The ZIMBABWE Situation | Our
thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe - may peace, truth and justice prevail. |
ONE hundred and eighty member of Women of
Zimbabwe Arise – (WOZA) met at a secret location from the
As a result of reflecting on the political and economic environment, women decided to go forward and vote to overcome the suffering faced on a daily basis by women. They resolved to “Vote on 31 March to free their sister from suffering”.
Women described the hardships they face in graphic terms: One said her eyes now remain red from perpetual crying day in and day out and she has pinned her hopes that her tears can be wiped away by casting her ballot where there is “love”.
Another women explained that her cat now sits upon her stove. Perhaps the cat remembers that food was once cooked there on a daily basis.
The WOZA membership is dominated by informal traders and one women testified about the challenges in trying to sell enough to put food on the table. She lamented that she is frequently arrested and her goods confiscated to the tables of the police officers houses. She said “they feed their children whilst I am killing mine with hunger.”
Against this background of starvation and deprivation, WOZA will continue to campaign tirelessly in the month of March to get women to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice with whom together they can create more freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe.
Recognising the grave importance of this election, the women of WOZA call on their sister to observe the cultural practice of sexual abstinence within the crucial dates of 28th March to 2nd April. This cultural practice is called “ukuzila amacansi” in Ndebele “Hapana Bonde” in Shona.
Mother WOZA, the leadership body of WOZA endorsed this resolution by saying, “Sisters do not boycott casting your ballot but boycott sexual practice for the sake of a better tomorrow. To their husbands, we say, we know you understand our culture, many a day your children go without food – we must sacrifice together. Woza Moya, Huya Mweya, Come Holy Spirit and help heal our land!”
Members of WOZA take to the street
peacefully in
Ends
For more information, please contact
Sokwanele
Press Release:
Women from WOZA arrested at their
homes
8 March
2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sokwanele has just received word that some women from a local activist group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were arrested at their homes earlier today.
The numbers arrested are so far unconfirmed.
Today, 8 March, is International Women's Day - the UN theme for International Women’s Day this year is "Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future".
WOZA were planning to march in solidarity with women all around the world. The arrest of the women at their homes means that the Zimbabwean police effectively stopped the march before it started.
This event once again highlights the fact that there is no freedom of expression or association in Zimbabwe today.
The following articles, available from our website (www.sokwanele.com), cover some of WOZA's activities in the past. If you would like to receive copies of these by email, please request them by emailing newsletter@sokwanele.com.
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About Sokwanele:
Sokwanele - Zvakwana - Enough is Enough is a peoples' movement, embracing supporters of all pro-democratic political parties, civic organizations and institutions.
Sokwanele - Zvakwana - Enough is Enough will never aspire to political office.
Sokwanele - Zvakwana - Enough is Enough is a peoples' force through which democracy will be restored to the country and protected jealously for future generations to ensure that Zimbabweans will never be oppressed again.
Visit our
website: www.sokwanele.com
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We have a fundamental right to freedom of expression!
Sokwanele does not endorse the editorial policy of any source or website except its own. It retains full copyright on its own articles, which may be reproduced or distributed but may not be materially altered in any way. Reproduced articles must clearly show the source and owner of copyright, together with any other notices originally contained therein, as well as the original date of publication. Sokwanele does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising in any way from receipt of this email or use thereof. This document, or any part thereof, may not be distributed for profit.
"On 17 August 2004, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders meeting in Mauritius adopted the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Zimbabwe, as a member of SADC, also signed the Declaration and committed itself to implementing the standards. The Mugabe regime claims that it is compliant with these standards and thereby invites a comparison between its own electoral and security legislation and its actions on the one hand, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines on the other.
“Mauritius Watch” provides a regular, objective and non-partisan assessment of Zimbabwe’s compliance with these principles and guidelines. In the run-up to the 2005 Parliamentary Elections we note any significant failures to adhere to the SADC standards. This is the 19th edition of the special weekly feature, and it should be read therefore in conjunction with the earlier editions. The evidence is cumulative. We invite readers to consider the larger picture, from which a very clear pattern emerges – and on which we comment below, after recording some of the more significant events of the last week.
