The MDC-T released a press statement earlier this morning saying that the police have raided their Avondale based communications office and arrested three officials:

A total of 15 police officers in plain clothes have raided and are currently searching Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s communications office in Avondale, Harare.

Early this morning, the police arrested three officials from the PM’s office, Thabani Mpofu, Anna Muzvidziwa and Felix Matsinde.  Reasons for the arrests and the whereabouts of three are unknown.

Since then, Beatrice Mtetwa, a lawyer acting on behalf of the MDC for the three arrested, has also been arrested. Her crime? For daring to ask why her client - Thabani Mpofu - has been arrested. She is being held for  'obstructing justice'.

Lydia Polgreen, a journalist for the New York Times has since tweeted that Mtetwa's response to this is to say "Of course the view I take is they have been obstructing me in my duties as a lawyer".

 This via the MDC:

Beatrice Mtetwa, a human rights lawyer has been arrested after she tried to make enquiries as to the reason why her client Thabani Mpofu was under arrest.

She is detained at the Harare Central Police Station.  Mpofu a senior official in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office together with Anna Muzvidziwa and Felix Matsinde were arrested early this morning under unclear circumstances.

When Mtetwa tried to understand the reasons for the arrest of her client, Mpofu, she too was arrested for what the police said was obstruction of the course of justice.

The police also raided the offices of the communications office of the Prime Minister in Avondale, Harare.

The whereabouts of Muzvidziwa and Matsinde are not known although it is certain they are in police custody.

Beatrice Mtetwa is an extraordinarily committed and fearless lawyer, always fighting for Zimbabwe's rule of law to be properly upheld. A film has been made about her - the trailer is below: 

Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law-Trailer from Lorie Conway on Vimeo.

Zimbabwe Top Lawyer Arrested Soon After Referendum

Police raid PM’s communications office

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

Staff Reporter 7 hours 25 minutes ago

THE MDC-T said Sunday three senior officials from Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai had been arrested as police confirmed picking up another party
official in Headlands.
In a statement Sunday, the party said: “A total of 15 police officers in
plain clothes have raided and are currently searching Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai’s communications office in Avondale, Harare.
“Early this morning, the police arrested three officials from the PM’s
office, Thabani Mpofu, Anna Muzvidziwa and Felix Matsinde.  Reasons for the
arrests and the whereabouts of three are unknown.”
On Saturday, the MDC-T said gunmen also abducted Samson Magumura, the party’s
secretary for Headlands, as the country voted on a new constitution amid
seething political tensions.
However police later said the gunmen were plainclothes detectives.
Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba told AFP that Magumura had been arrested
on charges of attempted murder in connection with a firebomb attack.
He was seized at his home in Headlands before dawn, according to party
spokesman Douglas Mwonzora.
"Our district secretary for Headlands was kidnapped this morning. He was
taken from his home by armed people," Mwonzora told AFP. Magumura's
whereabouts remain unknown.
The MDC suggested his assailants, four armed men driving a white four wheel
drive, where linked to President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party.
The incident came as polls opened in a key referendum on a new constitution
that would curb Mugabe's powers and pave the way for fresh elections.
A "yes" vote is widely expected but political tensions seethed beneath the
surface.
The new constitution would for the first time put a definite, if distant,
end date on Mugabe's 33-year rule.
A general election slated for later this year is likely to end that often
acrimonious power-sharing arrangement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.
Rights groups fear the government harassment seen ahead of the referendum
vote could be a prelude to a more serious crackdown on opponents in the
run-up to the general election.
Observers also fear there will not be enough time to apply all the necessary
reforms to ensure a healthier political environment before the next
elections.

Zim police charge lawyer with 'obstructing justice'

http://mg.co.za/

17 MAR 2013 19:41 - SAPA-AP

Zimbabwe police arrested the country's most prominent rights lawyer and four
senior officials with the prime minister's party on Sunday, a day after the
nation voted in a referendum on a new constitution that calls for more
protection against human rights violations.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's chief legal adviser, Thabani Mpofu, is
accused of impersonating police by compiling dossiers on unspecified crimes,
a police official said.

Mtetwa was called to an address in Harare where police were searching an
office used by Mpofu and began "shouting at officers and preventing them
from doing their duties", police official Charity Charamba said on Sunday.

She said all of those arrested were being held for questioning on Sunday.
Police had been instructed to search the offices of a private group, the
Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe, where it was believed some information on
alleged crimes was being illegally held, she said.

Police removed unspecified "exhibits" for evidence against the group that
they were engaged in police-type investigations, she said. Witnesses said
computer equipment and mobile phones were seized.

Democracy and rights groups routinely gather witness accounts of alleged
crimes and abuses of power in state institutions, including the police
force, controlled by President Robert Mugabe. Obstructing justice and
impersonating police officers carry a penalty of imprisonment or a fine.

