(THOUGHTLEADER SA) Selling Malema’s farm to a white person an insult to blacks
Malaika Wa Azania
Posted by: Malaika Wa Azania
Posted on: June 11, 2013
It is with absolute rage that I write this article. The news of the auctioning off of comrade Julius Malema’s farm signals more than just another chapter in the tragic story of the former president of the ANCYL’s political downfall.
It signals a tragic legitimisation of a historical injustice against black people; an injustice that continues to devour the little bit of dignity that we have left in the face of the onslaught of white monopoly capital.
According to reports by Business Day, Malema’s cabbage and tomato farm in Limpopo was auctioned for R2.5 million on Monday. It is reported that bidding for the 140ha farm, worth R4 million, had started at R800 000. The uncontested bid was made by Callie Calitz of Wencor Holdings, a Polokwane-based cattle rearing and meat dealership.
The farm was seized by the assets forfeiture unit in March, believing that it was proceeds of crime resulting from a tender awarded to a business belonging to comrade Malema’s business associate, Lesiba Gwangwa, by the provincial roads and transport department. The farm was owned by Gwama Properties (Pty) Ltd, whose director is Gwangwa, a co-accused with Malema in the money-laundering and money-racketeering case. However, the case has not been decided as the issue of the multimillion-rand tender is still the subject of courts. As such, it is presumptuous for the media and public courts of opinion to want to project Malema as guilty.
This auctioning of comrade Malema’s farm comes during the month when we mark the centenary of South Africa’s June 19 1913 Natives Land Act, an act which provided a crucial legal foundation for the consolidation of race and class segregation in the country, well before the establishment of the apartheid regime in 1948. The 1913 Natives Land Act left only about 8% of South Africa’s territory to blacks, who at the time represented about 90% of the country’s population. The Native Trust and Land Act of 1936 released additional land and increased the portion of land accessible to blacks to about 13% of the country. These legislations confined the black population to reserves and Bantustans, where land tenure and farming practices were mainly communal. Other measures restricted land tenancy or sharecropping for black populations living on land owned by white farmers. The result of these policies was the monopolisation of land by whites and the elimination of the black peasantry. For most blacks, the only remaining livelihood alternative consisted therefore of providing cheap labour to the commercial farming, industry and mining sectors (Haines and Cross, 1988; Walker, 2005).
Since coming into power in 1994, the ANC has promised to prioritise the land question, which it correctly identifies as the fundamental struggle in the country. The 1994 Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) set a specific target of redistributing 30% of agricultural land. The 1997 White Paper on South African Land Policy elaborated in addition to this programme of land redistribution, also one of restitution and tenure reform. Restitution aims to restore rights in land to people who were dispossessed of them since 1913, through return of that land or another form of compensation. But president Zuma recently informed us that the 2014 deadline of shifting one-third of the country’s land from white farmers to black residents has been postponed to 2025. We are now sitting with the reality that only 8% of agricultural land (or 26% of the target) has been released to rightful beneficiaries through both the land restitution and redistribution programmes.
But this is not the only problem that we are facing. The fact that we are still using the willing-buyer, willing-seller approach, which depends on voluntary market transactions, has led to another setback in the quest to address the burning land question in the country.
Firstly, the progress of land reform is hampered by limited involvement of beneficiaries, commercial farmers (majority of them white), or municipalities in planning, initiating, and managing the process. As a result, farms go unused, reducing levels of productivity.
Secondly, while black applicants are awarded grants by the government to enter the land market, these are limited in value.
And lastly, many white land owners have expressed strong opposition to selling to black land reform beneficiaries and no action is taken against them as all transactions are required only by policy rather than law, to be voluntary. What this effectively means is that white land owners are protected by the law against selling land or even having it expropriated, perpetuating a situation where black people are landless in their own country.
In the situation of comrade Malema, he had control of land on which there was maximum production of tomatoes and cabbages, two staple foods for many working-class black people who can barely afford the kind of meat which Vencor Holdings sells. And maybe there were grounds for the farm being sold off to recuperate the money the comrade owes, because I can never legitimise the comrade’s failure to pay taxes, which are used for social development. But a process should have been employed which would ensure that this land is sold to black-run land co-operatives, which would use it effectively and primarily for the benefit of the working-class poor. My problem is that this land was auctioned off to the same white people from whom we are trying to claim more land, rightfully so, for our people. But worse than that, it was sold at almost HALF of its market value! So not only have white people stolen land from us; they can now even buy it for half what it is worth at auctions after it has been taken from black people.
This is also why I am against title deed reform only. The banks will end up owning most of the land, as most startups fail, usually due to lack of capitalisation. Zimbabwe land reform is the only way to go. Unless someoen can come up with a better model, which I doubt. - MrK
The narrow-minded triumphalists who hate comrade Malema are celebrating “his” demise. But this is not a spit in his face; it is a spit in the faces of all black people and our struggle against white supremacy. And to the sound of black cheers, white monopoly capital has won!
Labels: ANC, ANC YOUTH LEAGUE, JULIUS MALEMA, LAND REFORM
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(NEWZIMBABWE) US$538m realised from tobacco sales
12/06/2013 00:00:00
by Business Reporter
SOME 145.2 million kilogrammes of tobacco have been delivered to the country’s auction floors since the beginning of the selling season in February, surpassing the 2012 final output of 144.5 million kg.
Figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) also show that $537.5 million has so far been realised from the sales.
“Current seasonal sales at 145.2 million kg have now surpassed the 2012 final output which was 144.5 million kg. During the corresponding 79th selling day in 2012 more than 116.6 million kg were sold,” the TIMB said in a statement.
“The prevailing prices at all selling points remained stable. The seasonal average price for 2013 is likely to slide down below US$3.70/kg as less good quality crop continue to dominate the market.”
The seasonal average price for this year’s crop was $3.70 a kg compared $3.73 a kg during the same period last year.
TIMB said 94.7 million kg of the delivered tobacco was from contract farming, while 50.5 million kg had been delivered under the auction system.
The contract system has so far generated $357.5 million while the auction arrangement has raised $179.9 million.
The tobacco marketing board revealed that 1.98 million bales had so far been laid at the auction floors compared to 1.49 million bales during the comparable period in 2012.
This season 83,012 bales have been rejected compared to 78,284 last year.
Recently, the tobacco marketing board expressed optimism that this year’s deliveries would surpass the targeted 170 million kg although most of the registered growers have delivered their crop.
However, some of the farmers wait to sell the bulk of their crop towards the end of the season.
Labels: TOBACCO
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(LUSAKATIMES) Kabimba takes a dig at Amsterdam, calls him a hired mercenary.
Time Posted: June 12, 2013 7:43 am
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has taken a swipe at leaders of the UPND and the MMD for engaging international lawyer Robert Amsterdam to allegedly malign President Michael Sata.
Mr. Kabimba said Mr. Amsterdam is a hired mercenary who is now championing the anti-removal of subsidy campaign and corruption allegations after introducing himself as lawyer for Mr Rupiah Banda and his son Henry.
He said the PF while in opposition did not hire any mercenary to fight allegations of corruption against the MMD.
The Justice Minister was speaking during a news briefing at his office in Lusaka.
Mr. Kabimba said the PF managed to have a tribunal set up against then Transport Minister Dora Siliya and even commenced an action in the High Court against the then First Lady Thandiwe Banda without retaining a foreign lawyer.
He said the PF did not engage a foreigner lawyer because it does not suffer from an inferiority complex and colonial hangover in the manner the UPND and MMD leadership do.
Mr. Kabimba who is also PF Secretary General said the UPND and MMD leadership cannot serve the interest of Zambians if voted into power.
He said such leadership would sell out to foreign interests through the likes of Mr. Amsterdam and his superiors.
Mr. Kabimba accused the MMD and the UPND of collaborating with foreign interest against their own people at the time when the whole of Africa is fighting to shed off the last vestiges of ne-colonialism.
He said the campaign by Mr. Amsterdam will not yield any results which would bring the UPND and the MMD into power.
Mr. Kabimba said Mr. Amsterdam has failed to have the former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra regain power despite waging a similar international media campaign.
He said Mr. Amsterdam has no success story to tell except give a ray of unfulfilled hope to desperate men of fickle characters such as Mr. Hichilema and his surrogate, Pastor Nevers Mumba.
Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, ROBERT AMSTERDAM, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Fidel, Cuba deserve respect, honour
By Editor
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
Cuba deserves the respect and support of all progressive, fair and just-minded people regardless of their ideological or political outlooks.
And as for us in Africa, especially in southern Africa, we have a special debt that we owe Cuba. And as Dr Kenneth Kaunda correctly observes, Cuba paid a very high price for the liberation of our region from colonialism and apartheid. Thousands of Cubans lost their lives in our service. How much more can one ask from another human being? How far can one go in demonstrating one's love for another than to lay down his life for them?
Cuba is not a country with gigantic natural resources, a lot of money, but it has been able to share whatever little they had, they have with others. Whatever Cuba has, we got a share of it.
In terms of solidarity with other peoples, which country in this world can match the internationalist spirit and actions of Cuba? In terms of sharing with others, which country in this world can match Cuba? We can as well ask: in terms of the Christian spirit and practice, which country in this world is more Christian in its deeds than Cuba?
