Ministers in fierce cabinet clashes

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

CABINET ministers fiercely clashed on Tuesday in a meeting chaired by
President Robert Mugabe as tempers flared over the arson attack which led to
the death of a 12-year-old Headlands boy, Christpowers Maisiri, ahead of
do-or-die general elections expected in July.

Owen Gagare/Wongai Zhangazha

Christpowers’ father, Shepherd Maisiri, is the MDC-T’s deputy organising
secretary in Headlands, Manicaland, and has been a victim of
life-threatening acts of political terror for over a decade.

While cabinet meetings are usually kept secret, Tuesday’s explosive
gathering spilled into the public domain after it was resolved the boy’s
death and the resurgence of political violence must be openly condemned
through statements from the President’s Office, principals and government,
ministers said.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba and Information minister Webster
Shamu issued statements after the tension-filled cabinet meeting condemning
violence, in line with resolutions of the meeting.
Some of the resolutions passed by ministers after a bruising cabinet
engagement include:

That co-Ministers of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi and Theresa Makone should
direct the Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to investigate the
arson;

Police must hunt down, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the fatal
burning;

Police and Jomic (Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee) must give
regular security reports to cabinet, particularly on issues to do with
political violence; and

All government officials take a united stand on violence and denounce it
unreservedly.

Ministers told the Zimbabwe Independent debate on the death of Christpowers
dominated cabinet proceedings with ministers of the two MDC parties engaging
in a no-holds-barred confrontation with their Zanu PF colleagues.

They said ministers from the MDC formations were united in condemning the
incident which they viewed as a harbinger to a 2008-like electoral bloodbath
and were anxious to tackle it head-on in front of Mugabe.

MDC formations ministers presented a dossier of incidents of violence
countrywide which have rocked the nation since January.

They also condemned the crackdown on civil society as evidence of the
deteriorating security situation in the country.

A senior minister said Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office
Jameson Timba ignited the debate after tabling a motion, zeroing in on the
brutal death of Christpowers.

Ministerial sources said Timba was supported by Finance minister Tendai Biti
who directly confronted Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Didymus
Mutasa over the boy’s death.

Mutasa, also Zanu PF secretary for administration, is Makoni North MP under
which Headlands falls. They said Biti tore into Mutasa, accusing him of
addressing a rally recently where he allegedly said Zanu PF enemies must be
“roasted”.

Biti told Mutasa he was an elder in society and a senior politician, likely
to be buried at the National Heroes Acre, and must be responsible.

“He implored him to lead by example and even used a Shona adage: Gudo guru
peta muswe kuti vapwere vagokuremekedza (literally meaning an elder should
be humble and exemplary for him to earn respect from the young),” a minister
said.

Sources said Education minister David Coltart spoke strongly against
resurging political violence. He later went on to condemn the brutality on
the social media yesterday.

“I did speak in cabinet on Tuesday regarding this (Christpowers’ death) and
mentioned my own two friends Patrick Nabanyama (abducted on June 19 2000)
and Paul Chizuze (abducted on February 8 2012) who have never been seen
again due to political violence,” wrote Coltart while commenting on Women’s
Affairs deputy minister Jessie Majome’s Facebook post.

Several ministers, including Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (Regional
Integration and International Co-operation), Nelson Chamisa (Information,
Communications Technology) and Elton Mangoma (Energy), also spoke out during
the tense meeting.

Mutasa also spoke. He has several times vehemently denied allegations that
he was behind the arson attack. Yesterday he repeated his denials.

Sources said Mugabe remained calm, but was concerned throughout the meeting,
although he also spoke about the situation repeating his recent calls for an
end to political violence — Zanu PF’s key political weapon since its
formation in 1963.

Zanu PF ministers were said to have been defensive, refusing to take
responsibility. Mines minister Obert Mpofu, accused of fanning violence in
Umguza near Bulawayo, called for investigations into the incident, while
urging caution before pointing fingers.

Shamu reportedly suggested the arson attack could have been executed by
remnants of the Rhodesian Selous Scouts to divide the country, an idea
scoffed at by MDC ministers.

The resurgence of violence has jolted Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai out
of his comfort zone among the principals and forced him to send Timba into
Sadc to raise alarm bells about the deteriorating political and security
situation in Zimbabwe.

Part of the dossier compiled by MDC-T on 2013 violations

January 4: Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma faces charges
of insulting President Robert Mugabe.
January 7: University of Zimbabwe bars the MDC-T Youth Assembly chairperson
Solomon Madzore from resuming his studies because he has a pending criminal
case.
January 8: Four MDC-T officials in Mashonaland West face charges of
insulting the president.
January 8: MDC-T youths and supporters denied an opportunity to register as
voters in Masvingo.
January 9: Soldiers harass villagers at Mataga Growth Point in Mberengwa.
January 11: MDC-T branch chairperson for Cowdray Park, Bulawayo Happison
Ncube’s house searched by police.

January 14: ZimRights director Okay Machisa is arrested for allegedly
conspiring to commit voter registration fraud and publishing or
communicating falsehoods.
January 29: ZRP Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri addresses wives of
senior police officers in Selous, Mashonaland West Province and tells them
to vote for Zanu PF.
January 29: Fifteen people injured after soldiers attack people in Tenda
village in Chiadzwa.
January 31: Zanu PF supporters naming themselves Al-Shabab, stop a residents’
meeting to discuss the draft constitution at Mbizo Youth Centre.
February 2: Flea market operators in Chitungwiza forced to buy Zanu PF party
cards before they are allowed to operate stalls.
February 4: Police in Lupane, Matabeleland North province arrest 40 people
for trying to register as voters.

Mutasa behind 12-year old boy’s death –– Biti

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has threatened to pull out of the general
elections if politically motivated violence escalates in the country ahead
of the polls in July.

Staff Writer

The MDC-T leader made the threats when he addressed mourners yesterday
during the burial of a 12-year-old boy, Christpowers Maisiri, killed in a
raging inferno after an arson attack by suspected Zanu PF activists last
Saturday in Headlands.

“I’m not going to be part and parcel to a process that subverts the will of
the people,” he said.

Christpowers’ death is widely seen as a harbinger to violent elections. His
gruesome death sent shockwaves through the public and cabinet on Tuesday.