Search warrant
Witnesses said on Sunday that Mtetwa demanded that police produce a search
warrant at the suburban house used by Mpofu. Officers accused her of trying
to take photographs of a security detail on her mobile phone and she was
forced into a police vehicle, the witnesses said.

Mtetwa has won an array of awards from international bodies, including the
American Bar Association and the European Bar Human Rights Institute, during
her legal career of three decades. She has represented Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and his supporters in high profile cases where she has accused
police of the wrongful arrest and detention of Mugabe's perceived opponents
without sufficient evidence.

Mpofu is a senior attorney who is the head of the research and development
department in the prime minister's office.

Police on Sunday also raided and searched Harare offices of Tsvangirai's
media and communications unit. Three other members of Tsvangirai's personal
staff were arrested on Sunday morning, the independent Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights said.

They were identified as Warship Dumba, Felix Manditse and Annah Muzvidziwa,
all close aides of Tsvangirai.

Voting in a referendum on a new constitution ended late Saturday. All main
party leaders called for a "Yes" vote on constitutional reforms.

Another official of the former opposition party, the Movement for Democratic
Change, was arrested before polling began on Saturday. No reasons were
immediately given for the arrest by four armed police of Sampson Magunise, a
party organiser in eastern Zimbabwe, but Charamba said on Sunday he was a
suspect in an alleged gasoline bomb attack on a the car of a Mugabe party
official.

Zimbabwe's official election body said on Sunday an estimated 2-million
people cast their vote in a referendum on a new constitution that seeks to
curb presidential powers and strengthen human rights.

Judge Rita Makarau, head of the electoral commission, said the low estimate
came from early returns from the nation's 9 400 polling stations.

Referendum vote
Zimbabwe has an estimated 6.6-million registered voters. Full results from
isolated areas are expected within five days.

Police enforced a clampdown on rights and pro-democracy groups in the run-up
to the referendum vote. In recent weeks, police have seized documents,
equipment and cheap wind-up radio receivers from the offices of several
rights and pro-democracy groups.

The radio receivers, capable of receiving broadcasts not controlled by
President Mugabe's state broadcasting monopoly, were declared illegal by
police under broadcast regulations.

The broadcasts were used for Mugabe's Zanu-PF party propaganda and were
intensified around the referendum vote.

Rights groups have challenged the legality of the radio ban, arguing that
regular short-wave receivers and satellite television are not outlawed as
long as they are covered by routine state listeners' licenses.

Police regularly mount searches without complete warrants looking for
allegedly subversive materials said to be a threat to national security.

They insist private rights and media freedom groups are trying to incite
tensions between political parties ahead of crucial national elections later
in the year to end a shaky and acrimonious coalition between Tsvangirai and
Mugabe. The coalition was formed by regional mediators after the last
violent and disputed elections in 2008. – Sapa-AP

Zimbabwe Police Arrest Pm'S Officials, Top Lawyer

By ANGUS SHAW
— Mar. 17 1:08 PM EDT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe police arrested the country's most
prominent rights lawyer and four senior officials with the prime minister's
party on Sunday, a day after the nation voted in a referendum on a new
constitution that calls for more protection against human rights violations.

Rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa is being charged with allegedly "obstructing
or defeating the course of justice" and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's
chief legal adviser, Thabani Mpofu, is accused of impersonating police by
compiling dossiers on unspecified crimes, a police official said.

Mtetwa was called to an address in Harare where police were searching an
office used by Mpofu and began "shouting at officers and preventing them
from doing their duties," police official Charity Charamba said Sunday. She
said all of those arrested were being held for questioning Sunday.

Police had been instructed to search the offices of a private group, the
Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe, where it was believed some information on
alleged crimes was being illegally held, she said. Police removed
unspecified "exhibits" for evidence against the group that they were engaged
in police-type investigations, she said. Witnesses said computer equipment
and mobile phones were seized.

Democracy and rights groups routinely gather witness accounts of alleged
crimes and abuses of power in state institutions, including the police
force, controlled by President Robert Mugabe.

Obstructing justice and impersonating police officers carry a penalty of
imprisonment or a fine.

Witnesses said Sunday that Mtetwa demanded that police produce a search
warrant at the suburban house used by Mpofu. Officers accused her of trying
to take photographs of a security detail on her mobile phone and she was
forced into a police vehicle, the witnesses said.

Mtetwa has won an array of awards from international bodies, including the
American Bar Association and the European Bar Human Rights Institute, during
her legal career of three decades. She has represented Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and his supporters in high profile cases where she has accused
police of the wrongful arrest and detention of Mugabe's perceived opponents
without sufficient evidence.

