Gwisai and others slapped with a two year suspended sentence

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
21 March 2012

University of Zimbabwe Lecturer and former MDC-T MP, Munyaradzi Gwisai and
his five co-accused were on Wednesday slapped with a two year jail term,
which was suspended for five years.

Gwisai was sentenced together with Antoinette Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara,
Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto. The group was on Monday
found guilty of conspiracy to incite public violence with a view to
overthrowing the unity government.

Harare regional magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini sentenced all six to two
years, suspended for five years on condition that no similar offence is
committed. They were ordered to do 420 hours of community service and fined
$500 each.

Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama told SW Radio Africa that he was going to
appeal against both the conviction and sentence, which he described as
‘harsh’.

“The verdict and sentence are both harsh. Our submission is that the verdict
is not correct and that the magistrate misdirected himself in a number of
aspects,” Muchadehama said.

The lawyer explained that they were left stunned that the magistrate chose
to believe a state witness who was ‘patently dishonest’.

“My clients have therefore instructed me to appeal against the conviction
and sentence and we have done that straight away,” he added.

Soon after the sentencing there were wild celebrations among throngs of
people at the court, who included leaders from the Civil Society
Organisations, NGO’s and student leaders.

Heavily armed riot police moved in to stop the celebrations, arresting four
University of Zimbabwe law students for being ‘too vocal’ in their
celebrations. Zimbabwe Independent Journalist Columbus Mavhunga was also
arrested for taking pictures in court.

Gwisai and his group were arrested in February last year together with 39
other social and human rights activists. Police claimed then that the group
was plotting to destabilise the government when they watched video footage
of the Egypt uprising. Initially when they were arrested, police accused the
group of treason but downgraded charges to inciting public violence.

International Outrage Over Conviction of Activists

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, March 21, 2012 - The International Commission for Jurists (ICJ) has
expressed grave concern at the conviction of six activists found watching
videos of the Egyptian and Tunisian uprisings last year as international
outrage grows over the perceived persecution of human rights activists in
Zimbabwe.

Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Antonater Choto, Wellcome Zimuto, Eddson
Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarra, were on Monday found guilty of plotting an
uprising against President Robert Mugabe.

The prosecution on Tuesday called for the maximum 10-year jail sentence to
be imposed on the six.

The ICJ said it was particularly concerned that the government of Zimbabwe
was using repressive legislation to instill fear and prevent the free
enjoyment of human rights by its citizens.

“In a country purporting to be democratic, laws ought to be used to protect
citizens and not to prosecute them for raising human rights issues which the
state is obliged to uphold. All persons ought to be equal before the law and
all offenders should be legally accountable,” said Martin Masiga, the deputy
director of the ICJ African regional programme.

The ICJ urged the government to investigate allegations of tortured raised
by the six activists during their trial.

On Tuesday a conglomeration of South African civic organisations operating
under the banner of Democratic Left Front (DLF), called on President Robert
Mugabe led government to acquit the six activists who await sentencing on
Wednesday.

Amnesty International: Sentencing of activists a 'setback' for freedom of expression

http://www.amnesty.org

21 March 2012

“The court's decision is a reminder that Zimbabwe is still an unsafe place
for activists”
Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International’s director for Africa

The decision to convict and sentence six activists to community service and
a fine for organizing a video screening on events in North Africa last year
is a setback for freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, Amnesty International
said.

The court ordered the men to carry out 420 hours of community service and
fined them US$500 after they were found guilty of “conspiracy to commit
public violence”.

“The court’s decision to convict people who were merely exercising their
internationally guaranteed right to freedom of expression is simply
shocking.  It’s a reminder that Zimbabwe is still an unsafe place for
activists,” said Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International’s Director for
Africa.

“This ruling instils fear in anyone defending human rights in Zimbabwe. It
is likely to restrict the work of activists in the country, and the
convictions should be overturned immediately.”

The six convicted activists are University of Zimbabwe law lecturer and
former opposition parliamentarian Munyaradzi Gwisai, anti-debt campaigner
Hopewell Gumbo, Zimbabwe Labour Centre director Antoneta Choto, student
leader Welcome Zimuto, and social activists Eddson Chakuma and Tatenda
Mombeyarara.

Munyaradzi Gwisai and 44 social justice, trade union and human rights
activists were arrested by police in February 2011 as they were attending a
lecture entitled ’Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia - What lessons can be learnt
by Zimbabwe and Africa’. Thirty-nine of the activists were later acquitted.

Following their arrest, all six activists told the court that they were
tortured while in police custody and spent some 27 days in jail before being
released on stringent bail conditions.

“The conviction of these activists shows there is still an urgent need for
reforms to ensure respect for people’s human rights in Zimbabwe. The unity
government has done little to respect and protect fundamental freedoms“ said
Erwin van der Borght.

Action Alert: Gwisai +5 found guilty for watching videos

Three die in ‘revenge attacks’ by police in Shamva

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
21 March 2012

Three people believed to have died and several others hospitalized in the
mining town of Shamva, after police went door-to-door assaulting people on
Saturday. The cops were following orders from a senior officer whose wife
had been robbed of just one dollar and a cellphone.

The late night attacks were described as ‘brutal’ by victimized residents
who later besieged the police station, demanding to see the senior officer,
named only as Shumba, who conducted the attacks with nine junior officers.

Godfrey Chimombe, the MDC-T provinvial chairman for Bindura, visited the
area and told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that earlier reports of only one
death were not accurate. Chimombe said he had spoken to the families of the
deceased and had no doubt that three people had died.

The fuming Chimombe said Governor Martin Bimha was forced to intervene when
angry locals demonstrated outside the police station, calling for Officer
Shumba and his wife. The Governor calmed the situation by announcing that
the couple and every cop involved in the beatings were under arrest.

But Chimombe said he doubted the guilty police officers will ever be
punished, as long as ZANU PF and Police Commissioner Chihuri are in office.

“Vanogona kunge vari kumba vachitoona TV,” Chimombe said, meaning “they are
probably already at home watching television.”

He blasted Shamva police officers for taking three innocent lives over one
dollar and a cellphone, saying they behave like ZANU PF youth who attack
civilians. Chimombe also said Officer Shumba was notorious for his
irresponsible behavior in Shamva South. He is known to take beers from shops
and order them to close whenever he likes.

Relatives of Luxmore Chiwamba, a miner who died from injuries sustained
during the beatings, said police officers assaulted him with baton sticks,
clenched fists, and boots. They said police broke down the door and
surprised Chiwamba, who was asleep and tried to reach for his clothes. Other
family members managed to escape.

The Daily News newspaper quoted a relative who said Chiwamba cried out,
asking the police why they were killing him. But his pleas were ignored even
after he started bleeding and begged to be taken to the hospital.

“They said to him ‘we want blood, someone must die here’. They even refused
to give him medical assistance even when he started vomiting blood. Even his
urine was bloody,” the relative is quoted as saying. The relative added that
Chiwamba was instead taken to the police station and beaten some more.

The MDC-T chairman meanwhile said the police in Shamva acted just like ZANU
PF politicians do.

“They do not respect the rule of law. Is there peace in Zimbabwe when police
can kill innocent civilians?” Chimombe asked.

8 police officers arrested over Shamva killing

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

21/03/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

EIGHT police officers have been arrested after a raid on a mine left one
person dead and seven others injured.

Police chief Augustine Chihuri ordered the unprecedented arrests after
dozens of angry residents of Shamva, about 60km north west of Harare,
picketed the main police station on Monday following the death of Luckmore
Chivambu 24 hours earlier.

A team of investigators from Harare has been deployed to Shamva after the
tragic events triggered by the alleged theft of a wallet belonging to the
wife of the officer in charge of Shamva Police, an Inspector Shumba.

Shumba, local residents said, ordered a police raid on Ashley Mill Compound
where dozens of small scale gold miners live, seeking to smoke out the
alleged thief.

But locals say the police officers beat up people randomly resulting in
Chivambu’s death and injuries to seven others. The injured – two of whom
were named locally as Martha Chidzonga and Shepherd Hudye – were being
treated at Shashi Hospital.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed Police Commissioner
General Augustine Chihuri had intervened to authorise the arrests and
deployment of investigators from Harare.

“We are treating it just like any murder case,” Bvudzijena said. “The ZRP
respects the sanctity of human life and these officers will have to answer
for their actions.”
The privately-owned Daily News reported Wednesday that the wallet which
triggered the raid contained US$1 and a phone.

In a statement, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T party condemned the
raid and demanded a full investigation.

"The MDC views the action of the Shamva police officers as unprofessional
and a clear abuse of office and calls on the relevant authorities to get to
the bottom of this matter," the party said.

"The MDC has been vindicated on its calls for security sector realignment in
the country before the holding of the next elections. Some police officers
including senior officials are no longer upholding the rule of law and
abusing their powers for personal use and political patronage."

