From BBC News, 15
October
Zimbabwe union protests on the
rise
By Martin Plaut
London - The government of Zimbabwe is facing a rising tide of
discontent. A strike by teachers is in progress, despite union complaints of
government harassment. They have been joined by health workers, and protests
from university lecturers all complaining about their pay and conditions of
employment. The industrial action comes as the government is attempting to
grapple with economic decline. And the signs of the country's difficulties are
all too evident. The tobacco crop - once the backbone of economy - has been
crippled by the seizure of white owned farms. Just two years ago it was worth
$400m. This year it is predicted to fetch one quarter of that sum. Driving
commercial farmers off their land has not just hit whites. Some 100,000 black
farm workers are now homeless and unemployed. And the Zimbabwe dollar has fallen
through the floor. fficially there are 55 to the US dollar. But on the parallel
market the American currency fetches 10 times that figure. The drought that has
hit all of Southern Africa has hit the country particularly hard. Essential
goods are now either impossible to obtain, or too expensive for ordinary people.
One leading newspaper in South Africa commented this week: "No one knows when
Zimbabwe's economy will collapse, but the end is
nigh".
Financial Times
Hunger reduction slows to 'dismal' level
By John Mason, Food and Rural Affairs Correspondent, in London
Published: October 16 2002 5:00 | Last Updated: October 16 2002
5:00
Progress in reducing world hunger has slowed to almost a
complete
halt, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said
yesterday.
Some 840m people world-wide are undernourished and this
figure is
declining by only 2.5m a year - less than previously thought, said
Hartwig
de Haen, the FAO assistant director-general.
"The
situation is quite dismal," he said, unveiling the annual State
of Food
Insecurity in the World report. Unless the trend was sharply
reversed, the
target agreed by governments of halving hunger by 2015 would
be widely
missed, he said.
The new figures, which compare 1990-92 and
1998-2000, show a division
between a small number of developing countries
making substantial progress
and a deteriorating situation in the rest of the
developing world.
China remains the most impressive success story,
having reduced its
number of hungry by 74m, or almost half, reflecting its
increased commitment
to agricultural development.
Other
countries where sharp reductions were made include Indonesia,
Thailand,
Vietnam, Peru, Ghana and Nigeria.
However, in the rest of the
developing world the number of hungry
people has increased by more than 80m,
partly the result of the drastic
worsening of the situation in a small number
of countries.
The worst performer was Democratic Republic of Congo
where internal
conflict has caused hunger to triple. India was the
second-worst performing
country, because continued population growth has
outstripped agricultural
production, leaving an extra 18m malnourished.
However, Mr de Haen said
economic growth and Indian government polices could
reverse this trend in
future.
Other countries recording dramatic
increases in malnutrition include
Iraq, Bangladesh and Tanzania. Sub-Saharan
Africa remains the worst-affected
region with the highest prevalence of
undernourishment, even before the
emergence of the current famine, which
threatens the lives of more than 14m
people across southern
Africa.
Mr de Haen said the key features of successful countries
were good
governance, lack of conflict, strong and stable economies that
invested in
agriculture, and targeted social programmes to protect the
weak.
Poverty remained the main cause of hunger but other factors
included
conflict, drought, flood and political and economic
disruption.
In addition, more than 2bn people worldwide suffer from
micronutrient
malnutrition - the lack of essential vitamins and minerals
needed for
healthy growth, the report said. For example, up to 140m children
suffer
from vitamin A deficiency, which can cause blindness.
UN
call for review of emergency relief effort in Africa
The United
Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has called for an urgent
review of its
emergency relief effort in southern Africa, warning that
traditional
responses to famine are insufficient to counter the devastation
of an
HIV/Aids pandemic, James Lamont reports from Johannesburg.
In a
report to the UN, James Morris, the WFP's executive director, has
appealed to
donor and international aid agencies to shore up governments in
the
drought-stricken region. He has warned of the collapse of states
unless
capacity-building initiatives are undertaken to overcome a
lethal
combination of starvation and HIV/Aids.
"The traditional
pattern of humanitarian assistance, which at times
may attempt to replace a
weakened government sector in order to achieve its
life-saving objectives, is
simply not a viable option for southern Africa at
this time, as it would
merely postpone an eventual collapse," he said.
"In almost every
sector - food, health, education, agriculture, water
and sanitation - the
crisis response needs to be re-orientated to convince
donors, governments and
the international community to take urgent action."
About 14.4m
people in southern Africa are facing severe food shortages
as a result of
drought and economic mismanagement. Almost half are in
Zimbabwe, where
commercial farming operations have been disrupted by Robert
Mugabe's
controversial land reform programme. Poor harvests in Zimbabwe,
Zambia,
Malawi, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique have precipitated a
deepening
health crisis that has left about 4m orphans.
The WFP has become
increasingly convinced that the needs of the region
are so great that a
long-term recovery strategy is required rather than a
short-term food supply
operation.
Financial Times
Land resettlement to hit Zimbabwe tobacco
exports
By Tony Hawkins in Harare
Published: October 16 2002
5:00 | Last Updated: October 16 2002 5:00
Zimbabwe's tobacco
exports will fall by at least 60 per cent and
possibly as much as 75 per cent
in 2003, largely as a result of land
resettlement.
Tobacco is
the country's top export, accounting for between a quarter
and a third of
export revenues in a normal year.
The Zimbabwe Tobacco Association,
which represents growers, warns that
the number of large-scale (mostly white)
growers will fall to about 400 in
2003 from 1,750 two years ago.
As a result, large-scale production is forecast at only 45m kilograms,
down
80 per cent from the peak of 225m kgs in 2000.
Some of this will be
made up by increased small-scale production from
black farmers. They are
forecast to more than double output in 2003 to about
25m kgs from existing
growers, with the possibility of a further 15m kgs
from new
settlers.
This would give a total crop in the region of 85m kgs:
half the
current crop of 170m kgs and little more than a third of the record
236m kgs
grown in 2000.
Sales of the current season's crop are
projected to earn $386m. Next
year the ZTA is predicting a crop value of only
$105m, assuming markedly
lower prices and a much smaller crop.
At present, Zimbabwe is the world's second-largest tobacco
exporter,
accounting for 20 per cent of the total and behind Brazil, which
supplies 28
per cent.
The ZTA warns that Brazil will take over
Zimbabwe's markets. The slump
in production volumes in Zimbabwe allied with
poorer quality leaf is likely
to deter foreign buyers, who normally flock to
the auction floors during the
April to October sales season.
The
ZTA believes this will cause prices to slump from the current
level of about
230 US cents a kg, to perhaps as little as 150 cents.
Meanwhile,
direct production costs have risen 140 per cent in the past
year, comfortably
outpacing the 103 per cent increase in leaf prices in
local
currency.
The ZTA is urging the government to increase the
effective exchange
rate for tobacco exports from the current 158.5 Zimbabwe
dollars to the US
dollar to at least Z$350 to the US unit.
It
also wants the government to allow tobacco farmers to subdivide
their farms
and to retain a portion so that they can continue growing while
allowing new
settlers to take over some of the land.
And, in a clean break with
the past, the ZTA is even advocating direct
marketing to buyers who fund
growers' production costs by way of
out-sourcing arrangements.
Still, even if the government were to accept some of these
suggestions, it is
now too late to have much impact on the 2003 crop, which
is currently being
planted.
ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM
Teaching them a lesson:
A report on the attack on Zimbabwean
teachers
20 September 2002
A report by the Research Unit of the
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO
Forum
INTRODUCTION
The attack of teachers has been ongoing against
the backdrop of violence being perpetrated against civil servants (including
district administrators, and nurses) by ruling party (Zanu PF) supporters, “war
veterans” and the youth militia. Violence against teachers has continued
unabated since June 2000. Violence against teachers has been concentrated in the
rural communities where teachers are rightfully considered to be a group that
has considerable influence on the communities in which they live. The reported
attacks on teachers who support or are suspected of supporting the MDC seems to
be a way of limiting their political influence on the rural populace. In July
2001 two ministers are alleged to have issued death threats against student
leaders and their principals for supporting the opposition MDC. The threats were
issued at a meeting between the ministers, student leaders and principals from
Masvingo, Bondolfi and Morgenster teacher training colleges, Masvingo Technical
College and Mushagashe Vocational Training College. The meeting was told that
the only way that their safety could be guaranteed is if they supported Zanu PF.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stan Mudenge reportedly said:
“You are
going to lose your jobs if you support opposition political parties in the
presidential election. As civil servants, you have to be loyal to the government
of the day. You can even be killed for supporting the opposition and no one
would guarantee your safety.”
The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture
told the meeting that:
“We cannot continue to pay our enemies. People have to
know which side of their bread is buttered”
The threats came a month after
the Deputy Minister of Education, Sports and Culture allegedly said that his
ministry would not provide security to teachers affected by violence for
supporting the opposition. The threats by the two ministers were seen by ZIMCET
Executive Director, David Chimhini, as having exposed civil servants to possible
attacks by ZanuPF supporters.
The brutal attack on teachers has had far
reaching consequences that go beyond the teachers themselves. Violence also
affects the schoolchildren, when, in some instances, they are made to witness
scenes of extreme violence such as beatings and torture. Schoolchildren may
experience behavioural and emotional reactions after their experience of
violence against their teachers, who are supposed to be their guardians in the
school environment. The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) says that
‘a climate created by on-going organised violence can also produce generalised
feelings of insecurity and uncertainty for children, thus making it impossible
for children and youth to feel that they have a future’.
In some instances,
school children have become victims during attacks on their schools. In the
Midlands province, pupils from five schools were allegedly abducted and taken
for re-education classes by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters. At Chomuwuya
High School “war veterans” reportedly disrupted a prize giving ceremony in
October 2001, while in Masvingo “war veterans” are alleged to have disrupted
lessons at Rusitu High School. Therefore the addressing of violence against
teachers is not only directly beneficial to the victims, but also for the
schoolchildren who are also victims indirectly.
This report documents 238
individual cases of human rights abuses against teachers for the 18 month period
between January 2001 and June 2002. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum believes
the documented evidence that it has collected is merely the tip of a much bigger
iceberg, and would wish to draw attention to the many previous cases reported in
earlier reports of the Forum. We would also wish to draw attention to these many
previous reports, and to note that a communication from the Forum is currently
under consideration by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. As
the Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria and the Prime Minister of Australia
meet in Abuja on Monday, 23 September, to consider the Commonwealth’s response
to the Zimbabwe crisis, we hope that they will take into account this new
report, as well as all the previous reports, including those specifically
submitted to the Abuja initiatives.
Totals 1 January 2001 to 31 June
2002
Sources: Human Rights Forum legal statements, newspaper reports, Partner
Organisation Statements.
Note to the tables
Torture:
All cases of torture fall under the
definition of torture according to the general definition given in the United
Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and
Degrading Treatment and Punishment.
The four elements of torture
are:
1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or
mental
2. Intentionally inflicted
3. With a purpose
4. By a state
official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the
State.
