Shocking video shows Zimbabwe police torturing recruits

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
29 May 2009

SW Radio Africa has obtained exclusive video footage showing a number of
police recruits in Zimbabwe being tortured and beaten in a series of
sickening assaults by what appears to be their instructors.

In one horrifying attack, a recruit is pinned down by six officers with one
stepping on his back as laughing instructors whip and kick the defenseless
man. The recruit can be heard screaming while one officer shouts, 'wuraya'
(kill him). Other officers are also heard shouting 'castrate him,' and 'step
on his throat.'

Screaming recruits are also seen being wrestled to the ground and held down
while laughing officers kick and beat them with baton sticks.
The footage shockingly depicts the recruits as they lie screaming on the
floor of what appears to be the Morris Depot training camp in Harare.

The footage is believed to have been filmed in the last two months in
Harare. A voice supposedly that of one of the instructors can also be heard
bellowing out instructions to the assailants.

'The syllabus has now changed. We now call this syllabus E,' the officer can
be heard saying, probably referring to the practice of beatings.

Surprisingly, it was a police officer who made the film, and others can be
seen in the video using their mobile phones to capture the beatings. Taurayi
Chamboko, a police constable with the Bedfordshire Constabulary in the UK
told us the officers in the footage would have faced serious charges of
brutality and human rights abuses in the UK.

"In the UK it is illegal for an instructor to have physical contact with a
recruit unless they are going through certain tactical drills where contact
is unavoidable," PC Chamboko reported.

Human rights activists say police brutality is deeply entrenched in
Zimbabwean life. Dewa Mavhinga, a human rights lawyer said all Zimbabweans
should condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutality being meted out
on recruits, which is not only a violation of human rights, but more
importantly, an outright crime in terms of the country's laws.

"A police officer is someone in a contract of employment, so what employer
has a right to brutally assault employees? The Zimbabwe government must
immediately investigate this crime and arrest anyone found to have been
involved in these dastardly, inhuman and degrading acts," Mavhinga said.

He added; "It's unfortunate that in a country gripped by lawlessness such
cruel beatings may even be viewed as normal. That goes to show the state to
which Zimbabwe has been reduced."

Isaac Dziya, a retired assistant commissioner with the ZRP described the
beatings as 'shocking,' and said such things should not be happening under a
new unity government.

Dziya said torture in Zimbabwe is now 'routine,' and exerted on anybody
whether in political or criminal cases, and the police don't really feel any
shame in practicing it because they are taught the subject as a syllabus.

Security chiefs raise issues with Mugabe

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=17137

May 29, 2009

By Our Correspondent

HARARE- President Robert Mugabe on Thursday held a meeting with senior
defence forces officers to discuss the increasing incidents of indiscipline
among rank and file members of the uniformed forces.

Sources told The Zimbabwe Times that the meeting was held at the Defence
Forces Headquarters along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare.

They said Mugabe walked the distance from his Munhumutapa Offices to Defence
House to meet the senior security officers who had requested the meeting
with him.

The meeting is said to have discussed increasing cases of indiscipline among
members of the security forces.

"Senior Defence Forces officers met President Mugabe at Defence House," said
a source in the army. "The meeting was attended by all senior army chiefs."

Among some of the senior defence forces personnel who attended the meeting
were Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe
National Army (ZNA) Commander, Phillip Valerio Sibanda, Air Force of
Zimbabwe (AFZ) commander, Air Marshal Perrence Shiri, and his Number Two,
Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena.

There has been a public outcry to Muchena's  shock revelation this week. He
told mourners at the burial of Peter Gono, the deceased brother of Reserve
Bank governor Gideon Gono, that the security chiefs stood solidly behind the
beleaguered central bank chief, who has openly admitted that he illegally
withdrew funds from the foreign currency accounts of clients, including NGOs
and tertiary institutions. The bank failed to pay back the funds.

Brigadier Trust Mugoba, who is in charge of ZNA Policy and Planning and
other senior army officers, are reported to have also attended Thursday's
meeting with their Commander-in-Chief.

"They met for about three hours and one of the issues that they discussed
most was the high indiscipline within the armed forces which they also
blamed for the growing incidence of armed robberies currently being
witnessed in Zimbabwe," said the source.

He said that Chiwenga had pleaded with Mugabe to sort out the welfare of
members of the uniformed forces saying: "We are sitting on a time bomb."

The source said, "Chiwenga spoke about the welfare of service men. He told
Mugabe that something must be done to improve the salaries and working
conditions of the armed forces."

He is said to have even told Mugabe that many senior officers were now
afraid of reviewing parades in the military barracks because of the
increasing hostility and indiscipline that many soldiers were said to be
displaying.

"He told Mugabe that it would not be surprising if one was shot at while
reviewing a parade," said the source.

Indiscipline was said to be particularly rampant among young officers who
are said not to be happy with the US$100 that they are being paid by the new
coalition government.

Members of the uniformed forces have over the past years been accorded
preferential treatment at the expense of other civil servants.

At the height of cash shortages, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) teams were
deployed each pay day to pay soldiers their salaries in cash in the comfort
of their army barracks.

