Robert Mugabe named ‘international tourism ambassador’ in latest UN absurdity

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/05/28/michael-ross-robert-mugabe-named-international-tourism-ambassador-in-latest-un-absurdity/

Michael Ross  May 28, 2012 – 8:34 AM ET | Last Updated: May 28, 2012 8:46 AM
ET

For cognitive dissonance, see under: The United Nations. It’s no longer just
a platform for countries with less-than-negligible human rights records to
bash Israel and other democratic nations, or the dispatcher of envoys like
Kofi Annan to Syria (under whose watch some 800,000 Rwandans were
slaughtered) or the patronizing professional busy-body Olivier De Schutter,
a Belgian “UN special rapporteur on the right to food,” to lecture Canada.
The UN is now an expert on tourism to Africa and deciding who is best suited
to promote it.

The UN just announced that its favourite African megalomaniac, Robert
Mugabe, and his Zambian sidekick, Michael Sata, have been appointed United
Nations international tourism ambassadors in recognition of the promotion
and development of tourism. The UN through the United Nations World Tourism
Organisation will officially confer the status to the two presidents at a
function to be held in Victoria Falls this week and officiated by the UNWTO
secretary general Mr Talib Rifai. The honour comes even though the European
Union and U.S. have imposed travel bans on Mugabe and many of his senior
government officials due to widespread human rights abuses.

Much attention has been paid to the plight of Zimbabwe’s terrorized mostly
Anglo farmers whose fields were seized under President  Mugabe’s
ill-conceived and disastrous land appropriation program. But the abject
ruination the Mugabe regime has wrought on the small landlocked country has
affected all of its citizens regardless of race or tribal affiliation.
Mugabe’s fight to convert white-minority-ruled Rhodesia into the modern
African state of Zimbabwe was once considered a noble cause but under his
despotic rule, Zimbabwe’s decline has been absolute and has effectively
turned this relatively wealthy functioning model of black-white co-existence
into an impoverished country that now has one of the lowest life expectancy
rates and one of the worst HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world.

Some 3,500 people die per week in Zimbabwe due to HIV/AIDS alone. Tag on the
random muggings, violence, and property crime in a country with an
unemployment rate hovering at around 80 per cent, and what remains of
Zimbabwe’s populace is very beleaguered. One of the best measurements for
determining that a country has in fact hit rock bottom is the appearance of
cholera. When a state can no longer separate its potable water from raw
sewage, then any sense of concern for the general welfare of the citizenry
by the government is non-existent. Over several visits I made to Zimbabwe
some years ago, I watched the economy and quality of life deteriorate before
my very eyes. The country once touted as the bread-basket of Africa and a
showcase of interracial harmony and prosperity has become a living hell on
earth.

So the question that needs to be asked of the bureaucrats enjoying the
tax-free scenery from the UN’s headquarters on Turtle Bay, is how does a
destroyer of nations like Mugabe become a tourism ambassador? I just hope
the tourists read the fine print when they book their next trip to Zimbabwe.
I also wonder if they know that the country has now been listed as “very
high” with respect to major infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, bacterial and
protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, schistosomiasis,
and rabies just to name but a few?

Suddenly, Mexico isn’t looking so bad after all.

National Post

BBC classical music presenter Petroc Trelawny to fly home after case dismissed

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Petroc Trelawny, the BBC classical music presenter arrested in Zimbabwe for
compèring at a charity event without a work permit, is due to fly home to
Britain after the country's attorney general decided not to prosecute his
case.

By Peta Thornycroft and Aislinn Laing in Johannesburg

6:30PM BST 28 May 2012

Mr Trelawny, a Radio 3 presenter from London, will remain in hospital where
he has been receiving treatment for a dislocated shoulder until his release,
expected to be today.

He is then likely to board a lunchtime flight from the southern city of
Bulawayo, where he was being held, to Johannesburg, where he will catch a
connecting flight to London.

His lawyer, Munyaradzi Ngarayapenga, was visiting him in hospital to give
him the good news, after successfully convincing Johannes Tomana, the
attorney general, that the presenter was in Zimbabwe to work as an unpaid
narrator for a music festival involving disadvantaged children.

He said his client was pleased to be a "free man".

"He was very happy and thanked us all very much. He was smiling a lot," he
said. "The nurses were attending to him so I had to leave him, but he is a
free man and tomorrow morning we will attend to the formalities, and get his
passport back from immigration and a few personal possessions. I do not know
when he will be leaving Zimbabwe, that will be his decision."

Mr Trelawny, who turned 41 on Sunday, was arrested by immigration officials
on Thursday as he appeared at the opening night of a festival run by the
Bulawayo Music Academy, a charitable organisation aimed at widening access
to the arts.

He was admitted to hospital over the weekend after he dislocated his
shoulder by slipping on a wet floor while in an un-electrified police cell,
and has remained there under police guard since.

On Monday he was taken from hospital to Bulawayo Magistrates Court where the
magistrate appeared to be sympathetic to his cause.

Bruce McDonald, one of the event's organisers, said the magistrate said it
was "not the responsibility" of Mr Trelawny to arrange a Temporary
Employment Permit (TEP), but that of the music academy.

He said Mr Trelawny's lack of permit was simply an oversight, and that other
performers from the UK had them.

"Somebody slipped up I am afraid. I have discovered he should have had a
TEP," he said.

