Shocking video shows Zimbabwe police beating recruits

SW Radio Africa has obtained exclusive video footage showing a number of police recruits in Zimbabwe being tortured and beaten in a series of sickening assaults by what appears to be their instructors.

In one horrifying attack, a recruit is pinned down by six officers with one stepping on his back as laughing instructors whip and kick the defenseless man. The recruit can be heard screaming while one officer shouts, ‘wuraya’ (kill him). Other officers are also heard shouting ‘castrate him,’ and ‘step on his throat.’

Screaming recruits are also seen being wrestled to the ground and held down while laughing officers kick and beat them with baton sticks.
The footage shockingly depicts the recruits as they lie screaming on the floor of what appears to be the Morris Depot training camp in Harare.

The footage is believed to have been filmed in the last two months in Harare. A voice supposedly that of one of the instructors can also be heard bellowing out instructions to the assailants.

‘The syllabus has now changed. We now call this syllabus E,’ the officer can be heard saying, probably referring to the practice of beatings.

Surprisingly, it was a police officer who made the film, and others can be seen in the video using their mobile phones to capture the beatings. Taurayi Chamboko, a police constable with the Bedfordshire Constabulary in the UK told us the officers in the footage would have faced serious charges of brutality and human rights abuses in the UK.

“In the UK it is illegal for an instructor to have physical contact with a recruit unless they are going through certain tactical drills where contact is unavoidable,” PC Chamboko said.

Human rights activists say police brutality is deeply entrenched in Zimbabwean life. Dewa Mavhinga, a human rights lawyer said all Zimbabweans should condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutality being meted out on recruits, which is not only a violation of human rights, but more importantly, an outright crime in terms of the country’s laws.

“A police officer is someone in a contract of employment, so what employer has a right to brutally assault employees? The Zimbabwe government must immediately investigate this crime and arrest anyone found to have been involved in these dastardly, inhuman and degrading acts,” Mavhinga said.

He added; “It’s unfortunate that in a country gripped by lawlessness such cruel beatings may even be viewed as normal. That goes to show the state to which Zimbabwe has been reduced.”

Isaac Dziya, a retired assistant commissioner with the ZRP described the beatings as ‘shocking,’ and said such things should not be happening under a new unity government.

Dziya said torture in Zimbabwe is now ‘routine,’ and exerted on anybody whether in political or criminal cases, and the police don't really feel any shame in practicing it because they are taught the subject as a syllabus.

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Zimbabwe's impoverished pensioners .....PICS.....28/05/09

Masiziba sits in her room with her life savings of Zimbabwean dollars that are now worthless, at Melford Farm, an older persons' residence supported by HelpAge International, in Harare.

Older people in Zimbabwe have lost their life savings after the country's new Unity Government suspended use of the Zimbabwean dollar for a year in April 2009.

The dollar had become a symbol of President Robert Mugabe's teetering rule: an ailing economy, high unemployment, collapsed infrastructure and social services.

More than half the 12 million population are reliant on emergency food aid.

The only currencies now in use are the South African rand, Botswanan pula and US dollar. For thousands of older people it means their savings are worthless and they cannot buy food and other essentials.

Kate Holt visited older people living in care homes across Zimbabwe to hear how the economic collapse has affected them.

“We used to live in a proper Africa”

Masuria Saiba lives in Melford Farm case home in Harare. Her husband and all her eight children are dead. She told Kate Holt her story:

"We used to have cattle, but I sold them to relatives after my children died. I planned to use the money to look after myself because I knew that I would have no other source of income. Now it is worthless - nothing but a bag full of paper.

"When I had my family we had money to spend on essential items like sugar and soap and the occasional treat.

"Now I have nothing - no money, no land, no family, no animals. We used to live in a proper Africa. Our life now is nothing."

With no family and no resources, Masuria had to move into Melford Farm. She says: "Since I came here I started to feel much better. I am happy. I have food, a roof over my head and new friends."

"I can still work as an older person"


Emmanuel feeds a pig that he helps to look after in the piggery.
The piggery is one of the income generation activities run at an older people's home supported by HelpAge International in Masowe, Zimbabwe. 

Emmanuel Zinhare lives in Mazowe care home in Zimbabwe. He says: “I am the foreman for the farm and am responsible for managing the fields.

"We grow maize, sorghum and some other cereals depending on the weather.

“I also look after the piggery. This is very important because it provides us with meat to eat and we can sell a pig if the farm needs extra money.

“People think that as older people we just want to sit around and be looked after, but I like working. I like being here in Mazowe because I can still work as an older person.”

The homes are supported by HelpAge Zimbabwe and HelpAge International, with funding raised through Help the Aged's Sponsor a Grandparent programme.

They are helping older people get back on their feet and earn an income by running piggery and other farming projects........


Masiziba sits in her room with her life savings of Zimbabwean dollars that are now worthless, at Melford Farm, an older persons' residence supported by HelpAge International, in Harare.

Maniko, a resident of an older people's home that is supported by HelpAge International, is photographed in Masowe, Zimbabwe.

Hester, who makes a living for her and her dependent children and grandchildren from sewing.

Jesca, who has lost seven of her eight children due to AIDS.

Anna sits outside her room at Melford Farm

Smao, a resident of Melford Farm

Residents lay out maize to dry after harvesting it on their community run farm, at Melford

Smao, a resident of Melford Farm, an older people's home 

Matthew, who is orginally from Mozambique but came to Zimbabwe in search of work, sits outside his home in an older people's home

A resident fetches a melon from the garden at an older people's home

Matthew talks to Lorriane, from HelpAge Zimbabwe at an older people's home supported by HelpAge International, in Masowe, Zimbabwe.

Astimega and her grandson sit outside their house at an older people's home

Emmanuel poses for a portrait in his home at an older people's home

Emmanuel collects maize from the farm, that is part of income generation activities at an older people's home, that is supported by HelpAge in Masowe, Zimbabwe.

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A message to HOTmilk and other's......

This a designer of maternity wear that has taken on the cause for providing knickers for Women and girls in Zimbabwe......a great cause for sure but and that is a huge BUT I as well as a lot of other Zimbabwean and African women have a problem with it and I will show you why......here is their write up about what they are doing.....


Doing What We Can to Make a Difference


Sometimes we can take a lot for granted, from the roofs over our heads right down to the fact we own underwear. When we heard that something as simple as undergarments had the possibility of giving young women in Zimbabwe a better chance to live a life free of sexual abuse, we knew that we wanted to help.

HOTmilk is now actively assisting former Zimbabwean Morag Roy, who returned to her home in Australia from a recent trip determined to help the local communities in Zimbabwe in a very unusual way.

Morag discovered that sexual abuse of young girls there was rampant, so she asked a local priest what the girls needed most to prevent it. “He told me that underwear gives a woman women prestige, shows they have money and means men are less likely to assault them. I was amazed but when I flew back six months later with suitcases stuffed with bras I saw first hand what a difference it made.”

During that trip Morag also found that most of the young girls and mothers there only had one ragged pair of knickers each, so they often wore none. “They also desperately need knickers, but I guess a Catholic priest wouldn’t have thought about mentioning that!”

Morag has already done such a great job in gathering thousands of bras for her cause and HOTmilk is delighted to have already donated 6,500 brand new pairs of HOTmilk underwear to her project.

Our regular freight company Express Logistics, were also happy to come to the party by sponsoring the transport of the knickers from New Zealand to Zimbabwe. Thanks Express Logistics! It is great that there are more companies out there who care about others and are willing to do what they can to make a small difference.

And You can help too! The demand is phenomenal and everybody is getting on board. So don't throw out that lingerie set that you no longer require. Take it to your local participating HOTmilk stockist and they will make sure it gets on the next Knickers For Africa shipment to the young women of Zimbabwe.



Are they sending used knickers to Zimbabwe.....?????

If that is the case then I object completely to that......I in fact find it really degrading and insulting to give women and girls who have nothing are at a huge risk of being raped and abused so their confidence and self esteem are very low already and on top of that they are only worth a pair of used knickers from Western women.

Imagine yourself in their situation and in danger of being raped and abused by your men and then some one comes along and see's that a pair of knickers and a bra would make a difference so they give you their used knickers and bra......if you weren't feeling bad about yourself before after that little gesture you certainly would.....


How many of you would go to a charity shop and buy used knickers and bra's.....?????


Just the thought of putting used underwear on to the most treasured and private parts of my body give me the creeps and make me feel cheap and abused......

The questions etc that are being raised by other Zimbabwean and African women are not very nice.....they are asking whether West thinks that just because these women are from Africa they aren't worth very much to the Western women if they can agree to donate used underwear to them......


African women are proud,dignified and the hardest working women I know even in the poorest parts of Africa and deserve to be treated with dignity by the West......

They aren't some sort of pity objects that have to be content with anything that the West ''gives'' them just because they are poor and have nothing......


These are human beings,flesh and blood who have feelings,dreams,hopes and aspirations just like Western women......

There are ways and means that don't cost an arm and a leg to get these women and girls new underwear sowhy would any one want to donate their used underwear to another human being is something that I do not understand.......

Africa is not a dumping ground for the West's used and out of date rubbish and it is about time that they woke up to that fact.....


WE HAVE DIGNITY,PRIDE AND SELF RESPECT ...please don't treat those of us that need a helping hand as anything less than fellow human beings and give us the honor and respect you would to yourselves....

Speak to your factory's etc and get them to help you......get new knickers and bra's from China they are cheap enough.....just please don't dump your used underwear on Zimbabwean women and girls it is very insulting and degrading.......

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The Dr Gono circus comes to town: He threatens to arrest Biti

I believe that he may not have declared to all above parites and stakeholders concerned that he has a personal vendetta against the Governor and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in general over his Legal Firm’s alleged Externalisation and Money Laundering .

