SA ordered to hand over secret Zim election report

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
14 February 2013

The South African Presidency has been ordered to hand over a report it
commissioned on the Zimbabwe elections in 2002, after keeping it hidden for
more than ten years.

This order was handed down by the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday
morning, four years after the application to have the report made public was
filed by a leading South African newspaper.

The Mail & Guardian has been trying to have the report released since 2008,
amid widespread speculation that it contained evidence showing that the 2002
disputed election in Zimbabwe was not free or fair. High Court Judge Joseph
Raulinga’s ruling on Wednesday has now confirmed that the report contained
enough information to cast doubts on the legality of the poll.

The then South African President Thabo Mbeki had commissioned two judges to
visit Zimbabwe and report back on the state of that election. This report
was handed over to Mbeki but never made public, although the former
President insisted the electoral process in Zimbabwe was completely
democratic.

The newspaper’s efforts to access the details of the report were repeatedly
denied, leaving it little choice but to seek the intervention of the High
Court in 2008. The government, now under President Jacob Zuma’s leadership,
was then ordered more than a year ago to release the report.

But a lengthy appeals process was launched by President Zuma and the case
eventually ended up in the Constitutional Court. That court in late 2011
referred the case back to its starting point in the High Court, saying that
court needed to invoke its rights to see the report and then make a decision
on whether it could be released.

Judge Raulinga had his ‘judicial peek’ into the document last year and his
judgement on Wednesday is based on this. He said in his ruling that:
“Without disclosing the contents of the report I can reveal that the report
potentially discloses evidence of substantial contravention of, or failure
to comply with the law.”

He added: “I am of the view that the public interest supersedes the harm
that may ensue should the report be released.”

The Presidency now has 10 days to release the report or appeal, which Mail &
Guardian editor Nic Dawes said could still happen. He told SW Radio Africa
that they are “delighted” with the ruling because it makes it clear that the
public interest in the case is “real and very urgent.”

“It is a huge step in what has been a four year long battle. With a fresh
election looming in Zimbabwe this information is more relevant and more
important than ever and we hope the government will not delay any longer,”
Dawes said.

He added: “Clearly they have delayed because what the report is going to
show is that there were serious problems with the 2002 election. And that
reflects badly on the SA government at the time and also reflects badly on
ZANU PF. And it could create awkwardness between two governments.”

“But we believe people need to know what happened and this court ruling
confirms that we have a right to let people know,” he said.

General election for July?

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
14 February 2013

Zimbabweans could vote in the first harmonized elections under a new
constitution anytime between the 15th and 30th July this year. A highly
placed source told us that President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai agreed on the tentative dates recently.

The poll will likely draw regional and international scrutiny after the
bloody violence that followed a disputed 2008 ballot.

The principals also agreed that the country will vote to approve or reject
the proposed new constitution on March 16th, although the date was described
as ‘tentative.’

Normally elections in Zimbabwe are held over a weekend so if the July dates
are correct the country would stage elections on the weekend of the 20th or
the 27th.

The elections, the first under a new constitution since independence in
1980, will end months of speculation and anxiety among Zimbabweans.

The last harmonized elections five years ago triggered wide scale political
violence, blamed on ZANU PF, which saw more than 500 mainly MDC-T supporters
killed, many thousands maimed and half a million others displaced.

The new constitution, if adopted, will outlaw the involvement of armed
security forces in partisan politics. Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC-T spokesman
and COPAC co-chair said there are certain provisions in the constitution
that will automatically begin to operate once Mugabe signs the new charter
into law.

Mwonzora explained that there will be a two-week grace period after the
referendum on March 16th during which Mugabe will be liable ,under the
country’s statutes, to sign the constitution into the supreme law of
Zimbabwe.

‘At that point the new constitution will bring into effect provisions aimed
at leveling the political playing field. By this I refer to chapter 11 of
the draft on the conduct of members of the security services.

‘Members of the armed forces will, from the day the President signs the
constitution into law, be prohibited from acting in a partisan manner or
further the interests of any political party or violate the fundamental
rights and freedoms of any person,’ Mwonzora said.

The rest of the constitution will come into effect on the day the new
President takes the oath of office.

WOZA Valentine’s Day protestors beaten & arrested in Bulawayo

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
14 February 2013

Scores of activists from the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
were beaten and arrested during a demonstration in Bulawayo on Thursday, a
day after the same group was assaulted by police during anti-constitution
protests in Harare.

Group coordinator Jenni Williams told SW Radio Africa that a group of about
180 people were camped outside Bulawayo police station demanding the release
of some of their activists who had been arrested.

She said: “We were beaten, 30 to 40 of us at Southampton Building and forced
to go to the police station. When we were now seated in Bulawayo Central
they called the riot police to beat us to make us leave the police station,
saying we are not wanted there.

“So 180 of us are now outside the police station but about 12 are in police
custody. We are not sure how many exactly.”

Williams said all those who are in police custody are the male members of
WOZA.

The pressure group said they were demonstrating on ‘this day of love’ to
demand a response from the police to formal complaints about police beatings
and brutality.

Bulawayo police refused to comment on the alleged police brutality.

This is the 11th year that WOZA has held protests on Valentine’s Day.

In Harare Wednesday the group distributed fliers protesting against the
draft constitution that is set to be put before a referendum on March 16th.

Some of the fliers distributed by the pressure group read: “The final draft
constitution is as a result of negotiations behind closed doors and a deal
that suits the principals and the political parties in the inclusive
government.”

“Therefore this draft may not survive the test of time because it was
written for a current political climate and not for the future generation. A
constitution is supposed to be written by the people because they should
determine how they want to be governed. It is their role to give the rule to
the rulers!”

Amnesty: Zimbabwe’s arrest of peaceful protestors casts doubt on possibility of credible referendum

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE

14 February 2013

Zimbabwe: Arrest of peaceful protestors casts doubt on possibility of
credible referendum

Attacks by the police on Zimbabwean human rights defenders cast doubt on the
country’s ability to hold a credible constitutional referendum and election
this year, Amnesty International said today after peaceful protestors were
arrested and beaten.

Eight members of Zimbabwean women’s social justice movement, Women of
Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were arrested outside the Zimbabwean parliament in
Harare yesterday after they handed out roses and teddy bears during their
annual Valentines Day demonstration.

The arrests coincided with the announcement by the goverment that 16 March
had been set as a tentative date for the constitutional referendum and that
elections could be held some time in July.

The women, who included, WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu
were arrested after police fired tear gas at the peaceful demonstration and
beat protestors with baton sticks. A man who took a picture of the women
being arrested was also arrested. They were later released without charge.

“This most recent incident sounds yet another alarm bell for the exercise of
internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression, association and
peaceful assembly in advance of the referendum on a new constitution and
elections later this year,” said Amnesty International’s southern Africa
director Noel Kututwa.

“Human rights violations by the police, including arbitrary arrests and
raids at offices of human rights defenders, go against the calls for
tolerance made by President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai.”

In recent months Amnesty International has documented a series of arbitrary
arrests and raids targeted at key human rights groups suggesting the space
for political dissent is narrowing as the country prepares for the
referendum and election.

On Monday police raided the office of the Zimbabwean Peace Project (ZPP) in
Harare.

Five police officers stormed the ZPP office with a warrant to search for
‘“subversive material and illegal immigrants”.

No one was arrested during the incident but police seized equipment and
confidential documents.

In an apparent violation of the search warrant police returned to the ZPP
offices at night and attempted to search the offices for the second time.
The warrant only authorised the police to search the offices by day time.

The director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, Jestina Mukoko, was one of a
number of human rights defenders who were abducted in 2008 by state-security
agents. She was subject to torture during her abduction.

