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10 May 2004 : THE RECTOR'S ARREST AND STAY IN MARONDERA PRISON

Dear friends,

It seems sad that after 20 years of Headmastering I should have to sit down
and explain the circumstances of my incarceration in the Marondera holding
cells on Wednesday night and Thursday. It is usually at this stage in a
Headmaster`s career that he expresses his ideas on matters such as; corporal
punishment, smoking at school, drinking, drugs, positive re-enforcement etc
etc. Well I live in Zimbabwe and sadly, for some time now `other issues`
have taken up the time of Headmasters more than normal schoolmastering-if
such a thing still exists. I have two versions of what happened this
week-the first the `facts`, without the human side, the second the
`experience`, with all its humour , comradeship and coming-together.

At the end of last term I was called to Marondera Rural to face enquiries in
a case of C/s 21 (1) (b) as read with section 4 (1) (2) of SI 28/A/03 of the
Education Act chapter 24;04 `increase any fee or levy without approval of
the Secretary of Education. I was required to sign a `Warned and Cautioned`
Statement. I denied the charge as I am not the school`s Responsible
Authority. The schools RA is the Executive Committee. Exco duly applies for
permission from the Secretary to increase the fees, and had done so for the
first term. I was also charged with accepting Forex. I denied that charge
too. During the holiday period we had worked on our application for a fee
increase in the second term. It was submitted but returned and so - in order
to ensure that we could start school as scheduled - we decided to comply
with the Secretary`s Minute of 21st of April. We decided to start term using
the figure of 2,1 - the last approved fee charge. from Dec 2003. We visited
the local Ministry offices on Friday the 30th May and the Provincial
Education Director stated that we could only charge 2,1; but that we could
accept additional payments from parents were prepared to make as `payments
in advance`-receipted separately---if we did this we could open on Monday as
planned. He did ask me to redraft the application and to take it to him
early on Monday for his approval. I was then to take it directly into the
Head Office of the Min of Ed in Harare. This I did. On Monday I took the
application to his office in Marondera and asked him if we were one of the
schools that would be closed - The Herald, that morning stated that 39
schools would be closed but did not give the names. He said that the
Peterhouse Group of Schools complied with the secretary`s requests and that
we should not be affected. I went back to school - Housemaster Meeting,
Staff-Meeting and just before Chapel, Jenny came to tell me that the Police
had arrived and that we were CLOSED.

There was some confusion with PHG and SPV H- Graham phoned to say that the
details there had said that he could open if he charged the level we agreed
with the PED. I phoned PROPOL and they confirmed that the Peterhouse Group
of schools were closed. As you can imagine some parents had returned their
kids - chaos prevailed - they had to collect them. At 12.30 the PED phoned
to say that the Application was approved and that I should collect it and
take it to the Finance Director in Harare. He could not believe that we had
been closed. I took the documents-that he had approved for our increase, to
Ambassador House and pushed my way in to see the Director of Finance. The
Director of Finance then showed me a letter of Approval for a figure of 3,3
for the first term-the letter was addressed to the PED but had never been
sent! So, in fact, we could charge 3,3 and not 2,1 - the figure I was going
to ask from parents. The next day, Tuesday, we travelled into Harare for a
combined Ruzawi/Peterhouse EXCO meeting. We resolved to do all we could to
start as soon as possible. We were prepared to sign a letter stating that we
would charge 3,3 - one third of what we had budgeted. On returning to school
I phoned the Director of Finance, in Harare, to ask if we could open as we
had complied with ALL demands. He said that the Secretary was considering
our application and that I was to phone in the morning. On Wednesday I
phoned the Director at 15 minute intervals throughout the day. Only late
that afternoon did I get him and he stated that our application for the
budgeted amount had been refused - we had to charge 3,3.At 18.30 on
Wednesday evening I was asked to phone Simon Hammond and Kiff Seager - Erith
Harris, the Headmaster of Ruzawi had been collected from school and taken to
the Police Station for 'questioning'. Smelling a rat - not many officers
take their job seriously enough to do 'investigation' at night, I dressed
sensibly and prepared for whatever might be in store for me.

Graham Peebles, Springvale House Headmaster, was with me when the Police
arrived just after 19.00 and we persuaded the Police to let him take me into
the Station. At the Station it was obvious from the outset that
investigations where not on the Agenda and I saw a piece of paper with the
full names of the four Headmasters in the District-for `booking` purposes!
JB Calderwwood, ER Harris, J. Bradshaw - Head of Watershed College and Mrs
G. Martin - Head of Lendy Park prep school. Graham and Geoff Nichols-Deputy
head of Ruzawi tried to help but to no avail. Gill Martin - a saint of a
woman - arrived in the front of a pick-up with two male details 'for
questioning'. We were both arrested and learnt that Erith was already in the
cells. John Bradshaw was in SA having an eye operation. We had no recourse
to lawyers, we had no say at all. We were allowed one top garment and one
bottom garment of clothing and were marched off, in the dark, to the cells
with several other prisoners. The ground was cold but the fact that you
cannot wear shoes or socks is so degrading in itself! There were no light on
the way to the cells -no bulbs, no torches. The detail could not, at first,
open the main gate to the cells because of the dark! I asked if Gill could
come into the cell that Erith and I would be in but there is a `woman`s
cell`. At this stage the attitude and tone of the Police details was
oppressive-they enjoyed what they were having to do. It was pitch black even
though it was full moon and Gill was put into a cell with a young woman who
was suspected of aiding thieves in a payroll robbery. My cell door was
opened and I met the handshake of Erith. His eyes had-in the hour he had
been there -got used to the lack of light. He gave me my blankets-he had
socks on, I didn`t!!!!! The smell was disgusting in the cell. It measured
1,75m by 2.5 with an area where a toilet pan is located. We got talking, and
Gill and her cell mate started to sing--BEAUTIFULLY. The local shabeen -with
the sound of music and drunks was drowned out when the ladies sang. It was
cold! Dreadful blankets-really dreadful, no mattresses and just a cement
floor-it was going to be a long night.

We heard our Governors arrive-and lawyer-from Harare but they were not given
access to us and left frustrated, having to return to Harare.. At
23.00-the change in shift, we had to get out of our cell and line up on the
cold grass for roll-call. Outside the cells there is an area of grass where
you eat and exercise-when you are allowed out. Erith and I lined up behind
16 young black men. With the two ladies there were 20 in all in the cells. I
suddenly thought that 16 in one cell and two in another didn`t balance and
that 7 others would be put in our cell! Horrors! It didn`t happen and the
next day when we were moved we realised that they were in a much bigger area
than we were! We didn`t sleep much, we joked and chatted until about 04.30
when Erith said that it should be time for the birds to wake. After a while
we heard the first song --the squawked of a crow!! We had no watches, they
had to be removed. It got colder, we knew that dawn was close. At 05.45
members from Gatehouse arrived with food for us-Dr Kevin and Gill Martin
started Gatehouse-a commune that caters for the needy-many years back and
have done such wonderful work there. I did not want to eat for fear of
having to go to the toilet!!!! I did asked that the toilet pans be flushed
from outside-I had heard from David Kay that that was possible. The detail
said that if the pans were blocked they would spill over on to the floor.
After
15 minutes we were locked up again. At 06.30 we were let out again, we had
to line up to face a barrage of insults and jeers from CID and I presume CIO
officers who wanted to see who they had in the cells. Each one of us, in
turn, had to call out our name and the offence we had committed. Gill, on
her turn, took a lot of abuse-she spoke of increasing fees to keep up with
inflation and was told, in no uncertain terms that inflation was coming
down--(the price of bread had just gone up 50% the day we were arrested)! I
decided not to rise to the abuse of these officers and kept what I said to
what I had to say!

