Zim transitional justice report launched in London

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
30 April 2012

A new report on Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe was launched in London on
Monday, focusing on the expectations of the Diaspora.

The report is the first since a Diaspora Outreach programme was launched in
2010 by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, which has been spearheading
initiatives to garner public opinion on transitional justice options.

Since 2003 the Forum has been conducting a serious of meetings at grassroots
level and has published two reports on taking transitional justice to the
people.

These consultations were then broadened in 2010 to include Diaspora
communities across the world.

The Diaspora Outreach workshops have been aimed at getting the opinions of
victims of human rights abuses at the hands of the Robert Mugabe regime, who
fled to places like the UK. The meetings allowed people to state how they
want justice to be served on the many perpetrators who have never been
punished for their abuses.

The Forum has said that such meetings are particularly critical now, because
the process of a writing a new constitution is still underway. The group
said the new report “presents new opportunities to build on the (previous)
consultations as the nation struggles for justice, accountability and
healing.”

Zim justice delivery system corrupt — Chinamasa

http://www.herald.co.zw

Monday, 30 April 2012 00:00

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S justice delivery system is riddled with a complicated corruption
network that involves prison officers, the police, lawyers and court
officials.

Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said he had several
reports on his table showing that the corruption starts from corrupt prison
officers who work in cohorts with legal practitioners.
He was speaking on Friday while handing over prison garb worth US$10 000
donated by the Law Society of Zimbabwe to the ministry.

Minister Chinamasa said the reports indicated that prison officers were
reportedly advising prisoners to engage the services of lawyers whom they
knew had corrupt links to win cases.
“In the fight against corruption, we have been leaving out the prison
officers and lawyers in private practice,” he said. “But I was surprised to
learn that some prison officers were busy advising suspects to engage
services of known corrupt lawyers who knew which corrupt police officers and
corrupt court officials to deal with.”

Minister Chinamasa lashed out at prison officers and lawyers for fuelling
the corruption in the justice delivery system.
“In fact, corruption starts from the prison,” he said. “I also received
reports that some

senior lawyers were also advising their clients how to corrupt the system to
get favourable outcomes.”
He lamented the decline in the quality of legal services offered by most
lawyers, urging the LSZ to quickly embark on its planned comprehensive
skills training programmes.

Minister Chinamasa urged the stakeholders in the justice delivery system,
including the accused persons, to shun corruption and  collectively work
towards weeding it out.

MDC-T to expel its Mayor for Marondera

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
30 April 2012

MDC-T chiefs are ready to kick out the shamed Marondera Mayor, Farai
Nyandoro, within the next few days, a party source said on Monday.

Nyandoro, who won the mayoral race on an MDC-T ticket, is paying the price
for inciting violence against party members who included the provincial
chairman for Mashonaland East, Piniel Denga.

Following the violence last month, police arrested Nyandoro and charged him
with inciting and engaging in public violence at an MDC-T rally held at
Twoboy business centre in the town.

A highly placed source told SW Radio Africa that Nyandoro and seven other
activists will get letters of expulsion from the party this week.

‘They will get their letters either tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday. As a
mayor representing the MDC-T Nyandoro was judged to have broken a rule which
bans bringing the party into disrepute by behaviour that is prejudicial or
grossly detrimental to the party,’ our source said.

Nyandoro has also been on suspension from the party for allegedly being too
close to ZANU PF leaders in the province and also for alleged corruption and
abuse of office. Activists in Marondera had become very uncomfortable with
his close relationship with the ZANU PF governor, Aeneas Chigwedere.

‘He was a regular visitor to the governor’s residence and this did not go
down well with party activists. There is also the issue with the council
vehicle he’s using as there are reports that they were some irregularities
in the way it was purchased,’ the source added.

Despite facing corruption charges, Nyandoro has however received backing
from the ZANU PF Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo.

Chombo explained that Nyandoro would not be forced to leave office as he did
not violate the Urban Councils Act. The MDC-T argues that he flouted tender
procurement procedures.

Madhuku to quit NCA for political office

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

29/04/2012 00:00:00
    by Moses Matenga I NewsDay

CONSTITUTIONAL law expert and leader of the National Constitutional Assembly
(NCA), Lovemore Madhuku, has said he will soon relinquish his post at the
constitutional lobby group and venture into active party politics.

“It’s a difficult thing to do, but as soon as we get the referendum, I won’t
be there,” said Madhuku while addressing participants at a public meeting
organised by think-tank Sapes Trust in Harare on Thursday night.

