Monday, 31st October 2011

Howzit

So the desktop computer decided that following a restart after Microsoft updates had been installed, that it would loop itself in boot after boot. It turned out to be the MBG (Master Boot Record) that had corrupted and was unrecoverable.

Luckily I was able to start it in 'safe' mode which allowed my to move important files to an auxiliary drive. But, as with most things computer, it took time and patience. I finally had it wiped and XP Pro re-installed by early evening.

Score: Me = 1 Computer = 0

So I lost a day's study, but I am not that concerned as having a working PC to study on is more important than the study itself... and the laptop was having one of those days.

My weekend was improved with a great little clip on YouTube, called "Zambezi News" - I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do...

SW Africa had a bit of a scoop late last week with an interview with none other than the Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.

I was struck by two things. Firstly, at just how relaxed he was, and his apparent uncaring of the seriousness of the situation in Zimbabwe. Whilst he acknowledged the problem, the need for some sort of action was neatly sidestepped - and if I was looking for a clue as to what the future held in respect of the GPA, ZANU PF and the two MDC factions, I was sadly left uneducated...

And much seems to have been made of Tsvangirai's reported lack of education, yet I found his vocabulary to be quite extensive and totally in context.

So, for those that believe we have a semi-educated Prime Minister, perish the thought...

There is a report that the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe needs at least US$2.5 billion - per season - to begin any kind of recovery. But we have to be aware that it was Mugabe and his unruly party members and supporters that precipitated the destruction of the sector...

Zimbabwe's fragile agricultural sector, which suffered massively under the country's controversial agrarian reforms, requires funding to the tune of at least US$2,5 billion per season to fully recover, The Financial Gazette can report.

This emerged as fresh information indicated that a liquidity-strapped domestic banking sector, under political pressure to fund agriculture, was becoming increasingly jittery after default rates for loans extended to the farming sector soared in recent years.

And he will put out the begging bowl with no embarrassment whatsoever...

And this sort of action is entirely unacceptable, unless you are Robert Mugabe...

Harvest House, the headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai was attacked by ZANU PF 'thugs' early Thursday morning resulting in windows being broken and shattered in the first and second floors, the MDC said.

The attack at Harvest House comes at a time when Tsvangirai during the premier's question and answer session in the House of Assembly called for all the parties in the coalition government to observe peace and desist from settling issues by using violence.

Imagine the furore if ZANU PF HQ were attacked in a similar manner...

After a heated debate in Parliament on Thursday the MDC managed to push through a motion aimed at stopping the theft of millions of dollars in revenue from the rich Marange diamond fields.

Bulawayo South MP Eddie Cross proposed the motion to nationalise the Marange diamonds. Despite vigorous opposition from ZANU PF MPs, many of whom are believed to be benefiting from the revenue, the motion was passed and now goes to the Prime Minister as leader of the House to take it to Cabinet.

Cross's plan includes moving everybody from the Marange site, fencing it, protecting it properly and then going out to tender for an operator.

Somehow I do believe that Mugabe will never relinquish control of the diamonds fields to anyone.

Take care.

'debvhu

Service Interruption - Friday 28 October 2011

Howzit

Sorry, if you were looking for an update on events in Zimbabwe, but I hope to be back on Monday. My desktop PC has decided that it doesn't like me, and I really am too tired to fight with the laptop... (I am, however, persevering with my studies today...)

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 27th October 2011

Howzit

And the fun and games in and around Zimbabwe continue...

Mugabe has managed to leave Zimbabwe, supposedly for Singapore, without his huge entourage of followers, worshippers and those that fawn at every word he utters.

Confusion has gripped partners in the coalition circles following President Robert Mugabe’s decision to sneak out of the country without advising his cabinet colleagues on his intended destination and reasons for the trip.

Mugabe sneaked out of the country on Monday morning amid indications that he had for the eighth time this year, flown to Singapore, where some of his doctors are based, raising speculation around the 87-year-old’s health.

What has worsened the situation is that Mugabe travelled without his official delegation, while the state media which usually accompanies him, has not reported anything on the President’s trip.

In government, there had been deathly silence on Mugabe’s whereabouts with coalition partners expressing surprise that he could have flown to Singapore.

Has Mugabe broken the code for legislators in the country by not informing cabinet of his intentions to leave Zimbabwe?

The country is broke and can hardly pay their civil servants, let alone take on an extra US$140 million debt run up by the national carrier. And let's remember that Air Zimbabwe have a very bad habit of dumping paid-up passengers wherever so that the aircraft can be commandeered by Mugabe to transport him all over the place.

I wonder if he commandeered an entire aircraft to travel to Singapore, even though he didn't travel with his normal few dozen followers...

The Zimbabwean government is expected to take over Air Zimbabwe's $140m debt, although with plans to liquidate it over time, the country's Herald newspaper reported on Monday.

Government would work on cutting the airline's staff and would seek a strategic partner to buy into the national airline.

According to Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche, Cabinet had agreed to partially dispose of the National Handling Services.

"At its last meeting on Thursday October 20, Cabinet discussed challenges faced by our national airline, Air Zimbabwe Holdings and resolved that, Air Zimbabwe as a strategic government asset and brand, needed to be preserved and supported as a going business concern.

"To this end, government must assume Air Zimbabwe's current debt and ring fence the same."

I do note a resounding silence from the Finance Minister's office.

Chombo, accused variously of feathering his own nest with residential and commercial stands, has been a itch that the MDC cannot scratch. He may have fired the councillors, and their reinstatements may have been ordered, but we wait to see if the reinstatements will happen, and no doubt, the activities that Chombo has been up to in their absence.

Zimbabwean local government officials on Wednesday hailed a decision this week by the Harare High Court ordering the reinstatement of four Harare city councillors fired last year by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo for alleged corruption.

High Court Justice Bharat Patel ruled that Chombo unfairly dismissed Paul Gorekore, Silas Machetu, Maxwell Katsande and Johnson Zaranyika, saying that the investigation set afoot by Chombo was based on a “grossly irrational” judgment.

A Harare magistrate last week acquitted two other Harare councilors, both members of the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Warship Dumba and Casper Takura were arrested this month on Chombo’s instructions for alleged fraud.

The MDC has accused Chombo of meddling in the business of municipal councils and of engaging in corrupt activities, calling for his removal from office. The minister is a member of the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe.

Don't you just love it when we see the dogs descending on an estate of a loved one in their attempt to enrich themselves through their passing? Obviously the Mujuru family is no exception to this questionable practise.

A fight has reportedly erupted in the family of the late Retired General Solomon “Rex Nhongo” Mujuru over how to deal with the distribution of the former army commander’s vast wealth due to the large number of people who claim to be his children, it has emerged.

Mujuru’s charred remains were found at his farm in Beatrice after his house was gutted by fire in August.

Nobody knows if Mujuru died before the fire or after the inferno.

He was interred at the National Heroes Acre at a ceremony attended by thousands of people from all political affiliations.

Family sources said there was now a crisis facing the family regarding the distribution of the estate.

Mujuru’s vast wealth includes shares in diamond companies, farms, mines and other investments worth tens of millions of dollars.

I fully expect the same sort of activity when Mugabe finally falls off his perch, but within ZANU PF rather than the President's immediate family.

“There is a crisis in the family,” said a family source.

I am quite surprised that Tsvangirai even thought about taking his political battle with Mugabe into an armed struggle. The very name "Movement for Democratic Change" would suggest that any shift in power would be democratic. An armed strugglle is not worth it...

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai says he thought of taking up arms to force himself into power after failing to outrightly win the 2008 presidential election.

Mr Tsvangirai said this in his recently published book: "Morgan Tsvangirai: At The Deep End" that he was surprised to learn there was going to be a presidential election run-off.

"For a moment I did not know what to do," he said. "I had no arms of war. I lacked the necessary wherewithal to force myself into power to fulfil the people's wish."

