Links ~ 27 May 2008
May 28th, 2008
More councillors, village heads and MDC youth abducted (SW Radio)
Reports have been received that as many as 20 people may have been abducted since Friday, May 23.
Ian Kay’s campaign manager Mable Penisara has been abducted on Monday night. Witnesses say that men armed with AK-47’s and pistols came looking for her husband and then abducted Penisara. It is believed that Tonderai Penisara may have managed to escape.
Nehmiah Nhembera newly elected councillor for Musana village in Bindura South and 15 other people have been abducted on Friday. Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri is implicated in these abductions. The people were abducted in the early morning hours.
Zim conditions ‘not conducive’ (News24.com)
The Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) said on Tuesday, that conditions ahead of the presidential election run-off is not conducive to free and fair elections. Despite the advantages, the MDC will win the election. The slogan for the campaign is ‘Lets Finish it’ and that is what the people are going to do. The problems experienced, are only the birth pangs of a New Zimbabwe.
Nelson Chamisa head spokesperson for the MDC said they have no access to the state-sponsored media and had to make appeals to the high court in order to be allowed to hold the last two rallies. The number of MDC supporters killed in violent attacks now totals at least 50. Key members of the MDC have been abducted and killed. Zanu-PF militia has displaced hundreds of people having fled their homes because of attacks.
Tsvangirai launches MDC fund for victims of political violence (SW Radio)
Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC said that the number of activists killed has now risen to 50 and that thousands more have been injured, displaced or had property destroyed or looted. In a speech made at the launch of the MDC’s ‘Presidential Fund for Victims of Violence’, Tsvangirai said that the rebuilding of “our beautiful country begins now†and that the time of intolerance and destruction was ending. The MDC has appointed a board of trustees from churches and grass root organisations to administer the fund and has appointed independent auditors to audit the fund. Tsvangirai said that “the monies in the fund will go to those who need it most. The MDC has agreed that no senior party member will benefit from this fund, regardless of whether such a member has been affected by violence or not.
Tsvangirai said: “…I have been heartened and humbled by the courage and resolve of those targeted by this regime. People who are determined to stand by their democratic dreams and adhere to their principles of peaceful change. Standing with those who have suffered from this mindless and futile rage of a dying regime, I have been proud to call myself a Zimbabwean and a democratâ€.
Civil group advises activists on ways to avoid abductions (SW Radio)
The Centre of Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) has advised all MDC activists and members of civil groups to be on the lookout for ‘the forces of evil’ (state agents) and warned the leaders of such groups to avoid isolated places where they can be easily ambushed by the CIO’s. The CCDZ also warned prominent lawyers in Harare and Bulawayo who have acted on behalf of the MDC to exercise extreme caution.
Groups which are believed to be major targets include: the Crisis Coalition, National Constitutional Assembly, Combined Harare Residents Association, Zimbabwe Elections Support Network, Youth Forum, Zimbabwe National Students Union, Women of Zimbabwe Arise, Zimrights, International Socialist Organization, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Restoration of Human Rights and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
SADC to meet over crisis in region and run-off election in Zimbabwe (SW Radio)
SADC leaders, attending a 3-day conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan will meet on the sidelines to discuss the current political instability in the region. Robert Mugabe will not be attending the conference and will be represented by his foreign affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi. Glen Mpani of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (Cape Town) said that the time to pretend that all is well in the SADC bloc is long gone. Mpani said that it is an open secret that the problems in Zimbabwe also helped to inflame xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The SADC has allowed the crisis in Zimbabwe to fester and it has now become a source of irritation for the region.
Confusion surrounds the MDC by-election (Talk Zimbabwe)
There is some confusion within the two factions of MDC as both camps have fielded candidates in the forthcoming Pelandaba/Mpopoma by-election. The by-election will be run concurrently with the run-off for the presidential election. MDC Mutambara’s candidate is Dumani Gwetu and the Tsvangirai camp has fielded Samuel Khumalo.
Edwin Ndlovu spokesperson for MDC (Mutambara) said that they have urged supporters to vote for Gwetu in the by-election and to vote for Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential election. The MDC candidates will be facing Zanu-PF’s candidate Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, and an independent candidate Job Sibanda, a Bulawayo lawyer. Elections will also be held in Gwanda South and Redcliff where two of the MDC (Mutambara) candidates died before the March 27 elections.
Did Mnagagwa order The Zimbabwean attack? (Zimbabwe Metro)
Zimbabwe Metro said that they have the last names of the CIO agents who allegedly were involved in the attack on a truck containing 60 000 copies of The Zimbabwean. The names of the CIO officers are Muchengadawa, Ngewa, and Hove. 8 gunmen armed with AK-47’s intercepted the truck and set it on fire, destroying all the copies of the newspaper with it. Both the driver Christmas Ramabulana and the distribution assistant Tapfumaneyi Kancheta were assaulted before the gunmen left. Metro said that Emmerson Mnagagwa had on May 5 said that some independent newspapers, such as The Zimbabwean, had increased its supply and frequency and had taken on the MDC-T colours to consolidate the people’s opinion in favour of the MDC.