The date for the Parliamentary Elections has been set as March 31, now less than 4 weeks away.
In a press statement the MDC said Chibanda was campaigning at Basset farm in Raffingora district in the constituency when a group of ZANU-PF militants led by a self-styled liberation war veteran, identified only as Kangachepi, abducted him and his team.
“Chibanda and his team were assaulted and taken to some torture camp on the farm. Eight of his team members managed to escape and reported the matter to the police while Chibanda and Paidamoyo remained under siege,” the opposition party said.
Following the report, the police went to Basset farm and picked up the ZANU-PF militants and their MDC victims. But when Chibanda and Muzula attempted to press charges against their torturers at the police station, they were told that they instead were going to be detained while their assailants were to go free.
(See the full story in Zim Online: www.zimonline.co.za 5.03.05)
SADC standards breached
Residents from the high-density suburbs of Chikanga, Sakubva , Dangamvura and elsewhere claim they can no longer move freely at night because of this menace. The marauding activists include ZANU-PF youth militia and (so called) war veterans.
(For the full story see the report in The Standard: www.thestandard.co.zw 27.02.05)
SADC standards breached
Despite the difficulty in obtaining independent reports or verifying stories due to the Mugabe regime’s massive clampdown on the independent and foreign media, the stories of intimidation and harassment at the hands of the military are remarkably consistent and all-too believable within the police-state atmosphere that now prevails across Zimbabwe.
According to one account 20 soldiers recently spotted a group of MDC activists at a shopping centre about 80 km from Mutare, their distinctive red and white T-shirts revealing their political allegiance. One of the soldiers told the group it was a no-go area for MDC.
“We have been tolerating you for a long time,” he added. “Get into your car as quickly as you can and leave this place.”
As the activists started to pull away in their pickup truck, the soldiers began hurtling stones. One parliamentary candidate, Gabriel Chiwara, stumbled as he tried to climb into the front seat. Chiwara said the soldiers tackled him to the ground and kicked him for several minutes with their boots. As he begged for mercy, he said, the soldiers shouted: “You have to die! You are selling the country to the whites!”
(The full report may be seen in the Washington Post, March 5: also carried in ZWNEWS: www.zwnews.com 6.03.05)
SADC standards breached
The IWPR source reveals that the ZANU-PF youth militias, Robert Mugabe’s much-feared storm troopers, known among the population as Green Bombers, are now behaving with such menace in the Makoni West constituency that many villagers have fled their homes. Makoni West is a marginal constituency on the outskirts of Rusape, 135 km southeast of Harare.
Others report that they have been threatened with eviction from their recently acquired farms (seized from commercial farmers during Mugabe’s violent and lawless land grab) if they do not vote for ZANU-PF.
Matthew Ngoroma, aged 38, is one of those who have moved his family to a place nearer to Rusape to escape the threats of violence. “Some people told me I would pay the price for supporting MDC,” he said. He related how four men in ZANU-PF campaign shirts visited him a few weeks ago and threatened to burn down his house. “They said they would torch my house if I continued selling MDC cards.”
“I am not alone,” Ngoroma added. “There are others who have been beaten, threatened and intimidated. It’s a terror campaign.” Other MDC supporters have been denied food aid, fertilizer and maize seed which are being distributed by government officials loyal to ZANU-PF.
(Further details supplied in the IWPR report which is carried by ZWNEWS: www.zwnews.com 27.02.05)
SADC standards breached
Now the MDC has responded strongly to the police criticism, affirming the truth of the allegations and charging that the failure of the police to investigate the incidents in a professional and impartial manner undermines the legitimacy of the whole electoral process.
