‘Zim, EU in frank talks’
Herald Reporter
The Inter-ministerial delegation to the Zimbabwe-European Union re-engagement dialogue yesterday had a frank meeting with the Vice President of the European Commission Lady Catharine Ashton.
Speaking on the phone from Brussels, Belgium last night Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the meeting with Lady Ashton, who is also the High Representative of the EU for Foreign and Security Policy was basically the major highlight of their journey.
"We had very open, frank exchanges of views and our team, the threesome of us, we are going to meet early next week, preferably on Monday, to discuss the exchanges we have made with a view to reporting to the three principals," he said.
Minister Chinamasa, who travelled to Belgium with Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma, said the delegation had earlier in the morning met the European Commissioner for Development Mr Andris Tiedalgs.
"We then had another meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade from the Netherlands, Roderick van Schreven. This was not a planned meeting. He asked for the meeting when he heard we were in Brussels and drove with his team from The Hague.
"The meeting with the Dutch was something different, they wanted to talk to us about the Dutch farms that were acquired for resettlement and we said we would forward their concerns to the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement," he said.
Meanwhile, the inter-ministerial delegation is expected back in Harare today.
Speaking to The Herald after the meeting, Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the engagement had been "productive".
She, however, also declined to discuss further details of the meeting. "We are already on our way back home, but I can confirm that the dialogue went on well and we actually had fruitful discussions. We are going to issue a full statement on Monday after briefing our principals," she said.
She said they discussed removal of the ruinous economic embargo. "We discussed much on that issue and, in fact, that is the reason why we came here. But I cannot tell you now what we agreed on," she said.
Labels: EU, PATRICK CHINAMASA
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Rebuilding America by building Africa
By: Lloyd Whitefield Butler, Jr. - Columnist
Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010 12:23 pm
WHITE House and Congressional Black Caucus fast asleep at the African switch.
"If the enemy is not doing anything against you, you are not doing anything" Ahmed Sékou Touré
"Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it political? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular - but one must take it simply because it is right." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
England’s Chatham House has been the home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs for ninety years. Their mission is to be a world-leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all.
According to Chatham House’s independent thinking on international affairs they published a June 2010 strategic report on Africa called “Playing to its Strengths: Rethinking the UK’s Role in a Changing World.”
Chatham House’s executive summary states the following:
"African countries are playing a more strategic role in international affairs. Global players that understand this and develop greater diplomatic and trade relations with African states will be greatly advantaged.
"For many countries, particularly those that have framed their relations with Africa largely in humanitarian terms, this will require an uncomfortable shift in public and policy perceptions.
"Without this shift, many of Africa's traditional partners, especially in Europe and North America, will lose global influence and trade advantages to the emerging powers in Asia, Africa and South America.
"China's re-engagement is for the most part welcome, as is that of the increasing numbers of emerging powers such as Turkey, South Korea and Brazil that see Africa in terms of opportunities - as a place in which to invest, gain market share and win access to resources.
"Economic fortunes across Africa are now diverging, making it less meaningful to treat Africa as a single entity in international economic negotiations. Despite this, it is in the global interest that the African Union should be granted a permanent place at the G20."
The former British Empire’s think tank has finally arrived not from intelligence and insight, but from forced necessity. American think tanks are disgraceful. Racism, greed, and superstition keeps the American political elite spellbound in ignorance with an insatiable appetite for war. This makes business and political foreign policies toxic to Third World nations.
In 1968 US Presidential Candidate Richard Milhouse Nixon while speaking before a group of Black Republicans shared strategic advice when delivering his "Bridge to Human Dignity Speech" he said:
"In order to have human dignity, people need property rights - and never has this been more true than in the case of the Negro today. What do I mean by property? Essentially, the economic power that comes from ownership, and the security and independence that comes from economic power."
The above sounds like Zimbabwe’s indigenization and empowerment law.
The “Words of Dr. Martin Luther King” Selected by Coretta Scott King further enlightens with strategic thinking in order to rebuild America by dignifying its relations with Africa:
"Many white Americans of good will have never connected bigotry with economic exploitation. They have deplored prejudice but tolerated or ignored economic injustice. But the Negro knows that these two evils have a malignant kinship. New laws are not enough. The emergency we now face is economic, and it is a desperate and worsening situation.
"It is impossible to create a formula for the future which does not take into account that our society has been doing something special against the Negro for hundreds of years. How then can he be absorbed into the mainstream of American life if we do not do something special for him now, in order to balance the equation and equip him to compete on a just and equal basis?
"Few people consider the fact that, in addition to being enslaved for two centuries, the Negro was, during all those years, robbed of the wages of his toil. No amount of gold could provide an adequate amount of compensation for the exploitation and humiliation of the Negro in America down through the centuries. 'Not all the wealth of this affluent society could meet the bill. Yet a price can be placed on unpaid wages.
"When millions of people have been cheated for centuries, restitution is a costly process ... Justice so long deferred has accumulated interest and its cost for this society will be substantial in financial as well as human terms. This fact has not been fully grasped, because most of the gains of the past decade were obtained at bargain rates. The desegregation of public facilities cost nothing; neither did the election and appointment of a few black public officials."
The Zimbabwe Guardian reports in an article how the “Group of Elders should re-read history” by Tendai Midzi. He opines that: "Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his so-called 'Group of Elders' are making a fool of themselves by making uninformed comments about Zimbabwe without the right kind of briefing from politicians in the country.
"There are crises in many places in the world where these so-called 'elders' have either remained quiet or taken a more informed approach. There are also other places where their contribution could be more meaningful rather than Zimbabwe where the parties are at peace and have managed to strike a deal without their influence.”
Here is an example of a place in the world where the Group of Elders’ contributions can be more meaningful: the United States of America. The Group of Elders is not too elderly to understand the following remarks:
"Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it political? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular - but one must take it simply because it is right." MLK
Breibart News reported this week that, “Global military expenditures soared to a record high last year, unscathed by the economic downturn, with the United States accounting for more than half of increase, a think tank said Wednesday. In 2009, 1,531 billion dollars (1,244 billion euros) were spent worldwide in the military sector, a 5.9 percent rise from 2008 and a 49 percent jump from 2000, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its report.”
Meanwhile, U.S. AFRICOM is preparing militarily; sanctions and threats of sanctions are State Department problem solving tools, and, chasing poor Somalian peasant pirates who are compensating themselves for ships that dump toxins in their waters ruining their fisheries are U.S. high points for winning over Africa.
Regretfully President Obama appears to believe that military preparedness should outperform fiscal preparedness. Fiscal availability determines the timeframe and affordability of war; with the exception of self defense. Depleting a nations’ treasury while executing war is suicidal, and, winning a war that results in generational debt is stupid.
The above mentioned reference to President Nixon’s “Bridge to Human Dignity” speech should be applied to the White House, US House of Representative & Senate, Congressional Black Caucus, and Group of Elders.
All Africa, Asia, and Central & South America watch carefully the manner in which the European and American governments treat the Elder Statesman of African Liberation President Robert Mugabe as though he does not exist. The West hatefully and jealously sanction the Zimbabwe people and their new government against the wishes of the African Union, Non-Aligned Nations, and United Nations, etc. because they dare venture into Black African Capitalism.
In Africa and the world President Mugabe is also known as the well mannered Godfather of African Indigenous Land Return & Mineral Resource Ownership. President Mugabe accepts that “If the enemy is not doing anything against you, you are not doing anything.”
In 1909 a white Southerner and gentleman, Edgar Gardner Murphy, wrote in “The Basis of Ascendancy - Our Race Security" the following:
'The perils involved in the progress of the [N]negro are as nothing in comparison with the perils invited by his failure. And yet if any race is to live, it must have something to live for...it will hardly give any deep spiritual or conscious allegiance to its racial future, if its race life is to be forever burdened with contempt, and denied the larger possibilities of thought and effort.'
Gardner Murphy further states in 'The Integrating Force of Opportunity' chapter VII. that: 'Deliverance lies not solely in the white man's baldly assuming the perpetual attitude of the policeman over his treasure, but in giving the negro a treasure too: and, as he becomes also a policeman, on guard as a man and as a race above his own. Keep him forever in his bankruptcy and his destitution, without a life to attract him or a treasure to conserve, and these millions will become conscious of their race only to disown it and to betray it, -- a despairing and devouring menace to the wholesome stability of our own life, and a noisome indictment of the perversity or the incapacity of our statesmanship.'
The Financial Times also reported this week that “China’s engagement with Africa has had a transformative effect on the continent’s relations with the outside world, shaking up an old and fraying order dominated by cautious foreign donors and former colonial powers…Trade between Africa and China rose tenfold, from $10bn (€8bn, £6.9bn) to $108bn, between 2000 and 2008…Africa holds 10 per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves – and more still to be discovered. China buys a third of its oil from Africa and the US aims to import 25 per cent from the west African seaboard...Algeria and Algeria the seventh and eighth biggest natural gas reserves globally. South Africa 40 per cent of the world’s gold. Africa after China, the biggest reserves of the rare earth metals essential for production of high-technology items from lasers to turbines
Need anymore be said concerning the strategic importance of Rebuilding America by Building Africa?
How far gone has American foreign policy gone?
I quote an excerpt from former CIA Analyst Chalmers Johnson’s NY Times bestseller “Nemesis – The Last Days of the American Empire.”
‘The attempt to disguise or avoid the policy-based reasons for 9/11 fed the rantings of Christian fundamentalists in the United States. Televangelist Pat Robertson, later joined by Jerry Falwell, declared that “liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters bear some responsibility for [the] terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God’s anger against America,” and they launched a hate campaign against all Muslims. Jimmy Swaggart called Muhammad a “sex deviant” and a pervert and suggested that Muslim students in the United States be expelled. The Pentagon added its bit of insanity to this religious mix when army lieutenant general William G. “Jerry” Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, argued in public in full uniform without subseequent official reprimand that “they” hate us “because we are a Christian nation,” that Bush was appointed by God, that the Special Forces are inspired by God, that our enemy is “a guy name Satan,” and that we defeat Islamic terrorists only “if we come at them in the name of Jesus.”
Labels: BARACK OBAMA, CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, LLOYD WHITEFIELD BUTLER JR
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Howard snub: global power relations reconfigured
By: Nancy Lovedale
Posted: Saturday, July 3, 2010 4:42 am
Nancy Lovedale writes from Beijing China
THE failure by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in his bid to become International Cricket Council vice president and subsequently president in 2012 is a sign of the waning influence of the western world on the international scene.
It is also a sign that international power relations are being reconfigured. Mr Howard tried almost every trick in the book in his bid to become vice-president of ICC, yet failed.
The power players in the ICC could not accept the idea of having a man who once lobbied against imposing sanctions on the Apartheid regime of PW Botha and his predecessors in South Africa taking a key role in cricket -- a sport that is supposed to be unifying nations across the globe.
In fact, Mr Howard himself overstretched his importance in a world where the South and the East are increasingly becoming key players, and where the likes of him are no longer needed.
The days of the Empire are gone. His naivety in this regard was amazing.
The Telegraph of India reported that Mr Howard personally spoke to the Presidents/Prime Ministers of at least three of the seven Test-playing nations opposed to his candidature.
He even had the nerve and audacity to secretly jet into Zimbabwe to solicit support from the people who are "hungry" courtesy of his inhumanity.
That intense lobbying came to nought. No amount of diplomatic or other pressure could alter his chequered imperialistic history; or erase our experience with his regime.
Mr Howard even “threatened” to use his influence and get Australia to terminate “all aid” to Zimbabwe. He has terminated significant support already, and pushed millions of people in that country to abject poverty already.
The former Australian PM should know that Zimbabweans have developed some resilience to such pressures and the threat of further sanctions does not move Zimbabweans in any way. They have seen the worst and suffered the most.
In any case, Zimbabweans know that Australia needs our beloved country (and continent). Canadian companies are busy mining our diamonds. Why don't they pull out? Why are those companies not on the sanctions list?
EMBARASSED: Former Australian PM who campaigned against Nelson Mandela and against imposition of sanctions on the apartheid regime in South Africa, but imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe for refusing to reverse the land reform policy that stood to benefit millions of blacks
Mr Howard's arrogance was shocking. He refused to back off even after Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), who’d nominated him, apparently advised that the numbers just weren’t in his favour.
As far back as April, Mr Howard should have heeded the alarm bells ringing against him when the ICC’s Executive Board kept his nomination on hold. At that point, he should have called off his bid; but he didn't. With the arrogance akin to that of Britain, which still sees it appropriate to view itself as an "Empire", Mr Howard kept on fighting until he was embarassed earlier this week.
He reminds me of another former pime minister, Gordon Brown, who tried to push the UN Security Council to pass a sanctions resolution on Zimbabwe. Brown ran around with pictures of MDC activists who were allegedly tortured by Zanu-PF, when he was killing thousands in Afghanistan.
Mr Howard's “friends” in the Foreign Office in Canberra could not even wield enough clout to push for his presidency of the ICC. They simply can't. India is a powerhouse, South Africa is also one. They are emerging economies with enough influence on the global scheme of things.
Even "Great" Britain this year could not resist the temptation to invite Cde Jacob Zuma to the palace. They need South Africa, and needed those lucrative deals at the World Cup. Unfortunately, Cde Zuma "sold off" some of the major contracts to Tesco, etc which is the official food supplier at the 2010 World Cup, among other Anglo-American contractors.
Mr Howard and his friends got it very wrong, and suffered defeat indeed.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies didn’t want to have anything to do with Mr Howard. His tenure as PM was controversial and no amount of public diplomacy would have rescued him.
Anglo-Saxon countries, Australia, New Zealand and England, were the only ones backing Mr Howard. That, too, owing to compulsions.If it wasn't for that, they would have also saved themselves the embarassment of supporting such a caustic character.
Mr Howard should realise that the days of the "Empire" are gone. The west can still claim superiority, but at its own demise.
China and India have over half the world population and together wield a lot of economic and political power. Africa has all the mineral resources the west needs: platinum, copper, gold, diamonds, etc. The Middle East has almost all the oil.
This leaves the west with "nothing". Global relations in this century are exciting and the shift in the balance of power to the East and the South is a sure sign that global politics is no longer business as usual; and the likes of Mr Howard are merely "tiny dots".
When countries like Britain and the U.S. struggle to change the political landscape of a country like Afghanistan, can they be entrusted with managing international conflicts?
With all their military might, the Taliban with its archaic weaponry can still claim that they are winning the war.
Strange occurences indeed! To Mr Howard we say, "Bon voyage! You won't be missed".
_____________________
Nancy Lovedale writes from Beijing, China. She is an avid supporter of Dynamos FC and Arsenal FC and can be reached via: nancy_lovedale@yahoo.com
Labels: AUSTRALIA, CRICKET, ICC, JOHN HOWARD, SANCTIONS
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KP punishing ordinary people: Biti
by Staff Reporter
02/07/2010 00:00:00
FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti says the Kimberly Process is punishing ordinary Zimbabweans by refusing to lift a ban slapped on exports of diamonds extracted from Marange district in the eastern Manicaland province.
A KP intersessional meeting held in Israel failed to reach consensus on certification of the Marange diamonds although the organisation’s own monitor reported that the country has since met the minimum requirements for the resumption of trade.
But rights organisations supported by some western countries insist the Marange stones should be classified as “blood diamonds” and remain banned from open trade over allegations of rights abuses and the involvement of security forces in their extraction.
However Biti said the so-called “blood diamond” classification could not be applied to Marange.
"Our diamonds cannot be categorized as blood diamonds. Blood diamonds are conflict diamonds used to fuel conflicts as in Liberia and Sierra Leone. That is not the case in Zimbabwe,” Biti said in an interview with a newsletter published by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office.
Biti however conceded that there were issues that needed to be addressed including allegations of forced labour, human rights abuses and a legal challenge by a company which claims prior rights to the deposits.
He also said there was concern over the inconsistency in records of the amount of gems exported and those said to have been mined from the area but insisted these issues should not be used to completely ban exports.
“It will be very unfortunate if the KP does not allow us to sell the diamonds because they would be punishing the people of Zimbabwe. We can’t pay for electricity, we can’t pay our civil servants and yet we are sitting on one of the finest finds of alluvial diamonds in the history of mankind,” Biti said.
The finance minister urged the KP to certify the Marange diamonds and then engage the country’s political leadership on whatever concerns remain.
“You cannot punish ordinary citizens because of the omissions and commissions of the elite political leadership.
“If you have issues with an elite political leadership allow diamonds to be sold but reign in on the political elite because they will still sell diamonds outside the KP at the expense of the poor,” he said.
Mines minister Obert Mpofu has already stated the diamonds would be traded outside of the KP process insisting the country needs to revenue to sustain its economic recovery.
Mpofu also claimed western countries, keen to see President Robert Mugabe out of power, were behind the refusal by the KP to certify the country’s diamonds.
Labels: KIMBERLEY PROCESS, TENDAI BITI
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Tsvangirai should quit coalition govt: Madhuku
by Staff Reporter
02/07/2010 00:00:00
NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman, Lovemore Madhuku says Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should pull out of the coalition government to prevent his Movement for Democratic Change party from becoming irrelevant.
Madhuku, who is also a law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe told a conference held by Zimbabwe human rights groups at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa on Thursday that the MDC could lose credibility and support if it did not act soon.
He also said the next election should take place before May next year.
"If the MDC is not careful, it will be difficult for it to stand on a platform and promise change, because the people will not believe it.
“(The unity government) is a clear strategy on the part of Mugabe to cheat the people. It has succeeded in divorcing the MDC from its partners in the 2008 election," Madhuku said.
The NCA chairman said there were unbridgeable differences over ideas for a new constitution for the country.
He said it appeared Tsvangirai had believed that the formation of the unity government would lead to the writing of a new constitution.
Drafting a new constitution for the country was one of the key tenets of a power sharing deal agreed by President Mugabe and Tsvangirai after the inconclusive 2008 general elections.
However, Madhuku claimed the whole process had since degenerated into a farce.
"I have reports from reliable sources that whenever the constitutional consultation team is headed to a particular area, (it) is often completely evacuated.
"The 700 people involved in the (constitutional reform) exercise have no option but to just sit in a hotel in Harare. I can assure you that no people-driven constitution is being written," Madhuku told the conference.
Madhuku’s NCA has been campaigning for a new constitution but refused to back the current effort to write a new charter for the country arguing it was not “people-driven”.
The new constitution, once completed, would be put to a referendum leading to elections for a substantive government, possibly next year.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, LOVEMORE MADHUKU, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, NCA
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Appealing for donor aid to fight measles
By Editor
Fri 02 July 2010, 04:00 CAT
Kapembwa Simbao, our Minister of Health, has shown great leadership by asking for donor aid to carry out a measles vaccination exercise countrywide at a time when his boss has been playing sleight with people’s lives.
We are saying Kapembwa has shown leadership because his request to the donors for aid at a time when Rupiah Banda and George Kunda have been posturing, pretending that they have the resources required to address the many challenges and problems facing our people, requires honesty and courage. Kapembwa has shown the nation that politics is not about arrogance or lack of humility but about serving our people, and caring for their lives.
The other day, we asked if what Rupiah was saying about donor aid not being asked for or as something that can be done away with was the position of his Minister of Health. It is clear today that what Rupiah and George were saying is not a position shared by many rational ministers and government officials in this country.
If Rupiah and George’s position on donor aid was shared by Kapembwa, he wouldn’t be today asking for donor aid. And this whole request just goes to show how unreasonable the utterances or outbursts of Rupiah and his minion George were. We can only ask the cooperating partners of our country to ignore the utterances of selfish and greedy politicians who have no heart for the people and who don’t care how many Zambians die from preventable diseases like this measles that has broken out in our country.
The posturing of Rupiah and George will not help to stop the spread of this measles. If they have the money, as they are trying to portray, let them give it to Kapembwa so that he can deal a deadly blow on this killer disease – measles. The truth is they have no money, they are running a bankrupt government that they have milked through all sorts of questionable deals, contracts, endless expensive trips abroad and so on and so forth. Again, we challenge George and Rupiah to say they don’t need donor aid.
There is no future development without healthy citizens. Every dollar that is given to us to improve the health of our people, to serve their lives should be accounted for to the last cent, dime. And when the time comes for accounting to the providers of that aid, there should be no arrogance or truancy – simply account, provide explanations on how the money has been used.
We cannot play games with people’s lives. One cannot claim to uphold the sanctity of life if he allows money that is donated to our health sector to be stolen in all sorts of ways by unscrupulous politicians, civil servants and all sorts of dubious businessmen.
But it doesn’t take long before arrogant people are shamed and their lies exposed. And this is why arrogant and dishonest people are usually smeared with their own offals.
Just yesterday, they were busy denouncing donors with all the arrogance they could marshal, claiming they have never asked anyone to help Zambia. But today, this same government, albeit through an honest man – Kapembwa - are asking the same donors they were denouncing just a few hours ago to come to their aid. This reminds us of Proverbs 30:32-33: “If you have been foolish enough to be arrogant and plan evil, stop and think! If you churn milk, you get butter. If you hit someone’s nose, it bleeds. If you stir up anger, you get in trouble.”
The sad part of all this drama about donor aid is that Rupiah and George are not affected by the withdrawal of support to our health sector by the donors. George will still go to Johannesburg for his medication, for his drugs or therapy. Rupiah will still fly to Cape Town to have his knee attended to. And this is extended to their families who may need medical care.
It is the ordinary baby, child, woman or man who will suffer the withdrawal of donor aid to our country. The families of Rupiah and George can afford measles vaccination because if they want it, the taxpayer will pay for it in South Africa. But money for the vaccination of the poor who make up the majority of our country’s population is not there.
It is this that concerns the donors and all citizens of goodwill. These people are failing to account for funds entrusted to them by donors on behalf of the poor Zambians and want to claim that there is interference in the internal affairs of our country. They have been misusing, misapplying public funds in the Ministry of Health and when they are called upon to account, they want to turn truant and accuse donors of all sorts of things. This just goes to show how base they are.
The poor shouldn’t be left to die because this government is corrupt and does not want to account for the resources entrusted to it on behalf of the poor. Ways must be found to help our people without the support extended to them being stolen by these heartless people. No Zambian should be allowed to die of measles because of the arrogance of their leaders.
Kapembwa’s request deserves to be considered favourably by all our cooperating partners because people are dying and shouldn’t be left to die because of an inept and corrupt political leadership. Let that money come and help us vaccinate all those who need to be vaccinated so that there is no further loss of lives – 66 deaths is already too high a figure, it should not be allowed to increase. This is a crisis that should be treated like all other crises. Give us the support, but give it to us in a manner that will be easy for us to account for it.
Accountability, even in a crisis, will always remain important because people in this country steal even at a funeral. And in saying this, we are not exaggerating anything because money was stolen at Levy Mwanawasa’s funeral. Relief funds and food are always stolen in this country. This is a country where the political leadership is not ashamed to take relief food that is meant for disaster areas to by-election campaigns to exchange for votes. Go to Luena and see what they are doing with public resources that were meant for the legitimate needs of our people!
We should continue to ask for aid. What Kapembwa is doing is the right thing and he deserves the support of all Zambians. But as we support him in his efforts to seek donor aid, let’s also support the donors in their efforts to increase levels of accountability in the use of such aid. If we succeed in doing this, the benefits to our people will increase and accordingly, their suffering will be reduced; we will be able to wipe out measles and other preventable diseases that we thought we had wiped out just to see them re-emerge.
Let’s speak out against practices that deprive the poor of this valuable donor support. Let’s heed the biblical advice: “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9).
To Kapembwa, we can only say: continue doing what you are doing because our people need help; and accept whatever happens to you as a result of this. This can be humiliating, but even if you suffer humiliation, be patient. They say gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation. Stand up for what is right, even if it costs you your life; the Lord will be fighting on your side.
Labels: DONORS, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO
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Dr Musonda committed to High Court for shooting PF cadre
By Mwala Kalaluka in Serenje
Fri 02 July 2010, 17:20 CAT
FIRED health deputy minister Dr Solomon Musonda had a tough time detaching himself from a group of red-card flashing and chanting PF cadres that besieged him immediately after the case in which he is charged for shooting a PF cadre was committed to the Kabwe High Court today.
Kabwe principal resident magistrate Joshua Banda sitting as a magistrate in Serenje this morning committed Dr Musonda’s shooting case to the High Court based on the strength of a certificate of commitment from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga.
Dr Musonda, a 34-year-old medical doctor and politician, and a resident of Nsumbu road in Lusaka’s Woodlands area stands charged with one count of causing grievous harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable contrary to section 244 (a) of the Penal Code.
Particulars of the offence are that Dr Musonda on June 1, 2010 with intent to maim, disfigure or disable caused grievous harm to Jackson Musaka.
When the matter came up in the Serenje Magistrates’ Court this morning, Central Province Division Prosecution Officer (DPO) Hilda Banda said it was coming for the explanation of the charge.
She said the state was ready with the instructions so that the case was committed to the High Court.
Before that magistrate Banda had explained the charge to Dr Musonda although Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda had explained the same to him when he appeared before him.
Magistrate Banda said DPP in his own discretion thought that Dr Musonda’s case was a proper case for the High Court.
“I hereby commit you accused to the Kabwe High Court,” magistrate Banda said.
Magistrate Banda said High Court judge Timothy Katanekwa would hear Dr Musonda’s case at the next criminal session in Kabwe.
A good number of PF-UPND pact cadres had attended the court hearing and they listened attentively as proceedings went on inside the small courtroom.
However, as soon as the matter was adjourned and Dr Musonda and his lawyer Sunday Nkonde were about to emerge from the courtroom, the PF cadres started flashing red cards whilst shouting, “Musonda out, Musonda out” and “Musonda criminal”.
As Dr Musonda and a paltry size of MMD cadres came out of the courtroom, the flashing of red cards intensified and the PF cadres surged towards the court’s steep veranda stepping up their chanting and flashing red cards in Dr Musonda’s direction.
Dr Musonda greeted one of his sympathizers as the PF cadres led by some women advanced in his direction whilst another blew a red whistle in his face.
A sizeable number of police officers were by now standing at a safe distance monitoring the situation as Dr Musonda with difficulty went towards his Nissan Hard body vehicle, which was parked in the vicinity.
Some of the outnumbered MMD cadres started raising their party symbol in solidarity with Dr Musonda but the PF cadres started banging on Dr Musonda’s vehicle immediately after he had entered it with his lawyer.
Dr Musonda, who was driving himself, had problems getting away from the confusion and it only took police intervention before he could hastily drive away from the scene that had attracted some attention from passersby.
Labels: CADRES, MURDER, SOLOMON MUSONDA
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RB’s govt has lost support of citizens, donors – Kabimba
By Patson Chilemba
Fri 02 July 2010, 04:01 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba has observed that President Rupiah Banda’s attacks on donors are a clear testimony of a regime that has lost the support of its citizens and donors.
And Kabimba said former president Frederick Chiluba probably needs Jesus Christ to confirm to him that he is a thief. Commenting on President Banda’s statement that nobody invited donors to help Zambia, Kabimba said President Banda’s outbursts were a testimony of a troubled government. He asked President Banda not to blame donors for the problems of his own making.