FULL TEXT OF GIDEON GONO'S LETTER TO WELSHMAN NCUBE - The chairman of Jomic Prof W Ncube1st Floor Muwati Building 4 st/central avenue.

Harare

Re Letter of complaint to Jomic

1. My understanding, as a layman, is that Jomic plays an important oversight role over the Global Political Agreement currently in place today. I also understand that it provides for individuals who believe that in the context of the political processes under way, there are certain Violations, Harassment, False Justifications, victimisation, Malice and Misrepresentations which have been made or are being made by certain key persons and individuals against others and which Violations, Misrepresentations, Malice, Falsehoods, have been or are being perpetrated to achieve certain pre-determined political outcomes that have nothing to do with national interests.

2. A case in point is where I have continued to suffer abuse from one of the GPA negotiators and now Minister of Finance Hon TL Biti who succeeded to hide his true motives and intentios from all our Political Negotiators, the Facilitator as well as our (3) Principals, our Cabinet and its Committees, SADC Heads of State and Government, the International Community, IMF/WN?ADBamong others and made Governor Gidoen Gono an issue for removal b the Principals.

2. As the attached documentation will show, Hon Biti has sown seeds of hatred, and made me a victim of political malice, apart from endangering my life and that of my family in the process.

4. I believe that he may not have declared to all above parites and stakeholders concerned that he has a personal vendetta against the Governor and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in general over his Legal Firm’s alleged Externalisation and Money Laundering Allegations that my team were investigating between 2005 and 2006, a matter that remains unsettled at the Courts and for which he and his partners at the Law Firm Honey and Blanckenberg may be called upon to testify with embarassing revelations.

5.My team had also earlier this year (23.01.09) received from another Whistle Blower allegations of further financial improprieties involving alleged acquisitions of certain properties in South Africa. See attached.

6. My team have not to date looked into that matter for fear of vicimisation, neither have they brought those matters to any other investigating Office in the country, yet. We did not want to be seen as undermining the new spirit of inclusivity, and national healing, preferring to let sleeping dogs lie and open a new chappter but this does not seem to be the Minsiter’s spirt.

7.An example of such damaging falsehoods was that the false story from him to Cabinet alleging that Governor borrowed US$1,1 bn on behalf of the state without approval from Government yet he had on file, letters of authorisations from his predecessor Ministers of Finance.

The move was meant to bring disrepute to the operations of the RBZ and the Governor.

8.I have enclosed copies of our sebsequent correspondence with the Hon Minister.

9.I have also enclosed copies of many political fliers being dropped in Bulawayo , Harare and other urban areas demoizing me along the same lines that the Miniser is accostomed to doing, though I am not suggesting that he is the one behind the pamphlets because I don't have that evidence.

10.Over the period he has been my minsiter, he has only met with the governor and his team on three, very brief occasions and yet speaks about our operations as if he is occassionally in the picture, yet he is not.

11.I have raised the harrassment issue via Government processes of the office of the Hon Prime Minister and I await his response but that is only to do with governmental processes.

12. From the GPA angle and politcal processes I believe that it is right and proper that such serious issues be brought before JOMIC and I appeal to you to have the matter put under Agenda for your next meeting or if you deem it necessary that it be elevated to the platform of the three Principals and/or other processes you deem most appropriate.


13 All I want is to work in peace and to be left to do my job as prescribed by law without victimization or danger of the nature I am experiencing.

Yours Sincerely,

G. Gono
Governor.

Enclosures. 1. Copy of letter and documentary package sent to Hon Prime Minister Mr Mr Tsvangirai

2, Copies of fliers

3. Copy of letter I filed with Police Commissioner General last year

4. Copies of Recent local press-reports quoting what the Hon. Minister said last year


Full Text: Gono's letter to Prime Minister.

FULL TEXT - The following is a copy of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono's letter to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, dated May 11, 2009, in which he complains of "victimisation" by Finance Minister Tendai Biti:
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of the
Republic of Zimbabwe
Mr. M. R. Tsvangirai
Munhumutapa Building
Samora Machel Avenue
HARARE

Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Sir,

RE: COMPLAINT AGAINST PERSONAL VICTIMIZATION AND
VILIFICATION BY HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE T. L. BITI.

1. As you may be aware Hon. Prime Minister, the strained relations between the Hon. Minister of Finance and myself are a matter of public knowledge and, need I say, concern.

2. For more than a year now, the Minister has uttered, publicly and privately, words and statements that are not only criminally defamatory but also, seriously insulting to my person, family and indeed, to the institution that I work for, its Board, management and staff. His misleading statements are also career limiting in my field of Finance and economics.

3. Professional disagreements in public offices are a matter of daily life for public personalities but constant and malicious misrepresentations, unrestrained utterances, incitement of violence against the person of the Governor, outright lies and victimization against persons doing their normal duties are traits normally unheard of especially coming from “Offices that are supposed to know and act better”

4. Examples may drive home the point:

(a) At a campaign rally in Masvingo last year, Hon. Minister called me names and accused me of “being at the epicenter of ZANU (PF) terror machine”; “an economic saboteur, terrorist and number one Al-Qaeda who deserves to be shot by a firing squad”

These utterances were widely circulated both in the print and electronic media and today form the basis of the hate-mail that I receive and the hatred many MDC-T supporters display against the Governor. Indeed the international community has also been poisoned to believe that I am a member of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. These threats to my life and family are very unsettling and may one day be carried out by an over-zealous MDC-T Party Member or just criminals hiding behind the Minister’s publicly declared wishes of getting me killed.

(b) On several occasions, the distinguished Minister has accused me of “killing this economy through printing money”. This is despite the overwhelming evidence that the country was and remains under the yoke of debilitating sanctions and other constraints such as droughts/floods and political differences all of which are/were militating against international support in the area of Lines of Credit among other needs. The Hon. Minister only came to acknowledge on Monday 4 May, 2009 when he returned from the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings held in Washington DC. USA that SANCTIONS are “real” and that they need to be removed if we are to turn around this economy. This admission was despite previous denials.

5. Now if indeed the Hon. Minister, after only 3 months in office is now realizing that this economy cannot be stabilized let alone turned-around without the repeal of ZIDERA and other pieces of “restrictive” actions by some economic powers in the West, and that without such a repeal of these toxic pieces of legislation and actions against Zimbabwe, the country cannot access the much needed lines of credit, how did or does the Hon. Minister expect me to successfully turn-around this economy in the presence of ZIDERA which some have accused him of having participated in its “birth” and “sustenance” over the years?

6. After my three (3) children were unceremoniously expelled out of Australia before your visit to that Country, Sir in 2006 they suffered a two year roll-back in their university education, and when they found new universities to go to, they found themselves being called upon to explain how their father is allegedly associated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization with the threat of further expulsion from their new university if the allegations were/are not refuted. Who among us parents can stomach such misfortune if directed at their own children?

7. It is a known fact that Leadership is not about expecting others to perform miracles where the leader himself cannot perform same. What is difficult to achieve for the Hon. Minister today (raising lines of credit) is a fraction of what my team and I were expected to achieve in an environment of not only ZIDERA but serious political and social in-fighting between Zimbabweans prior to the Inclusive Government.

8. A lot more “kiya-kiyering” was and had to be done to sustain the economy, sustain life and everything else this Inclusive Government found in place. Without such gymnastics including the so-called printing of money or “quantitative easing” as they are now calling it in Europe and elsewhere, this country could have easily degenerated into unprecedented chaos with no opportunity ever for anyone in the Inclusive Government to be in the comfortable positions from where they are now calling the “shots” today.

9. I have suffered and continue to suffer abuse and ridicule at a time when you as Prime Minister have been telling the Nation that bye-gones are bye-gones and that we need to move forward but this message doesn’t seem to have found root in some quarters.

10. You know very well Rt. Hon. Prime Minister that people are being highly dishonest when they allege that it is/was the Governor of the Reserve Bank who “killed” this economy for I do have on file, letters from Ministers of Finance and other stakeholders including Labour and Business dealing with requests for funding and/or authorizations to move in a given direction.

11. I believe that it needs to be appreciated, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, that the last ten years have been a period of both political and economic madness in this country and that the work of sanctions-busting, the world-over, is not a walk in the garden park or a straight-forward text-book lesson and practice from an Apprenticeship Economic textbook.

12. Sanctions are a form of war-fare against the sanctioned country or people and my job was to try and defeat them, not physically but through “out-of-the-box” type of thinking strategies all of which had the blessings of my Head of State and President Cde. R. G Mugabe whom you are free to check and verify with, as well as the entire Cabinet of the day.

13. It is heartening to note though that Hon. Minister Biti is following the same path, going to the same African Banks and friends who stood by us during the said period of madness and only last week, the Hon Minister happily and proudly ran with and announced to the world facilities that my team and I had negotiated and secured namely the US$300 million Country Program from Afrieximbank which was approved in Mauritius on 12 December 2008 and the PTA Bank facility, again which we had negotiated last year and was awaiting activation.

14. These two institutions, together with Al-Shams linked to Mr. Jayesh Shar, are the three main sources of funding who helped us during difficult times. Today it is an open secret that Hon. Minister Biti is going to all of them for support and all three are supporting the Inclusive Government at a critical time when noone else, including the so-called donor community is giving us funds due to understandable economic difficulties in their own backyards.

15. The point here Rt. Hon. Prime Minister is that nothing my team and I did is not being followed by the new Minister of Finance and I can point out that 99% of our recommendations for the turn-around of this economy have been included in STERP (see attached analysis and evaluation document).

16. This is not to take away anything/credit from the Hon. Minister’s well received STERP but to draw attention to the need for “modesty in pronouncements made and credit taken while standing at the pulpit” so to speak when the Minister is addressing stakeholders.

17. It is against this background that charges to the effect that this Governor and his team “murdered” or committed atrocities in this economy are hereby vehemently denied.

