from SWRadioAfrica:
Scores of NCA activists took to the streets of Harare Wednesday, to call for the setting up of a transitional government to address the urgent needs of the population. The activists also want a people driven constitution, that will pave the way for a fresh elections.
The pressure group said 700 people heeded their call to participate in the peaceful protest. Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said he saw protesters marching from the city’s Nelson Mandela Avenue and Leopold Takawira Avenue, towards parliament. They were singing and holding placards but were violently dispersed by anti riot police when they reached parliament....
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Botswana suggests sanctions
from SWRadioAfrica
One of Robert Mugabe’s fiercest critics, the Botswana Foreign Minister, on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on the ZANU PF leader, suggesting that the Southern African region should close its borders in an attempt to bring him down.
.... Skelemani said leaders should tell him to his face ‘look, now you are on your own, we are switching off, we are closing your borders.' He added that if no petrol went into Zimbabwe for a week, Mugabe would be gone.
Leaders from Botswana and Zambia have been lonely voices in the region against Mugabe’s regime and Botswana's President Ian Khama, has emerged as one of Mugabe's harshest critics in Africa. The regime has hit back at Botswana, accusing Khama of interference and of training MDC insurgents to destabilise Zimbabwe. A claim strongly denied by Botswana.
Skelemani also said his country would be willing to shelter Tsvangirai, if he ever asked for protection.
One of Robert Mugabe’s fiercest critics, the Botswana Foreign Minister, on Wednesday launched a stinging attack on the ZANU PF leader, suggesting that the Southern African region should close its borders in an attempt to bring him down.
.... Skelemani said leaders should tell him to his face ‘look, now you are on your own, we are switching off, we are closing your borders.' He added that if no petrol went into Zimbabwe for a week, Mugabe would be gone.
Leaders from Botswana and Zambia have been lonely voices in the region against Mugabe’s regime and Botswana's President Ian Khama, has emerged as one of Mugabe's harshest critics in Africa. The regime has hit back at Botswana, accusing Khama of interference and of training MDC insurgents to destabilise Zimbabwe. A claim strongly denied by Botswana.
Skelemani also said his country would be willing to shelter Tsvangirai, if he ever asked for protection.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
UN Ban wants talks to continue
from AFP:
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon called on Zimbabwe's politicians to quickly strike a power-sharing deal to address difficulties plaguing the country, faced with a serious humanitarian and health crisis.
"The Secretary-General is alarmed that the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is now desperate and will worsen in the coming months," a United Nations statement said.
"Distressed at the collapse of health, sanitation and education services, and the consequent rapidly escalating cholera outbreak," Ban "urges all parties to support and provide humanitarian assistance leaving political considerations aside."
Ban supports the humanitarian initiative of the Elders, the statement said, adding Ban was disappointed by the Zimbabwean government's refusal to cooperate with the group of senior statesmen that includes ex-United Nations chief Kofi Annan and former US president Jimmy Carter.
Tuesday, the Zimbabwean regime accused Annan and Carter of participating in a conspiracy by the West to depose President Robert Mugabe, according to statements carried by the official daily The Herald.
The two men, accompanied by Nelson Mandela and human rights activist Graca Machel, were denied entry to Zimbabwe where they had planned a humanitarian mission at the weekend.
The regime and the opposition have met since July in talks facilitated by former South African president Thabo Mbeki to find a solution to the political stalemate. They relaunched talks on Tuesday in South Africa to revive a power-sharing agreement signed in mid-September that has not yet been implemented, a negotiator told AFP.
Ban called on the parties "to rapidly reach an agreement on the formation of a new Government consistent with the letter and spirit of the 15 September agreement."
"The people of Zimbabwe cannot afford another failure by their political leadership to reach a fair and workable agreement that would allow Zimbabwe to tackle the formidable challenges ahead."
A cholera epidemic affecting more than half of Zimbabwe's territory has killed more than 53 people and affected 1,600 new victims in a single day, the UN announced Tuesday in Geneva, stating that the epidemic cause 366 deaths and 8,887 new cases since August.
Beyond its debilitating political crisis, Zimbabwe also faces over 231 million percent hyperinflation, 80 percent unemployment and an inactive production sector. The UN estimates almost half of the population will need food assistance in January.
©2008 AFP
UN chief Ban Ki-Moon called on Zimbabwe's politicians to quickly strike a power-sharing deal to address difficulties plaguing the country, faced with a serious humanitarian and health crisis.
