Zimbabwe needs rescuing

Jamaica Observer

Editorial

      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

President Robert Mugabe, it seems, is intent on ensuring that Zimbabwe will
be logged in history books as the biggest stain on Africa.

Indeed, Mr Mugabe never ceases to amaze us with his tyrannical behaviour and
his total disregard for the welfare of his fellow Zimbabweans.

Last Saturday, Mr Mugabe threw a party to celebrate his 83rd birthday. The
fact that he hosted the party would normally not have raised any eyebrows,
except for the fact that the celebration cost his country a whopping US$1.2
million and that it was held in the face of deadly poverty and
hyperinflation in a country where hundreds of thousands of people are
struggling to survive on bread and water.

We have watched with disappointment Mr Mugabe's methodical destruction of
this once vibrant country to the point where food, fuel and medication are
in short supply.
According to a wire service report published in this week's Sunday Observer,
"hyperinflation - running at near 1,600 per cent - that economists say soon
will be represented by an upright line on a graph has the country in revolt.
The number of Zimbabwe dollars that bought a three-bedroom house with a
swimming pool and tennis court in 1990, today will buy one sole brick".

A lifetime public worker's monthly pension, we are told, can't buy a loaf of
bread; charities have reported depression, suicide and malnutrition among
retirees, including a type of vitamin deficiency affecting gums, bones and
hair loss.

Doctors and nurses have been on strike since December and the rest of the
civil service is threatening to join them, the report said, and the list of
deserters on the walls of army barracks grows ever longer despite a 300 per
cent pay raise in January.

Already, an estimated 70,000 Zimbabweans have died this year because of the
shortage of drugs and the fact that medical equipment, like dialysis
machines, are no longer functional.

We were therefore not surprised to learn that anger towards Mr Mugabe and
his Government is mounting in the streets. In fact, our only surprise is
that it took this long. For Mr Mugabe has been oppressing his people for
many years now, cracking down on dissent and press freedom, jailing
opponents, bulldozing people out of their homes, rigging elections, and
confiscating the passports of critics of his Government.

Just last December three key arms of his ruling Zimbabwe African National
Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party passed a resolution at the party's
annual conference to have his term extended to 2010 by postponing
presidential elections scheduled for 2008.

At the time, this newspaper strongly condemned that betrayal of the freedoms
that Mr Mugabe, many of his countrymen and others across the world,
including Jamaica, fought to secure from the racist government that once
ruled that country when it was known as Rhodesia.

We had hoped that President Thabo MBeki of South Africa, who has been trying
to effect change in Zimbabwe through diplomacy, would rethink that strategy.
We obviously expected too much.

Now, however, it appears that the walls are closing in on Mr Mugabe as some
of his own forces, we are told, are on the verge of revolt.

But given that armed rebellion usually results in innocent lives being
taken, we do not wish for this to happen in Zimbabwe.

The African Union, we believe, should use its influence to ensure that Mr
Mugabe demits office without bloodshed.

Mugabe defends farm seizures

News24

28/02/2007 07:30  - (SA)

Windhoek - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe issued a stout defence on
Tuesday of his controversial land reform programme, claiming it had been a
success even if it had made more enemies than friends.

The 83-year-old Mugabe's decision to expropriate land from white farmers at
the turn of the decade in what was once the bread basket of southern Africa
has been widely seen as the origin of the economic crisis in Zimbabwe which
now labours under inflation at around 1 600%.

But during a state banquet in Namibia, which has also expropriated
white-owned farms but has paid compensation for the land, Mugabe had few
regrets and blamed his country's economic woes on western sanctions imposed
over accusations that elections in 2002 were rigged.

"I can safely declare that the land and resettlement plan of our government
was completed successfully," he said at the dinner hosted by his Namibian
counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Mugabe added the "land and resettlement programme created more enemies than
friends for Zimbabwe" but said the United States and former colonial power
Britain had wanted to punish his country "for daring to take our destiny
into our own hands".

Mugabe has long defended the farm seizures as a move to redress the
injustices of colonial times. However much of the land, which was meant to
go to landless blacks, has ended up in the hands of his associates.

Namibia expropriating land

Namibia has also expropriated a handful of white-owned farms but has shelled
out money for both the land and farm buildings in stark contrast to
Zimbabwe, and is wary of being tarred with the same brush.

While Mugabe told Pohamaba that "we are fully behind you as you tackle the
mammoth task of land reform in your own way", the Namibian leader avoided
any mention of the land issue.

Pohamba did use his speech to emphasise Namibia and Zimbabwe enjoyed
"excellent relations", outlining co-operation in fields such as health,
education and agriculture.

He also said that Namibia was ready to offer landlocked Zimbabwe use of
dry-dock storage facilities at the port of Walvis Bay.

But he also took an apparent swipe at Mugabe who has been widely accused of
not only fixing elections but overseeing widescale human rights abuses.

"We must re-energise efforts to strengthen democratic governance and the
rule of law for a more peaceful continent," he said.

Robert Mugabe increasingly isolated at home and abroad

By Tererai Karimakwenda
28 February, 2007

In the twenty-seven years that Robert Mugabe has managed to stay at the helm
of Zimbabwe's political machinery, there have never been more signs that his
continued tenure is in jeopardy than there have been in the last few months.
A catalogue of disastrous events have damaged his image and caused him to
lose the support of many who once held him in high esteem. Press reports
about him and events on the ground show a man who is being ignored,
embarrassed, criticised and ridiculed at every turn.

Other African heads of state still don't like speaking ill of Mugabe
publicly, but it is largely believed they are no longer willing to
jeopardise the development of their own countries and the continent for his
sake. His exclusion from the Franco-Africa summit earlier this month was one
such sign. Add to this the EU renewal of targeted sanctions, the Chinese
premier visiting all his neighbours but skipping Harare and recent
anti-Mugabe demonstrations at Zimbabwe embassies in London, Washington,
Johannesburg and Namibia.

At home, the situation is grim. Hyper inflation, strike action in key
sectors, continued shortages of basic goods and a mass exodus from the
police and military forces have all combined to weaken Mugabe's position.
And there is more. Vice president Joyce Mujuru is reported to have missed
his birthday bash last weekend, an event which ruling party cadres are
obligated to attend. Then the traditionally pro-government teachers union,
ZIMTA, joined in the ongoing strike actions for the first time ever. And top
members of his cabinet have been implicated in corrupt mining activities,
which prompted an investigation by the parliamentary portfolio committee and
the global watchdog Global Witness. It is fair to say Robert Mugabe's plate
is full.

Dr. Shana, chairman of the corruption watchdog Transparency International
Zimbabwe Chapter, said there is only so much that Zimbabwe's so-called
friends can take. He added that Mugabe's "heroism and bravado" were one
thing, but they will not accept him as a liability to the progress of their
own countries and development. Explaining further, Dr. Shana said: "In
politics there are no permanent friends, just interests. And where friends
and interests conflict, interest will always prevail."

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

No judge to hear MDC rally-ban challenge

New Zimbabwe

By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 02/28/2007 20:49:48
ZIMBABWE's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) failed to
lodge a court application against the disruption of its weekend rally, as
there was no judge available at the Bulawayo High Court, the party's lawyer
said Tuesday.

Josphat Tshuma, a lawyer for MDC said they sought through the court
application an order barring the police, who have been breaking up rallies
in Harare and Bulawayo, from interferring with their rally in the country's
second largest city.

"First the (court) registrar did not have a stamp and second there was no
judge to hear the matter," said Tshuma, a lawyer for the opposition party's
faction led by Arthur Mutambara.

As a result, he added, the party was forced to abandon the court challenge
but the MDC is considering mounting a petition against the powers vested in
the Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi, under the Public Order and
Security Act (POSA).

The Act says in the event of police issuing prohibition orders against the
holding of rallies -- as they have done in Harare and Chitungwiza -- 
aggrieved parties should appeal to the minister against the actions of the
police.

Section 27 (4) of the Act, which gives Mohadi those powers says: "Any person
who is aggrieved by an order given under subsection (1) may appeal against
it to the minister, and the minister may confirm, vary or set aside the
order."

Tshuma said the law could be challenged on the grounds that Mohadi, as a
government minister, has a vested interest in the issues and as such he
cannot adjudicate impartially or independently.

The police have imposed a three-month countrywide ban on rallies following
clashes with opposition supporters in Harare. According to human rights
groups and analysts, the "informal curfew" is designed to check any public
unrest against the government.

"The situation is very tense. If you are not in your home by 9 or 10 in the
evening you can be beaten up," alleged John Makumbe, a political analyst
based in Harare.

"Even during the day, civilians spotted walking near the government
buildings in groups of three or more are asked to disperse by the police."

Matonga's Trial Resumes

The Herald (Harare)

February 27, 2007
Posted to the web February 27, 2007

Harare

THE trial of Information and Publicity Deputy Minister Bright Matonga
accused of soliciting US$20 000 from local bus supplier Mr Jayesh Shah
resumed yesterday with the court making inquiries into the admissibility of
the recorded evidence.

There was a "trial within a trial" convened to establish circumstances
surrounding the recording of the conversation between Shah and Matonga,
which defence lawyer Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase objected to as
inadmissible.

Mr Manase challenged the admissibility of the Siemens L45 cellphone
allegedly used in the recording of the conversation arguing that there was
no link between the recorded CDs and the phone.

"The mobile phone and the microchip have nothing recorded on them as we
speak, they are empty.

"There is no link between the phone and the conversation that is on the disc
and it can be any other phone. The State must produce a manual for the phone
and we need to see what it does and what it does not.

"Police, throughout their investigations, did not have the phone and the
State only sought the phone from outside the police investigations. Apart
from Mr Shah reading serial numbers that I did not bother to record, there
is no one who knows about it.

"Recordings can be edited and the model of the phone in question, has
advanced facilities to edit one's voice and name," said Mr Manase during
cross-examination.

