Tens Of Thousands Said To Be Displaced By Zimbabwe Political Violence

VOA

By Patience Rusere, Jonga Kandemiiri & Peter Clottey
Washington
26 May 2008

More than a thousand Zimbabwean families have been displaced by an ongoing
wave of political violence concentrated in the country's rural areas,
according to civil society organizations who warn that the scope of the
internal displacement is beginning to approach that of the government's 2005
eviction-demolition campaign.

That campaign, which Harare dubbed Operation Murambatsvina, or Operation
Drive Out Rubbish in the indigenous Shona language, deprived 700,000
Zimbabweans of their homes or their livelihoods or both, according to the
United Nations.

Non-governmental organization sources said many families are being
accommodated in so-called safe houses around the country, making an accurate
count of the number displaced problematic. But they said it is now in the
tens of thousands.

Spokesman Fambai Ngirande of the National Association of Non-Governmental
Organizations, or NANGO, said exact figures are hard to come up with but the
scope of displacement can be compared with Operation Murambatsvina.

Ngirande noted that Harare has refused to allow the United Nations or other
relief organizations carry out assessments of the impact of the violence.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change and most observers say that
the violence is mainly aimed at opposition officials, activists and
supporters in rural areas that were considered strongholds of the ruling
ZANU-PF party until the March 29 elections in which the MDC claimed a
majority in the lower house of parliament.

Observers say the violence, which has become increasingly deadly with
victims taken from their homes and later found dead, is mainly perpetrated
by ZANU-PF youth militia members and war veterans, with help from the army
and other state actors.

Ngirande told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that
many of those currently being displaced by violence in the current situation
were driven out of the cities and into the rural areas by the 2005 Operation
Murambatsvina.

Meanwhile, independent media are being targeted by the violence, with the
hijacking and burning over the weekend of a truck carrying copies of the
Zimbabwean on Sunday, a paper produced by expatriates and widely distributed
in Zimbabwe.

Sources said the Zimbabwean truck was waylaid in Masvingo province. South
African truck driver Christmas Ramabulana and Zimbabwean passenger
Tapfumaneyi Kancheta were badly beaten and dumped in the bush, they said.

Zimbabwean Editor-Publisher Wilf Mbanga told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that
the loss of the truck set his organization back by some 25,000 British
pounds.

In Mashonaland Central province, meanwhile, the unsuccessful opposition
candidate for the Shamva North seat in the March 29 general election,
Godfrey Chimombe, said he spent three days hiding in the mountains after an
attempt on his life. He said he believed that his assailants were official
state security agents.

Chimombe was accused of leading opposition resistance against youth militia
earlier this month in the mining town of Shamva. He said opposition
activists rescued him and five others today from their remote refuge after
three days spent in hiding.

A source in Mashonaland East province said war veterans were intimidating
workers at the Makumbe mission school and hospital in Goromonzi
constituency, threatening them with unspecified punishment on the return of
the veterans on Tuesday.

A source in in Mashonaland West said police in Kadoma failed to close
torture bases in Muzvezve constituency from which ZANU-PF militia were
operating.

Spokesman Nelson Chamisa of the MDC formation of Morgan Tsvangirai reported
that the party's district chairman for Marondera, Portipher Bakayimani, and
youth member Cainos Betera, were abducted Friday at gunpoint by security
agent Sydney Hlomayi and ZANU-PF militia, and that the two men had not been
seen since.

Reporter Peter Clottey of VOA English to Africa spoke with Chamisa about the
impact the campaign of violence is having on the party, which must gear up
for the presidential run-off election set for June 27.

