Zim leaders divided over Libyan ambassador

http://www.swradioafrica.com/



By Tererai Karimakwenda
01 September, 2011

The political crisis unfolding in Libya has put Zimbabwe’s own situation
under scrutiny, with senior leaders in government divided over this week’s
expulsion of the Libyan ambassador, Taher Elmagrahi and his staff.

On Tuesday Elmagrahi was given three days to leave Zimbabwe by ZANU PF,
after he defected to the National Transitional Council (NTC), who are now
widely accepted as the new authorities in Libya. Reports said he was leaving
the country on Thursday.

The unilateral decision by ZANU PF, whose leader Robert Mugabe is a close
ally of deposed Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, highlighted the weaker role played
by the two MDC formations in Zimbabwe’s unity government. Both commented on
the expulsion but have no power to change the decision.

The MDC-T condemned the expulsion of Elmagrahi and his staff, calling it a
“despicable act” by ZANU PF. The MDC-N led by Professor Welshman Ncube said
while ZANU PF’s decision was “unacceptable”, the party had not yet reached
an official position on the issue.

But the Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, on Wednesday defended the
decision to expel the Libyan envoy. Speaking in parliament he said Zimbabwe
still recognizes Gaddafi and Elmagrahi lost his diplomatic credentials when
he defected to the NTC. This view was dismissed by some observers who said
Mutambara does not represent anyone in Zimbabwe.

Political analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga said it is clear the expulsion was a
ZANU PF decision and technically the MDC-T can always disassociate
themselves. “From a moral high ground they can say in the future that they
were opposed to it. But the decision should have been discussed”, Mhlanga
added.

He also pointed to the fact that there had been no official statement from
the MDC-T regarding the expulsion of the Libyans, and responses had come as
comments from party officials. “They have been careful to discuss it first
because in the past they were accused of being western puppets,” Mhlanga
said.

Meanwhile South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma reportedly criticized NATO’s
bombing of Libya, saying it went beyond U.N. resolutions to protect
civilians. Speaking to journalists during a state visit to Norway, Zuma said
he would boycott a conference on Libya taking place in Paris on Thursday,
because Libya’s future should be headed by the A.U. and the U.N.

Observers have accused the A.U. of trying to negotiate a coalition
government in Libya, similar to the one in Zimbabwe, allowing the loser to
stay in power. This would be a way to protect their ally Gaddafi, who would
face prosecution for his abuses in Libya.

Professor Ken Mufuka from the Zim Global Forum agreed. He explained that
most African leaders do not like to leave office because they know they will
be prosecuted for their past atrocities. And this is why the A.U. is now
calling for a Libyan solution that includes Gaddafi.

But Mufuka said it is too late for the A.U. to determine Libya’s future,
having failed to negotiate elections between Gaddafi and the rebels.

“Gaddafi could have avoided prosecution by losing a legitimate election and
the A.U. should have intervened sooner and organized that. But now it is too
late”, the professor explained.

Deputy Prime Minister Says Libyan Envoy Deserved Expulsion

http://www.voanews.com

31 August 2011


Deputy Minister of Justice Obert Gutu said Harare over-reacted as the
National Transitional Council is now the de facto government and former
leader Moammar Gadhafi is no longer in control in Tripoli

Violet Gonda & Irwin Chifera


Zimbabwean Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara on Wednesday defended this
week's expulsion Libyan Ambassador Taher Elmagrahi saying the envoy violated
the terms of his diplomatic mission and that Harare has not yet recognized
the National Transitional Council taking power in Tripoli after toppling
Moammar Gadhafi.

Responding to a question in Parliament from Highfield East lawmaker Simon
Hove on the decision Tuesday to give Elmagrahi until Friday to leave the
country, Mutambara said the envoy lost his diplomatic rights when he
declared his defection to the NTC.

The Libyan Ambassador and his staff last week burned the flag of the Gadhafi
government that for all intents and purposes appeared to have been driven
from power, then announced their defection to the revolutionary government
in Tripoli.

Mutambara said the fact that Zimbabwe has not recognized the Transitional
Council means that it still recognizes the government of Moammar Gadhafi.

Yet Mutambara added that the Libyan question was complicated and that the
government must collectively come to a decision whether or not to recognize
the National Transitional Council as the legitimate new government of Libya.

Asked if Gadhafi has entered Zimbabwe or whether the Harare unity government
would offer him political asylum, Mutambara said that the question has not
yet been addressed, adding that in any case it would have to involve all the
parties in government.

Deputy Minister of Justice Obert Gutu of the Movement for Democratic Change
formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai disagreed with the Foreign
Ministry. He told Studio 7 reporter Violet Gonda that Harare over-reacted,
as the National Transitional Council is now the de facto government and
Gadhafi is no longer in control.

Gutu said that under the law diplomats are accredited by a sovereign nation
to another, thus they are not sent abroad to represent a particular leader
but the country.

“It would have been better, it would have been wiser, indeed cleverer, if
perhaps the Zimbabwean officials would have bid their time and waited to
make an observation as to see how the Libyan political scenario is
unfolding," Gutu said.

But rival MDC formation leader Welshman Ncube said Elmagrahi put himself in
an untenable position by publicly shifting his loyalties, noting that his
diplomatic credentials were issued by the Gadhafi government. Ncube said
Elmagrahi should have bided his time until Zimbabwe had recognized the new
government in Libya.

Ncube said political and moral sympathies regarding the Libyan situation are
neither here nor there, as the envoy cannot represent an entity Harare has
not yet recognized.

“He cannot represent Libya unless he holds valid letters of accreditation to
Zimbabwe and those which were valid were given to him by Colonel Gadhafi,"
Ncube said.

"The Transitional Council has not given him any accreditation and secondly
it’s not yet recognized in Zimbabwe," he said.

Ncube said the Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi presented the facts
during Tuesday's meeting of the Cabinet cabinet meeting which could not be
disputed at law.

At least 20 African countries and many western nations have recognized the
transitional council as the new government of Libya.

Zim Journalist​s Arrested At Libyan Embassy

http://www.radiovop.com/




Harare, September 01, 2011 - Zimbabwean police on Thursday arrested two
journalists working for Associated Press for allegedly filming the Libyan
embassy in Harare. Two plainclothes policemen arrested Farai Mugano, a
cameraman for Associated Press and Gillian Gotora, a journalist working for
the American news agency and accused them of filming the Libyan embassy
without authority.

Gotora was released and Mugano was detained at the Libyan embassy. Eye
witnesses who witnessed the arrest told Radio VOP that an embassy
official first gave chase to Mugano who was filming the embassy before the
plainclothes policemen arrested the two journalists.
The police and the embassy officials accused the journalists of entering the
Libyan territory without authority.
On Tuesday, the Zimbabwean government gave the Lybian ambassador, Taher El
Magrahi to Zimbabwe 72 hours to leave the country after he
defected to the National Transitional Council last week.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Samuel Mumbengegwi told journalists at a
press conference that El Magrahi had been asked to leave Harare
within three days.
The ZANU (PF) side of government accused the Libyan envoy of hoisting the
North African state’s new flag before forcing him to later pull down the NTC’s
flag.

KP Acts On Marange Torture Claims

http://www.radiovop.com




Harare, September 01 2011 - The Kimberly Process has asked the Zimbabwean
government to respond to allegations of rampant torture at the Marange
diamond fields made in a recent British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
documentary.