Those individuals referred to in point # 4 include the ZRP, ZNA, ZPS
and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA) and by any other grouping when
directly sanctioned by the state.
Unlawful arrest and detention:
Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic
Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed.
Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress
through the courts or subsequent release without charge.
Abduction/kidnapping:
A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group
that is not the ZRP organisation eg. Political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA, MDC, Zanu PF
etc
Disappearance:
Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at
the time of reporting. Their whereabouts have still to be ascertained through
follow –up reports or further investigation.
Property related
These are incidents in which property rights have been
violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.
Key Abbreviations
CIO- Central Intelligence Organisation
MDC-
Movement for Democratic Change
MP- Member of Parliament
NCA- National
Constitutional Assembly
UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
ZNLWVA- Zimbabwe
National Liberation War Veterans Association
ZNA- Zimbabwe National
Army
ZRP- Zimbabwe Republic Police
Zanu PF- Zimbabwe African National
Union Patriotic Front
ANALYSIS BY PROVINCE
Incidents in this report account for eight of
the ten provinces in the country. Harare and Bulawayo provinces had no reported
incidences of violence against teachers. Masvingo province had the highest
number of violations in the abduction, assault and death threats
category.
MANICALAND
This province had the second highest number of
torture and assault cases in the country carried out by Zanu PF supporters,
youths and “war veterans”. Cases of state agent involvement were also reported.
The CIO were reportedly involved in the torture of a teacher who is the MDC
Provincial Vice-Organising Secretary, while another teacher alleged that he was
constantly sought by the CIO at his home, until he fled. A pregnant teacher
reportedly lost her baby soon after birth after a series of assaults by war
veterans, Zanu PF youths and police officers. Her husband is the District
Secretary for the MDC in the province. There was one school closure in the
province.
Buhera North
11 February 2002
A Zanu PF supporter allegedly attacked PM a teacher, with a beer bottle
while he was having a drink with five people. One of them, Tafara Taderera,
confronted him asking why PM wanted to kill him. Before he could answer he was
struck on the left eye with a beer bottle. Taderera then used the broken bottle
to scratch him all over his face and head. He suffered facial and head injuries.
PM was forced to apply for sick leave from the 18th of February to the 20th of
March. The case was reported to the police but no arrests were made. It was not
clear why the victim was attacked.
16 June 2002
Fifteen youths clad in police uniforms allegedly assaulted RM, a teacher
at Mamunyadza Secondary School with baton sticks all over his body. He suspects
that they are youths from the Border Gezi Training Centre for National Youth
Service in Mount Darwin. The youths came to the school armed with rifles and
asked him what his name was and what post he held within the MDC. When he denied
that he held any post, he was ordered to lie down and was severely assaulted. RM
was accused of holding a post within the MDC hierarchy and that he was going to
receive a truck from the opposition party. The youth barred anyone who wanted to
render assistance to RM who could not even walk to the hospital. His wife and
child witnessed the assault but managed to escape through the window. The case
was not reported to the police.
19 June 2002
Mai Gono, Tapfuma, and unnamed “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths
reportedly assaulted AK, a pregnant teacher, because her husband was the
District Secretary for MDC. The baby was born on the 29th of June but passed
away on the 5th of July 2002. Medical reports attributed the death of the baby
to the assault. “War veterans” and youths went to the victim’s school, being led
by one Tapfuma, demanding to see her in the middle of a lesson. She was ordered
to pack all her belongings and leave the school premises. She was taken to
ZanuPF offices in the area and assaulted. One Mai Gondo, a “war veteran”, also
assaulted AK with fists and open hands. She managed to dupe the group and
escape. On the 26th of June 2002, the police and ‘green bombers’ (National
Service Youths) came looking for AK’s husband. They threw teargas at them and
fired twice in the air. The officers, who threatened to come back for her,
assaulted AK. The officers are from Murambinda and Buhera ZRP, being led by
Detective Superintendent Dowa.
Buhera South
1 July 2001
TC was allegedly threatened and ordered to leave Gunde Primary School
with immediate effect because she was an MDC supporter. Two Zanu PF youths came
to the school alleging that they had been watching her MDC activities for a long
time. She was warned that if she didn't leave the school premises she would be
dealt with accordingly. She only managed to pack a few things and left the
school on the 5th of July leaving behind the rest of her belongings with a
friend.
7 May 2002
Teddy Mugwari, Leonard Usavi, Benjamin Mwandifura (teachers) and Godfrey
Marongwe (Deputy Headmaster) from Murambinda Secondary School were allegedly
accused of supporting MDC and assaulted by “war veterans”. They were ejected
from their work places. After the assaults they fled.
May 2002
A number of unnamed teachers allegedly received letters from a J. Nyawo
(Zanu PF councillor) demanding payment of $500 per head to fund the celebrations
for the President’s election victory, which were to be held by the Gukurahundi
Youth Group. Teachers in the area were also allegedly being asked to pay a
'protection fee’ for their safety.
Chimanimani
7 October 2001
Zanu PF supporters reportedly summoned teachers in Biriwiri to a meeting
where they were told that their jobs and lives were at risk if they supported
MDC. This was in the wake of the disturbances at Biriwiri and at Charleswood
Estate, owned by MDC MP, Roy Bennett, where Zanu PF members were urged to go and
seize property.
April 2002
The CIO allegedly constantly sought Hamilton Sigauke, a teacher, at his
home. Following death threats from the state agents, he fled to Mutare. The MDC
and Zanu PF were due to meet in Chimanimani on the 3rd of April 2002. Villagers
in the district claimed that ZanuPF supporters and CIO officers had unleashed
terror to punish them for supporting MDC.
Chipinge North
20 March 2002
It was alleged that teachers suspected to have voted for MDC from
Checheche, Chisumbanje, Gumira, Machona, Rimbi and Vheneka Primary Schools, as
well as Rimbi High School were assaulted by “war veterans” and Zanu PF
supporters. The schools were forcibly closed resulting in the pupils fleeing for
their homes.
Chipinge South
11 November 2001
MB, a teacher and the MDC Provincial Vice-Organizing Secretary, was at
Maronga School at about 3 pm when he was allegedly approached by a group of six
members of the Central Intelligence Organization in Chipinge in a cream Mazda
pick-up truck. One of them produced a pistol and ordered him to get into the
truck. He pretended that he needed to go into the house but instead escaped.
They fired shots at him but missed. Cash in the amount of $ 15 000 which he had
withdrawn from the bank was taken from him, as well as shoes, shirts and
trousers. As a result of his assault he sustained head injuries and is suffering
from stomach pains. His genitals were also kicked. The case was reported to the
local police station.
15 March 2002
James Moyana, Chikukwa and six unnamed teachers of Checheche School in
Chipinge were allegedly severely assaulted with knobkerries, iron bars, chains,
and sticks by Zanu PF supporters. Four of the teachers were admitted to Chipinge
hospital with serious injuries, one was unable to walk. The police and the army
were called in to restore order. 21 people were arrested. The attacks came two
days after a call by Mike Madiro, Zanu PF's Manicaland chair, to weed out
traitors to the revolution.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Of the eight provinces,
Mashonaland Central had the highest number of teachers that were forced out of
their places of employment due to political violence. In Mount Darwin South four
teachers were ordered to transfer by “war veterans” and Zanu PF members because
they were MDC supporters. In Shamva another four teachers were also ordered to
transfer by a group of 30 “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths. The teachers were
assaulted prior to being ordered out of the school. The group was camped at
Chindunduma Two High School where the school matron gave them food rations. The
group also had use of the school’s Nissan truck. In Bindura, Uronga South
Primary School was closed after six teachers were severely assaulted by a group
of “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths.
Bindura
19 May 2001
WT, a teacher at Chipadze Secondary School, and PM,
were on their way to Trojan in a 504 station wagon when one Dickson Mafiosi, in
a defender, allegedly indicated that they wanted to see someone in the 504. PM
was asked to get out of the car. On asking why they had pulled them over,
Dickson pulled them out of the car and slapped WT on the face. He said they had
been looking for him because he was an MDC supporter. Dickson alleged that the
then Governor, Elliot Manyika now the Minister of Youth, Gender and Employment
Creation, allegedly said they had destroyed WT’s house and that they wanted his
blood. They assaulted him with iron bars, clenched fists and booted feet. There
were eight people. WT passed out for some time as he had sustained injuries to
his head and all over his body. The matter was reported to the police on the
19th of May 2001.
28 June 2001
A group of “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths reportedly asked teachers at
Uronga South Primary School for membership cards. Three teachers who had Zanu PF
cards were left alone. The remaining six were severely assaulted in front of
their pupils with clenched fists, logs and sjamboks for being opposition
supporters as they had failed to produce Zanu PF party cards. The school was
closed for three days. Bindura magistrate Feyi Gweshuro Tito sentenced the
youths to three years in jail with 9 months conditionally suspended for 5 years.
Upon review, Judge George Smith upheld the sentence as appropriate. Furthermore
Justice Smith ordered the police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri to investigate
the 'moral blameworthiness' of ZNLWVA commander. The judge noted that”
“The use of young men who want land as pawns in the political struggle and
to make them go out and assault and intimidate innocent members of the public
who are going about their own business, in order to qualify for land, cannot be
condoned.”
7 January 2002
AB was on his way to Bindura when he came across a roadblock allegedly
mounted by Zanu PF youths. They asked him for a Zanu PF card and, when they
found that he did not have one, they slapped him three times. When he went to
deliver something at the MDC Women's chairperson's house the next day, the Zanu
PF militia accosted him, interrogated him, and then dragged him to his house.
There they carried out a search and found an NCA booklet. They took him to their
base and attacked him with open hands and a cable. He later managed to escape
and fled to Harare.
Guruve North
March 2002 - 3 February 2002
In March 2000, “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly
demonstrated saying they didn't want DM at the school because he was an MDC
sympathizer. He was forcibly transferred from the school to one in Upper Guruve
and he left his car and other property at the school. When he returned to
collect his property, he found that his car had been damaged and therefore had
to look for the stolen parts. The looters came back on the 11th of November 2001
and damaged the vehicle completely, setting it ablaze. The case was reported to
Mahuwe Police Station in November. On The 3rd of February 2002, Zanu PF
supporters beat up DM for being an MDC supporter. They threatened to kill him if
he went back to teach in that area.
Guruve South
15 January 2002
Wellington Mudanwa (Zanu PF Chairman), Mahembe
and Tanaka Chibvongodze went to Negomo Secondary School and took OM from his
class to the headmaster's office. He was asked about his political affiliation
and forced to roll on stones. He suffered multiple injuries. He was then taken
to Bowen farm were he was later released. The matter was not reported to the
police.
15 March 2002
Zanu PF youths allegedly broke 15 windowpanes and
doors at CM's home after the elections and declared that they had taken over the
house because the victim belonged to the MDC. The victim, a teacher fled
together with his family and he was informed that one Newton Hakata, two Chisi
brothers, Sydney Mavhangira, Terrence Nhamburo and Magoro are residing at his
home. They are using his property and one of them was seen putting on the
victim's jacket. CM owns the house and has been living in it since 1991. He
reported the matter at Bindura Police Station to one Constable Dimba. At the
time of the report the case was still pending.
