From The East African (Kenya), 23 June

Finally, Mbeki Takes Tough Stance On Mugabe

London - The crisis in Zimbabwe dominated last week's state visit by Thabo Mbeki to the United Kingdom, but British officials are said to be quietly pleased that the South African leader appeared to be taking a tougher line on President Robert Mugabe than was previously the case. Mr Mbeki is also likely to have returned to South Africa over the weekend pleased at British Prime Minister Tony Blair's pledge put the issue of African trade, investment and debt at the top of the UK government's priority list in terms of foreign affairs. With the economic crisis in Zimbabwe worsening, it was expected that Mr Mbeki and his ministers would be in for a tough round of talking with Mr Blair's new administration, but the two leaders instead went out of their way to smooth over any difficult issues. Such was the extent of the co-operation between the two leaders that they even penned a joint article for the Guardian, in which they stressed that "the fight against poverty in Africa is the most pressing moral challenge of our time." They said there was a need for "a new partnership" between Africa and the international community, which "is not merely an appeal for more aid, but for a new, changed relationship based on mutual interest and shared commitments."

While Mr Mbeki's comments on Zimbabwe were the most widely reported items of last week's talks, Mr Blair was also outspoken on the issue of continuing EU trade barriers against the developing world which he described as "scandalous." Mr Blair said that in terms of foreign affairs that tackling Africa's problems was "a second term priority" for his government and "something I care about deeply." He indicated that London was prepared to become more heavily involved in conflict resolving initiatives across Africa as it had in Sierra Leone.

Mr Mbeki in turn appeared to have listened more to London's concerns about Mr Mugabe than had previously been the case. While ruling out economic sanctions or the use of SA's considerable economic and military clout to force change in Harare, Mr Mbeki insisted that he had done everything he could to persuade Zimbabwe's leader to respect the rule of law, democratic principles and to resolve the question of land reform peacefully. "I have said this to President Mugabe," Mr Mbeki was reported as saying. "How much more can one take off the gloves? I would like to know what else we are supposed to do." Mr Mbeki was concerned that the situation in Zimbabwe is now affecting investment prospects for the whole region, but stopped short of admitting that his neighbour's problems were political rather than economic.

But SA's president clearly remains concerned at the possibility of economic collapse in Zimbabwe and it is unlikely that Pretoria will end its policy of providing energy and other vital infrastructure needs. He also spoke out against the issue of SA trying to force its way on its neighbour, or indeed, any other African country. "We would not want to have a situation that there is a new imperial power on the continent," he said.

Mr Blair last week appointed Britain's first black minister of state for Africa. Baroness Amos took over the brief from Brian Wilson. Born in Guyana, Baroness Amos was previously the government's spokeswoman for the Department for International Development in the House of Lords. Also back in the foreign office - this time as Minister of State for European affairs - is Peter Hain formerly the minister of state for Africa. Mr Hain took over from Labour's only Asian minister Keith Vaz who was the subject of intense media investigation over his business affairs. While Mr Vaz officially resigned on the grounds of ill-health, many political commentators felt he would have been sacked had he stayed. The new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the UK is Jack Straw, previously the Home Secretary, and a man regarded as more Eurosceptic on the key issue of whether or not Britain should join the single European currency.