“The reaction from RB is a clear testimony of a regime that realises that its support is waning, not only among citizens but even amongst the international community. That is a testimony from that kind of outburst as exhibited by Rupiah Banda at the Lusaka International airport,” Kabimba said.
“Now it’s unfair for the President to shift the problems of his government’s mismanagement of the country to the donors. And that is what he is doing. He wants to shift the attention from his government’s mismanagement of the economy and the political situation and direct that attention to the donors.”
Kabimba said President Banda’s administration was desperate because it had realised that it had lost donor and public confidence. He said the donors had every right to demand that the government observe good governance because this was now a globalised world.
“I think they are even doing Rupiah Banda a favour so that he should make amends to govern this country in a better way. So I don’t think the problem is with the donors. The problem is with Rupiah Banda and his government and the sooner he comes to terms with that position the better,” Kabimba said.
“But his statement at the airport does not show that he is a man that is coming to terms with his position.”
Kabimba said President Banda was remotely connected to the issues involving his own country. He said President Banda had a better insight of the countries he frequently visited than his own country.
“And obviously we do not blame him for that since he spends most of his time outside the country,” Kabimba said.
He said President Banda should respond to the challenge from Danish parliamentarian Marion Pedersen on whether Zambia wanted donor support or not.
“Tell the donors in very clear terms and not by playing to the gallery at the airport. He must tell donors in clear terms whether or not his government need donor support. If he doesn’t he should apologise,” Kabimba said.
On Chiluba’s support of President Banda’s attacks on the donors, Kabimba said Chiluba was just a joke in Zambia’s political arena.
“I don’t think anybody takes Chiluba serious. A former head of state who has been discredited by being prosecuted for stealing from his own people, unless you are really a big thief, you can actually win a medal for stealing,” he said.
Kabimba said Chiluba was supposed to be walking the streets with humility.
“The man has no shame. Of course he is saying that because of the London judgment against him. He is a man that has been dubbed so to say as a thief, both in London and here locally but who has no sense of shame or remorse. That is what he is,” said Kabimba.
“The man is unrepentant; he probably needs Jesus to confirm to him that what the people are saying ‘that you are a thief’ is true.”
Recently, President Banda said nobody asked the donors to be helping Zambia. President Banda said the donors should not blackmail the country because it was sovereign.
Chiluba echoed President Banda’s statement, saying donors should not take the country for granted just because they provided support to various sectors of the economy.
Chiluba said donors should respect Zambia’s sovereignty and not hold her to ransom.
Labels: DONORS, RUPIAH BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Shikapwasha exposed his ignorance over Rwanda genocide talk– Wina
By Patson Chilemba
Fri 02 July 2010, 04:01 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) national chairperson Inonge Wina yesterday said it is embarrassing for information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha to expose his ignorance on the Rwanda genocide to the outside world.
Commenting on Rhodes University Professor Jane Duncan’s observation that Lieutenant General Shikapwasha misrepresented facts on the Rwandan genocide, Wina said the expose was very embarrassing especially that Lt Gen Shikapwasha was the chief government spokesperson.
She said a person of Lt Gen Shikapwasha’s standing should check facts before issuing important statements.
“It is extremely important that he is briefed on the statements that he makes because whatever statement he makes, he makes it on behalf of Zambia, Zambian government and Zambian people. So to be exposed by people who are knowledgeable in the subject the minister comments on, I think it’s embarrassing,” Wina observed.
“It is a very embarrassing expose. I think our ministers should be conversant with the facts, particularly if they have to comment on issues happening in other countries, in the region or internationally.”
She said it was very important that the government spokesperson should have the accurate information that he has to give to the people of Zambia and to the region.
Wina said it was clear that Lt Gen Shikapwasha had no knowledge of what he was talking about.
“The Rwanda genocide cannot be compared to what the media practitioners are asking for in this country. The genocide in Rwanda was not promoted by the private media. We all know that the state media had a very big role to play in promoting the ideas of suppressing the views of others, and not only that, of targeting certain ethnic groups in the country to be eliminated,” Wina said.
“So really the government media played a vital role in promoting this. They had the facilities. They had the power and authority to incite the public owned media to broadcast, to print, to say all sorts of things that were directed to annihilate this ethnic group.”
Wina said it was sad that the government was trying to intimidate the media in the country and those who were speaking for it.
She said the genocide in Rwanda had left a black mark on the development of human rights.
“And the least we talk about or referring to such incidences in our history, the better for the future of the continent. Let’s be positive. Let’s talk about things that unite people, that lessen the tensions between tribes in order to promote peace in our country and in the region,” said Wina.
Professor Duncan revealed that media practitioners from different countries on Tuesday told Lt Gen Shikapwasha that he had misrepresented facts on the real cause of the Rwanda genocide.
Speaking when she and other media practitioners from different countries in Africa and Europe visited Post editor Fred M’membe to offer solidarity on Tuesday, Prof Duncan said Lt Gen Shikapwasha continually pointed out during their earlier meeting with him that the media should be regulated to avoid the Rwanda situation.
Labels: INONGE WINA, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA
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DRC envoy sees new stability as good for investment
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 01 July 2010, 15:40 CAT
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Ambassador to Zambia Floribert Kaseba Makunko has said the return and consolidation of peace in his country will allow the government to pursue its prioritised investment programmes.
During the DRC 50th independence anniversary at his residence on Wednesday, Ambassador Makunko said the programmes were centred on the five building sectors or areas, which were launched by President Joseph Kabila.
“These programmes focus on transport, education and health infrastructures, generation and distribution of water and electricity, as well as that related to the information and communication technology,” Ambassador Makunko said.
He said with the help of the international community, such as the Bretton Woods institutions and China, the DRC had started seeing the first fruits of the economic and financial efforts of the government.
“Concerning the bilateral relations between Zambia and the DRC, we have to salute the peace and the spirit of dialogue that characterise these two brother countries as well as the structural and functional mechanisms of addressing our differences,” Ambassador Makunko said.
He said the heads of state from the two countries had created the most favourable conditions for a peaceful coexistence, cooperation and integration through their good personal relations and their identity on bilateral issues and those concerning the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Great Lakes Region.
And local government minister Dr Eustarckio Kazonga said tribute must be paid to the Congolese leaders and people who deployed tireless efforts to achieve national reconciliation and demonstrated their steadfast determination and commitment to rebuilding the country.
“We further pay homage to those who have assisted in mending the relations between and among the former enemies. Zambia also salutes all the cooperating partners that have stood by and accompanied the DRC throughout the most difficult periods of its history,” he said.
Dr Kazonga said the relations between Zambia and the DRC had grown stronger over the years.
“This state of our relations must encourage us to look forward to the removal of impediments such as visas, the conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement in order to facilitate the free movement of goods and services, and to the protection of investments in each other’s countries, among others,” said Dr Kazonga.
Labels: DRC, FLORIBERT KASEBA MAKUNKO
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Lifuka urges thorough probe of govt's procurement wings
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 02 July 2010, 04:00 CAT
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka has called for a thorough audit of government institutions involved in purchasing various goods and services.
Reacting to the revelation by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on Tuesday that about fifty per cent claims of supply of goods and services to government departments from January to June this year were fake, Lifuka urged the government to involve professional institutions in the audit.
“The announcement by DEC of the unearthing of a scam where unscrupulous people have been making fake claims for supply of goods and services is welcome, albeit stale news. We fully recall that almost a year ago, The Post newspaper carried a story where the then MMD deputy national secretary Mr Jeff Kaande wrote to the then PS, home affairs Susan Sikaneta, seeking special treatment for some suppliers who seemingly were benefactors of the party,” Lifuka said.
“We did state at the time that there was an apparent scam involving over-invoicing especially for food supplies to different government entities.”
He stated that the DEC and ACC should have acted in a timely manner at the time the story broke.
He however stated that in this latest scam, TIZ wants to urge and encourage DEC to do their work professionally and prosecute all culprits to the full extent of the law.
“We want to call on government to thoroughly scrutinise and audit this aspect of supply of goods and services to government and its agencies,” he noted.
There are numerous reports of suppliers claiming funds for goods and services not delivered.
“All forms of leakages should be sealed and we would urge that government engages professional bodies like the Institute of Purchasing and Supply to put in place measures that will curtail such scams. The scam surrounding food supplies, for instance, and other consumables has been looming for some time, and government should exercise political will to deal with this,” Lifuka observed.
DEC public relations manager John Nyawali disclosed on Tuesday that supplies of various goods and services to the government amounting to about K2 billion were fake.
Nyawali said the discovery was made in the ongoing verification exercise of outstanding bills for the ministries of defence and home affairs.
He said the verification exercise conducted by the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) of the DEC was prompted by huge bills of claims of supply of goods and services to the government.
Nyawali said 381 claims out of a total of 681 which were scrutinised for the first half of this year were discovered to be fake.
Labels: PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS, REUBEN LIFUKA, TIZ
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Chief Magode implores leaders to lead by example in VCT
By Florence Bupe in Lundazi
Thu 01 July 2010, 15:30 CAT
SENIOR Chief Magodi of the Tumbuka people in Lundazi District has implored leaders to take an exemplary step in the fight against HIV and AIDS by going for voluntary counselling and testing.