Mpofu is a senior attorney who is the head of the research and development
department in the prime minister's office. Police on Sunday also raided and
searched Harare offices of Tsvangirai's media and communications unit.

Three other members of Tsvangirai's personal staff were arrested Sunday
morning, the independent Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said. They were
identified as Warship Dumba, Felix Manditse and Annah Muzvidziwa, all close
aides of Tsvangirai.

Voting in a referendum on a new constitution ended late Saturday. All main
party leaders called for a "Yes" vote on constitutional reforms. Another
official of the former opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change,
was arrested before polling began Saturday. No reasons were immediately
given for the arrest by four armed police of Sampson Magunise, a party
organizer in eastern Zimbabwe, but Charamba said Sunday he was a suspect in
an alleged gasoline bomb attack on a the car of a Mugabe party official.

Zimbabwe's official election body said Sunday an estimated 2 million people
cast their vote in a referendum on a new constitution that seeks to curb
presidential powers and strengthen human rights.

Judge Rita Makarau, head of the electoral commission, said the low estimate
came from early returns from the nation's 9,400 polling stations.

Zimbabwe has an estimated 6.6 million registered voters. Full results from
isolated areas are expected within five days.

Police enforced a clampdown on rights and pro-democracy groups in the run-up
to the referendum vote.

In recent weeks, police have seized documents, equipment and cheap wind-up
radio receivers from the offices of several rights and pro-democracy groups.

The radio receivers, capable of receiving broadcasts not controlled by
President Mugabe's state broadcasting monopoly, were declared illegal by
police under broadcast regulations. The broadcasts were used for Mugabe's
ZANU-PF party propaganda and were intensified around the referendum vote.
Rights groups have challenged the legality of the radio ban, arguing that
regular short-wave receivers and satellite television are not outlawed as
long as they are covered by routine state listeners' licenses.

Police regularly mount searches without complete warrants looking for
allegedly subversive materials said to be a threat to national security.
They insist private rights and media freedom groups are trying to incite
tensions between political parties ahead of crucial national elections later
in the year to end a shaky and acrimonious coalition between Tsvangirai and
Mugabe. The coalition was formed by regional mediators after the last
violent and disputed elections in 2008.

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

Associated Press reporter Gillian Gotora in Harare, Zimbabwe, contributed to
this report

Biti accuses Zanu PF of intimidation

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

17/03/2013 00:00:00
     by Staff Reporter I Agencies

ZIMBABWE’S longtime political rivals came together to vote 'Yes' in a
referendum to accept a new constitution Saturday, but the rare consensus
does not guarantee an end to political violence and intimidation ahead of
crucial elections later this year, the prime minister's party said.

Constitutional reform was a key demand of regional leaders mediating in the
southern African nation's decade-long political and economic crisis. Reform
was also a requirement for fresh elections to end a shaky and acrimonious
coalition they brokered after the last violent and disputed national polls
in 2008.

The new constitution allows for more democratic reforms that would curb long
entrenched presidential powers and punish perpetrators of human rights
violations.

However, Tendai Biti, the third ranking official in Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's party, said Saturday that political intimidation continued into
the vote.

Biti said the arrest of a senior provincial official for the Movement for
Democratic Change party by President Robert Mugabe's loyalist police on
Saturday, casts doubt on the prospect of free and fair elections slated for
around July.

Sampson Magunise, the party official in Headlands, was seized by four armed
police before referendum polling stations opened in the morning across the
country. No reasons for his arrest were given.

"This is illegal and unacceptable but it is typical of the environment we
are living in," Biti said.
Magunise's arrest followed attacks on four party's supporters putting up
referendum posters in Kariba and scuffles between rival youth groups in
Harare and Bulawayo on Friday.

Past elections

Past elections have been marred by violence and alleged vote rigging blamed
mostly on Mugabe's Zanu PF party.
Both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai said they voted 'Yes'
Saturday after all main party leaders called for the 170-page draft
constitution to be adopted.

"We will celebrate a 'Yes' vote but we cannot accept intimidation of any of
our members and then declare an election to be credible," Biti said.

Biti said regional polling observers will likely report Saturday's vote as
acceptable compared to "low standards of behavior" expected of Zimbabweans
seen at previous polls.

"We can't accept mediocrity when it comes to elections that wouldn't be
tolerated in other countries" during polling, he said.

He also claimed Zanu PF officials had campaigned for a ‘No’ vote in the
Midlands province.
“We have some Zanu PF officials campaigning for a NO vote in the Midlands
Province though the three political parties agreed to campaign for a YES
vote but because of factionalism in Zanu PF some are campaigning for a NO
vote in the Midlands province and have been intimidation voters” he said.

Mugabe said he voted 'Yes' to the home-grown constitution to show how
Zimbabwe mapped out its own future without outside interference.

