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Zimbabwe adds 500 mln dollar note as prices rocket

Reuters

Thu 15 May 2008, 7:27 GMT

HARARE, May 15 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's central bank introduced 500 million
Zimbabwe dollar notes worth just $2 on Thursday in the latest sign of
spiralling hyperinflation, only a week after issuing the 250 million bill.

The new highest denomination note would buy about two loaves of bread.

The central bank also introduced special agricultural cheques in 5 billion,
25 billion and 50 billion Zimbabwe dollar denominations to facilitate
payments to farmers during the current selling season.

Farmers normally have to carry huge stacks of bank notes after selling their
produce to state agencies, while consumers often carry large piles of cash
with them for simple daily transactions.

The country is currently in the middle of the tobacco and maize marketing
season.

"The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is pleased to announce the introduction of
special instruments to cater for the marketing needs of our farmers in the
form of 'special agro cheques' whose lifespan will run through Dec. 31
2008," the central bank said in a statement.

It said the cheques were freely tradable and would start circulating on
Tuesday, while the new currency notes are available immediately.

Zimbabwe, which has the highest inflation rate in the world at around
165,000 percent, has been beset by long queues at banks as consumers seek
banknotes to stock up on basic goods, the prices of which are constantly
rising.

The Zimbabwe dollar, which had been officially pegged at 30,000 to the U.S.
dollar before exchange rules were relaxed recently, currently trades at
about 250 million to the greenback.

Zimbabweans had hoped elections on March 29 could help put an end to the
country's economic meltdown, which has also led to 80 percent unemployment,
chronic food and fuel shortages, and a flood of refugees to neighbouring
states.

But the parliamentary election results have been disputed, and a run-off for
the presidency has been delayed and is now due to take place by the end of
July.


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Zimbabwe wants opposition to help it probe violence

Reuters

Thu 15 May 2008, 8:22 GMT

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party has called for joint
investigations with the opposition into post-election violence that has
raised tension ahead of a run-off presidential poll, a state-run paper said
on Thursday.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has accused President
Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF of intimidating and attacking its supporters as
part of efforts to rig the second round vote, which is due to take place by
the end of July -- some four months after a disputed general election.

The government denies the charges and accuses the MDC of instigating the
violence, in which the opposition says 33 of its supporters have been
killed.

The state-controlled Herald daily said ZANU-PF "condemned acts of violence
in the countryside and urged law enforcement agents to arrest anyone found
perpetuating violence."

Justice minister and ZANU-PF spokesman Patrick Chinamasa told the paper, "We
are advocating for joint MDC and ZANU-PF teams to investigate any claims of
violence."

"We are interested in the truth, whether it hurts us or not. If facts show
it's MDC or ZANU-PF, the perpetrators must be arrested. The judiciary must
deal with any case with the seriousness it deserves. There should be no easy
bail."

Zimbabwe's government announced on Wednesday it was delaying the run-off
presidential poll due this month until as late as the end of July, prompting
the opposition to say Mugabe was trying to buy time for a crackdown.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who has been abroad since shortly after
the vote to seek regional support, said on Wednesday he would return home
and kick off his run-off campaign in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo on
Sunday.

DISPUTED ELECTION

Zimbabweans voted on March 29, but results of the disputed vote were only
released on May 2.

They showed Tsvangirai beat Mugabe, but not by enough votes to avoid a
run-off that should have been held within 21 days of the results
announcement.

In the parliamentary vote conducted the same day, ZANU-PF lost its majority
to the opposition for the first time since independence from Britain in
1980. The new parliament has not yet convened.

An MDC spokesman said of the delay: "This is illegal and unfair. It is part
of a programme to give Mugabe and ZANU-PF time to torment and continue a
campaign of violence on the MDC."

Independent election observer group Zimbabwe Election Support Network also
said any run-off held after the stipulated 21 days would be in breach of the
law. It noted conditions were not conducive to a free and fair poll.

The southern African SADC grouping which will monitor the polls also said
that the political environment was not yet suited for a secure and fair
run-off.

SADC observed the first round of the vote in March and now says it plans to
send a bigger team to the run-off. Regional states are concerned turmoil and
instability in Zimbabwe could spill over and take their toll on them too.

An economic meltdown in Zimbabwe has triggered inflation of 165,000 percent,
80 percent unemployment, chronic food and fuel shortages and a flood of
refugees to neighbouring states.

In the latest sign of the spiralling inflation, Zimbabwe on Thursday
introduced 500 million Zimbabwe dollar notes worth just $2 (1 pound) -- 
enough to buy about two loaves of bread.

(Writing by Caroline Drees; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)


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Zimbabwe Government Defends Presidential Poll Run-off Delay Report

nasdaq

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AFP)--The Zimbabwean government Thursday defended a
decision by the country's electoral commission to delay a second round
presidential poll by more than two months, saying it was acting within the
law.