Well, Dr Kaunda has poured praises on Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution, and all of it is justified and well earned praise. In the Christian sense, in deeds, Fidel is a saint. If Nobel Prizes were given in terms of one's sense of humanity, one's true contributions to humanity, Fidel would be a Nobel Prize winner. But there are other criteria that seem to be ideological more than anything else that may explain why Fidel is not a Nobel Prize winner. We say this because there is no match in the world political leadership for Fidel in many areas of human endeavour, including in the issues of human rights.
Looking at things fairly, without prejudice and objectively, we are thoroughly convinced that no politician in the world, that no country in the world has done more than Fidel and Cuba have to protect human rights.
No children in Cuba have to beg or are homeless in the way we see in other countries; no children have to scrounge for a living in the streets in the way we see in other countries. In the rest of the world - including the developed countries, but mainly in the other Third World countries - millions of homeless children who have no parents or support of any kind are begging in the streets, doing all sorts of things to make a living. In view of this, we ask: is there any politician or country that has done more than Fidel and Cuba have to protect human rights?
Look at the number of sick children who don't receive any medical attention and the numbers of children who are illiterate, even in the developed countries. In Cuba, everyone knows how to read and write. Hundreds of millions of children in the world don't have access to medical treatment, but in Cuba every child has a school to go to and medical care. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba has done? And mind you, this is not a rich country in terms of money!
In other parts of the world, children are bought and sold and even exported to other countries. In some cases, quite frequently, children are even sold so that their vital organs can be used for transplants. That has never happened in Cuba. With regard to this aspect, has any country in this world done more than Cuba to protect human rights?
Think of child prostitution, which is quite generalised in the rest of the Third World. There isn't that type of child prostitution in Cuba. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba has done?
Many countries have infant mortality rates of more than 100 for every thousand live births. This means that hundreds of thousands of children die each year. However, Cuba - a Third World, under-developed country that has been under a blockade for more than five decades, for more than half a century - has brought down its mortality rates for children under a year old to less than 10 and the figure for one to five-year-olds to practically zero. Since the triumph of the Revolution led by Fidel, the lives of thousands of children have been saved in Cuba. As regards this aspect, has any country done more than Cuba to protect human rights?
In Cuba, every human being has a truly equal opportunity to develop physically and intellectually, without any discrimination based on sex or race. This holds true for everyone, without any differences between rich and poor. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba has done?
All this is the result of the Cuban Revolution's humanitarian work of giving everybody opportunities, creating conditions for eliminating injustices, inequalities and providing a healthy environment. In this regard, has any country done more than Cuba to protect human rights?
Life expectancy has increased considerably - to almost 80 - since the triumph of the Revolution. Every citizen has been given dozens of additional years and the possibility of having a healthier, safer life. In other countries of this world, life expectancy is 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60. As regards this aspect, has any country done more than Cuba for human rights?
Discrimination against women - which is so strongly entrenched in all other parts of the world, including the other Third World countries - has disappeared in Cuba. In fact, women constitute nearly 60 per cent of the country's technical workforce and are paid the same wages as men, with no wage discrimination - a form of discrimination that is an everyday phenomenon in the rest of the world. It doesn't exist in Cuba, where women have been liberated and have job opportunities, protection education, health care and nursery schools for their children. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba?
Take racial discrimination. The Revolution wiped it out in Cuba. Now, all citizens have full equality, including equal opportunities without racial discrimination - a fact that nobody can dispute in Cuba. Few other countries in the world can say the same. Has any country really done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba?
Look at the effect that equality - equal opportunities and equal treatment - has on human beings and their happiness. People need more than food: they need honour, dignity, respect and to be treated like human beings. In this regard, has any country done more than Cuba to protect human rights?
All over the world, some citizens have been alienated and considered worthless. They are taken to vote for somebody every four, five or six years without even knowing who they are voting for or why - because, often, their low political cultural level and low cultural level in general don't give them a chance to decide freely. They are influenced by all the mechanisms for exerting mental and psychological influence in decision making - and then nobody cares about them anymore. There isn't any sense of identification between such people and the state, the government and the society in which they live. They are condemned to a desperate struggle for survival without any social worth, respect or consideration. In Cuba, the situation is entirely different, with total identification and full participation by citizens in all activities - political activities, activities in defence of their country, cultural activities and activities for developing the country. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba?
With the Revolution, Cuba has created a sense of solidarity and fraternity. In this regard, has any country done more for human rights than Cuba?
They have experiences and live in an atmosphere unlike those in many of our countries in the world. There, they share what they have. They don't have any gross inequality, with some having much more than they need and dying of heart attacks and cholesterol, while others starve to death. There, they share everything - their country belongs to all of them, and its riches belong to all of them, too. Has any country done more for its people than Cuba?
There, citizens feel they count; they are a part of society; they feel they have a national dignity and a homeland - something that is very rare and inaccessible to the vast majority of the people in today's world. Has any country done more for human rights in this regard than Cuba?
The list goes on and on. We are talking about things which, in our opinion, constitute true humanitarianism, the policy of promoting the dignity of human beings and their wellbeing. Inequality causes terrible suffering, which is unknown to the Cuban people.
Cuba has been grossly slandered. Its enemies have even spoken of physical violence against people, torture and such things. They have written and multiplied all that calumny against Cuba. But the Cuban Revolution has a characteristic that very few revolutions have had in all of history: the Cuban people have been taught to hate crime, to hate torture, to hate the use of physical violence against individuals, to hate abuses of power. This is what inspires them in their struggle, what mobilises them and unites them: their frontal attack on all those forms of injustice. They have employed this approach consistently throughout their revolutionary history. They have had a humanitarian policy. This is extremely outstanding for a country that has been under attack since the triumph of the Revolution. We say this because there is always a justification for doing cruel things in times of danger in a country that is continually under attack. Since the triumph of the Revolution, nobody has been assassinated, no prisoners have been tortured and no physical violence has been used against prisoners. How many other countries, revolutions, states that have had civil wars or states that have participated in foreign wars can say the same? But Cuba has every right to.
Surely, a country and a political leadership of this kind deserves admiration, respect and honour. And for these reasons, Fidel and Cuba deserve respect, admiration and honour.
Labels: CUBA, FIDEL CASTRO, KENNETH KAUNDA, SIBANZE SIMUCHOBA
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Cuba has selflessly shared its little resources - Simuchoba
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZAMBIA-Cuba Friendship Association president Sibanze Simuchoba says Cuba has selflessly shared the little resources it has with other needy areas in Africa.
Commenting on the message first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda delivered to revolution leader Fidel Castro on behalf of President Michael Sata in which he recognised and appreciated Cuba's aid to Zambia since independence, Simuchoba said Cuba had invested very wisely in all key areas of which assists human society to advance.
He said Cuba had zeroed in on the wholeness of social well-being.
"They invested in improving knowledge and you find that the beginning is to promote literacy so that people can read and communicate. Their investment in health education has come in to make a difference not only for Cuba but the third world where Cuba has selflessly shared the bit it has with other needy areas in Angola, South Africa," he said.
Simuchoba said Cuba also understood imperialism very well.
"It knows that imperialism is vicious but it has not developed cold feet despite the closeness of the centre of imperialism, the United States. Even with the embargo, they have done better than the third world countries. In terms of Southern Africa, the one big help or contribution Cuba did was their military campaign in Angola," said Simuchoba.
He said although Cuba was not militaristic, it had a strong military because of its cadre of soldiers.
"It has a cadre of soldiers who know what they are in the military for and if they have to go to war, they know what they are fighting for," he said.
While in Cuba last week, Dr Kaunda delivered, through President Raul Castro, President Sata's message to Fidel Castro in which State House recognised and appreciated Cuba's aid to Zambia.
President Sata sought more cooperation with Cuba.
Labels: CUBA, FIDEL CASTRO, KENNETH KAUNDA, SIBANZE SIMUCHOBA
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PF gives UPND, HH sleepless nights
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
HAKAINDE Hichilema has lamented that the PF is giving him and his national executive sleepless nights.
Addressing senior party officials in Luanshya at one of the houses within the town centre on Sunday, Hichilema expressed disappointment with the leaders in his party particularly on the Copperbelt for allowing the PF to remain vibrant, adding that the ruling party does not deserve to be popular because it had made serious mistakes on the Copperbelt and the country at large in terms of governance.
He further condemned his party leadership on the Copperbelt for keeping quiet and not coming out strongly against President Michael Sata and the PF on various issues.
According to sources that were part of the meeting, which was also attended by UPND vice-president Richard Kapita, chairman for labour Percy Chanda, UPND Mwinilung'a parliamentarian Stephen Katuuka, UPND Copperbelt chairman Elisha Matambo and information and publicity secretary Kennedy Kalunga and other senior party officials, Hichilema encouraged his officials to soldier on.
"The boss (Hichilema) is not happy that the PF is on top of things on the Copperbelt when you look at politics. He asked why the PF is giving us sleepless nights here and why there is no chance to criticise them and why we are not raising issues. He further said he was irritated that every radio station was leading their news with the PF and that the UPND had allowed PF Copperbelt youth secretary Chanda Kabwe to be making statements in media houses without being challenged by the UPND on the issues that he was raising," the sources revealed yesterday.
