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Mkapa: a new role for an old pretender

The Zimbabwean

Tanzania's former president Benjamin William Mkapa is about to step onto the
international stage and play lead in an on-going play called 'Getting rid of
Robert Mugabe and restoring democracy to Zimbabwe.' TREVOR GRUNDY, who has
watched the rise and rise of this highly intelligent and erstwhile socialist
survivor since the days when they were both young journalists in Dar es
Salaam in the late 1960s, says that he must be mindful that everyone who has
trod the boards before him has not only had the misfortune of breaking a leg
but also of experiencing the loneliness of being booed off the stage.
Can Ben Mkapa, who is now 68 and often only available in a Swiss clinic
because of the severe gout caused by his devotion to rare red meat and rich
red wine, succeed where so many other African lead actors have failed?
When South Africa's Thabo Mbeki played the part of mediator between Robert
Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) he got the
slow handclap.
When Mozambique's Joaquim Chissano who was Mugabe's best man when he married
his second wife Grace strutted his stuff on the stage, a few ripe oranges
and moldy apples landed his way.
When Nigeria's Olesegun Obassanjo ranted and raved like Othello on speed the
audience walked out.
"But Ben just might pull this one off, " said a veteran media Commonwealth
watcher in London this week. "He's a very clever man and he received his
political education sitting at the feet of Dr Julius Nyerere who survived
for 24 years. Ben is very pro-British, very committed to the Commonwealth
and he's said 'off the record' that there can be no forward movement in
Zimbabwe until Mugabe goes but that he must be honoured during his departure
even if he really deserves an appearance at The Hague.
"Ben Mkapa is one of the best African leaders to ever come to power," says
Jim Adams of the World Bank. "He was able to safeguard Nyerere's reputation
as Father of the Nation while making Tanzania acceptable in the eyes of the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund."
Anyone who thinks that Mkapa is going to be a Mugabe stooge when he starts
trying to repair the damage caused by 26 years of Zanu (PF) rule in Harare
does not know the man. Almost everyone in the independent African media is
predicting a terrible defeat for Mkapa.
"No hope for Mkapa's mediation," screamed a headline in this paper recently.
"Mkapa mission doomed" shouted a long report by Njabulo Ncube in the latest
edition on The Financial Gazette, one of the few quasi independent papers
still functioning in Mugabe's impoverished land of 11.5 million people.
"Mkapa needs divine intervention from Zimbabwe" said a headline over a
report by Dianna Games in the Johannesburg Business Day.
But in the loyal to Mugabe press, Benjamin Mkapa's "appointment" as mediator
(without approval of the SADC leadership which meets again in Lesotho on
August 17 when the question of who is funding Mkapa and what's his brief
will be put under the microscope) between Britain and Zimbabwe is another
story.
Zanu (PF) officials reminded me in a series of telephone calls I had with
them this week: "When President Mkapa came to see us last October to say
goodbye and thanks before he stepped down as president, he spoke about
President Mugabe in glowing terms."
There's no doubt in my mind that out of touch leaders in the Zimbabwean
government - many now in their dotage including Mugabe - know next to
nothing about the real Mkapa. They have only seen him perform in a role he
does so well - a praise singer for failed African leaders.
He got used to that while working so long for Julius Nyerere, first as one
of his editors then as one of his ministers. These are but a few things he
has said publicly about Robert Mugabe, perhaps the most failed and dangerous
African leader of them all:
"A new leadership is emerging in Africa that cannot accept tutelary
relationship with our erstwhile colonizers. A new leadership which would
rather listen to its elders such as Cde Mugabe, thus being faithful to the
counsel of the African saying -The one who listens to the voice of the
elderly is strong like a tree, the one who turns a deaf ear is like a twig
in the wind."
"There is no gainsaying Cde Mugabe's outstanding record of struggle against
colonialism and minority settler rule."
But if you think that this highly respected journalist, former foreign
minister, English Literature honours graduate from Makerere University and a
man who survived being a speech writer for the anti-Nyerere'traitor' Oscar
Kambona hasn't a good word to say about anyone in the West - think again.
When Tanzania's Dr Nyerere died in 1999, Mkapa paid tribute to Tony Blair
and Her Majesty's Government for looking after Mwalimu.
In 2001, he grew even closer to Tony Blair after Tanzania spent £28 million
to supply Dar es Salaam with an air traffic control system. British
ministers disputed Oxfam's claims that the money could have been put to
better use - feeding children and educating them, for instance. Mkapa is
also seriously on-side Tony Blair and George Bush in the world hunt for
terrorists.
It should not be forgotten that the East African coast is a breeding ground
for the fervent anti-Western (anti-Christian) unemployed juvenile Islamic
militants.
Reports so far recall that all the other African leaders who took on the job
of reconciling Mugabe with democracy failed miserably. Predictably, they are
being presented to Zimbabweans as members of a sort of "Rogue's Gallery"
Mbeki, Obassanjo and Chissano are pictured together under the headline
"Prophets of Doom." But Mkapa is not in that league and his picture will not
hang in that gallery for, I believe, the following reason.
After the disastrous Nyerere years when Tanzania was left bankrupt and when
it was the African state most in debt to the West after decades
of'self-reliance' policies, Presidents Mwinyi and Mkapa had to pick up the
pieces and start all over again without de-constructing the myth of Mwalimu.
Mkapa did that job brilliantly while privately acknowledging that Dr
Nyerere, had been badly'misled' by a collection of mildly idiotic
intellectuals from Western universities playing out their political and
economic fantasies in an African Disneyland.
He is going to be on a mission not to keep Mugabe where he is but to see he
makes a dignified exit so that the West, led by Britain and the EU, can pump
into Zimbabwe billions of dollars in a massive salvage exercise.
His plan - say highly informed sources in Dar es Salaam - is to seek a way
of saying goodbye to Mugabe without humiliating that clever, proud and (I
think) once potentially great man.
Already Western diplomats in Harare are ending a long silence and making
what they think are constructive suggestions.
On Thursday (July 20) American and French statements out of Harare suggested
that what's needed is for Mugabe to come to terms with his own people, not
Britain, and above all to stop pretending that the world hates him and
boycotts him because of his land policies.
Mugabe has suspended democracy. The people want it back. "Why not re-engage
in political dialogue, as we propose, which would allow you to resume links
which have been broken or slackened.and after all.if you accept to discuss
with foreigners, why not talk among Zimbabweans as you are? " said an oddly
worded (or poorly translated) statement from the French Ambassador, Michel
Raimbaud.
None of them - so far - are analyzing what exactly Mkapa could  contribute
to this the latest attempt to bring Zimbabwe in from the cold or why this
man has such special qualities to help dismantle the regime of a tired
stubborn old man. And if anyone thinks he will tolerate yet another
ear-bashing ceremony on the merits of scientific socialism, the need for a
new form of communism (even non-alignment) to tame the USA, the EU, the
World Bank and the IMF they should all think again.
Rather than going to Harare to prop up that grumpy old octogenarian despot,
Mkapa of Tanzania - I believe - is going there to make straight the way for
investors once the curtain finally falls on Robert Mugabe.
Rotten fruit or a standing ovation? Ben Mkapa will be as keen as everyone
else who cares for Zimbabwe to read the reviews.

