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Prosecution wants maximum sentence for Gwisai

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 March 2012

University of Zimbabwe Lecturer and former MDC-T MP Munyaradzi Gwisai faces
up to 10 years in prison after state prosecutors asked for the maximum jail
term.

Gwisai was on Monday found guilty of ‘conspiracy to incite public violence
with a view to overthrowing the unity government.’ He was convicted together
with Antoinette Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo
and Welcome Zimuto. They now all face the prescribed maximum jail term.

The group was arrested in February last year, together with 39 other social
and human rights activists. Police claimed then that the group was plotting
to destabilise the government because they watched video footage of the
Egypt uprising. When they were initially arrested police accused the group
of treason, but downgraded the charges to inciting public violence.

Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama strongly opposed any custodial sentence or
community service. He however conceded to a fine, which would be about
US$500 per person. He told the court he will appeal against conviction for
all six, once sentence is passed.

The lawyer told the magistrate his clients did not commit any crime and had
been severely tortured by police after their arrest on 19th February 2011.
The police officers who tortured the six activists have not been brought to
account.

The activists spent 27 days in prison before being granted bail, on
stringent conditions.

Dewa Mavhinga, acting director of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, said the
case is a direct message from a politicized and partisan justice system to
civil society about their intolerance for democracy, justice and freedom.

‘We reject that message of fear. It was encouraging that over 100 civil
society leaders and activists turned up at court in support and solidarity.

‘This political persecution of the six activists through prosecution is
testimony to how compromised our judicial system has become. Contrast this
persecution with the murders of over 200 MDC supporters during the 2008
elections whose murderers are still at large, seemingly beyond the reach of
the law,’ Mavhinga said.


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URGENT ACTION: For Zimbabwe political prisoners

http://www.socialist-alliance.org

[Munyaradzi Gwisai]

Dear comrades and friends,
Last night (March 19) Zimbabwe ISO leader Munyaradzi Gwisai and his five
comrades were found guilty by the Zimbabwean state of “inciting public
disorder”, after they organised a film showing and discussion at the Labour
Centre in Harare about the Egyptian uprising last year.The conviction gives
the brutal security apparatus in Zimbabwe a green light to persecute and
prosecute ordinary people for watching a film or daring to discuss events
unfolding in another country.

The ISO activists will be sentenced in the next 24 hours and face up to 10
years' imprisonment (in Zimbabwe's jails, this can be a death sentence).
We urge you to help prevent these courageous comrades from being jailed by
immediately texting a message demanding that the six activists be freed
without penalty to the following numbers:

    Zimbabwe Security Minister Didymus Mutasa +263 0712 200 532
    Zimbabwe Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri +263 712 808 290
    Zimbabwe Police Minister Kembo Mohadi +263 712 605 424

Protests actions will also be held on Tuesday 20 March as follows:

SOUTH AFRICA - 12 noon Zimbabwe consulate, 13 Boeing Street West,
Bedfordview, Johannesburg

BRITAIN - Embassy of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0QE.
Phone 020 7379 1167, email zimlondon@yahoo.co.uk

AUSTRALIA - Melbourne solidarity action with Zimbabwe activists facing years
in jail, Tuesday March 20, 5.15pm, GPO, City, Corner Bourke and Elizabeth St
USA – Details at:

http://socialistworker.org/2012/03/19/mugabes-iron-fist-aimed-at-activists

AUSTRIA: protest in front of the embassy of Zimbabwe in Vienna on Tuesday,
March 20th at 11:00. https://www.facebook.com/events/409210405771652

The convicted comrades are: Munya Gwisai, Antoneta Choto (36), Tatenda
Mombeyarara (29), Edson Chakuma (38), Hopewell Gumbo (32) and Welcome Zimuto
(25).

In solidarity,
Lisa Macdonald
Socialist Alliance (Australia)

international@socialist-alliance.org

MORE INFO: http://links.org.au/node/2785


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SA Civic Groups Call for Gwisai’s Freedom

http://www.radiovop.com

Johannesburg, March 20, 2012- A conglomeration of civic organisations
operating under the banner of Democratic Left Front (DLF), called on
President Robert Mugabe led government to acquit Munyaradzi Gwisai and five
other activists convicted of conspiring to commit violence.

The DLF urged Mugabe to step down and also throw away malicious charges
against the team of six who face a possible ten year jail sentence. The
South African umbrella body said the conviction is meant to intimidate
citizens into submission at a time when another round of polls is impending.

Trevor Ngwane, leading human rights activists said South Africa and
President Jacob Zuma to intensify pressure on Zimbabwe’s frail leader to
allow the smooth implementation of democratic reforms.

“Mugabe should leave the six to walk free as they have not committed any
crime. Watching a video accessible to everyone can not be a criminal
offense. Mugabe must go, what he is doing are last kicks of a dying horse”,
said Ngwane speaking to Radio VOP.

The Zimbabwe consulate now housed along the N12 highway was coloured with
banners and placards calling for dropping of the ruling and an immediate
Mugabe exit.

The Zimbabwe consulate tried to get assistance from the South African Police
Service (SAPS) as the demonstration was not sanctioned but the police could
not expel the protesters as the march was well organised and did not disrupt
business.

Reached for comment, the Zimbabwe consulate official who cannot be named
said, although they respected freedom of expression demonstrations should be
conducted under the confines of the law.


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We are all Munyaradzi Gwisai

http://www.kubatanablogs.net/kubatana/?p=8211

Zimbabwe ISO leader Munyaradzi Gwisai and five other activists have been
found guilty by the Zimbabwean government of “inciting public disorder”,
after they organised a film showing and discussion at the Labour Centre in
Harare about the Egyptian uprising in February last year. The conviction
gives the Zimbabwe government a green light to persecute and prosecute
ordinary people for watching a film, conversing about current affairs, or
discussing events as they unfold in another country.

The ISO activists will be sentenced today and face up to 10 years’
imprisonment.

You may well ask what any of us can do in the face of this authoritarianism.
Whilst it may be difficult to show your outrage publicly for fear of
reprisal – which is very real – we urge you to continue to inform yourselves
about the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and other countries, like Egypt
and Syria.

The fact is thousands of Zimbabweans were watching footage of the Egyptian
uprising last year. And thousands of Zimbabweans were discussing those
events at the office, in their homes and over cold ones in pubs. The
majority of people discussing the Arab uprising probably all agreed on one
thing: that similar events were unlikely to happen in Zimbabwe. But still we
all carried on discussing and arguing. Debate and discourse is a central
part of all our lives.

We have a fundamental right to freedom of expression.

Kubatana urges you to use exercise it whenever and wherever you can.

We are all Munyaradzi Gwisai.

This entry was posted on March 20th, 2012 at 2:21 pm by Bev Clark


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Farmers warn that Zim agriculture is in ‘major crisis’

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
20 March 2012

The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) has warned that Zimbabwe is facing a
“major crisis,” after a third of the country’s maize crops were declared a
write off.

The state media has quoted Agriculture Minister Joseph Made as stating that
the country faces a serious grain deficit, blaming a ‘prolonged dry spell’.
He told the Herald newspaper that the government had halted sales from its
‘strategic grain reserves’ following the bleak results of a state assessment
of the country’s maize crops.

The CFU’s President, Charles Taffs, told SW Radio Africa on Tuesday that he
agreed with Made that Zimbabwe is in trouble agriculturally, with the
country once again unable to feed itself. But he disagreed with the weather
being blamed for the situation.

“We can’t continue to blame drought. It’s quite absurd that this is still
used as an excuse,” Taffs said, adding that the reason behind the deficits
is that “agriculture continues to be undermined.”

The country has been struggling to feed itself for more than a decade after
productive farms were seized from commercial farmers and handed to top ZANU
PF officials, as part of the land grab campaign. In 2008 this campaign was
declared unlawful by the regional human rights court, but nothing has been
done to correct the situation.

The result has been a country facing hunger, which ZANU PF has been quick to
blame either on Western imposed targeted sanctions or the weather.

But as Taffs said, the treatment of the agricultural sector is the main
problem.

“There is first of all no funding for agriculture and no security of
 tenure,” Taffs explained.

He said: “You know we actually have no problem with who owns the land. We
have a problem with how the land is used,” adding that the there is no
reason anymore why Zimbabwe should be relying on food aid or imports to
survive.


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Rival ZANU PF factions square off in front of journalists

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 March 2012

A press conference organized by the youth empowerment pressure group Upfumi
Kuvadiki, descended into chaos as rival factions created a ruckus at the
Harare Club in the capital.

The heated exchange of words in front of journalists soon gave way to
scuffles between the supporters of rival factions led by Alson Darikayi, its
former spokesman and now president, and Tatenda Maroodza the
secretary-general. The commotion abruptly ended the press briefing, which
was being addressed by Darikayi.

