Thursday, 29th June 2011

Howzit

Late today - Blogger was down for the majority of the day.

Okay. The work is done and the revision is complete. I am due to sit the first of five examinations at 14oohrs tomrrow afternoon in Long Eaton. And the crazy thing is that I am rather looking forward to it!

Mugabe is a sick man. Of that we are sure. And ZANU PF continue with the huge security charade nonetheless. And who pays for the close security personnel? The people of Zimbabwe!

George Charamba refused to comment on Mugabe’s health problems and his now frequent visits to Medical Chambers, sources said the 87-year-old leader was being checked by specialists for an undisclosed illness before he flies out today to Equatorial Guinea.

Oh well. ZANU PF believe that their man is so important that the people that allegedly voted him into offer are not to see him in public and are certainly not to know of any health issues.

And on the subject of Equatorial Guinea, whatever became of the aircraft that the 'mercenaries' were arrested on? Is Mugabe now using that craft to transport diamonds out of the country?

Mugabe would like to be remembered as a 'great post-colonial leader'. If this is true, then he missed the mark by a very long way. He will be remembered as a post-colonial leader, but the 'great' will be absent.

Mugabe and his bunch of goons have destroyed Zimbabwe completely.

And his want to be remembered as a post-colonial leader just doesn't make sense to me. He verbally maligns England (and other Western powers) whenever he can, but then carries out various duties with huge colonial pinache.

He really does know how to live the good life, whilst criticising those who live camparable lives...

Struggling national carrier Air Zimbabwe, flew a grand total of 13 people to Johannesburg recently - on an aircraft with a total carrying capacity of 203 passengers.

That cannot be cost effective. No wonder they are struggling to exist!

Of course, Air Zimbabwe will say that they have to continue with the flights as it is the passengers fares that keep the airline afloat. (Not the best wording, huh?)

For me, the saddest things is that in its prime, Air Zimbabwe ran very well and their inflight service was excellent. Obviously the problem begins away from the aircraft themselves. Perhaps management is to fault?

Dr Mavis Chidzonga has been declared a liberation hero. She died at her Borrowdale home on Sunday night after being diagnosed of Malaria. She was the former Mhondoro legislator and ZANU PF National Consultative Member.

She will be buried in the Gokwe area today.

I am sure that their are those that believe she should be a national hero (for 'national' read 'ZANU PF') but I do believe that Mugabe will begin to be a little more selective as that burial site is quite full.

The ZANU PF burial society is still an insult to Zimbabweans.

The editor and a reporter of the Zimbabwe Standard were arrested yesterday following reports in the newspaper about the arrest of Jameson Timba last week. They are to be charged with 'undermining the authority of the police'.

What authority? The police have no authority! The power in the police comes from their regrettable leader, Augustine Chihuri, who takes his orders from the JOC and the ZANU PF politiburo.

More harrassment in the name of ZANU PF pride.

Enos Nkala, a ZANU PF founder and former defence minister, has stated that he does not want to be buried at heroes Acre when he dies.

But when he does pop off, ZANU PF will do whatever it can to ensure that Nkala is planted at the ZANU PF burial society graveyard.

It was Nkala that made a few derogatory statements about ZAPU in late 1980 which led to the first Entumbane uprising.

Perhaps he is right. He is not a national hero...

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesday, 29th June 2011

Howzit

Elton Mangoma, the minister of Energy and Power Development, has been acquitted in court on criminal charges of criminal abuse of power. I don't think that there was ever any doubt that the case would be thrown out, but this was ZANU PF flexing its muscles, showing who is boss.

The fact that the minister was acquitted shows that ZANU PF is happy enough to spend huge amounts of money to bring MDC officials to court and prosecute them as a time wasting exercise which takes the MDC officials away from the work place.

Ridiculous!

The ZRP have arrested two dozen people in connection with the death of a police officer in Glen View. Investigations have established that 19 of these people were nowhere near the scene, but those 19 remain in custody.

Now it turns out that more people, presumably MDC members, are being arrested for the same case.

The police officer was killed in a bar. How full was this bar?

In another series, every Tuesday SW Radio Africa will recount some of the more vicious actions by ZANU PF on the people of Zimbabwe so that we don't forget those that have fallen in the name of democracy.

On the evening of 5th May 2008, three days after Mugabe’s regime finally released the official results of the March 29th election, over 200 ZANU PF militias rampaged through the Chaona village, killing 8 perceived opposition supporters. It was to be one of the bloodiest scenes of political violence in the past decade and some commentators believe there may have been more than 8 deaths.

ZANU PF militants and men in army uniform, led by Major Cairo Mhandu and Major Maravadza, brutally beat to death Tapiwa Meda, Joseph Madzuramhende, Alex Chiriseri, David Tachiwa Mapuranga, Arthur Matombo, Patson Mudzuramhende and Jeff Jemedze and others. Women were stripped and beaten so viciously that whole sections of flesh fell away from their buttocks.

The war of words between the Prime Minister and the service chiefs continues. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has warned that Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba is committing treason through his continued threats to undermine democracy in the country a local daily newspaper revealed.

The PM said Nyikayaramba was threatening to disrespect the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

When a country goes to the polls, it is the choice of the people that counts, not the threats of the authorities. Nyikaramba is committing some offence by stating that Mugabe will remain in power even if the vote goes against him.

Democracy is very difficult to achieve in Zimbabwe when there are people like Nyikaramba around who advocates violence in the face of democratic defeat.

There can be no doubt that Morgan Tsvangirai is a brave man. He has been beaten, imprisoned, incarcerated, charged with treason, and ZANU PF even tried to kill him by pushing him out of a window...

Now he has challenged the security forces to shoot him...

A tough talking Tsvangirai challenged military generals to shoot him, boldly warning of dire consequences if that were to happen.

"Why don't you come and shoot me? Here I am," said Tsvangirai. "But I tell you, if they kill me, that is the end of the. They should stop scaring us and intimidating us with empty threats because we are not scared," he said.

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 28th June 2011

Howzit

Mugabe's not-so-secret police, the Central Intelligence Organisation, has been a problem for both MDC politicians and the general population in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is happy to use the operatives to push home his advantage within the country.

Now there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is not an oncoming train...

Every Thursday for the next 6 weeks, SW Radio Africa will publish part of the list that they have happened upon that dates back to 2001. Yes, there will be names of people that have retired or died and there will be no listing of new members, but it is a attempt to give the Zimbabwean people a 'heads up' in the battle to remove Mugabe's spies from their midst.

I will hopefully be mirroring that listing.

Tendai Biti, the MDC finance minister, is not having a great time of late. Over one thousand ZANU PF supporters marched on Biti's office and besieged it.

The march and the surrounding of Biti's office was assisted by a police escort. If the MDC had done anything remotely similar they would have been arrested and beaten...

