ICC turns a 'blind eye' to western crimes: Mugabe

(AFP) – 20 hours ago

UNITED NATIONS — Zimbabwe's outspoken leader Robert Mugabe accused the
International Criminal Court on Thursday of turning a "blind eye" to crimes
by Western leaders.

Mugabe, 87, told the UN General Assembly that the ICC has no credibility in
Africa.

The court "seems to exist only for alleged offenders of the developing
world, the majority of them Africans," he said.

"The leaders of the powerful western states guilty of international crime,
like Bush and Blair, are routinely given the blind eye. Such selective
justice has eroded the credibility of the ICC on the African continent."

George W. Bush, the former US president, and ex-British prime minister Tony
Blair have faced criticism from activists for their role as architects of
the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The ICC has issued charges against Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir for
genocide in Darfur. Libya's former strongman Moamer Kadhafi is also wanted
by the ICC. African countries regularly criticize the focus on their
continent.

Mugabe also blasted the NATO air raids in Libya, justified by UN resolutions
on protecting civilians after Kadhafi's crackdown on protests.

"Yesterday, it was Iraq and Bush and Blair were the liars and aggressors as
they made unfounded allegations of possession of weapons of mass
destruction," the Zimbabwean leader said.

"This time it is the NATO countries (that are) the liars and aggressors as
they make similarly unfounded allegations of destruction of civilian lives
by Kadhafi."

Michael Sata wins Zambian presidential election

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 September 2011

Veteran Zambian politician and opposition leader Michael Sata has won the
presidential election, with 43 percent of the vote compared to Rupiah Banda’s
36 percent.

The populist Sata, 74, was declared Zambia’s next President on Friday, after
a tense election marred by pockets of violence that left two people dead.

Banda, the outgoing president, immediately conceded election defeat to Sata
saying ‘the people have spoken.’ In a televised speech to the nation, Banda
said it was time for him to step down, adding: ‘We must all face the reality
that sometimes it is time to change.’

Sata, who leads the Patriotic Front (PF), garnered 1,150,045 of votes cast,
and Banda had 961,796 votes. Banda’s Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD)
has been in power since 2001 when one-party rule was ended after its founder
President Fredrick Chiluba beat Kenneth Kaunda.

There are unconfirmed reports that Banda’s MMD was bankrolled by the Chinese
government while Sata, a long time admirer of Robert Mugabe, got financial
backing from ZANU PF.

Political analyst Blessing Vava told SW Radio Africa Sata’s victory shows
that perseverance pays in politics, as he had spent 20 years in opposition
politics. During this period Sata, nicknamed ‘King cobra’, lost three
presidential elections.

‘Sata has been a popular politician for the last ten years and was bound to
win the election. We must also commend the outgoing president as he has
shown the world that he’s a democrat, he’s a leader that accepted defeat and
has respected the will of the people.

‘This should work as a wake up call for people like Robert Mugabe that in
the event he loses the next election he should respect the result of the
poll,’ Vava said.

The former student leader said lessons that should be drawn from the Zambian
election are that leaders are not indispensable.

‘Once people are tired of you, they’ll vote you out. These leaders must not
take people for granted as we have witnessed on countless occasions in
Zimbabwe. It will reach a point where the electorate will punish you through
the ballot box,’ Vava added.

Violence As Zanu (PF) and ZCTU Clash

http://www.radiovop.com

Bulawayo, September 23,2011 - Serious violence erupted in Bulawayo city
centre on Thursday night here when Zanu (PF) youths clashed with members of
the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) faction led by Lovemore Matombo
over a meeting venue.

The ZCTU meeting was being addressed by Matombo and Progressive Teachers
Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) leader Raymond Majongwe.

Riot police had to be called to quell the situation. A group of 20 Zanu (PF)
youths led by Andrew Manjoro Bulawayo youth provincial  secretary for
Economic Affairs and one Charumbira stormed ZCTU meeting venue at Royal
Hotel along 6th Avenue carrying iron bars and stones.

They demanded that the meeting stopped since they had also booked the same
venue for their meeting, but the ZCTU members who were being addressed by
Matombo and  Majongwe refused concede to their demands.

Majongwe told the Zanu (PF) youths to respect other people’s meeting and
leave the venue. “You guys what’s your problem respect our meeting, have you
ever seen me coming to Zanu (PF) meeting and disrupt,” shouted Majongwe.

The Zanu (PF) youths refused to leave but the ZCTU members who outnumbered
them grabbed their leaders Manjoro and Charumbira and threw them outside
before others followed in a rush. The ZCTU meeting continued.

They then gathered outside Royal Hotel and started singing Chimurenga
(liberation) songs and called for more reinforcement from their members.

Manjoro then addressed the Zanu (PF) youths outside  the hotel telling them
to wait until the ZCTU meeting ends so that they can  beat up the labour
union members especially Majongwe whom he said insulted them.

“Comrades our enemies have invaded our meeting venue and insulted us we
should show Majongwe who we are today,” Manjoro shouted.

Riot police then arrived and ordered the Zanu(PF )youths to disperse but
they refused saying that they wanted Majongwe be arrested.

The youths finally dispersed after one of the Zanu (PF) Bulawayo provincial
executive leader, Godfrey Malaba came to the venue and persuaded them.

He was overheard saying “guys respect other people’s meetings, we don’t want
violence in Bulawayo these guys booked the meeting venue so let’s stop not
acting like animals and leave them and go home.”

Speaking to Radio VOP after the meeting Matombo said police acted
professional for the first time and also praised the ZCTU bouncers led by
PTUZ national coordinator Enoch Paradzai for throwing the Zanu (PF) youths
out of the venue.

“For the first time police acted professional and also I want to thank our
guys especially Paradzai who managed to stop these Zanu (PF ) thugs. If it
wasn’t for them we would be talking about something now dai taitwa kanyama
kanyama nhasi (We should have turned into pieces of meat”. Those Zanu (PF)
thugs meant business they wanted to finish us,”said Matombo.

Last Minute Bid To Bar Chiyangwa From Contesting Elections

http://www.radiovop.com

Chinhoyi, September 23, 2011 - There was a last minute rush on Thursday
afternoon to stop flamboyant businessman, Phillip Chiyangwa from contesting
the post of chairman in Mashonaland West province.

Acting provincial chairman Reuben Marumahoko wrote to national chairman
Simon Khaya Moyo to stop Chiyangwa from campaigning and seeking political
office.

