Saturday, August 8, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Baby of Zimbabwe
The new government of Zimbabwe needs strong international support. Crops are falling and there is a drought coming very soon. 33% of the population of Zimbabwe has AIDS. This year is a critical time to promote peace and take an active approach to help rebuild Zimbabwe and allow for people to have their most basic needs met, such as food, water and medicine.
It is imperative that NGO's do not just send aid, but rather make sure there are NGO's in Zimbabwe responsible for giving the food aid to the people. Please phone 411 to get the number for your local senator and petition for greater support of Zimbabwe.
All people everywhere should have their most basic needs for food, water and medicine met.
Nearly 25,000 people a day all over the world die of hunger relatated causes.
You can go to the following websites for more information about Zimbabwe:
www.sokwanele.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/sokwanele/
Uploaded by venetia joubert sarah oosterveld on 7 Mar 09, 3.46AM PDT
It is imperative that NGO's do not just send aid, but rather make sure there are NGO's in Zimbabwe responsible for giving the food aid to the people. Please phone 411 to get the number for your local senator and petition for greater support of Zimbabwe.
All people everywhere should have their most basic needs for food, water and medicine met.
Nearly 25,000 people a day all over the world die of hunger relatated causes.
You can go to the following websites for more information about Zimbabwe:
www.sokwanele.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/sokwanele/
Uploaded by venetia joubert sarah oosterveld on 7 Mar 09, 3.46AM PDT
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Zimbabwe to hold three day peace programme: minister
HARARE — Zimbabwe will hold a three-day programme to promote peace and national healing, as political violence remains a problem despite the creation of a unity government, a cabinet minister said Wednesday.
"Incidents of violence are still taking place," minister of state Sekai Holland told journalists. "Zimbabwe is a classical case of a country coming from a conflict."
Holland is one of three state ministers appointed by the unity government to spearhead national healing and reconciliation following political tensions over disputed elections last year.
Co-minister John Nkomo said the programme from Friday to Sunday would focus on prayer, ahead of a more extensive reconciliation scheme still being developed.
"The people are expected to get together in various churches and denominations to participate," Nkomo said.
"May I say after dedication we will then proceed to unfold the way forward, but first of all we thought we needed to be guided by God."
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to a unity government in February, nearly a year after disputed polls that edged the 85-year-old leader out of a majority win for the first time since independence in 1980.
The new government has halted the economic haemorraging that left the nation impoverished after a decade of world-record hyper-inflation.
But so far Mugabe has proved reluctant to accept major political reforms, maintaining control over security forces while pressing ahead with prosecutions of rights activists and MDC supporters.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Case against activists strains new government
Zimbabwe's High Court on Wednesday postponed the trial of
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists charged with attempting to
overthrow President Robert Mugabe, in a case that has strained the new
government.
Four MDC members, part of a group of rights activists, including
prominent campaigner Jestina Mukoko, were abducted and unlawfully detained
between October and December last year, their lawyers say.
The case has been held up because the activists have applied to refer
the case to the Supreme Court. On June 22, the High Court will decide on the
application, said Judge Tendai Uchena. The trial is expected to start after
the ruling.
Mugabe and his rival, MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
formed a power-sharing government in February, hoping to end a political
crisis after last year's disputed election.
But the prosecution of the MDC members and rights activists, charged
in May, has raised tensions in Zimbabwe's new administration, which needs
billions of dollars in international financial support to rescue the
country's ruined economy.
Western donors say aid will not flow to Zimbabwe unless a democracy is
created and economic reforms are implemented.
Defence lawyers said state security agents abducted and tortured the
activists, making any prosecution illegal.
"To try them in these circumstances violates their right to the
protection of the law. There have been serious violations to their
constitutional rights," defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama said.
"Applicants contend that they are, themselves, victims of crimes
perpetrated by the police and other security agents,"
State prosecutors accuse the activists, who have been released on
bail, of trying to scuttle the trial.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists charged with attempting to
overthrow President Robert Mugabe, in a case that has strained the new
government.
Four MDC members, part of a group of rights activists, including
prominent campaigner Jestina Mukoko, were abducted and unlawfully detained
between October and December last year, their lawyers say.
The case has been held up because the activists have applied to refer
the case to the Supreme Court. On June 22, the High Court will decide on the
application, said Judge Tendai Uchena. The trial is expected to start after
the ruling.
Mugabe and his rival, MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
formed a power-sharing government in February, hoping to end a political
crisis after last year's disputed election.
But the prosecution of the MDC members and rights activists, charged
in May, has raised tensions in Zimbabwe's new administration, which needs
billions of dollars in international financial support to rescue the
country's ruined economy.
Western donors say aid will not flow to Zimbabwe unless a democracy is
created and economic reforms are implemented.
Defence lawyers said state security agents abducted and tortured the
activists, making any prosecution illegal.
"To try them in these circumstances violates their right to the
protection of the law. There have been serious violations to their
constitutional rights," defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama said.
"Applicants contend that they are, themselves, victims of crimes
perpetrated by the police and other security agents,"
State prosecutors accuse the activists, who have been released on
bail, of trying to scuttle the trial.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Journalists barred from Comesa summit despite High Court order
Four journalists, who last week won a landmark case against the government
over the legality of the Media and Information Commission (MIC), were this
weekend barred from attending the Comesa summit for not being accredited.
The Information Ministry two weeks ago instructed all journalists wishing to
cover the event to register for accreditation with the MIC. The freelance
journalists took the state to court over the issue and on Friday, High Court
Judge Bharat Patel ruled that the MIC was now a defunct body and as such no
journalist in the country was legally required to register with it. The
court granted the journalists an interim order barring Information Minister
Webster Shamu, his permanent secretary George Charamba, MIC chairman Dr
Tafataona Mahoso and others, from interfering with the operations of the
four journalists in their work.
But the journalists, Stanley Gama, Valentine Maponga, Stanley Kwenda and
Jealous Mawarire, were on Sunday turned away from the summit venue in
Victoria Falls by security details. The security officials insisted that the
journalists, despite the production of the High Court order, could not cover
the event as they were not on the Information Ministry's list of journalists
accredited to cover the summit. Lawyers for the MIC have also announced that
they will appeal against the High Court's ruling, in a clear sign that media
reform in Zimbabwe is still a long way from being achieved.
Meanwhile, during the opening of the Comesa summit that alarmingly resembled
a gathering of dictators and criminals, Robert Mugabe called for African
countries to increase self-reliance and boost development. Mugabe, who now
takes over as leader of Africa's main trading bloc, also said the continent
must raise its international capacity by 'exploiting' its mineral resources,
rich soil and human skills.
The ageing dictators hypocritical comments have been greeted with shock by
observers, as Mugabe has single-handedly destroyed development in Zimbabwe,
turning the once productive country into an aid-reliant state. While Mugabe
was lecturing his fellow African leaders on the importance of self-reliance,
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai embarked on a cross-continental aid-begging
tour, to rescue financial relationships that Mugabe's years of dictatorial
abuse destroyed. Meanwhile, outrage still abounds over the involvement of
Vice President Joice Mujuru's daughter, in a trade deal involving illegal
gold from the DRC. Could this be the kind of exploitation of natural
resources Mugabe stringently called for during his speech?
At the same time, while Mugabe called for an end to conflicts across the
continent, Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir, who faces international arrest
for war crimes, was welcomed with open arms at the summit this weekend. The
International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March for
Beshir to face five counts of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes
over the conflict in Darfur. But the Zimbabwe government defended their
welcome of the Sudanese leader, with Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa
telling media that Zimbabwe has no duty to arrest Beshir as it is not party
to the treaty that set up the ICC.
"We are aware that the President of Sudan is under an ICC warrant of arrest
which he disputes. We are not a state party under the Rome Statute. We have
no obligation under the Statute of Rome to execute that obligation," he
said.
over the legality of the Media and Information Commission (MIC), were this
weekend barred from attending the Comesa summit for not being accredited.
