ZANU PF using soldiers, chiefs and militia to attack MDC

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
August 04, 2010

The Constitutional Outreach program which was supposed to peacefully create
a new people-driven constitution for Zimbabwe, has instead often brought
little more than renewed violence against those perceived to be MDC
supporters. ZANU PF has activated the same machinery used during elections
in the past to intimidate opposition officials and supporters. This includes
soldiers, the police, traditional chiefs, the youth militia and local thugs,
who are paid for each assignment.

Reports of assaults, displacements, arrests and harassments are being
received daily from around the country. Many observers are questioning
whether the MDC formations should continue being part of this constitutional
exercise and also of the so-called inclusive government, when they clearly
have no power.

Reports on the ground confirm that many people are now too afraid to
contribute freely at the outreach meetings.

On Tuesday night armed soldiers, led by Major Muti Musakwa, forcibly removed
property and goods belonging to the MDC district treasurer for Zvimba West,
James Jonga. The soldiers looted his supermarket at Murombedzi growth point
in Zvimba, Mashonaland West province, demanding that he vacate the premises.
Jonga had made a contribution during the constitutional outreach meeting
that was held in the area last week.

In another incident ZANU PF militia, led by the district chairperson John
Kanindiriri, are reported to be assaulting people who fail to attend forced
meetings in Chendambuya in Headlands, Manicaland province. Villagers in the
area are being forced to attend these ZANU PF meetings everyday, ahead of
the official outreach meetings scheduled for this month.

Reports from Hurungwe in Mashonaland West province, allege that Chief Chundu
is travelling around the district with ZANU PF activists Peter Madamombe and
Bilo Kaunde. They are said to be threatening to beat up anyone planning to
oppose the discredited Kariba draft during the outreach meetings. Chief
Chundu also repeated the threats while addressing villagers at Kapiri
business centre on Monday and at Kachiva centre on Tuesday.

On July 25th, three known ZANU PF supporters burned down two houses
belonging to MDC activist Titus Garura, of Ward 11, Kachombo Village in
Uzumba, Mashonaland East. Garura said he saw fire in the two houses at
around 4 am. He was able to identify Temba Nyamubobo, a ZANU PF youth and
his two relatives, Rudolf and Aaron Garura, as the arsonists. Garura
reported the attack at Mugabe police station, but no arrests have been made.

In Guruve South, Mashonaland Central, former students from the so-called
National Youth Service, have reportedly camped out at St Francis secondary
school and are performing drills and singing during lessons. The youths
appeared at the school last month, claiming they had come to perform
community service in the surrounding area. But the locals report that no
work has been done and the youths have just threatened to cause disturbances
if the villagers reject the ZANU PF Kariba draft of the constitution.

Western Diplomats Refuse to Apologize for Diplomatic Dispute

Diplomats reject demand that they apologize for walking out of official funeral to protest remarks by Mr. Mugabe

Scott Bobb | Johannesburg 04 August 2010

Photo: AP

United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray addresses a press conference at the US embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, 03 Aug 2010

Several senior Western diplomats in Zimbabwe have rejected a demand by the Zimbabwean government that they apologize for walking out of an official funeral to protest remarks by President Robert Mugabe. 

U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray told reporters in Harare he would not apologize for leaving the funeral of President Robert Mugabe's sister because he felt the president had publicly insulted his country.

"I was taught as a child to apologize when I have done something wrong," Ray said.  "When I have been insulted to simply leave the venue where I am being insulted and am clearly not welcome is nothing to apologize for."

The U.S. envoy made the remarks after he and senior diplomats from Germany and the European Union were summoned Tuesday by Zimbabwe's foreign minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, to express what was described as his concern and disappointment over their behavior.

During his sister's funeral Sunday, Mr. Mugabe accused Western governments of trying to control his government through sanctions against state-owned companies and senior ZANU-PF leaders.  "They (Western governments) think they can then dictate, 'Do A, B and C, remove so and so,' and of course it is Mugabe first who must go, according to them, and then 'We will relate with you.'  To hell with them," he said.

