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Archived News
2nd March 2004
Talks 'relegated to dustbin'
Mugabe adds to pressure on Mbeki
Africa's leaders 'too Western'
Mugabe slams Obasanjo
State: It was high treason
Voters' roll to be updated
Zim farmers dig into natural resources
Tsvangirai trial nears end in Zimbabwe
Bizos: No proof of treason
Zim labour leaders held
Health sector woes deepen
New study sheds light on lives of disabled
Tsvangirai treason trial ends
Zimbabwe treason trial ends but verdict six months away
Journos a 'security threat'
A touch of Zimbabwe in the United Kingdom
Jane Mutasa convicted
Mugabe eyes Telecel
Presidential decree unlawful - judge
The situation is very grim
My ambitions for the future
Govt drops $127b appeal for 2005 poll
Venezuela, Zim in energy deal
Judgement reserved in Tsvangirai trial
Zimbabwe's torture training camps
In Zimbabwe, even the farmers are going hungry
Zim farmers fear for land
Farmers ordered to justify their stay
MDC rejects Mugabe's conditions for talks
Nhema/Mpofu clash over hunting permits
Mugabe suspends last of independent judges
Land war rages
Zanu PF targets chiefs in Lupane campaign
'Rape is OK. It helps us to train people'
Zimbabwe camp commander speaks
Zimbabwe to repay IMF debt
Gono asks donors for help
Msika in grain scam allegations
Zimbabwe's woes spill across border
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From News24 (SA), 24 February
Talks 'relegated to dustbin'
Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has slammed the door on proposed negotiations with the country's main opposition, dealing a new blow to South Africa's "quiet diplomacy" aimed at resolving the country's long-running political crisis. In an interview on state television on Monday, Mugabe said that although he was willing to hold talks with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), he would not do so until the party cuts its links with the West. Mugabe accuses Britain of bankrolling the MDC in a bid to oust him from power and return imperialist interests to the former British colony. "As long as they are dictated upon from abroad we will find it extremely difficult to negotiate with them," Mugabe said. "But if they are going to now seek the hand of our enemy to destroy our economy, then we begin to wonder whether they are for the people or against the people," he said. "We can't discuss with allies of the Western countries that would want to destroy our economy. The devil is the devil ... we have no idea of supping with the devil."
University of Zimbabwe political philosopher Noah Muzorori said Mugabe's condition was quite "serious" and could block any prospects of the speedy resumption of talks, adding that it was "designed to put any talks on a back burner." South African- and Nigerian-brokered talks between the MDC and the ruling Zanu PF broke down in May 2002 after participants agreed only on the agenda. Church leaders last year shuttled between the two sides in a bid to resuscitate the talks. Representatives of the two parties met last year in an effort to prepare for the substantive talks, but according to Mugabe their conclusions have not yet been discussed by his party. Last month President Thabo Mbeki announced that the two parties had agreed to enter into a formal dialogue soon to resolve Zimbabwe's socio-economic and political woes. "That was his (Mbeki's) wishful thinking that the talks may take place," said Muzorori. "Mbeki's attitude does not encourage talks. Silent diplomacy is a sort of death knell to any chances of talks," he added.
The other former broker, Nigeria has been quiet on the recent initiatives to get the two political foes back on the negotiating table. Mugabe on Monday said he was "sorry" for Nigeria after it bowed to pressure from some Commonwealth countries at last December's summit in Abuja to which President Olusegun Obasanjo decided not to invite Mugabe. Zimbabwe had been suspended from the Commonwealth for 20 months until December, but the club of mainly former colonies of Britain decided to extend the suspension, prompting Mugabe to pull his country out of the grouping. Muzorori said that because of a marginal improvement in socio-economic conditions in Zimbabwe, the ruling party was no longer in a hurry to hold talks with the MDC. "Any chances of talks have been relegated to the dustbin," he said.
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From Business Day (SA), 25 February
Mugabe adds to pressure on Mbeki
Policy of quiet diplomacy' under fire
International Affairs Editor
With Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe appearing to slam the door on talks, there was mounting pressure on President Thabo Mbeki yesterday to show evidence for his prediction that talks are imminent. In an interview yesterday, Mugabe said that talks with the opposition would be the equivalent of "supping with the devil". Last month, Mbeki said the only thing holding up talks was the holiday period. But since Mugabe's return to work earlier this month there has been no move towards talks. The South African Council of Churches also delivered a rebuff to government over Zimbabwe yesterday. In an urgent letter to Mbeki, the council has requested intervention in Zimbabwe to help restore dialogue. Last year, church leaders in Gauteng wrote to government calling for an end to its policy of quiet diplomacy. Democratic Alliance national chairman Joe Seremane has said Mugabe's rejection of talks showed Mbeki's policy of quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe had been exposed as an embarrassing and costly disaster. Yesterday, trade union federation Cosatu, which has been outspoken about rights abuses in Zimbabwe, issued a statement of solidarity with striking trade unionists in Zimbabwe. The statement of support for a strike, against the failure of the National Social Security Authority to talk to the Zimbabwe Confederation of Trade Unions on some "pertinent" issues, could foreshadow action in SA in support of unions north of the Limpopo. In the past, Cosatu has not ruled out a border blockade if the Zimbabwean union were to call upon it to do so.
In an interview broadcast on Monday evening on state television, Mugabe said he was not prepared to hold talks with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai because the MDC was a front for the western powers. Analysts said Mugabe's words seemed to close down any immediate prospects for talks. "As long as they are dictated upon from abroad we will find it extremely difficult to negotiate with them, but that having been said, we stand to hear what views they have," Mugabe said. "We are prepared to discuss with them how their own ideas and our own ideas can merge (for the) benefit our society. But if they are going to now seek the hand of our enemy to destroy our economy, then we begin to wonder whether they are for the people or against the people." In the taped interview, Mugabe said: "We can't discuss with allies of the western that want to destroy our economy. The devil is the devil we have no idea of supping with the devil." Mugabe said the opposition was seeking to ruin the economy, referring to the MDC's call for more sanctions. Mugabe argued that what made any negotiations with the MDC even more difficult was that the party was not home-grown. "We are not just saying we can't discuss with that party all we have said is that the (western) umbilical cord must be severed and if they try to be part of us, try to think as Zimbabweans, as Africans, then naturally you have a clear view who will accord you that facility of negotiation." Mugabe called some opposition members, including Tvsangirai, shallow-minded.
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From The Pretoria News, 25 February
Africa's leaders 'too Western'
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe slammed "the majority" of his counterparts in Africa, saying they had succumbed to Western influence and turned against African causes. Mugabe said that a few militant leaders reminiscent of former staunch nationalists remained, "but the majority have gone the Western way". "Western philosophy is what is guiding them. They are oriented towards the West, not oriented towards Africa, towards their own people, not nationalistic in the true sense of the word. They are listening to the enemy, they are being dictated to by the enemy and it's a pity," he said during an interview aired on State television. Mugabe said he was not prepared to hold talks with the main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai because his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party is operating as a front for the Western powers. "As long as they are dictated upon from abroad we will find it extremely difficult to negotiate with them, but that having been said, we stand to hear what views they have," Mugabe said. "We are prepared to discuss with them how their own ideas and our own ideas can merge (for the) benefit our society. But if they are going to seek the hand of our enemy to destroy our economy, then we begin to wonder whether they are for the people or against the people," he said.
Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF was reported last month by South African President Thabo Mbeki to be ready for talks with the opposition. But in the taped interview, Mugabe said: "We can't discuss with allies of the Western countries that would want to destroy our economy. The devil is the devil. We have no idea of supping with the devil," he said. Mugabe argued that what made any negotiations with the MDC even more difficult was that the party was not home-grown. "We are not just saying we can't discuss with that party. All we have said is that that umbilical cord must be severed and if they try to be part of us, try to think as Zimbabweans, as Africans, then naturally you have a clear view who will accord you that facility of negotiation," he said.
Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers in Brussels have deplored the "worsening situation" in Zimbabwe, saying Mugabe's government had done nothing to change his dictatorial ways. The foreign ministers said Mugabe's tightening of restrictions in Zimbabwe "seriously infringes on its citizen's right to freedom of association and assembly". The 15 ministers and their counterparts from the 10 countries that join on May 1 said Mugabe "has not taken any positive steps" to address international concerns over his actions. The EU agreed last Thursday to renew sanctions against Mugabe for another year in an effort to try to improve the political and human rights situation in the troubled Southern African state. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the extension would "toughen up sanctions, extending from 79 to 95 people - an asset freeze and travel ban". Other sanctions include an arms sales ban and the freezing of Zimbabwean assets in European banks. The EU ministers said the sanctions were "not directed at the Zimbabwean people" and were only targeted at Mugabe and his government. They also voiced their concern at the closure of the Daily News, Zimbabwe's independent daily.
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From The Vanguard (Nigeria), 25 February
Mugabe slams Obasanjo
Harare - President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has slammed President Olusegun Obasanjo and majority of African leaders for allegedly succumbing to Western influence and turning against African causes. He singled out Nigeria for having given in to the white Commonwealth pressure on the decision taken against Zimbabwe at the last December Commonwealth Summit in Abuja. Mugabe pulled Zimbabwe out of the Commonwealth, a club of mainly former British colonies, after the summit, where it prolonged the southern African country’ s suspension from the grouping. In a bid to get African countries to continue to resist the Western imperialistic tendencies, Mugabe said. Zimbabwe was planning to host a forum of former liberation movements in the country sometime this year. He expressed gratitude to southern African leaders who stood by his country at the Commonwealth summit last year. "We were happy about their stance... of supporting Zimbabwe. (But) the others, well,... we say sorry.... Sorry to Nigeria for having adopted that stance, but they are our brothers and we can’t be seen to be condemning them," Mugabe said.
He said there were "two or three African countries in the Commonwealth... they are ‘yes’ people, those who salute the West. It’s just again leadership which has no confidence in itself," he said in an interview to mark his 80th birthday on Saturday, February 21. Mugabe said a few militant leaders reminiscient of former staunch nationalists remained, "but the majority have gone the Western way. Western philosophy is what is guiding them. They are oriented towards the West, not oriented towards Africa, towards their own people, not nationalistic in the true sense of the word. They are listening to the enemy, they are being dictated to by the enemy and it’s a pity," he said during an interview aired on state television. Mugabe said some of his neighbours "continue to be revolutionary to a very great extent, but even in some of them we are seeing now that Western influence is seeping in and trying to get them to reverse the revolutionary course which they had adopted earlier on."
