2010 07 07
http://allafrica.com/stories/201007070259.html
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Firm Sues Mining Giant for R10 Million Debt
Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo 7 July 2010
Harare
A local company has sought arbitration to recover more than R10 million it is owed by declining mining giant Shabani Mashava Mine.
Shemax Trading, a Zimbabwean company operating both locally and internationally alleges the mining giant accrued a debt of R10 884 638.71 including interest.
Lawyer Mr Joseph Mandizha of Mandizha and Company is representing Shemax while Mr Edwin Manikai of Dube, Manikai and Hwacha is acting on behalf of SMM.
Documents in possession of Herald Business show that Shemax Trading sold an assortment of mining equipment and accessories to SMM between December 2007 and December 2009.
"The claim in issue arises from goods sold and delivered by the claimant to the respondent (SMM) between December 2007 and December 2009.
"The amount due has escalated to R10 884 638.71. Claimant (Shemax Trading) has made several demands for payment. The respondent (SMM) has acknowledged the debt several times in various forms but has failed to pay with the consequence that interest has continued to accrue on the capital debt," reads the Shemax statement of claim.
Shemax said that despite SMM's acknowledgement of debt, actual payment was not forthcoming. This prompted them to seek the intervention of an arbitrator.
"This position had persisted notwithstanding the letter of demand from claimant (Shemax)'s lawyers dated December 17 2009 which ultimately triggered the arbitral proceedings," Shemax claims.
Shemax indicated the two companies had entered into a written contractual agreement.
"The respondent is currently under administration in terms of the law. The administrator is Mr Afaras Gwaradzimba of AMG Global and indeed most of the communication has been directed to both him and the respondent's management," Shemax claims.
In a letter dated July 5 SMM's lawyers indicated the mining giant was willing to settle the debt by the end of the month.
"We advise you that our client has asked us to advise you that payment of the capital sum of R5 754 025.08 will be on July 29 2010.
"Payment of the interest to be agreed to by the parties in the capital sum by August 10 2010," read part of the letter.
SMM has been facing viability problems stemming from capital constraints which resulted in the mine being placed under administration of Mr Gwaradzimba in 2004. The mine recently a stopped operation after mining equipment was submerged in water after Zesa disconnected power supply to the mine for non-payment of bills.
2010 07 07
http://www.zimeye.org/?p=19225
By A Correspondent
for ZimEye.org
Published: July 7, 2010
London
(ZimEye)
Zimbabwe Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s calls for an international recognition of Zimbabwe’s Marange’s diamonds hit a snag Tuesday as the UK’s foreign secretary in a house of House Of Commons debate ruled that Britain will not honour Zimbabwe’s conflict diamonds. William Hague, who dribbled Biti in his use of the phrase ‘blood diamonds’ and began using the term ‘conflict diamonds’ instead said:
“The European Union, including the United Kingdom, has called for efforts to reach agreement through the Kimberley process so that all mining in the Marange fields in Zimbabwe are subject to it. In that way, diamonds could actually help the economic development of Zimbabwe in future. We would like to sort that out within the Kimberley process, so that those diamonds can then be used productively.”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Below is a full extract of the Zimbabwe House Of Commons debate:
House of Commons
Tuesday 6 July 2010
Oral Answers to Questions
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Secretary of State was asked-
UK-Zimbabwe Relations
Laura Sandys(South Thanet) (Con): What his most recent assessment is of the state of UK-Zimbabwe relations.
Jessica Lee(Erewash) (Con): What his most recent assessment is of the state of UK-Zimbabwe relations.
Gavin Williamson(South Staffordshire) (Con): What his most recent assessment is of the state of UK-Zimbabwe relations.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague): We want to do all that we can to support the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe. We will work with reformers in Zimbabwe and the region to maximise the prospects for achieving the reforms necessary for properly conducted elections.
Laura Sandys:What can the British Government do for British nationals who were born in Zimbabwe whose property has been expropriated by the Zimbabwe Government, some of whom live in South Thanet ?.
The House of Commons from the London Eye
Mr Hague: We condemn illegal farm and property seizures, which contravene the global political agreement and a Southern African Development Community decision, and which do nothing to advance Zimbabwe’s economy-we should make that very clear. Economic regeneration in Zimbabwe depends on respect for the rule of law, and we urge the Zimbabwean Government to respect the rule of law and to end such seizures.
Jessica Lee: In the light of the concerns raised by the UN’s Kimberley process into mining diamonds in Zimbabwe, what measures do the Government have in place to ensure that conflict diamonds do not make their way into the UK ?.
Mr Hague: The European Union, including the United Kingdom, has called for efforts to reach agreement through the Kimberley process so that all mining in the Marange fields in Zimbabwe are subject to it. In that way, diamonds could actually help the economic development of Zimbabwe in future. We would like to sort that out within the Kimberley process, so that those diamonds can then be used productively.
Gavin Williamson: What action is my right hon. Friend taking with other African nations to ensure that Zimbabwe adopts a new constitution and ends the endemic corruption within the country ?.
Mr Hague:We work closely with our partners around Africa, foremost among which, of course, is South Africa. We support its efforts and those of President Zuma to engage closely with Zimbabwe and to push it towards reform. We-the UK and other donors-also support, through the UN development programme, the implementation of the Zimbabwean constitution. Given the concerns that my hon. Friend and others have raised, I should say that that happens not through direct funding of the Zimbabwean Government, but through that UN programme.
Kate Hoey(Vauxhall) (Lab): The Prime Minister will know that Morgan Tsvangirai was promised by the African Union and SADC that they would honour the global political agreement and ensure that it worked, but clearly they have not done so. Can we do anything more to put pressure on the AU and SADC, without which we will never get the free and fair elections that will make Zimbabwe once again a flourishing nation ?.
Mr Hague: We can put diplomatic pressure on those organisations-that is the leverage we have. The hon. Lady may think that that is not substantial enough, but that is what such pressure amounts to-working with those countries, particularly South Africa, and of course with reformers in Zimbabwe, to try to ensure that the global political agreement is properly respected. The UK will remain a strong voice for that, but we cannot guarantee it on our own.
Mr David Hanson(Delyn) (Lab): The noble Baroness Ashton, as the EU foreign affairs chief, recently met Zimbabwean Ministers to discuss what she termed human rights abuses and political development. I understand that a €20 million grant is currently being made available to the Zimbabwean authorities as Baroness Ashton seeks to make concrete progress on those political objectives. Does the Secretary of State have any idea what concrete progress means in reality ?.
Mr Hague: I think we can fairly say that concrete progress would be a great deal more than anything that is happening at the moment. There have been no noticeable improvements in the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, and we are deeply concerned about harassment and politically inspired detentions, which continue in that country. Concrete progress means a lot more than anything we have seen so far.
Dr William McCrea(South Antrim) (DUP): Have our Government any new initiatives or plans for such initiatives to deal with Mugabe’s ruthless regime, under which many people are starving or subject to persecution ?.
Mr Hague: It is not within the UK’s power alone to deal with Mugabe’s regime. It is possible to do many things to try to improve the situation, some of which I mentioned in answer to previous questions, such as working with South Africa and other partners in Africa, supporting the implementation of the constitution with development money-my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development will continue to support that while reviewing the situation-and stressing the need for economic progress and the possibility of economic regeneration in Zimbabwe. It is a case of continuing all those things to try to help the situation in Zimbabwe rather than introducing one bold new initiative.
(ZimEye, Zimbabwe)
2010 07 06
http://allafrica.com/stories/201007070340.html
allAfrica.com
Sponsor Wire
African Development Bank
(Tunis)
6 July 2010
The new members of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Board of Directors commenced their term of service on 1 July 2010, with an informal Board meeting chaired by AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka.
