Minister fears coup over Mugabe succession

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Lizwe Sebatha Monday 10 August 2009

BULAWAYO -Failure by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party to resolve the
issue of his succession could plunge Zimbabwe into Somalia-type anarchy,
with military coups the means to acquire power, Finance Minister and former
opposition politician Tendai Biti has warned.

Biti, secretary general of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party that
formed a power-sharing government with ZANU PF last February, said there was
chaos in Mugabe's party over his succession.

The Finance Minister -- who spoke as last week's death of Vice President
Joseph Msika reignited the vicious battle to succeed Mugabe as leader of
ZANU PF party and possibly Zimbabwe -- suggested that any one of the rival
factions competing to take control of Mugabe's party when and if the veteran
leader steps down could instigate a military coup.

"The succession debate in ZANU PF should be resolved very urgently as it can
result in a military coup in this country. It is not a secret that there is
chaos in ZANU PF about succession," said Biti at a weekend meeting with
business leaders in Bulawayo.

He added: "We don't want a military coup because of a failure to replace the
leadership. Zimbabwe will be like Somalia and Ivory Coast if the succession
issue is not urgently dealt with.a failure to deal with this issue will
affect future generations of Zimbabweans."

There was no immediate reaction from ZANU PF to Biti's comments.

Msika, who was one of two vice presidents of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF, died last
Wednesday after being unwell for most of the past four years. He was 86.

Analysts said Msika's death - coming five months ahead of a ZANU PF elective
congress in December -- could worsen the succession debate that seemed
closed when Mugabe in June told his squabbling party that there would be no
change of guard in the top leadership until there was "better unity".

Several ZANU PF provincial executives that nominate leadership candidates
had already said they would retain the entire party presidium with Mugabe at
the top. But with Msika's death they will now be forced to nominate a
candidate for the second vice president's slot.

Anyone chosen to re-place Msika will, together with the other vice
president, Joice Mujuru, be a step closer to the top job. - ZimOnline.

Mugabe lashes at West at Heroes’ Acre

SA admits they are considering selling arms to Zimbabwe

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
10 August 2009

The MDC provincial leadership in South Africa says it is 'stunned' by
weekend revelations that South Africa's National Arms Control Committee is
considering the sale of rounds of ammunition to Zimbabwe. The allegations
were first made by the opposition Democratic Alliance who said the arms
committee had approved a number of 'dodgy deals' with Iran, Syria, North
Korea, Libya, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Committee Chairman Jeff Radebe denied
any deals with Iran and North Korea, but confirmed they were considering
selling arms to Zimbabwe.

Sibanengi Dube the Publicity and Information Secretary for the MDC in South
Africa said there was no doubt in their mind that Mugabe would use the arms
to 'butcher MDC supporters and leaders.' He said it was "way above our
wildest imagination that South Africa, whose President and SADC Chairman
Jacob Zuma is the Chairman of SADC, a guarantor of the Global Political
Agreement being implemented in Zimbabwe, could supply ammunition to
trigger-happy Zanu PF Sadducees." Dube said they would also lobby the top
leadership in the MDC to put the brakes on the deal.

African National Congress Chief Whip in Parliament Mathole Motshekga
justified the proposed sale by saying 'contrary to the DA (Democratic
Alliance) disinformation, there is no arms embargo imposed against either
Zimbabwe or Syria by the United Nations Security Council.' Dube however told
Newsreel, common sense had to prevail. He said the country was desperate for
things like food, drugs, power and an improvement in infrastructure, instead
of wasting money on arms.

Last week, the Democratic Alliance accused Mugabe of preparing to go to war
against the MDC ahead of the next elections. Two of their MP's, Wilmot James
and Kenneth Mubu traveled to Zimbabwe on a fact finding mission and reported
that credible sources had told them Mugabe was also trying to procure
ammunition from South Africa, and was in discussions with Venezuela, Cuba
and North Korea about funding a 'war chest.' The MP's called on South
African President Jacob Zuma to impose an arms embargo on Zimbabwe.

Opposition shadow defence Minister David Maynier who blew the lid on South
Africa's dodgy deals, and now faces a government investigation, has
meanwhile hit back saying the deals confirm, "that the ANC government is
either exhibiting, selling or has sold arms to a number countries with
dubious human rights records, several involved in regional conflicts and a
great many under the undemocratic rule of a dictator."

MDC wants army, police reforms

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Chenai Maramba Monday 10 August 2009

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party has called for
comprehensive security sector reforms to "depoliticise" Zimbabwe's army and
police and transform them into professional forces that owe allegiance to
the nation and not political parties.

The MDC that has a difficult relationship with top commanders of Zimbabwe's
security forces said a new and independent board should be appointed to
oversee senior police and army appointments and promotions in order to
enhance professionalism in the forces.

''MDC calls on the defence forces to be depoliticised so that they serve the
interests of the nation above those of any political party," Tsvangirai's
party said, in a statement issued at the weekend and as the country prepared
to honour its security forces during the Defence Forces holiday tomorrow.

"The MDC believes that the Defence Forces Commission should be overhauled so
that a new board with independent and qualified members be appointed in
consultation with commanders of the Zimbabwe National Army and the Air force
of Zimbabwe.

"In this view, it should be the responsibility of this commission to review
and oversee senior appointments and promotions, as well as general working
conditions and salaries of all personnel.''

Zimbabwe's top security commanders have refused to salute or recognize
Tsvangirai and for months refused to attend National Security Council (NSC)
meetings because the former opposition leader is a member.

