Zanu PF MPs stun Mugabe  10/12/02
Story by By Chengetai Zvauya

 

ZANU PF MPs, for long considered gutless in the presence of President Mugabe, last week found enough courage to confront their leader and demand an explanation of the fuel crisis besetting the nation, The Standard has learnt.

 

In a rare move, the MPs stunned Mugabe, who last month personally concluded a fuel deal with Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, when they told him that he owed them an explanation for the lack of fuel in the country. Mugabe’s ministers have in past weeks been making conflicting statements, and at times, blatantly uttering falsehoods on the existence or non existence of fuel. According to the US$360 million (Z$19,8 billion) fuel deal, signed by Mugabe and Gaddafi, Zimbabwe is assured of supplies until September next year, when the deal expires.

 

But before the ink on the deal has even dried, the country has started experiencing sporadic fuel shortages, casting doubts on the authenticity of the arrangement, which critics say is tantamount to mortgaging the country to Libya. Under the deal, forex-starved Zimbabwe trades assets such as land and equity in state enterprises, in exchange for fuel from Libya.

 

Unimpressed Zanu PF MPs took advantage of Monday’s party caucus meeting at the Zanu PF headquarters to tell Mugabe that his government had messed up on the issue.

 

“We demanded he explain the truth of the situation because our constituents want an explanation. We openly told Mugabe that we were not happy with the situation and we did not mince our words. We made it clear that despite denials by his ministers there was no fuel at service stations,’’ said a Zanu PF MP who attended the meeting.

 

Another MP said it was the first time the MPs had really quizzed Mugabe, who has become almost a demigod at the party he has led for over 20 years.

 

“The president, who was very attentive throughout, said energy minister, Amos Midzi, should have told the nation the truth about the shortage. He read the mood of the MPs and decided to play the part of listener,” said a Zanu PF MP.

 

Midzi was to have presented a report on the fuel situation at the meeting, but failed to turn up.

 

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF chief whip, Joram Gumbo, confirmed that the MP’s had raised concerns to Mugabe over the fuel situation.

 

“It is no secret that we do not have forex in the country, but arrangements were made for other countries to help us with fuel. We are still having fuel shortages and the MP’s wanted the matter taken up with the president.

 

“We had the opportunity of discussing issues affecting the country, including fuel and food shortages and the land redistribution exercise. The president did appreciate the problems and said the government would do its best to resolve the crisis facing the country,” he added.

 

Many service stations are failing to provide fuel and winding queues of motorists are the order of the day at the few service stations that do have fuel.

 

Most of the outlets have dried up and the country’s fragile public transport system has virtually collapsed, leaving commuters stranded.

 

The government has been at pains to explain the erratic nature of supplies to service station, with its ministers and Zanu PF apologists claiming that the current shortage is due to saboteurs, bent on discrediting the Zanu PF government.

 

A report on the fuel situation by a government-appointed team of investigators which should have been released on Monday has still not been publicised, prompting fears that information may be doctored to suit the Zanu PF conspiracy theory.

 

Analysts say the investigators are likely to heap the blame on fuel companies who have been accused of hoarding in the past.

 

The country consumes 1,9 million litres of diesel and 1,2 million litres of petrol per day.

 

The petrol is being distributed by the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (Noczim). Supplies are no longer assured as the country does not have enough forex to buy the commodity due to isolation from the international community because of the government’s poor human rights record.

  
Militia causes havoc at college  10/12/02
Story by By Parker Graham

 

MASVINGO—All is not well at Masvingo Teachers College where Musekiwa Mungoli, a student teacher and graduate of the Border Gezi training Centre, is fast turning himself into ‘warlord’ at the institution, The Standard has learnt. Lecturers and students at the college said they were “sick and tired” of Mungoli who conducts Zanu PF business in defiance of directives from college authorities. 

 

The problematic youth militia, The Standard was told, has on numerous instances openly challenged decisions made by some lecturers as well as the college principal, Sharai Chakanyuka.

 

“Even when the college principal, tells students to attend sporting activities, this troublesome militiaman can openly stand up and order all students recruited from the Zanu PF youth brigade to stay behind for a Zanu PF meeting.

 

“The college authorities are afraid of him, and they don’t say anything to him,” said an SRC member who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of incurring the wrath of the militias.

 

Students who talked to The Standard said Mungoli was in the habit of playing full blast and well into the night, the song Nora, by Elliot Manyika, the Zanu PF political commissar in charge of the youth brigades.

 

“He has no respect for elders, particularly lecturers and the principal. He is so smug because he’s untouchable,” said the student.

 

Contacted for comment, Chakanyuka professed ignorance about the presence of any youths from the Border Gezi Training Centre.

 

However, Mungoli himself confirmed to The Standard on Thursday that he was determined to rid the college of people with a colonial mentality.

