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Talks to save unity govt in trouble, despite Tsvangirai assurances

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
23 April 2009

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai tried to put on a brave face Wednesday by
suggesting that talks aimed at resolving outstanding issues in the unity
government had not reached a deadlock. But events so far show his optimism
is misplaced. Crippling the coalition are issues around the fact that Mugabe
stripped off the communications sector from a ministry controlled by the
MDC, the delay in swearing in Deputy Agriculture Minister Roy Bennett, fresh
farms invasions, the continued detention of political prisoners and the
appointment of governors, ambassadors and permanent secretaries.

On Thursday Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara met as the three main
principals to the unity agreement and sought to reach an agreement. This was
after another meeting on Monday drew blanks. The Minister of State in the
Prime Minister's Office, Gorden Moyo, told us there was 'progress made' but
that the meeting had been adjourned to Monday next week. The arrival in the
country of Frank Chikane, the Director General in the South African
presidency and one of the facilitators to the initial inter-party talks,
seemed to suggest the talks were in trouble, particularly in the aftermath
of reports that former South African President Thabo Mbeki had been called
to Harare to mediate.

But several MDC and government officials maintain they don't know why
Chikane is in the country and Newsreel has been told he is visiting on
'personal business'. Tsvangirai meanwhile has expressed frustration with the
slow pace of progress saying the issues, 'will be addressed and we are in
the process of addressing them. We cannot go on for ever and ever, we have
to address those issues.' Pressed for a time frame he said, 'we have no
specific date but we cannot go on with outstanding issues always hanging
over our heads.'

MDC sources privately say that quitting the unity government is still way
off. 'We now have equal access to intelligence reports and we know they
(ZANU PF) are determined to make us quit. So yes it frustrating and painful
but we are determined to hang in there and equally frustrate them too,' an
official told us. He said even if it came to quitting the coalition, that
would be a decision for the National Council of the MDC, and not Tsvangirai
alone. Analysts however feel the party is being totally undermined by a well
thought out ZANU PF plan, which has laden them with responsibility in
government, but no actual political power.


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Memorise the names of those violating Dhlamini and Mudzingwa’s rights

http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/4033
 

We’ve received more information from a Harare activist giving us an update on what’s happening to Chris Dhlamini and Ghandi Mudzingwa. To remind you, Dhlamini and Mudzingwa were both granted bail on Friday last week. Our emailer tells us that the bail conditions were:

“US $1000, report to nearest police station on a Friday between 6 am and 6 pm, and don’t interfere with witnesses. They are to appear in court on 30th April, 2009 for further remand”.

As a result of of receiving bail, the prison guards left the hospital where both Mudzingwa and Dhlamini are being treated (for horrific torture injuries inflicted upon them by State agents). Mudzingwa and Dhlamini spent Saturday and Sunday on their own, unguarded.

On Monday 20th, as we reported in this post here, the two men received visits from three men we named - Detective Chief Inspector Ntini, Detective Inspector Muchada, and Detective Assistant Inspector Mukwaira - our emailer has provided a fourth name and further information on where the men are based and their roles. See summary below:

Detective Chief Inspector Ntini - Harare Central Law and Order

Detective Inspector Muchada - Harare Central Law and Order (refused Chris Dhlamini food while he was in the cells)

Detective Assistant Inspector Mukwaira - Harare Central Law and Order

Chief Superintendent Magwenzi - CID Fraud Squad (one of the main actors in Chris Dhamini’s torture and waterboarding at Goromonzi)

We believe there was a fifth man who visited the men as well, still unnamed, but when we do get his name we will publish it.

As you can see from the summary above, two of the men in particular have serious questions to answer with regards their treatment of Chris Dhlamini and possibly other abductees as well. Dhlamini went without proper food for 30 days. Torture, as we have said before, is illegal in Zimbabwe. These men acting on behalf of the State are guilty of crimes, but they are walking free and not being held accountable for what they have done to Zimbabwe citizens who are entitled to full protection under Zimbabwean law. Our emailer tells us that when Dhlamini challenged Muchada (on this most recent visit), pointing out that he was one of the people who denied him food, Muchada apparently responded “Oh no, things were bad then”.

We reported on Tuesday that after the five men left, they were replaced by eight prison guards from Chikurubi Maximum security prison (9.30pm). Today we learn that they were brought to the hospital by Chief Superintendent Tarwirei who claimed he was acting on “instructions from above”. When it was pointed out to him that the men had been granted bail and did not need guarding. Tarwirei asked for proof.

The following day, the harassment continued. On Tuesday at 3.30 pm our emailer tells us that a young man in scruffy clothing was seen wandering around outside their ward. When he was asked who he was, he identified himself as Sargeant Jasper Musademba from Harare Central Police Law and Order section. The on-duty Prison Officer, Gurajera, asked Musademba why Chris Dhlamini and Ghandi Mudzingwa should be have prison guards when they had been granted bail and Musademba replied: “it is political, just keep guarding them”.

The next shift of prison guards again asked Chris Dhlamini and Ghandi Mudzingwa for documents confirming their bail, but the two men did not have them. The activist who emailed us said that the Prison officer decided to take the guards out of the ward and sit outside the door. Apparently he did not want to intrude on their personal space when he did not have proof that in fact they should still be under guard. The following shift of prison guards did the same thing.