"The Secretary-General is alarmed that the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is now desperate and will worsen in the coming months," a United Nations statement said.
"Distressed at the collapse of health, sanitation and education services, and the consequent rapidly escalating cholera outbreak," Ban "urges all parties to support and provide humanitarian assistance leaving political considerations aside."
Ban supports the humanitarian initiative of the Elders, the statement said, adding Ban was disappointed by the Zimbabwean government's refusal to cooperate with the group of senior statesmen that includes ex-United Nations chief Kofi Annan and former US president Jimmy Carter.
Tuesday, the Zimbabwean regime accused Annan and Carter of participating in a conspiracy by the West to depose President Robert Mugabe, according to statements carried by the official daily The Herald.
The two men, accompanied by Nelson Mandela and human rights activist Graca Machel, were denied entry to Zimbabwe where they had planned a humanitarian mission at the weekend.
The regime and the opposition have met since July in talks facilitated by former South African president Thabo Mbeki to find a solution to the political stalemate. They relaunched talks on Tuesday in South Africa to revive a power-sharing agreement signed in mid-September that has not yet been implemented, a negotiator told AFP.
Ban called on the parties "to rapidly reach an agreement on the formation of a new Government consistent with the letter and spirit of the 15 September agreement."
"The people of Zimbabwe cannot afford another failure by their political leadership to reach a fair and workable agreement that would allow Zimbabwe to tackle the formidable challenges ahead."
A cholera epidemic affecting more than half of Zimbabwe's territory has killed more than 53 people and affected 1,600 new victims in a single day, the UN announced Tuesday in Geneva, stating that the epidemic cause 366 deaths and 8,887 new cases since August.
Beyond its debilitating political crisis, Zimbabwe also faces over 231 million percent hyperinflation, 80 percent unemployment and an inactive production sector. The UN estimates almost half of the population will need food assistance in January.
©2008 AFP
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Carter, Annan refused entry into Zim
from Reuters Africa:
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has barred former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other prominent figures from visiting the country to assess the humanitarian crisis, the group said on Saturday.
They were denied travel visas to Zimbabwe despite the intervention of former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating the political conflict between President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
"We had hoped to go to Zimbabwe this morning but we had to cancel because the government has made it clear they will not co-operate," Annan told a press briefing in Johannesburg.
Annan, Carter and Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel are part of a group of prominent figures and former statesmen called The Elders.
"Our purpose in coming here was never to be involved in the political issues that have been so controversial in the establishment of a new government in Zimbabwe, but only to help with the humanitarian issue and we will continue to do that," Carter said....
Carter is a self righteous A**h***...who essentially let Mugabe throw out Muzorewa and run the government way back when...and now he runs around telling people how to do things....
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has barred former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other prominent figures from visiting the country to assess the humanitarian crisis, the group said on Saturday.
They were denied travel visas to Zimbabwe despite the intervention of former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating the political conflict between President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.
"We had hoped to go to Zimbabwe this morning but we had to cancel because the government has made it clear they will not co-operate," Annan told a press briefing in Johannesburg.
Annan, Carter and Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel are part of a group of prominent figures and former statesmen called The Elders.
"Our purpose in coming here was never to be involved in the political issues that have been so controversial in the establishment of a new government in Zimbabwe, but only to help with the humanitarian issue and we will continue to do that," Carter said....
Carter is a self righteous A**h***...who essentially let Mugabe throw out Muzorewa and run the government way back when...and now he runs around telling people how to do things....
Friday, November 21, 2008
South Africa blocks Zim aid
from ABC (Australia)
South Africa says it will withhold desperately needed aid until Zimbabwe enacts a power-sharing agreement.
This is the first sign from South Africa that it is prepared to get tough with its neighbour.
The South African Government says it is extremely concerned about Zimbabwe's failure to implement a power sharing deal that was agreed to more than two months ago.
It has criticised Zimbabwe's political leaders for putting their interests ahead of the lives of ordinary people.
South Africa will withhold more than $30 million in agricultural assistance until a unity government is formed.
------------------
translation: They will punish the people for the tyrant's sins....
Ah, peaceful solutions....which end up killing more people than a quick coup using SAfrican soldiers...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Zapu reborn?
from the BBC:
Five senior officials from Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party have resigned amid attempts to revive a defunct liberation movement, Zapu.
