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
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
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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