And on several occasions Zimbabwe's top generals have threatened to stage a
coup should Tsvangirai takeover over power.

When the MDC leader defeated Mugabe in a first round presidential election
in March 2008 the security forces responded by waging a campaign of violence
against Tsvangirai's support base, forcing the former opposition leader to
quit the decisive second round presidential ballot.

Mugabe won the ballot uncontested. But his victory was rejected
internationally including by African countries who pressured the veteran
leader to open power-sharing talks with Tsvangirai and that eventually saw
the old foes agreeing to form a government of national unity last
February. - ZimOnline.

Time to get tough on Bob

http://www.mg.co.za

MANDY ROSSOUW AND JASON MOYO - Aug 10 2009 06:00

President Jacob Zuma is set to ask the Southern African Development
Community to drop Thabo Mbeki as its mediator in Zimbabwe.

It is a sign that South Africa's stance on its northern neighbour has
shifted.

Observers said Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe will find there is a new
sheriff in town when Zuma visits his country soon.Zuma is expected to visit
Zimbabwe in response to an invitation from the Zimbabwean government, but an
official state visit is not yet on the cards.

Those around him said this week that he is keen to deal with the Zimbabwean
situation as quickly as possible, in part to stem the flow of refugees to
South Africa, but also to show Mugabe that Mbeki's softly-softly approach is
a thing of the past. They said Zuma is in contact with Mbeki about Zimbabwe,
but that the relationship is "uncomfortable" and it would be better if the
former president were out of the picture.

Mbeki's loss of domestic power also means he is taken less seriously in
multilateral forums such as SADC, which gives Mugabe some leeway, some
people fear.

Morgan Tsvangirai, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader and
Zimbabwe's prime minister, visited Zuma last week at Luthuli House to
complain about the lack of progress in implementing the settlement agreement
signed in Zimbabwe late last year.

Tsvangirai is said to have complained about Mugabe's disregard for clauses
in the agreement concerning the removal of central bank governor
Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana, the attorney general. He also apparently
complained that the public service is stalling the approval of key
appointments in his office.

Zuma is expected to be tough on Mugabe, despite a personal relationship
formed in Mozambique during the struggle era. "Zuma will not allow Mugabe to
parade him in front of everyone and say 'This is my friend'," said a close
aide.

Zuma is adamant that he must meet the leader of the other MDC faction,
Arthur Mutambara, before he meets Mugabe, so he is well briefed to confront
Mugabe with the critical issues. "Zuma is fed up. He wants to see this thing
moving," the aide said, adding that the main contrast with the Mbeki era was
that Zuma "takes Tsvangirai seriously". Thabo used to think Tsvangirai [was]
politically immature.

Zuma says that may or may not be the case, but he is there and we have to
work with him." The aide said that Tsvangirai's Western backers have exerted
a powerful influence on Zuma's approach to Zimbabwe. "Zuma knows the money
for upliftment from the West will come only through Tsvangirai. And he can
see that the West is willing to help -- they're now getting closer to making
real contributions."

The South African leader is expected to keep a close watch on the succession
battles in Zanu-PF because of a possible internal revolt against Mugabe. The
role of Joyce Mujuru, one of Zimbabwe's two vice-presidents, and her
husband, Solomon, as well as that of the army, would be carefully monitored.

A joint committee comprising Zanu-PF's top leaders, Deputy President Kgalema
Motlanthe and Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, was set up last
year to "keep the channels of communication open between the two
revolutionary parties", but has apparently withered on the vine.

Despite this, Zanu-PF still maintains that the change of leadership has not
changed the nature of its relationship with the ANC. "We were in the
trenches with the ANC long before the MDC was conceived.

You must know that, even though there may be some hesitation, our friendship
is much deeper than people think," a senior member of the Zanu-PF politburo
said.

Zanu-PF has pointed to comments by Zuma condemning Zimbabwe's isolation as
evidence that there will be no change of policy under his leadership.

But MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said Zuma is close to the aspirations of
the Zimbabwean people. "He identifies with our aspirations for free
elections. He identifies with our desire for a vibrant opposition and a
thriving economy. To us, he is a symbol of those aspirations."

Other senior MDC officials recalled this week how Tsvangirai had gone for
what they said was "a whole year" at the height of the Zimbabwe crisis
before Mbeki would meet him.

Such is the animosity towards Mbeki that some of Tsvangirai's lieutenants
still blame him for the split in the MDC in 2005.

Tsvangirai is meeting regional leaders ahead of the SADC summit next month.
He met Botswana's President Ian Khama after his Zuma meeting and is
scheduled to make further regional tops during the next four weeks.

Thousands commemorate Heroes Day & burial of Msika

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Violet Gonda
10 August 2009

The commemoration of National Heroes Day on Monday coincided with the burial
of the late Vice President Joseph Msika, who died last week aged 86. The
late Vice President was given full military honours as his white casket,
draped in a Zimbabwe flag, was lowered into the ground.

Thousands of people thronged the shrine including, Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Ministers Thokozani Khupe and Arthur Mutambara,
Cabinet Ministers and the families of those buried at Heroes Acre.

Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and Vice Presidents from
Tanzania and Botswana, the Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Mozambican
Minister of Home Affairs were among the foreign guests who attended the
ceremony.

Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the Heroes Acre was filled to
capacity, with some people having to sit on tree branches.

President Robert Mugabe told mourners the late Vice President was a great
fighter, and a principled and fearless leader who spent 46 days in the West
End Clinic in Harare, until he finally died last Wednesday from
hypertension.

Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara told SW Radio Africa that Msika was a
'stabilising force' in the inclusive government, and an 'honest, frank and
father figure who will be missed in the government.'

However, some have portrayed the late Vice President as 'perhaps the only
Zimbabwean who could outdo Mugabe when it came to verbal vitriol.' The UK
Telegraph wrote: "The targets of his bile included journalists, farmers, all
young Zimbabweans - who had allegedly failed to match his standards of
patriotism and devotion - and white people in general."

The paper went on to say, while Mugabe would routinely refer to white
Zimbabweans as 'greedy exploiters,' Msika bluntly declared: 'Whites are not
human beings,'' and described the then opposition MDC party as a 'terrorists
group.'

When asked for his reaction to this, Mutambara said, Zimbabweans have gone
through a period where people have been fighting against each other through
words and fighting through violence. "We have lost lives in our country and
we have gone through a very bad patch. It's time for Zimbabweans to work
together and put our past behind. Msika was very keen in the inclusive
government, keen to encourage Zimbabweans to work together in spite of the
issues that happened in the past, and was critical in bringing ZAPU and ZANU
together."

Meanwhile, our correspondent Muchemwa said, in an unusually short speech at
the Heroes Acre, Mugabe attacked Western countries for failing to recognise
the inclusive government, while regional bodies such as the African Union
and SADC have recognised 'efforts being made' by the new government. He
said: "The British have said they will never be slaves, so they should not
be slave masters."

According to Muchemwa, Mugabe's speech appeared to criticise the MDC-T's
re-engagement strategy with the West. The MDC has been going to Western
countries looking for aid but has only managed to receive pledges for
humanitarian assistance and specific projects. Western countries have
refused to give money directly to the coalition government until they see
real change and democratic reforms in place.

Mugabe said: "Let everyone in the Inclusive Government be clear that no
nation will ever prosper through handouts, with a dime here for drugs, a
dime there for food and perhaps a farthing here for your budget."

He added: "Kwadzinorohwa matumbu ndikokwedzino mhanyira." (They run back to
their abusers).

Meanwhile, the two MDC's have criticised the partisan manner in which
national heroes are conferred in Zimbabwe, which to date has been the sole
prerogative of those in ZANU PF.

The parties said there must be an inclusive national policy and an
independent body with set parameters and clearly defined yardsticks to
determine who qualifies to be a national hero or heroine.

Mutambara said it is an 'insult to our intelligence and our collective
wisdom' to have a heroism framework that is defined by ZANU PF alone.

The Deputy Prime Minister said a 'National Heroes Selection Board' is going
to be created that will be above politics, is non partisan, and would
involve the private sector and civil society. He concluded: "We must make
sure that our National Heroes Acre is not a ZANU PF shrine but a National
shrine. As a National shrine it must be above partisan aspirations and
partisan interests. This is work in progress."

SADC defence experts meet on Tuesday

http://www.portalangop.co.ao

8/10/09 9:44 AM

Angola

Luanda - The first meeting and official presentation of the Working Group of
SADC Defence Inspectors starts this Tuesday, in Luanda, to analyse and
approve documents that will rule the institution's function.

According to the general inspector of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA),
general Rafael Sapilinha "Sambalanga", for this meeting there had been
confirmed the presence 11 of the 13 SADC member countries, and are already
in Luanda the general Defence inspectors of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi,
Lesotho, Zambia and Namibia.

Representatives from South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique are expected
Monday while others are coming on Thursday. An inspector from Uganda will
attend the meeting as an observer.

Madagascar, also a member State, was suspended by the regional organization
(SADC) because of the political instability in the island nation.

Zimbabwe's Former Opposition MDC Says 500 Died In 2008 Political Violence

http://www.voanews.com



By Patience Rusere
Washington
09 August 2009

The formation of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change led by Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says a new compilation of victims of 2008
post-election violence shows as many as 500 of its members lost their lives
during that turbulent period.

The Tsvangirai MDC has established a follow-up team to document all victims
unreported at the time, said its welfare coordinator, Brighton Matimba.
Previous estimates from the MDC as to how many fatalities were caused by
post-election violence put the number around 200.

Most independent accounts of the violence say the vast majority of victims
were members or officials of the Tsvangirai MDC formation, and that the
violence was mainly carried out by youth militia or war veterans linked to
the former ruling ZANU-PF party. But there were indications the military and
security forces took part in or supported the violence.

Pishayi Mucharaya, Manicaland spokesman for the MDC formation, told reporter
Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the former opposition
party won't wait for national healing and reconciliation to run its course
to document what happened.

Zimbabwe at risk of becoming 'next Somalia'

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk

Zimbabwe is at risk of suffering a series of military coups as witnessed in
Somalia if political in-fighting continues, the country's finance minister
has warned.

Tendai Biti claims the country is on the brink of serious conflict due to
the failure of the Zanu-PF party to find a successor for president Robert
Mugabe and other senior political figures.

Speaking at a meeting held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, to review
his mid-term fiscal policy statement, Mr Biti told business leaders that the
failure by the party to resolve its succession debate could result in
feuding factions which may ultimately resort to military coups to claim
power.

"The succession debate in Zanu-PF should be resolved very urgently as it can
result in a military coup in this country. It is not a secret that there is
chaos in Zanu-PF about succession," he said.

"We don't want a military coup because of a failure to replace the
leadership.

"With the kind of a history of violence and brutality associated with
Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe will be like Somalia and Ivory Coast if the succession
issue is not urgently dealt with...a failure to deal with this issue will
affect future generations of Zimbabwe."

