Mugabe party insists on Zimbabwe elections this year

(AFP) – 8 hours ago

HARARE — Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's party has renewed its calls
for new elections this year, rejecting a timeline that his own negotiators
hammered out last week, a state daily reported on Thursday.

"The politburo is unanimous that elections should be held this year," The
Herald newspaper quoted ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo as saying after the
party's top decision-making body met in the capital.

Negotiators from Mugabe's party and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's
Movement for Democratic Change agreed July 6 on a timeline for election
preparations which would put the polls in 2012.

But the politburo said negotiators in the power-sharing government should
revise the timeline to ensure elections are held this year, Gumbo said.

"Some of the timelines in the roadmap are unacceptable. Days that have been
assigned to deal with some of these issues are too long. For example, you
cannot say preparation of the voters' roll should take 60 days," he said.

"By the end of the year we should have elections if they expedite the
constitution-making process, particularly the drafting and referendum
stages."

The parties have agreed that new electoral laws should be completed within
45 days from the July 6 signing of the roadmap.

Voter education should take place within the following 30 days, and
preparation of a new voters roll within two months. No decision was made on
the date for a referendum on a new constitution.

Under Zimbabwe's unity accord, signed after violent and inconclusive
presidential elections in 2008, a new constitution must be approved by
referendum before new general elections.

The constitutional drafting process is running a year behind schedule.
Drafters have set September as the target for a referendum, but repeated
delays have cast doubt on the date.

Part 3 of the leaked CIO list

MDC-T MP wants service chiefs to appear before Parliament

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
14 July 2011

An MDC-T legislator said statements by service chiefs in support of Robert
Mugabe and ZANU PF are unconstitutional and tantamount to treason.

‘As a result of this, Parliament should summon the service chiefs to answer
questions why they issue statements that are contrary to the laws of
Zimbabwe,’ Settlement Chikwinya, the MP for Mbizvo in KweKwe said.

He told SW Radio Africa on Thursday a Parliamentary committee was a good
platform to seek answers to their ‘motives and intentions’ behind the
statements.

On Wednesday the legislator moved a motion, asking Parliament to compel the
security and defence commanders to stop meddling in the country’s political
affairs.

On Thursday he went on the offensive by suggesting Parliament should summon
the Junta to answer questions on the flagrant way they’ve conducted business
for years.

It would be unprecedented and somewhat unlikely if the country’s military
Junta agreed to offer itself to parliament for accountability over its
actions.

Chikwinya said there was nothing sinister in his suggestion, emphasizing
Parliament had the powers to summon anyone, except a sitting Head of State.

The military in Zimbabwe has come under intense regional and global scrutiny
over its support for Mugabe and its pronouncements they will not support
anyone other than ZANU PF and its ageing leader.

The MDC-T party have demanded that the armed forces should now learn to
become accountable and answerable to a civilian government and also yield to
democracy and constitutionalism.

‘This is why I moved a motion in Parliament that intends to deal with the
actions of the military especially in periods preceding general elections.
The motion was debated late yesterday (Wednesday) and was adjourned to
Thursday.

‘I know ZANU PF MPs will defend the generals, in the hope they will help
them regain political power in the next election. But they don’t have much
to argue about as what the generals said is on public record.

‘They will obviously offer a very shallow debate but I’m sure at the end of
debate, Parliament will agree to adopt our recommendations,’ Chikwinya
added.

He explained that his motion seeks to compel Parliament to ask the service
chiefs to reaffirm their loyalty to the constitution and laws that govern
state security institutions.

Threat of army takeover looms large in Zimbabwe

http://www.businessday.co.za

The military has taken on a visible role in the country’s political affairs
and has opposed security sector reforms
Published: 2011/07/14 08:30:59 AM

AS ZIMBABWE’s shaky unity government inches ahead with the Southern African
Development Community’s (Sadc’s) recommendations to put in place extensive
electoral reforms ahead of fresh elections now expected next year, the
prospect of the country’s army seizing power looms large and could well put
a damper on attempts to end Zimbabwe’s 11- year-old political crisis.

In recent weeks, the military’s top brass has taken on a visible role in the
country’s political affairs and has been brazenly opposed to the Movement
for Democratic Change’s (MDC) security sector reforms, an MDC-listed
prerequisite before free and fair elections can be held.

The military, alarmed by growing factionalism, and persistent rumours of
President Robert Mugabe’s failing health, has coalesced around army
commander Constantine Chiwenga to deal with the latest "threats" to the
status quo.

Political analyst Eldred Masunungure made this observation in a report
entitled, The Anatomy of Political Predation — Leaders, Elites and
Coalitions: the historical trend by the military to dabble in Zimbabwe’s
politics in order to rescue Zanu (PF) during its times of crisis.

Mr Masunungure highlights the military’s involvement during Zimbabwe’s
crisis points in the 1980s, 2000 and in the disputed 2008 presidential
elections.

He says the army’s lead role has now been brought on by Zanu (PF)’s myriad
problems that threaten its survival.

But the current political speculation that Chiwenga could take over power
from Mugabe is said to have stoked fresh tension within the party divided
between two longtime rivals, Joyce Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zanu (PF) insiders say the prospect of a military takeover has forced both
factions to approach the MDC for post- Mugabe coalition talks. A move
confirmed by MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora.

While Chiwenga’s political ambitions are yet to be confirmed, the succession
race is likely to pull in former army commander Solomon Mujuru. He is
another Zanu (PF) heavyweight and believed to wield considerable influence
within the army’s ranks. He is also known to favour the ascendancy of his
wife (Joyce Mujuru) to power.

Speaking to Business Day, a top military insider downplayed a clash between
the two heavyweights and said: "People from the army are not known for being
puppets and Chiwenga is very influential because he is the commander of the
air force and the army.

