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Run-off election results

http://www.hararetribune.com
 

These are the official results from Zimbabwe's presidential election run-off held on June 27.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was pulling out of the ballot five days before the election, but election officials said his withdrawal was a nullity and his name remained on the ballot.

The percentage turnout was 42 percent.

PROVINCE
CANDIDATE
VOTES
Bulawayo Robert Mugabe
21127
  Morgan Tsvangirai
13291
  Spoilt Votes
9166
   
Harare Robert Mugabe
156478
  Morgan Tsvangirai
48307
  Spoilt Votes
36446
   
Manicaland Robert Mugabe

323284

  Morgan Tsvangirai
29561
  Spoilt Votes
36446
   
Masvingo Robert Mugabe
321404
  Morgan Tsvangirai
12804
  Spoilt Votes
9740
   
Mashonaland West Robert Mugabe
256699
  Morgan Tsvangirai
18459
  Spoilt Votes
10821
   
Matabeleland North Robert Mugabe
84185
  Morgan Tsvangirai
40099
  Spoilt Votes
9907
   
Matabeleland South Robert Mugabe
92654
  Morgan Tsvangirai
21687
  Spoilt Votes
7353
   
Midlands Robert Mugabe
302407
  Morgan Tsvangirai
33555
  Spoilt Votes
19438
   
Mashonaland East Robert Mugabe
315119
  Morgan Tsvangirai
11171
  Spoilt Votes
7675
   
Mashonaland Central Robert Mugabe
276902
  Morgan Tsvangirai
4066
  Spoilt Votes
3409
   
TOTAL VOTES Robert Mugabe
2 150 269
  Morgan Tsvangirai
233 000
  Spoilt Votes
131 481
  PERCENTAGE TURNOUT
42%


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Mugabe hails his hollow victory with an oath on the Bible ... then unleashes his death squads

Mail Online
 

By Andrew Malone
Last updated at 1:25 AM on 30th June 2008

 

With pomp, ceremony and a massive dose of defiance, His Excellency Commander Robert Gabriel Mugabe was yesterday sworn in as Zimbabwe's president.

Inside the oak-panelled rooms of State House, as fighter jets roared overhead, he declared himself winner of an election in which he was the only candidate.

Even before he took the oath, he had set in motion bloody recriminations against those who worked against him.

 Robert Mugabe

Dictator: Robert Mugabe on his way to be sworn in, accompanied by guards

Secret documents outlining the strategy against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have been seen by the Mail.

They reveal that, in the runup to the polls, Mugabe had plotted to 'eliminate MDC agents' and ensure that the identity numbers of all voters were taken  -  so they could be found later if they voted for the opposition.

The documents are from Mugabe's Joint Operational Command, a group of military leaders tasked with ensuring he remained in power.

They state that forces are to 'kill MDC MPs' and that 'postal ballot boxes were to be stuffed in remote areas by death squads (who) have been instructed to abduct and kill whoever gets in his way'.

Mugabe has now issued a chilling warning that more violence is to come.

His election posters have been removed and replaced with signs stating: 'This is the final battle for total control.'

The dictator, 84, had just as carefully choreographed yesterday's ceremony.

Robert Mugabe

Uncontested: Robert Mugabe is sworn in as president today

mugabe

Hailing a hollow victory: Mugabe makes an oath on the bible

Just before his swearing-in, state-controlled television declared that 'Mugabe, R.G' had won 2,150,269 votes compared to 233,000 for the opposition's Morgan Tsvangirai  -  an apparently stunning reversal of the first elections in March.

Official results said Mugabe won all ten provinces with 85.5 per cent of the vote, but there were many spoiled ballots.

The ceremony at State House, where the former guerilla leader was handed power by Ian Smith's white government in 1980, was planned last week.

Mugabe sang the national anthem as his troops fired a volley of shots in a tent erected on the lawn.

Amid unprecedented security for the inauguration, with soldiers patrolling the streets and helicopters hovering overhead, he then took the oath for his sixth term in office.

As he spoke, Chinese-built MIG fighter jets screamed overhead.

In an extraordinary act of brazen cheek, Mugabe invited Mr Tsvangirai, the leader of the MDC, to the swearing-in ceremony.

A man and his family look at preliminary results from the election in Harare

A man and his family look at preliminary results from the election in Harare

Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the elections a week earlier fearing a bloodbath, and has been given refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare ever since.

He turned down the yesterday's invitation.

'The whole inauguration is meaningless,' he said. 'I can't give support to an exercise I am totally opposed to. The people of Zimbabwe will not give this exercise legitimacy.'

After the ceremony, Mugabe's official Mercedes swept out of State House, flanked by armoured vehicles with sirens blaring.

The toll of his victory was laid bare at one Zimbabwe hospital yesterday, in wards choked with victims of appalling brutality by the secret police.

Most had shattered limbs after being beaten with iron bars. Burning plastic had been dripped on others.

Some had iron hooks pushed through their faces and arms.

And gangrene is widespread: many victims took days to reach the hospital after being warned they would be killed if they showed anyone their wounds.

Their president was last night heading off for a meeting of African leaders in Egypt.

Sources close to him revealed he was 'furious and on the warpath'. Because, for the first time in his 28-year rule, Mugabe is facing condemnation from his neighbours including Kenya's prime minister Raila Odinga.

mugabe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, left, meets with unidentified Zimbabwean electoral officials in Harare yesterday - the day after the country went to the polls in a runoff election which has been condemned as not being free, fair or democratic because of the hostile atmosphere in the country

Botswana also called for Mugabe to go. Michael Otinga, a government minister, said: 'We Africans were oppressed by whites, fought wars of liberation, and now we are allowing blacks to oppress blacks.'

Yet Western leaders are reluctant to step in.

Still haunted by intervention in Somalia in 1990, when the bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets, the U.S. is privately lobbying for an 'African solution to an African problem'.

But President George Bush yesterday condemned the violence that left up to 500 dead.

And Gordon Brown pledged 'substantial' help rebuilding the country if democracy was restored.

Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown went a step further, saying: 'What you cannot accept is the status quo continuing  -  President Mugabe has to go.'

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been declared landslide winner of a widely condemned election in which he was the only candidate and which African observers said was scarred by violence and intimidation.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew a week ago saying a systematic campaign of violence, which killed nearly 90 of his followers, made a free and fair vote impossible.

The ballot was held in defiance of much world opinion.


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Mbeki endorses Mugabe in hope of coalition deal

Business Day

30 June 2008

Dumisani Muleya

Harare Correspondent

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki will recognise Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who
was inaugurated yesterday for a further five-year term after he won a
one-man election race, in a bid to find a negotiated settlement to Zimbabwe's
political crisis.

"Mbeki wants Mugabe endorsed in the interests of his mediation," a source
close to the Zimbabwe talks said. "If he says Mugabe's re-election is
illegitimate, he won't be able to continue in his mediation role."

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said Mugabe won 85,5% of the vote on
Friday, compared with 43,2% in the March election, which Morgan Tsvangirai
won with 47,9 %. The commission said voter turnout was 42,4%, almost exactly
the same as on March 29, raising suspicions of ballot fraud.

Mbeki's move to endorse Mugabe's purported victory after Tsvangirai pulled
out would divide the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the
African Union (AU), already rocked by wrangling over Zimbabwe.

The Pan-African Parliament has rejected Mugabe's re-election and called for
a rerun, highlighting divisions in Africa over the issue.

Marwick Khumalo, who led a team of election observers from across the
continent under the auspices of the AU-sponsored Pan-African Parliament,
said yesterday: "The atmosphere prevailing did not give rise to the conduct
of free, fair and credible elections."

Khumalo called for a fresh election to be held "as soon as possible" and
urged African and regional leaders to "engage the broader political
leadership in Zimbabwe about a negotiated transitional settlement".

Mbeki, SADC's mediator in Zimbabwe, did not attend a regional meeting on the
country's crisis in Swaziland last week. SADC leaders present condemned the
violence in Zimbabwe, saying the environment did not support a free and fair
election.

Sources said SADC would in the end claim Mugabe's election was "legitimate,
although not free and fair". This would be similar to the position taken by
Mbeki's government in 2002 after Mugabe's controversial reelection then.

Mbeki's key envoys on the Zimbabwe crisis, Provincial and Local Government
Minister Sydney Mufamadi and legal adviser Mujanku Gumbi, spent two weeks in
Zimbabwe trying to find a breakthrough.

Mufamadi and Gumbi returned to SA on Friday after meeting all three
negotiating parties - the two factions of the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) and Mugabe's ruling Zanu (PF). Sources said Mbeki's
team secured firm commitments to dialogue and the need for a government of
national unity.

"There is now common ground but the question is what kind of arrangement
will this dialogue produce?" another source said.

Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai have expressed willingness to talk and it now
appears necessary for them to find a way of working together.

Mugabe wants to be on top, while on the basis of his win in March Tsvangirai
also wants the leading role. Tsvangirai beat Mugabe in March but failed to
get enough of a majority to form a govern-ment.

Mugabe has been softening up since last week on the issue of talking to
Tsvangirai. Yesterday he showed he was amenable by inviting Tsvangirai to
his inauguration. Mugabe spokesman George Charamba said the invitation was
issued "in the spirit of the president's wish to reach out ... towards
political engagement".

Tsvangirai rejected the invitation, saying the inauguration was pointless
after an illegitimate poll.

" I can't give support to an exercise I'm opposed to. The whole world has
condemned it, the Zimbabwean people will not give this exercise legitimacy
or support."

But Tsvangirai said he was prepared to talk and suggested Mugabe could be a
ceremonial president and he prime minister.

Before any agreement was reached, the MDC leader said, he would ask the AU
not to recognise Mugabe's re-election.

AU leaders are meeting today in Egypt. Mbeki and other leaders are pressing
Mugabe to form a government of national unity with Tsvangirai.

Sources said Mbeki would soon be sending his envoys to Harare to work out
the details.


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Zimbabwe: Farm attacks and abductions in Chegutu

URGENT MEDIA RELEASE                               FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE

29 June 2008

Renewed farm attacks and abductions took place in Zimbabwe on June 29, the
day of Robert Mugabe's contentious inauguration as President, and coincided
with the release of the Pan-African Election Observer Mission's highly
critical interim statement on the Parliamentary run-off election.

In Chegutu, a small farming town south of Harare, Frank Trott
was badly beaten on his Twyford farm.  It is believed that the assailant was
Gilbert Moyo, a notorious "war veteran" who is reported to have spearheaded
farm invasions and evictions in the Chegutu district.

The armed gang then went to Mount Carmel farm, owned by Mike
Campbell (75), whose family and workers have been subjected to repeated
attacks and threats of eviction during the past six years.

Ben Freeth, Campbell's son-in-law, received a warning phone from
Campbell's son, Bruce, asking him to tell his parents to get out
immediately.

Freeth's vehicle was blocked before he reached the main house, which had
been forcibly broken into by the mob.  When Bruce arrived shortly
afterwards, around 40 shots were fired at him, so he was forced to retreat.

According to reports, Mike Campbell, his wife Angela and Ben Feeth were
badly assaulted in the house and then removed from the farm in one of the
vehicles.

In the interim, Bruce drove to Freeth's house and told Laura Freeth and her
children to escape through the back fence while he followed the vehicles
driven by the assailants.

The convoy, including Mike Campbell's Prado, which had been stolen, together
with a red pick-up truck and a combi, travelled to Stockdale farm.

The owners of Stockdale farm, the Ethridges, had been forcibly evicted by
Moyo and others on June 17.

Bruce fired shots at the attackers' vehicles but the fire was returned and
he was unable to proceed.

It is believe that the group then proceeded from Stockdale Farm to the
Bronkhorst's property where looting took place.

An employee at Bronkhorst's farm confirmed seeing the Campbells and Freeth
badly beaten up.  They were in the back of the red pickup.

