We’ve failed to end uncertainty: Tsvangirai

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondents Thursday 22 April 2010

BULAWAYO – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday said conflicting
messages from his coalition government with President Robert Mugabe have
fuelled uncertainty about Zimbabwe’s economic direction to discourage
investors whose funds the country needs to rebuild its shattered economy.

Tsvangirai – whose MDC party has publicly differed with Mugabe’s ZANU PF
over how to transfer control of the economy to local blacks – said there was
no consultation on policy formulation, while policies implemented by the
government had failed to create a predictable environment for investors.

“As a government we acknowledge that we have not been able to implement
policies that ensure predictability for investment in our economy,”
Tsvangirai told a business leaders’ conference on the sidelines of the
ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

The former opposition leader who has wrangled with Mugabe over how to share
executive power since the two former foes agreed to form a government of
national unity last year said conflicting messages from government leaders
had created uncertainty among investors.

Failure to fully implement the power-sharing agreement that led to formation
of the unity government as well as continuing lawlessness and violence in
the key farming sector have also marred Zimbabwe’s image as a viable
investment destination, Tsvangirai said.

“Conflicting messages and lack of consultation have created an air of
uncertainty in our investment climate . . . incidents of violence, farm
disruptions and other illegal practices (continue) to mar our image,” said
Tsvangirai, vowing he was going to act to bring coherence in government
policy key to attracting investment capital.

Tsvangirai spoke as Zimbabwe Stoke Exchange (ZSE) authorities said the
controversial plan to compel foreign-owned firms to cede majority stake to
indigenous Zimbabweans has sacred off investors with many putting
transactions on hold until there is clarity on the empowerment scheme.

"Last year our market was being driven by foreigners, upwards of 40 percent
were foreigners and net buyers,” ZSE chief executive Emmanuel Munyukwi told
reporters. “But from the end of January with the gazetting of the
indigenisation regulations, there has been a lot of uncertainty and
foreigners have put a hold on their transactions."

Under the empowerment regulations foreign owned firms have until May 15 to
submit plans of how they intend to transfer 51 percent stake to blacks.

The empowerment programme has split the government with ZANU PF backing the
plan while the MDC wants the scheme stopped to allow for more consultation
and drafting of new regulations that will not scare away foreign investors,
while allowing for economic empowerment of the majority.

Mugabe and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere accept the need for
consultations to improve current indigenisaton regulations but say
empowerment should go ahead while consultation is taking place.

Large multinational corporations such as cigarette manufacturer BAT
Zimbabwe, which is 80 percent British-owned; UK-controlled financial
institutions Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, food group Nestlé
Zimbabwe, mining giants Rio Tinto and Zimplats, and AON Insurance are some
of the big foreign-owned firms that will be forced to cede control to
locals.

The empowerment laws are silent about where or how impoverished local
Zimbabweans will get money to pay for stake in the large mines and
industries.

Critics fear Mugabe and ZANU PF want to press ahead with transferring
majority ownership of foreign-owned companies as part of a drive to reward
party loyalists with thriving businesses. – ZimOnline

Ahmadinejad to arrives in Zimbabwe today

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondent Thursday 22 April 2010

HARARE - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Zimbabwe today on
a three-day state visit that will see him open the Zimbabwe International
Trade Fair tomorrow.

The Iranian leader, who has courted as much controversy as his host today,
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, will be accompanied by 40 business
leaders from his country.

"President Ahmadinejad will arrive Thursday on a three day state visit," a
government official said. "We are expecting Iran to open a regional
investment house here in Zimbabwe and this really good news for the country
and the region. The Iranian leader will also open a tractor factory plant
here which has been on the cards for a long time."

The multi-million dollar tractor plant that Harare says will manufacture
tractors for sale in Zimbabwe and for export to the region is a joint
venture between the Zimbabwean government's Industrial Development
Corporation, the Iranian Tractor Manufacturing Company and the Iranian
Foreign Investment Company.

Ahamadinejad is also going to tour Modzone Enterprises, a textiles making
company that is another joint venture between the IDC and an Iranian pension
fund. - ZimOnline.

