Cash-strapped Harare begs tobacco farmers to sell crop

Zim Online

Wednesday 25 April 2007

By Hendricks Chizhanje

HARARE - Acting Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa promised a new exchange
rate to tobacco farmers while central bank chief Gideon Gono promised more
as Zimbabwe's government desperately begged reluctant growers to deliver
tobacco to auction floors that opened on Tuesday.

Tobacco, which generated about US$400 million in foreign exchange at the
peak of production in the late 1990s, is Zimbabwe's single biggest export
earner for hard cash starved Harare.

But commencement of tobacco sales was this year delayed by a month as
farmers held on to their crop to protest an overvalued exchange rate that
they said would leave most of them in financial ruin. Auctioning finally
kicked off around 3pm on Tuesday.

However, it had to take the spirited efforts of Chinamasa and Gono to
convince farmers to let up with their tobacco crop.

Addressing about 1 000 farmers at the Tobacco Sales Floor just outside
Harare city centre, Chinamasa pledged that the government would announce a
new exchange rate favourable to farmers in four days, failure of which
farmers could "decapitate the heads" of Chinamasa and his colleagues in the
government.

"The government values tobacco farming and its growers . . . we want an act
of faith," Chinamasa pleaded with the farmers. "We don't want tobacco
growers to be broke. In the following days we will announce and tell you how
much we will pay. We will reward you handsomely. If we fail to meet our
promise, decapitate our heads," he said.

Chinamasa did not indicate whether the finance ministry was planning
reviewing the exchange rate entirely or it would have a special rate for
farmers as happened in the past.

The Zimbabwe dollar officially changes at a fixed rate of 250 to one
American dollar but one would need almost 100 times as many Zimbabwe dollars
for one greenback on the illegal parallel market for foreign currency and
where the bulk of hard cash is traded.

Tobacco farmers and other exporters say the skewed exchange rate is driving
them out of business but the government fearing prices would shoot beyond
the reach of many if the local dollar is devalued had until now resisted
reviewing the exchange rate.

Gono, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), told the farmers
the central bank was printing more money for the government to pay them.

He said: "We are not going to do things that will drive our farmers off the
land. As Governor I am still printing the money to pay you because it is too
much."

Economic experts however say Gono's habit of printing worthless paper money
to bail out the government is one of the key reasons driving money supply
growth and inflation.

The RBZ boss promised to let tobacco farmers retain 20 percent of their hard
cash earnings up from the 15 percent they were previously allowed to retain
to cover future production costs.

An estimated 80 million kilogrammes of tobacco are expected to be delivered
to the auction floors compared to 55 million kilogrammes sold in 22006.

More than 200 million kilogrammes of tobacco were produced in the 1999/2000
season before the government seized farms from white farmers who produced
the bulk of the crop under a controversial land redistribution programme
that has knocked down agriculture and also led to severe food shortages.

Opening prices ranged between US$1.39 to US$1.69 per kg as 400 bales of
tobacco were delivered on Tuesday.

The opening of sales will come as a relief to President Robert Mugabe's hard
cash-strapped administration, which needs foreign currency to pay for food,
fuel, electricity and other critical imports. - ZimOnline

Business denies plot to undermine Mugabe

Zim Online

Wednesday 25 April 2007

By Hendricks Chizhanje

HARARE - Zimbabwe's embattled business leaders have rejected charges by
President Robert Mugabe of hiking prices of basic commodities to undermine
his government and instead blamed a depreciating local dollar and rising
input costs for the latest round of price hikes.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the Zimbabwe National
Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), considered the voices of business in the
country, said the slide of the Zimbabwe dollar on the informal foreign
currency market and the move by state firms to hike levies and tariffs for
key requirements such as electricity had pushed up production costs and
resultantly prices.

In a joint statement shown to ZimOnline but to be published later this week
the CZI and ZNCC said: "These increases were triggered by an unprecedented
increase in the price of inputs apparently influenced by the informal
exchange rate in the first three weeks of March and the justifiable ongoing
adjustment to parastatal prices."

Manufacturers and retailers have over the past few months hiked prices of
nearly every commodity, pushing the cost of living beyond the reach of most
Zimbabweans, a worrying development for Mugabe's government that squares up
against a resurgent opposition in key presidential and parliamentary
elections next year.

Addressing supporters during Zimbabwe's 27th independence anniversary last
week, Mugabe accused business of working with the opposition and his Western
enemies and said firms were hiking prices unjustifiably to incite hatred
against his government ahead of elections.

Zimbabwe is reeling under social, political and economic crises and is
battling four-digit inflation, unemployment of over 80 percent as well as
shortages of food, foreign currency and essential raw materials to sustain
its industry.

Critics say Mugabe's controversial policies, such as his seizures of land
from white commercial farmers to give to blacks have worsened the crisis,
knocking the agriculture sector, which is the mainstay of the economy.

Economic hardships have been felt in urban areas, which have become the
hotbed of opposition politics as anger grows against the government.

Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe's 1980 independence from Britain, however
denies ruining the economy and instead blames his country's troubles on
sabotage by his Western enemies. - ZimOnline

'Beat Up' Opposition, Senior Zimbabwe Official Tells ZANU-PF Militants

VOA

      By Carole Gombakomba
      Washington
      24 April 2007

A senior official in Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party has urged provincial
members to "beat up" opposition members and silence them in the approach to
the presidential, parliamentary and rural council elections slated for March
2008.

Sources said ZANU-PF political commissar and elections director Elliot
Manyika told party members at gatherings in the Mashonaland West Province
towns of Zvimba and Karoi that they should not tolerate opposition parties
in their areas. According to these sources, Manyika exhorted them to ensure
ZANU-PF won the 2008 elections.

The online news agency ZimOnline reported meanwhile that Manyika has
circulated a memo indicating Harare plans to expand the National Youth
Service, a violence-prone militia known many Zimbabweans as "Green Bombers"
for the color of their shirts, by 15,000 members between now and these
elections. Along with veterans of the 1970s liberation war, the youth
militia have served as ZANU-PF political shock troops.

Manyika could not be reached for comment on his reported speeches and the
memo.

Elias Mudzuri, organizing secretary of the MDC faction led by Morgan
Tsvangirai, told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe
that the faction is now assessing the situation and might boycott the
elections if violence continues.

Political analyst John Makumbe, a senior lecturer at the University of
Zimbabwe, said the ruling party will do whatever it takes to claim victory
in the elections, regardless of the outcry from the opposition, civil
society or the international community.

Kuwadzana WOZA activists severely beaten in custody

By Violet Gonda
24 April 2007

The pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise reports that several members were
severely assaulted while in police custody. 56 activists and 10 babies were
detained on Monday for protesting at the ZESA offices in Kuwadzana. They
were transferred from Kuwadzana police station to Harare Central where some
of them were beaten resulting in 20 members agreeing to pay admission of
guilt fines so they could be released.

Lillian, a WOZA member who preferred to be called by her first name only,
said these activists were released just before 2pm on Tuesday. They had to
be sent to the clinic for medical treatment. She said they were taken to the
Law and Order Section at Central Monday night where they were brutalized in
custody. The security forces repeated the same treatment in the morning.

The whole group was denied food until after 8pm Monday night. WOZA said:
"Many members had blood on their heads and clothing, evidence that they had
been assaulted by police."

Only one out of the ten babies detained with their mothers has been
released. Of the 9 babies in detention, the youngest is said to be six
months old while the oldest is 2 years.

After being transferred to several police departments an officer at Harare
Central finally said to SW Radio Africa that around 64 WOZA activists had
been arrested. He said: "Ya sure, we've got them here." He would not comment
about anything else or the issue of the babies.

At least 36 activist and nine babies were still in custody at the time of
broadcast. The group was arrested for addressing legitimate consumer
concerns about power shortages from service provider, ZESA.

Statement from WOZA

News update from WOZA - members assaulted in custody

News update
Tuesday 24th April - 9am

At 9pm yesterday the group of 56 and 10 babies were finally given their
supper. Many members had blood on their heads and clothing, evidence that
they had been assualted by police. They had been kept in the Law and Order
department where obviously they had been assaulted.

Eye witnessnesses at Kuwadzana also confirm that police arrived at the scene
firing shots into the air.
One member was also hit with a rifle butt as she was loaded onto the police
vehicle.

A message was delivered by Law and Order officers that if anyone other than
Jenni Williams tried to deliver food they would be beheaded. However all
those who delivered food this morning were not harmed.
Williams in on a hit list to be eliminated as a dangereous person.

Lawyers are preparing an urgent aplication.

WOZA MEMBERS ARRESTED IN HARARE FOR DEMANDING POWER FOR THE PEOPLE

Approximately 56 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise
(WOZA) - 36 women, 20 men and 10 babies - have been arrested today in
Kuwadzana, Harare. They were arrested at the local Zimbabwe Electricity
Supply Authority (ZESA) office in Kuwadzana as WOZA members continued their
'power to the people' protest campaign. The peaceful human rights defenders
delivered protests notes with their demands to the ZESA officers. They are
currently being held at Harare Central Police Station, where they were moved
under armed guard.

This morning, at 11am, WOZA members assembled at three different ZESA
offices - Kuwadzana, Warren Park and Zengeza - holding simultaneous 'tough
love' protests.
Over 470 members from 10 different areas of Harare took part in the
community-level protests.

The protests at Warren Park and Zengeza took place without incident and the
participants were able to disperse before police arrived. In Zengeza, about
100 members gathered inside the ZESA office while about 300 members gathered
outside. They sat in for over 30 minutes awaiting a response from officials
but they were not addressed. The protest notes were accepted however.

At Kuwadzana, approximately 66 members were arrested and marched to the
police station, which is next door.
Once at the police station, police were seen beating two members. The extent
of their injuries are as yet unknown.

Lawyers have been deployed but have failed to get access. Members trying to
take in food were also turned away so the group of 56 and 10 babies will go
hungry tonight.

The protests signify the launch of the 'power to the people' by March 2008
campaign.

The contact number for Harare Central is +263 4 777777. Please call and ask
why innocent men, women and babies are being arrested for addressing
legitimate consumer complaints to their service provider, ZESA.

Ends
23rd April 2007

For more information, please contact
info@wozazimbabwe.org or call Magodonga Mahlangu on
+263 91 898 110 / +263 91 300 456 or on +263 91 362
668

PROTEST NOTE PROTEST NOTE
PROTEST NOTE

ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AUTHORITY (ZESA) I am a power consumer and have
been your customer for many years but your service has been getting worse in
the last three years. I have run out of patience; your service is no longer
empowering anyone but is draining many pockets. I want POWER and deserve to
be given all the basic requirements a human being needs. I know ZESA is also
a victim of a bad and mismanaged economy but think that ZESA should do more
to deal with internal corruption.

You were singing ZESA has come with the power - 'ZESA yawuya nePower' - saka
ZESA yazoyenda nePower yacho?
'IZESA isibuye lamandla kagetsi' - pho aseyengaphi lawo mandla? We demand
POWER to the people for real!

