Talks resume between ZANU PF and MDC formations

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 November 2009

The country's three main political parties have finally begun discussing
crucial outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement to try to end
the long running dispute between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.

A source in the MDC-T told us the latest round of negotiations would focus
on 'steps and measures' to achieve a 'comprehensive and balanced'
implementation of the GPA signed last year between the parties.

Last week there was an angry spat between the parties for not taking the
talks seriously after the first deadline set by a SADC Troika summit was
missed. The negotiators are meeting in a final bid to narrow the wide gaps
between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

The talks this week would focus on core issues: the unilateral appointment
by Mugabe, of central bank Governor Gideon Gono, Attorney General Johannes
Tomana and party loyalists to the country's provincial governorship posts.
These are all MDC demands. ZANU PF wants targeted sanctions imposed on its
members to be lifted, and the closure of the so-called pirate radio
stations.

 Monday's negotiations were attended by all teams from ZANU PF and the two
MDC formations. Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma represented the MDC-T while
Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga stood in for the MDC-M.
ZANU PF was represented by Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche.

The talks resumed after a gap of nearly a month as slow-moving efforts to
end political bickering gather steam. The negotiators met at an undisclosed
venue in Harare to start intense deliberations to deal with the matters as
brought on the table through the SADC summit in Maputo early this month.

Analysts point out that SADC leaders have come to an understanding that in
order to resolve the prolonged crisis in Zimbabwe, dialogue and full
implementation of the GPA would have to be done as soon as possible.

The stalled power-sharing talks between ZANU-PF and Tsvangirai's MDC have
dragged on for a long time, and now threaten the very survival of the
inclusive government. Last month MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said his party
and Mugabe's ZANU-PF were 'worlds apart' after the two old foes met to try
to resolve their differences.

"If they (Mugabe and his ZANU-PF) are facing west we are facing east,"
Chamisa said.

The shaky unity government nearly collapsed when the MDC stopped attending
cabinet meetings in protest against the arrest of its Treasurer-General Roy
Bennett, and Mugabe's refusal to fully implement the GPA. Difficulties in
implementing the agreement have delayed efforts to secure billions of
dollars from Western donors, money that is crucial for the country's
economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has said the world in general and Africa in
particular should have the decency to sit across the table to resolve
disputes of whatever magnitude, without resorting to armed conflict.

Addressing delegates at the Amadeus Institute in Tangier, Morocco on
Saturday, Tsvangirai said despite severe provocation and blatant abuse of
the MDC, his conviction was that 'the ballot and not the bullet' was the
only means by which stability would be achieved in Zimbabwe.

"Ours is a typical example of how negotiated settlements can achieve so much
within a short space of time. It was unimaginable just a few months ago that
President Mugabe and I would sit across a table and talk about the
development of Zimbabwe," he said.
The Prime Minister added; "the level of animosity that existed across the
political divide was legendary with polarity permeating all facets of human
and economic endeavour."

Based in Rabat, Morocco, the Amadeus Institute is an independent Moroccan
think tank, a centre of expertise, reflection, advice, proposals and
consultation.  Every year-end the institute invites international luminaries
to tackle political and human development issues and advise on the best way
forward for Africa.

From Morocco the Prime Minister headed to Tripoli, Libya where he was
received with full military honours. He was met at Meghida Airport by his
Libyan counterpart Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi, Foreign Affairs Minister Mussa
Kussa and generals from the Libyan army, air force, navy, police and other
security services.

Zuma delays visit to Zimbabwe over deadlock

http://www.nation.co.ke

By KITSEPILE NYATHI, NATION CorrespondentPosted Monday, November 23 2009 at
19:51

HARARE, Thursday

South African President Jacob Zuma has postponed his visit to assess
Zimbabwe's troubled power sharing agreement after the feuding parties missed
a deadline to kick start negotiations but his advisors have expressed
impatience over delays to conclude the talks.

Regional leaders at a summit in Maputo Mozambique on November 5 gave
President Robert Mugabe and his coalition partners 15 to 30 days to sort out
their differences.

But the 15 day deadline to resume the dialogue elapsed without any meeting
between the negotiators. The South African government says it now expects
the Zimbabwean crisis dealt with by December 5.