"It is lawful and ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) has the authority to
extend any period of an election in terms of the law and not what is being
claimed by the MDC," Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Patrick
Chinamasa told the state-run Herald newspaper.

According to an extraordinary government gazette due to be published
Thursday but read out to AFP by a source close to the printers, the period
was "extended from 21 days to 90 days from the date of announcement of the
results of the first poll."

The result of the first-round was announced May 2 and the new 90-day
timeline means the run-off should take place on July 31 at the latest
instead of May 23.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change reacted with outrage to
the delay saying it was clearly illegal and designed to help President
Robert Mugabe cling to power.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who beat Mugabe in the first round but fell
short of an overall majority said last weekend that any election held after
May 23 would be illegitimate.

Chinamasa said the ruling party was now eagerly awaiting the announcement of
the actual date of the run-off election.

"Now that the period of the run-off has been extended, we are eagerly
waiting for the election date which we think should come sooner rather than
later," he was quoted as saying by the Herald.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  05-15-080517ET


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Dukwe a haven for refugees once more

The Zimbabwe Times

FRANCISTOWN, May 15, 2008 (Botswana Press Agency, BOPA) - The Dukwe Refugee
Camp in Botswana has become a haven for Zimbabwean refugees again.

Duke, which is situated in the north-eastern regions of the country, housed
thousands of Zimbabwean refugees who fled from the Gukurahundi atrocities
perpetrated by Five Brigade back in the 1980s.

A total of 238 Zimbabweans will be transferred there this week after the
government of Botswana granted them political asylum.

Ephraim Sekeinyane, the Duke Refugee Camp commandant, has confirmed the
decision, stating that preparations to host the refugees at the camp were
almost complete.

He said the only issue delaying the process was the provision of additional
sanitary facilities. Government, the Red Cross and United Nations High
Commission for Refugees have organised tents and food for the new arrivals.

Politically motivated violence has escalated in Zimbabwe since the March
elections in what analysts say is part of a well orchestrated campaign by
the defeated Zanu-PF to regain constituencies lost to the victorious
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader, is expected in Zimbabwe this week to face
Zanu-PF president, Robert Mugabe, who like his party suffered electoral
defeat, in a presidential election run-off after both failed to register the
more than 50 percent majority required to form a government.

Tsvangirai left the country early April fearing for his life. He has agreed
to take on Mugabe, but has set a series of conditions, among them, the
presence of international peace keepers, election monitors, and free media
as well as an immediate end to violence. Tsvangirai has met Angolan
President Jose dos Santos who chairs the SADC security committee in a bid to
solicit deployment of peace keepers.

However, the government in Harare says it will not tolerate “outside
interference” by any country or regional bloc. And while the MDC wants the
run-off to take place soon, the government has announced that the run-off
will only be held in August, after 90 days.


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50 Zanu-PF supporters arrested in Masvingo



By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO”, May 15, 2008 (thezimbabwetimes.com) - At least 50 ruling Zanu-PF
supporters were arrested yesterday in rural parts of Masvingo in the
southern regions of the country for allegedly setting up torture bases where
they committed acts of political violence.

The arrested include war veterans and ruling party militia who had turned
some rural parts of the country into “no go” areas for the former opposition
MDC.

Officer commanding Masvingo province assistant commissioner Mhekia
Tanyanyiwa yesterday confirmed that the police had dismantled some of the
bases set up by the defeated Zanu-PF supporters from where they assaulted
and tortured opposition activists.

“We have dismantled bases in Bikita, Gutu, and Mwenezi which had been set up
by political parties”, said Tanyanyiwa.

“We managed to arrest about 50 people who are currently in police custody
and will appear in court soon facing several charges ranging from arson,
political violence, rape, and assault".

Cases of politically motivated violence are on the increase in Zimbabwe as
supporters of the defeated Zanu-PF embark on a campaign of retribution
through harassing, murdering and torturing known MDC supporters ahead of the
anticipated presidential election run-off.

The perpetrators of violence who have the backing of President Robert Mugabe
and his Zanu-PF party have been deployed in each district as the 84 year-old
leader battles to win the forthcoming presidential run -off.

Meanwhile the body of Zvidzai Mapurisa a known MDC activist from the
Gunikuni area of Masvingo Central constituency was finally buried yesterday
following the intervention of the police.

Mapurisa was murdered on April 21 and so far 14 people have already been
arraigned before the courts facing murder charges.

The Mapurisa family refused to bury the body of the deceased unless they
were paid compensation amounting to US 5000 and 63 herd of cattle by the
suspected murderers.

The police in Masvingo yesterday said they had convinced the Mapurisa family
to bury the body while the issue of compensation was being resolved.

“We talked to all the parties involved in the murder of Mapurisa and the
family later agreed to bury the body.” said Tanyanyiwa.

The Member of Parliament elect of  Masvingo central Jefferyson Chitando
yesterday disclosed that some of the suspected murderers had paid
compensation to the Mapurisa family.

