Joint MDC-T/ZANU PF peace rally held in Makoni South

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
02 February, 2012

In a move that is unprecedented in Manicaland province, a ZANU PF chief
invited members from all political parties to a peace rally last Friday,
where officials from the MDC-T and ZANU PF denounced political motivated
violence.

The MDC-T provincial spokesperson and MP for Makoni South, Pishai
Muchauraya, said the rally was organized by Chief Chiduku, who is also a
ZANU PF senator. Crowds were gathered at Mukamba Business Centre, in Ward
28, Makoni South.

Chief Chiduku has in the past been blamed for promoting political violence
in the area. To his surprise, Muchauraya said the chief distributed
fertilizer to all who attended the rally, regardless of political
affiliation.

Asked why MDC members would trust that they would be safe at a rally
organized by a chief known to be violent towards the MDC, Muchauraya said
the area has majority MDC supporters so they felt safe.

“Chief Chiduku came to my office and told me he wanted to make sure that
members from all political parties attended. He instructed all the village
heads under him to make sure as well,” Muchauraya explained.

Several officials from both parties addressed the crowd, denouncing
political violence and warning any future perpetrators that they would be
prosecuted and fined if proven guilty.

Muchauraya said impunity has been part of the problem when it comes to
violence, because ZANU PF thugs were confident that no police official would
investigate or make arrests in any case reported by the MDC.

“The response was very huge and people were very happy to see the chief
giving out fertilizer to all political parties. We don’t know whether the
trend will continue but for that occasion it was excellent,” Muchauraya
said.

Fireworks Expected At National Security Council meeting

http://www.radiovop.com

Nyanga, February 02, 2012 - A planned government work-plan (GWP) workshop
that was scheduled for Nyanga has been postponed to next week to pave way
for an urgent National Security Council meeting on Friday it has been
established.

The Office of the Prime Minister’s wrote a notification to all ministers,
deputy ministers, permanent secretaries, principal directors and all senior
government officials advising that the GWP workshop had been postponed to
next week.

“The workshop, which was scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week, has
been moved to the same days next week to allow for an urgent National
Security Council meeting on Friday,” read part of the statement from
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jameson Timba.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai seats in the National Security Council
enshrined in the Global Political Agreement together with the country’s
service chiefs. The meeting is potentially going to be full of fireworks as
there is known bad blood between the service chiefs and Tsvangirai.

Tsvangirai has in the past effectively accused the service chiefs of
masterminding a silent coup in Zimbabwe, claiming that he doubted if Mugabe
was still in charge of the country.

The meeting also comes in the background of the expiry of service terms for
the Commissioner General of Police Augustine Chihuri and that of Army
Commander Constantine Chiwenga.

Contacted for comment Minister Timba refused to give the agenda of the of
the urgent National Security Council meeting.

President Robert Mugabe chairs the National Security Council which is made
up of Vice-presidents Joyce Mujuru and John Nkomo, Tsvangirai, the two
deputy Prime ministers Thokozani Khupe and Arthur Mutambara, ministers
responsible for finance, the defence forces and the police, and one minister
nominated by each of the three political parties who are signatories to the
GPA.

The objective of the Prime Minister’s GWP workshop was to enable government
to adopt the key priorities for 2012 in line with the budget and the Medium
Term Plan.

Election This Year Will Be A Disaster: Raftopolous, Petras

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Pretoria,Trust Matsilele February 02, 2012- Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights Irene Petras and leading human rights defender and accomplished
academic, Professor Brian Raftopolous have described as ‘disaster’ the
prospects of having harmonised elections this year.

“The political environment is not favorable for holding of free and fair
elections as intimidation, harassment and selective application of law is
still widespread in the country”, said Petras who was addressing a South
African Liaison Office meeting here.

Raftopolous added to Petras’s remarks stating that the  Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was likely
to win the much anticipated elections though the current environment does
not guarantee smooth transfer of power.

“Zanu PF does not derive its legitimacy from electoral contestation but
rather from its self-claimed contribution in the liberation struggle”,
commented Raftopolous.

The Harare administration is yet to implement all outstanding issues
stipulated in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that was signed by Zanu
(PF) and the MDC formations in 2008 following disputed June run-off
elections.

Raftopolous also added that political leadership in Zimbabwe has not been
negotiating in good faith but rather has been negotiating from deeply
entrenched and polarised positions.

“The GPA was not about real transformation but about new elections hence
this has stalled democratic progress” lamented Raftopolous.

Petras urged the region and international community to renew investment and
pressure in the process of ensuring that there is democracy in Zimbabwe.

Environment Must Be Conducive For Free and Fair Elections: Zulu

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Pretoria,Trust Matsilele February 02, 2012- Lindiwe Zulu, member of the SADC
facilitation team in Zimbabwe’s Global Political Agreement hinted on slim
chances of elections in Zimbabwe this year.

Speaking at a South African Liaison meeting held in Pretoria Wednesday Zulu
said elections in Zimbabwe will be held upon agreement by parties in the
inclusive government.

“As far as the facilitator (President Zuma) is concerned, the environment
must be conducive for free and fair elections. President Zuma does not want
a repeat of what happened in 2008 elections”, said Zulu.

Zulu also added that Zimbabwe’s governing parties must implement in full all
provisions stipulated in the GPA as they all agreed to the contents.

Addressing the same meeting Zimbabwe’s Lawyers for Human Rights director
Irene Petras and Professor Brian Raftopolous were in agreement that 2012
should be the year for implementing reforms and also writing of a new
constitution.

Zulu expressed concern over failure to implement agreed positions and
commenting on allegations of inter-party violence in Zimbabwe she said “ its
one thing to say positions on public and effect such positions in party
structures”.

President Mugabe has in the past been accused of condemning violence
allegedly committed by his party stalwarts while at the same time not acting
when cases of violence are reported.

Human rights defenders see Mugabe’s inaction on perpetrators of violence as
an endorsement.

If the MDC formations, SADC and civil society succeed in making sure that
2012 is made the year for  implementing reforms President Mugabe and his
party will struggle to justify why elections should be held this year.

ZANU PF Aligned Militants Out To Scuttle Constitutional Making Process

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

By Gideon Chitanga & Trust Matsilele 20 hours 15 minutes ago

Johannesburg, - Recent media reports recounted that Zimbabwe National Army
boss Constantine Chiwenga summoned ZANU-PF Constitutional Parliamentary
Committee Co-Chairperson (COPAC) Paul Mangwana and other party functionaries
in the Copac process to de-brief the military superiors on the ongoing
drafting process.

