Zimbabwe arrests 46 over "Egyptian-style" protests

http://af.reuters.com/

Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:42pm GMT

* Detained activists include a former opposition legislator

* Mugabe, 87, uses tough policing to retain grip on power

By Cris Chinaka

HARARE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has arrested dozens of activists on
charges of plotting protests against long-serving President Robert Mugabe
similar to those that toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia, police said
on Monday.

Police detained 46 people in the capital Harare as they watched videos of
protests in the north African countries and discussed possible
demonstrations in Zimbabwe, said Inspector James Sabau, police spokesman for
Harare province.

"The agenda of the meeting was the revolt in Egypt and Tunisia -- what
lessons can be learnt for the working class in Zimbabwe and Africa," he told
reporters.

However, a defence lawyer said his clients, who were arrested on Saturday,
would deny plotting any anti-government protests when they appear in court
this week.

Critics say Mugabe, who turned 87 on Monday and has been in office for 31
years, has used tough policing and vote rigging to keep his grip on power
despite an economic crisis in the past decade which many blame on his
mismanagement.

Those arrested included trade unionists, student leaders and Munyaradzi
Gwisai, who heads a small but radical pressure group, the International
Socialist Organisation (ISO). They were detained at a meeting called by
Gwisai.

"Videos of the uprising in Egypt and Tunisia were being shown to the guests
who attended as a way to motivate the people to subvert a
constitutionally-elected government," Sabau said.

"It has been said before by our commanders and I will say it again, the
Egyptian-style (protests) have no place in Zimbabwe," Sabau said. He
declined to discuss any further details of the case, saying the accused
would be taken to court this week.

ACADEMIC DEBATE

Defence lawyer Marufu Mandevere denied his clients were plotting
anti-government protests. "When the case goes to court, the accused will
deny those allegations because as far as they are concerned, they were
arrested while they were having a normal academic debate," he said.

Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing government with Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) about two years ago, and
is pressing for fresh elections. Many say this would favour Mugabe's ZANU-PF
party if no major political reforms are put in place, including a new
constitution and improved voter registration.

Tsvangirai said last week his MDC would boycott any general election called
before these reforms.

Gwisai, a law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, is a former MP with
the MDC. However, he was expelled from parliament and the party for
supporting Mugabe's seizures of white-owned commercial farms for
redistribution to landless blacks.

Gwisai said at the time his support for Mugabe's policy was in line with his
beliefs as a socialist.

Mugabe, who returned home on Sunday after a week in Singapore for a review
of an eye cataract operation in December, is due to celebrate his birthday
at a rally organised by his ZANU-PF party this weekend.

Zimbabwe activists tortured after meeting on Egypt, lawyers say

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/

Feb 21, 2011, 18:10 GMT

Harare - At least nine Zimbabwean activists arrested on Saturday were
tortured under interrogation after police raided a meeting where they were
discussing the mass demonstrations that overthrew Egyptian president Hosny
Mubarak, their lawyers said Monday.

Police have accused the 46 people arrested of plotting to subvert a
constitutionally-elected government, but lawyers say the group were
attending a memorial lecture in private legal offices in Harares city centre
where they discussed the events in Egypt and Tunisia and were shown a video
of the protests.

At least nine of them were tortured when they were being questioned, said
Rose Hanzi, an attorney for Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who was last
able to speak to the detainees on Sunday night. She said they were beaten
with wooden planks usually used by police to beat victims on the soles of
their feet.

Those present at the meeting included lawyers, labour unionists and
students.

Senior officials of Mugabe's regime, in power for 31 years, have asserted
that the events in North Africa could not been replicated. Defence Minister
Emmerson Munangagwa said last week that any attempt to emulate the Cairo and
Tunis uprisings would be crushed.

Mwonzora Wallows In Jail As State Vetoes His Bail Order

http://www.radiovop.com

21/02/2011 15:46:00

Mutare, 21 February - Prosecutors on Monday invoked section 121 of the
Criminal Procedure and Evidence (CPEA) to suspend a bail order which had
been granted to tormented Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) MP for Nyanga
North Douglas Mwonzora and 22 Nyanga villagers.

Magistrate Ignatio Mhende on Monday granted bail to Mwonzora and the 22
villagers, who were charge with public violence and ordered them to
deposit $50. Mhende ordered Mwonzora and the villagers to continue residing
at their given residential addresses and not to interfere with state
witnesses.
But prosecutor Tirivanhu Mutyasiri, who opposed bail last Friday when
Mwonzora and the villagers’  lawyers Jeremiah Bamu and Tawanda
Zhuwarara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for bail invoked
section 121 of the CPEA which immediately the bail order which had been
granted by Mhende.
Because of Mutyasiri’s actions Mwonzora and the villagers will remain
detained at Mutare Remand Prison until the state appeal has been heard in
the High Court.
Mwonzora was arrested by the police outside Parliament Building early last
week and briefly detained at Harare Central Police Station before
being transferred to Rhodesville Police Station, for overnight detention
until Wednesday morning when he was transferred to Nyanga.

Vetoing Of Mwonzora And Villagers&Rsquo; Bail Order Motivated By Malice

Few reasons to party as Mugabe turns 87

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Own Correspondent     Monday 21 February 2011

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe turned 87 today amid expected pomp and
fanfare but ordinary Zimbabweans will have little to show or celebrate for
the veteran President’s three decade-rule.

“The old man”, as he is affectionately known by his legion of smitten ZANU
PF followers and activist journalists in the state media, is expected to
celebrate his birthday with the usual pomp.

The official party, organised by the cult-like  21st February Movement, is
scheduled for February 26 in Harare.

As in previous years, the ZANU PF zealots will throw the mother of all
parties for the Zimbabwean strongman.

However, there are few reasons for partying in Zimbabwe – but those to be
sad are many. They include food shortages, unprecedented unemployment, a
devastating AIDS epidemic and a tainted human rights record marked by
attacks on the  media, state-sponsored  violence against ZANU PF opponents
and violations of  rights to freedom of expression and association.

“The time when Zimbabwe was southern Africa’s breadbasket is long gone. No
matter. Monday is his birthday. Like a boy, that’s all he can think about
right now,” said press freedom watchdog Reporters Without  Borders at the
weekend.

While the state-owned press just talks about the president’s birthday,
independent newspapers continue to be gagged.

They try to cover human rights issues and the country’s economic and social
situation, but they are exposed to serious  reprisals.

Repressive legislation, state control of public media, harassment of the
privately-owned press, physical attacks on freelance photographers,
arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, systematic  persecution of human
rights activists and heavy-handed interrogation by the Central Intelligence
Organisation – these are the ingredients of censorship and suppression of
free speech in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe is one of the world’s oldest heads of  state, on a par with Saudi
Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz Al Saud and  Singaporean President
Sellapan Ramanathan.

As Reporters Without Borders observed, Mugabe has dictated what goes on in

Zimbabwe for the past 31 years while the opposition has dismally failed to
dislodge him.

Similar sentiments were echoed by former United States ambassador to
Zimbabwe Christopher Dell who was recently quoted in a leaked  confidential
cable as saying Mugabe has lasted so long in power because he is the  most
clever and ruthless politician in Zimbabwe –  and  possibly southern
Africa – today.

He has used a combination of oratory and violence to cower his opponents –
both at home and abroad.

He has managed to escape censure from fellow Southern African Development
Community (SADC) leaders despite blatant violations of a power-sharing
agreement he entered into with long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

Now Mugabe is pushing for elections this year to choose a new government to
replace his coalition with Tsvangirai.  Analysts say the vote is likely to
be marred by violence unless key reforms including the writing of a new
constitution are first implemented.

Zimbabwe’s elections have in the past been blighted by violence and charges
of vote rigging, which saw the European Union and United States slapping
sanctions on Mugabe and senior members of his ZANU-PF party.

Mbare residents forced to ‘celebrate’ Mugabe’s birthday

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
21 February 2011

Residents in Mbare were forced to attend a rally on Sunday, in celebration
of Robert Mugabe’s birthday.

ZANU PF youths rounded up market traders and other residents and
force-marched them to a rally, while singing songs and carrying a banner
that read: “Celebrating 87 Years — Happy Birthday Gushungo”.

According to NewsDay, the youths went around the markets at Mbare Musika
handing out T-shirts emblazoned with images of Mugabe and bearing messages
that said the 87 year old would be ZANU PF’s presidential candidate for
elections this year.

“Even those attending church services were ordered to leave their churches
to go to Mashawasha grounds where the rally was being addressed by losing
ZANU PF parliamentary candidate Tendai Savanhu,” NewsDay reported.

