Conservation fears as wildlife park seized by Mugabe henchmen

MDC fires corrupt councilors

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

The MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has booted out 12 corrupt councilors and 13
other councilors will be summoned and cautioned.
25.08.1201:40pm
by Moses Chibaya

Tsvangirai
Addressing a press conference in Harare Deputy Secretary General Tapiwa
Mashakada said MDC did a service delivery audit of local authorities
controlled by the MDC namely Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Chinhoyi,
Marondera, Bindura, Kwekwe, Zvishavane and Gokwe.

"We have found out that 12 of our councilors face immediate expulsion from
the party because of practices and conduct which is below the bar so we will
be announcing the names once we have informed the councilors.

"The counselors are in Harare, some are in Gweru, some are in Zvishavane,
Bindura and Kwekwe," he said.

Mashakada said 13 councilors are going to be warned and cautioned.

"About 13 councilors will be summoned to the party for warning and
cautioning again for conduct that is likely to be prejudicial in future if
not checked in its infancy," he said.

He said the move shows that MDC "will never sweep corruption under the
carpet. We have acted before on the case of Chitungwiza. We have to be
accountable and transparent and conduct ourselves in public office in a
manner that does not deride the expectation of the people."

Mashakada assured residents that MDC does not condone corruption and "where
we have evidence that there is corruption we will deal with that
ruthlessly."

However Mashakada said there are some MDC councils that have done
exceptionally well.

"We have to celebrate other MDC council that have performed extremely well
for example city of Bulawayo, it imaged in the report as one of our councils
which has executed and discharged its responsibilities in a manner that has
been well received by residents. Gokwe rural district council has also
performed well. Chinhoyi also did well."

The Secretary General of the party Tendai Biti said: "The context of this
report is to simply underline the fact that there are no hidden cardboards
sacred cows in our party and we are prepared to take decisive action against
nay omission and commissions.

"We are also prepared to celebrate excellence where it exists."

The MDC National Executive stamps authority

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The MDC National Executive held an extensive meeting today at the party’s
national headquarters Harvest House in Harare.
25.08.1201:31pm
by MDC Information & Publicity Department

The Executive came up with a number of resolutions on the draft
Constitution, a review of the state of the party and the performance of its
deployees in local councils.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, the MDC Secretary General,
Hon. Tendai Biti said the National Executive took stock of the State of the
party on its journey to achieving democracy and real change, its performance
in government and its relationship with partners in and outside Zimbabwe.

The National Executive was pleased to note that the MDC had fully
constituted structures in every ward, district and province of the country
despite the challenges it is facing such as the tyranny and dictatorship of
Zanu PF and State sponsored violence.

The National Executive was content with the quality of the leadership that
was elected into office at its Third National Congress held last year in
Bulawayo.

Hon. Biti said the National Executive was happy that the MDC was on course
with its resolutions made on 19 March 2006 at the second National Congress
held in Harare.

The resolutions included dragging Zanu PF to the negotiating table, the
formation of a transitional government which would lead to the stabilisation
of the economy, attending to the issues of legislative reforms to enable the
holding of free and fair elections, a new people- driven constitution and
the country is now at the stage where it has a draft Constitution awaiting a
referendum and finally the holding of a free and fair election.

The National Executive also received with great disappointment the
amendments made by Zanu PF to the signed draft Constitution.

The leadership analysed each of the chapters amended by Zanu PF and resolved
that the amendments should not be considered as they are an insult to the
people of Zimbabwe.

It restated the party’s position of endorsing the draft Constitution that
was scrutinised by the National Council early this month and said the draft
must be subjected to a referendum and the people of Zimbabwe must exercise
their right of saying Yes or No.

The National Executive members also got the opportunity to look at the party’s
economic policy document (JUICE) which addresses issues of Jobs, Upliftment,
Investment Capital and Ecology. The Executive agreed that the document is
the best answer to Zanu PFs crazy and suicidal policies.

The leadership noted that the major challenge faced by Zimbabwe is lack of
jobs and direct foreign investment, elements that are ably captured in the
JUICE policy document.

The JUICE document, which will be launched in September, bears testimony to
the people of Zimbabwe that the MDC is the only legitimate alternative to a
democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.

The National Executive also received from the deputy secretary general, Dr.
Tapiwa Mashakada, a report on a commission that investigated the state of
the 10 MDC-led councils operations. The commission was set up in March this
year.

Dr Mashakada said The National Executive was happy with the performance of
the MDC-run councils, especially in areas of water provision and refuse
collection considering that in 2008 under the Zanu PF administration,
service delivery had completely collapsed but expressed concern on the
interference by Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo in the running
of local authorities.

