HRW: African Union Should Immediately Deploy Monitors

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Zimbabwe Authorities Must End Violence
(Johannesburg, May 19, 2008) – The African Union should immediately send
election observers and human rights monitors to Zimbabwe to promote free and
fair voting in the presidential runoff election on June 27, Human Rights
Watch said today in a letter to the African Union Commission’s chair, Jean
Ping (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/19/zimbab18872.htm).

Human Rights Watch also urged the African Union to publicly call for an
immediate end to the violence that has raged in Zimbabwe since general
elections on March 29, 2008.

“The African Union should publicly demand that the Zimbabwean government
halt its campaign of violence, torture and intimidation,” said Georgette
Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Unless the current situation
is reversed, more civilians will be brutalized and die. The African Union’s
immediate deployment of human rights monitors and observers throughout the
country can help deter further abuses and save lives.”

Human Rights Watch called on the African Union to ensure that any monitors
deployed to Zimbabwe be given a robust mandate to investigate any reports or
allegations of abuse, have full freedom of movement and access to local
civil society organizations, and publish their findings.

Zimbabwe’s ruling party is responsible for almost all of the violence. Human
Rights Watch researchers in Zimbabwe have documented widespread and
systematic violence by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic
Front (ZANU-PF) since the general elections. In the provinces of Masvingo,
Manicaland and Mashonaland West, East and Central, ZANU-PF officials and
supporters, “war veterans,” the army and police have been carrying out a
violent campaign of beatings, torture and killings against opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters. Despite the political
agreement to hold a runoff presidential election, the ZANU-PF violence has
continued.

Since the March elections, Human Rights Watch has found that at least 27
people have died, hundreds have been beaten and tortured, and thousands of
others have been displaced and are in urgent need of protection. A runoff
election will have no credibility without an end to the violence and
accountability for the abuses, Human Rights Watch said
(http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/02/zimbab18734.htm).

Human Rights Watch expressed concern that the violence may worsen in the
weeks leading up to the runoff. Human Rights Watch has documented how
ZANU-PF officials, the military and local chiefs and headmen are inciting
and organizing the violence around the country by holding daily
“re-education” meetings involving beatings and torture to deter people from
supporting or voting for the MDC. Roads leading to villages in some
provinces have been blocked off, preventing entire communities from fleeing
the violence.

“All those responsible for inciting and organizing the horrendous violence
should also be investigated and brought to justice,” said Gagnon.

'Silence kills' warn Jesuits, as they prepare for Hairy Haggis Run

LONDON - 20 May 2008

Runners will be hoping to raise awareness about the drastic situation in
Zimbabwe as well as funds when they take part in the Edinburgh Marathon,
Hairy Haggis Relay, on 25 May. Jesuit Missions have three teams running in
the event. One team consists of runners raising funds for Makumbi Mission,
Zimbabwe, while the other two teams, from St Ignatius' College in North
London, are running to raise funds for a scholarship fund for their partner
school, St Ignatius Prep and Primary School in Tanzania.

"Zimbabwe is quietly bleeding to death while politicians debate and
deliberate," says Ashleigh Callow from Jesuit Missions. "Inflation has gone
through the roof in the country: £1 equates to 400 million Zimbabwean
dollars. So we very much hope that by taking part in the Hairy Haggis Relay,
the team will increase awareness about the situation in the country, in
addition to raising valuable funds."

Zimbabweans continue to experience intimidation and violence following the
elections of 29 March. One associate of the Jesuits in Zimbabwe texted the
following message:

"The post election situation is tense ­ they're accusing teachers and
residents that we voted MDC (the Opposition Party) People are being beaten
up for not voting for the ruling party. We are living in limbo at present."

Another described the situation as very bad. "It seems as if there is no one
who can challenge this man (President Robert Mugabe)! Oh, our whole world is
beautiful but Zimbabwe is becoming a house of horror. No food. No home. No
health. No proper education."

And a third text message read: "Our friend 'L' was beaten last night by
soldiers on his way home from the doctor (L suffers from AIDS). Mugabe's
police are everywhere. I don't like it. We have no money to buy food and all
shops are closed anyway. Can you help please or we will soon be dead?"

Jesuit Missions are also asking Britons to use their voices on behalf of the
people of Zimbabwe.

"For Zimbabweans, silence kills," says Ashleigh Callow. "So we're asking
people to speak out and lobby their local MPs.  Our runners are aware of the
obstacles and challenges that lie before them.  But they won't be forced
into having to run the 26 miles again. That's the situation that Zimbabweans
find themselves in: forced into a re-run despite having gone the distance at
the elections on 29 March."

If you would like to support the Jesuit Missions teams in the Edinburgh
Marathon or find out more about the Jesuits' work in support of the people
of Zimbabwe, please contact Ashleigh Callow on 020 8946 0466 ­
ashleigh.callow@jesuitmissions.org.uk

A Prayer for Zimbabwe from Jesuit Mission:
www.jesuitmissions.org.uk/zimbabweprayer/index.htm

© Independent Catholic News 2008

Zimbabwe opposition wants torture camps to close

Afrik.com, France

Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Monday
reiterated its demand to have ’torture camps’ in Zimbabwe’s rural areas
disbanded as a pre-condition for free and fair elections in the South
African state.

Monday 19 May 2008

"We are fighting a regime that knows power more than any regime in the
world, a regime that if you cut Mugabe’s veins, blood doesn’t flow, it is
power that flows. We have a duty to protect ourselves," MDC
Secretary-General Tendai told a news conference here.

Zimbabwe is gearing for a fresh poll after the opposition failed to clinch
an absolute majority of the presidential votes required to dislodge
President Robert Mugabe from power but the party insists it won outright,
the 29 March presidential polls.

The opposition has also reiterated its demand for a fully independent
electoral commission in addition to enhanced freedom of movement, an assured
sense of security, the freedom of association and the freedom to hold public
rallies as key ingredients.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has ordered a re-run of the votes on
27 June to determine the winner of the presidential race as required by the
constitution.

The ruling ZANU-PF has previously dismissed demands by the opposition to
have a list of demands fulfilled to pave way for the fresh poll, which the
MDC said would ’bury’ Mugabe’s 28-year rule.

ZANU-PF officials said it would not listen to such demands unless they are
in the constitution, under which the presidential re-run would be conducted.

Zimbabwe’s political crisis has been deepening by the day and the opposition
has warned the situation might deteriorate to alarming proportions unless
urgent measures are taken.