Okay Machisa, the director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
(ZimRights) was finally released on bail on 29 January after two weeks in
custody when the High Court overruled an earlier dismissal of his bail
application.

Leo Chamahwinya, another ZimRights employee, arrested on 13 December 2012
remains in custody and has been repeatedly denied bail.

The ZimRights staff activists are being charged with publishing falsehoods,
fraud and forgery after allegedly conducting illegal voter registration.

“Zimbabwe is entering a critical period in its democratization process and
these blatant attempts to silence and intimidate critics must end,” said
Kututwa.

For more information or to organsie an interview please contact Katy Pownall
on +27 797 378 600 or kpownall@amnesty.org

Tsvangirai expects 'free vote' in July

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

REUTERS and TAWANDA KAROMBO | 14 February, 2013 00:20

Zimbabwe inched closer to fresh elections - possibly as early as July -
yesterday with the announcement that a referendum on a new constitution
would most likely take place on March 16.

The announcement of ''tentative date'' was made in Harare by Constitutional
Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga after Zimbabwe's parliament approved the new
charter, a compromise hammered out by the country's often fractious
power-sharing government.

The new constitution, according to experts, imposes term limits for the head
of state and requires that army chiefs and soldiers abide by human rights
laws.

It also requires that all judges go through a public interview process.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said yesterday he expected presidential and
parliamentary elections in July - and that he did not fear a repeat of
violence that overshadowed disputed polls in 2008 that led to a
power-sharing government between his Movement for Democratic Change and
rival President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

When questioned about the date for the elections at a human rights forum to
discuss the constitution, Tsvangirai said simply "July".

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, worried that there might not be enough money
for the referendum and elections, has approached donors for help. By law,
the next elections are due when the current presidential and parliamentary
terms expire at the end of June.

Tsvangirai said a strict code of conduct and supervision by regional and
international observers would help deliver a free vote.

"I am not budgeting for chaos. I am certainly bullish about the way things
will go in the elections," he said.

The chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission resigned from his post on
Tuesday, giving ill health as the reason for his decision.

Top ZNA officer issues fake docs

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

13.02.13

by Nelson Sibanda

A senior army official has admitted issuing fake proof of residence
documents to help soldiers and their families and friends to register as
voters.

The document, a copy of which is in the possession of The Zimbabwean, is
written on Ministry of Defence letterheads and is titled “Proof of
Residence”. It states: “This letter serves to confirm that ………………….
ID ……………………... is employed by the Defence Forces Headquarter and resides at
the same place, Private Bag 7713, Causeway.” It is signed: “C. Muresherwa
‘psc’ ZW, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer”. It could not be
established at the time of going to press whether any soldiers had actually
been able to use this letter to register to vote, as the regulations say
postal boxes are not admissible.

According to the Electoral Amendment Act, people who wish to register as
voters must accompany their applications with proof of residence in the form
of rates bills or letters from landlords, chiefs or employers. Even though a
significant number of soldiers live in barracks, private bags are obviously
not residential addresses.

Highly placed sources within the ZNA alerted The Zimbabwean to the fact that
photocopies of the letter, with the name of the aspiring voting soldier
being left blank, were being collected last week from the Defence Houser
orderly room in central Harare.

They described it as a “blank cheque” open to widespread abuse, as anyone
could use the letter to register in a constituency of his or her choice.

“Every soldier here was instructed to collect as many forms as possible and
put them to good use as soon as possible. They were ordered to submit
confirmation of registration as a voter to army authorities by end of this
week,” said the sources.

Despite being a member of the ZNA, whose regulations criminalise
participation in active politics by all staff, Muresherwa is reported to be
an aspiring MP for Zanu (PF). He failed in a bid to run in Manicaland
province in 2008

This newspaper reported last week that soldiers were being forced to
register as voters and those without proof of doing so were being turned
away from their workplaces or barracks.

“There are reports that those registered by way of the army letters will be
compelled to cast their vote at specific polling centres. No one has the
privilege to vote from wherever he so wishes”.

“The idea is to concentrate the vote at polling stations situated in
constituencies where senior army officials will be contesting as
candidates,” claimed one of the high ranking sources.

When contacted for comment, Muresherwa confirmed the letters originated from
his office at Defence Forces headquarters but initially said they were
exclusively issued to serving members. He phoned this reporter some 20
minutes later and admitted his office issued photocopies of the letters last
Friday. “My juniors have confirmed having issued photocopies of the letter
last Friday during my absence. This could be where the letter in your
possession came from,” he said.

ZDF spokesperson, Colonel Overson Mugwisi confirmed the letters were fake.
“The army does not issue letters to prove residence. Are you aware that
Defence House is at the centre of Harare while the army headquarters is at
KGIV Barracks where no soldier has permanent residence? How can one be
issued with a letter as proof of residence in this respect? My office is at
Defence House where the letters are reportedly emanating from. How come I am
not aware of that?” said Mugwisi.

When asked about his political interests in the 2013 elections, Muresherwa
he had not given it a thought. “This time around I am not contesting as a
candidate for any political office. As you might be aware I was interested
in contesting in 2008 - but was a victim of intra-party foul play. Some
colleagues in Zanu (PF) manipulated the candidate selection process,” he
said.

Villagers from Chimanimani confirmed that Muresherwa was an aspiring
candidate in the area. Several senior army and police officers have made no
secret of their political ambitions for both legislative and senatorial
seats in the coming election.

Judge Agonises Over Seized Farm

http://www.radiovop.com

By Professor Matodzi Harare, February 14, 2013- A high court judge has
broken his silence about his agony over the seizure of his farm by
supporters loyal to President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.
Justice Francis Bere revealed his anguish about the seizure of his farm by
new farmers, who grabbed land under the Zanu PF backed land grab exercise in
an application filed in the high court early this month.

Bere accused two new farmers Basil Mharapara and his wife of sabotaging him
through destroying his crops at his Mount Maienji farm located in the rich
farming area of Odzi, Manicaland province.

He accused the farmers of leading the seizure of his farm allocated to him
in 2008 under the government’s widely condemned and often chaotic land
reform programme.

Bere accused the new farmers of committing several misdemeanors including
disturbing his farming operations.

“Their animals are causing serious damage to my crops and at one time, I had
to plant down a whole hectare of maize which had been destroyed by animals,”
Bere said in his founding affidavit seen at the high court by Radio VOP.

According to Bere, the new farmers in November last year ploughed down his
tobacco crop and replaced it with their own maize crop while their herd of
cattle always wonder “up and down his farm” disrupting operations.

The judge wants the high court to issue an order empowering the deputy
sheriff and the officer in charge of Odzi Police Station to evict the new
farmers and anyone claiming occupation of his farm.

The new farmers have not yet reacted to Bere’s litigation.

Zanu PF snubs Zuma team

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Fungai Kwaramba, Staff Writer
Thursday, 14 February 2013 12:30

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s negotiators to the Global Political
Agreement (GPA) have snubbed South African President Jacob Zuma’s
facilitation team.

The meetings were supposed to tackle the contentious security sector and
media reforms among other issues.

On Sunday, representatives from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and
Industry and Commerce minister Welshman Ncube’s MDC formations met the South
African facilitation team led by Charles Nqakula and Lindiwe Zulu in
Johannesburg, South Africa.

The meeting was a follow-up to the one held nearly a fortnight ago in
Harare, where representatives from the three political parties briefed the
facilitation team about progress in the constitution-making process.

Zanu PF is represented by Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche, while
Tsvangirai’s MDC is represented by Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma. Ncube’s
team is made up of Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga and Moses Mzila Ndlovu.

At the last meeting in Harare, all three parties agreed on a follow-up
meeting in South Africa, but on Sunday Zanu PF was nowhere near the
“Election Roadmap” talks.

Although Biti was not present at the meeting, he was replaced by Jameson
Timba, the minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office and MDC
secretary for International Affairs.