"He controls everything and he knows he is in the perfect place to vie for a
political position.

"Mujuru is in the council of elders; those people who ensure Zanu (PF) is on
the right track, but he does not really hold any power, just respect from
his comrades," said the insider.

Mr Chiwenga also sits as chairman of the Joint Operations Command, a
military outfit that brings together the army, police and intelligence
services and reports directly to Mr Mugabe.

Mr Tsvangirai has called it a "military junta". Since 1985, Zimbabwe’s
security organs have been under the Office of the President, which has made
their expenditure and activities less transparent and left them
unaccountable even to the ministry of finance, which has given it
substantial sums of the fiscus.

Now UK-based SW Radio Africa is believed to have leaked nearly 500 names of
purported Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents earlier this month,
a move that is understood to have rocked the security structures, which have
relied on invisibility to infiltrate businesses and political parties and
track down political opponents.

With the leak — a list of state security agents stationed across the
country — it is likely that Zanu (PF)’s attempts to control the electoral
process, for which it has traditionally relied on the CIO agents to
intimidate the rural electorate, are certain to have been thrown into fresh
disarray.

Retired air marshal Henry Muchena is said to be deploying Zanu (PF)
paramilitary groups and army officials throughout rural areas — a strategy
to bolster Zanu (PF)’s position in the polls.

So while Sadc may continue to put pressure on Zimbabwe to get its act
together, it is to the country’s military establishment that the regional
body may need to turn its attention now.

An analyst and senior member of the Welshman Ncube-led MDC, Qhubani Moyo,
says: "The securocrats have been the king lynchpin for the regime which has
been in charge. It is inevitable that they are an identifiable part of the
problem and in many respects therefore part of the solution."

Ray Ndlovu

MDC-T Reports Brigadier General To JOMIC

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, July 14, 2011 – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s faction of the
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has lodged a formal complaint with the
Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) over controversial
statements made by brigadier-general Douglas Nyikayaramba.

Nyikayaramba in May and June told both the public and private media that
army generals wanted President Robert Mugabe to die in power and that the
generals would not salute Prime Minister Tsvangirai even if he won the next
elections.

In his public statements given prominence in the media, Nyikaramba also cast
aspersions about the premier’s leadership qualities, telling the state-run
The Herald on 23 June, 2011, that: “Tsvangirai doesn’t not pose a political
threat in any way in Zimbabwe but a major security threat.”

“He takes instructions from foreigners who seek to effect regime change in
Zimbabwe. If his party was a genuine independent political party, we wouldn’t
be involved. They said they want to destroy Zanu (PF) from within, so we
should be vigilant.”

He went on to say that soldiers were not going to sit idle “while foreign
forces want to attack us. We are prepared to stand by our Commander-In
Chief.”

But on July 5, 2011, MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti wrote to the
national director of JOMIC, P. Chiradza, expressing concerns about
Nyikayaramba’s statements.

“As the MDC, we are concerned about the recent statements made by Brigadier
Nyikayaramba. We note the above statements are a breach of the Constitution,
the Defence Act and more importantly, civilian authority in Zimbabwe. We
shall be pleased as a Party to know what actions are being taken to arrest
these sad developments,” said Biti in his letter to Chiradza.

JOMIC was established under Article XXII of the Global political Agreement
(GPA) between the three parties in the power-sharing agreement. It receives
reports and complaints in respect of any issue related to the
implementation, enforcement and execution of the GPA.

During a parliamentary debate on the MDC-T initiated motion asking the House
to compel security commanders to stop meddling in the country’s political
affairs, MDC legislator for Mbizo, Settlement Chikwinya described
Nyikayaramba as a “clown” amid interjections from Zanu (PF) legislators, led
by Uzumba legislator Simbaneuta Mudarikwa. Debate was adjourned to this
Thursday where Zanu (PF) MPs are expected to make their own opposing
contributions.tap

Zimbabwe power crisis to ease next year: minister

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

Sapa | 14 July, 2011 06:46

The crippling electricity crisis in Zimbabwe is likely to normalise next
year, says Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma.

He said that government was working on a comprehensive programme to increase
power output by exploiting methane gas reserves in Lupane for electricity
generation, Zimbabwe's Herald Online reported on Thursday.

Government was working "around the clock" to court private investors in the
power generation sector.

Mangoma said power generation would improve significantly next year.

"We are targeting the Lupane gas reserves, which we hope to start exploiting
for electricity generation and we are currently working on finding the right
partners for the deal."

The MDC Today - Issue 218

Police stopped from seizing lawyer’s phone

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
14 July, 2011

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) have welcomed a ruling by the
High Court, barring police from seizing a mobile phone from one of their
lawyers.
Lawyer David Hofisi had gone to Harare Central to rescue another lawyer,
Tawanda Tandi, who had been arrested because the state alleged he had
obstructed justice by going to the police station to attend to the Finance
Ministry employees arrested last Friday.

The police claim Tandi refused an order to surrender a passport belonging to
Angeline Chishawa, one of the arrested employees and the woman the state
media claimed was having an affair with Finance Minister Tendai Biti.

A Chief Superintendent Majuta then demanded Hofisi’s phone, saying he needed
to “download” information. When Hofisi refused police threatened to arrest
him.

