Monday, 31st August 2009

Howzit

Another pointless and needless death - but what angers me even more is the fact that we don't see anyone being dragged in front of the courts for these deaths. But when the MDC is responsible for a death - and let's face it, it does happen - then Mugabe will ensure that they are arraigned in court and feel the full weight of the law...

"The 75-year-old wife of a farmer on a smallholding in central Zimbabwe has been murdered in the fourth recent killing of whites on isolated holdings as violence on beleaguered white farms continues, relatives said Sunday. South African-born Sophie Hart was alone on their plot in the Kadoma district 150 kilometres west of Harare when her husband went at midday to watch a rugby match on a neighbour's television, said Eben de Toit, a relative by marriage of the couple.

Jan Hart, 79, come home before sunset to find his wife bound hand and foot and apparently strangled."

I have yet to understand the need that the criminal element in Zimbabwe has with regard to their want to kill. And not just white farmers, be they commercial or smallholders, but any person in Zimbabwe.

Not many days ago, there was the death of Dr Mushonga following a gang attack on his house in Harare...

Why?

"Du Toit said: "I think it was a robbery that turned into an ugly scene. The place was in a mess, with all the drawers turned out. Not much was missing, so I think they were after cash."

The three previous murders all happened since the inauguration of the coalition government between President Robert Mugabe and pro-democracy prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Violent seizures of the remaining 300 white farms have since continued unabated, as Mugabe insists that his lawless revolutionary land reform programme since 2000 is irreversible. About 4000 farmers have been forced off their land, farm union officials say."

The seizure of farmlands in Zimbabwe could and should have been done with a lot more control and less violence and criminal activity.

"It doesn't matter if we pull back, to smallholdings. We are political fair game," he said. "The perpetrators think there's a good chance they will get off or the cases will not be properly investigated. It's demoralising for the community."

-o00o-

I grow daily more and more concerned at the Mutambara faction of the MDC. We have had two splinter organisations claim leadership of the faction - but not a word from Mutambara himself - who recently had ZANU PF member walk out of a conference in protest to his opinion of last year's election.

"The MDC-M has moved to take up its allotment of diplomatic posts under the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed by the three principals to the inclusive Government by nominating former legislator Mrs Trudy Stevenson for the position of Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Senegal. Mrs Stevenson, the party’s secretary for research and policy and former Member of Parliament for Harare North, is already undergoing training with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as she prepares to assume her new role in the West-African country. The decision to second Mrs Stevenson to the position came after the party’s first nominee and House of Assembly Member for Insiza South constituency Mr Siyabonga Ncube, declined the ambassadorial post last week. The MDC-M leadership had envisaged that Mr Ncube’s appointment would create a parliamentary seat for the party’s deputy president Mr Gibson Sibanda who needs a seat in the legislature to regain his position as Minister of State for National Healing and Reconciliation. Mr Sibanda was appointed to Cabinet in February but failed to secure the mandatory legislative seat within three months forcing him to assume the position of Special Advisor on National Healing and Reconciliation. MDC-M spokesperson Mr Edwin Mushoriwa last week confirmed Mrs Stevenson’s nomination, adding that the party was looking at securing a legislative seat for Mr Sibanda."

At least the faction has not broken down with the problems surrounding the leadership.

-o00o-

Before Zimbabwe sends any officer away on international duty, surely the best thing to do is to do some peacekeeping in their own country first?

"Zimbabwe will send 60 police officers to take part in the regional Southern African Development Community Standby Force peacekeeping exercise, police chief Augustine Chihuri said at the weekend.

The peacekeeping exercise, code named Golfinho, will take place in South Africa.

"It is the region's thrust to ensure everlasting peace and stability, which is conducive for sustainable economic development," police commissioner general Chihuri told the officers who will participate in the exercise.

“You are pioneers that will be involved in setting up precedence of peacekeeping within the region," he said, adding the SADCPOL code of conduct would be their terms of reference in the performance of their duties."

I laugh at Chihuri's words. To 'ensure everlasting peace' would suggest that there is peace already there. Africa has major peace problems. Tribalism often raises its head in many countries and this then spills over into the political arena.

Before the ZRP can clean anyone else's house, they should make sure that their own house is in order...

The Zimbabwean police team will be led by senior assistant commissioner Faustino Mazango who would also be the commander of the SADC Standby Force Brigade.

]In 2004, SADC heads of state and government mooted the idea of establishing a reservoir of peacekeepers after noticing that there was need to synchronise peacekeeping operations in the region."