The police at Chegutu have provided six armed personnel after receiving
instructions from the Provincial Police Officer.  They have attended on
Stockdale Farm but have not managed to locate the Campbells and Freeth.

SADC Tribunal test case

Mike Campbell is the second applicant in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Tribunal farm test case.

Over the past six years he has been subjected to a relentless barrage of
attacks but has refused to leave the land he purchased legally in 1999.

His farm workers - perceived to be Movement for Democratic
Change supporters - have also been the terrorised and abused.

The Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Nathan Shamuyarira has
been implicated in an attempt to take over Campbell's farm.

Campbell first appealed against the seizure of his property to the Supreme
Court in Harare but although the hearing took place in March 2007, nine
months later judgement had still not been handed down.

As a last resort, he took his case to the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Tribunal in Windhoek, Namibia.

In December, the Tribunal barred the Mugabe government from evicting him
pending a final ruling on his application.

The next Tribunal hearing on the case will be July 16.
Campbell, together with 76 other white farmers, will be represented by South
African Advocate Adrian De Bourbon.

These continuing events warrant the application before the SADC
Tribunal to be set down urgently.

The possibility of death is now a real concern as the SADC
Interveners and Campbell would appear to be singled out for punishment.

Trott is currently receiving medical treatment in Harare.

ENDS

Zimbabwe Republic Police

Police Station Chegutu:  Tel:   +263 53 2209  / 2411

Police Station Chegutu: Tel:   +263 53 2974  Member in Charge

Police Station Chegutu: Tel:   +263 53 3473  DA

Criminal Investigation Dept+263 53 3699

Inspector Ganyani (MEC)  Cell: +263 91 264 0537 or 11 562 759

Justice for Agriculture

Mr John Worsley-Worswick

Cell:  +263 11 610 073

Cell:  +263 912 326 965

Background information:

Mugabe's so-called "land reform" programme has in reality been a mechanism
for rewarding and enriching loyal ruling Zanu PF party elite.

Beneficiaries of the most productive commercial farms across the country
include senior army, air force and police officers, Zanu PF ministers and
Mugabe cronies, Mr Mugabe, his wife Grace and nephew Leo Mugabe, a high
profile cleric and judges.

After the March 29 poll, the army threatened to evict the country's few
remaining white farmers if a single vote was cast for Morgan Tsvangirai in
the presidential run-off.

In the run-up to the March 29 elections and June 27 run-off poll, food was
used extensively as a weapon, with desperately needed food aid being
commandeered for Zanu PF supporters and denied to MDC members.

More than 5 million people will suffer food insecurity in the
next nine months.  This is a direct result of the destruction Zimbabwe's
internationally acclaimed commercial farming sector.

The figure of five million is a million more than the previous year, the
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) said
in its crop assessment forecast released on June 18.

Independent experts believe the Zimbabwean population has shrunk from an
estimated 12.5 million in 2000 to between seven and eight million people.

ENDS

Submitted by:

Mrs Glyn Hunter

Glyn Hunter International


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DA wants Mugabe to be tried for crimes against humanity

Business Day

30 June 2008

Ernest Mabuza

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) said yesterday there was an
"overwhelming case" for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to be tried at
the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

DA leader Helen Zille said this after two DA members of the
Southern African Development Community electoral observer mission returned
yesterday, and denounced Friday' s runoff presidential election as a cynical
farce.

Mugabe won in all 10 provinces, according to the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission.

Zille said she would request United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to put human rights violations in Zimbabwe on
the UN Security Council agenda with a view to an inquiry into "human rights
abuses perpetuated by Robert Mugabe and the Zanu (PF) leadership and its
youth militia".

She wanted the secretary- general of the UN to refer the matter
to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open a
criminal investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the Mugabe
regime.

In her observer report, DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said the
youth militia had usurped the roles of the police and military by manning
roadblocks and conducting searches of civilian vehicles.

"What we have witnesses in Zimbabwe these past weeks has been
the complete reversal of a generally respectful society, which revered
education and the country's elders, into one in which uneducated youngsters
hold down these adults and deliberately beat them as a means to humiliate
them," Kohler-Barnard said.


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Mugabe Victory in Zimbabwe Elections a 'Joke'

New York Sun

By LOUIS WESTON and PETA THORNYCROFT, The Daily Telegraph
June 30, 2008

HARARE, Zimbabwe - President Mugabe was last night sworn in to a sixth term
as president of Zimbabwe, extending his 28 years in power after officials
proclaimed he had been re-elected by a landslide.

Maintaining the fiction that the vote was a contested poll, the Zimbabwe
Election Commission said that Mr. Mugabe received 2,150,269 votes - or more
than 85% - against 233,000 for Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change who won the first round in March.

Between the two polls Mr. Mugabe's Zanu-PF movement launched a campaign of
violence against the opposition in which at least 86 people were killed, and
Mr. Tsvangirai pulled out of the election.

"This is an unbelievable joke and act of desperation on the part of the
regime," the MDC's spokesman, Nelson Chamisa, said. "It qualifies for the
Guinness Book of Records as joke of the year. Mugabe will never win an
election except when he's contesting against himself."

Prayers at the inauguration were led by an Anglican ally who broke away from
the church, Nolbert Kunonga. "We thank you Lord for this unique and
miraculous day," he said. "You have not failed our leader." Mr. Mugabe waved
a Bible as he recited "so help me God," to cheers from his supporters.

Mr. Tsvangirai was invited to the event but declined. "The inauguration is
meaningless," he said. "The world has said so, Zimbabwe has said so. So it's
an exercise in self-delusion."

Ambassadors in Harare were conspicuous by their absence from the event.

Although Mr. Mugabe offered to hold talks with the opposition the absence of
the word "negotiations" was noticeable and analysts said he intends to
remain in office as long as possible.

"It is my hope that sooner rather than later, we shall as diverse political
parties hold consultations towards such serious dialogue as will minimize
our difference and enhance the area of unity and co-operation," Mr. Mugabe
said.

Election observers from the Southern African Development Community said that
the poll failed to reflect the will of the people.

Almost 400,000 Zimbabweans defied the threat of violent retribution by Mr.
Mugabe's thugs to vote against him or spoil their ballot papers, official
results released on yesterday show.

According to the Zimbabwe Election Commission's figures, the turnout of 42%
was almost exactly the same as the first round.

But many polling stations were virtually deserted throughout election day.
Papers were spoiled.

With 21,127 votes in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and an
opposition stronghold, Mr. Mugabe lost to the combined total of 13,291 votes
for Mr. Tsvangirai and 9,166 spoiled papers.

Only a few independent observers were accredited for the election.

And the Zimbabwe Election Support Network - which mounted the most
comprehensive monitoring exercise in the first round - pulled out in
protest.

Consequently, no unbiased verification of the figures is possible and the
true tallies may never be known.

For weeks, Zanu-PF militias have terrorized Zimbabweans, warning them they
will launch Operation Red Finger, which will target anyone whose digit is
not marked with ink to show that they cast a vote.

They will also target anyone who checks show to have backed Mr Tsvangirai.


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Africa needs to act over Zimbabwe

The Telegraph

Last Updated: 12:01am BST 30/06/2008

The abhorrent spectacle of Robert Mugabe being inaugurated as
president after Friday's sham election has prompted widespread revulsion,
nowhere more so than in Africa itself. The days when Mugabe could rely on
the embarrassed silence of his neighbours as he trampled on the liberties of
his countrymen are over.

Kenya's prime minister, Raila Odinga, has called for African Union
troops to be deployed to Zimbabwe, saying that the election was "a fake
victory and we do not recognise it". Nelson Mandela's attack last week on
Zimbabwe's "tragic failure of leadership" was an especially welcome
intervention, as were the comments yesterday by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the
Nobel peace prize winner, who called on African leaders to tell Mr Mugabe
that "you are unwelcome any longer, you are illegitimate, and we will not
recognise your administration in any shape or form".

With evidence of the brutality of Zanu/PF during the election still
emerging - an 11-month-old baby had both legs broken by Mugabe's thugs who
were hunting his opposition councillor father - it is vital for the
condemnation to be matched by action. The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu,
accusing Mugabe of "slow-motion genocide", has called for immediate
sanctions, pointing out that African states were prepared to isolate Ian
Smith's regime, so they ought to do the same to Mr Mugabe's.

Given Zimbabwe's reliance on its neighbours for oil and electricity,
short-term, targeted sanctions (which should include the seizure of the
assets of leading regime members) could play a vital role in loosening the
dictator's grip. Such action risks hurting the people it is designed to
help. But the courageous people of Zimbabwe, so many of whom defied Mugabe's
terror tactics on Friday, may think that is a price worth paying.

"Telegraph view" is written by our team of leader writers and
commentators. This team includes David Hughes, Philip Johnston, Simon
Heffer, Janet Daley, Con Coughlin, Robert Colvile, Iain Martin and Alex
Singleton.


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Zimbabweans Said Skeptical of Mugabe's Negotiations Invite

VOA

By Peter Clottey
Washington, D.C.
30 June 2008

Some Zimbabweans have described as a façade President Robert Mugabe's offer
for peace negotiations with main opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC). They claimed such a gesture would not help alleviate the suffering of
ordinary Zimbabweans since the ruling ZANU-PF party had sabotaged previous
negotiations aimed at resolving the country's economic and political crisis.
Mr. Mugabe made his offer soon after he was sworn in yesterday (Sunday)
after winning the country's presidential run-off, which the outside world
condemned as a sham. Main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of
the run-off after accusing the government of sponsoring violence against its
supporters to ensure victory. Glen Mpani is the regional coordinator for the
transitional justice program of the Center for the Study of Violence and
Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa. He tells reporter Peter Clottey
President Mugabe is not trustworthy.

"The reaction from his statement is that of something that is unbelievable,
and something that all quarters within Zimbabwe and outside should treat
with a lot of suspicion, and there is a lot of insincerity in his comments.
Prior to this election the MDC and the international community and regional
players within Africa were calling for the run-off to be called off and for
him to negotiate, and he basically refused flat out. The question now is
what is it that has motivated him now to see the reason that there is need
to negotiate? Is it because of his one-man presidential election? I doubt
very much his sincerity," Mpani pointed out.

He said President Mugabe's call for negotiations with the opposition is a
set up, which would make things difficult for the MDC in the coming months.

"I think any call to negotiation would simply be to try and muzzle and put
the MDC into a corner, and come up with an arrangement that is heavily
skewed towards ZANU-PF," he said.

Mpani said the ruling party missed the opportunity for negotiations with the
opposition to resolve the country's crisis.

"I think the timing for negotiation is long overdue to negotiate. But I
think the challenge that is simply there is that if they are going to be
negotiating, they (MDC) should not negotiate on the premise of the recently
held one-man presidential election because one, it's an illegitimate
election that was not free and fair. I think they should negotiate on the
premise of the March 29 election, which was basically regarded as a free and
fair election. Recognizing this one-man presidential election is basically
allowing negotiated process on a baseless foundation, and sooner or later it
will implode," Mpani noted.

He said the opposition MDC has few options available to challenge the
legitimacy of Mr. Mugabe's presidency.

"It is certain that there is no other option than for the opposition to go
back to the people of Zimbabwe because as we can hear now the regional
players are all now pushing forward towards recognizing Mugabe as the
president. Thabo Mbeki (South Africa's president) is leading that process
and I know fully well that because there is no one within the African Union
or there is no precedence that has been set before, they are going to push
that he (Mugabe) be recognized. And they will like to urge Morgan Tsvangirai
to go to a negotiated settlement that is in favor of the ruling party, but
what will that bring to the people of Zimbabwe?" he asked.

Mpani said the opposition MDC would be at a disadvantage in any negotiation
with the ruing ZANU-PF party.

