http://af.reuters.com
Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:36am
GMT
* Protests over N.Korea training of unit in 1980s
killings
* Minister says team visit not confirmed
* Cabinet to
handle 'sensitive' matter
By Nelson Banya
HARARE, April 30
(Reuters) - Zimbabwe on Friday backed away from an
announcement that North
Korea's World Cup team would train in the country
after protests over its
role in training an army unit accused of killing
thousands of
people.
Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi last month announced the North
Korean team
would train in Zimbabwe ahead of the World Cup that starts on
June 11 in
neighbouring South Africa.
But Sports Minister David
Coltart told Reuters on Friday the visit had not
been
finalised.
"First of all, it has not been confirmed that they are coming
at all. If
they did come, clearly, we will handle it in a sensitive way that
recognises
the history and emotions around the matter," Coltart
said.
The original announcement triggered protests from opposition groups
in
south-western Matabeleland provinces where rights groups say a North
Korean-trained army unit killed an estimated 20,000 people during President
Robert Mugabe's crackdown on an insurgency in the region in the
1980s.
Coltart declined to comment on reports that the government had
changed
initial plans to have the North Koreans set up camp in Bulawayo, the
main
city in Matabeleland.
"The issue is now being handled in
cabinet, so it is premature for me to
speculate on how their visit will be
managed," Coltart said.
PROTESTS
Political groups and rights
activists in Matabeleland say they will protest
against the North Koreans,
even if they do not come to Bulawayo.
"We are relieved that they are no
longer coming to Bulawayo, but we're
worried that they could still be coming
to Zimbabwe," said Methuseli Moyo, a
spokesperson for the small opposition
party ZAPU, which comprises mainly
Matabeleland's Ndebele ethnic
group.
"It should be the concern of every Zimbabwean that North Korea
trained those
who perpetrated the atrocities. Even if they camp in Harare,
we will still
organise the protests."
Zimbabwe, whose tourism
industry has declined sharply because of a
decade-long economic and
political crisis, has been courting nations that
qualified for the World Cup
finals to visit the country en route to South
Africa, in a bid to boost
revenue.
The southern African country's economy has stabilised under a
power-sharing
government formed by Mugabe and bitter rival Morgan
Tsvangirai, now prime
minister, but analysts say constant wrangles over
reforms and policy have
held back progress.
http://news.yahoo.com
AFP
Fri Apr 30, 11:29 am
ET
HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's government has reduced its registration
requirements for media organisations and journalists operating in the
country in a bid to reform its harsh media laws, a minister said
Friday.
According to a gazette published Friday, foreign media
organisations will
pay 2,500 US dollars, slashed from the previous
30,000-dollar fee, for
permission to operate in the southern African
country.
Fees were also greatly reduced for individual foreign journalist
accreditation and for local media.
The gazette said the new prices
were effective from January 1 but not yet in
operation.
"The
commission will start receiving applications for renewal of
registration
certificates by mass media service providers and renewal of
accreditation
status by Tuesday (May 4)," the chairman of the Zimbabwe Media
Commission,
Godfrey Majonga, said in a statement.
The commission was appointed in
December as part of the power-sharing deal
between President Robert Mugabe
and Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
"All those mass media services
providers who have been publishing without
operating licences should
normalize their status by June 4," Majonga added.
In March, Tsvangirai
indicated that he will repeal and amend the country's
contentious media and
security legislation by the end of this year.
According to the government
work plan drafted by Tsvangirai, the Access to
Information and Protection of
Privacy Act -- which bans foreign journalists
from working permanently in
the country -- will be abolished.
Tsvangirai said the act would be
replaced by Freedom of Information Bill
that will be introduced to allow
journalists greater access to official
information.
The prime
minister said a Media Practitioners' Bill will be tabled in
parliament to
regulate the conduct of journalists.
In 2002, Mugabe's government passed
an act forcing media organisations and
journalists to register with a
government appointed body. This resulted in
several newspapers being closed
down and some correspondents of foreign
newspapers being
deported.
Under the new fees, journalists working for foreign media will
pay 120 US
dollars down from 3,000 dollars while local journalists will pay
30 dollars.
