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ZANU PF kicks into election mode with ‘threats’ of more violence

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
14 September 2010

The ZANU PF party has kicked into election mode after it recently launched a
campaign that many of its opponents view as a coded message to activate its
political violence machinery.

The party’s national chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo, launched a new campaign
dubbed ‘ZANU PF: The Unstoppable Machine,’ using newspaper advertisements to
fire broadsides at political parties such as the MDC formations. Part of the
messages contained in the campaign includes statements like; ‘The legacy
left by our fallen heroes should never allow any visionary Zimbabwean to
live on borrowed oxygen.’
‘Cognisant of the fact that the land reform program is now complete and also
irreversible – the thrust being now on economic emancipation of our entire
people and unity of purpose. Offshoot political parties will remain
offshoot, offside and scoring own goals,’ read some of the statements.

MDC-T deputy organizing secretary Morgan Komichi told us on Tuesday this is
the type of intimidatory language ZANU PF always tries to use to intimidate
people.
Komichi said he saw this latest ZANU-PF campaign as part of a broad strategy
of mobilizing its own ranks, adding that the campaign was started by the
party’s political commissar Webster Shamu months ago. Shamu supplied the
state broadcaster ZBC with different sets of jingles and videos extolling
Mugabe and ZANU PF’s leadership role.

‘I hope the announcement by Tsvangirai (on elections) has put to rest much
anticipation and assumptions about the next election. ZANU PF’s concept of
using violence towards an election will not stop even in the next 20 years.
So let’s not fool ourselves that the country is not yet ready to hold
elections because of anticipated violence,’ Komichi said.

‘As long as we have people like Chihuri (Police Commissioner-General) in the
system, any attempt to have a violence-free election will be thwarted by him
and his partisan force because they fear they have a lot to answer for in a
new political dispensation,’ Komichi added.

Chihuri is accused by many of being at the forefront of cleansing the
heavily politicized force of both known and suspected MDC sympathizers. He
has routinely purged the force of professional officers for refusing or
reluctantly failing to follow orders from him and other senior officers, to
apply the law selectively.
The senior MDC-T official said there have been fears since 2008 that ZANU PF
will re-engage its political violence machinery, even as the party talks
about healing and reconciliation.

Two years ago during the run-up to the June 27 2008 presidential election,
close to 500 MDC-T supporters were killed and tens of thousands more injured
in the violent campaigns orchestrated by ZANU PF activists. They were aided
in their brutal orgy of violence by the well oiled state machinery of the
Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Intelligence and youth
militia.

In the past three months, during the constitutional outreach program, SW
Radio Africa has extensively covered reports of increasing ZANU PF militia
and war vets being mobilized and camped in bases and at schools, just as in
the previous election campaign.

During the violence that has blighted the outreach program, the police have
turned victims of intimidation and violence into the accused, resulting in
the arrest of many MDC-T officials and activists.
In Bikita, instead of arresting war vets leader Jabulani Sibanda for
inciting violence in the area, MDC-T MP for Bikita South, Jani Vherandeni,
was incarcerated by the police in Masvingo for making a report about the war
vet leader’s behaviour.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has spoken out against the
holding of elections until widespread electoral reforms and the writing of a
new constitution are complete. ZESN national director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava
said although elections are the only way forward in Zimbabwe, she believed
they could only be held after extensive electoral reforms to plug the hole
for possible rigging and ensure free and fair poll.

ZESN has already embarked on lobbying for zero tolerance on political
violence as well as campaigning for an overhaul of the voters’ roll. But
other pro-democracy groups said no credible election could be held until
there was a guarantee of civil liberties such as freedoms of the media,
expression, assembly and freedom from arbitrary arrest.
 


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30 day deadline passes and still no GPA implementation

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
14 September 2010

Tuesday was the end of the 30 day deadline imposed by regional leaders on
Zimbabwe's unity government, to finally implement the Global Political
Agreement (GPA), but still nothing has changed.

The 30 day deadline was set at the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Summit in Namibia where the regional bloc's defence body, the Troika,
endorsed a report by the facilitator in the Zimbabwe crisis, South African
President Jacob Zuma. Zuma's report suggested that the coalition government
be given another month to implement 24 outstanding issues in the GPA. In his
report to the Troika Zuma said if the agreement on the 24 items was
implemented on schedule, it would lay the basis "for the conviction to grow
that Zimbabwe can reach her goal of holding free and fair elections."

"The parties, assisted by the Troika, should discuss the outstanding
matters. and resolve them within one month as part of a confidence-building
measure, based on appropriate consultation in keeping with Zimbabwe's law
and any other relevant instrument," said Zuma in his report presented 30
days ago.

The coalition leaders apparently also agreed that the remaining three
outstanding GPA issues, including the appointment of Roy Bennett to his
position as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, would be 'resolved' in the month
stipulated by SADC.