The Information Ministry two weeks ago instructed all journalists wishing to
cover the event to register for accreditation with the MIC. The freelance
journalists took the state to court over the issue and on Friday, High Court
Judge Bharat Patel ruled that the MIC was now a defunct body and as such no
journalist in the country was legally required to register with it. The
court granted the journalists an interim order barring Information Minister
Webster Shamu, his permanent secretary George Charamba, MIC chairman Dr
Tafataona Mahoso and others, from interfering with the operations of the
four journalists in their work.
But the journalists, Stanley Gama, Valentine Maponga, Stanley Kwenda and
Jealous Mawarire, were on Sunday turned away from the summit venue in
Victoria Falls by security details. The security officials insisted that the
journalists, despite the production of the High Court order, could not cover
the event as they were not on the Information Ministry's list of journalists
accredited to cover the summit. Lawyers for the MIC have also announced that
they will appeal against the High Court's ruling, in a clear sign that media
reform in Zimbabwe is still a long way from being achieved.
Meanwhile, during the opening of the Comesa summit that alarmingly resembled
a gathering of dictators and criminals, Robert Mugabe called for African
countries to increase self-reliance and boost development. Mugabe, who now
takes over as leader of Africa's main trading bloc, also said the continent
must raise its international capacity by 'exploiting' its mineral resources,
rich soil and human skills.
The ageing dictators hypocritical comments have been greeted with shock by
observers, as Mugabe has single-handedly destroyed development in Zimbabwe,
turning the once productive country into an aid-reliant state. While Mugabe
was lecturing his fellow African leaders on the importance of self-reliance,
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai embarked on a cross-continental aid-begging
tour, to rescue financial relationships that Mugabe's years of dictatorial
abuse destroyed. Meanwhile, outrage still abounds over the involvement of
Vice President Joice Mujuru's daughter, in a trade deal involving illegal
gold from the DRC. Could this be the kind of exploitation of natural
resources Mugabe stringently called for during his speech?
At the same time, while Mugabe called for an end to conflicts across the
continent, Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir, who faces international arrest
for war crimes, was welcomed with open arms at the summit this weekend. The
International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March for
Beshir to face five counts of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes
over the conflict in Darfur. But the Zimbabwe government defended their
welcome of the Sudanese leader, with Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa
telling media that Zimbabwe has no duty to arrest Beshir as it is not party
to the treaty that set up the ICC.
"We are aware that the President of Sudan is under an ICC warrant of arrest
which he disputes. We are not a state party under the Rome Statute. We have
no obligation under the Statute of Rome to execute that obligation," he
said.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
EU announces health, water aid for Zim
The European Commission said on Tuesday it has allocated
€8-million (about R90-million) in aid to help Zimbabweans without proper
health services and water supplies.
The funds will be used to provide medicines and medical supplies,
water treatment equipment and spare parts to upgrade water treatment plants
and wells, the European Union's executive branch said in a statement.
The projects will be operated by non-governmental relief organisations
as well as agencies from the United Nations and the Red Cross/Red Crescent
movement.
The European Union has a freeze on development aid to Zimbabwe,
meaning the commission can only send humanitarian aid which in 2007 totalled
90 million euros.
Continues Below ↓
The European Union and the United States maintain a travel ban and
asset freeze on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle in protest at
controversial elections and alleged human rights abuses.
The current unity government in Harare formed by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and Mugabe estimates that $8,5-billion will be needed to rebuild
an economy shattered by record hyperinflation.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Mugabe's Brutality
Brutal Torture of our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.
Again the world is standing idol as Zimbabwe's Citizens are brutality tortured and massacred by government forces will some body please do something.
By Samuel Washo
Again the world is standing idol as Zimbabwe's Citizens are brutality tortured and massacred by government forces will some body please do something.
By Samuel Washo
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Gold for Bread
This video is one of the most touching we have posted so far, it deals with the subject of underage mineral panning which WACOZ is actively trying to stop. The young girl in this video touched all of our hearts and we are still trying to find her whereabouts. Sam Chakaipa did an excellent job with this video.
Video Link
Keep the Struggle Alive
Martha Chinamora
Video Link
Keep the Struggle Alive
Martha Chinamora
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Masvingo farmer in hiding after assault and threat of arrest
A Masvingo farmer who was assaulted and taken hostage for several hours by a
group of suspected ZANU PF supporters last week, is now in hiding after a
warrant for his arrest was issued hours after the attack against him.
Johannes Nel, a commercial cattle farmer in Gutu, was last Friday attacked
by gang of invaders who first raided his property before launching a vicious
assault on him. He was then bundled into a truck and taken hostage for
almost six hours before being dumped on the roadside about 80km away from
his farm. Despite being badly injured and in serious need of medical
attention, a local magistrate issued a warrant for Nel's arrest mere hours
after the attack, forcing the farmer into hiding.
Nel is just one of many of the country's remaining commercial farmers now in
hiding as the fresh wave of farm invasions continues unabated. More than a
100 farmers, arrested for refusing to leave their productive farms, are now
facing prosecution, with at least one farmer's case already being fast
tracked through the legal system. In Karoi, farmer Andrew Herbst was
sentenced to six months' in prison, suspended on condition that he vacated
his property within seven days.
At the same time, many farmers are now living in makeshift camps on
roadsides after being physically forced off their land, in what Justice for
Agriculture's (JAG) John Worsley-Worswick on Tuesday called 'intensified
attacks'. Worsley-Worswick told SW Radio Africa that invasions and arrests
have continued on almost a daily basis, and explained that "there has been a
profound escalation of attacks" in recent weeks.
The fresh invasions have previously been linked to ZANU PF loyalists
determined to continue the Mugabe initiated land-grab, before the power
share government can intervene. But Worsley-Worswick on Tuesday explained
there is a more sinister motive behind the attacks. He argued that the
sudden rush of farm evictions have come at the same time a probe has been
launched into the use of the R300 million agricultural input package from
South Africa.
There have been justifiable fears that the agricultural rescue package has
been completely squandered for the personal benefit of ZANU PF officials, as
most of the farming inputs included in the package, including seed,
fertisliser and machinery, have been hoarded in urban areas by what
Worsley-Worswick called "the ZANU PF political hierarchy."
"With a probe under way into how the farming inputs have been used, it is
essential the hierarchy finds productive farms to show off,"
Worsley-Worswick explained. "These officials have also been able to afford
to pay off thugs to do the dirty work and get rid of the farmers."
The revelation also comes as a delegation from the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) is in Zimbabwe to investigate the possibility of resuming
financial relations with the country. The appearance of productive farms,
owned and run by the government is therefore critical to ensure that money
starts flowing into Zimbabwe again, as was laid out by the conditions of the
power share agreement that ushered in the unity government. The remaining
commercial farms are therefore obvious targets for invasions, as the farms
owned by government officials or handed over to land-grab beneficiaries are
completely barren and unproductive.
Meanwhile, an official at the South Africa-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent
Commission for Cooperation being held in Victoria Falls has said Zimbabwe
needs to "guarantee the protection of private investments," such as land, if
the economy is to recover quickly. This is according to South Africa's
Business Day newspaper, which reported this week that "by being seen to be
bringing an end to the violent invasion of farmland, SA believed that
Zimbabwe would bring political stability and 'reduce the lack of trust' in
the new power-sharing government by foreign and regional donors."
group of suspected ZANU PF supporters last week, is now in hiding after a
warrant for his arrest was issued hours after the attack against him.
Johannes Nel, a commercial cattle farmer in Gutu, was last Friday attacked
by gang of invaders who first raided his property before launching a vicious
assault on him. He was then bundled into a truck and taken hostage for
almost six hours before being dumped on the roadside about 80km away from
his farm. Despite being badly injured and in serious need of medical
attention, a local magistrate issued a warrant for Nel's arrest mere hours
after the attack, forcing the farmer into hiding.
