Controversial ‘indigenisation’ law takes effect

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
1 March 2010

The controversial indigenisation law that forces foreign-owned companies to
sell a majority stake in their businesses to indigenous people comes into
effect on Monday.

The Indigenisation and Empowerment Bill was passed by Parliament in 2007 and
signed by Mugabe in 2008 before the creation of an inclusive government.
Among other things, the regulations demand that all foreign and locally
owned companies hand over at least 51 percent ownership to black
Zimbabweans.
The law requires every existing business, partnership, association or sole
proprietorship with an asset value of US$500 000 or more to submit a report
to Youth Development, Empowerment and Indigenisation Minister Saviour
Kasukuwere by April 15. Defaulters might face a fine and/or imprisonment for
up to five years.

Mugabe defended the new regulations on Saturday, saying they were meant to
correct historical imbalances. He told hundreds of supporters at his 86th
birthday celebrations in Bulawayo that the indigenisation policy, like the
land reform programme, was meant to correct historical imbalances in the
ownership of the country’s resources.

“This policy is not meant to nationalise companies but to broaden ownership
of our resources. Yesterday, we were down trodden, there was slavery... Back
home, the people were colonised and turned into slave and semi-slave to do
work for masters who had colonised us. It was slavery in the colonies and
that is what created the imbalances.” Mugabe said. Many analysts including
Mugabe’s partner in government Morgan Tsvangirai have said the law is ‘bad
for the country.’

Economic analyst Luke Zunga told us that the new law will make people think
twice before investing in Zimbabwe, adding that it would also deter further
badly-needed foreign investment.

“The level of industrialisation in Zimbabwe is very small and the
introduction of this law will kill the little industry that is there. Nobody
is going to allow someone to just grab their companies like that. It’s
almost impossible to imagine,” Zunga said.

‘The worst thing about this law is the beneficiaries. All the companies will
be given to party loyalists, people with no experience in big business. This
is an exact replica of the land reform programme that killed off the country’s
agriculture sector,’ Zunga added.

The move to target foreign-owned firms has further divided the inclusive
government. While Mugabe has repeatedly defended the law, saying that
foreign firms would be ‘foolish’ not to comply, Tsvangirai, in contrast has
rejected it, saying it was published without due process.

The main trade union group, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU),
has also warned that the new law could have negative consequences. ZCTU
President Lovemore Matombo said while the principle of the law was good, he
feared that this could lead to a creation of new minority blacks who will
just replace the minority whites.

‘The law should have not been rushed; we are just coming out of a
self-inflicted economic crisis. This law could create fears that the process
could be chaotic, just like the land reform, which will affect the economic
recovery of the country and we do not need this right now as we need
investments,’ said Matombo.

Zimbabwe local ownership law could hurt recovery: unions

(AFP) - 10 hours ago

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's new local ownership law, requiring locals to
own 51 percent of major foreign firms, could hurt the nation's economic
recovery, the main labour body said Monday.

The law took effect Monday, giving companies valued at more than 500,000 US
dollars 45 days to inform the government of the racial make-up of their
shareholders.

The companies will be given five years to comply with the 51 percent rule.

"Although the principle of the law is good, we fear that this could lead to
a creation of new minority blacks who will just replace the minority
whites," Lovemore Matombo president of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
told AFP.

"The law should have not been rushed, we are just coming out of a self
inflicted economic crisis.

"This law could create fears that the process could be chaotic just like the
land reform, which will affect the economic recovery of the country and we
do not need this right now as we need investments," said Matombo.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980,
launched a chaotic land reform scheme in 2000, taking over white-owned farms
to resettle with blacks.

The programme was meant to redress colonial-era inequities, but was marred
by widespread political violence and resulted in plunging output, decimating
the farm-based economy and leaving the nation dependent on foreign food aid.

The new ownership law was passed by parliament in 2007 but was only
published as law last month.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Mugabe's partner in a strained unity
government, has rejected the law, saying it was published without due
process. But Mugabe has repeatedly defended the law and said foreign
companies would be "foolish" not to comply.

Zuma urged to take ‘decisive stand’ on Zim

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
01 March 2010

South African President Jacob Zuma is being urged to take a decisive stand
on Zimbabwe, as he heads to the UK for a visit during which the Zimbabwe
crisis is set to be high on the agenda.
Zuma is heading to the UK for an official visit and he has indicated that he
will fight on Zimbabwe’s behalf for targeted sanctions against the Mugabe
regime to be lifted. Zuma told journalists recently that sanctions were
‘undermining’ his efforts to push Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai to agree to an electoral framework that could guarantee a free
and fair vote.
“We want to create a conducive environment so that they can have elections
to choose their own government, but the continuation of sanctions is
undermining the agreement,” Zuma said.
The European Union (EU) last month extended the targeted sanctions on Mugabe
and his inner circle by another year citing lack of progress in implementing
the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Zuma’s statement on the sanctions has
since attracted severe criticism from analysts who said the person to blame
for Zimbabwe’s woes was none other than Mugabe himself, as well as his ZANU
PF party, the very same people that would be rewarded if the measures were
dropped.
Athol Trollip, the parliamentary leader for South Africa’s main political
opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday said Zuma needed to focus
on two key issues: plans for the ‘indigenisation’ of foreign firms, and
South Africa’s stance on the ‘shopping’ sanctions. Trollip told SW Radio
Africa on Monday that these are considerations critical to stabilising
Zimbabwe’s tenuous political situation.

