Zimbabweans now
support Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF in greater numbers than his rival Morgan
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, according to a new
survey.
By Peta Thornycroft and Aislinn Laing in
Johannesburg
6:36PM BST 22 Aug 2012
The respected Mass Public
Opinion Institute in Harare based its findings on interviews around the
country over June and July this year. It claims that support for the
13-year-old MDC has dropped from 38 per cent to 20 per cent over the past 18
months, while the popularity of Zanu PF, which led Zimbabwe's liberation in
1980, surged from 17 per cent to 31 per cent in the same period.
A
previous survey by the MPOI carried out in 2009 put support for Zanu PF at
between eight and 10 per cent and for the MDC at 57 per cent.
The
results will prove unsettling for many in Zimbabwe and the West who believe
that Mr Tsvangirai and the MDC stand a good chance of winning presidential
and parliamentary elections slated for next year, bringing an end to the
tyrannical Mr Mugabe's 32-year rule.
Analysts say they reflect a growing
disenchantment with the MDC to effect real change since it took power as
part of a coalition with Zanu PF following disputed elections in
2008.
They say it also reflects the popularity of Zanu PF's campaign to
indigenise foreign-owned mines and banks and the transferal of white-owned
land to hundreds of thousands of poor blacks following violent seizures
which started in 2000.
Susan Booysen, a senior political
scientist from the University of the Witwatersrand who led the survey, said
47 per cent of the 1,198 people polled in 100 areas did not want to share
their political leanings.
But she stressed that they had been clear from
other questions they responded to, adding that the "undeclared category does
not veil a systematic party orientation. Rather, should these persons vote
in a next election, their support is likely to be diffused across party
categories." She said that the MDC had been damaged by joining in coalition
with Zanu PF, a move which had exposed political infighting and corruption
among some of its members.
She said that many would be shocked by the
results. "Nevertheless this information cannot be ignored," she
added.
Ibbo Mandaza, a Zimbabwean academic and publisher, said the MDC's
"main card" had always been "the anti-Mugabe card".
"Now they are
working with Mugabe, and working under him in the inclusive government," he
said. "Nowadays there is a thin line between the parties as there is
national convergence on many issues."
David Moore, a Zimbabwe political
scientist at the University of Johannesburg, said voters were disenchanted
by the MDC's record in power and still fearful of renewed violence should
they vote for them. "People may well be asking: 'Why risk our lives to vote
for a party that's not that different from ZANU-PF?'," he
said.
Rugare Gumbo, a spokesman for Zanu PF, said that it confirmed their
own view of the MDC. "We are dealing with a party which has no programmes,
people see it as a shell organisation," he said. "People are supporting us
largely for our empowerment programmes and principals."
MDC spokesman
Nelson Chamisa said the survey was "meaningless" since people had evidently
been afraid to express their real views.
"How do you do a research or
survey in an environment of fear and violence?
Our support is not
fading," he told Harare newspaper, The Daily News.
The MDC-T has dismissed the results of a
survey released Wednesday by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI), which
said the party had lost support and ZANU PF had gained in the last 18
months.
The survey was sponsored by the United States Freedom House and
conducted between June and July. The group said they interviewed 1,198
people around the country, with about 47 percent of potential voters saying
they did not want to reveal their political opinions.
According to
the survey the MDC-T’s level of support dropped from 38% to 20% in the last
18 months, while support for ZANU-PF went up from 17% to 31% in the same
period.
The MDC-T immediately dismissed the results as “meaningless”. The
party’s organizing secretary Nelson Chamisa reportedly said it was not
possible to conduct such a political survey in an environment of
fear.
Newsday newspaper quotes Chamisa as saying: “It’s erroneous to say
the support of the MDC is dwindling. How do you do research or a survey in
an environment of fear and violence? Our support is not fading.”
But
some analysts, while agreeing fear may have influenced the responses of some
participants, warned the MDC-T not to simply dismiss the results. They said
the MDC-T needs to revisit some of the key issues addressed by the
survey.
Political analyst Clifford Mashiri said he was not surprised
by the results and they should serve as a wake-up call for the politicians.
“The MDC-T have been very complacent and I hope they realize you cannot take
people for granted. They need to revisit issues like the diaspora vote and
others which they have ignored,” Mashiri explained.
Political analyst
Bekithemba Mhlanga said even the MDC-T expected “collateral damage” when
they joined the coalition government. “Familiarity breeds contempt. It has
been a long time since the last survey in 2010 and people now view the MDC-T
in the same way that they view ZANU PF. They are part of the government and
that has caused them problems,” Mhlanga said.
He added that ZANU-PF has
been much more vocal about issues they deem important, such as the land
reform exercise and indigenization. He said the MDC-T has been “alarmingly
silent” and this influences how people perceive the political
parties.
35% of those surveyed said they were hopeful that the next
election will be free and fair but they also expressed fear of the same
levels of violence and intimidation as they experienced in past
elections.
Those surveyed praised improvements in the economy that took
place under the coalition government but expressed disappointment when it
came to local issues, particularly poor service delivery by the
councils.
Both Mhlanga and Mashiri said the MDC-T should revisit the
issues that mattered before the party joined the inclusive government and
pay attention to what people have to say. But most importantly, the analysts
said the MDC-T should get their message out strongly through media channels,
in order to block ZANU-PF’s propaganda.
The results of the survey
were evaluated and analysed by Susan Booysen, a South African political
scientist from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Human rights activists have condemned last weekend’s
decision by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to shut down
the regional body’s Tribunal saying the move is a retrogressive development.
Director of the Southern Africa Litigation Centre Nicole Fritz said the
shocking decision not only left the Tribunal in limbo but also rendered it
completely toothless by denying individual access to the court.
The
regional court was suspended two years ago after SADC leaders demanded a review
of its powers and functions following a series of cases in which it had ruled
against the Zimbabwean government.
Rights groups said the SADC review of
the Tribunal in Maputo, Mozambique, was supposed to lead to a strengthened and
more independent court but instead it is now going to be a court which shuts out
individual access.
The original Tribunal protocol made it clear that
individuals also had access to the court – and all previous cases heard by the
court had been brought by individuals seeking justice.
Fritz said not
only did the SADC leaders deny the region’s citizens access to the Tribunal as
the re-constituted court being sought by the regional body “will be a complete
waste of taxpayers’ money.”
"It is a very disappointing development that clearly
shows that SADC is pandering to the whims of the Zanu PF component of the
Zimbabwean government which had fiercely fought to have the right of individual
recourse removed from the Tribunal mandate and also the human rights mandate of
the Tribunal to be diluted,” said Mavhinga.
Both MDC formations in the coalition
government have rejected outright amendments to the draft constitution being
proposed by ZANU PF.
Despite putting their signature to a draft
constitution agreed to by negotiators from all three parties in the
Constitutional Select Committee (COPAC), the ZANU PF politburo carried out
its own ‘audit’ and is now seeking to amend the draft.
According to
Justice Minister and ZANU PF negotiator Patrick Chinamasa the proposed
amendments by his party seek to clarify the ‘grey areas’ left by the COPAC
management committee.
“Some of the amendments touch on dual citizenship,
death penalty, role of the youths and their rights and empowerment issues
for our people. During the outreach, what came out very clearly was the
public’s abhorrence of same-sex marriages, thus the proposed amendments
bring out to the fore that clear message from the outreach programme. There
is also further clarification around the issue of succession, court
structure, the Attorney-General and decentralisation,” he said.
The
leader of the smaller MDC faction, Welshman Ncube, says he met Mugabe on
Tuesday and was given a copy of the amended draft. “I have now studied the
amendments ZANU PF has made to the draft and I am astonished at the sheer
scale of disrespect, contempt, insult and audacity exhibited by the
amendments.”
Ncube said he could only think of three scenarios to
explain the amended draft; either it was ZANU PF thinking they were “so
desperate for a new constitution that we will cling to a serpent, or that we
are stupid, or that their strategy is to make such preposterous amendments
that no sane party will accept so as to collapse the whole process with a
view to maintaining the status quo.”
Ncube said it was clear, “ZANU
PF hawks are itching for an early election and this move they have made has
brought them very close to their wish to burn down the country by having a
rerun of the 2008 elections.” He proceeded to say “It’s time to let the dice
roll the way it will. If an election without a new constitution is the only
way to move forward, then let it be.”
Education Minister Senator David
Coltart, also from Ncube’s MDC, took to social networking sites Facebook and
Twitter to say: “The proposed amendments to the constitution now provided to
us are ridiculous. Perhaps the real name of this party has always been ZANY
PF.”