However, of late, the soldiers have been spending hours queuing at banks
while waiting to withdraw their US$ 100 allowances along with other civil
servants.

Of late, the country has also witnessed a spate of serious armed robberies.

Kingdom Bank lost thousands of dollars in foreign currency twice in two
months to armed robbers whose style has been described by the police as that
of professionals.

Last month, prominent businesswoman, Jane Mutasa, lost her car and cash to
robbers. Since the beginning of the year several police officers have
appeared in court on charges of armed robbery committed while using service
rifles.

This week Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri warned the business
community to put in place adequate security measures to deter armed robbers.

The government is said to be in the process of withdrawing service firearms
from members of the security forces. Sources say the government has taken
the measure to limit the prospect of a mutiny.

At the height of political disturbances last year, a group of soldiers went
into the streets of Harare and ransacked shops while beating members of the
public up indiscriminately.

The soldiers involved in the rampage were wearing military fatigues.

The then minister of Defence, Sydney Sekeramayi, apologised to the nation
for the behaviour of the soldiers.

Tsvangirai: shunning Zimbabwe bolsters hardliners

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

Reuters
Friday, May 29, 2009; 3:12 PM

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday the
international community should fully engage his country as shunning it would
only bolster hardline elements opposed to a new unity government.

Tsvangirai formed the new coalition administration with long-time rival
President Robert Mugabe in February but Western countries, which can unlock
much-needed financial aid, remain cautious and are demanding widespread
reforms.

"My advice is for the international community to engage Zimbabwe as the
opposite of this will only benefit hardliners," Tsvangirai told a visiting
French minister.

Tsvangirai repeatedly has said there are a few "residual" elements from
Mugabe's past government who want to see the unity government fail and
return to the old order.

Anne-Marie Idrac, France's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said her
country had been impressed by the unity government but pressed for more
reforms and respect for human rights.

Police have arrested journalists, lawyers and members of Tsvangirai's
Movement for Democratic Change legislators in recent weeks, heightening
tensions in the unity government.

"We are very impressed by the progress you have made during the first
hundred days," Idrac said.

Idrac, making the first visit by a French minister since 1996, said a French
business team would visit Zimbabwe next week to explore opportunities
especially in the power sector.

Tsvangirai will visit France on June 25, his first trip abroad since
becoming prime minister, and will also travel to Britain and United States
where he will meet government officials.

(Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; editing by Michael Roddy)

Hopes on media reforms dashed in Zimbabwe

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/

May 29, 2009 12:38 PM ET

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - One week, a partner in Zimbabwe's new coalition
government says foreign journalists will be allowed free access here for the
first time in nearly a decade. The next, the other main partner says such
"lawlessness" is unthinkable.

The split over media freedoms is just one sign of trouble in a coalition
government that was supposed to end political squabbling so that leaders
could turn their attention to the nation's economic crisis.

The former rivals turned governing partners, though, say they will keep
trying to make the coalition work. Without it, President Robert Mugabe has
no hope of getting the international funds he needs to help his people - and
keep his cronies in line.

For his part, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition
leader, may see a share of power - even if it is a junior partner's share -
as better than none. Despite election victories, Tsvangirai was frozen out
of office until Zimbabwe's neighbors forced Mugabe to enter the unity
government in February.

Western donors, led by the United States and Britain, have refused to
provide aid to support the unity government, saying they first want to see
evidence of Mugabe's commitment to the rule of law.

Foreign and Zimbabwean reporters have been banned, arrested and harassed by
Mugabe's regime. Organizations such as the BBC were banned from entering the
country while others have been deterred by licensing fees in the tens of the
thousands of U.S. dollars. Some journalists entered and worked without
permission - and ended up in jail.

Last week, Tsvangirai announced an end to the licensing requirements, saying
they had fallen away under the power sharing agreement.

But Thursday, the state-run Herald newspaper quoted Mugabe's spokesman
George Charamba as saying all journalists still needed a government license.
"Why would anyone wish lawlessness in the country?" Charamba was quoted as
saying.

Mugabe's party still controls the police and immigration posts at borders
and airports. So whatever Tsvangirai may say, unless Mugabe agrees,
journalists can expect little change.

The country's only independent daily newspaper and three independent
weeklies have been shut down in recent years under the nation's sweeping
media laws.

The Daily News fought a long legal battle over the government's refusal to
license it. Since the power-sharing deal was signed between Mugabe and
Tsvangirai, two publishing firms have announced plans to start new
independent daily newspapers.

Neither has yet appeared on the streets. Publishing executives say clearance
has not been given under the media laws and it was considered too risky to
go ahead without it.

One of the firms has already appointed an editor and staff who produce mock
editions of the NewsDay daily.

Andrew Moyse, head of the independent Media Monitoring Project, said experts
in constitutional law noted that Tsvangirai was correct and in the law no
authority was in place at present to license journalists.

He said the coalition deal clearly committed the partners to guaranteeing
free expression and the creation of a free and diverse media.

