Soldiers deployed in Matabeleland

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

By Oscar Nkala
Sunday, 20 March 2011 14:34

BULAWAYO - Heavily armed soldiers have been deployed in Matabeleland and
Midlands provinces, a development which human rights organisations fear will
revive memories of the massacres in which 20 000 civilians perished.

Human rights groups say the soldiers have been deployed to intimidate
villagers into supporting Zanu PF ahead of elections which Zanu PF insist
will be held this year.

Information obtained by the Daily News shows a steady incursion of armed
troops into Nkayi, Zvishavane, Plumtree, Gwanda, Rutenga, Mwenezi and
Ngungumbane areas. Already, there has been an increase in reports of
intimidation by members of the army.

But the minister of defence Emmerson Mnangagwa denied that soldiers had been
deployed.

"There is no way soldiers can conduct party business. Zanu PF has structures
that are capable of running on their own, so there will never be any need
for the military to run its politics. Our policy and charter forbid us from
doing so," Mnangagwa said.

In Plumtree, soldiers attached to border patrol units have turned to the
villages where they engage in routine assault of people and supposed
opposition sympathisers.

Former Bulilima East MP Norman Mpofu told the Daily News that there was
renewed terror campaign by soldiers in Plumtree and the nearby communities.

"Until recently, the soldiers were well behaved but of late they have turned
violent. Two weeks ago, they assaulted nearly everyone who was at the
Plumtree border gate for no apparent reason and we still hear a lot of
incidents where they move through villages threatening people. The people
are scared," Mpofu said.

Nkayi Senator Robert Makhula said he met soldiers travelling in a convoy of
five pick-up trucks near Tohwe, about 30 north of Nkayi on Sunday.

"I spoke to them and they said they are going out to revamp Zanu PF
structures and to deal with those people who were in Zanu PF but joined
opposition factions. It sounds like a general intimidation pattern which
will harass anyone who does not support Zanu PF," Makhula said.

Buletsi Sibanda, a human rights activist at Gwanda Agenda also confirmed the
increase in harassment and intimidation by soldiers.

"I have personally handled three cases in which armed soldiers based at
Rustlers Gorge in Gwanda South went to Halisupi Business Centre and forced
two teachers, Charles Gwate and Malvern Ndlovu, to do press-ups and roll on
the ground for allegedly not supporting Zanu PF. A villager Philimon
Gwingwizha was assaulted on that day,” said Sibanda.

He added that community based rights monitors have also reported growing
patterns of threats, violence and intimidation blamed on soldiers deployed
within Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) structures in parts of
Gwanda North.

Zimbabwe African People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) Veterans Trust
spokesman Busta Magwizi said there is a 'military plot' to keep Mugabe in
power.

"Yes, there is a military plot to keep Mugabe in power. Soldiers continue to
be deployed to the rural areas in various pretexts to spearhead the
restructuring of Zanu PF and weaken all opposition
ranks.

“Last week, we went to the ground in southern Midlands and parts of Masvingo
and noted a sudden increase of military personnel in Zvishavane, Rutenga,
Mwenezi and Ngungumbane areas where they are restructuring Zanu PF.

"In Mwenezi, I met and spoke to one soldier and perpetrator of violence,
Solomon Mabhenda Ndlovu, known to his victims as 'Comrade Hazvigoni' who
confesses to killing at least two opposition MDC
supporters prior to the 2008 elections.

“I also saw one Colonel Xavier Hungwe who is assigned to the Zanu PF
restructuring campaign and is now based at Neshuro Growth Point. There is
also one Major Tshudini Moyo who is restructuring Zanu PF,  Mwenezi DCC
structures. They are all involved in acts of violence and intimidation
against the people," Magwizi said.

Zanu (PF) Youths Force Businesses To Close For Shamu Rally

http://www.radiovop.com/

20/03/2011 10:54:00

MASVINGO, March 19, 2011-Rowdy (PF) youths clad in President Mugabe regalia
forced the closure of shops Saturday morning and force marched people to
attend the provincial anti-sanctions campaign launch at Mucheke Stadium.

Webster Shamu, the party political commissar and Minister of Information and
Publicity was the guest of honour at the launch.The youths some of them
bussed into the city from rural areas, gathered at the Civic Center gardens
and started chanting their party slogans and singing revolutionary songs
while denouncing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

The youths forced businesses to shut down and ordered owners to attend the
ceremony.They also closed a flea market in town popularly known as ‘
Kuchitima ’ where the majority of the traders are Zanu (PF) loyalists. Radio
Vop witnessed the incidences. Some of the youths used loud speakers attached
to cars calling on all the residents to attend the ceremony.