Somalia and Ivory Coast both continue to face instability due to
long-running political crises.

In May, the Zanu PF politburo, the party's highest decision-making body, set
up a committee to look into the issue of choosing new leaders.

Analysts said it was the clearest sign yet that the party could finally open
debate on the election of a successor for the 85-year-old leader.

However last month, Mugabe was declared a supreme leader of Zanu-PF by one
of the feuding factions led by defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa,
effectively dealing a severe blow to any hopes of a leadership renewal of
the party that has led the country since 1980.

The issue of selecting Mugabe's successor has threatened to split Zimbabwe's
former ruling party amid behind-the-scenes jostling by party heavyweights
for the top post.

The infighting worsened following Zanu PF's dismal performance in last
year's elections where it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time
since independence to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Mugabe also lost the first round of the presidential elections to his then
rival Morgan Tsvangirai, a setback that forced him into a coalition
government.

The 85 year-old has said he would not step down until he is convinced that
his departure will not lead to the collapse of Zanu PF.
© Adfero Ltd
10 August 2009 08:19 GMT

UK mustn't dictate to us: Mugabe

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

by Charles Tembo Monday 10 August 2009

HARARE - President Robert Mugabe on Monday accused Britain of wanting to
dictate terms to Zimbabwe's power-sharing government and said Harare may
have to reconsider relations with London and its Western allies.

Mugabe called on Zimbabwe's new unity government to stand up to the West,
appearing to reject efforts by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who has been
pushing to restore relations with Western nations that are capable of
providing badly needed financial aid to Harare.

Speaking at the burial of former top ally and vice president Joseph Msika,
Mugabe said: "Let everyone in the inclusive government know that our nation
will never prosper through foreign handouts, no nation ever did with merely
a dime here for drugs, a dime for food, a farthing here for disease and
another farthing for your budget. Nations are built on their own endowments.

"We must assert ourselves as the inclusive government, we must say no you
(Britain) cannot come to us as principals to tell us what to do. We say no
to British rule, no to colonialism."

Tsvangirai and another former opposition leader Arthur Mutambara, who both
attended Msika's burial, agreed to form a power-sharing government with
Mugabe last February to try to tackle Zimbabwe's multi-faceted crisis.

Analysts say the coalition government offers Zimbabwe the best opportunity
in a decade to restore stability and end a devastating economic and
humanitarian crisis that had seen the once prosperous country suffer rampant
inflation, acute food shortages, record unemployment and deepening poverty.

But the administration, which says it needs US$10 billion to revive the
economy, could fail to deliver on its promise unless it is able to unlock
vital financial support from Western donor governments that have remained
reluctant to provide aid until they see evidence that Mugabe is committed to
genuinely share power with Tsvangirai. - ZimOnline

Dissident Sikhala Declares Himself President of Zimbabwe MDC Formation

http://www.voanews.com

     

      By Patience Rusere
      Washington
      09 August 2009

Turmoil has continued within the formation of Zimbabwe's Movement for
Democratic Change led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara with former
St. Mary's legislator Job Sikhala declaring himself party president,
claiming the support of disgruntled members.

But Mutambara MDC spokesman Edwin Mushoriwa dismissed Sikhala's assertion
saying only a party congress can vote out a president. He noted that Sikhala
was suspended from the party more than two months ago for alleged political
misbehavior.

Sikhala told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that
members of the breakaway MDC formation think Mutambara has aligned himself
too closely with President Robert Mugabe and object to the recent expulsion
of several party lawmakers.

Parly Committtee Fails to Meet Own Time Frame

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

Zvamaida Murwira

10 August 2009

Harare - The Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution Making Process
has failed to constitute and assign stakeholders to the various thematic
committees within the two weeks' time frame it has set for itself.

This has fuelled anxiety as some people feel that the committee might fail
to complete the task at hand within the stipulated time frame.

The select committee had made an undertaking during an all-stakeholders
conference on July 14 this year that it would have the various committees in
place within two weeks.
This was after the conference had failed to conduct the process owing to
chaos that characterised proceedings during the opening day among other
reasons.

Committee co-chairperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora admitted at the weekend that
they had failed to meet their set target.

He attributed the failure to a number of reasons most of which he said were
beyond the committee's control.

Mr Mwonzora, however said the committee had finished the allocation of the
various thematic committees to political parties.

The parties are now expected to second Members of Parliament from their
ranks to chair the 17 committees.

"We were supposed to announce the chairpersons of these thematic committees
yesterday (last Thursday) but we failed because Zanu-PF has not finalised
its process.
"We will be delayed because most of them will be attending the funeral of
Vice President Msika," said Mr Mwonzora who is the Nyanga North Member of
the House of Assembly.

He also attributed the delay to budgetary constraints but they had since
secured some commitment from development partners.

"The first reason had to do with budget. The second reason was that there
were few demands from civic society which we had to consider and we have
accommodated their concerns," said Mr Mwonzora.

"The other reason is that we have asked civic society to give us names for
people who will be deputy chairpersons and members and you will appreciate
that this process is very slow and will take long."
The select committee convened an all-stakeholders conference last month, as
the final stage of the first phase of the constitution making process.

The second stage should see the various thematic committees moving around
the country to get input on what the public wants to be included in the new
constitution.

The third and final phase will be the writing and adoption of the
constitution through a referendum.

The new constitution will culminate in fresh elections in line with what was
agreed by the three principals to the Global Political Agreement

Zimbabwe food basket goes up

http://sundaystandard.info  Botswana

by Sunday Standard reporter in Bulawayo
10.08.2009 11:17:50 A

A monthly cost of a food basket in Zimbabwe for a family of six has
increased owing to distortions in the country over the international
exchange rates.