Speaking at his palace during the National Voluntary and Counselling (VCT) Day which is commemorated annually on June 30, chief Magodi, who spoke in Tumbuka, said it was important for leaders at all levels to encourage their subjects to know their HIV status by taking the lead.
“HIV testing is a difficult step to undertake but it is very important. I’ve had meetings with various organisations in my chiefdom and I encourage everyone to go for VCT, giving myself as an example,” he said.
Chief Magodi was recently hospitalised for high blood pressure but made the decision to undergo voluntary counselling and testing.
He lamented that low literacy levels in the district had posed a challenge in addressing the HIV scourge.
“I’ve been trying to sensitise my subjects so that we work together in promoting the message on HIV and AIDS, but I should say it has been very difficult because most of the villagers are illiterate. However, we are still trying and the message is slowly going across,” he said.
He encouraged his people to take advantage of the mobile VCT centre in his chiefdom to know their HIV status.
And chief Magodi counselled Zambians to be productive and desist from abusing alcohol as it had serious health and social implications.
He said gone are the days when chieftainship was associated with alcohol consumption.
“As chiefs, we sometimes are careless. Usually we are busy but sometimes we are not and you find that we drink during our free time,” chief Magodi said. “...99 per cent of all chiefs drink, but they should realise that we are supposed to be role models and should lead the younger generation by example.”
Chief Magodi disclosed that he was instructed during his hospitalisation to stop drinking and had since quit taking alcohol.
Meanwhile, United Nations resident coordinator Macleod Nyirongo observed that the HIV prevalence rate in Zambia was still high, standing at 14.3 per cent of the productive population.
“The overall prevalence rate in the country stands at 14.3 per cent, and this is still one of the highest rates in the world. Many people still don’t know their status and there are new infections every day,” he said.
Nyirongo stressed the need to strengthen counselling and testing systems, and also uphold ethics of confidentiality to encourage more people to undergo HIV testing.
Meanwhile, hundreds of villagers scrambled to be tested at the mobile VCT centre set up at Khulikuli in chief Magodi’s area.
This was after Nyirongo and other officials gave their speeches and encouraged people to undergo testing.
This year’s VCT Day was commemorated under the theme ‘Know your HIV status and access care and support’.
Labels: CHIEF MAGODI, HIV/AIDS
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Press Releases: AFRICA NEEDS BASIC DECENCY IN GOVERNANCE
By Prof Michelo Hansungule*
Published: Jun 30, 2010 - 03:43 PM
President Banda is either ignorant or is blatantly lying in responding to Namibia’s National Society for Human Rights (NSHR)’s accusations that scores of Namibian Freedom Fighters disappeared while in Zambia during the liberation struggle. The President cannot say 'There was no such a thing'. And the accusations against SWAPO are totally false [....]'. It is his statement which is 'totally false'. The truth is that scores of people disappeared in SWAPO drenches. It happened also in the African National Congress (ANC).
People were tortured, killed, raped, and various kinds of inhuman acts perpetrated on them under the guise that they were agents of white minority rule. The difference between SWAPO and the ANC is that the latter under Mandela conceded and appointed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with an extended mandate to include crimes committed under the watch of the ANC.
People went to the TRC and spoke of how their loved ones disappeared without trace, how they were tortured, raped, by their comrades, etc. These things are open knowledge on the websites. SWAPO, on the other hand, has adamantly refused to acknowledge. They are in denial. This is the crap Banda would like to insult the Zambian intelligence with.
The problem is when you kill people, you don't always manage to kill all. At least one or two would escape, hide, resurrect to reveal the truth some day. That is what happened in Rwanda during genocide. The victims of SWAPO disappearances did not all die. A good number are there in person today in Windhoek and other parts of Namibia. Daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, parents of some of those who disappeared, died, tortured, and so on, are there. I have met some of them in Windhoek. In addition to speaking through NSHR, they formed their own organization, Breaking the Walls of Silence (BWS).
It is there in Windhoek trying to persuade authorities to explain what happened. President Banda must seriously ask his colleagues in Namibia the next time he meets them what they are doing to speak to those women and men demanding to hear from them. This is important not only for these people, for former President Sam Nujoma or for Namibia but for President Banda himself. Africa is a very fragile continent.
Civilized politics has not yet held to the ground. There must be a way to deal with things like this than to sweep them under the carpet 'There was no such thing'. Such things have a way of repeating themselves and who would want that? Impunity must be fought and not glossed over. Currently, a number of African personalities are facing torture and other crimes in Europe where they have universal jurisdiction for international crimes for crimes they committed while in government or non-government in Africa. Is this what Banda wants?
Does President Banda want former President Sam Nujoma to be arrested and tried in Europe for crimes he and his colleagues are suspected to have committed during the liberation struggle? I am sorry but this is what is going to happen if the problem is not addressed in Namibia or SADC because you can't wish it away. There are children of disappeared here who are human beings like Mr. Banda's children or Nujoma's children and you can't stop them every morning asking 'where is my father'? It is as simple as that. Someone should answer this basic question in Namibia.
*Professor Michelo Hansungule, a Zambian national, is academic and an expert of International Law and International Human Rights Law of repute. Prof Hansungule has taught at the University of Zambia, National University of Lesotho, University of Lund in Sweden, Mahidol University in Thailand and now the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He has been teaching Human Rights Law in over 45 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Central America. He has also been a consultant to many organizations, multilateral and single-bodies. This is article is written on June 28 2010. Prof Hansungule can be reached at e-mail: michelo_hansungule@yahoo.com or hansungule@postino.up.ac.za or www.chr.up.ac.za
Labels: HUMAN RIGHTS, MICHELO HANSUNGULE, RUPIAH BANDA, SWAPO
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How altitude affects flowering, maturity
Altitude has an effect on the number of days from planting to flowering and maturity because the rate of development of maize is affected by air temperature. The warmer the weather, the faster the crop development.
Higher temperatures at lower altitudes therefore have the effect of accelerating the development rate. Conversely, the lower air temperature at higher altitude rates retards development and extends the time taken to reach flowering and maturity.
Very Early Maturing Hybrids
SC 403 (Very early, Drought and Streak Tolerance, and Wide Adaptability)
SC 403 is a very early white maize streak and mottle viruses tolerant hybrid with a relatively short, flinty ear and excellent yield stability over a range of environments with relatively slow dry down rate.
SC 403 has outstanding drought tolerance, with very good synchronisation of skills with pollen.
In numerous trials in communal areas over several seasons, SC 403 has performed very well under drought conditions.
On average, SC 403 has a higher yield potential over SC 401.
SC 403 has hard, very dense grain, and has outstanding tolerance to both Diplodia and Fusarium cob rots.
SC 403 is widely recommended for harsh conditions where yields of less than 6t/ha are expected.
It is also recommended for irrigation schemes where an early maize streak virus tolerant hybrid is required.
Where irrigation is available, the optimum plant population should be increased to the levels recommended for the given expected yield level.
SC 411 (Very Early, Disease Tolerance and High Yielder)
A very early maturing, highly adaptable drought tolerant, white dent hybrid similar to SC 403 in respect of grey leaf spot and maize streak and mottle viruses resistance levels, but slightly higher yielding .
However, SC 411 is susceptible to Northern Corn Leaf Spot (NCLS) and has moderate tolerance to common rust.
Despite the ratings, a yield of 10t/ha has been achieved at Mpongwe in Zambia.
SC 411 is well suited to marginal rainfall areas due to its very early maturity characteristics, but is not recommended where Northern Corn Leaf Spot is a threat.
Early Maturing Hybrids
SC 513 (Combines Excellent yield and Grey Leaf Spot Tolerance, Wide Adaptation)
SC 513 is a white dent early maturing hybrid with very good tolerance to grey leaf spot and very high yield potential for an early hybrid.
It has a relatively high ear placement and is slightly susceptible to root lodging when planted at high population.
Consequently, final plant population in excess of 44 000 plants/ha should be avoided.
It has good resistance to foliar diseases but it has only moderately resistant to cob rots.
SC 513 is recommended for the higher potential areas where an early hybrid is required on the variety package.
SC513 has wide adaptability and good heat and drought stress tolerance.
Plant breeders’ rights
Seed Co is the certified company authorised to market seed varieties developed by itself, Government and other associated seed breeders.
To ensure continued, adequate investment in research and development of seed, all Seed Co hybrids and varieties are protected under the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa.
Seed Co has protected its germ-plasm to ensure that our customers have unlimited access to the best genetics, both now and in the future.
Labels: MAIZE
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NGOs’ violence claims dismissed
Herald Reporters
The Parliamentary Select Committee has dismissed reports by some non-governmental organisations that the constitutional outreach programme has been marred by violence and intimidation. Some sections of the media have claimed that outreach monitors were assaulted in Mashona-land Central.
"The general atmosphere has been conducive and meetings have been held in an environment of peace. No incidences of violence have been recorded. We are seeing national healing in the process, with members of different political parties sitting together and speaking their minds out," said Copac co-chairperson Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (Zanu-PF) at a Press conference yesterday.
He also said there were no people called "outreach monitors" — a term some NGO workers have been using to describe themselves.
"The problem I have is identifying an outreach monitor. We did not accredit outreach monitors; they have no relationship with us."
MDC representative Mr Gaule added: "We do not have any monitors, why should it be monitored?"