KP chairman Mathieu Yamba from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said
they were interested in exchanging information with the BBC.

In a letter dated August 22, Yamba said the KP was also seeking
clarifications from the government of Zimbabwe.

“The KP stands ready to use all relevant KP monitoring mechanisms and to
fully engage in gathering information relevant to these allegations,” the KP
boss said in the letter.

The KP is a United Nations endorsed body set up to halt the sale of diamonds
from conflict areas where funds are used to support illegal operations.

BBC through its Panorama programme last month aired testimonies of victims
who claimed that they were tortured and sexually assaulted at an army camp
in the diamond mining area.

The Zimbabwean government dismissed the documentary saying it was British
propaganda meant to stop the country from selling its diamonds on the
international market.

Yamba was instrumental in pushing a KP resolution that allowed Zimbabwe to
start exporting the Marange diamonds in June despite opposition from Western
countries.

Revelations that the KP had sprung into action following the BBC torture
claims coincided with a report released on Tuesday by the United States
based Human Rights Watch alleging that human rights abuses were still going
on in Marange.

Another report by Partnership Africa Canada accused several Zimbabwean
financial institutions of facilitating sales of Marange “blood” diamonds.

But South African owned Standard Bank dismissed the allegations.

“Standard Bank refutes the allegation by international human rights group
Partnership Africa Canada that it or its affiliates own shares in Zimbabwean
banks that have ties to the Marange diamond field,” the bank said in a
statement.

“This allegation is unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the
fiduciary between relationship between Stanbic Nominees and its clients.”

Zimbabwe has battled to have the Marange diamonds sold openly on the
international market with little success because of the alleged human rights
violations.

Marange miners: testimonies of abuse

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



Ten Marange miners interviewed recently by Human Rights Watch have reported
being mauled by dogs and beaten by private security guards.
31.08.1101:53pm
by Mxolisi Ncube


The victims said the majority of incidents involved security guards working
for Mbada Mining, a South African and Zimbabwean joint venture, whose guards
were identifiable by their black uniform.

“The Mbada guards are the worst. They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon
you and they also beat you up,” said one miner.

“Human Rights Watch was unable to interview Mbada Mining officials during
the mission, because they were not reachable by phone,” said the
organisation.

In one incident, private security guards working for Mbada set four dogs on
a handcuffed miner caught digging for diamonds close to the fields mined by
Mbada.

“I was attacked by all of them. The dogs were biting me and I was screaming.
It was terrible,” said the man, who is in his 20s.

A clinical officer in the town close to the fields told Human Rights Watch,
“We have had so many people coming to the clinic with dog attacks. It’s easy
to tell they’ve been bitten by dogs. You see the marks. Every week we treat
around five or more miners with dog bites. They tell us that private
security guards working for Mbada are the ones who set the dogs upon them.”

HRW research found that in many cases dogs were used not just to restrain
the victims, but to inflict as much injury as possible, with miners
reporting that security guards would shout at the dogs to “attack” even if
the miners had surrendered or stopped running.

A provincial hospital clinical officer told the researchers that he had seen
at least 15 victims of dog attacks since April, in one of which the victim
died from his injuries.

Local miners and civil society activists reported that the numbers of dog
attack victims could be much higher, but that the majority of victims chose
not to seek treatment as hospitals often required a police report.

They also said police often carried out joint operations with private
security guards in advance of visits to the fields by senior government
officials or foreign delegations.

For example, police and private security guards carried out operations to
clear the fields of diggers in advance of visits by President Robert Mugabe
in March and delegates from the African Diamond Producers Association in
April. Some of the worst incidents occurred in the days before these visits.

A local clinical officer described a joint operation between the police and
private security guards to drive away miners in late May and early June:
“Three came on one day, with wounds similar to tears – not just teeth
punctures. The injuries showed that the dogs were tearing the flesh and not
just biting to restrain the miners. Such wounds are difficult to treat. I
also treated three guys who were shot by the police. They were shot from the
back and behind their legs. We tried to operate on them but their injuries
were serious and we transferred them to the provincial hospital.”

Testimonies of abuse

Some of the cases recorded by HRW:

Blessing G., 21: “Six of us were digging in the bush when we were caught by
these private guards led by a white man. They had four dogs. One of the
guards had a gun. When they saw us they released the dogs. I tried to run
away and fell. My friends escaped. Three dogs attacked me. One caught me on
the leg and the other one on my hand. The other dog bit me on the stomach. I
lay on the ground begging them to call the dogs off. After two or so
minutes, it felt like a long time they called off the dogs and told me, “We
don’t want people like you mining illegally for the diamonds.” I couldn’t
walk for several days because of my injuries.”

James T., 27: “I was digging for diamonds next to the Mbada area when I
heard a shout, “Catch.” The guards were with a white man. There were four
dogs and I was attacked by all of them. The dogs were biting me and I was
screaming. One of the guards came, pulled off the dogs and then handcuffed
me and then he shouted, “Attack” and the dogs came back and started biting
me as I lay on the ground. After a few more minutes they grabbed the dogs
off and marched me to their diamond base where they bandaged my wounds and
then drove me out of the fields. I didn’t go for further treatment. I just
went home.”

Peter N., 20: “During one operation we were caught by private security
guards and police. There were many of us. The guards had dogs and teargas,
which they threw at us. We started running, and they let the dogs loose.
Many of us were bitten. They had many dogs. The guards were wearing dark
uniforms. The police were also there and they had guns. At some point they
started shooting. I kept running but when the police started shooting I
stopped and surrendered. That’s when the dogs came and started biting me. I
know that some of the others were shot by the police because I saw them
fall. I don’t know if anyone died.”

Richard L., 22: “I haven’t gone back since I was bitten by the dogs and hit
by the guards. It was around May and there were 10 or 15 of us. We were
working in a syndicate with the soldiers and they had told us which area to
dig for the diamonds. Suddenly we heard shouting and the security guards
came running after us. They were not armed. They shouted at the dogs,
“Attack” and then we all started running. I was caught by one dog. I don’t
know how many dogs they were. The dogs bit me on the legs and stomach.
Afterward some of the guards came and started kicking us saying we should
learn not to dig for diamonds in that area. The Mbada guards are the worst.
They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon you and they also beat you up. I
didn’t go to the hospital I just went home and healed by myself.”

Theft of Anglican properties: Archbishop seeks Mugabe meeting

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



Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the world’s
77- million strong Anglican Communion, wants to meet President Robert Mugabe
when he visits Harare in October in the hope of regaining churches and
church properties effectively stolen by renegade “bishop” Nolbert Kunonga.
30.08.1104:45pm
by Trevor Grundy

In its 21 June 2008, an article in the Roman Catholic weekly magazine The
Tablet written by Professor Terence Ranger wondered if Zimbabwe's Henry V111
( Robert Mugabe) was taking on Christian churches, the last bastion against
the state. Henry V111 stole vast amounts of church property in the 16th
century enriching his family and Tudor cronies in the process. In its 21
June 2008, an article in the Roman Catholic weekly magazine The Tablet
written by Professor Terence Ranger wondered if Zimbabwe's Henry V111 (
Robert Mugabe) was taking on Christian churches, the last bastion against
the state. Henry V111 stole vast amounts of church property in the 16th
century enriching his family and Tudor cronies in the process.