Last week MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said: “The draft
constitution that we have is not a product of the MDC alone but a result of
two key processes that ZANU PF participated in – the outreach process and
the negotiation. In both instances, ZANU PF was equally and ably represented
by people with a requisite mandate.”
“We cannot possibly re-subject
the draft to further negotiation. As far as we are concerned, it is decision
time for Zimbabweans, including those that support ZANU PF, on whether what
we have is a good or bad draft,” Mwonzora said.
A human rights group based in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) has argued against the inclusion of Zimbabwean
soldiers in an international neutral force to be deployed in areas bordering
Rwanda and Uganda.
In the last few months a new rebel movement calling
itself M23 has brought instability to the already volatile eastern region of
the DRC plagued by conflict since the 1990s Rwandan genocide. Leaders in the
Great Lakes region last week agreed to deploy a neutral international force
in an effort to bring stability.
But the African Association for the
Defense of Human Rights (ASADHO) has argued that the neutral force must
exclude all countries that are already engaged in the war and in the illegal
exploitation of natural resources in the DRC. They singled out Angola,
Zimbabwe and Namibia for exclusion.
ASADHO suggested that countries who
could contribute soldiers to the international force would be Tanzania,
Zambia and Kenya which are also members of the International Conference of
the Great Lakes Region Countries. None of these countries had been involved
in the war.
On Monday a DRC government spokesman, Lambert Mende, said:
“It’s not ASADHO, but the government and parliament that are allowed to make
decisions regarding the war. ASADHO does not have power to decide which
countries should come to assist DR Congo which has been
attacked.”
Mugabe sent troops into the DRC in 1998 to help his ally, the
late Laurent Kabila, hold of a rebel advance. The conflict sucked in several
SADC states and saw senior army officers and ZANU PF chefs enrich themselves
from the country’s mineral assets “under the pretext of arrangements set up
to repay Zimbabwe for military services.”
A UN report implicated
current Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, the late army commander Vitalis
Zvinavashe and Zimbabwean-backed entrepreneurs John Bredenkamp and
Al-Shanfari, a “convicted criminal based in South Africa”.
ZANU PF has kicked its campaign to seize control of the Save
Valley Conservancy into high gear, after officials in Masvingo invaded the
area on Wednesday morning.
Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, Chiredzi
South MP Aaron Baloyi and a gang of thugs, stormed into a technical meeting
between the Conservancy chiefs and National Parks that was taking place on
the Conservancy grounds on Wednesday. The group is understood to have
bullied its way in and insisted it was taking over control of Save
Valley.
Conservancy Vice Chair Wilfried Pabst told SW Radio Africa that
the group “screamed and hollered,” and attempted to strip him and the Chair
of the Conservancy of their positions.
“They voted me down as Vice
Chair. Our Chairman was also voted down. Of course it is all ridiculous and
there is no legal base for it. But either way they have jambanja’d the Save
Valley,” Pabst said.
The Masvingo Governor and MP Baloyi have since last
year been spearheading a ZANU PF led campaign of ‘indigenisation’ in the
province, dubbed the ‘Masvingo Initiative’, with the intention of grabbing
land. Also included in this group is Higher and Tertiary Education minister
Stan Mudenge, former governor Josiah Hungwe, and former MP Enock
Porusingazi.
Army boss Engelbert Rugeje, National Parks head Vitalis
Chadenga, and former MP and war vet Shuvai Mahofa, were last year also
fingered by whistleblower website WikiLeaks as being part of the Masvingo
land grab. The ‘Initiative’ insisted it was installing local Zimbabweans as
land owners as part of the country indigenisation campaign.
Maluleke,
Mudenge and Mahofa are now also among a group of ZANU PF officials recently
granted hunting licences in the Conservancy by Chadenga. Conservationists
have warned that this could have a devastating effect on the wildlife and
hunting sector. The authorities have also cancelled the operations of
current hunting and safari groups.
The Save Valley Conservancy has called
the handover of the new hunting licenses a ‘criminal act’ that has nothing
to do with genuine indigenisation efforts. Pabst explained on Wednesday that
a number of proposals, aimed at empowering local Zimbabweans and genuinely
indigenising the Conservancy have been drafted, but the authorities have
never engaged with them.
He added that the same group that has now been
granted hunting licences, were previously approached about joint venture
options in the Conservancy, but they insisted they wanted “cash on the
table.”
“Two thirds of the Conservancy is indigenised but the problem is
the black indigenous partners we have are not the card carrying members that
these Masvingo officials would like,” Pabst explained.
He added that
there is no legislation allowing the take over of Zimbabwe’s conservancies,
because the areas “are not subject to indigenisation or land reform
policies.” He said the activity at Save Valley is illegal and a serious
threat to the country’s economic future.
“We, as foreign investors,
cannot be involved in a country’s tourism or wildlife efforts if at some
time rogue people are coming and taking our assets,” Pabst said.
ZANU PF youth are reportedly fighting for control
of the tourism sector in Victoria Falls, where plans for an international
tourism conference are already on the rocks.
The General Assembly of
the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is set to be jointly
hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in Victoria Falls and Livingstone next August.
But a Zim government official has already admitted he misled UNWTO
authorities about the country’s ability to host the conference. Human rights
groups have also slammed the UN grouping for appearing to recognise Robert
Mugabe as a ‘tourism ambassador’ by giving Zimbabwe the honour of hosting
the conference.
The event is now facing further threat, this time from
infighting between factions of a ZANU PF youth empowerment group, Upfumi
Kuvadiki, who have set their sights on the Victoria Falls tourism
sector.
One of the factions, led by Alson Darikayi, sent a circular to
tour operators in Victoria Falls “ordering” them to declare community share
ownership schemes in line with the indigenisation drive. However Tatenda
Maroodza, secretary-general of the rival group, this week urged the tour
operators to ignore the circular, but only on the basis that the leadership
of Upfumi Kuvadiki is still in question.
“This splinter group is led
by Alson Darikayi whom we chased away from the organisation and is moving
around with his group disturbing things,” Maroodza said.
Maroodza
added: “As for the requirement for these tour operators to produce community
share ownership schemes or even worker equity schemes, we make no apologies
for that. Most of these firms are white-owned and haven’t
indigenised.”
Preparations for the conference are meanwhile facing
trouble on another front, with officials from the European Union (EU)
believed to be considering a possible boycott of the meeting next
year.
The potential boycott relates to the illegal granting of hunting
licences to local ZANU PF officials in the Save Valley Conservancy, where a
number of European investors now face a major loss on their investments. The
authorities have cancelled the operations of the current tour and safari
operators in the Conservancy, despite warnings that their actions are
illegal.
Bikita, August 22, 2012 - Nurses
believed to be war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters are allegedly denying
perceived Movement for Democratic Change supporters medical treatment at
Mukore clinic.
Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Jani Vharendini,
said: “We are now worried because our officials based in Bikita are no
longer able to get a medical treatment at some clinics. They are just turned
away without any concrete reason. Those who insist on getting treatment are
just neglected until they leave the clinic without getting any
service."
He said the matter had been reported to the Joint Monitoring
and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) in Masvingo to
intervene.
“It’s true that some rogue war veterans who are nurses at
the two hospitals and their young militia nurses who we are certain
underwent the Border Gezi training before being recruited as nurses by Zanu
(PF) are sending away our supporters," MDC provincial Information director,
Honest Makanyire, also told this Radio VOP reporter who had visited the
area.
"They are denying them treatment because they say the medical
institutions belong to Zanu (PF) and this is dangerous to villagers who end
up losing their lives, while struggling pregnant mothers are left with no
option than to deliver their babies at home.”
Makanyire alleged
the nurses were being led by their leader who is a self –proclaimed war
veteran, Tafara Mabasa at Bikita district hospital. He alleged Mabasa had
openly declared the institution was a no go area for the MDC’s at a Zanu
(PF) rally held in Bikita early this year.
“I am also a victim of this
after I got turned away by Mabasa and his youth militia nurses, said Bikita
MDC chairman, Stephen Saidi.
"I was suffering from malaria and they
openly told me to go to MDC hospitals especially those owned by western
countries. I had to travel to Masvingo were I later got
treatment."
"But the situation is tricky for those who cannot afford to
travel to other places to get treatment. They will end up dying in their
houses,” he said.
One MDC supporter was openly told to go and seek
treatment from Tsvangirai. She also accused Mabasa for being at the centre
of harassing patients.