In the residential areas the youths moved door by door collecting residents’
ID numbers and telling them not to miss the function.A shop owner who
requested anonymity said he had lost business because of the actions by the
youths.

“ Today is a weekend where most civil servants who got their salaries do
their shopping, yet they force us to close shop. We have lost great business
, ” said another shop owner.But organizer of the function and  central
committee member Clemence Makwarimba saw nothing sinister with the move to
force people to attend.

“ Remember the sanctions affect everyone. The ordinary people are the most
affected, so we have to rally behind President Mugabe’s efforts , ” said
Makwarimba.

Makwarimba said Masvingo province is expecting 25 000 people to sign the
petition.Addressing about 8 000 people Shamu said the anti-sanctions
petition if ignored, will ensure that everything is totally under the
control of locals from land, mines to firms.
" If the petition is not taken seriously, then we will enforce that we
totally take over all the foreign owned companies. We had agreed to leave
foreign investors with less than 50 percent shares, but if the sanctions are
not removed, then we will take all the shares.

Shamu challenged Zanu (PF) Masvingo provincial chairman to do door-to-door
campaigns in rural areas to solicit for the signatures.
" Move door to door, even to the homes of MDC-T supporters, and get their
signatures. MDC-T lied to the nation while Zanu (PF) history is the history
of the nation ," he said.

We will take all foreign owned companies by force – Kasukuwere

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Tony Saxon
Saturday, 19 March 2011 13:50

RUSAPE - The government will take all companies that fail to comply with the
indigenisation laws by force, Zanu (PF) Minister of Youth, Indigenisation
and Economic Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere  told youths here last week.
Kasukuwere said the ownership structures of strategic and influential
companies operating in Zimbabwe clearly showed that the country was not
economically independent.
“We have taken the land and what can stop us from taking these foreign owned
companies? Politically we are there, but economically no. We cannot brag
that we are independent when the foreigners are calling the shots on the
business side. We say no to that we will take those companies if they don’t
agree on the 51percent shareholding and ownership initiative,” fulminated
Kasukuwere.
“I have realised that the worst shareholding structures are in the mining
companies and financial institutions. The government is going to look into
that matter and those that do not want to abide by that should ship out,” he
added.
“Indigenous business people are failing to get loans from these
foreign-owned banks. Some bank executives first phone their bosses in London
receiving instructions on how to run the banks. We are going to stop that,”
Kasukuwere warned.
“We are definitely clear on that those that do not comply with the
indigenisation law should know that we are going to act. We said it before
that we are not going back on this important issue. This year is a year of
action,” he added.
Kasukuwere said the indigenisation process was underway and transactions
were already taking place.
“Transactions are being concluded in terms of the law such as the
acquisition of Schweppes. We have also seen proposals for BP and Shell,
Caltex, Toyota Distributors and Reg Harris among others. Most of the
companies coming into the country are now very much aware of the need to
adhere to the terms of the indigenisation law,” he added.
Kasukuwere said they were targeting European and American companies because
these countries had influenced the world to impose and maintain so-called
“sanctions” against Zimbabwe.
“All these European and American companies operated in our country during
the UDI era (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) supporting Ian Smith.
How then can they refuse supporting us (Zanu PF) when they supported the
Rhodesian government? We need to expose the British hypocrisy and
duplicitous behaviour once and for all. It has been proven beyond doubt that
it was not enough to terminate the Ian Smith’s regime, but we must go all
the way to terminate the remnants of its architecture that continue to serve
the British interests,” he added.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is on record as saying that the
indigenisation and economic empowerment programme to grab companies was a
Zanu (PF) party thing not an inclusive government initiative.

Zim officials may arrest Energy Minister a second time

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za

Eyewitness News | 8 Hours Ago

In Zimbabwe police are reported to be close to arresting Energy Minister
Elton Mangoma for a second time.

A High Court judge has already criticised the March 10 arrest of Mangoma and
said prosecutors would find it hard to prove any wrongdoing.

Mangoma’s arrest 11 days ago plunged the Zimbabwe government into crisis
with Morgan Tsvangirai threatening a divorce from the power-sharing deal.