A LOT SAID, DONE AND MISREPRESENTED…

18. A lot has been said by the distinguished Hon. Minister, done and misrepresented all in an effort to destroy the Governor, to remove me from the post (as if I re-appointed myself!).

WHERE IS ALL THIS HATRED COMING FROM?

19. In trying to examine the possible angles from where such personal hatred, venom and attacks have been coming, it has dawned on my team and I, that all this noise about “Governor must Go song” especially as it rings loudest from the powerful Secretary General of MDC-T and Minister of Finance may have its background in self-interest and protection. The background to it is as summarized in the attached write-up involving the Hon. Minister’s Legal Firm, Honey and Blanckenberg.

20. The background involves the Bank’s investigation into alleged rampant externalization of foreign currency resources and money laundering activities discovered at the Minister’s legal firm Honey & Blanckenberg where he is (or was) a partner.

21. After getting a tip-off on the case in which the Law Firm was allegedly prejudicing the country of the much needed foreign currency and possibly tax-revenues due to Government through such Exchange Control Violations, my team investigated the Firm’s Records (those which had not yet been deleted by then) and came up with a “can of worms” suggesting that the Firm could have been involved in these forex scams from before 2003.

22. As the attached summary will show you, in the few months that the investigating team considered, it uncovered a total of over US$1 million which was allegedly kept outside the country in violation of Section 9, 10(1)C and 11 of the 1996 Exchange Control Regulations.


October 2005   
US$102 210.00
November 2005   
174 179.00
December 2005   
110 664.00
January 2006   
139 758.00
February 2006   
145 939.66
March 2006   
168 047.11
April 2006    
153 281.00
May 2006   
31 864.50
[b]TOTAL    US$1 025 943,53[/b]

Records for other months were allegedly deleted before the investigating team could lay their hands on them.

23. Intimidatory tactics are said to have been encountered during these investigations leading to various forms of delays in the completion of this assignment/case.

24. Ultimately as the attached report shows, one of the whistle-blowers who was employed by the Law Firm had to leave the Firm due to alleged victimization, the same that I am suffering from today.

25. Of course legal explanations, arguments and justifications were proffered by the Law Firm, as would be expected, but these were found to hold no substance as it was proven that the Honey and Blanckenberg as a Law Firm were banking their money into Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays House, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man via UK, account details being:

Swift Code: BARCGB22
Account No. 68949366,
Sort Code : 20-26-74.
IBAN : GB95BARC20267468949366.

26. The case and its facts were analysed by the Bank’s legal personnel in the normal way that the Bank does with all other cases before deciding to go ahead with prosecution and as we speak, the matter is yet to come to actual trial although it is at the courts.

27. With Advocate Eric Matinenga the one set to be Accused Firm’s defence lawyer, (as of January 2009), my team members, seeing what victimization is being meted against the Governor, is now expressing reluctance to go and stand in court to testify against the Minister of Finance’s legal Firm.

GOVERNOR’S VICTIMISATION…

28. The issue now at stake is, how come the Governor continues to be victimized for doing his job while the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, who is supposed to be in the picture of all this “through ministerial declarations of interest or conflict(s) with institutions or persons that the Ministers deal with under their Ministries?

29. It is not difficult to conclude that threats of investigating the Governor “left right and centre” as well as putting the Governor on the GPA list of persons who must go has all along been motivated by the desire to intimidate the Governor and his team or at best to scandalize and remove me from the scene so that a pliable Governor is put in my place and certain matters then get buried under the carpet in the process.


30. This also explains the “personal hatred” nature of the Minister’s zeal, enthusiasm and speed with which he seeks to remove the present Governor from the Chairmanship of the RBZ Board in conflict with best practices in SADC, IMF, World Bank, China, Russia, UK and the world over. The pre-occupation is total and no stone has been left unturned todate to try and achieve this.

31. Is this the policy or policies of the Inclusive Government to victimize its officials or that of MDC-T to disguise personal wars and camouflage them as national matters of incompetence?

32. There have also been various misrepresentations made to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees by the Hon. Minister relating to false allegations of “borrowing US$1 billion without authority” which proved embarrassing to the Minister when refuted with evidence.

33. Are the Parties (MDC-T) aware that they are being enjoined in a personal war far removed from national issues but financial at personal levels? Are SADC Heads of State or the Facilitator, the IMF/World Bank and others in the picture of this scandal?

34. There is more that I could say and have come up with to prove a case of victimization against me but it is not necessary to deal with those issues now.

PROPOSED WAY FORWARD

35. Rt. Honourable Prime Minister, herewith my proposals for the way forward:
(a). That this letter be discussed between yourself and the Minister and if you see it fit, failing which I propose that it be brought for discussion in Cabinet or Parliament or JOMIC and, that, I be called upon to testify if need be.

(b). That RBZ be granted autonomy in the current legislative amendments to report to Parliament as recommended by SADC in its Model Central Bank Legislation – copies of which were sent to the Rt. Hon. Prime Ministers Office and not the current Minister of Finance until the Hon. Minister renounces his vindictive mission against me.

(c). That the Hon. Minister and myself be invited for discussion with the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister to iron out the issues I have raised and to normalize and our relationship.

(d). That the Governor and team be given/granted immunity/protection at law against victimization by the Ministers, some of whom may have been involved in nefarious/regrettable activities before. Otherwise all RBZ Governors will continue to face the same fate that I am facing and experiencing, disguised as national desire to do good yet the reality is that deep down there are personal interests at stake in need of protection.

(e). That a public apology be made to the Governor by the Minister of Finance and both MDC-T and MDC-M Parties and their followers be informed that the Governor did not “kill” this economy and that he is not a member of Al-Qaeda nor does he deserve to be shot by the “firing squad”. In addition a smart way has to be found to advise the International Community of the true facts so that it gives a correct and informed judgment on the Governor.

CONCLUSION

36. It is not unusual for two or more people to fail to work together and if I am to leave RBZ at some stage, as I will in future, the current approach and strategy is definitely not the correct one.

37. There are better, more mature, effective, cordial and amicable ways of people partying ways but not in the manner of the “PURSUER” and the “PURSUED”, the “Victor” and the Vanquished”. That approach does not work in the area of economics and finance.

38. I await direction(s) from the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister.

Yours Sincerely

G. GONO
GOVERNOR


Enclosures

1. The Evidence relating to Honey & Blanckenberg Forex Externalization Investigations – Basis for Victimization by Minister of Finance Hon. T. L. Biti.

2. Evidence to show that the African Export-Import Bank (Afrieximbank and PTA Facilities recently announced were successfully negotiated by Governor prior to INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT.

3. Comparative Analysis of STERP with the Governor’s Economic Advices over the Last 5 Years. So much about the Governor being incompetent when in fact the same STERP is 99% a product of my Advice.



And ''mugabe,em and the generals'' still hold all the power and need Gono to stay where he is....this GNU thing is such a joke and the international community are  making it impossible for it to be anything but a joke.....

They are so full of big words,empty promises and hot air.....I never expected anything from the West anyway....

China will step in and what ever they offer will be taken while the West sits on it slittle ''holey'' throne and plays ''god'' with Zimbabwe....points fingers and froth's all over the place.......''sigh''

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Chimanimani Arts Festival 2009 May 23-24 2009 Sat/Sun of Africa Day weekend

UPDATED FESTIVAL LINEUP



Friday 22 May

Chief and entourage festival blessing ceremony - with local dignitaries, traditional music, dance and ceremonies.

Saturday 23 May

1130-1150 - UBC Choir - Chimanimani
1200-1230 - Gwarimba
1250-1350 - Ngangu Band
1400-1440 - Gwinyai Trust
1450-1550 - Tino Bhima
1610-1700 - Cyclone
1710-1800 - Dance4Life - part of Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW)
1810-1910 - Joshua Sacco and Radiation
1930-2030 - Demachena - Spanish trio
2050-2150 - Dudu Manhenga and Color Blu
2210-2310 - Music Crossroads
2330-0030 - Dino Mudondo
0050-0220 - Nicholas Zakaria

Sunday 24 May

1130-1150 - St Johns Choir
1200-1300 - Ntswaitswai Crew - Mutare
1320-1420 - Senior Musaraketa
1440-1540 - Danguramanzva - Mutare
1600-1650 - Dance4Life
1700-1740 - Luke Chikwe
1800-1900 - Tatambura
1920-2020 - Hope + Kakuwe - Bocapa
2040-2140 - Steve Makoni
2200-2330 - Gwarimba
2350-0120 - WaterFire

Theatre - to be held at CAFT Office:

Sunday 24 May

Yambiro - 1200-1245
Pungwe Murahwa - 1445-1530

Poetry - CAFT office

Film - Msasa Cafe -sponsored by the US Embassy Dept of Public Affairs  - daily showings of a selection of films

Workshops - CAFT Office - Sat/Sun 0830-1130 - Dance and AIDS awareness/Spoken Word/Theatre

Acrobats + Drummers

Crafts and Culture

Thanks and Acknowledgments

The board of trustees of Chimanimani Arts Festival would like to thank all the donors and supporters  of this years festival for making the event possible.

Pics from past Festivals..... 

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Pics and news.......19/05/09

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the opening of the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP) in Harare March 19, 2009, meant to see way of easing the current economic crisis facing the country. Zimbabwe is talking to the United States and European Union over the repeal of sanctions, according to an economic policy document, the first sign the new government may be gaining the confidence of Western powers.

 Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe addresses the opening of the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP) in Harare March 19, 2009,

A Banket farmer was beaten on his farm last Friday, by the son of a top political official set on taking over the farm. Patrick Stooks received serious facial injuries after being repeatedly punched and then hit in the face with the butt of a shotgun. The official, Philip Chamboko, who holds a political role at the Zimbabwean embassy in Tokyo, has been trying since last year to remove the Stooks from their land.
The elderly mother of a commercial farmer has become the most recent victim of violent attack, as the countrywide offensive to remove the remaining farmers off their land continues. The 80-year-old mother of Chinhoyi farmer Murray Potts was severely assaulted by police on Monday when they arrested her son for being on his land ‘illegally’.

