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Mugabe demands UN seats for Africa

http://english.aljazeera.net

Zimbabwe's president calls for reform of Security Council to give the
continent permanent representation.
Last Modified: 25 Sep 2010 00:32 GMT

Zimbabwe's president has demanded that Africa get permanent representation
on the United Nations Security Council.

Robert Mugabe told the UN General Assembly on Friday that the continent
should be given two permanent seats, which bring the power of veto over
resolutions, on the body.

"It is completely unacceptable that Africa remains the only continent
without permanent representation in the council. That historical injustice
must be corrected," he said.

"We therefore urge member states, including those that have vested interests
in maintaining the status quo, to give due and fair consideration to
Africa's legitimate demand for two permanent seats, with full powers of
veto, plus two additional non-permanent seats.

"Africa's plea for justice cannot continue to be ignored. We all have an
obligation to make the council more representative, more democratic and more
accountable."

Calls for reform

The Security Council currently has just five permanent members - the US,
Britain, France, China and Russia. Ten other members are elected for
two-year terms by the General Assembly, with five replaced every year.

"This time [Mugabe] is actually articulating a consensus position from
[Zimababwe's] government of national unity"

Knox Chitiyo,
Zimbabwe researcher

The non-permanent members are chosen by regional groups before being
confirmed by the assembly.

The African bloc chooses three members; the Latin America and the Caribbean,
Asian, and Western European and Others blocs choose two members each; and
the Eastern European bloc chooses one member. One delegate from an "Arab
country" is chosen alternately from the Asian or African bloc.

Other nations - including Japan, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Democratic
Republic of Congo - have also used the UN General Assembly gathering this
week to call for reform of the Security Council.

"No one continent should have an exclusive monopoly over membership of the
Security Council. There is no justification for a discriminatory allocation
of seats, nor can we debate and endlessly ignore the realities of our
rapidly changing global circumstances," Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone's
president, said on Thursday.

Mugabe condemned Western nations on the Security Council as "hypocrites" for
wanting to maintain the status quo.

"Why are the developed Western countries, especially those permanent members
with the veto, resisting the democratisation of the United Nations organs,
especially the Security Council?

"Aren't they the ones who talk glibly about democracy in regard to our
developing countries. Or are they sanctimonious hypocrites whose actions
contradict their sermons to us."

Financial sanctions

Mugabe has come under fire from Western nations over his actions at home.
The European Union and the US have imposed financial sanctions on the
president and dozens of associates for nearly a decade since a violent
re-election campaign.

Mugabe called for an end to sanctions on Zimbabwe in his speech on Friday.

"The people of Zimbabwe should, like every other sovereign state, be left to
freely chart their own destiny," he said.

Knox Chitiyo, a Zimbabwean researcher at the Royal United Services Institute
in London, said that Mugabe's comments were different from the fiery
rhetoric of previous speeches.

"This time he is actually articulating a consensus position from
[Zimababwe's] government of national unity," told Al Jazeera.

"Previously it was easy for people to dismiss him, saying 'this is just
Mugabe politicking and he is representing Zanu-PF'.

Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing pact with Morgan Tsvangirai, now the
prime minister, more than a year ago after a crisis over a 2008 national
election that local and foreign observers say was marred by violence and
vote-rigging.

"They have come to the UN as a coalition government. The issue around
sanctions is a coalition position as well as the position of Sadc and the
African Union


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Cholera outbreak at Zim diamond field

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondent Saturday 25 September 2010

HARARE - Zimbabwean health officials have been placed on high alert amid
reports that at least 19 people have died from a fresh cholera outbreak
whose epicentre is at the controversial Chiadzwa or Marange diamond field.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) this week
said that the latest outbreak has so far affected 18 of the country's 62
districts compared to 54 districts at the same time in 2009.

"Cumulative cholera cases stood at 753 with 669 suspected and 86 laboratory
confirmed cases, while 19 deaths had been reported by 29 August 2010," the
UN agency said.

The hardest hit areas are Beitbridge, Bindura, Buhera, Chegutu, Chivi,
Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Harare, Hurungwe, Kadoma, Masvingo,
Makonde, Mount Darwin, Mutare, Mwenezi, Nyanga, Plumtree and
Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe.

More than 70 percent of the cases currently reported are from rural areas.

"The bulk of recently reported cases is from Manicaland province and has
been linked to illegal diamond mining activities at Chiadzwa," OCHA said.

A cholera outbreak erupted in the highly militarised Chiadzwa diamond fields
in July, sparking fears of an epidemic amid reports that more than 70 people
had been admitted into hospitals in nearby Mutare city.

The outbreak in the area is being fuelled by the unhygienic conditions under
which hundreds of illegal diamond panners  still present in the area live.

The Ministry of Health is working with the International Rescue Committee
(IRC) to contain the outbreak in the area.

The advent of the rain season in October raises fears that the outbreak
could spiral and kill more people amid warning by OCHA of "underlying
vulnerabilities" due to unaddressed infrastructural degradation.

A similar cholera outbreak between August 2008 and July last year infected
nearly 100 000 people and claimed more than 4 000 lives.