Mangoma was released on bail on Tuesday but now police want to press fresh
criminal charges.

The Sunday Mail said Mangoma ordered the cancellation of a tender for
pre-paid electricity meters last August.

The minister reportedly favoured newer technology.

Home Affairs officials said the company that won the tender to supply the
new equipment was not entitled to participate.

Attorney General Johannes Tomana is defending his stance saying Movement for
Democratic Change ministers behave as if they do not understand the rule of
law.

Arrests, torture return to Zim

http://www.iol.co.za

March 20 2011 at 06:07pm
By Peta Thornycroft

With or without President Robert Mugabe’s agreement, Zimbabwe’s securocrats
intend to drive Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, out of the two-year-old unity
government.

The only way Zanu-PF can force the election this year is by continued
arrests and repression of MDC leaders and supporters to humiliate Tsvangirai
and leave him with no alternative but to walk out of the government. That
would clear the way for Mugabe to call new elections and get rid of the MDC.

While Tsvangirai remains as prime minister, Mugabe has to “consult” him
before calling elections. So far Mugabe has largely ignored the requirement
to consult Tsvangirai on many other important issues.

But Mugabe knows that President Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwe mediator for the
Southern African Development Community (SADC), will not let him get away
with a unilateral proclamation of elections.

This is the talk in the coffee shops and the townships where many people are
so poor they eat no more than a little mealie meal with a slice of cabbage
once a day.

So what will Zanu-PF do next to humiliate Tsvangirai and try to drive him
out of the unity government?

“Oh, they will arrest Tsvangirai this week,” said Thomas Machisa, a vendor.

“So what should we do? No one will go onto the streets. This is not Egypt or
Libya, but we are more desperate than they are. We know we can never go to
the streets because they will arrest us all before we get to the streets,”
said Farai Gumbo, who runs a coffee shop.

He used to be an MDC organiser but said he had given up politics.

“I would still vote for the MDC; no one here could ever vote for Zanu-PF but
we can’t do anything. The police and the CIO (Central Intelligence
Organisation) are everywhere.”

A shopkeeper, whose fortunes have improved enormously since the unity
government came to power said: “Many people say it is the soldiers who keep
Mugabe in power. Yes that is true, but mostly it is because Zanu-PF has the
money. No one can be loyal to anyone without money and Zanu-PF has the money
to hire the thugs.”

Most urban people expect Tsvangirai to be arrested within the next week.

He allegedly committed contempt of court after a supreme court judgment that
the 2008 election of parliament’s MDC speaker, Lovemore Moyo, was illegal.

Tsvangirai allegedly said: “We won’t accept the decisions of Zanu-PF
politicians masquerading as judges.”

The sudden surge of arrests of MDC supporters, including energy minister
Elton Mangoma and a clutch of MDC MPs, began about a month ago. Most were
later released on bail.

In most cases, the judges, even those loyal to Zanu-PF, have found it too
difficult to support the state’s case and have eventually granted bail.

Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa’s ministry is so chaotic that it takes
superhuman effort to get the necessary documents in place ahead of court
appearances of those arrested.

The trio in charge of this phase of the latest war against the MDC is
Chinamasa, pro-Zanu-PF attorney-general Johannes Tomana and police
commissioner general Augustin Chihuri.

Elton Mangoma was arrested in connection with $5 million (R35m) worth of
fuel he secured from South Africa, when Zimbabwe’s filling stations were
running dry.

He cleared this deal with Mugabe first. But now he is facing charges for
doing just that. Chihuri, Tomana and Chinamasa had him arrested.

When he arrived in court on Tuesday, Judge Simon Kudya mocked the state
case, saying it lacked merit and was based entirely on oral evidence.

Mangoma was released on R35 000 bail.

The so-called “group of 45”, including some socialist students, were
arrested and charged with treason for watching videos about uprisings in
North Africa. They were released on R100 000 bail. This judge also ridiculed
the state case against them.

Some of this group claimed they were beaten ferociously in detention.

Charges against all but six of the 45 were eventually dropped.

Mugabe is having health problems and it is emerging some of the decisions to
arrest MDC people are being made without his advance knowledge.

When his actions are queried, Mugabe’s escape nowadays is to plead: “I am
old now, I must consult.”

This, many say, is proof that he is increasingly becoming a figurehead in an
administration controlled by a junta.

But they need Mugabe to drive the campaign and be elected president to
protect the looters, among them most of the senior officers in the security
services.

