The three employees from the Counselling
Services Unit (CSU) in Harare, arrested on Monday after police raided their
offices, were on Thursday released on bail by a Bulawayo
magistrate.
Fidelis Mudimu, Zachariah Godi and Tafadzwa Gesa had been
“illegally” transferred from Harare to Bulawayo on Wednesday, without any
charges specified against them. The trio were reportedly transported in the
back of an open pickup truck, exposed to the blazing sun.
The bail
was granted after they were detained much longer than the 48-hour period
stipulated by law for police to either charge or release suspects. Lawyers
said their transfer and continued detention in Bulawayo was
illegal.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the
three were being held under a fresh detention order that was written and
signed in Harare. The bail conditions they received Thursday include a $500
fine and surrendering their passports.
CSU has no offices in
Bulawayo, where the police allege that the accused defaced some property
using spray paint.
CSU director, Frances Lovemore, told SW Radio Africa
police found three small cans of spray paint in their Harare offices, which
are used to mark the separate areas of the office, in compliance with
environmental health regulations.
Lovemore explained that the CSU
provides a non-partisan service to victims traumatised by political violence
and torture. But their service was disrupted on Monday when the riot squad
surrounded their building and threatened to fire teargas.
“The
tragedy was that many people at our offices had travelled far and from
outside Harare to receive treatment. But they were kept waiting inside the
building for four hours, without food or water,” Lovemore said.
CSU
managed to reopen their offices and restore full service on Tuesday. In a
statement Wednesday the global rights watchdog, Amnesty International,
condemned the arrest of the CSU employees. Amnesty’s southern Africa
director, Noel Kututwa, said: “This flagrant bullying and intimidation of
human rights defenders in Zimbabwe must end.”
He added that Amnesty,
“believes the unlawful detention of the three men is part of a pattern of
systematic harassment and intimidation of civil society by the government,
as it attempts to stifle dissent ahead of elections in 2013”.
Education and Culture Minister, David
Coltart has condemned the police and the Attorney General’s double standards
for arrestting Counselling Services UNION (CSU) representatives yet failing
to arrest named Asiagate match fixers. 08.11.12
by Ashly
Sibanda
Coltart called on the police and the AG, Johannes Tomana to
arrest Asiagate match fixers with the same speed and determination they did
against CSU officials on Monday.
Three CSO officials, Fidelis Mudimu,
Zachariah Godi, Tafadzwa Gesa have since been transferred to Bulawayo to
face trial for allegedly having subversive material.
“As I said
earlier on this week we in the MDC condemn the arrest and detention of these
folk who look after and counsel torture victims. The circumstances of the
arrest and detention is so unusual that we expect the AG and ZRP to explain
what they have been arrested for.
“It would be nice if the AG and ZRP
acted with the same haste and determination as they have in the CSU case in
prosecuting those responsible for match fixing and corruption in Zimbabwe
football,” Coltart said on Thursday.
The MDC’s and a number of civic
society activists have condemned the police for raiding CSU offices and
arresting its repreventatives officials.
CSU is a non-governmental
organization that provides psychological and medical assistance to
individuals traumatized by political violence and torture.
The raid
has been condemned by civic groups and political parties in the country, who
accuse the government of conducting a crackdown on human rights defenders
and political activists.
There have been several other raids and arrests
of journalists and MDC-T officials in the last few months, which some
observers have linked to elections due in the country next year.
Civil Society Coalitions, which
represent hundreds of member organisations in Zimbabwe, met in Harare on
Thursday and issued a collective response to the intensifying crackdown on
human rights defenders and political activists in the country.
The
gathering of key groups came in the wake of a police raid on the offices of
the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) on Monday, which saw three staff members
arrested and computers and files confiscated by the police. The CSU offers
counselling and medical support to victims of violence and torture.
The
CSU police raid brought many angry reactions from around the country and the
world, mobilised civil society and, more importantly, cast a spotlight on
the abusive, partisan and illegal actions of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police.
The raiding team included officers from the bomb disposal
squad and an information technology expert. Armed riot police who surrounded
the building also threatened to fire tear gas, which scared other tenants
who occupy the building and frightened away traumatised clients who were
scheduled for treatment.
In addition, the police confiscated a
computer with confidential client files. This was not listed on the search
warrant they produced. The seizure of these files was completely illegal and
characterises the behaviour of the police in Zimbabwe.
Abel Chikomo,
director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, told SW Radio Africa that
the Coalitions felt it necessary to issue a strong statement condemning
recent police actions because they have a lasting effect on the general
population, which determines how they act during elections.
“It’s about
the communities, the people, the electorate itself. The people will look at
it and say ‘if they can arrest and torture those activists like they are
doing, what about me?’ Some people will end up shying away from processes
that have to do with them. Processes to do with governance and so forth,”
Chikomo explained.
Asked why the police would target a group like CSU,
which helps victims of political violence, Chikomo said: “My suspicion is
that they want to make sure there is no avenue that people have to access
medical support when they are victimised by political violence and
torture.”
He added that places like the government-run Parirenyatwa
Hospital require victims to produce a police report before they can receive
medical treatment. The CSU is not partisan and does not require clearance
from the police.
The Civil Society Coalitions who issued the
statement include the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Media Alliance of
Zimbabwe, National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, National
Constitutional Assembly, Women’s Coalition, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade
Unions and Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
Fidelis, Zachariah and Tafadzwa have just spent their third
night in the police cells, two in Harare Central and last night, in Bulawayo
Central Police Station after an unwarranted transfer to Bulawayo. They were
transported on the back of an open pick up truck, registration ACD 6377,
with no protection from the sun, despite the temperature reaching 33 degrees
in Harare. They were then moved to Bulawayo from Kwekwe in a twin cab ABI
3608 and arrived at 18h00. They were not interviewed by the police, but
immediately detained in the police cells on a detention order which had been
prepared in Harare.
The following facts of the arbitrary raid and
arrest and detention need highlighting.
Counselling Services Unit is
a lawfully registered medical clinic providing non-partisan counselling and
referral to all victims of trauma.
On Monday 5 November, the clinic was
threatened with violence and normal services were disrupted by the invasion
of the clinic by 12 uniformed and non-uniformed police officers, including
members of the Bomb Disposal Squad and an Information Technology expert. The
clinic was surrounded by armed riot police who threatened to fire tear gas
into the building, which is also occupied by other tenants. Patients
awaiting services were left unattended for 4 hours while the police demanded
and forcibly accessed confidential medical records. They removed a computer
which contains confidential client information and client records. No
further booked patients were able to enter the building to receive
treatment.
Counselling Services Unit adheres to the Environmental
Compliance requirements for health facilities, following the guidelines
issued by the Ministry of Health. The guidelines require separation of
cleaning materials for areas of ablution and areas of food storage and
preparation. The cleaning utensils are clearly marked using spray paint, and
the paint is stored on the premises in the work area of the janitor. It is
not hidden or stored secretively and was purchased in July 2012. CSU have
handed the receipts of purchase of three 250ml cans of spray paint from the
local hardware store to the police. The police fixated on the finding of
this paint and refused to listen to any explanation. With no further
investigations, 5 staff members were arbitrarily arrested and transported to
Harare Central Police station for further questioning. 2 staff members were
released 2 hours later, and 3 have been detained since then with no warned
and cautioned statement and no indication of charges. The removal of the 3
staff to Bulawayo after the required time for a court appearance and the
further detention order with no defined charges or substantive evidence of
illegal activities constitutes serious and illegal
harassment.
Counselling Services Unit is deeply concerned about the
protracted course of this situation and the non-adherence to the law by the
arresting officers. CSU is concerned about the safety of Fidelis Mudimu,
Zachariah Godi and Tafadzwa Geza.
We would request solidarity and
protest on the following fundamental issues of this series of
events.
1. Disruption of medical services to victims of trauma, and
the unwarranted terrorisation of patients awaiting services 2. The
illegal access to confidential patient medical records 3. The unwarranted
deployment of armed riot police to the offices creating alarm and fear to
the other tenants of the building and surrounds 4. The illegal removal of
a computer, which is not covered in the search warrant which stated a
“search for material likely to deface any house, building, wall, fence, lamp
post, gate or elevator without the consent of the owner or occupier
thereof”. 5. The removal of confidential medical and legal records without
permission of the patients to whom they pertain. 6. The arbitrary
selection of staff for arrest with no concrete evidence of any crime having
been committed, particularly in Bulawayo where CSU has no clinic. 7.
The illegal detention and transfer of senior staff to Bulawayo without
formal charges, and exceeding the time limit for appearance before a
magistrate with formal charges.
Thank You.
Dr Frances
Lovemore Director Counselling Services Unit
WASHINGTON — The editor of a weekly Zimbabwean
newspaper, who was arrested Tuesday for publishing without a license, has
been sentenced to eight months in prison and fined $100 with six months
suspended on condition that he pays the fine.
Mirror editor Dennis
Kagonye appeared before a magistrate in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province,
and pleaded guilty to operating without a license.
Attorney Kudzai
Choga of Muchineripi and Associates said his client has until the end of the
month to pay the fine.
Choga said the magistrate gave Kagonye a light
sentence because the newspaper is currently in the process of trying to
regularize its operations.
