The Zimbabwe Situation

SW Radio Africa News Stories for 11 June 2010

By Lance Guma

11 June 2010

Trigger-happy policemen opened fire and shot out the rear tyre of a commuter omnibus which was operating without a permit near the Fourth Street bus terminus. Terrified commuters onboard and onlookers had to duck for cover when the sudden gunfire broke out along the Robert Mugabe road near the Road Port regional bus station. It’s also reported another commuter omnibus was involved in an accident along Simon Mazorodze road while trying to evade police. The crackdown is part of a recently launched operation to check on vehicle licences, road permits, vehicle fitness, parking discs and other road related offences. It is being coordinated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Municipal Police and the Vehicle Inspection Department. Although noting the importance of clamping down on rogue operators the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) expressed its disappointment with the heavy handedness of the police. “Although it is a fact that commuter omnibus operators have not been the best citizens in Harare due to their continuous flouting of city by-laws, there is no justification for the police to use live bullets in the midst of hundreds of civilians. The police are there to protect residents and not put the lives of residents in danger,” CHRA said in a statement.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa reports that hundreds of commuter vehicles have been impounded and parked at the Harare central police station. Because of the huge numbers some of the vehicles have been taken to the VID depots in Eastlea and Belvedere. Muchemwa said there was a general feeling among residents that the police were simply fundraising from the fines being paid. This is because some drivers are simply going back on the roads immediately after paying the fines, thereby making the whole exercise pointless.

CHRA meanwhile has called on authorities to come up with a better strategy other than the ‘military’ manner in which they are conducting the clampdown. “While the Harare city is in need of a clean-up from unscrupulous commuter operators, the ZRP and Harare Municipal police are also in need of an even greater and thorough clean-up, so that residents can have police officers who protect rather than threaten their lives,” CHRA added. So why does the country have this problem of so many unlicenced vehicles? CHRA interviewed several operators who blamed the exorbitant service charges required to get permits. Medical tests needed US$300, passenger insurance US$150 and rank disks cost an average US$120. CHRA meanwhile has urged commuter omnibus operators not to run away from the police, as this was putting commuters at unnecessary risk.

Police block ZCTU commemoration of mine disaster

2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa

SW Radio Africa

By Tichaona Sibanda

11 June 2010

The waiting over. The FIFA World Cup tournament kicked off in South Africa on Friday with a match pitting the hosts Bafana Bafana against Mexico, at the magnificent soccer city stadium in Johannesburg.

The teams drew 1-1 in the group A match.

The stadium is a showpiece arena, rebuilt to resemble an African cooking pot, and which lies a few kilometers from Soweto, the iconic black township that was at the forefront of bloody confrontations between students, dwellers and the brutal apartheid police.

This is the 19th staging of the worlds biggest football tournament and is the first time it has taken place on the continent of Africa. Before the Bafana Bafana-Mexico match, there was the small matter of the opening ceremony that was watched on TV by 500 million people from 215 countries, as well as the 85,000 in the stadium itself. South Africa is home to three millions migrants from Zimbabwe and one of them, Everisto Kamera, told us the atmosphere in the whole of South Africa is electric and that the feeling of being part of the World Cup in Africa was sensational. ‘Its such a great feeling. The Vuvuzelas started blowing as early as 5 in the morning and it shows the whole nation is just as excited to be part of his tournament,’ Kamera said. A vuvuzela is a blowing horn, approximately one metre in length, commonly blown by fans at football matches in South Africa. Among those who attended the opening ceremony were Zimbabwe’s warring political leaders - Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara. It’s reported that South African President Jacob Zuma wants to take advantage of the trio’s presence in Johannesburg to put pressure on the leaders to finally resolve the outstanding issues from the Global Political Agreement. ‘To be honest I was gobsmacked to see the three leaders in attendance. Zimbabweans have suffered long enough, and I was saying to myself why don’t they go back home and sort out the mess so that people can be as happy as South Africans are now,’ Kamera added.

The death of 91-year-old Nelson Mendela’s great grand-daughter Zenani, in a car crash, has cast a shadow over events though. The great man, who should have been attending the ceremony, understandably pulled to be with his family.

He told the people of South Africa that he will be there in spirit and has urged supporters to enjoy the tournament.

On Thursday night, international music stars converged on Soweto to launch the tournament with a spectacular concert. Among those who performed were Colombian singer Shakira, and the Black Eyed Peas.

There were also performances from the grammy award winner and R’n’ B star R Kelly, top South African jazz artist Hugh Masekela, Nigerian Femi Kuti, Algerian Afro-pop artist Khaled and the local hip-hop star Pantsula. Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s own music guru, will be performing on Friday night at Cape Town’s grand parade.

The World Cup will take place in eight of the country’s nine provinces, using 10 stadiums in the nine host cities. Five of the 10 stadiums are new and the rest have been upgraded for the event.

Johannesburg, as the commercial capital,is the only city with two venues for the World Cup, namely Soccer City and Ellis Park. Other host cities are Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg.

Biti and Mpofu clash over plunder of Chiadzwa diamonds

SW Radio Africa

By Violet Gonda

11 June 2010

Government ministers from the MDC-T and ZANU PF are said to have seriously clashed over activities at the diamond mines in Marange. The Zimbabwe Independent reported on Friday that cabinet ministers fought during a meeting at Munhumutapa Building in Harare last week over allegations of secret diamond sales by state-run agents, which have not been accounted for by the Treasury.