A spokesperson for the Archbishop said Williams would be visiting Zimbabwe
as part of a wider trip that would take him to Malawi and Zambia. “It is a
pastoral visit to show support for the Anglican church there,” she said.

The former Bishop of Harare (Anglican) Nolbert Kunonga, a close ally of
Mugabe and friend of Zanu (PF), has seized the cathedral in Harare as well
as churches and other valuable property.

He was excommunicated in 2008 after he declared his diocese to be
independent of the Anglican Communion.

A recent court decision in Zimbabwe gave custody of Anglican properties to
Kunonga who has declared himself the head of his own church.

As a result, about 80 Anglican priests have been ordered to leave their
rectories and vicarages which have been seized by Kunonga’s supporters, who
claim to represent “the real” Anglican church in the face of the Western
church’s liberal attitude towards homosexuality.

Mugabe’s office has not yet decided whether he will meet the archbishop,
said a report in The Times ( 27 August, 2011). Ruth Gledhill, the paper’s
religious affairs correspondent, said that in Zimbabwe, theological
“justifications” have been levelled to sanctify what are in fact land and
property grabs.

Chad Gandiya, the Harare bishop for the Anglican province of Central Africa,
said Williams was pressing to meet Mugabe over this burning issue.

“At the moment there are parishioners being banned from church buildings by
Kunonga with help of the police. They are worshipping in open spaces, under
trees or booking other church buildings,” said Gandiya.

Churches taken over by the ‘Kunonga-ites’ include Borrowdale church, the
main cathedral in Harare (St Mary’s), Dzivaresekwa Kuwadzana and many other
Anglican parishes where police have been seen chasing away worshippers
remaining with the true Anglican church.

Kunonga is also in charge of Anglican schools under the diocese despite his
ex-communication. The ownership dispute is before the courts.

The Anglican Diocese of Harare has appealed a recent chamber ruling by
Zimbabwean Supreme Court Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku giving Kunonga
custody of all parish properties. The full bench of the Supreme Court sits
as a constitutional court in such matters.

Lawyers for the Anglican diocese filed an appeal last week arguing that
Chidyausiku’s ruling is null and void because it contravenes sections of the
constitution.

It said Kunonga voluntarily left the church only to return with the support
of the Zimbabwean police to eject Anglican parishioners from their
longstanding places of worship. Kunonga’s agents have threatened and
harassed diocese clergy, and drive many out of church properties.

Neither Kunonga not his spokesperson were available for comment. The Kunonga
camp has until 5 September to respond to the Supreme Court appeal. - African
Forum News Services (AFNS)

World Bank Worried About 'Ghost Workers'

http://www.radiovop.com/




By Ngoni Chanakira, Harare, September 1, 2011 - The World Bank says its is
extremely worried about Zimbabwe's "thousands" of "Ghost Workers" that are
allegedly gobbling millions from the nation's coffers, Radio VOP can
exclusively reveal.


Insiders said the "ghost workers" could "conservatively" amount to more than
160 000 who daily mill around government offices selling various trinkets
and food stuffs in corridors, while some are actually dead.

Kundhavi Kadiresan, World Bank Country Director responsible for Malawi,
Zambia and Zimbabwe said: "We (The World Bank) have been holding discussions
with ministers in charge of the economy and what is being done about the
alleged thousands of ghost workers who are still being paid by government.

"We asked the Government of Zimbabwe to tell us what they are doing about
this issue."

She said her "World Bank Team" in Harare also discussed Zimbabwe's stance on
the new Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment regulations that have caused
headaches for the business community especially the banking and mining
sectors.

Both sectors have said the new regulations will stifle much-needed
investment and seriously affect the nation's liquidity increasing further
its economic malaise.

The Minister of Indigenisation and Employment Creation, Saviour Kasukuwere,
has threatened major commercial banking institutions including Barclays Bank
Zimbabwe Limited (Barclays), which is listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
(ZSE), and Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe Limited (Stanchart) as well as
major mining firms such as Anglo American Corporation Limited and Impala
Platinum Mines that he would take away their operating licences if they did
not play ball and co-operate with government.

The new regulations stipulate that locals must own at least 51 percent of
any firm that has a turnover of at least US$1 million in Zimbabwe today.

"We discussed the new regulations on indigenisation as well as the banking
and liquidity issues," Kadiresan said in Harare.

"We also discussed several issues with the Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti,
about issues dealing with the country's economy and the way forward.
Zimbabwe has a liquidity problem and we also discussed this with the
ministers."

She said the World Bank Team had also discussed government's debt
reconciliation programme.

"There is a lot of potential in Zimbabwe," she said.

"You have a very high growth rate of about 9 percent, low inflation of about
three percent, and are showing strong signs of stability. Zimbabwe's
potential is enormous."


The very influential World Bank says while it strongly supports
indigenisation of African economies, Zimbabwe's latest regulations are
"unclear" and have resulted in major investors sitting on the fence.

"The cost of doing business in Zimbabwe is very high and the investment
climate is still not conducive," Kundhavi Kadiresan, Country Director for
Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe said in Harare after visiting several financial
institutions and meeting senior ministers whose ministries deal with
economic issues.

"Since there is no clarity on issues many investors are sitting on the
fence. We (World Bank) are looking carefully at your indigenisation and
economic empowerment regulations and how they will affect your economy."

Kasukuwere has given the Western business community a tongue-lashing
accusing it of "reaping where it has not sown" by grabbing all "profits" and
taking them to their capitals in London (United Kingdom), Paris (France) and
Washington D.C (United States).

His new regulations on indigenisation have riled even local business tycoons
especially those in the mining sector who point out that Zimbabwe does not
need such "draconian" regulations coming at a time when the country is
seriously in the red and does not have sufficient balance of payments
support from the international community.

Under the new indigenisation and economic empowerment regulations,
Zimbabweans must earn at least 51 percent of any firm taking home US$1
million in turnover.

In an exclusive interview with Radio VOP, business mogul and prominent
banker, James Mushore, Chief Executive of NMBZ Holdings Limited (NMBZ), said
Zimbabwe's indigenisation regulations were "unclear" and "opaque".

NMBZ is dually listed on the Zimbabwe and London Stock Exchanges.

It is currently the only indigenous commercial services group to achieve
this feat.

"Zimbabwe's economy is agricultural-based," Mushore told Radio VOP.

"Agriculture used to provide 65 percent of inputs into manufacturing. It
follows, therefore, that to create employment we need to fund agriculture
which will lead to a resurrection in manufacturing.

"To fund agriculture we need access to lines of credit which will allow us
to advance loans of 270 days or more as this is the typical see to harvest
period."

He revealed that NMBZ was currently seeking US$10 in lines of credit for
this from the international community.

Commenting on the indigenisation regulations that have apparently riled his
colleagues in the financial services sector, Mushore said: "To access lines
of credit we need to be able to get lenders to reassess their views on what
they perceive to be political risk in Zimbabwe.

"We can do this in a number of ways - one of which is to have legislation
that is clear. We all want indigenisation but the perception out there is
that our indigenisation laws are opaque and capable of many interpretations
and, therefore, manipulation. Investors thrive on certainty. Our empowerment
and indigenisation laws need to be crafted in a way that is clear and
unambiguous."

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (COMZ), currently being led by Gapare as
President, has told government that 25 percent and not 51 percent could be
used for the economic empowerment purposes.