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From News24 (SA), 25 February
State: It was high treason
Harare - The year-long treason trial of Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai began winding up on Tuesday with the state prosecutor declaring him guilty of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe - a crime that carries the death penalty. "The accused committed the crime of high treason by inciting and seeking to arrange the assassination of the head of state," said acting attorney general Bharat Patel, adding that the state had proved its case "beyond reasonable doubt". The charges against Tsvangirai arose from a secretly recorded grainy videotape of a meeting he held with Canadian political consultant Ari Ben Menashe in Montreal in December 2001. Tsvangirai said he had hired Ben Menashe's firm Dickens and Madison to help with international lobbying and fundraising for his party in North America, but later discovered the government had also hired it. Ben Menashe, who claims to be a former Israeli security agent, became the government's key witness, saying Tsvangirai discussed assassinating Mugabe with him. "To some extent the defence case appears to suggest that the accused is claiming to have been entrapped by Dickens and Madison into committing the crime of high treason. It's submitted that this does not constitute a defence under our law," Patel told the Harare High Court. "We would like you to simply reject evidence of Tsvangirai which is simply not credible," Patel urged the court.
Patel said the lobbying and fundraising were a cover so that the plot to kill Mugabe would appear like an "accident". He described Ben Menashe as "fairly clear, reliable and a credible witness". Ben Menashe said in his evidence that the contract agreement he signed with the MDC gave him a general mandate to help the party carry out the assassination and coup. South African lawyer George Bizos, Tsvangirai's main counsel, however on Tuesday said Ben Menashe "was not credible, he is a clown". "He is not a satisfactory witness who can be used to convict one of the political leaders of the country," Bizos said, adding that Ben Menashe "contradicted himself". Bizos said two state witnesses - Ben Menashe and his personal assistant Tara Thomas - were attracted by money to give incriminating evidence. He said Ben Menashe received $200 000 dollars from the Zimbabwe government for delivering the videotape used in the case and Thomas got $8 000 - equivalent to her annual salary - for just giving evidence against Tsvangirai. "The inference is clear that the state, for obvious reasons, was not desirous of discovering the truth of the matter as it was solely motivated by political considerations," Bizos said. Defence closing arguments were to continue on Wednesday.
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From IRIN (UN), 24 February
Voters' roll to be updated
Bulawayo - The Zimbabwe government has announced it will embark on a countrywide exercise to update the voters' roll ahead of parliamentary elections, due in March 2005. "We are in the process of mobilising manpower and material resources for the exercise - we want to ensure that all eligible voters are registered in time for the general elections," home affairs minister Kembo Mohadi announced over the weekend. "All the necessary financial and resource materials are in place. Personnel from the Registrar General's Office and additional staff will be deployed to all districts across the country," he added. The Registrar General's Office (RGO) falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The government-appointed Electoral Supervisory Commission (ECS) will also complement the registration process with a voter education programme. The ECS is a small office with a meagre budget and staff seconded from the Ministry of Justice.
In response to Modadi's announcement, Paul Themba-Nyathi, spokeman for the opposition Movement for Democratic change, questioned the impartiality of the RGO and the RCS. "We cannot trust them in handling the next election. We have complained of their alignment before, and expressed our willingness to be involved to government before, and we repeat that now," said Nyathi. He insisted that Zimbabwe's election laws needed to be overhauled before the 2005 election, to enable a free and fair poll. "They [the elections] should take place in a democratised environment and that means: no to state-appointed electoral supervisory commissions. The RG's office should also be stripped of the monopoly it enjoys in conducting elections," said Nyathi. According to figures compiled before the presidential election in 2002, Zimbabwe had 5.6 million eligible voters. But the Registrar General's Office has been accused of running an outdated voters roll, which the opposition alleges has included ghost voters.
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From The Mail & Guardian (SA), 24 February
Zim farmers dig into natural resources
Chris Anold Msipa
Harare - As Zimbabwe marks the fourth anniversary of its controversial land redistribution programme, there is widespread concern about the impact this is having on the country’s environment. Many of the peasant farmers who were resettled on land forcibly acquired from white owners lack funds to buy the seed, fertiliser and tools needed to produce a crop. This, combined with poor rains in parts of Zimbabwe, has prompted some peasant farmers to start harvesting other resources instead. An informal survey conducted by IPS showed that many have turned to selling wood, which is still used as fuel in the high-density suburbs of Zimbabwe’s cities and elsewhere. Bundles of fire wood have become a common sight on the sides of highways passing through resettlement areas. "Some of this wood is from pieces of land that we are clearing for cultivation," said Kenneth Munoda, one of the settlers found selling wood along the Great Dyke Pass between the capital, Harare, and the western town of Chinhoyi. However, Munoda said other recipients of redistributed land have simply become full-time wood traders. "People from as far as Harare come here with big lorries [trucks] to buy fire wood. Sometimes we fear the farms we got will end up barren like the reserves [communal lands] from where we came."
About 4 000 farms are reported to have been seized since the land reform effort got under way at the start of 2000. Officials claim that veterans from Zimbabwe’s war of independence spearheaded the reform effort by spontaneously invading farms owned by minority whites. Government critics say the land occupations were orchestrated by President Robert Mugabe’s administration to divert attention from other political and economic difficulties during the run-up to a crucial parliamentary election. The June 2000 poll marked the first instance in which the ruling Zanu-PF party faced a credible challenge from the opposition. "Hunting for the pot" is also viewed as a contributor to deforestation in Zimbabwe, since it sometimes involves burning wooded areas to make wild animals easier to track and kill. It’s not only forests that are succumbing to the knock-on effect of land reform and poverty, however. Settlers - and other Zimbabweans - have also turned to illegal gold panning along rivers and streams, and are hunting for the metal in abandoned mines. They are known to use chemicals such as cyanide and mercury during the extraction of gold -- even through they lack the equipment to ensure proper storage of these substances, or to prevent chemical wastes from seeping into the water supply.
Researchers say contamination from the panning sites can drain into water sources after a heavy downpour, poisoning those who drink the water. The lack of sanitation facilities in panning areas has also opened the door to outbreaks of cholera and typhoid. Illegal gold diggers have set up camps along rivers like the Mutebekwi, which passes through farm land south-east of the small mining town of Shurugwi, in the Midlands province. South of Shurugwi, in Zvishavane district, the banks of the Save River are dotted with squatter settlements set up by panners. The Shamva area in the northern Mashonaland Central region has also proved a magnet for prospectors. Although the government says it has started a campaign to clamp down on illegal gold mining and dealing, commentators question whether there is sufficient political will to carry out the plan - which would mostly affect the rural poor. These Zimbabweans make up the bulk of support for Zanu PF. Since the start of 2000, Zimbabwe has been gripped by a variety of problems. The government is accused of perpetrating widespread human rights abuses in a bid to maintain power, while triple-digit inflation has impoverished large sections of the population. The United Nations World Food Programme says it will provide emergency supplies to 4,5-million people in the coming months.
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From VOA News, 25 February
Tsvangirai trial nears end in Zimbabwe
The long-running treason trial of Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai neared its end with the defense team saying several key witnesses failed to appear in court. Defense attorney George Bizos, who defended Nelson Mandela 40 years ago, said three key witnesses failed to turn up, and the state did nothing to try to find them. He said the three men could have provided details of the relationship between the defendant and a Canadian consultant who was the state's star witness. The witness, Ari Ben Menashe, presented a videotape on which Mr. Tsvangirai allegedly asked for help in having Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe killed. Mr. Tsvangirai says he was only asking for political advice on how to defeat Mr. Mugabe in the 2002 presidential election. In arguments in court this week, State Prosecutor Bharat Patel argued that any meeting in which there is discussion of the elimination of the president, combined with other evidence from state witnesses, constitutes what he called - treasonous conduct. But Mr. Bizos, the defense attorney, cited South African case law, and said mere discussion did not suffice unless it resulted in a conspiracy to take action, or if there was clear evidence of incitement to commit treason during the discussion. Mr. Bizos said treason charges are open to political abuse, and one needs clear evidence. It cannot be proved on the basis of tenuous innuendo. Mr. Bizos called the state's key witness, Mr. Ben Menashe, a crook, cheat and a liar. He said the missing witnesses are all Mr. Ben Menashe's associates, and one of them is an alleged criminal, while the other could be a foreign intelligence agent. Mr. Bizos finishes his final argument Thursday and the state will then be asked for its closing statement, bringing to an end Zimbabwe's longest and most controversial trial.
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From News24 (SA), 25 February
Bizos: No proof of treason
Harare - The lawyer for Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, on trial for his life for high treason, on Wednesday said the state had failed to prove any conspiracy to assassinate President Robert Mugabe or stage a putsch. "Even on a benevolent interpretation of the indictment the state has failed to prove any conspiracy to assassinate President Mugabe or to bring about a coup d'etat," said renowned South African lawyer George Bizos. In his closing arguments of the high-profile year-long trial, Bizos said no overt act of treason had been committed, and that even if there was a suggestion of a "discussion" of it, that was not sufficient to lead to a conviction. The state is basing its case on evidence from a grainy videotape of a meeting between Tsvangirai and Canadian political consultant Ari Ben Menashe, who became the state's key witness. Bizos dismissed the videotape, saying it was inaudible and that the state had failed to produce the original. "The videotape does not in fact disclose any request for the assassination or coup," Bizos told the court. Even transcripts of the meeting, Bizos said, showed no explicit reference to an assassination, a military coup or the creation of a transitional government by unconstitutional means. "If a question is put: What was discussed? Could anyone say with any degree of honesty that the accused was seeking the elimination of Mugabe with the assistance of the army?" asked Bizos.
Bizos repeatedly referred to Ben Menashe as a "liar" who was out to get money. "Menashe lied from start to finish ... and when this is added to his dubious background and behaviour ... there can be no question whatsoever but that his evidence should be rejected out of hand," he said. "The payments and luxury treatment afforded to state witnesses was quite improper. The first class travel, hotel fees ... there was temptation to lie and please the paymaster." Ben Menashe was put up in five-star hotels for the several weeks that he was in Harare testifying against Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai, a former union leader who formed the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999 to challenge Mugabe, says the government trumped up the treason charges against him in a bid to frame and discredit him ahead of a presidential election in 2002. He lost the elections, which were discredited by international observers who said they were rigged and marred by political violence. Tsvangirai said he had hired Ben Menashe's firm to help with international lobbying and fundraising for his party, but later discovered the government had also hired it. Bizos is expected to wind up his closing arguments on Thursday.
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From News24 (SA), 25 February
Zim labour leaders held
Harare - Four Zimbabwean labour leaders were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly organising a strike to press for changes in the management of the national pension fund. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on Tuesday announced the strike to protest the alleged "rot" in the state-run National Social Security Authority (NSSA). Four regional leaders in the second city of Bulawayo were arrested by police early on Wednesday morning at their homes for allegedly organising the strike, which was poorly supported. By early afternoon, they had not yet been charged, according to ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe. Chibebe admitted that the strike had failed to take hold, but was adamant the message had been driven home. The centre of Harare was bustling on Wednesday, with the usual heavy traffic and the majority of banks, shops, factories and business establishments functioning normally. "I am disappointed because things did not go the way we wanted, although the message has been sent," Chibebe told AFP. "It's not a flop as it were, but it did not get to the expected heights. However, in terms of pressure it has been effective," he added.
