Zimbabwe military calls Tsvangirai a 'security threat'

http://www.timeslive.co.za

Sapa-AP | 23 June, 2011 12:596 Comments

Zimbabwe's military says the prime minister is a "security threat," accusing
him of taking instructions from Westerners that endanger national security.

Brig. Gen. Douglas Nyikayaramba says the military will do anything to keep
longtime President Robert Mugabe in power.

"We will die for him to make sure he remains in power," the Herald newspaper
on Thursday quoted him saying.

Nyikayaramba, a member of the Joint Operational Command of generals and
police chiefs, says the military and Mugabe's Zanu-PF party are
"inseparable."

Mugabe joined a troubled coalition in 2009 with Tsvangirai, the former
opposition leader. Tsvangirai on Sunday accused the military of bias and
meddling in politics.
---------------------------

Here is the item from the Herlald:

http://www.herald.co.zw/

Generals respond to Tsvangirai
Thursday, 23 June 2011 01:00

By Lloyd Gumbo

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is a national security threat rather than
a political one and security forces are justified to participate in politics
to defend the country, Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba has said.

Responding to calls by Mr Tsvangirai at a rally in Mkoba, Gweru, on Sunday
that security chiefs should resign and contest for political power, Brig-Gen
Nyikayaramba, said the current situation required them to deal with it in
uniform.

"What he (Mr Tsvangirai) is saying is nonsense. We are dealing with a
national security threat, which can only be dealt with by people in uniform.
If it was a normal political environment, one would hope to retire at some
point and join politics. However, we can't afford to be in an akimbo when
there is this foreign attack," Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba said.

He said the security forces and Zanu-PF were inseparable.
Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba said security forces viewed Mr Tsvangirai as a
national threat.

For this reason, he reiterated that he would not serve under the leadership
of anyone who did not have liberation war credentials.
Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba said security forces would do anything possible to
make sure President Mugabe remained in power until they felt the threat was
over.

"Tsvangirai doesn't pose a political threat in any way in Zimbabwe, but is a
major security threat. He takes instructions from foreigners who seek to
effect illegal regime change in Zimbabwe.
"This is what has invited the security forces to be involved because we want
to ensure we protect our national security interests. When he said Mugabe
must go peacefully or else forcefully, was that democratic or
constitutional?

"Daydreamers who want to reverse the gains of our liberation struggle will
continue daydreaming. They can go to hell . . . they will never rule this
country.
"We cannot keep quiet. We will continue speaking and as the security forces,
we will not sit back and watch things going wrong," Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba
said.

He said MDC-T was not home-grown.
Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba said security forces were not against the formation of
other political parties, but were concerned with some hidden hands in some
of the parties that sought to influence leadership change through
unco-nstitutional means.

"If his party was a genuine indigenous political party, we wouldn't be
involved. People have to understand that our mandate as security forces is
to make sure we protect our sovereignty and the integrity of the nation.

"We had (the late) Abel Muzorewa, (the late) Enock Dumbutshena and other
people forming their political parties, but we never had any problem with
them. These were indigenous political parties that understood our national
interests.

"As the security forces, we should be worried if we see the British and
American machinations. They have already announced that they want to destroy
Zanu-PF from within, so we should be vigilant. This suggests that they want
to re-colonise us," he said.

Brig-Gen Nyikayaramba said President Mugabe would remain in power because
replacing a leader in the middle of the struggle was not advisable.
"President Mugabe will only leave office if he sees it fit or dies. No one
should be talking about his departure at the moment. He sacrificed a lot for
this country. If he was someone else he would have opted to work for those
international organisations but he knew that Zimbabweans wanted his
guidance.

"We will die for him to make sure he remains in power. We are prepared to
stand by our commander-in-chief. Soldiers are not going to sit back and
watch, while the foreign forces want to attack us."
He said MDC-T sponsors should realise their party would not achieve the
desired goals.

"If people were clever enough they would have de-invested their money in
this project because it's not viable. It's almost 11 years now since the
MDC-T was formed but it still hasn't delivered anything?" said Brig-Gen
Nyikayaramba.

On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai challenged service chiefs, saying: "If you want
politics remove the uniform and we will show you what politics is. It is not
guns. Stop intimidating people - convince Zimbabweans to vote for you."

Yesterday, the MDC-T repeated the attack.
Addressing delegates attending a forum called World Justice Forum in
Barcelona, Spain, Mr Tsvangirai said some State institutions were failing to
respect the inclusive Government.

"Everyday, they (security chiefs) are dabbling in politics, even seeking to
influence the date of the election and the conditions under which that
election will be held."When the Police Commissioner-General (Augustine
Chihuri) and the Attorney-General (Johannes Tomana) state publicly that they
support a particular political party in an inclusive government, as in our
case, the rule of law becomes perverted and people lose confidence in the
institutions they lead."

MDC-T slams 'hallucinating' general

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

23/06/2011 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party escalated its row with the
military on Thursday after dismissing a general who has criticised the party
as “suffering from some form of mental hallucination.”

The MDC said an astonishing outburst by Brigadier-General Douglas
Nyikayaramba in which he declared that Tsvangirai was a “threat to national
security” in fact vindicated its position that military chiefs were
subverting the constitutional order.

“Nyikaramba’s attempt to justify his continued dabbling in political affairs
of this country shows his lack of knowledge and understanding of a soldier’s
role and duties in a modern democracy,” the MDC said in a statement.

“We once again challenge Nyikayaramba to leave the army and contest for
political power if he has the political spine to do so. He must stop timidly
hiding behind the camouflage whilst acting as the Zanu PF megaphone.”

Zimbabwe’s pro-Zanu PF generals have been under sustained criticism by
Tsvangirai, who told SADC leaders recently that the army had staged a coup
and was now running the country.

"It appears the civilian authority is no longer in charge and dark and
sinister forces have engaged in a hostile takeover of running the affairs of
the country, with or without the blessing of some leaders of the civilian
authority," Tsvangirai said in March.

He picked on that theme again over the weekend, challenging the generals to
take off their uniforms and join him in the political ring. And on a visit
to Spain on Wednesday, the Prime Minister told a meeting of the World
Justice Forum: “Everyday, they (security chiefs) are dabbling in politics,
even seeking to influence the date of the election and the conditions under
which that election will be held.