Fees for media houses from the southern African will be 1,000
US dollars
down from 30,000 dollars.
http://news.radiovop.com
30/04/2010
16:35:00
April 30, 2010 - Amnesty International supporters around the
world will send
an urgent call on May Day on Saturday to Zimbabwe
authorities to stop
intimidating and harassing human rights activists in the
country.
Amnesty International's Zimbabwe Researcher Simeon Mawanza said:
"Police
officers regularly and systematically aim to frustrate human rights
defenders' engaging in peaceful protests. This kind of behaviour contravenes
part of Zimbabwe's 'Global Political Agreement' which requires all
government bodies to strictly observe the rule of law and remain
non-partisan and impartial.
"It's unacceptable that more than a year
since the setting up the unity
government, harassment and intimidation of
human rights activists is being
tolerated. Police should respect and protect
human rights and not be the
primary opponents of progress."
Other
activists in Zimbabwe have been intimidated and harassed by
authorities in
Zimbabwe.
One high-profile human rights worker, Gertrude Hambira,
Secretary General of
the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of
Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ),
has been forced to go into hiding after continued
harassment by Zimbabwean
police officers. In March this year, Gertrude was
forced to flee after
officers from the Law and Order section based at Harare
Central police
station raided the union's head office in search of
her.
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were recently arrested and detained
for six
days without charge after they took part in a peaceful demonstration
in the
country's capital, Harare.
WOZA members - Jenni Williams,
Magodonga Mahlangu, Clara Manjengwa and
Celina Madukani - were arrested on
15 April while attending a peaceful
demonstration protesting against rising
electricity prices. They were
arrested along with 61 others who were
subsequently released.
The four women reported how they were detained in
"hellish" conditions
exacerbated by erratic water supplies in
Harare.
Amnesty International UK's Trade Union Campaigns Manager, Shane
Enright
said: "It's so important that people around the world stand in
solidarity
with the brave human rights and trade union activists in Zimbabwe
this May
Day. Our message to the police and security services is that we are
watching
you and will call you to account, however long it
takes."
Amnesty has documented consistent politicised and partisan
policing by
members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), in particular the
Law and
Order section, aimed at silencing the voices of human rights
defenders.
In March police arrested Okay Machisa, the director of the
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association (ZimRights). Machisa was forced to
temporarily leave the
country as a result of his arrest.
Mawanza
said: "In order to ensure it upholds its commitments set out in the
Global
Political Agreement, the Zimbabwe government must make every effort
to
ensure that police officers are adequately trained and allow people to
exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association and to carry
out peaceful protests."
http://www.swradioafrica.com
By Tichaona Sibanda
30
April 2010
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri is dragging his
police force
into a scramble for the Chiadzwa diamonds, in a move likely to
raise
eyebrows.
The scramble for the diamonds reflects the
intensifying fight for a slice of
the lucrative gems between armed forces
chiefs, top politicians and
businessmen with links to ZANU PF.
The
Zimbabwe Independent reported on Friday that Chihuri personally wrote a
letter to Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, asking for a mining concession in
Marange for the police.
In his letter Chihuri said the police will
bring in Security Self-Reliance
Enterprises to mine the diamonds for them,
through a joint partnership with
state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development
Corporation (ZMDC).
Already two companies awarded contracts to mine the
controversial Marange
fields, Canadile and New Reclamation Group, are
controlled by the country's
top military personnel. The mine was taken over
from its legal owner at
gunpoint.
Late last year at a Kimberley
Process (KP) meeting, mining Minister Obert
Mpofu said Zimbabwe had
recruited foreign investors to work the mine, after
convincing the enforcers
of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme that
it had complied
adequately enough to receive a second chance as a KP member.
Initially a
KP review had raised serious concerns about the known human
rights abuses in
the area, including the murder and rape of local diggers by
military forces.
Human Rights Watch had reported that at least 200 people
were gunned down by
the military in late 2008 and that the abuses have
continued.
As part
of its KP work plan, Mpofu announced last year the country would
demilitarize the fields and bring in private security companies to secure
the area. But the area is still controlled by the military and the two
companies contracted to mine the Marange are run by military chiefs who have
positioned themselves to profit from the mine and with it, to win a claim to
political power.