This is the way the world ends

The first thing I notice about the people lining up for food is their eyes. They have those eyes. The eyes that TS Elliot spoke about in his poem The Hollow Men. “The eyes are not here There are no eyes here In this valley of dying stars In this hollow valley This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms” - The Hollow Men, Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888-1965)   As I speak to the Zimbabweans taking refuge, all I can say over and over again is: “I am sorry. I am sorry.” I am in an old tyre yard in Marabastad, Pretoria, with the Institute for Islamic Services who has been feeding these people daily, and caring for their basic needs. When I was packing earlier in the morning I was concerned that the foam mattresses I was taken with were slightly soiled. Arriving at the old tyre yard I learn that people have been using the old tyres to keep themselves warm. That or cardboard. They are lucky. They have relative shelter. A corrugated roof to keep the rain out, although the yard where they sleep is exposed to the elements. Alongside the tyre yard there’s a field. More Zimbabweans sleep here in make shift tents, shelters or simply under a sheet of plastic on the floor. In the tyre yard I speak to Tawanda, who says he was living in Atteridgeville when he started hearing rumours of pending attacks against foreigners as far back as two months ago. “People went to attend a rally with Jacob Zuma early this year, and at the rally he said he was not going to accept foreigners in South Africa because they are committing crime and taking jobs,” he says. Tawanda “After that there were rumours that foreigners would be attacked. Then in the night we heard people coming. They were singing Umshini Wam (Bring Me My Machine [Gun]). They came to my place and set it alight. I took my radio and ran. From a distance I watched them loot my place. I saw the sticks and panga’s. I saw my home burning. There was nothing I could do. I lost everything. Like everyone here I lost everything.” While writing this piece, I scoured the net for references of the African National Congress (ANC) president speaking out against foreigners in Pretoria. Jacob Zuma gave his first major speech after taking the helm of the ANC on January 8 at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium in Pretoria. However none of the media reports reference anything about him speaking out against foreigners. The speech largely focused on unity following derision within the ANC. At the old tyre yard where Tawanda is staying with sixty or so other Zimbabweans there is a broken toilet and access to a tap. However at least there is some shelter, unlike his fellow countrymen who are living in a field a couple of hundred metres away. Martin and Shalom are two of the victims of violence who are sleeping out in the open. Their only comfort, a piece of plastic sheeting and some blankets. They sleep under the sheeting with a friend in the rain and cold. They ablute in the open field and wash in a stream nearby. A bank teller, Martin fled Zimbabwe to escape the violence there. He is studying at Unisa and believes that he will one day become an accountant. When asked what he thinks started the violence he says: “Poverty, joblessness and crime. But don’t worry, God is with us. This is life. This is just life.” “This is the way the world ends This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper.” - The Hollow Men, Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888-1965) The Institute for Islamic Services is looking for blankets for victims of xenophobic violence. If you are in the Pretoria area and can help please call them on Yusuf Mustafa on 012 374 1584 or 072 158 4088. This entry was posted on Monday, May 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am and is filed under Perspective, News & Politics.

Docs expose police lies about violence

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 09:53

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
HARARE

The massive deception that Zanu (PF) is attempting to perpetrate
concerning the state-sponsored violence that has left almost 50 people dead
and thousands wounded during the past month is astounding.
The elaborate propaganda scheme is a hydra-headed monster featuring
many government officials, but mainly Robert Mugabe, the head of the
military junta, his police commissioner, Augustine Chihuri and party
spokesman Bright Matonga.As Zimbabweans themselves and the international
community look on in shocked disbelief, these men continue to utter the most
bare-faced lies.  They seem to be unaware or uncaring that their deception
is so obvious – with photographs, eye-witness reports and video footage
evidence widely available.

Without any shred of evidence, Chihuri has unashamedly accused the MDC
of initiating violence around the country. Meanwhile, MDC supporters
continue to bury their dead – even being attacked at cemeteries. There has
been no footage, or report whatsoever, of a Zanu (PF) funeral.And now The
Zimbabwean on Sunday can reveal that Chihuri is actually in possession of
the facts, in the form of reports from various police stations. Police
documents leaked to this newspaper this week show conclusively that Chihuri
is conniving with the Mugabe regime’s lies.

On many occasions, he has publicly accused the MDC of causing violence
and caused the arrest of many internally displaced MDC refugees and
newly-elected members of parliament. He also ordered the police to raid the
MDC headquarters, Harvest House, a few weeks back, citing that those
arrested were fugitives from the law.He has clearly failed to uphold his
Constitutional duty to preserve law and order. All the statistics lie on his
desk, but Chihuri will not be moved because it would seem his duty is to
Zanu (PF), and not to the people of Zimbabwe.

The leaked police documents show that police at Chombira have
preferred a charge of murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law
[Codification and Reform] Act, Chapter 9:23 against nearly 150 Zanu (PF)
youths and another identified only as Cde Bond of Gram Farm, Mt Darwin, for
allegedly fatally assaulting three MDC activists - Tapiwa Persuade Meda
(23), Joseph Madzuramhende (51) and Alex Chiriseri (53) - with logs and
sticks.

The youths, who wore white "T" shirts bearing the words "Kasukuwere
Parakwati" will also be charged with assault for allegedly injuring Judith
Madzuramhende (18), Ednice Dakudzwa (23), a male adult, Biggie Sekeni (32),
Thandiwe Gadzikwa (22), Unity Mapondera (40) and many others whose "exact
number and particulars" are yet to be established, and who were referred to
Concession Hospital for treatment after the beatings.

Mugabe's reluctance to prosecute Zanu (PF) offenders is well
documented. CIO officers Elias Kanengoni, at one time convicted of the
attempted murder of former Mayor of Gweru, Patrick Kombayi, and Robert
Masikini, who shot and killed a man during interrogation, were all pardoned
by Mugabe.  In the aftermath of the 2000 general elections, Mugabe gave a
blanket amnesty to all those charged with political crimes, except murder.

According to the police report, on 5 May at about 0500 hours a group
of a bout 150 Zanu (PF) youths led by one Comrade Bond, "proceeded to
villages surrounding Chaona Business Centre, Chiweshe. Whilst there, the
youths were split into small groups and were instructed to call all the
villagers to attend a Zanu (PF)meeting at the Roman Catholic Church near
Chaona Business Centre, Chiweshe. At the Church, a list of people accused of
supporting the MDC, which included names of the deceased was produced.”