"There must be an immediate disbandment of all the militias. There must be a
disbandment of all the torture camps in the countryside," Biti reiterated.

The opposition said at least 37 of its supporters have been killed in the
torture chambers since the presidential elections were held 29 March.

Biti accused the African Union (AU) and the United Nations of failing to act
swiftly to end the political impasse in the South African country.

U.S. Ambassador To Harare Vows To Continue Speaking Out On Violence

VOA

By Blessing Zulu
Washington
19 May 2008

Relations between Harare and Washington remained chilly following the
issuance of a diplomatic warning to U.S. Ambassador James McGee by the
Foreign Ministry over his visits to hospitals where victims of political
violence were under care, including in rural areas where such violence has
been rife since the country's March 29 elections.

McGee on Monday rejected the Foreign Ministry's charge that he violated
regulations governing foreign envoys, and said he would not stop speaking
out on violence.

McGee and several other diplomats had faceoffs with police and security
officials at a hospital in Mvurwe, Mashonaland Central Province, and at a
roadblock on the road to Harare. On both occasions McGee refused to
accompany police to a local station.

The state-run Herald newspaper quoted Foreign Minister Simbarashe
Mumbengegwi as saying McGee was "dressed down" over actions which
"constituted violations of diplomatic protocols and procedures." Among these
were "politically charged and inflammatory remarks" made during a May 9
visit to a Harare hospital.

The newspaper said the Foreign Ministry summoned McGee Wednesday for what
Mumbengegwi described as a "first warning."

It was not the first clash between Harare and a U.S. envoy. McGee's
predecessor, Christopher Dell, was similarly summoned in 2005 and warned
against "meddling" in the country's internal affairs after accusing the
government of corruption.

Mcgee told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that papers
issued to him earlier by the Foreign Ministry made clear he was not obliged
to ask permission to travel more than 40 kilometers outside the capital, as
the ministry now maintains, and said he will not back away from highlighting
human rights violations.

Zimbabwe opposition says poll violence could hit alarming proportions

Afrique en ligne

Zimbabwean opposition leaders warned of a further deteri oration of the
country's political crisis Monday unless the African Union (AU) a n d the
United Nations took immediate steps to reverse the situation.

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Secretary-General
Ten dai Biti told a news conference here the delay in taking immediate steps
to stop the on-going violence in the country could lead to further
bloodshed.

The opposition leaders claimed the ruling ZANU-PF party was responsible for
the killing of at least 30 MDC party supporters since the country went to
the polls in March.

Biti said the AU and the UN had failed to act to find an immediate solution
to t he electoral crisis in Zimbabwe and warned that further delays in
stemming the on -going violence could lead to an eruption of violence on a
massive scale as witn e ssed in Kenya.

Kenya's post election political crisis erupted on a massive scale after the
coun try's Electoral Commission declared incumbent Mwai Kibaki the winner of
the hotl y -contested presidential election in the East African country.

Speaking on arrival here from Rwanda, Biti said the MDC President Morgan
Tsvangi rai had delayed his return home Sunday due to security fears.

Biti claimed that a team of intelligence officers had laid a siege in an
army ba rrack near the country's main airport in an attempt to arrest the
MDC leader who has been on a self-imposed exile since the country's 29 March
Presidential poll.

Tsvangirai was scheduled to jet back Sunday to kick-start his campaign to
dislod ge President Robert Mugabe from power.

Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission declared Tsvangirai the winner of the
presidenti al polls which did not hand the opposition chief a clear mandate
to rule.

A second presidential vote is expected but this has been delayed to 27 June.

The AU has voiced its concerns over the situation in Zimbabwe and recently
conve ned the organisation's 53 foreign ministers to an extra-ordinary
council meeting over the situation in Zimbabwe.

The MDC officials were expected to leave Nairobi Monday on a flight to
Zambia wh ere they are schedule to meet with the Zambian President Levy
Mwanawasa, the cha i rman of the South African Development Community (SADC),
to discuss the runoff.

Zimbabwe's economic crisis has forced thousands fleeing across the border to
Sou th Africa where most of them have become victims of a growing hate of
foreigners .

Nairobi - 19/05/2008

Pana

Displaced supporters could sway results: MDC

SABC

May 19, 2008, 22:45

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is concerned that
the displacement of thousands of their supporters will affect the
presidential run-off results.

Party Secretary-General Tendai Biti says violence against its supporters by
the government is meant to intimidate the voters and may tilt the vote in
favour of Zanu-PF.

Speaking in Nairobi, where he was set to meet Kenya's Prime Minister Raila
Odinga, Biti said: "We took the decision to participate in the run-off, in
view of the people who have been killed since March 29. The message is the
same -- we can't die for nothing."

The MDC leadership is in Nairobi on a stop over from Kigali where they met
President Paul Kagame. With the presidential run-off just weeks away, party
officials are concerned that continued violence against its supporters is
being engineered by government operatives.

Biti says with over 100 000 people having been displaced during the
violence, and many more killed. He says it’s time for decisive action from
the United Nations: "There must be monitoring troops, monitoring police as a
matter of urgency."

MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai is still in South Africa, and has expressed
fears for his life, should he return to Zimbabwe. However, Biti says they
will return to Zimbabwe soon.

Harare bishop excommunicated as persecution of Anglicans continues

Episcopal Life

By Matthew Davies, May 19, 2008
[Episcopal News Service] The controversial former bishop of Harare, Nolbert
Kunonga, has been officially excommunicated, thereby stripping him of his
ability to function as a cleric in the Anglican Church.

The announcement by the dean of the Church of the Province of Central
Africa, the Rt. Rev. Albert Chama, comes following disturbing reports of
continued harassment and violence from local police against Anglicans trying
to worship in Zimbabwe's capital city.

Last week, Zimbabwe's Supreme Court dismissed an application from Kunonga to
take control of Harare's Anglican churches. However, police in Harare have
continued to use physical force in their attempt to bar worshippers from
attending church services at the city's Anglican cathedral.

Kunonga, who is an avid follower of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and has
praised him as "a prophet from God," was replaced in December 2007 by Bishop
Sebastian Bakare, who is supported by the majority of the country's
Anglicans.

Bakare said his main concern is how to provide pastoral counseling to many
church members who have been psychologically traumatized and stressed. "Our
people have been spiritually wounded and we can only pray and hope that
God's Grace will sustain and heal us," he said. "The present persecution
will not destroy us at all."

