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Attempted bombing at Zimbabwe finance minister's home



(AFP) – 3 hours ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe — An explosive device hit the security wall of Zimbabwe
finance minister Tendai Biti's home in an attempted bombing early Sunday but
caused no damage, a party spokesman said.

"An unidentified object was thrown at Honorable Biti house and hit the
security wall," Nelson Chamisa, organising secretary for the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) told AFP.

"I am told the explosion was loud and caused some discomfort among residents
in the neighbourhood. We are still trying to ascertain the circumstances,"
he added.

The incident at Biti's home in the Grange suburb came a week after police
detained 12 MDC supporters accused of killing a police officer.

The police could not be reached for comment.

Chamisa said a police guard was on duty at the time of the incident.

Biti, a top aide of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and firebrand critic of
President Robert Mugabe's economic policies, was appointed finance minister
in the coalition government charged with reviving the moribund economy.

He has been accused by Mugabe and members of his party of refusing to
increase the paltry salaries of civil servants and hanging on to a loan
meant to finance struggling business.


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Police Blocks Tsvangirai's Rally Attendance

http://www.radiovop.com/

9 hours 15 minutes ago

Harare, June 05, 2011 - Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) succeeded in barring
the Movevement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) president and Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai to attend his party’s much publicised rally on Saturday
after police told him to avoid criticising President Robert Mugabe and stop
his from marching.

Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC-T spokesman said Tsvangirai felt insulted by the
conditions given by the police only a day before the “peace rally”.

Close to a thousand people flocked to the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield but
it was the MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa  and a few senior
officials who turned up to address them.

Officials said more supporters could have attended were it not for the
intimidation by Zanu (PF) militias who attacked people who were making their
way to the venue.

“Before the rally kicked off, Zanu (PF) youths at Machipisa shopping center
assaulted six members of the MDC who were going to the people’s real change
peace rally at Zimbabwe grounds in Highfield,” the party said in a statement
issued after the rally.

“The matter was reported to Machipisa police station, but no arrests were
made despite the identified youths being stationed at their office just
opposite the police station.”

Other conditions given to the party were that officials must not denigrate
other parties, engage in hate speech and that Tsvangirai must report party
supporters who engaged in violence.

Chamisa said they expected the weekend Southern African Development
Community (Sadc) summit to be held in South Africa to build on the
resolutions of the Troika which met in Livingstone, Zambia and told Mugabe
to stop political violence and fully implement the power sharing agreement.

"Our position as the MDC-T is that the resolutions that were prepared in
Zambia in March should be adopted at the SADC summit to be held next week,"
he said.

"If these resolutions are adopted, then no elections will take place this
year and there will be no elections in Zimbabwe without the MDC-T."

The next MDC rally will be held at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru on June 19.


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Mugabe-Zuma on collision course

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Jun 5, 2011 12:57 AM | By ZOLI MANGENA

Fierce confrontation is looming between President Jacob Zuma and Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe at a regional summit that starts in Johannesburg on
Friday.

Mugabe and Zuma will come face-to-face for the first time since their
fallout after a Southern African Development Community troika meeting in
Livingstone, Zambia, in March when his fellow-SADC leaders read Mugabe the
riot act.

Zimbabwe's political crisis will be discussed at the summit in Johannesburg
from June 10 to 12 where SADC members will hold talks on a free trade pact
with two other regional groupings.

The crisis was supposed to have been tackled at last month's SADC summit in
Windhoek, but the issue was postponed because Zuma could not attend.

Mugabe had wanted to confront Zuma, who is SADC's facilitator for Zimbabwe's
inter-party negotiations, in Windhoek over the Livingstone summit
communiqué. Mugabe has described the outcome of the Livingstone meeting as
"shocking".

Zuma and his colleagues on the troika for politics, defence and security -
presidents Rupiah Banda of Zambia and Armando Guebuza of Mozambique - joined
SADC chairman, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, in warning Mugabe
they were disappointed and growing increasingly impatient.

Mugabe lashed out at Zuma and other SADC leaders, saying their role was not
to dictate to him but only to facilitate talks. This opened the floodgates
for Mugabe loyalists and Zanu PF politburo members, particularly Jonathan
Moyo, to attack Zuma and other SADC leaders, claiming the regional body
needed them more than they needed it.

In Windhoek, Mugabe managed to ensure the SADC tribunal, which had handed
down rulings challenging his land reform programme, was suspended.

Zuma insists there can be no elections in Zimbabwe until conditions for free
and fair polls have been created. This is in direct conflict with Mugabe's
position which he repeated this week.

Zuma's team of facilitators was in Zimbabwe this week to try to finalise an
elections road map.


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Angry Biti, Mugabe clash

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Jun 4, 2011 1:50 PM | By ZOLI MANGENA

Finance Minister Tendai Biti ruffled President Robert Mugabe's feathers on
Friday at a tense National Security Council meeting - attended by
politicians and state security chiefs - when he confronted him over remarks
he made about him at a rally the previous day.

This is the latest clash between Mugabe and Biti as tensions rise within the
shaky inclusive government.

Insiders said Biti confronted Mugabe and asked him why he lambasted him at a
rally with traditional leaders in Manicaland province on Thursday, claiming
he had tried to usurp presidential powers.

Mugabe was said to have angrily mumbled something back before state security
service chiefs came to his rescue.