According to documents, those listed "were called to a nearby Gumtree
Plantation one after the other where the Zanu (PF) youths took turns to
assault them using logs and sticks. The deceased persons and other villagers
were assaulted several times on the buttocks and under the feet."It was only
after riot police from Centenary intervened that "the accused fled" and
many, including three male teachers, Mutombo, Mandaza and Vhela based at
Chaona Primary School, who had sustained serious injuries as a result of the
assaults, were rushed to Howard Hospital where they recieved treatment.
Tapiwa Meda and Joseph Madzuramhende who were rescued died later at their
homes at 1800 hours. Alex Chiriseri died at 17:30 hours in a scotchcart on
his way home.
This incident is reported on Chombira RRB Number 0320375. Sources said
police files were laden with cases of Zanu (PF) violence against innocent
MDC supporters.

Zanu thugs take villagers' IDs

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 11:26

BY STAFF REPORTER
BULAWAYO
Scores of villagers in Kezi, Matabeleland South might not be able to
vote in the presidential run-off election after Zanu (PF) militias
disappeared with their identification particulars (IDs) the previous week.

The militias and war veterans swindled the villagers of their ID’s
after indicating that they wanted to cross-check whether they were
registered to vote in the run-off.The militias, who have set up base in the
area, reportedly said they would facilitate the registration of villagers
who were unregistered voters to ensure everyone votes in the
run-off.However, the ZEC has indicated that there would not be any new
registration for the June 27 election.

“We were told by the Zanu (PF) members that we should submit our IDs
for cross checking - but since then, they have disappeared with our IDs,”
said one of the traumatized villagers who refused to be named, fearing
victimization.The MDC secretary for Matabeleland South, Petros Mukwena, said
the party feared the move was a plot to rig the election, since villagers
would not be eligible to vote.”
Rido Mpofu, the Zanu (PF) Matabeleland South chairman, when contacted
by The Zimbabwean on Sunday refused to comment.

No leave for cops as govt braces for run-off

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:19
HARARE – Police officers have been denied leave and days off until
after the presidential run-off election amid warnings by the police that
they would not hesitate to use excessive force to deal with Kenyan-style
post run-off election violence.

Kenya exploded into post election violence that left over 100 of that
country’s citizens dead following accusations that President Mwai Kibaki had
stole his way to re-election.According to sources, police officers who had
taken their leave or off days have been recalled back to ensure adequate
security personnel before, during and after the June 27 run-off
poll.Zimbabwe police spokesperson, Wayne Bvudzijena, confirmed the
development when contacted for comment.

“It’s very normal and procedural for police officers to be recalled
back from leave whenever the situation arises,’ said Bvudzijena in a
telephone interview. “The police would not hesitate to use force to deal
with election related violence before and after the June 27 elections.”Zimbabwe’s
police are credited with ensuring Mugabe’s continued hold on power.
Ironically, the police officers are among the struggling country’s workforce
that has not been spared the harsh effects of the economic decline.

Scores of officers have been arrested on corruption charges as they
struggle to make ends meet in the country’s hyper-inflationary environment.

Police insiders confirm assassination plot

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:23
BULAWAYO
The military junta had planned to arrest MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai
and his secretary-general Tendai Biti on arrival at their party’s victory
celebrations held at White City Stadium last Sunday, say security force
sources.

There was heavy deployment of police and army along all roads leading
into Bulawayo and at the Joshua Nkomo Airport last weekend, but at the last
minute the two politicians aborted their plans to return to the country and
attend the rally. They had received credible intelligence of an
assassination plot.Armed police and soldiers harassed and searched motorists
travelling along main roads leading into the second capital.
The Zimbabwean on Sunday witnessed some overzealous army officers at a
road block along Beitbridge road holding Tsvangirai and Biti posters on
which was written  in bold “WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE”.
Police sources said that if Tsvangirai and Biti had attempted to
attend the party’s victory celebration they would have been arrested and
detained at military detention barracks - not police cells as the military
junta “wants to finish them off”.

Brutal Chiadzwa diamond arrests

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:14
MUTARE - An ongoing campaign against perceived diamond miners,
ominously dubbed ‘Operation Restore Order’, has been launched by the
Zimbabwe Republic Police and other state agencies in Manicaland’s
perennially troubled diamond mining Chiadzwa district.

According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), in April 2008
police took magistrates and prosecutors in Mutare were taken on an
‘orientation tour’ of the area.Thereafter, a special police task force,
complemented by ferocious dogs, was assembled to deal with the ‘Chiadzwa
problem’.
The lawyers’ group states: ”This force besieged the Chiadzwa area
arresting over 1,000 suspects, including women and children. In the process,
it is alleged some individuals were bitten by the dogs and assaulted by
police officers, while others sustained injuries from falling whilst
attempting to flee from the unleashed dogs.”

