Thursday, 25th January 2007
Howzit
Well, the snow didn't last very long and was melted by midday. We didn't a heavy fall, but I see that Worthing got quite a bit, as is seen in MDT's posted photos...
-o00o-
Here's a question for you... How much does it cost Mugabe to mobilise the CIO to bully the striking doctors back to work? I mean, surely there actions are over and above their usual remit and therefore must incur some cost... So, why not give that money to the striking doctors instead of resorting to the more base actions of a tyrannical police state? Surely that would be more constructive?
But the ZANU PF government are not constructive - they are very destructive in their attitude and actions.
"The Zimbabwe government has called in its feared spy Central Intelligence Organisation to intimidate striking doctors to return to work or face unspecified but "dire consequences", authoritative sources told ZimOnline.
The sources, who are senior officers in the police and CIO, said while the government had every desire to end the strike that has paralysed state hospitals, its major concern however was that the opposition could seize on the doctors' strike to ferment a general strike by workers that could easily turn into mass revolt against the government."
Are ZANU PF so uninformed that they believe a mass revolt would need something like the doctors' strike to be initiated? The Zimbabwean people have more than enough reason to rise up against ZANU PF rule - and if truth be told, I am surprised that they haven't done so already.
"Our superiors believe that there could be a hidden agenda behind the strike that is why we have been deployed at the hospitals to get information about who initiated the strike and to push the doctors to call off the strike," said a senior CIO agent, who declines to be named for professional reasons."
Speaking to the press is something that ZANU PF frown upon, whilst we respect the operative's candour. But to suggest that he refused being identified 'for professional reasons' is an oxymoron...
But the ZANU PF government are not constructive - they are very destructive in their attitude and actions.
"The Zimbabwe government has called in its feared spy Central Intelligence Organisation to intimidate striking doctors to return to work or face unspecified but "dire consequences", authoritative sources told ZimOnline.
The sources, who are senior officers in the police and CIO, said while the government had every desire to end the strike that has paralysed state hospitals, its major concern however was that the opposition could seize on the doctors' strike to ferment a general strike by workers that could easily turn into mass revolt against the government."
Are ZANU PF so uninformed that they believe a mass revolt would need something like the doctors' strike to be initiated? The Zimbabwean people have more than enough reason to rise up against ZANU PF rule - and if truth be told, I am surprised that they haven't done so already.
"Our superiors believe that there could be a hidden agenda behind the strike that is why we have been deployed at the hospitals to get information about who initiated the strike and to push the doctors to call off the strike," said a senior CIO agent, who declines to be named for professional reasons."
Speaking to the press is something that ZANU PF frown upon, whilst we respect the operative's candour. But to suggest that he refused being identified 'for professional reasons' is an oxymoron...
-o00o-
In another allied move, the government has now stopped paying the doctors completely!
"The Zimbabwean government had frozen salaries of 50 striking doctors at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare in what doctors say was a clear case of victimisation against the doctors.
Hospital Doctors' Association President Kuda Nyamutukwa said although most of the 350 doctors had received their new salaries for January, the 50 had not received their pay after the government accused them of spearheading the strike."
With the government doing this, many of the doctors will leave the country for greener pastures - pastures where they will be paid (and paid well) for their services. Which, in turn, will leave the Zimbabwean people worse off for the loss.
"Zimbabwe's health delivery system, once lauded as one of the best in Africa, has virtually collapsed after years of under-funding and mismanagement."
Similar to the country as a whole. Or should that be 'hole'?
"The Zimbabwean government had frozen salaries of 50 striking doctors at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare in what doctors say was a clear case of victimisation against the doctors.
Hospital Doctors' Association President Kuda Nyamutukwa said although most of the 350 doctors had received their new salaries for January, the 50 had not received their pay after the government accused them of spearheading the strike."
With the government doing this, many of the doctors will leave the country for greener pastures - pastures where they will be paid (and paid well) for their services. Which, in turn, will leave the Zimbabwean people worse off for the loss.
"Zimbabwe's health delivery system, once lauded as one of the best in Africa, has virtually collapsed after years of under-funding and mismanagement."
Similar to the country as a whole. Or should that be 'hole'?
-o00o-
I read yesterday that Zimbabwe's Health Minister had gone on leave - whilst there is a doctors' strike going on! Well thought out, wasn't it? Or has he left the country whilst on leave in search of medical treatment himself? It wouldn't be the first time a minister has shunned the services on offer in Zimbabwe...
