Mugabe's iron fist - war veterans and green bombers

Reuters

Thu 20 Mar 2008, 0:23 GMT

By Cris Chinaka

MASVINGO, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - President Robert Mugabe is urging Zimbabweans
to 'Vote For The Fist'.

His campaign posters -- portraits of Mugabe wearing an olive green
military-type shirt and holding a clenched fist aloft -- reflect his
hard-line politics, and remind voters of the crack troops who have helped
keep him in power for 28 years.

 Mugabe is again counting on his army of war veterans and ruling party youth
brigades, known as "green bombers" because of the military-style clothes
they wear, to crank up support in his rural power base ahead of the March 29
vote.
The veteran leader is facing his strongest challenge in nearly three decades
because of defections by senior ruling ZANU-PF party officials and a
deepening economic crisis.

The opposition charges that the "green bombers", war veterans and some
members of the Zimbabwean army were behind violent campaigns that helped
Mugabe's party retain power in elections in 2000 and 2002. Mugabe denies the
allegations.

This week, Human Rights Watch said Mugabe's supporters, including police and
central intelligence, had used violence in the run-up to this month's poll
to intimidate opponents, undermining chances of a fair vote.

ZANU-PF denies its militant supporters are guilty of intimidation but
Zimbabwean rights activists say they have documented years of systematic
violence.

"We have heard some horror stories. In 2000 and 2002 ... we had people being
dragged out of buses, after being identified as opposition activists, and
getting assaulted with clubs and machetes," said an official with Zimbabwe
Human Rights Forum.

"We had cases of people being stabbed by mobs at open markets, and ... youth
brigades moving around in large groups, disrupting opposition rallies,
singing war songs and sowing fear in townships and villages," said the
official, who did not want to be named.

"Fortunately, it's not happening at the same level this time round. But the
fear remains," he added.

Mugabe, an 84-year-old former guerrilla leader, is facing a fierce fight
from ex-ally Simba Makoni and long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai in his bid
for another five-year term.

Both Makoni, a former finance minister, and Tsvangirai, who heads the main
faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), say Mugabe
has ruined Zimbabwe's economy.

Mugabe says the mounting problems Zimbabweans are battling, including food
and fuel shortages and the highest inflation in the world, are a result of
sanctions imposed by Western powers.

"They want to turn back this country into a British colony again, and I urge
you to demonstrate to the world again that their chosen puppets have no
support and will never rule this country," Mugabe said at a rally in
southern Zimbabwe.

SENSE OF FEAR

The ZANU-PF party planted its roots in rural areas -- where at least 60
percent of Zimbabwe's population lives -- during the 1970s war for
independence from Britain and left behind a mixture of military and civilian
structures.

Critics say that for some of Mugabe's loyalists, the image of their leader's
clenched fist is still a call to war.

At least 50,000 people died during the 1970s war and ruling party militants
constantly remind voters that they will go back to the bush if ZANU-PF loses
power.

Members of the youth brigades who act as security guards at ZANU-PF rallies
are seen in the countryside as the party's eyes, ears -- and fists. Critics
say the "green bombers", graduates of a national youth service, have become
a private party militia.

"Although it is wearing off, I think there is still a pervasive sense of
fear of the party, of youth brigades, the war veterans, the ZANU-PF
militants," said Eldred Masunungure, a political science professor at the
University of Zimbabwe.

"There are some notable cracks and divisions in their ranks now, but these
people have kept ZANU-PF structures alive despite the economic crisis," he
added.

Analysts say Mugabe, who is accused of rigging previous elections, is keen
to win regional endorsement of this year's poll as free and fair, and has
kept ZANU-PF militants on a short leash. But critics maintain that many of
the tens of thousands of people turning up at his rallies do so out of fear.

FIST OR HAMMER?

In the past few weeks, a combative Mugabe has travelled to his traditional
rural strongholds to drum up support as his rivals pile pressure on him,
largely in urban areas where people are bearing the brunt of the economic
crisis.

Zimbabwe's inflation rate is over 100,000 percent, and its towns are
suffering severe water, power and transport shortages and choking on
overflowing sewers.

The message his supporters are taking to rural voters has not changed since
the last vote in 2005: they say ZANU-PF is the only trustworthy custodian of
black interests and that the opposition is made up of stooges sponsored by
Britain and ZANU-PF's Western enemies.

Mugabe is also trying to woo voters with massive government handouts of farm
equipment, including tractors and ox-drawn ploughs meant to support his
controversial land reforms which included confiscating land from white
farmers.

In the countryside, villagers privately say life has become harder but there
is little overt criticism of the government.

And although this year's election campaign has been relatively peaceful,
opposition leader Tsvangirai, who was beaten up by security forces at a
rally last year, says "for Mugabe, political thuggery is always an option."

In a response to Mugabe's "vote for the fist" campaign, Tsvangirai's MDC
said in a newspaper advert: "The war is over. We cannot feed people with
clenched fists".

The other challenger, Makoni, has been even more direct.

"Don't vote for the fist. The fist has become a hammer smashing the
country."

(Editing by Clar Ni Chonghaile)

SA MP observers told to keep mum by SADC

Business Day

20 March 2008

Hopewell Radebe

Diplomatic Editor

SOUTH African MPs deployed in Zimbabwe under the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) observer mission have been warned against
issuing independent statements that could contradict or bring into disrepute
the spirit of the Angolan-le d delegation.

Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, foreign affairs deputy director-general for
Africa, was briefing the media in Pretoria yesterday before the 54-member
delegation of MPs, government officials, nongovernmental organisations and
electoral commission representatives left for Zimbabwe.

He said that unlike in the past when the government sent its own observer
mission, the South African MPs had to accept the fact that they were going
to Zimbabwe as representatives of the SADC mission, and not as individuals.

They would be expected to be guided by the SADC's code of conduct, which
meant that they would "not seek to score cheap political points" by
pronouncing their individual views .

Instead, they should share the sentiments that would be expressed by "the
SADC collective" after the elections.

"It should be understood that they are not going to Zimbabwe to endorse any
situation, but to objectively monitor the elections," Mamabolo said.

He said that there was nothing stopping the ruling African National Congress
or other parties from sending their observer teams, which could then express
their own views about the elections to satisfy the political agendas of
their respective parties.

"We are part of the collective that in the end must be guided by the SADC
code of conduct and must take ownership to the decisions of the mission," he
said.

The SADC delegation would be expected to spare no effort in intervening
where necessary.

This was to ensure that Zimbabwe's stakeholders were left with no doubt that
they acted fairly when dealing with concerns and complaints .

He said the mission must endeavour not to endorse anything, but rather
verify every statement by some or allegation by others.

Urban Zimbabweans just want change after next week's polls

africasia.com

HARARE, March 20 (AFP)

Denias Rukuni, a security guard living in a slum on the northern fringes of
Zimbabwe's capital, is a bitter man.

A victim of a government demolitions campaign that left at least 700,000
homeless, the 34-year-old is living in a shack improvised out of plastic,
nearly three years after the operation that President Robert Mugabe said was
"to rid our cities of slime and grime" and "build our people decent
shelter."

"They promised to build us better shelter," Rukuni told AFP pointing to
shacks around Hatcliffe extension.

"You can't forgive people who lie and make empty promises to you. We are
going to show them at the elections we are tired of this suffering," said
the father of three who runs a cycle repair shop at home to supplement his
salary.

"Things are just not working. We are paying school fees for our children and
yet the teachers are on strike every two months. We don't have running water
and we are forced to have several jobs to be able to buy basic goods like
cooking oil."

An equally disillusioned Ruramai Dzvangwa, from the populous Tafara suburb
in Harare, deplored the plummetting living standards in the cities and vowed
she would not vote Mugabe who is seeking a sixth term in joint presidential,
legislative and local council elections on March 29.

"We have been reduced to villagers now as our water taps are always dry and
we are forced to draw water from unprotected wells," said Dzvangwa whose
suburb is renowned for frequent water cuts and diarrhoea threats.

"We have lost hope in President Mugabe and his government. We are just
waiting for the election and I for one will not give him my vote."