Efforts to get a comment from Mabasa were
fruitless. The Zanu (PF) provincial chairman, Lovemore Matuke said: “I have
no comment for you.“ Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Robert Mudyiradima
could not be reached for a comment.
Harare, August 22, 2012 -
Zimbabwean police have moved close to prosecuting Gays and Lesbians of
Zimbabwe (GALZ) director, Chesterfiled Samba, after they accused him of
distributing materials that promote homosexuality.
According to a search
warrant issued by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) authorising the raid on
GALZ premises, the police charge that Samba committed an offence by handing
out some pamphlets and fliers encouraging the practice of homosexuality in
Zimbabwe at a meeting held at his Milton Park offices early this
month.
“From information on oath, there are reasonable grounds for
believing that there is in the possession or under the control of Gays and
Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe situated at number 35 Colenbrander road in
Milton Park pamphlets and fliers with information that promotes
homosexuality for distribution or upon on in Milton Park certain articles
that is to say: In that on the 10th day of August 2012, the accused
unlawfully and intentionally distributed pamphlets and fliers with
information that promotes homosexuality,” reads part of the search warrant
seen by Radio VOP.
Police, who raided the GALZ offices on Monday seized
some property from the organisation’s offices after breaking in and rummaged
through the offices of the organisation, which were locked. The police
confiscated computers, Digital Versatile Discs, pamphlets, compact discs and
various documents.
The raid and seizure of the GALZ computers and other
materials comes barely a fortnight after the police raided and arrested 44
GALZ members early this month at the organisation’s offices during the
launch of the GALZ Violations Report and Briefing of the second draft
Zimbabwe Constitution. The GALZ members were detained for a night before
being released without preferring any charges against them.
In July,
police summoned Samba for allegedly undermining the authority of or
insulting President Robert Mugabe in contravention of Section 33 of the
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Samba was interrogated over the
operations of his organisation.
The police claimed that in 2010 GALZ
displayed a plaque of former San Francisco Mayor Willie Lewis Brown, Jr in
their office in which the African-American denounces President Mugabe’s
homophobia against gays and lesbians. These charges were initially pressed
against two GALZ employees Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Mhambi when they
were arrested in 2010 but they were never prosecuted on these
charges.
The two GALZ employees, who stood trial for allegedly possessing
pornographic pictures in contravention of Section 26(1) of the Censorship
and Entertainment Control Act (Chapter10:04) were acquitted in
2010.
Meanwhile African Civil Society Groups on Tuesday condemned the
harassment and intimidation of GALZ members.
"We are gravely
concerned about the gross violation of human rights of GALZ members to be
free from arbitrary arrest, torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading
treatment," the African Civil Society Groups said.
"The AIDS and Rights
Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) and its partners have learned with
concern that, following the assault and arbitrary detention of 44 members of
GALZ at Harare Central Police Station on 11 August as they convened to
launch the GALZ LGBTI Rights Violations Report 2011 and to disseminate
information regarding the contents of the second draft Zimbabwe
Constitution, the organisation's offices were again raided on 20 August,
2012."
"This intimidation and harassment of civil society organisations,
their staff and partners in Zimbabwe by members of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police is unconstitutional and wholly unacceptable."
The civic groups
said in a democratic society, assembling to launch a report on human rights
violations perpetrated against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and
intersex people, and the dissemination of information regarding the contents
of the second draft Zimbabwe Constitution should be
encouraged.
African civil society organisations who agreed on the
statement are the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, Centre for
the Study of AIDS, University of Pretoria, Blue Diamond Society, Kathmandu,
Nepal, the Centre for the Development of People, Malawi, Mozambican
Treatment Access Movement, Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, Zambia,
African Services Committee, Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS,
Maritime Life Precious Foundation, Ghana, International Rectal Microbicide
Advocates and Uganda Health and Science Press Association.
21.08.2012 The case of a Harare businessman Bernard Wekare, who
is challenging the constitutionality of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation’s licensing fees, has been referred to the Supreme
Court.
Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei referred Wakare to the Supreme
Court after the businessman filed an application late July challenging radio
and television license fees required by the state broadcaster.
Wakare
was summoned to court for his failure to pay the fees and in his application
claimed that the ZBC violated his constitutional rights.
Under the
Broadcasting Services Act and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, ZBC
is authorized to report to the police anyone without valid
licenses.
Zimbabweans who fail to appear in court can be arrested or
have their television sets and radio receivers impounded by the
state.
Some end up paying fines to avoid being dragged to court for
failing to pay licenses.
Wakare’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa told VOA
reporter Tatenda Gumbo the case has raised a number of constitutional
issues.
"We have raised a number of constitutional issues including a
violation of his religious rights because we are saying ZBC does not offer a
wide varity of stations," said Mtetwa.
Under the Broadcasting
Services Act, the ZBC has the authority to demand license fees from owners
of radio and television sets regardless of access to its
channels.
Radio licenses cost more than $20 while television licenses are
pegged at $50.
*
Zimbabwe has one of Africa's largest elephant populations
* Deadline to
request sale in October
By MacDonald Dzirutwe
HARARE, Aug 22
(Reuters) - Zimbabwe has accumulated 50 tonnes of ivory and will ask the
international body regulating its trade for permission to auction its stocks
to fund conservation of the animals, the head of the country's wildlife
agency said on Wednesday.
The ivory has been confiscated from poachers or
recovered as a result of natural deaths or government-sanctioned elephant
culls, officials said.
Zimbabwe says it needs to raise extra funds to
deal with its burgeoning elephant population, which at about 100,000 is one
of the largest in Africa.
Adult elephants consume about 100 to 300 kgs
(220 to 660 pounds) of food a day, studies have shown, and officials say
their growing numbers are straining the impoverished country's resources and
posing a threat to plant life.
Some $30 million is required each year
for conservation of the animals and anti-poaching in Zimbabwe, but Vitalis
Chadenga, director-general of the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority,
told Reuters the current budget was "very far from there".
"There is
a point where our elephant population can get so much to a point where they
self destruct and this is happening in some of the parks," he
said.
In 2008, Zimbabwe was allowed to conduct a one-off sale of 3.9
tonnes of ivory by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the international group that
governs trade in plants and animals.
Plagued by corruption, Zimbabwe
provided detailed documents to CITES showing how the money raised from the
sale went directly into conservation.
Zimbabwe faces an October deadline
to make its request to CITES if it wants to quickly sell the
tusks.
However, conservationists worry the sale could fuel demand for
ivory, especially in the fast-growing emerging economic powers of Asia where
it is often used in carved ornaments.
Although elephants are prolific
in Zimbabwe, poaching and a loss of habitat have made them a threatened
species in large parts of Africa.
A global ban on the ivory trade was
imposed in 1989 and was widely credited with stemming the relentless
slaughter of African elephants in countries such as Kenya.
Occasional
auctions from African government stockpiles have since been
sanctioned.
Chadenga said the global ban was not working.
"We
have not had a legitimate sale of ivory now but we continue to have an
upsurge in poaching," he said.
A serious scam has been unearthed at South African
Home Affairs in relation to the Zimbabwe Documentation Project. As more than
100,000 prospective permit holders get increasingly agitated over the delay
in issuing their documents, recent revelations are that most of the permits
have actually been sold to those who did not
apply. 21.08.1204:41pm
by Mxolisi Ncube
Inside sources
say it is being internally investigated. “This has been going on for some
time now and is being investigated because thousands could have fallen prey
already,” said one of the sources.
“Deserving people’s permits have been
sold to those who did not even apply, while those who submitted their
documents have been given the run-around when they came here to check. I do
not know when the investigations will be completed, but some offices in
Pretoria and Germiston have been investigated already and the outcome has
been kept under a tight lid, pending the completion of investigations at
Johannesburg’s Harrison office, where the rot seems to be
deep-rooted.”
Gabriel Shumba, the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum Executive
director said the allegations were as yet unsubstantiated. “A number of
Zimbabweans have been asked to bring documentation already given to DHA, but
which appears to have been lost. This is regrettable, but we encourage
Zimbabweans to comply as ultimately, this enables them to legalise their
sojourn in SA.” DHA spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa, asked for questions to be
emailed to him, but had not responded at the time of going to print.
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party – stung by the
leaking of details of last week’s SADC summit proceedings where the
88-year-old leader took a hammering from regional colleagues – has furiously
lashed out at MDC leader Welshman Ncube, accusing him of breaching his
ministerial oath.