It was back into the cells after numbering off yet again. At about 08.00 we
were collected for fingerprinting. Friends had arrived at the exercise fence
and sweets etc were passed through. Our Governors arrived-Simon Hammond- PH;
Kiff Seager- Ruz and Dr Kevin Martin-Lendy Park. Arthur Mutsonziwa-our
Lawyer and on

the Board of PH and Ruz was negotiating out release with the authorities.
Kiff said that we would be out shortly and our hopes were raised---thirty
minutes later we were placed in the big cell and we learned that the
Governors were now being arrested!! Dr Kevin Martin was `allowed` to go to
his Surgery while we were locked up in the cell. Our Governors had suits on
and looked very undignified without socks or tie or belts! At 11.00 hrs we
were paraded out again for roll-call. We were locked up again but I managed
to get sweets down the front of my pants, a toilet-roll under my arm-pit -
there is no paper in the cells- and a toothbrush in my pocket. Dr Kevin
Martin joined us at about 12.00 - after seeing his patients. At 15.30 we
were let out again for `lunch`. Arthur by this stage, after contacting
virtually every influential person in the country - its amazing how many
were in Board meetings and could not come to the phone - its also amazing
how we, with all the contacts in the world could not budge - what happens to
those who do not have contacts? By 16.30 we were told that we were to be
released. We had to sign a Bail certificate - there were none in Marondera -
so we were delayed until about 17.30 - the forms had to be collected from
Goromonzi, about
60kms away - before we could leave. We were let out on $100 000.00 bail and
told to report the next day for Court.

On Friday we reported to the Charge-Office and made our way to court. Arthur
was superb but the law was quite plainly tipped against us. We were allowed
to go to the Lodge at lunch time as long as we were back at Court at
15.00. At 16.00 we left the Courts---PH court date 28th of July; Ruz 5th of
August--I doubt that  the Lendy Park case will even go to court. I am
ashamed at how the Martins were treated, they have done so much for the
Marondera community over the past 27 years. Thankfully their Faith is
strong! I then made my way to the PED to see if we could NOW open and after
a call to the Secretary was told that The Peterhouse Group of schools could
re-open on Sunday. What lengths must be taken to do something so normal in
other countries. Just a couple of days in the life of a Headmaster in
Zimbabwe! Those who know me know that I cannot type very well-I?m sorry that
this is long-drawn out, excuse mistakes etc-I now prepare for the start of
term Thanks to those who have contacted us with messages of support-we
really appreciate it.

Sincerely

Jon Calderwood
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New Zimbabwe
 

Mugabe's Zanu PF wins key by-election


THE Lupane by-election was called after MDC MP David Mpala (above) died following a dastardly attack by ruling party loyalists

By Staff Reporter
Last updated: 05/18/2004 06:48:44 Last updated: 05/18/2004 03:46:09
ZANU PF has won the Lupane by-election by 883 votes, it has been announced in the past few minutes.

The Lupane by-election pitted Martin Khumalo of the ruling Zanu PF and the MDC’s Njabuliso Mguni.

Zanu PF polled 10 069 to the MDC's 9 186. The constituency registrar said there were 300 spoilt votes while 2000 people were turned away for various reasons.

The MDC, which has lost several seats to the ruling party in about a dozen by-elections held since 2000, has alleged rigging and violence.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, claims that "assisted voting" gives the authorities the power to punish or reward voters, especially over distribution of food relief.

The constituency registrar, Willard Sayenda, said of the 12,173 voters who had cast their ballots in the by-election by the end of Saturday, more than 1,000 were "assisted to vote" because they claimed illiteracy or other disabilities.

Meanwhile an opposition spokesman, Nkanyiso Maqeda, said two men were kidnapped and tortured last week by self-styled former independence war guerrillas. When they were released on Friday and went to report the matter, "police said the two were against Zanu-PF supporters."

The opposition, which won the seat in the 2000 general elections, allege that the former member of parliament in the seat, David Mpala, who died in February this year succumbed to torture wounds inflicted in the run-up to the polls four years ago.

MDC said Mpala's health "deteriorated... after being tortured and stabbed by ZANU-PF supporters" in 2002.

The MDC stormed onto the Zimbabwean political scene in 2000 parliamentary elections, clinching 57 predominantly-urban constituency seats out of the 120 contested seats. The ruling party won 62 seats and it still holds the majority.

Mugabe appoints 30 other non-constituency legislators to parliament, but his party still does not enjoy the two-thirds majority required to change the constitution.

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BBC

      'Fraud' claims mar Zimbabwe poll

      Zimbabwe's opposition has accused President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF
party of intimidation during a by-election in an opposition stronghold.
      The Movement for Democratic Change said many voters around Lupane were
prevented from casting their ballots.

      The poll follows the death of an MDC member of parliament, David
Mpala, who suffered from poor health after he was twice abducted and beaten.

      At the weekend, Mr Mugabe was quoted as saying he would retire in
2008.

      Mr Mugabe, who was 80 in February, was quoted by Kenya's East African
Standard newspaper as saying he was tired of politics and wanted to write
after his current term expires.

      Mr Mugabe was re-elected two years ago in a poll disputed as
fraudulent by the opposition.

      'Assisted voting'

      The MDC says that two of its activists were detained by police in
Lupane after complaining that they had been abducted and beaten by Zanu-PF
supporters.

      Election officials said that some 1,000 people had been "assisted to
vote" because of illiteracy or disability - out of 12,173 who had cast their
ballots on Saturday.

      MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says that "assisted voting," allowed by
recent changes to the electoral law, gives the authorities the power to
punish or reward voters, especially over the distribution of food aid.

      Another 1,189 would-be voters were turned away at polling stations.

      Results are expected later on Monday.

      Lupane is in the western region of Matabeleland, where the MDC won
almost every seat in the 2000 parliamentary elections.

      Mr Mugabe's leadership has been widely criticised by Western
governments over alleged human rights abuses, violent land redistribution
and attacks against the independent media.

      "I want to retire from politics," he was quoted as saying. "I have had
enough. I am also a writer and would like to concentrate on writing after
this term of office is over."

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This is an Amnesty International news release published on 17th May 2004

Food emergency for millions predicted as government moves to politicise aid
distribution

Amnesty International today expressed grave concern at the Zimbabwean
government's moves to end international food aid distribution, despite
independent assessments which predict that millions of Zimbabweans will need
food aid in the coming 12 months.

Amnesty International said:

"If independent assessments are correct, the risk is that food will be used
for political ends and food supplies will go first and only to supporters of
the ruling party."

The government has told international donors that it will not need food aid
this year. On 7 May the government stopped a UN Crop and Food Supply
Assessment Mission from evaluating the current harvest. This was followed by
statements in the state-controlled Herald newspaper, attributed to the
Minister for Agriculture, claiming that Zimbabwe has produced more grain
than it needs this year.

However, earlier predictions by food security monitors and the United
Nations, and a crop survey carried out in March by independent consultants
for the German-based Friedrich Ebert Foundation, all suggest that the 2004
harvest will fall far short of national requirements.

Amnesty International visited Zimbabwe in February 2004, at which time
numerous sources within the agricultural sector confirmed that food
production would fall far short of needs in 2004/5.

Both rural and urban populations will be affected. With unemployment
currently at approximately 70% and inflation hovering around 600% it is
increasingly difficult for many Zimbabweans to access adequate food in the
marketplace.

Amnesty International is gravely concerned that the present actions of the
government of Zimbabwe may be an attempt to control food supplies ahead of
parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2005.

If the true crop production figures for 2004 are as low as many reliable
sources expect then, in the absence of international food aid, a significant
proportion of Zimbabwe's population may, later in 2004 and into 2005, find
itself reliant on grain controlled by the state-controlled Grain Marketing
Board (GMB).

Amnesty International continued: "Political manipulation of food,
particularly state-controlled GMB grain, by officials and supporters of the
ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has been
widely reported over the past two years. ZANU-PF has repeatedly used food as
an electioneering tool. Viewed against a history of political manipulation
of food the government's current actions are a cause for grave concern."