My last account from ZESA was for $ ............ for 30 days of service.

I did not have any electricity for the following
period of time .....hours .... days ...... in the
last month and want my account to be credited for this amount of time.

As your customer I have come to complain and request compensation. My demand
is simple.
Stop turning a blind eye to corruption in your company and deal with the
criminals within.
Credit my account for the hours or days you did not provide me with POWER.
Find us alternative sources of power - cheaper firewood, candles and
matches, as we cannot afford to pay $10,000 for one candle and $1,000 for a
box of matches. You are refusing to give us regular and efficient POWER so
you should pay for us to have candlelight.
WE DEMAND POWER TO THE PEOPLE by March 2008.

Yours faithfully,

Impatient for POWER

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Zimbabwe Army's deserters underscore country's troubles

Christian Science Monitor

President Mugabe has traditionally drawn strong support from the military.
But lack of pay and distasteful assignments may be weakening that loyalty.
By Scott Baldauf | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - They are the missing regiment: 1,500 men
deserting from the Zimbabwean Defense Forces across the South African
border, sometimes in groups of two or three, and sometimes in whole
platoons.

The loss of a regiment, talked about in hushed tones at Army headquarters in
the early part of this year, is no small matter in a country as poor as
Zimbabwe. But for the regime of President Robert Mugabe, an anticolonial
commander who has always found his staunchest supporters among the military,
it could be fatal. If he can't rely on his own security forces to maintain
control, one year ahead of crucial presidential elections, how much control
does he really have?

"This is the breakdown of Mugabe's most trusted sector; he banked on the
military and the security forces," says Sikhumbuzo Ndiweni, a retired
Zimbabwe Defense Forces lieutenant colonel and now a commentator on
Zimbabwean affairs. Mr. Ndiweni himself fled Zimbabwe in November 2003
because of what he called continual harassment by police.

"This spells doom and a painful end, [in the same vein as] Mengistu, Idi
Amin, and Charles Taylor," he says, referring to the former dictators of
Ethiopia, Uganda, and Liberia, respectively. One of them, Mengistu Haile
Mariam, is living in exile in Zimbabwe.

The picture within the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, as told by officers like
Ndiweni and a half-dozen deserters interviewed by the Monitor, is a
desperate one. President Mugabe has taken strong measures to ensure that the
military will remain at his side. As recently as February, the Army chief of
staff, General Chedondo, told his soldiers that all future requests for
leave would have to be approved by President Mugabe himself. Deserters would
be hanged.

Even so, in February, scores of recently recruited officer cadets quit
before finishing their courses at the elite Zimbabwe Military Academy in
Gweru. In January, it was broadly reported that 10 commandos from a unit
fled on the same night. Neither South Africa nor Zimbabwe has released
statistics confirming the desertion and arrival of Zimbabwean soldiers, but
the anecdotal evidence suggests that the trickle is turning into a flood.

Recruiting loyalists

To fill the gaps, Mugabe has been recruiting people whose loyalty can be
trusted, replacing his own Presidential Guard with members of his secret
police and filling Army ranks with his party's youth militia and aging
veterans of the liberation struggle from the 1970s. Meanwhile, top generals
are constructing their own survival strategies, making alliances along
tribal and ethnic lines in order to take power - or at least survive - once
Mugabe is gone.

"We're moving toward a collapsed state," says Chris Maroleng, a top Zimbabwe
expert at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria (now known as
Tshwane). Mugabe's crackdown on the Army "shows that the president is
preparing for compromise, for mediation. He is tired, frankly."

To ensure loyalty, Mugabe gives priority to the military at the expense of
other ministries, Mr. Maroleng says. "Last week, the Central Intelligence
Organization's personnel got a 200-percent pay increase. In a security
state, anything is acceptable."

But for a professional soldier like Sgt. Patrick Dube, a platoon sergeant
and crew commander with five years of combat experience who fled a couple of
months ago, there are some things that are unacceptable.

"We were ordered to vote for the ZANU-PF (Mugabe's party), and there were
officers who were monitoring our voting; if you complained about salaries,
they said 'You are subverting other soldiers' morale,' " says Sergeant Dube,
who fought for nearly five years in a controversial Zimbabwean intervention
in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But the final straw, says Dube, was
when his unit was called to beat up hospital employees striking for higher
pay last February.

"The national Army is collapsing, every day the soldiers are running away,"
he says. "I will never go back. Either I'm going to go to jail [as a result
of arrest by South African immigration authorities], or I'll starve to death
here."

Peter Shava, a commando from the elite 5th Brigade of the 52nd Battalion who
also left a couple of months ago, says his unit was ordered in 2000 to
"force white settlers to move off their land. We were armed. The war
veterans" to whom the white farmers' land was promised "were not armed. We
hit people like hell. They had no choice but to leave."

Corporal Shava found this work distasteful, but "you obey orders. We work
under command. You have to do it."

Zimbabwean deserters have been arriving in such numbers that they are
beginning to overwhelm the local labor market. On street corners where South
Africans and poor refugees of other nationalities used to hawk their
services for contractors and gardening services, Zimbabwean soldiers cluster
by the dozen. Many are homeless, sleeping in the shrinking spaces between
high-priced estates surrounded by 10-ft. walls and electric fencing.

Talking with those who have fled

Sgt. Dennis Chingoma (a pseudonym, given because of his concern of getting
arrested by South African police), recently took this reporter into one of
these squatter camps in a posh neighborhood. Men wash themselves in a rancid
gully and sleep among the boulders and elephant grass. When it rains, they
rush to garbage cans to grab newspapers to serve as umbrellas. For food,
they dive into dumpsters behind grocery stores, occasionally fighting with
refugees of other ethnic groups over postdated loaves of bread.

As dusk falls on this evening, a group of 20 dusty, Shona-speaking
Zimbabweans clusters around a reporter to tell their stories. None will
admit to being soldiers, but a half dozen of them quarrel among themselves
in Shona over whether to tell this outsider about their military careers.

"Are you crazy?" says one former Zimbabwean soldier, in Shona. "Whatever you
say here will be read in Harare." A schoolteacher, who seems to be the camp
leader, suggests that "next time, you should take them aside privately, and
they will feel more comfortable talking with you." The schoolteacher then
asks if he can wash this reporter's car.

"They are afraid to talk, but they are desperate," says Sergeant Chingoma,
later, who works as a porter at a local bus station and sends home money to
his wife through the bus driver. He fled first to Mozambique, then crossed
into South Africa in January through the Kruger National Park. It is a
treacherous journey. Many Mozambicans have been devoured by the park's
lions.

"We are desperate," says Chingoma, who says that most soldiers are leaving
because of the economic crisis, not politics. "In Zimbabwe, we are not
getting paid. We are just getting promises."

"I was born to be a soldier; I don't want to do anything else," Chingoma
says with a sigh. "But ... I have a family to feed. So I do what I have to
do: leave my country, take any job I can find on the street, and send money
home to my family."

Zimbabwe will accept food aid without strings attached: Minister

Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA)

Date: 24 Apr 2007

Harare/Johannesburg_(dpa) _ Zimbabwe, which is facing a massive food deficit
this year, will accept food aid from donors as long as there are no
political strings attached, a government minister has said, according to
reports Tuesday.

Zimbabwe is expected to harvest only a third of its annual requirement of
staple maize crop due to drought.

President Robert Mugabe's cash-strapped government has already said it is
importing maize from Malawi, Zambia and South Africa to cover the shortfall.

However, Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu stressed that donations
would only be accepted without strings attached.

The government would not accept food offers from anyone for political
purposes, Ndlovu said in comments carried by the official Herald newspaper.

"We always appreciate help from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on
condition that such help is not attached to innuendoes of failure," the
minister said.

"We had a severe drought this year despite the fact that farmers were doing
a good job in the field," he added.

Mugabe's government is sensitive to criticism of a controversial land reform
programme launched seven years ago.

Critics say the programme, under which more than 4,000 productive farms
owned by whites were seized for redistribution to blacks, has destroyed
agricultural production, which had once been the country's economic
mainstay.

Now, the economy's constitution is critical, marked by official inflation of
more than 1,700 percent and chronic shortages of food, power, and foreign
currency.

UN food agency experts are due to visit the country this week in order to
carry out crop and food security assessments by communicating with the
government, reports said.

Ndlovu's comments welcoming help from outside appear one week after he told
ruling party supporters in the second city of Bulawayo that the government
had cancelled the registration certificates of all aid groups working in the
country.

He said the move was taken to sift out those seeking to force regime change
in Zimbabwe.

The National Association of NGOs, representing 1,000 aid groups in Harare,
advised its members to ignore the threat, saying the work of NGOs remained
crucial to crisis-hit Zimbabwe.

There was no constitutional, legal or moral basis for wholesale
deregistration of NGOs, it was said in a statement last week.

Anglican Bishops blasted for supporting Mugabe

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 April, 2007

In what appears to be a response to the Pastoral letter issued by the
Catholic Bishops last month criticising the Mugabe regime for its greed,
corruption and brutality, the Anglican bishops issued their own version
during Independence Day celebrations. The letter basically blamed the crisis
in Zimbabwe on what they called western economic sanctions. It read in part:
"So-called targeted sanctions aimed at the leadership of the country have
affected poor Zimbabweans who have borne the brunt of sanctions."
In fact the targeted sanctions are specifically designed so that they do not
affect ordinary Zimbabweans. They limit travel by senior government
officials and deprive them of access to their assets in participating
countries.

The Anglican Bishops also did not address the state-sponsored violence
against the opposition and civic groups, or the corruption and mismanagement
that has destroyed many government-run institutions.
Father Barnabus Nqindi, an Anglican cleric in South Africa who read the
pastoral letter in detail, said his first reaction was laughter because he
was flabbergasted by the letter. He explained that the letter sounded like
it was written by Bishop Kunonga, the Anglican Bishop of Harare who has been
criticised for supporting the Mugabe regime, and the other 14 bishops just
put their names down on it.

Father Nqindi said he was disturbed by the fact that the bishops did not
address the issues of governance, corruption and the lack of the rule of law
that exist in Zimbabwe. He said: "This reaffirms what people say about the
Anglican church that it always tows the party line and that Anglican bishops
are ZANU-PF men." Regarding the issue of sanctions on which the Bishops
blamed Zimbabwe's deterioration, Father Nqindi said this was a lie. He
added: "They were lying to themselves. They were lying to the country." The
cleric also saw something positive about this controversial document. He
said: "They finally came out of the woods and we can engage them on the
position they took."
We were not able to contact Harare's Anglican Bishop Kunonga for comment.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Silence is not an ethical option

Mail and Guardian

Kumi Naidoo: COMMENT

23 April 2007 11:59

When the cloud of apartheid still hovered over our heads, an
atmosphere of fear pervaded the country, pushing its way into the thoughts
of every activist -- the fear that the car trailing you might pull you into
detention, the jolt of adrenalin that woke you when a car stopped outside
your house at night, the stories of torture and brutality meted out by the
authorities and the pain of saying goodbye to loved ones in the morning, not
knowing if you would be returning to kiss them goodnight.

