SW Radio Africa

Zimbabwe wildlife facing poaching ‘horror story’ | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:07:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Zim wildlife facing poaching ‘horror story’

By Alex Bell 27 January 2012

Zimbabwe’s wildlife is facing another destructive year, with poaching on the rise, land being destroyed and no government support for conservation efforts.

Elephants, rhinos and hundreds of other animals are at risk and conservationists in the country have warned of a potential ‘disaster’. Johnny Rodriques, the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) described the situation as a “horror story.”

“We’ve got serious problems,” Rodriques told SW Radio Africa on Friday. “Animals are being poached, poisoned, threatened. And there is no law and order to even think of stopping the situation.”

Rodriques explained how waterholes have been poisoned, land invaders have been involved in poaching and trees are being chopped down for firewood, placing the animals at risk. He said that this month alone, at least four rhinos have been killed, while recently 88 hippos, 45 buffaloes, 30 elephants and 2 kudus were found dead in Mana Pools National Park. Tests confirmed that the hippos died of anthrax but the cause of death of the other animals has not yet been confirmed.

“We also have ongoing destruction in the Chiredzi River Conservancy which is a massive threat to the animals. Of the 70 elephants that were there, there are now only 44,” Rodriques said.

Last year, about US$150 000 worth of international conservation aid was split between six countries, specifically for elephant conservation efforts in Africa. This money, from a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) fund, was handed to Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa during a meeting last month in South Africa. But Rodriques explained that Zimbabwe did not even participate in that meeting.

“Conservation is not being supported. The authorities don’t seem to care, and the animals are the ones being punished. Everything is under threat,” Rodriques said.

The ZCTF Chair continued that the return of law and order is the only answer to the serious issues facing conservation efforts, saying that without it, no one is safe to even protest what is happening.

“In a normal country, where there is law and order, people can demonstrate and demand that something happens. You can’t do that here,” Rodriques said.

You can support the work of the ZCTF and follow their updates on the situation by ‘Liking’ their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ZCTF-Zimbabwe-Conservation-Task-Force/246013052094585

You can also visit their website http://www.zctfofficialsite.org/

Zimbabwe wildlife facing poaching ‘horror story’ | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:03:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Zim wildlife facing poaching ‘horror story’

By Alex Bell 27 January 2012

Zimbabwe’s wildlife is facing another destructive year, with poaching on the rise, land being destroyed and no government support for conservation efforts.

“We also have ongoing destruction in the Chiredzi River Conservancy which is a massive threat to the animals. Of the 70 elephants that were there, there are now only 44,” Rodriques said.

“Conservation is not being supported. The authorities don’t seem to care, and the animals are the ones being punished. Everything is under threat,” Rodriques said.

“In a normal country, where there is law and order, people can demonstrate and demand that something happens. You can’t do that here,” Rodriques said.

You can also visit their website http://www.zctfofficialsite.org/

AU urged to show strong leadership on Zimbabwe crisis | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

AU urged to show strong leadership on Zimbabwe crisis

By Tichaona Sibanda 27 January 2012

A strong delegation of civic and non-governmental organisations is in the Ethiopian capital to turn up the pressure on the African Union (AU) not to lose its focus on the crisis in Zimbabwe.

The pro-democracy activists begun arriving ahead of the AU summit scheduled to begin in Addis Ababa on Sunday. Zimbabwe will be represented by Robert Mugabe.

Dewa Mavhinga, regional coordinator of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition told SW Radio Africa from the Ethiopian capital that the onus was on the continental body to push for SADC backed political and electoral reforms in the country. “The Global Political Agreement (GPA) remains in danger,” he said on Friday. “The African Union must understand that it cannot put off decisions needed to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.” He added: “Our message to the AU leadership is that they should not fold back their hands and let the crisis in Zimbabwe cascade into further turmoil. We want the AU to maintain pressure on politicians in Zimbabwe to meet their obligations and implement fully the GPA.”

Tomaz Salomao, the SADC executive secretary met with the Zimbabwe groups and reiterated that the regional bloc’s position on free and fair elections has not changed.

“He was clear that the SADC position of insisting on critical reforms has not changed and will not change. Salomao said there is need for a number of meetings in Zimbabwe to decide and assess electoral conditions before they could be any elections in Zimbabwe,” Mavhinga said.

Asked to comment on remarks by Zambian President Michael Sata that sought to undermine their work in Zimbabwe, Mavhinga said it would be premature for them to condemn outright what he said.

The sharp tongued Zambian leader criticised the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as ‘a Western stooge’ and indicated that reforms in Zimbabwe were not necessary.

“It gives us civics an opportunity to engage Sata and his administration. He’s new and we need to sit down with him and senior members of his party to explain the position in Zimbabwe, and explain also why we are demanding reforms,” Mavhinga said.

He added: “We know that Sata having come to power through democratic elections, and peaceful transfer of power, he would really understand that position and support it.”

