Monday, 13th July 2009
Howzit
Foreign currency mid-rates update...
-o00o-
Is there not enough death and destruction on the earth without Mugabe adding to it by supplying arms to warring nations?
"Zimbabwe is not only stockpiling modern weapons, but is also circumventing sanctions by exporting arms to the US via Eastern Europe, according to a report that is due to be released this week. The International Peace Information Service (IPIS), a Belgian-based research hub, says this state of play is a good example of why the UN-proposed Arms Trade Treaty needs to be as comprehensive as possible to stem the flow of weapons intoZimbabwe
The report says that throughout last year, when the political climate was most volatile, it tracked shipments of arms in and out of the country, which not only pose a threat to Zimbabweans, but outline the dubious nature of arms deals that continue to take place with a country that is heavily sanctioned.
In the space of 48 hours last August, 53 tons of ammunition were allegedly flown from the Democratic Republic of Congo toHarare
The first shipment on August 21 contained 32 tons of 7.62x54mm cartridges, according to the UN's Groups of Experts on the DRC. A second shipment, which they say arrived two days later, contained 20 tons of 7.62x39mm cartridges, the kind of ammunition used in AK-47s.
The ammunition was received in Zimbabwe four months after a separate and controversial arms consignment from China was turned away at Durban on the so-called ship of shame in April last year, only to be flown into the country a month later from Angola, the report also claims.
Despite denials from Luanda and Beijing, an employee of the state-owned Zimbabwe Defence Industry (ZDI) in Harare told Ipis in June that the shipment, which contained mortar bombs, rockets and rounds of ammunition, had arrived in the country - something that Information Minister Bright Matonga also suggested in May when he told a TV-recorded panel discussion that "the shipment is already in Zimbabwe". Matonga could not be reached for comment this week.
"Zimbabwe
Mugabe and his senior loyalists will stop at nothing to make a few bucks. The farms, the harvest from those farms (although the new 'farmers' never set foot on the land), the diamond fields and now arms shipments all have been used to enrich the few whilst the rest of the country starves.
"All does not have to be lost in the absence of a treaty, Guy Lamb of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) argues.
"Illicit and corrupt arms trading, as well as arms transfers to conflict zones or countries where governments are responsible for human rights abuses, can be restricted in Africa by more comprehensive and consistent implementation of existing regional arms control agreements at the national level," the head of the arms management programme at the ISS points out.
"Examples include the SADC firearms control protocol and theNairobi
However, what could happen and what does are very different things. The researchers also tracked the shipment of 1349 stripped MAG58 machine gun bodies, 2051 barrels and various other machinegun parts from Harare to Podgorica airport in Montenegro in February last year, which they claim later found their way to the US in a roundabout deal that breached the sanctions imposed by the government of George W Bush.
According to the airway bill, or shipping document, the consignment was dispatched by the ZDI to its Montenegran counterparts, a deal they say was brokered by the Swiss-based company BT International. That company is run by Heinrich Thomet, the Swiss man who appeared on theUS
Earlier this year, during a visit to the Montenegro Defence Industry, the authors of the report were informed "that the machineguns supplied from Zimbabwe had been bought for refurbishment" and "that the overhauled machinegun parts, with the exception of the barrels and receivers" were later shipped on to the United States in a transaction that was also facilitated by BT International.
An investigation into the trans-Atlantic deal pointed to Ohio Ordnance Works as the recipient of the gun parts, a dealer that supplies theUS Iraq
Zimbabwe has a history which is steeped in violence and death. And, for personal gain, Mugabe and his stalwarts are more than happy to continue making money out of war and combat.
Mugabe and his closer senior echelon no longer see themselves as 'liberators' of Zimbabwe, but international war lords...