Timba confirmed the meeting yesterday but referred questions to Zulu.

Zulu also confirmed that a meeting took place on Sunday but refused to
comment on Zanu PF’s absence.

“I think it is best that Zanu PF explain why they did not attend the
meeting. The meeting was agreed upon when we came to Harare. It was
basically a follow-up on the current situation of the GPA and preparations
for the referendum,” said Zulu.

The agenda of the meeting centred on discussing progress of the unity
government and also the thorny issue of security sector reforms.

A representative from Ncube’s MDC told the Daily News yesterday that the
meeting discussed the election roadmap including the funding of a referendum
and elections which are due this year.

Zimbabwe requires close to $250 million for a referendum and subsequent
general election, money which a broke Treasury does not have.

“It was a report back of the progress we have made so far in the election
roadmap. We talked about progress in the constitution-making process. We
told the team that we had given a constitution draft to Parliament.

“Zanu PF officials were however, not present at the meeting. When the team
was here nearly a fortnight ago we agreed that we would have another meeting
in South Africa,” he said.

Chinamasa, who is also the minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, said the
invitation for the Sunday meeting came late.

“The invitation came late on Thursday and I had committed myself (but) I
failed to organise a team. As you know my colleague, minister Goche, is out
of the country and the alternate is minister (Emmerson) Mnangagwa who was
also out of the country.

“I think the meeting was aborted and if they held it, it is meaningless
because there was no quorum because whatever they discussed does not involve
Zanu PF,” Chinamasa said.

The completion of the constitution-making process is widely regarded as key
to the holding of free and fair elections.

However, there are still areas of contestation between Zanu PF and the two
MDC formations — security sector and media reforms.

Mugabe’s Zanu PF has rejected calls to tinker with the military
establishment, which civic society and other parties accuse of being
brazenly partisan.

Primary school pupils perform better than their teachers

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

14.02.13

by Nelson Sibanda

A senior government official has blamed teachers for contributing to poor
standards in education.

Giving oral evidence to the committee for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture
in Harare on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary for Education, Sport, Arts
and Culture Constance Chigwabha has told Parliamentary Portfolio on
Education said some teachers performed worse than their students.

He revealed to the committee that teachers had been beaten by primary school
pupils in mock Grade 6 examinations.

“We used a yellow question paper and a white one for children and teachers,
respectively, and the result was shocking. We laughed our lungs out as some
teachers were actually beaten by their pupils,’ said Chigwabha.

Chigwada said his ministry was working to standardize minimum qualifications
for trainee and practising teachers.

“Teacher training colleges have been enrolling student teachers without
essential subjects such as Mathematics, English and Science, a trend which
has contributed to poor school examination results. With the standardisation
system teachers without the essential subjects would be assisted to study
and pass them while in service,” said Chigwabha.

The ministry also attributed the high schools examination failure rate to
illegal schools which lacked qualified teachers.

“Most of these mushrooming illegal private schools have no qualified
teaching staff hence the high failure rate at the institutions and
nationally. Besides lacking qualified staff, they also have inadequate
teaching aids.

“In this respect, government will intensify its crackdown on such illegal
institutions. It will also increase funding towards the establishment of
science laboratories at all legal schools from around

20 to 70 percent,” Chigwabha told the parliamentary portfolio.

More than 80 percent of O-level students who sat for examinations in

2012 failed.

In 2011 only 12 percent of children who sat for the ‘O’ Level Examinations
passed while the 2012 pass rate stood at 18 percent.

The automatic promotion of children from Grade 1 up to Form 4 was cited as
another cause for the poor Ordinary Level results.

Recently, there was call to re-introduce the Zimbabwe Junior Certificate for
Form 2 students, with proponents arguing that it would help improve
standards and screen out poorly performing students.

Rural schools particularly perform poorly because of a critical shortage of
learning material, qualified teachers, high teacher-student ratios and other
enabling resources.

Acting heads man 80pc of Zim schools: Coltart

http://www.herald.co.zw

Thursday, 14 February 2013 00:00

Felex Share Herald Reporter

CLOSE to 80 percent of school headmasters countrywide are in an acting
capacity, amid reports that those aspiring to fill the posts do not have the
requisite qualifications. Most education officials at district and
provincial offices are also serving in an acting capacity as the freeze on
vacant posts by Treasury is affecting the education system.
Some teachers have been acting headmasters for over 12 years.
This has compromised the administration of most schools countrywide, leading
to low pass rates.
Government has 3 318 posts with substantive headmasters in primary schools
and 1 109 filled posts in secondary schools.

This is against over 8 000 primary and secondary schools in the country,
including satellite centres.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday said
most of the posts were not being filled because the educators lacked the
required qualifications.
“We now require people to have university degrees while the issue of
experience also counts,” he said.

“The situation in schools is unacceptable as a large number of headmasters
are serving in an acting capacity.

“There is also lack of Treasury concurrence as the freeze on posts has also
taken toll on the education system. Sometimes we might have a few qualified
people, but it is hard to take them on substantive basis because of the
freeze.”

Minister Coltart said lack of incentives has also demotivated teachers
aspiring to be headmasters.
“There is a difference of a few dollars between a headmaster and a qualified
teacher, but the workload for the headmaster is more,” he said.

“In that case, a person opts to remain without much responsibility because
the salary would be almost the same.”

Minister Coltart said there were administrative problems in processing
applications for new headmasters.

“The process one goes through to be confirmed as a headmaster is tedious,
while those who want to be re-admitted into the sector are facing similar
problems he said.

“It is our hope that Government would understand our plight and appoint the
headmasters on substantive basis to save our schools.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said some
teachers had been acting heads for many years.

Public Service Commission stipulate that a person is supposed to act for six
months before being confirmed a substantive head.

“To us, Government is using cheap labour because it does not want to appoint
someone who has acted for 12 years to become a substantive head,” said Mr
Ndlovu.

“To make matters worse, there is no acting allowances being paid to those
teachers. This is a national crisis because most of the district and
provincial offices have officials serving on an acting capacity.”

Mr Ndlovu said lack of substantive heads would affect the quality of
education.
“This affects supervision and obviously exam results for a particular
institution will be affected.”
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general, Mr Raymond
Majongwe said most schools were led by acting headmasters who,

“constantly pay bribes and kickbacks to their superiors like DEOs and PEDs
for them to remain in those positions.”
“Most of these people pay to remain in those posts, but they are not able to
make affirmativeadministrative decisions,” he said.

“Long back, there used to be headmaster refresher courses at Chishawasha,
but they have since vanished. It was during such courses that they were
taught about administrative issues.”
The Zimsec November 2012 O-level results released this week showed that the
pass rate had dropped from 19,5 percent to 18,4.
Only 31 767 candidates attained passes in five subjects out 172 698 who sat
for the examinations.

Civil servants get 5,3 percent pay rise

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

14/02/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S 230,000 public sector workers have been awarded a 5,3 percent pay
rise backdated to January, Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga said on
Thursday.

Unions have been threatening strikes demanding that the lowest paid civil
servant should be paid US$600 up from the current US$296, but the government
maintains that it is broke.

The latest increment will hardly satisfy unions who are however hamstrung by
divisions and lack of a common strategy to confront ministers.

Matibenga said: “Civil servants will get a 5,3 percent increment on their
salaries, as promised in the budget, at the end of this month.

"That money will be backdated to January as it is the month the government
said the workers should start receiving an inflation related increment.

"The budget passed through Parliament and it became law and it means we are
obliged to be making this adjustment.”
Finance Minister Tendai Biti has indicated that the 5,3 percent
inflation-related increment will push the civil service wage bill to US$2,6
billion – about 68 percent of the total expenditure.