Zimbabwe Struggling To Repay Iran's Loan

http://news.radiovop.com

21/04/2010 20:19:00

Harare, April 22, 2010 - Zimbabwe is struggling to pay its outstanding loan
of 15 million euros given by the republic of Iran in 2005, a cabinet
minister said Wednesday at the joint commission between the two nations.

The revelation was made by the Foreign Affairs minister, Simbarashe
Mumbengegwi, at the 6th session of the joint commission on Zimbabwe and Iran
in Harare.

The loan was used by the Zimbabwean government to finance agriculture and to
digitalise the state owned broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
(ZBC) in 2005.The joint commission precedes the arrival of Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday on a official state visit.

"Zimbabwe is yet to clear the 15 million euros on the agriculture and
digitalisation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in 2005.Let me
assure you that Zimbabwe will be able to meet all its outstanding arrears,"
Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said in  his address at the
6th session of the  joint commission between Zimbabwe and Iran.

Zimbabwe is struggling to service its debt of about US$6 billion.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it will resume funding to Zimbabwe
once it clears its debt.

"The joint commission further discussed other joint ventures in the areas of
manufacturing, energy, agriculture, mining and water management," the joint
statement by the two countries read.

"The joint commission agreed to establish a Joint Investment Company to
identify and implement projects of mutual benefit to the two countries
including areas of banking, finance and insurance."

Ahmadinejad, will officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair
(ZITF) on Friday. He is also expected to tour state enterprises Modzone ,
where the two countries are partners and also tour Willovale Motor Assembly,
officials confirmed.

Another joint session between the two countries will be held in Tehran in
2012.

Ahmadinejad will arrive in Zimbabwe from Uganda where he had been on a
two-day visit for talks over his country's nuclear programme and Kampala's
oil industry.

Ahmadinejad was trying to garner support from Uganda ,which holds one of
Africa's UN Security Council, rotating chair to veto any imposition of
sanctions against Iran over its ambitious nuclear programme.

Ahmadinejad's visit to Zimbabwe, has attracted some controversy among human
rights groups and the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) party led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. They have condemned the visit by the Iranian
leader, regarded in the western world as a dicator, who rigged elections
last June to hang onto power. Hundreds of people were killed in Iran last
June in the aftermath of a disputed election which resulted in public
protests for about a month.

The MDC would not say on Wednesday if it was going to the airport to welcome
the Iranian leader whose country's influence in Zimbabwe was growing at an
alarming rate surpassing  that of China in hype and visibility. The MDC has
described the visit by the Iranian leader as a "political scandal".

Iranian interests in Zimbabwe cuts across different sectors of the country's
economy spanning from mining, agriculture, manufacturing to broadcasting.

According to statistics from the organisers of the ZITF, Iranian companies
make up the highset number of participants.

Ahmadinejad's visit comes just over a week after the Minister of State in
the President's office, Didymus Mutasa, returned from Iran where he is said
to have delivered a special invitation to Ahmadinejad to open the fair by
President Robert Mugabe.

Meanwhile, the Muslim community in Zimbabwe, was on Wednesday making a rare
appearence in the media flighting advertisements inviting Zimbabweans to
join them in welcoming Ahmadinejad at the Harare International Airport. Free
bus rides from Harare suburbs will be provided by the Muslim Association in
Zimbabwe to those wishing to go to the airport.
 

Zimbabwe ministerial seeks team to mend EU ties

http://www.apanews.net

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday said
that a ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe will be leaving "any time now"
for Europe on a mission to mend relations between Brussels and Harare.

Addressing local and foreign business leaders on the sidelines of the
ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair taking place in the second city
Bulawayo, Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe needed the support of regional and
international partners in its efforts to attract finance, technology and
skills.

"A ministerial team is expected to leave the country any time to engage with
friends and partners in Europe as a first step towards rejoining the global
family," he said.

Sources said the visit was postponed from this week after the Zimbabwean
team failed to travel to Brussels as a result of the volcanic ash that
disrupted flights to Europe.

The delegation will be led by Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma and
includes Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Regional Integration
Minister Priscilla Mishairabwi-Mushonga.

Relations between Harare and Brussels took a hit following the holding of a
violence-marred presidential poll won by President Robert Mugabe in 2002.