The sources said Hichilema challenged his officials to emulate the vibrance and coordination of the PF the time it was in the opposition.
The sources said the UPND leader was mindful of the fact that the Copperbelt dictates the country's political destiny and had since pledged to frequently visit the province.
And speaking when he addressed a rally in Luanshya's Mpatamantu Township at Mwaiseni Grounds, Hichilema said he was on the Copperbelt to see how the poor people were coping with the high cost of living.
He said the PF was a failed project and a disappointment to Zambians.
"Everything has gone up. The PF has failed the people. Look at the transport costs, mealie-meal prices, everything in terms of basic commodities and many other things have increased. No medicines in hospitals and the country is crumbling because of their poor policies. People can't continue to live like this," Hichilema said.
He said the removal of fuel and maize subsidies was a wrong move, saying it would worsen the situation in the country.
Hichilema said the people on the Copperbelt must rally behind the UPND which was the only hope for any Zambian who was interested in seeing the country develop.
But mines deputy minister Richard Musukwa said it was Hichilema who was a failed project because the UPND had failed to progress.
Musukwa who is also Wusakile member of parliament said many Zambians could not listen to Hichilema because they appreciate the PF which was efficiently executing projects and implementing policies aimed at making the country a better place.
"Who can listen to Hichilema? Ask how many people attended his rally in Luanshya. It was only children and a few of them. The people of Luanshya and other towns have not forgotten that this is a man who was at the helm of privatisation and brought nothing but misery to Zambians. You can even see that he is bitter of himself because he has continued to miscalculate his political judgments," said Musukwa.
Meanwhile, Kabwe says it is clear that Hichilema is still bitter that President Sata and the PF were in government.
Reacting to Hichilema's statement on Kitwe Radio Icengelo's Face to Face programme on Saturday morning that he was grateful to God that he was still in the opposition and not in President Sata's government which he further accused of being heavily corrupt, Kabwe said the Copperbelt community was able to tell that Hichilema was full of bitterness.
Kabwe said God's name must not be used in vain by the UPND leader because it was God that gave President Sata an opportunity to become Republican President.
"You heard his tone on radio; many people who phoned and wrote messages disagreed with him on many issues because he was clearly mocking God.
He was very hypocritical and he was struggling to address the issues of tribalism, the issues of bitterness that people raised and these are serious issues when it comes to his politics. It's very unfortunate that we have politicians like Hichilema who is self-centered and he always prophesies doom on President Sata and the PF government but it will not happen," he said.
"The PF is delivering in every sense and there are constructions everywhere but Hichilema has chosen to deliberately ignore this. On Sunday morning, he was on ZNBC, the national broadcaster, criticising the government and this never used to happen in many years that an opposition leader could be featured on national media, but it's the same Hichilema accusing the PF of fighting to defeat democracy."
Kabwe said many people would like to see a matured and improved Hichilema regarding the manner he handled politics.
Kabwe said it was a pity that some politicians like Hichilema had chosen to close their eyes and attack President Sata and the PF government despite a lot of progressive things happening in the country, including the enhancement of democracy and good governance.
"It's a pity that he wants to measure PF members of parliament to those of the UPND. What are the UPND MPs in Southern Province doing for Zambians there in terms of development? Our MPs in the PF are performing better than his members of parliament in Southern Province. The people in that region should in fact demand more from their MPs because their party has been winning elections in Southern Province from 2001, but there is nothing tangible they've done for the people there," he said.
He said Hichilema had no moral right to scandalise the PF that was working hard to meet the aspirations of the people when he had refused to work with anybody as his goal was only to be in State House.
Kabwe said Zambians would never vote for Hichilema because he was selfish and always practices regional politics.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PF, UPND
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EAZ warns of higher taxes, tough measures on revenue
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZAMBIANS should expect more stringent measures on the revenue and expenditure side of government as there is likely to be upward adjustments to taxes in the next budget, warns Economics Association of Zambia president Isaac Ngoma.
And Ngoma says subsidies on fuel and maize needed to go as phasing them out also carries risks.
Responding to a press query, Ngoma stated that the problem would arise because the government recently approved a new wage agreement which was not budgeted for this year.
"Data from Ministry of Finance indicates that this will increase the wage bill in 2013 by KR890 million. In 2014, the full impact of the wage increment will according to Ministry of Finance, increase the wage bill by KR4 Billion. There is also the ambitious infrastructure projects which are gobbling huge sums of money beyond what is available. Certainly, the big budget item is due to the new government salaries, which we suspect will push the salary bill to 50 per cent of government expenditure or some 11-12 percent of GDP. If correct, it means the salary bill is far too high. The norm for a developing country would be closer to 4-6 percent of GDP," he stated.
Arising from this, Ngoma stated that it would not be surprising to see some adjustment to taxes, including pay as you earn (PAYE) or corporate taxes in the next budget.
On the fuel and maize subsidies, he observed that the government had been budgeting less for the subsidies but ended up paying more.
"In 2013 alone, the government budgeted for KR300 million for FRA subsidies and nothing for fuel subsidies. The projected expenditure is KR1.2 billion for maize subsidies and KR1.1 billion for fuel. A similar situation is obtaining regarding foreign reserves. Apparently, it seems BoZ has been using some reserves to cushion the depreciation of the kwacha. Since 2013 BoZ reserves have been declining not increasing. BoZ estimates that if the measures to support the kwacha continue, reserves will reduce by US$750 million in 2013 from the current 2.8 months of import cover to 1.9 months of import cover," Ngoma stated.
He stated that there was need for compensatory measures, especially expanding the cash transfer system, as recommended by a recent World Bank report.
"Some issues for government consideration include keeping the subsidy on kerosene, which is mainly consumed by low-income consumers though currently in short supply. Are there some charges paid by transporters and minibuses that could be reduced to help offset the fuel price increases? Another area for government consideration is to put more money into targeted measures like livestock production (dipping, restocking, creating disease free areas). They should also improve the extension services and boost irrigation to foster increased agricultural production," Ngoma stated.
On by-elections, he stated that the cost was nowhere near the subsidy bill and the amount being spent on government salaries.
On the new districts being created, he stated that the government needed to explain whether and how this would improve service delivery in rural areas and whether other options were looked at such as better use of the Constituency Development Fund and beefing up ward level services.
"We shouldn't encourage an approach to public spending where this or that item is exchanged ad hoc. All public expenditure, current and capital, should be scrutinized carefully both during budget formulation and implementation for cost effectiveness and rate of return," stated Ngoma. "The lack of a strong system to do this in the government is a serious and much under-discussed problem."
Labels: EAZ, ISAAC NGOMA, NEOLIBERALISM
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Simuusa hails KCM for maintaining workforce
By Ernest Chanda
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
NCHANGA PF member of parliament Wylbur Simuusa says Konkola Copper Mine's resolve to keep all its employees has brought relief to him and other people in the constituency.
About two weeks ago, KCM management had informed the government that it would lay off 2,000 permanent employees due to various production challenges the mining company was facing.
But after discussions with labour minister Fackson Shamenda and officials from the mine unions, KCM rescinded the decision.
Commenting on the matter, Simuusa who is also PF chairperson for mines, said the action implied that the government, employers and employees could dialogue and resolve issues.
"I feel and I know how hard it is for my people when they lose a job from the mines. They cannot pay for water, rent food, etc, and life just becomes unbearable. It is not a situation that should be allowed. I also want to speak on behalf of mine contract workers who are losing jobs everyday in large numbers e.g. UBM, FL Smith. They do not have a strong voice, and in the same spirit I implore KCM and other mining houses to stop the wanton and sudden termination of contracts," said Simuusa in an interview.
"It is a known fact that one of the biggest potential benefit for our people is through contracts to the mines. I call for the strengthening of the Mine Contractors Allied Workers Union Of Zambia (MCAWUZ) who are working very hard and trying their best but need more recognition and help for their voice to be heard and for them to better represent the mine contractors. I urge KCM and all stakeholders in the mining industry to dialogue openly with government so that issues that may need addressing can be critically analysed and a solution found."
Meanwhile, Simuusa disclosed that 5,000 title deeds for former ZCCM housing units on the Copperbelt are ready.
Addressing residents of SQ compound in Nchanga constituency on Sunday, Simuusa said the ministry was processing many more such documents.
"A good number of these title deeds are for Nchanga Constituency alone; this is what we promised you when we were campaigning as a party in 2011. Now we have to regularise other residential areas like R, SQ and MQ and I've had meetings with officials from ZCCM-IH over the matter," he said.
"By the end of this year we shall give title deeds, and we shall give one plot to each person. And the exercise of regularising plots in these areas I have mentioned should have ended by end of June. And where we have broken down houses, we shall treat them as plots when selling them to you."
Earlier, the residents aired their grievances and concerns to Simuusa.
The visibly emotional SQ residents grilled Simuusa on matters affecting their livelihood.
Irene Kazembe openly wept as she knelt before Simuusa and complained that someone had evicted her from a ZCCM house when she was the rightful sitting tenant.
A Mr Mwila complained about high unemployment levels and asked when jobs would be offered to the youth like him as the PF promised in the run-up to the 2011 elections.
