IMF dampens hopes of aid to Zimbabwe

http://www.ft.com

By Tony Hawkins in Harare

Published: March 25 2009 19:25 | Last updated: March 25 2009 19:25

Zimbabwe must clear arrears of over $1bn to international financial
institutions and implement sound policies, before it can expect a resumption
of financial and technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund.

In a statement at the end of a two-week visit to Harare, the IMF said it was
ready to assist Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's new government but such
assistance would depend on "a track record of sound policy implementation,
donor support and a resolution of overdue financial obligations to official
creditors".

Zimbabwe has arrears of $89m to the IMF, $600m to the World Bank and $460m
to the African Development Bank as well as some $2bn to bilateral donors.
"Going forward, strengthening the investment climate, ensuring protection of
property rights and containing wages at competitive levels will all be
essential for increasing domestic and foreign investment," said the IMF.

The statement will come as a blow to supporters of the new power sharing
government hoping for a more positive response to Zimbabwe's political
changes over the last few months. But the IMF, in common with western
governments remains cautious. There is no mention in the statement of any
plans for future engagement.

The statement is also a necessary corrective to some of the wilder forecasts
of a rapid economic recovery, especially the Fund's reference to the need
for wages to be contained at "competitive levels".

Although dollarisation has resolved the country's inflation crisis, wages
and prices here are hugely uncompetitive after a decade of chronically-high
inflation and hyperinflation.

In particular the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union's demand for a national
minimum wage of $454 was described yesterday by businesspeople and
economists here as "hopelessly unrealistic" in a $3bn to $4bn economy, with
per capita incomes of around $350.

An economist with an international bank, who cannot be named, said it was
going to be "extremely difficult" to revive the economy during a period of
global and national deflation.

"After the hyperinflationary splurge of the last few years, prices and wages
here just have to fall, which means that it will not be easy to revive
output growth, especially with the rest of region, such as South Africa and
Botswana, experiencing a sharp slowdown in growth."

"There seems to be a refusal to acknowledge that falling prices here (prices
fell 5.5 per cent in the first two months of the year) will eventually
translate into lower wages and possible reduced output and employment. It is
very hard for an economy to grow during a period of price deflation."

Early recovery hopes have been pinned on mining and tourism, but the latter
has been hard-hit by the global recession and an executive with the African
Sun Hotels in Zimbabwe said: "Our focus is regional and national tourism
which is far less lucrative than international tourism."

On the mining front, while the buoyant gold price will foster a sharp
increase in Zimbabwe's production from a 100-year low of three tons in 2008,
this will be constrained by the fact that there is no working capital in the
banks, whose Zimbabwe dollar deposits are now worthless and who have tiny
foreign currency deposits, as well as by infrastructure constraints,
especially electricity.

Collen Gura, chief executive of the country's largest gold producer, South
African-owned Metallon Mining, reckons it will take months, and in some
cases possibly years, to get mines operational again, because of the need to
"de-water" flooded properties and replace damaged equipment. This would not
be possible without foreign capital.

Base mineral companies are in trouble with shutdown early this year of the
country's Chinese-owned ferrochrome manufacturer - Zimbabwe's third-largest
exporter - because of depressed international demand and the close of nickel
exporter, Bindura Nickel.

Platinum, now the country's top export, will earn less this year, because
although volumes are likely to be maintained, sharply reduced prices are
forecast to cut export earnings by at least $100m from last year's $480m.

The destruction of the country's savings by years of hyperinflation means
that businesses will have to look to foreign investors and lenders to
recapitalise their operations. Bankers warn that in the current global
financial and investment climate this is not going to be easy.

Mugabe refusing to swear in Bennett

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
25 March 2009

It's reported that Robert Mugabe is refusing to swear in Roy Bennett, the
MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, to the new coalition
government. It was expected that the former commercial farmer would be sworn
in at the same time as the governors. But the issue of the governors is also
still unresolved.

The MDC politician fulfilled the first stage of becoming a cabinet minister
by being sworn in as a non-constituency Senator last Wednesday. This was to
enable him to take up his role, as only members of parliament and the senate
can be government ministers.

He missed the swearing in of Deputy Ministers after he was slapped with what
the MDC has described as extremely dubious terrorism charges, and locked up
in a Mutare Remand Prison.

According to MDC officials, Mugabe told a cabinet caucus on Monday that he
will not swear in Bennett, claiming he is facing serious charges. This is
despite the fact that the President swore in some MDC officials such as
Minister Eric Matinenga, who also still faces trumped up political charges.

During the meeting it's alleged that Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara
asked Mugabe what would happen if Bennett was acquitted. Mugabe is reported
to have said; 'He will never be acquitted'.