“The suspected murderers paid compensation,” said Chitando. “Some paid money
while others offered cattle. Some even offered the farming implements such
as scotch carts and ox-drawn ploughs which they recently received from the
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as compensation.


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Who is Patrick Chinamasa?

The Zimbabwe Times

By Collen Madziva
May 15, 2008

I WAS not shocked to hear that the delayed run-off presidential election
will now be held in 90 days.

And guess who made that announcement? I do not know how Zimbabwean law is
being applied by Zimbabwe’s lawmakers. Not long ago we were told that the
only voice we were supposed to listen to on electoral matters was that of
the organisation in charge of elections and that is the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission.

I had assumed the results as well as the run-off date were to be
administered the same way.

Who is Chinamasa, by the way? Is he not the former Justice Minister from the
now dissolved cabinet? In what capacity is he announcing the date of the
run-off election? By the way does Zimbabwe have a government? Why is the
run-off delayed for 90 days?

What pains me most is the fact that all this mess is taking place in a
country that claims to have educated people who understand the laws and the
rights of citizens. Why do we have a Constitution if we don’t respect it?

Does this mean that for 28 years we have had laws that don’t work? Why then
did we not yield to Dr Lovemore Madhuku’s call to have the constitution
amended before the elections? Madhuku, the chairman of the National
Constitutional Assembly and others carry scars on their bodies today from
being assaulted by the police after they made an effort to straighten up
this mess. Now it is considered “too ambitious” to have a run-off election
within 21 days.

Isn’t this what Madhuku was saying all along? Both Zanu-PF and the MDC
supported Constitutional Amendment Number 18 and see where we are today.

Recently police chief Augustine Chihuri said the police were keen to
interrogate MDC secretary general, Tendai Biti concerning his statements
about the election results. We are told that Biti’s effort to inform fellow
Zimbabweans around the world about the outcome of the election was a
violation of the Electoral Act.

What violation is the police chief talking about if the information was
already public since it was posted outside every polling station. Chihuri
could be right since ZEC is the only organisation with authority to make
statements on the elections. But, wait a minute, Chinamasa just announced
the date of the run-off election.  Where are Chiweshe and company?

I wait anxiously for Chihuri to accuse Chinamasa of violating the electoral
Act.
If we don’t hear anything from him then he is guilty of selective
application of the law?

Incidentally, I understand Biti and Chinamasa are the chief architects of
Constitutional Amendment Number 18. So they should know better than anyone
else.

Zimbabwe is being reduced to ashes while we look on. I am full of anger
because the people who are dying today do not deserve to die. Both Zanu-PF
and MDC are equally to blame for what is happening today because they both
did not seem to understand what Zimbabwe’s real problem is.

There is a constitutional crisis in Zimbabwe but no politician is paying
attention. Why are they so blind? But what we are witnessing today is just
the tip of an iceberg.


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Voting for Tsvangirai on a full belly

The Zimbabwe Times

Letter

I FIND it rather suspicious that the
government announces that the presidential run-off election will be held in
90 days and also that it is scrapping the duty charged on basic goods for
the next 90 days. What a coincidence! These are desperate times for Zanu-PF.
The truth, however, is that Zimbabweans will go to the run-off polls
well-fed on duty-free food but will still vote for Morgan Tsvangirai. K.
Banda


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Some local authority election results



I haven't seen or heard any reports anywhere about these, so you
might be interested in the following local authority election
results, that I've counted from a notice published by ZEC in the
Zimbabwe Independent last week.

Any errors will be mine.  Or ZEC's.    ;-)

R.

=========

Bulawayo Municipality
ZANU(PF) won 0 out of 29 wards

Chitungwiza Municipality
ZANU(PF) won 2 out of 25 wards

Epworth
ZANU(PF) won 0 out of 7 wards

Harare Municipality
ZANU(PF) won 1 out of 45 wards

Buhera Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 15 out of 31 wards

Chimanimani Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 9 out of 22 wards

Chipinge Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 11 out of 30 wards

Chipinge Town Council
ZANU(PF) won 0 out of 8 wards

Makoni Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 14 out of 36 wards

Mutare Municipality
ZANU(PF) won 0 out of 19 wards

Mutare Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 21 out of 34 wards

Mutasa Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 3 out of 31 wards

Nyanga Rural District Council
ZANU(PF) won 5 out of 24 wards

Rusape Town Council
ZANU(PF) won 0 out of 10 wards


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Police ban MDC rallies in Harare

Africa News, Netherlands

  Posted on Thursday 15 May 2008 - 09:39

  Mun=gadza Munyaradzi, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
  The Zimbabwe police have banned the Movement for Democratic Change party
from holding political rallies in Harare's high density suburbs ahead of the
presidential run off later this month. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa has
confirmed this development.

  The MDC said they had pencilled three rallies in Harare’s high density
suburbs of Mufakose and Budiriro on Saturday  and on Sunday, and at the
Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield on Saturday, 18th May.