Magistrate Funny Nyakudya said Kagonye was
also a first offender who has since deposited $500 with the government
seeking an operating license.
Meanwhile, the three Counseling Services
Unit employees arrested Monday for allegedly possessing subversive materials
were on Wednesday transferred to Bulawayo where the state said the offense
was committed.
Spokesman Kumbirai Mafunda of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights told VOA that their clients’ rights were being violated,
especially as they have been in custody for more than 48 hours.
The
three are director Fidelis Mudimu, Zachariah Godi and Tafadzwa Gesa who are
accused of defacing a building and posters in Bulawayo.
Amnesty
International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of
three.
“The detention of these NGO workers is illegal and Amnesty
International calls on the Zimbabwe police to release them immediately,”
said Noel Kututwa, Amnesty International’s southern Africa
director.
Kututwa said: “Amnesty International regards all three of these
men as prisoners of conscience, arrested solely for their legitimate work
providing counseling services to victims of torture and organized
violence.”
He noted that the unlawful detention of the three is
indicative of the Southern African Development Community’s failure to
enforce security sector reforms in Zimbabwe as agreed in the Global
Political Agreement.
“SADC should urgently act to stop this ongoing
harassment and intimidation of civil society organizations in Zimbabwe,”
said Kututwa.
In another development, the Movement for Democratic Change
formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Energy Minister and party
deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma on Wednesday received summons from the police
ordering him to appear before the Bindura Magistrate Courts on November 13
to answer charges of insulting President Robert Mugabe.
Mangoma was
arrested last month and was charged with insulting Mr. Mugabe at a rally
last month at Manhenga Business Centre, Mashonaland Central Province.
Mangoma is denying the charges.
VMCZ statement on the arrest
of Chinhoyi publisher, Dennis Kagonye
The Voluntary Media Council of
Zimbabwe (VMCZ) notes with the greatest of concern the arrest and conviction
of Mr. Dennis Kagonye, editor of the Weekly Mirror on charges of
contravening Section 72 of the draconian Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). Mr. Kagonye was arrested on 6 November
2012 and was fined $100 for operating a mass media service without a
licence.
VMCZ maintains that AIPPA remains an undemocratic law that
arbitrarily inhibits media freedom and freedom of expression. Mr. Kagonye’s
case is but the latest example of the undemocratic character of this Act of
Parliament.
The VMCZ calls upon Parliament and government to urgently
repeal AIPPA and as a direct result thereof enable journalists and
publishers to operate in a free and democratic media environment that does
not criminalise the media or freedom of expression.
Where the
Legislature and Executive fail to do so, freedom of expression and access to
information will remain the remote preserve of the few and not the majority
of Zimbabwe’s citizens.
Loughty Dube Programme Officer -Advocacy and
Complaints Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
A
human rights lawyer has been threatened by a Supreme Court judge this week,
in what observers say is deliberate intimidation.
Charles Kwaramba from
the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) was threatened with contempt of
court charges by Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku. He is defending the 29 MDC-T
members accused over the death of Glen View policeman Petros Mutedza last
year.
The case has dragged on despite a lack of evidence implicating the
arrested group, and repeated attempts to have them released on bail have
failed. Kwaramba, who is one of the many respected ZLHR lawyers representing
the arrested group, was questioned by the Daily News newspaper last month
about the delays.
Kwaramba explained on Thursday that the newspaper
incorrectly quoted him criticising High Court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu, which
led him being called into chambers to explain. Kwaramba told SW Radio Africa
on Thursday that he thought he had clarified the situation with Justice
Bhunu during that “routine housekeeping talk.”
However, Bhunu then
used the situation as part of his judgment in once again denying the MDC-T
members bail, accusing Kwaramba of ‘contempt’.
“He said what I had done
was close to being contentious… I eventually wrote to the Supreme Court for
direction because I was not granted the opportunity to defend myself,”
Kwaramba said.
But Chief Justice Chidyausiku responded to this letter by
warning Kwaramba against “disrespecting” the courts. He added that Kwaramba
should consider himself “lucky” for being spared from prosecution for
contempt of court.
Observers have said that the case demonstrates not
only the ongoing intimidation facing human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, but
also the blatant partisan nature of the legal system.
The number of people, mostly ordinary Zimbabweans, who
are being arrested for allegedly insulting President Robert Mugabe has
swollen significantly in recent months. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights (ZLHR) alone are representing over 50 individuals who have been
dragged to court for calling Mugabe all sorts of names in anger,
frustration, excitement or in jest. Some political observers and commentators
have attributed the development to growing resentment of the 88-year-old
leader by his subjects, who blame him for their individual
predicaments. But other analysts blamed it on the overzealousness of the law
enforcement agents who arrest the offenders, hence bringing the otherwise
“common and insignificant” insults out into the public domain. ZLHR
communications officer Kumbirai Mafunda yesterday said his organisation was
concerned about the growing number of arrests involving the alleged
undermining of the authority of the President. He said the fact that the
human rights lawyers were representing over 50 fairly recent cases was
indicative of a likelihood there were many more similar cases around the
country which his organisation might not be aware of. Ironically,
according to ZLHR statistics a Mugabe insults, Mashonaland Central, the
bastion of his Zanu PF party, topped the list of cases of people that have
allegedly called Mugabe names. Political analyst Alexander Rusero said the
increase in the alleged insults had various reasons to it, one of which was
repressive laws enacted by Mugabe’s successive administrations. The other
dimension, he said, was an indication of the growing frustration among the
people of Zimbabwe over the current leadership which they found to have
overstayed and responsible for their maladies. “The implications are
multi-dimensional. It is, on one hand, indicative of the problems that we
have with the redundant laws of an old regime,” he said. “The President
occupies that office by virtue of his being a politician and should,
therefore, be open to criticism in a democracy.This situation where we have
people arrested over a slight slip of the tongue is wrong.” “Political
opponents should be free to say their minds about the President for the
purpose of winning votes.” The more worrying scenario, however, he said, was
the growing number of cases of insulting the President, an indicator of
deepening frustration among the people or hate of the leader. “This is a
case where the centre no longer holds. The increase in the contempt of the
national leader may be indicative of rising frustration of the ordinary
person,” Rusero said. “They are amplified messages being sent to the
President where you find simple villagers being bold enough to insult the
person of the President without fear of the consequences, or where drunkards
act in such insultive ways as tearing up images of the President or pelting
his portraits.” Another political commentator, Ibbo Mandaza, attributed the
growing trend to overzealousness of the law-enforcing agents. He said cases
where presidents were insulted by their subjects were common and should not
be seen as unique to Zimbabwe. “Presidents the world over are prone to
public banter and political jokes. That’s the reality of politics. The
problem is that our authorities are overzealous. Look, even in the United
States, President Barack Obama was subjected to even racial insults. There
is, however, need for careful distinction between outright insults and
political jest.” Mafunda said cases of people being arrested for such
offences had increased since 2010. The lawyers have since referred some
of the cases to the Supreme Court where they are challenging the
constitutionality of the sections of the law under which the people are
being charged. Police use Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and
Reform) Act, which deals with “undermining the authority of or insulting the
President”. Among the people arrested is a Chiredzi man who, while drinking
in some beer-hall, allegedly threw missiles at Mugabe’s portrait, apparently
angry that he was jobless despite being educated. Nyanga North MP Douglas
Mwonzora, who is also MDC-T spokesperson, was arrested in March 2009 and
charged for allegedly likening Mugabe to a goblin while addressing a
rally. Meanwhile, Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma was
yesterday summoned to appear before a Bindura magistrate on Tuesday next
week on charges of insulting Mugabe. The minister was served with the
summons at his government offices by two detectives from Bindura. - NewsDay
A regional corruption watch dog said an
increase in police checkpoints on Zimbabwe’s highways had seen officers
attached to the traffic section becoming rich
overnight. 07.11.12
by Staff Reporter
The
Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa said a recent assessment it carried
out showed that corruption by the Zimbabwe Republic Police was
worsening.
The report revealed that police officers between Plumtree
and Bulawayo were more corrupt than their colleagues between Bulawayo and
Kwekwe as they received bribes at six out of the seven checkpoints – a
prevalence rate of 85.7%.
Alouis Munyaradzi Chaumba, the ACTA
coordinator, encouraged the responsible authorities to take appropriate
action against the culprits.
“The fact that the prevalence of corruption
on Zimbabwean roads is high and takes place publicly should make it easy for
either the ZRP management or the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to lay
traps and catch the culprits red-handed,” he said.
“Failure to nip
the problem in the bud is a manifestation of a lack of political will to
fight the problem head-on.” He also urged motorists and members of the
public to take video footages using their phones and cameras in order to
name and shame the culprits.
The MDC has read with
disdain mischievous reports from surrogates of ZANU PF propaganda that there
are wide fissures in the party’s Matabelelend North province and also the
alleged plot to suspend all councillors in Victoria Falls. These reports are
unfounded, misleading and a product of the maize-for-vote campaign trail
spearheaded by Obert Mpofu the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development.
For the record, the party has embarked on a grassroots audit
programme that seeks to ascertain the structures in all provinces in
Zimbabwe. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen grassroots structures,
clear grey areas on party policy and procedure and ensure that every party
structure is aimed at the ultimate goal of unseating the brutish and corrupt
Zanu PF practices that have left the country in limbo.