A food basket for a family of six went up to US$148.30 from last month's
figure of US$138.05, a quick reminder that the country's ten year economic
nightmares are still not out of the woods despite a unity government formed
February.

This also highlights that the majority of Zimbabweans are still going hungry
and cannot afford food basics since they earn less than US$200.

Zimbabwe dumped its hyper-inflated local currency in favour of regional and
international stable currencies like the South African rand, the Botswana
pula, the United States dollar and the British pound.

However, the most used currencies are the rands and the US dollar as other
currencies are scarce in the country. As a result, this has caused
distortions on the exchange rates, especially with the recent firming of the
rand against the US dollar, thereby leading to a spike the cost of most food
basics.

A firming rand means food basics imported into the country from S.A become
expensive for local consumers since most shops and supermarkets would be
pegging their goods using various US$ to rand exchange rates.

"In June, the food section for a family of six was US$138, 05 and in July it
rose to US$148, 30, owing to the firming of the South African rand and
distortions that characterized the fuel market," said Consumer Council of
Zimbabwe (CCZ) Executive Director, Rosemary Siyachitema.

However, the cost of living for July dropped by one percent from June.

CCZ executive director attributed the marginal decline to the
re-introduction of actual usage bills by utilities, instead of estimates.

"This shows a marginal decrease of one percent. We attribute this decrease
to the re-introduction of issuing of actual usage bills to consumers by
utilities such as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority," she said.

She said the soaps and detergent section had dropped although the change was
not remarkable.

"Products under the soap and detergent section dropped from US$15, 17 in
June to US$15, and 06 last month."

The rent, water, education, clothing and footwear basket also experienced a
reduction from $349 to $344 as a result of the introduction of actual usage
bills and continued supply of imports on clothing and footwear, bringing
competition resulting in low prices.

Ms Siyachitema applauded service providers for re-introducing actual usage
bills.
Meanwhile, CCZ has begun conducting surveys in major retail outlets to help
consumers make rational decisions when buying products.

"As CCZ, we have begun conducting marketing surveys in the country's
supermarkets so that we provide consumers with data on where they can buy
goods at fairly reasonable prices. In addition, we also urge the transacting
public to compare prices before buying," said Ms Siyachitema.

SA should stop selling guns, bullets, bombs and grenades to Robert Mugabe

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

10 August 2009

By MDC SA Publicity & Information Secretary

The MDC leadership in South Africa is stunned by weekend revelations that
the South Africa's National Arms Control Committee (NCACC) is considering
authorizing the sale of rounds of ammunition to Zimbabwe.

The revelations were made by DA MPs who were in Zimbabwe on a three day fact
finding mission recently. NCACC Chairman, Minister Jeff Radede, was quoted
in the press over the weekend confirming that they were considering selling
bullets to Mugabe. ANC Chief Whip, Mathole Motshekga openly justified arming
Mugabe saying: "Contrary to the DA disinformation, there is no arms embargo
imposed against either Zimbabwe or Syria by the United Nations Security
Council."

We are hereby appealing to the ANC led government to immediately stop
doubting that Mugabe would use the arms to butcher MDC supporters and
leaders. This is a fact which is beyond any contest. This is not
speculation. We can not afford the luxury of a debate when people are being
butchered. This is way above our wildest imagination that South Africa,
whose President Jacob Zuma., is the Chairman SADCC, a guarantor of the
Global Political Agreement being implemented in Zimbabwe, could supply
ammunition to trigger-happy Zanu PF Sadducees. Zanu PF's high propensity for
the blood of its opponents has never been doubted by anybody since the
Chimurenga liberation struggle of the 1970s. The ANC knows this. We urge the
ANC government to be considerate, compassionate, exercise caution and good
judgment. The ANC need not to wait and lament when there is blood in the
streets of Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and in the villages of
Muzarabani, Tsholotsho, Chirumanzu, Gutu, Chivi, and Mberengwa.

Abuses continue as military grip on diamond fields tightens

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
10 August 2009

Calls to suspend the trade of Zimbabwe's diamonds have been renewed in the
past week, as the military grip on Chiadzwa's diamond fields tightens.

The government has ignored the directives made as a result of an
international diamond investigation to completely demilitarise the diamond
fields, in order to end ongoing human rights abuses there. Instead, Human
Rights Watch has reported that new military units have been rotated into the
zone, where numerous abuses and hundreds of killings have been reported.
A delegation of the Kimberley Process, an international group governing the
global diamond industry, sent a review mission to Chiadzwa more than a month
ago to assess Zimbabwe's compliance with internatonal diamond trade
standards. After two weeks spent interviewing survivors of abuse and
witnesses to murders and torture, the review team found Zimbabwe to be in
violation of these standards. The delegation then urged the government to
take corrective action by demilitarising the area by July 20 or face
suspension from the body.
But such action has not been taken, and calls to immediately suspend
Zimbabwe are again gathering momentum. Tiseke Kasambala, a senior researcher
with Human Rights Watch explained on Monday that rights abuses and smuggling
are continuing, while even witnesses to earlier abuses carried out in
Chiadzwa, who gave evidence to the Kimberley Process delegation are now
being harassed and threatened.
"We have received disturbing reports that a key local witness who gave
evidence of abuses to the Kimberly Process review mission, Chief Newman
Chiadzwa, went into hiding after menacing actions by members of the army,
including death threats and threats of eviction from his home," Kasambala
explained.
She continued that despite indications in early July by Mines Minister,
Obert Mpofu, that units of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces would be removed from
Chiadzwa, they instead have consolidated their presence. In a public
statement on July 10, senior Zimbabwe army and police officials declared
that they would not leave the diamond fields. Kasambala said there is
evidence that three days later, the military rotated its Kwekwe-based Fifth
Brigade into the diamonds fields to replace the Mutare-based Third Brigade.
Human Rights Watch has called on the government to immediately end the
harassment in Chiadwza by the military, but Kasambala said the
responsibility will rest with other members of the Kimberley Process, who
have the power to refuse to trade in Chiadzwa diamonds. She added that an
interim report that followed the July review mission to Chiadzwa needs to be
made public.
"The Kimberley Process took an important first step in condemning government
conduct in Marange," Kasambala said. "Faced with evidence that Zimbabwe is
ignoring its concerns, it should publish the review mission report. Then it
should take the next logical step, and suspend Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is clearly
not going to take the necessary corrective actions on its own."

