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Mugabe torturers confess as Church starts quest for reconciliation

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

April 17, 2009

Jan Raath in Chitungwiza
Harry is a former torturer. He is also at the heart of an experiment to
bring peace and reconciliation to Zimbabwe.

Ten months ago, in the bloody run-off to the Zimbabwean presidential
elections, he was a commander of a torture base for President Mugabe's Zanu
(PF) party in the sprawling township of Chitungwiza, 20 miles (30km) south
of Harare.

He was one of thousands of previously "untouchable" Zanu (PF) thugs who
murdered as many as 180 people and tortured thousands to make sure that the
election went Mr Mugabe's way. He controlled mobs of rampaging youths who
sought out supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and
subjected them to unspeakable torture.

Now, seven weeks after the establishment of the coalition Government between
Zanu (PF) and the MDC, he cannot sleep at night for fear that his house will
be burnt down in retribution. He says that he is so racked with guilt that
he contemplates suicide. He is frightened to go to the grocery store. He
will not accept a meal from anyone in case it is poisoned and often spends
the night in the bush.

Harry talks only when we drive to a secluded spot far from the crowded,
garbage-strewn street that he lives in. "Maybe one morning, I will wake up
murdered," he says. "I know other people won't forget what happened."

They may never forget but there is some hope that they may forgive, thanks
to a new reconciliation effort. Last October three researchers from the
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Zimbabwe began
interviewing hundreds of torture victims. "It was just horrible," said Joel
Nkunsane, a co-ordinator. "We were reopening the wounds. We were listening,
then we would leave them in pain, without giving any help."

The church-funded organisation set up a reconciliation process in
Chitungwiza, starting with a three-day group therapy workshop involving 17
victims. Getting Zanu (PF) perpetrators to attend was far more difficult but
they managed to attract seven - one of whom was Harry.

"He was sweating and shaking when he started," said Mr Nkunsane. "The guilt
with him is still there. He said what he did was evil, that he caused death
and suffering. He and the others said they wanted to look into the eyes of
their neighbours and stay in harmony. They want to go back and talk it out."

George Simango, 28, is the head of the MDC in one of the wards in
Chitungwiza. On the night before the election, he was dragged out of his
home and beaten and had boiling water poured over his back. Red-hot embers
were shovelled into the T-shirt that he was wearing and he was forced to lie
on it.

Mr Simango has kept the burnt T-shirt. "For the time, I cannot forgive," he
said. "But revenge is not the way. The only thing I want is a law that they
should confess, give details of what they did and who sent them."

Mr Nkunsane also believes that a public acknowledgement of the acts of
violence - that goes right to the top of the political parties responsible -
is critical for a process of reconciliation across the country, along the
lines of the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South
Africa.

"I fear they may go for a process of blanket amnesty, call it a time of
madness and say let bygones be bygones," he said. "If that happens, there is
never going to be a time that we can have another election without
bloodshed."


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Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai Names Ministerial Team to Examine Farm Seizures

http://www.voanews.com/

     

      By Blessing Zulu
      Washington
      16 April 2009

An attempt Thursday by Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to take
President Robert Mugabe to task on issues causing friction within their
unity government was deflected by Mr. Mugabe who said such discussions
should only involve signatories of the September 2008 power-sharing
agreement which is the basis for their co-governance, political sources
said.

Such vexed questions include ongoing invasions of white-owned commercial
farms, President Mugabe's recent unilateral reassignment of some ministerial
portfolio responsibilities, and a wide range of top-level appointments
including that of the central bank governor. Those appointments have been an
issue since before the government's formation in February.

The meeting called Thursday by Mr. Tsvangirai involved not only himself and
Mr. Mugabe but also Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, the third
power-sharing signatory, plus Mr. Mugabe's two vice presidents and Deputy
Prime Minister Thokozane Khupe.

Mr. Mugabe deferred the discussion, saying only the power-sharing principals
can resolve such fundamental disputes. Political sources said Mr. Tsvangirai
and Mutambara were trying to schedule a meeting of the power-sharing
principals on Friday or Monday.

But sources in Mr. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party said the president was not likely
to budge on the various issues brought up by Mr. Tsvangirai.

Despite Thursday's setback, Mr. Tsvangirai appointed a ministerial team, led
by Mutambara, to look into the farm takeovers, which Mr. Mugabe and ZANU-PF
characterize as land reform "mop-up" or consolidation operations rather than
new farm invasions.

The team includes Co-Home Affairs Ministers Kembo Mohadi of ZANU-PF and
Giles Mutsekwa of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (Mutambara
heads a rival grouping of the MDC), Agriculture Minister Joseph Made and
Lands Minister Herbert Murerwa, both of ZANU-PF, and Minister of State
Gorden Moyo, who is attached to Tsvangirai's office.