The EU and its Western allies condemned the election as a fraud and imposed
visa and financial sanctions against the Zimbabwean leader and his top
allies in ZANU PF and in the military.

ZANU PF will want to use talks with the EU to push for lifting of the
sanctions but analysts do not see Brussels scrapping the punitive measures
until its calls for more political and democratic reforms in Zimbabwe are
heeded.

Tsvangirai also reassured the businesspeople that the government was
revising the controversial Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment
Regulations so that they promote genuine empowerment of all Zimbabweans and
avoid the pitfalls of previous programmes that only benefited "an elite few".

"Laws of any nation must promote development, cohesion and promote the
rights of our citizens. The laws should not unnecessarily criminalise our
people or investors who take the political and economic risks upon
themselves to bring in foreign direct investment," Tsvangirai said.

JN/nm/APA
2010-04-22

Power Cut Leaves Harare Dry

http://www.herald.co.zw/

19 March 2010

Harare - Harare and its surrounding towns ran dry yesterday following loss
of power at the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant.

Despite this, city officials continued disconnecting residents with
outstanding bills.

Town House authorities were in panic mode as they tried to understand the
extent of the water shortages.

They, however, levelled the blame on Zesa saying the utility was failing to
repair a fault at Morton Jaffary.

The loss of water supplies comes as typhoid has erupted in the high-density
suburb of Mabvuku, which also bore the brunt of the last major cholera
outbreak.

Town Clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi admitted that the city was in a "big mess".

Council spokesman Mr Leslie Gwindi said Harare, Ruwa, Chitungwiza, Epworth
and Norton residents should brace for a massive dry spell.

"The City of Harare wishes to advise residents of the Harare Metropolitan
area that the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant has been having erratic
power supply culminating in complete power outage at 21:30hrs on Wednesday
17 March till now," he said.

Zesa Harare area manager Mr King Dube dismissed allegations that the power
utility had failed to locate the "isolated" problem and engineers were
working hard to rectify it.

"We know the fault.

"The major fault happened yesterday (Wednesday). It is not a permanent
situation," he said.

Water problems begun yesterday with residents complaining of low pressure
and taps ran completely dry as the day progressed.

Residents in Western suburbs complained of disconnections over water bills.

"We hear there is a typhoid outbreak in Mabvuku and Tafara and the water
cuts and disconnections defeat efforts to save lives.

"The typhoid can spread to other areas because of what is happening," Mr
Moyana Malunga said.

Mrs Jane Chandengenda of Mufakose said, "Council seems to be more concerned
with fundraising rather than the welfare of residents.

"Bills will be paid as long as council provides a service to the people, but
when we have situations like this, how can we pay?"

Suspected ZANU-PF Militants Invade Game Ranch in Zimbabwe's Beitbridge District

http://www1.voanews.com

Ian Ferguson, a white Zimbabwean who owns the Denlynian Game Ranch with his
South African children, said the invaders have evicted all of his employees
and sealed off the ranch, threatening anyone who refused to comply

Gibbs Dube | Washington 21 April 2010

A game ranch in Zimbabwe's Beitbridge district on the border with South
Africa has been invaded by militants believed to be supporters of the
ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe, with the reported backing of
Matabeleland South Angeline Masuku and Co-Minister of Home Affairs Kembo
Mohadi, sources said.

Ian Ferguson, a white Zimbabwean who owns the Denlynian Game Ranch with his
South African children, said the invaders have evicted all of his employees
and sealed off the ranch. Ferguson said they threatened to kill anyone who
resisted their orders to leave the property.

"The invaders are causing havoc as they have started looting at the ranch
and threatening to kill workers or anyone not willing to co-operate,"
Ferguson said.

The invaders appeared to have the full backing of the ZANU-PF party
leadership in the province including Masuku, and of Home Affairs Co-Minister
Mohadi.

Ferguson told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube that he has sought
intervention by South Africa's Embassy in Harare, invoking the bilateral
investment protection agreement signed by the two countries and ratified
recently by Zimbabwe's House of Assembly.

Masuku refused to comment and Home Affairs Co-Minister Mohadi was not
reachable.

