Zimbabwe PM: No More Talks On New Constitution

Aug 28, 7:56 AM EDT

BY ANGUS SHAW
ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said
Tuesday he won't renegotiate over a draft constitution despite demands by
President Robert Mugabe for major amendments to the document.

Tsvangirai said he was ready to reconsider "one or two issues" but Mugabe's
party had completely rewritten the draft. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, in a shaky
coalition with the former opposition, "totally rejected" the draft that had
been agreed upon and signed by representatives from all parties, he said.

The deadlock over the constitution could only be broken by regional leaders
who brokered the coalition after disputed and violent elections in 2008,
Tsvangirai told reporters.

"I hope they will act," he said.

Under the terms of the coalition, a referendum on a reformed constitution
must be held before fresh elections. Mugabe's party wants sweeping powers it
has held since independence in 1980 restored in the draft constitution.

Tsvangirai said the draft should now be put to Zimbabwean voters in the
referendum and he urged ZANU-PF: "If you don't agree, go out and campaign
for a `No' vote."

Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change, has called on its
supporters to back the draft with a `Yes' vote.

Mugabe's party insists the draft is now in the hands of the three leaders of
the coalition, known as the "principals," to iron out their differences.

"I am one of the principals. The principals cannot renegotiate the document
and do not have a veto on the constitution. Let the people be the final
arbiters, certainly not me," Tsvangirai said.

Mugabe's party has also said the president can call elections with or
without a new constitution.

Tsvangirai said such a move would be in breach of the coalition agreement
crafted by leaders of the Southern African Development Community, the
15-nation economic and political bloc, and would be illegal under the
existing constitution.

`'I don't think SADC will allow that," Tsvangirai said.

It was now up to the regional bloc and the chief mediator on Zimbabwe,
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, to "unlock" the stalemate over
democratic reforms in the constitution and press for the implementation of
other reforms set down in the power-sharing agreement before elections can
be held by mid-2013.

"It would be suicidal for us to take part in elections without the necessary
reforms. If it collapses it would spell doom for the conduct of free and
fair elections," he said.

Tsvangirai said reforms of the state media controlled by Mugabe loyalists
lagged far short of targets in the coalition agreement which called for an
end to hate speech and media bias. Tsvangirai charged that he and his party
are still vilified by what he called "the propaganda mouthpieces of ZANU-PF"
of the state-owned news media that have mass audiences.

He said in the 36-month life of the coalition he had never appeared as the
prime minister on state television progams or discussions.

Tsvangirai is shown by the sole television broadcaster in news clips, but
often with a derogatory slant, report media freedom groups.

Tsvangirai on Tuesday described media reform as "key if this country is to
have some semblance of a free and fair election."

"We will not take part in anything other than a fair election," he said.
"Anything else is a circus."

SA Facilitators in Harare to tackle draft charter deadlock

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
28 August 2012

The facilitation team representing South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma held
a meeting with Zimbabwe’s negotiators in Harare on Tuesday, to try and
breathe life into the stalled constitutional reform process.

The visit follows a weekend decision by ZANU PF’s politburo that their
amended draft charter is “final and non-negotiable”, with the MDC formations
insisting that the agreed version be taken to the All Stakeholders
Conference.

Lindiwe Zulu, President Zuma’s International Relations advisor and
spokesperson for the facilitation team, confirmed the meeting with
negotiators was taking place Tuesday. Her team also includes Charles Nqakula
and Mac Maharaj. Zulu said President Zuma was not expected in Harare this
week.

The facilitators have a difficult mountain to climb with the MDC formations
insisting they will not give in to ZANU PF demands to amend the version
agreed to by all political parties.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told journalists at his monthly press
briefing Tuesday that he has rejected ZANU PF’s proposed amendments and a
deadlock is now “inevitable”.

MDC-N leader Professor Welshman Ncube echoed the same sentiments. He told SW
Radio Africa that there is no chance his party will renegotiate the draft
constitution with ZANU PF, who he said do not have enough of a majority in
parliament to force an election with their version of the constitution.

“ZANU PF is basically saying they have given themselves the right and the
power to rewrite any clause in the constitution the way they wish and the
other parties must accept their version of every clause. And it is not an
invitation to negotiate. It is clearly a directive to say accept what we
have done,” Ncube explained.

He added: “Clearly we will not be dictated to by ZANU PF. There is
absolutely no chance that we will ever grant ZANU PF the power of the last
word in writing the Constitution of Zimbabwe. And they have no balls to take
their version to a referendum because they know it will be rejected by the
Zimbabwean people.

But many observers are questioning whether there is any political will
within SADC to pressure Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF, given the controversial
role SADC leaders played in protecting them by suspending the SADC Tribunal
in Namibia.

The regional court had ruled in 2008 that Mugabe’s land grab exercise was
illegal and racist and must stop. The Mugabe regime dismissed the ruling and
challenged its legality. Rather than deal with them, SADC leaders suspended
the Tribunal’s operations instead, affecting all human rights cases in the
region.

Meanwhile in a statement the Crisis Coalition said Zimbabwe’s deadlock over
the constitution was a test of the resolve of the SADC facilitators “to
stick to previously agreed terms and not be side tracked by attempts to veer
off course”, and a test of their “commitment to process, especially as
agreed to by the parties to Zimbabwe’s GPA”.

Crisis said this is also a test for the 2 MDC formations, who so far had
remained loyal to the COPAC process “in spite of their own reservations with
some of the clauses implanted onto the (original) draft by ZANU PF”.

Tsvangirai warns of possible election disaster

http://www.sabc.co.za

Tuesday 28 August 2012 18:22
SABC

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai cautions that tampering with the draft
constitution could spell disaster for the elections. Tsvangirai has rejected
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party's proposed amendments to the draft
Constitution and is calling for the draft to the taken to the public.

MDC says a new constitution is central to elections and to reform Zimbabwe.
He added “if the process collapses, it is will spell doom to prospects of
credible, free and fair elections.”

Over the weekend, Zanu PF convened an emergency meeting where they tasked
Mugabe to negotiate with his coalition party leaders, the inclusion of over
30 amendments to the draft, saying the draft in its current state does not
reflect the people's views.

The Zanu PF draft strengthens presidential powers over parliament including
in the right to declare war and explicitly outlaws homosexuality, same sex
marriage and dual citizenship.

It also scraps a proposed independent prosecuting authority, clauses giving
more executive authority to provincial governments and gives complete
immunity from prosecution to the president.

Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma's, appointed facilitation team in the
Zimbabwe crisis, is in Harare today to try to negotiate an end to the
stalemate over the draft constitution.

Census results by year-end: Biti

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/08/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti said Monday the just completed census "was a
success" adding results were expected at the end of the year.

The enumeration exercise began on Aug 17 and was due to be completed on
Monday.

Biti said about 98 percent of households had been counted in the census as
of last weekend.

"As of Sunday enumeration was on course and our staff on the ground had
covered 98 percent of the ground. Results will be released either at the end
of the year or early next year," Biti told reporters in Harare.

The United Nations Population Fund released US$12 million for the exercise
while the government came up with US$8 million for payment of the
enumerators.

“As of today (Monday) we will release US$8 million to Zimstat so that
enumerators are paid,” Biti said.

At least 30 000 enumerators, mostly drawn from the education sector, took
part in the population count.
The census was initially marred by disturbances when thousands of
prospective enumerators wishing to take part in the process jostled at
various centres countrywide to take part in the process.

Late disbursement of materials as well as transport shortages also affected
deployment of some officers to remote areas.

Zimbabwe has successfully conducted population after every 10 years since
1982.

The other censuses were held in 1992 and 2002 with the last count putting
the country’s Zimbabwe's population at approximately 14 million people.