Nel is just one of many of the country's remaining commercial farmers now in
hiding as the fresh wave of farm invasions continues unabated. More than a
100 farmers, arrested for refusing to leave their productive farms, are now
facing prosecution, with at least one farmer's case already being fast
tracked through the legal system. In Karoi, farmer Andrew Herbst was
sentenced to six months' in prison, suspended on condition that he vacated
his property within seven days.
At the same time, many farmers are now living in makeshift camps on
roadsides after being physically forced off their land, in what Justice for
Agriculture's (JAG) John Worsley-Worswick on Tuesday called 'intensified
attacks'. Worsley-Worswick told SW Radio Africa that invasions and arrests
have continued on almost a daily basis, and explained that "there has been a
profound escalation of attacks" in recent weeks.
The fresh invasions have previously been linked to ZANU PF loyalists
determined to continue the Mugabe initiated land-grab, before the power
share government can intervene. But Worsley-Worswick on Tuesday explained
there is a more sinister motive behind the attacks. He argued that the
sudden rush of farm evictions have come at the same time a probe has been
launched into the use of the R300 million agricultural input package from
South Africa.
There have been justifiable fears that the agricultural rescue package has
been completely squandered for the personal benefit of ZANU PF officials, as
most of the farming inputs included in the package, including seed,
fertisliser and machinery, have been hoarded in urban areas by what
Worsley-Worswick called "the ZANU PF political hierarchy."
"With a probe under way into how the farming inputs have been used, it is
essential the hierarchy finds productive farms to show off,"
Worsley-Worswick explained. "These officials have also been able to afford
to pay off thugs to do the dirty work and get rid of the farmers."
The revelation also comes as a delegation from the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) is in Zimbabwe to investigate the possibility of resuming
financial relations with the country. The appearance of productive farms,
owned and run by the government is therefore critical to ensure that money
starts flowing into Zimbabwe again, as was laid out by the conditions of the
power share agreement that ushered in the unity government. The remaining
commercial farms are therefore obvious targets for invasions, as the farms
owned by government officials or handed over to land-grab beneficiaries are
completely barren and unproductive.
Meanwhile, an official at the South Africa-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent
Commission for Cooperation being held in Victoria Falls has said Zimbabwe
needs to "guarantee the protection of private investments," such as land, if
the economy is to recover quickly. This is according to South Africa's
Business Day newspaper, which reported this week that "by being seen to be
bringing an end to the violent invasion of farmland, SA believed that
Zimbabwe would bring political stability and 'reduce the lack of trust' in
the new power-sharing government by foreign and regional donors."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Zimbabwe Supreme Court grants Bennett bail
Supreme Court Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku has upheld a High Court
decision, granting Roy Bennett bail. The decision was made on Wednesday
after the judge had heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence
teams the previous day.
The State had appealed in the Supreme Court against the granting of bail to
the MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, saying he was a flight
risk. Prosecutors had also recommended tighter bail conditions if the judge
decided to rule against their appeal.
The Chief Justice ruled against the state prosecutors saying they had no
grounds to oppose a previous High Court ruling ordering Bennett's release.
However, Justice Chidyausiku increased the bail payment from US$2000 to
US$5000, ordered Bennett to surrender title deeds and report to the police
three times a week. The State had wanted him to report everyday.
The MDC politician who has been in custody since February 13th is now
expected to be released from prison on Thursday. His lawyers said the
paperwork was going to be sent to the Mutare magistrates' court from Harare,
where he will post his bail payment with the clerk of court in the morning.
Last Wednesday Bennett's lawyers in Mutare successfully posted bail of US$2
000 and surrendered his passport after being granted bail by the High Court.
But prison officials disappeared with his release papers on the night of
posting bail and the Magistrate who accepted Bennett's bail payment and
documents was arrested the following day. Magistrate Livingstone Chipadze
who was released on bail on Saturday is being charged with criminal abuse of
authority.
Although wary about their reception in Mutare, Bennett's lawyers are hopeful
that this time around their client will be released, since the order is
coming from the country's highest court.
Meanwhile Claire Ingram, a woman who transported Bennett from his house to
the airport on the day he was arrested, was briefly detained herself on
Tuesday after a lengthy interrogation. Bennett who is facing weapons
charges denies the allegations of plotting to overthrow Robert Mugabe.
decision, granting Roy Bennett bail. The decision was made on Wednesday
after the judge had heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence
teams the previous day.
The State had appealed in the Supreme Court against the granting of bail to
the MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, saying he was a flight
risk. Prosecutors had also recommended tighter bail conditions if the judge
decided to rule against their appeal.
The Chief Justice ruled against the state prosecutors saying they had no
grounds to oppose a previous High Court ruling ordering Bennett's release.
However, Justice Chidyausiku increased the bail payment from US$2000 to
US$5000, ordered Bennett to surrender title deeds and report to the police
three times a week. The State had wanted him to report everyday.
The MDC politician who has been in custody since February 13th is now
expected to be released from prison on Thursday. His lawyers said the
paperwork was going to be sent to the Mutare magistrates' court from Harare,
where he will post his bail payment with the clerk of court in the morning.
Last Wednesday Bennett's lawyers in Mutare successfully posted bail of US$2
000 and surrendered his passport after being granted bail by the High Court.
But prison officials disappeared with his release papers on the night of
posting bail and the Magistrate who accepted Bennett's bail payment and
documents was arrested the following day. Magistrate Livingstone Chipadze
who was released on bail on Saturday is being charged with criminal abuse of
authority.
Although wary about their reception in Mutare, Bennett's lawyers are hopeful
that this time around their client will be released, since the order is
coming from the country's highest court.
Meanwhile Claire Ingram, a woman who transported Bennett from his house to
the airport on the day he was arrested, was briefly detained herself on
Tuesday after a lengthy interrogation. Bennett who is facing weapons
charges denies the allegations of plotting to overthrow Robert Mugabe.
Monday, March 2, 2009
First two of 16 MDC detainees freed on bail
Two of 16 political prisoners held by
Zimbabwean authorities for up to five months and allegedly subjected to
torture have been released on bail, their lawyers said Sunday. Fidelis
Chiramba, a 72-year-old local Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist
who developed cardiac failure following his arrest in October, and Broderick
Takawira, a programme officer with a respected local NGO, were freed
Saturday, said lawyer Andrew Makoni.
The release of the detainees follows an undertaking made by
President Robert Mugabe last week to MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai.
The detainees were abducted by state secret police and held in
secret locations for three months before being handed over to police.
Their release has become one of the key sources of dispute
within the three-week-old coalition government, and repeatedly threatened to
derail the agreement as Mugabe and his officials stalled and mounted
obstructions in the face of an international outcry.
Charges of "insurgency, banditry and sabotage" or of setting off
bombs in police station were pressed against them, after they had been in
illegal custody for four months. They were all tortured to force them to
sign fake confessions, lawyers said.
Makoni said hoped another 11 would be released on Monday. Bail
of 600 US dollars had already been raised for them, but lawyers were now
searching for a 20,000-dollar surety for each against their property,
demanded by state lawyers.
"Most of them are impecunious, they don't have any property and
don't have access to money like that. So we are going to ask the court
tomorrow to revise the bail conditions," Mukoni said.
He also hoped that the supreme court would this week reverse
lower court rulings denying bail for the remaining three, including
journalist Andrison Manyere and Gandhi Mudzingwa, one of Tsvangirai's key
aides.
The deal excludes white farmer Roy Bennett, Tsvangirai's popular
deputy agriculture minister designate who was arrested on similar charges on
February 13 shortly before he was due to be sworn in with the other 61
ministers and their deputies in the new power-sharing administration.
MDC officials confirmed that on Friday Tsvangirai met Mugabe to
demand an explanation why his undertaking of a week ago to release the
prisoners, of the detainees, had not yet been carried out.
