More Anglican churches and properties seized in Zimbabwe

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

 

 

Zimbabwe's top Anglican bishop said Friday a breakaway church leader close to the country's president is intensifying a campaign to seize church properties that include missions, schools and priests' homes.

Bishop Chad Gandiya is gfighting the new wave of evictions Photo: AP

7:03PM BST 09 Sep 2011

 

Bishop Chad Gandiya, leader of the mainstream Anglican group, said a new wave of evictions have even targeted an orphanage.

Breakaway Bishop Nolbert Kunonga claims to lead Zimbabwe's Anglicans and has already refused to hand back the Harare Cathedral, offices, buildings, church bank accounts and vehicles he seized with the protection of police loyal to President Robert Mugabe.

In 2007, Kunonga was excommunicated by the main Anglican Province of Central Africa and the worldwide head of the church after he was accused of inciting violence in sermons supporting Mugabe's party.

The schism in the Zimbabwe's Anglican community has left mainstream Anglicans without places of worship and they've experienced intimidation and alleged threats of violence.

Gandiya told The Associated Press that unknown intruders broke into his home late on Thursday. He said he was suspicious of their motives after they stole only mobile phones and computers containing diocese files. Prior to the break-in, Gandiya had sought legal action against the new evictions and property seizures.

"The coincidence is too much," he said.

On Tuesday, police arrested an Anglican priest loyal to the mainstream group in Harare for alleged theft of church property. The Rev. Julius Zimbudzana was held in police cells for 48 hours then released without charge because of lack of evidence.

Also on Tuesday, court officials in Murewa served eviction orders to St. John's mission and the Shearly Cripps orphanage, home to more than 100 children and named after its founder, an Anglo-American missionary who died in 1952, lawyers for Gandiya said. Murewa is about 60 miles (100 kilometres) east of Harare.

"We are refusing to vacate. We have to find alternative accommodation for the nuns and teachers. And who will look after the children? Where will they go?" Gandiya said.

He said attempts were also being made to order priests and staff to leave another mission and school near Masvingo in southern Zimbabwe and there were fears the breakaway faction would not provide qualified replacements.

Gandiya's attorneys said the evictions follow a flawed ruling last month by Zimbabwe's Supreme Court that allowed Kunonga to retain control of Anglican properties until a court appeal by the Gandiya-led church is resolved. That ruling was made by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, who, like Kunonga, is an open supporter of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.

Kunonga insists he broke away from the mainstream Anglicans after the church in Britain recognised gay marriage and the rights of same sex partners. Mugabe is a bitter critic of homosexuality.

Witnesses in the western Harare township of Mbare said their Anglican priest was evicted last month from his rectory, but travels back from a village outside the city to meet with congregants on Sundays. Other Anglicans across the city use public halls and some Roman Catholic buildings for their activities.

Pro-Gandiya worshippers barred by police and Kunonga loyalists from the Harare Cathedral and a main Anglican church in the upmarket suburb of Borrowdale also hold services in private homes and gardens.

"This is what we are dealing with every day. Our congregations get discouraged but we must remain resolute. As always, Kunonga's people can do what they want without restraint," Gandiya said.

The worldwide head of the church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, wants to meet with Mugabe in October to discuss the tensions.

 

Forty-eight Hour Eviction Notice To Anglicans And Orphanage

http://www.radiovop.com/

Murewa, September 09, 2011 - The Deputy Sheriff has issued a 48 hour notice
to occupants at a Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) Anglican
Church and an orphanage here to vacate their premises and make way for
sympathisers of ex-communicated Anglican Bishop, Nolbert Kunonga.

In a notice of ejectment dated 6 September 2011, the Deputy Sheriff for
Murewa, only identified as Mzingwina, gave tenants at St John’s Anglican
Church Mission in Chikwaka including administrators at Shearley Cripps Home,
an orphanage housing more than 100 orphans and located about 100 kilometres
outside Harare, 48 hours to vacate the premises.

The notice of ejectment came after Kunonga caused the Registrar of the High
Court to issue a writ of ejectment against the CPCA from their properties in
a fresh assault on the Bishop Chad Gandiya-led church.

Through the writ of ejectment dated 2 September 2011, Kunonga through his
Diocesan Trustees for the Diocese of Harare wants the CPCA and occupants at
all CPCA Anglican Diocese of Harare properties to vacate the premises and
make way for his Diocesan Trustees for the Diocese of Harare.

Pursuant to the writ of ejectment, Kunonga’s followers have already ordered
Priests at some rectories to vacate the various church properties and to
surrender the properties.

In seizing the CPCA properties, Kunonga and his followers are reportedly
relying upon the impugned part of the judgment issued last month by Chief
Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku to claim that the dispute has now been
determined finally by the Supreme Court.

The CPCA has appealed against the recent Supreme Court decision that gave
custody of some Anglican properties to Kunonga.

Meanwhile police released Reverend Julius Zimbudzana, the priest in charge
at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Highlands who was arrested on Tuesday on
allegations of theft of church property worth over US$1, 5 million.

He was released into the custody of his lawyers on Thursday afternoon.

Sharon Hofisi of V Nyemba and Associates told Radio VOP that the state
indicated that it would proceed by way of summons in the case which has
heightened tensions in deeply divided Anglican Church.

Hofisi said the state should not have arrested Rev Zimbudzana in the first
place without the approval of a seven member board of trustees which was
given temporary custodianship of the Church properties by the High and
Supreme courts.

“There is no way that the accused could have stolen the said property which
include bibles and hymn books as Rev Zimbudzana was evicted from Highlands
Church by Bishop Kunonga’s people,” he said.

Rev Zimbudzana told Radio VOP that his arrest had traumatized him together
with his family.

“I am happy to be free again and I will continue to do God’s work without
fear,” he said.

Dr Nicholas Chad Gandiya, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Harare in
the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) said the charges are
strange as no parish in the  diocese with the  exception of the Cathedral
Parish has properties worth that much.

Mugabe’s Bishop Kunonga evicts nurses, school head and priests

http://www.swradioafrica.com

 

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 September, 2011

Headmasters, teachers, nursing staff and priests were evicted this week from Daramombe Mission near Chivhu, as the breakaway Bishop Nolbert Kunonga continued to seize properties belonging to the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA).

Bishop Dr. Chad Gandiya, head of the CPCA’s Harare diocese, was also victimized Thursday night, when ‘robbers’ entered his home in Harare and took about

The bizarre self-appointed bishop of Harare
Nolbert Kunonga

$800, two laptops and mobile phones. No-one was physically hurt.

The evictions are being illegally enforced by the police, who have supported the renegade Bishop Kunonga since the split in the Anglican Church in 2007. Kunonga, a close ally of Robert Mugabe, is using a recent partisan court judgment that gave custody of Anglican properties to a board of trustees headed by him.