Mkapa co-chairs ICF
On June 1 this year in Cape Town Ben Mkapa was appointed co-Chairman of the
Investment Climate Facility for Africa whose chairman is the ubiquitous
Niall FitzGerald KBE, former Chairman of Reuters.
The ICF will be launched in Africa later this year, around the time Ben
Mkapa steps into the limelight. It is a public private partnership, funded
by companies, bilateral and multilateral donors and working in close
partnership with African governments and regional organizations such as
NEPAD.
British Prime Minister Blair and International Development Secretary Hilary
Benn have confirmed that the UK Government will provide US$30 million over
three years to the ICF facility in Africa. Royal Dutch Shell plc and Shell
Foundation have also announced that they will contribute a combined total of
$2.5 million over five years and Anglo American has confirmed that they
would also contribute $2.5 million over the same period of time.
"This new and exciting facility will act on key obstacles to doing business
in Africa," says Mkapa. "Together we can remove the obstacles that stand in
the path to Africa's prosperity."
And one of those hard to jump over obstacles is Robert Mugabe.


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Starving villagers arrested

The Zimbabwean

Police round up 12 children and 56 adults from Killarney squatter camp
BY MARTINE STEMERICK
BULAWAYO - Trouble has stalked the starving villagers of Killarney ever
since their homes were destroyed during Murambatsvina.  But life got even
tougher last Tuesday when police raided the squatter camp, rounding up 56
adults and 12 children who were imprisoned overnight in a Bulawayo jail.
Thanks to the intervention of Bulawayo's ministers, everyone was released
without charge by Thursday morning.
The trauma of the arrest frightened the children and vulnerable adults,
several of whom had to be taken for medical care. Thursday found one of the
pastors on his way to hospital with several of the people from Killarney who
had spent Tuesday night and most of Wednesday in jail -- and not for
anything they had done.
The police rounded up 56 adults and 12 children, mostly youngsters under 5,
and put them in jail. The police said they were worried about thieves and
malcontents hiding at Killarney, but the pastors, who know their flock,
reassured them that these people are simply the very old and the very young:
any one who can flee has left long ago to find their way across the border
to look for work.
Killarney's ministers did not have any food for the people in jail, but
colleagues had some maize porridge, so the churches were allowed to feed the
Killarney residents in prison.  The shivering unfortunates were put in an
open enclosure, all huddled together. The children shook with cold and fear.
There were not enough blankets to go around.
The villagers were finally freed late Wednesday.  The police did not charge
them with any offence, so the pastors were allowed to get them out of jail
without paying fines. When the pastors finally got everyone released, those
who required medical care were taken to the hospital.  The sad truth is that
the poor of Killarney are dying daily of cold and lack of food. Bulawayo
ministers had a service at Killarney on Sunday to praise God and give thanks
to generous donors for graciously providing blankets and a bit of food.
Because of charitable donations, 150 families now have one blanket for the
whole family.  There are no beds: those were destroyed during Murambatsvina.
The whole family sleeps on a bit of cardboard on the freezing cold earth,
with one blanket and whatever clothes they possess piled on top of them.
Their makeshift shelters are covered with bits of discarded plastic or
whatever else they can scrounge.
According to their pastor, blankets are not the first priority:  food is.
The poor are dying each week of cold, exposure, but most of all, lack of
adequate food.  Two of Killarney's young families lost their small daughters
last week:  one little girl was 15 months, the other was 18 months.  Both
girls were buried on Monday.  The police attacked on Tuesday, adding further
stress on the precarious lives of vulnerable under-fives and stick-figure
adults.
Water is hard to come by. There is no borehole at Killarney.  Women walk 5
kilometres to the nearest river to fetch water for cooking, drinking,
washing.  Three-hundred and fifty blankets are still needed.  In three
weeks, however, the land will begin to warm up again.  Winter is almost
over. Killarney's pastor says food comes first.
 "Food remains the most scarce and unaffordable commodity here. We have done
our best for the winter at least for some of them and I would pray that if
resources allow me to go and buy maize meal, sugar beans or matemba etc."
Most of the families at Killarney have seven or eight members. They require
at least a 50-kg of maize meal per month, as well as sugar beans, kapenta
fish, cooking oil, bath & washing soap, salt.
If funds were available, the good people of Killarney would like to help
themselves by implementing some small-scale development projects: poultry
keeping, vegetable gardening, sewing, goat rearing, and so on.
"We hope that as the Lord provides some of the above so that the people will
gradually become self-supportive," said the minister. - The full interview
describing the arrests and the situation at Killarney can be heard on "Zim
Alive"  on www.swradioafrica.com for two weeks via the Archive option.
Charitable contributions for the people of Killarney can be made to:
Alvaston Methodist Church - The Zimbabwe Fund.  c/o Revd Dr Martine
Stemerick, 478 High Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5AL