Trollip called the indigenisation plans ‘extremely problematic’ not only
because of Mugabe’s various destructive policies such as land reform, but
also because of his access to state wealth. Trollip accused Mugabe of using
state wealth to ‘shore up his position,’ to the detriment of the country
whose economy has been decimated.

“This most recent proposal appears, on face value to serve a similar purpose
and there is absolutely no evidence that the Zimbabwean state is capable of
properly managing such a massive share (or, indeed, any share) of the
Zimbabwean market,” Trollip said.

He added that if Mugabe is serious about properly managing the Zimbabwean
economy, “he needs to reform his policies.” Trollip explained that Mugabe
needs to demonstrate a commitment to democracy, and ensure that the state’s
wealth will not be used for political purposes.

On sanctions, Trollip said the Global Political Agreement between the MDC
and ZANU PF, which was meant to address the numerous crises facing Zimbabwe,
had not resulted in any meaningful change by the country's administration.
Trollip said there “remains no sufficient political reason for the sanctions
imposed on Mugabe to be lifted.”

”In the light of few real steps taken by the Zimbabwean administration
towards truly democratic governance, President Zuma needs to support the
European community’s decision to reconstitute sanctions against President
Mugabe,” Trollip said.

 

Entire union leadership in hiding over police threats

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
01 March 2010

The entire leadership of the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers
Union (GAPWUZ) has gone underground after a series of police raids, arrests
and threats against them.

According to lawyer Trust Maanda, the raids have been a direct response to
the release of a shock report and documentary last year which the union
produced exposing violent abuse of workers on farms seized by the Robert
Mugabe regime. Maanda confirmed that Gertrude Hambira, the union's Secretary
General, was in hiding since last Wednesday. Hambira had been interrogated
that day for two hours at the police national headquarters by 17 senior
officers of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), which combines the country's
military, police and intelligence service.
The panel of security officials stated that the report and documentary
contained very serious allegations for which Hambira should be 'behind bars.'
Hambira and her colleagues were eventually released but the security
officials warned that they would call on her again. A second raid was
carried out on Hambira's office on Friday in which two officials were
arrested, but released after a few hours. The threats and harassment have
now seen the rest of GAPWUZ's leadership go underground in fear for their
lives. Lawyers say it is unprecedented and illegal for the JOC to carry out
interrogations and issue threats.
The damning GAPWUZ report and documentary expose the devastating effects of
the so called land 'reform' programme on the livelihood of farm workers. The
documentary entitled 'House of Justice' contains 26 minutes of footage
laying bare the evidence of human rights violations targeting farm workers
over the ten years of Robert Mugabe's land grab campaign. It also details
top government officials' involvement in the torture, harassment and
eviction of farm workers in the chaotic land seizures.
Another report, 'If Something is wrong,' which accompanies the documentary
also highlights the impact of the land reform exercise on the farm workers
during the past ten years. This is the first report on the so called 'land
reform' to deal solely with the experiences of farm workers and makes for
sobering reading. The report balances statistical evidence from farm workers
with shocking narrative examples of the types of violations they have
experienced. It also provides damning evidence that the violence perpetrated
on the farms has been largely targeted at farm workers.

 

Arrested again

Peta Thornycroft

Photo journalist Andrisen Manyere, who spent several months in detention in
2009, accused of terrorism,  was arrested Monday filming outside the Harare
Magistrate's Court and is now in custody at Harare Central Police Station,
locked up for the night.

Zimbabwe Laywers for Human Rights say he is to be charged with "disorderly
conduct."

He was covering an appearance by two of seven  men accused of plotting a
coup d'etat against the previous Zanu PF government nearly three years ago.

Among those arrested at the time were,  Patison Mupsere, Nyasha Zibuku,
Shingirai Mutemachani, Oncemore Mudzurahawa, Emmanuel Marara and Albert
Matapo who repeatedly denied charges. Matapo was an officer in  the Zimbabwe
National Army. When they were arrested journalists and family members were
barred from remand hearings and there are uncomfirmed reports that some of
those originally detained, have since died.

