Exposing Government Fault Line, Zimbabwe's Mugabe Urges More Farm Seizures

http://www.voanews.com

By Ntungamili Nkomo & Blessing Zulu
Washington
08 April 2009

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe said Wednesday that land reform will
continue despite objections from his partners in the unity government to
seizures of commercial farms which they say are hurting the country's
prospects for securing reconstruction funding.

Addressing the central committee of his ZANU-PF party, Mr. Mugabe also
demanded the immediate and unconditional removal of targeted financial and
travel sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, Australia
and others.

Mr. Mugabe urged his party faithful to prepare for elections in two years
time.

Reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe interviewed State
Security Minister Didymus Mutasa, who said only transfers of land are taking
place, not farm invasions.

Johannesburg-based political analyst Brilliant Mhlanga warned that Mr.
Mugabe's declaration as to the continuation of the land reform program
spells turmoil within the government as his Movement for Democratic Change
partners insist farm seizures must end.

White commercial farmer remanded in custody

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Andrew Moyo Thursday 09 April 2009

HARARE - A Zimbabwean white commercial farmer, who was this week charged
with taking hostage eight youths was on Wednesday remanded in custody to
April 22.

Chegutu farmer Martin Joubert appeared in court on charges of taking hostage
eight youths living on a farm allocated to ZANU PF information and publicity
secretary Nathan Shamuyarira.

Magistrate Tinashe Ndokera opposed bail saying Jourbert was facing a Third
Schedule Offence, which does not warrant bail.

Four more farmers will be appearing before the courts on April 14 and 15
while 20 others have their dockets at the AG for consideration, sources
said.

It has been a difficult week for commercial farmers in Zimbabwe with six of
them having been arrested between March 22 and April 7 but yesterday farmers'
leaders were busy trying to thrash out an understanding with the government
to see if the crisis could be ended.

Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) president Trevor Gifford met Lands
Resettlement Minister Herbert Murerwa in Harare yesterday but said he was
not at liberty to divulge details of the meeting.

"We have met the minister of lands but I am not ready to talk because I am
going into another similar meeting," Gifford said.

Hordes of ZANU PF supporters, so-called war veterans and members of the army
and police stepped up farm invasions almost immediately after the formation
of the inclusive government in February between ZANU PF and the MDC
formations.

Commercial farmers organisations say invaders have since raided at least 100
of the about 300 remaining white-owned commercial farms, a development that
has intensified doubts over whether the unity government will withstand
attempts by ZANU PF hardliners to sabotage it.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last month ordered the arrest and
prosecution of farm invaders, setting the stage for a possible clash with
hardliners in President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party opposed to the unity
government and who have seized several farms in recent weeks.

The International Monetary Fund and Western countries have - on top of other
conditions - made it clear that hey would not consider giving aid to the
Harare government while farm invasion continue. - ZimOnline

JAG - farm situations communique - dated 7th  April 2009

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

JAG Hotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799410.  If you are in
trouble or need advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here
to help!

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jag@mango.zw with subject line "subscribe" or
"unsubscribe".

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1. Charles Lock hounded

2. Lowveld News 6th April 2009

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

1. KARORI FARM UPDATE

7TH APRIL 2009

For the last six weeks Brigadier Mujaji , his soldiers and members of the
Police have hounded Charles Lock in an effort to drag him before the
court for being on the land unlawfully.  Mr Lock has already been
acquitted for being on the land unlawfully.  They even charged the
workers who are employed by Lock.

Lock's house in Harare has been barricaded by army and police in an
effort to find him.  Last week his gardener was accosted and taken to
Highlands Police and beaten.  They tried to force a confession out of him
that he knew Lock's whereabouts.

In desperation Mujaji posted 4 soldiers on the farm and shut down all
operations including the curing of tobacco resulting in a direct loss to
him of US$100,000 and double that to the country.  The soldiers left
after five days, but returned yesterday, being dropped off by Mujaji
himself and again have stopped operations.

Lock's Company was allocated the land in accordance with the laws
of the Country in 2004 so in an effort to remove him the State charged
him personally, but he was acquitted obviously.  Their attempt to now
charge the Company, even though the land has been allocated to the
Company illustrates that the Court is being manipulated.  This has been
highlighted by the fact that the Magistrate in Rusape who was presiding
over the case against one of his workers refused to hear the case because
Mujaji had interfered directly with her whilst the case was in progress.

Mujaji has two high court orders, a Supreme Court order (barring him from
interfering with the land) and a warrant for his arrest for contempt of
court for thirty days in prison with hard labour, but the Police will not
act.  It appears easier to beat up gardeners and harass legal occupants
who have valuable crops in the ground.  Lock grows 100 ha maize, 40 ha
tobacco and runs 300 head of cattle on his allocated portion of 376ha.

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

2. Lowveld News 6th April 2009 (4.45pm)

Teressa Warth of Wasara Ranch was taken to the Chiredzi police station
this morning, but was released after appearing before the magistrate,
both her and Gary her husband will have to appear in the Chiredzi court
for living on their game Ranch at a later date.

Gerry Whitehead

War vets disown farm invaders

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Wednesday, 08 April 2009

Jabulani Sibanda

BULAWAYO - Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
(ZNLWVA) chairman, Jabulani Sibanda says war veterans who are still invading
commercial farms are selfish and lazy.
"War veterans and Zanu (PF) members who are involved in farms
invasions now  are just selfish, lazy and they need discipline. Why are they
grabbing farms now? You see they waited for harvest time so that they can
grab the white farmers' crops and tarnish our image," said Sibanda.
He said he had already dispatched a team from his organization to all
provinces to see whether members of ZNLWVA were involved in any unsanctioned
farm invasions so that they could be disciplined. Any members found guilty
would be expelled.
The war veterans' leader dismisses reports that his deputy, Joseph
Chinotimba, was leading farm new invasions.
At his birthday bash in February, President Robert Mugabe encouraged
war veterans to invade more farms.
Meanwhile his close ally, minister of state Dydimus Mutasa, has been
named as a chief perpetrator in the recent farm invasions - regardless of
warnings by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
According to the Commercial Farmers Union, Mutasa, former Lands and
Land Resettlement minister, allegedly heads an active group known as the
Land Inspectorate Commission, together with Zanu (PF) Mashonaland West
secretary for lands, Temba Mliswa.
"It would appear that this is to make way for immediate occupation by
persons in favour of Zanu (PF) and many of these new beneficiaries are
alleged to have been involved in the recent political violence," says the
CFU report.
The CFU also revealed that in February, the Attorney General Johannes
Tomana and Mutasa held workshops around the country and instructed
magistrates, prosecutors, police and land officials to fast-track
prosecution of remaining farmers. - Zim Eye

Land reform back on track?

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Wednesday, 08 April 2009

... as soon as land grab stops

HARARE - At its recent retreat in Victoria Falls the government
decided to re-engage the international community on the land issue.
Behind-closed-doors diplomatic manoeuvres are understood to be
underway to persuade western donors to turn the clock back 11 years - to the
agreement, struck in September 1998 between the Zimbabwean government, the
farmers and international aid donors, by which the West would fund land
redistribution in return for transparency, free and fair elections, an end
to violence and a return to the rule of law and respect for property rights.
Government officials at last weekend's retreat in Victoria Falls
appeared to be rallying behind Mugabe in urging Britain and the West to make
good that commitment. The British government said in 1998 that it would
honour engagements on land reform under the Lancaster House agreement of
1979 which paved the way for Zimbabwe's independence.
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London told The
Zimbabwean this week that Britain was willing to work with others to assist
Zimbabwean, provided land reform was "fair, pro-poor and transparent".
The first redistribution in the 1980s was tainted by nepotism and
corruption and Britain suspended payments in 1998, with about US$70 million
dollars having been handed over.
On Friday Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai reiterated his call for an
end to farm seizures. Earlier, commercial farmers had addressed a letter to
him appealing for an end to the land grab.
Diplomatic sources said Britain reacted positively to the 100-day
programme of action by the inclusive government that emerged from the
retreat. A committee comprising Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, Priscilla
Misihairabwi and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, has been formed to take the matter
forward
David Milliband, the British Foreign Secretary last week met with
Zimbabwe's ambassador to Britain, Gabriel Machinga, and urged the government
to end the land grab and make "significant changes" before it could qualify
for budgetary support.
In a first sign that the Victoria Falls talks might be bearing fruit,
police moved to resolve a land dispute between two white farmers and
self-styled war veterans in the Bindura area this week. But in other areas
where disputes rage, the police are still themselves involved in land
grabbing.
A senior Western diplomat in Harare said the end of farm seizures was
raised by the G20 bloc last Thursday at its meeting in London as one issue
that precluded international funding to the new government.
SA President Kgalema Motlanthe had tabled a US$8billion request for a
bailout package for Zimbabwe before the G20.
"We share the priorities of the Prime Minister," said the diplomat.
"He wants a fair programme of land reform. So do we. He wants the violence
to stop. So do we. He wants an end to confrontation. So do we. We have now
got dialogue on the land issue back on track."
Diplomatic sources said Britain was ready to start discussions with
the inclusive government on the basis of the 1998 agreement if there were
real and concrete signs of reform.
But he added: "It has to be a programme that is within the rule of law
and helps the rural poor. And the occupations have to stop. The farmers and
Zimbabwe both need a solution that brings an end to the occupations and the
violence."
SADC leaders have been fiercely criticised by political opponents in
Britain for failing to act swiftly and firmly enough to bring Mugabe into
line following the eruption of the land grab soon after the formation of the
inclusive government in February. The diplomat said they had been engaged in
"24-hour hotline diplomacy" on Zimbabwe around the land grab amid threats to
bilateral treaties protecting land. - BY GIFT PHIRI