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Police torture NCA members

The Zimbabwean

HARARE -The NCA is deeply concerned at the barbaric treatment by the police
of its members who spent more than four days in police cells in Mutare and
Harare last week.
"The police behaved as if human rights do not exist and subjected our
members to inhumane and brutally treatment. In Mutare where our remaining 10
members were released on Z$500 000 bail, one of the members is battling for
his life after he was assaulted by the police to reveal who was their
leader. We have since instructed our lawyers to sue the police," said NCA
spokesman Madock Chivasa.
In Harare, 128 NCA members were released on free bail on Saturday.  They had
been denied food while in custody. One of them, Evidence John, collapsed
from hunger."We were denied access to her to take her to a private doctor
after the police took her to Parirenyatwa Hospital and she could not be
treated as doctors were on strike," fumed Chivasa.
"We will be in the streets soon to demonstrate specifically against the
brutality of the police. After that we resume our quest for a democratic
constitution," he added.


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Harare residents vow to step up demos

The Zimbabwean

HARARE -Despite new arrests, residents have vowed to continue marches and
demonstrations in an attempt to force the authorities to negotiate over the
collapse of services and the illegal commission running the capital.
Eighteen  members of the Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA), who
demonstrated July 19,  were released July 20 from police holding cells.
They paid $250 000 admission of guilt fines and face charges, which their
lawyers will contest under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
"Our arrest by the police was a blessing in disguise,"said Israel Mabhoo,
acting head of CHRA."This is the beginning of more demonstrations to come
until we are able to sit down and be consulted as residents. We will
continue as CHRA to demonstrate against the illegal commission running the
City of Harare until the billing system is rectified, until an elected mayor
and councillors are in place and until the government recognise that
residents want a clean city." The residents are also demanding that the
central authorities reverse immediately the reappointment of the commission
led by the Sekesai Makwavarara who CHRA says is semi-literate, and hold
elections..
Mabhoo said the association was prepared to mobilise thousands of residents
and if it meant filling up all the police stations in Harare, so be it.
Margaret Mavhura, 33, from Mufakose was caught up in the demonstration and
frightened when arrested. But she said the experience had hardened her
resolve and she signed up to CHRA.
Shamiso Matari, 37, of Mabvuku, said the police beat up the arrested
demonstrators, adding,"If more people become brave and join the struggle,
Harare will be a better place for us all."
Thirty-year-old Getrude Kuudzehwe, who joined the protest from Kuwadzana
Extension, said,"We were baptised . Harare is ours and Sekesai Makwavarara
and her other opportunists must be prepared to face thousands of us on a
weekly basis."-Own Correspondent


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The real cost to the region of the Zim crisis

The Zimbabwean

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
BULAWAYO - The main impact of the collapse of the Zimbabwe economy has of
course been on its own people. However, sight should not be lost of the
wider impact. To give any impact study real meaning, we should start by
estimating where the Zimbabwe economy might have been if this implosion had
not taken place. That would then suggest levels of regional trade and the
multiplier effects that could be used to assess the possible impact of such
growth and stability on the other countries of the region. Zimbabwe sits
astride regional power and transport systems and at one time had the most
advanced and developed financial and industrial sectors, after South Africa,
in the region. At one stage it was the largest trade partner of South
Africa, Zambia, and Malawi on the continent and was also a major trading and
services partner for Botswana and the Congo with a lesser position in
Namibia, Mozambique and Angola. After South Africa we also had the largest
tourism industry in the region. The year 1996/97 is arguably the last year
when the Zimbabwe economy was still functioning on a "normal" basis. If this
is taken as a base line and the social, economic and trade situation to 2006
expostulated over a period of 10 years, the results would be:
Factor                                1996/97            2005/06 (Estimated)
2005/06 (Actual)
GDP (US$ billions)               8,4                    12.9
4.4
Tourism (visitors)               1 200 000         2 500 000
280 000
Exports (US$ billion)             3,4                     5.78
1,4
Foreign Aid (US$ million)      800                   1200
350
Imports (US$ billion)             4.2                      7.4
1.8
Agric Output (US$ billion)    1.554                 2.564
500
Mining Output (US$ mill)       672                   1176
780
Employment                       1 400 000         2 030 000
850 000
Population                        12 500 000        14 790 000
10 500 000

