New constitution binds ZEC to another 30-day voter registration exercise

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Nomalanga Moyo
20 May 2013

The mobile voter registration exercise ended Sunday amid an outcry from all
corners of the country that the exercise was poorly conducted and dismally
failed to meet demand.

The just-ended 20-day programme, which was controversial from the start, ran
from April 29th until May 19th with revelations that registration teams only
covered a third of the country’s 1,958 wards.

Last week cabinet called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to
announce a fresh voter registration exercise, to be preceded by a massive
voter awareness and publicity campaign.

The exercise suffered a crisis of confidence, with concerns raised over the
unfair distribution of registration centres, the few teams conducting the
exercise as well as the stringent requirements.

On Monday, the ZANU PF-controlled Herald newspaper reported that ZEC had
already planned for a new 30-day voter registration exercise in preparation
“for the harmonised elections expected next month”.

The newspaper also quoted the electoral body’s chairperson, Justice Rita
Makarau, as saying the Commission will issue a comprehensive statement about
the registration exercise sometime this week.

Responding to the Herald report, the MDC secretary for legal affairs Senator
David Coltart said the article was misleading regarding both the voter
registration exercise and the timing of the election.
In a statement posted on his Facebook Wall, Coltart said the Herald was
promoting “two misconceptions which have been brought about by ZANU PF
propaganda.”

Coltart explained that the voter registration exercise was not at the
discretion of ZEC, but that the Commission was required by law “to conduct a
special and intensive voter registration and voters roll inspection exercise
for at least 30 days” after the new constitution has been signed.

The new constitution is now awaiting Presidential assent, followed by
publication in the government gazette. The 30-day period will start from the
time it is published in the Gazette.

The senator said that the voter registration exercise is therefore not
discretionary: “It is a mandatory exercise that has to be intensive and
widespread to enable every prospective eligible voter to be registered, not
the arbitrary and patchy exercise we have seen over the last few weeks.”

He further slammed the state media for persisting “with the increasingly
ridiculous proposition that the election can somehow be held in June”. He
said given the mandatory 30-day registration requirement, it is not feasible
for any meaningful election campaign to be conducted before June 29th.

According to Coltart, if Mugabe went ahead with the June election date he
will be violating the current Electoral Act and while it is going to be
amended, this is only possible with the consent of the MDC-dominated
parliament.

“No matter what ZANU PF’s plans may be, if they cannot get the agreement of
those who control the majority of the House of Assembly and if they wish to
push ahead with unilateral plans to have an election in June, they are stuck
with the current Electoral Act.”

Speaking to SW Radio Africa, MDC elections director Ellen Shiriyedenga
revealed that the president was legally required to allow at least 28 days
from the date of the nomination court (when political parties submit their
candidates to the electoral body) before the poll is held.

“If the new constitution is gazetted today that means that the election
cannot under any circumstances be held before July 31st,” Shiriyedenga said.

She said all these processes, including the United Nations World Tourism
Conference in August, suggest that the only practical time for the general
polls to be conducted will be in September.
Meanwhile Allison Charuma, an MDC-T youth from Warren Park in Harare who was
arrested on Friday at a local voter registration station, is expected to
appear in court Tuesday to face forgery charges.

Circumstances of Charuma’s arrest are hazy but according to defence lawyer,
Kudzai Kadzere, his client is accused of misrepresenting himself as a
landlord and writing a proof of residence letter for another person.

However, Charuma denies the charge or even knowing either the recipient of
the letter or the landlord. He is being charged under the Criminal Law
(Reform & Codification) Act.

Matabeleland demands more registration centres

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 12:31
BULAWAYO - Civic society organisations (CSOs) in Bulawayo are demanding an
increase in the number of mobile voter registration centres in Matabeleland
alleging that the Registrar’s Office is being used by Zanu PF to discourage
voters in the region.

Matabeleland Civic Society Forum (MCSF) spokesperson, Dumisani Nkomo said
Mashonaland was allocated more mobile registrations centres as a Zanu PF
strategy to garner more votes.

“There are more mobile centres in three Mashonaland provinces than in
Matabeleland because Zanu PF has calculated that the provinces have more
support,” Nkomo said.

“However, places like Matabeleland North which has a wider geographical
area, have less mobile centres which makes it difficult for people to go and
register,” he added.

People in Matabeleland North are reportedly walking 30 to 40 kms to access
some of the centres.

Dumisani Mpofu, a programs manager at Masakaneni non-governmental
organisation said: “The Bulawayo vote is known historically that it will
never go to Zanu PF. Tobaiwa Mudede is Zanu PF and it would hurt him to see
Zanu PF lose so he will do anything possible to make sure they stay in
power.”

The CSO’s say the current state of affairs is likely to culminate into low
voter turnout in the region since most people are being denied their
democratic right to vote.

“People are interested in participating in this process, but the big
question is, what is there to benefit for the region?” Nkomo said, adding
that people in Matabeleland would like this election to change their lives.

Matabeleland recorded the lowest voter turnout in the referendum mainly due
to voter apathy.

Civic society accuses the RG’s office of lacking professionalism as there
are inconsistencies in their discharge of duties.

“Mobile centres are operating differently and inconsistently .We should
examine the RG’s office because if they had standards, they should have
published the requirements in the press,” Mpofu said.

In Bulawayo mobile registration teams have been accused of opening the
centres at around 9am and closing at 5pm instead of the prescribed, 7am to
7pm, depriving residents of at least four hours of service. - Nyasha
Chingono

Voter registration ends amid concerns

http://www.herald.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 00:05

Michael Chideme Senior Herald Reporter
The mobile voter registration exercise ended countrywide last night with
scores of people who failed to register calling for the extension of the
programme.

A new 30-day voter registration exercise has already been planned for but
the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) insists funding of the process has
to be released early to allow for voter education.

Long queues were seen at registration centres in Epworth, Chitungwiza and
some Harare suburbs
Those who failed to register were being told to do so at district offices or
to wait for the new exercise expected to begin as soon as President Mugabe
assents to the new Constitution.

Mr Sydreck Mukumi said he had failed to register because the process was
chaotic.

“I have been to a number of centres but have not been able to register. I
want to vote in the coming elections,” he said.
Miss Patience Munemo complained that a single team for a district was not
enough.

“They should deploy more teams. I came here at 10am but still at 3pm, I have
not been attended to,” she said.

She was among over a thousand people gathered at Chinamano Secondary School
in Epworth, who expressed concern with the slow registration process.

Others complained that the officials conducting the process were slow, and
at times took too many breaks or asked people to queue and not receive
assistance.

“They have gone out. We have been standing here for close to two hours
without anyone helping us,” she said.

Mr Emmanuel Chipfuruse said the queues were not showing any signs of
movement.