Having managed to get away from the police station Hofisi filed papers at
the High Court arguing that his mobile phone had personal and professional
information which police should not access without legal justification. He
described the police demand as “wrongful and unlawful.”
Justice Bere ruled that police must “act in terms of the due process law”
before seizing the phone or any article connected to the lawyer’s “duties as
a legal practitioner.” The police now have 10 days to challenge the ruling
in court.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights welcomed the decision as a victory for
lawyers in private practice in the country. “The ruling reaffirms
client-lawyer privilege and puts the brakes on the police’s increasingly
arbitrary and unlawful actions, which prevent lawyers from exercising their
professional obligations,” spokesperson Kumbirai Mafunda told SW Radio
Africa on Thursday.
Mafunda explained that it had become more difficult for the lawyers to do
their work because police are devising new tactics to harass them and their
clients. “People rely on us to defend them and it seems there is a new
warfare aimed at lawyers in Zimbabwe,” Mafunda added.

Meanwhile, judgement was reserved on Wednesday in a similar case involving
Finance Minister Tenadi Biti, who is fighting police attempts to access
records of his mobile phone history. The police claim Biti unlawfully
authorized foreign trips for employee Angeline Chishawa and are demanding
his phone records as part of the investigation. But the allegations are
widely believed to be part of a smear campaign against the Minister and the
MDC-T.

The MDC-T accuse the police of fraudulently acquiring a warrant from a
magistrate, ordering Econet Wireless to release Biti’s records. But the
Minister appealed the decision at the High Court, saying it is harassment
and invasion of privacy. Econet have said they are awaiting a ruling before
deciding what to do.

Zimbabwe FA releases match-fixing report

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/

Thursday July 14, 2011 8:17 AM

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The Zimbabwe Football Association has published a
report into match-fixing, accusing top administrators, players, coaches -
even journalists - of taking bribes from betting syndicates and of
involvement in manipulating national team games.

The 160-page record of investigations by ZIFA into corruption between 2007
and 2009 says in many cases money was handed out by agents of Wilson Raj
Perumal, a Singaporean currently on trial in Finland for fixing games.

The report accuses, among others, ZIFA's former chief executive Henrietta
Rushwaya and former national team coach Sunday Chidzambwa of taking money.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on a recent visit to Zimbabwe that those
found guilty of match-fixing face lifetime bans.

Players and officials deny Zimbabwe match-fixing claims

http://news.bbc.co.uk

Thursday, 14 July 2011 16:49 UK

By Steve Vickers
BBC Sport, Harare

Players and officials linked to Zimbabwe's match-fixing scandal have issued
strong denials of their involvement in the affair.

A report by the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) concluded that matches
were rigged in 2008 and 2009.

An earlier investigation heard from national team players that they were
paid to lose on a tour of Asia in 2009.

The second inquiry said Zimbabwean players and officials worked with a
betting agent to fix results.

But the accuracy of the reports, the second of which was published this
week, has been challenged by many of those who gave evidence.

"I never said some of those things, what is attributed to me is very
different from what I submitted," Godfrey Japajapa told BBC Sport.

Japajapa was head of delegation for Zimbabwe at the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia
in 2007.

"Anyone involved should be brought to book, but the committee must be as
fair as possible," he said.

"The process needs to be revisited, Zifa needs to use independent people, we
need something like a judicial inquiry where people testify under oath."

The Zifa reports allege that the chief figure behind the match-fixing was
its own former Chief Executive, Henrietta Rushwaya.

Rushwaya was sacked last year for mismanagement and insubordination.

She has always denied the allegations and insists that she is innocent.

"The committee should be brave enough to call her in a court of law, prove
the allegations or shut up forever," Rushwaya's lawyer Selby Hwacha told BBC
Sport.

"Otherwise my instructions to her are that she should sue for damages."

Others threatening legal action are former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa,
player agent Kudzi Shaba and former Zifa councillor Steve Nyoka, named in
the report as head of delegation for a trip to Vietnam.

Nyoka claims that his passport shows that he never travelled to Vietnam.

Among the players protesting their innocence are striker Nyasha Mushekwi,
who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.

On a recent visit to Zimbabwe, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said that any
players and officials found guilty of match-fixing will be given life bans
by football's world governing body.

Fifa anti-corruption officials are expected to visit Zimbabwe soon to meet
with Zifa officials and the police.

No cash for workers’ pay hike: Minister

http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Thulani Munda     Thursday 14 July 2011

HARARE – Finance Minister Tendai Biti on Wednesday ruled out a supplementary
budget this year, while forecasting a budget deficit of $500 million this
year, to highlight a severe cash shortage that has hobbled Zimbabwe’s
coalition government since formation more than two years ago.

Biti, who was speaking in Parliament in response to a question whether he
was planning a supplementary budget to raise addition cash to fund the
government, said there was no capacity to raise extra cash needed to fund
the state’s day-to-day operations as well as proposed salary hikes for civil
servants.

"There will be no supplementary budget this year,” Biti said. " When you
have a supplementary budget you must have the capacity to increase your
revenues. We already project at the present moment a fiscal deficit of
US$500 million," said Biti.

Touching on a subject that has caused much division in the unity government
of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Biti said
the government will not be able to increase salaries of civil servants who
have been pressing for pay hikes since the beginning of the year.

"There is no capacity," said Biti, adding that the government had been able
to raise significant revenue in March and June only because of increased
inflow of tax money from corporates.

"We were able to break the US$230 million monthly revenue collection target
for these two months because they are the quarterly payment dates on
corporate tax," he said.

Civil servants have been pressing the government for more pay, while Mugabe
has told the government workers that the government would raise their
salaries in the second half of the year.

Tsvangirai’s MDC party has accused Mugabe of seeking to politicise and
manipulate the public workers’ salary demands to tarnish the image of the
former opposition party that controls both the finance and the public
service ministries that between them must work to resolve the government
workers’ pay grievances.

The civil servants want the lowest paid worker to take home around U$500,
money the government – that already uses 60 percent of total collected
revenues on salaries -- says it does not have.

Public workers who presently earn an average $200 per month have threatened
to go on strike to press the government for more pay, while some members of
the militant Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe have already downed
tools over the salaries issue.