State diverts cholera funds to salaries

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=14862

April 9, 2009

By Raymond Maingire

HARARE - Zimbabwe's unity government, desperate to unlock crucial support to
prop up the country's ailing economy, has resolved to divert funds donated
towards humanitarian activities to finance its core operations.
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said Wednesday the government had
expanded the scope of humanitarian assistance to cover "equally needy" areas
such as paying teachers' salaries and grants to university students.

This, he said, would enable the government to use funds donated by Western
governments and the donor community specifically to fight rampant disease
such as cholera and massive starvation.

Mutambara said the diversion of funds was a result of an open refusal by
Western nations to bail out the country, which is battling to secure a US$8,
5 billion aid package to finance its operations, chief of which is the
payment of viable salaries to civil servants.

"We are redefining the meaning of humanitarian," Mutambara told a youth
conference at Harare's Rainbow Towers Wednesday.

"It's no longer about food and cholera only. We are saying let us define
education as part of humanitarian (aid).

"If there is no higher education, if there is no lower education, this leads
to a humanitarian crisis in our country.

"We are going to get money under humanitarian assistance to pay for grants
to students who are going to college, to pay for the salaries of teachers in
higher education, to pay for salaries of teachers in the primary schools and
secondary schools.

"It's called 'humanitarian plus', which is a strategy where we are saying
expand the saying 'humanitarian'."

Mutambara, who has launched a campaign to ask the West to lift sanctions it
imposed against President Robert Mugabe's government, was responding to
questions from the students, the majority of them from tertiary instutions.

The students were demanding a return to normalcy in the education sector,
which has seen colleges and schools operating far below their normal
capacity due to failure by students to meet steep tuition fees.

"We are getting money as we speak, from the donor community, from the
international community to address the challenges," he added.

The controversial decision is almost certain to bring government onto a
collision course with Western nations, which have refused to open their
purses to support Zimbabwe's hybrid administration.

The Western countries are demanding the restoration of human and property
rights, coupled with the implementation of genuine economic reforms by
Zimbabwe before they can fully commit their funds to helping the troubled
nation.

Meanwhile, they continue to disburse negligible amounts of cash towards
humanitarian assistance.

President Mugabe, 85, in power since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, has
been accused of violating the Global Political Agreement he signed with his
rivals from the former opposition.

The compromise deal, painstakingly brokered by South Africa under SADC in
September last year, promises a return to the rule of law.

But Mugabe has hardened attitudes in the West by allowing his supporters to
disrupt commercial farming activities under the guise of his ongoing
controversial land reform programme.

The Zimbabwean leader is adamant he will repossess land designated for
redistribution by his government, a move fiercely resisted by his partners
in the Movement for Democratic Change who feel this is scaring away much
needed financial support.

Zimbabweans Welcome Announcement of International Support for Economic Recovery

http://www.voanews.com/



By Peter Clottey
Washington, D.C
09 April 2009

Zimbabwe's Finance minister Tendai Biti said Wednesday that Harare's plea
for financial support was receiving positive response from the international
community with some countries pledging various lines of credit to help
Zimbabwean banks. Harare says it needs at least eight billion dollars over
the next three years to jumpstart its economy, which has the world's highest
inflation. This comes after long time President Robert Mugabe said he is
pleased with the cooperation in the new unity government.

Political analyst George Mkwananzi tells reporter Peter Clottey that
Zimbabweans are expressing optimism about their government's efforts so far.

"Obviously it is a piece of good news and quite refreshing coming against
the backdrop of a lot of suffering in Zimbabwe. But we don't know for sure
whether these things will translate themselves into visible financial aid
which is going to flow into Zimbabwe. But trusting that the minister is
telling us the truth then we obviously welcome and embrace it as good news.
Zimbabweans need that kind of aid they need the assistance so that they can
have their dignity restored and they reclaim their face under the sun,"
Mkwananzi pointed out.

He said many Zimbabweans had to leave the country in droves because
conditions became unbearable.

"The situation in Zimbabwe had gotten to a level where it had become
practically disastrous to live in that country. It was suicidal to be a
resident of Zimbabwe and that is why many people had to pour outside the
borders of the country into neighboring countries because they had to escape
the disease, the lack of services, basic services, lack of commodities
including the collapse of education and the health sector," he said.

Mkwananzi said it would be great for Zimbabwe's economy when regional and
international financial support begin to pour into the country.

"If lines of credit are open for Zimbabwe so that they can begin to
reconstruct and restructure all the collapsed infrastructure then it is
going to give confidence that the country is on the road to recovery, and
perhaps it will even encourage doubtful foreign investors to also take
interest in Zimbabwe and then put their money there," Mkwananzi noted.

He said long time leader President Mugabe is a major cause of the country's
financial crisis.

"Robert Mugabe has been the greatest stumbling block on Zimbabwe's progress
and recovery particularly by appearing to frustrate and thwart whatever
efforts were being made by his counterpart in the MDC (opposition Movement
for Democratic Change) to get the country to recover. And also recently by
encouraging fresh farm evasion and with this statement that he has issued
lately, it would appear that he can see that if his colleagues in government
from the other party are given enough space and enough authority without
being hindered and inhibited then they will cause a lot of progressive
developments to occur in the country which will be to the benefit of
everybody including himself," he said.

So far some countries have been reluctant to release donor aid to Zimbabwe
over policy differences with long time ruler President Robert Mugabe. They
want to see political reforms put in place before resuming support. But
Zimbabwe's strong neighbor South Africa as well as other countries and banks
have promised funding, and some undisclosed amount in lines of credit to
help with the unity government's efforts at restarting the shattered
economy.

Meanwhile government figures show that ordinary Zimbabweans have been seeing
a slight fall in the price of everyday items since it allowed shops to
abandon the local currency.

Hyper-inflation has destroyed the value of the Zimbabwe dollar, but the new
unity government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai has raised hopes of rescuing the once prosperous country.
Previous official figures showed inflation at 231 million per cent in July,
but economists said it rose far higher.

Biti blames media for clash with Gono

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=14868

April 9, 2009

Reuters/Own Correspondent

HARARE  - Zimbabwe's unity government has received a good response to its
calls for financial aid to rescue its battered economy, Finance Minister
Tendai Biti said on Wednesday.

The new government, formed after a political deal between former rivals
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, says it needs
about $8.5 billion to fix an economy hit by hyperinflation and 10 years of
negative growth.

Asked about how the international community had responded to the unity
government's plea for financial support, Biti said: "It's been positive, but
we're still looking for international lines of credit."

In response to a question about his working relationship with central bank
governor Gideon Gono, a close Mugabe ally who Biti has previously described
in public as an "economic terrorist", the finance minister played down any
difference between the twp officials. He accused the media of playing up the
differences between him and Gono.

"You cannot have a functional country in which the central bank governor and
finance minister cannot work together. The problem is that there is a
constant attempt to draw us into negativity," Biti said.

"I think since the formation of this government, the negatives are in the
minority."