"We are going to have a latest pact or negotiation that is not going to
transform the institutions in Zimbabwe. The police that have been highly
politicized, the army and the courts. That is not going to transform the
economy within Zimbabwe because Mugabe has got a challenge in terms of
challenging those things because they are the ones that have been able to
allow him that presidency that he has so he will not disband those. Even if
they agree, there is not gong to be any change within Zimbabwe. So, I think
he (Tsvangirai) has to go back to the people of Zimbabwe and say what is it
that we can be able to do? And I think Zimbabweans need to know that they
are their own liberators, despite how difficult the environment is. I think
they need to come up with methods and mechanisms to confront the
government," Mpani pointed out.


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Zimbabwe result not legitimate: UN chief

ABC Australia

Posted 43 minutes ago

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has criticised Zimbabwe's election as
"deeply flawed," saying the result was not legitimate.

President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980,
was sworn in on Sunday (local time) barely an hour after the election
commission declared he won more than 85 per cent of the votes cast.

"The secretary-general has said repeatedly that conditions were not in place
for a free and fair election and observers have confirmed this from the
deeply flawed process," Mr Ban's spokeswoman, Marie Okabe, said in statement
as the UN head visited Tokyo.

"The outcome did not reflect the true and genuine will of the Zimbabwean
people or produce a legitimate result."

Mr Mugabe had lost the first round to Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai,
who pulled out of the run-off election citing a campaign of violence against
his supporters.

Mr Ban "encourages efforts of the two sides to negotiate a political
solution that would end violence and intimidation," the statement said.

It said that the UN was "ready to help in any way possible to produce this
result," noting that deputy UN chief Asha-Rose Migiro and Mr Ban's Zimbabwe
envoy Haile Menkerios were at the African summit opening Monday in Egypt.

- AFP


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AU to debate Zimbabwe vote

Aljazeera

Monday, June 30, 2008
07:36 Mecca time, 04:36 GMT

An African Union summit is set to open in Sharm el-Shiekh amid growing calls
for African leaders to shun Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president, over
his widely discredited re-election.

Mugabe, sworn in for a sixth term on Sunday, having been declared the winner
after opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew because of violence,
was expected to arrive in Egypt for the summit.

"A discussion will certainly take place at the level of heads of state and
if there is a decision to take it will be taken at the level of the Union's
summit," El-Ghassim Wane, AU commission spokesman, said late on Sunday.

Tsvangirai has dubbed the election a "sham" and Mugabe's inauguration
"meaningless".

Mugabe for dialogue

Apparently seeking to temper potential African hostility, Mugabe used his
swearing-in to call for dialogue and heaped praise on the much criticised
efforts of South African President Thabo Mbeki to mediate the crisis.

"It is my hope that sooner rather than later, we shall as diverse political
parties hold consultations towards such serious dialogue as will minimise
our difference and enhance the area of unity and co-operation," Mugabe said.

So far there has been no consensus among the AU's 53 member states, with the
pan-African body issuing diplomatic statements and pushing for a
power-sharing arrangement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC).

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has been leading
mediation efforts to resolve the crisis, "are in consultation to put a text
to the summit on how to end the Zimbabwe crisis, notably power-sharing
possibilities," a source close to the AU's Commission said.

African leaders have warned that the crisis could destabilise southern
Africa and that power cannot be handed entirely either to Mugabe or to
Tsvangirai because of the country's political polarisation.

"There is a need to bridge the gap," Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian prime
minister said on Sunday.

'African shame'

Raila Odinga, the Kenyan prime minister and among Mugabe's most vocal
critics, has called on the bloc to send troops into Zimbabwe, and labelled
the Zimbabwean leader "a shame to Africa".

Desmond Tutu, South African cleric and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said on
Sunday that "a very good argument can be made for having an international
force to restore peace" in Zimbabwe under UN  auspices.

A group of African lawmakers who observed Friday's election run-off said the
results should be scrapped and a new vote held.

George Bush, the US president, has ordered additional sanctions to beef up
existing measures that include a travel ban on Mugabe's inner circle and a
freeze on their bank accounts.


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Mugabe to confront critics

Yahoo News

Monday June 30, 01:48 PM

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will confront his
critics at an African Union summit on Monday, fresh from victory in a
one-candidate election which observers said was unfair because of violence
and intimidation.
Heads of state of the AU, meeting in Egypt, are likely to press Mugabe to
enter talks with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to end the political
crisis in a country where a hyperinflation-wrecked economy has produced
millions of refugees.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged support for international
action against Mugabe's government, including U.N.-authorized sanctions and
an arms embargo.

But the AU seems reluctant to back calls for sanctions, favoring instead a
Kenyan-style power-sharing transition.

In an apparent response to pressure for talks, the 84-year-old Mugabe -- who
has held power for 28 years -- said in an inaugural speech on Sunday he was
committed to dialogue with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC).

Tsvangirai has said the MDC was also committed to AU-sponsored talks, though
no negotiations have started. But he said he would ask the AU not to
recognize Mugabe's re-election.

The MDC said the AU should not welcome Mugabe at the summit.

"I don't think it would be right for the African Union to welcome him after
all he has done," MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe said in Sharm el-Sheikh
in Egypt, the summit venue.

"I think it is important that the African leaders break the silence. It is
high time they call a spade a spade," said Khupe, adding she had no plans to
talk to the Zimbabwean delegation on the sidelines of the summit.

Mugabe left Harare on Sunday night to attend the summit, the state-run
Herald newspaper said.

The AU summit may be split between critics of Mugabe, like Kenya, and
opponents of any action against him led by South African President Thabo
Mbeki, who has been widely criticized for taking a soft line with his
neighbor.

NEW MANDATE

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga was quoted on Sunday as saying the AU
should deploy troops.

"What is happening in Zimbabwe is a shame and an embarrassment to Africa in
the eyes of the international community and should be denounced," he said.

But AU security chief Ramtane Lamamra played down the prospects of
peacekeepers being sent.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said it was important the two parties
talked, adding it was too soon to talk of foreign peacekeeping forces being
sent to Zimbabwe.

"There has to be some sort of negotiations between the parties," he said.
"If not, polarization will be the result."

He added: "There cannot be a sustainable solution to the Zimbabwean crisis
under the leadership of one or the other party."

Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said Africa had to help
prevent civil war in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe began another five-year term on Sunday after being declared the
overwhelming winner of an election which poll monitors said was marked by
violence and intimidation.

Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, was quickly sworn
in to allow him to attend the summit.

Tsvangirai withdrew a week before the election, saying a systematic campaign
of violence had made a free and fair ballot impossible. Mugabe won 85.51
percent of the votes, according to the Electoral Commission.

Human rights groups and witnesses accused pro-Mugabe militias of forcing
people to vote in some areas.

Regional observers said the ballot did not reflect the will of Zimbabweans,
adding that pre-election conditions fell short of Southern African
Development Community principles and guidelines for elections.

Pan-African parliament observers said the election was so flawed it should
be rerun.

(Writing by Gordon Bell and Barry Moody; editing by Andrew Roche)


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African govts. may no longer accept Mugabe regime: Brown

Khaleej Times

(AFP)

30 June 2008

WASHINGTON- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in an interview aired
on Sunday that African governments were no longer ready to tolerate
Zimbabwe's

'I think what's changed fundamentally -- over the last few months, indeed -- 
is that African leaders are no longer prepared to accept a regime which is
brutal, violent, oppressive, intimidating its opposition and not allowing
fair and free elections to take place,' Brown told CNN.

Brown's interview was broadcast as Robert Mugabe was sworn in as Zimbabwe's
president after a one-man election condemned around the world as
illegitimate.

'And I think you've seen statement after statement from some of the leading
African leaders, making it clear that this is no longer acceptable, and that
they cannot stand by and see the reputation of Africa and of democracy in
Africa sullied in this way,' he said.

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the election after
the run-up to the vote was wracked by violence and intimidation.

After taking the oath of office at his State House residence, the
84-year-old Mugabe issued an appeal for 'unity.'

But in an uncharacteristically sharp rebuke just hours after results were
announced, observers from the 14-nation Southern African Development
Community (SADC) said the election 'did not represent the will of the
people.'

'The pre-election phase was characterised by politically-motivated violence,
intimidation and displacements,'  Angolan Sports Minister Jose Marcos
Barrica, the head of the 400-strong team of observers, said in a statement.

Brown said time was running out for Mugabe.

'I believe that there will come a time when he will realize that the rest of
Africa, leaders that he's worked with over the years, are no longer prepared
to support the brutality and the violence and the oppression of his regime.'

Brown also said Britain and other countries were 'prepared to contribute
substantially, financially to the reconstruction of Zimbabwe' once democracy
was restored.


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Mugabe's win poses problems for African Union


After fractious vote, leaders must reject or affirm results.

Margaret Coker And Farai Mutsaka, Wall Street Journal
30 Jun 2008 05:38

When Robert Mugabe, fresh from a victory in a one-sided election and a
hastily arranged presidential inauguration, joins an African heads-of-state
summit Monday, his colleagues will face a choice: chastise him or cement his
claim as Zimbabwe's legitimate ruler.

The crisis in Zimbabwe is expected to overshadow the main agenda -- water
and sanitation issues -- at the 53-member African Union's annual meeting in
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

But despite global denunciations that Zimbabwe's elections were a sham, it
is unclear how decisively the African Union will handle the one-time
liberation leader. At least six African presidents and a prime minister have
condemned the actions of Mr. Mugabe, 84 years old, in his quest to extend
his 28-year rule.

Zimbabwe's electoral commission Sunday confirmed an overwhelming victory for
Mr. Mugabe in a runoff held Friday. Mr. Mugabe was the only candidate after
opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the race because of
intimidation and violence against his supporters.

Mr. Mugabe won 85.5% of the votes, according to the government commission,
while Mr. Tsvangirai, whose name was left on the ballot, garnered 10%.
Election officials reported a 42% voter turnout, similar to that in the
first round of voting in March, when Mr. Mugabe placed second in official
results, with 43% of the vote, behind Mr. Tsvangirai's 47%.

The election results, described by Mr. Tsvangirai as an "exercise in
self-delusion," triggered a fresh wave of international condemnation.
President George W. Bush announced his intention to impose a new round of
sanctions against Mr. Mugabe and top government officials. He also said the
United Nations Security Council should enact an arms embargo against
Zimbabwe. Canada also declared new sanctions on Mr. Mugabe and close
military officials.

Yet African leaders assembling in Egypt made no immediate comment about the
poll numbers or a scathing report issued earlier Sunday by African Union
election observers. The report recommended a new election be held "as soon
as possible" to correct irregularities. The recommendation was backed by a
400-person observation team from the Southern African Development Community,
a group traditionally close to Mr. Mugabe.

African Union election observers, speaking at a news conference in Harare,
also recommended the African Union promote a power-sharing accord between
Mr. Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and Mr. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic
Change to shore up stability in a nation crumbling under the weight of
runaway inflation.

"It's inconceivable under the present climate, the way the political
landscape is, that Zanu-PF can go it alone," said the African Union election
observers' spokesman, Marwick Khumalo.

Mr. Mugabe appeared to acknowledge the cascade of complaints. During the
swearing-in ceremony he curbed his trademark rhetoric of defiance and
adopted a tone of reconciliation.

"It is my hope that sooner rather than later we shall, as diverse political
parties, hold consultation toward...dialogue," the president said, to the
cheers of supporters and the trills of a military band.

Diplomats in southern Africa said African Union officials were discussing
behind closed doors a recommendation for a Zimbabwe power-sharing deal like
one hammered out in Kenya, where election irregularities last year triggered
widespread violence.

A major sticking point in the discussions is a role for Mr. Mugabe,
diplomats said. Mr. Tsvangirai, in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph,
reiterated his willingness to sit in a national unity government with Mr.
Mugabe's party and his proposal to give Mr. Mugabe a ceremonial position as
president for life.

Yet African leaders so far have been unwilling to force such a solution on
Mr. Mugabe, especially South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has a close
relationship with Mr. Mugabe and is scheduled to take over the leadership of
the African Union in August.