University of Zimbabwe political scientist Eldred Masunungure said Mugabe
will get a "no confidence" vote at the polls where he squares off with his
former finance minister Simba Makoni and opposition leader Morgan
Tsvangirai.

"The urban dwellers have given him (Mugabe) a fail grade as they evaluate
his performance over the years," Masunungure told AFP.

"His support is also reduced in rural areas and the talk of a rural
stronghold for the ruling party will soon become history as we are now
witnessing a convergence between rural and urban dwellers on a wide range of
issues."

Mugabe himself has expressed doubts about his urban support and often
praises his rural supporters for their "unwavering support".

But recent rallies by his party candidates are drawing fewer followers.

"Those in the cities love the sweet taste of sugar so much and when they
can't find sugar they blame it on ZANU-PF saying it's a bad party," Mugabe
told supporters at the rural services centre of Hama in the central Midlands
province last week.

"And where do they think Tsvangirai will get the sugar to give them?"

Zimbabweans are going to the polls reeling under economic crisis
characterised by six-digit inflation, unemployment over 80 percent, more
than two thirds of the population living below the poverty threshold with
basic food stuff in short supply.

The urban population is feeling the pinch of the economic meltdown often
putting up with power cuts lasting up to 10 hours with some parts of the
city going for months without electricity.

Surgeons at the country's largest state hospital suspended operations last
month citing shortages of drugs and theatre equipment.

In a hyperbolic portrayal of the state of the roads, Makoni said at his
inaugural rally in Harare some of the potholes were so large they could
swallow an entire freight truck.

Mugabe blames the economic decline on sanctions imposed on him and members
of his ruling party elite following the country's presidential elections in
2002 described by the main opposition and western observers as
"fundamentally flawed."

Police chief holds white farmers hostage

Mugabe Government Dismisses Human Rights Watch Election Report

VOA

By Peter Clottey
Washington, D.C.
20 March 2008

Zimbabwe's government has described as rubbish accusations that general
elections scheduled for March 29 would not be free and fair. This follows a
report by US-based Human Rights Watch, which suggests that supporters of
incumbent President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government use violence to
intimidate partisans of opposition parties. Mugabe's government contends
that significant changes have been made to ensure that this month's
elections are credible.

It adds that the country's electoral commission is adequately prepared and
would be unbiased in discharging its duties. Gordon Moyo is the executive
director of the Bulawayo project, a non-governmental organization based in
the country's commercial capital. From Bulawayo, he tells reporter Peter
Clottey that the elections would not be credible.

"The facts on the ground are that the government has engaged on its cultural
violence, which it has been practicing over the years. We had a situation
over the past two weeks where the commissioner of prison services addressed
the police and told them that they should vote for ZANU-PF, ordering them to
vote for ZANU-PF. That sends signals to the military structures that they
should defend ZANU-PF, disrupt opposition campaigns, and disturb people's
peace. That alone is violence because it is a precursor to what is likely to
take place if Mugabe were to lose," Moyo pointed out.

He denied President Mugabe's government has made significant strides in
ensuring this month's elections are credible.

"We are actually havening the police commissioner. We are actually having
the military structures at a very senior level making such statements. Any
other statement becomes a political statement, but the statements that are
coming from military structures and from the security community are serious
violations of electoral guidelines that govern democratic elections in the
SADC (Southern African Development Community)," he said.

Moyo accused the government of employing tactics that undermine basic
election practices in a democracy.

"So, it's violence, threats, and it is about manipulation. Not only that we
know that the chiefs around the rural areas are going around telling people
that only ZANU-PF supporters are going to vote on 29 March. And that anyone
who is not going to vote for ZANU-PF should go and vote on 30th March. These
are strategies from the ZANU-PF, and are part of intimidation because if you
are telling people not to go and vote on 29 March, then you are intimidating
them. You are disenfranchising them and that kind of election can never be
free, can never be fair," Moyo noted.

He expressed confidence in the ordinary Zimbabwean to change the government.

"Indeed, Zimbabweans are resolved to vote this dictatorship out. They are
prepared to vote for change, and for change that they trust. But this
government of Robert Mugabe is going to steal the election. We know that
they are saying they are going to use helicopters to carry ballot papers,
and they are not going to allow polling agents to accompany the ballot
papers," he said.

Moyo said President Mugabe's recent statements ahead of next week's
elections amount to intimidation.

"And again the president has issued a decree at the end of last week that
police officers are going to be inside the polling booths, and they are
going to be assisting people to vote. Those are threats and you cannot have
free and fair elections. But Zimbabweans at all levels are resolved to vote
for change," Moyo said.

Sokwanele - Zimbabwe Election Watch Issue 20

Zimbabwe Election Watch
Issue 20 : 20 March 2008

Executive Summary

Mugabe amends electoral laws

With Zimbabwe's crucial 29 March elections just over a week away, President Mugabe has once again backtracked on changes agreed to at the South African-brokered talks between the government opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Under the agreed electoral laws, to avoid intimidation of voters, police were not allowed within 100 metres of a polling station. However, according to state radio, the newly amended electoral laws allow policemen into polling stations so they can "assist" illiterate people to vote.

Members of the politicised Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have been brutal in their attempts to suppress all forms of opposition in the country, and according to data collected by organisations such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, they are major perpetrators of human rights abuses. The police have been named as torturers, and police premises as places of torture in hundreds of cases recorded by the Forum.

Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said police officers will not hesitate to use "full force" to stop politically motivated violence

A warming by Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri at the end of February that the police will not hesitate to use force prior to the elections is beliefed to be a clear indication that the government plans to rig the polls.

Insufficient polling stations in cities

The MDC has filed an urgent court application to compel the country's electoral body to increase the number of polling stations. The MDC took the move after the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), an independent election monitoring group, warned that thousands of voters in Zimbabwe's cities - strongholds of the opposition - may not have time to cast ballots because too few polling stations have been provided.

The ZESN said it feared a repeat of the 2002 presidential elections when tens of thousands of voters were turned away across the country after polls had closed.

A list of polling stations released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), whose members are appointed by President Mugabe, showed "a significant discrepancy" that favoured the ruling party in its rural strongholds, ZESN said.

According to ZESN, Harare has 379 polling centres for about 760 000 registered voters, leaving an average number of 2 022 voting at each station over 12 hours. If there is maximum turnout, that gives each citizen an average of 22 seconds to vote. In one city district, it came down to nine seconds if all 4 600 registered voters showed up.

In contrast, most rural polling stations would handle only about 600 voters each, the network said.

Faced with the potential of mass-scale rigging, the opposition says it is vital that most regional and foreign observers be deployed to all rural areas, traditionally the flash points of political violence and intimidation. In the past, observers have rarely set foot in the Zanu PF strongholds of the three Mashonaland provinces.

Resorting to High Court action for voters' roll

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has had to resort to Harare's High Court to obtain an electronic version of the voters' roll. Widely described as "shambolic", the roll is said to be stuffed with voters who are long-dead, duplicated names and non-existent people or those with fake identities.

Last week, the Electoral Court turned down an opposition application to have the court order the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to disclose the number of ballot papers printed for the joint presidential, parliamentary, senate and local government elections.

Voters' roll discrepancies

SW Radio Africa has published a brief analysis of scanned voters' rolls which reveal major discrepancies between what the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has declared as the number of voters per constituency, and those actually on the voters' roll. In Goromonzi South, for example, the discrepancy is -30.8 percent, while in the Harare suburb of Glen Norah it is +19.9 percent.

Observers selected on basis of reciprocity

Zimbabwe's Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said that election observers had been selected on the basis of "reciprocity, objectivity and impartiality" with regards to their relationship with Zimbabwe.

"Clearly, those who believe the only free and fair election is (one) where the opposition wins have been excluded, since the ruling party, Zanu PF, is poised to score another triumph," he said.

The government has invited 47 regional and sub-regional organisations as well as countries from Africa, the Americas and Asia - notably China and Malaysia - to view the elections. The only European country on the list is Russia.

As the first contingent of Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observers started arriving, the opposition reported a resurgence of incidents of violence, especially in perceived Zanu PF strongholds.

Presidential challenger Dr Simba Makoni has repeatedly described the rural areas as places where people are consumed with fear (due to years of relentless government perpetrated intimidation).

