Tsvangirai meets MDC-T, ZANU PF negotiators

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Patricia Mpofu Tuesday 17 November 2009

HARARE - Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday met negotiators
from his MDC-T and President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party as he pushes for
a speedy resolution of a power-sharing dispute threatening Zimbabwe's
coalition government.

Tsvangirai's spokesman James Maridadi told ZimOnline that negotiators from
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara's MDC-M party did not attend the
meeting with the PM due to other pressing commitments.

"They met and discussed the urgency of business at hand. Because other
negotiators were not available due to other pressing issues, the PM has
taken it upon himself to brief them," said Maridadi.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s special organ on defence
and politics earlier this month gave the Zimbabwean parties two weeks to
open up negotiations to resolve outstanding issues from last year's
power-sharing agreement or global political agreement (GPA) that gave birth
to the coalition government.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara met last Friday but apparently decided to
task their party officials to thrash out possible solutions to differences
rocking the unity government.

However the Zimbabwean parties look set to miss the SADC deadline given on
November 6 as they are yet to begin serious talks to tackle differences that
saw Tsvangirai and his party temporarily boycott Cabinet meetings and only
agreeing to end the protest action after intervention of regional leaders.

The outstanding issues holding back Zimbabwe's coalition government include
Mugabe's refusal to rescind his unilateral appointment of two of his top
allies to head Zimbabwe's central bank and the attorney general's office.

Mugabe has also refused to swear in Tsvangirai ally Roy Bennett as deputy
agriculture minister while the MDC-T is also unhappy by what it says is
selective application of the law to target its activists and officials.

On the other hand Mugabe, who insists that he has met all his obligations
under the GPA, accuses the MDC-T of not living up to a promise to lead a
campaign for lifting of Western sanctions against the veteran Zimbabwean
leader and members of his inner circle. - ZimOnline

Zimbabwe Lawyers Protest Harassment

http://www.voanews.com

     

      By Ish Mafundikwa
      Harare
      16 November 2009

The Law Society of Zimbabwe on Monday petitioned the Minister of Justice to
stop harassing its members. The lawyers say law enforcement agents are
harassing them for carrying out their duties.

At least 70 lawyers braved a lunchtime downpour to march from the High Court
to the Minister of Justice's offices in downtown Harare. Although they say
they had informed the minister to expect them, minister Patrick Chinamasa
was not in his office to receive their petition.

Law Society spokesman Chris Mhike addressed his colleagues as he emerged
from the minister's office.

"We are not happy that the minister is not available to attend to our
issues. However because our petition has been received, that gives us
consolation because he will be aware of the issues that we have raised," he
said.

The issues Mhike referred to include the harassment, arrest and detention of
lawyers, for what the lawyers say is simply carrying out their professional
duties. Their petition cites the arrest of four lawyers this year and the
harassment of others. The petition says all this is unconstitutional. In
addition, it says, the government is contravening international agreements
that are meant to protect lawyers as they carry out their duties.

The lawyers called for among other things, the resignation of attorney
general Johannes Tomana who is seen as being behind their harassment. Their
petition also urges the government to have all law enforcement agents who
interfere with lawyers' work prosecuted.

Earlier in the day the lawyers were at Harare magistrates court where lawyer
Mordecai Mahlangu who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly
obstructing the course of justice appeared before a magistrate for a remand
hearing.

Chiefs want to vet Zanu (PF) ministers

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

     
      Written by MARCUS TAWONA
      Sunday, 15 November 2009 17:54
      MUTARE- The Council of Chiefs says the names of Zanu (PF) candidates
earmarked for Cabinet posts should be submitted to chiefs for vetting before
final approval.
      Council of Chiefs President Fortune Charumbira said some of ministers
who were appointed by President Robert Mugabe were crooks and some of their
policies were disastrous for the country. Charumbira made these remarks in
the presence of Vice-President Joice Mujuru. Said Charumbira "We should have
a stake in the selection of ministers because some of the appointees from
the party leave a lot to be desired. We have been infiltrated by crooks.
Some of these people are learned but are so possessed by evil spirits that
they don't see chiefs as people".
      Charumbira, a staunch Mugabe supporter, also used the occasion to
launch a bizarre and racist attack on Education Minister David Coltart who
he accused of charging exorbitant school fees "to incite people to topple
Mugabe from the presidency." "We heard that a white man is now the minister
of education and parents are being forced to pay teachers. What's that, to
have a white man in the government," said Charumbira.
      Charumbira challenged Zanu (PF) to honour its promise to buy chiefs
top of the range BT50 double cabs and single cabs for sub-chiefs. He said
chiefs should also enjoy other benefits because they were part of the
government. "We want better perks and remuneration now. You can't say young
MPs like Chamisa should drive the latest Benz whilst a chief is driving an
old Mazda B18 000," Charumbira fumed.
      The chief's leader also criticized Mugabe's land reform programme,
saying it did not benefit the majority but Zanu (PF) party heavyweights.
They said they were sidelined during the allocation of land which was seized
from white commercial farmers. "Only a few of our members were allocated
land yet you claim that we are the custodians of the land. That's an insult.
Chiefs should own land in all provinces. War veterans and some who claim to
be big in the party have hijacked the programme to their advantage," said
Charumbira.
      Charumbira also fired a broadside at the coalition, questioning its
relevance of the coalition government and said chiefs do not know why the
administration was formed in the first place.
      However Mujuru, who was the guest of honour at the conference, told
the traditional leaders to stick to their role as custodians of the heritage
and culture of the country and leave politics to politicians. Mujuru  said:
"I am surprised that a chief does not know why there is an inclusive
government ... we cannot repeat this every day vaCharumbira. Don't you know
that the formation of the inclusive government was to stop bloodshed in the
country? Were you not there in your areas when children were killing one
another," Mujuru asked

Complaint against Old Mutual at HRC

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za

Themba Boyi | 1 Hour Ago

Civil rights organisation PASSOP has lodged a complaint against Old Mutual
with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

PASSOP is objecting to the company's stakes in Zimbabwe's state-owned
newspapers, including the Herald, and its interests in a South African
mining company that mines in that country.