Shamva murder: Wife speaks

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 14:27

SHAMVA - A tense atmosphere gripped Shamva following the gruesome murder of
mine worker Luxmore Chiwamba at the hands of police officers who were on a
revenge mission on Saturday night.

Chiwamba, a father of three, died after a senior police officer identified
as Shumba enlisted the help of nine officers who went on a rampage beating
up hapless mine workers on Saturday evening in a bid to recover goods
allegedly stolen from Shumba’s wife.

On Monday, angry residents barricaded Shamva police station demonstrating
against the brutal police conduct.

When the Daily News crew arrived in Shamva yesterday, people had dispersed
from the police station and police officers could be seen roaming around
freely although Shumba had been arrested.

But residents gathered in small groups at the shopping centre where
emotional discussions about the police conduct dominated.

At Ashley Mine compound, relatives of the deceased mine worker said they
were overcome more by anger than grief.

Chiwamba’s widow, Marjory who managed to escape the attack after pleading
that she wanted to relieve herself, said she wanted nothing but justice.

“I am now a widow but Shumba is alive. Look around you and see the poverty
here. How am I going to look after our three children. I hope government
will do something about it. I really want to see what will happen to
 Shumba,” Marjory said.

The 28-year-old widow, whose anger showed throughout the interview added:
“What am I going to do now, my mother-in-law had an accident last year and
she cannot do anything. My husband was the one looking after her. How am I
going to look after her,”

Marjory said adding: “Where are the police now, why have they not come to
offer their condolences?”

The deceased’s mother Stella Mutarimanja, who lives in Bindura, described
her late son as a “peaceful person.”

“My son was a very responsible son. He looked after me and several other
orphans in this community. I am very hurt and I don’t think I will ever
forget this for as long as I live,” Mutarimanja said.

Chiwamba’s sister-in-law Matatise Mukuzana, who was also severely assaulted
by police, said the killers of shame took a crate of beer, placed it on her
legs before sitting on top of it.

“After that they took a dish full of water and poured it on me, they asked
me to roll in the sand and beat my head on the rocky ground,” Mukuzana said.

Residents at Ashley Mine compound told the Daily News they would not be
pacified until Shumba had paid for his atrocities.

“Can you imagine, they came here and broke down these doors on our pole and
dagga houses. They even saw our wives naked and up to now we are not totally
convinced that our wives were not raped during the confusion,” a resident
identified only as Francis said.

Residents at the compound vowed not to bury Chiwamba’s corpse, which had
been taken to Harare for a post mortem, at Shamva Police Station.

“The police initially agreed to finance the funeral but up until now, we
have not received anything from them. I am sure they will take us seriously
when the body arrives because we are taking it straight to the police
station,” a man who identified himself as Chiwamba’s uncle said.

Police recant testimony in Siwela trial

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

20/03/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

THE treason trial of the former ZAPU leader Paul Siwela and two other men
entered its second day at the Bulawayo High Court on Tuesday with two police
witnesses contradicting their previous testimony.

Siwela, 49, Charles Thomas, 44, and John Gazi, 54, are on trial for their
lives accused of soliciting the overthrow of President Robert Mugabe’s
government through unconstitutional means.

The three men were arrested in April last year over claims they distributed
flyers on behalf of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front pressure group agitating
for “Egyptian-style” uprisings.

Constable Alex Chidakwa, who previously testified during the men’s bail
application last year, was the first of two police officers to take the
stand on Tuesday.

He narrated how on March 3 last year, he followed Thomas around Entumbane
Shopping Mall as the latter allegedly handed out flyers around a flea
market.

During a bail hearing in April last year, Chidakwa told the court that they
recovered three fliers and a calendar when they arrested Thomas, but he had
revised the recovered material upwards on Tuesday, stating that they had
seized six fliers and five calendars.

Justice Nicholas Ndou, presiding, called for order a few times as members of
the public in the gallery laughed during the defence grilling of Constable
Chidakwa about the discrepancies in his evidence.
After Constable Chidakwa stood down, Constable Edmond Magama – who gave his
evidence in Shona – took the stand.

Constable Magama told how Constable Chidakwa had picked up a flier written
in Ndebele while out on foot patrol.

“He interpreted it and concluded that it was urging people to rise against
the government. A team of four police officers from Entumbane Police Station
then decided to look for the origins of the flyers and that is when we
witnessed Thomas handing out the fliers to flea market stall owners at the
Entumbane Shopping complex,” Constable Magama said.
Magama said after Thomas saw the uniformed police officers, he started
running but they gave chase and caught up with him.

Magama said they had recovered six fliers and five MLF 2012 calendars and
went to surrender the exhibits to their superiors.

Challenged by Advocate Lucas Nkomo for Thomas about the discrepancies in the
evidence given in last year’s hearing and their latest testimony, both
officers denied lying.

Magama will continue his evidence on Wednesday.

Thomas, Gazi and Siwela on Monday pleaded not guilty to treason and the
alternative charge of subverting a constitutional government.

Prosecutors Lovack Masuku and Samuel Pedzisai suffered a setback on Monday
when two witnesses called to testify how they had received flyers from the
trio insisted that they had never met any of the accused men.

Flea market stall owner Edwin Sibanda said he had picked a flyer on the
ground and read it briefly but threw it away, while vendor Sibangani Ndlovu
said a flyer had been thrown in his booth but he had paid little attention
to the individual who dropped the circular.

Coltart says he had nothing to do with tender for textbooks

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
21 March 2012

Education Minister David Coltart has denied any wrongdoing in the awarding
of a tender to the publishers Longman Zimbabwe for the supply of text books.

A parliamentary committee on Tuesday accused the minister of flouting tender
procedures and favouring an international firm while ignoring Zimbabwean
companies.

But speaking to SW Radio Africa on Wednesday, Coltart said the report “gives
the impression it was Zimbabwean government money subject to Zimbabwe
government tender procedures which it was not. It was all donor money
donated by Western governments and other organisations to the Education
Transition Fund.”

Coltart said the textbooks were funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) and that “UNICEF used its own tender procedures to go out and
negotiate the contracts for the production of the books. None of us in
government were involved in the tender process in anyway whatsoever.”

On Tuesday Coltart appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on
Education and Sports, where legislators from both ZANU PF and the MDC-T took
him to task over the supply of the textbooks.

MDC-T Chitungwiza North MP Fidelis Mhashu said the tender bordered on
“corruption as Longman Zimbabwe was merely used as a front for Longman
International.” This was at the expense of companies like Zimbabwe
Publishing House, Mambo Press and College Press.

Coltart told SW Radio Africa that his colleagues in cabinet knew how the
whole transaction had been done and blamed cheap politicking ahead of
elections as the reason the MP’s brought it up in parliament.

DA, Police, CIO rapped for causing confusion in the timber plantations

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The largest timber producer, Allied Timbers Holdings, has rapped the local
Lands Commitiee, police and Central Intelligence Operatives (CIO) for
contributing to the collapsing of timber industry in the country by
permitting people to invade the plantations.
21.03.1201:51pm
by OWN CORRESPONDENT

Allied Timbers controls 50 028 hectares of timber plantation in Chimanimani,
of which 2 836 hectares are under illegal settlers who are burning and
indiscriminately cutting down trees.

Illegal settlers in the plantations include chiefs Chikukwa, Ngorima, war
veterans and Zanu (PF) officials who are eyeing the plantations trees for
personal enrichment.

Allied Timbers Forest Senior Divisional Manager, Douglas Marowa confirmed
the disturbances in the plantations and accused the local lands committee
chaired by Chimanimani District Administrator, one Borerwe for causing the
conflict between Allied Timbers and the local community.

“The local DA is the culprit because he is recommending wrongly to the
community.Goverment should come up with a policy to support Forest
Conservancies for the sake of our timber industry,” he said.

Marowa said Lands Committee continues to be the major driver of illegal
settlement in the plantations.

“We don’t hesitate to say that DA with some forces from the police and CIO
are causing chaos in the plantations. Police are not helping in anywhere
because of some political forces. We have arrested illegal settlers but the
police has not helped us in anywhere,” he said.

“There are people who do not want to do their job at the police. Their duty
is to arrest but they are not doing so because of political pressure from
politicians,” he added.

He said police have let some illegal settlers such as Chiefs Ngorima,
Chikukwa and a local Zanu (PF) supporters identified as Samuel Tandire to go
scot free with their crimes.

He said some politicians in the province were behind the invasions.
According to Forest Act, it is illegal to settle in the forests without
permission from Government or regulating authority. In terms of the law all
forests are not gazzetted under land reform programme.

“We have people like Samuel Tandire and Manjonjore who are occupying a
homestead in the Springfield plantation. Where is he getting power to do
that? This means there are some politicians backing him,”said Marowa.

Allied Timber Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Kanyekanye said the goings on
in Chimanimani is a corruption of the highest order. He described the
situation as stealing away from the future generation.

