Robert Mugabe pins his hopes on poll chaos

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

BY:JAN RAATH, HARARE From: The Times July 23, 2013 12:00AM

LIKE a python, the tail of the queue begins narrow, in single file, but it
trebles and quadruples in width as it stretches over a corrugated iron
walkway and far into the distance.

Those at the front struggle through a narrow gate into the yard of Makombe
building, the headquarters of the registrar-general of Zimbabwe. When they
finally do get inside, they can register to vote.

It is midday on the last day of registration for the elections on July 31. I
greet an elderly man in a cloth cap in the queue.

"I want to vote, but in four hours I have not moved from this place," he
said. Robert Mugabe has, so far, given up violence as a means to stay in
power. Instead, his strategy appears to be to clinch victory through chaotic
organisation and frustration.

Untold thousands have given up waiting at the understaffed registration
centres. Young voters on the electoral roll make up less than 5 per cent of
the population. A million names have been removed from it, while others have
been moved en masse across constituencies. The process is as transparent as
jam.

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Yet, there is little audible anger in the queues among those who grimly hang
on, are turned away or just give up. People don't talk politics openly here,
nor in the din of beerhalls, and not even in the relative privacy of a kombi
taxi. This is a country where the head of the opposition MDC party's youth
movement is facing jail for calling Mugabe a donkey.

Seven months short of 90, Mugabe, who became prime minister in 1980 and
president in 1987, is on the campaign trail again. Waving a bony fist, he
appears in a cheap cotton suit and baseball cap printed all over with his
name and his picture. He makes vulgar remarks about his opponents and warns
against the evil of whites.

His rally in Harare packed out three football fields, his supporters dressed
in new issue yellow Zanu-PF T-shirts and caps. Many are rural poor, bussed
in.

Yet great swaths of this silent population still carry wounds from the
brutality inflicted on them by Mugabe's party after the first round of the
2008 ballot. They were punished for "voting the wrong way".

Mugabe's rich old generals believe their rank and file are loyal. In April,
they and their families were ordered from their squalid barracks to go to
register. But Zanu-PF's strategists appear not to have done their arithmetic
from the elections in 2008. In Harare central, which is dominated by two
large police camps, the MDC won by a landslide.

Zanu-PF points to a US survey a year ago that said Mugabe's popularity had
surged since that election and that he would pip Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC
leader, in a new ballot.

They ignored the fact that 25 per cent of the sample refused to state their
preferences. In quiet, brief conversations I have wherever I go, I am told,
in a word or a glance: "It is enough now."

SA’s Zulu silenced as SADC yields to Mugabe

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

Posted by Alex Bell on Monday, July 22, 2013 in South Africa | 3 Comments

Lindiwe Zulu has been silenced by South African President Jacob Zuma
By Alex Bell
SW Radio Africa
22 July 2013

South African President Jacob Zuma has silenced a key member of his Zimbabwe
facilitation team, Lindiwe Zulu, after appeals by Robert Mugabe to rein her
in.

Zulu, who is also Zuma’s international relations advisor, has been the focus
of ZANU PF’s outrage in recent weeks because of her outspoken and honest
appraisal of the situation in Zimbabwe. Most recently Zulu told some media
houses that things in Zimbabwe “were not looking good,” and that Zuma was
unhappy with the situation ahead of elections.

These comments have further infuriated ZANU PF, which has already been
taking aim at Zulu for other statements, including that the region ‘hoped’
that Zimbabwe’s elections would be extended by a month. Calling her Zuma’s
‘terrier’, and a “frustrated and needlessly loquacious woman”, ZANU PF
analysts have used the party mouthpiece newspaper, the Herald, as a platform
to direct its anger at Zulu.

Mugabe, who also joined in the attacks on Zulu by calling her an “idiotic
street woman,” on Saturday made a public appeal for Zuma to rein her in.

“…may I say that persistent negative voice from South Africa. . . could it
please be stopped. I appeal to President Zuma to stop this woman of theirs
from speaking on Zimbabwe. We were given one facilitator with one mouth and
that is President Zuma himself; that’s the voice, the only voice we want to
hear,” Mugabe told a rally in Gwanda.

Mugabe’s appeal was followed by a statement on Sunday by Zuma’s spokesperson
Mac Maharaj.

“The Presidency has noted with great concern, recent unfortunate statements
made on the situation in Zimbabwe, which have been attributed to a member of
the technical team supporting the Facilitator, President Jacob Zuma,”
Maharaj said.
He added: “A number of statements have been made during the facilitation
process which have been unauthorised and which are regrettable and
unfortunate. Some of the utterances have also been inaccurate.”
Maharaj told SW Radio Africa on Monday that from now on, it will only be
Zuma that will be the authority on what is happening on Zimbabwe,
essentially meaning Zulu has been silenced. Calls to Zulu went unanswered on
Monday.

The statement from the South African Presidency also coincided with official
communiqués from the regional SADC bloc and the African Union (AU), which
both discussed Zimbabwe over the weekend. Both communiqués have drawn
criticism from some quarters in Zimbabwe, for appearing to ignore the
current real threats to the holding of a credible election next week.

This includes the lack of real reforms as promised by the Global Political
Agreement, a chaotic special voting period witnessed last week, and claims
that the voters roll is being actively manipulated to ensure a ZANU PF
victory.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said on Monday that the SADC and AU
positions “critically indicate that the region is prepared to ignore strong
evidence in support of electoral process manipulation in Zimbabwe.”

“Once again the region is placing relationships before principles-the major
root cause of corruption and mismanagement across Africa. The AU’s statement
at its meeting in Ethiopia and SADC’s vow that it will stand by the country
to ensure the vote will be ‘credible enough’ clearly points out to the fact
that the region is prepared to sacrifice principles in order to preserve
warm historical relations with Zimbabwe,” the Forum said.

The Forum’s Director Abel Chikomo told SW Radio Africa that Zimbabweans
should not expect more from SADC and the AU, calling them an “elite club of
leaders,” who have their own interests at heart.

“We are expecting too much from SADC and the AU because they are a club, and
they will always be there to protect each other’s interests. You’d be stupid
to think they will admonish Mugabe or ZANU PF, when they know they need
Mugabe,” Chikomo said.

ZUMA: South Africa regrets unauthorised statements on Zim -
http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=15771

Pfebve arrested for putting up Tsvangirai posters

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
SW Radio Africa
22 July 2013

The MDC-T parliamentary candidate for Bindura North, Elliot Pfebve, was
arrested on Friday in Mount Darwin for putting up posters of party President
Morgan Tsvangirai.

The aspiring candidate, who was leading a campaign team of 12 people, spent
the night in police cells and was released on Saturday without facing any
charges.

‘They saw us putting up posters of our president, literally painting the
trees red along the Bindura-Mount Darwin road. By the time we got to Darwin,
the police were waiting for us and falsely accused us of tearing down
Saviour Kasukuwere’s posters,’ Pfebve said.

He added: ‘These are the intimidating tactics that ZANU PF use during each
election. You could tell the officers were getting instructions from ZANU PF
officials and we were kept in cells until Saturday. What frustrates us is
the fact that we were kept overnight for something that we didn’t do.’

In Manicaland on Friday renowned human rights lawyer and MDC-T parliamentary
candidate for Chikanga-Dangamvura constituency, Arnold Tsunga, was arrested
for participating in an illegal procession. 50 party supporters were also
arrested at the same time. Tsunga and some party supporters were detained at
Dangamvura Police Station while the others were at Mutare Central Police
station.

According to reports all of them were released on Saturday after paying
US$20 admission of guilt fines.

Lawyer Passmore Nyabureba, who was representing the 50, said his clients
were accused of participating in a procession with about four vehicles in
Dangamvura Ward 6, without authorization from police.

Chief Justice refuses to hear insult law challenge

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
SW Radio Africa
22 July 2013

Zimbabwe’s Chief Justice has refused to hear an urgent application
challenging the country’s insult laws, saying it will only be dealt with
after elections.

