Beatrice farmer & 84 workers threatened with eviction

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
03 October 2011

A commercial farmer in Beatrice and his 84 workers have all been handed
eviction notices and ordered to vacate the property by the end of the week,
as the ongoing seizure of land in Zimbabwe intensifies.

Wayne Greaves and his staff are in the process of moving their belongings
off Enondo B farm, after the eviction papers were served by a sheriff of the
court last Friday. That same court sheriff warned that he would return this
week and anyone left on the property would be arrested.

An ‘offer’ letter for the farm was first served on Greaves in February. The
offer letter was in two names, Hudson Zhanda and his wife Irene Zhanda, said
to be a practicing nurse in London for the past 5 years.

At the time Greaves went to see the Governor in Marondera and explained that
he had already given up two farms 2002, leaving him with Enondo B, where he
was allowed to continue farming.

According to John Worsley-Worswick from Justice for Agriculture (JAG), this
formal agreement was then set aside to allow the offer letter holder,
Zhanda, to take over part of the land.

But this has since changed with Zhanda dragging Greaves to court in order to
take over the whole property. The case was heard and letters of support for
Greaves were all submitted, including letters from the Governor, the
Provincial Administrator, the War Veterans’ Association Chairman and the
chief lands officer. In the hearing, the Judge also suggested that a letter
of support would also be needed from the Minister of Lands. A letter was
then duly written by Minister Herbert Murerwa agreeing with the Governor's
recommendation, which was subsequently submitted.

But despite these letters of support, the Supreme Court has now backed
Zhanda.

JAG’s Worsley-Worswick told SW Radio Africa that Supreme Court Justice
Godfrey Chidyausiku last week signed the eviction notices for Greaves and
his staff.

“We are pretty horrified. This is the first time that a Judge has signed
eviction notices individually for workers. Wayne’s concerns are all about
the welfare of his workers, because what do they do now?” Worsley-Worswick
said.

An appeal is now being voiced for support for Greaves, his 84 farm labourers
and their extended families, a total of more than 450 people, set to lose
everything.

No Zimbabwe-style land grabs in South Africa, says Zuma

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Oct 3, 2011, 10:32 GMT

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma promised on Monday that South Africa
would not see land grabs like those undertaken in Zimbabwe a decade ago.

He also said that his African National Congress was 'in charge,' and not the
party's youth league, which appears to have spooked some investors with talk
of nationalization of mines and expropriation of land owned by whites.

'I don't think the South African and Zimbabwean constitutions are the same.
Our constitution is very important because it guides us on what we do,' Zuma
was quoted as saying by the South African Press Association (SAPA).

While the issue of land reform was important, with imbalances still rife
from the colonial era and decades of white-minority rule, the president said
any moves must be done according to the law.

Julius Malema, the president of the ANC Youth League was convicted of hate
speech recently for singing an apartheid-era song that includes the lyrics
'kill the boer.' The word boer is widely used to refer to the country's
white farmers.

In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe's much-criticized land restitution
policies that saw white commercial farmers forcibly evicted from their land,
contributed to the near collapse of the economy.

Senior cop denied UK asylum

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

02/10/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

A FORMER police inspector who represented Zimbabwe on a peace-keeping
mission to Kosovo has been denied asylum in Britain.

Amos Nyakudya, 45, admitted a role in farm invasions and the 2005 Operation
Murambatsvina.

He arrived in London from Harare on February 8, 2009, using a visitor's visa
obtained a year earlier in Macedonia.

But the Home Office rejected his asylum bid, accusing him of committing
“international crimes”.

“Those who take part in common criminal action and are aware of the criminal
character are seen as sharing the requisite intent, whatever their role and
position played in the commission of crime,” the UK Border Agency said in
its determination made available on Friday.

Nyakudya, employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for 19 years, claims to
have fled Zimbabwe after he was recorded by a colleague stating that
President Robert Mugabe must stand down.
But the UK Border Agency said Nyakudya had either participated in or done
nothing to stop rights abuses by the police.

“It is considered that you fully understood the aims, objectives and methods
the police used and were fully aware of the government’s objections and the
international crimes it committed,” the agency said in a 29-page ruling.

Nyakudya had said he was “aware of the torture, violence and murder
committed by the police during the invasion of white-owned farms”, but he
insisted that his role had been simply as a driver “dropping constables off
and picking them up”.

But the UKBA said as sergeant at the time before promotion to inspector,
Nyakudya “had total authority over the constables on your shift”.

The UKBA said he needed not to have been actively participating in rights
abuses by the police to be considered unsuitable for humanitarian
protection, but “allowing the criminal enterprise to function effectively or
efficiently is enough”.