But government officials loyal to Mugabe were "twisting the law to retain
the accreditation process to control journalism in Zimbabwe and resort to
the old, repressive media practices," he said.

Zimbabwe monthly inflation at -1.1 pct in April

http://af.reuters.com

Fri May 29, 2009 12:26pm GMT

HARARE, May 29 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's consumer inflation stood at -1.1
percent month-on-month in April compared to -3.0 in March, the Central
Statistical Office said on Friday.

The CSO did not release a yearly figure.

Zimbabwe has allowed the use of multiple foreign currencies to stem
hyperinflation that destroyed the value of the Zimbabwe dollar. (Reporting
by MacDonald Dzirutwe)

More prisoners die as hunger stalks Zim jails

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Alex Bell
29 May 2009

Prisoners locked away in Zimbabwe's nightmare jails are still dying from
hunger related diseases, as the widespread food crisis continues to cripple
the country.

This week alone, six inmates at the Mutimurefu prison in Masvingo died,
adding to the more than 900 prisoner deaths already recorded this year.
According to pressure group Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe,
four of the inmates were found dead in their cells while one died in
hospital. The last inmate died shortly after being discharged from hospital
this week. The deaths come mere weeks after six inmates at the Chikurubi
Maximum Security Prison were found dead in their cells.

According to recent figures, 970 prisoners have died in Zimbabwe's prisons
from malnutrition in 2009 alone. Jessie Majome, the Deputy Minister of
Justice and Legal Affairs was quoted in this week's Financial Gazette as
saying that the figure is 'three times higher than the number of deaths
recorded during the same period last year.'

The grim reality of the prison situation in Zimbabwe was exposed in a
documentary by a South African film crew in March that clearly showed the
'living hell' prisoners face. The film, Hell Hole, sparked outrage from
international human rights groups, with some even calling for a general
amnesty to be given to prisoners until the situation was rectified. Justice
Minister Patrick Chinamasa spoke shortly after it was broadcast and called
the documentary a 'fabrication,' and slammed South Africa's SABC for airing
the film. The government eventually conceded that the prison system had
collapsed, and called on the international community to donate food for
prisoners.

But very little has changed, and ROHR on Friday said the prison situation is
'epitomic of the general rot and decline of standards of living in the
country.' The group said the inclusive government has little to show the
nation in the form of progress, arguing that the humanitarian and human
rights situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate.

Zimbabwe's Zanu PF plots Mugabe succession

http://www.nation.co.ke/

By KITSEPILE NYATHI, NATION CorrespondentPosted Friday, May 29 2009 at 13:12
In Summary

  a.. Zanu PF has set up various committees to tackle the divisive issue.
  b.. Two factions led by Defence minister Emerson Mnangagwa and retired
army general Solomon Mujuru are known to exist in the party.

HARARE

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party has set in motion a process
to manage his succession in what could herald the end of one of Africa's
longest serving leaders.

Zanu PF, which has ruled the Southern African country since independence
from Britain in 1980, said its communist style politburo filled by Mugabe
loyalists has set up various committees to tackle the divisive issue.

"We simply want to set up the parameters to be followed whenever the party
decides to elect its top leadership, the procedure to be followed when
talking about succession," said deputy spokesman Ephraim Masawi.

The ageing leader has ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist since independence
and does not tolerate opposition even from within his party.

But of late Zanu PF has admitted that the lack of a clear plan for his
succession has spawned factionalism and indiscipline in the former
liberation movement.

The infighting worsened following Zanu PF's dismal performance in last year's
elections where it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since
independence to the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mugabe also lost the first round of the presidential elections to his then
rival Morgan Tsvangirai, a setback that forced him into a coalition
government.

Mr Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, is now the prime minister in the unity
government.

Zanu PF holds an elective congress in December but it is not clear if Mugabe's
post would be up for grabs.

Two factions led by Defence minister Emerson Mnangagwa and retired army
general Solomon Mujuru are known to exist in the party but they have been
careful not to challenge Mugabe openly.

The 85 year-old has said he would not step down until he is convinced that
his departure will not lead to the collapse of Zanu PF.

School demands maize, chicken as fees

http://www.africanews.com

Posted on Friday 29 May 2009 - 10:24
   
  Ronny Zikhali, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
  Disgruntled parents of Sojini Secondary school in South West Zimbabwe have
expressed their anger towards the headmaster of the school whom they accuse
of trying to milk them dry by demanding outrageous fees structures.

  Some of the parents revealed to AfricaNews that the school which is
located in Mbembesi rural district, was demanding 10 and 16 buckets of maize
plus some chickens for O and A' level students respectively.

  "The school is demanding outrageous amounts of maize as an alternative to
cash which most of us cannot raise. How can I pay 36 buckets of maize since
I have three children in that school?" demanded an outraged parent.

  In a telephone interview with the headmaster on Friday, he said that it
was suggested in a meeting with parents that an alternative to paying in
cash be made thus coming up with those items.

  "These people who are complaining do not know what they are talking about
as it was discussed at a meeting. I will come to your offices tomorrow to
explain our position," said Nkala.