But 30 days on there are no signs that the SADC deadline has been taken
seriously and divisions in the 'unity' government have continued to widen.
Robert Mugabe, who appeared to calmly agree to the 30 day deadline, just
days later said he would not make any more "concessions" to the MDC, until
targeted sanctions still in place against him and his inner circle are
lifted. ZANU PF's Patrick Chinamasa then insisted that the agreed-upon
appointment of governors would not happen, until the targeted sanctions were
lifted.

The MDC has vehemently denied that the sanction tie in was agreed to at the
SADC Summit, saying in a statement that it was a "misleading and
mischievous" report by the state media. The party also accused ZANU PF of
using "primitive tactics" to delay the implementation of the GPA and further
complicate issues in the divided coalition government.

The MDC also insisted that the targeted sanctions issue was between ZANU PF
and the countries that have enforced the measures, saying that "the
authorship of restrictive measures is located on the doorstep of ZANU PF."

It is clear that both the MDC and ZANU PF are now focusing on elections to
put an end to the coalition, with both party leaders, Mugabe and Morgan
Tsvangirai agreeing to hold the polls next year. The Prime Minister said
over the weekend that he and Mugabe had agreed not to contest the results of
the vote, so that one party can be in government. Analysts and observers
have since said this is a fools' arrangement that puts the MDC in a
difficult position of not legally being able to challenge the results if
they are rigged by ZANU PF.

Dewa Mavhinga from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition told SW Radio Africa on
Tuesday that the only way forward is free, fair and credible elections,
explaining that it is up to SADC to ensure that this happens. He said the
regional bloc needs to do more to ensure that conditions are right in
Zimbabwe for a free vote. He added that if the bloc cannot do this, it needs
to "admit defeat and ask for international intervention."

"Without a direct role by SADC in the coming elections, and by this I mean
peacekeepers and monitors, then the outcome will be no different from 2008,"
Mavhinga said. "SADC urgently needs to do more to prevent this situation
from recurring."

Wednesday meanwhile will mark two years since the GPA was signed in 2008. On
Saturday Zimbabweans in London will commemorate this date by wearing black
armbands, in a demonstration that will also mark the failure of the Mugabe
regime to meet the 30 day deadline set by SADC. The demonstration is being
organised by the UK protest group, The Zimbabwe Vigil, which has been
demonstrating outside the Zimbabwean Embassy in London every Saturday for
almost eight years.

The Vigil's Rose Benton told SW Radio Africa's Diaspora Diaries program that
the anniversary of the signing of the GPA will be treated like a day of
mourning, "because it is another two years that nothing has changed in
Zimbabwe." Benton explained that the Southern African region needs to end
its "dictators' solidarity" and show solidarity with Zimbabweans, by
ensuring there are free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.


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Zim Holds Secret Diamond Auction

http://news.radiovop.com

14/09/2010 17:32:00

Harare, September 14, 2010 - Zimbabwe held a secret auction of diamonds from
its Marange fields, where the army has been accused of forced labour and
torture, an official said on Tuesday.

"Yes, the sales were carried out this weekend," Secretary for Mines Thankful
Musukutwa said, without giving further details.

The auction on Saturday and Sunday was supervised by Abbey Chikane, the
monitor from the international Kimberley Process watchdog, another official
said on condition of anonymity.

Kimberley Process is charged with preventing the sale of "blood diamonds"
used to fuel armed conflicts, but in November the regulator banned sale of
the gems from Marange after its investigators found soldiers had beaten
nearby residents and forced them to mine the stones.

The weekend sale was the second and last auction authorised by Kimberley
until its investigators certify that the military has ended rights abuses in
the fields near the Mozambican border.

"We will not be releasing the quantity or amount that was generated because
these were private sales by private companies," Musukutwa said.

"No other country in the world releases their sales figures or quantities.
When it comes to the issues of diamonds we must be careful as a country
because of the sensitivity of the issues associated with them."

Zimbabwe says the military no longer runs the fields and has contracted
operations at Marange to two little-known South African firms, Mbada
Diamonds and Canadile Miners. A third company linked to a Chinese firm has
also been allowed to operate there.

The first Kimberley-backed sale generated about $30m, according to
government figures.

Canadile miners, has begun constructing a multi-million dollar cutting and
polishing centre in the country.

Representatives from the companies operating from Marange refused to
comment.

- SAPA
 


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Striking air Zim workers fired

http://www.iol.co.za

    September 14 2010 at 01:25PM

Harare, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's state airline says it has fired striking
pilots for failing to meet a deadline to return to their posts.

Air Zimbabwe board chairman Jonathan Kadzura said on Tuesday the airline
invoked the nation's labour laws against 40 striking pilots and "so all of
them are fired."

The pilots ignored a weekend deadline to return to duty.

Kadzura said plans were under way to charter other carriers to operate
grounded regional and international routes.