On Wednesday, at around 2.30pm, the prison guards were removed. But by 5pm Musademba and two Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives had positioned themselves outside the ward in their place. We are  advised by the acivist who emailed us that a further six CIO operatives were in the car park of the hospital. Our emailer said “Fortunately lawyers and other visitors were present and remained in the ward for some hours” - implying that their presence possibly helped keep the men safe. At 6.20 pm Musademba and the CIO operatives were replaced by two policemen from Harare Central.

As the activist who emailed us wrote:

“The modus operandi of the CIO and Law and Order operatives is well known and sinister. The physical security of Chris Dhlamini and Gandi Mudzingwa is at great risk and their continued harrassment by these State Agents is an indication that their intention is to abduct and eliminate Chris Dhlamini and Ghandi Mudzingwa.”

It is very important that we all monitor this story closely, for the safety of the men. Please email the details to everyone you know, and if you know people in the media, please bring this story to their attention. High publicity will make it harder for the two men to ‘disappear’ with impunity. Memorise the names of the perpetrators - they must known in no uncertain terms that they will be held accountable if something happens to these two men.

We must remind you that around the same time all the abductees were first adbucted, seven other people were taken too. The names of those who have survived to tell the tale are becoming well known to many of us. We must remember the names of those who are still missing, possibly murdered. Someone is responsible for their absence and that person must be held accountable for what they have done.

Don’t forget the names of

Gwenzi Kahiya – abducted 29 October 2008 in Zvimba

Ephraim Mabeka – abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe

Lovemore Machokoto – abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe

Charles Muza – abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe

Edmore Vangirayi – abducted 10 December 2008 in Gokwe

Graham Matehwa – abducted 17 December in Makoni South

Peter Munyanyi – abducted 13 December 2008 in Gutu South


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MDC MP granted bail after a week in custody

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 April 2009

The MDC MP for Chipinge South, Mathias Mlambo, was on Wednesday granted bail
by a Chipinge Magistrate, after he was arrested for allegedly defeating and
obstructing a police officer during the discharge of his duties.

Mlambo denies the charges and the MDC claims he is being victimised for
defeating a ZANU PF candidate in last year's elections. Mlambo, who was
arrested during the Easter holidays, was ordered to pay US$20 bail and to
continue to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State
witnesses.

Mlambo's brush with the authorities began on the 11th April at a funeral
gathering for an MDC activist in Chipinge. That gathering was disrupted by
the police who stormed the funeral in search of an unidentified 'suspect.'

A statement from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said police accused
Mlambo of inciting some MDC youth members, during his address at the
funeral. The youth allegedly then became hostile and police said that the
hostility blocked them from picking up their suspect. Mlambo is expected to
appear in court for a hearing on the 4th May.


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Zimbabwe: Alarm Over Intimidation of Witnesses to ILO Inquiry

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article3404

Brussels, 23 April 2009: The ITUC has expressed alarm over the reported
intimidation of potential witnesses to an International Labour Organisation
Commission of Inquiry by Zimbabwe's notorious Central Intelligence
Organisation (CIO). The Commission, a high-level procedure of the UN agency
which deals with labour issues, was initiated due to the appalling track
record of the Mugabe regime on labour and trade union rights, which has
singled out the country's trade union movement for especially forceful
repression over a period of several years.

Potential witnesses to the Inquiry have been approached by CIO operatives,
seeking to intimidate them in order to stop them testifying to the Inquiry.
One trade unionist was detained by the CIO and subjected to threats.
Following this person's release, they were shadowed by unidentified persons.

"A pattern of harassment and intimidation is emerging, and we have genuine
fears for the safety of the potential witnesses. The regime, or rogue
elements under its direct responsibility, appears to be trying to undermine
the conduct of this highly important Inquiry. It must stop doing so
immediately, and the international community must take the steps necessary
to ensure that those concerned are able to testify without fear for their
own safety or that of their families and colleagues," said ITUC General
Secretary Guy Ryder.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ITUC represents 170 million workers in 312 affiliated national
organisations from 157 countries and territories.
http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

For more information please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224
0204 or +32 476 621 018


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African court halts eviction of black Zimbabwean farmer

http://www.africasia.com

WINDHOEK, April 23 (AFP)

A regional tribunal based in Namibia on Thursday halted the eviction of a
70-year-old black Zimbabwean commercial farmer by the government in Harare.

Luke Tembani became one of Zimbabwe's first black commercial farmers shortly
after independence in 1980, but faced eviction on May 21 after the national
agricultural bank sold his farm to recoup a loan.

Documents filed with the tribunal of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) said that the farm had been sold in 2000, without any court
hearings, even though he was still living on it.

The judges in Windhoek ruled that Tembani can stay on his farm until the
tribunal makes a ruling on the case, with the next hearing set for June.

"No interference may take place with the farmer's peaceful stay on the
farm," Justice Ariranga Pillay ordered. "Nor may any eviction happen until
the application is heard and determined."

Zimbabwe had objected to the hearing and has yet to reply in the case.

Tembani, who did not attend the hearing, had taken a loan more than a decade
ago from the Agricultural Bank of Zimbabwe (ABZ) to expand his operations.

According to court documents, he defaulted on part of his repayments when
interest rates soared in 1997, when Zimbabwe's economic crisis unfolded.

"ABZ could not give Tembani exact figures on the money he owed as he wanted
to sell off a small portion of his farm to clear the loan, which was
approved," his court application said.

