HCB's reduction of power to Zesa has resulted in the current load-shedding.

HCB, which was supplying Zimbabwe with up to 250 megawatts a month,
suspended supplies after March 22 demanding an immediate payment of US$5
million while Eskom wants R11,2 million.

"We shall advise that under current circumstances of non-payment by Zesa, we
shall reduce your power level to zero megawatts from the 22nd of March
2003," HCB had warned before curtailing supplies.

Officials at Zesa said Eskom then agreed to supply the Zimbabwean power
utility with reduced energy for a month while it fulfils the conditions in
the March ultimatum.

"The reprieve only applied for the month of April giving Zesa time to put
their house in order and come up with a convincing payment plan for the
future," Zesa officials said.

Officials said widespread load-shedding had been avoided because Eskom had
not effected its threat following the visit of a high-powered South African
delegation to Harare.

Eskom, which had resorted to increasing tariffs for exports to Zimbabwe
whenever it failed to pay, has also threatened to switch off Zesa.

Zesa faces serious difficulties in renegotiating new supply contracts if the
current contracts are terminated for non-payment and capacity taken to other
countries.

Zimbabwe used to import about 55% of its electricity needs from Eskom, HCB,
and Snel of the Democratic Republic of Congo but the percentage was reduced
to 35% last year because Zesa failed to service its debts.

Zesa power stations throughout the country are operating at below 50%
capacity due to shortages of foreign currency to buy spares parts.

Zesa spokesman Daniel Maviva had not responded to written questions on the
matter at the time of going to print.

"These South Africans are still being targeted and evicted, contrary to
Zimbabwe government assurances, and to date they have not received any
compensation whatsoever," he said.

"South African investors and the South African mission are being disregarded
with impunity, because the South African government refuses either to
censure or to use its considerable leverage to influence governance in
Zimbabwe," Botha said.

He said the land reform progra-mme had displaced many people.

"Inevitable retrenchments of farm workers by evicted farmers amount to
between 400 000 and 600 000 individuals," said Botha.

"This is in excess of the 500 000 eventual settlers that government
contemplates while they themselves admit that they haven't reached 200 000
yet - a net loss of more than 300 000 people in agriculture," he said.

Botha said the retrenched workers were now destitute and relied entirely on
food handouts.

The retrenched workers, many of whom originated from neighbouring countries,
are homeless, destitute and have little or no access to land and are
therefore dependent on food aid, he said.

"In addition, according to NGOs and the labour unions, they suffer serious
human rights abuses because they are regarded as opponents of the
government."

Botha said Zanu PF's argument that it was grabbing land - on the premise
that Britain had originally stolen the land without compensation and that
the land was merely being returned to its rightful owners - was bankrupt.

"This argument entirely ignores the fact that this very same government has
registered 80% of all present title deeds held by commercial white farmers.

"This means that 80% of the present farmers bought and paid for their land
after Independence with the permission and consent of the Zimbabwe
government, particularly those that registered their title deeds only after
a certificate of no interest from government was issued as required since
1986.

"Without this, registration could not take place," he said.

The visit by the South African MPs follows another by a delegation from Agri
SA.

The delegation said they were convinced that the land reform programme was
aimed primarily at securing political patronage and was implemented in such
a way that it caused irreparable damage to the production base of
agriculture. This contrasts with statements in the official media suggesting
Zimbabwe's land reform programme met with universal approval by the
delegation.

State media continue to peddle distortions on the number of people who have
been resettled. This week the Herald said at least 300 000 people have been
resettled under the A1 model and 54 000 under A2. But late last month the
Sunday Mail quoted Agriculture minister Joseph Made as saying only 210 000
settlers had been allocated land under the A1 scheme and 14 880 under A2.

The three leaders saw opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after their talks
with Mugabe.

"We understand that Mbeki has telephoned Mugabe, Obasanjo and Muluzi after
the talks," a diplomatic source said. "He has been consulting and working
hard to break the stalemate."

The source said Mbeki on Wednesday night spoke to Mugabe in a bid to
convince him to meet Tsvangirai without pre-conditions. Mugabe is thought to
be softening his initial hardline stance.

Sources said Mbeki and Muluzi were stepping up pressure on Mugabe to come to
the negotiating table. The two are said to have agreed during their meeting
with Tsvangirai that Mugabe should compromise.

Obasanjo, who reportedly suggested Monday's talks after his recent meeting
with Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon in Abuja, initially tried
to defend Mugabe's stance but was prevailed upon by his counterparts to
accept the no-preconditions formula, an informed source said.