The ZANU PF leader turned 87 on Monday amid widespread speculation about the
state of his health. He returned to the country from Singapore on Sunday
after reportedly undergoing a routine checkup that followed an eye cataract
procedure earlier this year. Rumours are circulating however that the ageing
dictator is in fact more seriously ill than his party is letting on. Some
reports have suggested that Mugabe is suffering from prostate cancer,
although ZANU PF spokespeople have denied this.

Mugabe’s birthday has already seen ZANU PF fundraising take place, in
preparation for a party planned for this weekend. At the same time, some
ZANU PF led government ministries have also paid for adverts in the state
run Herald, wishing Mugabe a happy birthday. This includes Ignatius Chombo’s
Local Government Ministry and Patrick Chinamasa’s Justice Ministry.

 

Robert Mugabe's birthday: potential successors

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Several people are seen as potential successors Robert Mugabe when he dies,
most of them members of the powerful Joint Operations Command (JOC) which is
in charge of country's security.

By Aislinn Laing, and Peta Thornycroft in Johannesburg 6:04PM GMT 21 Feb
2011

THE FRONT RUNNERS

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 65, was Mr Mugabe’s election officer in the violent 2008
presidential run-off.

He is seen as the instigator of most political violence against Zanu PF’s
political opponents and widely blamed for the massacres of opposition
supporters in Matabeleland between 1983 - 1987.

As a young guerilla, the now Defence Minister was tortured by Rhodesian
security forces during the indepence war.

A lawyer by training, he despises Mr Mugabe’s war-time commander Solomon
Mujuru and has never denied his presidential ambitions.

While known to be extremely wealthy, his lifestyle is less ostentatious than
many in Zanu PF.

Many Zimbabweans fear Mr Mnanagwa more than they fear Mr Mugabe and some
regional leaders would be concerned if he became president.

Joyce Mujuru, 55, the youngest member of Mr Mugabe’s first cabinet and wife
of Solomon Mujuru, his wartime commander, is presently one of two national
vice presidents.

A teenager when she joined Mr Mugabe’s anti-Rhodesian forces in Mozambique,
she is popular in her rural home area and is seen by some regional leaders,
especially South Africa, as an uncontroversial successor to Mr Mugabe,
untainted by allegations of involvement in violence.

A senior member of the Salvation Army, she also has a reasonable working
relationship with Movement for Democratic Change leader, Morgan Tsvangirai,
presently prime minister in the inclusive government.

She is admired by many for the grace with which she endures her husband's
public relationships with younger women. The couple are seen by many
Zimbaweans as wealthy by unknown means.

THE OUTSIDERS:

General Constantine Chiwenga, 55, commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,
is close to Mr Mugabe and chairs the JOC, which many accuse of planning and
managing political violence against Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for
Democratic Change over the past ten years.

Gen Chiwenga began his political career by fighting with Mr Mugabe in the
war of independence. He is now one of the richest men in the security forces
and subject to EU sanctions.

He hit the headlines before the 2008 elections, saying he would not salute
Mr Tsvangirai if he were to win.

Before he separated from his wife Jocelyn, the pair seized one of Zimbabwe's
most productive white-owned farms, a move that reportedly earned them some
$20m.

The farm's previous owner, Roger Staunton, claims that Mrs Chiwenga told him
"she had not tasted white blood since 1980 and that she needed just the
slightest excuse to kill someone."

Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, 67, has been in Mr Mugabe’s cabinet since independence
in 1980.

Although a member of the president's inner circle of the party, he has
managed to avoid appearing in the headlines and accusations of involvement
in the more extreme political violence against the MDC during the last 11
years.

A medical doctor by training who studied in Sweden, he has not yet been
implicated as a looter of state assets like some of his contemporaries.

He is presently minister of state security, in charge of the feared Central
Intelligence Organisation.

Zanu PF could choose Mr Sekeramayi to succeed Mugabe because of his less
controversial history and his long involvement with the party.

Robert Mugabe: from freedom fighter to aged tyrant

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

When Robert Gabriel Mugabe came to power in 1980 after one of the most
bitter wars of African independence, he was swiftly elevated to the ranks of
international statesman.

By Aislinn Laing, and Peta Thornycroft in Johannesburg 6:03PM GMT 21 Feb
2011

The Black Robespierre, as he became known, put white fears at rest -
speaking of reconciliation and joint enterprise.

"If yesterday I fought you as an enemy, today you have become a friend," he
told a relieved white population. "If yesterday you hated me, today you
cannot avoid the love that binds me to you."

Twenty years later, Mr Mugabe is known the world over as a political
demagogue, someone who, in a bid to cling to power, turned back on his
promises and drove his nation into the ground.

Born in 1924, Robert Mugabe was one of the six children of a Malawian father
and a Shona mother. He was educated in Roman Catholic missionary schools
before moving to South Africa's Fort Hare University for the first of his
seven degrees.

When he returned to Rhodesia in 1960, his political activism earned him a 10
year jail term for "subversive speech", after which he fled to neighbouring
Mozambique where he led a guerrilla forces in a protracted war against Ian
Smith's government.

The 1979 Lancaster House agreement brought independence to Zimbabwe and Mr
Mugabe returned home to a rapturous welcome.

He initially operated a coalition government with fellow freedom fighter
Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union but the pair fell out.

Mugabe accused Mr Nkomo's supporters of plotting to overthrow him and in
1982, sent in North Korean-trained troops to carry out massacres that left
more than 3,000 people dead.

In 2000, despite being a self-confessed Anglophile with a love of Savile Row
suits and the Royal family, Mr Mugabe, turned on the mainly English-origin
white settlers of Zimbabwe.

Self-styled war vets, many too young ever to have fought in the liberation
war, invaded white farms, forcing their owners off land many had bought from
the government during Mr Mugabe's tenure.

The subsequent food shortages and hyperinflation that followed plunged
Zimbabweans, black and white, into destitution.

After a successful challenge by Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic
Change in a bloody 2008 election, he now finds himself in a shaky coalition.

He is also dogged by rumours of ill-health, which last year prompted him to
tell an interviewer: "I don’t know how many times I die but nobody has ever
talked about my resurrection. Jesus died once, and resurrected only once,
and poor Mugabe several times,"

Mr Mugabe's first wife Sally died. He has three children with his second
wife, Grace, who is 41 years his junior.

Broke ministries splash on Mugabe's Birthday

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Written by Ngoni Chanakira
Monday, 21 February 2011 10:39

HARARE - MANY broke government ministries this week dug deeper into their
begging bowls and splashed full colour advertisements in the
state-controlled The Herald newspaper congratulating President Robert Mugabe
(Pictured) on his 87th birthday.
President Mugabe has been single-handedly at the helm of Zimbabwe's
political affairs since the country became independent on April 18, 1980.
Most of his fellow President friends have either passed on or have retired
from active politics.
They include Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Joachim Chissano (Mozambique), Sam
Nujoma (Namibia), Nelson Mandela (South Africa) and the late Dr Kamuzu Banda
(Malawi). Ministiries that booked colour advertising space in the newspaper
on Monday included that of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development,
currently led by the wealthy Dr Ignatious Chombo.
Chombo is a Member of Parliament (MP) for Zvimba where President Mugabe's
rural home is located. "May the Lord continue to bless You!," the advert
read. The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs led by Patrick Chinamasa
also threw in its support for the President, pointing out that it "continues
to be inspired and guided by His Excellency's illustrious and visionary
leadership. We wish him many more!" Not to be outdone was the Ministry of
Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, under young MDC-T economist,
Tapiwa Mashakada.
The National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board (NIEEB) also
chipped in with an advert and so did FT Travel (Private) Limited, Africa
University, the Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society and the Zimbabwe
Newspapers (1980) Limited Group, who publish The Herald and The Sunday Mail
in their stable. Telephone network operator, TelOne (Private) Limited
(TelOne) also placed an advertisement pointing out the HE "brings people
together like them".
The President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe from Zanu PF and the Speaker of
Parliament, Lovemore Moyo from the MDC-T, were also not left out, saying
they hoped God would "continue to give Mugabe strength, good health and
wisdom to be an example to the younger generation as they benefit from the
country's independence". However, the largest advertisement was placed by
the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infratsructural Development,
under presidential confidante, Nicholas Goche.
The advert covered almost half the page. Members from the christian world
were also not left out as the Apostolic Chrisian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ)
chipped in with a small one. President Mugabe has been seen in Apostolic
garb on several occasions "wooing" members from the sect to join  his Zanu
PF party at a time when membership is tricky.
The Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy and mining concern, Zimbabwe Alloys
Limited Group of Companies (ZimAlloys) also advertised. Mugabe turned 87
years old on Monday. He had, meanwhile, returned from an overseas trip where
he sought treatment for his eyes.

