- Challenge Mugabe to deliver
- Mugabe brews another storm
- Mugabe warns hospitals
- Mugabe set to unveil new cabinet
- National Heroes Acre belongs to Zanu (PF)
- Mugabe relents on Byo, Harare threat
- Rhodesians killed Chitepo: Mugabe
- Zanu-PF councillors pledge better services
- Police deny report on chanting slogans
- Econet to Launch Money Transfer Facility
- Mugabe outlines mandate
Challenge Mugabe to deliver by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
Challenge Mugabe to deliver – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 31st August 2013 The Zimbabwean diaspora is puzzled that a month has passed since the stolen elections and a seemingly punch-drunk opposition has given no sign of a strategy to confront Mugabe, let alone stage demonstrations against Zanu PF’s blatant chicanery. We at the Vigil are sorry that the MDC did not decide to boycott parliament to make a powerful statement to the world about the election rigging – especially necessary since the puzzling withdrawal of the MDC’s legal challenge against the outcome. We don’t think their presence can serve any useful purpose but we had no real hope that the honourable members would pass up the perks – even though it just lends legitimacy to Mugabe. Well, here’s another suggestion for the MDC and one which we hope they will look at more favourably. Our suggestion is that the party returns to its roots: trade unionism and human rights. The new constitution the MDC has laboured so long over and welcomed so joyously must give room for this activism. The Labour Court President Custom Kachambwa thinks so. He says the constitution guarantees civil servants the right to strike (Zim Labour Expert Urges Workers to Exploit New Governance Charter – http://www.zimbabwesituation.
- · Following SADC’s rubber-stamping of Zimbabwe’s crooked elections we are introducing a new feature: SADC Watch. Here is a start. The son of Zambia’s President Sata is said to be one of the people behind the supply of closed circuit television equipment to the Zambian government at an inflated amount of $210 million instead of $13 million (see: http://www.zambianwatchdog.
com/mulenga-sata-and-chinese- crooks-that-conned-govt-on- blocking-watchdog-now-to- supply-cctv/ – Mulenga Sata and Chinese crooks that conned govt on blocking Watchdog now to supply CCTV). Malawi’s President Banda is reported to have followed Mugabe’s lead and employed the shadowy Israeli company Nikuv to help steal the elections planned for next year (see: http://www.theindependent.co. zw/2013/08/30/banda-ropes-zim- nikuv/ – Banda ropes in Zim, Nikuv). - · Thanks to Joseph Chivayo who caught the 3.50 am coach from Derby to be with us before the start of the Vigil to help set up. Others who came early were Michelle Dube who took care of the register and merchandise sales and Rose Maponga who took up her usual post at the front table.
For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/
- · ROHR Executive meeting. Saturday 7th September at 11 am. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA.
- · Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 7th September from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a big sign high above and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It’s next to a newsagent. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.
- · Zimbabwe Yes We Can meeting. Saturday 21st September from 12 noon. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA.
- · Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2012 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-
vigil-diary/467-vigil- highlights-2012. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2012 Highlights page. - · The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.
- · Facebook pages:
– Vigil: http://www.facebook.com/group.
- · Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/
zimbabwevigil. - · Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe
Vigil co-ordinators The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk,
Mugabe brews another storm by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Mugabe brews another storm by Patrice Makova – The Standard Mugabe yesterday vowed that members of the MDC formations would never be buried at the heroes Acre, saying the shrine was only reserved for Zanu PF cadres. Speaking at the burial of Zanu PF politburo member, Kumbirai Kangai, Mugabe said the MDC-T officials clamouring for their members to be buried at the National heroes’ acre were day-dreaming. He said the national heroes acre was a preserve of Zanu PF-linked officials only. Mugabe said political parties which supported the imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe had no right to call for their officials to be buried at the national shrine. “They [MDC-T] want their zvitototo [daft people] buried here. We say no. The only people we will bring here are the clean ones. Heroes of heroes,” he said. “We created this Heroes Acre and paid a lot to make it beautiful. They must choose their own burial places. The country has many anthills where they can bury their officials.” Mugabe likened MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai to people in the Bible who supported the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. MDC officials could not be reached for comment. Last week, Mugabe threatened to punish urban dwellers especially those in Harare and Bulawayo, for ditching him in the July 31 election, a threat that was widely condemned. In less than seven days, Mugabe paid three visits to the shrine. On Sunday he officiated at the burial of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager and Zanu PF strategist, Mike Karakadzai. On Thursday, he was back again for the burial of Zanu PF founding member, Enos Nkala. He said leaders should not be selfish, but work for the empowerment of the majority. Mugabe said leaders should not self-enrich themselves. “Let us not be greedy and loot everything that comes along our way,” he said in an apparent reference to corrupt Zanu PF officials, particularly former cabinet ministers. Mugabe also made a thinly veiled attack on devolution which is now provided for under the new constitution. He said no province should claim total ownership and revenue from natural resources endowed there. “Resources found in any area should benefit the whole country. No province should claim exclusive rights to resources found there,” said Mugabe. He also attacked Zanu PF leaders who have become alcoholics. “Don’t be drunkards. There are some of you who stagger in public because of drinking too much beer. This is not leadership,” said Mugabe. The Zanu PF leader again spoke of the July 31 elections which his party won resoundingly. He insisted that although critics were saying the elections were not credible, the environment was free and peaceful with no disturbances recorded. Mugabe said the 2013 elections could not be compared to the 1980 ones administered by the British disputed. “The British themselves never had an election [2013] of this nature. They beat each other on the streets. At some places they throw rotten eggs. Our elections were absolutely quiet and people voted in a very calm atmosphere,” he said. But as the debate about his age rages on a month after winning a seventh term in office, Mugabe yesterday continued to mesmerise his supporters with his recollection of historical events at the burial of Kangai. Mugabe said he and other Zanu PF leaders such as Kangai survived several attempts on their lives including bomb and grenade attacks in the run up to the 1980 elections. “All the same, we won the elections,” he said. Mugabe spoke of the internal struggles in Zanu which saw at least two rebellions being staged. He said the first one, dubbed the Nhari Rebellion, was led by misguided officials. Mugabe said the other one calling itself Vashandi led by the likes of former Zanla commander Wilfred Mhanda, popularly known as Dzino, wanted to cause confusion in the liberation struggle. He said the group wanted Mugabe and other leaders to make individual applications and be vetted before being allowed to come to the war front in Mozambique. He said after the failed Geneva 1976 talks, he and others tricked leaders of Vashandi into coming for a meeting in Beira, Mozambique where they were arrested only to be released in 1980. Mugabe said the arrest enabled the Zanu leaders such as Zanla commander Josiah Tongogara and Kangai to finally visit the war camps previously under the control of the rebels. Mugabe also spoke in detail about the Zanu PF’s Dare reChimurenga (revolutionary council) where the likes of Kangai, Zanu chairman Hebert Chitepo, Zanla chief Josiah Magama Tongogara and Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo were members. He said the revolutionary council was tasked by the Zanu executive with the responsibility of prosecuting the liberation struggle.
