30th Mar 2007 22:29 GMT
By Reuben Kachisi
New York
Events over the last two weeks have added to the pressures facing the Zimbabwean leader, but the opposition will need to keep up the momentum since the president is likely to cling to power as long as he can.
WITH Zimbabwe strangely calm after the horrific events of the past two weeks, some frustrated onlookers believe the opposition has once again failed to seize the moment.
The assault on Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, leader Morgan Tsvangirai and about 50 others while they were held in police cells after being arrested on March 11 sparked international condemnation and galvanised public opinion against President Robert Mugabe.
But the opposition has yet to find a way of keeping up the pressure on the beleaguered government to open up the democratic space and kick-start the process of writing a new constitution - a key demand they believe must be met if the country is to move towards democracy.
Zimbabwe is likely to hold a presidential election next year, and Mugabe will probably stand again, putting paid to any hopes that a new constitution will be written and an internationally supervised poll held.
"I think the MDC and other forces fighting Mugabe are of the mistaken opinion that he will succumb to international pressure and change his ways," said one analyst, who did not want to be named.
The analyst said people underestimate the concerns that drive the Zimbabwean leader. Besides fearing prosecution after he retires, Mugabe is even more worried about fading into ignominy without leaving a legacy.
"He would not be able to live with the shame, so he wants to be the last man standing," said the analyst.
Even within the ranks of the ruling ZANU-PF, there are growing signs of dissent at a leader who refuses to go.
"Mugabe is an evil man," said a senior ZANU-PF official, who opposes Mugabe's failed bid to extend his term to 2010 or to stand in next year's presidential election.
"He is aware his time is up, but he won't let go. He is evil, a coward and doesn't trust anybody to protect him from prosecution and public humiliation once he leaves power.
"The party official said Mugabe had made up his mind to die in office rather than face possible prosecution for crimes against humanity.
A political lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe said the reason Mugabe was venting so much anger on opposition leaders was that senior members of his own party had rejected his proposal to stay in power until 2010 - two years after his term should expire.
"After crushing the opposition, he wants to see who will openly challenge him in his own party," the lecturer said.
Another analyst said the violence perpetrated by police was alienating Mugabe from the people he wants to vote for him.
"He is a desperate man.. He has no friends at home and abroad and therefore wants to die behind the huge walls of State House.
"To show that he still means business, Mugabe this week awarded hefty pension increases to the veterans of the 1970s war of liberation. He sees the veterans as trusted allies and uses them whenever his rule is under threat.
He has also increased remuneration for the Youth Brigade, commonly referred to as the Green Bombers. Members of these two groups now earn more than any civil servant.
But questions are now being asked about how much faith Mugabe has in the loyalty of his security forces, with news that 3 000 Angolan police officers are set to arrive in Zimbabwe next month, on what is being described as a "training" mission.
Assuming the opposition can recapture and build on the momentum of the past two weeks, analysts interviewed by IWPR predicted that Mugabe would not survive a mounting resistance movement - especially if the spirit of rebellion infects the security forces on whom he relies to crush his opponents.
Critics have spared no epithet to condemn the brutal beating of opposition supporters and leaders as they tried to gather for a prayer meeting in the poor township of Highfield, some 15 kilometres west of the capital Harare on March 11.
The authorities said the meeting defied a three-month ban on political meetings, but this order is itself a breach of Section 27 of the Public Order and Security Act, which states that political gatherings can be prohibited "for a period not exceeding one month".
The prayer meeting was organised by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, a coalition of groups opposed to Mugabe's rules and ranging from student movements to political parties and trade unions.
Some observers believe the scale of the crackdown, which saw Tsvangirai and scores of other activists arrested and beaten, as well as the fatal shooting of activist Gift Tandare, is evidence of Mugabe's desperation to cling onto power and his deep-rooted fear of broad-based popular revolt.
Mugabe was unmoved by the international opprobrium, and told his western critics "to go hang" for condemning the police brutality. State-sponsored violence continued with the severe beating MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa at Harare airport on March 17 as he was trying to board a plane to attend a meeting in Brussels.
Mugabe also threatened to expel European Union and American diplomats, accusing them of interfering in Zimbabwe's internal affairs in order to "effect regime change through the agency of the MDC".
He charged the West with siding with the opposition parties, which he has in the past accused of being mere fronts for Britain and the United States. The detainees were accused - in what has become the customary terminology - of provoking the police and trying to make the country ungovernable.
Few Zimbabweans now swallow the official line that the police are just trying to protect lives and property. Reports from Highfield and Mbare indicate that following the crackdown on protestors, police went on the rampage, beating up civilians and breaking doors in search of MDC "thugs". Police have reportedly spread their intimidation tactics into rural areas - the traditional stronghold of the ruling ZANU-PF - to crush MDC support there too.
The government has not even made a pretence of investigating the cause of Tandare's death, or the beatings of opposition members in police custody.
While the international criticism has been strongly-worded, the reaction closer to home - in the Southern African Development Community and the African Union has been typically muted. the African Union's chairman, President John Kufuor of Ghana, described events in Zimbabwe as "embarrassing", while South Africa's foreign ministry said it would not deviate from its policy of "quiet diplomacy", adding that what it called "rooftop diplomacy" only played into the hands of populist demagogues.