The case, filed by MDC-T Youth Assembly leader Solomon Madzore, was an
attempt to have the notorious Section 33 of the Criminal Code struck off as
unconstitutional.

The application is the first to challenge the constitutionality of the law,
which has been used repeatedly to arrest Zimbabweans for allegedly
‘insulting’ the President.

Madzore himself was recently the victim of this, after referring to Mugabe
as a ‘limping donkey’ who should be put out to pasture. The MDC-T youth
leader was arrested and held in detention for two weeks.

Madzore, who is the MDC-T candidate for Dzivarasekwa, had filed his ConCourt
application hoping to have the matter heard on an urgent basis and before
elections, arguing that the law violates three constitutional rights – the
right to campaign, the right to hold and communicate opinions, and freedom
of expression.

But Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku on Monday said the challenge will only
be heard after the election on July 31st, because the matter is not ‘urgent’.

Expensive vehicles for ZANU PF candidates

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

Gerry Jackson
SW Radio Africa
22nd July 2012

The independent NewsDay newspaper has reported that ZANU PF has provided and
estimated US$10 million to purchase vehicles for their aspiring candidates
in the elections.

The paper says that according to the vehicle maker’s South African website
the purchased Ford Everest vehicles cost between R384,800 to R450,800. Based
on the number of vehicles the newspaper believes has been purchased, this
equates R100 million, or US$10 million.

NewsDay says ZANU PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo confirmed the development but
would not provide more details.

The paper went on to say that on Saturday, several aides of a number of
politicians from Matabeleland and elsewhere were seen driving the brand new
cars. Some of the candidates seen with these new cars, by the paper,
included Bubi outgoing legislator Clifford Sibanda, the aspiring candidate
for Bulawayo Central Mlungisi Moyo and Godfrey Malaba who is after the
Pumula seat.

Some senior party members like Mines and Mining Development minister Obert
Mpofu sent their aides to collect the vehicles on their behalf.

NewsDay said they had received some reports that aspiring candidates used
the vehicles as pirate taxis, to raise the money for fuel. One of them said:
“Some of us went with fuel coupons when we went to collect the vehicles. I
think some just went thinking the party would pour fuel and were found
wanting when they discovered that it was not the case.”

“Some were forced to carry people along the way so that they could raise
money to buy fuel.”

Meanwhile the Herald has reported that ministries have been ordered to
surrender their government vehicles by Tuesday, so that they can be used for
the election period.

The Public Service Commission chairman, Dr Mariyawanda Nzuwah, said those
who defy the order would have the vehicles impounded by the police.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has been requested to stop and impound
unsurrendered vehicles with effect from Wednesday 24th of July 2013 and to
immediately escort the vehicles to the nearest CMED or Public Service
Commission office.”

The vehicles range from one-tonne trucks, 10-tonne trucks, single cabs, twin
or double cabs to all utility vehicles.

Electoral Body Concerned by 'Inflammatory' Language use Ahead of Polls

http://www.voazimbabwe.com/

Irwin  Chifera
22.07.2013

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says it is concerned by the use
of inflammatory and controversial language by political parties, candidates
and the media ahead of the July 31st national elections.

The commission said in a statement Monday it is investigating a number of
complaints from across the political divide on the use of inflammatory
language and hate speech.

ZEC said political players in the country and the media must avoid language
that incites conflict and violence.

VOA has it on good authority that most of the complaints were from Zanu PF
and the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai against private
and state media respectively.

MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti said the party is worried no steps are
being taken to curb what he says is hate speech in some sections of the
media, in particular the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

The Electoral Act, particularly Section 1J, compels the media to treat all
political parties and candidates equitably but so far that has not been
reflected in the way they are covering the political campaigns ahead of July
31.

The latest daily election report by the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe
shows the ZBC has been censoring coverage of MDC-T rallies while its reports
are heavily biased in favour of Zanu PF.

The report says some sections of the private media were also biased against
Zanu PF.

Director Ernest Mudzengi of the Media Centre in Harare says the problem of
hate speech can be tamed if the culprits are brought to book.

He told VOA politicians are the chief culprits and their co-operation is key
in resolving the problem.

Meanwhile as preparations for the polls gather momentum, the Public Service
Commission has started mobilising government vehicles to use during the
elections.

Mariyawanda Nzuwah, chairman of the Public Service Commission, in a
statement Monday directed all heads of ministries to surrender trucks with
carrying capacities ranging from one to 10 tonnes for at the CMED and public
service provincial and district offices around the country.

The vehicles are required to transport election personnel and elections
materials to all parts of Zimbabwe.

Nzuwah requested the Zimbabwe Republic Police to impound vehicles that would
not have been surrendered by Wednesday.

ZBC attack adds target Tsvangirai’s sex scandals

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

21/07/2013 00:00:00
     by Reuters

THE country’s sole television station, state-owned and tightly controlled by
President Robert Mugabe, is targeting the private life of his arch rival
Morgan Tsvangirai with "attack ads" aimed at discrediting him before July 31
elections.

In the adverts, three former lovers reveal how they were dumped by
Tsvangirai, 61, before Mugabe's ZANU-PF party chimes in to tell voters that
the prime minister is unfit for office.

While there are many questions about the tone and taste of the adverts in
the socially conservative southern African nation, the message is rubbing
off on even die-hard Tsvangirai supporters, who say he has only himself to
blame.

"Five years ago, I would have risked my life for Tsvangirai. I would have
assaulted anyone who insulted him," said Gerald Mlambo in the eastern city
of Mutare, a Tsvangirai stronghold.

Now Mlambo is sufficiently racked by doubts to stay away from a nearby
stadium where deafening music and a huge crowd chanting anti-Mugabe slogans
are revving up for a campaign rally appearance by his one-time idol.

Tsvangirai's sex scandals, along with his failure to deliver on key promises
while in government, have steadily eroded the almost messianic support he
once enjoyed among many of Zimbabwe's 13 million people for daring to
challenge the three-decade rule of the ruthless and cunning Mugabe.

Since the death of Tsvangirai's wife Susan in a car crash in 2009 - the year
after he and Mugabe sealed a power sharing deal - the prime minister has
fathered a child with a 22-year-old woman and been locked in a court battle
with another lover.

The Harare media also feasted on the claims of a South African woman who
said Tsvangirai ditched her by SMS after a two-year affair studded with
expensive, exotic holidays.

"Desparate"
Tsvangirai's supporters point out that Mugabe, 89, has also been no angel in
his personal life, having fathered two children out of wedlock with Grace
Mugabe, a secretary 41 years his junior whom he married after the death of
his first wife, Sally.

But Tsvangirai's troubled private life has been a gift to propagandists
working to ensure Mugabe carries on as president, a post he has held since
independence from Britain in 1980.

For the prime minister's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the campaign
ads merely serve as proof that Mugabe and Zanu PF have nothing to offer the
country.

"They are desperate," MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said. "Thank God, no
one is listening and people are going to dump them come July 31 because our
country needs politicians and leaders who focus on policies."

But Tsvangirai faces criticism over his track record too, after five years
as prime minister in the South Africa-brokered unity government under Mugabe
that followed the bloody and disputed 2008 election.

His first promise was to end an economic crisis that had triggered inflation
of 500 billion percent, unemployment of 80 percent and a stream of economic
refugees into South Africa, Zimbabwe's larger southern neighbour.

On that front, he has largely delivered: scrapping the worthless Zimbabwe
dollar in early 2009 stabilised prices and since then the economy has
bounced back strongly.

But as memories of the economic meltdown have faded and the grind of
day-to-day government has set in, the former trade unionist has lost some of
his shine.

MDC-headed ministries have struggled to deliver promised dams and
electricity plants and to overhaul dilapidated water and sewage systems,
while the questions have mounted about Tsvangirai's character and ability to
govern.

Dimming hopes
"They promised so much and delivered so little. I don't buy the nonsense
that Zanu PF is to blame for our condition," said John Cheukai, a
40-year-old labourer at a Mutare timber firm.