Zanu-PF does not lack money. Revenue from smuggled diamonds and pay-offs by
diamond companies have improved the party’s fortunes.

Aside from the political tensions, Zimbabwe is beginning to bloom again,
with cleaner streets, new shops, mushrooming supermarkets stuffed with South
African goods, colourful sports days and a huge increase in farm produce.

However, the townships are steaming with anger and fear.

Harare has been MDC territory for 11 years now, but bit by bit, all that is
being driven underground again as the party’s participation in the unity
government fails to meet the aspirations of its rank and file supporters. -
Sunday Independent

Moonlighting now a way of life for Zimbabwean workers

By Fanuel Jongwe (AFP) – 14 hours ago

HARARE — Watson Chimbira mingles with mourners at the Chitungwiza cemetery
outside Zimbabwe's capital, where he digs graves and paints epitaphs on
metal plates that serve as temporary tombstones.

He's skilled at both, but neither is his real job.

"I work as a driver for a local company, but the salary is too little," he
says. "I come here on my off-days to earn a little extra."

"Municipal workers simply mark out where the grave should be and leave the
rest for the mourners, who then hire me to dig for them."

Chimbira charges $5 for a grave sign, and $5-$10 to dig a grave, money that
he says affords one decent meal a day for his wife and four children.

It's a common scenario in Zimbabwe, where unemployment is estimated at 85
percent, and the lucky few who have jobs often need to moonlight to survive.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe estimates an average family of five needs
$506 a month to cover food, rent, water and electricity.

"The sad reality is that workers in Zimbabwe are earning salaries and wages
that are far below the poverty datum line which is $450 to $500," Wellington
Chibebe, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, told
AFP.

"Our research has shown that most workers are earning an average of $200,"
he said.

Salaries in the government, Zimbabwe's biggest employer, begin at $180.
Private sector jobs typically begin at $200 to $300.

To pay their bills, most workers resort to hawking things like perfume,
clothes, jewellery, cellphone airtime, scones and sweets.

Tecla Mazanhi splits her time between her job as a computer saleswoman, her
lead role in a local soap opera, and her cross-border trading in South
Africa, Botswana and Mozambique to buy clothes for resale to top-up her
salary.

"The salaries most people are getting are not enough, even if you are a
professional with so many years of experience," she says.

"When I joined the company I am working for, I told my boss the salary she
was offering was not good enough and I asked that if she did not mind she
should allow me to supplement by selling certain stuff which is outside
their product line."

"Some companies are quite strict, and people have to sell clothes and other
stuff in the toilet, or they have to use the Internet and say 'Ladies at
lunchtime, please let's meet in the toilet'," Mazanhi adds.

Memory Nguwi, head of the human resources consultancy Industrial Psychology
Consultants, said companies were losing out as workers sought ways to earn
more money.

After Zimbabwe abandoned the local currency two years ago in favour of US
dollars, employees thought they would finally get a decent salary after a
decade of hyperinflation, Nguwi told AFP.

But the euphoria soon dissipated.

"The salaries are still low -- except in the telecommunications, mining and
manufacturing industries -- because most companies are not operating to
their full capacity," Nguwi said.

"A lot of workers are resorting to selling goods at workplaces although the
companies do not allow the practice," she said.

"The problem is that the workers' attention is divided and this affects
production. In some cases, individuals work for two organisations and they
are loyal to no one, while some do part-time work on behalf of their
employers' competitors."

Zim sanction busters

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Mar 19, 2011 1:55 PM | By ZOLI MANGENA
Mining companies accused of using elaborate underground networks to
transfers diamond revenue to evade US, EU

Zimbabwe's state-owned mining companies are clandestinely involved in
sanction-busting measures to receive controversial diamond revenue, as the
United States keeps tabs and tightens screws on financial transactions
linked to the embargoed local entities.

Companies involved include the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
(ZMDC) and the Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).

The companies have become more secretive in their shady diamond sales and
movement of money after about $2-million deposited in South African-owned
Stanbic Bank, which operates locally, was recently frozen by the US Federal
Reserve working in collaboration with the country's Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC).

The US imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2001.

The European Union also has sanctions on Zimbabwe, which recently launched
an anti-sanctions campaign.

The US recently froze Stanbic Bank accounts held by ZMDC and MMCZ, forcing
Zimbabwe further into the underworld.