Mr Trelawny, a frequent visitor to Zimbabwe, was acting as an unpaid
narrator for a performance of Song of the Carnivores, a British
Council-funded production which brought together over 500 children from 10
schools to perform at the Bulawayo City Hall.

According to his friend Judith Todd, the daughter of former liberal
Rhodesian prime minister Sir Garfield Todd who visited him in hospital for
his birthday on Sunday, he was determined not to let his experience prevent
him from returning to the country.

"Petroc only had praise for everyone who he has been in contact with him
since he got to Bulawayo," he said.

"He does not want to be deported as he wants to come back here again and
again.

"He was in good spirits and he is comfortable. He is in a single ward with
two very nice young policemen guarding him. He is being well treated."

Speaking from Shropshire yesterday, Mr Trelawny's elder brother Andrew, said
he was "praying that he's safe" and he only heard of his arrest when his
daughter read the news online.

"He's absolutely passionate about classical music and he loves going there
to work with the kids," he said.

Zimbabwe diplomats 'evicted' over unpaid rentals

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/05/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE is struggling to maintain its foreign missions amid reports that
some diplomats have been evicted from their homes for failing to pay
rentals, a parliamentary committee has revealed.

Legislators on the parliament portfolio committee on foreign affairs last
week told Joey Bimha, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s permanent secretary,
that the humiliation of the country’s envoys was an embarrassment for the
country.

Hurungwe North MP Peter Chanetsa (Zanu PF) said there were reports that the
delay by Treasury in releasing money had caused some Zimbabwean diplomats to
be evicted from their houses for failing to pay rent.

"We have friends who tell us, it is not proper, you need to tell us what is
happening because it is the image of Zimbabwe that is suffering," he said.

The MPs also said some the country’s embassies were threatened with closure
because of unpaid rentals while envoys that have completed their tours could
not be recalled because the government did not have the money to finance
their return.

Bimha admitted that the ministry was experiencing financial problems but
claimed some of the reported troubles were being exaggerated by "disgruntled
and emotional officers".
"Yes, we have slowed down on a number of recalls. We have started with those
who have stayed longer," he said.

"Even under those difficult circumstances, we have tried to ensure that
their children go to school and rentals are paid. We have tried to do some
financial gymnastics, but I want to warn members of the committee not to
rely on hearsay."

Zaka East MP, Samson Mukanduri (Zanu PF) added: "If you don’t know when you
will get your salary, it’s a problem. That’s why we have this concern. It is
our responsibility (as government) to ensure that our people don't suffer
while they are outside."

Bimha blamed the financial problems on Treasury’s failure to release in full
the US$73,6 million allocated in the last budget to his ministry. Of that
money, US$7,5 million was meant for the Ministry’s Harare head office while
US$66,1 million was for diplomatic missions.

"Projected releases for the first quarter of the year would thus amount to
US$12,6 million. However, due to liquidity constraints, Treasury only
managed to avail a total of US$8,3 million, thus falling short US$4, 2
million (34 percent) below the expected level,” he said.

Treasury has only released US$626,417 for the head office for the first
three months of the year, representing 33 percent of expected funding.

Bimha said the money had been used on operational expenses including
“unavoidable” trips by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

Zuma's strong facilitation jets-in

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

By Staff Reporter 3 hours 20 minutes ago

HARARE - South African President Jacob Zuma’s strong facilitation team
comprising senior figures Lindiwe Zulu, Mac Maharaj and Charles Nqakula are
in Harare for talks with the negotiators of the three parties in the Global
Political Agreement (GPA).

A South African official moving around with the team confirmed their
presence saying they are on a mission to meet the negotiators of the three
political parties in the GPA and to get an update on the progress that has
been made in the implementation of the agreement in various areas.

The current visit by the facilitators comes hot on the heels of a SADC
special summit of the SADC Troika Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in
Johannesburg, South Africa last month.

The Troika Summit last month expressed satisfaction with the progress on the
implementation of the GPA and the making of a new constitution in the
country.

gpa.jpgRobert Mugabe has said that the inclusive government no longer has
the people’s mandate as it has overstayed the duration it was given by the
GPA.

The visit of the facilitation team is being viewed as a precursor to the
SADC summit to be held in Angola this week where the facilitator President
Jacob Zuma will be expected to brief the Southern African leaders on the
Zimbabwean issue.

Robert Mugabes frantic push for elections this year faces a Southern African
Development Community (Sadc) test this week when the bloc convenes an
emergency meeting in Angola.
Sadc executive secretary Dr Tomz Augusto Salomao yesterday said although
Zimbabwe was not officially on the agenda, the summit was likely to review
the countrys political situation, given the recent discordant remarks over
the roadmap to the next general elections.

Yes, there will be a Sadc Extraordinary Summit meeting in Luanda this week,
Salomao said.
The summit will review the political developments in member states such as
the elections in Lesotho, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
and so on, and Zimbabwe, though not on the agenda, can be discussed as well.

The inclusive government is a Sadc-negotiated political settlement, which
brought together former protagonists President Robert Mugabe and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Over the past few weeks, both Mugabe and Tsvangirai dispatched their
respective Zanu PF and MDC-T party envoys to various Sadc member states to
drum up support for their positions as tussling over elections and reforms
escalated.

State Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi met Tanzanian leader Jakaya
Kikwete on Saturday as Mugabe stepped up his campaign to win Sadc backing
for elections he wants held this year.

Media reports said Sekeramayi travelled to Tanzania with a special message
from Mugabe after meeting Zambias President Michael Sata in Lusaka last
Tuesday.

Before him, Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa had flown to Angola to
deliver a special message to President Jos Eduardo dos Santos while
Vice-President John Nkomo reportedly met Botswana President Ian Khama on a
similar diplomatic offensive.

Last month, Tsvangirai dispatched MDC-T international relations secretary
Jameson Timba to several regional countries to drum up support ahead of the
Luanda summit.

Sadc leaders are expected to oppose Mugabes manoeuvres to call for elections
before the completion of major reforms as this might result in a repeat of
the 2008 poll violence.

Last week, United Nations Human Rights chief Navanethem Pillay advised
against rushed polls and urged Mugabe to ensure free and fair future
elections. Pillay was in the country on a five-day working visit to assess
the human rights situation.

Mugabe (88), who is also fighting against old age and reported ill health,
has maintained that he wants elections this year and it is suspected his
emissaries delivered special messages to regional leaders to drum up support
for his poll bid with or without reforms.

Meanwhile, Sadc-appointed mediator South African President Zumas
international relations advisor Lindiwe Zulu yesterday said her team would
be in Zimbabwe today to check on progress in the implementation of the
Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The facilitation team is coming to meet the principals tomorrow (today) to
check on the progress made in implementing outstanding issues in the GPA,
she said.

It is our responsibility as the facilitation team to check on the progress
and report to Sadc.
Earlier this year, Zulu said outstanding issues in the GPA should be
finalised before the country holds elections.

Regional leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing political crisis
jamming the implementation of the GPA and election roadmap, which is a
requirement for the holding of a credible election in Zimbabwe.

MDC-T official murdered by ‘known’ ZANU PF thugs in Mudzi

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda

28 May 2012

An MDC-T ward chairman in Mashonaland East was murdered over the weekend, by
a gang of ‘known’ ZANU PF thugs who attacked party activists gathered for a
rally at Chimukoko Business Centre.

According to witnesses, 67-year old Cephas Magura was assaulted by ZANU PF
youths who had approached the MDC-T gathering, armed with logs and sticks.
Seven other MDC-T activists were taken to Harare Hospital for treatment
after the attack, which took place in the presence of police.

Piniel Denga, MDC-T spokesperson for Mashonaland East, told SW Radio Africa
that the perpetrators are known in the area.

“Most of the perpetrators of the violence are in ZANU PF structures in the
area and are known to our supporters,” Denga said.

Denga explained that the MDC-T had organised a rally licensed by police at
Chimukoko Business Centre, to mobilise support ahead of elections expected
in the country. He said the event had not even started when ZANU PF youths
started chanting slogans and toy toying.

“They had put a blockade across the road which had to be removed to get to
the venue. To our surprise we realised ZANU PF was having a ‘green show’ at
the same centre this time of year. But they were just finding something to
gather for. Any excuse for them to disturb the rally,” Denga said.

Sekuru Magura, MDC-T chairperson for ward 1, Mudzi North, fell down after he
was hit with a stone and was severely assaulted as he lay on the ground. The
gang, which the MDC-T said was led by ZANU PF councillor for Ward 3, David
Chimukoko, then dragged Sekuru Magura to the roadside and left him there.

The ZANU PF MP for Mudzi North, Newten Kachepa, allegedly drove the violent
youths to Chimukoko in his truck. Also implicated in the attack are the ZANU
PF Mudzi North youth chairperson, Graciano Kazingizi, Gerald Nyatsinde,
Patrick Mutepeya, Clement Simendi, John Karonga, Ward 2 councillor Jevas
Chiutsa and George Katsande, son of the Mudzi West MP Aqualinah Katsande.

Denga said police have made no arrests so far, claiming investigations are
underway. But the MDC-T are demanding that all known perpetrators of the
attack be arrested immediately.

He added that four of the injured MDC-T activists had been treated and
released, but three others were still at Harare Hospital receiving
treatment. Denga blasted Robert Mugabe for publicly talking about peace
while at the same failing to order the arrests of known criminals within his
own party.

“If he is ordering Police Commissioner (Augustine) Chihuri to arrest known
perpetrators of violence then Chihuri is not complying and he should be the
one arrested for that,” Denga stressed.

Tsvangirai meets Chinese premier in Beijing

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
28 May 2012

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday met his Chinese counterpart Wen
Jiabao in Beijing where they exchanged views on issues of common concern,
including China-Zimbabwe ties.

Tsvangirai’s visit to China has been described by observers as significant
for the stability and development of China-Zimbabwe economic relations and
the development of bilateral relations.

During his week-long visit, the Prime Minister will meet with senior Chinese
government officials, speak to groups of Chinese business leaders, including
with executives of SinoHydro, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and
Sinosure.

These companies are involved in infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe like the
Kariba Hydro Power station, Hwange 7 & 8 Thermal Power station,
rehabilitation of Harare City council water and sewerage systems and the
Matebeleland Zambezi Water Project.

There are expectations Zimbabwe and China will double trade by 2015.
Currently, that trade is tilted heavily in China’s favour. Tsvangirai, who
met Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People updated him on political
developments in Zimbabwe.