  However in a follow up interview on Saturday the head refused to comment
saying that it was against the principles of the ministry to talk to the
press and that we should talk to the regional director.

  Sources close to this paper revealed that fees had been pegged at R500 for
Form 1-4 and R800 for A' level students.

  They said that most parents could not raise that much and had appealed to
the school to bear with them and give them time.

  The parents said what angered them the most is that the headmaster was
chasing away students who had not paid fees in full. They said on Tuesday
the school was empty as most of the pupils hadn't paid.

  "When I went to the school on Tuesday, there was no one, all the students
had been told to go back home and not to come back till they paid in full,"
said a parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.

  In an interview with the School Development Comitee Chair lady, Mrs Lilian
Nombembe said that her committee was not aware of such a development but had
actually heard it from one of the parents.

  She said that she had been planning to go and see the head on Monday to
discuss the issue.

  "It is illegal to make people pay with maize because the school consists
of classrooms and teachers cottages, we do not have storage for maize and
were will they get a market for it inorder to raise cash?" asked Nombembe.

  The Chairlady said that if such a decision was reached, she was not aware
of it as they were not notified.

  A parent identified as MaSibanda confirmed that the school was demanding
maize, beans, indumba and groundnuts depending on what one had.

  "How can we waste resources like that after the hunger that we have been
in? Even a single bucket is too much because we have worked hard for this
harvest. This is not something to take lightly and as parents we are totally
against it," concluded MaSibanda.

  One parent who refused to be named said the head was known for his shady
deals and eversince he came to Sonjinji a lot had happened. She said that
even when he left Ntabazinduna it was on unclear circumstances.

  "We do not trust the headmaster because there are certain things that take
place in this school that we do not understand. He was the headmaster at
Ntabazinduna and he left in unclear circumstances," she said.

  A lot of parents have been complaining about the going ons at most schools
citing that they are being short changed and that most schools are going
against the government's directive of reducing fees.

NGO's vow to reject proposed amendments to PVO act

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Lance Guma
29 May 2009

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) has
rejected plans by both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Labour
and Social Services to amend laws governing NGO operations. This after both
ministries drafted a joint memorandum to amend the Private Voluntary
Organizations (PVO) and Deeds Registries Act.

NANGO, the umbrella body for the NGO groups, says the amendments are simply
an attempt by government to control organisations dealing with human rights
and governance issues. These are currently registered as Trusts, but the
amendments being sought by government will force them to register under the
draconian PVO Act. This act has been used since 1967 to control
organisations wanting to register as private voluntary organisations and
also exert full and complete control over those already registered.

Speaking to Newsreel on Friday, NANGO Programmes Director Fambai Ngirande
told us the latest moves were equivalent to getting the much condemned NGO
Bill in 'through the back door,' The Mugabe regime's 2004 bill not only
maintained the most repressive features of the PVO Act but it went further
to put in place certain restrictions on fundraising and administration.
Registration certificates for example could be cancelled over issues
relating to finances and accounting.

Groups under NANGO convened a consultative meeting to consider the broader
aspects of the proposed changes. The consensus was that government was
seeking to curtail the operating environment for civil society groups
especially in the run up to the current constitutional reform and national
healing process.

Four Soldiers Die At Chiadzwa

http://www.herald.co.zw/

29 May 2009

Harare - Four soldiers have died at -- and around Chiadzwa diamond fields -- 
two were found shot in unclear circumstances on Saturday and two were gunned
down in a murder and suicide on Sunday.

Although details were still sketchy, sources close to the investigations
said last Saturday at around 6am, the first two bodies with gunshot wounds
were found lying about 400 metres from one of the bases established by
security agents charged with bringing order to the diamond fields.

Both soldiers had guns in their hands.

Police spokesman Superintendent Andrew Phiri said: "We don't know what
exactly happened and investigations are still in progress.

It was not clear if one of them had shot dead his colleague before turning
the gun on himself or if the two had been shot by a third person.

In the second incident the following day, the soldiers involved were part of
a detachment manning a roadblock between Mutare and Chiadzwa.

It is alleged that the two soldiers -- reportedly an officer and a junior
(who was apparently drunk) -- had a heated argument.

The drunk soldier is said to have been disarmed by his superior. But a few
hours later he was given back his rifle and then threatened to shoot his
colleagues manning the roadblock.

The soldier then shot the officer, who died instantly, before turning the
gun on himself. He died on the spot.

It is still to be ascertained how many shots were fired though a vehicle
with bullet holes was spotted in the vicinity of this second shooting

Supt Phiri said police were still withholding the names of the four until
their next of kin had been informed.
Army personnel could not comment on the case last night.

Investigations were in progress.

The Chiadzwa diamond fields have over the years played host to violent crime
prompting the State's security arms to move in to restore order.

The discovery of near-surface kimberlitic diamond deposits in Chiadzwa a few
years ago triggered a rush that saw up to 20 000 panners descending on the
district, about 100km southwest of Mutare. Government deployed security
agents to the district to quell lawlessness and ensure that the minerals are
exploited for the benefit of the nation.