A letter written by ZMDC chairman Godwills Masimirembwa to Mines Minister
Obert Mpofu, dated February 7 and marked "private and confidential", reveals
that government is experiencing problems in receiving its diamond revenue
and has resorted to gangland transfers through an elaborate
sanctions-busting network.

The letter, titled Inflows to the Fiscus from Mbada Diamonds and Marange
Resources for the January 2010 to February 2011, says it has been difficult
for Zimbabwe to "move, transfer and receive" its diamonds proceeds due to US
sanctions. It says serious bottlenecks are experienced during to use of
long-winded sanctions-busting channels.

"Delays in receiving payments are being caused by the illegal sanctions
imposed by the US against Zimbabwe. For no payment can be made direct to
MMCZ, ZMDC and/or their subsidiaries due to the sanctions. If this is done
America will confiscate the money through its OFAC. So ZMDC and MMCZ have to
use circuitous methods to secure payment," Masimirembwa wrote to Mpofu.

"How is this confiscation effected? All USD (US dollar) payments by
telegraphic transfer are routed through New York, America. ZMDC, MMCZ and
their subsidiaries are under sanctions. So any telegraphic transfer to any
of these entities will be blocked and retained by the US."

Masimirembwa said the US measures were wreaking havoc with Zimbabwe's
diamond sales and payment system. "Where it not for the delays caused by the
illegal sanctions, ZMDC, MMCZ and their subsidiaries would receive payments
within 48 hours of the conclusion of sales."

British-owned Standard Chartered Bank in Harare recently refused to process
financial transactions involving ZMDC and China Uranium Corporation, saying
the local company was on the sanctions list. The companies wanted to embark
on uranium mining project, but the US thwarted the deal by blocking the
transfers of capital.

The sanctions-busting issue came as the Sunday Times established that
President Robert Mugabe and his cabinet continue to fight over the
whereabouts of the $313-million which government has failed to account for.
Mpofu claims he gave Finance Minister Tendai Biti $174- million in diamond
revenue, but the Treasury boss denies this.

Senior ministers told Sunday Times there was a serious confrontation over
this issue in the cabinet on Tuesday.

After a cabinet directive to reconcile the diamond revenue, Mugabe's office
and the cabinet met recently to resolve the dispute on the unaccounted for
$174 223 814.88 from gross sales of $313 504 567.17.

Mpofu said the money was accounted. Biti said that was misleading. Biti
ordered an audit, amid fears that Zanu-PF officials are salting the funds
away in offshore bank accounts.

Illegal crossings from Zim into SA still at record highs

http://www.timeslive.co.za

Mar 19, 2011 2:37 PM | By VLADIMIR MZACA

Last year the South African government granted amnesty to Zimbabweans living
in South Africa illegally by allowing them to get proper documentation to
live and work in the country. At the same time, Zimbabwe reduced passport
fees, resulting in more people applying for the travel documents.

However, cases of people crossing the crocodile-infested Limpopo river into
South Africa are still rampant, with a number of people drowning and others
being robbed and raped by so-called helpers in border jumping attempts.

Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Sergeant Thabani
Mkhwananzi, said: "We have received claims of people being raped while
trying to cross the Limpopo river. People from the surrounding communities
take advantage of would-be border jumpers."

Another form of illegal crossing into South Africa is through the use of
bogus travelling documents and unstamped passports. Last week South African
police and Zimbabwean border officials launched a blitz which netted mostly
cross-border transporters known as omalayitsha.

Zimbabwean assistant regional immigration manager Charles Gwede said the
blitz was a routine exercise to curb border jumping and criminal activities.
"It is a border formality and those that do cross into South Africa without
stamped passports contravene the Immigration Act and they are criminals," he
said.

The officer commanding police in Beitbridge district, Superintendent Conrad
Manhai, said police now meet stakeholders at the Beitbridge border every
fortnight. "We are very much aware of the illegal activities at the border,
that is why we have engaged all the relevant people to work together.

"Every two weeks we meet to discuss new developments and work strategies to
fight illegal crossing as well as other border-related crimes," he said.

The Beitbridge border is one of the busiest in the SADC region.

Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF Denounces Allied Military Intervention in Libya

http://www.voanews.com

Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said Zimbabweans are in solidarity
with the people of Libya and pleaded for assistance to those who are
affected by the Western air strikes and the ongoing fight between
pro-Gadhafi and rebel forces

Brendan Murphy | Washington  20 March 2011

Following the African Union's call Sunday for an "immediate stop" to Western
military action in Libya, a spokesman for Zimbabwean President Robert
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party accused the allied powers of violating Libyan
sovereignty, while the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai urged an immediate ceasefire.