"Biti asked Mugabe why he was attacking him at the meeting with the chiefs.
The president just furiously mumbled back something before state security
service chiefs intervened with complaints that the minister was being
disrespectful," said a senior government official who attended the meeting.

"Biti was annoyed by Mugabe's remarks and he wanted to get even at the
meeting."

Mugabe told the rally that Biti had been trying to grab his powers through
the back door, apparently referring to the amendment of the Exchange Control
Act. Although this was done last year, Mugabe was clearly still harbouring a
grudge against Biti.

In December, Biti was stopped by Zanu-PF lawmakers from amending the act
during the national budget, who claimed that he was plotting to usurp "the
president's powers conferred to him by the law".

"Biti is even trying to grab some presidential powers in various ways,"
Mugabe said. "We now want this Global Political Agreement to end and this
should happen this year."

Mugabe has never hidden his discomfort with the inclusive government, in
which he is constantly challenged and exposed over many issues by officials
of the MDC factions.

He is demanding elections this year to end the coalition government, but he
is facing stiff resistance from the MDC officials, who say the conditions
for free and fair elections must be created first.

Another government official said Mugabe's fight with Biti showed the growing
hostility between state security service chiefs and the MDC officials.

"After Biti's question directed at Mugabe, (Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Commander General Constantine) Chiwenga and (Police Commissioner General
Augustine) Chihuri intervened and engaged Tsvangirai and (Co-Home Affairs
Minister Theresa) Makone in protest," the official said. "They said Biti was
being disrespectful."

Mugabe chairs the NSC, which is also attended by vice-presidents Joyce
Mujuru and John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputies
Thokozani Khupe and Arthur Mutambara and Defence Minister Emmerson
Mnangagwa, among others.

In a new twist to the succession saga, Chiwenga is said to be interested in
taking over from Mugabe. Last week one of Mugabe's loyalists,
Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, said the army wanted the Zanu-PF
chief to be president for life and they would never acknowledge Tsvangirai
even if he won the elections.


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MDC-T Makes A Turn On Constitution

http://www.radiovop.com

8 hours 8 minutes ago

Harare, June 05, 2011 -The mainstream Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T)
party has admitted that the current constitution making process is flawed
and promised to rewrite a perfect one when it gets into power.

“As MDC we have agreed that this constitution which is underway is not the
perfect one, but we will support it to sell through parliament and
referendum for the sake of facilitating the end of the inclusive government.
We want to let Zimbabweans know that when this government is over we  will
write a new  constitution which will reflect  true views  of the people not
this one which is being done against the wills  of citizens. We will write a
constitution which people will be freely airing they democratic views,”MDC
National Spokes person Nelson Chamisa told Radio VOP.

Zimbabwe is in the process of writing a new constitution which will pave way
for fresh elections. The constitution making process which is being
spearheaded by a wing of Parliament has been condemned by the civic society
the National Constitutional Assembly NCA in particular which argues that the
supreme law of the country should be written by an independent body not by
politicians.

NCA  has already started campaigning  against the new constitution through
its Take Charge Campaign meetings in which  it is pushing for a NO vote
campaign that seeks to resist the Parliament sponsored constitution. The NCA
has lined up a number of activities countrywide. The view gathering process
of the constitution making process has  been characterised by violence with
Zanu (PF) standing accused of coaching people what to say at the meetings.

At one point the revolutionary party launched operation Chimumumu, to
silence members of the MDC from contributing to the process.


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Minister leases land for just $42

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Jun 4, 2011 1:56 PM | By Simplicius Chirinda

The Minister of Local Government Rural and Urban Development, Ignatius
Chombo, who is famous for owning more than 100 properties, has facilitated a
skewed state land-leasing deal to a former military officer.

According to a lease agreement dated May 3 and written on an official
government letter, Chombo is leasing prime state land - located in the
exclusive Pomona area in Harare - to retired army major Thomas Utete Wushe
for just $42 a month.

Wushe is leasing the land for the purposes of carrying out a horticulture
business. The going rental rates for such land is between $2000 and $20000 a
month, depending on the kind of business.

The lease agreement states "deals will be valid until 2016".

"The first month's rent shall be the sum of $42, which translates to $504 an
annum. Subsequent rent shall be payable in advance on or before the first
day of each month to the Accountant, Ministry of Local Government, Rural and
Urban Development ... "

The agreement states that the rent will escalate at 15% for the second and
third year, and may be varied after three years.


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Chinese Accused of Extending Mugabe's Hold on Power

http://www.radiovop.com/

8 hours 9 minutes ago

Harare, June 05, 2011- A $98 million Chinese loan approved by parliament has
been castigated by analysts as crucial in extending President Robert
Mugabe's hold on power as it is meant to build a special purpose military
academy on the outskirts of Harare. The academy will be funded from proceeds
of the country’s diamonds.

Minister of Finance Tendai Biti signed on behalf of the Government of
Zimbabwe while Li Ruogu Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of
China appended a signature on behalf of the Chinese investment bank. As part
of the deal, Zimbabwe will offset the loan using proceeds from Anjin
Investment (Private) Limited , a Chinese mining firm in a joint diamond
mining venture with the Zimbabwean government.

Article 9 of the agreement document made public after the presentation in
parliament says AFEC will garnish Zimbabwe’s diamond proceeds from Anjin’s
operations in the industry, with the deal stipulating that China will be the
preferential primary supplier of materials to be used during construction.

To cement benefits accruing to the Chinese, part of Article 2.5 of the
agreement reads:

“The goods, technologies and services shall be purchased from China
preferentially (and) also from Zimbabwe where this will benefit the Project
and End User,” the agreements states.

