ZANU PF youths query army role

Zim Online

                 Friday 29 September 2006

      MUTARE - The youth wing of Zimbabwe's ruling party earlier this week
openly questioned increasing military involvement in the government
machinery and said top soldiers were trying to influence the political
process, including the unresolved issue of President Robert Mugabe's
succession.

      Showing unprecedented boldness to question decisions by Mugabe, ZANU
PF party youth leaders attending a conference in Mutare city last Sunday
grilled first Vice President Joseph Msika over the role of senior army
officers in civilian state institutions and their increasing involvement in
policy formulation.

      "If the army has been trained to shoot at our enemies, then it should
concentrate on that core business of defending the country," Patrick
Zhuwawo, a member of ZANU PF's "young Turks" and a deputy minister in the
government, told Msika to loud applause from conference delegates.

      Zhuwawo, who is also a nephew of Mugabe, added: "It becomes a problem
when we see their hands in so many sectors of the economy including in some
where they clearly lack expertise.

      "Some of the chefs (army top brass) are coming up with schemes and
projects they claim are aimed at turning around the economy yet the truth is
they are using these projects to get closer to the President and cling on to
their positions and influence events."

      Msika, who was a guest at the conference, however refused to discuss
the role of the army in civilian institutions, saying the issue was
sensitive and could not be discussed at a public forum.

      But Msika, who promised to take the youths' concerns to Mugabe,
appeared in agreement that civilian experts and not soldiers should run the
economy, saying in his opinion it was better for example to let the
government's Agricultural and Rural Development Authority to work the land
"because they were set up to develop agriculture".

      In a thinly veiled call on soldiers to be content in staying in
barracks, the youth conference passed a resolution calling on all state
agencies, security organs and companies to focus on their core business.

      ZANU PF youth chairman Absalom Sikhosana refused to discuss the youth
conference saying: "You will have to refer to our resolutions if it is
anything to do with our youth conference".

      The armed forces have always been the bedrock of Mugabe's power. But
Mugabe has in recent years increased the army's influence by placing the
majority of strategic institutions in the hands of former soldiers in what
analysts say is a sign of his heavy reliance on the military in the face of
a deepening economic crisis.

      State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa told ZimOnline that the policy
of recruiting serving or former army members to take charge of government
institutions would not be abandoned and all those not happy about it would
have to approach Mugabe himself.

      Mutasa said: "The President sanctioned these things (appointment of
soldiers to civilian institutions). If they (youths) are not happy, then
they can approach the State President." - ZimOnline

ZANU PF forces farmers to 'donate' food for conference

Zim Online

                 Friday 29 September 2006

      HARARE - Ruling ZANU PF party officials in Mashonaland East province
are forcing newly resettled black farmers to contribute food for the party's
annual national conference scheduled for December, ZimOnline has learnt.

      The new farmers, who were resettled by the government on former
white-owned properties in 2000, told ZimOnline yesterday that senior ZANU PF
officials were forcing them to contribute towards the conference or risk
losing their farms.

      They said each large scale commercial farmer was being forced to
contribute a tonne of maize while the small-scale farmers were to chip in
with two buckets of maize for the conference.

      Some farmers were also being asked to donate goats and cattle for the
conference known in the past for its lavishness in the midst of grinding
poverty among general Zimbabweans.

      "I will contribute under protest. This business of arm-twisting people
by ZANU PF should just end. I got land because I am Zimbabwean not because I
am ZANU PF," said a farmer who refused to be named for fear of
victimization.

      Another farmer who is based near the farming town of Marondera in the
province said: "I have no choice but to contribute towards the party's
conference otherwise I might lose my farm."

      The farmers said trouble began on Monday when Joel Matiza, the Deputy
Rural Housing Minister, addressed a meeting in Marondera town where he urged
the farmers to "donate" food to cover expenses at the ZANU PF conference.

      Matiza could not be reached for comment on the matter last night.

      But ZANU PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira denied that his party was
forcing farmers to contribute towards the party's conference.

      "I am not aware of such things. However, if it is true, it is against
our party policies. Affiliation to ZANU PF is voluntary and so should be the
contributions," said Shamuyarira.

      This is not the first time that ZANU PF has been accused of
arm-twisting individuals to fund the party's activities. Teachers and other
civil servants have also complained in the past of harassment after the
ruling party forced them to contribute funds to support the party's
activities. - ZimOnline

Zambia opposition leader praises Mugabe's land policies

Zim Online

                 Friday 29 September 2006

      JOHANNESBURG - Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata on Thursday
praised President Robert Mugabe's land policies saying he would institute
similar reforms if he is elected into power.

      Addressing journalists in Lusaka yesterday after casting his vote in
the presidential election where he is challenging incumbent president Levy
Mwanawasa, Sata said Mugabe had not done anything wrong in Zimbabwe.

      "What Robert Mugabe has done is sensible. He hasn't roasted any white
persons. He has just taken back what belongs to them (Zimbabweans)," he
said.

      Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party and
major Western government blame Mugabe for ruining the country's once-vibrant
economy after he seized white-owned farms for redistribution to landless
blacks six years ago.

      The farm seizures ruined the country's economy which was one of the
strongest in sub-Saharan Africa leaving most Zimbabweans to survive on food
handouts from international donors.

      But Sata, who is regarded in Zambian political circles as a political
demagogue, said Mugabe was right in seizing farms from whites.

      "Mugabe hasn't done anything wrong. It is the imperialists, the
capitalist roaders who say he is a villain," Sata said. "The people of
Zimbabwe are not suffering. They are much happier."

      Observers say Sata's open backing for Mugabe should not come as a
major surprise as the veteran Zimbabwean leader remains hugely popular
outside the country's borders because of his populist policies.

      Southern African leaders have also shied away from openly criticising
Mugabe who is still venerated as a liberation war hero. - ZimOnline

JAG Urgent Appeal Communique dated 28 September 2006

Email: jag@mango.zw : justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Numerous reports have been received by the JAG Trust relating to a
thoroughly unpleasant incident that occurred along the Borrowdale Road
yesterday, in the vicinity of St Georges College.  An elderly white
gentleman, driving a light blue Nissan Bluebird, was severely assaulted
by members of the Presidential motorised guard.  Attempts to identify
and make contact with this "yet again" victim of state brutality have
failed, in spite of having searched all the hospitals.  Could anyone
with information relating to the identity, whereabouts or contact
details of this latest victim, contact the JAG office urgently on
04 799410 or after hours 011610073.

The JAG Team

JAG Open Letter Forum No 442

Please send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
jag@mango.zw with "For Open Letter Forum" in the subject line.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear editor,

Last week was a cataclysmic week in the history of Zimbabwe.  It was
cataclysmic not so much for the law that sailed through parliament without
a hitch - we have come to expect it of our legislators that more and more
draconian laws will be passed by them for the sake of power - the week was
cataclysmic more for the deafening silence that the law's passing was met
by.

The Senate will pass the bill [it next sits on 3 October] and then, after
that, the President will sign it into law.  On that day, anyone on any land
that has received a section 5 notice some time in the last 6 years, will
have
45 days to get out of his house and wind up his farming operation.   If he
does not, and he has no lease or offer letter, he will face criminal
penalties that will involve up to 2 years imprisonment.  Not a single white
man has a lease or an offer letter to my knowledge except perhaps the odd
foreign non-Zimbabwean passport holder.

The silence appears to be all-encompassing.  The legal fraternity; the
press; the farmers and their workers themselves; the church; the
international community; business in town; the unions; the opposition; human
rights groups; people that eat... all appear to have greeted the passing by
parliament of this bill with silence.

If the law takes its course, and it surely will, the last 400 or so white
farmers and perhaps a hundred thousand workers and their families will be
off the land.  Many, if they try to stay, will be in jail. The ethnic
cleansing will be complete.