Mr. Mbeki received special commendation in Mr. Mugabe's inauguration speech.
Zimbabwe was "indebted" to Mr. Mbeki's mediation efforts, he said.
Supporters of a tougher approach say Mr. Mbeki's soft diplomacy isn't an
effective way to push Mr. Mugabe to a compromise.


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Mutambara MDC Officials attend Mugabe swearing in

http://zimbabwemetro.com

By Roy Chinamano ⋅ © zimbabwemetro.com ⋅ June 29, 2008 ⋅

Losing MDC candidates from the rival faction led by Arther Mutambara
attended the swearing in of President Mugabe at state house.
After the ceremony, Gabriel Chaibva, the spokesperson for the Arthur
Mutambara-led MDC faction told ZBC Newsnet.

“I know there will be criticism because I attended this ceremony. But in
times like this it is crucial to put the past behind us and show the spirit
of constructive engagement and dialogue as the only way forward. Victory is
sweet and defeat is bitter, but as leaders we must learn to accept both and
work for the good of the people.

“So in a small way, we are sending our message that it is time for a new
spirit to govern the manner in which we engage each other,” he said.

Other MDC officials at the function included Edwin Mushoriwa,Priscilla
Mushonga and Job Sikhala.The three 2 term MPs lost their seats to the MDC
led by Tsvangirai.

Reports say Mugabe invited Tsvangirai and senior MDC officials to attend the
inauguration, but that Tsvangirai shunned the event, describing it as
illegitimate.

ZEC needed less than 48 hours to declare Mr. Mugabe the winner of the
run-off, whereas the results of the first-round election March 29 were not
released until May 2, more than a month later. That election gave Tsvangirai
47.9% of the ballots, compared with 43.2% for Mr. Mugabe. The two MDC
groupings claimed a parliamentary majority in the election.

Mr. Mugabe’s inauguration was organized at top speed and went ahead at State
House late Sunday afternoon.

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The initial indictment for crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe

http://www.hararetribune.com

By Phil Matibe | Harare Tribune Contributor
Sunday, June 29, 2008 22:23
Opinion@hararetribune.com

THE ANTI-TYRANNY TASKFORCE AGAINST ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE and ASSOCIATES

The present indictment contains charges against individuals who
committed serious violations of international humanitarian law in
Zimbabwe where thousands of men, women, and children were brutally
killed, and a large number of persons were systematically raped, tortured
and maimed from April 1980 to present.
The facts hereunder are true and correct according to the best my
knowledge and belief.

Indictment I
Plaintiff: Philemon Matibe, Taskforce Commander, Anti-Tyranny Taskforce,
a citizen of Zimbabwe, on his own behalf and on behalf of all others
similarly situated, pursuant to his rights under the United Nations, African
Union, European Union, International Criminal Court and other relevant
charters and covenants charges:
ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE in his individual and personal capacity
with CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY (PERSECUTION, MURDER, and INHUMANE
ACTS), GRAVE BREACHES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS, and VIOLATIONS
OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR as set forth below:
THE ACCUSED:
1. Robert Gabriel MUGABE , son of Bona Shoniwa and Gabriel Mugabe
Matibili , was born on 21 February 1924 in Matibiri village, near Kutama
Mission in the Zvimba District northeast of Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia,
now present day Zimbabwe. In 1951 he graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of Fort Hare in 1951. Mugabe subsequently
earned six further degrees through distance learning including a Bachelor
of Administration and Bachelor of Education from the University of South
Africa, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Science, and
Master of Laws, all from the University of London External Programme. The
two Law degrees were taken whilst he was in prison, whilst the Master of
Science degree was taken during his premiership of Zimbabwe. After
graduating, Mugabe lectured at Chalimbana Teacher Training College, in
Zambia from 1955-1958, thereafter he taught at Apowa Secondary
School at Takoradi, in the Western Region of Ghana (1958 - 1960).
2. Robert Gabriel MUGABE returned to Southern Rhodesia in 1960. He
became publicity secretary for the National Democratic Party (NDP). Led
by Joshua Nkomo, the NDP was a nationalist political party that opposed
white rule in the colony. After the NDP was banned in 1961, Mugabe
became secretary general of Nkomo's new party, the Zimbabwe African
People's Union (ZAPU), which was also soon banned due to its opposition
to white rule. Mugabe broke with Nkomo and ZAPU in 1963 to join the rival
Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) which had been formed in 1963
by the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Edson Zvobgo, Enos
Nkala and lawyer Herbert Chitepo.
3. Robert Gabriel MUGABE in 1964 was arrested for "subversive speech" and
spent the next 10 years in prison. In 1974, while still in prison, Mugabe
was
elected -- with the powerful influence of Edgar Tekere -- to take over the
reigns of ZANU after a no-confidence vote was passed on Ndabaningi
Sithole (Mugabe himself abstained from voting). His time in prison
burnished his reputation and helped his cause. Mugabe unilaterally
assumed control of ZANU from Mozambique.
4. Robert Gabriel Mugabe returned to Zimbabwe in December 1979 after
the conclusion of the Lancaster House agreement in September 1978. On
4 March 1980 Zanu won 57 seats out of 80 in the new parliament and
Robert Gabriel Mugabe became independent Zimbabwe's first Prime
Minister on the 18 April 1980.
5. Robert Gabriel Mugabe in 1983 fired Nkomo from his cabinet, triggering
bitter fighting between ZAPU supporters in the Ethnic Ndebele people-
speaking region of the country and the ruling ZANU. Between 1982 and

1985 the military crushed armed resistance from Ethnic Ndebele people
groups in the provinces of Matabeleland and the Midlands, leaving
Mugabe's rule secure. A peace accord was negotiated in 1987. ZAPU
merged into the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-
PF) on December 22, 1988. Mugabe brought Nkomo into the government
once again as a vice-president.
6. Robert Gabriel Mugabe in 1987 eliminated the position of Prime Minister
and Mugabe assumed the new office of executive President of
Zimbabwe gaining additional powers in the process. He was re-elected in
1990 and 1996, and in 2002 amid claims of widespread vote-rigging and
intimidation. Mugabe's term of office expired at the end of March 2008.

INDICTMENT II
Plaintiffs: Philemon Matibe a citizen of Zimbabwe, National Registration
Number
32.058333-N02, on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly
situated,
pursuant to his rights under the United Nations, African Union, European
Union,
International Criminal Court and other relevant charters and covenants
charges:
Constantine Chiwenga (1), Perence Shiri (2), Augustine Chihuri (3),Happytone
Bonyongwe (4), Elisha Muzonzini (5), Maynard Muzariri (6), Paradzayi
Zimhondi
(7), Didymus Mutasa (8), Ignatius Chombo (9), Emmerson Mnangagwa (10),
Webster Shamhu (11), Nicholas Goche (12), Patrick Chinamasa (13), Elliot
Manyika (14), Chris Mutsvanga (15), Gideon Gono (16), Bright Matonga (17),
Jonathan Moyo (18), Sydney Sekeramayi (19),Kembo Mohadi (20) , Saviour
Kasukuwere (21), Nathan Shamuyarira (22), Vitalis Zvinavashe (23), Chenhamo
Chimutengwende (24), Edward Chindori-Chininga (25),Paul Mangwana (26),
Kumbirai Kangai (27), Joseph Made(28), Francis Nhema (29), Tobaiwa Mudede
(30), Philip Chiyangwa (31), Joyce Mujuru (32), Solomon Mujuru (33), Joseph
Msika (34), Samuel Mumbengegwi (35), Obert Mpofu(36), Amos Midzi(37), David
Karimanzira (38), Leo Mugabe (39), Sylvester Nguni (40), Cain Mathema (41),
Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu (42), Edna Madzongwe (42), David Parirenyatwa (43),
Tshinga Dube (44), Oppah Muchinuri (45), Shuvai Mahofa (46), Peter Chanetsa
(47), George Charamba (48), David Parirenyatwa (49), Joseph Chinotimba (50)
Sylvester Nguni (51), Shuvai Mahofa(52), and others unknown;
with CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY (PERSECUTION, MURDER, and INHUMANE ACTS),
BREACHES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS, and VIOLATIONS OF THE LAWS OR
CUSTOMS OF WAR set forth in this indictment.
INDIVIDUAL CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
8. Robert Gabriel MUGABE is individually criminally responsible for the
crimes
referred to and described in this indictment, which he planned, instigated,
ordered, committed, or in whose planning, preparation, or execution he
otherwise aided and abetted. By using the word committed in this indictment
the Prosecutor does not intend to suggest that the accused physically
committed any of the crimes charged personally. Committing in this
indictment
refers to participation in a joint criminal enterprise as co-perpetrator.
9. Robert Gabriel MUGABE participated in a joint criminal enterprise as set
out in
paragraph 16. The purpose of this joint criminal enterprise was the murder
of 20
000 people in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, during Gukurahandi massacres
between 1982 and 1985, plunder of the DRC resources under Operation
Sovereign Legitimacy from 1998 to 2000, the death of Zimbabwe National Army
officers and men in an illegal war in the DRC under Operation Sovereign
Legitimacy, the murder of farmers and farm workers, theft of private
property
and displacement of over 600 000 farm workers under Operation Hondo ye
Minda from 2000 to 2008, the destruction of the homes of 700 000 people
under
Operation Murambatsvina in 2005, the disappearance of numerous citizens of
Zimbabwe.
10. This joint criminal enterprise came into existence before April 18, 1980
and
continued until at least April 2008. Individuals participating in this joint
criminal
enterprise included Constantine Chiwenga, Perence Shiri, Augustine Chihuri,
Happytone Bonyongwe, Elisha Muzonzini, Maynard Muzariri, Paradzayi Zimhondi,
Didymus Mutasa, Ignatius Chombo, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Webster Shamu,
Nicholas Goche, Patrick Chinamasa, Elliot Manyika, Gideon Gono, Bright
Matonga, Jonathan Moyo, Sydney Sekeramayi, Kembo Mohadi, and other
known and unknown participants.
11. The crimes enumerated in Counts 00 to 00 of this indictment were within
the
object of the joint criminal enterprise. Alternatively, the crimes
enumerated in
Counts 1 to 21 and 22 to 32 were the natural and foreseeable consequences of
the execution of the object of the joint criminal enterprise and the accused
was
aware that such crimes were the possible outcome of the execution of the
joint
criminal enterprise.
12. In order for the joint criminal enterprise to succeed in its objective,
Robert
Gabriel MUGABE worked in concert with or through several individuals in the
joint
criminal enterprise. Each participant or co-perpetrator within the joint
criminal
enterprise played his own role or roles that significantly contributed to
the overall
objective of the enterprise. The roles of the participants or
co-perpetrators
include, but are not limited to, the following:
13. General Constantine CHIWENGA, born 25 August 1956, holding the position
of
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces from December 2003, a member
of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), in the relevant period, together with
others, commanded, directed, or otherwise exercised effective control over
the
ZDF, War Veteran Reserves, the Youth Militia and the volunteer units acting
in co-ordination and under supervision of the (JOC).
14. Air Marshal Perence Shiri, a.k.a. Black Jesus, born 11 Jan 1955, as the
Commander of the Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) from 1992, a member of (JOC),
commanded, directed, or otherwise exercised effective control over the AFZ
and the War Veteran Reserves, the Youth Militia units and the volunteer
units
acting in co-ordination and under supervision of the AFZ.
15. Commissioner-General Augustine CHIHURI, born 10 March, 1953, in his
capacity as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Commissioner from and a
member of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), together with others
commanded, directed, or otherwise exercised effective control over the ZRP
and the War Veteran Reserves, the Youth Militia units, Para Military Police
units
and the volunteer units acting in co-ordination and under supervision of the
ZRP.
16. Robert Gabriel MUGABE, acting alone and in concert with other members of
the joint criminal enterprise, participated in the joint criminal enterprise
in the
following ways:
a) Provided direction and assistance to the political leadership of (JOC),
ZANU(PF), War Veterans, and Youth Militia on the destruction of private
property in Zimbabwe and the subsequent forcible removal of the
opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters
and other non- ZANU(PF) supporters.
b) Provided financial, material, and logistical support for the regular and
irregular military forces necessary for the take-over of these areas and the
subsequent forcible removal of the opposition party, Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) supporters and other non- ZANU(PF)
supporters.
c) Directed organs of the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to
create armed forces separate from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to
engage in combat activities against unarmed civilians, in particular in the
areas the population voted for the MDC and the subsequent forcible
removal of the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) supporters and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters.
d) Participated in the formation, financing, supply, support and direction
of
ZANU (PF) Militias and War Veteran Auxiliary forces. These forces were
created and supported to assist in the execution of the purpose of the
joint criminal enterprise through the commission of crimes which are in
violation of international humanitarian law.
e) Participated in providing financial, logistical, political support and
direction to Zimbabwean irregular forces and paramilitaries. Such support
was given in furtherance of the joint criminal enterprise through the
commission of crimes which are in violation of international humanitarian
law.
f) Effectively ordered the passage of laws and regulations relative to the
involvement of the ZDF, ZNA, ZDF, CIO, ZANU (PF), War Veterans, Youth
Militia and other volunteer units in Zimbabwe
g) Financed the Zimbabwean military, police, and irregular soldiers in the
rural areas who perpetrated crimes as specified in this indictment.
h) Controlled, contributed to, or otherwise utilised Zimbabwean state-run
media outlets to manipulate Zimbabwean public opinion by spreading
incendiary messages against the MDC and its supporters in order to
create an atmosphere of fear and hatred. The propaganda generated
by the media was an important tool in contributing to the perpetration of
crimes in Zimbabwe.
17. Robert Gabriel MUGABE knowingly and willfully participated in the joint
criminal enterprise, sharing the intent of other participants in the joint
criminal
enterprise, or aware of the foreseeable consequences of their actions. On
this
basis, he bears individual criminal
esponsibility for these crimes, in addition to his
responsibility for having planned, instigated, ordered or otherwise aided
and
abetted in the planning, preparation, and execution of these crimes.
18. The accused and other participants in the joint criminal enterprise
shared the
intent and state of mind required for the commission of each of the crimes
charged in the counts.
19. Robert Gabriel MUGABE, while holding positions of superior authority, is
also
individually criminally responsible for the acts or omissions of his
subordinates. A
superior is responsible for the criminal acts of his subordinates if he
knew, or had
reason to know, that his subordinates were about to commit such acts or had
done so, and the superior failed to take the necessary and reasonable
measures
to prevent such acts or to punish the perpetrators.
COUNT 1
(PERSECUTIONS)
20. Robert Gabriel MUGABE ,from on or about March 1980 to May 15 2008,
acting
alone or in concert with other known and unknown members of a joint criminal
enterprise, planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and
abetted the planning, preparation, or execution of the persecutions of
opposition party supporters and other non- ZANU(PF) supporters in the
Zimbabwe.
21. Throughout this period, ZANU (PF) forces, comprised of ZNA units, local
Militia
units, War Veteran units, local and ZRP police units, and paramilitary
units,
attacked and took control of farms, villages, and settlements in Zimbabwe.
After
the take-over, the ZANU (PF) forces in co-operation with the local
authorities
established a regime of persecutions designed to drive the MDC supporter and
other non- ZANU (PF) supporters from these areas.
22. These persecutions were based on political, racial, or ethnic grounds
and
included the following:

1985 the military crushed armed resistance from Ethnic Ndebele people
groups in the provinces of Matabeleland and the Midlands, leaving
Mugabe's rule secure. A peace accord was negotiated in 1987. ZAPU
merged into the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-
PF) on December 22, 1988. Mugabe brought Nkomo into the government
once again as a vice-president.
6. Robert Gabriel Mugabe in 1987 eliminated the position of Prime Minister
and Mugabe assumed the new office of executive President of
Zimbabwe gaining additional powers in the process. He was re-elected in
1990 and 1996, and in 2002 amid claims of widespread vote-rigging and
intimidation. Mugabe's term of office expired at the end of March 2008.
INDICTEMENT II
II. INDICTMENT
Plaintiffs: Philemon Matibe a citizen of Zimbabwe, National Registration
Number
32.058333-N02, on his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly
situated,
pursuant to his rights under the United Nations, African Union, European
Union,
International Criminal Court and other relevant charters and covenants
charges:
Constantine Chiwenga (1), Perence Shiri (2), Augustine Chihuri (3),Happytone
Bonyongwe (4), Elisha Muzonzini (5), Maynard Muzariri (6), Paradzayi
Zimhondi
(7), Didymus Mutasa (8), Ignatius Chombo (9), Emmerson Mnangagwa (10),
Webster Shamhu (11), Nicholas Goche (12), Patrick Chinamasa (13), Elliot
Manyika (14), Chris Mutsvanga (15), Gideon Gono (16), Bright Matonga (17),
Jonathan Moyo (18), Sydney Sekeramayi (19),Kembo Mohadi (20) , Saviour
Kasukuwere (21), Nathan Shamuyarira (22), Vitalis Zvinavashe (23), Chenhamo
Chimutengwende (24), Edward Chindori-Chininga (25),Paul Mangwana (26),
Kumbirai Kangai (27), Joseph Made(28), Francis Nhema (29), Tobaiwa Mudede
(30), Philip Chiyangwa (31), Joyce Mujuru (32), Solomon Mujuru (33), Joseph
Msika (34), Samuel Mumbengegwi (35), Obert Mpofu(36), Amos Midzi(37), David
Karimanzira (38), Leo Mugabe (39), Sylvester Nguni (40), Cain Mathema (41),
Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu (42), Edna Madzongwe (42), David Parirenyatwa (43),
Tshinga Dube (44), Oppah Muchinuri (45), Shuvai Mahofa (46), Peter Chanetsa
(47), George Charamba (48), David Parirenyatwa (49), Joseph Chinotimba (50)
Sylvester Nguni (51), Shuvai Mahofa(52), and others unknown;
with CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY (PERSECUTION, MURDER, and INHUMANE ACTS),
BREACHES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS, and VIOLATIONS OF THE LAWS OR
CUSTOMS OF WAR set forth in this indictment.
INDIVIDUAL CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
8. Robert Gabriel MUGABE is individually criminally responsible for the
crimes
referred to and described in this indictment, which he planned, instigated,
ordered, committed, or in whose planning, preparation, or execution he
otherwise aided and abetted. By using the word committed in this indictment
the Prosecutor does not intend to suggest that the accused physically
committed any of the crimes charged personally. Committing in this
indictment
refers to participation in a joint criminal enterprise as co-perpetrator.
9. Robert Gabriel MUGABE participated in a joint criminal enterprise as set
out in
paragraph 16. The purpose of this joint criminal enterprise was the murder
of 20
000 people in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, during Gukurahandi massacres
between 1982 and 1985, plunder of the DRC resources under Operation
Sovereign Legitimacy from 1998 to 2000, the death of Zimbabwe National Army
officers and men in an illegal war in the DRC under Operation Sovereign
Legitimacy, the murder of farmers and farm workers, theft of private
property
and displacement of over 600 000 farm workers under Operation Hondo ye
Minda from 2000 to 2008, the destruction of the homes of 700 000 people
under
Operation Murambatsvina in 2005, the disappearance of numerous citizens of
Zimbabwe.
10. This joint criminal enterprise came into existence before April 18, 1980
and
continued until at least April 2008. Individuals participating in this joint
criminal
enterprise included Constantine Chiwenga, Perence Shiri, Augustine Chihuri,
Happytone Bonyongwe, Elisha Muzonzini, Maynard Muzariri, Paradzayi Zimhondi,
Didymus Mutasa, Ignatius Chombo, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Webster Shamu,
Nicholas Goche, Patrick Chinamasa, Elliot Manyika, Gideon Gono, Bright
Matonga, Jonathan Moyo, Sydney Sekeramayi, Kembo Mohadi, and other
known and unknown participants.
11. The crimes enumerated in Counts 00 to 00 of this indictment were within
the
object of the joint criminal enterprise. Alternatively, the crimes
enumerated in
Counts 1 to 21 and 22 to 32 were the natural and foreseeable consequences of
the execution of the object of the joint criminal enterprise and the accused
was
aware that such crimes were the possible outcome of the execution of the
joint
criminal enterprise.
12. In order for the joint criminal enterprise to succeed in its objective,
Robert
Gabriel MUGABE worked in concert with or through several individuals in the
joint
criminal enterprise. Each participant or co-perpetrator within the joint
criminal
enterprise played his own role or roles that significantly contributed to
the overall
objective of the enterprise. The roles of the participants or
co-perpetrators
include, but are not limited to, the following:
13. General Constantine CHIWENGA, born 25 August 1956, holding the position
of
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces from December 2003, a member
of the Joint Operations Command (JOC), in the relevant period, together with
others, commanded, directed, or otherwise exercised effective control over
the
ZDF, War Veteran Reserves, the Youth Militia and the volunteer units acting
in co-
ordination and under supervision of the (JOC).