Mr Tsvangirai got 47,9 percent of the vote in the first round when the Electoral Act required one to garner more than 50 percent to be declared a winner.

President Mugabe got 43,2 percent while Mr Simba Makoni was third with 8,3 percent.

Little-known Langton Towungana was a distant fourth on 0.6 percent.

The failure by any of the candidates to get the required majority vote meant there was going to be a run-off between President Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesda7, 26th October 2011

Howzit

So - it would appear that common sense does prevail - even if it was given a serious shove by the original story being published on the internet...

A woman of 88 who has won a three-year reprieve from deportation to Zimbabwe has thanked the Daily Mail for highlighting her case.

Frail widow Lydia Werrett was ordered to leave Britain despite fleeing here to escape death threats from Robert Mugabe’s thugs.

At the same time, as the Mail reported on Saturday, one of Mugabe’s torturers has been allowed to stay here because of fears that it would breach his human rights to deport him.

As usual, there is always a sting in the tail with these stories, with the self-confessed Mugabe henchman being allowed to stay in the UK, even though he worked illegally using forged papers, and openly confesses to beating up people in Mugabe's name.

When they initially denied Werrett's claim, were they even thinking about the henchman's case? How are the two comparable? If the bad apple is allowed to stay, then what possessed then to even think about having Werrett deported?

Machemedze - allowed to stay even
though he broke numerous laws

The whole thing stinks to high heaven, although I am comforted somewhat that the 88-year-old's plight is over, for the next three years at least...

The manner in which the ZRP is mismanaged by pro-Mugabe supporters (including their Police Commissioner-General, Augustine Chihuri), I would not be very surprised if the police forces were denying something that is in force and is regularly used...

South Africa’s priority crimes unit and the police have denied being part of a deadly deal with its Zimbabwean counterparts, which s resulted in the murder of ‘suspects’ sent across the border.

According to a special report by South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, senior officials in the Hawks and the police are conducting illegal ‘renditions’ with Zimbabwean police. A rendition is the illegal kidnapping and transfer of a prisoner from one country to another and, according to the newspaper, Zimbabwean suspects are being arrested in South Africa and then sent across the border illegally and killed

The newspaper reported this weekend that South Africa’s Police Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, is sitting on explosive reports, listing at least three deaths allegedly as the result of a ‘renditions’ operation led by officers reporting to Hawks boss Anwa Dramat and Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros.

The Sunday Times said it has evidence that Zimbabwean Witness Ndeya, who was suspected of shooting a policeman in his country, was “renditioned” by the Hawks and then murdered, apparently by Zimbabwean police. Ndeya was arrested, along with his nephew and two friends, for being "illegal immigrants" last November. In a sworn statement by one of the four, Shepard Tshuma, they were all taken to the Beitbridge border by South African police and handed over to Zimbabwean officials who “told us that we are under arrest for the murder of police officers.”

Tshuma and Ndeya were detained at a Bulawayo police station before the former was released a week later. Tshuma said that a few days later the Zimbabwean police told the family “that Witness Ndeya was killed by other police officers.” Ndeya’s death certificate reportedly confirmed he died at Hippo Valley Farm in Bulawayo, with the cause of death listed as “multiple gunshot wounds.”

Tshuma, along with the other two surviving “renditioned” suspects, are now hiding in South Africa, after allegedly being threatened. The Sunday Times said that it had met the three at a secret location and they all feared being “deported and murdered."

It reads like something out of a gangster film, but I have no doubt that the practise continues...

Why else would they deny the story?

Jonathan Moyo will do and say anything to keep his profile definitively pro-Mugabe. And when he writes for the local pro-Mugabe rag, we can assume, without much problem, that the words he writes are laced with vindictive rhetoric...

The article by Professor Jonathan Moyo last week attacking the book by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai represents unparalleled naivety that does not bode well for one so wont to pretend he has one of the best functioning brains in the country.

The public media have now joined the fray, misrepresenting the contents of the book to the extent of saying Tsvangirai wanted to take up arms to force himself into power after failing to outrightly win the 2008 Presidential election.

For all the brouhaha in the public media, it appears they have missed some of the juicy stuff in the book that Zimbabweans would be interested to know about.

In the legendary silence when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission failed to announce Presidential election results, the Prime Minister says in his book that former State Security minister, Nicholas Goche called Hon Elton Mangoma to tell him that he (Goche) needed to talk about transitional mechanisms now that the MDC had won the election.

"According to Goche, Mugabe had agreed to step down and to ensure transfer of power, there was need for us to take some of their ZANU PF winners into the coalition administration," (pp484).

Now this is the juicy stuff those attacking the book should be putting into the public domain rather than complaining about petty typographical errors.

Moyo willingly and knowingly will twist the truth, tell blatant lies and manufacture stories to get into Mugabe's good graces. But it doesn't take a genius to realise just what sort of repulsive individual he is.

Booted out of ZANU PF for plotting Mugabe's downfall (other have died for less), he managed to get himself elected as the only independent MP in Zimbabwe - and then immediately rushed back into the protective arms of ZANU PF.

And from there he issues threats and allegations, launches civil cases and suffers from verbal diarrhoea... all to protect his own skin.

Mugabe is not best amused when his global travel is affected by visa denials - and he will state, often quite publicly, that the travel sanctions in place against him and his followers are a Western plot to cause the downfall of ZANU PF.

What a load of rubbish!

Just as Mugabe denied entry of a UN torture specialist at the beginning of the year, so other countries have the right to decided who can and cannot enter their territories...

Zimbabwe has launched a protest with the United Nations after the Swiss government refused visas for President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, and five others who were due to accompany him for a summit.

Mugabe and more than 100 members of his ZANU PF party and government are subject of a travel ban to most western countries, but countries hosting UN meetings are obliged to grant them visas.

Switzerland, which only joined the United Nations in 2002 and is notably not a member of the European Union which imposed a travel ban on Mugabe, is hosting the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU) summit this week.

It granted Mugabe and his delegation visas to attend the 2009 summit of the ITU, but this appeared to change this week after Grace Mugabe, Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche, CIO Director General Happyton Bonyongwe, presidential spokesman George Charamba and Mugabe’s aide de camp Senior Assistant Commissioner Martin Kwainona were denied visas.

Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa, a member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T party in the coalition government, was granted a visa along with Mugabe.

Mugabe ordered the cancellation of the trip, and the Foreign Ministry said it had launched protests with the Swiss embassy in Harare and at the United Nations in New York.

Mugabe travels with an almost legendary number of people, many of which are only amongst his lot to shop. Why on earth are all these people required to travel with him? More to the point, why does the UN continually invite him to their congresses, conferences and summits? And then they compound the error by giving him the floor...

Mugabe is set to throw his toys right out of the cot.

Tough!

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 25th October 2011

Howzit

Yesterday I took a few unprintable comments for my mentioning that I grew up in Salisbury in Rhodesia. Apparently I caused offence by mentioning the city and country 'incorrectly'. But when I was growing up, it was Salisbury in Rhodesia. Yes, it is Harare in Zimbabwe now, but I am not about to rewrite history to pacify a few objectors. Sorry.

Almost daily we read some article in the press about white Zimbabweans, and when written about by a ZANU PF ally or sympathiser, these people (possibly including myself) are referred to as 'Rhodesians' or 'Rhodies'... Have these various scribes noticed that Rhodesia ceased to be in late 1979? Where is this Rhodesia that they talk of?

How can we be 'Rhodesians' if there is no such place? (Well, there is a Rhodesia not far from Worksop in the UK.)

In his recent speech addressing an audience in Des Moines, Iowa in the United States MDC-T Treasurer General Roy Bennett spoke about what he terms 'the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe'.

He told the gathering that 'Zimbabwe is not fighting for a return to democracy because the country has never enjoyed or experienced democracy in any real sense'. This is a ridiculous perspective by Roy Bennett who is an icon of the remnants of colonialism in Zimbabwe.