The officials are from Matabeleland in the south, the base for Zapu until it merged with President Robert Mugabe's Zanu to form Zanu-PF in 1987.
The five are teaming up with former Interior Minister Dumiso Dabengwa.
He resigned from Zanu-PF in March and is trying to revive Zapu with war veterans from his Ndebele ethnic group.
"I am leaving Zanu-PF and I'm going back to my roots, which is Zapu," Effort Nkomo, one of the five who are resigning, confirmed on Wednesday..
Mr Nkomo was the information chief of the party in Matabeleland and his resignation from Zanu-PF has left the party on the verge of collapse in the province, says Zimbabwean journalist Themba Nkosi.
Fifth Brigade
Among the others to resign are Andrew Ndlovu and Tryphine Nhliziyo, the Zanu-PF's deputy information and publicity secretaries in Matabeleland.....
doctors protest failing health system
from the ZimbabweMail:
HARARE - Truckloads of riot police were deployed outside Harare's main hospital on Tuesday to prevent scores of doctors and nurses from marching in protest at the state of Zimbabwe's collapsing health system.
Many of the group of about 100 health professionals took off their shoes to dance and sing in the parking lot of Parirenyatwa Hospital, vowing to stay away from work until a recent outbreak of cholera is brought under control....Health service on the verge of collapse
from the ZimbabweMail
"Sick people in need of attention are being turned away."
Harare's two big state hospitals have withdrawn maternity services, meaning that women needing to deliver by Caesarean section "will needlessly die in childbirth", the doctors' association said....
(the medical school has also shut down)
HARARE - Zimbabwe's health services, once regarded among the best in Africa, are "in a state of collapse" with its main hospitals closed and a cholera epidemic raging, a leading medical body said Wednesday.
The country's four main hospitals, in the capital, Harare, and the western city of Bulawayo, were "virtually closed", while smaller district hospitals and municipal clinics "are barely functioning or closed", the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) said."Sick people in need of attention are being turned away."
Harare's two big state hospitals have withdrawn maternity services, meaning that women needing to deliver by Caesarean section "will needlessly die in childbirth", the doctors' association said....
(the medical school has also shut down)
Mugabe government blamed for Cholera epidemic
From the NYTimes
A group of doctors blamed President Robert Mugabe’s government on Wednesday for a cholera epidemic sweeping through Zimbabwe, saying the spread of the disease had been severely underreported. The group, the Zimbabwean Association of Doctors for Human Rights, also said dysentery was becoming increasingly prevalent. “This cholera epidemic is man-made,” Dr. Douglas Gwatidza, the head of the group, said in a telephone call with reporters. About 160 people have died of cholera in Zimbabwe in recent weeks, independent aid organizations said.
A group of doctors blamed President Robert Mugabe’s government on Wednesday for a cholera epidemic sweeping through Zimbabwe, saying the spread of the disease had been severely underreported. The group, the Zimbabwean Association of Doctors for Human Rights, also said dysentery was becoming increasingly prevalent. “This cholera epidemic is man-made,” Dr. Douglas Gwatidza, the head of the group, said in a telephone call with reporters. About 160 people have died of cholera in Zimbabwe in recent weeks, independent aid organizations said.
Hungry in Zimbabwe
from MSNBC
At a school for villagers visited by The Associated Press, enrollment is down to four pupils from 20. The teachers still willing to work in this once thriving farming and mining district 160 miles northeast of Harare, the capital, say parents pay them in corn, cooking oil, goats or chickens. One trip by bus to the nearest bank to draw their government salaries costs more than teachers earn in a month.
At a school for villagers visited by The Associated Press, enrollment is down to four pupils from 20. The teachers still willing to work in this once thriving farming and mining district 160 miles northeast of Harare, the capital, say parents pay them in corn, cooking oil, goats or chickens. One trip by bus to the nearest bank to draw their government salaries costs more than teachers earn in a month.
Political paralysis
Meanwhile, the country is in political paralysis following disputed elections in March. A power-sharing deal signed two months ago has stalled over the allocation of ministries between Mugabe's party and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change.
Shingirayi Chiyamite is a trader from Harare who brings household goods to the countryside to barter for crops. He says a 12-inch bar of laundry soap exchanges for 22 pounds of corn. He crisscrosses the land in search of the few villages that have corn to spare, hauls his purchases to the highway and hitchhikes back to the city. Some of the corn will feed his family, the rest he sells. He is constantly on the move....
ah yes, again we see the non judgemental "Disputed elections" and "power sharing deal has stalled"....
