One Diamond Executive Released, Five Others Denied Bail

http://news.radiovop.com/

10/11/2010 18:47:00

Harare, November 11, 2010 - Zimbabwe High court ordered the release from
custody of Canadile diamond mine chief executive officer, Lovemore Kurotwi
who was arrested for fraud after the police failed to bring him to court
within the required 96 hours.

Five other diamond executives are still being detained after the state
invoked section 121 when a magistrate had granted four executives US$2000
bail while Dominic Mubaiwa, Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC) chief
executive officer, was denied bail.

The four ZMDC officials who had been granted bail which was denied by the
state are John Tichaona Muhonde, Gloria Mawarire, Ashton Ndlovu and Marck
Tsomondo who are also facing fraud charges.

The lawyers of the four said they will appeal to the Supreme court against
the actions of the state saying the state 'frivolously' used section 121 to
invoke bail given by the magistrate.

The state can appeal bail approval by the magistrate by invoking section 121
of the Criminal and Procedure Evidence Act, this means the accused granted
bail will remain in prison.

Six executives were charged with fraud for making misrepresentation that a
South African based company, Benn Steinmeitz Group Resources (BSGR) was
intending to register as a mining company in Zimbabwe but later they
registered Core Mining Minerals, Kurotwi's company.

The state alleges that this led to the country losing investment of more
than US$ 2 billion dollars in investment which BSGR wanted to invest in
Zimbabwe.

George Chikumbirike, Kurotwi's lawyer told journalists that the High Court
ordered Kurotwi to be released as police held Kurotwi for more than four
days without taking him to court.

"The order of the court (High court) is that applicant Lovemore Kurotwi be
released from custody forthwith," Chikumbirike, Kurotwi's lawyer told
provincial magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe on Wednesday.

Chikumbirike on Saturday had obtained a High court order for his client to
be released but the police and the prosecution ignored it. However, on
Wednesday High court ordered again that Kurotwi be released from custody.

Regional magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe immediately ordered the release of
Kurotwi from custody.

"Accused number one (Kurotwi) is released on the instructions of the High
court," he said.

State prosecutor, Chris Mutangadura said the state will continue by way of
summons.

"The state will proceed by the way of summons," Chris Mutangadura said but
the state by end of day had made an appeal to the Supreme court to stop
Kurotwi's release.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Kurotwi and the other five accused duped
President Robert Mugabe to approve granting of a diamond mining licence
saying the company was about invest US 2 billion dollars in the country.

ZMDC chairman, Goodwills Masimirembwa told the court that Mines minister,
Obert Mpofu wrote a letter to Mugabe through Lawrence Karwi, an official in
the president's office to seek permission to allow the ZMDC to partner a
South African mining company, Benn Steinmeitz Group Resources (BSGR) to mine
in Marange diamond fields.

Masimirembwa appeared in court to provide documents which is the basis of
the charges Kurotwi and five others are facing.

Masimirembwa said Mugabe approved the deal as representations by Kurotwi had
said BSGR would provide US$ 2 billion dollars to mine in Marange and this
led to chief secretary of cabinet to write to Mines minister, Obert Mpofu on
behalf on  Mugabe who approved the deal.

Masimirembwa said BSGR is not the one which was later granted a licence but
Core Mining Minerals, Kurotwi's company.

"The office of the presidency through the chief secretary of the cabinet
told the Mines ministry to go ahead with the partnership between BSGR and
ZMDC on the understanding BSGR would provide an investment of US2 billion
dollars," Masimirembwa told the court.

Gukurahundi Activist Dies From Suspected Torture

http://news.radiovop.com/

10/11/2010 09:23:00

Bulawayo, November 10,2010 - Qhubekani Dube (35), chairman of Ibetshu
Likazulu a Bulawayo based pressure group which fights for the compensation
of Gukurahundi victims has died.

Dube died Tuesday morning at his Makokoba home in Bulawayo.

According to Mbuso Fuzwayo Ibetshu Likazulu spokesperson, Dube died from
injuries he sustained from police torture.

“Dube was arrested and tortured several times by police for leading protests
against human rights abuse by the Zanu (PF) regime.

“ Early this year  he spent several  months in remand prison after police
had also tortured him and he didn’t  get  treatment .We are  sure this is
what has caused  his death  although  we are still  waiting for postmortem
results,” said Fuzwayo.

Dube and his Ibetshu Likazulu pressure group made headlines early this year
when they led protests against the camping of North Korean soccer team world
cup in Zimbabwe. They accused North Koreans to have trained 5th Brigade army
which butchered Zapu supporters in the 1980s during an operation code named
Gukurahundi.

The pressure group and political parties based in Matabeleland and the
Midlands region had mobilized themselves ahead of the arrival of the North
Korean team that was to set a train at Rufaro and Babourfieds stadiums
before proceeding to South Africa for the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The North Korean team ended up not coming to Zimbabwe.

Ibetshu LikaZulu has also been calling for President Robert Mugabe and those
linked to the Gukurahundi massacres  to be brought to the International
Criminal Court of Justice for "their crimes against humanity.

Soldiers go on rampage in Chipinge East

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
10 November 2010

Heavily armed soldiers wearing military fatigues on Wednesday launched a
lunchtime raid on Green Valley farm in Chipinge East, in an operation in
which they took away MDC officials.