a. The extermination or murder of thousands of Ethnic Ndebele people,
MDC, ZAPU and other non-ZANU(PF) supporters, civilians including women
and elderly persons, in Nkayi, Dete, Maramba, Pfungwe, Chegutu,
Murehwa, Hurungwe, Bikita, Bindura, Shamva, Lupane, Gwanda and
neighbouring villages its environs, as described in detail in addendum 1.
b. The prolonged and routine imprisonment and confinement of
thousands of Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU, and other non- ZANU
(PF) supporters, in detention facilities within and outside of Zimbabwe,
including prison camps located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC), as described in detail in addendum 2.
c. The establishment and perpetuation of inhumane living conditions for
Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters
and other non-ZANU (PF) civilian detainees within the mentioned
detention facilities.
d. The repeated torture, beatings, and killings of Ethnic Ndebele people,
MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters and civilian detainees in
the mentioned detention facilities.
e. The repeated sexual assaults of Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU
and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters and other civilians by ZANU (PF)
members during arrest and in the mentioned detention facilities.
f. The unlawful attacks on undefended ZAPU and MDC supporters villages
throughout Zimbabwe as specified above.
g. The imposing of restrictive and discriminatory measures against the
Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters
and the civilian population, such as restriction of movement, removal from
positions of authority in local government institutions and the police,
dismissal from jobs, and arbitrary searches of their homes.
h. The beating and robbing of Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU and
other non- ZANU (PF) supporters and civilians.
i. The torture and beatings of Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU and
other non- ZANU (PF) supporters and civilians during and after their arrest.
j. The forcible removal of Zimbabwean citizens, Ethnic Ndebele people,
MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters and civilians from their
homes, villages and farms specified above.
k. The deliberate destruction of homes, other public and private property,
cultural institutions, historic monuments, and sacred sites of the Ethnic
Ndebele people people, MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU(PF) supporters
in Matebeleland and its environs, as described in addendum 4.
23. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:
Count 1: Persecutions on political, racial, and ethnic grounds, a CRIME
AGAINST HUMANITY, punishable under the Geneva Convention.
COUNTS 2 to 5
(EXTERMINATION, MURDER, WILFUL KILLING)
24. From March 1980 until May 2008, Robert Gabriel MUGABE, acting alone or
in
concert with other known and unknown members of a joint criminal enterprise,
planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and abetted the
planning, preparation, or execution of the extermination, murder and willful
killings of Ethnic Ndebele people, MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU (PF)
supporters and civilians in Zimbabwe, as specified above.
Matebeleland - (Gukurahundi)
25. Beginning January 1982, the members of the Fifth Brigade were drawn from
3500 ex-ZANLA troops at Tongogara Assembly Point, named after Josiah
Tongogara, the ZANLA general. There were a few ZIPRA (ZAPU) troops in the
unit
for a start but they were withdrawn before the end of the training. The
training of
5 Brigade lasted until September 1982, when Minister Sekeramayi announced
training was complete.
The first Commander of Fifth Brigade was Colonel Perence Shiri. Fifth
Brigade was
different from all other Zimbabwean army units in that it was directly
subordinated to the Prime Minister office, and not integrated to the normal
army
command structures. Their codes, uniforms, radios and equipment were not
compatible with other army units. Their most distinguishing feature in the
field was
their red berets, although many reports note that on occasions Fifth Brigade
soldiers would operate in civilian clothes. Fifth Brigade seemed to be a law
unto
themselves once in the field.
Most of their operations were targeted at
defenceless civilians, who Mugabe referred to as supporters of dissidents.
Within weeks, the Fifth Brigade had murdered more than two thousand
civilians,
beaten thousands more, and destroyed hundreds of homesteads. Most of the
dead were shot in public executions, often after being forced to dig their
own
graves in front of family and fellow villagers. The largest number of dead
in a
single killing involved the deliberate shooting of 62 young men and women on
the banks of the Cewale River, Lupane, on 5 March 1983. Seven survived with
gunshot wounds, the other 55 died. Another way Fifth Brigade killed large
groups
of people by burning them alive in their huts. They did this in Tsholotsho
and also
in Lupane. They would routinely round up dozens, or even hundreds, of
civilians
and march them at gun point to a central place, a school or bore-hole. There
hey would be forced to sing Shona songs praising ZANU, at the same time
being
beaten with sticks. These gatherings usually ended with public executions.
Those
killed could be ex-ZIPRAs, ZAPU officials, or anybody chosen at random.
The only survivors were those in hiding, whom the Fifth Brigade did not
find. The
names of the victims are set out in Annex I attached to this indictment.
Operation Mavhoterapapi (Who did you vote for?)
26. About late April 2008, the (JOC) and ZANU(PF) forces, comprising of the
Youth Militia (also known as Green Bombers or Boys in Blue), members of the
War
Veteran auxiliary and members of the ZRP Militia, were in control of the
various
rural areas in Zimbabwe which the MDC had garnered support in the elections.
Following the elections in Zimbabwe on 29 March
2009, Mugabe's ZANU-PF party
unleashed a campaign of state-sponsored terror to punish MDC activists and
voters who are suspected of having voted for the opposition. The violence is
resulting in new waves of internal displacement in Zimbabwe.
ZANU-PF officials refer to the campaign of violence and intimidation as
Operation Mavhoterapapi (Shona for "Where did you put your cross?"). The aim
of the organized violence appears to be to intimidate voters to vote for
ZANU-PF
should there be a run-off in the presidential election
At approximately the same time the Youth Militia took away five civilians
from
Uzumba and four from the village of Maramba Pfungwe into an unknown
location where they killed them. The names of the victims are set out in
Annex I
attached to this indictment.
26. On April 9, armed men backed by ZANU-PF activists went to the houses of
known MDC activists in Mutoko, 160 kilometres to the north of Harare, and
chased them from the town. The following weekend, 20 houses of suspected
MDC supporters were burned in Mutoko.
27.People in the constituency of Murehwa West, in Mashonaland East, reported
that a number of ZANU-PF officials - including the Health Minister, Dr David
Parirenyatwa, and the Deputy Rural Housing Minister, Joel Biggie Matiza, who
is a
ZANU-PF MP for the area - threatened local people who had been forced to
attend a political meeting on 10 April. A witness at the meeting said:
"These MPs
had guns, they were intimidating people. They said, 'This city is ours.
There is no
room for sell-outs to the whites. If you support the opposition, you must
leave or
we will kill you.'" At least one shot was fired into the air to intimidate
people.
28. About 28 people from Mutata, Mukango, and Matumbura villages are
reported to have fled after ZANU-PF youth militias and war veterans attacked
people in Mutata village on 12 April 2008 with axes and burned down an
unknown number of houses in Mutata village

29.More than 450 people are reported to be sleeping in the bush around the
village of Kazangarare, near Karoi, following the murder on Sunday 13 April
of an
MDC activist, Tapiwa Mubwanda, allegedly by ZANU-PF youth militia.
30. In Mt Darwin East, Chibara village, David Tonde Nhapera of the MDC was
allegedly picked up on Saturday, April 20 2008. Zanu PF supporters
reportedly
marched and beat people at night in Pote and Tengwe villages 4, 5, 14, and
15.
Aaron Magweva (33) of Kenzamba village was attacked by four Zanu PF youths
accusing him of being an MDC polling agent. He said was stationed at Kasonde
polling station. The ruling party youths allegedly burnt all the victims'
property
and ZW$50 billion and he later got help after about a week.
31. Sakina Maguma (F) of between 40-45yrs of Chikawa village in Mudzi South
Constituency and more than ten MDC-T supporters were tortured by war
veterans and Zanu PF youths accused of having voted for opposition party
MDC-
T. They were informed that they were sell outs that wanted to bring back the
colonial era. They were told to lie down on their stomachs, beaten with logs
and
fists.
32. Eight Zanu PF youths and two war veterans identified as Cloud Mashoko a
soldier, Oswell Kasakura a soldier, and a war veteran Aaron Jack Kadande
nicknamed Zizi, Zanu PF youth vice chair Raphel Chimhandu, Tichafa Chimunhu,
Wellington Chimunhu, Dova Mutekede, Nyepanai Mutekede, Marisa Mapika
and Ian Makonde, beat up Portia Pfiramata, Demius Dombo, and Happiness
Mutata (30) of Mutata village on Saturday, 12 April 2008 around 10pm. The
victims were allegedly attacked with logs and axes. Happiness Mutata was
beaten together with his wife Kudakwashe Chakasviba, he was attacked three
times with an axe. The husband and wife ran away but three rooms from the
main house were destroyed. A kitchen was burnt and a two room house was
damaged together with property worth ZW$1billion. Mutata is employed as a
cotton grader and he alleged that he was informed that both his hands would
be broken so that he would never work again. His harvested cotton was burnt.
He alleged that other villager's houses were burnt and about 28 people ran
away from the village. The affected villagers are from Mutata, Mukango, and
Matumbura villages. Matata is hospitalised at a local hospital.
The names of the victims are set out in Annex I attached to this indictment.
WARD 8, SHAMVA
33. On or about 10 April 2008, as part of the overall persecution campaign,
(JOC) and ZANU (PF) military forces under the command, control, or
influence, of
Robert Gabriel MUGABE and other participants of the joint criminal
enterprise,
descended on the home of a village head in Ward 8 Shamva and attacked the
traditional leader and his wife with axes. Sabhuku Elias Madzivanzira, who
was
over 70 years old, died on the spot.
His wife suffered severe injuries but has been blocked from getting medical
treatment. Muchemwa said she may die soon if nothing is done. He explained
that Madzivanzira was targeted because his Ward produced a majority of
opposition councillors in the March 29 election.
The youths went on to burn down about 80 homes in the area, which is run by
Chief Mutumba. Muchemwa said all 80 of the families have fled and it is not
clear where they are living. The Shamva area is where we reported that 100
families were camping outside the police station after their houses were
burnt
down.
In April 2008, ZANU-PF youths were given blue uniforms and are now known as
the "Boys in Blue". Since then violence has escalated drastically in the
Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East areas. The youth now travel in
larger teams of 500 to 1,000 in order to make sure they outnumber opposition
groups that were forming groups to defend themselves.
Muchemwa said the locals have implicated the Deputy Youth Minister and Mt
Darwin MP Saviour Kasukuwere as the chief architect of the violence in these
areas. Our correspondent spoke to one of the ZANU-PF youth members who fled
from their militia camp and he confirmed that they were being paid to carry
out
these brutal attacks.
Each targeted opposition supporter is rated by the chief organisers
according to
a "star" system. A target with 5 stars is the highest rating, meaning most
wanted
and is to be killed; 4 stars mean you rate a severe beating and torture; 3
stars will
get you serious intimidation and mild assault. Muchemwa said the youth are
being paid Z$10 billion if the target dies instantly. They get Z$5 billion
if the target
suffers serious injuries that could lead to death and Z$1 billion if they
flee from
their home.
Election 2000 State Sponsored Violence
34. On 20 December, Milton Chambati, 45, was stabbed to death and his head
was hacked off by a group of about 50 suspected members of the Zanu PF
Youth Brigade who had besieged Magunje town in northwest Zimbabwe, and
started beating up opposition party members. Police have not arrested anyone
in connection with the killing and failed or refused to investigate the
matter.
35. On 21 December, ZANU-PF youth in Karoi stabbed to death Titus Nheya, 56,
a
veteran politician and trade unionist who had contested the Zvimba South
parliamentary seat for the opposition. The group was reportedly led by a
well
known war veteran. When MDC reported the incident to the police, the war
veteran was arrested but later released without charge. The case appeared to
have been closed.
36. Opposition political member Rambisai Nyika was killed December 24 in
Gokwe, western Zimbabwe, allegedly by militant supporters of ZANU-PF. To
Amnesty International's knowledge, no investigation into the killings has
been
carried out.
37. Opposition activist Laban Chiweta died in hospital on 26 December from
burns and head injuries. National Youth Service members allegedly attacked
him
in the town of Trojan Mine near Bindura on 6 December. Opposition officials
said
the attack on Chiweta and others took place in the presence of police
officers
who neither intervened nor arrested the assailants.
38. On New Year's Eve, some 200 ZANU PF supporters organized into a militia
stabbed to death Mr. Jena, a schoolteacher in Shamva district of Mashonaland
Central province. The mob first raided Kamujariwa village, where houses were
burnt and villagers assaulted. Police did not intervene when called, and
apparently have not taken steps to investigate the killing
39. Trymore Midzi, 24, died on 31 December at the Avenues Clinic in Harare
after
allegedly being stabbed on 29 December in Bindura by Zanu PF supporters and
young trainees from the Border Gezi Youth Training Centre. Police have
reportedly arrested suspects.
40. Moffat Soko Chivaura ''disappeared'' on Saturday 29 December 2001 in
same
incident in Bindura. He is feared dead after failing to escape from machete
and
club-wielding Zanu PF supporters who attacked the family of Trymore Midzi at
the
cemetery.
41. Sylvester Kuveya is severely beaten and burnt with fire wood and plastic
near
the Chegutu beerhall. Kuveya sells the independent Daily News and is a
supporter of MDC; he is beaten up and taken to a roasted maize vendor and
burnt with firewood and plastic. Tunga Mozalani is also beaten up by ruling
Zanu
PF supporters and stabbed. The two are in serious condition in Harare and
Parirenyatwa Hospitals.
Their bodies of the deceased were buried in a various villages. The names of
the
victims are set out in Annex I attached to this indictment
COUNTS 6 to 13
(UNLAWFUL CONFINEMENT, IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE and INHUMANE ACTS)
42. From April 1980, Robert Gabriel MUGABE, acting alone or in concert with
other known and unknown members of a joint criminal enterprise, planned,
instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and abetted the planning,
preparation, or execution of the unlawful confinement or imprisonment under
inhumane conditions of the Ethnic Ndebele people people, ZAPU and MDC
supporters and other perceived political enemies.
43. ZANU (PF) militia forces, comprised of War Veterans, ZNA, AFZ, ZPS, CIO
and
PISI (Police Internal Security) units acting in co-operation with local and
ZRP staff
and local ZANU (PF) authorities, arrested and detained thousands of Ethnic
Ndebele people people, ZAPU and MDC supporters, other non- ZANU (PF)
civilians from the place specified in the following short- and long-term
detention
facilities:
a. Military barracks, KG VI (Harare) - Defence Forces HQ, building in
Harare,
Zimbabwe, run by the ZNA, approximately fifty detainees.
b. Military barracks, Kabrit (Harare) - Military Intelligence, in Harare, a
transit
detention facility run by the ZNA that also included scores of long-term
detainees.
c. Military barracks in Connemara (Gweru) - run by the ZNA, approximately
one
hundred detainees
d. Border Gezi Training Camp, Bindura- run by the government of Zimbabwe,
approximately 200 detainees
e. Goromonzi CIO interrogation centre, run by the CIO, approximately 200
detainees
f. Harare Central Remand Prison run by the ZPS, hundreds of detainees
g. Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Military prison in Harare run by the
ZPS,
hundreds of detainees
44. The living conditions in these detention facilities were brutal and
characterised by inhumane treatment, overcrowding, starvation, forced
labour,
inadequate medical care, and constant physical and psychological assault,
including mock executions, torture, beatings, and sexual assault.
45. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:
Count 6: Imprisonment, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY punishable under THE
GENEVA CONVENTION and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 7: Torture, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY punishable under THE
GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 8: Inhumane acts, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY punishable under
THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
STATUTES.
Count 9: Unlawful confinement, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS OF 1949 punishable under THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 10: Torture, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF
1949 punishable under THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 11: Wilfully causing great suffering, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE
GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949 and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
STATUTES.
Count 12: Torture, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR as
recognised by Common Article 3 (1)(a) of the Geneva Conventions of
1949 and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT STATUTES.
Count 13: Cruel treatment, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF
WAR as recognised by Common Article 3 (1)(a) of the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
COUNTS 14 to 16
(DEPORTATION, FORCIBLE TRANSFER)
46. From April 1980 to April 2008, Robert Gabriel MUGABE, acting alone or in
concert with other known and unknown members of the joint criminal
enterprise,
planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and abetted the
planning, preparation, or execution of the deportations or forcible
transfers of
the Ethnic Ndebele people people, ZAPU and MDC supporters .
47. In order to achieve this objective, ZANU (PF) militia Green Bombers,
Boys in
Blue, War Veteran Auxiliary including the ZRP Para military in co-operation
with
the CIO and others under the effective control of Robert Gabriel MUGABE, or
other participants in the joint criminal enterprise, surrounded rural
villages and
demanded their inhabitants to surrender their opposition party T-shirts and
membership cards. Then, villages were attacked, even those inhabitants who
had complied with the demands. These attacks were intended to compel the
population to flee. After taking control of the villages, the ZANU (PF)
militia
sometimes rounded up the remaining opposition party supporters and forcibly
transported them to unknown locations. On other occasions, the ZANU (PF)
militia
in co-operation with the local government authorities imposed restrictive
and
discriminatory measures on the non-ZANU (PF) population and engaged in a
campaign of terror designed to drive them out of their villages and farms.
48. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:

Count 14: Deportation, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY, punishable under
Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT STATUTES.
Count 15: Inhumane Acts (Forcible Transfers), a CRIME AGAINST
HUMANITY, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 16: Unlawful Deportation or Transfer, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE
GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
COUNTS 17 to 20
(WANTON DESTRUCTION, PLUNDER OF PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY)
49. From April 1 to April 2008, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, acting alone or in
concert
with other known and unknown members of the joint criminal enterprise,
planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and abetted the
planning, preparation, or execution of the wanton destruction and plunder of
the public and private property of the Ethnic Ndebele people people, ZAPU
and MDC supporters and other non- ZANU (PF) supporters, within the borders
of
Zimbabwe although these actions were not justified by military necessity.
This
intentional and wanton destruction and plunder included the plunder and
destruction of homes and religious and cultural buildings, and took place in
the
following towns and villages:
Lupane, Tsholotsho, Gweru, Kwekwe
Bindura, Chegutu, Zvimba, Hurungwe
Mutare, Marondera, Murehwa, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
50. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:
Count 17: Extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified
by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, a GRAVE
BREACH OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949, punishable under of THE
GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 18: Wanton destruction of villages, or devastation not justified by
military necessity, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR,
punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 19: Destruction or wilful damage done to institutions dedicated to
education or religion, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR,

punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 20: Plunder of public or private property, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
OR CUSTOMS OF WAR, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Matebeleland and Midlands Provinces (Gukurahundi)
COUNTS 21 to 27
(MURDER, WILFUL KILLING, WILFULLY CAUSING GREAT SUFFERING,
CRUEL TREATMENT, ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS)
51. From April 1980 to April 2008, Robert Gabriel MUGABE, acting alone or in
concert with other known and unknown members of the joint criminal
enterprise,
planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or otherwise aided and abetted the
planning, preparation, or execution of a military campaign directed at the
villages of Matebeleland and Midlands Provinces and their surroundings in
order
to achieve the forcible removal of Ethnic Ndebele people speaking people.
52. In this time period, ZNA forces comprised of Fifth Brigade land and air
units, as
well ZANU (PF) militia units, ZRP Para military units and volunteer units,
subordinated to the Prime Minister's Officer and under the effective control
of
Robert Gabriel MUGABE and other members of the joint criminal enterprise, in
particular Perence Shiri, launched an extensive military attack on the rural
villages.
53. During an unlawful extensive military campaign, civilians were killed
and
numerous others wounded. The incidents and the names of the killed civilians
are
set out in Annex II attached to this indictment.
54. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:
Count 21: Murder, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY, punishable under Articles
of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
STATUTES.
Count 22: Wilful killing, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS
OF 1949, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 23: Murder, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR, as
recognised by Common Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Conventions of
1949, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 24: Inhumane acts, a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY, punishable under
Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT STATUTES.
Count 25: Wilfully causing great suffering, a GRAVE BREACH OF THE
GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 26: Cruel treatment, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF
WAR, as recognised by Common Article 3(1) (a) of the Geneva
Conventions of 1949, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 27: Attacks on civilians, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF
WAR, as recognised by Article 51(2) of Additional Protocol I and Article
13(2) of Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions of 1949,
punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
COUNTS 28 to 32
(WANTON DESTRUCTION, PLUNDER OF PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY)
55. From April 1980 to April 2008, during these military attacks, Robert
Gabriel
MUGABE , acting alone or in concert with other known and unknown members
of the joint criminal enterprise, planned, instigated, ordered, committed,
or
otherwise aided and abetted the planning, preparation and execution of the
wanton destruction or wilful damage and plunder of the public and private
property of the supporters of the MDC, ZAPU and other non- ZANU(PF)
supporters
within the Republic of Zimbabwe This campaign included the destruction,
damage or plunder of homes, religious, historical and cultural buildings and
other
civilian public or private buildings, not justified by military necessity.
56. During the terror campaign on April 18 2008 in the city of Harare, a
building,
Harvest House was damaged during a raid by paramilitary police in pursuit of
internally displaced refugees housed there.
57. By these acts and omissions, Robert Gabriel MUGABE committed:
Count 28: Extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified
by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, a GRAVE
BREACH OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949, punishable under Articles
of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
STATUTES.
Count 29: Wanton destruction of villages, or devastation not justified by
military necessity, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF WAR,
punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 30: Destruction or wilful damage done to historic monuments and
institutions dedicated to education or religion, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
OR CUSTOMS OF WAR, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 31: Plunder of public or private property, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
OR CUSTOMS OF WAR, punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS and INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
Count 32: Unlawful attacks on civilian objects, a VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
OR CUSTOMS OF WAR, as recognised by Article 52(1) of Additional
Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and customary law,
punishable under Articles of THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS and
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTES.
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS:
58. All acts and omissions alleged in this indictment between April 1980 and
April
30 2008 occurred in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
59. Between at least 1 April 1980 and at least April 1980, a state of armed
conflict
existed in Zimbabwe, this armed conflict was internal and a low intensity
state
sponsored conflict in nature.
60. All acts and omissions charged as Grave Breaches of the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 occurred during the internal armed and low intensity
conflict.
61. At all times relevant to this indictment, the victims of Grave Breaches
of the
Geneva Conventions of 1949 were persons protected under the provisions of
the
relevant Geneva Conventions.
62. All acts and omissions charged relative to the destruction of property
as
Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 involved "protected
property" under the relevant provisions of the Geneva Conventions.
63. At all times relevant to this indictment, Robert Gabriel MUGABE was
required
to abide by the laws and customs governing the conduct of armed conflicts,
including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the additional protocols
thereto.
64. All acts and omissions charged as Crimes against Humanity were part of a
widespread and systematic attack directed against the Ethnic Ndebele people
of Matebeleland and Midlands Provinces, ZAPU, MDC supporters and other non-
ZANU(PF)civilian population of large rural areas of Zimbabwe
ADDITIONAL FACTS:
65. The Republic of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, is located in southern
Africa
and borders Zambia and Malawi to the north and north-east, and Mozambique
to the east, Botswana to the west, and South Africa to the south.
66. The provinces are indicated in the attached Annex III.
Dated this 25th day of June ,2008


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Africans must deny Mugabe his moment of glory in Egypt

Independent, UK

Leading article:
Monday, 30 June 2008

Robert Mugabe is moving at lightning speed to ensure that his fraudulent
re-election as Zimbabwe's president wins the crucial endorsement of fellow
African leaders. Hence the decision to race from the coronation ceremony in
Zimbabwe - even before the election results are declared - to the African
Union summit in Egypt, where the old gambler intends to bounce Africa's
leaders into accepting his victory.

If all goes to plan, dissenting voices at the summit will be muffled,
enabling Mugabe to return home in glory. Vowing defiance of Western
colonialists, this will be the cue to throw paltry and insincere concessions
in the direction of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change,
purely for the sake of publicity.

This dismal scenario is not far-fetched. African leaders have proved loath
to criticise the guerrilla leader who toppled Ian Smith's white Rhodesia,
and feelings of racial and political solidarity have traditionally trumped
concerns over Zimbabwe's breathtaking collapse under Mugabe's brutal but
cack-handed rule.

Yet there is still hope that this dreadful vision may be confounded, Mugabe
deprived of a diplomatic triumph and his iron grip on power shaken. A
misplaced instinct for solidarity among African leaders is breaking down,
not before time. Kenya's leaders have spoken out against the nonsense of an
election in which only one candidate took part and the opposition was driven
from the field by terror. Botswana has also made known its deep unhappiness
over the state of its neighbour. Pan-African observers of the Zimbabwe
election have declined to bless the poll, insisting it was neither free nor
fair. Clearly, they were swayed by the defiance of many Zimbabweans who
refused to vote, spoiled their ballot papers, or even cast votes for the
opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, though he had by then withdrawn as a
candidate.

Until now, Mugabe has been able to rely on nods and winks from Thabo Mbeki
in South Africa, the only country with real leverage over Zimbabwe. It would
be too much to expect a change of heart from Mbeki at this late stage; but
sharp criticism of the Mugabe regime from the new ANC leader, Jacob Zuma, as
well as from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and, in recent days, from Nelson
Mandela, shows that black South Africans no longer feel as bound by ties of
loyalty to Zimbabwe's boss as they did. Of course, neither Tutu, Mandela nor
Zuma will be attending the African Union summit, so their voices will have
no direct impact on discussions. But we must hope the growing chorus of
protest against the Harare regime from within Africa itself will have an
effect on the deliberations.

This is indeed Africa's moment, for good or ill. If the summit allows the
bloodstained charade of Mugabe's election to pass unnoticed, hopes for the
continent's democratic development will have been radically set back.
Similarly, if the summit denies Mugabe the fig leaf of legitimacy that he
craves, his regime will be embarrassed and forced on the defensive.

Resolution of Zimbabwe's crisis is urgent. Discussion of its government as a
tyranny often misses the point. This is not an otherwise economically
"normal" country, disfigured by a politically repressive regime. It is a
country where the economy is collapsing with such terrifying speed that a
large proportion of the population faces only two options: flight, or death
by starvation. It is still not too late to salvage something of Zimbabwe's
vanished prosperity and prevent its further descent into hopeless turmoil.
But it depends on Mugabe's speedy exit from the stage. If the Egyptian
summiteers disappoint him, that day may come sooner than we think. The
African Union must do the right thing.