However, in a departure from the generally low-keyed response from the region, Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa said "quiet diplomacy" had failed to solve the economic and political crisis facing Zimbabwe.
During a visit to Namibia last week, Mwanawasa likened Zimbabwe to the "sinking Titanic" whose passengers were "jumping off in a bid to save their lives".
Former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, also responded with strong words, saying Africa should hang its head in shame at what one of its own, Mugabe, was doing to his people.
One of the analysts interviewed by IWPR said South African president Thabo Mbeki is facing a dilemma - he does not want to antagonise Mugabe, but he does not want to preempt a possible leadership change.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Mugabe Reasserts Control As Security Forces Besiege Opposition
By Reuben Kachisi
New York
30 March 2007
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, having emerged unscathed from a regional summit where he had been expected to face a barrage of criticism, consolidated his position at home Friday as the central committee of his ZANU-PF party endorsed his candidacy for another presidential term in the election to be held next year.
His domestic opponents, meanwhile, were besieged by security forces which pursued a crackdown that intelligence sources said was intended to quell unrest across the increasingly impoverished country and silence Mr. Mugabe's critics.
Analysts said political violence against the opposition was likely to intensify following the ruling party's decision to endorse the president's candidacy and bringing general elections forward by two years to coincide with the presidential ballot.
ZANU-PF Spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira told reporters after the meeting that the resolution endorsing Mr. Mugabe was accepted by the central committee and that "both the presidential and parliamentary elections will now be held in 2008.
"Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that the party also resolved to expand the number of seats in parliament to 210 from 150 to 210 and add 18 senate seats to the 66 in the upper chamber restored in late 2005 by a constitutional amendment.
The minister also said the central committee had also resolved that if a presidential vacancy occurs between elections, parliament would elect an acting president. The constitution now provides for a new election to be held in 90 days, but as the ruling party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority it can pass amendments at will.
The week that saw Mr. Mugabe reassert his primacy within the ruling party also saw a renewed crackdown on the opposition. More than 70 political and civil society activists have been abducted or arrested in recent days by suspected agents of the Central Intelligence Organization or by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, opposition officials say. Many of those kidnapped or arrested have been beaten, they charge.
Zimbabwean intelligence sources said the intention is to discredit the opposition by accusing it of engaging in terrorist activities. Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri accused the West of sponsoring what he called acts of terrorism. A raid Wednesday on the headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change faction headed by Morgan Tsvangirai was said to be staged to search for weapons or explosives.
Mr. Mugabe echoed Chihuri's words in remarks to the central committee Friday, said ruling party sources. He told reporters outside his party's headquarters that Tsvangirai deserved the beating he got at the hands of the police as he had provoked them.
Police were alleged to have severely beaten Tsvangirai and other opposition and civil society officials arrested after authorities halted a prayer meeting March 11.
MDC officials said more than 60 members had been arrested or abducted in the past week. The National Constitutional Assembly, a civic organization that has challenged the Mugabe government, said 16 of its members had been abducted in recent days.
The Harare high court ordered police Friday to provide detained opposition members with access to their lawyers, medical attention and food, and ordered they be brought to court for arraignment by 2 p.m. or set free. But police defied the order, according to MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama. Nine opposition members who appeared in court on Thursday were back in court Friday, and were again denied bail.
National Constitutional Assembly Chairman Lovemore Madhuku told a reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that contempt for the country's judiciary and the rule of law has become a hallmark of the Mugabe government.
New York
30 March 2007
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, having emerged unscathed from a regional summit where he had been expected to face a barrage of criticism, consolidated his position at home Friday as the central committee of his ZANU-PF party endorsed his candidacy for another presidential term in the election to be held next year.
His domestic opponents, meanwhile, were besieged by security forces which pursued a crackdown that intelligence sources said was intended to quell unrest across the increasingly impoverished country and silence Mr. Mugabe's critics.
Analysts said political violence against the opposition was likely to intensify following the ruling party's decision to endorse the president's candidacy and bringing general elections forward by two years to coincide with the presidential ballot.
ZANU-PF Spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira told reporters after the meeting that the resolution endorsing Mr. Mugabe was accepted by the central committee and that "both the presidential and parliamentary elections will now be held in 2008.
"Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that the party also resolved to expand the number of seats in parliament to 210 from 150 to 210 and add 18 senate seats to the 66 in the upper chamber restored in late 2005 by a constitutional amendment.
The minister also said the central committee had also resolved that if a presidential vacancy occurs between elections, parliament would elect an acting president. The constitution now provides for a new election to be held in 90 days, but as the ruling party holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority it can pass amendments at will.
The week that saw Mr. Mugabe reassert his primacy within the ruling party also saw a renewed crackdown on the opposition. More than 70 political and civil society activists have been abducted or arrested in recent days by suspected agents of the Central Intelligence Organization or by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, opposition officials say. Many of those kidnapped or arrested have been beaten, they charge.