The Zimbabwean foreign minister said the walkout was disrespectful to Zimbabwe and its people.  But German Ambassador Albrecht Conze disagreed.

"While we were paying our respects, Europeans and Americans were treated disrespectfully," he said. "And as we are representing them, we all felt that we had no other choice but to leave the venue."

Western governments nearly 10 years ago imposed travel, banking, and business bans on more than 100 senior Zimbabwean leaders and dozens of state-owned companies because of human-rights abuses.

Mr. Mugabe has campaigned for the sanctions to be lifted since he entered into a power-sharing government with the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Western governments have indicated a willingness to ease the sanctions, but only after what they call meaningful political reform is carried out.

In a meeting Tuesday with young African leaders in Washington, U.S. President Obama said Mr. Mugabe was not serving his people well.

He said the U.S. government did not want to punish the Zimbabwean people because of an abusive leader, but it could not have political or commercial dealings with a government that did not observe basic human rights.

Constitution outreach suspended in Manicaland

MDC: Constitution outreach suspended in Manicaland

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Copac activities have been suspended in Manicaland province after Zanu PF
leaders and supporters intimidated villagers and forced the police to arrest
one rapporteur who was capturing everything including intimidations taking
place at the various centers.

Reports coming in from Manicaland Province today indicated that the process
had been stopped throughout the province altogether.

Speaking from Manicaland, the MDC Manicaland province spokesperson and
Makoni South MP, Hon Pishayi Muchauraya said the process was stopped after
various stations reported that Zanu PF was hijacking the process by using
its legislators and war veterans to threaten and intimidate people.

The Zanu PF Senator for Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe Oriah Kabayanjiri and Monica
Mutsvangwa, senator for Chimanimani are in the COPAC team but are abusing
the process to harass and intimidate MDC supporters, as well as giving Zanu
PF supporters platform to pray.

"The prayers are very long and 15 Zanu Pf party positions are explicitly
highlighted in these prayers. Copac itself has no control over this because
these Senators just pick on one war veteran who then expounds the Zanu PF
position in a prayer disguise. This has angered the people here and as such,
Copac has thrown down tools," said Muchauraya.

At Hartzell primary school in Mutare South, Monica Mutsvangwa openly
instructed MDC supporters to leave the outreach venue.

At Magistrate's Hall in Chimanimani and at another venue in Chipinge West,
war veterans were picked to make prayers which were too long and spoke on
the Zanu PF party positions.

In Chimanimani East, the District administrators, who are responsible for
providing dates and venues for the Copac meetings , have provided the wrong
dates via postings at schools, but advising Zanu PF structures on the actual
dates and venues for the meetings.

In Chipinge West, Senator Kabayanjiri threatened a rapporteur, Kudakwashe
Munengiwa, for recording everything that was happening during the outreach
programmes. Kabayanjiri reportedly went to the police station and had
Munengiwa arrested even though it was the senator who had threatened the
rapporteur.

"This has affected the turnout of the people, and also prejudiced other
people who are not in support of the Zanu PF position, as they are afraid of
what might happen to them," said Hon Muchauraya.

--
MDC Information & Publicity Department
Harvest House

The MDC Today

Desperate appeal to SA government over land attacks

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
04 August 2010

A South African farming family in Zimbabwe has made a desperate appeal to
Jacob Zuma's government to intervene in a worsening invasion of their
property.

Philip and Ellen Hapelt from Grasslands Farm in Somabhula have been fighting
for several months to hold on to their property, which has caught the eye of
MP Jabulani Mangena. Mangena has led a campaign of harassment, vandalism and
violence against the Hapelts and their workers, claiming he has an offer
letter entitling him to the property. Late last year, the Hapelts were
brutally beaten by a gang of thugs, in an attack the family believes was
meant to drive them from their farm.

The Hapelts many years ago voluntarily gave up the majority of their land
for the sake of 'reform', under an agreement that would allow them to remain
on their homestead with a small portion of farming land. They also have two
Court orders that entitle them to live on the farm without fear of invasion
or persecution. But Mangena is openly disregarding the Courts and has even
threatened the Hapelts with more violence if they approach the courts again.