Jan Raath, Times (UK) describes the rural areas as places where "the ruling party card is the key to receiving famine relief when (one is) starving, while dissent has meant death for hundreds."

Mugabe in panic mode

Mugabe is reported by the Zimbabwe Independent to be "in panic mode due to the turmoil in Zanu PF, and in the face of a surging tide of support for his main rivals".

He has stepped up his strategy of vote buying - handing out millions of US dollars worth of agricultural equipment, as well as awarding pay rises to the armed forces and teachers. Mugabe continues to hijack the state media and is widely believed to have geared up the electoral machinery in order to manipulate the vote in his favour.

Violence against opposition parties has intensified

SW Radio Africa reports that violence against opposition members has also intensified, despite the arrival of a regional observer team in Harare on Wednesday. At least five MDC (MT) supporters were attacked recently by a gang of Zanu PF youths and had to be hospitalised. One of the victims is in intensive care.

A parliamentary candidate from the United People's Party was also assaulted by Zanu PF youth militants and is receiving medical care.

Presidential candidate Simba Makoni and his campaign team have been harassed and threatened by war veterans.

Stakes are high for SADC observer mission

Business Day reports that "stakes are high for the SADC observer team" which is expected to ensure that the credibility of SADC is not compromised.

However, Zim Online reports that the SADC executive secretary, Dr Tomaz Salomao, a former planning minister in Mozambique, has expressed confidence that the elections will be peaceful.

"As we come and observe the elections in Zimbabwe, we do so with confidence that the tradition of peace encapsulated in the unquestionable political mutuality and tolerance shall again guide Zimbabweans as they go to the polls," he said.

"Peaceful, beautiful and fantastic"

This week Zimbabwe's ambassador to South Africa, Simon Khaya Moyo, described campaigning in the country as "peaceful, beautiful and fantastic."

Earlier this month however, Moyo was scathing about a series of protests staged outside the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria by the Revolutionary Youth Movement of Zimbabwe (RYMZ) and other pro-democracy groups. RYMZ president Simon Mudekwa said they were protesting about the ongoing human rights abuses, electoral irregularities and the uneven playing field which favours Zanu PF.

Mudekwa said his group wanted the Zimbabwean people to be liberated from oppression, just as South Africans had been.

• 2.1.7: Independence of the Judiciary and impartiality of the electoral institutions …
• 7.2: [The member state holding elections shall] Establish where none exist, appropriate institutions where issues such as ... would be addressed;
• 7.3: [The member state holding elections shall] Establish impartial, all-inclusive, competent and accountable national electoral bodies staffed by qualified personnel …
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Observers not allowed near ballot boxes
Source Date: 14-03-2008

(It has emerged that) domestic and international election observers will not be allowed to stay with the ballot boxes between the polling booth and the place where votes are counted, it has emerged.

In effect, this means that only the monitors assigned by the official Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), who are civil servants, will be able to deliver a verdict on how free and fair the elections have been.

Observers, on the other hand, will be given free access to observe the electoral process across the country, but their findings will not be taken into account by the ZEC.

Political observers say this is tantamount to the ZEC policing itself - and refusing any outside monitoring….

The Zimbabwe Government has only issued invitations to a few 'friendly' countries…. This raises serious doubts about the impartiality of the entire election observer process.

Source: Zimbabwean, The (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.7: Independence of the Judiciary and impartiality of the electoral institutions …
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 6.1.1: Freedom of movement within the host country;
• 6.1.6: Unimpeded and unrestricted access to all polling stations and counting centres;
• 7.1: [The member state holding elections shall] Take necessary measures to ensure the scrupulous implementation of the above principles …
• 7.11: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure freedom of movement of the members of the SEOM …
• 7.19: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure that the members of the SEOM have an unimpeded and unrestricted access to all polling stations and counting centres.
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Lawyers urge Mugabe to charge defence chief
Source Date: 12-03-2008

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has called on the state to prosecute the country's top military commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, for allegedly threatening voters to back President Robert Mugabe in elections at month-end...

The ZLHR said Chiwenga's statements were a violation of Sections 133B (c) and 134 (3) (b) of the Electoral Act which make it a criminal offence to intimidate people to vote for a particular candidate or use undue influence to force people to vote or not vote during an election.

In addition, Chiwenga had also breached the Southern African Development Community (SADC) guidelines under which member states are obliged to ensure that elections adhere to the principles of freedom of association and political tolerance...

Source: Zim Online (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integr ity of the entire electoral process …

Mugabe in massive vote-buying handout of tractors, buses, cattle
Source Date: 09-03-2008

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has handed out millions of US dollars worth of imported brand new agricultural equipment, vehicles, generators and cattle in what critics said was a massive vote-buying exercise ahead of elections this month...

On Saturday, according to the ruling party-run Sunday Mail, Mugabe presided over the distribution of 300 40-seater buses, 500 tractors, 20 combine harvesters and a range of other modern farming machinery, as well as 50,000 ox-drawn ploughs and thousands of other peasant farming implements, 5,000 electricity generators, 3,000 mills for grinding maize, 680 motorcycles and 100,000 litres of diesel...

The newspaper did not say who received the goods, but in two similar handouts last year - where 25 million US dollars worth of farm equipment was distributed - the recipients have been identified mostly as cabinet ministers, legislators and ruling party bosses.

Human rights groups say they have evidence that the manual implements were given out in peasant farming areas only to people who could produce ruling party cards or chant ruling party slogans.

'Your vote will ensure you benefit from the agricultural mechanization programme,' Mugabe said last week...

Source: Monsters and Critics

SADC standards breached

• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 4.1.6: Funding of political parties must be transparent and based on agreed threshold.
• 7.2: [The member state holding elections shall] Establish where none exist, appropriate institutions where issues such as ... would be addressed;
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensu re the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

MDC says Mugabe using food to buy votes
Source Date: 11-03-2008

Zimbabwe's opposition on Monday accused the government of using scarce food to buy votes,* barely 48 hours after President Robert Mugabe distributed millions of dollars worth of farm equipment in what critics said was an attempt to placate a disgruntled electorate.

Both factions of the ... Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party said politicization of food had become rampant in rural areas where in some cases entire communities rely on grain from the state-run Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

Some villagers who spoke to ZimOnline said the GMB - the only firm permitted to trade in maize and wheat - had since campaigning for the March 29 elections started in earnest about three weeks ago distributed food through traditional leaders known for supporting Mugabe and his ruling Zanu PF party...

*Note: The World Food Program estimated that, by January 2008, Zimbabwe's population (urban and rural) in need of food assistance would have risen to around 4.1million. Independent experts suggest the population could have dropped to as low as 7-8 million people.

Source: Zim Online (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.6: Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Mugabe woos teachers with massive pay rise
Source Date: 14-03-2008

President Robert Mugabe's government has awarded teachers hefty salary increments of over 750 percents as it moved to placate restless workers ahead of a key election at the end of the month...

"We certainly wonder why the government left it until this late to give teachers what they are worth. The whole move smacks of an election gimmick to buy votes," said Raymond Majongwe, (secretary general of the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe)...

Note: In ZEW issue 18, we reported that Mugabe had awarded huge pay rises to the military.

Source: Zim Online (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Mugabe sees votes in black ownership law
Source Date: 09-03-2008

President Robert Mugabe... has signed into law the country's indigenisation legislation, empowering the state to take over control of foreign- and white-owned businesses... just three weeks before presidential and parliamentary elections...

.. political analysts believe that the legislation would be used to win votes, in exactly the same way as the land takeovers were used for political gain in previous elections in 2000 and 2002.

Source: Financial Times, The (UK)

SADC standards breached

• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

We deserve better in these elections
Source Date: 14-03-2008

The public media is in violation of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as it has failed to afford equal and unbiased coverage of the March 29 harmonised elections.

Media monitoring groups, analysts and opposition parties accused national broadcaster, the ZBC, and the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers - 51% state owned) of biased reporting, qualitatively and quantitatively in favour of the ruling Zanu PF...

The public media were also accused of contravening provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).

The SADC guidelines require all political parties to have "equal access and opportunity to the state media." However, in Zimbabwe opposition parties have hardly been covered equitably by the public media as has been Zanu PF.