ZLHR maintains that the arrests were indiscriminate, with suspects
complaining to lawyers that they had been arrested from the main road, their
homes, the grazing fields, shopping centres and homesteads in and around the
Chiadzwa area.“Some of the accused persons have also alleged that their
homes were forcefully opened and their money, foodstuff and groceries
confiscated without lawful cause and without being recorded,” ZLHR states.“Accused
persons were taken to various police holding cells where they were kept in
crowded and filthy conditions for as long as four to five days before
initial court appearance. The holding cells’ toilets, bathing facilities and
food provisions ranged from inadequate to non-existent.

Among the detainees were juveniles as young as 12 and 13 years of age,
and fairly elderly persons in their 60s.”“When the individuals appeared in
court, several had visible injuries and deep dog bites. No medical attention
had been availed to them for rabies or tetanus. A number had to be assisted
to enter or leave the court. It is estimated that at least 25 in every 100
prisoners were injured in one way or the other and it is alleged that the
most severe injuries arose from abuse and dog bites, which occurred when the
individuals were already in custody.

“In contravention of the law, all those interviewed by the police
never had warned and cautioned statements recorded from them before their
initial court appearance and were not allowed access to lawyers. They
eventually appeared in court well after the legal 48-hour time frame,” ZLHR
adds.

There is life after Mugabe

The Zimbabwean

 Monday, 26 May 2008 12:46

Mugabe’s military junta has forced senior army and police officers to
compromise themselves by forcing them to campaign for the dictator.

These officers have been going around the country perpetuating the lies
concocted in Mugabe’s office in a vain attempt to convince the rank and file
that they have no future under an MDC government. Statements to the effect
that an MDC government would fire all policemen, attributed to MDC secretary
general Tenda Biti, have been repeated ad nauseum. Yet even the junta’s own
mouthpiece – the Herald – has conceded that the document containing these
statements has been proved to be fraudulent.
At no time did Biti, or any other MDC leader, make such a ridiculous
statement. The people who are continuing to peddle this lie know full well
that it is a lie – and yet they persist.

Zanu (PF) has nothing positive to say. They cannot talk about themselves
because their track record of violence and corruption is so ghastly. And the
results of it are there for all to see. They can only campaign by smearing
the MDC and terrorising the voters.The rank and file of the police and
security forces should recognise these lies for what they are – the last
kicks of a dying horse. They should understand, as indeed most Zimbabweans
do, that their only chance of survival now is an MDC government. Surely they
can see the writing on their wall. Their salaries buy nothing now. No matter
how many times Mugabe increases them, they will still be worthless.

When they need food, or their families need medical attention, or their
children need education, they cannot help but come face-to-face with Mugabe’s
legacy – empty shelves, empty fields, hospitals without drugs and schools
without teachers.Unless the government changes, nothing will change. Their
children will be condemned to ignorance and poverty – while the Zanu (PF)
fatcats who give them their orders fly their children abroad to school and,
when they are ill, rush to private clinics in South Africa.

Only an MDC government can change this. Only an MDC government can bring
about the international recognition and assistance that can help to re-build
the dreadful devastation that almost three decades of Zanu (PF) rule have
wrought on our once beautiful and prosperous nation.Zimbabwe will be a much
better place without Mugabe and his generals. There is life after Mugabe and
the police and army need to play their role now in bringing that about – by
protecting Zimbabweans, as is their constitutional responsibility, rather
than protecting an aged dictator who will not hesitate to destroy them once
they have ceased to serve his purpose.

With Heroes and Villains Header

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:55
Heroes:

1. Tonderai Ndira - arrested 35 times for his MDC activism, abducted
14 May. Found murdered 21 May with his tongue and lips missing.

2. Gibson Nyandoro - war vet who regretted his violent path and raised
his arm and unclenched his fist to make the open-palmed salute at an MDC
rally 8 weeks ago. Found dead near army barracks where he had been tortured.

3. Rosemary Maramba and her unborn baby - beaten to death in Nhakiwa
village, Mutawatawa, Mash Central, for supporting MDC.

4. Action Nyadedzi and village head Chitsungo - MDC activists
Mutawatawa. Found dead.

5. Godfrey Kauzani and Cain Nyeve of Restoration of Human Rights
Zimbabwe - missing after the attack in which Beta Chokururama was murdered
by state agents. Both found dead in Goromonzi.

6. Chokuse Mupango, the MDC chairman for ward 26 in Mutiusinazita,
Manicaland province - beaten to death for being the election strategist for
the MDC MP elect who defeated Joseph Chinotimba.

Villains:

1. ZPF Grace Mvududu - who stood as councillor in Gombakomba and lost
to MDC - organised savage attack on her own MDC relatives.