Another resident, Martin Mulenga, asked when title deeds would be given to all residents, while Lombe Mulenga complained of poor services from Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company.
Barnabas Mambwe complained: "You the PF promised us free education but our children are not going to school because we cannot afford school fees. And when we talk about the broken down sewerage, we always long for Mwandila who used to even collect garbage, but the one who is here now we don't see him and we don't even know him."
Mabvuto Nkhata asked district commissioner George Sichula and the town clerk, who were both present at the meeting, why they do not grade roads using council equipment instead of waiting for the member of parliament.
Lawrence Mulenga complained about a broken down standby generator at Nchanga North hospital.
However, after Simuusa broke the news about title deeds and the number of roads that were being upgraded, the residents ululated, with one man shouting: Ba Simuusa nga mwafwa, mwikabola (when you die, do not rot)."
Simuusa promised to engage officials from Zesco and Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company on the complaints raised.
Labels: KCM, WYLBUR SIMUUSA
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Rupiah wanted to cling on to power - Kabimba
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba says Rupiah Banda, as Republican president, abused public resources and wanted to cling on to power. And Kabimba says the fight between good and evil will not spare the PF.
In an interview, Kabimba, the ruling party's secretary general and justice minister, said Banda in his three-year tenure of office enriched himself and his family at the expense of the poor.
"Mr Rupiah Banda had become another Suharto (former Indonesian president) who didn't see the difference between Indonesia as a state and his family with a group of his children and not the people. People cried about this (corruption) culture and the international media that is vilifying President Sata was in existence and saw nothing wrong in that culture. We were not voted into office by foreign citizens but by the Zambian people and we shall serve them to the best of our abilities," Kabimba said.
And Kabimba said he was not surprised that the corrupt would fight him and others that had resolved to cleanse the country of corruption.
"Those that are disloyal both to the party and His Excellency the President must realise that he will not exchange loyalty for the party against disloyalty and decide to choose the latter; there is no compromise between the two. This is a war between right and wrong, it's a natural course of how the world is structured and PF is not an exception to that war. We are not surprised that the corrupt will fight back," Kabimba said in an interview.
"Our party represents the majority of the Zambian people. The turncoats cannot govern because they change colour like lights in a disco house. Our responsibility is to serve the people of Zambia and see to it that the 20 years of development we lost under MMD is covered and covered quickly."
Kabimba said life expectancy in Zambia under the MMD had dropped from 60 to 37 years.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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New good constitution a must - Lungu
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference secretary general Father Cleophas Lungu says a good constitution will see medicine in hospitals and food on the tables of Zambians.
Civil society organisations promoting good governance in Zambia are gathered in Chisamba to analyse the constitution-making process and what stage it has reached.
The organisations are also planning a series of advocacy actions to undertake in the event that the country goes to a referendum after June 30 when the technical committee releases the draft constitution.
Giving a keynote address, Fr Lungu said he was of the firm belief that those gathered at Protea Hotel were champions of good governance in Zambia and meant well for the country.
He said after 17 wasted years, Zambia could not afford to see wastage of resources in constitutional reforms.
"We see the constitution as a prerequisite for development," he said.
FrLungu said a good constitution would see medicine in hospitals and food on people's tables adding that a new constitution must be done in a good and right way.
He said a new good constitution for Zambia was a must.
Fr Lungu said the civil society organisations had agreedto come up with a consolidated basic minimum for what the Zambian constitutions should have which would then be used to judge if the document from the technical committee met the basic standard of a good constitution.
He said the CSOs were also gathered to plan for what action to take if theconstitution was not produced on time.
Fr Lungu gave an example of the private member's bill to compel the government prepare for a referendum and prepare a budget for the adoption of the new constitution.
"We need to remain vigilant and we need to remain alert. Past experience has shown that we cannot entrust the whole process in the hands of the politician. Remember'All it takes for bad things to happen is for good people to remain silent'" he said.
"All of us in this room are good people and we mean well for this country. I truly believe that 'Every human being must always aspire to inspire before one expires'."
CSOs meeting include Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Oasis Forum, MISA, Panos, SACCORD, ZaCoMeF, WFC, WILSA and several youth organisations.
The meeting which started yesterday ends today.
Labels: CLEOPHAS LUNGU, CONSTITUTION
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Masuku headman urges inclusion of rural people in national activities
By Ben Mbangu in Choma and Steve Mwiinga in Siavonga
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
A TRADITIONAL leader in Masuku area of Choma district has appealed to the government to consider engaging people from rural communities in national activities such as elections in order to empower them.
Headman Simalimbu noted with dismay that teachers were the main beneficiaries of such programmes when they had salaries.
The headman made the appeal when PF Choma district political secretary Bernadette Hamweembaand Southern Province PF youth information and publicity secretary visited the area to sensitise the public on the removal of maize and fuel subsidies.
He said based on the PF campaign promise of more money in people 's pockets, one way of empowering them in communities would be to make them participate in heavily funded programmesto enable them realise something unlike the current scenario on the ground where only teachers benefit.
Headman Simalimbu said people in villages were living in abject poverty hence such interventions would help to alleviate the many challenges they faced and eventually would improve their living standards.
"Government should not forget that educated people who can do jobs that are being heaped on already burdened teachers are also found in communities," he said.
The headman cited activities like malaria control programme, national census and elections as one of the major programmespeople in communities should be accorded an opportunity to make money to enable them afford fertilisers and other social amenities.
And in supporting the removal of subsidies, headman Simalimbi said the move would reduce the cost the country was incurring in evacuating prominent people abroad for medical treatment because drugs and equipments required would be found in hospitals.
"It would be disappointing for people in communities to see politicians continue going abroad for medication and education when subsidies have been removed to improve the condition and services of the current health facilities as well as school infrastructure," he said.
Labels: CHIEFS, RURAL DEVELOPMENT
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(GLOBALRESEARCH) The Uncertain Fate of the U.S.-NATO Installed Libyan Regime
Massacre in Benghazi illustrates failure of West’s regime-change strategy
By Abayomi Azikiwe
Global Research, June 11, 2013
Pan-African News Wire
After more than two years of a full-fledged Pentagon and NATO-led war against the North African state of Libya, the installed General National Congress regime is now requesting assistance from their neo-colonial masters. In a press release issued by the Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the chief of this military alliance of the imperialist world indicated that the western-backed government in Tripoli had requested assistance on security matters.
A team of so-called “experts” is expected to leave as soon as possible and report back to NATO by the end of June “so we can decide on the way ahead,” Mr. Fogh Rasmussen said. The NATO official also said that three principles would guide any help NATO provides.
According to the statement issued by NATO on June 4, it says that these principles would “include strong Libyan ownership, providing advice in areas where NATO has an expertise, such as building security institutions. And thirdly let me stress this is not about deploying troops to Libya. If we are to engage in training activities such activities could take place outside Libya,” said the Secretary General. (NATO press release, June 4)
These statements are taking place within the context of a worsening security situation both inside Libya and throughout North and West Africa. The security and social stability of Libya and both regions of Africa are a direct result of Pentagon and NATO military actions beginning in February and March of 2011.
During the course of the imperialist war against Libya, some 26,000 sorties were flown by the U.S., the NATO countries and their allies in the region and 9,600 airstrikes hit the oil-rich state. An arms embargo was imposed by the United Nations Security Council against the Libyan government under Gaddafi but the western trained and supported rebels were armed to carry out attacks against supporters of the Jamahiriya, civilians and patriotic forces.
In addition to the U.S. and NATO’s military actions against this country of approximately 7 million people, $US160 billion in Libyan-owned foreign assets were seized by the western banks. Concerted mob violence was leveled against dark-skinned Libyans and Africans from other parts of the continent.
The entire foreign policy and public affairs apparatus of the western states and their surrogates were mobilized to demonize Libya and its leadership. Corporate media outlets parroted the false claims by the imperialist governments in order to sway public opinion in favor of the war of regime-change against Col. Muammar Gaddafi and his supporters inside the country and internationally.
Consequences of U.S. and NATO’s War Against Libya
At present in Libya thousands of Africans and dozens foreign nationals from Eastern Europe remain in detention by the GNC regime. Seif al-Islam, the son of the martyred former leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, is imprisoned by a militia group which is, along with the GNC leaders, are refusing to turn him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC played a role in the isolation of Libya during 2011 as well. The Hague prosecutors at the time claimed, alongside the imperialists, that human rights violations were carried out by the Jamahiriya under Gaddafi. Consequently, indictments and warrants were issued by the ICC against Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam and other leading patriotic Libyan officials.
Today there is a battle taking place between the GNC regime, which the ICC was instrumental in creating the conditions for its installation, and the Libyan rebels who say that they are capable of providing Seif al-Islam with a so-called “fair trial.” Yet if the regime in Libya cannot provide an adequate security situation for ordinary citizens and regime officials, then how will they be able to carry out an impartial judicial proceeding for others who are victims of the current political crises.
The NATO leaders, the ICC, as well as select putative “human rights groups” have refrained from commenting and analyzing the disastrous consequences of the imperialist war against Libya. A manifestation of this denial is reflective of the current efforts to extradite Seif al-Islam to The Hague to stand trial within a court system, the ICC, which has been condemned by the African Union (AU) as biased against the leaders and peoples of the continent.