Since the formation of the unity government, civil servants including
teachers and health workers returned to work on the back of promises by the
new administration to improve salaries and conditions of service.

But failure by the unity government to convince major Western nations to
provide direct financial support could see basic services such as health and
education collapse again as civil servants strike or, as before, resume the
exodus to foreign countries where wages and livings conditions are better. –
ZimOnline

Zim Expects US$500 Million Budget Deficit

http://www.radiovop.com/

Harare, July 14, 2011 - Zimbabwe's 2011 budget will be increased by a
deficit of US$ 500 million making the forecasted budget rise from US$2.7
billion to US$3.2 billion, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Wednesday.

Biti was responding to Mbire MP, Paul Mazikana in parliament on whether the
government will have a supplementary budget this year. Biti said the country
will not have a supplementary budget this year as the fiscus does not have
ways of paying the supplementary budget. On government workers salary
increases Biti said the expenses of the government are already
over-stretched adding that they will be no civil servants salaries.

"There will be no supplementary budget this year. When you have a
supplementary budget you must have the capacity to increase your revenues.
We already project at the present moment a fiscal deficit of US$500
million," Biti said.

Biti told parliamentarians that treasury will not be able to increase
salaries of civil servants due to the poor performance of the economy adding
that this year the country has not received a cent from the disputed diamond
revenues.

He said in the first half of the year government officials have used US$30
million for foreign travel, a huge figure during the middle of the year
appealing to governmetn departments to cut foreign travel.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and other government ministers attended the
parliament on Wednesday when Biti made the revelations.

President Robert Mugabe's foreign trips are financed by treasury and this
year he went to Singapore more than four times with reports saying he will
be visiting his doctors for medical check up. At one time, Mugabe who
travels with a large delegation whenever he travels on government business
is said to have splashed US$ 7 million for a trip to Malaysia.

2 000 nurses jobless

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

More than 2 000 nurses are currently jobless, according to statistics by the
Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.
13.07.1111:08am
Yeukai Moyo

This comes after the minister of Finance Tendai Biti froze the filling of
all vacant posts in the public service in June last year, although he made
provision for institutions to apply for exemptions in exceptional
circumstances.

The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that newly-qualified nurses
are bonded and cannot seek employment anywhere else.

The health ministry suffers from a chronic shortage of staffing personnel
that seriously compromises service delivery.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr Douglas Mombeshora said, “We
have engaged the Ministry of Finance to release funds so that we can hire
more nurses,” he said.

Meanwhile, nurses who finished training and cannot be absorbed in the public
service have requested the government to release them from bonding since
they want to earn a living.

Land thieves to be summoned

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Harare's infamous 'land thieves' may still face justice after the City
Council came up with a new process to bring them to account and recover its
land.
13.07.1112:09pm
John Chimunhu

The suspects, who have so far wriggled out of efforts by the authorities to
bring them to court, include property mogul Phillip Chiyangwa and local
government minister Ignatius Chombo.

Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda told the council recently that a comprehensive
report on the scandal had been compiled and was now with an ad hoc
committee.

He said the council would now set up a tribunal to gather evidence from
individuals and companies named in the report. The tribunal will then make
recommendations on how the municipality will proceed to the stage of
ensuring prosecution of suspects and recovering stolen land.

Masunda said the council had already approached several retired judges and
public figures who had indicated willingness to be part of the tribunal.

Previously, the council had gathered evidence and presented it to the police
for investigation. However, the police refused to investigate because some
high-profile individuals had been fingered in the probe.

According to a preliminary report, Chiyangwa fleeced the council by swapping
worthless industrial land with lucrative properties in prestigious
neighbourhoods. Chombo is accused of directing alteration of municipal
documents and using his influence to secure prime land.

Cane Plant Rescues ZESA

http://www.radiovop.com

By David Masunda, CHISUMBANJE, Middle Sabi – Zimbabwe’s first ethanol only
plant will start producing between 2 to 3 megawatts daily from September,
company officials told RadioVOP.

Peter Glaum, the ethanol plant manager at Green Fuel’s massive Chisumbanje
and Middle Sabi sugar cane estates, says at full production, 18 megawatts
would be channeled into the ZESA grid to enable the embattled parastatal
meet some of its growing demand for electricity.

Green Fuel is a joint venture between private investors and the government’s
Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA). ARDA owns Chisumbanje
and Middle Sabi estates where already 5500 hectares are under sugar cane
production. The project is driven by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Billy
Rautenbach who has copied the Brazilian ethanol plant designs.

When RadioVOP visited last week, Brazilian and Zimbabwean engineers were
busy testing the plant before it can be fully commissioned within the next
two months. Glaum said depending on the cane condition (calorific value),
Green Fuel expects to produce between 2 to 3 megawatts of electricity and
350 thousand litres of ethanol daily by September.

According to company officials, the deal between the private investors
(called Rating at Chisumbanje and Macdom at Middle Sabi) is a build, operate
and transfer (BOT) arrangement with ARDA taking complete control of all the
sugar cane production in the two estates in 20 years.

As the project develops, said company officials, it is planned to introduce
villagers into small-scale sugar cane production with assistance – in the
form of cane seed, irrigation and expertise – from Green Fuel.

On the ethanol side, Green Fuel expects to produce 500 million litres of
ethanol annually in 10 years to power local vehicles, said Glaum. It will
market two types of fuel: E15 which is 15% ethanol and the rest petrol; and
E85, a highly concentrated variety that can fuel cars on its own without the
need to mix with petrol.

Zim in crisis: Kanyekanye

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Taurai Mangudhla and Diana Chisvo
Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:35

HARARE - Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Joseph
Kanyekanye says Zimbabwe is in a crisis and President Robert Mugabe urgently
needs to appoint a “super minister” with the sole responsibility of ensuring
implementation of government policies.