However, Mr Shah argued that experts are able to retrieve the conversation
that he erased on the multimedia card and maintained that he used his phone
to record the conversation.

He further averred that he deleted the evidence after Matonga had agreed to
testify the "truth" in the trial of former Zupco board chairman Charles
Nherera who was jailed for two years.

"In February last year, we agreed that Matonga would testify the truth in
Nherera's trial and I deleted the conversation. I wanted to forgive him and
I no longer wanted to cause his arrest resulting in I deleting the
conversation," said Mr Shah.

Mr Shah also submitted that he refused to hand over the said phone to the
police during investigations saying that was his only handset and he had no
replacement. It was also Mr Shah's submission that he only deleted the
recording from the microchip to create space for more recordings.

Superintendent Phillip Ncube told the court that there was no original
evidence and that he was relying on secondary evidence.

He also said he failed to link the phone and the recorded evidence, hence
leaving it out for use as an exhibit.

"It is difficult for me to confirm that the phone was the actual one used
for the recording of the evidence and the evidence is all secondary. I
failed to marry the phone and the microchip and according to my own
understanding, it looks like any other phone," said Supt Ncube.

Mrs Fortune Chimbaru from the Attorney General's Office testified that the
defence only requested for a microchip and never requested for the phone in
question as an exhibit.

She further said the microchip was with the court in Nherera's record, but
Matonga's alleged conversation was deleted.

Prosecutor Ms Vernandah Munyoro said she would call an information
technology expert to clarify issues on Thursday.

She requested for more time to allow the expert to source all the necessary
equipment for use during the testimony saying a great deal of demonstration
was involved.

Harare regional magistrate Mr Morgen Nemadire deferred the proceedings to
Thursday for continuation with the expert testifying.

Charges against Matonga arose when he was still the Zupco accounting officer
while Nherera was the board chairman.

The State alleges that the two solicited and received a bribe of US$10 000
each so that they would not evict Mr Shah's bus supplying company, Gift
Investments, from Zupco premises where they were renting.

Opposition leaders to discuss crisis in South Africa

zimbabwejournalists.com

By Ntando Ncube and Magugu Nyathi.

JOHANNESBURG - Pro-democracy leaders from Zimbabwe will on Thursday address
their compatriots in South Africa, the media and others on the need to take
the struggle against the Zanu PF government to another level after the
police imposed an unofficial curfew in some high-density suburbs of Harare
and banned rallies and political meetings for three months.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku and
other leaders from the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions,
the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the Progressive Teachers Union
of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), the Church Alliance and
the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) will be in South Africa to
speak on the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, the crackdown on the
opposition and related things.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition South Africa office, which will host the civic
leaders coming under the banner of the Save Zimbabwe campaign, said a press
conference would also be held at Devonshire Hotel in Braamfontein to allow
the leaders to assert the way forward on the prevailing Zimbabwean crisis.

Save Zimbabwe Campaign is an alliance of various civic groups, political
parties, churches, women's movements, labour and students unions who are
advocating for democracy in Zimbabwe. Crisis in Zimbabwe is a member of the
campaign.

"The conference will address, among other things the Save Zimbabwe's
position on the government's ban of the civic and political meetings and its
response to various peaceful pro-democracy actions by the people of Zimbabwe
and to parade their road map in the face of the government of Zimbabwe's
plan to unilaterally postpone presidential elections from March 2008," said
Immanuel Hlabangana, the Crisis media and advocacy manager.

The government of Zimbabwe recently announced a three-month ban of all
political meetings and rallies in some high-density areas in Harare. Crisis
has already said this is against the country's obnoxious Public Order and
Security Act (POSA), which allows only a one-month ban.

Under POSA, political groups should inform the police ahead of their planned
meetings and gatherings, a requirement that has seen many opposition rallies
being thwarted as was the case with the recent Morgan Tsvangirai rally in
Highfield and Arthur Mutambara's in Bulawayo.

The government insists section 25 of the Act gives the Home Affairs Minister
authority to determine whether or not to allow political meetings.

Political and civic groups also say the section being sited by the police to
justify the ban is in violation of the Constitution, that states clearly in
Section 21 (1) that "no person shall be hindered in their freedom of
assembly and association".

The situation in Zimbabwe has been worsening over the past few months with
the police recently using excessive force to stop Morgan Tsvangirai's
supporters from converging at the Highfield grounds for a major rally to
launch his 2008 presidential campaign.

The Zanu PF government plans to postpone the elections to 2010, giving
President Mugabe an extra two years in office resulting in sporadic protests
that led to the arrest of opposition leaders, including Tendai Biti, the
Tsvangirai MDC's secretary general.

The country has since the beginning of the year been hit by a wave of
strikes from doctors, teachers, nurses, lecturers - all demanding better pay
and working conditions. Students have also threatened to boycott classes
though most of them have not been attending classes due to the absence of
their striking lecturers.

The country's civil servants are also threatening to go on strike while the
ZCTU has given April dates for a two-day workers' strike. Tensions are
rising by the day as a result.

Soaring Tuition Fees Deprive Youth of Education

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

February 28, 2007
Posted to the web February 28, 2007

Harare

Zimbabwean parents not only have to contend with fees they cannot afford,
but also with expensive essentials like uniforms, which now cost 600 times
more than they did in 2006. Inflation is now running at around 1,600
percent, nearly 80 percent of the workforce are unemployed, and the minimum
wage is nowhere near the cost of a basket of basic household items, forcing
many parents to withdraw their children from school.

Standards of learning and teaching in Zimbabwe, at one time the envy of the
African continent, have plummeted in recent years. "When the country
received an economic knock in 1997 after offering war veterans hefty
gratuities ... the education sector became one of the major victims," said
Raymond Majongwe, president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
(PTUZ).

The situation was exacerbated by the government's fast-track land reform
programme, launched in 2000 with the aim of removing white commercial
farmers from their land and redistributing it to landless blacks, which has
resulted in a steady economic decline marked by severe shortages of foreign
currency, fuel and energy, basic commodities, foodstuffs and medicines.

All schools, including those run by the government, have had to enforce the
increases. Educationists and parents have been warning that the rocketing
fees would force larger numbers of children to drop out and exclude others
from education.

Widowed Goronga Kaliati, 60, looks after three school-going grandchildren,
two of whom are AIDS orphans, in the capital, Harare. This year none of the
three children resumed school because she could not afford the fees.

A former civil servant, Kaliati gets a monthly pension of about Z$3,000
(less than one US dollar at the parallel market exchange rate, on which most
prices are based) - not enough to buy two bars of laundry soap. She has
moved into a shack in her yard to accommodate tenants who pay her about
US$30 a month, which helps her family eat.

"My son and his wife in Mozambique used to give me money now and then, but
for the past 10 months they have been quiet and life is just too difficult
for me and the children," Kaliati told IRIN. The three children can now only
watch others on their way to school while they sell vegetables and
cigarettes to support their grandmother's income in the populous suburb of
Mbare.

Many parents have taken their children out of boarding schools with good
pass rates to enrol them at less expensive government schools.

"I could not afford the full uniform, which is now costing around Z$1.8
million (about US $243), in addition to the Z$1.5 million (about US $202)
for school fees at the boarding school, and I was left with no choice but to
recall my two sons back to Harare," John Maruta, an accountant with a small
company, told IRIN.

Maruta will need to brace himself for the high transport costs, because the
children have to make two trips to reach their new school, for which he has
to cough up about US$1 a day, and another US$1 for food. Transport
operators, like retailers and wholesalers, raised their fares by more than
40 percent at the beginning of the year.

"What it means is less food at home. Children can only perform well on a
full stomach and, having taken a tiresome trip to school, their performance
is bound to be affected," said Maruta in the medium-density suburb of
Hatfield, where the rent for their four-roomed cottage has doubled to $40 a
month. Average salaries in Zimbabwe are less than US$100 a month.

Innocent Makwiramiti, an economist and former chief executive officer of the
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), told IRIN he blamed the steep
rise in costs on the poorly performing economy.

"One cannot help but sympathise with the parents, but the fact is that there
is hardly anything that can be done to improve their situation if the
economy is not mended." He suggested that school authorities allow parents
to stagger payments.

"Employers [could also] raise the salaries of workers ... but since
companies are operating under strenuous conditions, that might not be
possible. In any case, it's a 'Catch 22' situation because, once salaries
are raised, inflation goes up as well," Makwiramiti commented.

While those lucky enough to be employed might be able to raise the money for
their children's education, schooling is moving beyond the reach of those
who are unemployed or do not have a steady source of income.

"Students have been hit hard by the economic crisis. Girls in colleges and
high school are engaging in prostitution in order to get an education, while
child labour is on the increase, and many of those supposed to be in school
are turning to the streets as beggars and common criminals," PTUZ's Majongwe
told IRIN.

A report released in late 2006 by the National Association of Societies for
the Care of the Handicapped indicated that 67 percent of disabled children
were out of school, mainly because their parents or guardians could not
afford the costs of education.

Schools have defended the new fees. Jameson Timba, chairman of the
Association of Trust Schools (ATS), which represents private schools, said
they had set the new fees according to the Education Act.

"The Act says we can increase fees after taking into consideration the rate
of inflation, and that is what we have done. We considered the inflation
figures for the months of September to December 2006, and we calculated the
fees on that basis.

"In fact, the schools could find themselves operating at a loss, considering
that the term covers close to four months and the fees might be stagnant
during that time, while inflation is going up," Timba told IRIN, adding that
parents had been consulted on the fee hike.

Majongwe said schools found it difficult to import laboratory equipment, so
most teachers were confined to lecturing. "The poorly performing economy has
severely undermined the quality of students that are being produced, and the
infrastructure, such as schools and examining bodies, that supports the
sector."

The lack of foreign currency has also forced the government to localise
examinations, which used to be handled by British boards, but local
examination boards had failed to attract competent markers because they
offered paltry payments. The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council failed to
meet its December 2006 deadline because teachers hired to mark the papers
opted out due to poor payment.

"The teachers would rather go to South Africa and Botswana as informal
traders than waste their time in an unrewarding process of marking the
papers, and risk disciplinary action if the higher authorities feel they
have erred," Majongwe said.

He estimated that around 18,000 teachers had left the country in the past
five years to seek better-paid jobs, especially in southern Africa, leaving
schools with disgruntled staff.

Although the new school year is well underway, many schools are still
advertising for teachers, particularly those who teach science subjects,
mathematics and accounting.

[This article is part of a special IRIN series that looks at how conflict,
poverty and social alienation are affecting the lives of children and
teenagers. Read more from 'Youth in crisis: coming of age in the 21st
century' at
http://newsite.irinnews.org/InDepthMain.aspx?InDepthId=28&ReportId=70140]

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

Namibia, Zim strike $40mn power deal

Business In Africa

Published: 28-FEB-07

Windhoek - Namibia and Zimbabwe power utilities, Nampower and ZESA, have
sealed a $40mn loan facility and electricity purchasing agreement under
which Nampower would avail funds to refurbish Hwange power station in
Zimbabwe and be guaranteed power supply.

Nampower is going to advance up to $40mn towards the refurbishment of four
generators at coal-fired Hwange power station.

Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba and his visiting Zimbabwean
counterpart Robert Mugabe witnessed the signing of the deal.

Embattled Mugabe arrived in Namibia on Tuesday on a state visit.

Under the deal, Nampower would help refurbish Hwange power station to boost
its output to 480 MW.

On completion of the refurbishment, Nampower would be guaranteed 150 MW of
electricity for the next five years.

Nampower managing director Paulinus Shilamba, who signed the agreement with
ZESA's Ben Rafemoyo, said rehabilitation of Hwange would take up to 12
months.

Shilamba said Nampower would start importing 40 MW in January 2008 and that
the electricity would be routed through Zambia to its Caprivi Link
Interconnector, which is currently being constructed.

"Its going to take between 10 to 12 months to rehabilitate the generators
and the first machine will start generating power by January 2008 during
which time we would be getting 40 MW from Hwange power station," Shilamba
said.

He added that Nampower, which like its Zimbabwe counterpart is scrambling to
avoid looming electricity blackouts, is sufficiently capitalised to
partially finance the Hwange refurbishment.

Apart from the power deal, Namibia and Zimbabwe also signed a double tax
exemption agreement under which companies from the two countries that invest
in the other would only be taxed in one country.

Both governments re-affirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral
co-operation.

Speaking at a state banquet on Tuesday night, Pohamba said Zimbabwe was
welcome to use Namibia's deep water port of Walvis Bay and its dry dock
facilities to export and import its products.

A defiant Mugabe defended his chaotic and often violent land redistribution
programmes and pointed fingers at Britain and the United States for
'sabotaging' the ailing Zimbabwean economy.

"Our programme has addressed and reversed the land ownership pattern, which
favoured the minority at the expense of the majority of our people," Mugabe
said.

Meanwhile, about 200 rights activists in Windhoek shouted 'tyrant', 'retire
tyrant', 'Mugabe repent', 'Zim is not yours Gabriel', 'ICC for Mugabe'
outside the Zimbabwean embassy for two hours.

More than a dozen police officers kept a watchful eye on the crowd of
picketers, who waved placards depicting the 83-year old Zimbabwean leader.

"Robert Mugabe should be in prison for his human rights violations," said
human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh. -panapress

Post Goromonzi - an analysis of Zanu PF after their annual conference

Sokwanele

Sokwanele Report : 28 February 2007
Now that the small town of Goromonzi (site of the recent annual conference
of the Zanu PF party) has returned to its normal poverty-stricken
existence - albeit enriched by one kilometre of tarred road from the main
road to the conference site, provided for the occasion - it is instructive
to take another look at the state of the party responsible for the
unprecedented suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.

The conference had as its theme "Consolidating Independence through Land,
Mining Reforms and Empowerment". A grand title indeed though, from reports
in both the government and independent press, it is evident that the
delegates barely touched on these issues. Rather, most of the time was taken
up with the succession issue - who will eventually succeed the aging
dictator, and when. The related infighting between the contending factions
was as vicious as it was carefully camouflaged by those who cannot afford to
be seen to be openly bidding for power - or even to question the official
party line that the beloved leader will rule for ever. In short it was
another dazzling display of the "smoke and mirrors" politics of double-speak
and subterfuge for which Zanu PF surely stands in a class by itself.

Unintended revelations
As ever, the press coverage of the conference was revealing - though often
unintentionally so! True to form, the regime's mouthpieces - The Herald and
The Chronicle - reported that "the conference itself was a huge success",
but there was the odd telling remark, such as the editorial in The Chronicle
saying that though "Zanu PF emerged stronger and united from the conference,
a big task lies ahead to make sure that the resolutions passed at the annual
indaba are implemented". And if that is not a reference to broken promises
and ignored resolutions of the past we ask, what is?

The independent press concentrated more on the excesses of the conference,
which were many - like the Mercedes-Benz limousines lined up in the car
park, and the bottled water, turkey, lamb, pork, venison, and other
delicacies laid on for delegates. Such conspicuous consumption contrasted
painfully with the surrounding abject poverty and starvation. To their
credit the independent press also picked up on the inconsistencies in the
supposed universal acclamation of 'Bob as President'.

The big issue
Whatever was on the official agenda, the one theme that dominated the
conference from start to finish was the succession issue. In an almost
unprecedented sequence of events, it became clear that the party was not
uniformly behind Mugabe's stated intention to continue in the top job, and
to extend his presidential mandate from 2008 to 2010 by way of a proposed
constitutional amendment.

First, just before the conference, the politburo met but was unable to agree
on whether to support his bid. Then the central committee of the party
turned him down. And finally the 4000-odd delegates at the conference were
unable to come together around any consensus on either Mugabe's own
political future or the future of the party. There was some political
face-saving in evidence when the delegates were informed at the end of the
conference that the question would be further debated at a provincial level,
prior to final decision-making by the central committee. Nor did it help his
cause when Mugabe himself told journalists at the end of the conference that
there was consensus over the harmonization of the elections. Patently this
was a total distortion of the facts on the ground.

In reality, for Zanu PF and for Robert Mugabe in particular, this was a
political defeat of the same magnitude as the result of the referendum on
the new constitution in the year 2000, when the electorate served notice
that the days of an effective one party state were over and henceforth the
MDC was a force to be reckoned with in the land.

Mugabe himself knows that he is at the helm of a seriously fractured party;
he also knows - and it must provide precious little consolation - that he is
in some ways the only glue that holds it together. Indeed he could well say
with the famed Madame de Pompadour (favourite of Louis XV of France) "apres
nous le deluge" ("after us the deluge"). From the country's perspective, the
aging dictator is at the centre of the ultimate Catch 22: He himself is the
main obstacle in the way of resolving the severe economic crisis, but
because of the lack of consensus on who will succeed him, he is still needed
by his party.

Infighting within the ranks
The political infighting that has riven his party was certainly uppermost in
Mugabe's mind before and during the conference. He implored members of Zanu
PF to work together to ensure that they bequeathed a better future for the
coming generations. He said there was need for unity of purpose within the
ruling party. He admitted that "something has gone wrong", and asked "what
are we demonstrating to the people? That we are still one or divided? Still
together or apart?"

"What are we doing there at the top?" asked the man at the top.

This public rebuke would have smarted in certain quarters. There are in fact
three main contenders for the top job, aside from Mugabe himself - Gideon
Gono, Joice Mujuru, and Emmerson Mnangagwa - and of course it is they and
their surrogates who are stoking up the fires of division. But there are
numerous other quarrels and splits, at both national and regional levels.
Recently for instance we have been treated to the spectacle of various Zanu
PF chefs in court, one suing the other, a spectacle that formerly would have
been unthinkable.

In the succession issue, the tension between the competing camps is
heightened by the rapidly degenerating economy - all the more so because the
economy is controlled personally by one of the contenders, Gono - and by the
impact of Gono's policies on the personal fortunes of each.

Gono has been widely (and no doubt rightly) castigated for his irrational
economic policies which have left the markets in bewilderment and chaos.
Certainly both Mujuru and Mnangagwa are personally suffering from the
effects of Gono's own brand of policy-making. However the man at the top
clearly supports him against the Finance Minister, Murerwa, and that is all
that matters in the short term. Mugabe publicly signaled his own preference
when he criticized the "bookish" economics of the Finance Ministry: "They
have this word they like using; 'quasi, quasi, quasi'", he said, "but I tell
them that this is expenditure that we need. We are under sanctions and there
is no room for the type of bookish economics we have at the Ministry of
Finance", (the "quasi" referring to the criticism of Gono's 'quasi economic
policies' in Murerwa's recent budget speech).

Changing the Constitution?
As far as forcing a change to the constitution to allow presidential and
parliamentary elections to take place together in 2010, thus prolonging
Mugabe's political life for a further two years, Zanu PF is not in a strong
position.

To amend the constitution, the party requires the votes of two-thirds of the
150 members of Parliament - a minimum of one hundred actual votes cast.
Currently the MDC holds 41 seats and with Jonathan Moyo, that gives 42
against Zanu's 108. So the regime will find it tough to get the full 100
votes that it needs. It only requires 9 disenchanted Zanu MPs to absent
themselves from the vote (with a convenient "sickness" or "family
bereavement", so they can avoid the embarrassment of publicly voting against
the old man) and the motion would be defeated.