Political Tensions Over Zimbabwe Diamond Field Increase as Police Seek Lawmaker

http://www1.voanews.com

Sources in Parliament said it was unclear why the police wanted to summon
Moses Mare before a magistrate, but the Mines Committee member said that the
officers demanded his home address so they could serve him directly

Sandra Nyaira | Washington 21 April 2010

Political tension over Zimbabwe's controversial Marange diamond field surged
Wednesday as officers of the law and order section of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police tried to serve a summons on parliamentary mines committee member
Moses Mare, MDC legislator for Chiredzi South, in connection with a Marange
probe.

Sources in Parliament said it was unclear why the police wanted to call Mare
before a magistrate, but said that the officers demanded his home address,
insisting that they wanted to hand him the court summons in person.

Mare has been outspoken about the secrecy enveloping the Marange diamond
mining operations and the not-so-subtle resistance of Mines Minister Obert
Mpofu to any questions about or investigation the state's partnership with
two private firms developing the field.

Mpofu has refused to grant the committee clearance to carry out a
fact-finding mission in Marange.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena could not be reached as his phone went
unanswered.

But Mare told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that he thinks the police
action was intended to deter him from pursuing the committee investigation
into what is going on in the Marange field and the disposition of the
diamonds extracted from the alluvial deposits.

Congressman Asks US Treasury Department to Probe Russian's Zimbabwe Dealings

http://www1.voanews.com

U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. has referred to the U.S. Treasury the
question of whether prospective NBA team owner Mikhail Prokhorov has had
dealings in Zimbabwe with a business tied to individuals under sanctions

Gibbs Dube | Washington 21 April 2010

U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Junior, who asked the National Basketball
Association recently to investigate a Russian billionaire who sought to buy
the New Jersey Nets team citing business interests in a Zimbabwean bank
allegedly linked to officials under sanctions, has referred the matter to
the U.S. Treasury.

Ben Rich, a spokesman for the lawmaker, said Russian nickel magnate Mikhail
Prokhorov is still being investigated by the NBA though it said last week
that the businessman has no shady business dealings in Zimbabwe, only a
stake in the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, which is not under sanctions.

"Congressman Pascrell has written to the Department of Treasury asking them
to investigate to see if any sanctions laws were not breached," he said.

The NBA recently said Prokhorov's bid to buy the Nets is on track to be
voted upon by the league's board.

NBA rules require background checks on new owners and approval by 75 percent
of the 30 team owners.

Zimbabwean PM Tsvangirai Deplores Corruption, Smuggling of Mineral Resources

http://www1.voanews.com

The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme has urged that the Zimbabwean
armed forces leave Marange, but observers say there is still a significant
military presence in the district and that diamond smuggling is rife

Studio 7 Staff | Washington & Bulawayo 21 April 2010

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, speaking on the margins of the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Wednesday, deplored corruption and
smuggling in the mining sector in what appeared to be a reference to the
controversial manner in which the Mines Ministry is developing the Marange
diamond field in secrecy amid allegations of asset-looting.

Addressing business executives participating in the fair, Mr. Tsvangirai
said corruption was counteracting the government's efforts to revive the
economy. He called for greater accountability among businesses.

The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme has urged that the Zimbabwean
armed forces leave Marange, but observers say there is still a significant
military presence in the district, that diamond smuggling is rife, and that
the rights of residents continue to be abused.

A parliamentary committee looking into operations in Marange has been barred
from the area by the Ministry of Mines. Under the theme of "Unlocking Our
Investment Potential," the trade showcase will be opened on Friday by
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Civic activists and Mr. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change
formation have expressed concern at his visit, given Iran's isolation from
most of the Western world which Zimbabwe is now trying to re-engage.

Political analyst Samukele Hadebe told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili
Nkomo that corruption is everywhere in the economy, and that government must
take drastic measures to curb theft and graft.

Mr. Tsvangirai also took up the chronic deadlock in negotiations over
contentious aspects of the Global Political Agreement, saying the extended
talks were holding back the economy.

The trade fair opened unofficially Wednesday with a significant increase in
international exhibitors - but an alarming decrease in local participants
due to the sluggish economy.