Philip Hapelt is a South African citizen and he and his family have made
numerous appeals to the South African High Commission to intervene on their
behalf. Hapelt's daughter Lauren told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that
their pleas have been to no avail, explaining how the situation on her
parent's farm is worsening on a daily basis.

"This is a terror campaign against my parents who are elderly, and time is
really running out for them," Lauren said.

Lauren has written yet another letter to the High Commission in a desperate
plea for assistance, but she said on Wednesday that the South African
government's lack of action has been "abysmal."

"South Africa is in a strong position to bring pressure on the Zimbabwean
government to stop this gangster like behaviour," Lauren said. "It isn't an
unreasonable request to ask them to protect their citizens and honour their
obligations."

The South African government has come under fire for not intervening on
behalf of its citizens, many of whom are facing a similar situation on farms
across Zimbabwe. This includes Ian Ferguson whose game ranch near Beitbridge
was illegally seized by land invaders said to be working for a top ZANU PF
official. Ferguson's game has been slaughtered and repeated pleas for help
from his government have gone unanswered.

The invasions of the South African owned properties are also a violation of
a bilateral investment protection agreement between the two countries, which
Hapelt's daughter Lauren said "is hardly worth the paper it is written on."
The latest agreement which was signed last year, but only ratified in May,
has not been honoured by either the South African or Zimbabwean governments.

Kallie Kriel from the South African civil rights initiative AfriForum said
on Wednesday that it is outrageous that his country's government has not
intervened. Kriel was speaking from Zimbabwe, where he has been on a fact
finding mission speaking to South African farmers affected by land
invasions. Kriel told SW Radio Africa that there has been "absolutely no
response to the pleas for help," which he said was a serious indictment on
Zuma's administration.

"What we can see here is that the old bond between the ANC and ZANU PF still
lingers," Kriel said. "These past friendships are standing in the way of
justice and it is unacceptable."

Police refuse to return diamond researcher’s property

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
04 August 2010

Police have refused to return property belonging to diamond researcher Farai
Maguwu, in direct violation of a High Court order.

Maguwu should have received his property, including a laptop and his
passport, after being granted bail, according to a High Court order handed
down on 14 July this year. But police have refused to hand over his
property, and efforts by his legal team to force the police to abide by the
Court order have been unsuccessful.

Maguwu is living under strict bail conditions after finally being granted
bail, more than a month after his arrest in connection with his work
exposing the human rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields. He is being
charged with communicating so-called “falsehoods” deemed prejudicial to the
State and if found guilty, faces up to 20 years behind bars. No date for his
trial has been set.

Meanwhile, the High Court has relaxed the bail conditions set for three MDC
victims of abduction. Gandhi Mudzingwa, Kisimusi Dhlamini, and Andrison
Manyere were abducted by State security agents in 2008 and later charged
with committing acts of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism. They
filed an application last Tuesday seeking to amend their bail conditions
which include weekly reports to the police.

The group wanted the court to cancel the reporting obligation, arguing that
the condition was no longer necessary and an inconvenience. Their
application was successful but their case is still pending.
 

CID under investigation … as corruption pervades police force

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by JOHN CHIMUNHU
Tuesday, 03 August 2010 12:27

HARARE - Officers from the police Criminal Investigations Department are
being probed for corruption after reports that they are demanding bribes
from people applying for records known as 'police clearances', The
Zimbabwean has established.