They haven't figured out all it takes is one sociopath to cause the problem...
The hunters are hunted
from the LATimes
"They just surrounded me. They started accusing me of this and that. They just wanted revenge. They said: 'Now we got you alone. You used to trouble us during your heyday. Now it's our day.' "....
The green bombers were the ruling party's shock troops, thugs who killed and terrorized in the name of President Robert Mugabe before elections this year. Just a few months ago, the thought of challenging one of them was unthinkable in Harare's townships, stagnant and hopeless places where young men hung around sharing cheap beer in plastic bottles and waiting for the "Old Man" to die.
But after Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing deal with the opposition in September, there was a quickening: People were impatient, exuberant, hopeful and fearful of betrayal all at once. Now that the deal has collapsed, the frustration in the capital's townships is palpable, and the specter of spiraling violence looms over their shabby streets.
People want justice -- and without it, some warn darkly, they'll take matters into their own hands...
go to link for full story...
even a small snake has a tooth...
As Robert Mugabe's grip on power has slipped, the thugs who carried out preelection terror in his name find themselves in the cross hairs of those they tormented.
Reporting from Harare, Zimbabwe -- The "green bomber" dropped into Club M5 the other day to get a bottle of Lion beer to go, but he wasn't fast enough. Right away he was surrounded by five members of the opposition, people he used to beat up, in a township bar where he used to be king."They just surrounded me. They started accusing me of this and that. They just wanted revenge. They said: 'Now we got you alone. You used to trouble us during your heyday. Now it's our day.' "....
The green bombers were the ruling party's shock troops, thugs who killed and terrorized in the name of President Robert Mugabe before elections this year. Just a few months ago, the thought of challenging one of them was unthinkable in Harare's townships, stagnant and hopeless places where young men hung around sharing cheap beer in plastic bottles and waiting for the "Old Man" to die.
But after Mugabe was forced into a power-sharing deal with the opposition in September, there was a quickening: People were impatient, exuberant, hopeful and fearful of betrayal all at once. Now that the deal has collapsed, the frustration in the capital's townships is palpable, and the specter of spiraling violence looms over their shabby streets.
People want justice -- and without it, some warn darkly, they'll take matters into their own hands...
go to link for full story...
even a small snake has a tooth...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
New constitution
AFP via IC publications:
Zimbabwe's rival parties have drafted a constitutional amendment creating the post of prime minister, which opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is supposed to fill under a power-sharing deal, the government said Tuesday.
Information Minister Sikanyiso Ndlovu said the amendment was sent to former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who has mediated Zimbabwe's political standoff between veteran President Robert Mugabe and Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
"Constitutional amendment number 19, key to the formation of an inclusive government, is now complete and has been sent to the mediator in South Africa for scrutiny," Ndlovu said on state television.
"The draft bill will then be gazetted according to law. After gazetting, the draft will have 30 days waiting period for the public, clergy churches, stakeholders to scrutinise and to make their own observations", he said....
The MDC wrested control of parliament from Mugabe's ZANU-PF party for the first time in general elections in March....
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Influx of Zim refugees affects Botswana's economy
from the Zimbabwean
...
He indicated that starting 2005, Zimbabweans numbering 175 000 had been deported from that country and that Botswana had since constructed shelters to accommodate Zimbabwean refugees at the cost of 52 million Pulas.
He noted that since January this year, more than 12 000 Zimbabweans had been involved in crime in that country....
...
HARARE, November 13 2008 - Botswana says Zimbabwe’s political crisis is weighing down on its economy as it is spending close to 1,2 million Pulas on Zimbabwean refugees every month, RadioVOP can reveal.
A document compiled by the Botswana government on the refugee situation and seen by RadioVOP, quotes vice president Lieutenant General Mompati Merafe as having said that the political stalemate in Zimbabwe had led to increasing numbers of Zimbabweans seeking refuge in that country and was weighing down on its economy.He indicated that starting 2005, Zimbabweans numbering 175 000 had been deported from that country and that Botswana had since constructed shelters to accommodate Zimbabwean refugees at the cost of 52 million Pulas.
He noted that since January this year, more than 12 000 Zimbabweans had been involved in crime in that country....
