Zimbabwe Vigil
Diary
The healing process in
Pastor Sibanda said the organ of national healing run by the coalition
government was dysfunctional and wasting everyone’s time. He said it should be
recognized that the diaspora were also victims of the regime and they should
raise the matter with the Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Thokozani Khupe of the MDC,
during her forthcoming visit to the
The service at the
Vigil supporters were well-represented at the Service and Pastor Sibanda
paid tribute to the Vigil for carrying on the struggle for so long. The Vigil
choir led by Sister Beverley Mutandiro was accompanied by exuberant dancing and
drumming. One observer said ‘The singing
was fabulous’. The service was followed by a procession to the Vigil with
posters proclaiming ‘26th June – International Day in Support of
Victims of Torture – United Nations’, ‘The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
supports Zimbabwe Victims of Torture’ and ‘The
Other points
·
The service was organised by the
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum who called on the Zimbabwean government to ratify the convention against torture. In
a statement they decried the culture of impunity.
·
A message was read from Geoffrey
Van Orden, MEP, a resolute champion of
·
The Vigil was assailed by an
English PR agent, Penny Hooper, of a company called Travel e-Sense. She is
promoting the Zimbabwean tourist industry and said she was appalled to see the
negative image that we were giving. We
pointed out that we were not against tourists going to
·
Passer-by Marie Henry (age 15)
disagreed with Ms Hooper. She wrote: ‘These people have every right to protest
against Mugabe. He is an evil man – he must be out of power!’
·
Our sympathies to our
·
Special thanks to Godfrey
Madzunga who was at the church early and was a tremendous help throughout the
day. Thanks also to Rashiwe Bayisayi and Patrick Nyamwanza who helped
manage the register and merchandise.
·
Vigil supporter Adrian Smale is
proposing to cycle from
·
We have been contacted by Yvonne
Marimo of the Zimbabwean Women’s Network who are involved in bringing Thokozani
Khupe to the
·
We were not surprised that the
start of the constitutional outreach was marred by violence – see: http://www.cathybuckle.com/june2010.shtml.
For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/.
For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check the link at the top of the home page
of our website. For earlier ZimVigil TV
programmes check: http://www.zbnnews.com/home/firingline.
FOR THE RECORD: 184 signed
the register.
EVENTS AND NOTICES:
· The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s
partner organisation based in
·
·
ROHR
· Another opportunity
to meet Philip Barclay, a diplomat stationed at the British Embassy in
· Discussion with Mark Canning, British Ambassador to
· ROHR
· ROHR
· ROHR
·
ROHR
· ROHR Hayes general meeting. Saturday
31st July from 1 – 5 pm. Venue:
· Vigil Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts
· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil
·
· Zimbabwe
Association’s Women’s Weekly Drop-in Centre. Fridays 10.30 am – 4 pm. Venue: The
Fire Station Community and ICT Centre,
· Strategic Internship for Zimbabweans organised by
Citizens for Sanctuary which is trying to secure work placements for qualified
Zimbabweans with refugee status or asylum seekers. For information: http://www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk/pages/Strategic.html
or contact: zimbabweinternship@cof.org.uk.
· For Motherland ENT’s videos of the Vigil on
Vigil
Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside
the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429
The Zimbabwe Guardian
Itai Mazire - TSM
Posted: Sunday, June 27, 2010 5:49 am
EIGHTY-SEVEN foreigners, most of them West Africans and Asians who were
involved in diverse business ventures, have been deported from Zimbabwe over
the past five months for violating the country's immigration laws.
The illegal immigrants were from 14 countries with the bulk of them being
Chinese and Nigerian nationals.
Investigations showed that some of the affected immigrants had entered into
marriages of convenience with Zimbabwean nationals while others were involved
in illicit deals that included human trafficking.
The majority of the deported immigrants were operating small businesses in
Harare.
Their illegal stay in the country came to an end after they were rounded up in
a routine joint operation carried out by the Department of Immigration and
police.
