Zimbabwe's human rights commission chief quits

http://www.timeslive.co.za

Sapa-AFP | 29 December, 2012 15:45

The chairman of Zimbabwe's human rights commission, appointed to help curb
rights violations, has resigned citing inhibiting laws and lack of
resources.

"The critical reason for my resignation is the legal framework... within
which the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is expected now and in the
future, to carry out its mandate," The Herald newspaper quoted Professor Reg
Austin as saying in a statement.

"As a national human rights institution the commission must be independent
and properly capacitated."

Austin cited sections of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Act and
electoral laws that he said impinged on the commission's work.

The commission was appointed in 2009 as part of a raft of reforms agreed on
by parties in the country's power-sharing government to guarantee fair and
peaceful elections.

Austin once complained about the absence of a proper office for the
commission and lack of equipment that rendered the commission ineffectual.

The rights group Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said Austin's
resignation indicated a serious threat to the protection of human rights.

"This resignation is an unequivocal statement of the condemnation of the
current operating framework particularly the excessive powers of the
executive," it said.

"Lack of effective powers and independence of the commission to investigate
and take strong action where human rights violations have been brought to
its attention and its inability to independently investigate and take strong
action in relation to electoral-related violations."

Zimbabwe is soon expected to hold elections to choose a successor to the
power-sharing government formed by veteran President Robert Mugabe and
long-time rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Previous elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by violence and
intimidation.

Talk of coalition to oust Mugabe gathers pace

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

Staff Reporter 6 hours 13 minutes ago

THE two MDC parties in the inclusive government and several other smaller
political formations are reportedly planning to rally behind one
presidential candidate in a grand coalition to supplant the President Robert
Mugabe-led Zanu PF regime in next year’s harmonised elections.
Although the pleas to unite the pro-democracy factions against Zanu PF are
as old as multi-party politics in the country, party and civic society
leaders yesterday said if the move succeeds, it will ensure a resounding
victory for democracy.
Political analysts also pointed to the advantages of a united front by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangira, Welshman Ncube’s MDC and Simba Makoni’s
Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) against a sitting dictatorship post every
election.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said: “The position of the MDC is that
it welcomes co-operation and unity of purpose of all progressive democratic
forces for the purpose of the removal of dictatorship. It, therefore, has
always co-operated with other political parties.
“The decision of what form of co-operation it will be will have to be made
by members of the MDC itself. Our leadership would be guided by the decision
of the national standing committee, national executive, national council,
the provincial executive, district executive and ward executive. All leaders
will have to make that decision.”
Mwonzora said: “Gone are the days of having little political fiefdoms and it’s
time to have one strong candidate who has realistic chances of dislodging
the dictatorship especially one who has defeated Mugabe before.”
The MDC camp also indicated it supported a grand coalition although it
remained sceptical of Tsvangirai’s commitment to the deal.
A senior member of the MDC, David Coltart, yesterday said the 2008 election
was lost because of split votes hence there was need for unity to “fight a
common enemy”.
“This is probably the best that we can have. In 2008, elections were lost
because of votes that were split,” Coltart said.
“(Welshman) Ncube and I are not in fact at odds on this issue. Both of us
agree that in an ideal world, we should have a single united opposition
against Zanu PF, but we both recognise that that is well-nigh impossible. In
the circumstances, we should strive to agree on an electoral pact so that we
do not split the vote as happened in 2008.
“We both know this will be very difficult and if there is any disagreement
between us it is in how we rate the chances of obtaining an electoral pact.
He (Ncube) is very pessimistic that this is possible whereas whilst I am
also fairly pessimistic, I think it is still possible. My views in this
regard should not be taken as any fundamental disagreement between us or any
loss of faith by me in his leadership.”
MDC99 leader Job Sikhala added: “It’s good, but there is no one who should
be automatically imposed on the people. It needs negotiation.
“It’s true the common enemy is Zanu PF and people want to work together to
obtain democracy in Zimbabwe. It’s obvious we all want to see Mugabe’s
back.”
Political commentator Charity Manyeruke said it was possible for the parties
to unite ahead of elections as they shared similarities.
“It’s their right and it’s normal like what is happening in other countries
to unite and confront a formidable force. It’s understandable. I see no
differences between the two MDC formations in terms of orientation,” she
said.
Gideon Chitanga, a PhD candidate, Rhodes University-Politics and
International Studies and a Fellow of the Centre for the Study of Democracy,
Rhodes University and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa,
recently wrote: “There is no doubt that any attempt to patch a top-heavy
elite coalition will not succeed.
“If such a coalition succeeds in rallying a number of elites and their
supporters together, it may help in securing electoral victory without
advancing democracy, and therefore can only secure minimal change if any.”
The two MDC formations have previously conducted successful pacts,
particularly when they all rallied behind Lovemore Moyo’s election as
Speaker of the House of Assembly in 2008 and 2011.
Recently the two MDCs presented similar positions to the constitution-making
body, Copac. - NewsDay

Zimbabwe Coalition Talk To Topple Mugabe Dismissed

http://www.zimeye.org

By Staff Reporter

Published: December 29, 2012

Bulawayo- Plans by political parties to form a coalition to remove long time
ruler Robert Mugabe, hit a snag Saturday when the MDC led by Welshman Ncube
dismissed them as wishful thinking.