Sources said the ministerial team starting Friday will start making
unannounced visits to three farms caught up in the alleged takeovers, and
report to Mr. Tsvangirai on Monday.

Responding to Mr. Mugabe's call for the government to speak with a single
voice about lifting Western sanctions against the president and his inner
circle, Mr. Tsvangirai responded in a statement that there is a "more urgent
need to condemn farm invasions with one voice."

The prime minister said the farm invasions are counterproductive and condemn
Zimbabweans to perpetual hunger by undermining the country's agricultural
capacity.

Tsvangirai spokesman James Maridadi told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's
Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that although the meeting did not address Mr.
Tsvangirai's agenda, the top six officials engaged a discussion on how they
might work together more effectively.


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Refund demanded from overpaid soldiers

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15255

April 17, 2009

By Our Correspondent

GWANDA - Soldiers banking with Agribank here received a pleasant surprise on
Wednesday after an error in the banking system resulted in their getting
double their allowance of US$100 per month.

The bank has now demanded that the soldiers refund the excess payment.

The soldiers discovered that a US$100 windfall had been deposited in their
accounts, along with their $100 regular monthly allowance only to be told
the extra deposit had been made in error.

The soldiers, who have been clamouring for a monthly payment of US$500, had
earlier in the week threatened a wave of unrest unless their allowances were
reviewed upwards.

Member of the armed forces last year went on a rampage in protest over poor
salaries as the result of a generally collapsed economy.

When they found US$200 had been deposited in their accounts this week the
elated soldiers assumed that the government had finally succumbed to their
demands in order to avert a threatened uprising.

A soldier who spoke to The Zimbabwe Time on condition of anonymity said bank
authorities called later notifying him that his account had been overdrawn
by US$100 following a bank system error.

A teller at Agribank said the salaries of an undisclosed number of soldiers
had been punched into the system twice in error, resulting in the
overpayment. He said those who benefited from the error had since been asked
to redeposit the excess. It was not clear whether any had done so by
Thursday.

The government faces the prospect of an uprising by civil servants who have
complained that the US$100 allowance they are currently receiving per month
is grossly inadequate.

School teachers, who are currently on holiday, have threatened not to return
to class at the beginning of the new term unless their demands for a hefty
salary increase are met.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Tendai Biti disclosed that government
was experiencing a serious shortage of funds and could, therefore, not
increase the allowances of civil servants.

He said the financial system was operating on a "we eat what we gather"
basis with government expenditure being determined by its revenue receipts.


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Zim asks UN agencies to carry out crop, food assessments

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Cuthbert Nzou Friday 17 April 2009

HARARE - Zimbabwe's Ministry of Agriculture has requested two United Nations
agencies to carry out crop and food supply assessments later this month
ahead of the annual harvest season.

According to ministry sources, the Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and
the World Food Programme (WFP) have been invited to the country to carry out
the exercise amid reports of hunger in some parts of the country.

"FAO and WFP officials will soon be in the country to carry out crop and
food supply assessment exercises from April 27 to May 15," said the source.
"The mission comprises of experts from Rome (Italy) who will work with
Agritex officials in carrying out the field assessments across the country."

Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made could not be reached for comment
yesterday as his mobile phone continued to ring unanswered.

Last month, Made declined to forecast the expected yield for the 2008/9
cropping season before government carries out what he termed a secondary
crop assessment.

The assessment comes at a time when a WFP last week said Zimbabwe's
humanitarian situation was likely to improve after the annual harvest.

The programme's information officer Richard Lee however said the situation
would continue to be dire for people with limited access to foreign
currency, following the introduction of a multi-currency national payment
system.

Following shortages of agricultural inputs last year and reported cases of
farm disruptions targeting white commercial farmers, the Commercial Farmers
Union (CFU) last month projected a drop in maize production from last year's
output.

Maize production is expected to drop to 397 000 tonnes. - ZimOnline


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Boost for Zimbabwe tourism as US lifts travel warnings

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Andrew Moyo Friday 17 April 2009

HARARE - The United States (US) has lifted crippling travel warnings slapped
on Zimbabwe nine years ago, Harare tourism officials said Thursday.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Karikoga Kaseke told
reporters that travel warnings officially lifted on April 8 2009.

Kaseke said the decision to lift the warnings followed months of months of
discussions between the ZTA and US embassy officials in Harare who in turn
advised President Barrack Obama's administration to give the all clear to US
nationals wishing to visit the southern African country.

"It is the best thing that has happened to us," said Kaseke, who spoke told
reporters after a meeting at the ZTA offices with US consul in Harare, James
Jimenez.

There was no immediate confirmation by the US mission the claims by Kaseke
that would represent a small but positive shift in relations between
Washington and Harare.