"Tsvangirai has a responsibility to manage his life in an exemplary manner.
Based on some of the things we have seen from the MDC, people are not so
hopeful anymore."

While there are no formal opinion polls, surveys conducted by Freedom House,
a U.S. political think tank, and African research group Afro-Barometer give
Mugabe a narrow lead.

Critics say Tsvangirai is woolly on policy and weak on principles, pointing
to how readily he dropped opposition to Mugabe's homophobia and seizure of
white-owned farms, and how he took up the fight for media and security
reform only weeks before the election.

His lieutenants argue Tsvangirai has taken the strategic view of pushing
through a new constitution that balances power between the president and
parliament, while parking other issues on the sidelines until the MDC comes
to power.

The path to power remains far from assured.
"The MDC ran most of the local councils very badly," said 50-year-old
financial analyst Boniface Chirandu in the town of Chimanimani.

"That, coupled with issues over Tsvangirai's private life, has persuaded
me - and I'm sure others too - that the MDC cannot take our vote for
granted."

Mugabe's selective memory - Mawere

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

MUTUMWA MAWERE  •  21 JULY 2013 10:21PM

HARARE - In an article published in the Herald on Saturday, July 20, 2013,
titled: “President pledges to resuscitate ailing industries”; President
Robert Mugabe who addressed a star rally at Somholo Stadium in Lupane is
reported as having lamented that Zimbabweans had been robbed of proper
leadership during the last five years because of a dysfunctional government
that he led.

It is common cause that the industrial decay in Bulawayo did not start with
the advent of the inclusive government but one can legitimately conclude
that the voting patterns in Matabeleland since the entry of the MDC into the
political community of Zimbabwe has reflected a general sense of exclusion
by the people living in the region.

Mugabe who has been at the helm of all the post-colonial administrations
appears to have a selective and self-serving memory.

He continues to make the point that the inclusive government has been
dysfunctional as if to suggest that a Zanu PF-led government would have
fared better in running the government alone.

Only a five-year-old person would not know what it was like before birth but
for all the eligible voters who will have the opportunity to express their
will on July 31, 2013, the version proffered by Mugabe appears not to be
backed by reality and honesty.

The fact that the economy appropriately described by Gideon Gono as a
“casino economy” was on its knees and the government had lost legitimacy is
an open secret as is my vote.

Supermarket shelves were empty and factories were closing and the few that
were operating were short of working capital and the Zimbabwean currency was
not worth the paper used to print it.

It is difficult for one to understand the kind of world that Mugabe has been
living in that permits him to conclude that if elected; industries that were
on their knees even before the GPA will be resuscitated.

He blames his coalition partners for throwing spanners into so-called State
programmes clearly oblivious of the fact that the State was broke and the
dollarisation was unavoidable even under a Zanu PF administration exposing
the extent to which the State had already been undermined by bad economic
policies.

A state can only mirror what is happening in the real economy.

Before the emergency of the inclusive government, the gloom and doom that
characterised the economic climate was self-evident.

A person who takes responsibility for past failures normally deserves a
second chance and not a seventh chance.

It is evident that in Mugabe’s make believe world, he is blameless and so
are the people who are in the wagon that he has been pulling for the last 33
years.

Mugabe’s circle will never have the incentive to tell him what time it is.

Surely, it cannot be time to hallucinate about the future of 13 million
innocent people.

He made the point that: “We have moved together with the MDCs and people are
now able to judge their performance and personality. You now know ukuthi
ngabantu abanjani. Things have been going down and down, especially in
Bulawayo.”

In making the above statement, Mugabe must have known that the buck for any
success or failure ought to stop at him and over the last five years, there
is no doubt in any rational mind as to who was in control of all the organs
of state.

There is no doubt that the personality and character of the inclusive
government is reflective of Mugabe’s own backward-looking, partisan and
inflexible personality.

Whenever Mugabe goes on leave, cabinet also takes leave and it has been
generally the case that anything that he approves of carries the day.

With respect to the performance of the government, any fair person will say
that, were it not for the inclusive government, the country would be worse
off.

There is no suggestion from Mugabe as to precisely what, if any, he would
have done differently had he been in total control of the government.

Even Mugabe would admit that the passengers in his wagon have contributed to
the collapse of the economy.

It is significant that Mugabe observed that: “People have suffered enough
and we want to give them a government that will correct the wrongs done in
the last five years” and in so doing exposed his ignorance about the real
causes of the Zimbabwean economic and political quagmire.

The people of Zimbabwe have been drifting with no defined flight path and
each year of independence that was expected to deliver the promise of a
better life for all has turned out to be a nightmare and this was the case
before the inclusive government and will definitely be the case if Mugabe is
re-elected.

In making the above observation, it is clear that the president associates
all the wrong things with his political enemies forgetting that the people
he trusts most are in reality his worst enemies.

In fact, the so-called wrong things have protected the people from the
actions of a predatory state.

I have no doubt that the people of Mashava and Zvishavane know better that
their predicament is solely a product of the Zanu PF element in the
inclusive government and if they vote with their brains they have no choice
but to do the right thing on Election Day.

Mugabe also made the point that: “Although Zimbabwe got $500 million under
the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) towards boosting the economy, the
funds have not been accounted for by Finance minister Tendai Biti” as if to
suggest that he abdicated from his responsibilities as the Head of
Government.

If, indeed, Biti stole $500 million as implied by the statement, then surely
in the interests of the nation, Mugabe must know better how to have
responded to the alleged theft than to use the elections to assassinate the
character of his own colleague in cabinet.

The constitution gives Mugabe powers to act as well as to allow Biti to be
afforded the same protections that are enshrined in the constitution yet in
this case; it would appear that the Father of the Nation is the judge, jury
and executioner.

It is also striking that to the extent that there is an allegation of theft;
Mugabe appears to be helpless against Biti and this, if anything, suggests
that Biti has done a good job in reigning in the president from abusing the
SDR funds because in the Zanu PF fashion, the money would have been directed
towards projects and programmes that serve the personal interests of the few
that make it on Mugabe’s wagon.

Mugabe also made the point that: “We had said part of the money must be used
to resuscitate companies in Bulawayo, but Biti said he would give only $20
million, which was not enough.

“The rest of the $500 million, we do not know where it went to;” as if to
suggest that the state collapsed under his watch to allow ministers to do as
they wish.

Observations have been made that ministers under the watch of an 89-year-old
gatekeeper have now been so creative as to allow for the creation of
fiefdoms in the State while the Chief Magistrate dwells in fantasy.

Biti continues to make his case about the missing diamond revenues and yet
his boss would not want to be part of any conversation that puts a Zanu PF
minister under the spotlight.

With respect to civil servants who have watched helplessly as their quality
of life has diminished even before the emergence of the inclusive
government, Mugabe whose propensity to blame political enemies for anything
is legendary had this to say: “Promises given to civil servants have not
been fulfilled and this is not the Government worth living for.

“So this is what has been happening;” confirming the view that he is really
out of touch with reality.

He then proceeded to make the point that: “Even our farmers have not been
getting Government assistance with inputs and farm implements,
businesspeople also cannot get money. The same is the case in our hospitals
and schools, which are struggling.” Mugabe must know and appreciate the
limits of a bankrupt and isolated state.

Such a state cannot be expected to be a Salvation Army to farmers and
institutions of State.

The income that the state needs has to come from a source.

The principal culprit in preventing funds from being generated and accessed
is the very same person who asks the questions.

The world has already spoken that it is ready to re-embrace Zimbabwe in the
Commonwealth of Nations only when a credible, free and fair election is
conducted and it does not take a genius to know that the expectation is that
the elections can only be free and fair if Mugabe loses.

What is being said loudly is that Zimbabweans have the obligation to do the
right thing otherwise the economic woes that the country faces will not end.

The president then went on to say that Zanu PF had since crafted plans for
raising capital towards revitalising the economy and improving service
delivery as espoused in its election manifesto.