The group has put pressure on the company to cut its business ties to show
it supports the human rights of the people of Zimbabwe.

PASSOP'S Braam Hanekom said it appeared as though Old Mutual did not see the
need to respect human rights, but the company has rejected the claims.

"Our interests are absolutely aligned with those people campaigning for
human rights. We absolutely believe that a stable country and a free society
in Zimbabwe is in our interests as Old Mutual," said company spokesperson
Crispin Sonn.

Tomana finds himself in early quandary

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=25095

November 17, 2009

By Raymond Maingire

HARARE - Attorney General Johannes Tomana found himself in a quandary during
MDC treasurer Roy Bennett's terrorism trial after High Court Judge
Chinembiri Bhunu barred him from submitting in court evidence obtained
through torture.

Bennett (52) faces charges of possessing dangerous weapons for terrorism as
well as inciting acts of insurgency.

Thirteen witnesses, who include firearms dealer Peter Michael Hitschmann,
Bennett's co-accused are set to testify in the high profile case.

But the state walks a tight rope after its main witness; Hitschmann later
disowned everything he allegedly told the police during their
investigations.

All other state witnesses, the majority of whom are police officers, rely on
the firearms dealer corroborating their evidence.

The state's case remains skeletal if Hitschmann continues to claim he was
tortured by state security agents to falsely admit committing the offence
while incriminating Bennett.

Hitschmann was acquitted of possessing weapons for insurgency, banditry,
sabotage or terrorism but served two and a half years for possessing
dangerous weapons.

Bennett trial started in earnest on Monday when Chief Superintendent Sipho
James Makone, the first among the state's 13 witnesses, took to the witness's
stand to testify against the agriculture minister designate.

Chief Superintendent Makone claimed all what he was telling the court was
sourced from Hitschmann during investigations and through the latter's
confessions.

But he could not spend longer in the witness's box when the defence counsel,
led by Beatrice Mtetwa quickly objected to what she contended was
inadmissible evidence being led by the State.

Mtetwa said it was "trite law" that in terms of Section 259 of the Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act, the purported confession by one accused is
inadmissible against the other persons.

"The state is aware that Peter Michael Hitschmann successfully disowned all
alleged confessions and indications made by him and the State did not, at
his trial, even use the alleged confessions against him," she said.

"At his trial," said Mtetwa, "the court accepted Hitshmann's explanation of
his possession of the bulk the firearms and such explanation did not in any
way implicate Roy Bennett."

Justice Bhunu agreed with the defence that the state could not rely on
evidence which was declined in Hitshmann's own trial.

He also dismissed attempts by Tomana who claimed Hitschmann, who has been
placed last to testify, would come and confirm what the other witnesses
would have said.

Bhunu berated Tomana for ignoring the circumstances behind Hitshmann's
confessions to committing the crime.

"Whenever an accused person makes a statement to a police officer whether
written or oral," Bhunu said, "the state must first establish that the
accused person was properly warned and cautioned before making the
statement.

"A police officer may not give evidence of any such statement unless he
first satisfies the rules about the admissibility of evidence before he can
tell the court what the accused told him."

Bhunu said it was "absurd" for the state to try to press charges against
Bennett using the same piece of evidence which was declined by the courts
during Hitshmann's own trial.

"It is my considered view that admitting the statement against the accused
in circumstances where it might turn out to be inadmissible against
Hitschmann might lead to an absurdity," said Bhunu.

"Thus, the state needs to demonstrate that the statement is admissible
against Hitschmann before that statement can be used against his accomplice.

"I think this stands to reason that if the statement was in admissible
against Hitschmann it follows that it would be inadmissible against
Hitschmann.

"At this juncture, the state witness is restricted to say what he deemed,
and found out or discovered as a result of what he was told by the witness,
until such time the state can demonstrate that whatever Hitschmann said to
the police officer was admissible against him."

Soon after passing his decision, Tomana told the court he would not
immediately proceed with trial as he had prepared his case anticipating that
Makone's evidence would be accepted.

The trial resumes Tuesday morning during which Tomana will notify the court
on how the state now intends to proceed.

Earlier on, Tomana resisted suggestions by the defence to allow Hitschmann
to be first among the state's witnesses.

There are fears the case may crumble in its infancy, if Hitschmann comes to
court to declare he had nothing to say on Bennett's charges.

Meanwhile, Bhunu declined a chamber application by Bennett's lawyers who
wanted him to recuse himself from handling the high profile trial citing
perceived bias.

In a chamber application filed last Thursday, Bennett's lawyers said Bhunu
had handled a bail application involving Hitschmann in 2006 during which he
passed adverse remarks suggesting Hitschmann was "a threat to state
 security".

They felt it was going to be difficult for Bhunu to take that off his mind
when he handles Bennett's trial.

Masvingo nominates Muchinguri for VP

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=25078

November 16, 2009

By Owen Chikari

MASVINGO - Infighting within Zanu-PF reached boiling point in Masvingo over
the weekend when the party's provincial executive, believed to be aligned to
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, dropped Vice President Joyce Mujuru
from its list of presidium members, ahead of the party's congress next
month.The perennial fight for supremacy has pitted the wealthy Mnangagwa
against the powerful and prosperous former army commander, retired General
Solomon Mujuru, who is the spouse of the powerful former commander of the
Zimbabwe National Army.

The Masvingo provincial executive chaired by former Gutu North legislator
Lovemore Matuke instead endorsed the candidature of former Manicaland
governor Oppah Muchinguri to fill the post of vice president, thus
effectively side-lining Mujuru.