He is unrepentant and mindless over the terror he and his imprudent ancestors caused on Zimbabweans since time immemorial. Bennett should be the last person to preach democracy if ever he is to speak at all.

What form of democracy did the imperialistic white men come to impose on Zimbabwe and Africa during their habitual periods of craziness and madness particularly in the 19th century, when they aggressively and violently expropriated our land, resources, power, comfort, heritage and democracy for over a century?

I have an idea. Institute a referendum in Zimbabwe. Ask the population if they are content to remain as the country is under Mugabe's rule, or, if possible, would they return to the economy and culture during the days of Rhodesia.

The results will speak for themselves.

I am sick and tired of black Zimbabwean politicians painting all and any white politicians in that country as 'racist' or 'attempting to subvert the will of the people'. It is time that the people of Zimbabwe are allowed to speak freely, and the sound of their voices will drown out the rantings of ZANU PF and their spurious associated scribes...

And, as a kicker, the writer says that the lands were 'stolen'. What of the farms that were bought since independence from the Mugabe administration? How were they 'stolen'? Yet they were seized by pro-ZANU PF personages without and thought or subhection...

Oh, and Roy Bennett was never a Selous Scout.

ZANU PF has a bad habit of allying themselves with people of questionable pasts. The multiple rapist, Nzira, was no exception. His early release from jail and then his eagerness to embark upon a pro-ZANU PF trail in the country are just two aspects which should really be seriously considered when someone sits down to write his eulogy.

A ZANU PF loyalist and self styled prophet popularly known as Madzibaba Nzira has died.

Nzira dies at the age of 58 barely a year after he was released from prison by President Mugabe where he was serving his 20 year jail term for multiple rape crimes.

Nzira is survived by three wives, seven children and two grand children. Mourners are gathered at his Johane Masowe Wechishanu, Chitungwiza shrine.

The Vapositori church leader once declared that President Robert Mugabe has been given to Zimbabwe by God and should rule for life.

The leader of the Johane Masowe eChishanu faction was slapped with a 42 year jail term and left with an effective sentence of 32 after the suspension of 10 years on condition of good behavior which was later reduced to 20 years after he appealed against the sentence.

Nzira was released from prison under unclear circumstances before he went on a ZANU PF campaign trail and it was speculated that he had been released in time for the upcoming elections. A family representative who confirmed Nzira’s death reported that he died of Hypertension and a heart ailment.

This sort of thing happens all the time with Mugabe and his apologists. And the death of Nzira will not stop him from doing something similar with convicted criminals again.

Let me get this straight. ZANU PF youth attack him in his vehicle, he reports the event to the police and is arrested for his troubles?

Mkoba MDC-T House of Assembly member Amos Chibaya is back again in filthy police cells. This follows his arrest in the process of reporting a violence case in which his vehicle was extensively damaged by ZANU PF youths.

Chibaya together with Midlands South MDC-T Treasurer, Livingstone Chiminya, were locked up by the notorious Law and Order cops on Sunday upon arrival at Gweru police station where they had gone to make the report.

The Zimbabwean gathered that on Sartuday Chibaya addressed a Peace Rally in Mberengwa. Soon after the event, his driver picked up some supporters on the way back to Gweru while Chibaya followed in another vehicle.

When the driver arrived at a shopping center at Guinea Fowl about 10km from Gweru, they stopped to have some refreshments. Rowdy ZANU PF youths who were listening to Mbare Chimurenga’s song Nyatsoteerera at the shops, became violent at the group and later stoned the vehicle.

So - in Zimbabwe it is a crime to report pro-ZANU PF youths for committing a crime?

And have no misconceptions. Police cells in Zimbabwe are not clean, are not cleaned or freshened up. These are the worst placed in the world to get locked up - ask Roy Bennett.

Nothing has changed in Zimbabwe...

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has reiterated that his party is ready to govern when it wins the forthcoming presidential and general elections without shedding blood and firing a bullet. Addressing thousands of villagers in Nkayi’s Ziminya Business Centre in Matabeleland North Province yesterday, Tsvangirai said the fact that his party brought some modicum of stability in the socio-economic sectors meant that they were ready.

“When I look back at the years in which this party has been in existence, I realise we have managed to bring about change in this country without firing a bullet,” Tsvangirai said.

“I am confident that we are going to indeed complete this change without firing a bullet. We are ready to govern this country. This can be achieved because SADC has ensured that systems that would give birth to a free and fair election are indeed put in place.

“I believe that once those systems are in place, you cannot fail to choose your leader and governing party between that old man (President Robert Mugabe) and a younger candidate, your son-in-law, myself,” said Tsvangirai to a loud round of applause from his party’s supporters.

Mugabe will obviously disagree...

So there are political changes going on in North Africa, but these are unlikely to change Mugabe's intention on ruling - no matter what...

The jacaranda trees are blooming in Harare, draping its broad avenues with canopies of purple and green. The shops are bustling, hotels and restaurants are often full, children are at school, young couples are walking in the park. No sign of a revolution here.

Coming to Zimbabwe after two spells in Libya this year, I felt like they were not merely the length of a continent apart, but on different planets. While north Africa has been convulsed by revolution, life in Zimbabwe in 2011 has continued to flow in a comparatively gentle, uneventful way.

President Robert Mugabe, immovable for three decades, has little cause to be kept awake at night by last week's chilling images of a bloody, battered and bewildered Muammar Gaddafi pleading for his life. Could it happen here? Not likely.

I wondered why not. After all, Zimbabweans (led by Mugabe among others) rose up a generation ago to overthrow Rhodesia's white minority regime.

"Fear," explained one former minister in Mugabe's government. Past public marches have been brutally crushed. Earlier this year 46 activists here were arrested and charged with treason for merely watching a video of the uprising in Egypt.

Okay Machisa, director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association, told me: "The Arab spring did not go down well with the Mugabe regime. Jailing those activists was a way of saying we don't want people to go on the streets and demonstrate."

Mugabe is not going to go quietly and he has his security forces on high alert, Any suggestion of a popular uprising will be nipped in the bud very early - and one thing we are all painfully aware of, is that Mugabe is not afraid to spill blood to remain at the helm.

Take care.

'debvhu

Monday, 24th October 2011

Howzit

It has been deathly cold in Derby for the past week, but that has not stopped some people from letting off fireworks early. Each evening is punctuated with the fizz and bang of fireworks. Having grown up in Salisbury in Rhodesia, I have not yet accustomed myself to the 'freedom of explosion' - I actually hate it!

I do not look forward to the next couple of weeks - and there are those that will keep the lighting of fuses going right through until the New Year.

Recession? Piffle! People obviously have money to burn - literally!

The more eagle=eyed reader will note my change of headline in the header above. Gaddafi is dead - and Mugabe objects to the manner of his death...

Gaddafi remains a hero in the eyes of President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party.

“This is a sad day for the people of Africa. This is the beginning of a new recolonization of Africa,” said retired Major Cairo Mhandu, a ZANU PF member of parliament.

“Through the forces of NATO and the West, we have lost one of our brothers,” said Mandhu to GlobalPost. “Muammar Gaddafi won elections and was a true leader. It is foreigners who toppled him, not Libyans. Gaddafi died fighting. He is a true African hero.”

Mugabe does make the strangest of statements. Lybians didn't want Gaddafi (after 42 years of dictatorship), so they dealt with it.

And move on...

I am fast beginning to believe that the word 'justice' no longer exists in the ZANU PF dictionary.

Police here arrested MDC-T vice District Youth Chairperson, Charles Ngwena, activists Brian ‘Gwekwerere’ Phiri and Shawn Chinhai last Tuesday for allegedly burning a ZANU PF banner bearing Mugabe’s picture.

According to the police, the three pulled down the banner which was hoisted by ZANU PF youths at Dombotombo Shopping Centre Sunday, moments before MDC-T President, Morgan Tsvangirai, addressed a rally at Rudhaka Stadium. The charges are denied by the accused.