The newspaper said there was ‘war’ between MDC-T Finance Minister Tendai Biti and ZANU PF Mines Minister Obert Mpofu. They added that the debate was so intense that Mpofu kept storming out of the meeting. It is reported the Minister, who has been accused of corruption and mishandling of mining rights in Chiadzwa, failed dismally to explain what was going on at the diamond fields. Other colleagues from their respective parties, including MDC-T Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa and ZANU PF Youth and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, are said to have joined in the verbal clashes that ensued. Human Rights groups have over the years pointed out the illegal mining and illicit smuggling of diamonds from Chiadzwa. A leaked classified document by the army’s Joint Operations Command also revealed that violations by its own military and elements of the police continue in this unstable area. Recommendations by the international diamonds watchdog, the Kimberley Process, for the immediate demilitarisation of the diamond fields, have been openly ignored by the Zimbabwean authorities. However the KP monitor to Zimbabwe, Abbey Chikane, shocked many when he said in an internal report to the KP that Zimbabwe had met the minimum requirements to legally trade in diamonds. He recommended the resumption of exports from the controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields. Chikane’s internal document is due to be debated by the KP on Monday.

His assertions have been heavily criticized by rights groups, including the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, who say his recommendations are not a true reflection of events on the ground. Farai Maguwu, a human rights defender and a key investigator of the activities at the diamond fields, raised questions about the South African monitor’s impartiality after Chikane ‘shopped’ him to the authorities over a confidential meeting they had on Chiadzwa a fortnight ago. In his defence Chikane told SW Radio Africa on Friday that he had no choice but to alert the Zimbabwean authorities after he allegedly received the classified JOC report and did not want to be found in possession of a ‘stolen’ document. Maguwu denies giving Chikane that document and says it was Chikane who showed him the restricted article. An angry Maguwu said before his arrest that ‘there must be something that is going on behind the scenes between Abbey Chikane and ZANU PF officials’. The activist added: “He is actually talking like a ZANU PF activist. He has no sympathy, he has got no empathy, he has no feeling for what is happening to me, to my family and to all the people I work with. Right now everyone from the organisation is in hiding. We expected him to protest to the Zimbabwe government ‘that these people spoke to me in confidentiality and they were actually helping to make my mission possible’, but to our surprise it appears like he came as wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Chikane is a South African businessman and a founding chairman of the Kimberly Process. He also comes from a big political family and his brother is Reverend Frank Chikane, the former chief of staff under the presidency of Thabo Mbeki.

Unconfirmed media reports say Reverend Chikane was the chief architect of the agreement that led to the formation of Zimbabwe’s the inclusive government. The former South African President was accused by many, including the MDC-T, of bias towards ZANU PF.

Shortly after Abbey Chikane’s nomination to monitor Zimbabwe’s diamonds, the Zimbabwe Mail online publication wrote about Reverend Chikane saying: “The nomination of his brother to control Zimbabwe's diamond sales brings to the glare what many Zimbabweans have been wondering on about the quiet diplomacy and the force on Tsvangirai to sign a dodgy coalition deal.”

Meanwhile, Maguwu will spend another weekend in police cells after he was denied bail on Thursday. His lawyers say they were not able to file their appeal in the High Court on Friday because the court had a ‘skeleton staff’ because of the opening ceremony of the World Cup.

SW Radio Africa talkback

HOT SEAT:Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa denies banning demos during World Cup

SW Radio Africa Transcript

HOT SEAT:Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa denies banning demos during World Cup

Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa has come under a lot of criticism for allegedly ‘doing little’ in such an important ministry. In the interview the Minister denies banning Zim demos during the period of the forthcoming World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa. He also reveals the difficulties he is facing in trying to reform the ‘partisan police force’.

BROADCAST: 28 May 2010

VIOLET GONDA: Co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa is my guest on the Hot Seat programme, talking about the challenges he is facing in this controversial ministry that he co-runs with ZANU PF’s Kembo Mohadi. Mutsekwa has also come under a lot of criticism for allegedly doing little in such an important ministry. Media reports recently quoted police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri saying that demos and protests in Zimbabwe were banned during the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa. The police department comes under the Home Affairs Ministry and I first asked the co-Minister if demonstrations in Zimbabwe had been banned until after the World Cup?

GILES MUTSEKWA: It is not true Violet. It is absolutely untrue. There is no such thing as government of Zimbabwe banning protests during the era of the World Cup which is being staged in South Africa, but I also know that this rumour has circulated purely on the basis of a publication which was very sensational and that was carried by one of our weeklies here in Zimbabwe, which used words which are not familiar with democracy at all, so no, not at all, there’s no intention, there’ll never be banning of any freedoms of expression in Zimbabwe, especially by this inclusive government.

GONDA: So there is no attempt to ban protests, to prevent adverse publicity during the time of the World Cup because we understand that the Home Affairs ministers from the region were called to South Africa to discuss this issue – so this never happened?

MUTSEKWA: I can confirm that the Home Affairs ministers in the region met, not only once but several times in South Africa and purely to strategise on how we should make the staging of games in South Africa an enjoyable event which will be free from violence, free from thuggery, free from human trafficking, free from all these other acts of banditry that you can think of and within those meetings, an agreement was reached between or among ministers of Home Affairs in the region that we should do all what we could to help South Africa stage a very successful tournament.