The clearances are vital for people applying for civil service jobs, bank
loans, foreign visas and work permits in neighbouring countries.
A senior officer in the Serious Fraud Section told this newspaper that the
activities of officers at CID headquarters at Morris Depot in Harare were
being closely monitored following complaints by the public.
"No-one has yet been arrested for taking bribes in exchange for the
clearances but we are certainly investigating this because it’s a very
serious offence," said the officer, who asked not to be named as he had no
authority to comment.
The officer claimed that some wanted criminals were being cleared after
giving kickbacks to the corrupt detectives.
One woman at Morris Depot, awaiting the granting of the clearance document,
said she had been asked to pay $10 if she wanted her papers processed the
same day. The process normally takes several days and can extend into weeks.
Meanwhile, junior officers have accused their superiors of releasing
detained suspects without following procedures after being paid off. A
police officer who spoke to this newspaper at the weekend complained that a
suspect he had arrested had been set free by a superior officer, who
threatened to 'deal with' him if he complained about the anomaly.
Apparently there is a thriving racket in which police officers demand bribes
from both the complainants and accused people.
Police are also said to be involved in the activities of the notorious
'Highlanders' gang that specializes in snatching handbags, phones, jewellery
and other valuables in Harare city centre.
The 'Highlanders' mobsters move in large groups in the city centre. A police
officer claimed that their operations were facilitated by plainclothes
detectives who usually harass or confuse the victim while the thieves make
their getaway.
Official comment could not be obtained on Monday. However, despite numerous
assurances by commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri that corrupt officers
would be dealt with, no senior offenders have ever been brought to book.
Only junior officers are usually nabbed.

Civil servants threaten strike

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Paul Ndlovu
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 12:30

HARARE - Without any solution in sight in terms of their salaries, civil
servants have once again signalled their intention to strike, with teachers
preferring the strike to take place next term - when students sit their
end-of-year examinations.

The president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ),
Takavifira Zhou, said there was very little money allocated to civil
servants in the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review. The PTUZ president said it
was likely that teachers would engage in industrial action soon.

"We are still strategising, but the teachers are ready for anything next
term," he said.

Zhou spoke vehemently when he said the country had received certification
from the Kimberley Process to sell diamonds from Marange yet there was no
indication of what would be done with the proceeds.

"Minister Tendai Biti said there would be no supplementary budget but where
will the money go to? It would have been better if there was an indication
on how the civil servants will benefit rather than be quiet," he said.

Zhou said it was depressing that civil servants continued to work for
"nothing".

"The policy seems to have left us out," he said.

The PTUZ president said that although civil servants had been very
consistent, several ghost workers continued to be paid and he urged the
Public Service Commission to conduct an accurate audit to deal with the
problem.

Workers had on numerous occasions challenged the treasury to consider their
wages and were now appealing to the three principals to look into their
predicament.

"We have interrogated the minister of finance a number of times. It's
unfortunate that despite elements of improvement in the country's system,
civil servants continue to suffer," he said.

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) and Apex Council chairperson,
Tendai Chikowore, said nothing had been done to discuss the way forward
concerning civil servants salaries.

"Apex failed to hold the meeting because all the units that were supposed to
attend were coordinating other events," she admitted.

Two weeks back, the Apex council chairperson said the council was to meet
and discuss the way forward after the government failed to award a salary
increment. This was revealed when civil servants expressed their displeasure
after the presentation of the Mid -Term Fiscal Policy Review.

Chikowore however said the meeting would proceed at a date convenient for
everyone. The Apex chairperson said the agenda was "obviously" going to be
the lack of salary increments.

"We will discuss the Mid -Term Fiscal Policy Review. That is to be our main
issue," she said.

The minister of education, Senator David Coltart, said he maintained
constant contact with the teachers' unions, and said that they were aware of
the development in the ministry's strategic plan.

"The priority is to address teachers' service and working conditions.
Periodically, I contact the unions bilaterally or individually. The solution
is to improve not just their money but working conditions," he said.

On the issue of whether proceeds from Marange diamond mine will boost
funding for the country's education, Minister Coltart said it was impossible
for one mine to fund the whole education sector.

"Natural resources have to benefit a majority of people not just a small
clique of people or teachers only. If we use resources properly we will have
more in the Government coffers to support everyone," he said.

 

Diamond boss blasts KP

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by John Chimunhu
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 12:57

HARARE - The chairman of the African Diamond Council (ADC), Andre Action
Diakite Jackson, has castigated the Kimberly Process Certification System
(KP) - whose regulator Abbey Chikane is due in Zimbabwe at the weekend to
approve sale of the disputed Marange diamonds - for being 'ineffectual' and
allowing the country's leaders to get away with gross human rights
violations in pursuit of diamond riches.