Marumahoko is Hurungwe senator who was mandated to restructure party
structures in the provinces that were in shambles but has been dumped by
youths who accuse him of being ''stingy'' financially.

'Marumahoko thinks we do not want money...He is going to be just a card
carrying member because his hands are too short for the pocket. We are not
working and these politicians must learn to pay for service rendered" said a
youth from Hurungwe who cannot be named for fear of victimisation.

The youths drawn from Kariba, Karoi and Hurungwe were on Monday deployed in
Chegutu and Kadoma to prop up Chiyangwa's bid for election that has brought
division amid allegations of vote buying.

Marumahoko admitted that he is not happy about the weekend election set for
Banket.

''Many people are not happy with these irregularities by some candidates
seeking to be elected. Chiyangwa is still yet to be admitted to the party
and should not have jumped the gun to campaign. We have notified the
national chairman to deal with the issue" said Marumahoko in a telephone
interview with Radio VOP.

Chiyangwa's bid to contest the party post comes hardly a week after he was
co-opted as secretary of indigenisation in Makonde district coordinating
committee.

Chiyangwa is believed to have sponsored a notorious group of six since 2000
whose reign of terror targeted Movement if Democratic Change (MDC)
supporters, dividing the party. Chiyangwa is said to be paying for
accommodation and food for the youths.

Chiyangwa and national chairman Khaya-Moyo could not be reached for comment.

Chiyangwa turned his back on Zanu (PF) after he was arrested for espionage
when he was accused of selling party secrets as he was provincial chairman
from 2000.

WOZA leaders face weekend behind bars

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
23 September 2011

The leaders of pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) who were
arrested during a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday, will spend the
weekend behind bars.

12 WOZA members were arrested during the march in Bulawayo this week, which
had been organised to commemorate International Day of Peace. Riot police
were dispatched to break up that march, beating several people in the
process. 10 of the WOZA women appeared in court on Thursday on ‘criminal
nuisance’ charges, but the prosecutor refused to bring a case against them
and they were released.

But WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were charged
separately, and are being accused of kidnapping an elderly woman in Njube in
July and also of allegedly stealing an electric torch.

Lizwe Jamela from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights told SW Radio Africa on
Friday that the pair appeared in court on Friday, but he said they will be
spending the weekend behind bars.

“We received information that the court had been given directives from the
Attorney General’s office in Harare to oppose bail or to invoke Section 121
of the Criminal Law Act if bail was granted,” Jamela explained.

Section 121 has been used time and again by the state to keep ZANU PF
opponents behind bars, because it allows the prosecution seven extra days to
appeal a bail ruling.

Jamela said Williams and Mahlangu made an initial appearance on Friday, and
their case has been remanded until next month. He said an application for
their bail was filed, and they are only expecting the State’s reaction on
Monday.

Observers say this case again highlights the partisan nature of the security
forces, because violent ZANU PF members are never brought to book for their
crimes. But WOZA and its leaders have been in and out of jail for a number
of years, just for demanding peace and democracy in Zimbabwe.

Amnesty International - Women of Zimbabwe Arise Activists Arrested on International Day of Peace

http://blog.amnestyusa.org

 

 

Posted by: Sarah Hager, September 23, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu

On Wednesday, September 21, activists from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) marched in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to commemorate International Day of Peace. Not seeming to appreciate the irony, police officers violently dispersed the protest, arresting 12 women and injuring several others.

Thursday, 10 of those women were released, but Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlongu remain in jail. They are charged with kidnapping and theft pertaining to some sort of bizarre set of circumstances that is beyond my comprehension at this time.

Jenni and Magodonga appeared in court this morning. Bail was denied and their next hearing is scheduled for October 6th. They will remain imprisoned until that time. Jenni recently had a minor operation which could result in serious complications from infection due to the disgusting sanitary conditions in prison. This ridiculous set of circumstances is a direct reflection of elements of the Zimbabwe government attempting to repress political and social dissent.

Women of Zimbabwe Arise, a social justice movement of women and men dedicated to improving human rights, increasing the quality of life and holding the government accountable in Zimbabwe, are no strangers to arrests and harassment by the government. WOZA activists number their arrests in the hundreds. Earlier this year, Jenni and Magodonga were warned the next time they were arrested, they would be kept in a men’s prison.

It’s time the government of Zimbabwe stopped violating the peace on any day of the year. Zimbabwe will appear before the United Nations Human Rights Council in early October to defend its human rights record. We are calling on regional neighbor Angola, a country with influence in the region, to speak up and insist Zimbabwe meet its human rights obligations. Women should be allowed to gather to celebrate peace without worrying about being met with violence.

 

Villagers fear army intimidation

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Naume Muza     Friday 23 September 2011

MUREWA – Zimbabweans in the rural areas want soldiers to be removed from the
countryside during elections, fearing that they could be intimidated into
voting for President Robert Mugabe, the preferred choice for the country’s
top security brass, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has said.

Hundreds of army personnel are currently deployed in the countryside and
although the Minister of Defence Emmerson Mnangagwa has in the past defended
their presence, saying they would be on official duty, critics say they are
used by Mugabe’s ZANU-PF to cow the rural population into voting for the
former liberation movement.

Several villagers have told Crisis Coalition during outreach meetings across
the country – including a recent meeting at Zaranyika village in Murewa –
that the army’s presence was a great source of discomfort.

"Participants in Murehwa are concerned by the presence of the military and
feel it is a ploy by  ZANU-PF officials to instill fear in the general
populace'' Crisis Coalition said in a statement to the media.

Murewa district, 90 kilometers north-east of the capital Harare is one of
several political flashpoints that have witnessed political violence in the
last decade as ZANU-PF continues to fight to keep its support in rural
areas.

In 2008, the two constituencies voted for Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, the first time the district had not voted
for Mugabe since independence from Britain in 1980.

This followed a similar pattern in other previous ZANU-PF strongholds and
Mugabe responded by sending in war veterans, youth militia and soldiers to
unleash a violent campaign to reverse his shock loss to Tsvangirai in the
first round voting.

Crisis Coalition programmes manager Pedzisai Ruhanya said villagers
continued to be concerned by the presence of the army in their villages.

"Generally, sentiments from the communities all over the country where we
have visited so far are that people do not want the army to participate in
elections as they did in 2008,” he told ZimOnline.

The MDC, which formed a coalition government with ZANU-PF in 2009, is
fighting to have soldiers moved from the countryside and for the military to
stay away from elections.