It is unclear how much grain the GMB has in reserve, as there is no
independent assessment of GMB stocks. However, it is unlikely to be
sufficient to meet the cereal gap of 500-800,000 metric tonnes which
independent observers predict for the coming year.

Amnesty International reminds the Zimbabwean government that, as a party to
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICSECR),
it has an obligation to uphold the right of all Zimbabweans to food. The UN
committee responsible for monitoring the Convention has stated that
governments must use all the resources at their disposal, including those
available through international assistance. Discrimination in access to food
on any grounds, including political affiliation, is a violation of the
ICSECR. The committee has also stated that food should not be used as an
instrument of political pressure.

Amnesty International further reminds the government of Zimbabwe that all
human rights are indivisible and interrelated. Violations of the right to
food may impinge on many other rights, including the right to life itself.

Amnesty is calling on the Zimbabwe authorities to respect the right of all
Zimbabweans to food and to immediately allow the UN to conduct a crop
assessment mission, with a view to ensuring that any possible food aid needs
are adequately addressed. Amnesty International further calls on the
government of Zimbabwe to take immediate steps to make the operations of the
GMB transparent, and open to independent monitoring.
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From The Daily Mirror, 17 May

Mawere scandal

Nkululeko Sibanda

Former City of Kwekwe mayor Johnson Mawere and son Berrington, have been
linked to an alleged seizure of a farm belonging to Sables Chemicals in
Kwekwe. The farm, identified as Sebakwe Farm, was reportedly invaded last
week by a group of people who allegedly told workers at the farm to inform
the company's management to collect its equipment and vacate the property
within 24 hours. The invaders allegedly told the workers that the farm had
changed hands and was now under the ownership of the city's former mayor and
his son, Berrington. Mawere has however denied the allegations. In an
interview yesterday, Sables Chemicals general manager, David Chigodora, told
the Daily Mirror that he was informed of the latest developments by
telephone. "I am in the capital (Harare) and I would be travelling back to
Kwekwe today (yesterday). The people on the ground have just informed me of
the latest developments by telephone. They said that the people who invaded
the farm had given our company only 24 hours to collect property from the
farm so that we would make way for them," said Chigodora. He added that the
move to seize the farm would be a big blow for many companies that were
dependent on the giant fertiliser manufacturing company for ammonium
nitrate. The nitrate is used to produce fertiliser and other gaseous
products.

"A number of companies, such as Ziscosteel, ZIMASCO, Dyno Nobel, Wankie
Colliery and many others were dependent on Sables Chemicals for the products
they use in their operations. This dependency is now under threat following
the imminent take-over of the farm that was the company's flagship. This
move means that operations will be affected," Chigodora said. He however
explained that the seizure of the farm was a result of an agreement between
the company and government. Close to a 100 hectares were put aside for wheat
production. "The case here is that the former mayor, Johnson Mawere and his
son, Berrington are eyeing the farm as they have seen that this is a
lucrative venture. "They are also eyeing the water pumps so that they may
use them for the wheat production project," he added. Chigodora was adamant
that his company was not going to sit down and watch the seizure take place.
"We have taken the issue to the government through the ministry of lands and
also taken it (the case) with the courts of law where we are challenging the
occupation of the farm. We would want to make sure the occupants of the farm
are removed from the site through a court order so that operations continue
and so that we continue to supply our clients as usual," he said.

He added: "This is sabotaging, not only the company, but the whole country
and the mining industry as well because this does not affect us alone but
all the players in the mining sector. "We also wonder whether government
would sit by idly and watch an individual destroy the mining sector that has
come to be the flagship of the country's economy," said Chigodora. When
contacted for comment, Mawere denied ever having anything to do with the
seizure of the farm, saying that he had his own farm outside Kwekwe. "I do
not have anything to do with the farm that you are talking about. I have my
own farm and I wonder why I would need another one." Mawere admitted, veinly
though, that his son could have been linked to the bid to seize the farm,
but denied that he was using his political muscle and background to
influence the pace at which the farm was being seized. "If people see a son
of a high ranking official trying to earn his living (through acquiring a
farm), they quickly align it with the father of that child. It is
unfortunate, but I am not involved in that case," he said. He added:
"Although I have said this to you I will sue you if you go ahead and write
that story because I believe it is a false story," he said. Chigodora
however said that his company would go ahead and challenge the invasion of
the farm despite denials by Mawere, saying that the farm is an important and
integral part of their production process.
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From Business Day (SA), 17 May

Zimbabwe loses out on high-profit farm

Zimbabwe Correspondent

The owners of Kondozi, a thriving Zimbabwean farm seized violently by the
government recently, are preparing to move their highly profitable
horticultural farming business to Mozambique and Zambia. This means that
Mozambique and Zambia will now reap the economic benefits of the soon-to-be
liquidated Zimbabwean company, one of the largest horticultural farms in
Africa, with an annual turnover of $15m. The company supplies products to SA
and Europe. Edwin Moyo, majority shareholder in the company that ran Kondozi
horticultural farm, said last week that the Mozambican government had given
them 800ha of land to operate its business in Manica Province. "In Zambia we
have bought 2000ha in Gwembe Valley. The project is equipped with
state-of-the-art irrigation equipment, including 20 centre pivots." Moyo
said his company, which he runs jointly with former white commercial
farmers, had received 30m from donor agencies to fund the new operations.
SA's Industrial Development Corporation, Netherlands-based Psom, UK-based
Tescos and Barclays Bank International had agreed to provide extra funds.

Kondozi farm was raided on Good Friday by government supporters, backed by
heavily armed army and military officers. The military-style offensive
resulted in farm workers being assaulted and violently thrown out. About
5000 workers and their families were left homeless. The farm was invaded on
Christmas Day last year by a group led by Zimbabwean Agriculture Minister
Joseph Made. During the Easter holidays soldiers and police also invaded
opposition Movement for Democratic Change MP Roy Bennett's Charleswood
estate. Both the Kondozi farm and Charleswood are located in the eastern
Manicaland province. The army also evicted tourists and took over a lodge
owned by foreign investors. The Zimbabwean government claimed that Kondozi
was occupied by the state-owned Agricultural and Rural Development
Authority, but evicted farm owners alleged that top politicians were behind
the illegal raid. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo vowed at the time that
the 224ha Kondozi land would be seized "come rain, come sunshine". Edwin
Moyo said: "We will not waste anymore time on Kondozi in Odzi, Manicaland. I
have been rendered a second-class citizen in my country of origin so we will
take our business elsewhere." He said his company had stopped construction
of a pack house in Mutare and in the process Zimbabwe lost a Z7,6bn
investment and job opportunities. The packhouse would have housed
horticulture and fresh produce handling facilities before shipment to export
markets. "It will soon be built in Manica, Mozambique, instead and it will
be used as the hub of all our export activities," said Moyo.
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New Zimbabwe

Botswana debt write-off raises stink

By Agencies
Last updated: 05/17/2004 21:28:15
THE 20 million-litre fuel credit line worth over P28 million, which Botswana
extended to Zimbabwe in 2000 has been "indirectly written off", according to
the latest Auditor General's Report.

Botswana's Auditor General Seletlanyo Serema is seeking clarification from
his Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on why they
wrote the loan off.

The just released Auditor General's report for the year that ended on March
31, 2003 questions, "whether it was a loan or was it made on ex gratia basis
(done as a favour)".

Serema told BOPA that Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said it
had settled the debt by crediting the National Petroleum Fund from which the
loan was drawn.

This was done by debiting against the ministry's 2001/2002 recurrent vote
with the hope that Zimbabwe would reciprocate in kind, he said.

He wondered who gave the ministry authority to settle the loan.

"If it has to be written off Cabinet has to give authority because it is a
lot of money." According to the report, the matter was discussed at length
at the last sitting of the Public Accounts Committee without reaching any
conclusion.

"As a follow up on the matter, I (Auditor General) wrote to the accounting
officer in November 2003 to enquire and also to seek his justification for
writing off the amount." Botswana loaned Zimbabwe 10 million litres of
diesel fuel, five million litres of petrol and five million litres of
aviation fuel in 2000 to address an acute fuel shortage.

