'Compulsory loans' aim to keep money in Zim

http://mg.co.za

ANGUS SHAW HARARE, ZIMBABWE - Sep 12 2011 19:55

Zimbabwe's central bank said it is enforcing new currency controls to stop
the flight of cash from the southern African nation's broke economy.

The bank said in an order made available on Monday that property sellers
will receive only the first $50 000 of their price. The rest will be held in
a Reserve Bank account for a year, effectively making it an involuntary loan
to the cash-strapped state institution.

Since Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency in 2009 and adopted the US dollar
as legal tender, property sales drained the formal economy of cash. The bank
said money sent out of the country weakened the nation's ability to balance
its books.

Zimbabwe has experienced economic problems and seen record inflation since
longtime ruler President Robert Mugabe ordered farmland seizures in 2000.

The immediate effects of the controls mean sellers will receive the balance
of the total price in four tranches over one year with interest of about
10%.

Bad policies
The change "enhances liquidity in the market" and does not affect foreign
property investors and sellers who can prove properties were bought with
hard currency brought into the country in the first place, the Reserve Bank
order said.

In 2009, Zimbabwe's coalition government cancelled stringent hard currency
controls imposed over years of socialist-style management since independence
in 1980. Those controls had led to an economic meltdown and record inflation
in the local currency over the last decade.

Harare economist John Robertson said amid political and economic uncertainty
many property sellers were trying to get their money out of the country.

Hard currency investment largely has dried up as President Mugabe's party in
a shaky coalition with the former opposition of Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai has stepped up its programme to take over a 51% stockholding for
black Zimbabweans in foreign controlled mines and businesses.

"These policies have caused the scarcity of money. If we scrapped the
takeovers the Reserve Bank wouldn't have to do this," he said. "Government
expenditures should be paid from tax revenues and not compulsory loans".

'Daylight robbery'
Executives of the nation's 200 real estate firms say the new controls will
drive already depressed property sales into a greater slump that will put
existing sales on hold, push some of them out of business and thwart the
central bank's objective to stop capital flight.

They say sellers have described the new controls as unfair -- and even
"daylight robbery" interfering with their plans to reinvest their own money
in the local economy.

No figures are available on monthly property sales. Regular suburban homes
in Harare sell for up to $300 000, with mansions and businesses exceeding
$1-million. -- Sapa-AP

Judge orders end to diamond activists’ harassment

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
12 September 2011

A High Court judge on Monday ordered the state’s harassment of human rights
activist Farai Maguwu to cease, after he was stopped from leaving Zimbabwe
over the weekend.

Maguwu, who has gained high recognition for his part in exposing the extent
of human rights abuse at the Chiadzwa diamond fields, was due to leave
Zimbabwe for Dublin on Saturday. He is meant to be addressing a human rights
conference which starts in the Irish city on Wednesday.

But state security agents at the airport in Harare on Saturday seized his
boarding pass, as well as his passport, laptop and personal notebooks. It’s
understood his luggage was also removed from the plane and “tampered with.”

Lawyers on Sunday sought the intervention of High Court Justice Samuel
Kudya, filing an urgent application for the return of Maguwu’s property. The
application also asked the court to bar the state security from further
harassing Maguwu, who has faced past persecution, harassment and jail time
because of his work.

Listed as respondents in the court application were the co-Ministers of Home
Affairs, the Chief Immigration Officer, the Minister of Transport, the Civil
Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and the Minister of State Security in the
President’s Office.

Maguwu’s lawyer Denford Halimani explained that Judge Kudya postponed the
hearing to Monday. He told SW Radio Africa that the case was again postponed
on Monday morning, with the state’s representative asking for “more time.”

“When we returned to court in the afternoon, the state’s representative
again asked for a delay and it was clear to us that the request was not bona
fide, and was just a delaying tactic,” Halimani said.

He added: “So we argued that another delay was against the purpose of the
urgent application, and the judge agreed.”

Kudya granted a provisional order for Maguwu’s property to be returned, as
well as the harassment to end. Halimani explained that, because the hearing
was heard late on Monday, the orders had not yet been served.

“It is a bit unfortunate that it happened so late in the day. But it is
likely the order will be served tomorrow (Tuesday) and we expect Mr Maguwu
to continue with his journey as soon as his possessions and IDs are
returned,” Halimani said.

 

Army generals face possible treason charge after WikiLeaks revelations

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
12 September 2011

Two army generals who risked speaking to the US Ambassador about the goings
on in the military could face treason charges, in what a top military
analyst has called a sign of the restrictive environment in which they
serve.

The two officials, Brigadier General Herbert Chingono and Major General
Fidelis Satuku, were quoted by US Ambassador Charles Ray last year as
describing their commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, as a “political
general” with “little practical military experience or expertise”.

This is according to a recently released diplomatic cable from the Harare
Embassy to the US State Department in Washington, leaked by the whistle
blowing group WikiLeaks.

Read cable

According to the cable, the two generals took time to explain the situation
and dynamics in the military to Ray. They also spoke about Chiwenga’s
political ambitions, different views and opinions within the army,
conditions of service and politics, including sanctions.

Chingono and Satuku told Ray the current Zimbabwe situation could end in
conflict if not carefully managed, with Ray writing: “To think that there
would be little or no conflict in such a government is naïve. That said,
both sides in the current lash-up must work out their differences - they owe
it to the people who elected them.”

Ray distinguished the two generals from “some of the senior military,” who
were part of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, because “they sought to develop
professional military credentials.” The US Ambassador also noted the risk
the two had taken, writing that they could face treason charges for engaging
in the “unsanctioned” meeting with the US.

“Except for those who are fully in bed with ZANU PF, people keep their views
private to avoid being accused of treason, which can have fatal
consequences,” he wrote.
There are now reports that the two will face retribution for their
disclosures to the Americans, including possible treason charges. According
to South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, which quoted military sources, the
top brass of the defence forces are contemplating the court martial of the
generals.

“It is a very difficult situation. Some top army commanders see this as a
tale of traitors, betrayal and treachery and hence they want a swift
response,” a senior commander in the military is quoted as saying. “In the
army, once you do such things, they charge you with treason and you will be
court-martialed.”

Former soldier and military historian Dr Martin Rupiya told SW Radio Africa
on Monday that under normal circumstances, what the two generals had said
would not necessarily lead to drastic action, such as a court martial.