In Buhera South constituency, a known army officer is said to be demanding
ZANU-PF membership cards as a pass to access food hand outs.

Senior military officers have total disdain for the MDC and its leader
Tsvangirai, repeating Mugabe’s refrain that they are Western puppets seeking
to reverse the country’s independence gains, including handing back
commercial farms to previous white owners.

Crisis coalition is carrying out a countrywide outreach programme in
marginalised communities to gauge how ready they are in voter education,
registration as well as constitution making process ahead of possible
election next year.

Mugabe has said he will elections by March next year although his coalition
partners say this is not possible until after a referendum on a new
constitution which is expected early in 2011.

Some critics say Mugabe’s call for polls in the first quarter of 2012 a mere
bluff, saying the 87-year-old leader only seeks to keep his shock troops –
independence war veterans and youth militia – prepared for the eventual vote
which could be held in the second half of next year. -- ZimOnline

Questions raised about ZANU PF links with SA’s Malema

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
23 September 2011

Questions are being raised about ZANU PF’s relationship with the
controversial leader of South Africa’s ANC youth league, Julius Malema, amid
allegations that Robert Mugabe’s party is funding and training him.

South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC, has this week accused ZANU PF of
“influencing” Malema, who has been campaigning in recent months for Zimbabwe
style land reform and mines nationalisation. ANC Secretary General Gwede
Mantashe voiced these concerns during talks with ZANU PF’s top leadership in
Zimbabwe this week.

Mantashe met separately with acting president John Nkomo, ZANU PF national
chairman Simon Khaya Moyo, Vice President Joice Mujuru and the party’s
secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa.

Mutasa revealed in interviews with the state media that Mantashe claimed
that ZANU PF was ‘feeding’ Malema’s radical campaign. According to Mutasa
the ANC secretary general also claimed that ZANU PF youths had massed
outside the South African embassy in Harare to demonstrate against the ANC’s
decision to charge Malema.

Malema is facing possible disciplinary action after being charged with
misconduct by the ruling party. This came after Malema called for the ouster
of Botswana’s leader Ian Khama, a vocal critic of Mugabe’s.

ZANU PF strongly denies it has any influence over Malema, and Mutasa is
quoted as saying: “We told them that we are not influencing him. If he
speaks like ZANU PF, that is the way he likes to speak, we cannot change
him. If he thinks like us that is up to him.”

But other media reports have said that Mantashe confronted ZANU PF for
“funding and training” Malema. According to sources quoted by the Zimbabwe
Mail, Mantashe allegedly told ZANU PF that South Africa is aware that Malema
“was being trained and funded by the Zimbabwean State intelligence officials
and receiving direct advice from senior ZANU PF officials.”

SW Radio Africa has also been told by a trusted source that it is ‘widely
known’ that ZANU PF is funding Malema, apparently because they are not happy
with Jacob Zuma as the country’s President.

SW Radio Africa was unable to independently verify these claims.

Journalist Geoff Hill told SW Radio Africa on Friday that there is no
evidence to support claims that ZANU PF is directly funding Malema. But he
explained that it is likely that the allegations are linked to Malema’s
relationship with ZANU PF’s Empowerment Minister, Savior Kasukuwere.

“Malema has developed a close link with Kasukuwere who is responsible for
the Green Bombers. My information is that when Malema was in Zimbabwe
earlier this year, Kasukuwere gave him training kits and DVDs and other
material related to the Green Bombers,” Hill said.

He added: “This was apparently aimed at setting up a radical and dangerous,
not armed, but violent wing of the ANC Youth League. I have been told by a
constitutional lawyer that this would be a case of treason.”

Athol Trollip, the parliamentary leader for South Africa’s opposition party
the Democratic Alliance (DA), meanwhile said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if
the allegations about ZANU PF’s relationship with Malema are true.

“We were all concerned when Malema went to visit pariah nations to learn
‘best principles’ from countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela. He then
started propagating ideas of nationalisation and indigenisation, and we
linked the dots and realised he is a disciple of ZANU PF,” Trollip said.

Trollip added that he hoped, if the allegations are true, that “it changes
the relationship between the ANC and ZANU PF.” The two parties have long
been considered allies as fellow ‘liberation’ parties. But South Africa’s
role in mediating Zimbabwe’s political crisis has caused that relationship
to slowly sour, with the ANC showing less tolerance for ZANU PF.

“If the ANC now is a target of destablisation by ZANU PF, then we look
forward to the ANC taking tough action,” Trollip said.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Backs Parents Over ‘Incentives’ Row With Striking Teachers

http://www.voanews.com

22 September 2011

Education Minister David Coltart had encouraged parents to make incentive
payments to teachers at a time when the system was still recovering from a
deep crisis during the tumultuous 2008 election year

Violet Gonda | Washington

“I am not going to support a teacher who finds himself fighting the parent
because if he fights the parent that means he is no longer fighting the real
employer (government) to get better salaries.”

Many Zimbabwean teachers and parents of students are at odds over the
reduction of supplementary payments or incentives by the School Development
Association, which said it reduced the payments following an increase in
state teacher salaries.

Education Minister David Coltart had encouraged parents to make incentive
payments to teachers at a time when the system was still recovering from a
deep crisis.

The state-run Herald newspaper said teachers at Prince Edward High School
walked out this week to protest the reduction of incentives from US$300 to
about US$50. Sources said teachers at  Kuwadzana 6 Primary School saw theirs
cut to $150 from $200.

Surprisingly, one of the country's main teachers unions opposes the
incentive system.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Chief Executive Sifiso Ndlovu told VOA
reporter Violet Gonda that incentives are divisive. He said teachers are
misdirecting their anger.

He said: “In as far as it concerns the development of education it is a
policy that you cannot sustain for a long time and is likely to cause this
confusion.”

“I am not going to support a teacher who finds himself fighting the parent
because if he fights the parent that means he is no longer fighting the real
employer (the government) to get better salaries," Ndlovu said.

Parent Kurauone Chihwayi said he and others were happy to pay the incentives
to keep teachers in classrooms and motivate them - but said the program is
unsustainable.

He said some teachers are now demanding additional fees on top of the
incentives.

Others charged that the incentive system has diverted the attention of
teachers so that they give short shrift to pupils regular classes and
allocate more time to tutoring.

Cabinet to discuss ministers bunking parliament

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 September, 2011 Newsday

The Minister for Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, Eric Matinenga,
has said he will bring up the subject of ministers failing to attend crucial
sessions in parliament, when the cabinet meets next week.