“I am sure police investigations are in progress,” said MDC-T vice provincial organiser, Boniface Tagwireyi.

Police was also reported to be keen to arrest and investigate MDC-T Marondera Central District Main Vice Chairperson and councillor ward 4, Caleb Marange, in connection with the ‘torched’ Mugabe banner. Marange was out of town on council business.

Residents and MDC supporters said they were puzzled by what appeared like police continued selective application of justice.

How is it that the police are targeting someone who wasn't even there? Sounds very familiar with the numerous arrests of people in connection with the death of a policeman in Glen View a couple of months ago.

How is it that political preferences are put before family responsibilities?

President Robert Mugabe's nephew, Patrick Zhuwao, has been condemned by angry relatives after failing to show up at the funeral of a close relative because she belonged to the MDC, it has emerged.

Zhuwao's aunt, Otillia Nyaude, a staunch MDC-T supporter in Musana communal lands in Mashonaland Central Province, succumbed to injuries sustained from a ZANU PF attack in 2008. She died in August this year and was buried on September 1.

Nyaude was originally from Zvimba but was married in Musana. Bindura South MDC-T MP, Bednock Nyaude officiated at the funeral and confirmed the development. He said relatives were shocked to hear that Zhuwao had snubbed the funeral because his aunt supported Mugabe's nemesis, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC-T.

And how is it acceptable that the aunt died from injuries sustained in a ZANU PF attack?

I am sure that I did read reports that the BMW in question has been cannibalised for spares... If that is the case, then the ZRP will have some embarrassing questions to answer - but in typical ZANU PF manner, these will remain unanswered.

The deputy chairman of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC, Senator Morgan Komichi, has called on the police to return the party's BMW X5 and two other vehicles impounded at the height of campaigning in 2008.

Komichi, who was facing charges of accusing the commander of Matabeleland North provincial police of abusing three MDC vehicles, was removed from remand on September 26. The State was accusing the Senator of communicating falsehoods and undermining the police by accusing them of confiscating three MDC vehicles in 2008 from Tsvangirai. Komichi made the remarks at an MDC rally at Negasha in Lupane, Matebeleland North province.

In the run-up to the sham June 2008 presidential run-off elections, the police impounded Tsvangirai’s armoured BMW X5 campaign vehicle and two others belonging to the Matabeleland North province and the Youth Assembly.

The BMW X5, which was part of Tsvangirai’s security motorcade, was impounded by police and members of the Central intelligence Organisation on June 6, 2008.

"We have been cleared and we hope the police return our cars," Komichi said.

I somehow doubt it.

Amazing (Dis)Grace has risen into the headlines yet again...

Anxiety has gripped residents of Mazowe Valley in Mazowe after they were last week ordered to vacate their houses with immediate effect by the First Lady Grace Mugabe to make way for the expansion of an orphanage she is building in the area.

Officials from Mazowe Rural District Council told the 62 households that they were supposed to have moved on October 1 as the First Lady wanted to build a school on the land they are occupying.

What worries the residents is that the area they are supposed to relocate to has not been serviced.

The area has no roads, no toilets or running water, a recipe for an outbreak of diseases during this rainy season.

Even if the roads were to be opened up they would not be passable because the soils are “heavy” and become muddy when it rains, complained the residents.

Authoritative sources said the First Lady had initially promised to compensate the residents but she has since shifted goal posts ordering Mazowe Council to do it.

The council, said the sources, has no money and has pledged to compensate the evictees by giving them more land.

The words 'Mugabe' and 'compensation' obviously don't roll off the tongue together very easily.

Why am I not surprised? In Zimbabwe, if anyone called 'Mugabe' issues an order, it is attended to in double-quick time, regardless of the damage that it causes, regardless of the unhappiness it causes.

Unreal...

Take care.

'debvhu

Friday, 21st October 2011

Howzit

I see that a friend who runs African Crisis in South Africa has met with Job Sikhala, leader of the MDC99 political party. Let me say from the outset that I do not like small break-away parties as this tends to dilute the voter base against Mugabe and just makes it easier for him to win.

Sikhala is ex-ZANU PF stock (as with very many break-away politicians in Zimbabwe) but when it comes to MDC99, they do not seem to offer anything new to the potential voter and, in my mind at least, are looking to feather their own nest in a future Zimbabwe...

There are a number of of articles that have been posted on African Crisis that may warrant reading.

I, personally, do not expect any new deals or any changes to the structure of politics in Zimbabwe as a direct result of the advent of MDC99.

Robert Mugabe's comeback from the 2008 election loss... How Mugabe will beat the MDC in the next election...

The Letter they don't want you to see: MDC99: Job Sikhala's letter to Jacob Zuma: Total failure of 2008 Govt of National Unity

The Letter they don't want you to see: Job Sikhala's letter to Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube re: Total failure of 2008 Govt of National Unity

It will always happen, when there is more than one person looking at a situation on the ground that there will be a general difference of opinion, but just as the Ncube-led smaller faction of the mainline MDC does not make very much difference to politics in Zimbabwe, neither will MDC99.

The only way to rid Zimbabwe of Mugabe and ZANU PF is to pool all resources and stand together to oust him and his unruly and destructive party.

This is an obscure request. Coming at this time, I am not sure that Mugabe will offer too much with regards to any investigation. Indeed, he doesn't even seem to have a handle on the investigation into the fire that killed his former military supremo, Solomon Mujuru.

Grace Machel has asked President Mugabe to assist in investigating what really caused the death of her former husband Mozambique's founding President Samora Moises Machel.

Cde Machel died in a mysterious plane crash along the border of Mozambique and South Africa on October 19, 1986.

For many years, Mugabe and Machel were close allies and friends. The main road through Harare was called Samora Machel Avenue in honour of that friendship.

But I rather think that Mugabe has other things on his mind right now.

I took a long hard look at a situation here in the United Kingdom yesterday. On one hand we have the former CIO man, who admits to breaking someone's jaw and extracting their teeth with a pair of pliers, somehow got into the UK, used forged documents, was allowed to work in the care sector and he has HIV+ - and when taken to court is given community service... He is not going to be deported, imprisoned, fined or really punished.

Then we learned yesterday of an 88-year-old lady who is to be deported to Zimbabwe. She lost her farm in the landgrab and will probably not survive the flight home.

Now where is the 'justice' in the parity of these two cases?

I am disgusted...

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 20th October 2011

Howzit

So Mugabe's crowd wanted to amend the constitution in 2005 so that only those with university degrees could stand for President. Where would that leave the normal person who either did not have the required funding, or never had the opportunity to go to university (i.e. they had been fighting in Mugabe's bush war)?

This was clearly an attempt to ensure that Mugabe would win through no matter what the odds.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says he was horrified by 2005 proposals discussed between ZANU PF and MDC MPs to push through constitutional amendments requiring presidential candidates to have university degrees.

The modestly-educated MDC leader fears that the plan was designed to exclude him from running for President.

In a new book, ‘At the Deep End’, Tsvangirai points an accusing finger at Welshman Ncube, who was the party’s secretary general at the time.

He writes: “In June 2005... as ZANU PF factions jostled for turf and supremacy, they kept reaching out to Ncube, our weak provinces and some of our members of parliament.

“Other events inside ZANU PF, emanating from parliament, concerned me. For instance, when Joice Mujuru became vice-president, the Women’s University conferred a degree on her in some dubious discipline, claiming she had done a course on a part-time basis and qualified. There was a clear reason for this.

“Soon enough, I was informed of attempts to push through a constitutional amendment requiring any future presidential aspirant to have earned an academic university degree, not merely to be in possession of an honorary one. At the time of Mujuru’s controversial selection, Mugabe had hinted that for her political advancement the sky was now the limit.”

It is apparent, as these stories come out, that Mugabe was as conniving then as he is today.