Chama had declared the Diocese of Harare vacant in October 2007 after
Kunonga had attempted to withdraw the diocese from the province.

In his recent announcement, Chama said that he pronounces upon Kunonga "and
all those who support him the sentence of Greater Excommunication, thereby
separating them from the Church of the Province of Central Africa and the
Anglican Communion, by the actions taken of withdrawing from the Province of
Central Africa, forming another Church, and casting aside the Constitution
and Canons of the Church of the Province of Central Africa."

Chama's announcement calls on the "faithful in the Church of the Province of
Central Africa and the Anglican Communion…to join with us in humble
supplication that these our erring brothers and sisters may speedily attain
true repentance, for their own souls' health and the wellbeing of the Body
of Church."

-- Matthew Davies is editor of Episcopal Life Online and Episcopal Life
Media correspondent for the Anglican Communion.

Zimbabwe: Emergency Relief Appeal

Comesa Summit in Balance Because of Chaos

Inter Press Service (Johannesburg)

19 May 2008
Posted to the web 19 May 2008

Tonderai Kwidini
Harare

Zimbabwe, which is in a political and financial tailspin, has missed out on
an opportunity to save some of its tattered international reputation. The
Common Market for East and Southern Africa's (COMESA) 13th summit would have
taken place in the country's north-eastern resort town of Victoria Falls but
has been postponed indefinitely.

The COMESA secretariat in Zambia issued a communiqué on May 15 advising
member states on the postponement of the summit of heads of state.

This announcement was overdue as the summit was originally planned to start
on May 1. After the ruling ZANU-PF lost the recent parliamentary elections,
the results of the presidential election were withheld and state violence
engulfed the country.

The secretariat said in a statement, "following consultations between the
government of Zimbabwe and the COMESA secretariat, it has now been agreed
that the meetings, which were scheduled to be held from May 1 to 15, 2008 in
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, be postponed to a date to be announced later."

The secretariat explained its decision by saying it wanted to give the
troubled southern African country time to conclude an electoral process on
June 27 when a much-anticipated presidential run-off will be held. It made
no reference to moving the summit to another country.

However, this development flies in the face of the ZANU-PF government's
interpretation of the decision that Zimbabwe should host the 13th summit.

"No amount of demonisation by western countries, which are on a relentless
campaign to isolate Zimbabwe, will influence decisions of bodies like
COMESA," said Zimbabwe's foreign affairs minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi,
said when the selection was made public.

"The postponement is a statement of no confidence in Zimbabwe," Harare-based
economic analyst John Robertson told IPS. It serves as a another bad sign
for the country after it hosted a dismal trade fair last month which failed
to attract attention from rich countries.

The summit in Victoria Falls was supposed to discuss the consolidation of a
regional free trade area; progress on the economic partnership agreements
(EPA) negotiations with the European Union (EU); and peace and security in
the bloc. Regarding the latter, Zimbabwe would have been an automatic topic.

The summit was also expected to have discussed the possibilities of putting
in place a customs union by the end of this year to promote regional trade
and investment.

A business leaders' forum would have been run alongside the summit. More
than 500 business leaders were expected from COMESA member states.

The business forum was presented as an opportunity for the COMESA business
community to meet and discuss issues of common interest regarding the
strengthening, deepening and expansion of trade and investment in the
region.

The summit was also touted as an opportunity for Zimbabwe to show a
different side to the world as it has been in the international spotlight
for all the wrong reasons.

"It is good that Zimbabwe is hosting the 13th edition of the summit. This is
time for you to showcase your country," said the COMESA secretariat's head
of administration, Victoria Mwewa, last year when she had reviewed the
country's preparedness to host the gigantic forum.

The Zimbabwe Competition and Tariff Commission agreed with Mwewa's view,
saying the summit might have helped the country's industry to boost its
profile. "This event would have allowed players in the industry to boost
their export base and penetrate new markets as local products are in great
demand throughout the region," Alexander Kabuda, the commission's director,
told IPS.

Bulawayo-based economist Eric Bloc concurred with Kabuda, adding that
Zimbabwe would have been afforded an opportunity to showcase its products
and services in the tourism industry.

An economic analyst at the University of Zimbabwe said that, "while
Zimbabwe's competitiveness has been reduced significantly in the last seven
years, it is capable of regaining equal or higher competitiveness than its
regional partners in COMESA, if the situation improves". The analyst spoke
on condition of anonymity.

Zimbabwe currently holds the vice-chairpersonship of the regional body and
was expected to assume the reins after the summit. This might change if the
political tables are turned after the presidential run-off election, which
is likely to be won by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The MDC had been against taking on such huge commitments because of the
financial requirements which it argues Zimbabwe can't afford at a time when
it is faced with a collapsing economy.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa seeks to promote regional
economic integration through trade and investment. It currently boasts 19
member countries, which represent a market of 319 million inhabitants. Total
trade between member countries adds up to about 159 billion dollars per year
and total exports amount to 82 billion dollars per year.

The regional body has a gross domestic product of 275 billion dollars a
year.

Zimbabwe vote crisis may hurt '08 platinum output-JM

Reuters

Mon May 19, 2008 8:02am EDT

By James Macharia

JOHANNESBURG, May 19 (Reuters) - Platinum supplies from Zimbabwe rose 2.3
per cent to 171,000 ounces last year, but a disputed election may damage
output this year, metals refiner Johnson Matthey (JM) (JMAT.L: Quote,
Profile, Research) said on Monday.

JM said the dispute over the outcome of an election in March, and further
escalation of a power crisis in South Africa, the world's biggest platinum
producer, could see platinum prices <XPT=> soar from current levels near
$2,000.

"Any further substantial interruptions to South African supply will push the
price higher. Political uncertainty in Zimbabwe could damage output there
too," the metal refiner and platinum authority said.

"We therefore expect platinum to trade in a wide range from $1,775 to $2,500
during the next six months," JM's report said.

South Africa has seen output decline after mines were shut for five days in
January after state utility Eskom [ESCJ.UL] failed to guarantee electricity
supply, but the situation has normalised somewhat. See related factbox
[ID:nL16739852]

The political crisis raging in Zimbabwe was ignited over a disputed
presidential vote, in a country that has the second largest reserves of
platinum after South Africa, and is seen as the next big thing for the
growth of platinum production.

President Robert Mugabe had ahead of the March vote signed a new
nationalisation law, the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Bill,
giving locals the right to take majority control of foreign companies.

