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East African
Elly
Harrowell
21
June 2010
opinion
The
Kimberley Process rough diamond certification scheme is frequently credited
with ending the trade in blood diamonds.
However,
mass killings in Zimbabwe's diamond fields, and the supine response of member
states, have shattered this myth.
Last week,
Global Witness published a new report ahead of the Kimberley Process
intercessional meeting in Tel Aviv from June 21.
The report
described how the murderous trade in Zimbabwe's diamonds has undermined the
Process's credibility.
The Kimberley Process was set up 10 years ago
after investigations by Global Witness and others revealed how brutal wars in
countries such as Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia were being fuelled by
"blood diamonds" -- uncut stones traded by armed groups to finance
campaigns of terror.
Comprising
75 governments, NGOs and the diamond industry, it was founded on a commitment
to stamp out "systematic and gross human-rights violations" and to
put in place safeguards to ensure that such abuses never happened again.
However, in
recent years, the Process has struggled with a number of problem cases,
including conflict diamonds from Côte d'Ivoire being smuggled into legitimate
markets.
Zimbabwe is
arguably its biggest test yet -- and one it is currently failing.
Zimbabwe's
Marange diamond fields stretch over 66,000 hectares in the east of the country.
Although
estimates of the reserves in this area vary wildly, some have gone so far as to
suggest that it could be home to one of the world's richest diamond deposits.
Over the past three years, Marange has seen
horrific human-rights abuses by security agencies against diamond diggers and
local communities, resulting in hundreds of deaths, and many more cases of
assault, rape, arbitrary detention and forced labour.
From early
2007, police officers stationed in the fields began forcing miners to work in
syndicates under their control, demanding bribes and beating or killing anyone
else they found mining in the area.
The violence
reached a peak in late 2008, with the arrival of the army, and the launch of
Operation Hakudzokwi, or "You will not return."
This
operation appeared to have two goals: To ensure control of the diamond deposits
for the Zanu PF elite, and to reward the army for its loyalty to this clique.
Some 800 soldiers were deployed alongside helicopter gunships, killing over 200
people.
Following
this operation, soldiers took over mining syndicates previously run by the
police, and forced local people, including children, to mine for them.
The military
was also central in facilitating the smuggling of these diamonds out of Zimbabwe
to neighbouring countries including Mozambique and South Africa.
A Kimberley Process Review Mission was
eventually sent to the country in June 2009 to investigate the violence and
assess compliance with Process standards.
Following
the visit, the team's leader, Liberia's deputy minister of mines, made an
impassioned plea to the Zimbabwean authorities: "Minister, on the issue of
violence against civilians, I need to be clear about this. Our team was able to
interview and document the stories of dozens of victims, observe their wounds,
scars from dog bites and batons, tears, and ongoing psychological trauma... I
have experienced too much senseless violence in my lifetime, especially
connected to diamonds. In speaking with some of these people, Minister, I had
to leave the room. This has to be acknowledged and it has to stop."
The deputy
minister's words fell on deaf ears.
His team's
conclusions -- that the Zimbabwean government had committed multiple breaches
of the scheme's rules and that the security forces had used "extreme
violence" against diamond miners -- should have been the trigger for its
expulsion.
Instead Zimbabwe has been allowed to retain
its membership, protected by regional allies and other Kimberley Process member
countries that appear to consider state-sponsored murder of hundreds of diamond
diggers to be acceptable.
Where
decisive action was required, Kimberley Process governments have instead opted
for an ineffectual joint work plan.
This fudge
is providing the cover for the latest stage in the Zanu PF elite's
consolidation of control over the diamonds: The introduction of opaque joint
ventures between the state and private investors.
The creation
of these joint ventures has circumvented Zimbabwe's laws and appears aimed more
at benefiting a corrupt minority than the increasingly impoverished population.
Meanwhile,
the violence in Marange continues, as military syndicates smuggle diamonds over
the border into Mozambique and on into the global supply chain, with the
connivance of unscrupulous international diamond companies.
Miners who
are not part of these gangs are attacked.
Anyone who
tries to document the situation finds themselves in line for harassment from
the authorities.
The meeting
this week is a chance for members to stop the Kimberley Process's slide towards
disrepute and irrelevance.
The scheme
still has the potential to succeed in its mission of breaking the links between
diamonds and armed violence once and for all, but only if its participant
governments are prepared to stand up for the core standards that it enshrines.
Zimbabwean
authorities must stop all violence in the diamond fields and ensure that
members of the military are not illegally involved in exploitation or marketing
of diamonds.
If these
reforms do not take place soon, then members of the Kimberley Process will have
no choice but to suspend Zimbabwe.
Elly
Harrowell is the diamond campaigner for Global Witness, an international NGO
that works to break the links between natural resource exploitation, conflict,
poverty, corruption, and human-rights abuses worldwide
Reliefweb
Source:
Human Rights Watch
(HRW)
Date: 21 Jun 2010
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Summary
In 2008,
Zimbabwe's military launched a bloody crackdown in eastern Zimbabwe after
diamonds were discovered in the fields of Marange (otherwise known as
Chiadzwa). Police and soldiers, deployed by the government, massacred some 200
people as they seized control of the area. They beat and raped locals, forced
them to mine for diamonds, and carried out other human rights abuses. Those
responsible have not been held accountable.
Since
revealing these abuses in a June 2009 report, "Diamonds in the Rough:
Human Rights Abuses in the Marange Diamond Fields of Zimbabwe," Human
Rights Watch has continued to research conditions in Marange. It finds that
while killings have abated, Zimbabwe's armed forces still control most of the
fields, despite a commitment by the government to remove them from the area.
Corruption is rife, and smuggling of Marange diamonds by soldiers in the field
is prolific. The diamonds continue to benefit a few senior people in the
government and their accomplices rather than the people of Zimbabwe as a whole.
Soldiers
also continue to perpetuate abuses in Marange, including forced labor, torture,
beatings, and harassment, which Zimbabwe's government has failed to investigate
or prosecute. State security agents have harassed local civil society
researchers attempting to document smuggling and abuses, including members of
the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme's civil society coalition. Police
and soldiers have barred lawmakers from entering the area when they tried to
investigate the illegal awarding of private tenders to mine Marange's diamonds.
Meanwhile,
more than 4,000 families from villages in the Marange area are due to be
forcibly resettled to make way for diamond operations, potentially contravening
international standards on forced relocation. There is also concern about the
role of Abbey Chikane, the South African monitor appointed by the Kimberley
Process (KP), to devise a "joint work plan" to bring Zimbabwe into
compliance with the KP's rules.
As it
did in 2009, Human Rights Watch again calls for Zimbabwe to be suspended from
the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) due to these continuing
abuses, and Harare's failure to implement necessary reforms. It also calls for
a halt to the "joint work plan" pending an independent investigation
into Mr. Chikane.
The
KPCS, which was founded in 2003, is an international group comprising
governments, the diamond industry, and civil society groups seeking to halt the
trade of so-called "conflict diamonds," which rebel groups use to
finance wars.
However,
the KPCS risks becoming irrelevant if it does not address the challenge of
"blood diamonds." These are stones extracted by governments or state
agencies in which abuses are committed against their own citizens, as in
Zimbabwe.
Control
over diamond revenue has become an urgent and divisive issue in Zimbabwe, as
the country struggles to recover from a massive economic crisis. Senior members
of the Zimbabwe Africa National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), the former
sole ruling party, stand accused of smuggling Marange diamonds for personal and
party self-enrichment. Failure by the KP to suspend Zimbabwe's membership or
continue to ban the certification of Marange diamonds for export would destroy
the body's legitimacy and credibility.
The KP
has struggled to address abuses by governments, and the extent to which human
rights, which are implicit in its charter, should be protected. The Kimberley
Process sent a review mission to Zimbabwe, which found abuses by the armed
forces, pervasive smuggling, and failure to satisfy the minimum requirements of
KP membership. Despite this, and the review mission's recommendations that
Zimbabwe be suspended, KP members meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia in November
2009 did not. Instead, they proposed a "joint work plan" that gave
Zimbabwe an opportunity to meet the KP's membership requirements, and in due
course resume diamond exports from Marange. The plan committed Zimbabwe to a
phased military withdrawal without a specific timeframe, directed police to
provide security for the area, and provided for a mutually agreed upon monitor
to examine and certify all diamond shipments from Marange. Until then, no
Marange diamonds could be exported legally.
The KP
monitor, Abbey Chikane, visited Zimbabwe twice in 2010 on fact-finding missions
organized by the Zimbabwe government. He prepared two reports. The first, based
on a mission in March, reported that Zimbabwe had demilitarized a small section
of Marange, and put it under the control of two South African companies, which
operate as Mbada and Canadile in Zimbabwe, but whose operations did not
currently meet KPCS minimum standards. Mr. Chikane's report focused on
technical aspects of the firms' diamond operations, such as ensuring security
around mining sites, rather than the ongoing human rights abuses related to the
mining. It also glossed over the tendering process by which these two
companies—allegedly controlled by senior members of ZANU-PF and the Zimbabwean
armed forces—had secured their mining rights.
The
second report, released in early June, addressed the military's withdrawal, as
mandated by the Kimberley Process. Taking the same position as Zimbabwean
officials, Mr. Chikane suggested that this withdrawal be allowed to progress
slowly and with international support, in order to avoid chaos on the diamond
fields, and the proliferation of individual panning. He also recommended that
the Marange diamonds be certified as conflict-free diamonds, because Zimbabwe
had met the basic requirements required by the Kimberley Process.
Human
Rights Watch's evidence, as set out in this report, suggests that Mr. Chikane's
basic analysis of the environment around Marange is flawed along with his
proposed recommendations. Human Rights Watch therefore urges KP members to
reject both.
©
Copyright, Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
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BBC
Page
last updated at 09:18 GMT, Tuesday, 22 June 2010 10:18 UK
Zimbabwe's army has taken control of the
Marange mines
A judge in Zimbabwe has denied bail to a human rights activist
accused of providing false information about the diamond trade.
The judge said
Farai Maguwu, if convicted, would have committed "treacherous and
abominable" crimes.
The ruling came as
the body which oversees the trade in "blood diamonds" - from conflict
zones - meets in Israel to decide whether to allow Zimbabwe to resume
international sales.
Mr Maguwu was
arrested on 3 June.
He had met a
representative of the diamond trade body, the Kimberley Process.
Lobby group Human
Rights Watch has urged the meeting in Israel not to allow Zimbabwe to resume
the trade.
'Principled country'
But Zimbabwe's
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu accused such groups of "peddling
falsehoods" and "demonising" the country.
"They are
working against the people of Zimbabwe. We are a principled country," he
said.
A leaked report
suggested the ban on Zimbabwe's diamonds could be lifted at the meeting in
Israel.
The army took over
the Marange mines in the east of the country in 2008 and has since been accused
of committing widespread abuses there - killing some 200 miners and forcing others
to work in the mines.
Mr Maguwu's Centre
for Research and Development has published several reports about the alleged
abuses in Marange.
Judge Chinembiri
Bhunu said "no-one has the right to publish false information or
statements to the detriment of [an] other".
"That kind of
behaviour, if proved, is treacherous and abominable particularly in these times
of national economic strife."
Zimbabwe's army has
denied the allegations.
In February,
President Robert Mugabe threatened to leave the Kimberley Process after
Zimbabwe was given until June to prove that its mines were properly run.
The Kimberley
Process was set up in 2002 after the diamond trade was accused of fuelling
several conflicts in Africa.
Journalism.co.za
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
ZIMBABWE'S
Movement for Democratic Change party, the MDC, has launched a unique new radio
news service via telephone, writes Dumi Sigogo for jocoza.
The
audio news service, known as The Voice of Real Change, is a first by any
political party in Zimbabwe and in the region. The country has no private radio
and TV stations. Only some radio stations broadcasting from outside challenge
the overwhelming dominance of the official Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
(ZBC) on the airwaves.
The MDC’s
Information and Publicity department says the audio platform “will herald a new
era in communication at a time when the so called public broadcaster, the ZBC,
has shamefully become a conveyor-belt of Zanu PF propaganda”.
The new
service allows members of the public to call one of a set of cellular phone
numbers, which will immediately call back with a set of listening options.
Among
these are a daily news round-up, President Morgan Tsvangirai’s weekly message,
the MDC’s position on the Constitution-making process and information on party
events. The programmes are broadcast in the country’s three official languages,
English, Ndebele and Shona. Other menu options include a feed-back platform
where callers can leave their messages to the party.
