Messages From Zimbabwe

Under the care of President Robert Mugabe, the Rwandan community in Zimbabwe has refused to take part in commemoration to mark the 1994 genocide that saw close to one million people being massacred in cold blood. Rwandans who have secured permanent protection and refuge in Zimbabwe are from the Hutu ethnic group, who sought asylum after the 1994 genocide.

Rwandans from the majority Hutu ethnic group are blamed for orchestrating the killings of those from the minority Tutsi ethnic group and politically moderate Hutus. The killings ended after a Tutsi dominated rebel group, led by Paul Kagame, now president of Rwanda, stormed into Kigali and over-ran the Hutu army. Each year from April 3 until the next 100 days Rwanda and the international community commemorates the genocide which saw untold numbers of skeletons from the victims buried in mass graves.

Commemorations this year are still being held in Rwanda and east African countries, United States, Canada and in Western Europe. Rwandans in South Africa also commemorated the genocide. But those living up the Limpopo say they do not have anything to do with the commemorations. Zimbabwe’s commissioner of refugees Isaac Mukaro, declined to comment. Officials from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Harare referred inquiries to leaders of the Rwandan community in Zimbabwe. Karim Muhizi believes the commemorations are meant to cover up for the massacres committed by President Kagame and his rebel soldiers on their way to conquer Kigali. He said hundreds of thousands of Hutus were killed by the Tutsi rebels between 1993 and 1994 but nothing was being said about it.

“The genocide should be put into its right perspective,” Muhizi said. “We want the world to acknowledge that Kagame and his rebel soldiers massacred Hutus. It’s not only the Tutsis who were killed but Hutus also.”

Other refugees said they were angry with the behaviour of the Rwandan government and the international community, especially the Western World, for continuously failing to recognize that Hutus were also killed by the Tutsis. They also complained why only Hutus were being targeted for arrests for their alleged role in the genocide when Tutsis known to have also killed were being spared. Several thousand of Hutus are languishing in prisons in Rwanda while high profile individuals have been slapped with life jail terms for allegedly spearheading the massacres.

This week a high profile Rwandan of Hutu origin was arrested for his alleged role in financing the genocide. Charles Bandora briefly stayed in Zimbabwe, after escaping from Malawi where he had been arrested by authorities there for genocide related crimes.

It was not immediately clear how he left Zimbabwe. But reports this week suggested he was arrested at Zaventem International Airport as he tried to enter Belgium.

More than 800 000 Rwandans were killed in massacres carried out within less than 100 days in 1994 leading to an international outcry. Accused for crimes for humanity, many Hutus have now secured easy refuge in Zimbabwe and recently Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame described Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe as a ‘another Rwanda’.

(Source)

A Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agent was shot and wounded after a high speed chase with detectives – the bloody end to a deal gone sour over a fictitious substance known as red mercury, purportedly used in the creation of nuclear bombs.

CIO operative Mudenge Matyasha Mugwira, 32, and accomplices Merina Goto, 42, and Blessing Chitiyo appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate on Tuesday, charged with kidnapping, robbery and extortion.

A third suspect, only identified as Gushungo, is sought by the police.

Bulawayo prosecutor Malvern Nzombe told of a bizarre tale of greed, abuse of power, kidnapping and torture.

The charges against the men stem from an alleged April 28 raid on the 8th Avenue property of an Asian businessman, Faisal Gazali, in which they took him captive — Mugwira punching him twice in the face to force compliance.

The men were accusing Gazali of swapping their red mercury with a FAKE during a transaction.

Magistrate Abednico Dube heard after kidnapping Gazali, the trio drove to 12th Avenue where they picked up the missing suspect, Gushungo.

Gazali, the prosecutor told the court, was then ordered to direct the men to his house. He was threatened with death if he misled them.

With Mugwira at the wheel of a Nissan Hardbody twin cab, the men arrived at Gazali’s home where they were met by a maid and the businessman’s uncle at the gate.

“Mugwira asked the two if they knew Gazali, and they said they knew him. Mugwira then told the two it was the last time they were seeing him alive if he did not co-operate with them and drove off,” according to the prosecutor.

The quartet, the prosecution says, then drove Gazali to a bushy area in Queen’s Park, close to the Joshua Mqabuko Airport, where he was made to lie down. The businessman was repeatedly attacked with a wheel spanner, a jack handle and booted feet.