The ZCTU, which claims a membership of 240 000, called the one-day strike "in order that the government stops the rot at NSSA". Contributions to the government-run pension fund are compulsory for all workers, but Chibebe said some retirees were receiving as little as Z$700 (about US$18) per month in retirement benefits. "Monies are not properly accounted for, this is where the issue is," said Chibebe. "The administration costs of NSSA are always more than what is paid out (to beneficiaries)... it's a sorry state of affairs," he said. The Congress of South African Trade Unions, the largest trade union movement in Zimbabwe's southern neighbour, had thrown its weight behind the strike. The most recent national strike called by the ZCTU was staged at the end of November following the arrest of several unionists and human rights activists, but that action, too, had little effect. The last ZCTU-organised strike that was largely followed was in April last year when the labour body called for mass work stoppage after the government raised the price of petroleum-based fuels by nearly 300%.
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From IRIN (UN), 24 February
Health sector woes deepen
Bulawayo - In a bid to keep up with escalating costs, Zimbabwe's medical aid societies increased their monthly subscriptions by more than 500 percent this week, further aggravating the country's health sector problems. The latest increase follows a 400 percent rise in private doctors' consultation fees last month, when they said rocketing inflation had left them struggling to keep their surgeries open. Doctors also stopped accepting medical aid cards and demanded upfront cash payments for consultations with patients. Consultation fees were raised from an average of Z$26,000 to Z$46,500 (about US $11.26) - a move commentators and economists said would effectively block access to health care for most cash-strapped Zimbabweans. Agence France-Presse reported that doctors had complained that health insurance companies were not remitting funds to them on time, and were also not willing to fork out the new fees.The government has since amended legislation to prevent private doctors from demanding upfront cash payments.
The latest increase announced by the 23-member National Association of Medical Aid Societies (NAMAS) puts a worker's monthly contribution to medical aid at Z$100,000, up from Z$13,000. NAMAS vice-chairman Alban Williams said it was necessary to adjust medical aid subscriptions in line with daily running costs, and the latest increase would remain effective through the remainder of 2004. Doctors and medical aid societies have been wrangling over fees for the past five months, resulting in both parties unilaterally imposing self-determined fee structures on subscribers and patients. IRIN found that many doctors in the southern city of Bulawayo had cut ties with medical aid societies, and were still charging cash upfront in defiance of the government directive. A few said they had made personal arrangements with NAMAS and were offering selected services to premier medical aid scheme members.
Doctors felt the amendment was a government attempt to introduce "a medical services version of the price controls", which would force more of them to quit the country and join the search for greener pastures abroad. "The new amendment is a very unfair piece of legislation. When government starts enforcing it we will effectively be under price controls. That would be bad for us and bad for the patients, because this amendment does not consider the costs we meet in the daily running of our surgeries. We have to use foreign currency to import most of the medical equipment and drugs," said one doctor. "Although the forex supply situation has improved, things remain expensive as there has been no drop in prices. To expect doctors to provide services at far less than it costs them is an indirect way of asking them to leave the country. No one wants to operate at a loss or provide free services," the doctor added.
Doctors and legal experts said it was impossible to enforce the new laws in the absence of a gazetted fee structure. Contrary to public expectations, the government has not ordered a slash in fees, but Health Minister David Parirenyatwa warned that it might do so unless doctors and NAMAS reach an agreement. "The amendment only serves to show that government is serious about regulating the medical services. We are serious, and we will soon prescribe the fees unless NAMAS and ZIMA resolve their dispute. Once we do that, nobody will charge anything else, or refuse to accept valid medical aid cards," said Parirenyatwa. Paul Chimedza, the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZIMA), which represents medical practitioners, said imposing consultation fees on doctors could push them out of business. Government should first deal with the issue of late payments to doctors by medical aid societies - the wrangle over fees could end if NAMAS improved its system of payments. Despite low fees, the public now shuns public hospitals, most of which have been crippled by critical shortages of drugs, equipment and staff.
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From IRIN (UN), 19 February
New study sheds light on lives of disabled
Bulawayo - Lydia Mpofu's day begins at 4.00 am when she makes the first of two trips to fetch water from a river 4 km from her home in Zezane, near the southern Zimbabwean border town of Beitbridge. Although aged 66, she then spends three back-breaking hours tending her maize crop, before returning home to care for her disabled grandson. "I have to balance my time evenly between the necessary household chores, daily work commitments and caring for him. He has been like this since he was born, seven years ago. It is difficult looking after him because he cannot do anything by himself. He needs to be washed and fed, exactly like a baby, and moved from one shade to another. If only I could get him a wheelchair," said Mpofu. Her story typifies that of families looking after the disabled. Without adequate state support, it is the extended family that shoulders the responsibility for their care and, given the depths of Zimbabwe's economic crisis, that struggle has become all the harder.
The last census, in 2002, estimated that 2.9 percent of Zimbabweans were disabled. But what had not been properly documented were the actual living conditions of those with disabilities. Now, a new study by the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), in collaboration with the Norwegian Federation of Disabled People, has shed light on their daily lives. The report, "Living Conditions Among People with Activity Limitations in Zimbabwe, a Representative Regional Survey" sampled 22,000 people in five of the country's 10 provinces, and found the disabled were deeply disadvantaged in terms of access to education, employment and state support. Only one out of every eight respondents was receiving financial assistance. Disability and social support grants only amounted to about Z$15,000 a month, while a loaf of bread cost Z$2,300. Three times as many disabled people - 28 percent - had never been to school, compared with just 10 percent of the non-disabled. Women faced the greatest discrimination, with 34 percent of those with disabilities never having entered a classroom.
A separate analysis looked at the type of disability prevalent among those without any formal schooling and found that the largest number had sensory impairments (seeing and hearing) and communication problems. Comparisons between the rural and urban areas also revealed glaring disparities in access to education, with the disabled in rural areas facing significant challenges, noted the report. Unemployment was another area of concern. In the southern province of Matabeleland, 81 percent of the disabled were jobless, with Manicaland in the east and the central province of Midlands tied at 77 percent. Again, women were more disadvantaged than men, while "more households with one or more disabled members have no employed members, compared to households without disabled members". Despite the lack of employment opportunities, the study found that 35 percent of disabled people in the potentially economically active 15 to 65 age group had received vocational skills training, compared to only 28 percent in the non-disabled category, because special education self-help programmes were usually geared towards the disadvantaged.
Surveys on the accessibility of health and education facilities for the disabled showed that 80 percent believed primary health care clinics and hospitals were accessible, while 40 percent gave schools a thumbs-up. Commenting on the findings of the survey, SAFOD secretary general Alexander Phiri said despite the lack of facilities, living conditions of people with disabilities were better in rural areas because there was a greater sense of community. He said he hoped the information gathered would be used to formulate better welfare schemes for the disabled in Zimbabwe, and added that SAFOD was working towards a regional policy to address their specific needs.
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From The Daily Telegraph (UK), 27 February
Tsvangirai treason trial ends
The year-long treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's opposition leader, ended yesterday with defence lawyers accusing the government of bribing witnesses to testify. Mr Tsvangirai, who denies accusations of plotting to kill Mr Mugabe and stage a military coup, faces the death penalty if convicted. A judgment is not expected for several months. "The trial has heard a lot of evidence and there will obviously be a need for this court to go through all that evidence. Accordingly, judgment is reserved," said Paddington Garwe, the presiding High Court judge. The final two days of the case, based on questionable evidence from a grainy videotape, were taken up with closing arguments to the presiding judge and his two "assessors" - there is no jury - by the defence and prosecutors. George Bizos, the lead defence lawyer, who 40 years ago defended Nelson Mandela on treason charges in apartheid South Africa, accused the regime of entrapment. He said Ari Ben Menashe, a Canadian-based political consultant, and two colleagues were paid to entrap Mr Tsvangirai and obtain testimony against him via the video. "The temptation to lie, the temptation to please their paymasters must have been overwhelming," Mr Bizos told the court.
Prosecutors claim the video recording of a meeting Mr Ben Menashe had with Mr Tsvangirai in a Montreal hotel resulted in Mugabe's "elimination", or murder, being discussed. But Mr Bizos said there had been no clear or unambiguous reference to a murder, assassination or coup. "How bad has the state case got to be in order to be thrown out? How bad does a witness have to be to be disbelieved?" he asked during his summing up. Mr Tsvangirai, a former union leader who formed the Movement for Democratic Change in 1999 to challenge Mr Mugabe, says the government invented the charges against him in an attempt to frame and discredit him ahead of the 2002 election. He told the court he had originally hired Mr Ben Menashe's firm, paying it $100,000 (£53,000) to help with international lobbying and fund-raising for his party, but discovered later the government had hired it as well.
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From The Scotsman (UK), 26 February
Zimbabwe treason trial ends but verdict six months away
The treason trial of Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai drew to a close today, nearly 13 months after it began setting out bizarre claims of subterfuge and intrigue in the troubled southern African country. Tsvangirai could face the death penalty, if convicted of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe. High Court Judge Paddington Garwe is expected to take at least six months to issue a ruling, defence lawyers said. Prosecutors said Tsvangirai hired Canada-based political consultant Ari Ben Menashe to help him kill Mugabe and seize power. Tsvangirai said he was framed by Ben Menashe, who it emerged in court was already working for Zimbabwe’s government when he met with the opposition leader in 2001. Testimony in the nation’s longest trial also one of its strangest has covered a broad sweep of intrigue, from secretly recorded meetings to allegations of evidence tampering.
The charges against Tsvangirai were based on a grainy and barely audible 4 1/2 hour video recorded by hidden cameras during a meeting between Tsvangirai and Ben Menashe in Montreal in December 2001. Ben Menashe testified that words like "murder" and "assassination" were freely used during his encounters with Tsvangirai, but they do not appear on the tape. "He is a brazen liar," defence lawyer George Bizos said in closing arguments in Harare today. Tsvangirai testified that his opposition Movement for Democratic Change hired Ben Menashe’s firm to lobby for it internationally. While Tsvangirai and Ben Menache are recorded on the tape speaking of the "elimination" of Mugabe, the opposition leader said he was talking about defeating the president in March 2002 elections and forming a new government. Ben Menashe, who claims to have been a former Israeli intelligence agent, was acquitted by a US federal jury in 1990 of charges he illegally arranged a multi million pound deal to sell US made military cargo planes to Iran in exchange for the release of four American hostages in the Middle East. Israel denied he did intelligence work but said he served for a brief period as a junior clerk in its civil service.