Investigations by immigration officials showed a worrying increase in cases of
human trafficking involving syndicates run by immigrants.
Three self-styled traditional healers from Tanzania and Kenya were also among
those deported for violating the Immigration Act.
The head of the investigations, assistant regional immigration officer Evans
Siziba, confirmed the deportation of foreigners, saying the exercise was
ongoing.
“We have deported foreigners from Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya, China, Pakistan,
Mali, Ethiopia, Britain, Zambia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea,
Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“One of these 87, a Briton, had come into the country on the pretence of being
a tourist on holiday and extended his stay, which is a violation of the
Immigration Act,” said Mr Siziba.
Mr Siziba revealed that since the beginning of the 2010 World Cup soccer
tournament in South Africa, there had been an increase in the number of
foreigners entering the country illegally.
“There has been an influx of foreigners entering the country illegally since
the World Cup kicked off on June 11.
“Some of these people are coming into the country on the pretext that they are
seeking refugee status. When we allow them in, the foreigners abscond and begin
residing in the country illegally,” said Mr Siziba.
Over the past year, the country has received more than 5 000 refugees seeking
asylum with most of them later disappearing.
A fortnight ago, a Kenyan national believed to be a ringleader of a human
trafficking syndicate was arrested while trying to facilitate the movement of
12 Somalis to South Africa. Immigration officials in Kariba intercepted the
group of Somalis after they entered the country illegally.
Mr Siziba said efforts to rid the country of illegal immigrants were
continuing, adding that authorities were tightly monitoring the situation at
all ports of entry.
Last week, Beitbridge police nabbed a suspected Pakistani terrorist, Imran
Muhammad (33), and his compatriot, Chaudry Parvez Ahmed (39), as they tried to
enter South Africa using what immigration officials believed to be fake
passports.
It is understood that Muhammad and Ahmed flew from Saudi Arabia to Tanzania,
where they fraudulently acquired Kenyan passports before connecting to Zimbabwe
by road.
Late last year, 30 foreigners who had come to Zimbabwe to join the diamond rush
at Chiadzwa in Manicaland, were deported by immigration authorities.
www.zimdiaspora.com
SUNDAY, 27 JUNE 2010 20:30 EDITOR
The draft bill allows for debt relief and debt cancellation. At
the same time it would maintain targeted measures against listed ZANU (PF)
leaders, and support efforts to stop the trade in blood diamonds from Zimbabwe.
The draft Bill, the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010, reflects
strenuous debate in both the Democratic and Republican parties and determined
efforts by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Finance Minister Tendai Biti.
The draft Bill reflects new thinking that the global political
agreement and transitional government are positive moves, while noting the
determined efforts of “some members of Zanu (PF)” to undermine and obstruct it.
The bill notes ongoing political violence against the democratic
movement, at least three million refugees in South Africa, unemployment at 90
per cent, the high drop-out rate of youth from education, and that about 29,000
youths are engaged in violent Zanu (PF) militias.
The draft Bill pointedly notes the acquittal from a treason
charge of MDC Treasurer Roy Bennett and the Attorney-General’s decision to
appeal on May 12, and that the US national Democratic Institute awarded its
Democracy Award to Morgan Tsvangirai that month.
Based on this new assessment, the draft Bill would shift
government policy to “support a transition to democratic and economic recovery
in Zimbabwe that reflects the new political conditions and opportunities
created by the global political agreement”.
It calls for the full implementation of the GPA and the
unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience,
and commits to help end human rights abuses and violence against civilians by
the security forces of Zimbabwe and hold those engaged in those abuses
accountable.
It maintains the targeted measures against individuals who
continue to undermine the democratic processes, and will review sanctions to
reflect changing conditions on the ground.
The US would press for full compliance with the Kimberley
Process diamond certification scheme.
The draft Bill would also “support credible efforts to conduct a
comprehensive, transparent, and non-partisan land audit as a critical.
greatindaba
The Zimbabwean Guardian
Posted: Sunday, June 27, 2010
5:44 pm
A DIAMOND mining expert from the De
Beers diamond mining family has made a rae admission that Zimbabwe's gems are
not "blood diamonds".