An
official in the party’s information and publicity department said: “The party
felt it was necessary for the people of Zimbabwe to know the current events and
one way of doing this was in having an audio service that was cheap and easily
available to every cellphone or landline user.”
The MDC
also has a newsletter called The Changing Times which it circulates to its
members for free, while Zanu-PF sells its weekly newspaper called The Voice. As
the country rewrites a new constitution the political parties are jostling to
use the media to propagate their positions and influence constitutional making
outcome.
Meanwhile,
pandemonium broke out at the Harare International Conference Centre after
several accredited journalists were barred from covering the official launch of
the Constitutional outreach and public hearings programme on June 16.
Unity
government leaders, President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
and Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara attended the ceremony. Police and
Secret Services officials from the presidential guard refused entry to local
and foreign journalists with Zimbabwe Media Commission accreditation cards
saying their superiors had given them strict instructions not to admit any
journalists without invitations.
Deputy
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Jessie Majome whose
ministry is co-ordinating the making of the new constitution and was in charge
of the event, intervened and pleaded with the security officers to allow the
journalists to cover the launch. The Deputy Minister explained to the police
manning the entrance that the media did not requires an invitation card to the
event but still the police refused to let them in.
Angus Shaw
of Associated Press (AP), Jan Raath of the The Times of London are some of the
broadcast, print and photo journalists who were banned from covering the
launch.
Zimbabwe
is currently using the 1979 Lancaster House Constitution which has been amended
a record 19 times by the Mugabe led government and now the country is re-
drafting a new charter before elections as stipulated by the 2008 Global
Political Agreement which facilitated the formation of the unity government.
Last
Updated ( Tuesday, 22 June 2010 )
Ecclesia.co.uk
By
Ecumenical News International
22
Jun 2010
A Christian students' association in Zimbabwe
has rebuked the country's power-sharing government for allowing the continuing
collapse of the education sector in the southern African country.
"The cosmetic
so-called inclusive government has failed the young people of Zimbabwe as
evidenced by the state of the education system," the Student Christian
Movement in Zimbabwe (SCMZ) said, in a statement to mark the Day of the African
Child, commemorated on 16 June 2010.
This date is the
anniversary of the killing of black South African pupils protesting inferior
education, and the compulsory teaching of Afrikaans, in 1976.
"As SCMZ, we
strongly believe that the collapse of the social services delivery system in
Zimbabwe is directly linked to the human-created governance crisis," the
students said. They added, "Unless this is resolved with expediency, the
children of Zimbabwe will continue suffering, going to lecture rooms without
lecturers, and getting into libraries without books."
Zimbabwe's three main
political rivals formed a power-sharing government in February 2009 aimed at
easing political tensions that followed a violent presidential run-off
election, in which President Robert Mugabe was the sole candidate after the
other contestant, Morgan Tsvangirai, pulled out, citing violence against his
supporters.
Members of
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party say that Mugabe's Zanu-PF
party, which has ruled since 1980, has not allowed the transfer of many levers
of power, and that it holds on to the security apparatus, which prevents the
operation of a free press.
Since its formation,
Zimbabwe's power-sharing government has battled to help the country's battered
economy revive following years of hyperinflation, which once peaked at 231
million per cent per annum.
Although schools and
universities have reopened after being closed for nearly a year, when
schoolteachers and lecturers went on strike over pay, the government has not
been able to lure back most workers who left their jobs, or to stock school
libraries.
In some cases, 15
pupils share one textbook, while thousands have dropped out of school and
colleges because their parents could not afford the tuition fees.
The situation is worse
in rural areas, where some schools have no classrooms, and pupils attend
classes in the open or in makeshift structures.
"We remind the
so-called government of national unity that education is everyone's right, and
not a privilege for the affluent," the Student Christian Movement said.
Many Zimbabwean
students have joined millions of their compatriots in exile.
[With acknowledgements
to ENI. Ecumenical News
International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the
Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the
Conference of European Churches.]
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
By Violet Gonda
22 June 2010
Zimbabwe has threatened to walk away from the Kimberley Process (KP), if it does not get approval from the international diamonds trade watchdog to export rough diamonds from Chiadzwa in Marange.
The KP is currently holding a meeting in Israel and is due to make a decision on whether or not to certify Zimbabwe’s diamonds for export.
Members at the meeting told SW Radio Africa that the Zimbabwean delegation, led by Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, have been ‘acting like spoilt brats’ and threatening to pull out of the Kimberley Process if the ban on diamond exports from Chiadzwa is not lifted.
Zimbabwe has failed to meet the required conditions set out by the watchdog to allow certification. These include: providing quarterly reports on mining efforts or updates and the demilitarisation of the Chiadzwa area; providing a forensic audit of all stockpiles of diamonds and show efforts to address cross border smuggling.
The decision by the KP members is made by unanimous consensus. So far several countries from the west, organisations in the diamond industry and members of the international civil society, are concerned that the work plan set out for Zimbabwe has not been met.
But there are some countries, especially from Africa, who want Zimbabwe’s diamond exports approved. However the situation in Tel Aviv is said to be very fluid and positions by the various members is likely to change.
A delegate who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “It looks like Zimbabwe will not get its way tomorrow and will likely walk. The country has a right to voluntarily suspend itself but it will not be legally allowed to sell diamonds on the market. There is a growing concern from the KP that the Zimbabwean diamonds will be sold on the black market, especially in Asian markets, if it is not able to sell diamonds on the market. This is why the Kimberley Process was formed to stop illegal diamond sells.”
Rights groups have accused the Minister of Mines of blocking access to companies which are controversially mining in Chaidzwa, by imposing his allies as board members. He is also accused of accumulating much personal wealth through the exploitation of the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
By Alex Bell
22 June 2010
The government has cancelled its plans to send a shipment of wild animals to North Korea, amid intense international condemnation of the deal.
The plan, handed down by Robert Mugabe in a reported Presidential Decree last month, was to send a number of different species of animal found in the Hwange National Park, to North Korea. This included two young elephants, giraffe, jackal, zebra, catfish, civet, blue monkey and spotted hyena. Wildlife authorities originally denied that any such deal had taken place, despite numerous animals being captured and placed in quarantine ahead of the scheduled journey. Authorities eventually confirmed that the plan was a trade deal with the North Koreans, worth an estimated US$23 000.
Conservationists and international pressure groups reacted with outrage and anger, with no guarantees being made by Zimbabwean authorities about the welfare of the animals. Animal welfare groups decried conditions in North Korea as ‘uninhabitable’ for African mammals, and for weeks the government faced pressure to call off the deal.
50 organisations, including wildlife welfare organisation Born Free, eventually joined together to protest the plan of what was dubbed the ‘ark of death’. The group said they were fearful that the capture, transport and incarceration of these wild animals in North Korea “will lead, for many of the animals, to an untimely and entirely unnecessary death.” A letter, endorsed by the 50 groups, was also send to Zimbabwean authorities, calling for, in particular, the practice of elephant capture to be abolished.
The deal has now been called off, after scientists reportedly concluded that the animals bound for North Korea would not adjust to conditions there.
Johnny Rodrigues from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, which has led calls for the sale of Zimbabwe’s wildlife to be stopped completely, told SW Radio Africa that this is only a small victory.
“We still have at least five other countries who have put in their orders for wildlife, and many animals from the North Korean shipment are still being sold,” Rodrigues explained.
He added: “These animals are Zimbabwe’s. They are our heritage and we should be united in protecting them from these kinds of sales.”
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
By Alex Bell
22 June 2010
The office of South African President Jacob Zuma has confirmed that it intends to appeal a court decision ordering it to release a hidden report on Zimbabwe’s 2002 contested elections.
High Court Acting Judge Stanley Sapire earlier this month ordered the Presidency to hand over the report to the Mail & Guardian newspaper within ten days. But last week as that deadline ran out, the Presidency announced that it was applying for leave to appeal the court’s decision. Observers have said this is a clear sign that the contents of the report show that the 2002 Zimbabwean elections were neither free nor fair, as was stated by South Africa’s leaders. Critics have said that the report will show that South Africa is essentially implicated in allowing the ZANU PF regime to cling to power through vote rigging, violence and intimidation.
The Mail & Guardian has been trying to have the report released since 2008, amid widespread speculation about its true contents. Judge Sisi Khampepe and Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, were at the time commissioned by then president Thabo Mbeki to visit Zimbabwe and report back on the state of the election. The report was handed over to Mbeki but never made public, although the former president insisted the electoral process in Zimbabwe was completely democratic.
The newspaper’s efforts to access the details of the report were repeatedly denied, even after President Jacob Zuma came to power and was himself given access to the report. Mail & Guardian editor Nic Dawes told SW Radio Africa last week that the Presidency’s decision to appeal the court order was “frustrating,” saying the contents of the report are of “enormous” public interest.
The government has argued that the report was ‘confidential’ and contained information “supplied in confidence by or on behalf of another state, for the purpose of assessing or formulating a policy.” The government has also argued that the report would lead to a deterioration of relations between the two countries, as South Africa is the facilitator in Zimbabwe’s ongoing political crisis.
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
By Lance Guma
22 June 2010
The country’s largest mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless, has been forced to pull the plug on the use of some of its numbers for an audio news and information service recently launched by the MDC-T.
Under the service dubbed ‘Voice of Real Change’ any phone subscriber in Zimbabwe can dial a set of given numbers and the service calls them back with various news and information options. They can then choose between listening to a general news roundup, party president Morgan Tsvangirai’s weekly message, the MDC position on the constitution making process, party events and feedback platforms, where they can leave their messages to the party.
On Tuesday MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Newsreel they had registered over 100 000 callers on the first day the service was launched and they ended up running out of airtime. But now this service is being threatened by ‘ZANU PF people who have threatened the regulatory authority. They have also threatened various (mobile phone) operators as a way to impose an iron curtain on information,’ Chamisa told us.
The service is being offered via phone lines from all three operators Telecel, Netone and Econet. But soon after an article in the state owned Herald newspaper, penned by Nathaniel Manheru (widely believed to be Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba), Econet is said to have developed cold feet and withdrew the use of its numbers. Manheru warned that operating licences were up for renewal soon and Econet needed to be careful since government ‘has to deal with all manner of mischief.’
So why has the MDC opted for an audio news and information service instead of pushing for the granting of broadcast licences to independent players? Chamisa told us they were pushing to free up the airwaves but in the meantime the MDC has no voice in the state owned media and they had to ‘leverage on the available technologies’ to connect with their supporters.
Meanwhile Chamisa said they were also looking at options to expand their audio news and information service to include more phone numbers and possibly introduce Skype internet technology.
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
By Tichaona Sibanda
22 June 2010
The constitution making process got off to a chaotic start on Monday when scores of rapporteurs and those in outreach teams slept rough, after failing to get hotel accommodation in provinces they were deployed to.
In provinces like Masvingo on Tuesday, the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) members had not yet arrived from Harare to begin the accreditation process, which was supposed to have started Monday.
The situation is similar in almost every province due to administrative problems, sometimes caused by the endless postponements of the program. Most hotels are fully booked and have no room for the outreach members.
MDC-T MP for Masvingo urban, Tongai Matutu, said most people who reported for duty in Masvingo either slept in their vehicles or had to squeeze in with relatives. He described the situation as dire because there was no one from the select committee to direct operations.
‘There is a crisis here. People are just loitering around waiting for the COPAC officials. The two major hotels in the town, Chevron and Flamboyant are fully booked with other guests not on the outreach program. The fact that COPAC kept changing dates meant that hotels too had to make cancelations and accommodate other customers,’ Matutu said.
In Manicaland, select committee member and co-head of delegation for the province, Senator Cephas Makhuyana, told us things were slowly getting into shape after a few hiccups.
‘We still have problems with money issues for the members. But I am glad to report that we’ve been assured the funds will be made available tomorrow (Wednesday) and that will enable us to send our teams,’ Makhuyana said.
The senator said they had managed to provide accreditation to 98 out of the 100 people required for the province. He said the other issue to be sorted out was accommodation for their members.
‘We are still running around looking for more lodges because some hotels are fully booked but we should be able to resolve this issue by today (Tuesday),’ the senator added.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us groups covering the Mashonaland provinces met at separate hotels in the capital for induction.