In a press release dated March 2, the MDC secretary for information and publicity, Paul Themba Nyathi, writes: “The actions of the police thus far in the election campaign have served to further erode public confidence in the electoral process and further undermine its legitimacy.” With few exceptions, the statement notes: “the police continue to behave in an overtly partisan manner.”
Referring again to 11 separate incidents of unlawful and clearly partisan actions on the part of the police and the army, Nyathi adds: “MDC candidates and activists appear to be the target of increasing police harassment as polling day approaches. This may be denied by police chiefs through the medium of the state-controlled press; however, their denials appear somewhat spurious when compared to the facts on the ground.”
(The full text of the MDC Press Release may be seen at http://www.mdczimbabwe.org/News/press releases/mdcresponsetopolice.htm)
SADC standards breached
Police details from the so-called “law and order” section, a euphemism for the political wing of the police that is totally subservient to the ruling ZANU-PF, arrived at the venue shortly before the opposition legislators were due to meet to discuss campaign strategies for the election. They refused to leave and insisted they had the right to sit in on the meeting, forcing the MDC to abandon the meeting temporarily so as to move to the party’s provincial headquarters.
MDC spokesperson for Bulawayo, Victor Moyo, described the behaviour of the police as “disgusting”. He also referred to the police action in recently stopping a road showboard in the Nkulumane suburb.
“The road showboard is an effective campaign tool because we will be moving along in vehicles displaying our banners and giving out fliers to the public,” said Moyo. “But the police barred us from having the road showboard, alleging that it was likely to incite public violence.”
Moyo said the MDC was not happy with the way the police handled its applications to hold meetings and rallies. ZANU-PF, he added, did not even bother to apply for police clearance to hold their rallies.
(Reported in the Zimbabwe Independent: www.theindependent.co.zw 4.03.05)
SADC standards breached
A senior official at the Attorney General’s office who did not want to be named, said that the journalists would be dragged to court “any time after the elections” as part of the onslaught on independent journalists and foreign correspondents in the country.
The journalists were initially charged in September 2003 when the daily paper with the widest circulation in Zimbabwe was forcibly shut down and its equipment seized. The journalists always claimed that they had applied to the government media commission for registration and were awaiting a determination of their applications. The State did not at the time proceed with the cases.
(Reported in Zim Online: www.zimonline.co.za 4.03.05)
SADC standards breached
Army sources said that more than one hundred Dongfeng vehicles were expected before the election. "Our army has received the equipment as part of a deal to fully equip it ahead of the March parliamentary elections," said a source within the army's procurement unit at the defence headquarters in Harare. He said Mugabe was not taking any chances and would want the army to be fully equipped ahead of the elections just in case he needs it to keep him in power.
To keep the army on his side, Mugabe has awarded soldiers substantial salary and allowance increases. Officers in the army have also been given a larger slice of seized white farmlands. The exact amount spent on the latest arms consignment could not be established but it is believed to run into several billions of Zimbabwe dollars.
(See full report in Zim Online: www.zimonline.co.za 22.02.05)
Note: A South African journalist who ventured into Zimbabwe under cover wrote: “… there is an all-pervasive atmosphere of resignation of the type that can only be produced by fear…. The journalist was told that ‘Every move is being watched,’ and that the country has been organized in a pyramid of cells by ZANU-PF…. A non-governmental organization employee who had just returned from a compulsory ZANU-PF meeting informed him that people had been instructed not to indulge in any violence until the election. “After March 31, there will be hell to pay,” he said.
(See full report in the Sunday Argus: http://www.capeargus.co.za/ 6.03.05)
SADC standards breached
Entitled "ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL LEGISLATION : SADC CHECK LIST", the document can be seen on our website at www.sokwanele.com
For this reason we were very disturbed to read the comments made by the South African President Thabo Mbeki, last week. Rejecting suggestions that Zimbabwe had failed to comply with the SADC standards Mbeki is reported as saying: “I have no reason to think … that anybody in Zimbabwe will act in a way that will militate against the elections being free and fair.”