Mount Darwin North
March 2001
Katikiti, Majoni, Marufu, and Muringai were allegedly ordered to transfer
to other schools by Joseph Nembire Nyabvudzi, who is acting Chief Nembire
because they were MDC supporters. Acting Chief Nembire, a Zanu PF supporter is
alleged to have requested the transfer of the four teachers saying that his MP,
Saviour Kasukuwere, had given the Acting Chief power to enlist the help of
National Service Youths to remove the teachers who were described as being
‘dangerous’. The Chief, a policeman, is reported to have claimed that the
Nembire family was facing serious problems through the political activities of
the four. In February 2001, Zvavamwe, Education Officer for Mt. Darwin, was
evicted from his house after he had been accused of recruiting MDC supporters as
temporary teachers. The letter from the Ministry of Education sanctioning
removal stated:
"You are advised that teachers who are not wanted within their employment
environment, for whatever reason, should be assisted to transfer to other
areas."
Mount Darwin South
June 2001
Unnamed teachers and a headmaster were allegedly
harassed and assaulted by Zanu PF members. They were forcibly removed from the
schools at which they were teaching in compliance with the demands of Zanu PF
youths in the area. Teachers were warned that they would be removed from their
places of employment if it were proved that they belonged to the MDC.
Shamva
13 January 2002
Collin Kamarizeni (Deputy Headmaster), Florence Usayi (Senior female
teacher), Kennedy Mapondera (Senior male teacher) and an unnamed temporary
teacher were allegedly assaulted by a group of “war veterans” and Zanu PF
youths. They ordered the transfer of four teachers on allegations that they were
MDC supporters. A report was made to the police but no action had been taken at
the time of the report. A group of thirty “war veterans” and Zanu PF youths set
up a base at Chindunduma Two High School. They were receiving free food rations
from the school kitchen. Christine Dhewa, the school matron, also the Zanu PF
District Chairperson in the women's league, was allegedly giving the group food
and material support. The school head Ella Pawandiwa, allowed the group to use
the school's Nissan truck in their terror campaigns in the area. Lakayana Dube,
the Mashonaland Regional Director for Education, denied any knowledge of the
forced transfers. However it is alleged that Dube facilitated the
transfers.
15 March 2001
TZ is MDC District Chairperson while her husband, GT, is the District
Co-ordinator in Shamva. In May 2000, the couple was allegedly attacked several
times by Zanu PF members. They used stones and at one time used a petrol bomb,
which failed to explode. In mid-May 2000, Kwezani, Noah Ndombo, Artwell Chiwara,
Themba, Augusto and several others allegedly sent by Mr. Sydney Chiwara and Mr.
Mudukuti went to the victim’s home armed with stones, petrol bombs and sticks.
They destroyed windowpanes and then set the house on fire. The victims lost all
furniture in the dining room and bedroom as well as clothes. They managed to
escape through the back door and sought refuge at a friend's place until July
(after the parliamentary elections). GT has been forced out of any school he
secures employment with. At the time of the report he was not employed having
been forced out of his last school in December 2000. In February 2001, Zanu PF
members passed through their home throwing empty bottles and destroying the
windowpanes. On the 15th of March 2001 at around 8pm, a group of Zanu PF members
went to the victims' home singing and chanting slogans. They managed to escape
and hid next door with their children. The group destroyed their property and
set the house on fire. They lost all property. They eventually escaped to
Harare. The matter was reported to Shamva Police Station but no action has been
taken as yet.
MIDLANDS
Four schools were allegedly closed in the
province due to disturbances caused by war veterans. It was reported that two
bases had been established at Tenda and Mashumba Primary Schools in Gokwe North
by Zanu PF militia, and were being used as torture centres. Eight teachers were
reported to have been tortured in the whole district, including a pregnant
female teacher. In Mberengwa teachers fled from Vutiki High School after pupils
had been abducted by war veterans for ‘re-education’ classes.
Gokwe North
12 October 2001
“War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly
besieged Mashumba Primary School and attacked teachers, who then fled 40 kms on
foot to Zomba. Midlands Regional Director of Education, Isaac Tanyanyiwa,
reportedly claimed to be 'unaware' of this and other disturbances in his
precinct. The teachers wanted their security guaranteed before returning to the
school. Zanu PF militants were reported to be camped at Tenda and Mashumba
Primary Schools and to have established torture centres at each of the schools.
12 October 2001
Zanu PF supporters and “war veterans” reportedly disrupted a prize-giving
ceremony and assaulted 3 teachers at Chomuwuyu High School. Midlands Regional
Director of Education, Isaac Tanyanyiwa, reportedly claimed to be 'unaware' of
this disturbance. The teachers wanted a security guarantee before returning to
the school.
Kadoma West
October 2001
Two schools in Sanyati were allegedly closed after an unspecified number
of pupils were abducted to a war veterans’ base in Gokwe. These schools were
among seven schools in Kwekwe and Kadoma districts closed under similar
circumstances
November 2001
“War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly assaulted five unnamed
teachers at Sanyati and Nyamatsane Primary Schools with sticks when they failed
to produce ZanuPF party cards and chant party slogans. A report was made to
Sanyati (Arda) Police Post but no action was taken. One of the teachers who were
assaulted was pregnant.
Mberengwa East
21 December 2001
TH was allegedly abducted at midnight by a large number of Zanu PF
youths. The victim and a friend, DT, were coming from Mataga Growth Point with
the intent of making final wedding preparations. As they approached Mundi Bridge
they met the youths who demanded that they stop. They asked them to produce
Zanu PF cards, searched them and used TH's belt to tie his hands. They were
taken to their base at Chingoma Secondary School where they were questioned.
They vowed that DT who was supposed to get married the next day would not do so.
TH failed to answer several of the questions that they asked and was slapped for
this. They were then taken to an empty water tank and tortured. TH sustained
chest injuries and bruises on back. They managed to sneak out of the school when
their friends arrived and chased the assailants away. The following morning the
victims were dumbfounded to find that the police were filing charges of public
violence against them. They were taken into custody and spent the next 6 days in
the police cells under terrible conditions. TH developed heat rash due to poor
ventilation in the cells.
Mberengwa West
October 2001
Pupils of Vutika High School preparing for “O” and “A” level examinations
were allegedly forced to attend ‘pungwes’ and undergo political ‘re-education’
conducted by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters. Teachers Gumbo, Marufu and
V. Moyo and Hove the Headmaster, were victimised and had their property
destroyed. After the incident they fled from the school. The perpetrators
include Walter Mucheregwa (ZNLWVA, teacher), Divine Chitoro and Nyasha
Koke.
March 2002
“War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters allegedly accused Kudawashe
Matsheza and Johnson Zhou of supporting MDC. The two were assaulted and
threatened on the basis of these accusations. They then fled the area.
Mkoba
January 2002 - 23 February 2002
“War veterans” allegedly attacked SG because he assisted his brother in
running as the MDC candidate for the Gutu North Parliamentary seat in June 2000.
He applied for a letter of transfer from the Ministry of Education. His brother
was running for the Gutu North Parliamentary seat in 2000. The victim returned
to the school on the 9th of February but the situation was tense so he went
away. When he went back the “war veterans” threatened him again and he had to
leave on the day in question. SG has not been able to go back to work and
payment of his salary has been ceased. The Ministry of Education has said that
they will facilitate a transfer for him. Zimta is also assisting with the
application for transfer.
Zhombe
October 2001
Unnamed teachers from Zhombe Primary and Tenda High schools fled to Gweru
after “war veterans” allegedly abducted pupils from these schools to a base in
Gokwe. The two schools were among seven schools in Kwekwe and Kadoma districts
closed under similar circumstances.
Zvishavane
11 March 2001
AM, a teacher at Mhondongore School and an MDC supporter gave testimony
in court in February 2001 in the MDC cases. The following Monday the case was
reported in the public press. The “war veterans” in his community allegedly
started harassing him and claimed that he showed his allegiance to MDC by
testifying in their case they held a meeting at which he was sent packing from
the school. The victim alleges that he went to the Ministry of Education but
they refused to help.
MASHONALAND EAST
The province was characterised by
incidents of teachers being forced to contribute towards independence
celebrations and the President's birthday celebrations.
Chikomba
7 April 2001
Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to BM's homestead. The victim was
however not at home. They threatened his brother-in-law with death. They claimed
that an MDC meeting was taking place at his homestead. They broke down the door
and searched underneath beds, wardrobes and threw clothes around. They
threatened to burn the house down. The victim had to ask his wife to take their
three children and go to her rural home for their own safety. No report was
made to the police as Inspector Mpofu, the Member in Charge, is a “war veteran”,
and “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters previously assaulted the victim.
27 June 2002
Mucheneripi Chikato, Jairos Mutasa and two other
Zanu PF supporters allegedly went to NW's residence armed with sticks and
stones. The victim managed to flee the area together with his wife before they
could attack him.
Hwedza
16 July 2001
VM and AK from Hwedza High School were members of
MDC, ZimRights, NCA and ZESN based at Hwedza. In January 2000 they were
allegedly forced to stop supporting the MDC and did so, but continued their
association with the other organisations. In July, “war veterans”, being led by
Chirinda, allegedly went to the school where the victims teach and started
singing and chanting slogans. VM and AS hid in the schoolyard. The “war
veterans” told the headmaster that the teachers had to leave the area, as their
services were no longer required in Hwedza. The headmaster then communicated
this to the District Education Officer. The victims and others telephoned NCA
and they were provided with transport to leave the area. A report was made at
Hwedza Police Station but no action was taken.
Marondera East
9 January 2002
A group of about 10 youths allegedly went to JM's house and asked to see
his son, TM. One of the youths was wearing a black t-shirt with Border Gezi's
face on it. He asked the others to search the house and during the search a wall
clock and JVC Video Cassette Recorder were dropped and damaged. A report was
made at Dombotombo Police Station, Marondera.
Mudzi
4 January 2001
Teachers from Mutoko High School, Mutoko Government Secondary School and
Donzwa Primary School were allegedly forced to contribute $100 each towards
President Mugabe's Birthday Celebration and $50 towards Independence Day
Celebrations. Female teachers were forced to contribute an additional $100 each
towards the Women's League and were threatened with unspecified action if they
failed to pay.
Mutoko North
20 February 2002
At 7pm, PM, some ex-combatants called a temporary teacher at Chidiye
Primary School, for supper at another teacher’s house. He agreed and while he
was eating they started to accuse him of being an MDC supporter. They then
assaulted him using sticks, firewood and open hands. This lasted throughout
night. The people who were involved were Nyamukapa and other youths whose names
are unknown to the victim. He then passed out and came to the next morning. He
reported the matter on 22 February 2002 at Mutoko Police Station.