MDC formation led by Industry and Commerce Minister Professor Welshman
Ncube dismissed the speculation of a possible coalition with the Morgan
Tsvangirai led MDC formation as “wishfull thinking “.

Before this time, speculation had been rife that Ncube’s MDC party would
unite with Morgan Tsvangirai’s formation under the latter’s name together
with Mavambo Kusile Dawn and MDC-99.

“As a party we are not hunting for political partners to fight Zanu pf,the
issue of a grand coalition could be a good idea but not easily achievable
because we tried it with the MDC-T in 2008 but they refused,”said Mushoriwa
who is also a former member of parlianent for Dzivaresekwa constituency
under a united MDC ticket.

He described speculation by some sections of the media about a possible
coalition as nothing but wishfull thinking.

Mushoriwa said his party will stand by its congress resolution to invade
every village and every corner of Zimbabwe in preparation for elections.

“However the MDC doors are still open for serious political parties who
believe in collective action towards the creation of a just and fair
Zimbabwe,”he said.

A founder member of the united MDC Senator David Coltart who is currently
the Legal and Constitutional affairs secretary in the MDC led by Professor
Welshman Ncube was widely quoted in the media saying there is need for unity
“to fight a common enemy”.

Coltart who is also minister of education arts sport and culture said”we
should strive to agree on an electoral pact so that we do not split the vote
as happened in 2008.”

The MDC led by prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai has since announced that it
will soon embark on the controversial candidate verification exercise in
stead of holding primary elections.

Mugabe Starts Vacation in China as Constitution Deadline Looms

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Blessing Zulu
28.12.2012

President Robert Mugabe left the country yesterday for the Far East to start
his annual vacation, throwing into turmoil plans to conclude the
constitution-making process and other key reforms ahead of elections
expected in 2013.

The president’s departure comes as the seven-member cabinet and
parliamentary committee tasked to break the impasse on constitution-making
yesterday resolved to refer outstanding matters to the three political
parties in the Government of National Unity.

The outstanding issues lingering from the 2nd All-Stakeholders’ Conference
on the new constitution include devolution of power, dual citizenship,
reform of the legislature, executive powers, a land commission, as well as
security sector and judiciary reforms.

Zanu PF in its annual conference resolutions early this month endorsed Mr.
Mugabe’s statements to dissolve Parliament and proclaim a date for the
elections if the new constitution was not concluded by Christmas.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba says that President Mugabe can call
for elections under the current Lancaster House constitution if a new
charter cannot be finalized.

Both formations of the Movement for Democratic Change and the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) are pushing for a new constitution
before elections.

Zanu PF sources, however, say some hardliners in the party are not
comfortable with a new constitution and are pushing the President to defy
SADC.

So with the constitution making process facing so many difficulties, does
the president’s vacation abroad really complicate matters?

Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga says Mr. Mugabe’s absence may
slow the process even further at a time when a new constitution would help
set the stage for 2013 elections.

Phillan Zamchiya, political analyst and the regional coordinator for the
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, agrees that Mr. Mugabe should cut his vacation
short to deal with the constitution and other pressing domestic issues.

Government sources say Mr. Mugabe and his family will spend at least the
next three weeks vacationing in China and Singapore.

Furore over Mugabe vacation timing

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/12/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s vacation in the Far East has sparked a furore
among civil society groups that are calling on him to return and tackle the
unraveling constitution revision process.

Mugabe left Harare for Asia on Thursday where he will spend between three
and four weeks with his family.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CZC), an umbrella body representing different
civil society groups, raised concern on Friday saying Mugabe’s absence will
slow down the pace of reforms expected before elections next year.

“We urge the president to cut short his vacation and help resolve the crisis
at home so that Zimbabwe can make democratic progress before the next
elections,” CZC said in a statement.

“Zimbabwe remains at a critical transitional juncture and we call upon its
leaders to prioritise implementation of the necessary reforms rather than
long vacations as we face a watershed” vote.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba had earlier sought to preempt the
outrage saying “there is no necessary link with him (Mugabe) going on leave
and the progress of the constitution-making process.”

But the civil society groups differed saying Mugabe needed to be present to
negotiate a lasting solution to the stalled new charter effort and implement
several other political and democratic reforms convenient for a free and
fair ballot.

