Roy Bennett Briefly Detained By Armed Police

http://news.radiovop.com

26/03/2010 19:39:00

Chimanimani, March 26, 2010 - A group of armed officers from the Zimbabwe
Republic Police (ZRP) on Friday briefly detained Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) treasurer and deputy agriculture minister designate, Roy
Bennett for yet unclear reasons.

The party's spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa confirmed that the former
Chimanimani legislator was also blocked from entering his hometown of
Chimanimani.

"MDC Treasurer General and deputy Minister of Agriculture designate Roy
Bennett has been blocked from entering his hometown in Chimanimani by armed
policeman at a roadblock just outside the town," said Chamisa.

It is understood Bennett, who was in the company of his wife, was detained
for about 30 minutes before being released. The police officers however took
the identity document for his wife, as well as the number plates for the car
they were traveling in.

An MDC official said Bennett had planned to spend the weekend in
Chimanimani, where he owns a house. The MDC treasurer is a former Member of
Parliament for Chimanimani and is very popular with ordinary people there,
mostly plantation workers.His farm, also in the area, used to be among the
leading coffee exporters in the country, before it was grabbed by Zanu PF
militants. They have since vandalized equipment at the farm, with no
meaningful production.

Bennett was one of three white parliamentarians elected in the 2000
Parliamentary election, despite intimidation against MDC voters by
supporters of Zanu-PF. During the campaign his wife and family were
physically attacked

Bennett is currently battling what he says are trumped up treason charges.
 

Talks heading for deadlock as ZANU PF vow no concessions

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
26 March 2010

Talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock in Zimbabwe appeared heading
for another collapse after ZANU PF's politburo on Wednesday resolved it
would not make any concessions until sanctions targeted at members of Mugabe's
regime are lifted.

A new climate of optimism had developed following last weeks visit to
Zimbabwe by the mediating South African President Jacob Zuma. He had
announced that the parties had agreed to a package of measures to be
implemented 'concurrently'. It was also agreed the negotiating teams would
attend to all outstanding matters during their deliberations on the 25th,
26th and 29th March, before reporting back to Zuma by the 31st March.

But ZANU PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo effectively let the cat out of the bag
when he told the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper that there will not be any
movement as far as the outstanding issues are concerned. He said ZANU PF was
sticking to the decision of its congress last year that there will not be
any concessions until sanctions are lifted. Gumbo went further to say 'the
MDC-T must decide how the sanctions are going to be lifted.'
The remarks threw into serious doubt ZANU PF's sincerity in participating in
the secret talks being held in Nyanga, although Gumbo tried to water down
his statement by saying, 'I am not one of the negotiators. They may
conclude, but what I am stating is the party position that we agreed on
after Chinamasa briefed us on Wednesday.'
Although the parties agreed details of the talks would remain confidential
Gumbo's remarks suggest not much progress is being made.
The ZANU PF spokesman also told the state owned Herald newspaper that no
agreements had been reached by the political parties during Zuma's visit.
This is despite Zuma having told a press conference, 'I am very encouraged
by the spirit of cooperation displayed by the leaders and all the parties.
The parties have agreed to a package of measures to be implemented
concurrently as per the decision of the SADC Troika in Maputo.'
MDC-T spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Newsreel the remarks by Gumbo showed the
internal fighting within ZANU PF and how they are trying to manage their
succession battles. He said it was either rivals grandstanding, or the
agreements entered into when Zuma was in the country were not shared by all
party members. Chamisa also said he shared the view, held by many, that
there was nothing to negotiate. The parties signed an agreement in 2008, all
that was left was to actually implement it.
Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has warned that calls
for fresh elections in the country are premature in the absence of an
overhaul of the discredited voters' roll and a review of electoral, security
and media laws. Both ZANU PF and the MDC-T have hinted at new elections as a
possible solution to the political deadlock but ZESN, the largest
independent election monitor in the country, believes major reforms are
needed before free and fair elections are achievable.
 

‘Gono and Tomana not going anywhere’ – Mugabe

http://www.zimeye.org/?p=15401

By Moses Muchemwa

Published: March 26, 2010

Harare   – President Robert Mugabe has insisted that Reserve Bank Governor
Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana will not go since they were
not part of the Global Political Agreement.

His comments come against a backdrop of pressure from the MDC for the two
officials to be axed for the coalition government to succeed.

Mugabe, 86, told the Zanu-PF 80th Ordinary Session of the Central Committee
in Harare, that even outstanding issues in the GPA will not be ironed out
until sanctions were removed.

“Tomana na Gono hapana kwavanoenda(they are not going at all). Gono and
Tomana are not part of our agreement (GPA). As Zanu-PF we say Gono and
Tomana have no case to answer but (Roy) Bennett has a criminal case in the
courts,” he said.

Mugabe was referring to the trumped up terrorism and banditry charges
against MDC treasurer general Bennett.

“There cannot be any further concessions from us unless the illegal
sanctions are lifted,” said the 86-year old president.

Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC are currently locked up in negotiating meetings to
find ways of resolving the outstanding issues. The MDC formations demand the
firing of Gono and Tomana as well as the swearing in of Agriculture Deputy
Minister Roy Bennett.

The parties are meeting in Nyanga until Monday but details of the gathering
are kept under wraps.

South African president Jacob Zuma, facilitator of talks, was in Zimbabwe
last week and called for the quick resolution of the outstanding issues.

SADC has also seconded a technical team to Zimbabwe to assist the shaky
unity government.

Tsvangirai sets out reform agenda

http://www.mg.co.za

JASON MOYO - Mar 26 2010 16:29

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has laid out an ambitious reform
programme that will be a key test of just how much change President Robert
Mugabe is willing to allow in the government of national unity.

A week after President Jacob Zuma instilled some urgency into talks aimed at
the full implementation of the power-sharing agreement, an emboldened
Tsvangirai has presented a plan - the government work programme (GWP) - to
Cabinet. Over the next nine months the plan would introduce legislation that
would repeal a raft of laws Mugabe has used over the past decade to ­stifle
dissent.

"The total sum of the impact of the integrated options under the GWP should
provide resolutions that ­ultimately lead this country to peace, stability,
sustainable growth and prosperity for all in the shortest possible time,"
Tsvangirai writes in his document.

In talks mediated by Zuma last week Mugabe pledged cooperation in the full
implementation of the agreement. But many within his Zanu-PF remain opposed
to change and Tsvangirai's plan will test the resolve of both sides.

The plan lists his reform priorities as: economic growth, the provision of
basic services and infrastructure, the restoration of the rule of law and
property rights, the legislative reform to ensure basic freedoms, and the
"normalisation" of international relations.

It would see a freedom of information Bill brought to Parliament, repealing
the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, under which four
newspapers have been banned. Last week a new commission tasked with leading
media reforms said it was ready to begin work to open up the media, but a
state-owned weekly complained Tsvangirai was trying to "hurry" the process.