Masvingo is one of the powerful and influential provinces within Zanu-PF.

The executive, however, endorsed President Robert Mugabe, 85, as president
of the party while Kembo Mohadi was endorsed as the party chairman.

The provincial executive said it would wait for the outcome of consultations
in the Matebeleland provinces on the post of vice president, which fell
vacant following the death of vice president Joseph Msika in August.

Party provincial spokesman Noel Mandebvu, who is also Gutu West legislator,
yesterday confirmed that the executive had recommended that Muchinguri be
the Vice President.

"Our list was made after serious consultations with party supporters at
grass-roots level," said Mandebvu.

"We have nominated President Mugabe to continue to be the president of the
party. We have also nominated Oppah Muchinguri for the post of vice
president, while Kembo Mohadi is our choice for the chairman's post."

Kembo, who is the co-Minister of Home Affairs, hails from Matabeleland
South.

"We did not nominate for the other post of vice president since the party
has to give us direction but members were unanimous that John Nkomo is our
choice."

Nkomo, currently the national chairman on Zanu-PF, is the Minister of State
for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration.

The nomination of Muchinguri ahead of Vice President Mujuru is a clear
indication of the Masvingo provincial executive's alignment with the
Mnangagwa.

The Mnangagwa and Mujuru Zanu-PF camps have been reported to be locked in
fierce battle to nominate candidates for the presidium ahead of the party
congress next month.

The Zanu-PF constitution stipulates that any successful candidate for the
presidium must enjoy the support of at least six out of the party's 10
provinces.

Sources within the party yesterday revealed that the nomination of
Muchinguri had potential to cause further polarisation within Zanu-PF in
Masvingo.

"We did not agree on the nomination of Muchinguri but the whole thing was
forced down our throats", said a senior party official.

"Some of us had proposed that President Robert Mugabe and Vice President
Mujuru should remain untouched but this was heavily shot down by other
members and this will further widen cracks within the party."

Meanwhile, the Masvingo provincial executive will meet on Wednesday to
nominate members of the party's politburo and the central committee.

Currently there are only three members from Masvingo who are members of the
powerful Zanu-PF politburo. They are former governor and Senator Dzikamai
Mavhaire, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge, and Celina
Pote.

Pre-Congress Nomination Process Highlights Rivalries in Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF

http://www.voanews.com/

     

      By Chris Gande, Sandra Nyaira & Gibbs Dube
      Washington
      16 November 2009

Divisions in Zimbabwe's former ruling ZANU-PF party were revealed on the
weekend as Masvingo province refused to nominate Vice President Joyce Mujuru
for the post of party vice president, which she must retain if she is to
continue as national vice president.

The Masvingo party structure instead backed Manicaland Governor Oppah
Muchinguri.

Analysts said Muchinguri's nomination reflected Masvingo's alignment with
Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose faction is vying for dominance
with Mujuru's.

Mujuru needs the support of one more province to reach the required six
nominations.

Current ZANU-PF Chairman John Nkomo was well on track to claim the other
vice presidency as he also has five nominations at this date.

Not surprisingly, all 10 ZANU-PF provinces have nominated President Robert
Mugabe to continue as president of the party.

Nominations for the post of party chairman - which most assume will need to
be filled if and when Nkomo is elevated to vice president - have been
scattered among Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, Mines Minister Obert
Mpofu, Ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya Moyo and ZANU-PF Secretary for
Administration Didymus Mutasa.

ZANU-PF House Whip Joram Gumbo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Chris Gande that
the nomination process shows that ZANU-PF is a truly democratic party.

But Joy Mabenge, democracy and governance manager at the Institute for a
Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, said the scramble for
top positions within ZANU-PF shows rather that the party is increasingly
deeply divided.

Elsewhere, a clash between ZANU-PF and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's
Movement for Democratic Change formation was shaping up in Parliament as
ZANU-PF steps up efforts to block legislation to reform the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe.

ZANU-PF sources said the party's lawmakers will seek to block the bill,
which was approved by the Cabinet and presented to Parliament last week by
Finance Minister Tendai Biti - known to seek the replacement of RBZ Governor
Gideon Gono. Among other aspects, the legislation would significantly
curtail the powers of the central bank governor.

ZANU-PF maintains that the bill gives too much power to the finance
minister.

Tsvangirai MDC Chief Whip Innocent Gonese told reporter Gibbs Dube that
because the bill is backed by all three unity government parties it can
readily be amended if necessary.

EU petitioned to suspend aid to Malawi over bankrolling Mugabe

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

     
      Written by Nyasa Times
      Tuesday, 17 November 2009 05:53
      Malawi has been highlighted in a petition to the EU calling for
punitive action against SADC countries over Zimbabwe's affairs

      The Zimbabwe Vigil presented the petition to the EU's Commissioner for
Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht in Brussels this week.

      The petition reads: "A Petition to European Union Governments: We
record our dismay at the failure of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) to help the desperate people of Zimbabwe at their time of
trial.

      "We urge the UK government and the European Union in general to
suspend government to government aid to all 14 SADC countries until they
abide by their joint commitment to uphold human rights in the region. We
suggest that the money should instead be used to feed the starving in
Zimbabwe".

      The petition was handed over by Geoffrey Van Orden, MEP for the East
of England, who received it at a ceremony last month to mark the Vigil's
seventh anniversary.

      "Our argument is that SADC countries have been derelict in their duty
to Zimbabwe.  Why should countries which support Mugabe's tyranny receive
money from EU taxpayers?

      "Why, for instance, should Malawi get £70 million in balance of
payments support this year from the UK alone when its people face starvation
because of a reckless loan to Mugabe, which predictably has not been repaid?
" reads the petition.