-o00o-

As the situation slides from bad to worse to unlivable, the people of Zimbabwe have little choice but to delve into the realms of criminality...

"A gardener who allegedly stole US$17 400 from his employer and buried the loot at a dumpsite with the connivance of a friend was last week arraigned at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

Outlining the State case, prosecutor Mr Owen Zuze told the court that Ms Greer Wynn employed Samuel Kambani as a gardener at her house. On August 22 this year she locked her doors and went out cycling.

It is alleged that when Ms Wynn came back from cycling, she could not find her house keys, which she had hidden under a stone outside the house.

She tried all the doors and was surprised to find the main door unlocked, the court heard. Upon checking her property, she discovered that a pair of takkies and handbag containing US$17400 were missing."

Now there is a words I haven't heard for a VERY long time - "takkies" - a running shoe made by Bata shoe company!

"A report was made to the police, who conducted a thorough search at the house but could not find anything until a witness informed them that she had seen Kambani heading towards his friend Elias Masvinyangwa's house carrying a bag. Further investigations revealed that the pair had stashed the money at a dumpsite.

However, US$17 200 was recovered with US$200 missing."

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Sunday, 30th August 2009

Howzit

Since when did anything 'illegal' work against ZANU PF? It makes no difference what they do, the party members are permitted by Mugabe's presence to do anything that they wish...

Just yesterday we read of a deputy minister defying a High Court order insofar as he refused to remove farm invaders from land which he claims as 'his'. The fact that there are two farms involved, makes little difference...

"Joseph Chinotimba has been taken to court by the Harare City Council for illegally occupying a council property long after the war veterans leader's employment contract had expired and his lease agreement terminated.

Chinotimba's lease agreement for property number 56 Cardiff Avenue, Belvedere was cancelled by council in September last year, more than six years after he was fired in May 2002 for being absent from work without official leave.

But the patron of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions had continued occupying the premises.

Part of the summons sent to Chinotimba on June 25 read: "You are hereby summoned that you do within seven days after the service of this summons upon you, enter or cause to be entered with me and also the plaintiff or his legal practitioner at the address specified herein on appearance to answer the claim of City of Harare for eviction."

Chinotimba makes a laughable in Zimbabwe. And if the events that he becomes involved in weren't so serious, we might be able to excuse him for his pathetic life...

"Chinotimba's lawyer, Simbarashe Machiridza, was reluctant to comment on the matter.

"I am not commenting on that case because it's before the Harare Magistrates' Court," he said.

In court documents seen by The Financial Gazette the self-styled commander-in-chief of the 2000 farm occupations is arguing that he was entitled to purchase the property in dispute because he was a long serving employee of the city.

He further contends that since the cancellation of his lease agreement, by virtue of continued occupation, he was now a statutory tenant."

Isn't it amazing that any case involving the MDC member is open to comments by ZANU PF whilst subjudice (before a judge or court of law; awaiting judicial determination)...?

"The plaintiff (City of Harare) cannot seek an order for his (Chinotimba) ejection from the Rent Board in terms of rent regulations," Chinotimba's lawyers argued.

The defence lawyers said the City of Harare did not take any action against Chinotimba after the alleged cancellation of the lease agreement in September 2008, but continued accepting rentals for the house every month.

The same documents say Chinotimba moved into the council house in 2002 when he was employed as a security guard before being promoted the same year to become a municipal driver."

So the law does not apply to him because he is who he is? Welcome to the twisted world of Zimbabwean authority...

-o00o-

Since when does any wing or supporter of ZANU PF abide by a High Court order - unless, of course, it is to their advantage to act upon that order?

"A High Court judge last week dismissed an application to have a Chegutu commercial farmer evicted from his farm.

Justice Alphas M Chitakunye dismissed an urgent chamber application which was filed by Felix Pambukani an A2 farmer to have Kenneth Bartholomew evicted from Wakefield Farm in Chegutu.

"Whereupon, after reading documents filed on record, it is ordained that the application is hereby dismissed with costs," the judge said."

Standby for more jambanja (civil disobedience) as war veterans and A2 farmers ignore the court ruling and take the farm by force. You see in Zimbabwe, the law only works one way - to the benefit of ZANU PF. Mugabe's party will deem the farmer being pro-MDC by virtue of the colour of his skin...