Since then the government had apparently been exerting pressure on Zimbabwe
to service the loan but to no avail.

The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported in 2002 that "the Botswana
government has used every platform available to raise the issue with Harare,
especially with the foreign affairs department during regional gatherings.".
BOPA

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Reuters

      I'm not in Zimbabwe to mediate, says Speed

      Mon May 17, 2004 8:40 PM HARARE (Reuters) - International Cricket
Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Monday he would not
mediate or "broker a deal" in the dispute between the Zimbabwe Cricket Union
(ZCU) and 15 rebel players.
      Speed has arrived in Harare in the ICC's first direct intervention in
the crisis, which has entered its second month.

      "I'm not here to broker a deal, I'm not here to act as a mediator,"
Speed told reporters. "I'm here with the agreement of the ZCU that I will
not mediate.

      "I will respect those conditions that are placed on my visit."

      The impasse was sparked on April 2 when Heath Streak's reign as
Zimbabwe captain ended after he questioned the composition of the country's
selection panel.

      Fourteen other experienced players supported Streak and the 15 made
themselves unavailable for selection until the ZCU agreed to binding
arbitration.

      The rebels want arbitration on Streak's removal from the captaincy,
the composition of the selection panel and alleged poor conduct of ZCU
officials.

      The ZCU responded with an offer of mediation, which unlike arbitration
is not legally binding.

      The rebels initially rejected the offer but had accepted it in
principle when the board sacked them on May 10.

      Speed said the crisis had raised alarm in international cricket
circles mainly because it had forced Zimbabwe to select inexperienced squads
for the home series against Sri Lanka.

      Sri Lanka won the one-day series 5-0, dismissing Zimbabwe for a world
record lowest total of 35 on the way, and won both tests by an innings.

      "It's fair to say there is widespread concern around the cricket
community about the events that have been happening in Zimbabwe," Speed
said.

      "In particular, there is concern about the integrity of test cricket.

      "One of the issues we will discuss is the integrity of test cricket,
and the impact that these events have on the future of the ZCU."

      Asked if Zimbabwe's test status was in jeopardy, Speed replied; "I
don't want to talk about possible outcomes."

      He said a mooted plan to scrap one of Zimbabwe's two imminent test
matches against world champions Australia and replace it with two one-day
internationals had been turned down.

      "That's been suggested in the past and rejected by the ZCU," Speed
said.

      Speed said the Zimbabwean problem had grown beyond a domestic dispute.

      "The convention has always been that these matters are dealt with
internally," Speed said.

      "The ICC becomes involved if there is an international component to
those domestic issues, and we believe that point has been reached."

      Speed said he would meet with the ZCU on Tuesday.

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SABC

Guns take over Zimbabwean roads

May 17, 2004, 16:38

Life has become a nightmare on the roads of Zimbabwe, where hijackers are
terrorising motorists, sometimes allegedly with the blessing of senior
government officials.

The state run Herald newspaper says law enforcement agents have arrested two
men who allegedly shot and killed two policemen at a roadblock in
north-eastern border area of Mukumbura.

The accused, who also allegedly confessed to killing Leonard Chimimba, the
Chief Executive of Trojan Nickel Mine as he parked in front of his home last
Monday in the capital, Harare, are said to be members of a syndicate of
armed robbers.

Chimimba was murdered amid reports saying he had vital information about the
earlier hijacking of a large amount of nickel belonging to his mine in South
Africa. He had been scheduled to meet Gideon Gono, the Reserve Bank
Governor.

The Herald quotes a police spokesperson, Michael Munyikwa, as saying the two
robbers tried and failed to drive Chimimba's vehicle, as it had an
anti-hijack security system attached.

Two more suspected hijackers have been picked up by the Zimbabwean
authorities in Mozambique after they allegedly jumped the border following
their alleged long terrorisation of Harare suburbs.

Yet two more hijackers have been sentenced to death in the High Court, after
being convicted of shooting and killing two policemen manning a roadblock in
2001 in Harare's Mabelreign area.

Law enforcement agents have also arrested another man suspected of shooting
and killing a police officer in the eastern town of Marondera.

The reports come amid claims of some senior members of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police being involved in the syndicates of hijackers, who give them large
cuts from their illegally earned proceeds.

Sources within the police force say a number of junior officers are being
victimised after exposing some of the alleged rot, involving high-ranking
officials benefiting from the car thefts that have rocked Zimbabwe.
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Parastatals' Annual Reports Lack Accountability, House Told

The Herald (Harare)

May 15, 2004
Posted to the web May 17, 2004

Harare

A PARLIAMENTARY portfolio committee has recommended the need for
administrative mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that all ministries
effectively monitor the submission of annual reports by parastatals.

This follows revelations that the majority of the parastatals were operating
in the dark as they had not been submitting their annual reports for years
to the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee and Glen Norah MP Ms Priscilla
Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) told Parliament on Wednesday that parastatals
were failing to submit their annual reports and no punitive measures were
being taken.

Presenting a special report of the committee on parastatals, Ms
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said there was no accountability on the submission of
annual reports by the parastatals.

"The scenario is extremely undesirable as it becomes difficult to ascertain
whether existing assets are being properly utilised or used in a manner that
gives value for money," she said.

The legislator said organisations such as the National Social Security
Authority only tabled their 1998 to 2001 annual reports in January this year
and even these reports were not up to date.

"In view of the failure by ministries and parastatals to submit and table
their reports as required by the law, your committee has found it necessary
to conduct intensive enquiries into the audit of parastatals and keep the
house informed of the progress," she said.

The committee, Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said, recommended that no
parastatals should be privatised without their current financial statements
or accounts having been tabled and adopted in Parliament.

She said a value for money audit carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor
General on the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority showed that the power
utility was having problems in its service delivery.

"The audit that focused on the maintenance and distribution network revealed
that Zesa was not adequately monitoring the supply and distribution of
electricity which was evidenced by the increase in the number of faults," Ms
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.

The committee, Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said, noted that it was not clear
how the Comptroller and Auditor General's office could relate to parastatals
that were being unbundled such as Zesa.

"These unbundled companies cannot be audited in terms of the Audit and
Exchequer Act and your committee also noted that some parastatals were
increasing tariffs soon after they were unbundled and one wonders whether
these increases are justified," she said.

Seconding the motion, Buhera South MP Cde Kumbirai Kangai (Zanu-PF) said it
was quite obvious that parastatals were not submitting their annual reports
for auditing.

"We are concerned that these parastatals should submit their statements of
accounts," he said.
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Government Approves Hikes in Domestic Workers' Wages

The Herald (Harare)

May 15, 2004
Posted to the web May 17, 2004

Harare

GOVERNMENT has approved recommendations by the Wages and Salaries Advisory
Board to increase minimum wages for domestic workers, the Minister of Public
Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Paul Mangwana has said.

As a result, a grade one gardener should now earn $83 000 a month, up from
$12 000, a grade two cook/housekeeper should earn $90 300 up from $13 060 a
month, while the salary for a minder of a grade three child, a disabled
person or aged has been increased from $15 800 to $109 245 a month.

Disabled or aged minders with a Zimbabwe Red Cross Society certificate now
earn a monthly salary of $131 094, up from $18 960.

Transport and accommodation allowances for domestic workers have also been
increased to $40 000 and $18 000 a month.

The increases are with effect from next month.
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Prices of Goods, Services On Upward Surge

The Herald (Harare)

May 15, 2004
Posted to the web May 17, 2004

Harare

PRICES of goods and services have been on an upward surge over the past few
weeks, raising fears among many that their incomes will soon be eroded.

Bread, meat, toothpaste, eggs, chicken, soap, cooking oil, electronic goods,
transport fares, baby products, clothes and accommodation are some of the
commodities, goods and services whose costs have increased over the past few
weeks.

