Zimbabwe monitors want militia bases destroyed

Associated Press

By ANGUS SHAW , 06.01.11

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- Independent election monitors on Wednesday called for
the immediate demolition of militia bases set up for the president's party
in rural districts ahead of fresh elections.

In its latest bulletin, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said observers
in voting districts reported that bases have been re-established after calls
by President Robert Mugabe for elections this year to end a troubled
two-year coalition with the former opposition. Many of these bases were used
by militants as "torture and coercion" camps during the violent and disputed
2008 elections, the group said.

It demanded the demolition of "these structures of violence which have
created a culture of fear in communities" across the country.

Regional leaders and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party insist
Zimbabwe is not ready for elections this year.

The election network also said its resident observers in many of the
nation's 210 parliamentary constituencies noted a build up of "intolerance
to diversity" and free expression. Human rights violations were continuing
around the country and police still failed to show objectivity in routine
investigations.

"The tension in the air cannot be ignored," the bulletin, covering the past
two months, said.

Tendai Biti, the finance minister and a top Tsvangirai aide in the coalition
brokered by regional leaders in 2009, said Wednesday at least 30 of his
party's supporters were arrested in a police crackdown in the western Harare
township of Glen View since the death Sunday of a police officer there. He
said the number of arrests "is rising."

Biti accused police loyal to Mugabe of trying to portray the former
opposition as the main perpetrators of political violence ahead of a June
regional summit in South Africa slated to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis.

He told reporters many of those arrested since Sunday, who included
activists and Tsvangirai party officials in the township, were assaulted by
police and denied medical care and access to lawyers.

At the funeral of the slain officer Tuesday, senior police officials warned
they would hunt down "traitors" and those who "live by the sword will die by
the sword."

Police allege Tsvangirai's supporters started disturbances in the township
on Sunday.

Tsvangirai's party denied the allegations and in a statement cited witnesses
saying the police inspector was killed when he was hit on the head with a
chair as police intervened to stop a dispute in a township bar.

Biti said police immediately started rounding up known members of
Tsvangirai's party after the killing.

"We call upon the police to fully investigate this matter. The
investigations must be impartial, nonpartisan and professional. This is the
only way that the true perpetrators of this crime can be brought to book,"
Biti said.

Zimbabwe police threaten "war" on opposition after policeman's death

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Jun 1, 2011, 11:39 GMT

Harare - Zimbabwe's police, loyal to President Robert Mugabe, on Wednesday
threatened 'war' against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's supporters, whom
they accuse of killing a policeman at the weekend, media reported.

'The time has come for the police to declare war against all unruly
elements, be they criminals or misguided political malcontents,' police
commissioner Charles Mfandaidze was quoted by the state-controlled daily
Herald newspaper.

His statement came amid reports of widespread arrests in the crowded Harare
township of Glenview as activists of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) went into hiding, fearing a brutal crackdown.

'Those who wish to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword,'
Mfandaidze was reported saying.

He blamed 'opposition political elements' and 'pseudo-democratic malcontents
attempting to make our country ungovernable' for the killing of police
inspector Petros Mutedza, 42, on Sunday.

Police say Mutedza was leading a contingent of riot policemen to break up an
'illegal meeting' by the MDC, when he was hit on the head with a steel
chair. The MDC denies that a meeting had taken place, and say police barged
into a bar with their baton sticks and set off a melee with the drinkers.

The incident has heightened tension in the already troubled coalition
government between Mugabe, in power for the last 31 years, and Tsvangirai,
observers said.

The 87-year-old Mugabe insists on holding snap elections this year, while
critics charge that he has not undertaken the political reform he signed up
to under the power-sharing agreement almost three years ago.

Analysts believe Sunday's incident to be the first death of a police officer
in the 11 years since Mugabe began using the country's security forces to
try to crush the pro-democracy MDC.

In the last elections in 2008, lawyers say at least 200 MDC supporters were
murdered and thousands tortured by soldiers, police and Mugabe's militias.

Police have made no attempt to investigate the killings, but instead have
harassed people seeking the prosecution of perpetrators.

Lawyer Charles Kwaramba said police were hunting down 'anyone in Glenview on
an MDC membership list.' He said he had been refused access to about a dozen
MDC activists who had been arrested on Monday.

'It's really worrying,' Kwaramba said.

Cop killers 'will die by the sword': Chihuri

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

31/05/2011 00:00:00

POLICE chief Augustine Chihuri on Tuesday warned MDC-T supporters said
behind the brutal slaying of a police officer on Sunday that they would “die
by the sword”.

Inspector Petros Mutedza, 42, was honoured in a police parade on Tuesday
following his murder by a mob in Harare’s Glen View suburb on Sunday.

Police have arrested more than two dozen MDC-T activists, including a
councillor, but none had been charged yet, spokesman Superintendent Andrew
Phiri said.

In a speech read on his behalf at Inspector Mutedza’s funeral service,
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said the murder had undermined
the MDC-T’s public boasts of being a peaceful party.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police shall not, and I repeat, shall not sit on its
laurels while innocent citizens of this country, let alone police officers
are being decimated by uncouth opposition political elements in a naïve and
imbecilic attempt to make our country ungovernable,” Chihuri said.
“Those who wish to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword.”

The MDC-T has confirmed the arrest of its supporters but insists that they
are innocent of the charges.

“The arrest of MDC members is a clear attempt by the police and Zanu PF to
try and portray the MDC as a violent party, which it clearly is not," the
party said in a statement. "The MDC is calling for professional,
non-partisan and impartial investigations in this matter.  Only through this
can the real offenders be brought to justice."

Police say Inspector Mutedza was part of a team deployed to Glen View on
Sunday to disrupt an “illegal” meeting that was being held at a nightclub by
MDC-T supporters. The officers were attacked with chairs and bricks.
Mutedza died before he could reach hospital while a second officer was
hospitalised with multiple injuries.

Lawyers Denied Access To Detained MDC Supporters

http://www.radiovop.com

10 hours 13 minutes ago

Harare, June 01, 2011 - Over a dozen Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
supporters who were arrested on Monday by the police remained in custody
after the police on Tuesday denied their lawyers access to their clients who
were picked up and detained following the death of a police officer on
Sunday in the capital.

The human rights lawyers, Charles Kwaramba and Marufu Mandevere of Mbidzo,
Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners, who are members of Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) were denied access to their clients when
they visited Harare Central Police Station, where some of their clients were
detained.