During the last AfDB Annual Meetings, in May 2010 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the Board of Governors adopted a resolution providing for broader representation for shareholders on the Board of Directors by adding two seats to have a 20-member Board. One seat was allocated to regional member countries and another to non regional member countries.
Following adoption of the resolution, the Governors elected 20 executive directors, of which ten are continuing their term of service and ten are newly elected.
The newly elected Executive Directors are:
Mr. Mohit DHOORUNDHUR, representing Mauritius, Botswana, Zambia, and Malawi
Mr. Masahiro KAN, representing Japan, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Brazil and Argentina
Mr. Elfatih Mohamed KHALID, representing Sudan, Liberia, Ghana, Gambia and Sierra Leone
Mr. Shahid KHAN, representing South Africa, Lesotho and SwazilandMrs. Mary Consolate MUDUULI, representing Uganda, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Eritrea
Mr. André NZAPAYEKE, representing Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Burundi
Ambassador Mogens PEDERSEN, representing Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and India
Mr. Mamadou Abdoulaye SOW, representing Senegal Gabon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Benin, Cape Verde, Chad and Comoros
Mr. Mampuya Francisco Pedro TOMBWELE, representing Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.
Mr. Vincenzo ZEZZA, representing Italy, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
In his opening remarks, President Donald Kaberuka welcomed the 10 new Executive Directors to the Bank and re-affirmed the close relationship and continuous engagement between the former Board and senior management. He expressed his wish that this close cooperation will continue with the new Board of Directors. This appreciation was echoed by the current Executive Directors, who also welcomed their new colleagues and offered their full support during their term of service.
Contacts
Yvan Cliche
2010 07 07
http://nehandaradio.com/2010/07/07/thieves-loot-goods-from-horror-crash-victims/
HEADLINES - BY ADMIN ON JULY 7, 2010 3:57 AM
After the death of 19 people in a horror crash this past Sunday along the Harare-Bulawayo road thieves struck on the scene looting televisions sets and refrigerators from the mostly cross border traders involved in the accident.
Our correspondent reports that in the chaos that surrounded the aftermath of the crash dozens of sick opportunists could be seen stealing the imported goods some of which had already been damaged by the crash.
Nineteen people were killed while at least 50 others were injured Sunday morning around 4:30am when two buses crashed into a stationary truck within seconds of each other 81km from Harare along the Harare-Bulawayo Road. Of the 19 killed, 13 died on the spot with the other four dying on their way to Chegutu General Hospital.
One other person died at Selous Clinic and another at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe used two Augusta Bell 412 helicopters to airlift eight critically injured people to Parirenyatwa Hospital after being summoned by the local Civil Protection Committee chaired by Chegutu District Administrator Michael Mariga. Platinum giant Zimplats provided two ambulances to help move the injured.
One bus belonging to Musanhi Bus Company was coming from Gokwe while the other, owned by Mandaza, was on its way from Plumtree. The Musanhi bus was the first to hit the back of the truck and was followed by the Mandaza bus, which was travelling closely behind.
Most people travelling in the Mandaza bus were cross-border traders on their way from Botswana and their goods, including television sets and refrigerators, were damaged on impact.
2010 07 07
http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/story.php?art_id=6750&cat=4
By a Correspondent
REPORTS that Zimbabwe cannot move forward if it does not deal urgently and effectively with the external public debt are distressing for citizens who are desperate for a new beginning.
External debt is projected to grow to US$ 7,6 billion by end of 2010, whilst the domestic debt will increase to US$ 1 billion in the same period.
Citizens incur a huge opportunity cost as payments on the principal, interest and penalty charges are made at the expense of expenditure on social sectors and rehabilitating infrastructure.
The current constitutional reform process is a golden opportunity for Zimbabwe to prevent a repeat of borrowing mistakes of the past and avert a future debt crisis by reforming the country’s loan contraction and debt management framework. In this view, specific questions on government borrowing in the COPAC outreach programme are noted.
Indeed, the constitution should deal with issues of loan contraction and debt management in greater detail than is currently the case. The constitution must stipulate that Parliament approves all borrowing and grants all guarantees.
This should be done through a resolution of Parliament, guided by portfolio committees such as Budget Finance, and Economic Development and Public Accounts. Alternatively, the Constitution can provide for a Loans and Guarantees Commission mandated to work hand in hand with these committees to promote mechanisms for constitutionally guaranteed citizen input, and subject projects that are funded by debt to prior financial, social and environmental analysis.
Parliament’s capacity in issues of public finance management must be built so that it avoids rubber stamping loan proposals without carrying out due diligence.
There should be a provision that requires the government to consult civil society groups and project beneficiaries before borrowing from external sources to ensure that the development priorities outlined in loan agreements reflect the aspirations of the people. The Constitution must specify an explicit role for the Attorney-General in loan contraction and debt management process.
The executive powers of the Minister of Finance and Presidency in this specific area must be limited, to ensure accountability, transparency and depersonalisation in the administration of the public debt.
All debt charges for which government is liable must be charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the constitution. The Minister of Finance must ask Parliament to approve loan guarantees before they are given. Both creditor and debtor should guarantee transparency. Loans and their terms and conditions must therefore be publicised in the Gazette and national newspapers before the contract is signed.
Central Bank, Councils, Parastatal and Private Sector Borrowing must be included under these provisions to reduce the levels of public liability. Periodic reports to Parliament on loans and debt must be constitutionally binding on such entities and their respective ministries.
The constitution must stipulate limits for government borrowing and granting guarantees.
A ceiling must be placed on international loans based on specific, sound economic analyses and considerations.
Borrowing must be limited to projects that are socially and environmentally sustainable; target poverty reduction goals and do not violate economic social and cultural rights. Debt service (money paid annually to creditors, on principal and interest) must be based on a proportion of social spending specified in the constitution.
Rutendo Hadebe is the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD)
2010 07 08
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE66701B20100708
Thu Jul 8, 2010 5:50am GMT Print
By Lesley Wroughton
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
Zimbabwe's heavy debt burden can only be tackled through international debt forgiveness, according to the International Monetary Fund.
An IMF staff paper published on Wednesday, detailing discussions with the Zimbabwean authorities in March, said neither the right economic policies nor the country's mineral wealth could immediately resolve the country's large debt problem.
"Zimbabwe is in debt distress, and the debt overhang cannot be resolved without debt relief even if policies are improved and mineral extraction is increased," the paper said.
IMF staff estimated that Zimbabwe's foreign debt is projected to reach 151 percent of gross domestic product by 2015, with 104 percent of GDP in arrears.
If current economic policies continue and donor financing is largely confined to humanitarian assistance in the medium term, the country's large debt stock would remain unresolved and debt would continue to pile up, the paper said.
But to win debt relief Zimbabwe would need to improve ties with the international community and qualify for a global scheme for heavily indebted poor countries that would lead to debt cancellation after a two-year economic program.
"The government needs to reach consensus on a resolution strategy for external debt arrears and to improve relations with the international community, whose support would be vital for obtaining debt relief and rebuilding the Zimbabwe economy," the IMF paper said.
Despite the formation of a unity government last year, Zimbabwe has struggled to win donor support, while private capital inflows have fallen over concerns about a government plan to force foreign-owned firms to sell majority shares to locals.
The IMF has slowly reengaged with Zimbabwe to try and help fix the economy but refuses to lend money to the country until the government shows it is willing to implement policies that stabilize the economy.
In March the IMF restored Zimbabwe's voting rights, which were suspended in 2003 over policy difference with President Robert Mugabe's previous ZANU-PF government.