What country in the world would greet a law, which would deprive a certain
racial group and their workers, of their homes and livelihoods with such a
silence?  Imagine if it were the minority blacks in America or the Muslims
in Europe who had built their homes and businesses in those countries and
were having such a draconian law passed against them!

The effect of this new law in Zimbabwe will be to speed up the economic
demise. Productivity will decrease.  Food and Forex will become scarcer.
Investment, already at an all time low, will shrink further. National
infrastructure will fall further into disrepair.  Schools and hospitals will
deteriorate. Poverty will increase.... but the party's power base will be
consolidated.  The history of the last 6 years speaks for itself in this
regard.

And the farms? Like the last plums in the Christmas Pudding the farms will
go to a few high ranking party faithfuls who will ingest and destroy them.
These are the obvious results of this bill that our country's leaders are
pushing through and that everyone else seems to be allowing them to get away
with through their silence....

Ben Freeth.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All letters published on the open Letter Forum are the views and opinions of
the submitters, and do not represent the official viewpoint of Justice for
Agriculture.

UN criticises Zim comments on protest assaults

Mail and Guardian

      Harare, Zimbabwe

      28 September 2006 06:04

            The United Nations on Thursday expressed a "profound sense of
dismay" over statements by Zimbabwean leaders, including President Robert
Mugabe, which appeared to condone police assaults on trade union officials.

            Mugabe was quoted by state media earlier this week as saying
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) leaders had defied authority by
trying to stage a banned protest over wages and deserved the beatings they
reportedly got in police custody.

            A Harare magistrate has ordered a probe into charges by ZCTU
lawyers that a dozen unionists were tortured and "excessively and brutally"
assaulted in detention after police stopped their September 13
demonstration.

            Mugabe, who was on his way home from the UN General Assembly in
New York said during a stopover in Cairo that "the police were right in
dealing sternly with the ZCTU leaders".

            The Zimbabwean leader added "some people are now crying foul
that they were assaulted, yes, you get a beating. When the police say move,
move."

            On Thursday the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Zimbabwe said it had
noted "with a profound sense of dismay" statements by the Zimbabwean
authorities "which might be interpreted as condoning the use of force and
torture to deal with peaceful demonstrations by its citizens".

            "The UNCT calls upon the government, and specifically the
country's uniformed forces, to exercise restraint in their handling of such
demonstrations, and to create an atmosphere in which Zimbabweans may freely
exercise their constitutionally enshrined freedoms," it said in a statement.

            The government's crackdown on the union leaders has been
condemned by several international rights groups.

            Mugabe said the ZCTU protests were a publicity stunt to get the
attention of the media and the West and was part of what he called a futile
campaign to oust his government.

            Mugabe has in the past also accused some UN agencies of being
used by his Western critics to pursue such an agenda.

            Critics say police have applied tough security laws on Mugabe's
opponents -- real and perceived -- as the Southern African country suffers a
deepening economic crisis that is widely blamed on his government's
mismanagement.

            Mugabe denies misruling the country and says chronic food, fuel
and foreign currency shortages as well as the world's highest inflation rate
have largely resulted from a Western sabotage campaign that stems from the
seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks. -- Reuters

Judiciary set for shake-up

Sunday Times, SA

Thursday September 28, 2006 08:08 - (SA)

Zimbabwe is to remove all judicial officers from ministerial control,
Harare's Herald newspaper reports.

Is website said the House of Assembly heard on Wednesday that these
officials and their supporting staff would be placed under the judicial
services commission.

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the house the move was partly
prompted by a public perception that the judiciary was not an independent
institution.

The current system where it depended on the parent ministry for day-to-day
needs was too bureaucratic and inefficient, he said.

"The role played by the public service commission - in the appointment and
fixing of conditions of service and in the discipline of magistrates - has
led to public perceptions that the judiciary is not an independent
institution and therefore the quality of justice is compromised."

Chinamasa was speaking during the second reading of the Judicial Services
Bill.

The Bill seeks to shift the authority over magistrates from the public
service commission to the judicial services commission, the body that
certifies judges.

Sapa

Mugabe says union leaders are 'agents'

Business Day

Dumisani Muleya

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harare Correspondent

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe has stepped up his defence of the police's
recent savage assault on trade union leaders, saying the "pot-bellied labour
bosses" were agents of western states.

Mugabe's furious reaction to widespread condemnation of the beating of trade
union leaders three weeks ago during attempted mass action has revealed his
determination to intensify political repression as social and economic
conditions in the country deteriorate.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed its outrage on
Tuesday at violence against Zimbabwean trade unions. Cosatu spokesman
Patrick Craven said a statement by Mugabe condoned the use of violence by
police against Zimbabwean trade unionists.

"This is nothing less than a justification of brutality and torture against
workers who were peacefully exercising their right to demonstrate," said
Craven.

Mugabe lashed out at the US and Britain earlier this week for allegedly
plotting to oust his regime through orchestrated public demonstrations.

He said that the US and European Union (EU) must "keep their noises out of
here".

The US had criticised the assaulting of labour chiefs, while the EU said
that Mugabe's government should "stop intimidation and assaults and respect
human rights and the fundamental freedoms of its own citizens".

Police, notorious for using excessive force to suppress anti-government
protests, beat Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders after they
tried to stage street demonstrations against Zimbabwe's deterioration.
Labour leaders' arms were broken, some suffered concussion and many of those
arrested showed bruising.

But Mugabe said that police were right to attack the leaders because they
were organising a "revolt" against his government.

He also lambasted the US-based Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU),
which was deported last week, claiming they were "agents of imperialism".

Police, he said, were right to deport CBTU members who wanted to show
solidarity with local labour activists

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa said
yesterday that the president's statements in defence of police brutality
were "irresponsible".

"Effectively, Mugabe was saying the torturers and perpetrators of the
assaults (acted) with his blessing," Chamisa said.

"It is now common cause that Mugabe and his collapsing dictatorship are the
main authors of the prevailing political and economic morass.

They have become a danger to themselves, to the nation and everyone else,"
Chamisa said. With Sapa

Retailers in court over illegal price hikes

Business Day

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HARARE - At least 17 retailers appeared in a Harare court on charges of
illegally hiking the prices of basic goods, and hundreds more face
prosecution, it was reported yesterday.

Worried at the prospect of mounting public discontent, President Robert
Mugabe's government is waging a desperate war against price hikes as
inflation passes 1204%.

The heavy-handed arrests of shop owners has provoked criticism from business
leaders.

The state-controlled Herald newspaper reported that 17 retailers had
appeared in court this week facing counts of overcharging and failing to
display the prices of goods.

Eight of them had pleaded guilty and were fined between Z$10000 and Z$20000.

Harare magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said there were 700 such cases awaiting
prosecution. The cases should be highlighted in the media to send the right
message to would-be offenders, the Herald reported.

The authorities have reacted angrily to sudden price surges in the past two
weeks, which have seen the prices of commodities such as bread, milk and
cooking oil skyrocket.

The government says retailers and manufacturers are greedy and do not share
the authorities' vision on saving economy.

In a separate report pointing to the dire state of the economy, the Herald
said the government's domestic debt had risen nearly ten-fold in the past
six months. Domestic debt stood at $127,4bn last week, up from $14,3bn in
January, statistics from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe showed. DPA

Angloplat says ups Zimbabwe mine cost to $200 mln

Reuters

      Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:31 AM GMT

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Reuters) - The world's top ranking platinum producer Anglo Platinum
said on Wednesday the capital cost for its jointly owned Unki project in
Zimbabwe had more than doubled to $200 million, but planned production would
also increase.

"The revised capital cost of the project is now US$200 million," Trevor
Raymond, Angloplat senior manager for investor relations, said in written
response to questions from Reuters.

South Africa's Angloplat also said the planned mine's next phase depended on
talks with the government.