Britons to return from Zimbabwe

Pensioner Fred Noble says he is going home to die

More than 60 British passport holders, reduced to poverty in Zimbabwe, are to be repatriated to Britain over the next few weeks.

They are the first successful applicants to a UK government scheme to resettle elderly and vulnerable people unable to afford the move themselves.

All their savings were lost in years of hyper-inflation in Zimbabwe.

The government says it may eventually have to pay for the return of 750 of its citizens.

The scheme is available to people aged over 70 with medical or care needs.

Bags packed

Fred Noble has lived in Zimbabwe for 51 years, but is now packing his bags for the move back to Britain this weekend. He had built up a good pension fund working on the railways, but is now almost destitute.

"I got sick, had to go to a private hospital and pay all the expenses myself. I had to sell my flat," he said.

I came to a beautiful country and I will remember it as that Fred Noble, pensioner In pictures: Zimbabwe's pensioners

"One day you are very well off, and the next day you are a poor man."

Inflation in Zimbabwe, which at one point reached 231m per cent, made pensions, savings and investments worthless.

British local government minister John Healy says the number of enquiries went up after last year's presidential election in Zimbabwe.

"People were looking for help, particularly as the economy was still collapsing, the health care system, food supplies were getting more difficult," he said.

With the new unity government in power, the economy in Zimbabwe is beginning to stabilise. But it has come too late for Mr Noble.

"I'll miss this," he said. "Wonderful years. But I am not a young man any more, and I am going home to die - that is how I look at it. I came to a beautiful country and I will remember it as that."

Mutambara left in the cold

http://www.swradioafrica.com/pages/leftincold290509.htm

Brian Mangwende, News Editor

THE smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-M) lurched
into its worst crisis since breaking away from the MDC-T after scores of
senior officials dumped the party this week accusing its leader - Deputy
Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara - of blindly supporting ZANU-PF's policies.

At the time of going to print yesterday, there were reports of massive
defections from the MDC-M in four of the country's political provinces,
namely, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland
Central.
This development comes almost a month after other key figures within the
Mutambara camp, namely, Job Sikhala (secretary for defence and security) and
Nkayi West legislator Abednico Bhebhe, quit the faction in a huff after
being suspended for undermining the party's leadership.
The outbursts by Sikhala and Bhebhe also precipitated the suspension of
Njabuliso Mguni (MP for Lupane North), Norman Mpofu (Bulilima East),
commercial farmer Alex Goosen and national youth chairperson, Gift Nyandoro,
who allegedly supported the pair's sentiments.
By-elections will soon be held in the affected constituencies in accordance
with Zimbabwe's electoral laws.
MDC-M provincial spokesperson for Manicaland, Webster Muzulu, told The
Financial Gazette this week that his executive met recently and resolved to
abandon Mutambara except for the chairperson Gift Rusanga and one Muza.
Muzulu also identified Vaida Mutigwa, Clayton Ndlovu and Hurbert Mahute as
some of the MDC-M national members from Manicaland who dumped the former
university student leader cum politician.
"We organised for all founder members of the MDC-M to leave Mutambara at a
meeting we held at Moffat Hall recently. We replaced Gift with Muchawaya and
Muza with Timothy Mushonga," Muzulu said.
"All other positions were not affected. The reason for this was that we had
become an extension of ZANU-PF. But we are now breathing fresh air (into the
party).
"Currently, we are in Penhalonga (Mutasa South Constituency) drumming up
support and explaining to the grassroots why we have left Mutambara. We don't
need guests to the party masquerading as politicians."
Peter Liwanda, the provincial spokesperson for Mashonaland West said MDC-M
supporters in the province were angry with the national executive members
for sidelining them in national projects.
"I can't say how many have left, but I can confirm that there is
disgruntlement in as far as how the party is being run," Liwanda said.
"There is lack of grassroots activities and the national executive is to
blame. We held a meeting last week and people are disgruntled. But for now,
I can't say how many exactly have deserted the leadership."
MDC-M Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Tangisai Mandaza and an
official in Mashonaland Central also revealed this week that the party was
going through a rough patch after being deserted by its members.
Mutambara was furious when contacted by The Financial Gazette for comment
saying the coverage given to the "rebels" led by Sikhala, the former St Mary's
legislator, was "unwarranted".
In March this year, this newspaper broke the story of an imminent split of
the MDC-M after Sikhala and other disgruntled members went on an
anti-Mutambara crusade.
Edwin Mushoriwa said the party had not received any letters of resignation
yet.
"However, I would like to apologise for my principal's behaviour towards
you. Journalists should be allowed to do their job unhindered and get to the
bottom of any story," said Mushoriwa.
As the political intrigues within Mutambara's party continues, two more
MDC-M lawmakers face disciplinary action for alleged misconduct after they
reportedly voted for Lovemore Moyo of the MDC-T to be Speaker of Parliament
last year in a development that could spawn defections within the party.
The two are Maxwell Dube (Tsholotsho South) and Thandeko Mkanda (Gwanda
North).
Ahead of the elections, the MDC-M had struck an alliance with ZANU-PF to
vote for Paul Themba-Nyathi as Speaker of the august House in August 2008,
but the plan went awry after its MPs threw their weight behind Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T.
Moyo won 110 votes against 98 for Themba-Nyathi.
MDC-M insiders said Mutambara should tread carefully because the Global
Political Agreement (GPA) does not stop independent candidates from standing
in by-elections.
"Although, the GPA says no other party within the unity pact can contest the
other one's seat in the event that it falls vacant, the law does not state
that independent candidates cannot stand," an insider said.
"Mutambara must not feel cushioned by the GPA. If these MPs he is harassing
decide to quit his party and stand as independent candidates, chances are
that they will retain their seats and the MDC-M's seats in Parliament will
be cut significantly. He must be careful or he will be rendered irrelevant,"
added the MDC-M insider.
The chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Justice George Chiweshe
said the GPA was a political settlement among the three main parties and its
contents did not bind any other party that is not a signatory to the pact.
"If there is a vacancy, the GPA does not stop any other party or independent
(candidate) to contest in a by-election," Chiweshe said. "The agreement is
only among the three signatories and it doesn't stop anyone outside the GPA
from contesting a vacant seat. It only stops candidates from the three
signatories' parties contesting each other. It's an internal arrangement and
does not impinge on the rights of those outside the GPA."
At a rally held in Emlonyeni earlier this month, the suspended MPs took
turns to attack Mutambara and other senior MDC leaders.