Mugabe’s war veteran arrested for theft.

Jabulani Sibanda aligned war veteran, Andrew Ndlovu has been arrested for stealing over 8 000 tonnes of wheat.

Ndlovu, a former chairman of the war veterans association, allegedly stole his neighbour’s 8 840 tonnes of wheat after he harvested the crop during and sold it to the Grain Marketing Board.

He was charged with theft as defined by section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform and was remanded to 29 May.

Ndlovu of 13301 Nkulumane and Plot 2, Lot 7 appeared before magistrate Sithembiso Ncube.

Ndlovu and the complainant Sibekithemba Mafengu share the same plot had all planted wheat but Ndlovu Ndlovu allegedly took a combine harvester and harvested her wheat during last year’s winter crop.

The war veteran who unleashed terror on MDC opponents in the past decade then sold it to the Grain Marketing Board and converted the money to his own sue. Jabulani Sibanda, the leader of Robert Mugabe's group of war veterans in Bulawayo  could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.



Chinotimba hits back at Minister Mzembi.

HARARE – Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association (ZLWVA), vice chairman, Joseph Chinotimba, has blasted Tourism minister Walter Mzembi for accusing him of tarnishing the country's image by leading fresh land invasions.

Mzembi told a National Economic Forum recently that Chinotimba and other war veterans, who are currently invading farms, were discouraging potential investors as the inclusive government battled to secure crucial financial lifelines.

But in a hard-hitting statement on Tuesday made available to RadioVOP, Chinotimba said Mzembi had no right to reproach him, as he was a newcomer in ZANU PF.

"The Honourable Minister should be reminded that war veterans, of late, have not been getting their pensions and schools feels for their children and these issues have not be addressed despite several efforts on our part,” said Chinotimba.

“As learned as he is, I would have expected him to be professional by engaging war veterans and try to give constructive ideas and solutions to their plight than to try and please his audience at the conference by attacking me,” he said.

Chinotimba reminded Mzembi that war veterans played a leading role in repossessing land from the whites.

“And I am in no doubt that the honourable Minister Mzembi is one of those who immensely benefited. For Mzembi to try and be a good boy today at the expense of war veterans’ welfare is very unfortunate and unexpected from a man of his competence. If the truth be told the Honourable Minister Mzembi is the least qualified to preach to the war veterans because he is just a young guy in the party who surfaced after the death of Cde Zvobgo.

Is Mzembi aware that there are hundreds if not thousands of war veterans who are reeling in poverty around the country? he said.

Chinotimba said he was very angry that Mzembi told the media not to cover him or war veterans.

“Maybe Mzembi believes he is the only one who should be given media coverage because he is unique and superior. Being a son-in-law to a foreign land does not make the Honorable Minister peculiar.” Mzembi is married to a Cuban national.

Chinotimba warned that war veterans would march to Mzembi’s office to have their problems solved because “he knows it all when it comes to repair the country’s battered image. “One again, let me give a stern warning to the Honourable Minister to stop attacking me and war veterans.”

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Meet Harare's Own Cat Woman

There is a grey haired old lady cycling slowly up Sam Nujoma Avenue into the CBD. She dons a kaftan and sandals. Her old bicycle is loaded with pet food and utensils. She makes this journey every morning- and then the return leg every evening. Few people know where she is going. Fewer people know her name. They just call her the cat woman.

Heather Fraser is eighty-two years old. She is a retired science teacher. Her week days over the last 10 or so years have been pretty identical in their clockwork nature.

She begins her day with a bike ride into town where she first stops at the senior citizens club for a cup of coffee. At 10am she rides to the Anglican Cathedral and then to 1st street to feed the pigeons and any cats in the vicinity.


She then returns to the club for lunch. At around 3pm she rides over to Fife Avenue shopping centre to feed the stray cats and that is a sight to behold. From all over the place cats emerge- as if by appointment. Heather takes out her bowls and catfood and lays out the feast. You can hear her talking to the cats as they eat. When they are done, she packs everything up and then cycles home at the end of another busy day.

Her home in Avondale is a cat haven. She lives alone with her other feline friends.

The Zimbo Jam spent one Sunday morning with Heather. She says that she has been feeding cats at the Cathedral for years now. On asking her how many cats she feeds every day she replies "You’d have to ask Barbara... She has made it much more, well, thriving shall we say? Because she has given us this food. I could not afford this."

Barbara Reed has been in Zimbabwe with USAID for the last five years. She met Heather in 2007. She herself has a passion for cats and has been supplying Heather with cat food since then. She has also taken on the responsibility of spending every Sunday with her fellow cat lover. The two of them visit the Friends Animal Foundation (FAF) on Sundays to spend time at the cattery there.

Barbara says she heard about how Heather cycled to town every day to feed the cats and so she left some cat food at US Embassy, right across from the senior citizen club.

"Heather received the food and I just got into the habit of taking her more of it," says Barbara. The two then started visiting FAF every weekend and their friendship grew.

The general manager of Friends Animal Foundation, Mary Lu says Heather visits FAF every Sunday and loves feeding the cats. "After feeding them she brushes them, plays and talks to them as they gather around her along with the resident dogs."

Mary Lu said Heather loves cats. "She’s got an amazing way with them. She had these two little wild kittens who’d come to her. Good understanding of the cats and she’s got her little full life with doing things that she feels is important for her. She is a bit eccentric but maybe when you are eighty-two and you have never been married and had children, no family left maybe you are allowed to be that. She has an incredible memory she’s a hoarder she’ll hoard empty cans of food that my husband must take to be recycled and the money all comes to FAF."

Heather Fraser says she goes to bed with the sun going down and wakes at the sunrise. She has no running water or electricity at her house though she stays in the upmarket suburb of Avondale, as her pension is barely enough to cover for her food. She lives on donations that she also shares with her pets.  



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Harare hospital’s youngest ‘staffer’

By Roselyne Sachiti

A LIGHT-skinned, barefooted three-year-old boy, popularly known as Jonso, emerges from under a hospital bed and chats to a group of people visiting their ill relatives at Harare Central Hospital on a Thursday afternoon.

The small boy talks to one of the relatives who gives him an orange before he leaves to check on his mother, Gladys Zvarehwa, who is sleeping on bed 19.



At the tender age of six months, Jonso was brought in the hospital alongside his badly injured destitute mother in February 2007. He knows almost all the wards operations that include visiting hours, meal and bath times and medication times. He has also seen many patients die in the ward.

Jonso has never left the hospital premises and believes Ward 4C, which houses elderly female patients, is his home. He knows almost every admitted patient in the ward by name and hence nurses call him "a member of staff".

"We contributed money towards buying him milk and cereals when his mother was critically injured in 2007. We still buy him clothes and we also take turns to give him food and are planning to take him to pre-school so that he does not disturb other patients in the afternoon. It seems this child has become immune to diseases because of his long stay in hospital," said a nurse who declined to be named.

Even when the hospital was facing serious challenges last year, Zvarehwa was the "last woman standing" as she stayed put on her bed insisting she did not have any relatives.

In the ward Jonso, just like any other toddler enjoying their childhood, moved around barefooted sliding under beds and rolling on the hospital floor.

He also took time to fetch water for his mother in two small plastic bottles when The Sunday Mail crew arrived at the hospital last week.

Despite it being visiting hour, his mother lay covered under blankets in her hospital bed. After being woken up by nurses who told her she had visitors, Zvarehwa sat and stared at us.

Only the energetic Jonso, who stood with his arms akimbo, greeted us inquiring the purpose of our visit. The speed and manner in which he asked the questions displayed his striking wit.

Question after question came from the small boy: "Did you come to see me or my mother? Are you my relative? Did you bring me anything? Can I plait your hair? What’s your name? Can I have a pen and paper, I want to write something?"

Zvarehwa only spoke after noticing that we had offered her son bread and French fries, which they both devoured.

"I sleep during visiting hours because I know no one will come to see me. I do not know where my relatives are, that is why I stay here with my child. I don’t want to leave the hospital," she said before falling into a long spell of silence.

Only her son spoke and he seemed comfortable despite being in the company of a stranger.

Another nurse said they tried to persuade Zvarehwa to leave hospital on several occasions, but she refused, saying she has nowhere to go.

"She would keep quiet every time we asked her where her relatives are. Despite her mental problem, Zvarehwa is well behaved and does not bother other hospital patients," added the nurse.

Harare Hospital chief executive officer Mr Jealous Nderere explained why Zvarehwa and her son have been in hospital for such a long period.

He confirmed that Zvarehwa, a destitute, was admitted to the hospital in February 2007, adding that her child was found at the scene of the accident and brought to hospital with her.

"She was in a serious condition for a couple of weeks and did not even know who she was. Her injuries were serious that she could not walk or talk resulting in us treating her for a long time.

"Zvarehwa also had no identification papers on her and we just treated her not knowing who she was and hoping that her relatives would come to look for her," said Mr Nderere.

On noticing that she knew nothing about her present or past, the hospital referred Zvarehwa to a psychiatrist for evaluation.

"After assessment, we decided to move her from the psychiatric unit to the general hospital. She started coming out in terms of her identity and this was a positive development," said Mr Nderere.

In February 2008, they referred her to a social worker based at Harare Central Hospital after seeing notable improvements.

"We thought she could be discharged, but she was of no fixed abode. We then referred her case to a resident social worker. The social worker’s idea was to discharge and leave her at Mbare Musika, but we thought it was not a good idea because of the child. We then tried to look for any of her relatives but in vain," he explained.

According to Mr Nderere, they later learnt from a trainee nurse that Zvarehwa’s rural home is in Kutombo, Nyanga. They then investigated through their public relations department, which came up with positive results.