We were not able to reach the Deputy Prime Minister to confirm this.

But MDC officials in the meeting say Mugabe's true feelings for Bennett were
exposed during the caucus meeting on Monday. Apparently the President wanted
to know why everyone is 'so fixated with Bennett', with Mugabe asking
questions such as: "What is it about Roy Bennett? Who is he? Can't the MDC
get another person?'

It is not clear why Mugabe is so hostile towards Bennett or what Bennett
might have done to warrant such deep hatred.

We were not able to get a comment from Bennett but it is understood he is
seriously concerned about his welfare. He also told the MDC leadership that
he would not mind stepping down from the position of Deputy Minister if it
would help, as he could still concentrate on working within the party. But
we are told the MDC leadership insist that they are entitled to choose
whoever they want to put in government and will stick with their decision as
a matter of principle.

What happens next waits to be seen, as it has also emerged that Mugabe is
refusing to give any ground over the issue of governors and permanent
secretaries. He is insisting that he won the June 27th run off and is
entitled to appoint these officials. All three political parties had agreed
that the MDC-T would have 5 governors, ZANU PF 4 and 1 from the MDC-M.

But MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said the issue of the governors and
permanent secretaries is still under discussion by the three principals -
Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara. He said the discussion had been put on
hold because the Prime Minister was not available, having taken time off to
recuperate after the tragic accident that killed his wife and left him
injured.

Chamisa said there are several issues that remain unresolved for the unity
government such as, the appointments of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono
and Attorney General Johannes Tomana, Bennett's swearing in, the issue of
the farm invasions and the dispute over Chamisa's Information and Technology
Ministry.

In a related matter, a Prime Minister traditionally moves into State House,
but it is also reported that Mugabe is refusing to make way for Morgan
Tsvangirai as he uses State House for official functions, such as receiving
ambassadors and visiting Heads of State. Mugabe occupies Zimbabwe House and
uses the State House for official engagements.

When asked for comment, Tsvangirai's spokesman James Maridadi said the Prime
Minister was not keen to occupy the State House. Maridadi said: "The last
time I spoke to the Prime Minister about the issue of his residence, he said
Zimbabwe needs economic stability and national healing and those are his
issues of priority. Not the kind of house he is going to sleep in or the
kind of car he is going to drive."

Tsvangirai to resume work on April 1 after mourning

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Africa News
Mar 25, 2009, 11:08 GMT

Harare - Morgan Tsvangirai, prime minister in Zimbabwe's new coalition
government, will be back at work in a week's time, almost four weeks after
the death of his wife in a vehicle collision on March 6, a statement said
Wednesday.

His official website said he would 'resume his official duties on April 1,'
although he would hold meetings with government colleagues and 'begin
supervising the implementation of government programmes this week.'

The 57-year-old former opposition leader returned on Tuesday from about 10
days in South Africa, on retreat with his six children as they grieved for
his wife, Susan, who died when the vehicle she and the prime minister were
travelling in was side-swiped by a passing truck.

'He's looking well and looking strong, and sounding strong,' said an aide
who asked not to be named.

Tsvangirai is expected soon to confront President Robert Mugabe, his partner
in the 39-day old coalition government, over the issue of lawlessness and
violence against the country's shrunken community of white commercial
farmers, under attack from cronies of Mugabe's Zanu-PF party trying to wrest
the whites' farms from them.

Observers say that the failure of authorities to control the chaos has
become one of the major obstacles in the new government's ability to secure
Western aid to reconstruct the broken economy.

Western donors have so far ruled out pumping money into the government until
they see signs of major human rights reforms.

The invasion of white farms launched by Mugabe in 2000 drove 90 percent of
farmers from their land, leaving only 400 to struggle to produce food in the
face of constant harassment. The United Nations estimates that seven million
Zimbabweans need food to alleviate biting hunger.

The news of Tsvangirai's return comes as figures showed hard-pressed
Zimbabweans starting to get a reprieve from vertiginous price increases,
with prices actually starting to shrink.

The month-on-month inflation rate, from January to February, came in at
minus 3.1 percent, the Central Statistics Office said. The last official
inflation figure issued in July 2008 was 231 million per cent.

Mutambara urges gvt to reform to have sanctions lifted

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
25 March 2009

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara on Wednesday told parliamentarians
that the inclusive government should first 'put its house in order' before
the western world can lift its targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Delivering his first speech in the House of Assembly, Mutambara said the
inclusive government should first improve its image to the international
community by stopping the farm invasions and returning the rule of law.

'Those sanctions were imposed on us by things that we do - like farm
invasions, abductions and the breakdown of the rule of law. People have
perceptions about governance in Zimbabwe, so we should do something to
correct these perceptions,' Mutambara said.