Chaos rocks national census

http://www.financialgazette.co.zw

Tuesday, 28 August 2012 18:00

BULAWAYO — Zimbabwe’s fourth population count since independence in 1980 has
been marked by chaos, amid allegations of double counting in some parts of
the country.
The exercise started on August 18 and ends on August 27, 2012. It was nearly
plunged into disarray earlier this month after army personnel tried to
muscle their way into the process.
In Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe and Masvingo agitated soldiers disrupted
training workshops for enumerators as they demanded to be included in the
exercise.
The military wanted at least 10 000 soldiers to be part of the 31 000
enumerators deployed countrywide, but Cabinet moved with speed to whittle
down the number of military personnel involved in the census to 1 500
officers.
The bulk of the enumerators have been drawn from public service.
The exercise is reportedly moving at a snail’s pace due to logistical
nightmares amid fears that thousands of people could fail to be counted in
some areas due to logistical problems.
Enumerators in some remote parts of the country are walking distances of up
to 12 kilometres to carry out their duties.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti had budgeted US$40 million for the population
count in which enumerators are taking home US$90 a day.
Population Census and Survey director, Washington Mapeta, this week allayed
fears of chaos and confusion around the population count, saying the process
was progressing smoothly.
He said the slow pace at the beginning of the exercise was normal and had
nothing to do with lack of resources.
“In general, the exercise is moving smoothly. It is to be expected that when
enumerators start interviews the process is a bit slow, but they will pick
up speed as the exercise progresses,” said Mapeta.
“As far as we know, there are no problems as far as resources are concerned,
we have not received complaints. Every enumerator is equipped with uniform
and is well paid. As far as we are concerned, things are progressing well,”
he added.
According to Mapeta, as much as 64 vehicles have been provided for cities
like Bulawayo.
“Ideally, our enumerators are not supposed to be provided with transport as
they are chosen from areas where they reside, but we provide transport or
allowances where needed. For Bulawayo, for example, we provided about 64
vehicles for the exercise,” he said.
The exercise has also been criticised for not asking questions that add
vallue to Zimbabwe’s demographics.
People interviewed so far have expressed concern that there are no questions
which touch on religion, ethnicity and other important issues. Mapeta,
however, explained that questions which were not included in the population
count had already been covered in the 2010-2011 demographic survey.
Political observers are, however, wary of the involvement of military
personnel, fearing the manipulation of figures for purposes of managing
harmonised elections expected next year.
The general feeling is that with direct control over census statistics, it
would be easy for the highly politicised sections of the army to try and
establish a political advantage for ZANU-PF by manipulating demographic
information as the country gears up for elections.
Movement for Democratic Change Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Edwin
Ndlovu, said while the process was being carried out in a peaceful manner,
the slow pace was a cause for concern.
“We are worried that the 10 days will elapse before they finish. Actually
those people walk long distances and that is worrisome. We do not want a
situation where thousands of our people are not counted,” said Ndlovu.
According to the 2002 national population census, Zimbabwe’s population was
11,6 million, up 1,2 million from a decade earlier.
Previous censuses were conducted in August 1982, August 1992, and August
2002. — Own Correspondent.

National Population Census Ends

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Jonga Kandemiiri
27.08.2012

Zimbabwe's national population census was expected to end midnight Monday
with enumerators set to hand over data collection material to supervisors
for processing field reports starting Tuesday.

Population Census and Surveys Manager Washington Mapeta of the Zimbabwe
National Statistics Agency said the exercise was on schedule in all
provinces despite reports in certain areas that some people were not
counted.

Some have also criticized the research methods applied in the national
census saying they were not suitable for Zimbabwe.

There were also reports that several enumerators threatened to withhold data
collection material because of outstanding daily allowances.

People in various areas including Mhondoro in Mashonaland West, Matabeleland
North's Lupane District and other regions told Studio 7 LiveTalk they were
not counted and suggested that the program should be extended.

There were also fears that some areas might have been left out due to
inaccessibility, a development critics said may contribute to the production
of incorrect population figures.

But Mapeta said the program covered almost all parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said government is pleased with the
way in which the program was carried out.

Biti told a press conference in Harare that results of the census will be
published before the end of this year or in the first quarter of 2013 after
the processing of data collected by over 31,000 enumerators.

At the same time, Biti said the government will not allow bakers in Zimbabwe
to increase the price of bread following a threat by the National Bakers
Association to do so citing high import duty on flour.

The finance minister said the proposed increases were unjustified as the
country still has large quantities of wheat for producing bread.

Mugabe to proclaim dates for by-elections

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

August 28, 2012 in Politics

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is this week expected to proclaim the dates of at
least three by-elections as ordered by the Supreme Court, but already there
are ominous signs that there is more than that in store for Zimbabweans.

Report by Nqaba Matshazi

The Herald columnist, Nathaniel Manheru, believed to be Mugabe’s spokesman,
George Charamba, has already intimated that the President could as well
declare a general election as there was an impasse on the constitutional
draft.
The two MDCs have declared their opposition to Zanu PF amendments to the
draft, whereas Mugabe’s party is seeking a raft of changes that could create
a stalemate.
This may inadvertently lead to Mugabe calling for elections this year, his
long-held wish which has failed to hold sway in the country.
“The President has between now and August 30 to be shown in which direction
the whole constitutional matter is going,” Manheru wrote in his weekly
column last week.
“If it is in the direction of consensus and, therefore, a referendum well
and good then. If it’s in the direction of an impasse, then that impasse
must be declared before or by August 30. Either way, the nation goes for
elections.”

MDC leader, Welshman Ncube seems to have acknowledged that Zanu PF was
spoiling for a fight, by proposing a raft of amendments, as it knew that
these would be opposed, leading to a stalemate that would then lead to
elections, well suiting Zanu PF’s agenda.

“It is clear that the Zanu PF hawks are itching for an early election and
this move they have made has brought them very close to their wish to burn
down the country by having a rerun of the 2008 elections,” he wrote last
week.
“It’s not going to happen. It’s time to let the dice roll the way it will.
If an election without a new constitution is the only way to move forward,
then let it be.”

On the other hand, MDC-T secretary general, Tendai Biti has already
indicated that they will fight tooth and nail to resist Zanu PF changes to
the draft.

In the event of an impasse, South African President Jacob Zuma is expected
to intervene but the question is whether he will be able to do it before
Thursday, when Mugabe is expected to make pronouncements on elections in
vacant wards.
Zuma’s mediation team is expected in the country early this week.

Zanu PF has already publicly expressed its disdain with the Zuma mediation
policy and to spite the South African president, whom they consider
partisan, they may call for elections.

Dewa Mavhinga a political analyst reckons Mugabe may use the Supreme Court
ruling, compelling him to call for by-elections in three vacant
constituencies, as an excuse to tear apart constitutional reform.
“For Zanu PF, the Supreme Court ruling on by-elections and an impasse on the
draft constitution will provide a perfect excuse for them to call for
elections,” he said.

But Mavhinga said given the impasse over the draft constitution, he expected
Mugabe to call for a general election, at least by next February.
A Supreme Court ruling said Mugabe should set dates for elections in three
constituencies, but the number of empty seats in both houses of parliament
has risen to 38, meaning Mugabe would have to call for elections in the
vacant areas or throughout the whole country.

But Trevor Maisiri, a senior analyst for southern Africa at the
International Crisis Group, said it was highly unlikely that Mugabe would go
against a regional prescription for credible elections.

He argued that Mugabe would not go against a Sadc-initiated process.
“The president will never unilaterally call for general elections. Other
people will always comment from outside and say their preferences but the
President will not take such a diplomatic risk,” he explained.

Maisiri doubted that Zanu PF would insist on terminating the inclusive
government, but rather was of the opinion that the party would delay passing
the new draft constitution so that the country may go to elections using the
old constitution.

Govt demarcating plots at Nuanetsi Ranch

http://www.herald.co.zw

Tuesday, 28 August 2012 00:00
Masvingo Bureau
GOVERNMENT has started demar­cating plots at Nuanetsi Ranch in Mwenezi for
the resettlement of 400 families affected by construction of the
Tokwe-Murkosi Dam in Chivi. The sub-division on 7 000 hectares of land would
be complete in Novem­ber. The land is part of the 68 000ha donated to
Government by Develop­ment Trust of Zimbabwe for resettle­ment purposes.
Government intends to relocate nearly 4 000 families to pave way for
Tokwe-Murkosi Dam construction.
Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke last week said
families would get 17 hectares each.
“We have started the demarcation of plots at Nuanetsi Ranch for the 400
families, so that work on building five saddle dams at Tokwe-Murkosi can go
on uninterrupted,” he said.
Governor Maluleke said the reloca­tion of the remaining families would be
done next year.
He hailed the DTZ for offering Government land for resettlement of the
affected villagers.
Tokwe-Murkosi Dam will hold 1,8 billion cubic metres of water when full.
The dam’s flood area will straddle over 9 600 hectares and it will have the
capacity to irrigate 25 000 hectares of land.
Once completed, the dam is likely to turn arid parts of Chivi, Masvingo and
Chiredzi into a perennial green­belt and a food production hub.