Once again the military- security –police complex is interfering with a
purely civilian and political process which should be above it. In a
democracy the military should account to civilian elected authority without
arrogating itself such powers as should be accountably and legitimately
enjoyed by the politicians without otherwise subverting the country’s
national laws. In the contemporary situation in the country, the military as
all other organs of the state is governed by the current constitution as
amended to embrace the inclusive government.

By summoning Mangwana and other ZANU-PF stalwarts leading the Copac process,
Chiwenga and other military chefs are undermining a legitimate civil process
which is way above their mandate in terms of the constitution, intellect,
grasp in terms of their professional orientation and a direct violation and
assault on democratic ethos of our country. It is painful that those who
should be at the forefront of proudly defending the national interest are
now in the habit of subverting it for selfish partisan and personal
interest. Zimbabweans should never again allow their wishes to be subverted.

The call by the service chiefs to be briefed by a faction of COPAC is a
threat to national security tantamount to a coup. Indeed any factional and
partisan actions by the military that impinges on legitimate civilian
authority are illegal and unconstitutional hence they should be robustly
resisted by any means possible. We say so because it is evident that the
military is acting like the super organ\government institution subjecting
the citizens to de facto military rule with President Mugabe as its
legitimating civilian face.

The call by the military to be briefed by a faction of COPAC should worry
the MDCs, civil society, ZANU-PF and all democracy loving Zimbabweans. The
inversion of internal ZANU-PF politics and national politics in Zimbabwe by
the military can be a pervasive cancer which is an albatross upon which
democracy may totally fail in Zimbabwe. We want to warn those in ZANU PF who
are part to these plots, the fence sitters and those who complain quietly
that they have an interest in re-asserting their political authority as much
as those in other political parties.

The history of military regimes show that once the military taste political
power, it tends to behave like a vampire which has tasted blood. The more we
allow the rogue political elements in military fatigues to dabble in party
and factional politics the more we complicate our country’s political
transition. All politicians have an interest in legitimate democratic
electoral politics since it’s the only way they can contest for political
space and office in the public arena.

Political players in ZANU PF as those in other parties should cringe at the
thought of those who wield military technology and resources dictatorially
imposing their will on the national course of events. We call upon everyone
to realize that the call for reforms in the security sector is crucial in as
far as maintaining peace and stability in the country is concerned, at least
in the long term if not in the short run.

For ZANU-PF supporters and leaders, unchecked maneuvers by factional
elements in the military may seal the fate of succession politics by
ensuring the ascension of the Mnangagwa faction, thus certifying an alliance
and collaboration of the military in party and national politics. In
practice this means, the military will be the chief power broker in Zimbabwe’s
politics with a civilian president who only acts as window dressing.

With the prospect of having the cold but terrifying character of Mnangagwa
at the helm of the state, we can only imagine a blitzkrieg of political
purges internally within ZANU PF and intensified potentially bloody
political contestation as Zimbabweans will surely continue to fight for
democracy. The nature of the military-security functions which are mostly
secretive, coercive , suspicious especially in the blood tainted short
history of ZANU-PF’s reign in Zimbabwe are enough to make every concerned
citizen very worried at the prospect of any involvement of the military in
national politics.

More importantly, should Copac be seen to be accountable to the military and
who is the military in the Zimbabwean context? Is the military usurping the
role of the principals as constituted in the GPA? If so, is it not another
subversive act, a de jure coup, the biggest crime against the state which
should see the culprits incarcerated. Is it not the case that the military
should be accountable to civilian state authority , should we not see this
case for evidence that more than at any point in time the military must be
reformed as a matter of urgency if Zimbabwe is to have free and fair
elections that will bring a legitimate government and ensure peace and
prosperity.

Chiwenga, at the center of the call for the briefing with Copac leaders is
known to be harboring presidential ambitions and to be a leader of the
military grouping with political interests and massive clandestine business
interests and ventures in the country. He is also a member of the Joint
Operations Command (JOC) composed of the heads of prison services, air
force, ZNA, Intelligence, defense Minister and chaired by President Mugabe.

The JOC although instituted as a formal policy think tank for the military
has lately informally been operationalized at the behest of ZANU PF for all
kinds of otherwise illegal partisan political machinations synonymous with
that party’s political crudity and brutality. In the past few months
Chiwenga has been linked closely to the Mnangagwa faction in ZANU-PF’s
subtle but extremely volatile and fluid succession plotting. Mnangagwa is
understood to be bracing himself to succeed President Mugabe.

The role of the military in the country’s national politics remains
vexatious. More fundamentally, it questions the role of the military in a
democracy, and in particular whether Zimbabwe is under a quasi-military
regime or a democratic elected government. In theory the country is under
the administration of the inclusive government which can be described as
semi-democratically constituted as it brought back the loosing ZANU PF
factions into government.

The Inclusive Government is comprised of rival parties who should be
negotiating new rules of political contestation, including the role of the
military in national politics, after the country suffered an electoral
cul-de-sac in 2008. In the current circumstances, the military continue to
act in a manner that consistently erodes political democratic
institutionalization. The national constitution is supreme that a faction
however powerful should not be allowed to temper with the potential bedrock
and foundation for our aspirations for democracy.

It is important to understand that the military was implicated in the
widespread political violence that swept the country in March and June 2008
polls while the JOC itself, Jonathan Moyo (advising ZANU PF before being
formally readmitted to that party) and defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa
were implicated in fiddling and manipulating the 2008 Presidential election
results which were otherwise won by the MDC-T and Morgan Tsvangirai.

Some ZANU-PF and military elites have amassed wealth they never imagined to
ever accumulate in their lifetime at the expense of the loyal rank and file
cadres in the army, police, CIO, prison service and ordinary Zimbabweans. We
can speculate whether the securocrats see the national constitution in the
making as undermining their current privileged status.

Do the military cohorts in alliance with the Mnangagwa faction see the new
constitution as a potential threat to their collective political and
economic interests? While their intention is to retain and gain more
political power, how do we position President Mugabe in this matrix? Is he
an ailing, vulnerable, possibly manipulated frail geriatric who has lost
control or a Willy old “fox” in total control of the government and the
military?