The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) has over the past month complained of what it termed unfair coverage of the pre-election period, especially in the public media. It called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to put an end to the "intolerable" bias demonstrated by the national broadcaster, the ZBC, and the government controlled newspapers...

The MMPZ said between February 24 and March 2, ZTV devoted 64 minutes of news bulletins to reporting favourably on Zanu PF's campaigns, compared to just three minutes given to the two MDC factions and eight minutes to (independent presidential candidate) Dr Simba Makoni...

Source: Zimbabwe Independent, The (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.5: Equal access to state media for all political parties
• 2.1.8: Voter education.
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.3: [The member state holding elections shall] Establish impartial, all-inclusive, competent and accountable national electoral bodies staffed by qualified personnel …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.6: [The member state holding elections sh all] Ensure the availability of adequate logistics and resources for carrying out democratic elections;
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Opposition candidates allege ruling party political violence
Source Date: 13-03-2008

Zimbabwean parliamentary candidate Rainos Tivatye of the United People's Party, who seeks the house seat for Zengeza East, Harare Metropolitan Province, said he was assaulted on Tuesday by youth militants of the ruling Zanu PF party.

Now receiving medical care, Tivatye ... told VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that police briefly detained the youths but released them without charges.

Identified victims: Parliamentary candidate Rainos Tivatye of the United People's Party

Source: VOANews (USA)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.6: Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.7: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure that adequate security is provided to all parties participating in elections;
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

5 MDC members hospitalised after Mbare attack by Zanu PF youth
Source Date: 13-03-2008

Violence against officials and members of the opposition has intensified, despite the arrival of a regional observer team in Harare on Wednesday.

At least 5 supporters of the Tsvangirai MDC were hospitalised on Wednesday after they were attacked by a gang of youths known to be Zanu PF members in Mbare high-density suburb of Harare. One of the victims, Simba Maringwa, is reported to be in intensive care battling for his life.

MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said a group of about 200 Zanu PF supporters, affiliated with the infamous Mbare gang called Chipangano, ambushed 20 MDC supporters as they were campaigning for MDC candidate Piniel Denga in Mbare.

Tendai Savanhu, Zanu PF candidate for Mbare, has been implicated in this incident...

Several MDC members were wounded seriously and were taken to the Avenues Clinic in Harare...

Identified perpetrators: Tendai Savanhu, Zanu PF candidate for Mbare has been implicated
Identified victims: Simba Maringwa, Trymore Matsitsira, Wellington Chigumaze, Jeffrey Chikwavayera and Mazhinji

Source: SW Radio Africa (ZW)

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.6: Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.7: [The membe r state holding elections shall] Ensure that adequate security is provided to all parties participating in elections;
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Sekai Holland detained in Zimbabwe
Source Date: 14-03-2008

Sekai Holland, an MDC national executive member and aspiring Senator for Chizhanje constituency, was today detained without charge for two hours at Harare Central Police Station for what the police said was in connection with the aborted prayer meeting in Highfield on 11 March 2007.

Holland, who is in her late 60s, was savagely beaten up and hospitalised, together with other political and civic leaders last year...

Holland's leg would have been amputated if she had not sought specialist treatment.

On Wednesday, Holland made an emotional address at a public meeting to commemorate the state brutality of 11 March in which she narrated her horrific ordeal at the hands of the police...

The police released Holland after harassing her for more than five hours...

Identified victims: Sekai Holland

Source: MDC (MT) Press Release

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.6: Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …
• 7.9: [The member state holding elections shall] Encourage the participation of women, disabled and youth in all aspects of the electoral process …< /li>

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Madhuku urges Zimbabweans not to stay away from polling booths

zimbabwejournalists.com/

20th Mar 2008 00:23 GMT

By Ntando Ncube

KAROI - The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) yesterday called on
Zimbabweans to stand against voter apathy and turn out in large numbers to
participate during the March 29 harmonised elections.

Chairman Lovemore Madhuku said Zimbabweans should not shun the elections
regardless of the flaws being cited by human rights groups and the
opposition. He said this at the NCA's community outreach programme held in
Karoi.

Madhuku said Zimbabwe's current election was "beyond change of leadership
but change of politics"

He said the elections presented an opportunity for Zimbabweans to register
their displeasure at the way the country has been run down by the Zanu PF
government, whose leader, Robert Mugabe would be seeking a record sixth term
in office.

"Whilst acknowledging that the elections present an opportunity for
Zimbabweans to impact on political direction of the country, public
participation will be very critical in the post March 29 processes," Madhuku
said.

"The agenda is beyond change of leadership, it is about the change of our
politics and the importance of placing ordinary Zimbabweans at the centre of
decision making."

The NCA said elections were not the epicentre of democracy but in democratic
societies citizens were continually engaged in issues that affect their
countries development.

"Democracy is not just about elections every now and again. Democracy is
about the continued engagement of all people in al matters that affect
 them," said Madhuku.

Mugabe (84), goes into the March 29 election under siege as the prices of
basic good continues to skyrocket in the hyperinflationary environment.
Contesting him for the presidency are three others including his ex-finance
minister Simba Makoni (57) and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai (55).

Opponents battle with words as election looms

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:26
BY CHIEF REPORTER
MASVINGO
President Robert Mugabe has predicted a "thunderous victory" in the
crucial March 29 vote and has dismissed his challengers as "Mbare
prostitutes".
But MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, addressing bumper crowds on Sunday,
said the Mugabe regime's days were numbered and that he would re-establish
contacts with the international community for bilateral and multilateral
support needed to breathe new life into the vandalised economy and undo
Mugabe's isolationist legacy.
"The end is near," Tsvangirai said in a fiery declaration. "Nine years
of your efforts in fighting against this illegitimate regime will be ending
on March 29.
Tsvangirai told around 20,000 supporters at a campaign rally in the
south eastern Masvingo region to "Vote MDC for change you can trust".
Mugabe, addressing more than 3,000 supporters at his former stronghold
in Mashonaland, promised a free vote and predicted a "huge, thunderous,
mountainous victory".
Mugabe said Makoni was worse than prostitutes in Mbare. "Joki
rekuMbare riri nani panaMakoni (A Mbare prostitute is better than Makoni),"
he said.
Mugabe alleged Makoni loved "dirty British money like a whore" and
said Tsvangirai was much better than Makoni because "at least he has some
support".
Tsvangirai, on the other hand, told his supporters that Mugabe, and
not Britain, was to blame for Zimbabwe's condition. "Baba Chatunga musi wa29
varikutoenda kwaZvimba chete (Mugabe is definitely retreating to his Zvimba
rural home after losing the election against me." Tsvangirai said to roaring
applause.
Tsvangirai also unveiled his 100-page programme of action and said he
was ready to govern.

 