Initially those arrested from May 29, 2007,  were accused of plotting  with
Zanu PF defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to overthrow President Robert
Mugabe. Mr Mnangagwa openly says he wants to succeed Mr Mugabe.

The seven accused  repeatedly applied for bail, and the last recorded case
was late last year in the Harare High Court heard by Judge Chinembiri Bhunu,
presently presiding at the trial of Movement for Democratic Change
treasurer, Roy Bennett, who is also accused of terrorism.

Mr Manyere was kidnapped from his Harare home in December 2008,and along
with human rights activist Jestina Mukoko and more than 20 others, was
accused of treason and is claiming substantial damages from the former
Zimbabwe government alleging he was tortured during six months detention.

Mr Manyere was arrested briefly twice in the last three weeks.

His detention comes as information seeps in from several areas outside
Harare of increasing repression of human rights activists, and supporters of
the Movement for Democratic Change, now in an uneasy coalition government
with Mugabe's Zanu PF.

ends

ZANU PF councillor victimises Crisis Coalition team

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
01 March 2010

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has accused a ZANU PF councillor of
victimisation after an outreach meeting conducted by the pressure group was
disrupted by ZANU PF youths last week.

Crisis Coalition Intern Edwin Sithole, and Youth Committee Members Tichaona
Masiyambiri and Oscar Dhliwayo were last week Wednesday threatened,
interrogated and harassed by Mr. Sanyika, the ZANU PF councillor for Nhekiwa
ward in Uzumba district. According to the Crisis Coalition, the ZANU PF
official and a group of youths disrupted the outreach meeting saying it had
not been sanctioned by the party.

The three Crisis Coalition officials were then ordered to leave the
community and take back all T-shirts and other materials that had been
distributed. The group also reported that ZANU PF youths were harassing
villagers in the area prior to the meeting trying to discourage them from
attending.

The outreach meeting was held under the 'Voice up Campaign,' aimed at
educating the public on the importance of a people-driven constitution, as
well as to inform them about the constitution reform process underway across
the country.

Participants at last week's disrupted meeting in Uzumba district said that
the process was already 'monopolised by political parties,' with seven ZANU
PF members 'selected' as ward representatives at a closed meeting recently.
It is alleged that the seven are moving around the area campaigning for the
implementation of the ZANU PF preferred Kariba Draft.

 

ZRP does not deserve UN peace keeping duties

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by MORGEN KULARE
Friday, 26 February 2010 13:43
It is ridiculous that the United Nations (UN) in its wisdom or lack of,
continues to put its faith in the much discredited Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) for international peacekeeping duties. This is despite the fact that
it has been brutal, corrupt, incompetent and partisan in its discharge of
duties at home.  One of the key duties of the international peacekeeping
force in war torn countries is to protect innocent civilians against warring
parties in an impartial manner, and make sure all parties abide by the
ceasefire agreement.  The ZRP has never been anywhere equal to this task.
The Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has been excellently
leading his force by example in disregarding the rule of law.  Addressing a
parade of Police Officers going for UN Peace keeping force on 09 February
2009 Chihuri took the opportunity to threaten accomplished journalist and
publisher of ***The Zimbabwean, Wilf Mbanga, for publishing falsehoods.
These unfortunate statements come at a time when the nation is expecting
Chihuri to uphold press freedom as agreed to in the GPA.
The perpetrators of the violence against MDC supporters to run up leading to
the June 2008 Presidential run-off elections are scot free and still roaming
the villages and streets of Zimbabwe even though the majority of them have
been named and evidence given to the Police.

A pivotal role in abuse
The ZRP has continued to play a pivotal role in the abuse of human rights,
especially against perceived opponents of the former ruling Zanu (PF) Party,
despite the formation of the inclusive government over a year ago.  The ZRP
has, of late, scored major successes in arbitrary arrests and torture of
innocent WOZA women, students, MDC officials and supporters, lawyers, human
rights activists and farmers against greater crime such as poaching of
rhino, and looting of diamonds which is rampant in Marange district in
Manicaland Province.
Recently the Parliamentary select committee on the Constitution (COPAC)
requested the security services of the ZRP during its forthcoming outreach
programmes.  The premise of the request was that they needed security in
case opponents of constitutional reforms pounced on them.  Surprisingly,
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri demanded US$ 3 million upfront
before he could release his incompetent Police Officers to accompany the
commissioners.  This is despite the fact that it is the police's
constitutional duties to protect and support state organs and institutions.
Chihuri has never in the past demanded cash upfront to arrest demonstrating
students or women.  He is quick to mobilize his force to crush any peaceful
religious gathering every Sunday convened by the Anglican Church in Harare.
In the run up to the sham June 27, 2008 Presidential run-off election, ZRP
Officers either actively participated in torture, murder and displacement of
Prime Minister Tsvangirai's supporters or they simply watched as ZNA
soldiers or Zanu (PF) youths do the same.  Some police officers confessed
that they were powerless to act, saying they were political matters.  This
is despite the fact that all Police Officers are well acquitted to the fact
that they are constitutionally obliged to carry their duties in non-partisan
manner and are expected to arrest all perpetrators of violence regardless of
political affiliation.  Now what boggles the mind is why the UN continues to
entrust such great responsibility to men and women who have openly displayed
gross incompetence and partisanship in handling political violence cases.
Worse off, in their UN peacekeeping duties, they will be dealing with
Political violence cases.