Angloplat and Anglo American Zimbabwe (Amzim) are jointly developing the
country's third platinum mine situated in central Zimbabwe.

Officials had initially budgeted $90 million for Unki's capital cost but an
additional feasibility study showed the mine could ramp up output to 120,000
tonnes per month from 85,000 tonnes at the higher cost. Initial production
was now expected in 2008 instead of 2007.

"The decline shafts currently being developed are able to produce at the
increased rate of 120,000 tonnes per month," Raymond said, adding that $21
million had so far been spent on developing the mine.

LOCAL INVESTORS

Angloplat and Amzim had previously said they planned to sell a 20 percent
stake in Unki to local investors but President Robert Mugabe's government in
March said it planned to amend the mining law to give the state a 51 percent
stake in all foreign-owned mining companies.

This has raised concerns on future foreign investment in a sector that has
become a top foreign currency earner in the southern African nation, which
is battling its worst economic crisis since independence in 1980.

The mining sector has already been hit by mine closures in the last five
years, including dozens of small mines, as operating costs spiralled in a
recession marked by triple-digit inflation and shortages of fuel and foreign
currency.

"Anglo Platinum is currently in discussions with the Zimbabwean government
on various matters including indigenous shareholding requirements, fiscal
dispensations, regulatory approvals to address the security of its mineral
rights and foreign currency accounts," said Raymond.

"Once these issues are satisfactorily resolved the next phase of development
will continue," he added.

The other two platinum mines in the country are Ngezi, which is run by
Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, itself majority owned by South Africa's Impala
Platinum Holdings Ltd (Implats) and Mimosa, jointly owned by Implats and
Aquarius Platinum.

The three are situated on Zimbabwe's Great Dyke region which has the second
largest platinum ore reserves in the world after South Africa.

Zimbabwe Ruling Party Elements Intent on Postponing 2008 Presidential Ballot ...

VOA


By Blessing Zulu
      Washington
      28 September 2006

Elements of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party appear intent upon amending the
constitution to postpone the presidential election due in 2008 by two years,
and have given the country's attorney general a draft amendment, ruling
party sources said.

Though the purported aim is to harmonize presidential and parliamentary
voting in the interest of saving public funds, opposition critics and
political analysts say the initiative is motivated by the desire to extend
the term of President Robert Mugabe to avoid a presidential vote amid
economic distress, and to push off succession battles.

ZANU-PF Information Secretary Nathan Shamuyarira said the process will be a
long one. But there is little doubt among observers that ZANU-PF with its
two-thirds majority in parliament can pass the measure to postpone
presidential voting to 2010.

But there are signs the ruling party is not uniformly in favor of postponing
the election. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Security Minister
Didymus Mutasa, also party secretary for administration, said they were
unaware of the proposed amendment.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has also vowed to resist the
move to amend the constitution. Nelson Chamisa, spokesman for the faction
led by founding MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, admitted his party has no
hope of blocking the measure in parliament, but vowed to fight it outside
the Harare legislature.

A senior ZANU-PF source said the proposal, which the ruling party's
politburo took up Wednesday, is causing divisions in the party. The source
said Mugabe's reluctance to state when he will step down is also having a
destabilizing effect on the party.

Shamuyarira told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that
a draft of the proposed amendment has been dispatched the attorney general's
office.

For a civil society perspective on the proposal, Zulu turned to National
Constitutional Assembly spokesman Ernest Mudzengi, who said the amendment is
a desperate attempt to ensure President Mugabe has a safe exit from office.

... No plans for a longer Mugabe term: Zanu (PF

)

      September 28, 2006, 12:00

      Zimbabwe's ruling party has denied planning to postpone the country's
2008 presidential election to 2010, Zim Online reported today.

      It quoted Didymus Mutasa, the Zanu (PF) secretary for administration,
as saying: "There is nothing like that." Nathan Shamuyarira, the Party
spokesperson, on Sunday said Zanu (PF) was considering pushing back the
presidential poll by two years to held simultaneously with parliamentary
polls in 2010. Such a move would give Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean
president, now in his 26th year in power, an extra two years at the helm.

      Mutasa, the de facto party secretary-general, said the first he learnt
of the plan was when he read about it in the newspapers. "As secretary for
administration, I am in the picture of what is happening in the party but
not this thing that we want to hold joint presidential and parliamentary
elections (in 2010)."

      Chinamasa also rejected the notion of a postponed presidential poll.
"As far as I am concerned that is not true," he said. Shamuyarira could not
be reached for comment yesterday.

      Mugabe (82) earlier indicated he would step down at the end of his
current term in 2008. - Sapa