His rivals have promised to ditch the law if they wrest control of power
from Mugabe, in their bid to attract more foreign investors in mining and
revive the country's economy.

Analysts say the law could deepen an economic crisis ravaging a country with
the world's highest inflation rate and food, fuel and foreign currency
shortages.

JM said palladium and rhodium production stayed steady at 134,000 ounces and
14,000 ounces, respectively, for 2007.

IMPLATS' EXPANSION

At Mimosa, a 50/50 joint venture between the world's second-biggest platinum
producer Impala Platinum (Impala) (IMPJ.J: Quote, Profile, Research) and
Aquarius Platinum (AQP.L: Quote, Profile, Research), platinum production in
concentrate rose by 7 per cent to 79,000 ounces in 2007, despite a modest
decline in mill throughput, JM said.

Implats has said it plans to expand output at Mimosa to 100,000 ounces by
2010 under ongoing expansions.

At the Ngezi mine, managed by Zimplats Holdings ZIM.AQ, in which Impala owns
86.9 per cent, the conversion of the mine from open pit to underground
continued during 2007, with two underground mines set to lift yearly output
to 160,000 ounces of platinum by 2010 from 91,000 ounces currently.

In the third quarter, the smelter was shut down for 43 days for relining,
and some stocks of untreated concentrate built up during this period, that
will add to output this year, JM said.

Implats, which has big mining interests in Zimbabwe compared to its peers,
says it is ready for the nationalisation law, after agreeing in 2006 to
release part of its resource base to the government.

It has existing empowerment credits of 29.25 per cent, and further credits
may be obtained through infrastructure projects and social spending.

The world's biggest platinum miner Anglo Platinum (AMSJ.J: Quote, Profile,
Research) and Rio Tinto (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIO.AX: Quote,
Profile, Research) have both said they will continue mining in Zimbabwe,
even under the new nationalisation law.

(Reporting by James Macharia; editing by Christopher Johnson)

Former Minister Takes Mugabe, ZEC To Court

Zim Standard

Local
Saturday, 17 May 2008 18:15
A former minister in President Robert Mugabe’s government on Friday
filed an urgent Supreme Court application seeking an order forcing the
president and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to call a presidential
run-off election on 15 June.

Former Information Minister, Jonathan Moyo said the extension of the
election date by more than 21 days from 29 March is unconstitutional and
illegal. ZEC has fixed 27 June as the date for the run-off.

Moyo, represented by Job Sibanda of Job Sibanda & Associates, filed
the urgent Supreme Court application at the Bulawayo High Court, saying
Mugabe and ZEC’s failure to call a presidential election in 21 days
"unlawfully and unreasonably hindered my enjoyment of my constitutional
right to vote".

Moyo seeks a court order forcing Mugabe and the ZEC "to comply with
Section 110(3) as read with Section 38 of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13 in
respect of the fixing of a date for a second presidential election, such
date not to be fixed beyond 15 June 2008".

Moyo argues that the responsibility to fix election dates rests with
the legislature. He cites Mugabe as the first respondent, ZEC as the second
respondent, and Patrick Chinamasa as the third respondent.

"It is my respectful submission that the powers conferred to the 2nd
respondent in terms of Section 192(1) as read with Section 192(5)(a) do not
relate to altering or amending the legal periods within which elections must
be held in terms of the law or fixing the date of elections but relate only
to things that must be done in connection with or arising from elections
whose dates and election periods have been fixed by the first respondent.

"In real terms, what the second respondent has done with the approval
of the third respondent is tantamount to usurping the powers of the
legislature to make law by amending the said sections of the Electoral Act.

"Even worse and thus of very serious concern to me, the usurpation of
the powers of the legislature by the second respondent with regard to
section 110(3) of the Electoral Act does not only have the effect of
unlawfully amending the act in substantive terms but also ends up amending
the constitution of Zimbabwe itself by effectively and rather arbitrarily,
extending the tenure of the 1st respondent who has an interest in the matter
as a candidate in the hitherto inconclusive presidential election held on 29
March," read the court papers at hand.

"Indeed the first respondent has effectively condoned the second
respondent’s violation of the law by not fixing the date of the second
presidential election which he should have done in terms of Section 58(1) of
the Constitution of Zimbabwe and which in any event, he should have done
within 21 days of the first presidential election," Moyo.

The matter has not yet been set down for hearing.

Lawyers Sue Senior Police Officer For Assault

Zim Standard

Local
Saturday, 17 May 2008 17:28
THE High Court has ordered a senior police officer to pay $90 billion
for ordering the assault and abuse of two prominent human rights lawyers.

High Court judge Justice Lavendar Makoni two weeks ago ordered
Superintendent Joel Tenderere to pay the money for ordering the assault and
abuse of Mordecai Mahlangu of Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans and Tafadzwa Mugabe
of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

Mahlangu’s claims against Tenderere amounted to $80 billion while
Mugabe’s totalled $10 billion.

Mahlangu had demanded $200 billion in damages for pain and suffering
and $100 billion for contumelia while Mugabe was suing for $10 billion for
the same damages.

Both lawyers said they suffered pain, a severe loss of dignity and
standing and were subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment after being
abused by Tenderere.

Mahlangu was assaulted by police officers acting on Tenderere’s orders
following an aborted Law Society of Zimbabwe march to the offices of
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney General
and the Commissioner of Police last year.

The lawyers wanted to hand in a petition relating to the unlawful
detention of two colleagues, Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni of Mbizvo,
Muchadehama & Makoni.

In October last year, Tenderere assaulted and verbally insulted Mugabe
at Harare Central police station.

Mahlangu and Mugabe were represented by Simon Sadomba of Gill,
Godlonton & Gerrans.

Tenderere is not new to controversy. He has in the past been accused
of ordering the assault and torture of accused persons, among them Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders in September 2006.

By Jennifer Dube

RBZ Reviews Gold Price

Zim Standard

Business
Saturday, 17 May 2008 16:43
Zimbabwe’s central bank has reviewed the gold support price by over
600% to match international prices and interbank rates in a move that could
breathe life to the ailing mining industry.

Standardbusiness learnt that the gold support price was reviewed by
628% to an average of $5.1 billion a gramme from $700 million following a
meeting between central bank officials and stakeholders in the mining sector
last Tuesday.

Hard-pressed miners were complaining that $700 million was no longer
viable in the face of galloping inflation resulting in the downsizing of
operations and a stop in operations due to lack of funds to sustain
ever-rising operational costs.