“Even though … Charamba insists that the absence of the president will not
adversely affect the finalization of the constitution and other reforms,
political developments on the ground suggest otherwise,” CZC added.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga appeared to agree saying even
a cross-party ministerial panel set up to iron out differences was also
likely to be affected by holiday absenteeism.

"As you are aware we are now in the holiday season and it’s going to take a
bit of time to get everybody who should be consulted because some people
would have gone on holiday," he told VOA.

The ministerial commitee has been holding meetings over the past few days
but a resolution has remained elusive as both Zanu PF and the two MDC
formations remain entrenched in their diametric positions.

A meeting on Thursday tasked the panel's members to go and brief their
respective parties on the negotiations and "get further instructions as to
what should be happening in the future."

Zanu PF says there are more than 30 sticking points, including devolution of
power which it wants scrapped. But the MDC parties have played down the
magnitude of differences saying only a few disagreements remain.

The CZC cited US President Barack Obama who was forced to abandon his family
holiday on Thursday to deal with the so-called “fiscal cliff” that will
trigger tax increases for all Americans if Republicans and Democrats do not
strike a deal in the next three days.

While details of Mugabe’s schedule and destination were not released, he
told a local weekly recently that he will likely vacation in China. “I am
going to have a bit of a holiday and I am going to travel, possibly to
China,” Mugabe said.

Since he was slapped with Western sanctions over charges of gross human
rights violations and electoral fraud, Mugabe has turned to the Far East and
made Asia his primary holidaying destination.

He has also paid frequent visits, especially to Singapore, allegedly to
receive treatment for advanced cancer.

But Mugabe and his surrogates have vehemently dismissed the reports
insisting the veteran leader is in good health.

Visiting Zimbabweans Urged to Register For Crucial Polls

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Benedict Nhlapho
28.12.2012

Civil society organizations, political parties and even ordinary Zimbabweans
have urged their fellow citizens in the Diaspora who are home during this
festive season to register to vote.

They are also calling on those who are already registered to visit the
Registrar-General’s offices and confirm that their names are still on the
voters’ rolls.

“Your vote is your power.” This is the message from civil society
organizations and political parties, directed to Zimbabweans in the Diaspora
who are home for the Christmas and the New Year holidays.

During the views-gathering stage of the constitution-drafting process
currently being finalized, Zimbabweans in the Diaspora expressed
overwhelming support for the right to vote while abroad.

Unfortunately for them, neither the old constitution nor the current draft
of the new constitution allows Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to vote, unless
they return to Zimbabwe on Election Day.

Nonetheless, Zimbabweans overseas who are home for the festive season are
being urged to register to vote before they leave again.

Diliza Mangoye Dlamini is a Zimbabwean national who has lived in South
Africa for years. Mangoye says people should stop complaining in taxis or
beer halls about the lack of an absentee voting system, and take concrete
steps to ensure they vote next year.

Dlamini said: “For those who are outside the country, if you have made it to
zimbabwe, the best thing you could do is to take your identification
document and proof of residency for where you stay- whether it’s a village,
whether it’s in the township or wherever- to the nearest registrar office
and register to vote.”

The Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai has also intensified its efforts to encourage Zimbabweans in the
Diaspora to take part in the coming referendum and elections.

Samuel Mavhunga, the party’s Organizing Secretary in South Africa, says the
MDC-T have distributed hundreds of leaflets urging people to take advantage
of their festive season visit to Zimbabwe and register to vote.

Mavhunga said the coming referendum and national elections give a golden
opportunity to Zimbabweans, especially the youth, most of whom left the
country in search of greener pastures.

“The coming vote as MDC," said Mavhunga, “is a vote that we really want not
to lose it. So we want everyone to participate, so actually we want to have
as many people as they are going to Zimbabwe, to take that opportunity and
check, are they in the voters’ roll.”

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has also launched an election
campaign targeting Zimbabweans in countries that belong to the Southern
African Development Community (SADC).

Besides talking to ordinary Zimbabweans about the need to register to vote,
the organization also lobbies authorities in those countries to relax
immigration laws for Zimbabweans when the time comes for them to go back to
Zimbabwe to vote.

Mfundo Mlilo, a board member of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, says
it would be unfair to deny the participation of millions of Zimbabweans
currently working in other countries.

Mlilo said: “The Diaspora carries a very big vote, and as organizations we
are concerned mostly about Diasporans in the SADC region because they have a
better opportunity to come back home and vote.

"So we are encouraging Diasporans to come and ensure that their voice is
heard, and we know that if their voice is heard, that will increase, our
voters that are out there and remember it will be difficult to steal an
election where there is overwhelming support and voter turnout.”