President Zuma who was mandated by the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) to facilitate dialogue between Mr Mugabe, Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara will
now visit Zimbabwe on December 6.

But officials said there was a possibility that Mr Zuma would come earlier
if there is no progress.

Meanwhile, the negotiations from Zanu PF and the two MDC formations were due
to hold their first meeting later today.

The meeting would come against a background of worsening relations between
the MDC factions and Zanu PF.

At the weekend Mr Tsvangirai's MDC blamed the delays in initiating dialogue
on a lack of "sincerity and faithfulness to resolve the outstanding issues"
by Zanu PF and the rival MDC faction.

The deadline set by the SADC troika for the resolution of outstanding issues
has once again been missed.

Bennett Trial - Witness Stuns Court

http://www.radiovop.com

     
      Harare, November 23, 2009 - The investigating officer in Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC)  treasurer general Roy Bennett's terrorism trial
stunned a Harare court Monday when he said he was yet to conclude
investigations in the trial of the deputy agriculture minister designate.

      Chief Superintendent Sipho James Makone told the court while
testifying in Bennett's trial he was yet to obtain relevant documentation
which reveals Peter Micheal Hitchmann's Mozambican account, which the state
says was used by Bennett to deposit cash to purchase arms.

      Hitschmann, who is alleged to be an accomplice to Bennett, is also the
key witness in Bennett's trial.

      Makone, the first state witness among 13 witnesses lined up to give
evidence, said he did not find a need during the trial of Hitschmann to
produce documentation that confirmed the details of the account.

      The court has already barred any evidence brought by the police which
was purportedly extracted through confessions by Hitschmann during
investigations.Hitschmann was absolved of any possession of dangerous
weapons although he served a two and a half year jail term for possessing
unlicenced weapons.

      The defence, led by Beatrice Mtetwa said: "How can they bring a case
to a trial when they have not completed their investigations?"  "How is
Bennett supposed to respond to what they say they had not established
through their investigations.  What if they discover that they are trying
him is based on what is not real? This is inadmissible evidence that we are
saying should be struck out. The said amounts deposited in Hitschmann's
account on 13 February 2006 has not yet been supported in any way by the
evidence."

      The defence is also fighting to have the evidence brought by the state
through the alleged exchange of emails by Bennett and Hitschmann struck off.
The defence says the laptop which was confiscated from Hitschmann was left
in the custody of state security agents who tempered with it.

      The defence further submits it was very possible for emails to be
constructed by anybody and still pretend they belonged to another person.

      The state has barred the production of a police diary of
investigations that states the laptop was in the custody of the police
during Hitschmann's arrest. The state says this would compromise state
security.

      The trial opened two weeks ago.

Tsvangirai ally's trial based on false evidence: lawyer

http://af.reuters.com

Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:03pm GMT

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Reuters) - The case against a senior official in Zimbabwe's MDC
party is based on false evidence, his lawyers said on Monday in a trial
which has raised tensions within the fragile unity government.

The Movement for Democratic Change has called Roy Bennett's trial political
persecution. His lawyers said investigators had failed to produce evidence
implicating the politician, who could face the death penalty.

"The entire summary of your evidence in the state's case includes
information you know is false," Bennett's lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, told the
High Court in Harare.

Bennett, an ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, was arrested in
February and is accused of illegal possession of weapons for terrorism,
banditry and insurgency.

Tsvangirai's MDC last month briefly stopped cooperating in a government with
President Robert Mugabe over a dispute over their power-sharing deal. The
trial against Bennett, the party's treasurer-general, remains a major cause
of friction.

Mtetwa said that the first state witness, a senior police officer who
investigated the matter, had failed to link Bennett to a plot against
Mugabe's government in 2006.

Sipho Makone, a chief superintendent in the police, had said police found
evidence that Bennett paid licensed Zimbabwean arms dealer Peter Hitschmann
to buy weapons to assassinate senior government officials.

Hitschmann was acquitted of terrorism charges in 2006 but served jail time
for possessing dangerous weapons -- including six sub-machine guns and two
machine guns -- which have also been produced in Bennett's trial.

But Mtetwa said the police had failed to establish a link between Bennett
and Hitschmann, including charges that the MDC's treasurer-general paid
$5,000 into a bank account held by the arms dealer in Mozambique to purchase
weapons.