Zimbabwean intelligence sources said the intention is to discredit the opposition by accusing it of engaging in terrorist activities. Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri accused the West of sponsoring what he called acts of terrorism. A raid Wednesday on the headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change faction headed by Morgan Tsvangirai was said to be staged to search for weapons or explosives.
Mr. Mugabe echoed Chihuri's words in remarks to the central committee Friday, said ruling party sources. He told reporters outside his party's headquarters that Tsvangirai deserved the beating he got at the hands of the police as he had provoked them.
Police were alleged to have severely beaten Tsvangirai and other opposition and civil society officials arrested after authorities halted a prayer meeting March 11.
MDC officials said more than 60 members had been arrested or abducted in the past week. The National Constitutional Assembly, a civic organization that has challenged the Mugabe government, said 16 of its members had been abducted in recent days.
The Harare high court ordered police Friday to provide detained opposition members with access to their lawyers, medical attention and food, and ordered they be brought to court for arraignment by 2 p.m. or set free. But police defied the order, according to MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama. Nine opposition members who appeared in court on Thursday were back in court Friday, and were again denied bail.
National Constitutional Assembly Chairman Lovemore Madhuku told a reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that contempt for the country's judiciary and the rule of law has become a hallmark of the Mugabe government.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
MDC wants police chief jailed for contempt of court
Wednesday 28 February 2007
By Reuben Kachisi
HARARE - Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party on Tuesday appealed to the High Court to order imprisonment of the country's Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri for 30 days for contempt of court.
In an urgent court application, the MDC said Chihuri and four other senior officers were in contempt of court after ordering the police to disrupt a rally of the opposition party in Harare's low-income suburb of Highfield.
The rally had been sanctioned by the High Court but could not take place after armed police sealed off the venue and later fought running battles with MDC supporters who had turned up for the meeting.
"We hereby seek that the respondents be found in contempt of court and that they be imprisoned for a period of 30 days," the MDC said in the application that had not been set down for hearing by late Tuesday.
Chihuri, Chief Superintendent Thomsen Jangara and other senior police officers identified only as Inspector Manyere, Assistant Inspector Chingururu and Assistant Inspector Moyo are cited as respondents in the application, the first to seek imprisonment of the country's police chief. Failure to punish the police chief and his subordinates would undermine the esteem of the High Court itself in the eyes of the public, the opposition party said.
"The esteem of the administration of justice in the eyes of the public will be shaken and therefore suffer irreparable harm if the honourable court does not react swiftly and decisively to the naked contempt of court," the MDC said.
It was not clear whether the Attorney General's office that represents government departments including the police had filed opposing papers by close of business on Tuesday.
The MDC had wanted to use the Highfield rally to launch its campaign for a presidential election that should take place next year but remains in great doubt after President Robert Mugabe said he wanted it pushed to 2010 so it could coincide with elections for Parliament.
The opposition party also urged the court to bar the police from banning future rallies of the party to launch its presidential election campaign, which it said it planned to launch any day before March 17, 2007.
Last week, police imposed a ban on political rallies and protests in Harare, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo ostensibly to allow tension to calm down in the three main cities.
But former Harare mayor and MDC organising secretary Elias Mudzuri said in an affidavit to court that the ban on rallies would derail the opposition party's political programmes.
"Rallies are virtually the only direct mass media at the applicant's disposal of communicating its political messages and advancing its programmes," Mudzuri said.
Mugabe's government has in recent weeks stepped up a crackdown against the opposition, arresting some of its leaders and banning political activity in volatile city suburbs as a harsh economic crisis continues driving political tensions to dangerous levels.
The proposals by Mugabe to extend his term by another two years without going through an election have helped stoke up tensions in the country with the political opposition and civic society groups threatening to roll out mass protests to block the plan.
A large section within Mugabe's own ruling ZANU PF party is also opposed to extending his tenure.
By Reuben Kachisi
HARARE - Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party on Tuesday appealed to the High Court to order imprisonment of the country's Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri for 30 days for contempt of court.
In an urgent court application, the MDC said Chihuri and four other senior officers were in contempt of court after ordering the police to disrupt a rally of the opposition party in Harare's low-income suburb of Highfield.
The rally had been sanctioned by the High Court but could not take place after armed police sealed off the venue and later fought running battles with MDC supporters who had turned up for the meeting.
"We hereby seek that the respondents be found in contempt of court and that they be imprisoned for a period of 30 days," the MDC said in the application that had not been set down for hearing by late Tuesday.
Chihuri, Chief Superintendent Thomsen Jangara and other senior police officers identified only as Inspector Manyere, Assistant Inspector Chingururu and Assistant Inspector Moyo are cited as respondents in the application, the first to seek imprisonment of the country's police chief. Failure to punish the police chief and his subordinates would undermine the esteem of the High Court itself in the eyes of the public, the opposition party said.
"The esteem of the administration of justice in the eyes of the public will be shaken and therefore suffer irreparable harm if the honourable court does not react swiftly and decisively to the naked contempt of court," the MDC said.
It was not clear whether the Attorney General's office that represents government departments including the police had filed opposing papers by close of business on Tuesday.