The march was to demand to know why Biti refuses to increase civil servants' pay.

And the ZANU PF supporters spent their time singing derogatory songs about the MDC and Biti. I was under the impression that the three principals that signed the GPA had agreed that there would be no more hate speech. Another ZANU PF own goal.

Zimbabwe has been removed from the SADC Organ on Defence, Politics and Security Co-operation Ministerial Committee because the political and security situation in the country has normalised.

SADC prove once again that they are incapable of holding their own and making any kind of stand against Mugabe.

The subject of Zimbabwe is always being pushed off the table, dodged by those who are deemed 'responsible' and the deaths, incarcerations and beating in Zimbabwe continue.

'The political and security situation in the country has normalised'? What the hell are they smoking?

ZANU PF activities are not limited to besieging minister's offices.

People who attended a Harare Residents Trust meeting (HRT) were left terrified after ZANU PF youths gate crashed the event and beat up guests and members.

And what was done about this by the police?

Nothing.

And this is a country whose 'political and security situation in the country has normalised'...

Take care.

'debvhu

Monday, 27th June 2011

Howzit

I am still in the throes of studying for the first exam in the MS certification and am hoping to have the date for the exam later this week.

My book, "Without Honour" remains available for purchase from "Print on Demand" vendors, Lulu.

Click on the graphic to go to the relevant page.

I wasn't very surprised to read that Jameson Timba had been arrested, allegedly for calling the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugbae, a liar. Once again, we have ZANU PF reacting incorrectly to the situation in Zimbabwe.

The MDC applied for an urgent order from the courts to have Timba released by the police, which was finally obeyed yesterday. I am sure that we will read and hear of the torture of Timba whilst in custody.

And what do you know? He was hardly released and they arrested him again!

The recent war of words between Prime Minister Tsvangirai and the security chiefs has made him and his Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, targets in Zimbabwe and the danger to their lives is palpable.

"There is no doubt that the lives of the likes of Tsvangirai and Biti are in grave danger from some rogue elements within the military and intelligence sectors.

"Basically, these elements have reached the terrible conclusion that only violence and anarchy can keep Zanu PF in power. They are patently hostile to change and the inclusive government," one of the sources said.

As a result, security around Tsvangirai and Biti has been tightened in the past few weeks.

And, Tsvangirai has stated that the MDC will not withdraw from the inclusive government, even if you is arrest and/or killed. We have to remember that the MDC was and is the party of choice in Zimbabwe. ZANU PF have only managed to remain in the halls of power by using threats, intimidation and murder...

It now transpires that 19 of the 20 arrested MDC activists were 'nowhere near' the spot where a ZRP officer was killed in Glen Norah. If that is the case, why are the 19 still in custody?

Mugabe himself did not return from Asia last Thursday, sparking fresh concerns and rumours about his health. I struggle with the idea that his health should be a State secret. If he and his lackies were honest with the Zimbabwean population, he may find himself receiving just a little sympathy.

But they don't want the world to know, so no one really cares... I dont!

Take care.

'debvhu

Friday, 24th June 2011

Howzit

My thanks to the anonymous person who sent me the link for the above video.

Vice President John Nkomo has stated that the Gukurahundi is still a very emotive subject in Zimbabwe, and he has called upon the government to resolve the issue as it has the potential to split the country.

Of course it has - and many of those that lost loved ones during that horrendous operation are getting a little longer in the tooth. Perhaps Mugabe is hoping that by the end of his rule, which he wants to be forever, there will be nobody left to successfully get the matter raised either in a criminal court in Zimbabwe or at the International Criminal Court.

For me, it would be a travesty of justice. I must be one of the very few whites that witnessed the result of the actions of the Fifth Brigade.But Mugabe still prefers to excuse the operation as 'a moment of madness'.

The Mugabe youth have been going shop to shop in the Western part of Harare, forcing shops to buy a portrait of the 87-year-old to display in their shops. The portraits were fetching US$60 each.

Failure to purchase the portrait was to receive the threats of unspecified action.

Reports state that the portraits are now 'decorating' the shops in hanging rails, counters and windows...

In a continuing war of words between the security chiefs and Morgan Tsvangirai, the military leaders have been described as "a small, parasitic clique" at the helm of institutions violating people’s human rights in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe's security chiefs are prepared to go onto a war footing to prevent the MDC from ever ruling Zimbabwe. The option given the Zimbabwean voters has come down to the ballot or the bullet.

There can be no doubt of the securocrats intentions to keep Mugabe is power and hold the population ransom at gunpoint.

It doesn't stop, does it?

The MDC has reported that Tendai Chinyama, their organising secretary for Kambuzuma district, was abducted Wednesday afternoon at the Harare City Council Bishop Gaul Depot, by three armed men.

And what have the pro-Mugabe police done about this? Nothing. But they are happy to remain within a house in Bulawayo that they say is used by WOZA to cause trouble. They did finally vacate the premises having had a court rule against their continued presence, but not without leaving bullets as a threat and a chemical smell in the house which caused some members of WOZA becoming ill.

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 23rd June 2011

Howzit

We all know that the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has become a Mugabe extension and they spend their time broadcasting anything and everything they can that shows ZANU PF in a good light, whilst reports that show the MDC in a negative light are flighted as often as possible.

So, when they 'reveal' that they have uncovered the fact that Tsvangirai has got £3 million to cast a shadow on the person and character of Mugabe then they do believe that they have a scoop.

Even if Tsvangirai has got this sort of money - which I doubt - Mugabe has much more than that and can counter any such campaign quite easily. Plus I do believe that Tsvangirai wouldn't use any money to conduct this sort of campaign. If he had £3 million, he would be using it for something a little more constructive than belittling Mugabe.

Mugabe does enough damage to his own reputation all on his own...

Political turncoat Jonathan Moyo is now wanting to have Morgan Tsavngirai arrested for calling Mugabe a 'liar'.

I would think that if they did arrest Tsvangirai and drag him into court to face criminal charges, all his legal team would have to do is prove that Mugabe is a liar. Then, how can Tsvangirai be charged for telling the truth?

ZANU PF is attempting to squeeze out a few more days of sensationalist journalism by talking about the mass grave in Mount Darwin. The Mugabe party has not had any DNA testing done, but have told the world that the bodies are their cadres killed in the Rhodesian bush war.

And are having the bodies reburied under a shrine.

They make no attempt to explain the presence of hair, flesh and blood on bodies allegedly interred some thirty-plus years ago.

They just say that the bodies should be treated with respect. Just look at the photos of the exhumation and see if the untrained ZANU PF people had any intention of doing anything more with the bodies than political mileage...

Isn't it a pity that ZANU PF do not advocate for the same respect to be afforded live Zimbabweans?

So Tsvangirai challenged the security chiefs to shed their uniforms and stand against him in the political landscape of Zimbabwe.