“The problem has … always been a small, parasitic clique at the helm of the
military that is at the forefront of systemic violation of the people’s
fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Now it seems that gloves are off on both sides. Political analysts say it is
unlikely Brigadier General Nyikaramba, commander of the 3 Infantry Brigade
in Manicaland, would take on the MDC leader in public without approval from
army chief General Constantine Chiwenga, who has previously declared his
unstinting support for Zanu PF leader President Robert Mugabe.

“It is interesting to note that Nyikayaramba has arrogated himself the
position of the spokesperson of our armed forces,” continued the MDC
statement. “We are, however, convinced that he speaks only for himself and
some of his rogue colleagues and not on behalf of our very professional
members of the armed forces."

Gloves are off as Junta and Tsvangirai engage in verbal spat

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
23 June 2011

The war of words between the Junta and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has
continued, with the Herald reporting Thursday on Brigadier-General Douglas
Nyikayaramba’s astonishingly tirade against the MDC President.

Nyikayaramba has dismissed Tsvangirai as a ‘political threat,’ but labelled
him a ‘security threat’ for allegedly taking instructions from westerners
that endanger the security of the country.

But the MDC-T completely refuted these allegations, saying the military
chiefs are the ones who pose a great security risk to Zimbabwe, as they have
done for the whole of the past decade.

In an interview with the state controlled Herald, the 3 Brigade Commander,
in remarks that will certainly raise eyebrows in the SADC bloc, said the
military will do anything to keep the ageing Robert Mugabe in power.

The general’s outburst was in response to the Prime Minister’s challenge to
the security forces on Sunday to stay out of politics and to stop
intimidating the population. Tsvangirai told his supporters in Mkoba, Gweru
that military chiefs must remove their uniforms if they wanted to challenge
him politically.

But the Brigadier-General, reiterating his earlier stance that he would not
serve under the leadership of anyone who did not have liberation war
credentials, said the military will die for Mugabe to make sure he remains
in power.

Describing the Prime Minister as a ‘daydreamer’ who wants to reverse the
gains of the liberation struggle, Nyikayaramba said Tsvangirai must ‘go to
hell’ as he will never rule Zimbabwe.

This verbal attack on Tsvangirai by a senior general in the army raises
questions about the security of the MDC-T leader who has been a target of
several assassination attempts before. Party officials have often worried
about his safety in private, but not in public.

Rallying behind their leader, the MDC-T said the ‘war of words’ against
Tsvangirai reflected the thinking of those behind Nyikayaramba.

Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said it is clear the general is a very
bitter man and that the MDC-T takes what he has said very seriously.

‘We are not so sure why he is so bitter. But what he says is clearly
unacceptable. He said the Prime Minister is a security threat.

‘Prime Minister Tsvangirai is definitely not a security threat. He is the
person who won the presidency of this country on the 29th March 2008,’
Mwonzora said.

He added; ‘He did not have to beat anyone; he did not have to kill anyone;
he did not have to set up militia bases and he did not abuse the army and
police for him to win that election. He is a legitimate leader of a
legitimate and lawful party.’

The deputy Justice Minister from the MDC-T, Obert Gutu, agreed with Mwonzora
that the attack on their leader is the clearest public admission to date
that the civilian authority in Zimbabwe has been handed over to the will of
men and women in military fatigues.

‘If we are not careful, another Myanmar (Burma) or Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge)
is on the horizon. We should be worried; very worried. Like I have always
argued, the end game for the Mugabe regime will be bloody. These guys are
going for broke. In fact, Nyikayaramba is speaking for Mugabe,’ Gutu said.

PM's life in danger

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

By Thelma Chikwanha, Staff Writer
Thursday, 23 June 2011 12:28

HARARE - As tension within the inclusive government continues to mount,
there are fresh fears that the lives of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and
Finance Minister tendai Biti are in grave danger.

Sources in the security sector and the MDC who spoke to the Daily News last
night said there were worrying indications that some Zanu PF hardliners
could be working with rogue elements in the military and intelligence
sectors to assassinate the two leading MDC lights.

“There is no doubt that the lives of the likes of Tsvangirai and Biti are in
grave danger from some rogue elements within the military and intelligence
sectors.

“Basically, these elements have reached the terrible conclusion that only
violence and anarchy can keep Zanu PF in power.  They are patently hostile
to change and the inclusive government,” one of the sources said.

As a result, security around Tsvangirai and Biti has been tightened in the
past few weeks.

MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said: “We are aware of the evil
machinations of certain elements but we know that despite all their
machinations and evil intentions, we will win the next free and fair
elections.

“We are aware of the evil intentions of political criminals who want to
terminate the life of the inclusive government and create chaos in Zimbabwe
to justify human rights abuses.

“The MDC leadership remains badly exposed because state protection is very
porous. The rogue elements were even recently allowed to demonstrate against
Minister Biti. The security around MDC personnel is not good at all”.
Among others who fear that prominent political players opposed to Zanu PF
may be facing a real risk of being assassinated is Minister of Education,
Sports and Culture David Coltart who spoke recently at the law faculty of
the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

He said Zanu PF hardliners were trying to derail prospects for a peaceful
transition in Zimbabwe, adding somberly that, as a result, “there was no
guarantee for a happy ending” to the current democratization process.

“The situation in Zimbabwe is very fragile, similar to South Africa in the
early 1990s. There are hardliners trying to subvert the status quo … and
they could be pushed to (carry out) the assassination of a high profile
person in order to ensure an election this year,” Coltart said.

The startling sentiments have been echoed by analysts and other politicians
who accuse "a primitive faction" of Zanu PF of working to end the tottering
Global Political Agreement (GPA) and plotting to unleash violence across the
country.

Political analyst Charles Mangongera said there was no doubt that hardliners
within Zanu PF would not like to see progress being made as it would affect
the privileges they have acquired over the years.

“It’s a very small clique but very dangerous. It wields military authority,
substantial material and financial resources. They can afford to hire some
people to do their bidding.

“For instance, there are characters masquerading as political analysts and
advisers whom they are using to attack others and to preserve their
privileges,” Mangongera said, adding that the clique was desperate for power
and therefore nothing could be put past them.

However, another analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya said: “If they attempt to
assassinate anybody in the political field, it will be the end of their
regime. The position of the regional players and international players is
that anything done outside the legitimate framework will be unacceptable
both to Zimbabweans and the outside world.
“What they should do is to address what needs to be addressed, and that is
follow the roadmap because anything outside that is a waste of time and will
have the effect of worsening the position of Zanu Pf in the eyes of
Zimbabweans and the international community”.