"In his application for the interdict Pambukani said: "On the 3rd of November, 2008, I was offered subdivision 2 of Wakefield Farm under the land resettlement programme."

Pambukani claimed that Wakefield Farm was gazetted in 2001.

"I did not seek to eject said respondents from the main homesteads at all times believing that 3rd respondent (Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement) would quickly prosecute its case to finality resulting in their eviction upon conviction."

So the land grab continues and the threat of violence is ever present...

-o00o-

"Parliament splashed US$8000 on flowers on the chaotic July All-Stakeholders’ Conference on the constitution despite claims that the process is financially hamstrung.

According to confidential documents given to members of the Select Committee on the constitution-making process last week, US$7900 was spent on flowers and banners.

This was US$2900 more than the budgeted figure.

A total of US$779211,99 was spent on the conference held at the Harare International Conference Centre."

How do the conference organisers justify this sort of expense - on flowers?

Flowers do not help the Zimbabwean people in any manner or means - you can't eat flowers! And the constitution remains at a stalemate.

"The issue of flowers was raised at the meeting of the co-chairpersons of the select committee and Parliament’s principals early this week," said the source.

"Questions were raised why Parliament could afford to pay such an amount when it is refusing to pay for Co-chairman Douglas Mwonzora’s car rentals.

"As members of the select committee we also have not been receiving allowances despite holding meetings late into the night preparing for the outreach programme.

"We were only paid US$289 sometime in April."

-o00o-

This will continue to be a problem in Zimbabwe until the country is able to buy itself out of poverty.

"Legislators got a shock of their tummies when they ate contaminated food at a local hotel in Bulawayo.

The parliamentarians who are members of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption had their meeting disrupted as they spent most of it jostling for the toilets.

The sudden sickness affected the whole delegation including the speaker who had to take unannounced breaks.

One of the MPs who spoke on condition of anonymity because they had settled the matter with the hotel confirmed the incident to The Zimbabwe Telegraph.

"The problem was with the chicken we ate. It was drama I tell you, all of us going to the toilets. There was too much congestion at the ablutions! Some of us then resorted to use our rooms. Imagine those who had to go all the way 4th floor! The lifts were not so reliable so they had to use the steps," he said."

Simple put - Zimbabwe is in the....

-o00o-

This article is VERY long - but I only include the first paragraph to ask one question...

How can Mugabe open parliament if the house is not a true representation of the wishes of the people?

"The President will make the customary opening speech to a joint sitting of both Houses, outlining the Government’s legislative agenda for the new session. The Houses will then adjourn for a week before commencing normal business."

"Normal" business? There is no such thing in Zimbabwean politics...

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Saturday, 29th August 2009

Howzit

So Zuma came and went - and nothing was resolved with regards to the crisis in Zimbabwe. Why am I not surprised?

Many of the reports that you will read today will suggest a 'hope' for the resolution of the matters outstanding, but nothing has really happened.

-o00o-

"In a bid to end feuding between Zimbabwe’s coalition partners, South African President Jacob Zuma met with President Robert Mugabe and other leaders Friday and appeared cautiously optimistic that their differences could be resolved.

Zuma, making his first visit to the neighboring country as South Africa’s president, was greeted warmly Thursday by the 85-year-old Mugabe, who looked healthy despite rumors that he’s ill.

Some observers are hoping Zuma will push Mugabe for more reforms but others fear Zuma will not publicly reprimand Mugabe.

Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980 and his anti-colonial credentials are seen as one reason fellow African leaders have failed to criticize his autocratic rule."

In real terms, despite the 'hope' that Zuma has, Mugabe has not moved one inch - and won't...

"Speaking at the Harare Agricultural Society Show on Friday, Zuma said there were signs Zimbabwe is on the road to recovery. Inflation is under control and there is food back on supermarket shelves, he said.

"We are encouraged by what we have seen during the show, particularly given the importance of agriculture in Zimbabwe and the entire region," he said.

He said the country’s leaders had agreed that differences needed to be resolved speedily to “help restore confidence in the country and the economy.

Zuma called on the international community to remove any remaining hindrances to Zimbabwe’s recovery. Western donors have been reluctant to hand over cash until they see strong signs of reform."

There you go... Zuma talks about the differences to be resolved in the future tense - nothing has changed.

-o00o-

And Zuma's aircraft has hardly disappeared over the horizon when we read of the next controversy in Zimbabwe. Mugabe has reneged on the agreement on the provincial governors.

Again - why am I not surprised?