 

“Hatingaregi nyika kuvarungu takatarisa. We have to do away with people who are causing problems, even if they are lecturers. These people suffer from colonial hangovers,” Mungoli said.

 

When this reporter arrived at the college, an angry Mungoli had just caused a fracas by confiscating Mamvemve, a cassette by music guru Thomas Mapfumo which was being played by some students.

 

He charged that the song was an attack on the government.

 

Unimpressed, the students went on to report the matter to the police who have since launched an investigation into the matter.
 

Land grabbing governors disappoint Mugabe  
By Chengetai Zvauya

 

PRESIDENT Mugabe, irked by widespread criticism over rampant corruption by his officials in the current allocation of land grabbed from white commercial farmers, has quizzed two governors accused of having allocated themselves prime pieces of land at the expense of landless peasants.

 

Sources in Zanu PF last week told The Standard Monday’s Zanu PF caucus meeting turned out to be an embarrassing episode for Josaya Hungwe of Masvingo and his Mashonaland West counterpart, Peter Chanetsa, after Mugabe quizzed them over allegations of grabbing farms.

 

“The president said he had received reports of governors grabbing farms at the expense of peasants, and he wanted them to tell him what was happening in the provinces as the land issue has become a very sensitive issue,” said a Zanu PF source.

 

Hungwe is said to have been asked why he ventured across the country to grab a farm in Mashonaland West, in the northwestern part of the country, when he is from the southeastern Masvingo province.

 

His colleague, Chanetsa, was asked to respond to reports that he had allocated himself several fertile farms.

 

The two are said to have been at pains to convince the president who made it clear that he did not buy their futile denials.

 

The land issue was the agenda for the meeting between Mugabe and Zanu PF MPs. In the controversial exercise, which kicked off on a violent note in February 2000, provincial governors head land committees in their respective provinces.

 

According to sources, Hungwe’s alleged move to Mashonaland West had provoked the Zanu PF leadership there, prompting them to approach Mugabe. Mashonaland West is also Mugabe’s home province. “Hungwe defended himself by saying he had grown up in the province and some of his children were also born in the area. He also denied that he had acquired any farm in the province, but that one of his children had applied for land there,” said a source.

 

This claim is said to have been shot down by Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairman, Philip Chiyangwa, who asked Hungwe why he was always seen in the area if he had no farm there.

 

Chiyangwa refused to comment when contacted by The Standard. “I don’t discuss caucus issues with journalists. Why don’t you speak to Joram Gumbo, our chief whip?” asked Chiyangwa.

 

Gumbo confirmed that the issue had been discussed at the meeting with Mugabe.

 

“All the governors were asked about the land issue by the president after the MPs had started the issue. We were facing pressure from our constituents who are complaining that the top chefs are taking the land and the only way to clarify the allegations was to hold such a meeting.

 

“The president told us to go to the people and get the truth so that we can deal with the issues, but all we are getting are just allegations that are hard to prove,” said Gumbo.

 

Hungwe himself refused to comment on the allegations. “I do not want to speak to your paper. You write a lot of lies about me and my party, so I have nothing to tell you. You are a newspaper for white people so I do not speak to you. Write whatever you like and I do not care,” said the governor.

 

Chanetsa refused to comment, but instead referred The Standard to the parliamentary Hansard, which carried his response when he was quizzed by MDC MP for Bulilimangwe North, Mzila Ndlovu, over the issue.

 

“I don’t have a farm at all, I only had one farm which I bought in 1992 and sold it three years ago,’’ Chanetsa told parliament on Wednesday.

 

Chanetsa said he applied for land under the model A2 scheme last year. “Last week I received a letter that I was considered, but I have not even signed the letter. The name Chanetsa is not a monopoly to myself. So next time when you see the name Chanetsa you have to verify which Chanetsa people are talking about."

 

According to the Commercial Farmers Union’s list of people who have benefited from Mugabe’s land grab exercise, the governor is recorded as having acquired a 608 hectare Biri Farm and Greenleaves farm (625 ha). 

US hikes visa fees  
By our own Staff

 

ZIMBABWEANS fleeing biting economic hardships and President Mugabe’s authoritarian rule, will now have to fork out more if their chosen destination is the United States.

 

According to a statement released by the US state department last week, the US has hiked its visa application fee from US$65 to US$100.

 

The new increase translates to Z$70 000 on the thriving black market where most Zimbabweans now source foreign currency. However, at the official rate this translates to only Z$5 500.

 

The increase, which becomes effective next month, is the second such hike in the last six months.

 

Zimbabweans, reeling under the hardships caused by President Mugabe’s mismanagement of the economy, have been leaving the country in droves to become economic refugees in other countries.

 

Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and the United States have been the favoured destinations for Zimbabweans.

 

In justifying the hike, the US state department said the current fee was no longer sustainable.