Meeting in Nouakchott, Mauritania, the African Union's panel on Libya urged
a halt to military action by the United States, France and Britain against
Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

The AU body also asked Libyan authorities to ensure "humanitarian aid to
those in need," as well as the "protection of foreigners, including African
expatriates living in Libya."

Reached by VOA, ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said removing Gadhafi has
long been the intention of those who opposed his African values and
principles.

Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said Zimbabweans are in solidarity
with the people of Libya and pleaded for assistance to those who are
affected by the Western air strikes and the ongoing fight between
pro-Gadhafi and rebel forces.

Judges 'in danger for their talents' as dictatorship reigns

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

20 March, 2011 12:22:00    By Zoli Mangena

Manipulation of court rolls; selective prosecution; and packing of the bench
of superior courts are outrageous techniques which provide repressive
governments with an opportunity to subvert the law, while simultaneously
maintaining a semblance of respect for the judiciary and other institutions.

These are not my words. They are former High Court judge Michael
Gillespie's. The judge said this before he resigned in 2001 due to political
pressure on him to go amid ruthless purges of the judiciary in Zimbabwe.

Gillespie was trying to capture what was going on in relation to the
judiciary.

The country was engulfed in a political storm and judges were caught in the
mayhem. Most independent-minded and professional judges were swept away and
were replaced by those whom President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF deemed
pliable.

In fact, Gillespie went further: "A judge who finds himself in the position
where he is called upon to administer the law only against political
opponents of the government and not against government supporters, faces the
challenge to his conscience: that is whether he can still consider himself
to sit as an independent judge in an impartial court."

Gillespie was part of a group of mainly white judges who were forced out in
2001 by Mugabe's sclerotic regime and Zanu-PF anarchists, who considered
them too autonomous and inconvenient for leaders bent on scorched earth
policies which not only violated the Constitution and laws of the land, but
also ripped apart the rule of law.

Around about the same time, former chief justice Anthony Gubbay, who was
also forced to resign in 2001, had complained: "Wicked things have been
done, and continue to be done. They must be stopped. Common-law crimes have
been, and are being, committed with impunity. Laws made by Parliament have
been flouted by the government."

Gubbay served as chief justice from 1990 to 2001. He was replaced with
current chief justice Godfrey Chidyausiku whose bench has often come under
fierce attack by those who accuse it of being brazenly partisan.

During the political turmoil which began in 2000 with the chaotic and often
violent farm invasions as Mugabe battled for political survival, there were
also other judges who voiced concern about the breakdown of the rule of law.

One of them was Justice James Devittie. At one time he said: "The law must
be obeyed for the wellbeing of us all." Devittie was also forced to go.

The reason I'm recalling these events is because of the continued political
pressure on judges to deliver rulings favourable to Mugabe and his party.
Those who rule against them find themselves either facing calculated
hostility, denunciation or threats of retribution. That's what happens in
dictatorships.

Judges in Zimbabwe are still "in danger for their talents" as CF Forsyth
once observed and wrote in reference to the South African situation during
apartheid.

Last week Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai brought to the fore once again
the issue of the separation of powers and independence of the judiciary. His
remarks on judges fuelled the debate about judicial reform to guarantee
efficient and professional administration of justice.

Tsvangirai attacked Supreme Court judges after they nullified the election
of Parliament Speaker Lovemore Moyo in remarks which sent shock waves across
the judiciary. He said the ruling violated the principle of the separation
of powers between the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

The premier then dismissed the judges as "Zanu-PF politicians masquerading
as judges". Moyo also slammed them, saying they were always keen to please
their "master".

Zanu-PF hardliners want the two prosecuted for criminal contempt of court.

Although Tsvangirai's and Moyo's statements were clearly over the top, they
reflected what has been going on since 2000. This does not justify vicious
attacks on judges, but shows what happens when politicians manipulate
judicial processes, judges and courts for myopic ends. - TimesLive

WC Cricket: Zimbabwe crush Kenya by 161 runs

http://www.pakistantimes.net

'Pakistan Times' Sports Desk

KOLKATA (India): Zimbabwe recoded a massive 161-run victory against their
African neighbours Kenya in the last Group A match of the World Cup here at
the Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Zimbabwe showed their batting prowess to post 308-6, their highest total of
the tournament, with man-of-the-match Craig Ervine (66), Vusimuzi Sibanda
(61) and Tatenda Taibu (53), all making the most of a mediocre Kenyan
attack.