Botswana denies training youth militias
from the Zim Times:
GABORONE - Zimbabwe’s neighbour, Botswana, has vehemently denied accusations by officials in Harare that Botswana was training MDC youths for purposes of effecting regime change in Zimbabwe...
Opposition says Mugabe can't form government alone
AP via the IntHTrib
...
...
Thokozani Khupe, vice president of the Movement for Democratic Change, told reporters that if Mugabe unilaterally formed a new government, the opposition would not be part of it.
The opposition would "peacefully, constitutionally and democratically mobilize and campaign against the illegitimate government," the party said in a statement.
Southern African leaders had called on Zimbabwe's politicians to form a unity government quickly and suggested that the opposition share control of the police ministry with Mugabe's party, a recommendation the opposition rejects....
However, some observers fear that Zimbabwe's leader of 28 years will not make any real concessions to the opposition as it has been nearly two months now since the power-sharing agreement was signed. Last month Mugabe claimed control of the police ministry when he unilaterally published a Cabinet list.
Neighboring Botswana also rejected the ministry sharing proposal. Botswana's Foreign Affairs Minister Phandu Skelemani, told his parliament Thursday that such an arrangement was "unrealistic, impractical and unworkable."
Botswana has been one of the few countries that have criticized African leaders for not putting enough pressure on Mugabe to share power with the opposition....
Saturday, November 15, 2008
New Abductions
from theBBC
 |  You used to have to be very secretive - hiding in your car, and what-what, going undercover. Not any more  |
One of my colleagues confirmed it was true - people in the rural areas are disappearing in the night, she told us.
She had travelled to her family rural area over the weekend and said everyone was talking about it. She said it is becoming a real worry for the rural folk once more and if we were to have new elections, then how much worse could things get.
I was talking about it to my cousin, who is a human rights activist, to find out if it was true. He also said it was, further confirming my fears....
-----------------
the rest of the article is about the supermarkets carrying items for foreign currancy and the black market that exchanges cash
Friday, November 14, 2008
Mugabe set to form his own government
From AFP
HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will form a new government "as soon as possible" and discussions are underway between his ruling ZANU-PF party and the main opposition, a cabinet minister said on Thursday....He also called on the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions on Mugabe's ruling elite saying they were hurting ordinary citizens.
Ndlovu had said Wednesday: "President Mugabe is going to implement the SADC resolution. We must form an inclusive government... The president is going to invite the MDC to submit names of its would-be ministers. It's premature to say they've refused."
translation: Mugabe will form his own government. Tsvangirai will have no power. If he wants to cooperate he can suggest people for a few minor government positions who may or may not be allowed to take office by Mugabe.
HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will form a new government "as soon as possible" and discussions are underway between his ruling ZANU-PF party and the main opposition, a cabinet minister said on Thursday....He also called on the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions on Mugabe's ruling elite saying they were hurting ordinary citizens.
Ndlovu had said Wednesday: "President Mugabe is going to implement the SADC resolution. We must form an inclusive government... The president is going to invite the MDC to submit names of its would-be ministers. It's premature to say they've refused."
translation: Mugabe will form his own government. Tsvangirai will have no power. If he wants to cooperate he can suggest people for a few minor government positions who may or may not be allowed to take office by Mugabe.
Mama Africa, rest in peace
from the SATimes
Loading ...
Loading ...Legendary South African musician Miriam Makeba’s remains arrived at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport. Makeba died in Italy on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. Her family, as well as Minister of Arts and
Culture Pallo Jordan arrived at the airport to receive her remains.
Zim talks must succeed despite Mbeki
from the Times (southAfrica)
...to allow these talks to sink will be a terrible mistake by the SADC because this appears to be the only solution to the Zimbabwe problem, considering that other logical means, such as widening sanctions and new elections, will clearly never work.
...to allow these talks to sink will be a terrible mistake by the SADC because this appears to be the only solution to the Zimbabwe problem, considering that other logical means, such as widening sanctions and new elections, will clearly never work.
For as long as Mugabe controls the police and the war veterans remain immune to prosecution, a free and fair election will never be possible in Zimbabwe.
Those who call for another election either underestimate the war vets’ threat, or [believe in] the myth that international observers will ensure a peaceful election....The mediator we have for the talks has a questionable record. At a time when the world was appalled by the gross human rights abuses by Mugabe, [former president Thabo] Mbeki casually commented that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. Now Mbeki will pat Mugabe on the back while arm twisting Tsvangirai to accept whatever share of power he is offered.
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