“I have been here since they opened at 8am but until now (2pm) I have not
been served,” he said.
Mr Joseph Sithole said a new coordinated exercise should be started. He said
it was unfair to detain people at the registration centre for several hours
yet the people have other businesses to do.
Mr Israel Mumvuri said he had been made to stand in a queue that was not
being served.

A check in the classroom where he together with several others were queuing
did not show any sign of officials.

Miss Priviledge Mutekeri said she had been to several centres and failed to
register.

“I have been to Dombo and Epworth Secondary schools. Today (Sunday) I am
here and still I cannot register. I slept here,” she said.

Mr Sam Finias said the officers were concentrating more on national identity
cards and not voter registration.

In Chitungwiza, people who applied for national identity documents on
Saturday were asked to collect them at 4pm yesterday barely two hours before
the closure of the mobile exercise.

A team leader from the Registrar General of Voters Mrs Rufaro Zhou said
registration had taken place at five centres in the area starting at the
Aquatic Complex, Huruyadzo in St Marys, Unit L Community Hall, Mberi Primary
School in Zengeza and at Seke 4 High School yesterday.

“The response is very high as you can see,” she said.

ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said the commission would issue a
comprehensive statement this  week after the closure of the first
registration phase.

In an earlier interview Justice Makarau said US$21 million was required for
the new exercise.

She said under the new exercise, voter registration would take place in
every ward and voter educators would be deployed ahead of the registration
exercise.

For the harmonised elections expected next month, ZEC requires US$106
million.

By mid last week, over 40 000 people had been added to the voters roll.

Zim elections by 30 October -Tsvangirai

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/

20.05.13

by Farai Mabeza

Zimbabweans can only expect an election date after the completion of both
the voter registration and voter inspection coming after the adoption of the
constitution, MDC-T President Morgan Tsavangirai has said.

He said the latest date for the elections would be 30 October.

Addressing thousands of his supporters at Highfields’ Zimbabwe Grounds in
Harare today Tsvangirai said the date would be announced only in in the
event of agreement between him and Zanu (PF)’s President Robert Mugabe.

“The constitution should be adopted soon after which there would be
intensive voter registration for 30 days. After that there will be
inspection of the voters’ roll for another 30 days then we will sit down
with President Mugabe and decide on the election date,” he said.

The new constitution provides for a 30 day registration period after its
adoption and according to Tsvangirai this would be more widespread than the
current “discredited process”.

He said the issue of the voters’ roll was very important because this is
where Zanu (PF) intended to use its machinery to rig the elections.

“Every school shall have a registration centre,” Tsvangirai said.

Tsvangirai reiterated his call that this course of action would only succeed
with the requisite reforms.

“We must have reforms before elections. The Global Political Agreement must
be implemented in full. To the state media we say you are not Zanu (PF)’s
propaganda machine and there must be a code of conduct for security forces,”
he said.

Tsvangirai said he had the backing of SADC and the African Union on these
issues.

The MDC President said foreign observers would have to be allows in the
country.

“We have nothing to hide. If we are doing our things transparently and
honestly what’s there to be afraid of,” he said.

Tsvangirai also said President Mugabe was surprised by the high turnout of
people who wanted to register as voters.

“He asked me where all these people were coming from and seeing that he was
afraid I told him that these were young people now eligible to vote, aliens
and those who had not bothered to vote in the past but were now sensing the
urgency,” he said.

Tsvangirai also revealed that once in office an MDC-T government would face
a hefty $14,5 billion infrastructure rehabilitation and development bill.

MDC policy document can help party win crucial elections

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 May 2013

Veteran MDC-T activist Grace Kwinjeh said on Monday that her party has
produced one of the best policy documents and it will resonate well with the
voters in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Election Watch program, the former deputy
secretary for International Relations urged all party activists to use the
document to convince voters to support the MDC-T.

Kwinjeh said the party has set out goals that will help stimulate economic
growth.

If the MDC-T wins the next election, the party will inherit an economy
suffering from a crisis triggered by bad ZANU PF policies. The MDC-T is
hopeful the electorate will remember exactly who created the economic and
political mess in the first place.

The document was launched by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare on
Friday. The Premier described it as a good document that offers hope to
millions of Zimbabweans who have suffered years of economic hardship.

The 247-page policy document sets out the party’s aims to produce a package
of policies that will address the big challenges being faced by the
country – economic, infrastructure, social services, rights and security.

‘The document tries to address everything that is wrong in Zimbabwe today.
It addresses social services that have declined over time and re-establishes
the authenticity of state institutions that were being abused by ZANU PF
politicians,’ Kwinjeh said.

She said the legislative oversight of institutions like the CIO and the army
was long overdue, adding that it will give an MDC-T government the courage
to pursue responsible solutions to social and economic crises through its
commitment to fairness and shared responsibility.

The party has been lauded for its keenness to vigorously pursue reforms in
the armed forces, institutions that have been used as an armed wing of ZANU
PF since independence. Tendai Biti, the MDC-T secretary-general, told
delegates there would changes in the way the military and intelligence
operate under an MDC-led government.

‘For the first time, there will be an act of Parliament to regulate the
activities of the Central Intelligence Organisation. There will also be a
rebranding of the national army,’ Biti said.

Mujuru working to win over church leadership to Zanu PF

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

May 20, 2013 in Local, News

GWERU — Vice-President Joice Mujuru has urged church leaders to participate
in Zanu PF programmes in order to become economically empowered.

Report by Stephen Chadenga.

Speaking at a Gweru ministers fraternal church service in the city
yesterday, Mujuru said it was disheartening that upon retirement many church
leaders ended up destitute because they would have failed to take part in
programmes like the land reform and indigenisation, among others.

She said it was surprising that there were so many church leaders who did
not have farms because they thought that the land reform programme was
“meant for other people”.

“Don’t be misled that you are not part of the land reform programme or the
indigenisation exercise. The land is yours and I am surprised that many of
you don’t have a place of your own,” Mujuru said.

“I am told by Governor [Jason] Machaya that few pastors were allocated land
here in the province. When the land audit has been undertaken and we
reorganise our land distribution, please act vigorously to ensure that you
have land of your own.”

The VP said church leaders who failed to join in the empowerment programmes
end up grabbing church property when they retire.

“If you can’t be part of the indigenisation programme and claim your share
of the cake, you end up grabbing church property upon retirement,” she said.

Mujuru also urged the Midlands mining commissioner to engage pastors so that
they could take part in mining.

She said church leaders should ensure that their followers also benefited
from the empowerment programmes in order to end poverty in the church.

The church service organised by a coalition of pastors from different church
leaders was also attended by senior Zanu PF leaders that included party
spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, Zvishavane MP Obert Matshalaga and minister Flora
Buka among others.

We’ve already won: Tsvangirai

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 13:19

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said his MDC party had
already won the forthcoming elections and did not need the approval of
security chiefs to rule but the majority support of Zimbabweans.

Addressing more than 30 000 supporters clad in the party’s official red
colour at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, Harare - Tsvangirai said his
victory was certain in a crunch poll he is squaring off with President
Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF, which has been in power for the past 33 years.