“It is a sign of the environment in Zimbabwe. People have been reduced to
whispering in forums where what they say is criminalised. This restrictive
environment tends to criminalise ordinary debate and discussion,” Rupiya
said.

He added that the generals were not caught disclosing any information that
would be termed as sensitive under normal circumstances.

“These are clearly thinking military men that see a crisis unfolding in
their country, and they are struggling to find a solution. They were
speaking in this context,” Rupiya said.

Another diamond rush in Murehwa

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

Monday, 12 September 2011 10:49

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE
FORTUNE hunters have descended on Manyangadze village in Murehwa following
reports that diamonds had been discovered in the area.

The villagers reportedly started hunting for the precious stones after some
discovered what they suspected to be diamonds at a small plot two months
ago.

Nezi Wadi, the MP for Murehwa West said he had since tasked the local
leadership to investigate the claims. “I have heard about the claims but I
am still waiting for a full report from the local councillors,” Wadi said.

Although a crew from The Standard failed to reach the plot on Friday because
of poor roads, people in nearby villages confirmed the development.

“I also heard about the diamonds and I went to the field to try my luck,”
said a villager who was reluctant to identify himself.

“However, I only got quartz but I will continue going there until I get the
diamonds.” Another villager said although he had not been to the area, he
knew a number of neighbours who had gone to the area in search of the
precious mineral.

Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu said although he was not
aware of the alleged Murehwa diamond find, such reports were not surprising.

“That’s news to me but it’s not surprising because from time to time we get
such reports and we send our geologists,” he said. “I will certainly send my
team there as soon as possible.”

The only known mining activities in Murehwa have been for black granite.
Zimbabwe’s last biggest diamond find was in the Chiadzwa area in Manicaland
province over five years ago.

The discovery of the diamonds saw thousands of illegal miners and dealers
descending on the area with some amassing riches over-night.

President Robert Mugabe’s previous government was forced to deploy the
police and army to bring sanity to the area but the security forces were
accused of committing gross human rights violations.

The claims forced the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme, which regulates
world trade in the precious stones, to temporarily ban Zimbabwe from selling
the mineral on the world market.

Rio's Murowa Eclipsed by Mbada as Zimbabwe's Biggest Gem Miner

http://www.sfgate.com

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sept. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Rio Tinto Plc's Murowa diamond mine has been
eclipsed as Zimbabwe's largest gem producer by Mbada Mines (Pvt) Ltd. after
the closely held miner increased output, according to its chairman, Robert
Mhlanga.

Mbada, based in the capital, Harare, is producing more than 150,000 carats a
month from its operations at the Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe,
he said in an interview in the city on Sept. 7. That compares with 250,000
carats a year at Murowa, according to the company's website.

"Our vision is to be the leading gem producer globally," Mhlanga said. De
Beers, which vies with Russia's Alrosa as the world's largest diamond miner,
aims to produce to about 35 million carats this year, the company, a unit of
Anglo American Plc, said on July 26. A carat is a fifth of a gram.

Mbada is one of four companies mining diamonds at Marange, where Human
Rights Watch has accused Zimbabwean authorities of killing local villagers
and illegal miners. In 2008, more than 200 people were killed when security
forces seized the Marange fields, according to the New York-based group.
Zimbabwe's government has rejected the accusations.

Rapaport Group's RapNet Diamond Trading Network, the world's biggest, in
November banned its members from dealing in gems from Marange because of
reports of "severe" human rights violations in the area.

In January, Zimbabwe was given permission to hold two diamond auctions this
year by the Kimberley Process, an international body set up to control the
sale of conflict gems, Deputy Mines Minister Gift Chimanikire said.

Annual income from the Marange field could rise to $2 billion if the country
is allowed to export gems freely, Mines Minister Obert Mpofu said, according
to a report in the state- controlled Herald newspaper in October last year.

Mbada's Mhlanga declined to say how many diamonds are currently being
produced at the Marange fields.

"Don't lecture us on democracy," Zimbabwe's Mugabe tells EU envoy

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Sep 12, 2011, 18:53 GMT

Harare - Europe should not 'give lectures to Zimbabwe about democracy and
elections,' Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe told a visiting EU envoy
Monday, according to state television.

Nicholas Westcott, the managing director for Africa for the European
External Action Service, told Mugabe during a one-hour meeting in Harare
that the bloc would only lift sanctions against the president if free and
fair elections were held in the southern African country.

Mugabe reportedly responded by asking why the European Union was 'keen on
dictating what Zimbabweans should do,' according to the Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corporation, and said it was wrong for 'Europe to give lectures
to Zimbabwe about democracy and elections.'

The EU imposed sanctions against Mugabe and his inner circle in 2002 as
punishment for human rights abuses and alleged vote rigging.

The bloc has renewed the sanctions, which include asset freezes, an arms
embargo and travel restrictions on Mugabe and more than 160 allies, every
year since then - including since the formation of a coalition government
between Mugabe and former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2009.

Westcott said: 'It would be fair to say that if the people of Zimbabwe and
the parties here achieve full implementation of the (coalition deal) and
there are elections held that are free, fair, transparent, peaceful, then I
can see no reason why sanctions should continue.'

Despite opposition from Tsvangirai, Mugabe has called for elections by March
2012. He has ruled out allowing election observers from the EU or former
colonial power Britain.

Thousands mark MDC-T’s 12th anniversary celebrations in Harare

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

 

By Tichaona Sibanda
12 September 2011

Thousands of MDC-T supporters packed Gwanzura stadium in Highfields, Harare on Saturday to celebrate the party’s 12th anniversary celebrations.

Despite fears the event would be marred by violence, instigated by ZANU PF youths, the well attended celebrations passed off without any incidents.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the major highlight of the event was when MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai took to the podium. He said Tsvangirai immediately dismissed Robert Mugabe’s declaration last week that elections will be held in March 2012.

‘Tsvangirai told the gathering that the MDC is ready for elections, but will only go to a poll that is observed by SADC, the Africa Union, the UN and other international bodies, including those from Europe.

‘He also made it clear that his party will only go for an election when a roadmap has been agreed to by all parties. He reminded his supporters that the MDC-T won the 2008 election and said they will win the next poll resoundingly, which was met by thunderous cheers and applause from the crowd,’ Muchemwa said.

