We must demystify this kind of
nonsense because it is not there, it’s absolutely ludicrous and nonsense…

Lance: But are you denying that people died in the run up to the June 2008
run-off?

Gumbo: I don’t know. People talk about those things. I don’t know. I don’t
know whether people died or didn’t die but is it a new thing that people
could die in presidential elections? How many people died in Nigeria
recently? How many?

Lance: So because people die in Nigeria, it’s OK for them to die in
Zimbabwe?

Gumbo: No, no, no, no we are saying institutions in Africa are fragile
especially when it comes to elections. You know there’ll be all sorts of
accusations and all sorts of figure pointing and yet the reality of the
matter is that the election, the President won overwhelmingly and that is
why we are saying let’s go for an election.
You know you say ZANU PF is scared of going to the election because we have
said we need to follow the GPA and MDC says that we are scared of the
election. We are not scared of the elections, that is why we say if we
follow the GPA, have the constitution making process completed, move onto
the referendum and go to elections this year, what is wrong with that?

Lance: It’s being argued Mr. Gumbo that your party has deployed soldiers,
militias and CIOs countrywide and this is the reason why you are eager to
have elections because you cannot sustain that deployment for too long a
period.

Gumbo: Look as I’m talking right now I’m in my constituency and we had a
wonderful meeting, no soldiers, no nothing, we were just party members and
followers and there is no MDC in my area to talk about.

Lance: Are you denying there are soldiers deployed? …. (Interrupted)…Are you
denying that there soldiers deployed? Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa
admitted as much although he said they are retired but are YOU denying there
are soldiers deployed?

Gumbo: No, I don’t know of any soldiers which are deployed. If Mnangagwa is
saying so he should say so because he is the minister of defense perhaps he
knows that soldiers are deployed but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t know.
I think what you are mistaken in this because army officers who have retired
and have decided to settle in rural areas, their home places and at the same
time decided to join the party, people are saying no there are soldiers in
the rural areas.
I mean it’s not correct. The war veterans, army officers who have been in
the force who go out, should be allowed to participate in the political
activities of a country. It’s not a new thing. In the United Kingdom there
was that general who was in Yugoslavia who is now a member of parliament in
Britain. Most of the American senators, in the congress, are former war
veterans or they are war veterans. So there is nothing new in this whole
thing…

Lance: Let me read out a quotation from police commissioner Augustine
Chihuri last year; he said: “This country came through blood and the barrel
of the gun; it can never be re-colonised through a simple pen which costs as
little as five cents.” So why do we bother with elections then if this is
the thinking within the securocrats?

Gumbo: Ah yes, Chihuri is an individual; he is the police commissioner, that
is his view. OK? That is his. As far as we as a party, we believe in
elections, we believe that after every five years we have to go to
elections, every five years we have to go for elections. We have been doing
this since 1980 and we will continue doing so.

Lance: But these are the people who are in positions of authority, these are
in positions of authority, the army chiefs have said the same thing and in
fact is this not why ZANU PF are refusing to have any security sector
reforms?

Gumbo: Why should you have security sector reforms? By who?

Lance: To remove people who make irresponsible statements like this, like
police commissioner Chihuri.

Gumbo: Who should reform these security institutions? An outside force?…

Lance: The people of Zimbabwe, the people of Zimbabwe are able to do that;
the parliamentarians are able to do that, they can do that and reform these
institutions and remove people who make irresponsible statements like this.

Gumbo: Ah come on, get out. I don’t accept that kind of cheap politics. We
know your radio, we know the thing which is there, it’s propaganda.…nothing
more, its propaganda…

Lance: But we are Zimbabwean journalists who are interested in seeing our
homeland progress.

Gumbo: You are Zimbabwean, you are a Zimbabwean journalist who are
propagating British and American interests. That’s a fact. That’s why you
are there….

Lance: What is a British interest in a Zimbabwean wanting to see a free and
fair election? What is British about that? Is wanting a free and fair
election being British?

Gumbo: You want to create a neo-colonial Zimbabwe; you want the British to
come back; you want the farmers to get the land which they had taken from us
illegally, these are the things which are there..we know….