Describing Zanu PF as a “finished lot” with no concrete plans for the
country, Tsvangirai said the MDC was cut from a different cloth.

“We are not like visionless people,” the MDC leader told the cheering
throng.

“We have plans for Zimbabwe, and we have been crafting policies to take this
country forward. We have been moving in a reverse gear for too long. Now is
the time to move forward and bring back happy faces on you,” he said to a
thunderous applause from the bumper crowd.

The rally capped a three-day MDC national policy conference touted by the
party as a government take-over symposium.

The conference articulated the party’s governance thrust should the MDC win
and assumes total power and control of the State and government.

Security chiefs — the real power behind Mugabe’s three-decade stay in
power — have vowed not to recognise Tsvangirai even if he is elected into
office by the entire citizenry saying they will never salute anyone without
liberation war credentials.

But in his response yesterday, the MDC leader,  who is in a shaky coalition
with bitter rival Mugabe, said the experience he acquired in the inclusive
government has made him ripe to lead the country, reiterating that military
officials had no power to stop an idea whose time has come.

Military chiefs such as police chief Augustine Chihuri, Defence forces boss
Constantine Chiwenga and Prison Services head Paradzai Zimondi, have
publicly declared their allegiance to Mugabe.

“I don’t get the mandate to govern this country from anyone -— I get it from
you the people,” Tsvangirai declared boldly. “I am a proud president of MDC
and a very proud soon-to-be president of Zimbabwe.”

Tsvangirai said the time he has spent in the troubled coalition has given
him an apprenticeship to rule solo.

He said the struggle for democratic change had been long and taxing.

“The resilience and commitment of the people of Zimbabwe is what makes me
confident to lead this country,” Tsvangirai said.

“The children of Israel used the longest route to get to Canaan, have you
ever asked yourself why? This is done so that they can be moulded into a
perfect people, as MDC we believe we have been moulded and it is our time to
govern this country.”

The firebrand former trade unionist, who successfully ended Zanu PF’s
hegemonic monopoly to governance in 2008, said the ex-majority party does
not have any forward-looking policies to drive Zimbabwe to the next level.

The rally witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with some supporters climbing
on trees to get a glimpse of the MDC leader.

The crowd defied the chilly weather to attend the “Harare star rally.”

With polls fast beckoning, Tsvangirai said the on-going voter registration
exercise which has been dogged by chaos, should be watched carefully as he
feared that the “noble” exercise could be manipulated in Zanu PF’s favour.

The moment he begun talking about voter registration, the crowd erupted into
a frenzy demanding a loud and clear position.

Many complained that they have been subjected to “unwarranted” intimidation
and frustration by the “partisan” Registrar General’s office.

“We know that Zanu PF want to use the voter registration exercise to rig the
next elections, they want to frustrate first time voters, make it difficult
for lodgers to register and vote, but we are aware of the plot,” Tsvangirai
said.

“Now listen, we are not going to allow that to happen, we are going to have
another voter registration after the signing of the new constitution into
law.”

A new constitution passed in a largely peaceful March 16 referendum among
other things prescribe a 30-day voter registration period ahead of the poll,
which will be initiated after Mugabe signs the Constitutional Bill.

The country goes for harmonised elections later this year, but the poll date
has been a subject of intense bickering between protagonists Mugabe and
Tsvangirai, with the former clamouring for a June election timetable while
his coalition partner envisages an October poll after fundamental reforms
such as security sector and media reorganisation. - Xolisane Ncube

Zanu PF courts Mutambara

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 13:19

HARARE - Indigenisation minister Savior Kasukuwere has invited Deputy Prime
Minister Arthur Mutambara to join erstwhile ruling party Zanu PF to remain
relevant in Zimbabwean politics.

“We must have him run, we can’t have him go back to university,” Kasukuwere
said of the robotics professor.

“He will be a misfit. Mutambara is required back home (in Zanu PF).So I will
start the draft Mutambara campaign, bring him into politics.”

Kasukuwere was speaking after Mutambara gave an insightful analysis of the
indigenisation drive at the 74th Chamber of Mines annual general meeting
held in Nyanga last Friday.  Kasukuwere praised Mutambara for the candid
keynote address on empowerment.

“It is certainly going to be one of the key issues in this election,”
Kasukuwere said. “Professor Mutambara has done a good job about it.”

The broad empowerment issue will remain Zanu PF’s rallying point to woo a
restive electorate ahead of a crunch poll.

Kasukuwere said there was no going back.

“I am going to take everything that he has written to be part of our
manifesto, that’s what we are going to be saying,” Kasukuwere said.

“I don’t know which party he comes from but the language is very much Zanu,
so we will take everything and put it in our manifesto because it speaks
about the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe.”

Mutambara said Zimbabwe needs to re-look at how it was carving the
empowerment deals with foreign firms.

“The way we do our deals must be looked at. By the way, when we do our deals
we must never attack foreigners, the South Africans, Americans or the
Chinese,” Mutambara said.

“We must attack ourselves. If we are short-changed, it is because we are not
boxing clever. It is because we have bad laws so let us take charge of our
lives and correct what is problematic.” - Kudzai Chawafambira

Supreme Court to hear petition on election date on Thursday

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 May 2013

A court application compelling President Robert Mugabe to announce the date
for elections will be heard as an urgent matter in the Supreme Court this
Thursday.

This comes after chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku threw out Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai’s appeal against a High Court application made by a Harare
man, Jealousy Mawarire, that forces Mugabe and his coalition partners to
announce a date for an election soon.

Joseph Mandizha, Mawarire’s lawyer, told the media the Chief Justice agreed
that the matter was urgent and granted the order sought by his client.

A full Supreme Court bench will hear the matter on Thursday. In his
application, Mawarire argued that the looming expiry of Parliament had
triggered confusion and debate among representatives of political parties
and the inclusive Government.

He is also arguing that the MDC formations were pushing for the extension of
the life of parliament when there is no such provision in the Constitution.

He claims that if the election date is not fixed in tandem with the looming
expiry of the terms, Zimbabwe would be plunged into a situation where it
would be run illegally.

A number of analysts have speculated that the man is either being paid by
ZANU PF or is a member of the CIO and that this is all part of Mugabe’s
plan.

MDC-T man in court over Mugabe remarks

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

20/05/2013 00:00:00
     by Staff Reporter

THE MDC-T youth coordinator for Matabeleland North Province has appeared in
court charged with insulting President Robert Mugabe.

Willard Moyo, 43, of Majiji area in Inyathi, appeared before Inyathi Court
last Friday and was bailed for US$100.

He was remanded to May 27 when his trial is expected to start before
magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa.
Prosecutors said Moyo insulted the veteran leader on April 14 in remarks
made to Zanu PF supporters Ndabezinhle Mpofu, Qhubumthetho Sibanda, Thabani
Ncube and Misheck Moyo who were drinking beer at a local bottle store.