This is despite attempts by the Kimberley Process "watchdog" to
declare Zimbabwe's precious gems as such. Out of the 75 members of that group,
only Australia, US, Canada and the EU, have blocked Zimbabwe's certification
citing alleged and unproved claims that there are human rights violation in the
country's diamond rich Marange fields.
"Right now in Zimbabwe, ... there is no overt conflict," Jonathan
Oppenheimer, De Beers Group executive director, said at a Fortune|Time|CNN
Global Forum being held this weekend in Cape Town, South Africa. He added that
Zimbabwe has "a legitimate government".
Mr
Oppenheimer said the Kimeberley Process is in a difficult position as it is
trying to block the certification of a country that does not have blood
diamonds.
"And
so the Kimberley Process itself is in a very difficult position," he said.
"It feels like it needs to act. The community wants it to act. We've seen
a dialogue within the Kimberley Process system that is looking at ways to
act."
The
issue deadlocked a Kimberley meeting in Israel last week as western countries,
who have imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, wish to tarnish the image of
the country.
Talks are due to resume July 14-15 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The talks will
only involve a specialist group of the Kimberley Process.
Zimbabwe
diamonds do not fit the definition of "blood diamonds", that is,
rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate
governments.
DeBeers Looted Zim Diamonds
Earlier this year, President Mugabe has accussed DeBeers of looting Zimbabwe
diamonds in the Marange district.
"(DeBeers) managed to hide from us information regarding the Chiadzwa
diamonds for more than 15 years," said the president.
“DeBeers was telling us that they were just testing to evaluate whether they
were diamonds or not, ivo vachitokumba madiamonds edu kuenda nawo kuSouth
Africa (whilst looting those diamonds and taken them to South Africa).
"When we discovered what was happening, DeBeers ran away and ACR inherited
the claims."
President Mugabe added that the sale of the precious gems will turnaround
Zimbabwe's economy, and the proceeds from the sales of diamonds would be
channeled into the mainstream economy to help improve the people's standard of
living.
Radio VOP
27/06/2010 13:55:00
Harare,
June 27, 2010 – Zimbabwe should consider using the South African rand as its
main currency as this will reduce trading costs and support regional
integration, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.
In a
report released by the Bretton Woods institution’s Africa department, Zimbabwe
stand to benefit by joining the rand Common Market Area (CMA) in the region
which includes South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia.
“If Zimbabwe
joined the South African Customs Union (SACU), a hard peg to the rand would
reinforce economic integration with South Africa and the countries whose
currencies are pegged to the rand in part owing to the absence of exchange rate
fluctuations. This, in turn, would contribute to lower real effective exchange
rate volatility,” the IMF said in a report titled Zimbabwe: Challenges and
Policy Options after Hyperinflation.
“Because
of the significance of South Africa, a hard peg to the rand would reduce trading
costs and support further trade integration between the two countries.”
“Zimbabwe
and South Africa can potentially agree on sharing seigniorage similarly to the
existing arrangements of South Africa with Lesotho and Namibia in context of
Common Monetary Area (CMA).The ensuing political backing of South Africa would
strengthen the credibility of the new monetary regime in Zimbabwe,” the IMF
said.
The IMF
said since Zimbabwe is the dominant trading partner with South Africa as
opposed to the United States using the rand will provide ‘more appropriate
small denominations’ lower than the US dollar. The Fund added that the
country’s proximity to South Africa will help Zimbabwe access the South African
capital and markets.
“South
Africa is Zimbabwe’s dominant trading partner. About 40 percent of Zimbabwe’s
imports originate from South Africa and 25 percent of Zimbabwe exports are
delivered to South Africa. Zimbabwe’s trade with the United States is only a
small share of total imports and exports,” the IMF said.