ZANU-PF has operated like a quasi- military outfit. Given the contested
transitional politics post-2000 such configuration becomes problematic.
Democratic forces can not allow the military faction in ZANU-PF to
contaminate the democratic aspirations of Zimbabweans. Just as much as
Zimbabweans confronted Robert Mugabe and his self-enriching acolytes for
subverting their will by rigging the 2008 polls that were won by the MDC-T,
pushing them into a coalition government they never imagined, likewise
Zimbabweans should stand up in defense of their views which they gave to the
constitutional commissioners to ensure that the same subversive dark
underhand does not sabotage them.

We urge the two MDCs to expose the political elements in the military who
continue to masquerade as professionals while collaborating with ZANU PF to
scuttle the democratic process. The MDCs are in government as a result of
the GPA, but crucially the election result of 2008. More than the GPA
itself, we remind the MDC-T officials and their side of government that they
draw their legitimacy from their victory in the 2008 polls.

We would like to underline that their rhetoric and actions both in the party
and government should draw emphasis on the fact of this electoral victory.
It must be the song upon which the prospects for democracy should be
sustained. It is the MDC-T’s uncontested victory in March 2008 parliamentary
elections that otherwise legitimizes the continued existence of ZANU PF in
state institutions through the inclusive government.

Instead of continuously disrupting a democratic constitutional process just
like they have previously stole elections and committed heinous acts of
violence, both ZANU PF actors and their supporting military elements must
appreciate and understand that their craving for power could be a recipe for
serious conflict and instability in the country hence the demand for them to
respect government institutions and processes.

Gideon Chitanga PhD Fellow (Politics and International Studies) at Rhodes
University and Trust Matsilele is a journalist and a Masters of Philosophy
Journalism Candidate at Stellenbosch University.

Masvingo residents ‘snub’ ZANU PF empowerment scheme

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By Alex Bell
02 February 2012

Residents in Masvingo have snubbed a ZANU PF led empowerment programme in
the area, calling it a ‘cheap ploy’ to buy votes.

The aspiring ZANU PF candidate for Masvingo Urban, Omar Josbi recently
introduced the programme under an organisation called the Hub Private
Limited. Under the scheme, residents would be allocated stalls to operate
flea markets.

But according to the MDC-T, the residents in the city have snubbed the whole
idea saying it was an “election ploy meant to spruce up the ZANU PF’s
tattered image.”

Tendai Gata, a local flea market operator and MDC-T supporter dismissed the
whole scheme as a ploy to ‘hoodwink’ the electorate.

Gata is quoted by the party as saying: “The whole issue is a fiasco because
this is a clever way of milking residents of their hard earned money. If we
join the programme we will be virtually financing ZANU PF because people are
being asked to pay a token of appreciation,” said Gata.

The MDC-T said in a statement that the stalls were virtually deserted this
week, despite repeated appeals from the ZANU PF leadership to convince local
residents to join the programme.

Another flea market operator in Tapiwa Chideya said the latest gimmick from
ZANU PF reflected the desperate measures in the former ruling party.

“ZANU PF is desperate to salvage its waning political image and the party is
trying to fleece the electorate into believing they would be empowered – yet
they will be used by the party. That is the norm and we are unwilling to be
used to champion the ZANU PF cause,” said Chideya.

Former MP Dulini Ncube totally blind after torture in custody

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By Tererai Karimakwenda
31 January, 2012

Former MP Fletcher Dulini Ncube, who was falsely accused of murdering ZANU
PF activist Cain Nkala in 2002, is reported to have recently gone completely
blind as the long-term effects of the torture and medical deprivation he
suffered in police custody took their toll.

SW Radio Africa’s Bulawayo correspondent, Lionel Saungweme, said two other
MDC activists accused of the Nkala murder back in 2002, Remember Moyo and
Khethani Sibanda, have since died as a result of injuries suffered while in
custody.

At the time of his acquittal, Dulini Ncube said he had lost one eye during
his incarceration because police deprived him of vital medication he needed
for his diabetes.

“Dulini was known to be diabetic for a long time. The condition has now
disrupted the little vision he had left in one eye. The victims of the
Mugabe regime don’t always die immediately. Some suffer for long periods of
time,” Saungweme explained.

All three MDC members were eventually acquitted of the charges, but never
quite recovered from the effects of the torture they suffered while in
police detention.

More MDC-T officials arrested

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By Alex Bell
02 February 2012

Three MDC-T officials were arrested on Wednesday at Maungwa Business Centre
in Gutu, Masvingo on charges of violating the draconian Public Order and
Security Act (POSA).

The three, Gutu South chairperson James Makovere, organising secretary for
the constituency, Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare and Islam Matose were arrested
while conducting a meeting with MDC-T members from Gutu South. They are
detained at Gutu Police Station and are being charged with holding a public
meeting without a police clearance.

The MDC-T said in a statement that the police officers were accompanied by a
known Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative from Gutu.

The MDC-T’s Masvingo provincial vice-chairperson and Gutu East MP, Ransom
Makamure condemned the arrest and called on the police to immediately
release the trio since the arrests were unlawful and unwarranted.

“We know that the POSA applies to public gatherings not in-house meetings.
The event does not warrant police clearance, neither does it require
notification of the police. As such, we are calling for the immediate
release of our members,” said Makamure.

“We heard that they approached one of our staff members and accused him of
defying police authority. This event is yet another illustration of the
police’s refusal to execute their duties in an objective manner,” he said.

When contacted, police in Gutu referred all the questions to the provincial
headquarters where an officer in the public relations office said he was not
the responsible person to comment on the issue as his boss was out office.

Principals to discuss Chihuri fate

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

By Tonderai Kwenda, Deputy News Editor
Thursday, 02 February 2012 12:30

HARARE - Principals in the inclusive government meet tomorrow for a National
Security Council (NSC) meeting that will discuss among other issues the fate
of police commissioner-general, Augustine Chihuri, whose term of office
expired on Tuesday.

Chihuri’s continued stay as police boss after the expiry of his contract has
become a thorny issue within the coalition government.

President Robert Mugabe on one side and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are
set to clash head on over the fate of Chihuri.

Welshman Ncube, the leader of the smaller MDC faction is also expected to
side with Tsvangirai. Ncube or a representative from his party attends the
Security Council meeting as a negotiator to the Global Political Agreement
(GPA).