Matinenga made the comments after only four ministers showed up for the
session this Wednesday, all from the MDC formations. Besides the
Parliamentary Affairs minister, others who showed were Giles Mutsekwa, Joel
Gabbuza and Heneri Dzinotyiwei.

Ministers are supposed to appear for sessions where they answer questions by
legislators regarding their portfolios. According to the Newsday newspaper,
Matinenga said principals in the inclusive government were worried about the
ministers’ failure to attend these important sessions.

Matinenga reportedly described Wednesday’s turnout as “disappointing” and
said ministers were reminded every Tuesday to attend the Wednesday sessions.
He is quoted as saying he would “certainly raise the issue” at the next
cabinet meeting.

A debate on condolences to the family of the late Retired Army General
Solomon Mujuru was also shelved Wednesday, after many MPs walked out when
the motion was announced. Without the required minimum quorum of 25 MPs,
parliament was adjourned.

Motive of Zimbabwe Registrar General Challenged in Call for Voter Registrations

http://www.voanews.com/

22 September 2011

Under the proposed Electoral Amendment Bill the registrar general would
still maintain the national voters roll, but this would be under the
supervision and oversight of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission

Tatenda Gumbo | Washington

Zimbabwe's Office of the Registrar General has issued a call for voters to
register, drawing fire from critics who say the invitation is is premature
given that the Electoral Amendment Bill now being debated in parliament
could change many aspects of the electoral system, among other things how
Zimbabwean register to vote.

The notice by the Registrar General’s Office said public registration does
not only take place when elections have been proclaimed, adding that it was
ready to accommodate those who wanted to register for the first time or
transfer their registration.

Under the proposed Electoral Amendment Bill the registrar general would
still maintain the national voters roll, but this would be under the
supervision and oversight of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Some say the
Electoral Commission should assume all responsibility for the voters roll,
alleging partisanship by the registrar general.

Lawyer and commentator Alex Magaisa said Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede is
still legally charge of the voter registration process – but said that the
latest communication by his office to the public could be seen as
politically motivated.

But Programs Director Wellington Zindove of the Youth Forum welcomed the
invitation saying it could spur Parliament to revisit the proposed
amendment.

Zindove said registration centers have turned away many hopeful voters who
are clearly eligible, alleging that this is intended to protect President
Robert Mugabe and his former ruling ZANU-PF party from the political impact
of new registrations.

Many youths and other eligible voters have accused the registration offices
of denying them the right to sign up to vote citing lack of proof of
residence.

WikiLeaks puts Zim generals in firing line

http://mg.co.za

RAY NDLOVU Sep 23 2011 16:07

The release of the WikiLeaks diplomatic cables on Zimbabwe, which has caused
a rift in President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, now threatens to spark a
showdown with so-called "sell-outs" in the country.

The Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) has launched an investigation into two of
its senior army commanders, Major General Fidelis Satuku and Brigadier
General Herbert Chingono, for their secret correspondence with the United
States envoy to Harare, Charles Ray, in January last year. In the meetings
the two military strongmen allegedly derided the incumbent ZDF army
commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, as being a "political appointee
with little practical military experience or expertise".

Satuku and Chingono face a military court martial, punishable either by
death or imprisonment, if they are found guilty of meeting the US
ambassador. Acknowledging the dire consequences if details of the secret
meetings were be to leaked, Ray is recorded in the diplomatic cable as
saying the two serving military officers took a "grave personal risk" in
meeting him and should be "strictly protected".

Colonel Overson Mugwizi, ZDF spokesperson, said: "In matters to do with
discipline, we investigate then take appropriate action. Where there is a
need for public consumption of the findings, we make our findings public. In
this case we are likely to do that."

The leaks could present a fresh challenge for Mugabe ahead of elections
expected before March next year. Mugabe is said to be wary of US
infiltration into a military that has openly backed his 31-year grip on
power. Human rights organisations, civil society groups and the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change have all fingered the military for its
violent role in ensuring Mugabe's re-election in the last hotly contested
presidential elections in June 2008.

Mugabe is likely to turn to the military for support in the polls once
again. Chiwenga is seen as a possible successor, as the military has vowed
not to recognise any result that does not endorse Mugabe as Zimbabwe's
president.

Chiwenga, who is studying for a master's degree in political science at the
University of Zimbabwe, is understood to have attended only one mid-level
military training course, which he failed after it was discovered he had
cheated. He then shot himself in the chest in an apparent suicide attempt.

By contrast, Satuku and Chingono are highly trained military officers.
Chingono is an artillery officer and was the last Zimbabwean army commander
to attend the US National Defense University, while Satuku trained in
Britain.

Govt Loses U.S.$500 Million to Gem Smuggling

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

Shame Makoshori

23 September 2011

ZIMBABWE last year lost US$500 million worth of diamonds through smuggling
syndicates, a South African diamond consultant, Keith Lapperman, told The
Financial Gazette last week.

Lapperman, who has advised African governments on diamond policy since 1967,
was among key speakers at last week's mining indaba where he presented a
paper on how value addition of diamonds could benefit disadvantaged
communities.

After his presentation, he said that Zimbabwe was losing significant revenue
through smuggling, but indicated that the country could reduce the problem
by formalising diamond mining.

"My estimate is that last year, between 20 million to 30 million carats were
smuggled from Zimbabwe," Lapperman said.

"This translates to between US$400 million and US$500 million. This is
substantial. A sub-industry of mainly smuggled diamonds has developed, which
if not regularised urgently, will have far-reaching consequences not only
for Zimbabwe but for the diamond industry in general. This figure is likely
to decline once you formalise the sector. The controversy will be reduced,"
said Lapperman.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe estimated in 2009 that at least US$1,2 billion
had been lost per annum through black market trade of minerals.

This suggests that Lapperman's estimates could be conservative.

Government moved into the Marange diamond fields about five years ago to
plug what was fast becoming a regional diamond smuggling hotspot after
illegal miners flooded the claims that became a lifeline for thousands in
the wake of a recession highlighted by an unprecedented inflationary level.

Security forces deployed into the diamond fields at the height of illegal
mining have been accused of committing human rights abuses, triggering a
global outcry and classification of Marange gems as "blood diamonds", a term
used for gems extracted from conflict areas.

In the past 18 months, a formalised diamond sector had been shaping up, with
Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources joining the State-run Zimbabwe Mining
Development Corporation to formally mine rough diamonds.