UK authorities drew a link between Nyakudya and President Robert Mugabe,
suggesting officers deployed to Kosovo are usually those who showed
"unswerving loyalty to Zanu PF".

“We have carefully considered all these circumstances individually together,
but for the reasons given ... it is considered that your removal from the UK
is appropriate,” the letter added.

Nyakudya’s lawyer Brighton Mutebuka said he was appealing the decision and
would fight attempts to deport his client.

Gov’t urged to scrap media controls

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Sebastian Nyamhangambiri Monday 03 October 2011

HAMBURG – A leading international media rights watch dog has called on
Zimbabwe’s coalition government to scrap tough press laws that continue to
hinder journalists from carrying out their work.
The International Press Institute (IPI) said the Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) gave the government too much control over
the media, with journalists and newspapers required to obtain licences from
the state-appointed Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) to operate in the
country.

“The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows the
government to control who is or is not considered a journalist,” said IPI
director Alison Bethel-McKenzie, who spoke to ZimOnline in Hamburg, Germany.

She said threats last month by the ZMC to stop foreign newspapers from
circulating in the country until they open local offices in Zimbabwe as well
as pay a percentage of their earnings to the commission were meant to impede
the free flow of information in the country.

The ZMC’s decision to hike accreditation fees for journalists working for
foreign media was also another attempt to control the media and restrict the
dissemination of news and information seen as critical of the authorities,
Bethel-McKenzie said.

“These are all forms of censorship designed to keep news that might be
critical of the government out of Zimbabwe,” she said.

The Austrian-based IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and
leading journalists that campaigns for the freedoms of the press and
expression.

While Zimbabwe’s coalition government has implemented some of the media
reforms agreed in a power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and Prime
Minister Tsvangirai it has avoided instituting far-reaching measures that
would drastically open up the country’s media space.

The reforms instituted so far include the establishment of the ZMC and the
licensing of at least nine private newspapers to compete with the state-run
titles that have dominated the country’s media landscape since 2003.
But Mugabe’s allies in the Ministry of Information that oversees the media
have continued to hold back reforms especially in the key broadcasting
sector.
More than two years after the coalition government was formed, the
government broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) still
dominates the country’s media.
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has refused to license private
television or radio stations, forcing several radio stations to broadcast
into Zimbabwe from Europe or United States.
The Ministry that is controlled by Mugabe loyalist Webster Shamu and the
President’s influential press secretary George Charamba has also held on to
the AIPPA and other laws that restrict media freedom.
In addition to requiring journalists and media houses to register with the
government, the law also criminalises the publication of "falsehoods".  It
has been solely used to harass and arrest journalists working for the
private media or state media reporters who fail to toe the line. -- 
ZimOnline

Still no bail date for WOZA leaders

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
03 October 2011

The High Court is still to set down a bail hearing date for the leaders of
pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), 12 days since their arrest in
Bulawayo.

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are being held at Mlondolozi prison on
‘kidnapping’ and ‘theft’ charges, following their arrest during a
demonstration to commemorate last month’s Peace Day.

10 other WOZA women were also arrested, but only held overnight on ‘criminal
nuisance’ charges. Williams and Mahlangu on the other hand have been
remanded in custody. An urgent application for their bail was filed a week
ago. But the High Court has not set down a date for the hearing, which WOZA
has said is a “denial of justice.”

The two women have denied the charges, which date back to earlier this year
when they had gone to retrieve goods stolen from WOZA’s offices. The pair is
being accused of ‘kidnapping’ a woman and holding her against her will for
several hours. This same woman had willingly accompanied the WOZA leaders to
find the stolen property.

The state meanwhile is opposing bail on the grounds that the two have been
“avoiding” arrest and hiding from the police, despite both the women living
openly in Bulawayo.

According to a WOZA statement the affidavit supporting the state’s position
is signed by Detective Sergeant Ngwenya from the Law and Order Department,
who states that he had been attempting to arrest the two on these charges
for some time.

WOZA said the arrest and ‘spurious’ charges are all meant to “harass the
WOZA leadership and frustrate the activities of a movement which is
peacefully promoting democracy and social justice.” Another reason given for
opposing bail is that the two have pending charges relating to unlawful
demonstrations, blocking the pavement and failing to inform the regulating
authority. These charges have however been made irrelevant by a ruling
obtained by WOZA from the Supreme Court in 2010 saying that WOZA’s peaceful
demonstrations are indeed lawful.

WOZA is meanwhile urging supporters to phone Mlondolozi prison to urge the
authorities not to abuse the rights of the two women.