Zimbabwe: Another MDC-T member arrested over 2011 cop death | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Another MDC-T member arrested over 2011 cop death

By Alex Bell 27 January 2012

Another member of the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has been arrested in connection with the death of a policeman in 2011, brining to 29 the number of party members facing murder charges.

Paul Rukanda, the MDC Organising Secretary for Glen View South in Harare was arrested on Wednesday on allegations of murdering police officer Petros Mutedza in Glen View last May.

Rukanda is being detained at the Harare Central Police Station, Law and Order Section.

Among those arrested over the case is the MDC-T Youth Assembly chairperson, Solomon Madzore and the MDC National Executive member, Last Maengahama.

Madzore and seven other MDC members are in remand prison, while the rest have been granted bail.

Last week, a Harare magistrate ordered the State to investigate complaints by those in remand prison, including assault by prison guards and the denial of medical attention. The State is also being urged to investigate why two of the women in custody are being held in solitary confinement in the male section of Chikurubi Prison.

The nine people now in custody are Paul Rukanda, Solomon Madzore, Glen View Ward 32 Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere, Rebecca Mafikeni, Phenias Nhatarikwa, Lazarus Maengahama, Stanford Maengahama, Yvonne Musarurwa and Stanford Mangwiro.

Zimbabwe: ZANU PF violence intensifies in Mbare | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:59:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

ZANU PF violence intensifies in Mbare

By Tererai Karimakwenda 19 January, 2012

A legislator from the MDC-T, who was forced by ZANU PF thugs to abandon his shop in Harare, has spoken out about intensifying violence in Mbare and the “disappointing” lack of action by government.

Morgan Femai, the MDC-T Harare Province Chairperson, also blasted the police for allowing ZANU PF thugs to conduct daily meetings, where they force vendors to pay one dollar each or give up some of their goods. Beatings are reportedly common at these illegal meetings.

Femai explained that violent thugs moved into his shop in Mbare four months ago and forced him out eventually. He said they are conducting illegal activities there and collecting rent for the premises.

“I already reported this to police and JOMIC (Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee) and they have done nothing about it,” Femai said, adding: “They tell my customers don’t give money to a British. Do I look British?”

JOMIC includes members from all political parties in the coalition government and is meant to oversee the implementation of Global Political Agreement (GPA). Creating a peaceful environment to conduct free and fair elections tops their list of priorities. The group however has been criticised for not fulfilling its mandate and for being unable to hold ZANU PF accountable to its refusal to honour the GPA.

Femai said politically motivated violence has intensified in Mbare and there have been no press reports about it. According to the MDC official, Mbare gangs are operating with total impunity.

“There is a candidate who wants to stand for ZANU PF in Mbare and he is the reason for this violence. They believe if you beat people then they will vote for you,” the legislator said.

The level of fear in Mbare became clear when Femai refused to name the thugs that took over his shop, saying this would make him vulnerable. “You know what happens, when you name them they come and want to know why,” Femai said.

The continuing violence meanwhile flies in the face of last year’s calls by the principals in the unity government for an end to politically motivated assaults. However, there is a general consensus that Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF can end violence if they truly wanted to, by ordering the arrests of all perpetrators and warning any future offenders.

Zimbabwe: Mujuru’s remains may be exhumed | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Mujuru’s remains may be exhumed

By Tichaona Sibanda 27 January 2012

The remains of retired General Solomon Mujuru may be exhumed to allow for an independent examination by a foreign based pathologist, his family hinted on Friday.

Family lawyer Thakor Kewada has filed a court application to allow a pathologist to travel to Zimbabwe, to examine all the evidence gathered after Mujuru suspiciously died in a farmhouse inferno.

Kewada told Magistrate Walter Chikwanha, who is presiding over the ongoing inquest into Mujuru’s death, that this re-examination request was inspired by past experiences, where results from more than one pathologist ‘usually differed.’

The investigating officer Chief Superintendent Crispen Makedenge told the inquest this week that a DNA test had established that the remains found in the farm house where Mujuru died were a 99, 9% match to the deceased. The DNA tests were matched against some blood samples extracted from one of Mujuru’s daughters, Kumbirai Rungano and some flesh taken from the charred remains found in the farm house.

But the General’s family, especially his elder brother, Joel has long argued why the veteran liberation war hero was laid to rest before DNA tests results had come out. The DNA tests were availed three weeks after Mujuru’s burial at the national Heroes acre in August last year.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said on Friday that if an independent pathologist’s report comes out different, there was a strong case the remains of the ZANLA commander would be exhumed.

“Kewada requested from the magistrate that their application be granted as doctor has been identified and he is prepared to come and examine all the evidence,” Muchemwa said, adding the magistrate will make his ruling on the application next Monday.

Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Makedenge concluded his testimony by ruling out foul play into the death Mujuru.

“We have got no tangible evidence to suspect any foul play and police have found nothing to suggest the late Mujuru could have been assassinated,” Makedenge said.

He added: “No one came with any evidence that would have suggested any foul play. That was the case even from the reports that we got from ZESA, Fire Brigade and forensic science laboratory.”