Police to question Sikhala over Facebook comments

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Lance Guma
21 February 2011

The controversial leader of the MDC-99 faction Job Sikhala, could become the
first Zimbabwean politician to be charged over comments he allegedly made on
his Facebook profile. Sikhala said he is being accused of writing on
Facebook that 87 year old Mugabe had died in Singapore where he had gone for
treatment.

Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Behind the Headlines programme Sikhala said on
Sunday night police left a note at his home requesting that he report to
Harare Central Law and Order section. After allegedly telling his friends on
the social networking site that Mugabe had died, Sikhala is further alleged
to have said if they wanted more information on the ‘breaking news’ they
should contact him.

The former MDC MP for St Mary’s said the police left a note which had phone
numbers for him to call. “I called them and they told me they wanted to
interview me over a message circulated on Facebook. I told them I’m not
coming. If they want to arrest me, I am at my house. I will never go and
surrender myself. I am really tired of this harassment,” he said.

Another message on Sikhala’s Facebook read, “Charamba and the State media
forgot to lie again about Bob's health. The president has gone for a check
up on his operated eye. So he was not resting in Singapore in the first
place. I hope the cataracts in his brain are removed so he sees the truth.
Everyone is waiting for you to die, QUICKLY!”

Meanwhile Sikhala defended himself saying his Facebook account was run by
his party’s information department based in the United Kingdom and South
Africa. He accused Mugabe’s regime of being paranoid and said they were
panicking over events in Egypt and Tunisia where oppressive regimes had
fallen because of street protests.

The full interview with Job Sikhala can be heard on Behind the Headlines
with Lance Guma

Zim ministers in SA over passport crisis

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
21 February 2011

Zimbabwe’s co-Ministers of Home Affairs travelled to South Africa on Monday,
for a meeting with their South African counterparts over the ongoing delay
in issuing passports to citizens there.

Zimbabweans who have applied for permits to remain in South Africa legally
are still waiting for their government to issue them passports so they can
get the documents. But the Zim authorities have not made good on their
promises to roll out the passports, leaving South African authorities to
seek some kind of political intervention. South Africa’s Home Affairs
Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will now host meetings with Zimbabwe’s
Theresa Makone and Kembo Mohadi in Pretoria from Tuesday, to discuss the way
forward.

Dlamini-Zuma said last Friday that her department’s efforts to issue the
permits are being seriously hampered by Zimbabwe’s failure to issue
passports. She said it was not clear how many of the estimated 270 000
Zimbabweans who had applied for documents that will let them remain in South
Africa, lacked valid passports.

"We have a dependency we cannot do anything about. It depends on them," she
told a media briefing in Cape Town. "We are still awaiting passports from
the applicants who are awaiting them from the Zimbabwean government."

The government last year launched a campaign for Zimbabweans without proper
documents to regularise their stay in South Africa. That window of
opportunity closed at the end of last year, but South African authorities
have extended their moratorium on deportations of Zim nationals until later
this year, to adjudicate on the applications. Many of the applications were
made without passports and South African authorities have said they cannot
make a decision on the permits until the passports have been issued.

The passport crisis is causing anger and fear to start welling up in
different Zimbabwean communities in South Africa, with many Zim nationals
saying their futures are in the balance. Some nationals have had to turn
down job offers and some students have reportedly delayed their studies,
because they are still waiting for the applications to be processed.

Anthony Muteti from South African based refugee rights group PASSOP, said
people are angry that their government has let them down. He said that the
Zim nationals feel that they have been “robbed” by their government,
explaining that each passport application was worth R750. Many consulate
offices that processed these applications and took the money then closed
down, leaving thousands of Zimbabweans unsure of when and where they will
get their passports from.

Zim nationals meanwhile continue to face harassment in South Africa from the
country’s police force. According to the Solidarity Peace Trust, police
members “continue to harass, arrest and assault asylum seekers and economic
migrants, threatening them with deportation, and in numerous cases demanding
bribes.”

The group said in a statement on Monday that it “condemns the relentless
harassment of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa at a time when ZANU PF is
once again terrorising Zimbabweans in some parts of their country.”

“South Africans need to be aware of the escalating destabilisation that is
preventing asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants from going home.
The majority of Zimbabwean exiles would prefer to return to their families
and rebuild their lives but they continue to perceive that it is unsafe to
do so,” the Solidarity Peace Trust said.

Moyo demands Biti’s arrest

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Chris Goko
Monday, 21 February 2011 18:13

HARARE - Zanu PF chief propagandist Jonathan Moyo has called for high-handed
measures against Finance minister Tendai Biti and other Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) officials for demanding a diamonds cash audit.

The former government minister also wants the MDC leadership arrested for
what the country’s biggest political flip-flopper says is their call for
sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Moyo’s calls for Biti’s arrest on Sunday in the state-controlled Sunday Mail
came barely four days after President Robert Mugabe said he was going to ask
the country’s security chiefs to tackle his estranged coalition government
partners’ support for sanctions.

“Instead of auditing the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation which the
US and European Union (EU) want to know for purposes of widening and
entrenching their illegal economic sanctions, relevant authorities should
probe Biti in the light of WikiLeaks revelations that he is the local
linchpin of the illegal sanctions and the law must take its course without
fear or favour,” he said.

Apart from calling for strenuous action against the MDC hierarchy, Moyo
accuses Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC of sponsoring the latest wave
of terror to hit the country ahead of anticipated elections this year.

In his self-serving analysis, the ex-University of Zimbabwe lecturer says
party spokesman Nelson Chamisa’s comments on the MDC’s “underground
 campaign” was an unintentional admission of the former opposition party’s
penchant for violence ever since its birth 12 years ago.

However, Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe’s civil society and western nations blame the
latest clashes on Mugabe, and his party - acts which are seen as a tool of
cowering opponents ahead of the anticipated elections.

Biti’s crime, according to Moyo and other Zanu PF sympathisers, has been to
order an audit of the Chiadzwa precious mineral earnings amid serious
political mudslinging stoked by the octogenarian leader’s desperate wish for
the diamonds revenue to be used for civil servants’ pay.

While Mugabe told an Ethiopian mission and crowd in late January that
government would avail about US$250 million, Biti quickly shot back and
rebutted the claims, saying Treasury had no such money from the
controversial gem fields - where up to five mining firms are extracting and
auctioning stones in a largely opaque manner.

In the meantime, such vigorous attempts by top Mugabe aides like Moyo to
block any attempts to scrutinise how fund inflows and distributions from the
vast fields are being used have spawned concerns about widespread abuse, if
not funding of nefarious activities, using Zimbabwe’s newly found riches.

Since returning to Zanu PF in 2010, Moyo has not only emerged as one of the
ageing leader’s staunchest bootlickers, including support of the largely
reckless decision to hold elections this year with or without a new
constitution, but Zimbabwe has also witnessed a new tempo in misinformation
campaigns since the political scientist came onto the scene in 1999.

Mugabe delaying law that would prevent financial abuse

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

Staff Writer
21 February 2011

Robert Mugabe’s office is delaying efforts to gazette a law that will
monitor and audit the finances of government departments, the Minister of
Finance Tendai Biti has said.

According to the Independent newspaper, Biti claims that the Office of the
President has been sitting on the Public Finance Management Act since June
last year. The Act will see the creation of a new online system which would
block payment for expenses that are outside the budget, and would also
prevent inter-borrowing from different accounts.

“We are facing problems with the president in having the Act gazetted so
that it would be operationalised,” Biti said, “various letters have been
written to the President’s office and we are yet to get any response.”

One of the problems facing the coalition government is that of government
ministers’ overspending, such as on foreign travel, at a time when civil
servants are underpaid and facilities at hospitals are in crisis.

“The need for strong central leadership is critical, I have complained about
the $3,79 million spent for travelling alone in January,” Biti said, “I am
not a principal. I cannot tell ministers not to travel or I will be labelled
a super minister.”

It’s also been widely reported that the Reserve Bank, under Mugabe’s regime,
provided millions of dollars to sponsor ZANU PF’s terror campaigns.

Double Cabinet Meetings To Compensate For Mugabe's Absence

http://www.radiovop.com/

21/02/2011 18:52:00

Harare, February 21, 2011 - President Robert Mugabe who turned 87 Monday
proposed that the cabinet sits twice this week to compensate the days he
went for a medical review for a week in Singapore.

Mugabe was speaking at the State House to mark his 87 birthday. Cabinet did
not sit when the veteran leader was out of the country for an eye medical
review after he underwent an eye cataract operation in Singapore in
December, his spokesperson told the media.

"We can have two cabinet meetings in one week to make up for any lost time,”
Mugabe told journalists who attended his birthday celebration at the State
house.