The price of bread has gone up from $2 200 to $2 900, that of chicken from
$11 000 to $14 350 per kg, beef is selling at between $12 000 and $35 000 a
kg up from between $9 000 and $11 000 recently. A 100-ml tube of toothpaste
tube now costs $8 960 up from $6 660 while a 375 gramme of dried kapenta
fish costs $7 290 up from $5 350.

A crate of eggs now costs between $16 000 and $17 000 up from $12 990, while
some bath soaps are now selling at $4 500 up from $2 900. A 500-ml packet of
fresh milk now costs $1 900, up from $1 680. A 750ml bottle of cooking oil
now costs between $7 800 and $8 200, up from around $6 000.

A 21-inch colour television set now costs $4 million up from $3,5 million
while a radio set that used to cost $3 million a few weeks ago now costs $4
million.

Urban fares have gone up from $1 000 to $1 500 while rural and long distance
bus fares have gone up from $110 to $150 a kilometre.

Accommodation has continued to be elusive with a room in the high-density
suburbs costing around $60 000 a month while a two bedroom flat now costs
around $1,2 million.

This is despite the fact that consumer rights activists and labour leaders
recently said the prices of basic commodities should fall following a
reduction in production costs experienced by many manufacturers.

They also cited the availability of cheap finance under the Reserve Bank's
low interest Productive Sector Facility and the decline in inflation as some
of the factors that should compel manufacturers to review the prices of
their products downwards.

Some manufacturers like the Bakers Association of Zimbabwe said the bread
price rise had been necessitated by the rising costs of inputs such as flour
and electricity.

The price of flour has gone up from $2,4 million a tonne to $3,4 million
while electricity tariffs have gone up by at least 1 300 percent since last
November.

Consumers who spoke to The Herald said the price increases could signal the
beginning of a trend, which would see prices of all commodities going up.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said the increase in prices would be hard
on the consumers as they had become used to the stability that has been
experienced since October last year.

Prices had stabilised with most families being able to afford most of the
basic commodities.

Some traders have attributed the price escalations to the increase in the
exchange rate for the US$ dollar.

A special rate of $5 200 for exporters was introduced by the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe as an incentive for them to increase exports. This also resulted in
the auction rate rising to more than $5 000 from $4 600.

Most employers awarded their workers increments of between 100 and 600
percent since the beginning of the year but the poverty datum line pegged at
$988 490 remains a mark for most people.

The Reserve Bank governor recently criticised manufacturers for not passing
on the benefits of the cheap funds to the consumers by reducing the prices
of their products as measures introduced by the RBZ were meant to benefit
both manufacturers and consumers.

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Ministry to Announce National Budget Review

The Herald (Harare)

May 15, 2004
Posted to the web May 17, 2004

Business Reporter-New Ziana
Harare

THE Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will next month announce a
review of the 2004 national budget as it seeks to assess progress made in
the implementation of policies and other strategies set out in the budget
statement in November last year.

Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Development Dr Herbert Murerwa said
the review had been necessitated by the dynamic environment that was
prevailing in the economy and the need to maintain the momentum gathered so
far this year.

Briefing journalists at a Press conference yesterday, Dr Murerwa said his
ministry would consult all stakeholders in formulating what he termed the
new Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Statement (MTFPS).

Consultations would focus on the need to ensure sound fiscal and monetary
policies, among other key issues.

"This means that for the third and fourth quarters of this year,
stakeholders would be kept informed on progress and challenges encountered
in implementing both monetary and fiscal policies," said Dr Murerwa.

This is a departure from the norm where previously the Minister of Finance
and Economic Development is only expected to present reviews to Parliament.

Fiscal policy refers to the way in which the Government exerts influence on
the economy through its overall budgetary decisions.

The challenge of the fiscal policy is to adopt actions that are proper for
the prevailing circumstances.

On the other hand, the monetary policy regulates money supply and interest
rates by a central bank, such as the (RBZ) in order to control inflation and
stabilise currency.

These two policies complement each other. Thus, the need for coordination
between fiscal and monetary policies is of paramount importance.

Dr Murerwa said the objectives of the MFTPS hinged on updating the nation on
the current performance of the budget and to ensure there was no discord
with the monetary policy.

"We want to ascertain fiscal discipline for macro-economic stabilisation and
sound management of Government projects and programmes in line with
available human and physical and financial resources."

Further to this, the MFTPS, which is an addition to the quarterly report to
Parliament is expected to increase service delivery and ensure efficiency
through the allocation of public resources to strategic priorities.

Dr Murerwa has since invited all interested stakeholders to forward their
views on the various facets of budget.

"We are also inviting write-ups from individuals and organisations with
strong views on specific areas requiring reform."

Stakeholders submissions were expected to include areas relating to
revenues, recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure, expenditure control
and domestic and foreign debt, among other issues.

Dr Murerwa said the high rate of inflation and the shortage of foreign
currency remained major challenges affecting the maintenance of balance
between revenue and expenditure.
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Embassies Named for Rent Default

The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)

May 17, 2004
Posted to the web May 17, 2004

Dawit Ketema
Addis Ababa

The diplomatic missions of Zimbabwe and Lesotho here in Addis Ababa are
named for rent defaulting to the state owned Agency for the Administration
of Rented Houses (AARH).

The embassies were sued by AARH at the Federal First Instance Court in
absentia despite their diplomatic immunity.

The housing agency has put up a charge against the Embassy of Zimbabwe for
allegedly defaulting a rent - a sum of 14,880 birr for two houses the
embassy had rented.

The agency demanded rent arrears for the year 1990 and damages brought on
the premises. Since the agency's request was not properly addressed by the
embassy, the charge stated, AARH was forced to file the charges.

The court, having the proceeding in absentia, had fully accepted the claims
of the embassy.

The office of the Embassy of Zimbabwe had declined to comment saying the
case is premature for the press.

In a similar development, the Lesotho Embassy here in Addis Ababa faced a
verdict by the Federal First Instance Court for defaulting its rent to AARH.

According to a verdict given by the court, the embassy had acquired a house
located in woreda 28 kebele 01 for a monthly rent of 644 US Dollars. The
agency accused that the embassy had defaulted 11 months rent in the year
1995/96 claiming a total of 41,139 birr.

The court had ruled per the charges of the housing agency.

Pertinent officials of Lesotho Embassy were not immediately available for
comment. It can be recalled that a number of African foreign missions have
faced legal actions by AARH for rent arrears.
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More spending on agriculture needed

Food security remain a key challenge for African countries

DAR ES SALAAM, - Southern African countries will have to raise their
agricultural productivity if they are to feed their expanding populations,
the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) warned at the weekend.

Addressing an extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) on agriculture and food security in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, FAO Secretary General Jacques Diouf called for increased spending
on the agricultural sector.

"The ministers of the economy, finance and of the budget need to dedicate at
least 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture; they also need to
see that agriculture receives an appropriate allocation of resources from
poverty reduction and debt alleviation programmes, and also European
Development Funds," he said.

Diouf noted that that average per capita food production in the region had
either stagnated or decreased in recent years, improved seed varieties were
not widely used, and livestock vaccines and feed were insufficient;
aquaculture, which already accounted for 30 percent of the global fish
supply, was still in its infancy.

"With 87 million people, representing 43 percent of the population,
undernourished - up from 33 percent in 1990-92 - SADC is among the African
regions with the highest hunger prevalence rates," Diouf added. The region's
population was expected to number 400 million by 2050.

According to SADC Executive Director Prega Ramsamy, cereal production in the
region had been stagnant for over a decade, improving slightly to 22,753
million mt in 2003, compared to 22,062 million mt in 1990, while the
population had grown from 152 million in 1990 to 212 million in 2003.

"Peace in our region will not last if our people are haunted by poverty and
underdevelopment," Namibian President Sam Nujoma cautioned. "This is a
disturbing phenomenon, which we have to reverse as a matter of urgency."