"Contoversy surrounds the appointment of provincial governors from the two MDC formations next month after ZANU PF reneged on an agreement to share the gubernatorial posts using the results of last year’s House of Assembly elections.

Sources in the inclusive government said ZANU PF was now insisting that provincial governors were representatives of President Robert Mugabe and hence the octogenarian leader should appoint people of his choice.

Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara - the principals of the global political agreement that gave birth to the unity government - in May reached an agreement on the appointment of governors and ambassadors.

They agreed that the governors would be appointed on the basis of the March 2008 House of Assembly election results."

In typical Mugabe fashion, he has made the unilateral decision that governors are his domain. The alternative, which had been agreed on, is for the sitting governors to have their tenure terminated - and the coalition government was to pay them compensation!

This would be entirely wrong as if Mugabe appointed them incorrectly, then ZANU PF should be paying for the mistake. But this is all academic as Mugabe now wants the governors to remain in place...

"MDC-T would appoint governors in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Harare and Manicaland while MDC-M would have a resident minister in Matabeleland South and ZANU PF would retain governors in Midlands, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central.

The principals also agreed that the incumbent provincial governors would be allowed to serve one year of their two-year contacts before the new MDC appointees took over.

The incumbents were expected to leave office next Monday.

Government sources said ZANU PF had since reneged on the deal and said the issue of governors, the rehiring of central bank governor Gideon Gono and the appointment of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana were not negotiable."

Some things in Zimbabwe do not change...

Agreements signed by Mugabe are nothing more than time saver.

-o00o-

Strange this... Malaysia is one of the few countries that Mugabe has diplomatic and personal ties with...

"Malaysian Airlines is one of three carriers warned off services to Zimbabwe by the African country’s government.

The others are Emirates and Nationwide from South Africa.

Local news media said the Zimbabwe government made the move to protect the national airline, Air Zimbabwe, from competition and loss of revenue.

Zimbabwe Tourism Association chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said the benefit the overseas airlines could have brought to the local economy in terms of traffic, revenue "and tourists telling the true Zimbabwean story" could have been very significant.

"Reasons such as 'we are protecting our airlines' were cited. What are we protecting it (Air Zimbabwe) from? They should learn to compete with other airlines. That is the only way they can remain competitive," said Kaseke."

Just like ZANU PF, the only way that Air Zimbabwe can compete is to remove the competition...

"A total of 18 international airlines have left the country since the economic crisis and negative publicity about Zimbabwe started 10 years ago.

These airlines include Lufthansa, Qantas, Austrian Airlines, Swissair, Air India, Air France and TAP Air Portugal."

Has it crossed anyone's mind that one of the reasons that Air Zimbabwe doesn't perform well is that Mugabe keeps commandeering aircraft for his political and personal trips?

-o00o-

"Deputy Energy minister and Harare South MP Hubert Nyanhongo has declared that his supporters will not vacate two farms in Harare South despite three High Court orders for them to leave.

The farms - Nyarungu and Stoneridge - are owned by Jetmaster Properties and Pinnacle Property Holdings and have been at the centre of an ownership wrangle between the two companies on the one hand and three cooperatives on the other.

Nyanhongo told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that Jetmaster Properties and Pinnacle Property Holdings were wasting their time because the farms were allocated by government to his supporters. He charged that the two firms had illegally acquired the farms.

“Stoneridge was acquired by government in 2000 as well as Nyarungu for urban expansion,” Nyanhongo said. “Our people applied to be allocated the two farms. Some of the applications were made through housing cooperatives.”

What good is a court order if it is just ignored with impunity? Do the courts in Zimbabwe not have any authority - or is their authority only to be realised against MDC supporters?

"Offer letters come from the government and the farms are now state land. The state also went further to give offer letters to housing co-operatives in 2002 which are Chimurenga, Pungwe and Simon Muzenda and were allowed to start developing Stoneridge," the deputy minister said."

As usual the interpretation of the law in Zimbabwe is murky when it comes to the activities of ZANU PF.

"An Act promulgated in 2000 states that there is no one who can sell land that belongs to the state. No one is allowed to buy or sell land to anyone because all land in Zimbabwe belongs to the state," Nyanhongo said. "Whether someone went on to buy or sell the land, I don’t know how he purchased it because it is illegal.

Somebody is trying to intimidate the people but I want to tell you that our people are firm on the ground. The government position remains the same and we will fight for the land to the bitter end."