“After the referendum, I don’t want to be there, I have been there for too
long. If we lose the referendum, I will not be there and I would want to
join politics after that,” Madhuku said.

Madhuku, a close ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and staunch critic
of President Robert Mugabe, has been chairperson of the NCA since 2001 after
taking over from the MDC-T leader.

Though he did not divulge his next port of call politically, observers said
Madhuku was likely to join the MDC-T due to his closeness to Tsvangirai.

Madhuku last year presided over the MDC-T’s elective congress in Bulawayo
and attended the party’s 12th anniversary clad in party colours.

When pressed for clarification, Madhuku said: “It doesn’t mean I will join
any political party.

Politics is not about joining any party, but what is certain is I will join
politics and I can’t say now which party I will be joining. By that time, a
lot of these guys would have left politics.”

Madhuku also said debate on a possible successor for Tsvangirai should be
deferred until after the party succeeded in dislodging President Robert
Mugabe from office.

“Succession in the MDC-T is not necessary, the party is still in opposition
and they know it and have been telling us that they are not governing.

“It will be difficult for us to have support to take Mugabe out of power,
Tsvangirai still has that. They are also ambitious people in MDC-T. There is
a mentality in politics that to replace Mugabe is how polished you are and
how well you can argue and anyone who talks well, but it’s the popular
factor that counts. That’s what I want the Western colleagues to know,” he
said.

“The debate in the MDC is about the post-Tsvangirai era, it’s quite bad the
extent of the debate. There was a clear line that Tsvangirai would be away
by 2016, but he has given no indication that he will leave the party. It’s
difficult that Tsvangirai can go before Mugabe.”

Civil Organisations Blast Sata

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

Civil organisations and ordinary Zimbabweans in Matabeleland have castigated
Zambian leader, Michael Sata for openly showing support to Zanu (PF) during
the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in
Bulawayo last week.
30.04.1211:37am
by Zwanai Sithole Harare

Sata, who was the guest of honour at the 53rd edition of the international
showcase shocked invited dignitaries when he raised his fist in Zanu (PF)
style and started chanting "Pamberi neJongwe" (Forward with the cock).

Effie Ncube, the chairperson of the Matabeleland Constitutional Reform
Agenda (MACRA) said Sata's behaviour clearly shows that some Sadc leaders
are not suitable to be mediators of the country's political impasse which
has resulted in the formation of the inclusive government.

"Sata has shown the world that he is a supporter of Zanu (PF) and cannot be
fair and objective when dealing with the Zimbabwe crisis in his capacity as
Sadc leader. Besides that, Sata should know the difference between a state
function and a party function. The ZITF had nothing to do with Zanu (PF)"
said Ncube.

Ncube said inclusive government partners who were present at the function
were supposed to have walked out of the ZITF main arena, the venue of the
ceremony soon after Sata's utterances.

"I expected representives of the two MDC formations and other invited guest
with no links to Zanu (PF) to leave their seats and go away in protest of
the political abuse by Sata. As a Sadc leader who is involved in solving our
political problems here, Sata should have showed the spirit of inclusivity,"
said Ncube.

Some of the MDC 's officials who attended the ceremony included Deputy Prime
Minister Thokozani Khupe, MDC-T national chairman and speaker of the House
of Assembly, lovemore Moyo and the host minister, Welshman Ncube who is also
the MDC president.

The Secretary of a local pressure group, Ibhetshulikazulu, Fuzayo Mbuso said
Sata's political shenanigas at the ZITF were well planned and meant to
create the impression that Sadc is fully behind President Robert Mugabe.
Sata has previously accused Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as a puppet of
the West.

"I think the whole thing was planned by Mugabe so as to thwart reports of
his waning support among Sadc leaders .Sata must have been fully briefed
before coming to Bulawayo. Unfortunately that was a wrong platform and the
plot is likely to backfire. The two MDC s will certainly raise this issue
with the regional board," said Mbuso.

The Bulawayo spokesperson of the Welshman Ncube led MDC, Edwin Ndlovu said
his party was shocked by Sata's blatant partisanship.

"We wish to tell Sata that Zimbabwe is not Zanu (PF). Zimbabwe is being run
by three political parties and we are shocked that Sata as one of the Sadc
leaders is not aware of this. That was an extreme abuse of Zimbabwe's
hospitality," he said.

Earlier on, when disembarking from his charted plane at the Joshua Nkomo
International Airport, Sata also greeted with a clenched fist scores of Zanu
(PF) supporters who had been bussed from Umguza in 26 Zupco buses and
haulage trucks belonging to Obert Mpofu, the Member of Parliament for the
constituency.

School heads face graft probe

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

30/04/2012 00:00:00
    by NewZiana

THE Ministry of Education will dispatch auditors to schools nationwide to
investigate the alleged abuse of funds by headmasters and School Development
Associations (SDA), a senior official has confirmed.

The official, who requested anonymity, said all schools will be audited to
bring out cases which might not have been reported.

"Heads and SDAs who are involved in misappropriation of school funds will be
known through investigations by the auditors," he said.

"This development comes after the ministry received over 27 reports of cases
of embezzlement in the past three months, an indication that there might be
more unreported cases."

The official said the auditors would initially target institutions already
reported to the Ministry but insisted he exercise will cover all schools
around the country.

"Once this has been done and the culprits are found guilty, punitive action
will be taken," he said.

The development follows numerous reports of clashes between parents and SDA
members over control of funds and the schools.

In some cases, teachers have gone on strike protesting non-payment of
incentives and mismanagement of school fees by headmasters.

In November last year, a headmaster, bursar and former treasurer of Tapfuma
Primary School in Marondera appeared before the courts on charges of
defrauding pupils of more than US$29,000.

Several headmasters from Gutu were also arrested for withdrawing money on
several occasions which could not be accounted for in the same year.

Will Mugabe withstand rigours of campaigning at 88?

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
30 April 2012

There are reports that for the first time President Robert Mugabe toured the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in a vehicle, due to his poor health and
advanced age. This is news that must be worrying to his ZANU PF party.

When not in a vehicle Mugabe moved around with the support of Zambian
President Michael Sata, who was holding his hand.

While his party has endorsed him to stand in the next elections political
analysts say Mugabe will find it harder to convince voters to extend his
rule after 32 years in power.

Our Bulawayo correspondent Lionel Saungweme, who saw Mugabe in the city last
week, told us the ZANU PF leader was looking increasingly frail and has now
become a liability for the party in the next election.

The age factor has dogged Mugabe mercilessly since ZANU PF endorsed him as
their presidential candidate. The next election in the country is shaping up
to be the most important since independence, and one of the biggest points
of debate so far has been the issue of age.

If elections are to be held next year Mugabe will be 89 while his most
formidable opponent, the MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai will be turning
61 years old.

‘Mugabe’s best years are behind him. The majority of voters, born after
independence, will likely believe his age is now a liability. I think the
next poll will be a change election in Zimbabwe, the country needs and wants
to renew itself with a generational shift.

‘The rigours of campaigning can severely test any man over the age of 35.
Mugabe is known to campaign vigorously, traversing the whole country, which
in itself is time consuming and energy draining activity. One wonders if he
still has the energy to embark on such an arduous campaign trail against a
young and energetic Tsvangirai,’ Saungweme said.

Mugabe has been the subject of several health scares, with some reports
suggesting he has prostate cancer. However, Mugabe and close aides have kept
his health a closely guarded secret.

Many in his ZANU-PF party are afraid that should Mugabe die in office
without settling a bitter succession battle, the party could erupt in
internal conflict and destabilize the country.

Although ZANU PF officials rally behind Mugabe in public, in private many
want him to retire and pass the baton to a younger person. But so far he
shows no intention of doing that.

Mbeki shuns GPA questions during Zim visit

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
30 April 2012

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki refused to answer questions about
the state of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe, while on a
visit to the country over the weekend.

Mbeki, as the former mediator in Zimbabwe’s political crisis, was one of the
key architects of the GPA in 2008, which paved the way for the formation of
the coalition government between ZANU PF and the two MDC parties.

That unity deal was supposed to put Zimbabwe on the path towards real
democratic change. More than three years later however the key reforms
promised by ZANU PF in the GPA are still outstanding.

But Mbeki would not be drawn into talking about Zimbabwe’s fragile political
situation over the weekend, during his visit for a fundraising dinner. He
instead told journalists: “I am not here for that.”

Mbeki was in the country at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur
Mutambara for a University of Zimbabwe fundraiser. But he also had a private
meeting with Robert Mugabe, where he said he briefed the ageing ZANU PF
leader on the situation in Sudan.