Mugabe returned from Singapore on Sunday after he went to the Asian country
on February 11 for a medical review accused the West of working to oust him
from power by using economic sanctions but said the embargo will go one day.

“Those who colonized us yesterday year are still trying to bring regime
change. There is a struggle on two fronts, resistance to sanctions and
internally you have to turn resources into meaningful earnings.But regime
change and sanctions will come and go. That is why I continue to resist any
interference in our domestic affairs,” Mugabe said.

Mugabe's health troubles has been speculated in the media for sometime now.
Some foreign newspapers claim he is suffering from prostate cancer.

US govt agrees to supply coins

http://www.theindependent.co.zw

Monday, 21 February 2011 16:48

Staff Writer

FORGET change problems, getting a token or a sweet as change and being stuck
with greasy soiled notes. This is because the United States Federal Reserve
has agreed to supply coins and replace soiled notes to Zimbabwean banks in a
bid to end change problems in the economy, businessdigest has established.

According to sources, representatives Bankers Association of Zimbabwe led by
its president and FBC Bank boss John Mushayavanhu met Finance minister
Tendai Biti last week to map a way forward in dealing with change problems
in the economy.

The sources, said the US Federal Reserve have “formally” agreed that
Zimbabwe’s economy is now dollarised and will now supply Zimbabwe with coins
and replace notes.

Officials from the Finance ministry will soon depart for the US to airlift
the coins to Zimbabwe, the source said.
Banks and government, according to the sources have agreed to charter an Air
Zimbabwe flight to pick up the coins in the US. The flight costs will be met
by both government and banks.

Zimbabwe has been saddled with change problems since the introduction of
multi-currencies in February 2009.

Retailers are offering consumers credit notes, tokens and even sweets to
settle small change.

Mushavanhu on Wednesday declined to comment on the matter referring all
questions to Biti who was unreachable at the time of going to press.
In his 2011 budget statement, Biti said government had engaged the United
States Federal Reserve over possible provision of coins and replacement of
soiled notes to ease small change problems in the country.

Biti said: “I am pleased to advise on the fruitful interactions with the US
Department of the Treasury which stands ready to facilitate access to
acquisition of smaller denominated coins and replacement of soiled notes
through the US Federal Reserve and commercial banks. I will, therefore, be
finalising on this in conjunction with the banking system, that way
resolving the matter of challenges with change and coins.”

“The availability of both US dollar and rand coins will do away with the
challenges posed by the current need to apply cross rates in giving change
in rand coins for transactions undertaken in US dollars,” Biti said. “Whilst
this problem should be alleviated by electronic payment systems, the large
size of the informal sector and the lack of infrastructure for electronic
payment systems in rural areas necessitate the availability of large volumes
of small denominations”.

Police refuse to charge Chombo

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

By Gugulethu Nyazema, Staff Writer
Monday, 21 February 2011 18:19

HARARE - Corruption charges against Local Government Minister, Ignatius
Chombo, have  hit a brick wall as police have refused to investigate the
issue, the Combined Harare Resident Association (CHRA) has said.

Simbarashe Moyo, the chairperson CHRA, told Daily News that after reporting
Chombo to the police and providing evidence to prove the controversial
minister had illegally acquired council land, he is now being hunted down by
law enforcement agents.

CHRA said they used part of the evidence gathered by a special council
committee investigating the alleged corrupt land deals that had recommended
that Chombo and businessman Phillip Chiyangwa be arrested. Both claim to be
closely related to Mugabe.

Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and eight councillors were arrested by the
police and appeared in court over the report which implicated the mega rich
Chombo and Chiyangwa after the council had made a formal report to the
police.

“Opening a case against the minister resulted in us being head hunted in an
attempt to be silenced. I kept getting calls from the police asking me to
come to the Central Police Station, we were scared and wondered why the
police wanted to see us.

“At first we thought they wanted our statements but we have found out that
they want to arrest us at the instigation of Chombo,” Moyo said.

Chombo’s messy divorce with estranged wife, Marian exposed the minister vast
wealth. He owns more than 100 residential and commercial stands, dozens of
vehicles and over 30 houses, including flats.

CHRA and the Democratic Councils Forum (Demcof), a local government
organisation in the Movement Democratic Change led by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, have been calling on parliament to investigate Chombo’s alleged
corrupt activities.

Magistrates threaten to strike

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Midlands Correspondent
Monday, 21 February 2011 16:52

GWERU - Magistrates have issued their employer, the Zimbabwe Judicial
Service Commission, a two week ultimatum to resolve outstanding salary
issues before they embark on industrial action.

Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe president, Douglas Chikwekwe, told Daily
News from his base in Gweru on Monday that the association met in Harare
last Saturday and agreed to give their employer a two-week ultimatum to
address their salary demands and other working conditions.

Chikwekwe said contrary to some media reports that magistrates are on a go
slow or strike, the  magistrates are infact at work full time and will only
take action after the ultimatum.

“We met as an association in Bulawayo and then in Harare on Saturday. What
we have resolved as magistrates is to give our employer, a two week
ultimatum to address our salary demands and working conditions.

“Failure to address these issues in two weeks will see our members taking
some action. Right now we are going to work full time as we wait for our
employer to resolve these matters,” said Chikwekwe.

He  said  that the salary levels of magistrates was pathetic compared to
their counterparts in the region, a situation he said needs urgent
attention.

“Our salary levels are pathetic if you compare with what others in the
region are getting. There is need for urgency to resolve this matter,” he
said.

SADC famine warning system predicts bumper harvest in most of region

http://www.apanews.net/

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Food
Security Early Warning System, Agromet Update, published on Monday that most
of the region should expect better yields than achieved last year but warned
of localised crop failures in countries where planting was affected by
flooding.

The Agromet Update showed that summer crop conditions pointed to bumper
harvests in the bulk of SADC states during the 2010/11 farming season that
ends in March.

Yields of the staple maize crop are expected to be better than last year in
countries like Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The cropping update noted that despite the heavy rains and flooding that
destroyed more than 20,000 hectares of crops in Mozambique’s southern and
central provinces in January, the country was forecasting high yields this
season.

However the flooding and water-logging that affected South Africa and
Lesotho in January and February is expected to see agricultural output being
lower than in the past season.

Reports from South Africa indicate that about R1 billion (about US$142
million) was lost in agricultural production due to the flooding while
another R1 billion was lost in damage to farm infrastructure.

The estimated planted area for maize was 2.5 million ha, 8.3 percent lower
than the previous season.

In Lesotho, above normal rainfall since December 2010 has led to
water-logging in the western lowlands and has hampered field activities such
as weeding.

JN/ad/APA
2011-02-21

Anglican Bishops fearful after brutal murder and death threats

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Irene Madongo
21 February 2011

Anglican bishops in Zimbabwe are appealing for protection, after being
warned of plans to kill them as a power struggle with a rival pro-ZANU PF
bishop deepens. Their plea for help comes after one of their church members
was brutally murdered last week.

It is believed the violence against the clergymen is being orchestrated by
the controversial faction of the Anglican Church led by Dr. Nolbert Kunonga,
an ardent ZANU PF supporter.

On Monday, the Right Reverend Chad Gandiya, who is the current Bishop of
Harare, told SW Radio Africa: “One of my fellow bishops was approached by
two people who told him that they had come to kill him and that the mission
is to kill all the Anglican bishops; and that is why I said we are an
endangered species because from that conversation with my colleagues we are
all to be killed.”

“All he was told was this had something to do with the church and that we
were stumbling blocks to Dr. Kunonga’s ambition of running the whole
Anglican church in Zimbabwe,” Gandiya said.

Just days after the threats a member of the mainstream church headed by
Gandiya was brutally murdered last week.

“People came at night on a Friday. They raped her, they cut her mouth and
genitals, and pierced various parts of her body,” Gandiya explained, “we
were told it is something to do with the fact she belonged to our church,
and so that leaves us to speculate.”

Gandiya emphasised it was not linked to the ongoing political violence,
saying instead that he believed it was linked to the dispute between Kunonga
and the mainstream church.

Following the killing and death threats, Gandiya said that he hoped the
police would step in this time to offer them help. On previous occasions,
the police have protected Kunonga, going to the extent of following his
instructions to turn people away from church, who don’t support him.

“My hope is that they will do their work in terms of protecting all the
citizens of Zimbabwe without singling us out as people who are not to be
protected,” he said, “our experience has been that we have not enjoyed the
protection of the police. Rather the very opposite, they stop us from going
into our churches,” he said.

In 2007 Kunonga lost a bid for re-election as Bishop of Harare. Instead of
stepping down, he went on to form a rival Anglican faction and has been
using violent tactics to remain in power ever since.