Their response was as short as it was terse.

"MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is a national security threat rather than a political one and security forces are justified to participate in politics to defend the country, Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba has said."

Tsvangirai is a 'national security threat'? They have got that wrong. Mugabe is a national security threat, as well as his ZANU PF party and the security chiefs!

A court has ordered the police to vacate a WOZA meeting place in Bulawayo. It will be interesting to see whether the pro-ZANU PF police force will obey the order.

Somehow I doubt it.

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

Howzit

A friend pointed out the two videos on SW Radio Africa which show the sort of hate speech being churned out by ZANU PF at their mini rallies.

One of the points in the GPA is to stop hate speech, and here we have ZANU PF continuing with their anti-MDC rants and happily threatening the people with a beating if they vote against ZANU PF.

Senior ZANU PF official Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised the inclusive government of Zimbabwe, but noted, with some concern that the coalition has not been able to remove the 'illegal' sanctions.

ZANU PF are under the impression that having the sanctions removed is the responsibility of the MDC.

Not so. Targeted sanctions are the right and responsibility of the governments of the countries making those restrictions. End of story.

Oh, and the differences between the parties is not are serious... I s'pose that it depends which side of the party divide you stand...

So Tsvangirai challenged the security chiefs to stand against him as civilians instead of hiding behind their uniforms.

Acting Defence Minister Didymus Mutasa 'scoffed' at Tsvangirai challenge, whilst the security chiefs themselves told Tsvangirai that he needed to tone down his speech as his statement could be viewed as incitement to violence.

Nothing like threatening the Prime Minister with a police state...

"How can we have only Mugabe's friends and relatives getting land? My friends are my people and those are the people who fought with us to drive out the British. Anyway, the land belongs to the people. In various areas, we have a customary system where chiefs are the custodians of land on behalf of the people but we have maintained that all land is State land."

So said Mugabe, having praised black farmers saying that they are just as productive and successful as the white farmers they stripped of the land.

If that is the case, then why, eleven years after the landgrab began, is Zimbabwe having to rely of food aid?

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 21st June 2011

Howzit

Someone in ZANU PF has finally seen the light. Not that it will be permitted to shine for long, but the self-styled war veteran leader, Jabulani Sibanda, has been sent back to Bulawayo from Masvinga as the party believes that he doing more harm than good.

ZANU PF need to look a bit closer at Sibanda's 'chimurenga credentials' and they will discover that he is too young to have participated in the bush war. And, while they're at it, they should also look at Joesph Chinotimba, who also has no credentials. During the bush war, he was a municipal policeman in then Salisbury.

But ZANU PF seem happy enough to perpetuate the lie. And their top security officials refuse to salute the Prime Minister because he never took part in the war?

Questions are being asked as to whether motormouth ZANU PF official Jonathan Moyo has suggested a military coup in Zimbabwe.

I don't even have to read the article to know that this is the sort of statement that ZANU PF specialise in. They couch their utterances in cotton wool in an vague attempt to keep it 'legal'.

ZANU PF are happy enough to rule by threat and suggestion, and, if that fails, but violence and death.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has challenged the security chiefs that dabble in politics, to divest themselves of their uniforms and positions, and meet him head-on in a political race.

Obviously the security chiefs are very comfortable in their uniforms and all the trappings that the position brings with it, so there is absolutely no chance that any of them will do anything more than continue in the same manner they have of late.

The security chiefs must be all approaching some sort of retirement age, and even Mugabe will be unable to prevent the system from standing them down. Then the fun starts...

The tenuous thread between life and death has displayed itself once again.

Dr Mfandaidza Hove, the MDC secretary for economic affairs, collapsed and died at a rally being addressed by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. He was 65.

Civil servants have been making a play for better salaries, and now their want for a little more money has been fuelled with anger as the government has somehow acquired some 140 American luxury motor vehicles.

I have to question where the money for these vehicles came from, but also have to question the decision not to raise salaries but prefer to supply motor vehicles.

Consider this. Former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith used to ride a bicycle to work. Why can't the senior members of the coalition follow suit?

And finally in this very short posting, Emmerson Mnangagwa has suggested that an election might be called for February next year.

Mugabe is more than happy to keep the MDC guessing, so I would be very surprised if the election is to happen in the early part of next year.

Take care.

'debvhu

Monday, 20th June 2011

Howzit

Once again, this will be a relatively short posting as I have to return to study in preparation for the exams. I trust that you will all understand...

This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years.

This year we're going to experience four unusual dates.

1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 and that's not all...

Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add the age you will be this year, the results will be 111 for everyone in whole world.

-o00o-

Mugabe is obviously losing his powers of reasoning and his memory. At a SADC meeting in South Africa, he called Jacob Zuma, the current South African president, Nelson Mandela - and then, when trying to resolve the gaffe, he intimated that Mandela was dead.

This will not impress a lot of people, but we have to remember that Mugabe is almost 90-year-old - and not exactly Zimbabweans first choice for President...

And Mugabe's health continues to be a query in Zimbabwe. He has flown to Singapore about half a dozen times since the beginning of the year - and his party has tried to explain it away as a problem with his eyes, but then another article suggests that he recently visited the Medical Chambers in Harare.

The last visit was excused by his security staff as him visiting a patient, but the Chambers do not admit people.

The Medical Chambers were once again flooded with security personnel and the entire place was locked down, no one being allowed to leave or enter. And still the question of Mugabe's health is left to our imagination.

The Zimbabwean Registrar-General, Tobaiwa Mudede, has gone on the defensive, stating that the country's electoral roll is the best in the world. Strange, as I am sure that ZANU PF would be unable to produce the numerous centurions that were all born on 1st January 1900.

And no country in the world can excuse the inclusion on the roll of babies who are obviously too young to vote.

If this is the perfection that ZANU PF boast about, then I would hate to see what the roll would be like if they deliberately cocked it up!

Mugabe's airwaves mouthpiece, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, is refusing to repay a loan to Iran, claiming that the goods supplied were defective. You have to laugh.

If they were defective, then where are they?

The corporation claims that all but three of the refurbished transmitters continue to work, and that the Iranians applied a 50% mark-up to the product.

The ZBC doesn't have any money, plain and simple. They are not really making a stand on the loan, but are hiding from their inability to service the loan.

It isn't very often that you have someone who is prepared to say what he feels and to feel what he says. And, in Zimbabwe, this can get you in a lot of trouble.

Jameson Timba has come out fighting, saying that Mugabe, along with his senior apologists are liars. I have been saying that for years, but then I am 6000 miles from the country and much of what I write is subject to ridicule and denial.

Perhaps Timba has done us all a favour, although I am not sure of his immediate future.

Take care.

'debvhu

Friday, 17th June 2011

Howzit

I have completed the learning part of the CIW 1D0-500 programme and now am about to launch myself at the mock exam part so that I have an idea of what will be thrown at me when I sit the exam. So, after a quick posting this morning, I intend to do the mock exam at least twice.