Mpofu, who is on US and EU targeted sanctions list
is reportedly in business
with the defense force chief General Constantine
Chiwenga. New Reclamation
boss Robert Mhlanga is closely linked to Air
Marshall Perence Shiri. Mhlanga
was one of the country's first black
airforce helicopter pilots and used to
fly Mugabe around the
country.
Now Chihuri also wants a slice of the diamonds, through Security
Self-Reliance Enterprises.
A former police officer with the ZRP,
Stanley Gonese, said; 'The police
force is there to prevent and detect
crime. It is unimaginable and
unthinkable that they would venture into a
money spinning venture. The force
is run by public funds, to ensure their
operations remain above board.'
Unfortunately, as all Zimbabweans know,
the police force has long been used
to ensure Mugabe holds on to power - for
at least a decade it's operations
have not been above board. These potential
deal just ensures more of the
same.
http://www.swradioafrica.com
By Lance
Guma
30 April 2010
South African facilitators tasked with breaking the
political deadlock in
Zimbabwe came away empty handed on Thursday, after
meeting party leaders
Morgan Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe and Arthur Mutambara.
Charles Nqakula,
Lindiwe Zulu and Mac Maharaj were appointed by President
Jacob Zuma to
smooth widening cracks in the coalition government. They
jetted into the
country and left on the same day, without any
breakthrough.
Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara confirmed the meeting, but
refused to
disclose what had been discussed. However Zulu, who serves as
Zuma’s
international relations adviser, told journalists on Thursday; “We
met all
of them and we are now on our way back to South Africa. There was
good
understanding of issues and at the end of the day we need them to
familiarize themselves with the report they were given. We will be back but
we are not sure when”.
Zulu was talking about a report prepared some
3 weeks ago by the
negotiators, detailing the progress or lack of it in
their talks. It was not
clear what she meant by suggesting they wanted the
principals to familiarize
themselves with the report, when it was compiled
by their own party
negotiators. Sources close to the talks however say the
facilitators were
trying to push the three party leaders to meet and discuss
the report to
attempt to clear the outstanding issues.
Mugabe’s ZANU
PF party has always made it clear it will not fully implement
the GPA until
western targeted sanctions on some ZANU PF individuals and
companies are
removed.
Meanwhile the report on the talks reportedly shows that the
parties remain
deadlocked on the appointments of central bank governor
Gideon Gono,
attorney general Johannes Tomana and deputy agriculture
Minister designate
Roy Bennett. Mugabe continues to refuse to appoint MDC
nominated provincial
governors and unilaterally changed the mandates of some
of the MDC
ministries to give key functions to his party
loyalists.
One commentator told Newsreel that the reason Mugabe signed up
to the GPA
was that he knew he could ‘use endless dialogue as a weapon to
remain in
power, without sharing power’ and that no one was going to force
him to do
otherwise.
Although press reports regularly state that new
‘concessions’ have been
added to the discussions the bottom line is that the
GPA has not been
implemented by Mugabe, yet it is an agreement that he
signed up to in 2008.
All that is needed in the country is a genuine return
to the rule of law and
everything else would fall into place.
And
still Zimbabweans are being treated as though they have no right to know
the
details about what happens at these endless talks.
http://www.swradioafrica.com
By Violet Gonda
30
April 2010
The MDC-T issued a statement on Friday dismissing as
'malicious' the reports
of factionalism in the party. Speculation is rife
that the recent violent
incident that took place at the party headquarters
was a result of power
struggles within the leadership, ahead of next year's
party congress.
Three private investigators were beaten and the party's
Director General,
Toendepi Shonhe, had his car confiscated by MDC
youths.
However a statement issued by the MDC-T on Friday accused ZANU PF
of
embarking on a smear campaign to malign President Morgan Tsvangirai and
Secretary General Tendai Biti, by alleging they are involved in a power
struggle.
The statement said; "What has happened at Harvest house are
disturbances to
do with administrative issues which the leadership is
currently seized with.
The culprits have since been suspended and an
independent commission has
been set up to carry out a comprehensive probe.
These are internal hygiene
issues that a gigantic and mass-based party like
the MDC can deal with."
"Unfortunately, these disturbances have provided an
avenue for the
traditional enemies of the people's project to transport and
relocate
factionalism from its permanent home in Zanu PF to the
MDC."