Mugabe relies heavily upon the uneducated for what little real support he
still enjoys. They provide useful votes from those who are not themselves
involved in business and have little understanding of what is going on in
the country and the economy. However it is very questionable whether he
truly has many other party members behind him, whatever they might say in
public. A successful constitutional amendment is not therefore a forgone
conclusion.

Between an ailing and failing economy on the one hand and on the other a
leader who has become a huge public liability but is still needed to save
the party from disintegration, Zanu PF finds itself caught between a rock
and a hard place. Moreover Mugabe's personal interest is now directly at
variance with those within the party scrambling to replace him. The
incumbent must secure a further two years in office beyond 2008; equally
those contending for the throne must have him out of the way by 2008.

Hence it comes as no surprise to learn that, in an unprecedented move, Zanu
PF MPs have secretly launched a "Stop Mugabe Campaign" to prevent him from
extending his term of office beyond 2008.

The Role of the Military?
Even the military and police are now baulking at the ruination of the
economy. Those police constables who were getting only $20 000 at the end of
last year (and even if their salaries doubled, would still be getting a mere
pittance), are unlikely to be on-sides for the regime which is so obviously
responsible for their misery. The military chiefs met Mugabe towards the end
of last year, warning him of the effects of poverty on the previously
unquestioned loyalty of the defence forces. Chihuri, the Police
Commissioner, strove to diffuse matters from the other end of the lighted
taper, by addressing senior police officers and urging them to remain loyal
to Mugabe. But the mere fact that he considered it necessary to exhort them
is an indication of how tarnished is the great leader's once polished image,
and how necessary it has become to shore up his support by all possible
means.

Prognosis and cure
So what have we learnt about Zanu PF through the circus at Goromonzi ? It
has indeed been a most revealing exercise, especially for those looking in
from the outside on the inner machinations of a party without any single
coherent objective or strategy and totally dominated by the crude politics
of seizing and holding power. In a way it is like observing a patient in the
painful, terminal stages of emphysema who refuses to give up the smoking
addiction responsible for his condition.

Observing the sorry spectacle of Goromonzi 2006, we see a fractured and
fractious party, not only at war with their fellow citizens but now on the
point of open warfare within the ranks. We see a party which has undoubtedly
lost confidence in its own leader, but which still cannot decide who should
replace him. Ironically the old man who has become the party's (and the
country's) major liability is still required by the party to hold it
together for the time being.

Yet time is not on Zimbabwe's side. While Zanu PF continues to prevaricate
in public and to pursue its own vicious succession struggle in private the
economy moves ever closer to the point at which uncontrolled forces take
over. Already we see an economy in tatters. We see a legal system which can
only pay its witnesses a paltry $5 (a fraction of 1 US cent!), teachers
whose salaries do not even cover the transport to and from their schools;
doctors who earn less than USD 20 per month (and who are fired for going on
strike). And all this in a nation in which an estimated 3,500 citizens are
dying each week of hunger, malnutrition and AIDS. Without being melodramatic
in any sense we can say that our beloved Zimbabwe is now close to the end -
not as a country, for countries endure whatever tragedies are played out
across their rugged landscapes - but as a civilized society in which the
basic amenities of health-care, education and housing are provided, the
security of its citizens is assured and the fundamental human rights of all
are respected within a legal and ordered framework. In that sense Zimbabwe
is close to the end.

Therefore if ever there was a moment for a strong, coherent and principled
opposition to emerge to show that there is a saner alternative, this is it.
Which means that the onus is on a divided MDC to reunite within a
wide-ranging coalition of opposition forces - and yes, for those few
remaining reasonable members of Zanu-PF to desert their disintegrating party
and join all those Zimbabweans who genuinely seek an end to this destructive
tyranny and the dawn of a new era of freedom, justice and peace. To say this
is now an urgent necessity is a considerable understatement.

The crisis intensifies!

Eddie Cross
Bulawayo, 28th February 2007

The situation in Zimbabwe has deteriorated sharply in the past few days. The
government has imposed a ban on public meetings, the strikes are continuing
with the State run hospitals now completely paralysed, Doctors and Nurses
refuse to go back to work. The Universities are due to open on Monday but
staff is on strike and there are no signs of compromise. Students plan to
join the strike on Monday in support of their lecturers and demanding
attention to the stark conditions under which they are living. The ZCTU has
announced a national strike in a month's time and the State Security
Minister has threatened them with dire action.

Now a form of curfew is being imposed on the high-density townships across
the country in an effort to bring the situation under control. These are
clearly signs of panic in the realms of government.

Tomorrow should be the start of a 4-month freeze on prices and wages -
however I understand the proposal has been abandoned as being simply
unworkable. No statements are forthcoming from the authorities and to say
the least, there is considerable confusion in business and Union circles.
The Governor of the Reserve Bank speaks of a "Social Contract" but none
exists.

However the most serious indicator of collapse is in the open market price
of foreign exchange. Driven by the frantic efforts of people to buy foreign
exchange in any form for a variety of needs from education fees to water
chemicals for the Cities and those who want to externalize or even protect
their assets. No one wants to hold local money - and the options are the
stock market, foreign exchange and assets such as property or simply
business stocks.

Today was no exception - the USD went to 7 500 to 1, the pound to 14 200 to
1 and the Rand was at 1100 or 1200 to 1. These are dramatic devaluations in
a matter of a few days and importers simply do not know what to sell their
imported products for when it comes to replacing their stock. Fuel
distributors closed their outlets today while the adjusted to the new
situation. We bought fuel at Z$6 600 and watched as the company ratcheted up
its price to Z$7 500 while we were present. That seems to be the price at
the moment. Bakeries are all over the place - most are charging double the
"controlled" price.

This means a new surge in inflation and it is now clearer than ever that the
government has lost all semblance of control in the economy. Gold sales are
declining even more rapidly as mines close down in the face of unrealistic
prices and exchange rates. Food is now being imported to meet all our basic
food needs - local stocks are exhausted.

I watched a special programme last night on SABC about the plight of the
border jumpers. Anyone watching that could not help but be moved by the
plight of the people affected by this crisis in Zimbabwe. To see them risk
crocodiles, armed gangs, the SA Police and Army and thirst and exposure to
get away from Zimbabwe and try to make a living, any sort of a living, in
South Africa was heart wrenching. To hear a white farmer describe finding a
dead women next to a game fence with a baby that had lived for 3 or 4 days
after the mother had died of exposure, just made me mad with anger at those
who created and continue to tolerate the actions that have brought this
about.

If someone with power does not do something to get this situation back under
control, they better prepare for a real flood of refugees into South
Africa - because the situation in Zimbabwe is simply no longer tenable.

Journal

070218 Sunday

It has been a wet few weeks here with rain almost every day, come afternoon
or evening. In the garden is a great battle between Taurayi and his helpers
with weeds growing rampant in the damp heat. But under Tau's general-ship we
seem to be winning through and this week completed the cycle from the top of
the garden in the shade houses to the bottom by the rushing stream that
divides us from our neighbours. And so we start at the top again tomorrow!

In everything there is the mundane and the necessary: boring perhaps or
comforting in its routines, depending on one's mood! Thus is it with
gardens! But the rewards are great. Right now the garden is a riot of lush
greens and vibrant colours. The day lilies are at their best; the mombretias
are showing off their delicate orange florets on coy hanging stems; a few
violets are peeping their little flowers out between their thick, dark green
leaves, and the aloe vera are displaying their modest green-yellow heads.
The bougainvillea and frangipani continue to add their dramatic colours to
the display and our fuchsias are flowering fit to burst! In the pastures are
delicate small vlei plants the names of which are beyond my meagre botany
and the long vlei grasses are beginning to tassel (which means I must soon
get in and start slashing so we have bedding for the cows and bio-mass for
the compost).

In the midst of this riot move the small birds and animals that make this
place their home. I noticed a black-collared barbet this afternoon, the
first I have seen for some time. Later, walking to the lower terraces with
Herself, we were witness to a rare sight. A purple-crested lourie flew up
from one of the newly planted beds of squash and with a few lazy, red
flashed wing-beats settled in an avocado tree near by. I have never seen a
lourie on the ground before!

Our resident francolins have had babies and move busily about near the
cattle kraal picking up scraps of crushed maize left over from the cows'
morning and evening meals. They have a bustling, important air about them
that tells you they know a thing or two about this and that and are not
ashamed to let you know. Then suddenly they take fright at some real or
imagined threat and shoot off like bullets for the forest, giving off their
familiar and raucous "you can't catch me, you can't catch me". They vie with
the ubiquitous monkeys for this small bounty and are inclined to swear
rudely at each other not a little. The monkeys are indeed a confounded
nuisance and get more numerous and more destructive by the day. I am
severely tempted to poison them but She is most forbidding, so if I do it
must be a secret kept from her and held in a Darkness by Taurayi and I!

I wish I had a shotgun. At least that would knock over the odd bold one and
keep the others respectful, if even for a day or two.

On the broader front a chaotic and paradoxical scenario confronts us. On the
one hand is a strong rhetoric emanating from Didymus Mutasa the minister
currently responsible land tenure issues, which resonates to the tune of the
old guard. All farms still in the hands of Whites will be taken, for
agriculture must be Black. On the other is a quiet and discreet move to
offer leases to young, qualified white farmers. In one case I know of the
offer is for part of the very farm from which the father was violently
evicted some years ago! Those engaged in this exercise are technocrats but
they seem to be working with the support of the provincial hierarchies most
of whom are strongly antagonistic to the minister, who is not, one gathers,
very popular except with his boss, whom he adores, nay worships, with a
sycophantic extravagance bordering on the ludicrous. But if I know my
people, is this not the way they circumvent the problem of an aging chief
and his equally geriatric council of elders?  Also, it seems to me, that in
any country where the central government's dictates are either inappropriate
or impractical, and often unenforceable then are they ignored. People get on
with the daily governance of their affairs as best they can. Such has it
been in Italy since the end of World War II. Thus it would appear to this
observer to be the trend in this country, as it is no doubt in may another
African country to our north. Currency regulations become meaningless and
while the government sticks stubbornly to the illusion that the exchange
rate is Zim$250 to US$1 the man in the street, businesses, and indeed the
Reserve Bank and Government agencies when the need demands, will trade at
the going rate in the market place (and that is in excess of $4000 to $1!).