He did not meet with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

The former South African President has been strongly criticised over the
years for his ‘softly-softly’ handling of the Zimbabwe crisis, before the
mediation role was taken over by his successor Jacob Zuma. Mbeki’s policy of
‘quiet diplomacy’ has also been repeatedly slammed as a failure that allowed
the situation in Zimbabwe to deteriorate further.

Many critics and observers have also blamed Mbeki for allowing Mugabe to
cling to power for so long, saying the GPA was drafted to give the ZANU PF
leader a political life-line in an election-losing situation.

Former Zimbabwean diplomat Clifford Mashiri told SW Radio Africa on Monday
that it was “unfair” of Mbeki to avoid answering questions on a political
situation that he allowed to develop. He said Zimbabweans are owed an
explanation and said it was likely Mbeki is too “embarrassed” to talk about
it.

“The GPA was his baby and that baby is clearly not doing well. But it is
unfortunate that he did not make some statement, especially now when the
crisis is so clear,” Mashiri said.

Zuma meanwhile is also facing criticism in his role as the Zimbabwe
mediator, and has been accused of not treating the Zim political crisis with
more urgency. He has not met with the leaders in the coalition government
for months and despite insisting that no fresh elections will be held until
the conditions are right to do so, there is increasing worry that ZANU PF
will have its way with an early poll.

Mashiri said that Zuma is also letting Zimbabweans down by not acting with
urgency, despite the worsening situation back home.

“We expected him weeks ago, especially because there is so much talk of
elections and incidents of violence. It does not bode well for Zimbabwe,”
Mashiri said.

Banks target non-resident Zimbabweans

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

28/04/2012 00:00:00
    by Business Reporter

FINANCIAL services group Old Mutual Zimbabwe has appointed an agent to help
sell group products such as mortgages to Zimbabweans living in the United
Kingdom as well as help them invest back home.

In a statement, Afro-Global Marketing UK said they had been appointed to
represent OM Zimbabwe, CABS and Stanbic Bank in a development expected to
help facilitate Diaspora access to financial instruments and other
investments back in Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabweans in the UK will play a key role in rebuilding Zimbabwe and
investing back home is only the first step,” said Shane Manjelo, the
managing director of Afro-Global Marketing.

“Zimbabweans in the UK for years have played a major role in Zimbabwe’s
financial revival and Old Mutual Zimbabwe’s partnership with Afro-Global
Marketing UK demonstrates recognition of the importance of capital
investment from the Diaspora.”

Head of Unit Trusts at Old Mutual Group Zimbabwe, Gilbert Gumpo, added: “We
are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Zimbabweans in
the UK and we are absolutely delighted to partner with Afro-Global Marketing
to enable Zimbabweans in the UK to invest back in Zimbabwe.”

The development means Zimbabweans in the UK will now be able access basic
financial instruments such as bank accounts, unit trust funds and mortgages
without the inconvenience of having to travel back home.

“All applications and enquiries will be received and processed right here in
the UK, removing the need to travel back to Zimbabwe to access these
services,” Manjelo said.

Millions of Zimbabweans left the country to escape a biting economic crisis
over the last decade with remittances sent back to support families left
behind credited with helping keep the country from complete economic
collapse.

“There is only one material compensation for the huge loss of skilled
Zimbabweans to other countries; the absentee Zimbabweans have, despite not
being active in the country’s economy, become a key mainstay of its
sustenance,” economic commentator Eric Block wrote in a local weekly

A recent survey suggested that non resident Zimbabweans are sending back
about US$850 million every year.
However, Block said the figure could be much higher.

“The inflows to Zimbabwe from Diasporans are considerably greater than the
survey suggests. In addition to the transfers of funds, hundreds of millions
of dollars worth of goods are also sent to the families at home from
relations abroad,” he said.

“Thus, the total economic contribution that Zimbabwe enjoys from its
nationals abroad considerably exceeded US$1 billion per annum; comparable
to, or greater than the substantial earnings of Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

“These inflows are not incorporated in the determination of Zimbabwe’s Gross
Domestic Product, which is the barometer for measurement of economic growth
or contraction, and therefore real economic recovery is somewhat greater
than statistically determined.
“Indisputably, Zimbabweans abroad constitute one of the mainstays of the
economy …”

May Day: Nothing in it for workers

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Written by Kaleen Gombera and Ngonidzashe Mushimbo
Monday, 30 April 2012 17:22

HARARE - There is no tangible improvement in workers’ conditions as the
country celebrates Workers Day tomorrow with the majority of them still
earning salaries way below the poverty datum line.