Political posturing and posing - that's what this is - and because he belongs to ZANU PF, his wants and needs will be catered for.

-o00o-

Everything that happens in Zimbabwe has a political bent to it - if we listen to the likes of Chinotimba...

"Self-styled war veteran leader, Joseph Chinotimba on Thursday stunned a Harare’s magistrate’s court when he claimed Youth and Indigenisation Deputy Minister, Thamsanqa Mahlangu stole his cell phone to fix him for being ZANU PF.

Chinotimba was giving evidence before a packed court at the Harare Magistrate’s courts during the second day of Mahlangu’s trial.

He had been requested by Mahlangu’s lawyer, Charles Kwaramba, during cross examination to demonstrate cause why Mahlangu, a cabinet minister would put his political career at risk by stealing a cell phone valued at a mere US$40.

"The accused person is a minister who has a house, four cell phones and a (Toyota) Prado," said Kwaramba, "Why do you think he would steal your cell phone?"

Chinotimba, who was speaking in Shona, answered, "If he could go to such lengths to steal my phone, he obviously hates me. Munhu waminister. (He is a minister.)"

Chontimba then launches into a short version of Zimbabwean politics, and then claims that the theft was for political reasons...

What a load of rubbish!

Chinotimba's comedy half hour is set to continue next week.

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Friday, 28th August 2009

Howzit

Foreign currency mid-rates updated.

-o00o-

Reading through the various stories this morning, I was rather taken by the article about the trial of an MDC deputy minister for the theft of a mobile telephone.

The sentence that caught my eye was the fact that Joeseph Chinotimba, the war veterans' leader, has got no chimurenga credentials...

"Joseph Chinotimba, the self-styled leader of war veterans reduced a magistrate’s court in Harare to stitches of laughter on Wednesday as he led evidence in the trial of government minister, Thamsanqa Mahlangu.

The trial commenced at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts. Mahlangu, who is the Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Deputy Minister and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) National Youth Chairman, is jointly charged with his personal assistant Malvern Chadamoyo as well as two Hwange women, Geraldine Phiri and Patience Nyoni.

The four are on trial for allegedly stealing a cell phone belonging to Chinotimba."

The security chiefs in Zimbabwe have vowed never to salute Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, not only because he is the leader of the MDC, but because he never participated in the bush war against the Rhodesian security forces in the 1970s.

How can ZANU PF make a stand against Tsvangirai and yet the war veterans' leader (!) also did not participate in the chimurenga?

"Apart from being a war veteran leader, the controversial Chinotimba, who runs a security company, has served as an official advisor to the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gideon Gono.

Despite his lofty position in the war veteran community, Chinotimba did not serve in the war of liberation that brought Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. He was a low-ranking municipal policeman with Harare City Council in 2000 when he went away without official leave to join the late Chenjerai Hunzvi in spearheading the violent invasion of white-owned commercial farms.

He never donned a municipal policeman’s uniform again."

Not only is he not what he claims to be, but he is AWOL as well!

No wonder people found his evidence amusing...

-o00o-

Why has everything to do with Mugabe got to have a militant strain?

"South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in Harare on Thursday for talks with Zimbabwe's leaders in the hope of easing tensions within the strained unity government.

President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara greeted Zuma at the airport, where he received a 21-gun salute and his signature song, the anti-apartheid anthem Umshini Wami (Bring Me My Machine Gun), was played."

What is wrong with the South African national anthem? Why play a 'revolutionary song' instead?

-o00o-

Isn't it sad that Mugabe has even managed to hoodwink himself into believing that sanctions are to blame for the crisis in Zimbabwe?

But I cannot believe that he would think that - he is an intelligent man. This is just a smoke screen that he uses to beat up on the West on an almost daily basis.

"Western sanctions on Zimbabwe are interfering with the work of the new unity government, President Robert Mugabe's party said Thursday ahead of a visit by South African leader Jacob Zuma.

"Our position is very clear. We hope our principal, President Robert Mugabe, tells President Zuma that the outstanding issues are that of sanctions and external interference," said Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Mugabe's lead negotiator in the unity talks.

Chinamasa insisted that his party had met its obligations under the unity accord, known as the Global Political Agreement, and dismissed concerns raised by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the erstwhile opposition party that is now a partner in the strained unity government."

Chinamasa has, at least twice, changed agreements between the time of the end of negotiations and the signing of the documents. He is perfectly capable of changing the 'truth' as easily. And, being a stalwart in Mugabe's camp, he will cling to Mugabe's utterances, no matter how ridiculous they may sound.