The summit, convened by Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who is also the
current chairman of SADC, approved the Dar es Salaam Declaration on
Agriculture and Food Security, which reiterated a joint regional commitment
to resuscitating agriculture through the implementation of an action plan.

The declaration focuses on some of the most serious problems facing the
agricultural sector in Southern Africa, such as inequalities in income
distribution and constraints in accessing the means of production, including
land and capital.

It also pointed out the impact of HIV/AIDS on agricultural productivity, and
the urgent need to empower small-scale farmers with limited access to key
agricultural inputs, such as fertilisers and improved seed varieties that
could contribute to higher yields.

"We are very delighted that the recommendations set us in a new thrust to
make agriculture to be a prop to economic development," Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe told reporters.

Over the past three years a number of southern African countries have faced
acute food shortages, mainly due to adverse weather conditions, poverty,
issues of governance and HIV/AIDS. In 2002, an estimated 15 million people
in the region needed food aid. This year, UN agencies have warned of
continued food insecurity in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Malawi,
Lesotho, and Zambia.

web

©  IRIN

Food security remain a key challenge for African countries

DAR ES SALAAM, - Southern African countries will have to raise their
agricultural productivity if they are to feed their expanding populations,
the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) warned at the weekend.

Addressing an extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) on agriculture and food security in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, FAO Secretary General Jacques Diouf called for increased spending
on the agricultural sector.

"The ministers of the economy, finance and of the budget need to dedicate at
least 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture; they also need to
see that agriculture receives an appropriate allocation of resources from
poverty reduction and debt alleviation programmes, and also European
Development Funds," he said.

Diouf noted that that average per capita food production in the region had
either stagnated or decreased in recent years, improved seed varieties were
not widely used, and livestock vaccines and feed were insufficient;
aquaculture, which already accounted for 30 percent of the global fish
supply, was still in its infancy.

"With 87 million people, representing 43 percent of the population,
undernourished - up from 33 percent in 1990-92 - SADC is among the African
regions with the highest hunger prevalence rates," Diouf added. The region's
population was expected to number 400 million by 2050.

According to SADC Executive Director Prega Ramsamy, cereal production in the
region had been stagnant for over a decade, improving slightly to 22,753
million mt in 2003, compared to 22,062 million mt in 1990, while the
population had grown from 152 million in 1990 to 212 million in 2003.

"Peace in our region will not last if our people are haunted by poverty and
underdevelopment," Namibian President Sam Nujoma cautioned. "This is a
disturbing phenomenon, which we have to reverse as a matter of urgency."

The summit, convened by Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, who is also the
current chairman of SADC, approved the Dar es Salaam Declaration on
Agriculture and Food Security, which reiterated a joint regional commitment
to resuscitating agriculture through the implementation of an action plan.

The declaration focuses on some of the most serious problems facing the
agricultural sector in Southern Africa, such as inequalities in income
distribution and constraints in accessing the means of production, including
land and capital.

It also pointed out the impact of HIV/AIDS on agricultural productivity, and
the urgent need to empower small-scale farmers with limited access to key
agricultural inputs, such as fertilisers and improved seed varieties that
could contribute to higher yields.

"We are very delighted that the recommendations set us in a new thrust to
make agriculture to be a prop to economic development," Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe told reporters.

Over the past three years a number of southern African countries have faced
acute food shortages, mainly due to adverse weather conditions, poverty,
issues of governance and HIV/AIDS. In 2002, an estimated 15 million people
in the region needed food aid. This year, UN agencies have warned of
continued food insecurity in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Malawi,
Lesotho, and Zambia.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
The material contained in this article is from IRIN, a UN humanitarian
information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United
Nations or its agencies.
All materials copyright © UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs 2004
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Sorghum a cheaper alternative for urban poor

Choosing cheaper sorghum over maize, an easy decision for urban poor

JOHANNESBURG, - A market intervention programme has helped Zimbabwe's urban
poor improve their food security by offering them cheaper sorghum cereal, as
opposed to the relatively expensive maize staple.

In September 2003 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) launched a Market
Assistance Pilot Programme (MAPP) to reduce urban vulnerability in
Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo. The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) funded MAPP and provided sorghum to beneficiaries as a
low-cost alternative to maize.

The pilot programme imported 20,000 mt of sorghum, which was milled and
placed in strategic retail outlets for sale to the public at a subsidised
price.

"During a time when Zimbabwe's urban population has seen its purchasing
power slashed by soaring inflation and widespread unemployment, with limited
access to food, a unique market intervention has worked to rebuild the
failing commercial sector and sustain the urban poor," the Consortium for
Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE), of which CRS is a member,
said in a statement.

C-SAFE, comprised of CRS, World Vision and CARE, began the programme in a
bid to mitigate the combined effects of drought, Zimbabwe's deteriorating
economic situation and HIV/AIDS. These factors had "left livelihoods frayed
and urban communities powerless to emerge from a state of chronic food
insecurity," C-SAFE commented.

"Relief, aid and development projects have traditionally focused on rural
areas, where needs are severe. But in Zimbabwe's case, where we have massive
market failures in urban areas, the evaporation of infrastructure and
critical wounding of the local economy, the ability to recuperate is
limited, and prospects for hunger relief are poor," Brad Barnett of CRS was
quoted as saying.

As an alternative to traditional food distributions, C-SAFE approached
existing commercial entities that could facilitate a programme aimed at
"filling the market gap" with an affordable maize substitute.

"The sorghum proposal initially encountered resistance from both retailers
and consumers, given its lack of commercial presence in the local market for
several generations. However, within weeks, 150 retailers in 40 high-density
Bulawayo suburbs agreed to sell the cereal. Demand exploded from 30 mt to
300 mt a day, and by November seven local millers were milling and packaging
the USAID sorghum to meet the incredible consumer demand," C-SAFE noted.

A 10kg bag of sorghum currently retails for Zim $6,000 (US $1.20).
Zimbabweans struggle to afford maize meal - which costs more than Zim
$20,000 (US $4) per 10 kg bag - when it is available.

Annual inflation in Zimbabwe stood at 583.7 percent last month. The country
has been ravaged by food shortages for the past few years and an average
monthly food basket now costs at least Zim $500,000 (US $94.85), while the
average monthly salary of a worker is about Zim $80,000 (US $15.77).

"The price of sorghum set by C-SAFE is determined by income, household size,
and the retail price gap between maize and sorghum. When cereal prices rise,
the potential for side marketing increases, so C-SAFE monitors the market
activity and adjusts the sorghum price accordingly. Retailers are also
permitted a 15 percent mark-up on the product to ensure profitability. The
sorghum is an easy sell and it is priced to move, but it stays in the target
market," C-SAFE explained.

PROGRAMME EXPANDING

In late 2003 C-SAFE assessed the possibility of expanding the MAPP to other
poor urban areas and found that "purchases of sorghum jumped from 0 percent
to 82 percent of households in four months, satisfying a market gap in unmet
cereal demand".

There was also a concurrent increase in the number of meals consumed daily
by both children and adults. "The MAPP had succeeded in its approach to be
self-targeting, readily available and commercially accepted," C-SAFE
concluded.

The Bulawayo market now consumes around 1,000 mt of MAPP sorghum each month,
where an estimated 77 percent of the population, or 460,000 people, are
being fed each month by the programme.

C-SAFE announced that "in recognition of the MAPP's impact, and its
potential to assist many more vulnerable households, USAID Food for Peace
has approved a MAPP expansion to Gweru, targeting over 100,000 urban poor;
an expansion to Chitunguiza, targeting 250,000 urban poor; and the
continuation of the original programme in Bulawayo."

C-SAFE spokeswoman Kristy Allen-Shirley told IRIN that the "MAPP programme
will be running through to at least the end of this fiscal year (October
2004)", and the possibility of replicating the MAPP in Zambia was being
considered.

"We will see if it is appropriate for the Zambian population, and if we can
secure funding for it," Allen-Shirley added.