 

Zim Electoral Commission Under-funded Becaause Of Sanctions - Chinamasa

http://www.radiovop.com/

21/02/2011 18:50:00

Harare, February 21, 2011 – Justice and Legal Affairs minister, Patrick
Chinamasa on Monday blamed ‘economic sanctions’ for the underfunding of the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) at a time when the electoral body is set
to prepare for the referendum and general elections.

Chinamasa was speaking in Harare at the launch of ZEC's strategic five year
plan at a local hotel. He said the country is battling to fund ZEC
operations due to economic sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU), the
United States and their allies.

Chinamasa said commissioners who have not been receiving their salaries
should expect them now after President Robert Mugabe approved their
conditions of service.

“We are all aware that the country remains under sanctions and is struggling
to recover from the effects of these illegal economic sanctions. I therefore
would urge the commission to bear with the government on the aspect of
timely delivery of resources. I think ZEC’s immediate needs will be met
sooner rather than later,” Chinamasa said.

“Finally the condition of service has been approved by the President and
details will be send to you in the formal way."

ZEC also launched a new website that is meant to update voters and ordinary
people on its activities as well as to use the website to issue results
during elections time.

New ZEC commissioners were appointed last year which saw political parties
playing a role in the appointment of the commissioners. The new
commissioners were appointed as part of the constitutional amendment number
19 electoral reforms.

Although new commissioners were appointed to steer ZEC, Prime Minister
morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party has complained that the secretariat of the
electoral body is staffed by intelligence operatives who are loyal and
support Mugabe.

The MDC has complained that the voters roll is still in shambles at a time
when the country may go for elections, the party has also blasted ZEC when
the electoral body delayed issuing results by weeks in 2008.

The Solidarity Peace Trust urges humane treatment of Zimbabwean Refugees

Solidarity Peace Trust PRESS STATEMENT To all media 21 February 2011 The Solidarity Peace Trust urges humane treatment of Zimbabwean Refugees: The Solidarity Peace Trust condemns the relentless harassment of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa at a time when Zanu PF is once again terrorising Zimbabweans in some parts of their country. We draw South Africa's attention to the fact that Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members and supporters are once again being abducted or arrested – in some cases after being attacked by marauding gangs. In some rural areas, it is alleged that homes are being burnt down, crops destroyed and food aid withheld. Soldiers are alleged to be taking part in the harassment and threats. South Africans need to be aware of the escalating destabilization that is preventing asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants from going home. The majority of Zimbabwean exiles would prefer to return to their families and rebuild their lives but they continue to perceive that it is unsafe to do so. The Trust acknowledges that the South African government has consulted widely with refugee organisations and NGOs and is taking steps to improve the situation. We commend the Department of Home Affairs for becoming more proactive and setting up mechanisms to fast-track the documentation processes. However, there are still worrying issues that need to be addressed. Members of the South African Police continue to harass, arrest and assault asylum seekers and economic migrants, threatening them with deportation, and in numerous cases demanding bribes. Although there is currently a moratorium on deportations, the situation could change on 1 August when the deadline for new Zimbabwean asylum-seeker applications and the amnesty period for regularising documentation expires. The Zimbabwean government's failure to provide passports and other vital documentation continues to stall the process. In April 2009, Human Rights Watch reported that as many as 18 000 Zimbabweans were deported each month, among the highest deportation figures in the world. The North Gauteng High Court judgment of 11 February, which criticised the practice of arresting and detaining asylum seekers without verifying their status or allowing access to the refugee system, has been widely applauded. We note that the Court also criticised the undue delays in issuing documents under the Refugees Act, the practice of keeping asylum seekers in immigration detention pending the outcome of applications and the re-arresting of detainees upon their release. This makes it possible to get around the 30- day limit of detention without a warrant under the Immigration Act. The Court held the above was unlawful and inconsistent with the South African Constitution. The Trust supports Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)'s call on the Department of Home Affairs to immediately release all asylum seekers who are presently being detained, and to revisit its policies regarding immigration detention and its own practices of detaining those seeking asylum protection in South Africa. LHR notes that this is particularly relevant considering the draconian measures which the Department is intent on pushing through Parliament in the new Immigration Amendment Bill. The Trust also supports Human Rights Watch's recommendation to the South African government that, in the light of the likelihood of a dramatic increase in Zimbabwean asylum applications following resumed deportations, all necessary steps should be taken to ensure that asylum seekers can easily lodge their claims and be guaranteed protection from police arrest, detention and deportation. The Trust commends Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni's assurance that the government's aim is not to deport people but to provide those living in South Africa with the ability to do so with dignity. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) continues to raise concerns about conditions for displaced people in South Africa. In May last year, MSF issued a follow up to their June 2009 report: "No Refuge, Access Denied" (http://www.msf.org.za/No_Refuge.pdf). They noted that the humanitarian situation for Zimbabweans and other vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa remained dire one year after the report and two years after the eruption of the xenophobic violence which killed 62 people and displaced more than 100 000. MSF also highlighted the appalling living conditions of Zimbabweans and other vulnerable migrants who are forced by their need to survive to live in slum buildings such as those located in the inner-city of Johannesburg. The Trust reiterates Amnesty International's view that SADC and AU leaders have missed every opportunity to end human rights violations in Zimbabwe and that no meaningful progress has been made in implementing reforms meant to guarantee peace and security in the country. The current upscaling of violence is also not being addressed. It is important that the South African police and the public are aware of this and understand the gravity of the situation. In conclusion, The Trust stresses the importance of following the teachings of the Bible regarding the hosting of foreigners: "The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:34 BISHOP RUBIN PHILLIP CHAIRPERSON- SOLIDARITY PEACE TRUST For previous reports and further information, visit our website: www.solidaritypeacetrust.org For further information, please contact Selvan Chetty - Deputy Director, Solidarity Peace Trust Email: selvan@solidaritypeacetrust.org Tel: +27 (39) 682 5869 Fax: +27 (39) 682 5869 Address: Suite 4 3rd Floor MB Centre 49 Aiken Street Port Shepstone 4240 Kwazulu-Natal South Coast   The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Solidarity Peace Trust using the following email: hambagashle@gmail.com You may unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: http://www.solidaritypeacetrust.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/mailings/hambagashle/gmail.com/ If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. If you're still having trouble, please contact the list manager at: mailto:mailings@solidaritypeacetrust.org To subscribe to this list online, please visit www.solidaritypeacetrust.org. For manual subscriptions, please email the list manager at with the word 'Subscribe' as the title of your email.

No to an early election, remove sanctions: CZI

http://www.radiovop.com

21/02/2011 18:53:00

Harare, February 21, 2011 – Zimbabwe businesses under the Confederation of
Zimbabwe Industry (CZI) on Monday said there is no need for the country to
have elections and blasted the European Union (EU) for renewing sanctions on
President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle.

In a statement released to the media Monday, CZI president Joseph Kanyekanye
said industry feels the country must attain full economic stabilization
before any election is held as political parties prepare for elections whose
date is yet to be announced.

However, in a move that may be interpreted as to support Mugabe policies
Kanyekanye said targetted sanctions on Zimbabwe must be removed.

“CZI is on record as saying that they see no reason for elections at this
critical stage in Zimbabwe’s economic recovery,” CZI president Joseph
Kanyekanye said.

“It is with deep regret that CZI received the news of the renewal of
sanctions by the European Union. CZI has long maintained that these
sanctions have been a major cause of division and disunity in Zimbabwe and a
major impediment to the normalization of the political situation in
Zimbabwe.”

“At the end of the day ordinary Zimbabweans suffer as a result of these
sanctions and their renewal is a major disappointment."

CZI said the coalition government has made progress which is seen in the
stabilization of the economy after the introduction of the US dollar and
other hard currencies such as the South African rand and Botswana pula.

"Sanctions or no sanctions, our future as Zimbabwe is in our own hands. The
progress that we have made since February 2009 is a testimony to what we can
achieve," Kanyekanye said.

"The inclusive Government has already delivered untold benefits to the
nation and strengthening its operations is in our view the most pressing
national priority."

Australian Batsmen struggle in opening win

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/

BY JESSE HOGAN IN AHMEDABAD
22 Feb, 2011 06:10 AM

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has warned his team that they need to
perform better after the three-time defending champions defeated Zimbabwe by
91 runs in Ahmedabad overnight.

Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait shared six wickets in a hostile bowling
display after Australia's batsmen struggled. Expectations that Australia
would match New Zealand's mauling of Kenya a day earlier were dispelled by
the impressive performance of the Zimbabwe bowlers, in particular its
spinners.

"We need to play better. We need to have our games and our own game-plans
sorted out for better spin attacks," Ponting said.

"As the tournament goes on, we're going to need to be on top of our games
and we're probably not quite there just yet.