Despite the party denying reports of infighting, some MDC-T officials
maintain that the leadership, mainly Morgan Tsvangirai and Tendai Biti, are
at loggerheads, disagreeing on strategy and tactics.
One observer said:
"Fundamentally, the MDC has a structural flow in its
constitutional
architecture. It creates two centres of power. It doesn't
help that the
occupants in those two centres of power are different
individuals - one
thinking as a unionist and another as a lawyer; both
trying to survive the
rigmarole of hard core naked politics in Zimbabwe's
fast moving transitional
train."
Political analyst Professor John Makumbe said there are power
struggles in
every party but he believes it is highly unlikely that Biti
would want to
push Tsvangirai from power, although he said differences are
there, just as
they were when the MDC split into two in 2005, over
ideological differences.
"Yes there are differences of methodology of how to
resolve the crisis but
these differences have never esclated within the MDC
leadership to the level
where there are struggles for positions, as is
alleged at the moment."
The political analyst said it will be important
to see the findings of the
committee that has been set up to investigate the
incident that took place
at Harvest House. Party insiders said the committee
is still conducting
interviews and it's not yet clear when they will
conclude their
investigations and if the party will publicise its
findings.
A source said those in the committee include Zimrights director
Okay
Machisa, rights laywer Kucaca Phulu; plus from the MDC-T - Nketa MP
Seiso
Moyo, Deputy Minister of Justice Jesse Majome, and national council
member
Concillia Chinanzvavana.
Makumbe said for transparancy the
party should have set up an entirely
independent commission of enquiry to
look into the issues. He said if there
is any factionalism then MDC
individuals on the commission could be aligned
to one of the
factions.
Meanwhile another investigation committee is expected in the UK
over the
weekend, to investigate allegations of corruption in the MDC-T UK
chapter.
It is understood these committee members include MDC MPs Sam Sipepa
Nkomo
and Tabitha Khumalo and the party's finance director Rumbidzai
Nyamayemombe.
http://www.swradioafrica.com
By Tichaona
Sibanda
30 April 2010
Law and order police officers from Bindura are
hunting down the MDC
provincial youth chairman for Mashonaland Central, for
allegedly insulting
Robert Mugabe in Guruve on Wednesday.
Tonderai
Samhu, who has since gone underground, told us on Friday that
police also
want to speak to him about the alleged 'political' rally he
organised in
Mvurwi on Wednesday to bid farewell to the late MDC provincial
Chairman
Biggie Chigonero.
Chigonero died on Monday. On Wednesday the MDC
organised a rally where 5000
people, including the Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, turned up to pay
their last respects at Mvurwi stadium. Police
are now accusing Samhu of
organising a political rally without their
authority.
Later in the day Chigonero was laid to rest at Chigonero
village in Guruve
South. It is here where Samhu chanted the MDC slogan that
denounces Mugabe
and ZANU PF, and which has now got him into
trouble.
'I don't see what the fuss is about. They can't accuse me of
organising a
rally; this was a gathering to pay tribute to our fallen hero,
a provincial
chairman of the party. We had no alternative but to change
venues at the
last minute because Mvurwi hall cannot accommodate 5000
people. This is the
reason why we switched venues at the last minute because
we didn't expect so
many people to come for the funeral,' Samhu
said.
As for allegedly insulting Mugabe, the youth chairman said he was
merely
chanting a well known party slogan that they routinely use during
party
gatherings. He said the slogan; 'Mbavha bvisa (remove thieves), Mugabe
bvisa
(remove Mugabe), ZANU PF bvisa (remove ZANU PF) was not an insult, but
a
rallying call to remove Mugabe through the ballot box.
Police
officers have been to Samhu's house in Mvurwi, but have not been able
to
find him. He said he will hand himself over to the police only when they
explain to his lawyers what they want from him.
'I'm in hiding at the
moment waiting to hear from my lawyers but otherwise
if I get the all clear
signal I will go to the law and order section in
Bindura,' Samhu
said.
Over the years, numerous people have been arrested, fined, beaten
or jailed
under the country's draconian laws that make it an offence to make
any
alleged derogatory comment about Mugabe, the world's oldest head of
state
who has been in power for nearly 30 years.
http://news.radiovop.com
30/04/2010 16:11:00
Mwenezi April 30,
2010 - Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) legislator
for Masvingo Urban
constituency Tongai Matutu’s parents here are living in
fear following a
death threat from Zanu (PF) politburo member and Mwenezi
East Member of
Parliament Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.