-o00o-
"Zimbabwe is not only stockpiling modern weapons, but is also circumventing sanctions by exporting arms to the US via Eastern Europe, according to a report that is due to be released this week. The International Peace Information Service (IPIS), a Belgian-based research hub, says this state of play is a good example of why the UN-proposed Arms Trade Treaty needs to be as comprehensive as possible to stem the flow of weapons into
The report says that throughout last year, when the political climate was most volatile, it tracked shipments of arms in and out of the country, which not only pose a threat to Zimbabweans, but outline the dubious nature of arms deals that continue to take place with a country that is heavily sanctioned.
In the space of 48 hours last August, 53 tons of ammunition were allegedly flown from the Democratic Republic of Congo to
The first shipment on August 21 contained 32 tons of 7.62x54mm cartridges, according to the UN's Groups of Experts on the DRC. A second shipment, which they say arrived two days later, contained 20 tons of 7.62x39mm cartridges, the kind of ammunition used in AK-47s.
The ammunition was received in Zimbabwe four months after a separate and controversial arms consignment from China was turned away at Durban on the so-called ship of shame in April last year, only to be flown into the country a month later from Angola, the report also claims.
Despite denials from Luanda and Beijing, an employee of the state-owned Zimbabwe Defence Industry (ZDI) in Harare told Ipis in June that the shipment, which contained mortar bombs, rockets and rounds of ammunition, had arrived in the country - something that Information Minister Bright Matonga also suggested in May when he told a TV-recorded panel discussion that "the shipment is already in Zimbabwe". Matonga could not be reached for comment this week.
"
Mugabe and his senior loyalists will stop at nothing to make a few bucks. The farms, the harvest from those farms (although the new 'farmers' never set foot on the land), the diamond fields and now arms shipments all have been used to enrich the few whilst the rest of the country starves.
"All does not have to be lost in the absence of a treaty, Guy Lamb of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) argues.
"Illicit and corrupt arms trading, as well as arms transfers to conflict zones or countries where governments are responsible for human rights abuses, can be restricted in Africa by more comprehensive and consistent implementation of existing regional arms control agreements at the national level," the head of the arms management programme at the ISS points out.
"Examples include the SADC firearms control protocol and the
However, what could happen and what does are very different things. The researchers also tracked the shipment of 1349 stripped MAG58 machine gun bodies, 2051 barrels and various other machinegun parts from Harare to Podgorica airport in Montenegro in February last year, which they claim later found their way to the US in a roundabout deal that breached the sanctions imposed by the government of George W Bush.
According to the airway bill, or shipping document, the consignment was dispatched by the ZDI to its Montenegran counterparts, a deal they say was brokered by the Swiss-based company BT International. That company is run by Heinrich Thomet, the Swiss man who appeared on the
Earlier this year, during a visit to the Montenegro Defence Industry, the authors of the report were informed "that the machineguns supplied from Zimbabwe had been bought for refurbishment" and "that the overhauled machinegun parts, with the exception of the barrels and receivers" were later shipped on to the United States in a transaction that was also facilitated by BT International.
An investigation into the trans-Atlantic deal pointed to Ohio Ordnance Works as the recipient of the gun parts, a dealer that supplies the
Zimbabwe has a history which is steeped in violence and death. And, for personal gain, Mugabe and his stalwarts are more than happy to continue making money out of war and combat.
Mugabe and his closer senior echelon no longer see themselves as 'liberators' of Zimbabwe, but international war lords...
Almost every week, we read of the MDC-T MPs being jailed for various 'crimes' and it is obviously an attempt by ZANU PF to overturn the slender majority that the Tsvangirai faction of the MDC holds in Parliament.
"MDC-T MP for Chipinge South Meki Makuyana was last week sentenced to 12 months in prison for kidnapping two ZANU PF supporters in the run-up to the 2008 harmonised elections.
This brings to four the number of MDC-T MPs convicted of various crimes, while several others are facing different charges in the courts. Chipinge provincial magistrate Mr Samuel Zuze convicted Makuyana, along with Councillor Chisumbanje Hardwork Masaiti, and two MDC-T party supporters Wedzerayi Gwenzi and Simon Chaya, after a full trial.