Tens Of Thousands Said To Be Displaced By Zimbabwe Political Violence (VOA News)
It is estimated that more than a thousand Zimbabwean families have been displaced because of the ongoing violence in the rural areas of the country. Civil society organisations have warned that the scope of the internal displacement can be compared to that of the displacement, which was caused in 2005 by the government’s campaign Operation Murambatsvina (Operation Drive Out Rubbish). According to the United Nations, Operation Murambatsvina had deprived 700 000 Zimbabweans of their homes or livelihoods, or both. The National Association of Non-governmental Organisation (NANGO) said that it is difficult to determine exact numbers in the present situation. NANGO said that the government has refused to allow the United Nations or relief organisations do assessments of the impact the violence is having.
Reported attacks or threats according to VOA News:
- Portipher Bakayimani MDC district chairperson for Marondera and Cainos Betera a youth member, have been abducted at gunpoint on Friday May 23, by security agent Sydney Hlomayi and Zanu-PF militia. There has been no news of the two men.
- Godfrey Chimombe unsuccessful MDC candidate for Shamva North had to hide in the mountains for 3 days after an attempt on his life by suspected official state security agents.
- A source in Mashonaland West said that police in Kadoma did not close torture bases in the Muzvezve constituency and that Zanu-PF militia were operating from these bases.
Regional Groups to Add Election Observers for Zimbabwe’s June 27 Run-off Vote (VOA News)
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s lobbying efforts have paid off and secured an agreement with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to send additional election monitors for the June 27 presidential run-off. Joao Miranda foreign minister of Angola has announced the increase in election monitors above the 120 observers provided in the March elections. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also urged the African Union to provide observers to promote free and fair elections. HRW has asked that the African Union demand publicly that the Zimbabwean government stop it’s campaign of violence, torture and intimidation. Tsvangirai has also asked the SADC to deploy observers by June 1. The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has said that their observers should be deployed by June 13.
Mugabe’s vision so poor he can’t read newspapers – minister (New Zimbabwe)
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu minister of information has disclosed that Robert Mugabe’s vision is so poor that he cannot read newspapers. Ndlovu disclosed the information at a briefing for state media editors when he told them that the Mugabe has asked that they increase the size of the font used in the newspapers. The editors informed Ndlovu that the editors could not alter the size of the font as it was a worldwide standard and could not be changed. Mugabe had travelled to Singapore on May 21 allegedly for medical treatment. He arrived back in Zimbabwe only hours before he launched his campaign for the presidential run-off. He was observed shopping in Carrefour, Singapore with his family.
No leave for cops as govt braces for run-off (The Zimbabwean)
Police officers will not be allowed to take leave or days off, until after the run-off for the presidential election. The police have warned that they will use excessive force to deal with any Kenyan-style post-election violence. All police officers that had taken leave or off days have been recalled for duty.
(Botswana) Authorities continue efforts to assist
Botswana – The Masunga show ground has been turned into a receiving centre for asylum seekers from Zimbabwe. The numbers of asylum seekers are expected to increase, as the political situation in Zimbabwe does not improve. Ms Barwane Molebatsi the North East District Commissioner has said that the Botswana government has put aside P200 000 to cater for asylum seekers. The funds have however been exhausted with the preparation of the show grounds. Molebatsi said they were well prepared should there be an influx of asylum seekers. She said that the world should not shun but welcome Zimbabweans until the situation normalises in Zimbabwe.
Mbeki envoy meets Mugabe (ZimOnline)
Sydney Mufamadi Local Government Minister of South Africa is acting as President Thabo Mbeki’s envoy in mediation efforts with Robert Mugabe. Mufamadi has held talks with Mugabe in Harare on Monday. No details of the talks were released to the media. It was indicated that Mufamadi would also have discussions with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Zimbabweans Voice Scepticism About Government Rhetoric (Turkish Weekly)
Emmerson Mnagagwa – member of Mugabe’s cabinet and chief election agent of Zanu-PF – has allegedly failed to convince Zimbabweans when he said that Mugabe would accept defeat in the run-off for the presidential election. Political analysts say that such rhetoric makes little sense when viewed against the background of the current escalating violence aimed at MDC supporters in the country. John Makumbe political science professor at the University of Harare says that Zanu-PF’s rhetoric is a clear sign that they intend to manipulate the election results. Makumbe said that the MDC stands a good chance to win the run-off for the presidential election. Zanu-PF’s violent campaign aimed at innocent people will only make people more determined to put an end to the Mugabe era. Should Zanu-PF cling to power even though it lost, it would become a military coup, and Zimbabwe will be ostracised from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
MDC pledge to extradite Mengistu if they win election (SW Radio)
Nelson Chamisa spokesperson for the MDC said that if Morgan Tsvangirai wins the presidential run-off Mengistu will be extradited to face justice in Ethiopia. Mengistu has been sentenced to death in his absence by the Ethiopian Supreme Court on charges of genocide. Mengistu has been living in exile in Zimbabwe under the protection of Robert Mugabe. The Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said on Tuesday that the Zimbabwean government’s position regarding Mengistu has not changed and that he will remain their guest in Zimbabwe and that they will protect him as they have always done.