"We gathered information that a Zupco bus plied that route and thought we had succeeded in taking her back home, but faced another brickwall as the bus had withdrawn its services because roads leading to Kutombo had been washed away by heavy rains. We went back to square one?"

Another attempt to take Zvarehwa to her family was when they tried to assist through Nyanga police in February last year.

"We wanted to arrange to drop her off at the police station that would in turn transfer her to Kutombo, but police said their resources were stretched since it was an election campaign period. They said they did not want to move with a patient in such an environment and neither did they want to keep her at the police station," said Mr Nderere.

Faced with such a dilemma, Mr Nderere said the hospital had no choice but to keep the mother and child at the hospital.

"The mother does not want to be separated from her child and we had no choice but to keep them together. We are going to take them to Nyanga in two weeks’ time," said Mr Nderere.

He added that Zvarehwa did not pay any medical bills during her stay in hospital as she was catered for under the hospital’s social responsibility programme.

Commenting on the issue, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer Mr Rangu Nyamurundira said children should be in an environment that is conducive and a hospital is not a good place for a child to grow in.

"If the mother is hospitalised and cannot look after her child, and if no relatives can be traced, the Department of Social Welfare has the responsibility to place the child in an institution until at a time the mother is discharged.

"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child clearly states that all actions concerning a child should take full account of his or her best interests. It further says the state should provide adequate care when parents or others responsible fail to do so," said Mr Nyamurundira.

Another human rights lawyer who declined to be named said it is surprising that no attempt to place Jonso in an institution was made, since the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child explicitly explains that the state is also obliged to provide special protection for children deprived of their family environment and to ensure that appropriate alternative family care or institutional placement is made available to them, taking into account the cultural social background.

"However, children have the right to live with their parents unless this is incompatible with their best interests; the right to maintain contact with parents if separated from one or both; and the right to be informed by the state of the whereabouts of their parents if such separation is the result of action by the state," added the lawyer.

While many feel pity for Jonso, he says he might stay longer in hospital as he wished to become a doctor if he gets a chance to go to school.



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Shock: In South Africa, the life of Zimbabwean is worth R1000

Some say Zimbabweans in South Africa, the unemployed, live like mangy rats. The Zimbabwean refugees, when confronted with calamity have no one to turn to, as the police would immediately
deport them.

In a clear show of how Zimbabwe has been changed forever by the ruinous ZANU-Pf policies for the past ten years, a group of Zimbabwean men, killed and then kidnapped other Zimbabweans in South Africa. For the fellow country that they help hostage, the kidnappers demanded ransom of RSA R1000 each.

In other words, out there in South Africa, the life of a Zimbabwean is worth R1000. The Zimbabwean men held the hostages after they had raped and robbed the other hostages. This story is one of many sad stores that’s being played out in South Africa. The majority of the stories go unreported. Whole story below, courtesy of the Sowetan.com: 





Eleven Zimbabweans – five men, three women and three toddlers – were rescued after three days in which some of their compatriots went missing after being raped.

They had left Zimbabwe in a group of 23 – 15 men, five women and three toddlers. The desperate group were lured into a van at Beit Bridge at Musina, Limpopo, by three fellow Zimbabweans who promised to get them to South Africa “without any problems”.

Instead, two women were raped and dumped on the way with 10 men.
Only eight reached Johannesburg and they were promptly locked in a tiny room without a toilet and food and were forced to use a bucket to relieve themselves.

“We left Zimbabwe. When we got to the border three men approached us and said they would take us to Johannesburg without going through the border,” said Calisto Dube.

He said their kidnappers told them they would have to cross the river because their car was waiting on the other side.

“We walked for about 40km before we reached a Toyota Hilux bakkie and we were told it was to be our transport.”

He said they squashed themselves into the back of bakkie “because we hoped to have a better life in South Africa”.

Dube said on the way “two women were raped” and thrown out of the moving vehicleHe said others were dropped in different places along the way.

Another kidnapped man, Thomas Danga, told Sowetan that when they got to Yeoville, Johannesburg, their kidnappers locked them in a room and took their cellphones, money and clothes.

“They told us that they would only release us if our relatives came with a R1000 a person.”He said they again had to share a small bucket to relieve themselves.

“Can you imagine relieving yourself in front of strangers. We were sleeping on the floor with no blankets.”

He said they were also not provided with food.
“They only bought a one litre mageu for the children. That was after the kids were crying,” said Dube.

Johannesburg Central police spokesperson Captain John Maluleke said police were tipped-off by a relative of one of the kidnapped Zimbabweans.

“We found them in a tiny room with urine all over the place. It is unbelievable human beings can do such a thing to their fellow beings.”

He said three men were arrested and will appear in court soon. “The victims will undergo counselling to help them deal with their ordeal.”

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Me! Me! Take Me! Children pose for a picture at the Bulawayo Centre.
Located in the heart of Bulawayo, the centre is a mall that houses boutiques, cinemas a supermarket, offices and scores of other shops.

A man and a woman dance at a Mawungira eNharira show in Harare recently.

 Mawungira eNharira performs powerful Mbira pieces and have regular shows at the Book Café (2009) which draw large fanatical audiences.

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Zuma's swearing in........

South Africa's Chief Justice Pius Langa (not in picture) swears in Jacob Zuma as the country's President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on May 09, 2009. South Africa's new President Jacob Zuma today vowed to follow Nelson Mandela's legacy of reconciliation in an inaugural speech.

Supporters gather for the inauguration of the new president of South Africa Jacob Zuma at the government Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 9, 2009. Jacob Zuma, pictured on shirt at centre, took the presidential oath Saturday, vowing "The dreams and hopes of all the people of our country must be fulfilled," Zuma promised."There is no place for complacency, no place for cynicism, no place for excuses."

Former President of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana(L) arrives for the lavish inauguration ceremony for President Jacob Zuma held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 9, 2009

Jacob Zuma's supporters hold up signs and cheer with joy after enduring heavy rain on May 9, 2009 at the Union Building in Pretoria to witness the inaguration ceremony of their party president and the 4th Democratic president of South Africa. More than 50,000 people packed onto the lawns of the Union Buildings, South Africa's seat of government, to watch Jacob Zuma take his presidential oath today, police said. The government had earlier predicted about 30,000 would watch the ceremony, in addition to the 5,000 invited guests and dignitaries.

South Africa's fourth President Jacob Zuma (L) accompanied by his senior wife, Sizakele Khumalo (R) arrive at his investiture ceremony in Pretoria on May 9, 2009.

Jacob Zuma takes the oath of office to become South Africa's President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday May 9, 2009 in front of Chief Justice Pius Langa, left. Jacob Zuma took the presidential oath Saturday, vowing "The dreams and hopes of all the people of our country must be fulfilled," Zuma promised."There is no place for complacency, no place for cynicism, no place for excuses."

Zimbabwe Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai l) arrives for the lavish inauguration ceremony for President Jacob Zuma held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 9, 2009.

Libyan President Moamer Kadhafi arrives the inauguration ceremony of South African President Jacob Zuma (unseen) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on May 9, 2009. More than 50,000 people packed onto the lawns of the Union Buildings, South Africa's seat of government, to watch Jacob Zuma take his presidential oath today, police said. The lavish event which cost the state 75 million rand (8.9 million dollars, 6.6 million euros) was attended by nearly 30 leaders, mostly African, and other foreign dignitaries.

South African newly elected President Jacob Zuma(C) is sworn in as President of South Africa during a lavish inauguration ceremony held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 9, 2009.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma speaks during his inaugural speech at Union Building in Pretoria, on May 9, 2009.

People sing and dance at the Union Building ahead of South African President elect Jacob Zuma's swearing in ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Libyan President Moamer Kadhafi raises his fist at the inauguration ceremony of South African President Jacob Zuma (unseen) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on May 9, 2009.

South Africa's fourth President Jacob Zuma (L) accompanied by his senior wife, Sizakele Khumalo (R) arrive at his investiture ceremony in Pretoria on May 9, 2009.

Former South Africa's President Nelson Mandela (L) arrives with wife Graca Machel (R) for the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma at the Union Building in Pretoria, on May 9, 2009. New South African President Jacob Zuma seized on Nelson Mandela's legacy of reconciliation, vowing in his inaugural speech to defend democracy and reunite the country after years of divisive politics.

Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, second right, arrives at the swearing in ceremony for South Africa's fourth President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Former South African President and Nobel Peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela reacts during the inauguration of unseen President Jacob Zuma at the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa on May 9, 2009. Jacob Zuma's inauguration capped the spectacular rise of a former freedom fighter who survived a rape trial, an eight-year graft investigation and a political battle that toppled a president.

South Africa's first black President Nelson Mandela (L) is greeted by Jacob Zuma during his inauguration ceremony as South Africa's fourth President since the end of apartheid in Pretoria on May 9, 2009.

President Jacob Zuma(L) watches as a Zulu singer dances on stage after being sworn in as President of South Africa during a lavish inauguration ceremony held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 9, 2009.

South African police snipers take their position during the inauguration of South African President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa on May 9, 2009.

Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (L) and his wife Nompumelelo Ntuli sit at the start of his investiture ceremony in Pretoria on May 9, 2009. South Africa's new President Jacob Zuma today vowed to follow Nelson Mandela's legacy of reconciliation in an inaugural speech.

Newly installed South African President Jacob Zuma greets former President Thabo Mbeki during the innauguration of Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, May 9, 2009.

South Africa's first black President Nelson Mandela (L) talks with Jacob Zuma before his inauguration ceremony as South Africa's fourth President since the end of apartheid in Pretoria on May 9, 2009.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace greet the crowd at the inauguration ceremony of South Africa's newly elected president Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on May 9, 2009. Zuma is the country's fourth president since the apertheid.

Nelson Mandela (L) and his wife Graca attend the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria May 9, 2009.

Two of South Africa's President Jacob Zuma's three wives Nompumelelo Ntuli Zuma (L) and Thobeka Mabhija arrive for the swearing-in ceremony in Pretoria May 9, 2009.