-o00o-

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a senior member of the MDC, seems to have become a realistic target for ZANU PF. He has already indicated that he fears for his life, so we know that his resolve has been shaken whilst he holds the finance office. Recently, an attempt was made at blowing up the gate at his official government residence which ZANU PF blame on the MDC and vice versa.

Now we have ZANU PF youth attempting to overrun Biti's office to force him to sign their anti-sanctions petition.

Biti vowed not to bow down to intimidation...

A ZANU PF senator and a rather large crowd of ZANU PF youth invaded Longville Ranch just outside Gwanda and began demarcating the land to be portioned out to their number. The owner of the farm, Terrence Nicole called the police who chose to ignore the report.

They probably will hide behind the excuse that they had no transportation or lack of manpower.

The land is not a farm but a wildlife conservancy and it is now feared that the future of the animals is at risk.

We all know that ZANU PF doesn't care about safeguarding for tomorrow and the invasion will result in the loss of the animals.

The much delayed bail application for the MDC members and officials arrested in connection with the death of a police officer in Glen View almost two weeks ago has now had the judgement reserved, causing even more delays in the justice process, and preventing the accused persons - two dozen in number - from having even the remotest chance of being released on bail.

We have read the various reports and the idea of arresting specific MDC supporters and members who were not even present at the time of the alleged offence is plainly ridiculous, but in Zimbabwe nothing surprises me anymore.

Air Zimbabwe have stopped their flights to the UK following the suspension of fuel supplies to the troubled national carrier.

The management at the airline has made little of the obstacle, preferring to refer to it as a 'management challenge'.

I do wonder what will happen if Mugabe wants to fly to Singapore as has become his habit this year. Perhaps they have a small stock of AVGAS specially stored for use by Mugabe...

A woman constable has been fired from the police because of her close relations with an MDC legislator. This is typical of the Mugabe administration.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mugabe started a mission to fire all Shona government employs that are married to Ndebele spouses.

It is crazy, makes no sense and has nothing to do with the job this woman was trained to do.

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 16th June 2011

Howzit

For the first time in a few weeks, I am actually able to look at doing a short posting in the morning as opposed to the afternoon as I have run out of work to do on the course! Despite the fact that I called them yesterday afternoon to tell them that I would need the next part to be able to keep busy, they haven't made the new work available to me - and there is nobody in the offices right now.

Grrrrr!

-o00o-

I see that unilaterally appointed Attorney General Johannes Tomana has quite happily stated that he will prosecute MDC members before ZANU PF members as the order of prosecution is entirely at his discretion.

I wouldn't have thought so, but rather I would have looked at the seriousness of the crime and the date of its committal.

But ZANU PF appointees don't work on normal ideas - but would rather persecute and prosecute the MDC in an attempt to cripple them and their ideals.

The fact that the AG makes his statement publicly is a measure of the ZANU PF intent.

And regardless of the fact that the landgrab is supposed to be the returning of the land to the landless blacks, Mugabe's youth and war veterans continue to forcibly evict white farmers from their land and then give the land to ZANU PF officials. An 85-year-old farmer, Philip Hapelt, was fined US$100 for remaining on his own land and the farm has been offered to Mberengwa North Member of Parliament Jabulani Mangena.

The court actually stated that the sentence was lenient given the farmer's age, his health and the experience he has had whilst attempting to stop the eviction.

Hapelt will find himself without a home, without many of his personal possessions and without any compensation for the farm which he owned outright.

And Mugabe doesn't care - and never has.

Deportations of failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe have resumed.

And this happens in the shadow of a former CIO spy being granted leave to remain in the UK, despite the fact that he was on Mugabe's payroll until recently even though he has been in the UK for 11 years.

And then, on the reverse, there is the refusal of asylum to a former policeman who can trace his family heritage back to the UK.

Some processes are just mind-boggling and need some serious revamping.

I see one article with regard to Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Ncube to talk with the UK about the landgrab.

I do not see any reason why the trio would want to speak to the UK. Mugabe has maintained that England should pay any compensation - even though, in many cases, Mugabe's government declared 'no interest' in the lands sold to various farmers.

So Mugabe is happy to pocket the money and then expects the UK to cough up for his seizures. I somehow don't see that happening. The agreement at Lancaster House which speaks abouts compensation being paid by the English government was very specific when it described any deal as being under the umbrella of 'willing buyer - willing seller'.

I see nothing willing about being forcibly removed from the land, given a beating or even being killed.

Mugabe has moved the goalposts, but expects the game to carry on without noticing.

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesday, 15th June 2011

Howzit

I received an email a day or so ago, which suggested that I raise the awareness of a post 9/11 America. As someone who has a huge interest in the events of that terrible day, I do not believe that placing this video on this page will do anything to hurt the thrust of my writings.

"As you know, America has always been a melting pot, but in the post-9/11 world the environment can be downright hostile. Recent mosque protests and congressional hearings on American Muslims are all unfortunate examples of a rising tide of fear towards our fellow Americans. To address this, we've put together a video teaser in response that I believe you and the readers of The Bearded Man will be interested in sharing, watching, and discussing."

You can visit the site here: www.myfellowamerican.us...

Tuesday, 11th September 2001 was indeed a tragic day - and is burned into my memory as B and I had just returned from my disability tribunal - which I won - and upon arriving home, I turned on the television just in time to watch the second aircraft hit the WTC.

Our lives will never be the same again.

Hat tip to Elizabeth...

-o00o-

This is a video of a stunt pilot who, in real life, is a Delta Airlines pilot. His act at air shows is to pretend that he is a drunken spectator who rushes from the stands and jumps into a Piper Cub and takes off without any understanding of how to fly a plane.

The Piper Cub is specifically built to withstand an enormous amount of stress and has a very powerful engine.

This type of stunt is actually the most dangerous of air show acts, because of the low altitude at which the pilot performs.

Obviously, this pilot possesses unbelievable skill.

Check out the landing at the end - that is special!

-o00o-

Veteran Zimbabwean broadcaster and celebrity Hilton Mambo died at the Avenues Clinic on Monday. He was aged 60.

Mambo had been ill for a while, although the article does not inform of his affliction.

There cannot be too many Zimbabweans of my age who wouldn't have heard of the DJ.

My sympathies to his family.

Sometimes a story will not die. Recently a self-confessed member of Mugabe's secret police, the CIO, was granted asylum in the UK. This has caused all manner of questions to be asked, amongst them, what reasons could he possibly have to seek security from the very people that he worked for?

Machemedze is HIV+.

The MP for Vauxhall, Kate Hoey, a woman who has travelled frequently to Zimbabwe to see the situation first hand, has called for the former spy to be arrested. She says that he was in the pay of the Mugabe administration until recently.