Zim Finance Minister Warns Bakeries Against Bread Price Hike

http://www.radiovop.com/

Harare, August 28, 2012 - Finance Minister Tendai Biti on Monday threatened
unspecified action on errant bread makers who last week mooted a 20 percent
hike in bread prices arguing that the cost of importing flour had increased.
Biti was addressing journalists following threats to increase the price of
bread by the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe President, Dumisani
Moyo.

Moyo insists the price of importing wheat and that of sourcing for flour has
sky rocketed.

He also contended the price of flour had surged from $680 per tonne to more
than $710, hence their plans to hike the price of bread.

But Biti on Monday came guns blazing saying he will not allow the bread
makers to trigger a contagious price increase on all other commodities.

“The statement by the Bakers Association of Zimbabwe was very misleading,”
Biti said.

“There is absolutely no duty on the importation of wheat and wheat is
imported by millers who then sell to bakeries. The Bakers Association of
Zimbabwe is trying to put pressure on us to liberalise the importation of
flour which is processed wheat but if we do that we are now damaging the
local milling industry.

“So there is no duty at all on wheat there is a small duty on flour to
protect the local milling industry which is the manufacturing base.

“It is irresponsible to insinuate an increase in the price of bread when the
price of wheat and the duty on wheat is nonexistent and has not been
increased. What they are trying to argue is that ‘give us the carte blanche
licence of importing flour and not wheat’ and that is in fact an unfortunate
position because we would be damaging the local industry.

“So as far as we are concerned, there is nothing to justify any rise in the
price of bread and we will not allow that situation.”

Biti said the argument by the bakers that fuel was also contributing to the
intended price increase was not justified saying the bakers use electricity
primarily to produce the bread and that international prices of
hydro-carbons were decreasing.

Meanwhile, Biti said government was pleased with that the current census
enumeration exercise which started in a cloud of controversy and was now “98
percent complete”.

He said the enumerators were now going back to households whose occupants
were absent when they visited them and those built on undesignated land,
otherwise known as in-fills.

Biti also said that government would this Wednesday convene the Zimbabwe
High Level Economic Forum in Victoria Falls, which shall involve
international experts on how the fiscus is managed.

This will help government diagnose some of its problems. Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai is set to officially open the high profile indaba.

Harare cops implicated in fake cash syndicate

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
28 August 2012

Members of the police force in Harare are believed to be involved in a
syndicate behind the production of fake US dollar notes, which have flooded
the city’s cash market.

Four people were recently arrested after using fake notes at shops and bars
at Mupandawana Growth Point in Gutu, during the Heroes Day gala concert.
Traders were left up in arms after they received hundreds of counterfeit
notes, mainly US$10 and US$20 bills, during the event.

SW Radio Africa’s Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa reported Tuesday that
the notes are circulating across the city.

“The notes have flooded the city. People are being duped, particularly
omnibus drivers and vendors and anywhere where it is very busy. This is a
scam to get as much change as possible from the fake notes,” Muchemwa said.

Muchemwa explained that since the adoption of the US dollar in Zimbabwe,
fake US$100 notes have often been in circulation, to the point that many
shop owners and vendors stopped accepting the higher value bills. He said
that the syndicates behind the production of the fake notes have now changed
their tactics, by reproducing lower value notes.

“Now there are fake ten and twenty dollars and even as low as five dollars,”
Muchemwa said.

He added that some police officials are behind the success of the fake cash
ring.

“The people in this syndicate who have been making these fake notes have
been repeatedly arrested and then let off. It appears that some police
members are protecting these people to make money,” Muchemwa said.

SADC lawyers vow not to support changes to regional court

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
28 August 2012

Lawyers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have stated
that they will not support the regional human rights court, if proposed
changes that limit its mandate are made.

The Tribunal remains suspended, almost two years after SADC leaders resolved
to review its role and functions, in a move slammed as a serious blow to the
rule of law and respect for human rights in Southern Africa.

The decision followed the Zimbabwe government’s refusal to honour the
Tribunal’s orders, because of the 2008 ruling that the land grab campaign
was unlawful. But instead of taking the ZANU PF administration to task for
its contempt of court, SADC leaders chose to suspend the Tribunal for a
review.

An independent review last year, agreed to by SADC, said that the Tribunal
did have jurisdiction within the region and that its rulings were binding.
But SADC leaders dismissed this review and upheld the court’s suspension.

Regional justice ministers have now proposed several changes to the court’s
core functions, including a limited human rights mandate, before it is
allowed to resume sitting. It is now feared these changes will be adopted
after SADC leaders at a recent summit in Mozambique resolved to change the
protocol that dictates the Tribunal’s role in the region.

The SADC Lawyers Association has slammed this move, and said it will not
support the court if it is hobbled in such a way. The Association took this
decision at its just ended Annual General Meeting, where the outgoing
President, Thoba Poyo-Dlwati, warned that human rights and the rule of law
are under threat in the region.

Poyo-Dlwati told SW Radio Africa on Tuesday that “the proposed changes will
simply weaken the Tribunal and make it nothing more than a building and a
name.”

“This will have a very negative effect on SADC citizens because they will
have no legal recourse outside of their countries if the judicial systems in
their countries fail them,” Poyo-Dlwati said.

She added: “We have stated very clearly that we would not want to be
associated with a court that does not honour the human rights of its
citizens.”

Poyo-Dlwati also said that the blame for the Tribunal’s suspension cannot be
put only on Zimbabwe, because it was a decision made by all leaders in SADC.

“I would blame it on our leaders who appear to be afraid of what would
happen if the court was allowed to function in its full mandate. They appear
afraid that what happened to Zimbabwe in the court could also happen to
them,” Poyo-Dlwati said.

You can read the full communiqué from the SADC Lawyers Association here:

http://www.osisa.org/sites/default/files/communique_of_the_2012_sadc_lawyers_agm_and_conference.pdf

Zimbabwe blamed for collapse of Sadc Tribunal

http://www.thestandard.co.zw

August 28, 2012 in Politics

Ezulwini (Swaziland) — The Southern African Development Community Law
Association (Sadcla) has blamed Zimbabwe for the collapse of the Sadc
Tribunal following the regional grouping’s summit in Maputo, Mozambique
recently.Report by Nevanji Madanhire

The summit extended the suspension of the Tribunal in place since 2008 when
Zimbabwe refused to abide by its rulings. The Maputo summit also proposed
that the Tribunal’s jurisdiction be limited only to interstate disputes.
Speaking at the official opening of the Sadcla annual general meeting here
on Friday, outgoing president of the Regional Lawyers Association Thoba
Poyo-Dlwati said the suspension of the Tribunal and the proposed narrowing
of its mandate to only addressing interstate issues was “a clear indication
that our leaders are concerned more with protecting their turf than with the
rights of the citizens”.
“This is the clearest case in the region of the undermining of the rule of
law and independence of the judiciary especially if we consider that the
suspension of the Tribunal in the first place was motivated by Zimbabwe’s
refusal to abide by the judgements of the Tribunal and respect the
independence of the judiciary,” she said.

The suspension of the Tribunal was motivated by Zimbabwe’s refusal to abide
by the judgements of the court when former white commercial farmers who had
their land acquired and redistributed to blacks by the State without
recourse took their case to the Sadc body which ruled in their favour.

The Zimbabwe government argued that the land reform programme was meant to
redress historical imbalances and therefore could not be adjudicated over by
the Tribunal. The government refused to abide by the ruling causing the
suspension of one of Sadc’s most important agencies.
The law association distanced itself from the summit’s decision, describing
the proposed new body as “sham”.

“The proposed nature of the Tribunal that hears only interstate disputes is
unheard of in this day and age when other regions are fighting hard to
involve citizens and ensure that the rights of citizens are protected,”
Poyo-Dlwati said.

She said it was unlikely that the heads of state and government would take
each other to the Tribunal, rendering the institution only a court in name
and building as no cases would be heard there. She said the proposed
Tribunal could therefore not be seen as a legitimate and effective
institution.
“As lawyers, and I am sure many other citizens of Sadc, we therefore reject
the proposed Tribunal and wish to state categorically that we will not be
part of that sham institution.”

’Land reform was discriminatory’

The Tribunal ruled that Zimbabwe’s land reform programme was
unconstitutional since it discriminated against the white farmers on the
grounds of race and therefore the farmers should have their properties
restored to them.