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Arriving for Zuma's bash.......

A handout picture released on May 8, 2009 shows Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi (C) upon his arrival at Johannesburg airport to attend Jacob Zuma's inauguration as president on the eve of the oath taking ceremony. Zuma is to be sworn on May 9 in Pretoria, after leading the ruling African National Congress to a sweeping victory in elections two weeks ago.

 A handout picture released on May 8, 2009 shows Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (L) and his wife Grace (2ndL) upon their arrival at Johannesburg airport to attend Jacob Zuma's inauguration as president on the eve of the oath taking ceremony. Zuma is to be sworn on May 9 in Pretoria, after leading the ruling African National Congress to a sweeping victory in elections two weeks ago.

Undercover in Zimbabwe

Listen here....



It's been three months since the launch of Zimbabwe's coalition government between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement of Democratic Change.

Despite the change in the political landscape, Zimbabwe is still in crisis, with hyperinflation, widespread food shortages and few jobs.

Recently, the Zimbabwean government averted a teachers' strike by slashing school fees. Teachers are returning to work, although they are being paid in vouchers rather than cash.

For the past seven years the BBC, along with many international media organisations, has been banned from operating in Zimbabwe.

Sue Lloyd-Roberts has just been there, undercover, to find out how ordinary people are coping.

She explained to Lucy Ash that she's been in touch with several teachers throughout this period.


Trying to turn around Zimbabwe

Watch here 




Zimbabwe PM: Get over obsession with Robert Mugabe

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In an impassioned appeal Friday, Zimbabwe's long-suffering Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called for people to get over their obsession with his longtime enemy, President Robert Mugabe.

And he urged the millions who have abandoned the southern African nation to return to help rebuild its ruined economy.

Tsvangirai, who has been beaten up and tortured by Mugabe's thugs over the years, said victims of repression and the perpetrators of the crimes should reconcile.

He addressed white and black exiled Zimbabweans in an audience at South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand, the first open forum Tsvangirai has addressed since forming a unity government with Mugabe in February, but the message also was intended for skeptical Western nations.

"Don't be too paranoid about your obsession with Robert Mugabe because he isn't going to go away, he is there," Tsvangirai said. "Robert Mugabe was part of the problem but he is also part of the solution, whether you like it or not."

He was responding to a white man who declared, to applause, that Mugabe "has almost single-handedly destroyed the country, lost two elections and yet is still there ... Why do you have to sleep with the enemy? Is not the simple solution that Mugabe goes?"

The United States, former colonizer Britain and others have called for Zimbabwe's leader of 28 years to retire and, suspicious of Mugabe's commitment, have not offered development aid despite desperate pleas the unity government could collapse. Neighboring countries and an African bank have pledged $650 million in credit lines — far from the $2 billion the government says it needs just this year.

The power-sharing agreement was shaken badly Tuesday when a magistrate revoked bail for a human rights advocate and 14 others abducted illegally, and sent them back to the prison where they allege they were tortured. They are accused of terror charges widely seen as trumped up.

Their re-detention was seen as a move by Mugabe to put pressure on Tsvangirai after his party set a Monday deadline for resolving outstanding issues that have dogged the unity government for months.

The magistrate ordered them freed the following day, acting on orders from Mugabe and Tsvangirai, who said "So far as I am concerned the issue is resolved."

But he made no mention of a journalist and two of his aides who remain under police guard in the hospital for treatment from alleged torture.

Tsvangirai said Friday that his and Mugabe's parties have resolved nearly all the outstanding issues and that an announcement would be made Tuesday. Zimbabweans, and others, will be looking to see if Mugabe has made major concessions or if Tsvangirai has again been forced to compromise.

The former trade union leader and longtime opposition veteran admitted Friday that he had agreed to share power from a position of weakness as tens of thousands of Zimbabweans were infected with cholera — more than 4,000 died — and schools and hospitals shut down as public services collapsed. Hundreds of people had been killed and thousands of homes burnt in state-sponsored violence, he said, while thousands were starving as inflation topped 500 billion percent.

"We could not be the authors of death," Tsvangirai said, adding that he keeps at the front of his mind the greater good of the people of Zimbabwe.

While Tsvangirai declared his country open for business and eager for investment, he said the need to share land and businesses with black Zimbabweans is not in dispute but that his government realizes it needs to negotiate how that is accomplished.

The often-violent seizures of white-owned commercial farms was the start of Zimbabwe's plunge into an economic, political and lawless morass that today has most people in the former food exporter dependent on foreign handouts. Mugabe said the farms would go to landless peasants but instead gave them to generals and cronies who let fields fall fallow.

Tsvangirai said an independent land commission must be set up to redistribute land.

When Zimbabwe became independent in 1980, after a guerrilla war to end white supremacist rule, some 4,500 farmers owned two-thirds of the richest land.

"Land is an unfinished national agenda which means that until it is resolved ... it will continue to be an emerging issue every time there is conflict," Tsvangirai said.

"Don't continue to be stewing in your own hatred," he urged his people. "Zimbabweans must never forget that if we do not reconcile and rebuild and look to the future, this country will be forever trapped in this history of tribal violence, of political violence."

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Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009....first day of the tobacco selling season..PICS

Zimbabwean Farmers arrive with their tobacco on the first day of the tobacco selling season in Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009. According to independent stakeholders they were expecting prices to be firm this season although the biggest determinant would be the quality of the crop. Zimbabwe has appealed for close to US$1 Billion to help revive the economy now been run by an all inclusive government.

Businessmen inspect tobacco leaves, mostly for export, at Tobacco Sales Floor Ltd. in Harare May 7, 2009. Zimbabwe has secured an additional credit line of $250 million from the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) to help its economic reconstruction and plans to issue a bond by July, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Thursday.

Zimbabwean farmers sit on bags of tobacco leaves, mostly for export, at Tobacco Sales Floor Ltd. in Harare May 7, 2009.

An unidentified woman and her baby wait to sell their tobacco on the first day of the tobacco selling season in Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009. According to independent stakeholders they were expecting prices to be firm this season although the biggest determinant would be the quality of the crop. Zimbabwe has appealed for close to US$1 Billion to help revive the economy now been run by an all inclusive government.

Zimbabwean farmers wait to sell their tobacco on the first day of the tobacco selling season in Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009

Zimbabwean farmer Chipo Chisya with her baby waits to sell her tobacco, on the first day of the tobacco selling season in Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009.

Zimbabwean auctioners sell tobacco on the first day of the tobacco selling season in Harare, Thursday, May, 7, 2009.

Businessmen walk past tobacco leaves, mostly for export, at Tobacco Sales Floor Ltd. in Harare May 7, 2009. Zimbabwe has secured an additional credit line of $250 million from the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) to help its economic reconstruction and plans to issue a bond by July, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Thursday.

A Zimbabwean farmer looks at bags of tobacco, mostly for export, at Tobacco Sales Floor Ltd. in Harare May 7, 2009.

Kallie Kriel, head of the civil rights initiative group Afriforum, places an anti Mugabe poster outside the Zimbabwe embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday May 7, 2009, to protest the invitation extended to the Zimbabwe President by South African authorities to attend the presidential inauguration for Jacob Zuma Saturday May 9, 2009.

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Analysis: The MDC's powerlessness in the GNU/GPA exposed

Mugabe has failed to silence ZANU-PF hardliners who have been working behind the scenes to derail the inclusive govt.

The MDC 'complained' Tuesday at the arrest of MDC and human rights activists by ZANU-PF aligned cadres. The activists are accused by ZANU-PF officials who control the police, the army and the secret service with the justice ministry of trying to overthrow the illegal Mugabe regime last year.

Most of the 18 that have been thrown in jail today had been released on bail in recent weeks in the spirit of reconciliation following the MDC's joining of the GNU government.



But ZANU-PF officials opposed to the inclusive govt., who have been working behind the scenes, have become bolder and today they arrested the former political detainees.

The more than a dozen detainees, including Jestina Mukoko, were abducted last year at the behest of Security Minister Didymus Mutasa in conjuction with the secret service, the police and the army.

The abductees then spent more than four months in Zimbabwe's filthy prisons before they were released on stringent bail conditions.

But in the weeks after the MDC joined the inclusive govt., ZANU-PF officials have become bolder in their efforts to derail the inclusive govt.

The rearrest of MDC and human rights activists, according to the hard line ZANU-PF officials, is the best and quickest way to topple the inclusive government.

Of late, the MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has claimed that the inclusive govt. is irreversible. What remains to be seen is what the MDC will do now that dozens of its members are now behind bars, in addition to the fact that Mugabe has refused to address other GNU outstanding issues.

The MDC, obsevers said, was unlikely to pull out of the inclusive govt. now that they have tested the sweetness of power.

Judging by the MDC's reaction to the news of the rearrest of the activists, it is safe to conclude that the MDC will merely complain about it and move on.

In a statement, the MDC said it was "shocked by the blatant disregard of human rights shown by the State today at the Harare Magistrate’s Court when 18 MDC and civil society members facing trumped-up charges of banditry, terrorism and insurgency where re-detained."

In complaining at the arrest of the activists, the MDC has exposed what has always been believed within and without Zimbabwe: The MDC has no power in the inclusive govt.

Had the MDC had power, it wouldn't have allowed the rearrest of several of its members.

----

Below is the MDC's full statement:



The MDC is shocked by the blatant disregard of human rights shown by the State today at the Harare Magistrate’s Court when 18 MDC and civil society members facing trumped-up charges of banditry, terrorism and insurgency where re-detained.

Today’s ruling is a clear signal that there are some elements within government and Zanu PF who are against the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and the wishes of the majority of the people of Zimbabwe.

Today’s ruling seriously threatens not only the life and health of the inclusive government, but its longevity and durability. Today’s ruling is a flagrant disregard to the commitments and agreements by the three principals to the GPA.