He said the country was about to conclude the constitution making process
which he said was a key process in a roadmap brokered by SADC ahead of the
next election.

“Premier Jiabao noted the stability in Zimbabwe which he said was due to the
positive impact of the inclusive government, adding that Prime Minister
Tsvangirai’s presence in government had added to the rejuvenation of the
economy and improved the lives of the people,” a statement released by
Tsvangirai’s press team said.

The statement said China wants to maintain high level bilateral exchanges to
uphold common interests, with both premiers urging close co-operation and
the exchange of expertise between the two countries.

United States based political analyst, Dr Maxwell Shumba told SW Radio
Africa that Tsvangirai’s visit is significant in that it breaks ZANU PF’s
myopic view that its political friends should only meet with those from the
former ruling party.

“The attacks and vilification of the Prime Minister’s delegation was an
attempt to discredit him only because they want people in ZANU PF to have
contact with the Chinese. ZANU PF needs to know that each era has its needs
which shape the type of relationships,” Shumba said.

He added: “During the struggle ZANU PF needed arms and China provided. In
2012 Zimbabwe does not need arms but a conducive business atmosphere and
sound economic ideas of which the Prime Minister and his team are focused
on. This visit may be an indictment of the failure of ZANU PF’s economic
policies and China might be looking for fresh partners with fresh ideas.”

Tsvangirai’s delegation included State Enterprises Minister, Gorden Moyo and
Water Resources Minister, Sam Sipepa Nkomo. The Prime Minister and his
delegations attended the official opening of the China International Fair
for Trade and Services. On Tuesday he is expected to address the Sino-Africa
Forum.

Police Ignorant of Chipangano, ZRP Reveals

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, May 28, 2012 – Police on Monday claimed they were not privy to the
identities of members of the terror group Chipangano as Zanu PF and the two
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) parties jointly denounced the shadowy
group.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesman James Sabau said police were not
aware who comprised Chipangano. Zanu PF Harare youth leader Jimmy Kunaka is
known to be the leader of the group.

“Who are these people? We as the police don’t know them. If anyone has their
identities they should approach the nearest police office so that they are
arrested,” said Sabau after being quizzed by journalists on why the police
were turning a blind eye to the terror's campaign in Mbare where they are
reportedly setting up illegal road-blocks among other criminal activities.

In a joint press conference held at the head offices of the Joint Monitoring
and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) lunchtime Monday, also attended by ZRP
officers including Sabau, the three chairperson of Zanu PF and the two MDC
formations, Amos Midzi, Paul Madzore and Trynos Mgutshini respectively,
disassociated themselves from the shadow group.

In a press statement read by Mgutshini on behalf of the three provincial
chairpersons of the three political parties labelled Chipangano a criminal
gang not linked to any of the parties’ signatory to the Global Political
Agreement (GPA).

“We as chairmen of the Harare province, representing the three political
parties in the GNU, hereby denounce Chipangano as a criminal gang not
affiliated to any of the political parties represented in JOMIC,” read part
of the statement from ZANU-PF and the two MDC formations.

Chipangano has, however, been largely associated with President Robert
Mugabe’s Zanu PF.

It has been accused of terrorizing members and supporters of the two MDC
formations, particularly Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s popular faction.

But ZANU-PF has made it clear its structures are well structured and do not
include Chipangano.

The three political parties appealed to the public to report any criminal
activities by members of Chipangano to the police.

“We urge the police to do their work without fear or favour. We believe
there is no one above the law in this country. We want to tell members of
Chipangano, whoever there are, that their time is up,” it added.

MDC-T dossier exposes Zanu PF

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

By Wonai Masvingise 9 hours 48 minutes ago

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais MDC-T party last Friday submitted a report
to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay accusing
Zanu PF of stalling the constitution-making process in order to manage its
internal power struggles.

Pillay was in the country to assess the human rights situation and warned
against fresh elections without reforms.

The MDC-T said although Zanu PF had been making loud demands for fresh
elections, the party was heavily divided on the way forward.

Although Zanu PF have been clamouring for elections this year, it is clear
that its key structures are engaged in a debilitating and dysfunctional
power struggle, reads part of the document.

That means that Zanu PF have now realised that they are not ready for
elections.

The delay in conclusion of the constitutional process will hopefully lead to
a delay in elections.
The current antics in the constitution-making process are simply meant to
delay it and give Zanu PF more breathing space.

Zanu PF and some sections of the military have started making determined
efforts to derail this programme.

Among the methods employed to derail the programme was massive propaganda
against the process channelled through the State media, unwarranted attacks
on the donor community as well as intimidation of the Parliamentary Select
Committee (Copac) members by some sections of the military, MDC-T said.

Zanu PF politiburo member Jonathan Moyo recently described the Copac leaders
as a mafia and called for the disbandment of the drafting team.

The MDC-T added: Recently, Zanu PF brought to Copac what it termed its
position paper in terms of which it seeks to drastically change not only
agreed positions, but the views of the people.

The impression that Zanu PF has given in so doing is that it has not been
involved in the production of the draft constitution. This is simply not
true.

Having failed to influence the people of Zimbabwe via State media
propaganda, Zanu PF is clear that the people of Zimbabwe will overwhelmingly
vote for the draft constitution.