Riddled with corruption
Besides incompetence, the ZRP has been riddled with corruption among its
rank and file, the Police Commissioner General recently publicly admitted in
the Herald (16 February 2010) that corruption was rife in force and
threatening to tarnish its image.  Police Officers are also implicated in
the costing of the Marange diamonds and other murky deals which involve
release of diamond dealers upon receiving a bribe. Recently a police officer
manning a roadblock was arrested after he was  found in possession of
diamonds in Mutare (Herald 16 Fed 2010)  What assurance does the world body
have that such on force will not engage in those murky deals abroad?
Article 13.2(a) of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed between the
former ruling party Zanu (PF) party and the two MDC formations states that,
"that there be inclusion in the training curriculum of members of the
uniformed forms of the subjects on human rights, international humanitarian
law and statute law so that there is greater understanding and full
appreciation of their roles and duties in a multi-party democratic system."
The wisdom of this section arose from the fact that all three parties
signatory to the GPA acknowledged that the uniformed forces were previously
discharging their duties in a partisan manner and disregard basic human
rights.
Now the former ruling Zanu (PF) party has flatly rejected my moves to reform
the security sector till the MDC removes the so called 'sanctions.'  This is
nothing but a ploy to keep its stranglehold on the uniformed forces which it
has annexed to its campaign machinery.  The UN is aware of this abuse of the
Police force and the security sector reforms as required by the GPA yet they
continue to cast a blind eye on these human right abuses by the ZRP.

Reconsider ZRP's future
Although the UN is a world body born out of universal suffrage, it
constitutes rogue and undemocratic states such as China, Iran and North
Korea which have no regard for democracy.  We sincerely appeal to civilized
countries in the world body such as the US, France, Britain and other EU
countries to seriously reconsider ZRP's future role in peacekeeping
missions.  The manner in which the ZRP has conducted itself at home is
disgraceful to say the least.
The UN cannot afford to continue legitimizing arbitrary arrest and
detention, torture, murder and corruption of the ZRP by giving it
"peacekeeping missions when they have clearly failed to maintain peace at
home the UN must first insist on security sector reform as agreed to by the
GPA before assigning them to any future role in the world body peacekeeping.
Furthermore if the UN wants anyone to take it and its programs seriously,
they must also insist on evidence of these reforms before undertaking to
engage the ZRP in any future peacekeeping role. - Morgen Kulare is the
National Research and Advocacy Officer for Youth of Zimbabwe for
Transparency and Progress (YZTP.) For feedback, email yztpzimbabwe@gmail.com