Tsvangirai also said government ministers should stop political rhetoric that scares away investors. He singled out ZANU PF’s Indigenisation and Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere for ‘disastrous’ empowerment laws. Tsvangirai said such laws have resulted in government failing to create jobs.

 

 

Grace Kwinjeh honoured for coming up with the MDC name

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tichaona Sibanda
12 September 2011

Grace Kwinjeh, a veteran MDC-T activist and fearless campaigner for women’s
rights, was on Saturday honoured by the party for coming up with the name
‘Movement for Democratic Change’ at its formation.

Not many Zimbabweans, except party insiders, knew the name of the person who
coined the name MDC, until Saturday’s 12th anniversary celebrations held at
Gwanzura stadium.

The 37 year-old Kwinjeh, a journalist by profession, was among a number of
party activists and stalwarts who were recognised for their leading roles in
the formation of the party and for keeping it going.

Others honoured during the celebrations were party leader Morgan Tsvangirai,
for his leadership and courage, Ernest Mudavanhu for coming up with the
party slogan, (Chinja Maitiro) and Cephas Makuyana, a veteran trade
unionist, for being the first master of ceremonies at an MDC rally.

Manicaland and Masvingo were recognised for being the two provinces with the
most MP’s from the MDC-T while Binga was recognised for faithfully voting
MDC despite intimidation and harassment.

An ecstatic Kwinjeh, who is now the party’s Global Advocacy Campaign
Representative in Brussels, Belgium, told SW Radio Africa that she remembers
vividly how she came up with the party name.

‘We discussed many options but I remember specifically explaining that we
are a movement that is demanding change through the ballot box. Others
suggested workers party because of the trade union base, but then that would
have excluded students, women and others.

‘I explained the concept, putting into context the definition of the name of
a people's movement that would not only take Zimbabweans by storm but Africa
and the world too. That’s how the name MDC was born,’ Kwinjeh said.

A fierce critic of the Robert Mugabe regime, Kwinjeh has been arrested
several times on various trumped-up charges and has also been held in
solitary confinement. She was one of the civic and political leaders
brutally tortured on March 11th 2007.

Those arrested that day included Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti and dozens of
others for attending a prayer meeting in Highfields. In an unprovoked
attack, police shot dead one MDC activist and arrested many, including
Kwinjeh.

They were severely tortured and assaulted in police custody. Kwinjeh and
Sekai Holland, co-Minister of National Healing. had to be airlifted to South
Africa for urgent treatment.

Chipangano in renewed attacks on MDC-T supporters

http://www.swradioafrica.com

by Irene Madongo
12 September 2011

A number of MDC-T members have been attacked by the notorious Chipangano
gang in recent days, according to the party.

In one incident, MDC-T Youth Assembly member and Mbare resident Edwin
Machokoto was accosted on Sunday by the Chipangano youth for putting up
party posters.

Solomon Madzore, the MDC-T Youth Assembly chairperson, said: “He was taken
by the Chipangano people in Mbare for the reason that he was part of the
team that was distributing those posters ahead of the anniversary.”

“He was beaten, he sustained very serious injuries on his face and all over
the body,” Madzore explained.

In a statement the MDC-T Youth Assembly explained that Chipangano is made up
of ZANU PF youths, including youth leader Jim Kunaka, and they have
unleashed a reign of terror in Mbare. Civic organizations have also
complained about Chipangano’s tactics. On Monday Kunaka did not respond to a
request to comment on the allegations.

The MDC-T added that two more of their members had been hospitalised after
they were abducted and assaulted by ZANU PF hooligans in Kuwadzana and
Mbare.

“Mary Pamire is recovering from injuries sustained after she was abducted by
three ZANU PF supporters in Kuwadzana and driven to an unknown place. Pamire
said she was travelling from the city centre to Kuwadzana at night last
Thursday and upon disembarking from a kombi she was abducted by the three
hooligans driving in a tinted vehicle.

“They drove her to a secluded place where she was severely assaulted the
whole night. She was released the following day and sought treatment at a
local hospital where she is still admitted,” an MDC-T statement read.

It added that another activist, Johannes Dehwe, was admitted to hospital
after being kidnapped by Chipangano at Mbare Musika on Saturday.

“We want to urge Chipangano and other terror groups that the time has gone,
we are responsible children. We are going to defend our party, our parents,
our communities, our nation and our economy in our life time. Let’s be
peaceful in our undertakings,” the MDC-T Youth Assembly statement read.

Kunonga Misleading the Nation on Anglican Homosexuality

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

Zimbabweans from across the religious and political divide have been hearing
of statements attributed to the ex-communicated Dr. Nolbert Kunonga,
claiming that the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) accepts
homosexuality. That is false and malicious.
11.09.1112:53pm
by The Zimbabwean Harare

In this statement, the Diocese of Harare, reflecting the position of all
other Anglican Dioceses within the CPCA would like to clarify our stance on
homosexuality.

Firstly, the Anglican Church of The Province of Central Africa values the
teaching of the Bible and the Harare Diocese, in its vision and mission,
categorically states that “it will pursue teaching, preaching and living the
Word”. Whatever the Church believes in and does is therefore within the
confines of the Bible, and not informed by human standards and speculation.

On marriage, the Church follows the concept of marriage union as instituted
by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:24). Marriage is between a man and
woman. This is emphasized in Genesis 1:27-28 where such Marriage is expected
to produce off springs.

The Church also emphasizes, as stated in God’s original plan that the
marriage should be monogamous, one man, one wife and one woman, one husband
(Matthew 19:4-6). Any marriage institution outside this arrangement is not
recognised, solemnised or blessed by the Diocese and any individuals
indulging in such unions may be subject to various forms of Church censure,
including ex-communication, once discovered.

The CPCA does not really understand how Kunonga and his followers got to
know of the existence of homosexuality within its ranks. Because,
truthfully, during his time as the Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) bishop,
he never spoke so passionately about this subject, which he now claims exist
within Zimbabwe’s Anglicans.

For the record, Kunonga and his coterie of followers only started mentioning
this after realising that they will never have easy access to Church funds
and other significant resources, and so devised a scenario that prepared him
for his departure from the Anglican Communion, using homosexuality as a
smokescreen.

The over publicised “homosexuality” issue is not even a topical matter
within the diocese as it is non- existent, and has never been solemnised. It
is only in the minds of people like Dr. Kunonga who misrepresents this as an
issue within the Anglican Church (CPCA).