Therefore, it wants to create a deadlock in the process and prevent the
production of the constitution. This way it blocks the referendum with the
net result being that Zimbabweans will not make their own determination on
whether they want the draft or not.

Zanu PF also wants to completely change the views of the people of Zimbabwe
in the constitution.

This will lead to the people of Zimbabwe rebelling against the constitution
during the referendum. Elections will then be held under the current
constitution.

The MDC-T claimed Zanu PFs demands were meant to justify its push for
elections under the old constitution. But Zanu PF secretary for
administration Didymus Mutasa dismissed the accusations as mere wishful
thinking.

Tell them that what they are saying is wishful thinking, it is absolutely
untrue, we want elections yesterday, he said.

When the GPA (Global Political Agreement) was proposed, MDC said it wanted
it to last 12 months and we at Zanu PF realistically said 36 months.
The mediator (former South African president Thabo) Mbeki then said 24
months.

Twenty-four months was a compromise given by Mbeki where MDC just wanted 12
months.

Now it has lasted more than what was agreed not because that is what Zanu PF
wanted, but because Zanu PF wanted elections right from the beginning.

Let not MDC cry foul because there is no one in the country who can be
fooled by them.

So, we are saying let us go to elections tomorrow with or without the
constitution. Let them hear from me that our house is very much in order. -
newsday

Poacher shot dead in Binga blitz

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/05/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

GAME rangers in Binga have shot and killed a suspected Zambian poacher just
days after another Zambian national was seriously wounded in a shoot-out, an
official said.

Rangers recovered 14 ivory tusks after the shooting on Saturday near Bimbi
4, an area of Binga in Matabeleland North close to the Zambezi River, Parks
and Wildlife Authority spokeswoman Carol Washaya-Moyo said.

Washaya-Moyo said police were working with their Zambian counterparts to
identify the dead poacher who was cornered by 16 parks rangers.

Rangers had increased patrols in the area since last week’s shoot-out with
poachers which resulted in George Chingandu of Kazungula in Zambia being
shot and seriously wounded.

In that raid, rangers recovered 22 tusks. Chingandu remains in the intensive
care at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo under police guard.

Washaya-Moyo said on Monday: “Over the last week, a total of 36 ivory tusks
have been recovered; 67 rounds of ammunition; an AK rifle; a 375 rifle and
one round; a cell phone with two Zambian lines and cooking pots.

“The authority wants to continue to warn would-be poachers that illegal
entry into parks estates for the purposes of hunting illegally is suicidal.”

Zambian poachers cross the Zambezi in small boats and enter Zimbabwe where
they kill elephants, usually during the night, and they are gone by
daybreak – leaving behind carcasses with gaping wounds.
Elephant ivory is typically smuggled to Asia where it is carved into
ornaments.

Auditor exposes ZBC corporate abuses

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/05/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

THE Comptroller and Auditor General has laid bare corporate abuses at the
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and revealed that the state
broadcaster made a loss of about US$4 million in 2009.

The ZBC has failed to produce audited statements, flouted the corporate
governance framework for state enterprises and also made some acquisitions
without going to tender as required.

“The broadcaster was disbanded and operated as eight separate companies from
2004 up to the end of 2006. In 2007, the companies were combined to form the
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation last presented its
financial statements for audit in 2004,” comptroller and auditor General
Mildred Chiri said.

“For the periods 2005 to 2007, the broadcaster failed to produce
consolidated financial statements for audit while those for 2008 which did
not require comparative information were supplied and audited. The 2009
financial statements were prepared and the corporation incurred a loss of
US$3,800,949.”

Chari added that ZBC acquired a Transliner Omnibus in June 2009 for over
US$82,000 without going through the State Procurement Board as is required
for purchases of over US$50,000.

The report also said ZBC’s internal audit was being manned by one person who
occupies the lowest level in that department, “rendering the internal
control environment weak thereby raising the risk of failure to detect fraud
and error”.

The ZBC – which is wholly owned by the government – enjoys a broadcasting
monopoly in Zimbabwe. Critics of its monopoly say managers are appointed and
promoted on political considerations with no pressure to turn the
broadcaster – accused of pandering to Zanu PF – into a commercial success.

UN Rights chief criticised over call to suspend sanctions

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
28 May 2012

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been criticised
for comments she made in Harare last week, calling for the suspension of
targeted sanctions placed on members of the Robert Mugabe regime by the
European Union (EU) and Western countries.

Speaking as she ended a five-day visit to assess human rights in Zimbabwe,
Navi Pillay said the restrictive measures were now ‘opposed’ by all three
parties in the unity government and, although the measures were targeted at
specific individuals and companies, she said: “they are in fact having a
wider impact on the general population.” However, Pillay did not explain how
this was so.

Her call for removal of the sanctions surprised many Zimbabwean activists
and some observers, who said Pillay was aware of the continued arrests of
MDC officials, state sponsored violence, the absence of independent
broadcasters, repressive legislation and reforms in the GPA that ZANU PF
refuses to implement.

“I would urge those countries that are currently applying sanctions on
Zimbabwe to suspend them, at least until the conduct and outcome of the
elections and related reforms are clear,” Pillay said to journalists on
Friday.

But civil groups and the MDC formations, all of whom met with the UN rights
chief last week, have said they are against the suspension because human
rights abuses by the Mugabe regime have not stopped. And this would hinder
Zimbabwe from conducting a free and fair poll.

