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Zimbabwe says enough money has been raised locally for March 16 constitution referendum

http://www.washingtonpost.com

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, February 25, 2:06 AM

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe’s broke coalition government says it has raised
enough money privately to pay for a referendum on a new constitution
scheduled March 16.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the vote, just three weeks away,
“will not be stopped because of lack of money,” the state Sunday Mail
newspaper reported.

Chinamasa said the financing was “sourced locally” from commercial and
business interests after the United Nations and possible outside donors
weren’t given enough time to contribute. The referendum date was announced a
week ago.

The state election commission says it needs $85 million for the vote ahead
of national elections later in the year to end the nation’s shaky coalition
between President Robert Mugabe and the former opposition formed after the
violent and disputed elections in 2008.

All coalition leaders have called for a ‘Yes’ vote on the new constitution.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said the United Nations cited bureaucratic
procedures preventing it from providing referendum money, adding “we
submitted our budgets a bit late,” the Sunday Mail reported.

“I think they are going to fund the actual election but this time (for the
referendum) we are going it alone,” the paper quoted Biti saying. Biti is
the third ranking official in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are expected to be held around
July.

Rights and democracy groups have called for a postponement of the referendum
to give voters more time to study the 160-page draft constitution first
published last Monday. They insist a hasty vote will not produce a credible
outcome.

Vice President Joice Mujuru said Saturday no Western observers will be
allowed into the country to monitor either of the upcoming polls.

Only African and regional observers will be permitted as election monitors,
she said while addressing a state funeral in Harare, in the absence of
Mugabe, who was on an official trip to West Africa.

Western nations hostile to Mugabe sought to infiltrate the country as
monitors to influence the outcome of voting in their favor, Mujuru said.

“Let us be wary of foreign interference in our internal politics,” she said.

Mugabe expelled a European Union observer mission during elections in 2002
that the European monitors alleged were marred by violence and vote rigging.

Western donors give the bulk of pledges to United Nations appeals for funds
to help member states.

The official election commission says that in a departure from usual
election practice the voters’ lists will not be used in the March 16
referendum. Voters aged 18 and above can cast their ballots in any of 9,000
polling states across the country using only valid national identity cards.

That procedure would mean a larger voter turnout within the time constraints
up to referendum, it says.

In previous parliament and presidential elections, glaring errors in the
voters’ lists, including registered voters who have long since died or have
moved to other districts, were blamed for vote rigging and fraud.


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Mujuru: Only SADC members should monitor Zim elections

http://mg.co.za/

24 FEB 2013 13:32 - AFP

Zimbabwe's Vice-President Joice Mujuru has signalled that the country will
not allow monitors from outside the SADC to watch this year's elections.

The 15-member regional bloc brokered a coalition government between
President Robert Mugabe and his arch rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
in 2008.

Mujuru said countries that have imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe wanted to
"impose themselves on our national election processes to influence the
outcome in their favour".

The European Union this week slightly eased sanctions against Zimbabwe but
the United States said it will only end restrictions after more reforms.

Zimbabwe's official policy on foreign election observers is unclear. It
rejected a report by EU observers, who slammed the 2002 polls for violence.
They also said the elections were not free and fair.

Zimbabweans will vote March 16 in a referendum over a new constitution.

The charter will be a precursor to July polls to end a shaky
Mugabe-Tsvangirai coalition.

Elections in Zimbabwe have been marred by human rights violations including
killings of political opponents, beatings and intimidation. – Sapa


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Zimbabwe activist's 12-year-old son killed in fire

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

The murder of the 12-year-old son of a long-serving activist in Zimbabwe has
sparked fears of fresh political violence in the country.

By Peta Thornycroft, Johannesburg3:54PM GMT 24 Feb 2013

Christpowers Maisiri, the son of Shepherd Maisiri, of the Movement for
Democratic Change, was killed on Saturday night after his house was set on
fire. He was asleep in the hut with two older brothers when it was set
alight.

"My son was born a victim of Zanu PF and died a victim of Zanu PF. I was out
campaigning and my family was at home sleeping when people came and attacked
my dogs, and then set my house on fire and my boy died in that fire," said
Mr Maisiri, 45.

"I am told I must trust Robert Mugabe. That we are going to have peaceful
elections, well that is not true. My son is dead."

Mr Maisiri, who lives in Headlands constituency, a stronghold of Robert
Mugabe's Zanu PF, controlled by party heavyweight Didymus Mutasa, said he
did not see who attacked his home, but added: "I know who did this. My house
has been burned nine times before this.
"I am a founding member of the MDC... I know these political rivals."

A referendum for Zimbabwe's new constitution is weeks away with general
elections expected a few months later.