"It gives us the right to determine together which way to govern ourselves,"
he said.
Mugabe, 89, who led the nation to independence from Britain in 1980, has
repeatedly accused Western governments of supporting efforts to oust him.

Mugabe, who voted at a school in western Harare with his wife Grace and his
daughter Bona, 22, said he wanted peace in all polling.

Turning point
"Those who want to fight are allowed to if they are boxers or wrestlers, but
to go about beating people in the streets, that's not allowed," he said.

Tsvangirai, 61, said a 'Yes' vote marked a new turning point "and one of the
most important historical steps" for the country after years of political
and economic turmoil. He said it paved the way for a new chapter of the rule
of law.

His supporters who have been killed in political violence over the past
decade "will rest in peace because this is the most important stage we have
been fighting for," Tsvangirai said. "I hope everyone will exercise their
vote as a preliminary step to free and fair elections."

Officials said polling was busy in populous districts, and small knots of
voters turned out early in remote areas and less populated or wealthier
suburbs.

The voting day was announced exactly a month ago, and critics say voters
were not given enough time to study the constitutional proposals in detail.
About 9,400 voting stations were set up and 12 million ballot papers have
been printed. Results are expected within five days.

Abigail Punungwe, a young mother with a baby on her back in a line at one
voting station in Harare, said she hadn't read the 170-page draft
constitution "but everyone is saying we must vote for it."

Elections monitors say printed copies were woefully inadequate in the two
main local languages. Many rural Zimbabweans don't speak or read English.
Monitors also pointed to only 200 braille copies being produced for the
country's 40,000 blind people.

Cumbersome voters' lists were not used. The country has 6.6 million
registered voters, but on Saturday all Zimbabweans over the age of 18
carrying a valid identification document were able to vote during more than
12 hours of polling.

Polling stations using indelible finger ink on the hands of those who have
already voted will stay open later into the evening if voters are still in
line at the closing time.

Presidential powers

Voting lines over 200 meters long in Harare had tapered off by Saturday
afternoon.

Munganyi Nyarai, a polling officer in Mbare, said more young people voted
early at her post than in usual elections.
The draft constitution reduces presidential powers to pass authoritarian
decrees and paves the way for a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
on past violence and human rights violations.

It also strengthens the bill of rights to protect all Zimbabweans from
"torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment" that would
be enforced by a new Constitutional Court with powers above the main
existing highest court of appeal, the Supreme Court.

In urging supporters to vote 'Yes,' Mugabe's party says the draft recognizes
as irreversible the seizure of thousands of white-owned commercial farms
which have since 2000 been handed over to blacks.

Black empowerment programs and the taking of control of foreign-owned mines
and businesses by locals would also be irreversible.

Zanu PF says the draft honors fighters who ended colonial rule after a
seven-year bush war with white-led troops of the former colony of Rhodesia,
as Zimbabwe was known before independence in 1980.

Small groups who have campaigned for a 'No' vote say the referendum is a
compromise that doesn't meet the aspirations for change of ordinary
Zimbabweans.

"The constitution has been taken over by politicians and doesn't reflect the
true wishes of the people. It is a betrayal of generations to come," said
voter Philimon Jambaya, 23.

2 million voted in referendum

http://www.news24.com/

2013-03-17 20:34

Harare - Zimbabwe's official election body says an estimated two million
people have cast their vote in a referendum on a new constitution that seeks
to curb presidential powers and strengthen human rights.

Judge Rita Makarau, who heads the electoral commission, said on Sunday the
low estimate came from early returns from the nation's 9 400 polling
stations.

Zimbabwe has an estimated 6.6 million registered voters.

All main political parties had called for a "Yes" vote amid fears of a low
voter turnout.

Zimbabweans were given just three weeks to read the 170 page draft of the
constitution.

Makarau said the voting was carried out peacefully.

Vote counting began late on Saturday and full results from isolated areas
are expected within five days.

Confusion over ‘aliens’ in referendum poll

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Richard Chidza, Staff Writer
Sunday, 17 March 2013 13:04
HARARE - The issue of Zimbabwean citizenship once again came to the foe
yesterday as confusion reigned supreme in a poll to adopt or reject a draft
charter crafted by a committee of Parliament.

Unspecified but large numbers were turned away because they did not qualify
as citizens.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spokesperson Lovemore Sekeramayi confirmed the
referendum was open to citizens only.

“Prospective voters have to produce a plastic or metal identity card, a
green waiting pass with a picture affixed or a passport that indicates if
they are a citizen.

“Those with an ‘Alien’ classification are not eligible to vote. On whether
they will vote if the draft is adopted is entirely another matter,”
Sekeramayi said.

Across the country, reports indicated that hordes of Zimbabweans of foreign
descent were turned away while those that had brought their driver’s
licences could not vote because the metal disc did not indicate whether one
is a citizen of not.