WOZA leaders meet with Ministers of Home Affairs 

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by The Zimbabwean
Monday, 01 March 2010 16:08
Leaders of Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA) today met with the
co-Ministers of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa . The meeting
was requested through the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The human rights
defenders were accompanied by Dzimbabwe Chimbga from Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights (ZLHR). The two hour meeting was attended by the Permanent
Secretary of Home Affairs, Mr. Melusi Machiya and three other unnamed
officials. Surprisingly, Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede was also in
attendance.
The ministers advised that they had called the meeting after receiving
numerous reports from law enforcement agencies regarding the activities of
WOZA. Minister Mutsekwa opened by advising that the motive of the meeting
was to "bring WOZA and the ZRP to equal terms, restore harmony and to remove
discord and suspicion". The minister went on to mention that the power
sharing government is negatively regarded locally and internationally as an
oppressive government as a result of WOZA's negative publications and that
this is affecting their ability to attract investors.
Minister Mohadi admitted that the police had been accused of being partisan
in the past which had led to the sharing of the Home Affairs ministry. He
stressed that Zimbabweans should obey their laws fully or if they do not
like the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), which is on their statute
books, they should lobby parliament for amendments. He went on to say that
when the ministers had come into office they had announced to Zimbabweans
that the time for squabbles is over and that they should desist from any
activities that could jeopardise the inclusive government and that WOZA
should have taken their cue from that. He also insisted that WOZA should put
their trust the police as they are supposed to keep order. .
With that introduction, they asked the WOZA delegation to respond. National
Coordinator, Jenni Williams related that at first WOZA had notified police
of their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations. Police interpreted
'notify' as 'apply' and that had lead to police trying to refuse our right
to assembly. At one stage they had threatened that they would shoot to kill
if members went into the streets. Williams also mentioned that police do not
comply with POSA regulations as regards how to disperse a gathering, be it
lawful or unlawful, but use excessive force. Williams also advised that WOZA
does not need to notify police as it falls under POSA exemption schedules as
a non-political organization. In this regard, WOZA has successfully defended
its right to assembly in seven trials.
At this point a legal argument began which continued for over 30 minutes
with the ministry interpreting the exceptions to suit their demand that WOZA
must notify before their demonstrations. Despite clarity that a 'gathering'
included a procession or a demonstration, and therefore exemptions applied,
the ministers were adamant that exemptions do not apply to a demonstration.
This matter remained unresolved and Minister Mutsekwa insisted that the
legal matter be argued between the Attorney General and Mr. Chimbga.
In closing the meeting, Minister Mutsekwa lectured on the "need for peace
and tranquillity in the country and we have to correct the wrong impression
that we are a lawless country." "We ask you to start to obey the country's
laws so that investors start coming in and we can all benefit. There is a
bigger picture than your issues. We are going to call a press conference
about our meeting with you."
With those comments they then declared that if WOZA notify police before any
demonstrations, both ministers would not be found wanting in personally
disciplining any police excesses. Implicit in this statement is the threat
that if WOZA continues to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of
expression and assembly and their exemption under the Public Order and
Security Act, they will continue to allow the police to ignore clear
instructions for dispersing a procession covered under law.
WOZA's legal opinion remains as follows: the Public Order and Security Act
currently provides the law for the maintenance of public order and security
in Zimbabwe. Under Section 2 of the Act, a public gathering is defined as a
"public meeting or a public demonstration". Sections 23, 24 and 25 outline
the procedure to be followed by a convener who intends to organize public
demonstrations as defined under the Act. At the end of the Act appears a
schedule of gatherings to which sections 23, 24, 25. Of particular relevance
to this situation is paragraph (i) of the schedule which excludes "any club,
association or organization which is not of a political nature and at which
the discussions and matters dealt with are not of a political nature' from
having to give any notification.
WOZA therefore clearly falls within the provisions of section (i) of the
schedule and is not obliged to give notice whenever it has its peaceful
processions on issues which are non-political in nature. WOZA values the
opportunity to directly engage with the co-ministers and acknowledges the
time they spent discussing with us. We will continue to stand firm on our
right to enjoy fully our freedom of expression and assembly without
hindrance. And in so doing, know that we are obeying the letter of the
constitutional provisions and the unfortunate Public Order and Security Act.
Peaceful protest is not the only means by which WOZA members choose to
engage with their leaders about issues that affect them in their daily
lives. In a country where democratic space remains limited, however, we the
ordinary people of Zimbabwe will continue to grab any space possible to get
our voices heard.

Army officials lease land to whites

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Staff Reporter
Monday, 01 March 2010 07:15
TENGWE - Top army officials who grabbed land during the infamous land reform
programme are reported to be leasing their farms to former white commercial
farmers after failing to utilise them.
An investigation by this paper indicated that most farms in Tengwe,
Mashonaland West, which is regarded as the breadbasket of the country, were
being leased after politicians and army officials failed to utilize them.
A farm manager at a local farm told The Zimbabwean last week that white
commercial farmers were supplying the inputs, expertise and paying labour.
The farm owner will get a 20 per cent of the total profits of the harvests.
Most farms in Tengwe were grabbed by top army officials and politicians.
"These are not army officials who are doing all this excellent work but
there are some former white commercial farmers behind the scenes. The white
farmers are paying us salaries and supplying all the inputs. The army
official will get 20 per cent of the profits of the harvest," said one farm
manager who refused to be named.
A local white commercial farmer who was evicted from his farm confirmed that
he is renting a farming space from an army officer for a fee.
He said he was approached by the officer who revealed that he had failed to
utilise the land and fearing that this may tarnish the image of the country
and President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme.
Farm workers interviewed said life had improved slightly compared to when
the army official was running the operations.
"At least the white commercial farmer is paying us a decent salary, compared
to the army officials. We are also receiving food rations and this motivates
us to work," said one farm worker who preferred anonymity.
However, a survey by this paper revealed that infrastructure such as tobacco
barns and irrigation pivots were vandalized during the infamous farm
invasions and white commercial farmers were facing challenges in irrigating
their crops.

Council begs ministers to pay up … outstanding bills of $3,7 million

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Natasha Hove
Monday, 01 March 2010 06:44
BULAWAYO – The city council has resolved to seek audience with individual
ministers to force them to direct their government departments to pay up
their outstanding debts.