MDC policy promises complete overhaul

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:24
BY OWN REPORTER
HARARE
Devolved provincial powers, a new constitution, no return to pre-2000
land ownership and an autonomous Reserve Bank - the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) unveiled its policies for government last week.
The MDC proposes to decentralise administration and governance by
dividing the country into provincial administrations. But, says the party,
this will not be the type of federal system advocated by Zapu (PF), nor will
it be based on tribal demography.
"The MDC will establish provincial authorities that are democratically
elected and have clearly defined [goals] for the development of regions for
which they have responsibility. The delivery of such services as water,
housing, electricity, road infrastructure and waste disposal will be
delegated to locally elected officials and institutions," said a statement.
The revenue collected by the provincial authorities will be available
for the development of their areas.
With regards to issues of governance, law and justice, the MDC says
fundamental human rights and freedoms are universal and inviolable.
The country's constitution, as its supreme law, must be consistent
with this and be in accordance with the people's wishes for all governance
structures," it states.
Based on that principle, the MDC says it prioritises establishing a
new people-driven constitution. It also promises to "correct the current
situation in the area of judiciary operations and justice delivery systems
that have been destroyed by patronage, subversion of the rule of law as well
as usurping of powers by the executive and the ruling party".
The MDC also promises to depoliticise the defence forces and other
state security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Organisation.
As part of the measures to address economic distortions and
malpractices, the MDC says it will make the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe fully
autonomous and task it with "managing inflation.Its role will be restricted
to interest rate management and exchange rate policy as well as the
supervision of the commercial banking system".
Other features of the policy are a complete review of the tax system
and of all forms of state expenditure.
On the monetary issue, the MDC says "the present system of bearer
bonds as a substitute for conventional money will be retained until
inflation is brought down to two-digit levels, at which point consideration
will be given to introducing a new currency".
On the land issue, the MDC says it will clear the mess created by the
Zanu (PF) regime by instituting a Land Commission, which will start by
carrying out an audit to establish landholding patterns, legal issues and
production issues.
"While respecting the historical, constitutional and legal rights of
commercial farmers, the MDC will not return to the pre-2000 land-ownership
patterns, neither will it condone the inequitable and aberrant land
redistribution that has resulted from the 'fast-track land
reform' process," it states.
The party's mining policy of the MDC is based on its desire to attract
huge investments into the sector for both small- and large-scale operators.
This will include the introduction of "special mining leases for investments
over US$100m".
The MDC says it will do away with policies that have killed the
manufacturing industry, such as price controls.
In the areas of health and education, the MDC says it does not intend
to privatise the entire health delivery system because it believes it is the
role of government to provide for its people. It also says it intends to
make primary education free, whilst introducing a change in the secondary
education system to provide skills training for students not able to qualify
for A levels or university studies.

Starvation stalks Chiredzi and Zaka

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:24
People in Chiredzi and Zaka are without meal or grain, despite
supplies being available at nearby depots, The Zimbabwean has learnt.
Reports from the area say that people are now suffering because of the
lack of the staple grains and some have resorted to sleeping outside the
Grain Marketing Board depots in the hope of food.
"It is being described as the worst that it has ever been," said one
source. "There is however a large stack of grain at the Grain Marketing
Board depot 10km out of Chiredzi. This is controlled by Zanu (PF), and there
is also grain at PG Timbers in Chiredzi, which is supposedly controlled by
one of the NGOs. What are they waiting for; why are they not distributing
this grain now?"
In Zaka, opposition candidates have said the army and police, aware of
how hungry the people are, are now backing them.
"[They] say that they must work hard and win the elections before
everybody dies of hunger and sickness," said the source.

 

Election fever brings hope for change

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:20

Defence Forces Chief Constantine Chiwenga (right) is reported as
saying he would stage a coup if Mugabe loses the race. Here, he stands
beside the podium as President Mugabe addresses independence day
celebrations in Harare last year.

Streets, buses, shops and homes are abuzz with talk of the elections.
Here PIUS WAKATAMA explains why he believes renewed interest in politics
gives real hope that change might happen.
The forthcoming general elections to be held on March 29 were going to
be a non-event as far as most Zimbabweans were concerned. Some, including
respected political analyst, Prof. John Makumbe, felt that opposition
parties should not bother to participate because they would be rigged by the
Zanu (PF) Government as usual. He jokingly said the results were already in
President Mugabe's laptop computer.
"Why should we bother to vote again?" ordinary people asked. "Our
votes will just be stolen as usual and Mugabe will be declared the winner
again."
Today this has all changed. When former Zanu (PF) Finance Minister
Simba Makoni threw his glove into the ring to challenge R. G. Mugabe for the
presidency, all hell broke loose. Forty-five per cent of eligible voters who
had hitherto not bothered to register rushed to register so that they could
participate in the elections. They saw his entrance into the fray as
ushering in the real possibility of change in Zimbabwe.
Excitement was first kindled when rumours started to circulate that
Makoni was going to challenge Robert Mugabe for the presidency backed by
former army commander Solomon Mujuru. The rumour was so strong and
persistent that Mugabe summoned the young politburo member and quizzed him
about it. Makoni swore by all his royal Nyathi ancestors that he would never
even contemplate such insubordination against his mentor, the President.
However, after a few days he dropped the bombshell. He declared publicly
that he was going to challenge Mugabe for the top job in the country.
People were suspicious
Some people were suspicious. Even today others are still sceptical.
They feel that he could be a plant by the clever Mugabe in some ploy to fool
the electorate. Why had he first denied that he was going to stand, they
ask. One old man answered the question for me. He said: "Simba is not a
fool. It was not the right time and place. If he had told Gushungo, the
crocodile, that he was going to challenge him, the young man would not have
reached home. He would now be buried at the Heroes Acre and his wife would
have joined the long line of Zanu (PF) widows."
Mugabe is now in a real quandary. He does not know whom to trust or
believe among his close lieutenants in the Russian-style politburo. Even the
trusted CIO chief Hapson Bonyongwe has declared that he backs Makoni. I must
say the old man is indeed a man of steel; not ordinary steel either but
sterner stuff. If I were in his position, I would now be a shivering nervous
wreck.
Today Zimbabwe is in a frenzy of excitement. Political conversation in
public, which many were afraid to engage in, is now rife in buses, kombis
and the many queues at supermarkets for basic commodities. The political
configuration in Zimbabwe has changed drastically in a short period of time
and will never be the same again.
Political pundits are having a field day painting all manner of future
scenarios. Some are optimists who are painting near-future pictures of
Zimbabwe as again being the peaceful breadbasket of the region with either
Morgan Tsvangirai or Simba Makoni as president.
Others are talking of a future government of national unity to be
formed by both the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai and a reformed Zanu (PF) led
by Simba Makoni. Yet, others are prophets of gloom and doom. They predict
that after the elections there will be civil war and Zimbabwe will turn into
another Kenya or, worse still, another Somalia. They point to people like
army general Constantine  Chiwenga, who is saying that he would stage a coup
if Bob loses the race.
Only two contenders
Hey, wait! Don't leave me out. After my many years of writing about
our political situation, you should also consider me a political pundit,
too. However, I will play it safe and not venture into speculating about the
future. I am not a n'anga so I will just stick to writing about the present
as I see it.
As far as I can see, the only real contenders for the presidency are
Simba Makoni and Morgan Tsvangirai. Forget about Sekuru Mugabe. He is now
history. He is a confused and lonely straggler who has even admitted that
his closest allies are not campaigning vigorously for him.
In his public speeches, instead of addressing the real issues facing
our starving population, he is still glorying in how he fought Ian Smith's
forces in the bush decades ago. Instead of realistically analysing the
economic situation and offering plausible solutions, he is still trying to
bribe the electorate with gifts of tractors and scotchcarts. Instead of
accepting even some blame, he is still blaming Western imposed economic
sanctions for his dismal failure.
Who does not know that the little sustenance that Zimbabwe now gets
comes from our children working their butts off in the diaspora, which
includes Western countries? Who does not know that if it were not for
donations of food and cash to buy essential medicines including retrovirals
from the United States, Britain and other Western countries, our population
would now be half of what it is?
Even our desperate business people, who are forced to raise prices in
order to keep their doors open, are accused of sabotaging his election
campaign. The man is now living in cloud cuckoo land. Even semi-literate
villagers in rural Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe are fed up with this drivel. He
has no chance in hell to win in any election, whether free and fair or not.
Am I saying the 29 March elections are going to be free and fair?
Definitely not. The intimidation and violence being visited upon the
opposition MDC by our misguided partisan security forces and Zanu (PF) thugs
make that impossible. However, there is a fair chance for the opposition.
Since Zanu (PF) is now divided between Makoni and Mugabe, it stands to
reason that its rigging machine is now out of gear. Its operators are now
fighting for control. Some are stepping on the throttle in top gear, while
others are stepping hard on the brakes. They are also fighting to control
the steering with some turning left and others turning right. My considered
opinion is that there will be no rigging of these elections. As we say in
Shona: "Matsotsi haagerane". In translation, this means thieves are not
supposed to cut each other's hair with sharp scissors. When they start to do
that, you can expect anything.
Since Zanu (PF) is now divided between Makoni and Mugabe, it stands to
reason that its rigging machine is now out of gear. Its operators are now
fighting for control. Some are stepping on the throttle in top gear, while
others are stepping hard on the brakes.