Last month there was an attempt on Biti’s life – who is seen as a thorn in
President Robert Mugabe’s side – after an explosive device hit the wall at
his Harare residence.

The police only pitched up at the house 17 hours after the incident and
there has been no progress in the investigations to date.

The attack came a few days after a heated Security Council meeting chaired
by Mugabe where the vocal finance minister is said to have clashed with
security chiefs.

Tsvangirai who is  in Spain for the World Justice Forum accused securocrats,
the real power behind Mugabe and Zanu PF, of interfering in politics and
thereby undermining the new dispensation.

“When the Police Commissioner-General and the Attorney-General state
publicly that they support a particular political party in an inclusive
government, as in our case, the rule of law becomes perverted and people
lose confidence in the institutions they lead,” Tsvangirai said.

Last week, the former trade union leader challenged the securocrats to
remove their uniforms if they wanted to pursue political careers.

Read full story in Thursday's Daily News.

Diatribe by Zimbabwe Mines Minister Poorly Received at Kimberley Meeting

http://www.voanews.com

22 June 2011

Sources present during the meeting said Kimberly Process Chairman Mathieu
Yamba of the DRC mildly rebuked Mpofu for addressing technical issues with
political rhetoric during a plenary session

Sandra Nyaira | Washington

Zimbabwean Mines Minister Obert Mpofu told a Kimberley Process meeting under
way in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday that Harare will keep
selling diamonds from its Marange field with or without Kimberley Process,
accusing ‘racist’ Western nations of trying to obstruct Zimbabwe from
realizing diamond revenues.

Mpofu's remarks to the Kimberley plenary session, described by some as a
diatribe that did not go over very well in the international forum, were his
first intervention in Kinshasa as he had boycotted a previous meeting of the
working group on Zimbabwe. Mpofu delegated that task to members of the
pro-ZANU-PF Affirmative Action Group.

Representatives of Anjin, a Chinese firm that is developing parts of Marange
in a joint venture with the Zimbabwean government made a presentation during
Mpofu’s speech. The minister said Anjin will soon begin to export rough
diamonds from Marange.

"We want to make it categorically clear here in Kinshasa that we will not
allow or accept any mechanism of whatsoever nature, we are compliant full
stop," Mpofu told delegates.

"We have to make it clear that Zimbabwe is compliant and will be selling its
diamonds for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe as a full participant
like any other compliant participant. We will continue to export from Mbada,
Marange Resources including Anjin which is now ready to export and all the
new mines that will commence production in the Marange Area."

He continued: "It is important that it be understood that we are not
refusing scrutiny at all, but only to the extend it is supported by the
Rules of the KPCS."

"The time for experiments is over, they experimented with the violence
clause and the self-cessation mechanism, it failed. Tried the hybrid
monitoring team, it has failed to pass the simple test of scrutiny. How many
more experiments do we have to endure when we are fully compliant.  Enough
is Enough."

Sources present during the meeting said Kimberly Chairman Mathieu Yamba of
the DRC mildly rebuked Mpofu for addressing technical issues with political
rhetoric.

Those sources said some African delegates cheered Mpofu, but West African
nations withdrew their support for Harare's position expressing their
embarrassment.

But South African Mines Minister Susan Tshabangu confirmed Pretoria’s
support for Zimbabwe's position that it is free to export diamonds as it
wishes, based on a statement by incoming chairman Yamba to that effect which
was not backed by a consensus.

Consultations continued on another compromise document regarding Zimbabwe.

Harare has rejected an earlier compromise agreement hammered out in Dubai
earlier this year allowing exports with light supervision. Sources said
Mpofu would meet Wednesday evening with African mine ministers in a bid to
salvage what looked like a stalemate.

Affirmative Action Group secretary general Tafadzwa Musarara, in Kinshasa,
said that his group wants Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources, formerly
Canadile Miners, to be allowed to sell their rough stones internationally
without Kimberley oversight.

Diamond activist Farai Maguwu of the Center for Research and Development in
Mutare, near Marange, said Ghana and other African nations are selling their
diamonds under Kimberley supervision therefore were taken aback by Mpofu's
defiant stance.

Kimberley Process Diamond Scheme ‘Defunct’ Says Zimbabwe Mining Minister

http://www.jewelryne.ws/

Written on June 23, 2011 at 11:23 am

According to the Herald newspaper, owned by the Zimbabwean government, Mines
and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu told the KP intercessional
meeting that the scheme is now defunct.

“We have to make it clear that Zimbabwe is compliant and will be selling its
diamonds for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe as a full participant
like any other compliant participant. We will continue to export from Mbada,
Marange Resources including Anjin which is now ready to export and all the
new mines that will commence production in the Marange Area,” said Mpofu,
according to the Herald.

Civil Society Walks Out of Kimberley Process Meeting

http://www.diamonds.net

Zimbabwe Stalemate Continues
Jun 23, 2011 9:20 AM   By Avi Krawitz

RAPAPORT... The civil society coalition, one of the three pillars of the
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, walked out of the intersessional
meeting Thursday saying negotiations with Zimbabwe were harming the scheme’s
credibility. The meeting subsequently ended in a stalemate as members failed
to reach consensus regarding the Marange issue.

The coalition, which includes Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada
(PAC), stressed that the scheme is not meeting its most basic commitments to
prevent diamonds from fueling violence and human rights violations, and to
provide guarantees to consumers that they are buying clean diamonds.

“We note, with bitter regret, that there is a significant gap between our
expectations of the scheme, and what it is actually achieving,” said Alfred
Brownell of Green Advocates in Liberia, on behalf of the coalition. “For
that reason we are expressing a vote of no confidence in the Kimberley
Process.”

The Kimberley Process meeting, being held in Kinshasa, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC), focused on compliance issues surrounding
Zimbabwe’s Marange mine, which has dominated the scheme’s agenda for the
past two years. The latest proposal, which was reportedly rejected by the
U.S., Canada and Israel, endorsed exports from two Marange concessions
operated by Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources while other concessions
would be subject to a Kimberley Process monitoring team until the next
plenary meeting in November.

The Kimberley Process requires full consensus from all members to pass a
resolution. Civil society, and the World Diamond Council (WDC) which
represents the industry, have observer status in the scheme.

Brownell stressed that the process has failed to protect the interest of
communities that have suffered from diamond fuelled violence.