Kanyekanye said the super minister should be nominated from the business
community and given arbitrary powers to ensure a timely implementation of
the country’s strategic blueprints.

With over 300 registered members from all sectors of the economy, CZI is the
country’s biggest business organisation.

He cited the recently launched Medium Term Plan (MTP) as one such economic
strategic document that needed to be supervised by a super minister.

“In the context of government, appoint a non-constituent super minister
whose main agenda whether it is a cabinet sitting or not is to focus on
implementation of specific government policies for example MTP,” he said.

He said the super minister should be based in the president’s office and
wield enough powers to whip other ministers into line.

Kanyekanye indicated that he had engaged President Robert Mugabe on the
matter.

“Something that we need to learn and I did highlight it to His Excellency is
that Zimbabwe is in a crisis.

“When there is a crisis situation you don’t need to plan six months ahead
but you plan and review as you go along."

“As such, I propose that we meet with His Excellency once every month to
fine-tune our plans and implementation,” said Kanyekanye.

He said business had offered to mediate in the decade-long row between
Mugabe and former colonial master Britain.

“Mugabe blames sanctions imposed by Britain for the economic problems that
nearly caused the 87-year-old’s fall."

“Britain on the other hand accuses Mugabe of election rigging and gross
human rights abuses. We all know that the misunderstanding is between
politicians and Britain, as such, business is better placed to negotiate on
the country’s behalf."

“Besides, our inclusive government doesn’t even sing the same tune,” said
the CZI president.

Several strategic documents crafted by the government have suffered
still-birth because of lack of implementation.

Blueprints crafted after the formation of the coalition government have
suffered from constant bickering among the coalition partners.

Zanu PF blocks Mbare project

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

By Xolisani Ncube, Staff Writer
Thursday, 14 July 2011 14:07

HARARE - Harare mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, has accused Zanu PF members of
blocking an ambitious community empowerment project funded by the Bill and
Melinda Gates by seeking to unnecessarily politicise it.

Masunda singled out Zanu PF politburo member Tendai Savanhu and the party’s
Harare provincial youth chairperson Jim Kunaka accusing them of using the
infamous Chipangano militant group to attack council workers working on the
Old Mbare hostels rehabilitation programme.

The project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The
foundation is the largest private foundation in the world.

It has interests in philanthropic work aimed at enhancing healthcare and
reducing extreme poverty in the world.

According to Masunda, attacks on council employees by the militant
Chipangano group has stalled the project.

“I want to make this a public statement that these people like Savanhu and
Jim Kunaka should stop politicising the Bill and Melinda Gates project,
those funds were not sourced for chip political gains but to ensure that
people have good lives,” said Masunda while addressing a ceremony at the
Town House yesterday.

“Tell those misguided lose cannons in the form of Jim Kunaka to stop
politicising the project because the funders have more money to help us.”

Masunda said the Seattle based organisation stands ready to invest a lot of
money in the country but might be stopped from doing so by the chaos
surrounding the implementation of the projects funded by the organisation.

“There is over $ 1 billion waiting for us,” said Masunda.

Last year Masunda sourced $5 million for rehabilitation of 58 dilapidated
Mbare hostels.

The hostels had become an eyesore and a health hazard. A number of the
hostels have so far been refurbished.

“We have people who want to campaign using the project, yet the project was
not meant for political parties and you the people should advise people like
Savanhu to stop gaining their votes using that,” said Masunda.

“We are not in the business to gain votes and for whatever reason Savanhu
has been making cheap political statements using the project."

“It is not an MDC project but it is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
project meant to empower our communities.”

Chipangano has been accused by the MDC and Harare residents of unleashing
violence against President Robert Mugabe’s opponents in the city’s suburbs
particularly in Mbare, an area which at some point was unofficially declared
a no go area and a constant flashpoint of political violence.

The group has grabbed council market stalls at Mupedzanhamo flee market
harassing perceived MDC supporters.

Mbare residents and traders who ply their trade in the suburb have also
accused the group of forcing them to attend Zanu PF rallies.

Responding to the accusations, Savanhu, “I don’t think he (Masunda) is still
normal, he should be taken to the psychiatric that is if what you are
telling me is true.

“How can an individual stop the progress of service delivery. They should
stop blaming others for failing to improve service delivery.”

Chiyangwa in trouble

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Everson Mushava, Staff Writer
Thursday, 14 July 2011 13:30

HARARE - Controversial businessman Phillip Chiyangwa faces more troubles in
his land deals after a group of war veterans approached the High Court
seeking to regularise their stay at a farm he claims to own.

The Harare businessman wants the war veterans and 300 families who have
already built houses to move out of the land.

The land was meant for the poor who could not afford to buy expensive
houses. The war veterans accuse Chiyangwa of trying to reverse Mugabe’s land
reform programme.

Chiyangwa, who has been battling allegations of irregularly acquiring prime
land in Harare, is facing stiff resistance from a group of homeless war
veterans and Zanu PF supporters who insist that the flamboyant businessman
is grabbing their land.

While Chiyangwa claims that he legally owns Nyarungu Estate in Waterfalls,
the defiant war veterans say the land now belongs to them after being
allocated by President Robert Mugabe under the Land Acquisition Act.

The war veterans seized Chiyangwa’s property in 2000 at the height of the
chaotic and bloody land grab exercise and named it Eyrecourt Township and
duly registered it under the name Pungwe Chimurenga Housing Cooperative.

The society then partnered with a property developer Amalish Properties.

However, Chiyangwa successfully secured a High Court order to evict the war
veterans from the piece of land owned by his company Jetmaster Properties,
torching a political storm.