During my visit to Zimbabwe this past weekend, I was reminded of
those fears. While differences obviously exist between the struggles of
South Africa's anti-apartheid activists and Zimbabweans today, the daily
reality is similar, as are the underlying demands, for equality and justice,
for the full enjoyment of our human rights and to be treated with respect
and dignity. These are not fanciful requests, but promises contained within
regional and international treaties the Zimbabwean government has agreed to
implement. These words linger on paper, but are far from the living reality
of Zimbabwe.

Our brothers and sisters in trade unions, NGOs and church groups
told me of their struggles, exacerbated by the economic and humanitarian
meltdown that renders even middle-class families unable to afford basic
essentials as inflation skyrockets and shortages of food, medical supplies
and petrol continue.

I travelled to Zimbabwe along with my colleague Clare Doube, to
deepen our understanding of the crisis in this once proud country.

In Bulawayo and Harare, and in our car trip between the two
cities, we were struck by the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis that is
manifest in a variety of ways: the disintegration of the health and
education systems; the "disappearances" of citizens, which some observers
estimate has reached 600; the meltdown of the economy where the street value
for hard currency is 80 times the official exchange rate; the fragmentation
of families and the lives lived in fear and trepidation.

We spoke with representatives of beleaguered organisations who
told us of growing government threats against civil society, legal
limitations on their work, particularly in organising public meetings, and a
frightening rise in both open and clandestine attacks against peaceful civic
activists. One particularly disturbing example is Opposition Forces in
Zimbabwe: A Trail of Violence, a new government report that attempts to
undermine peaceful civil society organisations, including some of Civicus's
[the world alliance for citizen participation] partners, by criminalising
their legitimate activities and falsely accusing them of promoting violence.

On Saturday, we witnessed such intimidation first-hand. I was
invited to join civic activists and church leaders in speaking at a prayer
meeting in Bulawayo, the first public gathering in Zimbabwe since the
viciously repressed March 11 meeting in Harare. While the event went ahead
without disruption, disturbing tactics were used to intimidate people from
attending, including roadblocks and displays of water cannons, and heavily
armed riot police. It was even more worrying to read a leaked memo from
Zimbabwe's Police Commissioner, Augustine Chihuri, stating that the police
should identify the "ringleaders" of the event and "not to hesitate to shoot
to kill".

It was particularly the short, random conversations on the
streets that really gave me the flavour of everyday life in Zimbabwe. While
chatting one night to a young man working at our hotel, for instance, I
asked how things were in his city and was moved by his reply. "I love my
country and I love my city, but I am leaving next month. I don't want to
leave, but no one can survive here," he said. Sadly, people who are
dedicated to their country are being forced to leave, simply to survive.

While our country, the Southern African Development Community
and the African Union choose to label the crisis in Zimbabwe as a political
one, we insist that the real struggle is not seen on political platforms,
but in people's homes. It is the people of Zimbabwe who are truly suffering.
When South African citizens were fighting the demon of apartheid,
organisations and governments from around the continent stood behind us,
gave us protection within their borders and pressured the regime through
sanctions and boycotts. While our fears always remained, we knew our African
comrades were on our side, standing in solidarity with us.

Today, when our neighbours in Zimbabwe need the same support, we
stand aside, arguing that the problems can be rectified merely through
political party negotiations. Our government and our regional bodies -- 
founded on the defence of justice and human rights and funded by our
taxes -- have a particular responsibility to act with integrity and
strength. We especially encourage the South African government, which has
taken the difficult role of the mediator, to also engage the people of
Zimbabwe through NGOs, trade unions and religious groups. We must look
beyond politics and listen to the voices of the people of Zimbabwe. It is
imperative that all Africans stand up and offer solidarity. This is not a
time for indifference, inaction and platitude. Silence is not an ethical
option.

Kumi Naidoo is secretary general of Civicus

Zimbabwe crisis: press conference by U.N. correspondents association

(MaximsNews.com, U.N.)

UNITED NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com, U.N./ - 24 April 2007 -- On
Wednesday, 25 April at 11:00 a.m., EST, a group of Zimbabwean
citizens-including lawyers, journalists and leaders of the democratic
opposition -- will come to the United Nations to provide rare, first-hand
accounts of the torture and arbitrary detention of activists and innocent
bystanders.

The Mugabe government has launched a brutal crackdown against
pro-democracy activists and is choking off humanitarian aid to the
beleaguered population.

Last week the regime expelled USAID from the country and is imposing
restrictions on all remaining Zimbabwean NGOs.

Last month, police arrested civil society activists en masse before a
public prayer meeting on 11 March.

Many were beaten and tortured in police custody, including some of the
featured speakers.

Zimbabwean Doctors for Human Rights has reported that more than two hundred
people have been treated for injuries from police abuse since 11 March.

Families cannot get food.

Every day, the numbers of people "disappeared" from their homes and
workplaces increases.

Mugabe has recently declared his intention to maintain his grasp on power
after 2008 elections--while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle to survive in a
country where the inflation rate has exceeded 2,000 percent.

WHEN:     Wednesday, 25 April 2007, 11:00 A.M. EST.

WHERE:   United Nations Correspondents Association Club, Room 326, 760
United Nations Plaza ( First Avenue at East 42 Street), New York

WHAT:     News conference on the escalating Zimbabwe crisis

WHO:

o  GRACE KWINJEH, Deputy Secretary for International Relations
for the Movement for Democratic Change, the Zimbabwean opposition party led
by Morgan Tsvangirai.  She and several others sustained serious injuries by
police after their mass arrest en route to a 11 March prayer meeting.

o   ISABELLA MATAMBANADZO, Zimbabwe Programme Manager for the
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa . She is a journalist and women's
rights advocate who works with a broad range of Zimbabwean civil society and
human rights groups.

o   OTTO SAKI, Acting Director, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights. ZHLR is representing victims of abduction, detention and torture
during the current wave of repression in Zimbabwe. Saki's work with
detainees has given him a detailed picture of the torture and human rights
abuses suffered by those in police custody.

CONTACT:  Amy Weil, OSI, 212-548-0381; aweil@sorosny.org

Free-Zim youths to confront Zuma at London embassy

By Lance Guma
24 April 2007

The Free-Zim Youth group based in the United Kingdom plans to demonstrate
against South Africa's Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma, at
that country's high commission on Wednesday. This will be the second
demonstration against Zuma following last year's disruption of her address
in London. Free-Zim leader Alois Mbawara told Newsreel Zuma issued what they
felt was an 'irresponsible' statement when she said 'South Africa cannot do
magic in the Zimbabwe crisis' and yet according to the youths Mbeki's
government is actually breathing life into Mugabe's regime through its quiet
diplomacy approach.

Zuma is in London to attend a 3-day regional consultative conference aimed
at creating a partnership between the African continent and the African
diaspora. On Wednesday she will address the African Caribbean and Diaspora
concert at her country's embassy and the youths say they plan to make their
voice heard at the occasion. Last year in September Free-Zim embarrassed
Zuma by constantly interrupting her address on reforms for the United
Nations at the London School of Economics. Mbawara refused to disclose their
tactics for Wednesday's demonstration only saying it would be 'loud
diplomacy.'

The youths have also said they want to ensure Zimbabwe is not foisted with a
manufactured political settlement and to avoid this all the stakeholders
needed to be consulted. They also doubt Mbeki's ability to ensure a free and
fair platform for elections in 10 months time. Millions of Zimbabweans are
still not able to vote and they say the Ministry of Home Affairs is not
issuing new identity cards to deliberately block newly qualified youths from
voting. Particularly concerning to the youths is that abuses and torture of
activists continue unabated in Zimbabwe while the South African government
remains silent. Zuma's deputy Aziz Pahad confirmed this approach when he
said they could not issue militant statements against Mugabe's government.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

MP Kate Hoey to address Zimbabwe vigil in Bristol

zimbabwejournalists.com

24th Apr 2007 12:15 GMT

By a Correspondent

BRISTOL-British Labour MP Kate Hoey will address activists and human rights
campaigners in Bristol on Saturday 26 May protesting against the
deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe.

"We are glad to hear Kate will join us. She has been tremendous and one of
the leading advocate on Zimbabwe issues both in Parliament and House of
Commons and as Zimbabweans we're moved by her support," said BZA Chair
Forward Maisokwadzo.

"Kate is action driven so we are pleased to have her on this historic day in
Bristol. She pushes the pressure points on all ends including on Tony Blair
to take a hard stance against South Africa's failure to condemn Zimbabwe,"
he said.

Mr Maisokwadzo also welcomed the spirit of solidarity shown by British trade
union friends, Bristol Vigil team and ACTSA, the successor to the
Anti-Apartheid Movement, which is campaigning hard against human rights
abuses in Zimbabwe and the Bristol vigil team.

Ms Hoey, the MP for Vauxhall and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary
Committee on Zimbabwe, secretly visited Zimbabwe in 2005 when President
Robert Mugabe was bulldozing "illegal structures" in poor townships, a
campaign that wrecked the homes or livelihoods of up to a million people.
Her accounts of the suffering angered the regime.

The speakers will include Kat Stark Convenor of NUS, Alois Phiri, Free
Zimbabwe Youth and ACTSA representatives. The event will take place at
Bristol Hippodrome from 11-3pm.

A rogue state with charm

Apr 24th 2007
From Economist.com

Our online news editor explores Mugabeland Tuesday

REPORTING from Zimbabwe can be frustratingly delightful. On the surface, despite economic collapse, repression and shrinking average life-expectancy, Zimbabwe can still seem attractive.

Dictatorships are supposed to be cold, drab and miserable, where people with rounded shoulders dare not say a word out of turn—North Korea in the rain; Soviet Russia in the winter. But high-altitude and tropical Harare enjoys perfect weather, glorious purple jacaranda trees (in season) and dazzling flashes of red flamboyants. The smiles and swagger of the people make it seem really quite pleasant.

And, if you are rich, Harare can be alluring. The traffic congestion of a couple of years ago is gone (subsidies chopped, fuel is too pricey for ordinary folk) and navigating potholes and broken traffic lights is simple enough.

There may be no cooking oil in the shops, but supermarket shelves bulge with bottles of gin and whisky. It may seem odd, the first time, to withdraw half a million dollars (Zimbabwean ones, in total worth about 28 of the American sort) in one go from an ATM, but that just becomes another quirk of visiting Mugabeland. The hotel pools are still kept clean and clear.