One wonders whether it is not a problem haunting his own conscience, and by
extension his newly formed religious institution. If this is the situation,
Kunonga cannot continue to ignore it and it is time he addresses his own
problem without dragging other people into it.

The CPCA has a proud record to maintain. It is professionally run. It has
clear rules and regulations, enshrined in the Canons and Constitution of the
Province of Central Africa and Diocesan Acts. It does not act on hearsay but
on substantiated facts.

The CPCA is saddened that Kunonga has constantly fed wrong, malicious and
misleading information to the structures of the Government of Zimbabwe, and
the media, about the correct situation in the Anglican Church regarding
homosexuality. What he has sought to do is to gain political mileage out of
a non-issue among genuine Anglicans. He knows that.

The question that begs an immediate answer is why, after launching unending
criticisms of the CPCA, in particular to the Head of the Anglican Diocese of
Harare, very few people have paid attention to his rhetoric. Instead it is
common knowledge and evident that the CPCA commands a huge following and it
is evidently growing at alarming levels despite the ongoing persecution of
clergy and laity.

Our position as the Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) is clear that we do
not tolerate homosexuality at all costs and we do not intend to compromise
on this. Arguments by Kunonga and those he seeks to mislead that
homosexuality has been accepted elsewhere within the Anglican Communion are
irrelevant and have no place in our Zimbabwe context and the CPCA, covering
Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Voters ‘still welcome to register’

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Irene Madongo
12 September 2012

People wishing to register as voters are still welcome to do so, an
elections’ NGO has said, after it emerged that those perceived to be MDC
members in Nyanga were being turned away.

It has been reported that ZANU PF supporters who work for the provincial
registrar’s office have been deliberately denying suspected MDC-T voters the
opportunity to register, telling them that the registration process is over.

On Monday, MDC-T MP for Nyanga North Douglas Mwonzora, said his party
embarked on a campaign for people to register to vote but they were being
turned away. “The registrars started turning away people, predominantly MDC,
from registering; and their excuse is that the registration has been closed
and that a new registration system is coming.” he said. “We have since
protested to the authorities.”

According to the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), which deals with
voting issues in the country, it is not true that the process has stopped.
ZESN’s Rindai Chipfunde-Vava said: “Voters registration is a continuous
process which means that any eligible voter can take the proof that they are
actually eligible with a form of identity card – chitupa – and you can go to
any district office and get registered.”

“It’s a continuous process which is open for registration when the voter
feels like registering,” she said.

She added that those being turned away could report the matter to ZESN on
Harare 250736, or contact Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on Harare
705370. The Registrar General’s office could not be reached for comment.

Political Commentator Makumbe Eyes Buhera Seat

http://www.radiovop.com

By Nkosana Dlamini, Harare, September 12, 2011 – University of Zimbabwe
professor of political science John Makumbe has declared his intentions to
run for the Buhera West parliamentary seat on a Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) ticket in Zimbabwe’s next polls.

Makumbe told a weekend Movement for Democratic Change aligned to the Morgan
Tsvangirai faction that he wanted to grab Constitutional and Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga’s seat.

Makumbe had been invited to the podium by party national organising
secretary Nelson Chamisa to give a solidarity speech to the MDC-T which was
commemorating 12 years of its formation at Gwanzura stadium.

Makumbe said he had been cleared by Tsvangirai to run for the seat.

“I was serious. In fact I was invited by Matinenga himself to come and
contest the seat. He is not going to stand in the next elections. And then I
checked with Morgan Tsvangirai and Morgan said that’s fine,” Makumbe told
Radio VOP on Monday during an exclusive interview.

However, subsequent attempts to confirm this with Tsvangirai were fruitless
as the mobile number of his spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka was not
reachable.

Matinenga was also not reachable.

Asked if he had been an MDC-T card carrying member, Makumbe answered:“No. Up
to now I don’t have a card yet. But I am confident of winning. It is my home
area and people there have been asking me to stand.”

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora professed ignorance over Makumbe’s
intentions but said it was possible in terms of the party’s constitution for
a non card carrying member to contest for a parliamentary seat for as long
as that person subjects him/herself to party primaries

“In terms of the MDC, you do not need to be a card carrying member of the
party. A candidate is somebody that the party feels is a sellable
 character,” said Mwonzora.

If Makumbe succeeds in his plans, he will join former UZ lecturers Welshman
Ncube, the late Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, Jonathan Moyo and Heneri Dzinotyiwei
to enter the world of politics.

Villagers bemoan GNU

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Staff Writer
Monday, 12 September 2011 13:43

HARARE - Villagers in parts of Mashonaland West province say coalition
government leaders cruising in taxpayer-funded luxury cars are taking them
for a ride.

At community meetings organised by Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn)
to discuss amendments to electoral laws, villagers complained that they were
still living in misery 32 months since the formation of the coalition
government.

Zesn is Zimbabwe’s biggest and most influential independent elections
watchdog.

The coalition government has only made a difference to previously
disadvantaged politicians now enjoying comfortable lives after being
appointed into top government positions, the villagers lamented. The
coalition government is headed by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai.

A feedback report on the meeting by Zesn quoted one “visibly agitated”
participant as saying: “The current political parties in the Government of
National Unity (GNU) are taking all of us for a ride; they want things which
suit their needs without considering our plight as citizens.”

During deliberations on the forthcoming elections and the debate on the
election date, some participants bemoaned lack of public consultation by the
GNU.

Coalition government leaders have come under criticism from the public,
which views them as self serving after treasury splashed millions of dollars
on ministers’ luxury cars normally driven by Hollywood movie stars and
mega-rich soccer stars.

This is at a time when most citizens in both urban and rural areas complain
of poor or nonexistent service delivery.

MPs have intensified demands for new cars to complement the ones they
already have also came up for criticism during the Zesn-organised meetings
in Kariba and Hurungwe.

One participant from Hurungwe said: “I would be happy if we were given power
to recall parliamentarians because some of them have forgotten us and are
enjoying luxurious lives at our cost. We voted for them and they should be
here with us.”

Participants said any new constitution should include a clause allowing
citizens to recall nonperforming MPs who abandoned their constituencies only
to resurface at election time.

“The majority of the participants suggested that the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (Zec) should be given the responsibility of inviting and
accrediting observers since those in government had political interests in
election outcomes,” according to the Zesn feedback report.