The court heard that Mpofu greeted the Moyo but he however, did not respond.
A few moments later Moyo allegedly told the Zanu PF supporters "you are
confused because you rally behind your old man Mugabe because you lick his
ass."

He went on to accuse Mpofu of preventing MDC-T supporters from attending
meetings by threatening them during his campaign rallies.

Mpofu and his colleagues reported the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s
arrest.

ERC engages ZEC over arrests

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/

20.05.13

by Tavada Mafa

The Election Resource Centre on Monday engaged the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission ZEC to raise concern over the recent arrest of its members.

ERC Director, Tawanda Chimhini, was last Friday arrested on allegations of
conducting voter education.

He was charged for contravening Section 40 (C)and Section 2 of the Electoral
Act for allegedly conducting voter education exercises without authority
from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

His arrest followed that of 19 of his staff members two weeks ago in Harare
on similar charges.

“We are currently in discussion with the commission to ascertain what
exactly the issue is with us since ZEC has been part of our campaign from
the onset.

“But we believe that is something which can be amicably resolved .We have
held meetings with the ZEC Chairperson (Rita Makarau) and I am sure when we
go back to the court the issue will be addressed,”

Chimhini told TheZimbabwean in an exclusive interview on Monday. He insisted
they were not conducting voter education but encouraging first time voters
to register to vote.

“This campaign was not a voter education campaign. It was an encouragement
campaign where we were encouraging the youths to go and register so that
they vote, not educating them on anything, but unfortunately the police
mistook us,” Chimhini said.

ZACC Chairperson case postponed

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/

20.05.13

by Edgar Gweshe

Trial in a case in which the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Chief
Executive Officer, Ngonidzashe Gumbo, is facing fraud charges has been
postponed to 17 June.

Gumbo, who is out on $1, 000 bail, appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court
today where his trial was supposed to resume before Harare Magistrate,
Rogers Kachambwa.

However, his lawyer, Russel Tsivama applied for a referral of the case to 17
June on the grounds that they needed to prepare their defence outline as the
State is yet to furnish them with all the necessary documents relating to
the case.

The application was granted.

Allegations against Gumbo are that in 2010, he bought offices to be used by
the ZACC in Mt Pleasant using government funds but registered the property
in the name of a company he jointly owned with four of his subordinates-
Sukai Tongogara, Edwin Mubataripi, Christopher Chisango and Gibson Mangwiro.

The state alleges that Gumbo requested $1, 68 million from the Ministry of
Home Affairs to purchase the property when in actual fact the cost was $1,2
million.

Gumbo is being charged with prejudicing the Commission with actual intent
and the total prejudice is pegged at $435, 000.

Special Zanu PF congress to anoint Mujuru

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

May 20, 2013 in News

ZANU PF is mulling over a special congress which is expected to fill vacant
top positions and decide once and for all the succession of President
Mugabe, sources have said.

Report by Patrice Makova

Details of the congress remain a closely guarded secret, only known to very
senior party officials.

According to sources in the party, the current restructuring of provinces
was in preparation for the special congress which will be held either just
before or after elections.

A politburo member said the party was aware that Mugabe would not live
forever and there was a need to eventually prepare for a successor.

The congress is also expected to elevate national chairman, Simon Khaya-Moyo
to vice-President following the death of VP John Nkomo in January this year.

“Apart from elevating SK [Moyo], this special congress will clearly spell
out that in the event that Mugabe retires or is incapacitated, the top
officials are automatically elevated. This will mean that vice-President
Mujuru will be Mugabe’s successor by virtue of her current seniority,” said
the official.

But a senior government official close to Zanu PF said a faction loyal to
defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa was not happy with the current
restructuring and the agenda of the proposed special congress.

He said the faction felt that provincial executives perceived to be loyal to
Mnangagwa were being unfairly targeted in order to appoint officials
sympathetic to the Mujuru faction.

“The current restructuring exercise is about positioning people who will
vote for a certain position come the special congress,” said the official.

He said while the faction loyal to Mnangagwa wanted Mugabe to remain in
power, the one faithful to Mujuru was eager to see the 89-year-old head of
state retiring.

However, the government official said the Mnangagwa faction had the
advantage that it was supported by service chiefs who also wanted Mugabe to
remain in power.

“It is not that they [service chiefs] like Mnangagwa, but to them he can
protect their political and business interests,” he said, adding that some
in the party
were also not comfortable with Mujuru because of her perceived straight talk
and her potential to be acceptable to the international community and other
political
parties.

The Zanu PF probe team led by SK Moyo descended on Masvingo on Friday, where
the Lovemore Matuke executive came under scrutiny. The Masvingo executive is
perceived to be loyal to Mnangagwa.

Moyo last night told The Standard that the visits to provinces were not for
witchhunting and had nothing to do with a special congress, but to prepare
the party for the forthcoming elections.

He said the probe in Masvingo was largely caused by an “unnecessary” clash
between the two formers governors, Josaya Hungwe and Dzikamai Mavhaire over
who was the
most senior leader in the province following the death of foreign affairs
minister, Stan Mudenge.

Moyo said the meeting which lasted 13 hours was told in no uncertain terms
by national secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa and national
commissar,
Webster Shamu that Mavhaire was the most senior member in the province as
secretary for production in the politburo, while Hungwe was a mere committee
member.

Hungwe is perceived to be loyal to Mnangagwa while Mavhaire is said to be
loyal to the Mujuru faction.

“The meeting was frank and we encouraged the warring parties to unite. I am
glad that our mission was a resounding success and the next stop is
Mashonaland central on Monday,” he said.

Moyo said the Masvingo meeting was attended by politburo, central committee
and national consultative assembly members, as well as war veterans.

Zanu PF is currently riddled with factionalism with two factions loyal to
Mujuru and Mnangagwa positioning themselves for Mugabe’s succession. Both
Mujuru and
Mnangagwa have denied leading factions or harbouring presidential ambitions.
But Mugabe admitted at the Zanu PF national people’s conference in Gweru in
December last year that indeed the two factions existed.

Zanu PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, and Mutasa could not be reached for
comment yesterday.

Manicaland, Bulawayo reorganised

The restructuring exercise has so far seen the dissolution of the Bulawayo
provincial executive led by Killian Sibanda, which was replaced by the one
chaired by Callistus Ndlovu. The exercise has also seen the dissolution of
the Manicaland provincial executive led by suspended chairman, Mike Madiro
and his deputy Dorothy Mabika.

The two, who are said to be linked to Mnangagwa, were replaced by Zimbabwe
ambassador to Cuba, John Mvundura and former provincial governor, retired
lieutenant general Mike Nyambuya.