Lance: Do you have any independent radio stations that are broadcasting in
Zimbabwe?

Gumbo: We don’t.

Lance: And why is that?

Gumbo: Why should we have them? Why should we have them? Propagating what
interest?

Lance: So you are okay with radio stations that propagate ZANU PF’s own
message?

Gumbo: Your radio is not an independent radio.

Lance: ZBC is independent? Is ZBC independent?

Gumbo: ZBC is a state institution; it’s a state institution; it’s
Zimbabwean; it’s a Zimbabwean institution; it’s not a pirate radio like
yours.

Lance: And why does ZBC then simply focus on a message from one political
party?

Gumbo: It’s a national institution; what MDC is doing its covered. It might
be covered, it may not be covered as extensively as ZANU PF for the simple
reason that the view which we have in Zimbabwe is that MDC it’s a front for
the American and the British and the Americans, it was created by…..

Lance: When you say the view that we have in Zimbabwe, is the ZANU PF view
the Zimbabwean view? Is that not political intolerance Mr. Gumbo? People
should surely be able to hold their views. There are those who agree with
you and there are those who differ with you, should we not celebrate our
differences instead of labeling each other?

Gumbo: I agree; that is what it should be, but then you are advancing, that’s
where the difference is, some of you are advancing western interests. You
want regime change in Zimbabwe. You want the farmers, the former white
farmers to come back.

Lance: Give me an example, from the interview that I had with you so far, at
which juncture would you say I’m advancing British interests? Point to
something in this interview that you can say these are British interests.

Gumbo: No, no question, questions of security reforms. What is it for?

Lance: Because we have a police commissioner who is showing that he has no
respect for elections and you even said those are his views so…

Gumbo: No, no you have quoted him, I, frankly I don’t know what he said but
what I know for a fact is that the police commissioner, the army, everyone
is ready for elections because they, we follow the constitution of Zimbabwe
and in this particular case we follow the GPA.

Lance: OK you are pushing for early elections, does this mean these
elections will come with the voters’ roll having been sorted out, the
Zimbabwe Election Commission properly constituted? Are you going to be doing
all these things?

Gumbo: Of course, why not? We need to have those; we can’t have elections
without those kind of things, the voters’ roll, voter education,
delimitation of constituencies and so on and so forth. Those have to be
done.

Lance: Well Mr. Rugare Gumbo, thank you for your time and we hope this
interview will be the beginning of more interviews as Zimbabweans tolerate
each other’s differences.

Gumbo: No, no, no, thank you very much. I always like to accommodate
different opinions, that is why I’m also giving you this interview, I wouldn’t
have given you this interview but I wanted you to know where we stand, where
I stand, where the party stands.

Lance: Well that was a surprise guest indeed on Behind the Headlines, ZANU
PF’s spokesperson Rugare Gumbo joining us on the programme.

Masvingo youth question govt policy

MPs blundered by ratifying US$98m loan for a spy centre

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 02/06/11

Zimbabwe’s Members of Parliament blundered by ratifying the US$98m for a spy
centre on Wednesday 1st June 2011. They should have known better that the
country cannot afford the multi million dollar Chinese loan nor does
Zimbabwe need a defence college before rubber-stamping Zanu-pf’s suspicious
project. Although, the ratification was preceded by a ‘heated debate’, it is
ironic that the MPs lost sight of an appeal on the same day by the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for US$6 million to continue treating
Zimbabwe’s water.

It seems the MPs are not keeping their eyes on the ball because UNICEF has
already given $40 million of support to water and sanitation programmes in
Zimbabwe a vital necessity for everyone regardless of political affiliation,
unlike the spy centre. One would have thought that Bill Gates’ advice to
African countries to work harder to get life-saving vaccines to children in
order to save millions of lives was heeded (AFP, 17/05/11). The founder of
Microsoft and philanthropist Mr Gates puts his money where his mouth is.