Wellington Takavarasha, Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation chief executive
confirmed that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) had reviewed the gold
support price.

"The gold support price has been reviewed to match international
prices. For example, the international price was around US$980 per once
which when converted per gramme gives us an average of $5.1 billion,"
Takavarasha said.

No comment could be obtained from the RBZ.

Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector has witnessed a slide in production over
the years owing to shortages of foreign currency and low support prices.

According to the Chamber of Mines, gold production last year went down
by 34% to about 7 tonnes from 10.9 tonnes of 2006, resulting in the country
suffering losses over US$448 million.

Zimbabwe has lost its place as one of the largest gold producers owing
to the crises facing the sector, which analysts blame on the country’s
economic decline.

There is also uncertainty in the industry after the government
hammered the final nail on struggling mining firms’ coffin by publishing the
Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill that will strip foreigners’ control of
mines after a take-over of 25% shareholding in mining firms, without paying.

By Nqobani Ndlovu

Minister Evicts Zanu PF Official From Council Bar

Zim Standard

Business
Saturday, 17 May 2008 16:41
A senior Zanu PF official in Matabeleland North was last week ordered
to hand over a council beer outlet he has been running for the past two
years within seven days following a fall-out with Industry and International
Trade Minister, Obert Mpofu.

Naison Ndlovu, the Zanu PF provincial secretary, was first ordered to
vacate the Nyamandlovu beer garden by Mpofu in the run-up to the 29 March
elections after he endorsed Mark Mbayiwa, who had challenged the minister as
an independent candidate.

Mpofu, MP elect for Umguza, told a campaign rally in March the police
must evict Ndlovu from the beer garden because he was allegedly misusing the
property, owned by the Umguza rural district council.

This was after Mpofu attacked Ndlovu and other senior Zanu PF
officials for using party resources to campaign for Mbayiwa, a war veteran
and long-time member of the party. But it is understood the police refused
to carry out the minister’s orders.

They said they had no powers to evict Ndlovu who had been awarded the
tender to run the council recreation facility for two years, which expires
this month.

Sources said Mpofu then put pressure on the Umguza council to push for
the politician’s eviction at "all costs". The local authority approached the
High Court, seeking an urgent eviction notice.

"I received an eviction notice last week and I have since instructed
my lawyer to challenge it," said Ndlovu last week. "It is clear that Mpofu
is using the council to fight me and this started when we supported Mbayiwa’s
candidature.

Ndlovu, a former Umguza council chairman, said it was not his fault
the beer garden had been lying idle since it was council’s responsibility to
secure a liquor licence.

"I tried to operate without a licence and the police arrested me on
three occasions, warning me I could go to jail if I was not careful.

"The beer garden was dilapidated. So I spent a lot of money renovating
it and Mpofu now wants the council to just evict me like that."

Mbayiwa said they had information the minister wanted the tender for
the beer garden to be given to a war veteran named as Nkanyezi, who has been
linked to Zanu PF’s terror attacks on opposition supporters in the district.

Council chairman, Moses Manzini confirmed they were trying to evict
Ndlovu but denied they were being influenced by Mpofu or any Zanu PF
politician.

"Our concern was that the beer garden was lying idle," he said. "We do
not know what others think but the position is that the matter is being
handled by the courts."

Manzini said a number of people had been "queuing" to take over the
facility. Mpofu who beat Mbayiwa and two other candidates from the MDC
factions was not immediately available to comment on the latest
developments.

By Kholwani Nyathi

ZLP Condemns Zanu PF ReignOf Terror

Zim Standard

Opinion
Monday, 19 May 2008 06:13
THE Zimbabwe Liberators’ Platform (ZLP) strongly condemns the current
systematic reign of terror unleashed by Zanu PF on innocent children, women
and men in rural areas across Zimbabwe.

The people are being punished for voting for the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) during the 29 March harmonised elections. Even
children whose parents are suspected of supporting MDC are victimised to pay
for their parents’ "sins".

The nation is horrified and in extreme agony as Zanu PF’s so-called
war veterans, youth militias, members and supporters beat up people, maim
them, burn their houses together with other belongings and/or brutally
murder them.

The critical question is: Why is it a crime to vote for MDC? The
so-called war veterans go round telling rural people that Zimbabwe was not
brought about by the ballot, but by the gun. Therefore evidently the former
combatants do not accept the people’s verdict in the just-ended elections.
Why then did Zanu PF and government hold the elections? Was it an academic
exercise or was Zanu PF hell-bent on manipulating the elections to its
advantage in order to perpetuate its hold on power?

The war of liberation was prosecuted first and foremost to restore
Zimbabweans’ fundamental rights, including the right to vote for a party
or/leadership of their choice. The right to vote would empower people to
determine their own destiny and responsibly control their natural resources.

Therefore, NO genuine war veteran would deny the people whom he/she
liberated the inalienable right to vote freely without fear for a party
and/or leadership of their choice. No genuine liberation war fighter would
beat up or murder people for whom he/she laid down his/her life to liberate.

Zanu and Zapu went to war also because the Rhodesian regime used to
beat up, torture, imprison and murder black people in order to protect the
white community and its privilege. Now Zanu PF is turning against the same
black people just to cling on to power.

The nation is pained and disgusted by Zanu PF’s and government’s
vehement denial that they are perpetrating the senseless and brutal reign of
terror; that they are killing people in cold blood, destroying their
property, maiming and torturing them. Harrowing stories coming from across
the country bear testimony to the brutality. But Zanu PF and government
unashamedly abuse the public media to bombard the nation with cheap
propaganda as well as peddle half-truths and lies. They now believe their
own propaganda about sanctions, the West’s plot and civil society’s hidden
agenda.

They insult people’s intelligence by telling blatant lies, churning
out very cheap propaganda, and claiming that the people are too gullible to
vote for a puppet leadership sponsored by the West. If the people were not
gullible in the 1980 elections which brought Zanu PF to power, why should
they be gullible today? In any event, if at all they collectively made an
error of judgment on 29 March, they would/should accept responsibility and
correct their mistake at the next election. Zanu PF’s political gimmick is
intended to intimidate people into either voting for its candidate or not
voting at all. That would deliver the victory which it desperately needs.

The party’s leadership would be held accountable for the Gukurahundi
atrocities, the 2000 – 2002 land invasion murders, the bloody and disastrous
Operation Murambatsvina of 2005 and the current reign of terror.
Fortunately, the perpetrators are also known by their victims.