This year’s celebrations which are characterised by  factionalism that has
rocked the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) will be held at two
separate venues under two different themes.

May Day comes at a time when the majority of the workers are living way
below the poverty datumline.

Civil servants have on many occasions clashed with government demanding
better working conditions.

Scenes of angry workers teaming up with their union leaders protesting
against poor working conditions are a common sight in the country.

In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Raymond Majongwe who is
secretary-general of the ZCTU faction led by Lovemore Matombo, said
government had failed to solve the plight of workers.

“The GNU has failed to address the plight of the workers and it has
perpetuated the suffering of Zimbabwean workers. There is nothing much to
celebrate on this day be it in the formal or informal sector as workers are
being exploited especially by the Chinese,” said Majongwe.

He also took the opportunity to dismiss rumours that his faction is no
longer relevant as it had failed to champion workers’ rights.

Their faction recently suffered a blow after Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai threw his weight behind the George Nkiwane-led faction.

Tsvangirai who had been invited to the May Day commemorations by both
factions will attend the Nkiwane led ZCTU commemorations at Gwanzura
Stadium.

Majongwe said: “We are here because people want us to be here. We will
soldier on and continue fighting for the good cause of the workers although
the Prime Minister decided to behave like Sadc by siding with an electoral
fraud faction. It is quite sad that the PM decided to go to the other
 group.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association  (Zimta) chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu said
empowerment of workers can go a long in reviving the country’s struggling
economy.

“We are saying no to the misery of workers but happiness always if we are
going to help the revival of the country’s economy. Empowerment of workers
and good salaries work to our country’s advantage,” Ndlovu said.

Chairperson of the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe Okay Machisa, told the Daily
News that workers should be uplifted. He challenged government to address
the workers’ plight.

“Workers should be uplifted over the poverty datum line. Issues of workers’
salaries should be addressed at national level not only at industrial level
to improve the social welfare of the workers in our country. People should
celebrate and commemorate the rights of workers although we are facing
challenges,” Machisa said.

Last week, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Union president, Jacob Gwavava said
despite divisions in the labour movement, organisations must unite towards
championing the concerns of workers, mainly the issue of poor salaries.

Moyo escalates attack on Copac

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Written by Wonai Masvingise, Staff Writer
Monday, 30 April 2012 17:17

HARARE - Zanu PF politburo member and serial political flip-flopper Jonathan
Moyo has escalated his attacks on the Constitution Select Committee
(Copac) — calling them “a fraud” as the succession battle in the former
ruling party escalates.

Moyo’s rabid attacks have surfaced despite the fact that the Zanu PF
principal in government President Robert Mugabe has “virtually endorsed” the
process — save for complaining about the lack of urgency in concluding the
draft.

Zanu PF officials have been trying to use Copac to settle the party’s
intense battle to succeed the 88-year-old Mugabe.

In his continued attacks on the constitution-making process and where he has
even labelled it a mafia outfit, the former Information minister suggests
some political actors are using the tripartite arrangement or forum to
create another coalition government.

“There’s a difference of day and night between negotiating to share
political power among political parties and to make a new constitution for
the whole country and for posterity.

While the GPA was okay for forming a coalition government, it is definitely
not okay for making a constitution,” Moyo wrote this week.

The Tsholotsho North legislator has been at the fore front leading a group
of Zanu PF politicians that are agitating to slow down the constitution
making process by continuously attacking it.

However, Moyo seems alone and a few hardliners in demonising Copac because
his party is behind Mugabe’s sentiments that the constitution must be
finished quickly.

Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa said on Friday it was
deviant for party members to oppose Mugabe in wanting the process completed
quickly.

“The party’s official position is expressed by the leader of the party,
President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. What he says goes; he is the chief
spokesperson of Zanu PF,” Mutasa said.

Moyo also accused Copac of being used by the UNDP in its “regime change”
agenda.

“It is very mischievous and objectionable in the extreme that the UNDP and
its regime-change-seeking donors along with their international and local
partners have through the Copac mafia deceitfully and fraudulently
transformed what was supposed to be a people-driven constitution-making
process in terms of the GPA into an unacceptable and treacherous “GPA 2”
negotiation for the control and exercise of political power beyond the
Inclusive Government by the three ruling GPA parties who currently make up
Parliament,” he said.