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Biti says Party Will Push for Debt Cancellation

http://www.voazimbabwe.com/

Frank Chikowore
20.05.2013

WASHINGTON — Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti says a government led
by his MDC party will push for the cancellation of the country’s foreign
debt, allowing it to launch a massive economic transformation program in
what he called, the post-Mugabe era, creating jobs and lifting the country
out of poverty.

The MDC-T secretary general says the country’s foreign debt has ballooned to
$10.7 billion, a situation he says cannot be allowed to continue.  He says
his MDC formation will ask global lending institutions, such as the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to write off the debt.

Biti told the closing rally of his party’s national policy conference at the
weekend that Zimbabwe can only experience an economic boom with debt
cancellation. He said his party will lead efforts to revive the country’s
industrial capacity.

He says government coffers are empty, adding there’s no way Harare can repay
what it owes to international financiers.  Biti has in the past complained
that most revenue generated from diamond sales is not being channeled to the
national fiscus. He said an MDC government will maintain the use of the US
currency until 2018.

MDC-T president, Morgan Tsvangirai, told supporters at a rally in Highfield,
Harare, Sunday that Zimbabwe requires at least $14.5 billion to revive its
ailing economy.

But, he said, this depended on the rule of law and an end to self-enrichment
by the elite class. He blasted ruling partners in Zanu PF for using the
indigenization program to enrich themselves, adding his party would reverse
the empowerment process.

Biti said his party will rename the security forces Zimbabwe Security
Services, adding the country would create a leaner army to reflect the
peaceful time being experienced in the region. He said the current
over-sized military is too expensive to maintain.

Political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya, Director of the Zimbabwe Democracy
Institute, says the proposed re-branding of the security sector is a welcome
move.

The Tsvangirai MDC formation has repeatedly said security chiefs should not
meddle in national politics. Senior military officers have off late been
taking potshots at Mr. Tsvangirai accusing him of being a “sell-out” trying
to reverse the gains of the liberation struggle.

The party has since gone to the Southern African Development Community,
guarantors of the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the unity
government, urging regional leaders to push President Robert Mugabe to
implement key democratic reforms before elections are called this year.
These include security sector and media reforms.

But Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa says senior military officers are
free to participate in national politics, especially since they championed
the 1970s struggle for independence to rid the country of colonial rule.

Foreign owned shops face closure after ultimatum

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
20 May 2013

Shops and other businesses owned by non-Zimbabwean nationals across the
country could soon close down, in the wake of a six month ultimatum
published by the government.

A Government Gazette published last week Friday has given all businesses
operating in ‘reserved’ sectors a six month ultimatum to comply with new
regulations, which require them to apply for indigenisation compliance
certificates. These certificates were listed as mandatory just last week.

According to the Indigenisation Act, reserved sectors include agriculture,
transport, retail, barbershops, hairdressing and beauty salons, employment
and estate agencies, bakeries, tobacco processing, advertising agencies and
even arts and crafts provisions.

Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere announced in the Government
Gazette that anyone “who operates a business without an indigenisation
compliance certificate with effect from January 01, 2014 shall be guilty of
an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level four or to imprisonment
for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such
imprisonment.”

The Herald newspaper quoted National Empowerment Board official Zweli Lunga
as saying that the regulations were meant to “fish out foreigners who are
operating in these reserved sectors.”

“We will only give (indigenisation certificates to) indigenous Zimbabweans
because these are sectors we feel do not require huge capital investments.
Foreigners who apply will be turned down and we will ask them to close
 shop,” Lunga reportedly said.

Economist Masimba Kuchera told SW Radio Africa that this is the latest
tactic in the indigenisation drive, which has been marred by politicking,
‘un-coordination’ and corruption.

“I think this is one of these ploys to frustrate companies and enforce an
unenforceable law. If you look at it properly, you’ll find they (the
Indigenisation Ministry) have been having problems, especially getting banks
to comply, and this is a way to force people to comply,” Kuchera said.

He said that while this latest ultimatum will send people into a tailspin,
already the minister was making exceptions to the rule. It is understood
that Chinese investors are already exempt, while foreign-owned restaurants
that do not cook local food will be allowed to carry on as normal.

“What is clear from Minister is that there are some people he is targeting
and some he is not,” Kuchera explained, saying it is a sign of a policy that
is not working.

“The basic tenets of indigenisation are a good idea but the way the
legislation is being enforced seems to be done in a vengeful way. This just
means there isn’t a plan. We are moving in an uncoordinated fashion and that
seems to be the pattern of things at the moment,” Kuchera said.

Reform security sector: Jomic

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 12:24
MUTARE - A government watchdog has demanded that the security sector
leadership must be non-partisan and stop making statements that could
destabilise Zimbabwe.

Qhubani Moyo, chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation
Committee (Jomic) media sub-committee and a senior official in Welshman
Ncube’s MDC, told a press club meeting in Mutare last Thursday that state
security organs must be professional as they risked destabilising the
country.

“Organs of the state or institutions of state that are given the mandate to
protect the citizenry without favour or political affiliation should execute
their duties within the law without taking sides because if citizens don’t
feel protected by organs of state that are supposed to protect them they
resort to other means and ways of trying to survive,” Moyo said.

The smaller MDC policy director in urging professionalism in the state
security sector also denounced generals’ statements of allegiance to Zanu PF
saying the police and the army are there to “protect the citizenry in
totality and not in a partisan manner including statements regarding what
can be done.”

“We expect that there should be acceptance of anyone who would have been
chosen by the people of Zimbabwe in a free and fair election. That is what
causes stability in going forward,” Moyo said.

He also revealed that Jomic was investigating the voter registration
process.

“We have deployed our teams in all provinces to get to all the centres and
find out the truth so that whatever recommendation we make is informed by
evidence that we would have gathered on the ground,” Moyo told journalists.

Without elaborating, Moyo said Jomic had seen some of the voter registration
challenges that have been reported by the media but now want the official
information.

“We have seen some of the issues that you (journalists) speak about but we
have gone out to try and collect official information that can be useful and
used for the process of trying to improve the situation,” he said. - Bernard
Chiketo

Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission broke

http://www.herald.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 00:00
View Comments

THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission says its independence is being
compromised because of the failure by Finance Minister Tendai Biti to
provide funds to carry out its mandate.

The commission’s chairperson Mr Jacob Mudenda said last Thursday that they
did not have proper offices, vehicles and staff.

Mr Mudenda was speaking while giving oral evidence on the commission’s
operations before a parliamentary thematic committee on Human Rights chaired
by Zaka Senator Misheck Marava (MDC-T).

He said adequate provision of funds would enable the commission to discharge
its duties consistent with the constitution and the enabling Act.

“We use our own vehicles or public transport, something that is not right
for this highly esteemed institution,” he said.

“There is also a need to make some amendments to the Act to allow the
commission to be more independent of Government as it investigates alleged
violation of human rights.

“The commission has to be solely accountable for its finances as a corporate
body.”

Mr Mudenda said an architectural firm was recently commissioned to design
drawings for the refurbishment of the commission’s offices along Samora
Machel Avenue.