After violent and inconclusive elections in 2008 Mr Mugabe and MDC leader
Morgan Tsvangirai formed an inclusive government which expires in June.
Since the inclusive government was formed political violence decreased.

Mr Mutasa did not answer his phone on Sunday, nor did Zanu PF spokesman
Rugare Gumbo.


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Biti seeks China infrastructure help

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

24/02/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti said Friday that China was likely to bankroll
several key projects as country looks to rehabilitate its infrastructure
after years of neglect.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting Chinese Commerce Minister Chen
Deming an optimistic Biti said: "We discussed on how China can assist in
capital investments in Zimbabwe, road, transportation, water and power
stations. I must say we had a very fruitful discussion,” he said.

"We can see some serious things materialising in the next few weeks.”
Biti said projects likely to be funded by China include the Kariba South
Hydro- project, Hwange, the Zambezi river water project as well as
Information Communication Technology and the transport sector.

"The discussions are on- going," he said.
Key infrastructure such as the country’s roads as well as water and sewage
systems in most towns and cities fell into disrepair due to neglect over the
last decade as the country battled serious economic crisis.

Chen Deming also described the meeting as crucial for the economic exchanges
between the two countries.
"We had very good exchanges on infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe as well
as ways to expand the Zimbabwean trade to China and also with key projects
going forward," he said.

He however distanced China from funding Zimbabwe's elections.
"All your Ministers as well as your Acting President they all told me that
Zimbabwe is one country, a united country and general elections might be an
important political agenda for you.

"It's a domestic thing to do," said Chen Deming.


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Soldiers run amok, invade gold mine

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Sunday, 24 February 2013 11:37
HARARE - Several soldiers ran amok and invaded a gold mine, looting and
turning into miners, the High Court has heard.

In an urgent chamber application filed yesterday, Blooming Lilly Investments
Pvt Limited told the court that Slashwood Mining Pvt Ltd enlisted the
services of soldiers to invade its mine on February 6 this year.

According to court papers, Blooming Lilly lost several mining claims,
including Danga 3, Matebele and Sheba, after the invasion.

“Around 40 military personnel unlawfully commandeered the said sites and
have begun illegal mining activities thereon and have ejected the applicant
and its agents from the sites without the consent of the applicant to such
ejectment.”

Blooming Lilly’s director Tapiwa Gurupira told the court: “Applicant has
been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of the said sites and has been
conducting its mining activities.

“However, on the 6th of February 2013, respondent in the company of about 40
military personnel invaded the sites and forcibly removed applicant’s
agents.”

Gurupira said Slashwood brought a provisional eviction order but he said he
was not subject to the court order, since it referred to a different legal
personality.

“It is submitted that actions of respondent amounted to despoliation of
applicant, because the court order was being used for other purposes than
that for which it was granted,” said Gurupira.

“Applicant prays for a mandamant van spolie (spoliation order) to be granted
in its favour, and the applicant will undergo severe, unsalvageable economic
harm, should the respondent and its agents that have begun looting from the
sites are not removed from the sites and curtailed future and further
incursions,” reads part of the court application. - Tendai Kamhungira


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Government to ban unqualified teachers

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

24/02/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

A UNIVERSITY degree is set to become the minimum qualification for teachers
as part of reforms that will also see unqualified temporary teachers banned
from the country’s education sector over the next five years.

Education minister, David Coltart told a public meeting in Harare last week
that the government was looking at ways of dealing with the estimated 20,000
unqualified teachers across the country.

“We are crafting a national vision for the country’s education sector and
one of the solutions to our crisis is the banning of unqualified teachers,”
he said.

“We need to ensure that every single teacher is qualified. Those unqualified
will go for training and we are giving them first preference.

Coltart also said a university degree was also set to become the minimum
qualification for teachers over the next five years.
“After phasing out the unqualified teachers, the next step is to make sure
that our teachers have a minimum of a degree as a qualification so that we
produce the best in our schools.”

The proposed changes follow increasing concern over falling standards in the
country’s education system which was once touted as Africa’s best. Nearly
82% of students failed their Ordinary Level examinations last year.

But Coltart said with the international examination pass rate standing at 25
percent, last year’s results were not that “shocking”.

“Our results are not shocking as some people have claimed,” he said.
“The problem we have is that the country is expecting every pupil to be
academically smart…we all have different talents. As long as we focus on
academics we are denying over half of our students a decent living.

He said results could not be expected to improve when the education sector
was unable to attract the best teachers because of poor salaries.

“We need to pay our teachers handsomely so that we attract the cream of our
students to train as teachers,” he said.
“We need to genuinely treat them as professionals. As we speak, we are
failing to attract those who have flying colours to train as teachers.

