MDC wants independent land commission

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

by Lizwe Sebatha Wednesday 28 April 2010

BULAWAYO - Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party has
called for the setting up of an independent commission to tackle the country's
divisive land question.

The MDC, which last year formed a coalition government with President Robert
Mugabe's ZANU PF, said a land and environment commission established by an
Act of Parliament should implement fresh and equitable land reforms meant to
"ensure there is non-discriminatory access to the country's natural
resources and environmental sites by the people of Zimbabwe".

Tsvangirai's party that has clashed with ZANU PF over key policies including
a proposed black economic empowerment scheme said the commission should
comprise five to seven people appointed by the President with the approval
of the Senate.

The commission's key functions would be to "uphold the principles of
equitable, transparent and justifiable distribution of land (and) to advise
the government and Parliament on all issues relating to the tenure,
distribution and use of land and to ensure the orderly development and
management of the natural environment for the benefit of present and future
generations," the MDC said, in a position paper shown to ZimOnline on
Tuesday.

Land remains a divisive issue in Zimbabwe after Mugabe over the past decade
drove most of the country's about 4 500 large-scale white landowners off
their farms which he went on to parcel out to blacks in a chaotic and often
violent land reform programme that destroyed commercial agriculture to leave
the country facing food shortages.

In addition critics say Mugabe's cronies - and not ordinary black peasants -
benefited the most from the land reforms with many ending up with up to six
farms each against the government's publicly stated one-man-one-farm policy.

Mugabe has admitted mistakes in his land reforms but has often rejected
calls especially by the MDC for a review of the land redistribution
programme saying those behind the calls want to return expropriated farms to
their white former owners.

The 2008 political agreement between the MDC and ZANU PF that led to
formation of the Harare power-sharing government calls for a land audit to
establish who owns which land in Zimbabwe in order to eliminate multiple
land owners.

But the audit has failed to take off because of a shortage of funds and
resistance from senior ZANU PF officials who are multiple farm owners.

ZANU PF hardliners and members of the pro-Mugabe security forces have also
continued seizing more land from the few remaining white farmers in breach
of the inter-party political agreement as well as a ruling by the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal that called for an end to farm
seizures.

Mugabe, who wields the most power in the unity government with Tsvangirai,
has said Zimbabwe will not abide by the Tribunal ruling despite Harare being
required to do so under the SADC Treaty.

In an aparent attempt to depoliticise the land question, the MDC said an
independent commission would be given powers to administer legislation
pertaining to land.

The commission would also be tasked to: "Restore or to ensure transparency,
equity and fairness in land acquisition and resettlement procedures . . .
examine legislation and make recommendations to the government and
Parliament for a national policy on the tenure, acquisition, use and
distribution of land with a view to developing an open and equitable
 policy." - ZimOnline
 

Western governments manipulating KP: Harare

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

by Own Correspondent Wednesday 28 April 2010

HARARE - Harare authorities on Tuesday accused Western governments of
manipulating world diamond watchdog Kimberley Process (KP) to frustrate
their efforts to sell diamonds from the notorious Chiadzwa field.

Zimbabwe cannot sell the Chidzwa diamonds until KP monitor Abbey Chikane,
who has already visited the diamond field - also known as Marange - in the
country's eastern districts to inspect the mining operations of firms
operating in the area, certifies them for release on the international
diamond market.

On Monday High Court judge Barat Patel granted the government permission to
dispose diamonds belonging to London-based mining firm Africa Consolidated
Resources (ACR), who hold legal title to the Marange diamond claims, but the
gems have to be first cleared by the KP.

ACR who were kicked off the diamond field and replaced by the government
owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) which formed two joint
venture companies - Mbada Diamonds and Canadile Miners - with South African
investors to exploit the resource had asked the court to stop the Minerals
Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), ZMDC, Mbada Diamonds and Canadile
Miners from selling the diamonds.

The decision by the High Court came as Harare authorities said they are
beginning to feel that they are being taken for a ride by Western
governments who are manipulating the KP to delay the return of South African
national Chikane to inspect the diamonds.

"Due to the internal consultative process within the KP working group, which
may be concluded within the next few days or weeks then can we only decide
on the date and day he (KP monitor) will come," a senior government official
told ZimOnline.

"As long as the KP has not certified the diamonds, no exports will be made.
The KP monitor has to examine the diamonds from Marange with the view to
certify them.