The police told the lawyers that they could not entertain them as they were
holding meetings. The police advised the lawyers that they were still
carrying out investigations and would likely press murder charges against
the detainees on Wednesday.

“We have been told to come back to the police station on Wednesday morning,
that’s when the police said they would be recording statements from our
clients,” said Kwaramba, the award winning human rights lawyer.

The Glenview residents were picked up by the police on Sunday evening and
Monday morning as the police responded to the death of an officer who
allegedly died after a confrontation as the police attempted to break up a
meeting at a shopping centre in the suburb.

Meanwhile the MDC-T youth assembly secretary general, Promise Mkhwananzi,
has gone into hiding fearing arrest for statements he made last month that
police say incited the party’s youth to murder a cop on Sunday.

Police, who have arrested a dozen of MDC T youths, say Inspector Petros
Mutedza, who was allegedly on duty to stop an illegal MDC-T meeting in
Glenview, Harare, was killed by the party’s youths on Sunday.

Mkhwananzi on Tuesday night confirmed police wanted to arrest him in
connection with his statements that police say incited the youths to kill
the cop.

Mkhwananzi last month said MDC-T youths will not stand by while Zanu (PF)
youths and police harass them on political grounds, saying they have
mobilized themselves to fight back and defend themselves against aggression.

He made the comments during a memorial service for murdered Tonderai Ndira,
Cain Nyeve, Better Chakururama and Godfrey Kaunzani that was held in the
country’s capital, Harare.

“I am not staying at home for the meantime. Police have been to me house
looking for me in connection with the killing of the cop.

“From what I understand, police say the comments I made last month must have
incited the arrested residents to kill the cop on Sunday,” Mkhwananzi told
Radio VOP on Tuesday night.

He added that he has decided to go into hiding as feels unsafe since
Augustine Chihuri, the Police Commissioner, on Tuesday also said those
suspected of having a hand in the killing of the cop on Sunday should be
hanged.

Chihuri said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police shall not, and I repeat, shall
not sit on its laurels while innocent citizens of this country, let alone
police officers are being decimated by uncouth opposition political elements
in a naïve and imbecilic attempt to make our country ungovernable. Those who
wish to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword.”

The MDC-T has confirmed the arrest of its supporters but insists that they
are innocent of the charges.

“The arrest of MDC members is a clear attempt by the police and Zanu (PF) to
try and portray the MDC as a violent party, which it clearly is not," the
party said in a statement. "

Dead policeman described as notorious thug by vendors

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Lance Guma
01 June 2011

A policeman killed on Sunday at a night club in Glen View was a notorious
thug who robbed vendors of their wares, demanded bribes and was deeply
unpopular in the area, listeners interviewed by SW Radio Africa have said.

According to the police version of events Inspector Petros Mutedza and his
colleague went to “investigate” a so-called “illegal” meeting which MDC-T
youths were alleged to be holding at the Glen View 3 Shopping Centre. Once
at the venue the two officers, in plain clothes, were allegedly attacked
with chairs and bricks, fatally wounding Mutedza and seriously wounding his
colleague.

But listeners on our Callback programme told us a different version of
events. They said the 42 year old Inspector Mutedza has a long history of
demanding bribes and confiscating goods and is so openly corrupt he has
managed to amass enough wealth to own a fleet of minibuses in Harare.

They say that on Sunday he was involved in an argument with a vendor at the
bar.Two unidentified men who overheard the altercation intervened, telling
Mutedza he was a problem in the community and should stop harassing vendors.
Mutedza responded by slapping one of them in the face, much to the anger of
the other vendors who were drinking beer nearby. A brawl broke out and the
vendors started beating him and his colleague, using garden chairs and
rocks.

A group of MDC-T youths having a barbecue nearby actually came to the rescue
of the policemen who were being beaten up. An eyewitness told SW Radio
Africa if it had not been for the MDC-T youths the other policeman, who
escaped with injuries, would surely have died at the hands of the furious
vendors. Ironically some of these MDC-T youths have been arrested by the
police.

On Wednesday, MDC-T Minister and MP Elton Mangoma told SW Radio Africa that
any loss of life is regrettable. He however made the point that it was the
policemen who went into the beer hall to beat up people drinking beer. “When
someone is assaulted by patrons in a beer hall, it cannot be attributed to
our party. But we see that ZANU PF is trying to make capital out of it and
obviously some elements in the police force are feeding on it to express
their own views.”

Mangoma said over 3,000 MDC-T supporters were targeted in the run up to the
one man presidential election run-off in 2008 and hundreds were killed but
not a single arrest was made. He said they expected the same enthusiasm
police were showing in this case to also be shown in investigating the
perpetrators of the 2008 violence. So far 20 MDC-T supporters have been
arrested since Sunday, most of whom were nowhere near the crime scene.

Party Secretary General Tendai Biti convened a press conference on Wednesday
and called on the police to investigate the murder in an “impartial, non-
partisan and professional” manner. He said this was the only way that the
true perpetrators of this crime can be brought to book. “Typically, before
any investigations could be instituted in this matter, the police through
its spokesperson, rushed to the national press to blame and condemn the
MDC-T,” Biti said.

Biti said the MDC-T activists arrested have not been allowed access to their
lawyers and some of them, like Last Maengahama, have been brutally assaulted
and are being denied medical treatment. Biti said it was also “clear that
some ZANU PF elements in the police are using this unfortunate incident to
try to convince SADC that MDC-T is a violent Party.”

Confirming the eye witness accounts received by SW Radio Africa Biti called
upon “the police to look at such things as the relationship between the
deceased officer and the members of the public in that area.”