Farmers compile blacklist as farm attacks continue

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
10 August 2009

The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) has compiled a blacklist of known land
invaders for apparent national healing processes, as the renewed offensive
against the commercial farming community continues.
The list was revealed in a CFU report unveiled at the group's annual general
meeting in Harare last week. The report follows the government's continued
refusal to protect farmers from ongoing attacks and harassment by powerful
army generals, government officials and ZANU PF loyalists.
CFU Vice President Deon Theron said in the report: "This is probably one of
the most important records which we are keeping, and will be extremely
useful in the future."
"During our compilation of this list of names, whether beneficiaries or
perpetrators of violence, which have been taken from our above reports, it
has been shown that there are a number of names that repeatedly appear on
many of the reports," Theron said.
"This has clearly shown that those individuals are not merely beneficiaries
of property, but are suspected of being the major organisers of the ongoing
conflict."
CFU President, Trevor Gifford has said the information was being sourced for
national healing purposes.
"At some stage in the future," said Gifford, "justice and reconciliation
would be part of the healing, and without justice there would be huge
difficulty in getting reconciliation."
The CFU says it has recorded more than 1800 incidents on farms between
August 2008 and June this year, including violent attacks, vandalism and
looting of property, assaults on farm workers, burning of crops and
incidents in which the police have flatly refused to assist farmers.
According to the CFU, only 400 white commercial farmers remain on the farms,
and of these, up to 170 are currently facing prosecution for defying
government's order to vacate their farms, which have been designated for
reallocation. A total of 66 farmers have been convicted and these include
their workers.
The government meanwhile, has defiantly refused to honour a judgment passed
by the SADC Tribunal in Windhoek in November last year, which barred the
State from further repossessing white owned land. The government further
rubbished a March 5, 2009 judgment by the same tribunal, which held it in
contempt of its first order and referred the matter to the upcoming SADC
summit.

Gay and lesbian Zimbabweans push for constitutional equality

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/10066

By staff writers
10 Aug 2009

Human rights campaigners in Zimbabwe believe they have a 50:50 chance of
seeing the rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual people protected in the
country's new constitution. This would overturn existing Zimbabwean law.

Sexual acts between men are currently prohibited in Zimbabwe. While sexual
acts between women are not mentioned in law, all forms of homosexuality have
been denounced by the country's president, Robert Mugabe.

However, it is thought that the Movement for Democratic Change, which now
shares in government, may be willing to consider a major change as part of
the country's current constitutional review.

"We live in hope," said Keith Goddard, director of Gays and Lesbians of
Zimbabwe (GALZ), which has around 400 members.

He told Britain's Guardian newspaper that "we've probably got a 50:50
 chance". He hopes that the National Aids Council's recent call for the
decriminalisation of homosexual practice will assist their campaign.

The influence of South African television on Zimbabweans is also thought to
be helping to change attitudes. South Africa was the first country in the
world to prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in its
constitution.

However, Goddard suggested that there was an atmosphere of "hysterical
homophobia" in the country, due in part to Mugabe's rhetoric. He said that
the network of people supported by GALZ includes many who are "very hidden
and very scared".

Mugabe has repeatedly attacked homosexuality as a Western import, although
gay, lesbian and bisexual Africans are keen to disagree.

The gay Nigerian Christian activist, Davis Mac-Iyalla has insisted that
"homosexuality has existed in Africa from the beginning". He suggests that
it was homophobia, not homosexuality, that was introduced into Africa by
Western colonisers and missionaries.

'No more power woes'

http://www.herald.co.zw

Monday, August 10, 2009

Business Reporter

ZIMBABWE is on course to meet its own power requirements and will generate
close to enough for domestic consumption by December. a Cabinet Minister has
said.

Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Elton Mangoma said
enough power was key to ensure enhanced productive capacity.

"Government is targeting to increase capacity utilisation in all productive
sectors. We therefore need to ensure enough power supplies," said Minister
Mangoma at the launch in Harare of a partnership between Mandel Training
Centre and Gordon Institute of Business Science.

"By December this year, we will be able to meet (electricity) demand," he
said.

Hwange Power Station, which generates about 65 percent of Zimbabwe's
electricity, has been incurring significant energy losses in recent years
due to a variety of factors such as coal shortages and frequent plant
failures.

HPS has the capacity to generate 920 megawatts. Kariba South Hydro Station
can generate up to 750 megawatts and three small thermal power stations
located in Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati in the Midlands province have
capacity of about 120MW.

While Hwange and other three small power stations need repairs, they have
not been fully operating largely due to coal shortages.