‘Despite a few hiccups everything seems to be moving in the right direction for the teams in Harare and Mashonaland provinces. The teams will start deploying tomorrow (Wednesday),’ Muchemwa said.
COPAC has said a total of 5 803 meetings will be convened in the 1 937 wards throughout the 10 provinces of the country.
The parliamentary select committee is leading the process to create the country’s first post independence constitution, after which new elections will be held. Currently the country relies on the 1979 Lancaster House Constitution that gave birth to independence in 1980 and has been amended a record 19 times.
There was an attempt in 1999 to draw up a new constitution, but critics said it entrenched Mugabe’s presidential powers. It went to a referendum and was rejected and that was the beginning of Mugabe’s anger and his attack on the people of Zimbabwe.
SW Radio Africa News Stories for 22 June 2010
Diaspora Diaries
Alex looks at the pressure being put on the South African government to issue birth certificates to children born of Zimbabwean parents in South Africa. Zimbabweans still top the United Nation’s global asylum seeker list, with South Africa the top destination. Alex speaks to Braam Hanekom from refugee rights group PASSOP, who says millions of Zimbabweans would benefit from proper documentation in South Africa.
Callback
Mandi speaks to Aaron who is concerned about the situation for Zimbabweans in South Africa, especially if the Bafana Bafana football team are knocked out in the first round of the World Cup, as people say this will impact on xenophobia. Mandi also speaks to the president of the Youth of Zimbabwe for Transparency and Progress, Danmore Chuma, and asks him about his organisations recent celebrations for the day of the African child.
Duane – Different Points of View
Duane examines theConstitutional Parliamentary Committee outreach against the backdrop of other events occuring concurrently in the country.
By Gerald Chateta
for ZimEye.org
Published: June 20, 2010
Harare(ZimEye)-Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu has filed a US$25 million law suit against the Standard newspaper for defamation.
In a high court record Mpofu said the Standard newspaper defamed him when it published some time early this year a story titled ‘Obert Mpofu property buying spree raises eyebrows’. The story said the Parliamentary portfolio committee on mines was investigating Mpofu after he bought 27 properties within ‘the last few months’ in Victoria Falls.
A minister in Zimbabwe earns not more than US380 dollars per month.
Mpofu has not denied having bought the 27 properties. The minister instead argues that the story was defamatory in the sense that it accused him of being corrupt thereby tarnishing his image as a public office bearer.
“As a result of the publication of the article the plaintiff’s reputation has been seriously impaired in that it injured him as he is a public official whose action must be exemplary to his constituency, his ministry and the entire nation,” reads part of the submissions filed by Mpofu,which are citing reporter Vusimusi Sifile, and the paper’s editor-in-chief Vincent Kahiya. (ZimEye, Zimbabwe)
Sokwanele - Enough is Enough -
Zimbabwe
PROMOTING
NON-VIOLENT PRINCIPLES TO ACHIEVE DEMOCRACY
Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch : Issue
16
Sokwanele : 22 June 2010
The
passage of another month has brought no change in the political stalemate
facing the twenty-month old Zimbabwean Global Political Agreement (GPA).
To
gain some insight as to why that stalemate still exists, eighty-two news
articles from the internet media were captured and catalogued during the month
of May. Each article is a unique record of a breach of the terms of the GPA. By
categorising articles according to the nature of breach, basic statistics can
be drawn from them.
The
results speak for themselves. Harassment through the courts of MDC supporters
and politicians increased very significantly this month to top the list with
fifteen articles (18.3% of the total). Cases of deliberate non-cooperation with
GPA partners came in second at fourteen articles (17.1% of the total), while
cases of violence, intimidation, hate speech and abductions were third with
thirteen articles (15.9% of the total) - of which Zanu-PF were accountable for
92.3%. Cases of corruption came in fourth (12.2% of the total). Summarising
just these four most significant categories, Zanu-PF were accountable for 92.3%
of breaches of the GPA that were recorded for those four categories. Overall,
Zanu-PF were either responsible for, or involved in, 89.0% of all breaches
recorded for the GPA for the month of May.
If
previously there were any pretence that Zanu-PF were acting in co-operation
with their GPA partners, analysis of the breaches of the GPA indicates the exa
ct opposite. There can be no doubt that Zanu-PF are acting on their own agenda,
and are deliberately racking up the pressure on the MDCs in any way they can,
whilst still denying that they are doing so. On the other hand, the MDC’s seem
to still believe that they can salvage something good from the GPA. The people
of Zimbabwe live in hope.
This
month, harassment through the courts took centre stage. Having “opposition”
figures arrested on trivial or trumped-up charges forces the victims to waste
valuable time, effort and money, defending themselves in court. However, this
month, the police – in their obvious haste to do Zanu-PF’s bidding – made a
resounding blunder. They detained Paul Madzore, an MDC-T MP, on allegations that
he failed to attend court over (further) allegations that he assaulted police
officers in May 2007. Police said Madzore absconded from court on May 27, 2007
after he had committed the alleged offence. To their severe embarrassment, it
was revealed that the police were at the time (in 2007), in fact, holding
Madzore in Remand Prison on separate trumped-up allegations of bombing police
stations!
Still
looking at legal harassment, the major story in May was the State’s refusal to
accept Roy Bennett’s acquittal on terrorism charges. Bennett’s lawyer Beatrice
Mtetwa was served an appl ication by the Attorney General, saying the
prosecution will contest the High Court’s acquittal of Bennett. “They say the
Judge errored in assessing evidence,” commented Mtetwa. The Attorney General
initially accepted the court’s decision, but after criticism by Zanu-PF
politicians, he changed his tune. Mtetwa accused the Attorney General of
illegally taking Bennett’s passport after discovering that one of the
prosecutors had removed the passport two days before the ruling was made.
Deliberate
non-cooperation with, or lack of commitment to, the terms of the GPA is another
notable point. One article recorded details a remarkable decision by Finance
Minister Tendai Biti (and by default, President Mugabe) to appoint a new Board
to oversee the Reserve Bank, chaired by none other than Gideon Gono! Biti said
the new Board was expected ‘to restore viability, buoyancy, credibility,
legitimacy and accountability.’ It is unclear how the Board can restore
credibility and legitim! acy whilst being chaired by the same individual who
raided private corporate foreign currency accounts to fund ZANU PF’s repression
in his infamous role as chief financier for the Joint Operations Command during
the bloody 2008 elections.
In
a further display of lack of commitment to the GPA, President Mugabe attacked
his coalition partners, claiming the MDC are “in the same camp as our enemies”.
This comment was apparently triggered by the MDC-T’s opposition to the government’s
indigenisation programme. Mugabe said MDC-T have remained “stooges and
bootlickers of former colonisers.”
Violence
this month largely centred around the run up to the constitutional outreach
exercise. In Mudzi ZANU PF supporters are intimidating villagers, telling them
not to attend meetings unless permitted by the ZANU PF chairperson. They are
also being told that during the official outreach programme only
representatives chosen by ZANU PF will be allowed to speak - under threat of
death, or expulsion from villages.
The
“threat” of a new constit ution obviously has Zanu-PF seriously worried, as War
Veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda is reported to be forcing villagers,
traditional leaders and government workers to attend campaign meetings in Manicaland
ahead of the constitutional outreach programme “in defence of the country”.
Some fear that war veterans, who have traditionally led violent campaigns on
behalf of Zanu PF, are mobilising. Sibanda has called the constitution-making
process a matter of “life or death”, and accused chiefs and headmen of relaxing
while the country is being sold out. “…and during the process … some people
will die,” threatened Sibanda
And,
just to show how prevalent violence and torture has become in Zimbabwe, two
members of gay rights group, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), were finally
released on bail after five days in detention. Although the two are charged
with relatively minor offences, their lawyer reported that the pair accuse the
police of torture and beatings to try an! d extract information about their
organisation’s membership.
Although
corruption in Zimbabwe is almost taken for granted, Zanu-PF and their senior
supporters continuously reach for new heights. It appears that military
commanders are giving permits to Chinese soldiers to work in Marange diamond
fields following an “understanding” with Chinese authorities. Army Commander
Constantine Chiwenga is believed, with President Mugabe’s approval, to have
struck a deal with senior Chinese military officials and suppliers of military
hardware like vehicles, guns and bomb materials. Because of relentless
squabbles among politicians and interested parties over the diamonds, Chiwenga
believes the disciplined Chinese army will be more easily controlled.
Turning
to the issue of press freedom, the Zimbabwe Media Commission recently postponed
a workshop meant to expedite the licensing of new newspapers, supposedly
because of financial problems. It is now expected to take place a! t month-end,
further delaying licensing of new newspapers. Sadly, Comm issioners seem to
have some difficulty in understanding the seriousness of the lack of press
freedom in the country. Perhaps they have become too accustomed to what
constitutes “the norm” in Zimbabwe?
Moving
on to what is probably the most controversial event of the month, Robert Mugabe
unilaterally appointed a new Supreme Court judge and four High Court judges -
without informing his MDC partners in government. Mugabe also promoted retired
Brigadier General Chiweshe as the new High Court Judge President. Chiweshe
chaired the discredited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that kept Mugabe in power
in the 2008 elections.
Lastly,
defying both law and logic, police in the Inyathi area of Matabeleland have
been evicting and arresting white farmers who are known to have formal written
authority (from the High Court) to remain on their farms. Police arrested two
farmers (one of whom is no longer resident on his farm), and drove off staff from
a third farm. The two farmers! are to be taken to court in Bulawayo on 27th
May. How the Magistrate is to override the ruling of the superior High Court
remains to be seen.
A
summary of breaches mentioned in this mailing appear below. Further
information, with links to original sources for all cases logged, are available
online. Please visit www.sokwanele.com/zigwatch
for counts and tallies of ongoing breaches of the Global Political Agreement.
MP’s Arrest Leaves Police with Egg on Face
Daily News (RSA):
05/05/2010
Police
in Harare were left looking stupid after detaining Paul Madzore, an MDC-T MP
for more than two hours at Harare Central Police Station on allegations that he
failed to attend court over allegations he assaulted police officers in May !
2007. Police said Madzore absconded from court on May 27, 2007 after h e had
committed the offence. To their embarrassment, it was revealed that they were
at the time, in fact, holding Madzore at Harare Remand Prison on separate
allegations of bombing police stations. It was further made known to them that
the assault charges had, in fact, been dismissed.
State Plans to Appeal Bennett Acquittal and Has
Confiscated His Passport
SW Radio Africa:
12/05/2010
On
Wednesday Roy Bennett’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa was served an application by the
Attorney General’s Office, saying the prosecution will contest the reasoning of
High Court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu’s, acquittal of Bennett. “They say the Judge
errored in assessing evidence,” commented Mtetwa. ! The Attorney General
initially accepted the court’s decision as binding. However, after ZANU PF
politicians criticised the judgement, he changed his tune.
Gono to Chair New Reserve Bank Board
SW Radio Africa:
05/05/2010
Finance
Minister Tendai Biti announced a new Board, chaired by Gideon Gono, to oversee
the Reserve Bank. Biti said the new Board was expected ‘to restore viability,
buoyancy, credibility, legitimacy and accountability.’ It was unclear how the
Board would restore credibility and legitimacy, being chaired by the same
individual who raided private corporate foreign currency accounts to fund ZANU
PF’s repression. Under Gono the bank printed huge amounts of Zi! mbabwe Dollars
and engaged in many activities outside the Bank’s juris diction. Gono’s most
notorious role was chief financier for the Joint Operations Command which was
responsible for Operation “where did you vote?” in which over 500 opposition
supporters were killed and tens of thousands tortured for voting MDC, in March
2008.
Mugabe: MDC in Same Camp as Our Enemies
NewZimbabwe.com:
19/05/2010
President
Mugabe has attacked his coalition partners, claiming the MDC are “in the same
camp as the enemies of the people”. Not since agreeing to share power with the
MDC has Mugabe made such comments. Mugabe’s outburst appeared to be triggered
by the MDC-T’s opposition to the government’s indigenisation programme. Mugabe
said “while Zanu PF continued to defend the peoples’ sovereignty and rights
against colonisers an! d imperialists, the MDC-T had remained stooges and
bootlickers of former colonisers,” according to the Zanu PF mouthpiece, The
People’s Voice.