Donors remain sceptical about Robert Mugabe's commitment to change and have
withheld the much needed funds to kick start the country's economy. Most of
the Western donors are not prepared to allow resources to flow into the
country because of the number of issues that still need urgent reform - the
freeing of the media, observance of property rights and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the venue for the forthcoming South African Development Community
(SADC) summit of heads of state and government has now changed from Cape
Town to Mbabane, Swaziland next week Monday.

The summit has been convened to consider an economic recovery aid package
for Zimbabwe. The SADC summit will be preceded by a meeting this Sunday of
the SADC Council of Ministers, chaired by South African Foreign Minister Dr
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to process reports to be considered by the heads of
state and government.

With respect to Zimbabwe, the SADC Finance Ministers had met recently in
Cape Town, where they made recommendations to the SADC Council of Ministers,
regarding the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe.

Accordingly, the SADC Council of Ministers will present a report on the
economic recovery plan to the SADC heads of state for approval by the
summit. Analysts hope this will lead to South Africa opening a credit line
to help Zimbabwe rebuild its shattered economy after years of political and
economic crisis.

Allegations of deliberate ploy to block MDC security trainees

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
25 March 2009

There are allegations that a team of MDC security agents, sent for formal
training within a state supervised programme, are being deliberately failed
to block their deployment to protect VIP's from the MDC.

Under the unity deal signed up to by both ZANU PF and the MDC, it was agreed
that all security personnel driving state owned cars supplied by the Central
Mechanical and Engineering Department (CMED), have to undergo special
training first.

But as our correspondent Lionel Saungweme reports, things are not going
according to plan with what seems like a deliberate attempt to retain
security personnel loyal to ZANU PF. The exact numbers involved are not
known but with over 15 MDC ministers and deputies requiring protection, the
number of trainees could be well over 20.

MDC ministers in the coalition government have so far refused to speak to
Newsreel about the issue, claiming they are bound by the Official Secrets
Act. But one senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told us
he knew of two security agents from the party who had just failed the
training and have to go back for 'retraining'.

It's not clear so far what the training involves, although we know some of
the drills are being done near Harare's Glamis Stadium. 'The MDC security
guys are being failed mostly when it comes to driving drills and this is
crucial to them being allowed to escort our VIP's,' the source told us.

Following the tragic accident which killed Susan Tsvangirai, the wife of
Prime Minister Tsvangirai, the security for party officials has become a
sensitive issue. Several other accidents involving officials and ministers,
like Sam Sipepa Nkomo and Gorden Moyo, have raised eyebrows. Some weeks ago
a Toyota Vigo, said to be owned by Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe,
was involved in a serious accident along the Harare-Bulawayo road. Khupe's
mother sustained head injuries while a passenger, believed to be her
employee, died in the crash. The accident happened when a Santana vehicle, a
type normally used by the police, suddenly made a U-turn in front of Khupe's
car resulting in the crash.

The election of Lovemore Moyo from the MDC as speaker of parliament last
year is said to have initially triggered the debate over whether senior MDC
people going into government should get state protection. Moyo was given a
Mercedes Benz vehicle by the CMED, plus bodyguards provided by the state.
Many party activists felt uncomfortable with this arrangement.

Several weeks ago Moyo sent his driver from Harare to Bulawayo with the new
government-issued Mercedes, but it suffered two burst front tyres according
to reports. 'That was a brand new vehicle, with brand new tyres, there is
something amiss,' a party official said.

Former ZANU PF Secretary General Edgar Tekere wrote in his book that the
only reason he survived several assassination attempts, was because he drove
his own cars.

Farmer makes desperate plea to Tsvangirai over farm invasions

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
25 March 2009

A Chegutu farmer has made a desperate plea to Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, to put a stop to the fresh wave of farm invasions sweeping the
country - a campaign that is standing in the way of crucial foreign
investment into the country.

Ben Freeth, who has repeatedly been on the receiving end of violence and
intimidation by land invaders, has written a heartfelt letter to the Prime
Minister, urging him to ensure the safety of commercial farmers. In the
letter Freeth argues that the country cannot be rebuilt without the success
of agriculture, which he calls "the engine that will drive Zimbabwe towards
change."

Freeth also explained that so far there has been no open policy decision of
support from the MDC over last year's SADC Tribunal ruling, which was set to
protect commercial farmers from future invasions. However, many of these
SADC Tribunal 'protected' farmers and farm workers have since been invaded,
prosecuted, stopped from farming and thrown out of their homes, all with
State assistance. Freeth told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that there needs
to be a clear statement by the Prime Minister over the SADC ruling and the
MDC's support of it, if the farm invasions are to stop.