Cde Mangwana castigated some NGOs’ attempts to derail the programme for their selfish reasons.
"The level of polarisation has led some people to form organisations that survive on lies. They will continue to perpetuate those lies. However, those who continue to perpetuate those lies will eat humble pie in the fullness of time," he said.
Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T), another co-chairperson, said they would soon start accreditation of genuine individuals and organisations to observe the outreach.
In a separate interview, Cde Mangwana yesterday said too few youths were participating in the constitution-making process.
"This is very disappointing as the constitution is really theirs. Strategies are being formulated to find out how the youths can be incorporated more in the process. Political parties have also been urged to engage their youth wings," he said.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday UNDP and Treasury released more money for the outreach.
The programme had been dogged by financial constraints, which resulted in outreach teams being evicted from hotels.
The money is for fuel, hired vehicles and accommodation. Copac had forwarded a US$2 million budget to the management committee for "unforeseen" expenses.
Yesterday, Copac national co-ordinator Mr Peter Kunjeku said: "UNDP on Wednesday released US$70 000 for fuel and US$970 000, which is a 50 percent down-payment for hired vehicles. They have also released quite a substantial amount for hotels where outreach teams will be staying. Treasury has released US$400 000 for our administrative purposes."
Despite a slow start, several well-attended meetings have been held in various provinces.
Midlands has held 52 meetings, Masvingo has had 30, while Mashonaland West and East have had 31 and 50 respectively.
The others are Mashonaland Central (51), Matabeleland North and South (35 and 36) and Manicaland (61).
Labels: NGOs, PROPAGANDA
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COMMENT - Tendai Biti should read "From Third World To First - The Singapore story", by former president Lee Kuan Yew. There are a lot of things that can be done about corruption.
Biti admits has no anti-corruption policy
By: Our reporter
Posted: Friday, July 2, 2010 12:39 am
INCREASINGLY frustrated Finance Minister Tendai Biti says his ministry does not have a credible anti-corruption policy, and is finding it hard to find a credible way of rooting it out within the civil service.
Mr Biti complains that corruption has become part of the civil service culture, adding that he is close to powerless when it comes to fighting corruption in Zimbabwe.
"The solution goes beyond the legal solution, because you can have 20 anti-corruption commissions in Zimbabwe but you cannot stop corruption," Mr Biti said, in response to a media question about whether his ministry had a credible anti-corruption policy.
The minister fell short of admitting that he was not doing anything at all to contain corruption.
The highly pessimistic Minister -- who at one point wanted Zimbabwe declared a Highly Indebted Poor Country despite its natural resources wealth -- said an anti-corruption programme in any case would be complicated.
"You need to deal with the structural issues that are at the epicentre of corruption. We need to deal with the corruption drivers," Mr Biti said.
"Some of the problems are shortages in this non-performing economy. This creates distortions and shortages and that is when middlemen arise. We have to deliver and match demand. We are now used to shortcuts," the Minister added.
"There are so many people who now have false role models, where you find a crook driving a Hummer, and you think that is a role model," he lamented.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MDC, TENDAI BITI
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Tsvangirai fires top aide as divisions rock the MDC-T
By: Our reporter
Posted: Friday, July 2, 2010 12:00 am
PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai has fired his chief aide barely a week after firing two ministers and reshuffling his side of the Cabinet in a move viewed as inspired by factional fights within the embattled former opposition party.
MDC-T chief of staff Mr Chris Mbanga has been fired while party director-general Mr Toendepi Shonhe faces the chop. The firing of Mr Mbanga was masked by the PM's office as a resignation.
Mr Mbanga was PMTsvangirai’s chief election agent in the March 2008 harmonised polls — in which the PM failed to win a 50 plus one percent majority to form government.
Party sources said Mr Abisha Nyanguwo, a staffer in the Prime Minister’s Office, would replace Mr Mbanga.
Mr Nyanguwo was formerly deputy chief of staff.
Mr Mbanga tried to downplay the chop by dismissing that his position was political, but that he was a party worker. He, however, failed to distinguish the two.
He told The Herald newspaper: "I am not a politician but a party worker. I have a contract that I signed with my employer and I cannot discuss the nature of my contract in the media.
"My employer is the only person who should speak about my contract. When I came to the MDC, we didn’t announce it to the world.
"The contract that I have is between myself and my employer and it cannot be discussed in the media and I hope you will appreciate that you need to respect that."
Mr Mbanga’s responsibilities as chief of staff covered general employee welfare and facilitating logistical arrangements.
The PM, who critics say is getting increasingly paranoid as his mandatory two terms party leader come to an end at the next congress, is reported to be planning to fire party director-general Mr Toendepi Shonhe.
Mr Shonhe and Mr Mbanga are accused of undermining Mr Tsvangirai.
"Mr Mbanga and Mr Shonhe occupy powerful administrative duties. Shonhe is like the chief executive officer of the party while Mbanga wields a lot of influence among workers by virtue of his post.
"There was a feeling that their closeness to (a named senior official) whom they report to might not augur well as the party approaches its congress next year," said an insider.
Another source added: "The two are part of our secretariat. That alone is dangerous because everyone there is under suspicion of trying to oust Mr Tsvangirai at the congress.
"Mr Tsvangirai’s two terms as party president will be up at the next congress and the secretariat is accused of refusing to be flexible so that the (party) constitution can be amended to allow an extension of the incumbency."
Labels: CHRIS MBANGA, MDC, MDC FACTIONS, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
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Chiadzwa's wife in US$18ml dollar diamond arrest
By: TH-TZG
Posted: Friday, July 2, 2010 12:20 am
JAILED diamond dealer Newman Chiadzwa’s wife was last Thursday fined US$700 by a Mutare magistrate after she was found in possession of diamonds worth over US$18 million.
Palister Chiadzwa (38) was found guilty of breaching the Precious Stones Act following her arrest in 2006.
Her husband is serving a five-year jail term and was fined US$132 000 after he was convicted of illegally possessing 43 028 diamonds of varying sizes by a Mutare magistrate.
Last Thursday, Palister was fined US$700 or seven months in jail with hard labour.
On October 14, 2006 police detectives on patrol in Marange received information that Palister was illegally dealing in diamonds at Zengeni Business Centre.
They put her under surveillance for some time before approaching Palister, who was sitting in her green Toyota Prado.
A search was conducted and the detectives discovered 2 462 diamonds worth US$18 658 280 in her handbag.
She was arrested and the diamonds were forfeited to the State.
CID Border Control and Minerals Unit spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Godfrey Mubaiwa yesterday confirmed the case and sentence.
Labels: NEWMAN CHIADZWA
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Ministers, police clash over Mutasa’s son
By Innocent Ruwende and Freeman Razemba
PRESIDENTIAL Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa and Home Affairs co-Minister Theresa Makone on Wednesday went to Mbare, Matapi and Stodart police stations allegedly demanding the release of Mutasa’s son.
Martin Mutasa (47) was arrested on Monday along with businessman Temba Mliswa (38) and George Marere (36) for allegedly seizing shareholding worth US$1 million in a company. Mliswa is a nephew to Minister Mutasa.
Three other people — including a director of the company and his wife — have since been arrested on the same charges.
Martin Mutasa, Mliswa and Marere appeared before a Harare magistrate yesterday.
However, according to police, on Wednesday Ministers Mutasa and Makone tried to "intimidate" officers into releasing Martin Mutasa.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commi-ssioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said: "The Zimbabwe Republic Police views seriously the behaviour of the two ministers which sought to interfere with police work, particularly as the ministers sought to protect accused person facing charges of wantonly seizing property outside the law and threatening others."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the behaviour contravened Section 184 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The law states that any person who "by an act of omission, causes judicial proceedings to be defeated or obstructed, intending to defeat or obstruct the proceedings or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the proceedings may be defeated or obstructed; or;
"Knowing that a police officer is investigating the commission of a crime or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that a police officer may be investigating the commission or suspected commission of a crime, and who, by any act or omission, causes such investigation to be defeated or obstructed, intending to defeat or obstruct the investigation or realising that there is real risk or possibility that the investigation maybe defeated or obstructed;
"Hinders or disturbs a police officer in the execution of his or her duty, knowing that the police officer is a police officer executing his or her duty or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the police officer may be a police officer executing his or her duty; shall be guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena would not disclose what action they were taking against the ministers.
Martin Mutasa, Mliswa and Marere yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei to answer to fraud charges.
They were granted US$400 bail each, but will remain in custody after the State invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The section empowers the State to keep suspects in remand prison for seven days while it considers appealing against the granting of bail.
The trio is represented by lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama of Chinyama and Partners while Mrs Phyllis Zvenyika prosecuted.
Minister Mutasa made an appearance at the courts in the company of his lawyer, Mr Gerald Mlotshwa.
Three others — Hammarskjold Banda, his wife Brendaly and Alfred Mwatiwamba — last Friday appeared in court on the same charges and are out of custody on US$100 bail.
Mliswa, who is the vice president of the Affirmative Action Group, is accused of misrepresenting to businessman Paul Westwood that President Mugabe and Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had given them the go-ahead to take over 50 percent of his company, Noshio Investments Limited.
Westwood held 50 percent of the company that is valued at US$2,1 million while one of the accused, Banda, owned the other half.