In addition to regular travel warnings, the US and its Western allies also
cut direct support to the Harare and imposed visa and financial sanctions
against President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle as punishment for
failure to uphold democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

The sanctions against Mugabe and his top lieutenants remain in place and
direct financial aid also stays blocked.

The US and the European Union have said they want a unity government formed
by Mugabe and longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai last February to
implement genuine and comprehensive political and economic reforms before
they can lift sanctions and provide direct support to Harare

But the lifting of travel warnings to Zimbabwe will assist the country's
once vibrant tourism sector rebound after years of decline due to political
violence and humanitarian crisis that scared away visitors.

The US and rich Western countries have been the traditional source market
for Zimbabwe's tourism sector even after Mugabe's government promoted a new
'Look East' policy after his quarrel with America and Europe.

Kaseke expressed hope that the lifting of US travel warnings would influence
other Western nations to follow suit.

"There will be no more warnings against US citizens travelling to Zimbabwe
but just guidance .. and we hope we will see more of these warnings being
lifted," he said.

Zimbabwe's new unity government between President Robert Mugabe and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has placed the tourism industry at the core of
its efforts to turnaround the economy after years of a political stalemate
and economic decline affected arrivals from Western countries.

However, the country faces major challenges in refurbishing airports, roads,
telecommunications, hotels and other related infrastructure, as well as
repairing the tainted image before arrivals can hit South Africa's levels of
11 million. - ZimOnline


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Dabengwa to address ZAPU in SA

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15242

April 17, 2009

By Mxolisi Ncube

JOHANNESBURG - A branch of the revived ZAPU in South Africa will this
weekend hold two mass meetings in Johannesburg aimed at drumming up support
for the party.

According to party sources, the meetings to be held at Booysen's Hotel, will
be addressed by ZAPU's interim national chairman Dumiso Dabengwa.

ZAPU is also seeking to re-establish links with South Africa's ruling
African National Congress (ANC) and its former military wing, Umkhonto
Wesizwe.

"The meetings will discuss ZAPU and ZIPRA properties and how they can be
resourced so that they can become good fundraising projects," said a source
from within the party.

ZAPU announced it was ending the unity agreement signed in 1987 with
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF.

"Dabengwa will be the guest of honour and main speaker at the Saturday
meeting, which will culminate in a solidarity march with the ANC, in a bid
to drum up support for the South African party as it goes to elections on
April 22."

The meeting is expected to take place between 1pm and 3pm, while the
following day, most of the party's members are expected to join hands with
the ANC during its Siyanqoba election campaign rally at Ellis Park Stadium.

"Our relationship with both the ANC and Umkhonto Wesizwe dates back to our
days of formation and the liberation struggle and we would want to
re-establish that relationship," added the party source.

ZAPU's interim chairman for the South African province, Dubizizwe Joli, also
confirmed the meeting.

He said Dabengwa would be the guest speaker, adding that the ZAPU leader was
expected to spell out the party's agenda. "I can confirm that Dabengwa will
be our guest speaker at the Saturday meeting," said Joli.
"
He will present himself to the people and explain the reasons behind the
revival of ZAPU and how the party should participate in solving the current
problems that are bedevilling Zimbabwe.

"He will also advise people on ZAPU's stance on the current political
situation and how members can contribute in the writing of the country's
constitution."

Themba Khanye, the organizer of the former ZIPRA forces, also confirmed that
the former freedom fighters would hold their meeting at Booysen's Hotel
Sunday.

"The first meeting will be for the ZAPU party and we (ex-ZIPRA) will attend
it as part of the party's members," said Khanye Thursday evening.

"On Sunday, while other ZAPU members join hands with the ANC in its
Siyanqoba march, former ZIPRA members will then hold their own meeting at
the same hotel."

Khanye said they expected a massive turnout of the ex-combatants in a venue
with an estimated capacity of 500 people.

He also confirmed that the meeting would discuss ZIPRA properties that have
been regained from various companies. The properties were being run by a
joint membership of the ZAPU military wing and ZANLA - the former military
wing of ZANU.

"We want to raise funds that will enable us to resource those properties and
fund the two bodies - the party and ex-ZIPRA membership," added Khanye.

He said that the meeting would also be attended by some former ZIPRA members
who are resident in Zimbabwe.

"Most former ZIPRA members are now resident here in South Africa and have
all been invited to the meeting, while we also expect a huge turnout from
those that are based in Zimbabwe, some of whom have already begun to
 arrive."

ZAPU received a boost at the beginning of last month when about 1 000 people
converged at Hillbrow Theatre central Johannesburg to witness the official
launch of its structures in South Africa.

ZAPU was revived last year when some disgruntled former leaders pulled out
of a 1987 unity accord signed between President Robert Mugabe and former
ZAPU leader, the now late Joshua Nkomo.

They accused Mugabe of deliberately ignoring some of the requirements of the
accord.