"If the farm invasions continue and farms are left to become unproductive,
tens of thousands of people will be left homeless and without food," Freeth
explained. "One day there won't be foreign donors pumping money into
Zimbabwe because they will have had enough of funding a failed country. What
then?"

Most potential foreign donors, whose cash is vital to restoring the country's
devastated economy, want to see the farm invasions cease before committing
funds towards the US$5 billion Finance Minister Tendai Biti has said is
needed to restore basic government functions. However, in the days since the
new power-sharing Government between the MDC and ZANU PF was formed last
month, the land seizures have escalated to the point where more than 100
farmers face prosecution and more than 80 farms have been seized. This means
hardly there are hardly any farms left to produce food.

An interim economic blueprint that was released last Thursday has, among
other things, demanded an immediate halt to the fresh wave of farm
disruptions, in an effort to kick-start the country's economy. But no clear
plan of action as to how this is going to be enforced has been detailed.

The offensive against the farmers started just days before Morgan Tsvangirai
was sworn in as Prime Minister last month and pressure on farmers to vacate
their land has been increasing ever since. Many farmers have now been forced
into hiding as the campaign continues - a clear violation of the unity deal
between the MDC and ZANU PF, which calls for the return of the rule of law
and which also says that farmers should be encouraged to produce food.

Only 100 white farmers left in Zimbabwe

http://www.upi.com

Published: March 25, 2009 at 2:13 PM

HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 25 (UPI) -- Only 100 white farmers remain in
Zimbabwe after a radical land reform policy instituted by President Robert
Mugabe, opposition leaders say.
Mugabe's policies have resulted in 4,000 white farmers being evicted from
their land by government enforcers since he moved to abolish freehold title
on farms in 2007, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

It is a policy that new Finance Minister Tendai Biti -- a member of the
Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe's new coalition government -- 
says has resulted in food production plunges and widespread hunger. Biti
pledged last week to "arrest any further farm invasions" but they seem to be
accelerating, The Times said.

On Tuesday, farmer Tom Venter was found guilty of failing to get off his
farm, while elsewhere in Zimbabwe, Simon Keevil received a summons for the
same offense. A day earlier, The Times said, two white farmers were arrested
and two black farm managers were jailed because their employers weren't
there.

MDC names missing abductees

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
25 March 2009

Scores of civic and political activists were released on bail recently,
while three known political detainees are still in custody. The victims were
part of a group of about 40 individuals abducted between the months of
October and December last year. On Tuesday the MDC published the names of
the activists who they know are still missing and said it is worried about
the whereabouts of these seven individuals, abducted last year.
Gwenzi Kahiya - abducted 29 October 2008 in Zvimba,
Ephraim Mabeka - abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe,
Lovemore Machokoto - abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe,
Charles Muza - abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe,
Edmore Vangirayi - abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe,
Graham Matehwa - abducted 17 December in Makoni South
Peter Munyanyi - abducted 13 December 2008 in Gutu South.
Three other activists who the police had denied holding were released last
week, after spending over four months in illegal detention. Their names were
released for the first time by the MDC, also on Tuesday. Lloyd Tarumbwa,
Fani Tembo and Mrs. Terry Musona were part of the group kidnapped from their
homes in Banket, Mashonaland West province at the end of October and accused
of plotting to topple the Mugabe regime through banditry and terrorism
training.
A detailed statement from the MDC said the three, like the other political
prisoners "were severely tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment by
State security agents during their illegal detention in a bid to force them
to confess to the false charges."  They said they were denied food and
medical treatment.
The activists were also denied their right to lawyers and were not taken to
court in the four months they were incarcerated. Tarumbwa said: "In fact
when we told the persecutors that we wanted access to a lawyer or to be
brought before the courts, we were severely beaten, threatened with death
and denied food for up to two days."
The three were released last week without charge. The MDC said after
spending months in isolation the three abductees were taken away quietly at
night and dumped some kilometers outside Banket. They had to complete the
rest of the journey on foot.
Three other political detainees, Chris Dhlamini the MDC head of security,
Gandhi Mudzingwa, a former personal assistant to MDC President Morgan
Tsvangirai and photo journalist Shadreck Andreson Manyere are the three
known abductees still in detention.
They are all facing terrorism charges despite repeated statements by the
MDC, the Botswana government and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe
that these are flimsy charges.
It was reported Wednesday that Robert Mugabe told the visiting Norwegian
Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, that
there are no political prisoners in the country and that all those arrested
have criminal charges to answer to.

Telone Seeks U.S.$700 000 for Satellite System

http://www.tmcnet.com

Harare, Mar 25, 2009 (The Herald/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- 
TELONE is battling to secure US$700 000 to pay Global Connect that operates
the satellite linking system that enables the country to enjoy Internet
access.