The youth group has been rocked by internal squabbles since January this
year. The divisions were sparked by reports that Darikayi was claiming to be
the group’s leader.

Other members of the group accuse him of causing despondency in Upfumi
Kuvadiki while Maroodza claimed that Darikayi was booted out from the
organization for flouting its rules.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said it was rare for two factions with
strong links to ZANU PF to be seen ‘washing their dirty linen in public.’
One group is believed to be sponsored by ZANU PF secretary for
administration Didymus Mutasa, while Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere is
behind the other faction.

‘There were ugly scenes and this happened in full view of journalists and
police who just stood by and did nothing. There were scuffles between rival
members and those from Maroodza’s camp were more vocal and threatening,’
Muchemwa said.

He continued: ‘Maroodza’s group came in and climbed on chairs and tables.
They tore down posters that had Mugabe’s picture from the walls and
disrupted the press conference. But surprisingly no-one was arrested despite
the police being stationed less than 20 metres away.’

The youth empowerment group came to prominence last year when it temporarily
disrupted parking business run by EasiPark, that led to a demonstration that
resulted in looting and destruction of property at the Gulf complex in the
capital.

The group still harbors plans to take over the lucrative parking bays owned
by Harare City Council after the local authority threatened to cancel the
controversial joint venture with South African firm Easihold.

Easihold and Harare formed Easipark to control city parking, but the deal
hangs in the balance after the city fathers made known their intention to
terminate the two-year partnership.


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Cops kill mine worker

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Editor
Tuesday, 20 March 2012 12:28

HARARE - Police in Shamva on Saturday evening ran amok, brutally assaulted a
man to death and left several critically injured after a senior police
officer reportedly commandeered nine juniors to revenge on hapless mine
workers after his wife lost a purse with $1.

Shamva yesterday resembled a war zone after angry residents, thronged and
barricaded the police station demanding justice following the death of
Luxmore Chiwamba who succumbed to injuries he sustained after police
officers assaulted him with baton sticks, clenched fists, and booted feet.

Residents said three people had died but police spokesperson, Wayne
Bvudzijena maintained yesterday evening that only one person had died during
the bloody siege on Ashley Mine compound.

Residents camped at Shamva police station said trouble began after a wife to
a senior police officer only identified as Shumba was robbed and lost a bag
containing a phone and $1 on Saturday.

Shumba  is said to have enlisted the help of nine officers to try and
retrieve his wife’s stolen bag whereupon he conducted a deadly door to door
raid on residents of Ashley Mine in which people were forced out of their
homes, some naked and were savagely assaulted.

In the dead of the night and under the cover of darkness, the officers
launched a vicious attack on Ashley Mine compound demanding cash and cell
phones from helpless residents to compensate the $1 loss.

Over a dozen people are said to have been injured during the brutal attack.
Ten people were severely injured and are now receiving treatment and
recovering at a private clinic in Bindura.

A relative of the deceased, Yvonne Mushita told the Daily News that 10
police officers led by Shumba descended on their family home and beat  them
up mercilessly.

“They came at around 11pm knocking on the door, they broke down the door and
started hitting us with clenched fists and booted feet,” Mushita said.

The informal trader who was overcome with grief and anger said some members
of her family managed to escape but Chiwamba was overpowered by the police
as they had taken him by surprise.

“He was actually sleeping and they came in while he was naked and when he
tried to reach for his clothes they stepped on his chest with their boots
and starting kicking him all over the body. He was beaten up until he
started crying out to them saying ko muri kundiurairei(why are you killing
me)?” Mushita said.

The heartbroken woman said the heartless police officers did not even heed
the plea of the dying man when he asked to be taken to hospital.

“They said to him we want blood, someone must die here. They even refused to
give him medical assistance even when he started vomiting blood. Even his
urine was bloody,” she said.

Mushita who held on to a stick which she used during the demonstration said
Chiwamba who is survived by a wife and three children was later on taken to
the police station where he was further assaulted.

When the Daily News crew arrived at Shamwa police station at 1pm yesterday,
angry residents where demonstrating singing and dancing to war songs
wielding placards with various messages denouncing the brutal police action.

They demanded that Shumba should come out to face the “music.” Their songs
sent messages that they were tired of being ill-treated by the police who
have a constitutional mandate to protect them.

The super charged crowd which consisted of men and women of different ages
as well as school pupils, held placards denouncing the police.

One placard read; “Shumba we have reduced you to a rat,” while another read;
“We will not have thieves policing us.”

One of the residents taking part in the demonstration, Adam said he was not
shocked  by the police action as police details in the politically explosive
city had been holding residents hostage since October last year.

“It was inevitable, this Shumba guy who is the member in charge here is very
cruel, he has been terrorising us for a long time.

“In October he introduced a curfew where if you are seen walking about after
7pm, you will be arrested,” Adam said.

Sarah, who runs a flea market stall in the Zanu PF stronghold concurred with
Adam.

She said she was sick and tired at the manner in which the police got away
with heinous crimes on a daily basis.

“We want to know who will police the police since they are the ones who are
going about beating up innocent people in their homes.

“I was not beaten up on Saturday because my money saved me, if I had not
paid them the $100 they demanded, then my family and I would probably be in
hospital,” Sarah said.

Women and children were not even spared in the attack. Several grandmothers
are said to have suffered broken limbs after the police descended on them.

Angry residents vowed not to leave the police station until Shumba and his
men were safely behind bars.

Bvudzijena dismissed the incident as an attack on Shamwa residents by the
police.

“One person died but it wasn’t an attack on the public by the police. We are
still carrying out investigations and we will not leave any stone unturned,”
Bvudzijena said.

This however, is not the first time that police details have been fingered
in brutal attacks against members of the public.

Last week, 24 year old Ernst Marandure was severely assaulted by a police
officer in Kuwadzana.  He is recovering at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

The latest attack on innocent citizens by police comes at a time when the
two MDC formations which are in government together with Zanu PF have been
pushing for reforms in the security sector.


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MLF Leaders' Trial Opens, Key Witness Rebuffs Police Claims

http://www.radiovop.com

Bulawayo,March 20, 2012 –The trial of three Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF)
leaders who are facing treason charges opened at the Bulawayo High Court
yesterday (Monday) with one of the key state witnesses dismissing police
claims.

The three MLF senior executive members Charles Thomas, John Gazi and Paul
Siwela  are facing treason charges after  being arrested in March last year
in different locations of Bulawayo for distributing MLF flyers calling for
the separation of Matebeleland region from the whole of Zimbabwe.

However their trial opened before Judge Justice Nicholas Ndou in Bulawayo on
Monday with one of the key state witnesses, Headman Sibanda shocking police
by dismissing their claims in court that he had seen Thomas and Gazi
distributing flyers in the city. The three MLF leaders also pleaded not
guilty to the treason charges.

“I never saw any of the three accused persons distributing flyers of MLF,”
Sibanda told the court.

There are more than 11 state witnesses who have been lined up to testify
against the MLF leaders. Another state witness Sibangani Ndlovu also
testified before Judge Ndou yesterday. Their trial continues today
(Tuesday).

The MLF executive members are being represented by Sindiso Mazibisa,
Advocate Lucas Nkomo, Robert Ndlovu and Sabelo Sibanda.

The militant and radical MLF was launched in January last year and is
advocating for the independence of the Matabeleland region located in the
southern part of Zimbabwe saying the Ndebele speaking people of this country
have been marginalised by the government for too long and also face
discrimination every day at work places and tertiary institutions.

The call for Matabeleland secession from Zimbabwe appeared to have been
encouraged by events in South Sudan where people there voted overwhelmingly
recently to break away from mainland Sudan in a referendum.

Last year MLF announced that it was dragging President Robert Mugabe and
Zimbabwe government to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
(ACHPR) over arrests and harassments of its members.


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Court Throws Out Chief’s Bid To Attach PM’s Property

http://www.voanews.com

19 March 2012

Chief Negomo, who has threatened to attach and auction the Prime Minister’s
property this week, had initially fined Mr. Tsvangirai two head of cattle,
two sheep, 10 meters of white cloth and a bowl of snuff to appease the
spirits.

Violet Gonda | Washington

A Zimbabwean magistrate has set aside a judgment by a traditional leader
charging Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should pay a fine for allegedly
violating tradition by paying bride price for one Locadia Karimatsenga-Tembo
last November.

Mr. Tsvangirai has denied marrying Tembo, maintaining that he had only paid
damages for getting the 30-year-old divorcee pregnant.