When you look as these figures, the effect of the implosion over the past 10
years can clearly be seen. The assumed rates of growth in these numbers is
modest - 4 per cent per annum in GDP, more in exports driven by rising
export receipts in mining and agriculture as well as tourism. It should be
noted that the tourism industry in South Africa has doubled in size since
1995.
The regional impact is obvious - in 1996 we were the largest trading partner
for South Africa in Africa - trade in both directions at about R1 billion a
month with imports from South Africa growing rapidly. By my estimates South
Africa could have been exporting goods to Zimbabwe to the value of at least
US$2,5 billion a year by 2006 perhaps even higher. All these exports would
have been in the form of manufactured products with high multiplier and
employment effects in the South African economy. This element alone points
to a loss of potential exports to Zimbabwe by South Africa of something
approaching US$10 billion in 10 years.
If the region had not suffered from the effects of the Zimbabwe crisis
internationally there can be little doubt that tourism would have risen
faster than it has - by how much is difficult to estimate. Some of this
potential has found its way to Botswana and Zambia but most of it has been
lost - perhaps to the extent of 3 million potential visitors to the region
in 2006. In the form of jobs this is equal to 375 000 jobs in the tourism
sector alone.
In terms of capital flight, it is estimated that Zimbabwe has been loosing
up to US$500 million a year in capital stock to capital flight. In South
Africa the net loss of capital is in the order of a billion Rand a month -
about three times the level of capital flight from Zimbabwe. The difference
is that Zimbabwe is in a deep political and economic crisis with damaging
and negative economic policies. South Africa on the other hand has pursued
conservative economic policies and has made a remarkable transition from
what it was before. Other SADC States all have positive net capital
inflows - but resource based rather than based on either the investment
climate or confidence in those countries as a developing services or
industrial economy.
Without the negative impact of the Zimbabwe crisis it is possible that South
Africa might have experienced perhaps 2 per cent more real growth in GDP per
annum than it has actually achieved since 1994. This is equal to US$2,6
billion a year in additional GDP growth. Combined with capital flight of
about half this figure this represents a loss of potential economic activity
of US$4,3 billion a year. No developing country, especially a country like
South Africa, with 40 per cent unemployment, millions homeless and extreme
rural and urban poverty, can ignore such a loss of economic potential
without running the grave risk of instability in the longer term. That is
exactly the price that South Africans are paying for Mugabe's delinquency
and bad government.
If you lift Zimbabwe out of the SADC economy and study what is left, the
picture is pretty good. Angola, Mozambique and Botswana are all headed for
growth above 8 per cent; Zambia is not far behind while South Africa's
economy, boosted by the massive surge in mineral and precious metal prices
is also likely to grow strongly. That leaves the minnows of Malawi,
Swaziland and Lesotho - all showing growth but at lower levels. If you then
had Zimbabwe also recovering and perhaps growing strongly, its economy
fuelled by tourism, mining and agriculture, you would see stronger regional
growth overall - perhaps of the order of 1 to 2 per cent. That's the
difference between making an impact on poverty and unemployment - and not.


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Zim's health delivery system on deathbed

The Zimbabwean

BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe's embattled administration has started
roping elderly retired nurses and doctors back into service as it battles to
contain an unprecedented loss of medical professionals migrating in droves
from the crisis-torn country.
Retired nurses and doctors, some as old as 75, have been called back by the
quasi-government body, the Health Services Board, to fill thousands of posts
at dilapidated public healthcare centres across the country reeling from
acute staff shortages. The retirement age for medical personnel in Zimbabwe
is 65 but government last week announced it was recalling all retired staff
to fill the void.
The total recall of retired health professionals comes as unrest at
government hospitals reaches fever pitch with nurses threatening to join a
strike by junior doctors that entered it's third week this Monday. The
industrial action over salary hikes and car loans has forced the health
delivery system to a grinding halt. Thousands of patients were being turned
away at Parirenyatwa and Harare Hospitals and similar scenes of chaos were
reported at state hospitals in Bulawayo. "As long as they (retired doctors
and nurses) feel they are still able to work, we would not mind having them
back in service,"an apparently desperate Health Services Board acting
chairperson Joyce Kadandara told shocked business executives at a
fundraising event of Chitungwiza Central Hospital last Friday.
Dr Kudakwashe Nyamutukwa, president of the Hospital Doctors Association,
told The Zimbabwean medical staff were going abroad"to earn enough money to
live on." "The current gross salary of Z$57 million (for a junior doctor) is
not in line with the stature and nobility of this profession," Dr Nyamukutwa
said, adding medical professionals such as doctors who envisioned lives
of"modest prosperity"for their families are finding themselves struggling to
cover their bills. The Zimbabwean heard that Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo has
only three staff obstetricians who deliver more than 11,000 babies a year.
The other two are on loan from Cuba, and go home for several weeks each
year. The hospital should have at least six obstetricians. Mpilo handles
many of the most difficult cases in the region but is currently operating
with just one general surgeon instead of three to serve its 1,037 beds.