“We have turned away some people because they did not meet the criteria but
I do not have the numbers now,” Simon Saunyama, polling officer in charge of
Marondera Central command centre, told the Daily News.

At Ruwa Polyclinic in Goromonzi South, 20 people had been turned away by
mid-morning, according to officials while in other areas officials refused
to provide figures.

The new draft constitution, if adopted, will allow dual citizenship and the
debate that raged during its crafting might have aroused the interest of
citizens.

Zimbabweans in the “alien” category voted in the early years of independence
before authorities invoked a constitutional clause that disenfranchised a
very large section of society.

Critics accused President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF of punishing people of
foreign descent because they voted against his party in the 2000 referendum
that rejected a government sponsored draft and subsequent elections before
the “ban”.

In a moment of anger following his referendum loss in 2000 Mugabe described
this group of citizens as “totemless people”.

Zim referendum count under way

http://www.iol.co.za

March 17 2013 at 11:31am
By SAPA

Harare - Zimbabwe was on Sunday tallying the ballots from a constitutional
referendum that looked set to curb President Robert Mugabe's powers and tee
up crucial elections in the violence-plagued nation.

The first incomplete trickle of results pointed to landslide backing for the
text, which would introduce presidential term limits, beef up parliament's
powers and set polls to decide whether the 89-year-old Mugabe stays in
power.

Mugabe has ruled uninterrupted since the country's independence in 1980,
despite a series of disputed and violent polls and a severe economic crash
propelled by hyper-inflation.

The draft constitution is part of an internationally backed plan to get the
country on track. Zimbabweans' verdict on the draft is expected to be known
within five days of the voting.

According to the Movement of Democratic Change, the party of Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai, of nearly 90,000 votes intially counted in the second
city of Bulawayo only 6,250 were against the draft.

Mugabe has backed the proposed constitution, which enshrines his drive to
put land in the hands of black Zimbabweans. Also, the clauses are not
retroactive so he could if re-elected remain president for another 10 years.

His political rival Tsvangirai has also lent his support to the text,
although turnout is expected to be low.

But that has not prevented the threat of violence from looming over the
vote, as party militants keep one eye on the general election.

A vote is expected to take place in July, but doubts remain about whether it
can take place as planned.

Shortly before polls opened Saturday, gunmen later identified as
plainclothes police detectives seized a member of Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) from his home northeast of Harare.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba told AFP Samson Magumura had been
arrested on charges of attempted murder in connection with a recent firebomb
attack that injured a Mugabe ally.

While casting his vote on Saturday, Mugabe, whom many blame for past unrest,
urged Zimbabweans to ensure the referendum proceeded peacefully.

“You can't go about beating people on the streets, that's not allowed, we
want peace in the country, peace, peace,” he said.

Mugabe, the target of 11 years of Western sanctions over political violence
and rights abuses, also used the opportunity to vow the United States and
European countries would not be allowed to monitor the upcoming general
election.

“The Europeans and the Americans have imposed sanctions on us and we keep
them out in the same way they keep us out,” he said.

Tsvangirai on Saturday expressed hope that a positive outcome would help
catapult the country out of a crisis marked by bloodshed and economic
meltdown.

He hoped the vote would move Zimbabwe “from a culture of impunity to a
culture of constitutionalism”.

Turnout, which was slow at first, picked up slightly as the day progressed,
said Rita Makarau, chairwoman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which
has registered around six million eligible voters.

School teacher Petronella Dzikiti said she voted in favour of the new
constitution, in part because it would introduce presidential term limits.

“We don't want a situation like we have today, where some of us knew one
leader as a child who remains there when we are grown-ups,” the 36-year-old
said outside a polling station in Chitungwiza, near the capital.

Ä Mugabe could rule until 99 Ä

The new constitution would for the first time put a definite, if distant,
end date on Mugabe's rule.

Presidents would be allowed to serve two terms of five years each, meaning
Mugabe could rule until 2023, when he would be 99

years old.

The text would also strip away presidential immunity after leaving office,
bolster the power of the courts, and set up a peace and reconciliation
commission tasked with post-conflict justice and healing.

In the run-up to the vote, violence did not approach the levels seen in the
disputed 2008 elections.

At least 180 people were killed then and 9,000 injured in a crisis that
ultimately forced Mugabe and Tsvangirai into a power-sharing government.
Fears of a return to bloodshed are rife.

“The situation will get more politically tense, but it won't be as violent
as in 2008... because of the politics of inclusive government,” said
commentator Takura Zhangazha.

On the eve of the referendum, several MDC members, including a parliamentary
candidate, were beaten up as they put up posters backing the draft
constitution.

The authorities have also been accused of targeting pro-democracy groups by
arresting their leaders and seizing equipment.