A general laws amendment Bill would repeal legislation such as the Criminal
Law and Codification Reform Act, a raft of rules that Zanu-PF has used to
stifle opposition.

There will also be amendments to laws governing elections. Tsvangirai says
his plan would take "a decisive lead to create urgent reforms that form the
foundations to the process of a free and fair election".

New battle
His push for a "comprehensive and transparent land audit" to root out people
holding on to more than one farm is likely to start a new battle with
Mugabe, who has made land seizures the cornerstone of his past election
campaigns. Many of his supporters believe the audit is meant to drive them
off resettled land to make way for white previous landowners.

But Tsvangirai has been careful to win Zanu-PF support for his plan,
addressing Mugabe's key concern on sanctions. A joint committee of ministers
will lobby the European Union, Canada and Australia to end Zimbab­we's
isolation. A tough task will be lobbying the US Congress to repeal the
Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, a sanctions law that bars US
companies from dealing with Zimbabwe and effectively bans international
credit to the country.

Tsvangirai deliberately steers clear of detailing his plan to reform the
security forces, for long a pillar of Mugabe's power. Instead, he proposes
that this be discussed within the National Security Council, a joint body of
the country's top security figures, in which Tsvangirai also sits.

Zuma claimed progress in the talks towards the full implementation of the
power-sharing agreement. No details were given, but there is speculation
that much of the discussion was about the fate of central bank governor
Gideon Gono, attorney general Johannes Tomana and Roy Bennett, Tsvangirai's
nominee for deputy agriculture minister, whose treason trial has raised
tensions.

Zuma took a direct approach, meeting all three men. Zuma's spokesperson
Vincent Magwenya said he had taken this step to "create understanding on how
to make matters move forward".

There is talk that negotiators are discussing the possibility of promoting
Tomana to the Bench and naming a mutually agreed replacement. Gono is
believe to be staying, because part of the legislation agreed to by both
parties significantly whittles down his clout. Zanu-PF views Bennett's
appointment to agriculture as provocative and wants the Movement for
Democratic Change to appoint him to another portfolio.

Zuma's intervention appears to have emboldened Tsvangirai. Even as Mugabe
continues gradually to undermine his authority in government, Tsvangirai
appears confident enough to order that ministers report to him monthly on
the progress of implementing his plan.

Two more MDC arrests

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
26 March 2010

The human rights group Restoration for Human Rights (ROHR) has criticized
Bindura police for going on a witch-hunt for MDC supporters.

The pressure group said two MDC members were arrested on Thursday, in
separate incidents, on allegations of undermining the office of the
President under section 186 of the codification act.
ROHR Information Officer, Ronald Mureverwi, said Makesure Mafukidze, an MDC
Councillor for ward 3, was picked up in Bindura town in the morning and is
currently locked up at Bindura central police station. The Councillor is
accused of making utterances during a political rally earlier this year. It
is not known what exactly he said.
Seymour Mhene was arrested on the same day, for allegedly criticising the
police and accusing them of bias against members of the former opposition.
ROHR said Mhene passed a comment during a recent New Zimbabwe lecture
series, organized by the Research Foundation of Zimbabwe, condemning the
police for being partisan and wilfully arresting members of the MDC on
falsified charges,.
Mureverwi said the two are likely to spend the weekend in custody and are
only expected to appear in court on Monday.
The latest arrests from Bindura come just days after the arrests of Shepherd
Mushonga, the MDC MP for Mazowe Central, who was detained last Saturday for
also 'undermining the office of the President' during a political rally in
February. He allegedly said, 'Mugabe might not be around come the next
election'.
ROHR said the legislator was summoned to court but the case was thrown out
because of lack of evidence.
The pressure group says the arrests deny people the much needed right to
freedom of expression and free political activity.
Mureverwi added: "What is happening is very unfortunate when our country is
in a period of transition, when we are trying to enhance the spirit of
inclusivity and to try and encourage people to mould democratic ideas
through the public expressing themselves. We don't expect a situation where
there is a cult of holy leaders that cannot be criticised."

 

Starving ex-envoy attacks Mugabe

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=28324

March 26, 2010

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Zimbabwe's former ambassador to Ethiopia and Botswana Alois
Makamure Chidoda has attacked President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party
for what he says is a lack of good leadership skills.

Chidoda, who was ambassador to Ethiopia during the era of that country's
former leader Haile Mariam Mengistu, now lives in abject poverty. He accused
his former party, Zanu-PF, and its leadership of dumping him.

"What is lacking in Zanu-PF is good leadership," said Chidoda. "We want
leaders who follow the footsteps of the likes of Herbert Chitepo and others
and not the current leadership which is just amassing wealth and
discriminating people on regional lines."

Chitepo is the founding chairman of Zanu-PF. He died in a bomb blast in
Zambia in 1975.

Chidoda said he had played a big role during the liberation struggle by
giving former freedom fighters resources but Zanu-PF, the party he professes
to have loved most had now abandoned him.

The former diplomat accused President Robert Mugabe of selectively helping
Zanu-PF cadres on regional and tribal lines.

"Look at the way Mugabe is looking after Chombo and others; it is amazing,"
said Chidoda.

He was referring to Ignatius Chombo, the Minister of Local Government. Court
documents in divorce proceedings between Chombo and one of his wives have
revealed the minister, a former university lecturer, has amassed massive
wealth, including residential stands and farms.

Chidoda said: "I played a better role during the war than Chombo. Mugabe
just wants to wine and dine with the Zezurus and that is what makes him
strong.

"I am living in poverty because the party that I helped has dumped me, and I
heap all the blame on President Robert Mugabe".

Turning to the issue of how Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe in 1991, Chidoda
alleged that the current Minister of Defence Emmerson Mnangagwa had a hand
in facilitating the escape of the former Ethiopian dictator.

"I just remember that minister Mnangagwa came to Ethiopia in 1991 to canvass
for support for Simba Makoni to get a job at the United Nations," said
Chidoda.

"It is then that Mnangagwa held secret talks with Mengistu. I did not attend
the meeting but I knew something was going on. It was after this meeting
that I heard that Mengistu had fled to Zimbabwe"

However, no official comment could be obtained from Mnangagwa yesterday to
verify Chidoda's claims.

Mengistu is now leaving in exile in Zimbabwe after he was granted asylum in
1991.

Chidoda now drives a battered pick-up truck and runs a small farm in the
Mushagashe area of Masvingo.

"I have a small farm which I bought; not invaded," said Chidoda.

Chidoda was barred by Zanu-PF from contesting the Masvingo mayoral post in
1995. He later went to court to challenge the decision but lost the case.

He joined the Mavambo project, led by former Finance Minister Simba Makoni,
in 2008. He contested the Masvingo North parliamentary seat and lost to
Zanu-PF's Stan Mudenge.

"I will never forgive President Robert Mugabe for the bad way he has treated
me", said Chidoda.