But this suggestion was rejected by Minister Kasukuwere.

The World Bank's Kadiresan said: "Zimbabwe has a fragile policy environment.
The World Bank is working on trying to improve the country's business
environment.

"The political economy must be improved. This should be underpinned by the
Global Political Agreement (GPA) with SADC support.

"The Bank is contributing by sharing best global practices in critical
issues affecting the business environment, especially property rights in the
context of agrarian reforms and economic empowerment."

ZANU PF expel Tracy Mutinhiri over MDC-T links

http://www.swradioafrica.com


By Lance Guma
01 September 2011

ZANU PF on Wednesday decided to expel Tracy Mutinhiri, their MP for
Marondera East, following long running accusations that she was
de-campaigning the party and building a relationship with the MDC-T.
Mutinhiri is also the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Services.

According to party spokesman Rugare Gumbo, “It was unanimously agreed that
she should be dismissed from the party with immediate effect.

Politburo has taken that position and the secretary for administration
(Didymus Mutasa) will advise her. We go by the decision of the disciplinary
committee.” It’s now more than likely Mugabe will remove her as Deputy
Minister in government.

There was confusion over Mutinhiri’s status following reports last month
that she had been suspended for 5 years. It later turned out the decision
was made by the Mashonaland East provincial disciplinary committee, subject
to approval by the party. Mutinhiri appealed the decision, but on Wednesday
ZANU PF’s supreme decision making body, the Politburo, sealed her fate and
expelled her.

Mutinhiri’s troubles mirror the infighting within ZANU PF. Her problems
started when she and fellow ZANU PF MP for Goromonzi West, Beatrice
Nyamupinga, were accused of betraying the party and supporting the MDC-T
candidate for Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo. Since then she has had
her farm in Marondera invaded by thugs sponsored by State Security Minister
Sidney Sekeramayi.


Mutinhiri hit back and accused ZANU PF of trying to kill her in the same
manner that they had killed MDC-T supporters. She specifically pointed to
the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) currently headed by Sekeramayi
and said the CIO wanted to kill her and dump her body in the Wenimbe dam,“like
they did to hundreds of innocent suspected MDC supporters in June 2008.”

Other reports are suggesting that Mutinhiri is being punished for allegedly
calling Mugabe ‘old’. Tracy is also a former wife to the notorious retired
army Brigadier-General, Ambrose Mutinhiri, cited as directing several
incidents of political violence against MDC-T supporters. Ironically, it’s
likely she will now lose the farm that she and her husband invaded and
seized with the help of war vets in 2002.

Zanu-PF fires lawmaker for calling Mugabe 'old'

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


Sapa-dpa | 01 September, 2011 10:3221 Comments


A Zimbabwean lawmaker has been expelled from President Robert Mugabe's
Zanu-PF party for calling the 87-year-old leader "old", the party announces.

Tracy Mutinhiri now risks losing her parliamentary seat for the Marondera
East constituency, and her position as deputy labour minister in the
power-sharing government.

"It was unanimously agreed that she should be dismissed from the party with
immediate effect," Zanu-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo was by the official Herald
daily as saying.

Mutinhiri was charged with being disloyal to Zanu-PF, and bringing the party
into disrepute. She is alleged to have told party members in Mashonaland
East province that former opposition leader and current premier, Morgan
Tsvangirai, would be the next president as "President Mugabe was old."

She was also accused of failing to attend party meetings and of failing to
discharge her duties as a party representative. Gumbo said the politburo
took the decision to expel Mutinhiri on the recommendation of the Zanu-PF
national disciplinary committee.

Mugabe has been in power for 31 years. He still wields most of the authority
in a two-year-old power sharing government with Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change.

Row over Mujuru escalates

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


By Nkululeko Sibanda, Senior Writer
Thursday, 01 September 2011 14:16


HARARE - An explosive Zanu PF indaba is in the offing tomorrow as it emerges
that close associates of late army commander Retired General Solomon Mujuru
are set to push for an explanation from the party on the circumstances that
led to the former army boss’ death.


The party holds its National Consultative Assembly meeting tomorrow in the
capital at a time when there is mounting tension over Mujuru’s death.

Questions have emerged over Mujuru’s death as party members refuse to buy
the argument that the Retired General’s death was caused by a “mere candle”
fire.

Efforts to sell what the Mujuru faction calls a dummy — that the former army
commander was killed by a candlelight-inspired fire — have left party
members suspecting foul play.

Indications are that there are attempts by unknown people in the system to
divert attention and spread the rumour that Mujuru could have been killed by
the Israeli mafia over diamonds.

Party sources said tomorrow’s meeting could be a tense affair as party
leaders could be put in a tight corner to explain what could have transpired
leading to Mujuru’s death.

Mujuru died a few weeks after a showdown with some novice politburo members
who were accusing him of working with the MDC.

President Robert Mugabe, at the burial of the late Retired General, bemoaned
that Mujuru was killed by a fire.

“Rex Nhongo. We believed in you yesterday when you led the trouncing of the
whites. We celebrated with you. You played a great part in politics, you
executed your role well as a Member of Parliament. You were a farmer of
note.

“You ducked bullets and landmines during the liberation war. Even lions and
snakes failed or hated to get you. But how did you allow this one (the fire
incident) to take you away like that? I was afraid that Rex would be shot
and killed during the war of liberation. I did not think that a fire would
take you away in such a painful way. Go well, son of the soil,” said Mugabe.

Vice President Joice Mujuru, who at first appeared calm as suspicion of foul
play swirled around her husband’s death, has added her voice to the mystery
on her husband’s death.

Speaking to Zimbabwe’s national women’s soccer team that visited her home
last week, Mujuru said it was surprising that her husband could succumb to a
fire given the design of the family’s bedroom.

“We have not been told what happened between 8pm when he arrived at home
until the next  morning when the fire was discovered. We are just told that
he was killed by a fire and that is it. There is nothing else that is said,”
said the vice president.

Moreover, Mujuru said it was unclear how Mujuru could fail to escape the
fire through the windows when they were not even secured by burglar bars.
The Mujuru faction seems to be spurred on by a report by private
investigators that suggested there could have been foul play in Mujuru’s
death.

The report, compiled by South African investigators, is said to have shocked
and devastated family members.

The contents of the report are yet to be made public.

Fissures between the Mujuru faction and the one led by Emmerson Mnangagwa,
which is said to be determined to succeed President Mugabe, are seen
deepening following the Mujuru saga.

A party source said there was a push by the faction to raise the issue at
tomorrow’s meeting.

“It is very clear to all who care to observe that the party, save for the
condolence messages that came from members and other arms of the
party, has kept silent on this saga,” said a source.

“It was expected that something was going to be said by the leadership at
either the family home or the burial about the party’s position regarding
Mujuru’s death."

“That deafening silence is what is pushing members to the resolution that
the matter must be raised at the Friday meeting because there is no way such
a death can just be allowed to die like that,” added the source.

Sources said party members would request that a party position be spelt out
regarding the Retired General’s death.

“We are pushing that the matter be discussed towards the end of the meeting.
We are aware that for other reasons, the top leadership of the party might
decide not to put it on the agenda for the Friday meeting. But we will
ensure that it is discussed,” the source said.

Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo could not be contacted for comment
yesterday as his phone went unanswered. It emerged yesterday that he was
locked up in a politburo meeting.