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MDC to take action on its MPs

http://www.thetimes.co.za/

Moses Mudzwiti Published:Apr 17, 2009

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party will come down hard
on its MPs who joined the scramble for used cars belonging to the central
bank.

On Thursday state owned media reported that parliamentarians from President
Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF and Tsvangirai's MDC "scrambled" for cars on offer.

Zimbabwe has 210 MPs - all entitled to government subsidised vehicles. In
the past MPs preferred Isuzu 4X4 twin cabs.

But a few hours later Tsvangirai's party, which had cautioned its MPs
against accepting the cars, said stern action would be taken against
offenders.

"The central bank cannot be allowed to corrupt and poison the legislature,"
said the MDC.

"We do not have any report as a party that any of our MPs has collected a
vehicle from the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) but if there is any that
have done, then they have acted against the party position.

"Their case will be brought before the National Executive and the National
Council and these party organs will take a final decision on the matter,"
said the MDC.

The central bank under maverick governor Gideon Gono shoulders most of the
blame for the demise of the local currency and record inflation which peaked
at 2.3 million percent.

"It is disturbing to note that the RBZ continues to be abused and to abuse
itself by continuing to engage itself in quasi-fiscal operations," said the
MDC.

"Such operations should migrate to the government through the ministry of
finance. "

"The MDC believes that national institutions must refrain from those
activities that have run aground our economy."


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US insists on return to rule of law

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=15250

April 17, 2009

By Our Correspondent

HARARE - The United States government has insisted on a return to the rule
of law in Zimbabwe before it can heed calls by government to lift targeted
sanctions against Harare.

American ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee called on Deputy Prime Minister
Arthur Mutambara at the latter's Munhumutapa offices Thursday morning to
emphasise Washington's concerns.

McGee, who refused to address journalists after his meeting with Mutambara,
was accompanied by Dr Pearl-Alice Marsh of the United States House of
Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

He however described his brief session with the deputy premier as excellent.

Briefing journalists soon after his meeting with McGee, Mutambara said the
US had insisted on government meeting specific benchmarks before it could
lift its sanctions on targetted Zimbabwean leaders.

The US wants government to put meaningful progress on its pledges as
prescribed in a unity deal by Zanu-PF and the two Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) parties last September.

"We had a very fruitful exchange but they still insist they want to see
tangible, even small outcomes around rule of law, around inclusiveness,
around democracy on the farms," Mutambara said.

"The Americans are concerned about our misbehaviour, about transgressions
against ourselves.

"They are very keen to see results around the inclusive nature of this
government. They want to see an effective implementation of the outstanding
matters in the Global Political Agreement."

Fresh farm invasions instigated by influential government and Zanu-PF
officials have hit the country in recent weeks.

Dozens of white farmers have been prosecuted for refusing to vacate farms
designated for redistribution while arrests and prosecutions on political
opponents continue.

President Robert Mugabe has openly refused to abide by a November 2008
ruling by a SADC tribunal barring his government from grabbing the less than
400 commercial farms which still remain in the hands of white citizens.

Mutambara, who leads the smaller MDC party, maintains the US should lift its
sanctions against Zimbabwe even before the latter has met the conditions set
by the United States.

"The collapse of this government will benefit those who are undermining this
government," he said.

"So I told McGee and his friend that you must be careful as you deny us
assistance, as you deny us credit line and investment, you are actually
playing into the hands of those hawks and those foolish people who are
undermining this government because their desire is to see a collapse.

"The biggest loser in a collapse situation are the people of Zimbabwe. The
biggest losers in a collapse are Morgan Tsvangirai and Mutambara.

"Mugabe has failed already. Fifty quintillion percent inflation, 10 years of
destroying the economy, how can he fail more than that?"

Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, has been pleading for the
lifting of the sanctions imposed by the West against government leaders,
saying they are hurting the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe has invited his MDC partners to join him in condemning the sanctions.

He believes the voices of the MDC, which enjoys a fair amount of goodwill
within the international community, would leverage the eventual lifting of
the embargo.

Tsvangirai has, however, refused to condemn sanctions primarily targeted at
Mugabe and his inner circle.

Thrust at the deep end of efforts to reverse 10 years of economic recession
and unbridled corruption, Tsvangirai insists that Mugabe, now 85, should
instead join him in condemning the renewed farm invasions which he blames
for continuing to erode the credibility of the unity government.


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Beloved African

Please see the attached file for details of the new edition of this book
“There has been renewed interest in this moving story of the  efforts which took place in Rhodesia to equip the population sufficiently to allow them to run the country effectively  once Independence was gained.   In the event, the very short time allowed to provide not only the education, but the required life experience, was against any real chance of success.

This new edition has been published in the UK and is currently available through Amazon or from the publishers.   For anyone living in Australia, orders for signed copies can be taken from the website www.belovedafrican.com and it is hoped that copies will be available within a month.”