Chaos at airport as flights overbooked Chengetai Zvauya CHAOS and confusion reigned at the Harare International Airport on Friday, with scores of solar eclipse tourists and other travellers struggling to leave the country after Air Zimbabwe failed to cope with the influx of tourists. The departure lounge was a hive of activity with passengers trying to confirm their flights to various destinations from Harare. Zimbabwe lost many eclipse tourists to Zambia because of political uncertainty within the country. 20 000 tourists reportedly preferred to watch the eclipse in Zambia as compared to only 5 000 in Zimbabwe. On Friday, at least seven chartered planes left for European destinations such as Germany, England, Sweden, Switzerland and France, carrying eclipse tourists over and above the scheduled flights. Air Zimbabwe spokesperson, Moses Mapanda, confirmed to The Standard that the airline had experienced problems with the volumes of people leaving the country . “There were a lot of travellers leaving the country and we had a busy week. You must understand that we had to put on an extra flight to accommodate them and of course there were problems that we experienced. But people must understand that it was good business for the airline and for the country.” A group of Swedish tourists who The Standard spoke to on Friday, complained that their flights had been rescheduled to the following day because Air Zimbabwe overbooked on the flight to Europe. Tourists in transit from Zambia to various destinations said they had avoided watching the historical solar eclipse in Zimbabwe because of the insecure political environment. Bob Smith from the USA, who led a group of 50 tourists, said that he and his friends had chartered a plane from the USA to the southern Africa region and had stopped at Harare airport in transit to Zambia. “We were informed that there was political violence in your country and we did not want to be involved. So we moved our camp to Zambia where we had a wonderful time during the eclipse. We have no regrets about not viewing the eclipse from Zimbabwe.” Another group of tourists from Sweden, led by Harriet Sein, said they went to Zambia instead of Zimbabwe for fear that they would fall victim to lawlessness and because of the poor airline service offered in Zimbabwe. “We are supposed to fly out tonight to London, then connect our flight to Sweden. But we are not so sure whether we will be able to do so. We are being subjected to many delays and we are very disappointed with the airline,” said Sein.

CHIDYAUSIKU SET FOR NEW JOB—• State ignores complaints by legal fraternity Staff Writers GOVERNMENT is set to appoint Acting Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku as the substantive chief justice next week, despite strong objections from the legal fraternity, civic organisations, and the general public. Incumbent Chief Justice Antony Gubbay will officially leave the bench when his forced leave ends on Saturday. Lawyers who spoke to The Standard this week said they were contemplating convening a special general meeting of the Law Society to pass a resolution of no confidence in Chidyausiku. But Law Society of Zimbabwe officials told The Standard that the organisation had not made any official representations against Chidyausiku’s appointment, because their members had not approached them formally on the issue, save through an anonymous document. However, the lawyers argue that there was no way they could publicly object to the appointment of Chidya-usiku and other judges, and expect to get fair hearings from the same judges. “We are looking at requesting the Law Society to convene a special general meeting which will pass a no confidence vote in Chidya-usiku. “In any case, the resolution will just serve as a persuasive measure, but otherwise it’s the president’s prerogative to appoint the chief justice of his choice,” said one prominent lawyer who requested anonymity. Chidyausiku was appointed acting Chief Justice in March after the forced resignation of Gubbay, who was then forced to go on three months leave from 1 March to 30 June 2001. Since Chidyausiku’s appointment as acting chief justice, there have been various representations from quarters where it was felt the appointment was political and would compromise the integrity of the bench. However, it emerged last week that government was more concerned with confirming Chidyausiku for the top judicial post, than with listening to the numerous concerns raised about his suitability. While it is not yet clear when the announcement will be made, The Standard has it on good authority that Chidyausiku was just waiting for a formal appointment. Chidyausiku gets the job ahead of more experienced Supreme Court judges. Government has over the months defended its decision to appoint Chidyausiku to the post, saying seniority was not automatic for promotion. It also made it cleat that it would not appoint any of the four Supreme Court judges as these had fallen out of favour with the authorities. In March this year, about 200 black lawyers wrote to the Judicial Services Commission, which recommends appointments to the High and Supreme Court, questioning Chidyausiku’s suitability. Efforts to obtain comment from justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, and information minister Jonathan Moyo, were unsuccessful up to yesterday.

Health crisis looms as Bulawayo runs out of chemicals

Loughty Dube and Shingai Choruma
BULAWAYO is faced with a health crisis following revelations that the city council has less than a month’s supply of waste and water treatment chemicals as a result of crippling foreign currency shortages faced by chemical importers, The Standard has established.

Chemicals used to treat water include chlorine and aluminium sulphate, which council imports through three companies in the city.