"However, we feel that the decision not to allow (Abbey) Chikane to come
here is deliberate as it is meant to frustrate us. The situation is far from
normal, we do not understand why we are not being allowed to trade our
diamonds," said the official.

Marange is one of the world's most controversial diamond fields with human
rights groups accusing soldiers sent by the government to secure the field
from illegal miners after the expulsion of ACR of gross human rights abuses.

Zimbabwe escaped a KP ban last year but was given until June this year to
regularise mining operations in Chiadzwa and comply with the international
diamond watchdog's requirements.

The KP monitors the diamond trade worldwide in order to prevent the sale of
conflict diamonds to sponsor rogue regimes or rebel armies. - ZimOnline
 

Australia suffer shock loss to Zimbabwe ahead of Twenty20 World Cup

• From: AAP
• April 28, 2010 8:01AM

 

 

Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu watches Australian opener David Warner belt more runs in his innings of 72. Picture: Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA have suffered a shock loss to Zimbabwe by one run in their opening World Twenty20 warm-up match in St Lucia.

Zimbabwe batted first and scored 7-173 before restricting Australia to 7-172 from their 20 overs.

Opener David Warner top-scored for Australia with a hard-hitting 72 and skipper Michael Clarke hit 49.

Warner's 49-ball innings included four fours and five sixes.

Australia got the wobbles in the last few overs with Brad Haddin and Steve Smith both run out.

With 13 needed from the final over, Australia lost Clarke bowled from the penultimate delivery and then Mitchell Johnson was run out off a wide before Brett Lee ran a leg bye from the last ball.

Earlier, Elton Chigumbura hit a crowd-pleasing 76 from just 35 balls with five fours and six sixes, sharing a 114-run partnership with Craig Ervine (39) for the fifth wicket.

Australia's Johnson claimed 4-23 from his four overs while Dirk Nannes, Lee and Shane Watson took one wicket each.

Dan Christian (0-29 off two overs) and Watson (1-34 from two overs) proved expensive, Australia resting key paceman Shaun Tait and aggressive batsman Cameron White.

Lee's 1-13 from four overs included several slower balls which worked well on the docile pitch.

"Obviously we would have liked to have won," Johnson said.

"When you come into these practice games you want to be pretty close to your best.

"It's disappointing to lose in a practice match but we've just got to keep going forward, keep working hard in our training sessions and make sure we're ready for the World Cup."

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai In Consultations With Botswana's Ian Khama

http://www1.voanews.com

Sources said the Gaborone government informed Mr. Tsvangirai the funds will
only be released when parties in the unity government speak with one voice
and have fully implemented the Global Political Agreement

Sandra Nyaira | Washington 27 April 2010

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai met in Gaborone on the weekend with
President Ian Khama of Botswana to brief him on the Harare unity
government - snubbing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad whose visit was
strongly opposed by Mr. Tsvangirai's formation of the Movement for
Democratic Change.

Political sources said Mr. Tsvangirai has become more concerned about
ZANU-PF's failure to fully implement the Global Political Agreement which
gave rise to the inclusive government formed in February 2009.

The prime minister and Mr. Khama also discussed the promise by Botswana to
open a credit line of some $70 million dollars to help revive Zimbabwe's
economy.

Sources said the Gaborone government informed Mr. Tsvangirai the funds will
only be released when parties in the unity government speak with one voice
and have fully implemented the Global Political Agreement.

James Maridadi, spokesman for Mr. Tsvangirai, told VOA Studio 7 reporter
Sandra Nyaira that officials in the Botswanan capital expressed concern
about the non-fulfillment of the GPA in the past 14 months.

Political analyst Joy Mabenge said that like other donors, Botswana wants to
see real reform before releasing funds which might otherwise be wasted due
to a political environment unsuitable to economic recovery.

Zimbabwe Parliamentary Panel Questions Health Officials On Deadly Measles Outbreak

http://www1.voanews.com

UNICEF and the World Health Organization will support the Ministry of Health
drive to immunize all Zimbabwean children between the ages of six months and
14 years

Sylvia Manika and Brenda Moyo | Washington DC 27 April 2010

Zimbabwe's parliamentary committee on health and child welfare heard
testimony on Tuesday from officials of the Ministry of Health as to why
children continued to die of measles when outbreaks of measles were first
reported in September 2009, as correspondent Sylvia Manika reported from
Harare.