Moyo said the completed draft constitution addressed the outstanding GPA
issues “all of which reflect the foreign advice given to Copac by South
Africa’s Hassen Ebrahim under the treacherous auspices of the UNDP to the
detriment of our national security and existence.”

“...Copac has indeed employed a UNDP-driven constitution-making exercise
authored by Hassen Ebrahim whose purpose has been to drive out and sabotage
the people’s views from the making of their own constitution,” Moyo added.

In insisting that the constitution be “people driven”, the former
Information minister who is well-known for his serial flip-flopping seems to
have backtracked on his January 29, 1998 proclamation that “a few people
sitting under a tree” could not meaningfully assist to the drafting of a new
supreme law of the land, referring to the National Constitutional Assembly.

Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora yesterday brushed off Moyo’s
statements as “cheap politicking”.

“Moyo is lying as usual. The views that are in the constitution are the
views of the people of Zimbabwe. Everyone who was involved in the process
knows how we came to have those views and how we refined them,” Mwonzora
said.

“Moyo is a cheap politician looking for cheap publicity and cheap relevance.
The people of Zimbabwe must be given a chance to read the document for
themselves. In due course, we will publish the document and we are going to
do this in time with the second all-stakeholders conference.

“Unfortunately, people like Moyo want to think for the people of Zimbabwe.
The people of Zimbabwe are intelligent and they can think for themselves
which is why we will publish the document so they see it for themselves,”
Mwonzora added.

Last week, Moyo’s fellow Zanu PF colleague and Copac co-chairperson Paul
Mangwana expressed his anger against the Tsholotsho MP by saying he was
“crazy” and “sent by the devil”.

“We are not going to be commenting on him (Moyo) because it is the work of
the devil; they are messengers of the evil as he wanted to distract our work
as Copac. We are glad that we have finished it. We did not respond to Moyo
because he did not deserve the dignity of our response on what he was
talking about on the draft. It did not make any sense at all," Mangwana
said.

Gates Foundation to Invest in Waste Management in Zimbabwe: Mayor Masunda

http://www.voanews.com

30 April 2012

Gibbs Dube | Washington

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is exploring ways of investing in
waste disposal in Zimbabwe through converting raw sewer and garbage into
energy.

Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda is quoted in the Daily News as saying the
foundation has already engaged a team of consultants to look into the city’s
solid waste with a view of installing facilities to convert it into power.

Masunda told the newspaper the project will go a long way in creating
employment and reducing environmental degradation through the elimination of
industrial and domestic pollution.

The Gates Foundation already sponsors a $5 million housing scheme for
low-income earners in Harare’s Dzivarasekwa high density suburb.

The project was initially targeted at 500 Mbare residents but was moved to
Dzivarasekwa high density suburb after Chipangano – a militant group
believed to be linked to President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF – blocked it
claiming it was being spearheaded by the Movement for Democratic Change.

Energy Minister Elton Mangoma said this project will boost power supplies in
the city.

Top Financial Advisor Bashes Investment Conferences

http://www.radiovop.com/

Harare, April 30, 2012 - One of Zimbabwe's top financial advisors, Sean
Gammon, Managing Director of Imara Africa Securities Limited (Imara) says
business executives must do more work instead of simply attending investment
conferences which in most times become "talk shops".

In an exclusive interview in Harare at a recent investment conference,
Gammon said: "We must do some work instead of coming to talk shops," he
said.

"I have not gone to some investment conferences such as India with the Vice
President (Joice Mujuru) simply because firstly I was not invited but mostly
because they have become talk shops."

He said for the country to move forward it should tighten its budgeting
system and also repay outstanding loans to major international creditors
including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

The Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti has already confirmed that Zimbabwe is
US$8 billion in the red and is struggling to repay the creditors.

"There is no cash in Zimbabwe," Gammon said.

"The tight budgeting needs to be adhered to strictly. There are major
contradictions with indigenisation and the use of multi-currencies in
Zimbabwe right now which makes business expensive.

Zimbabwe is using the South African Rand, the United States dollar as well
as the Botswana Pula and the British Pound Sterling after having dumped it
worthless Zimbabwe Bearer Cheques in 2009.

That currency had led to hyperinflation of more than 231 million percent
under Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor, Dr Gideon Gono.

"We must also try to attract international investors and not locals as is
the case in many cases right now," gammon said.