Below is the list of confirmed MDC members who are in custody;
• Last Maengahama
• Stanley Maengahama
• Edison Maengahama
• Lazarus Maengahama
• Cynthia Manjoro and her unidentified brother
• Odius Chitanda
• Lloyd Chitanda
• Precious Chitanda
• Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere
• Mavis Madzokere
• Ollyn Madzokere
• Stefan Takaedzwa
• Benjamin Majecha

‘Elections are on this year’ - Gumbo

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

Written by Fungi Kwaramba
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 13:18

HARARE - Adamant that elections will be held this year, Zanu (PF) has
started canvassing for support across the country with soldiers in suits
leading the campaign and teaching people new slogans.
Several rallies have been held, especially in the rural areas where the
former ruling party claims to have a stronghold. The party’s spokesperson,
Rugare Gumbo, confirmed to The Zimbabwean that his party is indeed on a
campaign spree.
“Obviously we are preparing for elections. Elections are on this year,” said
Gumbo before cutting off his mobile phone.
In President Robert Mugabe’s home province, Mashonaland West, soldiers held
a series of rallies during the weekend where a new slogan “chete chete
vaMugabe narinhi”(Only Mugabe forever and ever) was introduced to the masses
who
had been forced to attend by zealous youth militias.
The MDC has ruled out elections this year while SADC is insisting that a
plebiscite should only be carried out after a clear election road map has
been fulfilled.
However, Zanu (PF)’s preparations seem to be a signal to the regional body
that the Mugabe may go for elections alone. With the party deeply divided on
elections, preparations have now fallen into the hands of the commissariat
led by Henry Muchena, who was removed from the air force to mastermind the
campaign.
“Mugabe’s intention to have elections this year has further divided the
faction-ridden party. Some of his lieutenants are reluctant to go into  an
early poll as they fear losing their seats. This has forced him to rely on
trusted soldiers,” said the source.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party says Mugabe no longer has the
unbridled power to go it alone.
“No single political party has the authority to unilaterally declare
election dates outside of national and SADC consensus,” said MDC
spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora.

Former War Fighters Condemn Senior Army Chief Utterances

http://www.radiovop.com/

10 hours 10 minutes ago

Harare, June 01, 2011 - The Zimbabwe Liberation Platform (ZLP), an
independent group of former liberation war fighters in the country has
condemned the utterances by Brigadier General, Douglas Nyikayaramba that
elections must be held this year with or without key reforms saying the
senior army officer must be reprimanded for his statements.

In a statement signed by former war veterans who are board of trustees of
the ZLP, Wilfred Mhanda (known as Dzinashe Machingura during the war) and
Happyson Nenji whose liberation war name was Webster Gwauya, they said
Nyikayaramba's decree in the press in the past week has shown that there is
serious need for security sector reforms in the country.

“If Brigadier Nyikayaramba... fought for Zanu (PF) and Mugabe to rule
Zimbabwe forever, we wish to state unequivocally that the majority of
freedom fighters within both Zanla and Zipra fought among other things, for
unfettered political freedom and democracy based on the right to vote on the
basis of one person one vote. We wonder whether the Brigadier had any
political education at all during the war," ZLP said.

"Maybe, as he says he joined the struggle at the age of 14, he was
intellectually challenged at that age to have comprehended the purpose and
objective of the liberation war. For the record , the overwhelming majority
of freedom fighters were never card carrying members of political parties.
Shame on all those commanders and fighters who wear acts of terror against
unarmed civilians,black or white, as a badge of honour."

The ZLP said soldiers and military personnel must appreciate that they are
paid by the tax payers and that they should always strive to ensure safety
of citizens. The independent body said Nyikayaramba should retire from the
army to join Zanu (PF) like what other senior army commanders did in the
past years. Retired Air Vice Marshal, Henry Muchena who retired in the past
months is now working at Zanu (PF) headquarters. Muchena was reported in the
media that before he retired he was already working at Zanu (PF) to revamp
party structures across the country.

"The Brigadier goes on to rubbish the need for security sector reform,
something that all the principals to the GPA, including President Mugabe
undertook to carry out. What an irony? The national defence forces and other
arms of state security should rid of unprofessional officers and political
activists like him... A true national defence force can thus do without
Nyikayaramba and other officers who believe that Mugabe and Zanu (PF) should
rule forever. The defence forces is are not a Zanu (PF) militia as he
imagines," ZLP said.

Unicef needs six million dollars to treat Zimbabwean water

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/

Jun 1, 2011, 16:54 GMT

Harare - The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said Wednesday it was
appealing for 6 million dollars to continue treating Zimbabwe's water, as
the southern African country is still strapped for cash.

Unicef country representative, Peter Salama, said the UN agency was raising
funds to allow it to continue buying water treatment chemicals until March
2012.

His organization had provided over 40 million dollars worth of support to
water and sanitation programmes in Zimbabwe over the last two years, he
said.

Unicef has been assisting Harare ever since the outbreak of cholera which
claimed thousands of lives in 2008.

Zimbabwe's minister of water resources, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, said the
extension of assistance by Unicef was a relief for the government.

'We are aware of the financial challenges being faced by local authorities
and hope that by March 2012, they would be in a far much better financial
position to independently procure water treatment chemicals,' said Samuel
Sipepa Nkomo.

Zim imports milk products

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

Written by Ngoni Chanakira
Monday, 30 May 2011 18:06

.. as Dairibord hits rock-bottom

HARARE - Already facing a serious economic crunch, Zimbabwe will this year
import 41 million litres of milk, milk solids and butter oil at a total cost
conservatively estimated at $7 million.
This amount is up from the 31 million litres imported in 2010. The country's
major milk producer and supplier, Dairibord, led by Anthony Mandiwanza, has
confirmed to The Zimbabwean that the nation's dairy herd has seriously
nose-dived.
It blamed this on "various problems, especially poor farmer training".
The import exercise is expected to result in Dairibord coughing up $7
million, which it informs investors will "be raised from internal sources
and borrowings".
However, insiders interviewed said the Zanu (PF) government’s so-called land
“reform” programme, begun in 2000 was the major reason for the decline in
milk production and the dwindling national dairy herd.
"At the moment the nation is producing on average 3,6 million litres of raw
milk per month, of which Dairibord is receiving an average of 1,6 million
litres or 44 percent," said Mercy Ndoro, the Group Finance Director, in an
exclusive interview.
"To try and cover part of the deficit, we are importing milk solids and
butter oil to reconstitute".
She said Zimbabwe's milk production had been on the decline for a number of
years, "hitting rock bottom" in 2009.
"The peak was in 1990 when 256 million litres of raw milk were produced,"
Ndoro said. "In 2006 national milk production was estimated to be 86 million
litres and in 2010 this dropped to 47 million litres. Since then has been an
upward trend in milk output with an increase of 32 percent per annum in
2010, compared to the previous year."
One of the blue-chip counters on the stock exchange, Dairibord’s share price
currently stands at $0,22, but this is expected to shoot up to about $0,36
when recapitalisation is completed later this year.

Controversial Sussex tycoon Hoogstraten steps in to save airline

http://www.theargus.co.uk/

8:30am Wednesday 1st June 2011

    By John Keenan, business editor »

Controversial property tycoon Nicholas Hoogstraten has announced plans to
rescue an ailing airline.