"Zimbabwean Acting Health Minister Sydney Sekeramai on Wednesday engaged striking junior and senior hospital residents in a bid to end a crippling labor action now in its fifth week, representatives of the striking physicians said.
Dr. Sekeremai, also minister of defense and ruling party secretary for health, asked the doctors to put their grievances and demands in writing, sources said, adding that the residents had already submitted that information to Sekeremai. The ruling party heavyweight stepped in this week to take over handling of the crisis from Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, who abruptly left on leave early this week.
Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo, chairman of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, said Dr. Sekeremai’s move was positive because it was the first sign that the government was prepared to deal directly with the striking doctors."
Mmmm - I wonder. Is the move by government genuine or is it a stalling tactic?
"Meanwhile, nurses at Parirenyatwa Hospital said they had gone on strike. Some of the nurses said they decided to strike after receiving salaries ranging from Z$120,000 to Z$195,000 (US$28 to US$46 at the parallel exchange rate in wide use) when they were hoping to see increases to Z$3 million to Z$4 million (US$715-US$950)."
"Zimbabwean Acting Health Minister Sydney Sekeramai on Wednesday engaged striking junior and senior hospital residents in a bid to end a crippling labor action now in its fifth week, representatives of the striking physicians said.
Dr. Sekeremai, also minister of defense and ruling party secretary for health, asked the doctors to put their grievances and demands in writing, sources said, adding that the residents had already submitted that information to Sekeremai. The ruling party heavyweight stepped in this week to take over handling of the crisis from Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, who abruptly left on leave early this week.
Dr. Douglas Gwatidzo, chairman of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, said Dr. Sekeremai’s move was positive because it was the first sign that the government was prepared to deal directly with the striking doctors."
Mmmm - I wonder. Is the move by government genuine or is it a stalling tactic?
"Meanwhile, nurses at Parirenyatwa Hospital said they had gone on strike. Some of the nurses said they decided to strike after receiving salaries ranging from Z$120,000 to Z$195,000 (US$28 to US$46 at the parallel exchange rate in wide use) when they were hoping to see increases to Z$3 million to Z$4 million (US$715-US$950)."
-o00o-
"Business briefly came to a halt in Harare as members of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign protested in the city centre against plans by the government to extend President Robert Mugabe's term by two years."
I love the idea of these brief but noisy protests that disappear before the authorities have a chance to react. But to what end? The authorities will sit back with arms folded and say, "They'll be gone in a few minutes."
What is the next step?
"The protest took place during lunch hour lasted for about 10 minutes.
Although ZimOnline reporters saw police chasing after the protesters, there were no immediate reports of anyone arrested."
I love the idea of these brief but noisy protests that disappear before the authorities have a chance to react. But to what end? The authorities will sit back with arms folded and say, "They'll be gone in a few minutes."
What is the next step?
"The protest took place during lunch hour lasted for about 10 minutes.
Although ZimOnline reporters saw police chasing after the protesters, there were no immediate reports of anyone arrested."
-o00o-
I liked this article, if only for the comparison on money values on Judge Judy.
"If you can survive in Zimbabwe, you can survive anywhere in the world." This is the popular feeling in this troubled Southern African country which currently has the highest inflation in the world and is in its eighth successive year of recession."
Since our departure in late 1998, on the official market, the Zimbabwe dollar has devalued 702%. The two events are not linked!
"Children think in millions. Most American television programmes do not make sense to them. Take the television Series Judge Judy. Someone take a colleague to court over a debt of US$1000. In Zimbabwe ZW$1000 only buys a loaf of bread. It is not even enough for a one-way trip to court.
Some programmes even give tips on how to save money. In Zimbabwe saving money is throwing it down the drain. As a senior journalist I earned ZW$5 million a month two years ago. It was equivalent to US$1000. My salary has increased 80-fold but in real terms I am now earning just over US$100. Put simply, you must be crazy to put your money in the bank."
If you really want the message to sink in, then do monetary comparisons - it sticks in the brain...
"If you can survive in Zimbabwe, you can survive anywhere in the world." This is the popular feeling in this troubled Southern African country which currently has the highest inflation in the world and is in its eighth successive year of recession."
Since our departure in late 1998, on the official market, the Zimbabwe dollar has devalued 702%. The two events are not linked!
"Children think in millions. Most American television programmes do not make sense to them. Take the television Series Judge Judy. Someone take a colleague to court over a debt of US$1000. In Zimbabwe ZW$1000 only buys a loaf of bread. It is not even enough for a one-way trip to court.