Chihuri’s future is likely to take centre stage among other hot issues such
as security sector reform and increased reports of militarisation of
political process as well as reported heightened presence of soldiers in
parts of rural Zimbabwe.

Other security sector commanders are set to attend the National Security
Council (NSC) meeting as well as security ministers and negotiators to the
GPA.

But it is Chihuri’s future that could hog the limelight, high level sources
say.

Tsvangirai and Ncube have already set the tone for the meeting by declaring
that Chihuri is now out of a job following the expiry of his contract.

Chihuri’s term of office expired on Tuesday, with Tsvangirai and other
coalition government partners immediately saying the country’s top cop was
staying onto the post illegitimately with effect from yesterday.

To compound matters, the Police Service Commission (PSC) that handles
Chihuri’s contract is also out of work after its term ended last December.
Coalition government partners are yet to agree on a new PSC board and again
the issue is likely to come up for discussion at tomorrow’s meeting, sources
say.

Tsvangirai’s MDC, which is against Chihuri’s continued stay in office, says
Zimbabwe effectively has no police commissioner as from midnight Tuesday.

“As far as we are concerned this country does not have a police commissioner
as from midnight (Tuesday) because Chihuri’s term of office is expiring,”
Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Tamborinyoka told the Daily News on Tuesday.

“As far as the prime minister is concerned, Chihuri is no longer the police
commissioner because his term expires tonight. This simply means that we
will wait for Mugabe to consult the PM for a replacement,” Tamborinyoka
said.

According to Section 6 of the Police Act, the commissioner-general’s term of
office expires at the end of four years.

Thereafter, the commissioner-general may be re-appointed by extending his
period of service for 12 months at the end of which in the absence of the
letter of appointment extending his services, he ceases to be
commissioner-general of police.

Despite the latest clamour by the MDC for a change of faces in the upper
echelons of the country’s security forces, Mugabe’s spokesperson, George
Charamba recently told the Daily News that the call by the two MDC
formations to have Chihuri out of office was a ploy for security sector
reform.

“The defence forces are not subject to inter-party negotiations,” said
Charamba.

“There is nowhere in the power sharing Global Political Agreement or any
clause of the constitution where it says the re-appointment of security
commanders is going to be the outcome of the inter-party negotiations. This
is the prerogative of the commander-in-chief,” said Charamba.

The NSC, which is supposed to meet once every month, has not been meeting
regularly partly due to Tsvangirai and Mugabe’s irregular working schedules.

The meeting comes as Sadc executive secretary Tomaz Salamao is heading to
Zimbabwe to assess the progress of the GPA and whether the situation permits
for elections this year as demanded by Mugabe.

Tsvangirai has in the past accused security chiefs of engineering a silent
coup and driving an orgy of violence on behalf of his coalition partner
Mugabe.

The MDC has not hidden the fact that it wants the security chiefs to be
retired from service.

The MDC’s position at the ongoing Sadc supervised talks on a roadmap to the
country’s elections specifically makes demands that the Commander of the
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Constantine Chiwenga and Chihuri must be retired.

These demands, coupled with a raft of other displeasures such as the
militarisation of the country’s politics, are likely to be put on the table.

NSC also includes security sector cabinet members, ex-officio members such
as Commander of the Defence Forces, army and Air Force, Commissioner General
of Police, Prisons, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and
Director General of the Department of State Security.

Zim media body seeks ban on foreign papers

http://www.iol.co.za

February 2 2012 at 07:11pm

Zimbabwe's media commission on Thursday, February 02, 2012 said it will ask
authorities to ban foreign newspapers that are not registered to operate in
the country.

“The Zimbabwe media commission has resolved to bar affected papers from
entrance into and circulation within Zimbabwe until they comply with
Zimbabwe's laws,” commission chairman Godfrey Majonga said in a statement.

Majonga singled out South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper as having failed
to comply with the rules, which require all journalists working in the
country to obtain accreditation from the commission.

“We regret that one and a half years since our reminder to the affected
media services to comply with Zimbabwe's laws by regularising their status
and that of all journalists working for them, the same papers and
journalists are operating exactly as they were doing a year ago,” Majonga
said.

Media in Zimbabwe have operated under stringent rules for the last decade,
with several newspapers forced to shut down while journalists and foreign
correspondents have been deported and harassed by the police.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who joined long-ruling President Robert
Mugabe in a shaky unity government three years ago, has vowed to abolish the
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which bars foreign
journalists from working permanently in the country.

The 2002 act forced media organisations and journalists to register with a
government body and has been invoked to arrest independent journalists.

The slow pace of media reforms is one of the main sticking points in the
unity accord between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. - Sapa-AFP

Gwisai’s trial: Cop ‘unmasks’ CIO agent

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Tendai Kamhungira, Court Writer
Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:13

HARARE - A senior police officer yesterday “unmasked” a suspected Central
Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agent after identifying him in pictures
presented in court.

The suspected CIO operative claims to be a police detective sergeant under
the name “Jonathan Shoko” and has denied being the man in the pictures.

Lawyers representing labour activist Munyaradzi Gwisai and five others
accused of plotting violence at a meeting held last February are insisting
that “Shoko’s” real name is Rodwell Chitiyo, a CIO operative.

“Shoko” is a star witness in the case against Gwisai after claiming that he
attended the meeting as an undercover policeman.

Prosecutors allege Gwisai and his accomplices convened a meeting at Zimbabwe
Labour Centre in Harare, where they connived to commit and incite acts of
violence in the country.

“Shoko” an undercover police who told the court he was part of the meeting
that led to the arrest of Gwisai and five other social activists has
previously denied knowledge of a person who was on the pictures presented in
court by Gwisai’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama.

Muchadehama told the court that Shoko disguised his real identity.

He said Shoko’s real name was Rodwell Chitiyo and that he was a member of
the CIO on a mission targeting members of civil society as part of CIO
“covert and overt operations”.

Testifying in court yesterday, Charles Ngirishi, a chief superintendent and
Harare’s officer commanding law and order section, confirmed that the person
on the three photographs produced in court was “Shoko”. “I can recognise
detective sergeant Shoko. I know him. He is exactly the same person,” said
Ngirishi.

“You were shown pictures by the defence. Are you 100 percent sure that the
person you identified is detective sergeant Shoko?” asked prosecutor Reza to
which Ngirishi confirmed that the pictures were a true reflection of Shoko.