SADC, African Union and the United Nations should not watch while Zanu
PF brutalizes the Zimbabwean population with impunity. The international
community was heavily criticized for doing nothing while madmen butchered
Rwandese people in 1994.

The Zimbabwe Liberators’ Platform, a non-governmental organisation
formed by genuine war veterans, is making an impassioned appeal to the
international community to act now to stop the brutal reign of terror in
order to save precious lives.

ZLP’s core values which also guided Zapu and Zanu during the
liberation struggle include: Respect for human rights (especially the right
to life); Political tolerance; abhorrence of corruption; the quest for
peace; truth; equality; transparency; and honesty.

 Femias Chakabuda is the National Chairman of the Zimbabwe Liberators’
Platform.

Garande threatens Nehanda Radio

Nehanda Radio

20 May 2008

Dear Sir,

I have read a very slanderous article attacking my person, entitled Guard
Against Garande.

I shall be seeking legal action against your organisation through your ISP
and other stakeholders.

I shall also be writing to police authorities in the UK and in Zimbabwe
where your ISP is registered; seeking that your website be investigated for
a possible breach of internet law and law on slander.

Your publication of my photograph is in violation of my privacy and I shall
be initiating legal action against you.

Your publication writes: ?Before the elections Garande slammed the scourge
of violence, spoke passionately about how Mugabe rigged elections and even
praised Morgan Tsvangirai for his courage in standing up to Mugabe.?

I shall be requesting copies of the SW Radio Africa tapes where I have said
words to this effect, which I will furnish to authorities here in the U.K.
and at home in Zimbabwe.

I have to let you know that prosecutions are possible in the United Kingdom
for the violations cited above and I shall be asking you to contact
forthwith zimbabwesituation to have that article removed from their index.

Such falsehoods are tantamount to tanishing my image and let me express the
fact that free speech is a right enjoyed here in the UK and denying me that
right is illegal.

Let me remind you that by publishing falsehoods and pictures of myself you
are in violation of copyright infringement law, threats and harassment etc.
As a customer of Bravenet.com you have also infringed their Terms of
Service.

I am requesting a retraction of your 'opinion piece' and an apology
published on the same space; if the issue is not to be pursued further.

Many thanks.

Itayi Garande

22 dead, 10 000 seeking refuge, after attacks spread

Politicsweb, SA

Sapa
19 May 2008

Condemnations of violence by civil society pour in

JOHANNESBURG (Sapa) - Concern mounted as xenophobic attacks continued across
Gauteng on Monday, leaving at least 22 people dead and up to 10,000 people
seeking refuge in shelters.

"Please stop. Please stop the violence now," Nobel peace laureate and
struggle icon Desmond Tutu said in the wake of the outburst of violence.

"This is not how we behave. These are our sisters and brothers. Please,
please stop."

This was in contrast to one of the 247 people arrested so far by police for
crimes ranging from housebreaking, robbery and public violence.

"We will burn the Shangaans if they don't go back," were the chilling words
of a 25-year old man arrested for public violence in Ramaphosa on the East
Rand on Monday.

He was referring to the Tsonga-speaking group of people, mostly hailing from
Limpopo and Mozambique.

"We will fight for this country. We will keep on going, they can't stop us,"
said the man, speaking to Sapa reporters through the bars of holding cell at
the Reiger Park police station.

The violence, which started in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg last week,
spread to informal settlements on the perimeter of Johannesburg over the
weekend, including Zamimpilo in Riverlea, Diepsloot and Kya Sands to the
west of Johannesburg, and Ramaphosa and Makause in the east, as well as to
Tembisa and Tokoza.

In response, police will be bolstered by the deployment of specialists
trained in medium and high risk situations, according to a statement from
acting National Police Commissioner Tim Williams' office.

"They will be deployed soon," said Gauteng police spokesman Director
Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the only policeman now allowed to speak to the media
on the subject.

In the Western Cape, police had drawn up a contingency plan, should past
attacks of xenophobia be repeated in the province.

Meanwhile, police in the Ramaphosa township on Monday night braced
themselves for further violence, with the main road into the township
barricaded by metro police, who were ordering vehicles to turn around, a
Sapa reporter on the scene said.

As dark set in onlookers lined the street watching as police prepared for
the night.

A woman, who declined to give her name, said the violence in the East Rand
settlement started on Friday night when some "Shangaans" sang and taunted
residents on the streets of Ramaphosa.

She said it was only on Saturday night that the situation became
uncontrollable when local residents retaliated against this.

More people flocked to the police station in Reiger Park, already packed
with adults and children seeking refuge alongside huge piles of suitcases
and bags.

Bakkies were piled with furniture as foreigners left the area and a man on
foot was seen carrying a couch on his head as he headed for the safety of
the police station.

Neighbours offered them cups of tea and coffee while the Red Cross and the
Anglican church next door helped with food and shelter.

At least 10,000 people are already taking refuge in community centres in the
Ekurhuleni area, metro spokesman Zweli Dlamini said.

"The figures are escalating as people run for their dear lives," said
Dlamini.

Ambulances are "driving up and down," he said, and clinics are on alert to
deal with violence, as well as the medical needs of the displaced.

Organisations such as the SA Jewish Board of Deputies and Islamic Relief
Worldwide have joined the appeals for food and clothing to help those
displaced.

Meanwhile, statements of condemnation continued to pour in.

"For the hatred to boil over in May, the month when we celebrate Africa Day,
is an embarrassment for all South Africans," said the Western Cape branch of
the former soldiers of the ANC's military wing, the uMkhonto weSizwe
Military Veterans Association.

The association resolved to educate people on the assistance provided to
them when they fled to neighbouring countries during apartheid and
apologised for the treatment of foreigners in South Africa.

"Our presence on the ground caused problems for the governments that
sheltered us, attracting unwelcome attention from the apartheid state, but
never were we made to feel unwelcome."

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said two miners from neighbouring
countries had been killed in the violence and three injured, and, joined the
call for military intervention.

"Many members of the Num come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho,
Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland and others. We therefore cannot allow
the situation to be polarised further," said Oupa Komane, NUM deputy general
secretary.

President Thabo Mbeki's spokesman Mukhoni Ratshitanga said the president was
"very concerned" by developments and reiterated a call for the violence to
stop.

"We are taking these things very seriously," he said.

Meanwhile the National Union of Metalworkers of SA said they would launch a
campaign to educate metalworkers against the dangers of criminalising
foreigners and portraying them as undesirable.