He added that the illegal settlers were not being driven by genuine need for
land but greediness. Kanyekanye said the situation was getting out control
and there was need for urgent solutions from all stakeholders including
government.

“What is happening is corruption of the highest order and this has effect to
country`s development. We are stealing away from the future generations,” he
said.

The Allied boss said if the situation is not stopped the country will soon
import timber from neighboring countries. He blasted the police for not
cooperating with Allied Timbers to stop the invasions.

“We are not getting the support law enforcement agents. They are reluctant
to arrest or enforce the law,” said Kanyekanye.

There are close to 2 830 illegal settlers in Chimanimani coming from as far
as Mutare, Cashel Valley, Mutambara and Chipinge.They contribute 75 percent
of fires in the estates.

In Zimbabwe, forestry contributes three percent of the economic Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).

Zimbabwe says plans $100 mln infrastructure bond

http://af.reuters.com

Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:32pm GMT

HARARE, March 21 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe plans to float a $100 million bond to
rebuild its dilapidated infrastructure as the country struggles to attract
foreign investment, the finance minister said on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe's infrastructure, such as its roads, railways, dams and power
plants, has been starved of finance due to a decade of economic collapse,
which eased somewhat with the formation of a power-sharing government in
2009.

"Very soon we are going to issue a $100 million infrastructure bond through
our financial institutions," Finance Minister Tendai Biti told an investor
conference in Harare.

He give no further details.

Zimbabwe has been using the U.S. dollar since 2009 when the country
abandoned the Zimbabwean dollar after inflation reached 500 billion percent.

A coalition government formed between political rivals President Robert
Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has managed to stabilise the
economy but the country faces a cash crunch as investors stay on the
sidelines.

Biti, who is a member of Tsvangirai's opposition Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC), said last week the government faced a shutdown because
projected revenue from the diamond industry had failed to come through.

Investors have been unnerved by the government's drive to force
foreign-owned mining companies to surrender majority stakes to blacks under
an economic empowerment programme.

At the conference, Biti sought to allay investor fears, saying the
government did not plan to expropriate shares and he urged companies to look
at Zimbabwe as long-term investment destination.

Police refuse to recognise Chinese products

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

As cabinet ponders how to deal with the issue of spot fines, traffic police
manning the numerous road blocks are refusing to accept Chinese-made vehicle
accessories and demanding that motorists pay fines instead.
21.03.1207:09am
by Kingstone Ndabatei

Numerous motorists are now left between the proverbial hard place and a rock
because they say these are the only products available.

Co-minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi, told Parliament recently that
spot fines are illegal. But the police are still demanding on-the-spot
payment from motorists for a host of infringements.

“After all the noise about the numerous road blocks, they have reduced but
police now demand that every motorist carry a fire extinguisher, spare wheel
and jack - they now demand that these should carry a stamp from the
Standards Association of Zimbabwe,” said motorist Peter Mukura.

Another exasperated motorist, identified only as Mrs Muchena, said the
police had taken their extortionist methods to a higher level.

“There are only Chinese made tyres and extinguishers available in the
country. The police should go to the border first and refuse these things
entry. The government is screaming itself hoarse about looking east and then
this happens. Is it a fundraising trick for some party that has gone
horribly wrong?” she fumed.

‘Is it a fundraising trick for some party that has gone horribly wrong?’
Motorists complained that the police were charging every motorist who fails
to produce the items as much as $20.

Transport and Communications Minister, Nicolas Goche, told a Parliamentary
Committee last week the issue was for public safety. “We must not quarrel
about this. Parliament should be helping us to enforce this law because it
for public safety. I stand by that policy decision,” Goche said without
elaborating on the standards association issue.

He was responding to a question by Glen-Norah MP Gift Dzirutwe on why the
police had gone on the war path, harassing citizens over fire extinguishers
and other vehicle safety accessories.

Traffic Police spokesperson Tigere Chigome could not be contacted for
comment. Those interviewed said they would rather be arraigned before the
courts, than endure the “court martial” currently being exercised by the
policed.

Diaspora urges SADC not to cross Zim election ‘red lines’

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
21 March 2012

Zimbabweans across the Diaspora on Wednesday called on leaders in the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) not to cross ‘red lines’
regarding Zimbabwe’s future, in particular not allowing elections until the
time is right.

Hundreds of people in the Diaspora gathered outside South African Embassies
and Consulates across the world on Wednesday for the fourth round of the
Free Zimbabwe Global Protests. The gatherings kicked off in January and are
set to continue on the 21st of every month until real change is seen in
Zimbabwe.

The protests are aimed at South Africa as the mediator in Zimbabwe’s crisis,
and call on President Jacob Zuma to, among others things, put pressure on
Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF to honour the terms of the Global Political
Agreement (GPA).

On Wednesday, the March protest was held under the theme ‘Red Lines’ with
protesters urging Zuma top prioritise a number of issues, and not allow the
lines to be crossed.

This includes a new voters roll before fresh, free and fair elections; the
cessation of all political violence, farm invasions and disruption of party
rallies; urgent security sector and media reforms, and the release of
‘political prisoners’.

Tonderai Samanyanga, the Chairman of the MDC-T executive in the UK told SW
Radio Africa on Wednesday that SADC should not cross these lines by allowing
any form of election until the issues are sorted out. He insisted that Zuma
needs to draw these ‘red lines’ as a matter of urgency.

He was speaking at the London arm of the Global Protest, where he said
hundreds of people had gathered. He explained that the pressure is beginning
to build on SADC to ensure that the GPA is implemented in full before
another election.

“We know there is a process that is being followed and issues pertaining to
the GPA are being dealt with through negotiations and mediation. But we as
Zimbabweans are worried about the slow pace that this is happening, so we
want the red lines drawn with urgency,” Samanyanga said.

The protests also got under way outside the Union Buildings in South Africa,
as well as in America where demonstrators gathered in Washington and in New
York. More demonstrations were set to take place in parts of Europe and
Australia.

The fourth round of protests is set for Saturday April 21st, which the MDC-T’s
international executives have sworn will be even bigger than the previous
gatherings. The April movement will also be coinciding with Zimbabwe’s
Independence Day.

Mpofu told to face court in ongoing fraud case

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
21 March 2012

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu has this week been told to appear in court, in
connection with an ongoing fraud case.

The case is linked to the collapse of a diamond mining initiative that had
originally been granted a licence to mine at the Chiadzwa alluvial fields.
That group, Canadile Miners, was meant to be a joint venture group with the
State run Zimbabwe Development Corporation (ZMDC) and other investors.

But Canadile Miners director Lovemore Kurotwi was arrested in 2010 for
allegedly ‘fraudulently misrepresenting’ to government that his company had
money to exploit the diamond fields, when in fact his company was bankrupt.
The state has claimed that this effectively ‘prejudiced’ the government of
the US$2 billion investment.

Kurotwi was accused, along with ZMDC chief executive Dominic Mubaiwa, of
duping the government into believing that a ‘non-existent’ South African
firm was ready to invest US$2 billion in Zimbabwe in order to obtain a
licence for Canadile Miners.

It’s understood that the company Kurotwi said was meant to bankroll the
Canadile initiative, the South African based company, Benn Steinmeitz Group
Resources (BSGR), had pulled out of the deal after their demands for human
rights issues at Chiadzwa be addressed were not met.

Kurotwi and Mubaiwa were both charged with fraud by the state after this
deal collapsed. But Kurotwi has insisted the fraud charges are linked to his
telling Robert Mugabe that Mpofu had demanded a US$10 million bribe for the
licensing of Canadile. Kurotwi insists that he is being punished after
refusing to give the minister a bribe.

This week High Court Justice Chinembiri Bhunu said Mpofu would be summoned
to testify in the matter. The case continues

Kurotwi meanwhile has also been charged for alleged ‘extortion’ of a law
firm in 2010. This after he allegedly demanded the return of US$300 000 that
Canadile had paid to the Mutamangira and Associates law firm to represent
Zimbabwe at a round of international diamond talks that in 2010. Kurotwi
allegedly demanded Canadile’s money back after the government cancelled
Canadile’s mining licence.

Bulawayo Council cuts water at ZANU PF HQ

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
21 March 2021

The City Council in Bulawayo reportedly took the bold step last week of
disconnecting water supplies to the ZANU PF provincial headquarters, due to
unpaid debts of about $14 000.

The development was denied by the party’s provincial head and politburo
member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu on Friday. But according to NewsDay newspaper,
“party insiders” claimed that officials had reconnected the water illegally.
Party officials reportedly denied water been disconnected, saying a deal had
been struck with Council for payment.

A few days earlier, the Bulawayo High Court had reportedly ordered ZANU PF
to pay over $14 000 due to the Council in unpaid rent and rates arrears to
avoid risking their property being ‘attached’.