The United Nations Children's Fund or UNICEF, and the World Health
Organization will support the Ministry of Health drive to immunize all
Zimbabwean children between the ages of six months and 14 years.

UNICEF Zimbabwe communications chief Micaela De Sousa told VOA Studio 7
reporter Brenda Moyo that the campaign will go beyond areas in the country
east where the spread of the disease has been fostered by the refusal of
some religious sects to vaccinate their children.

Mutambara rules out elections next year

http://www.thedailynewszw.com/

April 27, 2010

By Our Correspondent

HARARE - Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, leader of the smaller
faction of the MDC, has once again dismissed suggestions that fresh
elections will be held next year.

Mutambara says the three political parties in the coalition government
should concentrate on reviving the economy. Mutambara's party is part of
government by default, having lost the March 2008 elections heavily.

Speculation is widespread that Mutambara is mortified by the prospect of a
dismal performance in any future election.

He said statements from Zanu-PF and the mainstream MDC, led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, calling for fresh polls next year, were
political gimmicks.

He told The Daily News Tuesday that people should not waste time talking
about an election.

"Please dismiss and disregard this notion (elections next year)," said
Mutambara. "I have heard talk of elections from my colleagues in government,
Zanu-PF and MDC -T.

"Spread this word - there will not be an election in Zimbabwe next year.

"People and politicians should be talking about economic plans that will
revive our economy and increased levels of investment. We are not ready for
election.

South African President Jacob Zuma is reportedly pushing for elections as
early as April 2011. "

An early election, analysts say, would be suicidal for Zanu-PF because
President Robert Mugabe's party may never regain absolute power after losing
the parliamentary majority in 2008.

Tsvangirai's MDC insists on a new people-driven constitution and sweeping
democratic reforms that create security for the population, the freedom to
campaign, equal access to the media and an even political playing field
before Zimbabwe can hold elections that are credible, free and fair.

Zimbabweans want a guarantee that there will not be a repeat of the June 27,
2008 period, during which more than 300 MDC supporters were allegedly
killed, thousands tortured, injured or displaced by state security agents,
Zanu-PF militia and war veterans.

Some still insist on justice on the perpetrators of the violence while
others say the government should set up a truth and reconciliation
commission so that offenders may make public confessions.

The organ on national healing, established by the coalition government, has
been largely dismissed as a tame solution to a culture of violence with
impunity.

According to a report titled Fighting for a New Constitution: Human Rights
Violations Experienced by Female Members of the National Constitutional
Assembly (NCA) launched last week in Harare, 90 percent of the women
interviewed said a truth and reconciliation commission should be
established.

Ninety eight percent were of the opinion that people who committed violence
against women should be prosecuted.

While the situation has improved following the Global Political Agreement
(GPA), Zimbabweans argue that elections should be held after achieving
national healing.

Legislators interviewed by The Daily News agreed that national healing
should be prioritised before elections are held.

The legislators said Zimbabweans were concerned about bread and butter
issues and would prefer to see the economy improve first before elections
are held.

Police request more evidence against Chiyangwa

http://www.thedailynewszw.com/

April 27, 2010

By Raymond Maingire

HARARE - Police in Harare have called for more evidence to beef up an
ongoing probe into allegations of irregular land acquisition by
controversial property businessman Phillip Chiyangwa.

Harare city council early this month filed a fraud report against Chiyangwa,
who stands accused of fraudulently obtaining prime land from some plush
suburbs in Harare.

Police from Harare's CID Law and order division on Tuesday invited
Councillor Charity Bango to Harare central police to furnish them with
further details into the probe.

"I was called to Harare Central by police from CID Law and Order who told me
to furnish them with more details on the report as soon as possible," said
Bango, a councilor in Harare's Ward 14.

She was accompanied by human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama when she
reported to the police.

Bango, who said she hardly spent 10 minutes with the police, initially filed
the report against Chiyangwa two weeks ago in her capacity as acting Mayor.

Chiyangwa is jointly being accused with two city authorities, Cosmas
Zvikaramba, the city's finance director and Psychology Chiwanga, whois
director of urban planning.

The two are alleged to have fraudulently altered documents in order to
transfer title to Chiyangwa.

Chiyangwa, who has publicly boasted of owning a fifth of Harare, denies the
allegations of land theft against him.