MDC Supporters Demolish Zanu PF Torture Bases

http://news.radiovop.com

26/03/2010 14:28:00

Masvingo, March 26, 2010 - Irate Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T)
supporters in Chikarudzo area under Chief Murinye teamed up on Thursday
before approaching Zanu PF secret torture bases in the area and set the
shacks on fire.

Masvingo Central legislator Jeffryson Chitando (MDC) who was in Harare
confirmed to have received the report saying a lot of his supporters were
being victimised ever since Defence Minister Emmersom Mnangagwa visited the
area last weekend.

Chitando said MDC supporters were acting in retaliation following
intimidation from Zanu PF youth.

Soon after Emmerson Mnangagwa's visit in Masvingo Central last weekend, Zanu
PF youth started to set up some bases in the area before intimidating
villagers.

By Thursday noon, RadioVOP was informed that two bases had been set at
Barahanga and Chikarudzo areas. The youths who were manning the bases openly
told villagers they were preparing to punish all opposition members who fail
to follow their orders.

Their first assignment was to severely beat all villagers who did not attend
Mnangagwa's rally.

"It's sad that these guys were already victimising my supporters. They had
already set some camps so that they go in villages and demand
chickens, goats and some property thereby punishing our mothers," said
Chitando. "However, they got more than what they bargained for in my area
when villagers teamed up and demolished their camps. I think it was a lesson
and enough warning to Zanu PF," said Chitando.

MDC-T accuses Zanu PF central committee member and Masvingo Rural District
council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Clememce Makwarimba for feeding the
thugs and encouraging violence.

"This is coming from Makwarimba. He is the man who supplies youths with food
and allowances. He had urged his youths to beat us but
unfortunately we could not allow then this time. As MDC-T supporters here,
we are not afraid of anyone, we shall revenge, we will fight
back," said another supporter.

Makwarimba accused MDC-T of violence.

"These people are violent; they do not know what they do. They have attacked
our supporters so they must not cry next time. I can not say anything but
MDC-T must not go this far to provoke us," said Makwarimba.

Masvingo Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Prosper Mugauri said
the police at Renco Mine received such a report but he
was not in a position to divulge what exactly happened.

"I just have the information with me that such a report was made at Renco
Mine, I need more time to give you actual details," said Asst Insp Mugauri.

President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai are however, on record
telling their supporters to desist from violence saying the two are already
in good books.
 

Gallery manager and artist arrested over Gukurahundi exhibition

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
26 March 2010

A well known artist Owen Maseko and Voti Thebe, the person in charge of the
Bulawayo National Arts Gallery, were arrested on Friday, a day after they
launched an exhibition of provocative paintings about the Gukurahundi era.

Gukurahundi was the name given to the armed conflict in Matabeleland and the
Midlands in the mid 1980's that led to the deaths of an estimated 20,000
Ndebele people, after ZANU PF unleashed the notorious North Korean trained
Fifth Brigade in the area.

Shari Eppel, a human rights activist who spoke at the opening launch, told
SW Radio Africa on Friday that the ceremony went ahead with no problem on
Thursday but the police went to the art gallery the following day and
started filming all the installation and pictures, and then arrested the
two.

At the time of broadcast the police were still to charge Maseko and Thebe.
Eppel said the police were still trying to find a crime to pin on the two,
saying: "So it's the usual situation where they arrest first and find the
crime."

This latest development comes a day after a photo exhibition at Harare's
Delta Gallery, organized by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association, was
abandoned after police tried to confiscate the photographs on show, in
defiance of a court order. They had previously seized all the photos and
briefly arrested the organization's director.

The Bulawayo exhibition was supposed to run for the whole of April but there
are now fears that the police will shut it down. But Eppel said the police
in Bulawayo will have a difficult time confiscating the some of the images
because the artist painted on the walls of the gallery. She said one of the
main features of the exhibition is that it has a lot of graffiti around the
walls - all about Gukurahundi - so everyone walking past on the streets can
actually look in and see through the glass walls of the gallery.

"It would also be hard for the police to shut it down because it is not just
a matter of removing paintings but Owen has actually painted the entire
gallery. He painted all the walls red and he has painted all this graffiti
all over the walls. So it is a very difficult exhibition to shut down."

The human rights activist said it is the first time that there has been an
exhibition of this kind about this terrible period in Zimbabwe's history,
that took place shortly after independence.

Eppel said: "One of the paintings showed the installation of the late Joshua
Nkomo and Robert Mugabe signing the Unity Accord with blood pouring down
Nkomo's back as he was signing it."

She said: "It's a very brave exhibition and it's high time. It is 27 years
exactly since Gukurahundi. Why can't people talk about these things,
especially since we have this Ministry of Healing and Reconciliation and
part of that has to be truth telling, in as many mediums as possible,
including the arts."
 

ACTION ALERT: Stand up for Owen Maseko; support an artist’s right to free expression

Painting by Owen Maseko, from a Bulawayo exhibition that opened last night

Owen Maseko

Owen Maseko the world famous Zimbabwean artist has been arrested. His crime? He dared to be bold. Maseko opened his exhibition last night at the Bulawayo National Art Gallery, an artist’s impression of the harsh reality of Gukurahundi as well as the decades of oppression and violence that have characterised Zimbabwe. In a combination of graffiti, 3D installations and his painting Maseko unflinchingly dared to tell the truth, adding his usual and whimsical element of humour. Visit his website here.

Stand up for the freedom of expression in Zimbabwe and help free Maseko. He is being held at Bulawayo Central Police Station, charges have not been made, but they are refusing to release him. Because he has been arrested on a Friday, Maseko is likely to spend the whole weekend in one of Zimbabwe’s filthy cells.

Passers-by crane their necks to see the artwork on display

On paper, Zimbabwe’s constitution protects freedom of expression but in practice, when it comes to expressing criticism of Zanu PF atrocities, the police have ignored this. The current constitution says:

“no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence”

This link to our constitution resource shows that even Zanu PF’s preferred version for a new constitution in the future – the Kariba Draft – supports rights to freedom of expression. Specifically, it preserves the

1. freedom to seek, receive and communicate ideas and information regardless of frontiers;
2. freedom of the press and other media of communication;
3. freedom of artistic creativity;

Maseko’s arrest today begs the question: can Zimbabweans really ever believe that Zanu PF will protect and honour individual rights?

Maseko has shown courage in speaking the truth that we all know. Stand by him and demand his immediate release.

TAKE ACTION

Please call the police and ask that Owen Maseko is released immediately. Point out to them that both the current constitution, and the Kariba Draft, protect an individuals right to free expression. Remind them that their role is to follow the rule of the law; ask them what grounds they have for arresting Maseko.

Please be calm and polite when talking to the police. Ask the person you are speaking to to carry a message to Maseko – ask him/her to tell him the world is watching and standing by him.

Please join our Facebook group. We will be uploading images of some of the artwork that the police and Mugabe do not want the world to see to both Facebook and Flickr. Please share these images widely with everyone you know. Please ask them to support Maseko’s freedom, just as he supports ours.