The Chinese loan is far from Zimbabwe’s national priorities, which we know
to be food security, efficient electricity supply (or refurbishment of
ZESA), road construction and maintenance, housing, railways, health and
education which are all critical for the industrialisation of the country
and employment creation. There are two key issues here: Do we need a foreign
loan at this juncture? Secondly: Do we need a spy centre?

Zimbabwe is least advised to take any loan at the moment because the country’s
total domestic and foreign debt was US$7.1 billion as at March 31, 2011. At
105% of the Gross Domestic Product, it means every Zimbabwean owes US$500
million! It appears the country’s leaders momentarily forgot the advice
given by the African Development Bank vice-president for operations,
Aloysius Uche Ordu when he said:

“Arrears clearance is so important because it’s the only way to re-engage
the multilateral finance institutions” (AFP, Jan 18, 2010).

MPs should be reminded that voters will be more likely to be influenced by
day to day problems like ZESA blackouts and its excessive tariffs,
unemployment, hunger, erratic water supplies, a potholed road network,
sub-standard health and other essential services than the number of spies
produced by the Chinese college. The MPs should have declined to ratify the
loan agreement for the simple reason that the country cannot afford it.

It’s very distressing to note that the loan will be repaid from proceeds to
be brought in by Chinese mining firm Anjin Investments which is mining
diamonds at Chiadzwa and would be repaid over 20 years at an interest rate
of 2% per annum. You don’t have to be an economist to tell that such terms
are unacceptable, at least for two reasons - mortgaging our diamonds for a
non-essential like a spy college and the high interest rate due to Zimbabwe’s
current poor credit worthiness. What happens if Anjin goes bust?
Next: Do we need a defence college at the moment? Did the MPs benefit from
an independent Value for Money audit let alone a Risk Assessment before
endorsing the setting up of the spy centre? Do they know the full
implications of a spy centre in the country?  Do the MPs fully know what is
going to be done at/by the centre?

Zanu-pf Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa reportedly said the college
will provide senior military officers with intellectual tools to address
complex defence and national security challenges which in turn will
contribute to national security. At least the MPs should have asked the
Minister to explain how Zimbabwe has been meeting those needs since 1980
when it managed to fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo and before that
against the Renamo in Mozambique.

The spy centre is expected to produce Cryptologic Linguists, Signals
Intelligence Analysts, Human Intelligence Collectors, Military Intelligence
(MI) Systsms Maintaners and Integrators, Counterintelligence Agents, Imagery
Analysts, Common Ground Station (CGS) Analysts, Intelligence Analysts,
Signals Collectors or Analysts.  ‘All this expertise will be provided by the
Chinese’(The Zimbabwean, 15/05/11).

It is further claimed the college will offer a Bachellor of Science degree
in Intelligence and Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence
working closely with the University of Zimbabwe. The likelihood of
non-Zanu-pf candidates being recruited on a non-partisan basis into these
sensitive programmes ranges from slim to zero.

Based on Mugabe’s reluctance to reform the security sector, this may be
another Zanu-pf top secret project with help from the Chinese since radio
jamming. In my view, the MPs will soon rather than later regret their big
mistake. The spy college is likely to have short and medium-term
implications for the economic revival in addition to the damage caused by
the implementation of indigenisation laws – harshly, haphazardly and
selectively.

Notwithstanding the generous Chinese assistance during the struggle against
colonialism, however, it appears Zimbabwe is undergoing colonisation by the
Chinese with the way things are. For example for the next 20 years the
Chinese will be guaranteed of jobs at Anjin diamond mine in Marange, thanks
to that loan agreement. Furthermore, there are concerns that project’s
sensitivity might impact on the conduct of the forthcoming referendum and
2011 elections in the wake of the ongoing militarization of the state.

Another factor arising from globalisation is the discovery of a vast Chinese
cyber-espionage network codenamed GhostNet which is designed to infiltrate
sensitive ministries and embassies and has allegedly penetrated 103
countries and infects at least a dozen new computers every week, according
to UK’s Daily Telegraph on 29 March 2009. However, the paper says, it
remains unclear whether GhostNet was built by the Chinese government, or by
independent hackers inside the country. Hopefully there will be no regrets.

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