“The law has to be clear that the invitation and accreditation of observers
should be given to an independent body, Zec for instance is under the
Minister of Justice who is an interested party and will not act objectively
in accrediting observers,”  said one participant.

Leaders shun Zim

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Chengetai Zvauya, Senior Writer
Monday, 12 September 2011 13:49

HARARE - From their health and children’s education to the cars they drive,
Zimbabwe’s government leaders appear to loathe anything Zimbabwean.

The top leadership of the country is shunning away from local public
hospitals, schools and colleges as well as car assembly plants.

In actions certain to shame the “Buy Zimbabwe campaign”, very few in
government appear interested in anything local given their expensive tastes.

Government leaders send their children to schools abroad. Likewise, their
ministers drive only foreign assembled, expensive cars, shun local medical
and educational institutions.

In the past month, Vice President John Nkomo was in South Africa for
treatment for an undisclosed ailment, whilst the minister of Lands and Rural
Development Herbert Murerwa is still receiving medical attention in South
Africa.

This has resulted in a public outcry that public institutions like hospitals
are not getting serious attention because none of them plays host to top
leaders who control the government purse.

Minister of Health and Child Welfare Henry Madzorera, while lamenting a huge
gap in funding the health sector, defended his colleagues who ditched local
social services.

“It is a personal matter  and private decision that they seek treatment in
South Africa and we cannot stop them,” said Madzorera, while claiming he
uses local public hospitals.

“Many of our people are using the public hospitals as we also have
foreigners seeking the same here,” said Madzorera.

Illustrating how the coalition government belittles the social services
sector, Finance Minister Tendai Biti allocated $46 million to the health
sector in the 2011 budget.

Yet, the same minister proceeded to fund the purchase of ministerial luxury
vehicles at a cost half the health budget.

The leaders are not sending their children to local government schools and
universities as children of the Zanu PF leaders are receiving their
education in the Asian countries like China Malaysia and Singapore.

A host of senior Zanu PF and MDC officials take their children to
universities in Asia, South Africa, Europe and the United States.

Asia has turned into a safe haven for Zanu PF politicians who have been
slapped with travel and financial restrictions by Western countries.

Amongst some of the children and spouses who studied in Asia are the First
family’s first born daughter Bona, who studied at City University of Hong
Kong.

She was joined by her mother Grace Mugabe who graduated at  a Chinese
University with a degree in  Chinese.
Grace dropped out of a University in London where she was studying for a
Bachelor of Arts (English) degree after dismally failing her examinations.

Another Zanu PF official, Munyaradzi Kajese who is Mugabe’s chief of
protocol also seconded her daughter Vimbayi  to  China to read for a  Master’s
in International  Relations and Diplomacy  at China Foreign Affairs
University in Beijing.

Prior to her stay in China, Vimbayi had studied in the USA at the University
of Kansas for a degree in Business Administration.

She is currently working as a news anchor at the Chinese TV Channel CCTV.

Former minister of agriculture, Kumbirai Kangai also sent his son Manyika to
study for a degree in US and later to China for a master’s degree.

Several senior government officials have also sent their children for
studies in the Far East as the governments of those countries are not
segregating and denying their children visas to study in their countries.

Since 2000, the West imposed travel restrictions on the ruling elite and
Mugabe resulting in many of their children who were studying there being
denied student visa permits.

Amongst some top government officials whose children were expelled in the
Western World in 2002 include the minister of defence Emmerson Mnangagwa,
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe  governor Gideon Gono, police commissioner general
Augustine Chihuri and  former cabinet minister Oppah Muchinguri.

Mother, daughter killed by elephant in Zimbabwe: report

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Sep 12, 2011, 7:48 GMT

Harare - A woman and her six-year-old daughter were killed by an elephant in
northern Zimbabwe, bringing to at least three this year's deadly attacks by
jumbos in the country, reports said Monday.

Elinate Siamavhu, 38, and daughter Cholletha were moving house in their
village in the northern district of Siakobvu, in Mashonaland West province,
when they were attacked, said the official Herald daily.

The mother was trampled and died instantly, while the daughter was gored by
the elephant and died on the way to hospital, police spokesman Clemence
Mabgweazara told the paper.

'The husband heard them screaming for help and went out to investigate. He
found his wife lying in a pool of blood while Cholletha was groaning in pain
with her intestines protruding,' said the paper.

In June, a guide in the resort town of Victoria Falls was killed by a lone
bull elephant while walking a client back to a hotel.

We still got our licence: Zimplats

http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Thulani Munda     Monday 12 September 2011

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s largest foreign investor, Zimplats, has assured
shareholders that its operating licence has not been canceled after
differences emerged with government over the platinum miner’s proposal to
transfer shareholding to local blacks.

The announcement by Zimplats follows conflicting statements last week that
Economic Empowerment and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had
rejected Zimplats’ share transfer plan and was moving to cancel the company’s
licence.

Under an economic empowerment and indigenisation law that came into force
last year foreign-owned firms must sell at least 51 percent shares to locals
or face a host of punitive measures including fines, imprisonment and or
withdrawal of operating licences.

In a letter addressed to shareholders, Zimplats chief executive Alex
Mhembere said there was only one major point of disagreement with the
government over the company’s empowerment proposal that he said was subject
of ongoing discussions between the two parties.

“The Government acknowledges the existence and validity of the agreement,
but wants to renegotiate certain terms of the agreement.

“Shareholders are advised that the company’s operating licence has not been
cancelled and discussions between management and the relevant authorities in
this regard are on-going despite the Minister’s letter of 6 September 2011.
We will continue to inform shareholders of on-going material developments.”

Kasukuwere wrote to Zimplats advising the firm that he had rejected its
empowerment proposal and that he had requested the ministry of mines to
cancel the company’s operating licence.

Zimplats, which is Zimbabwe’s biggest platinum miner, is 87 percent owned by
South Africa’s Impala Platinum, the world’s second largest producer of the
key mineral. Zimplats contributes close to 10 percent of Impala’s earnings.

Kasukuwere last month turned down share transfer proposals from 175 mining
firms including Zimplats, saying they did not meet the legislated
indigenisation requirements.

The companies are reworking the empowerment plans for resubmission to
Kasukuwere, who last month relented on plans to withdraw the licence of
Blanket Mine after its Canadian owner, Caledonia Mining Corporation, agreed
to revise its empowerment plan.

Apart from Zimplats and Blanket, other foreign firms ordered to transfer
shares to locals include Aquarius Platinum, Rio Tinto’s diamond mine Murowa,
British American Tobacco and local units of British banks Standard Chartered
and Barclays.

Mugabe’s previous government used its majority in Parliament in 2007 to ram
through the indigenisation law requiring all foreign-owned companies to cede
at least 51 percent of their shares to black Zimbabweans.

Critics say the empowerment campaign is a ploy by Mugabe to seize thriving
businesses and hand them over to his allies as a reward for support much in
the same way that the veteran leader’s land reforms were executed in the
name of the people but benefited his top lieutenants the most.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who says he is for genuine indigenisation
of the economy that benefits ordinary Zimbabweans, has castigated Mugabe’s
empowerment drive as “looting by a greedy elite”. -- ZimOnline

The MDC Today - Issue 236

Monday, 12 September 2011

Two MDC members have been hospitalised after they were abducted and
assaulted by Zanu PF hooligans in Kuwadzana and Mbare.

Mary Pamire is recovering from injuries sustained after she was abducted by
three Zanu PF supporters in Kuwadzana and driven to an unknown place. Pamire
said she was travelling from the city centre to Kuwadzana at night last
Thursday and upon disembarking from a kombi she was abducted by the three
Zanu PF hooligans driving in a tinted vehicle.

They drove her to a secluded place where she was severely assaulted the
whole night. She was released the following day and sought treatment at a
local hospital where she is still admitted. Another activist, Johannes Dehwe
was admitted into hospital after being kidnapped by the notorious Zanu PF
wing Chipangano at Mbare Musika on Saturday.

Dehwe is the MDC Ward 4 Nyanga North chairperson and was on his way from
Nyanga to attend the MDC 12th anniversary celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium.
His ribs were fractured during the assault.

Meanwhile, Shakespeare Mukoyi, the MDC Harare province Youth Assembly
chairperson who was arrested in April and charged with assaulting a police
officer in Glen Norah was acquitted last week at the Mbare Magistrates’
Courts.

Mukoyi was arrested on 9 April during a church service to pray for peace at
the Nazarene Church in Glen Norah. The peace prayer was however disrupted by
the police who violently dispersed the congregants who included church,
civic and community leaders.

Mukoyi was arrested during the disturbances and was charged with assaulting
a police officer, Emmanuel Jeketera with clinched fists and booted feet.
Prosecutors alleged that Jeketera suffered a swollen lower lip and
lacerations of the lower lip as a result of the assault.

However, Magistrate Rebecca Kavhiya acquitted Mukoyi after a full trial
which commenced last month.

For more on these and other stories, visit; www.realchangetimes.com

Together, united, winning voting for real change!!!

--
MDC Information & Publicity Department

Book Café Scoops €25 000 Prize

Wikileaks: Mnangagwa, Moyo plotted Zanu PF breakaway

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

12/09/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

DEFENCE Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and former Information Minister Jonathan
Moyo had advanced plans to form a political party to challenge President
Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party, leaked United States embassy cables show.

The United People’s Movement (UPM) “planned to actively exploit existing
tensions in Zanu PF” and “would aggressively hammer wedge issues to further
divide the ruling party”.

Plans to form the party were drawn up in late 2005, the cables released by
WikiLeaks claim, but Mnangagwa and Moyo never came out publicly to back the
new party.

The revelations show the depth of disquiet with Zanu PF’s direction under
President Robert Mugabe’s leadership over the last decade. Almost all his
top allies including Vice President Joice Mujuru and Vice President John
Nkomo have been revealed to have told American diplomats privately that they
thought the party needed a change of leadership.

Mujuru, the US embassy cables show, was behind former Finance Minister Simba
Makoni’s bid for the presidency in March 2008. The Vice President and her
late husband, Solomon, had promised to quit Zanu PF two days before the
election to publicly-back Makoni but chickened out, the diplomatic
dispatches claimed, over concerns that Mugabe would target their business
interests.

In a November 22, 2005, dispatch to Washington, the US embassy’s Charge
d'Affaires, Eric T. Schultz, reflected on a meeting held with former Zanu PF
MP Pearson Mbalekwa days earlier.

Mbalekwa, described as the UPM’s “principal”, told Schultz that Moyo – who
had exiled himself from Zanu PF after running as an independent in
Tsholotsho North – was part of the national executive.

“He claimed Emmerson Mnangagwa was satisfied with the movement's progress
and remained quietly behind the group but would not comment on plans for
Mnangagwa's association to be publicly disclosed,” Scultz wrote.
Months earlier, Schultz had met Mbalekwa who “openly wondered how the West
would react to a Mnangagwa presidency”.

The decision to form the new party, Mbalekwa had told the American
diplomats, was taken after “Mugabe's cynical manipulation of last year's
presidium vote (2004) and the subsequent purges associated with the
Tsholotsho meeting” where Mnangagwa and allies including Moyo, Justice
Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Agriculture Minister Joseph Made, former
Transport Minister Chris Mushowe, war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda and
Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo allegedly plotted a palace coup.

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Mbalekwa claimed Mnangagwa, Moyo and others had realised that “change within
the party would be impossible as long as Mugabe remained in charge”.

“Accordingly, growing numbers of disaffected Zanu PF had been collaborating
and were getting prepared to launch a 'third force' ...,” Schutlz said in
another cable dated July 18, 2005.

Commenting about the possible development in his November cable, Schultz
said: “The UPM’s most identifiable principals - Emmerson Mnangagwa and
Jonathan Moyo - each carry heavy liabilities with both domestic and
international audiences for their association with past ruling party
oppression.

“In addition, like the opposition MDC, it lacks resources or a reliable
platform from which to deliver its message in an environment where the
ruling party directs the full power of the state to its advantage.

“That said, Zimbabwe's dysfunctional political landscape and leadership
vacuum suggest obvious opportunities for a third force and the UPM is
well-positioned, especially in the event of a ruling party crack-up over
Mugabe’s succession, to take advantage of those opportunities.”

The planned party never took off the ground. Moyo rejoined Zanu PF in 2009
and Mnangagwa was given the powerful post of Defence Minister in a 2009
cabinet announcement by Mugabe.

Gono: ‘ZANU PF poster boy for corruption and mismanagement’

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
12 September 2011

Former United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe James Mcgee, once described
Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono as a ‘ZANU PF poster boy for corruption
and financial mismanagement.’