Mugabe warns hospitals by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Mugabe warns hospitals – DailyNews Live by Chengetai Zvauya – DailyNews Live Mugabe has warned hospitals against detaining patients who would have failed to settle their medical bills. Mugabe told mourners at the burial of former Cabinet minister and Zanu PF politburo member Kumbirai Kangai, that he was worried with the arm-twisting tactics by government hospitals to force patients to pay up. “We don’t want huge fees in hospitals and we are not saying people must be treated for free but the charges must be reasonable so that they can be met by our poor people,” Mugabe said. “We don’t want the situation whereby people are detained in hospitals for failing to pay the fees, and ko vanhu vasina mari, zvoitwa sei? VaKangai vakarwira kutivanhu vasununguke, vagare zvakanaka, and this is why we also had introduced free education at primary schools at independence for everyone.” Mugabe said he was informed by Kangai’s family that the former minister died on Wednesday night after attending a politburo meeting. He said upon arriving home, he took a bath, collapsed and died. “The circumstances surrounding his death are known by his family and we last saw him in a politburo meeting,” Mugabe said. “Nobody noticed that he was not feeling well as he was making a lot of suggestions in the meeting and we were shocked by his death.” During Mugabe’s speech, former deputy minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation Reuben Marumahoko collapsed. He was ferried on a stretcher bed by a medical team from the VIP tent to an ambulance and had first aid dispensed by Zanu PF politburo member David Parirenyatwa, a medical doctor.
Mugabe set to unveil new cabinet by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Mugabe set to unveil new cabinet Mugabe will name his new cabinet this week, exactly a month since he and his Zanu PF party were swept back to power in a landslide election victory. At 89, many analysts say the new cabinet could be Mugabe’s last as they speculate that he might stand down and let a younger leader from within his party finish his new five-year term. Last Friday, Mugabe announced through a government gazette that the newly-elected MPs would be sworn in on September 3, with the first sitting scheduled for September 17. The new cabinet presents Mugabe with a major challenge as he tries to strike a balance between youth and experience. Zanu PF’s overwhelming election win has meant that Mugabe will have no less than 40 former cabinet ministers in Parliament – all hoping to be considered. Not only that, younger Zanu PF officials are pressing for the injection of youth in government to ensure the party’s survival beyond the current crop of leaders. Since 2009, Zimbabwe has been under a coalition government which saw three parties – Zanu PF, MDC-T and MDC – all contributing cabinet ministers. But with Mugabe’s sweeping victory, in which he polled 61 percent of the vote to his nearest challenger’s 34 percent, he finds himself with more room to appoint his loyalists to the cabinet. But analysts say Mugabe would have to trim his cabinet from the 31 ministries in the last government to a leaner and more efficient edifice geared to deliver on Zanu PF’s election promises, even in the face of the country’s renewed isolation by Western countries who claim the July 31 elections were flawed. Mugabe is expected to retain the nucleus of his loyal inner circle including Emmerson Mnangagwa, Sydney Sekeramayi, Nicholas Goche, Kembo Mohadi, Patrick Chinamasa, Obert Mpofu, Saviour Kasukuwere and Ignatius Chombo. Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo – said to have written the Zanu PF election manifesto – had appeared a dead cert for a cabinet post until his defeat in Tsholotsho North. Joseph Made, who was Agriculture Minister in the last government, lost in the Zanu PF primaries and also faces an uncertain future. The two will now be praying for Mugabe to include them in his allocation of five non-constituency MPs to qualify them for inclusion in the new cabinet. Advertisement Mugabe could also name a few technocrats who did not participate in the elections as non-constituency MPs, including the Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono whose term expires in November. Focus will be on at least half a dozen key ministries – including Finance, Mines, Indigenisation, Agriculture, Transport, Health and Water – which will drive the government programme. Finance in particular, is seen as the most critical appointment with indications that Zanu PF plans to introduce a mineral-backed local currency to work alongside the current multi-currency regime. Mugabe is said to be considering several names for the ministry, including July Moyo, Mnangagwa, Mpofu, Chinamasa and Gono.
National Heroes Acre belongs to Zanu (PF) by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via National Heroes Acre belongs to Zanu (PF) – Mugabe | The Zimbabwean by Farai Mabeza President Robert Mugabe on Saturday said the National Heroes Acre belonged exclusively to Zanu (PF). Mugabe was speaking at the burial of Kumbirai Kangai as he poured scorn on calls for Zimbabweans from all walks of life to be buried at the shrine. “There are some places where only those who have done one, two and three (things) can go to. Only those who have followed the Zanu (PF) way of sacrifice (can be buried at the National Heroes Acre),” Mugabe said. He proceeded to mock Morgan Tsvangirai who he said should find his own place to bury his heroes. “There are many anthills. Choose your own, we paid for this place, it’s for own our heroes. You and your grasshoppers won’t come here, no!” Mugabe said. He however called on his supporters to live amicably with followers of other parties. “Even those who don’t support our party, we share with them what we have,” he said. This marked a departure from his earlier speech at the same shrine when he told Harare and Bulawayo voters to seek salvation from MDC-T for voting that party. In a long and winding speech, Mugabe gave a monologue of the liberation struggle and touched on some of the things that happened in what some historians have called “the struggle within the struggle”. He went on to defend the conduct of the July 31 elections saying they were better than any elections Britain had ever conducted. “They criticise our election which was perfect. Even the British have never had an election that perfect,” he said. Mugabe once again turned his guns on former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, whom he said ignored an agreement between his country and Zimbabwe to fund the latter’s land reform programme. The outgoing Home Affairs Co-Minister, Kembo Mohadi, talking at the same occasion, said the country was losing its generation of revolutionaries. “The constituency of revolutionaries is diminishing and diminishing very fast,” Mohadi said. Mugabe was at the burial without his wife, Grace who usually accompanies him at such events. Former Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara was at the burial.
Mugabe relents on Byo, Harare threat by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Mugabe relents on Byo, Harare threat by Xinhua Mugabe pledged at the weekend that his government would embrace every Zimbabwean including those who do not support his party, sending a conciliatory note to the opposition The remarks followed threats last Sunday against Harare and Bulawayo residents for rejecting his Zanu PF party in the just ended elections which were condemned by the opposition. The country’s two biggest cities overwhelmingly voted for the MDC-T and Mugabe, clearly unimpressed, said residents must look to the MDC-T for service delivery. But speaking at the burial of liberation war hero and former cabinet minister Kumbirai Kangai at the national heroes’ acre on Saturday, a conciliatory Mugabe said every Zimbabwean was entitled to government support regardless of their political affiliation. “We will not deny you food if in need. We will not punish you. Every Zimbabwean is entitled to government support,” he said. Mugabe defeated MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the July 31 by 61 percent against Tsvangirai’s 34 percent. Zanu PF party also won a two-thirds majority in parliament, reversing a loss they suffered in the 2008 elections when the party lost parliamentary majority for the first time since the independence in 1980. The veteran leader is expected to announce a new cabinet this week. Meanwhile, Mugabe rejected criticism of his party of monopolising the conferment of national hero status. The MDC-T and some civil society organisations have in the past called for the establishment of a non-partisan body to adjudicate on conferment of national hero status. But Mugabe said the national heroes’ acre was a burial place for distinguished patriotic Zimbabweans that made significant contribution to the liberation and development of the country and remained loyal to the revolutionary principles of Zanu PF. It was not a burial place for everyone and those unhappy must establish their own burial places, he said. “We don’t want to hear such complaints again. Find your own places to bury your own people,” he said.
Rhodesians killed Chitepo: Mugabe by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Rhodesians killed Chitepo: Mugabe – DailyNews Live by Fungi Kwaramba – DailyNews Live Mugabe yesterday claimed the late nationalist Hebert Chitepo was assassinated by Rhodesian colonialists. Chitepo, who was the Zanu PF chairman, was killed by a car bomb placed in his Volkswagen Beetle in Zambia in 1975. A report produced by a commission of inquiry into Chitepo’s death has never been made public in Zimbabwe. The inquiry was instituted by the Zambian government at the height of the liberation war. Since the time he was killed, there have been widespread speculation that Chitepo was killed by his Zanu allies. But Mugabe told mourners yesterday at the burial of Kumbirai Kangai, a protégé of Chitepo, that the nationalists did not have the sophistry to assemble a bomb that killed Chitepo. “People were blamed for Chitepo’s death but people had no technology to make such bombs and there were no reasons to do so,” Mugabe said at the National Heroes Acre yesterday. “Later we discovered that it was the Rhodesians who killed Chitepo.” In her book, The Assassination of Herbert Chitepo, Luise White, professor of History at the University of Florida, says there have been four confessions and at least as many accusations about who was responsible. There are no clear indications of who killed Chitepo despite the appointment of the Chitepo Commission of inquiry by the Zambian government on 31st March 1975. A report produced by the Chona Commission has never been made public in Zimbabwe. Chitepo’s death led to the arrest of Zanu PF combatants including the late celebrated war commander Josiah Tongogara, whose death just before independence also is one of the most explosive and unclosed chapters in the country’s history. It is widely believed that Chitepo was murdered in the course of a power struggle by close Zanu PF allies. Soon after his death, the Kenneth Kaunda-led Zambian government detained the Zanla leadership over Chitepo’s death after they had aroused suspicion by leaving Zambia soon after his burial. But yesterday Mugabe, who delivered a two-hour long history lecture, blamed the racist settler regime of Ian Smith for the death of a lawyer who many believed had the credentials to be the leader of Zanu and Zimbabwe. Mugabe, Africa’s longest serving ruler and in power since 1980, admitted that he did not want to be the president of Zanu. “In 1977 I was chosen to be the acting president of Zanu, at first I refused because I wanted to return home as the secretary general,” he said. But Mugabe was to lead the party following the death of Chitepo. In July 2001, and after 16 years of silence, Chitepo’s wife Victoria claimed that her husband’s murder was an internal Zanu job, and demanded unsuccessfully that his killers be brought to justice. Her plea followed statements by Kaunda that Chitepo’s Zanu opponents, not Rhodesian agents, were responsible for the killing. Veteran nationalist James Chikerema, who with Chitepo was one of the founding members of Zapu before Zanu split, had another theory about his death. “I knew Chitepo for years. He was murdered by Tongogara and the Karanga mafia,” he claimed. Despite Mugabe’s statement yesterday, the liberation war narrative remains murky and last year, the wife of Tongogara, Angeline called for a probe into the death of her husband and made sensational allegations that he was also killed by fellow nationalists. Several families have demanded further probes into deaths of politicians who have died under unclear circumstances and are demanding answers from government. These include families of the late General Solomon Mujuru and Zimbabwe National Army Brigadier-General Paul Armstrong Gunda who both died in mysterious circumstances.
Zanu-PF councillors pledge better services by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Zanu-PF councillors pledge to provide better services Zanu-PF Harare councillors-elect have pledged to strongly advocate home-ownership for low-income earners and better service delivery after council is finally sworn in next week. Seven councillors from the revolutionary party were elected in the capital. In an interview last week, Mbare Ward 3 Councillor Mr Innocent Masekwe said he would work to ensure the local authority prioritises service provision while shunning personal aggrandisement. He said the last council — dominated by MDC-T ward representatives — failed residents by looting resources. “In terms of service, we have areas where flats and sewer systems are dilapidated. Water pipes are old to an extent that water cannot flow properly. The state of sanitation is not good either. We have areas here in Mbare like Jo’burg Lines where our great-grandfathers have stayed and died, but those living there are still tenants. They should move on to be home owners. Accommodation is critical. We will facilitate every project that has to do with housing for the sake of the electorate. “Apart from accommodation, we have the business side. We have vendors who are selling wares outside and along the roads. We will advocate more market space for them.” Clr Masekwe said he would serve the people of his ward diligently despite MDC-T dominance in council. “We are not going to be moved or hindered by the dominance of MDC-T councillors. Yes, we might have problems with resolutions, but we will always stand as Zanu-PF. We are happy to have seven councillors. Last time we only had one. “We are also pleased with the directive by President Mugabe to slash bills. Mbare was one of the worst affected areas. One resident had a debt which was around US$10 000.” Ward 4 councillor Ms Rai Gwenambira pledged to work towards improving Harare South. “Being elected into council means service delivery must improve. The electorate vote for you so that they see things happening. In Harare South, there are no roads yet. We want to ensure people have proper houses and water supplies.”
Police deny report on chanting slogans by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Police deny report on chanting slogans The Standard POLICE yesterday denied that they chanted Zanu PF slogans during the official opening of the Harare Agricultural Show (HAS) on Friday. National police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba dismissed a NewsDay report which alleged that police officers had chanted Zanu PF slogans during the event which was officially opened by President Robert Mugabe. The newspaper had a front page picture showing police officers waving fists alongside members of Zanu PF women’s league. Charamba however said waving a fist was merely a symbol of black power and was in line with the force’s winning of three gold medals at the show. “The ZRP sport persons are athletes at heart and in flesh and celebrate victory through a Zimbabwean symbol,” she said. “After all, is the ZRP not allowed to celebrate when they win three gold medals?” she charged. She said the story was “misguided” because the author never heard the police officers chanting Zanu PF slogans. “The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) is not a state organisation as inferred,” said Chramba, adding that there was no need for the ZRP to bootlick the President as alleged. “The ZRP is a patriotic force which is not perturbed by reporters who bootlick their paymasters and write falsehoods and frame stories to confuse the generality of Zimbabweans,” she said
Econet to Launch Money Transfer Facility by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via Econet to Launch Money Transfer Facility in South Africa Telecommunications giant, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, says it will early next month launch a money transfer scheme under its Eco-Cash mobile platform in South Africa that will make it easy for Zimbabweans living in that county to send cash back home. Econet chief executive officer, Douglas Mboweni, says the company decided to launch the scheme in South Africa after getting massive support on its Eco-Cash mobile phone platform in Zimbabwe. Mboweni says Zimbabweans have over the years relied on various methods of transferring money to relatives and friends which at times were inconvenient. He says the Eco-Cash scheme to be used by subscribers who utilize Econet Wireless South Africa’s Call-Home Sim Cards, will be able to load money on their mobile phones and send instant text message to recipients. The telecommunications giant’s international Eco-Cash scheme will compete with Western Union, Money-Gram, Mukuru.com and other money transfer schemes. Its mobile Eco-Cash platform, which will also be launched in Zambia and Botswana possibly by the end of this year, is expected to increase the volume of remittances to Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans living in the diaspora send close to $500 million to Zimbabwe very year.