"The System has failed to thwart trading of diamonds mined as a result of
human suffering and although Zimbabwe's current dealings and previous
defiance may frustrate many of their global critics, the country has led the
attack in exposing the vulnerability of the KP," Jackson said in a statement
from the ADC headquarters in Luanda, Angola.

Chikane was authorized by the World Diamond Council at their summit last
month in Russia to allow limited sales of gemstones from the heavily
contested Marange fields starting this month. His weekend visit is meant to
rubber-stamp that decision.

Jackson insisted in his statement that illegal activities were still ongoing
at Marange, making a decision to allow foreign sales of the stones highly
questionable.

"Gems lie near the surface of the ground and are easily collected by
soldiers, smugglers and illegal miners who work for them," Jackson said.
"The government's shrewdness has been demonstrated best by their
exploitation of an ineffectual KP diamond certification scheme."

The visit by Chikane at the weekend has been clouded by legal issues and
international pressure after United States President Barack Obama last week
signed into force a law that would make it mandatory for listed American
firms to ensure they only buy stones from regions free from conflict.

Legal owner of the Marange diamond claims, African Consolidated Resources'
CEO, Andrew Cranswick, hinted last week that the anticipated sale would be
illegal even if the conflict issues appear to have been resolved. It was
expected that the London-listed ACR would take legal action against any
international buyers, especially Western firms, who participated in the
impending sales.

Jackson said another problem was that Zimbabwe had an unknown quantity of
stockpiled diamonds - some of them mined during the brutal army Operation No
Return which, according to rights groups resulted in the death of more than
200 civilians.

"The government hoards and controls a massive stockpile of both industrial
diamonds and more than 40 percent of gem-quality diamonds," Jackson said.

He lamented that the country's diamond industry was dogged by legitimacy
problems when it boasted "one of the richest alluvial diamond deposits in
the world, which could effortlessly position the country as a leading
diamond producer".

The ADC is sending its own officials alongside Chikane, to assess the
situation on the ground at Marange before they present a report to the KP,
to be used as the basis for further discussion at the KP's annual summit in
November.

Mutambara rules out any possibility of Zimbabwe going to the polls next year

http://www.sabcnews.com

August 04 2010 , 4:25:00

Zimbabwean deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has ruled out any
possibility of Zimbabwe going to the polls next year. Speaking to the SABC,
Mutambara says a lot still needs to be done before his country can safely
declare its readiness to hold elections.

Today those involved have no regrets for choosing peace. Out of the 27
issues agreed to by the parties 24 have been met and for elections to take
place certain reforms are key.

Mutambara says: "The new constitution, national healing political reform,
electoral reform, economic reform those are important for us to achieve free
and fair elections."

Some are already predicting elections next year but Deputy Prime Minister
says that's not possible.

Mutambara says: "Zimbabwe electoral commission will need 12 -18 months to
have a clear clean voters roll it is a dream to think about elections next
year."

It has been a difficult road to the country which was once a food basket of
Africa and the  SADC must continue to monitor the implementation of the
peace agreement which will lead to the people of Zimbabwe finally choosing
their own leaders in a free and fair election.

No more 'GMO' chicken from South Africa, says Zimbabwe. Now to see if there is such a thing.

http://www.csmonitor.com

Zimbabwe has banned genetically modified chicken from South Africa amid
complaints that producers there are flooding the Zimbabwe market. But South
African producers say there's no such thing as GMO chicken.

By Savious Kwinika, Correspondent / August 4, 2010
Johannesburg, South Africa

ZImbabwe has banned chickens and all poultry from South Africa, accusing its
southern neighbor of supplying genetically modified poultry.

But what does 'genetically modified' poultry mean, exactly?

"The accusations by Zimbabwe that we are supplying genetically modified
chickens are without substance," says Kevin Lovell, the chief executive
officer of the South Africa Poultry Association (SAPA). "There is no such
thing as a genetically modified chicken anywhere in the world. Even if a
person, a chicken, or a cow for that matter, eats genetically modified maize
that does not make you genetically modified since you cannot change your own
genes by eating food."