Tsvangirai called on SADC leaders to meet for an urgent summit, to help
ensure the election is fair and free of violence and intimidation.

Observers fear there may not be enough time to apply all the necessary
reforms to ensure a healthier political environment before the next
elections. - Sapa-AFP

Early results point to 'Yes' vote landslide

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

17/03/2013 00:00:00
     by Agencies

ELECTION officials were on Sunday tallying the ballots from a constitutional
referendum that looked set to curb President Robert Mugabe's powers and tee
up crucial elections in the violence-plagued nation.

The first incomplete trickle of results pointed to landslide backing for the
text, which would introduce presidential term limits, beef up parliament's
powers and set polls to decide whether the 89-year-old Mugabe stays in
power.

Mugabe has ruled uninterrupted since the country's independence in 1980,
despite a series of disputed and violent polls and a severe economic crash
propelled by hyper-inflation.

The draft constitution is part of an internationally backed plan to get the
country on track. Zimbabweans' verdict on the draft is expected to be known
within five days of the voting.

According to the Movement of Democratic Change, the party of Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai, of nearly 90,000 votes intially counted in the second
city of Bulawayo only 6,250 were against the draft.

Mugabe has backed the proposed constitution, which enshrines his drive to
put land in the hands of black Zimbabweans. Also, the clauses are not
retroactive so he could if re-elected remain president for another 10 years.

His political rival Tsvangirai has also lent his support to the text,
although turnout is expected to be low.
But that has not prevented the threat of violence from looming over the
vote, as party militants keep one eye on the general election.

A vote is expected to take place in July, but doubts remain about whether it
can take place as planned.
Shortly before polls opened Saturday, gunmen later identified as
plainclothes police detectives seized a member of Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) from his home northeast of Harare.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba told AFP Samson Magumura had been
arrested on charges of attempted murder in connection with a recent firebomb
attack that injured a Mugabe ally.

While casting his vote on Saturday, Mugabe, whom many blame for past unrest,
urged Zimbabweans to ensure the referendum proceeded peacefully.

"You can't go about beating people on the streets, that's not allowed, we
want peace in the country, peace, peace," he said.
Mugabe, the target of 11 years of Western sanctions over political violence
and rights abuses, also used the opportunity to vow the United States and
European countries would not be allowed to monitor the upcoming general
election.

"The Europeans and the Americans have imposed sanctions on us and we keep
them out in the same way they keep us out," he said.
Tsvangirai on Saturday expressed hope that a positive outcome would help
catapult the country out of a crisis marked by bloodshed and economic
meltdown.

He hoped the vote would move Zimbabwe "from a culture of impunity to a
culture of constitutionalism".
Turnout, which was slow at first, picked up slightly as the day progressed,
said Rita Makarau, chairwoman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which
has registered around six million eligible voters.

School teacher Petronella Dzikiti said she voted in favour of the new
constitution, in part because it would introduce presidential term limits.

"We don't want a situation like we have today, where some of us knew one
leader as a child who remains there when we are grown-ups," the 36-year-old
said outside a polling station in Chitungwiza, near the capital.

The new constitution would for the first time put a definite, if distant,
end date on Mugabe's rule.
Presidents would be allowed to serve two terms of five years each, meaning
Mugabe could rule until 2023, when he would be 99 years old.

The text would also strip away presidential immunity after leaving office,
bolster the power of the courts, and set up a peace and reconciliation
commission tasked with post-conflict justice and healing.

In the run-up to the vote, violence did not approach the levels seen in the
disputed 2008 elections.
At least 180 people were killed then and 9,000 injured in a crisis that
ultimately forced Mugabe and Tsvangirai into a power-sharing government.
Fears of a return to bloodshed are rife.

"The situation will get more politically tense, but it won't be as violent
as in 2008... because of the politics of inclusive government," said
commentator Takura Zhangazha.

On the eve of the referendum, several MDC members, including a parliamentary
candidate, were beaten up as they put up posters backing the draft
constitution.

The authorities have also been accused of targeting pro-democracy groups by
arresting their leaders and seizing equipment.
Tsvangirai called on SADC leaders to meet for an urgent summit, to help
ensure the election is fair and free of violence and intimidation.

Observers fear there may not be enough time to apply all the necessary
reforms to ensure a healthier political environment before the next
elections.

SADC electoral commissions commend referendum handling

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

17.03.13

by Edgar Gweshe

The voting process in Zimbabwe’s constitutional referendum was peaceful and
orderly, the Electoral Commissions Forum of the Southern African Development
Community has said.

The ECF-SADC comprises 15 SADC member states and was launched in 1998. It
aims to promote conditions conducive for free, fair and transparent
elections in southern Africa.