Bhasikiti who was riled by the death of
his aide Nhamo Machacha Munechi
openly told the people at Neshuro Growth
Point on Wednesday that he was
going to revenge and kill all those he
suspects to have influenced the
murder of his assistant.
He said his
prime suspects are Matutu’s parents.
RadioVOP was informed that Bhasikiti
later sent four Zanu (PF) youth to
Matutu’s homestead in ward 2, who
informed the legislator’s parents that
their days were
numbered.
Matutu said he will never take the threat
lightly.
“Look, I have my parents down there and they are already living
in fear
because of his death threat. You never know what will happen
to
them because some of the youths from Zanu PF are known killers.With the
influence from an MP, anything is possible. I have since
filed a report
with the police and I am ready to take him to court. I am
instructing my law
firm to sue him,” said Matutu.
Matutu is a practicing lawyer with Matutu
and Kwiririra legal practitioners.
However, Bhasikiti said Matutu was
supposed to apologise for the death of
his aide rather than to ‘further
insult the bereaved’.
“I am the bereaved and Matutu must apologise to me
rather than insulting me.
We know the murder was a calculated move by
MDC.
“I will not be stopped to tell people that the Matutus must be
answerable
for Nhamo’s death. Whether its Bhasikiti or Zanu (PF), I
know
one day we shall revenge,” said Bhasikiti.
Nhamo was killed by a
15 year old boy in revenge for his father who was
murdered by Zanu (PF)
youth during the 2008 elections last week.
http://www.swradioafrica.com/
“The coming
together of Zimbabwean women across their diversities provides a
new impetus
and bridge for implementation of the Global Political
Agreement.” — Mary
Robinson
(Harare, Zimbabwe—April 30, 2010) Last evening in Harare, the
leaders of the
women’s wings of the three main political parties signed a
resolution to
work across their political divides to accelerate
implementation of the
Global Political Agreement (GPA) and build a common
agenda for women’s
empowerment. The signing of this historic resolution was
witnessed by Olivia
Muchena, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and
Community Development;
Sekai Holland, Minister in the Organ on National
Healing, Reconciliation and
Integration; Mary Robinson, President of
Realizing Rights: The Ethical
Globalization Initiative, former President of
Ireland and former UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights; and Lois Bruthus,
Ambassador of Liberia to
South Africa and Zimbabwe. The resolution was
immediately endorsed by the
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of Zimbabwe and
welcomed by the women’s
organizations.
Emilia Muchawa, President of
the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, expressed
enthusiasm for the resolution
and noted, “I am pleased to report that there
is a strong commitment to
developing a roadmap for dialogue and action for
women over the next two
years that will include the civil society voices of
the Women’s Coalition as
a key partner with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs,
Gender and Community
Development and the Organ on National Healing,
Reconciliation and
Integration.”
This resolution and commitment to a roadmap for women were
outcomes of a
meeting called the High Level Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment
in the
Political and Economic Arena, co-hosted by the Zimbabwean Ministry of
Women,
Gender and Community Development; the Organ for National Healing,
Reconciliation and Integration; and the Women’s Coalition of
Zimbabwe.
This dynamic dialogue was held on the occasion of a five-day
solidarity
visit by a delegation of eminent African women leaders led by
Mary Robinson
and organized by the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum of
Realizing Rights.
The objectives of the mission included sharing global
experiences on women’s
empowerment. President Robinson was joined on the
visit by:
• Dr. Brigalia Bam (South Africa), Chairperson, Independent
Electoral
Commission, South Africa; former General Secretary, South African
Council of
Churches
• Dr. Achola Pala (Kenya),former Africa Chief,
UNIFEM; former Senior Policy
Advisor, Africa Bureau, United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP)
• Dr. Thelma Awori (Uganda/Liberia), President
of the Board, Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund; Member, Civil
Society Advisory Group on UNSCR
1325, United Nations; former director of
UNDP’s Africa Bureau; UN Resident
Representative in Zimbabwe; and President
of Isis-WICCE
• Ambassador Counsellor Lois Bruthus (Liberia), Liberian
Ambassador to South
Africa, former President of the Female Lawyers
Association
• Mrs. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (Zimbabwe), General Secretary,
World Young
Women’s Christian Association (YWCA); former Regional Director
for East and
the Horn of Africa, UNIFEM; and Human Rights Officer with
UNICEF in Zimbabwe
and Liberia. Founder of Rozaria Memorial Trust
(Zimbabwe).