ZANU PF Terror Campaign in Mudzi & Muzarabani
SW Radio Africa:
12/05/2010
In
Mudzi ZANU PF supporters are harassing and intimidating villagers, ahead of a
constitutional outreach exercise. Villagers have reported ZANU PF thugs going
around ordering villagers not to attend meetings unless they are sanctioned by
Tafirenyika Nyune, ZANU PF chairperson for Mudzi. Villagers were also told that
during the official outreach programme only representatives chosen by ZANU PF
will be allowed to speak. ZANU PF is campaigning for the Kariba draft
constitution that seeks to keep the excessive powers of the President intact.
‘We are being threatened wi! th death or expulsion from villages if we speak
during the meetings,’ said one villager.
Violence Fears as War Vets Mobilise Against Constitution
The Zimbabwe
Independent: 13/05/2010
War
veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda is forcing villagers, traditional leaders and
government workers to attend campaign meetings in Manicaland ahead of the
constitutional outreach programme in “defence of the country”. Some fear that
war veterans, who have traditionally led violent campaigns on behalf of Zanu
PF, could be mobilising. At a meeting, Sibanda threatened that the
constitution-making process was a matter of “life or death” for President
Robert Mugabe’s party, and accused chiefs and headman of relax! ing while the
country was being sold out. “… this country is going to be defended and during
the process … some people will die and some people will run, ” threatened
Sibanda.
Gay Rights Pair Finally Released On Bail
SW Radio Africa:
27/05/2010
Two
members of gay rights group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe were finally released
on bail. Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhambi, facing charges of ‘insulting the
office of the President’ and allegedly possessing ‘pornographic material’ are
back in court on June 10th. Their ! Lawyer said that Chademana and Muhambi
accuse the police of torture an d beatings to try and extract information about
their organisation’s membership. Police say they confiscated images and a
booklet that are obscene, but defence lawyers said police have failed to
provide a comprehensive list of all that they claim to have confiscated from
the GALZ offices’.
Chinese Soldiers Hired to Mine Marange Diamonds
ZimDiaspora: 10/05/2010
Zimbabwean military commanders are secretly
giving permits to Chinese soldiers to work in the Marange diamond fields
following a secretive memorandum of understanding with Chinese authorities,
reporters say. Army Commander Constantine Chiwenga is believed, with President
Mugabe’s approval, to have struck a deal with senior Chinese military officials
and suppliers of military hard! ware like vehicles, guns and bomb materials.
The idea stems from relentless squabbles among politicians and interested
parties over the Marange diamonds. General Chiwenga believes that with the
disciplined Chinese army, mined diamonds will be easily controlled for his
benefit and those close to President Mugabe.
Further Delays to Media Licensing
The Zimbabwe Standard:
15/05/2010
The
Zimbabwe Media Commission last week postponed a workshop to expedite the
licensing of new newspapers because of financial problems amid reports of
disagreement on who to hire as resource persons. This will further delay
licensing of new newspapers. It is now expected to take place at ! the end of
the month. The commission had intended to hold a board meet ing during the
workshop to look into applications by mass media houses wishing to start new
papers. Sources said commissioners were “deeply divided” over resource persons,
with commissioners linked to Zanu PF pushing to have Media, Information and Publicity
minister Webster Shamu, his permanent secretary George Charamba and
Attorney-General Johannes Tomana as some of the facilitators.
Mugabe Unilaterally Appoints Judges as MDC Cry Foul
SW Radio Africa:
21/05/2010
Robert
Mugabe this week appointed a new Supreme Court judge and four High Court
judges, without informing his MDC partners in government. Mugabe also promoted
Retired Brigadier General Chiweshe as the new High Court Judge President.
Chiweshe chaired the discredited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that kept Muga!
be in power in 2008 by withholding election results for a month while massaging
the figures. Outgoing High Court Judge President Rita Makarau was moved to the
Supreme Court, while Nicholas Mathonsi, Andrew Mutema and Garainesu Mawadze,
become High Court Judges. MDC-T reacted angrily, saying Prime Minister
Tsvangirai had not been consulted.
Ongoing Illegal Evictions of Farmers at Inyathi
The Zimbabwean:
27/05/2010
On
25th May police arrested two white farmers, and drove off staff from a third
farm in the Inyathi district of Matabeleland. At Oscardale Farm they arrested
Goff Carbutt for “being in illegal occupation of state land” despite a High
Court order allowing him to reside on a portion of the farm. His wife and
elderly parents were evicted from their! home at gunpoint. Goff, havng recently
had a kidney transplant, had t o sleep on the concrete floor of the Inyathi
police cells for two nights. At the vacant home of Ed Grenfell-Dexter of
Riverside and Riverbank farms, police convinced a watchman to lure Mr. Dexter
out from Bulawayo where he now lives. He too was arrested and detained in
Inyathi police cells, charged with the same offence, despite him not being resident
on the farm. They then went to Mike Huckle’s Felton farm and broke in to the
house where staff reside, giving them one hour to vacate the farm. Huckle is
resident in South Africa and has a Court order allowing him to keep the
remainder of the farm. The two farmers are to be taken to court in Bulawayo
today 27th May. How the Magistrate is to override the ruling of the superior
High Court remains to be seen.
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THE SRI
LANKA GUARDIAN
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/06/worst-dictators-named-by-us.html
(June 22,
Washington, Sri Lanka Guardian)
An US
organisation which prepared the failed states index has also listed 23 leaders
of countries as the worst dictators.
The names
and a brief description of them follows:
The worst
dictator is Kim Jongil of North Korea, according to the listing prepared by the
Foreign Policy/Fund for Peace Failed States Index (FSI).
1.KIM JONG
IL of North Korea: A personality-cult-cultivating isolationist with a taste for
fine French cognac, Kim has pauperized his people, allowed famine to run
rampant, and thrown hundreds of thousands in prison camps (where as many as
200,000 languish today) -- all the while spending his country's precious few
resources on a nuclear programme. Years in power: 16
2.ROBERT
MUGABE of Zimbabwe: A liberation "hero" in the struggle for
independence who has since transformed himself into a murderous despot, Mugabe
has arrested and tortured the opposition, squeezed his economy into astounding
negative growth and billion-per cent inflation, and funnelled off a juicy cut
for himself using currency manipulation and offshore accounts. Years in power:
30
3.THAN SHWE
of Burma: A heartless military coconut head whose sole consuming preoccupation
is power, Shwe has decimated the opposition with arrests and detentions, denied
humanitarian aid to his people after 2008's devastating Cyclone Nargis, and
thrived off a black market economy of natural gas exports. This vainglorious
general bubbling with swagger sports a uniform festooned with self-awarded
medals, but he is too cowardly to face an honest ballot box. Years in power: 18
4. OMAR
HASSAN AL-BASHIR of Sudan: A megalomaniac zealot who has quashed all
opposition, Bashir is responsible for the deaths of millions of Sudanese and
has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. Bashir's
Arab militias, the janjaweed, may have halted their massacres in Darfur, but
they continue to traffic black Sudanese as slaves (Bashir himself has been
accused of having had several at one point). Years in power: 21
5.
GURBANGULY BERDIMUHAMEDOV of Turkmenistan: Succeeding the eccentric tyrant
Saparmurat Niyazov (who even renamed the months of the year after himself and
his family), this obscure dentist has kept on keeping on with his late
predecessor's repressive policies, explaining that, after all, he bears an
"uncanny resemblance to Niyazov." Years in power: 4
6. ISAIAS
AFWERKI of Eritrea: A crocodile liberator, Afwerki has turned his country into
a national prison in which independent media are shut down, elections are
categorically rejected, indefinite military service is mandatory, and the
government would rather support Somali militants than its own people. Years in
power: 17
7ISLAM
KARIMOV of Uzbekistan: A ruthless thug ruling since Soviet times, Karimov has
banned opposition parties, tossed as many as 6,500 political prisoners into
jail, and labels anyone who challenges him an "Islamic terrorist."
What does he do with "terrorists" once they are in his hands? Torture
them: Karimov's regime earned notoriety for boiling two people alive and
torturing many others. Outside the prisons, the president's troops are equally
indiscriminate, massacring hundreds of peaceful demonstrators in 2005 after a
minor uprising in the city of Andijan. Years in power: 20
8 MAHMOUD
AHMADINEJAD of Iran: Inflammatory, obstinate, and a traitor to the liberation
philosophy of the Islamic Revolution, Ahmadinejad has pursued a nuclear
programme in defiance of international law and the West. Responsible for
countless injustices during his five years in power, the president's latest
egregious offence was leading his paramilitary goons, the Basij, to violently
repress protesters after June 2009's disputed presidential election, which many
believe he firmly lost. Years in power: 5
9.MELES
ZENAWI of Ethiopia: Worse than the former Marxist dictator he ousted nearly two
decades ago, Zenawi has clamped down on the opposition, stifled all dissent,
and rigged elections. Like a true Marxist revolutionary, Zenawi has stashed
millions in foreign banks and acquired mansions in Maryland and London in his
wife's name, according to the opposition -- even as his barbaric regime
collects a whopping $1 billion in foreign aid each year. Years in power: 19
10. HU
JINTAO of China: A chameleon despot who beguiles foreign investors with a smile
and a bow, but ferociously crushes political dissent with brutal abandon, Hu
has an iron grip on Tibet and is now seeking what can only be described as new
colonies in Africa from which to extract the natural resources his growing
economy craves. Years in power: 7
11. MUAMMAR
AL-QADDAFI of Libya: An eccentric egoist infamous for his indecipherably
flamboyant speeches and equally erratic politics, Qaddafi runs a police state
based on his version of Mao's Red Book -- the Green Book -- which includes a
solution to "the Problem of Democracy." Repressive at home, Qaddafi
masquerades as Africa's king of kings abroad (the African Union had to politely
insist that he step down as its rotating head). Years in power: 41
12BASHAR
AL-ASSAD of Syria: A pretentious despot trying to fit into his father's shoes
(they're too big for him), Assad has squandered billions on foreign
misadventures in such places as Lebanon and Iraq while neglecting the needs of
the Syrian people. His extensive security apparatus ensures that the population
doesn't complain. Years in power: 10
13. IDRISS
DÉBY of Chad: Having led a rebel insurgency against a former dictator, Déby
today faces a similar challenge -- from one of his own former cabinet
officials, among others. To repel would-be coup leaders, Déby has drained
social spending accounts to equip the military, co-opted opposition-leader
foes, and is now building a moat around the capital, N'Djamena. Years in power:
20
14. TEODORO
OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO of Equatorial Guinea: Obiang and his family literally own
the economy, having reportedly amassed a fortune exceeding $600 million while
the masses are left in desperate poverty. Equatorial Guinea's extraordinary oil
wealth puts its GDP per capita on par with many European states -- if only it
were evenly shared. Instead, revenues remain a "state secret." Years
in power: 31
15. HOSNI
MUBARAK of Egypt: A senile and paranoid autocrat whose sole preoccupation is
self-perpetuation in office, Mubarak is suspicious of even his own shadow. He
keeps a 30-year-old emergency law in place to squelch any opposition activity
and has groomed his son, Gamal, to succeed him. (No wonder only 23 per cent of
Egyptians bothered to vote in the 2005 presidential election.) Years in power:
29
16.YAHYA
JAMMEH of Gambia: This eccentric military buffoon has vowed to rule for 40
years and claims to have discovered the cure for HIV/AIDS. (Jammeh also claims
he has mystic powers and will turn Gambia into an oil-producing country; no
luck yet.) A narcissist at heart, the dictator insists on being addressed as
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jemus Junkung
Jammeh. Years in power: 16
17.HUGO
CHÁVEZ of Venezuela: The quack leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, Chávez
promotes a doctrine of participatory democracy in which he is the sole
participant, having jailed opposition leaders, extended term limits
indefinitely, and closed independent media. Years in power: 11
18. BLAISE
COMPAORÉ of Burkina Faso: A tin-pot despot with no vision and no agenda, save
self-perpetuation in power by liquidating opponents and stifling dissent,
Compaoré has lived up to the low standards of his own rise to power, after
murdering his predecessor, Thomas Sankara, in a 1987 coup. Years in power: 23
19. YOWERI
MUSEVENI of Uganda: After leading a rebel insurgency that took over Uganda in
1986, Museveni declared: "No African head of state should be in power for
more than 10 years." But 24 years later, he is still here, winning one
"coconut election" after another in which other political parties are
technically legal but a political rally of more than a handful of people is
not. Years in power: 24
20. PAUL
KAGAME of Rwanda: A liberator who saved the Tutsis from complete extermination
in 1994, Kagame now practices the same ethnic apartheid he sought to end. His
Rwandan Patriotic Front dominates all levels of power: the security forces, the
civil service, the judiciary, banks, universities, and state-owned
corporations. Those who challenge the president are accused of being a
hatemonger or divisionist and arrested. Years in power: 10
21. RAÚL
CASTRO of Cuba: Afflicted with intellectual astigmatism, the second brother
Castro is pitifully unaware that the revolution he leads is obsolete, an
abysmal failure, and totally irrelevant to the aspirations of the Cuban people.