Commenting about the 17 firearms recovered among the debris in Mujuru’s burnt house, ballistics expert Detective Inspector Admire Mutizwa, said all but one gun were “commercial weapons”, which can be owned by none military persons for hunting purposes.

Mutizwa, the 29th witness in the high profile inquest, said among the 17 weapons, an AK47 assault rifle belonged to the army. He further told the court that 6kg of ammunition were also recovered in Mujuru’s house, with all the bullets having exploded due to intense heat.

He spoke of having examined each and every bullet and establishing that none had been fired from a weapon.

Zimbabwe debt audit ‘critical’ for future transparency | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:52:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Zim debt audit ‘critical’ for future transparency

By Alex Bell 26 January 2012

An audit of an estimated US$7 billion worth of debt owed by Zimbabwe is critical for future transparency, according to a political analyst and former diplomat.

A campaign for an audit of the multi-billion dollar debt was launched last year after reports that some of the money could have been used by the then ZANU PF government to fund repression. Last December, the Zimbabwe Europe Network, the Jubilee Debt Campaign Coalition and European Network on Debt and Development called for the immediate audit of the loans, offered to Zimbabwe since the 1990s, detailing how some of the money was used.

“At least US$750 million of debt came directly from structural adjustment loans from the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank which lowered economic growth and increased unemployment,” reads the report by the three organisations.

The report revealed, among other things, that Zimbabwe’s £210 million debt to the UK included loans from Tony Blair’s government to Zimbabwe’s police force. According to the report, police were loaned money in the 1990s to buy 1 500 Land Rovers, backed by ‘UK Export Finance’, a unit of the Department for Business.

Finance minister Tendai Biti last year started negotiations to have Zimbabwe’s debts cancelled by being declared a heavily indebted poor country (HIPC), an initiative managed by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Biti has said that Zimbabwe’s debt was blocking the country from getting fresh lines of credit and HIPC status would ensure the debts are written off.

But the international civic bodies who released the report last year have not supported this plan, urging instead for Zimbabwe’s Parliament to first create a “Debt Audit Commission” which would investigate how the debt was run up and who benefitted.

A UK Minister has since reportedly rejected an audit before admitting Zimbabwe into the HIPC initiative. The Daily News newspaper this week reported that it had seen a letter in which UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell rejects calls for the audit, saying that international donors were not the primary cause of Zimbabwe’s economic decline.

“President Mugabe’s reckless economic mismanagement bears the major responsibility for the crisis that reached its nadir in 2008, with hyperinflation, the near collapse of basic services and a humanitarian crisis that affected more than seven million people,” Mitchell’s letter reportedly says.

The letter also reportedly says: “Attempting after the fact to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate debts could cause lenders to refuse to provide further loans and would be catastrophic for developing countries attempting to strengthen their economies and reduce poverty through accessing international financing.”

Political analyst and former Zimbabwean diplomat Clifford Mashiri told SW Radio Africa on Thursday that this position by the UK minister is “regrettable.”

“Whenever an audit is resisted, it inevitably raises eyebrows. Some suspect those against the audit have something to hide because of the potentially embarrassing revelations,” Mashiri said.

He added that an audit is critical is Zimbabwe is to learn lessons from its past and proceed down a transparent economic path.

“Transparency is a principle that needs to be applied universally, and Zimbabwe needs to move forward in this way,” Mashiri said.

Zimbabwe: Mwonzora finally removed from police remand | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Mwonzora finally removed from police remand

By Tichaona Sibanda 26 January 2012

MDC-T spokesman and Nyanga North MP Douglas Mwonzora and 23 other party activists have been removed from remand almost a year after they were charged with public violence.

During a routine court hearing in Nyanga on Thursday, law officers from the Attorney General’s office conceded to an application by Mwonzora to be removed from continuous placement on remand.

Mwonzora and the MDC-T activists were arrested in February last year in Nyanga and spent more than a month in remand prison in Mutare. The MDC-T legislator told SW Radio Africa that they felt very ‘aggrieved’ because they were subjected to gross injustice.

The state will however continue with the case by way of summons. The MP and others were arrested in connection with alleged violence at Chatindo School in Nyamaropa. Mwonzora was addressing a constituency meeting when a group of ZANU PF youths starting disrupting the proceedings, leading to clashes between the two groups. But no one was arrested or charged from ZANU PF after the fracas.

“We are being charged with public violence and fighting in public. We don’t fight alone…no person from ZANU PF is being charged with us, we are being charged alone as if we fought ourselves,” Mwonzora said.

He added: “It’s unfair and unjust. We were put in prison for 25 days over nothing. But as a community of Nyanga North, we will continue to persevere, we will continue with our struggle for justice. We will continue with our struggle for equality and we will never go back to ZANU PF.”

The COPAC co-chairman complained that this matter was a typical case of extreme injustice, taking into consideration that one of their activists, 82 year-old Rwisai Nyakauru died after spending a month in police cells.