President Mbeki’s comments have already drawn strong criticism in South Africa and around the world from those who are both well informed about the situation and capable of exercising independent judgment. We ourselves issued a press release challenging the President’s statement. Here we simply note that his views do not accord with most informed opinion within his own country. We could recite the findings of many eminent individuals and groups who are tracking the situation closely and who have first hand and recent experience of conditions within Zimbabwe, but we refer instead to just one statement issued by a fact-finding mission that has just returned to South Africa from Zimbabwe.
An informal mission, comprising eminent persons representing a wide cross section of South African civic society (including the Church) found that the electoral playing field remains heavily tilted in favour of Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party, in breach of the SADC benchmark. The group’s representative, Professor Charles Villa-Vincencio, the executive director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) said: “There is a downplaying of overt violence, such as the killings and harassment but this does not mean the playing fields have been leveled … the oppression, control and manipulation are now far more subtle. So the playing fields have decidedly not been leveled and the SADC principles are not strictly adhered to.”
Besides the IJR, other groups that took part in the informal fact-finding mission include the South African Council of Churches, the Institute for Democracy in South Africa and the Centre for Policy Studies. The groups work under the Zimbabwe Solidarity Network, a loose coalition of South African church and civic groups pressing for a democratic solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis.
We trust that a copy of the Zimbabwe Solidarity Network report will be brought to the attention of the Office of the President and his Foreign Minister at the earliest opportunity.
Visit our website at www.sokwanele.com
We have a fundamental right to freedom of expression!
Sokwanele does not endorse the editorial policy of any source or website except its own. It retains full copyright on its own articles, which may be reproduced or distributed but may not be materially altered in any way. Reproduced articles must clearly show the source and owner of copyright, together with any other notices originally contained therein, as well as the original date of publication. Sokwanele does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising in any way from receipt of this email or use thereof. This document, or any part thereof, may not be distributed for profit.
MEDIA
STATEMENT
For
immediate release
Amnesty International South Africa, SANGOCO,
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, and
other civil society organisations announced the Zimbabwe Solidarity Rally (ZSR)
to take place on
-
The
Zimbabwe Solidarity Rally (ZSR) will take place on
The ZSR
aims to mobilise with peoples organisations with the countries neighbouring the
main borders of
This is
not a one night stand, as civil society organisations have been very active on a
range of activities aimed at raising awareness and putting pressure on all
governments to ensure that human rights and democracy prevails in
In
particular, we are protesting and calling for:
·
the
repeal, withdrawal and/or progressive amendment of restrictive legislation in
Zimbabwe, specially, the Public
Order and Security Act (POSA), the Access to Information and Protection of
Privacy amendment Act (AIPPA), the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), the
Miscellaneous Offences Act, the NGO Bill, and other pieces of
repressive legislation, so as to enable participatory interventions in the
political and policy processes in that country;
·
the
progressive reform of electoral laws to provide and create conducive conditions
for a free and fair elections on
·
a more
public pronouncement on the violations of human rights in
·
the
authorities in
·
a
constitutional review which is an inclusive participatory process involving all
political parties and civil society organisations
Ends
For
comments on this media release please contact Hassen
Lorgat from SANGOCO on 0824112946 or
For more
information on these events, please contact
A profile on
human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa by Stephanie Nolen
The lawyer has a brisk and steely
manner, at odds with her funky 1970s-style eyeglasses and the bubble gum she
likes to snap, and an unmistakable fearlessness. Although she has represented
the defence in nearly every prominent human-rights case in Zimbabwe since the
country's political crisis began in the late 1990s, she has remained mostly
unscathed. (One exception: She was badly beaten by a police officer, presumably
because of her human-rights work, in October of 2003, when she was attempting to
get help with a carjacking.) Read
more or email info@kubatana.org.zw
for a copy.
Who's who in the General Election 2005?
Click
here for the full line up of candidates nominated to participate in the
forthcoming election.