“They did a costing amounting to US$1,5 million, which we have submitted to
Treasury through the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs,” he said.

Mr Mudenda said they were only working on ‘faith’ that they would be
provided with the funds.

He said they had secured 500 000 euros from the Danish Institute of Human
Rights that they would use to produce fliers raising human rights awareness
to be distributed around the country.

The Norwegian Embassy, said Mr Mudenda, promised to supply vehicles.

Senators expressed shock at the level of underfunding for the commission.

Sen Marava said they had expected the commission to be visible ahead of
polls constitutionally due by June 29, 2013.

“The nation is expecting a lot from you, especially now as we go towards
elections,” he said. “You should be at the village level, now you are
telling us that you are covering only two regions.”

Chivi Senator Josiah Hungwe (Zanu-PF) said from what the commission
revealed, there appeared to be no solution in sight.

“The commission is disabled,” he said. “It is a commission on paper.

“That takes away its independence completely.

“There is no basis to call it a commission at all.”

Magaisa's changes anger many

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 13:19

HARARE - Like a knight in shining armour, Alex Magaisa joined Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai’s office six months ago with a new broom that changed its
outlook.

Magaisa has made changes that have angered many and when his driver, aide
and relative, Edmore Munyoro, died in a car accident recently, there were
howls — “inside job”.

However, Magaisa who doubles as the PM’s legal and political advisor says he
has so much on his plate to consider conspiracy theories.

He laughed out loud when it was put to him that he was under pressure from
factional leaders in the MDC to quit when the Daily News caught up with him
at his offices in Harare last week.

“I have no knowledge of any contestations for power in the premier’s office
and I will continue to perform my services for the PM and the democratic
cause which both I and Eddy (his late driver) believed in,” said Magaisa who
has also been constantly excoriated by the media enquiring on allegations of
“wrongly advising Tsvangirai on pertinent political issues”.

Viewed by many in and outside the party as an “outsider”, Magaisa, a former
St Francis of Assisi High School student started working directly for the
party as a technical advisor to the parliamentary select committee for the
new constitution commonly referred to as Copac in 2011.

“The struggle takes different forms and is waged on many fronts. I would not
say I have been a foot soldier for the MDC but I have been on the front of
the mind. I do not see myself as a politician but a political actor in the
sense of giving advice to a key political actor upon invitation by the MDC
through its leadership in November 2011.

“You cannot be in this job without a political mind though, so I
participated in the making of the new constitution as a technical advisor to
the Copac team.

“I made my contribution and there are clauses in the new constitution that I
am able to read and say I had a hand, it is humbling,” said Magaisa adding
that he has earned respect from politicians both in and outside the MDC.

“The party leadership has respect for me and my job. I respect everyone in
the party and I believe I compliment their efforts so our relationship is
based on mutual respect.

“In my job I do not get to interact with people from Zanu PF but I have
worked well with the likes of Paul Mangwana and Jacob Mudenda whom I worked
with during the constitution-making process. I believe they also have
respect for me, just as I do for them,” he said.

In November last year Magaisa walked into the premier’s office after
Tsvangirai had received a media battering over his love life.

The former Kent University lecturer said he did not leave his rewarding
profession in the United Kingdom to lick the heels of the MDC leader who is
out to end President Robert Mugabe’s three-decade hold on power.

Ironically, Magaisa who says his is a mission to call a spade a spade,
replaced Ian Makone, a man many in and outside the MDC accuse of having been
a praise singer for Tsvangirai and a bad one for that matter.

Regardless of public perception, Magaisa says he enjoys a cordial
relationship with Makone who is chief secretary in the Prime Minister’s
office.

Magaisa’s day-to-day responsibilities include running Tsvangirai’s political
programmes both locally and internationally.

His briefing and debriefing sessions with Tsvangirai which are “based on
mutual respect for each other” are a daily routine whenever time allows.

“I advise the PM on political and legal issues and all manner of advice. We
however, agreed that I was not going to be singing beautiful songs to him
but that when appropriate I would have to give unpalatable but honest views
on issues at hand,” said Magaisa.

Contrary to Tsvangirai’s adversaries’ belief that he is dull, Magaisa, who
has a doctorate in law, says in the last six months he has worked with the
MDC leader, he was struck by his political acumen, photographic memory and
openness.

“I have been struck by his willingness to listen, openness, assertiveness
and incredible memory but more importantly he is a very simple character
able to engage with anyone from heads of State to the ordinary vendor on the
street,”

Magaisa however admits that working for such a high office has its
challenges.

“When you get to any job there are bound to be challenges because there will
be a system that has been in place which you will have to deal with and find
ways of ensuring the team can transform and deliver the goals.” - Staff
Writer

Ephedrine drug smuggling rampant

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Gugulethu Nyazema, Staff Writer
Monday, 20 May 2013 12:28

HARARE - Harare is becoming a transit point for high-value drug Ephedrine,
with couriers smuggling it by air.

Of late the Harare International Airport has seen a surge in cases of
passengers trying to smuggle ephedrine.

A total of eight women have been arrested trying to smuggle the profitable
drug without authorisation.

The narcotic substance is said to be less risky.

Documents in the Daily News possession reveal that four Zimbabweans and
three South Africans were recently arrested for importing ephedrine without
Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe licence.

They were found in possession of ephedrine ranging from 10 kg to about 40
kg.

The narcotic drug is valued at $3 000 per kg.

Health experts say the narcotic drug is a white powder and used to prepare
medicines for treatment of asthma.

It is abused as a stimulant and appetite suppressant and gives the same
effect as cocaine.

It is used to make crystal meth and is transported from India to South
Africa.

Local medical doctor, Edgar Mhizha said Ephedrine makes one alert and
focused. It might send shivers up and down the spine, makes skin sensitive
and gives confidence and a happy feeling.

“Ephedrine raises heart beat and blood pressure. Long-term use can lead to
heart attack and stroke in healthy people. It is very risky for anyone who
has heart problems,” Mhizha said.

He said too much ephedrine can make one anxious and to get a racing heart,
dry mouth and muscle.

Airport officials who requested anonymity said daring traffickers stuff
drugs into corpses and amputees stuff artificial limbs with illegal
substances.

A United Nations office on Drugs and Crime 2010 World report estimates that
profits derived from illegal narcotics trade amount to $600 billion annually
and that add up to $1,5 trillion in drug money laundered through seeming
legitimate enterprise associated with this trade.

Drug trade has greater value than most criminal activities and the country’s
high poverty and unemployment levels provide a willing pool of youths for
drug trafficking.

Zimbabwe says it is committed to fight against transnational crimes such as
drug trafficking and money laundering.

Heroin worth R2.6m seized at Zim border

http://www.news24.com/

2013-05-20 15:54

Johannesburg - A man trying to smuggle heroin worth about R2.64m from
Zimbabwe into South Africa was arrested at the Beit Bridge border post,
Limpopo police said on Monday.