Government departments in Bulawayo owe the council over US$3,7m for water
and other services dating back to February last year.
Attempts by the BCC to disconnect water supplies at various government
ministries to force them to settle their outstanding fees have been met with
resistance. In some cases, the police have barred council engineers from
disconnecting water supplies at police stations.
Failure by the various government departments to settle their outstanding
debts was severely affecting service delivery, council officials said, at a
time when the local authority was experiencing a cash squeeze.
“Meeting the ministers personally is the last resort by the council to
recover our money,” Bulawayo Mayor, Thaba Moyo, said in an interview last
week.
The latest city council minutes indicate that the local authority is
struggling to meet its service delivery target due to failure by government
departments and other ratepayers to pay their bills. Although residents and
other private companies also owe the council, the government departments’
debts constitute the largest amount.
In January, the BCC was forced to cut water supplies to the Bulawayo Prison
Complex, popularly known as Grey Street Prison and Western Commonage
Magistrates’ courts, over unpaid water bills amounting toUS$700 000.
Meanwhile, the BCC has also resolved to sue parents and guardians of pupils
who finished their Grade 7 at its schools last year to force them to settle
outstanding fees for the third term of 2009.
The BCC is owed about US$800 000 by the former Grade 7 pupils.
“Schools were requested to submit list of fees defaulters for all grade 7
pupils. The list was passed on to the Chamber Secretary (legal section) for
action as Grade 7’s would be leaving our schools,” read in part the council
minutes.

Clinton announces 2010 winners of Intl Women of Courage Award

http://www.kuna.net.kw/

Politics    3/1/2010 9:25:00 PM

WASHINGTON, March 1 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
announced the ten Winners of the 2010 International Women of Courage (IWOC)
Award, the State Department said here Monday.
The winners are Shukria Asil and Shafiqa Quraishi from Afghanistan, Androula
Henriques from Cyprus, Sonia Pierre from the Dominican Republic, Shadi Sadr
from Iran, Ann Njogu from Kenya, Dr. Lee Ae-ran from the Republic of Korea,
Jansila Majeed from Sri Lanka, Marie Claude Naddaf from Syria and Jestina
Mukoko from Zimbabwe, the State Department said in a satatement.
The statement added that Clinton will present the awards to the honorees at
the Department of State on March 10.
On this occasion, State Departments first ever Ambassador-at-Large for
Global Womens Issues Melanne Verveer said "These ten women have overcome
personal adversity, threats, arrest, and assault to dedicate themselves to
activism for human rights." "From striving to give more voice to politically
underrepresented women in Afghanistan to documenting human rights abuses in
Zimbabwe, these heroic individuals have made it their lifes work to increase
freedom and equality in the world," she added.
The annual International Women of Courage Award was started in March 2007 to
recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and
leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement.
This is the only award within the Department of State that pays tribute to
outstanding women leaders worldwide. It recognizes the courage and
leadership shown as they struggle for social justice and human rights. (end)
si.bz.
KUNA 012125 Mar 10NNNN

Zimbabwean makes fresh plea for detention release

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
1 March 2010

A 24 year-old Zimbabwean man who has been languishing at an immigration
detention centre in the UK for close to two years has made a fresh plea for
his freedom.

Tatenda Jera who turns 25 next month, has been held in Portsmouth since 2008
awaiting deportation. Two months ago he was moved to a psychiatric clinic
after fears that he might be suffering from bouts of depression, anxiety and
general mood disorders.

Jera told SW Radio Africa on Monday that following treatment he has been
moved back to Haslar immigration detention centre.

"I feel fine now but I'm generally disappointed that they are taking me back
to the detention centre. My solicitors have tried in vain to have me
released on bail, so I'm shattered and don't know what to do,' Jera said.

"Now I'm making a direct appeal to the authorities to please look at my case
as I've been left to rot in the detention centre. I am not a criminal, but I'm
being treated like one,' Jera added. He came to the UK in 2000 when he fled
Zimbabwe's political troubles.

He got into trouble with UK authorities in July 2008 when he was arrested
for not paying fines. He accumulated substantial fines for not paying fares
on London's public transport network in 2008.

"The immigration authorities are arguing that I have no respect for the
British laws. But having spent almost two years in a detention centre I
believe I've paid for the misdemeanours that got me into trouble," he said.

Jera claimed asylum three times but his applications have been denied. He
says he fears he might relapse into another bout of depression if he's
denied his freedom.

 

Informal Sector Lures University Graduates

By Ignatius Banda

Women informal cross border traders negotiate a minefield ranging from bus drivers, customs officials and dangerous and unfamiliar environments. Credit:Trevor Davies/IPS

BULAWAYO, Mar 1, 2010 (IPS) - From the rickety old buses that miraculously make long cross-border journeys to the frustrating red tape at the border post, from fending off sexual advances from bus crews and customs officials to losing goods worth thousands of dollars, 28-year-old Irene Moyo has seen it all.