Gono, who despite his acknowledgement that corruption is one of the greatest
cancers abetting the country’s sharp

economic decline, was accused by various US embassy officials as the ‘one
fuelling the corruption.’ These revelations are contained in the leaked
diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks.

According to one cable sent to the US State department from the US embassy
in Harare, Gono’s presence at the RBZ complicated issues when various donors
declined to fund the newly formed inclusive government because of his
mismanagement of the economy.

He was also heavily involved in the Chiadzwa diamonds ring, together with
the top military generals. A cable headed ‘Regime elites looting deadly
diamonds field’ dated 12 November 2008 said it was well known by locals that
Gono had representatives in Mutare buying diamonds with bundles of
freshly-printed Zimbabwean notes.

In another briefing with US officials Gono claimed that Zimbabwe could make
as much as $1.2 billion dollars a month from diamond sales, were it not for
corruption by the military elite and politicians.

As his meetings with US officials became routine, Gono ended up leaking
secrets about the first family, especially Mugabe’s state of health.

According to US diplomatic communication, Gono explicitly revealed that
Robert Mugabe has prostate cancer and was in 2008 told by his doctors he had
five years to live.
The leaked cable dated 6 June 2008 claims that Gono revealed this
information to the former US ambassador James McGee during a private
meeting.

‘According to Gono, Mugabe’s doctor had recommended he cut back on his
activities,’ reads part of the 2008 cable.
It added: ‘Gono told us last year that Mugabe was ill and that his doctor
had urged him to step down immediately.”

In the past there have been rumors that Mugabe suffers from prostate cancer.
Earlier this year he made a number of trips to Singapore where he was said
to be receiving treatment. His spokesman George Charamba dismissed the
reports saying he had only gone for an operation to remove a cataract in one
of his eyes.

'Gono, McGee close to blows’

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Everson Mushava, Staff Writer
Monday, 12 September 2011 10:26

HARARE - Former US ambassador James McGee confronted Reserve Bank governor
Gideon Gono twice within a day to discuss election rigging by Zanu PF in the
March 2008 general elections, according US information leaked by
whistleblower cables, WikiLeaks.

According to a US embassy official, the confrontation was so heated that it
almost turned physical.

Gono is said to have angrily refuted the rigging allegations and revealed
that Zanu PF would not rig but seek to work with the MDC leader Morgan
Tsvangirai if he won the elections.

Gono made these revelations after he was confronted by McGee with
information that a “coterie of Zanu-PF officials” was rigging the election
for Mugabe and that according to hard evidence obtained from the Zimbabwe
Election Support Network (Zesn), Tsvangirai was well ahead of Mugabe.

“Somehow Gono was angry after being confronted by the ambassador on Zanu PF
rigging. The ambassador felt that Mugabe wanted to rig elections. It was so
tense with Gono looking agitated. Gono was clearly defending rigging."

“He was defending Mugabe and Zanu PF as if his life depended on the two. He
was hysterical suggesting that he probably knew something about what the
ambassador was asking,” said the official.

Tsvangirai went on to win the disputed presidential election with 47 percent
against Mugabe’s 42, a margin not enough to guarantee a move to State House
but to warrant a presidential re-run.

The results were however, announced after six weeks.

“The ruling party would not rig, and would seek to work with Tsvangirai if
he won,” Gono is quoted as saying in the leaked cable.

“Apart from the fact that Gono is obviously lying, he is a conduit to Mugabe
and the inner circle who will all now know that the international community
is ‘aware of their plotting,” commented McGee in the cable.

For the more than 10 years, Gono worked closely with President Robert Mugabe
before the inclusive government and recently admitted to printing money to
fund Mugabe’s 2008 election campaign.

The election was marked with violence that claimed more than 300 lives of
MDC supporters, leaving thousands wounded and homeless.

At the inception of the inclusive government in March 2009, MDC formations
wanted Gono to be fired from the post of RBZ governor.

Mugabe fiercely resisted the move saying he had been reappointed before the
inclusive government.

When asked by the Daily News for comment, Gono said he had resolved not to
comment on the issues raised in the cables.

“I have taken the view that I will not be responding to all that is
happening or being said or claimed about me at this stage. Suffice to ask
the question: Whose war is this? Who stands to benefit?"

“Why are we so gullible as to believe that a coin has one side to it? Are we
in the full knowledge of the truth, context, motivation and facts behind all
that is being claimed?"

“Are we sure we should be rushing to condemn and attach inimical labels to
each other on the basis of one-sided claims by overzealous, excitable,
defiant and sometimes irrational ambassadors of McGee and Dell characters?"

“Are opinions facts? Having said that, I can’t confirm or deny the contents
of a cable you are referring to,” said Gono.

He also could not comment on reports that he wanted to physically beat up
the US ambassador during the angry confrontation.‘Gono, McGee close to blows’

ZimExpo UK celebrates 10th Anniversary Leicester October 14 – 16, 2011

How the MDC became Zanu-PF's worst nightmare

Eddie Cross
12 September 2011

Eddie Cross reflects on the day Zimbabwean politics was changed forever

9/11 for Americans is a time to reflect on the impact and consequences of
the most audacious act of terror in world history. To take over four fully
loaded passenger aircraft and deliberately fly them into three of the most
significant buildings in the USA, the Twin Towers - perhaps the centre of
global capitalism, and the Pentagon - the centre of US military power across
the globe and at the same time attempt a strike on the White House, was an
astonishing feat. It was planned, financed and executed by a quiet, retiring
young man with a distinctive beard from Saudi Arabia. There was no warning.

I was driving up to Harare to visit my daughter and son in law and had just
turned into their street when I heard the story break on my car radio. We
ran into the house, turned on the TV and saw the second aircraft go into the
second tower. It was a seminal moment, and from that day, one knew that the
world as seen from the USA, would never be the same again.

Our own 9/11 started two years earlier when a large crowd gathered to launch
a new political Party known as the Movement for Democratic Change. Our name
for the new organisation had come from a single mom, Grace Kwingi and our
slogan 'Chinga Maitiro' (real change) had come from an inspired peasant
farmer in the Masvingo Province. The day had been conceived, planned and
organised by a little known Trade Union leader, a quiet, unassuming man with
a distinctive laugh and ready sense of humour from a small rural village in
the south east of the country.