“The
rand would also offer more appropriate small denominations, and banknote and
coin handling costs will be lower than with the US dollar. Institutions in the
public and private sector CMA member countries, subject to relevant financial
laws and policies applicable to counterparts in South Africa, have the right of
access to the South African capital and markets.”
Zimbabwe
adopted using multiple currencies in the economy early 2009 following the
off-loading of the local dollar after years of hyper-inflation. The country now
uses mainly the US dollar in its transactions while the rand is mainly used in
the Matebeleland region close to South Africa.
The
Australian
·
Malcolm Conn
·
June 28, 2010
JOHN Howard is so unpopular in African cricket circles that South
African officials refused to meet him last week to discuss the former prime
minister's nomination as president elect of the International Cricket Council.
This trenchant opposition has left Howard's chances of becoming
the next ICC vice-president on a "knife edge" according to one
official.
What should have been a routine appointment months ago following
his joint nomination by Australia and New Zealand will now be decided at an ICC
executive board meeting in Singapore tomorrow and Wednesday.
Howard stopped in South Africa on the way to meeting Zimbabwe
Cricket officials in Harare last week, wishing the Socceroos all the best and
attempting to catch up with Cricket South Africa's hierarchy.
Much to the amazement of some cricket officials and chagrin of
others, Howard was snubbed, reinforcing SA's opposition as a proxy for Zimbabwe.
Outgoing ICC president David Morgan is continuing to lobby India
in particular in the hope that an already embarrassing stand-off will not
become a full-scale schism which would destroy the ICC's administrative
process.
A guarded Morgan continued his unequivocal support of Howard last
night.
"I believe he is an excellent candidate," Morgan told
The Australian from Singapore.
"He has the right experience and attributes to do an
excellent job and thus far I've not heard any good reason from anybody as to
why he should not be the next vice-president of the ICC."
Morgan declined to discuss any details of Howard's support levels
but The Australian understands there has been no improvement from last week,
when only five of the 10 so-called Test-playing countries were prepared to vote
for him.
At least seven votes are required to become vice-president for a
two-year term, which is automatically followed by a two-year term as president.
Zimbabwe's strong private anti-Howard stance, even after last
week's meeting with ZC officials, is in stark contrast to the public utterances
of its chief executive Ozias Bvute.
"A section of the international media has erroneously created
the impression that we have been at the forefront of a motion to block Mr
Howard's nomination," Bvute told Zimbabwe media.
"This is not only maliciously incorrect but also ignores the
fact that our structures dictate that such a decision can only be taken by the
ZC board which is in fact still to meet and state a position on the
matter."
Bvute also claimed that past tensions are unlikely to influence
Zimbabwe's final decision.
Despite ZC's strong backroom opposition to Howard, who has been a
long-time critic of brutal president Robert Mugabe's regime, Zimbabwe sports
minister David Coltart claims that ZC officials keep telling him they are not
opposing Howard. Coltart has no direct links
with ZC.
The Zimbabwe Guardian
By: Mukanya Makwira
Posted: Monday, June 28, 2010 12:05 am
THE
separation of politics and sport is an issue held in sanctity by the majority
of sports federations the world over.
Fifa, the
world soccer governing body, even discourages any displays, adverts, messages
or material with political undertones. The reason for this is because of the
unifying power of sport.
It is
desperation, however, that drives a man to look for help from a wounded lion’s
den. Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard sneaked into the country last
week to solicit support from Zimbabwe Cricket.
Yes, John
Howard was here, in the very country he said was politically unstable that his
country’s cricketers could not come to, to solicit the country’s support in his
bid to land the post of president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Zimbabwe
Cricket has over the last decade endured a tumultuous period at the hands of
some Western countries, who decided to cross the sport Rubicon and muddied the
good game of cricket with politics, all in the name of regime change.
Article
continues below
In the
process, the sport suffered from the politics of racism as the majority of
white cricketers left the country to play overseas, mainly for low division
teams, in an effort to spruce up the propaganda effort of the West.
Amongst
those trying to achieve political means through sport was John Howard, who
ironically is trying to convince Zimbabwe to bring his rot, right into the
corridors of the ICC.