Time for 'amadoda sibili'

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:14
BY MUSA NYASA
Professor Arthur Mutambara is a man who deserves respect. He is one
man who seems to be selfless and is able to put the needs of the nation
first before his own. Mutambara, it has been reported, was willing to allow
Morgan Tsvangirai to represent a united MDC as president. When Simba Makoni
came on the scene, Mutambara stood aside and endorsed Makoni's candidature.
These are the reasons why I believe the man deserves our respect.
His reasons for standing aside may be different from those publicly
stated, but the result is the same. It is possible that Mutambara realised
that he had no chance of winning any elections, pitting himself against the
likes of Tsvangirai and Makoni in a bid to upset the incumbent Zanu (PF)
leader. All the same, I applaud him for not wasting the people's valuable
votes to a candidate who had no hope of winning. Mutambara, by this action
has also prolonged his political career by giving himself the chance to
fight another day.
I believe this month's elections are Morgan Tsvangirai's final throw
of the dice. He really cannot afford to lose. Defeat for Tsvangirai will
relegate him to the rubbish heap of Zimbabwean politics. Defeat this time
around will confirm his failure to find strategies for Mugabe's ousting.
This month's election is effectively Morgan Tsvangirai's 'final push'.
If he fails to dislodge Mugabe from power, his MDC will have to
rejuvenate itself through a change of leadership. If the party doesn't do
so, it too faces the prospect of becoming irrelevant to the nation's
political scene.
If Mugabe retains power, both Makoni and Tsvangirai will have failed.
Mutambara can offer himself as the new messiah. His selfless sacrifice to
the cause of removing Mugabe will put him in good stead with people. Makoni
can always blame his late arrival on the scene and promise to do better the
second time around given enough time to prepare.
Desperate optimism
However, though both Makoni and Mutambara can claim a stake in the
future of Zimbabwe's politics, they should be well aware of the effect of a
Mugabe's victory on the hungry, frustrated and weary Zimbabwean electorate.
Zimbabweans have a tendency towards desperate optimism. This
desperation makes my countrymen unwilling and unable to consider failure.
Any suggestions of failure send them into hyperventilation. If Mugabe
retains the presidency, the nation is likely to fall into a state of shock
and depression. Zimbabweans, having characteristically raised their hopes so
high and been disappointed, are unlikely to want to hear about elections
ever again in their lifetimes. This is the very real possibility that
Mutambara and Makoni must consider. They too are unlikely to have a
political future if Mugabe wins.
President Mugabe's win will be the loss of all hope for Zimbabweans,
just as much as it will be a massive blow to opposition politics. So what is
the solution?
Morgan Tsvangirai, Simba Makoni and Arthur Mutambara must work
together towards our main goal. This goal is that of orchestrating the
"downfall of Robert Mugabe" as aptly put by Edgar Tekere at Makoni's rally
at Zimbabwe Grounds. Zimbabwe has no future with Mugabe remaining at the
reins of the country's leadership. That is common knowledge. What is left is
unity of purpose.
This is the time for all the forces working for the downfall of Mugabe
to come together. This is the time for the main protagonists to fully
understand the need for true unity and patriotism. The only sure way of
removing Mugabe is through the unity of the two MDC's and Simba Makoni's
Mavambo Project, plus the selection and endorsement of one candidate to
stand against Robert Mugabe in this month's election.
A great tag-team
Both camps have considerable support. Morgan Tsvangirai is the man who
dared challenge Mugabe and is still standing in spite of the brutalisation
he has been subjected to in his fight. Simba Makoni has dared to stand as an
'independent' after internally challenging policies he believed were
detrimental to the future of the nation without success. Morgan Tsvangirai
has grassroots support whilst Makoni has the vote of the middle class.
Tsvangirai is battle-hardened whilst Makoni has the experience of having
served in cabinet and his SADCC posting. The two would make a great
tag-team.
Perhaps Arthur Mutambara can play another role - the role of bringing
Makoni and Tsvangirai to the negotiating table. The coming together of these
two would obviously be unpopular with their inner circles and the people
with whom they've made alliances. These people will be afraid of falling by
the wayside in a new potential power-sharing deal. Zanu (PF) would be
another horrified observer. However, the time has come for real heroes to
emerge. Zimbabwe once more has an urgent need for "amadoda sibili".
Morgan Tsvangirai could be president and Simba Makoni his minister of
finance. Simba Makoni could be president and Morgan Tsvangirai the minister
of home affairs or Justice perhaps. Either of the two could be president,
with the other his deputy in yet another scenario. The choice of president
could tilt in Tsvangirai's favour as one who is more deserving having fought
so long for the honour. It could also fall to Makoni as the one who may be
more capable of spearheading the economic revival of the nation. Mutambara's
selflessness could be rewarded with the post of minister of science and
technology.
I am well aware of the fact that Tsvangirai and Makoni have both
submitted their names as presidential candidates, but the appearance of the
two at joint rallies endorsing one of them as a presidential candidate and
explaining the future role of the other will serve to explain how the nation
should vote. It would also be the most beautiful sight Zimbabwe has seen in
a long while.
Elections for senators, MPs and councillors will be left to the people
to choose as they wish. It is the leadership of the nation we need to sort
out first before we whip the rest into line at a later stage. Splitting the
opposition vote should not be an option. Unity is a must for Zimbabwe's
sake.
A lot of pride must be swallowed and egos will be bruised, but there
is no time to procrastinate. This is not the time to worry about who
approaches whom or who will be the first person to capitulate or compromise.
It is time for ultimate sacrifices to be made. Unite now. Don't leave
everything to chance. Make victory inevitable.

Businesses under fire for Makoni links

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:15
Zimbabwean authorities are cracking down on businesses they suspect of
backing independent candidate Simba Makoni, The Zimbabwean has learned.
Retailers and top business-people who supply basic commodities were
summoned to a meeting on February 4 at the offices of Reserve Bank Governor
Gideon Gono.
On arrival, however, they were informed that the meeting had been
convened not by the central bank, but by the Joint Operations Command (JOC),
a powerful body chaired by Zimbabwean Defence Chief General Constantine
Chiwenga and consisting of military, police, intelligence and prison
sservice chiefs. The JOC co-ordinates military and security affairs and some
analysts believe it carries more clout than the cabinet.
The head of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission, Godwills
Masimirembwa, was also in attendance.
According to a source at the central bank, JOC members were waiting in
full military uniform and berated the business chiefs for defying the price
controls Mugabe ordered last June and went further, accusing them of
allocating funds to support Makoni's election campaign. Chiwenga sat with
files of bank statements, deposit slips and surveillance reports piled in
front of him.
One by one, business leaders were asked to explain why there were
shortages of basic commodities and why, if they lacked the foreign currency
to buy goods or manufacturing inputs, they had not applied to the Reserve
Bank for it.
Business chiefs arrested
According to sources at the central bank, Willard Zireva, Chief
Executive of OK supermarkets was questioned about why the shelves in his
stores were empty when other retailers such as the Spar group and corner
shops did have stock.
"They plainly told him that he was doing it deliberately and that they
knew he supported Super Tuesday," said the bank source. Super Tuesday refers
to Tuesday, February 5, when Makoni announced his election bid.
"They also told [Zireva] that they were aware that he was pouring huge
amounts of money into the Super Tuesday project."
National Foods Managing Director Jeremy Brooke was accused of
inflating the price of flour his firm sold to bakeries. Officials produced
documents that ostensibly showed two sets of accounts, one at the official
retail price, and the other reflecting the higher price the flour was really
sold at.
The National Foods chief defended himself, insisting that he had sold
flour at the official price. His arguments made Vice-Air Marshal Henry
Muchena so angry that he ordered him to leave the room.
Brooke was arrested later in the week on charges of breaching the
price control legislation, and Mike Manga, who leads Blue Ribbon Foods and
is Chairman of the Millers' Association of Zimbabwe, was detained on similar
charges relating to flour pricing.
The source said subtle threats were made that they should stop
financing Makoni or face big problems.
"This was the highest level of intimidation to stop funding of Simba
Makoni," said a top executive, who did not want to be named. "It has always
been obvious that Simba had the support of the local businesspeople and it
seems that they want to end that."