Makone said Hitschmann had an account in Mozambique but the prosecution had
yet to establish that Bennett had deposited any money.

"You have no evidence whatsoever that the accused was being implicated by
Histchmann," Mtetwa said.

Makone has told the court that Histchmann confessed in 2006, in a 2006 video
recording made by army and intelligence officers, and in an affidavit, that
Bennett was part of the plot.

The evidence was never used in the trial of Hitschmann, who has disowned the
confessions, saying he was tortured into making them. Hitschmann has now
written to the attorney-general saying he has no evidence to give against
Bennett.

The trial continues.

ZANU PF working to frustrate civil servants audit

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
23 November 2009

Attempts by Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro to carry out an
audit of the country's civil service are already being frustrated by
elements within ZANU PF. Last week Wednesday the Minister held a press
conference to announce a physical count of all state employees in order to
weed out ghost workers and those earning multiple salaries.

A pilot audit was also started that same week from Monday to Thursday but
sources told Newsreel the Public Service Commission (PSC) led by Mariyawanda
Nzuwah and most of the Permanent Secretaries in the various Ministries are
refusing to cooperate and supply information. The state owned Herald
newspaper as usual was used to give the excuse that the PSC had foiled an
attempt by the Minister to release the personal information of state
employees to the World Bank.

But Mukonoweshuro rubbished the allegations, saying the World Bank were only
bankrolling the audit but did not require any names. With the Minister
wanting a Payroll and Skills Audit there has been speculation ZANU PF is
trying to shield the many thousands of loyal supporters and militia it
stuffed into the civil service and who do not have the requisite
qualifications.

In February Education Minister David Coltart gave some indication of the
enormity of the problem. He told journalists they had paid out salaries to
around 94 000 teachers but the teachers unions said their members were
slightly over 60 000. This raised the possibility of over 30 000 ghost
teachers on the payroll.

A private consultancy firm CGI Consultancy Auditors have been hired to carry
out the audit from the 23rd of November to the 18th of December.
Mukonoweshuro probably anticipated the resistance from some within ZANU PF
and this is why it's thought he is insisting, 'we are not going to do a
paper or file audit. We want to see the civil servants physically.'

WOZA leaders presented with top award by US President Obama

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
23 November 2009

Leaders of the pressure group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), on Monday
took their message of peace to the White House in the United States, where
they were presented with a prestigious human rights award by US President
Barack Obama.

Award winner Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, both
travelled to Washington DC to receive the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Human
Rights award. Williams accepted the award on behalf of WOZA while Mahlangu
was singled out in her personal capacity as a rights activist.

Speaking from Washington before the ceremony on Monday night, Mahlangu told
SW Radio Africa she is proud of what the group has achieved. She explained
the award recognises not just her and WOZA's fight for freedom in Zimbabwe,
but also all human rights defenders who have fought for democracy in the
country.

"It is an honour, after fighting for so long, that we are all being
recognised in such a way," Mahlangu said.

Mahlangu and Williams have both been in the US for two weeks, raising
awareness of the true state of the Zimbabwe situation, which has changed
very little since the formation of the so-called unity government in
February. Mahlangu explained that the truth of Zimbabwe's reality is being
obscured by the country's politics, saying the real people are still
fighting for peace and democracy.

Mahlangu and Williams both coordinate WOZA's protests, known internationally
for being peaceful, yet relentless actions. Tens of thousands of women have
joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking out about Zimbabwe's
worsening economic, social and political conditions. Since its founding in
December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support
of democratic reform and women's empowerment. As a result, WOZA has often
been the target of severe police brutality, with Mahlangu and Williams as
well as thousands of other WOZA supporters, being arrested many times for
their participation.

The pair has been arrested over 30 times in the course of their work as
human rights defenders, and has faced extreme harassment and cruelty by
state security agents for speaking out against the Mugabe regime. They have
led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human
rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape,
the rights to food and education for children, and the rights to
participation and association.

Tomana's security detail unprecedented

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=25316

November 23, 2009

By Our Correspondent

HARARE - Unprecedented security and unexpected drama have characterised the
ongoing trial of Senator Roy Bennett, with Attorney General Johannes Tomana
causing a spectacle with his team of almost a dozen bodyguards.