It is easy to deceive oneself that things are really not too bad. Across the capital you see children, both black and white, of various ages, walking crocodile-file and in old-fashioned uniforms (toddlers in brown shorts and green jumpers, girls in blue blazers and navy skirts) to school. The Audis, luxury four-wheel-drives and Mercedes parked outside expensive and busy restaurants would not look out of place in Chelsea. In the right light even the old man, Robert Mugabe, doesn’t seem so wicked. He is smart, agile, hard-working, yoga-exercising, frugal and he cracks a crude joke or two (Australians are “genetically modified criminals”; Tony Blair is a “boy in shorts” who leads a “government of gay gangsters”).

But the surface is all too easily scratched. One doesn’t notice absent school children, but Harare’s residents talk about those packed off to cheaper, tumbledown schools in the rural areas. Some of the remaining children look painfully thin, stick-limbs protruding from their uniforms. The combination of hunger and AIDS is especially bad, the main reason why the average Zimbabwean cannot expect to live even to 40. And ask teachers and parents, or the children themselves: it is hard to concentrate on algebra with an achingly empty belly.

AFPEven weaker than the American one

The flash cars are real enough, but reflect the wealth of a crooked elite and disastrous hyperinflation: with prices hurtling up by more than 2,000%, an expensive car or bricks-and-mortar store value better than most things, so the rich are building big houses with wide garages. At the same time, ordinary people with a job (most have not) cannot so much as afford to take a bus to work. The evenings bring lines of people tramping in the dust to their homes in the distant townships.

What of Mr Mugabe? It is easy to be charmed. He is witty enough. At one press conference a couple of years ago I noted he was an octogenarian and asked when he would retire—he pretended to be deaf from old age and then joked (or was it a joke?) that he would rule until he is a century old. But he is a charmer with fingers dipped in blood. In March his flunkeys fractured the skull of the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, and murdered an opposition activist. Mr Mugabe went on to boast about it to other African leaders.

Mr Tsvangirai says some 600 people have been tortured or abducted in recent times. Mr Mugabe shrugs. Worst of all, in the early 1980s as he established his control, Mr Mugabe directed (through a North Korean-trained brigade of soldiers) the murder of many thousands of opponents in the country’s south. Villagers were burnt to death in their huts. Mass graves were filled. It is a refrain of several people I interview that fear of being tried for these massacres helps to keep Mr Mugabe in office today. Just below the pleasant surface lies a painful reality indeed.

U.S. Catholic Bishops Support Church On National Crisis

Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

April 24, 2007
Posted to the web April 24, 2007

Washington, D.C.

The powerful pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe at
Easter, calling for an end to the nation's crisis, has received more
support, this time from US bishops.

The call already has support from Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops of Britain,
the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and
the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference.

Following is the full text of a letter by Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of
Orlando, chairman of the US bishops' Committee on International Policy,
addressed to Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare and president of
the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference:

"At this time of great suffering and uncertainty for the people of Zimbabwe,
I write to express the solidarity of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference. Your
Conference's recent Pastoral Letter, "God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed,"
is a powerful testimony to the prophetic leadership of the bishops of
Zimbabwe and to the tragic situation of the people in your country.

"We were particularly moved by the description of suffering and the
humanitarian situation of the people of Zimbabwe. The present situation has
eroded the provision of shelter, health, and education as well as the
foundations of what was once a diverse and vibrant economy.

"Your Pastoral Letter describes the deep crisis facing your people­a crisis
that is at once a crisis of governance, a crisis of moral leadership and a
spiritual and moral crisis. The courageous and strong cry for justice and
non-violence at the conclusion of your Pastoral Letter deserves to be heeded
by all involved:

'We conclude our Pastoral Letter by affirming with a clear and unambiguous
Yes, our support of morally legitimate political authority. At the same
time, we say an equally clear and unambiguous No to power through violence,
oppression and intimidation. We call on those who are responsible for the
current crisis in our Country to repent and listen to the cry of their
citizens. To the people of Zimbabwe we appeal for peace and restraint when
expressing their justified grievances and demonstrating for their human
rights.'

"We offer our profound respect to you and our brother bishops in Zimbabwe
for your brave and faithful pastoral ministry in these difficult days, and
we acknowledge and accept the bishops' invitation to join with you in prayer
for Zimbabwe. In the challenging times that lie ahead for your nation and
your people, I want to express and reaffirm our solidarity with you in
action and prayer.

"We are sharing your Pastoral Letter with officials of our government and
are calling on our nation and the international community to build effective
support for a process of genuine negotiation and reconciliation to bring an
end to the political and economic crisis which undermines the dignity of
all, especially the poor, in your suffering land.

"May God bless you in your ministry as teachers and pastors as you
faithfully proclaim the Gospel and seek to guide your nation into a future
free of oppression."

Hunger strikes the rural areas

GOROMONZI, 24 April 2007 (IRIN) - Back-to-back dry years have drastically
reduced Zimbabwe's crop yields, causing widespread hunger in rural
communities, where residents are calling for immediate food aid.

President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF government has already labelled
2007 a 'Year of Drought', and Denford Chimbwanda, president of the Grain and
Cereal Producers Association (GCPA), told IRIN that this year's harvest
prospects were grim.

"This situation is worse than last year, even though the past season was
also affected by drought. While some areas have done relatively well, the
majority of the land that was put under cereals are write-offs," Chimbwanda
said.

The landscape is a dire picture of dusty maize fields, shrivelled before the
tasselling stage, and villagers with little option other than to let cattle
graze among the dry stalks at a time when they were expecting to gather the
harvest ahead of the winter months.

In the district of Goromonzi, about 60km southeast of the capital, Harare,
in Mashonaland East Province, Juru village resident, Theresa Mapara, 47, a
home-based caregiver who assists HIV/AIDS patients, said, "Most of the time
at night I weep to realise that my efforts to make these patients' lives
more bearable are being rendered useless because of lack of food."

Mapara, who visits each of her 10 patients three times a week, said "Of
course, being in a rural area that is poverty-stricken and does not have
adequate medical facilities, we have to contend with a perennial shortage of
drugs, but when that is coupled with a severe scarcity of food, the
nutritional situation of the patients suffers, and there is hardly much we
can do to save their lives."

She and her husband, who is employed as a cross-border truck driver, have
sufficient food reserves, but Mapara often dips into them to feed her
critical patients when donor food is unavailable.

Forced to sell his last goat

One of her patients, a 30-year-old carpenter who declined to be identified,
sold his last goat last week to buy food for his two children as well
life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for himself, which cost about
Z$250,000 (US$10 at the parallel market rate) per month.

Zimbabwe's official rate of inflation rate is now over 1,700 percent,
although independent economists estimate that it has crossed the 2,000
percent threshold, which means the Z$500,000 (US$20) he realised from the
sale of the goat has already been spent.

The carpenter bought a 50kg bag of maize for Z$110,000 (US$4.40), a 2 litre
bottle of cooking oil for Z$60,000 (US$2.40) and a 2kg packet of sugar for
Z$30,000 (US$1.2), with the remainder being used to purchase his medicine.

The family eats two meals a day, usually black tea and thick maizemeal
porridge in the mornings, and vegetables in the evenings.

In the past, Mapara said, villagers needing food assistance would be helped
by the Zunde Ramambo, a communal programme in which residents participate in
growing crops on common land, whose custodian is the local chief, but
because of the drought no food relief was expected from this traditional
coping mechanism.

Food aid needed

A volunteer, affiliated to the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society in Goromonzi and
speaking on condition of anonymity, said the donor community should provide
immediate food aid to villagers in the region to ward off starvation.

"It is most likely that many people will die, not because of disease alone
but [of] starvation as well, if donors and the government don't come in
quickly," she told IRIN.

It is estimated that the country will produce about 600,000mt of cereals in
the 2006-07 farming season, but the annual requirement is 1.8mt. Although
the government has played down food shortages in the past, it recently
invited the World Food Programme  and the Food and Agriculture Organisation
to assess the food security situation in Zimbabwe.

The invitation to the two international bodies coincided with a threat made
at a government rally in Matabeleland by the information minister,
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, to cancel the licences of all nongovernmental
organisations (NGOs), so as to sieve out those with political agendas.

Ndlovu told The Herald, a government newspaper, that the country was facing
"a severe drought this year" and would welcome unconditional food aid. He
also divulged that maize was already being imported.

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), which
represents more than 1,000 civil groups in Zimbabwe, said it had received no
official warning from the government about the cancellation of NGO licences,
but said the move would be ill-advised because there was a burgeoning
humanitarian crisis.

Domboshawa village, about 30km from Harare, in Mashonaland East Province,
and Musana District, about 80km from the capital in Mashonaland West
Province, were areas that used to produce food even in times of drought, but
crops have failed to survive the relentless lack of rain and villagers there
are now calling for immediate assistance.

"We spent a lot of money preparing the fields and planting but our sweat has
come to nought," Petra-Anna Chingwena and her husband, Peter, told IRIN in
Domboshawa, where they planted 10 acres of maize. "We heeded the advice of
weather experts to plant with the first rains that came in late November
[2006] but after two weeks of heavy showers it became dry, and there was
nothing we could do to rescue the crop."

The Chingwenas are subsistence farmers who depend almost entirely on their
land to sustain themselves and their five school-going children, but are now
struggling to raise money to buy food and to pay school fees.

The husband earns a little extra income as a cattle herder on larger
neighbouring farms, but it is not enough to provide for the family's needs.
If the drought breaks in the coming season, the Chingwenas will find it hard
to till the land because they have had to sell two of their four cattle and
their only donkey to cover the medical costs of one of their children, who
fell seriously ill.

Food-for work brigades

In Musana District, villagers said the political leadership in the area, a
stronghold of the ruling party, had advised them to form 'food-for-work'
brigades that would combat erosion and repair roads in return for food
handouts.

"The idea is noble but our problem is that it might take too long, and
people will die of hunger. We are not cry-babies who would always call for
help when we are in need, but the situation this year is so bad, and if food
aid takes a month or two without coming, a real disaster is looming,"
Kundiziva Motsi, 56, told IRIN.

He said the able-bodied were trekking to the nearby Shamva area to dig for
gold illegally, but not everyone could make a living from such a strenuous
and dangerous activity.

"In this area there are so many families whose parents have died, and young
children have been left to look after their brothers and sisters," said
Motsi. "Naturally, such households don't have the capacity to produce food,
and you can imagine what the situation is like when there is drought, like
now."

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

Water train to thirsty Bulawayo?

HARARE, 24 April 2007 (IRIN) - With its main water supply dams expected to
run dry by September, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, is planning to
transport water by train from the Zambezi River, about 400km northwest of
the city.

"We are actively pursuing the idea of a water train to bring the precious
liquid, because our current supplies will be exhausted by October. Under the
plan, the train would draw water from the Zambezi River before it is
purified and distributed to residents in Bulawayo," Moffat Ndlovu, the
city's town clerk told IRIN.

"During the just ended rain season, our [five] dams received a total inflow
of just 11 million cu.m, as opposed to the 73 million cu.m of rainwater that
we received during the previous season," said Bulawayo's executive mayor,
Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube.