"What happened was Obasanjo started the meeting (with Tsvangirai) by almost
accusing the MDC of scuttling last year's talks with Zanu PF by going to
court. He said it was a mistake for the MDC to go to court," the source
said.

"After the MDC had explained its position, Mbeki and Muluzi were quick to
appreciate it. They then said it was better for them to go back to convince
Mugabe on the need for talks without pre-conditions."

The source said Mbeki and Muluzi had confronted Obasanjo after he tried to
impose the burden of responsibility for the talks entirely on MDC shoulders.

"At that point in time the dialogue shifted to the three - Mbeki, Muluzi and
Obasanjo - and they ended up agreeing Mugabe had to change his stance
because, after all, he was the one they were trying to rescue."

Muluzi is said to have offered to invite the MDC for further talks in
Malawi. At State House the visiting leaders are understood to have tackled
Mugabe head-on.

Appearing to confirm this, Muluzi told the BBC World Service on his return
home that "we didn't just go there for a cup of tea. We were very serious."
He said he told Mugabe that a "bad economy is bad politics".

FSI is linked to business magnate Mutumwa Mawere who is said to be an ally
of Mnangagwa.

Mawere however this week denied any political links.

"I am not a part functionary," he said.

"I am not an office-bearer in the party. I am not part of that story because
FSI is a legally-registered body. If the company is sued, I will not be in
court," said Mawere.

Sources said war veterans linked to a group associated with Mujuru occupied
the FSI farm in a bid to frustrate what are seen as supporters of the
Mnangagwa camp.

FSI managing director Ivan Savala described the occupation of Ruware farm as
"politically-motivated" although he would not say who exactly was behind it.

"The purchase of Ruware and eight other farms bought by FSI was done above
board with all concerned parties approving it," Savala said.

"Ruware farm was not even contested or listed for acquisition when we bought
it. In fact it had a certificate of no interest when we entered into
agreement with the previous owners," he said.

Savala said when the purchase was concluded last May, the provincial
leadership including governor David Karimanzira approved it.

But this week, when FSI approached Karimanzira and the District
Administrator to evict the occupiers, the governor demanded to see the
transfer documents for the property. Savala said this was surprising since
Karimanzira was privy to the circumstances surrounding the sale of the farm.

"It's ridiculous for anyone to demand our purchase documents and doubt our
genuineness now," he said. "We will only release the documents, even to the
governor, when we get clarification as to who needs them. This is a private
investment and we have the right to protect it," he said.

Savala said Karimanzira, who is linked to the Mujuru camp, has also been
forced into questioning the developments he had been privy to from the
outset.

"The governor was not forthcoming with information as to who is querying our
purchase of the farms," Savala said. "We would not give him the purchase
documents before he tells us the source of dissatisfaction," he said.

Savala said Mashonaland East war veterans' leader Wilfred Marimo had told
FSI that he was instructed by his superiors to invade the farm.

"Marimo told us it was an instruction from above but did not give specific
details," Savala said. "He said he would remove the people anytime when his
superiors were satisfied with the set-up. Marimo is actually supplying the
over a hundred people invading Ruware farm with food and other basic needs,"
he said.

Highly-placed sources said FSI yesterday was in the process of acquiring a
peace order against the invaders.

"Police have agreed to help us remove the invaders once we bring the peace
order document," an FSI director said.

Government sources this weeksaid officials from oil conglomerate Tamoil
together with other Libyan investors were edgy after President Mugabe's
Independence Day interview when he hinted at his retirement.

"They would like to secure assets as soon as possible to protect themselves
against any eventuality," a source said.

Apart from interest in the petro-chemical industry the Libyans have
expressed interest in agro-processing, the hospitality industry and banking.
But the prize assets with strategic importance to the North Africans are the
pipeline and holding tanks in Mabvuku. The Libyans would like to take
control of the assets to further their influence in the local fuel industry
through a joint venture company with Noczim called Tamoil-Zimbabwe.

Negotiations between the Libyans and government over the fuel handling
facili ties stalled in December after the two parties failed to agree on the
value of the assets. Government negotiators called for a proper audit of the
assets before any deals could be signed.

This resulted in Tamoil cancelling credit facilities thereby cutting off
supplies to Zimbabwe. Since the beginning of the year, Zimbabwe has been
importing fuel from Kuwait in an over-the-counter arrangement.