The fact that he arrived in the UK eleven years ago speaks volumes if he has been in the service of the 87-year-old dictator.

Perhaps some serious thought needs to be exercised over the supposed rights of the 'asylum seeker'...

Not that long ago we read of violence in South Africa which took the form of xenophobia. There are photographs of a man burning to death in the street having been ignited by those who do not want foreigners in the country.

That blight has now revisited South Africa.

A Zimbabwean man was stoned to death by locals near Polokwane City in the Limpopo Province.

The killing occurred on Monday and police have yet to make any arrests.

In the United States a Zimbabwean has caused panic by claiming that he had planted a dirty bomb in Texas. He was hoping that the alert would somehow allow him to avoid facing domestic abuse charges.

Well, I think he got his wish. The threat, whether real or not, will land him in a lot of hot water, and the now relatively inconsequential charge...

As we expected, the SADC conference over the weekend on Zimbabwe, among other things, was totally without any clout. Mugabe gets away with it again and the problems for SADC have been shelved until August.

SADC needs to grow a couple...

And the MDC supporters, members and officials that have been arrested for the alleged murder of a policeman in Glen View remain in the squalid police cells, have now denied even the opportunity to request bail in criminal court as the prosecution team has managed to dodge the issue no less than four times!

The madness of Mugabe knows no bounds, and, it would appear, is infectious.

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 14th June 2011

Howzit

B and I have just gone through heartache of changing our bank account and advising the relevant authorities. The idea behind this is to stop the gross mismanagement that we have been victims of by one bank who had scant regard to the problems we have had. I won't go into any of the details, but I am just glad to be shot of such a huge bunch of clowns.

But for me, the fact that to do this meant that we had to phone premium numbers within the Social Services department is just lunacy. Why do we have to spend inordinate amounts of money to make a phone call, when all we are doing to trying to save money?

Hasn't the government worked out yet that those of us that are obliged to live almost hand-to-mouth cannot afford these very expensive phone calls? And going into the offices will result in us being advised that we have to go home and make the very same phone calls!

I am so pleased that I am doing this course to get a qualification as I can then leave the benefit part of my life behind...

-o00o-

I note that ZANU PF have quite brazenly promised the Zimbabwean people Robert Mugabe or their soldiers... The ballot or the bullet, in other words. That is not a democracy - that is a dictatorship founded and run by a party that is incapable of seeing beyond the little bit of money in the treasury and the minerals wealth of the country...

End of story.

Bear in mind that this is the same African body that allegedly came back with a positive report on the reforms in Zimbabwe - if you were to believe Robert Mugabe, that is.

I would have thought that the watching world would at least spend a little time looking at the Mugabe problem in Southern Africa, but their attention is invariably drawn by the problems in Libya.

I also saw a report which centred on the fact that ZANU PF ministers were refusing to report to the Prime Minister, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. How can any report to SADC on the coalition government be 'positive' if ZANU PF are exuded such negativity?

Now this was interesting. SADC have said that South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia should involve themselves more in Zimbabwe in an effort to overcome the problems therein.

Is Botswana not a member of SADC, and are they not a neighbour as well?

Why has Botswana not been named with the other three countries?

The smaller faction of the MDC has stated that the larger faction of the MDC and the party of Mugabe, ZANU PF, should "grow up". Strange, coming from them - the faction that has been unable to resolve who is in charge, whether their former leader is still a principal in the cross-party negotiations, or if he is still Deputy Prime Minister...

It isn't a case of "grow up" - it is a case of developing some maturity...

Oh well, we watch and wait, but I am not holding my breath.

Take care.

'debvhu

Monday, 13th June 2011

Howzit

Time right now is not my friend when it comes to blogging. However, the IT course that has taken front stage in my life at the present has been not only enormously gratifying, but I am able to gauge my progress against the stipulated time within the lecture notes - and I find myself a mere 20 hours ahead of schedule as I enter the third week.

So perhaps it is all worth it.

-o00o-

I see that Mugabe and Zuma exchanged some harsh words with each other, whilst the coalition government was given until August this year to implement the Global Political Agreement.

Of course, Mugabe will seriously consider bailing on SADC and going it alone, but then he leaves himself wide open to the reaction of the African regional body with very little support.

The Human Rights Watch has finally put into words what we have all been itching to say to them: "Stop barking and start biting".

Even though Zuma and Mugabe had a heated exchange at the SADC meeting over the weekend, I do believe that it will take just a little more than some angry words and a challenge to resolve Zimbabwe's problems.

Meanwhile, Mugabe made his former colleague and critics, Edgar Tekere, a national hero, which will have a few heads in Zimbabwe shaking. Tekere may have had some shared history with Mugabe, but the fact he walked away from ZANU PF would indicate an entirely different opinion of Zimbabwean politics. I am surprised that the Tekere family agreed to it.

The same article suggested that Enos Nkala, another Mugabe zealot, is seriously ill in Bulawayo which negated his attendance at the ZANU PF Burial Society's gathering.

While Mugabe has arguments with Zuma, and he seeks to placate his former ally's family by declaring him a national hero, the police have now arrested 23 MDC members and officials over the death of a ZRP Inspector in Glen View. If the people present at the incident numbered only about a dozen - reportedly - why have the ZRP arrested almost twice that number?

Mugabe is looking to making some sort of statement, but I can't fathom out just what it is yet...

And, as if to underline their intent, police beat the tenant of a house in Bulawayo when they raided the house at which WOZA meetings are held. Just how the ZRP can justify the beating of a member of the public because of their unhappiness over the actions of a civic group we have yet to be informed.

But every day, as we read the accounts of violence in Zimbabwe, it is evident that Mugabe has ordered an increase in the harassment, beatings and incarceration of civic body and MDC members and supporters.

Where is the Human Rights Watch when we really need them? Don't challenge SADC - document and get evidence of the brutality of Mugabe's rule and plaster it in newspapers all over the world. Let's finally show people just how dangerous Mugabe and his followers are.

Without a sustained attempt to educate the population of the world of the evils of ZANU PF, the chances of yet another African genocide are increased dramatically.

Another report tells of almost 300 MDC supporters and members being slaughtered in the last two years - which, is 300 people too many.

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 9th June 2011

Howzit

It is just gone 8 o'clock on Wednesday evening as I start this posting. I have been working hard on the IT course and I do believe I am ahead of the game... The strange thing is, right now I am doing an intensive set of modules on Microsoft Office 2007, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Access. For me, the weirdest thing is that I have Office 2003 and so any new bits and pieces I am unable to work with, so I have to rely on pure logic.

That being said, the course is beautifully put together and can be very rewarding.

I also took a few minutes out last evening (Tuesday) to rework the header on this page, only because I felt that it was getting a bit old and I believe that a change is as good as a holiday.