Kenya, who have looked out of their depth on the Indian subcontinent, losing
all six of their matches, put in another disappointing batting performance,
slumping to 147 all out in 36 overs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

Nehemiah Odhiambo (44 not out), Rakep Patel (24) and opener Alex Obanda (23)
were the mainstays of their batting.

Left-arm spinner Raymond Price, who shared the new ball, off-spinner Greg
Lamb and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer took two wickets apiece for Zimbabwe.

Both African nations were already out of contention for a place in the
quarter-finals, but Zimbabwe had the consolation of ending their World Cup
campaign with two wins in six matches.

Zimbabwe were earlier struggling at 36-2 after electing to bat, but Sibanda
steadied the innings with a 110-run stand for the third wicket with Taibu,
who also completed 3,000 one-day runs during his half-century.

Ervine and skipper Elton Chigumbura (38) then added 105 for the fifth wicket
as Zimbabwe plundered 104 runs in the last 10 overs, with Prosper Utseya (19
not out) smashing three fours and a six in seamer Elijah Otieno's final
over.

Left-handed Ervine, who cracked one six and nine fours in his 54-ball knock,
survived a stumping chance on 15 off spinner James Ngoche as stand-in
wicket-keeper Patel failed to collect the ball.

Patel kept wicket for a brief spell in place of regular wicket-keeper David
Obuya, who suffered an injury while trying to stop a wide delivery.

Veteran all-rounder Steve Tikolo, making his last World Cup appearance, led
Kenya in the absence of Jimmy Kamande, who was ruled out of the match due to
a knee injury.

Sibanda hit one six and seven fours in his 57-ball knock before being run
out following a mix-up with Taibu, who hit seven fours before being trapped
leg-before by Ngoche.

Test return excites Zimbabwe coach

http://cricket.yahoo.com

20 March 2011

Kolkata, March 19 (AFP): Coach Alan Butcher said on Saturday that a return
to Test cricket after six years away from the circuit will be "massive" for
Zimbabwe, as they prepare to end their exile in August.

"Our return to Test cricket is happening in August against Bangladesh. And I
think after that Pakistan and New Zealand come to Zimbabwe to play one Test
each and some ODIs."

"That's going to be a massive thing for Zimbabwe," the English coach said.

But Butcher admitted the team, who last played a Test match in 2005, would
face a steep learning curve.

"No doubt you might be wondering if we are going to be up for the challenge
and the answer to that, honestly, is probably 'no'."

He said Zimbabwe would face a similar challenge to that of Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh, who both faced a tough baptism in Test cricket.

"The only place to learn to play Test cricket is actually by doing that.
There is no other place that can prepare you for that."

"So obviously we will be doing all that we can but I will be surprised if we
can come out of it without some beatings in the initial stages. But I hope
the players can learn from the experience."

Zimbabwe cricket has advanced in the past two years after going through a
chaotic period during which many of the leading players rebelled against the
administration, culminating in the country voluntarily withdrawing from
Tests.

Butcher named Brendan Taylor, Tatenda Taibu, Raymond Price and Graeme Cremer
as important players, adding: "I think there are five or six players who
will definitely be part of the future."

A day ahead of their final World Cup match against Kenya, the coach said
Zimbabwe needed to back up their tight spin bowling with a solid batting
display in Kolkata.

"Our batting has been a disappointment. We have not given our spin attack
enough chances to win us games. We've scored runs in the past, but it has
just not worked out (this time)," Butcher said.

"Our spin bowling has done a fantastic job."

Both the African nations are already out of contention for a place in the
quarter-finals. Zimbabwe have just two points after a win over Canada and
Kenya have none.

Zimbabwe Vigil Diary – 19th March 2011

Brilliant sunshine blessed our last Vigil of the winter – certainly the coldest winter of our nine years demonstrating outside the Embassy. Last December was one of the worst months on record for general snow, ice and freezing temperatures. It has been tough turning out every Saturday in such conditions. But the Vigil is encouraged by the tsunami of unrest from North Africa and believes it will sweep away Zanu PF before too long.