Mr. Lovell accuses Zimbabweans of looking for excuses to avoid having to
compete with the highly efficient and sophisticated South African poultry
industry.

"Prior to this action they had attempted to ban imports from South Africa
through false claims of Rift Valley Fever being present on our chickens but
chickens cannot get this disease," says Lovell. "Then they suddenly changed
their standards with regard to flavor enhancement and now that we have
proved that we comply with the new standard they are looking for another
excuse."

Zimbabwe Poultry Association (ZPA) Chairman, Solomon Zawe, complains that
South African producers are flooding the market, putting Zimbabwean
producers out of work.

"The industry could not recover fully while the chicken imports continued to
flood the market," says Zawe. "However, the ban has hit major South African
importers who have now resorted to smuggling the imported chickens."

The chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe-based Crest Poultry Group,
Tapera Mpezeni, says Zimbabwe is addressing the issue.

"Indeed, a short-term shortage of chickens has hit the market, but producers
have already come up with a plan to solve the problem," he says. "Major
producers have augmented production by importing hatching eggs at a rate of
about 500,000 per week. Combined with local production, the imported
hatching eggs will increase day-old chicks production per week to 1
million."

Lovell sees nothing but irony in that plan.

"The irony of the matter is that we still supply lots of fertile eggs and
day old chicks to Zimbabwe as they do not have enough of their own," says
Lovell. "So if our adult chickens are genetically modified as the
Zimbabweans are saying that they are then so are their own chickens!"

Lovell says that the South African Poultry Association is now taking the
issue to the South Africa's foreign ministry.

"Our industry will be taking this matter up at the highest level as we do
not believe that Zimbabwe really wants to do things that will affect a long
standing good relationship between our two countries," he says.

Mugabe not invited - Apostles

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Tony Saxon
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 16:48

MUTARE - Senior members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic church did not
invite President Robert Mugabe to attend their annual Passover meeting but,
the president forced himself to be part of the proceedings.

Mugabe, together with some senior Zanu (PF) officials wearing church robes,
a fortnight ago attended the Passover meeting at Mafarikwa village in
Marange.
A senior member from the church elders who declined to be named for fear of
severe victimization and reprisals said: "We never invited the President
(Mugabe) to be part of our annual Passover meeting. Instead, he forced
himself into us. Chris Mushohwe (Manicaland Governor) was the one who was
behind the whole thing.
Mugabe's visit to the meeting, which attracted about 200 000 gatherers is
viewed as a desperate measure to regain the support of the electorate.
Another church elder said: "We know our position as a church. We want to put
it clear that we are not aligned to Zanu (PF). Our church members are
grown-up individuals and they know what is good for the country.
"As a church we do not participate in political activities, but the issue of
voting is personal and one is entitled to his or her right to vote for a
person he or she wants without fear."

Porous borders aid Rhino poachers – AfriForum

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Mxolisi Ncube
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 12:46

JOHANNESBURG - A South African civil rights group this week called on that
country’s government to engage other nations, including Zimbabwe, in its
on-going efforts to stop rhino poaching, cases of which are escalating by
the day.

Civil rights group AfriForum said early this week that the recent arrest of
seven rhino poaching suspects from Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Mozambique was once
again proof that good border control is essential, hence the call by the
organisation for the South African government to discuss the issue with the
governments of the other countries concerned, especially the government of
Vietnam, in order to determine the origin of the poaching problem.

“This is not the first time that a Vietnamese national has been arrested in
connection with rhino poaching in South Africa,” said James Kemp, AfriForum’s
spokesperson on environmental affairs.

“Another Vietnamese man, Zhong Wong, was recently sentenced to 10 years in
prison after being caught with 16,1 kg rhino horn. The areas where the horns
are being sold should be identified and handled by each country in question.

“Proper cooperation amongst countries is essential to address the problem.
For this reason we also welcome Interpol’s involvement in the task team of
the Minister of Environmental Affairs, which will start functioning in the
near future.”