One of those ‘abducted’ by the soldiers, who were brandishing AK47 rifles,
is Solomon Mazvokwadi, an MDC-T ward youth chairman for the area. The
soldiers were deployed in Chipinge East three months ago and have been
patrolling the area, allegedly intimidating MDC supporters.

MDC MP for the constituency, Mathias Mlambo, said the raid by the soldiers
on the farm was so sudden and brutal it left villagers trembling in fear.

‘They went to the farm looking for MDC supporters and officials. It’s
unfortunate our youth chairman was targeted and they took him away, but not
before rampaging through homes at the farm,’ Mlambo said.

‘As I’m speaking to you right now I am less than five kilometres from where
they took Solomon. His wife tells us the soldiers have beaten him up bad and
she too was assaulted when she tried to intervene,’ the legislator added.

The MP said the presence of the soldiers has been a cause for concern in the
area as they’ve basically taken over all policing duties from the police.
The police have also been too frightened to stand up against the soldiers.

‘When they raided the farm I personally phoned the police pleading with them
to come and help, because soldiers were harassing innocent civilians and
threatening them with guns. But no one dared to come and help. This has been
happening since the soldiers came into this area three months ago,’ the MP
said. He went on to say that some weeks ago another MDC supporter was
severely beaten by the soldiers for allegedly pursuing a married woman.

‘We all know that is a lie. Even if there was some truth in it, it was not
their business to investigate or beat up our supporter because they are not
the police. These soldiers have been deployed to cause mayhem in the rural
areas and I beleive we will witness more serious human rights abuses than
two years ago,’ Mlambo added.

Man in court for insulting Mugabe

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Chenai Maramba     Wednesday 10 November 2010

KAROI – A man here who is facing charges of insulting President Robert
Mugabe was yesterday freed on US$50 bail and ordered to return to court in
about two weeks time.

Garikai Chimanga Sibanda, 26, was arrested on Monday and appeared before
magistrate Onias Matare yesterday who ordered him to return for trial on
November 23.

The state charges that Sibanda over the weekend had an altercation with
another man only identified as Zijena, who is said to work for the President’s
office as a messenger.

During the altercation Sibanda is said to have uttered derogatory and
obscene words -- that we cannot repeat on family website – against Mugabe.

It is an offence under Zimbabwe’s tough security laws to undermine or insult
Mugabe, the only ruler Zimbabweans have ever known since the country’s
independence from Britain 30 years ago.

However after apparently realizing that he had overstepped the mark, Sibanda
went to the local offices of the government’s spy Central Intelligence
Organisation where he confessed to insulting Mugabe and begged for
forgiveness.

He was asked to write a report before he was handed over for prosecution.

Prosecutor Benjamin Negato told the court yesterday that Sibanda had
breached the law by demeaning the Head of State.

Sibanda was not asked to plead to the charge.

A number of Zimbabweans have been arrested over the past few years for
insulting Mugabe whom they blame for ruining what was once one of Africa’s
success stories. - ZimOnline

NGOs Urge Unity Government to Bring Military Into Line on Elections

http://www.voanews.com

The security chiefs, all members of the Joint Operations Command accused of
masterminding 2008 election violence, are perceived to oppose a transfer of
power from ZANU-PF to the MDC for fear they may prosecuted

Jonga Kandemiiri, Blessing Zulu & Ntungamili Nkomo | Washington 09 November
2010

About 50 Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations have urged the three
parties in the country's national unity government to jointly engage senior
military and other security service commanders to reassure them of their
future in return for guarantees they will not interfere in the transitional
democratic process.

Meeting in Bulawayo last week under the aegis of the Human Rights NGO Forum,
the NGOs called on President Robert Mugabe as head of ZANU-PF and the
leaders of both formations of the Movement for Democratic Change - Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara - to
engage the commanders to discuss “the interests and fears of the security
chiefs" with respect to future prosecution for past actions.

The security chiefs, all members of the Joint Operations Command accused of
masterminding 2008 election violence, are perceived to oppose a transfer of
power from ZANU-PF to the MDC for fear they may prosecuted for their role in
the nationwide campaign of violence in the run-up to the 2008 presidential
runoff election.

The Joint Operations Command was to have been disbanded after the unity
government's formation to pave way for the National Security Council,
chaired by President Mugabe with Prime Minister Tsvangirai as a sitting
member.

National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations Chief Executive
Officer Cephas Zinhumwe told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the three
political parties should give the role of the military the attention it
deserves.

Political analyst Bhekilizwe Ndlovu of the Union for Sustainable Democracy
told Ntungamili Nkomo that it may be a futile exercise for the principals to
try and convince the so-called securocrats not to dabble in politics.

Elsewhere, the Tsvangirai MDC formation said it will confront army
commanders about the growing military involvement in politics. Military and
security officials continue to hold meetings of the Joint Operations Command
and are throwing their support behind President Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF in
view of possible 2011 elections.

The JOC has recruited war veterans, traditional chiefs, Zimbabwe liberation
war collaborators or helpers and the ZANU-PF youth militia to support Mr
Mugabe’s re-election, sources said. Security sources said the JOC will focus
its efforts on rural Manicaland and Masvingo provinces where the MDC upset
ZANU-PF in 2008.

Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangangwa and the war veterans have said they
will not allow Mr. Tsvangirai to rule even if he wins. Mnangagwa has been
quoted in press reports as defending army deployments in the provinces
saying 10 percent of the army has always been deployed in this way as a
matter of national security.

Meanwhile, the MDC expressed shock at what it called a veiled threat on Mr.
Tsvangirai's life by Jonathan Moyo, the former information minister. Moyo
wrote in an article published last week that Mr. Tsvangirai must “just shut
up and get on with it as he awaits his assured shellacking at the next polls
if he still would be around by then.”

Moyo is known to work closely with most members of the Joint Operations
Command.

Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told reporter Blessing Zulu that
rogue elements in the army are of considerable concern and the matter may be
referred to the Southern African Development Community, which is a guarantor
of the 2008 Global Political Agreement for power sharing along with the
African Union.

But ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said there is no need to internationalize
the dispute.

Mr. Tsvangirai was in Paris on Tuesday for talks with French officials whom
he updated on the political situation in Harare. On Monday Mr. Tsvangirai
accepted an award from the International Association of Political
Consultants.

The Democracy Medal is awarded for “courageously fostering, promoting and
sustaining the democratic process.” He and former South African President
Nelson Mandela are the only two African leaders to have received it.

On Wednesday Mr Tsvangirai is to meet with French Foreign Affairs Minister
Bernard Kouchner.

Minister of State Jameson Timba, attached to the office of the prime
minister, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu that while in Paris Mr.
Tsvangirai will also try to stimulate French investment in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai in Europe to ratchet up pressure on Robert Mugabe

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

10 November, 2010 07:46:00    Daniel Finnan / Laura Angela Bagnetto -RFI

IN an exclusive interview, Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change
spokesperson Nelson Chamisa told RFI on Tuesday that they will ask for help
in organising elections which President Robert Mugabe has called for by the
middle of 2011.

Despite not having a new constitution the MDC is happy with, they have come
up with what they call a "stopgap measure".

"The campaign for a credible and legitimate plebiscite remains our core,"
says Chamisa. The MDC is appealing to its international partners to do
"whatever they can do to try and help."
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is set to meet French Foreign
Minister Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday.

Chamisa says the MDC does not want see a repeat of recent elections in
Myanmar "where it's a charade", something he describes as a "Muppet show".

"We want a real election in Zimbabwe where people are given the right to
choose, people are able to express themselves. We really want to deal with
the chlorination of the environment, if I may call it that, to make sure
it's really on course," he says.

"Whoever wins an election, that is beyond consternation and disputation,
we'll congratulate," says Chamisa. He adds "certainly we'll be the winners".

When asked about electoral support from France and the European Union,
Chamisa told RFI that there needs to be a "global and international effort
by way of solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe".

"At the moment the conditions, objectively and subjectively, are not there
to promote that voice with credibility and legitimacy," he adds.

Chamisa says that Zimbabwe really needs a new constitution before elections
can happen. This process has been "literally discredited itself because of
violence, because of the involvement of the military, because of a lot of
other issues that have poisoned the environment".

However, he says they should not ditch work that has already been done.
Instead the MDC is proposing a "transitional constitution" which will
"archive the agenda for a new constitution" so that the country can hold
elections.

He concedes that "incrementally" there are "good things" in the constitution
that will enable Zimbabwe to conduct elections.

New EU ambassador sceptical on lifting of Zimbabwe sanctions

http://www.businessday.co.za

SAPA-DPA
Published: 2010/11/10 02:42:09 PM

The new representative of the European Union to Zimbabwe said Wednesday he
was concerned about fresh incidents of political violence in the country and
expressed doubt that Zimbabwe met the EU’s conditions for the lifting of
targeted sanctions.

In an interview with the German Press Agency dpa in Harare Aldo Dell’Ariccia
said that, while there had been some democratic reforms since a
power-sharing government was established in 2009, Zimbabwe still did not
have press freedom.

“I have been in the country for a short period to assess that there is
respect for human rights and democracy,” Dell’Ariccia admitted.

Yet, he had already concluded there was “much scope for improvement” before
Zimbabwe could boast a free press, he said, singling out the “monopoly” (by
President Robert Mugabe’s party) of radio and television as a blight on the
media scene.

The EU was also concerned about a recent outbreak of political violence
during public hearings on a new draft constitution.

A supporter of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) died and 11 other people were injured in September when
supporters of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party tried to break up meetings about the
draft charter.

“The incidences of violence which happened during the constitution-making is
an area of concern. Political violence is not a good signal,” Dell’Arricia
said, adding it was one of the elements that would be considered when
deciding whether to maintain the sanctions.

In 2002, after an election marred by violence, the EU and US imposed
targeted sanctions on Mugabe and dozens of members of his inner circle in
the form of asset freezes and travel bans.

The EU is due to review the sanctions next February.

Some observers have suggested the measures should be eased in return for
guarantees from Mugabe that the next elections will be free and fair.

Mugabe has been pushing for elections to replace the coalition government he
formed with Tsvangirai to be held by middle of next year.

Last week, the head of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission toldpolls.

Dell’Ariccia said the EU was ready to help the ZEC, by providing technical
and financial support as well as sending EU monitors.

EU monitors have been barred from observing elections since 2002, when the
head of the EU monitoring team was expelled from Zimbabwe, resulting in
Brussels withdrawing its 30 observers.

Dell’Ariccia warned the EU would not endorse any election outcome in
Zimbabwe if it were not allowed observe the vote.

“The European Union will only be in a position to express an opinion on an
election only if we have been present there,” he said.

Army deployed to monitor MDC activities

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Jane Makoni
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 10:52

MARONDERA - Soldiers from the Zimbabwe National Army were recently deployed
in towns across the country, reportedly to monitor MDC activities ahead of
general elections expected next year. The soldiers set up camp at local
police stations and teamed up with CIO and Zanu (PF) members in joint
operations conducted at ward level, according to a soldier based at
Dombotombo Police Station.

“We were deployed to take note of people’s grievances around town. Three-men
teams comprising a CIO, Army and Zanu (PF) official would monitor political
proceedings in various wards. The exercise was meant to bring back ‘normalcy’
among the electorate. Several army control stations have been established
country-wide, equipped with stand-by generators to maintain a
round-the-clock radio communication with other sub-stations and army
headquarters,” said the source.
Other sources in the army said the reconnaissance teams were assisted by
local Zanu (PF) members to identify influential MDC officials in each ward
for future action.
“It was felt strategically correct to deploy the army now, as deploying it
towards election time would raise eyebrows among the international
community. This is a military state and the army would not want to take any
chances. The political playing field has to be tilted in favor of Mugabe and
Zanu (PF) now,” said another soldier.
The army has also maintained a permanent presence in rural areas in order to
scare villagers into voting for Mugabe and Zanu (PF) next elections.
“Zanu (PF) has failed to establish party structures at grassroots level, so
the military and other state security organs would do the donkey work to
secure Mugabe’s victory in next elections. The former ruling party also
failed to sell membership cards to the electorate in urban areas,” said a
party insider.

Cops pledge to defy Chihuri’s ‘unprofessional’ orders

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Jane Makoni
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 17:33

HARARE - Junior and middle ranking police officers have vowed to defy Police
Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri’s  orders, to deny MDC supporters
protection against victimization at the hands of Zanu (PF) and state
security agents.

Several junior police officers told The Zimbabwean they were fed up of being
used as tools to fight agents of democracy. “The majority of members in the
defense forces were used as weapons to protect tyranny and the interests of
Mugabe’s inner circle. There is no way we can fold our hands while innocent
people are brutalized by political thugs. We will do our job professionally
and effect arrests on anyone who perpetrates violence against political
rivals. It would be honorable to lose police job for defying Chihuri’s
unprofessional orders, than remain in the service as an accomplice in
committing genocide,” said an assistant inspector based at Police General
Headquarters in Harare.

The officers said like other citizens, their hopes were on MDC-T as Zanu
(PF) had failed to deliver. “Imagine a poor uniformed police officer begging
for a free ride from a commuter omnibus crew. Sympathetic drivers would
offer police officers free rides provided they were comfortable with seating
on a hot gear-box shield popularly known as ‘Kadoma’ or poor man’s seat.
This was humiliating on dignity of police officers. Police officers can not
afford a 4 Rand bus fare for local city trips and no right thinking officer
could support the Zanu (PF) administration anymore”.

Like the majority of other government employees, police officers survive on
corruption as their salaries could hardly meet their basic needs. They earn
an average $150 per month. Police officers’ working conditions were worsened
by selfish leadership. Traffic police officers hitch hike to roadblocks as
service vehicles were assigned on private missions at senior officers’
farms.

Chihuri reportedly ordered top police officers at a meeting held at Lake
Chivero recently, that MDC supporters should not enjoy police protection
when terrorized by Zanu (PF) and state security agents.

The meeting was attended by police provincial commanders, who were later
assigned to disseminate the orders to juniors at police stations under their
command. Several such private meetings were later held at provincial level.

Police officers, who attempted to arrest Zanu (PF) perpetrators of violence
2008, were dismissed from the force on instructions from Chihuri.

In Macheke, Constable Admire Takawira, among other police officers, was
discharged from the police after he arrested war veterans who torched
homesteads belonging to suspected MDC supporters June 2008.

His superiors had instructed him to arrest victims of the arson and turn
them into perpetrators of violence. Takawira refused and effected arrests
according to law, resulting in his dismissal.

Villagers pledge to sell chickens to fund election monitors

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
10 November 2010

Villagers in the politically volatile district of Muzarabani in Mashonaland
central province have pledged to sell their chickens and goats, to help
finance foreign election observers for next year’s elections.

At a recent ‘Heal Zimbabwe’ meeting at Machaya village in the district, one
villager asked if any foreign observers would be deployed to monitor the
elections.

“If we are to have elections next year we want the UN and EU to come and
observe the elections. What does it take for them to come and protect us? If
it is money, we villagers in Muzarabani are prepared to sell our chickens
and goats to pay them to come,” a villager identified as Goto said.

Goto added: “We cannot have a repetition of 2008 when SADC observers were
relaxing in hotels while we got beaten here.”