The deal brokered and spiritedly defended last week in parliament by
Minister of Defence Emmerson Mnangangwa and later confirmed by Minister of
Finance Tendai Biti, will see all construction materials and essential
manpower sourced from Beijing. Under the deal signed on March 21, 2011
between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Export –Import Bank of China, the
Chinese will provide seed money to build the purpose.

Although the deal looks very much in China’s favour,  Mnangangwa told senate
last year in his defence of the deal launched by Mugabe in 2007 that it
comes with massive benefits for the country, among them employment creation
and benefit to local downstream industries.  “The military facility will
serve as a premier defence education centre in Zimbabwe especially training
in the field of national security,” he said.

Zimbabwe will pay 0.5 percent management and commitment fees to the Chinese.
Ironically President Mugabe hastily recalled parliament this week to approve
the loan. The haste recall came at a time when a delegation of about 30
senior Chinese military officers was visiting the country. The delegation
was led by Chief Air Marshal Xu Qiliang. It was not clear why they were in
the country. "China is a great friend of us in many ways. To us all,
citizens of China are our great friends," Mugabe said after meeting the
Chinese military men.

Security experts have in the past described it as “a techno-spy and
communication base” whose purpose will be to spy on communications in and
outside the country.

A  Harare based economic commentator said the loan shows just how misplaced
the priorities of government are. “When we expected them to spent money in
social services they are busy splashing it in things that we don’t need now.
Why a military college, we are not under threat from anyone. Not even one of
our neighbours would think of attacking us, this probably has more to do
with something else rather than state security,” said economic commentator
John Robertson.

Minister Mnangagwa says the academy will also be used to select the military
and civilian officers from the various segments of the society to represent
the country in various capacities. In addition he said it will also act as a
think tank for providing research, military, defence and national security
studies for the national Security Council, ministry of defence and other
national institutions.

Chinese government, businesses and individuals have invested heavily in
several sectors in Zimbabwe including in textile, retail, mining and the
food sector. Several Zimbabweans now eat, dress, ride, fly and live Chinese.
The country has bought buses and planes from China but most of the buses are
no longer on the road while two of the three planes bought in 2003 are now
grounded. The University of Zimbabwe has also since set up a Department for
Chinese mandarin language.


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Outrage over loan for diamonds

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Chengetai Zvauya, Staff Writer
Sunday, 05 June 2011 14:50

HARARE - Government's decision to borrow close to $100 million to finance
the military has caused outrage.

Debt strategists, civil society, professional unions and ordinary
Zimbabweans are querying the coalition government’s prioritisation,
particularly with the gaping funding needs in key sectors such as health and
education.

On Tuesday, Parliament approved a deal that would see China loan US$98
million to Zimbabwe for the construction of a state of the military college
for top military officers in exchange for diamonds.

The deal, signed by finance minister Tendai Biti on 21 March this year, will
run for the next 20 years.

“The loan ties the diamond resource and it creates generational debt to the
future of this country,” said Showers Mawowa, an economist with the Zimbabwe
Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD).

ZIMCODD is involved in economic literacy campaigns on issues of debt, trade
and sustainable development.

“The Chinese know that they have a lot to gain from this loan agreement and
this is why they have agreed to it. We know that there was a lot of secrecy
surrounding this loan and it is time both the Zimbabwean and Chinese
governments come out in the open to explain to the people of  Zimbabwe about
Chiadzwa diamonds and this loan,’’ said Mawowa.

The loan adds to Zimbabwe’s already heavy debt, which is over US$7 billion.

In March this year, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told top business
executives and government officials at an investment conference that part of
this debt would be cleared using diamond proceeds.

That same month, the government was signing an agreement that ties the same
diamonds to even more debt, a development described by organisations and
people interviewed by the Daily News as a scandal.

“Millions of Zimbabweans are living as inferior citizens outside the country
because they fled army-driven violence. They had put faith in the coalition
government to improve the situation so they can return home.

“Yet that same government is signing Zimbabweans into bondage by giving away
resources to fund the military, an institution known for violently
protecting Mugabe,” said Gabriel Shumba, whose Zimbabwe Exiles Forum fights
for the rights of exiled Zimbabweans.

The country’s run down public health and education sectors have only shown
mild signs of recovery due to donations from international community
partners such as United Nations agencies and the European Union.

“The education sector needs about US$200 million to be revived and this is
the money they should be borrowing, instead of building the defence
 college,” said Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive
Teachers Union of Zimbabwe.

“The civil servants and the teachers need money and we are waiting for it.
We are now wondering whether we are second class citizens of this country.

We might be civilian but we are workers of the government who need to be
taken care of,” said Majongwe, whose organisation on Thursday said members
would embark on strike action at the end of this month if salaries are not
reviewed.

That the government is fêting the military ahead of elections possibly this
year or early 2012 has unnerved many, given the army generals’ growing
appetite to interfere in political processes.

Controversial top soldier, brigadier-general Douglas Nyikayaramba last week
sensationally demanded elections this year. The general, a fierce Mugabe
loyalist, repeated his colleagues’ statements that they would not allow
anyone other than Mugabe to rule.

Commentators queried the MDC’s wisdom in legitimising the deal.

“The other thing to consider is that Zimbabwe does not have a good record of
the defence forces. This is why there is an issue of security sector reform.
There is possibility that the project could be used to pursue an agenda of
harming the people of the country,” said Mawowa.

Raymond Majongwe says the money should have been used to fund the education
sector and not a millitary college.Morgan Tsvangirai told business
executives that part of the debt will be cleared using diamond proceeds.


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Chinese deal just for elite

http://www.timeslive.co.za

Defence College pact slammed as facilities to be used by Mugabe and his
intelligence men
Jun 4, 2011 1:49 PM | By SUNDAY TIMES CORRESPONDENT

Zimbabwe's Defence College, which is being built by the Chinese in a
controversial deal with the government, will have a state-of-the-art medical
facility for President Robert Mugabe and other top government and military
officials.

Diamond watchdogs, diplomats, civil servants and others have castigated the
deal, with Albrecht Conze, the outgoing German envoy to Harare, dismissing
the Chinese investment as "exploitation".

The Sunday Times has been told members of the Central Intelligence
Organisation (CIO) will - with Chinese help - also be trained at the
college, which was blindly agreed to by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
Members of Parliament after a heated debate.

Top military officials of Zimbabwe and Southern African Development
Community (SADC) countries will also undergo training at the centre.

According to highly placed sources, the centre will have an Olympic-size
swimming pool, sports grounds, gyms, a well-equipped hospital, entertainment
centres and many other recreational facilities.

In a deal human rights groups and unions describe as "stinking", Zimbabwe
mortgaged diamonds worth $100-million to the Chinese in exchange for the
construction of the Defence College, just outside Harare.

There have been allegations of underhand dealings in the awarding of the
deal to Anjin Investment - a suspicious joint venture between Zimbabwe and
the Chinese government's Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group (AFECC).

Under the arrangement, the Chinese will provide Zimbabwe with a $98-million
loan to complete the construction of the college. Zimbabwe will service the
loan through diamonds from Chiadzwa in the deal which will not benefit
Zimbabweans, as AFECC will bring its own equipment, material and labourers.

A top government official privy to the deal said the MDC had been hoodwinked
into signing a deal that might come back to haunt it, especially as the
college will be used for training CIO officials who have been out to destroy
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party.

"On the surface it looks like an ordinary situation, but there is more to
it. It has a deep impact on the politics of this country and, unfortunately,
the MDC did not read into it well.

"For example, the complex will have a world-class hospital which VIPs,
especially Mugabe and his cronies, will use. They do not want to use public
hospitals with little privacy. That college is a Zanu-PF project.

"This college will not benefit the people of Zimbabwe at all. Instead, it
will only benefit Mugabe and his cabal and there will be nothing for the
majority. As you might be aware, when the Chinese invest in Africa, they do
not give back - and that is why they are bringing their own workers," he
said.

Part of the agreement seen by the Sunday Times reads: "The related Zimbabwe
side should establish an escrow account to secure the payment and repayment
of the facility with the revenue of Zimbabwe's side benefits from Anjin
Investment (Private) Limited.

"An agreement on the escrow account should be signed by Zimbabwe sides and
the lender (Export-Import Bank of China). The goods, technologies and
services shall be purchased from China preferentially (and) also from
Zimbabwe where this will benefit the project."

Zimbabwe will pay 0.5% management fees to the Chinese.

There was a heated debate in parliament last week with MDC MPs querying the
deal, while Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Minister of Defence, was making a
presentation. They wanted to know why the government wanted to spend
$100-million worth of diamonds to build an elite military college at a time
when service delivery has virtually collapsed.

The MPS were demanding to know the benefits of the deal to the nation given
that the military has been used to perpetrate violence against the people.
However, both the House of Assembly and Senate ended up approving the deal,
apparently after realising that Finance Minister Tendai Biti had already
signed the controversial deal.

"This development is unfortunate," Farai Maguwu, whose Centre for Research
and Development has been instrumental in exposing shady deeds at Chiadzwa,
has been quoted as saying this week.

"China will do well investing in Zimbabwe's social sector as opposed to
strengthening the military. It's not a wise investment and it will not
improve the quality of life for the ordinary Zimbabwean," said Maguwu, who
has been harassed before by the state for his work.

Conze told journalists that China's dealings with African countries such as
Zimbabwe were not balanced and exploitative. He said Germany was concerned
about the way the Chinese were conducting business in African countries.

Conze pointed out that China's dealings with Zimbabwe were not bringing real
value into the country .

"Most of the agreements signed by China will buy out the whole world's raw
materials and block other countries from having access to these raw
materials," he said.

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe also attacked the loan deal,
saying it was immoral for the government to be hoodwinked in such a way
instead of using the money to pay teachers' salaries.

The teachers have threatened to go on strike with one teacher telling the
Sunday Times this week, "Mugabe must send the Chinese to teach in schools".


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RMB looting spree

http://www.timeslive.co.za

Reserve Bank report fingers shareholders and directors for fraud
Jun 4, 2011 1:50 PM | By ZOLI MANGENA

Fresh revelations show that Zimbabwe's troubled ReNaissance Merchant Bank
(RMB) - which is technically insolvent - was closed due to an unprecedented
looting spree by its shareholders and directors, working in cahoots with a
pliant management, through fraudulent siphoning of depositors' funds and
unsecured lending to relatives and cronies.

A Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) report on RMB, exclusively obtained by the
Sunday Times, says there was some "Nick Leeson-type" looting at the bank
which has left many companies, individuals and even schools exposed and
unable to fulfil their urgent obligations.