Following the assault, the men allegedly emptied Gazali’s pockets, taking away US$70 which he had on him. They also demanded US$20,000 cash or a kilogramme of gold as “compensation” for their red mercury.

“Gazali pleaded with them to reduce it to US$10,000 and they agreed and gave him up to 7 May to pay up, with a threat that he would disappear if he failed to meet the deadline,” the prosecutor alleged.

(Source)

The acquittal of Roy Bennett, one of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s top allies, has cleared one of the major obstacles dogging Zimbabwe’s year-old power-sharing government.

The High Court in Harare threw out charges of terrorism, banditry and sabotage, involving an alleged plot to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

But it could also signal the beginning of another heated debate.

Mr Bennett was on the verge of taking up a position as deputy agriculture minister when he was arrested in February last year.

Now Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) hopes he can take up the post immediately.

“We hope that Bennett will be sworn in to his post because all the stumbling blocks have been cleared,” said MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa. “So we are expecting to have tomorrow honourable Bennett, deputy agriculture minister.”

Judge Chinembiri Bhunu’s scornful attack on the state witnesses, some of whom displayed “amazing ignorance,” perhaps gives credence to the MDC view that the charges against Mr Bennett were “trumped up” and a deliberate delay to the implementation of the power-sharing government.

But the political message to be read from the charges is that certain parties in Zimbabwe do not want a former white farmer to hold such a sensitive portfolio.

Mr Bennett’s deployment to the agriculture ministry irked the security services and top Zanu-PF officials, many of whom benefited from the land reform programme.

Given allegations that the majority of them, including President Mugabe, are multiple farm-owners, there is likely to be another fight.

ZANU PF sources say another portfolio should be created for Mr Bennett.

But this flies in the face of assurances given by President Mugabe that he would not hesitate to swear in Mr Bennett if he were cleared.

The acquittal does not appear to be the end of the road, however.

ZANU PF’s resistance to a national audit of the chaotic and haphazard land reforms speaks volumes about its attitude to progress in that sector.

The MDC may have another fight on its hands, especially after damaging allegations that Mr Mugabe owns more than five farms were laid bare in the High Court.

More could follow.

It is unlikely that President Mugabe will accommodate Mr Bennett or allow him near controversial files that might expose the rot.

Mr Mugabe has a proven history of moving the goalposts mid-game but indications are that he will negotiate again.

The MDC is in a strong position to demand that Mr Mugabe follow through on his promise but the president has the final say in government matters.

He is unlikely to shift, especially if the matter involves a “controversial” former white farmer who lost his farm under Mr Mugabe’s land reforms.

If he wanted to boost confidence that flaws in the farming sector were being addressed, Mr Mugabe would swear in Mr Bennett, and thus also demonstrate his sincerity.

Should Mr Mugabe climb down and swear him in, it would be a huge political statement.

But there is a general expectation Mr Mugabe will dig in and the MDC will again cry foul, leaving the shaky unity government back at square one.

(Source)

When European nations in the 19th century wrested accountable governance from their monarchs by putting in place parliamentary systems, one area remained outside their scope. Foreign policy, it was said, was the “domain of the king”.

That view is alive and well in today’s Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs might as well close down. It is a mere cipher. President Robert Mugabe, 86, exercises sole power and despite the formation of a government of national unity (GNU) he brooks no interference from his purported partners.

This has led to predictable resentment. Recently President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran visited Zimbabwe as Mugabe’s guest. He was met at Harare International Airport by a 21-gun salute as jets screamed overhead. Cabinet ministers lined up to greet the honoured guest.

But something was missing in this otherwise warm welcome. Mugabe’s partners in government, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, were conspicuous in their absence.

Neither Tsvangirai nor his ministers put in an appearance. They were all in Bulawayo attending the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which the Iranian leader would later open.

The word “snub” was put to good use in both the private and official media. An MDC statement made it clear this was not a visitor that the party would welcome.

“As a party we feel that a country is defined by its friends,” the statement said. “We want to place it on record that judging by his record Ahmadinejad is coming, not as a friend of Zimbabwe but as an ally of those who unilaterally invited him.

“Choice of friends defines character,” the MDC said, “and inviting the Iranian strongman to an investment forum is like inviting a mosquito to cure malaria.”