2. President Thabo Mbeki - for his support of Mugabe and denial of
Zimbabwe's crisis, which is leading to so many murders in Zimbabwe and now
in South Africa in the xenophobic attacks.

3. Security Minister Didymus Mutasa - for refusing to respond to
questions about Tonderai Ndira's disappearance.

4. Nolbert Kunonga, former Bishop of Harare - for organising police to
take control of all Anglican churches Harare, to block parishioners from
worshipping.

5. Retired Major Cairo Mhandu, MP elect Mazowe North and Raradza, who
was not elected Muzarabani South - responsible for massacre at Chaona,
Mazowe North 5th May. 6 confirmed dead, murdered in front of their children,
wives and parents who were savagely beaten. Their crime - at polling station
Chaona, 80 votes MDC 15 votes ZPF.

6. Joseph Chinotimba - for overseeing the murder of MDC Chokuse
Mupango, savagely beaten by a militia group he was put in a wheelbarrow and
taken to Chinotimba, but died before he could be questioned. Chinotimba's
response was to scream that he was a pig, who had died before he could start
on him.

Zimbabwe’s mayhem spreads to South Africa

The Zimbabwean

 Monday, 26 May 2008 12:58

“Entire region now a tinderbox”

“People are saying they are ashamed of what is happening in South Africa"

JOHANNESBURG - The governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe have begun the
"voluntary repatriation" of their citizens, in the wake of ongoing
xenophobic violence in South Africa that police say has claimed 42 lives,
displaced more than 16,000 people and led to 400 arrests.

The violence, which has seen some foreign nationals necklaced - a throwback
to a horrific practice used during the apartheid era, when suspected police
informants were killed by placing a burning tyre around their necks - has
spread throughout Gauteng and into other provinces since it first broke out
in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra 12 days ago.

Johannesburg's mayor, Amos Masondo, has invited all foreign diplomatic
missions to a meeting on 23 May, "to discuss xenophobic attitudes in
Johannesburg", a spokesperson for the Mozambican consulate told IRIN.

"Plus or minus 10 buses left on 21 May and there are about 10 buses leaving
today for Mozambique. We are doing our best to take our people home," the
spokesperson said. About 1,200 people have been repatriated by the
Mozambique government and many other Mozambique nationals were making their
own way home.

The Mozambican daily newspaper, Noticias, reported that about 10,000
Mozambique nationals had fled South Africa since the violence began, but
this did not include those without legal travel documents, which was thought
would add thousands more to the number.

It is not just illegal immigrants that are being attacked, even those who
are legally here in South Africa are being attacked.The consular
spokesperson said the Mozambique government would provide transport for as
long as there was a demand, as "it is not just illegal immigrants that are
being attacked, even those who are legally here [in South Africa] are being
attacked."

Chris Mapanga, of the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg, said his
government was "organising voluntary repatriations and the work is in
progress. We are at a very advanced stage." He declined to reveal the
numbers of those requesting repatriation or when the repatriations would
begin, and what type of transport would be used.

"It is not like an instant lightning strike. Xenophobia starts at 1 p.m. and
then the buses [for those wanting to be repatriated] leave at 1.30 p.m.," he
told IRIN.

Mapanga said research indicated that there were about 800,000 to one million
Zimbabweans in South Africa; other estimates have put the number of people
who have fled the eight-year recession at more than three million. Annual
inflation in Zimbabwe is unofficially estimated at 1,000,000 percent, with
severe shortages of food, fuel and energy.

Widespread reports of violence ahead of Zimbabwe's second presidential poll
on 27 June - scheduled after neither President Robert Mugabe, of the ZANU-PF
party, nor opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan
Tsvangirai achieved the required 50 percent plus one vote majority - is also
believed to have increased undocumented migration to South Africa.

The 29 March poll saw the ruling ZANU-PF party lose control of parliament
for the first time since winning independence from Britain in 1980.

Xenophobic violence spreads

Outside the epicentre of xenophobic violence in Gauteng Province, in the
last few days reports of further mayhem have come from KwaZulu-Natal, Free
State and Mpumalanga provinces. The government has announced that army
resources would be available to police to try and end the violence.

Opposition parties in the South African parliament welcomed the decision,
but criticised President Thabo Mbeki's slow response. Democratic Alliance
Chief Whip Ian Davidson said in a parliamentary debate on 22 May that the
government had only agreed to deploy the army after 42 people had died, when
his party had made such calls after the deaths of 12 people.

Xenophobia in South Africa was expected to be discussed during the seventh
Nigeria/South Africa Bi-national Commission in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
Kingsley Mamabolo, head of the South African delegation to Abuja, reportedly
said: "Of course, there will explanations and discussions about it
[xenophobia], and the commission will have to find the best possible way to
address the problem."

The News Agency of Nigeria has reported that dozens of Nigerian-owned shops
have been attacked in Johannesburg, while a Nigerian-owned tavern in the
Durban township of Umbilo was attacked by a mob.