Government sources this week said the Libyans would this time around have
their Zimbabwean counterparts at a disadvantage. Supplies have over the past
two weeks reduced to a trickle with Harare totally dry last weekend as
Noczim failed to raise foreign currency.

"The Libyans can dangle goodies in the face of government - like a line of
credit - and the pipeline is gone," an industry source said.

The source said this could guarantee supplies in the short term butthere was
the clear and present da-nger of the Libyans building an empire and killing
off competition.

"If they take over the pipeline, it's very likely that the pipeline will
only be used to transport Libyan fuel."

Big industries and the corporate world stayed away from this year's trade
show en-masse while a lot of space inside the showground remained vacant.

A total of 16 countries, most of them represented by small companies,
exhibited at the ZITF while local small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs)
filled the gap left by the corporate world.

Economist Eric Bloch said the trade fair benefited SMEs while it had no
benefits to large scale and cross border trade.

"This year's trade fair was very positive for the SMEs and informal traders
while it did not have any benefits for the export market and established
large-scale companies," Bloch said.

African countries that participated at the trade fair are Botswana, Angola,
Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt and South
Africa.

The only overseas countries that showcased their products were Bangladesh,
Austria, Iran and China.

Malaysia pulled out at the last minute, while stands for Malawi and a lot of
South African companies were deserted.

Bloch said the absence of big investors at the ZITF diminished the status of
the fair.

"The absence of European countries at the fair impacted on the status of the
fair and really acted as a deterrent to local populists who would have hyped
it if all those countries were present," said Bloch.

Halls 2 and 2A, traditionally reserved for South Africa, remained locked
while another hall usually reserved for the manufacturing and engineering
sectors was used for hosting a business seminar.

Business leaders and exhibitors at the ZITF described this year's showcase
as just a ceremonial event with no tangible deals clinched.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) chief executive officer, Farai
Zizhou, told the Independent that he had no information on tangible deals
clinched by members of his organisation.

"We do not have any information of any deals clinched by our members at the
ZITF but the most important thing is that there is a need for an improvement
of the whole trade fair," Zizhou said.

He said there was a significant absence of the corporate world and hence the
need for the ZITF to entice more visitors from outside the country in order
to improve on business deals and encourage international trade.

"The ZITF needs to improve a lot of aspects and in the process entice more
visitors from outside the country so as to improve participation by the
corporate world and encourage international trade," Zizhou said.

Exhibitors at the trade fair said they were affected by fuel shortages as
some of their goods failed to reach the trade fair on time for business day
exhibitions.

"We failed to secure enough fuel to transport our goods as a result of the
fuel shortages and as a result our goods arrived in Bulawayo a few days
after traders days and that is not good for business," said one dejected
exhibitor.

However, government despite espousing the need for co-operation, has said it
is not obliged to consult the other partners before making economic
decisions like fuel price increases and price controls.

A letter dated April 28, which is in the possession of the Zimbabwe
Independent, shows that the government is by-passing its partners. The
letter, written to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) by Public
Service and Labour permanent secretary Lancaster Museka, reveals
government's preparedness to act unilaterally.

"First and foremost, while we on our part recognise that the TNF process
allows for inputs from social partners, which inputs then form
recommendations that are forwarded to cabinet for its consideration, it must
be conceded that there are certain compelling decisions that government must
take as a matter of urgency in the national interest," Museka said.

"Secondly, it is quite apparent to government that the decision to increase
the price of fuel would affect the majority of our citizens - workers
included.

The next logical step to take would have been to come together to see how we
could address the predicament of everyone affected by the increase so as to
ameliorate their plight," Museka said.

This is contrary to government's claim that labour had agreed to the fuel
increases.

The ZCTU, representing labour, has pulled out of the TNF following the
government's 200% fuel price hike. The government has been accused by other
partners of taking arbitrary measures without consultation.

ZCTU secretary-general Wellington Chibhebhe reiterated this week that they
would not participate in the negotiations.

"We had agreed to participate in the TNF and we thought all parties would
negotiate in good faith," said Chibhebhe.

"It now appears that the government is making independent decisions and
attributing them to the TNF.

"Labour was worried that the TNF was being used as a platform by the
government to effect its policies without consulting other partners. The
cabinet has the final say in whatever is discussed at the forum," said
Chibhebhe.

The chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
(ZNCC), Luckymore Zinyama, said the TNF had agreed on a trigger mechanism to
regulate prices.

"We agreed that there should be a formula to trigger prices that has to be
designed by the Tariff and Competition Commission," said Zinyama.