The problems emerged as Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was embarking on a
violent and often chaotic scheme to resettle black farmers on white-owned
lands.

The SADC tribunal in November ruled against the land reforms, saying 78
white farmers could keep their land because the scheme amounted to racial
discrimination. Mugabe's government rejected the ruling, but the new unity
government says it wants to resolve the problems on the farms.

After the land reforms, Zimbabwe's agricultural production plunged. Now more
than half the population depends on international food aid for survival.


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Senator's men beat Chegutu farm workers

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
23 April 2009

As the wave of farm invasions continue across the country, violent threats
against innocent farm workers are escalating, with more workers suffering
injuries at the hands of invaders this week.

In Chegutu, five workers from Twyford farm are recovering from injuries they
received after brutal beatings by a gang of thugs, working for the ZANU PF
Senator that has forcibly taken over the land. Senator Jamaya Muduvuri has
led the campaign against the farm owners since February when he moved onto
the property, and ongoing looting and large-scale theft has continued ever
since. On Tuesday, Muduvuri's hired thugs rounded up all of the farm's male
workers and seriously beat one of them, leaving him in a serious condition.
The Sentator's gang then viciously beat four more workers on Wednesday.

The beatings come as two Stockdale farm workers are still recovering from
gunshot wounds, after police opened fire on them on the property on Tuesday.
The workers had accompanied Stockdale's owner, Peter Etheredge to inspect
the farm, which has been taken over by the President of the Senate, Edna
Madzongwe. The Etheregdes and most of their staff have been forced off the
land by Madzongwe, who has led an often violent campaign of harassment
against them. She has vowed she will not leave the farm and has posted
police officers on the land to prevent the Etheredges from returning.
Etheredge, his brother and some of his workers had been inspecting the
plantation of oranges on Stockdale when they were met by police officers,
who randomly opened fire on the group, seriously injuring two of the
workers. Etheredge's brother was able to flee with the injured workers, but
Etheredge himself was hauled into custody and has remained behind bars ever
since.

Meanwhile on Mount Carmel farm, all the workers have remained in hiding
after land invaders launched a vicious attack on them earlier this month.
The attack, which was supported by and even involved several police
officials, left one of the workers with a fractured skull. Ongoing
harassment and threats by the invaders means the workers are too afraid to
return to the farm that has been all but completely taken over. Large-scale
theft has also continued on Mount Carmel, with all the produce being
illegally sold.

The escalating number of attacks against the workers comes mere days after
last week's ministerial visit to the Chegutu farming community, which
resulted in Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara ordering all land
invasions to stop. But Chegutu police have continued to support the
invasions, completely ignoring not only the complaints of farm owners, but
also court orders and the direct ministerial orders for the invasions to
cease.


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Minister markets Zimbabwe's investment potential in Europe

http://www.apanews.net

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe's Investment Promotion Minister Elton Mangoma
has left for the Netherlands where he would brief European Union officials
on efforts by Harare's new coalition government to turnaround the troubled
economy, APA learnt here Thursday.

A statement from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's office said Mangoma left
Harare Wednesday night and his first engagement will be as guest of honour
at a meeting organised by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
in The Hague on Friday.

Thereafter, the Zimbabwean minister would address a public discussion on
Saturday which would focus on the EU's international cooperation policy and
would be opened by the Netherlands Minister of International Cooperation
Bert Koenders.

"The meeting and the public discussion will look into what forms of
assistance the European Union and the Netherlands can give to promote
Zimbabwe's economic and political turnaround," the statement said.

The visit is part of efforts by Zimbabwe's newly formed unity government to
market the country as a safe investment destination once again following
nine years of political instability.

Mangoma has since his appointment in February led Zimbabwean delegations to
South Africa where he sought to entice business people from the continent's
largest economy to invest in Zimbabwe.

  JN/nm/APA 2009-04-23


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Police Silent on Disapperance of Tsvangirai Aide's Belongings

http://www.radiovop.com/


HARARE, April 23 2009 - Former Personal aide to Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai Gandhi Mudzingwa claims security agents robbed him his valuables
last year in December when he and several other Movement and Democratic
Change (MDC) activists were abducted and subsequently detained for allegedly
plotting to  topple the Robert Mugabe government.

Mudzingwa told RadioVOP in an exclusive interview from his Avenues
clinic bed, in Harare on Wednesday, that he lost his valuables to
unidentified security agents who abducted him last December, and up to now
had not received them.

"Upon my abduction some unidentified men took my black pair of shoes,
driver's license wallet with USd 320 and some businesscards in it, belt, and
my car. When we got to Chikurubi Maximum Prison I lodged a complaint and we
made an application to the police through the Prisons Officer-In-Charge, who
called my police investigating officer who up to now has not given me any
response as to who took my valuables and where they are."

"I am not a bitter  man, despite the abductions and torture I went
through which include denial of medication and food which I am confident
were clear attempts to eliminate me for belonging to MDC. I believe this
nation needs national healing and I think I should also play my part in that
process. I also want to warn those who are anti-the inclusive government to
respect the will of the people and allow Zimbabwe to move forward," added
Mudzingwa.

Mudzingwa and Kisimusi Ndhamini are still detained at the private
clinic after they were last Friday released on bail.

The two including Zimbabwe Peace Project Director and former ZBC
newscaster Jestina Mukoko and freelance journalist Shadreck Manyere were
together with several other MDC activists abducted in December last year and
later charged and detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison being accused of
plotting to topple the Mugabe led Government.