The US$700 000 is part of US$1 million that TelOne had incurred as payment
for the linking system.

TelOne as the custodian of the system had fallen behind in terms of
payments.

As a result of the arrears, internet access within the country has been
erratic despite the fact that the internet service is one of the most
preferred choice of communication in the country.

The matter came to light during a meeting between the Minister of
Information and Communication Technology Nelson Chamisa and the
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries held last month.

84 year old WOZA member released after night in Bulawayo cells

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
25 March 2009

Pressure group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) has lashed out at a primary
school headmistress in Bulawayo, after two WOZA members, including a
grandmother in her eighties, were arrested at the request of the school
leader on Tuesday.

Patricia Ndlovu, aged 53, and Georgina Muzaza, aged 84, were both released
from custody on Wednesday after a night in police cells, when the case
against them was dismissed.

The pair was hauled into custody while trying to engage with the
headmistress of Mpumelelo Primary in Mpopoma. WOZA members had gathered
outside the school, as part of the group's ongoing engagement with schools
over 'unreasonable demands on parents'. The women that were eventually
arrested both have grandchildren at the school and were acting as WOZA
representatives in trying to meet the headmistress. But while waiting for
the meeting, the headmistress called the police who arrested both
grandmothers and detained them for two hours at a local police station.

The women were eventually taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where
they were charged under Section 37 of the Criminal Law Act, and were accused
of "participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence,
breaches of the peace or bigotry." The women were forced to stay overnight
in police cells, despite efforts by their defence lawyer to get them
released into his custody because of their age.

WOZA said the arrest and detention of the two women, merely for wanting to
discuss their concerns as parents with the headmistress of the school, "is
further evidence that very little has changed on the ground for ordinary
Zimbabweans."

Zimbabwe gold mine seen reopening in 4-6 months: CEO

http://af.reuters.com

Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:45pm GMT

By Eric Onstad
LONDON (Reuters) - London-listed Mwana Africa Plc aims to reopen a Zimbabwe
gold mine within six months and also plans discussions with the government
about possibly restarting its Bindura nickel operations.

Mwana CEO Kalaa Mpinga said key to the decision to restart Freda Rebecca
mine was a recent move by Zimbabwe's central bank to relinquish its role as
mandatory sales agent, allowing firms for the first time to sell gold on the
world market.

Companies can also now hold foreign currency.

"What is important to me is the approach and the attitude the government is
taking to the economy and I must say we are all very excited," Kalaa Mpinga
told Reuters in an interview.

He said the new unity government was "making all the right noises and they
are following up on the noises they are making."

Mwana expects to reopen its Freda Rebecca, which was closed in 2006, in four
to six months. It will initially produce 48,000 ounces per year, ramping up
to 80-90,000 ounces.

"By liberalising the foreign exchange market and removing price controls, a
new wave of energy has been given to the economy," he said.

A new government formed by President Robert Mugabe and old rival Morgan
Tsvangirai has launched a economic recovery programme that envisages
political reforms to win back donor aid, although Western countries remain
cautious.

Mpinga said it will cost around $6 million to restart the partially flooded
underground mine, but Mwana has over $20 million in cash so this is not a
problem.

Even though it does not need the cash, the firm is in talks with
multilateral institutions about possibly providing some financing for the
mine, located 90 km northeast of Harare.

"If we can get one of the multilaterals to actually invest alongside with
us, this will give the added security and comfort that our shareholders
would want to see."

NICKEL MINE

Mwana is also looking at the prospects of reopening its Bindura nickel
operations in Zimbabwe, although this would be more difficult due to the
sharp fall in nickel prices.

While nickel prices have crashed 80 percent since touching a peak in May
2007, gold has gained 34 percent in the same period.

"We are hoping in the relatively short term to be in a position to say
whether or not we can produce profitably at the existing prices," Mpinga
said.

Bindura Nickel Corp is the only integrated nickel mine, smelter and refinery
operation in Africa.

Over the 40 years that Bindura has operated, however, it has mostly been
able to weather downturns and found a way to run at a profit, he added.

"We are getting our act together, getting our numbers and our facts so that
we can engage the government in a discussion. We need to review everything
from our electricity price to wage rates, our transport costs and our tax
position," Mpinga said.

"The indication we have is that the government is prepared to discuss
everything."

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the firm has suspended its diamond
exploration activities, but activities in gold have continued.

"We are working on the gold side in Congo and we're making good progress and
there are a number of announcements that are in the pipeline," he said,
declining to give details.

Mwana shares, which have shed 90 percent over the past 12 months, jumped
19.4 percent to 4 pence on Wednesday after announcing it would restart its
Zimbabwe gold mine.