Mourners heard how a stormy Tuesday cabinet session degenerated into a
naming and shaming session, in which Zanu PF cabinet ministers, particularly
Didymus Mutasa was singled out for allegedly instigating political violence
and causing Christpowers’ death.

Tsvangirai said if Mugabe was sincere about his “no to violence” refrain,
the perpetrators must be brought to book. “He (Mugabe) told me that Mutasa
should pay” for the death of the boy. Tsvangirai said Mugabe indicated he
had information Mutasa was involved.

MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti disclosed how a tension-filled cabinet
session on Tuesday condemned the boy’s traumatic death. “We told Didymus
Mutasa that he is behind the murder of this boy. If he thought we were
hiding under the cover of cabinet privilege, we are now saying it in public.

Mutasa you killed this boy. If you think we are lying take us to court for
defamation,” Biti charged.

Christpowers’ father, Shepherd Maisiri said his son was born in the
mountains during 2000 winter. “I only saw my son after about a month,” he
said. “Temperatures had dropped very low.

But my son braved the winter, in the mountains, having fled terror,” he
said.

“The boy got his name Christpowers because I lived under the grace of God.
If Mutasa is my friend as he claims, why isn’t he here at the funeral,”
Maisiri asked.

Contacted for comment, Mutasa said yesterday it was “sometimes stupid” to
engage MDC-T officials on matters like this.

Chaos rocks Copac publicity campaigns

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

ZIMBABWE’S constitution-making process continues spiralling into chaos as
the three main political parties rush the draft through a shambolic
awareness campaign ahead of a referendum penciled in for March 16.

Hazel Ndebele/Paidamoyo Muzulu

The coalition government partners agreed to fast-track the draft
constitution last month without proper funding and logistical planning
resulting in the ongoing disorganised countrywide awareness campaigns where
copies of the draft are in short supply.

Copac launched a two-week awareness blitz targeting 144 centres countrywide
to popularise the draft in line with the government’s “Yes” vote in the
referendum.

The targeted centres will share 92 000 copies of the draft constitution
published by Copac with just two meetings being held in each of the country’s
59 districts.

About 70 000 copies are a full version of the draft and 22 000 a summarised
version, of which 10 000 are in English, 10 000 in Shona, 6 000 in Ndebele
and the remainder in minority languages such as Chewa, Kalanga and Tonga.

Copac national co-ordinator Gift Marunda confirmed the shortage of materials
and a disjointed national awareness campaign compared to the outreach
programme in 2010 that solicited people’s input to the draft during which 1
400 meetings were held.

Anyone above 18 years with a national identity card can participate in the
referendum.

“We are engaging in 144 meetings because of the constrained resources,”
Marunda said. “It is impossible to have a full scale outreach like the data
gathering outreach that went into wards. We resolved that the awareness
should only be representative.”

This week’s meetings in Harare and Bulawayo were poorly attended and some
had to be rescheduled.

For example, only 25 people attended the Harare Central constituency meeting
held at Queen Elizabeth High School while another held at Kuwadzana High
School, had pupils comprising the majority of participants.

Even with such low attendances, participants still failed to get individual
copies of the draft constitution at the meetings.

“We underestimated the huge response from the public since we had hoped that
at least copies would be distributed to organisations rather than
individuals,” said Marunda.

Civil society organisations like the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
and International Socialist Organisation, as well as political parties such
as Mavambo/Dawn/Kusile and MDC99 have complained about the four weeks set
aside to study the draft before the referendum.

NCA chairperson Lovemore Madhuku has petitioned the High Court to direct
government to push back the referendum date by a month to allow for thorough
debate of the draft.

Aspiring MPs threaten to split votes

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

DISGRUNTLED aspiring parliamentarians have threatened to split their parties’
votes by standing as independents in the imminent high-stakes elections in
protest against primary polls criteria they believe unfairly ring-fence
party heavyweights.
Report by Elias Mambo

Zanu PF and MDC-T have set primary elections selection criteria being
resisted by aspiring candidates who say the procedures are aimed at
sidelining new entrants while safeguarding the incumbents.

To demonstrate its opposition to selection criteria adopted by its party,
the MDC-T Supporters’ Forum said it would be mobilising disqualified
candidates and campaigning for them to contest as independents.

“The forum is already mobilising aspiring candidates who have been barred by
these MPs to stand as independent candidates,” said the forum in a
statement.

“We reiterate that the only democratic criterion of selecting candidates is
to have an open membership meeting where all contestants in the
constituencies will be nominated and seconded by voters.”

In the 2008 harmonised elections, independent candidates split the vote
resulting in Zanu PF, MDC-T and the MDC failing to secure victory in
constituencies in which they would otherwise have won.

This partly helped to create a hung parliament.

The most significant splitting of votes was in the presidential poll where
current Dawn/Mavambo/Kusile leader Simba Makoni claimed 8% of the vote,
denying MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who garnered 47%, an outright
victory to wrest power from President Robert Mugabe.

Instead, Tsvangirai was forced into a run-off with Mugabe, but pulled out
citing state-sponsored violence unleashed on his supporters.

MDC-T also suffered significant losses, especially in the Midlands, after
fielding more than one candidate in each constituency due to factionalism.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said his party would stick to the rules
and those who want to contest as independent candidates could do so at their
own peril.

“MDC-T is a party of rules and it has a constitution which must be
followed,” Mwonzora said.

“The constitution stipulates a selection criterion and those who do not
qualify should be patient and allow the ones who do to represent the party
in the general elections. If they decide to run as independent candidates
then they would have resigned from the MDC-T.”

Political analyst Jabusile Shumba said the next elections would feature more
independent candidates than in previous ones.

“We are likely to see a lot of independent candidates in the next elections
judging by the disgruntlement in both Zanu PF and the MDC-T caused by the
stringent candidate selection criteria which the parties are employing,” he
said.

Shumba also said the delay in finalising rules for primary elections would
have a negative impact on the political parties because those who would be
disqualified may opt to contest as independents as they have already
invested time and resources in campaigning.

Row erupts over election observers

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

SHARP differences have emerged among the three political parties that form
Zimbabwe’s transitional coalition government over the invitation of Western
poll observers as the referendum and crucial general elections approach.
Report by Elias Mambo

Vice-President Joice Mujuru has declared Zimbabwe would only allow regional
observers from southern Africa to monitor elections to prevent Western
powers from meddling in the country’s internal political processes.

