Saturday, 29th May 2010

Howzit

I had a very interesting discussion with a family member yesterday. It was suggested to me that the carving that I was given early last week is not a gondo, but a hungwe. What do you think?

-o00o-

Several years ago, Rockwell International decided to get into the
heavy duty transmission business. We were getting ready to tape
our first introduction video, as a warm up, the professional
narrator began what has become a legend within the
trucking industry.

The art of talking kak... Aren't we glad that this guy is not a politician? (Thanks to D&C in the US of A for the 'heads up!')

-o00o-

"A Johanne Marange Apostolic Faith meeting descended into a brawling contest near Gokwe centre when church members beat-up an MDC-T Councillor for allegedly "preaching opposition politics" during services.

Witnesses said the incident happened last Saturday when Councillor Onias Marisa - a church elder who represents Gokwe town's Ward One - defied a directive not to attend services.

Counsillor Marisa also confirmed the incident, adding he had filed a report about the assault at Gokwe Central police station."

In Zimbabwe, it would appear that the church is now becoming involved in daily politics. We have ZANU PF stating that Mugabe is the 'second son' of God, and that God is a ZANU PF member and now we have politicians being told not to attend church.

But when a church meeting is reduced to fisticuffs - well, I dispair...

"Church members said Marisa had been barred by sect elders for allegedly violating church rules by "preaching MDC-T politics" during the meeting."

Something tells me that the elders consist largely of ZANU PF members...

"Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana said an assault report was made at Gokwe police station on May 15 adding investigations were underway.

"Police in Gokwe are investigation a case of assault that was reported on 15 May. The case was however not politically motivated as implied in certain quarters," he said."

-o00o-

It is a very difficult thing to say that a party is ready for elections.

Firstly, it is an indicator to the opposing parties that they are ready - and when that opposing party is ZANU PF, then things can get quite frenzied. Conversely, if the party doesn't indicate to the voters that they are ready, then disillusionment can seep in.

"Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Thursdsy election would go ahead next year once the constitutional reform exercise is completed.

Speaking in South Africa where he was meeting with supporters of the MDC-T, Tsvangirai said his party was in a 'marriage of convenience with Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF'."

It does warrant mention that it was the MDC that opted for a coalition government, recognising that they were going to be unable to do very much without ZANU PF, but the problem that has since shown itself is the reluctance of ZANU PF to share anything.

"When we emerge from the constitutional reform programme an agree timeframe will be outlined," said Tsvangirai.

He also dismissed allegation of divisions within his party, saying the MDC-T was trying to adapt to being in government and running a party at the same time."

Mugabe and his apologists will now swing into action, ensuring that the constitutional process is drawn out, delayed and generally unfulfilled...

-o00o-

ZANU PF are unrelenting.

"MDC-T MP for Makoni South in Manicaland, Pishai Muchauraya, has been summoned to appear in court over a case the state claims took place eight years ago.

Police officers from the Law and Order section in Mutare have visited his home twice since Wednesday, with an order for him to present himself to the Murambinda magistrate court on 4th June.

"To be frank, I cannot recall any police case against me dating back to that period. This is pure harassment by ZANU PF using state resources," Muchauraya told SW Radio Africa on Friday.

The MP, who is also party spokesman for Manicaland, claimed there is a plot being engineered by ZANU PF to open fresh dockets against MDC MPs ahead of the constitutional outreach programme.

"One way or the other, almost every MDC MP has faced trumped up charges since the formation of the party. Most of the cases against the MPs were thrown out by the courts, but ZANU PF wants to revive them in the belief there would be convictions this time around."

I do note that the article does not indicate the details of the allegation. Is this just wishful thinking by the pro-Mugabe ZRP, or are they attempting to put together a case against the MP as they issue summons for his appearance in court?

"Muchauraya believes he’s being targeted for exposing the crackdown on MDC supporters by armed soldiers, youths and war veterans in the province.

"There is lot of violence in Manicaland at the moment, waged by armed solders who are intimidating villagers to attend ZANU PF meetings. From Chipinge, Chimanimani, Nyanga and Makoni there is massive intimidation by ZANU PF for people to support the Kariba draft,’ the MP added.

Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe reported on Friday that families have been fleeing the escalation of violence in Chiweshe and Murehwa in Mashonaland Central and East provinces.

In Epworth, closer to the capital, ZANU PF thugs are threatening to mete out violence to anyone who defies their formula for the constitution-making process.

A statement from the advocacy group, The Union for Sustainable Democracy, tells of how people in Epworth have been ordered by ZANU PF to report for political meetings against their will."

-o00o-

Since I began this posting an hour or so ago, much has happened in our home, and we are now committed to a family get-together shortly - so rather than try and rush the posting, I would prefer to stop it here and catch up with the omitted stories tomorrow.

I trust that you will understand.

Take care.

'debvhu