A few weeks before the xenophobic violence erupted, Nigerian authorities
voiced concern their nationals were being targeted by criminals after
arriving.

Air Zim fares soar by 200%

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:31

HARARE - Air Zimbabwe has increased its fares across the board by an
average of 200%. The airfares which came into effect on Wednesday saw a
return ticket to Bulawayo surging 234% from $14,3 billion to $47,7 billion.
The Harare/ Victoria Falls route increased by 263% to $61,5 billion
from $16,9 billion. The Harare/Johannesburg route increased by 151% to $70
billion from $27,9 billion while its fuel levy was pegged at US$41.The price
of air travel is expected to rocket further as a result of the surge in the
oil price, which is currently near a record high of $128 a barrel.South
African Airways (SAA) has already increased its fuel charges as of last
month by R223 for domestic routes, R335 for regional travel and R820,60 for
all international travel excluding Hong Kong and Sao Paulo, will go up by
R495,34 and R208,88 respectively.

Zimsec fails to plan for O and A level exams

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 12:29

HARARE - The Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) has not
started registration for the May/June Ordinary Level and Advanced Level
public examination, raising fears that the exams might not take place at
all.

No information on the exams is available to most school heads.
Normally, the May/June examinations are held from the end of May to the
beginning of June, with registration for the exams normally taking place in
February and March.Most headmaster who spoke on condition of anonymity said
they were worried by the "sad and unfortunate" development which was yet
another indication of the falling standards of education in Zimbabwe.The
secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ),
Raymond Majongwe, expressed concern at the delay by Zimsec to come up with
examination registration procedures and fees. Majongwe was quoted as saying
he feared the exams might not take place at all as there was no evidence on
the ground on preparation by Zimsec.

Since taking over the administration of examinations from the
University of Cambridge more than five years ago, Zimsec has been accused of
being inefficient. On many occasions there have been numerous complaints
from students that they received results for subjects they never sat for.

Torching of The Zimbabwean on Sunday

The Zimbabwean

Monday, 26 May 2008 06:15
Eight men in civilian clothing, brandishing brand new AK-47 assasult
rifles,
intercepted the South AFrican-registered truck carrying 60,000 copies
of The
Zimbabwean on Sunday issue of 25th May 2008 at Ngundu Halt, some 150
kms
south of Masvingo at 10pm on Saturday night (May 24th).

They kidnapped the driver and the distribution assistant, bundled them
into two vehicles - a
Toyota and an Isuzu pick up truck. They were driven to isolated spot
in
Mandamabwe, near Masvingo, where they were forced to move the
newspapers to
the back of the truck and sprinkle petrol all over them.
The truck's tanks were drained of diesel which the men decanted into
their
vehicles. The men then fired a volley of shots into the back of the
truck,
setting the newspapers on fire.
The driver, Christmas Ramabulana (a South African national), and
distribution assistant Tapfumaneyi Kancheta, a Zimbabwean, were then
severely beaten with rifle butts and dumped separately in the bush.
Kancheta's passport was confiscated and burnt, but Ramabulana was
allowed to
keep his. All their clothes, shoes, blankets and groceries were taken.
After wandering about for a few hours they found each other and made
their
way to the main road. They said the men who kidnapped them had been
wearing
surgical gloves so as not to leave any finger prints.
BACKGROUND
The 14-tonne truck containing 60,000 copies of today's edition of The
Zimbabwean on Sunday has been found this afternoon near Chivi - burnt
out.
The driver, Christmas Ramabulana (a South African national), and
distribution assistant Tapfumaneyi Kancheta, a Zimbabwean, were
stopped 67
km from Masvingo last night and forced to drive along the
Chivi-Mandamabwe
Rd for 16kms before they turned off into the Mandamabwe Rd where
several
bullets from AK47 assault rifles were pumped into the South
African-registered truck before its contents were set alight. The two
men
were badly beaten by their kidnappers and abandoned in the bush. They
made
their way to Masvingo where they arrived this afternoon and contacted
our
Harare office. For what its worth, a report has been made to the
police in
Masvingo.
Kancheta said his head was badly swollen from the savage beating, and
the
driver was having problems breathing. An ambulance has been dispatched
to
take them to hospital. They were both in severe shock and unable to
give any
other details of the attack.
The Zimbabwean on Sunday was launched in February this year as a
sister
paper to the popular weekly The Zimbabwean, which since last year has
become
the largest selling newspaper in Zimbabwe - selling 230,000 copies a
week at
its peak during the run-up to the landmark 2008 elections.
The Zimbabwean on Sunday quickly established a reputation as the
country's
leading Sunday paper.
Mugabe's senior henchman, Emmerson Mnangagwa, recently blamed The
Zimbabwean
for Zanu (PF)'s electoral defeat. Mnangagwa heads the Joint Operations
Command responsible for the atrocities being committed in Zimbabwe
since the
aged dictator lost the March 29 elections to popular MDC leader Morgan
Tsvangirai.