"The so-called outstanding issues, which are the issues of the (Central Bank) governor and the attorney general, are nowhere in the Global Political Agreement," he told AFP.

"This is meant to distract attention from the inclusive government," he said. "There is continued external interference in our private affairs." Mugabe joined a unity government in February with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister."

With Zuma being welcomed with the playing of his own revolutionary song, I wonder just how much difference he will make. In my mind, not a lot, only because Mugabe is stroking Zuma's ego, and will play him for a fool.

He did it with Mbeki, and there is no reason to think otherwise of Zuma's presence.

"The former rivals remain deadlocked over the appointment of the Central Bank chief, blamed for presiding over the collapse of the local currency, and the attorney general who continues to prosecute MDC supporters despite guarantees of political freedoms in the unity accord."

-o00o-

I don't make it a habit is looking closely at Mugabe - but, having read this article, perhaps I will pay a little closer attention.

"To the naked eye, Mr Mugabe looks the very picture of health, even for a much younger man let alone someone in their ninth decade. "He is in very good shape for 85," said a Harare doctor, requesting anonymity. "I would be very happy to look like that when I'm 85."

Mugabe tries to portray himself as a much younger person, and, if the truth be known, he succeeds - to a point.

"In an interview on local television at the weekend, Mr Mugabe attributed his apparent health to a lifelong regimen of daily exercise. He said that he jogs each morning and maintains his weight between 75kg and 80kg.

"This ensures my body is full of muscles, and not fat," he said. He also works out in the gym in his new mansion in Harare's exclusive suburb of Borrowdale Brooke and has a personal trainer. He has always eaten carefully, has never smoked and admits to only "an occasional glass of sweet white wine"."

I think it was last year that he inadvertently displayed his swollen ankles to the world, and not that long ago we saw him being helped up a flight of stairs. Even if these are signs of his advanced years, he still has done very well to temper the ravages of time.

To me, the main give-away is his speech patterns and his want to lambaste the West for the crisis in Zimbabwe when it is more than evident what and who has caused the problems.

"The octogenarian is not without certain health complaints. "He's certainly not as healthy as he makes out he is," said the doctor.

His speech is not halting, but for several years he has been prone to long, rambling, disconnected monologues.

"It's a sign of senile dementia caused by neural decay that is normal in people of his age," said the doctor.

Mr Mugabe displays a high-stepping gait, also part of the dementia syndrome, the doctor said."

-o00o-

To the best of my knowledge, Bennett is not being charged with treason, but with banditry and firearms offences...

"Lawyers representing MDC's treasurer and deputy Agriculture Minister Designate, Roy Bennett, facing treason charges, said they have written to the Attorney General's office demanding to be furnished with the necessary papers required for the trial to start in October.

Trust Maanda, one of the lawyers, said he was struggling to get the papers that were necessary for the defence team to adequately prepare for the trial scheduled for October 13.

Maanda warned the AG’s office the defence team would seek a court order to compel the AG’s office to avail the needed documents.

"We would like to advise that to date we have not received the documents," Maanda said, in a letter written to Arnold Chiwara, the Area Prosecutor. "In order for us to prepare for trial we urgently request that you furnish us with the said documents before the end of the week."

The AG's office will be in no rush to give the defence team documentation because then they can delay the case against Bennett even longer - and the longer he is on remand, the longer it will be before Mugabe allows him to be sworn into cabinet as the deputy minister responsible for agriculture.

Mugabe has made Bennett's position a sticking point in the unity government, as he says Bennett is facing serious charges and wants the court to finish with the case before deciding what to do.

Any MP or Senator who is sentenced to six months imprisonment or more automatically loses their seat.

"The delay in providing us with the papers will effectively prejudice preparations by the defence," he said. "It confirms our initial view that the State merely provided a trial date for fear that Bennett will be removed from remand."

There can be no doubt that the possibility of a heavy sentence hangs over Bennett's head in this case, but the State has to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt - and it is failing to secure witnesses to testify on its behalf.

"This, according to Maanda, effectively puts the State in a quandary ahead of the start of the trial. Bennet faces a possible life in prison sentence if convicted."

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 27th August 2009

Howzit

"The oldest President in the world Robert Mugabe is back from his Dubai medical trip. Men like Mugabe make 80 years look like the new 65.