Chiyangwa's land theft allegations surfaced early this month.

The city claims he was allocated tracts of land by the authorities without
following the proper procedures.

The allegations are based on a recent 54-page probe on land sales and leases
conducted by the city council which was sanctioned by Harare Mayor Muchadeyi
Masunda.

The probe, which was led by Ward 17 councilor Warship Dumba, was followed by
newspaper reports about the flamboyant businessman's land dealings.

Stung by the newspaper reports, Chiyangwa quickly filed criminal defamation
charges against the Mayor and his councilors leading to the arrest of
Masunda and eight councilors who were members of the investigating team.

Observers say the police acted under pressure from top Zanu-PF officials to
intimidate the council in a bid to thwart any further probe into the matter
which has also implicated Zanu-PF stalwart and Local Government Minister
Ignatius Chombo.

Chiyangwa, a former Zanu-PF legislator, claims the report by the city
council was fraught with falsehoods which were intended to injure his person
and that of his companies.

Masunda and his co-accused appeared in a Harare court last week where they
were remanded out of custody to May 6.

Four journalists from the Zimbabwe Independent newspapers are set to testify
in the matter.

Nhema, Maluleke differ on Gonarezhou invaders

http://www.thedailynewszw.com

April 27, 2010

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Environment and Natural Resources Minister Francis Nhema has
clashed with Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke over the fate of over 720
families who invaded Gonarezhou National Park in Chiredzi district.

Maluleke insists that the invaders have to stay put in game reserve while
Nhema says they must be removed.

On Tuesday, Maluleke said the settlers were only reclaiming their land.

"We have shelved all the plans to relocate these people, and anyone who
thinks that they should go is just day-dreaming," said Maluleke.

"These people are not interfering with anything in the park. After all they
are just reclaiming their land."

However, Nhema, who has been opposed to the invasion of sanctuaries by
villagers, was adamant that the invaders had to be evicted before the end of
next month.

Nhema said that the envisaged Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park would never
be a success if the invaders remained in the park.

"I have always said that these people should go and be allocated land
somewhere else before the kick off of the 2010 World Cup soccer showcase in
South Africa," said Nhema.

"The idea of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park was to attract tourists
ahead of the 2010 World Cup. This means the invaders should be removed by
the end of next month."

The 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa in June.

Hordes of villagers, mostly Zanu-PF supporters, moved into the expansive
animal sanctuary at the height of farm invasions about ten years go; they
have since refused to move out.

Government had initially planned to relocate them to the nearby Chizvirizvi
Ranch but the villagers resisted the move.

The villagers, from the Chitsa clan, say they are claiming the land because
it belongs to them.

The Great Transfrontier Park would have seen the merger of Zimbabwe's
Gonarezhou National Park, South Africa's Kruger National Park, and
Mozambique's Limpopo National Park.

The move to merge the three sanctuaries was designed with the intention of
initially attracting tourists flocking into southern Africa during the 2010
World Cup.

Zimbabwe risks being left out of the project because of its failure to
comply with certain requirements, among them the ejection of all the
invaders from Gonarezhou.

The goverment is also expected to upgrade the Buffalo Range Airport so it
meet international standards as well a constructing lodges in the
Gonarezhou.

Of these requirements, Zimbabwe has only managed to construct the lodges.

MDC probes violence at headquarters

http://www.thedailynewszw.com

April 27, 2010

By Our Correspondent

HARARE - The mainstream Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has ordered an
urgent investigation into violent clashes between party youths and security
staff at its Harvest House headquarters in Harare about two weeks ago.

The MDC youths are reportedly unhappy that party leaders are sidelining them
when hiring people for internal jobs.

The youths allege that the party leaders seem to favour young university
graduates and skilled people for jobs, ahead of the MDC Youth Assembly
members, many of whom are said to be school dropouts.

However, the youths insist they qualify for basic jobs.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the violence represented a gross violation
of the founding principles of the party and its dedication to non-violent,
democratic struggle.

"Irrespective of the claim by the youths that their actions were prompted by
genuine grievances, the fact that they acted unilaterally, by-passing the
party's internal procedures and undertaking acts that violate the spirit of
the MDC has resulted in unreserved condemnation and definitive action by the
leadership," Chamisa said.

The violence broke out after some members of the MDC Youth Assembly,
allegedly attempting to force their way into the building, were blocked by
security staff.