Ncube emerged from the summit on Saturday and told New
Zimbabwe.com how Mugabe had been openly challenged by regional leaders over
his insistence that the former MDC leader, Arthur Mutambara, was still a
“principal” in Zimbabwe’s coalition government.
Mugabe lost the
argument and the summit passed a resolution banning Mutambara – who remains
Deputy Prime Minister – from its summits and endorsing Ncube as a principal
for the purposes of South African President Jacob Zuma’s mediation
effort. But Zanu PF says by revealing details of summit proceedings, Ncube
violated his cabinet oath on confidentiality.
Ncube, who is the
Industry and Commerce Minister, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Justice
Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Regional Integration Minister Priscilla
Misihairabwi and Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi all
accompanied Mugabe into the summit in their ministerial capacities.
Zanu
PF contends that while proceedings of the SADC troika on politics, defence
and security are political in nature and not confidential, the summit of
Heads of State on the other hand is a secretive forum.
“It is a violation
of Ncube’s cabinet oath to put under his name a purported verbatim record
not corroborated by any other source, and attribute to certain Heads of
State certain words. It is unprecedented,” Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan
Moyo stormed on Wednesday.
“No cabinet minister has ever done that. Ncube
was taken there as a cabinet minister for the purposes of his government
role. This has nothing to do with the veracity of his narration; it is
unprecedented and unbecoming of a cabinet minister. It is a violation of
SADC protocol for anyone who is sitting in that meeting to come out and do
that because deliberations of the summit are confidential.”
Last
Saturday, Ncube told New Zimbabwe.com that during a discussion about
Mutambara – which lasted an hour – Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba
had asked the chairman, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, if the Zimbabwean
parties had representatives in the room.
Zanu PF had Mugabe,
Chinamasa and Mumbengegwi; the MDC-T Biti and the MDC Ncube and
Misihairabwi.
Mugabe, Biti and Ncube were then given the floor, and the
MDC officials both took the line that there were no practical political
reasons for Mutambara to be considered a principal. Mugabe, on the other
hand, insisted that Mutambara’s appeal at the Supreme Court against two High
Court rulings that he had no legitimate claim to be MDC president meant he
could not be sidelined.
Ncube and Biti succeeded in swaying the SADC
leaders, with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Namibia’s Pohamba,
Botswana’s Ian Khama, His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland, Lesotho
Prime Minister Tom Thabane and the representative of the Prime Minister of
Mauritius all supporting their stance while Mugabe found himself isolated
with Zambia’s Michael Sata the only leader to argue that “Mutambara was an
internal issue which should not concern SADC.” Zanu PF is unhappy that
its leader’s apparent humiliation was made public.
Moyo added: “For Ncube
to come out and say his President, who took him there, has been humiliated
is shocking. If this was the SADC troika, he would be free to come out and
say the Zanu PF president was humiliated, that would be within his rights.
But we take exception when a political leader who went in as a cabinet
minister comes out in the way Ncube did. “SADC communicates to the outside
world through a communiqué, not individuals sitting
there.”
Responding to Moyo on Wednesday, Ncube was reluctant to go into
the legalistic issues about the confidentiality of SADC summits, but posed
the question: “Did I address the SADC summit as a minister?”
He went
on: “The most important thing is that people should not be allowed to divert
from real issues. We should not aid and abet them in diversionary tactics,
diversionary politics.
“There are real issues that confront our country –
the constitution impasse, the economic crisis, and roadmap to elections. We
are not tempted by diversionary politics, people trying to take our eyes off
real issues.
“Everything we have said is true. We have always spoken
about details of discussions at SADC on Zimbabwe, everyone put those
discussions in the public domain including Zanu PF. We will continue to do
so, we will not hide the truth and give some a chance to tell lies.”
Honoured
... Morgan Tsvangirai with French ambassador Francois Ponge on
Tuesday
21/08/2012 00:00:00
by AFP
FRANCE on Tuesday gave Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai a
prestigious award for his efforts in fighting for democracy.
"On behalf of the President of the Republic (of France), we knight you,
Commander of the Legion of Honour," Francois Ponge, French ambassador to
Zimbabwe said at the occasion to honour Tsvangirai at the French envoy's
residence in the capital Harare.
"The Legion of Honour is the highest French decoration."
Ponge chronicled Tsvangirai's rise from a trade union leader to his
founding of the Movement for Democratic Change which has challenged President
Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party from 2000.
Tsvangirai went on to form a coalition government with the 88-year-old
veteran leader after violence-marred 2008 elections.
"At the forefront of many struggles you have been imprisoned and you also
organised the first mass 'stay away' in this country," Ponge said.
"We all remember the photo that raised worldwide emotion where you were
shown badly swollen leaving cells where you had been assaulted."
"Those who assaulted you thought they would dissuade you from politics,
sway you, bring you down, they forgot that by beating an iron you can forge a
sword," he added.
Police beat up Tsvangirai in 2007 for organising a pro-democracy prayer
rally.
Tsvangirai dedicated the award to the people of Zimbabwe.
"This honour is not mine. I would like to dedicate this honour on those
people, Zimbabweans who have struggled with us for true democracy for the
objective of having freedom in this country," he said.
The premier said Zimbabwe though independent from colonial rule in 1980, is
still to enjoy full democracy.
"I give testimony to the subjection of this country to state sponsored
violence, unnecessarily we have shed blood in this country. I am glad President
Mugabe has stated quite openly that (there should be) no more shedding of
blood," he said.
"I believe that statement represent a very positive step of this
transition."
"I can assure you that as we move towards elections, let it be the end of
acrimony, of hate speech, of reconciliation for the country."
Ponge noted that Tsvangirai has joined individuals like Myanmar's democracy
champion Aung San Suu Kyi who was decorated with France's Legion of Honour award
in recent months.
Zimbabwe is planning to hold a referendum after a draft constitution was
written to allow fresh elections after deadly polls in 2008 left more than 200
MDC supporters dead due to political violence.
Central Intelligence Organisation operatives
and Zanu (PF) are stage managing a ‘colonial era’ documentary film designed
to discredit MDC-T Marondera Central Legislator, Iain Kay, and the MDC ahead
of coming elections. 22.08.1211:19am by Staff
Reporter
Some 30 local Zanu (PF) villagers were conscripted to
act in the documentary after being promised $1,000 each. Others were
threatened into partaking.
“CIO agents are leading the project together
with local notorious Zanu (PF) activists, Abel Nyandoro, Margaret Muzavazi,
Tendai Mudavanhu, Mrs Kamusoko and Muziringa (a truck driver with the Zanu
(PF) mouth piece, The Patriot),” said a local man.
A school teacher
based at Dhirihori School who is a die hard Zanu (PF) fanatic, Mrs Musanhu,
is among the top film supervisors. The film shooting was held at Dhirihori
Business Center last Saturday and Neshamba Village on Monday, August
20.
“Villagers are taught falsified testimony about Kay’s brutality
together with former members of the Rhodesia Selous Scouts. The propaganda
documentary portrays MDC as a puppet project led by notorious former white
Rhodesian soldiers,” said a top Zanu (PF) official following the
project.
Zanu (PF) thugs such as Isaac Neshamba and Nodd Mupazvirihwo who
reportedly committed atrocities against suspected MDC supporters and Iain
Kay are playing major roles in the film. The suspects were also fingered in
the politically motivated destruction of MDC-T Hebert Chapendama’s homestead
and other property at Dhirihori.
The film is part of a smear campaign
being waged by The Patriot against Kay, Roy Bennett, white officials of MDC
and MDC-T as a party.
Villagers here described the project as a doomed
and desperate bid by Zanu (PF) to derail MDC as a people-centred next
government.
“The film project is doomed, as people no longer tune in to
view Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services’ television programs. In fact, people
know the good that Kay and MDC have done,” said a villager.
Resettled Model A2 farmers have
accused Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Ignatius
Chombo, of abusing his political muscle to wrest land from
them. 22.08.1211:05am
by Thabani Dube
Lot J of
Borrowdale Estate-Crowhill Farm, a 657.7 hectare plot was taken from its
legal owners in 2003 and subdivided between a war veteran, Cynthia Maadza (
416.25 ha) and James Kamusikiri (240.45 ha) under the corrupt and chaotic
land “resettlement” programme.
Maadza alleges that Chombo has an interest
in the farm. A visit to Lot J Estate by The Zimbabwean revealed that the
farm was being developed into residential stands, with construction already
under way by West Properties, which is linked to Themba Hlongwane whom the
aggrieved land owners say has received the green light from Chombo to
develop the disputed land.