Mr Hoogstraten said he is prepared to step in to save Air Zimbabwe, known as
AirZim, from collapse. The national airline has been plagued by operational
problems and has been unable to service its main routes because of soaring
debts.

Mr Hoogstraten divides most of his time between Sussex and Zimbabwe, where
he owns more than a million acres of land and 600 buildings in Harare and
Bulawayo.

Now he says he has agreed to lend the carrier US$2 million to keep its fleet
in the air, as long as the Zimbabwean Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti,
signs an agreement to acknowledge the debt owed to him.

He said: “I have, during the past few years, made relatively small
short-term emergency loans to AirZim on an interest- free basis.

“I'm a long time supporter of AirZim, which has excellent staff and
services.

“The airline has been weakened by the Zimbabwe dollar and incompetent senior
management.

“I have advised the government that it should be put to bed and its
operations handed over to an international airline.”

Air Zimbabwe acting chief executive Innocent Mavhunga told the Zimbabwe
Independent newspaper he had yet to receive details of Mr Hoogstraten’s
offer.

Mr Hoogstraten blasted remarks from the Finance Minister that Zimbabwean
institutions were at the mercy of “loan sharks”.

He told The Argus: “Mr Biti should think carefully before he makes such
remarks.”

The developer said that for many years he was the single largest investor in
the Zimbabwean financial market and currently has Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
quoted holdings with a value of more than US$250 million.

The Hoogstraten family owns more than 250 buildings and has between 1,200
and 1,300 tenants in Brighton and Hove. Mr Hoogstraten told the Argus he
plans to settle back in England full time.

Mnangagwa takes over Jaggers

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

01/06/2011 16:20:00    The Zimbabwean

HARARE - Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa has taken over one of the
largest wholesalers in the country, Jaggers.

Senior Zanu (PF) sources say Mnangagwa has bought Jaggers Wholesalers and
Trador. His son, Tongai, is fronting the Zanu (PF) tycoon's latest
acquisition.  The company closed its doors in January after it slid into
bankruptcy, pushing thousands into unemployment. It had gone downhill since
April last year when Zanu (PF) stalwart, Chinhoyi farmer Cecil Muderede,
acquired it from Metcash Africa of South Africa. The source said workers had
approached Mnangagwa for help in saving their jobs.

The company has branches in Harare, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Graniteside,
Mutoko, Filabusi, Belmont (Bulawayo), as well as at military establishments
ZNA Battlefields, Four Brigade, KG6, and Two Brigade in Mutare. The source
said the wholesaler would open its doors again before the end of June.

Tongai Mnangagwa confirmed the acquisition and promised to grant an
interview. He later backtracked and said he needed to consult his fellow
directors who, he said, wanted the whole thing kept under wraps for the time
being.

The Zanu (PF) strongman, who is in the Mugabe succession race with Vice
President Joice Mujuru, is making his first forays into retail.
Until now, he has been largely involved in gold mining and the diamond
trade. He has also been linked to diamond leakages in Chiadzwa, where one of
his most trusted lieutenants, Brig Gen Douglas Nyikayaramba, is in charge of
the lucrative fields that have dangerously strengthened Mnangagwa's
financial hand.

Ngwena (The crocodile), as he is known, is considered to be one of the most
powerful figures in Zanu (PF). He is head of the Joint Operations Command
and was Zanu (PF) Secretary of Administration from July 2000 to December
2004. He has been its Secretary for Legal Affairs since December 2004.
He was the head of the CIO at the time of the Matebeleland massacres. The
CIO has been responsible for numerous abductions and murders of Zimbabweans
over the years.

The source Mnangagwa planned to amortise the Jaggers debt with CBZ and the
Libya Arab Foreign Bank. No one was willing to extend financing to Jaggers
under Muderede's leadership, a source said.

"Ngwena is pouring money into that enterprise and this is a political coup
for him," said our source.

Numerous small and midsized manufacturing companies taken over by local
businessman through the indigenisation laws are on the verge of failure
because they cannot sustain their sales in the midst of a deep recession
without credit.

Zimbabwe's government published regulations earlier last year forcing
foreign-owned firms, including mines and banks, to transfer a 51 percent
stake to black Zimbabweans, a move that divided the power-sharing government
and spooked investors.

Business analysts say the beneficiaries of the empowerment revolution have
snapped up shareholding in companies without taking a due diligence, while
others have simply run the enterprises to the ground through sheer greed and
incompetence.

Zanu (PF) ploy to flood airwaves exposed

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

Written by Tavada Mafa
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 13:54

HARARE - The state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation is planning
to flood the airwaves in a move aimed at blocking private players from
entering the sector.

In a confidential ZBC strategic document in our possession, the broadcaster
moots plans to flood the airwaves before new players can come on board.

This has raised eyebrows among would-be broadcasters who now wonder who is
going to be given the two new licenses advertised by the illegal
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe last week.

Since ZBC has the capacity to broadcast 12 TV channels and several radio
stations, it could pre-empt other players from coming on board. Strategies
include engaging churches to take up one of the channels, and getting the
richly-funded Cricket Union or ZIFA to sponsor a channel, says the document.

Since independence, ZBC has been used by Zanu (PF) to propagate  its
propaganda. Lately it has been used to denounce the party’s decade-long
political opponent MDC without giving the latter its  right to respond.

The coming in of the inclusive government and the GPA, which provides for
the democratization of the media, has been a big blow to the party’s
fundamental strategy of disinformation.

Chaos, corruption unearthed in Marondera council land audit

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Jane Makoni
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 07:03