Today’s ruling slams shut the door of international goodwill. It undermines and threatens the goodwill that the inclusive government had begun to enjoy on the continent and the broader international community.

The MDC national executive will soon meet to deliberate on various issues, including the continued flagrant and blatant violations of the Global Political Agreement, which is the compass and guide of the inclusive government.

Among those who were re-detained today are Jestina Mukoko, the Zimbabwe Peace Project director, former personal aide to the MDC President Ghandi Mudzingwa, the MDC Mashonaland West women’s assembly chairperson Concilia Chinanzvavana and Chris Dhlamini, the MDC’s head security.

The magistrate hearing the case said she no longer had any jurisdiction to grant the activists further remand as there trial dates have been set at the High Court.

The re-detention of the 18 is also most worrying as the State has no evidence on the charges that are being levelled against these innocent people.

For the past two months, the MDC has been pushing for a lasting conclusion to outstanding issues in the GPA but Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF have not been willing to show their sincerity to the agreement.

The outstanding issues include the case of permanent secretaries and ambassadors, the swearing-in of Senator Roy Bennett as deputy minister of Agriculture, the issue of provincial governors, the issue of the RBZ governor Gideon Gono and Attorney-General Johannes Tomana.

The MDC urges SADC and the African Union as the guarantors of the GPA, to urgently address the political stalemate in Zimbabwe as it threatens national and international stability.

The MDC calls for the immediate release of all the re-detained activists and also the release of seven MDC activists whose whereabouts remain unknown after they were abducted by State security agents in November and December last year.

The MDC is a party of excellence. We believe that human rights are sacred, inalienable and sacrosanct. We believe that the dignity of the people should continue to be respected. We believe that the duty of the State is to protect citizens and not to detain, harass or abuse them.

Together, we will march with the people towards a new Zimbabwe.

MY SAY.... 

''mugabe,em and the generals'' still hold all the power and the more ''the white world'' performs and points fingers and lays down ultimatums the worse they will get. 

Actually what right has ''the white world'' got to lay down ultimatums in the first place.....???

What is their agenda .....?????

As far as I can see ''the white wqorld'' is not interested in the hell that the people of Zimbabwe are going through all they want is revenge for what was done to the White farmers.....their continued demands and posturing is just a damn joke and the Zimbabwean peoples lives are being played with like a cat toys with a mouse before it kill's it......they really don't care a toss about any Zimbabwean that is not a White farmer....

Morgan Tsvangarai and his party have been used as a tool by ''the white world'' who by the way were so foolish in their use of him because they have and are making their use of him so public that they have condemned him to failure......

If only ''the white world'' had acted like mature and intelligent human beings in the treatment of ''mugabe'' Zimbabwe would be a zanu pf and mugabe free zone by now instead they made him a hero in Africa and destroyed a country and it's people all because of  skin colour and nothing more......

''mugabe'' was ''the white worlds'' hero even when he slaughtered thousands off in Matebeleland the only time he became a villian was when he dared to step on the White Zimbabweans toes........

To ''the white world'' get out of the pig sty's that you have been in for so long ....learn that just because a person is not white doesn't mean that they have to be treated like some sort of sub human creatures.....you do not have the right to tell other countries how they should be run because no one tells you how to run your country's.........you just stump willy nilly all over others and then squeal when you get bitten by your own medicine......

Clean up your act when dealing or doing business in Africa and stop looking for the corrupt and violent leaders and paying them chump change for your own benefit's........

Africa today is the mess that it is because of you lot.......just go back into the hstory of how ''the white world'' has dealt with Africa.....you should be ashamed to the core......you have placed and supported the most evil of men....started wars and supported them to.....turned a blind eye to ther most evil of people and all for the sake of your pockets now you are frothing and peeing all over the place because of ''mugabe'' and his treatment of the White farmers not because of his treatment of the people of Zimbabwe......those you don't give a toss about.......

Keep performing and laying down your law and Zimbabwe will get further and further away from you........

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HIFA plays.......and some news....05/04/09

War Has 3 Faces in HIFA Farm Invasions Play ....

A black peasant farmer who has had his home burnt during a politically motivated attack and white commercial farmer who has lost his farm and his father during a farm invasion meet and realise that they have more in common than they previously imagined- including a feeling of powerlessness to do anything about this third force that has brought them both to their knees. Welcome to Allegations.

Written by the award winning writer and director of Loupe, Mandisi Gobodi, and directed by a rising theatrical giant, Patience Tawengwa, Allegations is a moving play with a lot of you-did-not-just-say-that honesty in the verbal exchange between the two protagonists.

Allegations is a product of the HIFA-Direct mentoring project for Zimbabwean writers and directors run by the British Council. It was produced with the support of the Young Vic in London.

The play was performed yesterday to a packed audience at the Standard Theatre.

The storyline goes thus:

Spud () recounts how he had to flee his farm after a mob of youth and war veterans invaded it. In the process of the invasion, his father was shot- and died. Spud is angered by how he is seen as not being Zimbabwean, by how all that his family has built has been lost in the flicker of a flame. Fearing for his life he runs away with his wife carrying only the title deeds for the farm.

Reason () tells how he was accused of being a member of the opposition by ruling party youth and how his hut was set on fire. He was then dragged to a political rally where was tortured and witnessed a prominent businessman get murdered for being part of the opposition party. Reason manages to escape while the businessman is being dealt with.

 When the two meet, the exchange is fierce with each alleging that the other is the cause for their problems and each claiming to be the greater victim.

An interesting point is how the set for the play is simply a huge jungle gym piece surrounded by piles of newspapers and a huge tractor tyre to one end. During the play, the jungle gym serves as Spud’s farm house, Reason’s hut, a mountain, a place of rest for reason when he is fleeing the youth and a hiding place for Spud when he is running away from the war veterans.

It is as if the writer is saying that this whole story, this tale of woe and loss and chaos is but a big game for someone.

Zimbabwe's National Unity Government Locks Horns on Land

Western reconstruction assistance to Zimbabwe is being held up because President Robert Mugabe's supporters are continuing to disrupt farming activity on white-run farms. Meanwhile, a white Zimbabwe commercial farmer has been elected as president of the regional agricultural union and vice president for Africa on the world body representing most small-scale and communal farmers.



From the launch of the unity government in Zimbabwe in February, Western governments stipulated that development aid would only be given to Zimbabwe if several conditions were met. One of those was a cessation of farm invasions and other disruptions on farms by supporters of President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party; and, the security services which still answer only to him.

These activities are a continuation of the chaotic land-reform process begun in 2000 by Mr. Mugabe's government, under which some 4,000 commercial farmers have lost their land, much of it to high-ranking ZANU-PF members and Mr. Mugabe's cronies.

Despite that, invasions have continued and there has been a continuous effort by supporters of President Mugabe to disrupt and prevent farming activity, and police are charging landowners with trespass.

Both factions of the Movement for Democratic Change have demanded an end to these actions and say there must be a moratorium on the question of land. President Robert Mugabe says the land seizures by his supporters must continue, because all agricultural land has been nationalized.

Sources tell VOA that negotiations between Mr. Mugabe and the two MDC leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambare, to resolve the matter remain stuck on several important points. A new round of negotiations begins Monday.

Western diplomats say, until this issue is settled and production allowed to continue, there will be no meaningful Western aid to begin the massive start of rebuilding Zimbabwe's destroyed economy.

Doug Taylor-Freeme, who will be prosecuted for trespass in a district court in northern Zimbabwe, Tuesday, was recently elected as president of the Southern Africa Development Community's Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions. He was also elected the African vice president of the World Federation of International Agricultural Producers, which represents millions of mainly small-scale and communal farmers around the world.

He says his election means he represents the vast majority of southern African farmers. He says the confederation's support for beleaguered Zimbabwean farmers in the last few years has been crucial.

"There's been a very consistent message from them," he said. "These bodies are structures to promote agriculture and, with the destruction of the agriculture sector in Zimbabwe, this goes against all their principles, and so they have been pretty strong . With SADC being given the mandate to resolve the Zimbabwe issue and because SACAU is part of SADC it puts us, or it puts me, in a very strong position to try and deal with the recovery of agriculture."

Taylor-Freeme says all Zimbabwe's farmers are impatient for a resolution of the land question, which has led, in large part, to the collapse of the economy which has depended on agriculture for generations.

"So in Zimbabwe, both large or small-scale farmers, none of us can farm effectively. So collectively there is a message from the grassroots levels, saying come on we need a balance. We need to help each other.  I believe there is enough land for everybody and so there is a voice coming from the bottom to political leaders, we need to resolve this and get the country productive again," he said.

Taylor-Freeme remains hopeful there will be a resolution to the current deadlock.

"I am still pretty confident that with time, reality will dawn," he said. "If you want investment, if you want financial access to the world's resources, you have got to come into line with international policies and regional policies. I give it a couple of months before that will all come into line. I am still pretty confident that it will come right."

Mr. Mugabe, Mr. Tsvangirai and Mr. Mutambara, the deputy prime minister, have failed to find common ground on land ownership and farm disruptions. However, they are now discussing a moratorium on action against land owners.



Shallow Plot, Great Acting in Disconnection

The story is one that many Zimbabweans will be familiar with- a family torn apart emotionally and spiritually by the tough economic conditions in the country finally ends up physically separated as mother and daughter go off to the UK while father and son are left to contend with the daily challenges of pre-GNU (Government of National Unity) Zimbabwe.

The play Disconnection which premiered at HIFA last week tells the painful story of the tough choices that many Zimbabwean families have had to make in the last few years- choices which often led to the separation of families in more ways than physical.

Part of the HIFA Direct mentoring project for Zimbabwean writers and directors, the play was written by Musekiwa Samuriwo and directed by Blessing Hungwe.

The casting is perfect and the actors deliver awesome performances. Chipo Bizure, who acts the mother, cries real tears when she receives news that her son (in the play) is dead.