Sweden wants 'mutual benchmarks' before Zimbabwe re-engagement

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

By Lebo Nkatazo
Posted to the web: 25/03/2009 17:04:56
THE International community is willing to have dialogue with Zimbabwe for
purposes of setting conditions for re-engagement, Swedish Ambassador to
Zimbabwe Sten Rylander said Wednesday.

The ambassador also commended the work done by the month-old inclusive
government in stabilising and implementing democratic reforms in the
country.

Rylander was speaking at the residence of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
where he made a courtesy call.

"We are willing, together with the rest of the international community, to
have dialogue with the Zimbabwean government and to agree on mutual
benchmarks to assist Zimbabwe on the path of recovery," Rylander said.

"As Sweden, we reaffirm our commitment to save lives, alleviate suffering
and maintain human dignity for the benefit of the people."

The ambassador added that his country was donating US$10 million to the new
government for humanitarian assistance. The funds would be channeled through
the 2009 United Nations Consolidated Appeal and the International Committee
of the Red Cross.

He, however, said the government remains with the responsibility of
providing for the people.

"The Zimbabwe state has the primary responsibility for meeting humanitarian
needs. In that regard, we commend the work of the new inclusive government
to democratize and stabilise the country."

The US$10 million injection comes a week before SADC meets in South Africa
to finalise a regional economic aid package for Zimbabwe. The regional
grouping's finance ministers agreed late last month to push for donor help
to rebuild Zimbabwe's ruined economy and put the initial need at $2 billion.

Daily cholera update and alerts, 24 Mar 2009

 Full_Report (pdf* format - 148.4 Kbytes)

* Please note that daily information collection is a challenge due to communication and staff constraints. On-going data cleaning may result in an increase or decrease in the numbers. Any change will then be explained.

** Daily information on new deaths should not imply that these deaths occurred in cases reported that day. Therefore daily CFRs >100% may occasionally result

A. Highlights of the day:

- 181 Cases and 25 deaths added today (in comparison with 255 cases and 9 deaths yesterday)

- 73.3% of the districts affected have reported today 44 out of 60 affected districts)

- 91.9 % of districts reported to be affected (57 districts out of 62)

- Cumulative Institutional Case Fatality Rate 1.7%

- Daily Institutional CFR = 1.89%

- New district affected: Umzingwane (Matabeleland South)

- UMP revised downwards from 72 to 53 (26 Institutional and 27 Community), Binga revised deaths down by one, Kariba Urban cumulative cases revised as there were erroneously reduced (from 141 to 339).

Researchers Developing New Ways to Purify Water

http://www.ipsnews.net

By Busani Bafana and Zahira Kharsany

BULAWAYO, Mar 25 (IPS) - Scientists at Bulawayo's National University of
Science and Technology (NUST) have embarked on research to develop simple
and affordable water purification methods, as more than a billion people
live without safe drinking water in developing countries.

Water and sanitation experts are currently investigating if a powder made
from the seeds of the Moringa Oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick or
horseradish tree, can be used as a filter to purify water.

′In Sub-Saharan Africa, only a third of the population has access to clean
drinking water, according to United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.
Water-borne diseases kill an estimated five million people a year, many of
them children.

The situation is particularly dire in Zimbabwe, where the economic meltdown
has led to a breakdown in water service provision and infrastructure.
Resulting water contamination and poor water treatment have caused major
health issues.

A cholera outbreak, first reported in mid-2008, has claimed the lives of
more than 3,000 people to date, with more than 80,000 reported cholera cases
countrywide, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

Without access to safe drinking water, WHO says Zimbabwe is highly unlikely
to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1 of halving the number of
people suffering from poverty and hunger by 2015, due to a combination of
factors linked to poor infrastructure, poor sanitation and lack of
investment in water treatment systems.

Poor water quality and sanitation will also make it difficult for the
country to reach MDG3, reducing child mortality, and MDG4, increasing
maternal health.

A combination of chemical and bacteriological pollution of water resources
presents a particular problem in Zimbabwe, explained Theresa Mkandawire,
researcher at the University of Malawi and regional water expert. "Deep
wells and boreholes are often subjected to chemical contamination, whilst in
shallow wells bacteriological and physical contamination dominates," she
told IPS.

"The level of pollution that goes unmonitored is quite high and people
living downstream [of rivers] are particularly affected," agreed executive
director of the Harare-based Institute of Water and Sanitation Development
(IWSD), Noma Neseni. "Pollution within the [SADC] region and in Zimbabwe is
caused by industry, domestic users, agriculture, and at the moment fines for
pollution are quite low in Zimbabwe." ′ Neseni further noted that, in
Zimbabwe, the national rural water supplies and sanitation programme has not
effectively promoted household water treatment, although researchers found
this could be an important entry point to increase water quality.