  The MDC formation has the strongest formation in urban areas and by
denying them the platform to campaign for the second round of voting, the
government is suspected of trying to scale down the support of Morgan
Tsvangirai.

  Analysts have predicted that the political violence unfolding in the rural
areas may result in the MDC party losing many votes. This is because many
will not be able to vote since they have run away from the marauding Zanu PF
thugs who are terrorizing the rural folk.

  The MDC formation has won the Parliament elections as well the
presidential poll despite his failure to reach the required 50 plus one vote
according to ZEC results.

  Unfortunately, the losing Zanu PF party had stepped preparations for the
imminent presidential run off in the rural areas. Zanu PF is also beating,
assaulting, abducting and killing MDC supporters in the rural areas.

  The police who are now neglecting their code of ethics want to frustrate
the winning MDC formation ahead of the run off such that many will not vote
for change in the second round of voting.

  The first lady, Grace Mugabe has been seen around the country distributing
blankets to the victims of post election violence perpetrated by the Zanu PF
youth militia, war vets and soldiers.  Other Zanu PF bigwigs have also
addressed people throughout the country to win back the people’s hearts.


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Zimbabwe 'bleeding to death', say Jesuits

Christian Today

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 10:36 (BST)

“Zimbabwe is quietly bleeding to death while politicians debate and
deliberate,” says Ashleigh Callow from Jesuit Missions, which is hoping to
raise awareness of the crisis by running in the Edinburgh Marathon Hairy
Haggis Relay on 25 May.

Jesuit Missions have three teams running in the event, one consisting of
runners raising funds for Makumbi Mission in Zimbabwe, and the other two
teams, from St Ignatius’ College in North London, raising funds for a
scholarship fund for their partner school, St Ignatius Prep and Primary
School in Tanzania.

“Inflation has gone through the roof in the country: £1 equates to 400
million Zimbabwean dollars," Callow continues. "So we very much hope that by
taking part in the Hairy Haggis Relay, the team will increase awareness
about the situation in the country, in addition to raising valuable funds.”

Zimbabweans continue to experience intimidation and violence following the
elections of 29 March.

One associate of the Jesuits in Zimbabwe texted the following message: “The
post election situation is tense – they’re accusing teachers and residents
that we voted MDC (the Opposition Party) … People are being beaten up for
not voting for the ruling party. We are living in limbo at present.”

Another described the situation as very bad. “It seems as if there is no one
who can challenge this man [President Robert Mugabe]! Oh, our whole world is
beautiful but Zimbabwe is becoming a house of horror. No food. No home. No
health. No proper education.”

A third text message read: “Our friend ‘L’ was beaten last night by soldiers
on his way home from the doctor [L suffers from AIDS]. Mugabe’s police are
everywhere. I don’t like it. We have no money to buy food and all shops are
closed anyway. Can you help please or we will soon be dead?”

Jesuit Missions are also asking Britons to use their voices on behalf of the
people of Zimbabwe.

"For Zimbabweans, silence kills,” says Callow. “So we’re asking people to
speak out and lobby their local MPs. Our runners are aware of the obstacles
and challenges that lie before them. But they won’t be forced into having to
run the 26 miles again. That’s the situation that Zimbabweans find
themselves in: forced into a re-run despite having gone the distance at the
elections on 29 March.”


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Prices Shoot to Record Highs, Government Approaches with Caution

Zimbabwe Gazette
 

By Lee Shungu, on May 15 2008 04:48  

The prices of goods and commodities in Zimbabwe continue on an upward trend, rising significantly over the past week prompting the government to take desperate measures, The  Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

Zimbabwe Prices
Prices Shoot to Record Highs, Government Approaches with Caution
Never in the country's history did the nation witness such big figures and so many zeros when conducting transactions.

The state has quickly responded to the situation, as it is likely to make citizens suffer more ahead of the presidential election run-off thereby minimising chances of  President Robert Mugabe winning.

From the week before last week, when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono relaxed the foreign currency  restrictions, local businesses and service providers began chasing and pegging prices that equal to the rising US dollar, against the weakening local currency.

A survey in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare indicates in the past two weeks, prices have escalated by more than 100 percent.

Commenting on the new foreign currency system, the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) said the new foreign currency rules and regulations perfectly suite business.

“However, it is the ordinary man- the consumer who suffers the most as a result of the ever-rising inflation which fuels price increases,” said a representative of the organisation recently.

From last week, some basic commodities such as salt and cooking oil began disappearing from the supermarket and shop shelves.

Commodities, which are very scarce such as sugar, mealie-meal, milk and margarine, are only readily available on the parallel (black market) at exorbitant prices.

For example, a 2kg packet of sugar costs $700 million whilst a 10kg bag of mealie-meal fetches for $1, 3 billion.

In most shops, a packet of 2kg rice costs around $1 billion, a bar of washing soap costs $500 million, 2litres of juice costs $800 million, and a kilogramme of beef costs $700 million whilst pork is pegged at $600 million.

The NECF adds the most important person- the consumer is being left behind when crucial decisionsare made, for example the recent monetary policy statement.

Supermarket, shops and many businesses removed three zeros from their programmes and systems from late last year.

In the capital, a 21 inch colour TV now costs not less than $50 billion, a DVD player costs not less than $15 billion, a decent pair of shoes costs more than $10 billion, a pair of trousers costs around $5 billion whilst a tie fetches for anything around $2 billion.

For other household furniture such as sofas and cabinets, the prices range in hundreds of billions whilst it is trillions for vehicles and houses.

Many people have expressed concern over the rising prices as salaries remain stagnant, and refer the situation to being political.

One Harare resident who preferred anonymity said it is President Robert Mugabe's fault that the country continues to deteriorate.

“Mugabe does not want to accept that he has lost the election. His policies have totally failed the nation.”

“Recently, we were even offered financial support from the West, if he steps down, but he puts his interest first and does not want to leave office.”

“My salary has for long been not enough to buy the monthly basic necessities,” he said.

On Tuesday, the government said it had scrapped off duty for imported basic food stuffs such as soap, salt and cooking oil.

Speaking on national television, the Minister of Information and Publicity, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said the move is aimed at ensuring the country receives the necessary basic items for consumption.

“Our country has for long not been able to produce enough for feeding its people. The duty free period shall be 90 days,” he said.

Last year, the government introduced price controls- which 'killed' the industry. Many firms closed down whilst others scaled down operations and retrenched workers. Business slammed this decision in which it blamed the National Incomes and Pricing Commission (NIPC) for making reckless business decisions.

Transport operators have also hiked fares by more than 100 percent in a fortnight.

A commuting trip from Glen Lorne or Highlands to the city costs $150 million. Many routes in the capital now cost $100 million per trip, whilst commuting to cities and towns just outside Harare- such as Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Norton fetches for not less than $150 million per trip.

Apart from the violent campaign embarked on by Mugabe and his loyalists, many people feel the escalating prices and costs of goods and services will also play a major role in making people vote against Mugabe in the anticipated presidential election run-off- in which the date is still to be set.


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Embassy Row

Washington Times

By James Morrison
May 15, 2008

Fighting change

In Zimbabwe, voting for change is not just a campaign slogan. It is a matter
of life and death, as U.S. Ambassador James McGee documented on hospital
visits where he met victims of political violence that, he said, is
"orchestrated at the highest levels" of President Robert Mugabe's ruling
party.

Mr. McGee met supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) who were dragged from their homes, severely beaten, forced to pay
fines and warned against voting in a runoff election between MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr. Mugabe, whose brutal regime has driven the
southern African nation into crushing poverty with inflation at an
astonishing 150,000 percent a year.

In the March 29 presidential election, "a majority of Zimbabweans voted for
change," Mr. McGee said in a report posted on the U.S. Embassy's Web site
(http://harare.usembassy.gov). He noted that even the Zimbabwe Election
Commission confirmed that Mr. Tsvangirai won nearly 48 percent of the vote,
while Mr. Mugabe got 43 percent. Neither broke the 50 percent mark to avoid
a runoff, which is expected to be held in August.

"Equally undeniable is that some within [Mr. Mugabe's] ZANU-PF party have
started a systematic campaign of violence designed to block this vote for
change," Mr. McGee said of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Popular
Front.

"The inescapable conclusion is violence has been orchestrated at the highest
levels of the ruling party, both to punish people for supporting the
opposition in the March 29 election and to discourage support for the
opposition in the event of a runoff election."

Mr. McGee said the embassy has received "confirmed reports" of more than 700
acts of violence with more than 200 victims hospitalized. He cited a ward
chairman for the MDC beaten by soldiers, a shopkeeper dragged from his home
by a gang that beat him and burned his home and others who endured a "full
day of torture" by Mr. Mugabe's supporters.

"Taken together, they paint a deeply disturbing picture of an organized
campaign of violence against those who voted for the opposition," Mr. McGee
said.

"The U.S. government has concrete evidence of the destruction of homes,
beatings, intimidation and even murder. We have shared this evidence with
U.N. and regional leaders," he added, noting that the embassy has the
identities of many of those suspected of committing the violence.

Nicaragua alert

The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua is warning Americans to avoid traveling at
night on a highway between the capital, Managua, and the town of Granada
where two groups of U.S. citizens were robbed and kidnapped. Americans have
also been told to take special precautions during a nationwide
transportation strike.

Gunmen dressed as police stopped Americans at night on two occasions earlier
this month on the Tipitapa-Massaya highway. The gunmen robbed them and
released them later in "a remote location far from the highway," the embassy
said this week.

It also cautioned Americans about a transportation strike called to protest
rising fuel prices. The strike has already claimed the life of a taxicab
driver, who was killed on Tuesday.

"A growing number of inner-city streets have been blocked by protesters, and
some members of the transportation sector have also attempted to block
traffic at various locations throughout Nicaragua," the embassy said.

It urged Americans to keep the gas tanks of their vehicles at least
three-quarters full at all time, drive with their windows up and doors
locked and avoid street barricades. The embassy also advised Americans to
maintain a week's supply of food and water in their homes.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail
jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.


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Mugabe is the harbinger of things to come

The First Post, UK

Peregrine Worsthorne
How the hell has Robert Mugabe got away with it this far? It is because in
Africa he is a massively popular hero; more popular than Mandela. Not only
did he defeat the whites in battle but also, uniquely, he has seized back
the land they stole and publicly humiliated them ­ - something which no
other African leader has had the guts to do.

It is a unique achievement. No doubt sophisticated Africans love Mandela for
his saintly forgiveness and reconciliation. But the great mass love Mugabe
as a leader who has exacted sweet revenge.

Yes, you will say, but what about the terrible things he has done to his own
people? The trouble is that so many of the wronged Zimbabweans are not his
own people, since many of them are of a different tribe and therefore, ­ to
the African man in the street, ­ fair game.

So in reality it is not surprising that Mugabe survives in power, just as it
would not have been surprising if in 1945 Churchill had survived in power
here. The surprise then was that so many of us were ungrateful enough to
kick him out.

Britain needs to wake up to reality. One of the main stories of the 21st
century is going to tell the tale of how the coloured peoples reversed the
wrongs that were done to them by the white race in the previous two
centuries; and Africa, make no mistake, is going to be part of that story as
much as Asia and the Arab world.

In other words, Mugabe is not the odd man out; or the savage throwback; he
is the harbinger of things to come. We have seen nothing yet.

FIRST POSTED MAY 15, 2008


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MDC saddened by xenophobic attacks in SA

SABC
 
Alexandra residents

Police have threatened to respond with live ammunition if Alexandra clashes continue

May 15, 2008, 11:00

Zimbabwe's opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change has expressed sadness over the xenophobic attacks taking place in Alexandra Township, north of Johannesburg since Sunday.

Secretary General of the party George Sibotshiwe says South Africans and Zimbabweans have shared a strong relationship for decades and it is distressing that the economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe has led to these tensions.

Two people have been killed in Alexandra since the xenophobic violence erupted on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will visit Alexandra today. Yesterday Mapisa-Nqakula reassured the foreigners that they would not be deported. She says all the immigrants whether legal or not will be given humanitarian assistance.


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Deadly mob attacks spread to second South African township

Monsters and Critics

May 15, 2008, 8:41 GMT

Johannesburg - The violent attacks by rampaging mobs on mostly foreigners in
a township north of Johannesburg looked to have spread to another poor
community on the outskirts of the city Thursday, claiming two more lives,
according to South African radio.

Two people were killed in Diepsloot township, also north of Johannesburg, on
Wednesday night, a police spokesman told the radio.

While the identity of the victims had yet to be revealed the attacks were
believed to be motivated by the xenophobic tide that has turned another
township - Alexandra - into a battlefield in recent days.

At least two people have been killed and 60 injured in Alexandra since
residents went on the rampage on Sunday, accusing foreigners of taking jobs
and public housing and of being responsible for high crime levels.

Night after night since Sunday police have opened fire with rubber bullets
to subdue angry crowds, who torched and looted the homes of mainly illegal
migrants from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique but also some South Africans.

Dozens of people have been arrested in connection with the attacks, which
have forced 1,000 people to take up residence at Alexandra police station,
where they are being fed by the Red Cross.

A delegation of government ministers led by Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula was scheduled to tour the area later Thursday.

The ruling African National Congress, opposition parties and the main trade
union federation have all condemned the rising xenophobia, which has sparked
several deadly attacks on foreigners in townships in recent years.

South Africa's townships are bursting at the seams with migrants from rural
areas and illegal migrants from poorer, neighbouring countries, who flock to
the continent's powerhouse in search of work.

According to some estimates up to 3 million Zimbabweans have fled the
economic chaos in their home country to South Africa.


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Comments from Correspondents

Dear Editor,

It's clear that Zanu PF are trying to avoid the impending run-off. They want
sanctions lifted as a pre-requisite! As pointed out in previous
correspondence - what sanctions? Lifting of targeted sanctions means they'll
be able to get the hell out of Dodge City with their loot. Targeted
sanctions are NOT hurting the common folk in Zimbabwe. They do not affect
the economics in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF are managing that all by themselves.

Watching The Lion King in London last week was a painful experience. The
story line resonates with Mugabe's atrocities. In order to be King, Scar
utilises the services of the hyenas'. Scavenging idiots who prey upon the
weak and defencless, feeding off the carcasses. Scar's obsession with power
brought the Pride Lands to utter ruin. His subjects were desperately poor
and hungry. The food situation became so dire that Scar's army of hyenas'
started to rebel. They weren't interested in justice - they were
disappointed that the ruined Pride Land had not brought them the luxury they
thought would be theirs. Is this destined to be the story of Africa -
forever on a loop?  I pray that the ending of our Zimbabwean tragedy is the
same as the Lion King's.

It should be noted that God shows his displeasure in very obvious ways. Just
look at the agricultural disasters Zimbabwe has endured. Zimbabwe will never
thrive until this evil is thrown out.

God Bless Zimbabwe.

F.
----------
THE TIME IS AT HAND
Go left! No go right! but who said its time to turn continue straight on or
better still keep still, but stagnant water stinks, even the river flows
into the sea making room for the streams to empty into them.
For a bumper harvest rain must pour out onto a planted seed. Wait for the
flood gates of heaven to open, the smell of rain in the air just open your
nostrils, feel the cool breeze giving goose bumps as it sweeps through
space, look up and see the thick dark cloud with a little sun fighting to
penetrate through, the thunder before the lightning is audible for all to
hear, prepare the vessels  for the blessing is about to pour out.
The rain took so long to come, some thought the already planted seed had
withered, some thought the birds came by night and snatched the seed, some
doubted if it was ever planted, now as the sky thunders, with the smell of
rain in the air, will the seed bud out of the earth, only time will tell and
that time is at hand.
A
-----------

Is ZANU PF redeemable?

I can vividly recall a number of incidents during the struggle, though I was
still a young boy then, that involved our gallant fighters and liberators.
Shocking deaths of Chitepo and Tongogara were some of them. The same shock
was replicated again after independence by the orchestrated deaths of Sydney
Malunga, William Ndangana, Witness Rukarwa and many others who either
disappeared or were involved in mysterious Puma accidents. We all lost
uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters to the liberation mantra "vatengesi".
A very negligible number of those who were killed were genuine sell-outs. No
wonder why Eddison Zvobgo once said "ZANU inodya vana vayo" (ZANU feeds on
its on offspring).

To put things into perspective, I grew up in a family where some supported
ZAPU while others were ZANU. To be honest, we did not see anything wrong
with that.

I was humbly brought up by my maternal granny from Zaka who was happily
married to a loving, generous and caring Ndebele man from Kezi. His father
literally grew up with Joshua Nkomo, heading cattle together in the village.
These were my loving practical parents.

Back to the crux of my story, at independence, I used to go to the ZANU PF
pungwe sessions every Friday where we would emotionally, enjoyably and
willingly sing revolutionary songs until early hours of the morning,
enjoying the company of our gallant fighters who had just returned home.
Comrade Felix Hondo from Gutu was one of them. I was a very passionate and
talented singer then. Some of my favourite songs were "Hona mkoma Nhongo,
bereka sabhu tiende and Mhofu, mhuka inogara musango ." I remember an
ex-fighter telling me one day that if I had been born earlier or if the war
had gone on for a few more years, I would have composed so many songs for
the struggle. That was a compliment!

Come Saturday night, I would be shouting "Mdala Wethu" at a ZAPU pungwe. I
particularly did not see anything wrong with that and regarded my family as
a typical Zimbabwean family. It only took one day, towards the height of
Gukurahundi, for me to realise something had gone terribly wrong in our
country. My granny was ordered to surrender her Father Zimbabwe T-shirts and
skirts (those beautiful skirts with Zim flag colours, for those who can
remember). These were then burnt in front of us, by a neighbour we had known
for years, a staunch ZANU PF activist, just imagine! That's when I started
hearing about pasi neMachuwachuwa (down with ZAPU supporters) and the ZAPU
pungwes were banned in our area. In school, some students from radical ZANU
PF families started calling me and others Machuwachuwa and vatengesi, I was
scared. At that point, I realised that the seeds of hatred had been sown.

Instinctively, I began to reflect on the exciting and memorable day when we,
as school kids, were piled into a farm tractor one day to go and welcome our
hero, Prime Minister Robert Mugabe on his first visit to the Lowveld. He was
accompanied by the ever-smiling, always clad in camouflage, thickly bearded
and wonderful man, Samora Machel. This was at Buffalo Range Airport between
Chiredzi and Triangle. That was the closest I have ever come to Gushungo. I
also reflected on how my favourite primary school teacher, one of the least
conspicuous (probably most ineffective) ZANU PF MPs ever, Titus Maluleke,
lost his beautiful and only jazz in Harare when he was part of the group
from the Lowveld that went to welcome Mugabe and other leaders when they
just returned from the bush. I can also recall some of the names that I
sincerely cherished during the struggle, like:

Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Cephas Msipa, Joseph Msika, Josiah
Tongogara, Rex Nhongo, Teurai Ropa Nhongo, Eddison Zvobgo, Dumiso Dabengwa,
Lookout Masuku and little known comrade Musa who fought a lonely but fierce
and effective struggle in Zaka, Gutu and Bikita. Thanks to Makuwere Bwititi
of the Chronicle for bringing the plight of this gallant fighter to the fore
albeit too later.