“Why should we be monitored by other countries outside Sadc when we are a
sovereign state?” asked Mujuru.

Mujuru’s utterances have been trashed by the MDC formations who say credible
elections can only take place under the monitoring of international
observers.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC wants international referendum
observers to remain in the country until the watershed elections around
mid-year.

MDC-T secretary-general and Finance minister Tendai Biti said his party
would ensure international election observers are invited and remain in the
country even after the referendum.

“We want Sadc to make sure that referendum observers are allowed to remain
in the country up to the time we hold our elections,” said Biti.

“This election is critical and international observers will ensure Zimbabwe
does not go back to the unforgettable 2008 political crisis.”

The 2008 presidential run-off became a sham after MDC-T leader Morgan
Tsvangirai pulled out citing violence against his supporters, which led to
an inconclusive result and formation of the current inclusive government.

MDC-T has previously called for international observers to be deployed in
Zimbabwe six months before and six months after elections to ensure
violence-free elections and peaceful aftermath.

MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said his party would participate in elections
monitored by observers who share the same democratic interests with Zimbabwe
regardless of where they come from.

“As a country moving towards democracy, we want those with the same
democratic interests as us to come and scrutinise our elections,” Dube said.

However, European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia told the
Zimbabwe Independent on Monday that EU election observers are still waiting
for Zimbabwe’s invitation.

“We do not impose ourselves or force governments to invite us to observe
their elections,” Dell’Ariccia said. “We wait for the government to send an
invitation and this has to have a timeframe because we need time for
observers to come and observe activities leading to the elections,” he said.

Draft constitution: ‘Zim hoodwinked’

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

THE preamble to Article 6 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) reads:
“Acknowledging that it is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean
people to make a constitution by themselves and for themselves.”

Report by Elias Mambo

It also states that people should be “aware that the process of making this
constitution must be owned and driven by the people and must be inclusive
and democratic”.

However, it appears democracy is being dealt a massive blow in the interests
of political expediency as the three main political players, Zanu PF, MDC-T
and MDC, have ganged up to coerce people to a short notice vote for a draft
constitution at a referendum in March despite lack of debate and education
on the document.

Copac has rolled out a chaotic awareness campaign countrywide running from
February 25 to March 8, which is just a week before the referendum. The
campaigns have been hit by apathy, largely as a result of fatigue since the
process has been going on for four years; announcement that all GPA parties
will campaign for a “Yes” vote; and chaos which has characterised the
exercise.

Some of the apathy-hit awareness meetings have been affected by logistical
problems such as transport, while in some places confusion was widespread as
people could not get information on time.

In Highfield, Harare, a Copac meeting held this week reportedly ended
prematurely when Zanu PF activists in party regalia grabbed copies of the
draft constitution and ran away with them.

This is in keeping with the turmoil which has characterised the entire
constitution-making process, starting with the fracas that marred the First
All-Stakeholders’ Conference in July 2009.

There were also disruptions during the outreach programme as Zanu PF and the
MDC formations incessantly clashed as they sought to advance parochial
partisan interests during the exercise which gobbled up more than US$50
million.

A critical shortage of copies of the draft constitution has been reported
after Copac printed 70 000 only for its publicity campaigns nationwide
against a population of about 13 million people due to lack of funds.

As a result, people have been advised to go and queue at provincial and
district administrators’ offices to read the draft constitution ahead of the
referendum.

Copac has also reneged on its promise to translate the draft into the 16
indigenous languages, as well as into Braille for the visually impaired and
blind.

Political parties were given 3 500 copies to circulate among their
supporters, with a limited number passed on to provinces.

National Constitution Assembly (NCA) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku said due
to the lack of preparedness on the part of Copac and Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (Zec), the referendum result would not reflect the wishes of the
people but a “predetermined outcome in the interest of the political
players”.

“Zec is not even ready to run the referendum and elections because they have
not started training the 45 000 officials who will man the 9 000 polling
stations because we expect to have about five officials per polling
station,” Madhuku said. “Designation of polling stations also requires time
so that the points are selected well in advance for logistical purposes.”

Madhuku felt the 2000 Constitutional Commission referendum was better
organised because President Robert Mugabe proclaimed the date when he
received the draft constitution on November 29 1999, and the polls were
conducted end of February 2000.

South Africa gave its people two years to familiarise themselves with the
draft constitution before holding a referendum.

“For Zimbabwe, we want at least three months so that we can carry out
awareness campaigns,” Madhuku, who is challenging the proclamation of the
referendum dates in court, said.

Madhuku has dismissed the current awareness campaigns, claiming the
summarised version of the draft constitution being used is different from
the original draft because it does not include all the important points.

Mugabe has scoffed at the NCA’s High Court application.
“Adequate public consultations, debates and civil education have already
taken place,” said Mugabe.

“The one month will give ample opportunity to the people to make up their
minds. ”

Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) director Rindai Vava also called
for an extension saying Zec should be given more time to organise a credible
plebiscite.

“The political decision to hold the referendum undermines the ability of Zec
to enhance its capacity to conduct the election or strengthen its
credibility with stakeholders and this might be a missed opportunity,” said
Vava.

With 9 000 referendum polling stations proposed countrywide, Zec has limited
time to take care of logistical issues such as training personnel,
transport, ballot papers and indelible ink.

Zimbabwe Democracy Institute director Pedzisai Ruhanya said the fractious
coalition government partners are hoodwinking people into believing the
country’s constitution-making exercise is a democratic process when it’s
not.

“This whole process is a faÇade meant to hoodwink people so that they do not
have enough time to interrogate the draft constitution,” he said.

… Rural folk in the dark over document

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

A COUNTRY’S constitution is supposed to stand the test of time and be
inclusive in its making to serve future generations, but the current
constitution-making process in the country has been characterised by elitist
and partisan interests — a product of compromise among the three political
parties in the inclusive government.

Report by Faith Zaba

With exactly two weeks to go before the country holds a referendum on the
new draft constitution on March 16, it has emerged rural folks are clueless
about the contents of the document.

The current publicity campaigns have not reached the rural populace, as was
done in 1999/2000, to explain what the draft says.