Speculation on Mugabe’s health mounts after 7th Asia trip

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
03 October 2011

Speculation on the health of the 87 year old ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe
mounted today, after the Zimbabwe Standard newspaper reported that he had
travelled to Singapore for a 7th time this year, seeking medical attention.

The weekly paper quoted Information Minister Webster Shamu saying Mugabe,
“went for a review following an eye operation he had earlier on. He will be
back tomorrow (Sunday)."
The statement by Shamu however appeared to contradict Mugabe’s spokesman
George Charamba who in March this year told journalists that Mugabe was
“going for his final check-up” that same month. “As you know after a
cataract operation there is a period of two weeks to check up,” Charamba
said.

The version of events was quickly changed on Monday with Mugabe telling the
state broadcaster that he had instead travelled to see his 22 year old
daughter Bona Mugabe, a student in Hong Kong. Mugabe’s office is however
notorious for trying to shield the ageing leader and regularly misrepresent
facts about his trips to Asia for medical treatment.

US diplomatic cables recently leaked by the whistle-blowing WikiLeaks
website appear to confirm widely held information that Mugabe is suffering
from prostate cancer. A leaked cable quoted Reserve Bank Governor Gideon
Gono telling the then US ambassador James McGee in 2008, that Mugabe had
prostate cancer that has metastasized and "that will cause his death in
three to five years."

In the cable Ambassador McGee wrote that according to Gono, Mugabe’s doctor
had recommended he cut back on his activities. McGee said Gono had told them
the year before that “Mugabe was ill and that his doctor had urged him to
step down immediately.” Mugabe had told his doctor that he would leave
office after the (2008) election.

This year in February SW Radio Africa reported how Mugabe’s mounting health
problems limited the number of times the country’s cabinet met to discuss
important national issues. The executive arm of government only met for just
two hours in two months during that period. This was made worse by the fact
that Mugabe did not want anyone to chair cabinet meetings in his absence.

Mugabe’s ailing health dominated the SADC Troika Summit in Zambia this year.
He travelled with an entourage of over 60 people from his security and
medical team. On arrival at the hotel Mugabe, who was struggling to walk,
was helped onto a golf cart which transported him to his room. His
bodyguards and other aides followed behind. The same routine was repeated
throughout the summit.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti this year also confirmed the worst kept secret
in government, the fact that Mugabe regularly sleeps though important
meetings. Mugabe’s declining health is speculated to have been the reason
ZANU PF was pushing for an early election. His key lieutenants are worried
any delays will see them losing what they feel is still their trump card.

Cooperate or perish, Moyo tells Zanu PF's WikiLeaks plotters

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

02/10/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

ZANU PF officials revealed to have been privately agitating for President
Robert Mugabe's exit in leaked United States diplomatic cables must now
"cooperate or perish", former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo warns.

The Tsholotsho North MP said the conspirators against Mugabe’s rule had been
“exposed”, and their political futures would only be secured by backing the
Zanu PF leader “in tangible ways”.

In a Sapes Trust lecture on the implications of the release of the cables by
WikiLeaks, Moyo said the dispatches showed the United States government
dabbling in Zimbabwe’s politics with a strategy to either force Mugabe out
through internal Zanu PF opposition or a regime change strategy to uproot
him and his party from power.

“Isolating Mugabe from Zanu PF is now neither workable nor possible because
those Zanu PF leaders who were key to this strategy have been exposed and
their only option is to cooperate or perish,” Moyo said, speaking in Harare
on Thursday night.

He said Mugabe’s internal critics “now have nowhere to hide”, adding: “The
only thing they can do is to seek President Mugabe and hope and pray for his
understanding by supporting him in tangible ways beyond mere rhetoric.”

Moyo should know the cost of Mugabe’s vengeance after he was expelled by
Zanu PF in 2005, months after he was accused of orchestrating a palace coup.

Following his exit, he ran for MP in Tsholotsho North as an independent and
the US diplomatic cables show him telling American diplomats “a Zanu PF
party led by Mugabe was likely to lose any election”.

But he reminded a packed Sapes Trust Seminar Room that he had never held
meetings with American diplomats while serving in government or as deputy
secretary for information in Zanu PF.

“I was fully entitled to have those conversations without reference to
anyone as an independent Member of Parliament who was then in the political
wilderness following the debacle of the so-called Tsholotsho Declaration
that never was,” Moyo said.

Although an open political secret that Zanu PF is split into factions, all
competing to replace Mugabe, the full extent of the plotting was previously
unknown before the whistleblower website, WikiLeaks, published over 2,998
cables revealing secret meetings between Zanu PF top leaders and American
diplomats.