This, needless to say, incensed Mugabe’s followers who claimed the MDC was taking its marching orders from Washington and London.

But the episode underlined the fragility of the unity government.

Mugabe remains wedded to the postures of an earlier era when Zimbabwe was part of an international network subscribing to Marxist-Leninist values. Part of that structure remains intact in the form of the Non-Aligned Movement.

But the days when the Zimbabwean despot could strut upon the international stage with authority have long since passed. The collapse of the Communist bloc tore away the struts underpinning international support for regimes such as Mugabe’s.

Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s visit in 1983 was a high-water mark for Zimbabwe’s post-independence diplomacy but nowadays even Chinese leaders give Harare a wide berth.

Mugabe’s unilateral invitation to Ahmadinejad has once again focused attention on the shortcomings of the GNU. Senior officials appointed by Mugabe recently declared they were under no obligation to attend meetings of the Council of Ministers that Tsvangirai chairs. A “Government Work Plan” drawn up largely by MDC ministers to plan for the year ahead had not been approved by the cabinet and was therefore unconstitutional, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa declared last week. Chinamasa lost his seat to the MDC in the 2008 election.

Observers are waiting to see what impact this obstruction of government business will have on a forthcoming visit to Brussels of several cabinet ministers, including Chinamasa, to get European Union sanctions lifted. Despite suggestions that some concessions may be forthcoming, it is difficult to see what tangible progress the GNU can point to as warranting their removal.

The heads of Zimbabwe’s bloated state-owned corporations recently refused to give the MDC minister responsible for parastatals accurate estimates of their incomes. Only 10 out of 85 submitted the information required. Others submitted false information, according to local reports.

The chief executives of the state-owned corporations enjoy hefty incomes and generous allowances, including entertainment allowances running into thousands of dollars. Their children’s education and payment of domestic staff are also paid for by their companies, many of which are in financial difficulties. The companies include fuel and power providers.

The minister, Gabuza Joel Gabbuza, said he was “only trying to rationalize salaries of chief executives and at the same time rectify anomalies where the top brass are earning unrealistic salaries while their companies are constantly applying for government bail-outs.” Most CEOs in state companies are the beneficiaries of Mugabe’s patronage.

Mugabe continues to be the chief obstacle to change, clawing back as many powers as possible, and threatening to do to the business sector what he has done to agriculture. South African negotiators appear not to have made much impact, with President Jacob Zuma giving the impression he is out of his depth. British officials had no difficulty rebutting his attempt to get sanctions lifted when he visited London earlier this year.

With over a year of tenure behind it, the GNU’s report card reads “could do better.”

(Source)

The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has defended its appointment of media hangman Tafataona Mahoso to licence journalists and media houses seeking to practice journalism and register their newspapers.

Journalists have already expressed displeasure with the appointment of the controversial Mahoso who was adjudged the worst among a list of 27 candidates who were interviewed to serve as commissioners in the ZMC last year. During his tenure at the now defunct Media and Information Commission (MIC) Mahoso presided over the closure of at least four newspapers, the deportation of several foreign correspondents and the arbitrary arrest, detention and malicious prosecution of hundreds of local journalists, editors and publishers.

The ZMC which is chaired by former broadcaster Godfrey Majonga appointed Mahoso as its chief executive officer and will run the secretariat which will receive and process applications from journalists and media houses seeking registration with the statutory body.

But ZMC commissioner Chris Mhike told journalists Tuesday that Mahoso will not interfere with the registration and licensing of journalists and newspapers.

“The decision makers at the ZMC are the nine commissioners. Dr Mahoso will not decide about ZMC. He will just implement the decisions of the commissioners. The use of the MIC secretariat is purely for practical purposes….There is problem with capacity. So ZMC is making use of the secretariat that used to serve MIC,” said Mhike who was a panellist during a discussion organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) and the Zimbabwe Journalists for Human Rights (ZJHR) to mark World Press Freedom Day in the capital.

Mhike, who was the star of the show during interviews held to appoint ZMC commissioners last year, said critics must not be concerned with personalities in assessing whether the ZMC will be able to discharge its duties.

“If we start looking at personalities it will delay the cause of media reforms in Zimbabwe. Personalities do matter but we have pressing issues at hand,” said Mhike.