"This is not for the faint hearted," she says of her work and the many dangerous routes she has to navigate as a small-scale businesswoman in Bulawayo.

"I have given my life to spending nights in the middle of nowhere after the bus broke down, and you can expect anything in those circumstances. I sometimes think it is better if you are a man because they are not as vulnerable as us," she told IPS Sex is always high on the agenda among bus crews who expect it as currency in exchange for their knowledge of the ins and outs of how to get goods across the border without making hefty duty payments.

"In the middle of nowhere and in the dead of night, you ready yourself for the bus crew to ask for sex. Some of them seem to think it's quite normal to do this," says Moyo who has been making frequent trips across the Botswana and South Africa borders for fives years now.

As a regular cross border trader moving large volumes of goods for her flea market business, Moyo says the bus crew is practically on her payroll. She pays them about 130 dollars per trip for her goods to come through without the frustration of paying high duty charges.

She pays because she can afford it, she says, but not all the women traders have that option. The choices are to accept the advances, decline and end up with your goods left behind at the border or negotiate a fee, part of which the bus crews use to bribe customs officials.

What makes Moyo's case rather extraordinary is that she is a university graduate. Like thousands of other graduates, Moyo has never worked in formal employment since leaving university several years ago with a journalism degree. She is from that generation of young Zimbabweans who headed for university at a time when the country's economy was spiraling out control of amid world record inflation, with companies either downsizing or closing down altogether.

However, she says she has few regrets in a business that has seen her purchase a house and a van - assets that many of her journalist colleagues and other professionals in the country can only dream of.

Her colleague Sarudzai Washaya, also a university graduate, runs a small beauty boutique in Bulawayo's central business district and buys her stock in South Africa and Botswana.

"There are times when I feel so exhausted I want to give up altogether, but the money I get is the kind I would never get in formal employment so I soldier on," she told IPS.

These brave women have become "the new middle class" in a country where formal employment is increasingly being shunned and derided because of poor salaries. Early February this year, thousands of civil servants went on strike protesting against poor salaries. State workers reportedly earn between 120 - 200 dollars per month, and have been pressing government for a five-fold increase to an average of 630 dollars per month.

Moyo credits her university education with making it easier for her to negotiate the cross border business and keep herself safe.

"There are still patriarchal stereotypes here that have made life difficult for women cross border traders. But university education is something that still intimidates some men," she says.

But having a university education does not make it any easier to maintain healthy family relationships when you are constantly on the road. For married women who make numerous trips across the border to buy stock, Moyo says many have abandoned the business, as husbands tend to question where their wives spend the night.

These realities have raised concerns among some NGOs, such as the International Organisation for Immigration's Partnership on HIV and Mobility in Southern Africa (PHAMSA), which notes that female traders are exposed to HIV as they negotiate their way with transporters, customs officials and risk rape and other forms of gender based violence in unknown and dangerous environments.

Despite these and other challenges, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) notes that informal cross border traders contribute an average of 18 billion dollars each year to trade within the Southern African Development Community.

The majority are women Moyo believes women cross border traders' mobility has created stereotypes in their communities where the only jobs 'good' women are expected to have are the "visible" type where everyone knows where she works.

"If you are away from the matrimonial bed just for one night, neighbours start talking and that puts pressure on your husband," Moyo says.

"No one will believe you when you say the bus broke down. It sounds like a convenient explanation. So for me, being single means I can concentrate on this without explaining anything to anyone. But I will be the first to admit it is a lonely life," says Washaya.

While some of the better off female traders like Washaya and Moyo can afford to drive cars of their own, the toil of making is, as Moyo put it, is surely not for the faint hearted, especially with little formal support from government, and other potential stakeholders.

"Financial backing has been the most difficult part. We cannot access bank loans as banks say our operations offer high financial risks with some saying they do not offer loans altogether in an economy like ours," says Washaya.

While the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises continues organising training workshops for young women in business, Moyo says they are not getting anything from these in terms of loans that she says she badly needs to expand.

"We are capable of running bigger things and my ability to run my flea market is testimony to that, Moyo told IPS.

Critics slam Mugabe’s ‘senseless’ birthday party

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
01 March 2010

Critics have slammed this weekend’s lavish celebrations held in honour of
Robert Mugabe’s 86th birthday, calling it a ‘senseless’ extravagance in
light of the ongoing civil servants strike and critical food shortages.