The MDC has previously called for Gono's dismissal and protested against his
reappointment last year, while talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC to set up a
unity government were still underway.

The Zimbabwe Independent, a respected weekly in Harare quoted Biti in his
second week in office as describing Gono as an "Al-Qaeda-like official
deserving to be put before a firing squad for his activities as central bank
governor."

The new minister was merely articulating wide-spread public sentiment.

Biti had told the weekly that the issue of Gono's removal from the Reserve
Bank was under discussion.

"It's being negotiated, that's all I can say," Biti told the Independent.

In a separate interview Biti had spoken in similar vein to Reuters, the
international news agency.

"The Reserve Bank has totally discredited itself," Reuters quoted him as
saying in the interview. "We must accept that the Reserve Bank is at the
core of economic decay."

Gono maintained a low profile meanwhile as it became apparent that he, and
not  those calling for his scalp enjoyed the support of Mugabe. But last
week he broke his silence.

He wold a stunned Parliament that the sweeping powers he wielded were
bestowed on him under the provisions of the RBZ Act.

Gono shunted all blame to Mugabe, saying he was working under instructions
from him as his principal.

"You don't shoot the messenger," he said.

Biti said Wednesday that other countries and banks apart from South Africa
had promised funding.  Zimbabwe's neighbour to the south has pledged an
undisclosed amount in lines of credit.

"A few other countries that I don't have the mandate to disclose, and some
banking institutions, some on the continent and some from Europe, have made
an undertaking to extend lines of credit to the banking sector," Biti told a
media briefing.

Western donors have withheld aid to Zimbabwe over policy differences with
Mugabe, and want to see political reforms put in place before resuming
support.

Biti said while the government's decision to allow the use of multiple
currencies for business transactions had brought price stability, the
economy faced liquidity problems due to a foreign currency crunch.

Biti, the secretary general in Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC), said the inclusive government had made significant progress since its
formation in February.

"In the . months that we've not been fighting each other, we've made
phenomenal progress," he said. "I had to be dragged into government, but I
will be the first to defend the gains of this government."

Biti, however, said the new administration still had a long way to go in
fixing the economy, with monthly revenue averaging just $20 million against
a $100 million target. Government workers' wages alone required $30 million,
he said.

Last-minute efforts to save Trade Fair

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=14883

April 9, 2009

By Our Correspondent

BULAWAYO - The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has called
for an emergency meeting with Bulawayo's business community to rally support
for this year's edition of the annual trade exhibition which now faces
certain demise.

Professor Welshman Ncube, the minister of Industry and Commerce, Priscilla
Misihairabwi-Mushonga, the minister of Regional and International
Integration and the ZITF management are expected to address the meeting.

The Trade Fair is scheduled to run from Tuesday, April 28, to Saturday, May
2, 2009.

Sources said the ZITF management, shocked by the low registrations of
prospective exhibitors, had convened the emergency meeting in an attempt to
persuade more potential exhibitors to register to take part in the fair,
even at this late hour. The performance of and attendance at Bulawayo's
former show-case has been in a state of decline over the years.

It is not quite clear what the ZITF management expects Ncube and
Misihairabwi-Mushonga, both newly appointed to office, to achieve with two
weeks to go which the management has failed to achieve over the years.

Although no official figures of exhibitors have been made public as yet, The
Zimbabwe Times is reliably informed that the registrations have been slow in
coming, especially from local exhibitors.

Recently, Ncube disclosed that exhibitors from only seven foreign countries,
Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania were
expected to participate in the Trade Fair, which celebrates its 50th
anniversary this year.

He attacked the ZITF management for coming up with what he termed
unjustifiable tariffs and rentals that were being levied on the-would be
exhibitors.

"We are talking to stakeholders and urging them not to increase their
tariffs and rates unjustifiably," said Ncube. "ZITF exhibitors come from all
over the world and as they come to exhibit, they transport their goods and
staff.

"Rates charged on the exhibitors must be justifiable otherwise the
exhibitors might not just afford them."

The ZITF management has been forced to revise its exhibition tariffs a total
of three times already as exhibitors continue to resist the fees levied on
them by ZITF Company.

Initially, the ZITF Company had pegged its rates at US $130 per square metre
of basic exhibition floor space, a figure it then revised to around US$105.
Now stands come at a give-away rate of US$25 per square metre. The
exhibitors are still not signing up, though, suggesting that the problem
might be more fundamental than the tariffs identified by the minister and
claimed by some would be exhibitors.

The decline in the performance of the Trade Fair over the years cannot be
detached from the general collapse in the performance of Zimbabwe's national
economy.

ZITF general manager Daniel Chigaru recently told journalists: "We have
resolved that floor space will now costs US$25 per square metre and US$35
per square metre if they (exhibitors) are using the shell scheme.

"This will mean that a pre-constructed nine square metre stand will now cost
US$362."

"These rates are perhaps the lowest in the region as they are tailor-made to
suit our unique situation, given the dollarization (of the economy)."

In previous years, by now, the ZITF management would have announced the
numbers of international, regional, as well as local exhibitors to the Trade
Fair. In 2001 a total of 405 domestic and 15 foreign exhibitors had
registered at the corresponding period, weeks before the launch of that year's
fair.

This year, the numbers remain a closely guarded secret.

In a statement, Chigaru appealed to stakeholders to turn out in their
numbers for Thursday's meeting which Ncube is expected to address.

The notice reads in part: "All ZITF stakeholders are invited to a meeting to
be addressed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Professor Welshman
Ncube, and the minister of Regional and International Integration.

"Also welcome to attend the meeting are accommodation and catering service
providers, stand design and décor services, plant décor services, Zimbabwe
Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the police, and other security services
providers."

Just how dialogue with representatives of Bulawayo's interior designers and
nurseries, let alone with representatives of the police and private security
firms is going to produce the required large number of exhibitors at this
late hour is not quite clear.

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) last month warned the ZITF
Company that given the high tariffs being demanded for exhibition, the fair
would face challenges as exhibitors could fail to take part.

"Most of our members who are regular participants at this top event annually
have indicated they are unable to meet the cost of space rentals," reads a
letter from one of the regional chairpersons of the ZNCC, Sheila Sidambe.

"Our position is that our economy for the past 10 years has been performing
below regional standards. Therefore any charges to a local company based on
international or regional standards would be excessive and unaffordable to
local companies."

Minister wants international media allowed back in Zimbabwe

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Cuthbert Nzou Thursday 09 April 2009

HARARE - Zimbabwe should re-engage key international media such as the CNN,
BBC and newspapers if it is to successfully market itself as a tourist
destination, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has said.

Mzembi said prohibiting foreign media from operating in Zimbabwe as was the
case now meant Harare could not hold these media accountable for any false,
inaccurate or negative reports filed from outside the country.

"We need to re-engage the international media," said Mzembi while addressing
business leaders and ambassadors in Harare on Tuesday night.

"Let us accredit CNN, BBC and many other foreign, newspapers, radio and
television stations because if we do not accredit them they will continue
beaming and broadcasting from outside the country and we can never hold them
accountable for negative publicity," he said.

Mzembi's call came a day after the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's
office, Gorden Moyo, said consultations to ease media restrictions would
"start in a fortnight."

A three-day ministerial retreat in Victoria Falls unanimously agreed to
review the media policy to create a political climate where divergent voices
will be heard.??

Mzembi admitted that the state broadcaster ZBC had lost credibility and had
no capacity to lure tourists into the country, as its audience was mostly
poor Zimbabweans who do not have disposable incomes to visit local tourist
resorts.

"Who watches ZBC? No one because our target market subscribes to DSTV and
other satellite stations hence the need to accredit foreign media that have
the capacity to market the country," said Mzembi.

Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara told the same gathering
that the power-sharing government had remained silent on several outstanding
issues such as the issue of appointment of senior public officials such as
the Attorney General and the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that
he said could affect attempts by Zimbabwe to re-engage the international
community.

"As long as outstanding issues such as the appointment of the Reserve Bank
governor, Attorney General, provincial governors, permanent secretaries and
ambassadors remain unsolved, we are jeopardising our relationship with the
international community who are showing support to our inclusive
 government," said Mutambara.

Mutambara, President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
formed a power-sharing government last February, raising hopes that Zimbabwe
could finally end a severe economic and humanitarian crisis gripping the
country for the past decade.