‘Harare worst city to live in’

http://www.iol.co.za



September 1 2011 at 05:56pm




A top research group rates Zimbabwe's capital as the worst of 140 world
cities to live in.

The British-based Economist Intelligence Unit, in a study available Thursday
in Harare, said its researchers excluded cities in Libya, Iraq and other war
zones.

Harare, where power and water outages occur daily, scored a 38 percent
“livability rating.”

The group said the threat of civil unrest and the availability of public
health care and public transport were intolerable. Energy and water supplies
were undesirable, it said, calling phones and Internet services
uncomfortable.

Zimbabwe formed a shaky coalition government in 2009 after years of
political violence and economic meltdown. Melbourne and Vienna were the two
easiest cities to live in.

The group is a respected economic and risk consultancy linked to the
Economist magazine. - Sapa-AP

Probe on Biti bombing yields nothing so far

http://www.dailynews.co.zw


By Nkululeko Sibanda, Senior Writer
Thursday, 01 September 2011 19:02


HARARE - Police remain clueless on who was responsible for bombing Finance
minister, Tendai Biti’s Chisipite house three months ago despite on-going
investigations.


Police spokesperson senior assistant commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena told the
Daily News yesterday police were still hoping to get information that could
help in the investigation.

“Apparently, nothing has come out of those investigations (into Biti’s
houses’ bombing). They are still on-going,” said Bvudzijena.

“We hope that someone somewhere will come forward with information that
could help us. We call upon members of the public to come forward if they
have anything that can help in our investigations on the matter,” Bvudzijena
said.

Biti’s house was bombed on June 6 by unknown assailants who threw an
explosive into the MDC secretary-general’s home.

The explosive damaged part of the security wall erected to protect the
residence.

It is reported that only the guard was at home when the incident happened.

The incident took place days after Biti was pressurised by Zanu- PF and
demonstrators purporting to be war veterans, to increase civil servants’
salaries.

Biti at the time argued that there was no money that allowed him to sanction
the anticipated pay hike.
The civil servants were later awarded a $31 increment, with the lowest
worker taking home around $270.

Civil servants were recently shocked when government splashed about $20
million on top-of-the-range and state-of-the-art luxury vehicles in what has
come to be known as “Luxurygate.”

Biti has distanced himself from the purchase of the vehicles, arguing that
questions over the acquisition of those vehicles should be directed to
Transport and Communications Minister Nicholas Goche.

Goche, in recent media reports, also distanced himself from the acquisition
of the vehicles.

He was quoted as saying he was not in charge of Treasury, hence he could not
respond to the issues of funds that were released for the acquisition of the
vehicles.

Eyebrows Raised as Zimbabwe MDC Formation Launches Politics School

http://www.voanews.com/

31 August 2011


Youth Initiative for Democracy Director Sydney Chisi said political parties
have a right to educate youths on their thinking and methods so long as such
training does not promote anti-democratic notions.

Tatenda Gumbo | Washington


The smaller of Zimbabwe's two formations of the Movement for Democratic
Change on Friday was to launch a school of politics for young party members,
leading some to voice concern that the former opposition party was going
down a pathway similar to that taken by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF in
indoctrinating young Zimbabweans.

The MDC formation led by Industry Minister Welshman Ncube said the training
sessions in the party's Bulawayo offices are intended to educate young
activists on Zimbabwean history and the development of the former opposition
party, which split in 2005. The larger MDC formation is led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Ncube MDC officials said the curriculum is designed to teach a new way of
politics that breaks with the ZANU-PF dominated politics of the past 30
years. The party intends to eventually offer such classes in MDC provincial
offices across the country.

Some observers said the MDC school of politics at first glance resembles the
model of the ZANU-PF-controlled Border Gezi National Youth Service training
centers.

But Ncube MDC formation spokesman Nhlanhla Dube told VOA reporter Tatenda
Gumbo that this is not so as the MDC school will instruct on various
political philosophies.

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo says the MDC is welcome to train its youth -
but warned against launching a program designed to educate dissidents.

Responding to MDC criticism of the National Youth Service training centers,
he said they are open to all Zimbabwean youths, not only those loyal to
ZANU-PF.

Commenting on the MDC school plan, Youth Initiative for Democracy Director
Sydney Chisi said political parties have a right to educate youths on their
thinking and methods so long as such training does not promote
anti-democratic notions.

Zimbabwe empowerment law not nationalisation

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


REUTERS | 01 September, 2011 12:013

Zimbabwe's empowerment law, which requires foreign miners to transfer 51
percent equity stakes in local entities to black investors, is "flexible"
and does not aim to seize or nationalise assets, a government official said
today.

The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, signed in 2008, has been
driven by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, but has been criticised
by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who shares power with Mugabe in a
fragile coalition.

"It is a flexible law and investors are given time to comply. It's not about
seizure of assets, it's not about expropriation," Zimbabwe's minister of
economic planning and investment promotion, Tapiwa Mashakada, said at an
industry conference in Perth, Australia.

Last month, several foreign mining firms, including Zimplats a unit of
Impala Platinum, and the Mimosa platinum mine owned by Aquarius , Rio
Tinto's Murowa diamond mine and Caledonia's Blanket gold mine received
letters directing them to submit fresh empowerment plans within 14 days or
risk losing operating licences.

The local units of British banks Barclays and Standard Chartered Bank and of
British American Tobacco were also given the two-week ultimatum.

Some of the letters were dated Aug. 17 and others Aug. 19, and so the
deadlines would hit on Wednesday or Friday this week. Several such
deadlines, however, have passed without incident.

Last week, the chief executive of Impala Platinum (Implats) said its
Zimbabwe operations would "limp along", but that its operations would be
hampered by the empowerment law.

Mashakada said the law may prove difficult for some miners, but he said that
some exemptions to the law have already been made, pointing to Indian
conglomerate Essar Group.

"For big mining firms, you may not be able to readily get a partner who can
take up the 51 percent. The 51 percent is not going to be nationalised. It's
not going to be expropriated," Mashakada said.

Essar agreed to buy 54 percent in the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company
(ZISCO) for $750 million, with the government keeping 36 percent and 10
percent owned by minority investors.

MISA: AG withdraws charges against Standard journalists

http://www.swradioafrica.com/



MISA-Zimbabwe Alert Update
1 September 2011
AG withdraws charges against Standard journalists

The Attorney-General (AG)’s Office has reportedly withdrawn part of the
criminal charges against Standard reporter Patience Nyangove and editor
Nevanji Madanhire.
The three are being jointly charged with Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) human
resources manager, Loud Ramakgapola. AMH are publishers of the Standard,
Zimbabwe Independent and Newsday.