Under IMF rules, the Fund cannot lend to a country that owes it money. Zimbabwe is $ 140 million in arrears to the IMF and the country's total external debt is about $ 6 billion.
STILL SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS
The IMF paper noted that while there has been some progress in Zimbabwe's economy, there are still a significant number of problems.
These include recent large wage increases, a poor financial position of state-owned enterprises, rising risks in the banking system, weak governance at the central bank, growing weaknesses in the business climate, and a precarious external position threaten Zimbabwe's economic recovery.
Staff said Zimbabwe had implemented an "unsustainable" wage-driven fiscal expansion financed with IMF special drawing rights, or SDRs.
The IMF last year approved a special allocation of SDR's, its internal unit of account, worth some $ 250 billion to all of its member countries as part of a plan to boost global liquidity in the wake of the global financial crisis.
IMF staff said they had advised Zimbabwe not to use the SDR-related funds but the government had converted an equivalent of $ 150 million of the $ 410 million that went to Zimbabwe for budget financing.
2010 07 07
The Zimbabwean Cabinet recently agreed on a hybrid debt strategy combining debt relief and the leverage of national resources to pay down foreign debt
Gibbs Dube & Blessing Zulu
Washington 07 July 2010
Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Wednesday that Zimbabwe won't be able to tap into a US$ 30 billion fund run by the African Development Bank to help member states over the next five years because it must first clear debt arrears to the AfDB, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Zimbabwe owes the AfDB a total of US$ 400 million, the World Bank US$ 1.2 billion and the International Monetary Fund US$ 140 million. Its total foreign debt amounts to some US$ 8 billion.
Biti said foreign debt can only be cleared if the government embraces a common vision on how to handle it.
The country's national unity government Cabinet recently agreed on a hybrid debt strategy combining debt relief and the leverage of national resources to pay down the country's stock of debt.
Biti told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube that he will push for implementation of the debt-clearing initiative in his mid-term fiscal review which is set for Wednesday, July 14.
Despite being barred from fresh loans from international financial institutions, Harare has lined up US$ 50 million from the AfDB among other institutions to overhaul the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. Officials said this is an important step in putting an IMF staff-monitoring program in place, a milestone toward debt forgiveness.
Statistical agency sources said former Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma secured the funds. IMF officials have been pushing for staff monitoring of the economy, but said Zimstat must meanwhile be reformed.
The government has divided along party lines over the IMF monitoring proposal, which President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party says will undermine national independence. Such programs have been put in place in Chad, Sudan, Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries.
Mangoma, recently shifted from economic planning to head the Ministry of Energy, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu that the current statistical reports are not a reliable basis for making policy.
2010 07 08
http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=6190
by Sebastian Nyamhangambiri
Thursday 08 July 2010
Harare
Zimbabwe’s once vaunted public education sector remains in “catastrophic state” short of cash to revamp dilapidated schools or lure back experienced teaching staff, Education Minister David Coltart told ZimOnline on Wednesday.
A unity government formed by President Robert Mugabe and former opposition foes, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara promised on assuming office last year to restore basic services, public education and health topping the list.
Western governments and international donors have also stepped up humanitarian aid including support for schools since establishment of the power-sharing government in February 2009.
But Coltart said education remains in the doldrums. He said: ?“I am afraid to say it is over a year after setting up of the coalition government but nothing much has changed in the education sector. The sector is in catastrophic state. We are long way off the mark. It will take time to recover since we have no adequate funding.”
Coltart, whose efforts to try to revive education despite a largely non-existent budget are recognised by many Zimbabweans, was speaking in Harare at an occasion to receive computers and other equipment donated by the German government to the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council, in charge of public school examinations.
Zimbabwe’s education sector that was once revered as one of the best in Africa, is a shadow of its former self because of a severe economic crisis over the past decade that has seen government fail to pay market level salaries to teachers, maintain schools or provide learning materials such as chalks, textbooks and exercise books.
Teachers in Zimbabwe's public schools earn an average US$ 236 monthly wage as the power-sharing government struggles to revive an economy battered by years of hyperinflation, lure back investors and pay its workers.
Many of Zimbabwe’s best trained teachers left the country a long time ago for foreign lands where salaries and living conditions are better.
The Harare government has said it requires US$ 10 billion to get Zimbabwe on its feet again.
But rich Western nations able to provide required grants and soft loans are reluctant to fund the administration directly insisting Harare must first step up the pace of democratic reforms, do more to uphold human rights and the rule of law before they give support.
ZimOnline
2010 07 07
http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/5573.html
07 July, 2010 09:15:00
Peter Luhanga
Scores of foreign nationals have been gathering at the Engen petrol station on the N1 out of Cape Town as they try hitch-hike lifts on trucks heading north.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
JOHANNESBURG
Not content with simply chasing African foreign nationals out of the country with threats, some locals appear to be acting like a pack of hyenas and nipping at the flanks of scared and defenceless foreigners as they flee.
Scores of foreign nationals have been gathering at the Engen petrol station on the N1 out of Cape Town as they try hitch-hike lifts on trucks heading north.
But even while they have been gathered there with their wives, children and all their worldly possessions, locals have come to rob them.
Zimbabwean Rebecca Rukainga, 29, was one of about 30 foreigners huddling at the petrol station last night, accompanied by her three children aged five, eight and ten.
Rukainga said she, like her compatriots, were fleeing from threats by locals in their community that they would be attacked and possibly killed after the final whistle of the World Cup.
But she said locals didn’t seem to be satisfied that they were being chased away, as earlier on Wednesday “some locals” from the nearby township in Kraaifontein came to petrol station and robbed some Zimbabweans of their meager belongings.
Furthermore, she said when foreigners approached truck drivers for lifts, locals took down the truck’s number plates and phoned the owner’s telephone number, which was often posted on the back of the truck, telling them that their drivers were picking up hitch-hikers.
Also sitting on the cold paving amongst four large hawkers bags containing the sum of their worldly goods, 32-year-old Fobs Ncube, his wife Sandra and their three-month-old baby were hoping to catch a ride with a truck heading north out of Cape Town.
Rukainga, Ncube and his family are part of an exodus of hundreds, possibly thousands, of foreign African nationals scrambling to get out South African before the end of the World Cup.
Like his fellow Africans who have lived as refugees and asylum seekers for years in South African, Ncube is scared of an outbreak of xenophobic violence come July 11.
The fears have been fanned by numerous threats, both verbal and written, spread amongst township communities in South Africa, warning that foreign African nationals best leave the country before the World Cup ends.
Ncube said he was in Cape Town during the outbreak of the nationwide May 2008 xenophobic attacks which claimed over 60 lives and displaced approximately 100 000 foreign nationals.
He said he was not willing to risk his life and that of his wife again, and he had a newborn child to consider.
“We don’t want to go through the same experience (in reference to the 2008 xenophobic attacks). This time they said they will attack us during the night. They say they are going to set our shacks alight when we are asleep,” said Ncube, who has been staying in a one-room shack in Harare, Khayelitsha.
Passop (People Against Suffering Suppression Oppression and Poverty) director Braam Hanekom said foreigners were leaving as “a precautionary measure”.
Hanekom said it was a tragedy that people lives has been turned upside down again because of the threats of xenophobic violence.
However, he said the Western Cape Provincial Government assured them that they were prepared to deal with any outbreak of xenophobic violence.
He said foreigners should make rational decisions before they leave and should ensure they have enough transport to take them home.
“People should not punish themselves based on rumours and allegations. Most people leaving as a precautionary measure,” said Hanekom.
City of Cape Town media manager Kylie Hatton said the SAPS were aware of the threats of xenophobic violence and were prepared to take action if necessary.