MARONDERA - Marondera Municipality has lost thousands of dollars in revenue
to top Zanu (PF) officials and party supporters who benefitted from the
corrupt sale of both residential and commercial stands by the then Zanu (PF)
local authority in the late 1990s. A shocking MDC-T council land audit,
scheduled to be made public early next month, was leaked to The Zimbabwean.
It reveals multiple irregularities. Excerpts from the report follow: “The
audit team observed that the estates office does not keep proper files
and/or records for commercial, industrial and residential properties. The
filing system is in a shambles. Documents like application letters,
acceptance letters, receipts of payments and offer letters are missing.
“The council billing register was also not properly maintained and is
misleading as some properties are not paying the recommended rates or
supplementary charges. A total 309 properties are not being charged at all,
while 799 have no sewerage charges.
“Corner shops are occupying bigger stands than ordinary shops but are paying
less rates. The concept of a corner shop has been misused.
“Procedures on change of use of properties were not being followed. In the
commercial zone, various residential properties have changed their use to
commercial without following change of use procedures. Supermarkets have
changed to flea-markets, dry cleaners, hair salons, photocopying shops,
among others. Grocery shops have been turned into butcheries, bottle stores,
surgeries and takeaways. Bus stops have been illegally turned into car
parks, grinding mill site or carpentry shops.
“It was also noted that a lot of shops in town have converted into flea
markets with multiple tables but the shop owner was only paying for one
license.
“Open spaces have been converted to residential infills with no change of
use procedures being done.
“The audit team observed that the planning department implemented unapproved
layout plans. For example, the layout plan for Northwing Housing
Co-operative was implemented with the approval of only the town planner.
Approval should be done by both the town planner and the Minister through
the department of Physical Planning.
“A number of people were benefiting from stands and other properties which
did not reflect at council offices. For example stand number 52 Rufaro
(Dongo Milling) does not exist but the developer believes he has such a
stand for which he has entered into a lease agreement with council.
“Council also sub-divided sold stands without the knowledge of buyers
(developers). Lot 209 of Longlands owned by Kirtpat Trading, was subdivided
into two. It was not clear whether the company is aware of the subdivision,
which may result in a legal battle with council. Lot 268 Longlands is on
council records as entirely owned by Varichem. However, it was subdivided
into three parts without the knowledge of Varichem. One of the stands was
allocated to A.M.C on an asset swap deal. Council is potentially exposed to
serious legal battle with Varichem. The same happened to Lot 21 Longlands
owned by Bob Knot.
The audit was conducted from July 12-August 13 2010. The team include
representatives from Public Service, District Administrator’s Office,
Department of Physical Planning, Legal Practitioners, Residents Association,
Business Community and Council Employees.

Mangoma denies Herald report on security reforms

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
01 June 2011

The state run Herald newspaper reported on Monday that South Africa’s
facilitation team “has no intention” of meeting with Zimbabwe’s security
chiefs to discuss key sector reforms, ahead of any elections in the country.

It had been reported that the MDC-T was requesting that facilitators meet
with security heads to discuss critical issues. But the Herald quoted
Charles Nqakula, a senior member of President Zuma’s three-member
facilitation team, as saying such a meeting was outside the team’s mandate
and the GPA “did not provide for such an arrangement”.

According to The Herald Nqakula made the comments in an interview on
Tuesday, after meeting JOMIC co-chairpersons in Harare. The focus for the
team, he reportedly said, was the implementation of issues agreed in the
GPA.

But on Wednesday the MDC-T MP Elton Mangoma, who is also Energy Minister and
a JOMIC co-chairperson, described the allegations as “the Herald version”
and said he was not sure Nqakula had made those exact comments.

Mangoma said; “There has been no request from us or from any of the other
negotiators that they should see the security personnel. And I think it is
being thrown in as a red herring because we made no such request.” He added
that the platform for such discussions would be the National Council
meeting, where security chiefs meet with the country’s politicians.

The Herald also claimed that the MDC-T, through its negotiators, “is trying
to smuggle” the issue of security sector reforms onto the elections roadmap
agenda, in order “to weaken the country’s security forces”.

But Mangoma explained that the security sector is among the issues being
discussed with the facilitation team. He said: “The issue of security sector
changes is firmly on the discussion table.”
Mangoma said there are some security issues under discussion that he could
not reveal yet, but the MDC was concerned about security personnel that are
making “treasonous statements”, and the party wants them to sign statements
saying “they will abide by the constitution of Zimbabwe and will respect the
wishes of the people in an election”.

The security chiefs have frequently publicly declared their allegiance to
Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF, and sworn that Zimbabwe would never be ruled by
Tsvangirai and the MDC. Soldiers and the police also continue to play a key
role in the ongoing crackdown in the country, arresting political and human
rights activists illegally, and banning all public gatherings.

Faced with all this the MDC-T and civic groups are insisting on key changes
in the military, police and intelligence divisions. They say the security
sector in the country has been politicized and is used by ZANU PF to
intimidate, harass and torture MDC supporters and innocent civilians
perceived to be “enemies of the state”.

SADC has so far done very little to rein in ZANU PF and the regional
grouping has lost much credibility as a result. But Mangoma confirmed that
Zimbabwe is on the agenda of the SADC summit due this month in South Africa.
He said a report will be handed to President Zuma before then.

Mugabe Toilet Police Officer Sentenced 10 Days

http://www.radiovop.com

10 hours 11 minutes ago

Bulawayo, June 01, 2011- The controversial Zimbabwe police officer who was
arrested and detained for three weeks for using President Robert Mugabe
toilet was on Tuesday convicted 10 days in prison.

Sergeant Alois Mabhunu from West Commonage police station in Bulawayo
appeared before police internal court at regional headquarters at
Southampton House in the city on Tuesday .He was convicted 10 days in prison
for using a toilet reserved for Mugabe during Zimbabwe International Trade
Fair (ZITF)  early last month. However Mabhunu has since made an appeal to
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri after the police internal court
verdict.

“He has been convicted and sentenced to 10 days in prison by the police
court but has since made an appeal to the Police Commissioner soon after
conviction,” said our source.

Whilst he is waiting for Chihuri’s decision on his appeal Mabhunu has been
demoted and transferred from West Commonage police station to Entumbane
police station in the same city. Mabhunu who was a Homicide police detective
and use to work dressed in civilian clothing is now expected to report for
duty dressed in full police uniform daily.

Allegations against Mabhunu are that on May 6, he was on duty at the ZITF
grounds during the official opening of the trade show case by Jean Louis
Ekra, president of Afreximbank and Mugabe. Mabhunu due to the call of nature
rushed to the toilets reserved for Mugabe and his guest Ekra, but was
stopped by other officers guarding the toilets.

Under intense pressure from the call of nature, the officer forced his way
in and managed to relieve himself. He was arrested the following day on May
7 after a report was made to Mugabe’s security men and to senior police
officers in the city.

When contacted for comment last week Bulawayo police spokesperson
Mandlenkosi Moyo only said “that is an internal matter”.

Mugabe security has been tightened in the past recent years. Political
analysts said Mugabe’s boost on his security is an admission that he is no
longer liked by the people of Zimbabwe.

Several motorists have in the past been assaulted by Mugabe’s security men
for not giving way to the Presidential motorcade.