The Zimbabwe Independent this week visited Uzumba and Murehwa in Mashonaland
East in a bid to find out whether Copac and Ministry of Constitutional and
Parliamentary Affairs campaigns were reaching the people.

Interviews with people in Murehwa and Uzumba showed they are unaware the
draft constitution was complete, while others said they are yet to see the
document they are expected to vote for on March 16.

As Copac rolls out its “Yes” campaign with limited reach and copies of the
English version of the draft without Shona and Ndebele translations, people
in Uzumba and Murehwa are concerned with fast-tracking the process.

No meetings have been held in Murehwa and Uzumba as yet to brief people on
the draft constitution, save for a Zanu PF ward 9 meeting scheduled for
tomorrow, nor are translations of the draft available. The villagers said
all they have been told is to vote “Yes” even without seeing the draft.

Seventy-eight-year-old James Nyakabau of Charinda Village in Murehwa said
government should have given them time to read or be sufficiently briefed
before the referendum.

He said although he has heard through rumours the draft was now complete, he
feels there is no adequate time being given to people to learn about its
contents.

“We have heard that the draft is out, but we have not seen it. We don’t even
know if we are ever going to see copies of it before the referendum,” he
said. “We have just been told that those that voted in the last elections
should tick ‘Yes’ and those that didn’t vote should tick ‘No’. We don’t
understand what this means.”

Nyakabau went further: “Obviously, I want to know what is in the
constitution. I am very interested in what our new constitution says, but
unfortunately, we are being taken for granted. They think it is not
important for us to know so they have not bothered to explain it to us.”

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai recently defended the short time given
people to study the draft before the referendum.

“It doesn’t matter how many months you give people, they are the ones who
had input in this constitution,” he said. “If you have not already made a
decision, I am sure that even if you are given 10 months, you will never
arrive at any decision.”

People in Uzumba and Murehwa, however, disagree. They asked if what they
said during the outreach programme is in the draft.

Gladys Matema, a widow from Mhondiwa village in Murehwa said she is
interested in making an informed decision to vote “Yes” or “No”.

“I want to know before I vote so I can decide how to vote. I might not
understand most aspects of the constitution, but there are certain areas I
am interested in like the rights of women and children,” she said.

“We want to see the girl child and women enjoying the same rights as men. We
can’t vote for a document that suppresses women — so, definitely I want to
know. We don’t want a retrogressive document.”

Faith Zanga, from the same area, said she hoped the meetings being organised
by Copac would be informative.

“We need to know — it is our right to know what is in the constitution. I
hope the meetings will deal with the important clauses,” she said.

However, 22-year-old Clever Munengani said he was clueless about what a
constitution is.

“I only went up to Grade 7, so I know nothing about the constitution. So, I
don’t know what I should expect. This is the problem when one is
insufficiently educated,” he said.

Copac will be holding two meetings per district, which covers two to three
constituencies, to publicise the draft while the Constitutional and
Parliamentary Affairs ministry will have two meetings per province.

Biti in line for prestigious Chatham Award

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in News

MDC-T secretary-general and Finance minister Tendai Biti has been
short-listed for the 2013 Chatham House Prize in recognition of his
contribution towards political and economic stability and the re-engagement
of Zimbabwe with the international community.

Staff Writer

According to a letter seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, Biti is among three
nominees in line to land the prize given by the London-based Royal Institute
of International Affairs at Chatham House to the “statesperson judged to
have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of
international relations in the previous year”.

Your success during 2012 in stabilising and de-politicising your country’s
economy and your instrumental role in Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the
international financial community have a strong impression on our research
programmes and our three presidents,” reads the letter to Biti.

The winner would be decided at the end of March.

Empowerment or ‘legal’ racketeering?

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in News

DESPITE having been part of the national discourse since 2007 when Zanu PF
first formally mulled the process, and more actively since 2010, the
controversial indigenisation programme remains uncertain.

Report by Owen Gagare

Its architects and implementers now publicly differ on its framework, thrust
and implementation matrix.

Of late rival camps clustered around Indigenisation minister Saviour
Kasukuwere and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono have emerged,
quarrelling over a whole range of issues, including the ideological
foundations of the programme, conceptual basis, frameworks, implementation,
consultations, valuation of companies, legislative issues, exchange rate
approvals, consultation fees, and conditions precedent to agreements signed
so far.

Kasukuwere’s group is basically campaigning for an equity-based model to
transfer ownership of wealth to locals, while Gono argues a
“one-size-fits-all” approach would not work.

He has suggested a supply-side model be applied in some sectors of the
economy, enraging Kasukuwere’s allies.

Major indigenisation deals signed up to date include Portland Holdings, Unki
Mine, Mimosa Mining Company and Zimplats, mostly brokered by Brainworks
Capital Management, raising the issue of how the consultancy firm was chosen
and amounts being paid to it.

Brainworks has brokered deals worth at least US$1,7 billion and stands to
reap about US$25,8 million in commission at an average rate of 1,5% of the
total transactions value.

A number of firms have been engaged on consultancy works, although it is
unclear what criteria were followed. This has raised suspicions of political
corruption, rent-seeking, extortion, bribery, cronyism and patronage.

Against this backdrop, the main question hovering over the indigenisation
process has been: Is this a genuine empowerment programme or racketeering by
regulation?

Its promoters say this is a genuine programme of empowerment premised on
resource nationalism to lift up previously underprivileged Zimbabweans out
of the depths of poverty to relative prosperity by leveraging mainly on the
abundance of the country’s mineral wealth. They say the primary objective of
the policy is to broaden Zimbabwe’s economic base by ensuring the majority
effectively participate in economic affairs of the country.

However, critics argue that although indigenisation might be a good idea, it
has degenerated into a racketeering. They say the way the programme is
financed raises the spectre of a Ponzi scheme which will collapse with
disastrous economic consequences.

Finance minister Tendai Biti, a lawyer by profession, has said the community
share trusts aspect of the programme are “illegal”.

The promulgation of the Indigenisation and Economic Act (Chapter 14:33, as
read with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (General) Regulations
2010, Statutory Instrument 21/10 and supplemented by the General Notice 114
of 2011, requires foreign-owned companies to dispose 51% of their shares to
locals at fair market value.