Violet Gonda talks with Eric Bloch on the programme ‘Hot Seat’, Part 2

SW Radio Africa Transcript Violet Gonda talks with Eric Bloch on the programme ‘Hot Seat’ See part 1
	Violet: Welcome to the final segment of our two part series with Eric Bloch one of the advisors to Gideon Gono, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. This week some of the questions we ask the economist are - how much of Zimbabwe's economic downturn is a result of mismanagement and poor governance, and why is he working with a government that doesn’t seem to take his advice? But first I asked him about Gono’s position as governor of the Central Bank. He seems to have become a law unto himself and is seen as determining economic policy without even referring to Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa.
Bloch: First of all his position is a constitutional one and the primary role of the Reserve Bank is monetary policy but that does not preclude a Reserve Bank engaging in such fiscal matters as government is prepared to let him do – that’s in effect a matter of governmental delegation and I believe the Reserve Bank stance has been a very simple one. Better that it does it than that no-one does it at all and I’m inclined to agree with that –whilst many of the things I would prefer to see done by government, if government doesn’t do it and is prepared to let the Reserve Bank do it, then that’s better than it not being done at all. Violet: But some political and economic experts have said that it looks like the Reserve Bank is insulating Mugabe from political fallout and also implementing fiscal policy. Now should it be doing that? Bloch: It can’t take a political role. It can initiate and implement fiscal policy to the extent that government is willing to let them do so and if that is economically beneficial then it should do so without regard to the political aspects. We must be capable of dividing the politics and economics to such limited extent as we can. I would rather see the Reserve Bank undertake certain fiscal issues than see even more people starving, suffering ill health and dying. If I’ve got to strike a balance between seeing intensified suffering and greater deaths as against the unusual situation of a Central Bank engaging in certain fiscal policy matters with the consent of government then I’d rather do that than see things worsen even more for people. Violet: But it seems, you know, Gono’s tenure has been very very high profile and analysts say he’s effectively now the defacto prime minister determining everything from economic to social policy. Do you agree with this? Bloch: No I don’t. I do agree that it was and is very high profile and I think this is really something that is attributable to the former Minister Of Information & Publicity Jonathan Moyo because at the time when Gono was appointed, Jonathan Moyo made sure that all of the state owned media heralded his appointment as something verging on the Messianic and that this was going to bring about the miraculous transformation of the economy. So he projected Gono into a very very high profile situation and it created a crisis of expectation which has continued all the time so to that extent I firmly agree. Insofar as the suggestion that he is now the defacto president or defacto prime minister, that to me is a lot of hogwash which is merely spouted forth by those who are opposed to anything that smacks of the government here and I’m well known for the extent of my opposition to government and I don’t believe that when we are opposed to something we should allow that to blind our reality. The reality is that this country is a dictatorship although it pretends to be a democracy and the dictatorship is the top hierarchy of Zanu PF in general under the leadership of the president and the presidium. So Gono only has the ability to do what they are willing to allow him to do therefore he is not heading the country. That is a gross misconception and coloured by distorted visions of people because of their understandable resentment of the very poor conditions that do prevail here. Violet: But who should take instructions from who? Because at present it looks like the finance minister is taking instructions from the Reserve Bank Governor. Shouldn’t it be the other way round? Bloch: It may look like it but that’s not the facts. It may look like it but the fact remains that anything that is outside of monetary policy that the RBZ wishes to do has to be cleared with the President and the cabinet inclusive of the Minister of Finance first. So that is perception not fact. Violet: So now you’re one of the economists advising Gono, and as we said his profile has risen, he’s the man in the news but at the end of the day what has he actually achieved during his tenure, are you able to just give us a brief on this? Bloch: I would say the biggest thing he has achieved is that things are not even worse. If it wasn’t for what he’s been doing, then I believe that instead of our having inflation of 1204%, we would be at inflation of 10000%. And instead of 100’s of people dying of malnutrition it would be 1000’s of people dying of malnutrition. We would not even have any membership of international bodies such as the IMF even if our memberships are under certain restraints at the present time. He has achieved all that, he has progressively motivated government to make some changes even if it wasn’t everything that we do need. So the bottom line is while I’m obviously very concerned and distressed about the circumstances here and I don’t hesitate to speak out about it continuously; nevertheless I believe that our circumstances would be even worse if it was not for the efforts of Dr Gono. Violet: So now how much of Zimbabwe’s economic downturn is environmental and how much is a result of economic mismanagement and poor governance? Bloch: I would say that it is 100% as a result of governmental mismanagement. There have been attempts by government on numerous occasions to suggest that the problems were environmental or climatic, the impacts of drought. But had we organised agriculture correctly we would have easily have handled the consequences of such drought as we have. And secondly, government has tried to suggest it is because of the actions of various other states against Zimbabwe but first of all most of those actions are not factual. For example, the continuing allegation that we are the victims of illegal international sanctions. Number one, it’s up to any country to decide whether to impose sanctions or not and therefore there’s no issue of illegality but secondly in practice, the sanctions are targeted sanctions against individuals and not sanctions against the country, so those are the 2 things that government has tried to suggest have been the causes of the ills. The reality is that the economic ills have been totally caused by government’s gross mismanagement of the economy and mismanagement of government. Violet: Would you say there’s a crisis of governance? Bloch: Oh yes, I think most definitely so. The government in the country is founded upon the survival of those in power and not the genuine wellbeing of the populace. Violet: And let’s just go back to this issue of sanctions. Robert Mugabe has on many occasions blamed the economic crisis on targeted sanctions imposed by western governments. For example does the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act imposed by the United States, impose financial sanctions on Zimbabwe as Mugabe says? Bloch: I totally disagree. In the first instance the principle provisions under the Zimbabwe Democracy Act are related to our trade relations and our borrowings from the IMF. Now, no bank in the world will lend money to a borrower who fails to repay and who has little prospects of repaying because of the state of the borrower’s affairs. So whether the Act existed or not the reality is that the United States and other countries would have to vote against the IMF giving new advances to Zimbabwe until we have brought our house in order. There is nothing under the United States legislation which bars Zimbabwe from trading with the United States. And in-fact the United States is buying more from Zimbabwe than it’s selling to Zimbabwe. There is a net favourable trade balance in favour of Zimbabwe – last year of over US$60million. The same applies with the European Union - there is a net favourable trade balance in favour of Zimbabwe of over 360 million euros that’s not indicative of true sanctions. All they are, are certain limited constraints that - no.1) Zimbabwe is not receiving the special incentives under the American GOA programme for the advancement of Africa until we meet the requirements to qualify for those incentives and no.2) that America votes against the IMF and they are making advances to Zimbabwe but beyond that we continue to have normal economic and commercial relations with the United States which shows that we are not really victims of international sanctions. Violet: So in your view do you think the targeted sanctions should remain in place? Bloch: Absolutely. I believe any country has a right to say ‘we don’t want people that we disagree with coming to our country. We don’t want people that we feel do not meet the norms that we require to enjoy the benefits of our country. So I can see no reason why targeted sanctions should not be applied by those who feel that way. That is their right. Violet: Wasn’t your name actually on the sanctions list? Bloch: Well that came off within 30 days and it was confirmed that had been entirely due to an error. I was removed from that list within 30 days because it had actually been an error merely because I was on the Advisory Board of the Reserve Bank and the intentions of that sanctions list was to apply travel sanctions against those who were supporters of the ruling party and the country concerned acknowledged that was not the case and thereby should never have been put on the list. And in-fact I have since then been on a visit to Australia. I came off the list 30 days I went on it and I have since had a very very enjoyable holiday to family of mine in Australia. Violet: Now others will ask then that if there is so much mis-governance in the country why is someone with your reputation working with a government that does not seem to either take your advice or why are you working with a regime that is going down the hill? You know why are you… (interruption) Bloch: I am not. I am not working with the government of this country at all. In fact I am a frequent voice against. What I am doing is I am giving advises to the Central Bank as to measures that I believe are necessary to improve the lot of a very very distressed people. And I believe it would be criminally wrong of me to withdraw whatever limited skills I have from trying to improve the lot of any people who are suffering in the extreme. The way to bring about change is not to kill off the populace. Violet: From what you have said… (interruption) Bloch: I get distressed when I see the starvation that exists. When I come to work in my offices in the morning and I see the people who are sleeping in the pavement because they have no housing at all and you are emaciated in the extreme. Do I then have any moral right not to give advises to the Reserve Bank which may even marginally address some of that. Violet: But still on that issue. From what you have said in terms of advising the Central Bank, it appears that some of you advice is not being listened to or it’s not being taken… Bloch: sure Violet: So why are you, what’s in it for you if you are not being listened to? Bloch: The fact that some of my advice is not taken doesn’t mean that all of my advice is not taken. I respect the right of others to evaluate the advice I give and to accept what they deem fit and not to accept other advices – number 1. Number 2 - even when I believe they should deem fit to take advice, if some of my advices are helping to minimise (the suffering) of the people should I even withdraw those advices thereby contributing to a worsening of the distress that Zimbabweans have. I want to be able to sleep at night and I can’t sleep at night if I know that I have withheld advice which might – even very very slightly insignificantly - make things a little bit better for someone. It is through my advises some businesses continue operating and therefore some people continue to have jobs and therefore they can still support themselves, their wives, their children, their in-laws and so on. Should I withdraw my advice so those businesses also close down and that even more join the ranks of the starving and the dying? How am I supposed to live with myself if I do that? Violet: So what would be your biggest piece of advice to the government right now, which u think can transform the Zimbabwean economy? Bloch: No.1) We have to have an absolute respect for human rights. We must not allow actions such as Operation Murambatsvina or the beating up of ZCTU people when they protest. We must allow a genuine restoration of democracy. We’ve got to ensure that we have a genuinely free and fair judiciary. We have to reconcile with the international community. We have to have fiscal probity encompassing very constraint governmental spending on only the right areas. That we should be spending what’s necessary on health, education, social welfare before spending on buying fighter aircrafts which we don’t need because we are not a country at war. That type of fiscal probity linked at the same time with the other type of fiscal probity and that is the containment of corruption. You have to be prepared to deregulate the economy. Move away from the command economy to one which is driven by market forces. We have to make investors feel welcome here and feel secure here and know that they are not at risk of their investments being mandatory taken away from them at a later date. All these are the things necessary to bring about the change to which could be that Zimbabwe could economically be the second strongest country in sub-Saharan Africa. With less misery, less poverty, less starvation than any other country on this continent other than perhaps South Africa. That’s what we could do provided we do those things. Violet: And would you know what the internal moods within the power structures are and what are their greatest fears? Bloch: No. I am not a member of ZANU PF I never have been and I never will be therefore I don’t know what happens within the politburo or in the central committee and other bodies & organs of government. I would only speculate on. Violet: Have you ever tried advising Mugabe himself? Bloch: No I have had the odd occasion when we have had talks briefly but I don’t think he would see me as a very dishonourable advisor. Violet: Why not? Bloch: Because he is fully aware that my advices would not be palatable to him. Violet: Do u think Mugabe is in control of the economic policy? Bloch: I think to a very very major extent yes but sometimes misguidedly so in that I don’t believe he has always been fed completely factual information. I fear that very often those accountable to him choose to tell him what suits them to tell him rather than what is necessarily the position. So hence he may not be making the right decisions when he is trying to control things. Violet: Would you know some of the people who are ill-advising him? Bloch: We I have got to assume that it has to be primarily ministers, deputy ministers and permanent secretaries of some of the ministries because those are the key ones who have to advise him, as is the case of any government. Violet: And before we go, can we just talk briefly about the issue of printing money. Gono said he printing money to pay the IMF. Now should Zimbabwe be printing money to pay its foreign currency debt? Bloch: Normally I am very much against any country printing money excessively because it is inflationary. So the general rule I am very opposed to it. But I also believe that for every rule there is an exception. That very occasionally there are special circumstances and that the end justifies the means. Now although he printed a lot of money in February in order to raise the foreign currency to make payments to the IMF what is heavily overlooked was that if he hadn’t bought that foreign currency from the various NGOs and embassies and the likes that money - to a major extent would have moved into the parallel market. And that is just as much a fuel-lent of inflation if not more so. So he wasn’t doing a lot of harm with that. Secondly, what was overlooked tremendously was that at that time there were very very high statutory reserve requirements imposed from all banks – in terms of which 65% of all deposited money had to be placed with the Reserve Bank. So all the money that he printed and which then landed up in the banking sector, in the accounts of the NGOs and the embassies and the likes – 65% of it went straight back to the Reserve Bank and therefore it didn’t have an inflationary effect at all. So that minimised the inflation considerably. And thirdly, there after through the current exchange situation that took place in August that has taken a tremendous amount of printed money out of circulation. Over ZW$35 trillion of the old money – less than $35 trillion, the equivalent -was pumped back in. So the actual inflationary consequences of that printing was relatively limited as against the benefits of demonstrating our will to try to address our debt, it was advantageous. So I believe it was a one off justification. But I am against the printing of money for such purposes as funding the running of governments. Violet: I was going to say – so do you think IMF was to blame here since you say Gono had no option but to print the money? Bloch: No I don’t believe the IMF were to blame. They had the perfect right to expect to receive a payment. The payment was overdue and any lender has a right to receive payments. They didn’t ask Gono to print money. They simply said ‘Zimbabwe you owe us the money and you better start doing something about paying it.’ The fact that Reserve Bank then decided to fund it this way can’t be blamed on the IMF. Violet: Thank you very much Mr Eric Bloch. Bloch: Ok then, bye. ENDS. Comments and feedback can be emailed to violet@swradioafrica.com