According to the Newsday’s edition of 1 September 2011, their lawyer Linda
Cook on 31 August 2011 submitted before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei
that the AG’s Office had decided not to proceed with the charges under
Section 31(a) (iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The section criminalises criminalises the” publishing or communication of
false statements prejudicial to the State and statements undermining public
confidence in a law enforcement agency, the Prison Service or the Defence
Forces of Zimbabwe.
The State, however, is said to be proceeding with the charge of criminal
defamation.
Meanwhile, Madanhire’s reporting conditions were also set aside.
Cook also applied for the release of Nyangove’s cellphone on the next date
of their appearance in court on 14 September 2011 if the matter fails to
proceed to trial.
Background
The trio who are also being charged with criminal defamation as defined
under Section 96 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, were
arrested following the publication of a story carried in the weekly Standard
issue of June 26 – July 2, titled: MDC-T fears for missing Timba. The story
alleged that the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jameson
Timba had been arrested by police officers who included “the notorious
Chrispen Makedenge” when the latter was allegedly not involved in the
arrest.
End

For any questions, queries or comments, please contact:

Nyasha Nyakunu
Senior Programmes Officer
MISA-Zimbabwe

Zanu PF militia threatens villagers

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


By Nkululeko Sibanda, Senior Writer
Thursday, 01 September 2011 19:09


MUTOKO - Kapondoro villagers in Mutoko East constituency are living in fear
after Chipangano, the Mbare-based notorious Zanu PF mob,  threatened to
export its violent activities to the area.


The group, which is known for unleashing violence in Harare and assaulting
people perceived to be MDC supporters, said it would visit the village to
flush out MDC members in the Mutoko area.

Villagers in the area told the Daily News yesterday that members of the
group visited the area last Sunday threatening to deal with MDC activists.

“The group was invited last Sunday by Lingidzai Kapo-ndoro, who is the Zanu
PF chairperson for Ward 18 in Mutoko East. “They held a meeting where they
were briefed about the situation in the area,” said one villager.

“After that, they told everyone who attended that meeting that they would
return very soon for a clean-up exercise where they would deal decisively
with MDC activists.”

Investigations by the Daily News have revealed that Zanu PF leadership in
the ward had already compiled a list of suspected MDC activists.

“Kapondoro, who is a village head, is using his post and access to registers
in the area to compile a list of people who live here. After that list has
been compiled, he then ticks off all those he believes are MDC activists.
These are the ones that will be subjected to the clean-up exercise they want
to conduct here,” another villager said.

The Chipangano group which visited the area were led by Ronald Hondo
Mhukayesango.

Mhukayesango and his group are said to have openly expressed their
displeasure with the increasing number of MDC supporters in the area.

“They told the Sunday meeting that they were disappointed their Zanu PF
colleagues had not flushed out those from the MDC, adding that when they
(Chipangano) would return, they would ensure that the village was cleaned of
MDC activists. No one feels safe here now because you never know when they
will come back,” said another villager.

It is alleged that Kapondoro has also barred Non-Governmental Organisations
operating in the area from distributing food to suspected MDC members.

They told everyone who attended that meeting that they would return very
soon.

Zimbabwe MPs shun Thokozani Khope's circumcision call

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

1 September 2011 Last updated at 10:28 GMT




Zimbabwe's male MPs are not enthusiastic about a call for them to be
circumcised to set an example in the fight against Aids, the BBC has found.

Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe made the call, following evidence that
circumcised men are 60% less likely to get infected with HIV.

Of eight MPs the BBC spoke to, only one said he would heed her suggestion.

One called it "madness", while another said he was setting a good example
through his behaviour.

Zimbabwe is one of the countries worst hit by Aids and the government last
year launched a campaign to circumcise up to 80% of the country's young
men - some three million people.

The World Health Organization is encouraging men to get circumcised
following studies in other African countries.

Aids experts, however, warn that using a condom, abstaining from sex or
being faithful to one partner offer far greater protection against HIV
infection.
'Circumcision of the mind'

Minister of National Healing Moses Mzila Ndlovu told the BBC's Brian Hungwe
in Harare that some of his cabinet colleagues had described Ms Khupe's
suggestion as "madness" and "bizarre".

"I don't see many takers but I'm not stopping anyone," he said.

His colleague Nelson Chamisa said it should be a matter of individual
choice.

"It has to be a circumcision of the mind rather than circumcision of the
organ," he said.

Edgar Mbwembwe, from Zanu-PF, was the only legislator who said he would go
ahead with the procedure.

Another, Willias Madzamure, said the call was a good idea and said he was
"seriously considering" it but did not firmly commit himself.

Two female MPs backed Ms Khupe.

Jessie Majome said: "Politicians, especially elected politicians, have a
responsibility beyond the personal - they would set a good example if they
did so."

Only a few of Zimbabwe's ethnic groups practise circumcision for cultural
reasons.

Real Entrepreneurs Not ‘Activists’ To Lead AAG: Mavhinga

http://www.radiovop.com




By Trust Matsilele, Johannesburg, September 01, 2011- Leading human rights
lawyer and regional coordinator for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition- Dewa
Mavhinga called on ‘real entrepreneurs’ and not ‘political activists’ to
lead the Affirmative Action Group.

Mavhinga made the call on the sidelines of a Kimberly Process seminar held
by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) at the
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Wednesday.

“Organisations like the AAG should be led by real black entrepreneurs with a
clean and traceable record of achievement like telecommunications guru,
Strive Masiyiwa, banking executive-NigelChanakira among others and not
political activists masquerading as entrepreneurs”, said Mavhinga in his
scathing attacks.

Mavhinga also questioned the indigenisation exercise being promoted by some
elements within Zanu (PF) and raised concern that the planned companies
takeover would just end like the controversial land reform.

“The Kasukuwere mooted (Minister of Indigenization) indigenisation that has
split Zanu (PF) into two is misguided, a lame excuse for loot and plunder by
people who have neither vision nor innovation to take Zimbabwe forward”,
lamented Mavhinga.

Supa Mandiwanzira of the AAG said his organisation supported the
indigenisation initiative as espoused by Minister Kasukuwere arguing that
the move was simply an execution of Zimbabwe’s supreme laws adding that
unlike Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono, the AAG fully supported the
exercise.

“Banks just like any other private businesses are companies operating under
the laws of Zimbabwe. As an organisation we fully support the application of
indigenisation and empowerment act on all companies including banks”, said
Mandiwanzira.

“Gono is allowed to have opinions by the virtue of him being a Governor but
there are laws to be followed in Zimbabwe of which the indigenisation act is
one of them”, reiterated Mandiwanzira.

Mandiwanzira in defence of the allegations that only elites would benefit
from this exercise just like the land reform said, “ there is no democracy
in business , there is no democracy in capitalism it’s who gets the
opportunity first”.

Land grabbers threaten Zim elephants

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


Sapa-dpa | 01 September, 2011 15:19

About 70 elephants in a wildlife park in south-eastern Zimbabwe are under
threat from a new wave of land encroachers, a conservation group warned
Thursday.

The elephants in the remote Chiredzi River Conservancy have nowhere to go,
said Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
(ZCTF).

"For the past week, there has been a new influx of people cutting down
trees, poaching and destroying the already damaged environment," he said.

Rodrigues said the conservancy was first invaded 11 years ago, at the start
of President Robert Mugabe's chaotic land reform programme.

The encroachers and elephants had managed to co-exist, said Rodrigues. But
now the elephants are being harassed, chased and snared by the new settlers,
he said.

Some elephant calves have gone missing, while at least two juvenile
elephants have been killed and decapitated, he said. "One elephant has a new
snare embedded in its flesh."

Animals in Zimbabwe's private game conservancies, many of them located on
white-owned commercial farms, have been over-run by poachers in the wake of
the land reform programme.

Since 2000, more than 4,000 white farmers have been evicted from the land to
make way for supporters of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.