Mugabe immediately summoned justice minister Patrick Chinamasa
to the meeting and instructed him to release them.
At a meeting soon after between state and defence lawyers, the
detainees' lawyers agreed to the stiff bail conditions.
They also said that the state was demanding that as part of
their release conditions, the detainees also promise to withdraw charges
laid against security agents for illegal arrest and torture.
Beatrice Mtetwa, head of the defence team, would not say Sunday
if this condition had been agreed to. "We will let you know when they have
been released. I don't want to jeopardise their case," she said.
All of the 16 men and women were subjected to prolonged and
severe torture, according to affidavits from them presented to court,
including being beaten at length on the soles of their feet, half- drowning,
electroshock, being hung upside down by their feet for and being locked in a
freezer for hours on end.
Zimbabwean authorities for up to five months and allegedly subjected to
torture have been released on bail, their lawyers said Sunday. Fidelis
Chiramba, a 72-year-old local Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist
who developed cardiac failure following his arrest in October, and Broderick
Takawira, a programme officer with a respected local NGO, were freed
Saturday, said lawyer Andrew Makoni.
The release of the detainees follows an undertaking made by
President Robert Mugabe last week to MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai.
The detainees were abducted by state secret police and held in
secret locations for three months before being handed over to police.
Their release has become one of the key sources of dispute
within the three-week-old coalition government, and repeatedly threatened to
derail the agreement as Mugabe and his officials stalled and mounted
obstructions in the face of an international outcry.
Charges of "insurgency, banditry and sabotage" or of setting off
bombs in police station were pressed against them, after they had been in
illegal custody for four months. They were all tortured to force them to
sign fake confessions, lawyers said.
Makoni said hoped another 11 would be released on Monday. Bail
of 600 US dollars had already been raised for them, but lawyers were now
searching for a 20,000-dollar surety for each against their property,
demanded by state lawyers.
"Most of them are impecunious, they don't have any property and
don't have access to money like that. So we are going to ask the court
tomorrow to revise the bail conditions," Mukoni said.
He also hoped that the supreme court would this week reverse
lower court rulings denying bail for the remaining three, including
journalist Andrison Manyere and Gandhi Mudzingwa, one of Tsvangirai's key
aides.
The deal excludes white farmer Roy Bennett, Tsvangirai's popular
deputy agriculture minister designate who was arrested on similar charges on
February 13 shortly before he was due to be sworn in with the other 61
ministers and their deputies in the new power-sharing administration.
MDC officials confirmed that on Friday Tsvangirai met Mugabe to
demand an explanation why his undertaking of a week ago to release the
prisoners, of the detainees, had not yet been carried out.
Mugabe immediately summoned justice minister Patrick Chinamasa
to the meeting and instructed him to release them.
At a meeting soon after between state and defence lawyers, the
detainees' lawyers agreed to the stiff bail conditions.
They also said that the state was demanding that as part of
their release conditions, the detainees also promise to withdraw charges
laid against security agents for illegal arrest and torture.
Beatrice Mtetwa, head of the defence team, would not say Sunday
if this condition had been agreed to. "We will let you know when they have
been released. I don't want to jeopardise their case," she said.
All of the 16 men and women were subjected to prolonged and
severe torture, according to affidavits from them presented to court,
including being beaten at length on the soles of their feet, half- drowning,
electroshock, being hung upside down by their feet for and being locked in a
freezer for hours on end.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Farmers forced into hiding as arrests and invasions continue
A wave of fresh farm invasions and arrests has forced many of Zimbabwe's
remaining white farmers into hiding, to avoid the very real threats of
arrest, harassment and violence.
In the past few weeks, farmers have come under siege in what is being
described as a last-ditch effort by ZANU PF loyalists to complete the Robert
Mugabe initiated land grab, which has already seen the white farming
population cut to about 400 farmers. The offensive against the farmers came
just days before Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister earlier
this month. Almost 80 farms have since been seized in clear violation of the
unity deal between the MDC and ZANU PF, which calls for the return of the
rule of law and also says that farmers should be encouraged to produce food.
Commercial Farmers Union President Trevor Gifford, on Friday called the
fresh farms invasions a 'final assault' against the remaining white farmers
and described a clear "planned agenda by a third force in the government
that is hell-bent on destroying the unity deal." Gifford explained that,
according to minutes of secret meetings seen by the union, Zimbabwe's
Attorney General Johannes Tomana has instructed police and magistrates to
fast track farm evictions across the country, in a clear and coordinated
effort that is already well under way.
"These are senior ZANU PF members using their offices to ensure ethnic
cleansing can take place before the Prime Minister is able to stabilise the
country," Gifford said.
Tsvangirai on Wednesday ordered police to "bring the full weight of the law"
down on the perpetrators of the farm invasions. But, on the same day, farmer
Mike Campbell was ordered to leave his land, by the nephew of ZANU PF's
spokesman, Nathan Shamuyarira. Although the threatened seizure has not yet
happened, Campbell and his wife have both left the property to avoid an
attack. Campbell is still frail after a brutal beating when he was abducted
by invaders last year. At the same time, farmer Paul Etheredge is behind
bars in Chegutu after he was arrested, also on Wednesday, and invaders have
reportedly taken over his Stockdale farm. Etheredge, along with Campbell and
77 other farmers, won a landmark farm test case that was taken to the SADC
Tribunal in Windhoek last year, and the farm invasions are a blatant
transgression of the protection supposedly offered by the Tribunal's ruling.
The CFU's president reiterated on Friday that the SADC ruling is being
wilfully ignored, explaining that the Attorney General has instructed
magistrates to ignore previous court orders protecting farmers and their
land, and in particular to ignore the SADC ruling. More than 100 farmers
have already been caught in the coordinated effort to seize the remaining
farms, and reports of threats as well as arrests are piling up. A Chiredzi
farmer, who spoke to SW Radio Africa on condition of anonymity on Friday,
has already left his farm. He said that most farmers in his area have gone
into hiding for fear of arrest and prosecution. The farmer described the
invasions as a 'witch-hunt' and explained the charges being brought against
those farmers already arrested, carry jail terms of up to 6 months.
"Everyone is just trying to lie and low and see what happens, but we don't
know how long we'll have to wait?" the farmer said.
remaining white farmers into hiding, to avoid the very real threats of
arrest, harassment and violence.
In the past few weeks, farmers have come under siege in what is being
described as a last-ditch effort by ZANU PF loyalists to complete the Robert
Mugabe initiated land grab, which has already seen the white farming
population cut to about 400 farmers. The offensive against the farmers came
just days before Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister earlier
this month. Almost 80 farms have since been seized in clear violation of the
unity deal between the MDC and ZANU PF, which calls for the return of the
rule of law and also says that farmers should be encouraged to produce food.
Commercial Farmers Union President Trevor Gifford, on Friday called the
fresh farms invasions a 'final assault' against the remaining white farmers
and described a clear "planned agenda by a third force in the government
that is hell-bent on destroying the unity deal." Gifford explained that,
according to minutes of secret meetings seen by the union, Zimbabwe's
Attorney General Johannes Tomana has instructed police and magistrates to
fast track farm evictions across the country, in a clear and coordinated
effort that is already well under way.
"These are senior ZANU PF members using their offices to ensure ethnic
cleansing can take place before the Prime Minister is able to stabilise the
country," Gifford said.
Tsvangirai on Wednesday ordered police to "bring the full weight of the law"
down on the perpetrators of the farm invasions. But, on the same day, farmer
Mike Campbell was ordered to leave his land, by the nephew of ZANU PF's
spokesman, Nathan Shamuyarira. Although the threatened seizure has not yet
happened, Campbell and his wife have both left the property to avoid an
attack. Campbell is still frail after a brutal beating when he was abducted
by invaders last year. At the same time, farmer Paul Etheredge is behind
bars in Chegutu after he was arrested, also on Wednesday, and invaders have
reportedly taken over his Stockdale farm. Etheredge, along with Campbell and
77 other farmers, won a landmark farm test case that was taken to the SADC
Tribunal in Windhoek last year, and the farm invasions are a blatant
transgression of the protection supposedly offered by the Tribunal's ruling.