 

Matebeleland could cast the deciding vote

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:11
BY WICKY MOFFATT
For the first time in the history of Zimbabwe, the people of
Matebeleland are likely to decide who goes to State House.
All three presidential candidates, Robert Mugabe, Simba Makoni and
Morgan Tsvangirai, have very strong credentials, which makes it highly
unlikely that any of them will get the required 51 per cent of the March 29
vote to become President. This means any candidate who gets more than the
33.3 per cent threshold will definitely qualify for the second round of
voting.
Matebeleland has three of the country's 10 provinces (30 per cent of
the voting provinces). A candidate who wins in 30 per cent of the provinces,
by whatever margin, is also likely to achieve the 33.3 per cent threshold,
unless he fails dismally in all the other provinces; which is an unlikely
scenario. This, in turn, implies that whoever wins Matebeleland will most
likely proceed to the second round of voting.
Historically the people of Matebeleland have always voted and followed
one leader at a time. They were united under Joshua Nkomo and they followed
him through thick and thin. When they decided to vote for the MDC in 2000
and 2002, they all spoke with one voice.
t is argued that minority groups anywhere in the world find comfort in
their own unity. In general, when people are deprived because of tribe or
ethnicity, they tend to find solidarity. It seems that this unity was shaped
by the Gukurahundi atrocities, which left the people feeling
disenfranchised, persecuted, harassed and struggling to find a voice.
Gukurahundi stirred the pot of identity politics in Matebeleland, and
created a form of solidarity which will survive any changes in the political
landscape, until the imbalances it created have been fully addressed. It
made tribal boundaries real in our society and almost every sphere of
leadership is now linked to tribe in one way or another. The three
Matebeleland provinces will therefore come as a package to one leader; they
cannot be split.
Compensation for victims
The politicians have realised this and they have all put Matebeleland
at the heart of their presidential campaigns. This is why Morgan Tsvangirai
has promised compensation for Gukurahundi victims as bait for the Matebele
vote. He even went to the extent of hiring 40 buses to ferry people to White
City Stadium all day for his rally.
This strategy actually works because it gives him a psychological
advantage over his rivals. Everyone who did not see the free beer and free
buses now believes that Morgan is the most popular leader in Matebeleland.
This gives him an unstoppable momentum which could easily turn into votes.
His biggest let-down, though, is the lack of a local hero in his ranks.
Thokozani Khupe and Lovemore Moyo hardly define what it really means to be a
'real' Matebele leader, and whether they will deliver the vote remains to be
seen.
On the other hand, Simba Makoni decided to rope in a local hero,
Dumiso Dabengwa, to win the heart and soul of this region. Dumiso is the man
who spent five years in prison, fighting for his people. Even in 2000, when
they voted for the MDC, they openly told him: "We love you Dumiso, but we do
not like the Mugabe jacket that you are wearing."
Now he has come back to say: "I have removed that jacket." In
accepting Dabengwa, Makoni has also accepted the Matebeleland Zambezi Water
Project (MZWP), which stands at the heart of Matebeleland development. This
is the main reason why Dabengwa endorsed Makoni; to push ahead his MZWP
agenda and develop Matebeleland.
Makoni has also roped in Dr Themba Dhlodhlo, Treasurer of the
Matebeleland/Midlands Gukurahundi Victims Development Association (MGVDA).
This man and his network of chiefs and headmen have done a lot of work to
identify victims and source compensation. Makoni has publicly endorsed the
MGVDA and its vision for healing, rehabilitating and compensating
Gukurahundi victims.
Simba has also been endorsed by Welshman Ncube, et al; the self
proclaimed or assumed new leaders of Matebeleland.
Bob's lost battle
As for uncle Bob, he already knows that Matebeleland is a lost battle.
He will concentrate on the rural areas of Mashonaland where he is busy
sharpening his rigging mechanisms. Bob is already doing his maths in rural
Mashonaland, where he has planted so many polling stations that some will
only cater for 600 registered voters. These voters are being told that, if
the opposition wins in their area, they can easily be identified and
victimised. They are also being told that the ballot boxes are transparent,
so "we can see your vote" and come after you.
In the end, Bob is likely to win the rural vote in Mashonaland by hook
or by crook, and he is likely to face a run-off against whoever wins
Matebeleland.
Manicaland, from where both Simba and Morgan hail, is shaping up to be
another interesting battle. The Buhera area obviously belongs to Morgan.
Mutare urban is likely to follow suit, albeit with a split towards Simba.
However the people of Chipinge, like the people of Matebeleland, have always
believed in one leader. Their current leader, Wilson Khumbula, has endorsed
Makoni. This is likely to deliver the Chipinge vote to him.
In the Chief Makoni area, which covers five constituencies, they are
all shouting "Nyati imhenyu" together with the Mutasa and Nyanga people. If
you take into account Bob's rigging mechanisms, it will make the battle of
the 'home of opposition' a very interesting duel. Whoever wins Matebeleland
can add Manicaland to that collection to pass the 33.3 per cent mark.
Matebeleland has spoken with one voice in the past but has not been
heard. This time they have a unique opportunity to speak loudly and be
heard.
In Matebeleland the democratic journey is more than just about voting.
It is about identity; it is about who you are, and it is about healing the
old wounds. The politics of identity, the politics of Matebeleland, is
likely to carry the day on March 29.

Mugabe Worried

The Zimbabwean

 Wednesday, 19 March 2008 08:07

HARARE
President Robert Mugabe is seriously worried about his security reportedly
following the discovery by his handlers of the latest plans to eliminate or
oust him by some of his colleagues in Zanu (PF) and government structures,
The Zimbabwean has established.
The troubled geriatric leader has taken extra-measures to beef up his
security and investigations have revealed that his wife and kids are
spending much of their time away from their official residence and mansion
in the capital at some "safe" locations, including their plot in Gweru.
Intelligence and government sources revealed to this paper that Mugabe has
been constantly shuffling the presidential guard team providing security for
him and his family following yet another tip-off from his spies within the
system that his enemies within and around the axis of power are hoping for
an opportunity "to get rid of Mugabe by any means possible in order to save
the country from his plans to cling onto power despite burning the country
to ashes".
This follows what is believed to have been the leaking of plans by CIOs and
other organs to "get another victory for Mugabe through sophisticated means"
in the end of month presidential elections. Larger sections of the state
security services understood to be campaigning for Mugabe's opponents, MDC's
Morgan Tsvangirai and Zanu (PF) faction leader Simba Makoni are said to have
been irked by learning this prompting some of them to consider ways of
getting rid of Mugabe.
Our investigations proved that Mugabe's wife, Grace, has a plot in Gweru and
we established that she and their kids are now spending much of their time
there reportedly under heavy and tight guard. Mugabe has also been seen by
neighbours close to the plot putting up there for the night and being picked
in the morning to go and address his rallies.
A government minister speaking on condition of anonymity said Mugabe
recently received anonymous letters from members of the security forces
"advising him to leave the country or withdraw from the presidential race
before some other means are used to get rid of him". That is said to have
forced Mugabe to instigate a probe through his spies who are believed to
have reported back saying they had established plans to topple him through a
coup "before the elections if possible or even after them if he rigs his way
through and wants to rule for another term".
Further to that, our reliable sources said, Mugabe was also advised by his
spies that his enemies would pounce if they got the opportunity and
physically eliminate him.
"Due to this, Mugabe did his own spying and called one by one individuals he
believes are powerful and influential who have been linked to rebellions
such as the Makoni project," an impeccable source said. "These included
Solomon Mujuru, Vitalis Zvinavashe and CIO boss Happyton Bonyongwe. Mugabe
has also been trying to seduce Dumiso Dabengwa into accepting to meet him.
He suspects these to be behind plans at getting him."
Zvinavashe and Bonyongwe have been featured on front pages of
state-controlled newspapers denouncing and distancing themselves from the
Makoni project and our sources say this was after meeting with Mugabe who
demanded their did that to demonstrate their loyalty.
Mujuru met Mugabe last week but has not spoke about it, with the geriatric
president saying he had distanced himself from the rebellion. The Zimbabwean
has also confirmed with Dabengwa that there have been overtures from Mugabe
requesting to meet him. Mujuru declined to comment and Zvinavashe and
Bonyongwe were not reachable.
The secretary in George Charamba, Mugabe's spokeman's office said he was not
interested in commenting.