Campus residence for UZ students after 5 years

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com



01/09/2011 19:26:00    Staff Reporter


HARARE - The University of Zimbabwe has finally admitted students into halls
of residence after more than five years.

Students have been allocated accommodation on campus’ halls of residence
much to the excitement of many who welcomed the development as a huge
relief.

The Dean of Students, Mr Munyaradzi Madambe said the students are moving in
after refurbishments were carried out on all the halls of residence.

The institution closed halls of residence in August 2007 due to a shortage
of water.

A 2,5 megalitre reservoir was recently commissioned to serve as back up
while another one of the same capacity is under construction.

Exam results scandal rocks Zimbabwe Open University

http://bulawayo24.com/


by Staff reporter
2011 September 01 09:39:45

HARARE – A serious examinations' results scandal has rocked the Zimbabwe
Open University (Zou), throwing the authenticity of some students'
qualifications into serious doubt. The scandal resulted in the postponement
of a graduation ceremony last year.

Students have qualified in various fields amid revelations their results
would have been doctored by data capture clerks who had formed a syndicate
specialising in receiving bribes to alter examination results.

Four clerks in the data capturing department have since been fired from the
institution over the issue.

Two other employees from the same department have been dragged before a
disciplinary committee to answer similar charges and may face dismissal as
well.

The Daily News has it on good authority that two female staffers were fired
following a disciplinary hearing held on June 28, while two male workers
were sacked last Tuesday for "fraudulent alteration of student marks".

The termination letters were signed by a B. Mafunga, the director of human
resources and copied to the chairperson of the workers' disciplinary
committee, Gabriel Kabanda.

The Daily News has copies of the letters of dismissal.

One of the letters reads "Following the disciplinary hearing proceedings
held on 28 June 2011, the Staff Disciplinary Committee has ruled that you
are guilty as charged.

"The staff disciplinary committee, after a perusal of the misconduct
documents pertaining to your case has overwhelming evidence to the effect
that you altered the student record of (Name and student number given) 14
times on July 16 2011."

Furthermore, the letter stipulated that the actions of the said employees
violated Section 4(a) and Section 4(d) of the Labour Regulations 2006.

Mafunga added: "Accordingly, therefore, the staff disciplinary committee has
ruled that you be dismissed from service with effect from after duty on 31
July 2011.

This penalty is in terms of section 7 (3) of the already mentioned
regulations."

According to sources, the matter came to light last November after one of
the lecturers at the institution queried results of some of his students.

It is alleged that the lecturer, who was certain about the number of his
students who were supposed to graduate, was shocked when a completely
different figure was given before graduation.

Upon raising issues about his students' graduation, the institution's
administration was forced to suspend the graduation ceremony scheduled for
November 2, moving it three weeks  later to November 26 to pave way for
investigations.

No reasons were given for the postponement.

"The university never explained to anyone why the graduation date had been
moved and I think the plan was to make sure that the matter would not get to
the university Chancellor, President Robert Mugabe, and the Zimbabwe Council
for Higher Education (Zimche)," said the source.

Zimche council chairperson, Christopher Chetsanga professed ignorance about
the scam.

"I am not aware of the matter. But I endorse the expulsion of such workers,"
Chetsanga told the Daily News yesterday.

The university registrar, Daniel Ndudzo, could neither confirm nor deny the
existence of such a scandal at the institution.

He requested to be granted more time to respond to written questions.

A worker with the university attributed the problem to an insecure database
system.

"What makes it more curious is that the workers were charged of fraud but
the matter was never reported to the police."

"With the graduation season on course, how can the university testify to the
Chancellor, President Robert Mugabe that all students he will cap are bona
fide," asked the source.

"While action is being taken against members of staff, nothing is being done
to the students involved in the scandal as they are allowed to carry on with
their studies.

Zou rules and regulations require that such students be brought before the
students' disciplinary committee with appropriate action taken including
suspension from studies for a specific period or expulsion," said the
source.

According to the worker, the scandal started a long time back and had been
happening sporadically as a well-guarded secret until recently when more and
more cases were reported, compromising the quality of the degrees offered by
the university.

"Even if the university react to the crisis now, the question that will
remain unanswered is that: "How many have passed through the system and
filtered into industry and commerce including other spheres of life with
these fake qualifications, wittingly or unwittingly sponsored by Zou.The
nation need answers," said the source.

Tsvangirai's 'Ivory Coast' warning

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


Sapa-AFP | 01 September, 2011 00:45

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai urged Nigeria and the African
Union yesterday to help ensure his country does not become "another Ivory
Coast" amid disagreement over coming elections.

Tsvangirai said this to reporters after meeting with Nigerian President
Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

"I am just updating him so that they can play a more active role in ensuring
that we can go to the elections next year, hopefully in a free and fair
manner, so that we put a closure to the dispute in Zimbabwe," he said.

"I was requesting President Jonathan to play a much more active role.
Nigeria and the brother AU must be involved actively in support of the
[Southern African Development Community] initiative, but also to ensure that
we don't have a repeat of Ivory Coast."

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and Tsvangirai have disagreed on a date
for new polls, with Mugabe insisting on this year while Tsvangirai wants
reforms first.

Last November's Ivory Coast poll led to a five-month standoff and two weeks
of hostilities sparked by Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to concede to Alassane
Ouattara.

Zambezi Airlines courts Zim pilots

http://www.postzambia.com


By Gift Chanda
Thu 01 Sep. 2011, 12:00 CAT


ZAMBEZI Airlines has revealed it is courting Zimbabwean pilots to join the
group as part of its expansion drive.

The airline's commercial director Sidney Siwabamundi said the airline needs
additional pilots to fly the three Boeing 737-500 aircraft in order to fully
cover its existing operations, increased frequencies on its routes and also
to provide new routes.

"It is for this reason that the airline recently placed advertisements for
additional captains and first officers in Zambia and several neighbouring
countries, including Zimbabwe," Siwabamundi said in response to a query.

The airline recently increased its frequencies to Lubumbashi from three to
six flights per week in response to demand from that market.

The airline also introduced three weekly flights between Lusaka and Cape
Town, via Livingstone in July this year.

Air Zimbwabwe, whose pilots the Zambian airline may be targeting, has been
plagued by multiple pilot strikes in recent months and owes them about US$9
million.

Pilots at the national carrier have been on strike since July 29. Zambezi
Airlines recently leased an aircraft to financially troubled Air Zimbabwe to
service some of its routes when its (Air Zimbabwe) planes were condemned by
the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.

Zambezi Airlines, however, withdrew its services following the failure by
the national airline to settle a debt estimated at over US $400,000.

"The question of ignoring Zambian professionals does not arise as the
airline has already hired most of the available crew, some of whom the
airline has upgraded from propeller to jet aircraft rating at a significant
cost through training outside the country," said Siwabamundi. "Zambezi
Airlines has absorbed most of the Zambian pilots with B 737 jet experience.
The airline has employed most of the ex-Zambia Airways Corporation Ltd (QZ-
national airline) pilots, most of whom have returned home after working
abroad since the 1990s."

Your mine is mine

http://www.economist.com/node/21528303

 

A new plan to wreck one of Africa’s unluckiest countries

Sep 3rd 2011 | HARARE | from the print edition

 

This is what happened to the farms. The mines may be next

A DECADE ago Robert Mugabe’s regime seized most of Zimbabwe’s white-owned commercial farms. The president promised to give the land to the landless, but instead gave much of it to his wealthy cronies. The country’s largest industry was wrecked, creating deadly food shortages (see picture).