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Facing the Wrath of an Ailing Regime


            An interview with Zimbabwean journalist Matthew Nyashanu

            Ambrose Musiyiwa

           Published 2006-07-28 08:01 (KST)

      Matthew Nyashanu is a Zimbabwean teacher, journalist, political
analyst and media commentator currently living in the United Kingdom.

      He is a member of the Zimbabwean Association of Journalists in the
Diaspora.

      He writes for a number of newspapers, particularly zimbeat,
www.zimbeat.com and since 2002 he has been a contributor to SW Radio Africa
where he presents a political commentary program.

      Nyashanu is also the U.K. spokesperson of the Zimbabwean opposition
political party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

      In addition to this, Nyashanu is one of the founding members of, and
spokesperson for, the Diaspora Vote Action Group, which took the Zimbabwe
government to court in an effort to secure the right to vote for Zimbaweans
living outside the country.

      In a series of ongoing emails and telephone conversations that started
in January 2006, Matthew Nyashanu spoke to Ambrose Musiyiwa about the
Diaspora Vote Action Group and the hardships journalists are facing in
Zimbabwe.

      What motivated the Diaspora Vote Action Group to take the Zimbabwe
government to court?

      We were motivated by the fact that despite getting independence in
1980, many Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora were unable to exercise their
basic fundamental right of choosing the leader they preferred. Other
countries in the region, countries like Mozambique, for example, have been
able to put such arrangements in place.

      Who else was involved in these efforts?

      The court case was actioned by seven people namely Matthew Nyashanu,
Makusha Mugabe, Emily Madamombe, Lincoln Makotore, Jefta Madzingo, Brian
Makuzva and Farai Maruzani.

      How did you go about it?

      We set up a website and we received a lot of support in the form of
signatures from Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. We also had a very wide press
coverage, which helped us to reach far and wide in terms of building a
support base. The only problem we had was that of paying legal costs but we
managed to fork the money out of our own pockets.

      Although the Zimbabwe government still would not allow Zimbabweans
living abroad to vote, I believe that our campaign was successful. Our
action exposed, to the world, one of the many ways the Zimbabwean people are
being oppressed by President Robert Mugabe's regime.

      How did your participation in this affect you and your family?

      The participation further strained my relationship with the Zanu PF
administration and I am viewed as a traitor especially for suing them from
U.K., the former coloniser and number one enemy to Zanu PF. Because of that
and because of my broadcasts and writings I am one of those not allowed in
the country by the regime.

      What would happen to you if you returned?

      Anyone trying to fight for justice and anyone trying to inform the
international world about the dark side of President Mugabe's rule is likely
to face the wrath of the ailing regime.

      In Zimbabwe just before Christmas, last year, a number of journalists
were arrested. More journalists have been arrested again this year. What, in
your view, is the Zimbabwe government's motivation for these and other
arrests?

      The journalists were arrested because the Harare administration is
under immense pressure following their unplanned land seizure and the
establishment of political thuggery in the country. Zanu PF is looking very
insecure especially after demolishing the shelters of poor urban dwellers
and moving them to remote and unsanitary places like Hopely Farm.

      These arrests are a well-calculated strategy to put on hold the free
flow of information -- especially the information disseminated by the
independent press. The government is hoping to create a vacuum of
information on Zimbabwe and, in this way, make sure that the inhumane way,
in which it is treating its citizens, remains a secret. This is also meant
to induce fear in all journalists and human rights activists wishing to
square up with the regime.

      Although these arrests may induce fear in the media fraternity, in
another way they will make journalists to grow stronger in their quest to
expose the wrong activities of this despotic regime.

      What would you advise journalists currently living and working in
Zimbabwe?

      The way forward for journalists in Zimbabwe is to keep the pressure on
by reporting all the abuses coming from this regime. The journalists should
also, where possible, file stories with international media organizations to
make sure that the regime is exposed for what it is.

      ©2006 OhmyNews


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Abusive Policies Disrupt Progress on HIV/AIDS


27 Jul 2006 20:25:28 GMT
Source: Human Rights Watch

 (London, July 28, 2006) ? The Zimbabwean government's abusive practices,
coupled with inadequate health and social welfare policies, are undermining
the country's progress in the fight against AIDS, Human Rights Watch said in
a report released today. Despite a drop in HIV prevalence rates from 25 to
20 percent between 2000 and 2005, Zimbabwe is still battling a serious
HIV/AIDS crisis. Up to 1.6 million people are living with HIV in Zimbabwe,
but only 25,000 of the 350,000 people in immediate need of antiretroviral
drugs have access to treatment. More than 3,000 people are dying per week.

The 72-page report, "No Bright Future: Government Failures, Human Rights
Abuses and Squandered Progress in the Fight Against AIDS in Zimbabwe,"
documents how abusive policies and practices by the government are fueling
the HIV/AIDS epidemic, increasing vulnerability to infection, and
obstructing access to treatment.