They were supposed to be evicted by the June 14, but the war veterans,
through Nicholas Chikono of Ngarava, Moyo and Chikono legal practitioners
said the businessman’s ownership of the property had been overtaken by
events.

The war veterans made an urgent chamber application to prevent eviction from
a Waterfalls farm. High Court Judge George Chiweshe reserved  judgment
yesterday.

In her affidavit, chairperson of the housing co-operative Concilia Dzitiro
said although Chiyangwa succeeded in challenging their stay in 2003, he can
no longer do it now because the land was compulsorily acquired by Mugabe
under the land Acquisition Act.

She said the Minister of Lands, Rural and Urban Resettlement made an
application to the administrative court to confirm the acquisition of the
Estate from Chiyangwa and the matter was still being heard in the
Administrative Court.

The war veterans argue that they were surprised on being issued a notice to
vacate the farm by June 14 2011 and said it was therefore a “grave state of
emergency” that they make the application to prevent the eviction of the
“bona fide” occupants who had been granted the land under the Land
Acquisition Act.

“I submit that Jetmaster has been overtaken by events and what they are
seeking is no longer practical as over 300 families are already settled at
the property,” she said.

They said they were armed with the letter from the ministry of Local
Government dated 24 April 2004 which regularised their operations at the
farm.

They also referred to the 12 March 2010 Government Gazette in which Herbert
Murerwa, the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, sought  to compulsory
acquire the land described in the Schedule for Urban Development.

Representing Chiyangwa, Advocate Lewis Uriri said Jetmaster was the legal
property owner and only discovered that Pungwe Chimurenga Housing
Co-operative occupied the land and got an order to evict them.

Despite the order, war veterans continued to stay at the property forcing
Jetmaster to make an urgent chamber application for an interdict to move
from the land in 2006.

They were served with the order but refused to move.

Uriri rubbished the ministry of local government letters which give the war
veterans the green light to stay saying they were out-dated.

“Since 2006, the housing co-operative and its agent, Amalish investments had
been issuing adverts in the Herald offering plots for sale in Waterfalls or
Eyrecourt Township.

“I hasten to mention that the Eyrecourt Township was declared an unlawful
development by the High Court, despite Chiyangwa having bought it for
industrial use,” argued Uriri.

In 2007, Amalish filed an urgent court application to stay on the land but
High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu dismissed it and ordered them to
stop dividing and selling the land.

Uriri urgued that Nyarungu has not been acquired by the state and was not
zoned for housing development and was legally owned by Jetmaster.

He said Amalishi were neither the owners nor lawful occupiers of the land
and did not have any sound reason why they should continue occupying the
land.

“To claim that government was involved was simple politicking. As was found
by the magistrate in the case in which the Housing Co-operative and Amalish
were found guilty of fraud and convicted."

“Quite noble in the case is the fact that the accused persons are hiding
behind political intentions of government to resettle the landless. But
government did not actually sanction the sale of the stands,” he said.

Zanu (PF) Disowns Legislator

http://www.radiovop.com

By Beavan Takunda and Nkosana Dhlamini - Harare, July 14, 2011 - A Zanu (PF)
spokesman Rugare Gumbo has dismissed the party's legislature for Marondera
East and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Tracy Mutinhiri as a
‘non event’, saying the party will not waste time discussing her
relationship with the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC-T).

“What is Mutinhiri? It is not an issue in the party. Who is Mutinhiri? There
is nothing. It’s a non event for the politburo. We focused on major issues.
It did not even bother us because it’s nothing. She is just an individual,
an ordinary party member. She can resign if she wants,” Gumbo told the state
television on Wednesday.

Gumbo's remarks contradicted his earlier comments on Tuesday where he was
also quoted by the state broadcaster, the ZBC, saying Mutinhiri faced the
chop as a Zanu (PF) legislator because she wined and dined with the
mainstream MDC party.

“She is going to know of her fate this week after the party’s highest
decision making body politburo has met and deliberate the issue. Her
association with MDC is disturbing. She is wining and dining with the MDC
and has been at its functions for several times. She also went on to ban
party slogans at her rallies,”Zanu (PF) Gumbo had told ZBC news Tuesday
evening.

Mutinhiri’s Marondera farm was last week besieged by hordes of party
supporters who sought to punish her for “selling out”.

Last week Mutinhiri accused Zanu (PF) senator for her constituency and State
Security Minister Sydney Sekeramai for plotting to eliminate her. That was
after hoards of war veterans had invaded her farm demanding for her
resignation from the party.

She had to seek police protection from a Zanu (PF) mob which was threatening
to take over her farm while beating up her workers.

Mutinhiri told Radio VOP on Sunday that she was not going to listen to ZANU
(PF)’s calls for her not to work together with MDC urging that Zanu (PF) and
MDC were all in the coalition government.

“I will continue working with the MDC as long as its in the same political
arrangement with ZANU(PF).They  want me to boycott my ministerial event  if
they the minister who is from MDC is present. I will not do that because I
want to help alleviate the lives of the people whom I have a mandate to
serve. I do not want people to accuse me of letting them down all in the
name of politics,’’she told Radio VOP.

She said her life was now in danger from state security agents and
politically intolerant Zanu (PF) supporters.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party this week heaped praises on
Mutinhiri, describing her as a rare Zanu PF member who would not make
“statements denigrating other political parties”.

Black frost destroys citrus, horticulture

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

A lot of farmers in Bulawayo’s peri urban farming area last week lost most
of their horticulture crops and citrus produce to severe frost following a
cold spell experienced in most parts of the country.
12.07.1105:26pm
Zwanai Sithole Harare

Farmers who spoke to The Zimbabwean said their crops had been destroyed by
frost bite, which hit most parts of Matabeleland destroying crops such as
tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, maize and flowers.