Before the 2008 elections, Muzarabani was considered a bastion of the ruling
ZANU PF party. But voting patterns from polling stations in the district
showed that the MDC had made significant inroads in terms of supporters,
sparking a bloody backlash from the ZANU PF loyal militias and war vets.

Muzarabani, as a result, witnessed one of the bloodiest campaigns of
violence in 2008, when ZANU PF militias, aided by party youths and war vets,
went on a murderous trail, leaving broken bones, dead bodies and traumatized
victims on the way.

The district is still reeling from the effects of the politically motivated
violence and intimidation witnessed in the area between the 4th and 6th May
2008, at the instigation of Chief Kasekete, who ordered the murder of
villagers who subscribed to MDC ideologies.

According to Heal Zimbabwe Trust, in June 2008 22 people died in Muzarabani
while scores more were seriously injured in the orgy of violence waged by
ZANU PF.

Power cuts and high costs causing major deforestation

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
10 November, 2010

The failure of the government to develop a stable and reliable electricity
infrastructure has continued to wreak havoc on Zimbabwe’s landscape, causing
massive environmental destruction.

Years of corruption and mismanagement at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply
Authority (ZESA) have created daily power cuts and regular load shedding
that negatively affects businesses and homes. This has left many with no
choice but to cut down trees, as a business itself.

Lionel Saungweme reports that deforestation is a national problem that has
significant consequences, not least the loss of soil, washed away when it
rains.

According to Saungweme vast tracts of land without any vegetation can be
seen all over the country, and the problem has intensified as the chaotic
so-called ‘land reform program’, initiated by Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF,
spreads to more commercial farms.

“The situation is extremely bad. Imagine from 2000 when the farm invasions
began. These people could not farm so the only economic form of survival
became the cutting down and selling of trees to sell to the town locals and
others,” said our correspondent.

Saungweme explained that this problem has international consequences because
Zimbabwe is signatory to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals,
which require member nations to uphold specific standards of environmental
preservation.

Current statistics about deforestation in Zimbabwe are hard to come by but
it’s known that between 1990 and 2005 the country lost 21% of its forests
and in fact has no primary forests remaining. Between 2000 and 2006 Zimbabwe
was one of the top 10 countries in the world for deforestation.
The Federation of Timber Producers estimated that resettled farmers cost the
country $1.5 trillion dollars in 2005, through illegal fires and harvesting,
basing the cost on the value of the trees. Much of the illegally harvested
timber is exported to countries on Zimbabwe’s border, but is sold for well
below its market value.
Although much of the timber is sold to make a quick buck for many it is
still an essential resource for cooking due to the governments poor
management of the power needs of the country and ZESA is engaged in an
escalating fight with residents who are refusing to pay the exorbitant fees
for electricity, which they do not have most of the time. The Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association has organised protest marches against ZESA
in Bulawayo.

The group also submitted recommendations to the Minister of Finance, Tendai
Biti, to address their concerns in the next budget. These included
recognition of the fact that the Kariba hydro-electric power station and the
Hwange power station have a combined output of 1700 megawatts, which is
insufficient to meet the 2100 megawatts required for the nation’s domestic
and industrial use.
The residents implored government to rethink its energy policies to find
long-term, environmentally friendly sources of energy for the benefit of
future generations. The association also protested ZESA’s erratic power cuts
and load shedding, saying the parastatal should “introduce clear load
shedding schedules that will be strictly adhered to.” This would at least
enable business and individuals to plan their lives.

Air Zimbabwe property face seizure over non payment of workers

http://news.radiovop.com

10/11/2010 18:39:00

Harare - Zimbabwe’s ailing national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, which recently
failed to pay its pilots was on Wednesday battling to save its assets from
attachment by court sherriffs acting on behalf of workers who are owed
millions of dollars.

Sources told Radio Vop that the sherriffs arrived at the airline's airport
heaquarters in the wednesday morning to attach property to compensate
workers for the loss of earnings.

Among some of the property that was to go under the hammer were top of the
range vehicles belonging to top managment and company buses used to ferry
workers to and from work.

Air Zimbabwe was recently ordered by the labour court to pay its workers
money that they were owed after it failed in its bid to retrench close to
400 workers. Recently its pilots went on strike over pay grounding all its
flights. The situation was only resolved after President Robert Mugabe
intervened after he himself nearly became a victim of the industrial action.
At the time he was supposed to travel to New York for the United Nations
General Assembly. Special arrangements had to be made to secure a crew which
took him to the United States.

Contacted for a comment the Air Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer, Peter
Chikumba confirmed the presence of the Sherriff at the airline's Harare
International Airport Headquarters.
"Yes we have some people who are here to try and cause some confusion but we
are in a meeting to negotiate other means of settling this issue other than
the one they are suggesting," said Chikumba who was by then in a meeting
over the issue.

Air Zimbabwe, which has over the years been run down by successive Zanu PF
governments was in the past few years surviving on handouts from the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) through the central bank governor, Gideon Gono’s
quasi-fiscal activities.

A ministerial team has since been constituted to look into the operations of
the airline.