Democratic space and state security:
Zimbabwe's Public Order and Security Act (POSA)
The principle
objection to POSA is the manner in which it facilitates gross executive
interference in the freedoms of speech and assembly. This is largely achieved
through the fact that its legislates a "hecklers veto." Read more from Derek
Matyszak or email info@kubatana.org.zw for a
copy.
The Gender Vote in Zimbabwe
"As long as the women’s movement in its broadest definition does not raise the scale on the gender vote by mobilising women behind the gender vote, women will continue to vote for the political parties they are members of without demanding those parties to deliver for them. Zimbabweans are not going to vote for policies or even personalities. The voting agenda unfortunately remains unchanged from 2000 and 2002, those who want change will vote for MDC, those who are intimidated will vote for ZANU PF together with the few who really are committed to what ZANU PF used to be about. The sad thing is this time round most people may just not be bothered to go and vote. This is the greatest challenge this election faces." Janah Ncube. Read more or email info@kubatana.org.zw for a copy.
Lower income urban earner monthly budget for a family of
six
Review
the cost of the basic basket of goods and overheads to lower income urban
dwellers. Information provided by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
When people decide they want to be free there is nothing that will
stop them
I live in a community where buying bread is
becoming an occasion that is reserved for visitors or over the weekend. Where if
you open your mouth and say something slightly political everyone looks around
to see if people are listening to you. And they stay away from you until you
change the topic. A community where mother, father and children share the same
room that is a bedroom, kitchen and sitting room all rolled into one. A
community where if you visit relatives they become resentful, not because they
don’t want to see you, but because you’re adding more stress to their life as
they do not know how to feed you.
Read
more from Judith Tsoka or email info@kubatana.org.zw for a
copy
Environmental and wildlife education and protectionStreets Ahead publish Annual Report
Please think about supporting Chipangali. If you are a teacher why not take advantage of their educational program? They also have an animal adoption scheme that needs your support! Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage has an Educational Program that is aimed at bringing Wildlife awareness to schoolchildren. The program in place right now involves giving visiting schools a briefing of the Orphanage, followed by a guided tour around Chipangali. This year the program needs to expand and start targeting High School and Tertiary Educational Students. Last year Mduduzi gave a talk and guided tour to Environmental Club Students of Hillside Teachers College, of which we are determined to follow through in 2005, involving ZINTECH in Gwanda, UCE in Bulawayo, NUST & Bulawayo Polytech. Our focus is to target teachers of tomorrow who will eventually spread that awareness on their deployment and hence boost the number of local Senior Schools visiting Chipangali.
Read about orphan deliveries at Chipangali
Please email chipangali@netconnect.co.zw or visit www.chipangali.com
Take Note
Take note
Brown eyes brown hair
ID Card Number noneTake note
We are from the streets
Take note we are from the streets
Recent articles on Zimbabwe's forthcoming General Election
Peace, The Road To Unity And Prosperity
Some
people might argue that Zimbabwe is not at war at the moment. Yes it is true, we
are not in the battlefield but we have a war with us. Read
more from the Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe
Visit their fact
sheet
Petition to the President on the NGO Bill
If
you would like to get involved in this campaign and help NANGO in their efforts
to stop the NGO Bill, please write to Bob Muchabayiwa today and ask for a copy
of the petition. Email bob@nango.org.zw
Resources . . . How to Run a Workshop
Transparency International's Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit: Teaching Integrity to Youth - examples from 11 countries
Job
opportunities . . .