The National Executive noted that road maintenance in local councils was
poor and said that this was as a result of the Zimbabwe National Road
Authority (Zinara) taking all the revenue for motor vehicles and remitting
little if anything to the councils for road maintenance.

The Executive noted corruption taking place in some ouncils and how some
senior council officials especially the town clerks triggered this disease.

The National Executive endorsed the report that calls for the dismissal of
12 councillors who will be communicated to in due course. The party will
summon thirteen other councillors for warning and cautioned statements.

Dr. Mashakada said the expulsions were a clear sign that the MDC does not
condone any form of corruption and will not sweep it under the carpet.
Similar audits will be done on ministers from the MDC and other party
deployees in government.

The National Executive however, commended the impressive performances in
some councils such as Bulawayo, Chinhoyi and Gokwe.

On another note, the MDC National Executive will be celebrating its 13th
anniversary on the 29th of September 2012 at the White City Stadium in
Bulawayo.

This year’s celebrations will be held under the banner; “MDC @13 The Last
Mile:Towards Real Transformation"

Visiting Lesotho Prime Minister Heaps Praise On Mugabe

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, August 25, 2012 - Visiting Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has
heaped praise on President Robert Mugabe describing him as a resilient
leader who has strongly defended his country from the effects of western
imposed sanctions.

The Lesotho leader was guest of honour at the official opening of this year’s
Harare Agricultural Show on Friday afternoon.

“The people of Zimbabwe chose the right leader at the right time…a leader
courageous and strong enough to withstand the pressures that were unleashed
by those who wanted to prove that his decisions in defence of the
aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe were wrong and ill advised,” Prime
Minister Thabane said.

“It is true that as a result of those decisions, Zimbabwe went through great
economic difficulties but today many people in our region and beyond
acknowledge with admiration the solid foundation which his policies have
build for the economic prosperity of the present and future generations of
this country.”

He said he took President Mugabe’s invitation to Zimbabwe as a command as he
was a great African leader with longer experience as a national leader.

Prime Minister Thabane hailed Mugabe whom he said has helped restore peace
and security in neighbouring Mozambique, Angola, DRC and in his country
Lesotho.

He urged Zimbabweans to be self sufficient especially in terms of food
security saying foreign oppressors have tended to manipulate hungry and
desperate nations.

“Zimbabweans must produce the food that is needed by Zimbabweans and
Zimbabweans must learn to consume and patronise Zimbabwean goods and food
commodities,” he said.

“Without self reliance in food, our countries shall remain vulnerable to
political manipulation by those who are richer and more developed.

History has shown that there are some of us who use hunger and poverty as a
weapon to subdue those who are less fortunate. Without producing its own
food, a nation can lay no claim to dignity.”

The Lesotho Premier joined the chorus of calling for “the total lifting of
all sanctions against this sisterly country” which he said was undermining
the Zimbabwe’s independence.

He also praised Mugabe for joining forces with his former rivals to form a
coalition government.

It is the first time that the veteran Basotho politician is visiting
Zimbabwe in his new capacity since he was appointed to lead the tiny kingdom’s
first ever coalition government in June this year.

He is in Zimbabwean on a three-day state visit.

EU To Support GALZ

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, August 25, 2012-The European Union has pledged to give legal support
to the vilified Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) which the Zimbabwean
Police Thursday charged with “illegally” operating.

“As a matter of fact we are giving legal support to the affected members of
this organisation. The European Union condemns in strongest terms the
harassment and intimidation of all human rights defenders who are engaging
in social or political rights.

“Our concern is more in the sense that the incidence of 11thof August was
followed by further intimidation and harassments to this organisation”,
European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell'Ariccia told Radio VOP in
Harare.

“We are concerned that this is happening during the constitution making
process and where there is preparation for the holding of a democratic
election.”

Police on Thursday initiated a process to shut down the offices of the Gays
and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) after charging a representative of the
organisation for running an “unregistered” organisation.

Detectives at the Law and Order Section at the Harare Central Police Station
said GALZ, is running an “unregistered” organisation in contravention of
Section 6 (iii) of the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Act.

The charges come after a weeklong of raiding the organisation’s offices
where the police confiscated computers, laptops memory sticks and fliers
looking for incriminating evidence.

Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupanga Bhatasara Attorneys representing GALZ told
Radio VOP in Harare Friday that his clients are innocent.

“We are challenging the charges which they have pressed against our clients
because they have been there for more than 10 years operating under the
common law. But the police are saying they are supposed tobe registered
under the PVO Act.

“It is not an offence to be gay under the Zimbabwean constitution but if one
man sodomises another man then it becomes an offence. It is only intolerance
within the society and political leadership here in Zimbabwe which has made
the vilification of gays and lesbians not that it is an offence to be gay,”
he said.