Perhaps the most outrageous statement in regard to the situation in Libya was made by NATO Secretary General Rasmussen when he audaciously uttered in relationship to the delegation being sent to the North African state to establish a training program that “I believe this would be a fitting way to continue our cooperation with Libya, after we successfully took action to protect the Libyan people two years ago.”
The situation of the people in Libya is more precarious than it has ever been since the period of colonial war of conquest carried out by Italy between 1911 and 1931 when hundreds of thousands of people were slaughtered by the imperialists and the fascists, who after 1923 were led by Benito Mussolini. Even after the country gained nominal independence under a monarchy in 1951, it would take the September 1 Revolution of 1969 that was led by Col. Gaddafi and the Revolutionary Command Council to unify the state and set it upon a path of development and national reconstruction.
Massacre in Benghazi Reflects Devolution of Libyan Society
On June 8, militia members in Benghazi–which was the birthplace of the counter-revolution against the Jamahiriya in February 2011–massacred demonstrators who were demanding that armed groups terrorizing the population be either arrested or neutralized. There have been disputed reports over the number of people killed and wounded in this latest assault on the Libyan people, but it clearly demonstrates the degree of lawlessness prevailing inside the country.
In an article published by the Associated Press it reported that “Clashes between protesters and militias aligned with the military in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi left 27 people killed and dozens wounded, a health official said Sunday. The violence broke out Saturday after protesters stormed a base belonging to Libya Shield, a grouping of militias with roots in the rebel groups that fought in the country’s 2011 civil war who are tasked with maintaining security.” (June 9)
Inside Libya the country’s militias have been attempting to partition the state into three regions in the East, West and South. In a recent law passed by the GNC legislature, former members of the Gaddafi government—even if they had turned against the Jamahiriya in favor of imperialism—were banned from public service.
Prior to the announcement by NATO that they would be sending a delegation to Libya, France–which is occupying Mali and spreading its war in West Africa into neighboring Niger–had called for military intervention into the south of Libya. France claims that Libya’s south, which has never been brought under the control of the rebel GNC, is the source of resistance to its military efforts in West Africa.
Developments in Libya and Mali indicate clearly that imperialist intervention in Africa and other geo-political regions of the world will only destabilize these areas and provide rationales for further military occupations. Despite efforts to contain and pacify the peoples of these regions, resistance will escalate and create even deeper crises within the industrialized states already suffering from escalating levels of unemployment, poverty, austerity and political repression.
Abayomi Azikiwe Editor, Pan-African News Wire
Articles by: Abayomi Azikiwe
Related content:
1.
Ongoing atrocities by NATO-installed Libyan regime
Ongoing atrocities by NATO-installed Libyan regime
The Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) regime installed by the US-NATO intervention in Libya last year is responsible for ongoing atrocities, particularly against black-skinned Libyans, detainees and other alleged supporters of the previous Gaddafi government.
One of the most recent…
2.
13 Libyan Civilians Killed In Latest NATO Assault; 856 Civilians Killed In All
NATO hits house of historic leadership in Libya, killing at least 13: gov’t spokesman
NATO airstrikes hit in the wee hours of Monday morning the house of El-Khweldi el-Hamedi, a member of the historic leadership in Sebrata city, some 80…
3.
France Increases Military Ties With New Libyan Regime
Libya and France have agreed to look into boosting maritime security and controlling the North African country’s borders, their defense ministers said on Saturday, Reuters reported.
On a visit to Tripoli, French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet met his Libyan counterpart Osama al-Juwali…
4.
NATO Warplanes Bomb Libyan Capital, Kill Seven Civilians
NATO air strikes hit Tripoli – Libyan state TV
NATO aircraft have bombarded south-western parts of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, killing seven civilians, reports AFP, quoting Libyan state television.
In addition, the Libyan state information agency Jana says NATO planes…
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Center of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post original Global Research articles on community internet sites as long as the text & title are not modified. The source and the author's copyright must be displayed. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: publications@globalresearch.ca
Labels: HUMAN RIGHTS, ICC, LIBYA, NATO
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai condemned over journalist attacks
10/06/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
THE MDC led by Industry Minister Welshman Ncube says it “strongly condemns” a reported attack on a journalist from the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper by supporters of MDC-T leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Moyo was attacked by MDC-T youths at the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare last Friday while covering a demonstration by activists protesting over the conduct of primary elections.
“That this is carried out by the MDC-T at their citadel and headquarters is blood chilling and shocking. It is a clear intimidation tactic from the MDC-T to try and muzzle the media from covering their intra-party shenanigans,” MDC spokesman Nhlanhla Dube said on Monday.
He added: “Evidently, the MDC-T took its cue from their cousins Zanu PF and they learned it well in typical monkey-see monkey-do fashion.”
Moyo said he was taking photographs of the demonstrators with his mobile phone when “some guys from MDC-T came and ordered me to delete the pictures”.
He explained: “I told them I could not because I was performing my duties as a journalist.
“I told them I was a journalist but they dragged me like a criminal into one of the offices and started assaulting me mainly on my head. While they were beating me, my colleague phoned Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T spokesperson) who was said to be in South Africa.
“When my attackers heard that Mwonzora was on the phone, they then stopped assaulting me. Mwonzora apologised over the phone. What is ridiculous is that those people tried to disown people who beat me up in their office saying they were vendors. But I asked them if they allowed vendors to just drag people into their offices and beat them up and they could not answer.”
Dube said his party “pins this senseless attack” on the Moyo “directly on the MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai who just a few weeks ago was quoted as saying he would ‘deal’ with media that covered him unfavourably once he comes into power.”
He added: “This act has shown that this party, from the upper echelons right to the lowest rank is infested with intolerant violent thugs whose only interest is state power at all costs but have no respect for press freedom and democratic ideals. To them the press is only doing its job if it is singing their praises.”
The incident is a major embarrassment for the MDC-T as it came just a day after the Bulawayo Chronicle reporter Mashudu Netsianda was assaulted by Tsvangirai supporters who confiscated his notebook and deleted recordings from his mobile phone as he covered the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Bulawayo business community.
Over the weekend, more violence was witnessed in Mutare where the MDC-T MP and defence secretary Giles Mutsekwa is accused by lawyer Arnold Tsunga of instigating a “barbaric assault” on a councillor during an internal party vote. Tsunga is challenging Mutsekwa for the Dangamvura-Chikanga seat.
Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WELSHMAN NCUBE
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Knives out for Gono as police guards withdrawn
10/06/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
COMMENT - This is mainly gossip, leading up to the 2013 elections. - MrK
ZANU PF hardliners have twisted the knife on Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono by withdrawing his police security from his home.
Gono is under pressure from hawkish Zanu PF elements in the politburo, the army and police who fear his public opposition to indigenisation is undermining the party’s electoral chances.
The central bank chief was labelled a “house nigger” by Jonathan Moyo, who is charged with drawing up the party’s election manifesto, and bad blood exists between Gono and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
It has since emerged that Gono, who will leave office in November at the expiry of his second and final term, has been stripped of his 24-hour police protection at his home – it is believed on the instructions of Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri.
Gono retains his Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) protection, but his plush Borrowdale home is now guarded by private security.
The central bank chief raised the withdrawal of his police protection with President Robert Mugabe but was told that it was an issue for Chihuri, presidential spokesman George Charamba confirmed.
Gono was philosophical on Sunday when asked about the matter. He told the Standard newspaper that “permanent and unbreakable refuge, security and protection is found in God not man”.
But aides say Gono fears his Zanu PF opponents are sending him a message to ease up on his criticism of indigenisation.
Zanu PF strategists are furious with Gono for allegedly threatening the party’s electoral chances with his opposition to indigenisation – a major manifesto issue for the party ahead of general elections next month.
Gono has pegged Kasukuwere back by blocking the transfer of controlling stakes in foreign-owned banks by locals in line with the indigenisation law while also alleging industrial scale corruption in the form of huge pay-outs to brokerage firm, Brainworks, which was involved in the indigenisation deals for Unki, Zimplats and Mimosa mines.
New Zimbabwe.com understands Gono has been privately warned by his Zanu PF opponents that they will “deal with him” after elections which they hope to win, but the withdrawal of the security detail suggests the backlash is already underway.
It is an ironic fate for Gono who for four years since 2008 faced demands from the MDC-T to be removed from his job. He came to be known as an “outstanding issue” as the MDC-T tried to get him and other senior civil servants axed – but Gono survived with the protection of Mugabe and Zanu PF.
Labels: 2016 ELECTIONS (ZM), GIDEON GONO, INDIGENIZATION AND EMPOWERMENT ACT (ZIMBABWE)
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Malema prepares to launch new political party
11/06/2013 00:00:00
by SAPA
JULIUS Malema is preparing the ground for a new political party,local media reported Tuesday.
Malema was reportedly consulting his supporters with a view to establish a movement that would "restore the dignity of blacks" and reduce inequality between rich and poor.
In an interview with The Star newspaper, the expelled ANC Youth League leader said the envisaged "forum" would fight for social justice rather than reconciliation and resume an "onslaught against white male monopoly capital".
It would push for expropriation of land without compensation, nationalisation of mines, and force the beneficiaries of apartheid to be remorseful "and behave in a manner that says they regret their conduct".
Malema told the newspaper that corruption and abuse of public funds were rampant, while the culprits were being exonerated through "micro-managed" investigations.
He decided to organise "radical militants" in and outside the African National Congress "to come together and talk about an alternative platform".
"I think we should find a way of sitting together and decide what to do," Malema told the newspaper.
"We are being molested here. I refuse to sit back. It can't be. And I think there should be some sort of an announcement soon," he said.
Malema rejected all opposition parties as irrelevant adding that his new forum would provide alternative policies.
Labels: JULIUS MALEMA
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(HERALD ZW) MDC-T intensifies assault on journalists
Saturday, 08 June 2013 00:00
Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
A JOURNALIST with the Zimbabwe Independent, Herbert Moyo, was yesterday severely assaulted by MDC-T security personnel at Harvest House, the party’s headquarters, while covering a demonstration by MDC-T activists from Sunningdale.
The attack on Moyo came barely 24 hours after MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s aides manhandled Chronicle senior reporter Mashudu Netsianda before confiscating his notebook and deleting recordings from his mobile phone.
Netsianda was attacked while covering a meeting between Mr Tsvangirai and the Bulawayo business community.
The attacks come in the wake of Mr Tsvangirai’s threats on media organisations that do not toe his party line.
“You cannot have a newspaper with six articles saying Tsvangirai this and Tsvangirai that. Every day! Regai vakadaro. But musi umwe gava richadambura musungo. That kind of a media has no future in a democratic Zimbabwe. I want to tell you this. Muchadya izvozvo,” Mr Tsvangirai told delegates at MDC-T’s recent policy conference.
Moyo was dragged into the party offices where he was assaulted.
[Herbet Moyo]
Herbet Moyo
“I was taking photographs of the protests using my phone. That is when some guys from MDC-T came to me and ordered me to delete the pictures but I told them I could not because I was performing my duties as a journalist,” Moyo said.
“I told them I was a journalist but they dragged me like a criminal into one of the offices and started assaulting me mainly on my head. While they were beating me, my colleague phoned Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T spokesperson) who was said to be in South Africa.
“When my attackers heard that Mwonzora was on the phone, they then stopped assaulting me. Mwonzora apologised over the phone. What is ridiculous is that those people tried to disown people who beat me up in their office saying they were vendors. But I asked them if they allowed vendors to just drag people into their offices and beat them up and they could not answer.”
The journalist said people based at Harvest House did not come to his rescue. Moyo however, said he was yet to report the case to the police.
Mr Mwonzora professed ignorance of the incident.
“I am not aware of that. We don’t condone any violence against anyone. Any person who engages in violence has to face the full wrath of the law.
“If indeed this is true then disciplinary action will be taken against any member of the MDC-T who engages in violence. This is clearly a criminal act and the law must take its course,” said Mr Mwonzora.
Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson, Mr Godfrey Majonga said the commission frowned at organisations that attacked journalists while carrying out their duties.
“Therefore we call upon all political parties that as we head towards the elections they must respect journalists and the law,” he said.
“They must heed the call by President Mugabe and other leaders that we should observe peace. Generally, the commission is calling upon all people to respect journalists as they go about their duties.
“We also request journalists to report fairly and ethically and try not to incite the public through their reportage.”
Misa-Zimbabwe Director, Mr Nhlanhla Ngwenya had no kind words for the MDC-T.
“Our position as Misa-Zimbabwe is that we don’t condone an assault on journalists regardless of which organisation they work for.
“An assault on a journalist who is being victimized in the course of duty can never, whatever the circumstance be condoned.
“It is even worse for a party that all along claimed to promote and protect civil liberties among which is freedom of expression and media freedom.
“We Misa-Zimbabwe, we call upon the leadership of the MDC-T to bring to book all those that have been implicated in the assault and harassment of the two journalists in Harare and Bulawayo respectively. They should walk the talk and that begins with the processes and events with their own control,” said Mr Ngwenya.
ZUJ acting president Michael Chideme condemned the attack while hinting that journalists would boycott activities of violent political parties.
“ZUJ has learnt with a deep sense of pain that attack on Herbert Moyo. The union condemns any form of attack on media workers during the course of their work.
“We call upon political parties to restrain their supporters from engaging in violence. If attacks on the media continue journalists may consider boycotting covering of violent political parties and individuals for an injury to one is an injury to all,” said Chideme.
Efforts to get a comment from Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu were fruitless.
Mr Tsvangirai’s outburst against the media courted controversy from media representative bodies for threatening to close media organisations that do not toe his party’s line should he win the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Labels: MDC VIOLENCE
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(THOUGHTLEADER SA) Beware the boy who cries ‘Zulufication’
by To Molefe
In Aesop’s fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a shepherd boy alone on a hillside tending to sheep called on people in a nearby village to help him chase away a wolf that was attacking his flock. There was no wolf of course. He was just doing what bored shepherd boys are tempted to do for kicks when bored. When the villagers arrived, pitchforks at the ready, the boy yelled, “Psyche, y’all just got punk’d!” Or something like that.
He did that a couple of more times until eventually a real wolf did come for the flock. By then, of course, having grown wise to the trick, nobody believed him and no one came to his aid, leaving the wolf, a big, insatiable wolf from the sounds of it, to gobble up the entire flock.
The fable is a cautionary tale told to little kids to teach them about the dangers of lying. What’s taken for granted in the story that the wolf is the second baddie, second to the act of lying. The story’s internal logic holds that the wolf was obviously a terrible danger to the sheep — dangerous enough that people from the village would and should come running to ward it off.
However, a philosopher might argue that the shepherd boy and the villagers were an equal danger to the sheep and should have been shooed away too. Sheep are part of the human diet after all. So too an environmentalist might say that human activities had encroached on the wolf’s natural habitat and that the sheep had driven away the wolf’s natural prey by taking over the best grazing spots.
The story then is not so clear cut. But this is how words, language and narratives operate. They corral people’s perspectives in subtle and invisible ways, which is why you ought to question the assumptions underlying whatever cautionary tale anyone tries to draw you into, including the one that follows.
In the realm of public commentary of late, there have emerged a group of boys crying wolf. Correction: They’ve been crying “Zulufication”. They warn, as Archbishop Thabo Makgoba did last week while accepting a pat on the back of some sort from the Free Market Foundation, that this so-called Zulufication of South Africa could cause a genocide like the one in Rwanda in 1994. Not only that, Makgoba said we should all rise up against it.
Centre for Politics and Research chairman Prince Mashele this week cried Zulufication too. He wrote in the Sunday Independent that the University of KwaZulu-Natal would be “Zulu-ising” the country by making proficiency in isiZulu a requirement for graduation for all students enrolled from next year onwards. Mashele also warned us not to sit idly by in the face of this apparent Zulu cultural invasion on account of the supposed invaders being African this time.
I’ve said out elsewhere why Mashele and others seeing UKZN’s language policy as evidence of a “Zulu cultural invasion” is the product of a colonised imagination and an awfully embarrassing misread of the situation. The policy has real and practical issues of implementation worth debating, so someone saying it is “Zulu-ising” South Africa would be laughable were that claim not part of a bigger trend.
“Zulufication” as a phrase and a concept as it’s used presently was born from the fractious battle between Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki for the ANC presidency in Polokwane in 2007. But it appears to have been popularised among otherwise seemingly intelligent people by William Gumede, academic and author of Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC.
Writing in the New Statesman in January 2009 on the formation of the Congress of the People by the ANC splinter group disillusioned with the results of the 2007 ANC leadership contest, Gumede said, “If anything, Zuma’s election may represent the tribalisation of the ANC: it has been said that he is Zulufying the party after a period in which it was led by Xhosa elite such as Mbeki and Mandela.”
Who exactly has been saying these things Gumede left to the reader’s imagination.
In the Sowetan in May 2012, Gumede wrote, “Recently, some people have whispered about the ‘Zulufication’ of appointments because of the perception that the president is mostly appointing individuals in key posts, especially those in the security service, from KwaZulu-Natal.”
Again the whispers remained disembodied.
Last December, writing in Pambazuka shortly before the 2012 ANC leadership vote, Gumede added some much-needed nuance and omitted the formless whispers of Zulufication. He said, “Jacob Zuma’s election as ANC President at the party’s 2007 Polokwane conference and his possible re-election at Mangaung signifies the triumph of the conservative wing of Zulu nationalism, and the retreat of the progressives. Yet, narrow Zulu nationalism is dangerous to both the ANC and South Africa, as it may unleash ‘the demon of tribalism’ as the ANC’s first general secretary Sol Plaatje, put it, and may undermine efforts to cobble together a common South Africanness.”
Along the way others have picked up the phrase and run with it unthinkingly. The Times ran an editorial in 2011 saying Zuma’s “Zulufication” of South Africa has shaken his support base. Political analysts like Anthony Butler and Susan Booysens have bandied the term about loosely, so too have members of the public.
As with the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, we ought to be asking ourselves what assumptions are at play here, because all is not as clear cut as the narrative we’re being fed. Is South Africa Zulufied, as the Times editorial claimed? Has the ANC also been Zulufied, as Booysens stated as a matter of fact, and have the country’s security agencies suffered the same fate, as Butler said?
Are we really in the midst of an attempted Zulu cultural invasion, as Mashele warned? And do we need to stand up to it, as Makgoba urged us to do?
The answer is no to all of the above. What’s happened is that a specific concern about how a compromised politician used his ethnicity and culture to mobilise support to oust a rival and fob off a rape charge has now become an unqualified, all-pervading warning of the “Zulu gevaar“, where even the UKZN’s commendable step to develop isiZulu is analysed myopically with that narrative.
Within the Zulufication narrative, it does not matter that Zuma inherited Intelligence Minister Siyabonga Cwele and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa from Kgalema Motlanthe’s Cabinet during his brief stint as president. What matters is that they are Zulu. To boot, the narrative says, Motlanthe was just Zuma’s puppet president and seat warmer anyway.
It does not matter either that Zuma sacked his friend and fellow Zulu “tribesman” Bheki Cele, albeit under duress, and appointed Riah Phiyega, who is Pedi, not Zulu.
The narrative holds that many Zulu people in a single location or organisation mean that location or organisation has been Zulufied. This must make being anywhere really awkward for the one-fifth of the population who are Zulu and are concerned about being seen to be contributing to Zulufication.
This isn’t to say there aren’t concerns over how Zuma deploys his ethnicity for political gain. But those concerns revolve around the actions of one man within a constitutional democracy and a legal framework that supports and protects multilingualism and multiculturalism. Using that one man’s actions to malign a groundbreaking language policy, warn of a Zulu cultural invasion where none exists and tell us to resist the said invasion is to practice the very thing it seems Gumede is concerned about: tribalism.
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Madhuku: Tsvangirai is ‘narrow minded’ and Biti is ‘arrogant’
This article was written by Our reporter
on 9 June, at 02 : 55 AM
Professor Lovemore Madhuku has described the MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, as a “narrow-minded”.
The National Constitutional Assembly chairperson also said that party’s secretary-general, Tendai Biti, is an “arrogant politician whose political ambitions are destroying the MDC-T from within.”
Prof Madhuku also disclosed that members from both MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and secretary-general Tendai Biti’s factions have been making a beeline to his offices.
The outspoken NCA leader said that his meetings with the disgruntled MDC-T members have left him convinced that Biti has ambitions to succeed Tsvangirai as party leader in 2016.
While MDC-T officials vehemently deny that the party is riddled with factionalism and that Mr Biti is leading what has since been dubbed “Project 2016”, Prof Madhuku makes interesting revelations.
He claims that some members of Biti’s faction are mulling the idea of extinguishing the little hopes that Tsvangirai has of winning the presidency in the forthcoming general elections so as to facilitate Biti’s ascendancy.
“I have come to know that Biti is leading a faction within MDC-T and he is working with people like Eddie Cross.
“If the MDC-T loses this election, they have to blame Biti and no one else because he is not advancing Tsvangirai’s interests,” he said.
“Biti is intolerant to divergent views and he can do anything to silence dissenting voices.
“I think he must form his political party that will push the line that investors are more important than the electorate,” he said.
Prof Madhuku said Tsvangirai is no saint either, describing the MDC-T leader as a “narrow-minded leader” who has not transformed from his days as a trade unionist.
He said the policies being pursued by the MDC-T are empty and aimed at continuously making Zimbabweans hewers of wood and not masters of their own destiny.
“The policies such as Juice are a clear sign that this guy (Mr Tsvangirai) is narrow-minded and sees everything through the eyes of a trade unionist.
“How else can one explain his devotion to taking everyone to the factory?
“Some in his party are still mentally colonised because they are saying we should not own our resources but concentrate on attracting Foreign Direct Investment.
“(President) Mugabe is right when he says those who colonised us are still interested in colonising us.
“Their intention is to colonise us through their companies,” said Prof Madhuku.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora described reports of factionalism in his party as fictitious.
Labels: DOUGLAS MWONZORA, EDDIE CROSS, LOVEMORE MADHUKU, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, NEOCOLONIALISM, TENDAI BITI
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(NEWZIMBABWE, SAPA) No dates for Zimbabwe summit: South Africa
07/06/2013 00:00:00
by SAPA
A NEW date has not been set for a regional summit to assess Zimbabwe's readiness for general elections, South Africa's International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Friday.
Regional mediators are consulting to set a date for the summit, after one scheduled for Sunday was abruptly called off on Thursday, she told reporters in Pretoria.
"The date for such an extra-ordinary summit always gets decided upon by the availability and programmes of heads of state, creating space for this meeting. It’s not an ordinary, scheduled meeting."
President Jacob Zuma - who has led SADC's efforts to facilitate negotiations between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party and the MDC formations was expected to present his latest report to the meeting.
Media reports on Friday suggested that Sunday’s meeting was called off because President Robert Mugabe informed SADC he would not be available for the summit.
The summit was expected to discuss a range of issues, including the cash-strapped n government's efforts to raise a US$132m election budget.
Last Friday the Constitutional Court ruled that Mugabe should organise elections no later than July 31.
The polls aim to end an uneasy SADC-brokered unity government between Mugabe and his rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, which was formed in 2009 after deadly disputed elections.
Labels: ELECTIONS, MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANE
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(HERALD ZW) NGO voter education scam exposed
Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is considering restricting voter education to political parties after unearthing nefarious dealings aimed at manipulating the process by some non-governmental organisations engaged to undertake the initiative.
One such organisation, the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa contracted by ZEC has incorporated information carrying political messages favouring certain parties.
The pamphlets carrying these political messages have a ZEC logo and are titled “Voter Registration: Your vote is your right”.
They are set to be distributed countrywide as part of voter education.
Some of the information in Shona pamphlets reads: “Nyoresa uunze shanduko. Usasaririre.”
In some cases the pamphlets are written; “Register to make a difference. Do not be left out.”
The change mantra being insinuated in the messages is associated with the MDC-T slogan, “Chinja maitiro” that dovetails with the party’s regime change agenda.
Although Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa could not be reached for a comment yesterday, highly-placed sources said in view of this, Government was contemplating limiting voter education to political parties.
“ZEC has picked up this. As Government we are slowly convinced that we should restrict voter education to political parties,” said the source.
“That is evidence with the mischief that can take place.”
Government, the source said, would not allow NGOs to campaign for certain political parties under the guise of voter education.
The Herald is reliably informed that this hatchet job is a brainchild of the United States of America which is the principal funder of EISA.
EISA, which operates in several African countries, claims to be a non-profit organisation.
By its own admission, EISA has actively participated in electoral processes of many African countries.
According to EISA, its executive director Mr Dennis Kadima participated in about 50 electoral processes worldwide in different capacities.
Mr Kadima, who once worked for the United Nations, had many publications on political party systems, electoral systems and processes and election observation.
“Our vision is to have an African continent where democratic governance, human rights and citizen participation are held in a peaceful environment,” reads EISA’s vision statement.
EISA claims that it worked in a number of programmes including democracy, conflict management, election education, elections and political processes, balloting and electoral services and research and information among others.
The organisation was established in 1996 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with field offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Mozambique, Kenya and Madagascar and has opened a new office in Harare.
Western funded organisations have of late been more active in Zimbabwe’s politics as the country’s heads for elections due by July 31.
Some of the organisation which are de facto MDC-T appendages have been funded to the tune of US$2 million by the British embassy in Harare to launch an advocacy campaign programme code-named “Feya Feya’’ ostensibly to demand a “free and fair” election in Zimbabwe.
The funding, which is being channelled through the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, was expected to culminate in a Leaders Conference at Pandhari Lodge in Harare on May 30 and 31 where the quasi-political groups were to draw up a list of demands pertaining to the holding of the harmonised elections.
The indaba was, however, cancelled after it was exposed in the media.
The same groups also convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ahead of the African Union golden jubilee celebrations where they wanted to lobby African leaders on what they said were minimum conditions for the holding of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
The campaign to buttress the MDC-T reform mantra by the groups that convened under the banner of the Zimbabwe Civil Society Heads of Coalitions however, hit a snag after the AU Golden Jubilee Organising Committee told them to leave as it had not made provision for non-State actors.
Mr Tsvangirai was subsequently forced to cancel his planned sojourn to Addis Ababa in the wake of the grief that befell his advance team.
Labels: 2007 BUDGET, NGOs, PATRICK CHINAMASA
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(HERALD ZW) Tsvangirai meets white farmers privately
Saturday, 08 June 2013 00:00
Bulawayo bureau
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday met a group of mainly white farmers in a closed door meeting in Bulawayo, in what observers said was a mission to reassure them that they will get their farms back should he win the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Mr Tsvangirai recently vowed to review Zanu-PF’s indigenisation and economic empowerment drives and said most local farmers who benefited from the highly successful land reform programme would be brought back to urban centres to work in the industries.
More than 300 000 families benefited from the redistribution of land that was previously held by about 6 000 white farmers. In yesterday’s meeting, at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Farmers’ Hall, burly aides blocked journalists from entering the hall.
A number of black farmers who turned up late for the meeting were refused entry by the aides, while two white farmers who also came late, strolled in without being questioned.
A party official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mr Tsvangirai had been nervous about holding the meeting and had to be convinced by his advisors to go ahead with it.
“He said he did not want to be photographed with white farmers again because it could lose him votes. He wanted to have the meeting cancelled or held informally, but his advisors said it would be a blunder if he appeared to snub the farmers,” said the official.
White farmers and Western countries are among the major bank-rollers of the MDC-T as they fight to effect regime change in the country.
“In the meeting, Mr Tsvangirai was not very specific about what he wanted but hinted that he would return farms that were seized in the land reform,” said the official.
After the meeting, the farmers were asked to remain seated as Mr Tsvangirai and his bodyguards left the venue first.
“That was done deliberately so that journalists would not get shots of the Prime Minister with the white farmers. Mr Tsvangirai has often said pictures of white farmers giving him bundles of cash, which were widely circulated in 2000, cost him victory. He said the pictures alienated him from thousands of voters who benefited from the land redistribution exercise,” said another official.
The official said journalists were excluded from yesterday’s meeting because they covered a session in which he was found wanting when Bulawayo residents grilled him about his party’s proposals to reverse the de-industrialisation of the city.
Mr Tsvangirai also held private meetings with religious leaders at the Brethren-In-Christ Church along Fort Street and Masotsha Avenue, and the National Railways of Zimbabwe unions.
He was said to be on a fire-fighting mission in Bulawayo where his MDC-T party is in turmoil.
No comment could be obtained from Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka as he was not reachable on his mobile phone.
However, on Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai refuted reports that his visit to Bulawayo was to try and quell factionalism that has rocked his party in the province.
In Bulawayo Central, racism has threatened to split the MDC-T apart, with some members saying they did not want to be represented by a white person in Parliament and were therefore against the candidature of Ms Nikki Brown in the constituency.
Primary elections held in the city also exposed deep seated factionalism, with observers saying they turned out to be a contest between factions led by the party’s provincial chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator, Mr Matson Hlalo.
Members in Makokoba have threatened a protest vote in the elections, saying Mr Moyo had been imposed on a constituency that, according to the party’s policies, was reserved for women candidates.
The party announced that constituencies that were held by women MPs would be contested among women and Makokoba was represented in the House of Assembly by Ms Thokozani Khupe.
Labels: LAND REFORM, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, WHITE FARMERS
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai meets white farmers secretly
This article was written by Our reporter
on 7 June, at 23 : 35 PM
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday met a group of mainly white farmers in a closed door meeting in Bulawayo, in what observers said was a mission to reassure them that they will get their farms back should he win the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Mr Tsvangirai recently vowed to review Zanu-PF’s indigenisation and economic empowerment drives and said most local farmers who benefited from the highly successful land reform programme would be brought back to urban centres to work in the industries.
More than 300 000 families benefited from the redistribution of land that was previously held by about 6 000 white farmers. In yesterday’s meeting, at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Farmers’ Hall, burly aides blocked journalists from entering the hall.
A number of black farmers who turned up late for the meeting were refused entry by the aides, while two white farmers who also came late, strolled in without being questioned.
A party official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mr Tsvangirai had been nervous about holding the meeting and had to be convinced by his advisors to go ahead with it.
“He said he did not want to be photographed with white farmers again because it could lose him votes. He wanted to have the meeting cancelled or held informally, but his advisors said it would be a blunder if he appeared to snub the farmers,” said the official.
White farmers and Western countries are among the major bank-rollers of the MDC-T as they fight to effect regime change in the country.
“In the meeting, Mr Tsvangirai was not very specific about what he wanted but hinted that he would return farms that were seized in the land reform,” said the official.
After the meeting, the farmers were asked to remain seated as Mr Tsvangirai and his bodyguards left the venue first.
“That was done deliberately so that journalists would not get shots of the Prime Minister with the white farmers. Mr Tsvangirai has often said pictures of white farmers giving him bundles of cash, which were widely circulated in 2000, cost him victory.
He said the pictures alienated him from thousands of voters who benefited from the land redistribution exercise,” said another official.
The official said journalists were excluded from yesterday’s meeting because they covered a session in which he was found wanting when Bulawayo residents grilled him about his party’s proposals to reverse the de-industrialisation of the city.
Mr Tsvangirai also held private meetings with religious leaders at the Brethren-In-Christ Church along Fort Street and Masotsha Avenue, and the National Railways of Zimbabwe unions.
He was said to be on a fire-fighting mission in Bulawayo where his MDC-T party is in turmoil.
No comment could be obtained from Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka as he was not reachable on his mobile phone.
However, on Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai refuted reports that his visit to Bulawayo was to try and quell factionalism that has rocked his party in the province.
In Bulawayo Central, racism has threatened to split the MDC-T apart, with some members saying they did not want to be represented by a white person in Parliament and were therefore against the candidature of Ms Nikki Brown in the constituency.
Primary elections held in the city also exposed deep seated factionalism, with observers saying they turned out to be a contest between factions led by the party’s provincial chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo and Mzilikazi Senator, Mr Matson Hlalo.
Members in Makokoba have threatened a protest vote in the elections, saying Mr Moyo had been imposed on a constituency that, according to the party’s policies, was reserved for women candidates.
The party announced that constituencies that were held by women MPs would be contested among women and Makokoba was represented in the House of Assembly by Ms Thokozani Khupe.
TH
Labels: MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, WHITE FARMERS
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(BLACK STAR NEWS) Is Obama talking to Kagame through Kikwete about Congo?
Ann Garrison June 02,2013
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete sparked the outrage of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other prominent Rwandans last week when he said, at the African Union’s 50th anniversary summit, that the UN combat intervention brigade cannot be the only solution to the long running armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. President Kikwete’s remarks were significant because the UN combat brigade is to be composed of Tanzanian, South African, and Malawian troops with a Tanzanian commander.
To achieve peace in the Great Lakes Region, he said, the Ugandan and Rwandan governments must negotiate with eastern Congolese militias composed of their own former citizens, whom they characterize as a cross border threat to their security. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other prominent Rwandans responded angrily that they would never negotiate with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR , a militia composed of Rwandan Civil War refugees and their children in Congo.
On May 30th, the Rwanda New Times quoted Jean-Pierre Dusingizemungu, President of the Ibuka genocide survivors group saying that, “Ibuka strongly condemns President Kikwete’s statement as no negotiation is acceptable with a known terrorist group that is responsible for the death of more than a million Tutsis in Rwanda and continues its blood-thirsty activities in the eastern DR Congo.”
Dusingizemungu's description of the Rwanda Genocide has been widely disputed by genocide survivors, ICTR defense lawyers, and academics. University of Michigan Professor Alan Stam pointed out, in his presentation “Understanding the Rwanda Genocide,” at the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, that the 1991 Rwandan census reported a population of 7,590,235, including 645,170 Tutsis, and if that’s true, then this reference to “the death of more than a million Tutsis in Rwanda” isn’t plausible. The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda’s website includes a page titled Second Rwanda General Census of Population and Housing - 1991, but, on June 2nd, there were no statistics there. Perhaps they’ll be there tomorrow, or perhaps they've been removed because they’re the subject of painful contention between Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa survivors of a horrific tragedy in which approximately a million Rwandan people died.
Did The New Times, in their outrage at President Jakaya Kikweke, misquote Jean-Pierre Dusingizemungu? Perhaps, but more importantly, misquote or no, a statement that the Rwandan government “will never negotiate” with the FDLR is not promising for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the wider region.
President Obama himself wrote, in his Senate legislation, the Obama Congo, Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006, that “the real and perceived presence of armed groups hostile to the Governments of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi continue to serve as a major source of regional instability and an apparent pretext for continued interference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by its neighbors [Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi].”
Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi have claimed to be pursuing these hostile groups of their own refugee citizens in the Congo since 1996, and in the process, instigated two regional conflagrations, including the “African World War” of 1998 to 2003, which drew in all nine countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By 2008, the International Rescue Commission completed an epidemiological study concluding that 5.4 million people, most of them civilians, had died of the fighting or of consequent hardship between 1998 and 2008 alone.
But despite nearly 20 years of war and human catastrophe in Congo, the Rwandan government continues to argue that Rwanda’s tragedy, not Congo's, and the FDLR’s threat to Rwanda from within Congo, is the fundamental and most important reality in the region, and says that it will not negotiate.
On Friday, June 1st, Ibuka survivors president Jean-Pierre Dusingizemungu, published a response to Kikwete, titled, “Rwanda can’t talk to FDLR; they’re stone cold killers.”
However, on the same day, the Tanzanian press reported that President Jakaya Kikwete has said he will not apologise to Rwanda or change his stand that the Rwandan government should negotiate with rebels.
The White House recently announced that President Obama will soon make his second trip to Africa South of the Sahara, including stops in Senegal, and in South Africa and Tanzania, two of the three countries contributing troops to the UN combat intervention brigade. He will not travel to the capitals of longstanding U.S. allies and military partners Uganda and Rwanda.
Is President Obama speaking to President Kagame through President Jakaya Kikwete? Or is President Jakaya Kikwete speaking simply on his own? It seems most likely that President Kikwete at least knows that President Obama will agree with him that, after almost 20 years, the Rwandan Civil War in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo must end.
Labels: ANN GARRISON, BARACK OBAMA, DRC, JAKAYA KIKWETE, PAUL KAGAME
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