Weather experts warns of El Nino in southern Africa

Zim Online

                 Friday 29 September 2006

      HARARE - The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has issued an El
Nino alert, crushing any prospects of another good agricultural season for
southern Africa.

      International weather experts have warned of developing El Nino
conditions across the Pacific Ocean over the past two months.

      In an El Nino update issued on September 26, the WMO warned that
climatic patterns across the equatorial Pacific have since July developed a
notable tendency towards El Nino conditions.

      It said there was general agreement among weather experts that the
development of "a weak to moderate basin-wide El Nino is now likely and that
such an event would persist into early 2007".

      Sea-surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific close to
the South American coast became warm toward the end of July while oceanic
and atmospheric patterns in the central and western equatorial Pacific also
began to resemble conditions typical of an early stage of an El Nino event
in August.

      The El Nino effect has been associated with previous drought periods
that have hit southern Africa in the past few seasons. The phenomenon causes
the sea temperature to rise significantly and the air to become dry,
affecting the rain-formation process.

      "In view of the evolving situation, additional caution is required in
forming expectations about impacts in those regions typically affected by El
Nino events," said the international weather organisation, noting that the
situation was likely to become clearer in the next two months.

      Southern African weather experts had already issued a forecast for the
2006/7 agricultural season.

      Meeting in Harare this month for the 10th Southern Africa Regional
Climate Outlook, weather experts predicted that the region was likely to
receive below normal to normal rainfall for the first half of the season but
above normal rains from January to March.

      Another dry season would have devastating effects on Zimbabwe which
was hoping for better fortunes this year after six years of poor harvests,
largely blamed on disruptions to production on farms following the violent
takeover of land from white farmers.

      Falling food production coupled with an unprecedented economic
meltdown has left most Zimbabweans surviving on food handouts form
international relief agencies. - ZimOnline

The continent's original people survive by begging

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BULAWAYO, 28 Sep 2006 (IRIN) - The remnants of Zimbabwe's San people are
eking out an existence on the edge of oblivion.

About 1,200 San, or Bushmen, are surviving in grinding poverty through a
lack of government support, low literacy levels and alleged discrimination,
which has condemned them to a life on the fringes of society.

"Everyone here is poor. We are the poorest of the poor in this country. We
have no food, no education. In the shops foodstuffs like maize-meal and
sugar are currently available but most of our people cannot afford (the
commodities) because they don't have the money," Delani Mpofu said, a San
spiritual leader who lives in Mgodimasili village, about 200 kilometres
north of Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo.

About 1,500 years ago several million San people roamed southern Africa.
There numbers fast dwindled with the arrival of cattle herding people from
central Africa and white colonists from Europe and today the formerly
nomadic people number less than 100,000.

Mpofu, sitting outside his basic mud and thatch hut in a hamlet that is home
to about 200 San people, told IRIN the Amasili, the Ndebele word for the
San, had met with government officials in the past, but nothing had been
done to alleviate their plight.

"We have appealed to (the ruling Zanu-PF) government for projects that will
help sustain our livelihoods, especially our children who still have the
power to work.

"(We have asked for) essential facilities like clean water, standard housing
and clinics but all we have got are promises and more promises," Mpofu said.

The San settlements of Mgodimasili, Makhulela and Tjitatjawa are all
situated in the drought-prone Matabeleland North province and are little
more than rural slums.

Children appear severely malnourished, access to health facilities is
extremely limited and the San's day-to-day survival is based on begging from
nearby Ndebele and Kalanga communities.

Although the San communities are perceived as sowing the seeds of their own
destruction through alcohol abuse, "laziness" and a deep-rooted culture of
dependence, the San say it is the long history of discrimination that is
leading to their demise.

Sol Ndlovu, the secretary-general of Zimbabwe's Association of Minority
Languages, said the San were "simply a misunderstood, discriminated-upon and
despised people, but with sterling capabilities, (and) if adequately aided
resource-wise, (they can) pull themselves out of the abyss of hopelessness
they find themselves into today."

"Government should do just more than talk. Even in years of bumper harvests
the Bushmen have always struggled to make ends meet because they don't have
farming inputs; here we are talking of draught power, fertilizers and seeds.
NGOs have tried to help, but strictly speaking it is the duty of government
to see to it that these people are equally catered for as other groups,"
Ndlovu told IRIN.

"Their children are virtually uneducated not because they don't want to
learn but because they don't have money to pay for school fees. A concerted
effort is needed to save these people," Ndlovu said.

The San, the sub-continent's original people, have probably felt the effects
of Zimbabwe's economic meltdown most acutely.

The country's has the world's highest inflation rate, which is hovering at
around 1,200 percent annually, suffers routine fuel and food shortages, is
seeing unemployment levels above 70 percent and has witnessed steep rises in
health and education costs.

The closest clinic servicing the three San villages is about 70 kilometres
away, while the majority of the San's children have never set foot in a
classroom and those that do only complete a couple of years schooling,
because of unaffordable education costs.

The social welfare minister, Nicholas Goche, dismissed claim's by the San
that the government was negligent in its treatment of them and said his
ministry provided for needy people regardless of their ethnicity.