"It is the international investors that we want in Zimbabwe and whom we are
targeting at the moment.

"We also need to develop our own strategies and not really worry about what
the West is doing such as the suggested Quantitative Systems which are being
used."

Imara Africa Securities Limited is among Zimbabwe's top investment firms
which tries to woo investment to the cash-strapped nation.

Investing in young girls is smart economics

http://www.afriquejet.com

Economy - Eighteen-year-old Rangariroyashe Chipika is no ordinary young
woman as she not only came out top of her Advanced Level class in the 2011
Cambridge Examinations but was also best student in her school. She had As
in all her science subjects -- Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and
Thinking Skills.

The long wait for Advanced Level examination results is always met with
great trepidation and anxiety moreso by young women like Rangariroyashe who
choose to venture into highly demanding subjects traditionally perceived to
be the preserve for boys.

In describing how she managed to accomplish this feat, Rangariroyashe -- who
hopes to pursue a career in medicine -- alludes to staying focused, prayer
and most importantly a strong support base in the form of her family.

Rangariroyashe's achievements are an embodiment of "girls can do it" and
celebrating such a feat goes a long way in inspiring countless other girls
at a stage in their lives where they have to define their destiny.

Exceptional young girls disprove long-standing stereotypes that say for
instance that boys are better at sciences than girls.

With the right kind of support, girls are going out there and grabbing their
own destinies and those of their communities.

Young girls today face many pressures that could potentially scuttle their
progress and success in this fast paced life.

In the most ordinary of circumstances, young girls in disadvantaged
situations are worse off having to balance their domestic roles particularly
in these trying times in Zimbabwe.

Women and girls are less likely to attend school than their male
counterparts and often find themselves burdened with economic and domestic
duties that rob them of childhood education.

It is the young girls and indeed the women-folk that some sections of
society would rather sacrifice as they are made to spend long hours fetching
water, caring for the sick, marrying at a tender age to supplement family
income, peddling at the market and the like at the expense of going to
school.

In current circumstances, the power of constant positive encouragement for a
lot of young girls with promising potential cannot be underestimated, and
society's role in safeguarding their future cannot be over-emphasised.

Young women need access to the right mentors and supportive social networks
in order for them to thrive.

The Girl Effect Data (GED) generated by Nike Foundation suggests that
investing in young girls can prevent poverty before it starts.

According to GED, one in seven girls in developing countries marries before
age 15 and 70 percent of the world's 130 million out-of-school youth are
girls.

A working paper released by the World Bank in 2011 estimates how powerful
young girls can be in today's global society.

For example, the paper identifies that in Kenya, if all 1,6 million
adolescent girls were to complete secondary school, the cumulative effect
could add US$3,4 billion to that country's gross income annually.

Over the past century, there has been a transformation in women's
educational achievements and general participation in public life.

Globally, more girls are going to school. But despite these tremendous wins,
inequality can still be seen in persistent unequal opportunities, low
representation of women in public office leadership and continuing violence
in all forms against women.

Where women suffer the most inequities in accessing good education and
productive assets, this deprives not only them but also the world of the
realisation of their full potential.

Yet it is clear that when women are empowered, family welfare improves, more
children go to school and incomes increase.

Investing in young girls is a strategic approach to achieving Millennium
Development Goal No. 3, which seeks to "promote gender equality and women
empowerment".

Girls are unique change agents. Igniting their potential and transforming
their world starts a ripple effect for themselves, their families and their
communities. Investing in girls is smart economics and a sure-fire way of
effectuating sustainable development.

l For all enquiries, please contact ZWRCN on email: zwrcn@zwrcn.org.zw/
website: www.zwrcn.org.zw/ call on +2634 700250/252388/ visit ZWRCN offices
at 288 Herbert Chitepo Avenue cnr Seventh Street, Harare.

The Herald/30/04/2012

Zimplats sees quarterly profits jump 170%

http://www.mineweb.com

A 32% increase in revenue from higher average platinum prices saw Impala
Platinum's Zimbabwe unit's profits climb 170% quarter on quarter despite
some labour and power shortage problems.
Posted:  Monday , 30 Apr 2012

HARARE (Reuters) -

Impala Platinum's Zimbabwe unit Zimplats reported a 170 percent jump in
third-quarter profit on Monday, buoyed by higher platinum prices.

Zimplats said January to March operating profit rose to $52 million from $19
million the previous quarter. Revenue, at $128 million, was 32 percent
higher than the last quarter.