He also reacted to a speech given by Zimbabwe’s minister of Mines and
Mineral Development, Obert Mpofu, who renewed his pledge to export the
diamonds regardless of any pending Kimberley Process decision. “We are
appalled by the lack of respect shown to Kimberley Process members by the
Zimbabwean minister and shocked by the Kimberley Process membership’s
silence in response – not just yesterday but for the past three meetings,”
Brownell said.

Alan Martin, a researcher for PAC, stressed that the walkout did not signal
an abandonment of the Kimberley Process. “Our intent was to provide the
Kimberley Process with a wake-up call to reconsider the value structure of
the scheme,” he told Rapaport News. “We will continue to work to prevent
conflict diamonds from entering international markets, and remain willing to
work with all partners on credible solutions to the problems we face.”

Whether that transpires within the framework of the Kimberley Process will
be left for each member of the coalition to consider, he added.

Now, DRC's Kimberley Process chairman, Matthiew Yamba, is expected present a
draft proposal and seek written consensus on Zimbabwe from members.

MDC-T official abducted as ZPF crackdown continues

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 June, 2011

The MDC-T has reported that Tendai Chinyama, their organising secretary for
Kambuzuma district, was abducted Wednesday afternoon at the Harare City
Council Bishop Gaul Depot, by three armed men.

In a statement the party said Chinyama’s whereabouts remain unknown. But
they do know that his abductors were driving a Mitsubishi L200 cream
twin-cab.

The MDC-T continues to be victimized by ZANU PF despite calls for peace by
regional leaders. A communiqué issued by SADC after the summit in
Livingstone back in March urged Zimbabwe’s political parties to create an
environment conducive to holding credible elections.

But it appears that ZANU PF is ignoring the regional call for peace. At
least 20 MDC-T members remain in police custody facing trumped-up charges
related to the recent murder of a policeman. And the Zimbabwe Human Rights
Forum reported this week that more torture bases have been set up around the
country.

Union says militia & CIOs harassing striking teachers

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 June, 2011

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has reported that their
members are being harassed in some areas for taking part in the strike
action that started Wednesday. PTUZ President, Takavafira Zhou, told SW
Radio Africa that youth militia, intelligence agents and school heads
aligned with ZANU PF, are intimidating teachers and making threats.

“Our teachers were beaten by rogue militia in Rushinga and there have been
serious threats in Mberengwa, Gokwe and Mashonaland South,” Zhou said. He
added that CIOs have also been visiting their union offices around the
country.

Despite the challenges, the union said the strike has been successful,
especially in the rural areas where teachers do not receive monthly cash
incentives from parents and schools. At least 75% of their members are
reportedly striking in rural areas and 54% in urban areas. Zhou said
lecturers from colleges and polytechnic institutes joined the strike on
Thursday.

The union said the strike is intended to force government to commit to a
time frame for concluding salary negotiations. Despite having met with Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe and the Ministry for Public
Service, asking for salaries equal to the Poverty Datum Line, teachers have
still not received salary increases that were promised.

“We were promised by the highest office of the President of the country that
we would see those salaries in June. But June came and nothing changed”,
Zhou said.

The teachers are demanding salary hikes and increased housing and travel
allowances. Zhou described the current $200 per month salaries and $10
housing allowance as “pathetic” and an “insult”. According to the Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe, a family of five needs $500 per month to survive.

Zhou said government has been reluctant to remove 75,000 “ghost workers” on
the payroll who are “gobbling up” money that could go to assisting with
civil servants wages. He said they were also promised that revenue from the
sale of diamonds would be used to improve wages, but this has not been done.

“But only the top brass, the political crocodiles, are pilfering the money
from diamond sales and teachers are angry”, Zhou said.

The PTUZ president also accused the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta),
of being run by officials closely linked to ZANU PF, and some are allegedly
discouraging PTUZ members from participating in the strike. According to
Zhou, some Zimta officials hold positions within ZANU PF district
committees.

Civil servants have been demanding increased salaries and striking on and
off for years now, with government making promises that are eventually not
kept. Zhou said he expects more teachers, lecturers and civil workers from
other sectors to join the strikes soon.

Militant Zimbabwe Teachers Union Claims Success in Nationwide Strike

http://www.voanews.com

22 June 2011

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said some
union members in rural areas are being intimidated by the police, ZANU PF
militia and headmasters for engaging in the strike

Gibbs Dube | Washington

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The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe said Wednesday that teachers in
large numbers heeded its call for a strike to back up salary demands,
claiming an adhesion rate of 85 percent in state schools in rural areas and
54 percent in urban schools.

But the rival Zimbabwe Teachers Association dismissed the claim of wide
participation as did teachers and headmasters reached in seven of the
country's 10 provinces.

PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou said a survey in various schools indicated
most striking teachers were engaged in sit-ins at the workplace. He said
some union members in rural areas were being intimidated by administrators,
the police, and youth militia members.

“Several teachers have been threatened for merely distributing our
circulars, five teachers have been transfer-listed by a rogue headmaster in
Masvingo, one teacher has been beaten up in Rushinga while police are
harassing the PTUZ leadership,” he said.

Zhou said most teachers in urban areas did not participate in the strike
because they are receiving monthly incentives of US$40 to US$400 from
schools and parents.

But ZIMTA Chief Executive Sifiso Ndlovu accused PTUZ, with its membership of
14,000 teachers, of misleading the nation. “Our teachers nationwide are at
work as usual and will do so until we declare a salary deadlock,” Ndlovu
declared.

Headmasters and teachers in most parts of Zimbabwe said the situation was
normal. A teacher in Victoria Falls who spoke with a VOA reporter on
condition she not be named said none of her colleagues were on strike,
saying the exercise was futile.

President Robert Mugabe promised to give state workers a pay rise in June
but Finance Minister Tendai Biti has flatly rejected any salary increase
saying a raise is not possible until 75,000 "ghost workers" are removed from
state payrolls and the Treasury receives its share of proceeds from the
Marange diamond field in the country's east.

Credible election impossible

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

By Thelma Chikwanha, Staff Writer
Thursday, 23 June 2011 19:20

HARARE - The rule of law remains precarious in Zimbabwe, with a partisan
Attorney-General and police commissioner being some of the biggest threats
to a free election in Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has told an
international audience.

Speaking in Spain where he is attending a World Justice Forum, Tsvangirai
said credible elections were impossible in Zimbabwe at the moment because
fear, intimidation of innocent citizens and selective application of the law
were still prevalent.