But Western nations that have resources to bankroll Zimbabwe's recovery have
refused to provide direct financial support to the Harare government,
sceptical that the new administration is committed to implement wide ranging
economic and political reforms required to revive the southern African
country. - ZimOnline

Know Your Ministers: Made, Mukonoweshuro

SA credit line - why we should be worried

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Wednesday, 08 April 2009

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is considering opening a credit line to
help neighbour Zimbabwe rebuild its shattered economy after years of
political and economic crisis, but the package has been condemned for
potentially turning Zimbabwe into a Giant South African supermarket
undermining the country's industrial growth potential.
The Financial Mail quoted Finance Minister Trevor Manuel as saying a
credit line made sense given that most of the goods needed to restock bare
stores in Zimbabwe would be bought in South Africa.
"We will look at the credit facility. There is an old (Reserve Bank)
credit line from 1967 that goes back to (Rhodesia's) unilateral declaration
of independence, and we are exploring using that," he said in an interview.
While a credit line will not solve the country's funding problems, it
will allow private banks to lend money to wholesalers, retailers and
producers to purchase goods using credit, and ultimately give millions of
poor Zimbabweans easier access to essential products.

We should be wary of SA
Asked for comment, Zimbabwean economist Itayi Matambo, said, "While we
try every effort to find ways and means of reviving our battered economy, we
should be wary of South African geo-political and economic interests in the
current Zimbabwean political process."
The risk of South African retail invading Zimbabwe economy in its weak
mode might not be reversible in the long term future and this might link its
politics into our internal affairs or inhibit the growth of our own
industry.
In the long term, Zimbabwe needs an industrial policy that has
synergies with its new land policy, and this can be impeded by the South
African influence in the economy," he said in an interview with The Zimbabwe
Mail.
Robert Mugabe and the Zanu PF regime have argued for years on Trade
imbalances between the two nations and we as a nation must not lose our
desire to use our instruments that protect our local potential, said Mr
Matambo.

Retail giants dominate
A Harare-based Zimbabwean business consultant Godfrey Marimo, pointed
out at the dominance of Edgars Stores, Sales House, Makro amongst South
African retail giants that have been in existence for years in Zimbabwe as a
result of the Rhodesian ties with Apartheid South Africa during the time of
sanctions imposed on Ian Smith's regime.
These South African High street chains have made it difficult for
home-grown innovative entrepreneurs to enter the market, condemning them
into running tuck-shops and grinding mills, while massive dividends are
repatriated to South Africa every year, and boosting its textile industry at
the expense of Zimbabwe.
In the coming months South African businesses will flock into all
Zimbabwean sectors of the economy with no restrictions and with political
assistance by its government and acquire a significant share of the business
markets and mineral rights without transparent measures to protect the local
industry.
Zimbabwe has estimated it needs $1 billion now to get farms, schools
and hospitals working, and another $5 billion later to fully rebuild the
economy, but the credit lines package proposed by South African government
will only assist the private sector, particularly its companies already
dominating the economy.
A new power-sharing government has raised hopes of an end to an
economic meltdown in the once prosperous southern African country where
inflation was last calculated in mid-2008 at 231 million percent, and a
cholera epidemic has infected more than 80,000 people.
Food and fuel are scarce and the currency virtually worthless, leading
to widespread use of the U.S. dollar and South African rand.
The Financial Mail said officials would not be drawn on the details of
discussions, but analysts said a credit line was likely to have negligible
impact on South Africa's reserves and sovereign credit ratings.
The $1 billion in aid would still have to be sourced, although South
Africa could consider a smaller grant. South Africa, the continent's biggest
economy, has already transferred R300 million to Zimbabwe for agricultural
aid. - Zimbabwe Mail

Veteran Reporter Outlines Challenges of Reporting from Zimbabwe

http://www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2009/April/20090408160046esnamfuak0.8720209.html?CP.rss=true

08 April 2009

Peta Thornycroft advises using foresight and good sources in conflict zones

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington- Reporting from political hot spots is not a glamorous job,
veteran journalist Peta Thornycroft warns. To be successful, you need a
logical and methodical way of working, including meticulous planning for
transportation, shelter and even having "cover stories" if you are
questioned by those who do not support press freedom.

Thornycroft, who covered South Africa's violent transition from apartheid in
the early 1990s and gave up her British citizenship in 2002 so she could
continue reporting from Zimbabwe, takes risks and endures hazardous living
situations, including detention by Zimbabwean police in March 2002. In 2007,
she was honored by the International Women's Media Foundation with its
lifetime achievement award. (See "Foundation Honors Courageous Women
Journalists.")

America.gov asked why, after more than 35 years as a journalist, she
continues to put herself in danger. "I can't rush off and be an electrician
or do something else. I don't know how to do anything else," she joked.

In a more serious vein, Thornycroft said she feels a commitment to report
what is happening in Zimbabwe, but calls it a "hideous assignment." She
added that she worries that her years watching patterns of repression and
despair under the rule of President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwe African
National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) have made her grow "quite
 blunted" emotionally. She also has grown tired of constantly living out of
suitcases and hiding her identity.

"Technically, as a freelance journalist working for yourself, it's grueling.
It's not just worrying about whether you're going to be arrested or not
being able to get comments," she said.

THE VALUE OF A LOW PROFILE

Her years reporting from places like Zimbabwe and South Africa have taught
her lessons she can pass along to others assigned to cover global hot spots.
Her first advice is to remain calm and composed while on the job, with the
goal of maintaining a low profile.

"Blend in, if possible, without having a notebook in your hand so you don't
look like a journalist," she counsels. She advises learning the local
circumstances, culture and some of the language before the assignment - and
developing a heightened awareness of potential dangers. "One develops a
sixth sense," she says, comparing the relative ease of veteran Zimbabwean
journalists in avoiding trouble, as opposed to newly arrived reporters who
tend to "get chopped the first."

Thornycroft admits to having become an "extremely efficient liar" when
confronted by Zimbabwean authorities or other suspicious people.  Because
she is white and unknown outside of Harare, she meticulously plans her cover
stories for anyone who asks what she is doing.  ""I never, ever admit I'm a
journalist," she said. She is also very careful about where she goes. In
some parts of Zimbabwe, "I just know it would be the end of me in 10
minutes!"

She supports the idea of journalists covering a country for no longer than
three years and then moving on because longer stays increase the risk of
crossing the line between journalism and activism. Activism not only
threatens a reporter's balance, but also can be dangerous, according to
Thornycroft, because "you will do things you would not do if you were just
involved professionally."

Thornycroft said her experiences in Zimbabwe led her to depend on sources
much more than during her period covering South Africa's violent transition
in the early 1990s from apartheid to its first democratic election in 1994.

More people died from political violence during those years than during all
of the rest of the apartheid era, she said. "I could do a hard news story
every day without a contact because people were being killed in front of my
eyes," she recalled. Zimbabwe's struggle has been measured out in a
different kind of carnage. "ZANU-PF knows that if you kill people, you get
headlines in newspapers. So . what they did was they beat people. They
maimed them most dreadfully," she said, with as many as 30 percent of the
more than 3,000 injured during the 2008 political violence left with
lifelong disabilities.

In its annual report on human rights, the U.S. State Department concluded
that during 2008, along with the injured and more than 30,000 people
displaced, Mugabe's government "or its agents" had killed more than 193
citizens in political violence and engaged in "the pervasive and systematic
abuse of human rights." (See "Zimbabwe's Political Crisis Tied to Rights
Abuses in 2008.")

ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Thanks to her sources, Thornycroft was able to write stories on election
vote rigging and the Mugabe regime's premeditated campaign of violence
against supporters or suspected supporters of its political opposition. But
her reliance on these sources also left her with an ethical dilemma. Good
reporters push very hard to get sources identified "on the record" to fully
identify the origins of information in a story. But Thornycroft usually
cannot reveal details that would expose her sources' identities because
doing so would put them at risk.

"You can't tell it all, can you? Because it may lead to them being
identified, and that is just hideous," she said. "It really dilutes your
story. But you've just got to do it."

Thornycroft said she cannot get comments from the government to try to
balance her articles.  "I phone up ZANU-PF and they hang up on me. They
still do it."

In Zimbabwe, change is coming slowly, and Thornycroft says no one should
expect Mugabe to relinquish power without a fight. In covering the
democratic opposition, she urges younger Zimbabwean journalists not to
repeat the mistakes of those who overlooked ZANU-PF's shortcomings in
celebration of the country's 1980 independence.