Zimbabwe nickel output down 25 pct in 2008

http://af.reuters.com

Fri May 29, 2009 1:06pm GMT

HARARE, May 29 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's nickel production fell by a quarter to
6,354 tonnes last year with platinum miners for the first time accounting
for the bulk of the output, data from the country's Chamber of Mines showed
on Friday.

Mwana Africa's (MWA.L: Quote) nickel mine producer, Bindura Nickel Corp, the
only nickel intergrated miner, smelter and refinery in Africa shut down last
November due to falling nickel prices and operational problems, but the
company plans to reopen it soon.

Nickel output in Zimbabwe has been falling since 2004.

"Production from PGM (platinum group metals) operations for the first time
became the main producer of nickel contributing 58.97 percent of total
nickel production," the mining chamber said in a report. (Reporting by
MacDonald Dzirutwe; editing by James Jukwey)

Zimbabwe gold output plunges by nearly 50%

Feb 24, 2009

HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwe's gold production fell by 49 percent last year due
to an adverse operating environment and lack of working capital, the Chamber
of Mines announced on Friday.

"During the year 3,576 kilogrammes was produced compared to 7,017
kilogrammes reported in 2007, a decline of 49 percent," according to the
Chamber of Mines annual report.

"The performance of the Zimbabwean mining industry in 2008 is best described
as dismal and gloomy," said David Murangari, Chamber of Mines president, at
organisation's annual general meeting.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai who also attended the meeting, however, said the
mining sector presented the country with the most immediate opportunity to
attract significant investment.

The "government has a window of opportunity to prepare a conducive policy
environment by mid 2010... that could see Zimbabwe's mineral sector
attracting between six billion (US) dollars and 16 billion (US) dollars in
exploration and mine development investment during 2011-2018 period," he
said.

The report said the major cause of the decline in production was the
restricted working capital for production.

"Most mines operated under extremely difficult macro-economic conditions for
the first nine months of the year. Most importantly, there is dire need for
recapitalisation of the industry... the current world recession was
something that we in Zimbabwe had not anticipated," said Murangari.

Gold sector earnings during the first six months of the year also declined
to 62.1 million US dollars compared to 93.5 million dollars earned the
previous year.

Although gold sector earnings have declined, platinum production increased
by 8.5 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

Annual platinum production increased from 5,085.74 kilogrammes in 2007 to
5,495.10 kilogrammes in 2008.

Zimbabwe could attract $16 bln in mining sector-PM

http://www.reuters.com

Fri May 29, 2009 9:39am EDT

* Govt policies scaring away investors

* No exploration in Zimbabwe since 2002

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE, May 29 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said
on Friday the southern African country could attract up to $16 billion in
exploration and mining investment if it corrects policies that have scared
away foreign investors.

Mining has become a pillar of the country's battered economy, following the
collapse of commercial farming, with gold alone generating a third of all
export revenue.

But large mining houses have kept away from Zimbabwe's mining sector after
an economic crisis worsened by President Robert Mugabe's policies, including
a nationalisation law targeting majority holding by locals in foreign-owned
mines.

The veteran 85-year-old leader in February formed a unity government with
Tsvangirai, raising hopes that some of the controversial laws would be
scrapped.

Tsvangirai told members of the Chamber of Mines at an annual general meeting
that the global mining boom witnessed in the past few years could resume by
mid next year, which the country could take advantage of by having
attractive policies.

"Government has a window of opportunity to prepare a conducive policy
environment by mid 2010, that could see Zimbabwe's minerals sector
attracting between $6 billion and $16 billion in exploration and mine
development during the 2011-2018 period," Tsvangirai said. Tsvangirai said
while it was necessary to allow locals to participate in the mining
industry, this should be done with a view to grow the country's economy.