In 2012, the US$1,4 billion civil service wage bill gobbled up 73 percent of
the total budget – a situation which Biti warned was unsustainable.

A month ago, Biti revealed that the government was left with a mere US$217
in its public purse after paying civil servants salaries.

Nurse convicted over Howard Hospital protest

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
14 February 2013

A nurse from the Salvation Army run Howard Hospital has been sentenced to
two years in prison, after being convicted in connection with a protest
against the removal of the facility’s top doctor last year.

Milton Zindoga was among a group of 20 people, including seven fellow
nurses, who were arrested during a protest outside the hospital in Chiweshe.
The demonstration was organised by angry residents, outraged over the forced
removal of the chief doctor Paul Thistle.

He was dismissed from the facility last year after raising concerns about
financial mismanagement. It’s understood the claims implicated the head of
the Salvation Army in Zimbabwe, Vinece Chigariro, who led the campaign to
remove Dr. Thistle.

The doctor’s removal caused outcry, because of the work he had done to turn
the Howard mission into a highly respected medical facility. He was also
considered a valued member of the community after living there for more than
16 years.

His dismissal, which the Salvation Army has insisted was a standard
‘reassignment’, prompted a violent backlash from community members who
protested his removal in August. That protest turned violent, leading to the
police arresting 20 people, including eight nurses. The trial dragged on for
months, but eventually most of the arrested group was released without
charge.

However Zindoga has been convicted for allegedly ‘inciting’ the violence and
has been sentenced to a two year jail term.

SW Radio Africa has been told that a local workers’ committee is attempting
to file and appeal against the conviction, but to no avail yet.

The hospital meanwhile is facing a desperate situation, with no chief
surgeon being appointed to replace Dr. Thistle. The local community has also
been actively silenced, with a heavy police presence in the area preventing
people from protesting.

President’s office takes over Essar deal

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Nomalanga Moyo
14 February 2013

The multi-million dollar Essar-Ziscosteel deal could finally be concluded,
after negotiations were taken over by the President’s Office.

This was said by Ziscosteel board chairman Nyasha Makuvise, who revealed
that the executive intervened after disagreements between Industry Minister
Welshman Ncube and Mines Minister Obert Mpofu were stalling the process.

Makuvise said an inter-ministerial committee and Essar are now working to
resolve some outstanding issues, and added that he was confident a deal
would be reached soon.

Once complete the deal will give Essar a 60% majority stake in Ziscosteel,
which has since been rebranded NewZim Steel.

According to the Herald newspaper, Makuvise was speaking before the
portfolio committee on Industry and Commerce and was accompanied by NewZim
Steel chief executive Alois Gowo.

The two told the committee that expediting the deal would help improve the
plight of over 3,500 workers whose salaries were suspended by Essar in March
last year.

In 2010 the government signed a $750 million deal with Essar to revive
Ziscosteel, but implementation has been delayed by a tug-of-war between
industry and commerce and the mines ministries over its terms, including
access to iron ore reserves.

Mines Minister Mpofu wanted to revisit the terms of the deal, arguing that
iron ore reserves were worth more than $30 billion and not the $750 million
that Essar stands to pay under the current deal.

Efforts to get a comment from Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube,
were fruitless as his mobile number could not be reached.

EU urged to strengthen Zim diamond restrictions

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
14 February 2013

The European Union is being urged to strengthen restrictions on the sale of
Zimbabwean diamonds, as part of a Valentines Day warning message.

International rights agency Global Witness has for the past few years used
Valentines Day to call for tougher legislation and action on Zimbabwe’s
diamond industry. The group has led the campaign to bar Zimbabwe from trade
because of human rights abuses and corruption in the local industry. It even
quit its place in the international diamond watchdog group, the Kimberley
Process (KP) in 2011 to protest, among other things, the attempts to resume
trading with Zimbabwe.

The group has this week once again warned that all is not right in Zimbabwe’s
diamond trade, despite the KP clearing the country for trade last year.
Global Witness said in a statement that European Union (EU) ministers must
“strengthen measures which restrict sales of diamonds from Zimbabwe’s
controversial Marange region to Europe.”

The warning comes as Belgium has been pushing for targeted sanctions against
Zimbabwean diamond mining interests to be dropped. Belgium has argued that
the regulations ‘hurt’ the amount of revenue filtering down to ordinary
Zimbabweans.

But Global Witness has insisted that the country’s interests were “closer to
home” in its diamond centre of Antwerp.

“Global Witness’ investigations point to a serious risk that diamond
revenues could be used to fund violence in this year’s election. The Belgian
government is claiming concern for the Zimbabwean people; however it’s true
interests are closer to home in the diamond markets of Antwerp,” said Global
Witness diamonds campaigner, Emily Armistead.

She told SW Radio Africa: “EU members seeking to promote democracy and
stability in Zimbabwe should avoid a ménage-à-trois with Belgium and its
diamond dealers this Valentine’s Day.”

Global Witness lasted year reported that evidence indicated that diamonds
were providing off-budget financing to the ZANU PF loyal security forces,
raising concern that they could be mobilised once again to entrench the
party in power. The group uncovered links between joint-venture diamond
mining companies in the Marange region and military, police and intelligence
organisations loyal to Mugabe.

“We are calling for the state owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
to remain on the list of entities affected by EU restrictive measures and
for that list to include the Anjin mining firm, which is a joint venture
company with links to senior Zimbabwean military officials and Hong
Kong-based businessman Sam Pa,” Armistead said.

She added: “Relaxing measures against Zimbabwe’s diamond sector now could
mean a serious cash injection for security forces with a track record of
voter intimidation and violence, just months before the 2013 election. The
EU should hold a steady course, and restrict trade with diamond mining
operations in Marange until free and fair elections have taken place.”

The EU has indicated it could lift the targeted measures in place against
the Mugabe regime after a ‘credible’ constitutional referendum. The EU is
meeting next Monday and a final decision on their plans to lift the measures
is set to be made then.