The drugs were found in a secret compartment in his bag on Sunday,
spokesperson Colonel Ronel Otto said.

The 38-year-old Tanzanian was arrested on the Zimbabwean side of the border,
Otto said.

He was expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate's Court soon on charges
of smuggling and possession of drugs.

On Saturday, a 36-year-old man was arrested attempting to smuggle cocaine
across the border with an estimated street value of R18m.

He was scheduled to appear in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Monday on
charges of smuggling and possession of drugs.

- SAPA

Miners reject State marketing of minerals

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

19/05/2013 00:00:00
     by Bloomberg

THE Chamber of Mines has rejected a proposal by the Mines Ministry for the
State to control mineral production and prices, a draft response from the
industry organisation has revealed.

Earlier this month, the ministry proposed the auctioning of mineral
deposits, restricting production of commodities deemed strategic and that
the state sell the output from all mines.

The ministry is seeking comment from mining companies before taking the
proposed policy to parliament to have it passed into law. Zimbabwe has the
world’s second-biggest platinum and chrome reserves.

The proposal is “gritty and confrontational,” the Chamber said in a draft
copy of its response, which may be given to the government later this month.
“Ideologically the policy seems to be at variance with the market-based
national policy that the country has adopted.”

Companies such as Impala and Rio Tinto Group are currently free to sell
their own minerals. The policy proposals come after the leading mining
companies agreed to comply with an existing law to cede 51 percent stakes in
their local assets to black Zimbabweans or the government.

“We will contribute effectively to the on-going development of a new mining
policy,” Alex Mhembere, Chamber of Mines president, told the body’s Annual
General Meeting, held last week at the fly-fishing resort of Troutbeck in
northeastern Zimbabwe.

No Trust

“We do not regard our role as opposition to government but partners seeking
the same national goal and aspiration.”

In addition to platinum and chrome Zimbabwe has deposits of coal, gold,
copper, diamonds and iron ore.
If implemented, the marketing policy will be a reversal of an earlier
liberalization of mineral sales, which formerly had been undertaken by the
Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and, in the case of gold, a unit
of the central bank.

Under the proposal, gold and platinum group metals will be sold by a dealer
authorized by the Ministry of Finance and all other minerals will be sold by
the MMCZ.

“This policy on minerals marketing is premised on the notion that the
private sector cannot be trusted,” the Chamber of Mines said. “The world
over producers have the right to market their own minerals based on an
approved marketing contract.”

In addition to the changes to the marketing of minerals the ministry
proposed auctions of deposits as well as imposing new taxes, the policy
showed. It suggested a resource rent tax, defined as a tax on profits in
excess of an average national return on investment, and the regulation of
mineral prices.

‘Socialist Thinking’
“Having gone through the lost decade, where the country had a fatal
flirtation with price controls, this should be avoided at all costs,” the
Chamber said.

Zimbabwe’s economy entered a recession around 2000 after a disputed election
and the imposition of a land reform policy that involved the takeover of
white-owned commercial farms.

Over the next decade the government controlled prices and imports. Inflation
rose to 500 billion percent, according to the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), and the economy contracted by 40 percent between 2000 and 2007.

The country exited recession in 2009 and ended a political stalemate after
President Robert Mugabe and rival, Morgan Tsvangirai formed a coalition
government following the intervention of the 15-nation SADC grouping.

The proposals “will effectively close the country to private exploration,”
the Chamber said. The government document “is based on socialist thinking,
where the State has a strong hand over the affairs of mineral extraction.
Zimbabwe has largely been a market-based economy.”

PICTURE: Chivhu fire brigade truck

http://nehandaradio.com

 

CHIVHU – On the 15^th of May 2013, a Nehanda Radio citizen reporter filed a story on how Liebenberg High School the only secondary school in Chivhu town was gutted by fire in the early hours of the morning.

PICTURE: The Chivhu fire brigade truck

A building block which consists of 8 classrooms, a science laboratory and a School Development Association (SDA) office was destroyed by the fire. Pupils who arrived in the morning were shocked to find their school in flames.

The only people seen trying to douse the fire using buckets and hosepipes were the two remaining white farmers De Klerk and Campbell with the help of their workers after being told there was no fire brigade in Chivhu.

We have since received a picture of the broken down fire brigade truck that is meant be servicing Chivhu. For a country said to have billions of dollars’ worth of diamonds this picture tells a story of how this regime is looting resources for personal gain.

Tsvangirai outlines revival programme

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Monday, 20 May 2013 13:19

HARARE - Daily News political editor Gift Phiri (GP) talked to MDC leader
and Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the launch of the MDC
policy conference in Milton Park on Saturday. Below are excerpts of the
interview recorded before a live audience.

GP: The MDC has just presented its policy document, for you what are the
highlights?

MT: As you know, we are just at the end of our policy conference which has
been running for the last two days. We are very proud of the policies that
we have enunciated.

These are policies that will advance the people of Zimbabwe in terms of
socio-economic development. As you know, we are emerging from an economy
which has shrunk, the people have faced very serious traumatic living
standards and therefore, the policies, the major highlights are: One, that
the economic revival of the country will be spearheaded by a programme of
revival of the economy with a specific focus on job creation, investment
promotion, incomes distribution.

I think this is very fundamental because without a reviving economy, the
people of Zimbabwe will still face very dire conditions.

The second thrust of our policies from a jobs plan is, of course, the
anti-corruption message.

We are very strong in ensuring that we put a stop to the ongoing malaise
that has affected our society.

But above all, this is a social democratic thrust. We believe the State has
a responsibility of ensuring that those who are at the lowerend are assisted
to catch up with others, that the role of the State is to facilitate not to
prescribe measures for socio-economic development.

So to me this is the cornerstone of our policy. But I want to say that we
have a society which has experienced trauma, in terms of violence, in terms
of impunity.

With a new constitution, we are actually setting up a new value system of
governance.

And that value system is to ensure that people enjoy their freedom and that
they are able to pursue their dreams in an environment of peace, security
and stability.

GP: You talk of a value system and yet critics are accusing the MDC of
having traits similar to Zanu PF, corruption, a false sense of arrival,
comfort at being in government.

What is your response to such criticism?

MT: Far from it! If the MDC is the alternative to Zanu PF, it cannot have
the same narrative with Zanu PF. Zanu PF has already taught us over the last
33 years a culture of centralisation, a culture of impunity, a culture of
violence, a culture of closing all space for the people of Zimbabwe.

We are different, we are a different party that has always from day one
defined our agenda as democratic change, respecting the people, defining
that the people are at the centre of everything that we do as a government.

Now come back to the question that we almost have a sense of arrival.

When the MDC joined this government, it actually saved this country from a
precipice.

The country was facing a very dangerous, debilitating situation. We came in
to rescue the country, to save the people and therefore to compare us with
Zanu PF which has a history of corruption, I think is unfair.