He blames the failure of the revolution on foreign conspiracies -- which he
then uses to justify even more brutal clampdowns. Years in power: 2
22.
ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO of Belarus: An autocrat and former collective farm
chairman, Lukashenko maintains an iron grip on his country, monitoring
opposition movements with a secret police distastefully called the KGB. His
brutal style of governance has earned him the title "Europe's last
dictator"; he even gave safe haven to Kyrgyzstan's toppled leader when
that country rose up this spring. Years in power: 16
23. PAUL
BIYA of Cameroon: A suave bandit who has reportedly amassed a personal fortune
of more than $200 million and the mansions to go with it, Biya has co-opted the
opposition into complete submission. Not that he's worried about elections; he
has rigged the term limit laws twice to make sure the party doesn't end anytime
soon. Years in power: 28
[Kubatana.net] The shadow proves the sunshine:
News from Kubatana -22 June, 2010
World Cup 2010
coverage from Kubatana
Click here for other World Cup Photographs by Taurai
Maduna
Listen Up!
I think on one hand Constitutions
have been very interesting instruments for Africans. They come out of the
Westminster traditions and they are accompanied by a liberal discourse that
argues that constitutions are legitimate instruments of representation for the
people. So they often are imbued with capacities that they are not ale to
deliver. But they are deceptive because they appear as though they are giving
people rights, but there are no instruments that can endow you with a right.
You have to struggle for a right as a collective. You have to conceptualise it,
you have to imagine it you have to engage with those who control the sites
where your rights are located and then you can create the possibility for that
right to be not only located in the state and then the state can protect it,
but you’ll also have to have access to it.
Listen to more from this Kubatana interview with Dr.
Patricia McFadden
Get Active . . .
Clean Up Harare
Campaign
Rotary
is organizing a Clean Up Harare Campaign, set for July 3 2010. They are
in need of "big black dust bin bags". A roll of 20 costs between US$3
and US$5 in the shops. If there is anyone who is keen to donate a roll
(or part of a roll) and if your friends or the organisations you work for would
like to offer further assistance to the campaign please contact Ann
Hamilton-King on borrowdalebrook@zol.co.zw
Demand your rights - sufficient, reliable, affordable
electricity is your right and a national obligation
Zesa has been telling us for more
than 5 years there is a crisis - that they are only able to reliably supply one
third (900MW) of peak demand (2700MW) and it takes at least 6 years to build a
new power station. Out of the 900MW, 750MW is from Kariba. This is reliant on
adequate water supply; if there is a major drought between now and when new
power comes on line the crisis may be seriously compounded. "Realistic
tariffs" are not going to make any difference. The debt is huge, in fact
its mind boggling, You just have to do the sums - they didn't pay for the
electricity that was imported for at least 5 years or more. So lets
simply say citizens will have to pay 5 x "realistic tariffs" before
ZESA even start to turn the balance sheets to black and even then ZESA would
have to supply the full demand which simply is not going happen. So quite
frankly citizens cannot afford to pick up the tab. For the difference it
makes ZESA may just as well supply the electricity for free. It may still be
possible to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of the ZESA crisis however,
this will only happen within a reasonable time span if there is immediate,
cohesive and decisive action. Circumstances are not conducive to private
enterprise investment in electricity supply. Sufficient, reliable
affordable electricity is a national obligation; it is fundamental to recovery
and development.
Who Needs To Act?
The head of state and government should accept its duty to implement practices
and policies that reflect the aspirations set out in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights; for example, should respect everyone's right to a standard of
living adequate for the health and well- being of himself or herself and
family. The head of state and government should accept this cannot be
achieved with local resources. We have a right to ask for international
intervention and The head of state and government must ask for help; as in the
United Nations Charter - Purposes and Principles Article 1: To achieve
international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic,
social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging
respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all.
What can you do?
- Acknowledge it is your right under international convention
- Accept there is a need for immediate, cohesive and decisive action and
deliver this message: "We want sufficient, reliable, affordable electricity
and we want it now".
- If you are a journalist, make sure that this message is highlighted in the
local, regional and global press.
- If you are an active citizen, write a letter demanding your rights to the
following newspapers:
The Financial Gazette: nncube@fingaz.co.zw
The Herald: theherald@zimpapers.co.zw
The Zimbabwe Independent: newsdesk@zimind.co.zw
What’s new on Kubatana
blogs
Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa laments Zimbabwe’s
electricity blues
I
hate soccer says Zanele Manhenga
Dydimus Zengenene hears that Zimbabwean
MPs are key suppliers of fuel coupons to the black market
Fungai Machirori writes about keeping
up with the Moyos
Bev Clark shares a Slate article on the ban
of gay blood in America
The World Cup is opium for the masses suggests Leigh Worswick
Amy Saunderson-Meyer gives us an update on Kubatana’s Freedom
Fone project
. . . and a subscriber shares a photograph
of world cup soccer played under ZESA blackouts
Know your rights
Zimbabwe Republic
Police Public Relations: ROAD BLOCKS
If you feel that while you are being
questioned or searched at a roadblock, the police officers involved have
harassed you, hinted for bribes, or been generally aggressive, you are advised
to contact the ZRP Officers listed below.
The intention is for all ZRP details
to have their rank, name and numbers on their uniforms but with current
constraints this is not always possible. Each Police Officer has a force
number, which should be given out if requested.
It should be noted that there are NO
SUCH THING AS SPOT FINES, without an OFFICIAL RECEIPT, that is Form Z69 (J)
Admission of Guilt. Many Road Blocks
carry Z69 (J) for the convenience of
the public. Should it be inconvenient to pay immediately a "ticket"
on Form 265 for payment at a Police Station within 7 days should be requested.
Failure to report to a Police Station within 7 days once Form 265 is issued
will lead to prosecution.
If you experience any problems at
roadblocks contact:
Superintendent NCUBE: 0912 719 730
or 011 769 768
Superintendent KANGWARE: 011 415 491
Spokesperson Traffic Inspector
CHIGOME: 0912 965 030,
National Complaints Line: 24 HOUR
Service (04) 703 631
Attend this important
course . . .
Speciss College Short
Course: Management Of HIV & Aids in the Workplace
Dates: 5-7 July 2010 & 21 - 23 July 2010
Cost: USD165.00 per person, inclusive of teas, lunches and materials
Do You Want To:
- Develop or enhance your skills in the management of HIV
& AIDS in the Workplace?
- Develop or learn how to better manage an HIV & AIDS
Policy for your organisation
Then the Speciss College Management of HIV & AIDS in the Workplace course
is what you need.
Who Should Attend?
- HR Personnel and members of HIV & AIDS Workplace
Committees
- Employees who wish to be part of an HIV & AIDS
Workplace Committee
- Organisations who wish to set up and enhance their HIV
& AIDS Workplace Policy
- Anyone who wishes to learn about or improve their knowledge
of the management of HIV & AIDS in the Workplace
Course Content:
Why set up an HIV & AIDS Workplace Programme?
What Zimbabwe Law Requires
Employee Education on HIV & AIDS
HIV & AIDS Workplace Committee
HIV & AIDS Risk Management
Peer Educators and Lay Counsellors
Medical Testing (VCT)
Care and Support
Development of a draft policy and initial work plan of activities
Phone us TODAY on 04-708494-7 to make a booking!!
If you would prefer us to run this course in-house, please contact us on
04-706728. Alternatively, contact us on email at widdy@speciss.co.zw
or college@speciss.co.zw
The course will run from 8.00am to 4.30pm each day for 3 days. Courses
will be run as advertised subject to sufficient enrolments. Participants
must attend all sessions in order to get a certificate.
Featured articles . .
.
Kenyan Newsprint: A
Love Affair
American newspaper publishers ought to scrap the focus groups and visit Kenya,
where newspapers are an obsession. "Each newspaper in Kenya is typically
read by 14 people, and those who can't afford to buy a paper sometimes 'rent'
one," writes Karen Rothmyer, a journalism instructor at the University of
Nairobi, in the Columbia Journalism Review (Jan-Feb 2010). News-obsessed
Kenyans can buy 30 minutes with one of the major dailies for the equivalent of
13 cents at their neighborhood newsstands. "That compares with 50 cents to
buy one' Rothmyer writes, "a significant sum even to office workers
earning $20 a day." Limited Internet access in the country is a factor in
the enduring popularity of newspapers, but there is also a communal factor at
play. Rothmyer sees this firsthand when she travels to a small rural town of
Busia, where she observes a daily gathering of farmers, taxi drivers, and
small-business owners debating current events over a pile of newspapers.
"Newspapers will not die here, definitely not," says a 28-year old
who is among the small number of Kenyans who own a mobile phone with Internet
access (he uses it to follow international head-lines). "I'll still be
reading newspapers in 20 years," he insists.
- Utne Reader
Liberia's Model for
Better Mental Health
>From 1989 to 2003, a brutal civil war took place in Liberia. The country's
3.5 million people endured 14 years of intense violence, "above and beyond
that of your average war," Myles Estey writes in Maisonneuve (Winter
2009). "The memories are as bizarre as they are horrific: child soldiers
dwarfed by the AK-47s they cradle; the Butt Naked Brigade storming into battle,
doped-up, wearing nothing but boots … checkpoints marked with human heads and
intestines strung across the road." The lasting effect of extreme violence
on the psyche of a population remains "largely uncharted territory,"
according to Estey, who works in Liberia as a media trainer. And in the
aftermath of war, mental health is rarely a priority: "When you're left
with a country missing basic political, social and economic systems, it makes
sense that reconstruction groups (and their donors) would prefer waste-no-time
goals that can be quickly met and easily measured," Estey writes. At the
time he was writing, Liberia had a single psychiatric facility, run by a German
non-profit. There was one psychiatrist. Then, in late 2009, Liberia developed a
comprehensive, community-based national mental health policy - the first of its
kind in a post-conflict country. It's an ambitious approach designed to address
a substantial need: A recent survey of 1,600 households indicates that 44
percent of Liberians meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress
disorder; up to 40 percent meet the criteria for major depressive illnesses.
Under the new policy, medical workers will be trained to deliver mental health
care at local clinics (outpatient services) and county hospitals (at inpatient
"wellness units"). Increasing the number of mental health
professionals in the country is also a priority, as are services for children,
including mental health education. The decentralized approach reflects the
government's acknowledgment, in the policy's introduction, that mental health
is "not only for the chronically mentally ill…. But for the many people
who suffer from common mental diseases." In a country where mental illness
has long been stigmatised, the policy is nothing short of a sea change - and
has potential to prove the importance of including mental health in post-war
recovery plans.
- Utne Reader
Want to comment on these articles?
Please email info@kubatana.net
The Kubatana web site
is updated regularly. Here are some new articles and reports.
There are over 16 600
articles and reports available to browse.
Human rights, gay
rights and the Constitution - SAPES Seminar
Why does the issue of sexual orientation frighten people so much? People choose
what principles they will want to honour at any particular point in time. But
if we look at the experience of Zimbabwe, you will see that there are many
issues that we need to deal with. In Zimbabwe there is also the issue of HIV
because of men having sex with men, which people don’t want to deal with; not
the health workers, not the government, not anybody. Somehow people pretend
that it’s not there. Quite a lot of married men have sex with both men and
women in Zimbabwe, but it’s never something that is admitted, its never put in
the public domain. Those men, when they go into the clubs in Harare, they’ll be
consorting with other men who are gay, and they (the openly gay men) say but what
are you doing here since you are heterosexual? And they say Mukadzi wangu ari
kumusha (my wife is in the rural areas). I think what is also important is that
non reproductive sexualities, that is sexualities that don’t lead to
reproduction, tend to be attacked because they tend to decouple reproduction
from sex. Where sex is for pleasure only, then its very licentious and
undisciplined. Whereas sex for procreation is better, socially. It also polices
women, because the threat of pregnancy becomes a very important weapon to keep
women loyal to men and not to stray with other men or women. In fact when we
talk about women having sex with each other in the University of Zimbabwe, a
young man will ask ‘what exactly do they do?’ . . . they can’t imagine any kind
of sex which is not penetrative sex between a man and a woman.