Evidence brought in the Tsvangirai’s trial showed Ben Menashe received £350,000 from Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation, which declined to explain the payment, citing state security. "The accused was set up by Ben Menashe for money," said Bizos, a prominent South African human rights lawyer, who once defended Nelson Mandela. Ben Menashe set him up "for political purposes." State prosecutor Bharat Patel denied there was an attempt to entrap Tsvangirai. Summing up his case , he said state witnesses were "satisfactory" even after dropping the allegations that Tsvangirai spoke specifically of "murder" and "assassination" as stated by Ben Menashe. Patel maintained there was sufficient proof that Tsvangirai plotted to kill Mugabe. "Even if part of the evidence has been established, the court must convict," he said after the defence wound up its case. Tsvangirai was charged two weeks before he ran against Mugabe in the 2002 presidential election, which he narrowly lost amid allegations of intimidation and vote rigging. The trial began more than a year ago. Freed on bail, Tsvangirai had to surrender his passport, and his political activities were sharply curtailed by his daily appearances in the dock. The trial ended with court officials apologising for a breakdown in their audio equipment that left 14 hours of Tsvangirai’s evidence unrecorded earlier this month. Garwe agreed to let them borrow his hand-written notes to complete the court transcript.
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From News24 (SA), 26 February
Journos a 'security threat'
Harare - Zimbabwean journalists working for the American government radio station, the Voice of America, pose a threat to Zimbabwe's national security, the state media commission said on Thursday. "The Voice of America is an arm of the US state department which is on record as seeking to overthrow the government of Zimbabwe through unconstitutional means and illegal(ly) under the United Nations charter," said the commission in a statement quoted in the state-owned Herald and weekly magazine, The Financial Gazette. "The... serious problem is that of national interest and national security," said the media commission. Its statement came after three journalists at the state-owned daily Herald were dismissed for working for the Voice of America. The trade union representing journalists issued a statement condemning their dismissals. The commission said: "The Voice of America... is among the media houses that have been peddling lies about this country, resulting in the deterioration of the Zimbabwean image. "It is disturbing for an individual to use a foreign media organisation to destroy his own country." In Cape Town, meanwhile, deputy president Jacob Zuma said the government would like to see Zimbabwe enjoy the same press freedom as South Africa. "We believe in press freedom," he told the Cape Town Press Club. "And if you want to equate to Zimbabwe, take what we say here: that will certainly go for what we would want to see in any other country."
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From VOA News, 20 February
A touch of Zimbabwe in the United Kingdom
The city of Luton is earning a reputation as the Harare of the United Kingdom. Located between London and Birmingham, Luton is home to an increasing number of Zimbabweans. Not only can you hear Shona being spoken on the streets of the city, but a number of stores sell products more commonly seen in Zimbabwe, such as maize meal, traditional vegetables, peanuts and madora. Some shopkeepers are even marking price tags of goods in Shona and even Ndebele. A Zimbabwean born lawyer, Oswald Ndanga, has lived in Luton for more than a decade. He says the number of Zimbabweans moving into the city is increasing. "You find Zimbabweans all over, " he says. "I don’t know what the number is but it’s very large." He adds that there are a large number of Zimbabweans in Luton who came "to seek asylum, or to run away from persecution and harassment by their government in Zimbabwe." Mr.Ndanga figures that the city, with a workforce of 185 thousand, is appealing to Zimbabweans because of its factory jobs and positions with manufacturing companies. He acts as legal representative to many Zimbabweans, some of who are in the country illegally. Mr.Ndanga says several clients have told him they would like to return home eventually.
But 33-year old Eunice Harahwa, who has lived in Luton for three years, says she has no plans to leave. "We have got everything we need. We have got a place where we go for braais, eat our traditional foods, sadza, we eat guru and everything here." As enterprising Zimbabweans provide her with the goods she wants, she says she has no plans to leave. Forty year old businesswoman Tanaka Pfebve is well known among Zimbabweans in the city. Her popular Kumusha restaurant serves traditional dishes on the same level as the popular Mereki and Zindoga in Zimbabwe. "The fact that there are so many Zimbabweans living here brings us good business," says Ms. Pfebve, adding "it’s good to be in Luton because it is improving my business." She admits, however, that life in Luton is not all rosy for Zimbabweans. She says many of the Zimbabweans she knows share a room with as many as 10 people. Mr.Pfebve says they live as inexpensively as possible, in order to save money to send home to their families.
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From The Herald, 27 February
Jane Mutasa convicted
Court Reporter
Businesswoman Jane Mutasa was yesterday convicted by a Harare Regional Magistrate’s for illegal dealing in foreign currency and will be sentenced next week. Mutasa (50), who is also a board member at mobile phone operator Telecel Zimbabwe, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the Exchange Control Act before magistrate Mrs Virginia Sithole. Mrs Sithole remanded her out of custody to Monday next week on $1 million bail pending sentence. She was ordered to surrender title deeds of any one of her immovable properties, remain at her Greystone Park home and report once a day to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters. Mutasa, who was brought to court on a fast track trial since she was prepared to plead guilty, admitted having dealt in foreign currency although she was not a licensed dealer as is required by the Exchange Control Act. Prosecutor Mr Joseph Mabeza said on November 13 last year, at the Telecel offices along Seke Road, Mutasa sourced US$2 000 and then sold it to Telecel using the parallel market rate of US$1 to ZW$6 000. Mutasa was then paid ZW$12 million by Telecel. Again on January 6 this year, Mutasa sold another US$8 400 to Telecel at the parallel market rate. Mr Mabeza said Mutasa did not follow the laid down procedures therefore depriving the State of its revenue.
In mitigation, Mutasa - through her lawyers Mr Walter Chimwaradze and Mr Kudzai Maguchu of Dube, Manikai and Hwatcha - asked the court for leniency because she was a first offender. Mr Chimwaradze submitted that the court should also consider that Mutasa was remanded in custody after the State invoked the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act) Regulations of 2004. Under the regulations, the judge or magistrate at a remand or bail hearing shall not decline to order the further detention of the accused solely on the basis that there are no grounds, at first sight, for the charge. The judge or magistrate shall order further detention or issue a warrant for further detention for 21 days if satisfied that there are clear grounds for the charge. No court is allowed to admit the person to bail for 14 days from the date when an order or warrant for the further detention is issued. Mr Chimwaradze said this happened in circumstances that were improper.
"The reason why we submit this is because the offence she has been convicted of is not canvassed by the statutory instrument which was used to remand her in custody," he said. He said Mutasa should have been admitted to bail or at least allowed to make a bail application. "In any sentence the court has to reach, (it must) consider that she has already been punished. Further we submit that the forex she obtained was legal; it was paid to her as board fees by Telecel," he said. He submitted that Mutasa was a married woman with four children and was a person of social and political standing in society. He also said the court should also take note of the prevalence of cases of dealing in foreign currency. "This reduces the moral blameworthiness in the matter," Mr Chimwaradze said. Mr Mabeza, arguing in aggravation, said Mutasa had acted from greed, not need and was "expected to abide by the law." Mutasa was a respectable member of society and should have not done this. He applied to have the foreign currency forfeited to the State.
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From The Financial Gazette, 26 February
Mugabe eyes Telecel
Brian Mangwende
Beleaguered businessman James Makamba’s chickens are flocking home to roost at the worst possible time as it emerged yesterday that while he languishes behind bars, President Robert Mugabe’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, is girding his loins to reclaim a long disputed significant stake in mobile cellular operator, Telecel Zimbabwe. The invariably well-turned-out but now hapless Makamba is chairman and founder of Telecel in which Mugabe claims he should have a 10 percent stake, although he could not say how much the 10 percent is worth. Impeccable sources yesterday said Mugabe recently met Telecel managing director, Anthony Carter, after the incarceration of Makamba, whose public profile ratcheted as a radio personality, to discuss the possibility of resolving the shareholding dispute. They also said Mugabe has since lobbied officials in the Ministry of Transport and Communications to help shore up his interest in Telecel. Mugabe, who had an inglorious exit from the chairmanship of the Zimbabwe Football Association, the country’s soccer governing body, confirmed this development. Carter refused to comment on the developments. "I can’t confirm to you whether I met him or not. He (Mugabe) is not a shareholder. In any case I am not going to comment on matters relating to Telecel shareholders. I can’t tell you anything," said Carter, who has reportedly been questioned by police over Telecel’s financial transactions. Mugabe, who could not say exactly how he had lost his shareholding in the first place, has engaged prominent Harare lawyers Gula Ndebele and Partners in a bid to retain his lost grip in Telecel, whose entry into the telecommunications industry in 1997 was mired in legal and political controversy.
Mugabe this week claimed that he owned 10 percent of Telecel through a vehicle called Integrated Engineering Group (IEG). Mugabe has 80 percent shareholding in IEG while his brother, Patrick Zhuwawo, owns the balance. The development is the clearest sign yet of the deep alienation between Makamba and other members of Telecel’s founding consortium brought about by boardroom squabbles over the corporate and shareholding structure at the sprawling cellular operator. The revelations about Mugabe’s behind-the-scenes aggressive push for a 10 percent equity holding in Telecel also came to light at a time when Makamba and fellow director Jane Mutasa are languishing in Harare’s remand prison on allegations of externalising foreign currency. This has raised questions as to why he is waking up to his shareholding in the company only now. Makamba, a Zanu PF central committee member but whose political career is increasingly becoming perilous, was arrested under the government’s current blitz on corruption. In a rash of impatience with deep-seated corruption, President Mugabe has made radical changes to certain clauses of the constitution to win the war against the graft. President Mugabe, who is widely believed to be seeing out his last term in office, has since vowed that no one would be spared despite warnings of a likely political backlash against the anti-graft crusade. Mutasa, the president of the Indigenous Business Women’s Organisation (IBWO), is being accused of externalising US$2 000 while Makamba, whose corporate past is now set for scrutiny following his arrest, is facing 22 charges of siphoning foreign currency into offshore accounts. The Supreme Court has since deferred judgment on Makamba’s bail application to today. "We have always had problems with the shareholding structure and as far as I am concerned, the issue of the shareholding structure is being handled by the lawyers. We approached the relevant minister about the issue and it is being dealt with. We want our differences to be resolved. So far, we are going in the right direction. We have been in this game for a long time," he said.
At inception, Telecel International owned 40 percent of Telecel Zimbabwe and the Empowerment Corporation (EC) 60 percent. Mugabe said he invested in EC through his company IEG. EC was a fusion of indigenous groups such as Makamba’s Kestrel Corporation (15 percent), IEG (10 percent), Affirmative Action Group (AAG), IBWO, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, the Zimbabwe National Social Security Authority and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, all with nine percent each. The company was granted a licence to operate a cellular network under political consideration as government wanted to empower previously marginalised black Zimbabweans. Cracks began to emerge within the consortium following differences over the shareholding structure. Makamba, who was at one time a business partner to former army commander, retired general Solomon Mujuru, was accused by his erstwhile colleagues of elbowing them out of the company. With strained relations, other partners’ instinct was to work against Makamba. The boardroom squabbles saw the acrimonious pull-out of Chiyangwa’s AAG. The pressure group, well-placed sources said, was paid $14 million for its interest in Telecel.Giles Munyoro, secretary general of the EC, apparently bitter in the manner in which he believes Makamba elbowed them out of Telecel said: "That is a political licence we got through the Cabinet as the EC. It belongs to all of us. Makamba made some of his workers directors and we lost our shareholding. We need to reclaim our status. We have approached the government already to sort out the mess." Asked whether the incarceration of Makamba, arrested on February 9, and Mutasa was not going to hinder progress in resolving the shareholding problems at Telecel, Mugabe said: "It’s unfortunate that they have been arrested, but they have not been convicted so that doesn’t hinder progress. Whether Makamba is in prison or not is basically neither here nor there. We are hoping the problems would be resolved soon."