"What business wanted was to have a system whereby if one variable changes
it would affect others down the line," he said.

Zinyama said they had not been notified of the current extension of price
controls.

"We were not consulted on the latest price controls, at least at the policy
level of the TNF," said Zinyama.

This week investigations by the Independent revealed that government and
business had agreed to remove price controls in exchange for wage increases.

Industrialists also said the move was meant to ensure the survival of
industries which have been crippled by severe shortages of foreign currency
and erratic supplies of electricity, fuel and coal.

The employers, most of whom have reduced their working hours owing to these
shortages, are now being compelled to pay higher wages.

Minimum wages for workers in the agricultural sector, agro-processing and
commerce have now been set at $23 070, $42 696 and $47 696 respectively.

The government though announced on Wednesday that it would extend price
controls for a further six months after the expiry of the initial period at
the end of this month.

Goods falling under the price control regime include agricultural chemicals,
agricultural implements, seeds, beef, coal, cement, groceries, drugs,
fertilisers, milk, packaging, stockfeeds and tyres.

Economist Tony Hawkins said the TNF should be disbanded since it was a
"waste of resources".

"The government is responsible for the economic problems we are
experiencing," said Hawkins.

"The TNF has done everything but to no avail. What we now need is a change
of government. Economic solutions have failed," he said.

The shortages of basics are also increasing the rate of HIV infection. Women
and girls prostitute and compromise themselves to get the basics that are in
short supply.

In order to get flour, cooking oil, sugar, meat and mealie meal some women
have to prostitute themselves.

Zimbabweans must be the richest people on earth. Very rich in patience.

One day the Chronicle carried out a survey of the people's opinions on the
stayaway. They photographed three individuals on the front page allegedly
giving their views. It later turned out that two of the photographed
individuals happen to work for the Chronicle itself.

I am not a trained journalist, but is this how those guys were trained?

Fuel queues, inflation, load-shedding, coal and forex shortages and
unavailability of basic commodities are more dangerous than an MDC or
ZCTU-inspired stayaway.

If President Robert Mugabe were to continue ruining us for the next five
years Zimbabwe would be turned into a desert. A graveyard of buried hope and
potentialities.

Milton Njuzu Mandaza,

Bulawayo.

Congratulations to Mudzuri for his stance. Unfortunately, since March 2002
there has been no improvement in the running of the country as a whole. I
hasten to add that, in fact the economy, food situation, fuel and health
services are a few of the vital issues and services which have gone from bad
to worse and the government is responsible.

I therefore strongly recommend that Mugabe be suspended for gross
mismanagement and failure to improve the situation in Zimbabwe since the
election.

Only Fair,

Bulawayo.

All of us remember the days when Zimbabwe had the reputation of having one
of the finest National Parks infrastructures in Africa. Topflight ecologists
planned the development of the parks and wildlife estate and a core of
highly dedicated and trained management officers carried those plans to
fruition.

Law enforcement was vigorous and transparent. The investigations branch of
National Parks was able to convict senior government officials caught
contravening conservation laws, and even the late Vice-President Joshua
Nkomo's "VIP hunting scheme" was brought to heel. No more.

One of the undeniable consequences of the last three years of lawlessness in
Zimbabwe is that military-style firearms have been indiscriminately issued
to myriad hordes with virtually no accountability. When these weapons are
used to hunt illegally within the parks and wildlife estate, and there is
evidence that this has happened on a large-scale, it amounts to nothing less
than state-sponsored poaching.

As much of the country is now subdivided into enclaves of wannabe warlords
and therefore effectively no-go areas, it will be years after the return of
law and order before the true extent of the depredation of the country's
wildlife can be quantified. Possibly never for it to be reversed.

Remember Operation Stronghold? Rhino Rescue? What is left of Zimbabwe's
rhinoceros population will not survive the current chaos. Law enforcement is
also politicised and no one with the "right" credentials will be
investigated for anything.

It would be a major embarrassment for South Africa and Mozambique, both with
functioning and acclaimed conservation infrastructures, to countenance
Zimbabwe's participation in a Transfrontier Park, and even worse, for the
Kruger National Park and the Limpopo Park to be overrun by undisciplined
masses of AK-47-wielding thugs.

When we look at the real reasons for Zimbabwe's exclusion from the
Transfrontier Park project, we can see that it will be a long time before
we, now as an international pariah, will be invited to participate in such
schemes again. Sadly, I have to say "fair enough".

IJ Larivers,

Greendale.