“He died because he was not supposed to be in prison in the first place and we were also not supposed to be in prison as well. When we were set free we were happy to a certain extent because one of us is no more,” the MP said.

Mohadi raises hopes for Zimbabwe permit extension in SA | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:48:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Mohadi raises hopes for Zim permit extension in SA

By Alex Bell 26 January 2012

Zimbabwe’s co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi has raised hopes that more Zim citizens could get permits in South Africa, after stating that he could reengage his counterparts on the issue.

In late 2010 South Africa launched a special dispensation period, allowing Zimbabwean nationals to apply for work and study permits. This process resulted in an estimated 275 000 Zimbabweans being approved for permnits by the end of last year.

The end of the documentation project also effectively ended the moratorium on Zim deportations, which had been in place since 2009. Those deportations have since seen thousands of undocumented Zim nationals being sent back home.

But ZANU PF’s Mohadi, who shares his ministerial position with the MDC-T’s Theresa Makone, told the Chronicle newspaper this week that the documentation process should not be a one-off event because Zimbabweans are still crossing into South Africa on a daily basis. He insisted there is still room for reengagement on the issue.

South Africa has been reluctant to consider repeating the process, with the country beginning to clamp down on its immigration policies. Most recently, the government has faced criticism for appearing to be actively preventing asylum seekers from seeking protection in the country.

According to the Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) group, a recent policy change has made it mandatory for new applicants for asylum to produce an ‘Asylum Transit Permit’ when they submit an application for asylum at refugee reception offices, located in Musina, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. These permits, despite not being part of the Refugees Act, are meant to be made available at the border.

But the LHR has found that this Permit is not being issued at the main point of entry at Beitbridge, potentially leaving hundreds of Zimbabweans at risk of arrest and deportation.

At the same time, police road blocks are also being set up in the Limpopo Province to screen the immigration status of all foreigners travelling out of the area. The LHR said that most asylum seekers have to travel through this province if they’ve come into South Africa at the Musina border. The group said that the police are arresting people who may be trying to seek protection as asylum seekers. These persons are then being summarily deported.

Zimbabwe: Gov accused of fuelling corruption by failing civil servants | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:46:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Gov accused of fuelling corruption by failing civil servants

By Tererai Karimakwenda 26 January, 2012

One of Zimbabwe’s most outspoken union leaders has accused the government of forcing desperately underpaid public sector workers into corrupt activities, by failing to take care of their needs.

The Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe, on Thursday blasted the coalition government, including the MDC formations, for failing to work out a plan to increase the basic wages for struggling civil servants.

Talks between the workers’ Apex Council, and government broke down Wednesday after it was revealed that $240 million is all that was available for government workers. This meant $7 per month more in wages, when they are asking for at least $288 more. The offer was described as “an insult.”

“We cannot pretend like we don’t know there is money in this country. The gold, platinum chrome, diamonds,” Majongwe explained, adding: “And who else is better placed to know. We have people here who are working at the treasury, working in government setups. We know.”

Majongwe blasted the MDC-T for being part of a coalition government despite having no control over anything. He explained that this is not what government is all about and no-one should put themselves in such a position.

“Nobody controls anything. Even all these MDC ministers. They’ve got positions but don’t control anything. We don’t want people masquerading as ministers when they are not,” Majongwe fumed.

He criticized Finance Minister Tendai Biti for statements he made last year, claiming that millions of dollars in diamond revenue were not making it to the treasury.

“It’s not our job to resource track. Biti is accepting that there is money and we don’t care whether it comes from his coffers, his pockets or the treasury,” Majongwe said.

He added: “You cannot become part of government then say this is outside my hands, I have no control. We don’t want figureheads who drive flashy cars but don’t control anything.”

Majongwe then turned his criticisms to the Public Service Minister, Lucia Matibenga, who reportedly failed to attend crucial meetings scheduled for Wednesday, as she was attending to other ministerial duties.

“We have always criticized every other minister using exactly the same words. And we have not had kind words for people who are lazy. We’ve not had kind words for people who don’t want to consult us,” Majongwe said.

Contacted for comment, Minister Matibenga would not conduct an interview but said she had released a statement because people were attacking her personally.

Meanwhile more public sector workers are expected to join the ongoing strike by Friday. Another round of negotiations is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Zimbabwe: Two guns found next to Mujuru’s body | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Two guns found next to Mujuru’s body

By Tichaona Sibanda and Simon Muchemwa 26 January 2012

The inquest into the death of retired General Solomon Mujuru took a dramatic turn on Thursday when it was revealed that two firearms and a magazine of bullets were found next to his charred remains.

Police Chief Superintendent, Crispen Makedenge told the inquest in Harare that one of the weapons discovered was an AK 47 rifle. He did not disclose the details of the second weapon. Both guns were however badly burned from the fire that engulfed the house.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said that on further inspection of the burned out house, Makedenge discovered 13 more weapons in a gun cabinet in the general’s bedroom. The inquest is being held before Harare Provincial Magistrate Walter Chikwanha.