The party is
aware that due to shady deals at the diamond mines in Marange and the
subsequent refusal to remit proceeds to treasury in an open and transparent
manner, Zanu Pf has gone on a naive campaign trail in Matabeleland
characterised by massive binges and gluttony.
“It is Zanu Pf through
Obert Mpofu who are peddling lies yet the Party of Excellence is firm. In
Matabeleland North, we will claim 13 districts including Obert Mpofu’s
constituency which is up for grabs. Obert will learn that money cannot buy a
person’s heart. The people will not vote on the bases of wealth but they
will do so on the basis of character and moral standing in the community and
a good party policy document.” Sengezo Tshabangu Provincial MDC Chairman for
Matabeleland North said.
Tshabangu said the party will not be moved by
Obert Mpofu’s strategy which intelligence gathered shows that he intends to
buy off all MDC candidates by offering them undisclosed amounts of money so
that on the day when they should hand in their papers at the nomination
court they are nowhere to be found and only Zanu Pf candidates are available
uncontested.
The MDC is determined that Matabeleland people cannot be
bought through a meal and beer at a rally at the expense of critical
developmental projects that have been spearheaded ever since the party went
into the inclusive government. People are aware that children can now attend
school, there is value for money on goods, health care is improving, and
roads are being repaired and constructed due to sound policies and a willing
political acumen displayed by the MDC’s invigorated leadership in
government.
The majority of people in Matabeleland North, due to massive
intimidation before Obert Mpofu’s rallies have adopted a strategy of
survival where they attend his rallies for food and beer while in their
hearts are bitter about the unresolved cases of abuse, abduction and
perpetual torture dating back to the Gukurahundi era which to date Zanu Pf
has denied to avoid atonning for the damage.
It is a pity that Mpofu
has chosen to use state resources on petty political aspirations with no
national appeal at the expense of the suffering of the people in
Matabeleland North. The proceeds from diamonds which surely are lubricating
this scandalous Zanu Pf campaign could go a long way if they were used to
tar the road to Tsholotsho, build bridges, buy books for children in the
province, among other essentials.
The MDC reiterates its call for people
in Zimbabwe to be aware of the hyena in sheep’s skin. True democracy as
witnessed through the elections in the USA recently can only be achieved
when the MDC is given the mandate to lead the nation. The party is aware of
the massive abuse of people in Matabeleland by Zanu PF due to the poverty
which the same party has thrust upon them over decades of misrule and
neglect.
The MDC promises to treat all people as equal and desist from
the Zanu Pf looting syndrome which has compelled anyone with resources to
concentrate on one area where they have interests excluding the rest. The
political endgame is in site and surely some will atone for the ill-gotten
wealth which is driving Zimbabweans into abject poverty, misery, suffering
and death.
HARARE - Australia says free and fair elections in Zimbabwe can
only be held when a new constitution that properly balances power between
the Executive and Parliament is in place.
Zimbabwe is set to hold a
watershed election next year, but experts have warned a rushed poll could
result in increased violence and economic meltdown.
Australian
ambassador to Zimbabwe Matthew Neuhaus said despite economic gains and
political stability brought about by the formation of the coalition
government, more reforms were necessary before an election could be
held.
“Technically, there is no doubt Zimbabwe has the capacity to hold
elections but there are milestones that have to be met,” he
said.
Ambassador Neuhaus said voter education, delimitation of
constituencies and actual voting should all be transparent.
“For
elections to be free and fair in Zimbabwe there has to be a new and clean
voter register where dead people are removed and new, younger people are
incorporated. The register must be fully transparent with observers being
allowed to view it,” he said.
“Voters must be able to participate in a
free environment with no evidence of violence and intimidation,” said
Neuhaus.
Neuhaus, who has spent the better part of his life in Africa,
described President Robert Mugabe as a significant figure who deserved
recognition in Africa for his role in securing Zimbabwe’s
independence.
“He is a historic figure because he has been around for a
long time and that he has played a key role in the independence of Zimbabwe.
President Mugabe has a wide breadth of knowledge and we are looking to him
to create an environment that is conducive for free and fair elections,” he
said. - John Kachembere
Shame
Makoshori Senior Business Reporter ZIMBABWEANS providing cheap labour in the
fast-growing Chinese mines bear the brunt of extremely harsh conditions and
low wages, a Johannesburg-based advocacy group, Southern Africa Resource
Watch (SARW) reveals in its research, the first such report detailing
China's labour practices in the country. Hard labour, exposure to risky
conditions, violation of labour laws, long working hours, non payment of
overtime, disregard of public holidays and use of Chinese language in
corporate literature were among extreme conditions faced by workers at most
Chinese interests in Zimbabwe, the report said. Launched in Lusaka, Zambia,
two weeks ago after an extensive investigation into Chinese operations in
SADC, the report, titled ‘Win-Win Partnerships? China, Southern Africa and
Extractive Industries', offers new insights into Chinese investors'
controversial business practices in a region that is increasingly looking
East for foreign direct investment (FDI). "The culprits are the small Chinese
mining companies," said SARW. "Most Chinese mining firms exceed the legally
stipulated working hours of eight hours per day. They generally work 12 to
18 hours. "At Makwiro platinum concessions, workers complained that they do
not get overtime for the 12 hours per day they work, and are instead asked
to take time off. Local holidays are not observed. Protective clothing (if
any) was also said to be in short supply, and workers had been observed
wearing their own clothes for work." "While some mining houses have put
up reasonable accommodation for their employees, this is an area still in
need of attention, especially among the new investors," the report
reveals. It said the Chinese had violated labour laws but hinted that the
Asians generally enjoyed government protection. "Another bone of
contention between trade unions and Chinese mining firms has been their use
of contract labour in violation of the Labour Relations Act," said
SARW. "Contract labour is generally preferred. Neither are minimum wages
observed. Chinese firms now suffer the common allegations that they export
jobs by bringing in workers for the meanest tasks like opening the main
company gate. "A minister from one SADC countries who visited the Chinese
company, Anjin, which is mining diamonds in Marange, was disturbed to find
that it was a Chinese person who was opening the gate," the report
added. SARW also gave a sad overview of Chinese labour practices in Zambia,
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Africa. At Luanshaya
Copper Mines in Zambia, SARW investigators exposed unequal treatment of
Zambian workers. "Information gathered suggests that for the same kind of job
done by a local and a Chinese employee, a Chinese staff member is being paid
three times more than a Zambian," said the report. It said a trend toward
the casualisation of labour in Zambia, where President Michael Sata had
threatened Chinese investments, had raised concerns about workers'
security. "Employees interviewed said they were very concerned about their
job security, as they are hired and fired at will," said SARW. In the
DRC, conditions of work in Chinese companies are generally harsh, it
said. "The research team was told a story of a company called Magma
Mining which used to let its Congolese employees sleep with the minerals in
the store rooms. The managers have refused to accept the presence of
worker's unions in their installations. It is widely assumed that to work in
a Chinese-owned plant is to experience considerable hardship and that
Chinese owned enterprises are particularly harsh work environments. In
several country studies, informants were highly critical of these conditions
at Chinese owned plants." SARW, however, singled out Sino Steel in
Zimbabwe as one of the Chinese firms putting considerable efforts towards
improving working conditions at its ZIMASCO operation in Gweru. ZIMASCO
employs over 2 700 workers at the operation. Recent reports said a trade
union investigating unfair labour practices at a Chinese firm where 60
workers were fired received a "directive from high offices" to drop the
case. Workers at a Chinese firm in Harare's Graniteside industrial estate
were reportedly being locked in a factory during an 18 hour shift to prevent
them from stealing. In a much publicised incident, government courted
public ire after granting a Chinese firm the greenlight to construct a hotel
in Harare even as an Environmental Impact Assessment warned of dire
consequences to fauna and flora. Zimbabwe has depended on Chinese
investments for a decade and appears politically weak to speak out against
excessive violations taking place in these mines. The Chinese built the
National Sport Stadium, funded the construction of a defence college and
donated a US$11 million plane, fortifying their influence in the
country. But as events in South Africa's Marikana Mines recently showed,
boiling anger among abused labourers can trigger uncontrolled revolts. China
has prioritised African countries in its strategic move to influence the
region's politics and economics, and link the continent's commodity and
consumer markets to its vastly expanding industries. Africa-China trade
statistics indicate that shipments climbed to over US$100 billion in 2010
from less than US$5 billion in 2000, with its development assistance in the
region rapidly increasing.
Some of the suspects charged with murdering MDC-T member
Cephas Magura in May this year are allegedly intimidating state witnesses in
Mudzi, just weeks after they were released on bail.
High Court judge
Justice Hlekani Mwayera freed on bail David Chimukoko, Graciano Kazingizi,
Biggie Office, Raphael Bobo, Perkins Karikoga and Phillip Katsande and
ordered them not to interfere with witnesses. The activists, who spent five
months in custody, were granted $100 bail each on 19th October.
67
year-old Magura, who was a party chairman in Mudzi North in Mashonaland
East, was set upon by a group of ZANU PF activists who included the
suspects, when they attacked MDC-T supporters returning from a rally at
Chimukoko Business Centre.