The State alleges that in October 2009, Westwood and Banda had a dispute over alleged misappropriation of funds by Banda’s wife, Brendaly, who was the company’s finance and human resources manager.
She had reportedly withdrawn US$25 000 without Westwood’s knowledge.
The company resolved to suspend Brendaly in October, a decision that did not go down well with Banda.
It is alleged the husband and wife connived with Martin Mutasa, Mliswa, Marere and Mwatiwamba to seize control of the company.
The State says in August 2009, Banda borrowed US$100 000 from Mliswa at 5 percent interest per month.
He, however, allegedly failed to repay the loan at the agreed rate.
Mliswa is said to have demanded that he surrender his Noshio shares to him to offset the debt.
On December 18, Mliswa, Martin Mutasa, Mwatiwamba, Brendaly and a Nigel Murambiwa allegedly went to Noshio Investments offices claiming Minister Kasukuwere had allowed them to take over the company.
Mliswa is alleged to have claimed President Mugabe was aware of the takeover and it was in line with Government policy.
The five allegedly told Westwood they had taken 50 percent of the company’s shares and threatened him with death if he resisted.
The State says Mliswa called a meeting with Noshio workers during which he informed them he had assumed control and warned them against taking orders from Westwood.
It is alleged that Mliswa further threatened Westwood, who stopped visiting the company premises after bouncers were hired to man the entrance.
As a result, the State alleges, Westwood lost shareholding worth US$1 050 000.
Labels: DIDYMUS MUTASA, MDC CORRUPTION, TEMBA MLISWA, THERESA MAKONE
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Minister Mutasa's son, Mliswa remanded in custody
By: TH-TZG
Posted: Friday, July 2, 2010 12:12 am
PRESIDENTIAL Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa and Home Affairs co-Minister Theresa Makone on Wednesday went to Mbare, Matapi and Stodart police stations allegedly demanding the release of Mutasa’s son.
Martin Mutasa (47) was arrested on Monday along with businessman Temba Mliswa (38) and George Marere (36) for allegedly seizing shareholding worth US$1 million in a company. Mliswa is a nephew to Minister Mutasa.
Three other people — including a director of the company and his wife — have since been arrested on the same charges.
Martin Mutasa, Mliswa and Marere appeared before a Harare magistrate yesterday.
However, according to police, on Wednesday Ministers Mutasa and Makone tried to "intimidate" officers into releasing Martin Mutasa.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said: "The Zimbabwe Republic Police views seriously the behaviour of the two ministers which sought to interfere with police work, particularly as the ministers sought to protect accused person facing charges of wantonly seizing property outside the law and threatening others."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said the behaviour contravened Section 184 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The law states that any person who "by an act of omission, causes judicial proceedings to be defeated or obstructed, intending to defeat or obstruct the proceedings or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the proceedings may be defeated or obstructed; or;
"Knowing that a police officer is investigating the commission of a crime or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that a police officer may be investigating the commission or suspected commission of a crime, and who, by any act or omission, causes such investigation to be defeated or obstructed, intending to defeat or obstruct the investigation or realising that there is real risk or possibility that the investigation maybe defeated or obstructed;
"Hinders or disturbs a police officer in the execution of his or her duty, knowing that the police officer is a police officer executing his or her duty or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the police officer may be a police officer executing his or her duty; shall be guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena would not disclose what action they were taking against the ministers.
Martin Mutasa, Mliswa and Marere yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei to answer to fraud charges.
They were granted US$400 bail each, but will remain in custody after the State invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The section empowers the State to keep suspects in remand prison for seven days while it considers appealing against the granting of bail.
The trio is represented by lawyer Mr Charles Chinyama of Chinyama and Partners while Mrs Phyllis Zvenyika prosecuted.
Minister Mutasa made an appearance at the courts in the company of his lawyer, Mr Gerald Mlotshwa.
Three others — Hammarskjold Banda, his wife Brendaly and Alfred Mwatiwamba — last Friday appeared in court on the same charges and are out of custody on US$100 bail.
Mliswa, who is the vice president of the Affirmative Action Group, is accused of misrepresenting to businessman Paul Westwood that President Mugabe and Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had given them the go-ahead to take over 50 percent of his company, Noshio Investments Limited.
Westwood held 50 percent of the company that is valued at US$2,1 million while one of the accused, Banda, owned the other half.
The State alleges that in October 2009, Westwood and Banda had a dispute over alleged misappropriation of funds by Banda’s wife, Brendaly, who was the company’s finance and human resources manager.
She had reportedly withdrawn US$25 000 without Westwood’s knowledge.
The company resolved to suspend Brendaly in October, a decision that did not go down well with Banda.
It is alleged the husband and wife connived with Martin Mutasa, Mliswa, Marere and Mwatiwamba to seize control of the company.
The State says in August 2009, Banda borrowed US$100 000 from Mliswa at 5 percent interest per month.
He, however, allegedly failed to repay the loan at the agreed rate.
Mliswa is said to have demanded that he surrender his Noshio shares to him to offset the debt.
On December 18, Mliswa, Martin Mutasa, Mwatiwamba, Brendaly and a Nigel Murambiwa allegedly went to Noshio Investments offices claiming Minister Kasukuwere had allowed them to take over the company.
Mliswa is alleged to have claimed President Mugabe was aware of the takeover and it was in line with Government policy.
The five allegedly told Westwood they had taken 50 percent of the company’s shares and threatened him with death if he resisted.
The State says Mliswa called a meeting with Noshio workers during which he informed them he had assumed control and warned them against taking orders from Westwood.
It is alleged that Mliswa further threatened Westwood, who stopped visiting the company premises after bouncers were hired to man the entrance.
As a result, the State alleges, Westwood lost shareholding worth US$1 050 000.
Labels: DIDYMUS MUTASA, MDC CORRUPTION, TEMBA MLISWA, THERESA MAKONE
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Germany threatens to cut aid over farm sizure
by Staff Reporter
02/07/2010 00:00:00
GERMANY’S government says it will cut off aid to Zimbabwe unless illegal and violent occupiers leave a farm owned by a German national in the eastern part of the country.
In a Friday protest note to the Zimbabwe foreign ministry, Germany noted the occupation of the property owned by German investor Heinrich von Pezold violated a decade-old investment agreement between the two countries.
Germany said the farm seizure and looting of the property could imperil aid. Last year, Germany gave $50 million to the southern African country.
The Germany embassy in Harare expressed concern over the seizure of the property last month and warned foreign affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi the development could undermine relations between the two countries.
"The German embassy notes with great concern that property rights of German nationals and their investments in Zimbabwe are being put under threat, in clear violation of international law," the embassy said in a letter to Mumbengegwi.
The embassy said news of the farm seizure would make German parliamentary approval of any aid to the country “highly unlikely”.
The Zimbabwean authorities were urged to "take the necessary steps to ensure an immediate end of all threats to the ... German investments," it added.
Over the last decade most farms owned by whites in Zimbabwe have been seized for resettlement by the government under its controversial land reforms.
Under the programme the Zimbabwe government pledged to compensate affected farmers for “improvements on the land” but no restitution has been paid due to the lack of funds.
The farm seizures have reportedly continued even after the coalition government came into office.
Labels: LAND REFORM
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Tsvangirai no better than Mugabe: Dabengwa
02/07/2010 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
INTERIM ZAPU leader, Dumiso Dabengwa says Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is no different from President Robert Mugabe and dismissed Dr Simba Makoni as a “braai stick” he used to ensure none of the main presidential contenders in 2008 won an outright mandate.
Speaking to party members at Gwamayaya in Nkayi North on Wednesday, Dabengwa said he had used ex-finance minister, Makoni, to stop both Mugabe and Tsvangirai from winning an outright majority in the disputed elections.
He said after failing to convince Mugabe to step down for a younger leader and having misgivings about Tsvangirai’s leadership capabilities, a decision was made to stop the veteran Zanu PF leader and his MDC-T rival from winning and indisputable mandate to govern.
The former Home Affairs minster, now leading efforts to revive PF ZAPU, was the only senior Zanu PF member to ditch the party and back Makoni’s bid for the presidency in 2008.
Makoni took 8.3 percent of the presidential vote thus preventing both Mugabe (43.2 percent) and Tsvangirai (47.9 percent) from winning outright in the first round.
Dabengwa said the decision to back Makoni was informed by a conviction that a “one-on-one electoral battle between Mugabe and Tsvangirai would spawn disastrous consequences for the country, who-ever won”.
“We used Makoni to stop both the old man and Tsvangirai whose track record we did not feel would make him a good president. Makoni was a braai stick. You put away the braai stick when you have finished roasting and then enjoy your meat,” the former Zipra supremo said.
The ZAPU leader launched a withering attack on Tsvangirai claiming the premier was no different from Mugabe “in his attitude and actions”. He further criticised Tsvangirai for refusing to enter into a coalition with other opposition groups adding the MDC-T leader wanted his party to be the only dominant political player in the country.
Dabengwa said the strategy to use Makoni had paid-off as both Mugabe and Tsvangirai were forced to negotiate a coalition government leading to the relative easing of political tensions and the improvement of the country’s economy.
“We achieved our aim of stopping both devils from being in power alone. We are now eating the braai. That is why ZAPU is back. Let us enjoy the braai. It is now anyone’s game and we are in with a very strong chance,” he said.