My next job is the rework the secondary header immediately under, and that will take just a little of gymnastics with the html code to get it right - but, hey! it will keep the grey matter occupied...

-o00o-

The problem with having Mugabe at the top of the tree is that he may be experiencing a spell of bad health, but all around him, his former allies, those that criticise and oppose his rule and those that once walked in the same circles as him are now beginning to drop like flies.

"Veteran politician Edgar Tekere has died.

Tekere died this afternoon (Tuesday) at Mirambi Gardens clinic in Mutare where he was being treated for cancer. He was 74 years old. Edgar Zivanai Tekere (born 1 April 1937 - died 7 June 2011) was a Zimbabwean politician who was a founding member of ZANU PF.

Tekere and President Robert Mugabe both together once walked on foot to Mozambique in 1975 in an effort to fight the Rhodesian government. According to a relative Tekere died at around 1400hrs.

"At the moment I can confirm that he is no more and more details will be availed later as we are running around with funeral logistics," said the relative in a telephone interview."

It will not matter to Mugabe that in later years Tekere became a staunch critic of Mugabe - if ZANU PF have anything to do with it he will be declared a national hero and there will be huge pomp and ceremony at the heroes' acre in Harare.

That is, if the family allow it.

Mugabe makes no bones about it any more, the national heroes' acre, he says, is a ZANU PF sanctuary - and not all those that have, or were meant to be buried there, have family that vigorously oppose the idea...

Heroes' acre is little more the ZANU PF burial society.

"Meanwhile ZANU PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, a close relative of Tekere confirmed the veteran leader’s death and labelled him a veteran who had the nation of Zimbabwe at heart.

"He is the president of ZANU who organised the party during the Lancaster House talks and served in government before his popularity as a potential rival to Robert Mugabe caused their estrangement," said Mutasa.

After a fallout with ZANU PF, Tekere later launched his own party, Zimbabwe Unity Movement(ZUM) which was viciously crushed by ZANU PF. At the time of his death Tekere had become a critic of President Robert Mugabe."

There it is again! The truth! ZUM was formed and then 'viciously crushed' by ZANU PF. What is so 'democratic' about that?

-o00o-

It never ceases to amaze me just how blinkered some Zimbabweans are. Have they forgotten just how badly Tekere and his ZUM party were treated?

It's no good thinking that ZANU PF is going to look after and provide for the Tekere family - they haven't done it for other families and are not about to start now...

"Mourners at the funeral of the late nationalist Edgar Tekere Wednesday jeered MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, forcing him to retreat in a huff.

Tsvangirai - who was accompanied by among others his secretary Ian Makone, spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka and head of protocol James Maridadi - arrived at the late Tekere’s Bordervale home at around 4pm.

"Mourners at the funeral of the late nationalist Edgar Tekere Wednesday jeered MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, forcing him to retreat in a huff. The mourners told the PM that he was not in charge of the country, but President Mugabe. Some of the mourners continued with their chores without acknowledging the MDC-T leader’s arrival while others could be seen offloading firewood from a lorry. A handful of Tsvangirai’s supporters, who included Mutare councillors, welcomed him and escorted him into the house. But more drama awaited him inside."

(A note for the writer of this article - a meeting at the house of the deceased is not a 'funeral'...)

Sometimes the loyalties of some people can never be altered - even if the treatment of another has been nothing short of barbaric.

"The mourners, mostly women, sang revolutionary songs reminding Tsvangirai that only President Mugabe was the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

The singing did not stop as Tsvangirai offered his condolences to Tekere’s widow, Pamela.

The MDC-T leader sat for close to 10 minutes during which time the singing even became louder and drowned his voice.

MDC-T members appealed to the Tekere family spokesman, Steven Kada, to restrain the mourners, but they would have none of it, forcing the PM to beat a hasty retreat with his delegation.

His supporters also left."

Why is it acceptable that Tsvangirai is treated so badly by fellow Zimbabweans, but nothing even remotely close to that behaviour is accepted by ZANU PF without some form of punishment?

-o00o-

Imagine the current Defence Forces Commander Constantine Chiwenga taking over from the despot Robert Mugabe. I would be like nothing has changed, and, more than likely, it would get worse...

Chiwenga right now is like a muzzled dog, just waiting for when his restraints are released. In many respects, he reminds me of Idi Amin.

"Living with a despotic leader who has clung to power for 31 years amid civilian torture and widespread poverty is like carrying a permanent injury for Zimbabweans.

Adding insult to that injury is when the same people responsible for that autocratic government are reportedly currently considering endorsing a ruthless Army General as their candidate for the next president.

Recent reports from Harare have suggested that Defence Forces Commander Constantine Chiwenga is being tipped to succeed the ailing President Robert Mugabe.

For any development-oriented and peace-loving Zimbabwean, this new twist to the Mugabe succession battle represents yet another hurdle which has to be overcome before freedom is achieved."

Zimbabweans don't want a leader that issues threats at every turn, someone who feels nothing at turning the defence force weapons on the people. Zimbabweans do not want their living in poverty and fear to be extended by any time period at all.

"Just the name Chiwenga automatically rings alarm bells and conjures up bad memories of terrible days gone by.

Isn’t this the same Chiwenga who has been linked to the 1983 Gukurahundi massacres in Matebeleland?

That abomination alone saw around 20000 civilians murdered at the hands of those who are allegedly in or tied to the ruling party.

Something that will forever be remembered as among - if not - the worst disaster to befall the Zimbabwean people.

Chiwenga, along with his wife, are on the sanction list of those Zimbabwean officials not allowed to enter the EU and the United States.

According to Greatindaba.com on May 3 : "Sources said MDC-T ministers accused Mugabe of blessing the operations of the police under Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and those of the army under Zimbabwe Defences Forces Commander Constantine Chiwenga.

These include the murder of MDC party members after Mugabe lost the 2008 election.

The same Chiwenga who reportedly used his Army credentials to marry his wife.

According to a former Prison Officer, currently seeking asylum in South Africa - who worked closely with Chiwenga - his current wife Jocyline was formerly married to a Frenchman who was allegedly forced to sign divorce papers at gunpoint and later deported to his country under mysterious conditions.

Now, with the support of other Army Generals - Perrence Shiri ( Airforce Commander ) and Prisons boss, Retired Major General Paradzai Zimhondi - Chiwenga has made his intentions clear; He is ready to grab any opportunity that might present itself to take over as President from Mugabe."

The days of military leaders in Africa are obviously set to be reborn as Chiwenga is one of those people who, set with a target, will use any weapons, tools and attributes to attain that target, whether that target is in line with the wants of the people or not.

In my mind, Chiwenga is an even worse alternative to the aging Mugabe.

"Are Zimbabweans ready to embrace yet another torrid totalitarian error, this time under a military leader?

Heaven forbid."