Zimbabwe: End Attacks on LGBT People

http://www.hrw.org

Police Harass Activists With Threats, Raids, Beatings, and Arrests

AUGUST 27, 2012

(Nairobi) - The Zimbabwean government should immediately stop persecuting
members of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), Human Rights Watch said
today in a letter to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert
Mugabe.

On August 20, 2012, police officers entered and occupied the offices of GALZ
in Harare for six hours, producing a warrant only after the GALZ lawyers
demanded it. They confiscated documents, advocacy materials, and computers.
GALZ advocates for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) people in Zimbabwe.

“This latest police raid on the country’s leading LGBT group shows the
government’s intolerance of the rights of Zimbabwe’s sexual and gender
minorities,” said Monica Tabengwa, LGBT researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“By intimidating and harassing members of GALZ, the authorities are
violating their rights to freedom of expression and association.”

In the past decade, Zimbabwean authorities have intensified attacks against
members of GALZ including intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and beatings.
Mugabe, in office since 1980, has been at the forefront of anti-gay
harassment, repeatedly using his office to insult and denigrate gay and
lesbian Zimbabweans. He has vowed not to allow the inclusion of LGBT rights
in Zimbabwe’s new constitution, which is being drafted.

The August 20 incursion was the second raid on GALZ this month. On August
11, police raided the group’s office without a warrant after the group
issued its 2011 LGBTI Rights Violations Report and a briefing on the draft
constitution. During the raid, police briefly detained 44 GALZ members,
assaulting them with batons, slaps, and punches. A number of injured members
needed medical treatment. Police took the names and addresses of all 44
members before releasing them without charge. The following week, police
went to some of the members’ homes and took them to police headquarters for
further questioning.

In May 2010, police arrested two GALZ staff members on spurious charges,
including “insulting the president,” after the group displayed a letter from
the mayor of San Francisco criticizing Mugabe for being homophobic. Police
assaulted the two and detained them for six days, pressing them to provide a
list of GALZ members. Both were acquitted six months later. One has since
fled the country out of concern for her safety.

In July 2012, the police summoned the director of GALZ to confirm that they
were continuing to pursue the “insulting the president” charge because the
letter is still on display. Under section 33 of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act, it is an offense to insult the president or
bring the office of the president into disrepute. Police said they would
prosecute the GALZ director for displaying the letter unless GALZ
volunteered the name of another member who would take liability for this
action.

The government’s actions against GALZ are contrary to basic rights in both
Zimbabwe’s existing constitution and the draft constitution under review.
They violate Zimbabwe’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, which guarantee the rights to non-discrimination, liberty and
security of the person and privacy, freedom of expression and thought, and
association and peaceful assembly.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Mugabe should honor the coalition government’s
Global Political Agreement to allow all Zimbabweans to participate freely in
all national processes, Human Rights Watch said. They should ensure that the
review of the constitution results in a document that is tolerant and
promotes equality and human rights for all without regard to sexual
orientation or gender identity.

“The government and people of Zimbabwe should consider the ongoing
constitutional review a critically important opportunity to embrace and
promote the human rights of all, including on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity,” Tabengwa said.

Zimbabwe’s child labour cartels

http://www.newstimeafrica.com/

Child Labour in Zimbabwe

Being provided only with home-made sandals cobbled from worn-out tyres and canvas aprons for their protection razor-sharp tea stumps slash their legs as tea plantations exploit their determination to get an education through an ill-defined Earn and Learn programme at four Tanganda Tea Company run and Zimbabwe Government recognised schools in Chipinge. Avontuur, Ratelshoek, Zona and Jersey schools have a combined enrolment of over 1 000 pupils and the tea the children pick dominate the Zimbabwe’s local and export markets. Heavily scared legs always give them away. Denied to be children – their blood irrigate the fields and their labours sustain profits. Sadly its children who value and are committed to get an education who are being exploited in what he called government supported ‘labour cartels,’ an employee who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said. With the work schedule, he added, its only exceptionally gifted children who make it which is then construed to mean the system is being beneficial and safe.

The system was initially designed for adults pursuing an education they had been denied as children, acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Andrew Chigumira said. Today though, children as young as 12 are enrolled in Earn and Learn programmes as it starts at 6th grade. Priorities are clear here – the children school five days but labour six each week. While the normal school calendar is followed, at work they only rest 2 weeks in a year to exclude 3 days during Christmas time. During academic holidays, as if to make up for lost time, they labour for the whole day. Rising at 0430 hours they are only retired for bed at 2130 hours each schooling day. In summer they slave uninterrupted for six hours before school each day. They then attend class for another six hours before a further two-hour compulsory study. In winter, they start school while it is yet dark – 0530 hours and are released at noon for lunch before work which starts at 1300 till 1730 hours. The ‘subsidised fees’ are $5 for tuition, accommodation $3 and food $3 a month but they work for a dollar for every 60 kilograms of 2 leaves and bud of tea. They are given the difference after deductions from their earnings. The most proficient children pick up to 200 kilograms per day but stretching to such limits comes at the expense of their ability to concentrate in class.

While some children are pushed into the exploitative schooling engagements by necessity as a debilitating HIV epidemic and extreme poverty interact viciously. Others however risk early arthritis, poor bone development and will have to pay for it over their lifetime through loss of health, education and other opportunities because their families appear to see it as a viable alternative said interviewed employees. Ironically, these estates pay for its senior managers’ children fees at expensive schools, even outside the country, one employee said. After up to six years of picking tea from the 6th grade to Zimbabwe’s most important academic huddle – Ordinary level most are failing. “By the time some children sit for their exams they would have long lost hope and would be in it for whatever money they can make,” he said. From the 2010 school rankings of the 280 secondary schools in Manicaland Province based on their ordinary level academic performances the best school among them was Avontuur ranked 68th with a 17,2% pass rate, followed by 105 placed Jersey with a 15% pass rate, Ratelshoek coming at 146th with 10% then finally Zona at 218 with a 5% pass rate. Students who slept in class always presented a dilemma for a former Ratelshoek relief teacher as waking them would appear insensitive but failing to do so mean they lose on the objects of their labours. Noting that ‘depending on the age of the child the work may be strenuous’ Chigumira concedes that children offer tea estates cheaper labour as there are limited if any financial overheads in mandatory statutory social security or insurance. Lower production costs keep the product cheaper and competitive on the market. Children gifted in sport are doomed in these systems.

This is also an area the acting Provincial Director feels will need to be raised with the schools. Many children however are routinely forced out of school due to nagging health problems, say interviewed adult workmates and former students something Chigumira professed ignorance of. Rumbidzai Sigauke picked tea and learnt at Jersey from grade 6 to form 2 dropping out due to a deep ankle wound that refused to heal. Among her 3 mothers she was the 8th among their 24 children but the 1st born with her mother. All her siblings attended Jersey primary school lower grades only 7 enrolled into the Earn and Learn programme in 6th grade with only 2 managing to reach form 4 the other 5 dropping out due to injury. Uneducated, she now scavenges for menial work across Mutare’s high density suburb of Dangamvura. Johanna on the other hand was forced onto the estate by orphan hood. She was enrolled at the school for a full 4 school terms. Johanna’s father passed on before her 5th birthday living 3 children. By age 13, her mother had remarried and had 2 more children. She faced having to drop out of school after 7th grade but refused the option. An uneducated life was going to be too expensive for her, she said. Determined, she had to trade her childhood for the opportunity. At 13 she journeyed 250 kilometres alone from Mutare to Jersey High School.

While her mother objected to the idea, she said, she still handed her the bus fare she asked for. She had heard about the school from a friend who had been sent to Zona. Armed only with sketchy directions and the school’s recruitment procedure she got lost in the vast estate but managed to run into the Estate Manager who took her to the school headmaster. While she was turned down promptly she had to lie that she had no return bus fare. “The Headmaster took me to the Matron to find me some accommodation while he tried to organise for the school to give me some bus fare,” she said. 3 days later, she was informed she had secured a place. Entering into such a contract with the child is an acceptable norm, said locals. The picturesque views of tea estates are breathtakingly beautiful making the work surprisingly dangerous, she said. You would see snakes, she said, with a number of her colleagues snipping some green mambas by mistake and only seeing them writhing headless or entangled on their shears after which some would quit due to shock or a phobia of snakes. Wounds often force some to drop out, she said. “If you happen even to get a scratch it would grow as you would expose it to dewdrops every morning and dirt so some wounds become septic and grow taking long to heal,” she added.