I am sad that only 4000 people attended this rally. This is not because support for the MDC is flagging, but because the threats and intimidation from ZANU PF is a very real thing.

President Robert Mugabe should retire from politics and go home to rest, MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai told an estimated 4 000 party supporters at Rudhaka Stadium on Sunday.

Tsvangirai, who visited developmental projects in the district before addressing a provincial MDC People’s Real Change Peace Rally, said: “In the interest of his legacy and family, Mugabe would be best advised to gracefully retire from his failed political career. However, if he wishes to suffer yet another humiliating crushing defeat at the coming elections, let him do so. Mugabe no longer had the capacity to focus into the future. He has no vision,” the Prime Minister said.

Tsvangirai swore never to involve MDC in any coalition government again as ZANU PF was an insincere partner beyond reform.

How do you tell a dictator that it is time to go? In a long distance telephone call!

Senior ZANU PF officials say President Robert Mugabe was a bad choice for the forthcoming poll, but there was no one who could muster enough courage to tell him to step down.

"There is simply no one to tell him that," said a senior ZANU PF central committee member, summing up the mood in the party over Mugabe's decision to seek re-election.

Senior ZANU PF officials and party stalwarts who spoke to this reporter were clearly worried about Mugabe's gamble.

Speaking strictly on condition of anonymity, they were under no illusions that Mugabe needed “nothing short of a miracle” to shrug off a fierce challenge from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC.

And this is just plain ridiculous...

An elderly woman facing deportation back to Zimbabwe could die if she is forced to leave the UK, say her family.

Lydia Werrit, 88, went to Hythe, Kent, to live with her daughter and son-in-law eight years ago after her farm was seized by supporters of Robert Mugabe.

She has received a letter from the UK Border Agency saying she has no basis to remain in the UK and must leave immediately or face removal with force.

Her daughter said she feared her mother would not survive the flight back.

Sophie Laubscher said if she did, she would be questioned by the Mugabe regime as to why she had been out of the country for so long and what she had been doing.

To be forced to return to Mugabe's Zimbabwean dustbin at the age of 88? Where is the compassion? Where is the logic?

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesday, 19th October 2011

Howzit

I am deeply saddened by this statement by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The colour of a person's skin should never be a reason for inclusion or exclusion from local government in any country. But, because of the historical nature of Zimbabwe, many whites decided to take an altogether disconnected stance after the end of the Rhodesian war.

As a result, Mugabe was able to do whatever he wanted, and the country began its long decline.

The MDC should not be adding to that hardship by pointing fingers at the whites.

A perception that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was a creation of disaffected white Zimbabweans “delayed the party’s growth” and alienated it “within peer groups in Africa", Morgan Tsvangirai says in a new book.

Tsvangirai blames the “exaggerated transparency” of his white supporters for aiding ZANU PF “propaganda” projecting the party as a front for powerful white interests.

Following the party’s formation in 1999, Tsvangirai says “many whites, especially in rural Mashonaland, began to enquire about the role they could play in the new movement”.

But instead of joining the party and being visible, most whites established “their own structures, in the form of support groups”.

“Generally, I have had an interesting relationship with white Zimbabweans,” Tsvangirai says in ‘At the Deep End’. “The few whites in the MDC exhibited both their strengths and their own idiosyncrasies. Our cultures are different – and that resulted in friction over policies, organisational styles and mass mobilisation activities.”

Does Tsvangirai now feel that whites have no place in politics in Zimbabwe? if that is the case, then all that the MDC stands for becomes a lie.

I am not sure that I will be buying a copy of Tsvangirai's book.

Tsvangirai's election campaign will have to be two-pronged. Firstly, they have to establish a voter base against ZANU PF, and then they also have the stave off the perceived threat by the smaller MDC faction which would dilute the voter base - and a split vote will result in a ZANU PF majority - again..

Abednico Bhebhe who was fired from the Movement for Democratic Change formation now led by Professor Welshman Ncube for indiscipline, will on Sunday have a campaign rally in Nkayi South constituency which will be addressed by Prime Minister Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, we exclusively reveal.

Bhebhe now belongs to the other MDC formation led by Prime Minister Mr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and has been made the Deputy Secretary for Organizing at national level.

According to a highly placed source in the Bulawayo Province, another rally is scheduled for Nkayi North where Sengezo Tshabangu wants to stand in the next elections.

"Bhebhe and Sengezo will start their campaign on Saturday. Sengezo’s rally is on Saturday whereas Bhebhe’s rally is on Sunday," said the source.

The source added that the "star rallies" have deliberately not been advertised, for security reasons.

How sad is it that the rallies cannot be advertised because ZANU PF will seek to break up any gathering - often with deadly force - and the pro-Mugabe ZRP will do precisely nothing to stop it?

The question of whether to give prisoners condoms is a Catch-22 situation...

Without condoms, the threat of HIV/AIDS rears its ugly head, but issuing condoms means that the government accepts homosexuality in the prisons, which is illegal in Zimbabwe...

Prisoners in Zimbabwe are being denied condoms despite high rates of HIV - because homosexuality is illegal.

The Prison Service said last week that condoms could “encourage” illegal gay sex among the 13,000-strong prison population.

HIV activists, who called the decision “tragic”, have been urging the Prison Service to do more to tackle the disease.

Prison Service deputy commissioner Agrey Huggins Machingauta told a parliamentary committee that while officials are aware that sexual activity happens, “corrective action” can be taken.

“On the issue of condoms, we cannot issue them out to inmates until this House passes legislation to legalise homosexuality in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mugabe has stated publicly that homosexual behaviour is lower than the actions of pigs and dogs.

Mugabe often uses the youth in Zimbabwe to do his dirty work. Fuelled by booze and drugs, they are fired up by political rhetoric and set on the MDC and any other person that gets in the way. Very few of their actions are punished.

Now it is the view of the MDC that they should target the same youth to win them over, and hat way gain their votes in elections.

The MDC-T will run a massive campaign to encourage young voters to register for the next crucial elections, now expected in the last quarter of 2012.

Promise Mkwananzi, the firebrand secretary-general of the Youth Assembly, told SW Radio Africa on Tuesday that they’ve put in place a versatile and robust voter registration campaign targeting three million new voters.

‘If you look at world events, starting with the election of Barack Obama, young voters have been on the forefront for change. Only recently in Zambia young voters played a role and got the change they wanted, so I don’t see why that cannot work in Zimbabwe,’ Mkwananzi said.

Time will obviously prove this move right or wrong.

By making this statement, Nkala makes himself a visual and legitimate target for Mugabe's ZANU PF. I wonder if one of ZANU PF's 'accidents' await him?

Veteran Zimbabwean politician and ZANU PF founding member Enos Nkala has urged the party to drop President Robert Mugabe as its 2012 presidential candidate when it meets later this year for an annual conference, saying his former colleague is too old to keep up with the demands of the nation’s highest office.

Nkala said ZANU PF as a party also stands to lose if it keep President Mugabe as its candidate for the next elections – generally expected some time in 2012.

Nkala, in whose Highfield, Harare, home ZANU PF was formed in 1963, says he’s not happy with the direction the party has taken, accusing “cowboys, power seekers and fly-by-night politicians” of hijacking it in pursuit of personal glory and gain.

"I'm not happy at all with the way the party has been going but I make positive contributions by speaking to a lot of senior ZANU PF politicians and telling them that it is time that it is time for them to let Robert Mugabe rest," Nkala said.

Again, only time will prove us right or wrong, although Mugabe is determined to stay, no matter whether he is wanted by the party or not.

Take care.

'debvhu

Tuesday, 18th October 2011

Howzit

Mugabe is a very difficult character to read. Some days he acts and thinks like a sane human being, whilst other days, his decisions and comments are warped and without any logical foundation.