Muchemwa said Makadenge’s brief testimony raised more questions than answers during his 10 minute appearance. The senior police officer will take to the witness stand on Friday to continue with his testimony before cross examination.

“We have information that either Makedenge or a ballistic weapons expert will testify that three spent bullet cartridges were also recovered near the general’s remains,” Muchemwa reported.

He added: “Questions are also being asked why those two guns were near the general and not in the gun cabinet. Was he protecting himself from some danger…is what people were asking after Makedenge’s testimony.”

Two witnesses have already told the inquest that they heard sound of gunfire moments before they were alerted to a fire that destroyed the former Zimbabwe National Army commander’s farmhouse.

Rosemary Short, a maid at the farmhouse and Clemence Runhare, a private guard at the property also told the inquest they heard gunshots before they rushed to the house to try and douse the fire.

Meanwhile, a ZESA employee testified on Thursday and ruled out an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.

Giving evidence during the inquest Douglas Chiredza Nyakungu, ZESA Consumer Services Officer for Beatrice area, said he noticed that there were two circuit breakers that had tripped on the Meter Circuit Board situated along the passage.

He however could not ascertain which breakers had tripped because the labels had been badly burnt.

“Circuit breakers distributing power to the geyser, water pump, tobacco barns and kitchen remained sound, ruling out fears that an electrical fault inside the house could have caused the fire,” Nyakungu said

He added that the circuit breakers could have tripped as a result of the socket outlets and lamp holders, which were badly burnt.

He explained that Mujuru’s house had metal electrical pipes, which, in the event of a fault, would have exhibited some holes or damage due to a short circuit. But an inspection of the wiring system found no evidence of damage.

Nyakungu stated that on further investigations he concluded that there were no high currency carrying appliances such as heaters at the time of the fateful incident.

Evidence by Nyakungu who is the 27th witness came after the Fire Brigade Station Officer Clever Matoti, had suggested that a fire such as the one at Mujuru’s farm could have been caused by an act of arson.

He said it was rare for a fire in a house to start in two separate rooms at the same time unless it was an act of arson.

Matoti said a combination of oxygen, hydrogen and heated ceiling dust can explode leading to a house fire especially in hot seasons.

He said the type of fire in which Mujuru is believed to have died could have been caused by petroleum substances because it was extensive, leading to the collapse of the roof of two rooms.

See pictures of the burnt out remains

Zimbabwe: Fire Brigade testimony fuels suspicions over Mujuru fire | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:11:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Fire Brigade testimony fuels suspicions over Mujuru fire

By Tererai Karimakwenda 25 January 2012

The idea that an accelerant might have been used in the fire that killed the retired Army General Solomon Mujuru gained more ground on Wednesday, as more members of the fire brigade testified.

Their suspicions about the fire follow Tuesday’s revelations that the late General’s remains were discovered in a blue flame which allegedly took some time to extinguish. Blue flames are mostly associated with highly flammable substances.

Mujuru died last year in August in a fire that destroyed his farmhouse in Beatrice, just outside Harare. The Mujuru family and ZANU PF youth called for investigations after suspicions were raised. It is widely speculated that a power struggle within the party led to the General’s sudden death.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the fire fighters testified that the flames that engulfed Mujuru’s bedroom were too intense to have been “just a normal fire”. One witness said no ordinary fire could have caused the roof of the house to drop as it did.

The inquest started last week Monday and was expected to last only a week. But it has taken much longer to get though testimony from the workers at the farm, especially the maid and security staff, who provided much of the crucial information so far.

A disturbing portrait of the late general and his relationship with his wife has emerged. And it appears relations with his security staff were also strained.

Zimbabwe: President Sata’s comments on Tsvangirai raise eyebrows | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:09:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

President Sata’s comments on Tsvangirai raise eyebrows

By Tichaona Sibanda 25 January 2012

The branding of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ‘as a Western stooge’ by the new Zambian President Michael Sata has raised diplomatic eyebrows between the two countries.

Political aides to Tsvangirai reacted with fury to Sata’s disparaging remarks about the MDC leader, in his interview with the UK Telegraph newspaper. In the interview published by the paper on Tuesday, Sata, known as ‘King cobra’ for his sharp tongue, indicated that he would not block Robert Mugabe’s push to abandon the unity government.

In the same article, the 74 year-old Sata made comments likely to have irked pro-democracy movements in Zimbabwe. He first dismissed Tsvangirai as a ‘stooge’, and described calls for security, electoral and constitutional reforms in Zimbabwe as ‘unnecessary’.

Analysts said it is incomprehensible that Sata can trivialise and denigrate constitutional reforms and clean voters’ roll which are vital pre-conditions for free and fair elections. Other commentators believe Sata could be ‘isolated from reality’.

MDC-T officials who spoke to SW Radio Africa on the condition of anonymity agreed that Sata seemed to go ‘off the rails’ in the Telegraph interview, admitting that he showed extremely poor judgment.