If credible plans existed to turn the fortunes of the economy around, then
surely such plans would not need to wait for 33 long years to be
implemented.

The president would do better by looking himself in the mirror and ask the
question whether the world is wrong in concluding that the major problem is
with the man in the mirror.

The man has failed to change himself in 33 years and if it is the case that
the man does not see any need to change, then surely it is up to 6 million
Zimbabweans to remove the mirror and do justice to what needs to be done on
July 31, 2013 to herald a new error of responsibility and accountability.

Be a man - Tsvangirai challenges Mugabe to TV debate

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

THELMA CHIKWANHA, POLITICAL EDITOR  •  22 JULY 2013 12:46PM

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has challenged his arch rival and
partner in the coalition government, President Robert Mugabe to a live
television debate to discuss their party policies ahead of elections
scheduled for next week.

Tsvangirai was speaking to thousands of people who attended the MDC rally at
Mkoba Stadium in Gweru yesterday.

In more progressive countries, politicians take part in televised debates
where they get the opportunity to articulate their policies to the
electorate.

In other mature democracies like the United States of America, such debates
have a huge bearing on the outcome of the election.

If Mugabe accepts Tsvangirai’s challenge, it will be the first of its kind
in Zimbabwe.

But in the past, Mugabe has turned down such challenges and in the current
campaign, the 89-year-old Zanu PF presidential candidate has been criticised
for spending campaign hours dwelling on history instead of pushing through
his party’s policies for the people if he is re-elected.

“As we move closer to the election, I am also challenging Mugabe to a live
debate on television, where each one of us will articulate our policies on
how to make Zimbabwe a better place.

“I am challenging all the presidential candidates to a public debate so that
Zimbabweans can see who has the best plan to uplift the lives of
Zimbabweans,” Tsvangirai said.

The MDC leader said he was not afraid of such a debate as his party had
clear people-oriented policies.
“This is a defining election because it is the last mile,” he said.

Mugabe has been resorting to history lectures and has failed to articulate
well, the party’s largely unsuccessful indigenisation policy which has
benefitted only a few elites in Zanu PF.

In Chinhoyi last week, thousands of supporters walked out as he was
delivering one his long history lectures.

The veteran Zimbabwe leader together with his wife Grace, have also resorted
to personal insults targeted at Tsvangirai.

Yesterday, Tsvangirai added that Mugabe’s recent attacks on Sadc, a regional
bloc which saved his political career after he lost the March 2008 election,
was shocking.

“I beat Mugabe in 2008. He admitted as much to me but claimed that
“Tsvangirai, you thrashed me but you did not manage to get enough votes to
avoid a run-off. Of course, I told him he was saved by Sadc.

“So, I am shocked that Mugabe now wants to pull Zimbabwe out of Sadc. He
forgets they protected him. Sadc and I gave him a soft landing. He is an old
man so we had to give him that soft landing. Now he says to hell with Sadc.
That’s what happens when someone is in a false comfort zone,” Tsvangirai
said.

Tsvangirai also promised to transform the governance culture which has been
there for the past three decades where Zanu PF failed to separate government
business from party issues.

“This has been one of Zimbabwe’s foremost challenges since 1980. Zanu PF had
become the party and the government. Even in the distribution of food and
services, one was forced to produce a party card.

“When you are a government leader, you don’t discriminate on the basis of
political affiliation. You serve the people equally,” he said.

The MDC leader also said government should not rule by fear but should show
love.

“You don’t use violence against your own people,” Tsvangirai said.

He said an MDC government would fire all non-performing ministers.

“An MDC government will have zero tolerance towards corruption because
corruption has eroded the ability to distribute the country’s wealth
equitably. We are a rich country with poor people. Only a few are enriching
themselves while the rest are suffering,” Tsvangirai said.

According to Zimstats, 63 percent of people in Zimbabwe are poor while 16
percent are extremely poor and as a result, one in three children under the
age of five are chronically malnourished.

“In agriculture, farms were grabbed by a few elites who are failing to
utilise the land. We cannot even feed ourselves anymore. Zimbabwe, once a
breadbasket of Africa, is now a basket case. We have been reduced to being a
nation of beggars,” Tsvangirai said.

Zimbabwe is set to import 150 000 tonnes of maize meal from Zambia to
alleviate hunger.

First Lady, Grace Mugabe, while donating maize meal and salt to hungry
villagers in Gwanda during a campaign rally, promised she would send more
maize to area when stocks bought in Zambia arrive.

Grace’s statement was clear confirmation that the Zanu PF government had
destroyed agriculture hence resorting to importing from Zambia, a country
which before the land grab exercise used to depend on Zimbabwe for maize.

Tsvangirai said social services like education, health and water would also
be transformed into functional entities once his party got into power.

He said women would have free cancer testing and treatment. People living
with HIV/Aids will also be entitled to free treatment.

Tsvangirai Says he Remains Open to an Election Pact With Ncube

http://www.voazimbabwe.com/

Taurai Shava
21.07.2013

GWERU — With just ten days to go to the elections, MDC-T leader Morgan
Tsvangirai says he is still open to the idea of an alliance with his
erstwhile colleague and the MDC’s founding secretary general, Welshman
Ncube, who now leads a smaller formation of the MDC.

Addressing thousands of supporters in Gweru’s Mkoba Stadium Sunday,
Tsvangirai said it was imperative that ‘progressive forces’ united to remove
President Robert Mugabe from office.

Despite Ncube’s declaration that he would not enter into an election
alliance with Tsvangirai, the MDC founding president said if the former MDC
secretary general is serious about addressing challenges facing Zimbabweans
today, he should be willing to join him and others in a coalition to avoid
splitting the vote in favour of Mugabe’s Zanu PF come July 31.

Tsvangirai spoke as he completed his so-called six-day presidential victory
rallies in the southern region of Zimbabwe where he pledged that an MDC
government would ensure that all collapsed industries are resuscitated.

“All the industries that have collapsed due to Zanu PF’s mismanagement and
corruption will be reopened by the next MDC government as we have policies
in place that will create conditions that are conducive to encourage
investor confidence and job creation,” said Tsvangirai.

He said the MDC would create an industrial fund to assist distressed
companies and in the process help in creating jobs for the people of
Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai challenged President Mugabe and other presidential aspirants in
the 2013 election to a national debate telling his supporters that such
debates – which are common in most democracies during election time -
provide voters with an opportunity to hear what the aspirants have to offer
the electorate, helping them make informed choices.

Tsvangirai said there won’t be any retribution against alleged perpetrators
of violence during the Gukurahundi era despite calls from some of his
supporters for alleged abusers to be brought to book.

Instead, he said, his government would put in place a truth and
reconciliation commission to look into the alleged atrocities and ensure
victims are adequately compensated.

After the Gweru rally, Tsvangirai, who was accompanied by his wife,
Elizabeth, and other senior party officials, including his deputy Thokozani
Khupe, and Mavambo Kusile Dawn leader Simba Makoni addressed another meeting
in the neighboring town of Kwekwe.

On Tuesday, Tsvangirai resumes his campaign in Mashonaland East province,
where he will be at Kotwa, Mutoko and Murewa before continuing on Wednesday
in Zaire, Wedza and Mahusekwa all in the same province. On his part Mugabe
will be in Manicaland on Tuesday, Masvingo on Thursday, Saturday in Bulawayo
and Sunday in Harare.

Aliens protest at ZEC offices

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/

22.07.13

by Nelson Sibanda

Representatives of disenfranchised aliens have today staged a demonstration
march at the Zimbabwe Election Commission Headquarters in Harare, demanding
for their right to register as voters.

The more than 50 placard wielding demonstrators from around Harare, demanded
that ZEC register them in time for the July 31 harmonised elections. Some of
the placards read “ZEC PLEASE REGISTER US”.

The demonstration took police at ZEC offices off-guard, as they managed to
sing protest songs and drop placards at the main entrance.