"But I think the more we play and the more we become accustomed to these
conditions then the better we'll be."

A committed bowling display led by Johnson preserved a 28-year winning
streak against Zimbabwe.

Excepting Man of the Match Shane Watson's 79 in the first half of the
innings and Michael Clarke's unbeaten 58 in the last 18 overs, no Australian
batsman ever got on top of their unheralded opponents. Australia's eventual
total of 6-262, after choosing to bat first at the Sardar Patel Gujarat
Stadium, was just below the average bat-first total at the ground over the
past decade, which stands at 264.

The optimism that Zimbabwe would have generated from its effort with the
ball began to dissipate significantly in the 11th over. Its solid start of
conceding only one wicket in the first 10 overs was undermined by the loss
of three wickets for four runs, with two of those scalps going to Johnson.
Sean Williams and captain Elton Chigumbura came together at 4-44 but the
inability of either to capitalise on a start - Williams made 28, Chigumbura
14 - meant an Australian win was inevitable. That victory was eventually
confirmed in the 47th over when Johnson's fourth wicket ended Zimbabwe's
innings on 171, giving Australia a 91-run win.

Obituary: Judge Hector Norman Macdonald, 3 November 1915 – 30 January 2011

The last Chief Justice of Rhodesia passed away peacefully while sleeping in
his flat at Grosvenor Square in Rondebosch, Cape Town last Sunday. At 95
years of age he was happy to go.
He was born in Bulawayo the only son of Angus and Lucy Macdonald. His father
from North Uist was an 1894 Pioneer and Captain of the Bulawayo Home Guard
during the Matabele Rebellion (1896) and one of the pallbearers of Cecil
John Rhodes’s coffin for one of the stages of the funeral cortege to World’s
View in the Matopos Hills.
He did his senior schooling at Plumtree School, matriculating in 1933. He
immediately went to England in 1934 to study law at Grays Inn where he sat
his final bar examinations in record time. He was called to the Bar in
England in June 1937 at the age of 22.  He then returned to Rhodesia and was
called to the Bar on 10 June 1938. He started his legal career in
Johannesburg as there were no openings in Rhodesia at that time.
He enlisted in the Army in Bulawayo when Hitler invaded France. He rose to
the rank of captain in the Royal Horse Artillery and saw active service in
the North Africa campaign as a battery commander. When Field Marshall
 “Monty” Montgomery visited his battalion with Winston Churchill two
officers were chosen to be introduced to him and it was a great honour to
him that he was one of those selected. He was a parachutist in the first
British landing party to invade Sicily and during this campaign he was
injured and ultimately lost his right leg and was invalided out of the war.
Returning to Bulawayo he married Kathleen Mary Hope Lewis. Kath was the only
daughter of Mr and Mrs W R D Lewis and was also born in Bulawayo. They lived
most of their early married life in Johannesburg, South Africa before
returning to live in Bulawayo in early 1950. They had three children who in
turn produced seven grandsons and three granddaughters for them. When he
died he had ten great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. Sadly his first
wife, Kath, died in 1993. However, Hector remarried Mollie Griffiths (nee
Cameron) in 1997 and as a result of this marriage he had five step children
and many more step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. All will miss
his wise counsel and his genuine interest in and concern for their
wellbeing. Mollie died in her sleep six days after Hector on 5 February 2011
at the fine old age of 90 years.
Hector Macdonald’s legal career was impressive. He was called to the
Rhodesian Bench as a Judge of the High Court in 1958 (at an age of 42). He
excelled as a judge and was appointed Judge President of the Appeal Court in
1970 and the last Chief Justice of Rhodesia in 1977. His lasting epitaph
will be his judgements recorded in the Law Reports.  His crowning legal
achievements were the ground-breaking judgements he delivered in the
“constitutional cases” that arose in Rhodesia as a result of the Rhodesian
Government’s UDI. These were landmark judgements in Constitutional Law and I
know that my father was very proud of his contribution to resolving the
extremely complex legal questions involved. He was also justifiably proud of
his achievement of getting all the backlog of cases cleared up in the
Appellate Division as soon as he was appointed Judge President – he simply
cancelled all the relevant judges’ leave until this backlog was caught up!
He was great believer in the maxim that “Justice delayed is Justice denied”.
Towards the end of his career he became very interested in the ethics of
legal practice and promulgated his long- and strongly-held opinion that the
cause of justice was ill-served by lawyers who, in the full knowledge of
their client’s guilt, still entered a plea of “not guilty”. He wrote several
learned papers on the topic and would have continued to work on legal ethics
in his retirement but he failed to find a sympathetic academic institution
in which to carry out such retirement research and writing.
He was always very interested in politics and in Johannesburg soon after
returning from WWII he delivered a talk to the Rotary Club in which he
predicted that by the time Communism collapsed (as he was sure it would
collapse eventually) Capitalism would already have sown the seeds of its own
destruction as a result of the uncontrolled greed of senior businessmen!
These were prescient words indeed given the recent near-economic collapse of
many of the Western Democracies as a result of the banking crisis and the
uncontrolled growth of national debts.
His excellent grasp of constitutional law and his general good common sense
caused him to be invited to the Lancaster House Talks where the Rhodesian
and British governments attempted to thrash out a settlement of the “UDI
problem”. My father’s advice was very ill received by Ian Smith, and when
the latter published his autobiography he slandered my father to the extent
that he felt he simply had to respond to the ill-truths that had been
written about him. Accordingly he wrote and then privately published and
distributed to key people a 42-page rebuttal entitled “Why UDI? – an expose
of the fallacies and the follies underlying the illegal declaration by Ian
Smith and the Rhodesian Front Cabinet. A Critical Survey by the Former and
Last Chief Justice of Rhodesia. H N Macdonald Q.C. Cape Town, South Africa
September 1997”. Unfortunately this episode deeply troubled my father and to
some extent spoiled his enjoyment of his final years.
He was a remarkable man and a wonderful father. I cannot recall him ever
complaining about the fact that he had lost a leg during the War: he simply
got on with life, making the very best of all the opportunities he still
had. His favourite recreation while living in Rhodesia was gamebird shooting
and many a younger man had great difficulty keeping up with him as he strode
through the rough veld in pursuit of a fast-retreating flock of Guineafowl!
For many years he continued to play golf. When he retired to the Western
Cape he took up bowls seriously and soon became proficient in this game to
the extent that he won a couple of club championship titles.
He had a keen intellect and his understanding of the realities of world
politics was profound: he had absolutely no doubt that the Zanu-PF
government of Robert Mugabe would rapidly destroy the new country of
Zimbabwe (he had the unfortunate duty of officiating at the swearing in of
the first Zanu-PF President of Zimbabwe in 1980). I remember saying to him
soon after the Lancaster House talks, “Well at least they have agreed to
honour all the Rhodesian pensions”. His reply was absolutely correct: he
simply said “Don’t you have any illusions about this undertaking. Mark my
words; they will rapidly devalue the Zimbabwean currency to the extent that
these pensions will be worth nothing!” How right he turned out to be.
As the Honorary Life President of the Flame Lily Foundation, incorporating
the Rhodesia Association of South Africa, he continued to take an interest
in the well-being of former Rhodesians throughout the world. Sadly, by the
time of his death he had completely lost interest in Zimbabwe.

Donations in lieu of flowers
If anybody reading this obituary would like to make a donation in his
memory, the family requests that such donations be directed to The Flame
Lily Foundation, PO Box 95474, Waterkloof, 0145, South Africa. E-mail:
rasa@iafrica.com, Website: www.flf-rasa.org , Tel +2712-4602066, Fax +2786
6484794. Bank Account Details: Account No. 1500680799, ABSA Bank, Brooklyn
Court, Branch code 335345, Swift code ABSAZAJJ. Please mark any such
donation as “In memory of H N Macdonald”.
The Flame Lily Foundation is a Registered Nonprofit Organisation (001-747
NPO) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO No: 9300008979).

Prof Ian A W Macdonald, Johannesburg, South Africa
assisted by Jean M I Rogers (nee Macdonald), Perth, Western Australia
and Bruce H L Macdonald, Rondebosch, South Africa
13 February 2011

Violence keeps protest at bay in Zim

http://mg.co.za

RAY NDLOVU: NEWS ANALYSIS - Feb 21 2011 09:09

It was the priceless scenes of Egyptians smiling, cheering and shedding
tears broadcast around the world last Friday in celebration of President
Hosni Mubarak's resignation that raised the question: just why is it that
Zimbabwe hasn't undertaken a similar revolution to force President Robert
Mugabe to stand down?

At face value, the similarities between the two countries are striking and
suggestive of mutual ground for revolution, in spite of the huge population
difference (Egypt's 80-million inhabitants is six times that of Zimbabwe).