“The current environment attracts only those who are average and those who
have nothing else to do are taking up teaching as a profession. So, how can
we produce the best results?”


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Court kicks out Kunonga sidekick

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Sunday, 24 February 2013 12:58
HARARE - Anglicans in Manicaland Province have begun repossessing their
church buildings and other property after the Supreme Court ordered renegade
bishop Elson Jakazi out.

Jakazi, a sidekick of another renegade bishop, Nolbert Kunonga, had grabbed
the properties which included orphanages, schools and hospitals after being
chucked out of the church.

Kunonga was recently booted out by the Supreme Court after he also violently
grabbed church properties.

Last week, Supreme Court judge Vernanda Ziyambi ruled that Jakazi, a former
military officer, was offside and had no right to claim the Anglican Church
of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) properties.

Julius Makoni, the CPCA Manicaland Diocese, bishop said after five years of
worshipping under trees, members would begin using their facilities today.

“We went to the Supreme Court and Justice Vernanda Ziyambi ruled in favour
of us — in short he (Jakazi) lost. So we are happy to repossess our
properties,” said Makoni.

Jakazi seized all church properties in the province, which included more
than 150 parishes.

He also took control of respected schools and institutions such as Bonda
Mission School and Hospital, St Faith Mission in Rusape, St Augustine
Mission in Penhalonga, St Peters Clinic in Honde Valley, St Mary Magdalene
High School in Nyanga, main church offices including the Cathedral in
Mutare, Holy Name Matsika School in Nyazura and all small health centres
dotted across the province.

Under the management of Jakazi, the properties were reduced to hellholes,
with formerly elite schools such as Bonda and St Augustine collapsing into
gutter institutions.

CPCA members were jubilant yesterday.

Prominent Anglican parishioner Tapiwa Mbutsa said the church needs to be
vigilant next time when choosing leaders.

“I think Anglican CPCA community has learnt that each time we choose a
leader we need to pray and fast for God’s guidance. The bible teaches us to
ask God for a leader. The election into office of Jakazi and Kunonga was
full of corruption,” Mbutsa wrote on the church’s Facebook page. - Vasco
Chaya


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Former Ghana leader praises Tsvangirai

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

24/02/2013 00:00:00
by citifmonline.com

FORMER Ghana president Jerry John Rawlings has commended Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai for working towards a peaceful political climate in
Zimbabwe.

Speaking during a meeting with Rawlings, Tsvangirai stated that the
political and economic situation in Zimbabwe has improved since the
establishment of a unity government following disputed elections in 2008.

The two held a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, where both leaders are
attending the World Peace Summit of the United Peace Federation.

The Summit is being held under the theme, “Peace, Security and Development”.

Tsvangirai said relations with President Mugabe had improved and there was
civil discourse between the two.
The MDC-T leader said even though there was significant political and
economic improvement in Zimbabwe, the international media was only keen on
reporting the negative news about the country.

He said the economy had grown 9% over the past two years, an indication that
his country is moving positively.

Tsvangirai also said he did not foresee any trouble as Zimbabwe moves
towards a new election later this year.


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Zimplats speaks on messy deal

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Sunday, 24 February 2013 12:22

HARARE - Mining giant Zimplats is struggling to contain reports that it,
together with the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board
(Nieeb) undervalued the company’s worth, as the Nieebgate scandal rages on.

Investigations by the Daily News have revealed that Nieeb did not consult
relevant government arms like the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the
ministry of Mines and that of Industry among others.

It also emerged during investigations that a company which was awarded the
deal for advisory services for seven of the indigenised companies did not go
through tender as required by law.

Transactions worth more than $300 000 have to go through the Tender Board.

Besides the suspected undervaluing of Zimplats, questions are also being
asked over “vendor financing” provisions in the deal which legal experts say
could be ultra vires the Companies Act.

Zimplats has valued its machinery and equipment at $2,7 billion while the
resources underground have been pegged at the same value, raising fears that
the deal has been seriously undervalued.

Government insiders told the Daily News that professional valuations
conducted by other companies of international repute indicate that the Great
Dyke contains platinum reserves valued at $200 billion at the current market
price of platinum, which is averaging $1 700 per ounce, while valuations
done to specific platinum reserves smaller than Zimplats indicate a single
endowment of over $20 billion as compared to the $2,7 billion for Zimplats

In a terse two-line statement to the Daily News this week, Zimplats appeared
to play down the issue.

And as Mike Nyambuya’s Nieeb pushed forward with its efforts to deny that
government was cheated in the $971 million deal, Zimplats also insisted due
diligence on the deal was done.

“Zimplats followed due process with integrity when valuing its assets,” Busi
Chindove, Zimplats’ head of corporate affairs said in the statement.

“The final transactional value was arrived at through negotiation by the
joint technical team.”