They later dispersed without any arrests as police and ZEC staff shut the
main gate and watched the protests from a safe distance.

“All we want is our constitutional right to vote in coming elections,” said
a protestor who chose to be identified as Lillian from Mabvuku.

Though the constitution provides that aliens should formalise their
citizenship and participate in the electoral process like every other
citizen, a few former aliens managed to register as voters due to
frustrations caused by the Registrar General and ZEC offices.

The window period given the aliens to formalise their citizenship and
register as voters, was too little given the hurried elections. This
resulted in thousands if not millions of the former aliens failing to
register for coming elections.

“Some requirements before one formalises citizenship were made unrealistic
by the powers that be, to disenfranchise millions of former aliens who are
suspected to be MDC,” said another demonstrator who chose to remain
anonymous.

There are an estimated 2 million former aliens in Zimbabwe, most of who were
former farm and mine workers. Children to the former aliens were also
affected by the alienation of their parents from the mainstream citizenry.

“We are required to bring our parents to the RG’s office before the
citizenship restoration process begins. Parents should have hard to access
documents as supporting evidence,” said an alien who watched the protests
from a distance.

After the new constitution was adopted, ZEC told the former aliens that they
could register as voters like everyone else and that there was ample time to
do so before elections are held.

ZEC asked The Zimbabwean to forward its questions in writing, regarding
possible responses to demands made by the demonstrators.

The Zimbabwean is yet to get a response from ZEC while efforts to get
comments from the RG’s office were fruitless. Zimbabwe is going to the polls
next week with some 2 million potential voters feared disenfranchised.

Summit warns on Zimbabwe election

http://www.irishtimes.com/

Organising credible poll by July 31st deadline will be difficult, leaders
warn

Bill Corcoran

Mon, Jul 22, 2013, 01:00

A regional summit tasked with assessing the preparations for Zimbabwe’s
upcoming general elections has warned that organising a credible poll by the
July 31st deadline will be difficult.

The assessment by regional leaders who attended the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) peace and security meeting in Pretoria on
Saturday has come amid growing concerns that Zimbabwean president Robert
Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party is trying to rig the poll to secure victory.

Zimbabweans will vote on July 31st to end a shaky powersharing arrangement
between Zanu-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change,
which was sponsored by SADC following disputed polls in 2008.

Last month SADC urged Zimbabwe’s government to delay the election to allow
time to apply reforms that would ensure a free and fair vote, giving the new
government legitimacy.

The reforms, agreed to by the signatories of the 2009 deal, would limit the
military’s role in politics, strip ghost voters from the electoral roll and
ensure all eligible voters were registered.

But Mr Mugabe and his allies have ignored the request.

Chaotic
An indication of how chaotic the poll could turn out can be ascertained from
a vote held early last week for members of the security forces who will be
on duty when citizens cast their ballots.

Thousands of policemen and soldiers were unable to vote in two days of
polling due to shortages of ballot papers, indelible ink and boxes.

Putting together an election within a month “is very stressful and to have
everything organised, you know it is quite a mammoth task”, said Tanzanian
president Jakaya Kikwete, who attended the SADC meeting.

“That’s why we are seeing the incidents of the early voters, where half of
them couldn’t vote . . . So it’s going to be a tough election to organise.”

He added SADC would do what it could to ensure the poll was free and fair.

While there have been no signs of the violence that plagued the 2008 poll,
analysts have warned the electoral roll is in disarray and is open to
manipulation. There is also no indication of where the money will come from
to hold the poll.

South African president Jacob Zuma is leading the SADC mediation team on
Zimbabwe, and the regional body has deployed 360 observers to oversee the
poll.

US and European monitors have been banned from participating by Mr Mugabe.

Thousands at Tsvangirai weekend rallies

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

 

Red City ... Thousands turned up for the rally at Bulawayo's White City Stadium

21/07/2013 00:00:00 by Staff Reporters

THOSAUNDS of supporters turned out for rallies addressed by MDC-T leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tvangirai in Bulawayo, Gweru and Kwekwe over the weekend as he steps up his bid to topple President Robert Mugabe in this month's key vote. Bulawayo The MDC-T declared Bulawayo the "Red City" on Saturday as thousands of supporters thronged White City Stadium for Tsvangirai’s Bulawayo province campaign stop. The premier told supporters an MDC-T government can and would do better than Zanu PF, adding there was nothing that President Robert Mugabe and his party could do in the next five years as they had failed in 33 years. “We can do better without Zanu PF,” said the MDC-T leader who formed a coalition government with Mugabe after disputed polls in 2008. “We cannot continue to have a donkey yoked together with an ox. We want to change the way people are governed where we should separate party from government issues unlike what is done by Zanu PF. We want leaders who can be corrected; not that current culture of scaring away people. “There is also the issue of traditional leaders, they do not know their role and act like they are politicians. That culture will be changed because their roles are clearly defined in the new constitution.” Tsvangirai said his government would rejuvenate Bulawayo by reopening factories closed by under Zanu PF and creating more than one million new jobs for Zimbabweans. An MDC-T government would also ensure that the anti-corruption commission is given arresting powers to root out graft in government and local authorities. Gweru   Huge turnout ... From Bulawayo Tsvangirai addressed supporters in Gweru From Bulawayo, the MDC-T leader travelled to the Midlands province on Sunday, stopping first in Gweru where more than 10,000 supporters attended his star rally at Mkoba Stadium. He told them that his government would compensate victims of the 1980s Gukurahundi disturbances as well as establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help end tensions caused by the conflict. “The truth must be told and only when the truth is told shall we be able have justice. We are not talking about revenge, but about revealing the truth on what transpired during the Gukurahundi era so that the nation can be healed,” he said. The MDC-T leader said too much suffering had been caused by the Gukurahundi conflict as well as the Murambatsvina campaign and the 2008 election run-off violence when defenceless people became victims of state-sponsored violence, adding the truth about these conflicts must be revealed so that the country can have enduring peace and stability. Tsvangirai urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to conduct the forth-coming elections in a transparent manner. He warned that decisions such as the printing of eight million ballot papers when there are only six million registered voters in the country put the organisation’s integrity into question. “All these issues will undermine the integrity of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the free and fairness of the coming elections,” he said. Tsvangirai also challenged Mugabe and other presidential candidates to a public debate on television before the elections so that voters can decide for themselves who has the best plan to resolve the country’s many problems. He also urged Welshman Ncube and Dumiso Dabengwa to join forces with his party in the fight to unseat Zanu PF. “If Ncube and Dabengwa really want to change the lives of Zimbabwean, they should join hands with us and help unseat Mugabe.” Speaking at the same rally Simba Makoni of the Mavambo Kusile said he decided to back Tsvangirai after realising that they had short-changed Zimbabweans in 2008 when they split their vote. “We chose one presidential candidate to stand for us and that is Morgan Tsvangirai,” said Makoni. Kwekwe   Last stop ... Tsvangirai addressed his last weekend rally in Kwekwe   From Gweru the MDC-T leader made the short hop to the industrial city of Kwekwe, where he addressed supporters at Globe and Phoenix Grounds in his last campaign stop for the weekend. He accused Zanu PF ministers of helping themselves to state resources while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle to put food on the table, singling out for particular criticism Mines Minister Obert Mpofu. “Zanu PF leaders have been corrupt. We should fight to eliminate corruption so that every Zimbabwean benefits from state resources,” said Tsvangirai who only spoke for about 30 minutes. “You should ask (Mines Minister) Obert Mpofu how much he got from diamond sales. When we inquired he said US$2billion, but where is the money? You should ask him how he managed to buy half of Bulawayo and the resort town of Victoria Falls. “If that money had been put into the national treasury we would have managed to increase civil servants salaries so that we remove the burden of paying incentives to teachers from the shoulders of the ordinary citizen.” He said if elected as president he would c the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Zanu PF ministers acquired their reputed vast riches. Supporting cast ... The PM's wife, Elizabeth also spoke to supporters in Gweru Coalition partner ... Mavombo's Simba Makoni also addressed Gweru Rally The Candidate ... MDC-T candidate, former Radio presenter Ezra Sibanda in Gweru

‘Top-secret dossier’ shows how ZANU PF will steal the election

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Nomalanga Moyo
SW Radio Africa
22 July 2013

Sensational new evidence has emerged of how ZANU PF plans to steal the
forthcoming elections aided by the Chinese and by the Israeli firm Nikuv.