"They're going to have to realize that politicians are still politicians.
And if they were the good guys yesterday, they may not always be the good
guys, and they must keep their eyes open," she said.

The Three Men Who Run The Zimbabwe Government

http://www.nehandaradio.com

09 April 2009
By Denford Magora

Not long ago, Dr Simba Makoni spoke about what he called the "classic Yes
Minister style" of Zimbabwe's government. For those who do not know, Yes
Minister is a British comedy set in Whitehall, the seat of the government of
the United Kingdom.

In the comedy, people like Sir Humphrey actually run government business,
telling a minister what he can and can not do, getting up to all sorts of
tricks to ensure that their agenda (which they say is the national agenda),
carries the day.

Dr Makoni mentioned the issue of speeches, for instance. When he took over
at the Ministry of Finance, he found that his speeches were written for him
by the civil servants. Worse, these speeches would not be given to him until
just before he got into his car to go to the function where they were to be
delivered.

To get around this, and being a fully technologically literate person, he
asked for a computer to be put into his office. He also demanded that the
computer be given Internet and intranet access. He wanted to ensure that
communication within the ministry could be done via email instead of pieces
of paper.

He also announced that he would be using his own Internet-based email, which
the government can not hack into. This, remember, was the year 2000! After
much resistance, it was done. As for speeches, he started writing his own.
Civil servants in his ministry took him to task about this, saying there
were people who could write the stuff for him. He resisted.

It is no exaggeration to say that as a result of the resistance to change in
the civil service and their need to control the ministers, the clash with
these functionaries contributed to the eventually departure of Dr Makoni
from the government. You see, Mugabe uses the civil service to spy on his
ministers, in addition to the usual spying on them done by the CIO, the
Intelligence Organisation.

Hence, the three most powerful men in government (as opposed to in the
country) are:

1. George Charamba: as the spokesman to Mugabe, he has immense influence
with the man, especially since Mugabe is insulated from the public and does
not interact or even remotely socialise with his ministers. The daily
briefings he gets from Charamba and the opinion and advice that is shared
between them has made Charamba Mugabe's ears and eyes on the administrative
side of government.

For the other eyes and ears functions, Mugabe has the Central Intelligence
Organisation of course, although even these are out favour to an extent now.
Charamba is really so powerful only because, working with Mugabe, it is
understood that only Mugabe can fire him. Hence those in government,
including cabinet ministers, see him as untouchable.

2. Mariyawanda Nzuwa: As head of the Civil Service Commission, he approves
all appointments below the Deputy Minister level. He is the one who drafts
the original list of Permanent Secretaries and where they are assigned. He
and George Charamba are the ones who drafted that list of Permanent
Secretaries which Morgan Tsvangirai said was null and void.

This issue is still to be settled and you will see in the end who is more
powerful by just how many of Nzuwa and Charamba's original PermSecs are kept
on in the new line up. Tsvangirai has told his staff that he is going to be
"professional" and will even keep well known ZANU PF PermSecs in ministries
run by the MDC if they are well qualified.

3. Misheck Sibanda: As Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Sibanda (and
before him Utete) has actually had a direct influence in decisions on which
ministers Mugabe fires and which ones he keeps when he reshuffles. Apart
from the ministries that Mugabe himself has an interest in, such as Women's
Affairs, Agriculture and the old Ministry of Political Affairs as well as
the Ministers of State he appoints within his office, all other
recommendations were done by Sibanda, who then consulted Charamba before the
list was presented to Mugabe for his final vetting.

If there was someone on the list that Mugabe had a personal vendetta
against, then the name would jump up at him and the fellow would be removed
without question. All other "lesser" ministries sailed through.

Sibanda was, therefore, heavily lobbied by ZANU PF politicians who wanted
themselves or their favourites to be given jobs. This is how people like
Bright Matonga ended in jobs that were too big for them - recommendations to
Sibanda from ZANU PF politicians who were interested in "tribal balance".
Apart from this procedure, Mugabe's only guidance, especially in the last
ten years or so, has been to tell these men what sort of cabinet he wanted.

So, he would quietly let be known that this time he wanted a "technocrat
cabinet" and the President's Men would scour for suitable new faces. In the
last "technocrat" cabinet, three names suggested by these men were removed
by Mugabe himself, who said one of them had been a supporter of Forum, the
opposition party of the early 1990s which was led by the retired First Black
Chief Justice of Zimbabwe: Enoch Dumbutshena.

Recently, after the formation of the Inclusive Government, these men have
continued as though nothing has changed and Mugabe appears to be backing
them, perhaps because they have gained his trust. They are still doing some
damage, flexing their muscles.

For instance, you will notice that James Maridadi is no longer quoted by the
Herald, the government daily newspaper. In the first days of the GNU, the
Herald referred to him as the Spokesman for The Prime Minister.

It was Charamba personally who issued the order to The Herald that Maridadi
was not the spokesman for the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. Instead, he is
Tsvangirai's spokesman at the party level, so he was to be quoted only when
Tsvangirai was speaking on matter to do with his party and not the
government.

Hence, effectively, Maridadi has been banned from the pages of the Herald.
Look carefully and you will see that the paper now refers to the "Prime
Minister's Office", as in "The Prime Minister's Office confirmed...",
without mentioning any names.

Misheck Sibanda is the man whom Mugabe uses as a sounding board to gauge the
effectiveness of his ministers. Sibanda's reports are taken seriously by
Mugabe, who is very much a protocol person, schooled in the old English
style where rules are rules and must be followed even if they are silly.

In other words, the Yes Minister school of government....Of the three,
Nzuwa's powers are perhaps the most sweeping of all, considering the breadth
of senior government appointments he controls.

In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say Nzuwa can either make or
break the career of a minister, especially the lesser ones (the big fish he
would not even dream of touching are Emmerson Mnangagwa, Sydney Sekeramayi,
Joice Mujuru, VP Msika, Didymus Mutasa, Joseph Made and, lately added to the
list, Kembo Mohadi. All others are fair game to him.

Morgan Tsvangirai realises this, and it sunk home for him on the day he was
summoned to explain himself at Sate House after he issued that statement
saying the appointment of Permanent Secretaries was null and void. He walked
back into his Munhumutapa Offices the next day shaking his head, telling his
staff that Mugabe was not in control of government.

Why?

Because Mugabe's had apparently asked Tsvangirai if he had not had input
into the selection of PermSecs. He further went on to say, " Did I sign
those appointment papers? I can not remember, I signed so many papers
yesterday, these young men brought me so many papers...."

Which means that the career of PermSecs were being decided by these three
men in the name of Mugabe. If Tsvangirai had not objected, they would have
gotten away with it, the new PermSecs would have known to whom they owed
their allegiance and their ministers would have been simply figure heads,
without any power over the civil servants in their ministries.

And by the way, the reason this PermSec thing is being drawn out like this
is because Mugabe said to Tsvangirai, and here I am quoting a source within
the PM's office: "Prime Minister, what you should do is take the CVs of
these people and look at them, see which ones are not qualified and then
lets get back together and hear your thinking."

Today, Monday 06 April 2009, the PM and the Prez will meet at State House
and Tsvangirai is supposed to point out the ones on the list of PermSecs
whom he believes are not qualified. If Mugabe agrees, then they will go. If
not they will stay. Tsvangirai was not given the option to get rid of them
on political grounds, because Mugabe maintains that his is a professional
civil service. He still claims that no party interests inform their
decisions, only national interests.

So, in essence, Tsvangirai can not fire any of them on the grounds that they
are "ZANU PF" because he would not be able to prove it. As you know, our
PermSecs do not make political speeches. The only time they make public
speeches would be when they have to read a policy speech on behalf of a busy
minister.

Most times, the minister is told what he would have said at such gatherings
later, because he would not have written speech at all.

www.Denfordmagora.blogspot.com.