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From The Zimbabwe Independent, 27 February
Presidential decree unlawful - judge
Staff Writer
Supreme Court judge Justice Vernanda Ziyambi yesterday described the presidential decree prohibiting bail to suspects as "patently unconstitutional". In a ruling delivered to an application by detained businessman James Makamba who is facing charges of externalising foreign currency, Ziyambi said the statutory instrument amending the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act removed the discretion of the presiding law officer to decide on bail. She however said she could not strike down the provision as this required a ruling by a full bench of the Supreme Court. "Thus the judge or magistrate before whom the accused person appears in terms of the proviso to Section 32 (2) of the Act as amended by the Amendment Regulations is deprived of his discretion whether or not to grant bail and merely acts as a rubber stamp to give semblance of legality to the detention. This strikes me as being patently unconstitutional but the issue of the constitutionality of the provisions of the amendment is not before me and, as was conceded by Mr (Sternford) Moyo, can only be determined by the constitutional court," she said. Moyo of Scanlen & Holderness represented Makamba in the application.
Ziyambi remitted the case back to the High Court to make a ruling on the bail application. The amendment gives government powers to detain suspects in cases of fraud and externalisation of money for up to 21 days. Makamba is facing 22 counts of externalising US$716 000, $1,1 billion, R1,8 million and £63 650. The state also alleges Telecel externalised $1,4 billion, £1 050 and R2,1 million. Makamba was arrested on February 9 and only appeared in court on February 15 when he was remanded in custody under the contentious statutory instrument. Another Telecel director, Jane Mutasa, is also in custody on charges of externalising US$2 000. Her son has been arrested and is in custody on charges of externalising US$105 200 and R1,2 million. Makamba's High Court application for bail was last week thrown out by Justice Antonia Guvava who cited the new statutory instrument. Makamba last Wednesday then filed papers with the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the statutory instrument and to overturn Justice Guvava's ruling.
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From The Mail & Guardian (SA), 27 February
The situation is very grim
Moyiga Nduru
Johannesburg - "We are the only country in the world not at war whose economy is shrinking at an alarming rate. Inflation is running at 620%. Eighty percent of our people live in poverty," says Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe’ s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Gibson Sibanda, deputy president of the MDC, adds that 70% of Zimbabweans are unemployed. "The manufacturing sector has shrunk by 40% ... The situation is very grim," he says. Sibanda, along with his colleagues, is in South Africa to draw attention to the plight of Zimbabwe. They are, yet again, calling for pressure to be brought on the government of President Robert Mugabe, which has presided over a political and economic crisis in the country. Since the start of 2000, the country has witnessed two elections that were dogged by violence and allegations of vote rigging. "Pressure must be brought to bear on Mr Mugabe’s regime to release the population from the reign of terror and economic meltdown," said Paul Themba Nyathi, MDC secretary for information and publicity.
For several months, South African President Thabo Mbeki has insisted that diplomatic levers are being pulled behind the scenes to persuade Mugabe into negotiating a settlement to the "meltdown". On certain occasions, it was even announced that talks were imminent, or already under way. But earlier this week, Mugabe again took a hard line on negotiations. He accused the MDC of being a front for Western countries that were allegedly seeking to topple his government. "As long as they are dictated upon from abroad we will find it difficult to talk with them," he said on Monday in an interview broadcast on state television. For talks to take place, Mugabe added, the MDC would have to cut its alleged ties with Western states. "President Mbeki is overly anxious to see progress made in Zimbabwe. But his anxiety is not shared by his colleague, Mr Mugabe," said Nyathi. "Right now, there is no talk going on in Zimbabwe."
The 80-year old Mugabe and senior officials from the ruling Zanu PF party have been barred from travelling to the United States and European Union since 2000, because of concern about the government’s failure to uphold the rule of law in Zimbabwe. Human rights groups claim that at least 300 people, most of them opposition supporters, have died in Zimbabwe since the start of politically motivated violence in 2000. Thousands of people are also said to have been tortured, and a number of women have alleged rape on the part of security forces and pro-government militias. Harare denies claims of human rights abuse. The start of 2000 also saw Zimbabwe’s controversial land-reform programme get under way. Under this programme, the government seized land from thousands of mainly white commercial farmers - apparently for redistribution to landless blacks. While some peasant farmers have been resettled on confiscated land, a number of farms have also made their way into the hands of government officials and their associates.
In addition the land programme, combined with drought, has led to severe food shortages in Zimbabwe: the United Nations World Food Programme says seven million people - more than half the country’s population - are now in need of food aid. While in South Africa, the MDC officials also launched the Zimbabwe Institute, a think-tank that will be based in Cape Town, South Africa, for the immediate future. The unfavourable political climate in Zimbabwe prevents the institute from operating there, according to its chairperson, Brian Raftopoulos. "The launch of the Zimbabwe Institute adds a new dimension to the struggle for social liberation in Zimbabwe and the collective pursuit of social justice," he said. "This is a struggle which is taking place within a political environment characterised by unrelenting state repression and a virtual closure of the democratic space."
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From The Kent and Sussex Courier (UK), 27 February
My ambitions for the future
By Matt Williams
Property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten is contemplating leaving Sussex for Zimbabwe and is turning his back on business in favour of politics overseas. Speaking exclusively to the Kent and Sussex Courier, the former Belmarsh Prison inmate maintained that he was set up over the murder of Mohammed Raja. During the interview Mr van Hoogstraten also outlined who he would be targeting with legal action following the quashing of his manslaughter conviction. From his hotel in Hove, the man once described as Britain's youngest self-made millionaire declared that business no longer interested him. Discussing his current plans, the 58-year-old tycoon said: "Why do I need to do anything? At my age why should I be wasting my time doing anything? I am dabbling with all sorts of things but I am not involved particularly in business and I am not interested in business." On being asked what he plans to do if not continue with his business interests, he replied: "Politics?- I am already involved with politics?- well not in this country."
Already a major landowner in the pariah state, Mr van Hoogstraten is said to be a friend of President Robert Mugabe and has recently spent time in the country. Asked if he wanted a stronger role in the politics of Zimbabwe, Mr van Hoogstraten replied: "I am not answering that question." But he did confirm he was contemplating moving to the southern African republic in which he owns a number of estates. Mr van Hoogstraten said: "I am seriously considering the move. The only thing stopping me is the fact I have five young children here." Despite widespread condemnation of President Mugabe's regime, the Sussex-based millionaire was keen to defend the leader's reputation and record against allegations of human rights abuses in Matabeleland and suppression of freedom of speech. He said: "Mugabe had a problem in parts of Matabeleland that after independence certain factions who didn't like the political divide wanted to carry on fighting an independence war. They were maiming and killing white settlers so Mugabe sent in particularly trained troops to deal with them. On the Zimbabwe media, he said: "The press down there, some of the things they write about him. I am surprised, in fact I am concerned, that he didn't suppress it three years ago when I first suggested it." He added that if Mugabe didn't have a black face we would be considered an English gentleman.
On issues back in this country, Mr van Hoogstraten said he is taking legal action against a number of bodies involved in his conviction for manslaughter in 2002. Reiterating comments made in December that he intended to sue everybody, he said the Metropolitan Police would be sued if an internal investigation into police corruption was not dealt with correctly. To the Met, he added Sussex Police who were "on the hook for a particular incident" and the Raja family. On Mr Raja, the millionaire estate owner said he was a "slum landlord" and there was "no evidence" that the dying man held Mr van Hoogstraten responsible for the knife and gun attack that ended his life. n During the interview, Mr van Hoogstraten also discussed plans for his palatial Framfield mansion, Hamilton Palace, quelling rumours that it had been put up for sale.
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From The Zimbabwe Independent, 27 February
Govt drops $127b appeal for 2005 poll
Dumisani Muleya
In a dramatic about-turn government has withdrawn its appeal for $127 billion from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to finance next year's parliamentary election in what is seen as a bid to avoid scrutiny over its organisation of the poll. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa yesterday confirmed the withdrawal of the plea for money. "We had anticipated that we would need some money for the logistics of holding the election," Chinamasa said. "But given the current economic upturn we think we will now be able to meet the costs from our own resources." However, diplomatic sources said government withdrew its application for funding after the United Nations agency said it wanted to send a team to assess the electoral framework and political climate next month. The UNDP team, working under the auspices of its governance programme, had been expected to visit the country between March 3 and 13 to examine the electoral framework, election agencies' capacity, the voters' roll, and inspect how transparent the whole system was. There have been a number of meetings between government and the UNDP over the issue.
Zanu PF has been accused of using political violence and coercion to win elections while electoral agencies are seen as open to manipulation because they are not independent of government. President Robert Mugabe effectively appoints members of the Electoral Supervisory Commission, which supervises the registration of voters and elections. He similarly appoints members of the Election Directorate that co-ordinates activities of government ministries and departments concerned with electoral arrangements. Zimbabwe's electoral laws are not consistent with the norms and standards of other countries in the region. They fall well below the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum's principles on elections.
Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai said in an interview this week that his party was concerned about the outdated and undemocratic electoral system. He said it was futile to contest an election in which the winner is predetermined. "Our electoral framework and political environment are inimical to free and fair elections. Elections are always characterised by violence, intimidation and manipulation," Tsvangirai said. "We are going to have a massive campaign for the electoral conditions to be improved. We want the electoral system to be reformed and independent agencies put in place before the next election." President Mugabe announced recently the poll will be held next March. Tsvangirai admitted there were differences within the MDC over whether or not to boycott the election. "The arguments for and against participation are all justified but right now those whose view is that we should contest the election have an edge over those opposed to it," he said. "We want this debate to sink to grassroots but we don't want it to kill our momentum and allow inertia to set in. We will remain prepared for the election in case the environment changes."
However, Chinamasa said there would be no change in electoral laws before the election. "As far as we are concerned the next election will be run on the basis of the existing electoral laws," he said. "The issue of electoral law reform has something to do with the constitution and it is better dealt with in the global context of constitutional review. It's better to deal with such issues after the next election because at the moment there are a lot of pressing issues that we have to address now. Fundamental constitutional issues are contentious and take a long time to resolve." On the MDC's threat to boycott the election unless electoral reforms are introduced, Chinamasa said the MDC was entitled to do so. "It's their right to do so. There is no obligation that anyone has to contest elections if they don't want to. But we know they are afraid of losing. They know they will be trounced," he said.