The bank, which recorded a total deposits base of $63.15-million as of April
30, had unsettled client payments of $11.1-million. Faced with call and
fixed deposit maturities as high as $10-million, the bank could not even pay
claims as little as $40.

RBZ governor Gideon Gono closed RMB on Friday for two weeks, saying it will
open on June 20 under the management of a curator after government's
promised $20-million bail-out package from the National Social Security
Authority failed to materialise because of conflict of interest among
officials and public resistance to the deal.

The looting and closure of the bank have angered government officials and
the public who are now calling for the arrest of those responsible.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said in parliament this week that the bank was
run like a "tuck shop" and the "law must now take its course".

The RBZ report says the pillaging of RMB - never seen in Zimbabwe before -
was of "Leeson proportions".

Leeson, a former derivatives broker's fraudulent, unauthorised speculative
trading and other activities caused the collapse Barings Bank, for which he
was jailed.

RMB, whose closure has shaken the market, is wholly owned by ReNaissance
Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) which also controls ReNaissance Securities
Limited and ReNaissance Capital Limited in Uganda.

In addition, RFHL owns 30.89% of the Africa ReNaissance Corporation.

The RBZ report says RFHL group CEO and RMB non-executive director Patterson
Fungai Timba and his cohorts, mainly Dunmore Kundishora, also a major
shareholder and director, ran down the bank through fraudulent activities.

"Mr Timba and Kundishora, who are the major shareholders of the bank,
orchestrated a plan to abuse depositors' funds via a 'Nick Leeson'-type of
RFHL account with RMB, which they used as a conduit siphon funds from the
bank," the report says.

Timba, who ran into problems after borrowing $5-million from local business
tycoon Jayesh Shah, which he struggled to repay, and Kundishora have between
them share-holding of up to 68.9% in the group.

If the 9.13% of Clementine Sibve's share is taken into account, the three
founding directors effectively own an unlawful 78.03%.

Timba and Kundishora allegedly used Bethel Trust and Dunca Trust as
"convenient handmaids" to camouflage their activities and to "hoodwink
regulatory authorities", while engaging in "gross abuse of depositors' funds
which is tantamount to fraud".

"The group chief executive officer, Mr Timba, and the group executive
director: business development, Mr Mundishora instilled a culture of lack of
respect to approved limits, internal controls and board-approved policies
and procedures," the RBZ report says, adding they illegally lent money to
themselves, relatives and cronies endangering the bank's survival.

"With total insider borrowings of $12,4-million, Mr Timba and his relatives
exceeded 25% of the bank's capital base and there was a negative
$16.4-million gap in violation of Section 16 (2)(a) of the Banking
Regulations (SI 205 of 2000).

"RFHL's unsanctioned borrowings of $9.8-million were being camouflaged as a
dealing limit. This borrowing was in violation of Section 16 (2)(b) of the
Baking Regulations (SI 205 of 2000) which stipulates that advances given to
the insider and any of the relatives of the insider shall not exceed 5% of
the institution's capital base, unless it has been disclosed and approved by
the board."

The RBZ reports says the investigation unearthed a series of shocking
findings which included gross undercapitalisation; inappropriate
shareholding structure; disintegration of corporate governance and internal
controls; systematic abuse of depositors' funds; high levels of
non-performing insider and related-party exposures; chronic liquidity and
income-generation challenges and blatant violation of banking laws and
regulations.

The bank was technically insolvent with negative capital of $16.7-million in
April against a prescribed minimum capital requirement of $10-million for
merchant banks. The bank required $32.6-million to comply with regulatory
capital requirements.

The capital position is projected to worsen to minus $39.2-million if the
contingent liabilities on account of RFHL amounting to $22.6-million are
factored in.

The bank will require about $55.1-million to comply with regulatory capital
requirements by June 30.


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Brigadier 'must quit' over rule forever call

http://www.timeslive.co.za/

Military man says he will not salute Tsvangirai
Jun 4, 2011 1:52 PM | By HARARE CORRESPONDENT

Independant war veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle have demanded the
resignation of Brigadier Douglas Nyikayaramba after he stated that President
Robert Mugabe should rule the country forever.

Nyikayaramba, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Zimbabwe
National Army (ZNA), publicly stated last week that the country's generals
would not salute Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai even if he won the next
presidential elections.

He added that the army generals, and police commissioner general, Augustine
Chihuri, were sure Mugabe would win the next election against Tsvangirai,
raising suspicions the army would again unleash violence against citizens
suspected of supporting Tsvangirai as they did in the bloody 2008 elections.

Nyikayaramba also said that Tsvangirai was not the right candidate to
succeed Mugabe.

But two stalwarts of the war of liberation, Happyson Nenji, and Wilfred
Mhanda, board trustees of the Zimbabwe Liberation Platform (ZLP), said
Nyikayaramba was "conceited" and an "overzealous Zanu-PF zealot". They said
he should resign from the army because of his partisan views.

ZLP is a rival of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
which is aligned to Mugabe and Zanu-PF.

The two leaders of ZLP in their written response said Nyikayaramba's
utterances were a callous disregard for democratic principles that entitled
the people of Zimbabwe to vote for political parties and leaders of their
choice.

They added that his statement undermined the letter and spirit of the
constitution which provided for free and fair elections and for a
non-partisan military force.

"If Brigadier Nyikayaramba, and those of like mind, fought for Zanu-PF and
Mugabe to rule Zimbabwe forever, we wish to state categorically that the
majority of the freedom fighters within Zanla and Zipra fought, among other
things, for unfettered political freedom and democracy based on the right to
vote on the basis of one person one vote," reads part of the war veterans
statement.