As part of the bail conditions, the six
suspects were ordered to reside at their given addresses, not to interfere
with state witnesses and to report at Kotwa Police Station once every week,
on Fridays.
But SW Radio Africa can reveal some of the released murder
suspects were part of a group of ZANU PF youths who visited the homes of
witnesses to the murder, singing revolutionary songs and chanting party
slogans.
The group has mainly been led by the wife of the ZANU PF ward 2
councillor in Mudzi, Jevas Chiota. The same group has threatened two MDC-T
headmen, Naison Kurima and Claudius Nyamudangara, with eviction from the
area.
As unemployment continues to affect an estimated 90% of the
population, a growing number of Zimbabweans are turning to sand poaching as
a means of bringing money into their homes.
The most recent cases
have involved villagers in Chisumbanje, where people employed by an ethanol
plant there are resorting to river sand poaching to support their families.
The workers have been trying to survive on half pay since the plant
suspended operations in February.
The closure of the plant has been
linked to political bickering, after ZANU PF Minister Didymus Mutasa gave
party crony Billy Rautenbach permission to take over 5,000 hectares of land
at the Chisumbanje Estate (then owned by the Agricultural and Rural
Development Authority – ARDA) to grow sugarcane for production of ethanol
fuel. In the same year Mutasa reportedly signed a letter authorising
Rautenbach to operate the ethanol project at Chisumbanje, but never
disclosed this to Cabinet.
A government investigation was then launched
to resolve issues at the plant and according to a report released by that
committee in September, the Ethanol Project was abusing the community and
their livestock. The report also said the project had misrepresented the
facts of the multi-million-dollar venture to the government.
The
report also noted the need for the project to be reopened as soon as
possible. In the meantime, thousands of workers and their families have
turned to illegal river sand poaching from the Save River to supplement
their small income.
A recent report from the area described women and
children loading trucks with river sand, in an illegal syndicate that sees
the villagers getting paid only five dollars for a 15 ton truck load of
sand.
A similar situation has been playing out elsewhere in the country,
including around the capital Harare, where sand sellers are digging and
excavating anywhere they can. Precious Shumba from the Harare Resident’s
Trust told SW Radio Africa on Thursday that in areas like Glen Norah,
Mabkuva, Tafara and Water Falls, groups of mainly unemployed youths are
digging for sand and selling it.
“Along the roads you find trenches
have been dug and the result is serious road erosion. There are also other
areas where big holes have been dug, and usually you find it is people just
trying to supplement their small incomes or make some money,” Shumba
said.
He said the situation has been allowed to get out of control
because of a “systems collapse” at local authority level that means basic
monitoring and environmental regulations are not followed. He also said that
the myriad of social problems in Zimbabwe means people are becoming
increasingly desperate.
“There is a serious challenge to sort this
out, because of the multiplicity of problems facing the communities. There
are so many problems that need to be addressed,” Shumba said.
Zanu (PF) has been accused of doling out
illegal gold mining licences in order to gain political support ahead of
elections. 07.11.12
by Ashly Sibanda
According to the
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Zanu (PF) is targeting gold panners in the
party’s electioneering campaigns in an act of desperation.
The Crisis in
Zimbabwe Coalition said it was more rampant in Midlands where Zanu (PF)
youths have scaled up illegal gold mining with the support of the party’s
leadership.
“Deep controversy continues to surround the exploitation of
minerals across the country for patronage purposes disguised as
indigenisation and empowerment.
“In what appears to be a coordinated
patronage program, it is alleged that Zanu (PF) party structures have been
coordinating illegal and environmentally unfriendly gold extraction
activities in Kwekwe but have had to scale up this activity as other avenues
of patronage close up,” the coalition said in a report.
According to
the human rights group, Zanu (PF) is supporting illegal gold panning
activities in areas around Globe and Phoenix mine, Chaka Mine, BD Gold Mine
and Tiger Reef Mine in Kwekwe for support.
Zanu (PF) Umguza legislator,
Obert Mpofu, has said gold panners should be given free gold claims, arguing
that they contribute a lot to the national output of the
mineral.
Mpofu, who is also the Mines and Mining Development Minister,
has said his Ministry will also pass a law legalizing the activities of
artisanal miners known as ‘makorokoza’.
However, analysts have warned
that care should be taken to preserve the environment and also ensure that
the law is not another way of entrenching and legalising patronage along
party lines.
Thursday, 08 November 2012 10:09 HARARE - At least 100
cattle have died and hundreds of people hospitalised in Zimbabwe following
an outbreak of the cattle disease, anthrax.
Farmers say attempts to
control the spread of the disease have been undermined by dwindling supplies
of vaccines and the failure to prevent the movement of
cattle.
Supplies of vaccines are reported to have run short, heightening
fears of a more severe outbreak.
Since cases of anthrax began
appearing in some parts of Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland and farming
areas to the east of Harare a month ago, at least 100 cattle have
died.
Chenjerai Njagu, deputy director of the state-run Veterinary
Technical Services Department, said there are fears the outbreak could be
far more widespread, given that rains can act as a major vector of the
disease.
“In the three provinces, we have had about 100 deaths and what
is worrying is no reportage of some cases. We only pick up some of the cases
when people come to clinics with symptoms of anthrax,” Njagu
said.
The disease is passed to humans through contact with the animals,
or eating infected meat.
Victims suffer from nausea and fever,
developing sores.
In normal times Zimbabwe’s relatively efficient
veterinary service would be expected to control the outbreak.
These,
though, are far from normal times. Njagu said government was cash-strapped
and urged farmers to pool resources, buy the vaccines and government can
help with veterinary officers to conduct the vaccination
programme.
Farmers in the communal area say infected cattle are being
driven onto fresh pastures without hindrance, spreading the
disease.
The outbreak threatens to decimate further the already meagre
national herd that has been steadily declining since the illegal invasions
of white-owned farms by Zanu PF supporters throughout the country in
2000.
In the southeast of the country there are also growing fears of a
serious outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. - Gift Phiri
COPAC has not altered the draft constitution after the Second
All-Stakeholders conference, because suggested changes were shot down by
delegates, a COPAC co-chairman said on Thursday.
Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC-T spokesman and COPAC co-Chairman, told SW Radio
Africa a national report on the conference makes it clear that many of the
issues recommended during the conference were rejected.
COPAC handed over the national report to the management committee in Harare
on Thursday evening. The Nyanga North MP explained that they will get directions
from the management committee on the way forward, once they go through the
report.
‘The report we handed today (Thursday) shows all the recommendations made
during the conference and how they were rejected. The amendments were not
adopted simply because there was no consensus.
‘We can only interfere with the draft if there was consensus on all parties
involved,’ Mwonzora said.
The legislator said he’s hopeful the draft will be tabled before parliament
soon to enable them to complete the drafting of a new charter for Zimbabwe.
After debate in parliament the draft will then be put to a referendum, before
the country can have elections under a new constitution in 2013.
The adoption of the new constitution is a critical step towards holding
free and fair elections after the 2009 formation of the inclusive
government.
The unity government emerged in the wake of the violent 2008 polls that saw
ZANU PF lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the country
gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Cape
Town — A leading figure in the development of a new Zimbabwean constitution
says Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party will resist strongly any
attempt by President Robert Mugabe to hijack the constitution-making
process.
Douglas Mwonzora, Constitution Select Committee co-chairperson
and spokesman for the Tsvangirai's wing of the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC-T), was speaking in Cape Town this week at a meeting organised
by the Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe, an umbrella grouping of Zimbabwean
civil society organisations, and the University of the Western
Cape.
Mwonzora said that Mugabe did not have "much of a role to play" in
the constitution-making process as it was "a parliamentary
process".
He said that the Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) was
driving the process through parliament. Now that it had been scrutinised at
the second "All Stakeholders Conference", the draft constitution was due to
be taken to parliament and then finally to a referendum – according to
Article Six of the Global Political Agreement which determines the
process.
Mwonzora said that President Mugabe had no option but to comply.
If he failed to do so, the MDC-T "will do something under the guidance of
the Southern African Development Community". Mwonzora did not specify what
action his party would take.
Mwonzora insisted the the Zanu-PF leader
had no option but to adhere to the dictates of the Global Political
Agreement. Quoting Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Mwonzora
said, "there is no prescribed method of struggle, every method will depend
on the circumstances that exist at that time. Mugabe will
comply".
Opposition groups in Zimbabwe allege that President Mugabe is
trying to wrestle control of the constitution-making process from COPAC by
claiming that the Government of National Unity principals will have the
final say. This has prompted fears that such a move may be another attempt
to smuggle in Zanu-PF's amendments, which were rejected earlier by both MDC
formations.
The meeting was attended by MDC-T, MDC-N, as well as civil
society groups from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Zanu-PF was invited, but did
not attend.
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke
Tamborinyoka, who was involved in a horrific car crash last weekend, has
regained consciousness and is recovering at a Harare hospital.
MDC-T
organising secretary and Information Communication Technology Minister
Nelson Chamisa said Tamborinyoka’s condition had improved
significantly.