Human rights and media bodies have expressed concern with the appointment of Mahoso and staff from the defunct MIC to preside over the licensing and registration of journalists and newspapers.

“Although ZLHR notes recent developments such as the establishment of a new Zimbabwe Media Commission, the gazetting of fees for registration and accreditation, and the call for applications for such registration and accreditation, we remain concerned that this new body will continue to rely on the personnel from the old discredited and partisan Media and Information Commission which wreaked such havoc and untold suffering on journalists and media houses in this country in the past,” ZLHR said in a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day.

The ZMC is expected to licence new media players and drive media reforms as part of the democratic process agreed to by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe when they established the transitional coalition government.

(Source)

President Mugabe arrived here yesterday to attend a meeting of liberation movements that seeks to find ways of offsetting resurgent neo-colonialism in Africa.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was met at Julius Nyerere International Airport by the country’s ambassador to Dar-es-Salaam Edzai Chimonyo and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.

DPM Mutambara is here to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa.

Soon after his arrival, President Mugabe held closed-door talks with his Tanzanian counterpart, President Jakaya Kikwete.

The meeting of liberation movements begins today.

Countries that have confirmed their participation in addition to Zimbabwe and the hosts are Angola, South Africa and Namibia.

The meeting starts with a session incorporating secretaries-general of the movements, in which Zimbabwe will be represented by Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa.

After that, presidents and leaders of the movements will go into session.

Insiders said the meeting had been long in coming and would focus on how the liberation movements could co-ordinate activities for Africa’s development.

“The last such meeting was in Sandton in South Africa back in 2000.

“At that time, it was already apparent that neo-colonialists were finding inroads with which to subvert Africa’s development.

“The idea here is to come up with ways of countering that subversion and developing our peoples.

“We want to keep the ideals of the liberation movements alive and to ensure they result in tangible benefits to the people of Africa,” one insider said.

President Mugabe is accompanied by ministers

Webster Shamu (Media, Information and Publicity), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Defence), Saviour Kasukuwere (Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment) and other senior Government officials.

President Mugabe was seen off at Harare International Airport by Vice President John Nkomo (who is Acting President), senior Government officials, and service chiefs.

Meanwhile, DPM Mutambara is here to attend the 20th World Economic Forum on Africa.

Zimbabwe will use the meeting to outline to the world the devastating impact of the illegal Western economic sanctions.

Insiders yesterday revealed that the Zimbabwe delegation will use the platform to present to major global economic players the vast business opportunities Zimbabwe has in the mining, agriculture, infrastructure development and manufacturing sectors.

“There will be over 1 000 participants drawn from multilateral financial institutions and United Nations agencies and this is an ideal platform for Zimbabwe to present its case on the issue of sanctions and the country’s investment potential,” an insider said.

Last Thursday, the WEF said 11 African heads of state and government would attend the event to be opened by host President Kikwete.

The forum is being held under the theme “Rethinking Africa’s Growth Strategy”.

The 20th WEF on Africa draws political, business and civic leaders from Africa, Asia and Europe to deliberate on issues affecting the continent.

In a statement, President Kikwete said: “Africa is a continent full of potential.

“Africa has been growing despite the economic instability that is facing the world today.

“We will have the opportunity to examine the strategy of Africa for today to ensure that there is a better tomorrow.”

WEF for Africa director Ms Katherine Tweedie said this year’s forum coincided with the 50th anniversary of the launch of the continent’s struggle for independence.

“It is fitting to celebrate this milestone year by hosting the Africa meeting for the first time in East Africa, with the strong support of His Excellency President Kikwete and the government and business community of Tanzania,” she said.

The Forum’s Young Global Leaders Summit will be held concurrently in Dar es Salaam with over 200 participants.

Discussions will address how Africa is managing relations with key economic partners and South-South co-operation.

(Source)

This was sent to me via email…

We were in slow-moving traffic the other day and the car in front of us had a picture of President Mugabe on the rear windscreen. It read:

“Pray for our President Mugabe – Psalm 109:8″

My husband’s Bible was lying on the dash board and he got it and opened it up to the scripture and read it. He started laughing & laughing. Then he read it to me. I couldn’t believe what it said. I had a good laugh, too.

Psalm 109:8

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

Let us all bow our heads and pray…

Thy will be done. Amen.