      SADC has ordered urgent talks in Zimbabwe to resolve differences over
the Global Political Agreement. But Mugabe has shown what he thinks of this
by flying off to Rome with a retinue of 60 locusts to tell the UN World Food
Summit how badly Zimbabwe has been treated.

      The loan Malawi government gave Zimbabwe has also be blamed to have
bee n one  major cause of fore shortage in Malawi, the country which is
currently experiencing fuel shortage, power black-outs on daily basis and
water scarcity.

Mann to shed light on ZDI role in coup plot

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

     
      Written by NEVER CHANDA
      Sunday, 15 November 2009 18:06
      HARARE - Freed British mercenary Simon Mann has threatened to spill
the beans on the failed Equatorial Guinea coup plot in a development that
may shed some light on the role played by Zimbabwe's state-owned arms
manufacturer in the 2004 plan to topple the Central African country's
long-serving leader. Mann was arrested at Harare International Airport in
March 2004 together with 69 South African and Congolese mercenaries en route
to Equatorial Guinea where they were on a mission to stage a coup against
the country's leader President Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The Harare
leg of the mission was meant to take delivery of an assortment of arms the
mercenaries had bought from the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) but turned
sour for the mercenaries after the arms supplier set a trap at the last
minute.
      He was extradited to Equatorial Guinea in February 2008 after losing a
Zimbabwe High Court appeal against being moved to the Central African nation
where he had been convicted of plotting to topple the government in
absentia. The High Court in Malabo sentenced Mann the former British army
officer to 34 years in prison last year but he became eligible for
      presidential clemency this year due to "good behaviour". The Briton
was freed from an Equatorial Guinea prison in the capital Malabo two weeks
and immediately threatened to spill the beans of the roles played by several
purported financiers and conspirators, including South African-based British
businessman Mark Thatcher and Ely Claude Alan Calil, an oil trader who has
dual Lebanese and British nationality.
      "I'm very anxious that Calil, Thatcher and one or two of the others
should face justice,' Mann said within hours of his release on November 2.
During his trial in Malabo, he accused Thatcher of financing and managing
the coup plot against Obiang. Thatcher was fined the equivalent of £265 000
in January 2005 for breaking South Africa's anti-mercenary laws by providing
funds for a helicopter for the operation. He denied knowing about the coup
plot, but was given a four-year suspended jail sentence in a plea bargain.
But it is the role of the ZDI in the whole scheme of things that is likely
to attract attention.
      The Zimbabwean arms manufacturer is said to have had an "excellent
working relationship" with the alleged coup plotters, raising further
questions about whether this was a one-off transaction or part of a
long-running business association between the two sides. Zimbabwe military
sources told The Zimbabwean On Sunday last week that Harare, like Pretoria,
was aware of the coup plot and was even willing to sell the arms to the
insurgents until the deal went sour at the last minute. "Both (President
Robert) Mugabe and former South African president Thabo Mbeki knew about
what was going on and only decided to turn on the mercenaries after it
became clear that Equatorial Guinea's military intelligence had also
received word of the planned coup," one source said.
      South African intelligence services had apparently known about the
coup plot since mid-2003 and even offered tacit support, according to some
of Mann's fellow mercenaries. ZDI was created in 1984 by the Ministry of
Defence to provide the Zimbabwean army and airforce with supplies ranging
from small arms and ammunition and landmines to camouflaged combat clothing
and rocket launchers.

Cash shortage cripples healing programme

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

     
      Written by Staff Reporter
      Sunday, 15 November 2009 17:24
      HARARE -Serious financial problems have hamstrung Zimbabwe's programme
to heal wounds opened by a decade of political hostilities amid revelation
this week that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was finding
no takers for a collaborative project with the Office of the President and
Cabinet.
      Under the project, UNDP had agreed to bankroll a programme to
strengthen the Zimbabwe government's capacity for conflict resolution and
prevention. The main aim of the project was to create an enabling
environment for sustainable human development in Zimbabwe through support to
interventions aimed at enhancing national capacities for successful conflict
prevention, management resolution and transformation (CPMRT). Implementation
of the project, which was set to commence in June, with UN officials only
saying it was "in the pipeline".
      "The project has been delayed by a couple of months because we are in
the process of mobilising the funds needed to take off," said a UN official
who spoke on condition of anonymity.
      The UNDP is supposed to provide technical and infrastructural support
for the project while the Office of the President and Cabinet would act as
the national executing agency. The financial management arrangements would
be monitored by the Ministry of Finance which has the overall responsibility
for all UNDP-supported activities. Besides the UNDP and the President's
Office, other partners for the project would include the Centre for Defence
Studies at the University of Zimbabwe, national educational and training
institutions, the
      ministry of lands and rural resettlement and farmers' organizations.
      The project target groups would be the security forces, national and
tertiary institutions, women's groups, private sector, civil society, local
authorities and the Tripartite Negotiation Forum (TNF). The TNF, which
comprises representatives of the private sector, labour and government, is a
platform for negotiations among the three groups and is an essential cog in
efforts to foster tolerance among Zimbabweans. News of the slow start to the
UNDP project came as the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and
Integration had just postponed to
      early 2010 an all-stakeholders conference to discuss findings from a
nationwide outreach programme to gather views of ordinary Zimbabweans on
reconciliation.
      The conference was initially due to take place this month but had to
be pushed to next year because of lack of funding. UNDP is also working with
the Organ for National Healing, an arm of government which is meant to
assist the state in addressing pre and post-independence conflict in the
country. The Organ of National Healing has three ministers drawn from the
      country's three political parties making up the unity government
between President Robert Mugabe and the leaders of the two MDC formations
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara.
      Since independence, Zimbabwe's elections have been characterised by
violence and political tensions, starting in the early 1980s when government
cracked down on dissidents in Matabeleland. Political violence flared in the
southern African country last year as Mugabe fought to reclaim power in a
run-off vote after being defeated by Tsvangirai although the veteran trade
unionist fell short of the margin required to take over power and avoid a
run-off. The MDC claims that nearly 200 of its supporters were killed.
      Tsvangirai eventually pulled out of the run-off citing violence that
the MDC says left more than 100 of its members dead and at least another 200
000 displaced, leaving Mugabe to claim victory uncontested. Western
governments and a host of African nations rejected Mugabe's victory while
the African Union and the regional Southern African Development Community
piled pressure on the Zimbabwean leader to form a power-sharing government
with the opposition.