The four had pleaded not guilty."
The part of the heavily loaded pro-Mugabe report in The Herald that got my attention was a reminder that any triggered by-election, under provisions of the Global Political Agreement, the seat can only be contested (for the first 12 months or as long as the unity government exists) by the party that held the seat in the first place.
This perhaps does not help the mix of seats as far as ZANU PF are concerned, but it will allow them to perhaps place an MDC candidate that is sympathetic with Mugabe's rule.
"Prosecutor Mr Last Goredema said the four kidnapped two ZANU PF supporters - Isaac Ndlovu and Joseph Dhliwayo - when they were attending a rally atChisuma Primary School
"The four accused persons, who reside in Chisumbanje, were at an MDC-T rally atChisuma Primary School
"Makuyana asked Masaiti, Gwenzi and Chaya to go and stop the ZANU PF meeting and order everyone who was there to attend the MDC-T rally.
"The ZANU PF supporters refused and Masaiti, Gwenzi and Chaya went back to inform Makuyana that they had refused to attend the MDC-T rally," he said. He told the court that the three teamed up with Nyasha Madhodha - who is still at large - and went back to the ZANU PF meeting where they assaulted the people there with sticks and chairs.
Ndlovu and Dhliwayo were apprehended and forcibly marched to the MDC-T rally, he said."
Read into this what you will - ZANU PF obviously hold sway in the criminal courts in Zimbabwe...
"Lynette Karenyi (Chimanimani West) was sentenced to 20 days in prison or a fine after being found guilty of forging her nomination court papers last year.
Shuah Mudiwa (Mutare West) was jailed for seven years for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl.
Mathias Mlambo (Chipinge East) was slapped with a 10-month prison term for obstructing the course of justice. A further five MDC-T MPs are on trial on fraud charges stemming from their alleged abuse of the Government’s farm inputs programme.
These are Hega Shoko (Bikita West), Edmore Marima (Bikita East), Tichaona Maradza (Masvingo West), Hamandishe Maramwidze (Gutu North) and Ramsome Makamure (Gutu East).
Blessing Chebundo (Kwekwe Central) is also before the courts on allegations of raping a minor."
"Two Harare men allegedly connived with a security guard at a car sales and drove away undetected in a Nissan Hardbody truck worth US$20000.
The vehicle, which belonged to Red Cross International Zimbabwe, was at Alex Harrisons car sales in the city.
Paradzai Gora (39) and Farai Chidavarume (26) last week appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing car theft charges.
However, nothing was said in court about the security guard."
I worked in the motor trade and was the Sales Manager at a dealership in Harare.
Unless there is serious connivance with the security guards, it would have been almost impossible to steal a motor vehicle - even if that vehicle was parked in the stock yard.
I find it very interesting that the vehicle has not been recovered.
"Appearing for the State, Miss Lethiwe Maphosa said the offence was committed last month when the security officer guarding the premises connived with the two to steal a Nissan Hardbody truck.
The car has registration number 214-TCE157 and is white in colour. They took the car under the pretext that it was going out for cleaning.
The two avoided the normal company procedures of booking vehicles in and out of the car sale so that they would bypass the security authorities.
The two were arrested inHarare
"Two Chitungwiza men were on Wednesday fined US$300 each for illegally possessing ivory and zebra trophies valued at US$13000.
Benjamin Smart and Naboth Chisuko, who separately appeared before magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga, should pay the fines before the end of July.
If they default payment, Ms Mariga ruled, the duo risk spending two months in prison.
The two pleaded guilty to breaching the Parks and Wildlife Act before the court fined them."
Even twenty-odd years ago when I prosecuted in criminals courts in Esigodini, Plumtree and Gwanda (and, quite frequently, at Tredgold Building in Bulawayo), convicted criminals were given time to pay fines.