When “Shoko” testified in court on several occasions last year and this
year, Muchadehama produced copies of Chitiyo’s identity card, passport and
birth certificate and photographs showing his resemblance since the time he
was in high school at St Faith Mission in Rusape and an extraction of his
Facebook picture.

Muchadehama also told the court that “Shoko” was popularly known at school
by the nickname Pinocchio, because his nose was similar to that of the
cartoon character.

Shoko denied knowledge of all the identity particulars. Ngirishi, who said
he assigned “Shoko” to Gwisai’s meeting, failed to identify Shoko on a group
photograph taken while “Shoko” was at St Faith Mission.

When Shoko testified in court, he said he was the one who had information
about the meeting and had been following its progress since the beginning of
February last year.

Muchadehama yesterday told the court of his intention to apply for
discharge, which he said he will submit in written form.

“Given the nature of the questions given in court and the overall
circumstances, we feel we need to apply for discharge at the close of the
state’s case,” said Muchadehama.

Prosecutor Reza told the court that the state was strongly opposed to the
application.

Magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini is expected to give his ruling on the
application on February 15. He ordered both counsels to file their written
submissions by February 10.

Emirates completes maiden flight into Zimbabwe

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
02 February 2012

Zimbabwe’s Transport Minister Nicholas Goche, celebrated the maiden flight
into Harare by global airline giant Emirates. Ignoring the embarrassment of
being unable to resolve the crisis at Air Zimbabwe, Goche was a passenger on
the Emirates Airbus A330-200 plane which flew into Harare on Wednesday.

In early January this year it was reported that Goche had ordered regional
and international flights by Air Zimbabwe to be suspended, fearing seizure
of its remaining aircraft by creditors. Flights to the United Kingdom and
South Africa especially, were frozen until such time US$140 million in debts
have been paid.

This week Goche put the Air Zimbabwe debacle aside and was joined by other
government ministers, singers Oliver Mtukudzi, Dudu Manhenga and Victor
Kunonga in celebrating the arrival of Emirates into Harare. The airline
officially began its five-day-a-week flight schedule to Harare from Dubai.

Speaking to journalists Goche said the arrival of Emirates “is a very
significant development for the market. We welcome the entrance of a truly
global airline; with an extensive network, large fleet and great reputation
for quality service which will greatly improve choice and connectivity for
Zimbabwean travellers.”

Economic commentator Bekithemba Mhlanga told SW Radio Africa that the
celebrations were more political than economic given Zimbabwe’s
international isolation. Airlines like British Airways had deserted the
market and Mhlanga said for some in government Emirates coming in offered
them a symbolic victory.

A recent poll by newspapers had Goche as one of the worst performing
ministers in the coalition government. He was accused of failing to come up
with rescue measures for parastatals like Air Zimbabwe, National Railways of
Zimbabwe, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, and Net One, among others.

Examples of his ‘incompetence’ included the fact that the Air Zimbabwe board
had met only once despite the crisis affecting the airline. He was also
accused of spending most of his time trying to grab ministerial mandates
from Information and Communication Technology minister, Nelson Chamisa.

The death of Air Zimbabwe

261600 thurs Jan 2012

JRAIR

Jan Raath

Harare

It flew profitably through 23 years of United Nations-imposed
sanctions. It carried on without a blip after black nationalist
guerillas shot down two of its Viscounts in the late 1970s, the last
years of white-ruled Rhodesia.

After independence in 1980, its name was changed from Air Rhodesia to
Air Zimbabwe. It was comfortably in the black with 16 aircraft, and a
reputation as a clever, durable little African airline. It has taken
President Mugabe 31 years without war or economic sanctions to finally
drive it into the ground.

The last Air Zimbabwe domestic flight was three weeks ago. Late last
year it cancelled international flights after a Boeing 737 at
Johannesburg’s Oliver Tambo Airport and a Boeing 767 at Gatwick were
impounded for unpaid services.

On Friday last week lawyers for the National Airways Workers’ Union
and the Air Transport Union filed for the airline to be placed under
judicial management. Court papers said they had not been paid since
January 2009 and were owed US$ 35 million. Air Zimbabwe executives who
asked not to be named said the company owed a total of US$160 million.

Among the many reluctant benefactors who bailed it out in emergencies
is Nicholas van Hoogstraaten, the former London rack-renter who has
recreated himself as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential businessmen.
“The demise of Air Zimbabwe is a disgraceful waste of a valuable
asset, which is now beyond redemption,” he said.

The “disgrace” he refers to is the blundering mismanagement and greed
Mr Mugabe and his cronies have visited upon every enterprise they have
touched since he came to power in 1980.

From the outset, Mr Mugabe used Air Zimbabwe as his personal air taxi.
The abuse was legendary. Passengers were ordered off their flights
when he turned up at 30 minutes notice with a crowd of hangers-on. Or
if they managed to keep their seats, they would be flown to wildly
out-of-the way destinations to drop off the president. On one trip, he
circumnavigated the globe.

Political appointments fill the senior executive positions, and
relatives much of the rest. Air Zimbabwe has a staff of 1,400 where
experts estimate 400 would be ample. Fares were kept unsustainably
low, and charged in worthless Zimbabwe dollars until they were phased
out in 2009.

It has no board of directors. The company is in the hands of a coterie
of executives who, staff say, pay themselves US$20,000 a month and
drive the latest Mercedes Benz models. “They are law unto themselves,”
said one. Early this month a long-unpaid pilot won a court order for
the seizure of company property in lieu of his salary. The sheriff
entered Air Zimbabwe headquarters and left with three of the
limousines.

“It’s become the ZANU(PF) (Mr Mugabe’s party) carrier,” said a senior
technician. Each time the Mugabe “royal family” return from a trip
abroad, a 10-tonne truck and several pick-ups can be seen to drive up
to the aircraft’s hold to be loaded with the Mugabe’s goods. Last
year, Grace, the president’s wife, flew into a rage when her flight
was late. Acting CEO Peter Chikumba presented her with US$10,000
“spending money” by way of an apology.

Since the government took control of the fabulously wealthy Marange
diamond fields in the east of country, cabin staff say, pilots are
regularly given small sealed parcels by Mrs Mugabe’s staff for
personal delivery to Asian businessmen in the Far East. Just ahead of
elections in 2008, an Air Zimbabwe plane flew tonnes of ZANU(PF)
T-shirts from Beijing.