The news comes at a time when the power authority ZESA has been publicizing
the names of senior politicians who owe large sums of money and face
disconnection. Many of the prominent culprits have turned out to be ZANU PF
officials in top government positions.

ZESA has also been experiencing their own problems related to unpaid bills.
The utility company owes at least $80 million in electricity bills to
Mozambique and supplies to Zimbabwe are being affected.

A report in the Daily News newspaper said business was interrupted in the
capital on Tuesday afternoon due to intermittent power cuts. This affected
power at Robert Mugabe’s Munhumutapa offices, as well as the court buildings
on Rotten Row.

Meanwhile the country’s flagship airline Air Zimbabwe recently suspended
flights and announced a “rebranding”, in an effort to sidestep massive debts
which accumulated over years of mismanagement and alleged corruption.

As the old addage goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts
absolutely. It appears the country is absolutely debt ridden and our senior
politicians absolutely pay no bills.

Empowerment law poorly crafted: PM

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Gift Phiri, Senior Writer
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 12:11

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has slammed a government strategy
to force foreign-owned companies to surrender a 51 percent stake to local
blacks as a “poorly crafted” policy that will deter investment.

Tsvangirai slammed the policy hardly a week after its biggest scalp Impala
Platinum, the world’s second-biggest platinum producer, wilted under
pressure and agreed to cede  a 51 percent stake in its Zimplats unit to
local bodies owned or approved by government.

In his keynote address to The Times CEO summit in London on Monday,
Tsvangirai said the indigenisation policy was hurting the resource-rich
country’s investment image.

“In the case of Zimbabwe, we have many opportunities in mining, agriculture,
tourism and manufacturing and our quest to attract investment has been
marred by our bad politics and a poorly-crafted empowerment law which has
largely scared away investors,” Tsvangirai said.

“We have successfully managed to mitigate the excesses of this law because
we are an uneasy coalition, but the ultimate answer will lie in a free and
fair election as a precondition for a legitimate government in Zimbabwe.”

Tsvangirai has had fierce run-ins with arch-rival turned awkward coalition
government partner President Robert Mugabe, who has been spearheading the
ownership policy, saying the policy threatens a nascent economic recovery
under the power-sharing government.

The former trade union leader, who is posing the biggest challenge to Mugabe’s
three-decade-plus-year hold on power since independence in 1980, said his
vision was for a Zimbabwe where a credible and legitimate government would
be able to address the issues of enablers such as ICTs, energy, road, rail
and air transport systems.

“We will have to build a strong economy, use market principles with safety
nets and targeted policies in the context of a developmental State to
promote economic and social justice and to provide jobs and uplift the
people,” Tsvangirai told the London CEO roundtable.

“My experience as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is that peace is a key factor
for investment. That is why policy consistency, stability and policy
predictability are the key ingredients of luring investment.

“That is why I urge all of you gathered here to support the call for a free
and fair election in Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe is due to go for elections before June 2013, but Mugabe is
insisting on a snap poll even before the envisaged political, security and
electoral reforms have been completed.

“Only a legitimately elected government, and not an uneasy coalition, can
develop and implement a common vision and programmes that will deal with the
massive unemployment and poverty that Zimbabwe currently faces,” Tsvangirai
said.

“Our country requires a break from the past; coupled with a clear programme
underpinned by political and economic reforms, a commitment to the rule of
law, defence of property rights and reward of individual effort.

“The immediate challenge for any new government in Zimbabwe would be
creating peace and stability and embarking on an aggressive programme of
infrastructure rehabilitation, resuscitation of our manufacturing potential
and increasing our mining and agricultural productivity.”

The MDC leader, who has regularly clashed with Mugabe on key policy issues,
said the challenge for the new crop of African leaders is to consign
repression and misgovernance to the dustbins and creating a new society with
a new ethos and new for peace, stability, investment and growth.

“As I have said, this is important because our toxic politics in Africa in
general, and Zimbabwe in particular, have been the Achilles heel in our
quest for investment and growth,” he said.

“Some of us represent a new generation whose focus is mainly on building
strong economies, creating jobs and developing a qualitative and affordable
social delivery system especially in the fields of health and education.”

Many see Mugabe's belated push for empowerment as a crude attempt to shore
up his dwindling support base.

Tsvangirai says Mugabe has a “paranoid obsession with race”. He agrees that
there needs to be a programme of empowerment, “but we need reform that is
orderly and will not destabilise the economy”.

Zanu PF Using Empowerment Law As Vote Catching Gimmick: Admits Kasukuwere

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, March 21, 2012- Zanu PF politburo member and Indigenisation Minister
Saviour Kasukuwere says his Zanu PF party will use the controversial
empowerment law to win the country’s next election.

Kasukuwere said this in an interview with the Doha based Al Jazeera english
television on Tuesday.

“Any political party must pursue policies that allow it to win an election.
It will be fool hardy for my political party or the government to pursue
policies that will make us lose elections.

“So if you are going to look at it that way and say we are doing it because
we are in politics, fine, i am a politician and i am in politics so whatever
you do in politics is about elections,” said Kasukuwere after being asked if
his party was implementing the indigenisation  laws that he has been
actively championing as an election draw card.

“I will be foolish to pursue policies that make us lose elections. I will be
totally stupid but in terms of this policy we have said we are empowering
our people and we are making no apology about that, if someone say we are
electioneering then yes.

“Our people are empowered and we are electioneering, it is part of life, we
have to look after our people.  This country is under sanctions we can’t
afford to leave again our economy exposed to the pressure that can be put on
our nation by foreigners.”

But speaking to the same station in London where he is attending an African
business conference, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the empowerment
law is an election ploy by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party.

“It is practically impossible to implement the law, we have told everyone
that this is election talk, it is known that you can’t implement it and we
have told Mugabe that,” said Tsvangirai whose party has been largely
critical of the legislation saying it will chase away the much needed
foreign investment.

Journo Refutes Chipangano Links, Describes Reports as False and Malicious

http://www.radiovop.com

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) reporter, Tafara Chikumira has
distanced himself from allegations reported by the Radio VOP that he was
part of ZANU PF’s Chipangano group that disrupted an MDC-T meeting abandoned
late last year.

Although the Media Complaints Commission (MMC) gave full and careful
consideration to the submissions made by Mr.Chikumira and concluded that
Radio VOP had not violated journalistic code of ethics, it stressed the
importance of giving Mr Chikumira the right to respond.

The Radio VOP reporter got the information of Mr Chikumira’s involvement
with Chipangano through MDC-T press release hence Radio VOP journalist cited
the MDC-T document that was on public domain.

The article appeared on Radio VOP website on the 8th of November 2011 which
was entitled “ZBC reporter part of Zanu PF violence”. Chikumira approached
the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) to register his concerns with
regards to the article. Chikumira’s complaint was initially directed to The
Zimbabwean newspaper that had carried the story however, Radio VOP was
summoned by the VMCZ for a hearing as the original author of the story.

It was Mr Chikumira's submission that the Radio VOP article ‘insinuated’
that he was associated with Chipangano.He said he was not part of the
campaign that disrupted the meeting in question and said that he was not
involved with Chipangano. He complained that the allegations that he played
a part in the violence are false and malicious.

At the time the Radio VOP published the story Mr Chikumira could not be
reached for comment as the journalist who wrote the story tried
unsuccessfully to reach Chikumira on his mobile. However, Chikumira on his
submissions to the MCC denied that his mobile was ever unreachable at the
time of publishing the story.

Chikumira says the story has prejudiced him as fellow reporters and members
of his family now believe that he is part of Chipangano. Whenever one
searches for his name on the internet, his name always appears alongside
that of Chipangano.

Rogue Zanu PF youths go berserk

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Wonai Masvingise, Staff Writer
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 09:54

HARARE - What was meant to be a platform for Zanu PF youths to articulate
their position on the controversial empowerment laws that the mainstream MDC
party has been criticising degenerated into a brawl when rival factions
clashed at a press conference yesterday.

The press conference held at the Media Centre was meant to address the media
on the youth empowerment group Upfumi Kuvadiki’s position on indigenisation.

The meeting quickly degenerated into a brawl when a rival faction led by
Scott Sakupwanya believed to be aligned to a Zanu PF minister from
Mashonaland Central stormed the venue of the meeting and disrupted
proceedings.

Alson Darikayi, president of a Upfumi Kuvadiki faction which had organised
the press conference.

He appeared to have been in a fighting mood dressed in a House of Gushungo
beret similar to the one worn these days by former African National Congress
Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema.

His grouping is believed to be close to a minister from Mashonaland West
province.

Darikayi had his speech to journalists interrupted by Sakupwanya’s group
which was fronted by Tatenda Maroodza who shouted “What is going on here?”
when he entered the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the real Upfumi Kuvadiki. These people
here are just wasting your time,” he told the journalists.