Adding intrigue to the whole debacle is what Justice and Legal Affairs
minister Patrick Chinamasa said in November 2010 in the dispute between
asbestos miner SMM and government where he clearly stated that export
receipts from the company could not be used to settle a $60 million debt in
the purchase price of the Zvishavane-based asbestos mine.

In the Zimplats deal, structured by private equity investment firm
Brainworks Capital, payment of the shares will come from 85 percent of the
dividends declared by Zimplats over the 10-year period.

Indigenous people must pay $971 million within a period of 10 years, failure
of which the shares revert back to the owners of Zimplats.

Clause 14 of the Zimplats deal partly reads: “On the expiry of 10 years
following the effective date, Zimplats Holdings will have the option to
repurchase as many of the VF shares as it is sufficient to settle, by way of
set off, the VF balance as at the end of the VF term (Repurchased VF
Shares).

“In the event that an indigenous entity commits any one of a number of
specified acceleration events, Zimplats Holdings will be entitled to
repurchase the VF shares earlier.

Indigenous Zimbabweans have 10 years to pay the $971 million but if they
fail, they will be given 10 days within which to pay cash or they will
forfeit the shares.

Zimplats has in the last 10 years only paid a total dividend of $50 million
making it almost certain from the onset that the indigenous people will not
be able to pay the $1 billion repayment to secure their 51 percent.

Chinamasa told Parliament: “It is very wrong, any lawyer will tell you that
you cannot use a shareholder, to use the receipts of the company to pay for
the purchase price of those shares.”

“It is not allowed in terms of the Companies Act and in any case, even a
bookkeeper will tell you that receipts are the income of a company,”
Chinamasa said.

“It is the receipts that are used to pay for the production costs, the
running costs, (and) the working capital of that company.”

While Brainworks managing partner George Manyere yesterday told the Daily
News that questions about how the company bagged the top-dollar financial
advisor contract must be directed to Nieeb, he denied that he is due to
pocket up to $45 million from the Zimplats deal alone, saying he stands to
pocket “only” $14,5 million.

Charles Kuwaza, the State Procurement Board (SPB)’s executive chairperson,
has told the Daily News that the SPB did not receive any proposal from
Brainworks and the accounting officer at the Indigenisation board or Nieeb
has not approached them in that regard, adding he got to know about
Brainworks when the Daily News exposed the Nieebgate Scandal.

Finance minister and secretary-general for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s
MDC, Tendai Biti also said implementation of the indigenisation programme
was not only illegal, but only benefits well-heeled elites.

“In the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act, you will not find the word
community share trust, you will not,” Biti said.

“Then you come to the regulations, statutory instrument number 30 of March
2010 that was passed or enacted by Saviour Kasukuwere, again you will not
find the name community share trust.

“So the issue of community share schemes is actually an afterthought which
is not backed by the empowering act, the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act
such that community share schemes don’t actually have legal existence
vis-a-vis the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act.”

Biti added: “To the extent that there is no company in Zimbabwe that I know
of which has actually parted with 51 percent of its shareholding whether its
Zimplats or not, you are having the anomalous situation where companies are
bribing themselves out of compliance with the act by paying a mere US$10
million, US$5 million, whatever is the amount of the community share
scheme.”

“Another problem with this empowerment programme is certainly in the way it
is being implemented; it is very opaque. Nobody knows the circumstances that
those companies are parting with those monies.”
Politically, the evolving dynamic holds both promise and peril for
government, not to mention for Zimplats.
Now that it is possible the deal might be revisited in Parliament next week,
the ruling administration might reap some of the credit if it is seen to be
riding herd on the Zimplats deal.

Zimplats’ move to give thumbs-up to a flawed deal is revealing: the
government through Nieeb going toe to toe with a foreign corporation in
which it holds no tangible benefits.

In its current form, Zimplats stands to regain its shares in 10 years,
perhaps explaining its move to quickly give the transaction a clean bill. -
Gift Phiri, Political Editor


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Is Jonathan Moyo part of a parallel govt?

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Sunday, 24 February 2013 12:22

HARARE - Jonathan Moyo makes the point that the Zimplats Indigenisation
Implementation Plan (ZIIP) has not been completed and, therefore, it is
premature for any discussion as to the merits or demerits of the underlying
transaction to meaningfully take place.

This position is supported by the chairman of the National Indigenisation
and Economic Empowerment Board (Nieeb), Mike Nyambuya, who in an interview
published in the Herald of February 21, 2013, stated: “Let me start by
giving clarity on the Term Theet signed between Zimplats and indigenous
partners.

“The term sheet provides for general principles on the Zimplats
indigenisation implementation plan and is not legally binding. The terms and
conditions therein are not definitive. Neither party therefore is bound by
these terms.”