"We are surprised that Brigadier Nyikayaramba, a very senior army officer
who once served as a leading national election officer, does not appreciate
the need and purpose of elections by insisting that Mugabe must rule
forever. What therefore is the need for elections if the outcome is
predetermined? On what basis does he demand that elections be held this
year? Is he really itching for a bloody fight that he insists that the
elections be held this year?"

In his comments in an independent weekly newspaper last week, Nyikayaramba
bragged that he joined the war for Zimbabwe's independence when he was 14
years old. But the two war veterans said maybe the war of liberation ended
too early for him "as he was too young to have demonstrated his military
prowess".

"We have full respect for liberation fighters who demonstrated their heroism
by fighting against the enemy during the war but only abhorrence and
revulsion for those who lead bloody campaigns against defenceless civilians,
whose only crime is to resist Zanu-PF misrule and repression," the statement
read.

Nenji, who used the name Webster Gwauya during the war, and Mhanda, who went
by the name Dzinashe Machingura, said the utterances by Nyikayaramba
underlined the urgent need to reform Zimbabwe's state security sector.

"No professional soldier should be seen to be expressing public contempt for
the constitution by stating partisan political support and we demand his
immediate resignation. Furthermore, we demand a disciplinary hearing into
his conduct as should be required in a professional army."

Mugabe has vehemently refused security sector reforms, claiming it was
tantamount to regime change. Tsvangirai has demanded reforms in the sector,
citing the partisanship of the police and the army.

Mugabe and Zanu-PF have not commented on Nyikayaramba's utterances, giving
credence to widely held views that the army generals were in charge of the
country.


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Iran and Zimbabwe among states owing UK more than £2bn

http://www.independent.co.uk

By Simon Murphy

Sunday, 5 June 2011

Some of the world's most illiberal regimes – including Burma, Iran and
Zimbabwe – owe the UK debts worth more than £2bn, new figures reveal.

The list of 16 indebted countries, almost a third of which have no agreed
final payment date, also includes Egypt, Iraq , North Korea and Sudan.

Sudan owes the UK more than £663m, the bulk of which is thought to be
interest, while Indonesia is in the red to the tune of £445m. Iraq's bill to
the UK totals £290m, meanwhile Zimbabwe owes more than £190m.

The new statistics emerged after Labour MP Andrew Gwynne tabled a
parliamentary question last month asking the Export Credits Guarantee
Department (ECGD) to come clean about the extent of debt and expected
repayment.

The ECGD, which reports to Vince Cable (pictured), the Secretary of State
for Business, was originally established to aid British business abroad,
offering insurance to companies' dealings.

However, fears have been raised by MPs that public money has funded deals
that "fuel poverty, human rights abuses and climate change".

The debt disclosure has been met with cross-party condemnation from MPs who
are calling for an overhaul of the agency and an immediate public audit.
Labour MP Lisa Nandy tabled a Private Member's Bill in April, which has
passed through to a second reading, demanding improved accountability.

The ECGD has defended allegations claiming the bulk of the £2.35bn debt
originated from "dodgy deals" brokered with authoritarian regimes.

Some of debts date back decades and the rate of interest on repayments is
unclear, while Burma, Iran, North Korea and Zimbabwe have no agreed final
payment date.

The coalition has put export-led growth at the heart of its economic
strategy, which has been underscored by recent visits to India and Pakistan,
and is unlikely to scale back the agency's role.

However, MPs maintain that the ECGD has a history of supporting
"destructive" deals, such as the sale of arms to Indonesian dictator General
Suharto.

Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce attacked the "opaque" nature of the
department. "There should be a proper risk assessment and transparent
process," he said.

"Who are the beneficiaries of the payments? A lot of them are large
companies who should cover their own insurance.

"We need a much more open and transparent system. It's almost impossible to
track down when the debts originated and what status they have at any given
time."


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Ambassador Zwambila Faces Fresh Sexual Harassment Allegations

http://www.radiovop.com

9 hours 16 minutes ago

Harare, June 05 ,2011- Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Australia Ms Jacqueline
Zwambila is being investigated for sexual harassment after she allegedly
called an embassy employee into her room while half naked.

Zwambila who was last year accused of stripping naked in front of embassy
staff faces yet fresh allegations of sexual harassment .

The employee who has been identified as Mr Felix Machiridza has written a
formal complaint to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailing the alleged
abuse, the state owned Herald newspaper reported at the weekend.

He claimed that Ms Zwambila forced him to stay at a garage for a year after
he refused to occupy a bedroom on the same floor as hers.

Mr Machiridza said he had been lured to Australia by the ambassador who
promised him a job and was now victimised for refusing to give in to the
sexual advances.

“I am almost certain that my abuse by Ms Zwambila was retribution for
refusing to bend to her seductions,” he wrote in the complaint that was sent
to various media houses.

He said he was also forced to pick up used condoms from the ambassador’s son’s
bedroom without protective clothing.
The ambassador who was temporarily recalled to Harare last year after male
embassy employees accused her of stripping in front of them after accusing
them of leaking information to the state media has not commented about the
latest incident.
Mr Joey Bimha the permanent secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs told the Herald that investigations were already underway.
“We received a report with regards to that and we are currently studying the
report,” he was quoted as having said. “We will ask for a report from
Ambassador Zwambila as well, and then we will make a determination.”
Ms Zwambila was nominated to her post by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as
part of a power sharing agreement he signed with President Robert Mugabe in
2009.
In the past she has claimed that she was a victim of a media smear campaign
orchestrated by the veteran ruler’s Zanu (PF) party.