• Ms. Elizabeth Lule (Uganda), Manager, Operational, Quality and
Knowledge
Services for The World Bank; former manager of the World Bank’s
program on
HIV/AIDS, where she managed the Bank’s HIV/AIDS work in
Africa.
The delegation was warmly received by the women of Zimbabwe and
the
leadership of the Inclusive Government, including the President, Vice
Presidents, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Listening and learning
was at the center of the delegation’s active engagement with women. During
their visit, the delegation met with women in the rural areas and talked to
advocacy groups, civil society organizations, courageous human rights
defenders, young women, the UN country team and the diplomatic
community.
Dr. Achola Pala noted, “Despite the challenges, we were
impressed by the
determination and courage of the Zimbabwean women as full
and active
participants in the process of transformation of their society.
We saw the
innovation and resilience of women, particularly women in the
rural areas,
in providing for their families. We listened to their
collective
acknowledgement of the need for healing and their acceptance that
Zimbabweans have wounded each other.”
The women in the leadership of
the country expressed a deep commitment to
bring an end to violence.
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda noted, “It was a high
point when the Zimbabwean
women political leaders acknowledged to each other
that violence against
women had occurred and the nation must provide support
urgently to
survivors, as well as define ways for justice and healing.”
The
delegation was pleased to observe that mechanisms and institutions are
in
place for redress and reconciliation, such as the Global Political
Agreement
(GPA) and its monitoring mechanisms, such as the Joint Monitoring
and
Implementation Committee (JOMIC); the Organ for National Healing,
Reconciliation, and Integration; and the Human Rights Commission. Dr. Thelma
Awori stated, “These efforts by the Zimbabwean people, and Zimbabwean women
in particular, require international acknowledgement and support, both moral
and financial. The urgency of seizing this window of opportunity in Zimbabwe
cannot be overstated. If these efforts are not supported or nurtured, we run
the risk of the efforts losing momentum.”
The delegation of eminent
women identified two critical issues:
1) The constitutional reform
process is pivotal to the success of the Global
Political Agreement. The
delegation highlighted how important it is,
therefore, that women fully
participate in this process so that their rights
are enshrined in the new
constitution.
2) Given the present economic constraints, resources are
required to
stimulate women’s economic activities so as to better position
their
participation in the economy and development.
In view of all
that the delegation heard and learned from the women in
Zimbabwe, members of
the delegation found good reason that the way the world
talks about Zimbabwe
should take into account the progress that has been
made here on the
perspectives of women. The delegation urges the regional
and international
communities to support the efforts of the women of
Zimbabwe.
# #
#
For more information on the Women Leaders Diplomacy Mission to Zimbabwe
visit Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative at
http://www.realizingrights.org.
http://www.mg.co.za
RAY NDLOVU - Apr 30 2010 11:07
A large white house on
the road in the township of Luveve, on the outskirts
of Bulawayo, is a
striking sight with its yellow double-thick wall, three
metres in
height.
Locals call it the “Nigerian house” because, well, it looks a lot
like
houses in Nigerian films and sits impressively against a backdrop of
tiny
homes with small fences and makeshift gates.
A light bulb
perched on the wall is what usually draws my attention as I
pass by on my
way home. It is always on, day or night. But recent power cuts
have meant
that it is frequently off.
Farther down the road, clouds of smoke from
fires where sadza (pap) is being
prepared hang over houses, a further
indication that there is no
electricity.
“It’s like this every day
for the whole week, cooking lunch and supper by
fire or primus stove and
then going to sleep early because there is nothing
else to do,” Candy
Khumalo tells me in her kitchen, in flickering
candlelight.
“Sometimes the power cuts can last for the whole night
and morning of the
next day and it’s when kids playing on the street start
shouting
hysterically that you know electricity is back.” She presses her
cellphone
to check the time and sighs.
“What’s most frustrating is
that I can’t watch Generations and I terribly
miss it.” Power cuts have
increased in Zimbabwe recently, lasting between 10
and 12 hours a
day.