Minister Mangoma said Government was in "serious" discussions with HCCL to
increase coal supplies to thermal power stations. He indicated Government
was facilitating a US$80 million loan for Zesa Holdings for coal purchases.

Kariba South Power Station has remained the flagship of the country
generating electricity at full throttle.

Over the years, Zimbabwe has been facing severe shortages of electricity,
resulting in massive load shedding with ripple effects to the economy.

Energy experts suggest it was necessary that Zimbabwe fully exploited vast
natural resources, such as coal in the generation of power, while at the
same time moving away from incurring unnecessary costs in importing
electricity.

The country imports additional power from the Democratic Republic of Congo
and Mozambique.

Zimbabwe has the largest coal reserves in Africa, outside South Africa and
the largest methane gas reserves in east and southern Africa.

The two resources are capable of generating sufficient electricity for the
country to the extent of retaining a surplus for export. There are also
expansion plans in place to increase generation plant capacity. Hwange Power
Station will be expanded by additional two units each of 300MW.

A joint venture company between ZPC and an unidentified local company will
spearhead the expansion development in addition to coal mining. The
coal-mining project will go a long way in alleviating the coal supply
constraint currently besetting the thermal stations.

The 1 400MW proposed Gokwe Power project can now take off with feasibility
studies having been done.

At Kariba South power station, there are plans to add two more units of
150MW each. This will increase the installed capacity at Kariba South to 1
050MW.

ZPC is also seeking partnerships from the region and beyond to develop the
Batoka Hydro Project on the Zambezi River. The project requires the
cooperation of Zambia to take off.

A new beginning in Zimbabwe?

A woman and her son shop in Harare. Food is returning to stores in the country after months of shortages and hyperinflation. Photograph: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

Schools and hospitals returning to life. Food in the supermarkets and queues at the tills. Investors flying in and refugees coming home. Independent newspapers due for launch and international media broadcasting openly. Book fairs, poetry slams and jazz festivals drawing crowds. A president and prime minister laughing together as they call for national healing. This is Zimbabwe in August 2009.

Politically motivated beatings turning families against themselves. Villagers bartering chickens in the absence of a new currency. MPs, lawyers, journalists and students under arrest. Corruption rampant and another cholera outbreak predicted. A president rebuilding his tools of oppression and a prime minister said to be in danger of assassination. This, too, is Zimbabwe in August 2009.

Six months after Robert Mugabe and his arch-rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, publicly swallowed their enmity and tried to speak with one voice, southern Africa's problem country is still a contradictory and confusing place. "We are at a fork [in the road]," said Tendai Biti, Tsvangirai's most powerful lieutenant. "Going left could be going towards a new Zimbabwe. Going right could be doing a cul-de-sac and going back to square zero."

At the centre of the intrigue is the game of political chess between Mugabe and Tsvangirai, who describes it as "the only game in town" if Zimbabwe is to survive. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader believes there is no alternative to the power sharing agreement salvaged from last year's general election. Robbed of victory at the ballot box, Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister in February in a compromise that allowed Mugabe to extend his 29-year rule.

It has been trench warfare ever since between the MDC, which runs ministries such as education and health, and Mugabe's Zanu-PF, which still controls the army, police and judiciary. "It's purely a marriage of convenience," said one Harare residents' activist. "Don't expect any babies soon."

The results were summarised by a regional newspaper as the good, the bad and the ugly. Perversely, the unity government was blessed in inheriting a country at a nadir after eight years of degradation, meaning that almost anything it tried would represent improvement. Hyperinflation of 89.7 sextillion per cent had killed the Zimbabwean dollar, but the adoption of the US dollar and some prudent policies have since helped stabilise the economy, forecast to grow 3.7% this year.

An MDC official said that tax returns to the treasury had risen from $4m (£2.39m) a month in January to $60-70m now, still some way short of the $120m needed to run the country. Among foreign donors, Britain alone is providing $100m of targeted aid this year. Supermarket shelves that were once bare are stocked high again, though 94% unemployment means many people cannot afford to shop.

Some 2.8m pupils are back at school as teachers finally receive a monthly wage, albeit just $100-$165 to work in crumbling classrooms. Zimbabwe University came back to life last week after six months in darkness. Hospitals and clinics are functioning again, with doctors and nurses back at work.

But the revival comes with caveats. About 70% of the population does not have access to clean water and the cholera outbreak that killed more than 4,000 people is widely predicted to return with the rainy season towards the end of the year. The decay of agriculture appears to be slowing but farm invasions continue. Some villagers are forced to barter to survive because the US dollar is so rare.

The law of unintended consequences has brought another threat to Zimbabwe's streets. Residents of Harare speak of rising crime, particularly armed robberies and carjackings. They blame army deserters, who have training and weapons, or returning refugees who have "learned the tricks" from crime capitals such as Johannesburg. The malaise in the banking system – cash machines are defunct and credit cards useless – forces people to hoard US dollars in their homes.

Raymond Majongwe, general secretary of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, said: "Every other day you hear of a robbery and a shoot-out. In South Africa, you can be sure that the victim has a gun and a lot will fire back. Here the victims are not psychologically prepared, so it is a walk in the park. We don't want to see the violence in South Africa going on in Zimbabwe. We must deal with it decisively once and for all."

A national "corruption pandemic" is also deepening, according to the watchdog Transparency International Zimbabwe. Mary-Jane Ncube, its executive director, said that bribery was widespread in the police and law courts, MPs of both sides were implicated in corrupt land deals, and payments intended for teachers and nurses were being rerouted via "ghost workers" to Zanu-PF militias. "There is no one who is not on the take. The unity government is making no difference."

