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ZCTU leaders speak out on prison ordeal

Zim Standard

       BY CAIPHAS CHIMHETE AND VALENTINE MAPONGA

      ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders yesterday
described their brutal attack at the hands of the police and suspected
members of the army at Matapi Police Station in Harare, as the world scaled
up condemnation of the barbaric assault.

      Both ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo and secretary general
Wellington Chibebe said they feared for their lives in the notorious cells.

      Speaking from his bed at Parirenyatwa Hospital where he is
receiving treatment, Chibebe who appeared to have had the worst ordeal said
he passed out after being heavily assaulted.

      "We were told to get into the cells in pairs on Wednesday and
upon entering, they started beating us up all over the body with batons and
a knobkerrie (tsvimbo). The assault carried on for about 20 minutes. I
passed out because of excessive bleeding," said Chibebe, who sustained two
deep cuts to the head, a broken arm, two broken fingers and multiple
bruises.

      The ZCTU secretary general, who was paired with a union member
identified as Chiwara, said he fainted around 4PM on Wednesday. He regained
consciousness the following morning.

      "What made me believe they were not all police officers is the
systematic way they were beating us and the language they used. They were
saying 'we were trained to kill and not to write dockets," said Chibebe, who
was struggling to speak during the interview.

      Chibebe said what may have made his ordeal worse, was an earlier
altercation he had with the police at a roadblock a few weeks ago.

      "One of the police officers was actually shouting: Ari kupi
Chibebe wacho ndiye wekutirova paroadblock mazuva apera aya (Where is
Chibebe? He beat up a police officer recently)," Chibebe said.

      Because of the extent of Chibebe's injuries, a court session was
conducted at his hospital bed in Ward B11 yesterday.

      Harare magistrate Peter Mufunda, who granted Chibebe free bail,
ordered a thorough investigation into the assault and directed that a full
report be brought to court by 3 October. He also ordered that the
perpetrators be brought to book.

      ZCTU president, Lovemore Matombo who was also severely assaulted
by police told The Standard yesterday that he heard Chibebe wailing, as his
attackers were about to drag him into the cell at Matapi.

      But the ZCTU president didn't have it easy either. He came out
with swollen hands, a fractured finger and multiple bruises.

      Despite the injuries they suffered, Chibebe and Matombo told The
Standard the brutal attack had strengthened their resolve to fight for
workers' rights.

       Matombo said the protests would continue soon after their trial
ends.

      Matombo and 29 others were granted bail with stringent
conditions. They were ordered to pay $20 000 (revalued) each, report to
Harare Central Police Station every Friday, reside at their given addresses
as well as not to interfere with State witnesses, who are all police
officers.

      Meanwhile, the brutal attack of trade unionists and opposition
activists by government agents has been roundly condemned by both the
international and local community, putting Zimbabwe back on the global
picture for being an outpost of tyranny.

      Among those that have condemned President Robert Mugabe's
government over the vicious attacks are the governments of the US and
Britain, trade union organisations such as the International Confederation
of Free Trade Unions, the African Regional Organisation of the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade
Unions and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

      The opposition MDC, Doctors for Human Rights and the Zimbabwe
Christian Alliance rounded up the chorus of condemnation.


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Nkomo 'usurps' Chombo's powers

Zim Standard

      By Nqobani Ndlovu

      BULAWAYO - John Nkomo, the ruling Zanu-PF chairman, declaring he
is the fourth most powerful person in the land, has usurped the powers of
Ignatious Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban
Development and set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the operations
of a council.

      Nkomo's commission of inquiry investigated the Tsholotsho Rural
District Council (RDC). It came up with recommendations nullifying previous
council resolutions.

      According to sources, Nkomo in meetings in Tsholotsho said he
was the fourth most powerful man in the presidium and therefore, his
commission should be respected.

      Sources indicated that Nkomo threatened Ronnie Dube, the
Tsholotsho RDC chief executive officer and Alois Ndebele, the RDC chairman
with dismissal after they queried the setting up of Nkomo's commission.

      The two were arrested last Friday, allegedly at Nkomo's
instigation, following a meeting of the commission of inquiry chaired by the
Zanu PF chairman. They were released last Sunday.

      Dube and Ndebele confirmed their arrest on Friday.

      "We were released on Sunday evening. But you can get the reasons
and information on our arrest from Nkomo," Dube said.

      The two, sources say, in consultation with the District
Administrator, William Mzamba, believed Nkomo's commission of inquiry was
illegal since proper procedures had not been followed when it was set up.
This miffed Nkomo, sources said.

      Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Augustine Zimbili, could
not be reached for comment on the arrest of the two.

      Headman Ngwizi is the chairman of the inquiry while one A Dube,
an aspiring councillor, is the secretary. Other members include a J Sibanda
from Zanu-PF, councillor for Ward 4, T Moyo, F M Sibanda of the Residents'
Association, Chief Gampu and C Mazibisa representing the Tsholotsho
Development Association.

       Nkomo confirmed chairing the inquiry committee meeting held last
Friday which resulted in the CEO and chairman's arrest. He, however, denied
setting up the commission of inquiry.

      He said interested Tsholotsho stakeholders set up the
commission.

      "I did not set up the inquiry committee. It was a stakeholders'
committee and an all stakeholders' meeting," he said.

      "That matter is now with the minister responsible, Chombo. I
also did not call for their arrest," he added before switching off his
mobile phone.

      The Standard has learnt that Dube and Ndebele had meetings with
Chombo on Thursday over the setting up of the commission and their
subsequent arrest. They are set to meet the minister again this week.


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Hi-tech dairy equipment at Mugabe family farm

Zim Standard

      By Foster Dongozi

      THE First Family may not totally relocate from Gushungo Dairy
Farm, formerly known as Foyle Farm, as it is in the process of installing
one of the most modern state-of-the-art dairy equipment, The Standard has
learnt.

      Last week, The Standard revealed that the First Family had
started moving cattle from Gushungo Farm in Mazowe to President Robert
Mugabe's Highfield Farm in Norton, after The Standard published that the
First Family were multiple farm owners.

      The removal of 1 100 heifers to Highfield Farm was designed to
give the impression that Mugabe's family was regularising its operations in
order to avoid policy contradictions.

      However, Zanu PF insiders said the remaining 500 heifers meant
disinvestment was not in the pipeline.

       Said one ruling party insider: "It is not likely that the First
Lady will pull out of Gushungo Farm completely because of the heavy
financial investment she has made. It includes the installation of
state-of-the-art computerised dairy parlour. That equipment cannot even be
found in South Africa and cost her a lot of money."

      The equipment in question is described as De Laval. It was
delivered last year and sources said it was still being fitted.

      In another development, farm equipment and vehicles at Iron Mask
Farm in Mazowe were auctioned last week but it was unclear who would benefit
from the proceeds.

       Although Lands Minister, Didymus Mutasa, was earlier quoted as
saying sale of the equipment from an acquired farm such as Iron Mask was
illegal, he was singing a different tune when asked to confirm his statement
and its legal basis.

      "Ndakanyeperwa. (I was misquoted) I have now resolved not to
talk to you," he said.