To the North of Zimbabwe the Vice President in Guy Scott, a white man... and Mugabe has taken some time to explain his own party's thoughts about whites in government, but makes no promises or undertakings...

President Robert Mugabe has commended Zambians on their just-ended elections saying peaceful power transfers opposed to the western bombardment as witnessed in Libya was the only way to build peace in Africa.

He congratulated Dr Guy Scott on his ascension to the office of vice president of Zambia saying there was nothing odd in the development.

The President told delegates in Malawi as he addressed the COMESA Summit plenary Friday that at Independence in 1980, Zimbabwe had five whites in Cabinet four from the Rhodesian Front of Ian Smith and an independent, the then agriculture minister Dennis Norman.

We have had demonstrations of peaceful elections, the most recent one being in Zambia, that is the only way you can build peace, and that is the way to go, the President said as he decried the NATO bombardment in Libya that has claimed thousands of innocent lives.

In other words, unless you have Mugabe's absolute seal of approval, you can field as many players as you like because he will just change the rules accordingly.

Over the last few months, there have been numerous reports of males being raped by women.

It looks like the ZRP have actually done something about it...

Three Zimbabwean women have been accused of a series of sex attacks on male hitchhikers, purportedly to steal their semen for use in ritual practices.

In a case that has gripped media and public imagination, the gang appeared in court to face charges of aggravated indecent assault.

Sophie and Netsai Nhokwara, sisters aged 26 and 24, along with 28-year-old Rosemary Chakwizira, are the first suspects to be arrest since accounts of women gang-raping men in Zimbabwe emerged two years ago. They were charged along with Thulani Ngwenya, 24, who is Sophie Nhokwara's boyfriend.

The gang's alleged 17 victims identified so far include a soldier and a police officer whom they allegedly forced to have sex without condoms, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported.

Mugabe has made his thoughts clear on sexual deviance - so it will be very interesting to see what the court decides.

What else do we expect from ZANU PF and their unruly youth?

A group of ZANU PF youths on Monday disrupted a public hearing into the Electoral Amendment Bill which was being conducted at Nehanda Hall in Marondera. The incident came hot on the heels of a flopped attempt in the same town to disrupt a weekend MDC rally addressed by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Speaking to SW Radio Africa Makoni South MP Pishai Mucharauya, who is part of the parliamentary committee conducting the hearings, said: “A few minutes into the debate, ZANU PF thugs started to chant some slogans and prevented those who were perceived to be MDC from contributing to the debate on the bill.”

This is clearly unacceptable behaviour, but because they are ZANU PF, it is allowed to continue unabated...

And you cannot tell me that this was the action of a gang of robbers - it had to be politically motivated...

Mutare mayor Brian James reportedly lost two laptops, cellphones, cameras and cash to armed robbers who allegedly stormed his home over the weekend.

James, who doubles up as MDC-T treasurer for Manicaland, said he sustained a minor head injury during the attack which occurred on Saturday night.

Although James claimed yesterday he had reported the incident to the police, the latter said they were yet to receive the report. James’s wife, Lynee, said two unidentified armed robbers stormed their bedroom with their faces covered with balaclavas and demanded access to the couple’s safe.

“While we were sleeping at around 9pm we were surprised to see two armed men with a small torch in our room. They had their faces covered with hoods,” she said.

“They asked the mayor where he works. He told them that he was the mayor of Mutare and the armed men accused him of supporting a sell out. They then demanded cash and keys to the safe box. They also demanded diamonds. The mayor became cross and inquired what they wanted. That is when he was hit on the head with the butt of a pistol. They proceeded to tie us and ordered us to lie on our backs,” said the mayoress.

The police claim not to have received a report? What a load of hogwash!

On the Mujuru death, police are refusing to give a public update... Mmmmmm...

Co-Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone said police are refusing to give her an update regarding investigations on the death of Retired General Solomon Mujuru, despite being a Minister responsible for police. Speaking to Radio VOP in Bulawayo on Monday, Makone said she doesn’t even know what is happening, as she has not been given any single update by police since Mujuru's death.

“I have not been told anything about this issue, I am being sidelined, I don’t even know at what stage police have reached with the investigations. So I think the only option left for me is to ask Vice President (Joyce) Mujuru about this issue, to find whether she has received any results of probe from the police or not,” said Makone who is also chairperson of the Women Assembly in the MDC-T.

Mujuru died in mysterious circumstances at his Beatrice farm in August, and it is not yet known whether he died before an inferno at his house or was killed by the fire.

Take care.

'debvhu

Monday, 17th October 2011

Howzit

Please forgive the lateness of today's posting. I had a few domestic errands to do and then completed the latest study module as well. Now, believe it or not, I cannot get them to answer their phones so that I can ask for the next module. (I suppose it is just good luck that I will be tied up tomorrow and don't need the module until Wednesday - assuming that it is there for me by then!

Unable to sustain a decent lifestyle in Zimbabwe, these people have illegally crossed into South Africa in desperation. The laws of South Africa and Zimbabwe will deal them lusty financial blows, and they will be worse off than when they started...

South Africa yesterday deported 261 Zimbabweans who were living in that country illegally while 300 more such immigrants are expected to arrive at Beitbridge Border Post today.

This follows the expiry of the July 31 deadline for them to regularise their papers. The first batch of 261 Zimbabweans arrived here around midday yesterday in a convoy of four buses under heavy security.

The deportees underwent rigorous screening at Lindelani Holding Centre in Johannesburg.

Over 275000 applications for Zimbabweans wishing to regularise their stay in South Africa were processed while several others were turned down.

Some people are still waiting to have their permits processed.

South African Home Affairs officials accompanying the deportees said they will be deporting Zimbabweans two times per week - on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"We are only deporting undocumented immigrants and those who are intercepted while trying to skip the border through illegal entry points."

I would think that the Zimbabwean authorities - including Mugabe's secret police - will be wanting to have a 'qiet chat' with the deportees...

Firebrand MDC-T councillor, Queenly Chitopo, was kicked out of her residence on Wednesday after her former employer obtained a High Court writ of eviction against her.

Chitopo confirmed her ejection from her 5 Eastland Crescent residence in Newtown suburb by Zimpost.

Zimpost, through their lawyers Dube, Manikai and Hwacha, obtained a writ of ejectment against Chitopo and all persons claiming occupation through her at the property.

Part of the writ reads:“The respondent be and is hereby ordered to vacate plaintiff’s premises within 14 days from the date of service of this order on her failing which the Deputy Sheriff be and is hereby directed and authorised to evict the respondent from plaintiff’s premises.”

Acting on the court order, the Deputy Sheriff and Messenger of Court for Kwekwe, Energy Pedzera, teamed up with the police and kicked out the councillor.

This is an interesting article, insofar as it finally puts in the public eye the long-believed idea that Grace wields immense power behind Mugabe's throne...

First Lady Grace Mugabe should not be underrated because she wields so much power and influence over President Robert Mugabe.

The First Lady acts as President Mugabe’s gatekeeper and often controls people that see him and what information gets to him. The First Lady also played a crucial behind the scene role during the power-sharing negotiations after the disputed presidential run-off poll in June 2008.

This information is contained in United States diplomatic cables intercepted and leaked by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks.

One cable quotes then US ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray saying the First Lady wielded immense influence over the former guerilla leader, who has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly 32 years.

Ray made the assessment after a meeting with Norwegian ambassador to Zimbabwe Gunnar Foreland, an experienced Africa hand, who provided his insights on Zimbabwe.

Take care.

'debvhu

Friday, 14th October 2011

Howzit

As is my norm, I am up early to study - only to find that I am unable to sign-in as the relevant page seems to have disappeared! Unfortunately the staff don't start much before ten o'clock so I will only be able to query it then.

So I could have slept in this morning...

There are Zimbabwean people in the United Kingdom that have a genuine reason to be here, but have been denied asylum - and yet this man is allowed to stay, worked illegally and was given community service and still permitted to stay...!