It is common cause that a Term Sheet with 16 pages was signed on January 11,
2013.

Moyo who is neither a director nor an officer of the Nieeb let alone a
member of the executive branch of the Government of Zimbabwe had this to
say: “Firstly, there has been a pervasive and gross lie deliberately told
through some gullible sections of the media whose import has been to give
the false and thus misleading impression that the Zimplats indigenisation
transaction is a done deal which has been finalised and completed. This is
far from the actual truth.”

Any casual observer in the matter would be entitled to ask the basis of the
authority and capacity of Moyo to make the above statement.

How would Moyo as a member of the legislature get to know what is false or
true in respect of facts that can only be privy to the signatories of the
said Term Sheet?

Could Moyo be part of a parallel government structure?

Could he be working secretly for the Nieeb?
If not, what interest would inform this kind of spirited defence?

Whether the information ventilated in the public domain about the Zimplats
is false or not should not be of concern to Moyo precisely because his
version is that a Terms Sheet has no legal consequences as it can be varied
by the contracting parties before conclusion.

The mere fact that Moyo authoritatively states that he is fixed with
knowledge that the Zimplats transaction has not been finalised and completed
should be an issue of major concern to the Nieeb board who are custodians of
the institution and yet Nyambuya does not deal with this material issue in
his interview.

The authority to represent Nieeb is vested in the board of directors and at
the very least, one would have expected Nyambuya to reprimand Moyo from
assuming powers that the Act and Constitution of Zimbabwe do not support.

Although it is appreciated that Moyo is a political animal, it is not
apparent why he would behave in the manner in which he has chosen to —
unless he is some kind of “hired gun”.

Naturally mercenaries are not guided by principles and values but by cash
that flows.

This would lead any rational observer to attempt to locate the fault lines
in the transaction with a view to establishing possible angles that would
allow the fees from the deal to flow to all possible actors including the
few that may see danger in transparency.

Against a backdrop of a dispute confirmed by the chairman of Nieeb in
respect of the true meaning of a Term Sheet and the implications that would
arise from its signing, it is important to define the term so that lay
people can better appreciate the issues at hand.

A Term Sheet is defined as a bullet-point document setting out the material
terms and conditions of a business agreement.

This sheet that has been signed is not just an ordinary Term Sheet but a
direct consequence of the application of a law i.e. the Indigenisation and
Economic Empowerment Act (the Act).

In terms of the Act whose true interpretation is often clouded in mystery,
it would appear the transfer of shares to indigenous persons would mirror
the experience of the land reform programme in which the beneficiaries of
land were never subjected to Term Sheet and complicated terms like “vendor
financing” as if to suggest the indigenous people through the ministry have
the necessary financial competency to enter into such contracts.

It is normal that after a Term Sheet has been “executed”, lawyers would then
prepare final agreements. It is a guide and normally the terms agreed to;
are unlikely to change.

A Term Sheet then implies the critical terms of the known transaction that
according to the political propaganda machinery should result in 51 percent
of the issued share capital in the target company being transferred to
indigenous persons as defined in the Act for no consideration.

Although a Term Sheet is similar to a letter of intent, it lists the deal
terms in bullet point and this has been done lest surprises spring in — that
were not anticipated.

Now that the public knows the bullet points, it cannot be argued that the
bullets are created by enemies of the revolution but the signatories to the
Term Sheet must speak for themselves.

It would be obvious from Mike Nyambuya that the engagement of Brainworks
Capital predates the signing of the Term Sheet.

Accordingly, to Nyambuya, the letter of engagement was signed on June 8,
2012 prior to his appointment as a director and chairman of the Nieeb.

The question that then arises is how Nyambuya who was not part of the
governance of the Nieeb can be so eloquent in defending matters that he has
no personal knowledge of.

The question that both Nyambuya and Moyo seem to avoid responding to relates
to the appointment of Brainworks, services rendered and remuneration issues.

Moyo who exposes that he is an insider in this matter, states as follows:
“Page 1 of the Term Sheet which has 16 pages and which was signed on January
11, 2013 clearly and unambiguously states that, “The terms and conditions
set out in this term sheet in respect of the Zimplats IP (Indigenisation
Implementation Plan) are non-binding and are subject to definitive legal
documentation in respect of the transactions forming part of Zimplats
transaction”.

How did Moyo who is evidently not a party to the Term Sheet obtain a copy of
this agreement that ordinarily should be private and confidential?

If he has this document, how many other documents of government are in his
possession?

Who would have an interest in giving these documents to a member of the
legislature?

If regard is taken into account as to the correct function of a legislator,
then one has to be concerned about the constitutional health of Zimbabwe and
the circumstances that would allow a legislator to defend the actions of the
executive in this clumsy manner.