These are the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)  telephone numbers to call in Bulawayo.

Charge office

+263 (9) 72515

Central charge office hotlines:

+263 (9) 72525

+263 (9) 66306

+263 (9) 66340

ZRP press and public relations:

+263 (9) 60358

This entry was posted by Sokwanele on Friday, March 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm

AfriForum embarks upon a civil sanction campaign

Media Briefing
AfriForum – Pretoria, South Africa
26 March 2010

The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has been at war with its own
people for longer than 10 years.
During this war against its people, white farmers have been targeted and
deprived of not only their property but also their dignity, while hundreds
of thousands of farm workers have been left to the mercy of ZANU-PF militia
and warlords.
The Zimbabwean economy has disintegrated. The poor are becoming poorer while
the wealthy government officials and beneficiaries of the land
redistribution program get richer.
In these desperate circumstances, AfriForum was approached last year by
Messrs Deon Theron and Louis Fick of the Commercial Farmers’ Union for
assistance.
“Bloodmilk”-campaign
AfriForum’s campaign started when it became known that an international
dairy company purchased milk from a farm that was confiscated by the Mugabe
regime and transferred to Mr Mugabe’s wife, Ms Grace Mugabe. AfriForum
undertook an extremely successful international media and internet campaign
and international pressure lead to a decision by the dairy company not to
purchase milk from the said farm.
The fate of South African farmers
Mr Louis Fick is a South African citizen, farming on Friedawil in the
Chinhoyi district. His farm was earmarked for land redistribution and he was
effectively chased off his farm last year. At the moment, Mr Fick stands
trial on criminal charges that he “failed to co-operate with the Zimbabwean
land reform program”. If found guilty, he can be sentenced to two years in a
Zimbabwean jail. Mr Fick could not join us today as he is on Friedawil this
week to try and recover his remaining personal movable assets from the
homestead, after the home was broken into and apparently looted.
Last year when it became known that the South African Government was on the
verge of entering a bilateral investment agreement that would exclude South
African farmers from protection, AfriForum assisted Louis Fick in an attempt
to obtaining an interdict against the signing of such a discriminating
treaty.
The matter was settled, and the South African Government recommitted itself
to the protection of South African farmers as well as to the upholding of
the ruling of the SADC tribunal of November 2008 where the land reform
policies of Zimbabwe were found to be racist and unlawful.
AfriForum regards it as our duty to hold the South African government to
these commitments. More particulars of future legal and civil action will be
announced in due course.

The SADC Tribunal rulings
In November 2008 the tribunal ruled in favour of Mr Michael Campbell and 78
Zimbabwean farmers that the land reform program was racist and unlawful. In
his reaction to this, President Robert Mugabe described the ruling as
“nonsense and of no consequence” to Zimbabwe. The tribunal followed up its
ruling with a contempt ruling and costs order in June 2009.
On 26 February, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria registered these
rulings. They are now rulings of a South African court and as such the cost
order is an executable judgement.
Four Cape Town properties in Zonnebloem, Kenilworth and Wynberg were
identified. The Sheriff of Cape Town visited these properties on 11th March
2010 to attach movables. We have received his confirmation about the current
state of the properties: Three of the properties are vacant and one is being
leased to third party tenants. Since the properties are therefore of a
non-diplomatic nature, they can be attached.
A writ of execution of immovable property will therefore be issued in the
North Gauteng High Court, today and served early next week.
The attachment of immovable properties in Cape Town will be the first step
in what AfriForum describes as its “Civil Sanction Campaign”.
This campaign is our gesture of hope and support for the millions of
Zimbabweans waiting in despair for a better life.
ENDS
For further information:

Willie Spies (Legal Representative:  AfriForum
Cell:  +27 83 676 0639 (South Africa)
E-mail:  willie@hurterspies.co.za

Ben Freeth (SADC Tribunal Watch)
Cell:  +263 913 929 138 (Zimbabwe)
E-mail:  freeth@bsatt.com

Brief information on AfriForum
AfriForum is an independent initiative of the South African trade union
Solidarity. It is a non-profit institution which endeavours to eradicate the
cycle of withdrawal. The process motivates minorities to participate
constructively in public life and debate by means of:
• Campaigns for the protection and consolidation of civil rights
• Establishing functional forums in various spheres of life
• Creating a future vision for minority communities
• Promoting co-operation between civil institutions.
• Liasing with the rest of the world
• Liasing with the authorities.
AfriForum offers a forum for the constructive activation of minorities to
participate in public debate and action, in order to ensure a future for all
in Africa.  www.afriforum.co.za
 

High Court rules against Malaysian investors in land case

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
26 March 2010

The High Court has ruled against investors from Malaysia in a dispute over
an invaded property, in a move that will further sour diplomatic relations
between the two countries.

Malaysian authorities have already expressed anger over the forced takeover
of the property, a banana plantation in eastern Manicaland, which is
supposed to be protected under a Bilateral Investment Protection and
Promotion Agreement (BIPPA). The property, Fangundu Farm (which is owned by
the Malaysian and Dutch farming entity, Matanuska) was invaded over the
festive season by Zimbabwe's ambassador to Tanzania, former army general
Edzai Chimonyo, who insists that he was awarded the property in 2006 under
the land reform programme.
High Court judge Justice Yunus Omerjee dismissed an application filed by
Matanuska, seeking to bar Chimonyo from appealing against an earlier ruling
ordering him to vacate the property. That ruling was handed down in January
by Justice Tedious Karwi, who ordered Chimonyo to vacate Fangundu Farm
saying his occupation of the property was illegal. Another judge then
ordered Chimonyo to apply for Justice Karwi's ruling to be overturned. But
Matanuska argued Chimonyo failed to make this application within the
stipulated timeframe.
However, Justice Omerjee this week ruled against Matanuska, on the grounds
that Chimonyo's application for the ruling to be overturned was 'pending'.
"The relief sought by the present applicants (Matanuska) is misplaced, given
the presence of an application for rescission, which is pending," said
Justice Omerjee in his judgment.
Justice Omerjee said Matanuska can appeal against his ruling within seven
days but in the interim, Chimonyo can remain at Fangundu Farm, where he is
reportedly harvesting and selling bananas estimated to be worth US$40 000 a
week.
An official from Kuala Lumpur's embassy in Harare, Mohamad Nizan Mohamad,
told journalists earlier this month that Vice President John Nkomo had been
approached on the matter. He said Nkomo promised to take the matter to
Robert Mugabe, a friend of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Nkomo also agreed to meet with Chimonyo to resolve the dispute, which was
followed by Chimonyo surrendering two other properties in Fangundu Farm's
vicinity. He said he 'mistook' the two properties to be part of Fangundu
Farm. But what appeared to be the start of a civil agreement turned
antagonistic when Matanuska was taken before the Magistrates Courts in
Mutare last Wednesday. The company was accused of contravening the Gazetted
Land (Consequential Provisions) Act for failing to vacate Fangundu Farm once
it was gazetted for resettlement. That trial has been set for April 8.