“The City would like to assure its staff and residents that all the agencies involved are on standby to respond. The necessary plans have been put in place to deal with any possible outbreaks. The situation is being constantly monitored and assessed, with plans updated accordingly,” she said.
At about 9 pm on Monday four uniformed police in a civilian car were seen driving around the Engen petrol station ensuring the foreigners’ safety. - West Cape News
2010 07 07
http://zimbabwereporter.com/humanrights/1285.html
07 July, 2010 06:11:00 By Own Correspondent
A nurse at a clinic in Harare
Harare
Zimbabwe's ailing public health system has received a US$ 21 million boost to fight HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria from the Global Fund.
The government and the Global Fund have signed for the release of the money in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We are happy that we have finally received the funds," Dr Tapiwa Magure, National AIDS Council CEO, told the state-run Herald. "We are going to ensure that the money from previous disbursements is used by monthend. Most of the funds are going to be used to access anti retrovirals while the rest of the money will be channeled towards outreach programmes."
Zimbabwe received another US$ 180 million last November to fight HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria from the Global Fund.
Global Fund country coodinating nechanism national coordinator, Rangarirai Chitaure said Zimbabwe had notched A2 rating, meaning it had used at least 90percent of the donor funding from the last disbursement. "In other words, we are demostrating that we can adminster the funds we receive well and in time," he said. Zimbabwe has been receiving money from the Global Fund since 2002 and this latest grant is the fifth.
In September, Zimbabwe reported new progress in its fight against AIDS, saying its HIV infection rate had declined to 13.7 percent of youths and adults, from an estimated 14.1 percent last year.
However, Health Minister Henry Madzorera said the rate was still too high and called for concerted efforts to push the rate down into single digits.
Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in the world to have recorded a sharp decline in its HIV prevalence rate, down from a high of 33 percent in 1999.
The drop is attributed to government and donor-backed prevention campaigns, but also to the nation's economic collapse, which has made it more difficult for people to maintain multiple sexual partners.
The country is struggling to care for people with AIDS because of severe shortages of antiretroviral drugs. About 60,000 people receive the drugs, only 20 percent of those who need them.
Copyright © 2010 Zimbabwe Reporter. All Rights Reserved
2010 07 05
http://zimbabwereporter.com/humanrights/1272.html
High Court to hear diamond researcher bail appeal July 7
05 July, 2010 06:28:00
By Own Correspondent
Farari Maguwu
Harare
Lawyers for jailed diamond researcher Farai Maguwu have filed a bail appeal in the High Court seeking his release from remand prison.
Maguwu, is facing charges of publishing and communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the state about alleged human rights violations committed by Zimbabwe’s army in Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe. Under the Criminal Law Codification Act, he faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted. Maguwu’s lawyer Tinoziva Bere told Zimbabwe Reporter that July 7 has been set down as the hearing date. “Trust Maanda for the defense team filed Farai's bail appeal today and we now have a date of hearing,” Bere told Zimbabwe Reporter Monday evening.
“The appeal will be heard in the High Court on Wednesday the 7th July 2010 at 9am. We remain hopeful that some day Farai's plea for liberty will be answered someday.”
The appeal comes as Kimberley Process (KP) monitor on Zimbabwe Abbey Chikane appealed to the Zimbabwe government to release Maguwu saying it was not right to jail people just people they had spoken to him.
The activist was arrested days after meeting Chikane who was in the country to assess whether operations at Marange met the diamond regulator’s standards.
The CRD boss allegedly handed Chikane a top state secret document detailing cases of rights abuses by soldiers and police stationed at Marange. The KP monitor handed the document to the Zimbabwean government triggering a chain of events that eventually led to Maguwu’s arrest.
The KP last week failed to reach consensus on Chikane’s recommendations that Zimbabwe should be allowed to export Marange diamonds because it had met all conditions set by the regulator.
Maguwu has appealed for his freedom, for four times he has been denied bail in the magistrates court and once in the High Court, where a judge accused him of facing "reacherous" charges.
“I have appealed to the government of Zimbabwe to release Maguwu although I have to qualify that I do respect the laws of Zimbabwe but for the sack of the implementation of the KP process in Zimbabwe it will be desirable not to have anyone arrested for having a meeting with me,” said Chikane speaking from South Africa.
Copyright © 2010 Zimbabwe Reporter. All Rights Reserved
2010 07 08
http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/english/News.aspx?boneId=918&objid=7502
DIAMOND NEWS
08.07.10, 11:03 / World
Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti urged the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to allow Harare to start selling Chiadzwa diamonds immediately.
In a statement quoted by All Africa, Biti dismissed allegations that such gems are "blood diamonds."
"Kimberley must allow Zimbabwe to sell its diamonds, but should be present in the country to resolve issues now barring KP certification," Biti said.
He further called for the speedy resolution of legal claims by London-based African Consolidated Resources over mining rights in the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
He said the issue of diamond smuggling and allegations of human rights abuses, including forced labor, should be dealt with decisively.
Zimbabwe is reportedly sitting on four million carats of diamonds worth an estimated $ 1.7 billion.
Biti, added the report, is adamant "to get Westerners to stop their onslaught and allow Zimbabwe to trade diamonds internationally." Harare often accuses the West of impeding diamond sales in order to maintain its international debt to them.
"Zimbabwe can fund its own turnaround if diamonds are sold," a government source told the website. "Perhaps Westerners don't want Zimbabwe to be self-sufficient and that is why they are opposing the sale of diamonds.
"They fear that with the money, Government can work without all the handouts that are promised but never materialize," the source said.
Last week saw Zimbabwe's cabinet approve the immediate sale of diamonds mined in Chiadzwa to fast-track economic turnaround. The decision followed Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu's statement that the sale would commence as Zimbabwe has met minimum KP requirements.
2010 07 08
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-07-08-government-launches-nrz-audit
DUMISANI SIBANDA
Jul 08 2010 10:23
Government has instituted an audit into the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)’s financial affairs following the suspension of the financial director of the ailing parastatal, Patrick Bondayi, in connection with procurement irregularities, an official has revealed.
The NRZ general manager, Mike Karakadzai, was speaking to journalists at a hurriedly organised press briefing - also attended by the organisation’s senior management - apparently to do as damage control following a series of stories in the media painting a dire situation at the parastatal.
Karakadzai admitted that the briefing had been prompted by a story in our sister paper The Zimbabwe Independent exposing the $ 10 million dollar fraud.
He confirmed that Bondayi was on suspension to facilitate investigations into allegations “contained in an anonymous letter ‘’ that was written by a whistle-blower to the NRZ board, which has since been dissolved.
“Last year, during the board of directors’ tour of duty, an anonymous letter was written for the board’s attention alleging a number of irregularities in the finance and administration division (headed by Bondayi) and the procurement branch.
“Following the anonymous letter, a fact-finding enquiry was convened last year but the director objected to the composition of the enquiry saying some of its members were his subordinates and he could not tolerate a situation where he would be investigated by his juniors.
“We registered the objection he had raised and continued with the enquiry. The director did a separate report and we sent the report of the fact-finding enquiry and that of the director to the Minister of Transport (Nicholas Goche) for adjudication,” Karakadzai told journalists.
“The minister decided to seek an independent opinion; that of the Comptroller and Auditor General, who in turn assigned his own representative.
“So we have had an external auditor for the past three weeks and as soon as they have completed the process, the Auditor General will report to the minister who will then give us direction.’’
Initially, Karakadzai had refused to shed light on the nature of the allegations levelled against Bondayi but buckled under pressure from NewsDay reporters and revealed that they had to do with “procurement and supplies”.
Karakadzai also dismissed as untrue reports that the NRZ could have procured 29 coaches from China.