Surely, Moyo’s interests should be aligned with the people he represents in
Parliament who would no doubt also want to know the true nature of this deal
to be disclosed in the public interest.

However, in this transaction as in many, Moyo who is no longer in the
executive continues to behave in an unconstitutional manner validating the
concerns of Zimbabwe’s partners that the rule of law must be restored before
sanctions are lifted.

Moyo must show the lead and yet his footprints are all over this transaction
without good cause.

Perhaps he may have a public relations contract with the government that he
has not yet disclosed.

The fact that he sings from the same hymn as Nyambuya must also be of
concern.

Moyo then authoritatively states as follows: “Paragraph 22 of the Term Sheet
clearly provides that “In addition to any other conditions set out in this
Term Sheet, the Zimplats IIP, including each of the transactions forming
part thereof, is, subject to waiver at the discretion of Zimplats Holdings,
subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions precedent by June 30,
2013 or such other date as the key participants may agree upon in writing”
confirming his intimate knowledge of the transaction.

He then states: “The key participants shall use their reasonable endeavours
to fulfil these conditions precedent by June 30, 2013. However, should
regulatory authorities or other processes necessitate an extension beyond
June 30, 2013; the key participants agree that the said date shall be
extended to a date agreed by the key participants to accommodate such
regulatory process” without explaining how he got this privileged
information.

He then concludes by saying: “It is therefore quite clear that all the talk
which claims or gives the impression that a deal has been finalised is false
and nonsensical with no empirical or documented support whatsoever.”

“So far, there is only a non-binding Term Sheet pending the finalisation of
substantive agreements such as a Shareholder’s Agreement which is yet to be
concluded.”

Who benefits from exposing transactional details to a party whose interests
in the deal is not obvious and transparent?

Moyo’s knee-jerk reaction undermines the integrity of a signature programme
that his party wishes to seek a sixth term on.

He may very well be the architect of “bhora musango” as his actions confirm
that Zimbabwe is operating as a “banana republic”.

No country that respects the rule of law would allow this kind of thuggish
behaviour. This is the second of a four part series on the Nieebgate
Scandal which was unearthed by the Daily News.


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Bind Mugabe to GPA promises – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 23rd February 2013

On a bitterly cold Saturday, with the temperature not rising above 2 degrees centigrade, we were surprised to be joined outside the Embassy by President Mugabe, tearing himself away from his 89th birthday celebrations.

As befits a man of such advanced years, he took a rest on one of our camp chairs while he contemplated the prospect of another term of office. Where to holiday next? The UN in New York perhaps? Or there must be an AU meeting in Addis Ababa? Or Rome to meet the new Pope? Or even Brussels – so keen to drop sanctions! No, better a quiet visit to Hong Kong to count the money. (PS remember to avoid South Korea as Tsvangirai is already there busy preparing for the elections . . .)

As Mugabe dozed off under the snowflakes, Vigil supporters tied him to his chair with the SADC bonds which we hope will produce free and fair elections: ‘International Observers’, ‘Curbs on Partisan Security Forces’, ‘Impartial Electoral Commission’, ‘Reformed Voters’ Roll’, ‘No Hate Speech’ and ‘Open Airways’ (perhaps we can even have our radios back . . . )

With Mugabe’s ability to steal the elections curbed by these restrictions, Vigil supporters trooped off to the South African High Commission to deliver a letter for President Zuma warning him that unless the GPA reforms are implemented there is no hope that Mugabe will allow free and fair elections (for full text of the letter see last week’s diary: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/475-zuma-save-zimbabwe--zimbabwe-vigil-diary-16th-february-2013).

Thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu for playing the role of Mugabe in our demonstration which was part of the Free Zimbabwe Global Campaign which has been staging monthly demonstrations since January last year.

Other points

· We were glad to be joined by MDC stalwart Makusha Mugabe (no relation!) who runs the ChangeZimbabwe website, especially as our numbers were depleted by the attendance at the launch of a new ROHR branch in Southampton.

· We are missing Josie Zhuga who is such a buoyant personality on the front desk. She is not well and is awaiting surgery.

· It was good to meet Andrew Veremu who came down from Coventry University to speak to us about a documentary he is doing on Zimbabwean asylum seekers for his master’s degree. We are only too happy to help the many students who come to us seeking help with projects on Zimbabwe and asylum.

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website.

FOR THE RECORD: 40 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

· ROHR Central London Branch meeting. Saturday 2nd March from 12 noon to 1.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. For directions see entry below. Contact: Fungayi Mabhunu 07746 552 597, Cynthia Mutede 07548 609 683.

· Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 2nd March from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. The meeting will take place straight after the Vigil. Directions: The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a big sign high above and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It's next to a newsagent. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn. Next ZAF, Saturday 16th March same time and venue.

· Mike Campbell Foundation: Hope in a Desert. Thursday 7th March at 7 pm. Venue: Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. Speakers are Ben Freeth, Dr Craig Richardson and Gillian Higgins. The event will be chaired by Kate Hoey MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe. Tickets: £15. Check: http://www.mikecampbellfoundation.com/images/rgs2013flyer.pdf for more information.

· Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2012 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/467-vigil-highlights-2012. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2012 Highlights page.

· The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.

· Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

· Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil...

· Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

Vigil co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk


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In Zimbabwe, learning Chinese is a lucrative investment

http://www.un.org/africarenewal/web-features/zimbabwe-learning-chinese-lucrative-investment



22 FEBRUARY 2013

Tonderayi Mukeredzi

Ni hao, Chinese for “hello,” or ting bu dong, meaning “I hear you, but I don’t
understand,” are two expressions one often overhears today in Zimbabwe’s
capital. It is one of the results of tenacious efforts by governments,
private companies and individuals across Africa, but in Zimbabwe
particularly, to learn the Chinese language and understand China’s culture.

Learning Chinese as a second or third language has been a global trend in
the last few years. In Africa, the rapid increase of Chinese investments and
trade (China is currently the continent’s biggest trading partner) has
spurred the trend.

Zimbabwe’s government has been very deliberate in enhancing its bilateral
relationship with China. It launched the Look East Policyin 2003to give
priority to investors from China, Japan, Singapore and other countries from
that region.As a result, trade between China and Zimbabwe has been growing
exponentially — China is now the biggest buyer of Zimbabwe’s tobacco.

Although learning Chinese dates back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle in
the late 1960s and 1970s when freedom fighters went to China for military
training, the trend has now accelerated significantly, and for different
reasons.

Confucius Institute

To spread the Chinese language and culture, the government of China is
utilizing a concept called Confucianism. Confucius was a great Chinese
philosopher and educator born in 551 BC. The Chinese believe that his
thoughts have tremendously influenced Chinese culture and even had an impact
other cultures. Chinese people refer to Confucius as “a greater teacher.”

Zimbabwe leads the rest of the continent in the training of local teachers
of Chinese, having integrated the Confucius Institute into the University of
Zimbabwe’s academic structures in 2007, as part of an expanding network of
about 400 Confucius Institutes worldwide. The programme has largely been
successful, and the university is poised to export surplus teachers of
Chinese to other countries as well.

Professor Pedzisai Mashiri, the inaugural director of the Confucius
Institute at the University of Zimbabwe, says that one of the institute’s
goals is to promote the Chinese language and culture in Zimbabwe.

Because the government is yet to integrate Chinese into the national
curriculum for primary and secondary schools, schools that host Confucius
classes offer the Chinese language as an extra-curricular activity. More
than a thousand students have received such language training through the
institute since 2009. A few others are completing studies in China and will
join the university soon.

A skill that pays

Observers say there has been a rising demand from organizations and
individuals seeking to learn Chinese. Clarence Makoni, the founder of the
Cendel Language Bridge, a private company that provides translations,
interpretation and foreign language instruction, told Africa Renewal that
there are huge benefits in learning foreign languages. Chinese, he says, is
by far the most sought after.

“If you look at the rate at which the Chinese are coming into this country,”
says Mr. Makoni, “you do not need to be a prophet to tell who is going to be
the most significant employer in a few years to come. . . . All the people
we train are snapped up by companies as soon as they finish their courses,
and they are paid very handsomely.”

He adds that the ability to speak another major language besides English is
a great selling point in the marketplace. A Chinese-speaking interpreter can
rake in a monthly salary of Z$5,000, while a bilingual secretary with the
same capabilities can claim up to Z$3,000 — earnings deemed at the top range
in Zimbabwe.

Laston Mukaro, a language consultant and lecturer at the University of
Zimbabwe’s linguistics department, says that although his job grading has
not yet changed, he is now earning much more after learning Chinese.

“It makes sense to learn Chinese now other than for the reason necessitated
by the government’s Look East Policy,” he says. “Chinese is one of the
United Nation’s official languages and if you look at the way China is
expanding into the world, you can do better if you speak their language.”

Mr. Mukaro also earns a lot of money from exchange programmes between China
and Zimbabwe. In addition, he frequently consults for the local Confucius
Institute. Other benefits include his current work on a handbook for
translating between Chinese and Shona, one of Zimbabwe’s main indigenous
languages. “For those who travel to and do business with China a lot, and
are privileged to tap its diverse tourism, then learning Chinese is
practically obligatory and has immense benefits,” he says with enthusiasm.