The elaborate security arrangements around Tomana, who is personally leading
the State case against Bennett, has caused an outcry in the legal
fraternity. Bennett (52) faces charges of possessing dangerous weapons for
terrorism as well as inciting acts of insurgency.

A total of 13 witnesses, who include firearms dealer Peter Michael
Hitschmann, Bennett's co-accused are set to testify in the high profile
case.

But the state is in a quandary after its star witness, Hitschmann said he
implicated Bennett after being viciously tortured b ythe police during his
interrogation four years ago.

Tomana's arrival at court has caused curious stares. While initially his
motorcade would drop him off at the entrance of the High Court, where he
would be mobbed by journalists eager to get a quotation, he is now driving
straight into the judges' parking bay, to keep reporters at bay. Arriving in
his latest S-Class Mercedes Benz with two escort twin cab trucks laden with
intelligence officers, Tomana's kind of security is unprecedented for a
government law officer. But then Tomana is no ordinary government chief law
officer.

His continued tenure as Attorney General is an outstanding issue threatennig
to derail the troubled coalition administration between President Mugabe,
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.
Tsvangirai's party, the mainstream MDC wants Tomana replaced with an
official agreed upon by all the three parties.

Mugabe says Tomana was appointed constitutionally last year before the MDC
had joined government. To highlight the importance of Tomana, he has been
provided with security never seen before for a chief law officer.

The armed intelligence operatives are literally ringing the High Court in an
"all-out" operation to protect Tomana, who is personally leading the State
case, indicating the high priority President Mugabe has placed on the
Bennett case.

Bennett, a coffee farmer whose business was seized during the
government-backed land invasions, was nominated by Prime Minister Tsvangirai
back in February for appointment as deputy Minister of Agriculture. He has
not been sworn-in since then.

His appointment has ostensibly been held up due to the criminal charges
pending against him. The MDC insists the charges are trumped-up. As a result
of Bennett's arrest and a catalogue of other outstanding issues, the MDC
suspended its participation in Cabinet meetings but suspended the
disengagement on November 6 after a summit of regional leaders ordered the
principals to open dialogue.

On November 9, Bennett's trial opened in the High Court, with Tomana
specifically assigned to the case. Now Tomana's unprecedented security
arrangements have overshadowed the trial itself.

The High Court has literally been teeming with intelligence operatives since
the trial opened.

"They have maintained a state of siege at court," said one lawyer. "This
kind of security is unprecedented for an Attorney General. Tomana's close
security protection even outstrips that of the Prime Minister of this
country."

Meanwhile Tomana has struggled to match up to Bennett's lawyer Beatrice
Mtetwa, who is tearing to pieces the AG's case. Justice and Legal Affairs
minister Patrick Chinamasa has fired off an angry letter to Tomana, accusing
him of "incompetence."

Meanwhile the Law Siciety of Zimbabwe has staged a protest march demanding
the dismissal of Tomana allegedly over his bias and the "continued
harassment and attacks on its members". In a damning petition aimed at
protesting the recent arrest of lawyers taking up political cases, the LSZ
said in its petition to Chinamasa: "The harassment has been a direct attack
(on) and interference with the independence of the legal profession from the
police, Attorney General and other state agents. This has left the integrity
and safety of the legal practitioners at stake."

Bennett's trial continues in the High Court on Monday.

Masvingo drops Muchinguri following pressure

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=25323

November 23, 2009

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO- Zanu-PF's Masvingo provincial executive has been forced to drop
the nomination of Oppah Muchinguri of Manicaland to the post of vice
president, party sources said.

The provincial executive had nominated Muchinguri to the post last week but
has since executed an about-turn and says it now backs Joice Mujuru.

Mujuru, the current vice-president, who hails from Mashonaland Central
Province had been nominated by most other provinces. She is now tipped to
retain the post.

The Masvingo executive was seen within the party as having rebelled by
backing surprise candidate Muchinguri.

A senior party official who requested anonymity on Monday said the Masvingo
provincial executive was forced to drop Muchinguri .

"We were forced to drop Muchinuri and nominate Mujuru", said the official.
"The nomination of Mujuru was forced on us since we had made it clear that
we wanted Muchinguri".

Party provincial chairman Lovemore Matuke on Monday said the change of heart
came after what he described as consultations.