No urgency over lifting Zim sanctions

Sunday Independent

10 February 2013

Peta Thornycroft

When will the moment be right to trust Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
enough to lift international sanctions against him and his cronies?
This question was being debated in Western capitals as Zanu-PF and the two
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) parties in the unity government
negotiated a new draft constitution and adopted it in parliament.
This week, Human Rights Watch criticised the EU for saying it will review
its Zimbabwe sanctions if the country holds a peaceful referendum on the new
constitution.
The EU imposed travel and financial sanctions against 100 key members of
Zanu-PF, mining parastatals, an agricultural bank, a commercial bank and
several other smaller companies associated with the former ruling party,
after violent presidential elections in 2002.
Zanu-PF agitators killed or assaulted many candidates and other officials of
the MDC, which had come close to beating Zanu-PF in parliamentary elections
two years earlier.
The sanctions mean, for instance, that EU countries cannot buy diamonds from
controversial mines in eastern Zimbabwe because state mining companies are
involved.
"It would be premature for the EU to lift targeted sanctions on President
Robert Mugabe and members of his inner circle simply for holding a
referendum on a new constitution," Tiseke Kasambala, Africa advocacy
director at Human Rights Watch, said this week. "Removing or suspending the
measures before Zimbabwe carries out any comprehensive rights reforms will
give Mugabe and his party free rein to continue repression ahead of
elections."
Douglas Mwonzora, spokesman for the main MDC party in Harare, responded
cautiously to Kasambala's appeal.
"The decision to impose sanctions was not an MDC decision, it was a decision
by the EU premised on the way they perceived human rights abuses by the
government of Robert Mugabe.
"Our belief is that there must be movement by both sides, the EU and
Zanu-PF; in other words, there must be movement on a quid pro quo basis,
everything must be matched with something else."
The MDC is obliged to call for the removal of Western sanctions under the
multi-party Global Political Agreement it signed with Zanu-PF in September
2008, which carries a clause committing all parties to work for the removal
of sanctions.
So far, though, there has been little "reward" to Zimbabwe on the sanctions
issue by the US and the EU, although political violence has decreased hugely
and some political and legislative reforms have been made, as well as the
new draft constitution.
However, Mugabe has not implemented other reforms he agreed to, including an
end to partisan political prosecutions and to the harassment of the
remaining few hundred white farmers.
"I don't see movement by the EU without movement by Zanu-PF," Mwonzora said.
The smaller MDC, led by Welshman Ncube, has long said the sanctions are
counter-productive and merely give Mugabe a convenient scapegoat to blame
for the wrecked economy and infrastructure which was actually caused by
Zanu-PF before the inclusive government was formed in February 2009.
The US has taken a tougher line than the EU, demanding that Zimbabwe hold
"free, fair and internationally monitored elections" and de-link state
institutions from Zanu-PF, before it will lift its own sanctions against the
country.
Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, of Ncube's MDC, and a long-time civil
rights activist, told a seminar in Johannesburg on Friday that the new draft
constitution was better than its predecessor.
"We didn't get everything we want, but it provides a framework for an open
and transparent society with a bill of rights."
She also said that the constitution-making process had allowed Zimbabweans
to begin talking to one another after the political violence of the last
elections.
Mushonga, who is minister of regional affairs in the inclusive government
and now a veteran negotiator, said Mugabe had opposed hardliners in his
party who wanted serious amendments to the draft which emerged in July last
year.
"The reality is that he is still very powerful.
"He knew at the last SADC (Southern African Development Community) troika in
Maputo that time was up.
"He didn't want to attend another troika when leaders who are children to
him tell him what to do again," Mushonga told Independent Newspapers after
the meeting.
If the inclusive government finds money in time, insiders say a referendum
can be held in April.
But before then a raft of legislation has to go to parliament to provide for
issues raised in the draft charter.
For the first time some laws will be crafted to control the notorious
Central Intelligence Organisation, which has so |far operated without audit
or controls via the president's office.
The term of office of the inclusive government expires on June 29 and
elections should then be held before the end of September.
But Mushonga suggested this was flexible. - Independent Foreign Service

Zimbabwe to force blending of fuel

http://www.iol.co.za/

February 14 2013 at 08:22pm
By SAPA

Harare - Zimbabwe has passed new rules forcing fuel wholesalers to blend
petrol with locally-produced ethanol in order to cut the country's fuel
import bill, the energy minister said Thursday.

“We will make sure it's done,” Energy and Power Development Minister Elton
Mangoma told AFP.

“We are going towards a green economy and we are talking of biofuel. This is
to save the country and the planet, while at the same time we are creating
our own industry.”

No operator will be allowed to sell unleaded petrol unless it has been
blended with a minimum of five percent locally-produced ethanol, said the
government notice seen by AFP on Thursday.

Ethanol is usually produced from sugar cane in Zimbabwe.

A few companies have already been selling blended fuel but it attracts few
buyers because of concerns over its quality.

Mangoma said the move was also expected to reduce the consumption of
imported petrol and save scarce money for critical government projects.

Economic analysts say Zimbabwe requires $45 million (34 million euros) a
month to import fuel. - Sapa-AFP

5 Glen View murder suspects in fresh bail bid

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Thursday, 14 February 2013 12:10
HARARE - The absence of a Cuban pathologist has stalled the trial of 29 MDC
activists accused of killing a cop in Glen View, as the other five in
custody launched a fresh bail bid.

Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba told the court yesterday he was yet to get a
response from the Cuban Embassy on the clearance of the last State witness
Gabriel Aguero.

“We were supposed to resume trial today but we are faced with one minor
challenge of calling the doctor who conducted autopsy on the body. There is
no doubt the postponement or adjournment of this trial for the calling of a
State witness is necessary and just in the expediency of justice,” said
Nyazamba.

The activists’ lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, said the postponement of the matter
was a changed circumstance prompting the fresh bail application.

“With respect there is nothing small with the plight of the 29 accused
persons, five of whom are in custody and four under maximum security.

The four are in solitary confinement and two of them are women,” said
Mtetwa.

High Court Judge Chinembiri Bhunu postponed the matter to next week
Wednesday for the ruling on the application. - Tendai Kamhungira

Zimbabwe Receives $60 Million U.S Grant to Tackle HIV/AIDS

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Slyvia Manika
13.02.2013

Health experts say tens of thousands of Zimbabwean children are HIV positive
and the country also suffers one of the world's highest rates of
mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Efforts by the Ministry of Health and a consortium of health
non-governmental organizations to prevent mother-to-child transmission and
treat children with HIV got a boost Wednesday, as the United States
government extended a $60 million grant to the government of Zimbabwe.

Officially launching the Families and Communities for the Elimination of
Pediatric HIV in Zimbabwe (FACE) initiative, Minister of Health and Child
Welfare Dr. Henry Madzorera and American ambassador Bruce Wharton talked
about the initiative's goals to reduce pediatric HIV in Zimbabwe.

The objectives of the 5-year programme are to reduce the rate of
mother-to-child HIV transmission from 14 percent to less than 5 percent by
2015 and to provide 90 percent of HIV positive pregnant women with
life-saving anti-retroviral drugs.

Ambassador Wharton said the FACE programme will offer critical life-saving
support for the women and children of Zimbabwe through the various
initiatives to support the prevention of the mother-to-child transmission.

Ambassador Wharton said the U.S government remains committed to supporting
Zimbabwe’s health sector.

He said the U.S government will provide nearly $95 million over the next
year to support critical prevention, care, and treatment interventions in
Zimbabwe.

Dr. Madzorera said the Zimbabwe government values what he called a
"continued partnership" with the American government.

He said the U.S government has been unwavering in its support to Zimbabwe’s
health sector.

The programme launched Wednesday is being implemented by a consortium of
non-governmental organisations led by the Organisation for Public Health
Interventions and Development (OPHID).

Other organisations implementing the grant are JF Kapnek Trust, the Southern
Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service and the Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

FACE initiative director Patricia Mbetu said it was critical to reach
children and their mothers with life-saving care as more than 150,000
children are living with HIV in Zimbabwe.

According to the U.S Agency for International Development, the U.S provides
broad support for Zimbabwe to address HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and other
health challenges.

Since 2000, just to combat HIV and AIDS, the United States government has
granted nearly $300 million to Zimbabwe.

Malaria claims 10 in Manicaland

http://www.herald.co.zw

Thursday, 14 February 2013 19:45

Paidamoyo Chipunza Health Reporter

A serious malaria outbreak in Manicaland province has claimed 10 lives while
more than 22 000 people were treated of the disease in one week alone.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare shows that of the
22 480 cases reported last week, 3 546 and one death were children under the
age of five years.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora said a team of
health experts had since been dispatched to the affected areas to contain
the outbreak.

Minister Mombeshora said last week figures brings the total number of
malaria cases to 62 587 and 32 deaths nationwide.

“We have already started recording an increase in malaria cases this year
following the incessant rains and some floods,” Minister Mombeshora said.

Last year the country recorded 8 547 cases and 13 deaths of malaria
nationally. The outbreak in Manicaland has largely affected Buhera and
Mutare districts but some deaths were also recorded in Mutoko and Harare.
Zimbabwe has a long history of malaria outbreaks because of its high
altitude.

Areas above 1 500m such as Harare are usually malaria free, while areas
below 900m are normally a high risk to malaria, particularly in the north of
the altitude is between 900 and 1500m.

In Zimbabwe malaria endemic areas include Mutare, Gokwe, Mutoko, Dande,
Chikombedzi, Mudzi, Hwange and Mt Darwin. After HIV and AIDS, malaria is
the biggest killer of children under five in Zimbabwe and pregnant women as
well as newborns.