The Zimbabwean was established in February 2005 to stand against
Mugabe's
media blackout. It exploits a loophole in Zimbabwe's draconian
anti-press
legislation by being published and printed in South Africa and trucked
into
the country.
Despite frequently being harrassed and denounced, until this weekend
every
issue had made it safely to Harare, from where it was distributed
throughout
the country and devoured by a population starved of accurate
information and
fed a daily diet of the coarsest government propaganda.
We condemn this barbaric attack against our staff and the newspaper
and vow
to leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators of this atrocity are
brought to book.

Ethiopian court sentences Mengistu to death

Reuters

Mon 26 May 2008, 14:51 GMT

By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's supreme court on Monday sentenced former
Marxist ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam to death, granting a prosecution appeal
that a life sentence he received last year did not match the seriousness of
his crimes.

Mengistu, who has lived a life of comfortable exile in Zimbabwe since he was
driven from power in 1991, is unlikely to face punishment unless Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe loses a run-off election next month and cedes power.

"Considering the prosecution's appeal that a life sentence was not
commensurate to the crimes committed by the Mengistu regime, the court
decided to sentence him to death," the court said in its ruling.

The prosecution in July appealed against a life term imposed on Mengistu in
January 2007, after he was found guilty of genocide arising from thousands
of killings during his 17-year rule that included famine, war and the "Red
Terror" purges of suspected opponents.

He and more than a dozen other senior officers were found guilty after a
12-year trial that concluded Mengistu's government was directly responsible
for the deaths of 2,000 people and the torture of at least 2,400.

Witnesses had told the court that family members who went to collect the
bodies of their loved ones were asked to pay for the bullets that killed
them, and evidence included torture videos.

Mengistu seized power in the aftermath of the overthrow of Emperor Haile
Selassie in 1974, when the country was ruled by a military junta known as
the Derg.

His government's brutality was exemplified by the Red Terror purges of
1977-78, in which at least 1,200 suspected political opponents were murdered
and their bodies dumped in the streets as a warning to others.

"Crimes committed by Mengistu and his co-defendants by killing an emperor
and burying him under a toilet is unheard of in the annals of human
history," the court ruling said.

Eighteen co-defendants were also sentenced to death, and one, Lieutenant
Akililou Belae, received a life term.

The sentence will be carried out after it is approved by the head of state.

The court also ordered police to arrest two of those convicted, former
Foreign Minister Berhanu Baye and the former head of the armed forces, Addis
Tedla, who it said were hiding in the Italian embassy in the Ethiopian
capital.

Italian embassy officials were unavailable to comment.

Zimbabwe has refused to extradite Mengistu since he fled there in 1991 when
rebels led by current Prime Minister Meles Zenawi overthrew his government
and seized the capital.

If Mugabe loses next month's run-off election to opposition leader Morgan
Tsvangirai, Mengistu could be extradited.

Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change said in 2006 it would withdraw
the protection afforded by Mugabe's government, which considers Mengistu a
friend of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.

‘We’re being slaughtered’

The Citizen, SA

26/05/2008 20:57:42

MPHO DUBE

JOANNESBURG - The situation in Zimbabwe has reached boiling point. This
follows confirmation yesterday by the MDC that 50 members have been killed
since the March 29 elections.

Speaking to the MDC and Zanu- PF yesterday, both parties confirmed they were
not on speaking terms ahead of run-off elections on June 27.

Nelson Chamisa, spokesman for the MDC, told The Citizen the MDC’s provincial
treasury, Jannie Philip of Mashonaland, was found dead yesterday morning
after he was abducted by Zanu-PF militia on Sunday afternoon.

A fuming Chamisa accused Zanu-PF of personal hatred and “apartheid” against
MDC supporters and its top officials, who were now being killed daily.

“All I can confirm is that we have on record that 50 MDC members, including
our top officials, have been killed by Zanu-PF militia.”

He lashed out at Zanu-PF for making their campaign impossible. “We are not
allowed on television, and we find it impossible to campaign. We have to
apply to the High Court before we can do anything.”

The Citizen pressed Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs
for comment: “I have never seen any country in Africa as peaceful as this.

“Those allegations are far-fetched because people are only dying in
newspapers, not in reality.”

Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF had started its campaign launch yesterday for the
run-off elections.

mphod@citizen.co.za

Dispute breaks out over dealing with South Africa xenophobia victims

Monsters and Critics

May 26, 2008, 11:08 GMT

Johannesburg - A dispute has broken out in the South African city of Cape
Town over how to treat over 14,000 people displaced in the wave of
xenophobic violence that has swept the country.

The provincial government wants to reintegrate those affected into the
townships from which they fled, while the city is planning to provide them
with temporary shelter.

Xenophobic attacks on migrants from other parts of Africa, which began in
Johannesburg's Alexandra township two weeks ago, have left at least 50
people dead, hundreds injured, tens of thousands displaced and many more
fearing for their lives.