But all is not totally desperate. We have been down to Shashe for a week.
Progress is impressive. We have forty hectares planted now that water is
flowing from two pumps and giving us about 2 cusecs of water with which we
flood irrigate the growing crop. The local irrigation committee has been
empowered by an enlightened and sensible DA and the irrigation engineer to
run the day-to-day affairs of the scheme. They have negotiated with a
neighbouring commercial irrigation farmer to maintain the pumps. What
remains is to get the other pumps up and running and to repair most of the
canals, which are in a deplorable state of disrepair due to the depredations
of sharp hoofed goats, of which there are a myriad. The committee has this
in hand as well. All plot holders with live stock were summonsed to a
meeting where the local councillor instructed them that any goats or other
livestock on the scheme will require the owners to report to the local
headman for trial in his traditional court. Heavy fines and some rough
treatment for the offenders are promised! Again, it is local solutions to
local problems that are the tactics of choice.

I watched a fascinating little cameo unfold before the meeting. It was in
the shade of a huge, spreading nyala-berry tree under which were placed logs
on which the men may sit. One particular log is smooth and warn and
comfortable. It is in the deepest shade. On this the councillor sat himself
whilst, Africa-fashion, the people trickled slowly to the gathering. Shortly
after he had made himself comfortable a tall, elderly man with white
whiskers, addressed him in peremptorily. He hastily rose from his place and
came and joined me on a far less comfortable fallen branch! He told me
rather sheepishly that the senior village headman had pointed out to him
that he had usurped his seat!

The women, who again Africa-fashion, sit separately arrive and gravely greet
those already there. The each have a small home made embroidered shoulder
bag from which they extract a length of material, unfold it and spread it
carefully on the ground. This they then sit on, legs straight out in front,
or perhaps one tucked under their buttocks. (Did you know that it is
considered highly offensive to touch a woman on the heel of her foot, for is
this not the part of her body that is so often in close proximity to what
our court interpreters, so long ago now, used to coyly refer to as "their
private parts"?

The lowveld continues to be hot and dry. This while thousands are being
faced with disaster on the lower reaches of the Limpopo where massive floods
devastate coastal Mozambique.

The day before we were due to set out for home came a phone call to inform
us that an armed intruder had attempted to break in to our house. Armed with
a small pistol he held our old retainer, Gutsa, at gunpoint and demanded to
be escorted around the premises. Fortunately all doors to rooms containing
valuables are bolted and locked but he decided to try and force open the
door to the office, that being likely to contain computers and other
valuables easy to carry off. While trying to jemmy the lock he put the
pistol in his pocket. Gutsa seized the opportunity to make a break and fled
into the dark (it was only just after seven) and was pursued by the
intruder. Gutsa is an old man and not too quick on his pins. The young thug
got in a shot and wounded the old man in the left arm. He managed to regain
his footing ("I fell to the ground being dead, but fear set my feet in the
direction of our neighbours") and continue his flight. He got to the gate of
the Ms', next door but despite loud lamentations ("Ndakafirwa nepfuti. Maiwe
maiwe! - I have been killed by a gun, oh Mother, oh Mother!" - a universal
cry of lament or disaster) the Ms remained silent in their house.

He ran on to the Chengu's, another hundred yards away and set up a pitiable
cry outside Mrs. Chengu's bedroom window. Having heard the shot this good
lady (who was alone apart from her mentally challenged son) was very
reluctant to open up her house to him until she recognised his voice. He
tumbled into the kitchen leaking blood all over the floor as he stood in
wide-eyed shock and lamented his appalling ordeal. She knew he would die if
she did not get him first aid. Very fearfully she got out her big
flashlight, which is equipped with a siren! Thus armed, she hurried down the
road back to the Ms', expecting at any moment to be shot herself. "I put on
the syreen (local pronunciation) and sounded like a police car!" Arrived at
the Ms' gate she set up a cry to wake the dead.

In due course the Ms' servant emerged from behind the house and with his
help she finally roused them. Gutsa was then half carried to their house
where Kathy, a highly skilled and experienced nurse staunched the flow of
blood and put on wound dressings. The bullet had gone right through the
muscle on his upper arm. He was then taken to the local clinic where he
spent the night. By this time D M had roused the police who once the matter
was in the hands of the member in charge, proceeded with some speed to the
scene of the crime!  Here things returned to the level of competence we have
come to expect of these stalwarts of law and order. Too frightened to
approach the house the armed constables wanted Taurayi, who had now appeared
on the scene, to lead them in. He flatly refused, pointing out that they
were armed while he was not! So they proceeded for a few yards before
deciding that they would announce that they were armed by letting off a
couple of rounds into the night sky. Any chance they now had of capturing
the robber were dissipated as surely he would either hide in the forest or
make off into the night at the high port.

But in this tactic they were in one instance spectacularly successful. Mrs
Chengu, safely at home in her house with ever door and window locked was
just congratulating herself on her safe return when the shots rang out, not
more than a hundred metres away. They were very loud! No one, least of all
the police, had had the decency to tell her they were there. She instantly
conceived the notion that there was now an attack being launched on her
premises. (She related the event to me as follows: "Saka ndakatora kava,
ndichipinda mumasaga enzungu akanga-akagara mukona, ndokuwanda imomo
ndichichemawo maiwe, maiwe! So I took cover by burrowing into the sacks of
groundnuts stacked in the dining room and hid there, crying Maiwe Maiwe"

The whole tale of her involvement in the drama was told to me this morning
when I called on her to thank her for her help and to pronounce on her
bravery. The story she told while tinged with indignation at the Ms' not
responding to her clamour, to her righteous anger with the police for their
thoughtless discharging of FN rifles into the heavens above her house, was
none the less told with a degree of humour and characteristic Shona
histrionics. I contained myself in sober propriety until she graphically
described her dive for cover amongst her sacks of peanuts (she is a woman of
traditional build and not in the first flush of her youth) where upon I
collapsed in helpless laughter until the tears were pouring down my cheeks.
She joined me, and the two of us howled with mirth for a good few minutes
before sanity was restored and we began to make plans for the clean up of
our neighbourhood, which is undoubtedly harbouring criminals. The Chengus'
have a constant battle with intruders making off with their maize and nuts
(hence the sacks of groundnuts in the house).

In any event the police mounted a guard on our house for the rest of the
night, CID arrived in the morning and so the matter rests. When we got back
the whole place was agog with the event. Never have we had such an
experience in our quiet little back water - even during the farm invasions -
and even as someone declared, during the war. I have been gathering
information from my countless friends and contacts. This led to the arrest
of a startled young man who matched in ever way the description of the
villain. Alas, Gutsa reluctantly admitted that while the resemblance was
close, "He Was Not Thee One!"

So the search continues, though I suspect that the culprit is long gone. He
faces, after all, a charge of attempted murder and house breaking with
intent to do bodily harm, which even in our troubled times, will see him
getting a stretch of five to ten years in the caboose.

The upshot of all this is that the general opinion of our household that
Gutsa, who faces dismissal and abuse on a daily basis, has now ensured his
position in our employ for life -  no matter what the state of drunkenness,
drug induced stupor or general idleness he can contrive to bring to the
workplace! So I am faced with the horror of having his company until one or
the other of us dies. Poor old chap. He showed enormous courage and presence
of mind. And at his age (Brian calculates he is 67) and despite coming from
Dotito, in Mt. Darwin, where for nearly seven years guns and bullets were a
part of our daily fare, it is no mean shock to be slotted in the arm, albeit
from a small calibre weapon. Of course the awful truth is that this should
not have happened. We have a security fence, the gates of which are locked
after five in the evening. Gutsa left them open because he felt that it
would facilitate his escape if he had to try and run away  - which is what
he did. But the intruder slipped inside the gates and hid near the chicken
run until it was dark. He then called the old man who again with a singular
lack of for thought, went to see what he wanted. The pistol was thrust at
his head. If he had been sensible and kept to his pots by the kitchen door,
the intruder could have got no nearer to him that thirty paces and the old
man could have raised an alarm. At least in theory! As it is nothing will
convince him to the contrary that leaving the gates open saved his life!

We for our part are strengthening our defences. All strategic doors are to
have steel barred gates or "treli-doors" as they are called in these parts.
We are putting in noisy alarms and panic buttons and more outside security
lighting.  The member in charge of police has asked me to tell him when I am
to be away so he can put the premises under surveillance. And J will not
stay here alone from now on.

What a world we live in. The horror is that this sort of thing is
commonplace the world over these days and one must get used to the idea of
living in a fortress. That we would ever have to do so here, in our idyllic
little valley, is a depressing fact of life in the 21st century.

This must go!  Our best wishes to all and may your Gods be with you.

Let us re-define the struggle - Free ZimYouth

Zimbabwejournalists.com

By Alois Phiri Mbawara

IN the course of our revolutionary struggle to restore majority rule in
Zimbabwe, we happen to be caught-up in a mix to foster and highlight the
ideological deficit in our struggles against the Zanu PF chefs.

After Zanu PF's brilliant outmanoeuvring of the opposition on the Left,
especially on the agrarian land reform, Mugabe gained continental support
because his ideas endorsed the ideological perception of the revolutionary
struggle.

There is no doubt agrarian reform has always been the driving force for the
emancipation of Africans from colonial regimes. We continued after
independence to have respect for all our fallen revolutionary comrades
Josiah Tongogara, Joshua Nkomo and others who all had ideological
aspirations to see a colonial free Zimba-rema-mbwe.