Mutoko South
6 May 2001
Zanu PF supporters assaulted GM for supporting the MDC. He was ordered to
attend a Zanu PF meeting, where Cde Nyamande accused him of supporting the MDC
and of insulting and castigating ZanuPF supporters. He is alleged to have
campaigned for MDC during the June 2000 elections and to have organised strikes
in Harare. He was taken up a hill by the youths who assaulted him with sticks.
GM sustained injuries all over his body and passed out. When he regained
consciousness he was taken to Mutoko Hospital and then to Avenues Clinic. He was
forced to go on sick leave from 8 May to 24 July 2001 because of the injuries he
sustained. Kaitano, who was absent when the assaults were occurred, was leading
the youths.
UMP
1 March 2001
CH was demoted from being acting Head of Department at Mugabe Secondary
School and denied promotion for refusing to support Zanu PF. He was harassed at
work by the headmaster and fellow teachers who are Zanu PF supporters. His wife
was forced to join Zanu PF, which led to the breakdown of the marriage. He was
forced out of school housing and spent 18 days sleeping in the bush, without
food for seven of these days. He took the matter up legally with Felix Muzawazi
of Muzawazi and Partners. The Education Regional Director for Mashonaland East
Province responded by freezing his Beverly Account (No 3625843A and Pass Book
No. 23615). An urgent chamber application was made by his lawyer to have the
account unfrozen and the High Court granted this following which the Ministry
complied. They were supposed to transfer the victim from the school and promote
him to teach ‘A' level but they returned him to the same school. The victim had
to run away as he alleges that the CIO officers were after him. He stayed at
Murehwa hotel for one night, but moved out and stayed in the bush after some
people tried to force the door down and gain access to his hotel room. CH
alleges that he was informed that his name was going to be cancelled from the
pay sheet.
MATEBELELAND NORTH
This province has the highest number of
political intimidation cases in the country. The province was also characterised
by threats coming from a top government official. The Governor, Obert Mpofu, was
reported to have threatened teachers at Sawmill Primary School in Nyamandlovu,
who supported the MDC, that they would be thrown out of the province. Some
teachers in Tsholotsho were allegedly transferred due to their support of the
opposition MDC.
Bubi-Umguza
April 2001
Teachers at Sawmill Primary School in Nyamandlovu were
allegedly threatened by Obert Mpofu, the Matabeleland North Governor, for
supporting the opposition. They were told that they would be thrown out of the
province.
Hwange West
6 February 2002
A group of Zanu PF supporters reportedly ordered the closure of
Ndangababi Primary School after intimidating about 20 teachers. About 60
toyi-toying youths chanting Zanu PF slogans closed the school after
force-marching about 20 teachers to a base. The frightened teachers vowed not
return.
Tsholotsho
April 2001
The Ministry of Education allegedly transferred Elton
Mdingwa, Mtombeni and other unnamed teachers for sympathising with the MDC. “War
veterans” then removed Mdingwa’s property from his cottage to ensure that he
would leave the province.
MATEBELELAND SOUTH
There was only one report of violence against a female teacher in
Matabeleland South. She was assaulted in November 2001 for not attending a Zanu
PF rally. Soon after the Presidential Elections she was assaulted for having
being absent during the voting period. The victim fled the area and sought
refuge in Harare leaving behind her niece who was under her charge.
Beitbridge
14 March 2002
On the 25th of November 2001 a group of six Zanu PF supporters entered
GM's home at Zezani Secondary School while a group of about 25 remained outside
chanting Zanu PF slogans. She was asked why she had not attended a Zanu PF rally
that had been held at Lutumba at 3pm that day. She responded by saying that she
did not know that there had been a rally. Jabulani Dube punched her on the
mouth, resulting in her losing two teeth. She had to travel to Harare to seek
medical treatment. During the Presidential Elections, GM went to Harare to vote.
When she had returned, about 20 Zanu PF supporters assaulted her and, amongst
them, were Elijah and Vincent Nleya of Dalibazimu in Beitbridge. The group was
carrying a list of suspected MDC supporters and those who were absent during the
voting period. GM and three others were told to go to Tsvangirai's country. They
had to hitch hike into Bulawayo since they had been banished from the area. GM
left her niece whom she was in charge of. She sustained injuries on her
shoulders, chest and had internal side injuries. After the assault she was
experiencing pain when breathing and could not sit for extended periods.
MASVINGO
Masvingo had the highest figures of violations in the three categories of
abduction, assault and death threats. Teachers in the province were assaulted
for being MDC supporters and some were given notices to leave the province and
seek employment elsewhere. Mapanzure School has been subjected to repeated
attacks including two school closures.
Bikita East
14 January 2002
At 4pm, about 40 Zanu PF youths, led by one “war veteran”, armed with
heavy logs went to VMR's home. The victim had just returned from an opening
school meeting. They accused him of supporting the opposition MDC and possessing
party regalia and cards. They then forced him to lie down and assaulted him
using logs on his back. The victim was threatened that if he told anyone he
would suffer or lose his life. He did not seek medication because of the threats
on his life.
16 January 2002
Zanu PF supporters and militia held a rally at Chinyamapere School where
SM teaches. They accused him and others of supporting the opposition MDC. He was
force marched from the public and forced to toyi-toyi for 15 minutes. He did 30
press-ups and was beaten up. He was then told to leave immediately. The group
went back to his house and searched it. He was beaten up again at his home area
on the 21st of January 2002. The victim claims that his heart nearly failed and
that he experienced chest pains after the assault.
19 January 2002
Macdonald Chinaka and other Zanu PF supporters assaulted KKC on the back
with sjamboks. He was struck about twelve times and sustained cuts to his back.
He made a report at Bikita Police Station on the 20th of January 2002.
7 February 2002
Just after break, a group of about 70 Zanu PF youths went to Dungu
School asked for AM, and accused him of being a member of MDC. A number of them
took turns to assault him using thick sticks and copper wire, open hands and
whatever they could find. When they were tired, they chased him from his work
place and threatened him with death upon being seen at the school or reporting
for duty. The assault took place in full view of ten teachers and over 460
pupils. The case was not reported to the police as he had been threatened with
death if he did so. The victim also did not seek treatment due to the
threats.
Bikita West
14 January 2002
At Masarira School a gang of thirty Zanu PF
supporters and “war veterans” called all teachers for a meeting at the staff
room. Two unnamed teachers were beaten in the presence of other teachers as one
of the lady teachers had reported them as being MDC supporters. Their clothes
and property were destroyed. They were then taken to the clinic.
15 January 2001
AT, together with other teachers, was tortured and issued with death
threats by “war veterans” and Zanu PF supporters soon after the election. The
teachers were accused of having campaigned for the MDC. The teachers refused to
return to their schools until their safety was guaranteed.
January 2001
Teachers at Kushingira and Gwindingwi Schools were
threatened with danger. Some teachers ran away from the area. The teachers were
accused of having campaigned for the MDC. They refused to return to the schools
until their safety was guaranteed.
1 March 2001
“War veterans” and Zanu PF supporters threatened a male teacher at
Gumunyu School with death for supporting MDC.
16 January 2002
Members of Zanu PF assaulted four teachers and the headmaster of
Chitsanga Primary School for chanting MDC slogans in class. Their houses were
also ransacked. The school was closed on 17 January 2002 after all the teachers
had fled.
21 February 2002
A Zanu PF rally was organised by Major Zephania, Colonel Bangidza,
Captain Masabeya and Emma Ruparangana (Zanu PF Provincial Executive Member) at
Rusitu High School, interrupting 'A' level lessons. They forced the students to
attend; however the students ran away due to fear. The officials then accused
EC, GU, HS, and one other teacher of having something to do with MDC and
threatened to order Zanu PF youth militia to kill them. The following day the
Zanu PF youth militia surrounded the headmaster's home armed with axes and
knobkerries. The victims managed to escape and went into hiding. A report was
made at Chimanimani Police Station.
Gutu South
1 January 2002
· Zanu PF militia allegedly besieged Machingambi Primary and Secondary
Schools, Chatikobo School and Soti Source School. They assaulted teachers and
threatened to kill them Teachers fled the area leading to closure of the
schools. The teachers vowed to return only after the presidential
elections.
13-31 March 2002
Unnamed teachers of Masvingise, Mundondo and Nerupiri Schools were
assaulted and threatened with death by militia trained at Mshagashe (Masvingo
North) by Francis Zimuto, alias “Black Jesus”, and camped at Nerupiri School.
They were given 'notices' to leave the schools.
Masvingo Central
24 January 2001
Three unnamed teachers were abducted and
handcuffed by about 100 “war veterans” who had descended on Masvingo to force
striking civil servants to return to work. The three teachers were attacked
after they had mistaken the “war veterans” for fellow striking teachers and made
MDC slogans at them. They were taken to the police station. Police released the
teachers soon afterwards.
9 March 2002
An ex-combatant went about labeling teachers in the area as sell-outs
because they were MDC supporters, threatening to deal with them after the
Presidential Election.
Masvingo South
21 June 2002
Unnamed teachers from Mapanzure Secondary School had their homes
ransacked by suspected “war veterans” who led a rowdy mob of Zanu PF supporters.
The incident was reported at Muchakata Police station. No arrests had been made
by the time of the report. The Masvingo Provincial police spokesman refused to
comment. The group ordered teachers suspected of supporting the MDC to leave the
area. The group then went into a number of teacher's houses, seizing all their
property before confiscating office and house keys. Property was thrown out of
the houses and the victims were told to leave the area within twenty-four
hours.
8 July 2002
Mapanzure Secondary School was closed indefinitely after some of the 50
teachers, including Joel Hita and Tsana Guwa, were beaten up by suspected Zanu
PF supporters who accused them of being MDC supporters. Four of the teachers
were reported as having been seriously injured. This was the second closure of
the school following a similar closure in May 2000 in the run up to the June
2000 Parliamentary elections, as a result of clashes between Zanu PF and MDC
supporters after the parents accused the teachers of belonging to MDC. The Zanu
PF supporters are alleged to have arrived in a white Nissan truck and dragged
the teachers out of the classrooms and beat them up in full view of the
students.
Zaka East
13-31 March 2002
Francis Zimuto, alias ‘Black Jesus’, and unnamed Zanu PF supporters
reportedly threatened unnamed teachers from Chimedza, Chitonhora and other
schools with death. They were also chased out of their schools and homes. The
teachers were reported to have fled the area.
July 2002
Zanu PF youths have allegedly unleashed a reign of
terror, beating up teachers they accuse of supporting the MDC, ahead of the
rural district council elections scheduled for September. The police said that
they had received reports of harassment of teachers in the district and were
still investigating them. Obert Mujuru, the Masvingo Regional Director of
Education confirmed the incidents, saying he was worried about the escalating
harassment of teachers in the province.
MASHONALAND WEST
Hurungwe East
9 March 2001
“War veterans” accused SM of being an MDC supporter.
He was forcibly removed from Tsengurwe Primary School where he was teaching. He
was also threatened with unspecified harm if he resisted the removal.
