Movement For Democratic Change
Weekly Briefing Note
7 October 2003
For Further Information Please Contact:
Nkanyiso Maqeda, MDC Director of Information: 0263 91 248 570
Grace Kwinjeh, MDC EU Representative: 0032 494 181 621
James Littleton: 00 27 727 310 554
Quotes
"The forced closure of the Daily News has a lot to do with the desire to smash the MDC. Although that desire has failed to bear fruit in the past four years, Zanu PF has remained resolute to wish the MDC away…Our fear is that this latest assault on democracy in Zimbabwe betrays a more sinister agenda aimed at silencing all diverse voices within the country. The absence of private media exposure may well provide the enemies of democracy with the injection of confidence to implement a cynical agenda aimed at silencing their internal critics," said MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai (30 September 2003)
Remaining Independent Papers Under Threat?
In a speech marking the launch of ‘New Ziana’, a state run multi media organisation which will intensify Zanu PF’s propaganda onslaught, junior minister, Jonathan Moyo launched vitriolic attack on Zimbabwe’s two remaining independent papers, The Independent and The Standard. Moyo referred to the papers as ‘trash’ and ‘running dogs of imperialism’ in a ranting speech that lent credence to fears that the forced closure of the Daily News, under the draconian and anti-democratic Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, forms part of a broader strategy aim at silencing the independent press. Freedom of expression, and people’s basic constitutional right to receive and impart information, is clearly under renewed and vigorous attack by a regime seemingly bent on closing off all avenues of criticism.
Fraud Case
The hearing into a fraud case against junior minister Jonathan Moyo, began in Kenya last Tuesday before the High Court. The case however was postponed to allow parties involved to prepare for four consecutive days of trial. Moyo is accused of defrauding the Ford Foundation out of US$108,000. He worked for the Foundation as a Programme Officer from 1993-97.
Daily News Up-Date
Last week a magistrate ruled in favour of an application by ANZ, the owners of the Daily News, to have its challenge against the Media Information Commission’s refusal to grant it a license, heard as a matter of urgency in the courts. The magistrate ruled that the Daily News’s case will begin on October 16.
Africa Editors forum
Last week the Africa Editors Forum condemned the forced closure of the Daily News. It said that the ban, if made permanent, would have the effect of shutting down the voices of dissent in a country where democratic gains of the liberation struggle had been rolled back significantly in the past three to four years.
Health Crisis
Malaria Deaths
It has been reported that malaria has claimed the lives of 786 people between January and the end of September. Officials have warned that critical anti-malarial outreach programmes may not be sufficiently funded in what is yet another admission of failure by the regime to deliver basic health needs on behalf of the people.
Hospitals Running Out Of Food
A further indication of the scale of the crisis afflicting Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector is the disturbing news that hospitals are slowly running out of food. Shangani hospital in Matabeleland South announced last week that it could no longer admit patients as it had run out of food.
Drugs Shortage
Rising prices have resulted in thousands of Zimbabweans being unable to buy medicines. People are now having to live with illnesses and health problems with no means of alleviating the pain or curing an illness. In some cases people are dying at home because they cannot afford the drugs let alone the hospital fees.
International
Mugabe Not Invited To CHOGM
Robert Mugabe has not been invited to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria in December. In a press interview last week, President Obassanjo of Nigeria said: "It’s a decision for me with the Commonwealth leaders and for now, after appropriate consultations, I believe there has to be a sea change in Zimbabwe for an invitation to be sent."
Tutu Urges Action
Speaking last week to the IPS news service, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said:"The time has come for African leaders to stand up and express their concern over the deteriorating human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. If human rights abuses continue to worsen, the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe will be difficult to heal…The Zimbabwe crisis has affected the entire Southern Africa region and there is need for African leaders to find quick solutions to the crisis…When things are going wrong, we should be able to stand up and say that this is going wrong."
General News
Food Crisis
A UN report published last Friday said that the food crisis in Zimbabwe is worsening with the majority of the country’s districts having exhausted their food stocks. "According to reports from 58 districts in August 2003, food is becoming scarce, harvest stocks have been exhausted in a majority of districts and over half report a deteriorating food situation," the report said.
‘Graduates’ Replace Teachers
According to newspaper reports, parents in Binga (Matabeleland) have started to withdrawal their children from schools following the replacement of over 170 teachers by ‘graduates of the national youth service programme’. The controversial programme has been at the vanguard of training and creating the violent youth militias that have been deployed across the country terrorising ordinary Zimbabweans.
Fuel Price Up Again
Last week the Mugabe regime increased the price of fuel by a further 70% meaning that the price of fuel has officially gone up by nearly 500% since the start of the year. As a result of the latest price hike, diesel, which used to cost Z$1,060 a litre rose to Z$1,850 whilst petrol rose from Z$1,170 to Z$1,980. The reality however is much starker as most people are only able to source fuel on the black market where rates are significantly higher than the official price. The latest hike by the regime will further fuel the inflation rate thereby making life even harder for ordinary Zimbabweans.
END
Zimbabwe Information Centre Inc, PO Box K824, Haymarket NSW 1240, Australia. www.zic.com.au
|
|
You can make a difference
|
|
 |
Make a donation |
|
Support Zimbabwe at an event |
|
Lobby your local Government member |
|
Become a member of the ZIC |
|