The weight of tea in wire and sack baskets strapped to the back and inadequate sleep have others vomiting blood and complaining of chest pains which finally also forced her back home. Other risks, she told Newstime Africa, included ants, a green spiky insect that could trigger rushes throughout your body once you make contact or other skin irritating climber plants. Working along the Zimbabwe and Mozambique landmine riddled border there is also the risk of land mines just on the edge of some of the fields. “In my last term at the school a certain boy almost stepped on a landmine,” she claimed. A nurse at a clinic close to one of the estates said she was shocked one day to see and attempt to treat a deep septic wound on a form one pupil who worked and learnt at one of the schools who had gone home to recuperate and seek medical attention. “The boy looked really small at first I thought he could have been 11 years old or younger. He was 14,” she told Newstime Africa. Poorly prepared relish has also meant teachers’ wives scavenge off the children’s earnings by selling them properly prepared relish, Johanna said. According to a 2010 UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, 13 percent of Zimbabwean children are engaged in child labour which is illegal as the country is a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its Labour Act prohibits employers from hiring a person under 18 to perform hazardous work. The Children’s Act also makes it an offence to exploit children through employment.

A 2011 US Department of Labour report on the worst forms of child labour found that these laws were poorly enforced by inspectors who had no special training or resources to address the issue. The report notes that “to date, there have been no investigations or arrests in Zimbabwe for violations related to child labour.” Another study of child labour in Zimbabwe conducted by the Ministry of Labour together with international and local partners including ILO and UNICEF, released in June 2011, concluded that “the prevalence of the worst forms of child labour is on the rise and cause for concern.” The report identified poverty as the main driver of children being employed, along with “the breakdown of the family unit due to HIV and AIDS, as well as the inadequacy of the social services delivery system.” Conditions for children working on farms were “particularly difficult”, according to the report, as children were often exposed to bad weather, dangerous chemicals and the use of heavy machinery. Paurina Mupariwa, the labour and social welfare minister, was recently quoted by IRIN as claiming that the government had “a cocktail of interventions to address the problem”, including programmes such as the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which aims to keep children in school by assisting poor families with school and examination fees. “It is clear that one of the major reasons why children are forced to go and work as labourers is the inability of their parents or guardians to pay school fees,” she said. Quoted in the same article, John Robertson, a Harare-based economic consultant, said Zimbabwe’s protracted economic crisis had hamstrung the government’s capacity to combat child labour.

© 2012, Bernard Chiketo. All rights reserved. Newstime Africa content cannot be reproduced in any form – electronic or print – without prior consent of the Publishers. Copyright infringement will be pursued and perpetrators prosecuted.

UN Food Agency: Hunger Worsens In Zimbabwe

Aug 28, 1:35 PM EDT

Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The United Nations food agency says hunger is
worsening in Zimbabwe after erratic rains, shortages of seeds and fertilizer
and "poor agricultural practices" in the troubled economy led to a reduction
in fields planted with the main staple foods.

The World Food Program said cereal harvests in the current season were down
by an estimated one third compared to last year. It said about 1.1 million
rural people will need food aid up to December, rising to 1.6 million in the
traditionally "lean months" to March.

The agency's latest bulletin Tuesday said $119 million is needed for
upcoming food assistance but so far only $32 million has been pledged by
financial institutions and donors for food imports. WFP said food shortfalls
are becoming especially critical in arid southern Zimbabwe.

Transcript: Zimbabwe's MDC-T, Zanu PF Officials in Heated Exchange over Survey

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

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Violet Gonda

27.08.2012

An opinion poll indicating a sharp decline in support for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change formation has sparked a heated debate between the party and Zanu PF, which the survey says has gained support.

The report by Harare think-tank, the Mass Public Opinion Institute, titled Change and New Politics in Zimbabwe, shows that support for the MDC-T dropped from 38 percent in 2010 to 20 percent this year while Zanu PF’s base grew from 17 percent to 31 percent over the same period. According to the report, 47 percent of the respondents said they would not vote in the next elections or refused to indicate who they would vote for.

Voice of America’s Violet Gonda spoke to a Zanu PF Central Committee member and former Ambassador to China Chris Mutsvangwa and MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora for their perspectives on the survey findings. Gonda started by asking Ambassador Mutsvangwa for his reaction.

Panel Discussion with Chris Mutsvangwa & Douglas Mwonzora

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Mutsvangwa: Freedom House is an organization, which I have worked with for many years. I actually used to be a neighbor of them in New York. Whilst I may not agree with many of their views but they have strived to be a scientific and objective organisation with a wealth of experience.

Historically of course it used to put positions which were supportive of the MDC and the MDC used to embrace them as an objective organization. Now that the news is no longer what the MDC is expecting of them it is beginning to show their sliding popularity with the people of Zimbabwe - now they are beginning to denounce it.
It’s really a question of a boomerang effect on the MDC, which has proved to be incompetent, corrupt and generally directionless in the government of Zimbabwe. It’s a party, which has thrived on bad news. The feel bad factor is beginning to affect the MDC because it is not a party of hope it’s a party of desperation.

Gonda: Mr. Mwonzora can you come in?

Mwonzora: At no point did the MDC attack the credibility of the Freedom House. The MDC acknowledges that Freedom House is a professional body. What the MDC … (interrupted).

Mutsvangwa: … thank you. On that good note you must acknowledge the professional results Mr. Mwonzora.

Gonda: So let him finish please.

Mwonzora: Let Cde Mutsvangwa not disturb me please. What I was saying is that we have never questioned the integrity and the competence of the Freedom House. What we are saying is that the data that was gathered by Freedom House, as currently presented, does not show us whether this party is popular or not popular. This is because according to the report itself there has been massive intimidation and massive violence directed against the people of Zimbabwe.

According to the same report, of the people who were interviewed, almost half of them refused to disclose their political affiliation. Those people who refused did that for a reason and the reason is that they have been intimidated by Zanu PF. So you cannot celebrate where you are relying on the information of only half of the people that were interviewed. The report… (interrupted)

Mutsvangwa: …but with due respect Mr. Mwonzora, this study is not by Zanu PF! With due respect …

Mwonzora: Can I finish?

Gonda: Let him finish this last point and I will come to you Mr. Mutsvangwa ...

Mutsvangwa: No, because he has been speaking for a long time.

Mwonzora: I have the floor and I want to finish.

Mutsvangwa: No but you can’t be on the floor forever. You should give others a chance!

Gonda: Can you finish please Mr. Mwonzora …

Mwonzora: The second issue is that besides the number of people who did not choose their political affiliation is the fact that the people who were questioned - the report does not distinguish between rural areas and commercial farming areas… (interrupted).

Mutsvangwa: How many more seconds?

Mwonzora: … We all know that commercial farming areas are areas only Zanu PF people were resettled. So we refuse (to accept) the results coming out.

Gonda: Let me go to Mr. Mutsvangwa …

Mutsvangwa: No, No, No…

Gonda: Mr Mutsvangwa please let’s not do that handiti?

Mutsvangwa: Alright.

Mwonzora: Yes, we don’t want lawlessness on the radio please. Our people deserve better. Maku invade radio futi?

Gonda: Can I ask a question please gentlemen? Can we just calm down please?

Mutsvangwa: The lawlessness person you can hear him.

Mwonzora: (laughs)

Gonda: So Mr. Mutsvangwa the MDC is saying the survey is unreliable and that a lot of people refused to disclose their political preferences for fear of intimidation. What can you say about this?

Mutsvangwa: No I have nothing to say about that. I believe in the integrity of Freedom House. They cannot put views, which are contrary to their professionalism and basically that is what Mwonzora is trying to do. You cannot believe in Jesus and then you don’t want his gospel. So this splitting of hairs by Mr. Mwonzora is a lot of nonsense.

The real truth is that the people Zimbabwe are rapidly deserting a party, which has built its political career on Afro-pessimism - that Africans are incompetent, Africans can’t do anything, Africans need the West, Africans need God. That thing has been rejected because the people of Zimbabwe have taken a path of hope.

The Pan-Africanist ideology of Zanu PF where there say we have diamonds in Chiadzwa which we can use to pay our civil servants; the MDC says no we can rely on loans from the IMF. Now things have rebounded on them. There is electoral disaster facing this party.

Gonda: Mr. Mwonzora can you respond to this and also to criticism from other people who say that the MDC has lost touch with grassroots constituencies?