Mugabe outlines mandate by ZimSitRep – 09-02-2013
via President outlines mandate by Emilia Zindi and Kuda Bwititi – Sunday Mail Mugabe has said the incoming Government will be mandated to fulfil the wishes of the people as well as implement policies that uplift the standards of living of Zimbabweans in line with the party’s broad vision to share national resources. Addressing thousands who gathered at the National Heroes’ Acre for the burial of veteran nationalist Cde Kumbirai Kangai yesterday, Cde Mugabe said the revolutionary party will intensify its people-centred policies such as indigenisation and economic empowerment. He said Government officials were in office to serve the majority of Zimbabweans and not to advance personal interests. Housing for all, affordable health care and enhancing the education and mining sectors are among the policies the Government will pursue, he added. “Zvatirikuita izvi kuti vanhu pazvido zvavo pamatongerwe enyika vanosungirwa kupembedzwa, kuva ndivo vanopfumiswa nehupfumi hwenyika kwete kuti huve hupfumi hwevari muhurumende. “Varimuhurumende vatumwa. Vari kunzi titungamirirei tive nezvinangwa zvekushandira nyika yedu zvinotipa hupfumi pahuzhinji hwedu isu vanhu. Kana pasina vatungamiri vanonzwa izvozvo zvino hatisi vatungamirika. Ko iyo hondo takaenda tichiti toda kuzvisunungura isu varwi vacho chete? “Taiti toda kusunungura vazhinji vave nerusununguko, vave nenyika yavo, vave nevhu ravo. Naizvozvo, ichiri hondo iyoyi. Vanhu, hupfumi hunobva pasi. “Asi hupfumi hwese huri pasi ndewe nyika . . . ndezvedu tose. Ndozvakarwira Kangai. The national cake should be distributed equally to benefit everyone regardless of whether the people come from an area that is rich in a particular resource or not.” President Mugabe said Government will come up with a health policy that ensures that poor people are not turned away from health institutions for failing to pay for treatment. “Hurwereka hunotora munhu dzimwe nguva. Munhu anogara muchipatara masvondo nemasvondo; haana mari yekubhadhara. Tomuti bhadhara chete? Kana asina kubhadhara okandwa kunze? Aiwa. Haingave hurumende yevanhu yakadaro! “Hatidi. Ngakuvei nemubhadharo unorerutsa. Hongu, hatingati munhu angabva auya maoko zvawo. Kana fundo yevana; inga takamboramba zviye kuti kuprimary regerai vafunde pachena. Hatingade kubhadharisa vanhu zvinotyora musana. “Hupfumi hwese huri pasi ndewenyika. Kunoita dzimwe nzvimbo dzisina. Kumwe rongoita ivhu chete.” Cde Mugabe described Cde Kangai as an honest person who dedicated his life to freeing Zimbabwe both during and after the liberation struggle. He said it was through the dedication and selflessness of people like Cde Kangai that the country attained independence. The President said the death of Cde Kangai came as a shock as he had attended the last Politburo meeting with no signs of illness at all. “We were with him in the last Politburo meeting where he made suggestions and we never noticed that he was not well. Perhaps some amongst us did, but I did not notice that. The meetings would go on into late hours and the following morning we were shocked that Kangai was no more. “We heard he had a bath and suddenly fell and that fall was a fateful one. He was never to rise again. We could not believe that the person we were with the previous night at the Politburo meeting and the following morning was dead as if that meeting was to say: ‘Goodbye, you will not see me again. This is the last meeting I am attending.’’’ President Mugabe said it was people like Cde Kangai whose history in the liberation struggle was unquestioned who deserved to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre. He said some political parties that were clamouring for their own to also be laid to rest at the national shrine should realise the significance of the shrine. “Inga takati zvuru zvakawanda wani. Ngavatsvagewo zvavo zvuru. Isu takatsvaga chedu, tikabhadhara paida kubhadharwa kuti tivige magamba edu. We told them that there are many places they can choose to bury their own heroes. This one is ours and we chose it and paid for it. Kwete kuti nezvitoto zvenyu moda kuzviisa pano. Kwete. Inzvimbo yevatsvene iyi.” The President chronicled Cde Kangai’s history in the struggle and after independence in 1980. “He was a hard worker, very correct, very honest and the days we stayed together in Mozambique, he proved to be a good leader up to our independence,’’ he said.
Mugabe fumes at farmers by ZimSitRep – 09-01-2013
via Mugabe fumes – DailyNews Live by Fungi Kwaramba Mugabe yesterday took a swipe at unproductive new farmers, whom he alleged were using outdated farming techniques. Officially opening the Harare Agricultural Show, Mugabe slammed resettled farmers for using Stone Age farming techniques. “Tinoda machengeterwo emombe akasiyana neaiitwa nanasekuru vedu (We want to rear cattle in a different way from what our ancestors used to do),” Mugabe said. “Now people with A2 farms are practising just like my grandparents but they have the knowledge and so many degrees.” Zimbabwe has been on the edge since 2000, when Mugabe, now 89, ordered the seizure of white-owned farms. The land seizures were widely seen as a move to bolster his sinking popularity. White farmers, aid officials and Western diplomats agree that land redistribution was needed to undo colonialism’s legacy in Zimbabwe, where whites made up one percent of the population but owned 70 percent of the most fertile land. FROM P1 But they say the programme’s fast pace and Mugabe’s hardball tactics spawned violence and aggravated the food crisis. Some white farmers were killed during the land redistribution campaign. More than 4 000 were evicted without compensation, according to the Commercial Farmers Union. Mugabe called on new farmers to “embrace new technologies in order to empower our agriculture.” The Zanu PF leader admitted that the country’s livestock production was still stuttering and promised to assist farmers to jump-start the agricultural sector which used to be the mainstay of the economy before the advent of the land reform programme in 2000. After chiding new farmers for employing archaic methods, Mugabe turned his focus on black farmers leasing out their properties to evicted white farmers. “Let’s change our methods, zvanezuro zvekuti dai agriculture yafondoka varungu vadzoke tozoratidza mhuri yeZimbabwe kuti hatigone pasina varungu ndezvezvibwasungata zvinoda kuramba zvichiyamwa mazamu anaMrs. Hatingarambe tichishandira bhunu ratisingazive kuti rakabva kupi. (What was happening in the recent past when some were saying agriculture should collapse in order to prove that blacks are not good farmers so as to bring back white farmers is a wishful thinking by sell-outs. We cannot continue working for the whites),” Mugabe said. During the tenure of the inclusive government, Zanu PF rejected a land audit amid allegations from the MDC that several top government officials are multiple land owners. Ex-minister of State in the President’s Office, Didymus Mutasa, who is also Zanu PF administration secretary, has said the three land audits he conducted had confirmed that the poor black masses were the major beneficiaries, not the cronies named in several audit reports; and therefore there was no need for another land audit. Government did not take up an offer of $31 million from the European Union to bankroll the planned land audit. The European Commission in Zimbabwe has said the EU was ready to fund an “inclusive, transparent and comprehensive land audit” but said no one had come forward to claim the money. Fresh from winning an election albeit under controversial circumstances, Mugabe is pushing for yet another black empowerment programme targeting foreign firms similar to the land reform programme. Mugabe was on cloud nine, boasting of his re-election for yet another term in a disputed poll. He said he was glad the country had successfully co-hosted the world tourism indaba in Victoria Falls this week. “The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) which we successfully co-hosted with Zambia showed that nothing is enchanting and enduring as people united in achieving the same goals they have set for themselves,” said Mugabe.