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Voice of British Caribbeans ‘ashamed of Mugabe’ – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 4th June 2011

 

              Benjamin Zephaniah signs Vigil petition

 

One of Britain’s best-known poets Benjamin Zephaniah joined us at the Vigil and condemned Mugabe and his betrayal of Africa. Zephaniah, born and brought up in the UK of West Indian parents, spoke to us of his disillusionment with Mugabe. He said ‘I remember when he was seen as a liberator. Bob Marley sang in Harare to celebrate a new dawn. I feel let down – to see how low he has sunk. All he wants to do is to cling to power at all costs. He has brought shame on Africa. I had a picture of him on my wall together with a picture of Mandela. I ripped Mugabe down. I am friends with Mandela. I have only seen him angry once and that was about Mugabe when he spoke about failure of leadership in Africa.’

 

(The Vigil remembers the occasion well because Mandela’s comment followed a campaign by the Vigil and others to urge him to reject Mugabe when he visited London to celebrate his 90th birthday.)

 

The Vigil welcomes Zephaniah’s support particularly highly because we have had such difficulty getting our message over to our Caribbean brothers. It has been difficult to disabuse them of the dream we all shared and convince them that Mugabe the liberator has turned into Mugabe the monster.

 

Unfortunately the message has not yet been taken seriously by the African Union which has appointed Zimbabwe as the chair of its Peace and Security Council. The move is a slap in the face to human rights campaigners, coming as 12 MDC supporters were dragged into court in Harare with obvious signs of torture. The police in Zimbabwe no longer even attempt to conceal their abuse of prisoners.

 

The Vigil is alarmed that even the opposition has been co-opted into this police state. Despite the MDC having a majority of MPs, Parliament ratified spending $98 million on a giant spy centre being built by the Chinese in Harare. MDC Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said ‘we can’t oppose something from government when we are part of government’. Innocent indeed . . . not to say stupid. Who are they going to spy on? People who can’t even afford a decent meal.

 

But the real question facing Zimbabwe is not whether the MDC is confused about its role or whether the AU is fit for purpose – it is whether SADC will continue to stand up to Mugabe’s bluster at its meeting in Johannesburg at the weekend. The Vigil was encouraged by remarks by the former SADC Executive Secretary Prega Ramsamy. He said he was convinced that the new leadership in SADC had opened a new chapter in handling issues within the bloc, particularly taking into account events in North Africa and the Middle East. ‘It is obviously clear that SADC is no longer in the mood of solidarity at any cost’, he said. Let’s hope Mr Ramsamy is right. But the signs are not good: a bird sitting in our maple tree defecated on our petitions . . .

 

Other Points

·         It was great to have Vigil team member Patson Muzuwa with us again with a party from Leicester. He was most appreciative of the support Vigil members gave him on the recent death of his mother. But we were alarmed to hear that her funeral was invaded by two truckloads of Zanu PF who disrupted the proceedings. We understand  this was a direct result of Patson’s involvement with the Vigil.  The incident was separately reported by Vigil supporter Jonathan Kariwoh whose mother attended the funeral.

·         We were glad to be visited again by our Jesuit friend Father Bernard.

·         Grateful thanks to David McAllister who spent long hours sorting out our website when our webhost omitted to tell us they were upgrading the system which resulted in all sorts of formatting problems.

·         Thanks to ROHR members (Shoriwa Mutandiro, Georgina Makaza, Brighton Manhansva, Collin Chitekwe, Paradzai Mapfumo) who once again supplied soft drinks for thirsty Vigil supporters.

 

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website. For the latest ZimVigil TV programme check http://www.zimvigiltv.com/.  

 

FOR THE RECORD: 99 signed the register.

 

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

·         The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.

·         ZBN News. The Vigil management team wish to make it clear that the Zimbabwe Vigil is not responsible for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Network News (ZBN News). We are happy that they attend our activities and provide television coverage but we have no control over them. All enquiries about ZBN News should be addressed to ZBN News. 

·         The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song ‘Vigil Yedu (our Vigil)’ to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit: www.imusicafrica.com and to watch the video check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QukqctWc3XE.

·         Lecture: A Shadow of Its Former Self: Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe's Education System. Thursday 9th June 6 pm. Venue: Alumni Theatre, New Academic Building, Lower Ground Floor (LG.09), London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE. The speaker is Peter Godwin, award-winning foreign correspondent, author, documentary-maker and screen writer. Chaired by Baroness Bonham Carter. The event is organized by Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) and the LSE Africa Initiative. The lecture is followed by a reception (7.30pm - 9.00pm): NAB 8th Floor. RSVP: zimbabwe.cara@lsbu.ac.uk. Admission free but donations welcomed on the door towards CARA's work supporting Zimbabwean academics and the re-building of the country's higher education system.