"Zimbabwe has been hailed as a 'success story' in the fight against AIDS,"
said Joe Amon, director of the HIV/AIDS program at Human Rights Watch. "But
abusive government policies are blocking treatment for those who desperately
need it and making even more people vulnerable to infection."

The Zimbabwean government's program of evictions has disrupted access to
treatment and healthcare for many people living with HIV. Today, over a year
after the evictions, hundreds of people living with HIV continue to live in
appalling conditions, without shelter or in overcrowded houses. As a result
many are left more prone to opportunistic infections such as pneumonia and
tuberculosis. The evictions also interfered with HIV-prevention efforts; for
example, police destroyed nearly 2,000 outlets providing condoms in the
urban townships during the evictions. The government's crackdown on the
informal sector has also destroyed peoples' livelihoods, increasing the risk
of HIV infection for thousands, and further endangering the lives of those
already infected.

Women, who are already harder hit than men by AIDS in Zimbabwe, have been
particularly affected by the crackdown on the informal economy. Unable to
sell produce or clothing by the side of the road, and unable to find a means
to support themselves or their families, many are forced to engage in
high-risk behaviors including sex work in order to survive, Human Rights
Watch said.

In addition, the government of President Robert Mugabe has done little to
prevent or prosecute domestic violence and violations of property and
inheritance rights. These violations have perpetuated the greater
vulnerability of women and the inability of those infected with HIV to seek
and receive effective care.

"The Zimbabwean government must recognize the incendiary effect of human
rights abuses on the HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Amon. "Unless Mugabe's
government puts an end to these abuses, tens of thousands more people will
become infected, and the gains it has achieved in the fight against AIDS
will amount to nothing."

At the same time, user fees for health services in state hospitals tripled
in March while private sector doctors' fees increased in April by 100
percent. However, the government does not provide sufficient information to
the public on the criteria for exemptions from paying the user fees for
those who cannot afford to pay. Instead, many poor and vulnerable people are
denied exemptions by social welfare officers who fail to properly identify
those most in need of assistance.

The government has recently pledged to scale up access to antiretroviral
treatment from 25,000 to 70,000 people by the end of the year. But thousands
of people are unable to access treatment because of a lack of public
information about antiretroviral therapy policies. The government has
neglected to inform individuals who test HIV-positive about the eligibility
criteria for antiretroviral therapy and it has failed ensure that medical
providers follow national antiretroviral therapy guidelines. These failures
have resulted in people being turned away from the treatment and care that
they need and are eligible for.

Although nongovernmental organizations are central to the fight against
HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, they are often subjected to harassment and
intimidation by the government's central intelligence officers and local
government officials. The restrictive political environment in the country
has prevented these activists from properly advocating for the human rights
of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The report also examines the role of the international donor community which
has significantly pulled back direct assistance to Zimbabwe since 2000 due
to the government's poor human rights record and failed economic policies.
The report calls on the international community to increase funding to
programs working with people living with HIV/AIDS. At the same time, donors
should continue to call on the Zimbabwean government to respect human rights
and provide an environment that is conducive to effectively addressing the
crisis.

Human Rights Watch called on the Zimbabwean government to respect the rights
of its citizens and show its commitment to fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic by
providing equitable and nondiscriminatory access to healthcare for all
people, reversing those economic and social policies that have the effect of
further impoverishing vulnerable sections of the population, ceasing
policies that prevent and restrict advocacy on the part of people living
with HIV/AIDS, and supporting the efforts of international and local
organizations providing treatment and care to people living with HIV/AIDS.


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Trillions Stashed in Homes



The Herald (Harare)

July 27, 2006
Posted to the web July 27, 2006

Victoria Ruzvidzo
Harare

THE bulk of the $43 trillion in cash circulating in Zimbabwe cannot be
accounted for, with only 15 percent of the money in the formal sector.

It is understood that at least 40 percent of the money is stashed in
people's homes, offices and outside Zimbabwe.

This effectively means that the economy is now largely being driven by the
informal sector where most have turned to illicit deals such as parallel
market trading, hoarding of basic commodities for sale at inflated prices
locally and regionally.

This has compounded Zimbabwe's economic challenges, at a time when efforts
are being directed towards reviving the economy.

Billions of dollars are being channelled to the informal market daily to
meet the demands for foreign currency by the informal traders.

Some big traders are also believed to be keeping billions of dollars in
their houses, largely for underhand dealings, thereby starving the formal
market of cash, particularly during month ends when demand for money is at
its peak.

This explains the long queues that form in banking halls and at Automated
Teller Machines (ATMs) during such periods as the financial institutions
struggle to meet demand.

Of late, long queues have become a common sight even during mid-month.

The growing number of informal traders, now going to as far as China,
Singapore and Dubai, has also contributed to the diversion of large amounts
of money to the parallel market, from where the majority source their
foreign currency requirements.

Sources in the banking sector yesterday revealed that the scenario had
worsened, particularly at a time when the informal sector contributions to
the economy have not been accounted for.

This has resulted in high money supply growth, a factor that induces high
inflationary pressures.

Zimbabwe's annual rate of inflation is at 1 184 percent as of June.

"The sad thing is that a great proportion of the money in the informal
sector has been a source of indiscipline, parallel market dealing and other
such activities.