Okay Machisa from the Crisis Coalition said we should not be concerned with
political comments or games politicians play. He explained that he is more
“worried” about the ongoing human rights abuses that could “slide the
country” back to the violence that marred the 2008 elections.

“What is more worrying is that we have state institutions led by prominent
individuals, especially the army, who make pronouncements supporting one
political party. More worrying is that we have gross violations perpetuated
by state machinery,” Machisa explained.

He added: “I see people who committed these atrocities, known people walking
around with impunity. What we have to do is make these people accountable
for their crimes.”

Machisa pointed to the fact that an MDC-T ward official was murdered in
Mashonaland East the day after Pillay made her comments.

“These are the kinds of things on the ground that we should be concerned
with before we ask whether we are we ready for elections,” the activist
explained.

Ernst & Young Consultancy Probes Air Zimbabwe

http://www.radiovop.com

Bulawayo, May 28, 2012- Government has engaged Ernst & Young Consultancy
firm to probe Air Zimbabwe’s collapse and advise on how to revive the
airliner.

Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Minister, Nicholas
Goche told Radio VOP that the consultancy firm began it work a fortnight
ago.

“Ernst and Young will come up with recommendations after their
investigations and the Cabinet will act accordingly on those recommendations
to revive Air Zimbabwe,” Goche said in a telephone interview.

Goche said the ‘consultancy firm is looking at various problems facing Air
Zimbabwe that need to be attended to ensure the success in reviving it.’

In October last year, the government was forced to engage accounting and
consulting firm KPMG to probe financial irregularities at Air Zimbabwe.

The airline is on the verge of collapse.

Unending labour disputes, a grounded fleet and the inability to fly the
lucrative London and South Africa routes, have epitomised government’s
failure to run the airline.

Air Zimbabwe owes various creditors over US$140 million and also faces
possible liquidation after restive workers – said to be owed US$35
million -- sought to have the airline placed under judicial management.

Two of the company’s aircraft were briefly seized by creditors in South
Africa and the United Kingdom late last year forcing the airline to pull out
of the lucrative Johannesburg and London routes.

Zimbabwe kleptocrats haemorrhaging economy

http://www.theafricareport.com

Posted on Monday, 28 May 2012 13:07

By Janet Shoko

Zimbabwe's finance minister has made a bold claim that a clique of
politicians from a rival political party are on a diamond looting spree to
bank roll their lavish life styles.

Topping the list of luxuries allegedly procured by Zanu PF politicians are
expensive private jets.

′′Tendai Biti claims the unbridled theft of the gems in the southern African
country can only be compared with the kleptocratic regime of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, then Zaire, during the late Mobutu Sese Seko's era. ′′

Biti, who is the secretary general from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai led
MDC, says the looters were not afraid of flaunting their ill-gotten riches.

′′"There is no doubt that a small coterie of individuals is benefitting from
Zimbabwe's diamonds. Some of us who are benefiting, are not afraid to flaunt
our monies. We are buying all kinds of assets.′′

"I am a government minister and earning $800. How do I buy some of the
assets that we are buying? People are now buying private jets because of our
diamonds," he said.

′′Biti, who said looting was rampant at the country's vast Marange diamond
fields - situated in the eastern part of the country, however, did not name
those he accuses of looting. ′′

Diamond revenue was expected to contribute $600 million to this year's
national budget, but estimates have since been reversed downwards, as the
finance ministry says money generated from the gem sales are not being
channeled into government coffers.

′′The taxman, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), was recently blocked from
carrying out audits at a diamond mine, Mbada Diamonds last week, further
raising concerns at the illicit trade of gemstones in the country. ′′

Unlike its diamond producing neighbours, Botswana, Zimbabwe does not have
trained valuators to determine the true value of the diamonds.

Treasury had received $35.1 million from diamond mining against the target
of $169 million.

′′Anjin, a Zimbabwean army and Chinese government mining company, has not
remitted any funds to treasury despite being the largest mining operation in
the diamond rich fields.′′

The Zimbabwean government owns a 50 percent stake in all the companies —
Anjin, Mbada, Diamond Mining Corporation and Marange Resources - mining
diamonds in Marange.

MISA-Zimbabwe Alert: Editor assaulted

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Gabriel Mupasiri a car dealer and computer technician in Zimbabwe’s southern
town of Masvingo on 24 May 2012 stormed into the newsroom at The Mirror’s
newspaper offices where he assaulted the weekly’s news editor Passmore
Kuzipa.
28.05.1202:30pm
by MISA

Mupasiri said he wanted to see the author of a satirical column, Hot on the
Heels, which carried a story titled - Rhodene man locks up wife.

The column carried in the weekly’s edition of 24-31 May 2012, did not name
Mupasiri as the alleged culprit, but the car dealer insisted he was the
person mentioned in the story.

Mupasiri said he wanted to deal directly with the person who writes the
column. When he failed to identify the writer, he turned his anger on the
news editor and assaulted him with clenched fists.

A report was made at Masvingo Central Police station where an assault case
number 1347075, was opened against Mupasiri.

According to officials at The Mirror, the police were still pursuing the
matter.