"That is not true. Our government is people oriented and we are there to
develop every place and its people. Any concerns by anyone are seriously
taken, looked into and addressed quickly, and the San are no exception to
this," he said.

$837 Million Required for Power Stations

The Herald (Harare)

September 28, 2006
Posted to the web September 28, 2006

Harare

THE Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Commission (ZERC) says a total of US$837
million is required for refurbishment and expansion for three of the
country's power stations to run at full capacity.

ZERC Commissioner-General Dr Mavis Chidzonga said Hwange Power Station
Extension project alone required US$600 million, while Hwange Power Station
refurbishment needed US$37 million and Kariba South extension US$200
million.

"We have various companies that have shown interest in the electricity
supply industry, for example CATIC -- a Chinese company -- is interested in
Hwange Power Station expansion and coal mining, while a consortium of
investors from South Africa is interested in investing in Kariba Power
Station and Gokwe.

"Other companies that are interested in investing in the electricity
industry include FARAB, an Iranian company; Indian companies and Association
of Timber Producers and local investors," said Dr Chidzonga. She said
Memorandums of Understanding had been signed and feasibility studies
undertaken following various investment meetings in China, Namibia, South
Africa and other countries in region this year.

In addition, the commission said the country requires a lot of investment to
make up for the 35 percent of electricity that is being imported and the 5
percent being saved from load shedding.

"As ZERC we are calling for the speeding up of these investment initiatives.
We want something concrete as we are running out of time considering that
the lead time for setting up a power station is about four years while there
is a looming regional power shortage in 2007," said Dr Chidzonga.

In view of this, the commission was investigating the possibility of scaling
up investments in renewable energy sources as the country had the third
largest deposits of methane gas in the world. Solar power also had immense
potential.

She added that some consumers were spending between $4 000 and $5 000 on
firewood per month, which was more expensive than electricity. In some
cases, paraffin and diesel generators cost even more to maintain, she said.

The commission's mandate is to advise stakeholders in the electricity sector
in matters related to the generation, transmission, distribution and supply
of electricity and also promote and implement competition and private sector
participation, when and where feasible.

As the regulatory authority, ZERC is empowered to grant licences for the
generation and distribution of electricity. Rusitu Power Corporation and
Hippo Valley Estates are the latest recipients of such licences.

Zesa transformer blows leaving Kuwadzana in dark

      By Tichaona Sibanda
      28 September 2006

      A newly refurbished electrical transformer at a Kuwadzana sub-station
blew up Thursday afternoon, knocking out power in the area and condemning
residents to yet another lengthy period without electricity.

      The transformer had undergone extensive and costly repairs after it
was destroyed in March when thieves stole cables and oil from the
sub-station. It will have to be replaced following Thursday's incident.

      For most residents in Kuwadzana 3, the power black-out following the
explosion is like lightning striking twice, after their earlier long and
uncomfortable period without power.

      A power failure that lasts longer than a week in Zimbabwe can have
significant consequences and thugs often reign supreme operating under the
cover of darkness.

      Simon Muchemwa, our Harare correspondent, visited the scene and
witnessed chaos as a fire-engine that had been summoned there ran out of
water. Two hours after the explosion, the fire was still raging
uncontrollably, threatening to engulf nearby houses.

      'There is confusion and bitterness among the residents here. The
situation has been compounded by the fire brigade's failure to save the
transformer and the residents know it will take months before a new one is
installed,' Muchemwa said.

      What sparked the explosion Thursday could have been an attempt by Zesa
engineers on site trying to switch on the transformer. They had just poured
800 litres of oil when there was a sudden deafening bang sending everyone in
the vicinity scurrying for safety. It usually costs around Z$100 million to
refurbish a damaged transformer and billions more to replace destroyed ones.

      SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

New land law - Is this the end of productive farming in Zimbabwe?

      Last week was a cataclysmic week in the history of Zimbabwe. It was
cataclysmic not so much for the law that sailed through parliament without a
hitch - we have come to expect it of our legislators that more and more
draconian laws will be passed by them for the sake of power - the week was
cataclysmic more for the deafening silence that the law's passing was met
by.

      The Senate will pass the bill [it next sits on 3 October] and then,
after that, the President will sign it into law. On that day, anyone on any
land that has received a section 5 notice some time in the last 6 years,
will have 45 days to get out of his house and wind up his farming operation.
If he does not, and he has no lease or offer letter, he will face criminal
penalties that will involve up to 2 years imprisonment. Not a single white
man has a lease or an offer letter to my knowledge except perhaps the odd
foreign non-Zimbabwean passport holder.

      The silence appears to be all-encompassing. The legal fraternity; the
press; the farmers and their workers themselves; the church; the
international community; business in town; the unions; the opposition; human
rights groups; people that eat... all appear to have greeted the passing by
parliament of this bill with silence.

      If the law takes its course, and it surely will, the last 400 or so
white farmers and perhaps a hundred thousand workers and their families will
be off the land. Many, if they try to stay, will be in jail. The ethnic
cleansing will be complete.

      What country in the world would greet a law, which would deprive a
certain racial group and their workers, of their homes and livelihoods with
such a silence? Imagine if it were the minority blacks in America or the
Muslims in Europe who had built their homes and businesses in those
countries and were having such a draconian law passed against them!

      The effect of this new law in Zimbabwe will be to speed up the
economic demise. Productivity will decrease. Food and Forex will become
scarcer.
      Investment, already at an all time low, will shrink further. National
infrastructure will fall further into disrepair. Schools and hospitals will
deteriorate. Poverty will increase.... but the party's power base will be
consolidated. The history of the last 6 years speaks for itself in this
regard.

      And the farms? Like the last plums in the Christmas Pudding the farms
will go to a few high ranking party faithfuls who will ingest and destroy
them.
      These are the obvious results of this bill that our country's leaders
are pushing through and that everyone else seems to be allowing them to get
away with through their silence....

      SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Fake Maize Seed On Sale

The Herald (Harare)

September 28, 2006
Posted to the web September 28, 2006

Harare

AS preparations for the 2006/7 farming season gather momentum, con artists
have offloaded fake maize seed on to the market and gullible farmers are
buying it at a cheaper price than tested seed.

The fake seed, packaged in Seed Co pockets but without certification
details, is being supplied by unscrupulous dealers who copy the colouring
used on the company's tested maize seed varieties to deceive unsuspecting
farmers.

It is believed that a syndicate of conmen has delivered untested maize grain
as seed at most of the country's growth points and towns, especially transit
points like bus terminuses.

The country's major road transit point, Mbare Musika, has been flooded by
dealers selling fake seed maize in 10kg pockets and smaller quantities.

Vendors at Mbare were yesterday selling 10kg of maize seed at $2 000 instead
of about $3 000 on the official market.

Many farmers have had total harvest failure in the past after planting fake
maize seed because the crop sprouting from it is liable stunted growth, grey
leaf spot disease and defective grain development.

Asked for comment, Seed Co, the country's prime seed producer, said it was
aware that some dealers were selling maize grain as genuine tested seed.

Seed Co public relations and communications manager Ms Marjorie Mutemererwa
said it had been brought to their attention that unscrupulous dealers were
selling fake seed in the firm's packaging in the city centre.

"We have received reports from some parts of Harare of traders who are
selling maize seed, packed in our bags, which we have confirmed to be fake.

"We are now working with the police to bring the culprits to book. The
pockets have no certification details that are printed by Seed Co's small
packing labelling machine.

"In one incident, a driver found selling the fake seed said he got the seed
from Chinhoyi but he was coming from Chitomborwizi in Zvimba.

"After Seed Co production coordinator Mr Tiri Zvavamwe produced his Seed Co
identity card, the driver sped off heading towards Epworth," she said.