Lies, lies and more lies

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Wednesday, 08 April 2009

Tendai Biti, Minister of Finance is quite correct to caution that if
the new inclusive government of Zimbabwe does not get adequate amounts of
money to pay civil servants and soldiers' salaries, there could easily be
civil unrest in this country. It was however, disgusting to watch Foreign
Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, vigorously denying that there are
political prisoners in Zimbabwe. "In fact, there have never been any
political prisoners in this country."
It would be necessary for us to ask Mumbengegwi where he lives these
days. The gentleman has never heard of numerous MDC abductees and detainees;
including Jestina Mukoko and Roy Bennett, just to name a few. He is not even
aware that only last week, more than twelve MDC supporters were picked up
and locked up in Buhera following political disturbances soon after the
burial of the nation's Mother, Suzan Tsvangirai.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs was talking to the Danish Minister of
Development Co-operation who had visited Zimbabwe in order to see for
himself the progress that the Tsvangirai government was making in dragging
Zimbabwe back to the path of democracy and good governance. Admittedly,
Zimbabwe desperately needs financial assistance from developed countries,
but do we have to tell such blatant lies as Mumbengegwi did in order to
receive such assistance? Do we have to deceive the international community
about the reality that we as Zimbabweans are facing? Is it not a fact that
Zimbabwe has never had a year when there were no political prisoners
somewhere in state institutions since 1980? Indeed, political prisoners are
a major feature of the political history of this country both before and
after the attainment of national independence. To state otherwise is simply
to tell lies, and that would be a disastrous foundation on which to re-build
this country. At the time of preparing this contribution, there are still
some MDC supporters, obviously political prisoners, whose whereabouts are
not known. Some of them were abducted by alleged state agents as long ago as
October last year.
I am aware of the numerous efforts that the MDC leadership is making
to get all its supporters released from prisons, but I also think that more
could be done to pressure the oppressive ZanuPF structures to stop the
nonsense they seem to be perpetrating relentlessly. Indeed, the MDC is now
at risk of being considered to be an uncaring political party. In my view,
Mugabe and his party are getting away with too much of what they wish as if
they won the March 29 elections. The MDC is currently demonstrating its
weaknesses more than its strengths as the victorious party. People like
Mumbengegwi should not be allowed to tell blatant lies to the international
community in the name of the inclusive government. We may be desperate for
financial assistance but we should also be candid enough to tell the truth
regarding the reality that our country is experiencing.
Under the present structure of government, it is the role of the Prime
Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, to ensure that his ministers do the right
things and not deceive foreign diplomats visiting this country. The Prime
Minister should summon Mumbengegwi to his office and instruct him to handle
his portfolio in a decent and honest manner. The Foreign minister seems to
think that when these foreign representatives visit Zimbabwe they talk only
to ZanuPF cabinet ministers. Fortunately, they also talk to civic leaders
and members of other political parties, business as well as church leaders.
They are therefore exposed to the truth about the situation in Zimbabwe, and
no lying minister is going to fool them. Shame! - BY JOHN MAKUMBE

JAG open letter forum - No. 620 - Dated 7th   April 2009

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

Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
jag@mango.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the subject
line.

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

1. No money yet.

2. A day on Mount Carmel

3. Jo Swan

4. Mr Peter Thomson's letter dated 01. April 2009

5. The 100 day plan has merit.

6. Disappointed Parent.

7. Zimbabweans beware!!

8. Global warming or Zim warming?

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

1. Dear JAG,

I write with regard to the headlines in last weeks Independent newspaper,
"No money yet." Are you surprised? I am not!

The suggestions I am about to make are nothing new. We Zimbabweans, after
decades of oppression and repression need access to our ministers and
MP's.

1) ALL FARM INVASIONS MUST BE STOPPED FORTHWITH! All farm disturbances
and harassments must cease instantly. All court cases must cease
forthwith pending an independent, lawful and just farm audit-COUNTRYWIDE!
Arrest all senior police personal, the head of the Senate and Mutasa
(those who are spearheading this chaos)etc and let us show the world that
we are serious about the restoration of the rule of law. As a Zimbabwean
and a Christian I find this whole situation intolerable and when I
finally manage to scrape my company off the ground, with God's grace, I
will simply refuse to pay income tax until the rule of law is restored
and upheld. For long enough hard working and patriotic Zimbabweans'
earning have been misused and abused and used to oppress and destroy us!
Herbert Murewa shouldn't be in his post either! Enough is enough!

2) All political prisoners must be freed unconditionally and forthwith!
How dare Chinamasa lie about the conditions of our prisons. He is a
disgrace to Zimbabwe and to the Ministerial portfolio he holds. I suggest
someone give him a bible so that he may familiarize himself with the
meaning of the word. "justice." We are sick and tired of ZANU PF's
lies. The prison warders who were courageous and caring enough to assist
in the making of SABC's "Hell Hole." I salute you. Hopefully in the
future those officials will be warding those who persecute them. We want
to see the REAL criminals behind bars. Please also remember that whilst
you were all hobnobbing with your ZANU PF counterparts in 5 star luxury
at the Victoria Falls your fellow countrymen/women are dying. I, like
most Zimbabweans, take exception to this extravagance. Leave the mercs
alone too. This is NOT the time for such wastefulness.

3) Fire the Attorney General. No more need be said.(And whilst we are
here I think the Registrar General needs retiring?)

4) Fire Gono and audit the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. It is a disgrace to
our nation.

5) Obert Mpofu and his ilk must be hauled over the coals. They have very
unsavoury mouths and should just keep quiet! In fact all those
undeserving ministers who continuously sprout destructive and unjust talk
should be hauled in for discipline by the Prime Minister. Their time in
office is short.

6) It is past time for the draconian laws such as AIPPA and POSA to be
reversed.

7) Mugabe should just quietly and gracefully fade more and more into the
background.

Maybe then the West will come to our urgent assistance. South Africa, as
far as we are concerned, have also pushed us into this unholy alliance
and long aided and abetted our lawlessness and suffering. The ANC should
cough up. I take exception to Trevor Manuel's utterance that there will
be no blank cheque for Zimbabwe. If South Africa had done the right thing
in the beginning there would be no need for their financial assistance
now. Most of SADC are responsible for this too. I find it fascinating
that SA and SADC and Mugabe for that matter are looking to the long
vilified West to bail us out of a mess of gargantuan proportions created
solely by ZANU PF.

We keep you in our prayers.

N.M.Maine

(Harare)