A desperate situation is unfolding with the Zimbabwe Electricity
Supply
Authority (Zesa) struggling to meet monthly domestic demands of 2
200MW of
electricity against the current average production of 900MW, which
is
generated from the Kariba hydro plant and imports.
Hampered
further by the inability of Hwange power station to operate at peak
(the
power station is “under stress and leveraging between one to two units”,
according to a Zesa official) the country’s power supply is in a critical
state.
Hwange, a key power source in the country, has witnessed a
slump in
electricity generation over the past decade due to the breakdown of
aged
equipment and inadequate funding to buy spares to revamp units. This,
despite a power purchase agreement drafted in February 2007 between Zimbabwe
and Namibia, through which NamPower paid US$40-million to Zesa for the
refurbishment of Hwange.
Under the “win-win agreement” Zesa delivers
150MW of electricity to NamPower
for five years -- regardless of the
situation at Hwange. But even though
electricity generation at Hwange is at
just 45% of operating capacity, Zesa
officials have rejected reports that
they are considering decommissioning
the station. And a recent US$10-million
cash injection from the government
earlier this month to refurbish Hwange
seems to back that up.
Besides, says Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira,
“even if Hwange was working
at full capacity, power cuts would still
continue because the demand for
power is so dynamic and we are importing at
least 35% of our electricity
demands”.
Economic analysts have warned
that the erratic power supplies in the country
are a threat to the full
recovery of the economy, despite the 4.7% growth
last year. As a measure
against the long hours without electricity, many
businesses -- from
supermarkets and fast-food outlets to banks and
butcheries -- are now using
generators.
At a pricy US$160 for a petrol-powered 10hp generator that
provides basic
lighting, to the industrial-size generators costing upwards
of US$1 000,
alternative power sources are too expensive for most in
Zimbabwe.
Members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) and residents
recently issued the
power utility with yellow cards demanding that Zesa
“shape up or ship out”.
They are demanding that the power utility reduces
its monthly electricity
charges to US$5 as residents are without electricity
for extended periods.
On average, current monthly electricity bills range
between US$30 and US$60,
with ratepayers parting with 20% to 40% of their
salaries on electricity
alone.
Zesa is adamant that its service
delivery problems are linked to the
accruing debt owed by residents in
unpaid bills, which they claim is now at
more than US$380-million. They
estimate that 21% of consumers in Bulawayo
have not paid a single cent since
January 2009 towards their electricity
bills, funds that could be channelled
towards improving Zesa’s service
delivery.
Back at home the light
bulb at the Nigerian house is off again. Clutching my
laptop and HTC
smartphone, I silently pray that they see me through to the
next day -- or
until there is electricity again.
My laptop is the only means of
accessing the internet via dial-up and
informing friends and family on
Facebook and Twitter about my lack-of-
power-induced prolonged silence and
to complete my unfinished work and meet
the boss’s deadline.
A
weak battery makes my laptop less useful, so it’s the cellphone that I use
mostly nowadays. I SMS friends and type work assignments on my phone. It’s
the last resort against falling idle and gazing at the time futilely,
waiting for the unknown.
We launched the Music project today. The idea is to
support local artists
in Zimbabwe by providing a platform for their music to
be sold and promoted
on our website. Mukuru does all the recording free of
charge and we give 80%
of the royalties back to the artist.
http://www.mukuru.com/music
http://www.swradioafrica.com
OUTSIDE
LOOKING IN -
Dear Friends,
The
UK is in the throes of an election campaign. For perhaps the first time
in
years the Brits actually seem to have woken up to politics and one of the
reasons has undoubtedly been the television debates between the leaders of
the three main political parties. The final debate was last evening and for
someone used to elections 'Zim-style', it is fascinating to watch
democracy - even if it is flawed - in action. Each time I see the party
leaders on screen, I can't help wondering if ZTV, controlled as it is by
Zanu PF, would ever host a debate between Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara
with questions submitted by a studio audience and all under the control of
an impartial Chairperson! It's an intriguing thought but we all know it's
not likely to happen while Mugabe is in power. The sight of Mugabe and
Ahmadinejad, standing shoulder to shoulder at the International Trade Fair,
was a reminder that dictators are not concerned with the democratic
process - retaining power at all costs is their sole concern.