The price for the 10kg pocket was $2 000 compared to Seed Co's gazetted
price of $2 676.

Ms Mutemererwa said the seed was being sold to unsuspecting farmers boarding
buses to their rural homes, especially at Mbare Musika. Urban farmers, she
said, were also falling victim.

"A Seed Co bag of seed should have a recognisable reputable design, with
product description, weight declaration and either a machine-printed label
or a machine-printed number directly on the plastic bag," she advised the
public.

Ms Mutemererwa said farmers who buy such seed risked losing their money and
their livelihood as the seed would be of such poor quality that it might not
germinate and was susceptible to a variety of diseases.

"Farmers buying fake seed face certain risks of crops not performing to
expectation. Such seed has no germination assurance, is not graded for size
and is susceptible to diseases.

"Seed Co-certified seed maize has a guaranteed germination of 90 percent, is
true to type, and provides farmers with pure seed in the bag," she said.

War on the middle classes

From The Daily Telegraph (UK), 27 September

The middle classes are getting zapped. Seventeen shopkeepers and supermarket
managers appeared in the Harare Magistrate's Court this week accused of
either over charging or failing to display prices. So one man, in a suit,
was found guilty for marking up a packet of sugar by .02 pence beyond the
controlled price. There are another 500 waiting to be processed through the
court. Most of the middle classes have stood by during the last six years of
political and economic upheavals, now they are getting arrested, are forced
to hire lawyers, and have to go through the indignity of the processes at
Harare's smelly Magistrate's Court. The government believes if you subject
certain essential groceries to price control, then shopkeepers will obey
them. Actually what happens is that those items disappear from the shops
because the controlled price is way, way below cost. After all inflation is
the highest in the world, 1,200 percent, and rising up to probably 4,000
percent next year according the International Monetary Fund. One shopkeeper
quipped that one day Zimbabwe would get leaders who could use calculators.
Don't hold your breath. President Robert Mugabe is going to keep himself in
power at least until 2010.

Angloplat says ups Zimbabwe mine cost to $200 mln

Reuters

      Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:31 AM GMT

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Reuters) - The world's top ranking platinum producer Anglo Platinum
said on Wednesday the capital cost for its jointly owned Unki project in
Zimbabwe had more than doubled to $200 million, but planned production would
also increase.

"The revised capital cost of the project is now US$200 million," Trevor
Raymond, Angloplat senior manager for investor relations, said in written
response to questions from Reuters.

South Africa's Angloplat also said the planned mine's next phase depended on
talks with the government.

Angloplat and Anglo American Zimbabwe (Amzim) are jointly developing the
country's third platinum mine situated in central Zimbabwe.

Officials had initially budgeted $90 million for Unki's capital cost but an
additional feasibility study showed the mine could ramp up output to 120,000
tonnes per month from 85,000 tonnes at the higher cost. Initial production
was now expected in 2008 instead of 2007.

"The decline shafts currently being developed are able to produce at the
increased rate of 120,000 tonnes per month," Raymond said, adding that $21
million had so far been spent on developing the mine.

LOCAL INVESTORS

Angloplat and Amzim had previously said they planned to sell a 20 percent
stake in Unki to local investors but President Robert Mugabe's government in
March said it planned to amend the mining law to give the state a 51 percent
stake in all foreign-owned mining companies.

This has raised concerns on future foreign investment in a sector that has
become a top foreign currency earner in the southern African nation, which
is battling its worst economic crisis since independence in 1980.

The mining sector has already been hit by mine closures in the last five
years, including dozens of small mines, as operating costs spiralled in a
recession marked by triple-digit inflation and shortages of fuel and foreign
currency.

"Anglo Platinum is currently in discussions with the Zimbabwean government
on various matters including indigenous shareholding requirements, fiscal
dispensations, regulatory approvals to address the security of its mineral
rights and foreign currency accounts," said Raymond.

"Once these issues are satisfactorily resolved the next phase of development
will continue," he added.

The other two platinum mines in the country are Ngezi, which is run by
Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, itself majority owned by South Africa's Impala
Platinum Holdings Ltd (Implats) and Mimosa, jointly owned by Implats and
Aquarius Platinum.

The three are situated on Zimbabwe's Great Dyke region which has the second
largest platinum ore reserves in the world after South Africa.

JAG Job Opportunities dated 28 September 2006

Please send any job opportunities for publication in this newsletter to: JAG
Job Opportunities; jag@mango.zw or justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

Cook

Wanted for very small household:- competent cook with some domestic work
included. Male or female with refs. please.

Phone Harare 776298.

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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

Farm Manager

Farm Manager required for mixed horticultural and dairy enterprise situated
within 30kms of Harare.  Salary based on basic and incentives.

Interested persons to please send CV's and contact details to
boheke@zol.co.zw, or contact The Advertiser on 091 - 350 047/011802908/04 -
302 718.

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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

VACANCY

A vacancy has arisen at Haigar Tyre & Fitment Centre with immediate effect.

The position offered will suit a semi-retired person with mechanical
knowledge.  The position entails the overseer of a small workshop,
invoicing, sourcing of commodities and liaisoning with companies.
Persons interested should contact 331726 / 305812 cell: 011 220606

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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

ACCOUNT ASSISTANT/CLERK

Our client is looking for an Accounts Assistant/Clerk based in Marlborough.
The candidate must have just graduated or about to finish a professional
course and must possess good A Levels especially in Maths/Economics.

Due to the nature of the position, the client is seeking an individual no
older than 25 or a first jobber.  Hours are 8-4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Please email your cv to cvs@oxfordit.co.zw  and put 'Accounts
Assistant/Clerk' on subject of the email. Please include current
position/salary/benefits/notice period. Closing date for cvs is Friday 15th
September 2006. Interviews for short-listed candidates will be from the 20th
September.

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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

Australia - Refrigeration

Qualified refrigerator mechanic; Australia. Apply to e-mail address
Hunties3@bigpond.com.
Employer sponsorship possible for suitable person.

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Ad inserted 14 September 2006

HEAVY PLANT WORKSHOP MANAGER

We are looking for a dynamic individual to run our Heavy Plant Workshop on
our quarry in Mutoko. Applicant must be organized and be able to administer
Preventative Maintenance Programs on a large fleet of mainly Caterpillar
Equipment which includes Wheel Loaders, Excavators, Dumpers and IR
Compressors.

Good Salary offered with vehicle and rustic mine accommodation in bush
environment.

DIESEL PLANT FITTERS

We are also looking for experienced Diesel Plant Fitters with preferably
Caterpillar experience and some knowledge of hydraulics and air-compressors.

Please send CV's to mineadmin@quenyagranite.com or deliver to 76 Enterprise
Rd, Highlands, Harare or phone 091 201 943 weekends.

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Ad inserted 14 September 2006

General Manager

VACANCY AS A GENERAL MANGER WILL ARISES AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2006. THE
POSITION IS WITHIN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY AND A MORE MATURE PERSON FROM EITHER
GENDER IS BEING SOUGHT.  THE IDEAL PERSON MUST HAVE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF
SEWING (THE PRESENT INCUMBERENT IS MALE) OR HAVE IMMEDIATE ACESSES TO A
BACKUP WHO CAN ADVISE ON THE MORE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SEWING AND KNITTING,
AND BE PREPARED TO WORK IN AN ALL FEMALE ENVIROMENT.  THE CANDIDATE WILL BE
EXPECTED TO BE NOT ONLY GENERAL MANAGER, BUT BOOKKEEPER TO TRIAL BALANCE,
COMPUTER LITERATE IN EXCEL, WORD AND E-MAIL.  EXPERINCE IN EXPORT PROCEDURES
WILL BE AN ADDED ADVANTAGE.  THIS POSITION WILL BE SUITABLE TO PEOPLE LIVING
IN THE MOUNT PLEASANT, BORROWDALE, GUN HILL, NEWLANDS, GREENDALE, EASTLEA
AREAS OF HARARE. PLEASE FORWARD YOUR APPLICATION AND C.V.S TO
aztec@zol.co.zw. OR TO P.O. BOX BW1510 BORROWDALE BY NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE
OF BUSINESS ON THE 30 SEPTEMBER 2006.  RENUMERATION PACKAGE WILL BE
DISCUSSED AT THE INTERVIEW.