BELOVED AFRICAN
Author:    Jill Baker

web:     www.belovedafrican.com


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Zimbabwe at 29: a nation in need of healing

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/blog/?p=526

Posted By Alex Magaisa on 16
Apr, 2009 at 7:24 pm

THIS weekend, Zimbabwe celebrates her 29th birthday rather sadly, as a mere
shell of what it used to be; a shadow of what it could have been but for
inept management.

But make no mistake about it, the day of independence remains a national
occasion. It is a national day, one that cannot and should not be privatised
by individuals.

We may differ on the politics, the economics and many other indices but the
day of the nation's founding must not be denigrated. It is to that day to
which we must return to recover the values and aspirations that have been
eroded over the last 29 years.

It might seem odd to be in celebratory mood at a time when Zimbabwe is
literally on its knees, begging from whoever cares to listen. Indeed, at the
time of our independence, one of our great supporters, Mwalimu Julius
Nyerere, then President of Tanzania is said to have remarked to President
Mugabe, "You have inherited a jewel. Keep it that way."

To be sure, the liberated Zimbabwe was far developed than most of its
neighbours, except South Africa. It was the envy of most of Africa. But
looking at it now, it seems Mwalimu's words went unheeded.

It is not too difficult to understand those who view the day of independence
with scepticism. Indeed, one ironic circumstance is that in Ian Smith's
jails, President Mugabe and his comrades gained several academic degrees yet
in present-day jails, even a petty thief is literally condemned to die a
slow and painful death. Such is the gap in the way the colonial state and
the post-independence state treats the weakest members of society.

Yet, to my mind, the failures of individuals should not be allowed to
overshadow the sacrifices of the many men and women who gave life and limb
to overcome colonialism. It was a fight that needed to be pursued given the
circumstances of the time and they fought the good fight.

Indeed, it's a shame that they had to fight at all and in the process cause
more pain and suffering - the wounds of which have yet to heal. That their
surviving comrades have trampled on their sacrifices is cause not to
denigrate their efforts but to reflect on what needs to be done to fulfil
their dreams.

In my view, perhaps the biggest shortcoming is that Zimbabwe has never gone
through a process of what may be referred to as 'national healing'. National
healing defies easy definition; indeed, it is one of those phrases that are
used so often on the assumption that everyone knows what it means but upon
asking, no one can actually give a coherent answer! It could mean so many
things to so many people. I suspect there are many doctoral theses on the
subject!

To my mind, however, it symbolises a process, not a single event. At
independence, politicians gathered at Lancaster House in London, made a
political deal which they called the Constitution and exchanged seats, with
the new replacing the old and no more.

Although there was a lot of rhetoric about reconciliation, it never quite
translated into practice. There was nothing concrete done to heal the wounds
of the past. Too many things were swept under the Lancaster carpet.

Our politicians got back home and locked skeletons in the cupboard hoping
that no-one would discover them. In doing so, a bad precedent was created.
Over the years, more and more skeletons have been added into more and more
cupboards. That's because perpetrators have long known that there is no
accountability for wrongful actions or omissions. They have the mentality of
the jungle creature which survives simply because it is the fittest and can
trample upon the weakest, with no reason whatsoever to account for its
actions. Not surprisingly, over the years, the house of stones has become a
house of skeletons.

It is for this reason that the new inclusive administration needs to
seriously begin a process of national healing. How shall that be done?
National healing has to begin with the acknowledgement and acceptance that
there exists what may be termed a 'national wound'. This symbolises the
wrongful acts (or omissions) that have been committed against individuals
and communities over the years.

There has to be a process of identifying this national wound - these
wrongful things that have happened in the past. Some are obvious and
well-known such as the Matabeleland atrocities, others less so and perhaps
forgotten such as what happened during the colonial era and the war years.

This, therefore, raises the question of time-frames. At what point do you
begin to identify these wrongful acts? To my mind, this identification
process has to be extensive and comprehensive. It is not for me to set a
time-frame but it is plain that some of the problems that we have faced more
recently, around the land question for example, are manifestations of these
attempts to redress what are considered to be wrongs of the colonial era.
Clearly the government has for the past decade been guided by this memory of
the wrongful acts committed during colonialism.

Lancaster did little to address this matter. Instead it sought to maintain
the status quo, which was always going to be unsustainable in the long run.
The result has been disastrous, given the farm seizures that took place in
the last decade to the detriment of agricultural production. Yet what has
happened has also opened new wounds, upon those whose property was forcibly
taken this time around. This too, is a wound that will not go away. It has
to be attended to.

The liberation struggle of the 1970s was a valiant effort but it also
brought untold suffering among the people. Lives were lost and limbs were
broken on either side. But these wounds were not dealt with at independence
and they have continued to fester over the years.