      Section 10 of the Acquisition of Farm Equipment Act reads: "Any
farm equipment or material acquired in terms of this Act shall vest in the
State for the benefit of the Land Reform Programme and shall not be sold or
otherwise disposed of to any private individual, institution or
corporation."

      The equipment bought by former Iron Mask owners, Eva and John
Matthews, included heavy-duty machinery like combine harvesters, feed
mixers, vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and planters.

      The Standard attended the auction at Iron Mask last week. There
were murmurs of disapproval at the disposal of the equipment and vehicles.

      "If the equipment was bought by the previous farm owners, what
is the reason for selling the equipment? The equipment should be used to
increase agricultural production on the farm. In any case, who will get the
money?" asked one of the farmers from Mazowe who said he attended the
auction out of curiosity.

      An official with Ruby Auctions claimed they had been given the
authority to auction the farm equipment by Reserve Bank Governor Gideon
Gono, who is the chairman of the First Lady's charity organisation. Gono was
not immediately reachable for comment.

      The First Family was recently reported to be benefiting from
agricultural expertise from the Agricultural Rural Development Authority
(ARDA) at their farms.

      In some instances ARDA employees were working for the First
Family with ARDA paying their salaries.


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Journalists walk out of Press conference

Zim Standard

      FOUR journalists from both the private and public media on
Friday walked out on Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Edwin
Muguti, as he was addressing an "urgent" Press conference to redeem himself
from statements he made two weeks ago.

      Among these were reporters from The Herald.

      Muguti had earlier accused the National Aids Council (NAC) of
under-performing and failing to account for funds it got through the
National Aids Trust Fund, formerly the Aids Levy.

      Although the Press conference was meant for Muguti to retract
his statement, the deputy minister tried to shift the blame to the media.

      He blamed the media for "unfair" coverage of his statements and
said that the media had "blown the issue out of proportion" by making it
appear as though there was a "major war" between the NAC and his ministry.

      He said: "I want to put it on record that my criticism of NAC
was taken out of context and that the statements I made were purely
historical."


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Ministers trade insults over stock theft accusations

Zim Standard

      By Nqobani Ndlovu

      BULAWAYO - Two government ministers exchanged insults after one
took exception to what she believed to be accusations that she was a cattle
thief, made by the other at a public meeting.

      Sithembiso Nyoni, the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises,
last Sunday traded insults with Andrew Langa, the Deputy Minister of
Environment and Tourism, after she felt her Zanu PF colleagues had accused
her of stock theft.

      Nyoni was allegedly miffed by Langa's comments, made in a
meeting with farmers at Kombo in Fort Rixon.

      Nyoni did not attend the meeting but was represented by her
husband, Peter.

      The meeting explored ways of stopping an escalation in stock
theft cases in the area, which is near Nyoni's property, Fountain Farm.

      Without mentioning names, Langa told the farmers that senior
politicians in the area were behind the stock theft.

      He is reported to have said: "Unfortunately, despite the
government's good intentions, some farmers, among them senior politicians,
are suspected of involvement in stock theft cases. If the stock theft
syndicates are allowed to go on like this, they may derail the land reform
programme.

      "In this government, no one is above the law. I want to advise
police officers not to fear politicians because the law is there for
everyone."

       Langa indicated that he would invite the Minister of State
Enterprises, Anti-Monopolies and Anti-Corruption, Paul Mangwana, and Home
Affairs Minister, Kembo Mohadi, to investigate stock theft allegations in
Fort Rixon.

      Authoritative sources said after the meeting Nyoni called Langa
for clarification. She is alleged to have used harsh words with the Insiza
MP. She then accused him of being a Mafikizolo in the party and the
government.

      Langa confirmed the incident when contacted for comment. "She
did phone me after the meeting, expressing her reservations over my
comments," Langa said.

      "But I have nothing against her and whatever comments I made
were not directed at anyone. I went to the meeting as the MP at the
invitation of the farmers over rising stock theft. They wanted me to find a
way to put an end to the cases."

      Repeated efforts to obtain a comment from Nyoni were fruitless.
Recently, three of her employees appeared in court after 18 stolen beasts
were positively identified at Fountain Farm by the owner.


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New farmers flee as Jumbos take stand against land invasion

Zim Standard

      BY WALTER MARWIZI

      CHIREDZI - Scores of new farmers who took up plots in
conservancies in Chiredzi under the land reform programme have beat a hasty
retreat to their villages for fear of marauding elephants.

      Lured by the abundance of wildlife, the villagers from areas
around Rudhanda and Chekenyere in Zaka communal lands invaded plots opposite
"Makondo" ranch.

       The dry area, which receives erratic rainfall, is suitable only
for ranching.

      But the villagers had hoped their fortunes would change through
feasting on and selling game meat to travellers along the Ndanga/Chiredzi
highway.

      Their dreams were, however, short-lived when elephants from the
nearby Mungwezi ranch started raiding the villagers' homesteads.

      "I thought I had found a new home here. I didn't know that my
plot was near the river where they (elephants) come to drink," said
22-year-old Mauris Chekenyere, who had grabbed a 40-hectare plot.

      Realising the intensity of the raids, Chekenyere said he was
left with no option but to abandon his plot after realising that he could
not win a "war" with elephants.

       "I had two choices: either go back to my village; or stay at my
plot and fight the elephants which appeared to derive fun from demolishing
our huts. I just packed my bags," he said.

      He returned where he had originally come from - Chekenyere
village - and does not entertain any hopes of going back to his plot,
although sometimes he thinks about the meat.

      As one drives along the highway after the junction that used to
divide the communal area from the game ranches, a number of abandoned huts
come into full view. Many of the pole and mud makeshift structures have been
abandoned.


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Warrant of arrest for 'baboon poaching' businessman

Zim Standard

      By Nqobani Ndlovu

      BULAWAYO businessman Langton Masunda faces arrest for failing to
turn up in court to answer charges of poaching a baboon and other wild
animals worth $123 000 at the disputed Lugo Ranch.

      Masunda has been locked in a protracted dispute with Speaker of
Parliament and Zanu PF chairman, John Nkomo, over the ownership of the
ranch.

      He was set to appear before Hwange Magistrate, Eilene Madzorera
last Tuesday but did not turn up and a warrant of arrest has since been
issued.

       Masunda's lawyers, Vonani Majoko & Majoko Legal Practitioners,
confirmed that Masunda did not go to court on Tuesday but expressed
ignorance over the warrant of arrest.

      "I am yet to be informed on that but we, of course, did not go
there after learning that the Magistrate would not be available," said the
law firm when contacted for comment.

       However, officials at the Hwange Magistrates' Court confirmed
that a warrant of arrest had been issued against Masunda.

      "The Magistrate was not there but a warrant of arrest against
Masunda has been issued as he was supposed to come to court even though the
Magistrate was not there," said an official.


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Outrage as fresh 'Murambatsvina' hits Harare

Zim Standard

      BY OUR STAFF

      A new wave of evictions is taking place in Harare - more than a
year after Operation Murambatsvina left nearly one million people homeless.