“Upfumi Kuvadiki is not yours so do not try to masquerade as Upfumi
Kuvadiki. We took this issue to the Zimbabwe Youth Council and they know
that these people are masquerading as Upfumi Kuvadiki.”

Privilege Gwiba, acting secretary for information in Sakupwanya’s faction
said Darikayi’s faction was just out to milk Upfumi Kuvadiki.

“To say there’s division would be an overstatement, we have a few
individuals that want to use Upfumi Kuvadiki for their own individual
benefits. This whole scenario is a comedy. These guys are trying to get
their own individual benefits.”

Responding to the incident, Darikayi said; “These people are within their
democratic rights to act the way they are.”

Sakupwanya later said, “Alson was our spokesman and we never appointed him
president, I am the president. Maybe he thought that since he was now known
as the voice of the organisation he could now make himself president.”

Botswana President Khama Says Zimbabwe Instability Concern for Region

http://www.voanews.com

20 March 2012

President Robert Mugabe has threatened to force an election this year even
without a new constitution and democratic reforms demanded by the Movement
for Democratic Change

Ntungamili Nkomo | Washington

Straight-talking Botswana President Ian Khama has called on Zimbabwe to
adopt democratic reforms that will guarantee a credible election, which he
says is necessary for regional stability.

Mr. Khama told the press in Gaborone following a meeting with his visiting
Zambian counterpart, Michael Sata on Monday that the turbulent political
situations in Zimbabwe and Madagascar did not bode well for peace in the
region.

He said the two countries should emulate Zambia which conducted a vote
overwhelmingly approved by observers last year. The incumbent, Rupiah Banda
conceded to Mr. Sata and left office without resistance or violence.

"It’s my profound hope that Madagascar and Zimbabwe will deliver credible
elections whenever they are held," Khama said. "We only wish they can
conduct elections like Zambia... without the accompanying violence leading
to instability.”

Political analyst Dumisani Nkomo told VOA regional leaders should adopt
tough measures that will pressure Mugabe and his ZANU PF party to conduct a
democratic election without the kind of violence that marred the 2008 vote.

President Robert Mugabe has threatened to force an election this year even
without a new constitution and democratic reforms demanded by the Movement
for Democratic Change.

Farmers Engage Zimbabwe Power Utility Over Huge Outstanding Bills

http://www.voanews.com/

20 March 2012

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority management confirmed Tuesday that
members of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union
are seeking reprieve from the state entity claiming that they are not
generating a lot of income due to unreliable seasonal farming methods

Gibbs Dube | Washington

Some Zimbabweans, who forcibly took over farms from white commercial farmers
under the country's controversial land reforms, have started engaging the
state-owned power utility after failing to settle electricity bills, some as
high as US$300,000.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority management confirmed Tuesday that
members of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union and Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union,
hard-pressed by lack of funds to pay the bills, are seeking reprieve from
the state entity, claiming that they are not generating a lot of income due
to unreliable seasonal farming methods.

The farmers are asking ZESA to either reduce the bills or stop disconnecting
power to their farms for failing to pay the required amounts.

Some of the non-paying farmers include President Robert Mugabe’s Gushungo
Estates which owes ZESA US$300.000. Most members of Mr. Mugabe's cabinet and
senior state officials also owe the power utility thousands of dollars.

ZESA in turn owes various entities US$800 million while consumers are
failing to pay it at least US$400 million for electricity provided.

Agronomist Thomas Nherera said farmers have to craft cash flow projections
which cover ZESA bills and other basic necessities.

Journalism Fraternity Thrown Into Mourning as Three Scribes Die in One Day

http://www.voanews.com

20 March 2012

King Dube, Salatiel Mutasa and Orirando Manwere’s deaths, in separate
instances, have shocked the media industry that is still mourning the
passing recently of three other veteran journalists

Tatenda Gumbo | Washington

The Zimbabwean journalism fraternity has once again been thrown into
mourning following the passing of three veteran journalists in one day.

King Dube, Salatiel Mutasa and Orirando Manwere’s deaths, in separate
instances, have shocked the media industry that is still mourning the
passing recently of three other veteran journalists.

Secretary general Foster Dongozi of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists said
their deaths have dealt a huge blow to an industry still to recover from
years of intimidation and related ills.

Dube and Manwere died Monday at St. Anne’s and West End hospitals
respectively, while Mutasa succumbed to diabetes at Harare hospital.

Dube, 47, is a former news producer and presenter at the Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Cooperation. At the time of his death he was a co-director of
media company, Video Audio Network.

Among other media organizations, Manwere worked for the Zimbabwe Independent
and Sunday News and at the time of his death he was the communications
officer at the National Aids Council.

Mutasa served at Ziana, the Chronicle and New Ziana in various editorial
positions. He was the editor of Masvingo Star at the time of his death.

Dongozi said it was unfortunate that death has robbed the media industry of
three experienced scribes within 24 hours, adding they were committed to the
strengthening of ZUJ's  operations and the need to improve journalists'
livelihoods.

“This is a very difficult period for the media industry and for me
personally,” said Dongozi.  “I had the privilege to work and interact with
these three seasoned journalists on different platforms and fondly cherish
their work ethic and professionalism.”

“It’s indeed a major blow to the media industry.The gap that these three
astute media practitioners have left will be difficult to fill.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Media Council has warned media houses registered in
Zimbabwe that they will be fined heavily for failing to pay outstanding
levies to the organization as prescribed by the law.

Chief executive officer Tafataona Mahoso served media houses with a letter
giving them up to the end of March to pay up under the Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act.

Under the law, criticized by many activists as draconian, all registered
media organizations in the country are required to pay a 0.5 percent levy of
its audited gross annual turn over to the ZMC.

The payment must be made no later than 90 days after the end of year, or
media houses face a doubling of the levy.

Mahoso did not reveal the media houses that have not paid but media
proponents have long called for the repeal of AIPPA saying it is draconian
and meant to muzzle the press.

Chairman Godfrey Majonga of the ZMC told VOA's Tatenda Gumbo the media
houses should pay up.

Clients worried about bank

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

Scores of individual account holders and organisations are failing to access
their money from the Zimbabwe Allied Banking Group, amid fears that the bank
is using clients’ deposits to recapitalise.
21.03.1209:54am
by Zwanai Sithole Harare

Organisations and individuals who spoke to The Zimbabwean this week said the
bank had been staggering salary payments and in some cases failing to
disburse money to clients.

“We cannot access our cash. Last week we applied for $10 000 which we wanted
to use for a certain project but we were only given $1000. We are a donor
funded organisation and donors are very strict on meeting targets. Right now
we are in trouble because we failed to do some projects because our money is
stuck in the bank,” said a finance officer with a local NGO who declined to
be named.

“Some of our workers have not received their February salaries. We did the
bank transfers long way back. We have engaged the bank’s management at the
highest level but they told us that they are facing liquidity challenges. If
something is not done as matter of urgency we might be forced to close
 down,” he said.

“I have not been able to access my February salary. Each time I go there,
tellers say they are waiting for money from Harare. I have already opened a
new account with a local commercial bank,” said Charity Ncube, an account
holder at the bank. The Fife Avenue branch was deserted this week.

The bank is currently finalising negotiations with three potential
investors - Mines Minister Obert Mpofu’s Trebo and Khays (Private) Limited,
Unicapital Finance of Mauritius and Swiss-based AFG Global. When this
reporter phoned and identified himself to the bank’s Operations Director,
Frank Karara for comment, he told the reporter to phone him back after five
minutes. Thereafter he ignored all calls.

Conditions for elections: Norton residents speak out

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The recent call for elections this year has sparked debate across the
country with many people expressing reservations as elections in Zimbabwe
have been synonymous with violence. Heal Zimbabwe has embarked on a public
consultative campaign to tap views of the ordinary citizens on what they
think should be the minimum conditions for holding free and fair elections.
This is what they said:
21.03.1210:12am
by Heal Zimbabwe

“We now want the intervention of the International Community where they come
and ensure there is peace in the country and they should not leave until
there is a smooth transfer of power to the winner.”

“The security forces should desist from acting as political appendages and
become impartial and apolitical in the conduct of their duties as many of
them behave as if they are Zanu (PF) secretariat.”

“The justice delivery system should make sure that all perpetrators of
political violence including the President are prosecuted before any call
for elections.”

“The call for peace should start at family level then transferred to the
community at large. The Zimbabwean situation calls for an all-inclusive
approach where all stakeholders, including the police, should pledge to
uphold peace and stability in the country.”

“The Government should empower unemployed youth through capacity building
activities as they are the ones used as stone throwers during the election
period.”

“We can only talk of elections after a truth and reconciliation exercise but
this exercise can only be done after all perpetrators of political violence
are brought before the justice delivery system.”