“We have a God who answers prayers. I have been there (at
the hospital) and he is showing remarkable improvement. As the MDC family we
are doing the best together with the doctors and the relatives, but
certainly God will do the rest,” Chamisa said.
The Minister of State
in the Prime Minister’s Office Jameson Timba added: “His condition is
improving. He is conscious, but can’t speak because of the gadgets around
his face.
"He is responding to stimuli which means he can smile and
recognise people.”
Described by Tsvangirai as a "passionate, courageous
and capable" member of his team, Tamborinyoka suffered multiple injuries
after his vehicle burst a rear tyre and rolled three times as he travelled
to his rural home in Domboshava last Saturday night.
“Our
thoughts at present are with Luke and his family. Luke is a family man and
we appreciate that this is a challenging time for everyone who is close to
him," said the MDC-T leader
"We trust that God gives them courage. I
have known Luke for a long time and he is a passionate, capable and
courageous member of the team. I know that this is a battle like no other
but I know that his strength of character, his belief and his courage will
carry him through this ordeal."
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Media Council has
also wished the former journalist a speedy recovery. “Zimbabwe Media
Council joins the rest of the media fraternity in wishing Luke Tamborinyoka
a speedy recovery after a near fatal traffic accident over the weekend,” the
Council said in a statement.
“Tamborinyoka, a renowned professional
journalist who played a positive role in the establishment of the Zimbabwe
Media Commission, has always been a passionate colleague when it comes to
representing workers’ rights. This was seen during his tenure as
secretary-general of The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists from
2001-2003.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions added: “Tamborinyoka has
been in the trenches fighting for democracy with all colleagues from the
broader civil society and the ZCTU. On behalf of the working people of
Zimbabwe, we wish him a quick recovery.
“Our thoughts and prayers are
with his family and the Prime Minister’s Office but we all hold on to the
fact that Tamborinyoka is a fighter and he will certainly make a quick and
full recovery.”
By Godfrey Marawanyika and
Brian Latham - Nov 9, 2012 1:24 AM GMT+1000
Zimbabwe plans to force
banks operating in the country to buy its Treasury bills after attempts to
sell the first central bank securities since 2008 failed, the governor of
the bank said.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on Oct. 4 offered its first
Treasury bills since the country abandoned its currency and adopted the
dollar in a bid to curb inflation estimated by the International Monetary
Fund at 500 billion percent. That offer of 91-day securities failed with all
bids rejected by the central bank. The bank rejected all bids in two
subsequent sales including an offering of $30 million on Nov. 4. An Oct. 26
offering was partially successful.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor
Gideon Gono said, “Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary
measures. We will be introducing a battery of measures that will ensure
compliance. A snub begets a snub." Photographer: Desmond Kwande/AFP/Getty
Images “All the issues have met with some form of resistance,” Gideon Gono,
the central bank governor, told businessmen in Harare, the capital, today.
“‘Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary measures. We will be
introducing a battery of measures that will ensure compliance. A snub begets
a snub.’’ Units of Barclays Plc (BARC) and Standard Chartered Plc (STAN)
operate in the country while South Africa (SBK)’s Standard Bank Group Ltd.
and Nedbank Group Ltd. (NED) also have operations. In a Nov. 3 interview
Tendai Biti, the country’s finance minister, said he would compel banks to
buy negotiable certificates of deposit if they didn’t support the Treasury
bill program. Political Agreement Biti and the central bank are trying to
kick-start the country’s capital markets after a decade-long recession ended
in 2009 when the 15-nation Southern African Development Community negotiated
a settlement that ended a political dispute. A coalition government between
President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front
and the Movement for Democratic Change of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
was then formed. At the Oct. 26 sale of $15 million of the bills the central
bank accepted $9.9 million of bids at an average yield of 8.51
percent. Sam Malaba, deputy president of the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe,
was said to be unavailable when his office was called. Calls to unit of
Barclays and Standard Chartered in Harare weren’t answered. ‘‘Banks are
resisting because they’re not sure government will be able to repay the
T-bills,” John Robertson, an independent economist in Harare, said in an
interview. “There’s a lack of credibility with government and the banks
don’t have much of a gambling instinct.” Recession, Inflation Zimbabwe’s
government has debt of $10.7 billion. according to the finance
ministry. “Government likely wants to borrow at about 4 percent and its
likely that 8 percent to 10 percent would ultimately be acceptable to the
banks,” Robertson said. Lending rates between banks are as high as 25
percent, he said. Annual inflation in Zimbabwe was 3.2 percent in September,
according to the national statistics agency. Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe’s
shares have fallen 42 percent over the past year to 29 cents, giving the
company a market value of $62 million, according to data compiled by
Bloomberg. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Industrial Index (ZHINDUSD), the
benchmark, rose 7.7 percent over the same period. Zimbabwe’s economy entered
recession and inflation began to surge after President Robert Mugabe in 2000
backed an often violent program of seizing white-owned commercial farms and
redistributing them to black subsistence farmers. Tobacco,
Peas Production of tobacco, then the country’s biggest source of foreign
currency, collapsed as did output of agricultural exports ranging from roses
and paprika to mange-tout peas. Corn production also slumped, forcing
imports of a staple food the country had been self-sufficient in. Several
years of famine followed and millions of its citizens moved to neighboring
countries including South Africa and Botswana. The economy contracted by
about 40 percent between 1999 and 2003, according to the International
Monetary Fund. Attempts to encourage investment in the country’s platinum
industry have been hindered by a law that compels mining companies to sell
51 percent of their local operations to black Zimbabweans. While Biti and
Gono have not detailed how they will compel the banks to lend to the
country, Robertson that during the recession they were at times forced to
buy bills. “If the banks bought them voluntarily, they could do so on a
short-term basis, but if the banks resisted, they’d be 270-day bills, and
that frightens the sector,” said Robertson.
Desperate ... Residents of Magwegwe
suburb getting water from a
tanker
07/11/2012 00:00:00
by Staff
Reporter
BULAWAYO’S
four-day-per-week water rationing regime could be eased within days after the
completion of a pipeline from Mtshabezi Dam which will pump in an extra 17,000
cubic metres of water to the parched city.
Water Resources Minister
Samuel Sipepa Nkomo announced the completion of the project on Wednesday, with
South African engineers who oversaw the project expected to conduct one final
inspection this week.
Nkomo said the water from
Mtshabezi could see Bulawayo cut the rationing down to three
days.
The government is also
financing the refurbishment of boreholes at the Nyamandlovu aquifer and Nkomo
said it was expected that when the work is complete, Bulawayo would draw 30,000
cubic metres of water from the boreholes, up from the current 5,000 cubic
metres.
With the upgrade,
ministers hope the rationing period could be reduced further to just
one-day-a-week.
“Bulawayo needs about
129,000 cubic metres of water every day, but at the moment it only has capacity
for 95,000 cubic metres,” the minister said.
The Bulawayo City Council
has been sending water tanks around the city to deliver water to desperate
residents.
Bulawayo’s water problems
have been made severe by one of the worst droughts in recent years. The city has
stopped drawing water from two of its five supply dams – Umzingwane and Lower
Ncema – after water levels dropped sharply.
Town engineers warn that
two other dams Upper Ncema and Inyankuni could also be decommissioned soon,
leaving Insiza Dam as the only viable water source for the city’s two million
inhabitants.
Finance Minister Tendai
Biti revealed last week that Zimbabwe had received US$854 million of the US$1,2
billion which China committed to fund the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project – a
400KM pipeline from the Zambezi River seen as a long term solution to Bulawayo’s
chronic water problems.
There have been some ominous news items in the past few
weeks: 07.11.12
by MAGARI MANDEBVU
• 200 homes
destroyed in Epworth
• 228 shops, food vendors, hair salons and
offices in Harare have been shut down.
• ZESA is threatening to
cut off customers in high-density areas for non-payment of bills but not
customers who owe them more than $100,000.
• the on-going story of the
Mbare petrol station that couldn’t be built because the owner didn’t have
the right party card.
Admittedly, there have been contradictory reports
on some of these and they got more publicity in The Herald than elsewhere,
but there’s no smoke without fire. The question is: whose fire is it? As
usual, party politics sticks its ugly snout into everything.
There
have even been hints of another Murambavanhu in preparation. Who would
benefit from that? Certainly not the ordinary inhabitants of our
high-density suburbs.
Over the past six months, we have seen the
return of front garden kiosks and tuck shops, which most people favour. A
large number own such kiosks. Buying and selling is a traditional way of
making a bit of income. But these kiosks are not supermarkets, where you can
do all your week’s shopping under one roof. When there are a dozen in a
street, there will be a certain specialisation. Family A buy matches from
their neighbours B, who buy soap from C, who in turn buy airtime from D;
sooner or later everyone is buying from and selling to everybody
else.
There is a kind of power which is no more than the ability to
prevent others from doing anything to help themselves. We should know about
that; one party in our low-level civil war are trying to show that they have
that power. They treat any independent action as a threat to their power.
That should tell us how weak they really feel.
Look at the “threats”
they feel compelled to crush: the latest was a group of youths who set up a
guarded parking space, a safe place for residents of Chitungwiza to leave
their cars overnight. These youths did not have the right party card, so
they must be deprived of their income. Nobody may have anything unless they
grovel to the ruining party and beg.