He said police boss Augustine Chihuri and AG Johannes Tomana, both confessed
Zanu PF supporters, were conspiring to subvert justice and the rule of law.

“When the police commissioner-general and the attorney-general state
publicly that they support a particular political party in an inclusive
government, as in our case, the rule of law becomes perverted and people
lose confidence in the institutions they lead,” said Tsvangirai.

“It is an affront to the rights and freedoms of citizens when the rule of
law is sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and when key
institutions fail in their national duty of serving and protecting the
people,” he said.

The MDC leader was speaking on the rule of law and credible elections. He
cited the case of Zimbabwe where he said more than 500 perpetrators of
political violence were still to be prosecuted for crimes committed during
the 2008 elections as an example of an uneven electoral environment.

“While it is true that genuine democracy goes beyond simply holding
elections, a credible election is an important primary factor in building
and entrenching democratic ethos in any society.

“A conducive environment for elections includes the rule of law, judicial
independence and enforcement; a transparent, accountable, and open
government; a raft of media and political reforms and a determined fight
against graft and corruption,” Tsvangirai said.

Thousands of people lost their homes, women were raped while others lost
their limbs during the run up to the violent June 2008 presidential election
runoff, which Tsvangirai boycotted. The international community, including
the African Union, later rejected the run-off poll as a non-event, forcing
the formation of a coalition government.

“This is a sad testament of the tragedy that befalls innocent citizens when
key institutions charged with enforcing the rule of law become politically
compromised,” Tsvangirai said.

Some of the victims of politically motivated rape like Mary Pamire who says
she was gang-raped by 10 soldiers in Chitungwiza and infected with HIV,
still bear the physical and emotional scars of the crime while her
assailants roam around the streets as free men. Tsvangirai repeated his
attack on security chiefs, whom he said were failing to respect the new
dispensation and undermining civilian authority.

Last week, the former trade unionist challenged the securocrats to leave the
military if they wanted to pursue political careers.

“Every day, they are dabbling in politics, even seeking to influence the
date of the election and the conditions under which that election will be
held,” he said.

Tsvangirai Calls For International Support Ahead Of Polls In Zimbabwe

http://www.radiovop.com/

11 hours 54 minutes ago

Spain, Barcelona, June 23, 2011 - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on
Wednesday called for the world to support Zimbabwe as it embarks on a
process to ensure free and fair elections in the country after disputed
polls in 2008 led to the formation of the coalition government in 2009.

Tsvangirai was speaking at the World Justice Forum in Barcelona, Spain. He
said the country has been facing stumbling blocks to credible polls in the
country as security chiefs are still making statements that they will not
support any democratically elected leader who is not President Robert Mugabe
or someone who does not have liberation war credentials.

Tsvangirai said over 500 people were murdered in the deadly political
violence after he won the first round of the presidential vote in 2008. The
violence was mainly blamed on Zanu PF militia. Tsvangirai pulled out of the
presidential run-off citing the violence.

"I urge you all to be global citizens; to be responsible citizens of the
world who will fight injustice and violence anywhere in the world, including
Zimbabwe. I call upon you to support the people of Zimbabwe as they navigate
through this delicate transition into a new country, with new values and a
new ethos," Tsvangirai said.

"I may be standing before you as leader of Zimbabwe’s biggest political
party.  But the struggle facing the country goes beyond the person of Morgan
Tsvangirai or the party I lead.  The challenge before us is to make sure
that this does not happen again. We must avoid the circus that began in
Kenya, was perfected in Zimbabwe and backfired in the Ivory Coast. It is
indeed a disturbing trend which must be discouraged where incumbents who
lose an election are smuggled back through dubious power-sharing
arrangements."

Tsvangirai said the date for the next elections is going to be defined by a
process after all key areas of the election roadmap which include the
contentious security sector reforms are done. The Global Political Agreement
political parties in the country meet early next month to finish the roadmap
to be submitted before the full SADC summit in August.

"A roadmap characterized by security sector realignment, a credible and
neutral secretariat of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a biometric voters’
roll, extensive  reforms and a new Constitution coupled with foolproof
mechanisms to ensure security of the person and security of the vote. Yes,
join us in a global campaign for a peaceful election in our country because
true democracy is possible in Zimbabwe. The world must stand by us as we try
to agree and implement a roadmap to a free and fair poll," Tsvangirai said.

Retailers in Harare Are Forced to Display Mugabe Posters, Newsday Reports

http://www.bloomberg.com

By Brian Latham - Jun 23, 2011 9:50 PM GMT+1000

Retailers in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, say they’re being forced to pay $60
for a portrait of President Robert Mugabe that has to be displayed in their
shops, Newsday said, citing unnamed shopkeepers and Zimbabwe African
National Union-Patriotic Front Harare secretary Last Mbizvo.

If the posters aren’t paid for and displayed, retailers will face
“unspecified action,” the Harare-based newspaper reported. Shopkeepers were
being encouraged to show respect for Mugabe by displaying the posters, the
newspaper cited Mbizvo as saying.

Mliswa acquitted on fraud, violence charges

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

By Editor
Thursday, 23 June 2011 19:11

HARARE - Businessman, farmer and former fitness trainer Temba Mliswa has
been acquitted on fraud and threats of violence charges, the sixth time the
courts have cleared him of a raft of charges brought in quick succession
last year.

Mliswa, Martin Mutasa, the son of Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus
Mutasa, Hammarskjold Banda, Brendaly Banda and George Marere, were jointly
charged of misrepresenting that Mliswa had acquired over  $1 million shares
of Noshio Motors.

They were also accused of threatening Paul Westwood, one of the directors of
Noshio Motors, with unspecified action if he refused to leave the company.

Westwood co-owned the company which was involved in vehicle servicing,
selling and manufacturing of bull bars and roll bars with Banda.

The court heard that Banda had transferred 50 percent of his shares into
Mliswa’s name after he had failed to settle a debt that he owed him.

Lawyer Charles Chinyama, who was representing the five, had made an
application for discharge at the close of the state case.

In a lengthy ruling, yesterday Magistrate Never Katiyo said the state had
failed to prove a prima facie case against Mliswa and his colleagues.

“Let me say this has not been an easy case to handle as a magistrate. It
generated a lot of interest as exhibited by the media hype,” he said.