The MDC had wanted to use the Highfield rally to launch its campaign for a presidential election that should take place next year but remains in great doubt after President Robert Mugabe said he wanted it pushed to 2010 so it could coincide with elections for Parliament.
The opposition party also urged the court to bar the police from banning future rallies of the party to launch its presidential election campaign, which it said it planned to launch any day before March 17, 2007.
Last week, police imposed a ban on political rallies and protests in Harare, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo ostensibly to allow tension to calm down in the three main cities.
But former Harare mayor and MDC organising secretary Elias Mudzuri said in an affidavit to court that the ban on rallies would derail the opposition party's political programmes.
"Rallies are virtually the only direct mass media at the applicant's disposal of communicating its political messages and advancing its programmes," Mudzuri said.
Mugabe's government has in recent weeks stepped up a crackdown against the opposition, arresting some of its leaders and banning political activity in volatile city suburbs as a harsh economic crisis continues driving political tensions to dangerous levels.
The proposals by Mugabe to extend his term by another two years without going through an election have helped stoke up tensions in the country with the political opposition and civic society groups threatening to roll out mass protests to block the plan.
A large section within Mugabe's own ruling ZANU PF party is also opposed to extending his tenure.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Protesters await Mugabe ahead of Namibia trip
Reuters
Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:30 PM GMT
By Desiwaar Heita
WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Rights activists in Namibia promised on Tuesday to stage street protests against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on his first foreign trip since his government imposed a temporary ban on opposition rallies.
Mugabe, facing growing unrest at home over policies that critics say have ruined Zimbabwe's economy, is due to arrive in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Tuesday afternoon for a four-day state visit.
The veteran Zimbabwean leader, who turned 83 last week, will hold talks with Namibian President Hfikepunye Pohamba, visit a diamond company and speak to business leaders during the trip.
The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), a Namibian group, said it planned to protest outside Zimbabwe's embassy in Windhoek on Wednesday to express "outrage about the political, human rights and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabweans living in Namibia are expected to join the protest.
Last week Zimbabwe announced a three-month ban on political rallies and protests in a number of volatile townships in Harare after clashes there between police and opposition supporters.
Anti-Mugabe groups have described the move as effectively a "state of emergency" designed to stifle the opposition.
Zimbabwe's new ambassador to Namibia urged Namibians not to believe reports that his southern African nation was sinking into a deeper economic crisis.
"People should not listen to such propaganda that the country is going down, and that the economy is sinking. It is all propaganda. Zimbabwe is doing well," Ambassador Chipo Zindoga told Namibian state television.
Zimbabwe is struggling with soaring inflation, which at 1,600 percent is the highest in the world, chronic shortages of foreign currency, food and fuel and unemployment of 80 percent.
The International Monetary Fund last week maintained its suspension of financial and technical aid to Zimbabwe, saying the government had failed to clear its arrears and address the worsening economic and social crisis.
Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:30 PM GMT
By Desiwaar Heita
WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Rights activists in Namibia promised on Tuesday to stage street protests against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on his first foreign trip since his government imposed a temporary ban on opposition rallies.
Mugabe, facing growing unrest at home over policies that critics say have ruined Zimbabwe's economy, is due to arrive in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Tuesday afternoon for a four-day state visit.
The veteran Zimbabwean leader, who turned 83 last week, will hold talks with Namibian President Hfikepunye Pohamba, visit a diamond company and speak to business leaders during the trip.
The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR), a Namibian group, said it planned to protest outside Zimbabwe's embassy in Windhoek on Wednesday to express "outrage about the political, human rights and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabweans living in Namibia are expected to join the protest.
Last week Zimbabwe announced a three-month ban on political rallies and protests in a number of volatile townships in Harare after clashes there between police and opposition supporters.
Anti-Mugabe groups have described the move as effectively a "state of emergency" designed to stifle the opposition.
Zimbabwe's new ambassador to Namibia urged Namibians not to believe reports that his southern African nation was sinking into a deeper economic crisis.
"People should not listen to such propaganda that the country is going down, and that the economy is sinking. It is all propaganda. Zimbabwe is doing well," Ambassador Chipo Zindoga told Namibian state television.
Zimbabwe is struggling with soaring inflation, which at 1,600 percent is the highest in the world, chronic shortages of foreign currency, food and fuel and unemployment of 80 percent.
The International Monetary Fund last week maintained its suspension of financial and technical aid to Zimbabwe, saying the government had failed to clear its arrears and address the worsening economic and social crisis.
Monday, February 26, 2007
MDC activist tortured for 3 days by police in Epworth
An opposition supporter who was taken from his home by police last week is reported to be recovering from injuries sustained during 3 days of torture at Epworth police station. After first denying they had him in custody, police finally produced Norbert Gudorinorima on Saturday and released him to be attended to by a doctor six days after his original arrest. The story of exactly what happened to Gudorinorima is still unfolding as he talks to his lawyers. Alex Muchadehama from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the charges against Gudorinorima have been vague and convoluted.
He was first accused of theft, then this was changed to assault and later to defeating the course of justice. And in the absence of a clear case, the police assaulted him without any charges. Muchadehama said the man is not able to walk, sit or lie down without feeling pain. He is being attended to by a private doctor at Dandaro and is reported to be in a serious condition.