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Crisis group warns of relapse into chaos


Photo: Flikr/Umsoto
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
HARARE, 23 April 2009 (IRIN) - Zimbabwe could slide back into chaos, the International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based non-profit organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict, warns in a new report.

After months of negotiations between Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF and opposition parties, brokered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), it was hoped that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed in September 2008, and the formation of the unity government on 11 February 2009, would mark Zimbabwe's renaissance.

However, Western donors have cast a jaundiced eye on the unity government, while Mugabe, who is still president, is blamed for the anti-democratic practices that turned one of the region's most successful economies into a begging bowl.

"If the international community, regretting the inadequacies of the power-sharing arrangement, stands back with a 'wait-and-see' attitude, the likely result will be that Mugabe and/or the military establishment will entrench themselves again, with a corresponding return to violence, repression and catastrophic economic policies. It is time to promote change," the ICG said in a report, Engaging the Inclusive Government.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and appointed prime minister of the unity government, has conceded that the GPA has shortcomings, but said it was vital that the unity government received support to reverse a decade of catastrophic economic decline.

John Makumbe, a political scientist based in Harare, the Zimbabwean capital, said ZANU-PF's commitment to the unity government was far from satisfactory, and cited Mugabe's grab of an MDC ministry, ongoing farm invasions, and the delay in the appointment of provincial governors.

A return to chaos is the plan

"Those from ZANU-PF are demonstrating amply that they are ready to return to the decay they presided over for so many years, and a relapse into chaos could happen overnight if those in the inclusive government and the international community do not play their cards well," Makumbe told IRIN.

''Those from ZANU-PF are demonstrating amply that they are ready to return to the decay they presided over for so many years, and a relapse into chaos could happen overnight if those in the inclusive government and the international community do not play their cards well''
"Once sanctions are lifted and the economy is performing well again, Mugabe and his hardliners are likely to create an environment that leads to the collapse of the inclusive government. They would arrest or fire the MDC leaders from the government and suspend the planned constitutional referendum, and go back to their old ways of looting and repression," he said.

The US and the European Union (EU) have said they will lift sanctions targeting Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF elite, including travel bans and frozen foreign assets, when they see a commitment to democracy by the old guard, which has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980.

The ICG sees the fragility of the unity government as a consequence of resistance by ZANU-PF hardliners, who fear that greater transparency could reveal years of graft and self-enrichment.

"Some old-regime elements seek to cause the new government to fail out of fear of prosecution, loss of power and its financial sinecures, hatred for Tsvangirai or the MDC, or a genuine belief that they are the guardians of the country's liberation," the report said.

"They are thus continuing to provoke and frustrate the MDC, as shown by such actions as continuing arrests and detention of MDC activists, refusal of police to carry out some government orders, efforts to drive out the last few hundred white farmers by continued farm invasions, and stalling on the appointment of provincial governors, as well as reconfiguration of ministerial powers."

The ICG said there was "a real risk of a coup" and a possibility of Tsvangirai being assassinated, despite the support of the army's middle and lower ranks for the unity government.

Although a delegation of ministers from all parties attempted persuade the EU and the US to remove sanctions, the ICG said this might be "premature", and that the SADC should work with Zimbabwe "to help make the reform process irreversible".

Deconstructing the security apparatus

To speed up the possible lifting of sanctions, the ICG said, a strategy should be put in place to "retire virtually all members of the security sector senior leadership" — in the army, police and state intelligence - which are seen as the architects of human rights abuses.

Persuading them to retire, amid fears of recrimination in the post-Mugabe era, may require "leverage with a law that offers immunity to senior generals from domestic prosecution for past political crimes", the ICG said.

Such a course should combine transitional justice mechanisms, including a truth commission similar to that established after the demise of apartheid in neighbouring South Africa, the report recommended.

"The US, EU and others could, in accordance with their laws, sweeten the deal by removing targeted sanctions on those who would accept and comply," the ICG said, while South Africa should warn them that if they remained defiant, they risked prosecution.

The ICG urged donors to pursue a "humanitarian plus assistance strategy" that supported an emergency economic recovery programme promoting the "revival of the education, health and water sanitation sectors, as well as a functioning civil service and reconstruction of basic infrastructure."

Countries in the SADC, particularly South Africa, should also provide direct assistance. The regional bloc has pledged more than US$8 billion in aid to Zimbabwe but most of its members are too poor to give their neighbour any meaningful support.


[ENDS]

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]


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Anderson Manyere, "I would only be given two litres of water a week"


Photo: IRIN
Anderson Manyere
HARARE, 23 April 2009 (IRIN) - Freelance journalist Anderson Manyere, 45, was detained in Zimbabwe in December 2008 and released in April 2009, after spending most of his time in solitary confinement at a variety of police stations, as well as the feared maximum security prison, Chikurubi, in the capital, Harare.

Manyere was arrested with two opposition activists: Ghandi Mudzingwa, former personal aide to Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and now Prime Minister, and Chris Dlamini, the party's chief of security. They were all accused of training militias in neighbouring Botswana to topple President Robert Mugabe's government.

Manyere and the two MDC members were released on 17 April, but 48 hours later the two MDC members were again arrested and the police are actively seeking Manyere. On the run, he told IRIN his story.