No 'blind spots' Please, Mr Zuma

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

     
      Written by The Editor
      Sunday, 15 November 2009 15:12
      Now that South African President Jacob Zuma  is the Southern African
Development Community (SADC)'s trouble-shooter in Zimbabwe, it is our
fervent hope that  he will avoid the pitfalls that made his predecessor,
Thabo Mbeki, such a spectacular  failure.
      Following the meeting of the SADC Troika  and the signatories to the
global political agreement (GPA),  which gave birth to Zimbabwe's government
of national unity in Maputo two weeks ago, Zuma was given the task of
monitoring the implementation of the agreement  and  subsequently enforcing
compliance .He is due to step into that all- important role in the next few
days when the 15-day deadline within which the parties must agree expires.
Zimbabweans pin their hopes on him to do right by them.
      There is no doubt that Mbeki's  dubious quiet diplomacy and fanatical
support for President Robert Mugabe  not only  prolonged human suffering in
Zimbabwe but it contributed to his own demise as head of state.  We appeal
to Zuma as the beneficiary of Mbeki's failures both domestically in South
Africa and on the international scene, not to repeat the same mistakes. One
of the former South African president's most serious blunders was to swallow
hook, line and sinker, Mugabe's deceitful  propaganda  about being the
victim of a Western imperialist "regime change"  plot  to topple him from
power  on account of his implementation of the land reform programme.
      Mbeki lost respect and credibility among ordinary Zimbabweans as a
result. Zuma should not allow himself to be swayed by the same gibberish.
Mbeki believed so slavishly in  Zanu (PF)'s right to rule in Zimbabwe
perpetually that South African journalist and political commentator, Justice
Malala once described him as "Mugabe's foreign minister."  We fervently hope
Zuma  will be a different kettle of fish in executing the task at hand  and
will avoid  what  Steven Chan , a political science and international
relations professor has described as Mbeki's "blind spots"  resulting from
his fanatical reverence for Mugabe as the " grand old man of liberation".
      We do not deny that Mugabe may have deserved that title at one stage
but with the populace he claims to have liberated now permanently under
siege because of  his tyranny, Zuma must open his eyes to the realities and
be able to stand up to the Zimbabwean leader. Mbeki's biographer, Mark
Gervisser has described how an almost father-son relationship existed
between Mbeki and Mugabe  and how Mbeki felt  a "filial obligation"  to
support his political   hero at any cost.  We call on Zuma  not to  allow
personal niceties  and considerations  to stand in the way of facilitating
a just and lasting solution to the Zimbabwean problem.

Tourists return to Zimbabwe

http://www.mg.co.za

     
      CELEAN JACOBSON | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Nov 17 2009 07:13

The number of tourists visiting Zimbabwe this year has more than tripled, a
trade official said on Monday as entrepreneurs tried to lure investors to
the troubled Southern African country.

Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Zimbabwe Council of Tourism, said at an
investment conference in South Africa that a unity government formed in
February has brought political and economic stability. But full recovery is
very much linked to the success of the new government, which many fear is on
the brink of collapse.

Zimbabwe has a wealth of minerals and natural attractions and was once the
region's breadbasket. Many blame its economic meltdown on President Robert
Mugabe's land policy under which thousands of white-owned commercial farms
were seized in 2000. Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in
1980, also is accused of undermining democracy.

Mugabe was forced into the coalition with opposition leader Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai after elections last year that were inconclusive and
marred by violence blamed on Mugabe's supporters.

Tourism received a boost when a number of Western countries lifted warnings
against travelling to Zimbabwe after the unity government was formed.
Zimbabwe is also hoping to benefit from the
Soccer World Cup to be held next year in SA next year.

Fundira said 362 000 people had visited the country by August compared to
100 000 visitors the year before.

A decade ago, Zimbabwe earned $250-million in revenue from tourism, Fundira
said. This dropped to $40-million in 2005 but has risen to $100-million
since the unity government was formed.

"The economy has got so much potential but political stability is extremely
key," Fundira said.

With Tsvangirai's party in charge of the treasury, the new government moved
quickly to scrap the local currency in favor of the US dollar. It also
removed price controls, which had left supermarket shelves bare and fuel
scarce.

Zimbabwe is rich in gold, platinum and diamonds. It has a relatively sound
road and power network but infrastructure is in need of upgrading and
maintenance.

"The opportunities for business in Zimbabwe are immense," said hotelier
Shingi Munyeza. "The question is: Do you get in now or later? Later is very
costly. Early is very risky."

Munyeza is group chief executive of African Sun, a Zimbabwean company that
has expanded into West and Southern Africa.

Munyeza acknowledges it's not easy operating in a country where
hyperinflation -- now under control after the government abandoned the local
currency -- made it almost impossible to keep accurate financial records.

But in the last three months their hotels in the capital Harare have been
70% full, more than double last year's occupancy rates.

"This time last year we were always planning for the next day to be worse
than the day before," he said. "Now this month has been better than last
month."

However, many investors fear Zimbabwe's newfound stability is threatened.

Tsvangirai withdrew for a short period from the unity government last month,
citing a surge in political violence and accusing Mugabe of undermining the
coalition.

Foreign countries have said they will only lend money to Zimbabwe when there
are more economic reforms and they can be sure funds will not be misused.