 

“The department is facing a critical revenue shortfall because the $65 fee simply does not recover the full cost of service. In consultation with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, the Department determined that the shortfall should be met by an increase in the fee rather than by an appropriation of US tax revenues. This adjustment will bring the fee into line with the actual costs of administering the non-immigrant visa services,” read a statement from the department.

 

The department agreed that the new fee would result in a drop in visa applications: “The Department is well aware that this fee increase may further suppress the demand for non-immigrant visas. However, the new fee accurately reflects the costs being incurred in the post November 11 environment.”

 

The US suffered serious terrorist attacks on 11 September last year resulting in a slump in visa applications.

 

“Since the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001, visa demand has dropped by approximately 20% and the trend continues downward. In August, non-immigrant visa demand was down by approximately 33%.

 

There has been no corresponding decline in the costs of running non-immigrant visa operations, because the processing of each application is more time consuming and labour intensive as a result of enhanced security screening requirements instituted since 9/11,” read the statement.

Air Zim hikes fares  
By Kumbirai Mafunda

 

ZIMBABWEANS seeking escape from the political and economic bondage they are imprisoned in will have to dig deeper into their pockets as the financially troubled national airline has once again increased airfares to international destinations, barely two weeks after another increase in early October. 

 

Information made available to The Standard reveals that Air Zimbabwe has increased its fares to international destinations such as London, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Nairobi, with effect from tomorrow. The fares were last increased on 1 October, a fortnight ago.

 

The cheapest trip to London, where Zimbabweans are migrating in their droves, cost $377 120 last week, but this figure has now rocketed to $514 170, a 36,3% increase. For a trip to Johannesburg, one now has to fork out $233 777, up from the previous $170 977.

 

A trip to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, now attracts a $393 300 fee, $108 500 up from $284 800 while a traveller to Mauritius now has to pay $375 101, up from $274 456.

 

Prior to the October 1 fare increase, a ticket to London went for $339 170, to Johannesburg, $167 423, Nairobi $251 200 and Mauritius, $238 741.

 

Dennis Maravanyika, the airline’s general manager-marketing, confirmed the fare increases, citing increased operational costs.

 

“The fare increase is due mainly to increased operating costs. For example, the insurance premium for this year has doubled compared to last year. So the only way we can pay these costs is by increasing our fares,” said Maravanyika.

 

The airline’s insurance premium has been increased by 100% from US$2 million to US$4 million due to the September 11 bombings, among other rocketing costs.

 

Eighty percent of the airline’s costs, which include fuel, insurance and landing fees, are paid in foreign currency. The shortage of foreign currency has been crippling Air Zimbabwe’s operations ever since the setting in of the Zimbabwe crisis. The drop in the arrival of international tourists and international airlines has exacerbated the airline’s problems.

 

However, local travellers can take heart from the fact that there is to be no increase in domestic fares.

Kamativi ward winner on the run  
By Cynthia Mahwite

 

BULAWAYO—The winning candidate of the Kamativi ward, a member of the Movement for Democratic Change, is on the run as disgruntled Zanu PF supporters and war veterans unleash vengeance on MDC supporters.

 

After a brutal campaign by the militia and the war veterans, Matthew Ngwenya beat Misheck Moyo of Zanu PF, but was, this past week, forced to abandon his family and home.

 

“Prior to the elections, the militia commanded me to leave my home and threatened to do away with my family. "I abandoned my home on Friday morning after being tipped off that I was to be murdered,” said Ngwenya, who is an ex-Zanu PF councillor.

 

The 44-year-old councillor who fled his home last Friday has, since his departure, been camping in the bush without food or water for fear of being eliminated.

 

“To even speak about my home pains me because they have destroyed all my property,” he said.

 

Ngwenya said he has been facing a backlash from Zanu PF ever since joining the MDC. “I am currently facing trumped up charges of fraud with Zanu PF alleging that I forged a signature for the elections.

 

“Their plans for getting me arrested go way back and their failure has caused them to unleash violence on me,” Ngwenya said adding: “I will not go back home because I have been tipped off that the war veterans have camped in my home awaiting my return.”

 

MDC members of parliament took up the issue of violence with governor and residing minister Obert Mpofu, who said there was no need for violence to be unleashed on candidates after elections.

 

“Cases of violence can be accepted before elections, but after this, they are unacceptable and the law must enforce this.

 

“Any such incidents of violence must and should be reported to the police and if the police do not act upon them, then further reports should be made to me and I will ensure that something is done,” Mpofu said.

 

Sources who declined to be named said terror in the Matabeleland region was on a high as Zanu PF supporters, militia and war vets violently attacked MDC supporters.

 

Ngwenya’s wife and three children have taken refugee at an undisclosed location to escape threats from the thugs.