Busani Bhalagwe, ZAPU spokesperson in South Africa, says voting is the
surest way Zimbabweans can make a difference in their home country.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “there is no place like home. And as far as
our Zimbabwean situation is concerned, no one will solve that problem except
ourselves as Zimbabweans, so we should stand up and be counted. We should
stand up, register to vote and change the situation. We cannot cry. What we
need to do is to take action right now. That’s when we will see the
difference.”

The Government of National Unity has announced an intensive three-month
voter registration period starting from January 2013.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai recently hinted that the referendum on the
new constitution might be held as early as the end of January or early
February 2013.

Meanwhile, President Mugabe has suggested that national elections must be
held in March 2013.

However, civil society organizations say, whenever the referendum and the
elections will be held, they want to ensure that all legible voters are
ready to exercise their right to vote.

Hurungwe villagers living in fear of Zanu PF threats

http://nehandaradio.com/

on December 29, 2012 at 5:53 am

By Trymore Mandangu

HURUNGWE – Quenching off the day’s thirst with one’s favourite brew at the
nearest drinking hole, among familiar faces, is a daily pastime for most
rural folks.

But not for Patrick Makoni (70) of Dicks farm under Chief Dendera, Magunje
after his nearest spot was declared off bounds by a militant war veteran
accusing him of supporting the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC.

A visibly shaken Makoni narrated his ordeal to this reporter saying a group
of ZANU PF supporters led by a war veteran he could only identify as
Kwaramba banned him from drinking at Joahani farm threatening him with
violence if he sets foot at the shops.

“Kwaramba is a violent person and after the threats, I reported the case to
Karoi rural police as I fear for my life. I have seen what these people can
do”, said Makoni, adding that he has avoided the place ever since.

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence
Mabweazara confirmed the report whose case number is CR 20/07/12

Makoni’s case is just one of many where ZANU PF militia, war veterans and
security forces, particularly the Second Brigade of Magunje, harass and
intimidate perceived and real MDC T supporters in the politically volatile
district of Hurungwe, infamous for deadly violence in the 2008 elections.

Human rights violations, intimidation and threats of violence have become
formidable tools to browbeat political foes into submission in the region
where many still carry the scars of political violence.

Apart from intimidation and threats of violence, ZANU PF activists,
including traditional leaders are also abusing community projects to
victimise MDC T supporters and other apologists. Seed and input distribution
in Magunje and other areas in Hurungweis done along partisan ostracising MDC
T members and supporters.

Investigations by this reporter revealed that ZANU PF ‘terror’ groups were
already in place and the wheels of terror in motion with the groups
harassing and threatening members of the opposition and other villagers.

In May, Simon Mupfurutsa and Farai Kaitano, teachers at Chikangwe High
School in Karoi were harassed after hordes of ZANU PF supporters demanded
their removal from school because of their involvement with the MDC T.

Teachers, due to their opinion leader status are generally regarded as
agents of regime change in rural Zimbabwe where ZANU PF still commands
considerable support.

“ZANU PF supporters came to the school demanding that I leave the school
because of my involvement with MDC T… we live in fear as they constantly
threaten us”, said Mupfurutsa

Contacted for comment, ZANU PF Mashonaland West chairman John Mafa said he
was not aware of any incidents of terror in Hurungwe. “As a party we are not
aware of such incidents, if there are any, we haven’t heard of them”, he
said.

Soldiers at the 23 Combat Group Satellite Training Centre, 35km south-west
of Karoi are also reportedly unleashing recruits to terrorise MDC T
supporters at Magunje growth point. MDC T secretary for Magunje, Tonderai
Kusemamuriwo who runs Magunje Inn said soldiers come at any time and chase
away revellers from the Inn.

“The army here is partisan, it is used to intimidate and perpetrate violence
against our supporters. They chase away revellers from my place because I am
MDC T”, said Kusemamuriwo, who added that his party had reported all the
cases of violence threats and intimidation to the Joint Monitoring and
Implementation Committee (JOMIC).

JOMIC provincial liaison officer Zororai Malasha could neither deny nor
confirm that JOMIC was handling the two cases.

“We are not in a position to divulge information on the cases we are working
on. What I can tell you is that we have a number of cases from Hurungwe and
are working to see that there is peaceful co-existence in the area”, Malasha
said

Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Colonel Alfonso Makotore could however
not comment on the activities of the army in Magunje saying he was on leave
but referred this reporter to a major Zuva. “I cannot comment, I am on leave
please get in touch with major Zuva in Magunje”, col Makotore said

Numerous attempts to contact major Zuva failed with the army line going
straight to Tel One offices in Karoi. A male operator at Tel One said the
line to the barracks were dead.

Threats against MDC T supporters increased after Jabulani Sibanda descended
on the district in July where he held indoctrination rallies. During the
rallies, Sibanda declared ‘war’ against MDC supporters, threatened to raze
down their homes and drive away all MDC elements from Hurungwe.