The arrival of the MDC on the political scene in 2000, and its call for
change in the way the country was being governed, spelt the beginning of the
end for ZANU PF.

Since then ZANU PF has continued to suffer losses in its support base, with
even the traditionally loyal rural dwellers rejecting the party that has
promised them much but delivered little in 33 years. Reports also suggest
that factionalism has added another dent to the party’s crumbling support.

It is widely acknowledged that ZANU PF has lost all elections held since
2000, including the disputed presidential poll that gave the country the
current unity government.

Running up to the July 31st poll it is clear that ZANU PF cannot win through
a fair electoral process, and now a British newspaper has claimed that it
has solid evidence that the party is engaged in electoral fraud.

The claims were carried by the Mail on Sunday which said it had secured the
top-secret dossier from sources within ZANU PF outlining exactly how Nikuv
and the Chinese government are assisting the party to rig the elections.

This is not the first time that ZANU PF has been accused of tampering with
the electoral process, considering that political fraud is embedded in the
system. In the past, the party has worked with the registrar-general Tobaiwa
Mudede to invent false voters.

But if the dossier is authentic, it will be the most detailed manual so far
on the tactics and resources at the disposal of ZANU PF, with the Mail
reporting that Nikuv was paid $13 million for its role.

Political commentator Rejoice Ngwenya said: “While it may be difficult to
vouch for the provenance of the document, it is not debatable that ZANU PF
has a culture of cheating, having done so since 1980 and revelations that
they will be doing the same again are not surprising.”

Ngwenya added that ZANU PF knew that the MDCs were alert to its traditional
rigging tactics and Nikuv was offering the regime a statistical and
scientific method of manipulating voter figures, including the
under-registration of youths and over-registration of the elderly.

Following the shambolic voter registration process which saw almost two
million young people and thousands of ‘aliens’ failing to register,
questions were asked whether this was an example of the country muddling
along towards a poll it was unprepared for, or whether this indicated a more
sinister plot to steal the election.

In the past two weeks ZANU PF youths have gone on the offensive harassing
and intimidating people in what the Mail says is part of the plan to use the
militia to ‘neutralise the enemy’.

Already, 45,534 youths have been trained and deployed across the country in
armed militia to ‘stem resistance’, with another 7,343 undergoing training
and ‘mass reorientation classes’ to be ready three days before polling, the
Mail reveals.

Key revelations in the report include:

Nikuv International Projects is being paid $13 million to manipulate voter
registration, counter ‘unfavourable’ results and ‘neutralise’ opposition
votes.

The Chinese government is helping with ballot rigging, advising on voter
intimidation and providing jamming equipment to silence independent radio
stations.

Security forces are adamant that six Zanu PF moderates “must be STOPPED”
from standing. One of the named politicians, Edward Chindori-Chininga, died
last month in a suspicious car crash. His family say it was an
assassination.

Funding for the covert campaign is coming from controversial diamond
companies, the presidents of two African countries and prominent business
figures from Britain, China and Zimbabwe.

Millions of dollars are being directed towards leaders of southern African
countries providing independent election monitors to ‘drum up support for
poll credibility before, during and after elections’.

For more details, please see story in The Daily Mail -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2371951/Proof-Mugabe-buys-elections-Astonishing-documents-evidence-neutralising-voters-millions-paid-systematic-rigging-smuggling-blood-diamonds--ensure-tyrant-89-clings-power.html

Police bar youth sports tournament in Zvimba

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

Gerry Jackson
SW Radio Africa
22nd July 2013

Zvimba police on Friday barred the Youth Agenda Trust (YAT) from hosting a
Play Your Vote Sports Tournament. The sports event was scheduled for Vanad
Mine in Zvimba North constituency on Saturday. The police said there were
unspecified reasons why the event could not take place and revoked the
clearance they had issued earlier.

YAT is involved in various outreach activities as part of their civic
education program and these tournaments are specifically aimed at
encouraging youths to shun violence and ‘positively participate in
elections.’

A statement issued by the group said: “YAT condemns the action by the police
to revoke a police clearance and this serves to confirm widespread fears
that security agents in the country do not tolerate and appreciate the work
the civil society organisations are doing in complementing government work.
YAT also views the latest stunt by security agents as a ploy to create an
uneven playing field. For as long as civil society organisations are not
allowed to conduct their work without hindrance, that election cannot be
said to be free or fair. Realising the incapacities of the country’s
electoral body (ZEC) we maintain that CSOs should be allowed to complement
the body through civic education.

This is not the first attempt to block the youth group from carrying out
their activities. On Thursday last week we reported that one of their sports
tournaments was disrupted by a ZANU PF youth militia group in Mvurwi. The
militia ordered the youths to leave the venue and YAT coordinator, Tonderai
Samhu, was taken for questioning and threatened with death if he dared
organize a similar event.

State House race hots up with 9 days to poll

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
SW Radio Africa
22 July 2013

Presidential candidates spent the weekend hunting for votes in various parts
of the country, with just 9 days to go before the crucial elections.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai took his campaign to Bulawayo, Gweru and
KweKwe, while ZANU PF President Robert Mugabe was in Gwanda for a star
rally, Saturday.

On Saturday MDC leader Welshman Ncube was in Siachilaba in Binga, launching
his party’s election manifesto.

In Bulawayo Tsvangirai urged his supporters to choose their next president
wisely. He told tens of thousands of party supporters that the July 31st
election was a choice between darkness and prosperity.

‘What can they do in the next five years that they failed to do in the last
33 years? he asked, adding that ZANU PF is clueless and voting them back
into power will be retrogressive.

In Gweru on Sunday, the Prime Minister challenged both Mugabe and Ncube to a
public debate ahead of the elections.

‘As we move closer to the election, I am also challenging Mugabe to a live
debate on television, where each one of us will articulate our policies on
how to make Zimbabwe a better place.

‘I am challenging all the presidential candidates to a public debate so that
Zimbabweans can see who has the best plan to uplift the lives of
Zimbabweans.’ Tsvangirai added.

Meanwhile, Mugabe said he would have been arrested for contempt of court had
he not declared July 31 the date for elections.

Addressing tens of thousands of party supporters at a rally in Gwanda,
Mugabe claimed he had no choice but to comply with a Constitutional Court
judgment that polls be held before the end of July.

‘I could have declared July 1 or 2 or 15, but I chose the last day of the
month so that we could prepare for elections, but they still say they wanted
more time. What did you want me to do? I could have been arrested.’

Zim elections: SALC condemns arrest of top lawyer

http://mg.co.za/

22 JUL 2013 19:28STAFF REPORTER

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre has criticised the arrest of MDC
parliamentary candidate Arnold Tsunga and 50 supporters.

“The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) condemns the arrest of MDC
[Movement for Democratic Change] parliamentary candidate Arnold Tsunga and
50 supporters on 20 July 2013, and the banning of a political rally in
Harare,” it said in a statement on Monday.

Arnold Tsunga, vying for a seat in the eastern city of Mutare, was detained
on Saturday together with his campaign team allegedly for holding an
unauthorised rally, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said at the time.

Tsunga is running for the MDC of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, President
Robert Mugabe's archrival.

"They are currently [Saturday] detained at Dangamvura Police Station and the
police have indicated their intention to transfer them to Mutare Central
Police Station," the group said in a statement over the weekend.

In response to the arrests made, SALC called "on the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission and Electoral Observers deployed by the Southern African
Development Community and African Union to investigate and address the
recent incarceration of Mr Tsunga and the cancelling of the political rally
in Harare, and to ensure that the rights of all stakeholders are respected
and protected during this important time,” SALC said.