Read and listen to more from Rudo Gaidzanwa
-
Believe in yourself & nothing can stop you - Interview with Pauline
Gundidza of Mafrique - Kubatana.net - Read more
- Real, positive values - Interview with Professor Reginald H Austin -
Kubatana.net - Read more
Sleight of hand: A report on the repression of the media in
Zimbabwe
The Global Political Agreement (GPA), which in February 2009 created a
power-sharing government between the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic
Front (ZANU-PF) and two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),
raised expectations for human rights reforms in Zimbabwe. The promised reforms
included expanded media freedom and the protection of journalists, which are
critical for creating an open, democratic, and transparent society. More than a
year into the implementation of the GPA, these reforms remain unfulfilled, and
freedom of expression is imperiled in Zimbabwe. In the past year alone, some 15
different journalists have been harassed, arbitrarily arrested, or assaulted by
state security forces in Zimbabwe. Five separate pieces of legislation
restricting free expression remain on the books and are enforced. The laws, which
are used only against ZANU-PF's critics, exist in violation of Zimbabwe's
obligations under international law, under its constitution, and according to
commitments under the GPA to undertake media reform. ZANU-PF continues to rely
on these laws, and the state-controlled media itself, to promote political
propaganda and restrict independent information about the party. Read more from Human Rights Watch
City of Harare’s
Finance Director resigns amid reports of rampant corruption
The City of Harare’s Finance Director, Cosmos Zvikaramba, has tendered his
resignation amid reports of his involvement in shoddy and corrupt deals during
his tenure of office. Zvikaramba, who was infamous for taking directives from
Minister Chombo instead of being accountable to his superiors at Town House,
resigned after having taken official leave for three months. Sources within
Council have revealed that Zvikaramba cited that he was no longer wanted in
Council as his reason for resigning. It has been revealed that Zvikaramba was
not happy with the re-appointment of the City Treasurer, Mr. Mubvumbi. And felt
that he was no longer of any use as most of his duties were now being done by
Mubvumbi. However, Councilors who spoke to CHRA said that Zvikaramba had
resigned because he was afraid that his corrupt activities would be exposed,
especially after the release of the land audit report. There are allegations
that the former Finance Director appended his signature for the unprocedural
release of money from Council coffers for unclear purposes. The Councilors also
revealed that Zvikaramba was implicated in the cattle scandal of 2008 where
more than 150 Council cattle went missing. One of the Councilors actually
admitted that Council had made a resolution to fire him a long time ago but
Minister Chombo had insisted that he stays. Read more from the Combined Harare Residents
Association (CHRA)
- Women beaten as violence spreads
to grassroots communities - ZimRights - Read more
- Ongoing disruption and eviction of
Zim commercial farmers - Commercial Farmers' Union of Zimbabwe - Read more
Circus in Constitution
making continues
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is not surprised by the demands of huge perks
by members of parliament at the political parties led constitutional process is
set to get underway. The squabbling is an embarrassment to the people of
Zimbabwe who elected these members of parliament. What is sickening is that
these people are not concerned with the process but are concerned with lining
their pockets. And to make matters worse, we have one MP saying they deserve
the money because they will be working away from their cities in places where
there are no air conditioners and all. He goes on even to propose that the
Parliament will approve supplementary budget if need be to finance MP’s greedy
tendencies. We wonder on which planet these people live, they are detached to
the needs of the ordinary people. This is disheartening as it comes just when
we are getting reports that more than 110 000 0’ level students failed to
register for the November exams. But we have an MP suggesting a supplementary
budget for the MPs self needs when we have this catastrophic crisis within the
education sector. Read more from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
(ZCTU)
National healing in
Zimbabwe: Herding sheep with wolves
The recent disruption of a
conference organized by the Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation by
ZANU PF youth militias and self proclaimed liberation war veterans in Harare on
Saturday 22 May is a clear indicator of the dark cloud of political
polarization and intolerance characterizing the Zimbabwean political terrain.
The national healing, reconciliation and integration programme which came as a
result of Article 7 of the Global Political Agreement signed between ZANU PF
and the opposition MDC is yet to make any meaningful progress or impact on the
ordinary Zimbabweans. The national healing process despite being led by three
senior members of each of the three political parties in the GPA has
frantically failed to achieve its intended objectives of reconciling the
polarized communities and fostering cohesion and tolerance amongst people with
different political and ideological orientations. This recent outbreak of
violence at such a high level decision making conference should be strongly
condemned in the strongest terms possible and should also be treated as a
serious warning to the Zimbabwean political leadership over the implications of
a snail pace reconciliation programme crafted by three political elites whose
implementation plan is totally disconnected from the people who have been the
victims of three decades of genocide, misrule and political conflict. It is sad
to note that ZANU PF through its Harare provincial leadership continues to
abuse youths within their party structures to be agents of intolerance through
their traditional busing and disruption of national events such as the
Constitution All Stakeholders Conference and the National Healing Indaba. Read more from the Youth Agenda Trust
-
Yes, we let you down Priscilla Misihairanbwi-Mushonga - WiPSU - Read more
- Padare/Enkundleni mobilizing men in support of women’s issues in the
constitution - Padare - Read more
No hope yet for the homeless
In Hopley Farm, a resettlement camp about 10km south of Zimbabwe's capital,
Harare, Simon Dhewa's chicken coup has been converted into a bedroom for his
three daughters, the eldest of which also uses it as a venue for her commercial
sex activities. The 20-year-old is the sole bread winner for her 45-year-old
widowed father, her two sisters and two brothers. The residents of Hopley Farm
have nicknamed her "chicken". Her predicament can be traced back to
2005, when President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government launched Operation
Murambatsvina (Drive out Filth), and the family dwelling, along with her
father's shoe repair business, was among the tens of thousands of urban
structures that were demolished. "I never imagined I would get into
prostitution, and I never thought I would come to an extent whereby I would
expose my sisters [aged 15 and 17] to this kind of life, but circumstances have
forced me into this and I am now used to it," she told IRIN. "My
younger sisters dropped out of school because Father could not afford the fees,
and even though I wish the best in life for them, they might end up as sex
workers like me so as to survive," she said. Dhewa is aware of his
daughter's sex work but told IRIN: "What can I do about it? I am not
employed and she buys food for me. This is the kind of situation the government
has put us into, and it is sad that there is nothing our political leaders are
doing to give us decent accommodation." Read more from IRIN News
Funding . . .
Grants: Investigative Journalists in Africa
Deadline: 31 July 2010
The Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) is offering grants to
investigative journalists in Africa to further their research on investigative
pieces. Submissions must be received by July 31. Two grants are available worth
US$3,713 each. Eight grants worth US$618 each are intended to fund
investigative stories that would not otherwise be published. All investigative
journalists based or operating in Africa may apply. Applications must include a
general summary in English, Portuguese or French that will be used to create a
shortlist of 20 applicants. Find out more
Opportunities . . .
Do you want to become
an Inspirator?
What is an Inspirator?
MS ActionAid Denmark is right now launching a new personnel category called
Inspirators. Inspirators are cross-national placement of development
practitioners with significant hands on experience from development work in
developing or newly industrialised countries. We are therefore looking for
dedicated individuals, who would like to spend 3 to 9 months together with one
of our many partner organisations in Africa, Asia, Central America and the
Middle East.
Inspirators are volunteer placements. This means that you will not receive a
formal salary, but you will have your travel expenses and accommodation
covered. You will also receive a living allowance to cover your costs of living
while abroad and 350€ to cover some of the expenses you may have in your home
country while abroad. Please, be aware that all allowances and subsidies are
subject to local tax!
Why become and Inspirator?
Inspirator placements offer an excellent opportunity to learn and to share
experiences across national borders and cultures with likeminded organisations.
It is a chance to get international work experience and not least to grow as a
human being.
Requirements
The overall requirements to become an Inspirator are:
* At least 5 years of paid or voluntary work experience
* At least 3 years of paid or voluntary work experience within a specific
subject area
* Paid or voluntary work experience from developing or newly industrialised
countries
* Voluntary work experience
* Strong sense of solidarity and volunteerism
* Facilitation and motivational skills
* Ability to transfer knowledge
* Personal drive and motivation to become an Inspirator
Who can apply
We are currently receiving applications from residents in the following
countries only:
Africa: Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, South
Africa
Asia: Nepal, Pakistan, India
Middle East: Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Occupied Palestine Territory
Central America: Guatemala, el Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico
Europe: Denmark
Current Inspirator placements:
We get requests for Inspirator placements on a regular basis. Right now we are
looking for Inspirators who are able to build the capacity of partner
organisation within the following areas:
* Web development/Internet based mapping systems
* Development of communication materials
* Development of communication systems and strategies
* Development of monitoring & evaluation systems
* Documentation on human rights and governance issues
* Data analysis and documentation in relation to land rights
* Strengthening advocacy skills of women farmers
* Resource mobilisation
* Support documentation & facilitation on gender & youth empowerment
* Support for establishing election monitoring systems
How to apply
Inspirators are selected from a database called the Inspirator Roster.
Therefore, the first step to become an Inspirator is to register in the
Inspirator Roster. If you are accepted to be listed in the Inspirator Roster,
your profile will be available, whenever HR personnel are searching for
potential Inspirator candidates. If you want to apply, please register
online here
Questions can be forwarded to Inspirator@ms.dk
Please allow a week for any response.
Competitions . . .
CIPE International
Essay Competition
Deadline: 28 June 2010
The Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)'s essay contest on the
theme Engaging Youth in Reform, gives young people (18 - 30 years old) the
opportunity to share ideas on three topics.
They are:
1. Democracy that delivers
2. Entrepreneurship and society
3. Women and participation
In each category, a first, second, and third place winner will be chosen by a
panel of CIPE staff and international partners. Nine US$1 000 honoraria will be
given to the top three essays on each topic. The three winning essays from each
category will be published by CIPE.
Guidelines:
* All essays must be written in English.
* All essays must be original and unpublished.
* Word count: 2 000 – 3 000
* Since English may not be a participant's first language, spelling and grammar
mistakes will not affect judging as long as ideas and thoughts are clearly laid
out.
Find out more
Youth Producing Change Film
Deadline: 15 January 2011
Human Rights Watch (HRW) International Film Festival and Adobe Youth Voices is
calling for short (15 minutes and under) film, video, and animated works made
by youth (ages 19 and younger) that focus on human rights and social issues.
The short film, video and animated works should focus on:
* Equality
* Civil rights
* Children's rights
* Women's rights
* International justice
* HIV/AIDS
* Environment
* Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender rights, health
* War and conflict
* Freedom of expression
* Counter-terrorism
* Gender
* Refugees
* Immigration
* Economic
* Social
* Cultural rights and more
DVD (preferred) or VHS formats are eligible. Entries using NTSC or PAL are
accepted, but not Mini DVD format. All music and other rights must be cleared
for non-exclusive educational, online, broadcast, and theatrical distribution.
Please check out The Centre for Social Media’s Copyright & Fair Use
guidelines for more information on copyright.
Find out more
World Young Reader
Prizes
Deadline: 2 July 2010
The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) invites entries for the World Young
Reader Prizes. This competition awards newspapers that have devised innovative
projects or activities for young readers (under age 25).
Projects submitted to the Young World Leader Prize may be in one of six
categories:
1. Editorial: A newspaper content strategy
2. Making the News: Activity that gives young people the chance to experience
professional newspaper practice
3. Newspapers in Education (NIE): Use of the newspaper as a teaching tool;
4. Public Service: Public service project in areas such as press freedom,
literacy, youth civic involvement, etc.; and
5. Brand: Other projects that improve a newspaper brand's relationship with
youth; and
6. Special Prize - Enduring Excellence: Newspaper projects more than two years
old that continue to help both the young and the newspaper itself.
The jury will take into consideration the contribution the programme has made
to the newspaper business. This could be in terms of revenue generation,
circulation, readership growth, or brand awareness.
Each winner will receive €1 000.
Entries must be based on a single project or a series of related activities
conducted in the 24 months before the entry deadline. Each participant must
send in send in a PowerPoint presentation, limited to no more than 15 megabytes
on a CD or five megabytes via email, of their project in English. Find out more
Awards . . .