The crowd at the launch was quite distinctive, unlike political events
organised by the invincible bastion of Zimbabwe politics, Zanu PF, there
were few cars, busses or trucks. The people had walked there and the leaders
were largely ordinary workers and rural peasants. A small handful of whites
sat in one corner of the stadium watching events and it was totally
unrecorded, few journalists bothered to come and there were no television
cameras. But we were making history on that day at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

Zanu PF mocked the event. They had seen it all before, the Centre Party, the
Forum Party, ZUM; all had started with a spurt and then simply
disintegrated. As Mugabe said the following year when questioned by a BBC
reporter, 'What can a railway engine driver (Gibson Sibanda) and a worker
from a textile mill with no education (Morgan Tsvangirai) do?' Asked by the
same reporter to comment at a later Press Conference, Tsvangirai responded
'Well at least train drivers keep their trains on the tracks.' Laughter was
to characterise our walk on the road to overcoming our own tyranny.

Mugabe no longer mocks the MDC or that 'uneducated peasant'. Zanu PF has
come to appreciate that this was no flash in the pan; this was their worst
nightmare, a genuine, grass roots democratic movement that would simply not
give up until it had achieved its goals. That launch was on the 11th of
September1999, twelve years ago today. It was our 9/11 and just like the
American incident, Zimbabweans will remember that day as one that marked a
real milestone in our own national history.

It was at Rufaro Stadium that we launched our Independence in 1980. On that
occasion I was part of the team working on the transition and was invited
and sat with the Heads of State and other dignitaries - I was just behind
the President of India, Indira Ghandi and sat just a few metres from the
podium where Prince Charles and Lord Soames together with Robert Mugabe sat
and watched the festivities. The launch of the MDC was a very different
affair in the context of a very different crisis, a crisis brought about by
the man who that day in 1980 was the centre of world attention.

We had great hopes, the end of the civil war had been negotiated, a
democratic election held and the winner was now taking power. There were 17
PhD graduates from Universities across the world in that first Cabinet and I
had been engaged for several months in getting them ready for their new
roles. We had the support of the world and the hopes of our people in our
hands, but the euphoria and hope was not to last very long.

Simmering resentment in the south Western regions, a short lived rebellion
by Zipra supported by the Soviet Union spawned the genocide of Gukurahundi
that started in 1983 and only ended when Zapu conceded and was absorbed into
Zanu - the only concession being the addition of 'PF' to the name. Total
power corrupted totally and in the subsequent decade, Zanu PF the
liberators, became the oppressors. Corruption started its slow cancerous
growth until it was eating away at the very fibre of one of Africa's most
resilient economies. Zanu PF leadership became wealthy, indolent and
arrogant. Mugabe, a tyrant dictator, feared by all his associates and savage
in his retribution for perceived insults.

When Zanu PF suddenly realised that they were in a real fight in 2000, they
set about defeating and crushing this movement of small people. MDC, new to
the political game was naive in the extreme - expecting support from the so
called 'democratic countries' and the region, instead found itself fighting
a lone battle with a monster. We never thought it would take 12 years, we
knew we had the people with us, just underestimated the determination and
cunning of the ruling clique and the duplicity of other political
dispensations.

MDC has survived and grown, today I work in an organisation that now looks
like a professional political Party; we have procedures, policies and grass
roots structures throughout the country. We are the only national political
Party in Zimbabwe, claiming majority support in every District and Province.
Zanu PF is now commonly referred to as 'the former ruling Party' and every
time they read that phrase it reminds them never again to ignore the small
man. This modern David has the measure of Goliath and it is not too soon to
celebrate.

Eddie Cross is MDC MP for Bulawayo South. This article first appeared on his
website www.eddiecross.africanherd.com

Just fire them – what is Mugabe waiting for?

Clifford Chitupa Mashiri 12/09/11

Sure, Mugabe cannot say he is not disappointed by the ongoing disclosures of
damaging secret meetings held by his presumed lieutenants as reported in
those leaked cables on Wikileaks. If so, what is he waiting for? Dithering
and inconsistency appear to be Mugabe’s major weaknesses.

Considering the fact that Mai Mutinhiri was expelled from the party last
week and many people have been in serious trouble with some serving prison
sentences just for saying Mugabe is old or something uncomplimentary about
him, why should he give us the impression that the embarrassing and too
personal disclosures of Cablegate have not hurt him?

As the Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,
President and First Secretary of Zanu-pf, as well as the President of the
Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe is very powerful or so we are
made to believe.

The Weakleaks disclosures have certainly dented the person and office of the
President worse than the Willowgate scandal because the online leakages have
spread negative publicity about Mugabe like a wild fire with no effort to
douse it!

The longer Mugabe waits to wield his stick, the worse he is going to suffer
from lost credibility and respect by the few if any remaining in Zanu-pf ,
since there is a breakaway party that is yet to be formally announced but is
identified in the cables as United People’s Movement! And the CIO goes
harassing MDC formations only?

If Mugabe further procrastinates, he will be undermining his own authority
and people will know that whatever they feared over the years was nothing
more than an owl’s feathers (taiti zizi rine nyanga)!

We now know why there was looting of farms under the guise of land reform,
and of late, so much pressure to seize the few remaining farms, mines and
banks. It was of cause looting for the road with impunity while it lasts.

There is the party constitution to guide him on disciplinary action. There
is also the country’s constitution, which he amended almost 20 times to suit
his dictates – which he can fallback on in addition to the Criminal law of
Zimbabwe and of course POSA and AIPPA. Mugabe could fire his Zanu-pf cabinet
for a start and bring in the much awaited security sector reforms while his
ministers are still trembling.

Similarly, Mugabe as the Supreme Leader of Zanu-pf, should surely be able to
dismiss all those featuring negatively in the ongoing cablegate. Does he
need the politburo’s agreement to dissolve the same politburo? Could it be
that he will make some veiled threats at the burial of politburo member
Kantabhai who has died?

By not punishing his detractors, Mugabe could be acting unfairly to those
expecting to be disciplined or face the music now rather than something
mysterious in future.

Or, could he be afraid of the internal backlash seeing that it is almost the
majority of his right-hand-persons who confided compromising party secrets
to his arch enemy the United States of America?  Just fire them – what is
Mugabe waiting for?

Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, 12/09/11.

Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committees Series - No Dates yet for Public Hearings on Electoral Amendment Bill