 

 Mugabe, Tsvangirai reject gay rights for Zim charter

http://www.mg.co.za/

HARARE, ZIMBABWE Mar 26 2010 14:41

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has backed President Robert
Mugabe's stance against including gay rights in a new constitution, state
media reported on Friday.

The two were speaking at a belated celebration in a Harare suburb on
Thursday of International Women's Day, which was on March 8.

Mugabe reiterated his opposition to rights for gay people, whom he has
described as "worse than pigs and dogs".

"I heard the issue was being raised at the constitution-making process,"
Mugabe said. "Those who do it, we will say, they are wayward. It is just
madness, insanity."

"That is not what we can allow," Mugabe said, according to the state-run
news agency, New Ziana.

Tsvangirai said he agreed with the president's stance.

"Why should a man seek to have a relationship with another man when women
make up 52% of the population? In fact, men are fewer than women," he said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe, where Mugabe has railed against the
gay community for more than a decade, although the group Gays and Lesbians
of Zimbabwe is allowed to operate.

Neighbouring South Africa is the only nation on the continent that gives
equal rights to gay people.

In nearby Malawi, a couple has been jailed since December after holding the
country's first same-sex wedding.

Kenyan police last month arrested five people who were apparently guests at
a planned gay wedding.

In Uganda a lawmaker has proposed a Bill that would impose tough penalties
for homosexuality, including the death sentence in certain cases.

Zimbabwe is meant to write a new constitution this year to pave the way for
new elections, after disputed polls in 2008 that led to the creation of the
unity government between rivals Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

But the constitution-making process has made little headway since it began
last year. -- Sapa-AFP

The war for freedom of expression in Zimbabwe

Morgan Tsvangirai at the Delta Gallery exhibition, Harare

An extract of graffiti featured in Owen Maseko's exhibition, Bulawayo

The war for freedom of expression is being waged across Zimbabwe.

This week has seen two major exhibitions being interfered with by the police for daring to give an honest voice to the tragedy and suffering that have plagued this nation for too long now.

The first battlefield, the Delta gallery in Harare, came under the spotlight with the temporary detention of Okay Machisa and confiscation of the "Reflections" photographic exhibition.  Prime Minister Tsvangirai gave the opening address, having arrived as the photos were still being hung after their stay at Harare Central Police station.

Morgan Tsvangirai speaking at the Delta Gallery exhibition, Harare

The PM declared that Machisa should not remain in hiding and that the director of Zimrights should indeed have attended the opening ceremony. Co Minister of Home Affairs, Giles Mutsekiwa was in the audience and nodded in agreement with the PM that Machisa would have protection.

Not half an hour after the PM left, the police arrived yet again in another attempt to take down the exhibition. But their defeat came at the hands of a lawyer attending the exhibition and the crowds who jeered them into leaving, tails between their legs.

The CIO were camped all night outside Delta Gallery and at 10pm attempted to enter by demanding right of way from the Security guard. What a hero this man was to bar the secret police their desire to shut down the exhibition!

Last night another bold and daring exhibition was opened at the Bulawayo Gallery and in a predictable manner the police are still at their old tricks, muzzling and suffocating the truth.

Maseko's painting depicts Robert Mugabe grabbing votes from the people of Zimbabwe

Owen Maseko's website states:

Owen's exhibitions reflect a serious and political side of the artist. He feels that 'being an artist is about being brave and using art to challenge attitudes. People in Zimbabwe are waiting for change, but we as Zimbabweans are the change.'

Owen's exhibitions both ridicule and expose the corruption, violations and dishonesty of the Zimbabwean government in unsettling and sinister installations and paintings. Someone who attended the exhibition last night described the atmosphere and electric and exciting: He said

"The paintings were amazing and told the truth that everyone knew, but what was firing people up was the sense that this was freedom in the room and people were experiencing freedom in Zimbabwe".

It is precisely that that threatens Mugabe and is the reason why Maseko and people like him, whose work brings a breath of freedom with it, is being targetted for arrest by Zanu PF loyalists.

The authorities in Zimbabwe are incapable of taking a good long honest look at themselves and now artists are their latest victims.

This entry was posted by Still Here on Friday, March 26th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

When Solar Meets Wireless - Rural Communications Solution

By
Robert Ndlovu
March 23  , 2010 .

Background

Recently the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
(Potraz) made an announcement that it had committed US$24 million from the
Universal Services Fund (USF)  for implementing eight projects in the rural
areas. No specifics as to which telecoms operators had been tasked to carry
out the rural network reach programs. Also no specific areas in the 8
provinces were made public by Eng. Charles Sibanda who made the
announcements .

Studies that have been conducted worldwide have  identified that
telecommunications is an important tool for the economic development and
self-sufficiency in any society.

Despite these potential benefits it is apparent that a range of problems
needs to be addressed before this opportunity can be realized. Most of these
rural communities are geographically isolated and economically
disadvantaged, and have generally not attracted the interest of commercial
service providers

The announcement by POTRAZ is good news – on paper at least. We all know the
attitude of the present telcos, in that they have NO interest in extending
their services to rural areas. I wonder what has changed this time around
that will make the likes of Econet , NetOne , TelOne , Powertel ,Telecel
and others to suddenly develop a keen interest in deploying coverage in
rural Zimbabwe. Maybe through the new service providers like Aquiva Wireless
, Africom and others are we going to see something being done to bring
digital economy to rural areas.

This is my public request to Potraz & the Minister of  ICT  Mr. Nelson
Chamisa under whose Ministry these projects will be rolled out :

“Could we please have a publication of  (1) which companies are receiving
money from the Universal Services Fund and (2) which 8 areas have been ear
marked for rural network deployments? That way we will know who to hold
accountable with public funds should the areas ear marked for network
coverage be still with NO coverage 3 years from today.”

Well no need to reference examples here where some A2 farmers received
farming inputs from government and the nation will have to import grain
leaving some people wondering what happened to the farming inputs.

Ok let’s move on with what could be done to bring ICT and telephony to
Nkayi,Gokwe ,Guruve , Chiadzwa and Wedza just to mention a few as an
example.

Solar Powered Wireless for Rural Connectivity

In the game of chess there is what is called twin forking where you pin two
strong pieces on the board by one move. This is what this article is about.
Addressing Africa’s two hindrances to bridge the digital divide starts with
addressing electricity supply and connectivity technologies - Solar energy
for power and wireless technology for connectivity.  Easier said than done,
but NOT impossible. The solar cell, which can function on minimal natural
light, enables a phone to be installed in remote areas where it is
impractical to run power cables to the unit. If insufficient light is
available the device can be backed up by a battery.