He arrived in Harare on Tuesday from Dubai where reports suggested the 85-year-old Zimbabwean leader had gone for treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Government sources, speaking strictly on condition they are not named, said Mugabe touched down at Harare International airport late on Tuesday.

Vice President Joice Mujuru was acting president while Mugabe was away.

Those privy to the Dubai visit said Mugabe travelled with a small group of 16 trusted aides and security staff, plus four “other” people. His wife Grace accompanied him.

"He had gone there for some (medical) injections," said a source. "He does that all time except that this time around he sought treatment from Dubai instead of Malaysia where he usually seeks medical treatment," added the source."

Two questions arise with regard to this story - and then I intend to put it to sleep...

Firstly - why is it so important for Mugabe to keep his health status under wraps? Surely he must realise that he would get a lot more sympathy and understanding if he were to let the country's population in on the secret?

Secondly - why was it necessary for a ZANU PF official to lie that Mugabe and his family had gone to Dubai for a short holiday?

And, as a kicker, what is wrong with the medical services in Zimbabwe? Those injections must have been the most expensive ever!

It would appear to me that Mugabe trusts no one and prefers to keep his private life private. I can understand the want to keep his life out of the public eye, but lying and freezing out the people that he 'rules' is wrong - plain and simply wrong.

"Mugabe’s health is a closely guarded secret and senior government officials were on Wednesday quick to dismiss reports that the veteran leader was not feeling well, insisting his Dubai trip was just a "short break" from work.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba was not immediately available to comment with his office saying he was locked up in meetings."

-o00o-

I am getting sick of this. No - not the visa problems, but the repeated insistence by the United Nations to invite Mugabe to their assembly.

And - I am just guessing - they will give him the floor, which he will use to berate the West, accusing them of illegal economic sanctions and fomenting regime change. It isn't very hard to pre-empt what Mugabe would say at any address.

The UN are making an absolute mockery of the travel sanctions and then compound their error by asking Mugabe to lambaste the world with his vitriol.

"Two prominent journalists working for state media organisations are said to have been denied United States visas to allow them to travel to New York President Robert Mugabe next month to cover his visit to the United Nations General Assembly.

Visas are said to have been denied to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) diplomatic correspondent, Judith Makwanya, and Herald deputy editor, Caesar Zvayi. ZBC chief executive, Happison Muchechetere, is said to have been also been denied a visa.

Zvayi was deported from Botswana last year after students at the University of Botswana where he had secured a teaching post in Gaborone protested at his presence on campus.

The journalists are among seven State media journalists and managers who, together with most leading ZANU PF politicians, are barred from travelling to the United States and the European Union as a result of targeted sanctions."

I foresee Mugabe having a go at the US and EU for the visas not being allowed.

"The UN trip, which is usually the longest the President Mugabe undertakes per year, is said to be the most lucrative.

Each delegate is said to be paid a handsome allowance of US$1000 per day for the trip which lasts anything up to 15 days.

Mugabe, one of the most widely traveled leaders in the world, has attracted criticism among Zimbabweans for leading a delegation of up to 60 people on visits to New York.

On such trips Mugabe usually visits other nations before he finally arrives in New York for the General Assembly meeting. Last year he visited Cairo. Detractors say this strategy merely serves to extend the duration of the visit and increase the allowance paid to delegates. The arrival of the presidential flight at Harare International Airport has over the years been an occasion for the wholesale importation of an astounding quantity of goods by delegates without going through customs."

It is time that the UN made a stand against Mugabe. Feeding his ego does not help.

-o00o-

This is lunacy. Mugabe won the Presidency by using violence and intimidation. MDC won the parliamentary majority, and Mugabe's people say that the power is not for sharing!

So who has the power?

"ZANU PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa says Zimbabweans should not be fooled into believing that power in the current inclusive government was meant to be shared equally between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mutasa, who is Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, further says that his party will never allow former opposition leader, Tsvangirai’s party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), to use the current constitution making process to dethrone the 85-year-old President.

"Cde Mugabe is the head of the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe," Mutasa told ZBC TV Wednesday.

"He is the President of this country. He is the man who chairs our cabinet. He is the one who tells all of us, including the Prime Minister, what should be done."

And, if we allow Mugabe to continue along the current ruinous track, there won't be very much of Zimbabwe left to rule.

He repeatedly tells the world that Zimbabwe is a 'democracy' - but when you read what Mutasa says, then he is making Mugabe out to be a liar.