"When I was kidnapped by state security agents on December 13, 2008, I did not think I would ever see my family again because of the manner that I was abducted by the armed men.

"I was in my home town, Norton, about 40km south of Harare, when I received a call from an anonymous caller who said he needed to see me for urgent business. When I arrived at the scene, two trucks drove up and sandwiched my car.

''Men brandishing AK-47 rifles and pistols jumped out, dragged me out of my vehicle, handcuffed and blindfolded me, before throwing me into the back of one of the trucks''
"Men brandishing AK-47 rifles and pistols jumped out, dragged me out of my vehicle, handcuffed and blindfolded me, before throwing me into the back of one of the trucks. They forced me to lie down and face downwards."

"While the state security agents were driving me around, they started torturing me mentally and emotionally; they did this by playing loud music by different local musicians.

"One song is titled, 'You thought you were a hero', another was a funeral dirge about how death is a final and lonely journey, while in another song the message is that jails are a place where people die.

"While in solitary confinement I would only be given two litres of water a week and some strange leaves, which I had no option but to eat. I saw fellow inmates who were like skeletons at Chikurubi.

"In between, I would be tortured through assaults. When they told me that I had been recruiting people to undergo military training, I told them they were mad, crazy.

"When they said they had found weapons at my house, I told them the arms were theirs, and that they were trying to set me up. They were riled and even beat me up some more.

"We should ensure that anybody who violates human rights should get a taste of their own medicine through the courts.

"It will take time to forgive or forget."



[ENDS]

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]


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Wheat Farmers Face Financial Constraints

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

Elita Chikwati

23 April 2009

Harare - SOME farmers may not grow wheat this season because they have
failed to secure funding for the 2009 winter cropping programme.

Government has stopped giving handouts and from this season onwards, with
farmers now expected to finance their operations and secure assistance from
banks and other financial institutions.

The challenge, however, being faced by many farmers is that only a few
companies are willing to contract the growers while the banks do not have
adequate cash to sponsor the winter programme.

Wheat growers in Goromonzi said the abrupt removal of subsidies had affected
preparations. Others were already thinking of growing other crops such as
potatoes and tomatoes while some had turned to barley production.

An affected wheat grower said some farmers were not too dependent on
Government but only needed a bit of time to adjust to the new way of doing
business.

"Inputs, seed and fuel may be there on the market but we cannot procure them
because of inadequate cash," complained one farmer.

Goromonzi farmer Mr Paddy Zhanda said while the removal of price controls
encouraged production, there was need for sound financial structures to
assist farmers.

"Fertilizers and machinery should be provided for them but farmers should be
careful and avoid being over-dependent on the Government.

"While the Government provides necessary assistance, farmers should on the
other hand be striving to sponsor their operations, " said Mr Zhanda.

Seed companies recently assured farmers of adequate stocks of winter seeds
both maize and wheat but fertilizer companies said they did not have enough
capacity to meet the national demand to produce 60 000 hectares of winter
wheat this year.

Fertilizer firms require US$21 million to increase production levels.

Meanwhile, the Government plans to mobilise financing through a combination
of traditional contract farming facilities and own resources of farmers and
loans.

The funds are expected to ensure production of at least 80 percent of the
country's maize and wheat requirements as well as the production of other
crops.

Farming experts said the country required US$90 million to finance the
winter wheat cropping programme.


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MDC 'shell-shocked' at Mahlangu's comments

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


Thursday, 23 April 2009

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change in South Africa
is "shell-shocked" at Gauteng local government MEC Dorothy Mahlangu's verbal
attack on Central Methodist Church Bishop Paul Verryn.
"For Mahlangu to accuse a man of God, Bishop Paul Verryn of exposing
Zimbabweans to danger when he is in actually providing us shelter is very
regrettable," said MDC spokesman Sibanengi Dube.
"At least thousands of our people have somewhere to lay their heads
where no rain can soak. We now have a roof over our heads, isn't [that]
better than sleeping in the streets?" he asked.
On Friday, Mahlangu said that Zimbabwean refugees should not be
allowed to stay at Johannesburg's Central Methodist Church and that she
thought Bishop Paul Verryn was exposing them to more danger.
"I don't think its helpful for the Bishop to continue to do what he's
doing under the guise that he's simply helping vulnerable people," said
Mahlangu.
"We are not condoning what he is doing. We condemn it," she said.
Verryn responded by saying Mahlangu's comments were out of place.
"It is most unfortunate at this time for us to enter a mudslinging
match. There's plenty of mud lying around," said Verryn.
"[Mahlangu] hasn't had the decency to pick up the phone and call me."
Dube said: "We appeal to South Africa's senior government officials to
desist from the habit of making inflammatory statements which could trigger
a second round of xenophobic attacks.
"We expected the provincial government which Mahlangu is serving to
complement and not complicate the efforts being made by Verryn," Dube said.
"Mahlangu should know that when ANC cadres fled to Zimbabwe under the
heavy pursuit of apartheid operatives, we did not close our doors in front
of them, but took them in our houses. We don't expect a senior ANC member of
Mahlangu's stature to exhibit clear insensitivity to the plight of
Zimbabweans."