The shame of Thabo Mbeki

The Times
May 20, 2008

The fruits of complacency are stalking the streets of South Africa
According to the principle of ubuntu, strangers are always welcome in the
new Republic of South Africa. Nelson Mandela explicitly espoused the idea,
but his country's civic leaders are now wondering what happened to it. Small
wonder. The upsurge of xenophobic violence in and around Johannesburg in the
past week has paralysed commercial districts, driven thousands of immigrant
workers from their shacks and claimed at least 22 lives, among them that of
a homeless man burned alive in his blankets.

Harrowing images of the (still unidentified) burning man recall the nadir of
the apartheid era, when black-on-black violence terrorised the townships and
suspected collaborators were set alight with petrol-filled tyres. A return
to such brutality is shocking by any standards. Yet it is also remarkable
that South Africa's truce with its great influx of foreigners has lasted so
long. The country has managed to absorb up to five million economic migrants
even as President Mbeki's administration has left 40 per cent of South
Africans worse off than they were under apartheid. Crime is endemic, with 50
murders a day in Johannesburg alone. Education, for most, remains
rudimentary at best. Mr Mbeki has personally deepened the human and economic
toll of the Aids pandemic by refusing to acknowledge its extent or talk
frankly about its causes, and he has stubbornly refused to face reality in
Zimbabwe.

By failing to condemn Robert Mugabe's murderous dictatorship, Mr Mbeki has
done more than any other outsider to keep him in power. He has also
perpetuated the flood of Zimbabwean refugees who now comprise three fifths
of South Africa's foreigners. They seek shelter and livelihoods in an
economy burdened further by systemic corruption and sharply rising food
prices. The results include lynchings and looting that have left one
Johannesburg district looking “like a war zone”. For Mr Mbeki to announce
the creation of panel to study the causes of the lawlessness, as he has, is
fiddling while Rome burns.

In the twilight of his power, Mr Mbeki has shown himself almost as detached
from reality as Mr Mugabe. He can claim some credit for presiding over
robust economic growth of about 5 per cent per year. Yet he has failed
spectacularly to channel its proceeds to the townships where xenophobia now
threatens to take root. Even the state-backed low-cost housing programmes
that have helped to lift a lucky minority out of poverty now appear part of
the problem, not the solution: attacks on foreigners accused of gaining
access to new homes at the expense of native South Africans may have
triggered the current violence.

Immigrants from as far away as Somalia are now vulnerable, but it is
Zimbabwe's crisis that has turned simmering resentment into rioting.
Zimbabwe should be booming thanks to soaring world cereal and commodity
prices. Instead, it is acting as a brake on the entire regional economy and
flooding South Africa with workers willing to accept a fraction of average
local wages. Mr Mbeki could still reverse much of the damage by abandoning
Mr Mugabe, insisting on full international access to polling stations for
Zimbabwe's second-round presidential vote and ending his puerile sabotage of
British efforts to isolate Mr Mugabe at the UN. His record inspires little
confidence, but at least the effects of his complacency are now in plain
view on his own streets.

Zim saddened by SA violence

Zim Online

by Simplicius Chirinda Tuesday 20 May 2008

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s government said on Monday it was “saddened” by
xenophobic violence in South Africa that police said late on Monday had
killed 22 foreign immigrants to date and many of them Zimbabweans.

Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said Harare little expected
such attacks against Zimbabweans from “people who are neighbours” but he
appeared careful not to openly criticise the South African government’s
handling of the xenophobic attacks that have seen foreign immigrants burnt
to death in scenes mirroring apartheid-ear violence.

South Africa remains President Robert Mugabe’s most important
strategic ally after shielding the veteran leader on many occasions from
censure by the international community over his controversial policies,
blamed for plunging Zimbabwe into an acute economic recession.

Matonga said the government was: “deeply disturbed by xenophobic
occurrences in South Africa and this shouldn’t happen to people who are
neighbours.”

He said the Harare government was putting in place logistical support
to help Zimbabweans left without shelter or food after gangs of South
African men looted and destroyed their homes.

“Definitely something is being done about those who want to come back
home as we have always said that Zimbabwe is a far much safer country,” said
Matonga.

Zimbabweans constitute by far the greatest number of foreign nationals
living in South Africa with three million Zimbabweans estimated to have fled
economic and political turmoil at home to settle in Johannesburg and other
South African cities.

A wave of xenophobic attacks has gripped Johannesburg’s townships
since last week with gangs of mostly poor South African men attacking
Zimbabweans and other foreigners who they accuse of stealing their jobs.

The marauding gangs armed with guns, machetes and home-made weapons
have moved from door to door in townships such as Alexandra where the
violence started, assaulting, evicting and sometimes killing the foreigners.

Several South African newspapers carried pictures on Monday of
foreigners burnt to death with used tyres strapped around their necks, while
crowds of local people cheered on the murderous gangs.

Police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said on Monday afternoon that
the latest statistics showed that: “22 have been killed since the start of
the violence last week and 217 have been arrested."

Mbeki said earlier on Sunday that his government had set up a panel to
look into the violence, while he also urged the police to work harder to end
the attacks against foreigners.

Ruling ANC party leader Jacob Zuma also spoke strongly against the
violence that is an embarrassment to the party most of whose senior leaders
sheltered in neighbouring countries during the anti-apartheid struggle. –
ZimOnline.

Deploy army to quell xenophobic violence: SA opposition

Zim Online

by Own Correspondent  Tuesday 20 May 2008

JOHANNESBURG – South African opposition parties on Monday called for the
deployment of the army to quell a wave of xenophobic violence that has so
far left about 22 foreign nationals dead in some parts of Johannesburg.

Opposition parties criticised the manner in which government had responded
to the xenophobic violence that has left hundreds of foreign immigrants
including young children and women without shelter or food after mobs of
South African men looted and destroyed their homes.

Police on Monday said the violence that initially appeared limited to
Johannesburg’s poor townships had also affected parts of Johannesburg’s busy
central business district, where gangs of local men armed with guns,
machetes and home-made weapons on Sunday night looted several shops owned by
foreigners.

Ian Davidson, chief whip of the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA)
party urged home affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to acknowledge the
violence and the extent of destruction of property that the Gauteng
province – under which Johannesburg falls – has seen over the past week.

"The DA is deeply concerned about the extent of the humanitarian crisis that
is developing across Gauteng as a result of violent attacks on foreign
nationals," he said adding that it was time for a targeted intervention by
the government to quell the violence and set up refugee camps for thousands
of people who have lost their homes and property.