Government said last week it had received 400 new applications for claims in
Marange.

Lapperman said the chaos that characterised the diamond fields was not
unusual.

He said external forces were determined to block the entry of Zimbabwean
gems into the global market to protect their interests.

"The sequence is the same across Africa; the (diamond) discovery stage, the
rush, chaos, formalisation and the legislative stage, which I think Zimbabwe
is at. This was common in Kimberley in the 1970s," he said.

Lapperman has made proposals to help government develop an effective diamond
policy framework targeted at plugging leakages by redirecting revenues into
the fiscus.

As part of the proposals, his team will help government estimate the value
of smuggled diamonds, measure the effect of black market diamond trade on
Zimbabwe's economy, compile a detailed strategy to regularise the diamond
industry and develop an assortment of diamonds with price categories for
different sizes and quantities to maximise prices and diversify the client
base.

He has proposed to help Zimbabwe estimate the quantum of the reserves and
estimate annual production controls, among many others.

"If a proper and uniquely Zimbabwean policy is implemented, the industry in
the country can take its place as a player in the world diamond industry on
its own terms," he said in proposals submitted in 2010.

"(Zimbabwe will not) be perceived as a society of diamond smugglers and
illegal dealers in which everybody except the government and its people are
actually benefiting," part of his proposal reads.

500 landless families invade Chiredzi farms

http://www.herald.co.zw

Friday, 23 September 2011 02:00

OVER 500 landless families have invaded farms and wildlife conservancies in
Chiredzi District over the past weeks, forcing  the National Lands
Inspectorate to intervene.
The families invaded such wildlife conservancies as Devuli Ranch in Bikita
and parts of Save Valley to allot themselves plots before the onset of the
rains.
This follows the invasion of Chidza Farm in Masvingo District by over 1 000
families, mainly apostolic sect members late last month.

This development prompted a National Lands Inspectorate team led by Police
Deputy Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to visit the province and restore
order.
Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday confirmed a
National Lands Inspectorate team was in the province.

He said as the Masvingo provincial leadership, they were working hard to
ensure the families were removed from the farms.
"The National Lands Inspectorate is in Masvingo where some landless
villagers have invaded wildlife conservancies in the Lowveld," said Mr
Chikovo.
"The team is on the ground to make sure that the invasions of conservancies
are halted, while the families that have moved in are removed.

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"We recommended to the inspectorate that as a province we are no longer
allowing any fresh farm occupations, so the inspectorate team will go on the
ground and endorse our resolution as a province.''
Mr Chikovo said no fresh farm occupations will be tolerated.

He said all those who needed land were supposed to formally apply and not to
invade farms and conservancies.
Mr Chikovo said the inspectorate would also solve raging disputes over plots
and issues of double allocations in the Lowveld.

The problems are prevalent in the Lowveld on sugarcane farms.
Mr Chikovo said the inspectorate will look at all the underutilised
sugarcane plots and endorse their reallocation to new farmers who wanted to
work on the land.

The visit by the National Lands Inspectorate team to Masvingo comes as the
province was battling to secure land to resettle over 3 000 families who
would be relocated to pave way for the construction of the giant Tokwe
Murkosi dam.
Masvingo province has officially run out of land to resettle people and the
provincial leadership was considering resettling some of the families in
wildlife conservancies.

Murder Trial Involving Midlands Governor’s Son Opens

http://www.radiovop.com/

Gweru, September 23, 2011 - The high profile long awaited murder trial
involving Farai Machaya, son of Midlands governor, Jason Machaya and five
others accused of killing an activist from the Movement of Democratic Change
(MDC) finally opened here on Thursday after a series of postponements.

The six who also include two brothers Edmore (29) and Bothwell (27) Gana,
Abel Maposa, Obert Gavi and Tirivashoma Mawadze, all of Gokwe Centre are
accused of murdering a Gokwe man and MDC activist, Moses Chokuda in March
2009.

The case, scheduled to be heard on Tuesday had to be postponed because one
of the defence counsels representing the Gana brothers was admitted to
hospital.

The murder case closely being monitored by the media, political activists
and human rights activists resumed Thursday with Machaya being put to his
defence at the close of the state case after five witnesses had given
testimony and had been cross examined by the defence.

All the accused persons have pleaded not guilty.

The Chokuda family has refused to bury their son until the matter has been
finalised.

It is alleged Chokuda (25) died as a result of the injuries from the assault
by the six.

Since then the case has attracted a lot of attention as it is strongly
believed the murder was politically motivated as Chokuda was a known
activist of the MDC formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai while
the accused are alleged to be known Zanu (PF) activists.

The state, represented by chief law officer Rosa Takuva and state counsel
Diana Msipa, argues that Chokuda was fatally assaulted on the night of March
22 2009 at the homestead of headman Esau Ndokwana in Nemangwe after they had
taken the deceased captive, accusing him of having broken into Machaya’s
shop at Gokwe Centre.

The defense, led by lawyer Josinia Maupa, representing Machaya and Maposa,
as well as lawyer Ambrose Dururu, representing the two Gana brothers, denies
the charge arguing that the four are not the ones who assaulted Chokuda but
actually tried to assist the deceased when a group of unknown people who had
accompanied them to headman Ndokwana’s homestead assaulted him.

Lawyer Jethro Nyarota is representing Gavi while another lawyer Mavese
Mapfumo, is representing Mawadze.
Gavi denies the murder charge arguing he was only a bystander when he saw
someone being assaulted. Mawadze denies having taken part, saying he was not
in Gokwe on the day of the alleged murderous assault.

The state witnesses included physician Patron Venge who carried out an
autopsy on the deceased. The post mortem report given as an exhibit at the
high court circuit expected to end Friday stated the deceased died as a
result of injuries to the cervical spine.

However the defence has asked the court not to accept the post mortem report
arguing it should have been carried out by a forensic pathologist who is
properly qualified for such a job. However in her testimony Venge told the
court that even general medical practitioners are taught how to carry out an
autopsy during training.

Evidence by the witnesses has so far been corroborating in most parts, with
the first three witnesses who said they were present during the assault of
the deceased at headman Ndokwana’s homestead. They described how the accused
assaulted the deceased with booted feet switches and a log all over the
body.

But under cross-examination by the defence, all three witnesses have said
that they could not positively identify the accused persons as being those
who had assaulted the deceased since the alleged incident occurred during
the night.