Katsande urges govt to stand against greed, corruption

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

The adoption of a Sustainable Development Framework by most African
countries is a welcome development.
21.03.1207:17am
by Sofia Mapuranga

Renewed commitments by various governments and the huge shift in the public,
private and community sectors to embrace the adoption of Green Issues as a
priority for environmental sustainability complements Environment Africa’s
activities.

Speaking at the AGM, Environment Africa’s Chairman, Albert Katsande,
challenged government to implement effectively the laws and policies that
govern sustainable development. “Our organisation is pleased with the
adoption of sustainable development framework and environment issues as a
cross-cutting and important issue in all sectors,” he said.

“The question that remains is whether policies and laws governing
sustainable development and the environment will be implemented and adhered
to. Or will they be ignored for the sake of greed and be sidelined due to
corruption?” he added.

Katsande called on the corporate sector to continue responding positively to
Green Issues to promote reduction, reuse, recycling and the recovery of
waste materials.

“The private sector has realized the importance of the environment and the
threats to ecosystems have serious impact on business operations. Their
response to adopting cleaner technologies and green investment is a positive
move for a greener future,” he said.

He commended the launch of the Recycling Association, where OK Zimbabwe and
TM Supermarkets, through the Retail Association of Zimbabwe, have
established a Recycling Green Fund to promote a long term Green Investment
Project.

Standards Association of Zimbabwe Director of Operations, Cyril Siringwani,
said certified businesses recognise the importance of standards in
addressing environmental issues such as waste and water management,
environmental risks and optimized utilization of natural resources.

Radio Dialogue Denied Procession Clearance

http://www.radiovop.com

Bulawayo, March 21, 2012 - The Bulawayo Central Police District has denied
Radio Dialogue clearance to hold a free–the-airwaves procession.

Radio Dialogue, a non-profit organisation which has applied for a radio
licence, is holding a community radio conference in Bulawayo.

The procession was part of the proceedings of a community radio conference
to be held by Radio Dialogue, in partnership with Zimbabwe Association of
Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) and Bulawayo Agenda on Wednesday.

The procession was scheduled to commence from Bulawayo City Hall to the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which is the conference venue.

In refusing to grant the clearance, the police cited that “they had received
a directive from the top instructing them not to grant clearance for any
procession or march until further notice”.

Gift Mambipiri, the chairperson of ZACRAS, condemned what he said was the
manner in which the police are undermining community radio operations.

“In denying the clearance, the police should have provided substantive and
specific reasons, as espoused in Section 26 of the Public Order and Security
Act (POSA),” said Mambipiri.

Section 26 of POSA clearly states that, if a regulatory authority is in
possession of credible information indicating that holding  an event will
result in public disorder, he can invite a convenor to a consultative
meeting to explore options to prevent the perceived threat.

The same section goes on to state that, if after the consultative meeting
,the regulatory authority on reasonable grounds, is convinced that no
amendment or condition contemplated in the consultative meeting would
prevent the occurrence of public disorder, he or she can  issue a
prohibition notice, giving the reasons and grounds therefore to the
convener.

“In the Radio Dialogue case, no substantive and clear reason has been given,
with the reasons proffered thus far, being vague and a clear violation of
citizen’s right to freedom of assembly and association, as espoused in
Regional and International human rights instruments.

“It is saddening that the provisions of POSA, which give the police power to
either grant or deny clearances, are being used to hamper citizen’s
enjoyment of their right to freedom of expression, assembly and association
.It is against this background that ZACRAS is calling for the repealing of
such legislation which is not permissible within a democratic society,” he
said.

Provisions of POSA states that clearances can be denied if the event will
likely cause public disorder.

“Community radio serves a development purpose seeking to enhance community
participation and access to information. This in no way is a threat to
public order, breach of peace or public safety.

“Noting the developmental purpose of community radios, various stakeholders,
amongst them the police force, should augment community radio operations and
not be a stumbling block in the advancement of community radio interests,”
added  Mambipiri.

Transcript of Tendai Biti on Question Time

http://www.swradioafrica.com

 

 

On the day he delivered a post 2012 budget statement, Finance Minister Tendai Biti was Lance Guma’s guest on Question Time, answering questions from SW Radio Africa listeners. The MDC-T Secretary General tackled issues around expenditure priorities in government, revenue from diamond mining, the shortage of coins in the country and conditions for credible elections.

Interview broadcast 14 March 2012

Finance Minister Tendai Biti was Lance Guma’s guest on Question Time

Lance Guma: Hallo Zimbabwe and thank you for joining me on Question Time. My guest tonight is Finance Minister Tendai Biti. He is also Secretary General of the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. We asked listeners to send in their questions and I’m happy to report that Minister Biti joins me now. Thank you for your time.

Tendai Biti: Thank you, thank you Lance.

Guma: You have been Finance Minister in this shaky coalition government for over three years now – how would you summarise your tenure in office? Do you regret joining what some have called a marriage of convenience?

Biti: Well it has not been easy and as you are aware, some of us were not interested in this stupid construction but we had to put our people first. There was a crisis in Zimbabwe; up to 2008, Zanu PF had failed and failed disastrously.

Millions had gone into the Diaspora looking for jobs, escaping political persecution. Our economy had lost 60% of its value; 85% of our people were living below the poverty datum line; thousands and thousands were dying from hunger, starvation and HIV and then of course political violence so we took a responsible decision to mitigate the suffering of our people so therefore we decided to join.

The inclusive government has been a pain and a pain that’s not worth it. We are dealing and working with a partner that is incorrigible; a partner that puts power and power at the forefront of its thinking; a partner that puts in personal aggrandisement and looting at the centre of its thinking.

Its DNA is violence; its DNA is personal accumulation so working with that partner where there is no common vision, where there is no common direction has really been a challenge for all of us.

Guma: Now a recent article by David Blair in the UK Telegraph newspaper accused the coalition government of spending nothing on equipping secondary schools while blowing 1% of public expenditure on trips for the president and the Prime Minister. The article says US$45,5 million was blown on travel last year alone. What’s your response?

Biti: Well I mean, criticism is a constitutional right of everyone, it is important to criticize but when we criticize we must have facts. It’s not true, I’ve seen reports the government is spending more on Mugabe’s trips than on education.

We are spending unacceptable amount of money on government trips – about 45 million US dollars last year – that is unacceptable but we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars more on education.

Remember education is not just infrastructure, it’s also education. Two thirds of our salaries are going to teachers; ninety thousand teachers and remember, so the bulk of our wage bill which is two thirds of the budget is going to teachers anyway.

Last year our wage bill was 2.4 billion dollars and two thirds of that went to teachers so that means about 1.5 billion went to teachers alone and that’s education. So criticize, so in fact education is getting more than any other head in the government because we are paying teachers and teachers are easily the most important tool in any education.

A teacher can teach outside a tree, under a tree, if the teacher is there, the students can learn and remember we have also put money for textbooks. The fact that the money came from donors, it’s us at government who looked for the money. So you can make your point, base it on facts, don’t over dramatise to create fiction.

Guma: Well its seems the criticism from the article is that organizations like DFID spent £80 million last year ensuring that children get textbooks, patients get medicine, slum dwellers getting sanitation and yet the coalition government, has the means to take care of these issues if they prioritise resources properly and he even gave the example of the money that is spent on foreign trips alone.

Biti: You know I’ve already made the point. We are spending unacceptable amounts of money on trips – that is a fair point but we are also spending the bulk of our resources towards education. The bulk of our money is going towards salaries and two thirds of those salaries are actually teachers who are 90 thousand, so let’s not argue on things that are not fact.

I am not proud of the money that I am being forced to spend on travelling but it is also wrong to say that the government is not financing education. Who is paying the teachers? Who’s paying the electricity for the teachers? Who is paying for desks? It is the government of Zimbabwe.

Guma: The Newsday newspaper recently reported that you resisted attempts by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo to coerce you into forking out two million US dollars to buy vehicles for traditional chiefs. Is this the sort of pressure you face in the job?

Biti: That’s a tiny issue. I face bigger issues than that issue. If we hadn’t maintained fiscal prudence and fiscal austerity, this country, I don’t know where it would be. What I have found in government is that there is a psychosis, there’s a psychosis, there’s a total disconnect between revenues and expenditure.

It’s almost like there is a belief that you must just spend, spend, spend oblivious of where the money is coming from and so people make decisions as if the money grows on trees. So each time you are fighting with people to say this doesn’t work, this doesn’t work and so forth. So the chiefs example is just a minute, small indecent example of the kind of purchase that we are subjected to at Treasury.

Guma: One of Zimbabwe’s most famous cartoonists Tony Namate sent in a question for you via Twitter, he says and I quote: “Minister Biti why can’t you let Zimbabweans use the Zim dollar coins instead of having sweets as change?”

Biti: Well we are addressing the issue of coins. We are in the process right now of importing coins from the United States of America because we have dollarized. The issue of Zimbabwean coins, they are not available at the present moment; we would have mint these coins and in a situation where we are not yet, we don’t have the fundamentals of bringing back our own currency, it will be dangerous to tamper with that debate even if it means you are just restricting it to coins.