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From News24 (SA), 27 February
Venezuela, Zim in energy deal
Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe signed an energy cooperation agreement on Thursday to share technology and develop mining in the African nation. "Venezuela and Zimbabwe recognise the common interest to promote and accelerate economic and technical development in the area of energy and mining," stated the agreement, signed on the eve of an international summit of developing nation in Caracas. Under the agreement, the two countries would exchange technological experience and information to further energy and mining development while establishing joint projects for mining exploration, production and sales. Mugabe is in Venezuela to attend the Group of 15 summit of developing nations, which begins on Friday and will focus on using oil revenues as a way to fight poverty. Energy cooperation accords, such as the one signed between Venezuela and Zimbabwe, would help liberate developing nations "that have remained susceptible to the dominance of the western countries," said Mugabe. There are acute gasoline shortages in Zimbabwe, which is caught in its worst political and economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1980. Venezuela is a poor country despite being the world's fifth-largest oil producer.
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From The Zimbabwe Independent, 27 February
Judgement reserved in Tsvangirai trial
Blessing Zulu
In an unprecedented move yesterday, state prosecutors applied to the High Court seeking an order to be allowed to address issues of fact after the defence had closed its case in the Morgan Tsvangirai treason trial. Acting Attorney-General and lead state prosecutor Bharat Patel said he needed only "about 10 minutes" to address the issues which arose from the closing submissions of the defence counsel. But defence lawyer Advocate Chris Andersen opposed the request as unprocedural. He said the state prosecutors did not even have the courtesy to inform them of this move in time. Advocate Andersen said the application was in total contravention of the rules of the High Court and criminal procedure. "It is clear that at the end of the defence's final submissions, the prosecution has a right of reply but only in relation to matters of law and not those of fact. The application is out of order in terms of the rules of the court," Andersen argued. Presiding judge Paddington Garwe concurred with Andersen. He said the aim was to ensure that the state would not re-open its case. "It was the objective of the legislation to ensure finality," Justice Garwe said. "I am of the view that the state is not entitled to the request made," he said.
In his closing remarks, lead defence counsel Advocate George Bizos urged the court to dismiss the entire matter. The state's case rests on a video recording of a 2001 meeting between a Montreal consulting firm, Dickens & Madson, and Tsvangirai. Advocate Bizos told the court that Tsvangirai was framed. "The state relies on bad witnesses as to the first and second meetings and a bad video together with the same witnesses for the third meeting," he said. "The accused was set up by (Ari Ben) Menashe for money and (by) the state for political purposes for the presidential election," Bizos said. "That the state was involved is evident from the manner in which the tape was used and the fact that it must have been altered whilst in the state's custody," he said. "The suppression of the audio tape and audio transcript and failure to account for the huge sums paid to Menashe point in the same direction." Bizos also queried the manner in which the video tape had been handled. "The video forms the cornerstone of the state's case but remarkably neither the police nor prosecution took any steps to have the equipment independently tested to verify that it was the best that could be achieved and not deliberately distorted so as to make it capable of tampering," Bizos said.
Patel in his closing submission argued that the accused committed high treason by inciting, and seeking to arrange three things. First, Patel said, Tsvangirai sought to plan the assassination of the president. This, the prosecutor argued, is proved by the testimonies of Ben-Menashe and Tara Thomas, as well as the video recording. Secondly, he said. Tsvangirai also sought to arrange a coup and thirdly, Tsvangirai planned the setting up of a transitional government. After hearing the submissions Justice Garwe, the Judge President, said he was reserving judgement to allow him time to go through all the evidence that was made since February last year when the trial started. He said the defence and the state would be notified when he was ready to deliver judgement.
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From BBC News, 27 February
Zimbabwe's torture training camps
By Hilary Anderson
President Robert Mugabe's government has set up secret camps across the country in which thousands of youths are taught how to torture and kill, the BBC has learned. The Zimbabwean government says the camps are job training centres, but those who have escaped say they are part of a brutal plan to keep Mugabe in power. Former recruits to the camps have spoken to the BBC's Panorama programme about a horrific training programme that breaks young teenagers down before encouraging them to commit atrocities. Members of the youth militia are warned never to tell of their experiences inside the camps, and many refuse to be identified when talking about their experiences. However one girl, Debbie, claims she was kidnapped and forced into a camp - where she was raped on her very first night. In accounts gathered by BBC Panorama from dozens of youths, it appears that for many of them the training in the camps begins with rape. Debbie said she was raped three times on the first night, but claimed that the abuse didn't stop then. She told the programme: "I was raped again at night and they said no-one can complain because its part of training." She claims she used to share a blanket with an 11-year-old girl. The little girl was also raped night after night.
President Mugabe has visited the camps. Ministry insiders have told Panorama that his government knows what goes on inside them. Food is often scarce. Youths are beaten until they succumb to orders. They are taught that their mission is to keep President Mugabe in power. Panorama has also learned that some of the recruits are taught to torture his opponents. Daniel was plied with alcohol and drugs, and learned how to electrocute his victims. He said: "I would just touch, krr, krr - tell us information." Asked if he thought it was OK to torture people, he added that it was "nice", because "your mind is disturbed". During covert filming inside Zimbabwe, Panorama also spoke to a camp commander who told the programme that youths in his camp had been sent to kill opponents of President Mugabe. He said: "In the area I am covering I heard of two. My superiors instructed that the people must be eliminated." What is more frightening is that President Mugabe now wants every Zimbabwean youth to undergo training. We have been told they will be used to intimidate political opponents in next year's elections. The commander added: "These guys are going to be used by the ruling party to keep the opposition out of power." We put these allegations to Zimbabwe's government, but so far it has refused to respond.
Panorama: Secrets of the Camps will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday, 29 February 2004 at 2215 GMT
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From The New York Times, 29 February
In Zimbabwe, even the farmers are going hungry
By Michael Wines
Marondera - The grasslands surrounding Harare, the capital, are blessed with rich soil, good drainage and a temperate climate that comes from sitting a half mile above sea level. Amon Zimbudzana raises corn on four acres of it. Yet on a recent morning, he walked the mile from his thatched hut to a clearing in the bush here to collect sacks of free corn for his family from international relief workers. Mr. Zimbudzana is destitute - so destitute that the family celebrated the New Year with a 20-cent pack of Zimbabwean Kool Aid; so destitute that two children are unable to attend school for lack of the $6 tuition; so destitute that he cannot buy food to tide his family over until his own harvest, in April. Soon after the harvest, he will be destitute again. He expects to harvest about 100 pounds of corn, enough to last about two weeks. "This is prime farmland," one relief worker said as Mr. Zimbudzana and 900 others waited to collect their sacks. "If people are suffering here, imagine what it must be like in other parts of the country."
One need not imagine. As January ended, the United Nations and other relief agencies here quietly raised their estimate of Zimbabwe's "food insecure" population - essentially, those who have no ready access to a bare-bones daily diet - from nearly half its 11.6 million citizens to two-thirds. No other nation in Africa has such a high proportion of hungry citizens, the officials say. It is one more testament to the three years of economic and social disintegration here. Zimbabwe's farm output - and in particular, its harvest of corn, the core of every diet - is plummeting. Last year's April harvest totaled 900,000 tons, nearly a million tons short of what was needed. This year, crippled by inflation and seed shortages, farmers planted barely three-fourths of the corn sown in 2003. The Famine Early Warning System, an American-financed hunger watchdog, said in mid-February that recent heavier rains could erase some of that deficit. But even the most sanguine harvest forecasts leave Zimbabwe 40 percent short of its needs. "The harvest is causing us great concern," said Makena Walker, a spokeswoman for the United Nations World Food Program in Harare. "The rains have been very patchy," she added, and some of the areas that are worst off are those that produce the food.
Two years of drought are partly to blame for the food shortages. Most experts say, however, that more responsibility rests with President Robert Mugabe's government, whose seizure of commercial farms in recent years has destroyed large-scale agriculture, sent foreign investors fleeing and caused economic panic. The resulting hyperinflation, pegged lately at 620 percent, has savaged family food budgets. One unpublished survey by relief organizations found that 9 in 10 urban households now survive on the equivalent of less than a dollar per person per day. The effect is not the kind of famine that Sudan and Ethiopia suffered in the 1980's. Rather, Zimbabweans are slowly wasting away from chronic hunger and the diseases that feed on it. Half the children under age 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, the United Nations Children's Fund says, double the percentage of just five years ago. One in four children is stunted. At least 1 woman in 10 is malnourished. Zimbabwe's AIDS pandemic - at least one in four people is H.I.V.-positive - works in synergy with such deprivation, for the weak and underfed are often the first to fall ill. In interviews in Harare and elsewhere, health experts said that as many as 8 in 10 malnourished children brought to clinics and hospitals for emergency nutritional treatment were H.I.V.-positive.
"Normally," said one expert, "if you're treating kids under 5 with a therapeutic feeding program for malnutrition, your mortality is less than 5 percent. In theory, they should walk away with their parents after a couple of weeks. Instead, we're getting mortality rates between 20 and 30 percent." The need is evident in Marondera, with about 4,100 people, where Mr. Zimbudzana lives, and its surrounding district 60 miles southeast of Harare. By Zimbabwean standards it is relatively prosperous: fewer than one in three is officially classified as scrambling for the next meal. But by 10 a.m. on a Thursday morning in January, people were streaming to the corn-distribution center, knots of donkey carts and barefoot pedestrians following a yellow dirt road through the scrub to a grassy clearing where hundreds already patiently waited. The reward for most, this month, was 10 kilograms - 22 pounds - per person of ground corn, to be boiled with water and a few vegetables to make sadza, the national staple. The World Food Program had halved that allotment for December, citing a slowdown in donations from governments apparently wary of appearing to assist Zimbabwe's government. The rations of ground nuts and vegetable oil the needy once also received have been suspended for lack of stocks. The neediest of all get an extra dollop of high-protein corn and soy flour. Mr. Zimbudzana and his wife, Gertrude Chokurongwera, were among them.
Mr. Zimbudzana is unemployed - hobbled, he says, by a slow-moving prostate cancer that he is too poor to treat. He and his wife nevertheless have taken in four children, two from a relative's broken marriage; two orphaned by a mother's AIDS. They live in three tiny huts next to his cornfields and a handful of peach trees, surviving on donations from World Vision and the World Food Program, the few bottlefish he catches in a nearby stream and whatever they can earn from begging and selling possessions. "Sometimes," Ms. Chokurongwera said, "we sell our clothes." Sometimes neighbors give the family food, Mr. Zimbudzana said, but not often. "We're all the same," he said during a chat in the hut that serves as the family kitchen. "There's no food." The last two harvests, like the forthcoming one, were tiny. Drought was one problem, but Mr. Zimbudzana is also too poor to buy fertilizer, which has skyrocketed in price as the country's ability to buy raw materials for farming has imploded. He tills his plot with a hoe. The daily diet for the household is sadza in the morning and again in the evening, mixed occasionally with some okra or one of the 16 scrawny chickens he has raised. There is tea in good times, but no sugar, and there is no cow, so no milk. Ms. Chokurongwera said the family would be in dire straits without the relief agencies. "Now, at least, the children's health is improving because of the corn-soya blend." she said. "They were so lean before. Even my husband and myself are gaining some weight now."