Muchadehama said Gudorinorima was first grabbed by police at a demonstration by the Tsvangirai MDC that had started spontaneously in the Harare South area on Sunday, February 18th. He was taken to Epworth police station where an unnamed complainant said he had been attacked by Gudorinorima and other MDC supporters. Due to a lack of evidence he was released the same day. But as Sunday turned into early Monday morning, the police came for him at his home and brought him back to Epworth police station. According to Muchadehama, the police assaulted Gudorinorima brutally for 3 days and 3 nights. No-one was allowed access to him during that period.
Meanwhile his wife, family and lawyers, including Muchadehama, were working frantically to secure his release. Youth from the Tsvangirai MDC who live nearby are also reported to have gone to the police station looking for him. Under enormous pressure, the police finally produced Gudorinorima this past Saturday, exactly 6 days after they took him from his house, and have still not charged him. They told Muchadehama they would proceed after he recovers from his injuries.
Muchadehama said police are doing what they want in this case. He explained that the normal procedures ie: arresting someone when you have probable cause, bringing them to court within the prescribed time and allowing them to appeal - were not even remotely followed here.
He was first accused of theft, then this was changed to assault and later to defeating the course of justice. And in the absence of a clear case, the police assaulted him without any charges. Muchadehama said the man is not able to walk, sit or lie down without feeling pain. He is being attended to by a private doctor at Dandaro and is reported to be in a serious condition.
Muchadehama said Gudorinorima was first grabbed by police at a demonstration by the Tsvangirai MDC that had started spontaneously in the Harare South area on Sunday, February 18th. He was taken to Epworth police station where an unnamed complainant said he had been attacked by Gudorinorima and other MDC supporters. Due to a lack of evidence he was released the same day. But as Sunday turned into early Monday morning, the police came for him at his home and brought him back to Epworth police station. According to Muchadehama, the police assaulted Gudorinorima brutally for 3 days and 3 nights. No-one was allowed access to him during that period.
Meanwhile his wife, family and lawyers, including Muchadehama, were working frantically to secure his release. Youth from the Tsvangirai MDC who live nearby are also reported to have gone to the police station looking for him. Under enormous pressure, the police finally produced Gudorinorima this past Saturday, exactly 6 days after they took him from his house, and have still not charged him. They told Muchadehama they would proceed after he recovers from his injuries.
Muchadehama said police are doing what they want in this case. He explained that the normal procedures ie: arresting someone when you have probable cause, bringing them to court within the prescribed time and allowing them to appeal - were not even remotely followed here.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Media commission refuses to renew newspaper's licence
Zim online
31 January 2007
HARARE
The government's Media and Information Commission (MIC) is refusing to renew the licence of one of Zimbabwe's biggest business newspapers, The Financial Gazette, demanding the paper first discloses its owners.
Under the government's tough media laws, newspapers cannot publish unless they have a licence from the MIC, with papers that breach the rule forced to close while their equipment is seized by the police. Newspaper company executives can also be jailed for publishing without permission from the commission.
The Fingaz, as it is also popularly called in the streets of Harare, is believed to be majority-owned by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono.
But the Fingaz's main rival, the Zimbabwe Independent, has claimed that the feared state spy Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) - and not Gono - is the controlling shareholder in the paper.
MIC chairman Tafataona Mahoso confirmed that his commission had not renewed the Fingaz's licence but refused to be drawn to disclose further details.
"It must be known that it is not an automatic renewal, there are things that we look at and get satisfied before granting a licence and we are still looking at their application," Mahoso told ZimOnline. He added: "We are not saying they will get a licence or not.
"Newspapers renew their publishing licences after every two years while journalists, who also require licences to practice, must renew theirs after every 12 months.
Fingaz general manager Jacob Chisese confirmed the paper, that is the oldest business and financial paper in the country, was still to receive a new licence from the MIC. Chisese refused to disclose details for confidentiality reasons but he expressed hope that his paper would soon have its licence renewed.
He said: "I can confirm we have not received our licence and we hope to get it as soon as possible like the others. Issues to do with licences are confidential so we cannot just go public over the matter because there are still issues we are clearing (with the MIC).
"But senior journalists at the Fingaz and officials at the MIC suggested that the real reason the paper was being denied a licence had more to do with the vicious battle raging within the ruling ZANU PF party over the succession of President Robert Mugabe.
They said powerful politicians in the ruling party did not trust Gono's political ambitions and wanted to cripple the Fingaz, fearing the RBZ chief - a blue eyed boy of Mugabe - might in the future want to use the paper to build a platform to position himself to succeed the veteran president.
"All this is part of the succession wars. There are many in ZANU PF who fear Gono could use the paper either to campaign for himself or to back someone not of their liking," said an MIC official, who declined to be named.
ZimOnline was unable to independently confirm these claims either with Gono or the senior ZANU PF politicians said to be after him.