Bishop Dr. Chad Gandiya argues that the court judgment limits evictions to Harare only and does not apply to other provinces. He accuses Kunonga of instructing the police to harass parishioners.

Reverend Paul Gwese confirmed this week’s eviction of clergy and staff at Daramombe, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest mission schools. Those evicted include the headmaster of Daramombe Primary School, Denford Javangwe, Priest Muyengwa Murombedzi and all senior nursing staff at Daramombe Mission Clinic.

Gwese said the evictions and the robbery at Bishop Gandiya’s home are all linked to Bishop Kunonga’s persecution of the CPCA. Kunonga formed his own Anglican Church Province of Zimbabwe (ACPZ), after he was excommunicated in 2007, when serious differences emerged over the issue of homosexual clergy.

Meanwhile, Reverend Julius Zimbudzana from Highlands, was released without charge on Thursday evening after spending a day in police custody. He had been arrested Wednesday morning, accused of stealing church property worth over a million dollars.

Reverend Gwese dismissed the arrest as part of the harassment of their clergy by the police and Bishop Kunonga. “We will not be discouraged and we will not be deterred by harassment and persecution. All this will come to an end,” Reverend Gwese explained.

 

 

 

Rowan Williams to meet Robert Mugabe

http://www.independent.co.uk

By Andy McSmith

Friday, 9 September 2011

Rowan Williams to meet Robert Mugabe

The Archbishop of Canterbury is to meet President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe
despite the regime's pariah status.

Dr Rowan Williams will try to settle a dispute between the church and state.
There has been an increasing number of reports in recent months that
Anglican priests have been persecuted by the Zimbabwe government and
property seized.

Eight months ago, the Archbishop wrote an open letter to President Mugabe
insisting he "put an end to these abuses forthwith". But he risks having his
visit turned into a propaganda coup by the Mugabe regime. It is the first
visit by a high-profile British figure for almost 10 years.

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe split in 2007, and ever since, there have
been violent clashes between worshippers loyal to Bishop Nolbert Kunonga –
who has praised Mr Mugabe as a "prophet from God" – and Dr Chad Gandiya, the
rival Bishop of Harare.

Dr Williams will also visit Malawi and Zambia next month.

No British, EU observers for polls: Mugabe

(AFP) – 11 hours ago

HARARE — President Robert Mugabe says Zimbabwe will not allow British and
European Union election observers to the country's next elections whose date
has yet to be set, a state daily reported Friday.

"We want observers who will not have any choice on who to assist and who not
to assist. We abhor meddling in our own electoral affairs," The Herald
newspaper quoted Mugabe as saying when he received Britain's new ambassador
to Zimbabwe.

"Britain should not be involved in such a campaign whether in our favour as
ZANU-PF or against us. If there is to be any culprits, let it be others not
the British."

Relations between Zimbabwe and former coloniser Britain soured after Mugabe
launched controversial land reforms, seizing farms from white farmers and
giving them to blacks in what Mugabe said was a correction of historical
imbalances.

Following the fallout, Zimbabwe pulled out of the Commonwealth grouping
while Britain and other EU countries imposed sanctions including travel
embargoes and assets freezes on Mugabe and his close allies.

"How can we invite people who have imposed sanctions on us to be our
observers?" said Mugabe.

"By imposing sanctions those people have demonstrated dislike of one side.
If Britain does not want to assist us, they should leave us alone. We will
find our way out but you must remove sanctions."

Zimbabwe will hold elections to choose a successor to a power-sharing
government formed two years ago by Mugabe and long-time rival Morgan
Tsvangirai in the aftermath of a bloody presidential run-off election in
2008.

Top European Union Diplomat to Engage Zimbabwe Government in Forthcoming Visit

http://www.voanews.com

08 September 2011

The visit by Managing Director for Africa Nick Wescott of the European
External Action Service closely follows a recent communication to the EU by
Attorney General Johannes Tomana challenging the legality of sanction

Tatenda Gumbo | Washington

The European Union’s top diplomat for Africa will arrive in Harare next
Monday to engage the country's unity government, civil society and
representatives of the business community, the European Union Delegation to
Zimbabwe said Thursday.

The visit by Managing Director for Africa Nick Wescott of the European
External Action Service closely follows a recent communication to the EU by
Attorney General Johannes Tomana challenging the legality of sanctions the
E.U. has maintained on President Robert Mugabe and scores of other top
ZANU-PF officials for years.

The EU Council had yet to respond, but European Parliament Member Geoffrey
Van Orden, head of the Euro-Parliament’s Campaign for Democratic Change in
Zimbabwe, quickly replied saying that until there is real evidence of change
with free elections and an end to harassment of the opponents of ZANU-PF,
sanctions will stay in place.

The targeted sanctions bar travel in the EU and provide for the freezing of
assets.

Van Orden said "these are not sanctions against Zimbabwe and her people but
carefully targeted against 163 individuals and 31 companies that have
supported Mugabe."

The EU Delegation said Wescott’s visit could not be linked to Tomana’s
letter.

Analysts said the visit continues a re-engagement process between Zimbabwe
and the European Union launched after the unity government came to power in
2009.

Political analyst Effie Dlela Ncube said the EU will only seriously engage
Zimbabwe when there is true democratic change in the country.

Zim documentation almost done

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Sapa | 09 September, 2011 13:50

A report on the documentation of Zimbabwean nationals will be submitted to
Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma by the end of September, says
her department.

After studying it, she was expected to make a final announcement on the
whole process, director general Mkuseli Apleni told reporters in Pretoria.

"We are currently in the process of collecting outstanding documents
submitted by the Zimbabwean nationals who have applied for work, business
and study permits under the Zimbabwe documentation project."

The department had in the last three weeks received additional help from 274
members of the SA National Defence Force, he said.

A total of 275 762 applications for permits were received, of which 134 264
were approved and issued. The rest had been checked and smses sent to
applicants to submit additional documentation.

In April last year Pretoria announced a moratorium on the deportation of
Zimbabweans. They were granted a special dispensation in order to get
documents and make their stay in South Africa legal.

Old Mutual & Zimplats ‘renegotiating’ indigenisation plans

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
09 September 2011

South African financial services giant Old Mutual and the Zimbabwean
subsidiary of the South African Impala Platinum mining group, are both
reportedly scrambling to renegotiate their Zim empowerment plans, after
threats from Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

Both Old Mutual and Zimplats have been threatened by Kasukuwere over what he
called ‘inadequate’ plans to indigenise their shareholding, under the
controversial ZANU PF led empowerment scheme.

The Indigenisation Act, which analysts have warned will be a serious blow to
investment in Zimbabwe, requires foreign owned firms, including mining and
banking groups, to cede 51% of their shares to Zimbabweans.

Kasukuwere on September 1 gave Old Mutual a seven day deadline to submit a
“progress report” on how it planned to meet indigenisation standards,
warning that “no further indulgences shall be granted,” after that time.