Chief Negomo, who has threatened to attach and auction the Prime Minister’s
property this week, had initially fined Mr. Tsvangirai two head of cattle,
two sheep, 10 meters of white cloth and a bowl of snuff to appease the
spirits.

Mr. Tsvangirai’s lawyer Selby Hwacha told the VOA’s Violet Gonda that Chief
Negomo risks arrest if he attempts to attach Mr. Tsvangirai’s property since
the magistrate ruled he had no jurisdiction over the area where the
traditional ceremony allegedly took place.

“In fact what the magistrate has ruled and directed is that the chief’s
decision is void, it is invalid.” Hwacha said: “(Including the fact that the
chief has no powers to be issuing decisions of any kind over and concerning
the Prime Minister.”

“The court has said if the chief should, and I hope he doesn’t, make the
mistake of attempting to attach  anything he risks being arrested because
simply put – you don’t run around with fake orders or fake powers trying to
attach people’s property.”

Early this year the Bindura court reportedly ordered the Prime Minister to
pay the traditional penalty, but Hwacha said he only heard about it in the
newspapers and could not confirm that the magistrate had initially ordered
that the chief’s judgment was valid.

“The only formal communication we have ever received is this communication
from the magistrates’ court in Bindura advising us that the chief’s decision
is not valid,” said Hwacha.

Meanwhile, speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the
Chiweshe chief said plans were still underway to attach the Prime Minister’s
property.

The chief’s aide Retired Major Cairo Mhandu declined to comment.

However, youths from Mr. Tsvangirai’s MDC formation have threatened to
‘prevent’ Chief Negomo from attaching their leader’s property in an ‘illegal
manner’.

Youth Assembly secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi accuses the chief of
undermining the office of the Prime Minister.

“We expect the respect that is given to the President of the country to be
given as well to the Prime Minister of this country,” said Mkwananzi.

“The Youth Assembly will not sit by idly and cowardly and watch while this
idiotic chief goes on to disdainfully disrespect the office of the Prime
Minister.”


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Zim, Iran ties questioned as SA launches ‘sanctions busting’ probe

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
20 March 2012

Zimbabwe’s ties with Iran, and reports that ZANU PF is seeking assistance
from that country, are being questioned as South Africa launches a probe
into alleged Iranian ‘sanctions busting’ deals there.

The ZANU PF regime has been accused of seeking support from rogue states
like Iran, ahead of elections that the party insists will be held this year.
ZANU PF’s Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, earlier this month travelled
to Iran for a four day visit in which he signed a cooperation agreement with
his Iranian counterpart. Details of the exact nature of the ‘bilateral’ deal
have not been disclosed but Iran’s Defence Minister gave a hint when he
said: “We are ready to reinvigorate Zimbabwe’s defence power.”

Zimbabwe has also since been implicated in a ‘sanctions busting’ scandal in
South Africa, with Zimbabwe believed to be the possible conduit for illegal
transfers of military equipment to Iran. Dubbed the ‘Irangate’ scandal, the
story centres around an investigation by South Africa’s Sunday Times
newspaper, which this month reported that South African front companies had
been used to ship US helicopters and spare parts to Iran. Because some of
these parts could be used for military purposes, they violated international
sanctions.

Last Thursday, South Africa’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee
(NCACC) told Parliament that it had started investigations against the
companies and individuals mentioned in the Sunday Times report. Included in
the list of individuals is the partner of South Africa’s deputy President
Kgalema Mothlanthe, Gugu Mthsali. The Sunday Times has alleged that
associates of Mtshali’s and former De Beers executive Raisaka Masebelanga
met delegates from a group called Aviation 360 to discuss “buying”
government support for the Iran deal.

The newspaper reported that Aviation 360 had set up a network of front
companies to supply Iran with, among other things, a Bell 212 helicopter,
which was exported to Iran in 2009 through Gemini Moon 477, a South African
front company. A Canadian company, Eagle Copters, would allegedly buy
helicopters from a company in the US. Eagle Copters would then sell them to
Gemini Moon 477.

Once the helicopters were in South Africa, they would be deregistered and
then reregistered with Iran as the end-user. They would then be shipped
abroad on a Russian cargo aircraft, possibly through Zimbabwe.

The Sunday Times has also reported that Aviation 360 was involved in setting
up deals involving three Airbus A300 aircraft, which were exported to Iran
in 2009 through Tigris International, another South African front company. A
deal worth R2 million involving Bell 212 helicopter parts was also allegedly
set up, but this was reportedly aborted in the wake of the Sunday Times
report.

South Africa’s Shadow Minister for Defence and Military Veterans, David
Maynier from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), told SW Radio Africa
on Tuesday that the allegations are very serious. He explained this it is
not the first time South Africa has been implicated in similar Iranian
‘sanctions busting’ reports, including claims in 2009 that South Africa had
attempted to export a ‘fast boat’ to Iran.

Zimbabwe’s involvement meanwhile remains unconfirmed. But political analyst
Professor John Makumbe told SW Radio Africa on Tuesday that the country’s
links with Iran should be probed. He said Zimbabwe “could easily be involved
in such a deal,” saying Iran sees Zimbabwe as an ally.

Makumbe also said that if South African government officials are found to
have known about the ‘sanctions busting’, and are aware of Zimbabwe’s role
as a possible conduit, “South Africa’s role as facilitator in the Zimbabwe
crisis becomes highly questionable.” Makumbe agreed that this could be why
South Africa is slow to criticise the unfolding crisis in Zimbabwe, despite
reports that ZANU PF is preparing for elections with the possible support of
states like Iran.

“There is a love-hate relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa,”
Makumbe said, adding: “As it is, South Africa is not entirely unhappy about
the situation in Zimbabwe and its continued pariah status, because it
economically suits them.”


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Kurotwi case: Mpofu to testify

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Court Writer
Tuesday, 20 March 2012 11:05

HARARE - The High Court has ordered Mines minister Obert Mpofu to testify
today in a case in which businessman Lovemore Kurotwi is facing fraud
charges involving $2 billion.

Justice  Chinembiri Bhunu said  Mpofu could be summoned to testify in the
matter since the Core Mining boss and his co accused, former Zimbabwe Mining
Development Corporation (ZMDC) chief executive Dominic Mubaiwa implicated
the minister.

Kurotwi and Mubaiwa’s defence outlines mentioned the minister and the judge
said it was prudent that the minister appears in court to testify.

The state claims that Kurotwi and Mubaiwa misrepresented information to the
mines ministry that Core Mining (owned by Kurotwi) was a special vehicle for
an international South African based company, Benn Steinmeitz Group
Resources (BSGR).

The State alleges that the misrepresentations by the two prejudiced the
country of investment worth $2 billion dollars from BSGR but did not state
to whom exactly were the misrepresentations made in the ministry.

The deal died in pregnancy after BSGR demanded human rights issues to be
addressed before they injected the money, a condition that was not met and
resulted in the arrest of the two on fraud charges.

This, according to the state, prejudiced the country of $2 billion worth of
investments.

However, Kurotwi says the fraud charges only came when he told President
Robert Mugabe that Mpofu had demanded a $10 million bribe to facilitate
licencing of a joint venture between the state and Kurotwi’s outfit into
Canadile Miners.

In his defence outline yesterday, Kurotwi insisted that he was being
punished after refusing to give the minister a bribe.

Kurotwi and Mubaiwa say the minister should face similar charges because the
he sanctioned everything that happened involving the ill-fated $2 billion
investment.


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Diaspora prepares for third ‘Free Zim’ protest

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
20 March 2012

Zimbabweans across the Diaspora are once again preparing for the monthly
‘Free Zimbabwe Global Protests’ set to get underway outside South African
embassies and consulates on Wednesday.

The protests, dubbed the ‘21st Movement’, kicked off in January and are part
of efforts to put pressure on South Africa as the mediator in Zimbabwe, to
solve the ongoing political crisis.

Organised by MDC-T structures in the Diaspora, the protests have been taking
place outside South African consulates and embassies across the globe,
including in South Africa, America and the UK.

Protesters from around the world have been calling on the South African
government to help solve the ongoing crisis as well as force ZANU PF and
Robert Mugabe to honour the Global Political Agreement.

Petitions with these and other demands have been handed over to embassy and
consular staff during the demonstrations.

Wednesday is round three of the demonstrations, and the Diaspora is being
urged to get involved.


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VIPs confirm Zesa bills

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Bridget Mananavire, Staff Writer
Tuesday, 20 March 2012 12:01

HARARE - Zesa Holdings’ bid to protect senior government officials
defaulting on paying their power bills has failed as some of the VIPs have
personally confirmed to the Daily News that they are in arrears.

Residents also turned the heat on Zesa and urged the poorly-run parastatal
to push the politicians some of whom it has been giving special treatment as
“sensitive customers” to pay for their power usage and stop punishing poor
Zimbabweans only.

The power utility has made a futile and amateurish attempt to cover up the
embarrassment that came with the exposure of the defaulters by placing
statements in newspapers dismissing the Daily News story.

Zesa bizarrely went an extra mile apologising to its defaulters and urging
members of the public to dismiss our story.

But government officials who spoke to the Daily News yesterday confessed
that they indeed owe Zesa huge sums of money in unpaid electricity bills.

Patrick Zhuwao, Zanu PF MP for Zvimba East who is also Mugabe’s nephew, said
he owes Zesa and is yet to settle his bills. According to Zesa’s list of
defaulters he owes the power utility $54 407,31.

“I am a tobacco farmer, I use lots of electricity. But I have since made
payment arrangements with Zesa. I harvest once a year and that is when I can
make my payments,” Zhuwao said.

Minister of State in the President’s Office Didymus Mutasa who owes $179
590,31, said he was still discussing his bill with Zesa officials.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong I have done. I am meeting with Zesa
officials because there is more to it than meets the eye,” he said.

Thamsanqa Mahlangu, a former deputy minister and MDC legislator had some
explanation to make in confirming his bill.

“I was put there as the guarantor for my constituency, because I was paying
for some of the underprivileged,” he said of his $2 248, 34 bill.

Oppah Muchinguri, Zanu PF’s Secretary for Women Affairs and a Cabinet
minister said she like Zhuwao is a tobacco farmer and feels the Zesa bills
are too high for her. She owes Zesa $53 699,69.

“I sell once a year but Zesa is on the high. There are ulterior motives
because the publishing now makes it seem like we are criminals.

“Zesa knows we pay our bills, last year we paid around $40 000 in Zesa
bills,” she said.

Indigenisation minister, Saviour Kasukuwere confirmed he owes Zesa while
speaking to The Telegraph.

He said: “It’s no story here. I will pay my bill, but I am querying it
because I am not sure the figures are right. Remember there was
dollarisation in 2009.

“Also I am a farmer, I employ people, I have not yet been paid by the GMB
and I am waiting for money for the last three or four months, and I am sure
many of us are in the same situation. We will pay our bills.”

Harare Residents Trust (HRT), residents’ rights lobby group said the
politicians’ bills are shocking.

“Zesa must halt the disconnections of suffering Zimbabweans and deal with
government officials who owe hundreds of thousands. These are the same
people bleeding the economy.”

“Residents are concerned over why Zesa is shielding the powerful and
penalising the weak. They have failed to claim what is theirs. We call on
Zimbabweans to do their own metre readings and flock to Zesa offices if they
differ from what is on their bill sheets,” said Precious Shumba the HRT
Coordinator.

Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira said his organisation is not trying to
shield anyone by denying the Daily News expose but was simply trying to
protect client information.

“Suggestions that Zesa is trying to protect any particular customer, or
group of customers, is not correct. It is essentially protecting client
information privilege, similarly to what other businesses do in pursuance of
professional business practice.”

“Zesa is dealing with all defaulters across the various customer categories
in an even handed manner, with fairness and transparency,” said Gwasira.

“Zesa is very aware of the central role it plays in the economy and its
recovery, and is very sensitive to the liquidity situation currently
prevailing in the economy. This explains why the utility then afforded all
customers categories the option of entering into payment plans to amortise
the debts which had accrued.

“Some customers entered into these payment plans and are abiding to them,
which is why some figures currently being highlighted in the media require
qualification and should not be taken at face value.

“Power Disconnections are in both high and low density areas to all
customers in a fair and transparent manner, and thus members of the public
should not doubt our resolve to collect the debt and our even handedness,”
added Gwasira in his response to the Daily News.

But he did not mention why Zesa only defended Mugabe yet there are dozens of
defaulters among the country’s top officials. Gwasira could not be drawn
into revealing details about payments on the First Family’s farms.

Among the top government officials owing Zesa hefty amounts of money, at a
time the country is struggling to pay off an $80 million debt to Mozambique’s
Hydro Cahora Bassa, are Mugabe’s closest aides such as Defence minister
Emmerson Mnangagwa, minister of State in the President’s Office Didymus
Mutasa, State Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Information and Publicity
minister Webster Shamu, Indigenisation minister Kasukuwere, Higher Education
minister Stan Mudenge, John Nkomo, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara,
Members of Parliament and provincial governors among others.


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Power cut hits Mugabe office, city

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Xolisani Ncube, Staff Writer
Tuesday, 20 March 2012 12:08

HARARE - Business came to halt in Harare’s city centre yesterday afternoon
including at President Robert Mugabe’s Munhumutapa offices due to
intermittent power cuts by the country’s rot- ridden, Zesa Holdings.

Munhumutapa offices which houses several core government offices was forced
to switch on to a standby generator to continue government business.

The rolling power cuts which are increasing everyday as a result of an
outstanding $80 million electricity debt to Mozambique are coming amid an
expose by the Daily News that several senior government officials owe Zesa
millions of dollars in unpaid bills.

The power cuts brought business to a halt at government offices, the courts,
private offices and hospitals.

High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu had to postpone a bail application
hearing for MDC activists currently in custody on charges of murdering a
police officer because the courtrooms had no lighting.

Court proceedings could also not continue because recording equipment could
not function without electrical power.

Zesa has recently announced a punishing load shedding schedule for most
parts of the country due to reduced power generation from Hydro Cahora Bassa
(HCB) of Mozambique.

But Zesa keeps punishing the poor, by switching off electricity among the
suffering people yet the VIPs, are left untouched although they owe
millions.

Over the weekend, the power utility made a passionate plea to defaulters who
include politicians to settle their bills so that it could use the money to
increase its capacity to generate more power.


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Parliament Told Country Failing to Utilize Harvested Water

http://www.voanews.com

19 March 2012

For years now many people in Zimbabwe have remained without a constant
supply of clean tap water, creating serious health risks for residents as
they resort to unclean sources of water for survival

Studio 7 Reporters | Washington/Harare

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority says it is concerned that as
Zimbabweans join the rest of the world this week in marking water day, the
country is lagging behind with only 25 percent of the water in the country’s
dams being used to improve people's lives.

ZINWA board chairman, Never Mhlanga, told parliament’s public accounts
portfolio committee that most of the country’s dams are full but are not
being utilized.

"We have built dams which are full of water," he said. "It's a sorry sight
when we travel to these dams and you find them full of water and there are
no users, no takers."

Mhlanga said most farmers are not paying their water bills, collectively
owing the water authority $88 million. He adds last year alone, ZINWA was
only able to collect $27 million from the $42 million it should have made
through water charges countrywide.

For years now many people in Zimbabwe have remained without a constant
supply of clean tap water, creating serious health risks for residents as
they resort to unclean sources of water for survival.

From big cities such as Harare and Bulawayo to small towns such as Bindura
and Kadoma - getting clean water for household consumption is a daily
struggle.

Residents who spoke to Studio 7 about the poor water supply in the suburbs
say in the absence of clean water supplies, the council and the government
are wasting their time in trying to fight waterborne diseases like cholera
and typhoid.

One resident Thomas Mwedziwendira from Kuwadzana extension says with clean
water supplies readily available, council wouldn’t have to worry about
illegal vendors helping spread diseases.

"Water supply is very erratic so even if you buy something you might find
that there is no water to wash it, it is the Harare city council which is to
blame," said Mwedziwendira.

Another resident, Moses Chiremba, agreed, adding local authorities and the
government should unite to solve the water crisis in the whole country.

Meanwhile, speaking at the Voice of America's headquarters in Washington to
mark world water day, Dr. Aaron Salzberg, the special coordinator for water
resources at the U.S. State Department, stressed the importance of water in
the growth and development of countries.

Citing Zimbabwe in particular, Salzberg said key areas like education,
poverty reduction, democracy building and health have been affected by lack
of access to clean water by many in the country.

He said Zimbabwe, like many other countries, has failed to properly empower
its ministries so they can adequately provide clean water and in the process
prevent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

"I think we have a water minister [in Zimbabwe] who is committed to
addressing some of these issues, committed to working with neighbors, but
like many countries the water minister is very marginalized in the political
process and they must be empowered," said Salzberg.


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Biti is The Best Finance Minister Ever: Mugabe

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, March 20, 2012 -While President Robert Mugabe publicly denigrates
Finance Minister Tendai Biti accusing him of throwing spanners into the
works it has now emerged the 88-year old former guerrilla leader secretly
extols the robust MDC-T secretary general, as his best finance minister
ever.

Former United States ambassador to Botswana Stephen Nalon said Mugabe
recently disclosed that he rated Biti as the best ever finance minister he
has worked with since he took over the country in 1980.

Mugabe reportedly said he was overly impressed by Biti despite having worked
with Biti for a short period.

The late Bernard Chidzero, the late Ariston Chambati, Herbert Mrerwa,
Christopher Kuruneri and Simba Makoni, have all held that portfolio but
Mugabe rates Biti higher.

In a leaked US diplomatic cable, Nolan said; “President Mugabe praised the
work of Tendai Biti in only a few weeks and called him his best Finance
Minister ever.”

The diplomatic cable was dispatched in April 2009 but leaked late last year
by whistle blowing website Wikileaks. The cable was made available this
week.

In the cable, Nolan said he was told about Mugabe’s appreciation of Biti’s
work by the Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani.

Skelemani had just met Mugabe during a Sadc Summit held in Swaziland soon
after the formation of the inclusive government in Harare.

But Mugabe has repeatedly accused Biti of throwing spanners into the works
by allegedly allocating himself presidential powers; cutting support to
black farmers and failing to help struggling businesses, particularly in
Bulawayo.

“This man we gave the job of managing the country’s finances does not think
along the same lines as us,” Mugabe said recently, while in Manicaland where
he was meeting traditional leaders.

“To him and some of his colleagues, agriculture is not an important area
because they think that if they finance this sector, they will be
strengthening Zanu PF. They don’t want to see the economy prospering.”

But contrary to this, it has now emerged Mugabe rates Biti very high esteem.
The Botswana Foreign Minister Skelemani told the former US ambassador to
Gaborone, that he was surprised that Mugabe was so impressed by Biti and
that he was grateful about Botswana’s attitude towards Zimbabwe.

According to Skelemani, the Sadc leaders told Mugabe and the Zimbabwean
delegation, at the summit, that "you need to help us to you."

Minister Skelemani says that President Mugabe approached him to "thank him
for his attitude" during the summit.

Mugabe told Skelemani that "we are glad you (Botswana) are even thinking
about helping us." Skelemani says that he told Mugabe "we have been trying
to help you all along, even if you didn't see it."


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MDC Probes Graft in Local Authorities Under Its Leadership

http://www.voanews.com

19 March 2012

The probe by the MDC comes at a time when Local Government Minister Ignatius
Chombo has launched his own corruption investigations into Bulawayo and
Chitungwiza local authorities

Jonga Kandemiiri | Washington

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC formation on Monday rolled
out probe teams to investigate graft allegations in rural and urban councils
under its councillors, expelling Marondera mayor Farai Nyandoro in the
process.

Nyandoro confirmed he had been suspended from the party. The MDC says
Nyandoro is corrupt and has received kickbacks from a number of companies
and individuals in return for favorable tenders and related things.

The probe by the MDC comes at a time when Local Government Minister Ignatius
Chombo has launched his own corruption investigations into Bulawayo and
Chitungwiza local authorities.

On the other hand, MDC sources say the probe may play into Chombo's hands
while others say the probe is a witch-hunt by lawmakers trying to block
councillors from challenging them in the next elections.

In Bulawayo Chombo recently appointed a four-member team led by former local
government secretary Finnie Munyira to investigate the City council over
corruption allegations.

Residents in the City of Kings, however, question Chombo's sincerity,
charging he too must be investigated for corruption.

Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the probe teams have been
dispatched, telling VOA's Jonga Kandemiiri the investigators will go beyond
investigating corruption in the councils to look at service delivery and
related issues.


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Zimbabwe's Toll Highway Operator To Review Exemption List

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsworld.php?id=653469

HARARE, March  20 (BERNAMA-NNN-NEW ZIANA) -- The Zimbabwe National Road
Authority (ZINARA), which collects toll at the 22 toll gates on the
country's tolled highways, plans to review the list of people exempted from
paying the fees, says its chief executive officer, Frank Chitukutuku.

He told the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure
Development here Monday: "We are going to re-look at the exemption list.
There are going to be very few exemptions. A very long list of exemptions
will not do us any good.

"We are going to ask government vehicles to pay as well because if
government can afford to give the travelling party allowances I am sure they
can afford to give them money to pay at toll gates."

Chitukutuku said ambulances would also be required to pay at tollgates.

Only government motorcades and police officers on highway patrol would be
exempted.

Committee member and the member of Parliament for Pumula, Albert Mhlanga,
had asked the reason for exempting government officials from paying toll
fees. "You are exempting Parliamentarians, Ministers and those who are
better off financially while making a poor farmer pay toll fees," he said.

Chitukutuku also said nine new tollgates would be constructed on the
Plumtree-Harare Highway by October. Each of the new toll gates would cost at
least 1 million USD to construct, he said, adding that the first batch of
equipment was already in the country.

The new structures would be modeled along the ones found in South Africa to
help curb revenue leakages, he said.

"We hope that this will give us a lot more revenue because we believe that
the revenue that we are receiving is far less than what we should be
receiving," he added.

"For the other roads those temporary structures are going to remain until we
eventually replace them."

Chitukutuku said ZINARA was preparing to take over revenue collection from
the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority at all tollgates by July. It would be
recruiting critical staff for the takeover next month.

According to ZINARA statistics, the parastatal is collecting close to 80
million USD annually -- from toll gates which rake in between 17 million and
18 million USD per year, the fuel levy which brings in about 23 million USD,
vehicle licensing fees which bring in 24 million USD, and other revenues
from transit fees, abnormal loading and overloading penalties.


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Church service for missing rights activist Paul Chizuze

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 March 2012

A memorial service for rights activist Paul Chizuze, who has been missing
since 8th February, was to be held at the Christ the King church in
Hillside, Bulawayo on Tuesday evening.

People were asked to bring candles to the church service, beginning at 6pm.
Despite civil society organizations extensive efforts to determine his fate
his whereabouts are still unknown since his disappearance 41 days ago. Many
of his friends and family now fear the worst. Friends and colleagues
launched a campaign on social media networking sites, Facebook and Twitter,
to try and find out where he is.

Our Bulawayo correspondent Lionel Saungweme told us Chizuze was a very
prominent rights activist who actively investigated and publicized human
rights abuses, dating back to the Gukurahundi era.

‘The news of Chizuze’s disappearance has shocked many beyond belief. He was
a dedicated and hardworking individual who gave his life for the promotion
of human rights,’ Saungweme said.

Chizuze was last seen around 8pm on 8th February when he left his home, but
what happened after this remains a mystery. Friends and family fear he may
have been murdered, hijacked or abducted by parties unknown.

He was last seen driving a white twin cab Nissan Hardbody (registration ACJ
3446) which is also missing. Organizations led by the Christian group
Churches in Bulawayo and the Solidarity Peace Trust have issued several
appeals saying they fear Chizuze may have been ‘murdered.’

Chizuze was well known for his paralegal work with civic organizations like
the Amani Trust. Over the last three decades, Paul has been either employed
by, or active with, the Legal Resources Foundation, Amani Trust
Matabeleland, The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, ZimRights,
Churches in Bulawayo, CivNet, and Masakhaneni Trust. He also worked closely
with Senator David Coltart, the Education Minister.


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Zim youth seek two million signatures to stop elections

http://www.rnw.nl/

Published on : 20 March 2012 - 4:54pm

A Midlands based youth group known as the Zimbabwe Organisation for Youth in
Politics (ZOYIP) is seeking signatures of at least two million Zimbabweans
to petition the United Nations to stop the holding of elections in the
country before democratic reforms.

By our toppartner Radio VOP

The petition launched in Harare on Monday under a project called the
Democratic Agenda is demanding implementation of key democratic reforms by
partners in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) before the country goes to
the polls.

"The petition will get to the people through, public meetings programs,
churches, fliers, printed T-shirts among other outreach programmes,” said
the group's director Nkosilathi Emmanual Moyo.
"What we are saying under this project is that politicians should stop
dictating for the electorate, but the reverse should happen. People are the
ones who vote for the politicians and they should be empowered to choose
when to vote not what is happening here in the country.”

Key democratic reforms
Key democratic reforms include a new Constitution, a new voters’ roll,
legislative, electoral and media reforms. Zimbabwe also needs compliance
with SADC electoral guidelines on free and fair elections and put in place
mechanisms to make sure that violence will not be a factor in the next
elections.

These reforms are clearly stated in the Global Political Agreement which
formed the inclusive government, but parties are failing to agree on them
despite having signed the pact three years ago.

The mainstream MDC has since said it will not participate in any election
which will be held before the implementation of democratic reforms, while
ZANU (PF) is vowing to hold them even without the democratisation of such
reforms.

Replica of 2008 polls
Moyo said they are going to approach regional and international groupings
with the petition once it has been signed.