Last month, the police summoned Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, to stand trial at the Harare Magistrates
Court after charging him with running an “unregistered” organisation in
contravention of the PVO Act.

However, the trial did not commence after State, withdrew summons issued
against Chikomo and advised him to proceed by way of summons.

Zanu PF bomb blast suspect put off remand

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

25/08/2012 00:00:00

by Staff Reporter

ABISHA Nyanguwo, the MDC-T’s chief of staff who is accused of bombing the
Zanu PF offices in Gweru had his bail conditions relaxed Friday after the
prosecutors failed to have the trial kick off for the fourth time.

Gweru magistrate Mildred Mutuvi said the State will proceed by way of
summons until it gets its act together as she dismissed an application for
further remand.

Nyanguwo, 45, was arrested in March this year after police linked his
vehicle to the December 27, 2011, blast at Zanu PF’s Development House
offices along 7th Street in central Gweru.

The arrest followed a police raid at his Harare home where investigators
confiscated his Isuzu truck, claiming it had been used in the blast.

Prosecutors claim Nyanguwo drove to the Zanu PF offices at around 2300hrs
where he planted two explosive devices and ignited them before speeding
away.

The explosion destroyed property worth $900.

Nyanguwo denies any involvement in the blast.

He is out on $500 bail.

Bonwell Balamanja prosecuted.

Grace Mugabe wins award at agricultural show

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

25/08/2012 00:00:00

by Staff Reporter

FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe’s Alpha and Omega dairy products company on Friday
picked up a trophy for best display at the Harare Agricultural Show.

President Robert Mugabe’s wife launched the dairy range in June, immediately
becoming a major player in the market with products that include sour milk,
fresh milk, powdered milk, yoghurts and ice cream.

The company’s stand picked up the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Floating
Trophy for ‘Best Designed Show Stand’.

Mugabe’s sons Robert Jnr and Chatunga Bellarmine received the award on
behalf of their mother.

Later, the First Lady surprised show goers by handing out some of their
products – triggering a rush to the stand.

President Mugabe and the visiting Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane also
visited the stand, each picking up a yoghurt.

Grace, 46, installed a state-of-the-art plant at the Gushungo Dairy Estate
in Mazowe, reputed to have the second-biggest dairy parlour in southern
Africa, capable of milking 64 cows at a time.

She has more than 2,000 dairy cows on the farm.

Speaking during a tour of the Agricultural Show on Friday, she said: “We are
just two and a half months into the market and we have embraced value
addition which is good for the economy.

“If we continue to export our goods in their raw form, we miss out.”

Her dairy farm previously supplied milk to Nestle, but the Swiss
conglomerate cancelled its orders for political reasons after being
threatened with an international boycott for doing business with Mugabe.

NCA response to draft constitution by GPA political parties

They don't exist anymore

Dear Family and Friends,
It’s one down and two to go in our deeply suspicious Zimbabwe. After
very inadequate advertising about what information was being sought
and why, our 2012 census got underway. It was met with more than a
little suspicion. It had followed a fortnight of mayhem with soldiers
demanding they be registered as enumerators, invading workshops,
intimidating people and then stopping registration of valid
enumerators. Then came almost daily flip flopping by authorities about
the training of enumerators, the need for training, the timing of
training, the cancellation of training and then the resumption of
training. To say that people were confused is an understatement. Just
when we thought the census wasn’t going to happen at all, deputy
Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara rode in on a white horse. Mutamabara
reportedly held marathon meetings with the ministers of Defence,
Security and the two co-Home Affairs Ministers to ensure that the
census would go ahead. Why such intervention was needed no-one
understood but by then the damage had been done and everyone was
deeply suspicious about the whole process. As the census began no one
really knew who exactly was going to be doing the counting and if we
could trust them either in our homes or with the answers we gave to
their questions.

Where were you on the night of Friday the 17th was the first of what
most people had thought would be a few basic questions. We should be
so lucky! The census official took out a huge red and white A3 form
and waded into a myriad of questions. Somewhere near the bottom of the
page and by then knowing my name, age, address, where I was born and
what my education and occupation was, the census official looked up.
More in statement than question she said: “ You are a Citizen.”
All the answers I’d given thus far indicated I was and so she seemed
a bit taken aback when I replied: “Alien.” Her eyebrows went up so
I said: “ Alien! Struck off the voters roll because my parents
weren’t born here.” There was no time to say more or to say how
aggrieved and discriminated against the multiple thousands of born and
raised, tax-paying Zimbabweans feel at being struck off and classified
as ‘aliens. ’ The census enumerator didn’t say anything more,
just blacked in another mark on the form with her pencil. Thinking it
was over I groaned when she turned the form over and I saw the other
side was also completely covered with questions. “I don’t remember
so many questions in the 2002 census,” I said. “There weren’t
even half this many,” she replied. “I was shocked to see all these
questions myself. if I had known, I would never have put my name down
to do the job this time,” she said.