More expansion ahead

Professor Mashiri says there are plans to open at least five more Chinese
teaching points in other parts of the country, and to construct a Confucius
Institute building at the University of Zimbabwe. The Chinese Embassy in
Zimbabwe has also promised to build a cultural centre to strengthen cultural
cooperation between the two countries.

The world is now a global village, requiring people to understand each other’s
culture and languages, says Levi Nyagura, the University of Zimbabwe’s
vice-chancellor. “We want to see Zimbabwean students get jobs in China. We
will continue to work hard to institutionalize the Chinese language, as we
have done with the other major world languages.”

There are also suggestions for introducing Chinese into the national
curriculum. “The net effect,” argues Professor Mashiri, “is to have the
teaching and learning of Chinese cascade from university to secondary and
primary schools.”


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Is China funding Zimbabwe’s referendum and elections?

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 24th February 2013.
All of a sudden Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped coalition government has funds for
polls despite making an appeal for help from the United Nations to foot its
US$250m election bill only a fortnight ago.
Ironically, in April 2011, Zanu-pf turned down an offer by the United
Nations to fund and supervise elections, accusing the UN of taking the wrong
side in the Ivory Coast conflict.
But in a major climb down Zanu-pf’s Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa had
co-written a letter with MDC-T’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti to the UNDP
asking for funds for the elections whose date still remains a mystery.
Just before putting down their glasses of champagne of celebrating that the
UNDP had “approved” Zimbabwe’s request for election money, another breaking
news came “Zimbabwe fails to secure external funding for referendum”
(SWRadioAfrica.com, 22/02/13).
Although, Finance Minister Tendai Biti reportedly wanted the referendum
delayed for lack of funds, the Head of State and Government of disunity,
Robert Mugabe told visiting bishops Zimbabwe will be able to raise US$200
million using its natural resources.
Curiously, the same natural resources Mugabe was referring to (presumably
diamonds, platinum, elephants and rhinos) have not been used transparently
to fund education, Zimbabwe’s employment creation efforts or health for
all, but have arguably been given to China for a song.
As if the GNU was just playing cry wolf over poll funds, the Sunday Mail on
24th February 2013 quoted Patrick Chinamasa as saying the government has
raised enough funds for the constitutional referendum scheduled for March
16, without disclosing the source of the money.
Now, the question is Where did Zimbabwe suddenly get the referendum money at
such a short notice which did not exist before the failed joint bid by the
two ministers for UN funding?
Given that Zimbabwean companies are operating at 50% capacity or lower and
cannot easily part with US$200 million required, as seen from the
unsuccessful rent seeking for Mugabe’s 21st Feb Movement which secured
donations from only two local businesses, Bhadhela and Jays wholesalers , so
where has Zimbabwe secured funds for the controversial referendum and
elections?
Arguably, people are left to speculate on the coincidence of the revived
confidence with recent arrival in Harare of the Chinese Minister of
Commerce, Chen Deming, who, without delay signed three memoranda of
understanding with Zimbabwe including one for an interest free US$9.6
million loan from China to Zimbabwe (ZBC, 22/02/13).
Is China colonising Zimbabwe?
At a time when Zimbabwe Republic Police is criminalising the ownership of
wind-up short wave radio sets, the Chinese delegation handed over an outside
broadcasting van and the uplink obviously to boost Zanu-pf propaganda while
denying citizens the right to hear alternative news broadcasts by seizing
donated radios from poor rural people.
As if to reassure her Chinese guest, the Acting President Joyce Mujuru
reportedly declared that Western observers are not welcome to monitor
Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections. This is a bit strange considering the fact
that they have not yet secured the necessary funds for elections.
Or, is this Zanu-pf’s way of telling the European Union, to stay away from
the 2013 elections, despite easing targeted sanctions on 21 Mugabe loyalists
supposedly to reward him, in the hope of sharing the economic cake at the
expense of human rights given the crackdown on NGOs in Zimbabwe?
That Zimbabwe is fast speeding towards an uncertain future is observable
from the arrogance of the leaders who are stubbornly holding onto an
arbitrary referendum date that nobody is ready for, while the judiciary
appears uncertain on how to handle the NCA petition which seeks to postpone
the event feared by many as potentially violent close to polling day.
While the source of poll funds may be puzzling, it may not be as curious as
the MDC-T’s endorsement of the unrealistic referendum date of 16 March given
the poor logistics in the country.
Equally incomprehensible is Morgan Tsvangirai’s approval of what some in
both MDC formations view as Zanu-pf sympathisers to head the Human Rights
Commission and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ahead of the mother of all
controversial elections.
Is China funding Zimbabwe’s referendum and elections?
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London,
zimanalysis2009@gmail.com


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