Parliamentarians Overhauling Zimbabwe Constitution Pressured for Progress

http://www.voanews.com

Select Committee Deputy Co-Chairperson Gladys Gombami-Dube of the Tsvangirai
MDC said the constitutional revision process cannot be finished by the end
of 2011, predicting a March 2012 completion date

Sandra Nyaira & Sithandekile Mhlanga | Washington  31 May 2011

Divisions are re-surfacing in Zimbabwe's constitutional-revision process as
the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe has accused the Movement for
Democratic Change of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of dragging out the
process to postpone elections.

ZANU-PF officials want the parliamentary select committee in charge of
constitutional revision to wrap up their work so elections can be held in
2011.

ZANU-PF Chairman Simon Khaya-Moyo told Dutch Ambassador to Zimbabwe Barbara
Joziasse that the national unity government put in place in February 2009
has run its course and so new elections should be held as soon as possible.

"Our position as a party is that we must conclude the constitution-making
process and go to elections. The inclusive Government has failed because our
policies with our colleagues in Government are different," Khaya-Moyo said.

"You can't mix water and oil. Our ministers from ZANU-PF are not allowed to
travel to Europe and the MDC ministers are allowed to travel around the
world and you expect such a government to work. The inclusive government was
never meant to be a permanent arrangement and we are now living on borrowed
time."

But sources said the select committee will find it tough even to meet its
own September deadline, particularly as the actual drafting has not started.
In addition the committee has more financial problems: it owes US$5 million
to hotels and other vendors who provided services for the disorganized and
often over-budget public outreach phase.

The ZANU-PF co-chairman of the select committee, Paul Mangwana, says the
process can still be finished on time so long as sufficient financial
resources are provided.

Mangwana told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that he agrees with party
chairman Moyo that the MDC is dragging its feet to avoid facing elections
this year.

But Committee Deputy Co-Chairperson Gladys Gombami-Dube of the Tsvangirai
MDC formation said it’s just not possible for the constitution-making
process to wrap-up before the end of the year, predicting that it is more
likely to take until March 2012.

Select Committee Co-Chairman Edward Mkhosi of the MDC formation led by
Industry Minister Welshman Ncube said US$2 million is needed to move
forward.

Political analyst Effie Dlela Ncube told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sithandekile
Mhlanga that early elections are not the solution to the country’s problems.

Out going British ambassador says restrictive measures stays

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/

01/06/2011 16:41:00    Staff Reporter

HARARE - The outgoing British ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mark Canning, has
maintained that the restrictive measures imposed on Robert Mugabe and his
supporters are justified, and said the European Union will review the
embargo as soon as there is peace and stability in the country.

Mr. Canning made the remarks after bidding farewell to Vice President John
Nkomo, after a two and a half year tour of diplomatic duty.

Mr. Canning, who was accompanied by his deputy Mr. Tim Cole, refused to buy
into Zanu PF sanctions propaganda saying there were no sanctions imposed on
Zimbabwe and preferred to call them restrictive measures.

He went on to say the EU would review the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Canning also explained how he helped train the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
in the 80’s and assisted in the training of the military forces under
Mozambique’s FRELIMO government.

He reflected on fond memories of that era, and claimed that he is so
passionate about Zimbabwe.

“I love Zimbabwe. I’m passionate about Zimbabwe. I love the people.
Zimbabweans have shown that they are very resilient,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s relations with Britain, which were cordial soon after
independence, took a nose dive when the Labour Party under the leadership of
Tony Blair took power in Britain in 1996.

The Labour Party refused to honour the pledges made by their Conservatives
counterparts and said they had no obligation to provide funding to buy land
from white farmers. In reaction Mugabe went on to behave like a big baby and
destroyed the country’s agriculture and the economy went into unprecedented
slide only to be rescued by the Movement for Democratic Change led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Zimbabwe's parliament approves $98 million loan from China

http://edition.cnn.com/

From Columbus S. Mavhunga, For CNN
June 1, 2011 -- Updated 1402 GMT (2202 HKT)

Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- Zimbabwe's parliament has ratified a 20-year $98
million loan from China to build a defense college, despite objections from
members of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party that the
poverty-stricken country should prioritize the spending in other ways.

Zimbabwe's upper and lower houses of parliament passed the deal late Tuesday
after heated debate.

Shepherd Mushonga, a member of parliament from Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change party, said he was surprised that Chinese companies
including Anjin Investments Private Limited -- which has interests in
diamonds - had been contracted to construct the college that is being built
about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Harare.

"We are talking of a law which says 51% of any business transaction must be
for Zimbabweans, but in this deal Chinese have become Zimbabweans," said
Mushonga in an interview Wednesday, repeating what he had said when opposing
the passing of the loan facility in parliament the previous day.

Other members of parliament said the country needed to first address the
ailing economy before constructing the college.

Zimbabwe's minister of defense, Emmerson Mnangagwa, told parliament that the
college would offer "specialised military training and learning of security
issues" taught by senior officials in defense forces and civilians both in
the country and from abroad.

China has become a close ally of Zimbabwe, standing by it while the West
ostracizes President Robert Mugabe for the long-term leader's poor human
rights record.

In 2008, China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking sanctions
against Zimbabwe.

Chinese companies have made inroads in Zimbabwe especially in construction
industry.

Earlier this year, the visiting Chinese vice premier, Wang Qishan, signed
about $700 million in loan agreements with Zimbabwe.

The loan was the biggest international deal in years for Zimbabwe, which
continues to be shunned by the West for its failure to service its external
debt which is about $7 billion.

SA shuts down refugee reception centre

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
01 June 2011

The South African government has announced the closure of the only refugee
reception centre in Johannesburg, amid warnings that this will have a
serious impact on the thousands of refugees flocking across the border every
week.

The Department of Home Affairs made the announcement after it lost a court
battle launched by neighbouring businesses who tried to shut the facility
down, calling the centre a civil nuisance to the businesses in the area. The
closure of the centre now means that asylum seekers and refugees will all be
directed to Pretoria instead.

“We are deeply disturbed by the lack of planning on the part of the
Department of Home Affairs, they were aware of this litigation from more
than a year ago and yet made no attempt to put a contingency plan in place.
It is unacceptable that poor and marginalised refugees will have to travel
to Pretoria, at great personal cost, to receive permit extensions and other
services,” said Sicel’mpilo Shange-Buthane the Director of the Consortium
for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa.