Mwonzora: People like Mutsvangwa must really be worried that there are people who refused to disclose their political affiliation. 47 percent refused to disclose their political affiliation. Why did they do that? Because of intimidation!

Those people who refused to speak because of intimidation are not your supporters. The other thing is that those people who were doing research needed first to get clearance from the president’s office in the districts. Some of them were arrested during the research, some of them were asked to submit their questionnaires …(interrupted)

Mutsvangwa: …arghh this is an attack on Freedom House! This is not… (interrupted)

Mwonzora: … the MDC is saying if Zanu PF … (interrupted)

Mutsvangwa: … I am sorry I have to defend the integrity and professionalism of Freedom House …

Mwonzora: ... If Zanu PF thinks that it is popular let’s call for free and fair elections so that the people of Zimbabwe can decide. If Zanu PF is so popular it must agree that the constitution be sent to the referendum. Right now they are disturbing the constitution. They don’t want to be subjected to the referendum because they know how the people of Zimbabwe will vote.

The people of Zimbabwe know that after the MDC entered the government their lives changed. The meaningless money that they used to have is no longer there. The people of Zimbabwe now know what is called ‘dollar for two’. It came as a result of the entry of the MDC into this government.

Gonda: Mr. Mutsvangwa what can you say though about this challenge from the MDC? They say if you are really more popular let the parties go to a referendum with this new constitution and see what the people decide?

Mutsvangwa: No! This is coming from a spineless and dishonest person who has represented very negative tendencies during the whole process of constitution making. Ask that gentleman why did they not publish the national report about their outreach program?

They went all over the country and wasted millions - but the national report, when it came out, it was contrary to the views which they thought Zimbabweans held about their party. He has refused that man. He takes a democratic initiative, takes it to the people and refuses to give people the result of that democratic initiative.

Then a coterie of them, educated by ex-Rhodesians from the (University of Zimbabwe) law faculty Mwonzora, (Eric) Matinenga (MDC), (Paul) Mangwana (Zanu PF) and a whole bunch of them write a constitution out of their own head which has nothing to do with what the people said during the outreach program and that is what they want to foist on the people of Zimbabwe. No! The constitution making process is still on, the principal parties are involved.

He is only an agent of the principals – that young man called Mwonzora – but he is now speaking like a political warlord. That is political overreaching of the worst type from a man who is very preposterous in his posturing about the constitution. Let’s not divert issues, let’s concentrate on the report of the Freedom House, an international organization which has given an objective study and for him to criticize it is being disingenuous.

Gonda: If we are to concentrate on this report what about the fear factor that has been raised in this report? The survey says many people continue to be fearful that the new elections could result in heightened levels of political violence. So this is a serious problem, so what can you say about this?

Mutsvangwa: The GNU has been good. Zimbabweans have been coming together. That Mwonzora has even been working with my wife - who is the vice co-chairperson. The Parliament people have been working together. The tension in Zimbabwe is much, much reduced. Zimbabweans are beginning to find each other so let’s continue on that constructive path.

GONDA: Yes, but you as political leaders might be doing this but it would appear that this is not the case on the ground with ordinary Zimbabweans.

Mutsvangwa: To the contrary, the political atmosphere has always been improving. There is a new sense of camaraderie among the people of Zimbabwe - even relations with traditional western powers are increasing. This is a new mood in Zimbabwe and this is the mood which is washing away the MDC to the dustbin of political history in Zimbabwe.

GONDA: Mr. Mwonzora do you agree that there is a path of optimism in the country?

Mwonzora: The report itself, which vaMutsvangwa surprisingly is marveling at, clearly tells that 47 percent of the people were afraid to disclose their political affiliation. It also says that the people of Zimbabwe are living under fear.

What we are saying as the MDC is very simple - let the people of Zimbabwe decide especially on the issue of the constitution. If we did not write what the people of Zimbabwe want it’s not for Zanu PF to speak for them.

Mutsvangwa: … So you are coming from God? Mwonzora you are coming from God, you are not coming from a political party? You are coming from God to write a constitution?

Mwonzora: … Soldiers were intimidating people who were conducting the survey. CIOs were intimidating people conducting the research. So if Zanu PF thinks it is popular let’s agree to a free and fair election in terms of the new constitution and we see what happens.

GONDA: Mr. Mwonzora how do you respond to people who say stop being defensive and instead look at the reasons why this report is saying your support is declining and work on that?

Mwonzora: We have not condemned the survey what we have simply said is that we must put sufficient weight to the fact that the people of Zimbabwe are afraid to disclose their political affiliations. That is … (interrupted)

Gonda: So if people …

Mwonzora: That is fundamental…

Gonda: Mr. Mwonzora so if you know as a party that this is the situation, that the people are afraid, this could be the situation at elections, so what is your party’s plan B?

Mwonzora: Well, firstly the fact that 47 percent of the people refused to talk should make the international community, especially SADC, very worried about the situation in Zimbabwe. But more importantly this is not a call for Zanu PF to start gloating and saying that it has got support. People who are quiet are not necessarily supporting you.

Regarding the strategies that the MDC is going to employ, you will see, come free and fair elections. MDC is simply saying its decision time for the people of Zimbabwe to decide their future in a free and fair election.

It is not true that the people of Zimbabwe favor the ZBC at the expense of radio stations like Studio 7. Almost every person in the rural areas is listening to this radio and Zanu PF spokespersons make use of Studio 7. Now all of a sudden how can ZBC be the most popular than Studio 7? How can (Attorney General) Johannes Tomana now be called a very popular and trustworthy person in Zimbabwe? That is obviously false and Zanu PF must be worried about that.

Gonda: Mr. Mutsvangwa 47 percent is a huge figure. Does this not concern you as Zanu PF?

Mutsvangwa: We are reading the report and the question of people being afraid you know that is what Freedom House (is saying) but it still has not impinged on the integrity of their findings that is why they were able to publish the report…. (interrupted)

Gonda: But I am asking you as Zanu PF. What is your party’s response to this?

Mutsvangwa: We are a scientific party. We have always done things in a scientific manner. We are very people-oriented, that is why we managed to rescue the vote away from the Rhodesians so that Mwonzora can become an MP, so that Morgan Tsvangirai can form a party called MDC…

Gonda: … Mr. Mutsvangwa I asked you a question about the 47 percent. Can you respond?

Mutsvangwa: ... Whatever positives, which are in the report, we will study them and we will use them to address the issues which are in Zimbabwe. We are never an ostrich-in-the-sand, party. We are objective. So we take note of whatever needs to be approved upon which Freedom House has said.

Gonda: How does Zanu PF hope to regain the confidence of those who are doubters or are afraid – especially the 47 percent?

Mutsvangwa: We will make sure that we will go out to the people to make them feel good about them being Zimbabwean. They are free to express themselves. We will go to look for this vote; we fought hard and died for it. They should not feel intimidated about anything.

Even in our own party-elections we are saying that there is no central imposition of leadership from the core. A political party is always evolving, what we don’t do is to reject things, which are scientific, things which are objective.

Mwonzora: The Freedom House report is confirmation of the terrorism of Zanu PF, the terrorism they have subjected the people of Zimbabwe to and we need to save the people of Zimbabwe from the Zanu PF terrorism.

New Documentary Exposes Conscious Spreading of HIV Among Zimbabwean Sex Trade

Second Ethics and Accountability Forum Position Paper

Click here to read the file

Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z)

96 Central Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe

E-mail: munyaradzi@transparency.org.zw

Web: www.transparency.org.zw

Tel: +263-4-793246-7or 793277

Cell: +263 777 782 651

Skype: munyaradzi-t

Twitter: @transparencyzim

Future in our hands: Bennett

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

I need to emphasise in the strongest possible way that our salvation, our
future, our nation is in our hands. What we, the people, do now, our
children and grandchildren will reap the results. They will either hold us
in contempt or with great pride. The plunder of our resources for personal
gain across the board with unbelievable corruption and destruction is an
outrage. We can all see it.
28.08.12
04:19pm

We all know it is going on—many are part of it, from top to bottom. Many
will say they do it to “survive”. Many do it through greed. Regardless of
how it is done, it is not acceptable and there is no excuse. We all know the
difference between right and wrong. You cannot build a nation and future
when all the resources and revenue that should be benefiting the people and
the nation are going into the pockets of fat cats, foreigners and greedy
pigs. Extortion is extortion; it is a crime.