In that regard respective countries were then asked or requested to do what could be in their power to ensure that no signs of violence, no signs of anything else could be observed in neighbouring countries so that we give the region a good name. But most importantly so that also visitors from the region go back to their respective countries with memories that they’d not like to forget in view of wanting to come back for investment. To that end, we in the Ministry of Home Affairs in Zimbabwe intend to appeal to the citizens of Zimbabwe to restrain themselves during the course of these events so that Zimbabwe, like any other SADC country can also benefit from the visitors that are going to be coming to the region - and we are saying to Zimbabweans that it would be beneficial to the country if we show exemplary behaviour during this period and if there are going to be any demonstrations which is a constitutional right for every citizen in Zimbabwe we ask that these be carried out peacefully so that there is no confrontation between the law enforcement agencies and the public of Zimbabwe so that we portray a good image of the democracy that we are trying to build here in Zimbabwe, and that cannot be compared to banning at all in any sense. In actual fact, that’s an appeal that the Minister of Home Affairs, representing the government of Zimbabwe is making to Zimbabweans so that in the long run we all benefit from the World Cup that is being staged by the South Africans.

GONDA: But Minister, demonstrations in Zimbabwe are usually peaceful, but it’s the police who usually use violence to break up these demonstrations so shouldn’t you be appealing to the police to behave themselves?

MUTSEKWA: I fully appreciate your viewpoint, but yes it is true that we also appealed to the police force, but why I appealed to the citizens in the first place is that there are rules and regulations of what must be done if people intend to stage a demonstration and the first rule is that the law enforcement agencies in Zimbabwe are notified – not application for authority, not application for permit, for permission but notified. That is the first requirement that is required. And indeed as you correctly said the police force in Zimbabwe, because of the 30 years that it has existed under a dictatorship needs to improve image and indeed work double to ensure that they restore the trust and their legitimacy that the force must have. So yes there is need that we appeal to both the citizens of Zimbabwe and the police force as well but the emphasis here is that we do not want antagonism between the law enforcement agencies and the people of Zimbabwe during this particular time merely so that we give South Africa a chance but also indeed so that we benefit in the long run, long after the Games are over as a country.

GONDA: Again I go back to the issue of the ball being in your court as the Home Affairs department and also the police in Zimbabwe, when you say that the protesters usually notify the police, they do. They do normally notify the police and the police refuse, so don’t you foresee a problem in the next few weeks where you’ll see the police who I understand have already been directed or instructed not to allow demonstrations from June 1?

MUTSEKWA: I totally agree with you Violet but there are instances where as you know people have also tried to evade notifying the police but, yes in most instances people have complied with the law and unfortunately police have acted again otherwise. You are also aware of a recent issue where in Bulawayo the youth from the Movement for Democratic Change had correctly notified the police of their intention to demonstrate and this was turned down for no apparent reason by the police. I’m sure you are also aware that the youth then appealed to me as the Minister for Home Affairs and I’m assured that that demonstration went ahead. So yes there could be isolated instances where these arguments can continue and as I say it will be unfortunate but I think there’s going to be good rapport between the citizens and the law enforcement agencies. This is what I would like to see and I have no doubt that the people in Zimbabwe appreciate the need for good behaviour during that particular period because they are aware that our economy is so tiny and sick that we need a lot of investments in Zimbabwe that will eventually benefit everybody and I’m sure they will do everything in their power, the citizens of Zimbabwe to ensure that at least we showcase a democracy that is growing in Zimbabwe and this is the aim of the Ministry of Home Affairs that I represent.

GONDA: We have talked about this before but reports of intimidatory tactics continue in Zimbabwe. What is the Home Affairs Ministry doing about this?

MUTSEKWA: Violet I do acknowledge we have received reports of this intimidatory tactics especially coming from the ZANU PF party against the supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change. These reports have come to us, they are well documented and in actual fact we are beginning to experience here in Zimbabwe Violet a situation that is similar to what occurred in 2008 where pungwes now have been resuscitated, where people have gone about intimidating people. Recently there have been reports of one Cabinet Minister who actually grouped up traditional chiefs in Masvingo and asked that there shall not be in their villages, supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change and all these things we are beginning to get.

It is a concern to the Ministry of Home Affairs but as you might want to appreciate Violet this goes outside the entire ambit of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it actually requires the entire government and more so it requires the principals themselves to discuss in depth about these particular problems. It’s a perfect carbon copy of what happened in 2008 and once it comes to that with the kind of police that we have got in the country today, whom everybody knows are requiring a lot of transformation, we will obviously face some problems - but I am very hopeful that at that level, and I’m talking about the principals level, this issue will be adequately discussed. I also intend to raise this issue when we meet in the National Security Council beginning of next week so that we take a common position as a government, an inclusive government and ensure that a strict and orderly directive are given.

GONDA: But Minister, this is not a new issue so how do you respond to people who are saying its all talk and no action? Are you saying that your hands are tied and there’s not much that you can do, or what is really the problem here because surely by now you should be able to command the police force to do something about the violence that is taking place in the country and also the selective arrests that are continuing?

MUTSEKWA: You know the first problem that we have got in the country is constitutional and it’s nice that you’ve posed this question because I think it is important for listeners to appreciate exactly what takes place in this arrangement. Firstly, talking about the police force themselves, constitutionally the police report, or the police commissioner reports directly to the State president who is President Robert Mugabe who gives directives, verbal or otherwise on anything that he wants done. And secondly there is also the Attorney General of the country who can also give verbal directives to the police on anything that he wants. And then there is an issue of the minister or the ministers themselves who also give a general directive on policy that’s in written form. So what it means is that if the Ministry of Home Affairs as ministers were to give any general directive to police, it must be in written form and it must be signed by the two ministers. Now you can see the process? But this was actually purposely done to ensure that it incapacitates the Minister of Home Affairs because whilst you must issue directives in writing and this means it must then be agreed upon by the two ministers, there is also an impediment in that these directives must not be different, must not be contrary to the directives that might be given by the president of the State. So you can see there is a problem constitutionally already and this is the reason why our people must appreciate at times the difficulties that I face as a Minister of Home Affairs in trying to retransform the police force.