Many companies have reportedly submitted indigenisation plans, although some
are resisting, risking punitive measures or seizure.

Disposals of shares to indigenous entities under empowerment transactions
are being treated as purely commercial. The law does not allow expropriation
or nationalisation.

Since indigenous people do not have capital to buy their 51% equities, a
notional vendor financing scheme was chosen as the option.

Vendor financing is a loan finance method that facilitates disposal of
equity interest in a business by existing shareholders to a new investor
with the purchase price for the shares being settled by future dividends
attributable to the buyer.

This method allows the purchaser to secure shares without upfront capital
outlay or collateral and to settle the share acquisition costs using future
dividends. However, it is very risky as companies in this case are lending
money to people who are broke and may never repay.

Although President Robert Mugabe has drawn parallels between the land reform
and indigenisation programmes, it appears the lure of unearned riches for a
selected few under the cover of majority empowerment may be the biggest
motive for politicians and their cronies even though this may well be the
only way out for besieged foreign-owned companies.

‘No plans to hang death row inmates’

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in News

ZIMBABWE Prison Services (ZPS) deputy commissioner Agrey Machingauta said
there are no plans to carry out any executions in the country and the ZPS
hopes all 77 death row inmates get a reprieve.

Report by Wongai Zhangazha

Zimbabwe recently hired a hangman raising speculation that the country could
be resuming executions, but Machingauta assured a ZPS stakeholders
conference at Harare Central Prison a fortnight ago that no executions would
be carried out “anytime soon”.

Zimbabwe currently has 77 inmates on death row, including two females.

“We have not carried executions for the past 12 years so we are in no
hurry,” said Machingauta. “We actually hope that the 77 inmates will get
their reprieve. We also stand guided by what Minister (of Justice Patrick)
Chinamasa said that all death row cases will be decided by cabinet.”

About 78 people have been executed in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

The last executions were carried out on June 13 2003, when Stephen Chidhumo,
Elias Chauke, William Mukurugunye and John Nyamazana were hanged.

The four had been convicted of murder without extenuating circumstances and
their execution took place without any warning to their families.

Chinamasa recently said the appointment of a new hangman does not mean any
of the death row inmates would be executed and government would instead push
for the sentences to be commuted to life in prison.

The hangman’s job had been vacant and government had been struggling to find
a replacement since the previous one retired in 2005 despite repeated
adverts in the local press.

The draft constitution that would be tested in a referendum on March 16
retains the death penalty, but prohibits executions of women and anyone
under the age of 21 years or over the age of 70 years.

ZPS commissioner retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi said prisons were
holding 16 902 inmates.

He said only 587 of these were women and 124 were juveniles.

Govt plans to seal off new diamond fields

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

February 25, 2013 in News

GOVERNMENT plans to seal off newly discovered diamond fields in Masvingo
province’s Bikita district to halt illegal mining of the precious stones,
Mines minister Obert Mpofu has said.

Report by Taurai Mangudhla

In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent, Mpofu said government had
decided to control access to the area to avoid a repeat of the Marange
diamond fields free-for-all where thousands of people descended on Chiadzwa
to illegally mine diamonds before security forces brutally moved in to stop
the chaos.

Mpofu insisted this would be achieved peacefully and in an organised manner
to plug mineral leakages and allow the nation to benefit from its resource
wealth.

“Yes we will seal off the area, but it may not be exactly as Chiadzwa
because that was at a time we were not sure of the availability of diamonds.
We have learnt our lesson and will do things in a much more organised
manner,” said Mpofu.

Mpofu confirmed there were Kimberlite diamonds in the Bikita area, saying he
had received confirmation from his officials after getting police reports
about illegal mining activities.

“According to the report, some villagers reported that there were diamonds
in the Devure Ranch and the Chinese came and started prospecting and found
diamonds, but said they were of no commercial value. But I am told now they
have come with heavy equipment so I have instructed the police and my
officials to stop them,” Mpofu said.

“We are told equipment has been moved, which is very worrying because we are
unaware of any special grant or any claim that was given to any investor to
mine diamonds in that area.”

Two weeks ago, the Independent reported a dispute had erupted over the
mining of recently discovered diamonds in Bikita, with former freedom
fighters in the area alleging corruption and contesting the “unclear
circumstances” surrounding mining of the gems.

Kimberlite diamonds were discovered in Bikita’s Village One and Two under
Chief Budzi last year, resulting in a number of mining firms, including
Harare-based Bayrich Enterprises as well as senior police and army officers,
jostling to acquire rights to mine the gems.

Mpofu said the new diamond discoveries would go a long way towards improving
the country’s meagre revenue collections.

Jostling for parly seats intensifies

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

JOSTLING for parliamentary seats for the next elections is intensifying
throughout the provinces amid revelations that some MDC-T bigwigs are likely
to lose to relatively newcomers.
Report by Herbert Moyo

Although the jostling is countrywide, the main focus is on the party’s
Bulawayo province where there are looming massive changes likely to spell
the end of the road for some of its stalwarts, including Dorcas Sibanda
(Bulawayo Central), Felix Magalela Sibanda (Magwegwe) and Thabitha Khumalo
(Bulawayo East).

MDC-T deputy president Thokozani Khupe is not contesting parliamentary
elections this year as her party has resolved that as a “national leader she
should be campaigning at a national level for the overall success of the
party”.

Provincial chairperson Gorden Moyo has been lined up to contest Khupe’s
current seat.

“It’s not that Khupe is running away from Makokoba due to past troubles in
the area,” said a source. “It has been resolved that contesting in elections
undermines her stature as national leader.”

New faces expected to be unveiled include academic Mandla Nyathi (Bulawayo
East), lawyer Kucaca Phulu, clergyman Useni Sibanda and a son of the late
Zanu PF Makokoba MP Sidney Malunga identified as Anele (Magwegwe).

Sibanda confirmed being approached by MDC-T, but said he is yet to make a
decision. Phulu is earmarked to take over from Bulawayo mayor Thaba Moyo,
who sources said, has been undone by his lack of academic qualifications.

Masvingo province has also been rocked by controversy following claims by
aspiring candidates, including mayor Femias Chakabuda, aspiring mayor David
Charirwe and deputy mayor Selina Maridza, who say that their CVs had been
tempered with to undermine their prospects.