Bulawayo's unreliable water supply has forced many industries to relocate
from the dry Matabeleland North Province, but the city has managed to supply
water to its 1.5 million people with the help of its dams, one of which, the
Lower Ncema, has already run dry and been decommissioned; another, the
Umzingwane, is expected to be decommissioned in June.

Two more dams, the Upper Ncema and the Inyankuni, will run out of water in
August, according to the city council, leaving the municipality dependent on
the remaining water supply dam, Insiza, which is expected run dry in
October, before the onset of the rains.

In 1992, the city's water supplies ran dry during the country's worst ever
drought but a Norwegian organisation came to the rescue, sinking 77
boreholes in high water-yielding aquifers, but only 20 of them are still
functioning.

A government parastatal has taken over maintenance of the boreholes, but it
has said it did not have the funds to repair them. Most public
infrastructure in Zimbabwe is in a state of disrepair as the country battles
the world's highest annual inflation rate of more than 1,700 percent.

Fanuel Masikati, spokesman for National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), told
IRIN that the municipality had not yet officially approached them to
transport water from the Zambezi River.

"We are a bulk carrier which can deliver any commodities to any part of the
country, although that would require some resource allocation for such a
programme to be properly implemented. We have never carried water in bulk,
and that would mean sourcing tanks for such a programme."

The council has imposed stringent water rationing measures, but falling
pressure in some reservoirs has left parts of the city with no access to
water and residents have had to rely on municipal bowsers.

Mayor Ndabeni-Ncube told IRIN they were also courting donors to sink
boreholes around the city to augment water supplies. "The European Union,
the Japanese embassy and some nongovernmental organisations [are] coming in
to assist us with the provision of safe drinking water through the sinking
and motorisation of boreholes."

Successive governments since 1912 have postponed construction of a water
pipeline from the Zambezi River to alleviate perennial water shortages in
Bulawayo. Known as the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, the pipeline is
envisaged to create a green belt through Matabeleland North Province.

According to a council resolution, the plight of the residents should be
publicised, so as to attract sympathisers to assist the city. However, it
also warns that "due care should be exercised so that the situation is not
over-dramatised to the extent of scaring away investors."

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

Illegal immigrants' grim ordeal

IOL

    Karyn Maughan
    April 24 2007 at 04:38AM

Taxi driver Leonard Mvundle allegedly made thousands of rands by
kidnapping desperate illegal immigrants, holding them captive in a tiny room
in Ivory Park, north of Johannesburg... and demanding money for their
freedom.

Then he faltered, accidentally kidnapping a South African teenager. It
was an error that would lead police to Mvundle's five-square-metre rented
room and the 12 Zimbabwean women and two young children he had locked
inside.

The room, which had no toilet, was so small that none of the women -
all illegal immigrants aged between 20 and 40 - were able to lie down.

The women and children are all believed to have been victims of
Mvundle's immigrant kidnapping scam, in which he allegedly picked up
so-called "border jumpers" from the Beit Bridge border post, drove them into
South Africa in his bakkie and then demanded money for their release.

Now the 41-year-old, who appeared in the Newlands magistrate's court
on Monday morning, is facing charges of kidnapping and is being investigated
for alleged contravention of the Immigration Act.

Police say they believe that the women and children's hellish ordeal
forms part of a growing trend in which immigrants are targeted as the
"perfect victims" of kidnapping and ransom crimes.

Police Captain Lungelo Dlamini revealed that Mvundle's victims had
made no attempt to seek any help from the people living around him.

"They didn't scream for help because they didn't want the police to
come and send them back to Zimbabwe," he said.

Dlamini admitted that it was "unlikely" police would have found the
women and children if they had not been contacted by the mother of Mvundle's
South African victim.

"We are aware of these kind of things happening, but it is hard for us
to do anything because the victims don't want to come to the police,"
Dlamini added.

According to police research, only 10 percent of kidnapping cases are
ever reported - with foreign nationals being the so-called "favourite
victims".

Mvundle's trouble began when he allegedly lured a 17-year-old South
African girl into his bakkie "under false pretences" at Beit Bridge. Police
say he later demanded R300 in taxi fare and refused to release her. After
three days, the amount for her release was increased to R3 000.

"He told the girl's mother to put the money in a bank account for
him," said Dlamini.

"We found out that the account was not in Mvundle's name and there
were a number of other things that was wrong with it."

According to Dlamini, the girl's mother proceeded to negotiate her
release and police accompanied her to a filling station in Ivory Park, where
she was to hand over the money. After rescuing the teenager, police demanded
Mvundle take them to his home.

Dlamini said Mvundle's victims are now being held at an undisclosed
place of safety.

"When we found them, they told us that they were very hungry... They
said he (Mvundle) had only given them bread and water to eat," Dlamini said.

Although unable to confirm the number of immigrants kidnapped in South
Africa, police say some of the abductions end in death for some.

This article was originally published on page 3 of Pretoria News on
April 24, 2007

EU to Expand Zimbabwe Sanctions List

VOA

By Tendai Maphosa
London
24 April 2007

The European Union is preparing to expand the list of Zimbabwean officials
who are barred from traveling to EU countries. Tendai Maphosa has more in
this report for VOA from London.

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg have issued a
statement expressing strong concern at what they called the rapidly
deteriorating human rights, political and economic situation in Zimbabwe.

As a result, the statement says the Union will add more names to the 100
plus visa ban list.  The targeted sanctions were imposed in 2002 on
President Robert Mugabe and senior members of his government and ruling
ZANU-PF party in response to alleged human rights abuses.

Besides stopping those on the list from traveling to EU countries, the
sanctions also target their assets.  An embargo on arms sales to Zimbabwe is
also in place.

Earlier this month, five new names were added to the no visa list.  The
Reuters news agency reports the European Union may target senior police
officers involved in the arrest of and alleged assault of opposition leader
Morgan Tsvangirai last month.

Zimbabwe's government is faced with an unprecedented economic meltdown.  The
country has the highest inflation rate in the world, high unemployment, and
food and other basics are in short supply.  The Mugabe government blames
what it calls the illegal EU and U.S. sanctions for its predicament.
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu is Zimbabwe's Minister of Information.

"They use the term targeted sanctions; it is a smokescreen to say they are a
targeted ban on travel or ban on any investment by individuals," he said.
"We do not have investment in any of the European countries or Britain or
America.  The people of Zimbabwe are the ones who are made to suffer by
these sanctions, because we cannot have access [to] foreign currency to
import the commodities we need. Investment, companies outside, countries
that want to deal with us, they have been ordered not to invest in Zimbabwe;
those are the sanctions I am talking about.  Inflation has gone up because
of the sanctions, there were shortages but now as government we have put in
place import substitution so that we do not depend on imports."

But analysts say while there has been a decrease in non-humanitarian aid and
a reduction in foreign direct investment, the Zimbabwean government's
mismanagement is behind the country's economic meltdown. Professor Stephen
Chan of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London spoke to VOA on
the topic.

"All European countries follow an aid ethical policy, in other words aid is
now targeted towards governments that observe certain criteria so its not
just Zimbabwe where aid flows have diminished," he explained.  "The other
thing about foreign direct investment is very simple, a commercial one; no
one is going to invest in Zimbabwe, because no one can get a return for
their money, it is just a lost proposition.  When you have got 2,000 percent
inflation it does not matter how much money you can repatriate, because you
are not going to have any profits."

Chan added that there is a consensus among European and African governments
that only a major policy change by the Zimbabwean government or a change of
senior government personnel would lead to a change of the European Union's
stance towards Zimbabwe.

Maybe Zim should be a part of SA

The Star

Letters

April 24, 2007 Edition 1

Jovial Rantao tells us that "voices calling for urgent change in Zimbabwe
have reached fever pitch", (The Star Opinion and Analysis, April 20).

Believe it or not, just a couple of months ago, a foreign affairs PR man
outlined the conflict zones that South Africa - having reached the dizzy
heights of becoming a non-permanent member of the UN security council - was
helping to resolve.

He went on about Haiti, East Timor, Palestine, Sudan and the Congo, but made
no mention at all of our next-door neighbour, Zimbabwe.

Sadly, in the kind of world we live in, it takes a rogue state to bash up
and seriously injure its opposition leaders and supporters to get a
long-running issue like Zimbabwe back on the world's agenda.

Thank God South Africa got over its Zimbabwe "fatigue" and we are, at least,
showing concern for the long-suffering hungry, oppressed, homeless,
intimidated and poverty-ridden povo (the masses) across our northern border.

It was about time.

There's nothing jovial about the present situation in Zimbabwe, Jovial!

Mega-inflation has reached 5000% year-on-year with prices of main
commodities.

This includes the staple maize meal, doubling each week and likewise
petrol - if you can find any.

Peruse the latest Zimbabwean newspaper and you'll find that 600 MDC
supporters are still locked up and denied medical treatment after their
bashings.

I would recommend Jovial to read such commentators as Moeletsi Mbeki,
President Thabo Mbeki's brother, and media owner Trevor Ncube to get a
better picture of what's happening and the uphill battles needed to get rid
of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.

He won't go quietly.
My own view of what's essential isn't a softly-softly approach to assure
Mugabe he won't have to face trial for war crimes and human rights abuses
against his people, but to get the regime to stop such criminal and barbaric
abuses forthwith, to restore some semblance of democracy and the rule of
law, lift the ban against the Daily News and release those political
prisoners straight away.

I have another suggestion that might be considered.

In the 1920s an idea was floated to incorporate Rhodesia into South Africa,
but the Rhodies were dead against it.

Maybe this is the only hope for present-day Zimbabwe.

Otherwise, it could take 20 difficult years to restore the country after
Mugabe's mis-rule.

With wonderful soil and minerals and having the Victoria Falls, it's indeed
a country with enormous potential under the right leadership.

We live in hope that one fine day, millions of Zimbabweans living here and
elsewhere will want to go home.

Ivor Davis

Sandton

Imported Cars Pile Up at Border

The Herald (Harare)

April 24, 2007
Posted to the web April 24, 2007

Thupeyo Muleya and Alfred Chagonda
Harare

ABOUT 180 vehicles are stuck at a Beitbridge customs warehouse as their
owners are unable to clear them following the introduction of new
regulations that compel importers of cars and other luxury goods to pay duty
in foreign currency.

Zimbabweans were spending an estimated US$400 000 importing an average of 80
used vehicles a day from Japan, Singapore, Dubai, the UK and the United
States.

Under the new regulations, the State is expected to rake in an average of
US$200 million a day in customs duty while vehicle assemblers are also
expected to experience a boost in their businesses as buyers would have to
switch to locally-assembled vehicles.

Before the new regulations, which came into effect on April 5, clearing cars
took two days at most and between 1 200 and 1 500 imported used vehicles
went through the border post every month.