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Thenjiwe Lesabe, another former senior Zanu PF official also told the meeting that Dabengwa had “never been Zanu PF at heart” despite sitting in the party’s high councils and serving under Mugabe as a cabinet minister.
“He (Dabengwa) was never Zanu-PF in his heart even during the Unity Accord period. He could have joined Zanu when he was imprisoned for five years during Gukurahundi. Zanu promised him freedom within minutes if he left ZAPU and joined Zanu, but (Dabengwa) and his late fellow Zipra commander Lookout Masuku (said they) would rather die in prison than join Zanu,” Lesabe said.
She added that Dabengwa only joined the new government after the 1987 Unity Accord when “ordered” to do so by the late PF ZAPU leader and national vice president Joshua Nkomo.
“Most of us were very excited about being ministers and riding the new Mercedes Benz (vehicles), but Dabengwa was not impressed. It took an order from his commander-in-chief (Nkomo) to join Zanu, and being the soldier he is, he obeyed that order but his heart was not in Zanu.
“Nkomo told him: ‘pretend you don’t feel your wounds my boy, Zanu will kill all the people if we don’t join them’,” Lesabe said.
Labels: DUMISO DABENGWA, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZAPU
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24 MDC-T members defect
By: TC.
Posted: Thursday, July 1, 2010 9:51 pm
TWENTY-four MDC-T members in Mbembesi yesterday defected from the party to join the MDC formation led by Professor Authur Mutambara. The party members cited MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s “anti-Matabeleland stance” as the reason for them to jump ship.
The 24 resigned in front of MDC member of the national executive, Mr Jeffret Bafana Khumalo, at one of the party member’s homesteads in Ntabazinduna. They asked Mr Collen Tshuma, the Umguza District organising secretary, to hand back the MDC-T membership cards to the Matabeleland North leadership.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa said he had not received a report of the defection and said his party was going strong.
“We did not receive anything like that (defections) and our party is going strong. We do not have a policy of sidelining any province because our party is one,” he said.
Mr Tshuma was one of those who defected alongside Mr Themba Nyathi, who was responsible for information and publicity in Ward 4, Mr Samson Dube the Ward 5 chairperson, Ward 4 youth chairman, Mr Nqobizitha Dube, and Mrs Beauty Sibanda from the youth wing, among others.
Mr Tshuma said the members had decided to join MDC after realising that the MDC-T leadership was against the people of Matabeleland.
He said the manner the party was handling party projects and national appointments was testimony that the MDC-T leadership had nothing to offer to the people of Matabeleland.
“We have worked in the party for 10 years but we did not receive recognition for our efforts. We have suggested projects and written several project proposals but nothing has ever come to us because we, the people of Matabeleland, are seen as second-class citizens,” he said.
“He fired Gorden Moyo (Minister Moyo, who was moved from the Prime Minister’s Officer to the Ministry of Parastatals and State Enterprises) and (Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment deputy Minister) Thamsanqa Mahlangu, our youth leader who is from Matabeleland. This is testimony that the people of Matabeleland are not valued.”
On Wednesday last week, Prime Minister Tsvangirai announced 16 ministerial changes to the line-up of MDC-T ministers in the inclusive Government.
Political analysts from Matabeleland such as Mr Israel Moyo and Mr Paul Siwela, however, said Mr Tsvangirai should have considered politicians from Matabeleland for some Cabinet posts in the reshuffle.
There was also an outcry when the MDC-T joined the inclusive Government with the people of Matabeleland feeling hard done by his decision to include a few ministers from the region despite the party having enjoyed a lot of support from the region since its formation.
Analysts said the failure to replace Mr Mahlangu and the reassignment of Minister Moyo from the Prime Minister’s Office was an indication that PM Tsvangirai was on a crusade to sideline politicians from the region.
Mr Tshuma said the MDC should be people-centred and also take seriously the concerns of the people from Matabeleland.
Mr Tshuma said the people from his party should advocate devolution of power to protect their interests.
Mr Khumalo welcomed the members to the MDC and took the opportunity to advise them to advocate the devolution of power and proportional representation when the constitution outreach teams reach the area.
The MDC is supporting the devolution of power and proportional representation.
“I stayed in the United Kingdom for seven years. In that country the Scots rule themselves, the Welsh rule themselves and the Irish are fighting to rule themselves. It does not mean that the country is split. It simply means that the decisions are made at local level. Devolution of power would result in the national cake being shared in a transparent manner,” said Mr Khumalo, the former Member of Parliament for Pelandaba.
“We also want proportional representation to ensure that even the small parties are represented in Parliament. This system ensures that all votes count. The first-past-the-post system which we are using doesn’t help us because it says if someone gets 50 votes and another person gets 51, the 50 votes don’t count.
“We want a system where all votes count so that the rights of the people are protected.”
Labels: MDC, MDC-M, TRIBALISM
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Mining companies, taxes
By Malama Katulwende, Columnist for UKZambians
Thu 01 July 2010, 10:10 CAT
Editor,
I was saddened to learn that some mining companies in Zambia are claiming VAT from the Zambia Revenue Authority when, in fact, they don't even remit any tax to the treasury.
This came to light during the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTDP) discussion at which a senior mining economics and engineering lecturer Dr Mpande made a presentation (The Post June 29, 2010).
The mines have for a long time contributed very little to the economy of this country but have continued to reap billions.
Recently, a friend of mine, who works in a credit and lease finance department of a bank in Zambia and does business with some mines in North Western Province, called me and angrily said : Malama, it is shocking to see how much these mines are taking out of this country.
Between 2005 and now, the mines have externalised billions worth of copper and paid us nothing. Go to Lumwana and see how extravagantly expatriates live!
It's a different world, but for how long should we allow this robbery to continue? As far as I am concerned, Zambians are to blame for their own underdevelopment because of the choices we make.
If we choose docility, inaction and indifference when others are making a lot of money from our resources, then we'll always remain poor.
It is criminal that Zambians have collectively allowed foreigners to strip our resources and even extract the little that the poor pay in taxes from the government treasury.
The only solution, however, lies in regime change so that we get some dignity back as a people and nation.
Zambians don't deserve to live in poverty because our country has everything to become a great country - except, of course, we lack the courage to choose a good life over mediocrity.
Labels: MINING, TAXATION, WINDFALL TAX
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MDC-T stuck with its handlers
By: Jackson Matsikachando*
Posted: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 12:51 pm
DEAR EDITOR -- A little over two years ago, another pen embarked on an epistolary spree that this writer humbly hopes added to the sane voices that changed the game in uncertain times amidst untenable conditions. The appeals to the erstwhile opposition and relevant stakeholders to map a distinctly African and indigenous solution to the problems bore fruit by delivering relative stability for the citizenry, through a shaky coalition nevertheless.
Developments since have been fraught with anxieties, no least those arising from inane actions, or indeed inactions from the MDC-T part of the coalition, of which the Asian misadventure is the latest of their 'flunkey-a-trics'. A most hilarious misadventure if only it were not a major faux pas in our nation's diplomatic history. As another writer put it, those who have gone East have usually come back wiser, but there are also those it seems who have come back more blind and more stupid than when they went there.
The former opposition, and now partners in the inclusive Government, have not failed to amuse with their political theatrics filled with policy flip-flops and inane obfuscation on legislation duly gazetted by a government of which they are a part.
Party and personal spokespersons going over themeselves to put dung stained feet in mouth with the inevitable result that what comes out is bull.
It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it.
Flip-flops and conflicts are inevitable where there is no collective belief. The absence of an ideology that serves as a hegemonic reference point for its followers breeds confusion. These people do not sincerely believe in their cause and this means hesitation and weaknesses even at the sametime as it drives them to greater extremes, the dubious BIPPA being the latest.
To uphold a lost cause, lost in the eyes of Zimbabweans and Africans, must inevitably lead to doubts and conflict.
The MDC-T abandoned the comradeship and understanding of the frontline family and are part of another group to whose rules they must now adhere. Having now played for the other side, it is virtually impossible for them now to change back not only for the realpolitik consequences of such action, but also for psychological reasons. They have no way out.
Regional and home-led attempts at counsel or designed to shake or shame them simply drive them further into the safety of their handlers.
They dare not be cast out from them and must therefore please them in every possible way, carry out their suggestions, adhere tenaciously and comically to the tune of those who are playing it. Hence the Prime Minister's Asian misadventure in spite of diplomatic advice from senior figures as the ambassador to Japan, Mr Stuart Comberbach.
Independence of thought and judgment is not part of the MDC-T psyche and has never been. They have relinquished their right to think freely, to assess independently and are wholly dependent on powers outside themselves.
All that matters is the approval of these powers, Zimbabwe's historic and long term strategic interests can, it seems, be flung about willy nilly.
It is time for the progressive forces to steadily pursue the clear and definite object of enlightened empowerment and complete freedom for Africans in the Sadc and beyond.
The youth are key and to that end, their integration into the decision making structures should be encouraged and not sceptically dismissed.
_____________________________
*Jackson Matsikachando is the pseudonym of a Zimbabwean residing in the UK. The writer can be contacted at jmatsikachando *** yahoo.com.
Labels: MDC
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