The ECF-SADEC commenced its work on 13 March and was composed of Electoral
Commissions from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Namibia, Zambia and South Africa.

The head of the Commission, Fako Likoti, commended the manner in which the
referendum was held while addressing journalists in the capital today.

“The mission observed that the voting process was peaceful and orderly.
Voters cast their ballots freely and without any intimidation. Secrecy of
the ballot seemed to have been well protected and voters needing assistance
were duly assisted throughout the polling stations visited,” said Likoti.

He said that counting of votes at polling stations was carried out
transparently and meticulously. However, Likoti said that observers were
more visible at polling stations in urban areas than at centres in rural
areas. He said that there were isolated cases of voting centres opening
late.

He added: “Indelible ink was used but its usage was not uniform in that it
had the potential of spilling on electoral material. In addition, the unsafe
hygienic use of the ink could be a health hazard.

Signage was provided at all polling stations but was not visible enough.”
The ECF-SADEC recommended that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should
enhance its readiness to handle polls.

“The Commission recommends that ZEC enhances its poll readiness to ensure
timely dispatching of election material to polling stations.

This should include contingency planning and ensuring the arrival of polling
material well ahead of polling day.

“Greater attention should be given to voter education especially on the
identification requirements to vote,” said Likoti.

He emphasised the need for more practice oriented training to ensure
consistency and uniformity in the handling of the polling process.

Referendum was “smooth” despite some hitches-ZESN

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

17.03.13

by Tarisai Jangara

The referendum on a new constitution that was held yesterday was generally
peaceful and smooth with very few incidents of violations, says the Zimbabwe
Election Support Network.

ZESN was an independent election observer during the referndum.

Addressing journalists at a press conference today on the preliminary
findings of the constitutional referendum that was held yesterday, ZESN
Chairperson, Solomon Zwana, commended the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for
putting together logistical support within a short period.

ZESN deployed 600 observers across the country to monitor the voting process
yesterday.

“Though the process is not yet over, we commend ZEC for responding timeously
and professionally to concerns of the observers,” he said.

Zwana said the opening of polling stations was smooth with stations having
adequate materials to commence voting process.

“There were a few reports of missing materials at polling stations, such as
the ZEC stamp and indelible ink but the vast majority of the stations were
properly set up. The processing of voters was efficient which reduced the
waiting time for most voters,” Zwana said.

However ZESN expressed concern over reports relating to violations of
procedures at some polling stations.

“ There were reports of unauthorised persons in the polling stations, ZEC
officials lacking identification badges and an incident of a Zanu

(PF) supporter in Mataga, Midlands Province who was taking down names of the
people who had voted,” explained Zwana.

ZESN urged ZEC to address the referendum shortcomings before the harmonised
elections which are expected later this year.

“Police officers should be deployed outside polling stations, sufficient
voter education should be conducted and there should be early
decentralisation of the accreditation process,” he said.

Mugabe to attend Pope’s inauguration

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

17/03/2013 00:00:00
     by Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe would attend this week's inauguration mass for Pope
Francis, a presidential official said, with the staunchly Catholic leader
set to leave for Rome on Sunday.
"Yes, he is attending," the official told AFP, adding that the veteran
leader's trip would not be affected by the European Union travel ban because
"the Vatican is a state on its own".

Argentina’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis I last Wednesday,
becoming the first Latin American pontiff in a surprise decision that
signalled a desire for a more open Catholic Church.

The Vatican is preparing for his inauguration on Tuesday.
Francis replaced 85-year-old predecessor Benedict XVI, who shocked the world
last month by becoming the first pope to resign for seven centuries.

Mugabe visited the Vatican in May 2011 for the beatification of the late
pope John Paul II. In 2005, he attended John Paul II's funeral on a visit
that drew controversy after Britain's Prince Charles shook hands with him.

The 89-year Mugabe has been barred from travelling to the EU for more than a
decade because of concerns about vote rigging and rights abuses.

The Vatican is a sovereign city-state that is not part of the European
Union, although to attend the ceremony Mugabe would have to transit through
Rome.

Travelling under UN auspices, Mugabe also went to Rome in 2008 for a summit
of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He was flying out on Sunday, a day after Zimbabwe held a referendum on the
constitution that saw aides of his rival and coalition government partner
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai arrested.

The new constitution, which is expected to be adopted, would dramatically
trim Mugabe's powers and limits presidential terms.

Referendum no litmus test – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 16th March 2013

Mark Beacon (ACTSA) with ballot box

One polling station where there was no apathy was outside the London Embassy where more than 100 Zimbabwean exiles gathered on Referendum Day.  We were joined by Mark Beacon of Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), formerly the Anti-Apartheid Movement, who said ‘we must make sure that the world does not see the referendum as a litmus test for the elections’.