Edmore Chinanzvavana from Zinyama kraal under Chief Dendera had his house
burnt days after one of Sibanda’s rallies.

“My house was burnt by ZANU PF militia after Sibanda had declared war
against the MDC. We now live in fear of what they will do next, the police
is not helping as they are selectively applying the law”, said Chinanzvavana

Sibanda, a controversial war veteran’s leader, is believed to be part of
ZANU PF’s political grand plan to bully its opposition ahead of elections
that are likely to be held next year. He is currently travelling around the
country where he is teaming up with traditional leaders to hold
indoctrination rallies

In Kazangarare villagers were frog marched to Sibanda’s rallies. According
to villagers who attended the rally, chief Kazangarare decreed that everyone
had to attend the rally.

“The rally was called by the chief who decreed that everyone had to attend.
Those who resisted were frog marched by ZANU PF youth”, said Joel Chibanda,
a villager from Mhereyenyoka.

A source close to headman JawertKazangarare, son to chief Kazangarare said
the rallies were meant to test the levels of ZANU PF opposition in the area
and send a clear message on the consequences of dining with MDC T. Jawert, a
former army officer moves around brandishing a pistol and symboks MDC T
supporters at his kraal

“Jawert told me that the rallies were meant to test the party’s popularity
ahead of elections and decide on the amount of force necessary to ensure a
ZANU PF victory in the elections”, said the source who preferred to remain
anonymous for fear of victimisation

The war veterans’ leader however denied that his rallies were meant to
instill fear in the people or fan violence, saying they were peaceful
rallies where the party was trying to reconnect with the people. “If there
was violence or harassment after I left Hurungwe I cannot answer on that”,
Sibanda said.

Zanu PF targets injiva

http://www.swradioafrica.com

December 28, 2012 in NewsDay

Speaking at a developmental meeting at Nshaba Clinic in Tsholotsho, Mpofu
said areas like Tsholotsho had a number of youths who had left the country
because of hardships.

“We want to assist the youths in many ways, they want projects that would
boost their livelihoods,” he said.

“This area has young people who have gone out of the country to seek
employment because of hardships, but things are no longer good outside and
many want to come back.

“Some have even died while there, but we want to assist those youths so that
they can settle down.

“Some want to marry yet some want to get married and we want to assist these
youths.”

Tsholotsho is one of the districts in Matabeleland with a huge number of
youths who have left the country to seek employment in South Africa.

Mpofu said the behaviour of some of the leaders of his party made people
shun Zanu PF.

“When you see people do bad things, it is because of us the leaders,” he
said.

“You did not do anything wrong, the one who made a mistake is some of the
leaders that after being selected turn against the people. “For those who
were in Zanu PF and were frustrated out of the party by some leaders, do not
blame the party, but those individuals.

“Some leaders after being elected to power, loot foodstuffs and even regalia
for party members.”

Zanu PF and the MDC-T have made their intentions known that they will be
targeting the youth and women votes in the next polls.

Minister David Coltart calls for halls of fame

http://www.swradioafrica.com

Report by Khanyile Mlotshwa

December28, 2012

in NewsDay

Contributing to the debate sparked by the failed bid to declare the late
soccer star Adam Ndlovu a hero, Coltart wrote on the social network Facebook
that the country should honour its celebrated citizens during their
lifetime.

“The main point I made when speaking at Adam Ndlovu’s funeral was that we
need to devise a policy to honour sportspersons during their lifetime,” the
minister said.

“The same of course goes for our artistic and cultural icons as well. The
United States has Halls of Fame, the United Kingdom awards knighthoods, why
not Zimbabwe?”

Deputy Prime Minister and MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe’s request to
have Ndlovu declared a national hero was turned down.

Speaking at the burial of the late Nketa MP Seiso Moyo on Monday, Speaker of
Parliament Lovemore Moyo also took the opportunity to contribute to the
heroism debate in the country.

“What will happen to the heroes’ issue when all nationalists have died?,” he
asked. “The truth is that you (nationalists) will die. What is amazing is
the question of heroes in this country. A hero should be someone who
sacrificed for the nation at the expense of the family.

“But in this country, the tragedy is that we have a homegrown dictionary
that gives us a definition of a hero as someone who went to a war, which is
unfortunate. Don’t be surprised tomorrow when the young generation closes
the Heroes’ Acre because the nationalists have failed to define the right
path on the issue.”

70ha maize destroyed in land dispute

http://www.herald.co.zw

Saturday, 29 December 2012 00:00

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
OVER 70 hectares of maize belonging to about 55 A1 farmers were last week
destroyed by a white commercial farmer in Mazowe in a land dispute.

Mr Peep Mattison of Tavydale Farm, about 18 kilometres north of Nyabira,
destroyed the crops and planted his tobacco on the 995-hectare farm.