The CFU's president reiterated on Friday that the SADC ruling is being
wilfully ignored, explaining that the Attorney General has instructed
magistrates to ignore previous court orders protecting farmers and their
land, and in particular to ignore the SADC ruling. More than 100 farmers
have already been caught in the coordinated effort to seize the remaining
farms, and reports of threats as well as arrests are piling up. A Chiredzi
farmer, who spoke to SW Radio Africa on condition of anonymity on Friday,
has already left his farm. He said that most farmers in his area have gone
into hiding for fear of arrest and prosecution. The farmer described the
invasions as a 'witch-hunt' and explained the charges being brought against
those farmers already arrested, carry jail terms of up to 6 months.
"Everyone is just trying to lie and low and see what happens, but we don't
know how long we'll have to wait?" the farmer said.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Bennett missing from new Zimbabwe cabinet
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Thursday swore in 19
deputy ministers to a new unity government with agriculture nominee Roy
Bennett missing while in detention facing a criminal charge.
Bennett, who is in custody on a charge of possessing arms for purposes
of terrorism, was not named as deputy minister nor was his designated post
announced.
Mugabe said the unity government was "very much on course" but
shrugged off questions about Bennett's arrest which has been widely reported
in foreign media.
"Across the world? I don't know why? That's a court issue," the
84-year-old head of state said.
A court in the eastern town of Mutare on Wednesday adjourned the case
against Bennett, who was proposed for deputy minister of agriculture by the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), until March 4.
He is accused of illegal possession of arms for the purposes of
committing banditry, insurgency and terrorism, which carries a maximum
sentence of life imprisonment.
His arrest last Friday came shortly before the swearing in of other
members of the unity government -- casting doubt on the credibility of the
newly formed power-sharing accord.
His charges have been changed several times since his arrest -- with
his party claiming that the charges against the former farmer were "trumped
up."
Mugabe also swore in three ministers of state from three political
parties that form a unity government tasked with promoting national
reconciliation and healing.
"We want them to constitute an organ that will deal with the healing
process and reconciliation process," he said.
Mugabe swore in an additional two ministers of state from his ruling
ZANU-PF and 19 deputy ministers.
"We belong to the same country," Mugabe said commenting on the
inclusive government.
"We knew each other before and although we have talked to each other
before in different language, critical language, abusive language but we
were talking to each other. You know that kind of fight between us actually
made us know each other much more. But we decided that we must work
together."
While Bennett's name was on the list of those invited for the swearing
in at state house, his name was not on the final list released after the
ceremony.
But new Minister of Information and Communication Technology Nelson
Chamisa told AFP that the omission of Bennett, who was nominated by MDC
leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, was an error.
"Bennett is still our deputy minister of agriculture. If his name was
omitted it was by mistake," he said. - Sapa-AFP
deputy ministers to a new unity government with agriculture nominee Roy
Bennett missing while in detention facing a criminal charge.
Bennett, who is in custody on a charge of possessing arms for purposes
of terrorism, was not named as deputy minister nor was his designated post
announced.
Mugabe said the unity government was "very much on course" but
shrugged off questions about Bennett's arrest which has been widely reported
in foreign media.
"Across the world? I don't know why? That's a court issue," the
84-year-old head of state said.
A court in the eastern town of Mutare on Wednesday adjourned the case
against Bennett, who was proposed for deputy minister of agriculture by the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), until March 4.
He is accused of illegal possession of arms for the purposes of
committing banditry, insurgency and terrorism, which carries a maximum
sentence of life imprisonment.
His arrest last Friday came shortly before the swearing in of other
members of the unity government -- casting doubt on the credibility of the
newly formed power-sharing accord.
His charges have been changed several times since his arrest -- with
his party claiming that the charges against the former farmer were "trumped
up."
Mugabe also swore in three ministers of state from three political
parties that form a unity government tasked with promoting national
reconciliation and healing.
"We want them to constitute an organ that will deal with the healing
process and reconciliation process," he said.
Mugabe swore in an additional two ministers of state from his ruling
ZANU-PF and 19 deputy ministers.
"We belong to the same country," Mugabe said commenting on the
inclusive government.
"We knew each other before and although we have talked to each other
before in different language, critical language, abusive language but we
were talking to each other. You know that kind of fight between us actually
made us know each other much more. But we decided that we must work
together."
While Bennett's name was on the list of those invited for the swearing
in at state house, his name was not on the final list released after the
ceremony.
But new Minister of Information and Communication Technology Nelson
Chamisa told AFP that the omission of Bennett, who was nominated by MDC
leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, was an error.
"Bennett is still our deputy minister of agriculture. If his name was
omitted it was by mistake," he said. - Sapa-AFP
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Zimbabwe police fire in air to disperse protest
Zimbabwean police fired live ammunition in the air to disperse
hundreds of opposition MDC supporters who had surrounded a police station
where a party leader was being held, the MDC said on Friday.
Zimbabwean security agents had earlier arrested Roy Bennett ahead of a
swearing-in ceremony for a new unity cabinet in which he was due to take a
post, the party said. There was no immediate comment from police.
The arrest is likely to increase tensions between President Robert Mugabe
and new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, from the MDC, after they ended
months of deadlock over a power-sharing deal designed to rescue their ruined
country.
The Movement for Democratic Change said in a statement that Roy Bennett,
nominated by Tsvangirai as deputy minister of agriculture, had been arrested
at the airport and was held at a police station in Mutare in the east of the
country.
"Police have started firing live ammunition in the air and have brought dogs
in an attempt to disperse hundreds of MDC supporters that had surrounded
Mutare police station in support and demanding the release of Roy Bennett,"
said the MDC.
"Police intend to remove Roy Bennett from the police station to a place they
have refused to disclose."
The MDC said police had charged Bennett with trying to leave the country
illegally but later gave conflicting information on his case.
Bennett has been living in exile in South Africa after fleeing the country
about two years ago because police wanted to question him in connection with
the discovery of an arms cache in eastern Zimbabwe.
Foreign investors and Western donors want concrete signs of stability in
Zimbabwe. They have made it clear that funds will not flow to the southern
African country until a democratic government is created and economic
reforms are made.
Clic
hundreds of opposition MDC supporters who had surrounded a police station
where a party leader was being held, the MDC said on Friday.
Zimbabwean security agents had earlier arrested Roy Bennett ahead of a
swearing-in ceremony for a new unity cabinet in which he was due to take a
post, the party said. There was no immediate comment from police.
The arrest is likely to increase tensions between President Robert Mugabe
and new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, from the MDC, after they ended
months of deadlock over a power-sharing deal designed to rescue their ruined
country.
The Movement for Democratic Change said in a statement that Roy Bennett,
nominated by Tsvangirai as deputy minister of agriculture, had been arrested
at the airport and was held at a police station in Mutare in the east of the
country.
"Police have started firing live ammunition in the air and have brought dogs
in an attempt to disperse hundreds of MDC supporters that had surrounded
Mutare police station in support and demanding the release of Roy Bennett,"
said the MDC.
"Police intend to remove Roy Bennett from the police station to a place they
have refused to disclose."
The MDC said police had charged Bennett with trying to leave the country
illegally but later gave conflicting information on his case.
Bennett has been living in exile in South Africa after fleeing the country
about two years ago because police wanted to question him in connection with
the discovery of an arms cache in eastern Zimbabwe.
Foreign investors and Western donors want concrete signs of stability in
Zimbabwe. They have made it clear that funds will not flow to the southern
African country until a democratic government is created and economic
reforms are made.
Clic
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Zimbabwe seeks "all support we can get" on cholera
A huge international aid effort is needed to help Zimbabwe combat a cholera outbreak that has killed hundreds, the government said on Friday, even though President Robert Mugabe has said it is now contained.