One of the
complaints frequently heard from the British people is that
"Politicians are
all the same; you can't believe a word they say and they're
all out for
themselves." I suspect you would probably hear much the same
comment in
Zimbabwe. Sadly, that now appears to apply to both sides of the
political
divide; after one year of 'sharing' power with Zanu PF it seems
the MDC too
is not immune to the attractions of the 'good life', so much so
that many of
them appear to have forgotten their roots in the labour
movement. It was
profoundly shocking to hear Tendayi Biti talk as he did
this week of
amending the Labour Act in favour of employers so that wages
could be cut
'depending on the state of the economy' and the right to strike
would be
limited if not prohibited. I remember hearing Biti when he was in
London
shortly after I arrived here. He was very impressive, not least
because he
appeared to be totally committed to the cause of the workers; a
genuine
social democrat. Yet five years later, when the UN estimates that
unemployment in Zimbabwe stands at 90% and, for anyone lucky enough to have
a job, the average wage is $150, Biti chooses to support not the struggling
workers but the fat cat bosses.
Interestingly, the same comment
is made in Britain about the governing
Labour Party, they have lost touch
with their roots and have chosen to
support the bankers and big money. Once
they are in power, politicians tend
to treat the electorate as an unthinking
mass but ordinary people, whether
in the UK or Africa, are not stupid and
they recognise immediately when
politicians desert their core principles.
The MDC is in real danger of doing
just that if Biti's statement to business
people this week is anything to go
by. The hopes and dreams of ordinary
people for a better life are forgotten
as the politicians grow more
comfortable in their newly found middle class
life style.
The breakdown
in education is highlighted by the revelation that 45.000
teachers have quit
the teaching profession in the last decade. There are
5.200 Primary schools
in Zimbabwe and they are 30% short of teachers;
Secondary schools too have a
shortfall of almost 30%. The result of this
mass exodus is clearly shown in
the abysmal examination results just
published. 19% of the students sitting
O level achieved Pass marks and at
Primary School level a mere 7% of the
children passed their vital Grade
Seven exams. David Coltart the MDC M.
Minister of Education seems to be an
honest, hard-working man but it's hard
to see what he can do to solve this
problem without financial resources. The
health sector too is similarly
deprived of money and manpower; with just 47
surgical doctors left in the
country, excluding ex-pats and missionary
doctors. The truth is that
Zimbabwe is broke, there is no money in the
public purse but still, under
the guise of Indigenisation, the greedy fat
cats continue to exploit every
loophole they can to enrich themselves even
further. We hear this week that
the Police Commissioner has applied for a
licence to mine diamonds. Shall we
now see the police mining diamonds at
Chiadzwa while at the same time they
beat up and kill innocent villagers to
prevent them from earning a living?
The Herald reported this week that the
high court had approved the sale of
129.000 carats of diamonds though that
report was subsequently denied by the
CEO of African Consolidated Resources.
By contrast, the Minister of Mines,
Obert Mpofu, however, has made it
absolutely clear that he has no intention
of abiding by the Kimberley
Process ruling. "We are going to benefit from
our diamonds whether with the
Kimberley Process or not." he said. When Mpofu
says that 'WE' are going to
benefit he is certainly not talking about
ordinary Zimbabwean citizens. It
is not the schools or hospitals who are
going to benefit from the diamond
bonanza, it is the already rich fat cats
while the sick and the elderly die
in abject poverty and the children are
denied a future. Zimbabweans are
entitled to ask whether their politicians,
Zanu PF or MDC, really care about
the people's welfare at all.
Tendayi Biti's recent trip to China in
the company of Nicholas Goche in
search of a Chinese loan, suggests that
Biti has fallen for Mugabe's 'Look
East' philosophy. Remembering that
China's involvement in Africa has little
to do with the observance of human
rights and democratic freedoms and more
to do with plundering Africa's
resources, that is a worrying development
coming as it does from a prominent
member of the Movement for Democratic
Change.
Yours in the
(continuing) struggle PH. aka Pauline Henson author of Case
Closed published
in Zimbabwe by Mambo Press, Going Home and Countdown,
political detective
stories set in Zimbabwe and available from Lulu.com.