This was in response to a plan made by Old Mutual last year that it would
cede 27% of its equity to its employees, 17% to Zimbabwean pension funds and
about 7% to the National Indigenisation Trust Fund (NITF). But this plan has
since been rejected, and Old Mutual is now reportedly renegotiating. Chief
executive officer Luke Ngwerume on Wednesday said the company had a plan in
place that had been approved by its board of directors and was being
implemented.

“We believe that the board-approved plan meets the requirements of the
relevant legislation. We will continue to engage the minister and his team
on the ongoing implementation process,” Ngwerume told NewsDay newspaper.

The demand for Old Mutual to meet the full 51% shareholding restructure has
come as a surprise to many, because of the group’s involvement in different
joint venture investments with state companies. This includes an 18%
shareholding in the state owned Zimpapers, as well as an indirect business
interest in the Mbada Mining Firm. Mbada is a joint venture with the
parastatal Zimbabwe Mining and Development Corporation (ZMDC) mining at the
controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields.

Economic analyst John Robertson told SW Radio Africa that it is not a
surprise “in terms of what government people are looking for.” He explained
that government officials who stand to benefit from the indigenisation drive
“are looking for prizes of magnitudes worth taking,” even if they can’t pay
for it.

“They want ownership of major companies, and if you look across the sky line
in any city in Zimbabwe, most of the property belongs to Old Mutual. It’s
surprising that they think they can get it without having the means to pay
for it,” Robertson said.

He added: “They (the government) have become very belligerent and aggressive
and very intimidating towards Old Mutual. That they seem to think that
intimidation and threats will allow them to gain the assets and get away
with it, is very surprising.”

Zimplats meanwhile is also said to be renegotiating its indigenisation
plans, after Kasukuwere this week threatened to cancel its mining licence.
It is understood that Zimplats had proposed a 26% share handover, with a
further 25% to be awarded through social credits. But, again, this was
rejected by Kasukuwere.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu came to Zimplats rescue this week by refusing to
endorse Kasukuwere’s threats. Kasukuwere then released a statement saying:
“Our teams are now working with some mining companies that have asked for
more time to work on their new proposals and we will keep the public updated
on the developments,” apparently in reference to Zimplats and Mimosa,
jointly run by Zimplats and Aquarius Mining.

 

Kasukuwere remains defiant

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Taurai Mangudhla, Business Writer
Friday, 09 September 2011 10:31

HARARE - Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere says he will continue
pushing for the closure of foreign firms that fail to cede majority
shareholding to locals, despite fierce resistance from some of his political
allies.

Kasukuwere spoke as the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development led by
Obert Mpofu blocked his attempt to revoke the licence of Zimplats, 87,3
percent owned by South African Impala Platinum Holdings.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti has also criticised Kasukuwere’s implementation
of the indigenisation plans while central bank governor Gideon Gono
described the Zanu PF youth leader’s brazen approach as reckless.

In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Kasukuwere remained defiant.

A furious Kasukuwere said he would proceed with suspending all companies
that were yet to come up with agreeable indigenisation plans.

“Whoever doesn’t want the law (Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act)
must go to get it repealed in Parliament otherwise do not look for problems
where there are no problems,” he said before hanging up his phone.

The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act came into effect in 2008 but
is only being implemented now.

This has raised fears that Mugabe could be planning to grab foreign-owned
firms as an electioneering gimmick ahead of watershed elections, possibly
next year.

Industry, on the other hand, has raised concern that Kasukuwere is
bulldozing through the empowerment process without the consent of various
ministers. Other cabinet ministers argue that the implementation approach
should pay attention to respective sectoral needs.

Various ministries and stakeholders have suggested a systematic approach,
but an adamant Kasukuwere maintains that he is the sole individual mandated
by the 87-year-old Zimbabwean leader President Robert Mugabe to administer
implementation of the controversial law.

Jameson Timba, Minister of State in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s
office, yesterday said he was opposed to Kasukuwere’s coercive approach to
the empowerment exercise.

“Some of us do not support the idea that governing should be done through
threatening to withdraw the licences of all companies that fail to comply
with policies,” he said, adding that dialogue and consensus were crucial for
development.

Similarly, Biti recently sided with Gono on the need for government to
create conducive policies and measures for indigenising “delicate” foreign
banks. Such an approach, Biti and Gono argue, will avert possible
catastrophe in the financial services sector and the entire economy.

“One thing we have made very clear is that banks are different from mines
because mines sit on capital whilst banks are conveyors, which means that
they depend on their depositor base. A bank is as good as its deposits,”
Biti said.

The Chamber of Mines has proposed to give 26 percent to indigenous
Zimbabweans instead of the minimum 51 percent.

Another MDC member remanded in custody over the death of a policeman

Friday, 09 September 2011

Mrs Kerina Dewa, an MDC member for Glen View district was today remanded in
custody to October 5 on false charges of murdering a police officer in Glen
View in May.

Mrs Dewa was arrested at her home on Tuesday and was detained at the Harare
Central Police Station. She becomes the 25th MDC member to be arrested on
the same charge of
murdering a police officer. The other 17 members were granted bail in July
after spending a month in remand. While in police custody they were severely
assaulted and some are still seeking medical treatment.

Seven more activists including Glen View Ward 32 councillor, Tungamirai
Madzokere are in remand prison. They are all facing trumped up charges of
murdering a police officer at a night club in Glen View 3.

The police officer was murdered by unknown revellers.

MDC: Celebrating 12 years of the people’s struggle for real change: Let’s
finish it!!

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

--
MDC Information & Publicity Department
Harvest House

 

MDC-T beef up security for Saturday rally

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 September, 2011

Security will be tight and the venue safe for supporters when the MDC-T
celebrate their 12th anniversary at a rally this weekend, party spokesman,
Douglas Mwonzora told SW Radio Africa on Thursday.

Mwonzora was addressing concerns that politically motivated violence may
break out at the Saturday rally due to be held in Highfields, where a gang
of ZANU PF youths attacked market vendors and other passersby earlier this
week.

The violent youths, believed to be part of the notorious Chipangano gang
from Mbare, were bussed into Highfields on Wednesday morning and proceeded
to assault people at the Machipisa Shopping Centre. This took place in full
view of the police, who made no attempt to protect civilians.

Mwonzora assured those planning to come to the rally at Gwanzura Stadium
that the MDC-T is taking steps to protect them and had retained their own
security. He said: “The situation in Highfields is now back to normal and
there is calm.”

The MDC-T spokesman explained that the decision to hire private security was
the result of police inaction and their partisan behavior in favour of ZANU
PF. The perpetrators have impunity and it’s the victims who get arrested.

Henry Chimbiri, a news photographer who sustained injuries during the
incident in Highfields, was arrested when he reported his experience to the
police.

 

Victims of violence still bitter

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Edward Jones     Thursday 08 September 2011

HARARE – Victims of political violence in Zimbabwe are deeply embittered by
the government’s failure to deal with perpetrators, while very few people
are aware of the existence of the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation
and Integration which was set up to heal political tensions, according to
results of a survey by a local rights group.

The troubled southern African country has witnessed political violence in
the last decade after the emergence of the Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) which has come closest to unseat President Robert Mugabe from power.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said in its Transitional Justice
National Survey this week that nearly half of the respondents to the survey
believed that the perpetrators of violence could never repent.

“The level of bitterness in the victims of the violations was also a cause
for concern,” the rights group said. Of the total number of respondents who
identified themselves as victims of political violence, 76 per cent were
still either feeling bitter or struggling to cope with the fact that their
concerns had never been appropriately addressed.”

Critics say Mugabe has used violence to cling to power, with war veterans
and youth militia leading attacks against the veteran leader’s rivals.

In 2008 the MDC says about 200 of its supporters were killed in political
violence when Mugabe sought to overturn a shock first round presidential
vote defeat to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The two are now partners in a
fragile unity government.

On its part ZANU-PF says the MDC is equally responsible for the violence.

“The respondents believed in a broad-based truth, recovery and reparation
programme as the lasting solution to the national problem: 49 per cent of
the respondents called for the compensation of victims,” the survey said.

“This survey has demonstrated that violence did occur and that there is a
need for a credible and acceptable transitional justice process in
 Zimbabwe.”

This week Mugabe urged political parties to refrain from political violence
during a speech to Parliament but as the 87-year-old spoke his shock-troops,
the Chipangano youth brigade was unleashing violence to suspected MDC
supporters and innocent bystanders outside the Parliament building.

On Wednesday the youths took their violence to the capital’s Highfield
working class suburb where they tried to chase stallholders at Machipisa
shopping centre and the police only intervened when the informal traders
started to retaliate.

Political analysts say Zimbabwe’s political violence would continue as long
as perpetrators roam freely.

The respondents to the survey felt that the government of the day should
take the responsibility for providing compensation to violence victims.

“A fairly large number of the respondents agreed that the churches and
government could lead a credible transitional process,” the results of the
survey showed.

“The need to rehabilitate victims of past human rights violations and to
ensure a future free from violence is paramount.” -- ZimOnline

MDC-T Senator says ZANU PF running scared of elections

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
9 September 2011

The MDC-T deputy Minister of Justice, Obert Gutu, has said it is becoming
increasingly evident that there are those within ZANU PF who are intent, for
whatever reason, on disrupting the election process in Zimbabwe through
violence.

Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Rebuilding Zimbabwe program on Friday, Gutu
said violence in the capital city was now causing increasing concern, with
elections in the country set for next year. His opinion on violence is that
it’s a signal ZANU PF is running scared of an election.

The spokesman for the Harare MDC-T province was quick to point out that
state sponsored violence will not help Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF to
remain in power at the next poll.

The Senator’s assessment of ZANU PF comes as the party is in turmoil
following revelations by WikiLeaks that many in the party want Mugabe to
step-down, citing concerns over his waning popularity and failing health.

His loyalists have cast serious doubt, in secret meetings with US diplomats,
over his ability to salvage his ZANU PF party. This has forced the party to
call for a politburo meeting next week to discuss the issue. But when the
chips are down ZANU PF is renowned for using violence to fight back at its
political opponents.

‘Even if they use violence, ZANU PF will be rejected. Without violence we
(MDC-T) will win 80% of the vote but with violence we will still triumph
with about 72% of the vote,’ he said.

Despite the formation of an inclusive government, the country has failed to
shake off a long legacy of political violence, mainly perpetrated by the
former ruling party. The deputy minister said it is clear the partisan
authorities have also failed to bring suspected perpetrators to justice, or
to prevent further human rights abuses.

‘ZANU PF is not used to tolerance. They are addicted to violence because
they live in a culture cultivated and fed on lies and deceit. There is
multi-party politics in Zimbabwe and they should transform and learn to live
with other citizens in a peaceful manner,’ Gutu said.

Speaking ahead of his party’s 12th anniversary celebrations, to be held in
Harare on Saturday, Gutu called on Robert Mugabe to match his words with
action on zero tolerance for violence.

‘I know they’re some who have saluted him for publicly expressing his
disdain for violence during the opening of parliament. I give him the
benefit of doubt and urge him to match his words with visible action,’ said
Gutu, adding that recent street violence by ZANU PF militia did not in any
way reflect the pledge by their party leader.

He said ZANU PF should put justice, security and human rights at the heart
of any election campaign, in order to break the country’s nationwide cycle
of violence.

‘We must act to protect people’s lives and all parties should denounce
violence and tell their supporters to campaign peacefully,’ Gutu added.

Zanu-PF turns on 'moderate'

http://mg.co.za/

RAY NDLOVU Sep 09 2011 15:48

The sacking of senior Zanu-PF official and Zimbabwean Cabinet minister
Tracey Mutinhiri after she called President Robert Mugabe "too old" has
fuelled speculation that party moderates seen as being too close to the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are to be purged.

Zanu-PF found Mutinhiri guilty of violating the party's constitution by
failing to conduct herself "honestly and honourably in her dealings with the
party and public and bringing Zanu-PF into disrepute".

It is widely held that her troubles began in March, after Zanu-PF lost the
coveted post of parliamentary speaker to the MDC, amid claims that "sellout"
MPs who voted against the party -- including Mutinhiri -- were to blame.

The campaign against her drew strength from her frequent presence at public
gatherings with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and calls in her Marondera
constituency for the removal of Mugabe as Zanu-PF's leader because of old
age and ill-health.

War veterans invaded her farm in July, after which she threatened to expose
party-sanctioned murders, in a clear swipe at Zanu-PF bigwigs and the state
security apparatus.

She accused state agents of plotting to kill her and throw her body into the
Wenimbe dam, "like they did to hundreds of innocent suspected MDC supporters
in June 2008".

Eager to exploit Zanu-PF's internal conflict, the MDC has offered to take in
Mutinhiri. Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said that "Minister Mutinhiri
is welcome to join the MDC. Zanu-PF wanted her to chant slogans and act in a
partisan way when discharging her duties as an MP. She, however, acted like
a mother and a leader.

"To us, she is a professional MP, a dignified woman of virtue and is a clear
example of what a community leader must be."

Mutinhiri refused to comment this week, saying: "The party is bigger than me
and I don't want to appear as if I am fighting. I am not giving comments
now."

Her expulsion has strengthened the perception that Mugabe and Zanu-PF
hardliners are moving to purge the party of moderates, shortly before the
party holds its decisive annual conference in Bulawayo in December.

The conference is expected to endorse the 87-year-old Mugabe as the party's
presidential candidate in the next election. He announced last weekend that
the poll would take place before March next year and urged party supporters
to prepare for it.

The latest developments follow hard on the heels of the mysterious death by
fire of Solomon Mujuru, the unofficial leader of the moderates.

Unlike previously, infighting in Zanu-PF has now become a public spectacle,
signalling increasing difficulty in smoothing over internal rifts.

In another public spat involving party seniors, Zimbabwe Reserve Bank
governor Gideon Gono has criticised the economic indigenisation drive
spearheaded by Saviour Kasukuwere, the youth development, indigenisation and
empowerment minister.

Kasukuwere has threatened to cancel the licences of foreign-owned banks
Standard Chartered, Stanbic and Barclays unless they comply with empowerment
laws. Also stoking tensions in Zanu-PF are the recent batch of leaked
diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, relating to Mugabe's health, and
plots by senior Zanu-PF officials to remove Mugabe from power.

Acknowledging the new onslaught on Zanu-PF moderates, Mujuru's widow, Joice
Mujuru, said this week: "I always ask myself how I'm going to do the things
that my husband was doing … A real soldier should be found with a bullet in
the front to show that you were fighting and that is what I have now decided
to do".

Debunking MDC political school myths

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

09/09/2011 00:00:00
    by Discent Bajila

THE cat is out of the bag -- the MDC launched its political school on
Friday, August 27, 2011, and this is a reality.

It is a first of its kind and as usual, it is bound to attract a lot of
criticism from both the genuinely inquisitive and those who do not want to
accept the actual existence and strength of the MDC.

Unfortunately, the power matrix of the world is transforming swiftly day by
day. Yesterday the mighty in both local societies and global politics were
those who owned the best of arms. The world today and tomorrow is run by
those with the unending capacity to develop ground breaking ideas.

For those who are incapable of designing competitive and ground breaking
programmes, the only political tool they have is mythology and the opponents
of the MDC have not disappointed in that regard.

One such myth is that the MDC political school is a replica of the National
Youth Service training introduced by the late former Youth Minister Border
Gezi. This is quite interesting because in our view as MDC, there is no need
for a second Border Gezi programme given the fact that there is an existing
one that continues to needlessly suck the tax payers of their hard earned
money.

The Border Gezi programme was designed to build a reserve if not a more
youthful Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and the
current activities of graduates of that programme, if properly contrasted
with the behaviour of members of ZNLWVA at its peak, will clearly show the
grand plan behind it.

While the MDC Political School is a leadership development programme aimed
at strengthening young people's understanding of eleven key leadership
concepts namely National Heritage; Party Heritage; Contemporary Politics;
Understanding Ideologies; Systems of Government; Policy Studies; Lobbying
and Advocacy; Professional Ethics; National Administration; Electoral
Systems and Strategies and Youth-Adult Relations, the Border Gezi programme
has produced nothing but thousands of sezvazviri kind of politicians.

It is public knowledge that during the new constitution outreach programme,
Zanu PF had commandeered all its surrogates who include Border Gezi
graduates to throng the meeting points but unfortunately there is nothing
they could say in those meetings except their sezvazviri anthem. Clearly,
those who have been vouching for budgetary allocation for that programme
since its inception must be ashamed of the output of such investments.

The Border Gezi programme has been nothing but Zanu PF's bottomless bank of
currency for political tokenism and this is proven by the fact that not even
a single graduate of that process has been trusted enough by Zanu PF to make
them just a Member of Parliament.

The MDC Political School aims at developing a new brand of leaders who
understand political systems and trends and are capable of being trusted
with real national responsibility. To a certain extent, it is a response to
the inadequacies of the Border Gezi programme and the lack of seriousness in
youth leadership development by the concerned ministry. It is for these
reasons that we have invited every Zimbabwean to be part of this ground
breaking programme.

To conclude about the Border Gezi myth, it is prudent to note that while the
Border Gezi programme has been run in a hugely opaque system only paralleled
by the secret societies of the Middle East and Europe, the MDC political
school has a clear curriculum which was released for public view from the
very day of its launch. Thirteen years after its inception, there is no
single document available on Google or anywhere outside Zanu PF that can
speak to the disciplines taught at the Border Gezi camps. all of us are then
left with the behaviour of the products of such a process to imagine what
they are taught.

The second myth relates to the outlook of the programme and again some
mischievous and tribalistic elements are back into their game. Analysis and
comments have been made insinuating that because the programme was launched
in Bulawayo, it is therefore not a national programme.

It is naivety of highest order to conclude that if a programme is launched
from Bulawayo it is not a national programme and it is high time the media
begins to disabuse people by refraining from such analysis.

In terms of both the speeches made at the launch and the press release made
soon after, it was clearly spelt out that Bulawayo is going to be the host
of the Summer School to be held from September 2011 to February 2012 while
the Winter school is going to be held in yet another province which will be
determined by the National Structures of both the MDC and the MDC Youth
Assembly.

In all these schools or campuses, the presenters shall be party leaders
and/or persons selected from within each locality, and it should not
therefore surprise anyone that our presenters in the Summer School are all
residents of Bulawayo or at least the neighbouring rural areas.

The MDC Youth Assembly is a National Organisation with leaders and
structures from all over the country and will have any of its programmes
begin in any of the country's provinces. We are a movement that believes in
celebrating human diversity and upholding the equality of us all.

It must also be mentioned that unlike in other parties where youths cannot
decide the outlook of the programmes that respond to their needs, the
Political School is a project initiated and administered by the Youth
Assembly. Not even President Welshman Ncube was involved in the design of
the programme. The only time we will have members from the main and Women's
Assemblies come in is when we need that guidance which will help us in terms
of institutionalising such brilliant ideas.

I raise this because some have been arguing that while the programme might
look good, the problem with it is that it has been imposed on MDC Youths by
someone. We swallow that insult to the wisdom of our department of Training
and Political Education.

Let all and sundry find space in their conscience to accommodate the fact
that as we continue under the inspiring leadership of Chairman Gideon
Mandaza, the MDC Youth Assembly shall continue to break new grounds and
tread towards the promised land.
Discent Bajila is the Secretary General of the Youth Assembly of the MDC
party led by Welshman Ncube

Report: Zimbabwe rhino poachers given record jail terms

http://www.monstersandcritics.com

Sep 9, 2011, 16:03 GMT

Harare - Two Mozambican men have been given 21-year jail sentences for rhino
poaching in Zimbabwe, the independent Newsday paper reported Friday.

Those terms are longer than ones usually given for rape and murder.

Poachers have killed out at least 14 rhino in Zimbabwe's nature reserves so
far this year, principally for their horn, which is believed to have
magical, cancer-curing properties in some Eastern countries.

Magistrate Oliver Mudzongachiso called the men 'mercenaries'.

Game rangers tracked the men and arrested them last month in the Save Valley
reserve in the south of the country. They were carrying a loaded
semi-automatic rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition.

'I have to put you out of circulation for a long time,' the magistrate told
the pair. Zimbabwe has only just over 300 black rhinos and at least 190
white rhino left, conservationists say.

Desperate to stop poaching - which is believed to be controlled by powerful
army-linked syndicates - magistrates have started imposing stiff sentences.

In April this year, two Mozambican nationals were sentenced to 13-year jail
terms for poaching rhino in Chipangayi, south-eastern Zimbabwe.

A Zimbabwean rhino poacher was given a 17-year jail sentence in January
2010.

In contrast, a pastor from the eastern town of Rusape was given just five
years in jail this month after being convicted of murdering his son.

Rampaging Elephants Threaten Zimbabwe Farms

http://www.digitaljournal.com

Sep 9, 2011 - 2 hours ago by ■ Anthony Organ

Beitbridge - A herd of stray elephants have destroyed fences and crops at
the Shashe irrigation scheme close to the borders of Botswana and South
Africa in Zimbabwe.
There is now concern that the 50-hectare site will now struggle to produce
its winter wheat crop if it continues to be invaded by the animals. Water
for the irrigation scheme is supplied by the Shashe river which rises in
Botswana, and thus it is believed that this is where the elephants came
from. No people were harmed during the recent invasion but authorities have
been notified in an attempt to prevent this happening again.
The Shashe irrigation scheme was founded in 1975 and covers 120 hectares
with a capacity for 800 families, although has constantly struggled to reach
full productivity. Last year a deal was made for the scheme to receive
funding from the Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources, a local
non-government organisation which wished to repair damaged caused by
cyclones and to train farmers as well as link them with markets at which
they could sell their produce. Despite this, the scheme is still struggling
at under half-capacity and is seeking help to electrify their 11km fence in
an effort to keep wildlife out.
Vice chairperson of Shashe irrigation scheme, Mr Isaac Tlou, noted that
elephants are "a perennial problem" and destroy crops and irrigation "every
farming season". He also warned that if the problem was not dealt with "all
the wheat belonging to 60 plot holders here will go to waste". As well as
the obvious issue of wasting crops in a country as poverty-stricken as
Zimbabwe, this particular scheme has further incentive not to fail. Mr
Albert Mbedzi, chief executive officer of Beitbridge Rural District Council
stated that "The Shashe project will be used as a barometer for future
funding of other schemes in the district". If funding cannot be found to
prevent wildlife entering the site and if they continue to destroy crops
then it will be less likely that many will wish to fund other schemes.
Mr Tlou has said that he has also notified Mrs Metrine Mdau, the local
Member of Parliament, in an effort to receive help from the relevant
authorities.

WikiLeaks: Mugabe fears being hanged for crimes

http://nehandaradio.com/

September 9, 2011 11:35 am

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe, whom African leaders and members of his
inner Zanu PF circle want out, is afraid of being hanged if he leaves
office, leaked United States diplomatic cables have sensationally revealed.

Robert Mugabe and wife Grace Mugabe
    Robert Mugabe and wife Grace Mugabe

According to documents released by WikiLeaks last week, politburo member and
serial political flip-flopper Jonathan Moyo told the then US ambassador
Christopher Dell on March 30, 2007 that Zimbabwe had human rights conscious
people who would like to “see Mugabe pay for his excesses.”

Also, Moyo is quoted in a 2005 cable as saying Mugabe was now “destructive”
to the nation and should resign. According to the 2007 cable, Moyo said
Mugabe had confessed his deepest fear to his close ally, Defence minister
Emmerson Mnangagwa. The cable does not make it clear if Moyo received this
information from Mnangagwa.

Moyo, described in the cables as a useful messenger but with flip-flopping
tendencies, is quoted in the cables as saying Mugabe was afraid of being
treated like Liberia’s Charles Taylor who was taken to The Hague.

In the meeting with Dell, Moyo said the ailing 87-year-old leader was aware
of his diminishing support but that Zanu PF lacked the capacity to
effectively deal with the issue of succession.

“Moyo noted that Mugabe genuinely ‘Mugabe fears hanging’‘Mugabe fears
hanging’fears “hanging” if he leaves office and suggested international
guarantees for his safety could help persuade Mugabe to go,” says Dell in
the cables.

Moyo has been in and out of Zanu PF, tried to form his own organisations to
get into power and more recently, called on leadership renewal in Zanu PF
saying there is a Generation 40 group that was ready to take over power.

In other cables, Moyo describes the former ruling party as an ideological
shell which he said was led by a man who was courageous in his youth but
destructive in his old age.

Moyo is quoted as saying: “Mugabe’s bombast was entertaining but only hurt
the country’s national interest.”

“He urged the president to preserve his legacy by resigning immediately,
thus opening the way for a presidential election within 90 days in
accordance with the existing constitution,” the US officials said.

In a cable dated July 20, 2005, Moyo said the political conditions were
conducive for a “Third Force” which would be instrumental in dethroning
Mugabe arguing the MDC were not up to the task. He was speaking to visiting
congressional senior staff Greg Simpkins and Pearl Alice Marsh.

He told them: “The key to a healthier politic dynamic was Mugabe’s removal
from the scene,” Moyo is said to have told the officials.

Moyo told them that Mugabe was “on his way out” because of his failing
health and the increasing number of people within his party that wanted him
out but did not have mechanisms to boot him out.

He said the unresolved succession issue within the former ruling party had
cascaded down to government thereby preventing meaningful development.

“Within the GOZ, it manifested itself in the deference of all to the
president, an absence of meaningful debate, and institutional paralysis.
This leaves everyone beholden to state house and impelled rent seeking
behaviour at the expense of any national interest,” Moyo is quoted as having
said.

The professor, who went about giving advice to the Americans on how to
infiltrate Zanu PF and remove Mugabe from power, accused his party of having
ulterior motives when they called for harmonised elections in 2008.

“Moyo asserted that Zanu PF’s constitutional plans were critical to the
clique’s quest to remain on top. First, it wanted to consolidate
presidential and parliamentary elections as an excuse to defer the next
national contest until 2010, giving them time to reverse their
 unpopularity,” a US official was quoted as having said about the meeting
with the erstwhile Moyo.

Moyo, who once said Mugabe was so unpopular that he could lose to a donkey
in an election, is also quoted as saying the land reform programme almost
brought the country’s economy on its knees.

“The creation of a senate and streamlining of land reform would expand
patronage opportunities. Most importantly, presidential succession
provisions would be amended to require a vice-president to complete an
unfinished presidential term instead of convoking a national election within
90 days of a president’s resignation or incapacity.

“This would allow Joice Mujuru to run for election in 2010 as incumbent
president. Moyo concluded that if Zanu PF managed to engineer a succession
on its own terms, the struggle to restore democracy would be significantly
restored,” Moyo is quoted as having said in the US cables.

Moyo also accused the Zezuru clan of manipulating the party’s constitution
to accommodate Mugabe. He said; “The actions perpetuated the party’s
constitution to forestall reform and to perpetuate the clique’s primacy in
the party without following constitutional procedures.”

“The Zezuru clique’s extra-legal putsch provoked a strong counter-effort
(the Tsholotsho movement), which was suppressed out of fear of a
Karanga-Ndebele-Manyika alliance,” Moyo told the congressional officers.
Daily News

Shiri has 'repented' of Gukurahundi: Dabengwa

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

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

ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa believes Gukurahundi architect Perence Shiri has
“repented of his role” as commander of the Fifth Brigade which is accused of
the slaughter of more than 20,000 civilians in Matabeleland and the
Midlands, according to WikiLeaks.

Dabengwa, who was detained without trial by President Robert Mugabe’s regime
while Shiri’s death squads carried out mass killings in the countryside
between 1982 and 1987, told the former US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee
that the Air Force of Zimbabwe chief would readily accept a change of
government.
Dabengwa spoke to McGee on March 12, 2008, in the run-up to general
elections later that month.

McGee said the former Home Affairs Minister, who was supporting independent
candidate Simba Makoni in the presidential race, “shared his concern that
Mugabe would not accept defeat”.

In a diplomatic cable dated March 13, 2008, McGee wrote: “Dabengwa was
optimistic the military would not play a destabilising role. He noted that
as the commander of ZIPRA, ZAPU's military arm, he knew the current crop of
high ranking Zimbabwean military officials, many of whom had served under
him. He offered his opinions of the top three military leaders ...”

Zimbabwe Army Commander General Philip Sibanda “had commanded UN forces in
Angola and had rescued Zimbabwe from defeat in the Congo. He was
professional and level headed”, Dabengwa is said to have told the
ambassador.

Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, on the other hand,
was so corrupt that "he would rather sink with the ship than oppose the
captain”, Dabengwa opined.

Controversially, McGee said Dabengwa had told him Shiri “had long been
critical of Mugabe's leadership and his unwillingness to permit change
within Zanu PF. He had repented of his role in Gukurahundi, the Matabeleland
massacres instigated by Mugabe in the early 1980s”.

Dabengwa’s apparent willingness to look over Shiri’s role in the Gukurahundi
massacres – which affected his ZAPU party more than any other – will
“demoralise” his supporters, said activist and researcher Brilliant Mhlanga.

“It’s a shocking thing to say,” Mhlanga told New Zimbabwe.com last night.
“Dabengwa, of all people, should know better. There is enough documented
proof that Perence Shiri is responsible for the worst acts of mass murder in
Zimbabwe, and his victims do not need Dabengwa beautifying him.”

WikiLeaks: Moven Mahachi Death Possible Assassination/Chamisa Breathes Fire

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, September 09,2011- The United States government described the death
of former defence minister, Moven Mahachi as a possible political
assassination by members of his Zanu (PF) party since the police failed to
give a satisfactory answer, latest diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks
reveal.

The cable indicated that the death of Mahachi was the second of a cabinet
minister within a month.

“The impact caused the minister’s vehicle to roll and the tall Mahachi, who
was sitting higher than other passengers, was killed instantly when the car’s
roof collapsed on his head, according to Egyptian DCM Kadri Abdel-Mottaleb,
who heard the account of army commander Constantine Chiwenga.”

“Police have taken pains to say that there was nothing sinister about the
crash, a way of dying, long associated here with Zanu (PF) political
assassination.

“Mahachi’s demise in a road traffic accident is the second in a month
(Minister of Youth and Development, Gender and Employment Creation Border
Gezi was killed on April 28) and has left President Mugabe Reeling. The late
defence minister was one of Zanu (PF) “Old Guard”, who fought side by side
with Mugabe in Mozambique and was a member of his delegation at the
Lancaster  House Constitutional conference.“

The death of Mahachi came hard on the heels of the resignation of Nkosana
Moyo –then Industry and International Trade minister, the cable said.

The cable added that Mugabe will be hard pressed to find supporters
“unquestioningly enthusiastic” as Gezi and Mahachi.

“It is possible that, given his penchant for springing surprises, the
Zimbabwean Chief Executive could promote a war veteran leader as defence
minister, although national Liberation war veterans association President
Chenjerai Hunzvi is seriously ill and not expected to recover his health.
The so-called war veterans comprise Zanu (PF) gangster militia, however
would not Command the respect of professional military officers, who
consider Hunzvi and his ilk undisciplined.”

The cable said with Mahachi and Gezi now consigned to the “ash heap of
history, and Hunzvi not far behind, we will have to watch closely to see
whether Mugabe is able to find others willing to wage a war against their
own people with much relish.”

Hunzvi died in June 2004, and another separate cable said “it had been an
open secret that he suffered from HIV/AIDS.”

Meanwhile Movement for Democratic Change National Organising Secretary
Nelson Chamisa has come out guns blazing, accusing the US ambassador Ray
Charles of being a “mere mortal” seeking to exploit his name to add dignity
to his diplomatic cables.

According to the latest postings on the whistle blower website, WikiLeaks,
US ambassador Ray wrote of a meeting he had in 2010 with Chamisa and MDC-T
senator Obert Gutu who allegedly described their leader Morgan Tsvangirai as
a weak and indecisive leader.

This was widely seen as potentially capable of poisoning his long
relationship with the MDC leader.

But a visibly incensed Chamisa told journalists at a press briefing Thursday
that the cables were a "non issue and mere opinions" that were not being
taken seriously by his party.

“There is no cohesion in terms of the so called cables which were just
opinions by a mere mortal who was possibly doing so without realising that
it will actually come out some time. So he is the culprit rather than
somebody whom they just allege,” said Chamisa.

“It is not a crime to have a name that is credible. So if they feel that for
something to be understood in America, they need to have a credible name in
the name of Chamisa, drop it. That does not constitute a crime.”

Chamisa also took a swipe at the State controlled Herald and Sunday Mail
broadsheets for “putting a spin” to the information gleaned from the website
in an attempt to divide the party.

“Please help us advise the herald to report accurately, help us advise The
Sunday Mail not to put unnecessary spins that will not help them,” he
continued.

“As far as we are concerned as a political party, we are not going to waste
our time listening to political tsetse flies and political mosquitoes
located at the Herald and the Sunday Mail. We have developed an elephant
skin, it will not help. They hope that by some miracle they are going to
divide the people’s party.”

While reporting about the issue, The Herald had a screaming headline,“Chamisa
and Gutu tear Tsvangirai to pieces”.

Chamisa took the opportunity reaffirm his support for Tsvangirai.

“We have one undisputed, solid leader in the name of President Tsvangirai,
we are loyal to that president,” he said.

“We just came from the congress where the leader was unanimously endorsed.
We are not fools, we are not stupid. We will not allow Zanu (PF) to smile.
Anything that makes Zanu (PF) mad is what becomes our music.”

Speaking during the same occasion, MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas
Mwonzora said the party resolved in December 2010 that it will not allow
information coming from WikiLeaks to divide it.

"It is not a new issue to the MDC," he said, "The party will not concern
itself with information coming from WikiLeaks and it will not allow this
information to unnecessarily divide it.

"Legal experts would tell you that the evidential value coming from the
newspapers is not very minimal. On this issue the party will not take any
position on that information alone as it stands and that resolution has not
been varied. It stands."

‘WikiLeaks blessing in disguise’

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Xolisani Ncube, Staff Writer
Friday, 09 September 2011 10:37

HARARE - The release of the United States diplomatic cables by the whistle
blower website WikiLeaks is more of an opportunity for Zanu PF to finally
deal with the controversial and sensitive succession issue rather than
crucify those involved in the expose, senior party officials have said.

Senior Zanu PF officials told the Daily News yesterday that the WikiLeaks
cables are a blessing in disguise as they give the former ruling party a
chance to introspect and correct mistakes that led to party officials going
out to search for US help.

“We have to understand that most of the people who were mentioned in the
cables said one thing in common, and we should look at that before we
victimise those who are alleged to have met with US officials,” said a
senior Zanu PF who sits in the powerful decision making body, the politburo.

Indications are that some party members have taken a hard-line stance on the
issue and are now pushing for disciplinary action to be taken against those
involved most of whom are among the so called young Turks.

The party’s spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo on Wednesday said the party is taking
the matter seriously and those involved should start examining their
conscience before they face the music.

The Wikileaks cables quoted some Zanu PF officials including ministers, army
generals, MDC officials and Reserve Bank officials among others for having
secretly met US embassy officials.

A number of high-ranking Zanu PF officials were exposed as having met United
States diplomats in Harare opening up on party issues generally regarded as
secrets and taboos.

Saviour Kasukuwere, a politburo member, is reported to have told a US
diplomat that it was time Zanu PF changed leadership from the old guard to
the young Turks.

He has so far refused to comment on the matter.

Vice President Joice Mujuru is also quoted as having hosted one of the US
diplomats at one of her private homes in the capital where the two allegedly
discussed various issues around the future of Zimbabwe after Mugabe but has
also largely remained mute on the matter.

Party insiders say it is now necessary to deal with the issues raised by
those implicated, as it might make them stronger.

President Robert Mugabe has in the past been ruthless with people in his
party who attempted to push for leadership renewal.

The senior Zanu PF officials say the WikiLeaks cables whose many revelations
are speaking to the need for Mugabe to step down come at the right time to
reignite the succession debate.

“The message from the cables have one thing in common, we need leadership
renewal.

“But most of those people who discussed the party with US ambassadors are
just afraid to say it in the politburo for fear that they could be expelled
or something bad could happen to them,” said the source.

“There is need to just look at facts from the cables and not waste time
fighting each other and ensure that we deal with what they told US
officials,” said the top Zanu PF official.

A letter from the diaspora

Friday September 9th 2011

Not for the first time I find it hard to feel optimistic about Zimbabwe’s
future. Robert Mugabe may be saying all the right things about peace and
non-violence but his followers on the ground have not changed their violent
ways. One consolation, as revealed by Wikileaks, is that African leaders are
increasingly frustrated with Mugabe’s failure to govern properly and even
President Jacob Zuma has openly expressed his irritation at the slow pace of
the inter-party negotiations

No doubt it is all part of Mugabe’s grand plan to delay the whole process.
The very specific requirements of the GPA forced him to concede on the
election issue and there will now be a referendum on the constitution
followed by a general election, which, says Mugabe “cannot go beyond March
next year.” His failure to consult with his Prime Minister over that issue
clearly demonstrates Mugabe’s unwillingness to share power, despite the GNU.
His supporters, including the partisan police force, are thereby encouraged
to continue their attacks on the MDC. At the very same time that Mugabe was
opening Parliament this week, the police stood by and watched while Zanu PF
thugs in the middle of Harare were openly beating suspected MDC supporters.
Truck loads of Zanu people arrived in Harare just before the opening of
parliament where Mugabe in his speech once again called for peace. The
reality on the ground is that the violence continues and no matter how much
it is condemned by civil society or the US Ambassador, Mugabe’s fanatical
followers maintain the violence, so desperate are they to keep him in power.
He will need another nomination at this year’s party conference to enable
him to stand in the 2012 elections. And not all Zanu PF people are happy
about that in view of Mugabe’s advanced age and the prostate cancer from
which he suffers – or so claims another damaging Wikileak. While the
government can hardly deny the old man’s age, they have denied that he has
prostate cancer.

It is another cancer, the cancer of violence, sweeping the country that is
so worrying. The violence against the Anglican clergy has caught the
attention of the media in Britain and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit
to Zimbabwe next month was the headline story in The Times on Thursday. What
the Archbishop thinks he can achieve by meeting Mugabe is not clear. Mugabe
is unlikely to stop the renegade ‘Bishop’, one of his more rabid supporters.
When Kunonga threatens to remove the nuns at an orphanage and replace them
with his own ‘sisters’ it is no wonder the terrified nuns lock themselves in
their rooms at night. How much more terrifying it must be for township
residents where Zanu PF youths are on the rampage! In Highfields 20 people
were seriously injured this week and. SW Radio reports that there have been
attacks by Zanu thugs in different townships every day of the last ten. Once
again the police have failed to take action; they say they “are
investigating” but we all know nothing will happen to the perpetrators. One
of the gang leaders openly boasted that nothing would happen to him and when
a victim of gang violence reported his case at the police station he was
himself arrested.

As for the white farmers who are being harassed and intimidated by violent
war veterans taking over their farms and property, they have nowhere to
turn. This week the farmers appealed to the state for protection; no prizes
for guessing the outcome of that appeal. The colour of their skin has
apparently blinded even the MDC to the violence and racism that is being
inflicted on these white farmers. The MDC’s cowardly silence on this issue
and on so many other matters of principle is shameful. We should be hearing
their voices loud and strong in protest; their failure to condemn injustice
increases my pessimism about Zimbabwe’s future. Zimbabwe needs a strong and
principled opposition, without it Mugabe and Zanu PF will continue to rule
through violence and fear.

Yours in the (continuing) struggle, PH. aka Pauline Henson author of the
Dube books, detective stories with a political slant set in Zimbabwe and
available from Lulu.com

Bill Watch 35/2011 of 6th September [Indigenisation Threat: Human Rights Commission Bill: Key Appointments]