Protection is also a crime. Getting into bed with ZANU chefs who are
mortgaging our future for thirty pieces of silver is wrong, wrong, wrong. It
is appeasement and we all know there is never enough once you get into bed
with an insatiable animal. Expect to catch a disease and die. We are
responsible for choosing our leaders and the leaders must be accountable to
the people. We need to get away from the “chef, chef” mentality. Read our
party constitution.

We are accountable to the people, we can only make collective decisions that
resonate with what they want. We created that constitution together, we set
the principles and values which the MDC must stand by—and it is our fault if
we allow those values and principles to be hijacked for appeasement of a
regime that has totally destroyed our wonderful country. It is an
illegitimate regime that has enriched itself on the back of the MDC. It is a
regime that is claiming normality, claiming that there are wonderful
conditions for investment.

But there is a big ‘PS’ here. You will only get your hands on loot if you
are grasp dirty hands, if you join the filthy elite. The appeasers and the
greedy, who say they want freedom but have to deal with ZANU to survive,
they are ignoring reality. The more you enrich the chefs, the harder it is
to remove them, the less they will want to go—and the more they beat,
bludgeon and suppress to remain in power. We, the people, need to organise.

We need to structure down to the last plastic shack in the cities and the
last grass hut in the country. We need to communicate. We have the power, we
control the ‘X’ on the ballot paper. We in the diaspora slave and slog to
send monies home to keep our families going and to feed the monster that
exploits us. Let’s tell our relatives across the board in CIO, in the
military, in the police, in the prisons, everywhere: REGAI KUSHANDISWA. STOP
BEING USED. To all and sundry stand firm.

YEKELANI UKUSETSHENZISWA, MANINI LIQINE. TANHETA NGATI MIRE MIRE ZVAKWANA.
SINDIWE KODWA ASIMENI NGOKUNJALO. Please my countrymen and women, my
brothers and sisters, let’s stand firm, let’s be involved, let’s know we are
in charge and responsible for who leads us and for the future of our country
and the generations to come. Let’s all do something. Let’s do whatever we
can to make change, to get rid of the evil, corrupt, murderous regime. Let’s
be proud once again and own the process. Let’s start afresh with a New
Zimbabwe, a New Beginning!"

Zimbabwe's energy crisis

http://www.politicsweb.co.za

Vince Musewe
28 August 2012

Vince Musewe says country stopped investing in new generation capacity in
1984

Zimbabwe energy crisis: African solutions to an African problem?

Government has a reputation of structuring policy around individuals and no
wonder why for 28 years, we have had free riders in the energy ministry.

A couple of weeks back, the Minister of Energy, Elton Mangoma, informed us
on what he is doing to fix the energy crisis in Zimbabwe. I have studied his
speech and must comment on it especially on his short term solutions.

I note that it is since 1984, that Zimbabwe stopped investing in new
generation capacity in the energy sector. That was only 4 years after
independence meaning that for 28 years, no body anticipated that the system
would someday break down or be inadequate to meet our needs. This means that
for 28 years, even though we have had a minister occupying the energy
portfolio, he has been getting paid for doing nothing. Well there is no
revelation in that statement.

Now hear this, the Hwange power station has been operating much below
capacity (between 300 and 500MW) out of a potential capacity of 900MW. Those
responsible for fixing the problem forgot to fix ancillary machinery while
focusing on the rotor and now that the rotor is fixed, they must still
attend to the ancillary equipment. As a result we still have low capacity
utilization of the power station.

Clearly we have had serious mismanagement from all those involved including
ZESA. The minister alludes to this fact whether ZESA is likely be an
acceptable partner in the purchasing of solar generated power from
independent power producers. In my opinion, the old model with ZESA in the
middle has caused so much pain for everyone and its time we came up with
innovative and more efficient distribution model especially for solar power
generation and distribution. In my view restructuring and chunking ZESA, as
the minister announced, will not change the nature of the beast. It merely
means we will have more egos involved more perks to pay and more jobs for
pals.

On the issue of solar panels for homes, I think that it is a good idea to
ensure that these are affordable. I do think however, that we continue to
seriously under rate the solar power solution. We need to be more aggressive
in the use of solar power both for residential and industrial use.

For example, the ministry of energy can put in an incentive for homes to
convert. For example, write off an agreed cost of a home solar power system
against any debt owed to ZESA or provide a subsidy? We could also make it
law that any new residential developments must have solar water heating
systems as water heating is a significant cost. Where possible, we must
encourage homes to be completely off grid thus reducing the demand at all
times and not just during the day as the minister suggests.

In the case of companies, they can invest in solar power plants and be able
to, for example, get tax benefits for doing so or sell that power back to
the grid.

On the issue if locally manufactured solar lamps for US$10, which is
commendable because I have seen some imported lamps being sold for US$ 40!
There has been significant profiteering in this sector and we need to
intervene and save the poor from unscrupulous suppliers. We must encourage
local manufacture of these and create jobs as the minister intends.

Prepaid meters result in energy saving while improving cash flow for power
suppliers. Al though they are not that easy to manage for those that are
unable to budget and do not have consistent income, which is the case for
most Zimbabweans, they remove doubt and suspicions as long as the company
that manages them is a credible one. Minister, why did we have to include
foreign companies in this process? Surely there are enough qualified
Zimbabweans who can run prepaid meter platforms?

There is still some education necessary when it comes to domestic use of
gas. I noted that those in the townships re reverting to paraffin which is
sad development. Again here I see that a Zambian has been appointed to
assist us? There are millions of qualified Zimbabwean engineers in the
Diaspora who can surely do the research and come up with the necessary
solutions.

Overall I think the minister has done his home work but it is very important
that we find quick short term solutions and he cannot do this on his own
without users contributing to save energy.

The fundamental challenge we face is that of information and awareness
within our communities on the importance of energy to our well being as a
country. Energy saving must be a community driven campaign and I see nothing
on that front in the ministers plans.

Last but not least is the use of CFLs' in Zimbabwe. I am led to believe that
these contain mercury and are harmful to the environment. LED lighting is
the new way and shouldn't we go that route now to avoid unnecessary future
costs?

I do hope that in the event that if the minister is promoted in the future,
we do get some continuity in policy on whoever takes over. Government has a
reputation of structuring policy around individuals and no wonder why for 28
years we have had free riders in the ministry.

Vince Musewe is an independent economist currently in Harare and you may
contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s statement to the press

http://www.mdc.co.zw

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Introduction
I wish to welcome you to this edition of the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press
briefing.

Firstly, I want to say that our country remains on a path towards political
and economic stability. Despite our political differences, it is imperative
that this inclusive government lays the basis for political stability by
addressing those reforms that will lead to free and fair elections and
ultimately, to a legitimate government.

I also wish to state that as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, I have had working
visits to China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and have been heartened by
the renewed confidence in our country. Currently, there is a business
delegation from Japan following my recent visit to that country and such
visits by prospective investors show that we remain a country with great
potential to do business with the world again.

I have also had the occasion to visit several African countries recently,
including the recent SADC summit in Maputo where I was invited as the leader
of the MDC.

I can tell you with confidence that my interactions with SADC Heads of State
and government have shown me that our brothers and sisters in Africa are
full of hope on the prospects for peace, stability and economic development
in our country.

After all, Africa, and in particular the SADC region, has invested a lot of
time in helping us to find each other. As we reach the delicate stage of
this transition, it is important that we retain the confidence of our
brothers and sisters to show these stakeholders that on our part as a
government, we remain committed to holding free and fair elections.

Economic Outlook
Our major concern has been dwindling revenue inflows and this has affected
government’s capacity to deliver on its primary functions. While we have
succeeded in achieving economic stability, the new challenge is to grow the
economy and this can only happen with FDI.

In the past three years, we have had two major investments in the country,
notably Essar and the Chisumbanje ethanol project.

The Essar project has to proceed and the debate over mining concessions
should now be a thing of the past. As government, we signed up to the deal
and all we expect now is for work to resume at Essar.

On Chisumbanje, government has just dispatched an inter-ministerial
committee and we await their feedback. We have to balance between the need
to protect such a major investment and the concerns of the displaced
communities. The future is in ethanol but we are expecting feedback on the
situation on the ground from the committee that was headed by Deputy Prime
Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara so that we determine the way forward.

Any act that affects existing investments will have an impact on prospective
investment in the country. As we speak, there have been disturbances in the
Save Valley Conservancy and this sends the wrong message at a time when we
are preparing to host the UNWTO next year.