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Ad inserted 14 September 2006

Vacancies Available

Two vacancies need to be filled at Peterhouse:

1.    Estate Manager (September 2006)
Responsibilities include;
Maintenance of sports fields, swimming pools and sporting facilities
Overseeing water supply and borehole upkeep
Controlling lawn mowers, tractors and equipment usage
Managing a forestry plantation and estate gardens
Usage and maintenance of generators
Managing a small labour force

2.    Transport Manager (November 2006)
Responsibilities include;
Procurement, storage, issuing and recording of fuel
Vehicle records
Planning and controlling the daily transport requirements
Maintenance and servicing of the vehicle fleet

Please send a detailed CV with 3 references and application to:

The Bursar, Peterhouse, P/Bag 3741, Marondera
Or fax to:  079 - 24200, or e-mail to: peterhousebursar@mango.zw

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Ad inserted 21 September 2006

DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA?

Suzie Ward can assist you.  She has been in the recruiting business for over
20 years.  She is looking for professional and skilled people to work in
regional Australian positions.

Contact her on: Email: suzie@ajsward.com.au
Phone:  + 612 9818 5539

DO YOU WANT TO MIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA?
Florence Buegge Borshoff has been in the business of assisting migrates to
Australia for over 17 years.  She will assess your application and respond
to you within 24 hours.

WE WILL ADVISE HONESTLY AND DO OUR BEST FOR YOU.
www.businessmigration.com.au

MARN # 9255934:  Visit our website or
EMAIL: visa@businessmigration.com.au
FAX: +612 9555 7100:  PHONE + 612 9555 2333

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Ad inserted 21 September 2006

Australia

We have a number of job opportunities for trades' people in Australia

Fitter and turner, Boilermakers, Welders, Diesel Mechanics, Auto
Electricians, Bosch diesel injection specialists, Diamond Drillers

We will provide a full facility in relocation to Australia, including visa
applications:  Please contact - rebecca@aussiemigrant.com
Tel +61 7 3226 4888

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Ad inserted 21 September 2006

Tourism and Conservation

We are looking for a person with the following qualities.
We are looking for someone to help us with our small but growing tourism and
conservation concern.
Applicants should have the following attributes:
Have a interest in Wildlife - the bush - conservation as well as tourism.

On top of this applicants must have animal husbandry experience particularly
with horses.
MUST BE COMPETENT RIDER, BE ABLE TO GET ON WITH AND MANAGE STAFF

PREPARED TO TRAVEL INTERNALLY IN ZIM BETWEEN  OUR 2 SAFARI DESTINATIONS
HAVE GOOD OBSERVATIONS AND RECORD KEEPING SKILLS
IDEALLY HAVE LEARNER GUIDE OR FULL PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, HAVE DRIVERS
LICENSE

NOT AFRAID OF HARD WORK AND LONG HOURS - ASSOCIATED WITH TOURISM.

IDEALLY THIS POSITION WILL SUIT YOUNG SINGLE MALE WITH FARMING OR BUSH
BACKGROUND OR OLDER SINGLE PERSON
OR MARRIED COUPLE WITH FARMING BACKGROUND.
PLEASE CONTACT:  04 861766, 091 256434 OR riding@vardensafaris.com

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Ad inserted 28 September 2006

Vacancies Available

Financial manager / Office Administrator
for medium sized agricultural concern

Book-keeper
Flexi-time, casual environment, handling accounts for a small Internet
subscription business. Knowledge of turbocash or pastel an added bonus but
not essential, but must be computer literate.

Please email CV's to rob@arniston.co.zw

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Ad inserted 28 September 2006

GARAGE / MAINTENANCE MANAGER

This position would suit a self-driven, committed, elderly or retired
gentleman with a good knowledge of vehicle maintenance (especially Land
Cruisers) and man management.  It would assist if the incumbent has
experience in overseeing other maintenance such as refrigeration repairs,
plumbing and building, but this is not essential.  Clock-watchers need not
apply.  This is a very pleasant and happy environment and we would like to
keep it that way, so a good sense of humour would be great.  Salary is
negotiable to the right person and good perks are offered.  This position is
available immediately.  Interested persons please contact Mr. Rogers on
(016) 596 or send CVs by fax to (016) 256 or email them to
tshafar@mweb.co.zw

SECRETARY TOURISM/HUNTING WANTED

Secretary in tourism/hunting needed. Word, Email and common sense required.
Is a very interesting and can be very entertaining too. Salary negotiable.
Contact tshafar@mweb.co.zw

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Ad inserted 28 September 2006
Position - Cropping Manager

Location - Northern Zambia, between Ndola and Kitwe.
Responsibilities - Preparation of annual cropping budgets and cash flows,
overseeing and controlling all aspects of irrigated (450ha) and rain fed
(700 - 1000ha) row crop production (predominantly winter wheat and summer
maize and soya)

Qualifications - Extensive experience and traceable performance in row
cropping and agricultural management, as well as being computer literate.
Degree/diploma will be necessary in order to obtain employment permit.
Remuneration - attractive $ salary, normal farm perks, accommodation,
company vehicle, performance based bonus scheme, medical aid etc. Contact:
Mick on selby@iwayafrica.com

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Ad inserted 28 September 2006

VACANCY

Vacancy exists for husband/wife couple to assist in running rural
workshop/superette.  All benefits: i.e., vehicle, house, and medical aid.
Please submit CV's to borser@comone.co.zw.  Phone for reply to 011408986.

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Employment Sought

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Ad inserted 7 September 2006

Employment Sought

I am a highly experienced individual with a varied background and a tertial
education. I am seeking a position in sales and marketing, advertising,
shipping or similar areas. Please call Cheryl on 776 875 or 011
628451

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Ad inserted 14 September 2006

Gardener

Gardener looking for job for three days a week and also needing
accommodation. Preferably in the Alex Park area.
Phone 744075

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Ad inserted 14 September 2006

BALANCESHEET BOOKEEPER/ADMINISTRATOR

I am a 39-year-old man looking for placement in the above post and am very
proficient in the following functions.

ACCOUNTING:
i) Cash book entries
ii) Bank reconciliation's
ii) Debtors invoicing and administration
iii) Creditors invoicing and administration
iv) Fixed Asset Registers
v) Monthly Management Accounts
vi) Balance Sheeting
vii) Income Tax Computation

ADMINISTRATION:
Company Secretarial Work
Deeds Office Searches
Company Registrations
Forms CR14, Forms CR6, Forms CR2
Annual Returns
Handling Judicial Managements and Liquidations
Salaries
NSSA Registrations and Returns
NEC Returns
P.A.Y.E administration
Bank Transfers via Paynet Software
Medical aid
Pension Fund returns
Reconciling various salaries related accounts

COMPUTER LITERACY:
Pastel Accounting Version 4 to 7
Solution 6 Accounting*
Microsoft Office (Excel & Word)
Belina Payroll
Paynet Salaries, Paywell Payroll*, Payplus Payroll*

Denotes packages used a while ago requiring some recapping

Please contact Peter Andrew TAPIWA on Telephone 04 740233 or e-mail
andrew@guardtec.co.zw

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Ad inserted 28 September 2006

Employment Sought

Workshop, parts manager, and motor mechanic looking for employment.

Please contact me on 091 772 473 or 011 732 084

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For the latest listings of accommodation available for farmers, contact
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw (updated 28 September 2006)