Mr. Mugabe's government blames a conspiracy of what he calls racist Western governments for Zimbabwe's food woes. Yet today, all that separates this nation from starvation is the donated corn, sorghum and high-protein soy flour, 80 percent of it from Europe and the United States, funneled through the United Nations and global charities. It is not enough. World Food Program officials say their workers and global charities will be able to feed only about 5.5 million Zimbabweans until the harvest comes in. That is 2 million fewer than the number in need. It was disclosed recently that Zimbabwe, which had restricted those aid programs to the governing party's rural strongholds, was holding more than 300,000 tons of grain. Most of it had been seized from farmers trying to sell it on the black market because government-set prices were too low to recover their costs. Under international pressure, officials said they would release some of it to address hunger in cities.
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From News24 (SA), 27 February
Zim farmers fear for land
Bloemfontein - Farmers in the Zimbabwe lowveld said on Friday they feared a renewed campaign to chase them off their land following the arrest of a 75-year-old woman farmer. Mike Clark, chair of the Masvingo branch of the Commercial Farmers Union, said police arrested Kay Kloppers on Thursday and forced her to leave her farm. Since her husband died several years ago Kloppers had been farming alone on her land in the Mwenezi district. The elderly woman was released later on Thursday to remove a few loads of possessions from her home and lock up. She was now staying with friends, Clark said. He maintained that a government acquisition order for Kloppers' farm had been proclaimed, but her appeal against it was still pending in court. Clark added that Zimbabwe's new minister of land, John Nkomo, told CFU representatives two weeks ago that no more white farmers would be forced to leave their homes. Kloppers' arrest was therefore all the more disturbing and confusing to him and fellow farmers remaining in the area, he said. Mwenezi is one of two lowveld districts in the south of Zimbabwe. It borders on South Africa, with South Africans having invested heavily in the district in the past. It is an exceptionally drought-prone area, requiring large tracts of land for viable cattle and wildlife farming. According to Clark, South Africans owned 568 000 hectares of land in the district - the largest proportion - before the Zimbabwean government initiated its land reform programme. These investments had since been reduced to 41 600 hectares, or 7.3% of the initial South African ownership, Clark said.
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From The Zimbabwe Independent, 27 February
Farmers ordered to justify their stay
Augustine Mukaro
Mashonaland West's newly appointed governor Nelson Samkange has demanded that all white commercial farmers still on their properties in the province explain why they should be spared from eviction, the Zimbabwe Independent heard this week. This came as scores of commercial farmers whose Section 8 notices had expired were hauled before the Karoi magistrates courts on Monday this week. About a dozen farmers trooped to the courts fearing that they could be detained if they defied Section 8 notices after they expired. Karoi courts however could not arbitrate in the cases because they are already before the High Court. Under a Section 8 notice, a farmer is allowed 45 days to wind up his operations and another 45 days to vacate the property. Farmers who spoke to the Independent said Samkange, in a circular issued two weeks ago, ordered farmers to explain in writing why they should not be evicted. "Other than the application for the need to stay and farm, the governor wants the farmers to also make a written undertaking to reduce their properties as required by the government," one farmer said.
Justice for Agriculture spokesman Ben Freeth said Samkange wanted the farmers to apply for their continued stay on the farms and to downsize their properties. "The governor wants farmers to apply to government to downsize their properties to 400 hectares," Freeth said. "What causes confusion amongst farmers is that the new Land Amendment Bill which went through parliament last month nullifies all those arrangements. Government in principle is saying one thing while on the ground a completely different scenario prevails," he said. The farmers said it was difficult to vacate their farms in compliance with the demands of the Section 8 notices because they had crops in the ground and animals to relocate if they were to leave their properties. "There are no crops that can mature and be harvested within that time-frame so farmers tend to hang on to avoid heavy losses that would come with vacating the farm with crops in the ground," one farmer said. An estimated 600 white farmers are left on the farms out of the over 4 000 who used to operate Zimbabwe's major commercial farms before government embarked on its controversial land reform programme in 2000. However, not all of the 600 farmers are in total control of their properties.
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From The Sunday Times (SA), 29 February
MDC rejects Mugabe's conditions for talks
BBC claims Zanu PF is training political thugs ahead of 2005 election
S'thembiso Msomi and Sunday Times Foreign Desk
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, the Movement for Democratic Change's Morgan Tsvangirai, has vowed not to accept President Robert Mugabe's conditions for reconciliation talks. This comes amid claims from a BBC team that it has uncovered proof of Zimbabwean youths in secret camps, disguised as job-training centres, being systematically taught to torture Mugabe's opponents. A young woman interviewed by the BBC's Panorama team, who spent time in one of six camps, claimed she had been gang-raped on her first night as part of her "initiation". She alleged that at night she habitually shared a blanket with an 11-year-old girl who was also repeatedly raped by Zanu PF thugs. A camp commander, his voice distorted to avoid recognition, said hundreds of youths were being trained to unleash terror and brutality on political rivals in the run-up to next year's election.
Mugabe said on Monday he was not willing to talk to the MDC until the party "severs its umbilical cord" with the West. His remarks have been embarrassing to South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has insisted all along that the two parties were talking. But South African government officials this week played down Mugabe's comments, saying they were part of the "usual grandstanding" that occurred before major talks. Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the South African government was still confident that a peaceful resolution could be found. "Both parties have committed themselves to substantive discussions. They have both expressed the need for negotiations to begin as soon as possible," Mamoepa said. Mbeki's spokesman Bheki Khumalo said "there had been a one-sided reading" of what Mugabe had said during the interview. He said Mugabe had also expressed a desire to speak to the MDC if "it has anything to offer". "For us this is not an issue," Khumalo said. "The issue is the peaceful resolution of the political conflict in Zimbabwe. There is no substitute to dialogue and we are confident that both parties accept that reality." Early this month Mbeki said in a TV interview that leaders of the two parties were eager to meet "as soon as they return from their Christmas holidays". The MDC, however, insists that the last informal contact between the two parties took place in October 2003.
Mugabe's remarks, made during an interview with Zimbabwe's state broadcaster, seem to have dashed any hopes about talks taking place soon. Tsvangirai this week said the MDC would not be swayed by the Zimbabwean president's "redundant rhetoric and populist posturing". "The arrogance he displayed in that interview shows that he is not serious about talks," Tsvangirai said. " He wants issues discussed on his own terms, not in the national interest." Mugabe said in Monday's interview that although his party was "prepared to discuss" with the MDC, it would be "extremely difficult" to proceed as long as the opposition remained a front for the West determined to "ruin our economy" to gain power. "There you have a party that would want to discuss with us the way forward; we are prepared to discuss with them the way forward... but we can't discuss with people whose ideas are against our society," he said. "We can't discuss with allies of Western countries that would want to destroy our economy. What will we be doing? The devil is the devil. There can never be an occasion on which you can sup with him."
Tsvangirai said the interview further proved that Mugabe's "unreconstructed regime is beyond reform". "Zanu PF is... imploding at the core, it's chaotic and has no cohesion, except in perpetrating political violence and patronage aimed at creaming off the economy," he said. "The party is riddled with squabbles over Mugabe's succession... There is no way you can redeem that sort of a party." Tsvangirai said it was shocking to hear a leader who was "facing a legitimacy" crisis insisting on preconditions for dialogue meant to resolve problems he had authored. "We have demonstrated that we are committed to a negotiated settlement," Tsvangirai said. "Our actions last year, like attending Mugabe's address during the opening of Parliament and state funerals, were designed to thaw political relations. But a dictator will always think that accommodation is a sign of weakness. "We can see through his transparent political shibboleths and shenanigans. We simply don't accept that. It's high time Mugabe accepts the reality that there is no alternative to dialogue."
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From The Zimbabwe Independent, 27 February
Nhema/Mpofu clash over hunting permits
Blessing Zulu
Environment minister Francis Nhema and Matabeleland North governor Obert Mpofu are set on a collision course over land use on properties acquired by the governor, the Zimbabwe Independent has established. Nhema and Mpofu are at loggerheads over hunting concessions at Sikumi in Dete, which are under Mpofu's control. Documents in our possession show that the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority banned hunting on two properties acquired by Mpofu under the fast track land reform exercise. The directive was made by Parks director-general Misheck Mutsambiwa, who ordered Mpofu and other settlers to stop all hunting activities. "I have studied the report by the officers we dispatched to Matabeleland North to assess the situation regarding hunting in the Sikumi Forest/Railway Farms 31-41 complex," said Mutsambiwa in a letter to Parks board chairman Buzwani Mothobi. "Given the issues raised about the range of the 'Presidential Herd of Elephants' and the location of lodges within and around Farms 39 to 41 I fully concur with the recommendation made by our officers that hunting should be banned on those farms," he said. The order to impose a ban was approved by Nhema and Mothobi. Nhema said the ban should remain in force until further notice.
But Mpofu's lawyers are challenging hunting restrictions on Subdivision 1 of Railway Farms 40 and 41 controlled by Mpofu and Trebo & Kays (Pvt) Ltd. The lawyers, Cheda & Partners, in a letter to Mothobi and copied to Nhema and Agriculture minister Joseph Made on January 7, said the ban could not stand in the absence of a statutory instrument by Nhema. "To date no statutory instrument is in place and your verbal decision to deny our clients a quota and permit to hunt in the area has no force of law and is void as such," the lawyers said. "Your decision to enforce the ban by 'non-issuance of hunting quotas and permit for the three properties' amounts to a usurpation of the minister's function as stated in the Act. you have already made a decision for the minister and acted in his position without his tacit or overt authorisation," said the lawyers. Mothobi said until the statutory instrument was in place the ban would be enforced by the non-issuance of hunting quotas and permits. Mpofu's lawyers said Farm 41 could continue to be used for photographic safaris but insisted Farm 40 should be issued with a quota and hunting permit as it could not be used for photographic safaris.] "If you insist that Farm 40 should be used for photographic safaris then the land may as well be considered derelict because it has never been and is not suitable for photographic safaris," the lawyers said.