MDC-T says Zanu (PF) intensifying violence against its supporters by ZimSitRep – 09-01-2013
via MDC-T says Zanu (PF) intensifying violence against its supporters | The Zimbabwean by Thabani Dube Zanu (PF) has been accused of perpetrating post election political violence in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe after its militia reportedly attacked and displaced an MDC-T local councillor candidate for Ward 5 in the recent elections, Gift Kapawu, and his family. In a statement, the MDC-T said the defenceless Kapawu, his wife and four children aged one, five, nine and 12 years, respectively, have since sought refuge elsewhere. The party said the victims made a police report but no action was taken. “The Zanu (PF) militia, which was heavily armed with knobkerries and machetes, accused Kapawu of daring to contest against their… candidate in the just ended disputed elections. The Zanu (PF) thugs went on to destroy Kapawu’s homestead and stole some household goods. “Kapawu reported the incident to the police at Chitsungo police station but…no action has been taken,” reads part of the statement. The MDC-T said it was disturbed by the fact that Zanu (PF) continued with such attacks on MDC-T supporters even when they claim to be victors in the just ended elections. “More disturbing is the police’s inaction in these acts of violence by Zanu (PF) thugs, in an apparent endorsement of impunity within the party. “The continued persecution of people of dissenting and divergent views by Zanu (PF) clearly exposes the level of intolerance entrenched in the party,” said the party. The MDC-T demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities by Zanu PF and called on the people of Zimbabwe, regional and international bodies to roundly condemn such barbaric acts. Efforts to get comment from Zanu (PF) national spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo were fruitless as his mobile was not reachable.
Mugabe, Mujuru in discord over West by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
via Mugabe, Mujuru in discord over West by NewsDay DISCORDANT foreign policy pronunciations have rocked Zanu PF over the past few days with Vice-President Joice Mujuru saying Zimbabwe was keen to re-engage the international community including the West, barely two days after President Robert Mugabe threatened a clampdown on Western companies operating in the country. Speaking at the burial of national hero Retired Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai on Sunday, Mugabe attacked the West for maintaining sanctions against Zimbabwe and for casting aspersions over his recent re-election. “They (Western powers) have companies here and we have not imposed controls or sanctions against them, but time will come when we will say tit-for-tat. You hit me, I hit you. You impose this on me, I impose this on you,” Mugabe said. “Our attitude is not going to continue as it was in the past — passive. We have had enough and enough is enough.” A day later, Mujuru was singing a different tune saying: “As a nation we are now focusing on investing in our economy to generate business, employment and raise the social welfare of our people. Further, Zimbabwe will continue engaging the international community for political, economic and social co-operation. “We constitute the international community and it is our wish to remain a member of this family,” said Mujuru, in a speech read on her behalf by outgoing Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Engineer Walter Mzembi at the just-ended United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in Victoria Falls. “True, we once had our problems, which, with the assistance of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, I am glad to say we have managed to resolve successfully.“ The United States and European Union imposed targeted sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes on Mugabe, members of his inner circle and several companies following the 2002 disputed elections and alleged human rights abuses. Analysts said Zimbabwe needs to adopt a policy of engagement with various international players including the West to encourage foreign direct investment necessary for the revival of industry and the creation of jobs. Political analyst Ernest Mudzengi, however, said there was no need to read much into Mugabe’s angry reaction as the common position in Zanu PF was to re-engage the West. “The statements came from two different contexts. If you follow closely what he (Mugabe) has been saying, he wants re-engagement, but sometimes he has to grandstand. What Mujuru said accurately represents the Zanu PF position and the President’s statement was just an angry reaction. He has indicated the need to re-engage even in his inauguration speech,” said Mudzengi. Another analyst Prosper Manjoro said that Zanu PF was desperate to re-engage the West and Mugabe’s statements were just politicking. “The only truth is that re-engagement is inevitable, the biggest challenge is what the conditions are. The spirit of moving forward is a given. Mugabe was speaking at a political party-like function and Mujuru at a government function and usually it is the party position that prevails,” said Manjoro.