We were arrested by the words used by Tsvangirai this week that ‘dark and sinister forces’ are at work in Zimbabwe. They sounded an echo: as we noted in last week’s diary a British minister Lord Howell spoke of ‘highly sinister’ developments in a parliamentary debate on Zimbabwe.

What can this mean? The Vigil believes both men are acknowledging that the security services – in the form of the Joint Operations Command – have taken control and are relentlessly closing down all the remaining democratic space in preparation for a Burmese / North Korean gangster state.

The Vigil is encouraged that the African bloc has repudiated Gaddafi by their votes in the United Nations Security Council and is confident that the continent is swinging against dictators. Zimbabweans should consider adopting a strategy of political defiance on the lines suggested by Gene Sharpe in his book ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ which has been so influential in the North African revolutions. You can download the short book from this link: http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations/org/FDTD.pdf.

Sharpe says there are times for defiant public demonstrations and that ‘abandonment and control of fear is a key element in destroying the power of the dictators over the general population’. The Vigil believes that Tsvangirai by threatening to go ahead with his star rally in Harare in defiance of the police and then chickening out at the last moment is not setting a good example.

Other points

·         Jeff Sango of the MDC UK came and told us of a London demonstration the party is holding on Monday against the increasing violence in Zimbabwe and against the possibility that Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers in the UK will be sent home (see Events and Notices Section for details).

·         Vigil team member Patson Mazuwa, who is a leading figure in the Zimbabwe Association (ZA), said that Zimbabweans in the UK should not be too alarmed by the new legal development. Patson said failed asylum seekers who were worried about their position should contact the ZA. For details of the legal position check comments by solicitors Yvonne Gwashawanhu and Taffy Nyawanza (http://newzimbabwe-yg.notlong.com/ and http://newzimbabwe-tn.notlong.com/).

·         Because of a computer error by the diary team, last week’s diary didn’t appear in the Zimbabwean newspaper. Instead we sent by accident a very interesting article by Jon Swain (https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/mar13_2011.html#Z2) which we had saved for research purposes. We apologise to the Zimbabwean and its readers.

·         Following French fashion week there has been a big demand for Vigil designer hats knitted by Josephine Zhuga. On another fashion note it appears the privations of living in the UK have slimmed Zimbabweans down judging by the drop in sales of XXL Vigil tshirts.

·         Thanks to Brenda Chavundura for her help today especially in selling the Zimbabwean newspaper.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check http://www.zimvigiltv.com/.  

FOR THE RECORD: 162 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

·           The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.

·           MDC UK Demonstration against violence in Zimbabwe and threatened deportations from the UK. Monday 21^st March from 12 – 4 pm. Meet at the Zimbabwe Embassy at 12 noon. Protesters will move on to demonstrate outside the nearby South African High Commission.

·           ROHR Manchester Vigil. Saturday 26^th March from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester City Centre (subject to change to Piccadilly Gardens). Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi  07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future demonstrations: 30^th April, 28^th May. Same time and venue.

·           ROHR Wolverhampton general meeting. Saturday 2^nd April. Venue: Heath Town Community Centre, 208 Chevril Rise, Wolverhampton WV10 0HP. Contact  Tsvakai Marambi 07915065171, Florence Munemo 07901733634, Flora Nyahuma 07900036702, P Chibanguza 07908406069

·           ROHR Woking general meeting. Saturday 2^nd April from 2 – 6 pm. Venue: Woking Homes, Oriental Road, Woking GU22 7BE. Contact, Isaac Mudzamiri 07774044873, Sithokozile Hlokana 07886203113, Saziso Zulu 07861028280 or P.Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070

·           ROHR Manchester meetings. Saturday 16^th April: (committee meeting from 11 am – 1 pm, general meeting from 2 – 5 pm). Venue: The Salvation Army Citadel, 71 Grosvenor Road, Manchester M13 9UB. Contact: Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353, Charles Nenguke 07925146757, P Mapfumo 07915926323/07932216070 or P Chibanguza 07908406069. Future meeting: 14^th May. Same times and venue.

·           Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

·           Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

·           ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe.  To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to ngwenyasr@yahoo.co.uk and 0send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe

·           Workshops aiming to engage African men on HIV testing and other sexual health issues. Organised by the Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk). Please contact the co-ordinator Takudzwa Mukiwa (takudzwa.mukiwa@tht.org.uk) if you are interested in taking part.

Vigil Co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.

Bill Watch Special of 20th March 2011 [Parliamentary Committee Meetings 21-24 March]