“We were promised four trains, two commuter ones and two inter-city by a Chinese company for user-trial purpose. They said they wanted us to use these trains, in other words, test them, in case we wanted to buy such trains. So these are user-trial units which have been misconstrued for the actual procurement of 29 coaches,’’ he said.
Karakadzai said the Chinese company had promised to deliver the consignment by next month but had since indicated that this would no longer be possible because of certain unspecified challenges.
2010 07 07
http://www.livecrickett20.com/2010/07/07/14-heads-of-state-visit-world-championship-final/
July 7, 2010
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa said that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe will visit the final match of 2010 World Cup , reports AP. In total, this meeting will be attended by 14 leaders . Previously, their desire to come to this fight is declared president , Lesotho , Swaziland and Kenya , also on the stadium will arrive kings of Lesotho and Swaziland . Note that the community groups who are fighting for the rights of white people , act strongly against Mugabe’s arrival at the match because of the numerous human rights violations in Zimbabwe. In the final match of the tournament Holland will meet the winner of Germany - Spain
2010 07 07
Kallie Kriel
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AfriForum
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
AfriForum has sent an urgent letter to the South African Government and FIFA’s local organising committee, asking them not to allow Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to attend the FIFA World Cup final. AfriForum’s request follows in response to the announcement that Mugabe is one of fourteen heads of state who have already confirmed that they will be attending the match.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, it is a bitter irony that the South African Government and FIFA are prepared to roll out a red carpet for Mugabe during the World Cup final, while, based on his continued human rights violations in Zimbabwe, Mugabe rather deserves a red card.
The South African Government’s decision to welcome Mugabe, in Kriel’s opinion is especially offensive, seen in the light of the fact that South Africans farming in Zimbabwe are currently subject to a renewed onslaught of the Mugabe regime. Kriel emphasised the shrill contrast between the fact that the South African Government did not even respond to the urgent written appeals for help of most South African farmers in Zimbabwe this past month, while the same government is now jumping to attention to welcome the very man responsible for the human rights violations being committed against these South Africans. “The South African Government apparently has now turned its back on its own citizens living in Zimbabwe, therefore AfriForum’s legal team will continue with its preparations to call the government to account in court in this regard,” Kriel added.
According to Kriel, it is strange that an organisation such as FIFA, that is allegedly conducting a campaign against racism with the slogan “No to racism”, allows the red carpet to be rolled out for a propagator of racial hatred, namely Mugabe. “FIFA’s action is a slap in the face of all who are suffering at the hands of the Mugabe regime - both white and black,” Kriel said.
2010 07 06
Written by SPORTS REPORTER
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 11:27
Harare
Former Zimbabwe Football Association senior administration officer, Lazarus Mhurushomana, is suing his former employers for unfair dismissal.
Mhurushomana's lawyers have served Zifa with papers demanding US$ 150 000 compensation for unfair dismissal on top of other demands. He is also demanding that he be paid an additional US$ 1000 for telephone charges accrued from trying to get in touch with the association with regards to his severance package since his sacking from Zifa in 2004. The former Zifa supremo has not yet received his package which was pegged in Zimbabwean dollars. He now wants it paid in US dollars which is the currency used in Zimbabwe at the moment.
Mhurushomana was fired by the then Rafik Khan-led Zifa board for alleged incompetence, having served the association for more than 15 years. Employed as senior administration officer, Mhurushomana was one of the most senior employees at Zifa. The post of CEO has since been created following Mhurushomana's departure and has been held during that period by Ndumiso Gumede, Jonathan Mashingaidze, and current post holder Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya told ***The Zimbabwean *** that Zifa had received correspondence from Mhurushomana's lawyers and the association was going to forward the papers to their legal representatives for advice. She added that she was surprised that the issue had to come up now when the dismissal happened way back in 2004. Mhurushonama, on the other hand claims that he has for years been battling to get his package and other benefits. He said that he would fight until justice was done.
The former administration officer is not the only one who still has to receive his severance package from Zifa. Former chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede had to enlist legal representation after being sacked as CEO. Jonathan Mashingaidze, who was also fired as CEO following a World Cup ticket scandal in 2006, has been rehired but in another portfolio after winning his case for unfair dismissal.
2010 07 06
Written by Staff Reporter
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 15:01
Harare
The Zimbabwe Republic Police this week said two foreigners arrested at the South African border in June are not terrorists and accused the state media of rushing to conclusions about the identity of the duo and the nature of their mission.
Imran Muhammad and Chaudry Parvez Ahmed, initially suspected to be Pakistani terrorists, were arrested at Beitbridge Border Post en route to neighbouring South Africa. Muhammad was said to be under an international arrest warrant. But chief police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena denied the duo were terrorists as earlier reported. “People rushed to conclude that they were terrorists," Bvudzijena told the media this week.
The police spokesman however said the foreigners would remain in police custody while further investigations continued. The two allegedly flew from Saudi Arabia to Tanzania where they fraudulently acquired Kenyan passports before travelling to Zimbabwe
by road. South Africa is hosting the World Cup and experts had said that terrorism could not be ruled out because of the huge attention that even a small attack would get during the June 11-July 11 tournament.
2010 07 07
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iv7QJVoBRpKjoKYIU1jSrkw3GKygD9GQ9ELG0
(AP)
HARARE, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's national police spokesman says the media created reports of terror links to two Pakistani men arrested crossing into World Cup host South Africa from Zimbabwe.
The two men appeared in court Tuesday on immigration charges, and are to come to court again July 22.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said Wednesday, "The charge of terrorism was a media creation. We are still to get their identity from the Pakistani police."
He said the police were not able to process charges of terrorism until investigations are finalized.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
2010 07 07
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-07-07-biti-bid-to-sue-herald-hits-snag
FELUNA NLEYA
Jul 07 2010 10:17
MDC-T secretary-general and Finance minister Tendai Biti’s bid to sue The Herald following a series of articles he deemed defamatory suffered a major setback yesterday when the case was struck off the High Court register.
The Herald is one of the many government-run newspapers under Zimbabwe Newspapers (Private) Limited.
James Muzangaza representing The Herald yesterday confirmed the matter had been put on ice. “The matter was removed from the court roll by consent as some of the people involved are participating in the constitution outreach programmes,” Muzangaza said.
He said Biti is to re-apply for the matter to be resuscitated.
The matter was meant to have been heard yesterday before Justice Bharat Patel.
The articles which incensed Biti were headlined: “MDC: who really stands in the way of the Inclusive Government”, “Biti Fights Lone Battle”, “To Biti or Not To Biti”, “Anti- Tsvangirai Plot Thickens.”
Biti filed papers against
The Herald in February 2009
suing for damages amounting to $ 500 000 as compensation for defamation.
He demanded a full retraction of the stories but the respondents allegedly refused to do so and instead, continued to publish more articles about him.
The Finance minister says the articles, published between January 2009 and February 2009 were “malicious, false, wrongful and defamatory in nature” and had “the effect of damaging his good name, reputation, dignity and exposed him to ridicule”.
Case gives glimpse into
white farm looting - (re charges against Temba Mliswa)
2010 07 08
http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=6191
by Patricia Mpofu
Thursday 08 July 2010
POLICE Chief Augustine Chihuri
Harare
Zimbabwe police have charged a ZANU PF politician with defrauding two white farmers of more than US$ 20 million worth of property including tractors, vehicles, cows and bulls in a case that gives a rare glimpse into how members of President Robert Mugabe’s party looted white farms.
The government has never prosecuted ZANU PF politicians for pillaging white-owned farms and the charges against Temba Mliswa - a member of the party’s Mashonaland provincial executive until his recent suspension - appear a result of his public clash with powerful Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri.