“We will start by petitioning President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and his deputies, before taking the petition to south African
President Jacob Zuma who is SADC facilitator to the inclusive government
.Thereafter we will approach the African Union before forwarding it to the
United Nations, ”he said.

ZOYIP argues that if elections are held under the current environment they
will be a replica of the June 2008 bloody polls.


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Using food rations to rebuild infrastructure

http://www.irinnews.org/
 
Photo: WFP
Building a reservoir in return for food aid
MT DARWIN, 20 March 2012 (IRIN) - Kuziva Gore, a young communal farmer from Tsenga village in the parched countryside of Mt Darwin District, some 100km northeast of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, has no difficulty explaining how food rations can help to rebuild roads and bridges.

Last year Gore and his family struggled to get his seriously ill mother to hospital because a dilapidated old bridge across a local river had become unusable. She had to be transported 10km in an ox-drawn cart to the next bridge in order to reach the hospital in Mt Darwin.

“The damaged bridge, small as it was, could have cost my mother’s life considering the delays it caused us,” Gore told IRIN.

Today, thanks to a “food-for-assets” programme which helps vulnerable rural communities repair and develop essential local infrastructure in exchange for food aid, Tsenga's residents have reconnected themselves to the outside world by rebuilding the old bridge and repairing 8km of severely damaged road passing through their district. The newly repaired bridge and road have allowed local vendors to bring down the prices of basic commodities and for public transport to return to the district.

In return for their work, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) provided food rations to scores of households in Gore’s community which had been affected by a
lack of rainfall during the 2010-11 farming season, while World Vision Zimbabwe provided building materials and technical support for the repair of the bridge. Villagers in three surrounding communities have repaired about 20km of road through the same programme.

WFP-led initiative is easing the hardships of food-deficient communities while at the same time helping develop their capacity to fend for themselves.

Implementing partners - including Plan International, World Vision, Save the Children and community-based NGOs together with local authorities - identify assets in food insecure areas that communities can work on and provide funding and resources, while WFP gives food rations to beneficiaries from needy households who carry out the projects.

WFP country director Felix Bamezon told IRIN the programme was started in 2009 in districts with a track record of recurrent food insecurity with the aim of improving livelihood opportunities for vulnerable households and reducing their dependence on emergency food aid.

In 2010 and 2011, about 20,000 households in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Masvingo and southwestern parts of the country received cereals, pulses and vegetable oil in return for their work on communal projects which included irrigation schemes, dam and well construction, repair of school buildings, installation of dip tanks, dairy parlours, nutrition gardens and piggeries. In areas where food can be bought locally, beneficiaries received cash instead of food rations.

“Communities now have improved livelihoods compared to the time before the assets were created. For instance, beneficiaries can now access markets in areas where roads were impassable, and those that started irrigation projects no longer depend on rainfall entirely," said Bamezon, adding that the programme is expanding to reach more districts in 2012.

Titus Mafemba, Plan International's provincial manager for Manicaland, confirmed that the cash and food-for-assets programme had had a positive impact in the districts where it has been implemented: “Family members from food-hungry communities tend to spend a lot of time looking for food and worsen their vulnerability by selling their assets and livestock, but the cash-and-food-for-assets programme solves this problem,” he said.

Constraints

He added, however, that projects were constrained by the fact that work could only be carried out during the period between crops being harvested and the start of the next farming season to allow families time to concentrate on their own fields.

Monitoring reports by WFP indicate that the programme faces other challenges, among them shortages of building materials and expert supervision. Senior local government officials declined to comment on the food-for-assets programme, but a junior employee of the District Development Fund (DDF) who did not want to be named told IRIN: “We are supposed to be involved in the programme heavily, but we are understaffed and do not have adequate tools to make significant contributions.”

Under the Labour Ministry, the social welfare department has been running a separate but similar programme of its own since November 2011 with funding from the World Bank.

According to Moses Chourombo, national coordinator of the programme, rural district councils and communities identify projects and “community productive works teams”, as they are known, provide technical expertise, while World Bank funding is used to pay for tools and food rations for the workers.

So far the programme is only being implemented in the Midlands districts of Chivi and Shurugwi, but Chourombo said it would be used to develop a national policy for fighting food insecurity through communal projects.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]


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Radio Dialogue denied permission for free the airwaves procession



Radio Dialogue denied procession clearance

The Bulawayo Central Police District has denied Radio Dialogue clearance to
hold a free–the-airwaves procession.

In refusing to grant the clearance, the police cited that “they had received
a directive from the top, instructing them not to grant clearance for any
procession or march until further notice”.

ZACRAS condemns the manner in which the police are undermining community
radio operations. In denying the clearance, the police should have provided
substantive and specific reasons, as espoused in Section 26 of the Public
Order and Security Act (POSA).

Section 26 of POSA clearly states that, if a regulatory authority is in
possession of credible information indicating that holding an event will
result in public disorder, he can invite a convenor to a consultative
meeting to explore options to prevent the perceived threat.

The same section goes on to state that, if after the consultative meeting
,the regulatory authority on reasonable grounds, is convinced that no
amendment or condition contemplated in the consultative meeting would
prevent the occurrence of public disorder, he or she can issue a prohibition
notice, giving the reasons and grounds therefore to the convener.

In the Radio Dialogue case, no substantive and clear reason has been given,
with the reasons proffered thus far, being vague and a clear violation of
citizen’s right to freedom of assembly and association, as espoused in
Regional and International human rights instruments.

It is saddening that the provisions of POSA, which give the police power to
either grant or deny clearances, are being used to hamper citizen’s
enjoyment of their right to freedom of expression, assembly and association
.It is against this background that ZACRAS is calling for the repealing of
such legislation which is not permissible within a democratic society.

Provisions of POSA state that clearances can be denied if the event will
likely cause public disorder .Community radio serves a development purpose
seeking to enhance community participation and access to information. This
in no way is a threat to public order, breach of peace or public safety
.Noting the developmental purpose of community radios, various stakeholders,
amongst them the police force, should augment community radio operations and
not be a stumbling block in the advancement of community radio interests.

As stated by Uzumba Member of Parliament, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (ZANU-PF) in
a Newsday article of 19 March 2012, licencing community radios will accord
minority groups platforms for engagements, access to information and its
dissemination.

It is ZACRAS’ view that the promotion of community participation in local
and national issues enhances communities’ social inclusiveness. This in turn
leads to citizen focused policy formulation, as communities actively
participate and contribute in governance related issues.

The procession was part of the proceedings of a community radio conference
to be held by Radio Dialogue, in partnership with ZACRAS and Bulawayo Agenda
on the 21st of March 2012 .The procession was scheduled to commence from
Bulawayo City Hall to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which is the
conference venue.

Gift Mambipiri
ZACRAS Chairperson


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Southern African countries losing grip on democratic gains

http://www.theglobeandmail.com

Geoffrey York
JOHANNESBURG— Globe and Mail Update
Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:19PM EDT

The once-peaceful nation of Malawi, now haunted by political violence and
crackdowns on dissent, has reached back into the colonial era to revive an
old law that would imprison anyone who “insults” the president.

The government has announced that it will not tolerate any “impudence” by
the media or civil society – and it threatens to jail anyone who disagrees.
At the same time, Malawi’s police have been breaking up demonstrations and
arresting human rights activists and opposition politicians.

Malawi’s slide into authoritarianism is part of a disturbing trend in
southern Africa. Three countries – Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia – are
suffering a rollback of the democratic gains that they had achieved in
recent years.

In Zimbabwe, where the long-time opposition party captured a share of
government after winning a 2008 election, the rollback is well under way. In
the latest setback for democracy, a court this week has convicted six
activists for showing a video about the Arab Spring. They face up to 10
years in prison for “inciting violence” against the government – simply
because they held a meeting to show a video of the street protests in Egypt
and Tunisia last year.

The six activists, arrested more than a year ago on treason charges that
were later reduced, say they were tortured by police who wanted them to
confess that they were plotting the violent overthrow of President Robert
Mugabe – a charge they deny.

In an even more disturbing sign, a Zimbabwean rights activist has
disappeared and may have been abducted or murdered. The activist, Paul
Chizuze, vanished on Feb. 8 in the city of Bulawayo and has not been seen
since. He has worked for decades for many organizations in documenting
human-rights abuses in Zimbabwe, and is a close ally of an opposition
politician who is now the country’s education minister.

In Zambia, where the opposition won a much-praised election last year and
moved into government in an impressively democratic handover of power, the
latest signs have been worrisome. The new government has been harassing and
arresting members of the former ruling party on corruption charges that
often seem dubious. One former cabinet minister was arrested on allegations
that he possessed stolen bicycles. Others have had their property seized.