The expansion of the MAPP into other urban centres "would support C-SAFE's
goal to improve and maintain the nutritional status of targeted vulnerable
groups; increase support to households affected by HIV/AIDS; increase and
maintain agricultural productivity and improve market linkages," the
organisation observed.

Barnett lauded the programme, saying "it can enter a market and satisfy the
unmet needs of low-income households immediately and begin to rebuild the
commercial structure at the same time".

"We are linking all levels of community from consumers to small-scale
traders to experienced millers and eventually aim at linking with local
producers of sorghum. Because sorghum is also a drought resistant crop, it's
better suited to the semi-arid climate of Matabeleland [province] than
maize," said Barnett.

"Now that we've demonstrated a commercial acceptance of the cereal, we would
be keen to find a way to encourage the intensive cultivation of it here in
Zimbabwe, to rebuild the cereal market into one that is again
self-sustaining and autonomous. For now, the MAPP's supply of sorghum is
closing the market gap and its reliability is appreciated in an environment
where uncertainty reigns."

web

©  C-SAFE

Choosing cheaper sorghum over maize, an easy decision for urban poor

JOHANNESBURG, - A market intervention programme has helped Zimbabwe's urban
poor improve their food security by offering them cheaper sorghum cereal, as
opposed to the relatively expensive maize staple.

In September 2003 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) launched a Market
Assistance Pilot Programme (MAPP) to reduce urban vulnerability in
Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo. The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) funded MAPP and provided sorghum to beneficiaries as a
low-cost alternative to maize.

The pilot programme imported 20,000 mt of sorghum, which was milled and
placed in strategic retail outlets for sale to the public at a subsidised
price.

"During a time when Zimbabwe's urban population has seen its purchasing
power slashed by soaring inflation and widespread unemployment, with limited
access to food, a unique market intervention has worked to rebuild the
failing commercial sector and sustain the urban poor," the Consortium for
Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE), of which CRS is a member,
said in a statement.

C-SAFE, comprised of CRS, World Vision and CARE, began the programme in a
bid to mitigate the combined effects of drought, Zimbabwe's deteriorating
economic situation and HIV/AIDS. These factors had "left livelihoods frayed
and urban communities powerless to emerge from a state of chronic food
insecurity," C-SAFE commented.

"Relief, aid and development projects have traditionally focused on rural
areas, where needs are severe. But in Zimbabwe's case, where we have massive
market failures in urban areas, the evaporation of infrastructure and
critical wounding of the local economy, the ability to recuperate is
limited, and prospects for hunger relief are poor," Brad Barnett of CRS was
quoted as saying.

As an alternative to traditional food distributions, C-SAFE approached
existing commercial entities that could facilitate a programme aimed at
"filling the market gap" with an affordable maize substitute.

"The sorghum proposal initially encountered resistance from both retailers
and consumers, given its lack of commercial presence in the local market for
several generations. However, within weeks, 150 retailers in 40 high-density
Bulawayo suburbs agreed to sell the cereal. Demand exploded from 30 mt to
300 mt a day, and by November seven local millers were milling and packaging
the USAID sorghum to meet the incredible consumer demand," C-SAFE noted.

A 10kg bag of sorghum currently retails for Zim $6,000 (US $1.20).
Zimbabweans struggle to afford maize meal - which costs more than Zim
$20,000 (US $4) per 10 kg bag - when it is available.

Annual inflation in Zimbabwe stood at 583.7 percent last month. The country
has been ravaged by food shortages for the past few years and an average
monthly food basket now costs at least Zim $500,000 (US $94.85), while the
average monthly salary of a worker is about Zim $80,000 (US $15.77).

"The price of sorghum set by C-SAFE is determined by income, household size,
and the retail price gap between maize and sorghum. When cereal prices rise,
the potential for side marketing increases, so C-SAFE monitors the market
activity and adjusts the sorghum price accordingly. Retailers are also
permitted a 15 percent mark-up on the product to ensure profitability. The
sorghum is an easy sell and it is priced to move, but it stays in the target
market," C-SAFE explained.

PROGRAMME EXPANDING

In late 2003 C-SAFE assessed the possibility of expanding the MAPP to other
poor urban areas and found that "purchases of sorghum jumped from 0 percent
to 82 percent of households in four months, satisfying a market gap in unmet
cereal demand".

There was also a concurrent increase in the number of meals consumed daily
by both children and adults. "The MAPP had succeeded in its approach to be
self-targeting, readily available and commercially accepted," C-SAFE
concluded.

The Bulawayo market now consumes around 1,000 mt of MAPP sorghum each month,
where an estimated 77 percent of the population, or 460,000 people, are
being fed each month by the programme.

C-SAFE announced that "in recognition of the MAPP's impact, and its
potential to assist many more vulnerable households, USAID Food for Peace
has approved a MAPP expansion to Gweru, targeting over 100,000 urban poor;
an expansion to Chitunguiza, targeting 250,000 urban poor; and the
continuation of the original programme in Bulawayo."

C-SAFE spokeswoman Kristy Allen-Shirley told IRIN that the "MAPP programme
will be running through to at least the end of this fiscal year (October
2004)", and the possibility of replicating the MAPP in Zambia was being
considered.

"We will see if it is appropriate for the Zambian population, and if we can
secure funding for it," Allen-Shirley added.

The expansion of the MAPP into other urban centres "would support C-SAFE's
goal to improve and maintain the nutritional status of targeted vulnerable
groups; increase support to households affected by HIV/AIDS; increase and
maintain agricultural productivity and improve market linkages," the
organisation observed.

Barnett lauded the programme, saying "it can enter a market and satisfy the
unmet needs of low-income households immediately and begin to rebuild the
commercial structure at the same time".

"We are linking all levels of community from consumers to small-scale
traders to experienced millers and eventually aim at linking with local
producers of sorghum. Because sorghum is also a drought resistant crop, it's
better suited to the semi-arid climate of Matabeleland [province] than
maize," said Barnett.

"Now that we've demonstrated a commercial acceptance of the cereal, we would
be keen to find a way to encourage the intensive cultivation of it here in
Zimbabwe, to rebuild the cereal market into one that is again
self-sustaining and autonomous. For now, the MAPP's supply of sorghum is
closing the market gap and its reliability is appreciated in an environment
where uncertainty reigns."

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The material contained in this article is from IRIN, a UN humanitarian
information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United
Nations or its agencies.
All materials copyright © UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs 2004
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News24

Zim 70: 'Mbeki must intervene'
17/05/2004 19:12  - (SA)

Johannesburg : The Democratic Alliance called on President Thabo Mbeki on
Monday to get his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe to release South
Africans held in a Harare prison.

Addressing reporters at a media briefing that was attended by some family
members of the men who were arrested on March 7 on charges of plotting a
coup in Equatorial Guinea, Gibson said: "President Mbeki has a wonderful
relationship with President Mugabe and they can solve the situation between
themselves."

Relatives of the alleged mercenaries urged Mbeki to ensure the men received
a fair trial.

Marge Pain, whose husband, Ken, 60, was the flight engineer, called on Mbeki
to look into their plight as soon as possible.

"My tears are finished, I can't cry anymore," she said.

"When I met Ken [in the Harare prison] I spoke to him through a glass at the
intervention of the department of foreign affairs. Prison warders told me I
was not allowed to speak Afrikaans, only English.

"All I ask from the president is that he ensures Ken and other men receive a
fair trial. The guilty ones must be punished and those that are innocent
released."

Piet Style, a brother of the plane captain, Neil, said he spent four days in
Harare but was not allowed to speak to his brother.

"I pleaded with the magistrate to allow my father to speak with him and they
eventually gave him only 10 minutes."

Style said prison authorities had reduced food parcels to their relatives.

"We are obliged to give them small rations of the food and can't even talk
to them."

Jerry Carlse, a brother of Harry, 40, the alleged weapons inspector of the
group, said most of the men had lost weight.

"Harry has lost weight and is in no good condition."

Government 'an accessory' to their crime

Gibson said the government was an accessory to whatever crime the alleged
mercenaries were going to commit.