Some of the cars were bought from Dubai, the United Kingdom, Japan,
Singapore and the United States long before the implementation of the new
regulations that require vehicle importers to pay duty ranging from 60 to 80
percent of the value of the vehicle.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority motor vehicle evaluation department, which
used to handle an average of 80 cars destined for the Zimbabwean market a
day, is now clearing an average of 30 cars daily and devoting more time to
clearing vehicles in transit to Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic
of Congo.

Zimra commissioner of legal and corporate services Ms Florence Jambwa
yesterday said if the importers fail to raise the required money within
three months, the vehicles would be auctioned.

Normally the cars are kept in the customs yard for 21 days before they are
towed to the warehouse where they are auctioned if the owners fail to pay
customs duty after three months.

The warehouse charges $5 000 a day for storage.

Some car dealers interviewed said the new regulations had caught them
unawares as they had purchased the vehicles some two to three months
earlier.

They expressed concern that Zimra would soon auction the cars if they failed
to clear them on time.

"The implementation of the new regulations was very harsh. The Government
should have given us a window period of one month so that we could get used
to the system.

"Most of us hoped to pay duty in local currency, but now we are left
stranded.

"It is difficult for one to raise foreign currency, considering that it is
not readily available in the country," said Mr Reuben Mandizha, who spent
three days at the border post last week.

He said he had failed to raise US$5 000 duty required for his vehicle, which
he claimed cost him US$3 000 but was revalued at US$11 000 by Zimra.

The dealers said most of them had paid huge amounts to have their vehicles
ferried from Durban, South Africa, to Beitbridge.

South Africa has banned the driving of second-hand imported cars on its
roads, compelling importers to pay between R3 000 and R10 000 for their cars
to be ferried to Beitbridge Border Post.

However, while the dealers were willing to raise foreign currency to buy the
huge amount of cars entering the country on a daily basis, they were not
prepared to raise the same currency to pay for their imports.

Statutory Instrument 80A of 2007, published in an Extraordinary Government
Gazette a week before the Easter holidays, stipulates that with effect from
April 5 2007, importers of cars and other luxury goods will be required to
pay duty and value added tax in foreign currency.

Under the requirements, the customs duty and VAT shall be payable in United
States dollars, euros or any other currency denominated under the Exchange
Control (General) Order 1006 (Statutory Instrument 110 of 1996).

However, duty in hard currency is paid by only those who use free funds and
not foreign currency accessed from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Under the statutory instrument, vehicles such as single cab trucks, other
trucks and minibuses do not attract duty in foreign currency.

Finance Minister Cde Samuel Mumbengegwi recently told journalists at a Press
conference that the new law, mooted in 2005, was being used as an instrument
to turn around the economy by encouraging those with free funds to import
goods that have a bearing on the development of the economy or invest in
more production oriented activities.

The Government argues that its decision was meant to channel investment into
productive activities instead of non-essentials.

Malaria down by 40 percent

JOHANNESBURG, 24 April 2007 (IRIN) - Finally, a good news story out of
Zimbabwe: the number of malaria cases in the crisis-ridden country has
dropped by 40 percent in the last two years, from three million in 2004 to
1.8 million last year, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare
and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"This is a refreshing and timely piece of good news out of Zimbabwe," said
Festo Kavishe, UNICEF's Representative in Zimbabwe. "If we are to make
further inroads in reducing child mortality, then, with government, we must
work towards 90 percent coverage by the end of 2007, maintain our strong
work in immunisation, and ensure greater access to antiretrovirals for
children."

Malaria was a leading cause of child mortality until recently, and also
contributed 15 percent of patients admitted to all public health facilities,
according to UNICEF. Half of Zimbabwe's population lives in malaria-prone
areas and past efforts to control the disease have been hampered by the
increasing cost of antimalarial medicines and the parasite's growing
resistance to the available drugs.

The drop has been attributed to the distribution of 400,000 long-lasting
insecticide-treated nets (LLTN) across the country between 2004 and 2006,
according to UNICEF spokesman James Elder.

With the support of the Japanese and Norwegian Governments, and the United
Kingdom's Department of International Development (DFID), UNICEF has spent
more than US$5 million on malaria control and prevention since 2004.

"Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, and we are very grateful
for the support the international community has given," said UNICEF's Head
of Health, Dr Colleta Kibassa. "These successes remind us of the simple
adage: 'sleeping under an insecticide-treated net saves lives'."

Zimbabwe's 'roll back malaria' campaign has now met the target of ensuring
that 60 percent of all under-five children in malarial zones sleep under an
insecticide-treated mosquito net.

Specified targets in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals were set
for malaria prevention and control in the Abuja Declaration in 2000, when
African heads of state and governments met in the Nigerian capital.

At the beginning of 2005, less than seven percent of Zimbabwe's under-five
children living in malarial zones slept under mosquito nets; two years
later, and amid great economic challenges, that number has risen to 70
percent.

"Malaria not only kills, it also damages productivity and halts
development," said John Barrett, head of DFID in Zimbabwe. "A
malaria-stricken family spends an average of over one-quarter of its income
on treatment. Thus, malaria has far-reaching effects on health and economic
productivity. Through UNICEF we have saved lives and assisted development."

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

University shut down indefinitely

Zim Online

Wednesday 25 April 2007

      By Regerai Marwezu

      MASVINGO - Masvingo State University was on Tuesday indefinitely shut
down by the Zimbabwean government following a strike by lecturers who are
demanding a 200 percent hike on their salaries.

      The university authorities also fired two lecturers and two student
leaders whom they accused of instigating and directing the industrial action
at the state-run university in the southern Masvingo province.

      One of the dismissed lecturers, Takavafira Zhou, is the president of
the militant Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) that has led a
series of strikes by teachers across the country over the past few months.

      The lecturers, who are earning about Z$1.3 million a month, want the
authorities to hike their salaries to Z$3.7 million that is being given to
their counterparts at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.

      Negotiations for a salary hike broke down on Monday this week forcing
the lecturers to boycott work until their grievances were addressed.

      The industrial action reached boiling point after students joined the
strike in protest against demands by the university to top up their boarding
fees from Z$345 000 a semester to Z$800 000.

      A visit by ZimOnline at the campus on Tuesday revealed that there were
no lectures taking place at the university.

      "The institution is closed indefinitely until all issues are
addressed. We had asked government to review our salaries but nothing was
done.

      "Instead of attending to our case the government bought a posh
Mercedes Benz for the Vice-Chancellor Obert Maravanyika, which means it has
money.

      "We are very angry with the development and we are not going back to
work until our demands are met," said one lecturer who refused to be named.

      Zhou also confirmed that he had been fired from the university
together with another lecturer and two student leaders.

      "We were just advised by the university that we had been fired for
causing the work boycott," said Zhou.

      Strikes by university lecturers demanding better pay and working
conditions are common in Zimbabwe.

      A seven-year economic recession that has manifested itself in the
world's highest inflation rate of nearly 2 000 percent has seen most workers
in Zimbabwe battle to make ends meet with for example, most workers taking
home as little as Z$150 000 a month, enough to buy only four litres of
cooking oil. - ZimOnline

ZANU PF officials want free VIP cards for matches

Zim Online

Wednesday 25 April 2007

By Tinotenda Zhou

HARARE - The ruling ZANU PF party and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) are
once again at loggerheads after the party demanded hundreds of VIP privilege
cards for access to matches for their senior members throughout the country,
ZimOnline gas gathered.

Top sources at the PSL said ZANU PF had now resorted to threats after the
league management committee refused to issue out the cards.

According to the official, the ruling party claims that there are a lot of
officials from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party who
have been issued with cards so they also wanted to enjoy the same privilege.

"ZANU PF officials have been besieging us for the past two weeks demanding
VIP cards to gain access to matches for free but like we have always done
before, there is no way we will mix politics with our football.

"But they are pestering us demanding that we give them the cards. They are
now claiming that we have issued dozens of MDC members with cards which is
not true. Individuals who deserve to have the cards come to us and we treat
each case separately without looking at political affiliation.

"It is saddening that politicians always want to mess our game but we are
determined to make sure that we are not dragged into the mud," said the
official.

But ZimOnline gathers that pressure to issue the cards to ZANU PF officials
is coming from PSL chairman, Tapiwa Matangaidze, a strong ruling party
apologist who was part of President Robert Mugabe's birthday fund-raising
committee earlier this year.

Matangaidze could not be reached for comment on the matter. - ZimOnline

JAG Classifieds dated 24 April 2007

As a JAG member or JAG Associate member, please send any classified adverts
for publication in this newsletter to:

JAG Classifieds: jagma@mango.zw
JAG Job Opportunities: jag@mango.zw

Rules for Advertising:

Send all adverts in word document as short as possible (no tables, spread
sheets, pictures, etc.) and quote your subscription receipt number or
membership number.
Notify the JAG Office when Advert is no longer needed, either by phone or
email.
Adverts are published for 2 weeks only, for a longer period please notify
the JAG office, by resending via email the entire advert asking for the
advert to be re-inserted.

Please send your adverts by Tuesdays 11.00am (Adverts will not appear until
payment is received.). Cheques to be made out to JAGMA.

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1.  For Sale Items
2.  Wanted Items
3.  Accommodation
4.  Recreation
5.  Specialist Services
6.  Pets Corner

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1. OFFERED FOR SALE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.1  Generators & Inverters for Sale

The JAG office is now an official agent for GSC Generator Service (Pvt) Ltd
and receives a generous commission on sales of all Kipor generators and
equipment.  Generators are on view at the JAG office.

The one stop shop for ALL your Generator Requirements SALES:
We are the official suppliers, repairs and maintenance team of KIPOR
Equipment here in Zimbabwe.  We have in stock KIPOR Generators from 1 KVA to
55 KVA.  If we don't have what you want we will get it for you.  We also
sell Inverters (1500w), complete with batteries and rechargeable lamps.  Our
prices are very competitive, if not the lowest in town.

SERVICING & REPAIRS: We have a qualified team with many years of experience
in the Generator field.  We have been to Kipor, China for training.  We
carry out services and minor repairs on your premises.  We service and
repair most makes and models of Generators - both petrol and diesel.

INSTALLATIONS:  We have qualified electricians that carry out installations
in a professional way.

SPARES: As we are the official suppliers and maintainers of KIPOR Equipment,
we carry a full range of KIPOR spares.

Don't forget, advice is free, so give us a call and see us at: Bay 3,
Borgward Road, Msasa.
Sales: 884022, 480272 or admin@adas.co.zw
Service: 480272, 480154 or gsc@adas.co.zw

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1.2  For Sale

So Far and No further! Rhodesia's Bid for Independence during the Retreat
from Empire 1959-1965 by J.R.T. Wood

533 pages; quality trade paperback; pub. Trafford ISBN 1-4120-4952-0
Southern African edition, pub. 30 Degrees South : ISBN 0-9584890-2-5

This definitive account traces Rhodesia's attempt to secure independence
during the retreat from Empire after 1959. Based on unique research, it
reveals why Rhodesia defied the world from 1965.