The Chokuda family believes the case had been postponed many times because
of political influence since the case involves the son of the Governor.

Moses Father, 46 year Old Tavengwa  Chokuda vowed to Radio VOP that unless
justice prevails he shall not bury his son. He said while it is painful for
him that his son is still in the mortuary he said those responsible for his
death should be held accountable. Moses left a twenty year old wife and his
visually handicapped mother says she hopes that the High court would help
her get justice she has waited for too long

IBAHRI Report on Zimbabwe

http://www.osisa.org/

Thursday, September 22. 2011

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
undertook a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe to assess the state of the rule
of law in the country. Funded by the Open Society Initiative for Southern
Africa (OSISA), the IBAHRI delegation went to Johannesburg in South Africa,
Harare, Mutare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, from 6 to 17 June 2011.

Three years on from the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) it
is clear that Zimbabwe remains in crisis. The political environment is
gravely polarised and characterised by a resurgence of violence, arrests,
intimidation and hate speech, which contradicts the letter and spirit of the
GPA. Despite the formation of the Inclusive Government, it is clear that
hard-line elements within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic
Front (ZANU-PF) do not wish to share power with their political opponents
and are using the control over the state apparatus in a blatantly partisan
way. The current conditions are not conducive to a free and fair election.

The IBAHRI believes that all parts of the Inclusive Government should
implement the GPA as a matter of urgency and, to this end, cooperate fully
with the efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in its
attempts to finalise a ‘road map’ for its full implementation. This should
include human rights and rule of law reforms and reforming the criminal
justice system. A new Constitution should protect the rule of law with,
among other things, provisions that secure the independence of the
judiciary. Consideration should also be given to creating a new top court,
perhaps in the form of a constitutional court. The Constitution should also
guarantee the genuine independence of a Judicial Service Commission (JSC),
which should be responsible for the appointment of all judges using a
transparent nominations process against agreed criteria based on merit. A
Code of Conduct for judges and magistrates should be introduced providing
for, inter alia, full and frank disclosure of the assets of the judges of
the High Court and the Supreme Court. The JSC should also have the power to
discipline judges. An independent Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
should be created, removed from the Attorney General’s (AG) office.
Independence of the DPP from the executive for individual prosecutorial
decisions is necessary.

SADC and the African Union (AU) should support the reform process through
technical and financial assistance, as well as the deployment of personnel
from the region, with the agreement of the parties to the Inclusive
Government. SADC should also review the existing legislative agenda to
identify GPA reform priorities that have not been addressed, with a focus on
enabling conditions for credible elections. It should ensure that the
facilitation team’s road map recommends a revision of the GPA’s internal
monitoring and review mechanisms, in particular that: the Joint Monitoring
Committee (JOMIC) should have a more active role to deal with cases of
political violence, including oversight of investigations by national police
and producing regular public reports to the GPA signatories, who in turn
should be obliged to respond publicly in writing; and JOMIC reports should
provide a basis for the Periodic Review Mechanism’s reporting and
recommendations.

The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) should remain actively
diplomatically engaged in supporting and assisting the efforts of SADC and
the AU to facilitate processes and institutions supporting the development
of democratic and accountable governance in Zimbabwe. The UN, EU and other
donors should support and strengthen Zimbabwean civil society’s efforts to
provide coherent, systematic and accurate reports and analysis of violence,
including by improving verification methods, identifying priority concerns,
developing clear and effective channels of communication and, ultimately, by
bringing findings to the attention of local, regional and international
policymakers, institutions and media. The EU, United States and United
Kingdom governments should discuss with SADC and the AU how and when to
suspend all sanctions and other measures imposed on Zimbabwe, pending their
ultimate abolition, in return for clear progress in implementing the GPA
through reforms of key government institutions and agencies and specific
human rights and good governance benchmarks.

International donors should provide effective support for fundamental
reforms to the Zimbabwean state, including strengthening judicial
independence and institutions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
(ZEC), the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), providing appropriate
rights-relevant training for the police, and improving the administration
and financial auditing of justice institutions. They should also ensure full
accountability and transparency in the use of their funds in support of
constitution-making so as to create greater confidence in the process.

The MDC Today - Issue 244

Friday, 23 September 2011

Tapson Sibanda, the MDC Youth Assembly chairperson for Zvishavane district
together with a Zvishavane based police officer were today assaulted by a
group of rowdy Zanu PF youths in Zvishavane Town. Sibanda was leading a
group of MDC youths that was putting up posters to publicise a party rally
scheduled for Sunday at Marowa Business Centre. The rally is part of dozens
of district rallies that have been lined up across the country.

The police officer turned a victim when he tried to rescue Sibanda from the
rowdy Zanu PF youths. A police report has been made at Zvishavane Police
Station but no arrests have been made although the culprits have been
identified. Sibanda and the police officer are seeking treatment at
Zvishavane Hospital.

For more on this and other stories, visit: www.realchangetimes.com

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

--
MDC Information & Publicity Department

Wikileaks: Commercial farmers go for broke

http://www.insiderzim.com/

Friday, 23 September 2011 14:38

The Commercial Farmers Union filed a 1000-page lawsuit against President
Robert Mugabe and his government on 18 September 2000 in the forlorn hope
that the lawsuit could at least allow them to obtain financing for the
coming season.

According to a cable released by Wikileaks, the farmers’ representatives
told United States embassy officials that they did not believe that the
lawsuit would bring the land crisis to an end or even restore the rule of
law immediately.

“Their immediate hope was that the Supreme Court will quickly issue an
injunction against farm seizures and the subsequent evictions of the farm
owners, thereby allowing farmers to obtain financing for the current
planting season,” the cable says.

“In the longer run, the CFU clearly hopes that a favourable Supreme Court
ruling will encourage the international community to bring significant
pressure to bear on President Mugabe to end the destructive fast track
resettlement effort and undertake a fair, transparent land reform process.”

The CFU cited six respondents including President Mugabe. The others were:
Minister of Lands Joseph Made, Minister of Home Affairs John Nkomo, Minister
of Public Works Ignatius Chombo, Minister of Rural Resources Joice Mujuru
and Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri.

WikiLeaks: ZANU PF leaders named in 2008 violence

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 September, 2011

US Embassy cables released by WikiLeaks have revealed that a ZANU PF Central
Committee member told US Ambassador James McGee the names of senior party
officials who were responsible for violence during the bloody 2008
presidential election runoff.