Kemp added that it was important to determine whether rhino horn had any
medicinal values, as traditional healers in China suggest.

“No scientific proof could confirm this to date, yet rhinos are still being
killed.  In order to tackle rhino poaching effectively, the superstitions
that contribute to the problem should be addressed too.”

Zimbabwe has itself not been spared the effect of rhino poaching, with some
South African hunters and safari operators said to be plundering Zimbabwe’s
wildlife stocks and getting rich from illegal hunting and the trade in rhino
horn.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Says Start Indigenization With Parastatals

http://www1.voanews.com

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries said the indigenization program
should be broad-based and include parastatal firms like the National
Railways of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe and the Grain Marketing Board

Gibbs Dube | Washington 03 August 2010

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries says the Harare government's
indigenization program should start with state enterprises, many of which
are on the verge of collapse with heavy operating losses and debts.

The CZI said the indigenization program should be broad-based and include
companies like the National Railways of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, the Grain
Marketing Board and a number of others.

At its recent annual conference, the business organization said some of
state enterprises could be saved from collapse if indigenous - i.e. black -
Zimbabweans are allowed to acquire shares in them alongside private
investors.

Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube told VOA Studio 7 reporter
Gibbs Dube that indigenous Zimbabweans willing to buy shares in state
enterprises should form consortiums to acquire equity in the public-sector
firms.

"The inclusive government is willing to support business people who will set
up companies aimed at buying shares in state enterprises," Ncube said.

But Harare economist John Robertson cautioned that state enterprises are
unlikely to do better simply by virtue of being indigenously owned as they
collectively need billions of U.S. dollars in recapitalization

Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change Backs Proposals for Decentralization

http://www1.voanews.com

Addressing a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
head of the larger MDC grouping, said Zimbabweans should press for
devolution in the on-going constitutional revision outreach exercise

Ntungamili Nkomo & Blessing Zulu | Washington 03 August 2010

Both formations of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change have come out
strongly in favor of devolution of power from the central government to
local authorities or provincial assemblies, arguing that such a
decentralized system will ensure a more fair distribution of resources to
all provinces.

Addressing a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
head of the larger MDC grouping, said Zimbabweans should press for
devolution in the on-going constitutional revision outreach exercise.

"Devolution does not mean secession," Mr. Tsvangirai declared. "It does not
mean separation. It is not about tribalism. It is about sharing the national
cake equally."

The provinces of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, home to the
ethnic minority Ndebele, are leading the drive for devolution, accusing the
central government of marginalizing the region over the years.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, head of the smaller MDC formation
for which the Matabeleland capital of Bulawayo is a stronghold, said that
Zimbabweans should seriously consider this form of governance citing the
United States and South Africa as examples of strongly decentralized
countries that are flourishing.

But ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo disagreed, telling VOA Studio 7 reporter
Blessing Zulu that his party does not support devolution, arguing that the
unitary system in place since independence in 1980 works pretty well.

Commenting on the debate, political analyst George Mkhwanazi said he is
pleased Mr. Tsvangirai and Mr. Mutambara are presenting devolution not as a
concept only relevant to Matabeleland, but as a valid national option.

Asking for more humanitarian money

VP Nkomo speech at 'Shoes for National Healing' launch, Harare, Aug 3, 2010

Lest we forget our heroes for real change

Constitution Outreach: News Round-Up, 28 July - 4 August 2010

Sokwanele - Enough is Enough - Zimbabwe
PROMOTING NON-VIOLENT PRINCIPLES TO ACHIEVE DEMOCRACY

Sokwanele : 4 August 2010

These are media extracts relating to the constitution outreach process, appearing between 28 July – 4 August. To review previous news items, or follow updates daily, please visit the Constitution Resource page on the Sokwanele website. Please note that links to sources and full articles are also available on the resource page. These extracts are being emailed to our subscribers today – to receive our newsletter, please email info@sokwanele.com with the word 'subscribe' as the subject or click here to sign up online.