MAN Chimanimani Bangidza, (Colonel) (3) State: ZNA, Zanu
PF
MAN Buhera North / South Chinamasa, Patrick Zanu-PF
MAN Buhera North/
South Gono (Mrs) Unknown
MAN Chimanimani Masabeya, (Captain) (3) State:
ZNA, Zanu PF
MAN Chimanimani Mutasa,
Didymus Zanu-PF
MAN Chimanimani Nyawo,
J Zanu-PF
MAN Chimanimani Ruparangana, Emma (2) Zanu PF
MAN Buhera
North Taderera, Tafara Zanu pf
MAN Buhera North/
South Tapfuma Unknown
MAN Chimanimani Zephania, (Major) (3) State: ZNA, Zanu
PF
MC Bindura Chibvongodze, Tanaka Zanu PF
MC Bindura Chingwaru,
Christopher Zanu (PF)
MC Bindura Kwezani, Zanu-PF
MC Bindura Mafiosi,
Dickson Zanu (PF)
MC Guruve North/South Mahembe, Zanu PF
MC Guruve
North/South Manyika, Elliot Zanu (PF)
MC Guruve North/South Mudanwa,
Wellington Zanu PF
MC Shamva Murape, Angella. B Zanu (PF)
MC Shamva Ndombo, Noah Zanu-PF
MD Mberengwa East / West Chitoro,
Divine Zanu-pf, znlwva
MD Mberengwa East Hove, Josikia
Zanu-PF
MD Mberengwa East / West Koke, Nyasha Zanu-pf,
znlwva
MD Mberengwa East / West Mucheregwa, Walter Zanu-pf,
znlwva
MD Mberengwa East Musengezi, Takawira Zanu-PF
MD Mberengwa
East Mutati, Ezekiel Zanu-PF
ME Chikomba Chikato, Mucheneripi Zanu
PF
ME Chikomba Chirinda (2) Zanu-PF
ME UMP Gundai, Chris State: Ministry
of Education, Sport and Culture, Zanu-PF
ME Hwedza Gundumura,
T. Zanu-PF
ME UMP Gunduruma, T. State: Ministry of Education, Sport and
Culture, Zanu-PF
ME Mutoko North Mutasa, Jairos Zanu PF
ME Mutoko
South Nyamande Zanu-PF
ME UMP Nyamukapa ZNLWVA
MN Bubi-Umguza Mpofu,
Obert (2) State: MN Governor
MS Beitbridge Nleya, Vincent
Zanu-PF
MV Bikita East Chinaka, Ben Dzingai Zanu-PF
MV Bikita
East Chinaka, Macdonald Zanu-PF
MV Bikita East/West Kandoro, Mufundirwa
Zanu-PF
MV Bikita East/West Murahwi, Nehemia Zanu-PF
MV Zaka
East/West Zimuto, Francis (‘Black Jesus’) (2) Zanu-PF
The following is list
of perpetrators that were identified by the victims of political violence. Names
in bold are perpetrators that committed several incidents of violence. Also
given is the constituency and province in which the incident of violence
occurred.
Reported Militia Bases
N.B The following is a list of schools that
were reportedly used as militia bases in the run up to the March 2002
Presidential Elections. The information on the alleged was derived from
Secondary sources. The Human Rights Forum was not able to independently verify
them. The list was compiled from various coherent sources in which the same
locations were reported as being used as ZanuPF militia bases. The bases were
used as camping grounds, torture centres, and launch pads for terror raids. As
the bases were in operation well before the election, and schools were only
closed for the election weekend, it is highly likely that teachers and pupils
were indirectly exposed to this violence in the least. It is even more
disturbing to note that some of these schools were used as polling stations,
which certainly affected the electorate’s ability to exercise their right to
vote without fear.
§ = Polling station
Province Constituency Base Name Political
Affiliation of Militia
BYO Lobengula-Magwegwe Fusi Primary School, Gwabalanda
Zanu PF
§BYO Bulawayo North East Hugh Beadle Primary School,
Saucertown Zanu PF
§HRE Mbare West Frank Johnson Primary School
Zanu PF
MC Muzarabani Mucheya Secondary School Zanu-PF
§MC Mount Darwin
North Kamutsenzere School Zanu-PF
MC Mount Darwin North Mavuradonha High
School Zanu-PF
MC Rushinga Mukosa School Zanu-PF
§MC Shamva Chindunduma
Secondary School Zanu PF
MD Mberengwa East Mketi Primary School (Mketi Ward)
Zanu PF
MD Kwekwe Chara Primary School (Mbizo)
Zanu PF
ME Mutoko South Masvitsa School, Hoyuyu Resettlement Area Zanu
PF
MN Nkayi Setshanke Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Gwelutshena
Primary School Zanu PF
§MN Nkayi Bhubhu Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Ingwalathi Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Sebhumane Primary
School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Gampinya Primary School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Bhodobhodo Primary School Zanu PF
§MN Nkayi Mathetshaneni
Primary School Zanu PF
§MN Nkayi Guwe Primary School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Lukona Primary School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Mkalathi Primary
School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Komayanga Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Zenka
Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Fudu Primary School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Mbuma Primary School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Gwiji Primary
School Zanu-PF
MN Nkayi Mdlawuzeni Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Tohwe
Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Nkayi Zinyangani Primary School Zanu-PF
§MN Tsholotsho Khumbula Secondary School Zanu PF
§MN Tsholotsho Mgomeni
School Zanu-PF
SCHOOLS
Schools closed with the name of the school, constituency and date of
closure.
Baro Secondary School Chirumanzu 25 February 2002
Chatikobo
School Gutu January 2002
Checheche Primary School, Chipinge North, 20 March
2002
Chinorumba School, Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Chisumbanje Primary
School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Chitsanga Primary School, Bikita
West, 16 February 2002
Garaji School Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Gumira
Primary School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Kushinga School,
Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Machingambi Primary School Gutu January
2002
Machingambi Secondary School Gutu January 2002
Machona Primary
School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Mapanzure Secondary School Masvingo
South 8 July 2002
Marirangwe School Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Mudzami
School, Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Museki School, Bikita/Zaka, 16
January 2002
Ndangababi Primary School, Hwange West, 06-Feb-02
Negovano
School Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Nhema School, Bikita/Zaka, 16 January
2002
Rimbi High School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Rimbi Primary
School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Rusere School, Bikita/Zaka, 16
January 2002
Soti Source School Gutu January 2002
Tagura School,
Bikita/Zaka, 16 January 2002
Tenda High School, Zhombe, October
2001
Unnamed, Kadoma West, October 2001
Unnamed, Kadoma West, October
2001
Uronga South Primary School, Bindura, 28 June 2001
Vheneka Primary
School, Chipinge North, 20 March 2002
Zhombe Primary School,
Zhombe, October 2001
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights
Forum”) has been in existence since January 1998. Nine non-governmental
organisations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide
legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January
1998.
The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its objectives to assist
victims of organised violence, using the following definition:
“Organised
violence” means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain and
suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy
and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action, which is
unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims’ mental and
physical well-being.”
The Human Rights Forum operates a Legal Unit and a
Research and Documentation Unit.
Core member organizations of the Human
Rights Forum are:
Amani Trust
Amnesty International (Zimbabwe)
The
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe
The Legal Resources Foundation
Transparency International
(Zimbabwe)
The University of Zimbabwe Legal Aid and Advice
Scheme
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of
the Offender
Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust
Zimbabwe Human Rights
Association
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Women Lawyers
Association
The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member
organization or through the following:
The Administrator, c/o P O Box 5465,
Harare – email:
admin@hrforum.co.zwThe Legal Unit, c/o
P O Box 5465, Harare – email:
legal@hrforum.co.zwThe Research Unit
c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email:
research@hrforum.co.zwTelephone:
792 222, 737 509, and 731 660, Fax: 772 860
The London Liaison Office, 33
Islington High Street, London N1 9LH – email:
zimbabwe@article19.org; Telephone: +44
(0) 20-7239.1194
Website:
www.hrforumzim.comPrevious reports of
the Human Rights Forum can be found on the website.
Massive Support Needed to Prop Up New Farmers
The Daily News
(Harare)
October 16, 2002
Posted to the web October 16,
2002
Farming Reporter
THE one-year-old Zimbabwe Association of
Tobacco Growers (ZATG), yesterday
admitted that "new farmers" would not be
able, on their own, to produce
meaningful yields on their newly acquired
properties without substantive
cash injections from government and the
business community.
At a pre-congress Press conference, held to precede
ZATG's first Annual
General Meeting and National Congress, Julius Ngorima,
the ZATG president
said unlike the displaced commercial farmers who had
technical know-how and
financial resources or contacts to sustain the
foreign-currency earning
tobacco-growing industry, new farmers could not do
it alone.
The ZATG Annual General Meeting and Congress held yesterday was
organised to
address these and other problems facing the tobacco farming
sector. The
Association's leaders said they would announce the outcome of the
convention
"in due course."
"With support from government and the
private sector, in the form of
financial and technical back-up, nothing
should stop us from producing at
least 60 to 100 million kilogrammes of
tobacco. Most of our farmers do not
have equipment, machinery, technical
know-how, experience nor financial
resources.
"Surely the success of
new farmers will depend on the level of support from
government and the
private sector," Ngorima said.
The government said in the past twelve
months, that it did not have the $160
billion required for the successful
implementation of its chaotic land
redistribution programme.
Ngorima
said there was still a lot the government had not done for the
success of the
land programme. He said: "As an association we are proud of
what the
government has done in ushering in new farmers. We however urge it
to assist
by providing deliberate and well-funded tobacco production
support
programmes."
The $40 billion pledged collectively by Delta
Corporation, CFI Holdings, FSI
Agricom Holdings, and Seed Company, falls
short of the $160 million that
should have been availed at the onset of the
land programme.
Government officials, including Dr Joseph Made, the
Minister of Lands,
Agriculture and Rural Resettlement; Professor Jonathan
Moyo and President
Mugabe have frequently called upon the business community
to provide
financial support for the land programme.
News24
Zim inflation rate now 139%
Harare - Zimbabwe's consumer
price index rose by 139.9% in the year to
September, up from its August rate
of 135.1%, figures from the Central
Statistical Office showed on
Wednesday.
The CSO attributed the rise to increases in the price of
condiments,
confectionery, meat, beverages, fruit and vegetables. Of the
139.9%
increase, food price hikes accounted for 60.1 percentage
points.
Zimbabwe's annual inflation has averaged above 100% since
November 2001 as
the southern African country battles with an economic crisis
many blame on
mismanagement by President Robert Mugabe's
government.
The crisis has shown itself largely in acute food shortages
affecting nearly
seven million Zimbabweans and blamed partly on chaotic
government land
reforms, as well as a foreign currency crunch which has led
to erratic fuel
supplies since 1999.
The government has officially
pegged the Zimbabwe dollar at 55 to the US
currency since November 2000, but
it is currently trading around 650 on a
thriving informal market.
Reuters
16 Oct 2002 00:00
Donors slow on southern Africa
food crisis
By Manoah
Esipisu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The United Nations marks World Food Day on
Wednesday
with time running out for millions of people in southern Africa
who face
critical food shortages.