Last week, the harassment took an ominous turn. A government agency, the
Registrar of Societies, announced that the former ruling party would be
stripped of its legal status – even though it is still the biggest
opposition party with 53 seats in parliament. The party, the Movement for
Multi-Party Democracy, would be de-registered for failing to pay its annual
fees, the registrar said. The opposition called it a “political witch hunt”
and an “assault on democracy.”

But it is Malawi that seems to be suffering the most dramatic slide into
autocracy. Until recently, it was seen as one of the most democratic and
free nations in southern Africa, having thrown off the 33-year dictatorship
of Hastings Banda in 1994 and moved into a successful multi-party system.

But the president, Bingu wa Mutharika, has become increasingly intolerant of
dissent. He has lashed out at Western donors, civil society groups and the
media. When street protests erupted last year, police killed at least 18
protestors, shooting some of them in the back as they fled.

Now the crackdown has intensified. Malawi’s leading human rights activist,
John Kapito, was arrested on Sunday on charges of possessing “materials with
seditious words” – apparently T-shirts. He was also accused of possessing
U.S. dollars without proper documentation. This followed the arrest of
another rights activist last month, the prominent lawyer and former attorney
general Ralph Kasambara.

Also on Sunday, violence erupted when the police fired volleys of tear gas
to break up an opposition rally. The police said the organizers did not have
permission to hold a rally. After the police attacked, the protestors
rioted, torching a police station and police vehicle.

Then today the police arrested a leading opposition figure, Austin Atupele
Muluzi, the son of a former president, in connection with Sunday’s attempted
opposition rally.

The president’s office made clear its views on dissent in an extraordinary
statement earlier this month. It said it is monitoring “hostile” comments on
the Internet and on radio shows, and it threatened to use a colonial-era law
to impose a two-year prison sentence on anyone who “insults” the president.

Quoting the Bible, the government statement said “fathers and mothers” must
be honored. And it said it would not tolerate any “impudence” against the
president.


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MDC condemns police brutality in Shamva

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms the indiscriminate police brutality
in Shamva on Saturday night.

The deceased, Luxmore Chivambo was fatally assaulted while scores are
receiving treatment at a Bindura hospital when police officers in Shamva
went on a spree and assaulted residents of Ashley Mine randomly on
allegations that they had stolen US$1.00 and a cellphone from the wife of
Officer-in-Charge of Shamva Police Station only identified as Shumba.

During the raid at the mining, property worth thousands of dollars was
looted by the police officers. It is a shame and very regrettable that a
life should be lost over property worth less than $20. As the MDC we do not
condone any form of vice but we believe that no amount of money is worth
more than life.

MDC views the action of the Shamva police officers as unprofessional and a
clear abuse of office and for the relevant authorities to come to the bottom
of this matter.The MDC has been vindicated on its calls for security sector
realignment in the country before the holding of the next elections. Some
police officers including senior officials are no longer upholding the rule
of law and abusing their powers for personal use and political patronage.
Security sector realignment will guarantee among other issues, the security
of the vote, security of the voter and security of the people’s will to
deliver real change.

We find it strange that the police officers in Sunningdale, Harare recently
in an apparent condonement of the action of Zanu PF terror’s group
Chipangano, led by Jimu Kunaka, watched the youths disrupted an MDC rally in
the area.

At the weekend, police details in Ruwa barred the MDC from holding another
rally in Ruwa claiming they had inadequate manpower because of a soccer
match in town. The security sector in any country should prioritise the
protection of its country’s citizens. In Zimbabwe, however, we have elements
in the security sector who act as though they are an extension of Zanu PF’s
security department; those who work and lobby for Zanu PF as though they are
on that party’s payroll.

The people’s struggle for real change: Let’s finish it!


MDC Information & Publicity Department


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Prime Minister Tsvangirai dismayed at human rights activists’ conviction

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Rt Hon. Dr Morgan
Richard Tsvangirai, is dismayed by the conviction of six human rights
activists on charges of purportedly plotting to unseat the government of
Zimbabwe.

The conviction of the six, which arises from the fact that they were found
while watching a video of the disturbances in Egypt, serves to project the
image of a country that perpetrates gross human rights abuses against
innocent civilians.

While the Prime Minister respects the independence of the judiciary, the
latest actions make difficult his efforts to engage nationally and
internationally with a view to promote a positive image of the country.

The Prime Minister is disturbed that the government he serves could
criminalize people watching videos as plotting to unseat the government.
This not only besmirches the government’s image, but serves to confirm that
Zimbabwe has not moved an inch in its respect for human rights.

The PM remains deeply disturbed by this and shares with the nation the shock
at the laughable conviction and the criminalisation of viewership of
material that is already in the public domain.

The conviction is a grave assault on human rights and the Prime Minister, a
staunch human rights defender in his own right, shares the grief of the six
activists, their families and their relatives.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Director of Communications and Spokesperson
Office of the Prime Minister
Harare
Zimbabwe


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Bill Watch 11/2012 of 20th March [Coming up in Parliament This Week]

BILL WATCH 11/2012

[20th March 2012]

Both Houses of Parliament will sit today, 20th March

Coming up in the Senate this week

The Order Paper has several new motions listed:

Drought relief in agricultural region 5  Senator Mohadi and Senator Chief Ngungumbane will present a motion urging Government to increase the level of relief assistance beyond the current four months cover, extend loan facilities to farmers for livestock production and develop irrigation schemes and rehabilitate existing ones.

Take-note motions on Thematic Committee reports:  Two reports [not yet available] are listed for presentation by the committee chairpersons and discussion by Senators:

·        Millennium development goals in education – a report on the provision of education in resettlement areas by the Thematic Committee on MDGs

·        A.R.T. rollout programmes – a report by the Thematic Committee on HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy rollout programmes .

Coming up in the House of Assembly this Week

Bills 

Older Persons Bill – First Reading  The Bill will be presented by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare for its First Reading.  This is a complete formality.  There is no vote.  The Minister hands in the Bill, the Clerk reads out its title, and that constitutes the First Reading of the Bill.  The Bill then stands automatically referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee for the PLC ’s report on its compatibility with the Constitution, in particular the Declaration of Rights.  Only after a non-adverse report from the PLC can the Bill proceed to the Second Reading stage.  [The Bill is designed to provide for the well-being of older persons, who are defined as Zimbabwean citizens 65 or older who are ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe.  There will be a Director for Older Persons Affairs, an Older Persons Board and an Older Persons Fund to be used primarily for providing social welfare assistance to destitute or indigent older persons.] 

National Incomes and Pricing Commission Amendment Bill  The House is waiting for the Minister of Industry and Commerce to start this Bill’s long-delayed Second Reading stage by presenting his speech justifying the Bill, i.e.,  explaining its purpose and principles.  The Bill provides for the downgrading of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission to a board with much reduced powers and functions.  Powers to fix prices and pricing standards and control rentals, incomes and service charges are to be repealed.  The new board will be an advisory body tasked with research and monitoring functions.  Price control will be implemented by regulations and orders under the Control of Goods Act, as it was before 2007.

Motions

Take note motions on Portfolio Committee reports  Debate is due to start, or continue, on three reports:

·        Management of Government vehicles by CMED  This is a report of the Public Accounts Committee, not yet discussed in the House. 

·        National Railways  This motion will need to be reinstated after lapsing for want of a quorum on 15th March. 

·        Willowvale Flats housing project mismanagement  Further debate is expected, following last week’s contributions. 

·        Ministry of Local Government budget performance  Further debate is expected.

Restoration of lapsed Bills to the Order Paper  The Order Paper for Tuesday lists motions to restore three lapsed Bills [for background please refer to Bill Watch 9/2012 of 12th March]:

·        Electoral Amendment Bill

·        Human Rights Commission Bill 

·        National Incomes and Pricing Commission Amendment Bill

Proposed Private Member’s Bill to repeal section 121(3) of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act  Mr Gonese is expected to seek the leave of the House to introduce his Bill.  ZANU-PF may oppose the motion [see above]. 

Questions for Ministers  New items listed include questions on:

Chiadzwa diamond field – MPs have asked for: details of all entities mining at Chiadzwa including the Police, the Prison Service and the Prison Service; an explanation of different production figures given by the Ministry and the Minerals Marketing Corporation; and monthly remittances to the State in the form of taxes, royalties and dividends; information on measures being taken to stop diamonds pilfered from Chiadzwa reaching the black market .

Local Government issues – Questions for the Minister cover: what communities can do about traditional leaders using their positions to compel villagers to take part in ZANU-PF rallies; district administrators who summon village heads to political meetings addressed by Jabulani Sibanda; special interest councillors, and whether it is Government policy that only ZANU-PF members be appointed as such.