Magistrate Katiyo lamented the arrest of prosecutor Godwin Nyasha who was
handling the matter. Nyasha was on Friday arrested for “prematurely” closing
the state case in a move the state now alleges was meant to favour Mliswa.

“There have also been a number of developments during the conduct of this
case. Both the defence and the state counsels are now on remand on issues
related to this case. As a magistrate my duty is to treat every case as
equal and I will endeavour to do so,” Katiyo said.

Magistrate Katiyo dismissed the evidence that was given by Westwood during
trial.

Westwood told the court during trial that Mliswa had mentioned that
President Mugabe was aware of his acquiring of part of the shares of Noshio
Motors and that he had been sent by Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment
Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

“When the accused are alleged to have used the two names, if at all they
used the names because they are denying it, is when Westwood felt
threatened. Is threat of violence fraud?” questioned magistrate Katiyo.

Katiyo also said that according to his view, Westwood was not the right
complainant in the case and that if Mliswa had taken shares belonging to
him, it was going to be a different issue.

“This was a highly technical issue which needed thorough investigation
before bringing it to court. Taking the matter to defence will be bolstering
the state case. No reasonable court acting reasonably can safely convict the
accused,” said Katiyo.

RBZ still owes Seedco

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Roadwin Chirara, Business Writer
Thursday, 23 June 2011 19:17

HARARE - Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed Seedco says the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe (RBZ) is yet to pay off its $4 million debt. Seedco finance
director John Matorofa said the company had so far recovered only $200 000
from the central bank towards settling the debt.

“We are slowly recovering bits and pieces. We recovered the $200 000 last
year,” Matorofa said.

He said the company will continue engaging the RBZ to settle the debt. “We
had to make a loss provision of $4 million for long outstanding debts,” said
Matorofa adding that SeedCo had managed to recover some funds from the
recent auction of the central bank’s assets.

He said the group had made progress with regards to recovering outstanding
debts with Malawi and Zambian governments.

“The amounts due from the governments are expected to be paid by the end of
the first quarter of the new financial year,” he said.

Morgan Nzwere, SeedCo’s group chief executive, said despite stiff
competition in all its markets, the company had managed to increase its
sales volumes for the full year ended March 2011 (FY11).

“The volumes have been encouraging with cotton seed up 115 percent to 13 00
metric tonnes (mt) with 500mt sold in Tanzania,” he said.

“There has been strong demand in Malawi with 1300 mt having been exported
with our maize volumes up six percent,” Nzwere said.

He said the group’s local operations remained the largest contributor to the
group turnover at 32 percent while inroads continued in other regional
markets.

“We currently hold a 70 percent share of this market and we expect it to
remain that way,” Nzwere said.

The company acquired a new research facility in Kitale, Kenya, during the
period under review, while construction of a plant in Malawi is scheduled
for completion in the next 18 months.

“We are a technology company and are committed to investing more in
research,” the Seedco boss said.

SeedCo’s sales volumes increased by 15 percent while revenue went up 27
percent to $97, 8 million driven by strong demand in cotton and maize seed.

The company recorded a profit after tax of $17, 4 million and declared a
dividend of $0, 2 per share.

The central bank is currently saddled with a $1 billion plus debt owed to
local companies accrued largely through its funding of non-core business.

In April, the RBZ had several vehicles attached after it failed to settle
the outstanding debt with Seed Co International Private Limited, Seedco’s
Botswana subsidiary.

Seed Co International, sued the RBZ in November 2009 over non-payment for
seeds purchased during the 2007/8 farming season.

Lawmakers want media unshackled

http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Tobias Manyuchi     Thursday 23 June 2011

HARARE – A special parliamentary committee on the media has called for a
review of the country’s broadcasting laws, while criticising the state-owned
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)’s monopoly of the airwaves as
incompatible with Zimbabweans’ right to freedom of expression.

Calling on the country’s three governing parties to live up to their promise
under their power sharing deal known as the global political agreement (GPA)
to uphold media freedom, the committee criticised the tight controls that
the ministry of information continues to exercise on the ZBC, which it said
was widely seen as serving the interests of the state and not the public.

In a report on the state of the media in Zimbabwe, the parliamentary
portfolio committee on media, information and communication technology also
slammed the government’s tough Access to Information and Protection of
Privacy Act (AIPPA) that it said hindered journalists from accessing
information they need to compile stories.

“The current monopoly being enjoyed by the ZBC was regarded as incompatible
with the right to freedom of expression as Article V (of the GPA) obliges
the state to encourage a diverse, independent private broadcasting sector,”
the report made public on Wednesday read in part.

“There were concerns that ZBC was wholly controlled by the Minister of
Media, Information and Publicity who appoints the body and issues directives
to the board and management and that it was highly as a state controlled
broadcaster, serving the interests of the state rather than those of the
public,” it said.

The parliamentarians also called for a review of penalties and other action
on journalists for publishing falsehoods and other inaccurate information,
saying the current measures that include jailing reporters for publishing
inaccurate information were too excessive.

President Robert Mugabe and long time rival Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity
government last year following a dispute over general elections in March
2008 and have promised a raft of reforms, including freeing up the media by
allowing more players.

The coalition government has implemented some of the media reforms agreed in
the GPA but it has avoided instituting far-reaching measures that would
drastically open up the country’s media space.

The reforms instituted so far include the establishment of the Zimbabwe
Media Commission (ZMC) and the licensing of at least nine private newspapers
to compete with the state-run titles that have dominated the country’s media
landscape since 2003.

However the Zimpapers newspaper empire and the ZBC -- that are both owned by
the state but controlled by Mugabe’s ZANU (PF) party -- still dominate the
country’s media, while not one independent television or radio station has
received a licence to operate.

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has instead allowed the ZBC to launch
a second television channel last May underlining its dominance of the
airwaves.

Human rights and pro-democracy groups say ZANU PF has used its control of
state security forces and a battery of repressive media laws that remain on
the country’s statute books to restrict independent reporting while at the
same time manipulating government newspapers and the ZBC to promote
political propaganda. -- ZimOnline

Press Release: ACTSA calls for democracy, rights and end to violence on anniversary of Zimbabwe's presidential elections

A new road map for Zimbabwe?

http://www.economist.com/

 

Robert Mugabe’s neighbouring leaders may at last be turning against him

Jun 23rd 2011 | HARARE | from the print edition

NOT since Morgan Tsvangirai entered a power-sharing government with President Robert Mugabe two-and-a-half years ago has the mood within his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), formerly the main opposition party, been so upbeat. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which guarantees the power-sharing pact, may at last be willing to tighten the screws on Zimbabwe’s ageing despot. At a summit in Johannesburg earlier this month, the often feckless and invariably deferential 15-member regional club issued a report that condemned the dogged refusal of Zanu-PF, Mr Mugabe’s party, to honour the pact. It also agreed to set out a “road map” for violence-free and fair elections to be held, probably some time next year.