In the current environment, I fully understand this, as prisons are in a poor state of repair and they do not have the funding to even feed or clothe the prisoners adequately - and this has, in recent weeks, fallen on the families and friends of those so incarcerated.
At least someone is thinking on their feet.
"MDC-T MP for Chipinge South Meki Makuyana was last week sentenced to 12 months in prison for kidnapping two ZANU PF supporters in the run-up to the 2008 harmonised elections.
This brings to four the number of MDC-T MPs convicted of various crimes, while several others are facing different charges in the courts. Chipinge provincial magistrate Mr Samuel Zuze convicted Makuyana, along with Councillor Chisumbanje Hardwork Masaiti, and two MDC-T party supporters Wedzerayi Gwenzi and Simon Chaya, after a full trial.
The four had pleaded not guilty."
The part of the heavily loaded pro-Mugabe report in The Herald that got my attention was a reminder that any triggered by-election, under provisions of the Global Political Agreement, the seat can only be contested (for the first 12 months or as long as the unity government exists) by the party that held the seat in the first place.
This perhaps does not help the mix of seats as far as ZANU PF are concerned, but it will allow them to perhaps place an MDC candidate that is sympathetic with Mugabe's rule.
"Prosecutor Mr Last Goredema said the four kidnapped two ZANU PF supporters - Isaac Ndlovu and Joseph Dhliwayo - when they were attending a rally at
"The four accused persons, who reside in Chisumbanje, were at an MDC-T rally at
"Makuyana asked Masaiti, Gwenzi and Chaya to go and stop the ZANU PF meeting and order everyone who was there to attend the MDC-T rally.
"The ZANU PF supporters refused and Masaiti, Gwenzi and Chaya went back to inform Makuyana that they had refused to attend the MDC-T rally," he said. He told the court that the three teamed up with Nyasha Madhodha - who is still at large - and went back to the ZANU PF meeting where they assaulted the people there with sticks and chairs.
Ndlovu and Dhliwayo were apprehended and forcibly marched to the MDC-T rally, he said."
Read into this what you will - ZANU PF obviously hold sway in the criminal courts in Zimbabwe...
"Lynette Karenyi (Chimanimani West) was sentenced to 20 days in prison or a fine after being found guilty of forging her nomination court papers last year.
Shuah Mudiwa (Mutare West) was jailed for seven years for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl.
Mathias Mlambo (Chipinge East) was slapped with a 10-month prison term for obstructing the course of justice. A further five MDC-T MPs are on trial on fraud charges stemming from their alleged abuse of the Government’s farm inputs programme.
These are Hega Shoko (Bikita West), Edmore Marima (Bikita East), Tichaona Maradza (Masvingo West), Hamandishe Maramwidze (Gutu North) and Ramsome Makamure (Gutu East).
Blessing Chebundo (Kwekwe Central) is also before the courts on allegations of raping a minor."
-o00o-
"Two Harare men allegedly connived with a security guard at a car sales and drove away undetected in a Nissan Hardbody truck worth US$20000.
The vehicle, which belonged to Red Cross International Zimbabwe, was at Alex Harrisons car sales in the city.
Paradzai Gora (39) and Farai Chidavarume (26) last week appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing car theft charges.
However, nothing was said in court about the security guard."
I worked in the motor trade and was the Sales Manager at a dealership in Harare.
Unless there is serious connivance with the security guards, it would have been almost impossible to steal a motor vehicle - even if that vehicle was parked in the stock yard.
I find it very interesting that the vehicle has not been recovered.
"Appearing for the State, Miss Lethiwe Maphosa said the offence was committed last month when the security officer guarding the premises connived with the two to steal a Nissan Hardbody truck.
The car has registration number 214-TCE157 and is white in colour. They took the car under the pretext that it was going out for cleaning.
The two avoided the normal company procedures of booking vehicles in and out of the car sale so that they would bypass the security authorities.