The pilots say the indebted airline has not paid out operational allowances
for nearly 20 months. They earn up to $2,500 a month, about one third of the
international pay scale for airline pilots. - Sapa-AP


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Treatment of artist Maseko spreads fear as new charges surface

http://www.swradioafrica.com

by Irene Madongo
14 September 2010

Bulawayo-based artist Owen Maseko, who was arrested for his exhibition about
the Gukurahundi atrocities under the Mugabe regime, believes that the local
artistic community has deserted him. He says it is possible they fear
persecution after he faces new charges that come with a harsher prison
sentence.

In March Maseko was placed on remand, on charges of 'undermining the
authority of or insulting the President and causing offence to persons of a
particular race or religion', which has a maximum prison sentence of 12
months.
But the State now wants him to face a different charge, that of breaching
Section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by allegedly
publishing or communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State. This comes
with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Speaking about the lack of support from the artist community Maseko said; "I
was surprised that the artists are the only community that has not really
truly supported me. I don't know, maybe it is something to do with fear.
Maybe they are scared or worried that if they associate with me they might
also get arrested."

Maseko added: "Artists are aware of how, whatever the outcome that can
happen to me, can greatly affect them, but taking a stance of running away
is not really a helpful one because whichever way they look at it they will
still be greatly affected."
On Monday Maseko's lawyers challenged the State's new charge. They said that
because Maseko's first charge has not been dealt with, it was not lawful to
bring in another charge at this stage. The lawyers also pointed out that
there is no procedure which allows the State to substitute a less serious
charge for a more serious charge.

As a result, Magistrate Ntombizodwa Mazhandu ruled that the State can only
bring new charges against Maseko if the first charges have been withdrawn.
So the State has now withdrawn the earlier charges and Maseko will face the
fresh charges in court on Wednesday.
But Maseko said he is not afraid to face the new charges. "I am not worried.
My lawyers have been good and have not disappointed me so far. I am really
looking forward, but given a choice I did not want to be in court. With
Zimbabwean law you never know what might probably happen in a court room."
Although his Gukurahundi exhibition is now banned in Zimbabwe, he says he
plans to show it around elsewhere, such as regionally.


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New Zim Rights Body Will Not Delve Into The Past

http://news.radiovop.com

14/09/2010 13:03:00

Harare, September 14, 2010 - Zimbabwe's Justice and Legal Affairs Minister
Patrick Chinamasa has announced that the Human Rights Commission whose bill
he has just finished drafting will not have powers to investigate human
rights violations that were committed before the formation of the inclusive
government.

"The commission is  going to carry  out  investigations and  then when it
arrives at a  decision  that there  is human rights  violations they  have
the  first  option  to apply  to the  High Court  for the enforcement  of
that decision. They can also write a report to the Head of State that 'may'
enforce their decision.

"This  commission when operational will  not  have powers  to investigate
alleged human rights  violations  that happened before the enactment of the
amendment number 19, unless such violations  have continued after the
amendment 19. Anything  that  happened before
that  period, it  has no powers  to  investigate," he told  journalists in
Harare  on Monday.

The eight member Human Rights Commission, which was sworn in March is
chaired by Professor Reg Austin, a lawyer, former Professor and Dean of the
Faculty of Law at the University of Zimbabwe and former head of Commonwealth
Secretariat's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Division.

Professor Austin has been under pressure from Human rights groups who have
been demanding that it should investigate all human rights violations back
dating from the early 1980s.

These human rights watchdogs say the Human rights commission should be given
powers to try and convict anyone found guilty of human rights violations,
which occurred in the country over the past 30 years.

People  from Matabeleland are  also demanding that Zanu (PF) senior
officials  who spearheaded  the Gukurahundi atrocities which lead  to the
death of thousands  of the  Ndebele tribe, should be investigated.

Victims  of the June 27 bloody presidential runoff elections are calling
for  the  much awaited  Human rights Commission to bring to book Zanu (PF)
militia and  state  security agents  who  butchered  their families and
friends in 2008.

Chinamasa said his office had finished working on the draft Human rights
bill which will be tabled before parliament for endorsement when it re-opens
in October.

According to the Global Political Agreement signed between the two MDC
formations and Zanu (PF) to form the inclusive government, the Human rights
Commission will be responsible for the promotion and creation of awareness
of and respect for human rights and freedoms at all levels of society.

It should also recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human
rights and freedoms and investigate the conduct of any authority or person,
where it is alleged that any of the rights in the Declaration of Rights has
been violated by that authority or person.

 


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Zimbabwe inflation slows to 3.6 pct y/y in August

http://af.reuters.com

Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:12pm GMT

HARARE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's annual inflation slowed further to
3.6 percent year-on-year in August from 4.1 percent in July, the Zimbabwe
National Statistical Agency said on Tuesday.