Why don't we just throw the rule book away and allow whoever wants to come here to do exactly that? Why is the United Kingdom giving shelter to one of Mugabe's thugs? Mugabe says that those who are of foreign extraction should leave - in our case, we did.

But now we've got to share the island with someone who beat people in the Zimbabwean political violence?

A thug who carried out horrifying acts of torture for Robert Mugabe escaped jail yesterday - despite earning £151,000 while working illegally in Britain.

Phillip Machemedze, 47, was able to work here for seven years as a carer for those with learning disabilities and on a unit dealing with drug and alcohol addicts.

He was able to secure the jobs by showing a letter from the Home Office, a National Insurance number and birth and marriage certificates. These documents were not checked properly in a series of failures.

There was outrage earlier this year when he was allowed to stay in Britain to protect his human rights.

Yesterday he admitted breaking immigration rules - but was told he will not be jailed if he volunteers for just half a day a week for the next six months.

Machemedze - who is now jobless and trying to claim benefits - admitted two charges of obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception.

Basically he broke the law in Zimbabwe, broke the law here - and now is to be allowed to remain here and even claim benefits! What justice has been achieved?

Another point - isn't he HIV+? How was it that he was somehow allowed to work in the care of others whilst suffering from this disease? Is he not obliged - by law - to reveal his status? Or has he just ignored yet another law in this country?

People are beaten for wearing MDC t-shirts - and now, it would appear, for wearing Barack Obama t-shirts!

So now, if someone is wearing a shirt that one of Mugabe's youth/soldiers/war veterans/police don't like, they will be beaten?

A 32-year-old popular MDC-T official in Rusape, Manicaland province, is now recovering at home after he was badly beaten by soldiers for wearing a Barack Obama t-shirt.

Teddy Chipere, the MDC-T provincial secretary for Mines and Natural Resources, was at his carpentry workshop in Vhengere on Thursday when a soldier drove up in an army truck with the intention of buying furniture.

‘He enquired about the prices and I told him. He then noticed the Obama t-shirt and asked why I was wearing it instead of Robert Mugabe’s.

‘I respectfully and in an honest manner told him I do not support Mugabe or ZANU PF and I was under no obligation to wear a t-shirt bearing his face. The soldier angrily shot off a few expletives, jumped into his truck and drove off and I thought that was the end of the story,’ Chipere said.

But less than 15 minutes later, at around 11am, the army truck returned with a group of 12 armed soldiers from the Rusape based 3.2 infantry battalion.

This battalion is under the command of Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who famously declared a few months ago that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai would not rule Zimbabwe.

Without asking questions the soldiers, in full view of Chipere’s colleagues, bundled him into their truck and drove off.

‘I was taken to a farm called TikiTiki just outside Rusape. There at a secluded place, I was pinned to the ground and lectured about the dangers of supporting the MDC-T. Meanwhile, other soldiers were tearing off branches from nearby trees.’

Whilst pinned down, face to the ground, the soldiers severely beat him, leaving his buttocks with deep bruises. They also kicked and punched him repeatedly over a period of 30 minutes. During the beating, one of the soldiers grabbed his buttocks while brandishing a long tree branch and threatened to sodomize him while others subjected him to a mock execution.

The beatings in Zimbabwe continue unabated...

Another foreign company in Zimbabwe being told they have nothing to fear - and I can almost guarantee that the company will be taken over by force.

The government does not intend to take over the Zimbabwe operations of Implats, President Robert Mugabe said on Thursday, adding that he wanted the company to build a refinery in the country.

“Mr Brown, go and tell your shareholders that we don’t intend to take over (Zimplats). We don’t want to steal or rob that which does not belong to us, but we don’t want to be robbed as well,” Mugabe said to Implats CEO David Brown.

Local communities are to acquire a 10% stake in Implats’ Zimbabwe unit Zimplats under an empowerment deal, Brown said on Wednesday.

Impala Platinum, the world’s second-largest producer of the precious metal, said in September a Zimbabwe government threat to remove Zimplats licence had “fallen away” after an agreement on a revised plan to comply with a law requiring foreign mining firms to turn over a 51% stake to local blacks.

Speaking at the official launch of the Zimbabwe Community Trust set up as part of the compliance measures, Brown said Impala Platinum planned a third phase of its expansion programme at Zimplats from 2014 which would raise output to 360000 ounces per annum.

Since Zimplats would not be able to declare a dividend until its $500m expansion project was concluded, “the Zimplats board has agreed to fund the operations of the Trust to the tune of $10mn over a three-year period”, Brown said.

I am totally astounded... Mugabe says "We don’t want to steal or rob that which does not belong to us, but we don’t want to be robbed as well." But he and his various wings have invaded and taken over the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe - some by deadly force - and somehow he expects us to accept that as 'normal'...

I now begin to question Mugabe's logic which only seems to look in favour of ZANU PF.

So ZANU PF would collapse without Mugabe? Bring it on, I say...

ZANU PF senior politburo member and chief negotiator in talks with the MDC movements, Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, says his party cannot afford to substitute President Robert Mugabe in the next crucial elections, as pressure mounts for the veteran ruler to quit in December. Chinamasa’s remarks in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was attending the United Nations Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review, are likely to fuel controversy within ZANU PF, already rocked by divisions over the issue.

In a cautionary move, Chinamasa, who was part of the Emmerson Mnangagwa-led faction which tried to stage a palace coup in ZANU PF before its 2004 congress, said ZANU PF could ill-afford to replace Mugabe now. He likened attempts to replace Mugabe to efforts to change a ship’s captain in the middle of a storm.

A 'palace' coup? Mugabe lives in a huge mansion in Borrowdale whilst not very far away Zimbabweans are left to attempt to live in holes in the ground - and Mugabe expects their votes in the next election... he is, however, their 'liberator'.

And if they don't give their votes to him, he will take them, and those of their unborn children, their deceased parents and a whole raft of invented people.

Mugabe is the life blood in ZANU PF - but ZANU PF is not the life blood of Zimbabwe.

Take care.

'debvhu

Thursday, 13th October 2011

Howzit

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has asked Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to intervene to stop attacks on Anglicans by allies of an excommunicated bishop who has seized church property and intimidated clergy and worshippers.

The leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion on Monday (Oct. 10) handed Mugabe a dossier with descriptions of attacks on parishioners and priests by supporters of excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, who left the Anglican Church in 2007, seized church property and locked out Anglicans from their church buildings.

I managed to find a copy of the dossier handed to Mugabe by the Archbishop of Canterbury on his visit to Zimbabwe... I have made the same available for download from here...

It makes for some very interesting reading.

In typical Mugabe fashion, the complaints put of the table by the Archbishop were sidestepped and dismissed. What else did we expect for the man who believes that it is his divine right to rule Zimbabwe?

President Robert Mugabe entertained the head of the worldwide Anglican Church on Monday to a very English cream tea at State House on Monday.

The Most Rev. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by fellow Archbishops of Central Africa, Southern Africa and Tanzania, appealed to Mugabe to help put an end to the relentless abuse the church had endured at the hands of excommunicated bishop Nolbert Kunonga.

But the president told them he could not intervene because the church had taken the dispute to court.

The archbishops gave him a dossier chronicling the seizure of church property and harassment of its followers by Kunonga supporters. A recalcitrant Kunonga, who staged a demonstration against Williams, sounded a defiant tone and said the crackdown was not over.

"Gandiya is a silly man himself for inviting a homosexual to this country,” said Kunonga. But Williams' dossier rejected the “misrepresentation of our church” as not holding to the Church’s traditional teaching on marriage. “This is wholly untrue," it said.

"Details of this litany of abuses, which include false imprisonment, violence, denial of access to churches, schools, clinics and mission stations, are outlined below. In the dioceses of Harare and Manicaland properties belonging to the Province have been misappropriated. It is a matter of the greatest sadness that we are being prevented from continuing our work to support local and often very needy communities with healthcare and education."