Now hear
this. "My personal wish is to see Zimbabwe fully reintegrated into the
world cricket family and see the sport continue to grow in all parts of the
world, including Zimbabwe," said Howard. How ironic!
Cricket
and world sport in general does not need the likes of Howard, lest the sport be
drawn into the gutters. He, of all people, cannot talk of developing a sport,
which he has done so much to destroy for political ends.
He is a
wolf in sheepskin, with the sole aim of returning the sport to the dark ages
where it was a preserve of the Anglo-Saxon countries and using it to settle
political scores. He has nothing to offer to sport, which spreads a message of
unity, against his racist thoughts.
That he
came to Zimbabwe was a surprise on its own. Wasn’t he the same person who went
out of his way to block his country’s cricketers from touring Zimbabwe in 2007
saying that the country was not safe?
So
determined was he that his government offered to pay the US$2 million fine to
ICC, in order to make sure that the tour was cancelled. So Zimbabwe is safe for
him when he wants to satisfy his personal ambitions and not for his fellow
countrymen? What a shame!
In a bid
to free sport of all ills, virtually all sports associations have incorporated
the "Kick Out Racism" campaign. It is therefore a surprise that
cricket is trying to put in its highest echelons a renowned racist.
For what
purpose, one might ask?
Howard has
excess baggage, a point so amplified by the South Africa Cricket president
Methuseli Nyoka and the majority of the directors of other cricket associations
around the world.
The
support from the likes of English and New Zealand cricket associations just
smacks of arrogance and reveals their quest to politicise sport.
Howard was
a fervent supporter of the apartheid regime in South Africa. He also
superintended over racist laws in Australia, which discriminated against the
indigenous aborigines.
It took
the man who replaced him, Kevin Rudd, to repeal the racist legislation, some of
which were passed under his watch. Why is the ICC going to where other sporting
disciplines are trying very hard to come from? Do they think a leopard can shed
its spots? Never!
True to
his racial orientation, Howard tried to clandestinely use the Minister of
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, to penetrate the
corridors of Zimbabwe Cricket.
Was it
mere coincidence that the minister was at the airport at the same time Howard
arrived? That both of them were whisked to the Australian ambassador’s
residence for "dinner", minus the cricket officials he had come to
see adds further intrigue to his intentions.
Does he
think that Zimbabweans have a short memory? His liberal-national coalition
government was responsible for imposing the ruinous illegal sanctions, working
in cahoots with the British and Americans. Today he asks for our help. What a
shame! Should the country help such people? Let him fight his dirty war.
Howard’s
visit now explains the "gesture" by Australian Cricket, inviting the
Zimbabwean team to tour the country in 2011, for reasons, which were not clear
up to now.
The cat is
now out of the bag. They think that cricket bosses can be bought for two pieces
of silver? What has changed now? Just because they want to use us to vote for
their man they think they could give us a sweetener?
Allowing
bigoted politicians to sneak into the sporting world is the worst thing that
can happen to sport.
History
will judge all those who assist those who want to politicise sport harshly.
Posterity will not be kind to them. Such kinds of people are a nuisance to
sport. They would seek to use politics to further their political agendas.
Eturbonews.com
Golfers' views
BY CHERYL ROBERTSON, ETN | JUN 27, 2010
(eTN) The refurbishment exercise currently underway at Leopard Rock
Hotel and its PGA championship golf course in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe
is nearing completion.
Owners LonZim investment company, which bought the hotel in April last
year, went ahead then with a US$1.7 million face-lift program, which included
upgrading the hotel, the attached casino, a 400-hectare private game reserve,
and continuing to maintain the high standards of the existing golf course.
Work at the hotel has included repainting all interior and exterior
buildings, entire refurbishment of all hotel rooms with new soft furnishings,
and a general upgrade of corridors and all public areas. New state-of-the-art
entertainment, IT, and communications systems are being installed throughout
the hotel.
The staff quarters, laundry, and kitchen have been re-equipped, and a
new international standard staff training program has been implemented. LonZim
will also, if deemed justified, add a further 100 rooms to the current
accommodation of 58 rooms and suites, and a world-class spa.
David Lenigas, executive chairman of LonZim, commented in a statement
issued by the London headquartered investment company in May this year,
"LonZim's strategy since 2007 is to identify and support key businesses
during the tough times so that they retain quality human resources, continue
trading, are correctly resourced and capitalized, and ready to address the
market as it inevitably recovers.”
“LonZim is beginning to see the results of that strategy. Each of
LonZim's seven core businesses is now well placed to grow as the economic
recovery continues,” he said.
“We are confident that Zimbabwe has a future. The people of Zimbabwe
remain one of the most industrious, valued, and skilled workforces on the
continent; the basic infrastructure across the country is strong, and Zimbabwe
remains a beautiful destination with significant tourism and agricultural
potential. The opportunity for the country to once again become a leading African
economy remains tantalizingly available," Lenigas added.
Geoffrey White, LonZim’s chief executive officer, said in the same
statement: “I am pleased to be able to report that the seeds of economic
recovery are evident in Zimbabwe. However, the progress remains difficult and
the market comparatively small in relation to its previous volume.
“Economic recovery from the chaos of hyperinflation will inevitably take
time. Confidence needs to be re-built, stability in commercial transactions
re-established, and liquidity needs to be available once again in the banking
sector for both commerce and individuals to drive the economy."
The turreted chateau-style hotel first opened in 1946 in the country’s
scenic Bvumba Mountains to the east some 30 kilometers from the town of Mutare,
which was badly damaged by rocket fire in the 1970s bush war, closed in 1980
due to fuel shortages, then reopened in 1993 along with a PGA 18-hole
championship golf course built to United States Golf Association
specifications.
The PGA of Europe has called it one of the “finest golf resorts” in the
world and one of the most challenging too - its variety of holes lays emphasis
on accuracy and tactical awareness as opposed to distance. The course was the
official venue for the Zone 6 Amateur International Championships in 2000. The
same year it was awarded the Hertz International Travel Award for the Best Golf
Course in Africa and Middle East, and last year it joined the Prestige
Collection, a group of the world’s best golf resorts.
Designer Peter Matkovich of South Africa built the course around the
existing landscape of the surrounding Bvumba Mountains, making good use of the
natural ecosystem. Thick trees and lush rain forest-type vegetation hug the
course, while from every hole there’s a magnificent view, some over neighboring
Mozambique. The views coupled with enchanting walks through the natural
greenery make it one of the best walking courses in Africa. Although there is
no need for golf carts, some will be made available for guests.
The greens of Penncross Creeping Bent grass are laid to full USGA
specifications, with the fairways and tees of kikuyu grass. These are
maintained to high standards despite the difficulties in acquiring and
retaining water, one of the many infrastructure problems the country has had to
face. Water comes into play on six of the 18 holes, and a large lake sits in
the center.
The 14th hole, “The Matkovich,” is on an elevated tee encircled by the
surrounding mountains and has a spectacular backdrop of the Burma Valley. The
17th "World's View" is another spectacular signature hole, and the
18th “Tony Taberer” (a former owner of Leopard Rock) has hazards of bush,
water, sloping rough, and a large eucaluptus tree in the flight path.
In April 2010, after a 10 year break, the Zimbabwe Open Championship
returned to the Sunshine Tour schedule and Leopard Rock’s own on-site golf
professional, Byran Rocher, participated in the event. The same month, LonZim
announced the appointments of Richard Johnston, formerly manager of the Cape
Grace in South Africa. The hotel is managed by Lonrho Hotels.
Notable celebrities that have played on the course include golfers Gary
Player, Nick Price, and Mark MacNulty, and cricketers Ian Botham and Ian
Chapel. Once visited by the Queen Mother of Great Britain and Princess
Margaret, and later on by the late Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, the
revamped Leopard Rock Hotel and its golf course may well host others of their
ilk.