To this end, I will be having a meeting with Environment and Natural
Resources Hon Francis Nhema to discuss this issue.

The Inclusive Government
This government continues to lurch along. It remains mired in the usual
policy discord which is likely to worsen as we trudge towards the next
election.

I firmly believe that even as we brace for political contestation in the
next election, we cannot afford to abdicate our responsibility as an
inclusive government whose mandate is to serve the people of Zimbabwe.

We owe the people of this country leadership and we must continue to provide
service and to create the environment for people to go about their daily
business.

We have our own shortcomings in many sectors, but it is also true that there
has been a marked improvement in service delivery especially in the fields
of health and education since the formation of this government. I admit that
we have our own challenges especially as we try to grapple with the outbreak
of typhoid, but there has been commendable work in many spheres.

The Constitution
Perhaps the most important debate in the country is about the Constitution.
I want to make it clear that neither the Principals nor the political
parties have any veto power over the Constitution.

Article 6 of the GPA is clear that the Constitution-making process should be
driven by Parliament. Some of us have no wish to revise that position and in
any case, the Principals cannot renegotiate a document agreed by those with
our delegated authority.

We cannot negotiate in perpetuity. This Constitution is a product of years
of hard work which included sourcing the views of the people and
negotiations between the political parties. So we say no to any attempts to
dedicate more time in a process where the country has already committed huge
resources and time.

It is time the people made a decision through a referendum and political
parties should refrain from pretending to speak on behalf of the people when
the people reserve the right to speak for themselves in a referendum.

This draft is a product of careful and painstaking negotiations on a
give-and-take basis.

In this referendum, every party should reserve the right to campaign for or
against this Constitution because it is high time we gave the people of
Zimbabwe the right to make a determination on this important national
process.

The new draft by our friends in this government is not an amendment to the
draft, but a completely new document which is at variance which what the
people said. For example, the people were clear on the need for a devolved
State but our friends have completely removed any mention of devolution in
their new document.

So let’s take the draft Constitution to the people who are the real
Principals in this matter. The Principals to the GPA cannot substitute the
sovereign people of Zimbabwe to determine how they should be governed. Let
the people of Zimbabwe in a referendum be the final arbiters, not three
individuals.

A new Constitution is central to elections and to the reform agenda in
Zimbabwe and if this process is collapsed, it will spell doom to the
prospects for a credible, free and fair election

Reforms
There has been a slight movement on electoral reform but the pace has been
disappointing in respect of other reforms such as media which is key to a
free and fair election. We agreed way back on a raft of media reforms that
include the appointment of new boards to run State media operations. To date
this has not happened.

As of now, the State media continues to divide this government by adopting a
malicious and partisan approach against myself and my party. In short,
continuing to act as propaganda mouthpieces of Zanu PF. Clearly, this is a
major hurdle that has to be dealt with before the next election.

At the recent SADC summit, we were advised to put in place a cabinet
committee on implementation and I hope that we will, as a government,
succeed in implementing what we agreed and media reform is key if this
country is to have some semblance of a free and fair election.

Way Forward
The way forward is a free and fair election but only predicated by a process
which includes a new Constitution and the implementation of those reforms
that will result in a credible poll.

We will not take part in anything other than a fair election. Anything else
is a circus. The lesson of 2008 is that Zimbabwe cannot afford anything
other than a credible and legitimate election that conforms to SADC’s own
conditions on the conduct of elections.We cannot afford anything less than
that.

I thank you

My Voice is in. My Vote is YES

Diaspora Vote: Can NCA come to the rescue?

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 28th August 2012.

Given that the Diaspora Vote is not provided for in Copac drafts backed by
the MDC formations and Zanu-pf, could the National Consultative Assembly
(NCA) be the Diaspora’s last hope?

That hope has heightened after SADC facilitator on the Zimbabwe crisis,
South African President Jacob Zuma reportedly suggested resolving the
current impasse on the draft constitution by testing both the Copac draft
(endorsed by the MDC formations) and the one amended by Zanu-pf in a
referendum.

While that makes a lot of sense, the only problem is that neither of the
rival drafts provide for the right of exiled Zimbabweans to vote in
forthcoming elections.

Curiously, the Copac draft being promoted by the MDC formations does not
allow exiled Zimbabweans to vote in future elections and referendums,
despite those parties being popular abroad. As for Zanu-pf, it
disenfranchised about 3 million people mainly because of racism against
whites after the 2000 referendum went against its wishes.

With the reported resuscitation of Zanu-pf terror bases, no prizes for
guessing why Zanu-pf is opposed to the Diaspora Vote, since its Green
Bombers cannot intimidate people in London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Ottawa, or
Washington as it does in Masvingo, Mutare, Bindura, or Bulawayo.

It is also worth noting that Zanu-pf is opposed to alternative constitutions
in the referendum because it could end up being a “referendum on Mugabe and
the party” instead of a plebiscite on the draft constitution (Zimbabwe
Independent, Mugabe in panic mode, 26/08/12).

But going by the changes Zanu-pf has reportedly made to the Copac draft, it
is not surprising why they desperately want the principals to rubber-stamp
their changes and to have only one charter put to a referendum. The answer
lies in skilful manipulation.

As of now, who is and who is not a principal is very controversial except
for Tsvangirai and Mugabe. Beyond that, it is all fireworks.

Zanu-pf is confident to get what it wants through the principals than
negotiation or a people drivenmechanism. That is why it is patiently waiting
for Mugabe’s return from Iran to persuade the principals to adopt
(rubber-stamp) his party’s draft.

Among things removed by Zanu-pf from the Copac draft are dual citizenship,
devolution, presidential running mates, Peace and Reconciliation Commission,
constitutional court and introduced mandatory national youth service
(Newsday, Details of Zanu-pf,

Since the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) has its own alternative
constitution which I am sure provides for all the human rights including the
Diaspora Vote, it would made sense if the NCA draft was also put to the
referendum alongside those of the GPA parties. Obviously that would not be
uncontested since it’s not in the GPA. The positive thing about that
suggestion is that at least there would be something for NCA members to
vote for rather than a ‘NO’ vote as initially planned.

Furthermore, the NCA alternative constitution would hopefully be more
inclusive and not racist by recognising that 3-4 million Zimbabweans with
roots back home should have a right to decide who should rule Zimbabwe
regardless of colour or political affiliation.

There is a big possibility of Zimbabwe reverting to the current (Lancaster
House) Constitution, unless the impasse is resolved one way or another,
sooner rather than later.

Although, there is confusion within Zanu-pf ranks, indications are that the
former ruling party will “seek asylum” in the former colonial charter!

Asked what happens now that its amendments to the draft constitution had
been rejected by the MDC formations, Zanu-pf spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo was
quoted on the NewZimbabwe.com website on 23rd August 2012, as saying:

“But if it (Zanu-pf) is pushed to the corner, we may consider reverting to
the old (current) Constitution. If that is their position (MDC formation),
it is fine we are going to take a position on Saturday.”

Even the Head of State and Politburo had earlier made similar threats.
Addressing the 88th ordinary session of the Zanu-pf Central Committee in
Harare in March, party leader Robert Mugabe vowed:

“Zimbabwe will go for a referendum in May, failure of which it will revert
to the Lancaster House Constitution and hold elections before the end of the
year” (Bulawayo24.com, 31/03/12).

Although, May has since passed, Mugabe’s threat is still worth worrying
about given that he amended that constitution 19 times just to accommodate
his 32 years’ grip on power. There is no reason why the NCA and indeed other
organisations should not submit their alternative constitutions to the
forthcoming referendum.

Claims that a referendum for more than one constitution would precipitate
violence are false and unhelpful because everything comes at a price
including freedom, justice and democracy. A SADC or UN peacekeeping force
could handle violence.

It is still very mysterious why the MDC formations are not keen on the
Diaspora Vote despite Zanu-pf’s Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa saying
that allowing people in the Diaspora to vote would be tantamount to handing
over power to the MDCs.

The only chance left for the Diaspora Vote is an alternative constitution
restoring that fundamental right. Whether the NCA would be interested or
indifferent like the GPA parties, it remains to be seen.
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London,
zimanalysis2009@gmail.com

Where are we going? What are we doing? What is this going to cost us all?

Bill Watch 40/2012 of 27th August [New Parliament Session - Date Not Yet Announced]