Representing Volume One of three volumes, Two and Three are in preparation
and will take us to Tiger and thence to 1980;

To purchase:

Zimbabwean buyers contact Trish Broderick: pbroderick@mango.zw

RSA buyers: WWW. 30 degreessouth.co.za or Exclusives Books

Overseas buyers see: http://www.jrtwood.com
and a link to Trafford Publishing http://www.trafford.com/04-2760

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1.3 Pet Food for Sale

Still supplying pets food which consists of 500g of precooked pork offal and
veg costing $1300 and 250g of pigs liver or heart costing $1300 for 250g.

Collection points:      Benbar in Msasa at 10.30
Jag offices in Philips Rd, Belgravia at 11.30
Peacehaven which is 75 Oxford St at 13.00

This is on Fridays only. Contact details: phone 011 221 088 and E mail at
claassen@zol.co.zw

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1.4  Fuel Coupons for Sale

Caltex petrol coupons for sale (25 litres).  Phone:  730507, 799410 or
011610073.

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1.5 For Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Mazda Cronos, 1996 metallic blue, good condition. Please phone Shelley 04
884007/ 011-608 200 or chika@zol.co.zw

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1.6 For Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

BASSBOAT, WRANGLER X 13, complete with as new 60HP Yamaha, Electric start,
Trim and Tilt, Live Well, Boat Cover, Motor Cover. Price equivalent of
USD5500. Phone 741913

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1.7 For Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

7 meter extension ladder - hardly used
125 amp arc welding machine. 3 settings
5 lengths IBR roof sheets @ +-5m
1  "          " transparent sheet X 4,5m
Construction site hard hats
Scaffold jacks
Quantity of timbers and off-cuts
1 heavy duty angle grinder
1 bench circular saw
1 6" belt/disc sander
contact  mhowarth@zol.co.zw

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1.8 For Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Ericssen cell phone - no line
$150,000

Socket Set
$50,000

Flippers and goggles
$50,000 for both

Saddle horse, about 2 yards long
$50,000

Brown Poof
$50,000

Raffia coffee table
$50,000

Raffia chair
$30,000

Tennis balls (brand new in box)
$100,000

Various girls bathing costumes and caps, garden hats, belts.
$l0,000 or less

Contact Jennifer at 073 3399 or 011 423614 or message to 883461

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1.9 For Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

One 10 Tonne tri axle trailer.  Contact Chris at 04 611205/611272 or 0912
239963

Vintage Car - Model A Ford Contact Peter Ph. 04 861591 Or 011 201839

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1.10 Boat for Sale (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Cougar 16' Hull on trailer with Mercury redline 125 motor, electric start,
ride glide steering system, two built in fuel tanks, one carry tank.

Wind surfer: brand new

Various '94 Peugeot 405 body parts

Boat motors:
Two by Yamaha 25hp motors,
One: power head in pieces, leg complete
Two: leg in pieces, power head complete

Mercury Blue line 40hp motor, running but needs minor attn, complete with
controls, plus many spares

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1.11 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Road motorcycle for sale.
YAMAHA - Model YZF 600cc - Thundercat - in immaculate condition.
Highest cash offer secures.  For further details contact Dave on 011 600 770
or 091 22 55 653 or email dapayne@zol.co.zw or leave a message on 04 744826.

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1.12 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

DUAL DECODER. Replaced by PVR. In perfect order. Cost in SA R2400.00.
Asking 50% of that in any currency.

Small bar. 1,6m's X 0,5m's.Never used.  Any reasonable offer considered.

Phone Hre 302 702 or 091-609 078

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1.13 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Small Business for sale - hundreds of wrought iron candelabras, flower
stands and vases for sale.  Would suit function orientated florist/decor
person or group.  Payment terms available. Ph 011 614 525 / 885115

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1.14 For Sale THE WEAVERY (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Going overseas or down South? Why not take hand woven gifts for your friends
or family? These super articles which are light, easy to pack, take or send,
and fully washable. Contact Anne on 332851 or 011212424.Or email
joannew@zol.co.zw

Crocheted oven gloves--$113,000.
Cotton oven gloves--$101,000.
Small woven bags--$90,000.
Large woven bags--$113,000.
Crocheted bags--$135,000.

Queen(approx.250x240cms) size bedcover--$855,000.
Other sizes to order.
Single Duvet cushions(open into a duvet)--$574,000.
Other sizes to order.
2x1 meter Throw--405,000.
Baby Blanket(1x1meter)--$248,000.

3 piece toilet set--$225,000.
Bath mat--$180,000.

Decorated cushion covers--$113,000.

Table runner--$67,500.
Set(4)Bordered table mats + serviettes--$225,000.
Set(6)Bordered table mats + serviettes--$338,000.
Set(4) crocheted table mats only--$180,000.
Set(6)fringed table mats + serviettes--$338,000.
Lots of other combinations.

Small(approx.105x52cms) plain cotton rug--$158,000.
Medium(approx.120x65cms) plain cotton rug--$225,000
Large(approx.150x75cms) plain cotton rug--$338,000.
Ex.Large(approx.230x130cms) plain cotton rug--$675,000.
Small patterned cotton rug--$225,000.
Small rag rug--$158,000.
Medium rag rug--$225,000.
Medium patterned cotton rug--$338,000.
Large patterned cotton rug--$450,000
Ex.Large patterned cotton rug--$900,000.
Small patterned mohair rug--$450,000.
Medium patterned mohair rug--$563,000
Large patterned mohair rug--$675,000.
Ex. Large patterned mohair rug--$1,240,000.

Lots of other articles.PLEASE be aware that prices may change without
notice

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1.15 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

15 Wooden pelmets. 1.2 metres in length with runners at $35,000 each.

Phone Greer on 744075 / 0912 353 047

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1.16 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Upright - 20yrs old - Ludwichmesiter - for sale.  Price to be discussed on
phoning:  011604564

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1.17 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

COARSE SALT, Z$235,000 PER 50KG BAG DELIVERED HARARE - LIMITED QUANTITIES
AVAILABLE.

WHEAT BRAN Z$ 20,000 PER 25 KG BAG COLLECTED RUWA WITH EMPTY BAG.

APPLY mnmilbank@zol.co.zw

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1.18 For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

SodaStream Gemini fizzy drink maker. Still in original box. $400 000
Kenwood Cheffette cake mixing bowl and stand, and separate liquidizer
$500,000

Phone 308880 preferably evenings.

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1.19 Vehicles For Sale (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

(All sales include change of ownership)

2 x Toyota Land cruiser 100 series VX.             $ 38 K.

3 x Toyota Land cruiser 80 Series VX.             $ 15 K.

1 x Toyota Parado, 3 Litre KZTE Turbo           $ 18 K.

Toyota land cruiser new shape Pickup with 24 V turbo 1HDT VX engine.
Beige.

Rebuild with 20,000 Km Guarantee.      $ 30 K

Toyota Land cruiser old shape ( 1984 ) pickup, 12HT turbo diesel, power
steering, disc brakes, long range tank, full hunting rig.       $ 12.5 K

Contact Alex Hawkins 091 2 261085. Email: alexhawkins@zol.co.zw, 63 Harare
Drive, Marlborough.

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Horses for Sale & Tack (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Jamaica  pure thoroughbred mare. 15 years old.
About 16hh, Black in colour & very showy
Played top a division polo x for Zimbabwe many times.

Bally Nakill a mare, Born 27/09/94
Sire Gallantry, Black in colour, 16hh
She has a passport, She is a very quiet ride but can be made hotter with
feeding.

She has show jumped & played in the Zim open polo x.

Please phone sherry on 0912 724 595 or 852027/28

I also have 3 English GP saddles for sale in very good nick which I'm open
to offers; I will have other bit of tack for sale on request.

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2. WANTED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1 Wanted

Sheila Macdonald (Sally in Rhodesia) - If you have any of Sheila Macdonald's
books for sale, please let JAG know the details including condition etc with
your name, telephone number and price wanted.

Telephone JAG - 04 - 799410

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2.2 Wanted (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

2nd Gear or Complete Gear Box for Hino KM Series
1971 Model

Email info@bushmanrock.com or Phone Ira 884154

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2.3 Wanted (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Two cable connectors used to connect a 5110 Nokia cell phone  to our
computers for the purpose of downloading e mails.  These  must be suitable
for a Nokia data suite.  Contact Conquest Tours Ph 332450/308960 or E mail
conquest@mweb.co.zw

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2.4 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Wanted for a lady. A small economical car (petrol) to use as a runaround for
shopping, kids to school etc.

Does not have to be "newish" but should be reliable. Nissan march, Toyota
starlet or similar vehicle.

Payment can be in S.A.  Contact Pete on Harare 251254 or home 480118..Email
pete@radius.co.zw

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2.5 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Old hardback novels and banknotes wanted by collector for cash please
call Mr Wallis on 496829 or email zermatt@mweb.co.zw "

Old wood burning stove/oven wanted. The power cuts are hitting us hard!!
Please call Mr Wallis on 496829 or email zermatt@mweb.co.zw "

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2.6 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Does anyone have a Workshop Manual for a 1988 Nissan Sentra 1.3GL for loan
or sale?  Please contact Rodney at  arhb@zol.co.zw .

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2.7 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Mazda Pick-up single cab, petrol B1600- B1800 or 2000 type.
Top price paid for good vehicle. Phone: Harare 750775 Working hours, Harare
882620 Home.

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2.8 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Looking for 2 sets of bunk beds. Contact Mark on 0912227169 or Julia on
0912236641

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2.9 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Looking for an electronic key board for my daughter, who has just started
piano lessons.  Please contact: 011414045.

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3. ACCOMMODATION WANTED AND OFFERED

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

3.1 Accommodation Offered (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Cottage for rent - Bromley 50 kms from Harare

Attractive thatched cottage in farm garden, with plenty of space - $400,000
per month
Contact Jennifer at 073 3399 or 011 423614 or message to 883461

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3.2 TWO HOUSES FOR SALE (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Chirundu - Lovely home with stunning views of the great Zambezi River and
valley.