The A1 farmers derive legitimacy of occupancy from offer letters signed by
the district administrator, while Mr Mattison has a letter from the
Governor and Resident Minister’s Office for Mashonaland Central Province
Advocate Martin Dinha saying the farm was covered under the Bilateral
Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

Mazowe district administrator Mrs Shelter Nyakudya confirmed signing offer
letters for the farmers.
“We sign offer letters for A1 farmers as district administrators and in this
case when I signed the confirmation letters in March this year, the issue of
BIPPA had not yet been raised,” said Mrs Nyakudya.

Governor Dinha’s letter is dated December 12, 2012 and came after the local
MP, Cde Richard Chirongwe (Zanu-PF), made inquiries regarding the status of
the farm.

One of the affected farmers, Mr Felix Mshambodza said they accessed some of
the inputs through the Presidential Well-wishers Scheme to supplement the
inputs they bought with loans from commercial banks.

Mr Mattison destroyed the crops despite losing a High Court bid to evict
them November.
When The Herald visited the farm yesterday, destroyed maize plants could be
seen strewn around while Mr Mattison’s tobacco was thriving.

The A1 farmers accused some politicians in the province of protecting the
white commercial farmer.
“We have loans that we had accessed from commercial banks on the strength of
these offer letters, payable when we have harvested. What are we going to do
to repay these loans?” said Mr Mshambodza.

Another farmer, Mr Gabelan Kanakembizi, said they enrolled their children at
a local school after being allocated land at the farm.

“We had even registered to vote at the farm, meaning we had transferred our
names from various constituencies to this farm,” he said.

The farmers accused Mr Mattison of misleading authorities as the property
was not in his name, but in the name of Mr Charles De Burbure, a Belgian who
left in 2000 at the height of the fast-track land reform programme.

When contacted, Mr Mattison said: “I had pre-irrigated the area, applied
chemicals for tobacco, only for these people to come and plant their crops.
I now have to plant my tobacco out of time. I am very disappointed.”

He said the farmers had wrongly been allocated offer letters since the farm
was protected under BIPPA.

In his judgment, Justice Francis Bere castigated Government officials for
failing to speak with one voice.

“This case represents a very sad state of affairs on the part of the
Minister as the acquiring authority of land in this country and the other
ancillary Government departments in land allocation and distribution. They
are not able to speak with one voice and they have been sending conflicting
signals to the occupiers of Tavydale Farm. This approach does not bring
transparency to the whole land regime in this country,” said Justice Bere in
his judgement handed early this month.

The court upheld submission by the A1 farmers that they took occupation of
the land in question in 2011 and had a peaceful harvest.

“That evidence has not been controversed by the applicant. In fact the
applicant is not in a position to controvert that because if it was able to,
it could have done so through its founding papers and possibly through
supplementary affidavit since the farmers made it clear that they took
peaceful occupation of the farm back in 2011.”

The judge proceeded to rule that the case was not urgent.
In his letter Governor Dinha wrote to the local Member of Parliament, Cde
Richard Chirongwe that the farm was covered under BIPPA and no resettlement
should be done.

“We have been directed by the Principal to ensure that there are no
disruptions of whatever nature on the farm and that the management of
Tavydale should continue with their farming operations. We have been further
directed to stop any other resettlement and farming activities on the farm,”
wrote Adv Dinha in a letter dated December 11 2012.

New team to review Essar deal

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

Saturday, 29 December 2012 00:00

Midlands Bureau
GOVERNMENT has set up a committee to handle the paperwork on the sticky
issue of iron claims ahead of the projected start of operations at NewZim
Steel in January, Industry and Commerce

Minister, Professor Welshman Ncube has said.
Prof Ncube said the committee, comprising officials from Essar Holdings,
Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and from his ministry, would meet
in the first two weeks of January.

“The issue of claims needs to be addressed urgently as we are now at
implementation stage.
“We have agreed that we will have a meeting between Essar, our colleagues
and ourselves in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to finalise
all the issues to do with joint exploration and the transfer of mining
rights to NewZim Minerals.

“We are hoping that everything will be in place by early January and the
committee will do the paperwork.”

Prof Ncube said the team could have met earlier to facilitate the swift
resumption of operations at the Redcliff-based giant steel company, were it
not for the festive season holidays.

He said Government had put in place mechanisms to ensure the project springs
to life.
“We have put in place a Cabinet team to monitor the process. The team will
be playing a supervisory role. I hope all ministries will co-operate this
time and allow operations to commence.

“We could have facilitated the meetings to start this month, but everyone is
on holiday. We are hoping, however, to move swiftly once the holidays are
over.”

The minister expressed hope that Essar and Ziscosteel paid the NewZim Steel
workers part of their December salaries following an understanding that was
undertaken.
He acknowledged that things were not yet running smoothly at NewZim Steel,
although he remained optimistic.