-o00o-

I struggle with the idea that MDC-T were party to the order to Biti to increase civil servants' pay... Surely Tsvangirai is more aware than most of the constraints within which Biti finds himself?

How can he increase civil servants' pay if the national coffers are empty?

"Zimbabwe’s three ruling party principals have ordered Finance Minister Tendai Biti to award civil servants a pay increase as promised by President Robert Mugabe.

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe meanwhile has warned that it will call a crippling strike if no increase in pay for its members is forthcoming.

Sources said President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara met on Friday and agreed that Biti should look for funds to boost pay of state employees who want a monthly living wage of US$502.

The principals did not suggest where the finance minister is to find such funds. But sources said indications are that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority collected US$619 million in the first quarter of the year, exceeding its target by 11 percent.

President Mugabe and Biti have traded barbs in recent days over the salary increase which Mr Mugabe promised civil servants would be in place by June. Mr Mugabe has accused Biti of blocking the increase. But Biti says the government is not in a position to raise salaries - unless revenues from the Marange diamond field increase."

Speaking of which, whatever became of the missing US$300 million-plus?

Isn't it strange how any news of an audit of the diamonds sales has just quietly been gagged?

"Parliamentary Budget Committee Chairman Paddington Zhanda said Biti must tap the country's mineral resources to increase compensation of state workers.

PTUZ General Secretary Raymond Majongwe said the government should brace for a strike if civil servant demands are not met. "We have given the government a 14-day ultimatum to pay us and we hope they will do so before we go on strike," said Majongwe.

Economist Eric Bloch said the cornered finance minister may have to make budget cuts elsewhere to be able to increase civil service salaries. Civil service pay accounts for 70 percent of government expenditures with the nation on a shoe-string budget."

It is suggested that Biti 'tap the country's mineral resources' to finance any increase. Is this before or after ZANU PF liberate some of the mineral remittances?

-o00o-

Staying with Biti, I see that he has threatened to quit the government as a direct result of the petrol bombing at his Chisipite residence. He wasn't home at the time.

I can't say I blame him.

-o00o-

In a country like Zimbabwe, you have to be exceedingly careful at what you say and who you say it to.

If Mugabe had his own way, there would be thought police in Zimbabwe as well.

And, despite Mugabe claiming that there is freedom of speech, and freedom of association and freedom of the media, the exact opposite is true.

I do not defend the actions of this man, but I do understand his actions and what pushed him to that extent.

"A man allegedly grabbed a piece of chicken from the wife of a police officer, then yelled: “F*** the President.”

Now Tendai Danga, 29, has been charged with undermining the authority of President Robert Mugabe.

Danga, of North End, Bulawayo, was denied bail by magistrate Ndumo Masuku on Wednesday.

Despite his pleas that he would be sacked from his job if not granted bail, Danga was remanded in custody to June 23.

Opposing bail, prosecutor Malvern Nzombe told the court that Ndanga was facing "serious charges" and was likely to abscond.

The court heard the off duty Constable Chikwanda and his wife were drinking beer at the North End Shopping Centre on May 21 this year when they were joined by Danga.

Chikwanda’s wife was eating chicken pie, and Danga, it alleged, asked for a piece but his request was declined.

But Danga allegedly proceeded to grab a piece of the pie while boasting that he had a lot of money and could buy her more pies.

Responding to her protestations, Danga allegedly told her: "You can report to anybody and nobody can do anything to me, even the President."

In Zimbabwe they recently imprisoned and tranferred and demoted a policeman for using a toilet reserved for Mugabe and his guest at the ZITF - think of what they might do to someone who speaks out in public against Mugabe. As this article suggests, he might end up spending a year in jail from his utterances...

"And when Costable Chikwanda intervened, Danga is said to have yelled: "You are nothing, just a constable. You are paid peanuts and I can pay your salary for the whole year.

"Who is Mugabe? F*** you, f*** the President. You can phone whoever you want and they cannot do anything to me."

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 7th June 2011

Howzit

When we left Zimbabwe in late 1998, CDs were new technology and I must have been among many thousands who had their own cassette tape collection. Mine numbered quite a few and there was always music playing in our house...

I am not really that surprised that the older technology still booms in Zimbabwe as not many people have CD players.

"They might strike a nostalgic chord for music lovers with an ear for retro value but humble old cassette tapes are facing extinction in many parts of the world, left to wither in dusty closets in the era of MP3 players and digital downloads.

But in Zimbabwe, clunky audio tapes are still alive and prolific. Far from being outdated, they are the medium of choice for many Zimbabweans who are eager to get their hands on the latest music in an affordable way.

At the same time, they also provide a business opportunity in a country whose fragile economy has been in turmoil in the past decade amid record hyperinflation and international isolation.

Local record company Diamond Studios has responded to a growing demand for music tapes by opening a cassette plant in the capital, Harare.

It produces thousands of tapes each month and delivers them to music shops in Zimbabwe's towns and rural areas, as well as to Mozambique and Botswana.

Diamond Studios executive Phathisani Sibanda says cassettes can be profitable both for music labels and artists, helping in the fight against music piracy."

I was a little surprised at the assertion that pirating music is not that big when it comes to cassette tapes. Anyone who can operate a tape player with two players (and there are a lot of those about) can easily copy a purchased tape, and some even offer a high-speed dub option!

"When we started with the CD stuff, the CD was pirated a lot," he says. "At the end of the day the artist got nothing from sales, royalties - nothing for the artist, nothing for the studios. So we decided to opt for the cassettes, [it's] hard to dupe them.

Somandlala Ndebele, one of Diamond Studios' best-selling artists, says he is astonished at how many audio tapes his latest album has sold.

"The cassettes is a big surprise to me, we have sold more than 10,000 cassettes - no pirates," he says."

Well, Mugabe did say he would get Zimbabwe back on its feet - and he has them all walking because very few can afford a vehicle, fuel, bus fares and spares... and now he is steadily rewinding the clock. Zimbabwe is already way behind when it comes to new technology and the ability to use it.

"Stuck with the soundtrack from a time of prosperity now long gone, the proliferation of the cassette tape in Zimbabwe is just another reminder of how broken the country's economy still is."

-o00o-

When you do read this, it should come as no surprise that the Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede, is a dyed-in-the-wool ZANU PF man...

"Comparing the voters’ roll as of October 2010 with the roll used in the 2008 harmonised elections, we find that in 2010 there are 366,550 new voters who have not appeared on any previous roll.

This is extremely surprising considering that the overall population of Zimbabwe has been falling due both to a very high mortality rate and large-scale emigration. It might have been expected, nonetheless, that there would be some new voters in the youngest age group of roughly 18 to 25.

There is also a very unlikely total of 49,239 new voters over the age of 50 - and this when average life expectancy in Zimbabwe has fallen to 44.8 years. Even more surprising is the fact that 16,033 of these new voters are over the age of 70 years, while 1,488 of them are over the age of 100...