Update on Bills

[Copies of all these Bills available from veritas@mango.zw]

Bill awaiting Second Reading in the House of Assembly

National Incomes and Pricing Commission Amendment Bill

Bill awaiting Report from Parliamentary Legal Committee

Urban Councils Amendment Bill [referred to PLC 29th February 2011] 

New Bill for Parliament gazetted and awaiting presentation

Older Persons Bill [gazetted 9th September 2011]

Lapsed Bills awaiting restoration to Senate Order Paper

Public Order and Security [POSA] Amendment Bill [Private Member’s Bill]

Lapsed Bills awaiting restoration to House of Assembly Order Paper

Electoral Amendment Bill

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill.

Government Gazette

Statutory Instruments gazetted on 16th March

Collective bargaining agreements:  SIs 32/2012 [new wages for kapenta sector of agricultural industry] and 33/2012 [allowances for all sectors of agricultural industry] 

Local authority by-laws:  SI 31/2012 [new rents and service charges for the incorporated area of Redcliff Municipality].

General Notice of 13th March

Audit Office Commission  GN 121A/2012 announces the appointment in terms of the Audit Office Act of members of the Commission for a 3-year term until 12th March 2015: retired High Court judge Justice M.A. Adam; Public Service Commissioner Mrs D. Guti; Comptroller and Auditor-General Mrs M. Chiri and her two deputies, Mr S.T. Mutsau and Ms R. Kujinga. 

General Notice of 16th March

Publication of two Acts of Parliament  GN 128/2012 records the gazetting of the Small Enterprises Development Corporation Amendment Act and the Deposit Protection Corporation Act [see next Bill Watch for details].

 

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Bill Watch 10/2012 of 19th March [No Banning of NGOs: ZANU-PF No to Private Members' Bills: Last Week in Parliament]

BILL WATCH 10/2012

[19th March 2012]

Both Houses of Parliament will sit again on Tuesday 20th March

NGOs Not Banned: Ministerial Statement

On 14th March Labour and Social Welfare Minister Hon Mpariwa made a Ministerial Statement in the House of Assembly on 14th March in her capacity as Minister responsible for Minister responsible for registering, de-registering and setting the conditions of operations of NGOs [full text available from veritas@mango.zw].  Without referring directly to the recent action by the Masvingo Provincial Governor [see Bill Watch 5/2012 of 18th February] she confirmed that:

·        all registered NGOs are entitled to carry on their operations in any part of Zimbabwe where their humanitarian and developmental services are needed. Only de-registered organisations are prohibited from carrying on any work.

·        no NGOs have been de-registered since the formation of the Inclusive Government and as such no NGOs have been lawfully banned from carrying on their operations in Zimbabwe.

·        NGOs are to be thanked for their work complementing Government’s efforts to meet citizens’ needs, and it is not Government policy to ban those who help us.

Minister Mpariwa is the Minister responsible for the Private Voluntary Organisations Act [PVO Act].  This is the Act  under which NGOs are registered.

ZANU-PF Claims GPA Prohibits Private Members’ Bills

After a ZANU-PF parliamentary caucus meeting last week their Chief Whip, Hon Joram Gumbo, announced the caucus had agreed that it is not lawful for any MP to introduce a Private Member’s Bill.  They believe that Article 20 of the GPA, as enshrined in Schedule 8 to the Constitution by Constitution Amendment No. 19, takes away the right of private members to introduce Bills.  The matter would be raised with the Speaker. 

The steps in the party’s argument are as follows:

·        during the life of the GPA, Schedule 8 to the Constitution prevails notwithstanding anything to the contrary” elsewhere in the Constitution [Comment: This is correct.] 

·        GPA Article 20.1.2(c), in Schedule 8 to the Constitution, says that “the Cabinet shall have the responsibility to prepare and present to Parliament, all such legislation and the instruments as maybe necessary to implement the policies, and programmes of the National Executive”.  [Comment:  This, too, is correct.]

·        Paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 4 to the Constitution, which entitles individual MPs to introduce Private Members’ Bills, is overridden by Article 20.1.2(c) and cannot be invoked as long as the GPA lasts.  [Comment:  This proposition is questionable.  Article 20.1.2(c) merely re-states the conventional, traditional position that Government Bills require Cabinet approval – presumably to make it quite plain that individual Ministers in the inclusive government cannot take Bills to Parliament without Cabinet approval.  Provisions for Government Bills and Private Members’ Bills have always existed side by side.  So it is difficult to see how Article 20.1.2(c), by mere implication, rules out Private Members’ Bills completely.]

Bills that could be affected by this new stance  MDC-T MPs have put up three Private Members’ Bills so far:

·        POSA Amendment Bill  This has already been passed by the House of Assembly but is presently stalled in the Senate.

·        Urban Councils Amendment Bill  This was introduced with the permission of the House.  The report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee is awaited.  The Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development has written to the Speaker informing him that his Ministry is working on its own reforms of local government laws and objecting to the Bill as contrary to the GPA.

·        Bill to repeal section 121(3) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act  Hon Gonese has put down a motion, not yet presented, seeking the leave of the House to introduce this Bill.

New Deputy Minister Sworn In

On 16th March the President swore in ZANU-PF Senator for Chimanimani, Hon Monica Mutsvangwa, as Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare.  She fills the vacancy left by Hon Tracy Mutinhiri, who left office in December 2011 after expulsion from ZANU-PF and the consequential loss of her Parliamentary seat.

In the Senate Last Week

Senators chided  On Tuesday no-one was ready to speak and the House sat for only 13 minutes, prompting the Senate President to remind Senators that they should not merely wait for Ministers to bring work to them, but could create their own work by introducing motions for debate.

Motion on the media  During Wednesday’s slightly longer sitting [37 minutes] several contributions were made to the debate on Senator Komichi’s motion on the partisan nature of the media. 

Question Time  On Thursday the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs became the first Minister to attend the Senate for Ministers’ Question Time.  Most of the sitting of 1 hour 13 minutes was taken up with an informative question and answer session about Constituency Development Fund problems. 

In the House of Assembly Last Week

Prime Minister’s First Monthly Statement to the House  Honouring a pledge to keep the House regularly informed about what is happening in Government, the Prime Minister on Tuesday made a detailed statement explaining the recently-adopted Government Work Plan for 2012 [copy of statement available from veritas@mango.zw].  This was followed by a question and answer session.  The Prime Minister said that in his next statement he would name Ministers who were underperforming or failing to implement agreed Government policies and programmes.

Bills  All agenda items concerning Bills were carried forward untouched, including motions to restore Bills to the Order Paper.

Motions 

·        On the President’s Speech opening the Session  Debate was resumed on Tuesday and several contributions made. 

·        Public Service audit  Hon Mudiwa wound up the debate on his motion calling for the audit report to be presented to the House.  the motion was then passed.

Three take-note motions on Portfolio Committee reports came up for debate:

·        Willowvale Flats housing project mismanagement  The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, presented this report, containing revelations of improprieties in the allocation of flats to beneficiaries.  Several MPs contributed to the debate.  It will continue next week.

·        Ministry of Local Government budget performance  Debate continued, with the presiding officer having to remind members that general complaints about the Minister’s exercise of statutory powers were not covered by the motion. 

·        National Railways  The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development presented the committee’s report on the sorry state of the NRZ.  The report’s 14 recommendations for Government action include the appointment of a board of directors for the company – it has had no board since June 2009.  Debate started but was interrupted when the House adjourned for lack of a quorum. 

Questions for Ministers 

Mining companies  Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara waxed eloquent on the need for Government vigilance in negotiating mining rights, to ensure mining companies give the country real value for the hugely valuable assets they are allowed to exploit.

Spot fines by police at roadblocks  Co-Minister of Home Affairs Hon Mohadi, grilled about spot fines, told the House that Cabinet had condemned spot fines.  So a policy to replace them was being formulated, the aim being that erring motorists be given tickets and pay admission of guilt fines at police stations or courts.

Police breaking commuter bus windscreens  Co-Minister of Home Affairs Hon Makoni explained this practice is resorted to if necessary to immobilise an offending driver disobeying lawful police instructions to stop.

Housing co-operatives problems  The Minister of National Housing said he had just presented to Cabinet his proposals for a Land Developers Bill to control this sector.

New mining fees  The Deputy Minister of Mines denied that the new fees were designed to deter indigenous miners; the idea was to stop the holding of mining claims for speculative purposes.

Harbouring Ruanda genocide suspect  The Minister of Foreign Affairs assured the House Zimbabwe would arrest and extradite the individual named if he was found.  It was bound to do so by international law. 

Maternal mortality and protection of women from HIV/AIDS  Deputy Prime Minister Khupe gave detailed answers on these topics.

 

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