One entrepreneur who knows only too well the effects politics can have on
business is South African Steve Tetluk. Seeing a gap in the information and
technology field, Tetluk bought the rights to become Panasonic's official
representative in February.

Since then he has seen his Zimbabwe sales increase by 20% while a recession
in South Africa saw sales there drop 34%.

In addition, his costs are substantially lower and profits three times
higher than in his South African operation.

But when Tsvangirai withdrew, the deals dried up and they have only begun
firming up again since the leader returned to the unity government.

"The politics and posturing are costing the country a huge amount in terms
of investment," he said. - Sapa-AP

Diary of a traveller: Meeting Mr Mugabe

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/NEWS-1319-Day+1+Diary+of+a+traveller/NEWS.aspx

      17/11/2009 00:00:00
     by Scott Ramsay

Beginning today, we publish the first of a five-part series of diary entries
by New Zimbabwe.com's travel correspondent Scott Ramsay who recently spent
two weeks in Zimbabwe as a guest of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority which is
aiming to arouse international interest in the country's tourism sector:

THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority invited New Zimbabwe.com to visit the
country. So last week, along with a delegation of other international media
representatives, a group of about ten people boarded a plane from London to
Harare.

It's no secret that in the past decade the country under Robert Mugabe's
rule has struggled to maintain a happy public image. Scarcely a week goes by
without negative coverage.

The "Zimbabwe situation" is old news and needs no introduction. So the
freebie trip offered to journalists (and travel agents) was clearly intended
to garner some fresh, positive impressions in the international press.

The ZTA invitation was a brave move. Most indications are that the new
government of national unity has given people some tenuous hope, but most
people believe the social and political order is still a long way from
stabilisation, let alone improvement.

So as I was flying out on Air Zimbabwe, I was wondering what the tourism
authority expected us to write. They must have known that "objective"
coverage would rehash the existing problems.

I couldn't help notice that there were hardly any journalists from the major
western newspapers, which have traditionally been staunchly anti-Mugabe.
Were ZTA selective in whom they invited, or was it a genuine attempt to open
the front door to everyone, regardless of what we would find in the back
yard?

I had last been in Zimbabwe in 1995 on holiday at Victoria Falls and Lake
Kariba. I had fantastic memories of the country, the landscape and the
people. I remember Harare as being vibrant, slick and tourist friendly.

The Victoria Falls was - and remains - one of those world-famous sites which
genuinely deserve adjectives like "awesome" and "breathtaking". The small
town nearby was a world class tourism Mecca, where thousands of
international visitors frequented the markets, restaurants and adventure
companies.

The wildlife viewing at Lake Kariba was some of the best I've been lucky
enough to experience in many years of visiting a variety of wildlife
wildernesses. I had one of my best holidays ever.

What I remember especially were the Shona and Ndebele people: enormously
welcoming.
As I landed on the tarmac, and the airplane's door opened, I breathed in the
hot, dry air, and grinned all the way to the terminal. Living in London eats
away at one's soul, and smelling the Zimbabwean earth, and seeing the big
smiles on the ground crew's faces was pure tonic.

I was glad to be back on southern African turf, the land of my birth and
upbringing, and home to six generations of the Afrikaans side of my family.
My grandfather on my Scottish side of the family was born in Bulawayo, and I've
always wondered whether that entitles me to a Zimbabwean passport - I would
consider it, given the friendliness of the locals and the hidden potential
of the country.

My editor from one of my previous jobs told me that he wouldn't recommend
travelling to the country, for safety and political reasons. I have always
respected his opinions highly, and I partly agreed with him. But I resolved
to take a different stance - for sure, Zimbabwe is struggling, but as usual
in a damaged country, it's the waiter, or shop assistant, or porter or
bartender who suffers. And I desperately wanted to believe that there is
enough positive progress to promote the country to international tourists,
so that the locals can benefit from new tourism dollars.

Not one of my family, friends or colleagues wants Zimbabwe to lurk in the
political and social doldrums. We all want this magnificent country to
thrive. I decided to go to Zimbabwe, and see things for myself, noting the
positive in everything I encountered, while definitely not going ignoring
the negatives.

Friday, October 16
We arrived early in the morning. Driving into Harare, I noted a few things.
The roads were in need of a serious fix. And there were few cars. There was
plenty of litter everywhere. There was no maintenance of public gardens.

Some shops were stocked with goods, but the vast majority were almost empty
or vacant. There were very few motor dealerships or shops offering mid- to
high-end products. Public buses were non-existent. Most people were walking.
Some were taking mini-bus taxis.

I picked up a copy of the state-sponsored newspaper The Herald, which was
handed out on the plane, and soon realised it was only government
propaganda. While taking notes, an Air Zimbabwe official, who was travelling
with us, saw me jotting on my notepad, and remarked that he was concerned
about what I was seeing, and was worried what I would write.

We were checked into the Meikles Hotel, considered to be the best hotel in
Harare. It's clean and, and the service is great, but it looks tired, in
need of a refurbishment - especially since it considers itself "5-star". The
rooms are no more elaborate than a Holiday Inn in South Africa.

But considering that it's situated in the middle of a dilapidated city, it
is a shining light, attracting well-to-do international and local visitors.
At $250 a night for a room, it's ridiculously expensive.

But I imagine it's tough to maintain a five-star property in Zimbabwe, and I
imagine it's difficult to find suitable suppliers - hence prices are perhaps
necessarily high. (Like in all hotels, though, there's room for negotiation
when booking a room; more so at the Meikles, considering that the concierge
told me occupancies sit at around 35%).

We were then supposed to go to Sanganai, the travel trade exhibition and
networking event (hosted by Zimbabwe Tourism), where travel agents and
others were able to meet local tourism operators. But at the last minute, we
were told that we were going to meet President Robert Mugabe at the State
House, his residence in Harare.