Grandi Lodge - lovely 2 bedroomed home in secure complex in Greendale.
This complex has a public library, pool,  entertainment area with rolling
lawns under shady trees. Great for retired couple. Enquiries -

Serious enquiries please contact Pauline on 011609840 or email:
welch@yoafrica.com (Photos & prices on request)

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3.3 Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Urgently wanted A.S.A.P by Middle Aged Couple 2/3 Brm House or Cottage in
the Eastlea/Kamfinsa, Rhodesville/Newlands area. Willing to pay up to ZIM
$600,000. per month.
Pse Contact Sue on 0912-570-050 or Land Line 746674

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3.4 Accommodation for Rent (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Block of four attached garden flats, Greendale area, convenient to shops,
town, Msasa, suit company/NGO for offices, quiet, pleasant ,secure
environment, carports, interested parties should contact Mr Wallis on 496829
or email zermatt@mweb.co.zw

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3.5 Wanting to Buy (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

2 bedroom ground floor flat looking to buy in Avondale or surrounding areas.
Please call: Greer - 744075 / 0912 353 047

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3.6 Accommodation Offered Bulawayo (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Flat to let Bulawayo:

Two bedroomed, well fitted, lounge/dining room, guest toilet, separate
bathroom with shower, beautifully fitted kitchen with breakfast nook,
scullery, and balcony.  This flat is in a well maintained, small and secure
block.  We are looking for a caring persons/person to enjoy this pretty
little home Available 1st May 2007.  Interested please email
dieselandplant@zol.co.zw or phone 011 614 233

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3.7 Looking for Retail Premises to Rent (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Desparetly looking for retail premises to rent measuring no less than 70 -
120 square metres. In the area of Kaguvi Street, Charter Rd, Cameron street.
Please if anyone knows of premises please contact: Tony Rowley 0912 201 606
or 443503 or Sherry Rowley 852027/28 or 0912 724 595

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4. RECREATION

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4.1 Hippo Pools Wilderness Camp (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Need a breakaway into a relaxing and stress free environment for a weekend,
where there is no outside interference? Hippo Pools Wilderness Camp is the
place to go. On the bank of the Mazowe River In the Umfurudzi Safari Area.
For Details phone Tracy or Elsie on 747929 or email
wildernessafrica@zol.co.zw

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4.2 DURBAN SOUTH COAST - HOLIDAY HOUSE (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Approx. 1 km from HIbberdene beach which is a blue flag beach and is
situated in a secure complex which has a lovely swimming pool.
Sleeps 6 people comfortably and has beautiful inland views with stunning
sunsets.

It has just been renovated and all one needs to take are towels and dish
cloths.
Rate R600 per night plus key deposit in season.
Rate R350 per night plus key deposit out of season.
Interested parties please contact Jo Brophy (in UK) on
jozibee@btinternet.com who will put you in touch with the letting agent.

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4.3 Investing in a holiday home or retirement pad (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

Are you thinking of investing in a "bolt hole", holiday home or retirement
pad.
Try the beautiful Eastern Cape. Rob Owsley Properties specializes in
property sales along the Eastern Cape Coast from Port Alfred to Hamburg,
including Riet River, Kleinemonde, Mgwalana, Mpekweni and Birha.  The sales
office in located in Kleinemonde, 20km from Port Alfred on the Sunshine
Coast between Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape.

The long stretches of white unspoilt beach, warm Indian ocean waves and
peaceful lagoons make it an ideal seaside getaway.  The natural assets of
Kleinemonde make it an excellent venue for all river and beach activities,
including water skiing, surfing, boating up the unspoilt river, horse riding
on
the beach, fishing and sand boarding and much more!  The beautiful
indigenous
vegetation reaches down to the riverbanks and the ancient cycads are in
abundance.  Bird and wild life are abundant, the cry of the resident fish
eagles
echoes in the silence.  In close proximity are various game reserves and
parks
where the Big Five can be seen on day and night drives. There are two
excellent
golf courses in the area, the Fish River Sun, 5 minutes away and the Royal
Alfred Golf Club in Port Alfred.

All this makes Kleinemonde the ideal holiday home area and also a restful
and
peaceful place to retire. Contact : Rob Owsley Properties;  Tel. +27 46
6751021;  Fax. +27 46 6751126 e-mail :  Owsley@imaginet.co.za,
www.kleinemondeproperty.co.za

If you have children at school or university in Grahamstown, Rob Owsley
Properties also has many delightful properties available on their books for
short term rents.

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4.4 GACHE GACHE LODGE (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

EMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE PLEASURES OF KARIBA LAKE.  FISHING AND PHOTOGRAPHIC
SAFARIS, GAME DRIVES, CRUISES, WALKS WITH QUALIFIED GUIDE, FISHING FOR TIGER
AND BREAM, MAGNIFICENT SUNSETS AND FANTASTIC BIRDWATCHING. GACHE GACHE
OFFERS A PERSONALISED SERVICE IN A HOMELY, NATURAL AND RUSTIC ENVIRONMENT.

CONTACT US FOR BOOKINGS: tourleaders@zol.co.zw 0912289345 or 0912208836,
301889.

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4.5 Need a break? (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Getaway and enjoy peace and fresh air at GUINEA FOLWS REST
Only 80kms from Harare, Self-catering guest-house
Sleeps 10 people, Bird-watching, Canoeing, Fishing, DSTV

REGRET: No day visitors.  No boats or dogs allowed.
Contact Dave : 011 600 770 or Annette 011 600 769
or 091 22 55 653 or email dapayne@zol.co.zw

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5. SPECIALIST SERVICES

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5.1 Vehicle Repairs

Vehicle repairs carried out personally by qualified mechanic with 30 years
experience. Very reasonable rates.

Phone Johnny Rodrigues:  011 603213 or 011 404797, email:
galorand@mweb.co.zw

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5.2 Borehole Pumps

Installation of borehole pump, piping and pressure tank.  Connections to
water mains and garden mains.  Steel cage and necessary cabling.

T M Lambert (Pvt) Ltd, P O Box GT 629, Graniteside, Harare

Phone 494 796; 091 288 448

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5.3 FERNATIC NURSERY (Ad inserted 17/04/07)

MANY VARIETIES OF FERNS AND TREE FERNS, PALMS, PINK AND GREEN ARUMS AND
OTHER EXOTIC PLANTS.
4 J CROWHILL ROAD - 1.8KM AFTER BORROWDALE BROOKE SHOPS, 1ST HOUSE ON LEFT
AFTER HOGGERTY HILL DVE. ENTRANCE ON CROWHILL RD (BLACK ELECTRIC GATE - RING
BELL). 0912208836  tourleaders@zol.co.zw

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5.4 Para-Legal Advisory Services (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Now into our 14th year and still assisting people with much needed valuable
Advisory Services.

1.    Obtaining
        -  Full Birth Certificates for Zimbabwe (replacement of
            old style)
        -  Registration of new births
        -  Adoption Orders - Certified Extract of originals with
            Full Birth Certificate, so identifying birth parent/s
        -  Marriage Certificates - Certified Extract of originals
        -  Death Certificates (only possible in some instances)
        -  Zimbabwe Drivers Licenses - new, replacement of lost, &
           Letter of Confirmation (reqd when obtaining a
           Drivers Licence in another country)
        - Divorce Orders - certified extract of originals
        - Certificate of Non-Marriage

2.    Facilitating
        -  Immigration formalities into Zimbabwe,
            ie Residence & Employment Permits
        -  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - New Investor formalities

3.    Company Registration Procedures
       - New Companies
       - Statutory Returns, eg Annual Return
       - completion & submission of Forms, eg CR14, CR6

4.    Para-Legal Services
       - Wills (preparation of)
       - Establishment of Discretionary Trusts
       - enquire further as to what you are needing

5.    Rent Board matters
       - problems with undesirable residential tenants. . .?.?
          obtaining Ejectment Certificate iro 'bad' tenants

6.    Labour related matters
       - problem & incompetent staff
       - 'retrenchment' of staff
       - workplace disputes

Phone us for further information and/or to arrange a no obligation
consultation.

Financial Arrangements - We will always assist 'bona fide' financially
challenged persons.

Contact: Thomas Vallance ACIArb, Commissioner of Oaths
PARADiGM TRUST (Pvt) Ltd, Para-Legal Advisory Services
Trust Executives & Administrators, Tels: (B) 302 207  (M) 011-617 161
Emls:[paradigm@zol.co.zw], [paradigm@mango.zw]

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5.5 VIDEO PRODUCTION (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Filming & Editing of Weddings & Special Events. DVD Production, Broadcast
Quality.
DVD & VHS transfers. Call Greer on 744075 / 0912 353 047

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5.6 'Mr Cruiser' (Pvt) LTD (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Repairs:

I have now opened our workshops for all major accident repair work for
your Toyota Land cruiser. No Job to big and if your cruiser is a write of
we can offer you a replacement  there and then and a trade in on your
wreak. We have an enormous range of spares and vehicles we are breaking
which enables us to repair your land cruiser fast and professionally with
new genuine spares as well as original second hand ones, like doors,
pillars, panels etc...

All work done fully guaranteed. Get the specialists to do a proper job on
your land cruiser right the first time, one time. No Stuffing around.

Contact Alex Hawkins 091 2 261085. Email: alexhawkins@zol.co.zw, 63 Harare
Drive, Marlborough.

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5.7 PRESENTATIONS AND PROMOTIONAL DISCS (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Young professional lady working from home available to design all your
Company Presentations & Promotional Discs according to your specifications.

Main client base currently in Victoria Falls.  Sample discs available for
reference.

Email: kiara@zol.co.zw

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5.8 BUILDING CONSULTANT (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Available to oversee construction operations and alterations/modifications,
assess and monitor quality control; submission of appraisals for repairs and
maintenance undertakings, and other associated tasks.
For further information please reply to the following contact:
mhowarth@zol.co.zw

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5.9 IT Solutions (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Oxford IT are looking for Bookkeepers, attractive packages on offer. Please
submit your cv to sarah@oxfordit.co.zw or call and speak to Sarah (the
numbers shown below).

Sarah Vale
GENERAL MANAGER
Oxford IT Recruitment

c/o CFU, Agriculture House, Cnr. Adylinn Road and Marlborough Drive,
Marlborough, HARARE
Tel:  + 263-4-309274 (Direct)
Tel:  + 263-4-309855-60 (Ext. 23)
Fax  + 263-4-309351
Email: sarah@oxfordit.co.zw
MSN Messenger:  sarah@oxfordit.co.zw

Recruitment Specialists

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6. PETS CORNER
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6.1 Wanted (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

A male or female puppy or a young dog of Labrador type.  Reply to Gayle
Lowden Stoole, telephone 04-302983.

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6.2 Looking for a Home (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

Staffy Lovers! Adorable 4 year tan/white staffy bitch looking for kind and
loving home. Her name is Rita, she is spayed, a small staffy and would
probably suit being an only pet. Very affectionate. Loves people. Tel
Michelle on 884294 or 011602903 or e-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw
'
Gemma a super tan Boxer x bitch. 6 years and her friend 'Bobby' a Border
Collie x dog. Would like to go together but can be separated Tel Alva
Mcintosh on 776426 or 0912250628 or e-mail alva@zol.co.zw

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6.3 Looking for a Home (Ad inserted 24/04/07)

'Daisy' adorable tan/white Jack Russell bitch, young, gets on with all other
dogs looking for a kind and loving home. Tel Michelle on 884294 or 011602903
or e-mail gandami@mweb.co.zw

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JAG Hotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799 410.  If you are in trouble
or need advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!
To advertise (JAG Members): Please email classifieds to: jagma@mango.zw
with subject "Classifieds".