Solar Primer – Insolation

Solar panels convert photons of light into electrical current by a process
known as the "photovoltaic effect".  This essentially means that solar
energy illuminating is causing electrons in a solar panel to become excited.
These electrons are then directed into an electric current by a built-in
electromagnetic field. Africa receives a lot of sunshine because most
countries are not too far from the equator. A standard way to measure the
amount of sunshine received in an area is called - insolation. This is
expressed as kilowatt hours per square meter per day. No rocket science
involved here southern Africa has higher insolation values than Canada!

Typical average annual insolation levels:

Central Australia = 5.89 kWh/m2/day - Very High
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe = 4.5 kWh/m2/day - High
Helsinki, Finland = 2.41 kWh/m2/day - Very Low

Solar equipment

Deployment of these systems is NOT too complex if done by trained personal.
Deployment involves system sizing which basically includes estimating the
power consumption by the system. Batteries are used to store electrical
energy to power the system at night or during times when sunshine is at its
lowest by use of chargers.

Most end user wireless equipment have pretty low power consumption levels
but transmitters used by the service provider will need larger solar systems
which means digging deeper into the pocket - one reason that scares most
people way from deploying solar powered systems.

Wireless Primer

The term wireless is pretty broad in the true sense of the word. On the
streets of Bulawayo or Harare this means a cellphone to the average citizen.
Accurate in a sense . I am not offering a wireless tutorial here , but tech
savvy readers must realize and appreciate that the bulk of the readers are
not as tech savvy and as such a clearer explanation of what wireless
technology is , will go a long way into unlocking what its full potential
is.

Wireless technology revolves around the ability to send electromagnetic
signals (radio waves) over the air using a transmitter with a receiver on
the other end. A simple example would be the traditional Supersonic or WRS
radio set where you tune into radio 2 or radio 4 to listen to your favorite
programs. This is a one way radio system , where the user ONLY receives and
does NOT talk back. The same technology is used for cellphones with the
difference that the user can talk back to the sender.

This is facilitated by use of base stations that Cellphone operators like
Econet ,NetOne or Telecel deploy to send calls to you. TV also uses wireless
technology. And so what’s the difference? The difference lies in what
frequencies a network operator is allowed to transmit and receive
signals.The way the GSM operators operate would be the same way that you can
wind your FM/AM dial to tune in to your favorite radio station at a
technical and circuitry level.

Wireless technologies are characterized by their frequency range, their
coverage area, signal loss, and transmission power. But suffice to say here
that the different wireless technologies include, but NOT limited to, GSM,
Wi-Fi, WiMax, Satellite, Blue Tooth etc.

The unique position with wireless technologies lies in their ability of NOT
wanting to use copper cables to send signals. But each country must regulate
who uses which frequency otherwise there will be congestion caused by
interference and it will be chaotic. This is one of the roles of a telecoms
regulator to manage frequency spectrums – like Potraz in the Zim sense.
Otherwise if there is no control you shouldn’t be surprised to hear some ZRP
messages on your cellphone assuming your Nokia receiver can receive the
signals.

Solar Powered Wireless Access

This is a viable avenue of implementing RURAL telephony in a bid to redress
the knowledge and information gap between the urban and rural populations
amongst other things. No need to explain and expand the clear relationship
that exists between information technology and development of a country.
Access to information and communication on the fly  , bridges the digital
divide that generally engulfs the bulk of African countries. This is usually
measured as teledensity. The number of connected phones users per 1000
people.

Solar and wireless technologies share a very unique thing. They both bring
something to a location where it would have been otherwise impossible to.
Solar brings power and wireless brings data. So the combination of these
produces something that everyone wants but can’t connect the dots – bringing
internet and voice to remote location using solar energy. Bear in mind that
the batteries can function for several days without sunlight.

Solar Powered wireless access uses low wattage transmitters and receivers to
send and receive radio signals regardless of frequencies involved. Backhaul
to backbone also uses solar powered radio with up to 100 km range at 32Mb/s
with line of site before repeating.
Solar Wireless Access Nodes presently available have enough battery capacity
to run for several days without significant sunlight, and are fully remote
monitored as long as there is back haul to data network! NeOne already has
deployed a solar powered base station because of intermittent ZESA outages.

Naturally most people dismiss solar powered initiatives as very expensive
because what they fail to realize is that once installed the system pays
itself as long as the sun shines! But once deployed there is not much
maintenance to be done on sun light! And if there is no sunshine its likely
that there is wind and hence windmills.

Challenges and Opportunities

The two most basic services that technology can deliver in remote areas are
a dial tone and email access.

These two should constitute a basic need for any nation that claims to be
serious about any form of development. Availing solar powered phone and
internet centers at business centers is one direct way of availing basic
communication means to the remotest part of the country not covered by any
GSM signal. This way even the remotest farmer in Wedza can send an email to
a fertilizer supplier in Kwekwe for prices. The phone and internet center
approach spreads the cost of ownership over a larger group of people.

Due to remote location difficult terrain, hostile environments and dispersed
population, laying of copper or fiber optics is not cost effective solution
to provide connectivity. As such there is no one single approach that will
achieve the objective of bridging the digital divide. But an array of
approaches using different technologies have to be invoked based on
conditions local to the area. For instance solar powered equipment will fare
better in Lupane than Nyanga. These are facts relevant to a specific
geographic area. This is not a one size fits all solution.

A thorough and detailed site survey will establish if a particular
technology will work for a certain  community or not. The site survey must
collect relevant data like weather patterns, temperature extremes,
elevation, wind speeds, security, distance from interconnection, population
density etc.

Use of solar powered wireless equipment addresses two problems inherent in
most developing countries - lack of reliable electricity (ZESA) and cost of
laying copper. Solutions that can be solar powered remove power related
obstacles in rolling out basic telephone services and even internet.

This approach provides a vehicle to implement say tele-medicine and other
healthcare delivery services as well as agricultural education and extension
services, other services include distance learning and mass education
programs. This means that the local rural clinic, local police, school,
shops have access to a dial tone and email within a reasonable walking
distance. This means teachers based in remote areas are able to access
resources that can aid their curriculum. This means that health workers can
disseminate HIV/AIDs info at the click of a mouse.

I thought that this was common sense ! But I could be wrong.

But in Zimbabwe's case like most African countries , we have farmers with
the most fertile land that DO NOT have access to information resources
regarding commercial farming as a business. This is a serious matter. Most
of the new farmers do not
have access to an email address ! Having phone and internet centers at the
community centers and even growth points , will mean that not everyone in
that area needs to buy his or her own computer to access basic communication
services but can use the public access system. This eliminates the excuse of
computer cost being a major obstacle to development by default.

Lack of access to information contributes heavily to an extent similar to
the perennial food shortages to a country that has NOT been experiencing any
drought because of lack of information. Lack of information is directly
proportional to poverty levels.

The Bible says “ .. people perish because of lack of knowledge …”. I will
not expand on this self explanatory verse from the book of Hosea.