A letter from Chombo in 2009 to Hlongwani
says: “The ministry supports your proposal to embark on a housing project at
Lot J of Borrowdale Estate Township in partnership with West Properties
(Pvt) Ltd. By copy of this letter, the Department of Physical Planning and
Goromonzi Rural District Council are advised to facilitate implementation of
the project.”
“This is my land which I was officially given by government
as a freedom fighter, but Chombo wants to take it for himself and his
pawns,” said Maadza.
She claimed Chombo had teamed up with the late
Vice President Joseph Msika’ son Cephas, Ozias Bvute and Hlongwane, who
claims bought the farm from the former owner Woodhouse, despite it being
gazetted as state land.
Maadza alleged that Chombo was colluding to sell
20 stands in Crowhill that his estranged wife Marian had listed as those she
wanted a share of in the couple’s divorce settlement.
“I do not know
where Chombo is getting his powers from. I met the President Mugabe last
September and he reiterated that he does not want his people to be
traumatised by anyone. The High Court proved that we are the rightful owners
of this land. No letter of withdrawal of my ownership has ever come from
Chombo’s ministry or that of Lands and Rural Resettlement,” said
Maadza.
Chombo denied owning any stands at the farm. “A lot of
malicious statements have been said about me over ownership of land. What I
do as Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development is receive
applications for land from city councils for expansion. I then facilitate
the process following the law which permits me to engage the Minister of
Lands and Rural Resettlement, Herbert Murerwa, who then looks into available
land and approves.
“This woman must engage Murerwa’s ministry which
allocated her land and ask them why they handed it over. I do not give
people land and, after all, we have been taking land from the whites and
what can stop us from taking hers for urbanisation,” said Chombo.
Zimbabwe’s National Social
Security Authority (NSSA) political handlers are swindling pensioners of
their life savings, arguing all none US dollar contributions were lost in an
economic crunch that followed the country’s infamous chaotic land grab as
they compete for capital to bailout allies. The country is now officially
using a multi-currency system the local currency imploded. Its annual
inflation had climbed to over 230 million percent before everyone stopped
counting. Senior employees who are unauthorised to speak to the press claim
political handlers are tying their hands as they shoot down proposals that
would do justice to pensioned employees’ contributions as they have other
use for the money. A year ago, leaving NSSA’s offices to collect a US$25
cheque from Zimbabwe Revenue Authority after it had been cleared it of any
owing taxes James Gora (not real name), 66, knew he had been mugged. He felt
violated. His simplicity had been prayed on. He felt angry but powerless
against government bureaucratic might. Its political handlers always have
their way. Lacking in ‘good sense and humanity’ the employee who served him,
he says, as ‘if for good effect’ told him he was done with and ‘not to
forget’ to tell his wife to come for funeral assistance in the event of his
death.
Enquiring on how the figure came about, he was told ‘it was what
his worthless Zimbabwean dollars were worth.’ The insult made him mad. “If l
had known I wouldn’t have given them a cent. I would rather have been fired
than agree to have my money deducted,” the emotional 66 year-old said. “What
are they going to possibly give my wife if they couldn’t give anything to me
the employee?” he queried. He knew he had been lied to. NSSA did not lose
everything. In fact he remembers feeling proud when his now scorned
Zimbabwean dollar contributions were being invested into real estate and
other secure portfolios which company insiders say even helped the
institution survive the period well. Chiketo had been making the maximum
monthly permissible for an employee for 89 months between October 1994 and
February 2002 when he took a retrenchment package. In 1994 alone he
contributed ZWD$2 880, an equivalence of over US$330 using the exchange rate
of the period. Recently, he ran into his former Human Resources manager who
took a long hearty laugh at the ‘unbelievable insult.’ He now feels he needs
to recover his stolen savings. In trying to find allies to bring the
statutory body to account as to what became of his savings he contacted his
colleagues on the same date he started making his contributions and took
their recruitment package which whom they had been paying the exact same
contributions he saw one crying foul over a ‘paltry US$1 000 lump sum.’ The
deep-pocketed and unaccountable statutory body being accused of splurging
cash into deals with a blind eye while starving beneficiaries it is
obligated to assist was constituted by parliament in 1989 to provide social
security to workers so that they have an income to look forward to upon
retirement has been processing pensions not when due but upon follow-up by
the concerned pensioner.
Following up it turns out was his biggest
undoing he did so during a period when they were paying a standard US$25
cheque to every ‘worthless ZWD’ contributor who had not contributed for a
period exceeding 120 months. They were however to realise the problems with
it as it was primarily based on their current bank statements not the
cumulative value of contributions made. A review was effected which now used
a computing formula which pegged everyone who had contributed ZWD as having
been earning an equivalent of US$150 per month and would then calculate
their contributions against that but those pensions had been determined in
the old system were not to have any reviews. They were to be the ‘tough-luck
pensioners of the system,’ an insider said noting that there are documents
that even suggested the lack of fairness of the criterion. Contacted for a
comment the NSSA Public Relations officer, Philemon Chereni expressed shock
at the possibility of that happening before requesting for written questions
as he wanted to put his response in black and white. He was never to respond
to the submitted questions in over a week and would not respond to further
inquiries. A banker for over 20 years, Steven Chidza, however contends that
it was not all investments that were lost and it cannot be reasonably be
used as justification as a lot of infrastructural investments were made with
the Zimbabwean dollar.
He notes that no proper evaluation of the true
worth of people’s investments using companies and institutions’ balance
sheets was done in the transition to the use of a multi-currency system that
saw the local currency being dropped. In a 07th of March Chronicle
installation of its Talking Social Security column in response to a National
Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI) report that was reported on by the
Zimbabwe Independent which accused the body of gross mismanagement of funds
while bragging of publishing its audit certified unqualified accounts as a
mark of ultimate transparency declared, “contributors should take comfort in
the knowledge that their funds are in good hands and should be available for
them when they eventually reach pensionable age.” NECI is a department in
the Ministry of Finance and probes white-collar crimes. The report noted
shady deals in flouting of tender processes, real estate projects,
structures finance, investing in shares, banking including money market
among others. A Comptroller and Auditor-General Mildred Chiri report also
noted some gross irregularities in its operations as reported by the
Zimbabwe Independent. It noted incomprehensive risk management, unapproved
organisational structures, unsanctioned board fees, unauthorized rollover of
investment deals and failure to adhere to good cooperate
governance.
In particular, it warned of related-party dealings especially
with Africom, FBC Bank and stockbroking firm MMC in the absence of any
policy documents. “There is also a risk that a significant volume of finance
may be channelled towards entities that are only related to the authority
even if the transaction is not profitable,” the report was quoted as saying.
NSSA has 20 % shares in Africom and FBC with Africom providing it with
telecommunications services and FBC being its banker. Its management had
access to 50 % of approved loans and made some unauthorised transactions in
disposing vehicles to themselves without board approval the report observed.
Although the statutory body’s primary function should be to preserve, invest
and grow contributions, a source said, its senior management and ‘political
handlers’ have other plans for the funds. It has virtually been “turned into
a lender of the last resort by some businessmen and political handlers and
an easy take-away place for cheap funds,” the Financial Gazette has also
recently reported. The NECI report states that up to US$200 million NSSA
funds are at the exposure of banks through a combination of direct equity
investments, loans and money market investments in various mostly indigenous
banks many reeling from the current liquidity crisis gripping the market.
Funds being invested, the report notes are mostly from Workers’ Compensation
Insurance Scheme (WCIF), National Pension Scheme (NPS), Occupational Safety
and Health (OSH), Employees Funeral Fund and rentals from NSSA’s tenants.
“In general,” the Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paurina Mpariwa
commissioned NECI report noted, “It can be observed that NSSA placed its
funds with nearly all the indigenous-owned banks, though at varying
intervals and levels of funding.
Rates were also noted to be fairly
uniform across the banks, with variances obtaining for varied instruments
and tenors.” Some of the funds secured bailouts thus being exposed to
institutions battling liquidity as is the case when government asked it to
rescue a non-performing entity in ReNaissance Merchant Bank (RMB) – a US$35
million exposure. It faced closure before it was placed under curatorship
before it resuscitated after NSSA opted to convert a US$8.5 million debt
into equity and assumed a US$5.7 million debt owed to Econet Wireless by RMB
and its parent company ReNaissance Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL).