Now for the encore. In 2007 a law was passed obliging all white- and foreign-owned companies to “cede” a 51% stake to black Zimbabweans. Despite Mr Mugabe’s record, many firms ignored the threat. That was a mistake.

Saviour Kasukuwere, Mr Mugabe’s indigenisation minister, has now sent an ultimatum to a dozen foreign-owned groups. Those that do not comply may lose their assets and operating licences. Their directors may be jailed. The victims include six miners, notably Rio Tinto’s Murowa Diamonds and Impala Platinum’s Zimplats; two banks, Standard Chartered and Barclays; and three manufacturers, British American Tobacco, Nestlé and Cargill Zimbabwe. The deadline for submitting compliance plans was the end of August; for implementing them, it is the end of September.

Mr Kasukuwere, a rising political star, clearly wishes to appear tough. The law allows firms to perform good works in lieu of surrendering equity, but Mr Kasukuwere will have none of this. He also rejects an idea, floated by Zimplats, that firms could sell their shares to black Zimbabweans by listing them on the stock exchange. Instead, he wants them to give a 51% stake to a sovereign-wealth fund, with no guarantee of any compensation. All mines worth more than $1 are affected. “The minerals…already belong to us,” smiles Mr Kasukuwere, “so why should we pay?”

David Brown, the boss of Impala Platinum, says he is “confident that the 51% will not happen” and that a “more appropriate level of ownership” will ultimately be agreed. Otherwise, foreign investment in Zimbabwe will drop off a cliff and sink beneath the waves.

Some companies are considering suing Mr Kasukuwere for exceeding his legal powers. A parliamentary committee dominated by Mr Mugabe’s opponents says that he has. But relying on the rule of law in Zimbabwe is like asking a crocodile not to eat you. As an industry expert furiously puts it: “This is pure plunder—just like the farms.”

Political violence knows no limit: Heal Zimbabwe

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk



“I now survive by working on farms around Chimanimani so that I can afford
to look after my four children. All the promises made by people to assist me
have been in vain.
31.08.1110:50am
by Heal Zimbabwe


I now look to God alone to take care of me,” said the widow of Temba
Mandinde during the memorial service for her late husband in Chipinge last
week.

Temba Mandinde was murdered in Mudzi in the 2008 election violence. Heal
Zimbabwe, in collaboration with survivors of political violence, held
several memorial services in the area in an attempt to bring healing to
those left behind.

The brother of the deceased gave a chilling experience of what transpired
when they had to spend a whole year trying to have the remains of his
brother brought to Chipinge for a decent burial. This was as a result of the
intimidation they received from the perpetrators in Mudzi who wanted the
death to remain a secret.

In another chilling ordeal, relatives of the late Kenias Artwell Bvekerwa
narrated how he was murdered for purportedly belonging to the MDC. Bvekerwa,
a truck driver, was murdered while he had gone to assist his father in law
who had been assaulted by Zanu (PF) supporters.

He was dragged to a base where he was beaten to death. They falsely accused
him of driving around with a truckload of guns and other weapons which they
said he was distributing to MDC activists.

Traditional leaders have not been spared the political violence. Chief
Mawunganidze of Chipinge was beaten by suspected Zanu (PF) militias during
2008 election violence and later died of his injuries. He was accused of
being an MDC sympathizer and influencing people in his area to vote for the
opposition.

Heal Zimbabwe says it is public knowledge that traditional leaders who
choose not be involved in politics for a certain party are deemed ‘enemies’
and exposed to political violence.

The failure by government to spearhead the national healing process worsens
the challenges being faced by survivors. Reparations need to be put in place
for such people so that they can resuscitate their livelihoods.

Heal Zimbabwe urges the organ on national healing to expedite the process of
healing so that communities long torn by hatred and political divisions can
work together for the good of society and the nation at large.

A country in darkness

http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/6976



September 1st, 2011

I am now convinced that the acronym ZESA stands for Zimbabwe Electricity
Sometimes Available. Power cuts in Zimbabwe are long and frequent, and
contrary to the parastatal’s information, do not follow a strict
load-shedding time table. This year, the power cuts seem to have doubled.

Several street protests held by Woman of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) in the past
two years have persistently carried the theme, that the cost of our domestic
electricity is too high and considering the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply
Authority (ZESA) enjoys a statutory monopoly, consumers have no one else to
blame and ZESA cannot fob off responsibility.

Residents have had to resort to alternative sources of energy; those who can
afford it buy generators which are costly to run given the high price of
petrol and diesel, gas stoves do fill the gap, but again are expensive to
run and there is no gas delivery in this country, fire wood is a common
substitute and comes with the obvious consequence of environmental
degradation.

Even with reduced power usage, the cost of ZESA has not gone down, in fact
we have just been hit with the catastrophic news that our costs are going to
increase by a staggering 31% . One still has to fork out a couple of hard
earned “Benjamin Franklins” from the pocket each month end. And despite
increased power cuts, there has never been a time that ZESA has awarded a
discount to consumers. In fact, somehow residents are expected to cope with
the interest on back bills and estimated bills, some as far back as 2009
when dollarization occurred and the power company revalued bills on a US$
basis, with consumers having to bear the brunt of excessive costs.

ZESA lacks capacity to read electricity meters on a monthly basis so bills
are often a thumbsuck on their part. When consumers query exorbitant bills
they first have to pay their $100 fee for reconnection before their queries
are investigated, with no hope of compensation if the consumer is in the
right.

Yet, we remain beholden to our Southern African Development Community (SADC)
states, having to send power to them for debts owed. There is no hope in
sight that our power woes will end, and we will continue to suffer the
burden of dark nights, forking our massive amounts just to be able to cook
and heat a little water.

This entry was posted by Sokwanele on Thursday, September 1st, 2011 at 9:55
am.

Zim vs Pak: Zim 245-4 at stumps on Day 1

http://cricketnext.in.com

 

Associated Press
Updated Sep 01, 2011 at 10:10pm IST

Bulawayo: Tino Mawoyo batted through the opening day of his second ever Test for 82 not out to lead Zimbabwe to 245-4 against Pakistan at stumps in the one-off Test at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Mawoyo faced 273 balls and smashed 10 boundaries in a composed innings in which he ran well between the wickets with his partners, found the gaps and rotated the strike well.

AP Photo

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal claimed 3-75 off 29 overs to help Pakistan slow down the host's momentum on a spin-friendly pitch.

Mawoyo and fellow opener Vusi Sibanda gave Zimbabwe a solid start, with a 71-run stand before Sibanda, who scored 45 with some superb pull shots, was stumped by wicketkeeper Adnan Ajmal four overs before the lunch break.

After lunch, Saeed clean bowled Hamilton Masakadza for 11 after the Zimbabwean mistimed a straight delivery, and trapped captain Brendan Taylor plum in front on 10 to leave Zimbabwe on 111-3 and feed Pakistan some hope.

But Mawoyo and former captain Tatenda Taibu put on 65 for the fourth wicket until Taibu, on 44, edged behind to give Sohail Khan his first Test wicket.

Mawoyo and Craig Ervine, both playing in their second Tests, batted with maturity to stumps in a 69-run stand to give the host a relatively good start.

Ervine was 38 not out.

(Full Scorecard)