The unfolding crisis -- linked to drought
and exacerbated by conflict,
AIDS and government policies -- is sweeping
through the fertile region at a
time when the international community is in a
less than generous mood.
With famine threatening 14 million people,
much of the aid that
tight-fisted donors have coughed up is being rejected
because of concerns
about genetically modified (GM) foods.
"The
situation is probably going to get worse before it gets better,"
said Marisa
Astill-Brown of the British charity Save the Children in Angola.
The countries worst affected are Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi,
Mozambique,
Lesotho, Swaziland. Angola and Namibia also face shortages but
are not
listed among the worst-hit.
The crisis has been
smouldering for months but has recently been
shoved off the headlines by
events in Iraq and elsewhere.
It coincides with deepening crises
across the world's poorest
continent, including a rebel uprising in Ivory
Coast, which are threatening
to torpedo ambitious plans to attract more aid
and investment to Africa.
MAJOR OBSTACLE
A debate
on gene-altered food recently ended with Zambia being the
only country that
refused to accept it while others will accept only milled
GM-supplies,
raising relief costs.
The United States, where the GM-food comes
from, provides half of all
food aid that Africa requires and has said it will
be unable to help
countries that refuse gene-altered relief aid.
Thousands of tonnes of GM-maize is sitting idle at the South African
port of
Durban, bound up in red tape.
GM-maize destined for Malawi is
sitting at the port of Nacala in
Mozambique, but Malawi does not have the
money to mill it before sending it
to the hungry, aid workers
said.
The misery has been compounded by the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.
"The convergence of the calamities of hunger and HIV/AIDS
sharply
increases people's vulnerability to infection and disease," said Ana
Dias
Lourenco, Angola's planning minister and current chair of the
ministerial
council of SADC, southern Africa's regional body.
The end of a 27-year civil war in Angola has given relief workers
access to
remote areas they could not reach before but the numbers of those
in need
have ballooned, partly because of a government strategy to starve
UNITA
rebels into submission.
Marcelo Spina, the U.N. World Food
Programme's spokesman in Angola,
said the end of war had raised the number of
hungry in Angola to 1.8 million
from an initial 800,000. Apart from fighters
from the defeated UNITA
movement, thousands of civilians were emerging from
the bush.
"It's a huge increase and the problem now is that we
don't have enough
food for all these people. The food we have is going to run
out by January
(2003). By then we'll have no cereals in the country
(Angola)," he said.
LAND SEIZURES
In Zimbabwe,
analysts say President Robert Mugabe's seizure of
white-owned farms,
ostensibly for redistribution to landless blacks, has
left commercial
agriculture in ruins.
A report by Zimbabwe's National Vulnerability
Assessment Committee
(VAC) -- prepared in collaboration with international
aid agencies including
Save the Children and WFP -- says the country is
heading for catastrophe.
"Urgent action -- beyond that of current
levels -- is required from
the government of Zimbabwe and the international
community to avert a
humanitarian disaster in the next seven months before
the main harvest in
March/April 2003," it said.
More than 90
percent of the households in Zimbabwe would rely on grain
purchases this year
and would thus be susceptible to supply shortfalls
should they
occur.
Of the 6.7 million requiring assistance, 5.9 million are
rural
Zimbabweans while 850,000 are city dwellers.
The rural
folk in need include 489,000 ex-commercial farm workers who
have not been
allocated land under the land reform process or have not been
employed by the
new land owners.
South Africa's plans to protect the poor from
spiralling food prices
should take effect by the end of October, when
subsidised maize meal will
start hitting the shelves.
The cost
of food has soared to its highest level since the end of
apartheid in 1994,
prompting the government to arrange an industry-funded
plan to provide the
country's staple food to the poorest rural areas at a
little over half the
market price.
(Additional reporting by Shapi Shacinda in Zambia,
Dennis Mzembe in
Malawi, Zoe Eisenstein in Angola, Stella Mapenzauswa in
Zimbabwe, and Ed
Stoddard in Johannesburg)
Beira Port Under Pressure
Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique
(Maputo)
October 16, 2002
Posted to the web October 16,
2002
Maputo
The central Mozambican port of Beira is under enormous
pressure, as hundreds
of thousands of tonnes of food aid arrives for
drought-stricken landlocked
countries such as Zimbabwe and Malawi - but port
officials insist that Beira
is not yet congested.
According to a
report in Wednesday's issue of the independent newsheet
"Mediafax", from
April up until now about 300,000 tonnes of food for victims
of the southern
African drought arrived in Beira.
Carlos Mesquita, the general manager of
Cornelder, the Dutch-owned company
that manages the Beira terminals, told the
paper that this does not exceed
the port's capacity. However, he admitted
that the avalanche of food aid is
causing difficulties, principally because
the goods are not being moved out
of the port to their final destinations
quickly enough.
Mesquita confirmed that the Beira warehouses are now
full.
Another 624,000 tonnes of drought-related food aid is required, and
over a
third of this amount (281,000 tonnes) will be channelled via Beira.
The rest
will go via the ports of Durban, Nacala and Dar es Salaam. The UN
World Food
Programme (WFP) has already launched the tender for the supply of
the
281,000 tonnes that will arrive in Beira. The WFP and the Zimbabwean
Grain
Marketing Board are the main bodies using Beira for emergency food
aid
purposes.
Mesquita insisted that what is happening in Beira is not
congestion, but
lack of coordination in the arrival of ships. He claimed that
several ships
are arriving at the same time.
This causes problems
particularly because of Beira's narrow access channel.
Large ships have to
wait outside, until high tide makes it possible for them
to navigate the
channel. The onset of the rainy season is also
complicating
matters.
At the slightest sign of rain, the ships close
their holds so that the grain
cargos do not become wet. Last week this
interrupted unloading operations
for 48 hours.
Beira port is large
enough for eight ships, each 160-170 metres long, to
dock simultaneously. The
problem is how fast the ships can be unloaded: with
bulk grain, unloading is
slow, because the grain is bagged at the port
itself.
Mesquita
insisted on proper planning. "Only if there is coordination and
common
language among the operators" can problems be avoided, he argued.
But
currently shipping companies were just rushing to be the first to unload
at
Beira.
As for transport from the port, there are enough rail
wagons, but a shortage
of trucks. Mesquita said on average there are 150
empty wagons available at
Beira every day. This is enough to satisfy
Zimbabwe's needs.
But emergency goods are preferentially moved by road.
The argument is that
rail transport takes longer, and that trucks can reach
distant places where
there are no railways.
Except that there are not
enough trucks in Beira to meet the demand,
particularly for the long trip to
Malawi.
"Mediafax" reports suspicions that the option for road transport
rather than
rail is the result of pressure from the private road transport
lobby.
Mesquita points out that at the time of the 1992/93 drought, Beira
was able
to handle 1.3 million tonnes in 12 months. So 300,000 tonnes in six
months
cannot make the port congested, especially since investment in the
port over
the past decade has made it more efficient.
Agricultural Recovery Needed to Alleviate Suffering
UN Integrated
Regional Information Networks
October 16, 2002
Posted to the web
October 16, 2002
Johannesburg
The International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
on Wednesday stressed the need to
urgently get agricultural recovery
underway in Southern Africa in a message
to mark World Food Day.
"A chronic lack of food in Lesotho, Malawi,
Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe
is having a long-lasting impact on the social
fabric of the region, with
many families being forced to make hard choices
about how best to survive
the lean months between now and the harvest
expected next March," IFRC said.
With 14.4 million people facing hunger
in the region, agricultural recovery
was "critical to the ultimate success of
the overall relief effort" and it
was "vital that the Red Cross and other
actors go all out to ensure timely
distribution of seeds and tools to have a
good harvest by March next year",
the statement quoted IFRC food security
specialist Hisham Khogali as saying.
"What we are seeing through
household surveys is that people are making hard
choices. In [the] worst
cases, families are going entire days without eating
anything substantial.
Often they are being forced to take children out of
school because they can
no longer afford the school fees," Khogali said.
The food crisis has been
complicated by the fact that HIV infection rates in
the region average 25
percent.
Solveig Olafsdottir, IFRC spokeswoman in Harare, told IRIN that
distribution
of agricultural inputs would begin soon in three
countries.
"We're just hoping the rains will be good. We are starting
with the
provision of seeds in Lesotho, Malawi and in Zimbabwe probably next
week.
[Although] not a big part of the federation's appeal of 22
July,
agricultural packages are quite an important component [of IFRC
relief
efforts]. We are hoping [that we] manage to distribute early and
quickly
enough," said Olafsdottir.
It was important to get
agricultural inputs in place early so that the
March/April 2003 harvest "will
alleviate, at least partly, the suffering of
those that are at risk", she
added.
SABC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
British envoy told to 'stop meddling' in Zimbabwe
October 16,
2002, 21:15
Brian Donnelly, the British High Commissioner
to Zimbabwe, has
been warned not to "interfere" in the internal affairs of
that country, the
state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has
reported. Jonathan
Moyo, the Information Minister, accused Donnelly of
funding non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) such as the Amani Trust, which
were involved in
violence in Zimbabwe, according to the
ZBC.
Amani Trust helps victims of torture and has made
allegations of
widespread torture by the ruling party against members of the
opposition. A
state-owned weekly, The Sunday Mail, accused the British High
Commission of
granting 3,6 million Zimbabwe dollars ($65,450 dollars) to the
NGO.
President Robert Mugabe on Friday warned NGOs not to get involved
in
politics.
Moyo was quoted by the state radio as saying
that Donnelly was
posted to Zimbabwe to destabilise the country as he did in
Yugoslavia where
he played an active role, according to the information
minister, in the
overthrow of the "democratically elected" government of
Slobodan Milosevic.
The arrival of Donnelly in Zimbabwe in 2001 saw a
worsening of the already
tense relations between London and Harare with the
Zimbabwean government
repeatedly accusing the high commissioner of having
been sent to Zimbabwe to
"do a Yugoslavia". - Sapa-AFP
Church Goes Into Business
The Daily News (Harare)
October
16, 2002
Posted to the web October 16, 2002
Chris Mhike, Business
Reporter
THE commercialisation of religion in Zimbabwe took a leap
forward last week
when Ebenezer Church appeared in the Government Gazette as
an applicant
seeking registration as a legal entity under the Companies
Act.
The Gazette, dated 11 October 2002, says: "Notice is hereby given
that an
application has been made for the registration of Ebenezer Church as
a
limited liability company without the addition of the word 'limited'."
A
limited liability company is a commercial enterprise where legal and
other
obligations are restricted to the artificial legal personality of
the
subject entity.
Company directors in such an entity are not, in
their personal capacity,
liable to the consequences arising from the
company's shortcomings. The
principal objects of the Ebenezer Church Company
was recited in the Gazette
as: "to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
and fight ignorance,
superstition, witchcraft, sickness and poverty through
the creation and
opening of agro-pastoral establishments, bookshops, charity
centres,
clinics, hospitals, schools, orphanages and other socio-economic
facilities
as circumstances may require."