Mliswa, a close relative of ZANU PF politburo member and Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa, last week attacked Chihuri in newspapers, labeling the police chief one of the most corrupt men as the two wrangled over shares in a white-owned car firm that the police say Mliswa attempted to acquire fraudulently.
Mliswa was last week arrested over the car firm shares said to be worth around US$ 1 million.
He was released on Monday only to be re-arrested the same day on fresh charges of fraud allegedly committed between 2004 and 2006, the height of Mugabe’s chaotic farm redistribution programme that saw white farmers losing land, equipment and nearly everything else they owned to ZANU PF politicians and members of the security forces.
And the latest charge sheet prepared by the police against Mliswa is the clearest example yet of how Mugabe’s allies helped themselves to farms and property without paying a single cent all in the name of restoring land to poor blacks from whom it was stolen by white settlers.
BAIL APPLICATION
According to the police, Mliswa, who returns to court today for his continuing bail application, sometime in 2004 approached Jacobs Van De Merwe, whose Orib Park Farm in Karoi had been listed for compulsory acquisition by the government, and told the farmer that he could help sell his movable property and equipment on a 10 percent commission.
Mliswa - a former fitness trainer but now a wealth businessman and farmer - went on to sell the property that included 104 cows, four bulls, three heavy vehicles, a cold-room, three tractors, one hammer mill, an assortment of irrigation equipment and generators.
He allegedly raised ZW$ 19 488 500 and a further US$ 3 644 058 from the sale and converted the cash to his personal use.
In the second case said to have been committed in 2006, the politician is alleged to have approached Nick Van Ransburg, a former manager at Dunlop Range Farm near Kwekwe town, and promised to help protect his equipment from seizure but on condition that the two entered an agreement of sale.
300 HEAD OF CATTLE
But according to the police as soon as the agreement of sale was signed Mliswa went on to grab 300 head of cattle worth US$ 900 000 and farm equipment which included bulldozers, tractors, lorries, graders, pick-up tracks all valued at US$ 20 000 million.
He sold the property and kept the proceeds, the police charge.
Mliswa’s lawyer, Charles Chinyama was not immediately available for comment on the matter but in a letter to Chihuri shown to ZimOnline, the lawyer accused the police of bringing charges against his client in installments.
“We notice that the police are bringing all allegations by way of installments against our client,” said the letter dated July 6, and addressed to Chihuri. “In the interest of finality of litigation, please can we kindly request through your good offices to have the outstanding charges brought to court at once this week.”
Mliswa faces a long jail term if convicted of fraud.
DANGEROUS PRECEDENT
But it remains unclear whether a bench staffed by several judges who received former white farms and other property from the government would want to imprison the politician and in the process set what clearly amounts to a very dangerous precedent for all people who benefited from land seizures.
Neither is it likely that Mugabe and ZANU PF, who still control the judiciary system despite formation of a power-sharing government with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, would be comfortable seeing Mliswa going to jail for stealing white property, something nearly all of them are accused of doing.
Mugabe’s land reforms that he says were necessary to correct a colonial land ownership system that reserved the best land for whites and banished blacks to poor soils, are blamed for plunging Zimbabwe into food shortages after he failed to support black villagers resettled on former white farms with inputs to maintain production.
In addition critics say the veteran leader’s cronies in ZANU PF and the security establishment - and not ordinary peasants - benefited the most from farm seizures with some of them ending up with as many as six farms each against the government’s stated one-man-one-farm policy.
ZimOnline
______________________________________________
Zimbabwe - Farmer
arrested - (South African farmer Mike Odendaa)
2010 07 08
http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/news/090710/zimbabwe___farmer_arrested.aspx
08 Jul 2010
Zimbabwean police have arrested South African farmer Mike Odendaal on allegations of occupying his farm "illegally" despite his being armed with a court order allowing him to stay and saying invaders of his land are to be moved.
The Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed between Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2009 did nothing to stop him losing his farm.
Odendaal was granted a high court order on June 26 allowing him to remain on Wolvedraai Farm in Chipinge after suspected Zanu-PF officials had invaded it.
He was arrested on Thursday and released later without being charged, apparently after intervention by officials from the South African embassy.
Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena could not be reached for comment.
Commercial Farmers Union vice-president Charles Taffs confirmed the arrest. "He (Odendaal) was arrested and released after South African embassy officials intervened, and is now out of the farm looking for a job," he said. "The high court order he has and the agreement were ignored. For three weeks he was not allowed on his farm, and his personal property was looted.
"He was allowed at the farm only on Wednesday and was allowed to collect a few furniture items, but he is missing vehicles and some equipment.
"This clearly shows that the rule of law in this country does not exist because there is a court order and the agreement, yet Odendaal loses his farm. This is no longer a farming issue but an investment issue."
In South Africa, AfriForum condemned the arrest and farm invasion and blasted the South African government.
"It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when one sees the South African government turns its back on its citizens who are subject to human rights violations in Zimbabwe, while it rolls out the red carpet for Robert Mugabe at the World Cup," said Kallie Kriel, AfriForum chief executive officer.
Afriforum would take legal action against the government for reneging on an undertaking, made a court order in 2009, to protect South Africans' property in Zimbabwe.
The Mercury
Source: newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk
2010 07 08
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20100708080612787
Published in: Legalbrief Today
Date: Thu 08 July 2010
Category: General
Issue No: 2598
The Commercial Farmers Union in Zimbabwe opposed 948 land invasions and court cases between January and May this year, according to a Beeld report.
It notes that President Robert Mugabe's controversial land-grab programme has reduced the white farming population drastically, with only 300 now left, many of whom are forced to rent land. CFU president Deon Theron says Zanu-PF and the governments have attempted to create the impression that white farmers still have big farms, but that this is not true. The report says the SA embassy had to intervene last week to prevent South African Mike Odendaal from being put off his farm and thrown into jail.
Full Beeld report at:- http://www.beeld.com/In-Diepte/Nuus/Oeverblindery-20100707
2010 07 06
Written by Editor
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 11:54
What seems to have touched Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus (Pictured) the most when - to use his words - as a father he followed his son, Martin, to Mbare, Matapi and Stodart Hall police stations following his arrest last week was not the mere fact that his child was being held in captivity.
It was the conditions under which Martin was being held that affected Mutasa the most! Martin and his associate were being held “in a cell without any warm clothes in this cold weather," Mutasa said. They were, according to Mutasa, being treated far worse than freedom fighters were during the 1970s struggle for independence. One Ian Douglass Smith must surely have turned in his grave with joy at this confession by ‘Comrade’ Mutasa.
But no Comrade Minister, you simply do not get it! The cold cells at Matapi police station that made you yearn for Smith’s jails are not the worst that Zimbabweans have had to endure at the hands of Zanu (PF). The MDC activists, Tichaona Chiminya, Talent Mabika, Tonderai Ndira, Gift Tandare and Better Chokururama, to name only a few among many, would all have opted for the cold cells at Matapi police station than a slow death by torture and burning.
The thousands of mothers and children made homeless by Operation Murambatsvina would have gladly done time at Matapi or Chikurubi if that would have been the price required to save their shanty but precious homes from Zanu (PF)’s goons and bulldozers. The thousands of civillians massacred during Gukurahundi would have - innocent as they were - readily chosen the cold police dungeons than a premature and painful death at the hands of the 5th Brigade.
That Mutasa would dare utter blasphemy in the eyes of Zanu (PF) by declaring Smith’s jails better than those run by the party of ‘liberation’ just because he had seen his son in a cold police cell without a blanket only serves to show how he and his colleagues are so removed from reality.