      Harare municipal police and officers from the Zimbabwe Republic
Police (ZRP) have been involved in the fresh wave, which is targeting
vending stalls, houses and shops, which survived Murambatsvina last year.

      Just recently, police and council workers pounced on Glen View
Suburb, destroying tuck shops and cottages.

      Residents in the high-density suburb were surprised when they
woke up on a Thursday morning to see about 15 baton-stick wielding municipal
police and five ZRP officers pulling down tuck shops.

      When The Standard visited the site in Glen View 1, former shop
owners with the help of residents were trying to recover asbestos sheets,
bricks and electrical gadgets from the rubble.

      A livid Terrence Mukuti said: "They did not give us time to
remove our property - only 48 hours to vacate.

       "How are we going to survive? Do they want us to become
thieves?"

      Glen View, generally regarded as an opposition Movement for
Democratic Change stronghold, has in the past been targeted by the council
and government.

      Last year anti-riot police went on the rampage beating up people
after residents mobilised themselves and revolted against the clean-up
operation.

      A resident, Taurai Saukeni, said it was unfortunate that even
with the high levels of unemployment and acute housing shortages, the
government was still determined to inflict more suffering of its people.

      William Nhara, the outspoken Zanu PF Harare provincial
spo-kesperson promised comment but had not done so by the time of going to
print.

      Percy Toriro, Harare City Council public relations manager,
confirmed the operation in Glen View but insisted it was not another
Operation Murambatsvina.

      He said: "It is not Murambatsvina again but a routine
enforcement of existing and standing regulations.

      "However, we understand the need to provide proper trading
places so that we avoid confrontation with vendors. We are seriously pushing
relevant departments for that."

      A week ago, police knocked down temporary homes in Epworth.


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Bulawayo Council condemns Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle houses

Zim Standard

      BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

      BULAWAYO - The Bulawayo City Council has condemned houses built
under Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle as "death traps".

      The council has already issued eviction notices to over 100
families living in the houses in Cowdray Park.

      The council said the evictions were designed to prevent the
outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections as the
two-roomed houses built under the programme did not provide sanitary living
conditions.

      Latest health, housing and education council minutes noted the
evictions were in line with the council's public health by-laws since the
houses did not have water and sewer reticulation systems.

      The minutes read in part: "Developing a project of this nature
and size on unserviced land had inherent problems that in the long run
negate whatever gains may be envisaged in providing shelter to residents.

      "Lack of water and sewer reticulation compromised hygiene
standards and created a nuisance of fouling of open spaces. In fact,
residents swapped death from exposure to the elements for death through
diarrhoea and respiratory infections as a result of unsanitary living
conditions".

      The council said to ensure compliance with by-laws, residents
"were being served with notices to ensure provision of sanitary facilities
or vacate. This was a tedious exercise more so in the times of fuel
shortages that hindered the health inspectors' mobility".

      The council report said the houses should be occupied after
being given a "certification of occupation" from the health inspectorate.

      Cowdray Park councillor, Stars Mathe, confirmed that the
occupants had been given notices.

      Bulawayo executive mayor Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube was diplomatic
when contacted for comment.

      "All we are saying is that you don't occupy incomplete houses
without such basic (water and sewerage) services. We are saying to the
people that put the families there: can you correct that situation because
there would be a terrible disaster.

      "Why did they put those people in those houses without such
basic services in the first place? This was just a case of creating problems
for Bulawayo and creating an unhealthy situation in the city."

      He said the council was empowered by council by-laws and State
laws to look at the health aspect of its residents.

      Cain Mathema, the Governor and Resident Minister of Bulawayo
Metropolitan Province, who recently commissioned construction of Phase Two
of operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle at Cowdray Park refused to comment on the
evictions.

      "Tshiyana lami wena (Leave me alone). I don't have a comment. Go
to the council," Mathema said.

      Ignatius Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works
and Urban Development, could not be reached for comment.

      Nearly one million families were rendered homeless after the
demolition of their houses under the government-sponsored Operation
Murambatsvina in May last year.

      Government and Zanu PF officials have been accused of corruptly
grabbing the houses while Murambatsvina victims still have no shelter.


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Residents despair as Chiredzi decays

Zim Standard

      BY WALTER MARWIZI

      ONLY five years ago, the one kilometre stretch linking Tshovani
Township to Chiredzi central business district was a tarred road.

      Today it is as dusty as any other gravel road in Zimbabwe's
communal areas.

      While visitors can hardly notice that it was once tarred, locals
say their hearts bleed each time they think of the road.

      Ironically, the road is a stone's throw away from the Chiredzi
town council offices. It was infested with potholes before being
subsequently reduced to a gravel path.

      Now, whenever a vehicle trundles on the uneven gravel, clouds of
dust rise and end up at Chiredzi's main flea market, which lies along the
side of the road.

      There are also several businesses along the road that are
affected, forcing staff to close doors to ward off the choking dust.

      "Each time you buy clothes or anything from the flea market, you
have to wash them first," said a disappointed resident," Khesani Chauke.

      But that is not the only nuisance or source of worry for
residents of this small establishment that appears to have been on
accelerated decline during the past six years.

      Once a bustling agricultural town, Chiredzi is now a pale shadow
of its former self. More than any other town in Zimbabwe, it manifests the
decay directly linked to the government's chaotic land reform.

       Infrastructure that had been jealously guarded in the past is
crumbling and nothing is being done to stop the rot.

      The Tshovani road is not the only infrastructure that has been
run down.

       Chiredzi's "First Street", the road that runs halfway across the
small central business district is headed for the same fate. It may not be
long before the road turns into yet another gravel stretch at the centre of
the town.

      While cities like Harare have to deal with a large network of
roads, Chiredzi has to concentrate on just a 16km network that needs to be
resealed.

      In the overcrowded Tshovani Township, the situation has gone out
of hand. Motorists now dread driving across the corrugated roads with humps
the size of graves. But just a few years ago, this once rich sugar town
boasted tarred roads that were well-maintained. The alert council repair
teams, repaired the damaged roads quickly with the assistance of Hippo
Valley Estates.

       There were also many well-wishers - individual cane growers who
used to chip in during times of need.

      But Chiredzi has hit hard times. The local council is broke and
ill-equipped. So-called new farmers, beneficiaries of the government's
widely discredited agrarian reforms, have invaded the sugar estates. Many of
these farmers, inexperienced and without adequate resources, have only
succeeded in turning the once productive land into a vast wasteland.

      Chiredzi residents say the arrival of new farmers in the Lowveld
is directly related to the downturn in the fortunes of their town. They say
even their families are suffering as a result of lost incomes.

      The residents attributed the town's collapsing infrastructure to
a decline in cane production, which forced many companies to pull out of
Chiredzi, prejudicing the council of its major source of revenue. Commercial
banks followed suit.

      The displacement of productive commercial farmers rendered
thousands of people jobless, they noted. People who had been employed on
sugar plantations and farms on the outskirts of Chiredzi, either on full
time or contract basis contributed in one way or the other to the town's
economic activities.