“The workers were supposed to be paid 50 percent of their December salaries.
That was the understanding between Essar and Ziscosteel. Ziscosteel was
supposed to meet 25 percent of the salaries while the other 25 percent was
to come from Essar. We, however, expect things to have normalised once
operations start in January next year,” said Prof Ncube.

The Redcliff-based company owes its workers over US$12 million, a debt it
inherited from Ziscosteel.
News that operations at NewZim Steel could resume in January brings relief
to the over 3 000 workers, who have gone for many months without salaries,
after the investor suspended payments in March this year.

NewZim Steel had previously hit a brickwall, making many false starts owing
to misunderstandings over the control of the vast iron ore claims.

According to the original deal, Essar Group would take 53 percent of NewZim
Steel (former Ziscosteel-manufacturing arm) and 80 percent of NewZim
Minerals (former Buchwa Iron Mining Company, mining arm) while the
Government takes the remaining shares in both firms.

Prof Ncube said the Essar Group requested a Cabinet guarantee that there
would be no changes to the original deal signed between the Government and
Essar last year.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu once said the deal was
supposed to be revisited because Essar Group would pay only US$700 million
for resources worth over US$30 billion.

He told a Parliamentary Committee that iron ore reserves in Mwanesi near
Chivhu, which are supposed to be controlled by Essar Group under the
agreement, had a cumulative value of US$30 billion.

Government recently endorsed the implementation matrix that was agreed to
with the Essar Group management.

Ignore roadblocks set up by only two cops

http://nehandaradio.com

on December 29, 2012 at 6:50 pm

Motorists should ignore roadblocks manned by less than three police officers
as they are illegal, a top cop has said.

Responding to questions from stakeholders in Bulawayo, the national Deputy
Officer Commanding Traffic, Assistant Commissioner Kenny Mthombeni, said
officers bent on corruption set up illegal roadblocks.

“When you see two officers at check points or a police officer trying to
enforce traffic regulations in a private vehicle, disobey their instructions
and report them to their commanding officer,” said Asst Comm Mthombeni.

He said corruption was rife in both the public and private sector, adding
that only a collective effort by stakeholders could put an end to it.

Asst Comm Mthombeni urged members of the public to supply police with
details of commuter omnibuses that allegedly flouted traffic regulations
because they were owned by police officers.

“We have heard of such vehicles. We have heard that they use undesignated
pick up points and some are without the necessary documents. Send
information to us about them and I assure you the Commissioner General
Augustine Chihuri will take measures and you will see the officers on the
street,” he said to applause from the stakeholders.

Asst Comm Mthombeni said police fines only went up to $20 and if any officer
asked for more, it would be extortion.

“Our fines are between $5 and $20. Anything above that would be done to
induce bribery. If anyone is caught doing that, we will need to refund the
motorist and the money will come from the officer’s salary,” he said.

The national Deputy Officer Commanding Traffic said it was wrong for police
to continue issuing a ticket for the same offence at different roadblocks on
a single trip.

“If you are ticketed the first time, at the next roadblock, you should be
stopped and taken to court. It is also police policy that when a vehicle is
stopped at a roadblock, officers inspect the vehicle and not the driver.
There is therefore no need for the driver to leave the vehicle and approach
the police. If this happens, corruption may be taking place,” said Asst Comm
Mthombeni.

He instructed the Bulawayo traffic department to remove all unregistered
vehicles from the road, as they were taking business away from registered
operators.

Asst Comm Mthombeni said police and the public should be guided by Exodus 23
Verse 8, which reads; “And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the
clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right,”

Speaking at the same event, the deputy manager of the Vehicle Inspection
Depot (VID) in Bulawayo, Mr Exevier Dzimba, said about 75 percent of the
buses that have been impounded by his department in the city since 15
December, were driven by unlicensed drivers and most of them had no brakes.

He said the statistics showed the level of corruption at the VID and police
roadblocks. “To show that Zimbabwe is really dirty, after impounding the
vehicles, people from high up, including politicians start calling and
asking us to release the vehicles,” said Mr Dzimba.

Speaking after the event, Mr Dzimba said the VID always requested written
instructions from anyone making such a request and the people would back
down. The Bulawayo City Council’s head of traffic and security, Retired
Colonel Tobias Dube, said one out of three vehicles in the city had
outstanding traffic tickets.

He said the city practiced zero tolerance towards corruption and had stopped
officers from accepting fines that were not paid at the Revenue Hall.

The regional Traffic Safety Manager for the Southern Region, Miss Barbara
Mpofu said employers should ensure that their drivers had all the required
documents and their vehicles were fit for the road to avoid the need to pay
bribes.