SW Radio withdraws VMCZ membership by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
via SW Radio withdraws VMCZ membership NewsDay SW RADIO, a privately-owned Zimbabwean radio station domiciled in the United Kingdom, has withdrawn its membership from the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) in protest against the council’s decision to congratulate Zi-FM Stereo Radio on its first anniversary. Zi-FM, which is owned by newly-elected Zanu PF Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira, is perceived to be sympathetic to the ruling party. In a statement, SW Radio director Gerry Jackson said: “As station manager, I have listened online to many of the discussions hosted by Mandiwanzira on his radio station. Most of them are fit only for broadcast on the State media. His discussion on private radio stations was nothing short of farcical.” “He is now a Zanu PF MP and has shown his support for Zanu PF, which was the reason he was given a licence. There is a belief that Zi-FM is funded by State security,” she said. Jackson also accused Mandiwanzira of working in cahoots with State security agents in several sting operations involving the Central Intelligence Organisation. However, VMCZ board chairperson Alec Muchadehama defended his organisation’s decision saying the VMCZ works with all media that subscribe to its code regardless of whether they are State or privately-controlled. “The VMCZ in its congratulatory statement made no reference to personalities, but the institution that is Zi FM on the basis of its subscription to the VMCZ Media Code of Conduct,” said Muchadehama in a statement on Wednesday. Contacted for comment, Mandiwanzira said: “The withdrawal is irrelevant. They voluntarily joined the VMCZ and they voluntarily withdrew. If it is true (what we are hearing), we think that they are a danger to the media industry. “In fact, it’s a pirate radio station that should never exist and those funding them should know they are funding a hostile institution.”
Studio 7 Among Top Credible News Sources in Zimbabwe by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
via Survey: Studio 7 Among Top Credible News Sources in Zimbabwe from VOA-Zimbabwe by Irwin Chifera, Gibbs Dube A media credibility index compiled by the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) shows the Voice of America’s Studio 7 is among the top media outlets that provide the most trustworthy news in Zimbabwe. Presenting the findings of the credibility index compiled after a three-month survey of 11 media outlets, MMPZ programs officer, Sibusisiwe Dube, said the electronic media carried the most credible news with an overall credibility rate of 97 percent. Surveyed media outlets in the electronic category were Studio 7, Star FM, Zi FM and Zimbabwe Television and SW Radio Africa. Studio 7 and ZiFM came out tops having carried the most credible stories between April and June this year. The index shows that all the 98 stories carried by Studio 7 during the survey period were credible. The three daily newspapers surveyed, The Herald, The Daily News and Newsday, achieved an aggregate credibility standing of 94 percent. Individually, The Daily News scored 99 percent credibility rate for stories it carried during the period, Newsday 98 percent and the state-controlled Herald newspaper 86 percent respectively. The index says The Herald carried the highest number of untrustworthy stories during the period under review. Weekly newspapers got an aggregate credibility rate of 96 percent with the Standard singled out as the most professional in terms of journalistic practice. The surveyed media collectively carried 1,036 stories in the three-month period and of these 993 were credible. Other key findings of the survey are that Studio 7 stories were exclusively based on named sources while the Herald had the highest number of stories with unnamed sources followed by ZiFM and the Zimbabwe Independent. The MMPZ said during the period under review, the public or state-controlled media carried the most undependable news with a combined credibility rating of 88 percent, 11 percent lower than the aggregate 99 percent achieved by the private media. The media monitoring group said common weaknesses in monitored stories included misrepresentations, lack of balance, fairness and downright manipulation of facts to further particular interests. Thabani Nyoni, spokesman for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, said it’s true that most Zimbabweans listen to VOA Studio 7 for balanced news. He said state-media are unpopular because they promote Zanu PF interests. But Zanu PF activist Morris Ngwenya disagreed, saying state-controlled media are the most credible sources of news and information in the country.
Mugabe goes biblical by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
via Mugabe goes biblical – DailyNews Live by Bridget Mananavire and Xolisani Ncube Mugabe yesterday went biblical, saying people wished to live longer but emphasised that only the spiritual life was perpetual. In an address to mourners at the burial of Enos Nkala, a founding member of Zanu and former Cabinet minister, the 89-year-old Mugabe said people should not worry about where and how they live. President Robert Mugabe being sworn-in for a seventh term. “The pastor said its only transformation (from one life to another), but pastor we are men of flesh, we live not the spiritual life, we live the physical life,” Mugabe told mourners at the National Heroes Acre. “We want our bodies to live life long if they can sustain. “It’s a wish, against God’s wish that life can be perpetual… but we live for a short period and the spiritual one is eternal.” In an address lasting for more than one hour, Mugabe, said the shorter life on earth is the one he deems superior. “But this short one, the one where we interact and we have the consciousness of mind, the one where we are organised, family, land… it’s the one that seems to matter more than the other,” Mugabe said. “We have to be taught to realise that it’s the inferior life. “We are men of flesh, if we realise we are just bundles of flesh in this life then we wouldn’t worry about where we live and how we live, but God also wants us to worry about this life, because then as we are taught if you live it in accordance to certain rules, then it will save us for the other life.” He said it is because of the earthly worries that man fight for their rights and the reason why Zimbabwe has refused to be colonised. Mugabe has looked increasingly to God to shore up his claim to leadership. In power since 1980, the political firebrand and outspoken foe of the United States and Britain, has made repeated trips to Singapore for cataract treatment, the most recent of which came before his re-election. The Zanu PF leader, spent the entire address speaking about the history of the liberation struggle and how the two personally knew each other before and after independence. Mugabe appeared strong and fired-up during the presidential campaign, and managed to win another term that extends to 2018. Meanwhile, some official from Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC attended Nkala’s funeral. Sekai Holland, outgoing MDC minister of National Healing said her party paid tribute to Nkala, whom she said had fought a democratic struggle. “The (MDC) Guardian Council is here from the party in our personal capacities, the democratic struggle that was waged and won through the liberation goes on,” Holland said. “Multiparty democracy is part of the democratic struggle there is no contradiction.” “So I am a proud MDC member as the chair of the Guardian Council and we are here to pay tribute to a liberation hero that’s all. Even (James) Makore who worked with him a lot is here with me.” She said she had had the opportunity of personally working with Nkala. “I first met Nkala when he was released from prison. After 10 years of incarceration, we met at the Mulungushi Village (in Zambia). “I was the representative of the party in the Australian and Asian region, and when we met them in Mulungushi Village; it was the first time that the Central Committee, the Dare Rechimurenga and the diplomatic men met as the Chimurenga General Council. It was in 1974,” she said.