      During the evenings, many used to patronise Chigarapasi,
arguably Zimbabwe's largest beerhall, for entertainment. During its heyday,
Chigarapasi would be packed to capacity especially on days when cane cutters
were paid, thereby generating revenue for the local authority.

      But on a Friday night ten days ago when The Standard visited the
beerhall, once a cash cow for the council, there were very few patrons, most
of who appeared to be idlers.

      "If you go around the township you will be surprised that many
people who used to get jobs in the sugar industry are living miserable
lives. Many have gone back to their rural homes," said Chauke.

      This probably explained why accommodation was very cheap in
Chiredzi, he added. On average, renting a room costs $1 000 a month.

      While Chiredzi Town Secretary, identified as Muchatukwa, was
reported to be away from his office last week, council sources said the
local authority was broke.

      One of the sources said a turnaround strategy document
formulated in August last year was gathering dust at the council offices due
to lack of funds. The document recommended the resealing of the roads and
upgrading of the water works.

      "Without money, you can't turn around anything. Maybe, the money
will come from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe or the Public Sector Investment
Programme," said the source.


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'Soldiers can't stay in the dark'

Zim Standard

      BY OUR STAFF

      SOME parts of Braeside have gone for nearly a month without
electricity after ZESA Holdings removed a transformer from their area and
used it to replace a malfunctioning one at the army's 2 Brigade barracks.

      Disappointed residents last week told The Standard they have
been in the dark since mid-August.

       Narrating their ordeal, one of the residents said after a
malfunctioning transformer at the army barracks had gone for a week without
being replaced, ZESA workers swapped it with the one that served them.

      "We have been in darkness for the past three weeks because they
don't have the foreign currency to import transformers. Instead of replacing
the damaged transformer with a new one, they took the one that was serving
our houses on the pretext that an army barracks was a security zone," said
one disappointed resident.

      He said around 20 houses in Campbell and Edward roads in
Braeside were affected by the move and the only houses with electricity in
the area were either owned by senior security officers or government
officials.

      "They told us army barracks could not go without electricity,"
said the source.

      The transformers are located at the corner of Glenara Avenue and
Chiremba Road.

      ZESA general manager (corporate communications) James Maridadi
denied the transformers were swapped.

      "Yes, the two transformers experienced different faults but they
were never swapped. The one serving 2 Brigade had a cable fault and it was
repaired instantly because the material was available," said Maridadi.


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Sable's future in doubt

Zim Standard

      By Our Staff

      SABLE Chemicals' future hangs in the balance amid reports that
the Kwekwe-based company is failing to access US$2.5 million needed to keep
it afloat.

      The fertiliser producer has since warned of an imminent collapse
"if the situation is not addressed immediately" and said it will not be able
to produce the 240 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate needed to meet local
demand.

      Zimbabwe is already making efforts to cover the fertiliser
deficit with monetary authorities announcing last Wednesday agro-input
facilities amounting to US$490 million.

      But Sable Chemicals is still left in a precarious position and
has to raise hard currency to avert a "technical collapse" with industry
raising concerns that imports of products that can be manufactured locally
were depleting the country's meagre foreign currency resources.

      Minutes of a meeting held by the Midlands Chapter of the
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries last Tuesday revealed that the
subsidiary of TA Holdings had only produced 80 000 tonnes in six months
because of machinery breakdown.

      "Machinery is 20 years overdue for service and there is serious
need to refurbish the plant. The Electrolysis Plant needs about US$2.5
million for refurbishment.

      "If action is not taken, Sable might collapse in a technical
sense, forcing the country to import all ammonium nitrate requirements.
Sable Chemicals has a maximum production capacity of 240 000 tonnes for
ammonium nitrate per year. By end of July only 80 000 tonnes had been
produced," said the report.

      The company said its efforts to increase production have been
thwarted by delays in making foreign currency available.

      "Company has been applying for forex but has received
insignificant amo-unts. In previous cases forex is only made available in
November when it is too late, forcing government to import finished
products," officials told the gathered delegates.

      Industry has thrown its support behind Sable and urged
government to save local industries and stop the unnecessary imports.

      Zimbabwe is in the throes of an economic meltdown characterised
by a crippling shortage of foreign exchange.


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350 buyers slated for international Travel Expo

Zim Standard

      BY NDAMU SANDU

      AT least 350 buyers have confirmed participation at this year's
Zimbabwe International Travel Expo, which begins next month.

      The figure represents a 57% increase from last year's figure of
146 who participated at the annual tourism exhibition.

      Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) CEO, Karikoga Kaseke, told
Standardbusiness last week that the organisers expected the figure to
increase by at least 100 before the 5 October deadline.

      The expo runs from 12 - 15 October and the organisers estimate
that at least 350 buyers will grace the expo.

      Kaseke said that this year's expo had been elevated to national
status following recommendations from the Tourism, Image and Communications
Taskforce of the new economic model, the National Economic Development
Priority Programme (NEDPP) launched early this year.

      NEDPP is envisaged to have input from all stakeholders to bring
the Zimbabwean economy - in a freefall over the past eight years - onto a
sound footing.

      Kaseke said this year's expo has a regional flavour following
the invitation of all members of the Southern African Development Community.

      He said: "We have invited all SADC member states to participate
and five - Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia - have
confirmed participation."

      Last year, Mozambique and Tanzania were the only African
countries at the expo.

      Statistics made available by ZTA show that of the 26 countries
targeted, China topped the charts with 48 buyers who have confirmed
participation followed by the United Kingdom with 28 buyers.

      Quizzed by Standardbusiness on the state of preparedness in the
event of water cuts or power outages during the expo, Givemore Chidzidzi,
ZTA marketing and communications director, said that all the relevant
stakeholders were working round the clock to prevent such incidents.

      Last year buyers booked at the Rainbow Towers had to endure
hours without water after the five-star hotel went dry.


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ABAZ to put Zim in the spotlight

Zim Standard

      BY OUR STAFF

      ZIMBABWE will be in the spotlight next month when an array of
speakers present papers on how the economy can be made more attractive to
investment.

      The meeting is organised by the American Business Association of
Zimbabwe (ABAZ).

      The economic forum is held under the theme "Just Business" and
is designed to engage leading business executives, decision-makers and
opinion leaders.

      Spokesperson for the organising team Tony Jordan said: "The
American Business Association of Zimbabwe believes it can play a meaningful
role in generating useful discussion on business issues of all kinds.

      "In the current economic environment we would like to stimulate
dialogue and far reaching debate on the key topics of turning the economy
around and reviving investment."

      Award-winning Brazilian economist Dr Caio Megale and South
African strategist and best selling author Chantell Ilbury are the keynote
speakers.

       Megale was responsible for the macro-economic analysis of the
Brazilian economy at Gavea Investmentos. Illbury specialises in managing
strategic conversation and is a firm believer in the power of scenario
thinking as the most operative form of business strategy in the new economy.

       Other luminaries will include Anton van Wyk and Thabani Jali of
PricewaterhouseCoopers in South Africa, agricultural economist Dr John
Mellor of Abt Associates (USA) and Dr Matthews Chikaonda of Press
Corporation of Malawi.