The company said production dropped by two percent to 90,557 ounces after an
illegal strike by some workers and electricity cuts, which affected
operations at the mine's platinum matte furnace.

A planned maintenance shutdown reduced ore milled by 4 percent to 1.1
million tonnes.

Implats, which owns 87 percent of Zimplats, said in March it had agreed to a
deal that would see it comply with Zimbabwe's requirement that 51 percent of
shares in Zimplats be held by locals.

President Tsvangirai calls for peace and respect

MDC
Monday, 30 April 2012

President Tsvangirai has urged Zimbabweans to live in peace and harmony and
in an environment where the people’s rights and basic freedoms of assembly,
movement and association are respected.

Addressing thousands of people at a peace prayer at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru
on Saturday, President Tsvangirai said it is obligatory for every Zimbabwean
to ensure that Zimbabwe is a peaceful nation.

He said on 11 November 2011, the three principals met in Harare and pledged
to hold peace prayer meetings across the country.

The prayers are aimed at enhancing peace, prosperity, development and unity
among the people of Zimbabwe and shun violence at every level.

“We need a new era in this country and to desist from violence, hatred. We
should not walk the talk of ‘An eye for an eye”. Use of politically
motivated violence should be a thing of the past,” said President
Tsvangirai.

Quoting Matthew 22 verse 34, he said “First love your God with all your
heart and secondly your neighbour as you love yourself.

“We need to live in harmony and extend a hand to each other especially those
who hurt us, despite political differences.

“We must all understand that peace is imperative for investment, economic
growth and development in this country,” said President Tsvangirai, adding
that it is an obligation to each and every Zimbabwean to call for a peaceful
nation as blessed are the peace makers.

Several senior government and MDC officials accompanied President
Tsvangirai.

Music was provided by Baba na Mai Charamba, Blessing Shumba, Fungisai
Mashavave and other musicians from various churches.

Although the idea of peace prayers was agreed upon by the three principals
namely, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, President Mugabe and Deputy Prime
Minister Arthur Mutambara, only Prime Minister Tsvangirai honoured the
invitation.

The people’s struggle for real change – Let’s finish it!!!

Coming home

http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/7568

April 30th, 2012

“Home” can be defined as a verb. Homing is a return by instinct to one’s
territory after leaving it.  Zimbabwe is decidedly my home.   Even after 11
years of living in bustling Johannesburg, returning is like visiting an old
friend.  Nostalgic and comfortable, but deeply saddening to see how this
friend has aged cruelly, failed to reach her potential and is now trapped in
a stubborn space where it seems no change can occur.

It takes a mere nine hours to cross into this different world.   A world
that lies beyond Beit Bridge.   As I crossed the border into Zimbabwe a
familiar feeling came over me.   The stress of Johannesburg is left behind
as I head homeward.   The terrain is sparse, the roads are rough and the
pedestrians are strangely friendly.   It’s a lovely feeling of familiarity.

Zimbabwe.   Contrary to popular belief, there is no one starving to death in
the streets or burning down buildings in acts of political warfare.   Yet I
know that behind closed doors suffering, deprivation and poverty take their
toll.   It’s peaceful, in a weird way.   Everything has changed and nothing
has changed over the past 11 years.    The city is dirty and busy.   The
suburbs are lined with yellow grass and walls in desperate need of a paint
job.   “VOTE MDC” graffiti has faded into obscurity – a little like the
fighting spirit that I felt at the beginning of the decade.   Yet, there is
a beauty about home that is difficult to describe.  Maybe it lies in the
people?

Zimbabweans, a curious mixture of apathy and deep rooted hope.   A holding
on to the concept of change but seeing no way to make it happen.  The youth
cannot wait to leave. The older generation cannot leave.  Yet there is
something wonderful about these people.  Desperately trying to sustain
shreds of normalcy.  They socialise, go to work, take their kids to
creamy-inn,  watch sport, go to school and (those who have them) switch on
their generators.   Another day in paradise.  A paradise they will complain
bitterly about, but fight for with everything they have.

I will always cherish my childhood in this country.   The decay of this
country is outshone by my deep love for it. The people are a part of how I
grew up. The land is a canvas on which the person I am today was painted
upon.   For this, I am eternally grateful.

This entry was posted by Sokwanele on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 8:55 am

Bill Watch 17/2012 of 29th April [Parliament in Recess during April - Update on Bills Waiting]