GONDA: So if it’s on the issue of violence, so what do you talk about when you are with your counterpart from ZANU PF, Minister Kembo Mohadi and indeed the police commissioner Augustine Chihuri, what sort of relationship do you have with them on this issue?

MUTSEKWA: Look the first thing that you must understand correctly is that my colleague and myself come from two political parties which are ideologically different, that’s the first thing. The second issue is that you’ve got a police commissioner general who has been in this post for the last 30 years and that particular police commissioner has on various occasions associated himself with a particular political party, that’s not a secret anymore in Zimbabwe. So you can see the challenges there and this obviously then brings in the other difficult equation. However I am determined Violet that we shall have democracy in Zimbabwe, this is what I mean when I say it now needs a combined effort but not only from the Minister of Home Affairs. You are aware that one reason why we proposed and agreed that we must have a National Security Council was because of these difficulties that we envisaged. We knew we are inheriting a police force, an army that was inherent with some of these problems caused by this 30 years of dictatorial rule in Zimbabwe. So we were aware even during negotiations that these problems will arise and that is why we decided we must have a National Security Council. And that is the job of the National Security Council to give directives, to give policy directives and instructions to all agents of security forces here in Zimbabwe and this is why everybody must attend the National Security Council and I am only hoping that because we are sitting regularly now we will overcome these problems. But it’s bigger than what people and ordinary people think that as the Minister of Home Affairs you could ensure that there could be tranquillity without the cooperation of the rest of the security forces and I’m talking about the defence forces, I’m talking about the president’s department, all those as I’m sure you are aware have something to do with the maintenance of tranquillity here in Zimbabwe.

GONDA: So when you are in this National Security Council, what do you talk about? Do you bring these issues up and what do they say?

MUTSEKWA: You know Violet I’m not at liberty to really talk to you about what goes on in the National Security Council, that’s a body whose discussions remain confidential but it is enough to say yes we bring up these issues and we shall continue to bring up these issues.

GONDA: What is the point of continuing as the MDC in this government when your hands are tied and you’ve mentioned that you inherited a partisan police force and you’re having all these problems where you keep on talking about the disturbances that are continuing in the country and nothing ever changes? So what is the point of having these meetings and talking to these leaders who then go and instruct the police officers to do something that’s totally different?

MUTSEKWA: Violet transforming a security force, transforming agencies, transforming the security apparatus takes a lot of time. You’d know even in Tanzania up to now they are still battling with that exercise although the security forces all emerged from one single party. So transforming a security service is an issue that takes a hell of a time, we’ve only been a year in this inclusive government. It is a process, it will take time but the assurances we can give to people is that it will happen, that’s the first thing. But you also ask why we continue to be in this government. You know we are in this government for various strategic reasons and I’m sure up to now people must have observed that we have achieved most of our strategic reasons why we are in this government.

So it’s not just a question of us being in government to make sure that there is transformation, an immediate transformation. We understand we are privy to the process and I’m sure we are winning that and that is without any doubt - but you must remember that is a mammoth task and people need to be patient and it will happen. And as I say in Tanzania it took them a hell lot of time before they succeeded and we are not expecting miracles in Zimbabwe.

GONDA: You say you have been able to achieve quite a lot since the formation of the unity government, are you able to tell our listeners what sort of things that you have been able to do?

MUTSEKWA: Firstly I’m sure you are aware Violet that before the formation of the inclusive government, there was no ways that we were, as the MDC were going to be in a position to be in contact rather with the security forces of this country, that’s the first thing. The second thing is also that the hostility that prevailed during that time to the extent that some members of the security forces actually issued a statement that they were not going to accept any transferral of power to a person who was involved, who was not involved in the liberation struggle. All those things were impediments to achieving democracy and the environment has completely changed. So whilst I can only give those as an example I have only mentioned these few things so that I demonstrate to you the kind of achievement which is not visible to the naked eye especially our ordinary supporters but I can tell you that a lot of things have happened, a lot of things have changed.

GONDA: And as minister of the Home Affairs Ministry, where as you have said time and time again that it’s very difficult to do your work because of the way the whole ministry has been politicised?

MUTSEKWA: Well you see unless people start looking at the Ministry of Home Affairs as a ministry that runs various departments - the unfortunate thing Violet is that when people think about the Ministry of Home Affairs, their mind switch quickly to the police as if that is the only department that is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs. If you look at what is happening to the Registrar General for example, there have been a lot of changes that I have effected there, starting from as an example, the price of the passport itself where I have ensured that it is reduced from the 670 plus US dollars that it used to be to about 140 dollars as we speak now and my intention is that in the next two, three weeks I also want to further reduce that price, but that’s just an example. But also if you visited the Registrar General’s office today, you’d not see it as chaotic as it was and there are no queues that were a talk of the country and everything now is streamlined, but that’s just the Registrar General’s department. And you also go to Immigration, you know Immigration itself as you were aware that if you had ever visited Zimbabwe before the inclusive government one thing that was strikingly evident was that they didn’t even have uniforms on and if you visit now, these people are well kitted in uniforms and everything else and there is training and retraining so that they mirror the correct image of the country because they are the first of the country as visitors come into Zimbabwe. All that had gone to the dogs and all that now is coming up. But there are a lot, a lot of other things that are happening but unfortunately as I say, people look at Home Affairs and they look at the police and of course the police, because of their tradition have been slow to accepting change and have been slow to transformation, but when I talk about the police, I’m talking about the top echelon. Members of the police here in the country now has completely observed and now they appreciate that there is no going back in this transformation.