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China resists bid for Zimbabwe sanctions


By MATTHEW LEE - 20 minutes ago

BEIJING (AP) - While China heaped praise on the United States for its help
in recovering from a devastating earthquake, there was no sign Sunday its
gratitude would extend to international matters.

Despite unusually warm expressions of thanks for the quake aid, Chinese
officials were cool at best to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's
attempts to enlist Beijing's support to slap U.N. Security Council sanctions
against Zimbabwe for a widely denounced election.

China, an ally and trading partner of Zimbabwe, holds a veto in the Security
Council and its backing, along with that of Russia, will be essential to any
move in the body to penalize President Robert Mugabe and his top aides for
allegedly instigating political violence.

The Bush administration wants to imposed an international arms embargo on
Zimbabwe and place travel bans on Mugabe and his cronies. But after meeting
Rice, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Beijing favors negotiations
between Mugabe, who was sworn in for a new term Sunday, and the opposition.

"The most pressing path is to stabilize the situation in Zimbabwe," Yang
Jiechi said at a news conference with Rice. "We hope the parties concerned
can engage in serious dialogue to find a proper solution."

His comments hewed to China's standard line, but they signaled that Beijing
had not been moved by the case Rice made for sanctions.

"We believe that it is really now time for the international community to
act more strongly" on Zimbabwe, Rice said. "Frankly, it makes sense to deny
the government of Zimbabwe the means to use violence against its own
people."

Rice says the U.S. plans to introduce a resolution in the council this week.
The United States holds the council's presidency until July 1, but appears
to face an uphill battle in getting several important members to agree to
any penalties.

Speaking on Monday to reporters traveling with her, Rice said, "When we go
to the U.N. we're going to need something that is not just another
statement."

The Bush administration, she said, agrees with China that African nations
need to play a bigger role but additional action is needed.

"We'd like the Africans to take the lead but it is not an African issue
alone. It is also an issue for the Security Council," she said.

Rice planned to raise the issue again with Chinese President Hu Jintao and
Premier Wen Jiabao. But in brief comments before those meetings began the
subject was not mentioned.

Instead, both Hu and Wen went out of their way to thank Rice for U.S.
assistance in the wake of the May 12 quake in China's southwest Sichuan
province that killed nearly 70,000 people.

Rice has said the U.S. plans to introduce a resolution in the council this
coming week.


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Zanu-PF wins two by-elections

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com

June 30, 2008

By Our Correspondent

HARARE -The ruling Zanu-PF has won two of the three by-elections that were
held concurrently with the presidential run off election on June 27 while
the other seat was won by the mainstream MDC led by Tsvangirai.

According to results released by ZEC Sunday afternoon, Zanu-PF candidates
won the Gwanda South and the Redcliff constituencies while the MDC won the
Mpopoma-Pelandaba seat.

The Gwanda South seat went to Zanu-PF's Shakespeare Mlilo who polled 7 850
while Nephat Mdlongwa of MDC (Tsvangirai) received 1 198 vote. Elizabeth
Ndlovu of the Arthur Mutambara led faction of the MDC got 676 votes.

There were 204 spoilt papers while the percentage poll was 40, 67 percent.

In Redcliff Zanu-PF's Isheunesu Muza polled 6 661 votes while Aaron
Chinhara - one of the two mainstream MDC candidates - got 3 189. Tapera
Hlongeni another MDC candidate polled 2 096 votes. Pezuru Karigambe (MDC)
polled 210.

There were 235 spoiled papers. The percentage poll was 41, 18 percent.

In Pelandaba-Mpopoma Samuel Khumalo of the mainstream MDC won the seat with
3 795 votes while Zimbabwe's information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu of
Zanu-PF polled 1 555.

Milford Gwetu of the Arthur Mutambara led MDC polled 646, Chamunorwa Mahachi
(Independent) 16, Fungai Mutukwa (Independent) 22, Samuel Ndlovu (UPP) 60,
Leonard Nkala (PUMA) 18, Job Sibanda (Independent) 172.

There were 104 spoilt papers. The percentage poll was 22, 38 percent.

The by-election results now bring to 99, the number of Zanu-PF elected MPs,
one short of the MDC's 100.

A total of 10 seats were won by the other MDC led by Arthur Mutambara while
one is occupied by Professor Jonathan Moyo, an independent.


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Africa's Leaders Split Over Response to Mugabe's Election

VOA

By Peter Heinlein
Sharm el Sheik
30 June 2008

Africa's leaders are grappling with the question of how to treat Zimbabwe's
Robert Mugabe when he arrives to attend an African Union summit beginning
Monday at the Egyptian resort Sharm el Sheik. From the summit site, VOA's
Peter Heinlein reports Zimbabwe's political crisis has overshadowed other
issues in the pre-summit negotiations.

Africa's top diplomats and politicians met in closed session for several
hours Sunday, and into the early hours Monday, debating how to respond to
Robert Mugabe's challenge to democracy on the continent. But as heads of
state arrive for the opening of a two-day summit, word from behind those
closed doors is that the 53 African Union members are sharply divided.

Mr. Mugabe was sworn in for a sixth term in office shortly before the
meeting started, after winning a one-man election widely viewed as a farce.
The question facing the African Union as it meets in this Red Sea resort is
whether to accept him as Zimbabwe's legitimate leader.

In a sign of the sensitivity of the issue, Tanzania's Foreign Minister
Bernard Membe late Sunday refused to answer reporters' questions about how
the African Union would react to the vote. When asked whether he would
address Mr. Mugabe as president when he arrives at the summit hall, Membe
cautioned journalists to stop dwelling on titles.

"We are in a serious business here," said Bernard Membe. "The question is
the people of Zimbabwe, what do we do for the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
It's not a matter of the titles of the people, and I would be surprised if
somebody would waste your time on trying to look for a title. You can call
me a terrorist, you can call me anybody, but as long as I address the issues
of my home country, I don't care. So it would be none of this summit's
business to choose titles for leaders."

Word from behind the closed doors of Sunday's meetings was that several West
African nations are pushing for  strong statement condemning the conduct of
the runoff election, but that a number of other countries are resisting.

America's top diplomat on African affairs made clear that Mr. Mugabe is no
longer considered as a legitimate head of state. Speaking on the summit
sidelines, Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazier noted that African
observer groups, from the Pan African Parliament to the Southern African
Development Community, were in broad agreement that the election failed to
satisfy the standards of freedom and fairness.

"Just a quote from the SADC report that has just come out," said Jendayi
Frazier. "They said, 'based on the above mentioned observations, the mission
is of the view that the prevailing environment impinged on the credibility
of the electoral process, the elections did not represent the will of the
people of Zimbabwe.'  That's a pretty definitive statement from the Southern
African Development Community's observers, and so I think that clearly says
what has been said, which is you can't have a free and fair election, and
you can't have the outcome considered legitimate or credible based on the
level of intimidation and violence going into that election."

There remains strong resistance among many of  Mr. Mugable's African Union
peers to any strong action against him. But diplomats say there appears to
be a new willingness among African leaders to break with their long
tradition of not criticizing another member of the club.

Some of those officials say they can trace the change to a summit eve
comment made by Africa's elder statesman, Nelson Mandela . As he turned
90-years-old during the past week, Mandela spoke of a 'tragic failure of
leadership in Zimbabwe'.

Diplomats here point out, however, that only 23 of Africa's 53 heads of
state have been elected. Mr. Mugabe still has many supporters among the AU's
leaders, and there are still tough meetings ahead before the continental
body is ready to take a stand on this latest challenge to African democracy.


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Zimbabwe's descent

Stuff, New Zealand

Nelson | Monday, 30 June 2008

It is easy to agonise from afar about the plight Zimbabwe faces as Robert
Mugabe's tyranny towards his people runs unchecked, the Nelson Mail said in
an editorial on Monday.

There are the goon squads who, in his name, ran the lead-up to the weekend's
one-candidate presidential election sham as if they were at war: beating,
even killing Zimbabweans suspected of not supporting the 84-year-old
despot's rule. There is the trashed economy: this month's annualised
inflation figure is predicted to top 10.5 million percent. There is the
dismantling of a once efficient food production system, driving Zimbabweans
in their hundreds of thousands to seek food and shelter in neighbouring
countries. There is the inept, despotic ruling administration which has
squandered millions of dollars and stolen many millions more. And there is
the end of the Zimbabwean dream as a thriving, idealistic blueprint for
post-colonial Africa.

However, the reality is that there is little the world can do. Neither the
United Nations, former colonial power Britain nor contemporary African
leaders - many of them with an equally slippery grasp of the concept of
democracy - have been able to exert influence over a corrupt regime led by a
dictator hell-bent on retaining power. Mr Mugabe will not be swayed by
tut-tutting platitudes, by being stripped of an honorary knighthood, by the
isolation of his beloved national cricket team, by sanctions or by rare
unanimous condemnation by the UN security council, and can have no sympathy
for the plight of his people. Only if full-scale civil war breaks out - and
the weekend's events do take the nation of 12.4 million people a large step
closer to that horror - is any significant form of outside intervention
likely in a bid to break Mr Mugabe's grip. The world is understandably
reluctant to add another attempt at regime-change-by-invasion to the annals
of history.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to pull out of a presidential
run-off he rightly described as farcical was motivated partly by
self-interest - and he should not be blamed for that. He had every reason to
fear for his life, and his decision to shelter in the Dutch embassy in
Harare reportedly followed a tip that Mr Mugabe's murderous puppet police
were on their way to his house.

An equally compelling reason for a decision he and his party agonised over
was fear for the fate of those prepared to vote for change at any cost.
Reports of people being forced to vote rather than abstain, thereby
indicating a lack of support for their president, of threats to the lives of
anyone not voting for Mr Mugabe, of individual serial numbers being taken so
their ballots could be checked and of people being given voting
"assistance", show all too clearly the wisdom of Mr Tsvangirai's stance.

Rather than the hero who liberated his people from a hardline colonial
regime as he would have been viewed had he chartered a more moderate course,
Mr Mugabe is being ranked alongside the likes of former Ugandan strongman
Idi Amin as just another African tyrant.

Zimbabwe may be on the brink of descending into the sort of chaos seen in
Rwanda in 1994, where an estimated half a million people were slain under
the lowered gaze of UN troops already in the country in a monitoring role.
Its best hopes lie in true commitment from the African Union to solving the
current crisis - which might require it to sideline South African president
Thabo Mbeki - and in Mr Tsvangirai's continuing ability to persuade his
supporters to exercise restraint and somehow find a little more patience.

Mr Mugabe, sworn in Monday for his sixth term, says only God will remove him
from office. Unfortunately, his maker shows no signs of wanting him.


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US Dept of State Press Statement


Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 29, 2008

Crisis in Zimbabwe
The Government of Zimbabwe has followed a sham election with an illegitimate
inauguration. As the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika
and election observer mission, as well as many African leaders have already
said, any outcome from this illegitimate runoff cannot be considered
credible. We condemn the actions of the Mugabe regime, which continues to
reject the will of the Zimbabwean people, abuse their human rights, and deny
them humanitarian assistance.

As the nations of Africa gather in Egypt for the African Union (AU) Summit,
the United States calls upon all members of the AU to reject the June 27
election, to denounce Robert Mugabe's inauguration, to support a joint
AU/United Nations/SADC negotiating team that will work toward a resolution
of the political crisis that reflects the will of the people as expressed on
March 29. We also call upon SADC and UN Security Council to work closely
with the AU to help the parties in Zimbabwe agree on a peaceful way forward.

As President Bush stated yesterday, the United States will support a
legitimate, democratically elected government of Zimbabwe with assistance in
the form of debt relief, normalization of relations with international
financial institutions, and development assistance. In the meantime, the
United States will not abandon the people of Zimbabwe. We will continue to
provide direct humanitarian assistance to feed more than one million people
and provide treatment to more than 40,000 needy patients.

2008/533

Released on June 29, 2008

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