Further on, since RFHL owed RMB US$13 million and RMB wanted assets
equivalent to offset the debt RFHL pledged Afre shares and the bank. The
debt-to-equity swap was then followed by NSSA also buying Econet Wireless’s
19 % stock in Afre Corporation bringing its shares to 52 %. Currently there
is a row over US$14 million net loss due to its share stake in Zimbabwe
Stock Exchange listed company Star Africa Limited after ABC holdings
executives persuaded NSSA management to meet the company’s highest bid of
US$12.5 million in 2009 losing US$2.5 million on the onset. Allegations are
that while they bought the shares at 12.5 cents they could have been bought
for 10 cents per share at the ZSE. NSSA directors and managers are,
regardless of the plight of pensioners, buying mansions and luxury cars
according to recent press reports. Some of the NSSA funds that are being
availed to the nation through banks loans albeit with a stipulated interest
rates of below 11 % are being denied pensioners Chiketo also experienced
when he was ironically told by FBC Bank that he was too old to access the
funds which were not meant for persons above age 55 late last year.
Zimbabwean exiles
demonstrated outside the Mozambique High Commission in London on Tuesday to urge
the new SADC Chair, Mozambican President Guebuza, to keep up
pressure to secure free and fair elections in Zimbabwe next year. The
demonstration was part of the 21st Movement Free Zimbabwe Global Diaspora
Protest which has seen protests on the 21st of each month since
January.
A letter was handed
over to a Mozambique official by nine year old Leslie Nkanyezi representing the
group of demonstrators from the MDC, the Zimbabwe Vigil, ROHR and the Zimbabwe
We Can (ZWC) movement. Leslie was accompanied by a small delegation including
Tonderai Samanyanga, Chair of MDC UK, Nobuhle Mazula of ZWC and Linnet Moyo of
the Zimbabwe Vigil.
The demonstrators
were at pains to explain that they had no complaint against Mozambique. Tonderai
told the official that what they wanted was the full implementation of the
Global Political Agreement. He said Zanu PF was making a deliberate attempt to
derail the process and SADC needed to make sure they kept to the road
map.
Earlier, David
Kadzutu of the MDC and ZWC said the demonstrators were appealing to President
Guebuza to assist Zimbabweans who have been suffering so much. He brought with
him a large and colourful banner reading ‘President Armando Emílio Guebuza respect the GPA, GNU pliz bcz Zimbabweans have
suffered enough’.
Other banners
included: SADC save Zimbabwe, Fair elections for Zimbabwe, No rule of law in
Zimbabwe, Stop Zimbabwe election violence, Democracy in Zimbabwe a dream
deferred by Zanu PF schemes, No to Zanu PF Mafia-organised terrorism to
Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans etc.
The following was the
text of the letter to President Guebeza which everyone
signed.
Your
Excellency
Zimbabweans
in the diaspora – of whom there are millions – urge you as the new Chair of SADC
to give priority to dealing with the dangerous situation in Zimbabwe in the
run-up to next year’s crucial elections.
We
are pleased to see that the summit in Maputo reaffirmed the decisions already
taken on Zimbabwe but we see little evidence of urgency in the summit
resolutions, particularly in preparing the ground so that the elections will be
free and fair.
We are unhappy that
President Mugabe’s Zanu PF party is still being allowed to put obstacles in the
way of any reforms. We draw your attention to the remarks made by Daniel Bekele,
Africa Director at Human Right Watch: ‘SADC leaders
need to maintain pressure on ZANU-PF to honor its commitment to reform. They
should make it clear that there will be consequences if ZANU-PF fails to adhere
to the terms of the election road map and the GPA.’ (See:http://allafrica.com/stories/201208150842.html).
We believe SADC
should now insist that Zanu PF immediately end its refusal to the appointment of
SADC representatives to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee
(JOMIC).
The protest was
attended by: Tichaona Chikandamina, Itayi Chingwaru, Isabbela Chirimuuta, Kudakwashe Chitiva, Susan Chiwenga,
Hilda Gwesele, David Kadzutu, Kelvin Kamupira, Prosper Karuru, Arnold
Magwanyata, Iline Manhunzi, Yvonne Maposa, Cephas Maswoswa, Nobuhle Mazula,
Esinati Mbaluku, Linnet Moyo, Lawrence
Muchochoma, David Mukaro, Cynthia Mutede,
Leslie Nkanyezi, Tonderai Samanyanga, Tamary Sithole, Dennis and Rose
Benton.
The Vigil, outside
the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00
to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The
Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until
internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.
Teachers, who are government servants, are evicted from
census training centres by armed riot police and soldiers who are also
government servants. 22.08.1210:42am by Staff
Reporter
Political and military leaders are determined to stop
the forthcoming population census from revealing the truth about our
country. They just cannot face up to the facts and figures which the
population census will give us if conducted professionally and
impartially.
Once again the ordinary citizen in this country has the
uncanny feeling that he is sitting in a bus racing down-hill with nobody at
the controls, at least no one who knows what he is doing.
There are
manipulators around who want to conduct the next elections with completely
outdated, unreal voters’ rolls. They can only win in a Zimbabwe as it was
constituted in the distant past, not in the Zimbabwe of today. They live in
the past, and want to force us all to live in fantasy land, not present day
reality.
But the census is not just needed for elections, to determine
how many people there are eligible to vote. Given the enormous outflow of
Zimbabwean citizens from the country of their birth, we need to know how
many are left. We need to know how many people are in formal employment and
how many, especially young people, are self-employed in an informal economy
which seems to be growing all the time.
We need to know how many
children are being born and how many die of childhood diseases within the
first five years of their lives. We need to know if our population is
increasing or decreasing – the unquestioned assumption that it is growing
all the time may well be false. We need to know how many people are dying
still of HIV/AIDS. We need to know about population density: how many people
live in one house, sharing the same facilities, conditions which lead to
abuse of children, but also to unhygienic conditions.
Town planners
need to know how many people need vital services like water, sewage systems,
electricity. If we do not provide these, cholera and typhoid will be
rampant. We need to know how many schools and hospitals will be needed and
where.
To play political games with the Population Census 2012 and risk a
failure, resulting in figures politically convenient to certain people, but
hopelessly inaccurate and useless for serious town planners, would be the
height of irresponsibility.
We need above all to face the TRUTH. We
need to be freed from our illusions, from self-deception and ignorance, from
leaders sick in mind. “The truth will make you free”. - Jesuit
Communications
The first answer most readers will give is
political. We can’t have free and fair elections without an accurate voters’
roll. We can’t be sure the voters’ roll is accurate if we haven’t got good
census figures to compare it with. We know that is why some people are
trying to disrupt the census process, just as they disrupted COPAC’s
consultations with the people about the constitution. They want census
figures that let the three million dead voters who were
on 22.08.1210:16am by MAGARI MANDEBVU
But the census is
also important for economic planning, and it does more than count the
population. It collects information on their ages, educational level,
marital status, access to health services and a lot of other factors that
government needs to take into account to produce relevant policies. Our
present situation forces us to focus first of all on the voters’ roll, which
only requires us to know the number and ages of people in the
country.
Even those simple figures have been obscured in recent years.
The country has held a national census every 10 years since 1982, but the
figures floated around by Zanu (PF) and anyone, like the World Bank, who
takes figures from sources they control, simply ignore the 2002
census.
In fact, the preliminary figure announced in 2002 gave a total
population of 11,376,676. A later, revised, definitive figure was produced,
stating that the population was about 11,800,000. That is a spectacular
change from the high population growth we experienced up to the 1980s,
because a half-way “intercensal demographic survey” in 1997 showed that the
population in that year was 11,789,274. That means the increase between 1997
and 2002 was only 0.09% (0.018%/year) using the most optimistic
estimate.
This is not surprising because growth had slowed: over the
years 1982-92 the rate averaged 3.19%/year, but for 1992-7 it averaged
2.51%/year. Three factors contribute to the drop: family planning, which
lowered the birth rate, HIV/AIDS, which increased the death rate, and
emigration, which became really significant in the economic meltdown after
1997.
Timothy Stamps, then Minister of Health, stated late in 2001 that
the death rate had overtaken the birth rate. That means that, even without
considering emigration, the population was decreasing by 2002. Most people
accept that there are 3-4 million Zimbabweans living outside the country.
That represents a massive emigration rate, so ZimStats will have to produce
very convincing figures, supported by solid evidence that we can all
understand, if they want me to believe there are more than 10 million people
living in Zimbabwe today.
Nobody has produced any evidence against
the 2002 figures. They were just filed away and forgotten. They tell us that
population growth was effectively zero for 1997-2002. Since growth was
already decreasing before that, it is most likely that it was still greater
than zero in 1998 and was negative (i.e. population decreasing) by 2001.