"Grey forces do not operate through the banking systems," said one source.

Furthermore, although travellers are only allowed to leave the country with
a maximum of $5 million in local currency, many have externalised large
amounts to countries within the region and beyond, where they engage in
illegal foreign currency deals.

This has largely been the result of the growing number of Zimbabweans that
have migrated to countries in the region.

Increased activity in the informal sector has been attributed to the
dwindling formal sector where thousands of people have been retrenched while
companies continue to restructure as they seek to survive the current
difficult operating environment.

The formal sector has also not been able to absorb all the school and
college leavers and some of them have turned to the informal sector for
their livelihood.

However, the informal sector's contributions to the economy cannot be
accounted for. It is, thus, not clear how much some of the legitimate
activities in that sector contribute to the economy.

A substantial quantity of money in circulation should produce a stable
economy to ensure a balanced payment for goods and services. This scenario
demands that authorities balance the ratio of the quantity of money in
circulation and the value of informal and formal trade.

A quantity of money in circulation smaller than needed creates a crisis by
suffocating the economy. An unhealthy situation arises when consumers fail
to get money on the formal market to purchase their needs.

Furthermore, when there is too much money in circulation than the economic
activity, prices may shoot up and consequently fuel inflation.


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JAG Job Opportunities dated 27 July 2006

Please send any job opportunities for publication in this newsletter to: JAG
Job Opportunities; jag@mango.zw or justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
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Ad inserted 29 June 2006

VACANCY:

C.E.O required to Head the Kapenta Industry in Kariba. Good package
depending on applicants qualifications. To start, 1st August 2006. Applicant
required to be good & meticulous administrator & very active (35 years &
above). Please apply to email address: conquest@mweb.co.zw

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Ad inserted 6 July 2006

Workshop Manager Required

Workshop located in Ashbrittle
Work involves water supply systems
Applicant should be approximately 60 to 68 years old, needing to supplement
his pension.  Knowledge of pumps and vehicle maintenance an advantage.
Job covers stock control and workshop activities as well as
telephone/reception
Salary negotiable

Please telephone 091 212 163 for further discussion (evenings 882718)

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Ad inserted 6 July 2006

Operations Manager

"Operations Manager" required for retail shops in Manicaland. Would suit ex
farmer and wife. Age and experience not important. Email aylen@mweb.co.zw"

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Ad inserted 13 July 2006

"Situation Vacant"

Hospital Matron. Borradaile (Private) Hospital, Marondera, requires a Matron
in Charge to start 1st August or later by arrangement.  Applicants must be
registered RGN with at least five years experience in a senior position and
preferably with midwifery and OT certificates.  Apply with CV and references
to
The Chairman, P.O. Box 453, Marondera.

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Ad inserted 20 July 2006

Position Offered:

A permanent position is offered as a live in Nurse/Carer to take care of an
Alzheimer's patient as well as a Stroke patient.  Nurse Aids will be
available to help with night duties.

This position needs to be filled very urgently.  Salary will be discussed
personally with applicants.

Applicant must be willing to live on a farm in the Beitbridge district, and
have a valid passport.

Please phone: Patty on 086-22332/22391 during work hours or 086-22465 at
home or email Patty on
pbristow@iwayafrica.com

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006-07-27

FARM MANAGER REQUIRED

A farm manager is wanted for a large commercial tobacco estate,Karoi north
area.The position requires the management of 80 ha's irrigated & 80 ha's dry
land tobacco,250 ha's of commercial maize,10 - 30 ha's seed maize and 40 ha'
s winter crops.

The successful candidate needs to have previous experience in tobacco and
maize production. Farming diploma as well as mechanical and /or electrical
knowledge would be an added advantage.

The successful candidate is also expected to have strong HR skills to manage
a large work force of at least 300 workers.

The farm Manager will report to the General Manager of the Estate.

A competitive package with a generous performance driven bonus is on offer.

Minimum contract period shall be 2 years but standard offer will be for 3
years. Good accommodation and other related perks are also on offer.

Please send C.V. and references to wajetsi@hms.co.zw

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006

TOBACCO MANAGER REQUIRED URGENTLY

We urgently require a highly motivated and capable Tobacco Manager to run a
commercial unit near Harare. The successful applicant will be an honest,
hard working person who is prepared to put everything into the project to
ensure success.
Please contact Joe Pistorius on e mail agrijoe@hms.co.zw or phone 091 251408
or 335465

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006

WANTED Regional Sales Manager

We are looking for a person in their 30's to aggressively sell Inverters for
our client.  The right candidate must have the following qualities:
* Hard core sales
* Someone who is used to a "small office" set-up
* Ability to manage a team of sales representatives at a later stage
* CV must show a strong sales experience with a preference to 3 years at a
management level
* Ideal candidates would have a background in
electrics/solar/electronics/FMGG/power (battery)/IT sector
* The candidate should be aggressive, focused and result oriented who can
build the market independently
* Main challenges are to identify the right partners as distributors/dealers
and agents
* The role will involve lots of travelling in Zimbabwe and Regionally. There
will be a lot of international exposure.
* Very attractive salary and benefits on offer

If you feel you have all the above experience and qualities, please contact
Sarah to secure a place in the short listing. Sarah Vale Oxford IT.  CFU
Agricultural House, Corner Adylinn Road and Marlborough Drive, Marlborough,
Harare
Tel:309855 - 60 (ext 23), Direct:309274, Fax:309351

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006

Vacancy Offered - General Manager

Our company is looking for someone to fill the vacancy below:

Company: Associated Meat Packers, Harare

Industry: Beef Retail and Wholesale

Position: General Manager.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB: The position is required by the senior executive to
manage, plan and organize the daily operations and activities of Associated
Meat Packers, Harare. The objective of the General Manager is to be a direct
representative capable of making sound business decisions on behalf of the
Managing Director whilst operating AMP Harare as an individual strategic
business unit at a profit and growing.