Provincial secretary Tongai Matutu acknowledged receiving the complaints but
said there are no problems in Masvingo and in any contest “some people will
fall by the wayside due to the emergence of somebody more popular”.

“There was that complaint but we opened all the applications in the presence
of 38 provincial members and studied them in an open transparent manner. The
complaint is without merit,” said Matutu.

Although those rumoured to be facing the chop have remained mum, the MDC-T
is desperate to avoid acrimonious battles that would divide the party’s
potential votes. The disturbances have occasionally degenerated into
physical fights, especially in the run-up to the party congress held in the
city in 2011.

Factions aligned to Makokoba senator Matson Hlalo and Moyo reportedly fought
pitched battles prompting party leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
to appoint the Trust Mhanda-led Commission to investigate the issue. The
commission’s findings have been canned.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director Macdonald Lewanika said the MDC-T
should realise that those who got them here might not be enough to take them
to the next level, so reinvention and reinforcement is not a bad thing.

Women’s groups meet over polls code of conduct

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Politics

AN initiative by the three main political parties, Zanu PF, MDC-T, MDC, to
promote the Zimbabwe Code of Conduct for political parties has received a
major boost from their women structures which expected to meet today to
publicise the code.

Report by Wongai Zhangazha

In January principals to the Global Political Agreement endorsed the Organ
on National Healing, Truth and Reconciliation’s code of conduct which seeks
to hold political parties accountable for any violence or intimidation
perpetrated by their supporters.

Zanu PF Women’s League chairperson Oppah Muchinguri, MDC-T Women’s Assembly
leader Theresa Makone and Thandiwe Mlilo of the MDC have held meetings in
the past weeks at the Jomic offices to discuss ways of promoting the code of
conduct at grassroots level.

The women’s formations have agreed to hold a joint meeting today.
Makone said in an interview this week the programme was a good initiative to
ensure protection of women.

“This is something that was started by Jomic where three chairpersons of the
women’s formations met and agreed on a number of issues,” said Makone.

“As the MDC-T, we met on Tuesday to develop our own code of conduct and
discuss what we see as important to us as women. To us the most important
issue is say no to violence against women, especially in constituencies
represented by women and an end to all sorts of violence against women
during elections.”

Muchinguri confirmed the meeting, saying they wanted issues of equality at
every level during elections.

“As the women’s league we are looking at the participation of women from
voting and monitoring to coming up with policies at every level,” said
Muchinguri.

“We are saying how best can we work together looking at the code of conduct
to reduce political violence? We seek to promote the protection of women
contesting or monitoring and strongly condemn the beating of (Zanu PF
Hurungwe East legislator Sarah) Mahoka by youths.

If party activistsresort to beating contesting women or any form of violence
we will not vote for them. All those perpetrators should be brought to
book.”

The parties’ youth formations are also expected to meet to map ways of
promoting the code of conduct. The code calls on political parties to run
their election campaigns without infringing on the activities of other
parties. It emphasises that political parties should be able to campaign and
disseminate their political ideas without fear.

The code also touches on the conduct of political parties during polling,
accepting the outcome of a free and fair election and the use of appropriate
language during campaigns.

It compels parties to desist from bribery to garner votes.

Residence-based tax system commendable

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Business

ZIMBABWE’S proposed residence based tax system which comes into effect in
January 2014 will be simpler and more user friendly and is intended to widen
the country’s tax base, a local taxation expert has said.

Report by Clive Mphambela

Presenting an analytical paper at the Zimbabwe Independent Dialogue series
in Harare last week, Max Mangoro, a partner with Ernst & Young Advisory
Services , said government had been motivated by several positive reasons to
move to the residence based tax system.

One of the reasons, he said, was to place Zimbabwe’s income tax system on a
sound footing which would protect the tax base from exploitation.

He also said the new measures were aimed at aligning the Zimbabwean tax
system with international tax principles and best practices especially
following the relaxation of exchange controls and the greater involvement of
Zimbabwean companies offshore since dollarisation of the economy in 2009.

According to Mangoro, the proposed new Income Tax Act will effectively cater
for the taxation of e-commerce transactions.
“To facilitate the implementation of the new proposals it has been necessary
to re-define one of the most important building blocks on which the income
tax system is based, namely what income is taxable?” Mangoro said.

“This is because income tax is levied on every person who has taxable income
for the year of assessment.”

According to expert opinion, gross income definition in the new Act will be
amended to reflect the world-wide basis of taxation.

“In short, all residents will be taxable on their Zimbabwean and foreign
income, non-residents will be taxable on their Zimbabwean sourced income,
whilst expatriates will be taxable on Zimbabwe sourced income and the
income, if any, which accrues during that year from all sources outside
Zimbabwe and which is required to be remitted to Zimbabwe in terms of
exchange control regulations,”
Mangoro said.

He said currently, the Zimbabwean income tax system is primarily based on
what is commonly referred to as the source plus basis of taxation under
which all income which originates in Zimbabwe and certain types of income
which are deemed to be from a source in Zimbabwe such as foreign dividends
and foreign interest are taxable in terms of the Income Tax Act.

Because the new world-wide tax system is based on residency, it is crucial
that there is certainty of what the term means.
Mangoro said two rules will apply to define what a resident is in respect of
individual tax payers.

He said the first is a subjective test based on one’s ordinary place of
abode under which a taxpayer is deemed to be a resident of Zimbabwe if his
or her permanent home, to which he or she will return , is in Zimbabwe and
he or she is present in Zimbabwe at any time during the year of assessment.

“The second rule, based on physical presence in Zimbabwe is time-based and
more objective. A person will become a resident if he or she is present in
Zimbabwe for one or more periods amounting in aggregate to at least one
hundred and eighty-three days in any twelve-month period that ends during
the year of assessment,” he said.

Mangoro said for corporate taxes, a company will be a resident if it is
incorporated, effectively managed and controlled or undertakes the majority
of its operations in Zimbabwe during the year of assessment.

Control in this sense means where Zimbabwean residents hold more than 50% of
the participation rights or votes in the entity or control the entity.

EcoCash defies Baz

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Business

DESPITE concerted calls by banks for Econet Wireless (Econet)’s mobile money
service, EcoCash, to be regulated and ensure it does not eat into the
conventional banking market, the giant mobile network provider has announced
huge expansion plans including moving into new sectors like health.