Robert Mugabe, having taken that Afrocentric doctrine and dismissing
opposition parties as agents for regime change by the West, has brushed
under the carpet all the oppression, atrocities and betrayed the revolution
while on one hand he remained popular in Africa for embarking on
controversial land reforms that unfortunately most on the continent do not
know have benefited only a few.

The opposition parties in the country have failed to realise that their
ideological sentiments or rather political doctrines, do not work in Africa.
There is no doubt comrades, that a continued neo-liberal right wing approach
by us progressive forces will empower Mugabe to have a revolutionary and
socialist image in Africa, hence the land reforms in Namibia and South
Africa.

This of-coarse articulates why organisations like the African Union,
Non-Aligned Movement and SADC have thrown their weight on their Zanu PF
comrades.

Zimbabwe, in the context of world politics, should be carefully examined by
us as Zimbabweans to know who is the international community so as to
protect our ideological perception. This will ensure we do not fall victim
to Zanu PF's ideological propaganda tactics.

Nevertheless, that should not take away the truth of the real matter on the
ground that Zanu PF has betrayed the revolutionary aspirations of a free
Zimbabwe where there was social justice and economic prosperity.

To avoid repetition of articulating the economic decline and its impact on
the working people and peasants, there is no doubt that regime change is
what every "Mwana Wevhu" wants in Zimbabwe.

But the basic fundamental principle is how one views or perceives the crisis
that will determine how comrades architecture their art of war to bring back
a democratic environment in the country.

Having ideological clarity that it's now a class struggle and clearly
defining that the source of poverty, oppression and dictatorship is a system
is very crucial. Coming to a realisation that Mugabe's quasi-left shift that
uses the land and nationalisation of natural resources cannot be politically
upper-cut by liberal strategies which still recognise the electoral system,
reformist strategies and the wastage of resources by filing court cases
against a regime which has declare itself evil.

Given the facts on the ground that Robert Mugabe will never allow an
embarrassment to his legacy of being kicked out of office through an
election that is why he made sure he closed and blocked all democratic space
that would allow dissenting voices to flourish, journalists and others to
write and speak openly and most importantly bring back the rule of law. So
that should expose and question one's commitment towards the majority, all
those Comrades fighting for who is the real who.

There is no doubt all this leaves pro-democracy groups with no option but to
plan ideologically, strategically and systematically jambaja (mass
confrontation) as the only way to bring down Zanu PF. Remember we are
talking about an organisation which has 44 years of grassroots and
ideological experience and connections. And let us not under-estimate
high-level Zanu PF elite figures General Zvinavashe, Perence Shiri, Solomon
Mujuru, General Chivenga and other who all feel Zimbabwe should remain in
the hands of a Zanu PF government.

Let us be reminded comrades that this is now a strategic and Afrocentric
sensitive question that now needs a shift in our political doctrine so we
can expose Zanu PF's weak and fake Left wing approach (land was given not
the masses of Africans but to elite Zanu PF bosses). We need to clearly
define the crisis in Zimbabwe as an African problem that needs an African
solution. We should be very sceptical about some of the help or assistance
we get from sympathisers and what impact it will have on the ideology we
want to impart to the people. Remember we are fighting a Nationalist party!!

The key elements to consider for a mass resistance programme:

- The nationalisation of the struggle - a reform in the progressive and
opposition forces to kick out bureaucracy is seriously needed. Privatisation
of the struggle and ownership by power hungry opportunists should come to an
end. We should all say No to so-called shadow ministerial positions -  it's
too pre-mature for that. Yes we should have some post-Mugabe programmes in
place but mind you this will create opportunists (e.g Cdes who are going
hunting with salt and vinegar in their pockets)

-   No-more exclusion of the masses in the decision-making process.

- Stop legitimising the regime - recognising an undemocratic institution by
taking part in Parliament and taking part in rigged elections sends wrong
messages to organisation like SADC and AU that there is legitimacy in
Zimbabwe.

- We should not let Zanu PF destroy independent trade and student unions by
creating rival unions like Joseph Chinotimba's ZFTU.

- We should be very clear on the ideology that we are Africans before we are
Zimbabweans therefore land reform is very crucial and we support black
empowerment. The issue of how it's supposed to be distributed against
economic prosperity is a secondary issue in the African context Comrades.
But Black empowerment and the imbalance of trade has always been the bondage
for Africans and Non-Western countries.

- The issue of investor confidence cannot be used as a political strategy in
Africa. One should not look at Zanu PF mines and land grab from a business
perspective but from a political one.

- We do not need to be politically selfish but to build bridges with more
progressive African, Socialist Movements, trade union movements so as to
influence their nations for solidarity. We do not need to do this for
academic reasons only but to have African credentials to understand what the
continent as a whole is facing.

- We have to destroy Zanu PF from within (the disintegration method) not to
draw battle lines with the police and the army remember they are also so
suffering!!

It's all based on principal and commitment towards ending the suffering of
the peasants, working class and the ordinary people. Remember in 1963 Zanu,
under the nationalist Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, declared not to take part in
any election or Parliament under the then skewed Constitution sighting it
will weaken their role as a committed revolutionary party for the people.

May I close by saying the issue of us thinking the United Nations will pass
a resolution on Zimbabwe is too ambitious given the imbalance on the UN.
Developing nations, Arab nations, Islamic, Latino and communist nations
accuse the West, mainly the US and Britain for using the human rights card
to justify invasion into other country's affairs.

Given the chaos in Baghdad, the failure by the Bush administration to find
weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq, the execution of Saddam Hussein
and many other issues have bolstered Robert Mugabe in his anti-West support.
Many did not believe in the Iraq war and still point fingers at the US for
the chaos in that country today. Hence the financial assistance for Harare
by Tehran, Havana, Beijing and Caracas.

Comrades, we need to change the way we do things if we are to get rid of
Robert Mugabe. That reminds me of a group that went to present the White
House with a petition, calling on Bush and the Republicans to help deal with
the situation in Zimbabwe. This happened recently during the African Union
summit. This sort of behavious plays right into Robert Mugabe's hands, the
AU and even SADC. It gives them mileage to dismiss us as puppets.

This issue of us thinking an African Government policy can be changed by a
reality show like Big Brother, where Britain had to strengthen its relations
with India by making Shilpa Shetty, an Indian, win the show to justify there
is no racism on ethnic minorities in Britain, must change. One would also
say the reason why Obama the US black Presidential candidate is not going to
win is the same reason why the UN will not push for a resolution on
Zimbabwe. Ha ha ha they make me politically laugh!!

Yes R.G is now desperate, really desperate for salvation now re-calling his
cappuccino meetings with the Conservative Margaret Thatcher. Is this the
Thatcher that once called Nelson Mandela a terrorist? Clearly showing how
much R.G loves and misses the West. We all know how much he misses buying
Valentino and Moschinno suits with State money in London.

Let it be known Comrades, all scapegoats, fake and weak-ideologically
African leaders shall be victims of "Africa Liberate Zimbabwe Campaign"
which was ideology built to expose and question one's African credentials.
The same applies to the former Minister of Mis-Information and Wuffycity
Jonathan Moyo (Josef Goebbels) who now wants to use the Gukurahundi Memorial
Bill to divide Cdes as a political gimmick to lure himself back into the
limelight.

Young Comrades would ask why he did not advocate for that truth and
reconciliation that he is now calling for during his time in office. We all
know he never had love and sympathy for the victims. His actions during his
time in officer actually led to the silencing of the Associated Newspapers
of Zimbabwe (ANZ), publishers of the independent Daily News and its sister
paper the Daily News on Sunday who wanted to "open up the old wounds" by
exposing the atrocities in Matebeleland. Moyo was in the forefront of even
opposing the serialisation of Joshua Nkomo's book, the Story of My Life.
This is well documented. We don't think reparations, the need for truth and
reconciliation for Gukurahundi victims should be advocated by people with a
dirty past.

Comrades this is all food for thought. Let's all have a balance of factors
and propose a way forward and let's all defect from doing reactionary
advocacy or politics - waiting for Zanu PF to do something so we can
comment. There is too much talking. Let's build an approach which is in the
same spirit that made our fore-fathers go and join the liberation struggle
in the bush. Let us start from the grassroots. Our biggest enemy is Zanu PF's
propaganda tactics that they claim to be champions of socialism and
Pan-Africanism. We really need to expose this fake political perception
which is being perpetuated by Zanu PF. If the truth is told the Youth will
grow.

As we are heading towards independence day, a 21 gun salute will be fired
for all our Chimurenga heroes who fought to free Zimbabwe. But now their
aspirations have been betrayed by their colleagues in Zanu PF.

Let's go back to the drawing board and re-define the struggle!!

This crisis is a responsibility for every Zimbabwean. I Comradely thank
you!!

                                          Power  To People!!

                                         Free-ZimYouth Comrades

Olonga: A hero in exile

Daily Mail

by MIKE DICKSON -  28th February 2007

A small oil painting of Richie Benaud is about the only clue that you might
be in the flat where one of the real heroes of cricket's last World Cup now
lives.
Henry Olonga painted it himself, and this adornment of his modest London
digs is a solitary reminder of the sport in which the former Zimbabwe bowler
made his name.

His connections with cricket have become increasingly loose since he
effectively ended his career four years ago by staging, alongside skipper
Andy Flower, a protest against the regime of Robert Mugabe that involved
wearing black armbands and making a statement bemoaning the 'death of
democracy' in their country.

Their courageous stand made headlines beyond cricket's narrow confines -
even the New York Times took notice - and brought more acclaim for Olonga
than his fast-medium bowling could have.

He played 30 Tests, taking 68 wickets, and 50 one-day internationals with
career-best figures of six for 19, but the 30-year-old doctor's son has been
in exile ever since and this World Cup will pass him by almost entirely.