Malaria is increasingly becoming resistant to existing drugs. In recent
years there have been an increase in the number of reported outbreaks,
specifically linked to flooding. These include diarrhoeal outbreaks and
malaria.

The sensitivity of the disease to certain environmental conditions suggests
that climate change may influence the nature of the disease and the size and
severity of outbreaks

Cabinet concerned with harassment of citizens – Minister Makone

Cabinet on Tuesday expressed concern over the overzealousness of some police officers in the discharge of their Constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order and enforcing the law.

In particular, Cabinet emphasised that the police must follow the basic principle of policing that is, investigating to arrest rather than arresting to investigate.

Two issues that Cabinet discussed included harassment through unwarranted arrests by police of innocent citizens who had gone to register as voters in Lupane as well as the police raid at the offices of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP).

Cabinet tasked us as the co-Ministers of Home Affairs to investigate these issues, report back to it and where warranted to take appropriate action against individual police officers who might have overstepped their mandate and authority.

In both cases, I am made to understand that the police used a provision which makes reference to one being suspected to possess an article on their person or elsewhere that might be used to commit an offence as defined in section 40 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

If this is the case, then everybody in the country is a potential criminal because the shoes that one is wearing can be used to assault someone.
Cabinet also expressed concern with the disruption of the voter registration exercise and the bussing of people from one part of the country to another to register as voters in a move that will destroy the credibility of the registration exercise and the upcoming election.

The President and the Prime Minister have both stated unequivocally that every person should be given an opportunity to register as a voter without hindrance. As Ministers of Home Affairs, we will ensure that their directive is respected by every State institution.

As Co-Ministers for Home affairs, we will investigate these issues and report back to Cabinet.

The current trend of harassment of innocent citizens comes at a time when as a nation we are about to finalise a new Constitution for the country, which Constitution upholds human rights and basic freedoms.
Cabinet reiterated its commitment to creating an environment of peace, tolerance and respect for basic freedoms in the country.

Zimbabwe is not a police State and should not be seen to be one.

Hon. Theresa Makone

Co-Minister of Home Affairs

--
MDC Information & Publicity Department
Harvest House
44 Nelson Mandela Ave
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: 00263 4 770 708

The MDC Today – Issue 515

Thursday, 14 February 2013

The Renco Mine saga in which some senior Zanu PF politicians wanted to illegally take-over the gold mine in Masvingo South has seriously exposed the Zanu PF indigenisation and empowerment policy as a project meant to enrich only a few already rich fat cats in the sunset party.

Walter Mzembi, the MP for Masvingo South, his personal assistant, Obediah Mazombwe and Ivene Dzingirai, the MP for Chivi South wanted to illegally take-over the mine last month.

Dzingarai even took over occupation of a luxurious guest house at the mine and declared to RioZim management that he was now the owner of the mine and blocked the airlifting of bullion from the mine, reminiscent of the farm and asset grabbing of 2000 land inversions.

It only took the intervention of the courts to stop this Zanu PF madness, with High Court judge, Justice Hlekani Mwayera blasting the Zanu PF politicians for unlawfully grabbing Renco Mine and ordered them to vacate within 24 hours.

“The facts of this case clearly show unlawful invasion and dispossession of a legally incorporated entity under the guise of resolving a labour dispute as if there are no labour laws or under the guise of being parliamentary representatives of the constituency in what is clear self-help and disregard of the law that the respondents first and second are part and parcel of its making,” Justice Mwayera said in her ruling.

The judge’s ruling clearly vindicates the MDC’s position that the Zanu PF’s model of indigenisation and empowerment is only for self-aggrandisement for only a few connected individuals in Zanu PF leaving out millions of starving Zimbabweans.

That is why in its Jobs, Upliftment, Investment, Capital and the Environment (JUICE) economic policy, the MDC is pushing for a framework that will create jobs and build a strong, growing economy that is financially and environmentally sustainable where growth is evenly shared across the country and not to a privileged few like Mzembi and company.

JUICE is based on 10 strategies that will be implemented as part of the economic transformation process, each with complementary themes.

The following policies will drive this strategy: transformation to a democratic developmental state, creating sustainable jobs and SME’s development; creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic participation, creating a safer and more stable macroeconomic and financial system, reforming public services to deliver quality social services, sustainable growth strategies, a broad-based economic empowerment agenda, creating a more balanced economy; opening Zimbabwe for business and environmental responsibility.


--
MDC Information & Publicity Department
Harvest House
44 Nelson Mandela Ave
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: 00263 4 770 708

Met Office issues flood warning

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

Thursday, 14 February 2013 00:00

Agriculture Reporter

The Meteorological Services Department has warned people in the Mashonaland,
Manicaland and Matabeleland North provinces to brace for heavy rains and
violent thunderstorms expected from

yesterday up to Saturday.
The warning comes in the wake of recent heavy rains in these areas.
Met Department head; public weather services Mr Tich Zinyemba said more
heavy rains in excess of 50 millimetres in 24 hours were expected in
Matabeleland North, Mashonaland provinces, north of the Midlands and
Manicaland.

He said reports had already indicated that areas like the Save Catchment and
probably Chikwarakwara were being affected by rising water in the Save and
Limpopo rivers.

“Accordingly given that there has been so much rain already this season,
there will be heightened risk of potential flooding and violent
thunderstorms (strong winds and possibly hail),” he said.

Mr Zinyemba said the remainder of the provinces on the other hand should
continue to experience relatively sunny and dry weather conditions although
sporadic showers or thunder showers would occur from time to time.

The department warned the public against attempting to cross flooded rivers
or bridges.
Motorists were urged to drive carefully on roads that are already damaged by
incessant rains.

“There is danger of electricity poles falling over given the soaked ground
thus increasing the risk of electrocution when the cables are handled
carelessly. All outdoor activities should be planned with the weather in
mind,” he said.

“The Meteorological Services Department encourages the public to take the
necessary measures to safeguard life and property in those areas that will
be affected.”

The public was also advised to contact local offices of the Civil Protection
Unit or relevant authorities for advice.

Zimbabwe is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall during the
second half of the rainfall season which starts in January and stretches to
April.

Water, Water Everywhere – and No Early Warning in Sight

http://www.ipsnews.net

By Ignatius Banda

GWANDA, Zimbabwe , Feb 14 2013 (IPS) - Muzeka Muyeyekwa from Mapfekera
Village in Zimbabwbe’s Manicaland Province wonders what he will feed his
three children for lunch.

The family’s basic food supplies have run out and they cannot replenish them
as the bridge that crosses the local Nyadira River, which links this village
with the outside world and the Watsomba shopping centre, was washed away in
January during the flash floods that spread across the country. Manicaland
Province, which borders Mozambique, is among the worst hit as it has seen
almost 1 metre of rain since mid-January.

However, a few village daredevils have used the disaster to make a quick
dollar by swimming across the flooded river with supplies – charging treble
the price or more for basic goods.

“We cannot cross the river to go to the grinding mill or to get basic food
supplies,” Muyeyekwa tells IPS. “The only supplies reaching us are the
expensive items brought by the daredevils.”

Other villagers say that their food supplies are running low and worry that
the authorities are not acting fast enough to repair the bridge.

Related IPS Articles

Fears for Food Security Rise with West African Floodwaters
Malawi’s Heroines of the Floods
ZIMBABAWE: Not Prepared for Floods Amid Conflicting Weather Forecasts
But the local district council chief executive, George Bandure, tells IPS
that the council is mobilising resources for the reconstruction of the
destroyed bridge.

Mapfekera community is not the only one struggling to cope with unseasonal
heavy rains here.