Report by Taurai Mangudhla

The banks, through the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (Baz) , argued
EcoCash should be bound by the country’s banking laws to enable a level
playing field after the country put a ceiling on bank charges effective this
year.

Baz said there was no guarantee EcoCash would not utilise the partnerships
with banks to steal customers from the institutions, but Econet insists the
argument is invalid as it accounts for more than eight million mobile phone
subscribers compared to the combined one million plus registered depositors.

With attempts having been made to put tight policy control around Safaricom
and Vodafone’s MPESA in Kenya and Tanzania, the local financial
institutions, plight has also become a regional concern which has seen
African policymakers and regulators from Alliance for Financial Inclusion
member institutions gathering in Tanzania last month to launch the first
African Mobile Phone Financial Services Policy Initiative.

The meeting reflected on effective best practices to support policy reforms
for mobile financial services in Africa within a regional framework.

EcoCash is however unfazed with the concerns, announcing ongoing plans to
integrate three major banks — CBZ Bank, TN Bank and Stanbic Bank (Stanbic) —
onto its EcoCash platform within ten days and the majority of financial
institutions by end of March.

Stanbic became the third and first international bank to partner EcoCash,
meaning anyone with a Stanbic account that is registered on EcoCash can now
use their mobile phone to make banking transactions from anywhere.

The mobile phone company recently got the support of Deputy Prime Minister
Authur Mtambara who threw out banks’ argument, saying government had
declined to promulgate a piece of legislation that penalises EcoCash for
straying into banking activities.
He said banks should stop whining and develop mechanisms that match mobile
money.

The DPM applauded the mobile money innovation saying it gives 80% of
Zimbabwe’s population, currently unbanked, access to banking facilities.

In its latest statement, Econet said it had finally reached an agreement
with most of the banks on EcoCash integration, adding the process is now
progressing smoothly.

The company sent a message to all of its more than eight million customers
saying issues have been resolved with virtually all the banks and
integration was progressing well.

Econet said when a bank is integrated, a person can undertake banking from
anywhere in the world at any time of day.

“You can move money from your account, and send it to someone in Zimbabwe
even at midnight from China; it is that flexible,” said the company
spokesperson.

The company said banks that do not have integration have been concerned
about losing customers to those banks that are already integrated with
EcoCash.

Last year EcoCash started partnering banks to ramp up mobile money transfer
facilities.

With most of Zimbabwe’s estimated 14 million population currently in the
unbanked bracket and government failing to solve a change crisis emanating
from adoption of a multiple currency regime that was adopted in 2009,
experts say mobile money transfer is an ideal solution.

The appetite for mobile money is huge in the country, with most of the
population having access to mobile phone services.

Latest figures show the country’s three mobile networks — Econet, NetOne and
Telecel Zimbabwe — have a combined 11 million subscribers.
Econet CE Douglas Mboweni said the move would see EcoCash becoming a
financial service and not just a mobile money transfer as EcoCash registered
banks account holders would be able to transfer money from their bank
accounts to their EcoCash wallets and vice versa.

Econet says transactions on its mobile money transfer facility, EcoCash, are
expected to grow more than threefold and top US$1 billion by August 2013 as
compared to US$300 million registered in its first year of operation.

Ecocash was launched in August last year and has grown to register more than
two million users.

Sudden love for football fools noone

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

March 1, 2013 in Opinion

President Robert Mugabe has promised to fully embrace football development
“as a priority” only after winning elections.

Opinion by The MuckRaker

Handing over the Bob 89 trophy to the winners Dynamos this week, Mugabe
bemoaned the current policies “which do not embrace soccer” saying he will
make sure football is adequately funded when he wins the next elections.

This sudden concern is likely to provide cold comfort to football lovers
considering it is Zanu PF policies that have destroyed local football.

Sport has always taken a back seat under Zanu PF rule being lumped together
with education and culture in one ministry.

Government has idly watched as Zifa struggled to raise money to attend
tournaments forcing the likes of Cuthbert Dube to bankroll the association
from their own pockets.

Instead, they only want to take credit in rare moments of success, such as
Kirsty Coventry’s Olympic triumph, as if they had anything to do with it.

Sudden concern

Thirty-three years on Mugabe has found it “worrisome” that Zimbabwe fails to
qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The government seems not to be doing much in supporting soccer,” Mugabe
said without a hint of irony, since we are told ad nauseam he is head of
government.

It has apparently come to his attention that local soccer has the potential
to become a force to reckon with at international level “if we emulate other
countries who invest in the game”.

Zanu PF is not fooling anyone in its attempt to latch on to popular football
clubs in its bid to repackage its stale ideology. He should ask Webster
Shamu who last December unsuccessfully tried to turn a musical gala into a
political rally and instead got jeers for his troubles. He was forced to
change tack by calling on the crowd to rally behind Dynamos football club.

“Pamberi neDembare, neDembare yedu (forward with Dynamos),” yelped Shamu in
a bid to pacify the restive crowd.
Singing from the same hymn sheet Mugabe made his agenda all the more plain
stating: “The elections are coming and we want to make sure that we will
support soccer with the much-needed funding, and a Zanu PF government will
do that.”

Fat chance!

Strategic mayhem

Meanwhile the ZRP has “assured” the nation that despite funding and manpower
challenges, the referendum and elections will be held without violence.

ZRP Elections Commander, Deputy commissioner-general Innocent Matibiri said
the police has a “strategic” document in place and had already started
training its members from district to national levels.

The police, Matibiri said, will continue to clamp down on non-governmental
organisations and individuals “whose activities may pose a security risk to
the country during and after the electoral processes”.

“We will stop at nothing to clamp down on those who carry out activities
that are not noble to Zimbabwe’s cause,” Matibiri charged.
So it seems the “strategic” document is there only to harass NGOs and to
determine what activities can be deemed “noble”.

While they are at it, the Chipanganos and Jabulani Sibandas of this world
are left to roam free and wreak havoc.

Freedom my foot!