"Government's attempts to formulate an adequate response and workable
solutions to this stalemate hinge upon a full acknowledgement by the
minister that this is indeed an emergency, rather than the workings of a
so-called 'third force' or a rag-tag of unspecified 'criminal elements,"
said Davidson.

The violent attacks on foreigners started last week in Alexandra. By
Saturday, the attacks had spread to Diepsloot, Thokoza and Tembisa, all
townships where poor South Africans live together with multitudes of foreign
immigrants arriving from troubled African countries such as Zimbabwe.

Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) also
weighed in deploring government’s failure to respond adequately to the
crisis and criticised President Thabo Mbeki for setting up a committee to
analyse the causes of the outbreak of the xenophobic violence at a time when
decisive action was needed to stop the mayhem.

"But analysis is not good enough; while government is analysing the causes,
their immediate task is to ensure the safety of all who reside in our
country, whether local or so-called foreign,” Holomisa said.

Mbeki announced on Sunday that he had set up a panel to study the violence
and recommend the best way to restore law and order in the townships.

But Holomisa said what was needed was firm action by the government
including drafting in South Africa’s army to assist the police.

"Whether this is xenophobia, criminal hooliganism, ethnic hatred or
tribalism, what is required is for the chosen government of the people to
address the nation to say that this behaviour is totally unacceptable,”
Holomisa said.?

The opposition said that the government needed to make use of the army’s
resources to assist the police with transport and personnel to restore order
in the affected areas.

Many of the immigrants, among them hundreds of Zimbabweans who fled their
country because of political and economic turmoil there, have taken refuge
in police stations, churches and government offices across the city where
the Red Cross, Medicine Sans Frontiers and several other aid groups were
providing help.—ZimOnline.

Tutu urges South Africans to stop attacks on foreigners

Zim Online

by Jameson Mombe Tuesday 20 May 2008

CAPE TOWN – Nobel peace prize laureate and retired archbishop Desmond Tutu
on Monday pleaded with his fellow South Africans to stop attacking foreign
immigrants saying this was not the way to repay fellow Africans for their
crucial support during the anti-apartheid struggle.

A wave of xenophobic violence has swept across townships in Johannesburg
killing a least 22 foreign immigrants and displacing hundreds others, police
said on Monday.

Most of those targeted in the violence are from neighboruing countries such
as Zimbabwe and Mozambique that sheltered freedom fighters of South Africa’s
ruling ANC party during the anti-apartheid struggle.

"Please stop. Please stop the violence now. This is not how we behave. These
are our sisters and brothers. Please, please stop," said Tutu, himself a
hero of the struggle against white supremacist rule.

"We can't repay them by killing their children. We can't disgrace our
struggle by these acts of violence," Tutu said. "The world is shocked and is
going to laugh at us and mock us. We are disgracing our struggle heroes. Our
children will condemn us in the future."

The unrest that some analysts have attributed to ordinary South Africans
turning their anger at the government’s failure to deliver on defenceless
foreign immigrants has shamed Africa’s most developed nation that has always
sought to project itself as tolerant to other nationalities and cultures.

It is also a huge inconvenience, coming as South Africa hopes to highlight
itself as foreign visitor friendly ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

The unrest has killed at least 22 people since last week and increased
political instability at a time South Africa is struggling with dire power
shortages, rising inflation and growing disaffection among the poor over
President Thabo Mbeki's pro-business policies.

The unrest is an embarrassment for South Africa, which has vaunted its
tolerance since the end of apartheid and hopes to encourage foreign visitors
for the soccer World Cup in 2010.

Meanwhile police late on Monday recovered the burnt body of a Malawian man,
a victim of xenophobic attacks at the Ramaphosa informal settlement in
Germiston on the East Rand. It was suspected there were still more bodies at
the settlement.

Four more shacks were burnt down at the settlement as violence showed little
signs of abating. – ZimOnline.

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum slams attacks on foreigners

Zim Online

by Zimbabwe Exiles Forum Tuesday 20 May 2008

STATEMENT: ZEF deplores as barbaric the continued attacks on the persons and
property of foreigners in South Africa that has claimed 27 (22 according to
police) lives in the last few days.

Those targeted in this systematic and what appears to be planned assaults
have mainly been Zimbabweans.

In the last four days, attacks have spread like wild fire to areas like
Germiston, Alexandra, Hillbrow, Ekurhuleni in Boksburg, Thembisa, Thokoza
and in the Eastrand area in Johannesburg.

A month ago, these horrific attacks that have seen some foreigners burnt,
hacked with knives and stoned to death were carried out in Maopane,
Mamelodi, Attridgeville and Soshanguve townships in Pretoria.

Perhaps the worst of these cases was in Thembisa where a man died when his
head was hacked with a panga.

Thousands of immigrants have been hunted down like wild animals. Most of the
victims have sustained grievous bodily injuries from the attacks. There is a
pattern to this, and senior government officials who suggest that foreigners
are to blame for unemployment, crime and HIV-Aids do not help the situation,
and should be brought to account for their incitement of hatred.

Equally responsible are sections of the media that are known to government,
and have been writing inflammatory first page editorials against so-called
‘aliens’.

Incidents like those described above have left Zimbabweans homeless in South
Africa, aside from violations that have ranged from abuse of dignity,
privacy, the right not to be discriminated against and safety and security.

What is worrying about all this is the lax attitude of the law enforcement
agencies. In some instances the police have abrogated their duties to urge
those foreigners under attack to “defend yourself”.

ZEF believes that the police are adequately capacitated to prevent or stop
the attacks, and the army should be called in as a last resort.

Two weeks ago, ZEF requested an urgent meeting with the Department of Safety
and Security and the Department of Home Affairs, to discuss the way forward
and measures towards curbing xenophobia which is fast spiraling out of
control. To date ZEF has not received any positive feedback from the
aforementioned departments.

ZEF again calls upon the Special Rapporteur on Refugees and Internally
Displaced Persons of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to
urgently visit SA and to work with the SA government to improve the lives of
those forced into exile from Zimbabwe.

Lastly, and in the event of a fact finding mission to South Africa failing,
ZEF further recommends that the African Commission issues a public statement
condemning the treatment of Zimbabweans in South Africa, as evidence abounds
that the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in this country is
inhumane to say the least.

It is a shame that one of the few bastions of democracy in Africa like SA,
whose own nationals benefited from support in countries like Zimbabwe,
should have this dark smudge on its human rights record. – ZimOnline