The authors of our misery are perched far too high on the ivory tower to recognise the sad result of their handiwork. A nation that at independence ranked among Africa’s best prospects for success has been reduced to one big and unbearable prison dungeon, thanks to more than three decades of President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF)’s ruinous and disastrous policies. The economy is in tatters, our people driven by hunger into servitude in foreign lands, while our blood-drenched politics and blotted human rights record are a shame to Africa.
And this has been our point all these years, dear Cde Mutasa and your ‘revolutionary’ colleagues: Zanu (PF) has simply outdone Smith and his Rhodesian Front in ill-treating the very same people that the party claims to have fought to free.
2010 07 03
http://zimbabwereporter.com/business/1260.html
03 July, 2010 03:36:00
By Staff Reporter
Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere's populist law has scaled back projected economic growth
Harare
A respected UK-based markets watchdog has downscaled Zimbabwe's projected 2010 economic growth to 5.4 percent saying populist indigenisation policies had weighed down on economic revival.
The newly released report, Zimbabwe Business Forecast Report Q3 2010, provides detailed analysis of the state of the Zimbabwe economy, revising downwards the projected economic growth of 10.9 percent in 2010 to5.4 percent. The Companies and Markets watchdog said the announcement in March that the government intends to implement a set of indigenisation regulations adversely affected direct foreign investment into Zimbabwe. The unity government in March gazetted indigenisation regulations forcing foreign-owned companies, including mines and banks, to sell majority shares to local blacks. The watchdog said the regulations dented investor confidence and further damaged a staggering economy battling to recover from a decade-long crisis.
"Uncertainty over the laws has hit investor confidence, and we have revised down our 2010 real GDP growth forecast for Zimbabwe primarily due to the fact that foreign direct investment inflows have been negatively impacted," the report says. "We now see the economy expanding by 5.4% for the year compared with a previous estimate of 10.9%. We believe that there will be a slight slowdown in 2011 (to 4.3%), when we expect elections to take place. Thereafter, we see real GDP growth trending upwards, peaking at 7.1% in 2013."
The southern African nation's economy grew by 5.1 percent in 2009 after a decade of negative growth rates. Zimbabwe had set the 2010 economic growth forecast at 7.7 percent because of projected higher direct foreign investment, but the populist indigenisation regulations has put paid the plans.
Zimbabwe's power-sharing government, formed last year by bitter rivals President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister, says the country needs at least US$ 10 billion to fix an economy that shrank by over 40 percent between 2000 and 2008.
According to the legislation, which was passed in 2008 before the formation of the coalition government, all businesses with asset values greater than US $ 500,000 are required to cede a 51 percent stake to black Zimbabweans. Although Prime Minister Tsvangirai has stated that the legislation would be adjusted to reassure foreign investors, it is unclear if and how this might happen. Disagreements over the legislation have become yet another point of conflict between the two major parties in the government of national unity, GNU. "We believe the coalition will not endure until elections officially scheduled for 2013," says the report. "Rather, we foresee the polls taking place in 2011 or early 2012." Despite populist posturing by the parties in the GNU that preparations for an imminent election were underway, privately senior officials across the parties suggest Zimbabwe may not be ready for elections before 2012. But the parties have both put supporters on an election footing to shore up support.
Mugabe won relection in a sham presidential runoff poll in 2008 which election observers said was marred by violence and intimidation. Tsvangirai, who had won the first poll in March, boycotted the re-run of the presidential vote.
The unity pact has helped stem Zimbabwe's decade-long economic decline, but squabbling within the coalition has held back progress. The market analysis said Zimbabwe, despite a resurgent inflation spiral, was not on the path to hyperinflation, which peaked at 500 billion percent in December 2008, and projected a year-end inflation target of 7.7 percent. "Our core scenario sees end-2010 inflation climbing to a relatively benign 7.7% y-o-y (from 4.8% in April)," the appraisal of the perfomance of the Zimbabwe economy, said. "This will provide some solace to consumers and businesses after facing years of hyperinflation. That said, upside risks to our inflation outlook do exist in the form of supply-side shocks."
Copyright © 2010 Zimbabwe Reporter. All Rights Reserved
2010 07 08
-<>-<>-<>-<>-
THURSDAY, 08 JULY 2010 08:47
EDITOR
Political reporter
A former fitness trainer Temba Mliswa who lived in England for many years took advantage of President Mugabe’s chaotic Land Reform to become an overnight millionaire when he ruthlessly dispossessed a commercial white farmer of cattle and equipment worth over US$ 24 million, The Zim Diaspora can reveal.
Mliswa has since been arrested by Zimbabwean police. A catalogue of charges against him have since emerged which, ironically, had been covered-up by the state for many years as for all along, Mliswa had been singing the same tune with President Mugabe's condemned land grabbing policy up until last week.
Controversial: Temba Mliswa
He is now in Mugabe's harmful police cells.
He has been committing serious crimes against white farmers and the state has been protecting him up until last week when he went a mile further by going against Mr Mugabe’s interests in the controversial Land programme.
Mliswa’s finally straw was when he falsely promised a farmer whose farm had been grabbed by Mugabe’s men that he had power to protect the farmer’s equipment from being seized but on a fee - all hell then broke loose. A can of worms was opened for Mliswa.
We can reveal that Mliswa who has been committing crimes against white farmers in Zimbabwe hiding under his pro-Mugabe stance has:
grabbed 3 000 cattle worth US$ 900 000 and farm equipment including bulldozers, tractors, lorries, graders and pick-up trucks all valued at US$ 20 million. Van Rensburg later realised that he had been duped after Mliswa claimed ownership of the property.
took away 108 cattle belonging to a white farmer
grabbed three heavy vehicles, a cold room, three tractors, a drowsy hammer, irrigation equipment, generators and other items all valued at US$ 3 644 058.
is accused of lying to Graham George Davis van Rensburg of Kwekwe whose farm had already been grabbed by Mugabe’s thugs that he could protect his equipment from being seized by the farm grabbers.
Mliswa who already is facing other similar charges together with the son of Presidential Minister Didymus Mutasa were released from remand prison.
He appeared in court again yesterday on two new charges of allegedly swindling white former commercial farmers of cattle and equipment worth over US$ 24 million.
The new charges arose as police are reportedly preparing dockets for at least 40 new cases against Mliswa.
Police yesterday confirmed that Mliswa (38) is facing several criminal charges.
Yesterday, he was not formally charged when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei, who remanded him in custody to today for bail ruling.
The new charges come barely three days after Mliswa, Martin Mutasa (47), the son of Minister Didymus Mutasa, and George Marere (36) were released from remand prison.
The trio was arrested last week for allegedly seizing shares worth US$ 1 million in a local company and spent the weekend in custody.
In the latest case, prosecutor Mrs Phyllis Zvenyika, in opposing bail, led evidence from Superintendent Frank Muchengwa.
Supt Muchengwa said investigations were in their infancy and Mliswa should thus not be freed because he could interfere with witnesses.
He said police were preparing dockets for at least 40 new cases against him
Mliswa’s lawyer, Mr Charles Chinyama, queried why the alleged new cases took long to be reported.
Supt Muchengwa responded that Mliswa had intimidated police and because he was "untouchable".
Mr Chinyama, however, submitted that his client was suitable for bail as he had turned himself to the police.
On the first count, Mliswa allegedly misrepresented to Petros Jacobus van der Merwe, formerly of Orlib Park Lot 1 in Karoi, that he could help him sell his agri-equipment without State interference for a 10 percent commission.
Mliswa allegedly sold the property but did not surrender any money to Van der Merwe.
On the second count, Mliswa is accused of lying to Graham George Davis van Rensburg of Kwekwe - whose farm had been acquired for resettlement - that he could protect his equipment from being seized by the new owner.