That’s why we have the intensifying
kombi wars. That’s why we see open spaces being fenced as new
flea-markets,where you will be allowed to sell as long as the local mafia
get their cut on every cigarette or sweet you sell – and you buy the right
party card.
I thought I had heard it all until I discovered that those
government ghost workers, beardless boys in grey uniforms, are not being
paid. The elected government does not need more than 20,000 cops, most of
whom have never stopped a crime or caught a criminal. They can’t afford to
pay “workers” who won’t work.
But the guys who “employ” them to do
their dirty work won’t pay – even though they are rich, maybe richer than
the national exchequer. They still force their minions to forage for small
change to live on at road blocks and toll gates.
Maybe someone should
remind Augustine Chihuri of the parable the prophet Nathan told to King
David when he had murdered his neighbour Uriah just because, although David
– like all kings of his time - was well supplied with wives and concubines,
he had caught a glimpse of Uriah’s only wife in the bath and wanted to add
her to his collection. I see parallels between the sinful David and men who
control a large part of the Chiadzwa diamond fields - but demand that their
private armies be paid out of the fraction of our taxes that reaches the
government we elected.
David was man enough to admit his sin and repent.
It would be nice to think our self-appointed guardians and rulers could find
that much honesty and courage in themselves. We could still be more
forgiving than they expect, but they shouldn’t expect to get off scot-free.
David didn’t.
Solidarity Message with the Counselling Services Unit
Solidarity
Peace Trust
Solidarity Message with the Counselling
Services Unit 8 November
2012
Solidarity Peace Trust joins other civic groups in Zimbabwe in protesting
against the illegal and unjust harassment and arrest of the staff of the
Counselling Services Unit (CSU). The continued detention of Fidelis
Mudimu, Zachariah Godi, and Tafadzwa Geza is only the latest
example of the ongoing repression against civil society activists and is a grim
reminder of the arbitrary manner in which the repressive arms of the Zimbabwean
state continue to be deployed.
We demand the strict application of the rule of law in the treatment of the
arrested CSU employees and call on the Inclusive Government and the SADC
facilitation team to bring an end to such arbitrary arrests and intimidation. As
Zimbabwe prepares for a new election in 2013 under the terms of the GPA, the
increasing indicators of state repression on the political landscape provide
little reassurance that the country will avoid the debacle of 2008.
We call on the democratic forces inside Zimbabwe, SADC, the AU and other
forces in the international community, to urgently develop a consensus on the
way forward in Zimbabwe and to ensure that those elements bent on thwarting the
democratic electoral will of Zimbabwean citizens are left in no doubt that they
will be isolated in their obstructive politics.
For further information, please contact Selvan Chetty - Deputy
Director, Solidarity Peace Trust
Email: selvan@solidaritypeacetrust.org
Tel: +27 (39) 682 5869 Fax: +27 (39) 682
5869
Address:
Suite 4 3rd Floor MB Centre 49 Aiken Street Port Shepstone
4240 Kwazulu-Natal South Coast
Fidelis
Mudimu,Zachariah GodiandTafadzwa Gezahave just
spent their third night in the police cells, two in Harare Central and last
night, in Bulawayo Central Police Station after an unwarranted transfer to
Bulawayo. They were transported on the back of an open pick up truck,
registration ACD 6377, with no protection from the sun, despite the temperature
reaching 33 degrees in Harare. They were then moved to Bulawayo from Kwekwe in a
twin cab ABI 3608 and arrived at 18h00. They were not interviewed by the police,
but immediately detained in the police cells on a detention order which had been
prepared in Harare. More about Amnesty International’s call to release the
illegally detainedhere.
The following facts of the
arbitrary raid and arrest and detention need
highlighting.
Counselling Services Unit is a lawfully registered
medical clinic providing non-partisan counselling and referral to all victims of
trauma.
On Monday 5 November, the clinic was threatened with
violence and normal services were disrupted by the invasion of the clinic by 12
uniformed and non-uniformed police officers, including members of the Bomb
Disposal Squad and an Information Technology expert. The clinic was surrounded
by armed riot police who threatened to fire tear gas into the building, which is
also occupied by other tenants. Patients awaiting services were left unattended
for 4 hours while the police demanded and forcibly accessed confidential medical
records. They removed a computer which contains confidential client information
and client records. No further booked patients were able to enter the building
to receive treatment.
Counselling Services Unit adheres to the Environmental
Compliance requirements for health facilities, following the guidelines issued
by the Ministry of Health. The guidelines require separation of cleaning
materials for areas of ablution and areas of food storage and preparation. The
cleaning utensils are clearly marked using spray paint, and the paint is stored
on the premises in the work area of the janitor. It is not hidden or stored
secretively and was purchased in July 2012. CSU have handed the receipts of
purchase of three 250ml cans of spray paint from the local hardware store to the
police. The police fixated on the finding of this paint and refused to listen to
any explanation. With no further investigations, 5 staff members were
arbitrarily arrested and transported to Harare Central Police station for
further questioning. 2 staff members were released 2 hours later, and 3 have
been detained since then with no warned and cautioned statement and no
indication of charges. The removal of the 3 staff to Bulawayo after the required
time for a court appearance and the further detention order with no defined
charges or substantive evidence of illegal activities constitutes serious and
illegal harassment.
Counselling Services Unit is deeply concerned about the
protracted course of this situation and the non-adherence to the law by the
arresting officers. CSU is concerned about the safety ofFidelis
Mudimu,Zachariah
GodiandTafadzwa
Geza.
WE WOULD REQUEST SOLIDARITY
AND PROTEST ON THE FOLLOWING FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES OF THIS SERIES OF
EVENTS.
Disruption of
medical services to victims of trauma, and the unwarranted terrorisation of
patients awaiting services
The illegal access
to confidential patient medical records
The unwarranted
deployment of armed riot police to the offices creating alarm and fear to the
other tenants of the building and surrounds
The illegal removal
of a computer, which is not covered in the search warrant which stated a “search
for material likely to deface any house, building, wall, fence, lamp post, gate
or elevator without the consent of the owner or occupier thereof”.
The removal of
confidential medical and legal records without permission of the patients to
whom they pertain.
The arbitrary
selection of staff for arrest with no concrete evidence of any crime having been
committed, particularly in Bulawayo where CSU has no clinic.
The illegal
detention and transfer of senior staff to Bulawayo without formal charges, and
exceeding the time limit for appearance before a magistrate with formal
charges.
WHAT CAN YOU
DO?
Share this page
on Facebook
Phone Bulawayo
Central Police Station to voice your concern.
Tel: +2639
72515
AT ALL TIMES,
PLEASE BE POLITE
Inquire as to
the wellbeing of the three detained CSU employees.
Voice your
concern at their arbitrary detention and ask when they are going to be
released.
You can also
phone the Attorney General’s offices to do the same as above.
Tel: +2634
774586 or +2634 772987/8
This entry was posted by Sokwanele on
Thursday, November 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm.
Vince
Musewe says he is chilled at depth of wound Zanu-PF has inflicted on this
land its psyche
"Banana Republic" is a term coined by the American writer
O. Henry in his book titled: "Cabbages and Kings" (1904) "A banana republic
is a politically unstable country that economically depends upon the exports
of a limited resource (fruits, minerals), and usually features a society
composed of stratified social classes, such as a great, impoverished working
class and a ruling plutocracy, composed of the élites of business, politics,
and the military. Or to put it in other words; it denotes a country
dependent upon limited primary-sector productions, which is ruled by a
plutocracy who exploit the national economy by means of a politico-economic
oligarchy (Source Wikipedia)
Spot on isn't it?
Our plutocracy
in Zimbabwe, truly believes that it has the inalienable right to political
power and will do all it can, to force that reality on its citizens. It
stifles public debate, criminalizes alternative views and seeks to
continually create an illusion of its invincibility. It uses disinformation,
cohesion, incarceration and if necessary, violence, to force its ideas onto
us, its citizens. It continues to deny the possibility that there is a
better way and will seek to damage personal initiative and ambition in all
instances. Like an octopus, its tentacles must lay claim to all fortunes to
be made and on those who might make them.
Its minions, be they hawkers,
professors, governors, senators, chiefs, bishops spies, dealers, small time
farmers and drunkards alike, have become an amorphous conglomeration of
willing political factions, who must blindly endorse and partake in its
activities and crimes, while expecting to be the beneficiaries of its
largesse.
What this has done over time, is to stifle objective judgment
and postponed the urgency of us dealing honestly with the pressing socio
economic problems we face. I have seen grown educated men in suits,
continuing to blame sanctions and others for our economic problems, scared
to admit that indeed ZANU (PF) has failed. In fact the truth of the matter
is that, ZANU (PF) never had a solution in the first place. They have never
figured out this economy since 1980. This can be easily proved by how
everything, almost everything which they have touched has been in slow
decline, a day at a time.
Each day that I pursue issues, I am chilled
at the depth of the wound that ZANU (PF) has inflicted upon this land and
our national psyche. This applies especially to the older generation of
Zimbabweans, who have effectively given up on any hope for change, because
the wound inflicted, is so deep and permanent.