At one stage last month, the city council only had one week’s supply of the chemicals, raising fears over the safety of more than two million Bulawayo residents.

Chlorine is a disinfectant used to kill harmful micro-organisms found in untreated water, while aluminium sulphate is used for sedimentation and for making the water clean.

The three companies tasked to supply the council with chemicals—Cernol Chemicals, Chemplex Corporation and AI Davis and Company—are facing constraints in supplying the city with adequate chemicals as a result of difficulties in sourcing foreign currency.

Council sources said the three companies need a total US$1,5 million (Z$82,5 million) to import the required chemicals.

The council uses 3,3 tonnes of aluminium sulphate, and a further 2,7 tonnes of chlorine daily to purify water at its Ncema and Criterion Water Works.

Bulawayo uses 105 million litres of purified water on a daily basis.

According to recent council minutes, city director of engineering services, George Mlilo, applied for council permission to find an alternative source for the chemicals.

Contacted for comment by The Standard, Mlilo said council had already authorised his department to purchase the chemicals through the council’s Main Stores.

“The situation was critical but now things have reverted to normality. We are now getting supplies from the Main Stores,” said Mlilo.

“We are still getting supplies from the companies who tendered to supply us, but we are not tied down to the contract since they cannot supply us fully.”

‘Where are the 800 000 jobs Zanu PF promised?’ Farai Mutsaka MUTARE—“WE are tired of liberation war stories, we want food on our tables,” was the clear message echoed by thousands of Mutare residents last weekend, summarising the stakes in next year’s presidential election. The ruling party has pegged its 2002 presidential campaign on its liberation war history and on the land issue, while the opposition Movement for Democratic Change is emphasising democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. But the more than 5 000 people who braved last Saturday’s chilly weather to attend an MDC rally in Chikanga township in the eastern border town seem to mirror of the mood of the country ahead of next year’s poll. Zimbabweans, reeling under the worst economic decay since independence, want food on their tables, affordable transport, schools and hospitals, among other basics. “We want a responsible government. A government that does not take us for granted. We don’t eat liberation war politics. Currently there is always mention of the land issue yet it is not even being tackled properly,” said Peter Buzuzi, who walked three kilometres from Sakubva township to attend the rally. Said 32-year-old Wilford Muchingami: “The Zanu PF government has failed us. How can we be convinced to vote for this party when we are living in such misery? “Right now they are talking about land reform. I challenge you to go around the nearby farms and all you will see is a handful of war veterans incapable of farming being resettled. “We want a government with policies that can work to lift the country from the current situation. Zanu PF policies have failed.” A 56-year-old vegetable vendor, Mbuya Charity Chikoni, has not been spared of the effects of the harsh economic conditions. “My business is at a standstill. The operating costs have made it difficult for me to make any profit. Because of all this, it is time this country votes for change,” she said. MDC secretary for publicity and information, Learn-more Jongwe, told the rally that his party was currently working on refining its economic policy. “Zanu PF is pulling the country down the economic drain with each day it remains in power. Zanu PF’s madness has to be continuously monitored by way of refining economic policy so that when we take over, we will be in a position to reconstruct the economy. “The problems we have today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking the country was when the problems were created. Any realistic way forward should by necessity exclude Zanu PF from both the thought process and the implementation stage.” Jongwe added: “Zanu PF has run out of ideas. You should ask them where the 800 000 jobs they promised last year are.” MDC chief whip, Innocent Gonese, urged the crowd to register for next year’s election saying: “A massive voter registration is key to an MDC victory. As you register, I want you to reflect where you will be in next three years should you let Zanu PF win. “Zanu PF’s claim to power is solely based on the history that they were at Chimoio, Nyadzonya, and other places. But they have failed to deliver on the social and economic agenda and bring food to the table. “While it is important that the liberation war was waged to free us from colonialism, it is of greater importance that those who fought the war deliver on the promises they made,” said Gonese, who is also the MP for Mutare Central.