Cape Town Mayor Hellen Zille said Monday the victims could not remain on a
permanent basis at the community centres and churches where they have sought
shelter.

Tension had already developed as communities unable to use the facilities
for their intended purposes. Victims who want to return to the townships
voluntarily, could do so, Zille said.

Tens of thousand of migrants from countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
Malawi, Burundi, Nigeria and Congo have sought refuge from angry mobs at
police stations and churches in almost all provinces.

Tense calm prevailed in most townships across the country on Monday,
although there were reports of several uninhabited shacks set alight in
Katlehong, east of Johannesburg.

Around the port city of Durban on the country's east coast, details of an
attack on a group of Mozambicans came to light Monday. Five of victims were
overpowered and robbed in the KwaNdengezi area on the outskirts of the city
on Sunday, police said.

Police also confirmed an incident in which a car carrying a Mozambican
couple fleeing the country their two children, was fired at on a highway on
Saturday. Although he had been shot, the driver was able to stop the car
near a police station.

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Monday urged a gathering of about
100 people at one of country's three transit centres set up to help those
returning from South Africa to look for work in Mozambique as an
alternative, the Sapa news agency reported.

Mozambicans make up the second-biggest African migrants group in South
Africa after Zimbabweans, around 1-3 million of whom are believed to be in
the country. The Mozambican government on Sunday said around 26,000 of its
nationals had fled South Africa.

South Africa's opposition has called for a commission of enquiry into the
violence, as well as allegations by the government that a 'third force' is
behind the brutality.

South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday condemned as a 'disgrace' the
attacks that some analysts say has been fuelled by growing resentment
towards foreigners by locals burdened with poverty and joblessness.

Human Rights Watch urges Pretoria to punish attackers

Afrique en ligne

The South African government should ensure that victims of xenophobic
violence remain in South Africa to participate in bringing their attackers
to justice, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a press statement.

Since the attacks on African migrants started 11 May, they have claimed over
50 lives and displaced more than 25,000 people, in addition to thousands
forced to return to their countries.

South African police said that had arrested more than 500 people on charges
of public violence, malicious damage to property and grievous bodily harm.

"Human Rights Watch has learned that the courts have already dropped several
cases owing to lack of evidence. Urgent government intervention is needed to
encourage witnesses to provide evidence and to advance an effective justice
process,'' it said.

The organisation noted that many of the victims of xenophobic attacks were
undocumented foreign nationals who fled unrest in their own countries, such
as Zimbabwe, and were hesitant to participate in the justice process,
fearing arrest and deportation because of their status.

"For justice to prevail, South Africa should protect these victims, whose
testimony is crucial in bringing their attackers to justice," said Georgette
Gagnon, Africa Director at Human Rights Watch.

"Deporting the victims will send a clear message that xenophobic violence is
above the rule of law," Gagnon added.

Gagnon suggested that in South Africa's current emergency situation, the
government should guarantee undocumented migrants who had been victims of
xenophobic attacks the legal right to temporarily remain in South Africa to
participate in the justice process.

"Without such protection, the victims will likely abstain from providing
evidence for fear of arrest and deportation, and justice will be denied,"
Gagnon stated.

Lusaka - 26/05/2008

Foreshore Refugees Warn of Retaliation

Cape Argus (Cape Town)

26 May 2008
Posted to the web 26 May 2008

Cape Town

Foreigners who have set up camp in makeshift shelters next to the refugee
reception centre on the Foreshore have warned that they will fight back if
attacked by locals.

Tapiwa Nyamayo of Zimbabwe, who is among a number of foreigners who have
been living in the flimsy structures for more than a year, said they would
retaliate if they were attacked.

"We are ready, any time, if they keep beating our people. We are waiting, we
will beat them," he said.

Nyamayo said he did not want war to break out but if it meant protecting his
life and that of his "brothers" - fellow Zimbabweans - he would take action.

"We just mind our own business here but will 'fix' them if they come here.
Don't they understand that they are killing Cape Town, killing tourism and
killing 2010," he said.

Natasha Sthole, who fled Zimbabwe to earn money for her two daughters, aged
four and six, said she would also "fight back".

"I am willing to fight, how can I let someone from my home die? I am even
scared to go into town because if they hear my language they will attack me
and say amakwere-kwere (you foreigner). If they were educated they would not
treat us this way," she said.

Sthole said she regretted coming to South Africa and suggested it was
perhaps better to live under President Robert Mugabe's regime.

"SA is going to be like Zimbabwe, they (South Africans) forget that they
came to Zimbabwe before their independence," she said.

Donex Mirans of Malawi said he was also concerned about possible attacks on
refugees at the Foreshore.

A Somali man, who declined to be named, said he fled to the Foreshore after
his brother was attacked when the violence first flared up in Du Noon on
Thursday night.

"My brother's shop was damaged and people injured. Why are they killing us
for no reason? It's not right," he said.