Trade fair general manager Daniel Chigaru told VOA Studio 7 reporter Chris
Gande that contrary to news reports, the volcanic ash plume that has
paralyzed European air travel has not hurt the exhibition.

Zanu-PF accused of using army in campaign

http://www.thedailynewszw.com/?p=28962

April 19, 2010

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Zanu-PF has allegedly engaged the services of soldiers to
campaign for the adoption of the controversial Kariba draft constitution
ahead of the constitutional reform's outreach programme scheduled to start
early next month.

Mwenezi East Zanu-PF legislator, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti

The constitutional reform process, which is well behind schedule, is
expected to get into full gear early May after the release of donor funds.

Villagers here claim President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party has roped in
soldiers to campaign for the adoption of the Kariba draft.

The draft, crafted by both the MDC and Zanu-PF in the town of Kariba about
three years ago, has been at the centre of dispute since the constitutional
reform process began.

The MDC now rejects the document, arguing for a people-driven process, while
Zanu-PF is campaigning for its adoption.

Groups of soldiers dressed in full military attire are said to have visited
several areas in rural parts of Masvingo province threatening villagers with
death if they did not support the adoption of the draft.

On Saturday, the soldiers reportedly descended in Mushandike Resettlement
Scheme about 20 kilometres south of Masvingo city where they held a series
of meetings with villagers on the constitutional reform process.

Villagers in Mushandike told The Daily News online that they were threatened
with death if they rejected the Kariba draft.

"The soldiers dressed in military gear came and addressed us here about the
new constitution," said Simon Muenenge one of the villagers.

"They told us that a new war will erupt if we do not support the Kariba
draft. They also told us not to support the mainstream MDC party."

Last week , the soldiers addressed meetings at Chimbudzi and Chimeri
villages in Mwenezi districts where villagers were ordered to support the
adoption of the Kariba draft.

"Soldiers have been holding meeting here since last week and were telling
villagers not support the MDC party's stance on the constitution," said
Charles Muzenda, a Mwenezi resident.

"They have been telling us that the Kariba draft is the only document to
support if we want peace in the country."

Four Brigade commander, Brigadier Julius Mutisi, at the weekend confirmed
the presence of soldiers in Mushandike but said they were only on a training
exercise.

"I can confirm that soldiers were at our training camp in Mushandike on a
training mission," said Mutisi. "If there is anyone who was harassed, the
reports have not reached us."

"After all, we have do not campaign for any party during the constitutional
reform process. If there are soldiers doing that then they are doing it in
their own individual capacity."

Mwenezi East Zanu-PF legislator Kudakwashe Bhasikiti at the weekend said his
party was campaigning for its position on the constitution, adding that the
party was using all arms of government to do so.

"We are using all arms of government which we feel is necessary to make us
win," said Bhasikiti. "We are using war veterans, party youths, civil
servants, the police and even soldiers who are supportive of us.

"We are doing this peacefully and no one has been intimidated or harassed".

Zimbabwe is battling to craft a new constitution but the process has been
hampered by a shortage of funds and sharp differences among political
parties within the fragile inclusive government.

Tension is high in the countryside as the two political parties fight to
outdo each other in the campaign.

The constitutional reform process' outreach programme is expected to take 65
days. Once the constitution is in place, Zimbabweans are expected to go to
the polls to choose a government of their choice.

SA Rejects New Ttds

http://www.herald.co.zw/

22 April 2010

Harare - SCORES of Zimbabweans are stranded at the Beitbridge Border Post
after South African authorities refused to accept the recently introduced
Temporary Travelling Documents.

Reports indicate that South African port officials allegedly fired their
guns to frighten the affected travellers into crossing back to the
Zimbabwean side of the border.

Among the travellers who were allegedly shepherded back with the guns was an
eight-year-old Zimbabwean girl who was reportedly hauled off a bus at around
midnight on Tuesday.

The South African authorities allegedly fired gunshots to scare away a group
that included the minor (name supplied) and her 17-year-old sister.

South African police and border officials denied the allegations while their
Zimbabwean counterparts said they had heard gunfire.

Some officers, speaking off the record, confirmed receiving the reports and
said they were investigating.