Muzenda rises above party politics  
By Parker Graham

 

MASVINGO—Vice President Simon Muzenda last week revealed that he was above dirty party politics which characterise the operations of the ruling Zanu PF party, when he told hundreds of Zanu PF supporters that the opposition MDC had a crucial role to play in the development of the country. 

 

While Zanu PF politicians have tried by all means to rubbish the opposition party by referring to it as a foreign sponsored organisation bent on destabilising the country, Muzenda showed that he was a unique Zanu PF politician on Thursday when he openly welcomed the Masvingo MDC mayor Alois Vhuramayi Chaimiti, at a function held in his home town.

 

Muzenda, second in importance to Robert Mugabe in Zanu PF, had been in Masvingo to receive from the council, the ‘freedom of the city’ in recognition of the sterling work he has done for the area since independence.

 

In a move which shocked Zanu PF faithfuls in the town, and before Zanu PF heavyweights such as local government minister, Ignatius Chombo, and Muzenda's colleague, Joseph Msika, who were there for the occasion, Muzenda stood up and acknowledge the presence of the opposition MDC executive mayor.

 

Masvingo governor, Josaya Hungwe, who was the master of ceremonies alongside councillor Fabian Mabaya, had introduced all the dignitaries including the Masvingo councillors but had, not surprisingly, by-passed Chaimiti.

 

It is a well-known fact in the small agricultural town that the governor who believes the MDC to be British-sponsored, does not appreciate the idea of Chaimiti being mayor of a place like Masvingo, once the nerve centre of Zanu PF politics before the emergence of the opposition party.

 

The governor also neglects to attend any meetings, be they developmental ones, so long as they are being presided over by Chaimiti or Silas Mangono, the MDC MP for the Masvingo Central constituency.

 

But as hundreds of people who thronged the Civic Centre on Thursday found out, Muzenda bears no grudge at all against the MDC mayor who trounced the Zanu PF candidate, Jacob Chademana.

 

During the run up to the election, both Muzenda and Musika descended on the small town to campaign for Chademana, a favourite of his faction led by Hungwe.

 

Zanu PF party stalwarts could not believe their eyes when they saw Chaimiti sitting close to Muzenda and worse still, being afforded the opportunity to speak at the occasion.

 

The MDC mayor, who appeared very comfortable in the company of top Zanu PF officials, praised Muzenda saying the veteran politician had been sterling in his duties as a national leader.

 

Said Chaimiti: “I am proud to be the one at the helm of this council at this time. On July 29, 2002, the council unanimously agreed to confer the freedom of the city on him after considering his role in the development of the city and the country.”

 

Muzenda thanked Chaimiti for bestowing upon him the ‘freedom of the city’ saying by doing so, he had risen above party politics.

 

“We should be united, whether MDC or Zanu PF, in order for the country to develop. That’s why some of us joined the armed struggle. We need unity, peace and stability,” he said to a round of applause from the audience, after which he accepted wrapped gifts from the MDC mayor.

 

The function was attended by several Zanu PF heavyweights. A resident of Masvingo who attended the occasion said Zimbabwe would have been a good country had Muzenda been at the helm.

 

“Honestly speaking, we need a man like him to lead the country and not Mugabe who believes that the MDC must be crushed. This is the kind of political maturity that is critically lacking in the country,” he said.

Humans and animals vie for winter crop  
By Eupha Mahenga

 

DESPITE the tight security provided by security companies, Catties and Cobra, the winter maize crop in the Lowveld which was expected to temporarily ease the country's acute grain shortage, is being ravaged by both humans and animals, security officials have said. 

 

“The green cob is being stolen by wild pigs, monkeys and baboons, which are very difficult to control though we have managed to kill quite a number. But now that the early crop is being harvested, we face the problem of human theft,” said a security official.

 

While the mealie meal shortage continues, and famine ravaged households grow increasingly desperate, the Cobra and Catties security firms are working flat out to protect the endangered crop.

 

“There are daily arrests of people who have stolen the crop and we have managed to recover some of the stolen maize. These people come from Tshovani township and the estates compounds. Some of the stolen maize is not recovered, even when the perpetrators have been caught,” said a Cobra security official.

 

Speaking to some Catties security officials, it emerged that the wild animals were more difficult to deal with than their human partners in crime who were deterred by the armed security details.

 

“ People are afraid of the rifles, they don’t know that they are not meant for them but for the animals. That’s why they don’t come in large numbers, nevertheless nzara iri mudzimba is forcing them to steal. Animals are rather difficult to control,” said an official.

 

Emily Zhuwarara a worker at the estate, told The Standard, that many households were so hunger-stricken, they could not resist the crop.

 

“Honestly, we can’t blame the thieves because they are hungry, but now the security officials are scattered everywhere and it’s difficult for anyone to set foot near the fields.”

 

Some of the workers at the estate told The Standard that people were no longer willing to be seen walking within the estate late at night as they would be subjected to intense questioning.