PTUZ Boss Says Parties Should Not Hold Rallies at Schools

The Zimbabwean

 Thursday, 20 March 2008 05:43

BULAWAYO:-A Zimbabwe teachers' representative body has called on the that
country's electoral commission to ban the use of schools as campaign bases
by contesting political parties ahead of the March 29 elections, saying such
activities in the past led to violence against teachers and destruction of
property at schools.

 Raymond Majongwe, the secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union
of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said the militant teachers' organization has wrote to the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), calling on it to ban the holding of
rallies at schools to ensure the protection and safety of teachers. "We
wrote to ZEC asking it to ban the use of schools as campaign bases. Schools
used as campaign bases in the past lost valuable school furniture and other
material. Schools were used as springboards of violence against teachers
suspected to be aligned to the opposition parties," said Majongwe
yesterday.Majongwe said PTUZ addressed the letter to Utoile Silaigwana, the
ZEC deputy chief elections director.  Majongwe added: "ZEC in reply said it
would first consult the public service commission (PSC) over the matter
before making a decision. Schools should be treated like hospitals and
clinics. You will never find campaign bases at these places, so why at
schools.
 "In previous elections, teachers were displaced and assaulted and forced to
flee their schools where they were campaign bases. The ultimate losers are
school children as previous incidences have shown."
  Silaigwana could not be reached for comment despite repeated efforts.
Last month, scores of teachers and PTUZ leaders were severely beaten up by
ruling Zanu-PF thugs for distributing fliers outlining the fall of the
education sector. Teachers have been victims of violence in the run-up to
previous elections on suspicions by the ruling Zanu-PF thugs that they are
aligned to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
  This year, however, there have been few reports of politically motivated
violence against teachers ahead of the elections.  Zimbabwe holds joint
elections of March 29 to elect a new president and representatives of the
senate, local authority and house of assembly.

ROHR continues to name and shame

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:25
BY OWN REPORTER
HARARE
Perpetrators of crimes against humanity may be able to slip through
the legal net, but ROHR Zimbabwe's Name and Shame campaign can be harder to
avoid.
ROHR (Restoration of Human Rights) targets those in the police force
and army who abuse their power.
Their latest action led to the arrest of one of the two members of the
Zimbabwe National Army who allegedly assaulted Sten Zvorwadza in February.
At 2am last Friday, ROHR Zimbabwe members, with the help of ZRP officers,
raided the house of Denford Nemutambwe in Chitungwiza, and arrested him.
The two uniformed soldiers allegedly manhandled Zvorwadza at a bus
terminal in Harare city centre. They had overheard a private discussion in
which Zvorwadza said Zanu (PF) had failed to run the country properly. They
accused him of discrediting the country and demanded an apology.
Then he refused to apologise, it is claimed the two uniformed
officials used their spiked belts to beat him. They then stole his mobile
phone before handing him over to the police for arrest.
"Thinking it [was] business as usual and that their crime was water
under the bridge, [we] had other plans," said a report from ROHR.
Nemutambwe was detained at Makoni police station in Chitungwiza,
pending trial. His accomplice is yet to be arrested for the same offences.

Stand up for Your Child marchers take to the streets

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:23
Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and the men's group (MOZA)
held four community-based protests in Harare and Chitungwiza today, taking
to the streets of Domboramwari, Glen View, Kuwadzana and Makoni Shopping
Centre in Chitungwiza.
Supporters marched carrying balloons that read 'Stand Up for Your
Child' and handed out flyers, urging people to vote in the coming elections.
Commission calls for lawyers' independence
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has called on the
Zimbabwe Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Patrick
Chinamasa, to take measures to restore the independence of lawyers in the
country.
The ICJ was prompted to write to Chinamasa, after he made a statement
against the Law Society of Zimbabwe in the state-controlled Herald
newspaper. The letter expressed the Commission's "serious concern" about
developments they say threaten to undermine lawyers' independence.
"The ICJ is deeply concerned that this governmental declaration
against the Law Society of Zimbabwe could be a prelude to a new regime of
government actions aimed at discrediting, delegitimising and undermining the
independence of the legal profession in Zimbabwe," said Martin Masiga of the
ICJ Africa Programme.
The ICJ reminded the government of Zimbabwe of its obligations as a
State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights as well as a
variety of human rights instruments, to ensure that lawyers are able to
perform all their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance,
harassment or improper interference.
Attacks on lawyers in Zimbabwe have included physical assaults,
manhandling, office raids and seizure of documents, arbitrary arrests and
detentions, false prosecutions, being chased out of police stations, being
threatened with arrest when representing clients among others.

Short-handed police recruit green bombers

The Zimbabwean

Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:26

BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) does not have the staff to carry
out its duties before, during and after the elections, and is recruiting
green bombers to swell its ranks.
The Zimbabwean has established that there are about 26,000 members in
the police force, which will be expected to provide manpower for 11,000
polling across the country. It is a requirement that every polling station
has two police officers. This would leave only 4,000 officers for all other
duties throughout the country.
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has cancelled leave for
all officers and has ordered every member of the force to be on duty until
he issues a statement saying the elections are over and there is calm in the
country.
However, sources says around 5,000 officers have already gone absent
without leave.
Police spokesman Oliver Mandipaka confirmed that Chihuri had "taken
measures
to ensure there is enough manpower to handle the elections and that
includes having all members on duty".
He said he was not in a position to discuss the numbers within the
force.
Reliable sources at PGHQ revealed that the force had been trying to
fill in the huge gaps in numbers by recruiting people from the national
youth training service.
"More than 3,000 green bombers have been recruited recently and
fast-tracked into the force in order to beef up the numbers," a source said.
"There are also war veterans and Zanu (PF) youths that have been taken on
board just for the elections, but there is already a lot of concern within
the force due to the political inclinations of these new recruits."

Hats off to COSATU

The Zimbabwean

Editorial

 Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:29

The decision by South Africa's labour body, COSATU, to demand free and fair
elections in Zimbabwe is commendable. This is what Zimbabweans expect of
their fellow Africans.
We hope that this stance will be adopted by many other labour bodies
throughout the African continent. This could mark the beginning of genuine
solidarity between the people of Africa rather than the rulers of Africa.
For too long African governments have supported African dictators despite
the widespread oppression of their peoples.
It is clear that COSATU has its finger on the pulse of what is truly
happening in its northern neighbour, far more than does the SA government.
At last COSATU is trail-blazing in identifying with the broad starving
masses of Zimbabwe and not choosing to close their eyes while a heartless
dictator not only wrecks the country but brings about untold suffering to
millions of people.
We wish COSATU every success in persuading the ANC and the SA Communist
party to follow its lead. We know that it is powerful. After all it was
responsible for the election of Jacob Zuma as president of the ANC. We are
confident that its voice will be heard.
This could be a turning point in the ANC's attitude towards the Zimbabwean
crisis.
COSATU has threatened to make a lot of noise if the playing field in
Zimbabwe is not levelled before the elections. It is heartening to know that
Zimbabweans do have some concerned neighbours who would like to see a
genuine resolution of their man-made disaster.
All indications at this stage are that the elections will not be free and
fair. The arrest of opposition candidates and disruption of their campaigns
are ongoing. The Zimbabwe Electoral commission is unashamedly partisan. The
voters' rolls are a complete shambles. The media is still gagged.
Journalists are still banned from reporting. Genuine international observers
are barred. We have a bunch of clowns from countries that do not hold
credible elections of their own. Some of them have never even seen a ballot
box. Special courts, set up to deal expeditiously with election disputes,
are refusing to consider applications by the opposition.
In flagrant disregard of the electoral laws, Zanu (PF) continues its
vote-buying extravaganza, dishing out food, farming implements and computers
bought with tax-payers' money. Military chiefs, also paid by the tax payers,
threaten to reverse the wil of the people if they dare vote for anyone other
than Mugabe. This threatening behaviour, widely reported in the state media,
is met with deafening silence from the government.
This does not augur well for a free and fair poll. Now is the time to make
noises about the playing field - before it is too late.