But as Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd crumbles, a new development is secretly
unfolding. A plain white 150-seat Airbus A320 with French markings
arrived at Harare airport 10 days ago and was quickly concealed in an
Air Zimbabwe hangar. Company and transport ministry officials have
been tight-lipped.

The plane is on loan from Sonangol, a Chinese company with enormous
interests ranging through oil, air transport and diamonds, Air
Zimbabwe administrators say. A larger Airbus 340 is soon to follow.

“It’s a ministry of defence project,” said one. “It can only be funded
by diamonds. ZANU(PF) will not be without their own airline.”

Ends

Jan Raath

Caaz grants Sol Air operating certificate

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

By Own Correspondent
Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:06

HARARE - Sol Air has been granted an operating certificate by the Civil
Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) to service domestic and international
routes, an official said on Wednesday.

The certificate is with effect from January 28, 2012.

Hostile policies, a decline in tourist arrivals into Zimbabwe since 2000 and
lack of capital to effectively run private airlines have stifled the
development of the aviation industry at a time when demand for faster and
efficient transport systems has been growing.

Two registered private airlines operating in Zimbabwe are Solenta Aviation,
which operates scheduled and non-scheduled air services linking Harare to
Kariba, Bumi Hills and Victoria Falls and a cargo services carrier, Avient
Aviation. Sol Air managing director Nkosilathi Sibanda said the airliner
would start with a 19-seater aircraft.

“We are grateful since we have been waiting for this opportunity for quite
sometime.

If all goes well within the next three to four weeks, we will start domestic
operations.

“We will be acquiring bigger aircrafts in due course. We are currently in
talks with two companies in Dubai and South Africa to lease us three 70
seater aircrafts and the talks will be concluded within a month,” he said.

Documents seen by the Daily News signed by officials in the Ministry of
Transport and Communication and as well as Caaz general manager David
Chawota confirm the latest development.

Sibanda said an international financier will soon avail $3,5 million to the
airliner.

“The money is coming soon. The international lenders are willing to do
business with Zimbabwe since exchange risk is eliminated due to the use of
the multi currency in the country,” he said.

Sol Air has been designated the Bulawayo-Francistown-Gaborone,
Harare-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and the Harare-Masvingo-Buffalo
Range routes.

Sibanda said Sol Air would also strive to service other international routes
such as the Harare-Nairobi, Bulawayo–Johannesburg, Victoria Falls and other
lucrative routes.

EU calls for Zim debt settlement

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Bulawayo Correspondent
Thursday, 02 February 2012 10:53

HARARE - European Union (EU) ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dellí Ariccia has
urged Zimbabwe to service its external debts to multilateral institutions to
unlock new financial assistance.

Zimbabwe needs to pay up the $9 billion debt that it owes to the
international finance institutions, because currently many of these
financial institutions in the EU are reluctant to give any new credit to the
country until that money is paid up, Ariccia said at a business round table
in Bulawayo.

The EU official said government should come up with a solution on how to
clear its external debt.

The ministry of finance is trying to address the problem but more needs to
be done to find a lasting solution on how to service the debt. Once the debt
is cleared this will unlock new investment and financial aid from EU
countries and international financial institutions, the ambassador said.

He said settling the debt will not only lead to new financial aid but would
also re-attract EU companies to invest in the country.

Zimbabwean companies need partners to resuscitate its railway system, the
power system and this can be possible through partnership with the EU
companies, Ariccia said.

The EU ambassador and his delegation are on a one-week visit to Bulawayo
where they are engaging with local economic, social and political players to
assert publicly the EU’s commitment to the development of the region.

The delegation is also seeking insights and ideas for future prospects of
its engagement in Matabeleland.

Economists and government officials say the only way Zimbabwe can get out of
its current debt trap is through international debt forgiveness.

Finance minister Tendai Biti is advocating for Zimbabwe to seek Highly
Indebted Poor Country (Hipc) status in order to cancel the debt.

Hipc are a group of 40 least developed countries with high levels of poverty
and debt overhang which are eligible for special assistance from the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

It is said in addition to debt forgiveness, The Hipc status would also allow
Zimbabwe access to World Bank resources and loans through the IMF’s Poverty
Reduction and Growth Facility.

The Government, however, argues that applying for Hipc status has
far-reaching repercussions for the economy in respect of resultant
international perceptions.

Civil society lobbies African Union

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

Civil society organisations attended this week’s African Union meeting to
ensure that the next elections are held under a conducive political
environment.
01.02.1212:34pm
by Staff Reporter

Dewa Mavhinga, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition official coordinating the AU
lobby, said his delegation would impress on the AU leaders that Zimbabwe had
not yet instituted sufficient reforms to guarantee democratic, non-violent,
free and fair elections.

“The constitutional reform process is yet to be finalised, while several
critical legislative and electoral reforms remain outstanding. The
infrastructure responsible for widespread electoral violence remains intact
and active and the leadership of the army and the security forces remains
politicised and blatantly partisan towards Zanu (PF),” said Mavhinga.

“We therefore call on the AU, as a guarantor of the Global Political
Agreement and coalition government, to put on record its commitment to
ensuring that Zimbabwe gets full support to deliver credible, democratic
elections that meet the AU’s own requirements,” he added.

AU 'has let Zim down'

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

TAWANDA KAROMBO | 02 February, 2012 00:54

With fresh disagreements over the time frame for elections and
implementation of security, media and electoral reforms threatening to
plunge Zimbabwe into further crisis, President Robert Mugabe and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai feel hard done by thanks to the AU's silence on
their country's affairs at its recent summit in Addis Ababa, Ethopia.

Zanu PF last week reportedly resolved to unilaterally call for elections to
end the wobbly coalition government.

Tsvangirai, on the other hand, is resisting early elections, arguing the
environment is not conducive because of fears that violence could flare up,
leading to another round of disputed polls.

Mugabe was hoping to drum up support and have his bid for early polls
ratified by the African heads of state meeting.

Tsvangirai had, however, wanted the summit to discuss the deteriorating
relations in the inclusive government and Zanu PF's reluctance to institute
reforms agreed to before the holding of elections.

Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo had earlier urged AU leaders to "demand the
holding of elections" this year.