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Zim among worst business destinations - World Bank

Zim Standard

      BY OUR STAFF

      ZIMBABWE has the second worst barriers of entry in Southern
Africa to prospective business investors, says a new report by the World
Bank.

      According to the report, Doing Business 2007: How to Reform,
released a fortnight ago, Zimbabwe is ranked 153 out of the 175 countries
used in the survey. The Doing Business database provides indicators of the
cost of doing business by identifying specific regulations that enhance or
constrain business investment, productivity, and growth

      It ranks economies on their ease of doing business with a high
ranking index signifying that the regulatory environment is conducive to the
operation of business. This index averages the country's percentile rankings
on 10 topics: starting a business; dealing with licences; employing workers;
registering property; getting credit; protecting investors; paying taxes;
trading across borders; enforcing contracts and closing a business.

      Diamond-rich Angola was ranked the worst destination in the
region on 156. Zimbabwe's southern neighbour South Africa emerged as the
best destination in Southern Africa ranked 29, while Botswana occupied the
48th slot on the ladder. Zimbabwe's northern neighbours Zambia was ranked
102, Mozambique (140) Swaziland (76), Malawi (110) and Lesotho (114).

      The "starting a business topic" identified the bureaucratic and
legal hurdles an entrepreneur must overcome to incorporate and register a
new firm. It examines the procedures, time, and cost involved in launching a
commercial or industrial firm, among others.

      The Dealing with Licences topic tracks the procedure, time, and
costs to build a warehouse, including obtaining necessary licenses and
permits, completing required notifications and inspections, and obtaining
utility connections.

      The report also measured the flexibility of labour regulations,
examining the difficulty of hiring a new worker, rigidity of rules on
expanding or contracting working hours, the non-salary costs of hiring a
worker, and the difficulties and costs involved in dismissing a redundant
worker.

      The report also looked at the steps, time, and cost involved in
registering property. It also looked at the credit information registries
and the effectiveness of collateral and bankruptcy laws in facilitating
lending.

      The strength of minority shareholders' protection against misuse
of corporate assets by directors for their personal gain, was also used as a
benchmark to measure the favourable conditions of doing business in a given
country.

      The taxes that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a
given year, as well as measures of administrative burden in paying taxes
were taken into consideration as well.

      The report used the favourable conditions that would necessitate
trade across borders. In this case, it looked at the procedural requirements
for exporting and importing a standardised cargo of goods.

      The survey looked at the efficiency of contract enforcement by
following the evolution of a sale of goods dispute and tracking the time,
cost, and number of procedures involved from the moment the plaintiff files
the lawsuit until actual payment, among other things.


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Suppressing demos will invite bloody violence

Zim Standard

Comment

      THE government never learns. No amount of force will quell
genuine grievances.

      Last week's arrest of workers' leaders and brutal suppression of
the demonstration of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) by police
showed just how scared the government is of public disaffection with its
mismanagement of the country.

      The government is also aware that its days are numbered. More
importantly, it is haunted by recognition of its incompetence at finding a
viable solution to the myriad problems it has created for this country. It
is precisely its inability to fashion creative alternatives to the current
crises that causes it to react with such disproportionate intensity and
brutality.

      For some time the labour movement has sought to engage the
government and employers through the Tripartite Negotiating Forum, but the
outcome has always been inconclusive. The government insists the parties
should return to the negotiating table - without addressing the reasons why
previous attempts have failed to produce an agreement.

      In its panic, the government frames any public manifestation of
discontent with the way it has mismanaged the country as a regime change
agenda. It is this obsession with its ouster that clouds the manner in which
it looks at issues that are genuine. There is no regime change agenda when
the people protest that they cannot make ends meet. There is no regime
change agenda when people demand access to anti-retroviral treatment. There
is no regime change agenda when the people demand a new beginning. There is
no regime change agenda when the people protest against increasing
impoverishment. There is no regime change agenda when the people protest the
betrayal of the goals of the struggle for independence.

      In cranking up its propaganda machine, the government declared
the ZCTU-led mass action had failed. Only imbeciles would believe such
puerile offerings. By deploying police details onto the streets of the urban
centres almost a week before last Wednesday's strike, the government made
sure protesters would not be allowed freedom to stage a demonstration. The
demonstration did not flop because it was never afforded the space.

      By arresting the leadership of the labour movement, the
government intended to deprive the workers of their leaders during the
demonstration.

      But the government has a short memory. The history of the
struggle for independence in this country teaches us that no amount of force
can keep people oppressed forever. Time will come when they will be prepared
to sacrifice their lives in order to gain freedom.

      The government also does not learn that when it uses force to
suppress peaceful protest, the oppressed will resort to violence. That is
how the freedom fighters decided on a change of tactics in confronting the
regime of Ian Smith.

      The struggle for independence started as a peaceful
demonstration but evolved into an armed struggle because of the
intransigence of Smith's government. The government needs to appreciate that
when it is the one that promotes and practises violence and the use of
force, the next demonstration will not be peaceful.

      The government may have survived for another day, but deep down
they understand how increasingly unpopular they have become because of their
intolerance to alternative views. The clock is ticking and their days are
numbered.

      Freedom can only be denied temporarily. It can never be denied
permanently. The government's penchant for the good life is legendary for a
country on its knees. It is lack of empathy for the plight of the workers
that fuels increasing discontent and no amount of force can suppress it.


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Opposition's challenge: army control

Zim Standard

       Sunday Opinion By Itai Zimunya

      AN intra-Zanu PF power-sharing agreement is the last thing that
Zimbabwe needs because it could mean the masses continue to suffer while
looting continues to be the preoccupation of the political sultans.

      An all-out MDC government is possible more as a theory than in
reality in the short term, though it is possible in the medium term. While
the opposition has the active support of the masses more than Zanu PF, it is
the military aspect that is the stumbling block. It is the key that one
faction of Zanu PF presents. This brings with it avenues for the making of a
new democratic constitution leading to free and fair elections.

      This is the fourth way. It presupposes the existence of three
other possible avenues of political development. These include a)
maintenance of the status quo b) total power to the opposition without Zanu
PF, and c) domination of Zanu PF with a subdued opposition in Parliament,
the Senate and city councils.

      Analyses of these possible options reveal that hopes of an
all-Zanu PF or an all-MDC government is a mirage. Such a scenario does not
cherish multi-partyism and is constructed around a one-party-state manifesto
base - a political system that has made Zimbabwe wilt under President Robert
Mugabe, the Alpha and Omega of Zanu PF.

      Option three represents cosmetic democracy where a dictator
displays and celebrates the holding of elections according to the
constitutional calendars and celebrates minority and insignificant
opposition representation in parliament, in the senate and in local
government authorities as a sign of people's will.

      The fourth way is inevitable and history is with Zimbabwe. In
reference to Africa and Zimbabwe in particular, socio-political transition
cannot occur in a mathematical formula of total elimination of the status
quo. That is why in 1980, the Patriotic Front joined hands with the former
oppressors and entered into a new phase of politics.