Sapa


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Kwekwe goes two years without TV reception

http://www.chronicle.co.zw

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Entertainment Editor

KWEKWE has gone for almost two years without television reception with
relevant authorities claiming they were not aware of the problem.
Transmedia is responsible for signal carriage in Zimbabwe.
In an interview, residents in the city said they last watched ZBCtv about
two years ago and raised concern that they were finding it difficult to get
current news.
Ms Anna Nyeve, a resident of Mbizo said, all along they were relying on SABC
and BTV for news and other entertainment programmes.
"But there comes a time when you want to watch news from home and watch
soapies that you can relate to . . . we also want to watch Studio 263," she
said.
Ms Nyeve said, they did not lose the signal at once, but it went gradually
until they could not watch television and thought the problem would be fixed
in time.
"It started with us getting audio, without visual effects or vice versa and
this was accompanied by lots of showers. It's not all of us who can afford
satellite dishes. Surely the authorities should see to it that this problem
is solved," Nyeve said.
Mr Leonard Dube, from Mbizo Section 13 said, almost two years down the line
they are still to get used to the idea of reading newspapers in the morning
when the possibility of them getting the news the previous day could be made
a reality.
"They are definitely losing revenue from possible television licence payers
in the greater Kwekwe area," he said.
Contacted for comment, the spokesman for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings
(ZBH), Sivukile Simango said, they used infrastructure of third parties to
broadcast and they had nothing to do with the problems that the country was
experiencing as far as television reception was concerned.
He said they had experienced similar problem with connecting to Bulawayo due
to the breakdown of TelOne's fibre optic link at the beginning of the year,
but the problem has been rectified.
He said in order for them to transmit they relied on three companies -
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, TelOne and Transmedia.
He also added that: "Broadcasting Services Act of 2001 clearly states that
ours (role) is to broadcast whilst signal carriage is the responsibility of
Transmedia."
He said the failure of these entities to fix the problems, have seen the
delivery of television service to the country compromised .
Simango said, they had engaged Transmedia and they had promised to rectify
the problem.
"TelOne has also assured us that they will rectify the problem," he said.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Transmedia, Cloud Nyamundanda said he
was not aware of the problem in Kwekwe, but would get in touch with his
technical team to verify these claims.
"I have to establish where Kwekwe picks its signal from. I am not sure where
the problem is coming from, but if Kwekwe picks its signal from a booster in
Kadoma, there shouldn't be a problem, as we placed a new one two months ago,
unless there are physical barriers like hills and tall buildings that may
block the signal's pathway," he said.
He also said Kwekwe may be picking its signal from a private booster
belonging to ZISCO and since it was private, he was not aware if it was
functional or not.
He said the ZISCO booster in Redcliff, picks its signal from Gweru and then
re-transmits to areas around it including Kwekwe. He added that due to the
city's proximity, television sets should be able to pick the signal.
Meanwhile, the Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) has
introduced a live weekly television programme titled Parliament Alive, whose
first episode will air tonight between 7pm-8pm.
SAPST said the programme aims to, among other issues, improve public
awareness on the role and functions of Parliament.
It was also meant to increase interaction between civic society, the public,
legislators and ministers and also increase visibility of Parliament in the
eyes of the public.
First to appear on the programme will be the Speaker of Parliament
Honourable Lovemore Moyo.
He will spell out his vision for the seventh Parliament and discuss other
pertinent issues around constitution making and how to make Parliament
effective within the context of an inclusive government.


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Reshuffle At State-Owned Broadcasting Station

http://www.radiovop.com/


HARARE, April 23 2009 - The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings has
reshuffled its news production team with its loyalists being given
managerial positions while suspected Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
sympathizers and experienced long serving journalists were sidelined.

The state controlled broadcaster, headed by war veteran and
anti-opposition Happison Muchechetere last week announced the promotion of
news managers, bulletin managers and executive producers, as well as news
editor and an assistant news editor.

ZBC Editor-In-Chief  and chief  propagandist, Tazzen Mandizvidza  was
promoted to the position of General manager of news and current affairs. War
veteran Allan Chiweshe who was formerly the General Manager for Radio, is
now  General Manager for Programming responsible for both Radio and
Television, while a senior army official identified as Brigadier Kasu is now
the General Manager for Finance and Adminstration.

According to sources Mandizvidza later promoted O'Brian Rwafa to the
position of Manager News and Reporters. Rwafa is currently under police
investigation on allegations of making a false report after recently
reporting that he was kidnapped in Kuwadzana suburb by MDC supporters, yet
he was allegedly involved in a love triangle with a married woman.

Masvingo Bureau Chief Lillian Muungani was appointed News editor and
the little known policeman who is on a three months probation Albert Chekai
was appointed Assistant news editor.

A source within the newly promoted team said Mandizvidza recently
bragged during an editorial meeting that he had no respect for the
government of national unity and vowed to clean the newsroom of all those
not loyal to Zanu PF.

Johannes Nyamayedenga who joined the state broadcaster more than 10
years ago and has rounded all the country's provinces as a bureau chief was
recently re-called from Mashonaland Province for allegedly being embedded
with former governor Ray Kaukonde, was not given any position. Several other
experienced journalists such as Reuben Barwe, Terrence Mapurisana, Rugare
Dobbie, Ishmael Ndlovu, Walter Mupfanochiya, Tendai Munengwa and Janet
Munyaka were also sidelined.

RadioVOP has it on good authority that another propagandist and
Diplomatic correspondent Judith Makwanya was offered  the  position of News
Editor and  rejected it because she still wants to  travel with the
President on international trips where she gets several thousands of dollars
in travel and subsistence allowances every year.