“I lost my entire one hectare of tomato crop to the frost. All along I have
been irrigating my crop every day to prevent the frost - but all was in
vain. This is a big loss considering that the tomatoes were almost ripe,”
said Tobias Khan, a farmer in Trenance.

Khan said since he started farming in 1999 he has not experienced such a
severe frost as the one which damaged his crop last week.

The frost also left a trail of destruction at a flower producing farm owned
by Richard Khumalo along the Bulawayo/Victoria Falls road.

“We haven’t experienced such a severe frost as this one before. It must have
been the black frost I have heard of that destroys everything. I lost my
entire flower crop which was meant for export to South Africa,” said
Khumalo.

One of the biggest producers of horticultural produce and citrus fruits,
Willgrove Farm Enterprise in Esigodini in Matabeleland South also had its
tomato crop and citrus plantation damaged by the frost.

Early frost can be detrimental to crops especially if the development has
been delayed.

The extent of damage caused frost depends on the temperature, length of
exposure time, humidity levels and speed to which the freezing temperature
was reached.

Frost damage occurs as moisture within the plant crystallises and expands.
This causes cells to rupture and fluid to leak out thus, the watery
appearance of plant tissue or seed after a damaging frost. Last week
temperatures plummeted to as low as minus 11 degrees with some areas
recording temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Celsius.

Zimbabwe fibre optic link set for completion in November

http://www.telecompaper.com/

Thursday 14 July 2011 | 11:00 CET

The Zimbabwean government says the installation of the fibre optic cable
connecting Harare with Beitbridge via Bulawayo, which commenced in May, will
be completed in November. In the 2011 National Budget, the government
allocated USD 15 million for the Harare-Bulawayo-Beitbridge and
Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge fibre optic links. The routes cover a total
distance of about 1,340km. Information Communication Technology Minister
Nelson Chamisa said that the government is seeking partners for Public
Private Partnerships (PPPs) to upgrade the existing backbone infrastructure.

Plight of street children in the spotlight

http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/6885

July 14th, 2011

    “We need to go back to an organised society that adequately takes care
of orphans and vulnerable children,”

This is the view of a human rights lawyer from Bulawayo, one of many voices
calling for urgent reform regarding vulnerable children who live on the
streets of Zimbabwe.

    “The government has the responsibility of looking after all its
citizens. When there are children on the streets, who do not have adequate
food and shelter, government is clearly failing in its responsibility,” he
said.

He explained that in African society there was an extended family system,
which saw to it that children were taken care of when parents were
irresponsible. However, he noted that the scourge of HIV and AIDS had
“broken the system”.

    “Planners do not plan for street children. Wherever street children
appear, they are not in the plans. It is no good deciding where we do not
want them and trying to wish them out of existence. We need to decide where
and how we do want them to live in a way that is practically possible,” he
said.

The International Day of the African Child has its roots in apartheid South
Africa, when black students in 1976 protested the inferior quality of their
education while demanding their right to be taught in their own language. To
honour the memory of those killed and injured, this special day is
commemorated annually on 16 June, and has been since 1991.

Last month commemorations ran under the theme: All Together for Urgent
Actions in Favour of Street Children.

A Lupane State University lecturer in the Department of Development Studies,
Mr Douglas Nyathi said: “Having young children on the street offends our
ideas of what childhood should is about. We believe that all children should
have a home to go to, to provide shelter, and a caring family environment.”

An official at Childline, said some of street children were running away
from problems at their homes.

    “For the children, being on the streets may be a solution to problems of
violence or neglect at home. It may be the solution to having no home or no
parents,” she said.

She said children needed security, recreation, fun, and quality education
among other fundamental rights and basic freedoms. According to her,
children also face cold winters, starvation, diseases, lack of proper
shelter, and a focus for the future.

The official opening of the 19th session of the Junior Parliament of
Zimbabwe this year coincided with the commemoration of the International Day
of the African Child. Street children were given a chance to participate in
the proceedings.

This entry was posted by Lucky Motho on Thursday, July 14th, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Panic, police presence ahead of deadline

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

A heavy police presence in central Johannesburg is creating panic as the
August 1 deadline for South Africa to resume deportations of undocumented
Zimbabweans approaches.
13.07.1110:23am
Chris Ncube

Police say there is nothing sinister about their heavy presence, but
Zimbabweans are panicking.

“The police have openly declared war against us and said they are ready to
arrest undocumented Zimbabweans. They have told us to obtain papers or risk
their wrath starting in August,” said Khumbulani Dube of Berea.

Another Zimbabwean, Monica Madewu, said: “The number of police in Yeoville
is rapidly increasing, which raises fears ahead of the deadline. While my
papers are in order, I fear arrest as police here are corrupt.”

Applications for passports and permits have been hit by lack of capacity and
congestions at the Zimbabwean embassy and consulates as well as South Africa’s
Department of Home Affairs, raisig fears the deadline for applications would
not be met.

South Africa has refused to extend the deadline.

SA to investigate refugee stampede

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The Department of Home Affairs this week said it would investigate the
causes of a stampede that occurred at one of its refugee reception centres
in order to avoid a recurrence.
13.07.1112:14pm
Chris Ncube

Last Friday, a stampede at the Marabastad Refugee Reception Office in
Pretoria left 14 Zimbabwean nationals injured. Four sustained more serious
injuries and paramedics had to rush them to hospital.

Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa face a constant battle
to secure documentation in the face of bureaucratic indifference,
incompetence and corruption, as well as harassment by the police – many of
them in search of a bribe.

“The Department regrets the incident and will embark on further
investigations to determine the conditions which led to the stampede with a
view to ensuring there is no recurrence of such an incident in our offices,”
Manusha Pillia, Home Affairs spokesperson told The Zimbabwean from Pretoria.

