Civil servants ignore strike call

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

19/01/2012 00:00:00
    by AFP

CIVIL servants largely ignored a call for a one-day strike over pay and
conditions, as business continued as usual at government offices on
Thursday.

ThePublic Service Association - the main union for government employees -
had urged workers to stay at home as part of their call for a US$538-dollar
monthly minimum wage, medical insurance and an allowance for workers based
in rural areas.

But one education ministry worker, who asked not to be named, told AFP: "We
are working as usual. Everyone in my department is at work."

People queued as usual and were being served at the passport office complex
in Harare, where gates opened early. Officers were receiving applications
for passports or issuing processed ones.

Correspondents saw classes in progress at government schools while at the
magistrate's court in Harare, an inquest into the death of former army chief
and liberation forces commander Solomon Mujuru went into its fourth day.

Union spokeswoman Tendai Chikowore said the workers want across-the-board
pay rises including a raise from US$200 to us$538 (155 euros to 420 euros) a
month for the lowest-paid government workers.

The union would decide on its next course of action depending on the
government's response, she added.

Civil servants, particularly teachers, nurses and doctors, have been
striking on and off for better salaries since 2007.

The situation came to a head in 2008, when staff shortages forced state
hospitals to close some units and teacher strikes left only 50 days of
classes in the whole year.

Zimbabwe's economy has begun recovering after a decade-long downturn,
following a power-sharing agreement by long-time rivals President Robert
Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in the wake of failed 2008
polls.

But ghost workers are a problem throughout the civil service: about a third
of government's 230,000 employees are thought not actually to exist,
according to Finance Minister Tendai Biti. So much of the current salary
payments are being claimed fraudulently by people using fictional aliases.

Biti, a Tsvangirai ally, has insisted the cash-strapped government cannot
afford to pay higher salaries. Mugabe has accused the minister of
deliberately sabotaging the government by refusing the increases.

Civil servants strike paralyses government services

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
19 January 2012

A national strike paralyzed much of Zimbabwe Thursday as hundreds of
thousands of civil servants stayed home to protest poor remuneration.

On Wednesday government tried in vain to ask its public sector workers to
reconsider the strike action and return to the negotiating table. But the
state-workers union, Apex Council, refused to budge.

Apex Council, which represents more than 230,000 civil servants, said
government services were brought to a halt, schools closed and public
hospitals operated with limited staff.

Tendai Chikowore, chairperson of the Apex Council, told SW Radio Africa on
Thursday that as far as she was concerned the industrial action was a
success.

‘From reports we got from all the provinces, I can certainly say the
response to the strike has been good. This marks the beginning of a long
drawn out battle with government as we are sick and tired of false promises,’
Chikowore said.

The striking civil servants are demanding a minimum monthly salary of $538,
up from the current $250. Government has however insists it doesn’t have
enough in its coffers increase the salaries. The Apex council however blames
the stubborn attitude of the government for the miseries being faced by
civil servants.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the hardest hit sector was education,
where the bulk of civil servants work. He said teachers walked off the job
to show their ire at government’s refusal to raise their salaries.

‘I have information that the Apex Council is going to study reports of the
strike before they decide on what sort of action take next. There is an
option of a full scale strike, but most members are against this as they
believe it’s retrogressive,’ Muchemwa said.

Govt Hypocrisy Exposed As Workers Go On Strike

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, January 19, 2012- The hypocrisy of the coalition government has been
exposed after it hiked allowances for government ministers and some senior
employees at the expense of its struggling civil servants.

Documents obtained by Radio Vop this week reveal that President Robert
Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s coalition government recently
hiked subsistence and travelling allowances for ministers, deputy ministers,
provincial governors, judges and permanent secretaries to $105 per night,
while paying no attention to demands for a salary review for its hard
pressed civil servants, who earn $200 per month.

The increase in the allowances of the ministers and senior government
employees will be in addition to their monthly salaries, which are pegged
above $3 000 per month.

The ministers and the senior government officials were recently notified of
the review of their allowances through a cabinet circular number 15 entitled
“Subsistence and travelling allowances for
ministers, provincial governors, deputy ministers and equivalent grades,”
written by Misheck Sibanda, the chief secretary to the President and
Cabinet.

Judicial Service Commission Secretary Justice Rita Makarau confirmed the
review of judges’ allowances in a memorandum to Judge President George
Chiweshe and to the Senior President of the Labour Court.

“Please find enclosed herein for the information of judges and presidents of
the Labour Court the revised and subsistence rates for ministers and allied
grades. Where a judge or president elects not to be booked into a hotel on
full board, a maximum of US$105 per night shall be payable for each full
day. The commission is available to clarify any further queries that judges
and presidents may have on the above,” reads part of Justice Makarau’s
memorandum.

The disclosures are sure to incense most civil servants whose demands for a
salary review have been ignored by the government. Civil servants have
threatened to embark on a one-day strike on Thursday after a meeting between
worker representatives and Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga on
Tuesday to address their grievances failed to materialize. Already, the
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has petitioned President Mugabe and
Prime Minister Tsvangirai to intervene in the pay dispute.

Zimbabwe Cabinet Dysfunctionality Deepens as Ministers Drop Out of Sight

http://www.voanews.com/

18 January 2012

President Robert Mugabe is due back at the end of the month - but will
attend the African Union summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
January 29-30 before returning to work in Harare

Blessing Zulu | Washington

Simmering conflicts and seasonal absences have undermined the ability of
Zimbabwe's Cabinet to do business, say government sources who report that
many ministers of President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF have followed their
leader on leave.

Other ZANU-PF ministers are said to be spending most of their time
restructuring the party after a December conference focused on the next
elections, or farming.

Many ministers are taking advantage of President Robert Mugabe’s annual
leave. Mr Mugabe is said to be spending most of his time at his rural home
in Zvimba in Mashonaland West province. He went on leave before Christmas.

The Cabinet has been on recess since Mr Mugabe went on leave and is
therefore not in a position to take action to forestall a the looming strike
by civil servants over pay.

Mr. Mugabe is due back at the end of the month - but will attend the African
Union summit in Addis Ababa January 29-30 before returning.

Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu told VOA reporter Blessing Zulu that he
does not know when ZANU-PF Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa went on leave.

But ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said ministers from his party take their
work seriously and not all are involved in the restructuring of the party.

12 Zimbabwe security service agents die in horror crash

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com

by 58 minutes ago

A TOTAL of 12 members of the Zimbabwe's security service have died in a
horrific along the Harare-Chirundu road, it has been reported.

The dead are six security personnels, three Zimbabwe Republic Police
officers and three Zimbabwe National Army soldiers.

They died on Tuesday after the vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a
haulage truck.

The accident involved a Toyota Hilux which had 14 occupants and the haulage
truck which had three. The accident occurred at the 41km peg along the
highway near Inkomo Barracks in Nyabira.

National police traffic spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome confirmed the
accident and said 10 other passengers were injured and were recovering at
Parirenyatwa Hospital while another escaped unhurt in the horrific accident.

Chigome said: “The accident occurred at 17:15hours along the Harare-Chirundu
Road involving a haulage truck which was travelling towards Chinhoyi and a
Toyota Hilux which was a police vehicle travelling towards Harare.

“The Toyota Hilux driver lost control of the vehicle and veered to the right
side of the road and collided with the haulage truck headed for Chinhoyi,
causing the death of two soldiers and one police officer on the spot. Two
other police officers died on admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital.”

The names of the deceased are being withheld until their next of kin have
been informed. -Newsday

ZANU PF winning votes & making money in new gold rush

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
19 January 2012

ZANU PF is believed to be cashing in on the latest rush for Zimbabwe’s
mineral wealth, amid concern that there could be a return to the violence
seen at the controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields in 2008.

The gold rush near Kwekwe has seen thousands of panners flock to the site,
after word spread that gold deposits had been discovered late last year.
ZANU PF has since “claimed” the area, sending in armed police units and
attack dogs to patrol the alluvial site. An outbreak of violence soon
followed, with a number of people being hospitalised because of beatings and
dog bite injures. Other reports also stated that some one had died, although
there has been no confirmation of this death.

The NewsDay newspaper has since reported that ZANU PF started making a list
of people who would be allowed to mine the gold field when it re-opened,
leading to a scramble for ZANU PF membership cards. It’s understood that
about 3,500 cards were sold in the first two days, at one US dollar each. It
is not clear how many other new ZANU PF members have since joined the ranks
in an effort to find gold.

The gold rush is also reported to be sowing divisions in the party, after a
High Court order stopped sales of the gold. A ZANU PF member called Robert
Chipwanyira is claiming ownership of the claim and last week he went to the
Bulawayo High Court, seeking an order to stop the sale of gold. He insists
the riches are being ‘looted’ by the illegal panners, under the watch of the
police and with the blessing of the ZANU PF provincial leadership.
Other ‘owners’ of the site have also reportedly been left fuming. A former
ZANU-PF official, George Makombe, is quoted by NewsDay as saying that his
claim pre-dates the new rush.
Meanwhile the MDC-T’s Eddie Cross has said the mines ministry “will
fabricate some justification” to permanently take over the claim, as they
did with the Chiadzwa diamond claim. In late 2008 diamond claims were seized
by the then ZANU PF government and opened to ‘prospectors’. This triggered a
rush by diamond panners to get their hands on diamond rich soil.

But soon after the government deployed armed units to ‘control’ the area.
This ‘Operation Hakudzokwi’ resulted in the deaths of at least 200 people in
a killing spree that witnesses described as a ‘war zone’, with soldiers
firing on diamond panners from the ground and from helicopters. Other
victims have also told stories of being attacked and brutalized and a number
of women were raped. No perpetrators have ever been brought to book and no
official investigation has been launched.

Instead, the ZANU PF run Mines Ministry has pushed for Chiadzwa diamonds to
be allowed onto the international trade market and last year the diamonds
were given the green light by the trade watchdog, the Kimberley Process
(KP).

Political analyst and former Zimbabwean diplomat, Clifford Mashiri, who has
regularly commented on the diamond crisis, told SW Radio Africa that the
Kwekwe situation is a worrying echo of what happened in Chiadzwa.

“It is not surprising that ZANU PF is taking over in this way. It is their
culture of plunder that we see here. But it is concerning that what we saw
in Chiadzwa is happening again,” Mashiri said.

He added: “This could not have come at a better time for ZANU PF, because
they needed more members and they needed more money if they are serious
about an election this year.”

Mashiri meanwhile said the MDC partners in the coalition government should
be criticised for not being more vocal about the Kwekwe chaos. He said the
party should be exercising some authority, instead of being “inactive.”

Chief exposed as taking part in ZANU PF violence

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Lance Guma
19 January 2012

Chief Changara Kasekete, a traditional leader in the Dande area of
Muzarabani District, is today exposed as having led a brutal campaign of
political violence that resulted in the death of more than 22 MDC-T
officials and supporters in 2008.

In SW Radio Africa’s continuing exposé we look at Chief Kasekete, whose
sudden change of character puzzled many in the area. He was initially a very
popular and promising leader, instrumental in attracting developmental
projects. Little did villagers know they were celebrating the installation
of a ‘monster’, a witness said.

At all the gatherings held in the run up to the bloody presidential run-off
in June 2008, Kasekete declared his undying loyalty for Mugabe and ZANU PF.
He declared that the MDC-T would not be allowed to have a presence or even
campaign in Muzarabani. Violence was to be the key tool he used to ensure
this.

Kasekete teamed up with local MP Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore (MP), Jenia
Manyeruke (Senator), Kamusengezi (soldier), Yahwe (CIO agent), Chief
Chiweshe, Proud Pfotso, Godfrey Katsiru, Chibau (ZANU PF district chairman)
and Avozhi Chibedebede. A dossier in our possession says MDC-T supporters
were “butchered, maimed, tortured and displaced in Muzarabani” by this
group.

In June last year SW Radio Africa posted new and shocking video footage
online exposing MP Raradza, who was part of Kasekete’s team in 2008. In the
video Raradza could be seen and heard threatening villagers with violence if
they support the MDC-T. He warned people at the meeting that those who
support the MDC-T will be beaten by war vets and youth militias, or denied
food as punishment.

In 2008 the Kasekete and Raradza led group was in command of a group of over
400 ZANU PF militia and armed soldiers. They were responsible for the
abductions and murder of MDC-T ward officials such as: Tennyson Manyimo,
Titus Goho, Canaan Dzamwarira, Clemence Chirozva, Learnmore Chingani,
Muzumbe, Taurai Chamboko, Ratidzayi Dzenga , Freddy Macheka and Biggie
Zhuwawo.

On the 3rd June 2008, Kasekete addressed a rally at Hoya Primary School and
ordered all ZANU PF supporters and militia to burn down all MDC-T supporters’
homes that night. The militants went on a rampage and “homes went up in
flames, men, women and children were ruthlessly assaulted and tortured,” the
dossier says. Many victims had broken bones and lacerated wounds.

To make matters worse the militia gangs blocked the roads and victims were
not allowed to seek medical help.

“Many suffered in silence and only managed to access help several weeks
later, some with their conditions having developed complications due to the
delays, others have consequently suffered permanent disabilities,” the
document added.

Not only has the chief been involved in violence but he has abused his
traditional powers to preside over kangaroo courts. In May 2010 two MDC-T
supporters who were victims of political violence in 2008, approached the
perpetrators to get their livestock back. Instead Chief Kasekete had them
hauled before his court to face accusations that they were talking politics
and insulting a ZANU PF official.

The MDC-T supporters were initially fined US$30 each and then handed over to
the police where they were charged with public nuisance and forced to pay an
admission of guilt fine of US$5 each. Worse was to come when Kasekete
awarded the ZANU PF official damages in the form of three cows and goats,
even though he was the one who had confiscated livestock from the MDC-T
supporters.

“The cattle and goats were forcibly taken away from the victims’ homes by
Kasekete and handed over to the perpetrator as compensation for the pain
caused by the accusation and insults,” the dossier says.

On the 1st April 2008, a ZANU PF militia gang led by Kasekete abducted
Biggie Zhuwawo from his home. Zhuwawo was subjected to a heavy and brutal
assault and died on the spot.

On the 16th April 2008 Kasekete and his gang abducted Liven Mapfumo, who
operated a small general dealers shop in the area. They assaulted him all
over the body and destroyed his entire home. Kasekete then ordered Mapfumo
to supply groceries for the Independence Day celebrations that year.

On the 26th April 2008 Eric Chinzima reported that a large group of ZANU PF
militia led by Kasekete arrived at his home during the day. They accused him
of supporting the MDC-T and viciously assaulted him. He lost his upper teeth
after being kicked in the mouth with a booted foot.

On the 1st May 2008 the ZANU PF militia apprehended Simbarashe Manzizi on
his way home. They accused him of voting for the MDC-T in March and started
beating him up as punishment. They then took him to his home where they
destroyed all the huts there. He said that among the group was Chief
Kasekete who was giving the orders.

On the 2nd May 2008 the local ZANU PF youths around Hoya school accused
Freddie Matonhodze of campaigning for Tsvangirai in the area. Chief Kasekete
and his group destroyed Matonhodze’s entire homestead. His family fled and
sought refuge with relatives away from the area. Their clothes, property and
utensils were all burnt.

On the same day Chief Kasekete ordered Lucky Mutengwa to be brought before
him because he was accused of supporting the MDC-T. Mutengwa was harassed
and threatened with death if he continued living in Muzarabani. Mutengwa
eventually deserted his family and property and lived in another district
until the June elections were over.

Again on the 1st May 2008 Chief Kasekete, in the command of more that 50
ZANU PF youths and war vets, attacked Christopher Mondera at his home. They
heavily assaulted him, looted and destroyed his home.

The violence continued on the same day as the mob caught Wanzirai Magodo at
his home. They assaulted him with a variety of weapons and he sustained
serious injuries all over the body. They also destroyed all his property
including family clothes and his only tractor which was burnt in the attack.
Magodo identified Kasekete, Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore and Avhozhi
Chibedebede.

On the same day Chief Kasekete, accompanied by a large group of ZANU PF
youths, some of them in army fatigue, assaulted Obert Tayi at his home. They
destroyed his huts and took away 9 cattle, 4 sheep and 3 goats.

The following day on the 2nd May 2008 Saymore Gweru was abducted and
interrogated by Chief Kasekete. He was accused of refusing to divulge
information on where his brother was hiding. He was assaulted and tortured
for a long time before he was released. His abductors confiscated 2 goats
from his home for food at their base.

Later on the group attacked Dzikamayi D Gono at his home during the night.
Some of the assailants were in military uniform and they destroyed the whole
homestead. Gono identified some of the perpetrators as Raradza, P Pfotso,T
Diamond, O Sosono, C Chiringa, CP Mutonga Njiva, B Mazhuwana, P Chashaya and
Chief Kasekete himself.

The gang, still in the company of these senior party officials, surrounded
Clemence Chirozva’s homestead near Chaminda Primary school. They ordered him
out of his house and started assaulting him with a variety of weapons.
Chirozva sustained serious injuries that never healed. He passed away in
2009.

On the 3rd May 2008 the same mob stormed Siiraishe Charunda’s homestead
where they interrogated and assaulted him. The gang destroyed his house and
property including his bed, radio, food, and clothes.

The same day Luke Mushore, Edward Rraradza, Chief Kasekete and the other
members of the ZANU PF gang, burnt down the home of Sunungurai Musengeni.
They not only beat him up severely but burnt everything at his homestead.
They also took his three cows.

On the 5th May 2008 Prisca Mutizwa was beaten up by local ZANU PF youths who
accused her of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai. She reported that after the
assault Chief Kasekete took away 2 tonnes of maize and 4 bales of cotton as
punishment for her supporting the MDC-T.

On the 6th May 2008 Chief Kasekete led a ZANU PF militia who were wielding
axes, iron bars and guns. They surrounded Angelina Ngorima’s homestead
during the night. They ordered her out of the hut she was sleeping in and
set it on fire. All the structures were demolished and she lost everything.

On the 7th May 2008 Lucky Mutemaunga was told that soldiers were looking for
him and that he had been targeted for elimination by the local ZANU PF
leadership.  He quickly got out of the area and walked on foot throughout
the night. He boarded a bus the following morning to Harare where he sought
refuge for the whole of 2008. Assisting the army was Madhongi, Chief
Kasekete, Norman Chizeya, Paramanzi and Kanhutu.

It’s estimated more than 22 people were killed in Muzarabani in 2008 as a
result of direct orders from Chief Kasekete. According to the Heal Zimbabwe
Trust some 125 people were also displaced.

Kasekete has not been prosecuted and continues to be a prominent ZANU PF
mouthpiece and campaigner.

US Denies Intentions To Abuse KP Chair On Marange Gems

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, January 19, 2012 - The United States government has allayed fears it
will abuse its new role as chair of the global diamond watchdog, Kimberly
Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to settle old scores with archenemy,
Zimbabwe.

“I know that there is a bit of anxiety for Zimbabwe in that the US has just
assumed the chair of the Kimberly Process,” US ambassador to Zimbabwe
Charles Ray said Thursday at a round table with local editors in Harare.

“In our capacity, it’s our intention to play a strong role of facilitation
and we have no desire or intention to impose our decisions on anyone.”

Zimbabwe was in November last year finally granted the green light by the
KPSC to resume trade on its controversial rough diamonds from Marange
communal lands after a protracted fight with mostly western countries that
labelled them conflict gems.

But the US immediately slapped two companies dealing with Marange diamonds
with a trade embargo, something that was seen as violating the spirit of the
KPCS process.

Fears abound the powerful western nation, which has, since 2001 maintained
sanctions on selected Zimbabwean individuals and firms, may seek to abuse
its new role on Zimbabwe.

But Ambassador Ray said the chairmanship of the KPCS was independent of the
US foreign policy.

“The KP has an effective arrangement in place regarding Marange and its
clear to us that there is a strong commitment to Zimbabwe, the monitoring
team, the US and other KP members to somehow allow that process to
 continue,” he said.

“Working together with the Vice Chair, South Africa, we will be seeking the
input of the membership to reform the KP as an appropriate to ensure that it
addresses the new and emerging dynamics in the
global diamond trade.”

Ambassador Ray's remarks come in the wake of Finance Minister Tendai Biti's
letter to Washington remonstrating against the US decision to include the
two companies, Mbada and Marange Diamonds in the list of Zimbabwean
companies on its sanctions list.

Biti wrote in his December 19, 2011 letter, "...the US decision undermines
the KPSC and its chairmanship of this body. A member must act in good faith.
One cannot in one forum act in one manner and then unilaterally undermine
the collective decision taken at the common forum. It would also be curious
to find out the motive of your decision against the two companies."

Turning to his relations with Zimbabwean officials in the aftermath of the
WikiLeaks revelations last year, the US envoy admitted relations have gone
sour and thanked those who have braved "stigmatisation" to maintain the
US-Zimbabwe relationship.

“I really applaud the people here who have taken the risk of engaging the
big bad US ambassador and other American officials. I know some people see
talking to me and other US officials as being disloyal to Zimbabwe and trust
me there are still some people in Washington who are still cynical about
talking to Zimbabwean officials again.”

Diamonds Can't Meet All Budget Needs, ZANU-PF Cautions

http://www.voanews.com

18 January 2012

ZANU-PF said Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Labor Minister Lucia
Matibenga, both of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC formation, should
find sustainable ways to boost state worker salaries

Gibbs Dube | Washington

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party has dismissed as utopian
and unsustainable proposals by the co-governing Movement for Democratic
Change for the country to tap diamond revenues from the Marange more deeply
to meet pay demands by civil servants who have called a national strike on
Thursday.

ZANU-PF said Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Labor Minister Lucia
Matibenga, both of them officials of the MDC formation led by Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai, have failed to find sustainable ways of increasing the
salaries of agitated civil servants.

ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo noted that Marange diamond revenues were
tapped once already last year to cover a civil servant pay increase.

Gumbo said the MDC should look for funds from the Western nations that have
imposed sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and scores of ZANU-PF
officials.

But Thabitha Khumalo, a spokeswoman for the Tsvangirai MDC, said Zimbabwe
must look to diamond revenues to cover the cost of paying state workers a
living wage.

Nhlanhla Dube of the Welshman Ncube-led MDC said the country has enough
resources to increase salaries of public workers.

Parliamentary Budget Committee Chairman Paddy Zhanda argued however that
revenues from diamonds cannot cover salary increases.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray told reporters in
Marondera, Mashonaland East province, that Mbada Diamonds and Marange
Resources, both involved in developing the Marange diamond field, have been
placed under American sanctions because of their ownership and for no other
reason.

He noted that the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, which holds a 50
percent stake in both enterprises, had been on the US sanctions list for
some time.

Though the Kimberley Process has cleared the way for the export sale of
diamonds from the Marange field, the US imposition of sanctions on the two
companies has imposed a formidable obstacle to the sale of their diamonds
into the US marketplace.

Mujuru Inquest:Candle Did Not Burn The House - Maid

http://www.radiovop.com/

Harare, January 19, 2012- The ate retired Army General Solomon Mujuru had
confided to his maid that he did not trust police officers manning his
residence at the farm in which he was killed in a mysterious fire that
gutted the whole house last August.

Continuing with her testimony at the inquest which was adjourned on
Wednesday when she wept during giving evidence, Rosemary Shoti also ruled
out the possibility that a candle in the late general commander had started
the fire because he had been discovered in another room.

Shoti who was shedding tears told the court that general Mujuru had no
matches to light the candle which was in his bed room. She said the late was
a non smoker and did not at any point carry matches with him.

It is the police evidence that the fire which gutted the late general’s
house emanated from the candle which was at his bed side table, since there
was no electricity at the time he entered his house at around 2030hrs.

Shoti told the court that at one point the late General told them that he
was not in good books with the three police officers who were manning his
house, adding that the officers beat up one of the farm workers.

It was shoti’s evidence that the deceased after the police beat up one of
the farm workers had intended to fire them but could not do so as their
rotation time was almost over.

Commenting on the evidence given by Shoti the late General’s brother Joel
Mujuru described Rosemary as a 'credible source' since she was in charge of
the day to day welfare of the deceased.

“Rosemary is not mistaken when she is saying that the late did not light the
candle. She is the one who was in charge of the young brother’s welfare. She
had been taking care of him since the year 2000,”he told journalists.

“What people should understand here is that we are not condemning the entire
police force. We are saying it’s possible that these three officers who were
on duty that day erred. They were irresponsible,” said Joel.

The high profile inquest into the mysterious death of the retired Army
General entered its fourth day today with 13 witnesses out of 42 testifying.
The inquest continues tomorrow with four witnesses being lined up to give
evidence.

'Mujuru sensed death'

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Tendai Kamhungira and Xolisani Ncube
Thursday, 19 January 2012 13:10

HARARE - Tears flooded the courtroom yesterday as Mujuru family members wept
when it was revealed that the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru sensed
that his death was coming.

The death premonition emerged in court while the late Mujuru’s maid Rosemary
Short was giving evidence pertaining to events that took place on the day he
died.

Short broke into tears forcing the inquiry to pause for a while and
continued after she gave the court an assurance she was strong enough to
continue giving evidence.

A sombre atmosphere engulfed the courtroom as the late Mujuru’s brother Joel
and Sister Elizabeth failed to hold back their tears while the maid was
giving testimony.

The maid’s recollections were too much for Joel who had to temporarily leave
the courtroom while Vice President Joice Mujuru, who was seated next to
Joel, remained calm.

Short told the court that Mujuru came to her house which she said is located
about two to three kilometres from the farm house to collect keys for the
kitchen.

“He (Mujuru) then said to me that he was considering sleeping in his
vehicle,” said Short speaking in Shona.
Short told the court that Mujuru said this out of the blue prompting her to
ask the General how he was going to put up in the vehicle considering at
that time he was suffering from neck pains.

“He opened the door and indicated to me that the seat was flexible which
allowed him to sleep,” she said.

She, however said Mujuru used to sleep in his vehicle on some days.

It also emerged in court yesterday through Short’s testimony that the
general was not at the farm since August 11, 2011 and had just returned on
the fateful day, on August 15, 2011.

Short, who seemed to have been so close and familiar with Mujuru’s house,
revealed in court that at times they used candles to provide light at the
farm whenever there was no electricity.

However, Mujuru had a generator which he would only switch on when he wanted
to watch television during electricity blackouts.

When asked by Clemence Chimbari from the Attorney General’s office to
identify the broken saucer that could have been used to place the candle,
she positively did so. She said it was placed on a bed side table which was
a few centimetres from the window and curtain.

A weeping Short further revealed that police officers claimed that the fire
emanated from the geyser.

This is despite the fact that while giving evidence at the inquest, the
police officers claimed to have limited knowledge of the house structure.

“He (Obert Mark) told me that the fire emanated from the geyser. I quizzed
him why they had not taken the General out of the house and he said the
house was full of smoke and they did not know the position of the bedroom.

“When I arrived, I realised that the house had been totally destroyed and I
asked (Augustinos) Chinyoka whether the general was in the house and he told
me that they could not locate the General and added that he was not in the
house,” said Short.

According to Short, windows to Mujuru’s bedroom had no burglar bars.

She also told the court that on the fateful day, Mujuru was not that drunk
that he could not appreciate what was happening.

“He was not very drunk that he could not take charge of his faculties.
During the days when he came drunk, he would fall asleep upon parking his
car,” said Short.

She is the 11th witness brought before the court as the inquest entered its
third day yesterday.

Yesterday, another member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Lazarus
Handikatari, who was also posted at the farm during the time the General
died, gave evidence.

Petros Jaison, a tractor driver at the farm told the court that he is the
one who broke the sitting room window to gain entry into the house before
taking out some of the property which was in undamaged rooms.

A groundsman at the farm, Albert Arufandika, said that they found Mujuru’s
mobile phone ringing in his vehicle.
He picked it up and answered the caller who turned out to be Vice President
Mujuru, the widow of the late general enquiring about the fire incident and
the whereabouts of her husband.

The court also heard that Mujuru’s vehicle was not parked at its usual place
but it was behind the house close to the main bedroom.

This prompted Vice President Mujuru to query Arufandika why he did not
bother to investigate about the position where the vehicle was parked
considering that he had worked at the farm for seven years and knew where
the late Mujuru used to park his car.

“The reason why I am posing this question is because the general did not
have the keys which would have led him to park the vehicle on that side
where the vehicle was parked,” said Mujuru.

Arufandika said the late General at times used to park at different
positions.

According to evidence given by Short, the late Mujuru had asked for keys
that would enable him to unlock the kitchen door, yet the vehicle was parked
on the other entrance of the house, where the bedroom was located.

Yesterday’s court hearing was attended by among others, war veterans leader
Joseph Chinotimba, minister in Mujuru’s office Sylvester Nguni and an MDC MP
Collen Gwiyo.

Short will continue to give her evidence in court today.

Mujuru wanted police guards fired

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/

19/01/2012 00:00:00
    by Phyllis Mbanje

GENERAL Solomon Mujuru ordered staff to stop serving food to police officers
guarding him and had plans to fire them just days before his death in a fire
last August, his maid sensationally told his inquest on Thursday.

The former army commander – husband to Vice President Joice Mujuru – was
furious after the officers, said to have been DRUNK, severely assaulted one
of his workers who had to seek hospital treatment.

Rosemary Short, a maid at Mujuru’s Beatrice farm, told the Harare
Magistrates’ Court that the powerful Zanu PF power broker had confided in
her that the police officers were avoiding him since the brutal assault on
an unnamed employee.

“He said he had no security and was as good as being on his own,” Short told
the court as the general’s widow listened intently.

The latest claims raise new disturbing questions about Mujuru’s security
after police officers on duty on the August 15 night when he died admitted
they fell asleep and woke up too late to save the general.
The 67-year-old’s charred remains were recovered in one of the rooms of the
14-roomed farmhouse.

Short also corroborated witness testimony by Clemence Runhare – a security
guard from a private firm who was keeping sentry at one of the gates leading
to the general’s home – who claimed that he had heard what he thought were
gunshots just before the fire swept through the farmhouse.

Short, who was on the witness stand on Wednesday, made the new claims after
being pressed by Mujuru’s nephew who reminded her of a conversation she had
with the Vice President.

On Wednesday, Short had told the court that after the general visited her
compound some 3km from the farmhouse to ask for keys, she had gone to sleep
and only woke up when her brother knocked on the door to report the fire.

Short said when she later asked the police detail about the suspected
gunshots, she was told that what she heard was in fact exploding asbestos.

In his evidence to the inquest on Monday, Runhare said he had not
investigated his suspicions of gunfire, assuming it was poachers hunting
game on a nearby farm.

Three Zimbabwe Republic Police officers – Augustinos Chinyoka, Obert Mark
and Lazarus Handikatari – were on duty when Mujuru drove into the farm
shortly after 8PM on August 15.

Security guards Samuel Lewis, Clemence Runhare and Ernest Nyamanja were also
present on the farm, although the police officers had primary responsibility
for Mujuru’s protection.

But at a critical time that night, Constable Mark told the inquest earlier
this week that he and Handikatare fell asleep only to be roused by Chinyoka
around 2AM the next day when the farmhouse was ablaze.

Earlier this week, Mujuru expressed shock at the security lapses. Speaking
outside court, she said: “One person making a mistake will not condemn the
whole population, but these officers in particular were wrong in sleeping on
duty. It is really shocking, and you say to yourself ‘is this how a person
can discharge his duty’?"

Taking the witness stand on Thursday, maid Short revealed that General
Mujuru had put off plans to fire the police officers guarding him after
realising that their tour of duty was nearing an end.
The inquest continues Friday with four witnesses lined up to testify.

Police detain and torture WOZA activists in Bulawayo

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 January, 2012

At least 17 members of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) pressure group
were briefly detained, assaulted and tortured by police in Bulawayo Thursday
morning, for reasons that were not explained.

WOZA leader Magodonga Mahlangu told SW Radio Africa that all of them were
released by the afternoon, but one of their members was having problems
breathing after police “put her head in a plastic bag and asked if she was
prepared to talk”.

Mahlangu said there was no demonstration or large gathering of WOZA members
at the time. Two police officers who are familiar with WOZA members
initially arrested three friends they recognized, accusing them of
 “standing” at a mall.

They then bundled the three into a police van and drove around picking up
other women they knew to be WOZA members. One male activist was also picked
up and then released after an hour. The remaining 16 were assaulted.

It is not clear what the charges are but according to WOZA, a “notorious”
officer named George Levison Ngwenya, who has been involved in previous
arrests and assaults of their members, dealt with Thursday’s arrests.

“He had the audacity to follow them when they were released and say let’s
forget everything that happened in his office. How do you forget a plastic
bag over your head,” Mahlangu asked. She added that police stepped on some
of the women’s heads and on their toes. No-one has been hospitalized.

“WOZA note that once again the Officer Ngwenya is overzealous and assaults
members in his ongoing personal vendetta against WOZA members,” the group
said in a statement.

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are due in Bulawayo
Magistrates Court on Friday, in another case where they are facing kidnap
and theft charges.

A magistrate ruled earlier this week that two must answer the charges even
though witnesses denied the incident ever happened. The magistrate promised
a written copy of the ruling, which the defence lawyer needs in order to
challenge the ruling at the High Court.

Mahlangu said police officer Ngwenya was also involved in the kidnap and
theft case. The group accuses Bulawayo police of harassment and malicious
prosecution, but vowed to continue with their peaceful activities.

Mugabe ‘gay gibe’ MP case referred to Supreme Court

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
19 January 2012

A Mutare magistrate has ruled in favour of MDC-T MP Lynnette Karenyi’s
application to take her case to the Supreme Court, to determine whether her
arrest last December violated her rights and freedom of expression.

Last week the legislator’s lawyer argued hat his client’s case should be
referred to the Supreme Court to rule if the section she was charged under
is constitutional.

The Chimanimani West MP was charged with contravening Section 33 of the
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly ‘making an
unlawful, intentional and abusive statement about Robert Mugabe’. The MDC-T
and pro-democracy activist contends that this law is used by ZANU PF for
persecuting and not prosecuting MDC officials and supporters.

Police in Mutare arrested the MP and charged her with denigrating Mugabe,
when she allegedly branded the ageing ZANU PF leader ‘a gay who sleeps
around with Jonathan Moyo.’ Police alleged the MP uttered the words when she
addressed a rally in her constituency in early December at Nhedziwa business
centre.

The legislator, who is also the MDC-T’s Women’s Assembly organizing
secretary, denies the charge. Her lawyer David Tandire told SW Radio Africa
on Thursday that the ruling by Magistrate Trynos Wutahwashe was a welcome
development.

‘We have always argued that some of the laws the police are using are not
constitutional. I will reiterate that the law criminalizing insulting the
President is just as controversial as the one which allows prosecutors to
over-rule a magistrate by invoking section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act, to deny an accused person bail,’ Tandire said.

The defence lawyer said that the MP was also removed from remand with the
state instructed to proceed with the case by way of summons.

Anglican cleric warns of religious unrest

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

By Own Correspondent
Thursday, 19 January 2012 15:35

HARARE - A senior Anglican cleric has warned that the Anglican Church
dispute might degenerate into religious wars, similar to those currently
rocking Africa’s most populous state Nigeria, if Archbishop Nolbert Kunonga
is not reigned in.

St Aidans Chitungwiza Rector and Anglican Church Youth Association of Harare
Chaplain Reverend Isheanesu Guzha said this while presenting a paper at a US
embassy function to discuss religious fundamentalism.

Guzha who is fresh from an international religious conference he attended in
Jos, Nigeria, an area which has witnessed some of the most violent religious
clashes in recent times, said the country’s authorities must intervene to
stop Zimbabwe from degenerating into a Nigeria.

“Jos has the motto “Home of Peace and Tourism” but the deadly clashes
revealed the deep seated resentments between Christians and Islamists. Our
hope is we laid the groundwork for dialogue and future engagement,
Zimbabweans can learn a lot from the Nigerian experience because we do not
need to go the same violent route,” Guzha said.

The Anglican cleric accused Kunonga of taking advantage of political
processes happening in the country to seize church property and persecute
members of the Chad Gandiya-led church faction.

“Kunonga is riding on the coattails of political fundamentalists to create
chaos but his arguments are based on lies and built on shifting sand — it’s
just a question of time."

“After the farm seizures,  Kunonga thinks he can translate grab farm, grab
mine into grab a church and its property and wants to use Zanu PF in the
form of the widows of liberation war heroes Victoria Chitepo and Sukai
Tongogara,” Guzha said.

He said it was perplexing to hear Kunonga saying he would like to Africanise
the Anglican Church.

“It’s like someone claiming they are going to change the British into
Zezurus or Karangas it won’t work.

“The Anglican Church is very much British that’s why we are only a Province
of the Church and we are not alone, a lot other countries across the globe
houses these provinces,” said the cleric.

He accused President Robert Mugabe of not doing enough to stop the church
madness in his calls for religious tolerance.

“His words are just political statements as many people especially Anglicans
are facing persecution for their faith while authorities are either abate
our tormentors or fold their arms and turn a blind eye,” Guzha added.

Several Nigerian cities and towns have been turned into places of fear as
religious wars rage.

The conflict has created internal religious migrants fleeing the religious
wars.

'End chaos in constitution-making'

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Everson Mushava, Staff Writer
Thursday, 19 January 2012 11:59

HARARE - Stakeholders should end the chaos that is characterising the
constitution-making process in Zimbabwe last week or risk the collapse of a
forthcoming Second All Stakeholders Conference, a top human rights lawyer
has warned.

The call came barely a week after a press conference convened by the
Constitution Select Committee (Copac) co-chairpersons was disrupted in
Harare by suspected war veterans last week.

Copac is a committee of Parliament mandated with spearheading the
constitution-making process in Zimbabwe.
A new constitution is one of the conditions for elections.

“Such unwarranted interference on drafters should not be tolerated. If
urgent measures are not taken to address such behaviour, the Second
All-Stakeholders’ Conference will collapse just like the first one,” said
Beatrice Mtetwa, an award-winning human rights lawyer.

The First All-Stakeholders’ Conference to commission the constitution-making
process suffered the same fate, casting a cloud of doubt on whether a
referendum earmarked for this year will be conducted in a free and fair
environment.

Mtetwa said these remarks when she was launching a book, Zimbabwe’s
Constitutional Drafts – Comparison and Recommendations, published by
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

The book, produced by ZLHR, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) and the
election watchdog, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) takes a look at
constitutional drafts that were drawn in the country and recommendations to
be considered when compiling the supreme law of the land.

The book also focused on the current Lancaster House Constitution of
Zimbabwe, the Constitutional Commission draft led by Justice Godfrey
Chidyausiku in 2000, the National Constitutional Assembly draft of 2001 and
the Kariba Draft, a compromise draft by the three political parties
currently in the unity government.

“Zimbabwe has a history of drafting constitutions but have problems to adopt
them into law. This book should be used as guidance to the
constitution-making process in Zimbabwe,” Mtetwa said.

She urged Copac to use the book as a reference point when they are drawing
up the new constitution so that they at least could meet the minimum
requirements set in their recommendations.

Mtetwa reiterated that if a new constitution emerges from this process, it
can only be a transitional compromise document, and the struggle for a
people-owned constitution must continue under a new government with one
centre of power.

“There is no inclusivity in the Copac constitution. The constitution-making
process has been removed from the public domain and put in the hands of the
three representatives of political parties in the inclusive government,” she
said.

According to the book, Zimbabwe’s current constitution is dominated by the
executive, giving President Robert Mugabe sweeping powers while independent
and state organs are subject to a political party.

Parliament should have full control and more powers to set its terms.

The new document should recognise and put people at the centre, together
with the recognition of the vital importance of adhering to the Rule of Just
Law and the Sadc guidelines on Zimbabwe Peoples’ Charter relating to
constitutional reform as adopted on February 9, 2008, according to the book.

The book also recommended the constitution makers on placing limits to
ministerial posts to avoid bleeding the fiscus.

Zimbabwe currently has more than 70 officials as ministers, deputies and
provincial governors, to add to over 300 legislators.

“Constitution makers must purposefully address the role traditional leaders
should play in governance in Zimbabwe,” reads the book.

In the past, chiefs have been accused by the MDC of dabbling in politics
along Zanu PF lines.

“The constitution should also address minority rights,” said Mtetwa.

Minister embroiled in housing scandal

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

18/01/2012 00:00:00
    by Staff Reporter

HOUSING and Social Amenities Minister Giles Mutsekwa has been sucked into
housing scandal amid allegations his ministry allocated government flats to
children – some barely a year old -- and then tried to scuttle a
parliamentary probe.

According to list of beneficiaries of the Willowvale 'Phase Two' scheme,
children born in July last year and some in 2003 were among those allocated
flats.

The revelations have angered members of the parliamentary portfolio
committee on housing and public works who are arguing that beneficiaries of
the Willowvale scheme should have been on Harare City Council’s housing
waiting list.

Members of the public have also questioned how little children could be
allocated flats when thousands of adults with families have waited for years
for a chance to own a house.

The list of recipients is also said to be full of inconsistencies with some
details missing such as surnames, identification numbers while, in some
cases, departments are listed instead of the actual ministries where the
beneficiaries work.

Lovemore Mpukuta, who chairs the parliamentary committee on housing,
confirmed that they were investigating the allocation of flats at the
housing development in Harare.

Mutsekwa is alleged to have written a letter to the Clerk of Parliament,
Austin Zvoma, copied to the Speaker, Lovermore Moyo, and Mpukuta complaining
that the parliamentary committee was overstepping its boundaries and “acting
like auditors”.

The apparent attempt to gag the committee has infuriated the legislators who
responded by hauling Mutsekwa into a closed door meeting also attended by
the clerk of parliament on Monday.

Observers have said Zvoma’s presence in the meeting was a strong indicator
that the discussions had to do with the Standing Rules and Orders of
Parliament which Mutsekwa may have flouted by trying to gag the committee.

They added that while the minister might not have been directly involved in
the allocation of houses, his attempt to stop the parliamentary probe raised
a lot of questions.
The committee’s investigations are now set to go on and cover the whole
country focusing on all government built houses.

Book Café arts centre finds new home in Harare

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 January, 2012

A new location has been found by the owners of the popular Book Café and
Mannenberg arts and culture centre, who were evicted from their long term
premises at the Fife Avenue shopping mall at the end of last year.

Their well known spoken word, music and public debates will continue at a
new space, located at the former Cascais Restaurant, corner Samora Machel
Avenue and 6th Street.

The owners were served notice to vacate the familiar premises at Fife Avenue
in December last year by the building’s owners, OK Zimbabwe Pension Fund,
who claimed they needed to occupy the building in 2012.

The Book Café became a symbol of freedom of expression in the country as it
hosted spoken word and poetry evenings each month, without censoring the
artists. Political debates and book signings were also hosted It is widely
believed this may be the real reason behind the sudden closure.

Founder Paul Brickhill told SW Radio Africa last month that the closure
meant a loss of jobs for the more than 350 artists and 45 staff members who
earned their livelihood at the venue.

Last year the Book Café won the prestigious Prince Claus award for 2011,
which annually recognizes individuals and groups in Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Caribbean, for outstanding achievement in promoting culture
and social development through free speech and artistic expression.

Popular musicians, including Tuku and Chiwoniso, have all graced the stage
at Book Café events. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai also launched his
recently published book there.

No date has been set for the official opening of the new space, but
according to the Izwi eNewsletter, it’s hoped it will be sometime in
February.

'Crony' Thai minister blacklisted for Mugabe links

http://mg.co.za/

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Jan 19 2012 07:54

Thailand's premier on Thursday defended her appointment of a Cabinet
minister who is on a US blacklist owing to alleged business links to
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.

Nalinee Taveesin, named minister to the premier's office this week, had her
assets frozen by the United States in 2008 on accusations that she was a
"crony" providing financial and logistical support to the Mugabe regime.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted to reporters that Nalinee's
appointment was "in line with the Constitution".

Nalinee was described by the US department of the treasury in November 2008
as a businessperson who facilitated a number of financial, real-estate, and
gem-related transactions of behalf of Mugabe's wife, Grace.

"Ironically, Nalinee Taveesin has participated in a number of initiatives on
corruption and growth challenges in Africa and south-east Asia while
secretly supporting the kleptocratic practices of one of Africa's most
corrupt regimes," a Treasury statement said at the time.

'Guilt by association'
The action led to the freezing of Nalinee's assets within US jurisdiction
and a ban from financial or commercial transactions with US citizens.

Nalinee, previously a Thai trade representative, told the Bangkok Post daily
that she had known the Mugabes for more than a decade, but denied she had
ever had a business relationship with them.

"I have never traded in gemstones," she was quoted as saying by the paper.
"I have never brought diamonds in for sale. I am friends with the presidents
of many countries. This [is] a case of guilt by association."

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, a spokesperson for the opposition Democrat
Party, argued: "Even though the Constitution does not ban ministers who are
on a blacklist, the government should have morals".

The United States and the EU sanctions on Zimbabwe include travel bans and
asset freezes on Mugabe and members of his inner circle, who are accused of
seriously undermining democracy, human rights and the rule of law in
Zimbabwe.

Wednesday's Thai Cabinet reshuffle also promoted Nattawut Saikuar, a leader
of the "Red Shirt" protest movement who faces terrorism charges, to the post
of deputy agriculture minister, drawing further criticism from the
opposition. -- AFP

Zim documentation nearly done

http://www.iol.co.za

January 19 2012 at 05:19pm

Jacoline Prinsloo

The process of documenting more than 250 000 Zimbabweans living in South
Africa has almost been completed, a senior home affairs official said on
Thursday.

Director General Mkuseli Apleni said 255 282 Zimbabweans had been granted
permits to make their stay legal. Another 20 480 applications had to be
finalised.

He hoped that the process would be completed by the end of March.

In April 2010, Pretoria announced a moratorium on the deportation of
Zimbabweans.

They were granted a special dispensation to get documents and make their
stay in South Africa legal.

Zimbabweans had until December 2010 to apply.

A total of 275 762 applications for permits were received, according to
South Africa's home affairs department.

Apleni rejected claims reportedly made last month by Zimbabwe's Home Affairs
Co-Minister Kembo Mohadi that a second phase to document Zimbabweans was in
the pipeline.

“We have said it is closed forever. If there are those who did not take up
that offer, they are now here illegally.”

Zimbabwe's independent Newsday newspaper quoted Mohadi as saying Zimbabwean
officials would be meeting their South African counterparts in the new year
to begin “the second phase”.

“Last year, we engaged the South African government on regularising our
people, but many were initially suspicious. They thought that we wanted to
arrest them,” he was quoted saying.

“But they are now coming up in large numbers and we hope we will be able to
have them regularised.”

Apleni said there were plans afoot for the regularisation of other nationals
from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, but this did
not involve Zimbabwe.

“After Zimbabwe the (Home Affairs) Minister (Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma) will
look at what the next country will be in this process. It will be a SADC
country.”

Apleni could not say which country Dlamini-Zuma was considering next. – Sapa

EU Delegation moves to Byo

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Aldo
Dell'Ariccia has announced that all its senior staff will 'move to Bulawayo'
from the 30th of January to the 2nd of February, 2012 in order to engage
with local economic, social and political actors to assert publicly and
clearly its commitment to the development of the region as well as to seek
insights and ideas for the future prospects of engagement in Matabeleland.
19.01.1210:27am
by The Zimbabwean Harare

''The EU Delegation will especially aim at a significant qualitative
improvement of its linkages with and its understanding of the specific
issues of Matabeleland. It will not go there to deliver miracle solutions or
exceptional aid packages, but to engage with local actors, listen to them,
to better understand needs and challenges and establish a lasting line of
dialogue and communication,'' said Ambassador Dell'Ariccia.

Dell'Ariccia added that the Delegation is committed to an inclusive approach
towards supporting Zimbabwe's development. This has been particularly
evident since the inception of the current government, with a clear mandate
that the EU Delegation has received to support the implementation of the
GPA. In this respect, the EU Delegation has increased alignment to
Government's own priorities and has moved -especially in the social sectors
but also in food security- towards more predictable assistance. The
Delegation has also engaged in supporting institutions, especially those
engaged in implementing essential elements of the GPA provisions: support to
COPAC, to constitutional commissions, to prisons and the Electoral
Commission.

During its stay in Bulawayo, the Delegation will engage in dialogue with
local partners on a number of topical issues during public round tables. It
will also monitor the impact and results of the many ongoing interventions
supported in Matabeleland through visits to various projects in and around
Bulawayo.

During the visit Dell'Ariccia will officially open the ''EU corner'' at the
Bulawayo Public Library and engage with local journalists at a Press
Conference.

Contacts:

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zimbabwe EU House, 1
Norfolk Road, Mt. Pleasant, P.O. Box MP 620 Mt. Pleasant, Harare Zimbabwe

Tel +263-4-338 158; 0772-568 980; Fax +263-4-338 165

E-mail address: delegation-zimbabwe-hod@eeas.europa.euWebsite:
http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/zimbabwe

Warren Park residents cry foul

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

By Thelma Chikwanha, Community Affairs Editor
Thursday, 19 January 2012 11:31

HARARE - As one enters into Warren Park in Harare, a strong stench emanating
from the waste dumped along Golden quarry is an unmistakable hallmark of the
suburb.

Flies of all shapes and sizes are the order of the day in the high density
area which houses the National Heroes’ Acre.

Upon entering the suburb, one is greeted by a long line of plastic
containers which the resourceful residents use as bins.

Maggots crawl all over and residents say the combination of these unsightly
creatures together with flies and mosquitoes are a recipe for disaster.

These are the conditions residents of Warren Park have been subjected to for
the past month.

The Daily News was inundated with calls from  irate residents who said the
local authority had not collected refuse from the suburb for over a month.

“We now fear for our children because they go outside and play by the bins.

“Some of them are so young they even pick out food especially mangoes from
the bin and we only get to know of this after they fall ill,” a resident
identifying herself as Celia Nyachowe said.

The mother of four, who shares a four-bedroomed house with 17 other tenants,
said she did not understand why council was quick to disconnect water if
residents failed to pay rates on time yet the same council went for months
without doing a simple task such as refuse collection.

“Our children are now suffering from diarrhoea every other week  because
bins are not being collected. Sometimes we keep the children in the house
and stop them from playing outside but it does not work because children
need their space,” Nyachowe said.

The concerned housewife said residents in the area were now forced to dump
their garbage at undesignated dumping places causing harm to both the
environment and people’s health.

“The problem, however, is that if you are caught you are made to pay a fine
of up to $200 which is unaffordable,” Nyachowe pointed out.

The city council on one hand says that it has done its best to try and
restore Harare to its former sunshine city status.

In an interview with the Daily News, deputy mayor Emmanuel Chiroto said the
broke local authority which is saddled with a huge wage bill was
overwhelmed.

“We must tell people the truth — that we need help. The money awarded to us
by government is not enough. We really need to sit down and engage
government,” Chiroto said.

“Harare is overpopulated and we need a lot of money to service it.

“Council cannot do it alone. In the last full council meeting we decided to
go out there and look for donors to help us out,” he said.

The deputy mayor’s statements come as the city health department announced
an outbreak of dysentery in Warren Park.
According to the health department, 201 cases of dysentery were detected.

It was established that the outbreak was caused by a combination of factors
which include; water contamination and eating seasonal fruits like mangoes.

However, the queues at Warren Park 1 Poly Clinic continue to swell with
people complaining of stomach pains.

Harare Residents Trust co-ordinator Precious Shumba says the problem would
be solved if councillors are whipped into line.

“The situation in Warren Park is just a sample of the outlook of service
delivery in most areas.

Councillors should actively monitor through council systems the performance
of the town clerk and his staff to ensure implementation of council
resolutions,” Shumba said.

Diamonds – Zimbabwe’s curse?

American Zims prepare for Saturday protest

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
19 January 2012

Zimbabweans in America are preparing to voice their demands for a free
Zimbabwe, as part of a global protest movement this weekend outside South
African consulates and embassies

Zimbabweans and other concerned individuals are being urged to join in the
global demonstration taking place from Friday across the world. South Africa
will kick off the weekend protests with what is expected to be the largest
gathering outside the South African foreign ministry in Pretoria.

On Saturday, more protests will get underway in Australia, the UK and the
Netherlands, where people will be gathering at The Hague. Demonstrations are
also planned in America and in Chicago, protesters will gather at the South
African consulate (200 S Michigan Ave) at 11 am local time. In Washington
DC, protesters will gather at the South Africa embassy (3400 International
Drive NW) at 10am local time.

MDC-USA Chairman Den Moyo told SW Radio Africa on Thursday that the response
to the planned protest “has been overwhelming,” saying this “different
approach to protesting the Zimbabwe issue is really being welcomed.”

“To a lot of people this is a new approach that makes sense. When protests
are staged at Zimbabwean embassies, they are manned by ZANU PF sympathisers,
so people can’t get their demands across,” Moyo said.

Moyo meanwhile encouraged all Zimbabweans and others to take part in the
weekend demos, which are set to be the start of a monthly call to action. He
said the situation in Zimbabwe is deteriorating rapidly, saying “we are now
in a do or die situation.”

“The situation is so dangerous and the world needs to know what is
happening. There is no better way to send the message to the world than
Zimbabweans themselves standing together, united, speaking in one voice,”
Moyo said.

The protests have been organised by the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai and are
targeting South Africa as the mediator in the ongoing political stalemate.
Protesters will be calling on the South African government to help solve the
ongoing crisis as well as force ZANU PF and Robert Mugabe to honour the
Global Political Agreement (GPA). Petitions with these and other demands
will be handed over to embassy and consular staff during the demonstrations.

Details about the global protests can be found on Facebook by searching
‘Free Zimbabwe Global Protests’ or visiting the SW Radio Africa website
www.swradioafrica.com

Free Zimbabwe Global Protest – Exiled Zimbabweans demand action