Delays in Finalizing Zimbabwe-Essar Deal Worry Creditors: Industry Minister

http://www.voanews.com/

28 May 2012

Gibbs Dube | Washington

Zimbabwe's Industry Minister Welshman Ncube says the delay in finalizing the
ZISCO and Essar Africa Holdings deal is worrying the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel
Company's Germany and Chinese creditors who should have started receiving
their payments had the deal been implemented as agreed.

Ncube told the parliamentary industry committee Monday that under the deal,
Essar is supposed to settle Ziscosteel’s $400 million debt to KFW Bank of
Germany and Sinosure of China but has not done so after government failed to
meet its part of the bargain.

"The problem that we have encountered is that the Chinese do not want to
directly deal with Essar in recovering their money," he said.

Government last year sold its 54 percent stake to Essar in a $750 million
deal but it stalled as others in the coalition government complained
negotiators had grossly undervalued resources involved.

Independent economist Eric Bloch said creditors have the right to file for
the liquidation of New Zimbabwe Steel Limited which agreed to takeover
Ziscosteel debts.

Cabinet resolved recently to press ahead with the deal, which was almost
collapsing, by transferring mining claims to the Indian steel giant to save
New Zimbabwe Steel Limited, the company formed through the ZISCO-Essar deal,
from crumbling.

The government is expected to hand over to Essar the vast iron ore reserves
held by Buchwa Iron Mining Company now known as New Zimbabwe Minerals
anytime soon.

Minister Ncube said the Indian company will receive its share certificate
after transferring the iron ore.

Zim military to pounce while focus elsewhere

This story has been sent me by someone who does not wish to be identified

I had the rare opportunity of meeting ------------- and
engaging in discussions that lasted more than 3 hours. I deftly
manipulated the discussion so we spent more time talking about hard
politics. I particular we discussed the constitutional reform
process, elections, succession, the position of the military with
regards contemporary political issues and the security situation
now and in the foreseeable future.

I will share with you only snippets of what I perceive to be the
most important issues that arose from the discussion.

The military, as is Zanu Pf, is totally opposed to the draft
constitution produced by COPAC, and they have resolved to ensure
that the draft is not endorsed and should never be brought to a
referendum in its current state. They have joined forces with Zanu
Pf in their condemnation of the draft, and they have developed a
three-phased strategy to deal with the issue, and it goes something
like:

Phase one, which they are currently implementing, involves
critiquing the draft, and possibly shredding it to pieces, and
convincing the nation and the world that the document is so
deficient as to be unsuitable for a constitution. The conclusion of
this phase would be marked by Zanu Pf, with the support of the
military, openly rejecting the draft document in its entirety and
pressing for the dissolution of COPAC and closure of the
constitution making process.

Phase two would involve President Mugabe announcing election dates
and dissolving Parliament. Zanu Pf would insist on holding the
elections under the old constitution, and would dismiss any
protestations by the MDC and any threats to boycott the poll as
inconsequential. They would do everything possible to secure
victory for President Mugabe and the party, the focus being on
controlling both the House of Assembly and the Senate.

The final phase, which would come immediately after the elections,
would involve the Zanu Pf dominated parliament selecting a
constitutional review committee to draft a constitution. The
committee would depend on the COPAC outreach document, the Kariba
Draft, the Constitutional Commission Draft that was rejected in
2000 and the current Lancaster House Constitution as the main
source documents in coming up with a new draft constitution. The
draft would be taken to a referendum within the shortest possible
timeframe.

Zanu Pf envisage that the new constitution would retain an all-powerful

executive president and provide for a way for President
Mugabe to hand over power to successor who would guarantee his
safety.

I spoke to a senior MDC-T official who professed ignorance about
this Zanu Pf strategy. And when I asked him how the MDC would
possibly respond to such developments, he said he was not sure how.
His honest opinion was that the MDC was ill-prepared to respond to
such a scenario and the party's only recourse would be to turn to
SADC and the international community with pleas for intervention.

The constitution envisioned by Zanu Pf would provide for a clear
succession procedure, where the VP would take over and complete the
term of the president should anything happen so that he is unable
to complete his elected term. This then places VP Mujuru in a
better position to take over from Mugabe. This is probably what has
ruffled Mnangagwa's feathers and compelled him to publicly declare
his willingness to contest for the top job.

Contrary to what is peddled by the media, Gen Chiwenga does not
lead a faction in Zanu Pf and is not interested in taking over from
Mugabe, either as party leader or state president. He actually
belongs to the Mnangagwa faction, and is instrumental in achieving
the militarization of the party. When he retires, he would like a
position in the politburo, a Senate or parliamentary seat and
probably a ministerial post.

Chiwenga's vision is to see the military depending less on funds
from treasury, and relying instead on profits generated by
businesses in which the military is a JV partner. He is the brains
behind the mining of diamonds by the military in Chiadzwa in
conjunction with Anjin of China; the acquisition of platinum claims
from the ZMDC in Selous and the creation of a JV (Global Platinum
Resources) between the ZDF and Norinco of China; the acquisition of
vast tract of agricultural land across the country and the
acquisition of prime land in Harare where the army and its Chinese
partners are building what could be Harare's biggest hotel. Three
other hotels are planned for in Mutare, Bulawayo and Masvingo. His
focus is therefore on weaning the military from the state during
peacetime, and not on running for political office.

On the issue of national security, ------------- said the military
was not engaged in rhetoric when they say they are not prepared to
countenance a possible MDC victory. They mean it and they are ready
to take over power in the event the MDC wins the next election.