Indeed, the atrocities committed against the people of Matabeleland opened
up a great wound upon the body of the nation. The memory of those atrocities
will not simply evaporate with time. It is a deep wound on the national
psyche and one that needs attention.

Likewise, the wrongful acts visited upon citizens under the guise of
Operation Murambatsvina in 2005. Then there is the violence, the killings
and torture, loss of property and various other wrongful acts committed
against individuals, especially during election periods.

Independence is as much about freedom as it is about putting minds to rest.
Zimbabwe is plagued by too many restless souls it's not surprising that it
continues to be mired in difficulty. The skeletons in the cupboard will
continue knocking.

I hope there will come a day when it will be universally recognised that
each one of us, that each tribe and race, despite our differences and
difficult past, has played a part in building Zimbabwe.

Each one of us, black or white has left an imprint on the body of the
nation. It is not because we choose to be Zimbabwean; it is because we are
Zimbabwean and can never be anything else however much we travel the world
and find new homes.

Many will testify, black or white, that however beautiful the grass appears
elsewhere, there is only one place we call home. It is the place that
carries our umbilical cords. It is the place to which we were joined at
birth.

Alex Magaisa is based at, Kent Law School, the University of Kent and can be
contacted at wamagaisa@yahoo.co.uk


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Zimbabwe's full recovery requires more than economic aid

http://www.zimonline.co.za

     

            by Crisford Chogugudza Friday 17 April 2009

OPINION: I, like many progressive minded Zimbabweans at home and in the
diaspora, was very excited following the grand decision by then opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to join
a unity government with President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party.

For once, l thought the opportunity had come for Zimbabwe to sort out its
mess and move forward from the double axis of evil and poverty.

It is true that many people received the news of this "arranged marriage"
with a degree of scepticism and a sense of betrayal. However, the most
important thing was that a new chapter in Zimbabwe's politics had been
opened and the country was never going to be the same again.

It must be stated in very categorical terms that Zimbabwe's transition to
full democracy and eventual economic recovery does not lie in the realm of
foreign aid alone.

Yes, foreign aid is urgent and very necessary but other aspects of
democratic transition deserve equal importance.

It is heartening that Prime Minister (PM) Tsvangirai, who now leads the
biggest coalition in government, agreed to join government in a fairly
junior but not necessarily inferior position, as people look up to him with
more reverence and hope than Mugabe.

The truth about this marriage of convenience is that there are many hurdles
ahead and overcoming them will be such a Herculean task; difficult but not
insurmountable.

Tsvangirai himself mentioned during his inauguration speech in February that
the road he had chosen to walk was not an easy one and he appealed for
patience from the people.

This was an exemplary statement which promotes reconciliation not reprisals
as is the case with ZANU PF, which continues to cause pain and mayhem in the
country even when they are expected to show a spirit of openness and
cooperation.

The pockets of resistance to the inclusive government that Tsvangirai has
recently mentioned are real and threaten the nature and pace of transition
in Zimbabwe.

What ZANU PF is doing is nothing new in situations similar to ours. ZANU PF
has never really experienced democracy within itself and let alone co-exist
with a democratic force. It will always try to use each and every tactic in
the book to frustrate those who believe in democracy.

But its success will depend on how far the MDC resists as the de facto
ruling party and how much confidence and support they receive from the
democracy-starved people.

Democracy will be elusive to Zimbabwe if there is no commitment to create
and strengthen institutions that support its existence. This is the major
challenge facing the unity government in Zimbabwe. The earlier these
institutions are strengthened or created the better.

Democracy is essentially not a simple action by any measure. It is a process
not an event. It is a state of mind that takes years to develop and mature.

Presuming that through a simple act of marking an X on a ballot sheet people
have arrived at a democracy is only a foolish assumption.

Democracy is measured by more than simply the right to vote, and not all
electoral democracies extend full democratic rights to their citizens. Full
democracies are defined as granting a range of rights and institutions, such
as elections, competitive political parties, the rule of law, independent
media, limits on the power of government officials, and an independent
judiciary.

These mechanisms allow citizens to communicate and organise among
themselves, choose their leaders freely, and participate in government
decisions'.

According to the Freedom House (2003); "The transition from autocracy to
democracy is often marked by political instability, rapid internal change,
and even civil conflict. In many cases, political crises cause newly
established democratic regimes to fail. In fact, during the second half of
the twentieth century, about one quarter of all newly established
democracies lasted for less than five years."

It is the above and other issues facing our fragile democracy that
constitute the greatest challenge to the Zimbabwe's unity government.

Some analysts have already said that the two MDC formations should not
contemplate resigning from the unity government because that would give
Mugabe and ZANU PF the mandate they so desperately need. If anything, those
rogue elements within ZANU PF who constitute pockets of resistance and
dictatorship should be frustrated themselves to leave government sooner
rather than later with their tails down.