Then again, a number of these new voters have no valid address, despite the stipulation requiring this. In the Gwanda Central constituency alone, there are three people without a valid address, for example...

All told there are 228 new registered voters who are under age. Some of these under-age "voters" are actually small children..."

One would think that the Registrar General would pull out all the stops to at least have a correct and accurate voters roll for the election which will happen either this year or next, depending on which politician you listen to.

You would also expect that the MDC would be jumping up and down to have the roll at least audited... but there is absolute silence.

During the run-up to the last elections in 2008, there was an example given of more than a few people registered as living on a plot just outside Harare. The land is uninhabited and is only marked with the plot number. Nothing else.

And, if we were to be allowed to look, the 'inhabitants' would have all voted for ZANU PF...

"Further, it is important to point out that the 366,550 new voters who have been added to the roll as of October 2010 are by no means equally distributed around the country, as one might expect. In the extreme cases, one finds that the constituency of Cheredzi South has only 33 new voters added to its roll while the constituency of Gokwe Nembudziya has no less than 13,896 new voters added to its roll. There can be no satisfactory reason for such extraordinary variations.

One of the most striking anomalies is the number of exceptionally old people among the new voters. There are, indeed, no less than 4,368 new voters over the age of 90 years on the voters’ roll as at 1st October 2010. If one amalgamates the list of new voters with the old list, one finds an extraordinary total of 132,540 persons over the age of 90 on the roll. Given the average life expectancy of less than half that figure, this is completely incredible.

In addition, we find that once again these nonagenarians are not evenly distributed among constituencies. Instead, they are again bunched into the same minority of constituencies which have had exceptionally high numbers of new voters added to them.

As may be seen, there is a particular concentration of nonagenarians in the three Mashonaland provinces - the ZANU PF heartland - and in a few selected key seats elsewhere. In Chipinge East there are no less than 662 of these nonagenarians. All told, there are 4,368 nonagenarians among the new voters - an almost impossible number."

Are we supposed to believe the lies of the voters roll? Does Mugabe really expect us to read these facts and not question the legality of the listing?

Does he really believe that Zimbabweans, whether at home or abroad, are content with the list as it stands at this time?

Maybe there is no sure-fire way of auditing the roll, but I do agree with the writer of the article...

The time has come for it to begin again - from scratch...

-o00o-

Perhaps the homicide detectives in the Zimbabwe Republic Police are much better than we ever thought... Perish the thought!

This is political grandstanding at its best. ZANU PF are intent on underlining the death of the policeman in as bright a colou as possible so that it will add clout to their assertion to SADC that the MDC is a violent party.

"Eight more MDC-T activists who allegedly fatally assaulted police Inspector Petros Mutedza at Glen View 3 Shopping Centre on May 28 yesterday appeared in court charged with murder.

This brings to 20, the number of suspects who have appeared in court over the murder case since last week.

Tafadzwa Billiat (26), Simon Mudimu (37), Dube Zwelibenze (35), Simon Mapanzure (40), Edwin Muingiri (32), Augustine Tengenyika (39), Francis Vambai (30) and Nyamadzawo Gapara (47) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera who remanded them in custody to June 17 this year. Mr Jeremiah Bhamu who represented the eight, said his clients were held under inhuman conditions while in police custody and some were assaulted by arresting police details.

He said they were also denied food and water as well as a chance to contact relatives to inform them of their whereabouts.

Billiat, he said, was improperly brought before the court as he was over detained and was in police custody since May 30.

Mr Bhamu said Dube was detained since May 31 and their continued detention was illegal.

In response, Mr Edmore Nyazamba from the Attorney-General's Office said: "The purported allegations have been communicated to me before the court sat and I verified with the police officers.

"All these allegations are baseless and have no foundation as they are calculated to smear the police as an organisation."

He said nevertheless a formal inquiry would be done and a report will be presented in court before the next remand date.

Mr Bhamu said the State's submissions were shocking as it had prejudged the matter and urged the court to make sure investigations were free of bias and prejudice. Mr Kubonera ordered the AG's Office to conduct impartial investigations and ensure the report was ready before the next remand date."

Since when have ZANU PF, the ZRP or the AG's Office ever obeyed a court or a ruling? There will be no such 'impartial' investigation by the AG's office, but they will endeavour to keep the idea alive by delaying the 'production' of a report...

These are all known, tried and tested tricks in many courts throughout the world. There is nothing new - or clever - in these actions.

But the pro-Mugabe. pro-ZANU PF courts will somehow lend a sympathetic ear to their excuses.

-o00o-

Since when is the use of a firebomb an MDC action?

What facts in evidence give rise to this assumption?

Anyone can throw a firebomb - including ZANU PF members!

"The bombing of MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti's house in Chisipite, Harare, on Sunday morning has raised more questions than answers.

Police sources say investigations indicate that the matter appears to be the party's grandstanding ahead of the SADC summit this weekend.

The SADC extraordinary summit is slated for this Saturday and will be held on the sidelines of the COMESA, SADC and East African Community Tripartite Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Police sources yesterday said it was startling that an official report was made more than 17 hours after the incident.

The sources also claim that chances were high that evidence could have been tampered with before the report was made.

The bombing reportedly happened at around 1 am on Sunday."

Well, as was indicated yesterday, Biti was out of the country! Who else is going to report to the police the incident - without fear of being arrested, that is?

As a cabinet minister, is Biti not provided with some sort of police guard at his official residence? Why didn't they report the case? They are right at the scene - so they are best placed to raise the alarm...

ZANU PF and the ZRP are very good at raising questions... 'Evidence could have been tampered with'? That is normally the action of Mugabe's ZANU PF!

"Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday confirmed receiving the report and said investigations were in progress.

"Yes, police received the report at around 6pm on Sunday and we were told that it had happened at 1am. We are still carrying out investigations to try and establish what happened," he said.

Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena urged members of the public to immediately report to police incidents of such a nature.

"To avoid contamination of the scene, such cases should be reported as soon as possible so that police effect investigations," he said.

Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said there was no police guarding the house on Sunday as a result of manpower shortages."

Oh, right. Isn't it very convenient that the 'undermanned' ZRP fail to guard a cabinet members house - but are crawling out of the woodwork when there is to be an MDC rally?

Bvudzijena's comments are all neatly scripted to question the actions and intentions of the MDC... just enough to leave a questionable motive to the incident... all for the SADC audience.

"It does not affect the MDC-T ministers and deputy ministers only. It also affects ZANU PF ministers and deputy ministers and some judges as well - although they are entitled to police guard... We have a serious shortage of manpower," he said."

The police say that if the case was reported quickly, they would have attended... but I thought that they were short of manpower? Who would have attended then? Recruits?

'Serve and protect'? Give me a break!

-o00o-

Take care.

'debvhu