Sources said yesterday the situation "was fast deteriorating in the
inclusive government" and that both Mugabe and Tsvangirai felt slighted by
the AU's silence.

"Zanu PF came back empty-handed as it had wanted AU leaders to endorse
Mugabe's calls for early elections this year," one source said.

Political analysts say the AU's silence on Zimbabwe heralds a new era that
will see African leaders becoming more critical of Mugabe's ideas.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition pressure group spokesman Thabani Nyoni said
despite the organisation's silence on pressing issues pertaining to the
country, the AU had received a report on the situation in Zimbabwe from
President Jacob Zuma.

Moves to arrest Tsvangirai on corruption charges following the alleged
irregular purchase of a plush house in Harare are likely to further fuel
tensions in the joint administration.

Mugabe condemned the A U for recognising Libya's national transitional
council at a recent summit, state radio reported yesterday.

Speaking at the airport soon after arriving from the summit, Mugabe accused
unnamed African countries of being "fronts" for Western powers whose
"criminal" bombardment of Libya helped lead to the killing of Muammar
Gaddafi, a former Mugabe ally.

The continental body did not even protest against the Nato action, Mugabe
said.

He also said it was "unprocedural" for the AU's peace and security council
to take a decision to recognise the transitional council.- Additional
reporting by Sapa-AP

MP Makuyana’s kidnapping conviction quashed

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
02 February 2012

An MDC-T MP’s conviction for kidnapping two ZANU PF activists was on
Thursday quashed by a court of appeal in Harare.

Meki Makuyana, legislator for Chipinge South in Manicaland province was
jailed for 18 months in prison following his July 2009 trial before Chipinge
magistrate Samuel Zuze. The conviction meant the MP was subsequently
suspended from Parliament.

The 44-year-old MP was convicted of kidnapping Joseph Dhliwayo and Simon
Kumbula, two well known ZANU PF activists in Chipinge South. Three other MDC
activists, Simon Chaya, Wedzerai Gwenzi and Hardwork Masaiti the councilor
for Ward 26, were also jointly charged with the legislator.

But two High court judges ruled the convictions ‘unsafe’ and thereby
vindicated the MP’s claims that Magistrate Zuze had been biased in his
judgement.

Justice Susan Mavangira, sitting with Justice Charles Hungwe said the trial
magistrate had erred on a number of issues and that the record of
proceedings was in shambles.

Trust Maanda, the defence lawyer for Makuyana told SW Radio Africa on
Thursday that there were so many things missing from the court records
relating to his client’s case that it cast doubt on the outcome of the trial
proceedings.

“What the magistrate wanted was just a conviction and in the end, he did not
do his work properly. There are certain omissions from the court room…to the
extent that the record is shambolic,” Maanda said.

The MP is set to resume his Parliamentary duties once the High court verdict
is sent to the clerk of Parliament, Austin Zvoma.

Makuyana said he felt very relieved that the conviction has been quashed as
he knew all along that the charges were trumped up. He described the appeal
process, which took three years, as ‘emotionally and financially’ draining.

“This was a case of miscarriage of justice. How could the police even
consider charging me with kidnapping when all I did was transport the two
ZANU PF guys who had stabbed an MDC activist to a police station?” asked
Makuyana.

He explained that on the day of the incident he was addressing a
constituency meeting when there was some commotion among the crowd.

“There were these ZANU PF people who were trying to disrupt my meeting, and
when our supporters tried to stop them, one of them, Wedzerai Gwenzi (MDC)
was stabbed by Simon Kumbula (ZANU PF),” Makuyana said.

He continued: “Kumbula was quickly apprehended and together with Chaya,
Gwenzi and Masaiti we made citizens’ arrest and drove him to Chisumbanje
police. There we filed our complaint, left him and Dhliwayo with the police.
But to our surprise we heard that the former ZANU PF MP Enock Porusingazi
secured their release hours later.”

That was not all, he added, as the police dropped charges against Kumbula
and Dhliwayo. The police then laid charges of kidnapping against Makuyana,
which led to his July 2009 conviction.

Mujuru evidence 'compromised': expert

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

02/02/2012 00:00:00
    by Phyllis Mbanje

THE handling of evidence at the scene of an August 16, 2011, farm fire which
killed Vice President Joice Mujuru’s husband fell below professional
standards, a South African forensic analyst told an inquest in Harare on
Thursday.

Poor packaging of exhibits from Ruzambo Farm in Beatrice where former army
commander General Solomon Mujuru was found burnt to death may have
compromised results of forensic tests, said Seomyatseng Jack Maine of the
South Africa Police Service.

Maine tested several items recovered from the scene to see if any
accelerants were used, and he told an inquest into Mujuru’s death that he
had found no such evidence, although that was not to say any were not used.

“There are a number of factors that could compromise quality of results.
These include collection method of debris at the scene and also how it was
packaged,” Maine told the inquest which is in its third week of sitting.

"The amount of heat is also critical in that if it is extreme, it could
actually wipe out all traces of fire accelerants,” he said, adding that
there were professional standards that needed to be observed for the most
accurate results.

Maine said the exhibits which contained debris from the fire were packed in
ordinary plastic bags, a situation which could have compromised the final
results.

Asked if that was the ideal packaging, he said the forensic profession
emphasised the use of metal containers that have not been corroded or oven
bags similar to the ones used in most households for baking.

"It is possible that the packaging may have compromised the results and also
the amount of heat they were exposed to,” he testified.

Maine, who was the 34th witness in the inquest, said they had received the
exhibits on September 23, 2011, and among the debris were pieces of cloth,
ashes and cotton wool.
Another South African expert who testified was Dumisani Portia Chauke, who
is also a forensic analyst in SAPS.

Chauke was part of the team that performed the DNA test using the late
General’s tissue and his daughter's blood.

Chauke said after the analysis, their findings were that paternity was 99,90
which was way above the standard 99,80 proving that the two were father and
daughter.

Mujuru’s family has openly criticised Zimbabwean police for clearing his
body for burial on August 20 last year, even as DNA tests were yet to be
conducted to prove that the charred remains found at the scene of the fire
were that of the former Zanu PF power broker.

The last witness for the day was Lieutenant Colonel Kgotlakgomang Ariel
Lenong, who is the Chief Forensic Analyst within SAPS.

Lenong said his instructions upon receiving the exhibits from the fire were
to check for the presence of explosives.