According to the latest United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs report on Zimbabwe, heavy January rainfall across the
country affected an estimated 8,490 people, “of which 4,615 people require
humanitarian assistance in the form of emergency shelter and non-food
items.”

The government’s Civil Protection Unit estimates that up to 5,000 people
across the country lost their homes in the flooding, while the police say
about 100 people have drowned – all since late last year.

Nearly 2,000 school children in the Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts in
Masvingo Province are being taught outside as torrential rainfall recently
destroyed classrooms in 28 schools.

Clifford Tshuma, a smallholder farmer in rural Gwanda, in Matabeleland South
Province, stands by and watches the effect that a surprise heavy downpour
has on his maize crop. It flattens the stalks, leaving the plants ruined.

“I did not see it coming,” Tshuma tells IPS.

Climate experts in this southern African nation say that the plight of rural
populations is worsened by the lack of sufficient weather monitoring systems
that are able to provide early awareness of rainfall levels.

“Zimbabwe sometimes finds itself less equipped to predict, unprepared to
plan for, and respond to floods,” Sobona Mtisi, a climate researcher with
the Overseas Development Institute’s Water Policy Programme, tells IPS. The
institute has partnered with the Zimbabwean government to formulate climate
change policy. “Early warning systems that focus on floods are not yet well
developed, especially at the local level. These factors combine to ensure
that the country is always caught off guard.”

Since mid-January, heavy rains have hit Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland South and
North Provinces as well as Masvingo Province, which are traditionally
considered dry areas.

According to the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services, the Matabeleland South
and North Provinces have seen rainfall of around 300 millimetres since the
beginning of the year – at least three times higher than the expected
rainfall for the provinces.

“This is much lower than other provinces,” Zimbabwe Meteorological Services
chief, Tich Zinyemba, tells IPS, pointing to Manicaland Province, which
borders Mozambique and has recorded up to 1,000 millimetres during the same
period. “But [the rainfall in Matabeleland] is still unusually high for such
arid regions.”

Adjusting to a new reality

Until the rains began in mid-January, the Matabeleland South and North
Provinces were in the midst of a drought. Local online publication
Bulawayo24 News reported that between July and December 2012 some 9,000
cattle in the Matabeleland South region had died due to the ongoing drought.
Now they are perishing because of the ensuing floods, the publication
reported.

“Floods are recent phenomena in Zimbabwe, and as such, the country is still
adjusting to this new reality,” Mtisi says, explaining that floods began
occurring here in 2000 when Cyclone Eline swept across southern Africa.

Mtisi says that the occurrence of heavy rains, which leave destruction in
their wake, has become somewhat predictable over the past decade. He adds
that with adequate preparation, these losses can be averted or minimised.

“From 2000 to 2010, Zimbabwe had four floods, some of which induced by
cyclones, such as Cyclone Eline (in 2000) and Cyclone Japhet (in 2003). This
means that we have a flood, every two and a half years,” Mtisi says.

“The problem is that Zimbabwe does not have sufficient resources, mainly
technical and financial, to predict, plan for, and manage floods. I do not
think that the hydro-meteorological monitoring departments of Zimbabwe
National Water Authority, Meteorological Department, and the Civil
Protection Department have adequate funds to efficiently undertake flood
preparedness and management activities,” he says.

Mtisi says that despite efforts by international relief agencies to mitigate
these loses, more still needs to be done.

“Although several systems for monitoring hydro-meteorological data are in
place, managed by regional and international bodies, such as the Famine
Early Warning Systems Network and the Southern African Development Community
Hydrological Cycle Observing System, they are insufficient,” Mtisi says.

It will be useful for Zimbabwe to develop an extensive network of
hydro-meteorological stations that monitor river flows and floods, he says,
through agencies such as the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services and the
Zimbabwe National Water Authority.

Very high frequency systems are currently being installed in the country’s
flood-prone areas to ensure that the people there are able to communicate
with different disaster management units that are meant to warn them of high
rainfall and potential disasters.

The point now is how to ensure these systems are operational and working
properly, says Tapuwa Gomo, a development expert who has worked with
international relief agencies in some of Zimbabwe’s flood-prone area.

*Additional Reporting by Nyarai Mudimu in Manicaland Province

Special Report: Villagers in Zimbabwe still exposed to violence, intimidation and vote buying

http://nehandaradio.com

on February 14, 2013 at 7:58 amBy Hosia Beta

In Gadzema village, 110 Kilometres, South West of Harare, villagers continue to be exposed to political violence, intimidation and vote buying as Zimbabwe’s make or break general elections draw closer.

The base in Gadzema were supporters of other parties face persecution

With the Principals in Zimbabwe’s inclusive government agreeing on the country’s draft constitution, elections may be called anytime before the end of June 2013. This is despite the fact that the situation on the ground, particularly the rural communities, is not conducive for the holding of free and fair elections.

Gadzema is one such community where the machinery of political violence, torture and intimidation, set up in the run up to the June 27 2008 presidential runoff election, has remained intact and is being utilised by ZANU PF as part of its strategy to manipulate the forthcoming elections.

As this reporter established during an investigative visit, Gadzema still harbours a torture base established in the wake of the bloody 2008 presidential runoff election. From afar, the base appears defunct and deserted, but a closer look points to how it continues to be in operation.

At the centre of the base is an old hut in which those perceived to be ZANU PF opponents continue to be exposed to severe beatings by members of the ZANU PF aligned militia. Wallowing twigs whose moisture content point to recent use were strewn around the hut’s rugged floor.

The little light that filtered into the hut could not help but carry imaginations to the NAZI era torture chambers that I came to know of through history lessons in High school.

In front of the hut is a wide open space, which as I gathered from Michael Moyo , a Gadzema villager, is used for different sorts of meetings.

Michael Moyo, MDC chairperson for ward 22 in Gadzema

These include planning, intimidation and indoctrination meetings. As stated by Michael who is the MDC Chairperson for Gadzema’s Ward 22, the open space is also used for rounding and beating up people who do not support ZANU PF.

“This is where people are drilled on the virtues of belonging to ZANU PF. It is also where meetings are held and villagers are instructed not to belong to any other political party other than ZANU PF”, Michael told me as we toured the open space area.

“Those who refuse to obey the order to back ZANU PF are also rounded up and thrashed at this place”, Michael added, pointing out that the open space area is also used for training and mobilising youths for purposes of terror against non ZANU PF supporters.

As learnt from Michael and other villagers interviewed, scores of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters have been thrashed at the base and forced to renounce their MDC membership or else face further victimisation.

Information gathered pointed to Mai Pfute, Councillor for Gadzema’s Ward 22, as the mastermind of terror in the area.

Mai Pfute works through two foot soldiers, known in the area as Giga and Fani. Efforts to get a comment from Mai Pfute were fruitless as villagers highlighted she had relocated to Bluerock farm some kilometres away from Gadzema after setting her house ablaze.

Sylvester Guveya shows the scars he sustained from the 2008 political violence and he now lives in fear as elections draw near

Giga and Fani have been linked to the recent abduction of three MDC supporters, Christon Banda, Masimba Madombwe and Tichaona Gombingo.

The three were abducted at the end of last year after participating in an MDC organised provincial soccer tournament at Nyatsanga Business Centre, Mashonaland West Province. This reporter managed to see Giga’s white Toyota Elgrand that was reportedly used in the abductions.

After the tournament, ZANU PF mobilised youths are said to have gathered at the Gadzema base for a Giga and Fani coordinated planning meeting, which culminated in the abduction of Banda, Madombwe and Gombingo.

The three were only released after being forced to give details of other MDC members in Gadzema.

However, contacted for a comment Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabweazara said there were no cases of violence, abductions and intimidations that were reported in the province.

“I have not received any reports of political violence or intimidation in Chegutu. The environment is still calm and the villagers should report cases of intimidation and violence if they are taking place,” said Inspector Mabweazara.

As said by Michael, the abductions were reported to the police, but nothing has been done to bring perpetrators to justice.

In fact, Giga and Fani have intensified their terror campaign. Villagers who spoke to this reporter pointed out how Fani and Giga have started leading a door to door campaign, warning villagers against belonging to political parties that oppose ZANU PF.

“As they conduct their door to door campaigns, ZANU PF youths chant songs and slogans that denounce members of the MDC and other political parties as sell outs [that must die”], said Ranga Moyo, a villager who says he is increasingly feeling insecure as the call for the next elections gathers momentum.

To maintain its hold on mostly unemployed youths, ZANU PF is monopolising illegal gold mining activities in the Gadzema area. With supporters of other political parties being barred from gold panning, ZANU PF loyalists are being rewarded with gold mining claims.

This reporter had an opportunity to go to a place known as KwaDread where hundreds of youths were busy extracting gold.

“This is a ZANU PF area. Giga and Fani are in total control. It is one of those areas where one cannot extract gold without a ZANU PF card,”Ranga said.

As Ranga put it to me, the lives of most youths in Gadzema now revolve around attending ZANU PF meetings, carrying out ZANU PF door to door campaigns and ZANU PF sanctioned gold panning. By allowing youths to engage in gold panning.

This, as Ranga put it, “amounts to indoctrination, voter intimidation and vote buying.” Nehanda Radio

Air Rhodesia crashes cast in stone in Pretoria

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Keynote address by the Right Hon. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai

An urgent letter to God: From a Zimbabwean

http://www.politicsweb.co.za

Vince Musewe
14 February 2013

Vince Musewe says his country has suffered for too long

I haven't written to you before, although I always speak to you, I thought
this time I would write you and I pray that you will reply my letter soon.

Dear God,

I want to thank you for the blessings that you have endowed upon Zimbabwe,
my country. I want to thank you for my beautiful country and its weather and
its unlimited potential. I also want to thank you for the humble people of
Zimbabwe who have endured 32 years of hardship, disillusionment and poverty,
but have remained patient, steadfast and faithful to you.

This is not because they chose it, but because you deemed it necessary that
they endure it. As your word says, suffering and hardship builds
perseverance, and perseverance builds character and character builds hope.
In the end, it all brings us to that place joy and peace and I sincerely
hope that, that will be the case by this time next year.

God, many of our good people have died and left us too early, before they
could contribute to and enjoy change in our country. This has robbed us of
their energy and wisdom in contributing to build and develop our country. I
know that I can never understand your ways, but I know that in the end, all
will be well. I thank you for giving them to us and we celebrate their lives
today and may they rest in peace.

God you know what has been happening in my country. Your sons and daughters
in Zimbabwe have been patient for change for a very long time. Always
hopeful and full of expectation that one day, although it may tarry, your
promises will come to pass. I beg you to forgive those that have been
responsible for the suffering we have gone through. I ask that you bless
them and that in the end; they too will confess their sins to you and turn
to you for your unfailing mercy.

As we move towards the referendum and elections this year, I ask you for
peace and tranquility. Please God, speak into the minds of those that seek
to lead us. Can you also speak into the minds of all ordinary Zimbabweans,
who have the responsibility to select those you have already chosen to
lead,so that they may make the right choices.

We need to renew our social value system in this country, and we need
leaders who are not boastful, self centered, arrogant, cruel and greedy.
Give us a leadership whose sole motive is to serve you. Make a way for them
to come to the fore during this time of elections, but do let them know that
only you can make it possible. Let them not boast or gloat but be humble
knowing that it is not through human effort that we succeed but through your
unbounded grace to us.

God, your word says that; whatever we ask of you with high expectation and
faith, will be done unto us. We need a new leadership in Zimbabwe in all
sectors. We need our country, that you have endowed with so much, to finally
use that to the benefit of all Zimbabweans, black and white. I ask you to
purge in all of us, the spirit of racism, hate and lack of forgiveness about
the past. I ask that you make our leadership stop using the past to commit
those acts that harm others and hold this country back. I ask you that you
reveal to them their purpose in this life, so that they may change their
ways and continually fear you.

My country Zimbabwe needs your almighty power and blessings now, so that we
may eradicate poverty and banish the suffering of your people. Let Zimbabwe
take its place in the community of nations as a country that respects the
rights of its citizens, human dignity, freedom of speech and the right to
pursue personal ambition without any limitations from any man.

As you are aware, many of our people are currently unemployed and are
seeking to make a living. God please, open up new opportunities in this
country. We have so many minerals and resources that we can use to benefit
our people. We have so much fertile land that sits unused because of the
selfishness and greed of our leaders. Give us the wisdom to use these gifts
wisely, so that Zimbabweans may once again feed themselves and be able to
provide for their daily needs.

You are a powerful God, and I ask that your power be evident in all we do. I
ask you that you unleash that same power that resurrected your son Jesus
Christ, to be available to us in these times. This will allow us to revive
our economy and renew our country. Please replace the years that the locusts
have eaten to each and every Zimbabwean who lost something since 2000. I
know you will do it, especially to those who were disposed of their
property, land and personal wealth in the name of justice. My dear God, I
know your justice is not like that. Give them peace and hope that in the
end, if they trust in you, you will replace all they have lost and more.

Forgive our President, Robert Mugabe, for the sins of omission or commission
that he may have committed against you or against Zimbabweans in the past.
Please give him the wisdom of King Solomon in these times, so that he may
finally accept the wishes of Zimbabweans. Above all give him peace and
understanding. God I ask you to also forgive those men that may have
committed sins in our government. Forgive our ministers, senators,
governors, chiefs, army chiefs, police for what they have done in pursuit of
popularity and wealth at the expense of poor ordinary Zimbabweans. Renew
their spirits today so that they too may fear you.

Strengthen our Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, so that he may be able to
complete his life purpose. Let all those who stand with him and for the
right things prevail in our society. Let no man or woman ever stand between
us and you or cause so much pain to your children.

Root out from amongst us, those who promote violence, expropriation, theft,
corruption and discontent. As I speak to you, there are men who are plotting
violence against the innocent. Men who are plotting evil each and every day
to stop change in Zimbabwe. They are those who are planning to forcefully
take away what others have worked for under the pretext of empowering us. I
ask you to cancel whatever it is that they may be planning. I ask you to
thwart their evil plots and to return the troubles they are planning for
others to them tenfold because you are a just God.

I ask that you especially hold back the spirit of greed, selfishness, pride
and the pursuit of material wealth that continues to limit the potential
your sons and daughters here in Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are consumed with
amassing as much personal wealth as they can, even in the midst of poverty
and lack. Please come down and teach them your ways and let them realize
that, there is only one kingdom worth to pursue; your kingdom. Can you also
urgently cast away the false prophets that are mushrooming all over the
country in pursuit of worldly material things in your churches? Expose evil,
heal the sick, bless the poor and bring every black and white Zimbabwean
closer to you this year.

My God, there are many Zimbabweans out there who have fled their homes and
country of birth because of the violence and persecution and lack of
opportunity. Please God, can you bless and guide them wherever they are,
but hurry to bring them back home so that they too may contribute to the
building of a new Zimbabwe.

God, Zimbabwe needs you right now. Please let 2013 be year of positive
change. Let 2013 be a year we remember that you came down from heaven and
answered our prayers. Let this happen so that men may know who you are.

Finally God, please forgive me too for my sins and please give me unlimited
strength to carry on. I ask in particular that in these times of change, I
fear no man, but you.

Thank you God for listening to me and I know that you have already done what
I ask, because the bible tells me so.

Your faithful son,

Vincent .

Vince Musewe is an economic analyst based in Harare. You may contact him on
vtmusewe@gmail.com