Call for entries to:
Sol Plaatje Institute and Gender Links Progressive leadership and institutional
practice HIV and AIDS, Gender and Media Awards 2010
Deadline: 16 July 2010
Gender Links, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Gender and Media
Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network and the Sol Plaatje Institute (SPI) are pleased
to announce a range of awards for gender aware reporting as well as progressive
leadership and institutional practice on HIV and AIDS and gender in the media.
Awards will be adjudicated and held at country level from August to September
before the final regional awards as part of the fourth Gender and Media Summit
from 13-15 October 2010. For more information on the awards please contact
Thabane Mpofu on mediaprog@genderlinks.org.za - phone +27 (0) 11 622
2877 go to www.genderlinks.org.za
where online application forms and country contact points across the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) are listed. Late applications will not be
considered.
Resources . . .
IFEX: The global
network for free expression
The IFEX web site has a valuable resource section. Below is a sample of what's
on offer. Find out more
Developing a Campaign Strategy
Learn how to develop a strategic framework for campaigning, develop smart
objectives, and monitor and evaluate your campaigns.
E-Advocacy
Various e-advocacy tools are featured in this section, including blogging,
social networking sites, Twitter, multimedia and video-sharing through YouTube,
as well as tips on using e-mail and listservs to build subscribers and
followers.
Harnessing Celebrity Support
Celebrity sells. A celebrity endorsement of your campaign can make a real
difference in terms of media coverage, public awareness and pressure on the
relevant organisations. Celebrities set an example that people can follow and
can add unique value to your organisation.
Harnessing Legal Expertise
Having legal experts involved can be vitally important when new government
legislation impacting on freedom of expression is proposed and requires
comment, or when your organisation campaigns to promote new legislation.
Evaluations . . .
Save the Children UK:
Programme Evaluation on Child Protection
Deadline: 26 June 2010 (12noon)
In order to respond to the increasing needs of the children migrating from
Zimbabwe and other countries to South Africa, Save the Children UK in South
Africa has implemented a number of interventions since 2008 funded by DFID
(Department for International Development), UNICEF, ELMA Foundation and other
donors.
Several of the planned interventions have come to their conclusion.
Save the Children UK is calling interested evaluators, evaluation
organisations, technical experts in child protection, prevention, policy
implementation and other interested entities to submit evaluation proposals
which include the following information:
* Your interest (1/2 page): highlighting why you/your organization is
interested in conducting this evaluation;
* Proposal of the evaluation (4-5 pages): explanation, plan, methodology of how
you will conduct the evaluation to ensure that all evaluation questions are
responded;
* Evaluation workplan (2 pages): explain your plan of action;
* Budget required (2 pages): amount of the funds you will require to implement
the evaluation. Clarify your expenses by line item (include salaries,
operational and logistical costs);
* Budget narrative: (1 page): explain how the funds will be spent;
* Evidence of existing capacity: please prove that you have the capacity to
implement the following evaluation.
Local research institutions are highly recommended to submit their proposals.
The desired consultant/consulting institution will have the following
capacities:
* Proven competency in managing evaluations;
* Proven technical expertise in child protection, migration and related fields;
* Sufficient experience in project management;
* Proven writing experience;
* Desired experience in emergencies;
* Strong understanding of the context in Musina and South Africa.
Starting date: 28 June 2010, with the final report to be completed by 14 of
August 2010.
The evaluation should be budgeted in the range of R280 000 - R320 000,
including consultancy charges and logistical costs (drive, per diem, lodging,
etc).
Full terms of reference can be obtained from tenders@savethechildren.org.za
Consultancy . . .
Expressions of
interest for ZIMCODD study: Understanding the role of the financial sector in
Zimbabwe, central banking and its social impacts
Deadline: 25 June 2010
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) seeks the services of
a qualified and experienced researcher with demonstrated prior capacity to carry
out a study of the role of the country’s financial sector, central banking and
its social and economic impacts. The outputs of this study will add to the body
of knowledge being generated by ZIMCODD and its partners on economic
governance, financial inclusion, and evidence that the Coalition uses for its
economic literacy and advocacy programmes.
Objectives of the study
Find
out more
Vacancies . . .
Malaria Program Manager: PSI Zimbabwe
Deadline: 25 June 2010
PSI Zimbabwe is a leading global health organization with programs targeting
HIV and reproductive health, malaria and child survival. Working in partnership
within the public and private sectors, and harnessing the power of the markets,
PSI provides life-saving products, clinical services and behavior change
communications that empower the world's most vulnerable populations to lead
healthier lives
An opportunity has arisen for a smart, vibrant, and dynamic, hands-on
individual to fill in the position of Malaria Program Manager (MPM). Reporting
to the Maternal and Child Health Director, the MPM will be responsible for
implementing malaria control and behavior change communication activities
across the country, in line with the national malaria control strategy. The MPM
will also be responsible for ensuring implementation of Global Fund and UNICEF
projects among other projects. The PSI/Z malaria program includes countrywide
distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs), development and
promotion of LLINs, Artemisinin-Combination Therapy (ACT), Indoor Residual
Spraying (IRS) and Malaria in Pregnancy (MiP) behavior change
communications. This full-time position is based in Harare, Zimbabwe for
a period of 12
months.
.
Duties and responsibilities
- Implement and manage the PSI malaria control and behavior
change activities
- Manage distribution and promote use of Long Lasting
Insecticidal Nets (LLINs)
- Develop integrated mass media and inter-personal
communications campaigns for all malaria service delivery areas (LLINs, IRS,
MiP, CM)
- Analyze and incorporate research evidence into malaria
programming
- Supervise malaria program staff, including distribution and
communications officers
- · Represent PSI/ Z and ensure strong relations at district and national
levels with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, other government
authorities, partner agencies, stakeholders, communities and donors
- Prepare regular internal donor and stakeholder program
reports
- Monitor grants expenditures on a regular basis, assisting
the Finance Department in the preparation of financial reports
- Assist in developing and writing proposals
- Any other duties required
Qualifications, Experience & Skills
- Degree in Health/ MBCHB/ Communications/ Business
Management
- Masters in Public Health or Business Administration or
requisite experience and exposure an added advantage
- At least 2 years practical experience in malaria control or
behavior change communications programs
- Good understanding of quantitative research with excellent
quantitative analysis and computer skills
- Knowledge of the National Malaria Strategic Plan
- Thorough understanding of the Global Fund grant mechanism
- Highly articulate with strong written and verbal
communications skills
- Assertive, hands on and field oriented
- Ability to work under a high pressure environment
- Valid driver's license with at least two years driving
experience
Application letters together with detailed CV's should be sent to: recruitment@psi-zim.co.zw
or submitted to:
Director Human Resources & Administration
Population Services International
Block E, Emerald Office Park
30 The Chase West
Emerald Hill
HARARE
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Monitoring And Evaluation Officer: United Nations Development Fund for Women
(UNIFEM)
Deadline: 2 July 2010 (12noon)
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is a women’s fund at the
United Nations that provides financial and technical assistance to innovative
programmes and strategies that promote women’s human rights, political
participation and economic security. UNIFEM Project Office Zimbabwe promotes
gender equality and women’s empowerment, as a crucial contribution to
sustainable development in Zimbabwe, through advocacy campaigns, technical and
financial assistance to programmes and projects, dissemination of catalytic
information to the sector and coordination of the sector’s activities. The Gender
Support Programme (GSP) funded by EC, DFID and the Royal Danish Embassy
together with gender and women’s empowerment actors seek to ensure that the
gender and women’s empowerment sector in Zimbabwe works around clear strategic
plans in priority areas as a way of maintaining momentum for greater
coordination and cooperation within the sector generated by the Gender Scoping
Study. UNIFEM Project Office Zimbabwe will engage the services of a Monitoring
and Evaluation Officer. Under the guidance and supervision of the Country
Director, the Evaluation Officer contributes to the effective implementation of
the evaluation policy, ensures that all monitoring and evaluation requirements
for the Gender Support Programme and projects are met, and participates in the
conduct of thematic and crosscutting evaluations. The Programme Officer works
in close collaboration with the Management, Programme and Operations Teams in
the CO, UNIFEM Evaluation Office staff and GSP Steering Committee to ensure
that thematic, programme and project evaluations are carried out according to
schedules and that findings and recommendations are implemented and followed
up. Find out more
Learning Advisor: Plan
International
Deadline: 5 July 2010
Plan is an international humanitarian, child centred community development
organisation dedicated to working with and for children in need in developing
countries including Zimbabwe. Plan offers equal opportunity employment to
suitably qualified applicants for vacant positions within the
organisation. The Zimbabwe program is seeking services of a
suitably qualified candidate to fill the following vacant position on a
renewable 2-year Fixed Term Contract basis.
Job Purpose Provides technical guidance, leadership and facilitation in the
design, implementation, supervision and evaluation of Plan's learning programs
in Zimbabwe.
Entry Qualifications and Experience
- A bachelors and/or masters degree in Education, preferably
in primary and/or non-formal education methods.
- At least 5 years experience in innovative curriculum
delivery approaches and/or basic education strategic planning will be an added
advantage.
- At least 3 years experience working in child centred
development programs.
- Demonstrable experience in project proposal writing,
project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Demonstrable ability to network with key community
development stakeholders.
- Ability to train staff on learning related issues.
Additional Attributes:
- Good team worker/leader and very innovative and initiative.
- Must have empathy for and ability to work with children.
- Ability to develop learning program policies as well as
facilitate application of the same.
- Ability to coordinate a holistic integrated children's
learning program.
- Gender sensitive, computer literate, good writing skills.
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit a
motivational letter and comprehensive CV to: zwe.recruitment@plan-international.org
Reference & background checks will be performed for successful candidates
including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan's Child
Protection Policy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Executive director:
Christian Child Welfare Organisation
Deadline: 14 July 2010
Minimum Qualifications: Masters Degree or equivalent experience, preferably in
the field of Social Sciences or Management.
A vacancy has arisen with a Christian Child Welfare organisation for an
executive director. The suitable candidate must be a mature Christian who loves
children. The key role of the incumbent would be to direct and manage all
resources of the foundation to achieve on vision and mission. To design, pilot
and assess the effectiveness of processes and systems of organisational
learning and innovation.
Key Result Areas:
- Develop, implement, monitor and review a three year
Strategic Plan for the Foundation
- Develop, implement, monitor and review an annual
Operation/Output Plan for the Foundation
- Develop quarterly plans
- Achieve growth and sustainability of the Foundation
- Implement Board and Committee resolutions without delays
and report challenges encountered without delay
- Formulate, implement, monitor and review efficient
organisational management practices and systems
- Organise and facilitate the annual stakeholders' workshop
- Ensure compliance and conformance with statutory and
recognised Corporate Governance principles
- Develop clear supervisory systems, with proper job
descriptions, control & accountability
Client Perspective
1. Direct the management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the
Foundation's programmes. a) Child mentorship b) Revenue generation c) Property
Management
2. Develop participatory child cantered programmes that engage children as key
stack holders
3. Efficiently & effectively manage the Foundation's programmes
4. Represent the organisation in all fora and establish vibrant strategic
alliances and linkages
Financial Perspective
1. Mobilise resources to adequately fund the Foundation's programmes as per
strategic plan
2. Effectively manage finances to sustain activities of the Foundation.
Learning & Growth Perspective
1. Develop positive leadership, with clear vision, mission and strategies
2. Formulate, implement, monitor and review Human Resources policies that help
attract, retain and motivate suitable employees
3. Continuously assess and upgrade information systems capabilities
Suitable candidates please send CV's to exdir@hotmail.com
Women’s Rights
Officer: The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA)
Deadline: 15 July 2010
The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is a leading African
advocacy institution committed to promoting vibrant and tolerant societies, and
to advancing and deepening democracy across the region. With a primary focus on
governance, transparency and accountability, democratic processes, and the
protection and promotion of human rights, the organization has established a
wide footprint across the countries in which it works. With a staff of over 50
employees, and a mandate that includes operating in ten countries in the
region, including four that are in crisis and/or transition from conflict,
OSISA requires individuals at the management level who are able to operate in a
fast-paced environment, demonstrating superior technical and leadership skills
and the ability to multi-task.