They remind me of the
phenomenon where, if you shackle an elephant in one spot for long enough,
and then remove the shackles, it will not move an inch believing the
shackles to still exist. I now deliberately avoid talking to some of them
about creating a better future in Zimbabwe because it pains me to see such
despondency and lack of hope in their eyes.
What is further perplexing is
the fact that, even though we Zimbabweans are in general known as educated
and hard working, we seem almost incapable to use that education and that
hard work to apply solutions that improve our life conditions. In other
words, we have become a nation of educated fools, who may have all the
academic accolades, but are incompetent in shaping their circumstances.
Instead most have joined the gravy train and are quick to use the name of
ZANU (PF) to get what they want. From occupying churches for personal gain
to cheap market stalls at Mbare musika, all blindly claim allegiance to the
party and use its name to injure fellow citizens. Principles, conflict of
interests, ethics have become the armor of the foolish, while corruption and
unprecedented greed have become the sword of success.
We must be wise
and use the wisdom of the Eskimo, who, when hunting the wolf, finds a long
sharp knife and drenches it in fresh blood and freezes it in the cold ice.
He then adds some more fresh blood until the knife is thick with layers of
fresh frozen blood. He carefully places the knife in the snow, with the
sharp edge facing upwards and waits. In the morning, he wakes up to find a
dead wolf. A wolf that would have licked the knife's sharp edge to its death
while tasting the delicious warm blood as it begins cuts its own
tongue.
Through its own actions and its crimes, we shall see the wolf
continue to drink its own warm blood, believing it to be the delicious
rewards of years of violence, corruption and the suppression of the will of
reasonable and well meaning Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe is indeed poised
for a great future.
Vince Musewe is an independent economist in Harare
and you can contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com
Lovemore Moyo:''Right now I am using
a Discovery as an off-road yet
juniour persons like Deputy Ministers are driving better
cars''
The demand by legislators to get exit
packages after the expiry of the term of office for the Parliament of Zimbabwe
cannot go unchallenged and should be dismissed with contempt it deserves. The
somewhat debilitating demands by the third arm of government should be
scrutinised in comparative terms with the general standards that roles which the
MPs are expected to discharge during the tenure of office. These roles include
but are not necessarily limited to the following
·The law making
activity
·The surveillance activity
and
·Constituency service
activity
When individuals make a deliberate
decision to become part of the government’s their arm in complementary duty to
the other two arms namely the executive and the judiciary, they must do so with
a general appreciation that it is public call for duty rather than a narrow
expectation of primitive accumulation.
Luxurygate:
Inside the Speakers
garage
Since they were elected our dear
legislators have made headlines for the wrong and shocking reasons especially to
the electorate who voted them into office hoping to have their grievances being
dealt with in line with the afore stated three levels of activities they are
supposed to fulfil.
In terms of the law making activity, the
legislature has over time degenerated into a rubber-stamping institution with
the MPs either sheepishly endorsing directives from the executives and in most
cases sustaining a repressive law and policy regime.
Nabbed:St Marys MP Marvellous Kumalo
(centre)
accused of looting CDF
Funds
At constituency development level, the
majority Mps looted the people’s resources and failed to develop the poor
communities. The general expectation that an MP is a people’s servant has since
sublimated into abysmal nightmare by day light. In essence the current crop
should go and never have the guts to claim even a cent from the treasury. It is
equally true that the same MPs, with their powers to summon any person besides
the president, the function of surveillance remain moribund and presents an
oxymoron sense of self defeat. It seems the only purpose that is left with the
legislature is transforming the august house into a begging bowl that delivers
nothing except a bubble of hot air.
During
the last campaign in the 2008 elections a lot of the MPs had flowery manifestos
full of promises of development.Like a man proposing love to a woman, they came out
sounding sweet and saying all the right things. But in reality, they are nothing
more than wolves dressed in sheep's clothing promising heaven on earth and
miracle galore. But deep down they have a hidden selfish agenda to benefit only
themselves and their kind.
They promised to deal with issue of
service delivery, health, education, clean and available water and electricity,
all of which has been the most affecting to the majority of the populace. The
manifestos were forgotten and slowly but surely the ideals in them were
exchanged for the selfish vices of merriment, primitive accumulation and self
aggrandisement.
When Zimbabweans voted for them, they
wanted the issues mentioned earlier to be addressed as a matter of urgency not
packages or allowances for MPs. But alas since 2008, nothing much has been done
to improve these communities mainly because of a leadership dearth, corruption
recorded both at local government andthe Houses of
Assembly.
Mutare West MP Shuah
Mudiwa (MDC-T):
“We are approaching the
end of the session
and we have no assurance
that
we will be coming
back.
Can the minister tell us
if he is going to
give us exit packages and
allowances?”
None will forget their demands for a car
every year which left many Zimbabweans in a state of shock. The current bunch of
legislators is the worst we have had since independence always looking for
avenues of milking the treasury dry, while turning a blind eye to their
constituencies. The lack of qualitative socio-economic and political debates in
the house leaves a lot to be desired, it was neither impressive nor informed by
a genuine desire to alleviate the poverty endured by the electorate: NOT
impressive at all as nothing much was done as far as the legislative reform and
formulation agenda is concerned.
Their affinity for luxury is regrettable.
Itssobering as it is
mind boggling for an MP to claim an exit package as if they had been working for
a company. Zimbabwe has no room for political entrepreneurs! Already they have
gobbled enough the money from the treasury, namely their vehicles, allowances
and hotel accommodation and the Constituency Development Funds they put to
personal use rather than developing their
constituencies.
Poverty taking its
tollin
many constituencies
Those who are calling for these packages
know very well that they have not done anything for their constituencies during
their horrible stint in parliament, they are fully aware that the electorate
will not vote for them again so they want to benefit for the last time. It will
be a record set in that some will leave the house after five years without
uttering a word in parliament apart from the swearing-in ceremony. The other
opportune time they opened their mouths was when they were either singing the
national anthem, or heckling other honourable members during debates and of
cause they open their mouths wide during those lunches hosted for
MPs.
Since 2008, the MPs are now proud owners
of two vehicles, Isuzu vehicles they were scandalously given by Gideon Gono, and
the Mazda BT50 from the treasury. In Zimbabwe being an MP has since become a
profession and one way of getting rich quickly as evidenced by these outrageous
demands and all that they acquired during this session of parliament. But the
time has now come when rhetoric and empty promises will not have space in our
political landscape.
The calibre of legislators we currently
have leaves a lot to be desired. It is simply mediocre!In the previous election some
became MPs mainly because of bravery at the height of political violence and not
what they were capable of delivering. At least the coming in of the inclusive
government has afforded an opportunity to the electorate to assess the quality
of leadership we have. The coming election will not be about protest voting, it
will not be about bravery, but those who are capable of delivering.Those who are corrupt will surely be
shown the exit door.
Blessing ‘Vuvuzela’ Vava is a
blogger from Chipinge, who believes in the ideals of the Peoples Charter. He can
be contacted onblessingvava@gmaill.com
By Rumbidzai Dube:This full article can be downloaded from our website
byvisiting this
link
Executive
Summary
Women in Zimbabwe constitute 52% of the population
meaning that they are in the majority. This statistic does not translate to
women’s proportionate representation in decision-making processes. Women are
under-represented and are often left on the sidelines, while men position
themselves as the front runners in politics as political leaders, in the law as
judges, in business and corporate giants as directors and top management. The
advantage that men enjoy, and the disadvantage that women endure are due to a
number of political, social and economic factors including the nature of
politics characterised by patronage and violence, the patriarchal nature of
society, gender stereotyping and how these factors impact women’s decision
making abilities, the distribution of wealth and women’s inability to access
resources to improve their financial status.
However there are various regional and international
instruments that seek to improve women’s participation in decision-making among
these the Protocol to the SADC Gender and Development Protocol, the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the
Maputo Protocol) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Zimbabwe has done very well in ratifying
these regional and international instruments, signifying its willingness to be
bound by the provisions therein. The implementation of these regional and
international norms has, however, not been as smooth. It has been hampered by a
plethora of challenges- top of which is the non-domestication of these
norms.
This has largely been a function of the dualist system
that the Constitution of Zimbabwe advocates; namely that any conventions or
treaties that Zimbabwe signs and ratifies cannot become binding and have the
force of law unless Parliament puts in place an Act of law giving them such
force. Now, Zimbabwe is in a process of making a new Constitution, whose
likelihood of becoming ‘THE’ Constitution of Zimbabwe is becoming more real by
the day. It is hence trite that in light of that development this analysis be
conducted to determine if at all, the possible adoption of a new constitution
will improve the implementation of regional and international standards that
seek to improve women’s participation in decision-making
processes.
This entry was posted by Sokwanele on
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 at 9:48 pm.
Bill Watch 50/2012 of 8th November [New Parliamentary Session Opened; Adjourned to 15th November]
BILL
WATCH 50/2012
[8th November
2012]
The President Officially Opened the new Parliamentary Session on
Tuesday 30th October
Both Houses then Adjourned until Thursday 15th November [Budget
Day]
Opening of Fifth and Final Session of Seventh
Parliament
President Mugabe opened the fifth and final session of the Seventh
Parliament of Zimbabwe on Tuesday 30th October.Immediately after the ceremony, both Houses reassembled separately and
adjourned until Thursday 15th November.That is the day earmarked for the presentation of the 2013 Budget by the
Minister of Finance.