Twenty minutes later we were finished. The one question I had hoped
would be asked but wasn’t was how many members of my family had been
living in Zimbabwe in 2002 but now lived in the diaspora. The number
of Zimbabweans who left for the diaspora in the last twelve years is
thought to be three or four million but on the basis of the 2012
census questions being asked in ordinary homes last week, it seems
they don’t exist anymore.

Thirty one thousand enumerators were engaged to count an estimated
population of 14 million people. Each enumerator had to count
approximately 466 people in the ten days allocated for the census. The
cost of the census was estimated to be a staggering 37 million US
dollars which works out at about US$ 2.60 per person! What a
performance just to count us, we dread to think of the inevitable
turmoil looming with the constitutional referendum (if it even
happens) and then an election. Until next time, thanks for reading,
love cathy 25th August 2012. Copyright � Cathy Buckle.
www.cathybuckle.com

Will the AU or SADC rescue Zimbabwe from its crisis?

http://www.cathybuckle.com

August 24, 2012, 1:36 pm

News this week of another high quality diamond find, in Chimanimani
this time. The thought that the majestic beauty of those eastern mountains
might be invaded by hundreds of miners with pick axes and shovels is too
painful to contemplate but apparently it has already happened. And, like
everything else in Zimbabwe, it is Zanu PF who are in the forefront. They
may pay lip service to conservation and looking after the natural
environment but when it comes to the glitter of gold or the sparkle of
diamonds, principles tend to go out the window. And this is only the start;
like the old wild west, Zimbabwe is in the throes of a gold/diamond rush.
Minister of Mines, Obert Mpofu, says Zimbabwe is set to dominate the world
diamond market. As for this latest find, it’s reported that a local company
has been partnered by a Russian concern and they will go into full
production by the end of 2012. Just in time, Zanu PF will need all the gold,
diamonds or any other minerals they can lay their hands on to fund the next
election. All the youth militia and so-called war vets who will fight –
quite literally – for the Zanu PF cause will have to be paid. Meanwhile the
diamond mines continue to be dominated by Zanu PF. They have monopolised the
mining and marketing of the Chiadzwa diamonds and there is no reason to
think that the Chimanimani discovery will be any different. Not for the
first time, I wonder exactly what it is that keeps the party loyal to Mugabe
but whatever it is their aim appears to be to keep him in power for the rest
of his life so that they can continue making money.

Nevertheless, the party seems none too sure about its chances in the
next election. There was a report this week that Zanu PF is securing funds
from international companies to pay for the election. Big business is only
too keen to see Mugabe remain in power; that way they can be sure their
interests will be protected. Any possible change in the status quo makes
these business tycoons extremely nervous. So, it’s not hard to understand
why the police do nothing to stop the behaviour of people like the Masvingo
Governor who, together with a fanatical Zanu PF MP, has invaded the Save
Conservancy or a group of Zanu PF youths who are fighting to take control of
Victoria Falls in the run-up to the World Tourism Conference next August.
The police, led by a fanatical Zanu PF supporter, will do nothing to rock
the boat. In fact, there is evidence from all quarters that Zimbabwe is
becoming increasingly lawless, a state where, like wild beasts, the biggest
and most powerful animals fight for control of the remaining resources. They
know that Mugabe will turn a blind eye to their actions, providing he and
the party get a share of the loot.

It is not surprising then that the drafting of the new constitution has
run into such difficulties over the role of the president. Zanu PF can no
longer be 100% certain of the people’s support and without Mugabe they are
done for, or that’s what they believe. The MDC too has suffered from its
compromised position in the GNU; in fact, there seems to be little
difference between the two parties. Looking on from the outside, it seems as
if each side is fighting for political supremacy – including all the
material benefits that go with it - and has overlooked the needs of ordinary
citizens. For Zimbabweans in the diaspora, longing to go home, the prospects
for the country’s future look gloomy. In such a scenario, Zanu PF does what
it always does: blames the colonialists for the whole mess! The CIO are
apparently making a ‘documentary’ to show how white members of the MDC
behaved in the past. People like Ian Kay and Roy Bennett are ‘smeared’ and
villagers are conscripted into playing the part of the hapless victims of
evil white domination. The film will be shown on ZTV we are told but as one
of the villagers commented, the film was ‘doomed’ anyway because no one
watches ZTV any more!

Will the AU or SADC rescue Zimbabwe from its crisis? It seems unlikely;
no one wants to offend the Grand Old Man of African politics. Meanwhile
Mugabe has the diamonds and the gold to keep his followers happy and loyal.

Yours in the (continuing) struggle, Pauline Henson.