Mark said a peaceful referendum was no guide to what will happen in the coming elections. The next few months would be crucial given the telltale signs already present of intimidation and violence which characterized Zanu PF’s electioneering in the past. He insisted that for the elections to be credible there would have to be assurances that the security forces were prepared to accept democratic change and that the army and the police would not be partisan, that there would be an accurate voters’ roll, a free media with equal access by all parties, a repeal of restrictive legislation and international as well as regional observers in place 3 months before and 3 months after the elections.

The Vigil and ACTSA marked Referendum Day by inviting people to write messages of hope for free and fair elections on red paper roses which were deposited in a transparent voting box. They will be used to form a montage which we will display before the elections expected in July. The only sour note was cast by President Mugabe (played by Fungayi Mabhunu in our Mugabe mask) who, asked to vote for freedom, voted no.

The main event of the day was the presentation of a petition to 10 Downing Street by the Vigil’s sister organization Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR). The petition appealed to the UK government not to send home failed asylum seekers in the face of likely election violence.

A letter to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said there had been a disturbing campaign of police harassment of civil society organisations ahead of the elections, accompanied by increasing violence. The letter went on ‘We expect the situation to worsen as polling approaches because President Mugabe’s Zanu PF thugs are given impunity by the police to terrorise opponents’ (for text of letter, see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/press-releases/480-uk-zimbabweans-appeal-to-cameron).

An arresting image were the skirts in Zimbabwean colours worn by ROHR ladies. They treated us to an exuberant dancing display outside 10 Downing Street. Thanks to Consolata Ngwenya for making the skirts. She was one of the 6 delegates who presented the petition. The others were: Cynthia Mutede, Zenzile Chabuka, Helen Rukambiro, Mary Muteyerwa and Bryne Mashonganyika.

ROHR spokesperson Fungayi summed up our view: ‘The referendum is a charade. President Mugabe has once again outwitted the Movement for Democratic Change. Four years and more than $100 million have been wasted on this defective constitution when what is really needed is action to ensure free and fair elections’.

Other points

·         We were happy to be joined by David Wilkins who has taken a close interest in Zimbabwe. David is blind with a genetic defect which also affects his brother – Norrie disease. He interviewed some of us for a BBC World Service programme.

·         Vigil supporters read with interest a report that SADC leaders are in despair at the MDC’s failure to insist on implementation of GPA measures which would help secure free and fair elections (SADC leaders lose faith in MDC parties – https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/mar16b_2013.html#Z5 and Editor’s Memo: Tsvangirai won’t have anyone to blame – https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/mar16b_2013.html#Z12). As we gathered on Referendum Saturday there was speculation about which job Tsvangirai will be given in the next GNU. Second Vice President was thought the most likely. It would recognize his contribution (yet keep him safely away from power). The MDC can argue that he will be able to restrain the worst excesses of Zanu PF and gain recognition from African leaders. The good thing about GNU2, the MDC will say, is that it has avoided genocide / economic collapse / starvation / the assassination of MDC leaders etc. And yes, they will point out, the constitution can be amended by a two-thirds majority to provide for 1,000 more MPs to reward hard working party members. Harare wasn’t built in a day . . .

·         The Zimbabwe Association has sent us some new information on the situation of asylum seekers and other matters which can be accessed on the following links:

-         http://zimbabweassociation.org.uk/detention/detainee-and-removals-update/ – new briefing

-         http://zimbabweassociation.org.uk/drop-in-centres/jobs/ – more jobs

-         http://zimbabweassociation.org.uk/information/country-information/ – new information on Zimbabwe

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website.

FOR THE RECORD: 98 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

·         Round 15 of the Free Zimbabwe Global Campaign (FZGC). Saturday 23^rd March. Meet at the Zimbabwe Embassy at 2 pm.

·         ROHR Leicester Branch meeting. Saturday 23^rd March from 1 – 4.30 pm. Venue: The Brite Centre, Braunstone Ave, Braunstone LE3 1LE. Contact: Christopher Kamuzonde 07449150041, Enniah Dube  07403439707 and Brain Mashonganyika 07450547313.

·         Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 6^th April from 6.30 – 9.30 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. The Strand is the same road as the Vigil. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a big sign high above and a sign for its famous Indian restaurant at street level. It's next to a newsagent. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn. Next ZAF: Saturday 20^nd April same time and venue.

·         Launch of ROHR Leeds Branch. Saturday 6^th April. More details to follow.

·         Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2012 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/the-vigil-diary/467-vigil-highlights-2012.  Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2012 Highlights page.

·         The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.

·         Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

·         Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil...

·         Useful websites: www.zanupfcrime.com which reports on Zanu PF abuses and www.ipaidabribe.org.zw where people can report corruption in Zimbabwe.

Vigil co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.

Problems with Observer Accreditation