However, Gono has in the past denied harbouring political ambitions. But Gono's failure to publicly declare whether he owned the Fingaz - even in the face of damaging claims that the CIO controls the paper - has left a huge question mark over who really owns the paper. - Zim online
31 January 2007
HARARE
The government's Media and Information Commission (MIC) is refusing to renew the licence of one of Zimbabwe's biggest business newspapers, The Financial Gazette, demanding the paper first discloses its owners.
Under the government's tough media laws, newspapers cannot publish unless they have a licence from the MIC, with papers that breach the rule forced to close while their equipment is seized by the police. Newspaper company executives can also be jailed for publishing without permission from the commission.
The Fingaz, as it is also popularly called in the streets of Harare, is believed to be majority-owned by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono.
But the Fingaz's main rival, the Zimbabwe Independent, has claimed that the feared state spy Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) - and not Gono - is the controlling shareholder in the paper.
MIC chairman Tafataona Mahoso confirmed that his commission had not renewed the Fingaz's licence but refused to be drawn to disclose further details.
"It must be known that it is not an automatic renewal, there are things that we look at and get satisfied before granting a licence and we are still looking at their application," Mahoso told ZimOnline. He added: "We are not saying they will get a licence or not.
"Newspapers renew their publishing licences after every two years while journalists, who also require licences to practice, must renew theirs after every 12 months.
Fingaz general manager Jacob Chisese confirmed the paper, that is the oldest business and financial paper in the country, was still to receive a new licence from the MIC. Chisese refused to disclose details for confidentiality reasons but he expressed hope that his paper would soon have its licence renewed.
He said: "I can confirm we have not received our licence and we hope to get it as soon as possible like the others. Issues to do with licences are confidential so we cannot just go public over the matter because there are still issues we are clearing (with the MIC).
"But senior journalists at the Fingaz and officials at the MIC suggested that the real reason the paper was being denied a licence had more to do with the vicious battle raging within the ruling ZANU PF party over the succession of President Robert Mugabe.
They said powerful politicians in the ruling party did not trust Gono's political ambitions and wanted to cripple the Fingaz, fearing the RBZ chief - a blue eyed boy of Mugabe - might in the future want to use the paper to build a platform to position himself to succeed the veteran president.
"All this is part of the succession wars. There are many in ZANU PF who fear Gono could use the paper either to campaign for himself or to back someone not of their liking," said an MIC official, who declined to be named.
ZimOnline was unable to independently confirm these claims either with Gono or the senior ZANU PF politicians said to be after him.
However, Gono has in the past denied harbouring political ambitions. But Gono's failure to publicly declare whether he owned the Fingaz - even in the face of damaging claims that the CIO controls the paper - has left a huge question mark over who really owns the paper. - Zim online
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Hampered By Zimbabwe Security Forces, NGO Opens Jo'Burg Office
NGO Opens Jo'Burg Office
By Reuben Kachisi
New York
30 January 2007
Zimbabwe's National Constitutional Assembly, which has taken a leadership role in the broad civil opposition to the government of President Robert Mugabe, has set up an office in Johannesburg, South Africa, to counter pressure from home security forces.
NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku said state security agents have interfered with the routine operation of his organization. The civic group has staged a number of protests in Harare in recent weeks and seems to be building support for mass protests given the collapse of the economy under the weight of inflation exceeding 1,200%.
Police called Madhuku to Harare Central Police Station on Monday to ask that he give them prior notice of protests, which the activist, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Zimbabwe, refused to agree to do.
He told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the NCA will keep its focus on protests despite the opening of a South African office.
By Reuben Kachisi
New York
30 January 2007
Zimbabwe's National Constitutional Assembly, which has taken a leadership role in the broad civil opposition to the government of President Robert Mugabe, has set up an office in Johannesburg, South Africa, to counter pressure from home security forces.
NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku said state security agents have interfered with the routine operation of his organization. The civic group has staged a number of protests in Harare in recent weeks and seems to be building support for mass protests given the collapse of the economy under the weight of inflation exceeding 1,200%.
Police called Madhuku to Harare Central Police Station on Monday to ask that he give them prior notice of protests, which the activist, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Zimbabwe, refused to agree to do.
He told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the NCA will keep its focus on protests despite the opening of a South African office.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Mugabe's 'great lie' exposed
Mail and Guardian
Julius Dawu
Former Zanu-PF strongman and co-founder, Enos Nkala, is on a "Mugabe Must Go" campaign, saying the Zimbabwean leader has become a political "Frankenstein" resistant to democratic change.
"'Mugabe must go' means there will be a new political order in Zimbabwe," Nkala told the Mail & Guardian from his Bulawayo home. "[Edgar] Tekere, others and I have agreed to tear down Zanu-PF if he refuses to go. We are the creators of Zanu-PF and as creators we can tear it down."
Nkala (74) served in a number of positions in Mugabe's Cabinet, holding the finance, national supplies, home affairs and defence portfolios. He was number four in power until 1989 when he resigned from government and Zanu-PF after admitting to lying in a scandal involving the sale of scarce new cars. Now a full-time rancher and a born-again Christian, Nkala admits that there are no constitutional mechanisms to remove Mugabe except the ballot. He says past meetings with Mugabe over national issues have yielded nothing. In 2006 he met Mugabe twice and criticised him over land invasions and about insulting United States President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"Apparently he is impervious to reason. I have had many meetings with him. I think he is politically sick. I would not want to use the word mentally sick. There are no constitutional mechanisms to remove him and that is our problem. You do not counsel a man who is impervious to analysis and to admitting mistakes, so why should I spend my time engaging in an unproductive exercise?"