The move by Ebenezer Church
comes in the wake of reports from Frankfurt in
Germany, that the name "Jesus
Christ" had proven to be a valuable asset in
the commercial sector,
particularly in the publishing industry. Dr Hubertus
Schenkel, Chairman of
the Frankfurt Book Fair supervisory board last week
said: "The (publishing)
industry depends on . . . Jesus Christ. Anything to
do with trying to
understand the meaning of life is doing well - from the
Bible to esotericism
and psychology."
In an interview yesterday, Densen Mafinyane, the general
secretary of the
Zimbabwe Council of Churches said: "I am not aware of that
registration but
from what you say I do not think there is anything wrong. If
people declare
that their business will be the preaching of the gospel we
cannot complain."
He said commentary on activities of churches had to be
based on scripture.
The Bible, Mafinyane said, had many references that
encouraged commerce and
business activity.
"Commerce and business can
also be found in both the Old and New Testaments.
If the Church's Annual
General Meeting and the Constitution of the Church
approved of the move as
one that would enhance the body's effectiveness in
serving the people of
Zimbabwe we cannot reverse the decision." Mafinyane
said Ebenezer Church only
had to abide by its objects, ethical standards and
the laws of Zimbabwe.
BBC
Tuesday, 15 October, 2002, 16:16 GMT 17:16 UK
Zimbabwe union
protests on the rise
By Martin Plaut
BBC,
London
The government of Zimbabwe is facing a rising tide of
discontent.
A strike by teachers is in progress, despite union complaints of
government
harassment.
They have been joined by health workers, and
protests from university
lecturers all complaining about their pay and
conditions of employment.
The industrial action comes as the government is
attempting to grapple with
economic decline. And the signs of the country's
difficulties are all too
evident.
Agriculture
The tobacco crop - once
the backbone of economy - has been crippled by the
seizure of white owned
farms.
l
Just two years ago it was worth $400m.
This year it is
predicted to fetch one quarter of that sum.
Driving commercial farmers off
their land has not just hit whites.
Some 100,000 black farm workers are now
homeless and unemployed.
Economic decline
And the Zimbabwe dollar has
fallen through the floor.
Officially there are 55 to the US dollar.
But on
the parallel market the American currency fetches 10 times
that
figure.
The drought that has hit all of Southern Africa has hit the
country
particularly hard.
Essential goods are now either impossible to
obtain, or too expensive for
ordinary people.
One leading newspaper in
South Africa commented this week: "No one knows
when Zimbabwe's economy will
collapse, but the end is nigh".
Reuters
16 Oct 2002
Appeal - Drought Relief, REVISION 2,
Zimbabwe
Elisabeth
Gouel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Regions: Africa,
Zimbabwe
Appeal
Zimbabwe
Drought Relief -
AFZW-21 Appeal (Revision 2)
Appeal Target: US$ 4,671,000
Balance Requested from ACT Network: US$ 3,295,810
Geneva, 9
October 2002
The revision of the appeal affects only the Lutheran
Development
Services programs. There are two reasons for the revision, the
first being
the huge increase in the price of relief maize and, the second,
the
extension of the implementation period to March 2003 instead of the
original
completion date of 31 January 2003.
In the original
appeal, LDS had envisaged procuring relief maize
within the country using
government and local suppliers. The price of maize
was then budgeted at $90
per tonne. But due to the non- availability of
maize in the country they had
no option but to source maize from outside
Zimbabwe - mainly from South
Africa. Due to transportation, customs and
handling, the price of imported
maize shot up to $250 per tonne. This raised
the budget of the required 5,026
.95 MT of maize from $452,426 to $1,256,738
therefore, necessitating the
revision of the appeal budget. The distribution
of relief is now planned to
go on to the end of March 2003 to fall in line
with the next expected
harvest. This means that the completion period of the
appeal has to be
extended from the current end of January to end of March
2003. A request is
therefore being put to the ACT donors to allow for this
extension of
activities by LDS and also to consider supporting the increased
budget for
relief maize. Due to the extension, the number of days for the
school feeding
program will also increase from the present 120 days to 210
days. Please note
that the number of beneficiaries remains the same as in
the original appeal
at 11,171 families. Below are the assumptions for the
revision:
? Food is to be distributed to 11, 171 families at 50kg per month per
family
up to March.
? The distribution period still remains 9 months because
distribution
started in July instead of May.
? The maize is imported
at the US dollar price of $250/tonne instead
of original budget of
$90/tonne
? Nutrimeal porridge is mixed locally with LDS importing the
maize and
vitamins. The price per tonne is estimated at US$335.
?
The porridge will be distributed over 210 days - September 2002 to
March 2003
including holidays.
Project Completion Date:
LDS - 31
March 2003
Christian Care - 30 April 2003
_____________________________________________________
TO READ THE
FULL APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK
YOU.
_____________________________________________________
Please
kindly send your contributions to the following ACT bank
account:
Account Number - 240-432629.60A (USD)
Account Name: ACT - Action by
Churches Together
UBS SA
PO Box 2600
1211 Geneva
2
SWITZERLAND
Please also inform the Finance Officer
Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel.
+4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of
all
pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to
the
implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the
Appeal.
We would appreciate being informed of any intent to
submit
applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and
the
subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind
co-operation.
For further information please contact:
ACT
Director, Thor-Arne Prois (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone +
41 79 203
6055)
or
ACT Appeals Officer, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791
6040 or mobile phone
+41 79 433 0592)
ACT is a worldwide
network of churches and related agencies meeting
human need through
coordinated emergency response.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based
with the World Council of
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) in Switzerland.
Website: http://www.act-intl.org
BP-Mozambique Denies Media Report
Agencia de Informacao de
Mocambique (Maputo)
October 16, 2002
Posted to the web October 16,
2002
Maputo
The Mozambican subsidiary of the oil company BP has
denied a report carried
by the Zimbabwean "Financial Gazette" newspaper that
it is in conflict with
the Zimbabwean state fuel company NOCZIM over unpaid
debts.
Cited in Wednesday's issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax",
the
general director of BP-Mozambique, Antonio Macamo, said there was no
crisis
between BP and NOCZIM.
The "Financial Gazette" had alleged that
a Libyan tanker with fuel for
Zimbabwe was unable to discharge its cargo in
the central Mozambican port of
Beira because BP-Mozambique refused to allow
its facilities to be used until
NOCZIM paid off a debt of three million US
dollars.
But Macamo was categorical. "There's no debt, and so there's no
crisis", he
told "Mediafax".
He said that, in the course of the normal
relationship between the two
countries, NOCZIM did contract debts with BP,
but these were resolved
through "appropriate institutional
channels".
He admitted that there had been constraints on supplying fuel
to Zimbabwe
via Beira, but put these down to technical factors - such as the
fact that
large tankers have difficulty in navigating the port's entrance
channel, and
that at times the oil storage tanks at the port are
full.
"BP-Mozambique has nothing to do with the crisis in Zimbabwe", said
Macamo.
Daily News - Leader Page
Censure for MPs sowing
10/16/02 9:38:50 AM (GMT +2)
Story: IT IS a crime against
humanity to incite hatred against any
racial or ethnic groups. Suspects are
today being tried in Arusha, Tanzania,
for war crimes committed during the
Rwanda genocide in 1994, and in the
Hague, The Netherlands, for crimes
committed in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Despite these trials,
political leaders in this country appear to
become emboldened in their
intemperate hate language. During 1999, in the
run-up to the 2000
parliamentary election, the Member of Parliament for
Chiredzi South, Aaron
Baloyi, incited public violence when he led a group of
400 Shangani-speaking
people to attack and evict Karanga-speaking people
from the constituency,
arguing they were not indigenous to that area.
As a result,
villages were burnt and livestock attacked. The MP had
ordered the
Shangani-speaking villagers to destroy all property and
settlements belonging
to Karanga-speaking people in the constituency and
ensure everything was
razed to the ground by 21 December 1999. Baloyi was
convicted of public
violence, which attracted a three-year jail sentence,
half of which was
conditionally
suspended for five years. Of the remainder of the
sentence, he was
given an option of paying a $7 000 fine. Baloyi appealed
against both
conviction and sentence.
The international
community clearly took a more serious view of the
Bosnian massacres and the
Rwanda genocide. That is why suspects are facing
charges of inciting genocide
and crimes against humanity. Baloyi was
fortunate the courts tried him on
charges of public violence and not ethnic
cleansing. But it could be this
view of the courts of the hate campaign that
could have given courage to
Nobbie Dzinzi, the MP for Muzarabani.
During the run-up to the
28-29 September rural district council
elections, Dzinzi reportedly ordered
all people originally from Buhera and
Masvingo but now resettled in
Muzarabani to move out, because they supported
the MDC. His argument was that
the people originally from Buhera and
Masvingo were a bad influence on the
Korekore, who are indigenous to the
area and presumably support Zanu
PF.
The effect of his order was to single out Karanga-speaking
people for
hate on the basis that they did not necessarily support Zanu PF,
of which he
is a member. More than 150 people have been killed since 2000 for
no other
reason than that they are members of, or suspected of sympathising
with, the
MDC.
Given the level of political intolerance promoted by
the ruling party
and the reluctance of the law enforcement agents to deal
decisively with
perpetrators of violence, Dzinzi's order to cleanse
Muzarabani of people
originally from Buhera and Masvingo, makes him a strong
candidate for Arusha
or The Hague, if fairness in the application of justice
and the rule of law
existed in Zimbabwe.
Political violence has
claimed many victims in Muzarabani and Dzinzi
was extremely reckless. He
wields enormous influence as an MP. Many
outrageous crimes have been
committed in the name of Zanu PF and while those
fuelling it and the
perpetrators may escape because of their membership of
Zanu PF, they would do
well to remember that Nazi war criminals are still
being hunted down today -
more than 60 years after the Holocaust.
As an MP, Dzinzi is
supposed to control, not fuel or incite, hatred.
As a party, Zanu PF ought to
read the riot act to and discipline its
members. There are Zanu PF supporters
among the people in Muzarabani who are
originally from Buhera and Masvingo.
And how are the ruling party's members
in Buhera and Masvingo expected to
react when Zanu PF victimises their kith
and kin on the basis of their
ethnicity?
Parliament must bite the bullet and censure members who
promote ethnic
cleansing, while the courts need to deal harshly with people
who consciously
stir up violence against other ethnic groups. Didymus Mutasa,
a senior
member of Zanu PF, has said the party would rather remain with six
million
people who support it. After the Matabeleland genocide of the 1980s,
such
remarks only serve to clearly illustrate the inherently violent
character of
Zanu PF.
Daily News
DDF accounts in shambles, says Harid
10/16/02 10:18:46 AM (GMT +2)
By Chris Mhike
ABOUT
$67 million was lost at the District Development Fund (DDF) over
the past 17
years as a result of weak debt collection mechanisms and poor
financial
accounting systems, says Eric Harid, the Comptroller
and
Auditor-General.