Mr Mugabe has been left isolated, humiliated and fuming. He lobbied hard to get the report, drawn up by Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president and SADC’s “facilitator” on Zimbabwe, rejected by his regional colleagues. Though the report did not mention him or his party by name, it was obvious who was being singled out. Lamenting the “continuous backtracking and lack of implementation” of the power-sharing pact, Mr Zuma said the situation in the country could no longer be tolerated. The anti-government uprisings in north Africa had shown the need to unblock the Zimbabwean impasse speedily and “in a way that will not just satisfy the SADC region but also that would be acceptable to the entire world.”

Rejecting Mr Mugabe’s call for fresh elections this year, Mr Zuma said a poll in the prevailing atmosphere of “violence, intimidation and fear” would lead the country back to the dreadful violence during the last elections three years ago or even to “a far worse situation”. That is why clear conditions for a new poll, including outside observers and the unfettered access of all parties to print and broadcast media, were needed.

Negotiators from SADC and Zimbabwe’s three main parties adopted a first draft on June 2nd. Despite furious opposition from Zanu-PF’s leaders, who claimed that it was all a Western-backed plot to rig the elections and impose “regime change”, the negotiators have been told to draw up a final road map, along with timetables, ready for adoption at SADC’s next summit, in August.

It is far from certain that Mr Mugabe will ever accept such a document, let alone stick to its conditions. “We will not brook any dictation from any source,” he stormed when Mr Zuma’s report (which has only just become public) was initially endorsed in March by a SADC “troika” that deals with politics and security. “We are a sovereign country. Even our neighbours cannot dictate to us.” The facilitator’s job, he said, was simply to facilitate dialogue. “He cannot prescribe anything. We prescribe what we do in accordance with our own laws.” He now claims that the report was rejected at this month’s full summit, pointing out that the final communiqué merely said it had been “noted” rather than “endorsed”. SADC officials say this means the same thing and that it has been annexed to the summit’s official report.

The MDC has lost quite a lot of support because of its patchy performance in the unity government. All the same, if free and fair elections were held, the odds would favour an MDC victory. But would Mr Mugabe ever accept losing power? The heads of the security forces, which fall under his direct control, have sworn never to accept Mr Tsvangirai as president. Some watchers fear that Zimbabwe could become like Côte d’Ivoire, where an incumbent president clung to power for many months after his election defeat, plunging his country into civil conflict. Others hope that Mr Mugabe, now 87 and in failing health, might, along with his generals, be persuaded to retire peacefully if all were guaranteed immunity from prosecution, the removal of targeted sanctions by the West, and the retention of their riches.

Many Zimbabweans, grown sceptical over the years, shake their heads in disbelief. In power since independence 31 years ago, Mr Mugabe seems to regard himself as a kind of monarch who must reign until his death. Not so long ago, he could have counted on the support of SADC leaders, many of them fellow veterans of anti-colonial struggles. But they are being replaced by a less respectful younger generation with more awareness of the link between good governance and their countries’ prosperity. SADC’s leaders, especially its younger ones, are increasingly loth to see their region dragged down by an ageing autocrat. South Africa, already home to more than 1m Zimbabwean refugees, does not want to suffer yet another influx. Mr Zuma may at last really mean to get tough with his recalcitrant neighbour to the north.

JAG open letter forum - No. 754- Dated 22 June 2011

Email: jag@mango.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
jag@mango.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the subject line.
========================
1.  TO THE CFU PRESIDENT - CAUTIOUS AND CONSERVATIVE

2.  Heidi Visagie - CAUTIOUS AND CONSERVATIVE FELLOW

3.  Where are they?

=================================================
1.  TO THE CFU PRESIDENT - CAUTIOUS AND CONSERVATIVE

Dear CFU President

I read your response to my and other farmers' concerns with confusion,
annoyance and quite frankly a sense of amazement and wonderment at your
unprofessional approach to these issues and your inept answers.

You ask me to name myself, I have deliberately and specifically not done so,
as you know me and these were definitely not personal issues that I raised.
It was never a personal attack on Deon Theron, I wrote to the President of
the CFU, in his professional not personal capacity with legitimate concerns
as a dispossessed farmer, to avert any personality issues.  You, in spite of
this and regrettably chosen to take it as a personal affront, a criticism of
your leadership, when most of the points raised were issues before you took
the helm.

I find it sad that you missed such a wonderful opportunity to set the record
straight, give some straight talking and in doing so, allay the concerns and
fears of so many farmers, regarding these issues.  Many of these issues are
the very roots of distrust of the CFU amongst the displaced farming
community.

To answer some of your comments - you say you are far too busy to count the
number of CFU hierarchy still farming, still expanding, still taking on more
farms - I would have thought this was very important, it reflects the
caliber of person involved in all matters farming at this critical point in
time and which ideology they subscribe to:  moral fibre / principles and the
law, or; political homage / patronage, compromise and self interest deals.

As to specific names and details, I will come back to you with more detailed
information.  For starters though, the two ARAC potato farmers on Charter
Estates working in partnership with a high level party official and the past
CFU President tobacco farming in the  Banket / Chinhoyi area on multiple
farms are two cases in point, apart from the dairy farmer ex VP from
Beatrice that you mention.  I will get back to you with more shortly.  Your
constant reference to Vaseline farmers I find bizarre, rather distressingly
distasteful and extremely unprofessional, to be honest.

Collaborators?   I made no mention of collaborators. Again you deliberately
and conveniently miss the point, it is more a matter of principal and moral
fibre here in our farming leadership, or lack of and certainly not envy of
some arbitrarily still farming, as you misleadingly assume.   Best of luck
to them; the pressure, threats and challenges they face on a daily basis are
hard to even imagine.  Certainly not something to be envied.  This is not
about the average farmer out there surviving, it is about key people in
leadership positions in a farmer organization who use their elected and/or
appointed positions, their contacts and other means, to continue to farm and
expand their operations by any means and damn the consequences and the
possible adverse effect on others in our constituency.