Programme
Advisor
Capacity building, organisational learning and documentation
Batsirai
Group. Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province – Zimbabwe
Two-year
contract
Closing date: 10th March
2005 (by 17.30)
Interviews: Late March or early April 2005
The Batsirai Group is a Zimbabwean non-governmental organisation working to strengthen community response to HIV & AIDS. Following a successful two-year placement, the organisation is currently seeking to consolidate its work in promoting community participation within its partner communities and within its own staff. The post holder will also assist in strengthening systems documentation, organisational learning and participatory monitoring and evaluation. The applicant will have a Diploma / degree in Social Sciences, Community Development or other relevant studies. The post holder will have a minimum of 3 years experience in Community Development work, involving community mobilization/training and experience in applying participatory approaches. In addition, s/he should have at least 2 years of experience in monitoring & evaluation. Good practical experience of non-formal adult education & training and mentoring is also essential. S/he will have a proven understanding of HIV & AIDS as a development and human rights issue. Good interpersonal, communication and computer skills and the ability to assist in the development of knowledge management systems are also essential. Willingness to travel extensively and to stay over in communities where there are only basic facilities is also crucial for the post. Formal training in participatory monitoring & evaluation and experience in the use of Reflect and Stepping-Stones methodologies would be highly desirable.
It is essential that you complete the application form in full, as very specific information is required and will be used to decide whether or not you will be short listed for interview.
For further information and an application form visit www.ciir.org or email recruitment@ciir.org
Head of
Africa Programmes: Voluntary Service Overseas
You will lead
an international management team of committed and diverse staff that includes 3
Regional Programme Managers and 17 Country Directors in Africa to:
Closing date: 9th March
2005
Interview date: 18th March 2005
You will need to be a dynamic senior leader who has experience of delivering strategy, preferably in an international development in Africa. You will have a track record in successfully managing change and be confident in external networking. You’ll be a team player, keen to empower staff, flexible and committed to learning.
For more information: www.vso.org.uk/vacancies
Programme Co-ordinator: International NGO Training and Research
Centre
Closing date: 18th March 2005
In coordination with, and with support from, the Programme Manager, you will task lead particular programme projects; efficiently administer activities; facilitate and extend International networks and build collaboration with organisational teams. Although able to generate high quality programme learning your main focus will be in programme support with a keen interest in Central and Eastern Europe. You will also be happy to prepare budgets and maintain appropriate financial records in collaboration with the finance team. Educated to masters level, preferably in a field relating to international development, you will have worked directly with local NGOs and have three years of demonstrable experience in programme/project planning development and implementation. You will have experience in working with different actors in the development field, an understanding of networking at multiple levels, experience in facilitation and training and excellent inter-cultural communication skills. You will have sound ability in Microsoft Office and be fluent in written and spoken English with other languages desirable. If you feel you have the necessary skills and could support the values of INTRAC as an organisation, please contact Shelagh Windsor-Richards for an application form and full job description. INTRAC strives to be an equal opportunities employer, although we regret our present offices do not offer appropriate access to people with certain disabilities.
Applications from outside the UK are welcomed from those who are eligible to work in the UK.
For more information please email s.windsor-richards@intrac.org
Head of Africa Programme (ref HeAf)
Saferworld
Location: London, UK
Salary range:
£34,000–£42,000, plus benefits
Application Deadline: 9 March 2005
http://www.saferworld.org.uk/vacancies/JD%20Hd%20of%20SI.htm
Purpose: To develop and manage Saferworld's Africa Programme.
The post-holder will be responsible for strategic planning, development, management and implementation of Saferworld's priorities across Southern Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions of Africa in the following areas:
Implementing national and
regional commitments to stem the proliferation of small arms and light weapons
(including the development of responsible arms export controls);
Developing
and implementing security sector reform and conflict prevention strategies
(including the AU/NEPAD peace and security agenda);
Developing and
implementing conflict-sensitive approaches to development;
Enhancing the
coherence of EU (and other international institutions) policies aimed at
conflict prevention and peace-building;
Capacity building of civil society
and state institutions to meet the above challenges.
The post holder will be
responsible for leading and inspiring the staff within the African Programme and
for the line management of specific staff within the Programme.
The post holder will work with the Director and Head of Strategic Issues to ensure the effective integration of cross-cutting organisational strategies (including conflict sensitivity, police reform, small arms control and capacity building) into the Africa Programme.
Reporting to: Director
Line Manage: Two Team Leaders - one in London and one in Nairobi