Telecom Center (Phone & Internet Center)

Think of a telecom center as a setup with  phone , e-mail and internet
services. This model is pretty common in urban setups. And this model could
be used for remote centers and even some urban centers whose electricity
supply is more often off than on.
As such the telecom center will have 3 distinct elements phone center ,
internet center and the control system.

This test system is for 8 phones and 8 workstations.

Phone  Center

The essential building blocks for the rural phone center would based along
these guidelines :

• Housing booths -  to house telephone handsets
• Solar module – this is a 3m long pole with a solar panel , a charger and
batteries
• Wireless module -  this could be CDMA or WiFi or GSM depending on what
wireless technology is available.
• Phone devices  – these are the handsets that will be plugged into the
witch on the local network.
• Metering units – these could either be stand alone devices or incorporated
within the telephony devices to regulate usage.

Internet Center

The following make up the data side of the community communications center :

• Mini PCs – these are fully functional computer systems that consume less
electricity but provide enough processor speed and capacity to be used for
tasks like word processing and internet browsing and printing.
• LCD monitors – these have a lower power consumption rates.
• Switch – this is in the form of a PoE(Power over Ethernet) switch in which
the phones can be plugged in directly with no separate power source as there
are powered inline by the switch.
• Accessories – ethernet cables and power strips .
• Software – free tried and tested  linux operating system like Ubuntu.

Control System

Basically this is the logical term for the systems that bring and or enable
services to the end users stations namely the telephone center and the
internet center.

• Internet server – this is a Pentium 4 computer with at least 2G of memory
running FREE open source Ubuntu  Linux operating system. In short this
system acts as the intermediary between the end users (stations) on one side
and the internet and satellite dish on the other hand.
• Telephony server – this is the call routing and call processing system
that literally performs call origination and termination and all transcoding
functions where audio signals have to be converted for GSM or landline
systems. Typically this system is a dual core Pentium 4 kicking on at least
3 G memory.
• VSAT system – this is a solar powered satellite dish maybe 1.2m wide with
1.5Mb/s down and 384 kps up and again its size is determined by the size of
the center. The VSAT option is the wireless option if there is no GSM or
WiMax alternative in that area.

I know someone out there is about to point out that the bandwidth
requirements for both voice and data might not be enough , well VSAT and
VoIP technologies have leap frogged with time. Five years ago when I started
thinking of this project Facebook was not so popular then .But today  it’s a
different story. My point is that what you know NOT today could be a hit
tomorrow. Present satellite systems do carry voice at lower bandwidth
capacities than ever imagined possible – yes at 4kb/s. GSM uses 13 kb/s.

The beauty of IP telephony is that modern and efficient and cost effective
voice compression schemes are now available that enable a number of  voice
calls to be squeezed into a smaller pipe than before – an interesting
analogy would like packing 20 people into a Kombi originally designed to
seat 12 people 

VSAT systems have an option for CIR ( committed information rate) which
literally guarantees a minimum bandwidth allocation for the end user – the
community center.Of course CIR means a little bit extra dollars.

• Solar system – this is an array of solar panels , chargers and batteries
that are installed and sized according to the expected load the deployment.
This is measured in KWh (kilo watt hours). This depends on the sunlight and
on the size of the panels  surface area. Batteries are sized in such a way
that the system can function even during days of low sunlight. In which case
wind energy can be used by use of windmills in areas with low light. Usually
areas that have low sunshine and more cloud cover will have higher wind
speeds to make sense of considering windmills.

Use of VoIP

If the system described is deployed , then  then to make calls some
telephoning system must be used. Not Econet, Not Telone but some technology
that allows you to carry voice over an IP network – VoIP - Voice Over
Internet Protocol.

This is how it is setup. Lets say we want to have 4 telephones in our remote
site in Gokwe  to enable farmers to sell their cotton online and be able to
make and receive calls locally and internationally. 4 VoIP devices are
installed to provide the dialing tone on site. The actual phones won’t need
any electricity as they are powered inline by the network switch. The
devices will get their dial tone from the telephone server located locally
on the same local are network. But the local switch is linked to other
switches nationwide over IP and can communicate with the larger providers
like Econet and NetOne. This is using the VSAT option where the GSM is
unavailable.

But for other settings a WiMax back haul is used to connect directly to
Econet.This could either use LOS (Line of sight) or NLOS ( non Line of
sight) to propagate the signals.LOS refers to a direct point to point line
between a transmitter and a receiver with NO obstruction in between such as
trees, mountains or buildings. WiMax which is another wireless technology
has the capability of good connectivity for up to 50 km.

Calls made within the VoIP network from one farmer in Gokwe to another one
in Wedza are almost free. Because the phone call path does NOT leave the
private network based on open standard and open source technologies.
Naturally established telecom operators do NOT like open source based VoIP
when used by potential competitors BUT they themselves use the same
technology to lower their origination and termination costs which they don’t
pass to the consumer.

Cost

The project management teams is more interested in this one. The costs
obviously includes all of the above labor , security installations ,
transport , meals , air time etc. Nothing is new here. But of importance to
note are the monthly recurring costs that should be built into the budget
when this is planned.

• Connectivity – if the VSAT is used then there is a monthly service fee
that gos with use of the service. This depends on the amount of traffic that
traverses the network.

• Telephony – calls made between similar systems on the IP network are free
not really free since they connectivity portion takes care of it. Ok let me
break it down to simpler terms. If a system community communications is
deployed in Jambezi , Gokwe m Wedza , Guruve and Madlambuzi for argument’s
sake , calls made between these centers are technically FREE. And now calls
made to other networks like Econet . NetOne or Telone are charged at
whatever costs the service providers would have agreed to charge RURAL
originated calls.

• Electricity – FREE. Not really the recurring costs here will be for the
service technician to do rounds making sure batteries are charging ok. But
there is nothing to fix on the panels. Sunrays do not break of get damaged !

• Wages – naturally there would be at least 2 people manning the center .One
to assist years and the other for security purposes. The ifs and how’s have
to be worked out by the ICT in liason with the community – that’s out of my
scope.

• Software – no license fees are paid as these systems use open source
software

• Other – literally other costs that could have been over looked

ROI

It would be very essential to look at the return of investment for such a
project from a developmental point of view and not a monetary one. The
extent to which this digital initiative will enhance and improve people’s
lives , has no monetary value that can be attached to it – literally.

With say 100 public users  of the communications center that include
teachers , A2 farmers , policeman , nurses , local government  and villagers
etc. a fee of $ 7/person/month could recoup a big chunk of the running costs
after the first year when usage is high and appreciated.

The funds are available , according to POTRAZ , so it makes sense that for
the first 12 months . running costs are  built into the budget in advance.
AND when local people appreciate the strength and power of ICT they won’t
hesitate to pay some $ 7 per month to access phone , email and internet
services !

Way forward

Considering that the most challenging part of such an huge project  –
funding is presumably available under control , according  to POTRAZ and the
Ministry of ICT , what remains is precise project planning to match bring
the right technology at a reasonable cost to the targeted population.