      South Africa is another model of the fourth way, where in 1994
the emerging revolutionary power engaged a section of the oppressive
machinery to facilitate reforms. This is possible inZimbabwe, despite the
existence of extreme resentment both among the cadres of the opposition and
those that are benefiting from free government funds.

      It has to be noted, however, that such a move must not be used
to crush other political opinions. Opposition politics, in the case of
Zimbabwe, must be encouraged to provide the balance of power. For a
meaningful implementation of this proposal, issues of transitional justice
must be visited, where victims of socio-economic and political violence are
compensated and perpetrators brought to book.

      This proposition is believed to be the reverse of what South
African President had prescribed for Zimbabwe. It is believed that during
the 2003 MDC - Zanu PF dialogue, it was President Thabo Mbeki's plan to
sideline Morgan Tsvangirai, seen as a hard-liner, and bring a section of the
MDC into a coalition government with Zanu PF. This, was doomed to fail for
several reasons.

      The reasons include the exclusion of ordinary Zimbabweans from
participating in the transitional process and the reluctance of the
domineering Zanu PF from using force as a tool of governance. So the people
remained suspicious, and I think will remain suspicious of any formation
that is dominated by Zanu PF because to them Zanu PF represents hunger,
oppression, torture and violence.

      The best way forward for Zimbabwe demands a careful cost-benefit
analysis of any such political moves. Political dialogue is inevitable. Just
like there has to be a ceasefire in any struggle, it might be time for the
same to happen in Zimbabwe. Time and accuracy are important, as any delay
might be dangerous to both the ruling elite and the opposition.

      For the opposition, a long struggle has the danger of creating
an opposition within an opposition as the foot-soldiers begin to get tired
and disillusioned, then turning against their own masters and losing
discipline.

      The other present initiative by the church of coming up with a
national vision document complements the calls for a new democratic
constitution in addition to setting value based standards for a future
Zimbabwe.

      In conclusion, and from a nationalist perspective, it may be
time Zimbabweans recognise and appreciate their political differences and
begin to work towards people - inclusive dialogue. Everyday is a painful day
for Zimbabweans despite Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono's "Operation
Sunrise" and his sugared promise of a better Zimbabwe buoyed by bearer
cheques.

       Diehards like Mugabe, that have masterminded Zimbabwe's downfall
over the last 26 years, must be assisted to go by both opposition sections
within and without Zanu PF, the international community and the church.

       Lastly, any mediated settlement on the Zimbabwean crisis must
address the constitutional vacuum created by the amended Lancaster House
constitution that Zanu PF claims to be Zimbabwean. Any failure to visit the
constitutional question means the struggles continue for Zimbabweans.

      And it shall continue for it is our birthright.

      * Itai Zimunya is a former student leader and human rights
defender.


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Interception of Communications Bill: surveillance for what purpose?

Zim Standard

      Sundayview By Wilbert Mandinde

       SIX weeks after the 11 September 2001 attacks, a panic-stricken
United States Congress passed the Patriot Act.

      The Act resulted in an overnight revision of the nation's
surveillance laws that vastly expanded the government's authority to spy on
its own citizens, while simultaneously reducing checks and balances as
provided for through judicial oversight, public accountability, and the
ability for court challenges.

      Almost three years later, the Zimbabwean government appears
determined to follow suit by coming up with the Interception of
Communications Bill. What remains unclear though is whether the Zimbabwean
government is justifiably panic-stricken to consider similar measures.

      The argument by the government and its apologists that Zimbabwe
needs such legislation because other countries such as the United Kingdom,
United States, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Hong Kong
have such legislation does not hold water.

       Zimbabwe has to come up with very compelling security reasons,
not necessarily of similar magnitude to the 9/11 and 7/7 terror bombings in
the United States and United Kingdom respectively, to justify the
introduction of the envisaged law.

      Gazetted on 26 May 2006, the Interception of Communications Bill
provides for the establishment of an interception of communications
monitoring centre together with the appointment of persons to run that
centre. Monitoring and intercepting shall be of communications via
telecommunications, postal or any other related service system.

      The Bill also provides for the procedures to be followed when
applying for the proposed interception by the Chief of the Defence
Intelligence, the Director-General of the President's Department of National
Security, the Commissioner of the Police and the Commissioner-general of the
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority or their nominees.

      The Bill seeks to torpedo the doctrine of the separation of
powers by vesting excessive powers with the Minister of Transport and
Communications as the warrant officer without providing for judicial and
parliamentary oversight.

      In a country experiencing severe foreign currency shortages, the
Bill requires telecommunication service providers, at their expense, to
install hardware and software facilities and devices to intercept
communications.

      Proponents of the Bill have argued that with the advancements in
ICTs, the proposed law will strengthen Zimbabwe's counter-surveillance
activities against perceived states that spy on the country. It is necessary
to note though that it is recognised worldwide that wire-tapping and
electronic surveillance is a highly intrusive form of investigation that
should only be used in limited and unusual circumstances.

      Nearly all-major international agreements on human rights
protect the right of individuals from unwarranted invasive surveillance.

      Article 12 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
states: "No one should be subjected to arbitrary interference with his
privacy, family, home or correspondence, or to attacks on his honour or
reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such
interferences or attacks."

      This language was adopted into Article 17 of the International
Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which went into force in 1966. The
UN Commissioner on Human Rights in 1988 made it clear that this broadly
covers all forms of communications.

      Compliance with Article 17 requires that the integrity and
confidentiality of correspondence should be guaranteed de jure and de facto.
Correspondence should be delivered to the addressee without interception and
without being opened or otherwise read. Surveillance, whether electronic or
otherwise, interceptions of telephonic, telegraphic and other forms of
communication, wire-tapping and recording of conversations should be
prohibited. A number of regional human rights treaties make these rights
legally enforceable.

      In Africa, the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of
Expression in Africa of which Zimbabwe is a signatory, stipulates:

      * No one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his or
her freedom of expression.

      * Any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided by
law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary in a democratic society.

      In any case, Article 8 of the 1950 Convention for the Protection
of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms states:

      (1) Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family
life, his home and his correspondence.

      (2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with
the exercise of this right except as in accordance with the law and is
necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security,
public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention
of disorder or crime, for the protection of health of morals, or for the
protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

      The European Court of Human Rights has heard numerous cases on
the right of the privacy of communications. It has ruled that countries must
adopt laws regulating electronic surveillance by both governments and
private parties and set out guidelines on the protections that countries
must follow.

       Article 11 of the American Convention on Human Rights sets out
the right to privacy in terms similar to the universal declaration.

      In 1965, the Organisation of American States proclaimed the
American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, which called for the
protection of numerous human rights, including privacy. The Inter-American
Court of Human Rights has begun to address privacy issues in its cases.

      It is important to note that the Zimbabwean government proposes
a law that goes beyond acceptable standards of monitoring criminal
activities. The Bill provides for a blanket monitoring provision without
checks and balances. In a constitutional democracy, the doctrine of
separation of powers ensures that checks and balances exist between the
executive, judiciary and legislature.