"Although there have been fears that water is contaminated through
transportation and storage, we have failed to invest into developing
appropriate technologies for water treatment at household level until now,"
she said.

Preventing water pollution is a cornerstone in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) regional water policy of 2005, which aims to
address weak regulatory and legal frameworks, inadequate institutional
capacity of national water authorities, poor water resource management as
well as lack of participation and infrastructure.

To make clean water more accessible and affordable to Zimbabweans in urban
as well as in rural areas, the National University of Science and Technology
(NUST) in Bulawayo has embarked on a research project to develop low-cost
water treatment methods, such as the use of Moringa seed powder.

"Water quality is a problem in Zimbabwe, and this is not only confined to
urban areas but happens in rural areas too," explained NUST civil engineer
Ellen Mangore.

She told IPS the research project is modelled on water treatment practices
in Sudan, where the seed is used pounded or whole to purify water. Moringa
Oleifera is a small tree whose leaves are popularly used to make salad,
while its elongated fruit is eaten as a vegetable.

Researchers place their hopes in the Moringa tree seed for water
purification, as the tree is widely found in Zimbabwe. In addition, it is
drought tolerant and grows in locations with as little as 500 millimetres of
annual rainfall.

In addition, NUST investigates other simple water treatment methods, such as
purification with household bleach and sand filtration columns.

′So far, the treatment of water with Moringa seed powder has proven to be an
effective method of reducing water-borne diseases and correct pH, said
Mangore, as have the other tested methods.

"Our test results also showed that household bleach is a very strong
disinfectant and raised the levels of free and total chlorine in the water,
while the simple filtration columns resulted in almost 85 percent reduction
in total suspended solids," she explained.

′Mangore said the research project is ongoing, as different purification
scenarios still need to be investigated, for example dosages and contact
times. She explained the results of the study are still under wraps pending
verification of the potential toxicity of the Moringa powder and household
bleach.

Give Inclusive Government A Chance - Mujuru

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare - Vice President Joice Mujuru on Wednesday pleaded with the
international community to give the inclusive government a chance by
removing travel warnings to those wishing to visit the country, and
challenged political leaders to condemn violence and jointly celebrate the
inclusive government which is registering positive results.

"I urge the international community to closely look at the composition
of the inclusive government, which is working together honestly for the
betterment of the people. I also ask you to listen to our inclusive voice to
please remove the travel warnings that you imposed against our country, and
call you to come and invest in the various parts of our economy," said
Mujuru at the official opening of a Tourism conference.

She also called upon all political leaders to spread the message of
peace to the people at grass roots level.

"The challenge we have as political leaders is to ensure that the
spirit of oneness is cascaded to lower echelons of our political formations.
Let us publicly emphatically condemn violence of whatever form and jointly
celebrate achievements of the new political dispensation," added Mujuru

 The theme of the conference is "Deepening partnership for revival of
the Tourism sector". The tourism sector has potential to grow but had been
negatively affected by Zimbabwe's political and economic instability over
the past decade.

Britain recently offered to evacuate its senior citizens while some
western states such as America and Australia had been warning their citizens
not to travel to the country, citing both the political and humanitarian
crisis. Zimbabwe is battling with a cholera outbreak since last August that
killed nearly 4 000 people and affected 80 000 others. However the World
Health Organisation (WHO) this week said cholera cases were now on the
decline.

Know Your Ministers: Chamisa, Chinamasa

Zanu PF is thinking far ahead to elections

http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/3816

There is one important fact to remember when dealing with the Zanu PF
regime, when Bob makes threats, he carries them through, do not ever
pooh-pooh him. There is an evil, foul smelling wind blowing through the
streets of Zimbabwe.  Bob and the wailers have manipulated the AIG with
their usual cunning strategy: Zanu in cahoots with SADC forced the MDC into
a shot-gun wedding and  now they are doing their damndest to scupper the
whole process.

Obert Mpofu at a party in Nyamandhlovu last weekend declared that there is
no unity with the MDC, that no white farmers will ever get back their land,
and that people must prepare now for elections.  Webster Shamu also held a
small rally at Davis Hall on the weekend in Bulawayo, echoing the very same
sentiments.  He went so far to say that if people wanted to vote  for
another party they should vote for the newly resurrected zapu. Remember Bob
telling everyone at his birthday in February that nothing had changed and he
was still in power and that there'd be elections in two years time which
everyone needed to get ready for...?