According to the cables dated April 2008, Manatsa Mutasa told the ambassador
that ZANU PF plotted to intimidate MDC officials and supporters, because
they were “disturbed” by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s victory in the March
elections.

Mutasa is said to have named the air force Commander Perence Shiri, State
Security Minister Didymus Mutasa, former Gender and Women’s Affairs Minister
Oppah Muchinguri and former cabinet Minister Kumbirai Kangai as the ZANU PF
chefs who incited the worst violence during that period.

It has always been known that the Joint Operations Command (JOC), a grouping
of top military and intelligence chefs, was responsible for implementing the
violent campaign against any perceived “enemies” of ZANU PF.

But the WikiLeaks cables shed more light into the party’s thinking at the
time. They also expose individuals who organized the campaign that killed
hundreds of MDC supporters and innocent civilians. Tens of thousands more
sustained serious injuries and some are still dying years later from their
injuries.

Professor Ken Mufuka, from the Global Zimbabwe Forum said he spoke to senior
leaders in ZANU PF during a trip to Zimbabwe this year, and many told him
they had no intention of ever giving up power because of an election.

“What surprised me though was Manatsa Mutasa’s naivety in telling such
details to an American ambassador,” Mufuka told SW Radio Africa, adding:
“This shows the nature of their relationship with America at the time,
Mutasa must have felt safe.”
According to the leaked cable Ambassador McGee wrote: “Disillusioned Central
Committee member Manatsa Mutasa told us that the politburo recognised MDC
Tsvangirai had won 48% of the presidential vote against Mugabe’s 43%.”

Mutasa told McGee that after losing to the MDC, ZANU PF prepared for war
“from the politburo level down” and bases and command centres were set up in
the bush to be used as “centres of torture and even killing”. He also said
the Politburo had approved the invasion of all remaining white-owned farms.

The Professor explained that the more serious WikiLeaks revelation is that
Mugabe now knows that most of the people around him have been hypocrites and
they want him to go. He said the ageing ZANU PF leader will not retaliate
immediately against them. Instead he will wait until they think it’s
forgotten, and then strike.

Full text: Mugabe's speech to 66th UN General Assembly

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

22/09/2011 00:00:00
    by Robert G. Mugabe

Full text of a speech by Zimbabwe President Robert Gabriel Mugabe on the
occasion of the General Debate of the 66th session of the United Nations
General Assembly, delivered in New York on September 22, 2011:
Your Excellency, Mr Nassir Abdulaziz AI-Nasser, President of the 66th
Session of the United Nations General Assembly,

Your Majesties,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Your Excellency, Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Comrades and Friends

Mr. President,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election
as President of the 66th Sessionof the General Assembly. My delegation is
confident that under your able leadership, the GeneralAssembly will
successfully address the pressing issues on the agenda of the current
Session. I also wishto pay tribute to your predecessor, Mr Joseph Deiss, for
successfully steering the proceedings of this August house during the 65th
Session.
Mr. President,

I wish to congratulate the Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, on his
re-election for a second term. TheSecretary General, we remain hopeful, will
strive to shepherd the United Nations in an open, transparentand inclusive
multilateral approach.
Such an approach, I believe, would renew and revive the hopes
andexpectations of developing countries in the efficacy of the world body.
Zimbabwe reposes her hopes in aUnited Nations that recognises the equality
of sovereign states as enshrined in the founding Charter.

Mr. President,

I want to express my heartfelt congratulations to the Republic of South
Sudan on its attainment of independence and its subsequent admission as the
193rd member of the United Nations family. As we all congratulate this new
nation, Zimbabwe calls upon the international community to render all the
necessary support to its government and people in tackling the numerous
development challenges that lie ahead. Zimbabwe stands ready to make its
modest contribution to that end.

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Mr. President,

The theme, "The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes," is most
apt. But, how do we, the U.N. members, measure in relation to it in our
activities here at the United Nations and out there in the real world?

It is my principled view that we must be duty and honour bound to
operationalise the principles upon which the Charter of the United Nations
is based. We must not be guilty of manipulating the Charter to serve our
particular or sectional designs and ambitions. The Charter is our set of
commandments that must be strictly obeyed by each and every member if
international and regional peace is to be maintained.

We cannot honestly say this is the position today in regard to NATO states
versus Libya. Whatever political disturbances might have first occurred in
Bengazi, the process of mediation and peaceful negotiations was never given
full play.

It was deliberately and blatantly excluded from shedding positive influence
over developments. There was quick resort to invoking Chapter VII of the
Charter with gross deliberate misinterpretation of the scope of the mandate
originally given NATO to oversee and protect civilians.
Mr. President,

Bilateral hatreds and quarrels or ulterior motives must not be allowed to
creep into considerations of matters pertaining to threats to international
peace and security, or to the principle of the Responsibility to Protect.

We are yet to be convinced that the involvement of the mighty powers in
Libya's affairs has not hindered the advent of the process of peace,
democracy and prosperity in that sister African country.

Our African Union would never have presumed to impose a leadership on the
fraternal people of Libya as NATO countries have illegally sought to do. At
the very least, the African Union would have wished to join those principled
members of this august body who preferred an immediate ceasefire and
peaceful dialogue in Libya.

The African Union was and remains fully seized with this crisis and will
spare no energies in fully complementing the U.N. so that peace returns to
Libya and its tormented people. We wish that process God's speed.
Mr. President,

The newly minted principle of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) should not
be twisted to provide cover for its pre-meditated abuse in violating the
sacred international principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs
of states because to do so amounts to an act of aggression and
destabilisation of a sovereign state. Moreover, to selectively and
arbitrarily apply that principle merely serves to undermine its general
acceptability.

Indeed, more than other states, all the five permanent members of the
Security Council bear a huge responsibility in this regard for ensuring that
their historical privilege is used more to protect the U.N. Charter than to
breach it as is happening currently in Libya through the blatant illegal,
brutal and callous NATO's murderous bombings.

After over twenty thousand NATO bombing sorties that targeted Libyan towns,
including Tripoli, there is now unbelievable and most disgraceful scramble
by some NATO countries for Libyan oil, indicating thereby that the real
motive for their aggression against Libya was to control and own its
abundant fuel resources. What a shame!