Sources also said Makwanya who is Lillian Muungani's mentor has urged
her to also reject the news editor post saying it is a hot political
position. The position was held for several years by Patrice Makova who was
fired last year by Muchechetere on allegations of contributing to Zanu PF's
loss during last year's March 29 harmonized elections which were won by the
MDC. Several other journalists were also fired on allegations of being
sympathetic to the MDC.

Mandizvidza also promoted Clifford Mfiri to the position of Manager
Current Affairs, with Moses Charedzera who was deputy editor in chief being
demoted to manager online, a non-existent department.

Other appointments in the same news department are those of
Matabeleland North Bureau Chief, Freedom Moyo  who has been re-called  to be
the news bulletin Manager, television news presenter Shamiso Mataire is now
in-charge of all weekend news bulletins, while Sheila Rusere former lunch
time  ews Executive  producer is now the head of News hour and lunch time
bulletins.

Jonathan Marerwa was also promoted to Chief Executive producer for
Radio news, while trade unionist and suspended ZUJ Vice President, Jacob
Phiri was promoted to Chief Executive producer for Television.

Efforts to get an official comment from the broadcaster were fruitless
as the Public Relations Manager Sivhukile SImango's cell phone was not
reachable while his office land line went unanswered several times.

Radio VOP is also  informed that most  of the Net One phone lines
which were given to ZBC managers have since  been blocked, a possible reason
for our failure to get in touch with Simango.


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Govt marginalising media reform

http://www.kubatanablogs.net/kubatana/?p=1683

I was pleased to see the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and the Voluntary Media
Council of Zimbabwe speak out about an upcoming All Stakeholder Media
Conference being organised by the Ministry of Media, Information and
Publicity.

The conference is themed "towards an open, tolerant, and responsible media
environment." Its objective is "to review Zimbabwe's current media
environment and policies in order to guide the Government's media policy."
It replaces an event planned for March which Deputy Minister of Media,
Information and Publicity Jameson Timba called "the first consultative step
by the ministry as it reviews Zimbabwe's media environment and policies with
a view to advising the inclusive government on its new policy."

But the substance of the two events seems quite different. As MAZ and VMCZ
point out, many of the speakers in the revised programme are the same people
who have blocked media freedom and opposed liberalisation of publishing and
broadcasting over the past ten years.

The 15-minute presentation on "Being seen to be free and fair: Media and
electioneering" is hosted by Sekeramayi, which doesn't exactly inspire
confidence. Web 2.0 publishing gets 15 dedicated minutes - under the topic
"New media and accountability: The role of ghost sites and blogs." Way to be
progressive, interim government.

How are the same people who closed off Zimbabwe's media environment, and
made it characterised by intolerance, irresponsibility and propaganda going
to be the ones to open it up and make it more tolerant and responsible?

This entry was posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm by Amanda Atwood


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Zimbabwe Needs Re-branding - German Ambassador

http://www.radiovop.com/


HARARE, April 23 2009 - Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Albrecht
Conze says Zimbabwe needs re-branding to give it a positive image.

Dr Conze, who was speaking to Radio VOP during the sidelines of a
Germany society meeting in Harare, said: "For this re-branding drive to
succeed the country needs  to generate  a  positive story first. You cannot
have one person talking of the re-branding of the country's image and at the
same time there are reports of fresh farm invasions. We have always told
Zimbabweans that the international community is sensitive to human and
property rights and respect."

He said he had however noticed visible progress so far of the
government of national unity.

"We have always said we are not here to change Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans
should change their own country through home grown solutions. As the
international community we can only give advice and Zimbabweans should
determine their own destiny," he added.

To show its commitment and support to the inclusive government Germany
on Monday announced its decision to lift travel warnings from its citizens,
a move which was likely to increases the number of Germany tourists in the
country.

Germany  is one  of the European countries including the World Bank,
International Monetary Fund, and United Nations which on  March 20 in
Washington, D.C.met to discuss how best to support the people of Zimbabwe
after the  formation of the  inclusive  government.At the meeting these
countries and institutions agreed to work with Zimbabwe and wrote a
statement on the recommendations.

"We commend the reform efforts undertaken by the transition government
and the progress achieved to date towards these goals. We urge the
government to take additional steps to demonstrate its commitment to reform
such as the immediate release of all political prisoners, the end of farm
seizures, the cessation of politically-motivated violence, the establishment
of a credible and transparent Central Bank team, an end to harassment and
intimidation of the media, and a commitment to credible elections in a
timely manner. Provided positive developments in regards to these political
and economic reforms, the donor community is ready to support Zimbabwe 's
rebuilding with development assistance," reads  part of the  statement.


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ZINASU Statement on suspended students



ZINASU President Statement of Solidarity with the deferred, arrested and
suspended students

I note with grave concern the continued persecution, arrests, suspensions
and all forms of victimization to all of you as our National Campaign
against Privatization of Education in Zimbabwe (NACAPEZ) gathers momentum.

It is sad that such barbaric acts continue despite the fact that an
inclusive government which among its responsibilities, was supposed to open
up the democratic space, allowing freedom of assembly, association,
expression as well as academic freedoms.