"We need all the support we can get from peace-loving nations," information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told reporters.
The main opposition MDC also called for more help in fighting the epidemic.
Mugabe, under Western pressure to step down as Zimbabwe's economy and health system collapse, had said on Thursday that "we have arrested cholera."
But the United Nations said the death toll, now nearly 800, was rising.
Ndlovu said the media had misrepresented Mugabe's comments, and presidential spokesman George Charamba said they were taken out of context.
The outbreak follows months of violence and political turmoil in Zimbabwe. Coupled with chronic food shortages, it has highlighted the economic collapse of the southern African country.
The health system is ill-prepared to cope and there is not enough money to pay doctors and nurses or buy medicine. The water system has collapsed, forcing residents to drink from contaminated wells and streams.
Neighboring South Africa is worried about conditions as thousands of Zimbabweans cross the border each day.
DEATH TOLL RISING
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday the death toll from cholera had risen to 792, with 16,700 cases.
"I don't think that the cholera outbreak is under control as of now," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said in Geneva.
"We are not commenting on President Mugabe's assertion because it's not the place to discuss politics now.
Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for the past 28 years, has accused Western countries of trying to use the cholera outbreak to force him out of power.
"Now that there is no cholera there is no case for war," he said in Thursday's remarks.
Western leaders and some within Africa have called on the 84-year-old leader to step down as the epidemic compounds Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Mugabe on Friday to agree to a rapid deal on a new government.
Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai reached a power-sharing deal brokered by regional mediator Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's former president, in September. But they are deadlocked over how to implement it.
The MDC said while it was still committed to the talks, it would not be a part of a unity government unless positions were allocated freely and a new National Security Council was created.
Ban said he had pressed Mugabe in "very tense" private talks two weeks ago in Doha to accept the September 15 agreement.
Asked whether he backed calls for Mugabe to leave office, Ban told a news conference in Geneva: "He should really look for the future of his country and his own people who have been suffering too much and too long from this political turmoil now coupled with very serious humanitarian tragedies.
"I am really appealing and urging him again."
Britain on Friday questioned a U.S. proposal to seal Zimbabwe's borders to hasten the collapse of Mugabe's government, saying the move could have far worse consequences.
Mark Malloch Brown, senior British official for Africa, said if neighboring countries closed their borders, Zimbabweans would have no escape route and the crises would worsen.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Zimbabwe cholera outbreak kills more than 3,000
Cholera has killed more than 3,000 Zimbabweans and
infected at least 57,000, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday,
making it the deadliest outbreak in Africa in 15 years.
The disease has spread as rival political parties struggle to implement a
power-sharing agreement reached in September and seen as a chance to ease
the humanitarian crisis and save the faltering economy.
Regional leaders decided at a summit on Tuesday that a unity government
should be formed next month. Fears of the cholera spreading in Zimbabwe have
stepped up pressure on rival parties to end the political uncertainty.
WHO figures showed an increase of 57 deaths and 1,579 new infections since
Tuesday. The outbreak has hit the entire country, leading to a high overall
case fatality rate of 5.3 percent.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he agrees to form a government
with President Robert Mugabe although his Movement for Democratic Change
voiced disappointment with the deal reached at the summit, a South African
newspaper reported.
MDC officials are expected to meet on Friday to discuss how to proceed.
"It's a historic decision we will make. I hope the party will be united in
ensuring that we respond to the needs on the ground and the expectations of
Zimbabweans," Tsvangirai told reporters in Harare.
But Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper said MDC Secretary-General Tendai
Biti, considered more hardline than Tsvangirai, had made a "sudden U-turn"
against implementing the deal.
The MDC has said the outcome of the summit fell "far short of our
expectations" but in a statement it denied that there were divisions within
the party.
"There are struggles going on internally, between the pragmatists and the
hawks in terms of their contrasting positions on the power-sharing
arrangement," Zimbabwean political analyst Eldred Masunungure said.
The prospect of a split within the MDC over implementation of the September
pact added to uncertainty over whether a new Zimbabwean leadership would be
united enough to tackle an acute economic crisis.
Mugabe, who has made it clear he would set up a government without the
opposition if need be, said talks were concluded and a new cabinet could now
be formed.
South Africa's Star newspaper quoted Tsvangirai as saying that resolving
outstanding issues over a government was a "work in progress."
"Everyone agrees that -- subject to the clearing of all the issues that are
outstanding -- a coalition government can be formed," he said.
"After all, the whole idea of these negotiations is to form a coalition
government, and I therefore agreed to that principle."
The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) said after the
summit in South Africa -- its fifth attempt to secure a deal on forming a
unity government -- it had agreed that Tsvangirai should be sworn in as
prime minister by February 11.
Frank Chikane, the director general in South Africa's presidency, told
diplomats in Pretoria that the establishment of a unity government in
Zimbabwe was meant to be a transitional step that would lay the foundation
for future free elections.
The signing of the pact is seen as an opportunity to prevent a total
economic collapse that would add to the strain on neighboring countries
already hosting millions of Zimbabweans who fled in search of work.
infected at least 57,000, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday,
making it the deadliest outbreak in Africa in 15 years.
The disease has spread as rival political parties struggle to implement a
power-sharing agreement reached in September and seen as a chance to ease
the humanitarian crisis and save the faltering economy.
Regional leaders decided at a summit on Tuesday that a unity government
should be formed next month. Fears of the cholera spreading in Zimbabwe have
stepped up pressure on rival parties to end the political uncertainty.
WHO figures showed an increase of 57 deaths and 1,579 new infections since
Tuesday. The outbreak has hit the entire country, leading to a high overall
case fatality rate of 5.3 percent.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he agrees to form a government
with President Robert Mugabe although his Movement for Democratic Change
voiced disappointment with the deal reached at the summit, a South African
newspaper reported.
MDC officials are expected to meet on Friday to discuss how to proceed.
"It's a historic decision we will make. I hope the party will be united in
ensuring that we respond to the needs on the ground and the expectations of
Zimbabweans," Tsvangirai told reporters in Harare.
But Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper said MDC Secretary-General Tendai
Biti, considered more hardline than Tsvangirai, had made a "sudden U-turn"
against implementing the deal.
The MDC has said the outcome of the summit fell "far short of our
expectations" but in a statement it denied that there were divisions within
the party.
"There are struggles going on internally, between the pragmatists and the
hawks in terms of their contrasting positions on the power-sharing
arrangement," Zimbabwean political analyst Eldred Masunungure said.
The prospect of a split within the MDC over implementation of the September
pact added to uncertainty over whether a new Zimbabwean leadership would be
united enough to tackle an acute economic crisis.
Mugabe, who has made it clear he would set up a government without the
opposition if need be, said talks were concluded and a new cabinet could now
be formed.
South Africa's Star newspaper quoted Tsvangirai as saying that resolving
outstanding issues over a government was a "work in progress."
"Everyone agrees that -- subject to the clearing of all the issues that are
outstanding -- a coalition government can be formed," he said.
"After all, the whole idea of these negotiations is to form a coalition
government, and I therefore agreed to that principle."
The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) said after the
summit in South Africa -- its fifth attempt to secure a deal on forming a
unity government -- it had agreed that Tsvangirai should be sworn in as
prime minister by February 11.
Frank Chikane, the director general in South Africa's presidency, told
diplomats in Pretoria that the establishment of a unity government in
Zimbabwe was meant to be a transitional step that would lay the foundation
for future free elections.
The signing of the pact is seen as an opportunity to prevent a total
economic collapse that would add to the strain on neighboring countries
already hosting millions of Zimbabweans who fled in search of work.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Zanu-PF loots donated South African agriculture aid
As was predicted by Zimbabwe's main opposition, MDC, the corrupt Zanu-PF
Members of Parliament have abused the South African R300 million
agricultural aid after looting fertilizers, maize seed and fuel.
The eight corrupt Zanu-PF legislators, who are close allies of president
Robert Mugabe, were working together with some farmers and members of the
public to swindle large quantities of the ammonium nitrate, Compound D and
maize seed.
The inputs were brought into the country recently but unfortunately fell in
wrong hands of Zanu-PF members in influential positions.
Late last year, South Africa handed over R300 million aid to Zimbabwe to
bail out Zimbabwe's crippled agriculture sector.
The MDC chided South Africa for disbursing the aid to the Zanu-PF government
before the finalisation of the peace deal.
The revelations are a confirmation of how unscrupulous Zanu-PF members are
abusing the South Africa's R300 million agriculture aid.
Mugabe's henchman, Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba, handles the
inputs that were sourced by South Africa.
Nyikayaramba's inputs committee has denied to name-and- shame the Zanu-PF
thieves but sources in Parliament have promised to let the cat of the bag.
However the other implicated Zanu-PF supporters are Shingirai Mawere, Simon
Machiri, Simbarashe Benhura, Paddington Mutasa and two Malawians John Phiri
and Liaka Musa.
The other fraudsters are two Malawians who acquired 30 tonnes of Urea
Fertilizer and 160 litres of diesel under unclear circumstances.
The inputs committee says Mashonaland East Province tops the list of
corruption cases, with 22 while six cases happened in Mashonaland East, and
Matabeleland North has four cases. Mashonaland West and Masvingo have three
cases each, while two cases were recorded in Harare.
During the Zanu-PF conference in December, party members stole nine beasts,
mealie-meal and other foodstuffs, as thuggery in the regime reared its ugly
head.
Once Africa's breadbasket, the southern African nation has low agricultural
outputs because of poor farming preparations.
The UN says more than 5.5 million Zimbabweans require food aid this year.
Members of Parliament have abused the South African R300 million
agricultural aid after looting fertilizers, maize seed and fuel.
The eight corrupt Zanu-PF legislators, who are close allies of president
Robert Mugabe, were working together with some farmers and members of the
public to swindle large quantities of the ammonium nitrate, Compound D and
maize seed.
The inputs were brought into the country recently but unfortunately fell in
wrong hands of Zanu-PF members in influential positions.
Late last year, South Africa handed over R300 million aid to Zimbabwe to
bail out Zimbabwe's crippled agriculture sector.
The MDC chided South Africa for disbursing the aid to the Zanu-PF government
before the finalisation of the peace deal.
The revelations are a confirmation of how unscrupulous Zanu-PF members are
abusing the South Africa's R300 million agriculture aid.
Mugabe's henchman, Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba, handles the
inputs that were sourced by South Africa.
Nyikayaramba's inputs committee has denied to name-and- shame the Zanu-PF
thieves but sources in Parliament have promised to let the cat of the bag.
However the other implicated Zanu-PF supporters are Shingirai Mawere, Simon
Machiri, Simbarashe Benhura, Paddington Mutasa and two Malawians John Phiri
and Liaka Musa.
The other fraudsters are two Malawians who acquired 30 tonnes of Urea
Fertilizer and 160 litres of diesel under unclear circumstances.
The inputs committee says Mashonaland East Province tops the list of
corruption cases, with 22 while six cases happened in Mashonaland East, and
Matabeleland North has four cases. Mashonaland West and Masvingo have three
cases each, while two cases were recorded in Harare.
During the Zanu-PF conference in December, party members stole nine beasts,
mealie-meal and other foodstuffs, as thuggery in the regime reared its ugly
head.
Once Africa's breadbasket, the southern African nation has low agricultural
outputs because of poor farming preparations.
The UN says more than 5.5 million Zimbabweans require food aid this year.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
7 abductees charged as state continues playing legal game
Seven activists on Wednesday appeared in the Harare Magistrates Court in
connection with a series of minor bomb blasts in the capital last year. They
became the first group of the more than 40 abductees, to be formally charged
by the state.
The seven, including the Tsvangirai MDC head of security Chris Dhlamini and
Tsvangirai's former aide Gandhi Mudzingwa, all pleaded not guilty to the
charges of terrorism, banditry and insurgency laid against them on
Wednesday. Defence lawyer Andrew Makoni explained that the case was further
deferred to Thursday and said a new application has been filed on behalf of
the seven, listing their complaints about their treatment during their
unlawful detention. Makoni argued that despite the charges, the defence is
still fighting for the group's remand to be refused, saying there is "no
evident reason or knowable suspicion for the group to be placed on remand."
In court lawyer Alec Muchadehama said the group had been 'severely tortured'
by state security agents after their abductions, and explained that not a
single member of the group had been lawfully detained. He said: "No arrest
took place. Each one of them is a victim of abduction and forced
disappearance by state agents. None of them was arrested in terms of the
law."
The group could face the death penalty if they are found guilty of being
involved in two minor blasts at Harare police stations and a blast at a
railway line in Norton last year. The questionable circumstances surrounding
the blasts, which at the time were linked to a ZANU PF attempt to implicate
the MDC, and the subsequent abductions and charging of the seven activists,
has raised questions over whether the bombs were in fact set off to create
convenient evidence in the current case.
Adding more fuel to the fire is speculation this week that a so-called
'assassination attempt,' targeting Air Force Commander Perrence Shiri last
year, was in fact an elaborate hoax by Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF as part of it's
ongoing effort to build a case against the MDC. Shiri was supposedly wounded
in the hand after being shot at while driving from his farm in Shamva in
December. In the days that followed, state-controlled media launched a
propaganda assault on the MDC, reporting that the attack was a "build up of
terror attacks targeting high profile persons, government officials,
government establishments and public transportation systems".
The deliberate manipulation of events to build a case against the MDC has
been clearly evident in the case launched against abducted human rights
activist Jestina Mukoko and her eight co-accused. The group is yet to be
formally charged after being accused of attempting to recruit fighters to
train in neighboring Botswana to overthrow Mugabe. Their case was postponed
for the second time this week on Tuesday, and the group is set to remain in
custody until their next Magistrate's Court appearance on the 14th January.
Lawyers are still pursuing applications in the High Court for the abductees
to receive proper care outside of the Chikurubi prison where they are being
held. But despite evidence of being tortured and seriously injured during
their detention, a High Court judge over the weekend refused to handle the
medical affidavits, citing a 'legal irregularity'.
Such legal irregularities have been prominent since the abductees' first
court appearances last year, as the state has continued to play a legal game
with the defence and the abductees. Mukoko and the other abductees that have
been accounted for meanwhile have been shuttled to and from solitary
confinement; all while being denied medical treatment. This includes the two
year old son of Violet Mupfuranhehwe who is held in solitary confinement
with his mother, and who is also yet to receive proper medical care after
being beaten in a very cruel effort to glean information from his mother.
And while such a high stakes game is being played in court, it would appear
that the safety and whereabouts of at least 10 other abductees remains
either a closely guarded secret or a mystery. The MDC has said that more
than 40 people were abducted last year, and despite Tsvangirai issuing
Mugabe with what has proved to be a fruitless ultimatum to produce the
abductees by the 1st January, only 30 people were eventually produced.
connection with a series of minor bomb blasts in the capital last year. They
became the first group of the more than 40 abductees, to be formally charged
by the state.
The seven, including the Tsvangirai MDC head of security Chris Dhlamini and
Tsvangirai's former aide Gandhi Mudzingwa, all pleaded not guilty to the
charges of terrorism, banditry and insurgency laid against them on
Wednesday. Defence lawyer Andrew Makoni explained that the case was further
deferred to Thursday and said a new application has been filed on behalf of
the seven, listing their complaints about their treatment during their
unlawful detention. Makoni argued that despite the charges, the defence is
still fighting for the group's remand to be refused, saying there is "no
evident reason or knowable suspicion for the group to be placed on remand."