Zimbabweans have been vandalized by the Zimbabwean dollar; the Zimbabwean dollar became an instrument of arbitrage and if you want to cause lack of confidence in this country do anything that affects the fundamentals that we’ve run this economy in the last three years.

Those fundamentals have seen this economy grow by an average of nine per cent in the last three years; those fundamentals have seen inflation grow from 500 billion per cent to levels of below five per cent. So we’ve done a fantastic job in curtailing the macroeconomic de-stabilization.

Let’s not threaten that, let’s give our people room and a period of confidence because they were vandalized, they were abused during the crisis period.

Guma: Via email we have questions from Alex Stevenson and Martin Mapenduka who say – Minister Biti, what needs to be done to ensure transparency and equitable distribution of revenue from Marange? Does the MDC commit to do this should they gain power?

Biti: We can’t wait for the election because people are mining now and people are stealing now so you can’t wait for the election, we have to do things now. I met president Mugabe last week on Friday and I’ll be meeting the Minister of Mines soon.

It is clear from, I was part of the delegation that accompanied the Prime Minister on his trip to Marange on the 17^th of February, it is clear that we have to do a number of things and a number of things urgently to ensure that there is greater transparency.

What is self-evident is the following – that you need a Diamond Act that regulates the entire activities of our diamonds at Marange. And this Diamond Act should incorporate the following things: One – the establishment of a diamond agency.

Diamonds are such a big exercise that you can’t have ZMDC, the Zimbabwe Mineral Development Corporation managing other minerals and other mines and then diamonds as well. So you need, under the Ministry of Mines, a new diamond agency that will take over the mining and everything to do with the diamonds at Chiadzwa.

Number two – you need to deal with the issue of exploration. Right now we don’t even have an exploration company so you have people, the companies themselves that are exploring and that when they explore they tell us – ah we only have two months to mine, we only have four months to mine. The state itself must do the exploration, determine the product it has, the merx as we lawyers call it.

After determining the merx then we can negotiate the price, the precium of the rights that we are selling. So the issue of a diamond exploration company owned by the state and the issue of diamond exploration is number two. Number three is the issue of ownership.

Right now we are busy parceling out very opaque diamond concessions at Marange. There’s need for a transparent process and what in fact the cabinet position which was that all diamond concessions should be owned at Marange and we let the companies that are already there, we can’t let this ruling apply retrospectively, that should be sorted.

Number four – is the mining, the marketing. We need a transparent process, in which the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and every agent is involved at the mining level. How many carats have been mined? It is involved at the marketing level how many carats have been sold to whom and at what value and then it’s involved in the distribution of resources, who gets what, what is government getting in terms of tax, in terms of royalties, in terms of ancillary taxes.

All these things must be cast in black and white. In Botswana the government gets 82% period from every dollar of a diamond sale; we need that. Number five – is education, we are illiterate. Diamonds are a huge industry so we need a university, a school of mines concentrating on diamonds that will teach students about the mining aspect of diamonds, the geology of diamonds, the marketing of diamonds, everything to do with the value chain of diamonds, we need a school and preferably we need that school located in Bocha in Marange.

Next we need value addition. As I speak to you right now, Surat in India is now employing 60 thousand people to clean and polish and cut diamonds. Why can’t we have a diamond industry in Marange, in Bocha We’ll employ jobs, we’ll create jobs, we’ll employ our people so that’s very important.

Next number six – is the issue of a sovereign wealth fund. The alluvial diamonds at Marange has got a life of anything between four to 21 years so they are a ephemeral resource that don’t last forever, so let’s create a sovereign wealth fund where we put money there that will look after the future so that the present generation doesn’t eat the diamonds alone from Marange.

Next we need adequate compensation and adequate participation of the peasant communities that are being displaced from Marange. It’s a pity that you were sitting and living on a rural household, the next thing you are being ejected and taken to Transau and where you were and where your father’s and father’s father have been it’s now a multi-million diamond company. That’s unfair; those people have to be genuine shareholders in the mining processes.

Then lastly is the issue of environment. Open cast mining is taking place at Chiadzwa. Thousands of trees which are a thousand year old, two thousand years old are being removed, it is a disaster, particularly the Chinese. I saw serious environmental destruction at the Chinese outfit Anjin. We need to make sure that environmental issues are dealt with. You can mine but don’t destroy our baobab trees and other natural resources there.

Then lastly, let’s make sure that every shareholder there, the stake is clear, you’ve got Anjin, nobody’s clear who is the, about the shareholder, that is unacceptable. ZMDC or the diamond agency must be involved.

Then of course there’s an issue of smuggling. This area where these diamonds are is one hundred and twenty thousand hectares, it’s half the size of Wales, it’s huge, Zimbabwe does not have the capacity of policing this territory so we need the international community, the KPCS to help us policing it. These are some of the things that have to be done and done immediately.

Guma: Now some will say everything that you have mentioned there would form part of an ideal scenario but the problem with this coalition government is that most MDC ministers were given responsibility without power and that you do not have the power to implement these very noble ideas.

Some have even given examples of the Home Affairs Ministry where the MDC has a co-Home Affairs Minister who has not been able to or does not have the power to stop the harassment of MDC party supporters. So would you accept that this is the problem with this coalition government, responsibility without power for MDC ministers?

Biti: Look the MDC ministers have changed the face of this country. People are eating, people are going to school, people are going to hospitals and so forth. It is the MDC that has done that. Zanu PF has failed but we still have to do more.

We still have to do more and that’s why I’m talking about a common vision, that’s why I’m talking about the obligation to ensure that we win an election, a sustainable election that can give a sustainable outcome to allow the people. But people must not underestimate what the MDC and MDC ministers have done. I remember 2008, all of us who lived in Zimbabwe in 2008 knew that we were living in hell, we were living in a visceral nightmare of conflict, violence, attrition.

I look after two little sisters; they didn’t go to school in 2007, 2008. People seem to have forgotten that so with that alone and we’ve done a lot because we’ve been able to exercise the spaces that we occupy. I’m a Minister of Finance and I make decisions and no-one will force me to make a decision that I don’t agree with.

And I’ve been attacked by Zanu PF, they even have resolutions at three successive conferences against me as Minister of Finance but I’ll look them in the face and I take as much as I give, I’m not lily-livered or yellow, we have been taking as much as we give.

I’m sure if you were to talk to someone, people in Zanu PF they will say zvivanhu zve MDC haziite, because they also know that we fight back and we are occupying the space, we are not victims, we are targets, and targets of an incorrigible regime. I’ve already spoken about Zanu PF but we are not victims, I refuse.

Guma: Several questions from SW Radio Africa listeners on the constitution making process; we’ve seen various conflicting statements back and forth in the media between the two MDC’s and Zanu PF. People want to know from you as one of the key individuals in this constitution making process. Where are we, at what stage are we and what’s going to happen from here on?

Biti: Yah we’ve made a lot of good and great progress on the constitution making process and the reason why the merchants of destruction and the shareholders of the past in Zanu PF are wailing is because they understand that they are losing ground and that this process is irreversible. So you’ll see nefarious nicodemous attempts of firing drafters that will not happen.

You’ll see nefarious and nicodemous attempts of stopping the whole process and hijacking the whole process, that will not happen. As of now, the COPAC, the select committee has gone through all the 18 chapters of the constitution, they are going to hand it over to us, the management committee. If there are any disputes, any deadlock issues, we will have to resolve them as the management committee.

The management committee, as you know are the political party negotiators who consist of Elton Mangoma and myself from MDC, Priscilla Mashonga and Mzila Ndlovu from MDC Welshman Ncube and then from Zanu PF Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche.

So far they’ve given us a number of issues that there’s a deadlock on; the issue of dual citizenship where Zanu PF doesn’t want dual citizenship even in this day and age; the issue of capital punishment; the issue of whether or not we should have an independent prosecuting authority; the issue of devolution – the two MDCs want proper devolution, Zanu PF is not interested; the issue of the structure of the executive – do you have a president, do you have a prime minister?

The MDCs are united that power shouldn’t be concentrated in the hands of one individual and that there must be clear separation of powers. So these are some of the disputed areas where they have referred to us. We have resolved some of them, we have resolved capital punishment with an agreement, we’ve also agreed that there will be an independent prosecuting office separate from the issue of the Attorney General.

We are still to agree on the issue of citizenship and on the issue of devolution. As MDC we feel that there must be multiple citizenship that if a citizen acquires citizenship particularly by birth he or she can’t lose it under any circumstances. Our colleagues in Zanu PF think about power and power alone, they are thinking differently so there’s a deadlock on that issue.

Guma: But when this process started the key word used was that this would be a people driven constitution, a people driven document. But it seems it’s now a negotiation between the three political parties.