      However this Bill, among other contentious provisions seeks to
empower the chief of defence intelligence, the director-general of the
Central Intelligence Organisation, the Commissioner of Police and the
Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to intercept
telephonic, email and cellphone messages by applying for such warrants to
the minister. In a constitutional democracy, indeed such powers should vest
in the judiciary.


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Regulation of political parties in Zimbabwe

Zim Standard

      Sunday Opinion By Eldred Masunungure

       THE now defunct Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) in its
valedictory report on the Senatorial elections and the Gutu House of
Assembly by-election of November 2005 noted that the absence of laws for the
registration of political parties had led to the emergence of "fly-by-night"
political parties. It then recommended that to curb this tendency, political
parties should be formally registered.

      Many countries have regulations governing political parties at
some stage of the political game. These include mature democracies in North
America like Canada and the United States, many European countries including
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Austria,
Spain and African countries like South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and
Zimbabwe. There are numerous aspects of party activity that can be regulated
but in almost all cases, it is the financing of political parties that is
the most prominent and also the most contested and controversial.

      There is no law in Zimbabwe that compels political parties to
register in order to legally exist. The only time registration is obligatory
is during elections when a party wants to contest by fielding a
candidate(s).

       The ESC report claims that the absence of laws for the
registration of political parties had led to the emergence of "nondescript
small parties with little content and no standing, let alone
sustainability".

      In addition, the ESC asserts that registration of political
parties will supposedly defend national security interests as the state
could use the information so availed through registration to carry out
investigations to ascertain the party's intentions and to weed out potential
saboteurs.

      There is no consensus on this proposal with opinion deeply
polarised along partisan lines. Ruling party sympathisers feel this
regulation will stop the emergence and existence of "brief case" political
parties whose only purpose is to confuse the masses.

      The two MDC factions counter-argue that the ESC recommendations
are not only unconstitutional but fail to take into account that political
parties are voluntary organisations and that legal requirements will
undermine the volunteer character of parties, and lead to their
privatisation and bureaucratisation. The essence of electoral democracy,
they contend, is that political parties involve individuals and
organisations that are independent of undue control by the state and hence
should be left alone to determine their internal affairs.

       By law, any political party that garners at least 5% of the vote
in the previous election is eligible to receive public fees, and to date
only two political parties (the ruling Zanu PF and the main opposition MDC)
have enjoyed the privilege.

      Most political parties in the country, great or small, still
depend on the financial and other resources of generous individuals,
businesses and private organisations. Political parties are not required by
law to disclose their source of donations from within the country nor does
it set ceilings for such contributions, let alone account for public funds
that would have been given to them.

      A strictly impartial and inclusive body comprising of
public-spirited citizens who have no partisan affiliations must do the
registration of parties. Though free political participation is guaranteed
in the Zimbabwe Constitution, no political party may participate in an
election unless it is registered as a political party.

       Public funding should be provided for registered parties based
on a consensually arrived at formula and only for electoral purposes. The
formula must be such that it discourages the sprouting of 'one person',
'brief-case' and phantom parties.

      Legislation must require the disclosure of the names of donors
to registered parties and candidates if the donation is more than a
stipulated amount. No contributor should donate through a third party.

      In conclusion, political parties, like biological organisms,
need to be nurtured in order for them to grow and develop into healthy and
functional entities. For this, a conducive operating and institutional
environment is a minimum condition.


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Zim Standard Letters



Mugabe, Gono- missing the reality of people's suffering
      IT is high time the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr Gedion
Gono, faced the reality that although Zimbabwe's problems are mainly
economic, they are driven by politics. There is a crisis of governance that
is hurting the economy.

      The country is being led by Marxist demagogues who believe in
militarising everything and they are hell-bent on implementing Leninist
ideologies that were long discarded by the descendants of their authors.

      Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, they have gone too far down the
wrong road that turning back or giving up is no longer an option. It's a
case of do or die! They are so paranoid that they believe their own
hallucinations. How does one look East when the East is looking West?

      It is preposterous buying Canadian or French aircraft engines
via China when we can buy direct.

      To the President and the Governor, my suggestion is do not look
East. Here is where to look and you will have no illusions at all:

      Look in the supermarket shelves and the prices which the
majority cannot afford.

      Look at the queues at the fuel stations (if the fuel is there)
and listen to the motorists.

      Look at the school fees invoices and listen to what the parents
are saying.

       Look into the queues at the Post Offices when pensioners are
being paid.

      Look at the faces of the elderly and the infirm in the rural
areas of Mberengwa, Binga, Gutu as they wait in the scorching sun for World
Vision and Christian Care to give them rations of maize. Consider who took
away their dignity.

      Look into the hospital wards at the sick and the dying due to
lack of drugs.

      Look into the hospital mortuaries if you care. Look at the
payslips of your civil servants. There are there for you to see.

      Look at the Plumtree and Beitbridge border posts and see the
thousands that are being deported and the multitudes waiting to go back
every week. Look at the queues of those leaving legally. Listen to what they
are saying if you can.

      Go into Barbourfields, Rufaro and listen to the songs that the
people are singing during soccer games.

      Finally look at the SUVs and the convertibles that your elite
drive and the mansions they inhabit. No illusions!

      Then go back to the mirror and reflect. Maybe you will realise
that removing the three zeros from the currency is cosmetic.

      F K Mutavhatsindi

      Beitbridge

-----------
      Some citizens seem to be more Zimbabwean than others?
            I am a humble, honest and peace-loving Zimbabwean who
believes in equity, justice and fair play.

            Most citizens if not all have experienced or witnessed the
harsh way the unforgettable clean-up exercise was carried out in the name of
restoring order in cities, towns and growth points alike and accepted the
government's explanation although with reservations.

            Sources of income for a lot of people were destroyed
during this operation and the effects in the form of abject poverty,
stress-related illnesses and even death are still being felt today.

            I am a resident of Glen View and one day I got the shock
of my life to see a wooden structure erected, painted and written that it
was a phone shop business.

            It had the usual TelOne logo conveniently on its walls.
But this structure is in a car park or more appropriately, the open space at
Tichagarika Shopping Centre in Glen View 8, which obviously is not a
business stand.

            What prompted me to write this letter is not that I do not
appreciate the importance of the services being offered but the double
standards demonstrated by the local authorities in issuing a licence to this
structure, which is neatly displayed for all to see, before the wounds of
"Operation Murambatsvina" have even healed.

            I wish the fair lady at Town House and her fellow
commissioners could comment on these developments. But I imagine that is
expecting too much from them.

            My question to the government is whether the private
media, the opposition or non-governmental organisations should not be
forgiven if they question the real motive behind the clean-up exercise. I
would not want to delve much into the politics of it but it seems some
citizens are more Zimbabwean than others.

            Such corrupt activities, although they may appear small or
minor to most people, will certainly take us a step back in our efforts of
creating a corruption-free society.

            M Chokumarara

             Harare

      -----------
            Squirrel gift: a case of VP Mujuru looking a gift horse in
the mouth
                  REPORTS that Vice President Joice Mujuru's close
security officers assaulted a man who had planned to offer the Vice
President a squirrel he hunted for her were disturbing.