I am aware that students at the National University of Science and
Technology, NUST have been denied access to the exam room on the grounds
that they did not pay tuition fees. On the several occasions where students
protested against this form of apartheid being orchestrated by the
authorities, scores have been arrested. As if that is not enough, thirteen
including the SRC president Kurayi Hoyi, Secretary General Samson Nxumalo
and former SRC Secretary General Vivid Gwede have been suspended pending
hearing, becoming the first group of students to be suspended pending
hearing. I condemn this fascist behavior.

In Masvingo over thirty students were arrested this week alone as protests
intensify. ZINASU Secretary for Legal Affairs, Courage Ngwarai addressed
students on Monday the 20th of April 2009, got arrested, and released the
same day as students invaded the police station. On Tuesday, he was arrested
again and is still languishing in police cells. We demand his urgent release
and that of all students currently in detention.

The situation is the same at the Midlands State University, MSU as
university administration threatens to chase students out of the exam room
if they fail to settle their fees before the start of the exam session.

I wish to express my heartfelt solidarity to all affected students and urge
you to remain resolute. I can assure you, if we remain united, steadfast and
fearless, victory is certain.

To all the victimized students, I share with you the pain and distress.

An injury to one is an injury to all

Resolute,

Clever Bere
National President
Zimbabwe National Students Union


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Parliament should investigate Gono

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 April 2009

An economic analyst on Thursday urged the country's parliamentarians to
institute a commission of inquiry, to investigate the Reserve Bank Governor
for arbitrarily raiding private accounts and those of aid donors, for hard
currency to finance the ZANU PF led government.

London based economist Isaac Dziya said Gideon Gono is no longer fit to
remain as the central bank governor, because he abused the trust of his
office when he misappropriated other people's funds.

This week Gono admitted in a statement that the RBZ took hundreds of
millions in foreign currency from private accounts, to provide up to US$2
billion in loans to state-owned companies, for power and grain imports. He
said the government still had to repay about $1.2 billion to the central
bank, which would allow it to repay money it owes private accounts.

In a statement that would be unthinkable coming from most central banks,
Gono appeared to be issuing a plea to keep his job in the face of growing
criticism, especially from Tendai Biti, the Finance Minister from the MDC-T.
Not one to mince his words Biti once described Gono as 'the number one enemy
of this country, and not inflation.'

'He has been stoking the fires of inflation through quasi-fiscal activities.
In other countries if a central bank governor admits to printing money he
will face the firing squad. Gono is the number one economic saboteur,
terrorist and Al Qaeda,' Biti said.

But Gono, fighting for his job, said in the state run Herald newspaper that
it was time 'to let bygones be bygones' now that Zimbabwe has a new
coalition government dedicated to reversing its economic decline.

Dziya disagrees saying, 'This is a man who took the law into his own hands
and stole billions from personal, private and company accounts. He should
explain his actions to a court of law if he wants to clear his name.'

After taking over the governorship of the central bank, Gono implemented a
host of highly-criticized policies. The main criticism comes from the
complete failure of his policies to reverse the economic decline in the
country.

Dziya said since Gono became governor, the country faced numerous problems
from cash shortages, fuel and food scarcity and a crisis of inputs for
agriculture.

He also waged a personal war against leading businessmen who were arrested
by the police and army on his orders. Some Zimbabweans have become fugitives
or have languished in prison, notably James Makamba and David Butau, as a
result of Gono's vindictiveness against his perceived enemies.

His malpractices initially surfaced last year when the international aid
agency, Global Fund, threatened to cut off all future funding for AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria unless money taken from its account was returned.
The central bank returned US$7.3 million to Global Fund.

The central bank also took hundreds of millions of euros from private bank
accounts, including 300,000 euros from a bank account belonging to Hivos, a
Dutch development organisation. Corina Straatsma, the director of Hivos'
regional office in Harare, says 90,000 euros is still missing, although the
rest has been paid back.

Dziya said the theft from the bank accounts must have been sanctioned by
Robert Mugabe and Gono's admission of guilt, is now an attempt to hold on to
his job.

In September last year, just before an inclusive accord was agreed with the
MDC, Mugabe reappointed Gono to a second five-year term as central bank
governor. However, since Tsvangirai's MDC joined the inclusive government in
February, there has been considerable pressure on Gono to resign.

Gono is also renowned in Zimbabwe for his blatant display of his own
personal wealth.


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Comment from a Correspondent



LET'S NOT MAJOR ON THE MINORS

I note with concern as a peace loving Zimbabwe how polarization can affect
our politics .Firstly on the issue of drafting of the new constitution NCA
is making unnecessary noise. In this error and age we have a representative
democracy so what is a people driven constitution. Who represents the people
if members of parliament are not representing the people? Its naďve for
civic organization to claim they represent the people alone. I would have
understood if there were clamouring to be involved in the process not to
force to spearhead the processes and claim its coming from the people. If
constitutional making processes is coming from the people then we can have
an election such that people can choose their own committee is it feasible.
The hogwash utterance by Madhuku is just a venom from people that want to be
retrogressive .NCA must just contribute in their own way not to come up with
academic arguments. The issue of MP cars must be resolved if Biti does not
have cars to give Ministers then he must talk to Gono and the issuing of
cars became officialized .We must understand the plight of MPS and besides
who gave ministers their cars .We should move forward tackle outstanding
issues in GPA and show commitment towards the agreement .Academic arguments
are fine but are not important at this juncture.So GNU give us a break

TAFARA MUKWANI

IS A CANDIDATE ATTORNEY
BASED IN JOHANNESBURG

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