‘We don’t know the policies of Morgan – he has other people speaking for him rather than speaking for himself. There will be elections and Mugabe will go and someone else will take over but not someone imposed by the Western countries,’ Sata said

London based academic and former diplomat, Clifford Mashiri roundly condemned the Zambian leader’s undiplomatic remarks, warning that his sharp tongue could turn out to be his Achilles heel.

Mashiri told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that Sata has exposed one of his major weaknesses as lack of good diplomacy.

‘One would have thought Sata would exercise extreme caution when commenting about fellow leaders of other countries especially when they are his neighbors,’ Mashiri added.

Zimbabwe: Harare typhoid cases continue to rise | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Harare typhoid cases continue to rise

By Alex Bell 25 January 2012

Cases of typhoid are continuing to rise in Harare, where at least 90 people have been hospitalised and more than a thousand are suspected to have contracted the disease.

Residents in and around the capital have been on high alert since the first typhoid cases were confirmed last year. But in recent months, the combination of extreme heat, summer rains and dilapidated basic municipal services, has resulted in perfect conditions for the disease to spread

“We have attended to over 600 cases in Kuwadzana alone,” city health director Prosper Chonzi was quoted as saying in the state media this week. The MDC-T meanwhile said on Wednesday that more than one thousand Harare residents had been treated this month.

The bacterial disease, which spreads most easily in areas without proper sanitation, causes vomiting, fever and diarrhoea and the public have been urged to use good hygiene to prevent the situation from worsening. The city and surrounding areas have been struck by severe water shortages since last year, with some areas not being supplied with clean water for many weeks. The shortages have sometimes resulted in residents fighting each other while trying to access water from the limited number of boreholes across the city.

The boreholes were sunk back in 2008 when a devastating outbreak of cholera swept through the city. The worst affected areas were Glen Norah, Budiriro and Glen View, and once again these areas are facing serious water shortages.

Simbarashe Moyo from the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that the City Council has been unable to deal with the problems which have led to the disease spreading.

“We have piles of uncollected refuse, burst sewers everywhere,” Moyo said, adding: “The Council now faces a mountainous task of keeping the disease under control.”

He explained that the Council urgently needs to start clearing the refuse off the city streets and sorting out the broken down sewerage systems. He added that even just a simple public education exercise on the threats of the disease would be welcome.

Meanwhile Finance Minister Tendai Biti said in a press conference on Wednesday that money will be funneled towards supporting local councils, like in Harare. Biti announced that over US$100 million will be set aside to finance ‘priority’ projects, which could not be accommodated for in his 2012 budget.

Addressing his first Treasury media briefing of the year Biti said most of the new financial allocation will be used to improve service delivery, such as water reticulation and energy. Money is also being set aside for sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.

Zimbabwe: Chimanimani residents forced to sign ZPF list to get food | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Chimanimani residents forced to sign ZPF list to get food

By Tererai Karimakwenda 25 January, 2012

Supporters of the MDC in Chimanimani West, who bought ZANU PF cards earlier this year in order to get seeds and fertilizer, were thrilled on Sunday when these items finally arrived from Cashel Valley. But there was one more stipulation.

The desperate villagers were told to add their names onto a list of people expected to claim disability in the next election, so they can be assisted in the polling booth. Anyone who fails to do this “will be dealt with worse than 2008,” was the threat made, according to witnesses.

The MDC-T has said over 500 members and activists were killed during a ZANU PF sponsored wave of violence that followed their defeat in the March 2008 elections. References to that period are still being used by ZANU PF in order to scare potential opposition voters.

Local activist Peter Chogura told SW Radio Africa that Sunday’s distribution of seeds and fertilizer was organized and managed by a former ZANU PF councilor named Lucky Hlukuzo and Army Major Charles Muresherwa. Uniformed soldiers were also present at Ndaga Business Centre, Ward 19.

The seeds and fertilizer are supposed to be handed out to all local residents in need, regardless of what political party they support. According to Chogura, ZANU PF is trying to ensure they get some votes from the food they give out, by forcing MDC supporters to claim they need ‘help’ in the booth.

“Vanototaura zvema statistics,” Chogura said, meaning: “they even speak of statistics.” According to the activist, lists of MDC supporters who claim to have switched loyalties are being compiled in other constituencies around the country.

The Mugabe regime has always used food as a political weapon, but this new strategy puts added pressure on those who buy party cards to survive and protect their families. It also denies them their right to vote in a private space.

Zimbabwe: Media monitors still face charges of undermining Mugabe | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:04:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Media monitors still face charges of undermining Mugabe

By Lance Guma 25 January 2012

A magistrate in Gwanda on Tuesday threw out two charges against Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) employees Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa, who were arrested in December.

Although magistrate Sheila Nazombe dismissed charges that the three failed to notify police of a public meeting and distributed material intended to ‘breach peace’, she still upheld charges that they allegedly undermined Robert Mugabe’s authority as President.