The opposition party was not invited into a ZANU PF government but the
inclusive government is a result of a tortuously negotiated settlement that
created a new coalition government altogether, comprising three parties as
"equals".

It is important for the new government to prioritise overcoming the
deteriorating humanitarian situation, democratisation, economic recovery and
initiating a national healing process.

The humanitarian situation will require colossal financial resources and
revival of an effective logistical network to enable the smooth distribution
of aid to the needy and this hinges on effective communication with donors,
honesty, respect for others and sense of responsibility on the part of both
Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

The democratisation agenda is an inevitable process, which should be
completed as soon as possible to ensure that Zimbabwe becomes a democracy
again. This will not be an easy feat and may require further conflicts and
fighting between the main parties.

However, there is no going back on democratisation and those who seek to
complete this agenda should not be allowed to fail. The success of this
process requires the effective use and fair management of state media and
information, as well as unity of purpose from all democratic forces in the
face of adversity from rogue elements in ZANU PF.

Lastly, the healing process requires the creation of a Truth and
Reconciliation Commission where all crimes of brutality committed since 1980
are publicly heard (including the release of the Catholic Commission for
Justice and Peace's full report on the Matabeleland civil unrest of the
1980s) followed by a general amnesty where necessary.

Once again, l wish to remind Zimbabweans that financial aid alone, crucial
as it may be, is not enough to repair the damage that Zimbabweans suffered
under decades of ZANU PF misrule. In this vein, it is important for the
unity government to confront the other challenges with the same tenacity and
eagerness as that of reviving the economy. - ZimOnline


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JAG open letter forum - No. 622 - Dated 16th  April 2009



Email: jag@mango.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw

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1. THE GRIEF OF ALL ZIMBABWEANS WHO HAD TO LEAVE THEIR BELOVED COUNTRY

2. The Power of One

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1.Dear JAG,

THE GRIEF OF ALL ZIMBABWEANS WHO HAD TO LEAVE THEIR BELOVED COUNTRY

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I grieve for the deep grip Zimbabwe has on my heart

For the life we had, beautiful farm, children living a wholesome healthy
life, the green wheat fields, cotton fields, labourers picking the cotton
counting cotton bales, tractors stuck in the muddy lands, motorbike rides
round the farm every afternoon, dogs and all trailing after us.  Visits
from next door farmers, parties on the farm, the feeling of complete
happiness, safeness and planning a forever life  on the farm, hoping that
maybe one of our daughters will marry a farmer and take over the farm.
And we would build a house on the farm an life our old age out.  The
trips to Harare to get supplies and catching up with friends in other
towns, visits to Kariba with friends having a complete gas on a houseboat
or at a local Harare restaurant, even meeting at a tobacco sale.  I miss
that wholesome feeling of feeling so complete in my life I miss knowing
that my girls will be educated at a good secure school, school runs with
my friends to Barwick, chatting to all the parents, fetching my child
from school on a Friday knowing the weekend would be filled with horse
riding swimming, good meals, good friends and loving parents.

I grieve for all the farm workers we had to leave behind destitute and
sent off the farm.

I grieve for my maid who brought up my two girls.

I grieve for my otter, duikers and birds I had to give away when we left.

I grieve for my cattle, horses and wonderful old house we had to leave.

I grieve for all the material memories we had to leave photos etc.

I grieve for the separation of a family and friends split up due to
leaving Zimbabwe not only for the fact that my husband had to work in
another country whilst we had to move to another country to educate our
girls.

I grieve for the immense change my girls had to endure, the crying to go
back home the missing their father and friends.

I grieve for my poor husband who had to make an alternative plan to make
money for us to live.

I grieve for al the stress we had to take on especially my husband who
eventually died of cancer.

I grieve for the strength he tried to endure to conquer his disease
his desperateness at leaving us in a country foreign to us with no
family.

I grieve for his complete feeling of being betrayed by the only country
he knew.

I grieve for the struggle we have now to survive without a husband, a
farm and a once secure life.

I cry often at how wonderful our life was and what we have gone through I
often ask why and Guess we will never know.

I still deep in my heart have a slight sparkle to one day return to the
country of our birth right and oh how I prey.   I left my husband ashes
in Kariba knowing how he loved that place.

 Have you ever felt like everything has been taken away from you and you
are left so vulnerable trying so hard to keep strong for two growing
girls who need you to be strong, yes I know every Zimbabwean who has been
displaced feels like me.  I just needed to get it out.

God be with us all and maybe one day we will all reunite back home.