Olonga is a gifted musician and singer and will instead be producing a
second album - though he is still searching for a recording contract - and
selling his artwork to make ends meet.

His sole contact with cricket these days is playing for the all-star
Lashings team based in Kent, his whole life and career in Zimbabwe having
finished so abruptly.

Flower, a batsman of the highest calibre, returned home after the joint
protest for a month before leaving Zimbabwe for good. He continues to play
for Essex and spent some of this winter coaching with England, who leave for
the Caribbean on Friday.

Olonga said: "After the group stage four years ago, which was held in
Zimbabwe, we went to South Africa for the 'Super Six' phase and I have never
been back home since.

"There were threats made by ministers and maybe it was a bit different for
me because, as a black man, they considered me to be some kind of traitor.

"Friends have brought over some of my stuff over the years but most of my
belongings are still there."

Olonga's personal effects and the clothes and shoes gathering dust are a
monument to the shame the International Cricket Council should feel over
their handling of the Zimbabwe issue.

The game there is a corrupt shambles and the national team is now an empty
husk. They are complete no-hopers in the World Cup and a reflection of how
the country itself is disintegrating, with life expectancy now lower than
anywhere else in the world.

One trusts that the heads of the world's cricket boards who run the ICC,
including England's David Morgan, are proud of themselves.

Olonga is an outcast and would have every reason to feel bitter, but he is
not. He does not ask for sympathy either, because he joined the protest with
full knowledge of the consequences.

"The protest was Andy's idea, but I was quick to come on board when he
approached me. I was very unhappy with what was happening in the country,"
he recalled.

"About two weeks before it happened, we met someone who knew about security
matters and he spelled out what might happen afterwards and that it could
well mean us going into exile.

"We also had a meeting with a lawyer to work out exactly how we would word
the protest statement to make sure there was nothing that would incriminate
us.

"My biggest fear was that I would get framed for something and be put in
prison, where the conditions are horrendous. The government had tried to
frame Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader, before that and I was
worried they might try to do the same to us.

"We wore black armbands in the match against Namibia and got hauled in
before the board. After that, we restricted ourselves to wearing black
sweatbands, but that seemed to upset them as well. I knew I couldn't go back
after we got to South Africa."

Flower, whose cricketing knowledge and strength of character mark him out as
a possible future England coach, considered it important that the protest
was representative of the team's ethnicity.

"I think the world of Andy now, but up until that point we had never been
especially close," said Olonga. "The black and the white players in the
Zimbabwe team got along fine professionally, but the truth was that we did
not socialise a huge amount away from cricket."

Olonga points out that he is only one among many thousands of Zimbabweans
living in Britain after fleeing his homeland and wants to look forward in
his life. He can only watch from afar as his country continues its spiral of
decline in all areas of life, including cricket.

"I feel a whole mixture of anger, disappointment and sadness. The thing is
that it never needed to happen this way and could have been sorted out so
much better.

"The cricket is like the general situation in that we are always waiting for
Thabo Mbeki (President of South Africa) to take some strong action about
Zimbabwe and it never comes.

"Likewise, the ICC always have this 'softly, softly' approach with Zimbabwe
and it doesn't make things better.

"The ICC is an old boys' club where everyone is scratching each other's
back. Zimbabwe desperately needs the support of the Asian countries and they
don't want to get rid of Zimbabwe because it is another vote for them
guaranteed.

"I don't get any pleasure from seeing the team where it is now but the
administrators have brought it on themselves. I see their latest thing is
getting the players to cut their dreadlocks off."

For now, Olonga is trying to succeed in the music industry and make the
follow-up to his first album 'Aurelia', available to download from
www.henryolonga.net.

And his thoughts on next month's tournament? "I haven't got Sky so I won't
see much of the World Cup," he said. "The internet is about as close as I
will get."

JAG Classifieds dated 27 February 2007

As a JAG member or JAG Associate member, please send any classified adverts
for publication in this newsletter to:

JAG Classifieds: jagma@mango.zw
JAG Job Opportunities: jag@mango.zw

Rules for Advertising:

Send all adverts in word document as short as possible (no tables, spread
sheets, pictures, etc.) and quote your subscription receipt number or
membership number.
Notify the JAG Office when Advert is no longer needed, either by phone or
email.
Adverts are published for 2 weeks only, for a longer period please notify
the JAG office, by resending via email the entire advert asking for the
advert to be re-inserted.

Please send your adverts by Tuesdays 11.00am (Adverts will not appear until
payment is received.). Cheques to be made out to JAGMA.

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1.  For Sale Items
2.  Wanted Items
3.  Accommodation
4.  Recreation
5.  Specialist Services
6.  Pets Corner

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1. OFFERED FOR SALE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1  Generators & Inverters for Sale

The JAG office is now an official agent for GSC Generator Service (Pvt) Ltd
and receives a generous commission on sales of all Kipor generators and
equipment.  Generators are on view at the JAG office.

The one stop shop for ALL your Generator Requirements SALES:
We are the official suppliers, repairs and maintenance team of KIPOR
Equipment here in Zimbabwe.  We have in stock KIPOR Generators from 1 KVA to
55 KVA.  If we don't have what you want we will get it for you.  We also
sell Inverters (1500w), complete with batteries and rechargeable lamps.  Our
prices are very competitive, if not the lowest in town.

SERVICING & REPAIRS: We have a qualified team with many years of experience
in the Generator field.  We have been to Kipor, China for training.  We
carry out services and minor repairs on your premises.  We service and
repair most makes and models of Generators - both petrol and diesel.

INSTALLATIONS:  We have qualified electricians that carry out installations
in a professional way.

SPARES: As we are the official suppliers and maintainers of KIPOR Equipment,
we carry a full range of KIPOR spares.

Don't forget, advice is free, so give us a call and see us at: Bay 3,
Borgward Road, Msasa.
Sales: 884022, 480272 or admin@adas.co.zw
Service: 480272, 480154 or gsc@adas.co.zw

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1.2  For Sale

So Far and No further! Rhodesia's Bid for Independence during the Retreat
from Empire 1959-1965 by J.R.T. Wood

533 pages; quality trade paperback; pub. Trafford ISBN 1-4120-4952-0
Southern African edition, pub. 30 Degrees South : ISBN 0-9584890-2-5

This definitive account traces Rhodesia's attempt to secure independence
during the retreat from Empire after 1959. Based on unique research, it
reveals why Rhodesia defied the world from 1965.

Representing Volume One of three volumes, Two and Three are in preparation
and will take us to Tiger and thence to 1980;

To purchase:

Zimbabwean buyers contact Trish Broderick: pbroderick@mango.zw

RSA buyers: WWW. 30 degreessouth.co.za or Exclusives Books

Overseas buyers see: http://www.jrtwood.com
and a link to Trafford Publishing http://www.trafford.com/04-2760

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1.3 Pet Food for Sale

Still supplying pets food which consists of 500g of precooked pork offal and
veg costing $700 and 250g of pigs liver or heart costing $700 for 250g.

Collection points:      Benbar in Msasa at 10.30
Jag offices in Philips Rd, Belgravia at 11.30
Peacehaven which is 75 Oxford St at 13.00

This is on Fridays only. Contact details: phone 011 221 088 and E mail at
claassen@zol.co.zw

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1.4 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

SIX ANTIQUE CAST IRON BATHS FOR SALE WITH BRASS FEET.

CHESSA FISHERMAN FOR SALE: 60HP YAMAHA OUTBOARD/NEW RIDE GUIDE INSTALLED.

IF INTERESTED PLEASE PHONE: 091777062. (07:00AM TO 08:00PM)

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1.5 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Brand new swimming pool net, never been used.  Includes safety net with
tensioner, float, plates, hooks, anchors, rope, DIY manual.  Net size 6m x
12m.  Manufactured by Honeydew Nets in South Africa (can view net on their
website).  Paid R2200 so looking for equivalent.  Please e-mail
carol@powerspeed.co.zw or sms 091 264160 if interested.

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1.6 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Totota KZTE 3l diesel doublecab,
4 x2, 70 000km, with canopy
Immaculate condition.

Nissan 2.7 diesel doublecab,
4 x 2, 1999 model, 300 000km,
good condition.

Phone 04 443017 or 091 337640.

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1.7 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

HARDWOOD FURNTURE- Sleepers and Teak Custom made Dining Tables, Coffee
Tables, Bars ,Even Wrought iron and Pine  Phone Simon Silcock  persistently
668843 or sms 091 233 103 and I will reply quickly.

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1.8 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

2001 DID Pajero (new Shape) - RSA import, Silver with Black Leather, 3,2
Turbo Diesel, Tiptronic Auto Gearbox, immaculate vehicle Company Maintained
and driven by owner. Offers Please.

1995 Nissan Sentra 160GX - Ideal for young boy/girl; re-sprayed with custom
Graphics (white with Carbon Black Stripes); Newly Reconded Mags; New Tyres;
Big Sound System...........Needs a new home, driver now at Varsity!!

For Viewing or More Details, on both the above, call Grant Evans Cell- 011
402 122, or, 664224/666235/666169.

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1.9 For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

GENERATORS AND INVERTERS

Following units ex stock: Generators -
5 Kva Silenced, 15 Kva Silenced, 30 Kva open frame, 40 Kva Silenced, 60 Kva
Silenced
Inverters - 1500 Watt complete with 1 x 100 Amp Hr battery and charger
5000 Watt complete with 4 x 100 Amp Hr Batteries and charger

Large Range of Generators available from 5 - 2200 Kva ex import (some in
Bond South Africa)

Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.10 HARROW DISCS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

We will have imported Harrow discs (24", 26" and 28") available end March,
2007 book now to avoid disappointment.

Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.11 FORAGE HARVESTERS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Single Row forage harvesters available ex stock

Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.12 AGRICULTURAL SPRAYERS For Sale (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Tractor Mounted 12 Metre / 600 Litre tank Boom sprayers and Canon sprayers
in stock.