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Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Defence Minister Emmerson
Mnangagwa and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere are some of the
officials who are revealed to have been calling for change in private.

“The tittle-tattle in the cables about President Mugabe’s succession reached
a peak in 2005 when the chatting became a free-for-all and even more robust
with calls from across the political spectrum, but especially from within
Zanu PF, as witnessed at the party’s 2006 Goromonzi annual people’s
conference, that President Mugabe ‘must go’,” said Moyo, a member of Zanu PF’s
politburo.

But the former university lecturer insists that the 2008 elections in which
Mugabe failed to win outright and the country faced paralysis as a result of
a hung parliament shocked Zanu PF leaders into embracing their leader again.

“The cables bear the point is that in the first place, the so-called Zanu PF
hardliners who had been isolated from President Mugabe after the fallout
from the 2004 Zanu PF Congress reconciled with him in 2008 during the
campaign for the presidential run-off election to stop regime change,” Moyo
said.

“This is captured in the cables, and I can confirm it as one of those who
was directly involved. This development struck a blow to what until then had
been a successful strategy to isolate President Mugabe from Zanu PF and to
accordingly weaken the party by dividing it to render it incapable of
cohesive action.

“... the whole three-pronged US strategy to effect either leadership change
in Zanu PF and the government or regime change in Zimbabwe has come to
grief. This is because a strategy against your opponents is useful only if
they don’t get to know anything about it.”

Moyo said only “dilettantes” would find it difficult to accept that those
who once plotted against Mugabe can change their minds and become his
staunch supporters.

“Parenthetically, the idea that it is duplicitous or wrong for one, whether
in Zanu PF or any other party, to oppose President Mugabe today only to
emerge supporting him tomorrow is truly primitive,” Moyo said.

“Practical politics is not a religion but it changes like the weather
informed by a stable climate. Everyday politics is like the weather.
Yesterday’s weather has nothing to do with today’s weather or tomorrow’s
weather for that matter.

“The time has come for us as a nation to focus on policies over faces and
then it won’t matter whether the leader of our party or country is old or
young; or whether he or she is formally educated or not. Policies must
matter over personalities.”

Poverty alleviation scheme targets kids

http://www.irinnews.org

HARARE, 30 September 2011 (IRIN) - Orphans and vulnerable children from more
than 80,000 households in Zimbabwe are set to benefit from a three-year
government and donor-funded programme to cushion them from the worst effects
of poverty.

Led by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Labour and Social Services with support from
the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the governments of the Netherlands,
Sweden, the UK, and the European Commission (EC), the National Action Plan
for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Phase II, will take a three-pronged
approach to reaching children most at risk - with cash transfers,
educational assistance through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM)
and child protection services.

Sarah Mutodi, 19, from Harare is grateful for the educational support she
received under the first phase of the National Action Plan (NAP), which was
launched in 2005 and drew on a multi-donor funded pool of US$85 million to
reach half a million children, according to UNICEF.

“I lost both my parents in an accident the year I was supposed to sit for my
A-levels and could not have completed my high school studies if I had not
received assistance under BEAM,” said Mutodi, who is now studying for an
engineering diploma.

However, the social protection mechanism has not been able to reach all of
the country's more than one million orphans and Zimbabwe's economic meltdown
of the past decade has considerably strained the ability of families and
communities to support orphans and children affected by HIV.

“Critical component”

Josphat Phiri, 72, and his 60-year-old wife, from the low income suburb of
Kuwadzana, about 15km west of Harare, have been caring for their four
grandchildren since both of their daughters died from HIV-related illnesses.

Phiri lost his job on a commercial farm in 2001 after it changed ownership
as part of the country's controversial land reform programme, and with no
steady source of income the elderly couple rely on handouts from neighbours
and fellow church members to get by.

“All my grandchildren are supposed to be in school, but only one is
currently receiving help under BEAM. With the other three, it has proved to
be hard,” Phiri told IRIN.

The inclusion of cash transfers in the second phase of NAP could provide
some relief to families like Phiri's. According to UNICEF, households headed
by elderly people or children, or with large numbers of dependants or
chronically ill people, will be eligible for monthly cash transfers of
US$25.

In a country where a substantial part of the population lives on less than a
dollar a day, the subsidy is aimed at helping families to meet some of their
immediate food and health care needs.

“Protecting children from poverty, harm and abuse begins with reducing their
vulnerabilities; cash transfers are one of the critical components that will
contribute to the realization of children’s rights,” Peter Salama, the
UNICEF country representative, said at the launch of NAP II.

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

Zimbabwe’s power situation: a closer look