Zimbabwean parties are preparing for the July 31 vote, which will end the
uneasy coalition between Tsvangirai and Mugabe born of the power-sharing
deal that followed deadly 2008 post-election violence.

'Intimidation of Zimbabwean citizens'
“The disruption and denial by Zimbabwean police of peaceful political
gatherings; the arbitrary arrest of electoral candidates; and the
intimidation of Zimbabwean citizens, violates the rights of freedom of
association, assembly and expression of Zimbabweans, members of the
political opposition and human rights defenders,” SALC said.

Director of SALC Nicole Fritz said, “In the build-up to Zimbabwe’s
presidential elections, Zimbabwe must commit itself to the creation and
maintenance of an environment conducive to political freedom; one in which
no political party, electoral candidate or individual is prevented from
campaigning on the basis of political opinion or affiliation. All voices are
protected and must be allowed to be heard.”

SALC demanded Zimbabwe respect political rights and called on the
authorities responsible for the oversight of activities during the election
period to ensure that the law is not manipulated, abused or applied in
manner that offends the Zimbabwean Constitution

“Section 67 of the Zimbabwean Constitution explicitly provides for every
Zimbabwean citizen to participate in the activities of a political party of
their choice; ‘to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party’; ‘to
participate in peaceful political activity’; and ‘to participate,
individually or collectively … in peaceful activities to influence,
challenge or support the policies of the Government’.”

According to its statement, failure to ensure that basic safeguards to
protect fundamental rights are in place threatens the credibility of the
upcoming elections and brings into question Zanu-PF’s commitment to free and
fair elections. – Additional reporting by AFP

Free Mugabe from fear — Makoni

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

JEFFREY MUVUNDUSI  •  21 JULY 2013 10:33PM

BULAWAYO – President Robert Mugabe and his party Zanu PF are constantly
living in the fear they created for themselves since assuming power in 1980,
former politburo member, Simba Makoni has said.

The Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn president aired these sentiments during an MDC rally
held at White City Stadium on Saturday.

Makoni told tens of thousands of MDC supporters that the July 31 watershed
elections were about casting the “demon of fear” amongst Zimbabweans as well
as Zanu PF and its leader.

“The problem is we are living in fear, some of you are still living in the
Rhodesian era which was filled with fear and that has continued in the new
Zimbabwe. There is no freedom at all,” Makoni said.

“Even president Mugabe himself is afraid. This is the reason why he has
constantly made it clear that he is not leaving. This year we are saying one
of our major targets is of ending fear and to free Mugabe from fear which
has become part of his daily life”.

The former Finance minister who recently entered into a pact with the MDC
president Morgan Tsvangirai and Reketai Semwayo (Zanu Ndonga) said the
reason why the three political parties came together was to foster a new
beginning for a country that has been ruined by fellow blacks.

Makoni said one of the coalition’s major targets was to free even Zanu PF
members who are still living in fear.

“We are inviting mostly those who are in Zanu PF who want change but are
afraid to come out in the open. Some of whom I know always say Simba we
support you but we cannot move out because we are afraid, so we want to free
them as well,” Makoni added.

The MKD leader said he was confident the coalition would get rid of Zanu PF
which discriminates people on the basis of war credentials, race and tribe.

“Since 2008 we realised that had we come into a coalition at a time we could
have crossed.

“So we agreed that this time around under whatever circumstances, we will
win,” he said to a vociferous response from the crowd.

African Consolidated Resources Plans To Build Zimbabwe’s Largest Ever Open Pit Gold Mine

http://minesite.com/

July 22, 2013

By Alastair Ford

Craig Hutton, the new chief executive of African Consolidated Resources,
immediately initiates a conversation on the future of the gold price when
Minesite sits down for a quick bite to eat with him at one of the many City
eateries that have been converted from old banks.

As the conversation progresses the usual factors are brought into play,
namely the tension between the physical market and ETFs, the pent up nature
of Chinese demand, the threat of inflation, which once again seems to be on
the march in Europe, and the likelihood that even now there are further
shocks still to come in the global financial system.

In terms of the latter possibility, recent headlines from Portugal aren’t
exactly reassuring, while ongoing problems in Greece, France and Italy
continue to give cause for concern.

Meanwhile, on the supply side, Craig notes that most of the major South
African mines are loss-making at the current gold price of around US$1,300,
and that supply will inevitably tighten as mines go off-line and fewer new
mines come on stream.

With that in mind, it’s also interesting to see Sprott highlighting that in
the six months to June physical demand from China amounted to over 1,000
tonnes, or roughly 40 per cent of estimated global mine production in 2013.

That is a large amount of physical disappearing into one market, and points
to considerable strength in depth to the case the bulls are now beginning to
reassert after the major retreats of the past few months.

This is all very pertinent to African Consolidated Resources itself, which
recently put out a definitive feasibility study for its Pickstone-Peerless
gold project in Zimbabwe using a 2015 gold price assumption of US$1,350.

Longer-term, from 2016, the feasibility set the gold price at US$1,500, so
clearly for the feasibility numbers to work on the parameters as set a bit
of uplift is required in due course.

Next year though, the assumption is for US$1,250, so at least there is some
wriggle room in the immediate term.

In any case, the bullish assumptions on gold aren’t deterring would be
backers of the project who are now being lined up by Craig and fellow
director Andrew Prelea.

African Consolidated needs an initial US$20 million to get going on the
oxide cap at Pickstone-Peerless and, in spite of the current hostile market
conditions, it’s pretty clear that the money will be found, but not, lest
sceptical investors start running for the exits, through a SEDA.

On the contrary, it seems that debt providers are now vying with each other
on terms.

If that’s true it says something about where the debt markets think the gold
price is going longer term, notwithstanding that Pickstone-Peerless will
actually work at lower gold prices than those used in the feasibility study.

All-in costs for mining the oxide cap look likely to come in at around
US$886, and Craig reckons that over five years or so, using some clever
scheduling and stockpiling techniques, the company should be able to
generate around US$50 million in post tax earnings.

That’s not bad, considering that by that stage only 109,000 ounces will have
been mined, and at a fairly modest 2.74 grams per tonne.

But after that things should get a whole lot better. The US$50 million
generated by the oxide section should go a long way towards paying for the
development of the sulphide section too, the total cost of which is
currently put at US$62.7 million.

Add in the current bank balance as end June 2013 of US$10 million, and the
company’s virtually there already.

And it’s that prospect which goes a long way towards explaining why the
lenders are so interested. For a relatively modest outlay, the company will
be able to put itself in a position in which it will be able to fund a US$60
million development to mine and recover more than 700,000 ounces at an
average in situ grade of 5.1 grams.

And that’s just the mineable reserve. After that’s gone – or more to the
point, while it’s going – there will still be the other 2.4 million ounces
to consider.

It will, says Craig, be Zimbabwe’s biggest open pit gold mine by some
margin, and over the course of a 15 year life – five for oxides and 10 for
sulphides – should generate in excess of US$1 billion.

That’s always assuming a favourable gold price, and favourable politics.
Zimbabwe is not an easy one to call right now, given the history of recent
strife and the pending elections.

But Craig argues that the amount of money that Pickstone-Peerless is likely
to bring into the economy means it is likely to get a favourable hearing
from local decision makers. And, when the company is eventually required to
indigenize, he’s determined that the locals on the ground will receive a
decent share.

Retraction of statement on Happyton Bonyongwe

On 17th October, 2012 I was interviewed on SW Radio Africa in regard to
illegal hunting in the country. During the course of the interview I made a
statement which gave the impression that CIO Director Happyton Bonyongwe was
involved in illegal hunting practices. I have since learnt that Mr Bonyongwe
is not involved in illegal hunting practices and consequently I unreservedly
withdraw the statement previously made and apologise for the embarrassment
caused by any previous statement.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task

An MDC victory will end years of people’s misery

http://www.mdc.co.zw

Monday 22 July 2013

Masvingo – The coming elections will end decades of political misery for the
people of Zimbabwe and give them a better life for all, the MDC provincial
leaders here said at the weekend.