But Nkala also believes that the disintegration of the ruling party could hasten Mugabe's demise.
"Once Zanu-PF is torn into pieces and you have a massive election, Zanu-PF will suffer a massive defeat, for Mugabe has turned Zanu-PF into a vehicle for his own greed, political preservation and foolish things that take place at congresses".
Nkala and Tekere are the two surviving members of a trio that formed Zanu-PF in Nkala's Highfield home in Harare 44 years ago. Tekere recently published a book, A Lifetime of Struggle, detailing his role in the country's politics and blaming the country's economic woes on Mugabe, a hero of the liberation struggle who has lost his political way. Subsequently there have been recommendations within Zanu-PF circles that Tekere be expelled from the party for criticising Mugabe.
In the era of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Order and Security Act a number of Zimbabweans have been arrested and charged with insulting the president. Is Nkala not pushing the limits of his political expression?
"I have never been a coward, cowards die many times before their deaths," he declared. "If Mugabe wants to arrest me I am prepared and at that point I will spill the beans, I will really massacre him. I am not afraid of Mugabe".
"You know it angers me when you ask me such a question. I am not afraid of his ministers either and have called them running dogs. In fact I am being provocative for him to come out and I will produce more."
On his yet untitled book, Nkala said he was writing "devastatingly about Robert Mugabe". After earlier suggestions that the book be published after his death, Nkala has agreed to have certain innocent portions serialised in newspapers.
"But certain areas where I say so-and-so killed so-and-so; so-and-so was an informer, I would rather it comes out when I am gone.
"You know I was a friend of Mugabe and I do not like mudslinging in our lifetime," said Nkala, adding "Tekere and I are the two of three who authored, sponsored and were present at the formation of Zanu at my house, Mugabe was not there. Mugabe was in Tanzania. We nominated him in absentia. We could have left him out, but I have said that he goes around pretending that he and he alone delivered independence of this country. I called it one of the greatest lies." Rumours of Nkala's involvement in the Matabeleland mass killings of the early 1980s are probably his bête noire. In a statement made available to the M&G, Nkala says it was Mugabe who created the Fifth Brigade - also known as Gukurahundi - which was dispatched to Matabeleland in 1983 to contain dissident activities. Under the leadership of Perrence Shiri, now air marshall and commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, more than 20 000 civilians were killed in the operation.
"It has been alleged by certain mischievous people and newspapers that I created, equipped and trained the Fifth Brigade and that I was responsible for the atrocities committed by the Fifth Brigade," Nkala said, adding, "Mugabe and his associates were responsible . I therefore call upon my old friend and president, Robert Mugabe, to appoint either an internal commission or an international one to investigate and make recommendations as to what the truth was and is now. I am prepared to give evidence to this commission in respect of the creation, training, equipping and dispatch of the Fifth Brigade."
The M&G was unable to get a comment from the government spokesman, George Charamba, on Nkala's claims.
Julius Dawu
Former Zanu-PF strongman and co-founder, Enos Nkala, is on a "Mugabe Must Go" campaign, saying the Zimbabwean leader has become a political "Frankenstein" resistant to democratic change.
"'Mugabe must go' means there will be a new political order in Zimbabwe," Nkala told the Mail & Guardian from his Bulawayo home. "[Edgar] Tekere, others and I have agreed to tear down Zanu-PF if he refuses to go. We are the creators of Zanu-PF and as creators we can tear it down."
Nkala (74) served in a number of positions in Mugabe's Cabinet, holding the finance, national supplies, home affairs and defence portfolios. He was number four in power until 1989 when he resigned from government and Zanu-PF after admitting to lying in a scandal involving the sale of scarce new cars. Now a full-time rancher and a born-again Christian, Nkala admits that there are no constitutional mechanisms to remove Mugabe except the ballot. He says past meetings with Mugabe over national issues have yielded nothing. In 2006 he met Mugabe twice and criticised him over land invasions and about insulting United States President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"Apparently he is impervious to reason. I have had many meetings with him. I think he is politically sick. I would not want to use the word mentally sick. There are no constitutional mechanisms to remove him and that is our problem. You do not counsel a man who is impervious to analysis and to admitting mistakes, so why should I spend my time engaging in an unproductive exercise?"
But Nkala also believes that the disintegration of the ruling party could hasten Mugabe's demise.
"Once Zanu-PF is torn into pieces and you have a massive election, Zanu-PF will suffer a massive defeat, for Mugabe has turned Zanu-PF into a vehicle for his own greed, political preservation and foolish things that take place at congresses".
Nkala and Tekere are the two surviving members of a trio that formed Zanu-PF in Nkala's Highfield home in Harare 44 years ago. Tekere recently published a book, A Lifetime of Struggle, detailing his role in the country's politics and blaming the country's economic woes on Mugabe, a hero of the liberation struggle who has lost his political way. Subsequently there have been recommendations within Zanu-PF circles that Tekere be expelled from the party for criticising Mugabe.