Stamps’ statement supports this. If we keep these figures in mind, we may
get census figures which allow the voters who died 2008-2012 to be squeezed
off the roll as well as those who had died before 2008.
But once the
elections are over, we will want assurances that economic and social plans
are made on the basis of accurate figures. The IMF and World Bank don’t have
census enumerators on the ground, so they take what governments give them.
They have been given some very strange figures, which don’t worry them. I
worry more when I see in a recent book from ZCTU and the Labour &
Economic Development Research Institute, a table of population figures which
claims, incredibly, that population growth, down to 1.79%/yr for 1990-5,
surged to 2.45%/yr in 1995-2000. If the economists can’t get such simple
figures right, free elections will be only the first problem facing us in
the coming years.
August 22,
2012: As part of
growing business relations and exchanges between Zimbabwe and the United States,
eight Zimbabwean local government officials today in Chicago concluded a ten-day
visit to three U.S. cities.
The tour
was supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Exchanges and coordinated locally by the Zimbabwe-U.S. Alumni
Association through Hubert Humphrey Program alumnus Ms. Thandiwe Thando Mlobane.
“We see
this as a great opportunity to enhance local government in both countries by
sharing experiences between Zimbabwe and the United States,” said Sharon
Hudson-Dean, Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Harare. She
continued, “the participants had a first hand experience of how our city
governments work to improve their local economies by developing and implementing
growth strategies to create jobs and to improve social
services.”
The
participants come from all three political parties and are elected or civil
service employees from Harare, Bulawayo, Plumtree and Masvingo.
The group includes
Ms. E.
Bwana, Town Clerk, Redcliff Municipality; Mr. Femias Chakabuda, Mayor, City of
Masvingo; Mr. Nimrod Willard Chiminya, President, Zimbabwe Local Government
Association; Mr. Emmanuel Chiroto, Deputy Mayor, City of Harare; Mr. Tendai
Mahachi, Chief Executive Officer/Town Clerk, City of Harare; Mr. Thaba Patrick
Moyo, Mayor, Bulawayo City Council; Mr. Rodgers Mozhenty, Secretary General,
Zimbabwe Local Government Association; and Ms. Nothando Msimanga, Town
Chairperson, Plumtree Town Council.
The
program’s organizer, Ms. Mlobane, is a Municipal Finance and Development
Consultant for Aline Hope Business Solutions and Training Services, who felt the
professional exchange would expose the participants to numerous new ideas and
examples of local government best practices. From 2000-01, Mlobane studied
municipal financing, infrastructure and services at Rutgers University in New
Jersey on the U.S. government’s Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program for
mid-career executives. Humphrey Fellowships provide a year of specialized
enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from throughout
the world.
The group
visited Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland; St Louis, Missouri; and Chicago,
Illinois. At each stop, they met their counterparts and representatives of
various sectors, including business and civil society.
ZimPAS is a
product of the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section. Comments and queries should
be addressed to Sharon Hudson-Dean, Public Affairs Officer. E-mail: hararepas@state.gov Url: http://harare.usembassy.gov
Highlights of ZESN and Zimbabwe Institute Public Meeting
Highlights of
ZESN and Zimbabwe Institute Public Meeting
ZESN in partnership with the
Zimbabwe Institute held a public meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the
16th of August 2012. The topic for discussion was The
Presidential Running Mate Principle: Solution or Complication to Zimbabwe’s
Protracted Succession Nightmare? There were three speakers namely Mr.
Qhubani Moyo (MDC-N), Honourable Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Mr.
Philip Chapfunga (Mavambo) and the moderator was Mr. Charles
Mangongera.
The major highlights were as
follows:
The
speakers highlighted that the draft constitution proposes that every candidate
for election as President must nominate two persons to stand for election
jointly with him or her as his or her Vice-Presidents, and must designate one of those persons as his or
her candidate for first Vice-President and the other as his
or her candidate for second Vice-President.
Mr.
Philip Chapfunga (Mavambo) said that this was a noble idea. He said that
it ensures that it presents a party as a team and discourages individualism. He
said that it sets a clear outline on lines of succession, and he gave an example
of the smooth transition of power after the death of Malawian President Bingu
Mutharika. However, he argued that Zimbabwe was too small a state to have two
vice presidents and also that there is most likely to be a duplication of
responsibilities between the two vice presidents. He highlighted one limitation
of the current draft as not stating clearly on who chooses a running mate at the
political party level. He suggested that the executive should choose the running
mate.
Mr.
Qhubani Moyo (MDC-N) highlighted that Zimbabweans in their diversity
spoke during the public outreach stage on what they wanted in case the President
resigns, is impeached, or dies. He said that the underlining denominator was
that they wanted continuity and smooth transition of power. COPAC also debated
on this issue and three scenarios were laid out; one was to have by-elections
after the President fails to continue in office for some other reason, the
second one was to have Parliamentarians choosing the President from amongst
themselves and the third proposed was to allow the person contesting to choose
his/her running mates. The third one was adopted after it was regarded as being
able to ensure stability, confidence of people, resist intraparty violence and
jostling for positions. He expressed disappointment over the delay by ZANU PF to
endorse the draft and he argued that those who represented ZANU PF in the COPAC
process had signed the draft pretending to have understood everything.
Honourable Mwonzora reiterated
that the draft constitution is a negotiated document mainly because in some
instances it became necessary for political parties to negotiate. There was
concentration by the public on what they wanted and rarely did people speak
about how they wanted it implemented. He reiterated Mr. Qhubani Moyo’s view that
after an evaluation, the option of running mates proved to be a popular option.
His view was that they have an unwritten mandate to have a good constitution
hence the need to benchmark the constitution against the best in the world. The
main attraction to the running mate option was that it is a tried and tested
issue and he gave examples from countries like United States of America, Japan,
Ghana, and Malawi.
·The
public highlighted that in as much as Zimbabweans write a good constitution; if
the people in power do not have respect for the constitution then it is nothing.
The public also reiterated what Honourable Mwonzora
highlighted that the running mate issue is
being used successfully in other countries and that it does ensure a smooth transition of power but it
is important to know that it is the culture of
respect to uphold what is in the constitution in those countries that
matters.
Matebeleland prior to the arrival of the British, was a
sovereign state with diplomatic ties with a number of countries including
Britain. This was known as the Kingdom of Matebeleland which came to an end
through one act of unprovoked aggression by the British. It was later subdivided
into different provinces.
Since 1980 Matebeleland has experienced the full effect
of ethnicity; what started out as an exercise to eliminate supposed banditry
ended up in a full scale ethnic cleansing exercise which saw the butchering of
the population on a scale unimaginable in what was to be the new shining light
in Africa - under the guidance of Robert Mugabe. I refer to the Gukurahundi of
course. These dreadful atrocities were kept under wraps for a long time and
which have, only of late, been given full recognition - with others insisting it
never happened.
Many organizations have tried to high light these
dreadful atrocities. Readers will recall that Zapu
2000 tried to get Enos Nkala and Joseph Msika to explain these happenings to the
people of Matebeleland - but to no avail.
If one were to read the "Final Solution" written by Zanu
pf at the time of the Lancaster House talks one will realise that the question
of ethnicity was always a priority and we have seen since 1980 the dominance of
the Karanga over the Manyika and in turn the dominance of the Zezuru over the
Karanga. Indeed the whole succession battle within Zanu pf is one which is
based purely on tribal/ethnic grounds. This has led to the marginalization of
the likes of Emmerson Mnagagwa, who was tipped to be the likely successor to
President Mugabe, but he is a Karanga, and this has led to a massive split
within Zanu pf, which readers will be fully aware of.
Apart from the historical aspect there are many factors
which contribute to the need for secession from what has become a man made
fiasco.
We have seen Zanu pf undermining the constitutional
process - this is well documented.
We have witnessed the futile attempts by President Zuma
and Sadc to try and mediate - the latest meeting in Maputo confirming this is a
futile exercise.
We have seen the MDC breaking into different factions -
getting more tribal and fractured by the day.
We see the massive influence/grip of the Chinese in the
country. So much so that it would be fair to say it is only they and the newly
found diamonds that have kept the country and Zanu pf alive and in
power.
We have seen that the Government of National Unity has
not worked.
We have seen a Prime Minister who cannot carry out his
duties. I remind readers that it is this same Prime Minister who said that all
farm invasions will end and those who partake will "See the full wrath of the
law" We all know that farm invasions is still an on
going exercise.