However, the story unfolds along a pretty predictable path- children go off on a tangent, parents get angry and upset, children pay for their mistakes- the son with death and the daughter by being raped- parents grieve and the story ends.

It is a story that definitely needs to be told to many people because it is such a part of what the nation has become as millions of Zimbabweans eke out a living in various countries around the world. However, we must tell it with the skill that leaves audiences not just moved emotionally but challenged mentally as well.


Zimbabwean actor Jonathan Khumbulani performs in a play at the Harare International Festive of the Arts (HIFA) at Harare Gardens, April 29, 2009.

British born Canadian soprano singer Lynn Marie Boudreau performs at the Harare International Festive of the Arts (HIFA) at Harare Gardens, April 29, 2009.

ZIMBABWE: Making schools work.

 

HARARE, 4 May 2009 (IRIN) - The authorities announced a package of measures on 4 May to revive Zimbabwe's beleaguered education system and get teachers and children back into classrooms, as schools are expected to reopen this week.

"Cabinet will shortly decide on tuition fees, which will be substantially reduced," David Coltart, the minister of education, sport, arts and culture, told a press conference.



He said school fees would be reduced and parents would only have to pay admission fees to keep their children in schools while consultations on the fees to be charged took place. The admission fees range from US$5 to US$20.

Teacher unions have said educators would not return to work unless their salaries were improved, so as an inducement to get them back to school he announced that their children would not have to pay school fees.

Coltart said he had met with several donor organisations who had promised to help the government revive the education sector through capitalization. Zimbabwe's economic meltdown, with around 90 percent unemployment and crippling shortages of basic commodities, has made survival a priority.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), school attendance rates dropped from 80 percent to 20 percent in 2008. Unaffordable school fees and absentee teachers meant more than 90 percent of Zimbabwe's rural schools, which most children attend, could not reopen at the beginning of the 2009 school year.

At present, school fees will cost the parents of primary school children in affluent low-density suburbs US$150 per child, while those in high-density townships will pay US$20. Civil servants earn about US$100 a month, making education unaffordable for most children.

The parents of high school students in low-density areas will have to fork out up to US$280 per term, while those in high-density areas will have to lay out US$180.

Students in rural secondary schools are expected to pay US$50 per term, but even with provisions to stagger payments, parents throughout the country failed to pay fees.

According to available statistics, more than 20,000 teachers left the profession between 2007 and 2008 in search of greener pastures, mainly in neighbouring southern African countries.

While individual teachers said they would "wait and see", union leaders on 4 May urged their members to return to work. "We are calling on all teachers to report for duty. We are doing this with heavy hearts, but we have faith in the minister," said Sifiso Ndlovu, chief executive of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association.

Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, told IRIN that donor representatives had assured them they would receive money to improve salaries. "After meeting the donors, we have reason to believe that our case is now in legitimate hands ... we have confidence in them."



Dubai World eyes Zimbabwe game park.

Dubai World is investing in a game park in Zimbabwe as part of its expansion plans in Africa.

The investment follows Dubai World’s acquisition of major stakes in three game reserves in South Africa, part of a push by the government-owned company to expand its African presence.



Sultan bin Sulayem, the chairman of Dubai World, said its Africa subsidiary was investing “in game parks both in Zimbabwe as well as in South Africa”.

“The game parks are basically nature reserves. Part of it is the social responsibility that we feel towards being in a country, but also part of it is investment,” Mr bin Sulayem said yesterday at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai.

A company official said the project in question was the Bubye Reserve Zimbabwe, according to Reuters.

Investor interest in Zimbabwe has grown since a power-sharing government was formed in February between Robert Mugabe, the president, and the former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. But the country is still subject to US and EU sanctions.

“Africa is a very interesting place,” said Mr bin Sulayem. “It is a place where you can see growth. In Africa, you will see double-digit growth. Africa is virgin, Africa has so much charm, nature. This is something that we know we can add value to.”

He said Africa’s “scenery would fit” the One&Only brand, through which Nakheel Hotels opened its first resort in South Africa, in Cape Town last month.

Dubai World and its divisions – including Nakheel Hotels, Leisurecorp, Dubai World Africa and DP World – have a number of investments in Africa. In February, Nakheel opened a second phase of Djibouti’s first five-star hotel, the Djibouti Palace Kempinski, which it said had shown excellent returns since its opening in 2006.

Dubai World has invested more than US$800 million (Dh2.93 trillion) in projects in Djibouti. Last year, Dubai World bought a 50 per cent interest in the Kruger National Park concession owned by Singita Game Reserves.

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News and pics from Zimbabwe.......02/05/09

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai addressing Zimbabwe Workers May Day rally in Harare on May 1, 2009. Zimbabwe's unity government is broke and cannot afford to match union demands for higher salaries, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told a May Day rally.

Zimbabwe traditional dancers perform during May Day celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare May 1, 2009. Zimbabwe's new unity government is broke and cannot meet union demands for higher wages, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday. Picture taken May 1, 2009.

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai addresses workers gathered at Gwanzura Stadium Highfield, Harare May 1, 2009, to commemorate May Day. The event was organised by The Zimbabwe Congress Of Trade Union (ZCTU).

Zimbabwean traditional dancers perform to an unidentified visitor during May Day commemorations in Harare, Friday, May, 1, 2009. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who addressed the gathering said that the government was broke and could not afford high wages for general workers.

Zimbabwe's Prime Minster, Morgan Tsvangirai, addresses the crowd during May Day celebrations in Harare, Friday, May, 1, 2009. Tsvangirai said that the government was broke and could not afford high wages for the general workers.

Zimbabwean traditional dancers perform for an unidentified visitor during May Day commemorations in Harare, Friday, May, 1, 2009. Zimbabwean Prime Minster Morgan Tsvangirai who addressed the gathering said that the government was broke and could not afford high wages for general workers.

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (L) and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) leader Lovemore Matombo attend May Day celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare May 1, 2009. Zimbabwe's new unity government is broke and cannot meet union demands for higher wages, Tsvangirai said on Friday. Picture taken May 1, 2009.

A nyau dancer performs during May Day celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare May 1, 2009. Zimbabwe's new unity government is broke and cannot meet union demands for higher wages, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday. Picture taken May 1, 2009.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (L) and Zambian President Rupiah Banda (R) arrive in Bulawayo for the official opening of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on April 30, 2009. Zimbabwe is trying to have more investors come to invest in the country to help resasitate the economy, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said there is need to restore rule of law in Zimbabwe to insprire investor confidence.

Zimbabwean President arrives in Bulawayo for the official opening of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on April 30, 2009 which was officially opened by Zambian President Rupia Banda. Zimbabwe is trying to have more investors come to invest in the country to help resasitate the economy, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said there is need to restore rule of law in Zimbabwe to insprire investor confidence.

 Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe is broke


Zimbabwe's unity government is out of money and is unable to meet demands by unions for higher wages, the country’s prime minister has said at a May Day rally.

Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday that the new government, which he formed with President Robert Mugabe in February, can only afford annual salaries of $100 for workers.

 The full story here......


SOUTH AFRICA: Zimbabwean migration camouflages human traffickers

 

 Sibelo Sibanda, of Lawyers for Human Rights in Musina, with two children suspected of being trafficked 

MUSINA, 1 May 2009 (IRIN) - To the untrained eye, the human tide surging through the South African border town of Musina is just that: a mass of people leaving behind Zimbabwe's collapsed economy to seek job opportunities and a better life, or refuge in a neighbouring country.


Sebelo Sibanda, of Lawyers for Human Rights in Musina, is a more acute observer; he sees changes taking place in a migration that is believed to number between one million and more than three million people.

"A trend started in the last two or three months, where you see more and more women coming in with groups of children - the children are too numerous and often too similar in age to be from one mother," he said.

The Zimbabwean migration, comprising asylum seekers fleeing political persecution, economic migrants from a shattered economy, traders, shoppers and unaccompanied minors, provides ample camouflage for human traffickers.

The border between South Africa and Zimbabwe is a fertile ground for criminal gangs. The "magumagumas" prey on migrants, robbing and raping them as they make their way to South Africa, while the "malaicha" arrange safe passage for migrants, but do not always keep to the contract.

Nde Ndifonka, the southern African spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, told IRIN: "The conditions are there. We believe there is a high incidence of human trafficking happening there [the South Africa-Zimbabwe border]".

Parents living in South Africa often pay a malaicha to bring children across the border, Sibanda said, and it was a "small step" to becoming a human trafficker.

Ndifonka said the malaicha were part of trafficking rings and targeted "specifically, vulnerable young children, as there is a demand for labour and sexual exploitation in South Africa".

In mid-April 2009, during a spot check, police found two unaccompanied minors - boys aged about four and five - in a car en route to Johannesburg. "The woman at first said they were her children, but when I interviewed the children separately they said they did not know who she was," Sibanda said.

The unseen crime

"The woman then maintained that she was their mother's sister, but the children did not know who she was, but were told by her to call her 'aunty'. The woman then said she was taking them to meet their mother in Johannesburg, but the children said their mother was living in Cape Town."

The woman is expected to be charged with kidnapping or a lesser charge of smuggling, as South Africa has yet to adopt human trafficking legislation.

An international children's agency, which declined to be identified, fearing it might attract human traffickers to its offices, told IRIN it had begun trying to trace the children's relatives. The aid worker said people claiming to be the relatives or friends of parents had tried to lure children away from the shelter.

"Human trafficking is difficult to detect, as people are generally not aware they are being trafficked. We know it [human trafficking] is happening but cannot detect it," Jacob Matakanye, CEO of the Musina Legal Advice Centre, told IRIN.

"The only way to prevent trafficking is to educate people about it in the country of origin ... Zimbabwe is an ideal opportunity for traffickers, as it is next to South Africa [the continent's richest country]," he said.

The UN defines human trafficking as "The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving of or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation."

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