COPAC ready for Second All-Stakeholders Conference

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
19 October 2012

Douglas Mwonzora, the COPAC co-chairman representing the MDC-T, says all is
set for the second All-Stakeholders Conference that begins in Harare on
Sunday.

Barring any last minute hic-ups Mwonzora promised the Parliamentary Select
Committee will try and administer a flawless exercise. Unlike the first
conference that was marred by violence, Mwonzora assured participants that
COPAC has liaised with the police to ensure the safety of both the delegates
and the materials for the gathering.

The three day conference will be attended by over1,100 delegates.

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), which has discredited the
process, has cast doubt over the outcome of the conference, fearing that
ZANU PF will want to hijack it as they did during the first process.

Blessing Vava, spokesman for the NCA, says the process is not people driven
and ZANU PF’s propensity to use violence at any given opportunity makes it
hard to think they will not want to do it again.

‘It’s going to be a hard hat area as ZANU PF would want to force their
agenda on to draft. We just hope they will have fruitful discussions but we
don’t see much coming out of that conference as the political parties have
vowed to control the proceedings,’ Vava said.

Vava blasted members of the Civil Society Organizations for threatening to
boycott the conference if they don’t get the required number of delegates
they want to attend.

Meanwhile the High Court cleared COPAC to proceed with the conference after
Danny Musukuma, a ZANU PF activist and an alleged CIO operative, had on
Wednesday sought a High Court application seeking to bar the conference from
proceeding. He had wanted the conference stopped until people had been able
to study the National Statistical Report on the draft constitution.

The High Court ordered COPAC to publish the report on its website by 10am
Friday and to publish a press statement in the national media telling the
nation that the report was now on its website.

The judge also told COPAC to ensure that hard copies of the report were
given to the 10 provincial administrators’ offices countrywide by midday
Saturday. The court then cleared the conference to proceed.

Mr Masukuma said the publication of the report was a victory for
Zimbabweans.

The National Statistical Report can be viewed at:
http://www.copac.org.zw/

COPAC rejects independent journalists

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

There was confusion on Thursday at the COPAC offices in Harare as the
parliamentary committee in charge of the constitution-making process refused
to accredit registered freelance journalists for the Second All-Stakeholders’
Conference due next week.
19.10.12

by Staff Reporter

The committee turned away dozens of journalists and showed overt favouritism
for the public media.

The organisation’s secretariat rejected accrediting them, saying they wanted
a limited number.

In one instance, when asked by The Zimbabwean how many journalists they were
accepting from each print media house, a lady indicated that they had room
for only one.

This, however, turned to be a lie, as this paper later established that
COPAC had an allowance for two journalists from each stable.

The lady was reprimanded by her colleagues, after she said they were
differentiating between “small tabloid papers” and broadsheets.

The Zimbabwean, New Zimbabwe, Radio VOP, Voice of America and SW Radio
correspondents were among the journalists who were initially turned away and
they were forced to engage one of the COPAC Co-chairpersons, Douglas
Mwonzora, who finally facilitated their accreditation.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Secretary General, Forster Dongozi condemned
the development.

“We do not see the need for COPAC to accredit journalists who are already
accredited by ZMC. By denying journalists access to the Second
All-Stakeholders Conference, COPAC is denying Zimbabweans access to
information. As ZUJ, we strongly condemn that and we are going to engage
COPAC regarding that matter,” said Dongozi.

Civil society has not been spared the confusion at Copac either.

“We do not know who will be representing women at the conference because of
the confusion in the accreditation process. Our members have not yet been
accredited and it’s a few days to go to the conference,” Zimbabwe Women
Lawyers Association Director, Emilia Muchawa said on Thursday.

COPAC spokesperson, Jessie Majome, however, said women should have organised
themselves and approached her organisation.

“I think women are being represented by their umbrella body, Women’s
Coalition of Zimbabwe. If they are not yet accredited, they can approach the
COPAC offices,”she said.

Civic society is currently holding a leadership conference on whether or not
to participate at the conference.

Civic groups complain to Zuma over COPAC conference

Council blitz shuts down 228 businesses

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 October 2012

Hundreds of small business owners in the capital are now without a means of
survival following a Harare Council blitz on local businesses, which the
City accused of operating illegally.

A report in the state run Herald newspaper said so far a total of 228 shops,
food vendors, hair salons and offices have been shut down. Over 58
businesses are reported to have been closed this Wednesday alone.

The Council has been targeting business deemed to be “illegal” for months,
saying they are losing millions of dollars in fees from unregistered shop
owners. The mandatory license fees vary, depending on the type of business.
But many operators say the City should give them enough notice.

The current blitz has rekindled the drama experienced by Harare residents
and shop owners back in 2005 when tens of thousands of people were displaced
after the City destroyed so-called illegal structures during Operation
Murambatsvina. The campaign went countrywide, displacing nearly one million
people.

Economic analyst John Robertson explained that the City is desperately in
need of income these days and they are trying to vacate some of the spaces
to make room for a “better clientele”, who are able to meet their
obligations to the City.