In the Annual Report, presented to
Parliament on 1 October, on the
public accounts for Zimbabwe for the year
ended 31 December 1999, Harid said
the financial recording and goods
procurement systems at DDF were in
shambles. Harid said DDF lost $29 million
in advances, and another $38
million in bad debts, to make up the total of
the wasted $67 million.
He said: "The Fund does not maintain a
creditors' ledger. I could,
therefore, not satisfy myself that the accounts
payable figure of $43
million fairly represented creditors as at 31 December
1999." Whereas the
purchase of equipment should have been subjected to tender
procedure,
including the filing of pre-purchase vouchers, DDF resorted to
unorthodox
transactions in rocurement of goods.
"While water
equipment worth $89 million was purchased from various
suppliers, I was not
provided with evidence that authority from the Tender
Board had been granted
to the Fund. "Source documents to support purchases
of computers and
accessories worth $8 million and related to training costs
totalling $873 000
were not produced," Harid said. DDF, during the year
under review, exceeded
its authorised budget of $1,5 billion by $73 million.
Further, an annual
deficit of $9 million was incurred, thereby diverging
negatively from the $54
million deficit recorded by the fund in 1998.
The main object of
the DDF is the development of communal lands,
growth points and other
geographical areas that may be specified for
development programmes by the
government. Harid said the two-year delay in
the presentation of the accounts
was a result of the late submission of
documents necessary for the posting of
figures to his books of accounts.
"The finalisation of my Annual
Report for 1999 was delayed mainly due
to late submission of the Consolidated
Revenue Fund, which was submitted on
12 April 2001 and certified on 30
November 2001," Harid said.
Daily News
Title: Teachers' dismissal condemned
10/16/02 8:41:03 AM (GMT +2)
Staff Reporter
CIVIC
organisations yesterday joined the Progressive Teachers' Union
of Zimbabwe
(PTUZ) in condemning the dismissal of 627 teachers by the
government on
Monday, accusing it of attempting to suppress the teachers'
"reasonable and
rightful" demands.
The union itself urged teachers to
ignore the threats of dismissal. In
a statement, the PTUZ president,
Takavarafira Zhou said: "The dismissals are
unprocedural as the industrial
action is legal." Innocent Sibanda, the
national co-ordinator of the PTUZ
said: "The purported dismissal of the
teachers is nothing but a futile
attempt to intimidate the teachers."
Yesterday, the strike continued in
Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Gweru and
Mutare despite the threats.
Dispatch online
Zim teachers lose jobs after wildcat strike
HARARE
-- A reported 627 teachers have been dismissed in Zimbabwe for
participating
in an illegal strike, leaving some local secondary schools
almost entirely
devoid of teaching staff with major year-end exams only a
week
away.
Thompson Tsodzo, top civil servant in Zimbabwe's education
ministry, said
the mass dismissal was approved on Monday by the public
services commission,
and appeals were now going out to retired or unemployed
teachers to apply
for vacancies.
Those dismissed included teachers who
did not participate in the strikes
that began last week but took part in
staff-room sit-ins. Teachers are
seeking pay increases.
Raymond
Majongwe, secretary-general of the 10000 member Progressive
Teachers'
Association, was arrested last week for organising the strike and
faces up to
10 years' imprisonment. -- Sapa-DPA
Squatters Invade Some of Harare's Low-Density Areas
The Herald
(Harare)
October 14, 2002
Posted to the web October 14,
2002
Harare
SQUATTER camps are fast mushrooming in some of
Harare's low-density areas
raising concern among residents of the affected
areas who believe this could
diminish the value of their properties and cause
security and health
problems.
Some of the areas where squatter
structures have emerged are Goodhope near
Mt Hampden in Westgate, Gunhill,
Borrowdale, Highlands and Hatfield and
residents have called on local
authorities to quickly destroy the
structures.
Squatters near
Goodhope, a new low-density suburb in the Westgate area, were
hostile and
refused to talk to The Herald. The squatters, who have named
their
residential area New Park are mostly those who were retrenched by
Willdale
brick-making company some two years ago and others are from some
surrounding
farms whose properties were sold or designated.
The squatters illegally
allocated the land to themselves and have built some
houses in the vlei which
is a path for planes taking off from Charles Prince
Airport. The area has no
water or any other sanitation facilities.
Residents who bought properties
in the area said the squatters' structures
tarnished the beauty of their
suburb.
"Something should be done about these people because when we
decided to live
here, we never dreamt the landscape would be filled with
makeshift illegal
structures," a property owner in the area said.
The
whole vlei is dotted with the illegal structures. There is also fear
of
disease outbreak since there is no piped water. "With the rains just
around
the corner, cholera outbreaks and other diseases cannot be ruled out.
It
means the whole area will have to be affected. The authorities have to
look
into this issue and see that there is proper planning," said
another
resident who has just bought a property in the area
Efforts to
get a comment from council failed as the relevant officials were
said to be
attending meetings.
However, a local estate agent said illegal structures
outside one's yard did
not diminish the value of a property.
"All that
residents have to do is notify the local authorities about the
sprouting
structures and the structures will be destroyed while something is
done to
protect the people settled there.
"When a property is in a prime area
like Gunhill, we value it for that
without paying any attention to what could
be on the other side," the agent
said.
Squatters interviewed by The
Herald said they would welcome alternative
shelter because they had nowhere
to go.
Some of the people settled at a makeshift structure along
Borrowdale Road
said they lived in the open space because they worked for
Mashonaland Turf
Club and earned $3 000 a week.
Others said they were
employed as domestic workers in the neighbourhood.
They said that they
found their wages insufficient for them to lodge in the
high-density areas
and commute to and from work.
"We are living here just because it is near
our workplaces. The fact that
there is no proper sanitation is something we
have since forgotten about
hoping that our God will take care of
us.
"The people we work for want us to report for work as early as 6am
but do
not care about our housing needs so we have to make do with what we
can
find," said Mr Albert Chodeya one of the squatters.
Another
squatter, Mrs Emma Tapera said she would welcome the chance to live
in a real
home but did not think such a chance would ever present itself.
"Our
husbands work for peanuts in the horse stables and our children only go
to
school when there is some extra money.
"Council officials sometimes come
here and just burn down our structures
without any thought of how we are
going to live. We need some assistance,"
Mrs Tapera lamented.
She said
council officials suggested that they go to the rural areas but
they did not
have resources to build homes.
She also said she would not entertain the
idea of leaving behind her husband
because she feared he would contract the
deadly HIV and Aids.
VOA
Fuel Shortages Drag Down Zimbabwe Dollar
Peta
Thornycroft
Harare
15 Oct 2002 17:35 UTC
Zimbabwe's currency
this week sank to its lowest level in the country's
history. At the present
rate of exchange, it now costs nearly 1,000 Zimbabwe
dollars for one U.S.
dollar. Economists say the latest plunge by Zimbabwe's
currency was sparked
by the cost of imported fuel.
Three weeks of fuel shortages ended Monday,
after the government used all
its available foreign currency to pay Libya for
fuel. The fuel was stored in
tanks controlled by the Libyans on the outskirts
of Harare, and they only
released it after receiving payment in foreign
currency.
Zimbabwe pays Libya about 40 American cents per liter of fuel.
It is sold to
the public and transporters at eight cents a liter. If the fuel
were sold at
what it actually costs the government, it would be about 400
Zimbabwe
dollars a liter.
Several economists said the country would
grind to a standstill if
Zimbabweans had to pay the actual price for fuel.
Motorists are already hard
pressed to pay 70 Zimbabwe dollars a
liter.
And fuel is not the only import that must be paid for in hard
currency.
Zimbabwe imports electricity from South Africa and Mozambique and
must pay
those countries in hard currency.
In years, the country
earned much of its hard currency from its tobacco
exports, and much of this
currency was used to pay for importing fuel and
electricity. But this source
of hard currency is also disappearing, as most
tobacco farmers have been
evicted from their homes and land.
On Monday, the tobacco industry
announced that its foreign earnings for the
upcoming season would be down to
less than a third of previous years.
Daily News
CFU division widens
10/16/02 9:08:32 AM (GMT
+2)
By Takaitei Bote Farming Editor
THE split within the troubled
Commercial Farmers' Union (CFU) has widened.
A faction of the union has
called for the resignation of the CFU leadership
or a vote among the
membership to decide how to deal with the government
over farm
evictions.
This is not the first time the CFU has been torn apart. In
August this year,
Justice for Agriculture (JAG), a new outspoken association
representing
commercial farmers unhappy with the CFU's accommodating stance
on the land
issue, broke away from the union and decided to take the
government head-on
in the courts.
Farmers, during a CFU Matabeleland
council meeting last Friday, unanimously
voted for litigation instead of
dialogue. They called for the CFU president,
Colin Cloete, and his deputy,
Dough Taylor-Freeme, to resign if they did not
organise a vote to decide how
the union should handle the eviction orders
issued to most commercial farmers
in the past eight to 10 months. According
CFU Matabeleland council meeting
minutes leaked to The Daily News, a CFU
splinter group, mainly from
Matabeleland and spreading to other areas, wants
the CFU leadership to hold a
referendum where all members of the CFU would
vote on whether dialogue or
confrontation should be their reaction to the
evictions.
Chris
Jarrett, chairman of Nyamandhlovu Farmers' Association, told the
meeting on
Friday: "Our government has broken every agreement concerning
land since they
signed at the 1998 Donors' Conference, Abuja, Southern
African Development
Community summits - all of them have been trashed." To
CFU president
Cloete,
Jarrett said: "We in Nyamandhlovu expect you to acknowledge that your
policy
was wrong and that it was not in line with the wishes of members
generally.
"We expect you and your vice-president to resign as you are no
longer
acceptable to represent our interests. Should you refuse I am tasked
to tell
you our farmers' association in Nyamandhlovu will not be
renewing
membership."
About 90 percent of the CFU's 4 500 members have
been issued with eviction
notices since the beginning of the year. While the
CFU leadership have said
they want dialogue with the government over land
reform, some sections of
the CFU believe that approach has failed during the
past 30 months. The
farmers say the government continued to evict even those
who owned single
farms.
A CFU member, who declined to be named, said:
"The CFU has called for
dialogue for the past two-and-half years, but it has
failed to work. "About
94 percent of our farmers have been evicted and the
CFU presidents are still
saying they will dialogue. Farmers have been beaten,
crops stolen, animals
slaughtered and dogs killed and we still call for
dialogue." The farmer said
while most farmers wanted to use the courts to
challenge what he called the
"disastrous" land reform programme, the CFU
leadership still believed that
the majority of farmers wanted to
dialogue.
"We are, therefore, challenging Cloete to hold a referendum
where we will
decide to have dialogue or use litigation," the farmer said.
Out of the 2
900 commercial farmers issued with eviction notices, 30 percent
are believed
to have left the country, while the rest have either left their
properties
and are now living in urban areas or co-existing with farm
occupiers. Cloete
and Taylor-Freeme yesterday did not return
calls.
The CFU is holding its national council meeting on 29 October,
where a
showdown is expected. Councillors opposed to dialogue are expected
to
challenge the CFU leadership to hold the referendum or resign.