Other stakeholders, who attended the event included members of the public,
public transport associations, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and
senior police officers in the province. The Chronicle

A letter from the diaspora

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Friday December 28th 2012
Another Christmas is over and a new year lies ahead; has anything much
changed in Zimbabwe? And, more important, will 2013 be the year in which
anything – or everything - changes in the country? We still have a so-called
Unity Government though it is increasingly obvious that Mugabe and Zanu PF
still have a firm hold on the reins of power. Mugabe has flown off for his
regular medical check-up in the Far East while back home Harare City’s
Medical Aid Society is facing financial collapse.
Jacob Zuma has been re-elected in South Africa and the media pundits have
been busy discussing whether this is a good or bad thing for Zuma’s next
door neighbour, Robert Mugabe. In Zimbabwe’s capital there has been a
typhoid outbreak which has allegedly killed 800 people. Reports of piles of
uncollected garbage in the capital can only increase the threat of disease
as heavy rain pours down and flies and mosquitoes proliferate in the wet and
warm conditions. We hear that the Director of Amenities has gone on leave
and that’s why the capital is in such a mess; though why the Director has no
Deputy to act in his absence is not explained.
It is deaths from road accidents that have dominated the headlines over the
holiday period. This year there have been 134 deaths in an 11 day period
compared to just 72 deaths last year. In Masvingo last Sunday, a collision
between a haulage truck and a grossly overloaded lorry carrying 63 people
resulted in 18 deaths. Surprisingly, the lorry had apparently passed through
several police check points but no police officer had seen fit to do
anything about the excessive number of passengers being carried. A ‘little
something’ had changed hands perhaps? The fact that 9 police officers have
been arrested in Masvingo is surely more than a little coincidental. In the
reasons given by the police for the horrendous death toll on the roads such
as over-speeding, inattention to the road, etc, no mention was made of too
much Christmas cheer, the sort that comes in a bottle. Whether it is
Zimbabwe or the UK, Christmas is always the time when people imbibe too much
and then take the wheel. The UK also had its share of horrendous road
accidents despite strict drink and drive laws but it is hard to convince
people that one or two drinks impair their ability to drive safely.
The question in everyone’s mind is whether 2013 will be an election year.
Robert Mugabe is convinced that it will and as president he is the one who
will decide, as his henchmen keep reminding us. Tobiah Mudede, the Registrar
General, accused NGOs of tampering with the voters roll but as a Mugabe
loyalist his views are more than a little biased. The Prime Minister has
predicted that 2013 will be tough year and with the deadlock over the new
constitution and the country’s dire financial straits, the problems facing
Zimbabwe are many and varied. Not least among the problems is the food
crisis as more and more commercial farmers are pushed off the land. Mugabe
would no doubt like to have all of them gone before the elections, then he
can claim his land reform has been a total success. To add to the gloom, the
CFU president predicts a food crisis. In short, the future looks bleak for
Zimbabwe but that does not stop Zanu PF hard-liners saying they will not
accept western aid. More realistically, Morgan Tsvangirai says that food and
jobs are top of his agenda for 2013. Without foreign investment to create
the jobs, a lot of Zimbabweans are going to be both hungry and jobless, that
is the reality.
Yours in the (continuing) struggle, Pauline Henson.

Senior Citizens Service

Senior Citizens Service

Vinnicombe Clinic, Coronation Cottages, Queens Rd, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Tel: +2639203102 Cell: +263(0)773284904

Email: davegill.scs@gmail.com

Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/groups/43014557553/

Website; www.seniorcitizensservice.co.uk

Trust no: MA2471/2004

Protocol no: 328

Dec 2012

Dear friends,

Whilst SCS clinic is closed to give our doctors and nurse a well earned break, I thought you may be interested in hearing of how a person survives an accident when unemployed and without medical aid.

One day early this month a 50 something year old lady started to cross the road in Bulawayo and was struck by an emergency taxi.

From the shop she had just exited an ambulance was called for. The ambulance duly arrived, she was placed inside and there it waited. Eventually an interested party arrived on the scene and was asked who would pay for the ambulance. Once assurance was received, the ambulance personnel asked which hospital she should be taken to and on receiving this information it departed.

On examination, the lady had sustained a broken arm, the broken end of which had been forced up into her collar bone and had also broken that. After much negotiation on price the hospital asked for $4,500 (£3,000) before admission, operation and anesthetic. After much searching the cash was procured and the lady had the operation. Now thankfully she is well on the way to recovery.

This story highlights the need that Senior Citizens Service fulfills. Without us many other incidents of this kind would happen and people would be left in agony.

As always, without your valuable help we would not be able to continue to help those who are destitute. Once again, thank you to all of you who selflessly support SCS. We are determined that SCS will continue to help those who rely our services.

I would like to wish you and your families a happy and prosperous New Year.

God bless you all.

.

Dave Gill, SCS administrator