MDC chief executive Toendepi Shonhe is said to have escaped unhurt after he
was harassed by the MDC youths.

The clashes are reported to have taken place while MDC leader and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was in the building holding meetings.

The standoff began when the party opened a shop at Harvest House to sell MDC
regalia. MDC Youth Assembly members had hoped to be hired to work in the
shop.

The youths were furious when they were not offered jobs, saying they were
being sidelined even for the most basic jobs.

In another development, Ian Makone, the Secretary in the Prime Minister's
Office, has been accused of trying to clandestinely reassign Cabinet powers
to the Council of Ministers chaired by Tsvangirai.

According to a report in the state-controlled Herald Makone is said to have
tried to summon all permanent secretaries to the Council of Ministers, and
in the process get them to report to the Prime Minister and not to their
line ministers.

However, these attempts were said to have been blocked by Justice and Legal
Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who wrote to the Minister of State in
the PM's Office, Gorden Moyo, explaining the constitutional position.

World Cup arrivals drop as world recession bites

http://www.thedailynewszw.com

April 27, 2010

By Takarinda Gomo

THE anticipated arrival of at least 500 000 football fans at the World Cup
2010 tournament now appears to be nothing but hot air. The numbers are not
adding up, much to the chagrin of the tourism and hospitality industries in
the whole of Southern Africa.

The Daily Telegraph, a newspaper published in Britain quoted FIFA officials
as saying the number of soccer fans expected to arrive in South Africa had
dropped to 220 000.

This has dealt a severe blow, not only to the South African economy and its
tourism sector, but also to neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, which
expected to harvest a rich yield from the soccer showcase.

Whilst the rippling effects will negatively impact on Zimbabwe, the country
was totally ill-prepared for the visitors. The road infrastructure is still
a glaring hazard to motorists, and owing to budgetary constraints nothing
much had been done to upgrade facilities.

According to the Sunday Times (South Africa, 25 April 2010), thousands of
homeowners in South Africa who were hoping to cash in on the World Cup by
renting out their properties to international visitors are battling to find
tenants.

Foreign soccer fans are showing little interest in private homes even with
rentals dramatically slashed to secure last minute bookings.

The Sunday Times also revealed that 85 percent of the three million World
Cup tickets have been sold to South Africans, meaning that fewer
international fans are expected to attend the soccer showcase.

In 2007 international business consultants, Grant Thorton projected that the
World Cup would rake in R21.3 billion into the South African economy and
create 159 000 new jobs. The figures were revised downwards by another
international consulting firm,  which estimated that 350 000 visitors would
spend R15 billion.

Meanwhile, an upbeat President Jacob Zuma was quoted in Botswana's Mmegi
online newspaper (26 April 2010) while glowing with optimism, on the
occasion of the 50-day countdown to World Cup kick-off on 11 June 2010.

Said President Zuma: "What is happening in the country at the moment, is
quite a marvel to watch. The nation is seized with exhilaration and great
anticipation. The flags and colours of the country are on display all over,
in the cars, in houses, and in the attire."

He added that the World Cup tournament would contribute R4.9 billion and
create 66 813 jobs (compare these figures with original estimates by
consulting firms of R21.3 billion revised to R15 billion and 159 000 new
jobs).

Another Online paper E-Turbo News reported that the South African Government
had spent a whooping R33 billion on the tournament building world class
stadia, and improving infrastructure such as roads, railways,
telecommunications and transport.

Early this year, Match, FIFA's hospitality arm released 500 000 beds they
had booked back to the market as it became clear that fewer international
soccer fans would travel to South Africa.

The Associated Press reported that FIFA still had 355 000 tickets to sell in
eight weeks before the tournament. FIFA has been forced to offer cheaper
tickets to avoid a public relations disaster of empty seats at stadia.

Economists say the combination of the global financial crisis, expensive
long haul flights to South Africa and prohibitively expensive hotel
accommodation contributed to the decline in the number of visitors expected
to attend the 2010 World Cup.

An economist Mike Schussler was quoted by E-Turbo News as saying:"Our own
greed contributed to it (drop in numbers) through expensive hotels prices,
flights, etc. People saw it as a get-rich-quick scheme. Guesthouses outside
the host cities will see little or no visitors at all."