Without confirmation and without a willingness to be open and frank
regarding the past and current position on the part of the Union, who
supposedly represent all farmers - perceptions are about the only "facts" we
can all work and make decisions on.  Hence my persistence and insistence in
these matters, to get clarity.

Sadly, your "perception" of democracy does not tally with others.  Again
your personal integrity is not in question here, this is rather an issue the
President of the CFU should stand back from, look at it from farmers' point
of view and respond with specifics - democracy is not a grey area... a grand
ideal that any President, Vice-President or councilor should walk away, if
not prepared to stand for what is right, doesn't happen, does it?......

Your personal heartache is well documented in your letter, as a shield in a
vain attempt to deflect my raised concerns.  Again my concerns were raised
not as a  criticism or personal attack on Mr Theron, they are concerns which
I had hoped that you as President of the CFU would address in a
professional, unbiased and honest manner, without resorting to personal loss
issues.  We all have these in abundance as a common denominator.

I am surprised that you deny the veto vote of the President's Council, even
though it might be something in the past.  Your explanation as to the
amalgamation of finance and management committees is accepted without
debate, as an improvement giving rise hopefully to more timeous and not
"timorous".

VALCON / CFU / ARAC  - I am appalled that you think we are dumb enough to
accept your explanation.  What about the Memorandum of Understanding between
CFU and Valcon?  CFU stand to get more than regional or international
valuers as their percentage (0.95%) payback for closely aligning with Valcon
and then Valcon take their cut (2.2%).  This is purely an extortionate
financial gain for the CFU, not some altruistic input to help farmers as you
claim.  CFU climbing on a gravy train, one might say, or, as the Matabele's
aptly put it "CFU feeding on the carcasses of it's own members".

Graham Mullett's involvement in the "Dutch Case" was an embarrassment and a
knock for the credibility of Zimbabwean farmers.  The valuations submitted,
the calculations in some aspects such as lost income, relocation, human
trauma etc, were actually criticized by the international legal fraternity
who felt that the farmers had been dealt with "economically" in the final
judgment.  The submission of a claim for human trauma (100 000 Euros per
farmer) was disallowed by the court purely because it had been submitted too
late and unprofessionally assessed.  So not really impressed with Valcon so
far, nor it appears are any of the farmers in the frontline of the various
legal battles.  It appears that they have all, without exception and very
wisely opted for second opinion valuations, more professionally and far more
cost-effectively concluded by outside but regional valuers.

Your explanation about CFU and ARAC and their relationship with each other
is accepted, but please don't call it democratic, proportional
representation... it's a long way from that.  Displaced farmers still do not
have an equal say... not by a long shot.

I don't believe that the members of CFU were informed fully regarding the
donor funding aspect.  The feeling generally is that money was made
available for farmers to work only with Valcon and the CFU exclusively.
What about the members of the other farming organizations such as SACFA and
JAG whose membership far exceeds that of CFU?  Are they being specifically
excluded from this donor assistance by the CFU?  You opened a can of worms
here and I quote "every cent properly accounted for"... what then happened
to the money (US $ 80 000) defrauded from the CFU - the person in question
has not paid it back, and has reneged on the agreement you reached to take
care of it "in-house" - so what is happening now, what action is being taken
to recover the money that was so "properly accounted for"?

You say I should be more specific with my questions, and you will give
specific answers.  I thought I had asked very specific questions and you
certainly have not given too many specific answers.  No one is blaming Mr
Theron, we are asking the current President of the CFU to clear the air,
give us the truth, look into the concerns raised.  Instead of which you have
conveniently missed virtually all the points and have given vague and
unsubstantiated, mostly off the subject, responses and continually and
confusingly refer to Vaseline Investors.  Most issues raised have been there
unanswered, for years, even before your tenure.  We all know you personally
are a Christian, but feel your "not afraid to speak the truth or reveal
anything" is stretching the realms of probability, especially in the light
of your answers.  If you think you have spoken the truth and revealed
"anything", then we must question your undertaking, your "take" and
knowledge of the happenings at the CFU.

This Open Letters Forum and my letters of concern will not degenerate into
gossip, mudslinging and meaningless accusations. Bona fide and relevant
questions are being asked, surely the truthful and clearcut answers are a
basic right of all farmers.  And, most often old laundry needs to be
cleaned.  I am not a pessimistic critic, far from it, I am a concerned
displaced farmer with questions that need clear and concise answers, like
many other displaced farmers.  They say the best form of defense is often
attack, so we do indeed "need to be careful".

Back to you, Mr President.  The ball is again firmly in your court

CAUTIOUS AND CONSERVATIVE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.  Heidi Visagie - CAUTIOUS AND CONSERVATIVE FELLOW

It is with interest and some irritation that I am following the letters to
the CFU by this person. Ben Freeth and Annette Crowshaw amongst others had
some very direct questions and views to put forward, but they could be
answered and thought about in open and honest debate. These letters on the
other hand are difficult to judge on merit or take seriously if the person
attacks from behind a pseudonym. The implication is that he or she wouldn't
be prepared to put the same pen to paper so to speak if they had to put
their name to the accusations.

If he/she expects to be 'dealt with honourably' through an 'open and
transparent forum' as they are asking the CFU to do then the obvious
expectation is that they extend the courtesy back by identifying themselves
both to us as readers and to those in the firing range. The accusations make
interesting reading and certainly warrant a response if they are true, but
to lob grenades from the safety of cyberspace is not only cowardly but
annoying to read.

The Open Letter Forum provides a long overdue platform to air grievances and
questions that were otherwise relegated to car park gripes. But I put it to
the Fellow to keep it constructive or to keep quiet.

Sincerely

Heidi Visagie

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.  Where are they?

Dear Jag

Please be so kind as to include this message in your next WHERE ARE THEY??
news letter.

Looking to contact Kevin Simons. Kevin and I went to Plumtree High School in
the mid to late eighties and he lived at Lake Kyle.

His parents are Ann and Brian Simons and his dad was the water bailiff for
lake Kyle.Also trying to get in contact with Pam & Con Heyns ex Marlborough
Harare They had two daughter Julie and Lisa.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts and contact details of these families
please contact me at darrelldundee71@gmail.com.

Many thanks and Blessings to you all.

Darrell

====================================================

All letters published on the Open Letter Forum are the views and opinions
of the submitters, and do not represent the official viewpoint of Justice
for Agriculture.