“The buying power of the population in Zimbabwe is very limited. The number
of people formally employed is also very limited. Informal businesses do not
rent premises so they can’t be counted on to pay rent or licenses. They are
quick on their feet and can disappear when approached by authorities,”
Robertson said.

According to the analyst the economic recovery that took place after the
Government of National Unity was formed applied only to the retail sector
and service industries. Manufacturers and producers of goods are still not
doing well because the shops are full of imported products.

The Herald newspaper said the council district offices were swamped this
week as business operators tried to renew their licenses. Harare’s Health
Services director, Dr. Stanley Mungofa, is quoted as saying: “We are not
going back. We want to retain sanity.”

Unemployment in Zimbabwe is estimated to be at least 90% and government is
failing to create jobs for people. Some observers have said it would be
better to try and help those businesses that are already established and
struggling, rather than shut them down and leave even more families to live
in poverty.

ZPF leaders allegedly dishing out land for votes and profit

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 October 2012

Residents of Chinamano Cooperative, whose homes were demolished last weekend
by a government owned firm, have accused ZANU PF leaders of giving out
private land under the guise of land reform, in order to get votes and
profit.

The ZANU PF Provincial Chairman, Amos Midzi was implicated in the scam by
residents, who lost everything during demolitions last week. Residents
admitted they had been notified to vacate the premises by the development
company, Sunway City, which is owned by the Industrial Development Company.

But they insist they were told to ignore the warnings by ZANU PF local
leaders who said the land was publicly owned and they had a right to stay.
Reports quoted one resident Peter Burombo, as saying: “We were ordered long
back to vacate but some ZANU PF leaders, including Midzi, said all land
belonged to government and the country was undergoing a land reform process
and everyone had a right to land. It therefore came as a surprise that we
were just evicted.”

Police arrived early in the morning and ordered everyone out of their homes,
leaving bulldozers to destroy some well-built structures. Reports said those
who tried to resist were threatened with assault or arrests.

Sunway City had acquired a court order allowing the demolition of the
houses, on the basis that they were illegal. According to Community Radio
Harare (CORAH), families were thrown out on a cold and rainy morning, while
some children were getting ready for school.

Zim Chiefs Entitled To Guns: Minister

http://www.radiovop.com

Bulawayo, October 19,2012—Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo said
there is nothing wrong with Zimbabwe traditional chiefs demanding guns;
adding the government is considering it, as it is the chiefs right to own
the rifles.
“Kubva kudhara madzishe vakange vanepfuti dzavo .(It has been tradition for
chiefs to possess weapons). So what there are saying now is they want those
guns back for their status symbol. It is an issue of status and not only for
protection during elections and we have to consider that,”Chombo told
journalists in Bulawayo after a conference on water sanitation on Wednesday.

Early this year traditional chiefs demanded guns saying that they want to
protect themselves from some people in the society; especially politicians
whom they said have no respect for them and were constantly threatening
them.

The chiefs also demanded diplomatic passports saying they are the most
respected people in society, yet they travel with ordinary passport.

Chombo also blasted Finance Minister Tendai Biti for refusing to buy new
cars for the traditional chiefs and stopping their monthly allowances.

“If Biti can buy new cars for MPs what can stop him from buying cars for
traditional chiefs? If he can also pay soldiers, police officers and
teachers what can stop from paying 264 chiefs?"

Zimbabwe traditional leaders hold largely ceremonial powers but wield
immense influence in rural areas where President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF)
draw most of their support.

The Movement for Democratic Change formations and human rights groups accuse
chiefs of using their positions to intimidate their subjects to back Zanu
(PF).

In the past most rural areas, especially in Midlands and Mashonaland
provinces, villagers have been summoned to appear before the chiefs'
traditional courts for refusing to participate in Zanu (PF) projects.

Tendai Biti's budget becomes a time bomb

http://mg.co.za/

19 OCT 2012 08:02 - RAY NDLOVU

Tendai Biti is facing his toughest test as finance minister in the fragile
three-year-old unity government in Zimbabwe, writes Ray Ndlovu.

As he kicked off consultations this week in preparation for the national
budget he will present to Parliament on November 15, there has been mounting
pressure on all fronts: public servants want salary increases, war veterans
linked to Zanu-PF are demanding an increase in their pensions and Zanu-PF
has upped the tempo of its call for early elections in March. The country's
two largest cities, Harare and Bulawayo, have a crippling water crisis that
could lead to a humanitarian disaster and the local authorities are
demanding a large part of the budget to repair their infrastructure.

Earlier this month, the militant war veterans stormed Biti's office and
demanded his resignation, which was seen by political observers as a
harbinger of violent clashes should Biti's budget fail to address the
protracted problems affecting the country.

Observers also say that the budget could become political, a point-scoring
exercise between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), of which Biti is also the secretary general.

A budget that fails to cushion workers could be used to ratchet up anger
against the MDC in the run-up to elections. Zanu-PF, through Mines and
Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu, has played up the perception that
Biti is single-handedly blocking salary hikes to public servants, despite
diamond mining companies in Marange allegedly paying huge amounts into the
government's coffers. The state-linked Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources
companies have refuted claims by Biti of tax evasion and maintained they
paid large amounts of tax to the treasury.

Backlash
Charles Mangongera, a political analyst, said: "The MDC has to be aware that
it will bear the brunt of any backlash on the budget by virtue of its
control of the purse strings … The minister faces a tough balancing act."

Adding to Biti's woes is the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has
warned of tough times in 2013. It forecasts growth of 5% next year, against
Biti's 8.9%. In July, Biti was forced to slash his predicted ­economic
growth rate from 9.4% to 5.6% on the back of subdued diamond revenue
collections, a poor harvest and the lack of donor funding. He announced a
"we eat what we kill" policy.

Christopher Mugaga, an economic analyst, said the IMF forecast was more
realistic. "I tend to go along with the IMF projection. We have elections
next year and that in itself dampens any economic prospects for the country.
So to think of an economic growth of above 5% is an exaggeration. We can't
experience such growth in 2013."

Eric Bloch, a senior economist at the H&E Bloch consultancy, said Biti had
to tackle several elephants in the room to come up with a sound budget.

"The minister must address the issue of the tax band. The majority of the
people live below the ­poverty datum line of $540 but continue to be taxed.
He also has to lead the way forward for the privatisation of loss-making
parastatals such as Air Zimbabwe."

But there appears to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as Biti
nears the budget deadline. Last month he granted the Zimbabwe Revenue
Authority sweeping powers that have boosted tax collection. For example, it
can now demand access to records on companies' premises.

In the authority's latest financial statement released on Monday, it stated
that net collections for the third quarter of this year amounted to
$823-million against a target of $822-million. This represents a 15%
increase on the $717-million collected in the same period last year,
according to Stenford Moyo, the authority's board chairperson.

Bloch said: "The results we have seen are not indicative of any economic
growth, but show the renewed efficiency of the revenue authority. It has
been energetic in pursuing tax compliance and the minister would do well to
use them in future efforts to increase revenue collections."

MDC official held in Zimbabwe

http://www.iol.co.za

October 19 2012 at 12:55am

Harare - Zimbabwe police on Thursday detained an official from Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party on public violence charges, the Movement
for Democratic Change said.

The MDC said in a statement that Julius Magarangoma, the party's chairperson
in the eastern Manicaland Province, was arrested by law and order detectives
on what the party called “false charges of public violence” linked to an
incident in 2010.

The incident came just over a week after a senior MDC member and Energy
Minister Elton Mangoma was arrested and briefly detained for allegedly
undermining veteran President Robert Mugabe in a speech at a rally six
months ago.

Police were not available for comment.

“The MDC condemns the continued harassment, intimidation and arrests of its
officials, members and supporters,” said the party in the statement.

The arrests “are nothing but efforts by some dark forces in (Mugabe's)
Zanu-PF and state security agents now in panic mode ahead of the
referendum,” it added.

Zimbabwe will hold a referendum soon on a draft constitution to pave the way
for new elections.

Tsvangirai and Mugabe formed a power-sharing government in 2009 to avoid a
tip into full-fledged conflict after a bloody presidential run-off election
which Tsvangirai boycotted citing the killing of around 300 supporters.

Relations between the two remain tense with counter-accusations of violence.

At least 30 supporters of Tsvangirai's party, including youth leader Solomon
Madzore, have been in detention for over a year facing charges of killing a
police officer during clashes at a shopping centre. - Sapa-AFP

Coup threats against Tsvangirai a ZANU PF plot

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
19 October 2012

The past two weeks have seen a troubling escalation in the frequency with
which a possible coup is being discussed in Zimbabwe. Senior figures from
the former ruling ZANU PF party have openly incited the military to stage a
coup if Robert Mugabe loses next year’s elections to the MDC’s Morgan
Tsvangirai.

Patrick Chinamasa, the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, told the BBC
last week ZANU PF would not accept a ‘foreign-sponsored’ victory for
Tsvangirai and neither would the military. This week party spokesman Rugare
Gumbo predicted a chaotic situation if Tsvangirai won, saying the army would
not stomach it.

The MDC-T has got hold of both interviews and plans to present them to SADC
and the AU as evidence that ZANU PF will not relinquish power if they lose
the next poll.

Leading political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya said he was not surprised by the
stance taken by the ‘unelected’ senior officials from ZANU PF. He told SW
Radio Africa the party is panicking, as they know what awaits them at the
polls.

‘Tsvangirai was the first to break ZANU PF’s political virginity at the
parliamentary and presidential level. They know another defeat is on the
cards because if they are confident of a victory why should they be saying
all that nonsense,’ Ruhanya said.

He added: ‘This is a ZANU PF plot and what they’re trying to do is incite
the army, incite violence because they’ve been winning or been in power for
last decade courtesy of the roll of the military in electoral and political
affairs.’

‘We all know what the military is capable of. They are champions at
unleashing chaos, killing people and this has helped ZANU PF stay in power
due to the margin of terror rather than margin of error,’ Ruhanya added.

The political analyst was quick to point out that what is important for
peace loving citizens was that people will overwhelmingly vote for
Tsvangirai even if the military were to use their helicopter gunships and
weapons.

‘The military and ZANU PF shall be defeated no matter how many bullets they
have or the type of violence they will unleash. There is no government,
there is no regime no matter how powerful it is that can defeat the united
democratic will of the people.

‘Hitler lost, Pinochet lost and Smith lost and Mugabe shall lose,’
emphasized Ruhanya.

Hitler was the former military and political leader of Germany who launched
World War Two and bears responsibility for the deaths of millions, including
six millions Jewish people, in the Nazi genocide. Pinochet was an army
general and dictator from Chile whose oversaw the killing and torture of
thousands of Chileans.

Ruhanya pointed out that ZANU PF is only in power, courtesy of the rogue
elements in the military, who will one day be held to account for their evil
deeds, as happened with Hitler and Pinochet’s henchmen.

‘When a people make a decision, there is no amount of intimidation or guns
that can derail their desire to free themselves from the clutches of a
dictatorship,’ he said.

Recently United States based political commentator Dr Maxwell Shumba told us
that Security Sector realignment should be the number one priority in
Zimbabwe and SADC should insist that this reform is implemented and that
soldiers stay in their barracks before and after elections.

Shumba warned that lack of political will to reform the security sector in
the country risks not only having a flawed electoral process but also the
very stability of the country.

He argued that institutions like the army, airforce, police and the CIO not
only fail to provide security but actively prey upon the population. He
labelled the institutions as being the major perpetrators of human rights
violations in the country.

Zanu PF’s bid to scuttle Constitution-making process crumbles

http://www.mdc.co.zw

Friday, 19 October 2012


The lastest bid by Zanu PF to stop the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference
set for 21-23 October from proceeding hit a snag when Danny Musukuma, a Zanu
PF activist’s High Court application seeking to bar the conference from
proceeding was thrown away.

Musukuma this week filed an urgent court application seeking Copac to
publish a National Statistical Report on the draft Constitution for people
to study it before the start of the conference.

However, in its response, Copac put it through to the presiding judge,
Justice Ben Hlatshwayo that the report was available on the Copac website
for anyone to have access to it. When this emerged the two parties agreed to
register a mutual consent allowing Copac to avail the national report on the
website and to print hard copies of the report for distribution to all the
Copac provincial administrators.

The National Statistical Report has over 3 000 pages and it would have cost
US$500 000 for advertising in the local newspapers.

The order, which allows the conference to proceed as scheduled, comes hot
after Copac again successfully blocked a similar bid by another Zanu PF
activist Goodson Nguni to stop the process in the Supreme Court.

Speaking after the High Court order, Copac chairperson and MDC national
spokesperson, Hon. Douglas Mwonzora applauded the ruling saying; “it is a
victory of the people of Zimbabwe’s quest for a democratic dispensation.”

Musukuma’s request for the print of the national report containing 3000
pages in the newspapers is not only a thoughtless attempt but the heist of
madness and downright lunacy in Zanu PF rank and file as they desperately
sought to subvert the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe.

It is a futile attempt and they are bound to always fail as the momentum of
the march to a democratic and free Zimbabwe is so enormous for anyone to
even contemplate stopping.

Since the beginning of the constitution making process Zanu PF has been
making frantic efforts to jeopardise the process through different
machinations which include bussing of people to attend outreach meetings and
intimidating MDC supporters from attending same meetings.

Two weeks ago Zanu PF again used State machinery – the police, to confiscate
1 200 copies of the draft Constitution which were meant for delegates who
were expected to attend the stakeholders’ conference earmarked for the 2nd
of October 2012.

Fortunately the date was pushed forward to 21 October 2012 dealing another
blow to Zanu PF’s attempts.

The panic stricken party has not stopped in its efforts as they are not yet
fully registered for the conference up to now in a bid to create chaos
through late registration at the venue.

MY voice is in: My vote is YES!!!

Accused hunter denies ‘damaging’ claims of illegal activity

Tsvangirai’s saga with Locadia continues

http://www.swradioafrica.com

Staff Reporter
19th October 2012

NewsDay has reported that Prime Minister Tsvangirai and his ex, Locadia
Karimatsenga–Tembo, on Thursday agreed to have her $15,000 maintenance claim
postponed indefinitely. The paper said the parties had ‘consented to resolve
the matter without the involvement of the courts.’ Asked by the magistrate
if Karimatsenga was withdrawing the matter, her lawyer Samukange said: “No,
but we are seeking the postponement of the matter sine die (indefinitely).”

Tsvangirai’s lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu agreed with Samukange’s
submissions and told the court that the parties had managed to identify the
“root of the problem” which they apparently intended to deal with, without
the involvement of the courts.

But other media outlets reported the story differently. A South African
publication said the two lawyers had asked the magistrate to ‘stand down the
case’ while they tried to thrash out an out-of-court deal.

News agency AFP quoted Samukange saying: “There was no agreement, so the
discussions fell away. I don’t think there are any chances of further
negotiations so we are going back to court next week.”
The state owned Herald also said agreement had failed to be reached.

They said that both sets of lawyers refused to divulge the figures involved,
but that they had initially agreed on a US$200,000 one-off payment for
Locadia.

The Herald went on to say there was a stalemate when Locadia said she wanted
US$500,000 and three oxen.

Morgan, ex-lover deal collapses

http://www.iol.co.za

October 19 2012 at 01:04pm

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's bid for an out-of-court
settlement with an ex-lover whom he dumped to marry another woman collapsed
after their lawyers differed on their offers, one of them said on Friday.

Locardia Karimatsenga Tembo had gone to a civil court demanding US $15 000
per month in maintenance payments from Tsvangirai following his marriage to
Elizabeth Macheka.

Their lawyers on Thursday asked the magistrate to stand down the case while
they tried to thrash out an out-of-court deal.

“There was no agreement, so the discussions fell away,” Tembo's lawyer
Everson Samukange told AFP.

“I don't think there are any chances of further negotiations so we are going
back to court next week.”

He refused to reveal the cause of the deadlock, only saying: “We failed to
agree with their terms of the agreement.”

Tsvangirai's monthly salary is unclear, but the average wage for a cabinet
minister in Zimbabwe is about $900.

Samukange said Tembo's interest was not in the money but to assert her
rights as a woman. She also wants Tsvangirai to apologise to her family for
the failed marriage.

“My client is not a pauper,” the lawyer said. “She is merely asserting her
rights as a married woman.”

Tsvangirai married Macheka last month under the country's customary law
after Tembo and South African woman Nosipho Shilubane both tried in separate
attempts to block the marriage.

Tembo claimed he was already married to Tsvangirai under customary law,
which allows a man to have as many wives as he wants. Days later Shilubane
stepped in with a claim that the premier had promised to marry her.

Tsvangirai has publicly apologised for the affairs with the two women,
saying he had no intention to hurt them.

His first wife of 31 years, Susan, was killed in a car accident in March
2009, just weeks after he went into a unity government with his long-time
rival President Robert Mugabe following failed elections in 2008. - Sapa-AFP

PTUZ officials arrested

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Friday, 19 October 2012 10:37
HARARE - Bulawayo police have arrested two officials of militant teachers’
representative body, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) for
allegedly obstructing the course of justice in Bulawayo.

Enoch Paradzayi, the PTUZ national co-ordinator and his provincial
coordinator Vusumuzi Mahlangu were put behind bars at West Commonage Police
Station yesterday for allegedly interrupting law procedures.

The two had visited the station in search of a member who was reported to be
behind bars.

“They saw in one of the papers that a headmaster who is our member had been
arrested.

They went to the station to try and get facts as to why the headmaster was
arrested. Unfortunately, the tables were turned on them and they were also
arrested,” said Sandra Peterson, a PTUZ member who is based at the
organisation’s Bulawayo office.

Trouble for Paradzayi and Mahlangu started when they insisted the headmaster
should not sign a statement with his lawyer absent.

“This angered the police who shoved Mahlangu and Paradzayi out of the charge
office. They protested to this treatment and the police then resolved to
arrest them,” she said.

“We were told to look for lawyers as the three of them are set to appear
before a magistrate”, Peterson said.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Mandlenkosi Moyo said he was unaware
of the PTUZ leaders’ arrest.

PTUZ is a militant teacher’s body formed in 1997 to negotiate, safeguard
reasonable salaries and wages and conditions of employment for teachers in
Zimbabwe.

The organisation also seeks to raise awareness on teachers’ rights and
responsibilities based on human rights, individual and collective freedoms
through educational programmes. - Lloyd Mbiba

Dual citizenship case in court

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

Friday, 19 October 2012 10:33
HARARE - A Harare man has been arrested at the Harare International Airport
for contravening the Citizenship Act after he was found in possession of a
British and Zimbabwean passport.

Kennedy Moyo, 40, of Harare’s Highfield suburb has now appeared before
magistrate Don Ndirowei for contravening Section 21 (3) of the Citizenship
Act, Chapter 4:01 (prohibition of dual citizenship).

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard Moyo, who is represented by Obey Shava, was arrested while
intending to leave for the United Kingdom.
Prosecutor Innocent Chingarande told the court detectives at the airport got
a tip-off to the effect that Moyo was in possession of several passports.

The police detectives approached Moyo and searched him, recovering a
Zimbabwean diplomatic passport, a British passport and an expired Zimbabwean
travel document.

According to state papers, investigations revealed that Moyo had acquired
the British passport and started using it in July last year, yet his
Zimbabwean passport had not expired.

Prosecutor Chingarande told the court Moyo had no right to make use of a
foreign passport without permission from the relevant authorities.

Magistrate Ndirowei deferred the matter to October 25 for sentence. - Tendai
Kamhungira

Tsvangirai rules out March election

http://www.thezimbabwemail.net

Staff Reporter 1 hour ago

HARARE - MDC-T leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected
President Robert Mugabe’s plan for elections in March next year, insisting
the Zanu PF leader cannot unilaterally determine the timing of new polls.
Mugabe revealed the election timetable last month as he sought permission
from the High Court to delay the holding of by-elections in three
Matabeleland constituencies.
It was also stated that a long-awaited referendum on the country’s new
constitution will be held in the first week of November.
But, addressing a public lecture in Harare Thursday, Tsvangirai said under
the terms of the Global Political Agreement, Mugabe was supposed to consult
him before announcing the date for the new polls.
“There is no March date for an election, of course our colleagues in Zanu PF
wanted an election in 2011 even earlier on in 2010 but because they know
that they cannot force their way of declaring an election without the
agreement of the other parties they know what the GPA (Global Political
Agreement) says,” he said.
“Mugabe has no sole power to declare an election. That is a constitutional
position. The president agrees with me that there is no need for ambush. Why
should we ambush each other?
“We have worked together for the past four years. Why should we come up with
such an ambush as if one person has the monopoly to declare date?”
However, Mugabe told a recent meeting of the Zanu PF central committee that
elections would go ahead in March and dismissed claims by the MDC-T that
conditions did not exist for free and fair elections.
“The MDC-T is saying let us level the ground,” the Zanu PF leader said.
“I do not know (whether we need) tractors here to level the ground? You
cannot get it better than this. If there is a fight in one place or the
other, that does not mar the general peace.
“What is important is that people must be able to vote without pressure. On
our side we will ensure that there is no pressure exerted on the people.”
“We will proceed. We are sailing on the road to elections in March.
Vasingade, we do not force.”
Tsvangirai also said he was confident that a smooth transition would be
possible in the event he won the new elections.
The MDC-T leader as responding to claims by senior Zanu PF officials,
Patrick Chinamasa and Rugare Gumbo, who warned that liberation war fighters
in the military and other security services would not allow him to take over
power.
“I have news for Chinamasa that there are soldiers with our file and rank
who will not join the Chinamasa coup … SADC and the African Union will not
allow an unconstitutional government. The next elections should have an
uncontested outcome,” he said.

Soccer-Zimbabwe FA bans 15 players and officials for life

http://af.reuters.com

Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:36pm GMT

HARARE Oct 19 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's former coach and captain were among 15
players and officials banned for life on Friday for their part in a
long-running match-fixing scandal, the national football association (ZIFA)
said.

Ex-coach Sunday Chidzambwa and ex-skipper Method Mwanjali, now employed by
South African clubs, were found by a year-long independent investigation to
have conspired with an Asian betting syndicate when Zimbabwe played
friendlies in Asia between 2007-09.

An official report said games were fixed by ZIFA officials along with
convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal.

Former ZIFA general secretary Henrietta Rushwaya, who has already faced
criminal prosecution for her part in the corruption scandal, and Zimbabwe
goalkeeper Edmore Siyanda were also among the 15.

Chidzambwa, a former coach and captain of Zimbabwe, is now in charge of
South African Premier League club Black Leopards and is one of his country's
most high-profile sporting figures.

Mwanjali plays for top South African team Mamelodi Sundowns.

The independent investigation, commissioned by ZIFA and overseen by a
retired judge, handed over its report on Tuesday and recommended sanctions
for a total of 93 players, coaches and officials.

They ranged from life, 10, five, two and one-year bans to suspended
sentences and ZIFA spent two days reviewing the suggested sanctions.

Tourist arrivals up 16 percent

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

19/10/2012 00:00:00
by Roman Moyo

ZIMBABWE has this year seen a 19 percent increase in tourist arrivals with
countries such as China becoming a key source market for the sector.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) attributed the increase in arrivals
renewed interest in traditional markets such as Europe and the America’s
while arrivals from China alone were up 23 percent.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said tourism and other major sectors
of the economy should build on improved performance to ensure sustained
growth.

"Tourism is now a major driver of the economy. It is a job creater and as
such should be supported especially by funding from financial institutions,"
he said.

Mutambara however, said Zimbabwe’s tourism product should be promoted as a
continental package if the country was to be globally competitive.

“We want the international buyer to buy a Pan Africa product,” he said.

“You will not make it in globalisation as a country, you can only make it as
a region, as a continent as Comesa. You cannot as Zimbabwe with your GDP of
$10 million and population of 12 million market yourself.

“But if you go as Africa and say China here we are with a GDP of $1 trillion
and population of 400 million, you will succeed. The Chinese will listen to
you not out of love but of economics."

Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi said Zimbabwe's tourism
industry was now the fastest growing in the world after China.

Mzembi said latest figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
show that Zimbabwe's tourism industry will contribute 8.2 percent to the
country’s GDP over the next decade.

"This makes Zimbabwe the second fastest growing tourism industry in the
world second only to China. It is a favourable rating by any standard but we
have to work hard to maintain those figures as the test of the pudding is in
the eating," said Mzembi.

WTTC is a forum for business leaders in the Travel and Tourism industry
working to raise awareness of travel and tourism as one of the world's
largest industries, supporting 255 million jobs and generating 9 percent of
world GDP

Mutambara threatens to revoke bank licences

http://www.newzimbabwe.com

19/10/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

DEPUTY Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has warned that banks risk losing
their operating licences if they continue to block funding for tourism which
is said to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy.

Mutambara was speaking after Bankers Association of Zimbabwe President
George Guvamatanga told the Sanganai/Hlanganani Business Forum in Harare
that tourism was not a priority for banks in terms of funding.

Guvamombe said bankers would look at funding requirements in agriculture,
mining, information and communication technology, manufacturing, as well as
the distribution and services industries before considering tourism.

“If you walk into any bank you will see that you are not a priority,”
Guvamombe told tourism executives attending the meeting.

“We need to hear your story as tourism players at the moment you have not
sold your story and, to be honest, most banks do not know your story.”

But Mutambara said the banking sector must change its attitude or risk
having operating licences withdrawn.

“To the bankers whom I hear told my people in the morning session that the
sector was a low end sector, hear this - we will take your licence,”
Mutambara said.

“We will take your licence; you must go and find those funds and support the
sector. We need to fund tourism because tourism is a job creator just like
agriculture and other sectors of the economy.”

However, Guvamombe said the country’s banks were still struggling to recover
from a decade-long recession and called for the establishment of
sector-specific financial institutions to address tourism’s funding
challenges.

“Unfortunately in this economy, because of the existing financial system
which is still evolving after a decade of recession, one financial
institution is expected to perform a number of roles,” he said.

"We need to have venture financiers; there is an opportunity in the economy
to come up with a tourism bank or any sector-specific bank which would have
a developmental thrust.

“The banks we have here are not developmental banks and to ask them to
provide developmental funds is impossible.”

Current liquidity constraints have also made it difficult for banks to make
long-term capital advances forcing most institutions to concentrate on
short-term facilities which did not meet the requirements of the industry.

"The kind of funding the sector requires is not available at the moment,”
Guvamombe said.

“Up until now the tourism sector has been accessing short term financing of
up to six months but that is not enough because the sector requires
long-term financing of between three to five years with a moratorium period
of about a year.”

Immune to prosecution: Zanu youths

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

Zanu (PF) youths have set up an illegal market near the Shawasha flats in
Mbare where only card-carrying Zanu (PF) members can sell their wares.
17.10.12

by Edgar Gweshe

Zanu (PF) Harare Provincial Chairman, Amos Midzi
The area is opposite the site where Harare businessman Alex Mashamhanda was
constructing a service station and food court, a project which has since
been stopped following an instruction from local government Minister
Ignatius Chombo.

The site has been named Shawasha Corporative and the majority of stalls have
Zanu (PF) flags flying high.

No council dues

One stall owner said the project had the full backing of the party’s senior
officials in Harare. The Zanu (PF) youth, who identified himself as Danny,
said the project was an initiative of party members from Matapi and Shawasha
hostels but has grown to include others from Epworth.

He revealed that unlike traders at places such as Magaba and Mupedzanhamo,
the traders at Shawasha cooperative were not remitting any revenue to the
Harare City Council.

He said that due to their association with Zanu (PF), they had become immune
to council raids which are common in the area.

“We do not pay anything to council because our association with Zanu (PF)
makes us immune from that. We only pay $1 every Saturday of the month which
goes towards paying the security guys who guard our wares during the night.

So we only pay $4 per month and nothing goes to the council,” said Danny.

Card-carrying members

He also revealed that one had to be a Zanu (PF) card-carrying member in
order to be allocated a place at the Shawasha Corporative.

“All the people trading here are card carrying members of Zanu (PF). For one
to be eligible to trade here, you have to undergo a vetting process which is
conducted by the youth leadership. But in your case (The Zimbabwean
reporter) it’s easier because I have influence here,” he said.

According to the youth, traders hold meetings every Wednesday where they
appraise each other on political developments in the area and talk about the
need to drum up support for Zanu (PF) in Mbare.

“You do not need to worry about any eviction here. This project has the
backing of the party and we have been given assurances that we will not be
displaced,” said Danny.

The boy admitted that some powerful Zanu (PF) figures at the area owned
several stalls that they are subletting.

“I own three market stalls here and if you say (The Zimbabwean reporter) you
need a place to do your business, I will charge you $20 per month plus the
$4 to pay the security guys,” he said.

Combi rank

In addition to the market stalls, the Zanu (PF) youths at the Shawasha
Corporative have set up a rank for commuter omnibuses plying the Mbare
Epworth route.

Interviewed drivers said they were paying money to the Zanu (PF) youths to
use the rank.

“We pay $2 every time we load here. The money is collected by Zanu (PF)
youths who command this area,” said a driver who requested anonymity for
fear of victimisation.

Zanu (PF) youths linked to the Chipangano militia are known for their
rampages when they grab property and land in Mbare. Last week, the party’s
Harare Provincial Chairman, Amos Midzi, told The Zimbabwean that Chipangano
had been disbanded. However, the evidence on the ground casts doubt over
Midzi’s claims.

Global Protests target Zim Embassies and Harare Parliament

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 October 2012

Zimbabweans, under the banner of the 21st Movement Global Protests, are
planning to demonstrate at Zimbabwean embassies around the world and at the
parliament building in Harare on Saturday.

The events mark the tenth round of protests that have been taking place in
several countries on the 21st of every month, to highlight the ongoing
political crisis in Zimbabwe and to demand free and fair elections.

Organizers have targeted different locations each month, depending on the
issues that they believed should be highlighted each time. The last round
focused on the visit by Robert Mugabe to the United Nations in New York.

In round 10 on Saturday, organizers said they are going “straight to the
head of the snake”, and are hoping to rally large crowds to protest at Zim
Embassies in several countries. The 21st Movement has chapters in London,
Washington, New York, Australia and Canada.

The issue this time is the threats by some ZANU PF officials, who recently
suggested that they would not accept a victory by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai in elections due next year.

In a statement the group said they: “Condemn with the strongest contempt the
reckless utterances by Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa.” He had told
the BBC that a victory by Tsvangirai would not be allowed. ZANU PF
spokesperson Rugare Gumbo also made similar threats while speaking in South
Africa. Gumbo suggested there would be violence and bloodshed if Tsvangirai
won.

The 21st Movement said ZANU PF should not be allowed to hijack the 2nd All
Stakeholders Conference. They are also demanding that international monitors
be allowed at both the constitutional referendum and during elections.
The group is encouraging Zimbabweans and other supporters to demonstrate
outside the Zimbabwe Parliament.

More details can be found on their facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/groups/163252433777995/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Mugabe Launches Community Share Trusts in Matabeleland

http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Sandra Nyaira
18.10.2012

WASHINGTON — President Robert Mugabe on Thursday launched community share
ownership trusts in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province, amid reports that
some of the funds raised under the controversial black economic empowerment
program have allegedly been looted in some regions.

The two schemes for Hwange and Lupane which were launched at the Hwange
Colliery Stadium are worth $14.5 million - a contribution from foreign-owned
mining firms operating in the two districts.

Government ministers, chiefs and the local communities attended the launch
where Mr. Mugabe urged communities to safeguard their resources and use them
for their benefit, especially lifting them out of poverty.

The president said his party and government will continue to champion the
broad-based empowerment of ordinary Zimbabweans and blasted international
firms he claimed are only interested in taking resources from the country
without improving the lives of people at the grassroots level.

But there have been concerns that some chiefs have been looting the
community share trust funds at the expense of ordinary people.

For perspective on the schemes and how they are benefiting ordinary people,
VOA turned to Indigenization Ministry advisor Psychology Maziwisa and the
ministry’s Deputy Minister Tongai Matutu of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s
Movement for Democratic Change formation.

Maziwisa said ordinary Zimbabweans are set to benefit from the trust funds
as President Mugabe continues to champion what he claims is the biggest
empowerment program in Africa.

But Matutu differed with Maziwisa, charging that the patronage Zanu-PF
system would lead to the collapse of the empowerment program.

He accused President Mugabe's party of abusing the program for its own
benefit and not ordinary Zimbabweans.

Corrected-Police Charge MDC Leader With Threatening To Commit Murder As Magistrate Acquits 12 Beitbridge Residents

http://www.swradioafrica.com

HRD’s Alert
18 October 2012

POLICE CHARGE MDC LEADER WITH THREATENING TO COMMIT MURDER AS
MAGISTRATE ACQUITS 12 BEITBRIDGE RESIDENTS

POLICE on Thursday 18 October 2012 charged Julius Magarangoma, the
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party chairperson for Manicaland
Province for allegedly threatening to commit murder, two years ago.
Detectives from the Law and Order Section at Mutare Central Police
Station on Thursday 18 October 2012 charged Magarangoma with
contravening Section 186 (1) (b) as read with Section 47 of the
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The police alleged that the MDC provincial chairperson, who reported
to the police station in the company of his lawyer Blessing Nyamaropa
of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights threatened to kill Mutizwa
Mhondiwa for mobilizing and sending some people to destroy his
homestead in Buhera.

The police said the incident took place on 1 October 2010 at Manyadza
homestead, in Mhondiwa village under Chief Chitsunge in Buhera.
Magarangoma was released after the police recorded a warned and
cautioned statement and advising that they will proceed by way of
summons if they intend to pursue the matter.

Meanwhile, Beitbridge Magistrate Gwineth Drawo on Thursday 18 October
2012 acquitted 12 MDC officials, who had been on trial for
contravening the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

The MDC officials were arrested in February and charged with
contravening Section 26 of POSA after they held an internal party
meeting at some private premises in the border town of Beitbridge,
which the police charged was “unauthorized”.

Magistrate Drawo acquitted the MDC officials after their lawyer, Lizwe
Jamela of ZLHR applied for discharge at the close of the State case,
which had been opposed by State prosecutor Jabulani Mberesi.

Sokwanele Constitution Survey