This entails doing some pilot runs at a small scale for proof of concept.
Since the ultimate plan is to mass deploy these community communications
centers , it makes logical sense to solidly conduct thorough pilot runs
before committing millions to buying equipment for mass deployment.

Closing remarks

Successful implementation will require a coordinated approach involving
close and ongoing partnerships between communities, government and industry
providers.
Government – through legislative and statutory instruments POTRAZ for
example allocates the scarce resources to areas that have been identified
for deployment. With the ministry coming in to actually put together a
deployment plan from beginning to end which. And not to forgetting to ensure
that the national fiber backbone construction to connect to the undersea
cables in the Indian ocean goes to completion. This is nationally important
if the country is to have fast access to the Internet beyond our borders.
Communities – it is critical to involve the communities who are targeted for
rural communications deployments via the existing community structures. This
help in short term assimilation of the technology and long term ownership of
the systems.
Industry –  these include service operators who will provide the technology
and equipment and other players who will supply different products and
services including experts in different technologies referenced in this
article.
Media – both print and electronic news providers play a very crucial role in
reporting progress of lack of it in any of these deployments.
Naturally a varied version of this plan should be adopted for the urban
population to avail internet access. Like using “Tower Lights” in high
density suburbs as base stations for WiMax and WiFi – about that in my next
article.
Contributions for requests for info , omissions and additions most welcome.

Robert Ndlovu
Ndlovu @ ymail.com
(650) 200 0250
San Jose – USA .

{ Mr. Ndlovu is an ICT consultant based in San Jose – California }

 

A letter from the diaspora

Dear Friends.
Just minutes after I had pressed 'send' for last week's Letter in which I
had bemoaned the lack of resistance on the part of Zimbabweans, I was
delighted to see pictures of hundreds of MDC demonstrators in central
Harare. The demonstration, reckoned to be some three kilometres long, was
actually escorted by the police. It seemed like a miracle of democratic
transformation until one remembered that President Zuma was either still in
or just on his way out of the country.  Mugabe would have been keen to
demonstrate to the South African mediator his democratic credentials;
perhaps that explains why the police allowed the demonstration and even
escorted the demonstrators. The MDC Youth deserve huge credit for their
initiative and strategic thinking in mounting their demo while Zuma was in
the country. It might be one of the very few positive things to have come
out of his visit; certainly the Zimbabwean people are not being told what,
if anything, was achieved. It is strange, to say the least, that Zimbabweans
themselves are the last to be told about arrangements which will vitally
affect their lives. Even now, a week after Zuma's departure we remain in
ignorance of the "package of measures" apparently agreed on - but as always,
rumours abound.
Back in South Africa, Zuma tells parliamentarians in Cape Town to 'Give this
unity government a chance' and yet again calls on western powers to lift
sanctions. Has he really been so completely hoodwinked by Mugabe that he
believes the lifting of sanctions will solve Zimbabwe's problems?  Zuma says
nothing about human rights abuses and the blatant attacks on MDC supporters
taking place all over the country in every province. This last week alone,
we have seen the police arresting and detaining MDC supporters for daring to
raise their voices in song while passing a Zanu PF meeting! The story goes
that the MDC in Mutasa, Manicaland Province, had police permission to hold a
meeting at an agreed venue. When the MDC arrived they discovered that the
local Zanu PF had taken their place and were holding their own meeting.
Predictably, the police arrested the MDC leaders and locked them up - for
'disrespectful' singing! No charges have been preferred. In a separate
incident another 12 MDC people in the area are being held, including a very
pregnant woman.  In Marondera, Mashonaland East, too, the MDC is under
attack with the arrest of the MDC Mayor, councillors and former police
officers discharged from the police for their MDC sympathies. In Masvingo
Province, Zanu PF and local war vets have set up 'liberated zones' such as
we saw during the Liberation War, because, they claim, the 'war is not yet
won.' The 'enemy' is the MDC, the partners in the so-called Unity
Government. While the leaders have their secret talks in the capital, their
followers in the rural areas are not even allowed access to food relief.
According to local traditional leaders in some areas, only Zanu PF card
holders are entitled to food relief. Mediation talks in Harare but
confrontation in the rural areas where villagers must prove their allegiance
to the former 'ruling' party before they can feed their families.

But the week has not been without some light relief. As the rumours of the
Zuma-mediated talks trickled out to the news-starved journalists, there came
the astonishing report that Zuma had suggested to Johannes Tomana that he
might give up his contentious appointment as Attorney General in exchange
for a judgeship. Not hard to tell which way his judgements would go! And
Gideon Gono that other contentious Mugabe appointment has apparently been
offered the post of Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa in exchange for
relinquishing his Governorship of the Reserve Bank. As a mediator, Zuma
simply uses the Mugabe technique; when things don't work just move the
personnel around but never actually change anything that would impinge on
Zanu PF's monopoly of power. Another rumour has it that Roy Bennett has been
offered the dropping of the treason charges against him in exchange for a
post as Deputy Minister of - something, anything other than Agriculture
where he would be able to expose the multiple farm ownerships by Zanu PF
'fat cats' and other greedy land grabbers.
Speaking of 'grabbing' what doesn't belong to you, the Minister of Mines,
Obert Mpofu, this week gave evidence to a parliamentary committee on the
goings on at the Chiadzwa diamond fields. Mpofu admitted that there were
some crooked diamond officials operating there but, he claimed "it was
virtually impossible to get clean people in the industry." He had done his
research, he said, and he had discovered that globally the diamond industry
consisted of drug dealers, smugglers or just plain crooks. "That is the
world-wide trend." Mpofu maintained. Birds of a feather, you could say!
Not content with locking up MDC personnel, two truckloads of police invaded
Gallery Delta in Harare and confiscated 65 graphic photographs for an
exhibition organised by Zimrights Director Okay Machisa who was briefly
arrested. The pictures showed the victims of horrific police brutality
including one of Morgan Tsvangirai himself. The police argued in court that
the pictures were 'lewd' and taken without consent but High Court Judge
Samuel Kudya ruled the police case had no basis in law and ordered the
police to release the photographs within the hour. Amazingly, the exhibition
was allowed to open but the police returned after the official opening and
attempted to remove the pictures again. Clearly, the police are not happy to
have evidence of their appalling brutality on public view despite the fact
that all the images are in the public domain. "Change will come whether you
like it or not," said Morgan Tsvangirai, opening the exhibition. "It is like
a flood. You cannot stop it."
This weekend Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara meet to 'iron out' the
remaining problems. Now we shall see the fruits of Zuma's mediation
efforts - or perhaps not! There will be no Letter from the diaspora next
week but perhaps by the time I return, the flood of freedom will be more
than the present trickle. I am not optimistic.
Yours in the (continuing) struggle PH. aka Pauline Henson author of Case
Closed published in Zimbabwe by Mambo Press, Going Home and Countdown
political detective stories set in Zimbabwe and available at www.lulu.com