Both countries have been led by octogenarian leaders -- Mugabe turns 87 this
month -- in power for at least 30 years and each has enjoyed loyal service
from securocrats and military men who have propped up their stay in power. A
violent and brutal police force in both countries has kept dissenters in
check.

The Zimbabwean regime is supported by violent Zanu-PF youths and war
veterans and Egypt's by paid thugs, estimated to be around two million
strong. The two countries also feature high on the agenda of the United
States and Britain, both keen to influence policy in their respective
administrations.

But their differences are pronounced. Egypt's January 25 "Day of Rage"
unfolded on the streets as well as on the social networking site Twitter.
Mubarak's fatal mistake was in shutting down the site, with along Facebook
and mobile networks, several hours after anti-Murbarak calls flared up,
evidence to protesters of the shiftiness of the regime as it buckled under
the mobilising power of the internet. According to the United Nations,
internet penetration in Egypt is at nearly 25% of the population.

Online community
In Zimbabwe internet access is measured at 13% and it doesn't have a blogger
community like Egypt, which is led by near-celebrity figures who have shown
they can move the masses.

Besides, the prospect of a leaderless movement supported only by the
internet does not fit in well with many Zimbabweans, who have become
accustomed to having a "hero" at the forefront, evidenced by the country's
long history of liberation war heroes and its celebrated Heroes Acre shrine.
Mugabe understands this better than most.

A divided Zimbabwean community -- rural versus urban, the Shona versus the
Ndebele, rich versus poor, black versus white and factionalism within
Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change -- is worse for the country
than anything Mugabe can throw at it. As one local activist said: "Until we
have collectivity in Zimbabwe, you can just forget about Tunisia or Egypt
happening here."

But for many in Zimbabwe the years of abuse, beatings and violent crackdown
on any attempts at freedom of expression at the hands of the police force
and army, the loyalties of which openly lie with Mugabe, has simply struck a
chord of fear in their hearts.

CONTINUES BELOW

"Egypt will never happen here. People are just afraid and have resigned
themselves to Mugabe's rule, even if it's for life," said Patrick Dzavakwa
(24), a university student.

'Wishful thinking'
Unlike in Egypt, where the army's neutrality and promise not to crackdown on
protesters was a key facet of the revolution's success, recent warnings from
senior army officials -- who called attempts to stage Egyptian-style
protests in the country "wishful thinking" -- have crushed any hopes of
change.

MDC legislator Tabitha Khumalo told the Mail & Guardian: "The people just
need to get themselves ready in spite of any intimidation coming from
Zanu-PF.

"Egypt is evidence to us that when the people have had enough of hunger,
pain, dictatorship and unemployment, nothing can stand in their way." But
key to any changes in the country would be a shift in Pretoria's policy
towards Harare -- an ally that Mugabe has always relied on and that has
given him leeway to deride the West with abandon.

Should South Africa endorse a people-led revolt as it did in the case of
Egypt, it could well mark the death knell for Mugabe's rule in Zimbabwe.
TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE

ANALYSIS-Zimbabwe's Mugabe unlikely to be swept from power

http://af.reuters.com/

Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:00pm GMT

* Mugabe still in power after three decades

* Ruling party in total control of state

* Security forces have history of cracking down

* Low Internet, mobile phone penetration

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is unlikely to
be forced out by a popular uprising like those in Egypt and Tunisia and
plans to entrench his 31-year rule through elections later this year,
analysts said.

His election plans have angered impoverished Zimbabweans and led to clashes
between supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF party and those of the MDC,
formerly the main opposition, now his uneasy coalition partner.

The protests which toppled Hosni Mubarak and Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in
Egypt and Tunisia have not gone unnoticed in Zimbabwe but Mugabe's
supporters have vowed to keep their elderly leader in power.

Political analysts say that while conditions are ripe for mass
anti-government protests, and Zimbabweans follow events in the Arab world on
satellite television, the ruling party's tight control of the security
forces and state institutions mean protests are unlikely to succeed.

Also, the Internet and mobile phones were used extensively in Egypt and
Tunisia to coordinate protests, but this would be difficult in Zimbabwe
where just over half the population have mobile phones and only 12 percent
have access to the Internet.

"There is so much less power and capacity to organise using technology that
we have seen in North Africa. This puts people at a real disadvantage," said
Sisonke Msimang, executive director of the Open Society Initiative for
Southern Africa.

The army and police have a long history of cracking down on opposition
protests, and in the 1980s North Korean-trained Zimbabwean troops killed
thousands when they crushed a five-year insurgency in Matabeleland province.

Elections since 2002 have also been marked by violent state crackdowns on
the opposition. A disputed 2008 election was marred by violence which the
MDC says was orchestrated by the military and left more than 200 of its
supporters dead.

Security chiefs, many of whom have been given farms seized from white
farmers, say they would not accept a president who did not fight in the
1970s independence war, a reference to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
Mugabe's long-time rival.

"It is not easy to get crowds onto streets in Zimbabwe, as the security
apparatus is thoroughly controlled by ZANU-PF and they have not hesitated to
intimidate and inflict pain on dissenters or opposition members willing to
protest," said Mark Schroeder, sub-Saharan Africa analyst at Stratfor.

CULTURE OF FEAR

Security forces arrested dozens of activists at the weekend on charges of
plotting protests against Mugabe similar to those that toppled the Egyptian
and Tunisian leaders.

As in Egypt, Tunisia and several Arab countries, Zimbabweans are battling
high levels of poverty and unemployment, decaying infrastructure,
diminishing freedoms, police brutality and corrupt elites who continue to
amass wealth.

But there the similarities end.

"It is hard to imagine Zimbabweans can rise against the government. I think
it is possible but then the culture of fear is just too much and not without
reason," said Martin Chimeda, who says he was brutalised by ZANU-PF members
in 2008 for organising for the MDC.

Analysts say ZANU-PF's control of key state institutions and use of state
violence against defenceless citizens have crushed people's willingness to
rise against the ruling party.

Mugabe, whom critics accuse of wrecking the economy with policies such as
the seizure of white-owned commercial farms, has led the country since
independence from Britain in 1980.

After a decade of economic collapse and his violent re-election in 2008,
Mugabe was forced into a fragile coalition with opposition leader Tsvangirai
which has managed to stabilise the economy and ease political tension.

The economy last year grew for the second consecutive year, ending shortages
of basic goods, fuel and foreign currency, though poverty and unemployment
levels remain high.

Now hope has turned to anger as billions in foreign aid, expected after the
unity government was formed in 2009, failed to arrive because Western donors
and investors were still waiting for real political and economic reforms.

Mugabe has rattled foreign investors with plans to force foreign-owned
firms, including banks and mines, to sell majority shares to blacks, which
critics say will hurt economic recovery.

Analysts remain unsure what would drive Zimbabweans to a tipping point. Past
predictions that Mugabe would fall have failed to materialise.

"There is no knowing what will cause Zimbabweans to jettison their fear and
confront their oppressors. All the ingredients for a people-driven
revolution are present in Zimbabwe," wrote Trevor Ncube, a Zimbabwean who
publishes South Africa's influential Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper.

Shunned by the West over charges of election rigging and human rights
abuses, Mugabe has increasingly looked to China to prop up the resource-rich
economy and says the West has imposed sanctions on him to punish him for his
land seizures.

Mugabe marks his 87th birthday with a traditional private family dinner on
Monday. A lavish rally will be held on Feb. 26, which he may use to give a
timetable for the next elections.

Revered by fanatical supporters who say he is a champion of black
empowerment and stands up to the West, Mugabe is equally hated by opponents
who label him a ruthless dictator.

"Comrade Mugabe is the only leader who can rule and we are willing to defend
the country so that we will not have a repeat of what happened in Egypt,"
said Job Nhekairo, a father of four who operates a electrical shop in
Harare.

Regime change now coming to a dictator somewhere near you

By Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London 21/02/11

Arguments that Egypt style revolution is improbable in Zimbabwe are very
unconvincing and unscientific as they have confused stay-aways with well
co-ordinated revolutions.

Stay-aways not revolutions
First and foremost Zimbabweans are not docile or cowardly because that
assessment is neither scientific nor reliable. It is incorrect to compare
stay- aways with revolutions as the two have different aims and are probably
organized differently. Although stay-aways would be instrumental in a
revolution, it would be misleading to draw any strong similarities between
the two social phenomena

Secondly the brutality of the security forces is not confined to Zimbabwe as
the Jasmine revolutions have clearly demonstrated. Fortunately, the
pessimists have no examples of failed revolutions in Zimbabwe save for a few
skirmishes here and there. It might be worthwhile to note a message left on
an internet forum saying, with the way things are going, ‘regime change is
coming to a dictator somewhere near you’.

Why did people revolt?
According to Matilda Willows, the masses of Tunisians protested over the
corruption and tyranny of the government and his family which resulted in
the president Ben Ali and his family fleeing the country. Of cause the
revolution was sparked by the death of a young Mohammed Bouazzizi, who set
himself on fire in front of a government building due to sheer frustration
and despair (Helium.com, /27/01/11).

In Egypt, people revolted against Mubarak who kept a ‘lockhold’on power for
30 years and accused him of squandering billions on palaces, a  pampererd
military and an inner circle of family and business cronies while ignoring
the citizens’ most basic needs (cbsnews.com, 29/01/11)

Corruption and soaring unemployment
Young people in Yemen say they are angered by corruption and soaring
unemployment. A third of the people face chronic hunger and  40 percent live
on less than US$2 a day (BBC, 18/02/11). According to the World Bank, Libya’s
Gross national income per head is US$12,020 much higher than that of Yemen.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Djibouti to call for
President Ismael Omar Guelleh to step down holding banners reading “IOG out”
and “No to a third mandate”. Mr Guelleh’s family has governed the Red Sea
city state since independence from France in 1977.The constitution was last
year amended to let Mr Guelleh seek a third term (BBC, 18/02/11).

‘Down with autocracy’
In the kingdom of Morocco demonstrators shouted slogans calling for economic
opportunity, educational reform, better health services and chants of “The
people reject a constitution made for slaves”, “Down with autocracy!” (Al
Jazeera.net, 20/01/11).

In Zimbabwe there is disquiet about devolution, corruption, poor governance,
disrespect for the rule of law, botched land reform, violation of human
rights, the use of torture, lack of political reform, increasing political
violence, legitimized looting, inadequate freedom of expression, impunity
and suspicion that Mugabe may be planning to revert to the old
constitutional order minus Amendment No19 if the Global Political Agreement
(GPA) collapses.

By stalling on the implementation of the GPA and frustrating the writing of
a new constitution which is a prerequisite for free and fair elections, the
rulers could be inadvertently sowing the seeds of a revolution.

Disaffection within Zanu-pf is evident in the growing snubbing of burial at
the heroes acre by war veterans, a move that has been rubbished by a top
party official saying interment at the national cemetery is voluntary. Black
empowerment has been exposed as insincere political campaigning which has
only helped to scare away investors at a time when unemployment is around
85%.

Inviting trouble
As pointed out by Professor John Makumbe, the call for elections in 2011,
when the country is not ready for such a mementous task is a sure way of
inviting trouble for its major perpetrators (The Zimbabwean, 16/02/11).
Indeed people power is invincible. You only need to recall Tahrir Square and
look at what is happening in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and so on to understand
that.

Zanu-pf’s aim in pushing for an early election by August could be its own
undoing because its plans to split votes in Matebeleland may actually see
the party lose the one or two seats it had in previous elections as people a
protest vote against violence and political manipulation with food aid and
farm inputs.

Claims by Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa that the establishment of a
new anti-corruption commission has been delayed because of a contentious
recruitment exercise that has been going on for more than two years is as
unconvincing as it is mischievous because its statements like that which
fuel public anger.

Catalysts
In Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, Morocco, Iran, Djobouti young
activists have used and are using social-networking sites, specifically
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, SMS, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

Zimbabweans have not shied away from the cyber world, with a survey
revealing a 2 percent increase in internet use in the last 3 months (Lance
Guma, SW RadioAfrica, 18/02/11). The research by Zimbabwe All Media Products
and Services Survey (ZAMPS) showed that twenty-four percent of adults living
in urban centres are now using the internet while Facebook is the most
popular among Zimbabweans. The survey also showed that overall there has
been a nine per cent growth in readership of all newspapers, thus
demonstrating an interest in current affairs.

What makes a revolution succeed?

Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian affiliated lecturer in the Department of Politics
and International Studies at Cambridge University argues that: revolutions
take time; entrenched regimes don’t leave quietly; the army is not reliable;
strikes are key to success and state-controlled media drift is an important
accomplishment (AlJazeera.net, 14/02/11).

Examples are Iran, Tunisia and Egypt while others are in the making in the
Arab world. In Libya, the army has shown that it is not reliable in the
sense that more than 200 people are said to have died, with 900 injured in
protests against the rule of Col Muammar Gaddafi who has been in power since
1969. There are also reports that a military unit has defected to the side
of protestors and claimed the capture of Benghazi.

It would be very unwise for rulers of undemocratic regimes to think that
their people’s moment will never come. Similarly, pro-democracy activists
would be very naïve to think that a revolution is like going on a picnic by
Lake Chivero! Nobody knows which dictator is the next one and when. History
has shown us that ‘entrenched regimes don’t leave quietly’.

Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London.
Zimanalysis2009@gmail.com

Bill Watch Special of 19th February 2011 [Parliamentary Committee Meetings 21-24 February]

BILL WATCH SPECIAL

[19th February 2011]

Parliamentary Committee Meetings: 21st to 24th February

The following meetings are open to members of the public, as observers only, not as participants.

Monday 21st February at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Higher Education, Science and Technology

Oral evidence from Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education on policy matters.  The Ministry is responsible for universities and training colleges, student grants, loans and scholarships [except the Presidential Scholarships], so this meeting should be of interest to university administrators, students and their parents.

Committee Room No. 3

Chairperson: Hon S. Ncube                   Clerk: Ms Mudavanhu

Monday 21st February at 2 pm

Portfolio Committee: Budget, Finance, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion

Oral evidence from Bankers Association and Deposit Protection Board on the Deposit Protection Corporation Bill.  This Bill has been cleared by the Parliamentary Legal Committee and is awaiting its Second Reading.  Its object is to establish a Deposit Protection Corporation and Fund to provide for the compensation of depositors in failed financial institutions. This would replace the existing compensation scheme, which is spelled out in the Banking Act and its regulations. Hearings on Bills are of immediate importance as the portfolio committee’s views on the Bill will be presented by its chairperson during the Second Reading debate.

Committee Room No. 4

Chairperson: Hon Zhanda                     Clerk: Mr Ratsakatika

Thematic Committee: HIV/AIDS

Oral evidence from Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and National AIDS Council [NAC] on activities to reduce HIV incidence.  In December the NAC said funding problems [see following item] would make it difficult for Zimbabwe to attain the Millennium Development Goal of universal access to treatment by 2015.

Government Caucus Room

Chairperson: Hon D. Khumalo               Clerk: Mrs Khumalo

Tuesday 22nd February at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Health and Child Welfare

Brief from the Country Co-Ordinating Mechanism on the Global Fund to fight Tuberculosis, Aids and Malaria [GFTAM].  In December the GFTAM rejected Zimbabwe’s application for $220 million for HIV and TB programmes for 2011.

Committee Room No. 1

Chairperson: Hon Dr Parirenyatwa        Clerk: Mrs Khumalo

Portfolio Committee: Agriculture, Water, Lands and Resettlement

Oral evidence from Tobacco Industry Marketing Board [TIMB].  The opening of the tobacco sales season last week saw TIMB banning Class B [local] buyers from the sales floors on the grounds that they had swindled growers last season. 

Committee Room No. 4

Chairperson: Hon Jiri                             Clerk: Ms Mudavanhu

Portfolio Committee: Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade

Oral briefings from Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce

Committee Room No. 3

Chairperson: Hon Mukanduri                 Clerk: Mr Chiremba

Portfolio Committee: Local Government, Rural and Urban Development

Oral evidence from Harare City Council Town Clerk and officials on management of Harare water accounts to clear up conflicts in evidence previously presented to the Committee.

Committee Room No. 413

Chairperson: Hon Karenyi                     Clerk: Mr Daniel

Wednesday 23rd February – no meetings open to the public

Thursday 24th February at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Media, Information and Communication Technology

Oral evidence from Telecel

Committee Room No. 413

Chairperson: Hon S. Moyo                    Clerk:          Mr Mutayambizi

Thursday 24th February at 11 am

Thematic Committee: Indigenisation and Empowerment

Oral evidence from Agricultural Marketing Authority on its mandate and programmes

Government Caucus Room

Chairperson: Hon Mutsvangwa             Mr Ratsakatika

Public Attendance at and Participation in Committee Meetings

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Note: As there are sometimes last-minute changes to the schedule, it is recommended that you avoid possible disappointment by checking with the relevant committee clerk that the meeting is still on and still open to the public. Parliament’s telephone numbers are Harare 700181 or 252936-55. If attending, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Ave entrance to Parliament. IDs must be produced.

Note: Zimbabweans in the Diaspora can send in written submissions by email to clerk@parlzim.gov.zw

 

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