Congestion characterizes the Marabastad centre following the closure of the
Crown Mines Refugee Reception Centre in Johannesburg last month. - Chris
Ncube

Zuma Deserves The Praise He Is Getting For Zimbabwe

http://www.newstime.co.za

Monday, June 13, 2011

NewsTime

The character shown by South African President Jacob Zuma and the SADC
members in dealing with the political crisis in Zimbabwe over the past few
months is worthy of mention and praise.

How easy it would be to simply gloss over it as finally doing the right
thing.

The UK Telegraph as well as a number of other sites - including our own -
are putting the whole question of Zimbabwe into perspective and generally,
sometimes even grudgingly, the President’s role is being acknowledged in
this positive change of direction.

The Telegraph's report says that Mugabe reportedly told Zuma that claims
that his supporters were prepetuating political violence in Zimbabwe were
made up.

In response Zuma was said to have replied:"I do not manufacture things, my
reports are based on things that are happening in the country, based on
facts."

Neither the President nor the ruling party are taking sides.

The ANC have expressed their fears at what would happen to Zimbabwe if
President Robert Mugabe were to die mid-term without sorting out the issues
of succession and the constitution.

These are legitimate concerns both here and in Zimbabwe.

In addition they are calling for a level playing field between the Zimbabwe
African National Union – Patriotic Front and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement
for Democratic Change rather than choosing sides which is as it should be.

In this regard the neighbouring states are now going to take a more active
part in assisting Zimbabwe to move the process forward.

As the Telegraph points out “Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State
whose current tour of Africa is seen partly as an attempt to persuade SADC
members to hold Mr Mugabe to the power-sharing deal, said she was
‘encouraged’.”

South Africa is now into its 3rd democratically elected President, four if
we include the wonderful Spurs fanatic Kgalema Motlanthe.

During President Zuma’s term South Africa is doing – and seen to be doing –
the right thing for the first time in respect of Zimbabwe.

Even while we had a statesman of world acclaim in former President Nelson
Mandela at the helm this question was left unresolved and at a cost of
billions.

Zuma has stepped forward and suffered the insults in order to do the right
thing.

That deserves our gratitude, praise and respect.

No More ‘Ships of Shame’ to Africa

http://blog.amnestyusa.org

 

 

 July 14, 2011 at 2:35 PM

By Alaphia Zoyab, Online Communities Officer at Amnesty International.

UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

At a meeting with NGOs on the side-lines of the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) negotiations in New York, China made the claim that it does not transfer arms to conflict states in Africa. That claim is simply not true and China has clearly forgotten about the notorious ‘Ship of Shame’. We are happy to remind them.

In 2008 a Chinese ship MV An Yue Jiang arrived in Durban in South Africa with a deadly cargo of more than 3000 cases of arms. The cases included nearly 3 million rounds of rifle ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar bombs and mortar launchers, all exported by Poly Technologies Inc. of Beijing. This cargo was destined for the Zimbabwean Defence Force.

This incident took place shortly after the disputed Zimbabwean elections of 2008 when senior personnel in the Zimbabwean army were beating, torturing and killing anyone suspected of voting for opposition parties.

That was precisely the time this dangerous Chinese cargo would have made it to Zimbabwe had ordinary people in South Africa not stood up in protest. When the ship docked in Durban, trade unions there refused to offload the cargo and even appealed to transport workers in other African countries to do the same. Religious leaders and lawyers in South Africa won a court order to stop the cargo. Thanks to these actions, there was an international outcry and their counterparts in Mozambique, Namibia and Angola also turned away the Chinese ship. In the end, although some cargo was offloaded in Luanda in Angola, the ship reportedly returned with its military cargo to China.

Speaking at a packed event co-hosted by Amnesty International at the UN headquarters yesterday, Seydi Gassama, Executive Director of Amnesty International in Senegal said,

“Illicit arms are wreaking havoc in Africa. Only if states commit to transparency in the form of stronger compliance measures will the Arms Trade Treaty improve the lives of men and women in the continent.”

If States commit to compliance and enforcement under the ATT then they will have to annually report on such transfers and import and export transactions. “This transparency will help strengthen the feeling of trust amongst States and diminish the risk of illicit transfers and enable monitoring by civil society,” said Seydi Gassama.

But many States are saying they are unable to gather and report on such transactions because of lack of capacity and the “administrative burden”. But fact is that every State has a customs department that is already gathering this information. Their obligation under an ATT should be to publish this data on international transfers in an annual report.

Only if States commit to greater transparency will they be more accountable for their arms trading and transfers and thus better ensure our collective security. The small Caribbean states, long-suffering victims of armed violence and many European States are showing much greater enthusiasm for transparent reporting than any of the larger States such as India, China, Russia or the US. Many are still undecided. If States dilute transparency and accountability under the ATT, they will be forsaking their responsibility to save lives in Africa and the rest of the world.

Amnesty International will be blogging through the week-long deliberations on the Arms Trade Treaty taking place at the UN in New York.

 

Will Zimbabwe probe suspected phone hacking?

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 14/07/11

In view of the fact that the FBI has opened an investigation into
allegations that the News Corporation sought to hack into the phones of Sept
11 victims, will Zimbabwean authorities launch their own probe since 6
Zimbabweans were reportedly killed or went missing in the tragic attack on
the World Trade Centre in 2001?

According to the UK newspaper, The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, 14 July 2011
an FBI source who asked not to be identified told Reuters, "We're looking
into allegations raised by the letter by Peter King yesterday."

Sure Zimbabwe’s authorities should be concerned.

London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com

Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committees and Status of Bills Series [Public Hearings on Human Rights Commission Bill 18-23 July]