But let me also say that corruption is not a party philosophy, it is an
individual failure.

It is an individual who is corrupt and not the party. We as a party have
always demonstrated that we can deal with individuals that are corrupt.

It is Zanu PF, for instance; in one or two councils we not only had to fire
one or three but to fire the whole council. Those councillors were replaced
by (Local Government minister Ignatius) Chombo, later on to be fired by him
for the same reasons that we have identified as corrupt councillors.

So if there is going to be a demonstration of having zero tolerance to
corruption, it is in the MDC.

In fact the MDC ministers in government, you have never seen such
demonstrable integrity of ministers comparable to what Zanu PF is showing
the country.

When you look at Zanu PF ministers, just recently three ministers had to use
police to stop the Anti-Corruption commission to go and investigate them.

What does that demonstrate? It demonstrates that Zanu PF protects its own,
especially its own corrupt ministers.

But for us we are very open, ministers have been there and they have
demonstrated that they can also deal with these issues. So I think
comparatively we have demonstrated that we can deal with corrupt officials
that have been deployed by the party.

GP: Having come this far, what is your personal vision for the “new
 Zimbabwe” you often talk about?

MT: What kind of society do we want to create? Surely not the kind of
society we have experienced in the last 33 years.

We want to create a society where people are able to pursue their desire,
their dreams for peace, prosperity, for happiness.

This is what has been absent from this society. And if we can create that
society, I think that is the society that I have struggled for and I will
continue to struggle for.

GP: What has been the most traumatic personal experience and what would you
say was the worst experience for your party the MDC?

MT: Well from a personal point of view I think I can only highlight a couple
of them. I think the most traumatic was the loss of my wife. I could have
died in that accident also but through the grace of God, we had one tragic
death in the family. It has been quite traumatic.

The other one was to go in a police station where people are supposed to be
protected and to be subjected to one of the most humiliating battering that
you have ever seen.

GP: You mean what happened on March 11, 2007 at Machipisa Police Station?

MT: Yes. From a party point of view, I think we have had several tragic
deaths in the family, this family of MDC. We have lost some of our key
supporters and I have had the misfortune of being at any, if not all of
them, to share these grieving moments with families.

We have lost loved ones in circumstances that are horrendous.

I have witnessed people coming into the Avenues with bodies lacerated.

I know of Tichaona Chiminya who unfortunately died in my absence but had to
face a situation where he had to be burned alive.

These are very tragic moments for the party. I just want to take this
opportunity as a party to say we remember those people with a deep sense
that we will not betray them.

But whatever happens, we are going to make sure that the objective that they
died for is achieved.

GP: What would you say has been the positive contribution of the MDC to this
inclusive government and what have you learnt?

MT: Gift, let’s look at 2008 and analyse and say, what was the State of the
people? People had no food, people had no money, people were scrounging for
a living, scavenging for a living.

In fact the reason why President Mugabe went for 10 months without
appointing a Cabinet was because he knew that he had lost an election, and
he knew that he could not proceed without bringing in the MDC in order to
resolve the problems that the country was facing.

Indeed these problems were quite apparent.

Inflation was running over the roof, shelves were empty, people were eating
roots for survival.

In fact, we could have easily said go ahead because you claim to have won
the election, go ahead and rule the country without us.

But because of our sacrifice and our commitment to serve the people, we said
we would better serve the people than serve ourselves and by our involvement
we will actually serve the nation.

Look at the way we have dealt with the hyperinflation conditions, look at
the way we have dealt with collapsed social services, look at the way we
have even begun to resuscitate some of the production in the country.

I mean these are very positive contributions by the MDC.

In fact if there is anyone who has benefitted out of this inclusive
government; it is president Mugabe, because he was clueless as to how to
take the country forward.

GP: Now, let’s say that you are voted president, what is it that is
different that the people of Zimbabwe should expect under your leadership?

MT: You know Gift, from my background as a trade unionist, I have always
believed in consensus, collective participation.

I have always promoted the fact that a social contract, engaging all sectors
of the economy, is very important for building national consensus.

However, as a person, as president of the country, I believe in servant
leadership. I believe that one of the distinctive marks of leadership style
is that I am not a dictator.

I believe that what the people have suffered is not the kind of leadership
that the people expect.

They expect leadership that is clear in its vision, clear in its delivery,
and also clear in the sense that leaders are there to serve the people and
not serve themselves.

Youth register to vote now

http://www.sokwanele.com

 

AUTHOR:

SIMON MOYO

DATE:

MAY 19, 2013

COMMENTS:

0

As Zimbabwe heads towards watershed elections—we call upon all youths who have been used in the past as merchants of violence or who were still underage when the country had its last poll to go and register as voters. The Herald has reported that ZEC will commence a new voter registration exercise (see end of this blog post).

Youths should wake up from their slumber and grab this imminent opportunity and express themselves peaceably through the ballot box.

Elections are perhaps the only chance when people—youths included—can directly choose by ballot to be led by someone of their choice.

Since youths constitute 60 per cent of the country’s demography, by far the largest age group in Zimbabwe’s more than 12 million population, this watershed election offers them a rare opportunity when they can determine the future of this great nation which is reeling under economic challenges—wrought by ruinous policies of past government which many youths did not select.

The frustrations of unemployment are all too poignant among the youths who complete high school and colleges only to join their  brothers and sisters seated at home, with no jobs in a country with an unemployment rate that is above 80 percent.

Through elections the fledging fortunes of Zimbabwe can be improved significantly, industries that are presently closed might be opened depending on the character of the government which the youths will elect and youths grab this chance.

Spurred by the failure to get jobs – this anger would be well channelled into queuing at the registrar general office, than to wait for another five years complaining about water, jobs and a bright future.

Our youths should realise that no-one will vote on their behalf.

Please, spread the message to our youths that politicians may fill their pockets now, bankrolling despicable acts of violence, but that is only a passport for them to amass more wealth while those youthful mundane lives will remain miserable.

Apathy, one of the ills of our society, should be shunned by all youths because at the end of the day whether through omission or commission all Zimbabweans will be saddled with leaders who will be selected in the forthcoming elections.

Although dates for the elections are still hazy—there is no doubt that they will come and now it is time for youths to take the initial step towards taking part in those make or break elections where destinies intricately linked to Zimbabwe will be determined.

From The Herald - new voter registration process to begin:

 The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said yesterday that it will start a new voter registration exercise once President Mugabe assents to the new constitution, but says funding for the process has to be released now.

Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said after meeting with fellow commissioners to plan for the new voter registration and to exchange experiences on the on-going exercise that ends tomorrow, the new exercise would be provided for in the new constitution.

Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committees Series 10/2013 of 11th May [Committee Meetings 20th to 23rd May]

Constitution Watch 28/2013 of 20th May 2013 [New Constitution Bill Passed by Parliament: Now Goes to President]