The trio were arrested in Gwanda last month before spending two weeks in custody. Although Gwanda Magistrate Douglas Zvenyika granted them US$50 bail each on the 9th December. the Mugabe regime invoked controversial legislation to set aside the bail for another 7 days. It was only when Bulawayo High Court Judge Nicholas Mathonsi later dismissed the appeal by the Attorney-General’s Office that led to the trio’s release.

Meanwhile in Masvingo, magistrate Dorothy Mwanyisa on Monday acquitted the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) and its senior official Joel Hita on charges of organising a photo exhibition. The exhibition held in Masvingo and entitled ‘Reflections’ exposed the 2008 election brutality.

In similar cases of persecution, seven MDC-T activists arrested in May as part of a larger group are still in custody nearly 9 months later.

Glen View Ward 32 Councillor Tungamirai Madzokere, Rebecca Mafikeni, Phenias Nhatarikwa, Lazarus Maengahama, Stanford Maengahama, Yvonne Musarurwa and Stanford Mangwiro face what have been described as ‘trumped up’ charges of murdering a policeman.

In October the police arrested MDC-T Youth Assembly chairperson Solomon Madzore over the same charges. Since November his bail hearings have been postponed for more than 8 times. Police claim he was arrested while on the run despite video evidence proving he addressed several public MDC-T events.

The MDC-T say they will now take the issue of Madzore’s continued incarceration to the regional SADC grouping who are the guarantors of the power sharing deal. Youth Assembly Secretary General Promise Mkwananzi said they had met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and asked him to lobby SADC over Madzore.

Zimbabwe: Talks to end civil servants strike collapse | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Talks to end civil servants strike collapse

By Tichaona Sibanda 25 January 2012

A strike by civil servants will continue throughout this week, after fresh pay talks in Harare collapsed on Wednesday.

The Apex Council, the flagship union that represents government workers, interrupted the strike on Tuesday as a gesture to negotiate in good faith. That decision though, turned out to be unpopular with the workers who ignored the call. Most of them stayed away from work.

The government workers union went into the negotiations demanding a minimum monthly salary of US$538, up from the current US$250. But the talks broke down when government negotiators insisted on offering a meager increase of US$7 a month, per person instead of US$288 they were expecting.

Takavafira Zhou, President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that they couldn’t accept ‘such an insult’.

“It was so pathetic, government representatives said they only had a mandate to offer civil servants US$240 million, which would amount to US$7 a month per person,” Zhou said.

He added: “In our view, this falls far short of our minimum expectations because we were hoping government would heed our calls to improve the lives of civil servants.”

Zhou said civil servants vowed to ‘up the ante’ against the government and confirmed there was room to extend the strike beyond Friday.

Government negotiators are to go back to their principals for consultations and another round of talks with the Apex Council has been scheduled for next week Tuesday. Zhou pointed out that for now, the civil servants will go back to the trenches to fight for what they deserve.

“From the look of things and from assessments on the ground, there is room for extension of the industrial action from Friday. Tomorrow (Thursday), the struggle continuous unabated, there would be no defeat, no surrender,” Zhou said.

He continued: “We are sharpening our instruments of combat and from tomorrow (Thursday) onwards we are engaging a high gear and the strike will spread.”

Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai book sellers released on bail | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Tsvangirai book sellers released on bail

By Alex Bell 24 January 2012

The owners of a bookshop in Victoria Falls, arrested last week for selling the Prime Minister’s memoirs, have been released on bail.

Sinikiwe Mutore and Mlamuli Mabhena, who own the Rosepet Bookshop, were arrested for selling the book, titled: “At the Deep End”. Last week, the police raided the bookshop and confiscated all the 10 books in stock, which they took the police station before asking Matore and Mabhena to produce invoices showing how they had purchased the books.

The receipts produced showed that the books had been purchased at a bookshop in Harare, but in spite of the proof, one police officer, who identified himself as Officer Shiri from the Law and Order Section, went on to arrest Matore, while Mabhena handed himself to the police on Sunday.

The MDC-T said that the police “planted some subversive material and red cards and small MDC flags inside all the 10 books.”

“One of the subversive materials has a list of 11 ZANU PF officials including Robert Mugabe claiming that they should be eliminated,” the MDC-T said.

The State then made a u-turn in court on Monday claiming that the two should not have been arrested but instead the company should have been brought to court to answer charges of ‘undermining the authority of the President’, Robert Mugabe

Magistrate Archibald Dingana then postponed to matter to 23 March 2012 when Mutore will appear in court representing Rosepet Bookshop as its managing director.

According the MDC-T, there are reports, indicating that the police “have gone on a crackdown on President Tsvangirai’s book after it was successfully sold across the country and outside Zimbabwe.”

Bookshops in Harare that are selling the copies are apparently being asked by the police to show receipts of where they purchased the books from.

Zimbabwe: SA criticised for ‘preventing’ asylum applications | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:04:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

SA criticised for ‘preventing’ asylum applications

By Alex Bell 24 January 2012

South Africa is facing criticism for appearing to be actively preventing asylum seekers from seeking protection in the country, with policies that are in contravention of the country own Refugees Act.