                  Were the presidential guards or the police
overzealous as usual? Was the villager trying to harm the Vice President or
was it a case of the Vice President losing an opportunity to receive a great
honour?

                  Before attacking the villager the security officers
should have studied the connotations of the dead squirrel. Maybe in this man's
traditional beliefs and custom, a hunted squirrel is special meat for a
leader of the VP's stature.

                  If the villager appeared mentally unstable, why did
the security people assault the poor man? It is not as if the man was
carrying a gun or a bomb. My advice to the government and its security
people is to learn to appreciate the background of the people they govern,
otherwise the next villager who tries to give the President or the VP a
pangolin will be severely assaulted or even shot dead.

                  Squirrel Minded

                  Masvingo

             -------------
                  Accommodation crisis at AU
                        I write to register my disappointment over the
state of affairs at Africa University.

                        This institution is well known and respected,
not only in Africa but worldwide. At the beginning of the 2006-2007 academic
year, in mid-August, most students could not secure accommodation on campus.
This put female students at risk.

                        The accommodation crisis was worsened by the
university administration's decision to allocate a whole block of residence
to 36 Masters' students from SADC countries when in actual fact the block
should accommodate 117 students.

                        Most of the 117 Zimbabwean students had
already paid their fees when they were informed of their fate. No
international student was a victim of this crisis yet we pay the same fees.

                        The institution is located 17 km from Mutare
and transport operators are charging anything between $500 and $800, making
it difficult for those who have secured alternative accommodation in town.

                        My heart bleeds when I see fellow students
resorting to sugar daddies as a way of getting money and transport because
of the accommodation crisis. In these days of HIV and AIDS one needs not be
reminded of the dire consequences of such actions.

                        The Vice Chancellor and relevant authorities
should ensure that the situation returns to normal before the name of our
institution is dragged into disrepute. If nothing is done as a matter of
urgency, then most students will not only graduate with degrees but also
with AIDS.

                        Concerned student

                         Mutare

                   -------------
                        Harare Poly going down
                          I would like to second the letter about the
Harare Polytechnic administration which was published in your paper on 3
September 2006.

                          It is quite saddening to see the great place
going down because of a few people who lack professionalism and
administrative skills. The principal seems to tolerate "yes sir" type of
people around him.

                           Since the creation of the post of Vice
Principal (Training), we have noted with concern the number of resignations
that have taken place as a result, but the sad thing is that no one appears
to care.

                          As I write this letter resignations continue
to be handed in yet the message does not appear to be getting through.

                           Concerned

                           Harare

                         ------------
                          MDC slams plans for October polls
                          WE write to you to raise our concerns about
the processes and procedures of the rural district council elections.

                          As a party we wish to field candidates in
all wards throughout Zimbabwe. Unfortunately our officials have encountered
problems in accessing nomination forms in all rural districts. They are
being advised that due to a shortage of nomination forms the presiding
officers at each district office are giving out only one nomination form to
each political party.

                          As a result, in virtually all districts
where our officials have requested nomination forms they have been given one
and have been advised to make photocopies for the candidates.

                          Our understanding of the law is that the
Electoral Commission is obliged to supply nomination forms to all who wish
to register as candidates. Even if this was not the law, it stands to reason
that a free and fair election cannot be held unless adequate nomination
forms are availed to all persons who wish to contest or field candidates in
the elections. Accordingly, we hereby demand that nomination forms, in
adequate quantities be made available to our candidates.

                          We note that you have called for elections
when you have not conducted any voter registration and inspection exercise.
We believe that you are obliged by law to ensure that the nomination process
and the elections are preceded by a voter registration exercise.

                          We are of the view that no lawful or free
and fair election can be held without a prior and properly conducted voter
registration and inspection exercise. Your adverts providing for the sitting
of nomination courts and elections without a voter registration and
inspection process seem to us, to be unlawful and also clearly unfair.

                          We also advise that our staff have failed to
access the voters' rolls at the various advertised offices. No voters' rolls
appear to be available for public inspection at various centres. In short,
your officers are telling our officials that they have not been provided
with voters' rolls. The absence of voters' rolls makes it impossible for
aspiring candidates to check whether their potential nominations are in fact
registered voters.

                          At the nomination court candidates will be
required to attach to their nomination forms black and white passport size
photographs. In the vast majority of rural areas there are no facilities to
obtain photographs, let alone black and white ones. This means that
candidates have to travel to the nearest urban area. Considering the fact
that only some nine days' notice has been given for the sitting of the
nomination court and that candidates have not been fore-warned through a
voter inspection period, this means that for the majority of candidates it
would not be possible to travel to urban areas to obtain the required
photographs. In this context, these local government elections are nothing
but an ambush.

                           We also note that it is now a requirement
that candidates should attach a police clearance to their nomination form.
This police clearance is obtainable only from Morris Depot in Harare upon
the payment of $2 000.

                          It is difficult to imagine how candidates in
more than a thousand wards across the country can be expected, in the space
of seven working days to travel to Harare to obtain the requisite police
clearance. What is more, the police clearance requires that each candidate
be finger-printed. The finger print forms are not available in practically
all police stations, even in urban areas. They have to be purchased from
bookshops at a fee.

                           Many a potential candidate has also
discovered, to our total dismay, that even when we have supplied the finger
print forms, that many police stations do not have the required ink. Thus
one can be armed with a privately sourced finger print form only to find
that they cannot be finger-printed at the nearest police station because
that police station has no ink. Some police stations do not have receipt
books and therefore refuse to take finger-printing fee.

                          Having regard to all the above, it appears
that a deliberate and cynical effort has been made to prevent Zimbabweans
from exercising their democratic right to stand for office at local
government. It seems to us that under these circumstances, it is impossible
to hold a free and fair election.

                          Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga

                          Deputy Secretary General

                          Pro-Senate MDC

                           ----------------
                          Time to harness all progressive forces for
final onslaught
                           THERE is no better time than now for all
progressive forces in Zimbabwe to rally behind the students' movement which
is currently engaged in an emancipatory cause.

                          There is need for bold statements endorsing
the students' struggle from such powerful civic groups as ZCTU, Crisis
Coalition, NCA, WOZA, ZLHR, Women's Coalition and CHRA among others.

                          There is need for these civic bodies to use
the goings on within the students' movement to precipitate a long and
sustainable battle against tyranny.

                          Zinasu needs legal, moral and monetary
support so that its young and energetic lieutenants can penetrate
industries, rural communities, colleges, churches and spread the gospel that
the time for change in Zimbabwe is now.

                          On a different note; the Zanu PF government
must not fool anyone that they want to start intercepting communications
(e-mail and letters) through the Interceptions of Communications Bill
currently under discussion. The CIO and President Robert Mugabe's henchmen
at the Post Office have already been intercepting communications and
snooping about on individual's private exchanges.

                          I have lost all my academic certificates
from the UK after I posted them through registered mail to the United States
Embassy in Harare on 22 August.

                          Looked at in light of the recent moves to
confiscate activists' passports, it shows that the regime' leadership has
become so paranoid that they are
                          even afraid of their own shadows.

                          Phillip Pasirayi

                          Lancaster, UK

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