Some programmes even give tips on how to save money. In Zimbabwe saving money is throwing it down the drain. As a senior journalist I earned ZW$5 million a month two years ago. It was equivalent to US$1000. My salary has increased 80-fold but in real terms I am now earning just over US$100. Put simply, you must be crazy to put your money in the bank."
If you really want the message to sink in, then do monetary comparisons - it sticks in the brain...
-o00o-
"Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe has been named as one of the 33 leading "predators of press freedom" in the world.
"Whether presidents, ministers, chiefs of staff, religious leaders or the heads of armed groups, these predators of press freedom have the power to censor, imprison, kidnap, torture and, in the worst cases, murder journalists," Reporters Without Borders said.
The organization pointed out that President Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, uses the country's intelligence and security agencies "to silence all opposition voices" and to "spy on and punish independent media outlets."
Reporters Without Borders is not alone in its criticism of the Zimbabwe government's continuing assault on the media. The World Association of Newspapers recently ranked the country as one of the top three most dangerous places to be a journalist.
The insecurity and crisis within which journalists are working in Zimbabwe is a direct result of how the government deals with the media."
What angers me is that I could quote many, many similar articles that show Mugabe for what he really is. A despot, a tyrant and a man with no scruples.
But what would be the point? The world reads the articles and then there is no outcry, no call for justice for the Zimbabwean people, no call for Mugabe's demise (politically, that is). The world just shrugs its collective shoulders and moves on.
Yet somehow Saddam Hussein irked the world enough for his overthrow and subsequent execution. What's the difference between the two? Oil?
So the free world is able to differentiate the futures of two similar countries on their mineral and natural wealth as opposed to the freedom of said countries' people?
"Journalists, especially those who write for international newspapers and magazines, also face harassment and intimidation from government officials who have described them as "traitors" who are being paid to demonize the country and its leaders."
Unless you are prepared to write in adulation of ZANU PF you will never be a journalist in Zimbabwe. I am glad of my freedom here in the UK where I can write without fear of attack or repression. Freedom of speech and freedom of press - at least they work somewhere in this world.
"Whether presidents, ministers, chiefs of staff, religious leaders or the heads of armed groups, these predators of press freedom have the power to censor, imprison, kidnap, torture and, in the worst cases, murder journalists," Reporters Without Borders said.
The organization pointed out that President Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, uses the country's intelligence and security agencies "to silence all opposition voices" and to "spy on and punish independent media outlets."
Reporters Without Borders is not alone in its criticism of the Zimbabwe government's continuing assault on the media. The World Association of Newspapers recently ranked the country as one of the top three most dangerous places to be a journalist.
The insecurity and crisis within which journalists are working in Zimbabwe is a direct result of how the government deals with the media."
What angers me is that I could quote many, many similar articles that show Mugabe for what he really is. A despot, a tyrant and a man with no scruples.
But what would be the point? The world reads the articles and then there is no outcry, no call for justice for the Zimbabwean people, no call for Mugabe's demise (politically, that is). The world just shrugs its collective shoulders and moves on.
Yet somehow Saddam Hussein irked the world enough for his overthrow and subsequent execution. What's the difference between the two? Oil?
So the free world is able to differentiate the futures of two similar countries on their mineral and natural wealth as opposed to the freedom of said countries' people?
"Journalists, especially those who write for international newspapers and magazines, also face harassment and intimidation from government officials who have described them as "traitors" who are being paid to demonize the country and its leaders."
Unless you are prepared to write in adulation of ZANU PF you will never be a journalist in Zimbabwe. I am glad of my freedom here in the UK where I can write without fear of attack or repression. Freedom of speech and freedom of press - at least they work somewhere in this world.
-o00o-
Take care.
'debvhu
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 10:10 AM
"Silent Night"
Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
3 Comments:
Thanks for the link. One day snowing doesn't make an Arctic winter though. Radio today reports that this is the warmest January in many years. Darn the Chinese and Indians and their C02 guzzling economic growth.
9:58 PM
This whole Zim thing just sucks. I talked to my mom yesterday and she's ready to leave now. I just have to get the papers done for her to come here.
3:29 PM
Thanks for looking in, Ash.
Life in Zimbabwe is no longer the experience it was. I feel desperately sorry for EVERYBODY still there - and we must bear in mind that many people are stuck there through no fault of their own...
My heart does break for them...
Take care.
'debvhu
3:53 PM
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