"The party has since nominated vice president Mujuru following
consultations," said Matuke.

"The nomination of Muchinguri was made before consultations and we now rally
behind Vice President Mujuru."

Matuke did not explain why his executive had rushed to announce the
nomination of Muchiguri without the required procecc of consultation,

Meanwhile, supporters of different factions of Zanu-PF nearly exchanged
blows at a meeting here over appointments to the party's central committee.

Supporters of former Politburo member Dzikamai Mavhaire demonstrated outside
the venue of the meeting after it emerged that the former senator had been
dropped from the list.

The party supporters sang and danced while threatening to disrupt the
meeting if Mavhaire was sidelined.

"We will not accept anything but inclusion of Mavhaire on the list," said
Mafios Shuro, a Zanu-PF supporter aligned to Mavhaire.

Tempers flared as other supporters demonstrated against the proposed
inclusion of Mavhaire.

The situation nearly degenerated into a fist-fight as rival supporters
exchanged harsh words. Calm returned after Mavhaire was finally nominated
for inclusion in the central committee.

Mavhiare ruffled feathers with the party's top leadership in 1998 when he
moved a motion in parliament calling on President Robert Mugabe to resign.
He was suspended from the party and later re-admitted.

He is currently a Zanu-PF politburo member.

Mavhaire is believed to belong to a camp led by former army general Solomon
Mujuru, who is the husband of current Vice-President JMujuru. The wealthy
former senior army officer is influential within the ranks of Zanu-PF.

Senior party officials here, like Minister Stan Mudenge and former Masvingo
governor Josaya Hungwe are aligned to a rival camp led by Emmerson
Munangagwa, also touted as influential apart from being Mugabe's heir
apparent.

Zanu-PF will hold its national congress on December 20.

Mugabe, 85, has already been nominated to remain in the powerful position of
party president.

Zanu-PF chairman John Nkomo was nominated vice president filling the post
left vacant following the death of Joseph Msika.

Simon Khaya Moyo, currently Zimbabwe's man in Pretoria, South Africa, is
highly tipped to replace Nkomo as national chairman

Zanu PF Loyalists Set To Become Rights Commissioners

http://www.radiovop.com

     
      Harare, November 23, 2009 - Two ZANU PF loyalists are on the verge of
making it into the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).

      The two loyalists namely Jacob Mudenda, the former ZANU PF chairman
for Matabeleland North and Joseph Kurebwa, a lecturer at the University of
Zimbabwe (UZ) are on the list of 16 candidates shortlisted for imminent
appointment to serve on the ZHRC by President Robert Mugabe.

      Mudenda, the former Provincial Governor for Matabeleland North was
nominated amongst new ZANU PF central committee members for Matabeleland
North. Kurebwa is the UZ political scientist who is famous for toeing the
ZANU PF party line by making a controversial pre-election survey tipping
President Mugabe to score a "majority win" in last year's presidential
elections which he however lost to his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai in
the first round of elections. Tsvangirai failed to garner the mandatory
majority to form a government.

      A presidential run off that was marred by human rights abuses forced
Tsvangirai to pull out of contestation and resultantly Mugabe became
"victorious" in a one man race.

      Kurebwa's survey was labeled by the Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) as a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) project after it was
disowned by the University of Zimbabwe's political science department.

      Other candidates on the list which was submitted to President Mugabe
by the chairman of Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC)
and Speaker of Parliament Hon. Lovemore Moyo include former Chief
Immigration Officer and lawyer Elasto Mugwadi, medical practitioner Douglas
Gwatidzo, Benhilda Makomva, Irene Sithole, Eunice Velempini, Professor Carol
Temba Khombe, former Bulawayo Mayor Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube, Sethulo Ncube,
Kwanele Jirira, Stewart Nyakotyo, Sheila matindike, Kucaca Phulu and Ellen
Sithole.

      The sixteen were selected from 33 people who were interviewed to serve
as commissioners on the ZHRC last month.

      President Mugabe is expected to appoint eight members from the 16
nominees four of whom should be women.

      He will also appoint a chairperson who should be someone who has been
qualified for at least five years to practice as a legal practitioner and
who is appointed by the President after consultation with the Judicial
Service Commission and the SROC.