The two were arrested in
-o00o-
"Two Chitungwiza men were on Wednesday fined US$300 each for illegally possessing ivory and zebra trophies valued at US$13000.
Benjamin Smart and Naboth Chisuko, who separately appeared before magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga, should pay the fines before the end of July.
If they default payment, Ms Mariga ruled, the duo risk spending two months in prison.
The two pleaded guilty to breaching the Parks and Wildlife Act before the court fined them."
Even twenty-odd years ago when I prosecuted in criminals courts in Esigodini, Plumtree and Gwanda (and, quite frequently, at Tredgold Building in Bulawayo), convicted criminals were given time to pay fines.
In the current environment, I fully understand this, as prisons are in a poor state of repair and they do not have the funding to even feed or clothe the prisoners adequately - and this has, in recent weeks, fallen on the families and friends of those so incarcerated.
At least someone is thinking on their feet.
-o00o-
"The Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture David Coltart's mother, Mrs Nora Coltart, has died. She was 81.
Minister Coltart said his mother lost a long battle with breast cancer at Mater Dei Hospital inBulawayo 7am yesterday.
"She passed away this morning (yesterday) as a result of complications caused by breast cancer which she fought bravely for many years," he said."
My deepest sympathy to the honourable Minister.
"Mrs Coltart survived by her only child - Minister Coltart following the death of the Minister's father in 1999.
Mourners are gathered at number 5 Murton Close, Burnside."
"The dirty linen of a former Deputy Minister’s family is set to be washed in the public.
Anne Elizabeth Matonga - the estranged wife of Mhondoro Ngezi MP Bright Matonga - has filed papers in the High Court suing businesswoman Sharon Mugabe for adultery.
Anne, who is locked in divorce proceedings with Matonga, says Mugabe ruined her marriage by committing adultery and ultimately brazenly snatching her husband.
To compensate for the suffering she underwent as a result, Anne who is now surviving on charity is demanding $50000 from Mugabe who runs a marketing and communications firm, Imago Y&R.
Mugabe is however denying the accusations. She says she never knew that Matonga had been married to Anne, adding she only got acquainted with him when their marriage had irretrievably broken down.
But according to Anne’s submissions, her marriage to Matonga was well publicised especially after she supported her husband in grabbing a Banket farm from its white owners."
You know what? I don't care about Matonga - or his divorce proceedings - or his love life. I really don't care...
Minister Coltart said his mother lost a long battle with breast cancer at Mater Dei Hospital in
"She passed away this morning (yesterday) as a result of complications caused by breast cancer which she fought bravely for many years," he said.
My deepest sympathy to the honourable Minister.
"Mrs Coltart survived by her only child - Minister Coltart following the death of the Minister's father in 1999.
Mourners are gathered at number 5 Murton Close, Burnside.
-o00o-
"The dirty linen of a former Deputy Minister’s family is set to be washed in the public.
Anne Elizabeth Matonga - the estranged wife of Mhondoro Ngezi MP Bright Matonga - has filed papers in the High Court suing businesswoman Sharon Mugabe for adultery.
Anne, who is locked in divorce proceedings with Matonga, says Mugabe ruined her marriage by committing adultery and ultimately brazenly snatching her husband.
To compensate for the suffering she underwent as a result, Anne who is now surviving on charity is demanding $50000 from Mugabe who runs a marketing and communications firm, Imago Y&R.
Mugabe is however denying the accusations. She says she never knew that Matonga had been married to Anne, adding she only got acquainted with him when their marriage had irretrievably broken down.
But according to Anne’s submissions, her marriage to Matonga was well publicised especially after she supported her husband in grabbing a Banket farm from its white owners."
You know what? I don't care about Matonga - or his divorce proceedings - or his love life. I really don't care...
-o00o-
I do note that Blogger's online spellchecker continues to question correctly spelled words - and now with a twist - it questions a correctly spelled word, but has no suggestions as to the 'correct' spelling...
Take care.
'debvhu
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 5:57 AM
Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
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