The father of the eight-year-old girl yesterday lodged an official complaint
with the South African Embassy in Harare.

South African Home Affairs Department officials started turning away
Zimbabweans on Tuesday night saying they had not been officially notified of
the introduction of the new travel document.

They said they had not seen a specimen of an authentic TTD.

The unfortunate travellers were directed to the Registrar-General's Office
in Beitbridge.

Some of them told The Herald that those with Emergency Travel Documents were
being cleared for single entries of up to a maximum of 21 days.

Among those affected was a team of karatekas, led by Tendai Chipunza, who
were scheduled to participate in a tournament in Cape Town.

"We hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible because we are
supposed to participate at a karate tournament of 24 April in Cape Town.

"In the meantime, we are just pinning our hopes on authorities from the
Passport Office and Home Affairs" Chipunza said.

Assistant regional immigration officer (southern region) Mr Charles Gwede
said efforts to negotiate with their South African counterparts had so far
been in vain.

"We have tried to liaise with our counterparts, but they said they are still
verifying the issue with their authorities as per the normal immigration
protocols between the two governments.

"We hope the issue will be resolved as soon as possible. At the moment we
have notified our principals and Zimbabwe's Consulate in South Africa and
they are still consulting with their hosts," he said.

Mr Gwede, however, said he was yet to get a report on the alleged shootings.

Zimbabwe's Consular-General in South Africa, Mr Chris Mapanga, said: "We are
working towards resolving the issue with our host government and they are
currently addressing the issue through their communications systems.

"This is just a small logistical issue, but we are working flat out to
ensure a smooth flow of traffic between the countries."

Home Affairs co-Minister Kembo Mohadi said he would provide a detailed
response today.

"I have received such reports but we are still investigating the issue and
we will be able to give a satisfactory answer tomorrow (today).

"If the South Africans say they had not been informed of the new document,
we are going to inform them," he said.

Government introduced TTDs, which are valid for six months, on April 14
partly because of the proliferation of fake ETDs.

Child drop-out rate increases

UNICEF, WHO And Health Ministry Move To Contain Zimbabwe's Measles Crisis

http://www1.voanews.com

UNICEF spokeswoman Tsitsi Singizi said that while officials are not
declaring a measles epidemic just yet, the situation is very bad across
Zimbabwe with cases reported in 55 of the country's 62 districts

Sandra Nyaira | Washington 21 April 2010

Moving to contain the spread of deadly measles throughout Zimbabwe, the
Ministry of Health, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health
Organization and other organizations will launch a major immunization drive
in May aiming to reach all children in the country under the age of 14.

UNICEF Zimbabwe spokeswoman Tsitsi Singizi told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra
Nyaira that measles has reached crisis levels, obliging Harare and its
partners to step up efforts to stop its spread.

Many rural communities in eastern Zimbabwe have seen emergency clinics set
up as was done to fight the 2008-2009 cholera epidemic.

Singizi told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that while officials are
not declaring a measles epidemic just yet, the situation is very bad
countrywide with cases reported in 55 of the country's 62 districts.

Open letter to AG and security council

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

Written by ANON., by e-mail
Wednesday, 21 April 2010 07:35

We refer you to Public Records on the murders of Tichaona Chaminya, a trade
union leader and Morgan Tsvangirai's first campaign manager, and young MDC
actress Talent Mabika, each slain by being clubbed and set alight before
armed police at Murambinda, Buhera on 15 April 2000.   Note a DECADE has now
passed since this double killing. (Pictured: Johannes Tomana)
Their deaths are well documented. The same key perpetrators were named in
the Electoral Court's Judgment and in public documents from the Police and
AG's Office. Joseph Mwale from the President's Office and war veteran Kainos
Tom Kitsiyatoto were implicated by all as being leaders in these ruthless
and brutal killings.  "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" - and law enforcement officers
cannot LET others kill with impunity. These are moral and legal imperatives.
The AU abhors and condemns ANY political assassination.
In the African Charter it rejects any impunity for that, without exception.
Yet for 10 years no-one has faced justice for these killings. Why not? No
effort has been seen to arrest Mwale.  Why not? The AG's Office called him
untouchable. ZRP told the High Court they were looking for him, yet his
photo - which must be readily available to the State - has still not been
released, to let every member of our security services and the public help
them in the search for him. Why not?
Under the Court Judgment, the Attorney General ordered the Commissioner of
Police to report to him under 76(1) of the Constitution. By law the
Commissioner had to report also to the Minister, who had to table his report
in Parliament. No report was made - or it was never laid. No action was
taken by the AG against the Commissioner for breaching his legal duty. Why
not?
The impunity, allowed to continue for years, for these and other political
killings after the government's first electoral loss in our 2000 referendum,
undoubtedly contributed to more deaths whenever Zimbabwean voters were
making political choices. In the Agreement On Resolving the Challenges
Facing Zimbabwe, Article 18.5 (c), Security of persons and prevention of
violence, all Parties in Parliament and Principals agreed in September 2008:
"the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in
bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book."  That
commitment is guaranteed by SADC & the AU, and witnessed too by the UN.