EXPERIENCE: The incumbent should have at least 5 years experience in the
beef industry or related market(s) and have held a position of
responsibility for a minimum of 3 years. Knowledge in export markets is an
added advantage.

CONTACT:  L. JONES on 04 797868 (Work) or 091 408 881 (Mobile) for more
information and to arrange an interview. Please deliver CV in a sealed
envelope to Associated Meat Packers, 1 Coventry Rd, Workington, Harare -
Attention: Mr. L Jones.

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Employment Sought

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Ad inserted 6 July 2006

Girl Friday

Mature lady seeks position as a Person Friday.  Typing skills, Clerical
work, some computer experience i.e. Email.

Reliable, Honest, Available immediately has own transport.

Prefers not to have to deal with any figure work or money.

Areas - Workington, Light Industrial Sites, Msasa, Newlands, Southerton.

Contact Address: Phone Heather Don on 571737 or Email:  digger@mango.zw

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Ad inserted 13 July 2006

Commercial agricultural representative

I am a former commercial agricultural representative with farming experience
in Zimbabwe and Mozambique (virginia tobacco, burley tobacco,
commercial/seed-maize, wheat, soyabeans, cotton, citrus and pigs); I have
extensive knowledge on the subjects of agronomy, crop chemicals and
veterinary products. Is there anybody out there with something for me?
Contact Stu Taylor on 0204 -2288 or 091-650997.

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Ad inserted 13 July 2006

URGENT POSITION REQUIRED - MANAGERIAL

Divorced, tomboy type female aged 48 seeks urgent position any where in
Zimbabwe.  Due to unforeseen circumstances the position I was to take up
shortly is no longer available and as a result I am available immediately.
I have vast experience in all aspects of Management and Management Training;
Stock Control; Buying; Sales and Sales Training and administration.  My
people skills are excellent and I have no problem working or managing in
Male environments, so would fit in well in most companies.  I consider
myself to have integrity, loyalty and am not afraid of putting an honest
days work or overtime.  I do not have my own transport, but have a valid
Drivers License.

Should anyone wish to discuss the matter, please contact Theresa asap on
(016) 537 any time within the next week.

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Ad inserted 13 July 2006

Typing Service

Don't have time to do your own typing and need someone to take the stress
from you.  Well here I am call on me and I will assist you in any way I
possibly can. I worked for Rio Tinto, Eiffels Flats in 1991 till 1994 when I
left to get married.  I then started working for Carters Transport in Kadoma
and worked for them for 3 years.  I did the creditors and wages side and
used the programs SAGE and Payrite.   I taught myself a lot on the computer.
Then obtained my ICDL in February 2004.  I have done various others projects
on the computer e.g. (Party Invitations, Menus, Order of Services, Cheque
book labels, Typed up an assignment for a student at Black Forbe).

I enjoy baking and cooking, its one of my main interests.  I have catered
for weddings, Company Christmas Parties, Round Table Induction Dinners, 8
years of teas, lunches, dinners for the Kadoma Golf Club and cheese and wine
parties.

Further more details contact myself on the following:-

Contact name        :           Mrs J J Niehaus
Email address       :           stealthtec@zol.co.zw
Mobile number       :           011-403718
Home number         :           04-300430/433

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Ad inserted 20 July 2006

Farming Experience

48-year-old farmer with 23 years diverse farming experience, 23 years
tobacco, maize, beef, sheep, and 10 years floriculture. No dependents. Phone
091233165 / 04499817. Email    bobz@zol.co.zw

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006

Ex Farmer

Ex Farmer/Consultant and Agronomist for Alliance One Tobacco aged 50 years
living in Zimbabwe with 23 years experience in growing tobacco, maize, seed
maize, horticulture, beef cattle, pigs, chickens.  Excellent management,
administration and communication skills, computer literate, full clean
drivers licence.  Was runner up' Tobacco Grower of the Year' in 1985.  Spent
last 2 years consulting for Imperial Tobacco Group in Madagascar on the
production of flue-cured tobacco.
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.  CONTACT Jack Readings:  011 600 636; 011 602 538 or
04 701170/3 or email: heather@karina.co.zw

Can send CV if necessary.

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Ad inserted 27 July 2006

Hospitality Industry

Single male with vast experience in the Hospitality Industry seeks
position.5 years experience in Lodge/camp administration /management .Please
contact William on 091 774 523 or 091 398 730 ,working hours 09-60727 or
0838 261 or E-mail at william@byo.masiye.com

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For the latest listings of accommodation available for farmers, contact
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw (updated 27 July 2006)

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