There is a nasty plot afoot and while the MDC desperately chase their tails,
attempting to find their feet in the AIG, zanu are busy jockeying for power.
I think preparing people for yet another violent run-up to elections.  In
fact, by the time we get to elections MDC will have lost all credibility as
zanu will ensure they keep not one promise to the people.

The MDC better wake up fast!

This entry was posted by Still Here on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 5:26
pm

Zimbabwe imports roads equipment from China

http://news.xinhuanet.com/

     

      www.chinaview.cn  2009-03-25 20:11:24

HARARE, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe National Road Authority
has purchased road construction equipment worth 2.6 million U.S. dollars
from China for use in repairing and maintaining roads throughout the
country, New Ziana reported on Wednesday.

ZINARA acting chief executive officer Frank Chitukutuku told New
Ziana that the equipment, which comprises six graders, six tippers and two
water bowsers, were expected in the country before the end of this month or
early next month. "We bought the equipment in October last year," he said.

Chitukutuku said the equipment would be handed over to the
Department of Roads for deployment in the provinces where local authorities
(also known as Road Authorities) would also be allowed to use it for a fee.

He said the equipment would enable ZINARA to carry out significant
road maintenance work this year. "For the past two years we have not been
able to do meaningful works because of a number of challenges which include
skills flight and old equipment," he said.

The deplorable state that most roads in the country including
highways have reached has resulted in an increase in accidents that have
claimed many lives and left others injured.

Chitukutuku expressed confidence that ZINARA would be able to
carry out meaningful road maintenance this year using foreign currency that
it would collect from motorists in the form of road user fees.

He said ZINARA had started collecting fuel levy in foreign
currency with effect from February following gazetting of a Statutory
Instrument allowing it to do so.

The Zimbabwean government authorized ZINARA to collect fuel levy
in forex last year but absence of the appropriate Statutory Instrument
prevented it from implementing the move.

ZINARA is now collecting 4 cents per liter of petrol and 5 cents
per liter of diesel.

Chitukutuku, however, appealed to the government to ensure that
ZINARA accesses the foreign currency which was being kept by the Reserve
Bank.

Motorists start using the Lusaka-Chirundu road again

• Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 9:29

 

Engineers working on a diversion to repair the Lusaka-Chirundu road

The Road Development Agency (RDA) says it is happy that traffic has started flowing on the Lusaka-Chirundu road following the construction of a temporary diversion, after a culvert on the road was damaged last week causing the washing away of a portion of the road.

The RDA says it is awaiting a report expected to be available by March 27 Friday this week from RDA Consultant, Brain Cohulhun to ascertain the cost of the damaged portion and consequent re-designing of the road.

RDA Public Relations Manager Loyce Saili, who went to check on the ground said that the road is now usable by the traveling motorists, She told reporters at the site in Chirundu yesterday that she is happy that there are no marooned vehicles on the either side of the road.

Ms. Saili said the Agency contracted Sable Transport and Construction Company to construct a diversion which motorists are for the time being using.

She said once the report is ready and studied, the road will be properly repaired. She cautioned the motorists to adhere to the Contractor’s instructions to avoid a possible ‘congestion’ when using the make-shift diversion.

Motorists navigating the the collapsed Lusaka-Chirundu road

Some drivers told ZANIS that they are happy that the road is now passable. John Lungu, a mini-bus driver commended government for the quick intervention by providing a make-shift diversion.

On Friday last week Southern Province was completely cut from the rest of the country when a culvert on the Chirundu/Livingstone Road was damaged.

Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti rushed to the area to ascertain the damage caused. Mr. Mulogoti described the damaged portion on the road as not very extensive.

Over the weekend, President Rupiah Banda also visited the site. The Head of State directed the Office of the Vice President to be conducting regular maintainance work because a good road network is vital to accelerating economic development.

The Chirundu/Livingstone road connects Zambia to neighbouring Zimbabwe as well as Botswana and Namibia.

Innocent Victims

 

Published by: Merlin Unwin Books, U.K.

Innocent Victims is the story of how Meryl Harrison rescued thousands of animals stranded on invaded farms during Zimbabwe's land re-distribution. Meryl's mission was not about people or human rights but about animals and their welfare and there was no room for race, politics or prejudice.

Meryl, in her sixties and with a heart condition, always traveled with one or two young SPCA Inspectors and together they faced mobs of men who were often drugged or drunk and almost always armed with weapons ranging from sticks and stones to guns, knives and whips. Meryl drove thousands of kilometers to remote and abandoned farms; she and her colleagues went into "no-go areas" and faced war veterans, secret police, army and youth militia; they dismantled road barricades and went to places which even the Police said were dangerous and unsafe.

Read more and purchase the book...........Click here

Listen to an interview with Meryl by Gerry Jackson......Click here