We will not be silent.

We call on you, as evidence of a genuine commitment to respect the
Agreement, to -

.    Immediately Make Mwale's Picture Public

.    Ensure Mwale is Arrested Now

.    let Him & his Co-accused Face A True Trial Together

Revising history can mean two things

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by MAGARI MANDEBVU
Tuesday, 20 April 2010 17:13

HARARE - That can mean two things; reviewing what you learned, or rewriting
history to change it. DeadBC on 18 April were doing the second kind of
revising, so I'll try to help you do the first kind. If you're over 40, this
is only what we all remember, but here goes.
Our radio told us half a dozen times between 10.30 and 11am, that we were
celebrating the victory of Robert Mugabe, commander-in-chief of ZANLA (once
they said his co-commander was Joshua Nkomo) over the British. I wonder how
they got so many errors into such a short sentence?
First: the actual military commander of ZANLA was Josiah Tongogara. He
directed military operations. It may be that the head of the political wing,
the party, had seniority but Tongogara deserves a mention, don't you think?
Second: Joshua Nkomo was in no way a co-commander of ZANLA. He had his own
party, ZAPU, with its own military wing, ZIPRA. ZANU and ZAPU formed an
alliance in 1976 called the Patriotic Front, so they should have been equal
partners in all military matters. In fact, they did not co-operate very
well, which didn't matter much as long as they were fighting in different
areas: ZIPRA in Matebeleland and ZANLA in Shona-speaking areas. I would have
thought that ZIPRA deserve a mention in this potted history, however short
DeadBC editors want it cut. We are not incapable of absorbing this much
fact.
Third: Mugabe never fought the British. Nor did ZANLA or ZIPRA. All of them,
and a few other people like Ndabaningi Sithole, took part in the struggle
against Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front (RF). In the interests of
accuracy, both Smith and Sithole need to be mentioned. Sithole mainly
because he founded ZANU. Smith because he was the main enemy all who wanted
independence had to contend with.
British troops only came to Zimbabwe in 1979, after the cease-fire between
the RF's troops, ZANLA and ZIPRA which also ended Ian Smith's rebellion
against Britain.
Because it was Ian Smith who first declared independence of Britain,
unilaterally, which means on his own, hence we call that UDI (Unilateral
Declaration of Independence).
In fact there had never been much British presence here because Zimbabwe was
not a colony of the British government or Crown, but of Cecil Rhodes'
private company. Hence, as a colony, it was called Rhodesia. The company ran
things so badly from 1890 to 1923 that something had to change. The settlers
voted between joining racist South Africa or being a 'self-governing'
British colony. They had their own, whites-only parliament and their own
army. The British monarch only kept the power to veto bills passed by the
'Rhodesian' parliament.
They only did that once, so we could blame them for not doing more to (in
their phrase) 'protect African interests'.
Ian Smith rebelled against this with his UDI in 1965 because the British
refused to give him independence until he agreed that we would have majority
rule within a few years. He could not offer guarantees of this that anyone
would trust, so he declared UDI.
And that, dear students should be enough for one lesson. There are other
important characters in the story, like Abel Muzorewa, Garfield Todd, Kings
Mzilikazi and Lobengula and all the nationalists and trade unionists, but
they will have to wait for another time.