Biti: Any person, you see, you know, illiteracy and ignorance is a problem. There is no constitution in the world that is not negotiated at some stage and when you negotiate a constitution, it doesn’t mean it’s not people driven.

So if you take the South African constitution which is generally considered to be the best constitution in the world, it was negotiated at CODESA and people were negotiating but people negotiated through organizations and CODESA, the two main organizations were ANC representing the black people and the National Party represented by Rolf Meyer representing the white people so you can’t say it was not negotiated by the people.

The question is – are your people the people that are driven to negotiate sufficiently representative of the people of Zimbabwe? And you can’t dispute that the parties that are represented in parliament are sufficiently representative of the people of Zimbabwe. So any constitution making process needs two processes.

It needs the legitimation process – have you gotten the views of the people. Then it needs the negotiating element because the constitution at the end of the day is a balance sheet of the power position.

Even the American constitution – when people like Jefferson, Hamilton and others met in Philadelphia in 1774, they were negotiating between powerful states like Virginia and smaller states like Arizona who didn’t want huge monarchical state power.

So negotiations took place but the people who were there were representing people. There were people who had won the war against the British who were sufficiently representative.

So any constitution has got two elements – the representative element, the legitimation element and the negotiating element because it is a document of power and whoever is represented in the power matrix must sit and negotiate, whatever constitution, without exception in the world.

Guma: Well my final question relates to the holding of elections in the country. There has been a lot of rhetoric from Zanu PF that elections should be held this year. They also accuse the MDC of being reluctant to go into an election and at times even calling you cowards. What’s the correct position relating to this, will the country have elections this year, next year, what’s the MDC position on when elections should be held.

Biti: Last week on Thursday on the 8^th of March 2012, the MDC launched its document containing conditions for a sustainable election in Zimbabwe. We’ve posted this document on our web site. During this launch, our president, Dr Tsvangirai was very clear – we want an election and an election yesterday but no to a bloodbath.

We want a sustainable election because a sustainable election is a precondition to a sustainable Zimbabwe and four things are critical. The first is implementation. Let’s implement the things that we have agreed. We’ve agreed on the GPA – let’s implement it; we’ve agreed on the road map – let’s implement it. We’ve agreed on the 24 post-Maputo agreement – let’s implement those things.

SADC itself has agreed to send three people that will work with the JOMIC – let’s implement that. So the first thing is implement, because we’ve been reaching agreements and agreements without any movement.

Number two – let’s deal with those issues that affect the security of the vote. Do we have a good Electoral Act that guarantees that the results will be announced in the first 24 hours not six months that we saw in 2008? Do we have a good Electoral Act that will ensure that every Zimbabwean has access to the voters’ roll that every Zimbabwean can register to vote on the voters’ role?

Do we have a good Electoral Act that can ensure that electoral disputes are dealt with expeditiously and not post facto? Post facto, even the presidential petition of 2002 is still outstanding at the courts. Do we have Electoral Act that allows voter education? Do we have a good Electoral Act that allows media, each party having equal access to the media.

So that’s number one, technical issues to do with the integrity of the vote. Number three is security of the persons. Do we have sufficient mechanisms, instruments that vaccinate the election against assaults, attacks on individuals i.e. violence?

As long as you have not put in mechanisms to ensure that the integrity of the individual, of the person is protected then you can’t go to that election. Put simply, what measures have you put to ensure that the bloodbath of June 2008 is not played out, what reforms have to be done.

And are people able to campaign freely? Can the MDC go to a model A1 and model A2 farms? What is the role of POSA and a partisan police force? What is the role of POSA and a partisan judicial system. Those things are relevant to the security of the person.

And number four and perhaps most importantly, the security of the people’s will. What measures have you put to ensure that whoever is the winner will be able to walk to State House? Recent elections in Africa have shown that winning the election does not translate to walking and getting the keys to State House.

We saw this with Quattara in 2010. We saw this with Raila Odinga in December of 2007. We saw this with Morgan Tsvangirai in March 2008. What measures have you put to guarantee the security of the people’s will? What measures have you put to make sure that Steve Makoni’s song Handiende is not played out in Zimbabwe or any other country?

If you don’t deal with these four issues, implementing what you have agreed on, two – implementing the integrity of the vote; three – implementing measures to guarantee the security of the person and finally measures to guarantee the security of the people’s will then you’ve got a problem.

And among the things that you have to deal with is obviously media reform, obviously security sector reform, obviously a brand new voters’ roll, obviously new delimitation of constituencies. These things are all located under these various headings.

We want an election and we want Zanu PF to go. But we also know that there is a difference between a farce and an election. We don’t want a farce, we want an election and unless you attend to these four things that I’ve mentioned, you’ll have a farce.

People are tired of a farce because a farce gives in to ugly progeny like a GPA, like an unhappy coalition. So let’s have a sustainable election because a sustainable election is a precondition to a sustainable Zimbabwe. And people want a sustainable Zimbabwe.

I’ve grown up, I’m now 45 years. I’ve never gone to a night club because my life was cut short by Zanu PF, because I had to fight it. So at a very young age, at the age of 32, I found myself a member of parliament so I think there are many people like myself who have been denied normal growth because of Zanu PF. You are in the Diaspora not because of choice, because of Zanu PF so let’s have a sustainable election to have a sustainable Zimbabwe.

Guma: Well Zimbabwe that’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti who’s also the Secretary General of the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Many thanks to Minister Biti for joining us on Question Time.

Biti: Alright thank you Lance.

To listen to the programme:

http://www.swradioafrica.2bctnd.net/03_12/qt140312.mp3

Feedback can be sent to lance@swradioafrica.com  http://twitter.com/lanceguma or http://www.facebook.com/lance.guma

PM Tsvangirai dismayed at human rights activists’ conviction

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, Hon. Morgan Tsvangirai is dismayed by the
conviction of six human rights activists on charges of purportedly plotting
to unseat the government of Zimbabwe.

The conviction of the six, which arises from the fact that they were found
while watching a video of the disturbances in Egypt, serves to project the
image of a country that perpetrates gross human rights abuses against
innocent civilians.

While the Prime Minister respects the independence of the judiciary, the
latest actions make difficult his efforts to engage nationally and
internationally with a view to promote a positive image of the country.

The Prime Minister is disturbed that the government he serves could
criminalize people watching videos as plotting to unseat the government.
This not only besmirches the government's image, but serves to confirm that
Zimbabwe has not moved an inch in its respect for human rights.

The PM remains deeply disturbed by this and shares with the nation the shock
at the laughable conviction and the criminalisation of viewership of
material that is already in the public domain.

The conviction is a grave assault on human rights and the Prime Minister, a
staunch human rights defender in his own right, shares the grief of the six
activists, their families and their relatives.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Director of Communications and Spokesperson
Office of the Prime Minister
Harare
Zimbabwe

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MDC Information & Publicity Department

MDC 99, Job Sikhala Communiqué to political and civic groups in Cape Town 20th March 2012

Click here to read UNLOCKING THE APPARENTLY INTRACTABLE PROBLEM OF ZIMBABWE

MDC99: Comment on Coltart tender scandal allegations

21 March, 2012

MDC99 COMMUNIQUE ON DAVID COLTART ALLEGADE TENDER SCANDAL

It is astonishing and disturbing to note that Hon David Coltart is being
accused of having been involved in a Tender scandal on flimsy allegations
based on partisan politics from ZANU (PF) and MDC-T. Without suggesting that
Hon Coltart is innocent but we are concerned at the content of allegations
clearly classified as ‘corruption’ based on the Tender not having been
offered to a local company.

All is open for everyone to see that Hon David Coltart has so far done an
extremely tremendous job within the Ministry of Education and Culture
whereupon now all children in Zimbabwe are going to school and have text
books while emerging from a real collapse of the education system in the
country. Sadly and ironically the collapse of government structures in
Zimbabwe was caused by Dorothy Mangani’s political party and sustained now
by Fidelis Mhashu’s party under the inclusive government. Fidelis’s dismal
performance in government was glaring for all to see until he was fired from
Cabinet by Morgan Tsvangirai.

As a party we upholds the values of good governance and performance
irrespective of political affiliations in line with our founding principles
which have, unfortunately, been forgotten by MDC-Tsvangirai and Ncube under
the tutorship of ZANU (PF) leadership style. We want to celebrate and
promote good service delivery to the people of Zimbabwe who we serve in our
struggle for political emancipation.

Zimbabweans have struggled for a long time and any form of party politics
extents oppression, discrimination, brutality and suffering among the people
of Zimbabwe. Our democratic principles promotes multi- party democracy which
allows freedom of association and speech. And under the circumstance we
accommodate the promotion of good performance by members of other parties.

We therefore trust that Hon David Coltart will clear his name on the said
allegations and continue to deliver service to the people of Zimbabwe.

Department of Information and Publicity