Month-on-month inflation was steady at -0.1 percent, unchanged from July,
Zimstats said in a statement.
 


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Two years after unity accord, Zim mulls new polls

http://www.mg.co.za/

GODFREY MARAWANYIKA | HARARE, ZIMBABWE - Sep 14 2010 13:36

Two years after agreeing to form a unity government, Zimbabwe's squabbling
political leaders are hinting at new elections for next year, despite doubts
the country is ready for polls.

Many Zimbabweans cringe at the idea of elections, with painful memories of
the 2008 presidential race, which was scarred by deadly political violence
when it appeared then-opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai could unseat
President Robert Mugabe, leader since the country's independence nearly
three decades earlier.

The rivals were eventually pressured into a unity government with Tsvangirai
as prime minister, but the agreement, signed on September 15 2008, was meant
as an interim arrangement to pave the way to new polls.

Tsvangirai told party supporters last weekend that he and Mugabe had agreed
elections would come next year, an idea both men have floated in recent
months.

"When I last saw President Robert Mugabe he said the prevailing peace was
ideal for us to go for an election, and this time we agreed that whoever
loses should make way for the winner," he said, according to the Standard
newspaper.

Tsvangirai won the first round of the 2008 race, but pulled out of the
run-off after an estimated 200 people died in political attacks directed
mainly at supporters of his Movement for Democratic Change.

He and Mugabe agreed to the power-sharing pact under intense regional
pressure. The unity government has succeeded in piecing together the
shattered economy, but has been mired in political bickering over key posts.

No decision has been made
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told Agence France-Presse that no
decision has been made, saying Mugabe and Tsvangirai have yet to give
instructions on an exact date.

"The issue of elections is being addressed by the principals," he said. "We
just wait for instructions."

But the idea of new elections is increasingly showing up in public debate,
despite doubts the country is ready for a new face-off between Mugabe and
Tsvangirai.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a top aide to Tsvangirai, told business
leaders last week that he had already set aside a budget for the polls,
after discussing with Mugabe, even though the cash-strapped country can
barely pay civil servants.

"I am going to budget for the election next year. That means that
$200-million is already gone in an economy such as this one, which is a
disaster if you ask me purely from a fiscal point of view," he said.

"Whether it happens or not, I don't know," Biti added.

Electoral officials warn that even basic preparations are far from ready.

"As it is, the voters' roll is in disarray," Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
chairperson Simpson Mutambanengwe said recently.

'Our political culture has not changed over the past two years'
The unity deal calls for holding elections under a new constitution, but
that process has barely gotten off the ground.

The government has made some reforms to expand media freedoms, allowing new
newspapers to publish and making it easier for foreign journalists to enter
the country.

But analysts say a rush to new elections would invite a repeat of the
political violence that marred the 2008 contest.

"It would be literally impossible to oversee free and fair elections next
year because of vested interests by those calling for elections,"
independent political analyst Takura Zhangazha said. "Our political culture
has not changed over the past two years, unless if we want a repeat of
history that occurred in 2008.

"Elections should be democratic, informed by a democratic legal framework,
and democratic political space, and we do not have that right now in the
country." -- Sapa-AFP


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UK, says UN, EU and SADC to send monitors for free and fair Zimbabwe election

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

14 September, 2010 06:20:00    By

LONDON, UK - The British coalition government Conservative MP Mark Spencer
has revealed that the United Kingdom, and all Western democratic forces
could help ensure Zimbabwe hold free and fair elections.

Conservative Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham explained that the UK
was working with all democratic forces, the SADAC, the UN and the EU to
ensure monitors are stationed in Zimbabwe well ahead of the elections.

Two years after agreeing to form a unity government, Zimbabwe's squabbling
political leaders are hinting at new elections for next year, despite doubts
the country is ready for polls.

Many Zimbabweans cringe at the idea of elections, with painful memories of
the 2008 presidential race scarred by deadly political violence when it
appeared then-opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai could unseat President
Robert Mugabe, leader since the country's independence nearly three decades
earlier.

The rivals were eventually pressured into a unity government with Tsvangirai
as prime minister, but the agreement signed September 15 2008, was meant as
an interim arrangement to pave the way to new polls.

Tsvangirai told party supporters last weekend that he and Mugabe had agreed
elections would come next year, an idea both men have floated in recent
months.

"When I last saw President Robert Mugabe he said the prevailing peace was
ideal for us to go for an election, and this time we agreed that whoever
loses should make way for the winner," he said, according to The Standard
newspaper.

Tsvangirai won the first round of the 2008 race, but pulled out of the
run-off after an estimated 200 people died in political attacks directed
mainly at supporters of his Movement for Democratic Change.

Fiscal point of view

He and Mugabe agreed to the power-sharing pact under intense regional
pressure. The unity government has succeeded in piecing together the
shattered economy, but has been mired in political bickering over key posts.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said that no decision has been made,
saying Mugabe and Tsvangirai have yet to give instructions on an exact date.