Please phone:- Radium Africa Tel + 263 4 335848, Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389,
Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.13 Items for Sale (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Fridge
Double bed & base, headboard & dressing table with stool
Bar & four chairs
Generator 1.5kva - brand new - including fuel!
1 x green & brown couch with 1 x chair
WRS stereo - 3 way bass reflex system - twin tape deck (cd player not
working)
Grass/cane table & three chairs
1 x small 3-drawer desk
1 x white wrought iron garden lounger
1 x large beige coloured carpet (quite worn)
1 x large striped brown carpet
1 x round dining room table & four chairs
1 x massage bed - wooden with hole for face
Dstv multichoice decoder d5d 990 with remote & dish (including cable)
Phillips az1003 portable cd player & radio

Phone - 091605909 or 233362

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1.14 FOR SALE (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

TOYOTA HILUX TWIN CAB
(2002) STARLING BLUE.
4X2, KZTE 3.0L
45000 KM (GOOD CONDITION)

GENERATOR 55 KVA / PTO DRIVEN
(IDEAL FOR A 75HP AND ABOVE TRACTOR)

GX 160 HONDA 5.5
1993 MODEL
PETROL
PULL START, (Has recently been serviced)

TWO LANDROVER DEFENDERS (OPEN) GAME VIEWING TYPE.
1 PETROL & 1 DIESEL.

MAZDA B 1600 @ CANOPY
250 000 KM`S, (ONE OWNER) GOOD CONDITION.

PLEASE PHONE: 091 777 062 (7AM TO 8PM)

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1.15 For Sale (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

1 Kelvernator Tumble dryer - $ 700,000.00
1 Double Bed Headboard, Dressing table & Chest of draws - $ 700,000.00.
1 Capri washing machine - $ 2,200,00.00
1 Nina Overlocker (sewing machine) - $ 1,200,000.00
1 Empiral Pacesetter 10 (sewing machine) - $ 1,000,000.00
1 Zedaburg Dining Room Suit. (Wagon Wheels) Table, 6 Chairs & Sideboard, - $
6,000,000.00
All the above in good condition.

For Sale - Brake, Clutch & Radiator Business in Kwekwe, Premises is rented.
The Lease can continue with the new owners of the company.

Theo Serfontein, 15 Industria Rd, Kwekwe

Tel:- 055 - 24063 or 24230 (w), Tel:- 055 - 22984 (h), Cell:- 011 210343
(Theo)
Cell:- 011 410830 (Ingrid)

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2. WANTED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Second-hand Toyota Surf or Twin Cab.  Please call 091241258

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2 Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

I am looking for a Toyota Prado body.  Phone Johnny 011 603213, email
galorand@mweb.co.zw

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2.3 Wanted (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Old wood burning stove wanted for cash, the power cuts are hitting us hard!
If you have one lying around please call Gordon on 496829 or 023 894597

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2.4 WANTED (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

GROUND LEVEL TRAMPOLINE

PHONE - 091605909 OR 233362

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3. ACCOMMODATION WANTED AND OFFERED

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3.1 Accommodation Offered (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Bromley 55km from Harare.  Attractive thatched cottage.  Self contained two
bed roomed, with garden and own entrance. Rent $150000

Also available

Self contained flat, two bedrooms.  Rent $70000.

Please contact 011423614 or 04 572513.

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3.2 Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Young lady desperately looking for a 2 bed roomed flat in the Avondale/Mount
Pleasant area please call Denise Fussel 091815956 or 336753

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3.3 Accommodation Offered (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

We have a two bedroom garden flat in Greystone Park for rental available 1st
march 2007.

The flat consists of:-

Fitted kitchen
Combined lounge / dining room
Two bedrooms with b i c
Bathroom
Wrought ironed front verandah
Front and back gardens (dura walled and fenced)
Lock up garage
Single store room
Single staff quarters

We are looking for reliable tenants who are house proud and honest. The
asking price is us$250.00 plus the levy. (No chancers please!)
If you are interested please phone.

Rob and sue 309051  /  011 601 885 or 023 824 896

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4. RECREATION

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.1 Savuli Safari (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Self catering chalets in the heart of the Save Valley Conservancy. Game
watching, fishing, horse riding, canoeing, walking trails and 4x4 hire. Camp
fully kitted including cook and fridges. Just bring your food, drinks and
relax.    Best value for money. U12 are 1/2 price

Contact John : savuli@mweb.co.zw or Phone 091 631 556

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5. SPECIALIST SERVICES

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 MESSE SERVICE CENTRE (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

We continue with the preparation, repair & service of tractors for re-sale
on a commission basis, which has worked very successfully for those selling
and buying tractors as the demand for tractors is constant and convenient
for those who are selling units through ourselves on a commission basis.

At present we have the following for sale:-
1 x Ford 6610  -  1 x MF390  -  Both in working condition
1 x Mushandi 500  -  1 x Zambezi  - Both requiring some attention.  Would be
suitable for small farm/plot operators
1 x Flatbed 4 wheel trailer  -  Excellent condition

Contact us during business hours only - Monday to Friday - 068-22463 /
011212454 / tracspray@zol.co.zw

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5.2 Vehicle Repairs (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Vehicle repairs carried out personally by qualified mechanic with 30 years
experience. Very reasonable rates.

Phone Johnny Rodrigues:  011 603213 or 011 404797, email:
galorand@mweb.co.zw

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5.3 Personalized Novelty Cakes (Ad inserted 20/02/07)

Stunning personalized novelty cakes for children's or adults' birthdays.
Email galorand@mweb.co.zw for prices and photos from our catalogue or we can
design something new - anything goes.

Phone Cheryl 011 404797

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5.4 Valuations on Hardback Books (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Harrington Rare Books. We undertake valuations on all hardback books and
will gladly sell your books on commission if you wish. Please contact Mr
Wallis on HRE 496829 evenings.

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5.5 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

We regularly come across property owners who are disappointed at the failure
of tenants and / or appointed agents to properly care for and maintain the
house and property they rent. Standard maintenance and repairs are generally
neglected until deterioration necessitates major refurbishment work - even
where the owner reduces rental rates with the proviso that the tenant agrees
to maintain the property. The house-owner tends to lose at every turn. We
can help.

We are a small privately-owned company that specialises in property
maintenance and refurbishment and who provide a service that will give you
peace of mind that your home is being maintained and properly cared for. We
can act on your behalf to do regular checks on your property to ensure they
are being maintained to an acceptable standard, as generally stipulated in a
lease agreement. We keep you informed through regular status reports.

Some of our projects have recently been terminated as the houses have been
placed on the market. Openings for new maintenance projects have therefore
recently come available.

If you believe we can assist in caring for your property or would like
further information please contact us on:

011-620-745 landline 498723 or e-mail to shelvan@earth.co.zw - to discuss
"Property Maintenance Management".

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5.6 (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Magna plumbing and electrical Pvt ltd
Magna multi contracting

We offer professional and prompt service for the following :-

A.    Electrical repairs and installations
B.    Plumbing repairs and installations
C.    Home and office renovations
D.    Extensions and buildings
E.    Patios and driveways
F.    Painting, carpentry and glazing
G.    Roofing, gutters and flashing

All our work is carried out professionally and promptly to the customer`s
requirement.
We thank you in advance and look forward to doing business with you.

Please contact

Rob and sue
(04) 309051     /     011 601 885    /   023 824 896
Email macgyver@zol.co.zw     or    havill@zol.co.zw

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5.7 PARA LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

....14yrs on.......
 and still providing the following much needed valuable Advisory
Services......

1.    Obtaining
        -  Full (Long) Birth Certificates (FBC) for Zimbabwe (replacement of
old style)
        -  Registration of new births
        -  Adoption Orders - Certified Extract of originals with FBC
            (identifying biological parent/s)
        -  Marriage Certificates - Certified Extract of originals
        -  Death Certificates (only possible in some instances)
        -  Zimbabwe Drivers Licenses - new, replacement of lost, & Letter of
           Confirmation (required when needing to obtain a Drivers Licence
in
another
           country)
        - Divorce Orders - certified extract of originals
        - Certificate of Non-Marriage

2.    Facilitating
        -  Immigration formalities into Zimbabwe,
            ie Residence & Employment Permits
        -  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - New Investor formalities

3.    Company Registration Procedures
       - New Companies
       - Statutory Returns
       - completion & submission of changes in Company/'s details

4.    Para-Legal Services
       - Wills (preparation of and amendments)
       - Establishment of Discretionary Trusts
       - enquire further as to what you are needing

Contact us for further information and/or to arrange a no obligation
consultation.

Financial Arrangements - We will always assist 'bona fide' financially
challenged persons.

Contact: Thomas Vallance ACIArb, Commissioner of Oaths
PARADiGM TRUST (Pvt) Ltd, Para-Legal Advisory Services
Trust Executives & Administrators, Tels: (B) 302 207  (M) 011-617 161
Emls:[paradigm@zol.co.zw], [paradigm@mango.zw]

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6. PETS CORNER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.1 PUPPY (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

MEDIUM SIZE / LGE TYPE DOG --- REASONABLE CROSSES OK.
SHORT HAIRED.

Phone Tayler 091631556 or e mail savuli@mweb.co.zw

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6.2 Lost African Grey (Ad inserted 27/02/07)

Please, I need some help.  I lost my African Grey who answers to the name of
Cocco'.  He flew away a week ago and we haven't been able to find him.  I
live in the Umwinsidale area and I am really getting desperate.

If anyone finds him please contact: olivieros@yahoo.it or 011-608880 or
497373/497200 (b).

I would really appreciate your assistance!

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JAG Hotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799 410.  If you are in trouble
or need advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!
To advertise (JAG Members): Please email classifieds to: jagma@mango.zw
with subject "Classifieds".