Addressing a series of MDC rallies across the province, senior party
officials said the MDC was determined to end years of anarchy and political
harassment. The 31 July election, said party leaders would mark the birth of
a new era.

Speaking to thousands of party supporters at Renco Mine in Ward 35, Masvingo
South, the MDC provincial secretary, Tongai Matutu said the coming elections
represented the defining moment for the country.

“This election represents the defining moment for our country. Over three
decades ago we engaged in a liberation struggle that we successfully won but
as of now people are more concerned about jobs, food, better education,
health and a prosperous nation,” he said.

“Since 1980, the people of Zimbabwe have experienced political and economic
mayhem, international isolation and severe hardships for our families
because of frightening unemployment but we have been given the opportunity
to determine our future,” said Hon. Matutu.

He added: “We are not amazed by the fact that Zanu PF has pulled out of
Jomic because very soon they are also going to be out of government and they
are pulling out of everything. We cannot elect an 89 year old man to run the
affairs of this country. That is a matter of serious concern. Let the old
man go and take a rest and give a chance to President Tsvangirai.  Zanu PF
is devoid of new policies while our party is very clear on job creation,
food and investment.

“The MDC will work for the people regardless of race, gender, religion and
political affiliation. Our mandate is to build a better future for the
country,” said Hon. Matutu.

Speaking at a separate rally was held at Mudavanhu Business Centre in Ward
12, Masvingo West, the MDC aspiring candidate, Takanayi Mureyi urged
traditional leaders to desist from assisting Zanu PF to subvert the will of
the people.

“Traditional leaders should not be used by Zanu PF to thwart the will of the
people and we are calling on kraal heads to wake up and realise that the
wave of change is blowing .The new Constitution is clear on the role of
traditional leaders but it is sad that some kraal heads here are threatening
villagers with eviction if they do not support Zanu PF,” said Mureyi.

“We are aware that Chief Charumbira is threatening villagers –which is quite
unfortunate .The  MDC is ready to govern the country - this time around
there is no going back –we are ready to win the elctions and form a
government that serves the will of the people,” said Mureyi.

At Gonamombe Business Centre in Ward 1, Masvingo North, the aspiring MP for
the area Noble Farai Mugabe addressed over 2 000 supporters. Another rally
was held at Govere Business Centre in the same constituency on Saturday
where Mugabe party supporters the MDC would definitely win the parliamentary
seat.

Several rallies have been lined up across the province ahead of next week’s
elections, which the MDC will win by an overwhelming margin.

YES - Together we can complete the change!!!

Pre-election Brief Newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of the Free & Fair Zimbabwe Election NewsletterIn the final days before the election, FFZE will be producing a short daily newsletter with the most important headlines in the last 24 hours. For these last few days of the campaign we want to provide people with a brief summary of the day's developments as they happen.   Today's edition highlights the introduction of a privately funded TV station that aims to compete with the current state-controlled media.  We also highlight opposition calls for a televised Presidential debate.  Also included are links to today's tops stories and a featured story about abandoned Zanu PF supporters at a Mugabe rally.  News of the day: Zimbabwe's media has been the topic of the day today.  Zimbabwe's first independent and privately-funded news channel commenced broadcasting over the weekend.  The station, known as 1st TV, is a satellite feed from outside Zimbabwe using a free network received by an estimated 700,000 homes across the nation. The network can also be streamed online, further expanding its audience reach. In the wake of this media launch, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has challenged his political foes to a public debate ahead of the July 31 elections. “I am challenging all the presidential candidates to a public debate so that Zimbabweans can see who has the best plan to uplift the lives of Zimbabweans,” said Tsvangirai. In spite of these calls for openness and transparency from Prime Minister Tsvangirai, a series of attack adverts have been running focussing on his private life.  Today the state-owned media  is targeting the private life of the Prime Minister with “attack ads” aimed at discrediting him before July 31 elections. The adverts portray three of Tsvangirai’s former lovers and messages stating that Tsvangirai is unfit for office.  TOP FIVE STORIES: 1 Mugabe sleeps every five minutes – Ncube 2 Tsvangirai challenges Ncube & Mugabe for a televised debate 3 Bussed in ZANU-PF supporters abandoned 4 S. Africa’s Zuma reins in top Zimbabwe envoy 5 Tsvangirai threatens Zimbabwe elections body FEATURE STORY: Bussed in ZANU-PF supporters abandoned In a terrible logistical blunder scores of Zanu PF supporters, including children, bussed in to attended President Robert Mugabe’s star rally on Saturday, were forced to sleep outside Phelandaba Stadium on empty stomachs after being abandoned by trucks that ferried them into Gwanda. Tens of thousands of supports were bussed into to the stadium to listen to Mugabe speak but were then abandoned without food or shelter.Exhaustion, hunger, and thirst plagued the entire event and were only exacerbated by the police who would not allow participants to leave before or during the event.

Copyright © 2013 Free & Fair Zimbabwe Election, All rights reserved.

Serious irregularities in Zimbabwe elections - Ian Davidson

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/

Ian Davidson
22 July 2013

DA MP says President Jacob Zuma should trade in quiet diplomacy for a
hardline approach

The DA has learnt that there have been serious irregularities in the lead up
to the Zimbabwean election.

This also comes after comments by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attacking
President Jacob Zuma and his international relations advisor Lindwe Zulu for
commenting on problems surrounding the election process. This is indicative
of the South African government's failure to ensure peaceful democratic
elections by the exercising of soft diplomacy in their approach towards
Zimbabwe. This has since led to panic in the South African government ranks
as there is no clear strategy to maintain free, fair and peaceful elections
on July 31.

It is clear that the South African government's quiet diplomacy has done
nothing to curtail poor pre-election preparations and continued aggression
towards voters, especially in rural constituencies. It is now time for
President Zuma to consider a hard line approach.

According to DA election observers in Zimbabwe:

The special vote has been poorly managed as voting began late on both days -
the 14th and 15th of July. It is also understood that the number of those
who cast their votes has been inflated from 44 113 to 69 000. The exact
figure cannot be verified;
Village constituencies are being coerced to vote for the Zanu PF and
threatened with a repeat of the pre-and-post 2008 election violence. A
random register has been conducted by Zanu PF agents to monitor voter trends
in villages;
In suburbs, townships, towns and cities, where people are more likely to
support MDC-T, registration centres were very few and marked by long queues,
resulting in fewer people registering; and
Security personnel including the police and the army are openly canvassing
for Zanu PF.
It is in the interest of the Zimbabwean people, the interest of South
Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa for the
election to be free, fair and peaceful.

Statement issued by Ian Davidson MP, DA Shadow Minister of International
Relations and Co-Operation, July 22 2013

SADC communique on Zimbabwe

Sadc communiqué on Pretoria summit on Zimbabwe, DRC, Madagascar

The Summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation plus Mozambique was held in Pretoria, South Africa on 20 July,
2013.

8. On the Republic of Zimbabwe

8.1 The Summit was pleased to note that all the political parties have
committed themselves to ensuring that the forthcoming elections are held in
a peaceful environment. Summit encouraged the Government, all political
parties and leaders to continue with these commendable efforts which will
help realize credible elections.

8.2 The Summit commended the Government of Zimbabwe for extending an
invitation to SADC Member States to deploy election observers and the manner
in which these Observer Mission has been received in Zimbabwe.

8.3 The Summit commended H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South
Africa and SADC Facilitator for his tireless efforts in ensuring that the
Zimbabwe political stakeholders hold successful elections.

8.4 The Summit noted the problems that arose during the special vote on
14-15 July 2013 and would like to commend ZEC for taking these up as
challenges to be overcome on the 31st of July, and called upon all political
parties to cooperate as fully as possible with ZEC in order to ensure that
it is able to meet these challenges.