Its chief executive has in the past advised that the national flag carrier
needs a new aircraft to fight off its battered image caused by an aging
fleet. Moreso moral is low at the airline due to viability problesmw which
has seen workers sometimes going without pay. Chikumba has tried to forge
alliances with other international aviation companies as a way of restoring
viability but this has fell off because of the aguing fleet of aircraft.

A pair of new Air Bus A 34O aircrafts that the government was said to have
acquired is yet to be delivered.

About 500 retrenched workers are demanding a whopping US$5 million from the
national airliner which they are owed in outstanding salaries and
allowances.

Air Zimbabwe currently operates two Boeing 767 planes, two Boeing 737 planes
and one unpopular Chinese made MA60. One MA60 plane has been grounded since
it hit warthogs at Harare International Airport recently while the other
MA60.

Zim Peace Project Exposes Violence In Masvingo

http://news.radiovop.com/

10/11/2010 14:08:00

Masvingo - November 10, 2010 - The Zimbabwe Peace Project on Wednesday said
two traditional leaders from Masvingo were reportedly forcing villagers to
pay two goats per family or US$70 fine for refusing to support Zanu (PF)
imposed village heads.

It said in a statement, the traditional leaders,Chief Gurajena and Chief
Zimuto, were accused by more than 60 families under chiefs Gurajena and
Zimuto in Masvingo North for forcing them to buy the former ruling party's
cards or face eviction from the areas.

Masvingo North constituency falls under Zanu (PF) after Minister of Higher
and Tertiary Education Stan Mudenge won in the 2008 harmonised elections
beating the MDC-T
candidate Wilstaff Sitemere.

According to ZPP, villagers said the Zanu (PF) officials led by former
Central Committee member Clemency Makwarimba  were in the area to
restructure the party’s leadership at grassroots level but they faced
resistance much to the displeasure of the chiefs.

The villagers have however, vowed to challenge the decision of the chiefs in
courts since most of them are not able to raise the money or part with their
livestock.

Traditional leaders meeting last month in Kariba resolved that President
Robert Mugabe should rule for life.

Meanwhile war veterans from the same province led by one Murindi are moving
around the Bikita West constituency harassing and threatening villagers
forcing them to buy Zanu (PF)cards.

The war veterans who recently met in Bikita at Mashavira village threatened
to “violently flush out” all MDC-T supporters from the area.

During the meeting the villagers were threatened with beatings and attacks
worse than the 2008 election political violence. The villagers were also
ordered to hold Zanu PF meetings
every Wednesday to showcase their allegiance to the party up until the
election time.

All the people who were at the meeting were ordered to buy Zanu (PF) cards
and support the party’s national conference set for next month in Mutare.

Murindi was also part of a the group of war veterans who was moving around
Zaka and Bikita with war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda allegedly
threatening and harassing villagers into supporting the party.

Zimbabwean Civic Groups Ask State to Reimburse Funds Looted by Central Bank

http://www.voanews.com/

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Zimbabwe
Civil Society Budget Coalition have submitted demands to Finance Minister
Tendai Biti asking for reimbursement of funds which the RBZ misappropriated

Gibbs Dube | Washington 09 November 2010

Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations whose foreign exchange deposits at
the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe were misappropriated by the central bank
between 2003 and 2008 have asked the government to provide for their
reimbursement in the 2011 budget which Finance Minister Tendai Biti is to
present later this month.

Sources said the National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations and
the Zimbabwe Civil Society Budget Coalition have submitted their demands to
Biti. The sources said the organizations fear the RBZ, which owes creditors
more than US$1.5 billion, will never reimburse them, so are appealing to the
state to make them whole.

Economic commentator Masimba Kuchera told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube
that the government will probably assume the RBZ debts as soon as
appropriate legislation has been put in place. “The unity government has the
ability to pass the necessary law so that the state can take over the RBZ
debts,” Kuchera said.

The central bank's board recently resolved that the government should take
over non-core assets of the central bank and liabilities amounting to some
US$1.3 billion, with other debts settled by the RBZ through asset sales.

Khama insists Botswana policy on Zim unchanged

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
10 November 2010

Botswana’s President Ian Khama has insisted that his country’s policies
towards Zimbabwe have not changed, despite calling for the lifting of
targeted Western sanctions still in place against the Robert Mugabe regime.

Khama said on Monday, during his State of the Nation address in Botswana’s
parliament, that he wants sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted, to deny
ZANU PF the “lame excuse” it uses to undermine the unity government. He said
Botswana wants sanctions lifted to help provide a conducive climate for the
Global Political Agreement (GPA) to succeed. He explained that ZANU PF is
using the sanctions as an excuse not to fully deliver within the coalition
process they are a part of.

“This lame excuse should be put to the test,” Khama said, echoing statements
he made earlier this year during a trip to South Africa.
Botswana has in the past been one of the most vocal critics of Robert Mugabe
and ZANU PF, and observers have reacted with shock that Khama appears to
have changed his tune with regards to the targeted sanctions.

However on Monday, Khama said that contrary to media reports, his country
has not changed its position on Zimbabwe. He explained that his recent calls
for the lifting of the targeted sanctions are consistent with the position
of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“During my visit to South Africa, President (Jacob) Zuma and I reiterated
the current regional position taken at the SADC summits, held in Pretoria
and Windhoek in 2009 and 2010 respectively, that sanctions on Zimbabwe
should be lifted,” Khama said.
He added: “Botswana has been consistent with the earlier decisions of SADC
mentioned above, which we are party to.”