Sharon Barton

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2. Dear JAG,

The Power of One

All of us have at sometime been faced with a task or obstacle that seems
so big that we are threatened with being overwhelmed. When that happens
it's good to be reminded of three truths: How do you eat an
elephant? One bite at a time; never underestimate the power of one person
determined not to be overawed or intimidated who simply gets down to work
and then plugs away until its done; and, we are never alone in these
things, God is with us when we are doing what He approves of and if that
is the case - we are the majority, even if we are only one.

Anyone who studies world history will know of countless examples of
individuals who have made a difference. President Ronald Reagan, during
his time in the White House tried to identify such people and he called
them "stars" in the heavens of life. In the long struggle for
decent government and freedom in Zimbabwe I know of many who would fit
that description.

An elderly retired couple who, after visiting a hospital in Bulawayo,
started to foster babies who had lost both their parents. We have 1,5
million orphans - perhaps the highest ratio of orphans to
population in the world. That is just a statistic until you encounter a
tiny baby whose mother has just died in childbirth and who has nobody.
This couple have fostered dozens and the older children are now in school
and being fostered as a family by another couple who have taken this on
as a personal mission.

Cecil John Rhodes is another astonishing figure. He lived just 49 years,
spent 23 of those in Africa and yet in that short space of time he drew
the boundaries of 7 countries, started 70 companies, two of which stand
today as among the largest companies on the earth, became Prime Minister
of the Cape, built thousands of kilometres of railway track, started and
stopped at least two wars. All without a telephone or Internet or the
benefit of air travel.

All based on 6 000 English pounds borrowed from a maiden aunt and all the
while suffering from poor health.

We have just celebrated Easter and with it the story of one man who stood
against time, spent just three years tutoring a small group of men and
was then condemned by a corrupt and inept Court and executed on a cross.
"Well that's that!", the authorities must have felt.
300 years later the Empire that carried out the execution bowed to his
memory and worshiped him as God.

No man in history has had such an impact on the globe.

But we do not have to be Christ or a Rhodes to make an impact on our
world.

All it takes very often is a small gesture or act and you can help change
the world. I used to take 60 small boys out to camp twice a year when I
was younger. We did that for nearly 10 years and many of those kids can
remember those camps as if they were yesterday. What fun we had! I have
no idea how many lives we changed but I know it was many as they still
write and call to say that those camps had a deep impact. I think that
had more significance for me than winning "businessman of the
year" when I was 40 years old and the CEO of a major local
corporate.

You also need to be careful. It was the action of a Deacon in a Methodist
Church in South Africa who denied Ghandi the right to worship there when
he was looking for answers to the deepest questions in life. He probably
never realised what an impact he had on the world just at that moment.
Never underestimate the impact of your words when you are dealing with a
child. I have known many whose sense of self has been destroyed by a
careless adult.

We have to constantly strive to reinforce people's sense of worth
and being.

I remember being on a plane coming back from an overseas trip with a
number of young people who had been to the Special Olympics. What an
experience that was to see these teenagers with such disabilities yet
such confidence and behind it all the power and influence of a handful of
people who made it all happen. One of the images of the Bush era that
will always remain with me was when George Bush senior was introducing
his family to the Republican Convention, he had on the stage with him a
young boy who was handicapped - what impressed itself on me was
that the boy showed no sense that he was in any way different or not
special and I thought what a testimony that was to the Bush family.

When the MDC set out on this journey in 1999, we had no money, no army or
police, no weapons except our pens and our votes and our capacity to
speak for the have not's. The wealthy despised us and the powerful
dismissed us as being insignificant. Yet the powerful unassailable Zanu
PF has been forced over time to accept that they cannot run the country
without us. The region has been forced to acknowledge that we cannot be
ignored and the people have remained faithful to our pledge to work for
them without violence or terror, simply using the power of one -
one person's right to speak, one persons right to associate with
another, one persons right to vote in secret.

In many respects this is the achievement of one man - Morgan
Tsvangirai. He would never say that because it's also true that we
are many, but the MDC was his vision and its basic tenants have been his
and in many cases he has taken decisions alone and then stood by them in
the face of severe criticism. The power of one.

It is tough and lonely when you are at the top of an organisation. Your
have to make decisions that are subject to scrutiny and criticism. It is
especially tough when those decisions affect the lives of your colleagues
and friends and you are in rough waters. Yet even there never forget the
power of one. The capacity of one person to make a difference when it
matters. We all need to ensure that if the ball falls into our hands at a
time like that, that we do our part and help the team win the move that
might lead to victory.

We are in a tough spot right now, cannot do much of what is demanded of
us and facing almost insurmountable odds. Our enemies and many of our
friends are demanding that we quit the race. We do not agree, no matter
what it takes we are in this deal to make it work and if that is not
enough, to then to go on to fight another election in two years when
hopefully there will be a more democratic dispensation. You can help us
by simply exercising the power of one.

Eddie Cross

Bulawayo, 15th April 2009

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