On arrival, we were asked to hand our passports in at security, then we were
ushered into a marquee, where the Zimbabwe national soccer team was waiting
to be addressed by the President. We waited for an hour, then asked to line
up along a red carpet, down which Mugabe and his bodyguards walked, greeting
everyone.

Speeches followed, and Mugabe spoke for about 45 minutes, mostly to the
soccer team, but he also addressed the visiting media and travel agents. He
sat next to a variety of ministers, as well as Geoffrey Lipman, the UN World
Tourism Organisation delegate, who was in the country to help Zimbabwe
improve its tourism image.

All the time while Mugabe spoke, a well-adorned military official stood
behind the President. I never found it who it was, but judging from the age
and uniform, it could have been a general.

Once the speeches were over, we were told by a government official that we
were "lucky", because Mugabe had agreed to have his photo taken with the
delegates. Most of the international media clamoured to do so, and each
group from each country duly waited their turn.

Afterwards, I chatted to one of the reporters from a well-known South
African newspaper. He told me that two farms had allegedly been "invaded"
the previous week; and he chatted about how Mugabe's national prosecutor had
recently arrested Roy Bennett, the MDC's treasurer (and strong supporter of
commercial farmers' rights), on charges of alleged terrorism. In protest,
the MDC had temporarily "pulled out" of the government.

Against this backdrop, the reporter wasn't taken in by the choreographed PR
exercise of posing with the President. "People have really short memories,"
he said. "How can they be so happy to pose with him?"

It's clear that despite the MDC and Zanu PF co-operating somewhat, opinions
are still deeply polarised. Some international people are pro-Mugabe, others
are very opposed to him.

Afterwards, when we had been driven to show-grounds to watch a variety of
school marching bands, I bumped into Lipman and asked him about his role in
Zimbabwe.

The World Tourism Organisation is a stand-alone agency of the UN, and has a
budget of around 20 million euro. It employs about 100 people, and its role
is to facilitate, rather than implement tourism projects. It has no money
for hard investment, it can only advise on the proposed investment.

I asked him about the state of Zimbabwe, and how the government of national
unity was doing. "If you listened to the President today, he is clearly on a
mission to sort things out in the country," Lipman said.

I asked him about the recent arrest of Roy Bennett, and whether that was
going to dampen the sense of national unity that Zimbabwe so desperately
needs. "I hear a lot of things, but we must take the long term perspective,"
Lipman said. "In the meantime, people are going to differ on how to sort
things out, but I'm confident that Mugabe and [Prime Minister Morgan]
Tsvangirai will find a way to sort things out."

"I have met both leaders, and I have no reason to believe that Mugabe is not
sincere about his willingness to sort out Zimbabwe," Lipman stated. "Mugabe
is human, articulate, realistic and very aware of the need for tourism to
thrive. I have no doubt that Mugabe is a man of his word."

I asked him about his agency's work in Zimbabwe, and he said his agency's
priorities were the following: to clarify the method of measuring tourism
statistics (much-needed); training people for the 2010 soccer World Cup
taking place in South Africa in June next year; a 360 degree review of
Victoria Falls; and liaising with the Minister of Environment about the
prospect of a "green" tourism industry.

Would the agency's suggestions be adopted by Zimbabwe's government? "There
is no pressure whatsoever on the government to adopt our proposals," Lipman
clarified.

I pressed him on whether the locals are managing in the depressed economy.
"The bulk of people I see are happy," Lipman said. "Just look outside on the
field," and he pointed to the school children marching bands on the field.

What about the massive numbers of unemployed people, standing on the streets
of Harare? Were they happy? Would tourism deliver much needed employment to
the unemployed? "Zimbabwe is not a unique situation," Lipman remarked.

He went on to talk about Kazakhstan and the Maldives, and how each country
has huge problems, just like Zimbabwe. I asked him about the 94%
unemployment rate in Zimbabwe, a figure determined by the UN's Office for
the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a sister agency of Lipman's
employer. "Yes, that is unique," he conceded. "That's why tourism is so
important, because it provides a quick flow of foreign cash currency to the
locals working in the sector."

Will the government of national unity last, in context of the MDC's pull
out? "Ask me if Barak Obama's administration or the Labour government in
Britain will last. I just don't know. No-one knows these things."

I then asked him about the three biggest reasons to visit Zimbabwe, and
straight away he mentioned Victoria Falls, the very friendly people, and the
great wildlife.

Don't miss Ramsey's diaries throughout this week

Zimbabwe's Flawed Diamonds

http://www.voanews.com

The Following is an Editorial Reflecting the Views of the US Government

     
      14 November 2009

Despite findings of diamond smuggling facilitated by the military, a lack of
necessary controls, as well as human rights abuses against miners and
residents of the Marange diamond fields, Zimbabwe did not receive a
temporary ban on all of its rough diamond exports. Zimbabwe's suspect
diamond trade lives to mine another day.

The United States remains deeply concerned about the situation in and around
Marange and urges that the new oversight agreed to for the area be quickly
and fully implemented.

At the recent Kimberley Process annual plenary in Namibia, the 75-nation,
international initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds tackled the
question of what action to take in response to findings by investigators
during a visit this past July that Zimbabwean security forces had taken over
mines in the Marange district and forced area residents to work the
holdings.  The team also documented, as have numerous NGOs and media
outlets, severe human rights abuses in the area.

The Kimberley Process reached consensus on a plan under which Zimbabwe
agreed to impose more stringent controls on the diamond trade in Marange,
including through the placement of an independent monitor to ensure that
those controls are observed.  Moreover, Zimbabwe agreed not to export
Marange diamonds until the monitoring mechanism is in place.

The plan obligates Zimbabwe, as a participant in the Kimberley Process, to
commit substantial effort and resources to the work plan. If it does not,
the U.S. expects the Kimberley Process to take the necessary step of
suspending Zimbabwe's rough diamond imports and exports entirely.