The party, which started with an all night musical gala on Friday night and
ended with a sumptuous feast on Saturday, is believed to have cost close to
US$300 000. The musical gala featured international artists including
Jamaican reggae icon Sizzla Kalonji, who gushed to journalists over his
‘honour’ at being invited. Other artists included South Africa’s Soul
Brothers and Mzwakhe Mbuli. Saturday’s feast meanwhile featured a decadent
array of food, a display which was broadcast live via the ZBC.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa was among the many of people
gathered for the event, which critics have called a ‘waste of money,’ and
insensitive. He explained that hotels throughout Bulawayo were fully booked
and school children from across the country had been bussed into the city to
watch Mugabe cut his 86kg cake. Muchemwa reported how top officials from
ZANU PF and other noted guests were wined and dined in luxurious style,
while many of the school children were left hungry during the live televised
party on Saturday. He added that while the event was generally a joyous
affair, there were numerous reports of thefts amongst the crowds of people
gathered.

Several people in Bulawayo and Harare told Muchemwa that the party was ‘a
waste of money;’ money that could have been spent on improving vital
services in both cities. The party was also organised amid a nationwide
civil servants strike that, despite losing much of its momentum, has
highlighted the financial crisis facing the government, which cannot
increase its wage bill. At the same time, IRIN News has reported that about
1.6 million Zimbabweans are ‘food-insecure,’ with about 1.9 million
receiving food aid. The report, based on an update compiled by several UN
agencies, said at
least 35% of children in Zimbabwe are severely malnourished.

“Holding these huge celebrations, even as civil servants strike for better
wages, shows that the inclusive government has done nothing to change the
arrogance of ZANU-PF, which insists on maintaining a personality cult around
its leader, Mugabe, by nationalising what should be a private affair,” said
political commentator John Makumbe.

Notably absent from the birthday bash was Mugabe’s partner in the unity
government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa
is quoted as saying that the event was a “ZANU PF function, not a national
function,” adding the MDC only joins ZANU PF during ‘national events’.
Another MDC spokesperson quoted by the AFP news service, said the party was
a ‘senseless extravagance.’

Mugabe meanwhile used the occasion to defend the controversial
indigenisation law, which compels foreign firms to cede at least 51%
shareholding to indigenous Zimbabweans. Foreign owned companies have 45 days
from Monday to declare the racial make-up of their shareholding to the
government. The companies will then have five years to comply with the law,
or face possible jail time.

“We will need partners from outside, partners of our own choice not partners
who impose them. Those who would want to impose partners would be
aggressors. They are unwanted, we would repulse them,” Mugabe said.

Mugabe also called on youths to demand the lifting of Western imposed
targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe which he termed evil and an impediment to
Zimbabwe’s development. He accused Western countries of relentless attempts
to gain control of the country’s rich natural resources.

“I would want to urge all the youth movements across the country and perhaps
even across Africa to now raise their voices louder than before in demanding
that imperialists countries of Europe and America leave us alone and drop
those evil sanctions that they have imposed on us,” he said.

 

Kate Hoey speaks at launch of Southwark’s Zimbabwe link

Monday 1 March 2010

 London SE1 website team

 

Kate Hoey has praised the role of the churches and trade unions in Zimbabwe during an address at Southwark Cathedral.

Kate Hoey speaking at Southwark Cathedral on Sunday

Speaking on Sunday at a fundraising Masvingo Link Day held in the cathedral's nave,
the campaigning Vauxhall Labour MP, who has visited Zimbabwe three times undercover, recalled seeing peoples homes being literally knocked down.

"What was so striking is that it was the ordinary church members of Bulawayo who had swung into action to help those people whilst the Red Cross and other agencies took much longer. It was the church which was in the forefront.

"On another visit to Zimbabwe I called on Lucia Matibenga at her home in Gwelo when she was recovering from a savage beating from the secret police because as a vice-president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions she had led a protest on the streets of Harare."

Kate Hoey wore a white silk scarf decorated with the slogan 'Enough is Enough' and the letters WOZA for 'women of Zimbabwe arise' which had been presented to her by women in Bulawayo.

"I am so proud of the fact that wherever I went in Zimbabwe I saw women leading the struggle," she said.

"The women of Zimbabwe, when we get a peaceful democracy, are going to be so important to bringing the country back to what it was before."

The MP was introduced by Canon Bruce Saunders who said that the lunch event was definitely not part of President Mugabe's birthday celebrations.

Earlier in the day Fr James Mukunga from Zimbabwe, currently a member of the cathedral clergy team, was celebrant at the Sunday Choral Eucharist.

As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, Kate Hoey will this week be taking part in talks about Zimbabwe with the South African foreign minister.

Masvingo Link Day marked the launch of the cathedral's partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Masvingo in Zimbabwe. The Cathedral Council has pledged to raise £10,000 a year to support clergy stipends, theological training, church building and healthcare projects.

More Harm than Good

Mabvuku-Tafara residents relieved …as Council decides to regularize ‘illegal structures’