But the LHR has found that this Permit is not being issued at the main point of entry at Beitbridge, potentially leaving hundreds of Zimbabweans at risk of arrest and deportation.

According to Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh of the LHR’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme, “immigration at Beitbridge have taken a decision not to issue this permit to newly arrived asylum seekers, yet the Refugee Reception Offices around the country continue to demand this document before they will allow access.”

Ramjathan-Keogh also told SW Radio Africa that police road blocks are being set up in the Limpopo Province to screen the immigration status of all foreigners travelling out of Limpopo, the province most asylum seekers have to travel through if they’ve come through the Musina border. Ramjathan Keogh said that the police are arresting people who may be trying to seek protection as asylum seekers. These persons are then being summarily deported.

“Home Affairs is actively refusing entry to asylum seekers and removing any persons who have been unable to lodge asylum applications on entry. Their policy is directed at exclusion rather than protection which flies in the face of South Africa’s international commitments to protect refugees,” Ramjathan-Keogh said.

She added: “Corruption, lack of understanding of the law and basic xenophobic attitudes by some government officials at the border post prevent those seeking asylum and international protection in South Africa from starting the process to apply for asylum,”

“These methods seem to be used by the Department to reduce the number of asylum applications while not dealing with the systemic problems of corruption and inefficiency within immigration and asylum services at the ports of entry.”

Meanwhile the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants (CoRMSA) has also raised concerns about the South African government denying foreigners their rights to asylum. CoRMSA said in a statement that they have witnessed “some of the most heartbreaking and inhumane treatments of asylum seekers outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Office in Marabastad, Pretoria.”

CoRMSA quoted a person trying to gain access to the refugee reception office, with the group saying in a statement that the quote “is an illustration of the impact of a new shift in government policy on asylum seekers in South Africa.”

The quote says: “They used to take about 100 newcomers a day, but now they turn everyone away, it doesn’t matter what nationality you are, so fewer people are coming. Too many people just stay at home without legal permits… When people come with letters from Lawyers for Human Rights, they just tear them up. Newcomers have no access…”

CoRMSA also echoed the concerns made by the LHR regarding the Transit Permit, stating that “the practise requiring that asylum seekers be in possession of this transit permit in order to gain access to the asylum process is in itself unlawful.”

“Results of this practise are that asylum seekers are unable to receive protection and are vulnerable to arrest, detention and deportation to countries of origin where they may face persecution or death,” CoRMSA said.

“CoRMSA demands that there be clarity on the government’s policy with regards to asylum seekers and that the rights of these vulnerable persons be protected and defended,” the group said.

Zimbabwe: Shamu accused of ‘fighting dirty’ | SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:02:00 +0000

SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe

Shamu accused of ‘fighting dirty’

The political temperature has shot up in Chegutu East constituency with the war of words heating up between the MDC-T and ZANU PF, as the country’s elections draw near.

Charlton Hwende, the MDC-T national representative in Mashonaland West blasted Webster Shamu, the MP for the area for ‘fighting dirty’ and accusing him of sending thugs to intimidate his family.

Hwende has already declared his interests to unseat Shamu, the ZANU PF political commissar and politburo member from Chegutu East. The charismatic Hwende is one of the youthful rising stars in the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC and has already held several rallies that have attracted the ire of Shamu.

He surprised many of his friends by shunning a safe seat in Chegutu central and decided to concentrate his efforts in a seat held by ZANU PF, more so by a fearsome MP, allegedly known for his gangsterism.

Hwende took to Facebook on Monday to accuse Shamu of unleashing a gang of ZANU PF members who ransacked his rural home at Muchechemera village, under the Chegutu East constituency.

“Today (Monday) at 2am in the morning six people in a Toyota Hilux suspected to be coming from voting in the weekend ZANU PF Mashonaland West Provincial chairman elections ransacked my rural home in Mhondoro, Chegutu East constituency forcing my 90 year-old grandmother and the wife of my worker to flee to Harare,”

“My appeal to Shamu the MP of the area is for him to ensure that such victimisation and harassment of my family is stopped immediately. We are not afraid but peace loving for now,” Hwende wrote on Facebook.

Last month, Hwende accused Shamu of instructing some ZANU PF youths to attack his young brother Livingstone, who was coming from an MDC rally in the district. Shamu has reportedly denied any involvement, charging that if Hwende wants a clean fight, “he will get it.”

“Because of Shamu’s fierce reputation of dealing ruthlessly with political opponents, I knew it was not going to be easy to challenge him. But look, this is politics and somebody has to throw in their hat to stand against him,”

‘”f you enter into a political ring, the aim is to win and this is exactly what I have set out to do. Shamu knows he has a big fight ahead and so he’s now resorting to dirty tactics to intimidate my family in the hope that I will not challenge him. Unfortunately for him that will not happen, he should expect this contest to go all the way to the finish line,” Hwende said.