"The issue of elections is being addressed by the principals," he said. "We
just wait for instructions."

But the idea of new elections is increasingly showing up in public debate,
despite doubts the country is ready for a new face-off between Mugabe and
Tsvangirai.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a top aide to Tsvangirai, told business
leaders last week that he had already set aside a budget for the polls,
after discussing with Mugabe, even though the cash-strapped country can
barely pay civil servants.

"I am going to budget for the election next year. That means that $200m is
already gone in an economy such as this one, which is a disaster if you ask
me purely from a fiscal point of view," he said.

"Whether it happens or not, I don't know," Biti added.

Electoral officials warn that even basic preparations are far from ready.

Repeat of political violence

"As it is, the voters' roll is in disarray," Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
chairman Simpson Mutambanengwe said recently.

The unity deal calls for holding elections under a new constitution, but
that process has barely gotten off the ground.

The government has made some reforms to expand media freedoms, allowing new
newspapers to publish and making it easier for foreign journalists to enter
the country.

But analysts say a rush to new elections would invite a repeat of the
political violence that marred the 2008 contest.

"It would be literally impossible to oversee free and fair elections next
year because of vested interests by those calling for elections,"
independent political analyst Takura Zhangazha said.

"Our political culture has not changed over the past two years, unless if we
want a repeat of history that occurred in 2008.

"Elections should be democratic, informed by a democratic legal framework,
and democratic political space and we do not have that right now in the
country." - Additional reporting by SAPA

 


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Tsvangirai tipped to win next poll by a landslide

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

14 September, 2010 01:00:00    DUMISANI SIBANDA | BULAWAYO

HARARE - A survey commissioned by NewsDay on the voting intentions of
Zimbabweans has revealed MDC-T will win the next general election while Zanu
PF will come second and the revived Zapu a distant third, but 40% of the
electorate might not vote.

The survey was conducted by the Public Mass Opinion Institute in August
using a nationally representative sample of 1 062 people. The results came
out last week.

Respondents were asked to indicate their voting intentions by stating the
party candidate they would vote for if an election was held on the day of
the interview.

However, it is important to note that there was "a large block of voters who
refused to reveal their voting intentions, preferring instead not to answer
the question (17%), or claiming that their vote was their secret (24%).

"So, up to four in every 10 voters were unwilling to share their voting
preferences, a very high statistic by any polling standard," says the
survey.

"Anecdotal evidence suggests that this was largely due to alleged political
intimidation and harassment prior to, and during the Constitutional
Parliamentary Select Committee-led public consultations.

In other words, a heavy and dark cloud of fear seems to have enveloped the
electorate during the survey period. The survey says the high refusal rate -
for whatever reason - is a cause for grave concern while at the same time
seriously distorting partisan support.

The results of the survey show that 32% would vote for Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's MDC-T while Zanu PF led by President Robert Mugabe - who has
been at the helm of government for the past three decades - would come
second with 18% and the revived Zapu led by former Zanu PF politburo member
Dumiso Dabengwa - which is bubbling with confidence after its recent
"successful congress" - would only manage 2%.

Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by Simba Makoni - also a former Zanu PF politburo
member who lost dismally in the March 2008 presidential elections - would
get less than 1% alongside MDC-M led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur
Mutambara.

The combined vote for "other parties" would attract a total of 6% support.

According to the survey, a third (32%) of all respondents would vote for the
MDC-T and that support base has a significant - albeit small - urban and
male bias.

Nearly two in 10 (18%) of voters would opt for the former ruling Zanu PF
party and the support base has a distinctively rural bias but is spread
evenly across gender.

The firm which conducted the survey warns "caution" in interpreting the
voting preferences because of the large reservoir of "refusals".

"No one knows who (the refusals) would vote for and yet whoever they decide
to vote for could yield the decisive result," says the survey.

"They may also 'vote' not to vote, as has become the pattern in the last
several general elections where a large segment of the electorate did not
turn out to vote. This suggests a lot of hard work for civic educators,
including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission."

The results of the research show that half of the "refusals" were
concentrated in Mashonaland West - traditionally a Zanu PF stronghold -
followed by Matabeleland North (48%), Harare (47%) and Mashonaland East
(43%).

"If the 'fear thesis' has any credence, then the least fearful electorate is
in Masvingo (28% refusals), followed by Manicaland (34%)."

In terms of provincial spread, the survey shows that none of the parties has
majority support in any of the country's 10 provinces. However, half
(actually 49,6%) of Masvingo would vote for the MDC-T, followed by Bulawayo
(42%), Manicaland (37%) and Midlands (35%). The party would attract little
support in Mashonaland Central (13%) and Mashonaland West (18%). Harare
would lend 29% support to the MDC-T.

Zanu PF would do fairly well in Mashonaland Central where 42% would vote for
it, followed by Mashonaland West (27%) and Matabeleland South (20%).

It would do badly in Bulawayo (8%), Matabeleland North (10%) and Harare
(11%). In terms of age, the survey shows that slightly over a third (35%) of
the youth prefer the MDC-T, 19% Zanu PF and 2% would vote for Zapu.

"We also find that another 36% are refusals while 7% would vote for other
parties," says the survey.As for the middle-aged, 34% would choose an MDC-T
candidate, 16% would lend their vote to Zanu PF while 41% were in the
non-disclosure category.

Nearly a quarter of the old folk are for Zanu PF, two in 10 prefer the MDC-T
while almost half would not disclose.

In the presidential elections in 2008, Tsvangirai of MDC-T had 47,9% and
Mugabe had 43,2%. -News Day


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Salary Increases for Zimbabwe President, Prime Minister, Spark Discontent

http://www.voanews.com

A senior member of the judiciary told VOA that Mr. Mugabe demanded a raise
after learning he was earning less than judges paid US$1,200 a month

Blessing Zulu & Ntungamili Nkomo 13 September 2010

Reports that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and their vice presidents and deputy premiers secretly received
salary increases of 400 percent from the Treasury in January have generated
widespread resentment among public workers.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba confirmed to the ZANU-PF-leaning
Sunday Mail that Mr. Mugabe was now receiving US$1,750 a month before other
unspecified allowances. A ZANU-PF cabinet minister told VOA that Mr
Tsvangirai's salary was raised to US$1,650 at the same time.

A senior member of the judiciary told VOA  that Mr. Mugabe demanded a raise
after learning he was earning less than judges paid US$1,200 a month.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was ordered to provide funds to cover the
increases, sources said.

Constitutional expert Lovemore Madhuku said that under the Presidential
Salary and Allowances Act salaries of top officials must be made public, so
the raises were unconstitutional.

Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, soldiers, teachers and other civil
servants blasted the government for neglecting them while giving big
increases to executive officers. State workers have given the government 30
days to address their demands or face a possible strike.

Labor leaders objected to what they described as inequitable pay increases.

Deputy Secretary General Japhet Moyo of the Zimbabwe Congress of trade
Unions said that the government should award state workers the same
percentage increase as Mr. Mugabe.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Secretary General Raymond Majongwe
said his teachers feel left out by the large pay increases granted to top
government officials.

Ministerial sources said the Cabinet will take up the issue tomorrow at its
weekly meeting.

VOA was unable to obtain comment from Biti. Deputy Prime Minister Arthur
Mutambara referred all questions to Biti saying he was in China.

Members of Parliament are also demanding increased compensation. Bulawayo
East member of Parliament Thabitha Khumalo, a member of Parliament's welfare
committee, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu she was not aware that
top executives had received pay increases.

In the private sector, meanwhile, The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and
the Employers' Confederation of Zimbabwe are said to be working to bridge
the gap between the country's top earners and the shop-floor workers. The
highest-paid executives in the private sector are said to be earning as much
as US$20,000 a month, the lowest-paid no more than US$150.


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Zimbabwe Health Care System on Mend as PM Reopens Hospital Wards

http://www.voanews.com

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said it is his desire to restore the
nation's ailing health sector to its former status as one of the best in
Africa

Sandra Nyaira | Washington 13 September 2010

Efforts to revitalize Zimbabwe's health delivery system following its
near-total collapse in late 2008 and early 2009 gathered pace Monday as
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai officially reopened refurbished wards and
an intensive care unit at the Harare Central Hospital.

The hospital, a major referral center, closed the wards eight years ago due
to funding, staff and equipment shortages. Mr Tsvangirai commissioned a new
renal center at the hospital too.

The prime minister said it is his ambition to restore Zimbabwe's ailing
health sector to its former status as one of the best health care systems in
Africa.

Health Minister Henry Madzorera said the health sector is now out of
intensive care, and that his ministry will launch an appeal next month for
US$700 million in donor assistance to rebuild.

Dr. Madzorera told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that the situation is
the same in other hospitals in the country where major improvements in
service are being witnessed.


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Zimbabwe revokes leave for school-going mothers and fathers

http://www.irinnews.org/
 
 


Photo: IRIN
A baby being weighed
HARARE, 14 September 2010 (IRIN) - Zimbabwe's education ministry has backtracked on a new policy, introduced in August 2010, to grant pregnant schoolgirls and the prospective fathers maternity and paternity leave from school, and has opted for disciplinary measures instead.

"Learners in all schools may be suspended, excluded or expelled from school for various acts of misconduct of a serious nature," Stephen Mahere, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, said in a circular.

"Pregnancy of a learner, and being responsible for it, are such an example of misdemeanour of a serious nature. The law provides for the exclusion of a learner who falls pregnant, and expulsion of a learner responsible for it," the circular warned.

After consultations between the school and parents or guardians, a girl could be readmitted to school three months after a baby's birth at the grade or form she had been in before she had the baby, Mahere said.

However, the boy responsible for the pregnancy would be considered for admission at another school, and only after a period of 12 months.

"It should be noted that re-admission of the boy learner is not automatic, as approval would have to be sought and granted from the ministry of education before re-admission in any other formal school," the circular said.

"There cannot be maternity or paternity leave for learners in schools. In this regard, it can only be exclusion or expulsion from school."



[ENDS]

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


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Chiyangwa row over 'Chanakira shares' escalates

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Guthrie Munyuki
Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:30

HARARE - Flamboyant businessman Phillip Chiyangwa, who is at odds with
fellow board members in the Loackape investment vehicle over the "irregular
sale" of their shares to Nigel Chanakira, nearly manhandled the chairman of
his consortium when he was summoned to explain the controversy surrounding
the deal.

Sources said a furious Chiyangwa came close to flooring Rugare Chidembo who,
together with three other shareholders in Loackape questioned the sale of
their 10 percent stake in Kingdom Financial Holdings (KFHL) which paved the
way for Chanakira to wrest control of his financial services firm.

"He didn't like the intense questioning. On more than two occasions,
Chiyangwa had to be restrained from physically attacking Chidembo," said an
insider who attended the meeting Monday evening in Harare.

Chiyangwa could neither deny nor confirm that he was nearly involved in a
fracas with the diminutive former Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (Econet)
director.

"Look, I don't know who your source is in our consortium but what I said at
the weekend stands. As for fisticuffs or the noise about the so called
irregular sales, it is nonsense." said Chiyangwa "We hold insignificant
shares in Kingdom - 2 percent each. Nigel must be allowed to get his bank.
He deserves it."

The maverick entrepreneur, who met with fellow shareholders at the offices
of a leading lawyer, denied  any wrongdoing in the alleged sale of his
consortium's shares.

Loackape comprises  five different companies - Lebwave Investments (Rugare
Chidembo), Venlem Investments (Chipo Mutasa), Parcam Investments (Phillip
Chiyangwa), Cagmal Investments (Temba Mliswa) and Filtem Investments
(Langton Nyatsambo) - who acquired 10% Econet stake in KFHL in 2009.

Each company holds two percent shares in both KFHL and Meikles Africa
limited.

In August 2009, Econet's private investment arm sold its stake in both
companies to Loackape Investments for US$27 million, representing almost 25
million shares at US$0, 71 per share.

But other shareholders in Loackape Investments have taken Chiyangwa head-on
for going behind their back to sell the shares without their approval.

The disputing shareholders insist that if Chiyangwa wants to sell shares,
including his, they must exercise the right of first refusal since they have
pre-emptive rights - meaning they have the option to buy first or refuse to
sanction the sell of shares outside the consortium.

"We are hereby requesting an update on the developments regarding
Meikles\Kingdom shares. Apparently, I have received several calls from other
members who have not been updated or consulted on issues and are worried
about the recent press reports.

"Each member has to sign to give consent to the sale of their respective
shareholdings before any deal can be finalised. We hope we can get clarity
on the way forward at the meeting on Wednesday and look forward to your
report," wrote Chipo Mutasa, the Loackape secretary  to Chiyangwa Monday.

Mutasa's letter was in response to last weekend's comments by the former
Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairman who claimed that they had sold their 10
percent stake in KFHL to Chanakira.

"Chanakira is now the owner of the bank," Chiyangwa said at the weekend. "A
fortnight ago we structured a deal and the structure is self-financing. I
was involved and we gave him our stake. He got 43 percent from Moxon, 10
percent from Loackape, and added to his existing six percent stake, this
makes it a 59 percent shareholding."

Chiyangwa confirmed that he had been summoned to appear before his
colleagues, again, but said  he was unfazed by the agenda which includes the
sale of shares to Chanakira.

Instead, he said Wednesday's meeting would put the matter to rest but
reminded his colleagues that Chanakira had actually increased his stake in
KFHL.

"Yesterday (Monday) when we were meeting, Nigel had just bought 14% shares
and as I speak to you, he is now at 23%. If you add this to the 43% that he
got from John Moxon you will realise that he is in total control of his
bank," Chiyangwa told Daily News.

However, Chiyangwa did not want to comment on the consortium's deal with
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe which, among other things, does not allow them to
sell their shares before settling the money owed to the mobile
telecommunications operator.

Initially, Econet had given the consortium September 19, 2010 as the
deadline but following the delays in finalising the matter between Moxon and
Chanakira, the blue chip firm has extended its deadline by six months.


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After 9 team members abscond abroad, Zimbabwe is out of Homeless World Cup

Associated Press

By The Associated Press (CP) - 1 hour ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe won't be going to the United Nations-backed
Homeless World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil this weekend because most of
the players didn't come home last time, the team's coach said Tuesday.

Petros Chatiza told The Associated Press that the team's last appearance in
Australia in 2008 ended in turmoil after nine of the 10-member squad -
composed of players from some of the impoverished country's most squalid
townships - went missing and only he returned to Zimbabwe.

For that reason, when Italy hosted last year's tournament, the European
country refused visas for the revamped Zimbabwean team.

Chatiza says he didn't bother to prepare for Brazil, where the seven-a-side
tournament will be held starting Sunday, but is hoping to compete again in
France next year.

"We are now trying to get ready enough to be accepted in France next year,"
Chatiza said.

In recent years, Zimbabweans have disappeared from several official trips
abroad under the banner of sporting or civic events. A group of Boy Scouts
left a camp at a jamboree in Britain honouring the world founder of the
movement, Lord Robert Baden-Powell.

At least three million Zimbabweans have fled the country as economic
refugees or political fugitives.

For Chatiza, getting a new team ready includes taking steps to show that
players are working - if only selling goods, growing vegetables or doing
carpentry - and thus would have reasons to come home.

The annual seven-a-side tournament's sponsors include the U.N. children's'
agency, the European Football Association and Nike.

The competition claims it is taking the game to streets of the world,
creating self-esteem among youthful players and "beating homelessness and
poverty through football."

Chatiza said his team trained at the Hatcliffe township settlement outside
Harare, a camp of wooden shacks housing many families displaced by a brutal
government "urban renewal" program in 2005 known as Operation Murambvatsina,
or "clear out the filth" in the local Shona language.

The United Nations estimated that 700,000 people were left homeless in that
operation and another two million lost their livelihoods as market stalls
and traders' roadside shelters were demolished amid violence.

Critics said the slum clearance program aimed to root out burgeoning support
for the then opposition Movement for Democratic Change party in urban areas.

Last year, Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai joined a
power sharing coalition as prime minister with longtime President Robert
Mugabe in efforts to end a decade of political violence and economic
meltdown.


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Human Rights Probe - No Prosecutions Expected

http://mandebvhu.instablogs.com/entry/human-rights-probe-no-prosecutions-expected/
 

 
Zimbabwe :

Please understand that a probe will not necessarily result in a publicised report, nor the prosecution of any individuals. Again, this is how Mugabe works. The 'probe' is for esthetic appearances and quality only.

Other probes and investigations have resulted in no prosecutions, no police or civil action and, in reality, are just ornaments to make ZANU PF look better. No amount of investigation will result in the prosecution of ZANU PF members, but if the probe were to uncover any dalliance by MDC members, rest assured that prosecutions will undoubtedly follow.

Mugabe had a 'probe' done for the Entumbane uprisings of 1981, and this was carried out by High Court Justice Enock Dumbutchena, but the resultant report was never publicised and has been locked away from prying eyes for well over two decades.

Human Rights Probe - No Prosecutions Expected

From my book, "Without Honour" on the Gukurahundi: "An enquiry was ordered, but the findings have never been published. Again from "Breaking the Silence": "The Government instituted a Commission of Inquiry into events surrounding Entumbane, conducted by Justice Enock Dumbutshena. However, Mr Mugabe complained about its findings, and the Dumbutshena Report was never made public."

Other reports about the Gukurahundi which have been written and published by quite reputable individuals and bodies have received the total blanking that we have come to expect from Mugabe and his loyalists...

A probe into the post December 2008 political violence will be a platform that Mugabe will use as 'evidence' that his party is prepared to participate in the 'national healing' of Zimbabwe, but without any consequential action, the country and the people will have to go without any justice.

"Zimbabwe's unity government has agreed to probe human rights abuses committed after December 2008, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said on Monday, effectively ruling out investigating gross abuses committed since independence or before.

Chinamasa said the government would soon table in Parliament a Bill that will empower the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to probe human rights abuses committed after enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 18."

So, ZANU PF have found a way in which their violent and barbaric acts are to be forgiven and forgotten. Well - perhaps not forgiven or forgotten, but certainly the acts before December 2008 are off the table.

Chalk up yet another victory for Mugabe's crowd of malcontents. And, it would appear, that the MDC have agreed with this...

Why?

"But it is the coalition Cabinet's decision not to probe rights violations prior to December 2008 that will infuriate many Zimbabweans including many of Tsvangirai's supporters in his MDC party and in civil society.

MDC members, including Tsvangirai himself, have borne the brunt of organised political violence from security forces and Mugabe's supporters since 2000 with several hundreds killed while many more have been uprooted from their homes by war veterans and youth militia loyal to the veteran leader."

I am not convinced that the MDC has done themselves any favours by giving in to Mugabe's demands... again.

Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man




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