"Mutasa said the MDC was responsible for the poverty and starvation that was currently being experienced in Zimbabwe.

He said this was a result of western imposed sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe which he claimed the MDC had invited."

The poverty in Zimbabwe is as a result of the financial and political mismanagement of Mugabe and ZANU PF. Lifestyles in Zimbabwe took a huge drop for the worse following the beginning of the land grab in 2000. The country can no longer feed itself - and ZANU PF would have us believe that this is caused by the MDC...

I rather think that Zimbabweans the world over know a little bit better.

"But Mutasa says his party was aware of the MDC’s ploy to use the new constitution as a silent strategy to dethrone Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s sole leader since independent in 1980.

Mutasa said the MDC had made it clear in its policy documents that the constitution-making process was but "a phase in their quest for total regime change in Zimbabwe"."

Regime change? No. A representative government? Yes.

"Mutasa said ZANU PF as a tried and tested party will never allow the new constitution to be tailor-made by western governments who have since proclaimed their hidden agenda of effecting a regime change in Zimbabwe."

-o00o-

Do we really expect Zuma to criticise Mugabe? I doubt it? Mugabe holds the UN, SADC and the African Union in disdain and considers himself to be the elder statesman of Africa - and therefore without reproach.

"South Africa's President Jacob Zuma will be quick to criticise any 'deviant' behaviour by Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe's government when he visits the country tomorrow a senior ANC official said last night.

Mr Zuma will travel to Zimbabwe on a two-day visit for the first time since his election as state president in April, amid claims that in contrast with his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, he will apply more public pressure on Mr Mugabe to resolve the country’s long-standing political and economic crises.

Mr Zuma is hoping to break the deadlock that is paralysing Zimbabwe’s coalition government established six months ago. The two majority partners in the coalition administration - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change and Mr Mugabe’s ZANU-PF, which has ruled since independence in 1980 - are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including a fresh wave of farm invasions by Mr Mugabe’s supporters."

Zuma is a relative newcomer to African politics and I somehow don't see him going toe-to-toe with Mugabe. Zuma has not got the political clout (excuse the expression) to force a Mugabe government to back down.

It would be so easy to leave Mugabe to it, but the problem is that there are millions of Zimbabweans trapped in that country that have no option but to weather the storm, now nearly thirty years of age.

"Gwede Mantashe, the secretary general of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and one of Mr Zuma’s closer allies, cited today the continued harassment and arrest of parliamentarians from the MDC as an example of "deviant" behaviour which he suggested Mr Zuma would be vocal in condemning.

"In our view all these issues are a hindrance to progress and that’s why we will always be vocal. A neighbour, whether you like it or not, is a friend because you do not have a choice."

Neighbours are friends? Look at how Mugabe treats Ian Khama of Botswana...

-o00o-

Much of the political heave-ho going on in Zimbabwe is very neatly orchestrated by ZANU PF.

• The breakaway faction of the MDC now headed by Arthur Mutambara
• The fielding of Simba Makoni as a Presidential aspirant and his subsequent launch of his political party, Mavambo
• And now the breakaway from that party, the Zimbabwe National Congress...
  

"A breakaway formation of the Mavambo Movement led by Dr Ibbo Mandaza and Rtd Major Kudzai Mbudzi has formed a new political party, The Zimbabwe National Congress, it has been revealed.

Mbudzi and Mandaza who had a fall-out with Mavambo President, Dr Simba Makoni, decided to go their own way after they lost a legal battle against their former boss, whom they accused of looting party asserts they got from donors.

The two together with other disgruntled members from the country's 10 provinces are waiting to launch their party soon which they said would challenge ZANU PF, MDC and their former boss' party in the next elections."

All of this splitting and standing alone works very well in Mugabe's favour as ZANU PF remains the largest party in government and has the virtue of longevity. Mugabe has a habit of dispatching political parties and foes in Zimbabwe... either by force or design.

"ZNC interim national co-ordinator who also held the same position in Mavambo project, Rtd Major Mbudzi told VOP that they were on their final stages of forming the party which will use a star with national flag colours and a rising sun as its symbol.

"We are now making some final touches in organising our membership form all the province before we launch our party and announce our first congress. We decided to go our on way after we were duped by Makoni who privatised all party asserts after losing last year's election," said Mbudzi.

He said the new party will be led party young Zimbabwean politicians with the help of veterans like Dr Mandaza but declined to shed light on who will be the president of the new party."

We watch. We wait. And I fully expect to be disappointed...

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu