Zimbabwe doctors refuse to call off strike

(AFP) - 8 hours ago

HARARE - Striking doctors at Zimbabwe's state hospitals refused to return to
work on Friday despite a promise that their allowances would be restored in
their next pay cheques, said a union official.

"We are still on strike, the problem is that we just get promises which fall
short of our expectations, but negotiations are still taking place between
ourselves and the Health Services Board," said Brighton Chizhande, president
of the Hospital Doctors' Association.

The doctors began their strike this week demanding higher salaries and the
restoration of allowances which had been withdrawn last month by the
government and other aid agencies.

The Health Service Board has now said that allowances for items such as
accommodation, uniforms and night duty had not been included in their
monthly salaries in error and would now be restored.

"It was a mistake that those allowances were withdrawn. Treasury has
admitted that it was oversight on their part," the board's chairman Lovemore
Mbengeranwa told AFP.

"As a board, we believe that salaries should attract and retain skills.
However the issue is whether the economy afford it."

Agostino Zacharias, a spokesman for the United Nations Development Programme
which administers donor funding for Zimbabwe's health service, said the
agency was "doing everything possible" to ensure the funds are disbursed.

"There is some paperwork which needs to be completed but within a period of
two weeks we should have completed and the funds will be available," he told
AFP.

Chizhande said the union and the board were still negotiating on the issue
of salaries.

Zimbabwe's health service has been in crisis for some time, with doctors and
nurses frequently striking for better pay when the economy was beset by
hyperinflation before the installation of a national unity government in
February.

It has also had to cope with a cholera epidemic which was recently brought
under control.

Court dismisses application by expelled MDC-M MPs

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
14 August 2009

A Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda, dismissed on Friday an
application by three expelled legislators from the MDC-M. They were
appealing to the court to bar the Speaker of Parliament from ejecting them
from house, as had been instructed by their party leadership. The news comes
a day after the party's National Council endorsed a letter written by its
Standing Committee, expelling the MPs. The parliamentarians are accused of
indiscipline and disrespecting the party leadership.

Deputy Secretary for Information and Publicity Renson Gasela said: "The
dismissed MDC MPs, Abednico Bhebhe, Nkayi South, Njabuliso Mguni, Lupane
East, Norman Mpofu, Bulilima East and Alex Goosen, National Executive
Member, have been thrown into further disarray as their urgent application
to the High Court, has been dismissed with costs."

Gasela said the full details of the court judgment have not been made
available but were expected to be released next week.

The party has been rocked by infighting since it split from the main MDC led
by Morgan Tsvangirai in 2005. Throughout the years some of the officials
refused to follow directives from their leadership, including voting for
their own candidate Paul Temba Nyathi for the position of Speaker of
Parliament. Instead MPs like Bhebhe voted for the MDC-T candidate, Lovemore
Moyo, saying he was the 'people's choice.'

 Political commentator Professor John Makumbe said the 'weaknesses' of the
party's strategy were also shown last year when the party failed to endorse
their own president for the presidential elections, but chose to support
former finance Minister Simba Makoni, who only garnered 8% of the vote.

Serious infighting has also been exposed in recent weeks with members like
former St Mary's MP, Job Sikhala, openly challenging the leadership. On
Friday Sikhala held another press conference in Harare insisting that he was
now the president of the party, taking over from Arthur Mutambara. Our
correspondent Simon Muchemwa said Sikhala told journalists at the Quality
International Hotel that Mutambara, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister,
had no mandate from the voters and cannot continue to be the leader of the
party.

Professor Makumbe said of the MDC-M: "The dynamism in terms of performance
has really been very weak. That's why even loyal party members like Job
Sikhala have criticised their own president and accused him of leaning too
much towards ZANU PF rather than the MDC-T."

He added: "This is the problem of hiring a president. If you hire a
president, he doesn't have the respect from the rank and file - least of all
from among those who were elected by the people and got into parliament."

The commentator believes the party also made the mistake of giving people
who had not been elected as MP's important ministerial positions, while not
rewarding those who had been voted in by the people.

Meanwhile the party announced it is ready for by-elections. Makumbe said:
"These guys will be facing stiff competition, particularly from the same
candidates, who might actually be standing as independents or as MDC-T
candidates."

Residents shocked as Harare Mayor inaugurated in style

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
14 August 2009

Harare residents have expressed their shock and anger over the lavish
celebration held in the city on Friday, in honour of Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda's
inauguration.

The event, hosted by the City Council apparently at the expense of
disgruntled tax payers, attracted hundreds of invited guests, who were
treated to live entertainment, platters of food and an array of liquid
refreshment. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Thokozani Khupe
fronted the list of guests who came out to honour Masunda, including Local
Government Minister Ignatius Chombo who gave a keynote speech.
The event will have done little to ease tensions already simmering between
local residents and the City Council. Last month City officials said they
had resorted to water disconnections in the city after residents failed to
respond to letters of final demand and to press notices released earlier
this month. Residents, who have refused to settle their bills in the absence
of services, reacted with anger when they started receiving the final
letters of demand from the local authority. According to one of the letters
sent to a Highlands resident, who owes US$131, the council warned that
failure to pay within seven days would result in 'legal action being
effected without further warning to you, with costs charged to your account.'
It's understood that more than US$20 million in unpaid water bills is
outstanding, with the Council arguing that financial shortages were
preventing it from resuming full services.
But provision of council services has been dismal and refuse has not been
collected in many parts of the city for years. The council has said it has
no funds to repair the broken down equipment that it uses. At the same time,
areas such as Hatcliffe, Orange Grove, Greendale, Vainona, parts of
Mabelreign and Goodhope, Mabvuku, Tafara and suburbs in satellite towns of
Chitungwiza, Norton and Ruwa have not received water for very long periods.
Budiriro residents have not had water for almost a year. Last year, poor
water and sewerage systems led to a massive cholera outbreak in various
parts of the country, including Chitungwiza, which eventually became the
epicentre of an epidemic that claimed thousands of lives.
SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa spoke to a number of residents
while the Mayor's party was in full swing on Friday. He explained that
residents were shocked and amazed that such a party was organised by the
City Council, which has previously professed serious funding problems.

"Residents are shocked because some areas have not had water for two years,
but there is somehow enough money in the council for a big party," Muchemwa
said.

Muchemwa added that residents are disappointed in Mayor Masunda, who it was
hoped would turn the Council around and offer better service to the people.
Muchemwa said Masunda "has fallen short of the residents' expectations," and
the party on Friday was an 'insult'.

Meanwhile, water problems are set to persist in Harare, until government
constructs the Kunzvi Dam and raises resources to repair plant and treatment
facilities, according to Water Resources Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo. A
document compiled recently by Nkomo explains that the water crisis was the
result of years of a lack of funding to recapitalise and a failure to expand
capacity, despite evidence that the urban population was growing at what he
described as an 'alarming rate'.

He said that while Harare needs 1 200 megalitres of water daily, the Morton
Jaffrey plant has a maximum capacity of 614 ML per day, 50% less than the
capital's requirements. The plant, he said, was also not operating at full
capacity and currently produces only 400-500 ML per day. Nkomo also said
that over 40% of the city's water fails to find its way to consumers,
because of old and dilapidated infrastructure. He explained that "40% is
lost due to serious pipeline leakages all over the city."

Speaker dismisses Mutambara claims

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=21125

August 14, 2009

By Raymond Maingire

HARARE - Lovemore Moyo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, has dismissed
claims by the Arthur Mutambara-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) that
he is deliberately delaying the ejection of its three expelled MPs from
Parliament because he has a vested interest in the matter.

The smaller MDC is agitated by Moyo's failure to act, nearly a month after
formally advising him of the expulsions.

The three lawmakers, Abednico Bhebhe (Nkayi South), Njabuliso Mguni (Lupane
East) and Norman Mpofu (Bulilima East), were last month expelled from the
troubled party for allegedly undermining its leadership.

On Thursday the party's national executive council gave the Speaker up to
next Tuesday to file a notice to confirm the expulsion of its rebel
legislators or face a civil suit.

But Moyo says he will not succumb to pressure to make any rushed decisions
that could prove costly to both Parliament and his reputation.

He said he would not have any reason to block a decision that had been taken
by an independent political party with regard to its MPs.

Moyo was adamant his actions so far were consistent with the "processes and
procedures" to be followed if a party decides to expel an MP.

He says any correspondence relating to the welfare and positions of MPs is
first handled by Parliament's legal council which can take time to consider
submissions.

The council then writes a report advising the Speaker on what course of
action to take.

"The Speaker studies the advice and proceeds to seek a second opinion from
any senior council who may even be a private lawyer to satisfy himself of
the correctness of any decision he is about to take," Moyo said.

He said he was, therefore, surprised by the stance taken by the MDC as he
was egularly in touch with Mutambara over the matter both in Parliament and
as leader of his party.

He, however, said he would not interfere with whatever action the party
finds suitable to advance their interests as it was within its rights.

The MDC says it submitted a letter to Moyo four weeks ago advising him of
the decision to expel its MPs.

Moyo responded: "In Parliament, like in any other working environment, we do
not work on (the basis of) letters only.

"We have a host of other challenges which can easily see us out of office
even for a full week. Receiving a letter does not mean you are able to
respond immediately.

"I have received letters of complaint even from the Morgan Tsvangirai-led
MDC MPs who were not happy with how they have been handled by Parliament.

"We are not serving the interests of political parties but those of
Parliament and its members.

"As Speaker, I am required to look at the merits of the matter. I am alive
to the fact that the stroke of a pen can change the life of a member."

Moyo described as serious, claims that he has addressed rallies called by
the rebel legislators.

"Those accusing me of addressing rallies by Bhebhe, Mguni or Mpofu should be
aware that I also come from a political party where we also had sufficient
crowds to address."

The expelled MPs won 10 crucial seats in for the Mutambara-led MDC in the
2008 parliamentary elections that were dominated by Zanu-PF and the
Tsvangirai's MDC.

When Moyo was elected Speaker of Parliament he won the votes of 110
legislators, while his rival, former legislator, Paul Themba Nyathi trailed
him with 98 votes.

The losing candidate received the backing of his own party, the
Mutambara-led MDC, and more importantly, that of Zanu-PF.

Zanu-PF had hoped that if the two parties combined their votes, its
archrival, the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC, would lose the powerful post of
Speaker of Parliament.

Tsvangirai's MDC controlled 100 seats in the lower house at the time,
against Zanu-PF's 99.

A total of 11 seats in the House were occupied by the smaller MDC while
Jonathan Moyo (Tsholotsho North) was the only independent legislator in
Parliament.

It became clear that the votes that made all the difference for Moyo and the
mainstream MDC could only have come from the Mutambara-led MDC party. This
became the first revelation that Mutambara, who had lost his own seat in the
parliamentary elections, did not enjoy the full support of all his troops.

To add insult to injury, Tsvangirai then nominated Bhebhe, a leading
Mutambara foot-soldier, to a ministerial post under his own party. The move
was generally viewed as reciprocation for Bhebhe's apparent role in securing
the position of Speaker of Parliament for Tsvangirai and his party.

Tsvangirai later reversed this appointment in the face of fierce opposition
from the Mutambara group.

Since then, relations between the Mutambara MDC's executive and the rebel
legislators, who accuse the party president of fighting a Zanu-PF cause,
have never improved.

Masvingo sits on health time-bomb

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=21113

August 14, 2009

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Beneficiaries of the controversial government-sponsored Operation
Garikai housing scheme here  are sitting on a health time bomb and the
Masvingo city council is contemplating demolishing the whole settlement to
avoid a health disaster.

At least 300 people mainly Zanu-PF supporters were allocated two-roomed
houses constructed in Masvingo by government for victims of operation
Murambatsvina who were the intended beneficiaries. The Zanu-PF members
benefited ahead of the intended beneficiaries of the scheme.

The haphazardly constructed houses have become a health  hazard as residents
do not have clean water and proper sanitary facilities.

Masvingo executive mayor Femias Chakabuda said Thursday that the council
might be forced to demolish the whole settlement to avert a health disaster.

"The families staying in these houses are sitting on a health time bomb
because they are using Blair toilets which are now full", said Chakabuda.

"As council there is nothing we can do because we were not consulted in the
first place when these houses were constructed"

"The only help we can give is to demolish the whole settlement in order to
save lives of people because it is a health risk to stay in those houses
which do not have proper sanitary facilities."

"We are going to look closely into the matter  and I do not rule out the
possibility of demolishing the whole settlement."

The council said that it could not  provide proper sanitary facilities
because of the way in which the houses were built.

"There  was poor planning on the part of government when it constructed
these houses", said Chakabuda.

"In any urban settlement you cannot  construct houses first and provide
sanitary facilities later.

"In a normal situation the roads and sewerage systems would have been
constructed first before anyone was allowed to build a structure but in this
case we have a different and unique situation where houses were constructed
first before the provision of water and sanitary facilities".

Healthy experts have warned that diseases such as cholera might break out in
Masvingo's  Garikai settlement .

Cholera claimed hundreds of lives last year in the country mainly due to
lack of clean water and proper sanitary facilities.

"We urge the council to move with speed to avert a health disaster at the
settlement because lives might be lost if diseases are allowed to break up",
said a health expert who requested anonymity

A few years ago the government of President Robert Mugabe embarked on a
clean up exercise in cities and towns under an operation code named
Operation Murambatsvina.

According to the United Nations at least 700 000 people were left homeless
in the country due to the operation which was condemned locally and
internationally.

In an  effort to cover up the government then embarked on  a housing
programme code named Operation Garikai which was aimed at providing
accommodation to  victims of Operation Murambatsvina.

Several sub standard houses were  hurriedly constructed in different cities
and towns following an international outcry over the manner in which victims
of Operation Murambatsvina had been ill-treated by thee authorities.

However, it later emerged that the houses meant to benefit the victims of
Murambatsvina had been allocated to Zanu-PF officials and their friends.

The allocation of the houses was mired in controversy following revelations
that in most cases not even a single victim of the clean up exercise had
benefited from the housing scheme.

Fugitive Zimbabwean Chief Arrested Over Diamonds

http://www.radiovop.com


HARARE, August 14, 2009 - Chief Newman Chiadzwa who has been on the
run since July 27 from security agents have been arrested for contravening
sections of the Precious Stones Trade Act after being found in possession of
about eight kilogrammes of diamonds.

The 54-year old said has been on the run from the security agents for
allegedly revealing gross human rights abuses when Kimberley Process
Certification Scheme team visited Chiadzwa some two months ago.
Chief Chiadzwa then went on the run but managed to give interviews to
the journalists based in the country about the persecution he was facing
from the dreaded CIO operatives.
However he was arrested by Mutare police on Thursday and appeared at
the magistrates' courts.
 It is the state case that on the 14th of October 2006 detectives from
the Minerals Unit headquarters visited Chiadwa's business premises after
receiving information that he was exchanging diamonds with commodities in
his shop.
They searched him and found 177 grams of diamonds in his clothes and
later found 8 433 grams of additional diamonds in his vehicle all valued at
43 028.20 carats and weighing about 8 kilogrammes.
Chief Chiadzwa's defence team led by lawyer Chris Ndlovu are seeking
the court to order ZBC News to avail a video footage which was recorded when
the then minister of Mines and Mining Development, Ambassador Amos Midzi and
other government officials were outlining the then government policy on the
extraction of diamonds in the Chiadzwa fields.
 Ndlovu had argued that the application was vital in their defence,
citing that under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act,
the video footage was necessary in buttressing the defence case as it
explains the then government policy on the extraction of the diamonds.
In his ruling magistrate Musakwa described the defence's application
as a gimmick meant to derail the trial process adding that the application
was with no basis and merit for stopping the trial.
Nelson Makunyire who represented the state had opposed the application
saying it was a ploy by the defence to derail and frustrate the proceedings.
He said that the application was frivolous as the accused Newman
Chiadzwa is denying the charges leveled against him under the pretext that
the stones found in his possession belonged to his late father, hence there
was no logic in requesting the footage when Chiadzwa is not pleading
guilty..
Chiadzwa who is also embroiled in the Chiadzwa chieftainship claim is
facing charges of contravening section 3 subsection 2 of the Precious Stones
Trade Act, chapter 21.06 when he was found in possession of diamonds.
Chiadzwa Diamond Mining Field is now a protected area after government
sealed it off to protect illegal mining. However Government is under
investigation by the Kimberley Process Certification Team which visited the
country to probe human rights abuses. Government faces a ban to mine
diamonds.

Black farm seizure by Zimbabwe bank 'illegal': court

http://www.africasia.com

WINDHOEK, Aug 14 (AFP)

A regional African tribunal ruled Friday that the repossession and sale of
the farm of a black Zimbabwean by a bank in order to recoup an outstanding
loan was "illegal and void."

Luke Tembani took his case to the tribunal of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) based in Namibia in June, seeking to keep his
land.

"The sale of the farm was illegal and void and the legal title of the owner,
Luke Tembani of farm Minverwacht remains valid," Justice Ariranga Pillay
said.

"The ruling is unanimous (of all five judges)," Pillay said.

Tembani became one of Zimbabwe's first black commercial farmers shortly
after independence in 1980 but faced eviction in May after the Agricultural
Bank of Zimbabwe sold his farm to recover a loan.

Tembani asked the tribunal to allow him to keep his land, saying the bank
had reneged on a deal to allow him to sell part of his farm to settle the
loan.

Tembani arranged the loan more than a decade ago to expand his farm.

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

Documents filed with the tribunal stated that the bank had sold the farm in
2000, without any court hearings, even though Tembani was still living on
it.

In June, the Zimbabwe government urged the tribunal not to take up the case
because Tembani still had legal options in the country to settle the matter.

Prison Officers In Trouble For Leaking Story

http://www.radiovop.com


KAROI, August 14, 2009 -  Karoi prison security department and other
State security agencies have launched a manhunt on prison officers who could
have leaked last week address by a top officer that they should support
president Robert Mugabe's candidature ahead of the Zanu PF congress set for
December this year.

The sources said they were addressed by Principal Prison Officer [PPO]
Charles Madekufamba who heads the security department on the story published
by Radio Voice of the People last week that was reprinted by The Zimbabwean
on Tuesday.
''We were addressed by PPO Madekufamba and he said they will probe to
see who could have leaked the information to the press. In fact a copy of
the newspaper was read to those of us who were on parade on Thursday,'' said
one of the sources, who did not want to be identified.

Prison officers, like all Government workers, sign the Official Secret
Act after every six months that bars them to speak about their working
conditions especially to the press, but due to frustrations and political
abuse by Zanu PF government of late, some ''break chains of bondage'' by
leaking information unknown to the public and press.
Anyone found guilty of the offence faces a jail term of not less than
three years without an option of fine.
In Karoi, the manhunt has been extended to other state security
agencies who want to know how that information could have been leaked to the
press.
''Its unfortunate that they do not want us to highlight what we are
going through on abuse of freedom of association and expression as we are
being forced to support a particular candidate from a political party.
Intially,  Chibwe had earlier told us to remain apolitical by not wearing
party regalia and not seeking political office but only to say Mugabe of
Zanu PF is the sole candidate for presidency'' added another source.
Another source added, ''What we said is true and not a security threat
to the nation. We are fed up of being addressed about politics at work where
we must remain professional.''
The manhunt is expected to include unexpected searches at some
suspects' houses including female officers.
Although its not yet clear about their main targets, some sources told
Radio Voice of the People that surveillance has started.
Last weekend ahead of the heroes holidays, one senior officer Chibwe
addressed officers at Karoi and Hurungwe prisons that they must support
Mugabe's candidature. Those who were off-duty were summoned to attend the
district Heroes commemorations held at Magunje growth point about 35
kilometers out of Karoi.
Movement for Democratic Change led by prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai
issued a statement last weekend calling for the ''depoliticising'' of
uniformed forces including the defence so that they must not pay allegiance
to any political party but serve the nation's interest.

MDC National Executive meets tomorrow

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

14 August 2009

By MDC Media Release

The MDC's National Executive meets for the fifth time this year, at the
party's headquarters in Harare tomorrow to deliberate on critical issues
affecting the party and the inclusive government.

Top on the agenda will be a discussion on the outstanding issues to the
Global Political Agreement   (GPA), the progress or lack of it in the
Constitution-making process as well as the grab-all and take-all attitude of
Zanu PF, which has betrayed it as a dishonest partner in the inclusive
government.
The outstanding issues have been the Achilles' Heel of the inclusive
government. Zimbabweans and the international community at large have waited
patiently for visible reforms that reflect the new order and the new
dispensation in the country. That hope has been dampened by Zanu PF's
reluctance to clear all the outstanding issues that continue to puncture the
wheels of change, progress and national development. These include the toxic
issues of Central Bank governor Gideon Gono and Attorney-General Johannes
Tomana, the swearing-in of Deputy Agriculture minister designate Hon Roy
Bennett, the opening up of the media and the appointment of ambassadors and
per
The National Executive will also discuss Zanu PF's grab-all attitude. Zanu
PF wants to cling to governorships in all the 10 provinces; they want to
control the public media and all State institutions including the army and
the police.
Article 20.1.1 of the GPA is clear that executive authority is shared
between the President, the Prime Minister and Cabinet. There has been a
mischievous attempt by residual elements to ridiculously refer to President
Mugabe as the Head of State and Government and Commander-In-Chief of the
Defence Forces. Apart from that, President Mugabe is also the Chancellor of
all State Universities. The President may be an immortal spiritual leader in
Zanu PF but it is mischievous for anyone to transfer his laughable status
and titles in his party to the national functions he executes as President
of the country who is Head of State while the Prime Minister is Head of
Government.
The MDC is the senior partner in this inclusive government. We did not join
anyone's government. Ours is not a unitary arrangement but an inclusive set
up where executive power is equally shared between the President and the
Prime Minister.
As a party, the MDC and its leadership have higher moral authority to claim
senior status and longer titles in this inclusive government because we won
the election on 29 March 2008. But we have never sought to abuse our
national popularity to malign those who dismally lost in that plebiscite.
The MDC is a party of excellence. Our National Executive will assess and
take stock of the Constitution-making process. We remain committed to our
founding values that Constitution-making is a national process that must be
truly people-driven. Zimbabweans must be given the unfettered permission to
write their own Constitution. The people are our compass.
The people shall govern.

President Mugabe congratulates Iran on successful elections

http://www.newsnet.co.zw/index.php?nID=16574

Posted: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:54:38 +0200
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe
Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe, has congratulated the people of the
Republic of Iran and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the successful holding
of elections in that country.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe
Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe, has congratulated the people of the
Republic of Iran and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the successful holding
of elections in that country.

President Mugabe was speaking during a meeting with the visiting Iranian
Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr Mohammed Reza Bagheri at State House.

Cde Mugabe said he is aware of the opinion of the outside world which never
accepts other nations' way of doing things but always creates disturbances.

The President said he is happy the situation in Iran is now under control
and that President Ahmadinejad has been sworn in.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini urged Iranians to accept the
election results after opposition leader, Mir Hussein Mousavi, organised
rallies to protest the outcome of elections held in June

Mugabe must not give in to pressure on unity govt: ruling party

(AFP) - 1 hour ago

HARARE - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ruling party on Friday urged
him not to give into pressure over the country's unity government, saying it
had fulfilled its obligations to the agreement.

"The implementation of the Global Political Agreement (on forming a unity
government) cannot be a one-sided affair," said Zimbabwe African National
Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) spokesman Ephraim Masawi.

"Therefore the ZANU-PF politburo calls on the state secretary and president
of ZANU-PF (Mugabe) to resist any pressures intended to prejudice the party
in a manner that is contrary to the GPA and the constitution of Zimbabwe."

International pressure is mounting on Mugabe to institute reforms in the
country six months after the formation of an inclusive government with rival
Morgan Tsvangirai

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed last week for greater reforms
in Zimbabwe while visiting South Africa where the two countries pledged to
work together to bolster up Zimbabwe's power-sharing pact.

Masawi said the party had fulfilled key obligations such as appointing
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai as
prime minister.

"The constant reference by the MDC to outstanding matters therefore baffles
us," Masawi told a press conference, adding that in return nothing had been
done to remove sanctions against top ZANU-PF government officials.

"It is now six months since the formation of the inclusive government and
ZANU-PF leaders as well as their families are still inhibited to visit
Europe and the United States of America, as indeed in respect of their
children to go to school in these countries."

Both the European Union and the US maintain a travel ban and asset freeze on
Mugabe, his wife and inner circle in protest at controversial polls last
year and alleged human rights abuses by his government.

Health Care Beyond Reach of Majority

http://www.voanews.com/



By Ish Mafundikwa
Harare
14 August 2009

Six months into its existence Zimbabwe's national unity government points to
the opening of hospitals as one of its achievements. Fees at these hospitals
are putting health care beyond the reach of the majority of the country's
population.

Earlier this year, hospitals in Zimbabwe had been closed for months due to a
lack of drugs and equipment to keep them running. The only option for those
in need of medical attention was the private health institutions, which
demanded high fees in foreign currency.

However, hospitals slowly started to re-open after the unity government came
into being.

But for the majority of Zimbabweans health care still remains inaccessible
due to the official introduction of the use of foreign currency and the
death of the Zimbabwe dollar. Consultation fees range from $40 if one wants
to see a private practitioner, $10 for the bigger hospitals and $5 for
clinics.

VOA spoke to some Zimbabweans on the streets of Harare and while all of them
commended the government for having hospitals working again they said the
fees are way too high. Speaking in Shona, a fruit vendor said even the
lowest charge is too much.

He says, the money is a problem because $5 is a lot of money. A lot of
people cannot spare that much.

Another man, a sales clerk, said although he has a salary it's just not
enough to meet medical expenses.

"Right now it's not affordable because the U.S. dollar is very difficult to
come by.  Like we are working, getting $100 per month which is not enough
for your rent, food transport and everything," he said.

One woman said people are already struggling with the basics and the
majority of Zimbabweans just can't afford the fees. She also said some
people were prevented from leaving a maternity home after they could not
settle their bills.

"They actually locked them up until their husband or their friends come and
pay so that they can let them out," she said.

Dr. Brighton Chizhande of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association
confirmed this happens especially where there are doubts about the patient's
ability to pay once discharged. He said before being attended to a patient
must pay a consultation fee. In addition to that they must pay for whatever
investigation or procedure is carried out on them.

"If in the event that the patient has to be discharged without having paid
all the bills, considering the fact that some of these patients can later
say they no longer have any more money, then the hospital is undertaking to
engage debt collectors who are going to take property from those patients
homes if they don't pay," Chizhande said.

VOA tried unsuccessfully to get a comment from the Zimbabwe Ministry of
Health and Child Welfare. The formation of the unity government has arrested
the economic meltdown the country has experienced over the past decade. But
recovery is proving to be a slow and painful process and more than 90
percent of the workforce is still unemployed.

Strikes test unity government

http://in.reuters.com/

Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:17pm IST

By MacDonald Dzirutwe
HARARE (Reuters) - The threat of spreading strikes in Zimbabwe could
undermine a six-month-old unity government that has brought rare hope, but
has failed to win vital funding from donors who demand faster political and
economic reform.

A pay strike by doctors this week is the first major sign of local
discontent with the government formed in February between President Robert
Mugabe and old rival Morgan Tsvangirai. Now teachers say they are getting
ready to strike too.

Any worsening could strengthen those on both sides who feel the alliance is
ultimately doomed and cannot rescue Zimbabwe from the decade of decline that
Mugabe's foes blame on his rule and he says is due to Western sanctions
targeting him.

"This is new terrain for the unity government and it just shows the urgent
need for foreign financial assistance. If the strikes are sustained it's
certainly a blow to any prospects of recovery," John Robertson, a consultant
economist said.

Demanding more money, state doctors walked out of hospitals that were just
getting back on their feet after a cholera outbreak that killed 5,000 people
at the turn of the year.

Teachers have threatened to strike and a union official said on Thursday
they would meet soon to decide on whether to embark on industrial action
when schools open next month.

"The honeymoon for the government seems to be over and we are likely to see
more of those strikes in the public sector," said political science lecturer
Eldred Masunungure.

Reopening schools and hospitals had been among the greatest achievements of
the government, which has also brought goods back into shops and a return of
price stability by abandoning a worthless local currency that led to
hyperinflation.

To satisfy workers whose goodwill has run out, however, the government needs
money -- exactly what it does not have.

Official data shows monthly revenues more than doubling since February to
$70 million, but the government says it cannot afford the wage increases
demanded by more than 80,000 state employees, most of whom earn around $150
a month.

Doctors, who get around $170, seek $1,000 and $500 in allowances. Teachers
want a $460 minimum wage.

Looking over the border, Zimbabweans have seen South African workers get pay
rises with strikes and threats. The same rules do not apply in Zimbabwe.

WARY DONORS

The government says it needs $8.3 billion for reconstruction, but has failed
to win direct support from Western donors despite the best efforts of
Tsvangirai, long feted in the West for standing up to Mugabe.

Although complaints of detentions and harassment continue from Mugabe's
opponents and the small remaining community of white farmers, the unity
government has functioned better than many believed possible.

In a sign of Tsvangirai's acceptance by the old elite, he this week won the
salute of the top brass at a military ceremony -- something they had sworn
they would never do.

There has been some support from regional states, which fear the
consequences of total collapse in Zimbabwe. The crisis has already sent at
least 3 million people -- or a quarter of the population -- fleeing in
search of work.

But Western donors say they must have more evidence of political, social and
economic reform before providing money.

When pressed during a visit to South Africa, however, U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton, gave no specific demands -- fuelling suspicions of
some in Mugabe's camp that all the West wants is to see him go after nearly
three decades in power.

The strikes could divide the government by giving hardliners in Mugabe's
ZANU-PF the argument that Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
has failed to ease economic hardships despite its promises to secure foreign
aid.

"But on the other hand the MDC may say things are not moving because of
intransigence on the part of ZANU-PF which is blocking some key reforms,"
John Makumbe, a political analyst and long time Mugabe critic said.

The largest trade union, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, is an ally
of Tsvangirai's party but that has not stopped it threatening a general
mobilisation of workers to demand more pay.

Unlike in the past, when most critical eyes focused on the 85-year-old
Mugabe, Tsvangirai could become a scapegoat if the economy reverses its
gains through lack of aid.

But analysts believe the coalition will have little choice but to hold
together because catastrophe would come even more quickly if it fell apart.

"The strikes are a major threat to the unity government but I don't see it
in imminent danger of collapse, it will muddle through in its weak state,"
Masunungure said.

Welcome to Zimbabwe

http://www.kubatanablogs.net/kubatana/?p=2085

The first sign I got that I was back home was the torturous customs queue at
Harare International Airport.

"Queuing already and we haven't even gotten out of the airport," remarked
the frustrated man in front of me.

I couldn't have agreed with him more.

Unlike other countries where returning nationals form their own separate
line at customs, returning Zimbabweans tend to be lumped along with everyone
else, although there is a separate counter which is meant specifically for
us. None of the airport staff, however, usually bother to tend it.

Having been away for two months, I had sincerely hoped that things were
slowly beginning to change for the better in Zimbabwe.

But the dejection of the customs officials - enough even for them to not
bother with a warm hello before putting the obligatory stamp into our
passports - was evidence enough for me that my fellow countrymen were still
as oppressed and depressed as I had left them.

It was during my time away that Prime Minister Tsvangirai had toured Europe
and the United States seeking to breathe some warm air over frosty relations
between Zimbabwe and the West. Though he returned to Zimbabwe with a very
small purse of funds, the signs of integration of our pariah nation into
international politics had sparked hope within me.

But it was also during my time away that the constitutional reform process -
the hallmark of the new government of national unity - had collapsed. And it
was again during this time that I learnt that civil servants' salaries had
been raised, but only to a paltry range of between USD 150 and 200 per
month.

Soon, I realised that only my physical presence within Zimbabwe would give
me a real feel of whether anything had changed.

And the drive from the airport deepened my appreciation of the situation.

The kaleidoscope colours of garbage strewn all over caught my eyes as I
watched snaking queues of people standing street-side hoping desperately for
transport.

My heart began to tumble down my chest in despair.

"Let's hope there's electricity when we get home," my mother interjected,
pausing my heart's descent, only to make it fall even faster.

That was another thing to start worrying about again; so far removed from
the comparatively 'breezy' life I had enjoyed in Berlin, Germany, where I
never had to give care to the most basic of necessities.

But the worst was still yet to come.

As we continued to drive, the potholes in the roads, some the size of
basins, were causing vehicles to swerve precariously into neighbouring lanes
and onto the curb in a bid to avoid becoming stuck in the craters, or
damaging shock absorbers.

What kind of a country pays no attention to the maintenance and repair of
roads, of rights, of what is right for its citizens?

"Those potholes are a reflection of the holes in our own hearts," rued my
friend as we swerved past yet another one.

If things continue like this, I wonder if we will still have hearts, or
maybe just gaping holes in our souls.

For now, what is left of mine continues to bleed for my country.

This entry was posted on August 14th, 2009 at 10:24 am by Fungai Machiror

Four head to federal prison for fraud scheme

Former Zambian president faces jail in unprecedented corruption trial

From The Guardian (UK), 13 August

David Smith, Africa correspondent

A former president of Zambia faces jail tomorrow after an unprecedented
criminal trial that should send a shiver down the spines of once untouchable
autocrats in Africa. A verdict is expected in the case against Frederick
Chiluba, accused of "plundering the national economy" during his decade-long
rule in the southern African state. He has already lost a civil court case
that found he laundered around $50m from his impoverished people to help
fund lavish spending on designer clothes and shoes. If, as expected, he is
found guilty in Lusaka tomorrow on a criminal charge of stealing $500,000,
Chiluba could face at least five years in jail. Legal experts believe the
trial is the first of its kind in which an African leader has been
prosecuted for corruption in his own country, and could set a precedent for
bringing other so-called "big men" to justice. "Today's dictator could be
tomorrow's defendant," said Michael Sullivan QC, who led the successful
civil action against Chiluba at the high court in London two years ago.
"Politicians of all sorts are forever talking about the need to fight
corruption; here is an historic example of the fight in action. It is widely
believed that this trial will have great repercussions for the rest of
Africa."

Chiluba, president between 1991 and 2001, was effectively the author of his
own downfall when he anointed his successor, Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa
smashed any sense of cosy patronage by launching an anti-corruption drive
that probed Chiluba's time in office. The outspoken Mwanawasa also strongly
criticised Robert Mugabe, the president of neighbouring Zimbabwe. Sullivan
said: "He [Mwanawasa] was no puppet. He pursued the case as a lawyer, not
for political reasons. He had a genuine feeling for the plight of his
people." Chiluba never forgave his successor, who died last year, and told
the court in a statement: "The presidency in Africa is not cheap. People die
to secure the presidency. But here was Mr Mwanawasa, who received it on a
silver platter from my hands. He stabbed me in the back badly. I still
bleed." One of the most striking details to emerge from the civil case in
London was Chiluba's extravagant taste in clothes. Eleven metal trunks were
discovered in a warehouse containing designer suits, monogrammed shirts,
ties, silk pyjamas and dressing gowns and more than a hundred pairs of
shoes, many in lurid colours and bearing Chiluba's initials in brass. Each
size-six pair had heels nearly 2in high - the former president stands just
over 5ft tall. Chiluba spent more than $500,000 in a single shop, Boutique
Basile, in Geneva, the high court concluded in the 2007 case brought by
Zambia's attorney-general. Antonio Basile, the shop's owner, testified in a
separate trial last year that payment for the clothes sometimes arrived in
suitcases full of cash.

Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than
two-thirds of the population living on less than $1 a day. Chiluba, a former
bus conductor and trade union leader before ending the 27-year socialist
rule of Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president, has vehemently denied the
allegations, insisting he has been the victim of a political witch-hunt. His
wife, Regina, was convicted on corruption charges in March and sentenced to
three and a half years in prison. His own trial has dragged on for six years
due to procedural delays and his ill health. Maxwell Nkole, the leader of
the anti-corruption task force pursuing the case, said: "Zambians are
watching anxiously. They have waited too long to have this result." Nkole
said he hoped the example would be followed elsewhere. "Everybody is paying
attention to what is going on in Zambia. Hopefully other countries will have
the courage to tackle high-level corruption. I think this sets a precedent."
Jon Elliott, Africa advocacy director of the pressure group Human Rights
Watch, said: "The Chiluba trial now sends a strong signal to future leaders
in Zambia and the region that they may be held accountable for crimes they
commit when in office. So it is crucial that this trial sets the right
precedent by being seen to be fair and just." He added: "But there is still
work to be done in Zambia: allegations that the government is targeting
journalists that criticise its record cause concern. Freedom of expression
is also a key to effective accountability."

Zimbabwe down Bangladesh

Zimbabwean cricket players celebrate [AFP]

Hamilton Masakadza scored a maiden century and Brendan Taylor added 94 runs to guide Zimbabwe to a 69-run victory over Bangladesh in the third one-day international.

Masakadza smashed four boundaries and two sixes to score 102 from 112 balls in his 71st ODI as Zimbabwe made 323-7.

He was once was the youngest centurion on test debut after scoring 119 as a 17-year-old schoolboy against West Indies in Harare in 2001.

Medium-pace bowler Tawanda Mupariwa, playing for the first time on his home ground at the Queens Sports Club, and spinner Ray Price then took three wickets each as Bangladesh was bowled out for 254 runs in 44.2 overs.

Zimbabwe now trails 2-1 in the five-match series.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time,'' Masakadza said. "It's always nice to get off the mark. I've been close a few times but today I finally came through. The greatest feeling is that I wanted to do well for the team and we won the game.''

Masakadza put on 142 for the fourth wicket with Taylor before playing across the line to be bowled by spinner Enamul Haque.

Zimbabwe had gone from 60-3 in the 12th over to 202-4 in the 39th over.

Taylor, a batsman-wicketkeeper, and Elton Chigumbura then put on 90 in just over seven overs. Taylor, who was dropped in the deep by Haque on 57, was run out in the 48th over.

Chigumbura, who reached his half-century off just 26 balls, ended up 61 not out after hitting three boundaries and five sixes.

Raqbul Hassan top-scored for Bangladesh with 78 before being clean bowled by fuller ball from Masakadza's slow seamers.

Poor start

Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start when Mupariwa had Tamim Iqbal caught by Mark Vermeulen in the slips on the first ball of the innings.

Eight balls and eight runs later, opener Naeem Islam was bowled for 4 by an inswinging delivery from Chigumbura.

Mohammad Ashraful, who scored a century in the first match, was caught for 9 by Masakadza on the boundary off Mupariwa, and Bangladesh was 16-3 in the fifth over.

Mushfiqur Rahim added 33 off 39 balls before miscuing a ball from Price and being caught by Charles Coventry at deep extra cover.

No. 9 batsman Alam Mahbubul put up some resistance at the end with an entertaining 59, hitting part-time spinner Malcolm Waller for three straight sixes in one over. He added 55 runs with number with Mehrab Hossain, who made 25.

"We didn't bowl well and we didn't field well,'' Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said.

"It was a very difficult day for us and hopefully we will come back in the next game.''

Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya said a meeting with sports minister David Coltart after losing Tuesday's match had helped the team.

"The minister came and told us that he believed in us. It helped,'' Utseya said. "He told the guys what it meant to be representing the country. It was very encouraging to have a minister motivating us there in the changing room.''