The President’s Speech at the Opening
Ceremony
[full text available from veritas@mango.zw]
The President’s speech on this annual occasion gives him an
opportunity to highlight key developments in the previous year and Government
intentions for the year ahead, in particular what Bills the Government plans to
introduce during the session.
Short session likelyPresident Mugabe started
with a warning that the session is “likely to be an abridged one”.This hint at an early end to the present
Parliament was followed by an unequivocal statement of the President’s intention
that the next elections be held by the end of March 2013.
Comment: The other GPA party leaders, Mr Tsvangirai and Professor
Ncube, have since said they do not share this intention.Constitutionally, Parliament can continue
until 28th June 2012, and the elections could be as late as 28th
October.
New Constitution The President referred to the just-ended COPAC Second All
Stakeholders’ Conference on the draft constitution and the need for COPAC to now
“work
frantically to produce a Report of the Conference” to enable progress to be
made towards the constitutional Referendum – and, if the Referendum vote is YES,
the introduction in Parliament of the Bill for the new constitution for it to be
passed into law.
Legislative Agenda
·New Constitution
The Bill for the new constitution will be presented if the Referendum
vote is YES.
·Bills for new Acts [4 Bills]
Constituency Development Fund Bill – to strengthen accountability in the management of funds allocated
to MPs for development in their constituencies, given experience gained since
the CDF was introduced and the irregularities unearthed by the audit of those
funds that commenced last year.
Diamond Bill – to give effect to Zimbabwe’s Diamond Policy, which has now been
agreed and is designed to guide the development of the local diamond industry.
There will be consequential amendments to the Precious Stones Trade
Act.
State Enterprises and Parastatals Management Bill– to codify the Corporate Governance Framework for these
bodies.
Tripartite Negotiating Forum Bill – to set up a legal framework for the Tripartite Negotiating
Forum.This body brings together
government, business and labour in negotiations over key socioeconomic
matters.It was established in 1998accordance with International Labour
Organisation Convention No. 44.Its
success has been limited by lack of a legal framework.
·Bills to amend existing Acts [4 Bills]
Zimbabwe Investment Authority AmendmentBill – to enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness as an investment
destination.
Civil Aviation Amendment Act – to provide for the separation of the Civil Aviation Authority of
Zimbabwe into two entities: the Airports Management Administration and the Civil
Aviation Regulatory Authority.This will
enable Government to better discharge its international obligations and
responsibilities with respect to aviation safety oversight and security
functions.
Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill – this long-awaited Bill seeks to facilitate increased mineral
production, provide a more competitive mining legislative framework, facilitate
continuous exploration and local beneficiation of minerals.
Attorney General’s Office Amendment Bill – to amend provisions in the Attorney General’s Office Act that
potentially infringe upon the independence of that office as enshrined in
section 76 of the Constitution.The principal Act was gazetted on 10th
June 2011 but has not been brought into force. Presumably it will remain in
limbo until this Bill has become law. Meanwhile members of the Attorney
General’s Office remain part of the Public Service, a situation which is
incompatible with a truly independent Attorney General’s Office.
Comment:
oThe first 2 of these bills were on the President’s legislative agenda
when he opened the Fourth Session in September 2011, but they were not
introduced in Parliament.
oThe bill to amend the Mines and Minerals Act was mentioned when the
President opened the Third Session in 2010, but the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development did not bring it to Parliament.
oThe Attorney General’s Office Amendment Bill is the only new Bill of
the four.
This is one indication of how little of their planned legislative
work the Inclusive Government has actually placed before Parliament. Of the 14
Bills listed in the President’s Speech at the beginning of the last session,
only one – the Electoral Amendment Bill – was introduced and passed. Those that
were not even introduced included the Referendums Bill, Reserve Bank
Restructuring Bill, Public Health Amendment Bill, Food Control Bill, Land
Developers Bill and Railways Bill – and none of these is on the President’s list
for this session.
International agreement for Parliament’s approvalThe African Charter on the
Values and Principles of Public Service Administration will be presented for
approval by both Houses in terms of section 111B of the Constitution.This charter was adopted by the AU Summit in
Addis Ababa in January 2011, and it
has since been signed by 21 countries but ratified by only 2 of those
21.Zimbabwe has not signed it.The Charter seeks to improve public service delivery, combat corruption,
protect the rights of citizens as users of public service and to promote
sustainable development on the continent.
Closing remarks on political differences and violenceIn closing the President
said: “As we look ahead, irrespective of our political differences, let us
continue to be bound together as Zimbabweans, and to maintain a disciplined
focus on the task of developing our country for the benefit of our current and
future generations. Let us also continue to engender within ourselves the belief
that we are masters of our own destiny and the resolve to jealously guard our
hard-won independence and nationhood, hoisting national unity as our solid bond.
To this end, I wish to appeal to all our leaders, followers of our Parties and
other organisations and stakeholders, including the media, to adopt the pledge
to work genuinely for national unity and cohesion.Let us all shun violence in all its
manifestations and latent forms, especially as we look forward to our national
elections.”
Important Expected Bills Omitted
Bills to amend or repeal laws that restrict civil liberties: Public Order and Security Act [POSA], Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act [AIPPA], the Broadcasting Services
Act and sections of the Criminal Law Code These have been expected ever since
the inception of the Inclusive Government.
Anti-Trafficking in Persons BillIn his last year’s speech the President gave notice of the
Government’s intention not only to accede to the UN Palermo Protocol to Prevent,
Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, but
also to give legal effect to it in
domestic law.Also, when the Senate
approved Zimbabwe’s accession to this Protocol in July, co-Minister of Home
Affairs Theresa Makone promised Senators that she would be back with the Bill
this session.
Income Tax BillThis is in fact being
printed – the Minister of Finance had previously told Parliament he wants it
passed before the end of the year.
Budget Bills
Two money Bills to give effect to the 2013 Budget will come up later
in the month – the Appropriation (2013) Bill and the Finance Bill.These Bills are never referred to in the
President’s legislative agenda because they are part of the normal
end-of-the-year Budget routine.
Status of Bills as at 5th November 2012
No Bills on the Agenda for 15th November
There are no Bills listed on the agenda for either House when
Parliament resumes on 15th November.This is because the Bills left uncompleted at the end of the last session
have lapsed in accordance with Parliamentary Standing Orders.Any lapsed Bill may, however, be restored to
the agenda if the House of the Assembly or Senate so resolves.
Lapsed Bills from 4th Session that could be revived
oBill awaiting Second Reading
National Incomes and Pricing Commission Amendment Bill
oBill being considered by Parliamentary Legal
Committee
Securities Amendment Bill [referred to PLC after its first reading on 9th
October]
oPrivate Member’s Bills held up pending Supreme Court
decision
[See Bill Watch 20 and 21
of 15th May 2012]
Public Order and Security Amendment Bill
Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill
Urban Councils Amendment Bill
Bill in Pipeline
Microfinance Bill [gazetted on
31st August] – ready for presentation in Parliament
Income Tax Bill – being prepared by Government
Printer
Government Gazettes of 26th October and 2nd November
Statutory Instruments
VATSI 168/2012 makes the
changes to the VAT system with effect from 1st August 2012, as promised by the
Minister of Finance in his Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review Statement.Domestic electricity, soya beans, seed cotton
and white sugar are now zero-rated for VAT purposes.
Collective bargaining agreementsSI 169/2012 notifies new
wages for the motor industry for the period July-December 2012.SI 170/2012 sets out complete conditions of
service forthe textile
industry.
Road-tolls Victoria Falls BridgeSI 171/2012 specifies the
fees payable for use of the bridge by minibuses, buses, heavy vehicles and
haulage vehicles, ranging from $5.00 to $30.Light motor vehicles are not subject to the
toll.
Labour Act: ArbitratorsSI 173/2012 contains
regulations governing arbitrators appointed under section 98(6) of the Labour
Act to handle disputes.A code of ethics
is included.
Local authority by-lawsSI 172/2012 contains by-laws
governing the use and conservation of communal and resettlement land in the
Makonde Rural District Council’sarea.
General Notices
Land acquisition
oGN 489/2012 notifies the Government’s compulsory acquisition of a
1785-acre farm in Makonde district, under the special no-objections-allowed
constitutional procedure for taking land for settlement for agriculture.
oGN 490/2012 gives preliminary notice of its intention to acquire,
under the Land Acquisition Act, approximately 1000 hectares on the outskirts of
Harare for urban development; affected parties have the right to
object.
Increase in Magistrates Court Jurisdiction in Civil
Cases
Bill Watch 49/2012 of 19th October gave notice of SI 163/2012,
gazetted on the 19th October. [SI 163 is now
available from veritas@mango.zw].The SI makeschanges to the monetary limits on the
jurisdiction of the magistrates court in civil cases.The amounts are as follows: for cases based
on “liquid documents” [e.g. cheques, promissory notes] the limit is now $5 000
[was $1 000] and for other cases it
is now $10 000 [was $2 000].
Veritas
makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal
responsibility for information supplied