New Dawn shuts down Zimbabwe gold mine by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
via New Dawn shuts down Zimbabwe gold mine | MINING.com by Frik Els Shares in New Dawn Mining (TSE: ND) plunged nearly 14% on Friday after the junior gold mining announced it’s shutting down its 85%-owned Zimbabwe mine. The Toronto-listed small cap is little traded and is worth $12.7 million with 45 million shares outstanding. The Dalny mine located in the Kadoma region 175km southeast of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe and produced 4,711 ounce in the first half of the year. New Dawn produced some $19,000 ounces from its six mines in the Southern African country. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority cut power to the project over problems with bill payments and a statement by the Toronto-based company blames the “substantial fall in the price of gold over the last nine months, exacerbated by the impact of previously reported operational problems at the mine, has resulted in a serious liquidity problem.” The Dalny mine which employs 900 people will be put on care and maintenance and staff have been placed on unpaid leave. The mine’s outstanding trade payables currently total about $3 million. New Dawn said increasing power and staff costs, harsh royalty regime and an illegal strike contributed to the decision and the company also lays some of the blame for the shutdown on the African nation’s indigenisation policy: A major underlying factor contributing to the Dalny Mine’s current difficulties has been the more than two year delay in the still incomplete approval process for the Company’s proposed Plan of Indigenisation. A timely approval of the Plan of Indigenisation had been expected to provide the Company with access to sufficient investment capital to fully fund the development of a cost efficient operation at the Dalny Mine. After years of underdevelopment, had an investment program in the Dalny Mine been implemented and completed as originally anticipated, the Dalny Mine would have been positioned to maintain profitable operations in today’s environment of lower gold prices and increasing costs.
Komichi’s trial casts more doubt on ZEC’s credibility by ZimSitRep – 08-31-2013
With email comment by Eddie Cross: “Komichi is the Vice Chairman of the MDC. He is a professional Engineer who used to help manage a major coal fired power station in Zimbabwe. In the past elections he was responsible for relations with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Just after the Special Voting exercise, a cleaner found discarded completed ballot forms in a dustbin. This was reported to the MDC who collected them and handed them to the Vice Chairman for submission to the ZEC as part of our evidence that the Special Voting Exercise was shambolic and open to fraud. He was arrested and has now been in custody for 6 weeks. His “trial” is a complete mockery of justice and a clear example of the use of the whole judicial system to intimidate and suppress all opponents to the Zimbabwe regime. The fact that he is being held in leg irons and handcuffs even though he is no threat or flight risk is yet another example of the appalling record of the judicial system in Zimbabwe. It take great courage and determination to stand up to this system and I salute Mr. Komichi for his stance and pray for his family.” via Komichi’s trial casts more doubt on ZEC’s credibility The MDC’s position that the just ended elections were not credible, free and fair was further strengthened in court today in the trial of Senator Morgen Komichi after it emerged that there were serious irregularities in the special voting exercise. Senator Komichi is the MDC deputy national chairperson who is facing false charges of contravening the Electoral Act. The confusion which marred the special voting and harmonised elections continued to emerge after it was exposed at the Harare Magistrares’ Courts that Mugove Chiginya did not vote in the local council, parliamentary and presidential elections during the special vote period despite his ballot papers showing that he had cast his vote. The ballot papers were presented in court as part of the exhibit. Chiginya is a police officer based at Mbare Police Station and his ballot papers were found dumped in a dustbin at the Harare International Conference Centre which was the command center of ZEC. These details were revealed at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts during the cross examination of Utoile Silaigwana, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), deputy chief elections officer by the defence counsel, Alec Muchadehama. Senator Komichi was arrested last month after handing over ballot papers belonging to Chiginya to senior ZEC officials. It emerged in court today that although Chiginya’s ballot papers were delivered to Mt Pleasant Hall polling station where the special voting exercise was taking place on 14 and 15 July, the police officer did not cast his vote although the ballot papers presented in court showed that he had voted. It further emerged in court that the special voting exercise was shambolic as there was no voters’ roll but a voter register, making the voting process highly porous as people including those not on the voters’ roll being able to vote more than once.` Silaigwana failed to explain why ZEC had failed to stop the chaos claiming that he was not well versed with most of the questions asked by the defence counsel. Meanwhile, Muchadehama had to seek the assistance of the trial magistrate, Tendai Mahwe for Senator Komichi to be removed from leg shackles during the trial proceedings. Since the start of the trial on Tuesday, Senator Komichi has been appearing in court in leg irons and would spend the whole day in such a state, a situation which restrained him during proceedings.
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