Nor should the headline victories in the economy and public sector be mistaken for political reform. Last month, Mugabe and Tsvangirai presented a harmonious façade as they called for a South African-style process of national healing and reconciliation. Behind the scenes, however, the fight is ugly and, in the words of one activist, "Mugabe still holds the reins to the right horses".

Last year, an election year, there were 203 politically inspired murders, according to figures compiled for the MDC. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum gives the more conservative estimate of 107. In the first six months of this year, the MDC says, there have been 30 such deaths, most from injuries sustained last year. The forum puts this year's death toll at one.

And yet a steady flow of reports of assaults and intimidation continues. Zanu-PF strongholds assert that MDC supporters are not welcome and that the unity government is a Harare phenomenon they do not recognise. There are conflicts within families: Ebba Katiyo, an MDC activist, said she survived an axe attack by a Zanu-PF gang led by her own uncle.

Kennedy Mhuri, 39, a teacher, was accused of denouncing Mugabe to his pupils at a primary school in the town of Kwekwe in Midlands province. He said that the local Zanu-PF leadership planned to break down his door in the middle of the night and abduct him. He fled and has been on the run ever since.

"At first I panicked," he said. "I walked for 20km to avoid public transport so no one would see me. I am now dodging from city to city and constantly looking over my shoulder. I'm sure they won't stop until they get me. Then I don't know what they'd do. They'll torture me until I accept I actually did what they say I did. These people can do anything, including taking people's lives."

The leadership is not immune. Tendai Biti, the finance minister praised for choking off Zanu-PF's sources of funding, received a live bullet in the post and his gardener was beaten up outside his gate. Many Zimbabweans still find it hard to believe that the March car crash that hurt Tsvangirai and killed his wife was a mere accident, even though Tsvangirai himself has described it as such.

Media reform is also one step forward, one step back. The BBC and CNN have been allowed back into the country and there are slow moves to license two daily independent newspapers. But the state-owned Herald continues to pour bile on the MDC.

Eddie Cross, policy co-ordinator for the MDC, said: "We never thought this would be anything but a fight. We've certainly not been disappointed." He rejected the criticism, coming from the MDC's own ranks, that Tsvangirai has been seduced by office and is firmly under Mugabe's thumb. "This is an immensely strong man. The loss of his wife and grandson [also killed in an accident] hit him like a poleaxe but he's picked up the pieces. He has incredible resilience."

But it is 85-year-old Mugabe who has recently taken to reminding the population that he is still "head of state and government", "commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe defence forces" and now "supreme leader" of Zanu-PF. The hope that he will go quietly appears wishful thinking. Raymond Majongwe said: "The most important thing Tsvangirai has realised is that Mugabe is part of the solution. Anyone who thinks that the problem can be resolved without Mugabe is a dreamer."

Some observers believe it is in the interests of both protagonists to delay the constitution making process, and therefore the next election, for as long as possible. Another divisive ballot could plunge the country back into anarchy and reverse the unity government's fragile gains.

"If you were to have an election in the near future, it would be the same disaster as last time," said one diplomat. "This is bigger than Mugabe now. Zanu-PF and the MDC have a common interest in rebuilding the economy. And there's a lot to be said for the view that there are worse figures than Mugabe in Zanu-PF."

Few would dare to predict a winner in the elaborate chess game between Zimbabwe's rival kings. For now, it seems, the best anyone can hope for is a stalemate.

Taking transitional justice to the people: Outreach report

Zimfest excitement gathers speed

http://www.southafrican.co.uk

     

      What Glasto is to the Brits, Zimfest is to the Zimbos. Without doubt,
there is no other fixture in the summer calendar that elicits such passion
and excitement.
      By Gordon Glyn-Jones

      Perhaps the secret is that every penny raised goes to helping people
in Zimbabwe. Or perhaps the insane Zimbabweans just miss hanging out
together. Whatever. as soon as the word goes out, literally thousands of
Zimfestniks nail the date into their diaries. This year the South African
will be launching their new Zimbabwean brand www.zimbabwean.co.uk

      The reason we became official media sponsor this year is that Zimfest
is an event that brings together Zimbabweans from across the cultural
spectrum and welcomes non-Zimbabweans who are mad about Zimbabwe. It is the
biggest international celebration of Zimbabwean arts, music, sport, great
food and culture in one field.

      Every year Zimfest improves in depth and quality and this year is set
to be the biggest and best ever. We have been told that the logistics will
be handled in their entirety by an external company who have done many such
similar festivals. Last year 5000 people turned up and the vibe was truly a
one-love experience. This year looks to be even better.

      Every year, Zimfest proves that Zimbabweans are not a broken people
and WEZIMBABWE.ORG the charity responsible for the festival are working
globally to produce a Worldwide Zimfest movement, with events in Perth,
Sydney, Cape Town with the flagship festival being held in Raynes Park, on
the 5th of September. Buy your tickets now at: WWW.ZIMFESTLIVE.COM

      Zimfest Facts:

      * Date: 5TH SEPTEMBER, 12NOON-10PM
      * Venue: PRINCE GEORGES PLAYING FIELDS,
      BUSHEY RD, RAYNES PARK LONDON,
      SW20 9NB
      * Tickets, line-up & further info:
      WWW.ZIMFESTLIVE.COM

Politicians ostentatiously flaunt their wealth

'Heroines and Martyrs’ : a tribute to Zimbabwe’s women