There has been no exploration since 2002 in Zimbabwe, which has the second
largest platinum deposits after South Africa and boasts large reserves of
gold, copper, coal and nickel.

Some of the major miners operating in Zimbabwe include Impala Platinum
Holdings (Implats) (IMPJ.J), which is the foreign firm with the biggest
mining investments, its rival Anglo Platinum (AMSJ.J) and global player Rio
Tinto (RIO.L).

Several mines have shut down in the past, suffocated by hyper-inflation, and
shortages of skills, power and foreign currency.

EMPOWERMENT

Critics say if having empowerment or locals owning shares in foreign owned
companies is not handled carefully, the country could see a repeat of the
chaotic land reforms where Mugabe's allies and top government and security
officials largely benefited from seized white-owned farms.

"The manner in which this (empowerment) approach and objective are realised
has to, as a matter of principle, lead to growth of the economy and the
upliftment of the standards of living of our people," said Tsvangirai.

David Murangari, the Chamber of Mines President said the government should
take recommendations by miners seriously, especially on the empowerment
issue.

Miners want to be allowed to set their own empowerment targets rather than
government's proposal to parcel out 51 percent shareholding to locals.

Murangari urged the government to exempt companies from paying full wages to
workers to allow them to save jobs and enable a quicker recovery when the
global economic crisis ends.

"We would like to suggest that consideration be given to allow employers to
get exemption from paying full wages ... (this) would assist to preserve
assets, save jobs to enable an easier resumption when conditions improve,"
Murangari said. (Editing by James Jukwey)

I wish Gono would just buzz off!

A letter from the diaspora

http://www.cathybuckle.com

Friday 29th May 2009

Dear Friends.
Over the years, Zimbabweans have grown used to hearing half-truths and
downright lies from Zanu PF and their associated hangers-on. We learned that
from Zanu PF we could expect nothing but lies and propaganda.
The emergence of the MDC on the political scene was like a breath of fresh
air blowing across the arid political landscape of Zanu PF hegemony. Here at
last were men and women of integrity and courage, we thought. They would not
lie to us or try to mislead us. Theirs was the political and moral high
ground, they stood for truth and justice for all, no 'spin' or lying
propaganda from them. That's what we thought. Papa Morgan was our hero. When
we saw him beaten and bloody, we wept for him and all the other brave cadres
who were putting their lives on the line for the New Beginning we all
dreamed of for our beloved country.

Then came the Inclusive Government. The unbelievable had happened: after
months of tortuous negotiations, the MDC had sat down with their former
oppressors in a so-called Government of National Unity. The past was behind
us, we must forgive and forget, we were told. 'National Reconciliation' was
what we must all work for now. And if that meant drawing a veil over past
and present horrors then that must be done. Whatever the price, we must
preserve the illusion that all is now well in Zimbabwe. We must present a
united front to the world - or no money would come Zimbabwe's way.
That, apparently, is the thinking within the MDC leadership team now. How
else can we explain Morgan Tsvangirai's extraordinary statement this week
during an interview he gave to highlight the achievements of the first
100days of the GNU. The pictures of beaten and bloodied white farmers and
terrified farm workers, imprisoned and beaten, the stories of their
nightmarish ordeals on invaded farms continue to be seen and heard on an
almost daily basis; yet Morgan Tsvangirai chooses this moment to refer to
the " so-called farm invasions" as "isolated incidents.blown out of
proportion. We have investigated examples of these so-called farm
invasions.we have asked the Minister of Lands to give us a detailed report
of what has been happening over all these so-called land invasions and the
outcry over that."

Total disbelief as we listened to the report of Tsvangirai's words; we just
could not believe what we were hearing. From the farmers themselves came
stunned incredulity and deep shock. How could the Prime Minister deny the
truth that was staring at him from the faces of beaten farmers, farmers to
whom he had promised the restoration of law and order and punishment for the
perpetrators of violence? In the week when Zimbabwe earned the dubious
accolade of 'the most food-aid dependent country in the world' and the Red
Cross/ Red Crescent figures showed that 80% of Zimbabwe's population is now
reliant on food-aid to survive, Morgan Tsvangirai chooses to deny the
widespread reality of farm invasions and the subsequent loss of agricultural
production. Instead, he describes the chaos as 'so-called'. Since April, Ben
Freeth reports, "We have reaped absolutely nothing. 150 farm workers have
been unable to work and are living in terror." In an Open Letter to the
Prime Minister dated May 26 from his Mount Carmel farm in the heat of the
continuing violent invasion of his property, Freeth graphically describes
the horror and blatant illegality of the invaders' actions. "As you will
know", he writes, "this is not just an isolated incident. In this area where
approximately 6000 hectares of irrigated winter wheat used to be grown, I do
not know of a single hectare of winter wheat being sown this year."