      According to the Constitution persons appointed to the ZHRC shall be
chosen for their knowledge of and experience in the promotion of social
justice or the protection of human rights and freedoms.

      Among other functions the ZHRC will promote awareness of and respect
for human rights and freedoms at all levels of society and to promote the
development of human rights and freedoms.

      The ZHRC will also monitor and assess the observance of human rights
in Zimbabwe and recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human
rights and freedoms.

Mugabe bodyguards may face prosecution in Hong Kong over visas

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Asia-Pacific News
Nov 23, 2009, 4:20 GMT

   Hong Kong - Two bodyguards protecting Zimbabwean president Robert
Mugabe's student daughter in Hong Kong could be prosecuted for working in
the city on tourist visas, officials confirmed Monday.

   The two bodyguards were found to be working on tourist visas after they
allegedly roughed up two photographers in June outside Bona Mugabe's Hong
Kong home.

   They were spared prosecution because the Department of Justice ruled that
they were acting out of concern for the safety of Bona Mugabe, who studies
in Hong Kong.

   However, after an investigation into their visa status, the Department of
Justice confirmed Monday that there is a case for the two bodyguards to
answer. Working illegally in Hong Kong carries a jail term of up to two
years.

   Police have been advised to formally interview Mapfumo Marks and his
female colleague Manyaira Reliance.

   However, the pair are unlikely to face prosecution as they returned to
Zimbabwe and have since been replaced by other bodyguards.

   The Department of Justice declined to comment Monday on whether any
action was being contemplated against the Mugabe family.

   Marks and Pepukai were reported to police on February 13 after allegedly
roughing up two photographers, Timothy O'Rourke and Colin Galloway, outside
the Mugabe's luxury house.

   The fracas came just a month after another photographer, Richard Jones,
was allegedly beaten up by Grace Mugabe, wife of Robert Mugabe, when he took
pictures of her shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui at a time when Zimbabwe was mired
in political and social chaos.

   Grace Mugabe claimed diplomatic immunity over the incident and has since
returned to visit her daughter.

   Critics have accused the Hong Kong government of failing to apply the law
fairly in the case of the Mugabes for fear of upsetting Beijing, which has a
warm relationship with Zimbabwe.

   No action was taken over the visa status of the two bodyguards at the
time of the incident, even though investigating officers took copies of
their passports which contained three-month visitor visas.

   A Department of Justice spokeswoman said of the investigation into the
bodyguards' visa status: 'Advice has been given to the police. Their
investigation cannot be completed as the Zimbabweans have left Hong Kong.

   'In the event that they return to Hong Kong, the police will seek to
interview them and to complete their investigation.'

   Human rights lawyer Michael Vidler, who represents all three
photographers, said the decisions taken over the two Mugabe cases sent out
'a very negative message about Hong Kong to the rest of the world.'

   'It is adversely affecting our reputation as a place that is safe to live
and where the law is applied equally, irrespective of who you are or how
powerful your connections are,' he argued.

SADC deadline: A Guided Suicide

http://nehandaradio.com

Published on: 23rd November, 2009

By Eddie Cross

The deadline given by the regional community in Maputo passed on Friday
without a single decision regarding the issues that are still outstanding
being met.  The political agreements were signed by the three Parties to the
Zimbabwe crisis in September 2007.

The reason was quite clear - Zanu and the Mutambara group simply do not know
what to do. If they agree to do what the region wants, they are dead in the
water.

But they signed the deal, they have nowhere to go and there have been
intense discussions behind closed doors for weeks now. What to do? When MDC
resolved to suspend all contact with Zanu PF in the Cabinet and Council of
Ministers, they reacted with glee and started talking about "caretaker
Ministers" and going it alone.

Mr. Mugabe made a speech in the Midlands where he said that the Zimbabwe
dollar would be back before the end of the year. Rumours of the Reserve Bank
printing new currency were rife.

But they had underestimated the sophistication of the MDC decision and the
reaction of regional leaders. They also misread the full implications of the
SADC decision to divert the management of the Zimbabwe crisis to the Troika.

By doing so regional leaders reduced the status of Mr. Mugabe from Head of
State (at the SADC summit) to President of Zanu PF on a par with Mr.
Tsvangirai and Mr. Mutambara at the meetings of the Troika.