“Besides the economic hardships this decision means that refugees will face
serious administrative difficulties because of their files being relocated.
We remember when the office moved from Rosettenville to Crown Mines several
years ago, many applicants files were lost. They were asked by officials to
lodge fresh applications only to find that they were subsequently charged
with fraud for having duplicate applications in the asylum process”
Shange-Buthane added.

Shange-Buthane meanwhile said that the court decision could set a bad
precedent “for government and local authorities in terms of leasing premises
to deliver services to marginalised groups.”

“The outcome of the court case is however disappointing because we feel DHA
could have more strongly made out a case which argued for the rights of
asylum seekers to receive services in proximity to the areas in which they
reside,” she said.

Zimbabwe to pull-out of SADC?

http://www.theafricareport.com

Written by Nqobile Charles Bhebhe
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 15:34

A Zimbabwe cabinet minister has claimed that President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu
PF party plans to drag the country out of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) at an extraordinary summit in South Africa.

The June 11 summit is scheduled to discuss Zimbabwe's ongoing political
crisis among other regional issues.

In an interview with Theafricareport.com, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, co-minister in
the Organ of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, and an MP
with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction loyal to Welshman
Ncube, said he believed Zanu PF would use the summit to pull Zimbabwe out of
the regional body.

“Senior Zanu PF insiders have confided in us that they are now fed up with
SADC hence the planned pull out,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu, one of the negotiators in the political stalemate, said the plot
claims have been taken seriously.

He was arrested and detained for a week in April over allegations he
addressed a meeting that had not been sanctioned by police.

Security sector reforms are a key demand of the MDC. But President Robert
Mugabe’s party has been irritated by SADC demands for sweeping reforms in
the army, police and secret services ahead of possible elections in 2011.

Mugabe has a firm grip on the military, which was implicated in the
country's 2008 election violence.

In December 2003 Mugabe pulled the country out of the Commonwealth in
protest against Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth council.

Zanu PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, has denied any pull-out plans.

“That’s mischievous talk. We are attending the summit in South Africa to
finalise with the Road Map to free and fair elections,” he said.

Mugabe and long-time rival, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai who leads a
separate MDC faction, formed a power-sharing government two years ago to
avoid a descent into full-fledged conflict in the aftermath of a bloody
presidential run-off election.

Zim out of the spotlight

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

Written by Chief Reporter
Tuesday, 31 May 2011 14:58

… but SADC will stand firm – Coltart

HARARE - With the attention of the international community firmly fixed on
the fall-out of the North African revolution, the plight of Zimbabwe, once
"Africa's Breadbasket", has been largely ignored.

Many Zimbabweans fear the country is hurtling towards another disaster of
catastrophic proportions in the forthcoming elections.
"I fear for myself, my family and for my country" Mike Bhemba, an MDC
activist said. "Surely Zimbabwe cannot go on like this we ask incredulously.
But day after day we do."

Stacey Moyo, a mother of three says the prospect of an election on its own
is scary. Such are the messages coming from many ordinary people whose lives
have, in the last two years, been infused with some modicum of stability
after being  thrown into chaos and uncertainty in the late 1990s by an
increasingly tyrannical leader desperately
clinging to power.

In recent months, while the world's gaze has been captivated by the on-going
Libyan war and by a Western crusade to unseat, in the words of Nicholas
Sarkozsky, "one of the most revolting regimes in history", Zimbabwe has
descended further to a level at which daily life is characterised by, at
best, serious water, electricity and currency shortages, and at worst,
starvation, torture and death.

Zimbabwe, once celebrated as the "breadbasket of Africa", was hailed as the
post-colonial success story. Robert Mugabe, a committed socialist and leader
of the ruling Zanu (PF) party was hailed for his policy of racial
reconciliation and his plans to improve the health, living standards and
education of black Zimbabweans.

Stranglehold
A little over 30 years later, and Mugabe's grip on the nation has become a
stranglehold. The economy lies stagnant and state repression is the order of
the day.

The harassment of journalists is spiralling out of control. A statutory body
regulating the media has announced plans to set up a Media Council to handle
complaints against the Press and sanction errant journalists. This comes
against a backdrop of escalating repression of the media. There was a
suspicious a break-in at the offices of leading independent daily NewsDay
just last month, in which computer hard drives of senior editorial staff
were "stolen."
Intruders took NewsDay Editor Brian Mangwende's laptop and stole the hard
drives of the computers belonging to 11 senior editorial staffers in the
paper's newsroom in Harare. Mangwende, who writes a critical column on
current affairs, said the computers contained sensitive information on
stories journalists were working on. Two of the journalists whose computers
were targeted were Assistant Editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and Senior
Parliamentary Reporter Veneranda Langa.

Both were summoned for interrogation by the military on April 19. They were
questioned about their sources for a story on the health of Zimbabwe Defence
Forces Commander Gen. Constantine Chiwenga.

Repression
Meanwhile, several human rights reports describe increasing acts of rape,
torture and "the repression of the opposition" by the regime ahead of the
election.

The horrors do not stop there. Human rights campaigners cite that there have
been resurgent cases of abductions of MDC supporters in the past few weeks,
a chilling reminder of 2008.

Draconian and repressive legislation such as the 2001 Broadcasting Services
Act, which gives ministers the authority to interfere with the content of
broadcasting programming, has given the regime the tools to silence critics.
And silence it does.
The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe has remarked that the state media
is little less than a propaganda arm of  Zanu (PF). It continues to insult
the MDC and black out its activities, sowing fear of the unknown if Mugabe
loses elections.
If fear of the national police and the dreaded Central Intelligence
Organisation does not sufficiently paralyse the opposition, then the daily
hunt for that extra dollar amid record high unemployment preoccupies most.

Unemployment stands at 90 per cent and more than10 per cent of the adult
population are living with HIV or AIDS with scant access to treatment or
medication.
A debate last weekend's debate at a local hotel attempted to address this
very question, and to identify to whom the blame should be attributed and
the way forward in light of threats by Mugabe to call elections this year.

Hopes in SADC

David Coltart, a human rights campaigner, legislator and minister in the
GNU, said he firmly believed that the present regime was responsible, saying
Mugabe has failed to fulfil his end of the GPA bargain.
Coltart belives SADC will ultimately call Mugabe to order despite his
remonstrations.
“SADC has various processes that it has put in place to be implemented by
all member states,” Coltart said. “These include and are not limited to
principles and guidelines governing democratic elections. Whether we like it
or not, these are rules that SADC has put in place and it shall not
entertain any member state that tries to subvert them.”