Political commentator Professor John Makumbe told SW Radio Africa that Khama
is “playing to the gallery” and trying to fit in the with policies dictated
by his fellow SADC leaders. Makumbe said this was likely related to a recent
visit to Botswana by South African President Jacob Zuma, who has also been
calling for the targeted measures to be lifted. Makumbe said it would seem
that Zuma has been pressuring Khama to toe the SADC line on Zimbabwe.

“I believe that Zuma is trying to impress on Khama that the whole of the
SADC leadership should not interfere in Zimbabwe,” Makumbe said. “This is
really just a way of saying that Mugabe should stay in power, rather than be
nudged out as a result of SADC’s efforts.”

ZANU PF has long been using the targeted measures, imposed by the West
against Mugabe and his inner circle, as the scapegoat for Zimbabwe’s
economic downfall. The party has also refused to honour the GPA until the
targeted measures are lifted, arguing the measures are preventing them from
fulfilling their promises. The party position has been supported by SADC who
resolved at a recent summit of regional leaders to call for the lifting of
the targeted measures. Observers have commented that this is an open show of
support for Mugabe, which has little to do with the will of Zimbabweans.

Former minister suggests UK home for Robert Mugabe

http://www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Renton suggests best way to help economic recovery of Zimbabwe is to
give the country's president a 'comfortable and well looked after home in
Britain'

    * Press Association
    * guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 10 November 2010 18.08 GMT

Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, speaking at the UN in September
Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, speaking at the UN in September.
Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Giving Robert Mugabe a comfortable house in the UK would be the best way for
the government to help the people of Zimbabwe, a Tory former Foreign Office
minister said today.

Lord Renton of Mount Harry's claim came as peers discussed the situation in
the troubled African country at question time in the House of Lords.

Lady Verma, answering on behalf of ministers, had said the economic
situation had "improved significantly" since the formation of the inclusive
government in the country.

But former Tory MP Renton asked: "Would you agree that the best way for us
to help and assist the economic recovery of Zimbabwe would be to offer
President Mugabe a safe, comfortable and well looked after home in Britain?"

Verma replied: "I think your suggestion is interesting, but I don't think I
will comment on it further."

Renton served as a minister both the Foreign Office and the Home Office, and
as a parliamentary secretary to the Treasury. He was Margaret Thatcher's
chief whip between 1989 and 1990 and served in John Major's government as
minister for the arts between 1990 and 1992.

Zanu buys loyalty

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Clara Jimu
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 11:52

HARARE - In a bid to buy loyalty Zanu (PF) has begun paying members of the
Zimbabwe National Army and CIO operatives along with some war veterans
deployed in the country's rural areas to terrorize perceived MDC supporters,
The Zimbabwean can reveal.

According to highly placed sources in the national army, selected members of
the army received payments in the form of cash deposits in their bank
accounts. The allowances will be paid on a monthly basis until the day of
elections, our sources revealed.

"We got information from our senior officers that some money had been
deposited in our accounts on parade on Friday. When I checked my account I
saw that there was US$250 which came in the form of unspecified
"allowances".

"According to information leaked from our intelligence department, the
recipients of this payment are supposed to be deployed to the rural areas by
the end of November while others are reported to have already been
deployed," said a highly placed source at Defence House.

Meanwhilem some CIO operatives have been planted within the country's
uniformed forces organizations in the face of growing unpopularity for Zanu
(PF) among members of the uniformed forces.

Another source at Harare Central police's law and order section also
revealed that the organization's Police Internal Security and Intelligence
(PISI) department, Zimbabwe Prison Service's Security department and
National Army's Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps (ZIC) have been infiltrated by
members of the Central Intelligence organization (CIO).

Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa recently told parliamentarians that the
army had the mandate to protect the country, hence the deployment of
soldiers across the country, but denied that the deployments were for
political intimidation and terror to secure votes.

Zimbabwe Consulate treating Zimbabweans with disdain

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by MDC SA Information Department
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 12:27

Zimbabweans applying for passports and Identity documents are having a raw
deal at the Isando based Zimbabwe Consulate. The process is so slow that
frustrated applicants yesterday vented their disappointment by demolishing
windows of the building housing the Consulate in protest of the snail pace
in delivering the services.

