Commercial
ZIG Watch : Issue 10
Sokwanele Article: November 6th, 2009
"There is nothing in the GPA that has not been done by ZANU PF, nothing at all. We have fulfilled everything that the GPA wanted us to fulfill": Robert Mugabe, 24 October 2009
October has been a month characterised by violence, lawlessness, corruption and the complete abuse of power for partisan and personal objectives. Despite Robert Mugabe’s outrageous claim to the contrary, Sokwanele has logged an incredible 3850 breaches of the GPA by Zanu PF since the start of the ZIG Watch project, making this party responsible for 88.8% of all breaches logged up until the end of October.
October began in the wake of a international public campaign demanding that Nestle stop buying milk from Gushungo Dairy Estate which is owned by Grace Mugabe. Recognising the public’s disgust, Nestle quickly capitulated and in so doing exposed itself to ruthless elements that serve to protect and defend the Zanu PF elite business interests. Nestle bank accounts were frozen by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe who also ordered a forensic audit into its dealings. (The Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono, is staunchly loyal to the Mugabe’s and Zanu PF.) Zanu PF Youths cryptically threatened to “lose it” if the company did not resume buying milk from Gushengo, and the so-called Affirmative Action Group – loyal to the Zanu PF party – threatened to take over Nestle Zimbabwe if the company did not resume its purchases. Actions like these arguably have a far more damaging impact on any prospects for investment in the country than the targeted sanctions Zanu PF is so anxious to have removed.
‘Mugabe and the White African’ wins award for World Feature at SILVERDOCS
Sokwanele Article: June 24th, 2009
From the SILVERDOCS website:
This year’s SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a World Feature goes to MUGABE AND THE WHITE AFRICAN directed by Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson, which explores, through the lens of a 74-year-old white farmer, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s deeply controversial land seizure program, which intended to re-distribute white-owned farmland. The director will receive $10,000 cash.
ZIG Watch : Issue 5
Sokwanele Article: May 30th, 2009
April closed with the recurrent themes of wanton violence, continued farm invasions and harassment through the courts of MDC MPs, politicians and activists, as well as high profile legal figures and journalists.
Their actions demonstrate that Zanu PF have had no change of heart. Rather, their activities are clearly and increasingly geared towards intimidating, frustrating or otherwise weakening their former opposition and with it, the inclusive government. Their antics in twisting the law to suit their own ends - often with the complicity of the police - indicate that Zanu PF - or the arrogant diehards within the party - are not going to give up their positions of wealth or power without a fight.
The month started with a Chegutu farm worker, wounded after police opened fire on Stockdale citrus farm, being arrested and held for questioning. The worker and a colleague were both struck in the legs when police fired random shots at the vehicle they were travelling in on the farm. They had accompanied the farm's owner, Peter Etheredge, to inspect his property which has been forcibly taken over by the President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe. Etheredge was arrested after the police attack and spent almost four days behind bars. He was released, but the harassment continued with the arrest of his wounded employee.
Such is the continuing arrogance of the invaders that, when faced with Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara at Swantoen Farm south of Masvingo, they defied his order to leave. Mutambara said the former owner of the farm, Ronnie Sparrow, should be allowed back but the invaders vowed never to vacate the property. They have joined senior Zanu PF officials who are now multiple farm owners.