The U.S. urges all diamond dealers and countries participating in the
Kimberley Process, including Zimbabwe's neighbors and trading partners, to
demonstrate their full commitment to the principles on which the effort to
stem the tide of conflict diamonds was established.

'Political uncertainty holding back energy investors'

http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Sebastian Nyamhangambiri Tuesday 17 November 2009

HARARE - Zimbabwe's state-owned energy firm on Monday said foreign investors
were reluctant to provide funding badly needed to boost power generation
because of uncertainty about the country's future political and economic
direction.

A senior executive at the cash-strapped Zimbabwe Electricity Supply
Authority (ZESA) Holdings told a special parliamentary committee on energy
and the environment that foreign funders were willing to help with capital
but they want assurance that they can recoup their investment.

"Investors are looking at financial viability. They want to be assured that
they can get back their investment, but we cannot assure them that for now,"
said Eliab Chikwenhere, financial controller at ZESA Holdings.

Chikwenhere - who said the energy utility urgently required US$374 million
to rehabilitate infrastructure in order to avert "serious blackouts" - said
he expected investors to move in with needed funds once there was certainty
on the political front.

"Once the political risks are addressed we are certain they (investors) will
come. They want constant policies, as changing them sends wrong signals to
investors. The political situation cannot allow them to come," he said.

A coalition government formed by President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai and deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara has brought a degree
of stability to Zimbabwe's political situation but the future remains
uncertain.

Incessant squabbling between Mugabe and Tsvangirai has left political
analysts wondering about the Harare coalition government's long-term
viability while most potential investors appeared to have adopted a wait and
see attitude before they can consider making any significant investments in
the country.

Meanwhile, Chikwenhere said ZESA Holdings would soon approach the coalition
government to takeover the energy firm's US$465 million foreign debt some of
which is money owed to regional suppliers in Zambia, Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC) and Mozambique who provide 28 percent of electricity used in
Zimbabwe.

"The loans were used to fund major capital projects such as the
refurbishment of Hwange power stations," he said, adding: "ZESA has no
capacity to service this debt given our (low) tariffs. Our tariffs allow us
to get funds for maintenance only. ZESA will soon request government to take
over the foreign debt."?

ZESA's inability over the years to boost generation capacity at its ageing
power stations and a critical shortage of foreign currency to import
adequate electricity from neighbouring countries has left Zimbabwe grappling
with severe power shortages.

ZESA's only response has been to implement a punishing power rationing
regime to save on the little electricity available while ensuring key
sectors of the economy are supplied.

Under the rationing schedule, supplies to domestic consumers can be cut for
up to 20 hours a day while power is supplied to industry and other
productive sectors. - ZimOnline

The Zimbabwe We All Desire

A new national vision is vital as Zimbabweans prepare to bring the first
decade of the new millennium to a close. The time for pragmatic and
patriotic compatriots to congregate and chart a new course is upon us.

Zimbabwe must be defined by her citizens and not by the partisan politicians
whose distortion of history and manipulation of the constitution only
satisfies their short term selfish goals. The same politicians, who have
soiled the image of Zimbabwe, cannot be proponents of a new, sanitary
national vision.

The world economy has become globalised and information is now available
real-time twenty-four-seven. Zimbabwe must meet the political needs and
economic aspirations of her citizens first and then align these and its
developmental policies to global norms.

A leadership renewal exercise which infuses unsullied selfless persons into
the national discourse, through the urgent generational overhaul of Zimbabwe's
cultural mindset, political headship, and economic management, will restore
our sense of national pride.

Leaders untainted by the corruption and unscathed by trauma from political
violence, devoid of ethnic prejudice, tolerant to different opinions and
diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds, must now lead the Zimbabwe
identity renewal process.

It is imperative that Zimbabweans engage in a serious conversation regarding
their future and discard the numerous stickers that now describe who we are.

The current dishonest crop of national leaders is synonymous with negative
publicity and their image as being brutal corrupt thugs has stuck. We need
to compel a u-turn in the psyche of the international neighbourhood for
trade and cultural linkages to be restored. Zimbabwe as a country must not
be attached to the identity of the individuals in power today.

Zimbabwe's Marange diamonds are now referred to as "Blood Diamonds", and
represent criminal greed. The agricultural produce is barred from certain G8
economies due to the contentious issue of its "farm of origin" label, and
most Zimbabwean banks are blacklisted internationally for laundering funds
embezzled from state coffers.

The mere mention of the name "Mugabe" to ordinary citizens of countries that
were once Zimbabwe's largest trading partners triggers a tirade of
unprintable scorn and the words "evil dictator" are always included with
disdain. Mentioning that one comes from Zimbabwe has to be followed up with
a quantification of one's political affiliation.

Zimbabwe's public image is seen as unsafe, lacking freedom and the basic
tenets expected for good governance. This negatively affects commerce and
tourism. Imagine trying to sell Zimbabwean pure bottled mineral water in
Europe when cholera has resurfaced in parts of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is a multicultural and ethnically diverse society anchored by an
equally practical intelligentsia and proactive academia who together with
Zimbabwe's cultural custodians should extricate our country from this
self-induced quandary.

An Ethiopian marathon runner has a psychological advantage by merely
appearing wearing his country's colours in a long distance race; the word
"Safari" automatically conjure up images of tourism in Kenya; diamonds with
Botswana; and yet, Zimbabwe is stuck with words like jambanja, land
invasion, specifications, lawlessness, humanitarian violators, and
corruption.

As we redefine the agenda for development, Zimbabwe must reposition herself
by declaring an irrevocable adherence to natural justice and to genuinely
embrace the levers of the rule of law.

Phil Matibe - www.madhingabucketboy.com