He allegedly induced the farmer to lie that he had an agreement with Mliswa for sale of the equipment and hence it could not be sold.
2010 07 08
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-07-08-mliswa-in-32m-fraud
CHARLES LAITON
Jul 08 2010 09:30
Temba Mliswa was back at the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of looting 3 000 cattle and farm equipment.
The cattle and farm equipment are valued at $ 32 million.
The court also heard yesterday that the state intended to bring 40 more charges against him.
Mliswa, the state is alleging, defrauded two farmers of their property and cattle after pretending that he could save the equipment and livestock from expropriation at the time their land was acquired by the state for redistribution.
Mliswa’s lawyer Charles Chinyama yesterday submitted a bail application with respect to the two fraud charges and magistrate Donald Ndirowei deferred ruling to today.
State witness Superintendent Frank Mutengwa told the court that Mliswa had 40 more pending cases which were to be brought to court.
Mliswa is currently on bail on yet another charge of fraud for which he is jointly charged with Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa’s son Martin and one George Marare.
They are alleged to have attempted to forcibly take over a vehicle accessories company.
Mliswa is accused of having fraudulently claimed ownership of at least 50% of the company.
He threatened the company owner, Paul Westwood, with his alleged connections to powerful politicians like President Robert Mugabe and Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
On the new charges read yesterday, the state said Orlib Park Farm Lot 1 Karoi, owned by Petros Jacob Van Der Merwe, was gazetted for redistribution on June 18 2004 and the owner was ordered to wind up his operations by the end of October the same year.
Mliswa allegedly approached him and misrepresented to him that he was well-connected to influential people who could assist him with regard to his farm equipment which he was not allowed to remove or sell.
An arrangement was made to the effect that Mliswa would sell the equipment on 10% commission on behalf of Van Der Merwe. He allegedly sold the property and converted the proceeds to his own use.
Mliswa allegedly annexed part of the property which included 104 cows, four bulls, three heavy vehicles, a cold room, three tractors, a hammer mill, irrigation equipment, and generators all valued at $ 3 644 058.
On the other count, the state alleges that Graham George Davis was the owner of Dunlop Range Farm in Kwekwe which was being managed by Nico Van Ransburg. On January 9 2006, a Mr Matambanadzo approached Davis with an offer letter from the Ministry of Lands to take over the farm.
Mliswa allegedly learnt that the farm had been allocated to Matambanadzo and approached Davis whom he told that in order for his property and farm equipment to be protected from seizure, he had to pretend that there was an agreement of sale between himself and Van Ransburg.
The state alleged that unknown to Van Ransburg, he appended his signature to the agreement with the hope that his property would be protected from seizure. After conclusion of the deal, Mliswa allegedly took 3 000 herd of cattle valued at $ 9 million and farm equipment valued at $ 20 million. However Mliswa’s lawyer challenged the state saying that the cases had long been withdrawn by either the police or the complainants and his client had been acquitted on some of the mentioned cases.
Chinyama challenged the state’s allegations and produced a copy of the High Court Order by Justice Lavender Makoni which authorised the take-over of all the property mentioned in the Kwekwe case by Soltex Pvt Ltd.
Mliswa, through his lawyer, also said in his bail application that he never entered into the alleged agreement with Van Der Merwe but instead it was World Mark Sports International that did.
…
2010 07 07
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:42
Harare
The new deputy minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Obert Gutu, has pledged to turn around the rogue image of the country’s justice delivery system into a dignified, respected and envied establishment. Speaking exclusively to The Changing Times, Hon. Gutu said although he was not promising “manna from Heaven”, he would strive to make sure that there was a return to the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has been dogged by serious abuse of human rights pointedly by State security agents against people who are perceived to be in opposition to Zanu PF. Citing an example of the ongoing persecution of human rights defender, Farai Maguwu, a diamond researcher who documented the army’s atrocities in the Chiadzwa diamond fields, Hon. Gutu said he would be meeting his colleague in the ministry, Patrick Chinamasa this week, to discuss the continued harassment of Maguwu.
Maguwu is the executive director of the Mutare-based Centre for Research and Development Trust who was arrested last month on trumped up charges of publishing and communicating statements prejudicial to the State. His arrest followed his report on the human rights abuses taking place at the diamond rich Chiadzwa, where villagers are being assaulted and displaced by the State security agents, in an operation that has seen mineral wealth blatantly looted by Zanu PF chefs.
“I don’t want to be seen as someone who is interfering with the judiciary system in the country but Maguwu’s case is agonising,” Hon Gutu told The Changing Times. “It is not fair for an average person who is not a criminal to be denied bail. “As a result I want to make sure that the justice delivery system is not only functional but that we also respect the rule of law,” he said.
Hon. Gutu was appointed deputy minister by MDC President and Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai two weeks ago. He replaces Hon. Jessie Majome who is now the deputy minister of Women, Gender and Community Development. Hon. Gutu is also the senator for Chisipite in Harare. In the MDC he seats in the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Information and Publicity committees.
A trained and well-experienced lawyer by profession, Hon. Gutu was born in Gutu, Masvingo province in 1962. He joined the legal profession in 1987 as law officer in the ministry that he is now heading after completing his studies at the University of Zimbabwe.Since then he has held several positions in the legal field and was until his appointment two weeks ago running his own successful law firm, Gutu and Chikowero Attorneys in Harare.Senator Gutu is married Tendai and the couple has two daughters Enia and Kudzanayi.
Hon. Gutu categorically emphasised that he would ensure that there was fairness in the justice system. “I held a meeting last week with my principal, Prime Minister Tsvangirai and he made it clear to me that I should take steps in ensuring that we have a fair justice system in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe was in the right direction as far as the democratisation agenda was concerened. He gave examples of the media reforms that are now in place and the proposed sweeping legislative changes to the Electoral Act, which will, among other things, ensure presidential election results are released in five days, averting a situation where poll results are mothballed as happened in the 2008 March vote won by the MDC president Hon Tsvangirai.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was not willing to announce that Zanu PF’s Robert Mugabe had been defeated by President Tsvangirai. “The amended Act will make running and monitoring elections very easy as voting will be ward based. Therefore there will be no double dipping whereby one person votes more than once,” he said.
During his term of office, Hon.Gutu plans to have the Chief Magistrate’s office being weaned off from the ministry to the Judiciary Service Commission. This will see magistrates practising more impartially and having their appalling working conditions improved.Currently the Justice and Legal Affairs
ministry has 11 divisions. These are; the Attorney-General’s office, Civil, Criminal, Legal Drafting, Policy and Research, the Chief Magistrate’s Office, Law Development Commission, Registrar of Deeds and Companies, Prisons, Public Protector and the Registrar of the High Court.
Commenting on the deplorable conditions of the prisons, Hon. Gutu said he would soon be visiting all prisons across the country to get first hand information on what the situation was like in order to make sure that the prison system is transformed and rehabilitated. “During my recent visit to Chikurubi Maximum Prison as a member of the Parliamentary thematic committee on Human Rights, I was not happy with the situation that I saw as the prisoners were going hungry due to lack of food and this among other issues has to be redressed.
“I am not saying a prison should be a hotel but it should meet basic dignities not produce hardcore criminals,” he said. Hon. Gutu said he would be meeting with all heads of departments in his ministry to implore them not to be aligned to any political party and be impartial in the discharge of
their duties. The Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana in 2008 openly declared in the Zanu PF-run The Herald newspaper that he was a Zanu PF supporter.
“That is what we want to debunk. Government offices are not political offices,” Hon Gutu said. “We need to create a system that is seen to be impartial, fast and efficient,” he said.