The Prime Minister is still trying to have his car
released - which was impounded by the police in the 2008 elections - surely this
all but tells the story.
We saw the delegate from the ANC of South Africa tell
delegates at the last Zanu pf congress that "The ANC of South Africa will ensure
that you Zanu pf will stay in power" - this is the party of the main facilitator
in the Zimbabwe crisis. Surely comment is not needed.
We have seen the interference of the military in the
political process.
Can I draw readers attention to recent
developments.
MDC as always apposed the land invasions and Morgan
Tsvangirai is on record in saying that the wrong doings should be "redressed"
Yet of late they have endorsed a constitution which all but legalizes those
invasions. Minister of Finance Biti recently said at a gathering that they
(MDC) fully endorse the land grab/invasions and "Zimbabwe will never be a colony
again" It wasnt that many months ago that he opposed these measures.
Ironically it is the same white farmer who has now been deserted who in many
ways got Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC on the road, as it were.
With in these recent times we have seen all members of
the opposition sing President Mugabe's praise. Prime Minister Tsvangirai even
went as far as embarking on a tour to many countries asking for the removal of
sanctions.
Then we saw all factions of MDC vote with Zanu pf on the
Human Rights Commission bill. Readers will know this will enable a new
commission to be put in place who will be charged to investigate/act on issues
relating to matters of State. However, they will NOT investigate or look into
matters prior to February of 2009. Thus effectively brushing the dreadful
atrocities of the 80's under the carpet - as if they never happened. Is this
not a dreadful travesty of justice? Surely I am with in the bounds of reality
in saying this must be tantamount to treason. What effect do readers think this
will have on the people of Matebeleland ?
How did this sudden change of heart come about. This is
how I surmise the situation.
It is a known fact that one of President Mugabe's
greatest fears is landing up in the Hague - as did Charles Taylor. We all know
that the West (Britain in particular) has been trying to bring about change in
the country - massive support for MDC. Given the Chinese influence and grip on
the country they (the West) had to find a middle of the road solution to prevent
what could turn into a Syria type situation. I am of the opinion that the West
went to the President using immunity against prosecution as a bargaining
tool.
Clearly there must have been an agreement - which would
account for the above. Since then we have seen the delivery of 1100 Land Rover
vehicles from the British government for the police. This is in spite of the
fact that they are an extended arm of Zanu pf - of late disrupting and banning
MDC meetings.
Given all of the above would it not be safe to say that
Matebeleland would be so much better of divorced from this man-made chaos and
return to what it was before - a sovereign state.
What we will see is a situation very much like the
present. Even if the MDC were to win an election they have proved by their
latest deliberations that they are not worthy of the vote from
Matebeleland.
Zapu has thrown in their lot with Zanu pf so that will
isolate them . It is worth mentioning that in the 1980 elections Zanu pf
obtained some thing in the region of 18,000 votes in Matebeleland and in 2008
that dwindled to less than 3,000.
There is a clear call from the people of Matebeleland
for sovereignty and the right to pave their own future and that of generations
to come. There is an absolute hunger for sanity and stability.
We have a constitution in place that will protect the
rights and property of all people. Our judiciary will be totally independent
from government. All legal transactions prior to 1980 will be adhered to - thus
returning land to its rightful owners. I wrote the land policy and it was
readily agreed to by the executive. Perhaps above all provision will be made
for accountability. I am totally convinced the chaos we see in Zimbabwe today
is due to the lack of accountability.
It is my hope that this article confirms that there is
not only a historical aspect to the sovereignty of Matebeleland but a real
need.
Gerald Smith
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Matebeleland Liberation Organisation
Gerald Smith was the last President of the Conservative
Alliance Zimbabwe and was instrumental in the formation of the Zimbabwe Unity
Movement and the United Front.
The US generates about a quarter
of global GDP and about the same volume of basic foods. However, it is the
largest producer of food surpluses and perhaps as much as half of all the
basic foods traded emanate from the USA. Under these conditions a small
variation in US agricultural output has a disproportionate impact on global
food stocks and prices.
At the beginning of the current season (basically
March to October) the summer position was forecast to produce near record
crops of maize and soya beans. Yields were predicted to exceed 2011 and both
stocks and output looked positive. Since then the US has experienced dry,
hot conditions and almost 85 per cent of the summer crop has been damaged.
Wheat was less affected as it was ready to reap early in the summer and was
less affected.
As a consequence prices for corn (maize) and soya have
surged and are expected to rise even higher in the next few months as the
full impact is appreciated in global markets. Stocks, already at low levels
in relation to global demand, are expected to fall even further and this
situation can be expected to impact the global food situation quite
seriously. This situation is developing against the backdrop of tight supply
and higher prices that have already pushed some 50 million people back into
abject poverty around the world.
Corn and soya are the basic feed
stocks of a whole range of industries – pigs, poultry, dairy and beef as
well as an important staple food for billons of people. Maize (corn) is the
staple food in most countries in Africa and is only challenged by root flour
(cassava) and rice in a small number of countries. The emerging situation in
the USA and in global markets is therefore likely to have a serious impact
on Africa, which, in 2011 was the biggest food deficit region in the World
importing some 150 million tonnes of maize grain from surplus
regions.
The question is what impact is likely on Zimbabwe? This is not
as easy a question as might be thought at first glance. Since the
implementation of the land grab in 2000, agricultural output from both small
scale and large scale agriculture (Peasant and Commercial) has declined by
over 70 per cent. This synergistic association between the two sectors is
unexpected and highlights the mutual dependency of the two main agricultural
systems in Zimbabwe.
In the current year the maize grain deficit will
be about 1,2 million tonnes or two thirds of our total demand. The deficit
last year was about the same although official figures deny this. Imports of
maize grain and maize meal ran consistently over 100 000 tonnes a month in
2011. This is in addition to donor funded food aid for about 15 to 20 per
cent of the population. In respect to soya beans, our consumption demand is
probably about 120 000 tonnes, of which about 30 000 tonnes is produced
locally. In the case of wheat we now import virtually all our requirements
at about 350 000 tonnes per annum. Wheat production has declined from near
self sufficiency to a bare 7000 tonnes this winter.
In a world market
environment characterized by low stocks and drought affected production, the
food outlook in Zimbabwe is not good news. It renders us vulnerable to
market shifts and possible difficulties in securing supplies. In the latter
regard, we face the additional threat this year of a general decline in
regional supplies. Zambia and Malawi both have reduced harvests and limited
export surpluses. South Africa, which had a 9 million tonne carry over three
years ago will have limited stocks this year and a shortfall of about 500
000 tonnes in current production.
This is in sharp contrast to the
regional situation that has prevailed in recent years when Zimbabwe simply
had to collect supplies on a daily and weekly basis from neighboring States
at very low prices. It is possible, given the tight stock position in the
region, that regional States may suspend exports to secure their own supply
positions for domestic consumption. If this was extended to halting exports
of meal, it would immediately create a crisis here given the three month
lead time on supplies from overseas.
What is a bit of a mystery is
the fate of the 400 000 to 500 000 tonnes of maize taken into stock by the
GMB over the past two seasons at great cost, funded by the Ministry of
Finance. While some has been lost to poor storage management, a great deal
seems to have simply disappeared. This may be partly explained by the “Grain
Loan Scheme” which is simply a means of maize distribution to local
populations on a “never never” basis and therefore virtually for nothing.
But it is a factor that should be investigated by the State, not just
because it has cost us a couple of hundred million dollars but also because
it has made us more vulnerable to the global and regional food
crisis.
What is inevitable is that food prices are going to rise. Already
there has been a general rise of about 15 per cent in food prices in South
Africa and this will inevitably be reflected here depending on the exchange
rate to the US dollar. The price increases will affect all meat and dairy
products as well as eggs. Prices for maize meal have already risen – partly
because of rising regional prices for the grain and the deepening global
market crisis arising out of the drought in the mid west of the
USA.
Nothing illustrates to global village character of 21st Century
markets than the food situation. One area of the world has a drought – the
worst for 25 years, and the whole world pays the price and there is almost
no time lag in the market response. At the same time, this development
emphasizes the cost of the ill considered land invasions in terms of our
basic food security needs. The failure of the Zanu PF fast track land reform
exercise will touch every Zimbabwean family this year. In a situation where
market forces should elicit a strong production response from the farmers,
the incentives of high prices will fall like seed on stony ground in
Zimbabwe. In other countries farm incomes will rise as farmers respond to
the new incentives.