 


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Anglican Parishioners in Harare, Zimbabwe, Evicted From New Church by Opponent

http://www.voanews.com/

The parishioners recognize the authority of Anglican Bishop Chad Gandiya,
who was appointed by the Province of Central Africa last year to the Harare
bishopric from which Kunonga resigned in 2007

Sandra Nyaira | Washington 24 September 2010

The latest turn in a long-running battle between rival factions of the
Anglican Church in Harare, Zimbabwe, has seen parishioners adhering to the
authority of the church's Central African Province opposed by former Harare
Bishop Nolbert Kunonga found themselves barred by police recently from a
church they had recently built.

The parishioners had been excluded for years from existing churches under
Kunonga's control.

The parishioners purchased land and built a new church but were shocked when
police officers arrived with Kunonga last week to seize the premises. The
parishioners recognize the authority of Anglican Bishop Chad Gandiya, who
was appointed last year by the Province of Central Africa to the bishopric
from which Kunonga resigned.

A police officer confirmed to VOA that the parishioners had been evicted but
refused to comment for the record.

Attorney Michael Chingore, representing the parishioners loyal to the
Province of Central Africa, said parishioners are angry Kunonga, closely
allied to President Robert Mugabe, has the political muscle behind him to
continue inflicting pain on the Anglican Christians wherever they go, having
barred them from their longtime churches.

A spokesperson for Kunonga said that his wing of the church would not
respond to questions from the media.


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ZSE rebounds as foreigners return

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondent Saturday 25 September 2010

HARARE - Zimbabwe's stock market continues to be a boon among foreign
investors despite negative sentiment about the overall political and
economic climate in the troubled southern African country.

Latest figures from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) show that net inflows
from foreigners more than quadrupled in the four months to August.

According to the ZSE, foreign investors pumped in US$27.2 million to buy
shares on the local bourse in August, up from US$17.7 million the previous
month and an insignificant US$6.6 million in May.

The renewed foreign investor interest surpasses the performance of the ZSE
before the introduction of Zimbabwe's controversial black economic
empowerment regulations in February which saw the market slip by at least
300 percent in one month under a cloud of uncertainty.

The empowerment regulations, which compelled foreign-owned firms to cede
controlling stake to indigenous Zimbabweans over the next five years, have
since been toned down following concerns by business and the MDC-T led by
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Jitters over the regulations saw the bourse raking in only about US$5
million between February and March compared to more than US$20 million a
month previously.

Critics fear Mugabe wants to press ahead with transferring majority
ownership of foreign-owned companies as part of a drive to reward party
loyalists with thriving businesses.

"We have seen an improvement in foreign inflows over the past month or so as
the foreigners take positions in anticipation of the day when the country's
fortunes improve," an analyst with a Harare-based stockbroking said.

The improvement in foreign investor sentiment comes against the backdrop of
a recent report by Netherlands-based Amstel Securities which labelled the
ZSE the worst performing bourse in the sub-Saharan Africa.

Amstel said the Zimbabwean bourse declined by 7.5 percent between January
and July compared to robust performances by other African markets such as
Kenya and Uganda which grew by more than 40 percent over the same period.

Concerns over Zimbabwe's fragile coalition government have also lurked over
the country's economic horizon.

Constant bickering about the parties in the coalition regime has failed to
restore confidence in an economy pummelled by a 10-year political crisis.


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Iran, Zimbabwe Underline Boosting All-Out Cooperation

http://english.farsnews.com
 
  Saturday 25 Sep 2010
 

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Gabriel Mugabe in a meeting in New York stressed the two countries' eagerness to bolster mutual cooperation in all fields.



During the meeting on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly session on Friday, Ahmadinejad referred to the growing ties between Tehran and Harare, and said the two countries should use all potentials to increase their cooperation in various arenas.

"Iran and Zimbabwe are two countries with common interests and viewpoints and can take joint steps in line with the reformation of the global structures using their existing potentials," he added.

Mugabe, for his part, lauded Iran's self-sufficiency and independence from the foreign countries, and said, "The Zimbabwean nation seeks to expand relations and increase ties with independent and freedom-seeking nations, like Iran."

He also underscored the necessity for continued consultations and reciprocal visits by the two countries' officials.

Tehran has prioritized promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states and the country is now considered as one of the African Union's strategic partners.

In April 2010, Iran and Zimbabwe signed 11 documents for expansion of cooperation between the two countries in different fields.

The protocols, signed during President Ahmadinejad's visit to the African state, envisage cooperation in the fields of tourism, science, technology, youth affairs, transportation, aviation and education as well as lifting political and service visa issuance.

At the same meeting, Iran's Export Guarantee Fund and Zimbabwe Finance Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding as the two countries' officials agreed on the formation of mutual investment companies and drawing up executive plans for scientific, cultural, and technical cooperation.


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Govt in quandary over ultimatum

http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/

Friday, 24 September 2010 10:40

Kudzai Bare, Staff Reporter

THE government is in a predicament over an ultimatum issued out by civil
servants amid revelations that a make-or break meeting that had been
scheduled for early this week failed to take place as the State had nothing
to put on the table. Last Friday civil servants, the majority of which earn
an average monthly salary of about US$150, marched through the streets of
Harare to press for a review of their salaries and working conditions.
Public Service Minister, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, who was forced to address
the protesting workers outside his government offices, had promised the
National Joint Negotiating Committee would meet this week to deliberate on
their concerns. But sources said government was not in a position to engage
the representatives of the civil servants as it had nothing to offer.
Unions representing civil servants, notably the Zimbabwe Teachers
Association and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, are adamant the
government should divert funds derived from the sale of diamonds from
Chiadzwa to bankroll civil servants' salaries.
Mukonoweshuro was non-committal on the promised meeting with civil servants
representatives when pressed for comment yesterday.
"The negotiations are going to take place, however, we have to make sure
logistical arrangements are done and all representatives of the association
are there. We cannot tell when the meeting is going to take place," he told
The Financial Gazette yesterday.
 "Government has always been prepared to look into the issue of civil
servants in a positive way, however, I cannot say the amount they are going
to settle for as it is up to the government when they sit down with the
civil servants (to negotiate)," Mukonoweshuro added.
Representatives of teachers' unions said they were giving the government up
to tomorrow to communicate with them before taking up action.
The secretary-general of the Public Service Association, Emmanuel Tichareva
on Tuesday said they were still waiting for the government to inform them on
when they would meet to open negotiations.
"We are just waiting for the implementation of the minister's words but up
to now we have not yet received anything. We are giving them up to Friday to
communicate with us and we will take it up from there," he said.
The public workers remain cynical of the government's promises as Finance
Minister, Tendai Biti, has on several occasions publicly stated that the
State was technically broke.


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Strike costs Air Zim US$8 million

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Rebecca Moyo
Friday, 24 September 2010 11:06

HARARE -- Air Zimbabwe has lost about US$8,67 million in potential revenue
following the cancellation of return flights after pilots downed their tools
on September 7 demanding outstanding allowances dating back to February last
year.

The strike was called off last Friday after the government that owns the
airline intervened in the labour dispute.

The two-week strike paralysed return flights for the airline's lucrative
Harare- London, Harare -Lubumbashi, Harare -Lusaka and Harare -Bulawayo.
The lucrative Johannesburg -Victoria Falls - Harare was on several occasions
also disrupted by the industrial action.

Air Zimbabwe chairman Jonathan Kadzura said the national airline lost about
US$500 000 a day which translate to US$8,6 million over the 14 day.

The airline also paid nearly US$50 000 for meals for stranded passengers and
hotels accommodation for travelers stranded after flights were cancelled due
to the industrial action.

Kadzura did not give details of the deal that ended the strike. Kadzura's
board and management at Air Zimbabwe had insisted they would not give to the
salary demands by the pilots who they suspended over the strike.

In a statement last week, the Ministry of Transpot whose intervention helped
end the strike said suspension orders against the pilots had been lifted and
that there would be no disciplinary action taken against them.

The pilots went on strike to pressure the airline to pay outstanding
allowances owed them after management reduced their allowances to US$1 200
from US$2 500 pre month.
The airline's total wage bill is estimated at US$1, 3 million per month,
which analysts say is disproportionate to the volume of business the firm is
handling.
Air Zimbabwe was one of the best airlines in Africa at independence in 1980.
But years of mismanagement and interference by the government have nearly
brought the airline to its knees.
Starved of cash for re-tooling, Air Zimbabwe uses mostly obsolete technology
and equipment while nearly all its planes are between 18 and 22 years old.
In addition, the airline pilots and other skilled staff have deserted the
airline to go abroad where salaries are higher and working conditions
better.


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Mugabe Duped Us, Say Villagers

http://news.radiovop.com

25/09/2010 20:08:00

Bikita, September 25, 2010 - Hundreds of villagers here have condemned
President Robert Mugabe saying he duped them by giving schools in their area
'fake computer donations' about three years ago.

Villagers including Zanu (PF) supporters are now regretting voting for
Mugabe in 2008 elections saying the computers which he donated in secondary
and primary schools in the district have not changed anything since there is
no electricity in all the schools.
When Mugabe donated the computers in rural schools during campaigns for 2008
elections, he promised villagers that he was going to make sure that all the
schools would get electricity in the earliest possible time.
"Mugabe duped us, he is a liar. He came to us and donated hundreds of
computers in our schools three years ago but not even one donated computers
was turned on since then. He promised rural electrification in the possible
earliest time but up to now there is nothing," said
Thomas Mujeyi in Bikita south.
Zanu PF councilor Peter Wafawarova of ward 12 in Bikita said convincing
villagers that Mugabe did not lie has become an uphill task for his office.
"Its becoming more difficult on daily basis, people feel betrayed. Ofcourse
we understand that he (Mugabe) might be busy doing other things but he
should communicate through formal channels so that people would know when
they can expect to start using computers in schools," said Wafawarova.
Schools such as Birevenge, Makanga, Chikwira and Chirima Secondary schools
received hundreds of computers but officials say the donation is 'rotting'
in store rooms.
"Yes we have computers in our schools but they are rotting in store rooms as
we speak. There is no one among students who benefited fromthat donation,"
said one of the school officials.
Masvingo Provincial Administrator who is in the Masvingo rural
electrification board Felix Chikovo said there are signs of electrifying
rural schools soon.
"It is very difficult to tell when these schools maybe electrified
especially now. We areprioritizing schools which are less than ten
kilometers away from existing power line," said Chikovo.
Chikovo said it was not for him to comment whether President Mugabe lied or
not.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said
it was better if Mugabe could have donated text books and furniture rather
than computers which are not benefiting students.
"It was a misdirected donation, he should have donated other things like
text books in rural schools rather than mocking teachers and education
officials. Two years down the line, teachers and children have not benefited
from his donation and they are justified to sayMugabe coned them," said
Zhou.
 


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Matabeleland lags behind in development - Biti

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

By Ray Matikinye
Saturday, 25 September 2010 16:39

BULAWAYO - Finance Minister Tendai Bitii today has admitted that the
marginalisation of Matebeleland had worked against the promotion of business
development and frustrated the region's efforts at turning around the
economy.

Responding to proposals by representatives of commerce and industry at a
pre-budget consultative meeting on the need to decentralise some
admininstrative issue regarding imports and exports, Biti on Friday said he
had sensed "a huge pocket of distrust against government."

"This region has fundamental issues underpinned by a sense of exclusion
which government has to deal with. Those issues will take years to resolve
though," he said.

Representatives of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and the
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries appealed for a decentralisation of
customs and clearance system saying they had suffered immesureably in terms
of travel and accommodation costs incurred when they are forced to go to
Harare for simple admininstrative issue that could be dealt with locally.

Dr Ruth Labode of the ZNNCC said the ministershould consider ordering the
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to establish a bonded warehouse in Bulawayo to
allow industrialists to clear their imports or exports.

"In the textile industry whose products often have an imported component,
particuarly clothing,the  ZNCC proposed a waiver of duty on those items
because the industry has a vast export  potential," Labode said.

ZIMRA also came under criticism  for its inordinate delays in clearing
goods.

Peter Mugode of Ernst and Young said the minister should balance between
revenue collection and trade facilitation.

"There should be an allowance for industry to  get its imports if Zimra
fails to clear them in a stipulated time for industry to continue doing
business often lost when goods are held up at customs. Zimra can then follow
up on the manufacturer to get its dues at a later date," Mugode proposed.

Minister Biti resisted pressure from  business to  delay the introduction of
fiscal electronic cash registers (FECR) until government had studied fully
its impact and put in place proficient measures of implementing the scheme.

"Your proposals on the issue of fiscal cash registers is a reflection of a
culture that resists change. This country is suffering because of lack of a
culture of accountability, hence this kind of resistance," Biti said.

He said most progressive countries in the region had adopted the system and
some businessmen inthose countries have welcomed the advantages brought
about by such a scheme.

Biti said governent had noted the "arbitrage and endemic corruption" at Beit
Bridge border post and had tendered for a US$90 million expansiong
programme. This project will include a new dual carrriageway bridge;
separate bays for heavy vehicle, buses and civilian traffic and a single
agency to deal with all other matters relating to customs and clearance.

The border post, he added, generated 79 percent of all customs revenue.

"We noticed that the border post at Beitbridge does not have the capacity to
deal efficiently with the demands of an economy that needs ggrowth and
expansion. It needs staff houses and we want to expand it because to a point
when it had its own Deputy Commissioner," Biti said.

Hundreds of local businesmen attended the meeting.


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Shamuyarira blocks union from giving food aid

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Maxwell Chaitwa
Friday, 24 September 2010 10:14

CHEGUTU - Zanu (PF) stalwart Nathan Shamuyarira (pictured) has been accused
of barring a trade union from giving food aid to hungry former workers at a
commercial farm he seized from its former white owner.
General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ)
official Edward Dzeka said a team from the union was last Wednesday
prevented by Shamuyarira's guards from entering Mt Manhize Farm to handover
mealie-meal and other food to the ex-workers.
"We had gone to the farm with a 30-tonne truck to distribute mealie-meal to
180 former farm workers who were rendered jobless after Shamuyarira took
over the farm last year," said Dzeka.
He added: "We were stopped by a security guard and Zanu (PF) youths at the
gate. The guard told us his bosses had instructed him not to allow us inside
the farm. We asked to speak to the manager but he could not allow us to do
so and instead he called the manager who said the same thing."
After failing to make headway with the youths, the GAPWUZ team called
Shamuyarira, who was away in Harare, to ask permission to enter the
property.
The former government minister refused to allow the union workers to enter
the farm accusing them of wanting to "give food aid on an MDC ticket".
Shamuyarira, according to Dzeka, also told the GAPWUZ team that the Zanu
(PF) youths keeping them waiting at the farm gates were buying time to
mobilise more numbers so they could beat up the union workers.
Contacted for comment, Shamuyarira confirmed the incident but said he only
barred the GAPWUZ team from entering the farm because he needs to know in
advance the identity of visitors to the property.
"It is not about politics but I just wanted to know who these people are in
the first place before I could allow them to give food to my workers," he
said.
Shamuyarira denied trying to intimidate the GAPWUZ officials and said he
would in future allow them to enter Mt Manhize Farm to give food to the
former workers.
Mt Manhize was formerly known as Mt Carmel Farm and was owned by Michael
Campbell who is one of the 78 farmers whose properties are protected from
seizure under an order granted by the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Tribunal in November 2008.
President Robert Mugabe and his top allies like Shamuyarira have refused to
abide by the Tribunal ruling while SADC leaders have declined calls to
pressure the Zimbabwean President to obey the court order.
Instead, regional leaders decided at their last summit in August in Namibia
to review the regional court's mandate.


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ZRP incompetence levels alarming

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by MORGEN KULARE
Thursday, 23 September 2010 12:08

The recent state media reports that two police officers and 23 recruits were
arraigned before the courts facing assault charges as defined by the
Criminal law Codification and Reform Act (chapter 9:23) does not only reveal
the extent of police brutality against innocent citizens, but also exposes
the gross incompetence levels in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
According to The Sunday Mail, the 25 police details descended on Chawakira
village in Shamva and assaulted innocent villagers using clenched fists and
booted feet.  They also poured water on the villagers and ordered them to
smear mud on their faces, all in the name of settling a personal dispute
between one of the villagers and the two police officers.
It is disturbing to note such levels of torture and human rights abuses on
innocent civilians by uniformed forces exactly two years after a horrific
state masterminded attack on innocent villagers in the run-up to the sham
2008 June Presidential run-off election. This incident confirms the widely
held notion that the ZRP is a violent police force, which is used by the
former ruling Zanu (PF) party as an instrument of torture against anyone
perceived to be opposing its archaic ideology.
The fact that 23 of the 25 police details implicated in the torture are
recruits clearly indicates that our police officers are inadequately trained
and a lot of tax payer's money is being put to waste at Morris depot.  The
MDC and the progressive civil society have always been rightly calling for
security sector reforms and this incident calls for nothing short of that.
Police recruits are being indoctrinated with hoggish Zanu (PF) ideology and
are being taught violence as part of that training.
In their initial court appearance, the 23 recruits said that they were,
"taking orders from their seniors". This has been the excuse given by our
police force each time they unleash terror against MDC members and
supporters, students, human rights defenders and the greater progressive
civil society. The ZRP has widely documented cases of human rights abuses
against innocent civilians under the cover of, 'taking orders from above'.
The origin of this mess is at Morris depot and this must be urgently
stopped.
The same police officers who 'take orders from above' took nine years to
prepare and bring a docket to court implicating Senator Roy Bennett in the
hoarding of 92,289 tonnes of maize. The Attorney General [AG] later declined
to prosecute. The Commissioner General of Police Augustine Chihuri must come
clean on Senator Bennett's case. He holds a constitutional office and it is
his duty to sincerely explain to the nation whether it is normal practice
for the  ZRP to take nine years preparing one docket or that it was a simply
a case of persecution disguised as prosecution.
When Jestina Mukoko appeared before a magistrate's court on 24 December
2008, Chief Superintendent Peter Magwenzi told the court that the state
security agents handed over the human rights defender abducted and held
incommunicado on 22 December 2008. Despite overwhelming evidence,
testimonies and confirmation from the Supreme Court, no arrests have been
made. Furthermore Jestina also knows and has named the alleged perpetrators
of this heinous crime. Why have the police cast a blind eye? In fact why did
Chief Superintendent Magwenzi not arrest the torturers the moment they
'handed over' Jestina to him on 22 December 2008? Is this another case of,
'taking orders from above'?
In one incident during the run up to the violent June 27 2008 Presidential
plebiscite, Inspector Kandare who was Officer in Charge Mwenezi Police
Station (now Chief Inspector Bikita Police Station) was stopped by marauding
for ruling Zanu (PF) party youths at Dinhe Business Centre and asked to
produce a Zanu (PF) party card and chant Zanu (PF) slogans. This is despite
the fact that he was dressed in police uniform and driving a police marked
vehicle.
One will definitely be tempted to ask how the police would dismantle these
illegal 'roadblocks' when they themselves were victims of this violence. It
is quite evident from this incident that the ZRP at any time are unprepared
to handle politically motivated violence. The fact that the Officer in
Charge managed to negotiate his way and leave the illegal 'road block'
intact speaks volumes of police competence in ensuring a stable political
environment during election period.
The ZRP has abandoned its professionalism and its image is in great
disrepair. There is urgent need for the co- Home Affairs Ministers Theresa
Makone and Kembo Mohadi to urgently introduce a training syllabus which
inoculates a sense of human rights appreciation and asserts professional
conduct in our police force. This might help alleviate the battered
professional image of the ZRP which has gone to the dogs.
By all standards, the ZRP are a bunch of an incompetent lot whose
performance of national duties leaves a lot to be desired. They do not even
deserve the meager salaries they are getting from treasury. Editor's note:
Morgen Kulare is the National Research and Advocacy Officer for Youth of
Zimbabwe for Transparency and Progress (YZTP).


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Mugabe goes shopping

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/
 
Yes, it really IS Robert Mugabe in the lipstick section of a New York drug store. And he’s about to be seriously embarrassed...

By Angelina Johnson
Last updated at 7:19 PM on 25th September 2010

 

The extravagant spending habits of President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace are well-documented. Described as the First Shopper of Zimbabwe, she is usually clad in haute couture and hidden behind designer sunglasses.

With a £25,000 diamond-encrusted Rolex watch hanging off her wrist, the 45-year-old thinks nothing of spending millions of pounds during foreign shopping trips each year – while ordinary Zimbabweans can barely find enough food to eat.

But her husband, who indulges her every whim, seems to be somewhat more frugal in his personal spending habits – at least when it comes to cosmetics and toiletries.

Happy shopper: Mugabe browses the lipsticks in Duane Reade on 52nd Street, a downtown drugstore in New York

Happy shopper: Mugabe browses the lipsticks in Duane Reade on 52nd Street, a downtown drugstore in New York

The 86-year-old dictator was photographed browsing in a downmarket drug store in New York. He was on an official visit to the city to address the UN last Wednesday.

Wearing a crisp grey suit, Mugabe was spotted at the lipstick counter in Duane Reade on 52nd Street.

According to a shopper who found himself facing Mugabe, the president seemed frail under the glaring fluorescent lights.

The New Yorker, whose family live in Zimbabwe, told The Mail on Sunday of the surreal moment he came face-to-face with the tyrant.

‘I was looking for a box of plasters when I noticed this well-dressed, straight-backed man eyeing me strangely,’ the man said. 

‘Another official in a dark suit walked up to him, nervously holding out a list in his hand and muttering something about such and such not being there.

‘I could not believe it when I turned and saw, standing in the cosmetics section, none other than Robert Mugabe, the man who has done so much to destroy the economy of his country. He was hunched over a display of lipsticks and blushers, staring intently, as if uncertain about which colours to choose.’

Emboldened by a sense of outrage, the New Yorker shouted at Mugabe: ‘Give the power back to the people. Leave office gracefully. Do it for Zimbabwe.’

The protester said he did not know who was more shocked – him or the president. Then, quickly lowering his gaze, Mugabe turned and made his way towards the till.

About a dozen tall, dark-suited men – members of Mugabe’s Secret Service detail – immediately swarmed into the store and bundled the man outside.

Mugabe was in New York for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, which is the only way he can enter the United States due to a travel ban imposed by the US government.

For more than ten minutes, Mugabe remained trapped inside the store while his angry critic waited outside.

Perhaps the president used the time to complete his lipstick purchase or buy some black hair dye and other personal hygiene products stocked at the store.

Unable to find another exit, Mugabe eventually emerged with his bodyguards and scurried into a waiting limousine. It was not a particularly graceful or presidential  departure, but perhaps fitting for an international pariah.




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Red warning lights



Dear Family and Friends,
As the programme to consult people about what they want included in
our new constitution draws to a close, we have begun bracing
ourselves for what comes next. The drawing up of a new draft
constitution leading to a referendum and then an election is now in
sight. It is exactly this three-step process where the mayhem began
for us all, 10 years ago, in February 2000.

We are bracing ourselves now because in the last few weeks we have
seen the re-emergence of the same crude harassment, intimidatory
tactics and oppressive practices which tell us that, without a shadow
of a doubt, nothing has changed.

The first red warning light went on when the constitutional
consultative meetings got to the capital city. The process
immediately descended into chaos. 45 meetings were violently
disrupted as truck loads of people, apparently bussed in from rural
areas, made sure that no one was free to voice their opinions. At one
venue Zanu PF youths and war veterans barred some people from
participating because of their skin colour; at another venue a Zanu
PF supporter reportedly drew a gun in order to stop a resident from
delivering an opening prayer before the commencement of the meeting.
When the police did not intervene and arrest perpetrators, the MDCs
co Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone, finally found her voice.
Minister Makone said Zanu PF were virtually holding the Zimbabwe
Republic Police to ransom. She said the police were too afraid to do
their jobs because they received instructions from Zanu PF.

The next red light went on when 83 members of WOZA were arrested
whilst taking part in a peaceful march to Parliament on International
Peace Day. 76 women and 7 men were held for 2 nights in prison cells,
amongst them was a 9 month old baby. WOZA press releases talked of
prisoners being held in passageways as the cells themselves were
uninhabitable. There were no toilets, no water was available and one
man was severely beaten with baton sticks.

The last red warning light came at local level in the form of a
strike at the Marondera municipality. It was a strike that hadnt
attracted any sympathy whatsoever from ratepayers or residents of the
town who are totally disenchanted with street lights that havent
worked for over 4 years, roads that havent been maintained for 3
years, piles of uncollected garbage dumped on roadsides and under
trees and less than 2 hours of dirty water a day if we are lucky.
Then there are all the ghost workers still on the municipal payroll
and the large amounts of fuel we see being drawn by municipal
vehicles every Friday afternoon and Monday morning. Add to this the
talk of top council officials each drawing salaries in the multiple
thousands every month and youll understand why there was no support
at all for a strike. All that aside, the warning light came on when
the drumming started; clenched fists waving in the air told us this
had been hijacked (or perhaps masterminded) by Zanu PF. The signs
written on the green cardboard placards were proof. A part of one
banner being held up by a dreadlocked man who was probably still in
nappies at Independence thirty one years ago, read: Rhodesians must
go.

The warning signs are now clearly visible and we can see the true
nature of the beast which has been hiding behind a cloak called
Unity Government all along. Until next time, thanks for reading,
love cathy Copyright Cathy Buckle 25 September 2010.
www.cathybuckle.com
 


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A letter from the diaspora

 

Friday September 24th 2010
As the weather warms up in Zimbabwe, the political temperature also rises.
Last weekend saw Copac-related violence spreading to the urban townships and
northern suburbs of Harare. Gangs of youths, reportedly bussed in from the
rural areas, descended on Mbare, Chitungwiza, Tafara, Greendale, Mount
Pleasant, Greystone Park and Lewisham violently disrupting Copac meetings.
Five MDC officials were seriously injured, one man died in Mbare after a
brutal beating with iron bars and nine more MDC members were arrested 'for
causing violence.' In the northern suburbs white citizens were denied the
right to contribute by war vets who said 'foreigners' were not entitled to
speak. A total of 45 meetings were disrupted in Harare and the Copac
exercise has now been suspended in the city - so much for genuine democratic
consultation.
There was chaos in Bulawayo too with war veterans disrupting meetings,
claiming that the new constitution must enshrine Mugabe as president for
life and war veterans must be allocated seats in any new parliament because
they won the country's freedom 'through blood'. While all this mayhem was
unfolding in Harare and Bulawayo, the police stood by and did nothing.
"I believe the time has come for the ZRP to declare war against unruly
elements." said Police Commissioner Chihuri this week. He was talking about
the killing of a senior policeman in Bulawayo but his definition of 'unruly
elements' is well-known to include anyone opposed to Zanu PF.
On Monday, International Peace Day, 600 Woza women and men marched
peacefully through the streets of Harare to the House of Assembly to protest
police failure to protect communities. 73 Woza members were arrested and
held in filthy prison cells until Wednesday when they were finally released.
At least ten Woza members required medical treatment and one man was
severely assaulted while in prison.
And where was Robert Mugabe while all this was going on? Air Zimbabwe had
managed to find a crew to fly him and his 80- strong delegation to New York
where on Tuesday he addressed the UN Assembly. He had nothing new to say and
certainly nothing about the chaos prevailing back in Zimbabwe. It is western
sanctions that are causing his country's troubles, Mugabe claimed in the
same tired old refrain repeated every year. From New York Mugabe will fly on
to Ecudor where he is to receive an honorary doctorate; even as evidence of
Mugabe's sinister deal with the Chinese - diamonds for arms - is revealed,
his supporters at home and abroad still refuse to see that his time is up
and that violence and bloodshed are all he has to offer.
There was an intriguing little intervention this week when Richard Branson
the billionaire head of Virgin Atlantic called on the world to invest in
Zimbabwe as a 'safe haven' for their money. Zanu PF's reaction to Branson's
call was to dismiss it as an attempt to counter the power of China.
"Zimbabwe does not need investments disguised as philanthropic work. The
international community has now realised that the jewel we call Zimbabwe
having discovered the largest deposit of diamonds is now able to lift itself
out of poverty that the west helped to create in the first place." No
evidence yet that the diamonds are 'lifting us out of poverty' and as for
Zimbabwe being 'a jewel', read Basildon Peta's description of his return to
his hometown of Chitungwiza after nine years in exile: raw sewerage running
in the streets, no electricity, no water, schools with no books and no
teachers and hospitals described by Chitungwiza residents as mortuaries
where people go, not to get well but to die. A jewel indeed!
When Mugabe gets back from his trip Morgan Tsvangirai says he wants urgent
meetings with him to discuss the collapse of Copac and Zanu PF's use of
violence and the military to disrupt the process. The MDC joined the Unity
government  "in the firm belief that our adversaries would see reason," says
Tsvangirai. 'Seeing reason' is not a characteristic one associates with
bullies and thugs; the collapse of Copac is proof of that.
Yours in the (continuing) struggle PH. aka Pauline Henson.
 


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Road trip to remember

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
 
Written by JOY MORRISON   
Friday, 24 September 2010 12:28
long_drive_to_zimEating caviar in a French café and prawns on the beach isn't what I expected from a holiday in Zimbabwe, but thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of local restaurateurs, there are lots of new places to eat in Bulawayo.
 With the stabilisation of the economy, tourist spots nationwide are experiencing an increase in trade, from the watering holes of Hwange to the hotels of Harare.
Following the recommendations of friends, we decided to use our remaining 10 days of annual leave on a road trip to Zimbabwe to visit Bulawayo and the Matopus National Park. With our Izuzu KB loaded with groceries, camping equipment and extra fuel, we drove the 1400km from Pietermaritzburg to Zimbabwe's second largest city in two days.
Despite the harrowing tales of queues and confusion at the Beitbridge border, we managed to make it through in an hour and a half. Thankfully we had done our research and attached all of the necessary stickers to our car and purchased our third party car insurance in advance. It was, however, our first encounter with the flexible exchange rates between the two accepted currencies in the country: the South African Rand and the US dollar. Most supermarkets, restaurants and shops use the rate R7.5 to US$1, but the majority of government departments use R10 to US$1, with the excuse that it is easier to calculate the exchange. Travelling on British passports meant that we had to pay US$55 each for a visa to enter the country. Because we only had Rand, it set us back R1100 for the two of us.

Police out in force
Once through the border we cruised the long, straight road to Bulawayo, stopping once or twice under the sparse shade of a Baobab Tree for coffee. Catching the end of the dry season meant that the landscape was painfully sun-scorched and barren. The rivers that we crossed had all dried up and charred grass at the roadside showed where fires had swept through the region. On the 320km stretch of road between Beitbridge and Bulawayo there were two toll booths, three police speed traps and two police road blocks. Although we found the police officers friendly, and were never travelling fast enough to get fined for speeding, we heard enough stories during our time in Zimbabwe to warrant caution when approaching the check points. There were tales of German tourists being fined US$200 for speeding, a local Zimbabwean woman accused of using a fake driver's license and travellers having their bolt cutters seized because they are commonly used by criminals.
The suburbs surrounding Bulawayo were quiet and lined with Jacaranda trees just starting to bloom, and the lack of cars on the road made it feel eerily unlived in. It was here that we found a squash court to while away a few hours and a couple of wonderful restaurants that we returned to more than once. With many of the huge suburban houses deserted by their owners, most of whom have moved overseas, we were able to stay in a four bed roomed house with a swimming pool and tennis court that belongs to a friend of a friend. From here we explored the eateries and tourist spots of Bulawayo for a few days before heading into the Matopos National Park.

Caviar to order
la_piazza2
(Pictured: La Piazza café that boasts an impressive deli counter and serves great food)


Beside the Matsheumhlope River that runs parallel to Twelfth Street into town, there are two restaurants: The River Café and La Piazza. The latter was only recently opened by a French man who moved here to provide Bulawayo's elite with a fine range of imported cheeses and meat. His deli is extensive and a note on the menu says that delicacies such as caviar can be ordered on request. The food was well priced and the atmosphere distinctly Parisian. A few blocks across the suburbs (the town is laid out using the American grid system) we came across 56 Park Road, a Victorian-styled house converted into a coffee shop-cum-café. It is owned by three young Zimbabweans who trained as chefs outside of the country, but recently returned to ply their trade in their homeland. They are also responsible for the beach-styled bistro, Bombela, a Friday night hot spot inspired by a popular Mozambiquan restaurant. The food in both 56 Park Road and Bombela was exceptional and worth paying a bit extra for.
With the huge smoke stacks on the horizon of the town centre, we browsed the street stalls on Fife Street where expertly hand-made curios are sold. During the infamous Operation Murambatsvina (Operation Clean up the Rubbish), the vendors were chased from the street and forbidden to trade there. Five years later they are back, and it seems that their creativity is as impressive as ever. Animals carved out of teak sit next to stone Shona sculptures and hand-woven baskets, and the vendors haggle to get the most for their handiwork. A few blocks away is the National Gallery that showcases the work of local artists and often holds exhibitions. The building is a beautifully restored colonial house with its balconies over the street and roomy, cool interior. It also has a coffee shop that serves tasty cheesecake.

A few days in Bulawayo left us itching to get into the bush. Less than 40km outside town is the Matopos National Park, a region of the most spectacular granite scenery, the burial site of Cecil John Rhodes and a game park with two of the big five: rhino and leopard. Again we felt the pinch when charged national rates to enter the park, and an additional fee to see the burial ground and some of the caves, but an hour later perched on top of a huge granite kopje, we had forgotten all about it. We camped that night at Maleme Dam alongside another pair of South African tourists and a Canadian man who had been travelling for 14 months. A fish eagle cried above us and a sounder of warthog loitered near by as we set up camp and got the braai lit for dinner. As the sun set behind the precariously balanced boulders on the other side of the water, we sat round the fire and swapped stories about travelling in Zimbabwe.

4X4-ing on the back roads
mtshelele_dam2
(Pictured: Mtshelele Dam in the Matopus National Park)

The next morning with our differential lock engaged and a lot of enthusiasm we set off down the '4x4 only' track to Mtshelele Dam. It was 26km of off road heaven as we slipped, skidded and swam the back roads of the National Park. By the time we got to the dam we were seriously weighing up the risk of swimming in the crocodile-infested water. With cold beers in hand we took refuge under a tree and looked out over the water where all of the beauty of the Matopos was mirrored on its surface.
We spent two nights at Big Cave Camp, a bush lodge further down the Matopos Road towards Kezi. Built around the natural landscape, the chalets are nestled against the rock and a massive boulder looks set to roll down the kopje into the main reception area if given the slightest push. The swimming pool, dining area and lodges all look out over a valley where black eagles spend their days soaring, and there are acres of land filled with kudu, wildebeest and leopard to explore by foot. The food is homely and the service friendly with a fire lit every night to enjoy before bed.
In spite of the bad press Zimbabwe receives, the little corner that we explored was rich with culture, beauty and character. Getting a snapshot of what the country has to offer has whet our appetite for a return visit, and the friendly reception we got from the locals made us feel that we would be welcome any time.

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