You would have thought that the MDC had enough on their plates with Mugabe and ZANU PF without having to fight amongst themselves.

MDC organising secretary Nelson Chamisa was thrown out of a heated National Executive meeting at Harvest House Wednesday, after a stand-off with Senator Morgan Femai.

MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai threw Chamisa out of the meeting after a heated argument over the Wikileaks cables. Femai had reportedly confronted Chamisa over the disclosures in the US embassy cables that quoted the former MDC spokesman telling American diplomats that Tsvangirai was a weak, indecisive and inconsistent leader.

A furious Chamisa was said to have torn into Femai in the meeting, with the Senator threatening to manhandle the youthful minister.

Sources said Tsvangirai intervened and chucked both of them out.

"I will not countenance this," Tsvangirai bellowed, before kicking both of them out of the meeting, according to a source who attended the meeting.

The meeting proceeded where a set of resolutions were passed, including a key decision to reject the Human Rights Commission Bill and the Electoral Amendment Bill - both of them drafted by ZANU PF's Patrick Chinamasa and expected to be brought to Parliament next week.

Gee, what fun and games - and this sort of thing will only bolster Mugabe and his top dogs...

12th October is not a good day in the MDC diary. On that same day in 2005 the formerly united MDC party split into two factions over a dispute on whether to participate in Senate elections. On Wednesday a national executive meeting of the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai degenerated into near fistfights as officials debated various thorny issues, including leaked US diplomatic cables.

SW Radio Africa is reliably informed that National Organising Secretary Nelson Chamisa and former Harare Province chairperson Morgan Femai had to be separated, following a heated debate on the WikiLeaks saga. Leaked diplomatic cables claimed Chamisa told US Ambassador Charles Ray that Tsvangirai “is weak and has failed to play a co-ordinating role for Government ministries”.

With the National Executive debating this and other issues, Femai is alleged to have called Chamisa a ‘sell out’, to which the former student leader took great exception. Femai and former youth chair Thamsanqa Mahlangu then tried to block former student leader Charlton Hwende from contributing to the debate. Both derided Hwende as a ‘new comer’ and this also did not go down well with Chamisa.

The debate degenerated further after Femai threatened to get Chamisa ‘struck down by lightning’. Chamisa objected to the language arguing it was an ‘archaic’ way of conducting debate. He also told Femai he was a ‘child of God’ and would not be fazed by such threats. The exchanges continued and it was then that Tsvangirai, who was chairing the meeting, called for a ten minute tea break.

And these are supposed to be the leaders in Zimbabwe? What an absolute waste of good time and money...

A highly charged meeting of the national executive of the MDC-T on Wednesday called on the police to fulfil their constitutional mandate by putting an end to Chipangano’s brutal attacks on innocent citizens.

The party said Chipangano’s terror in Harare must come to a stop. Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora told journalists after their executive meeting in Harare that police must act professionally and fulfil their constitutional mandate.

‘In most rural areas, night vigils are being held which are characterised by rapes, intimidation and violence. The police are aware of these activities but they turn a blind eye on these criminal activities,’ Mwonzora said.

Dozens of Harare residents have been viciously assaulted by this extremely violent gang who have been on the rampage since the beginning of the year. The gang, which has intensified its attacks in recent weeks, are the chief suspects in a number of brutal crimes including extortion, assault and murder.

The terror group, which is Mbare based has been causing ‘complete mayhem’ in urban Harare areas for months. The group has also seized control of market stalls in the capital as well as extorting money from transport operators at various bus terminals dotted around Harare.

Take care.

'debvhu

Wednesday, 12th October 2011

Howzit

The internet was buzzing yesterday with regard to the appointment of another MP to be the MDC's deputy agricultural minister, seeing as Mugabe will not stand by his word to appoint Roy Bennett once the criminal charges against him were completed.

Bennett was acquitted, and true to form, Mugabe failed to live up to his own promise.

But the articles on the internet say that Tsvangirai 'replaced' Bennett. How can you replace something that was never in place?

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has finally replaced Roy Bennett, the deputy minister of Agriculture designate, in a major concession to President Robert Mugabe’s demands.

Seiso Moyo, MDC MP for Nketa, was sworn in by President Mugabe yesterday in place of Bennett, while Kuwadzana MP Lucia Matibenga became the minister of Public Service replacing the late Eliphas Mukonoweshuro who died in August this year.

Bennett, who is self-exiled in South Africa, was supposed to have been sworn in as deputy minister of agriculture in 2009 at the inception of the unity government but failed after Mugabe refused.

I really do feel for Roy who has been abandoned by the MDC. He has put himself through so much, in the name of the Zimbabwean people and democracy, and has been left out of the mix.

I also object to the phrase that Bennett has 'finally' been replaced - like the replacement was a foregone conclusion...

When the mass grave was discovered in Mount Darwin not that long ago, ZANU PF were all over it, claiming it to be a mass grave of their freedom fighters dating back to the 1970s in the bush war against the Rhodesian armed forces.

The whole scenario stank as Mugabe's people pulled body after body out, without forensic back-up and then they were all reburied with typical ZANU PF alacrity...

So how come we don't have a repeat performance with the new discovery of as many as 60 bodies in a mass grave at a school in Matabeleland?

A mass grave containing up to 60 victims of a massacre by President Robert Mugabe's troops has reportedly been discovered by children playing football at a Zimbabwe school.

The pupils stumbled on human bones sticking out of the ground after their football pitch caved in during a game, according to New Zimbabwe.com. The remains are thought to belong to victims of the 1980s Gukurahundi massacre, in which an estimated 20,000 civilians were killed by Mugabe's feared Fifth Brigade in the western Matabeleland province.

Moses Mzila Ndlovu, the minister for national healing, reconciliation and integration, reportedly visited the site at St Paul secondary school in Lupane last Friday.

What has the pro-Mugabe ZRP done in response to this crime? I can answer that very easily,,, nothing!

Suspected boisterous war veterans on Sunday night set ablaze a bus belonging to the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) faction led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at Mashoko mission business centre here. Bikita south MP, Jani Vharandeni, told Radio VOP that he suspected that it was the work of ZANU PF war veterans who accused him of ferrying villagers from his constituency to a rally for the late Gutu South legislator and Public Affairs Minister, Eliphas Mukoneweshuro that was addressed by Tsvangirai the previous day in Gutu.

Vharandeni operates a fleet of buses in the district plying under the name Mabuku bus services.

“My bus was burnt beyond repair and I think war veterans are behind this because they have been threatening me and my people for going to the rally addressed by our President and the country’s Prime Minister,” he said.

It would appear that the rule of thumb in Zimbabwe is that ZANU PF can do what they like - everyone else will be framed, arrested, tried and imprisoned for whatever ZANU PF says they have done.

Other reports say that the Archbishop has now left Zimbabwe...

Visiting Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was yesterday verbally harassed and barred from attending a church service in Mutare and Penhalonga by thugs believed to have been hired by the excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga. He later told Robert Mugabe to stop the madness and violence.

The highest authority in the Anglican Church worldwide met with Mugabe after having been denied entry into St John’s Cathedral in Mutare and St Augustine’s Mission in Penhalonga earlier in the day by hired Kongonya dancing law breakers.

The Anglican boss saw for himself the lawlessness surrounding his churches in Zimbabwe. Kunonga is a ZANU PF functionary who has been at the helm of destabilising the Anglican Church throughout the country.

Williams, who leaves for Zambia today, was in the country at the invitation of the Anglican Province of Central Africa (CPCA) where he tackled Mugabe over the issue of murder, violence, intimidation, education, health, relief and development programmes which were being compromised by Kunonga’s interference.

The article states that Mugabe was told to stop the violence. I have visions of Mugabe telling the Archbishop to 'go to hell'...

Did the visit achieve anything? I doubt it...

Take care.

'debvhu