·         ROHR National Fundraising Event. Saturday 25th June from 12 noon till late. Venue: St Peters Church Hall, Whitehall Road, West Bromwich B70 0HF. Come and enjoy African dishes and music while donating to a good cause.  Admission fee £8 includes a plate of food and a soft drink. Raffle tickets on sale @ £1. Contact: Peter Nkomo 07817096594, V J Mujeyi 07403446696, Tsvakai Marambi 07915065171, Solomon L Matshoba 07733741065, P Chibanguza 07908406069, R Chifungo 07795070609 or P Mapfumo 07915926323 / 07932216070

·         Free film screening of 'Hear Us'. Saturday 25th June from 7 - 9 pm. Venue: The Frontline Club, 13, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1QJ. ‘Hear Us’ is a film from inside Zimbabwe about political violence against women. Kudakwashe Chitsike of the Research and Advocacy Unit will introduce the film and take your questions. For more information contact: the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, tel: +44 (0)20 7065 0945 or check: http://www.hrforumzim.com/hear-us-film.png

·         Service of Solidarity with Zimbabwe’s torture victims: Sunday 26th June from 2 – 4 pm. Venue: Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London EC1Y 1AU (nearest tube: Old Street). The event is organized by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (www.hrforumzim.com). Speakers are Irene Petras, Director of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Kudakwashe Chitsike, Lawyer in the Women’s Department of the Research and Advocacy Unit (Zimbabwe). Vigil supporters will be providing the music in the form of Zimbabwean hymns.

·         Stop the violence in Zimbabwe: Vigil for democracy and rights. Monday 27th June from 1 – 2 pm outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR. This protest marks the anniversary of the fateful 2008 presidential ‘run off’ election when Zanu PF ran a brutal campaign of violence including mass rape in a bid to retain power.  Zimbabwe may have elections within the year. We cannot let the violence happen again. The protest is organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. ACTSA will be presenting hundreds of stop the violence cards to the Embassy. To get copies of the card or to let ACTSA know you’ll be attending, please email campaigns@actsa.org.

·         Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.

·         Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.

·         ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe.  To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to ngwenyasr@yahoo.co.uk and send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe.

·         Workshops aiming to engage African men on HIV testing and other sexual health issues. Organised by the Terrence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk). Please contact the co-ordinator Takudzwa Mukiwa (takudzwa.mukiwa@tht.org.uk) if you are interested in taking part.

 

Vigil co-ordinators

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk


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Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committee Series [Public Hearings on Road Traffic Regulations; Committee Meetings Open to Public - 6-8 June]

BILL WATCH

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE SERIES

[3rd June 2011]

1.    Public Hearings on Statutory Instrument on Road Traffic Regulations

6th to 8th June in Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo

The House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development will be holding public hearings on the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use) Regulations [SI 154/2010].  This week they will be in Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo, as follows:

Monday 6th June: Mutare

Moffat Hall, Sakubva: from 9.00 am

Tuesday 7th June: Masvingo

Municipal Hall: from 9.00 am

Wednesday 8th June: Bulawayo

Small City Hall: from 9.00 am

The chairperson of the Thematic Committee is Hon Chebundo.  The committee clerk is Ms Macheza.

The committee seeks public input on the regulations, some provisions of which have drawn criticism from both transport operators and ordinary motorists.  Interested groups, business persons and organisations and all members of public are invited to attend the hearings, at which they will be given the opportunity to give evidence and make representations.  Contributions made will be considered by the Committee in compiling a report to be tabled in Parliament.  If you want to make oral representations, signify this to the Committee Clerk so that she can notify the chairperson to call on you.  An oral submission is more effective if it is followed up in writing.  If you are making a written submission, it is advisable to take as many copies as possible for circulation at the hearing.

If you are unable to attend a hearing, written submissions and correspondence may be addressed to: The Clerk of Parliament, Attention: Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development, P.O. Box CY298 Causeway, Harare.  If delivering, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue entrance to Parliament, between Second and Third Streets.

For further information contact the committee clerk, Ms Macheza.  Telephone 04-700181, 252931, 252941, extension 2222.  Email machezas@parlzim.gov.zw

Reminder about the Regulations  Following amendments made by Statutory Instrument 44/2011, SI 154/2010 will come into force on 1st July 2011.  The regulations that lay down a complete code of requirements for the construction and equipment of motor vehicles, replacing regulations dating from the early 1970s.  Provisions that have hit the headlines and drawn criticism from the transport industry and the motoring public include:

·      prohibiting the importation into Zimbabwe after 31st October 2011 of second-hand motor vehicles that are more than five years old 

·      prohibiting the registration of left-hand drive motor vehicles after 31st October 2011

·      prohibiting the use of left-hand drive heavy vehicles after 31st December 2015

·      requiring that all motor vehicles must have fire extinguishers and red reflective triangles complying with specifications detailed in the regulations from 1st July 2011.

In a recent public statement the Minister of Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development indicated his readiness to receive representations on contentious aspects of the regulations.

2.  Committee Meetings Open to the Public

Meetings of Senate Thematic Committees and House of Assembly Portfolio Committees will resume on Monday 6th June.  Most of the meetings are closed meetings for reviewing work plans, deliberating on draft reports, etc., but the following meetings are open to members of the public as observers only, not as participants, i.e. members of the public can listen but not speak.

Monday 6th June at 10 am

Portfolio Committee: Defence and Home Affairs

Briefing on landmines history in preparation for the Committee’s programme of visits to minefields to determine progress on clearing of landmines 

Committee Room No. 2

Chairperson: Hon Madzore                Clerk: Mr Daniel

Portfolio Committee: Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism

Update on CAMPFIRE Association and Timber Producers’ Association

Committee Room No. 311

Chairperson: Hon M. Dube                Clerk: Mr Munjenge

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

 

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied.

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