Description of the Position
OSISA is in the process of setting up a new Trust that will have a strong focus
on women’s leadership, and on children’s rights and will pay particular
attention to how democracy and good governance affect these issues. To that
end, OSISA is seeking an experienced Women’s Rights Programme Officer for the
Trust. Key responsibilities:
- Support the Trust in the development of and its involvement
with the microbicides international advocacy network and become familiar with
issues and research surrounding reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and microbicides;
- Support the Trust’s regional and international work on
women’s rights, including maternal health in Africa, the development of African
women’s advocacy and social change networks on programmes related to ending
gender violence and other related social and humanitarian issues;
- Facilitate development and maintenance of networks and
databases to support the work on African women’s leadership and the
international advocacy work with women leaders on microbicides;
- Facilitate synergy between the Trust’s different areas of
work related to women’s rights;
- Provide written and oral briefings, speeches, op-eds and
other materials as required;
- Liaise with relevant national, regional and international
civil society organisations, governments and international bodies as necessary
and relevant to the Trust’s work on Women’s Rights;
- Assist in the development of an action plan to guide the
Trust’s involvement in action aimed at the economic and political empowerment
of African women
Requirements
- A minimum of a Masters degree in the social sciences, with
a strong preference for Political Science, Economics or Law degrees;
- A good understanding of the multilateral environment and
international organizations in general;
- A strong experience in women’s rights is highly desirable;
- A good understanding of development and humanitarian issues
in Africa including poverty eradication, education, health and women’s
empowerment strategies and policies;
- Ability to network and build partnerships with a range of
individuals and organizations in the same field of work;
- Strong communication skills, discretion and mental agility
are essential qualities;
- Strong writing abilities in English and capacity to produce
thorough briefs, press releases op-eds and speeches on a variety of issues;
- Understanding of Portuguese, French or Spanish, would
constitute an additional asset.
A competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience is applicable.
The job is offered on a two-year contract. Interested and qualified candidates
who match the above profile are invited to submit their detailed CV and a
letter of interest to: Prava Singh Human Resources Manager humanresources@osisa.org
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe and
The NGO Network Alliance Project
PO Box GD 376
Greendale
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-4-776008/746448
Fax: +263-4-746418
Email: admin@kubatana.net
Website: www.kubatana.net
Visit www.kubatana.net
Zimbabwe's civic and human rights web site incorporating an on line directory
for the non-profit sector
--
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Dear Madam
RE; Ms Letty Chiwara
appointed as Chief of Unifem’s Africa section in New York (the Zimbabwe
Situation newspaper, Batch 3, posted 14/05/2010)
Firstly I would like to
congratulate Ms Chiwara on her appointment as Chief of UNIFEM Africa section in
New York. Ms Chiwara is doing a good job in advocating for women recognition
and empowerment and deserves the position. I wish her well as she continues to
advocate and push for the advancement of women the world over.
However, I would like to
correct certain information about GWAPA that appeared in Ms Chiwara’s profile
in the Zimbabwean newspaper, Batch 3, posted 14/05/2010. In the article, the
acronym of GWAPA is reflected as Gweru Women Association for Change, the
correct one is Gweru Women AIDS Prevention Association. Ms Chiwara is said to have been instrumental
to the formation of GWAPA. This information is not true as GWAPA was established
in 1993 long before Letty joined UNIFEM.
I, Petty Govathson am the
founder of GWAPA. I spent 12 years as an HIV/AIDS project coordinator working
with women in commercial sex work. I spent a lot of my time in unfavorable places
like beer gardens, night clubs and brothels where sex workers solicited for
clients. I identified and mobilized these women to get involved in HIV/AIDS
awareness and prevention programs. To me, working with sex workers ceased to be
a job but became a passion to help women.
I was touched by the plight of women in sex work and their children that
I decided to form GWAPA. I had to commit some of my family resources i.e. car
for GWAPA activities. I spent most of my time with women in sex work in an attempt
to gain their trust. Working with
commercial sex workers put my reputation at stake as some members of the public
began to wonder whether or not I was involved in the trade.
I therefore find it not
only disheartening but disempowering as well to take away the efforts and hard
work of a grassroots woman who worked tirelessly for 12 years and give credit
to an international high profile person who was not involved in the formation
of the organization. I do acknowledge that Ms Chiwara has achieved a lot and I
commend her for that. However I do not believe anybody should be given credit
where it is not due.
UNIFEM is one of the
organizations that supported GWAPA. I am very grateful to UNIFEM for supporting
GWAPA in the following areas:
·
Producing a video documentary about GWAPA entitled Hupenyu Hwedu. ( our
lives ) The documentary gave GWAPA good publicity and made GWAPA women realize
that their work was acknowledged and appreciated.
·
Commemorating women’s day in Gweru which was hosted by GWAPA and
donating T shirts to GWAPA members.
·
Fencing GWAPA farm, rehabilitating an old farm borehole and providing
equipment for farming activities as well as donating three knitting machines.
While I am the founder of
GWAPA, the organization would never have been successful without the
cooperation from the women themselves, local organizations and individuals as
well as financial and material support from donors such as UNICEF, Gweru City
Council, University of Zimbabwe Psychology Department, Zimbabwe AIDS Network
,UNIFEM, USAID, Pact, Futures International, British High commission, American
embassy, John Snow International, Heifer Project International, Oxfam
Australia, World BANK, Group of African ambassadors, Republic of Czech
Government, to name but a few.
There are also individuals
who contributed to the success of GWAPA by supporting me emotionally and
psychologically as there were many times when I was I was confronted by painful
and stressful situations while working with the women.
I am grateful to Heifer
project International who recognized my efforts and hard work and invited me to
America for a Golden Talent award for spearheading the formation of GWAPA and
managing to help women with little resources. I documented all information
about GWAPA and I am in the process of writing a book on working with women
involved in prostitution. GWAPA is key to my profile as an individual and also
to some of the people who were instrumental in its formation. My plea is for
articles written about GWAPA to reflect the truth about the organization.
Having said all this, I am
grateful to Ms Chiwara for arranging an exchange visit for me to Malawi
Ministry of Gender where I spent three days discussing strategies and processes
of how Malawi could replicate a project similar to GWAPA.
If there are any queries
regarding this issue I can be contacted on, Tel
: 0044 2476265185 or
Mobile: 00447825419672
Petty Govathson
cc Sub Sahara Africa Regional Programme
Director.
cc The Editor, The Zimbabwean Newspaper
Ghana tops list of
less hungry countries - By contrast, in a small number of countries, such as
Nigeria and Zimbabwe, the proportion of the population living in extreme
poverty has risen.
Read the full report (12 pages) here http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/4908.pdf
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GLOBAL: Ghana tops list of less hungry countries
JOHANNESBURG, 22 June 2010 (IRIN) - Ghana, often hailed
as a success story in West African agriculture, tops a global list of 10
countries that have managed to slash their number of hungry people by a huge
margin.
The list is
included in the preliminary findings of a report card on the UN Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a
UK-based think-tank.
The eight MDGs
range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and
providing universal primary education by 2015. MDG 1 aims to eradicate poverty
and hunger.
The ODI
researchers showed progress towards the MDGs in absolute as well as relative
terms, said Liesbet Steer, a senior researcher at ODI who worked on the report.
The absolute
methodology records the progress of countries, while the relative measure
records progress towards achieving the MDG. Steer said the rationale behind the
use of two measures was illustrated by Ethiopia and Ghana.
Ethiopia features
in the ODI's list of top 10 countries that have made absolute progress, but not
in its list of countries that have made relative progress, which Ghana topped.
Ghana cut the
number of malnourished people - one of the indicators of MDG 1 - by 75 percent
between 1990 and 2004; it more than halved the number of undernourished people
from 34 percent to 9 percent in the same period.
Ethiopia, which
has struggled with food insecurity, also brought down its percentage of hungry
people quite significantly, from 71 percent in 1990 to 46 percent in 2004.
"Ethiopia has
made a significant reduction in the numbers of undernourished, but it has not
managed to halve the number as required by the MDGs," said Steer.
Overall, the
strongest relative progress in reducing the number of hungry was made in
Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS), previously the Soviet Union.
In September 2010
the ODI will release detailed findings on what the countries have been doing
right to bring down their numbers of hungry.
The analysis -
released ahead of a meeting of the G-8 and G-20 countries, which begins in
Canada on 23 June - also focused on progress towards reaching MDG 4 (reducing
child mortality) and MDG 5 (improving maternal health), which are on the
conference agenda.
Read the ODI's
preliminary findings at: http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/4908.pdf
jk/he[END]
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Subject: AFRICA: Straight talk with MSF medical coordinator Dr Eric Goemaere
AFRICA: Straight talk with MSF medical coordinator Dr
Eric Goemaere
JOHANNESBURG, 22 June 2010 (PLUSNEWS) - Dr Eric Goemaere
is the medical coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in South Africa.
His career in HIV and AIDS has spanned decades, moving from an era in which
antiretroviral (ARV) drugs were beyond the reach of most, to a time where millions
are living with HIV and on treatment. IRIN/PlusNews sat down with Goemaere to
ask him about the future of funding, drugs and the fight against HIV.
QUESTION: Has MSF
experienced cuts in international funding and, if so, how is this affecting its
programmes?
ANSWER:
Indirectly. In some of our programmes in Uganda and in Kenya we have seen
patients coming to us - and sometimes from far away - and saying,
'Where I used to
get access to my drugs, I've been told, No'. By default, they come to an MSF
programme where there are still treatment slots available.
For the moment
these numbers are limited, but in the future they might grow to the tens of
thousands, and that would definitely put a strain on the programme.
MSF is a very
small fish in the pond ... we choose to be privately funded and we are
extremely restricted in our funding. We are not in a position to absorb the
withdrawal of funding, and we do not want in any way to pretend [to do] so.
Q. Second- and
third-line drugs are out of reach to many living with HIV and TB; as HIV/AIDS
becomes increasingly less "exceptional", what is that likely to mean
in the development of these drugs?
A. MSF are
supporting patent pools ... to avoid going back to those battles we had in the
beginning of the 2000s against pharmaceutical companies. A patent pool is a
sort of win-win agreement where [pharmaceutical companies] give up their patent
to a pool; in exchange they get royalties for that, as part of a totally
negotiated agreement.
In the United
States, someone diagnosed HIV-positive at 20 years old has a life expectancy of
69 years. Why so? There are an almost unlimited number of regimens, or
different drugs that you can combine, to ensure that once resistance comes up
you have an alternative.
Here [in Africa],
we don't have that luxury - we have two bullets; two regimens - so we estimate
that we can offer [someone diagnosed with HIV] 10 years [or so] ... at this
stage.
Q. How serious is
the threat of drug resistance?
A. Drug resistance
is a problem, [but] this is a natural phenomenon and we will have to deal with
it, although I would say it has accelerated [because] people are not adherent.
Twenty percent, or
one-fifth, of our patients have drug resistance after one year, [which]
compares very favourably with some European cohorts. So it's not more of a
problem, but it is an alarming problem for the good reason that we need to
shift to second-line regimens, [which] ... are about five times more expensive
than first-line regimens - so [drug resistance] will increase cost.
Q. Why isn't
tuberculosis (TB) declining in South Africa?
A. The answer is
very simple: the TB epidemic is fuelled by the HIV epidemic. To tackle the TB
epidemic, you need to tackle the HIV epidemic ... 70 percent of TB patients are
HIV-positive, so they are co-infected.
In Khayelitsha
township [outside Cape Town], where I work, the TB incidence rate has reached
astronomical levels, with more than 6,000 new notifications per year - that is
more than the whole of the United Kingdom in one township - and this was
fuelled only by the high HIV prevalence.
The good news is
that when you get a good coverage with the ARVs, you immediately see the TB
notification rate going down, and that's what we've been seeing for the last
two years.
Q. What is the
single biggest obstacle to tackling HIV in southern Africa?
A. It's combined
factors, and the importance of these factors changes with time. In the
beginning the biggest obstacle was drug prices; we managed to tackle that
problem.
Then the problem
became about healthcare facilities, because HIV was treated mostly at central
level [large hospitals in urban centres, which] required lots of doctors, and
not many doctors were available. Slowly, surely, by increasing coverage we
managed to decentralise care to primary healthcare level [clinics].
Today,
unfortunately, the biggest problem might become funding. If not enough funding
is available we [will] go back in time ... back to centralised care, with
patients [coming for treatment when they are] sicker, and [case management]
becoming more complicated.
llg/kn/he[END]
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