GONDA: Well I think people will have to wait and see about that because events on the ground tell a different story about the police force, but on the issue of the Registrar General’s office, corruption is still rife in the Registrar General’s office where people are paying officials huge sums of money to get their passports. What are you trying to do about that? Perhaps this will be the reason why there are no longer a lot of queues because many people are forced to pay bribes so that they can get their passports?

MUTSEKWA: Not at all, I disagree with that Violet but also there is no way that as the Minister I could say there is no corruption in a department. It’s not only applicable to the Registrar General’s department and it’s not only applicable to Home Affairs, it’s the entire civil service in Zimbabwe that has been so corrupted because of the behaviour of the economy before the inclusive government. You know civil servants in Zimbabwe, literally were going home with nothing and they’d find extra methods of surviving. That is still inherent within the entire civil service. So it is unfair just to point at the Registrar General’s department as being corrupt - it is the entire civil service, we have got a mammoth task to do as government in that regard. But top of all is to ensure that the civil service themselves are paid adequately and most importantly that we weed out all ghost workers in the civil service so that we are able then to look after the remaining few so that we take care of them, we pay them adequately and they go home happy. But corruption will be with us with this government for quite some time and mostly in the civil service. But again Violet, corruption now in Zimbabwe is not only restricted to the civil service, it’s endemic because of the collapse of the economy before the formation of this inclusive government. So we are aware as government, we are doing everything that we can but it is a process and I must emphasise that it is a process.

GONDA: And what is happening to the Emergency Travel Document because I understand that some of the countries like South Africa, neighbouring countries, are refusing to accept this document?

MUTSEKWA: It is true. We introduced a temporary travel document and apparently our Registrar General forgot one or two issues that he had to attend to. Firstly it is a requirement by South Africa that any change to travel documents should be notified to them before the document is made public. It was overlooked by the Registrar General and it is inconveniencing our travellers who are going by road to South Africa. We have had communications at the highest level, I intend to travel to South Africa next week so that we have direct communication with my counterpart there and I hope then we will resolve the issue. But that is the reason why there is a problem there and that’s only in South Africa, elsewhere the travel document, temporary travel document is being accepted with no problems at all.

GONDA: But Minister Mutsekwa, isn’t that shocking that the Registrar General actually ‘forgot’ to tell his counterparts in South Africa where most Zimbabweans actually travel to?

MUTSEKWA: You see he has got the reasons why he thinks he was not required to do that, but again what I said to him is that ‘you do not dictate laws, or your laws that are practised in a foreign country as if you run that country’. So in short that was a bungle up and we have actually spoken to him accordingly and he admits that was an oversight.

GONDA: You spoke of weeding out ghost workers, what’s happening with the voters’ roll which also has a lot of ghost voters.

MUTSEKWA: Certainly now we are preparing for elections now here in Zimbabwe and our eyes are on the voters’ roll. We are going to overhaul the entire voters’ roll but what we are waiting for is the commission to start coming up and dictating its rules and regulations before we come in. We are not sure at the moment whether as the Ministry of Home Affairs if we will be in charge of the voters’ roll, there might be changes, but we are getting everything prepared so that once the commission is up and sworn in and they say that that work is going to be subcontracted ourselves, we’ll do a perfect job.

GONDA: Some people have said that you have become a ZANU PF apologist and that’s why you have also failed to do much in your ministry in terms of putting a stop to all the problems that we continue to see in Zimbabwe. How do you respond to that?

MUTSEKWA: Firstly Violet there is only one person, probably just myself in the entire party who has never been in ZANU PF. I cannot be ZANU PF today. I’ve never been, will never be and have never been so it is incorrect to say that I could be an apologist for ZANU PF. You know I have gone through hardships because of this Party, I have been incarcerated more than anybody else, I spent years in jail, I have been tortured, I have lost property because of this Party and I know why I am in the Movement for Democratic Change. So it is obviously comments that would be coming from a few enemies that you could have around you, but those that know me better, know that I would never be part and parcel of that organisation and that is for sure.

GONDA: It is reported that some police officers are behind Roy Bennett’s persecution. What’s your position as the Home Affairs Ministry?

MUTSEKWA: Well the Ministry has got no position in this case, that now becomes an issue for the Ministry of Justice. That question ought to be best answered by them but all I can tell you is that obviously this is very political, it’s persecution and there’s no reason in the first place why he was charged. You know Violet, I was charged under exactly the same sections and crime. You know that yourself in 2006 and I was acquitted - and therefore there was no need for any attempt to be made on trying to prosecute Bennett on the same charges that did not hold water. It’s unfortunate that people don’t talk loudly about the same charges that I was charged under in 2006 because they are exactly the same and I went through exactly the same trauma. But it’s a political issue, it’s been politicised, it’s merely the hate that ZANU PF has got over Roy Bennett because of his colour and there is nothing more. I only hope that one day, God will prevail and free Roy Bennett. But also, you must also remember that the war that is being fought here, it’s not just to see Roy Bennett being persecuted or prosecuted, it’s so that he is denied his chance of being part and parcel of this inclusive government and I know as a Party, we’d want to see Roy Bennett sworn in as Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

GONDA: At that time, did you know who was behind your arrest? Who is the person who is pushing this? Even who was pushing your case?

MUTSEKWA: It is political but it is not a secret that when I was arrested that time Minister Didymus Mutasa went out and went public on TV and newspapers and celebrated that I’d been incarcerated and started talking about my history etc, etc and that he would do anything to ensure that I remained detained, convicted and hanged. So it’s no secret at that time Minister Mutasa was in charge of the President’s Office, so he exposed himself and I’ve no doubt in my mind that he would have instigated that kind of an issue. But again it was a way of trying to incapacitate the Movement for Democratic Change. You know they pick up on your strongest characters and they make sure that they weaken you so that then they think in that process they have weakened the entire Party but unfortunately this Party is too big to be killed or weakened by such incidences.

GONDA: And a final word Minister?

MUTSEKWA: The final word Violet is that we are in this situation now in Zimbabwe where because we are going through a process, the constitution making process which is very similar to a campaign for elections, we are bound to be having a lot of disruptions, we are bound to have a lot of disturbances, violence is beginning to creep in and etc, etc. My appeal is that firstly the law enforcement agencies must ensure that they deal decisively with these insurgencies, but the second thing also is that we as parties, we must be responsible enough to ensure that we accept the verdict of the people whenever the elections come - but during the constitution making process it is also important that people are given the free chance to say what they want and this can only happen if we have got an enabling environment political in the country. And also that, South Africa is staging the World Cup, it is incumbent upon ourselves as Zimbabweans to benefit firstly from the visitors that are going to be coming to the region but also importantly that we display a sense of maturity in whatever activities we are going to be doing, but I must also stress that it is the duty of this inclusive government to ensure that we bring freedoms to Zimbabweans and freedoms to Zimbabweans will also include their right to demonstrate, their right to speak publicly about they think not going on well and those freedoms will not be taken away by this government and indeed not by myself as a Minister.

GONDA: Thank you very much Minister Giles Mutsekwa for speaking to us on the programme Hot Seat.

MUTSEKWA: Thank you Violet.

Feedback can be sent to violet@swradioafrica.com

Declaration by Friends of Zimbabwe Group

The following statement was agreed upon by the countries attending a meeting of the Friends of Zimbabwe held in Oslo on June 1, 2010.

Participants: U.S., Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, European Commission (EC), EU Council Secretariat, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations

Our meeting today underlines our continued support for Zimbabwe’s Inclusive Government and our wish to see the speedy resolution of the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which have been the focus of intense negotiation in recent months. While recognizing that GPA is an agreement achieved between parties in Zimbabwe for transitional power-sharing and democratic reforms, we consider the implementation of the GPA as the basis for our re-engagement in Zimbabwe. We agreed that, while some aspects of the situation in Zimbabwe have improved since the Berlin meeting last October, in order to support a truly sustainable solution to the numerous problems Zimbabwe faces, much work remains to be done to implement the range of commitments made by the parties in September 2008.

The focus of our discussions today has been how we, as friends and development partners, can best assist this Zimbabwean led process towards transformation and democratic recovery. As a group, we resolve to intensify the effort we are making in cooperation with the Inclusive Government to support the democratization process, to protect the livelihoods of the poorest people and to improve the provision of basic services in health, water and education. We are also prepared to support the rehabilitation of key infrastructure which is so essential for economic and social recovery.

Since we met in Berlin in October 2009, the Friends of Zimbabwe have significantly increased their assistance to the country. The UN has played a crucial role in this process. Official Development Assistance, including humanitarian assistance and food aid, reached USD 651 million in 2009 and has been directed towards improving services in health, provision of safe water, education, agriculture, social protection and a range of other essential areas, in line with the priorities of the Inclusive Government. In recognition of the progress achieved in the area of macro-economic stability, the Friends of Zimbabwe also supported the restoration of Zimbabwe’s voting rights at the IMF.

We strongly support the effort being made by South Africa and other regional actors to move the political process forward. We appreciate the determination of SADC and its leaders to act in a strong and principled way and to remain actively engaged. We trust this will lead to the creation of conditions conducive for the holding of democratic elections in accordance with international best practice. Recognizing the Zimbabwean ownership of the constitutional and electoral processes, and the role which countries in the region have to play, we stand ready to support initiatives aimed at ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process, from the early stages of preparation to the implementation of its results.

The period since the Berlin meeting has seen some restrictive measures against certain individuals and entities eased. These measures are carefully targeted and are kept under review. We remain ready to respond positively to tangible progress made by the Inclusive Government in implementing key provisions of the GPA.

We hope in particular that the outcome of the constitutional process will reflect the views of the people of Zimbabwe. A credible constitution, with support from the people in a referendum, would be recognized as a significant move in the right direction. We noted several positive steps in the last months, including the establishment of the Electoral, Media and Human Rights Commissions, the adoption of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Bill, and the recent granting of licenses for independent media. We now look forward to more concrete action and will keenly follow the progress and implementation of the relevant reforms by the above mentioned potentially important bodies. We stand ready to support them.

Several longstanding concerns remain. These include continuing lack of respect for the rule of law, protection of fundamental freedoms, and the slow pace of progress in improving governance.

We urge the parties to accelerate the implementation of their outstanding commitments under the GPA. The lack of progress in this area undermines the ability of the Inclusive Government to deliver the change which ordinary Zimbabweans expect, and hampers full re-engagement with the international community. We share the concern of the private sector, both international and domestic, about the negative consequences of the recently published regulations on indigenization for the already fragile investment climate. We recognize the urgent need for constructive and progressive empowerment measures which add value to Zimbabwe's economy, and stand ready to support effective efforts in this regard. Genuine empowerment, and the return of millions of skilled Zimbabwean to their homeland, is best achieved by respect for the rule of law and the creation of an enterprise-friendly environment, including the respect of Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements. We urge Zimbabwe to pursue the extraction of its natural resources in a manner that benefits its citizens. We note the critical importance of Zimbabwe’s compliance with its obligations under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for rough diamonds, including its obligation to implement the joint work plan agreed to in November 2009.

We will continue our assistance in 2010 and 2011 both to support efforts to fully implement the GPA and to address the pressing humanitarian, social and economic challenges the country faces. This support will not at this point in time be distributed via the Government budget. Several existing pooled funds and programs are now functioning well. In addition, we have today welcomed the speed of the African Development Bank’s response in establishing the MDTF, approved by its Board of Executive Directors. A number of donors hope to be able to make an early commitment to it. It will be managed by the African Development Bank with technical support, as required, from the World Bank. This Fund will play a critical role in supporting the transition process by financing the revival of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure in line with priorities identified by the Inclusive Government. We look forward to Zimbabwe deepening its engagement with the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank to anchor the progress made on economic stabilization and to manage and reduce its heavy debt burden. Improved economic policy performance and an agreed approach to arrears clearance by the Government of Zimbabwe and the International Financial Institutions are important prerequisites for moving towards an IMF Staff-Monitored Program (SMP).

Political progress and the implementation of commitments agreed to by the leaders of Zimbabwe are pivotal to peace, prosperity and full engagement with the international community. This is the outcome to which the Friends of Zimbabwe have committed themselves once again today.

Residents run for cover... as police open fire on commuter omnibus

The Fourth Street bus terminus went into chaos this morning as some rowdy police men opened fire and shot the rear tyre of a moving commuter omnibus. The outrageous incident took place at around 845am today along Robert Mugabe Road near Road Port when the police were trying to apprehend the driver of the commuter omnibus who had been operating without a permit.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) ,Municipal Police and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) launched an operation code-named “100% CBD Decongestion”, which has seen commuter omnibus operators being arrested and fined for various offences. The ZRP are focusing on vehicle licensing and road permits, VID is checking vehicle fitness while the Municipal police are on the hunt for those operators who park at undesignated places and are without parking discs. CHRA interviewed some commuter omnibus operators at Fourth Street today and most of them indicated that they were willing to follow Council by-laws but the service charges to meet the requirements from the police, Council and VID were exorbitant and unaffordable. They pointed out that medical tests needed $300,passenger insurance $150 and rank disks $120 .The drivers also pointed out that they were not informed about this Operation and were not even aware of the name of the Operation. The Police Officers who spoke to CHRA were not able to explain why they were opening fire on an unarmed driver.

Meanwhile, there are reports that another commuter omnibus was involved in an accident along Simon Mazorodze while trying to evade the police.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is, however, disappointed with the way the police are handling the Operation. Although it is a fact that Commuter omnibus operators have not been the best citizens in Harare due to their continuous flouting of city by-laws, there is no justification for the police to use live bullets in the midst of hundreds of civilians. The police are there to protect residents and not put the lives of residents in danger. The behaviour of the police at Fourth Street today is uncalled for and it is disappointing and disgusting to say the least. They could have harmed the civilians who were unwittingly looking for transport to ferry them to their different destinations.

CHRA calls on the responsible authorities, especially the Commissioner of Police to come up with a better strategy to deal with the problem rather than unleashing violence on residents. The military way in which the ZRP and Municipal Police are dealing with offenses has become a cause for concern and there is a need for the responsible Authorities to go back to the drawing table and come up with sustainable solutions to the problem. The number of rowdy elements in both the ZRP and Municipal police is increasing by the day and there is a need to take some disciplinary measures on officers who expose the lives of residents to unnecessary danger due to use of unnecessary force and violence. While the Harare city is in need of a clean-up from unscrupulous commuter operators, the ZRP and Harare Municipal police are also in need of an even greater and thorough clean-up so that residents can have police officers who protect rather than threaten their lives. CHRA demands that the Commissioner of police should issue out an official statement condemning the behaviour of the rowdy officers under his command and clearly spell out what is going to be done to ensure that it will not happen again.

The Association also urges the Commuter Omnibus Operators not to run away from the police, especially when they have passengers on board as this will further jeopardise the lives of residents. The City of Harare and VID should also consider reducing the license and vehicle testing fees so that Commuter Omnibus operators can easily meet all the requirements.

CHRA remains committed to advocating for good, transparent and accountable local governance as well as lobbying for quality municipal services on a non partisan basis.

White farmers in Zimbabwe struggle against increasing violence

Ian Ferguson's conservation farm, seized in April, is now littered with the remains of his slaughtered animals.

On May 25, Geoff Carbutt and his wife Shirley were evicted from their farm in Inyathi at gunpoint. Mr Carbutt was then arrested at his farm for occupying state land without a permit.

On the same day, farmer Ed Grenfell Dexter was arrested in Bulawayo, whilst a few days later on May 28, James Taylor and his son Matthew were arrested on their farm and taken to police cells in Nyamandhlovu .