Another economist from Investment Solutions, Chris Hart said he was
extremely disappointed by the decrease in numbers of foreign visitors
expected at the tournament. He also attributed the blame to the recent
murder of Afrikaner leader Eugene Terreblanche and stories doing the rounds
about sale of bullet proof vests and crime as reinforcing perceptions that
South Africa is a lawless society.

Owners of small guest houses and bed and breakfast (B&B) joints in South
Africa are devastated.

The owner of Chanza B&B Liz Chanza moaned: "They (Match) are very cruel.
They dumped us at the last minute. I hate Match for what they did. They
wanted to take the bread out of our mouths."

Match had also booked 45 000 return tickets on South African Airways -
operated local flights, but reduced the total to only 1000. This led to a
drop in airfares during the World Cup.

E-Turbo News  also quoted Michael Tantalias, the Chief Executive Officer for
Southern African Tourism Association saying they expected that number (220
000)

"We are disappointed that it may be fewer than we thought, as we expected
450 000 people including the teams, their managers and partners, as well as
the entire international media. Tantalias felt sorry for those who expected
to make a fortune from the month-long tournament adding: "Tourism is a
confidence thing and the current economic climate in Europe is fragile."

As for Zimbabwe, poverty may have been a blessing in disguise. Entrepreneurs
would have spent colossal sums of money sprucing up their properties
anticipating visitors who would not show up.

Savings Spurned in Zimbabwe Water Purification

http://www.ipsnews.net

By Busani Bafana

BULAWAYO, Apr 27, 2010 (IPS) - Zimbabwe spends an estimated 100 million
dollars a year importing aluminium sulphate for water treatment plants. But
a local entrepreneur has developed a technique to extract the needed
compound from kaolin and flint clays abundantly available within the
country.

In 2005, Alex Saurombe, a mining surveyor by training, funded researchers at
Bulawayo's National University of Science and Technology to look for a way
of producing aluminium sulphate from the clays, vast reserves of which are
found in the Chivumburu area of Rutenga in Masvingo province, 450 km east of
Bulawayo.

With a loan from the Innovation and Commercialisation Fund of Zimbabwe's
Ministry of Science and Technology, the technique was further refined into a
commercially-viable industrial process.

The clays have a high concentration of aluminium oxide, which reacts with
sulphuric acid to produce aluminium sulphate. Aluminium sulphate is an
industrial chemical that causes impurities in water to curdle and settle to
the bottom for easy removal.

Bulawayo alone goes through five tonnes of the the stuff every day. The
city's deputy director of Engineering Services, Ian Mtunzi, told IPS, "We
buy the chemical from local agents who complement what they can source
locally with imports from South Africa."

According to Saurombe, these local agents have strong political connections
which have interfered with the construction of a processing plant since
2005. At the time, he said, they had planned to produce the aluminium
sulphate locally at a cost of about about $68 a tonne.

Unofficial estimates put the cost of a tonne of imported chemical at between
$300 and $450. State-owned Zimbabwe Phosphate Industries also produces it
within the country, but water engineers in the capital, Harare, have
reported problems with the quality of supply.   "These (political
connections) prevented me getting this venture to fly," Saurombe told the
IPS. "We approached everyone from the Infrastructural Development Bank to
the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe itself without luck. We had signed an agreement
with the Mwenezi District Council to participate and build a township for
the plant and then we (would only have needed to) borrow $7 million for the
plant."

He claims he would have been producing 80,000 tonnes a year by now, for both
local and export markets. Saurombe has now abandoned the idea of setting up
production in Zimbabwe; he has submitted an application to build a plant in
Swaziland instead.

Meanwhile, the city of Bulawayo and other urban centres struggle to find
funds to treat water.

"We have received reports from concerned residents in Magwegwe West suburb
about brown water coming out of their taps, but council has said it is safe
despite the doubtful colour," the coordinator of the Progressive Bulawayo
Residents Association, Rodrick Fayayo, told IPS. Many residents routinely
boil their water as a precaution.

Since 2008, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has bailed out the
council by a donating the bulk of its aluminium sulphate needs to ensure
Bulawayo had safe drinking water.

Even with this assistance, the city council does not know where it will find
the $20 million dollars it needs to rehabilitate its water treatment works.
Revenue is further constrained by unpaid bills from residents and government
buildings amounting to more than $3 million.

The more than $100 million a year being spent on needlessly expensive
aluminium sulphate would go some way towards the rehabilitation of water
treatment works for a number of cities in Zimbabwe.