In the era of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Order and Security Act a number of Zimbabweans have been arrested and charged with insulting the president. Is Nkala not pushing the limits of his political expression?
"I have never been a coward, cowards die many times before their deaths," he declared. "If Mugabe wants to arrest me I am prepared and at that point I will spill the beans, I will really massacre him. I am not afraid of Mugabe".
"You know it angers me when you ask me such a question. I am not afraid of his ministers either and have called them running dogs. In fact I am being provocative for him to come out and I will produce more."
On his yet untitled book, Nkala said he was writing "devastatingly about Robert Mugabe". After earlier suggestions that the book be published after his death, Nkala has agreed to have certain innocent portions serialised in newspapers.
"But certain areas where I say so-and-so killed so-and-so; so-and-so was an informer, I would rather it comes out when I am gone.
"You know I was a friend of Mugabe and I do not like mudslinging in our lifetime," said Nkala, adding "Tekere and I are the two of three who authored, sponsored and were present at the formation of Zanu at my house, Mugabe was not there. Mugabe was in Tanzania. We nominated him in absentia. We could have left him out, but I have said that he goes around pretending that he and he alone delivered independence of this country. I called it one of the greatest lies." Rumours of Nkala's involvement in the Matabeleland mass killings of the early 1980s are probably his bête noire. In a statement made available to the M&G, Nkala says it was Mugabe who created the Fifth Brigade - also known as Gukurahundi - which was dispatched to Matabeleland in 1983 to contain dissident activities. Under the leadership of Perrence Shiri, now air marshall and commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, more than 20 000 civilians were killed in the operation.
"It has been alleged by certain mischievous people and newspapers that I created, equipped and trained the Fifth Brigade and that I was responsible for the atrocities committed by the Fifth Brigade," Nkala said, adding, "Mugabe and his associates were responsible . I therefore call upon my old friend and president, Robert Mugabe, to appoint either an internal commission or an international one to investigate and make recommendations as to what the truth was and is now. I am prepared to give evidence to this commission in respect of the creation, training, equipping and dispatch of the Fifth Brigade."
The M&G was unable to get a comment from the government spokesman, George Charamba, on Nkala's claims.
Zimbabwean Christian leaders released
By Reuben Kachisi
29 January 2007
The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance leadership were finally released on Monday afternoon, having been arrested during a church meeting in Kadoma last Friday. One of the arrested Pastor Berejina sent a text message confirming their release. The message read: "We are out in Jesus' name." But we were not able to get through to anyone in Kadoma to get the details of their release.
The church leaders who were detained are Pastors; Ray Motsi, Ancelom Magaya (visually impaired), Gerald Mubaira, Zvizai Chiponda, Watson Mugabe, Lawrence Berejina, Mr Jonah Gokova (Director of Ecumenical Support Service) and Mr Pius Wakatama (journalist for the ZCA journal).
Some were being held at Rimuka while others were at Kadoma Central.
The Alliance had gone to Kadoma to launch a chapter of the organisation as part of a countrywide drive to establish Christian leaders' networks. It's reported the turnout was high with many people having to stand while others were outside the church. On Friday just before his arrest Pastor Berejina told SW Radio Africa that between 700 and thousand people had gathered for the meeting.
The group said the aim of establishing these networks is to create local chapters of the alliance as platforms to equip Christian leaders with church based advocacy and peace building.
It's reported the church leaders spent their time mingling with other inmates at Rimuka and Kadoma Central Police Stations, leading praise and worship in detention. One of the Pastors jokingly asked to be moved to another holding cell because he had preached to everyone in his cell and all had become Christians.
29 January 2007
The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance leadership were finally released on Monday afternoon, having been arrested during a church meeting in Kadoma last Friday. One of the arrested Pastor Berejina sent a text message confirming their release. The message read: "We are out in Jesus' name." But we were not able to get through to anyone in Kadoma to get the details of their release.
The church leaders who were detained are Pastors; Ray Motsi, Ancelom Magaya (visually impaired), Gerald Mubaira, Zvizai Chiponda, Watson Mugabe, Lawrence Berejina, Mr Jonah Gokova (Director of Ecumenical Support Service) and Mr Pius Wakatama (journalist for the ZCA journal).
Some were being held at Rimuka while others were at Kadoma Central.
The Alliance had gone to Kadoma to launch a chapter of the organisation as part of a countrywide drive to establish Christian leaders' networks. It's reported the turnout was high with many people having to stand while others were outside the church. On Friday just before his arrest Pastor Berejina told SW Radio Africa that between 700 and thousand people had gathered for the meeting.
The group said the aim of establishing these networks is to create local chapters of the alliance as platforms to equip Christian leaders with church based advocacy and peace building.
It's reported the church leaders spent their time mingling with other inmates at Rimuka and Kadoma Central Police Stations, leading praise and worship in detention. One of the Pastors jokingly asked to be moved to another holding cell because he had preached to everyone in his cell and all had become Christians.
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