In court lawyer Alec Muchadehama said the group had been 'severely tortured'
by state security agents after their abductions, and explained that not a
single member of the group had been lawfully detained. He said: "No arrest
took place. Each one of them is a victim of abduction and forced
disappearance by state agents. None of them was arrested in terms of the
law."
The group could face the death penalty if they are found guilty of being
involved in two minor blasts at Harare police stations and a blast at a
railway line in Norton last year. The questionable circumstances surrounding
the blasts, which at the time were linked to a ZANU PF attempt to implicate
the MDC, and the subsequent abductions and charging of the seven activists,
has raised questions over whether the bombs were in fact set off to create
convenient evidence in the current case.
Adding more fuel to the fire is speculation this week that a so-called
'assassination attempt,' targeting Air Force Commander Perrence Shiri last
year, was in fact an elaborate hoax by Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF as part of it's
ongoing effort to build a case against the MDC. Shiri was supposedly wounded
in the hand after being shot at while driving from his farm in Shamva in
December. In the days that followed, state-controlled media launched a
propaganda assault on the MDC, reporting that the attack was a "build up of
terror attacks targeting high profile persons, government officials,
government establishments and public transportation systems".
The deliberate manipulation of events to build a case against the MDC has
been clearly evident in the case launched against abducted human rights
activist Jestina Mukoko and her eight co-accused. The group is yet to be
formally charged after being accused of attempting to recruit fighters to
train in neighboring Botswana to overthrow Mugabe. Their case was postponed
for the second time this week on Tuesday, and the group is set to remain in
custody until their next Magistrate's Court appearance on the 14th January.
Lawyers are still pursuing applications in the High Court for the abductees
to receive proper care outside of the Chikurubi prison where they are being
held. But despite evidence of being tortured and seriously injured during
their detention, a High Court judge over the weekend refused to handle the
medical affidavits, citing a 'legal irregularity'.
Such legal irregularities have been prominent since the abductees' first
court appearances last year, as the state has continued to play a legal game
with the defence and the abductees. Mukoko and the other abductees that have
been accounted for meanwhile have been shuttled to and from solitary
confinement; all while being denied medical treatment. This includes the two
year old son of Violet Mupfuranhehwe who is held in solitary confinement
with his mother, and who is also yet to receive proper medical care after
being beaten in a very cruel effort to glean information from his mother.
And while such a high stakes game is being played in court, it would appear
that the safety and whereabouts of at least 10 other abductees remains
either a closely guarded secret or a mystery. The MDC has said that more
than 40 people were abducted last year, and despite Tsvangirai issuing
Mugabe with what has proved to be a fruitless ultimatum to produce the
abductees by the 1st January, only 30 people were eventually produced.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Zimbabwean activists to spend New Year's in jail
A respected human rights campaigner and 31 other
activists in Zimbabwe will remain in jail over New Year's after a High Court
judge postponed an application for their release until Friday.
Zimbabwe Peace Project leader Jestina Mukoko and the other detainees are
accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe, who has been in
power since 1980.
Opposition leaders say the detentions are part of Mugabe's clampdown on
pro-democracy activists and are further evidence of his determination to
keep control of his stricken nation in defiance of a power-sharing
agreement.
"The year ahead, 2009, looks grim," Grace Mutandwa, a Zimbabwean staff
member at the British Embassy in Harare, wrote in a blog. "Many in Zimbabwe
would like to forget 2008 but this is something we might not be able to do."
Once a source of regional pride, Zimbabwe has been crippled by galloping
hyperinflation - one egg now costs 300 million Zimbabwe dollars. There is
mass unemployment and worsening malnutrition, and the country's education
and health systems are collapsing.
The southern African nation's power, water and sewage treatment systems are
in total disrepair, and a cholera epidemic has killed more than 1,600 people
since August.
The international Red Cross said Wednesday it has deployed seven emergency
response units throughout Zimbabwe to combat the worsening cholera crisis.
The units - specialized teams that are fully self-sufficient for one month -
are usually only deployed in the most critical humanitarian situations, such
as the Indian Ocean tsunami and large earthquakes.
Tammam Aloudat, a Red Cross emergency health officer, said the mobile units
would be able to reach rural communities. Currently 43 percent of cholera
victims in Zimbabwe are dying before they can reach a treatment center, even
though the disease is easily treatable, he said.
Activists say the humanitarian crisis has been accompanied by increasing
repression in recent weeks.
Defense attorney Beatrice Mtetwa said state lawyers conceded Wednesday for
the first time that state security agents abducted Mukoko from her home in
early December. For weeks police had denied they were holding the peace
activist.
High Court Judge Alphias Chitakunye on Wednesday postponed a defense
application for the immediate release of Mukoko and the other detainees
until Friday.
Mtetwa said police have defied at least two court orders to free them and
ignored a magistrate's ruling that they be allowed visits from private
doctors after they appeared in court Monday with swollen and bloodied faces.
The defense team also demanded that the police commissioner and attorney
general be summoned to the High Court for contempt. A Dec. 24 ruling said
the activists should be transferred to a hospital for investigation of
alleged torture.
The High Court applications came shortly after a magistrate ordered them to
stay in custody until Monday.
Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe also ordered five officials with the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change to remain in detention to Jan. 5 on
allegations of involvement in two minor bombings at the main Harare police
station earlier this year and a small explosion at a bridge outside Harare.
They included a close adviser to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his
party's head of security.
activists in Zimbabwe will remain in jail over New Year's after a High Court
judge postponed an application for their release until Friday.
Zimbabwe Peace Project leader Jestina Mukoko and the other detainees are
accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe, who has been in
power since 1980.
Opposition leaders say the detentions are part of Mugabe's clampdown on
pro-democracy activists and are further evidence of his determination to
keep control of his stricken nation in defiance of a power-sharing
agreement.
"The year ahead, 2009, looks grim," Grace Mutandwa, a Zimbabwean staff
member at the British Embassy in Harare, wrote in a blog. "Many in Zimbabwe
would like to forget 2008 but this is something we might not be able to do."
Once a source of regional pride, Zimbabwe has been crippled by galloping
hyperinflation - one egg now costs 300 million Zimbabwe dollars. There is
mass unemployment and worsening malnutrition, and the country's education
and health systems are collapsing.
The southern African nation's power, water and sewage treatment systems are
in total disrepair, and a cholera epidemic has killed more than 1,600 people
since August.
The international Red Cross said Wednesday it has deployed seven emergency
response units throughout Zimbabwe to combat the worsening cholera crisis.
The units - specialized teams that are fully self-sufficient for one month -
are usually only deployed in the most critical humanitarian situations, such
as the Indian Ocean tsunami and large earthquakes.
Tammam Aloudat, a Red Cross emergency health officer, said the mobile units
would be able to reach rural communities. Currently 43 percent of cholera
victims in Zimbabwe are dying before they can reach a treatment center, even
though the disease is easily treatable, he said.
Activists say the humanitarian crisis has been accompanied by increasing
repression in recent weeks.
Defense attorney Beatrice Mtetwa said state lawyers conceded Wednesday for
the first time that state security agents abducted Mukoko from her home in
early December. For weeks police had denied they were holding the peace
activist.
High Court Judge Alphias Chitakunye on Wednesday postponed a defense
application for the immediate release of Mukoko and the other detainees
until Friday.
Mtetwa said police have defied at least two court orders to free them and
ignored a magistrate's ruling that they be allowed visits from private
doctors after they appeared in court Monday with swollen and bloodied faces.
The defense team also demanded that the police commissioner and attorney
general be summoned to the High Court for contempt. A Dec. 24 ruling said
the activists should be transferred to a hospital for investigation of
alleged torture.
The High Court applications came shortly after a magistrate ordered them to
stay in custody until Monday.
Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe also ordered five officials with the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change to remain in detention to Jan. 5 on
allegations of involvement in two minor bombings at the main Harare police
station earlier this year and a small explosion at a bridge outside Harare.
They included a close adviser to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his
party's head of security.
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