This past week an aircraft arrived at Harare airport with tons of new local
currency onboard. They tried to keep it secret but without success and we
were called by people to say the consignment was at the airport. When this
news found its way through the corridors in Harare speculation was
widespread. The most frequently asked question was "why"?

Printing a new currency simply did not make sense, who would accept the new
currency? It would mean a rapid and complete collapse of the already fragile
economy - empty shops and no fuel. It would run the risk of a national
revolt and it was doubted if the army and the police would accept the new
currency. A violent reaction was probable; certainly the people did not want
to see a new local currency so soon after the 2008 collapse.

There was only one logical explanation - Zanu was contemplating a UDI from
the region rather than go along with what they regard as political suicide.
This made complete sense - they could arrest the MDC leadership, appoint
"caretaker Ministers" and simply go it alone.

Issue the new currency and exile Mr. Tsvangirai. That is exactly what Smith
had done in 1965 in reaction to what the Rhodesian leadership regarded as
unreasonable political demands by the international community.

But on reflection, even the crazies in Zanu (and there are many) would soon
appreciate that Smith could contemplate such a move, encouraged by regional
support from neighbouring States, particularly South Africa. Zimbabwe is a
land locked State and very dependent on its neighbours.

It is also a minnow - with a GDP today of less than Swaziland or Lesotho. A
large army but poorly equipped and motivated. No major sponsors after China
and other international States began to distance themselves from Zanu PF and
its widely perceived rogue status.

Any talk of a UDI from the regional block would soon be heard in Pretoria
and I have no doubt that it would be dealt with swiftly. So I do not expect
to have to spend the next few weeks in a detention centre. I think the new
currency will quietly go into storage at the Reserve Bank and will not be
heard of again.

I would guess that after a tense two weeks, the negotiators would be in
discussion this weekend to decide what to recommend on the way forward on
the issues to the Party leadership early next week.

MDC is not taking any chances and Mr. Tsvangirai is visiting the leadership
of the African Union (past and present) this weekend. He will be back on
Monday just in time to pick up where the negotiators left off and reach a
deal with his colleagues in government so that they can report positively to
the President of South Africa when he makes his planned visit to the
country.

El Nino is once again working its menace in the Pacific Ocean. In the past
month temperatures have risen 1,5 c. and the signs are all there that this
is not going to be as good a season as in 2008/9. The wet season has started
and all areas have had heavy rains this weekend. Parts of South Africa have
had floods, but typically for an El Nino season, parts of the Cape are bone
dry and drought stricken.

We are busy distributing small allocations of fertilizer and seed to a
target of one million families in the rural areas. I am sceptical that this
will make much difference. What concerns me even more is that the
international agencies that deal with the question of food availability to
the disadvantaged simply do not have the resources to do the same job they
did last year.

We have millions who do not have the money to buy what food is now
available, tens of thousands of elderly and orphans by the hundreds of
thousands - the remnants of the aftermath of 30 years of Zanu delinquency
and failure. The Diaspora plays a key role by sending money to the affected
families where the links exist, but they have problems this year finding the
resources to maintain the flow of money to their relatives.

Then there is the ongoing saga of the trial of Roy Bennett in Harare. This
dragged on all week with Roy's lawyers tearing holes in the prosecution and
the fabricated nature of the charges becoming apparent to all.

Displays of weapons that are supposed to be evidence of the arms dealing by
Roy were found to include weapons from another case altogether. No evidence
linking Roy to the arms was presented and the State claimed State secrecy to
withhold evidence on which they based their claims.

It's very tough on Roy and Heather and you must keep them in your prayers.
Thank you also for the funds sent through to Zimfund and others to help with
his defence and other needs. Just be sure to email notification of any
donations so that we can personally thank you and notify the family of your
support.

But in all of this,  just remember what we have said many times in the
past - this is not a sprint, it's a marathon and it takes not only physical
stamina but also intellectual commitment.

We are in this to the finish line. Perhaps for the first time we sense this
is ahead and that the final leg is going to be in the form of a guided
suicide for Zanu PF. They must make decisions in the next few days that will
seal their fate in the next two years, perhaps even next year.

Eddie Cross, Bulawayo, 21st November 2009

Blog regarding GPA Talks