But according to the SACFA, most of the affected farmers had official permits protecting their land from seizure.

Chris Jarrett, Chairman of the SACFA, commented: "For a while, things were quiet, but all of a sudden there has been a real burst of activity against white landowners.

"As far as we're concerned, all these seizures have been completely illegal. Most of the remaining white farmers exist on tiny portions of their original land, and have every right to stay there. The land acquisition notice for James Taylor's estate was withdrawn several years ago. The Carbutts have already given up most of their land for resettlement, and had a High Court order saying they could stay on the remaining section. Ed Grenfell Dexter doesn’t even live on his farm any more and was lured out to be arrested.

"People think that there may be a period of quiet now until the World Cup is over, but we can’t be sure. It’s an unsettling time for farmers.”

Land reform in Zimbabwe began in 1979, when the Lancaster House Agreement between Britain and Zimbabwe pledged to begin a fairer distribution of land between the white minority who ruled Zimbabwe from 1890 to 1979 and the landless black population. At this stage, land acquisition could only occur on a voluntary basis.

By March 2000, however, little land had been redistributed and frustrated groups of government supporters began seizing white-owned commercial farms.

Since the seizures began, agricultural production in Zimbabwe has fallen dramatically.

Mr Jarrett said there had even been occasions when local people gathered in support of persecuted white farmers: "I think it would be true to say that it is widely accepted in Zimbabwe now, as in the rest of the world, that our economical and financial problems are due to the seizure of these farms. It was the white farmers who often provided the local community with support – providing work, or sending their men to fix things like piping problems in the village.

“When the police tried to take Gary Godfrey’s farm in Nyamandhlovu a few weeks ago, his workers and the local veterans went to see the superintendent and insisted it stopped. Most of the seizures have been taking place in Nyamandhalovu and Inyathi, districts which are traditionally very independent. People there are very tired of being dictated to by the police."

Ian Ferguson, a farmer in Beitbridge whose land was seized in April, said that the situation was become increasingly difficult for white land owners to bear: “I spent twenty five years setting up a wildlife conservation farm in a semi desert area which the government had officially declared no interest in. All of a sudden, it was seized, and now there is nothing left.

“In the past month, machinery has been ripped apart, solar panels stolen and nearly all my animals shot. 80 per cent of the impalas are dead, and the attackers have skinned over 100 zebra for their hides. In just a few weeks, they have inflicted a level of devastation which I would have thought would take three or four months.”

“Two thirds of my family have left Zimbabwe now, and I think it’s probably the best thing for them. This is nothing more than ethic cleansing – pure and simple.”

Dr Steven Chan, a professor of international relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said that the farm seizures were "likely to be related to an eventual election, next year or further in the future, when Zanu-PF might lose its command over Zimbabwe. They become a hedging of bets, seizing assets while it is still possible."

There are now fewer than than 400 white farmers in Zimbabwe. In 2000, this was number was around 4500.

Zimbabwe Food Security Outlook Update May 2010

Zimbabwe: Hwange Fully Operational By Year-End - Gwasira

HWANGE power station is expected to be operating at full capacity by the last quarter of the year after the country's power utility dealt with issues constraining growth in power generation, Zesa Holdings says.

In an interview with businessdigest on Wednesday, Zesa Holdings spokesperson Fullard Gwasira said they are repairing six generators that should be operational by the end of October.

Gwasira said: "We have put in place all the necessary mechanisms to ensure that there is increased production at Hwange by the end of October, this means all six units will be working."

Zimbabwe received US$40 million from Namibia in 2007 to refurbish and expand Hwange power station in a bid to boost power output and reduce power-cuts in the country.

Under the same deal, signed between the two countries when President Robert Mugabe visited Namibia in March 2007, Zimbabwe agreed to export 180 MW for a minimum of five years.

Incessant breakdowns at Hwange have forced Zimbabwe to continue exporting the little energy the two power plants generate.

When the agreement was signed, Zesa hoped the four units at the station would be fully repaired by August 2008. Although Hwange has an installed capacity of over 750 MW, the plant is operating below 10% capacity. Only two units have been operational.

Gwasira said the NamPower deal, to last until 2011, was the "only decision government had" in the wake of an economic crisis charecterised by high inflation and foreign exchange shortages. Zesa blames its low output on coal shortages and old equipment. In February, Finance minister Tendai Biti allocated US$10 million to Zesa to "kick-start" repairs at Hwange.

"It is a small cake (US$10 million) but will go a long way to speed repairs. If all consumers could pay their bills, repairs will be faster and load shedding reduced," Gwasira told businessdigest.

Zimbabwe relies on Kariba's hydropower plant that is producing an average of 740 MW daily. In addition, it imports about 160 MW from neighbouring Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zimbabwe: $1,000 bounty on poachers

Poachers have killed 10 elephants at a park in southern Zimbabwe. Authorities have confirmed saying it was the largest number of elephants to have been killed at a goal for years.

The security agencies have placed a US$1000 bounty for information that may lead to the arrest of the culprits.

Spokeswoman of the park Caroline Mashaya-Moyo told Earth Times that the tusks of the mammals were removed along a dry river bed in the remote Gonarezou National Park in south- east Zimbabwe.

She added that several spent cartridges from a FN rifle were also found at the scene giving suspicion of a premeditated act.

Zimbabwe is one of the largest populated elephants’ zones in Africa but poaching and endangered species like the black rhino is taking its toll on the species.

The country's wildlife community shell has however expressed shocked on the incident.

Commuters duck for cover as police open fire on omnibus