On the issue of elections he said there was nothing that could stop
President Mugabe and Zanu Pf going ahead with the elections in
2012.

He said the reasons for wanting the elections this year were
totally different from the reasons peddled by the media, namely
that Zanu Pf wanted to have the elections before age and health of
their presidential candidate, Presidential Mugabe, deteriorated to
levels that would make it difficult for him to endure the rigours
of the campaign trail. In other words, the media and some people in
Zanu Pf that we have spoken to have suggested that an early
election was part of the Zanu Pf strategy to manage the succession
issue.

But ------------- said Zanu Pf was concerned about possible
pressure from the international community, especially from
countries perceived to be unfriendly, wanting to monitor and
observe the elections. The party was also concerned about the
international media, which it perceives to be largely hostile,
focusing on Zimbabwe's elections and reporting in a way that would
likely influence opinion against them.

According to Zanu Pf's analysis, 2012 is the most ideal year to
have elections...the new administration in Paris is focused on
domestic issues. Germany is expecting elections in 2013 and
Chancellor Merkel is focusing on winning a crucial third term and
her biggest preoccupation is finding a lasting solution to the
economic crisis afflicting Europe. Brussels is inward looking and
under pressure to find solutions to the crisis that threatens to
unravel the union. The US is preparing for elections in November,
and the UN and the world media are focusing on the crisis in Syria
and the possible pre-emptive strike on Iran and the consequences of
that on world peace.

So, Zanu Pf believe that this is the time most ideal to have
elections in Zimbabwe, when global attention is focused to more
important developments across the world.

This was a completely new revelation, which is at variance with
what are generally believed to be the reasons for Zanu Pf wanting
elections as soon as possible.

Culture in Stone

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

 

Culture in Stone, an exhibition which showcases three Zimbabwean artists’ work to an international audience in London, has been extended due to popular demand.

28.05.1212:43pm

by The Zimbabwean Harare

---

The exhibition, originally scheduled to end on 3 June, will now be open 11am to 6pm daily until 10 June.

Gedion Nyanhongo, Collen Nyanhongo, and Hilary Manuhwa each combine ancient Shona cultural heritage with contemporary themes in their stone sculptures.

Brothers Gedion and Collen were taught by their father, first generation sculpture artist Claud Nyanhongo, alongside their sister, Agnes Nyanhongo, herself an internationally-renowned artist.

“We started when we were kids,” Gedion told *****The Zimbabwean, “I started making sculptures before I knew my name!”

After learning his craft by helping Claud finish his sculptures, Gideon was sent off for an apprenticeship with family friend Joseph Ndandarika, who polished Gedion’s style.

The early hard work paid off. Gedion launched his solo career in 1988 and is now an international success with studios in Zimbabwe and Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States.

He shipped sculptures from both studios to the London exhibition, and is happy with the public’s response to his art.

“A lot of people have come in, from a variety of cultures, and have responded very positively to my work,” he said.

Gedion explores social issues such as unemployment in his work, but still tries to make art that people can enjoy on their own terms.

“I want my art to make people happy, and to promote peace,” he said.

Collen agreed, and said it was important to remember that buyers end up displaying the sculptures in their homes.

“An exhibition like this one is enjoyable because we get to spend time talking to the people who will eventually live with our work,” Collen said.

Like his brother, Collen has had success around the world. His work has been honoured in Zimbabwe, France, England, South Africa, the United States, to name a few.

For Collen, working with stone is difficult, but rewarding.

“I look at the stone and consider it before I sculpt. I work the stone to find out what it can be, what it is saying. It can take months to finish one sculpture.”

Hilary, though not part of the Nyanhongo dynasty by blood, was taught by Gedion early in his career, before moving to the UK in 2001.

“It was difficult in Britain at first,” Hilary said, “but eventually I won a grant which enabled me to establish myself as an artist here”.

“British people have responded well to my work. British society is quite diverse – people respect any culture as long as you respect theirs – so it didn’t take much for people to respond to my work.”

Since establishing himself in the UK, Hilary has been able to experiment much more with different mediums, but always finds himself drawn back to African themes.

“I can work with many types of stone – stone from both Europe and Africa – but I only transfer African concepts to the stone,” Hilary said.

One of Hilary’s pieces is called Mother Africa, which represents Hilary’s belief that, although people in Africa live in different countries and speak different languages today, they all came from the same place, long ago.

“Some people have never been to Africa, but through our work they can learn something about African and Zimbabwean culture. I think they appreciate that.”

Asked when he knows a sculpture is finished, Hilary smiled. “They’re never really finished. At one point you just have to let it go, usually you can feel when the time is right, but it’s not always easy.”

Keeping the exhibition in the family, a third Nyanhongo, and Gedion’s daughter, Yvette, has helped to launch and run the exhibition. Studying marketing in Mutare, Yvette found the exhibition “a great opportunity to learn how to market art and run exhibitions.” Something she thinks will be useful as she is a budding artist herself.

Though none of her artwork is on display, she is hopeful for the future. “I have completed a few pieces of sculpture, I’m still learning though.”

If her family name is any guide, you can be sure the youngest Nyanhongo has a great future in the art world ahead of her too.

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Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committees Series - 28th May 2012 [Public Hearings 28 & 29 May: Meetings Open to Public 28-31 May]