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From The Times (UK), 1 March
Mugabe suspends last of independent judges
From Jan Raath in Harare
Zimbabwe's once-independent judiciary came under renewed attack yesterday as it was announced that President Mugabe had suspended an outspoken High Court judge for alleged misconduct. Patrick Chinamasa, the Justice Minister, said that Judge Benjamin Paradza had been suspended with immediate effect after the appointment of an international judicial inquiry to decide on whether to recommend his removal. Judge Paradza is accused of asking three local judges to allow a suspect in a murder case - allegedly a business partner of his - to have his passport returned. The judge denies the allegations. It has taken a year for Mr Mugabe to appoint the tribunal. When the allegations surfaced, police burst into the judge’s chambers, arrested him and kept in him in a police cell overnight. Lawyers point out that Judge Paradza has a record of rulings that have infuriated the Government. Jonathan Samkange, his lawyer, said that just before his arrest last year, two agents of Mr Mugabe’s secret police visited the judge and told him: "You embarrassed the Government. We will embarrass you." A few days earlier the judge had ordered police to release a detained official of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Judge Paradza has particularly offended the regime, observers said, because he is a former veteran of the war against white minority rule and so a member of a group usually loyal to Mr Mugabe.
Judge Paradza had instructed the authorities to stop withholding a passport from Judith Todd, a well-known human rights activist and the daughter of Sir Garfield Todd, the late Rhodesian Prime Minister. He had also struck down illegal orders issued by the Government to seize 54 white-owned farms. The move against the judge is the latest in an offensive on independent-minded judges since 2001, when Anthony Gubbay, the Chief Justice, was forced to quit under a threat of violence. Since then the bench has been packed with pro- Mugabe judges. Only one other judge has been subjected to a misconduct hearing. In the 1990s, Judge Fergus Blackie was accused of obstructing the course of justice when he ordered police to release a white farmer from detention. He was given a mild reproof. The Government moved against Judge Blackie again in September 2002, after he ordered the arrest of the Justice Minister for failing to appear before the court on contempt charges. He was arrested, kept in jail for a weekend and paraded, handcuffed, but corruption charges against him were dropped. Judge Moses Chinengo has become the ninth Zimbabwean judge in nearly three years to leave the judiciary after coming under pressure from the State.
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From The Sunday Mirror, 29 February
Land war rages
Shame Makoshori
The land dispute pitting a Zanu PF official Kenneth Karidza, Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement minister John Nkomo and safari operator, Mervyn Senior took a new twist last week with Nkomo claiming that Karidza’s eviction from his farm two weeks ago was an implementation of the Utete land commission’s recommendations. At the vortex of the land dispute is the 394 hectare Rocky Arlington farm, which also incorporates Mbizi game park, where the minister is alleged to have instructed police to order Karidza off the A2 farm he was allocated under the agrarian reform in 2002. When The Daily Mirror ran the story early last week, Nkomo refused to provide details although he acknowledged the dispute, only to phone the next day saying the story was anomalous. "I can confirm that I am aware of the matter but I will not confirm any further," the minister when contacted last week, referring all questions to Karidza. About 30 demonstrators sympathetic to Karidza staged a peaceful demonstration last week in protest of the return of Senior to the property, arguing that the new farmer was offering better packages to workers than him.
A professional hunter at the lodge produced a payslip that indicated that until last year, he was earning $50 000 per month, an amount several gardeners in the capital are surpassing. He said since Karidza’s arrival at the controversial property last year, their salaries was significantly hiked and a funeral assistance package was put in place to help them. Karidza told The Sunday Mirror that Nkomo was using the Utete report as a scapegoat as the eviction order had been plotted since 2002, but was constantly shot down by Agriculture minister, Joseph Made, who felt Karidza had properly acquired the farm. "The issue of evicting me has been on the agenda for the past two years, but I was saved by minister Made who said it was unprocedural to evict me. "Did the Utete reform give them the go ahead to evict people even without informing them? I have invested $250 million on the farm and all my crops have no one looking after them. I held a meeting with Nkomo last year on the issue and he said he was awaiting the Mashonaland East land audit report but he never came back to me," Karidza said.
He accused top government officials, including Environment and Tourism minister Francis Nhema, and close associates of Senior opposed to his allocation of the farm of masterminding the eviction bid. Documents in possession of the Sunday Mirror however indicate that the war veteran, who produced copies of his offer letter signed by Made won the case at the High Court last year making him the legal owner of the farm. Made could not be reached for comment yesterday as his mobile phone remained unanswered. Senior has declared that he will not speak to this paper, which could not establish his relationship with Nhema who he is alleged to have once treated to a holiday in the United States last year. The dispute at the farm is the latest in a series of other post-land reform wars that have erupted, implicating the top brass, most of who stand accused of using their political clout to evade properly laid down procedures for selfish gains.
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From The Zimbabwe Standard, 29 February
Zanu PF targets chiefs in Lupane campaign
Savious Kwinika
Bulawayo - Hardly a month after the death of Lupane MDC legislator, David Mpala, the ruling party Zanu PF has launched its campaign in the constituency amid revelations that it intends to use traditional leaders to shut the opposition party out of the looming contest. Although the election dates are yet to be announced, Zanu PF has already selected ward 8 councillor Martin Khumalo and is in the process of enlisting the support of traditional leaders including chiefs and headmen in order to secure the rural constituency. The controversial strategy was a huge success in Gutu North last month where Chiefs declared areas under their jurisdiction "no go areas" for the MDC, effectively making it impossible for the opposition party to campaign. "Why abandon such a winning formula, it's going to be the same strategy," said a Zanu PF source who attended the launch of the campaign currently spearheaded by the ruling party's provincial executive in Sobendle village last week. The Standard understands that the ruling party has already started courting the support of chief Nicholas Mabikwa-Khumalo who is influential in the area.
All these activities are taking place at a time when many people in Lupane are still mourning the death of their MDC MP Mpala who, according to the opposition party, succumbed to injuries inflicted on him by war veterans and Zanu PF militia in 2002. MDC Secretary for Information and Publicity in Lupane district, David Nyathi, said his party would not worry about the early start to the campaign by Zanu PF insisting the opposition would trounce the ruling party to safely retain the seat. "If this time around Zanu PF does not murder our people, threaten them, unleash violence or intimidate them like they have done in the past, definitely we will retain our seat. "Our chances of winning have been boosted by the rains that came in late January and in the event that we get a good harvest this will make it difficult for Zanu PF to entice villagers with free food," said Nyathi. He added that MDC Lupane district was currently working on modalities of choosing a candidate who would be accepted by the party's supporters. Zanu PF Bulawayo Acting Chairman, Silas Dlomo could not be reached for the comment as his mobile said he was unreachable.
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From The Sunday Telegraph (UK), 29 February
'Rape is OK. It helps us to train people'
Hilary Andersson, of the BBC's Panorama programme, reveals how thousands of youths are being taught to rape, maim, torture and kill in Zimbabwe's terror training camps - and now Robert Mugabe intends to make the camps compulsory for all the country's young men and women
It should have been just another shopping trip for Debbie. She needed a few vegetables, so headed off into one of Bulawayo's markets. On that November morning back in 2001, she had no premonition that her life was about to be wrecked. In the market was a large gang of Mugabe's youth militia chanting Zanu PF slogans. They quickly spotted the tall 20-year-old and demanded that she come and join them. Debbie, terrified, turned and ran for home, but the gang chased after her through the streets. She thought she had made it to safety, but she had been seen entering her house. If she didn't come out, the gang members shouted, they would burn it down. Debbie surrendered. She was allowed to take just one possession with her: a blanket. Debbie was taken to one of the so-called training camps for Robert Mugabe's Green Bombers youth brigades. That night the camp boys came into her dormitory. They locked the doors, then took it in turns to rape her. "The boys turned the lights off at 10 o'clock," she said. "They told me: 'If you cry, if you make a noise, we'll beat you'."
The ordeal didn't finish there. She says she was raped again - and again, every night for the next six months. Debbie shared her blanket with an 11-year old girl called Sitembile. The little girl would scream night after night as she was raped, too. The morning after being gang raped for the first time Debbie asked the camp commander for medical help. He told her not to complain and sent her on a 20-kilometre run. Like many of the youths she was often deprived of food for days at a time, and frequently beaten. One day she was caught trying to escape, and was sadistically punished. She was buried to her neck in the ground. When she was dug out hours later she was made to roll in raw sewage. "The water, it was dirty," she said, "my head was rolling inside." The commanders then forced Debbie to eat her meal with the other inmates without being allowed to wash. "The commanders, they laughed," she said. Debbie, now 22, is understandably a deeply traumatised young woman. She fled to South Africa after speaking publicly about her experiences in Zimbabwe. As a consequence, she now lives isolated and in hiding, in fear of Mugabe's secret police. At least two Zimbabweans have been tortured, one to death, for telling the truth about the camps.
There are at least six large camps in Zimbabwe, trapping thousands of children and youths inside. The youngest are aged just 11; the oldest 30. Once inside, many of the recruits are put through a horrific training programme which, over a period of three to six months, can turn ordinary youngsters into thugs with a capacity for extreme violence. The people of Zimbabwe are told that the camps are job training centres, where youths learn such skills as carpentry and sewing. Many youngsters believe this propaganda and actually volunteer for the camps. Panorama spent weeks with Debbie, slowly eliciting the full horror of her ordeal. She was far from alone in her brutal treatment. In interviews conducted by Panorama and human rights groups with almost 100 former camp youths, around 50 per cent of the girls said that they were regularly raped in the camps. Rape on such a scale helps break down the youth in the camps emotionally, which enables the camp commanders to gain physical and psychological control of their young inmates. The boys in the camps are often encouraged to rape by the commanders, who ply them with alcohol and drugs.
"Daniel", who was in a camp about 100 miles from Bulawayo and is also now in South Africa, sports a tight woollen hat, and lounges on his chair when he speaks. He smiles when he talks about raping. "I was enjoying it," he admits, "because I was only choosing the nice girls." Daniel, who was a young leader in the camp, treated the girls as his slaves, ordering them to wash his clothes, and bring him food and drink as he pleased. A former official with the Ministry of Youth, Gender and Employment Creation that oversees the camps, explained the government's thinking. "You are moulding somebody to listen to you, so if it means rapes have to take place in order for that person to take instructions from you, then it's OK," he said. He was so horrified that he left his job with the ministry in disgust. Rape is just one of the ways camp commanders are able to turn their charges into unquestioning automata. The training methods vary from camp to camp, but the pattern is consistent. Every day the inmates are woken at 3 or 4am and forced into a regime of tough exercise. Those who can't keep up are beaten with rubber whips. For two or three hours a day they are also taught the history of Zimbabwe. One of the training manuals that is used in the classes is a collection of Robert Mugabe's speeches. The children say that they are afraid to question the teachings. "They have to take out the stuff which you have in your mind and then put in new stuff," said one man who had been through the camps. The youths are taught that opponents of Mugabe's Zanu PF party must be dealt with harshly.
The brutality in the camps prepares the youths for the more advanced lessons in how to torture and kill government opponents. Most of the youths Panorama interviewed said that they were taught how to kill. Debbie was given lessons in using shoe laces for strangling, and stabbing people in the head with a knife. The "star pupils" are selected for training in the techniques of torture. Youths testified to being taught how to torture with electricity, or by hanging victims upside down and lowering their head |