His analysis ruled out any presence of explosives.

Meanwhile, South African pathologist Dr Reggie  Perunel – whom the Mujuru
family are keen to see take the stand if the presiding magistrate grants an
application made last week – was present throughout Thursday’s hearing.
The Mujuru family lawyer Thakor Kewada could be seen constantly consulting
with him.

Coroner Walter Chikwanha said he may allow Dr Perunel to be called to the
stand after the evidence of Dr Gabriel Alviero, the Cuba-born pathologist
who performed the initial post mortem.
The inquest continues on Friday.

Ex-ZIFA CEO arrested over match fixing

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

02/02/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

SHAMED former ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested
on Thursday by police investigating match fixing in football, her lawyer
confirmed.

Rushwaya was fingered as the nexus of a multi-millio ndollar match fixing
scandal in which Zimbabwe’s national football team players and coaches were
paid to lose matches in Asia by predetermined scores, earning racketeers
millions from the bookies.

The mastermind of the betting syndicate, Singaporean national Wilson Raj
Perumal, is in jail in Finland after being convicted of match fixing in the
European country.

Rushwaya was arrested by detectives from the Anti-Corruption Task Force and
was detained at Avondale Police Station, her lawyer, Selby Hwacha, said.
She faces charges of corruption, bribery and match fixing, according to the
lawyer.

A ZIFA investigation into match fixing found that Rushwaya had cleared the
national team to make unsanctioned trips to Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia
between 2007 and 2009.

On the trips, players were told to play to lose, and paid thousands of
dollars each once the required result was achieved. Some players admitted
playing to the syndicates' instructions, but said they feared being killed
if they refused to comply.

Rushwaya was sacked from ZIFA in disgrace.

Earlier this week, ZIFA announced it was blacklisting all players who were
named by an internal report from playing for the national team.

ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube said all 80 players named in the report will
have their fate decided individually by an independent ethics committee
headed by retired judge Justice Ahmed Ebrahim.

The committee says it will issue sanctions before the start of the Premier
Soccer League season in March, and officials have warned those found guilty
could be banned for life from all football activities.

Some of the top stars affected by the blacklisting are current captain
Method Mwanjali, Edward Sadomba, Method Mwanjali, Nyasha Mushekwi, Ovidy
Karuru, Zhaimu Jambo, Washington Arubi, Daniel Vheremu, Khama Billiat,
Gilbert Mapemba, Willard Katsande and Thomas Sweswe.

Tsvangirai, Media Mourn Veteran Journalist Bornwell Chakaodza

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, February 02, 2012 – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and media based
local groups have all expressed sadness at the untimely death of veteran
journalist Bornwell Chakaodza (59) who succumbed to cancer in the early
hours of Wednesday.

Speaking through his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka on Wednesday, Tsvangirai
said the late former Director of Information in the Information Ministry
epitomised “real journalism”.

“He stood for the ethics of the profession," he said, “He guarded jealously
the issue of press freedom. He was an advocate of multi-media voices in the
country. The country is all the poorer without him.”

Chakaodza wrote in his weekly column in the Financial Gazette last week in
defence of the sale of Tsvangirai’s book, At the Deep End, following the
arrest of a Victoria Falls book seller who was accused of selling the
memoirs.

Chakaodza penned the column from his hospital bed.

Media based groups also expressed shock at Chakaodza’s death.

“This is saddening. It is a great loss to the journalist fraternity. He was
a veteran, sane and sensible columnist,” said Andy Moyse, Media Monitoring
Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) director.

Similarly, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) also said it was saddened
by the news.

“He has left a void that will be difficult to fill as he was a rare breed of
journalist who was able to interact with people from different generations
and media backgrounds,” ZUJ secretary general Foster Dongozi said in a press
statement.

“Chakaodza will also be missed for bringing laughter and comic relief to any
conversation he engaged in, as he was fond of regaling his audiences with
humorous tales.”

MISA-Zimbabwe National Chairperson Njabulo Ncube said:  “We are very shocked
and saddened by his death as it robs the media profession and communications
industry of a man with vast and invaluable experience.”

In a statement, MISA-Zimbabwe described the late Chakaodza as "witty and
with a great sense of humour".

"Borncha ,as he was otherwise known, pulled no punches in his critical and
objective critiques and commentaries on the state of Zimbabwe’s
socio-economic and political wellbeing," read the MISA statement.

"He was open to criticism and ever willing to share his vast media
experience with upcoming Zimbabwean journalists."

Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) executive secretary Takura
Zhangazha said VMCZ was shocked by the death of its deputy board chairman.

“He will be sorely missed by all in the journalism field and we pray that
the comforting spirit of the Lord be with his family and friends during this
difficult time,” said Zhangazha.

Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) board chairman Godfrey Majonga added his
voice on the loss of Chakaodza.

“As ZMC, we are very saddened by his passing on,” said Majonga, “I have
interacted with him as VMCZ vice chair where we found common ground,” said
Majonga.

“I am sure journalists in the fraternity are as saddened as I am. Our
condolences go to his family and friends in the media fraternity.”

Chakaodza started his professional working life as a teacher at Thekwani
High School in Plumtree, between 1975 and 1977, he then became a Political
Reporter with the then Rhodesia Herald, now the Herald.

He later became the deputy editor of the Hansard from 1982 to 1984.

He was a Senior Research Fellow with the Institute of Development Studies
(IDS) at the University of Zimbabwe.

Between 1993 and 1997 he was appointed the Director of Information in the
Ministry of Information before taking up a post as the editor of the Herald,
a position he held for two years before he was appointed Managing Director
of Zimbabwe Newspapers.

In 2002 he was appointed Editor of The Standard, a position he held before
he left the mainstream media.

Chakaodza wrote extensively on media, development studies and health matters
and has lectured journalism at the Division of Mass Communication Harare
Polytechnic and Christian College of the Southern Africa (CCOSA).

He graduated with a BA degree and Certificate in Education, Diploma in
Journalism from the then University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland an MA
and M. Phil degrees from the University of York in England in 1982.

Mourners are gathered at 82 Goodrington Drive in Bluffhill, Harare. By the
end of business on Wednesday, his funeral arrangements were still to be
finalised.

ZCTF Report - January 2012

Court Watch 2/2012 [S v Munyaradzi Gwisai and others: Application for Discharge]