A statement last week by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) neatly
summarised the significance of the police’s confiscation of shortwave
receivers.
“MAZ believes that owning and distributing radio receivers is not illegal,”
the organisation said. “Confiscating them was a gross violation of citizens’
rights to receive and impart ideas and information without interference as
enshrined in Section 20 of the constitution. People have been deprived of an
important source of information.”
So here we are at the outset of the “Vote Yes” campaign with an egregious
abridgement of fundamental liberties without a squeak of protest by
political parties, civil society groups, churches, the so-called public
papers and government-owned radio and television stations.
So much for freedom of the press and association as set out in the new
draft.
Clueless accomplices

And at the same time we had the MDC-T accusing the independent media of hate
speech.
Admittedly this was designed to demonstrate an even-handed approach by the
MDC-T, but instead it simply gave the impression that Morgan Tsvangirai and
his party did not uphold the values that are fundamental to democracy.
The confiscation of SW radios, a clumsy attack on democracy, should have
elicited the strongest of responses. Instead we got a mealy-mouthed
response. It must be obvious to all including the MDC that Zimbabweans rely
on external broadcasts to ascertain news and views which they can’t get from
the Orwellian ZBC.
MDC-T spokesmen should be challenged to tell us what hate speech they are
referring to. Instead they are constantly finding ways to propitiate Mugabe.
The latest involves a letter by Social Services minister Paurina Mpariwa,
which, according to press reports, led to the raid on the Zimbabwe Peace
Project offices.
Elections déjà vu

Now we hear the government won’t allow foreign election observers other than
Sadc.
This is all very strange. The government is desperate for money for election
funding. But for reasons of dubious nationalism, it wants to assert its
sovereignty and bar those countries which have been supporting Copac.
But there is no reason to be dismayed. Studiously ignoring recent arrests
and other abuses ––most notably the assault on Woza and the ZPP –– the
Scandinavians and others will come to the rescue along with the UNDP.
So Zanu PF’s nationalist self-regard will be spared. And the election will
go ahead as planned, flawed, bungled and bashed.
Misplaced priorities

Harare City Council has suspended the construction of a commuter omnibus
loading bay near Rotten Row because they want to “prioritise” the
rehabilitation of roads, the Herald reports.
“It is all about prioritising hence we have sought to concentrate on roads
and water for the time being,” town clerk Tendai Mahachi said.
“We have temporarily set aside the development of major projects like
holding bays so that we can fully concentrate on the delapidating road
infrastructure.”
According to Mahachi, they had seen that “roads need more work”.
We wonder how long before they also “see” that most of Harare’s suburbs have
been without water for the past two weeks.
Hopefully sooner rather than later!
Vote has final say

Finally, as we warned last week state media delirium over President Mugabe’s
birthday reached ridiculous proportions last week with ZBC claiming “youths”
in Matabeleland North Province “have joined the rest of the country” in
conveying congratulatory messages.
The youths, who ZBC miraculously found assembled in one place, “said” the
president has been an exemplary leader who has shown his love for young
people through the indigenisation and economic empowerment policy.
The youths, we are told, also “expressed confidence” that the president,
“who is among the most respected on the African continent”, will win the
next presidential election.
Zanu PF’s electoral drubbing in that part of the country since Independence
exposes such sentiments for the hogwash that they are.

Perils of self-righteousness

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

February 22, 2013 in Opinion

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe turned 89 yesterday.

Editor’s Memo with Dumisani Muleya

It would have been great to be among those who sent birthday greetings to
him if one had a way of doing so, simply because it was an auspicious
occasion for him, his family and many others.

Besides, longevity is a blessing, not a curse as some would like us to
believe.

Even if there is a stark reality of problems associated with old age, most
people would want to age beautifully, take a rest and enjoy spending time
with family and friends in the twilight years of their lives and careers,
while reminiscing on the past and taking stock of achievements and failures
in life.

This is probably what Mugabe should have been doing by now.
But his mantra is that he is still active; as he said last year “at this age
I can still go some distance, can’t I?”

Of course, Mugabe can still go some distance in longevity. However, that is
entirely irrelevant.

What is important for him as a leader is that after years of long service he
must appreciate it is time to go. No matter how good a leader may be, there
is always time to go. No one is indispensable.

Even those believed to have papal infallibility are now realising this ––
which is why it is ridiculous in this day and age for leaders, including
monarchs and those with ecclesiastical responsibilities, to claim a divine
right to rule.

Pope Benedict XVI (85) announced on Monday last week his resignation with
effect from next Thursday after seven years in office, citing “lack of
strength of mind and body” to continue his dual roles as Sovereign of the
Vatican City State and leader of the Catholic Church –– coincidentally
Mugabe’s church as well.

By so doing Benedict XVI, who could claim a divine mandate and rule for
life, left a good legacy and showed the way. He will become the first pope
to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so voluntarily
since Pope Celestine V in 1294.

But clinging on is not the only problem with Mugabe. There is another,
perhaps more hidden, character flaw with him: his self-righteousness.

It may well be that Mugabe is well-intentioned when he talks about his life
and role as a leader but unfortunately his remarks almost always come out
exhibiting sanctimoniousness, a veiled holier-than-thou attitude perhaps
expressed succinctly and clearly in the media yesterday when he was quoted
as saying:
“In my small way, this is the task the Lord might have wanted me to fulfil
among my people and as I carry the burden of fulfilling it, it being a
divine task, I read it as a bidding of God. A commandment, that is how you
serve your nation,” Mugabe said.

“The bidding says you move forward ever. Do not retrace when you are right.
No backward movement when you are right. Your principles must be well
defined. If they are those principles meant to enhance your people so they
fit on the great neighbourhood, then there is no retreating. Principles
become sacred.”

Quite apart from insinuations of a divine right to rule –– which is
preposterous –– this unmistakably shows Mugabe in self-righteous mode. His
remarks betray some dubious moral superiority which he wants to project,
derived from his view that his beliefs, philosophy and actions are of
greater virtue than those of others.

Put differently, he seems to believe he is infallible, has heroic endurance,
moral courage and physical immortality. Moreover, Mugabe seems to believe he
is right, has always been right and will continue to be right even though
there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

In other words, he is consumed by hubris and self-righteousness.
This delusional approach and denial of reality has largely bred his vile
dictatorship and all the concomitant evils it has wrought on this nation and
its people.

All the same, a belated happy birthday Mr President!

ZCTF Report - Mar 2013