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Dear JAG,Thank you for your prayers.  On the face of it you may wonder whetherthey are being answered or not.  I will give you a brief synopsis oftoday:We managed to leave Mike and Angela's house this morning despite invadersall around and a small blockade of cut trees on the driveway going out tothe main road.  On leaving though "Landmine" gave his name as "LandmineShamuyarira" and told us that the place was now his as he has the offerletter for Minister Nathan Shamuyarira.Angela and Cath tried to go back a little later to sort out a wound onthe old horse that lives in the garden and give him water as well as getthe cat.  They also needed to check the small herd of "house"dairy cows as they haven't been able to be milked for a few days due theinvaders stopping the workers from being allowed to work.Cath got out of the car to remove the blockade of branches and "Landmine"the main invader tried to grab the car keys and get them both out of thecar.  They were denied access to the house.At the police station the police did not want to take a report regardingthis situation.  We had our lawyer, David Drury there, and theyeventually took the report after considerable discussion.  We spent thenext 7 hours at the police station but police never came out to MountCarmel to allow us to get to the house despite numerous requests.  Forall we know the house is being looted.  They smashed the kitchen doorlock a few nights ago and we have not been able to replace the lock.Police saw the smashed lock but "Landmine" was never arrested. They havenow got total control to smash the rest of the locks and take what theylike.Bruce managed to get one of the workers, Sinos, who was badly beaten upby the invaders a couple of days ago, x-rayed.  It has transpired that hehas a badly fractured skull."Landmine" and the gang that beat Sinos, were at the police station 4times in the 7 hours that we were there.  They walk in at will and appearto command considerable power with the police.  We asked that they bearrested but police are clearly in collusion with them.As a result of these beatings and police arrests of the workers, many ofthe other workers remain in hiding or simply just sleeping rough in thebush.I asked the police Sergeant doing the case regarding the arrest of ourworkers what "Landmines" real name was.  He told me to get me to get itfrom "Landmine."  When I asked "Landmine" his real name [in the Sergeantspresence] he refused to give it to me.  I was told to get it from thepolice superiors.  Assistant Inspector Sasa refused to give it to me asit was a "police matter."  Inspector Zengeni said I was "provoking him."Chief Inspector Manika, despite him being on the phone with "Landmine" ona number of occasions, told our lawyer that he does not know his name butwill find out.  On the 4 occasions that "Landmine" was there thatafternoon he somehow failed to find out!Towards the end of the afternoon I was asked to get Martin Joubert to thepolice station as they just wanted to record a statement from him.  Whenhe arrived they said that they wanted to charge him for kidnapping! [atotally false charge].  They started recording a statement which was doneby the light of a cell phone into the night as they had no candles.They have now put Martin into jail with the other workers.Dave Drury managed to get private access to some of our workers who werein jail on similar charges.  They were not being brought to court andwere being illegally incarcerated beyond the 48 hour limit.  This waspointed out to Chief Inspector Manika but he did not let them out ofcustody.The workers showed how they were tortured by police when havingstatements extracted from them.  They were beaten using a heavyelectrical cable.  Dave saw the cable and the welts from the beating.We also got information that having chased all the guards away,"Landmine"  is now taking car loads of mangos out in the maroon Pradothat he drives and selling them at the market.On leaving the police I went out to try to get to Mike and Angela's houseon foot in the dark with a friend.  Bruce had told Chief Inspector Manikathat we were going to try to sleep at the house to stop any looting thatmight be taking place.  The Chief Inspector said that he thought thiswould be fine.On getting to within 100 yards of the house we were ambushed by someinvaders who were waiting for us.  They fired stones with catapults. We had to run for it while stones whistled past our ears.  My friendwent down when a big rock hit his leg but he was up in a flashand somehow avoided capture.  He went down again when he leapt the treesand branches blocking the road and he is quite grazed up.  It was a greatmercy that we avoided capture because another cracked skull, 50 yardsfrom where they cracked mine 9 month ago, would not have been good.So today has been another difficult one.  At this stage we are quiet atour house though; so we are thankful for that.The answer to prayer is that despite all this and virtually no sleep forseveral nights and hardly any food, we are not discouraged.  It is a hardtime but I know God is with us and I know that this lack ofdiscouragement has to be from God!Please keep praying,With love,Ben."-------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.Dear Jag,The present situation at Mt. Carmel farm is very, very worrying. BenFreeth and his extended family must feel no one cares. They are suchcourageous people.What we read regarding the unity govt seems to be happening in anothercountry, not Zimbabwe, and by the 'cosy and bonding' meetings at VicFalls one gets the strong feeling that the MCD could soon be sitting onthe lap of comfort and luxury (Mercs, etc) offered by Zanu-PF.  It allsounds too familiar again and we cannot be fooled; the West also knowsbetter and will not be fooled; so what is the MDC going to do about thecontinuing farm invasions? That's what I want to know. It is happeningat their doorstep.Jo Swan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Dear Jag,Mr Peter Thomson's letter dated 01. April 2009:  no one could have written better, well done Mr Thomson !!Jo Swan-------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Dear JAG,The 100 day plan has merit. A lot can happen in a hundred days.Hopefully what happens will result in a good hundred day experience andnot a bad hundred day experience.I think a cabbage takes about 100 days to be mature from a seedlingdepending on the growing conditions.It also takes about 100 days for you to start reaping tomatoes from thetime you plant the seedling out - also depending on the heat unitsat the time.But here comes the rub - what farm or farmer has security of tenurefor the next hundred days?The new dispensation will have to grasp the nettle at some stage in thefuture - investment in a seedlings, labour, fertilizer, chemicals,irrigation, transport and so forth requires confidence of security oftenure.At this moment we see a party Secretary for Information and a Speaker ofthe Senate saying that they represent The Law and The King and they canbreak the commandment of "thou shalt not cover thouneighbour's field" - so that less and less farmers areinclined to sow.With less sown, there is precious little to eat - we have all seenthe prison video.As a displaced farmer I have a responsibility to tell the G 20 that thestarvation in Zimbabwe is a Zanu planned political event.Why should the taxpayers of the G 20 pay for Zanu's ongoingexperiment?Why should the G 20 taxpayers keep Gideon Gono so round faced, smiley andshiny?The GNU must understand that the world can see what Zanu is trying to do.Why not nationalise the diamond mine for the people and use those fundsto kick start the economy - rather than think of the begging bowl?J.L. Robinson.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.  Dear JAG, I would like to comment on the minister of education, sports, arts andculture`s efforts in trying to turn around the education system inZimbabwe. Unfortunately, he is doing it the Zanu PF way-rob Moses andgive it freely to Joshua. How do you explain the differences in tuitionsof Blakiston Primary & Budiriro 4? What criterion was used to come upwith the figures of US$150 & US$20? To make matters worse the ministryapproved levies ranging from US$100 to US$200-00. Effectively a grade 1pupil is paying a minimum of US$250/term. Compare this with the US$100-00allowance for civil servants. What the minister is missing is that thereare some richer people in rural areas compared to town fellows. If youremployer provides you with accommodation at his house say in Milton Park,should my child go to warren park for primary schooling whilst Blakistonis the nearest?  Free primary education should be for all not ruralfolks. Zanu PF has been employing this system of trying to please ruralfolks at every turn but where are we? If you say we have to pay theneveryone should. We don't want this divide and rule Zanu PF system.From the levies, teachers are being paid a token of appreciation andagain Mr Coltart wants us to finance teachers' salaries throughunrealistic tuitions. We are buying all the stationery needed. What isthe government doing with our US$150/term per child? Basic education isevery child`s right but not in Zimbabwe as you have just provedhonourable minister.Disappointed Parent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Dear JAG,Thought your readers might need to know. I received an email at the endof February beginning of March warning us of Hi-jack attempts on thehighway between Pretoria and Joburg N1.Lucky for us we read the email.On Saturday 14th March travelling to Joburg we had a hi-jack attempt madeon us!!! Two Indian men (can't call them gentlemen) flashed a card at usthat said Police and indicated that we pull over, smiling at us, wesigned to them NO go away they were in a White/Silver BMW no numberplates on the vehicle. They shot off in front of us at high speed.  About20mins later they were back again in a Black BMW, same people, indicatingto us to pull over flashing the same card after much foul languageusing signs. We refused to pull over. This time we managed to get alicense number from the front of the vehicle MZP 131 GP   but no numberat the back (Plates are properly stolen).It was an extremely frightening experience for us and happen so quickly.These hi-jackers are targeting Zimbabwe Cars, probably because we arecarrying hard cash on us. To my knowledge the police are not allowed topull vehicles off to the side of the road on a Main Highway.  Our feelingwas that IF they were police rather follow them to the police station andsuffer the consequences rather than be hi-jacked. As it turns out wenever saw them again.So as school holidays are now upon us and April is the time for mostZimbo's to travel down SouthPLEASE PLEASE BEWARE KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU!!!!! DON'T DO ANYTHINGSILLY AND BE CAREFULI attach an email I received the other dayThe Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network andthere is an emergency,dial 112 and the mobile will search any existingnetwork to establish the emergency number for you,and interestingly thisnumber 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.ONE MORE POTENTIALLY USEFUL THING TO KNOW . .ATM - PIN Number ReversalIf you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATMmachine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN # in reverse. Forexample, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put in 4321.The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards from the ATMcard you placed in the machine.The machine will still give you (& the robber) the money you requested,but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately alerted, anddispatched to the location (if you are lucky).Also, the robbers will only know your PIN backwards, so if they take yourcard and try to use it again with the reversed number, the ATM will againalert the police.This information was recently broadcast on CTV by Crime Stoppers. Howeverit is seldom used because people just don't know about it.Please pass this along to everyone. This is the kind of informationpeople don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends.Please pass this on-------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Dear JAG,The global concern over carbon emissions appears to have illustrated howZanu's political foray into agriculture is a suicide mission interms of the carbon cycle and food supply.The carbon cycle is about energy and protein flow - food.Put simply - 6 carbon dioxide + 12 water + chlorophyll with sun =carbohydrate + 6 oxygen + 6 water.This process is simple, scientific and universally accepted.Abuse the simple steps of the process and the results are manifested inthe Zimbabwe some of us can see today.Minister Coltart could well have a bigger job on his hands than either heor the rest of the world realise - to educate the people ofZimbabwe that the manner in which the natural resources of a nation aremanaged will be reflected in the social welfare of the civilisationitself.The GNU may well have to have to look backwards a wee bit and study thework of the late Keith Harvey of the NRB.Keith identified the lack of security of tenure as the single mostinhibiting factor for African agriculture and set about creating title sothat the African farmers could use their title as collateral to investfurther in necessary improvements to improve efficiency of their on farmCarbon Cycle. Keith painfully comprehended the tragic malfunction of thecarbon cycle in the communal lands - which Zanu has now managed toextrapolate almost country wide.The GNU appears to have signed a political agreement stating thatZanu's destruction of the carbon cycle is"irreversible."This will be an interesting and unique road to recovery for us all towatch - for agriculturalists in particular.It is akin to expecting water to start running uphill, or rain coming outof the ground and falling into the sky - and of course thehealthiest and happiest nation in the whole world living on fresh air andZanu promises. Based on this premise, remand prisoners in Zimbabwe willsoon have an obesity problem.The GNU can reflect on the fact that even the Blood Diamonds are part ofthe Carbon cycle - dated Carbon perhaps, that one or two fat catshave decided they deserve exclusive rights to.J.L. Robinson

JAG open letter forum - No. 621 - Dated 8th   April 2009

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

Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
jag@mango.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the subject
line.