He said the intelligence and foreign affairs departments "bragged" that they
had alerted authorities in Zimbabwe about the intentions of the alleged
mercenaries after they departed from South Africa.

"The government knew what was happening and for it to allow these men to
leave South Africa means it is an accessory to the crime the men were going
to commit."

The alleged mercenaries were arrested at Harare International Airport two
months ago when they landed to refuel and pick up military equipment.

Zimbabwean authorities claim they were on their way to join 15 suspected
mercenaries arrested in Equatorial Guinea.

Gibson said the government should have stopped the men before their plane
took off from Polokwane airport.

Gibson said the DA had called on the government to explain what steps it was
going to take to ensure the men received a fair trial.

"We have consistently held the government to account for its actions on this
matter and we will continue to do so."

The department of foreign affairs was not immediately available for comment.
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The Age

Flying straight into a state of confusion
By Adam Gilchrist
May 18, 2004

I'm confused. Really, really confused. And I've got to admit, it is becoming
a bit frustrating. Having arrived in Zimbabwe several days ago and having
had the chance to experience first-hand the mood of the country, I'm no more
certain as to what is a right or wrong decision in regards to the many
complicated issues.
In fact, I'm not sure there is such a thing as right or wrong in these
scenarios, because whatever point of view one person has, someone else is
sure to have just as strong an opinion leaning the other way.

Should we pull out of this tour on moral grounds? If we did, what effect
would that have on the situation here? Should we pull out in support of the
15 sacked Zimbabwean cricketers? Is it more important to fulfil our
obligations to make sure the game survives here? Does cricket need Zimbabwe?

There are many difficult questions that can't be answered without a great
deal of thought. As Stuart MacGill mentioned, it took him 12 to 18 months to
be sure in his mind.

The moral question has been presented to us over and over again, and I guess
we've made public our answer by fronting for the tour. We feel we can tour
Zimbabwe, or any country, and not be seen to be supporting the local
political regime. It's the game of cricket and part of our mandate as
cricketers and administrators is to look after the game's health.
If those in the game of politics want to overrule, please go ahead as that
is your mandate, and I'm sure we would follow the lead. That said, it's not
as if we haven't spent many hours thinking of the people of Zimbabwe who
have reportedly suffered. The knowledge of alleged heartache and pain felt
by many has registered deeply with the members of our team and has only made
our decision-making more difficult.

On the back of that complex situation comes the internal battle between the
Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the bulk of the talent pool of players. Again,
it's confusing and hard to know where the truth lies. Each side has what it
believes is the "real" story and again not everybody will be happy with the
outcome.

On the field there is an equally perplexing scenario in which the team
Zimbabwe is fielding has so far been nowhere near the standard you'd expect
at Test level.

A month ago I wrote that cricket needs to support any nation that finds
itself in tough times, on or off the field, but watching Sri Lanka pulverise
the young opposition hasn't made for pleasurable viewing.

No, it's obviously not good for the game, but others will argue it's
short-term pain for long-term gain. There it is again - two sides to the
argument.

And finally, with all this turmoil and only 300 or so registered senior
cricketers here, the question is being asked: does the ICC need to maintain
Zimbabwe as a fully fledged Test-playing nation? Are we better focusing on
other developing areas such as Kenya, Holland or Canada? Again, I'm not sure
of the correct answer.

Perhaps there was an indication of the future of cricket in Zimbabwe in the
national newspaper in Harare last Sunday.

With Zimbabwe involved in a Test match in Bulawayo, there was one small
column of match reports dedicated to that game and yet four pages assigned
to the fact that neighbour South Africa had won the right to host the 2010
soccer World Cup.

It's no secret that soccer is the most followed sport in these areas and now
with the world's focus being on the folk next door in six years' time, I
suspect cricket will be under even more strain to survive.
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Fox Sports

Call off the tour
By Robert Craddock
May 18, 2004

AUSTRALIA'S cricket tour of Zimbabwe is in grave danger of being scrapped.

A group of neutral nations including India and South Africa have approached
the ICC with a request the tour be abandoned if the 15 white rebels whose
contracts were torn up last week do not agree to play in this week's first
Test in Harare.

As tensions built in world cricket, world record-breaking spinner Muttiah
Muralitharan yesterday confirmed he intended to boycott Sri Lanka's winter
tour of Australia featuring July Tests in Darwin and Cairns after Prime
Minister John Howard claimed last week he was a chucker.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed last night landed in Harare in a desperate
attempt to break the stand-off in Zimbabwe.

It is understood that if Speed cannot solve the dispute he will recommend
the series be postponed and the Australian players will return home.

But the series is unlikely to be postponed if Zimbabwe insists it goes
ahead.

ICC officials were last night searching through their charter to see what
measures it could take to call off the series if Zimbabwe concedes it should
not proceed.

With their rebel players, Zimbabwe are a modest side. Without them they are
lambs to the slaughter. The rebel-less Zimbabwe have been thrashed by Sri
Lanka in two Tests over the past fortnight.

On the Murali issue, the ICC last night urged Prime Minister Howard to stop
expressing opinions on the Sri Lankan spinner's action which have sparked a
furore in his homeland.

"Obviously it is not helpful when high-profile people make these comments -
they should talk to us first," ICC president Eshan Mani said from London.

Muralitharan had been considering withdrawing from the tour because of
relentless crowd abuse during previous Australian tours and the Howard taunt
seems to have made up his mind to stay at home, robbing northern fans of the
chance to watch Muralitharan duel with Australia's Shane Warne for the world
wicket-taking record.

Mr Howard told The Daily Telegraph last night: "Muttiah Muralitharan is very
welcome to come to Australia when Sri Lanka tour later this year.

"I was simply reflecting on the scientific research in Perth in relation to
one of his deliveries."

Kevin Maher, president of Cricket Far-North and uncle of Queensland Pura Cup
captain Jim, yesterday wished the Prime Minister had kept his view to
himself.

"Is Johnny qualified to speak on this matter?" Maher said. "He might be a
cricket lover but I don't know that it's his place to call him a chucker.

"It's disappointing. The whole city of Cairns was looking forward to him
coming. The clash between Muralitaharan and Warne was a big thing for us.

"We want him here. It [the chucking issue] becomes so technical with all the
testing.

"Murali has done his bit. He has gone to Perth for all the testing. The
Australian players have come out and said they hope he plays on."

The Prime Minister isn't without his supporters, however, when it comes to
analysing technical aspects of cricket.

A cricket fanatic, he was also a reasonable spin bowler, having been
described previously as "the most biomechanically correct spin bowler in
politics" by former Test spinner Kerry O'Keeffe.

But Maher was yesterday preparing to approach Queensland Cricket to see if
it could make a personal plea to Muralitharan to change his mind and make
the tour.

Sri Lankan Cricket, which has been leaning on Muralitharan for several
months to commit to touring Australia, has changed its stance after Mt
Howard's comments.

"If Murali makes a request not to go to Australia we will definitely give
him that option," Sri Lankan Cricket president Mohan de Silva said.
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News24

Zim inflation dips 78%
17/05/2004 13:02  - (SA)

Harare - Zimbabwe's inflation rate fell by 78.7% in April to 505%, an
official newspaper reported on Monday, as the country pressed on with
efforts to bring inflation down to under 200% by the end of the year.

The Herald attributed the drop from the previous month's figure of 583.7% to
the launch of a new monetary policy in December 2003.

In launching the tighter policy, Central Bank Governor Gideon Gono said he
was confident that inflation would be brought down to less than 200% by
December 2004.

Inflation has created extreme hardships for ordinary Zimbabweans, who have
seen wages eroded and prices in shops going up on a regular basis.

Foreign currency shortages here, and a flourishing black market for hard
cash, was blamed for fuelling inflation.

Foreign currency auctions introduced by the central bank last year have
resulted in US$333.5m flowing into the official market in the first three
months of this year, compared to $302m for the whole of last year, according
to the bank
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