Yesterday, it was Iraq and Bush and Blair were the liars and aggressors as
they made unfounded allegations of possessions of weapons of mass
destruction. This time it is the NATO countries the liars and aggressors as
they make similarly unfounded allegations of destruction of civilian lives
by Gaddafi.
Mr. President,

When we in Zimbabwe sought to redress the ills of colonialism and racism, by
fully acquiring our natural resources, mainly our land and minerals, we were
and still are subjected to unparalleled vilification and pernicious economic
sanctions, the false reasons alleged being violations of the rule of law,
human rights, and democracy.

My people have condemned these illegal sanctions and recently over two
million signatures of protesters have demonstrated their antipathy to them.
We thank SADC and the African Union for supporting us and demanding the
immediate removal of the illegal sanctions.
Mr. President,

We in Africa are also duly concerned about the activities of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) which seems to exist only for alleged
offenders of the developing world, the majority of them Africans. The
leaders of the powerful Western States guilty of international crime, like
Bush and Blair, are routinely given the blind eye. Such selective justice
has eroded the credibility of the ICC on the African continent.
Mr. President,

My country continues to work with others for a revitalised General Assembly.
However, our ambitions extend to the need to reform the Security Council as
well. Africa's call for at least two permanent seats for its members on the
Security Council has been constant for decades. Africa cannot remain as the
only region without permanent membership in the Security Council.
Mr. President,

The current global economic crisis and its attendant financial crisis
compounds the plight of us, the most vulnerable, the developing countries.
The present international economic and financial architecture has to be
reformed and made to respond timeously to the real needs of all our peoples.
The situation challenges the ability of our developing world to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals.
Mr. President,

As we celebrate the l0th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Plan of
Action (DDPA) against racism, xenophobia and other related social ills, let
us all recommit ourselves to fight and defeat these evils.
Mr. President,

My country fully supports the right of the gallant people of Palestine to
statehood and membership of this U.N. Organisation. The U.N. must become
credible by welcoming into its bosom all those whose right to attain
sovereign independence and freedom from occupation and colonialism is
legitimate. Similarly, the tormented people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic
Republic must not be forgotten. We call for immediate progress in the
engagements for a solution to their long-running saga.
Mr. President,

The Conference of the Patties (CoPI) later this year is a pivotal occasion
from which we should emerge with agreed measures to address matters of
climate change and how to mitigate threats to the very existence of
small-island states in particular, and to the coastal regions of many
heavily-populated nations. Zimbabwe will be fully engaged in those
negotiations.

Let me reiterate my country's full belief in the aspirations enshrined in
the Charter of the U.N. We must all resist any abuse to which it may be
exposed through the unwelcome behaviour of a few. My country celebrates the
UN-Women entity as it addresses the position of more than half of humankind
in all our countries.

The African Union must not be undermined, rather, it should be allowed to
complement the UN's efforts for peace and security on the continent.
Zimbabwe is a peaceful member of the AU, SADC, COMESA, NAM and many other
international economic and trade organisations and thus desires to continue
to play its part in creating a peaceful environment in the world. The United
Nations can count on the unqualified support of Zimbabwe as required, even
if only in our modest way.
May I wish the 66th United Nations General Assembly every success, Mr.
President.

I thank you.

RGM/gm

A letter from the diaspora

Friday, September 23rd 2011

While Zanu PF endlessly rails against sanctions, I’m pretty sure that if you
were to ask the average Zimbabwean, Mr and Mrs Average Citizen, what are the
main problems facing the country today, the answer would most definitely not
be sanctions. The reason for that is simply that sanctions have very little
effect on the average citizen’s daily life. Now that the US dollar has
replaced the worthless Zim dollar it is possible to buy just about
anything - providing, of course, you have the money. So why do Mugabe and
his underlings continue to go on and on about sanctions. The answer must be
that it is they, the top chefs, not the ‘povo’, who are most affected. The
‘chefs’ can no longer travel freely, access their foreign bank accounts,
shop in Harrods, stroll along the Champs Elysee or walk down Fifth Avenue,
though no doubt Robert Mugabe and his party will attempt the latter while he
is in New York for the UN Summit!

Apart from those inconveniences to Zanu PF chefs, I wonder what purpose
sanctions serve any more? They have certainly not persuaded Mugabe to change
his policies. By lifting them Zanu would lose its main propaganda tool: the
lie that the west is responsible for everything that has gone wrong in
Zimbabwe. The Attorney General argued last week that sanctions violate the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When I checked the specifics of that
reference, it turned out that Tomana was referring to that part of the
Declaration that dealt with property rights. Coming in a week when, by my
count there were more than half a dozen illegal seizures of property, that’s
pretty ironic. In Chiredzi Zanu PF youths took over white-owned businesses;
there were threats of takeovers in the Save conservancy by Zanu PF chefs;
fresh farm invasions hit Masvingo and Zanu PF youths targetted all
white-owned businesses in the town; there were more details of the Kunonga
takeover of the Shearly Cripps Orphanage revealing the suffering caused to
the children; the so-called February 21st Movement threatened more land
seizures; white robed Mapostori refused to move from the farm which they had
invaded and in Bulawayo a Zanu PF youth group plans to take over all
unoccupied buildings.

Meanwhile Robert Mugabe tells the UN that ‘his’ land reform has alleviated
poverty and reduced pressure on the land. How he justifies that claim is
hard to fathom when we see pictures showing Zanu PF youths butchering an
elephant they had slaughtered in a game conservancy where they chopped down
trees for firewood to sell, poached game, set fires and generally misused
the land and its resources.
Zanu PF wants better relation with the US and the EU, Mugabe says, but not
until sanctions are lifted. Only then will Zanu PF fat cats be able to get
their hands on their ill-gotten wealth deposited in foreign banks. Why
should these criminals be allowed to benefit more than they already have
from land and property seizures? Mr and Mrs Average Citizen are entitled to
ask that question but it would not, I suspect, come top of the list of
problems facing Zimbabwe. From the outside looking in, the main problems
facing the country is political violence and the failure by the police to
deal with the perpetrators. However, Mr and Mrs Average Citizen living
inside Zimbabwe might see it differently. They, I suspect, would put money -
or the shortage of it –at the top of the list of problems Zimbabwe faces.
That problem affects every citizen. With unemployment still at 80%, earning
a living wage is the major problem.

Mugabe boasts of his policy of ‘Economic empowerment’ but, as the economist
Tony Hawkins pointed out this week, it is a foolish policy which discourages
investment and thus perpetuates poverty, slows growth and leaves the
majority of the population poorer and still not empowered either politically
or financially. The fat cats continue to do very well out of it though.

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