It is utterly incomprehensible that Morgan Tsvangirai should now choose to
deny the reality in the light of such facts. Is this the same man who, just
four weeks ago, said, "The rule of law is a moral imperative and a business
necessity. The responsibility to save and protect the quality of life for
all must preoccupy us in political leadership, regardless of race, colour,
tribe, religion or political affiliation." What has happened in four short
weeks to so radically change the Prime Minister's vision of the reality on
the ground? As he goes back to SADC over Mugabe's refusal to remove Gideon
Gono from the Reserve Bank, the Prime Minister denies the reality of farm
invasions and says not a word about protecting property rights or even of
the urgent necessity of allowing the farmers to grow food, both issues which
are specifically covered under the GPA. It is hardly likely that foreign
investors will accepts the validity of Tsvangirai's claim that farm
invasions are just "isolated incidents blown out of all proportion" when the
evidence of their own eyes tells them that the invasions are widespread and
violent and the food shortages are desperately real. Today the EU stepped
into the debate. The EU's argument is that all farm and conservancy
invasions should cease; not, ironically, because of the human rights issue
or the rampant food shortages in the country, but because of the damage to
wild life and tourism. While that is certainly true, it makes little
difference to the central argument which is that farmers, be they black or
white, are being prevented from growing food by violent thugs with police
and government connivance. So much for the 'Moral imperative'of the Rule of
Law that the Prime Minister talked about so passionately just four weeks
ago!

For those of us who so much wanted to believe that Morgan Tsvangirai and the
MDC might bring change from within when they joined this (so-called) Unity
Government, this is a moment of bitter disillusion. We see no real change
from Zanu PF; it is the MDC who are now changing their tune to chime with
their former adversaries. The MDC would do well to remember that their
courageous supporters up and down the country risked life and limb to vote
for them back in March. Half-truths, expediency, spin and downright lies are
Zanu PF tactics, we did not expect them from the MDC. The people are neither
blind nor deaf; a disenchanted electorate is not likely to forget when it
comes time to exercise their democratic right again. The more the MDC sounds
and looks like Zanu PF, the less likely the people are to vote for them.
That's how I see it.

Yours in the (continuing) struggle PH.

Bill Watch 18 of 28th May 2009 [Provincial Governors]

Witchcraft Case Takes New Twist

http://www.herald.co.zw/

29 May 2009

Harare - THE was more drama at the Harare Magistrates' Court yesterday when
the woman at the centre of a witchcraft case went into a "trance" and began
hissing like a snake as Zinatha vice-president Sekuru Nelson Jambaya
delivered his "expert" evidence.

The woman, Regina Sveto (21), closed her eyes and started hissing as she
listened to Sekuru Jambaya, raising alarm among observers in the gallery.

Harare provincial magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe appeared unmoved after the
lengthy dissertation by the healer and the woman's hissing.

He ordered the State to summon Chief Mangwende to court on June 4 to give
his own opinion on the strange case before his court.

He said only then would he pass sentence.

Business in most courts came to a halt as people rushed to Court 18 to
witness the sensational developments.

Puzzled by the sounds, Mr Guvamombe asked the prison officers about the
source of the hissing. When told the defendant was making them, he ordered
her to stop, but to no avail.

Suddenly, she became visibly weak and struggled to lean against a prison
guard sitting next to her in the dock.

Out of the blue, Sveto started shouting, forcing the court into a brief
adjournment.

". . . munonyepa, muri vakuru vepenzura chete, hamundigone. Munosiya mbavha
kunze uko muchindisunga. Handina mhosva. Haranga yangu haina kukuudzai here
nyaya yacho . . . (You are liars. You are only senior in terms of your jobs
but you are powerless against me. Why are are leaving criminals to roam free
out there and harassing an

innocent person like me. I have no case to answer, didn't my medium brief
you?)", she shouted.

She immediately collapsed and lay prostrate on the floor for several minutes
before a relative revived her by placing salt into her palms.

By the time Sveto regained consciousness some 10 minutes later, the
courtroom was full to the bream, more people having poured in from adjoining
courtrooms.

There was commotion as people jostled to catch a glimpse of the woman.

Prosecutor Mr Austin Muzivi went briefly to the magistrate's chambers and
returned before Sekuru Jambaya resumed his testimony.

Sekuru Jambaya said Sveto's account on how she flew in a winnowing basket
confirmed what traditional healers have always believed about witches and
wizards.

"According to my knowledge, if the woman said she flew from Murehwa in a
basket, then she is a witch. Witches do a lot (of this) and they are known
to travel naked at night.

"It is also possible for witches to travel as far as South Africa during the
night for the purposes of witchcraft 'flying' back as soon as their mission
is accomplished.
"Some people use magic to protect their homess and families against
witchcraft and in such caaes, the witches and wizards become powerless and
are subsequently exposed," he explained.

Sekuru Jambaya urged the court to impose an appropriate deterrent sentence
on Sveto while at the same time assisting her to live a normal life.

He recommended Sveto be sent back to Murehwa to allow her headman to take up
the matter with the chief.

In addition, relatives from both sides of her family "should join hands to
cleanse her" with the help of a traditional healer, he suggested.