The madness of the 80s coupled with that of 2000 should have taught ZANU PF
a lesson about what not to do with innocent voters and law abiding citizens.
Unfortunately, enjoying power and the support of some of our most talented
academics but cunning citizens like Jonathan Moyo, ZANU PF continued to get
drunk in its madness. Innocent people lost lives, women were raped and
children were carelessly orphaned by the ruthless ZANU PF machinery in 2000
and this still continues today.

Indeed, if Gukurahundi was "a moment of madness" (to quote the Emperor),
then March 11 must have been the height of it all. Nelson Chamisa, Grace
Kwinjeh, Morgan Tsvangirai and mbuya Nehanda Sekai Holland, among other
contemporary fighters and liberators, were subjected to gross humiliation,
torture and pain. The crude images shown to the world destroyed any
semblance of sympathy or forgiveness anybody would have liked to extend to
the brutal and unrepentant regime.

For exercising their "one man, one vote" right, the poor women of
Mashonaland, the struggling youths of Manicaland, the innocent adults of
Matebeleland, the hardworking farmers of Midlands and the perseverant
Karangas of Masvingo are being persecuted today by the same machinery that
committed the same atrocities in the 80s and in 2000. We can now see the
application of Brighton Matonga's remaining 75% energy that did not go into
the first round. Chinyavada, who claims that he is as soft as wool is now in
charge of JOC. A second Gukurahundi has been launched, same players, same
tactics, different times!

While the bible teaches us that we can forgive as many times as seventy
times seven, no where does it say we can do so for the same offence or
crime. Clearly, ZANU PF has committed the same or similar offences, crimes
and abuse since the time of the struggle and continues to do so today. For
that reason, the perpetrators of violence, rape, murder, torture, hatred and
division don't deserve a blanket pardon in the new Zimbabwe. I can only say
to them, repent now while you still have time before we get to the run-off.
Events of the coming few weeks shall dictate whether some these people are
redeemable. Instead of directing your 75% energy at menacing peace-loving
citizens, Brighton must tell his paymaster to start thinking seriously about
genuinely reforming their party as it has no future at all in its current
form. The world is watching.

Moses Chamboko writes from Australia

chambokom@gmail.com


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Who is "the opposition"?



Following this comment from one of your readers that you sent out on 8 May
... 

IF THE opposition won 110 votes in Parliament on March 29 why does the
press (with the exception of The Zimbabwe Times) continue to refer to the
Movement for Democratic Change as the opposition MDC.
... I took it up with one of our journalists who writes for the
international press. Below is the subsequent correspondence between that
journalist and one of the journalist's principals. I have removed all the
names as this comes from confidential internal correspondence, but it
provides an answer to the above.
R
-----------
Please can we try and avoid the words opposition and ruling party for  the
moment. The Movement for Democratic Change won a parliamentary  majority.
Zanu PF was defeated at the polls. Robert Mugabe was  defeated in the first
round of the presidential election.

  So although parliament has not been sworn in : and that is because  Mugabe
chooses not to do so, the MDC is no longer the opposition.  Parliament was
disolved on March 28 2008. Cabinet ministers however  continue in office
until the new president is sworn in.

  Thanks.
  ------------------
    Could you please let us know if [News service] is altering the way it
refers to
    ZANU PF and the MDC in news copy ?   If
so,
    please communicate it to [our] email list, so that we are
    all consistent...
    Thanks,
    -------------------
............ after consulting with colleagues, I'm
issuing a temporary ruling.  Let's avoid the use of "ruling party" or
"opposition" regarding Zimbabwe until the situation becomes more clear.  The
MDC won the most seats in parliament but its lawmakers have not been sworn
in;  Tsvangirai beat Mugabe but he may have to face a run-off.  Avoiding the
terms will keep us away from confusion and controversy.

      If clarity is needed, it's OK to use the terms in a historical
context... i.e.  "longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai" or "ZANU-PF,
which has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980."
      ----------------
        I think this is premature - Mugabe is still very much in charge and
controls the government, and the opposition-ruling party relationship is
still in place. I think we should take our lead on this from the wires -
this hobbles us especially in headlines. I suggest that the "opposition"
label be dropped once they actually exercise their majority.
        -----------------
          After further discussions in the newsroom, there has been a
reversal of the earlier ruling; we can use the term "opposition" to describe
the MDC and "ruling party" to describe ZANU-PF.   The reasoning is that 1 )
not doing so will hamper us in leads and headlines and 2) regardless of the
election results, Mugabe and ZANU-PF are still clearly in power in Zimbabwe.
 Our acting deputy managing editor urges that the details of the
situation be fully explained in all our copy.
          As [xx] said, once MDC actually exercises its majority, we can
drop the "opposition" label.

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