It takes seven working days for one to get an Identity paper, a process that
takes less than 10 minutes in Zimbabwe. Applicants spend a day queuing for
verification before being issued with a bank-slip to pay the R150 charged
when applying an Identity. Other two days are again spent lining to submit a
copy of a bank statement, needed to prove that the correct amount has been
deposited in the Consulate ‘Standard bank account. After submitting the bank
slips, applicants are then advised to come for the actual issuing of the ID
after five working days.  After the five days applicants have to congregate
outside waiting for their names to be called out. In several instances
applicants’ names are never called on the scheduled dates compelling them to
visit the Consulate everyday hoping to be given services. Some applicants
have lost their jobs as employers ran out of patience with the Zimbabwean
employees who are forever at the Consulate to sort out their papers.
The same process applies when applying for a passport. The only difference
here is that a passport sets back applicants by R750. It takes six weeks for
the passports to be processed. Since the process started on 20 September
2010, all applicants are yet to receive their passports.
We are really worried that people are expected to queue for the whole day,
just to submit a bank slip.  The efficiency of the skeleton staff members
manning the Consulate is further crippled by lack of machinery to process
IDs. There is only one camera to shoot ID pictures. There are only two staff
members processing birth certificates and IDs. One would have expected the
Consulate to beef up their skeletal staff members to match the high volumes
of applicants. Considering the millions of Rands being wrecked in by the
Consulate, employing 10 more people should honestly be a priority so as to
avoid unnecessary queuing. I sincerely believe that if there were more
people offering services, the huge number of sky blue-shirted security
guards, controlling queues with an iron fist will not be necessary. There
are more security guards than service providers. The consulate is still to
move in to other places like Durban, Port Elizabeth and Limpopo to assist
Zimbabweans who desperately need the documents. The 31 December 2010
deadline will remain a pipe dream as long as incapacity continues to bedevil
operations at the Zimbabwe consulate.
Bank-slips with the Consulate’s account numbers are also being sold to
applicants for R800 on the back market. Desperate applicants were left
without any option except to buy the ‘goods’ as the Consulate created
artificial shortages of bank-slips. How on earth can a consulate run out of
bank-slips? Who created the shortages?

EU gives millions for land audit

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Gift Phiri
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 18:15

HARARE - The European Union is giving the Zimbabwe government € 4.9 million
to conduct a national land audit. "The EU funds will contribute to the
implementation of the national land audit, which is critically needed to
ensure a proper framework for an increased productivity of the agriculture
sector in Zimbabwe," said Ambassador Aldo Dell'Ariccia, head of the EU
Ddelegation to Zimbabwe.

A two-year land audit was due to begin in Zimbabwe in February - but
shortage of funds, an angry reaction from President Robert Mugabe's allies
and more attacks on white farmers stalled the audit. It is expected to
reveal multiple farm owners, 10 years after Mugabe's government embarked on
its programme ostensibly to hand over mainly white-owned land to black
people.

The scheme has been widely blamed for destroying Zimbabwe's
agriculture-based economy and turning the country into a net importer of
food.

Meanwhile the European Commission (EC) has also agreed to fund a programme
to support the reform of the sugar sector of Zimbabwe to the tune of €13 779
000 (about US$19 million). "The Zimbabwe Sugar Industry is of strategic
importance to the country's economy which is just re-emerging from a drastic
decline that culminated in 2008, with a sugar production below 300 000 tons
per year. This projects aims at restoring the capacity and the level of
production of the sugar industry, on which the livelihood of more than 200
000 people depend," Dell'Ariccia said.

There has been no official indication of when or even if the audit will take
place.

Independent journalists harassed

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Written by Tony Saxon
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 11:16

MUTARE - Some members from the notorious Central Intelligence Office and
some Zanu (PF) supporters have started harassing freelance journalists and
other reporters from the private media as electioneering begins in
Manicaland. (Pictured: IFJ has called on all political parties to pay
attention to the safety of journalists as the country faces possible
elections)

Freelance journalists in Mutare last week told The Zimbabwean that they were
being targeted and were being accused of writing bad things about Robert
Mugabe and Zanu (PF).

Emmanuel Mlambo, a freelance journalist, said: “I was man handled by some
overzealous Zanu (PF) supporters who accused me of writing negative articles
about Zanu (PF) and Mugabe.  I was not even given the chance to respond as
they attacked me with fists.”

Another freelance journalist who declined to be named said: “I was drinking
beer at a bottle store and some guys came and took me away to secluded place
purporting to be news sources. But, suddenly they took my cell phone and
searched me and also took my tape recorder.

“They said they wanted to retrieve information as they were secret agents.
They scrolled down my phone asking me all the names and contacts of all the
people in my phone and what was my relationship with them.

“They asked me why I was writing negative articles about President Mugabe
and Zanu (PF). They told me that Mugabe was the life President of Zimbabwe
and he should have positive coverage. They warned me with death if I
continued writing bad things about Mugabe.”

Another freelance journalist, Sydney Saize, was severely beaten up and
injured while attending a Zanu (PF) fundraising function last week. He lost
his money amounting to US$30, his press card, a mobile phone and his
reporting equipment during the process and is currently receiving medical
treatment. Saize made a police report and the Manicaland police
spokesperson, Brain Makomeke, confirmed the report.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) and the Southern Africa Journalists
Association (SAJA) have condemned the increasing threats against journalists
in Zimbabwe.

"As we approach emotive events such as the anticipated referendum and
elections, we call on all political parties and organised groups to allow
journalists to do their work professionally without hindrance" said Foster
Dongozi, ZUJ General Secretary and SAJA President.

Regarding the next electoral deadlines, IFJ has called on all political
parties to pay attention to the safety of journalists and to respect press
freedom for the consolidation of the democratic process in Zimbabwe.

"We would also urge authorities at police headquarters to conduct awareness
campaigns within the force on the operations of the media" added Dongozi.

Zimbabwe Documentation Program, a view from the Zimbabwe Processing Side

Bill Watch Special of 10th November 2010 [Parliamentary Committee Meetings 8th to 11th November]