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1. RATES-WATER-ELECTRICITY-TEL ONE

2. Samuel Richard Tonkin

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

1. Dear JAG,

RATES-WATER-ELECTRICITY-TEL ONE

The Association for Business in Zimbabwe

Growth & Development

12 Wolverhampton Road

Donnington

Bulawayo

P O Box FM 52

Famona

Bulawayo

Tel: 474595 / 011431544

EMail: abuz@yoafrica.com

16 March 2009

Dear Members,

RE: FEEDBACK-ZESA, TELONE AND CITY COUNCIL CHARGES

TELONE

I spoke to the Matabeleland Regional Manager Mr. T. Ncube this morning.
The March tariffs have been revised downwards as follows:

30 cents to 21 cents per unit (3 mins)

Rentals-Corporates-US15 to US 5

       Residentials - US5 to US5 (No change)

A decision is yet to be made on the January and February bills. We will
be advised soon.

CITY COUNCIL

I spoke to the Finance Director Mr. M. Nyoni this morning. The revised
rates will be announced this week through the press. He advised the
ratepayers to wait for the revised rates before they pay.

ZESA

I spoke to the Commercial Manager Mr.M. Sibindi on Friday, last week. As
directed by the Minister, they are waiting for the new charges, which
were supposed to be finalized by the 15th of March 2009. Individuals are
still urged to pay US10 and companies a third of their bills.

Members will be advised on any new development.

Regards

L MLILO

CEO

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2. Dear JAG,

I am looking for anyone related to a Samuel Richard Tonkin formerly of
Chacewater, Cornwell - he died March 6th '95 at the D.S.O. mine Mashaba
aged 70 yrs.  I have a nice photo of his headstone at the Gaths mine
cemetary.  I wonder if anyone has any idea where Karen Compton, formerly
Monks is - the last I heard she was in Scotland - would love to hear from
her again Thanks

New edition : Beloved African

From: Jill Lambert …..

There has been renewed interest in this moving story of the real struggle
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 now and it is hoped that copies will
be available within a month.

  _____

Beloved African

After very successful sales following its initial hard cover publication in
South Africa, then soft cover in Australia … a new edition of Beloved
African has now been published in the United Kingdom.

This is an important book - almost mandatory reading for anyone who has
loved Zimbabwe or Africa - or requires some understanding of why events in
Zimbabwe have transpired as they have.

“I feel there is no long‐term future for the white man in this country
unless he learns to

live comfortably with the black. To that end I find myself more and more
interested in

the education of the black instead of white.”

John Hammond, Plumtree, Southern Rhodesia, 1935.

John Hammond was one of Rhodesia’s great educators. Across four decades and
in the face of hardship, misunderstanding and opposition he strove to
educate and train a generation of boys and girls to lead a modern African
nation in the post‐colonial era that he saw coming. His story is also one
of a great love, between John and his wife Nancy and of struggle through
separation, war, disease and natural disaster.

Told by their daughter Jill Baker and based on personal interviews, hundreds
of letters dating back to the early 1900s, annual reports from the 1930s to
the 1960s and dozens of photographs, this book gives a unique insight into
the life, mind and attitudes of pioneering colonial settlers working to help
build a new and prosperous country on the high ideals they held.

Beloved African is available direct from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or through
the publishers, Roper Penberthy Publishing www.roperbenperthy.co.uk . In
addition, signed copies can be obtained direct from the author through the
website www.belovedafrican.com

New Book - Dawn of Deliverance

From: Jim Peters <jim@jimpetersstrategist.com>

Dear Friends and Family:

Finally Dawn of Deliverance has been published. The book is initially
available from major online booksellers in both hard-cover and soft-cover,
and will be available in bookstores in about 30 – 60 days. The information
below gives you a snapshot of the book and a glance at the cover.

For an immediate copy contact any of the following online bookstores:

1. iUniverse.com  (International shipping via USPS is $4.18)

2. Amazon.com
 BarnesandNoble.com (International shipping is around $6 for air priority
mail)
 BooksAMillion.com

 Once you have read the book I would really appreciate some feedback about
what you think. This is part of my life—though the publishers advised me to
eliminate one of the main characters, so that there are only a protagonist
and an antagonist. For that reason the book is written as fiction, and the
ending, though true, actually took place through a friend who became a
priest and notified me of the change in heart of the antagonist, Josiah,
after he met with him two years after we left Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

 For various reasons the main character, Jamie Ross, is actually my first
and middle name—James Ross Peters, and Sallie preferred that I change her
name to Emily.

 Various other names have been changed, and Alan Ross, who is mentioned in
the book, is not my brother. Again, a publisher suggestion.

 During the 40 years I actually lived and grew up in Rhodesia I was called
by my nickname, Hamish, and that is the name that is featured in various
television programs about Rhodesia/Zimbabwe shown in the US in 1977 and
through the early 80s. As you read the book you will see why I have so
little respect for certain television reporters and the media in general.

 Please pass this e-mail message on to friends and others you know who may
be interested in reading the book.

                     “Brilliant and enthralling—a must read.”

The story is powerful, fast paced and inspired by the experiences of the
author. You will live the challenges of the war of terror in
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Empathize with Jamie’s wife while he is in the forefront
of the battle. You will learn why winning the hearts and minds of the people
are so important. Understand how the world’s most brutal dictator, Robert
Mugabe, came into power. Your heart will pound, you will cry as you read
about the terrorist atrocities, you will sigh with relief and the ending
will inspire you.

Terrorists of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union have seized
control of the Honde Valley, and the Prime Minister is in a quandary. The
war is escalating on three fronts and the situation in the Honde Valley has
deteriorated. Is it possible to make one last-ditch effort to regain the
Honde, or should he simply rewrite the borders and concede the Honde to
Mugabe?

In James R. Peters' new book Dawn of Deliverance, we learn the story of
Jamie Ross, a District Commissioner, who accepts an assignment to win back
the Honde. Jamie sets out a strategy to win the hearts and minds of the
people by relocating them into seven protected villages. Meanwhile,
terrorist leader Josiah Makoni is taken from his village, indoctrinated as a
Marxist guerilla, and then orchestrates brutal attacks against tribal
leaders, white farmers and finally the massacre of 12 missionaries at Elim
Mission School. With the occupation of the first of the protected villages
Josiah realizes that to retain control of the Honde and its vital access
routes he must first kill Jamie Ross and destroy his spirit. But, God
apparently has another plan.

About the Author: ( www.jimpetersstrategist.com)

James R. “Jim” “Hamish” Peters is a third-generation Rhodesian (Zimbabwean)
who served 23 years with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and 11 years as a
District Commissioner in that country. He was actively involved in the
terrorist war that ultimately placed Robert Mugabe in power. For his
leadership and courage in bringing peace to the Honde Valley he was honored
as a Member of the Legion of Merit (MLM). Jim served as the Executive Vice
President of the REALTOR® Association of Greater Ft. Lauderdale for 15 years
and then 12 plus years as the CEO of the South Carolina Association of
REALTORS®. He  lives with his wife, Sallie, in Columbia, S.C. where he is a
strategic consultant and author.

Jim”Hamish” Peters

Jim Peters, MLM, RCE, CAE

Strategic Consultant & Author
803-32-2660 - Bus & FAX
803-606-0197 – Cell
Jim@JimPetersStrategist.com
www.JimPetersStrategist.com