Coltart said Zimbabwe needed to sober up to the fact that the GPA was
crafted according to SADC guidelines.

“If our GPA and roadmap, which are still being negotiated, do not fall in
line, the region shall keep us on our toes until we follow its dictates.
Until SADC feels that it has had its way, the region will not accept any
proposals that allow Zimbabwe to hold polls anytime this year or in 2012.
Any planned polls prior to the full implementation of the GPA will be in
violation of SADC dictates and SADC will not sit by and watch its protocols
being violated.”

George Mheza, who fought for Zanu (PF) in the war of liberation, is now an
outspoken critic of Mugabe. He acknowledged that the President had used his
power in the past for good ends, but said his objectives became "appalling"
around a decade ago when Mugabe began to use the "issue of land reform as a
useful alibi" to disguise the steps he was taking to consolidate his own
power. "He is doing the same right now with the Indigenisation issue - now
targeting mines and banks," said Mheza
"Mugabe is the linchpin - if he goes, the system will crumble,” he added.
But it seems Mugabe not going anywhere.

Securocrats fool themselves

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

Written by John Makumbe
Tuesday, 31 May 2011 14:53

The senseless outbursts by Brigadier General Nyikayaramba last week, to the
effect that no one will rule this country except Robert Mugabe must be
dismissed as delusional and typical of someone who is oblivious of recent
and current events and developments worldwide.

It is clear from such utterances that the Brigadier General is living in
yesterday’s world, where Mugabe is viewed as invincible and infallible for
all time. Nothing can be further from the truth. The 2008 harmonised
elections clearly demonstrated that Mugabe has long lost his shine among the
electorate. He was soundly beaten by Morgan Tsvangirai and his party was
walloped by the MDC-T.

There is no way Mugabe and Zanu (PF) could win any future elections in this
country. Nyikayaramba’s misguided comments are meant to intimidate the
people of this country into submission to the dictatorial regime of Mugabe
and Zanu (PF). Fortunately, the people have now developed a thick skin and
will keep on fighting for their rights and for true democracy.

The military has no place in the governance of a democratic state. Their
role is that of defending the country against external enemies and not
against the citizens of the country. For the military to repeatedly say they
will not salute anyone who does not have credible liberation war credentials
is to fool themselves.

The time has come for the people to demonstrate that they can resist all the
machinations of the securocrats through the support that this country is
receiving from the Sadc and the rest of Africa. We challenge Mugabe to
continue to defy the Sadc in relation to the full implementation of the
Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The old man knows that to do so would result in the most severe isolation -
to the extent that we will be thrown back to the year 2008. This will result
in the complete destruction of this country.

The Brigadier General’s utterances are clear testimony that no meaningful
progress can be made in resolving the Zimbabwe crisis without reforming the
security structures of this country. Indeed, one of the most effective ways
of reforming our security structures is to retire most of the senior
military personnel since they are totally impervious to change.

People like Nyikayaramba will never be convinced that this country can be
better governed by anyone else except Robert Mugabe. They need to be retired
from service and allowed to go into full-time farming since they have all
been allocated commercial farms. It will be fruitless to try and retrain
such people and expect them to accept change. They are too ignorant of the
benefits of change. They are totally blind to Mugabe’s inadequacies. It will
be a mammoth task to make such people respect the will of the people in an
election in this country.

The Sadc could help this country considerably by insisting at the June
meeting in Johannesburg that all parties to the GPA accept the drafted
roadmap and work towards its implementation in the shortest possible time.
They should insist that all the stipulated bench marks be met to the
satisfaction of all the parties in the GNU, and that any departure from the
roadmap be unacceptable to the regional body.

If Zanu (PF) insists that the security structures remain unformed and
partisan, that should constitute a breach of the agreement and the roadmap,
resulting in further delays to the holding of elections in this country.

MDC calls for professionalism in investigations – statement by Tendai Biti

Press Release from the South African Institute Of Race Relations

For immediate release 30 May 2011
SOUTH AFRICAN  INSTITUTE OF  RACE RELATIONS
South Africa’s Leading Research and Policy Organisation
Media Contact: R W Johnson
Tel: 082 779 5822
E-mail: hsfbill@iafrica.com
www.sairr.org.za

No free referendum or election can be held in Zimbabwe on the basis of the
current
voters’ roll, says the South African Institute of Race Relations (the
Institute).
President Robert Mugabe has repeatedly ignored the Global Political
Agreement
(GPA) of September 2008, which requires a new constitution approved by
referendum
before any general election can take place. “Instead, Mr Mugabe is pushing
for
quick elections later this year, based on a voters’ roll so defective as to
boggle
belief,” the Institute says.
Though life expectancy in Zimbabwe has dropped to 45 years, the voters’
roll, as it
stood in October 2010, contains the names of:
• roughly 1 490 ‘new’ voters (never previously registered) aged over 100;
• over 41 100 voters (some new and some earlier listed), aged 100 or more,
which is four times the number of centenarians in Britain;
• some 16 800 voters with the same birthday of 1st January 1901;
• about 4 370 new voters over 90 years old; and
• a total of some 132 500 such nonagenarians.
The October 2010 voters’ roll also lists about 230 new voters under the
voting age
of 18. Most are under ten years old and some are only one or two.
To make matters worse, the current roll is also based on the 2008 voters’
roll, which
contains about 2.5 million names too many, given Zimbabwe’s population size.
This
phantom vote is more than enough to decide the outcome of any election.
Instead of removing these 2.5m fictitious entries, the Registrar-General, Mr
Tobaiwa
Mudede, an outspoken Zanu-PF supporter, has added more than 360 500 new
voters to the current roll. Yet many are far too old or too young to merit
inclusion.
“If past experience is any guide, phantom ‘voters’ are likely to vote early
and often
in the next Zimbabwean poll,” the Institute cautions.
Says the Institute: “Mr Mugabe is no doubt hoping for South African and SADC
support for his plan to push for new elections based on the current
constitution and
a defective voters’ roll.
“But President Jacob Zuma has done well to date in keeping Mr Mugabe to the
terms
of the GPA. He and the SADC can prevent Mr Mugabe ignoring the GPA and
cheating
his way into power again.
“The SADC should remember this when it meets again in South Africa on 11th
June
2011 to help lay down a road map to democracy in Zimbabwe.”
This press release is based on a new report, Preventing Electoral Fraud in
Zimbabwe, written by R W Johnson and published by the Institute. The report
is
available at www.sairr.org.za
ends

Read R.W Johnson's interesting article here