Links ~ 2 June 2008
June 3rd, 2008
Zimbabwe’s Main Opposition Condemns Arrest of Opposition Stalwart (VOA News)
Nelson Chamisa spokesperson of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said that the arrest of Professor Arthur Mutumbara is “the persecution of the course of democracy, the course for freedom, and the course for change and prosperity in this country.†Chamisa said that Zanu-PF was focussing on decimating the MDC structures and that it could hamper the MDC’s momentum before the run-off for the presidential poll. Zanu-PF will not succeed in derailing the MDC. “There is no doubt that the people of this country would want to finish the dictatorship off. The suffering of the people has to be finished, and we need to finish it on the 27th,†he said.
Zim arrests: DA calls for Mbeki intervention (Independent online)
The Democratic Alliance (DA), an opposition party in South Africa, has called on President Thabo Mbeki to intervene in the arrest of Arthur Mutambara. The DA said that Mbeki must require of Mugabe to ensure that Zanu-PF will give the MDC access to campaigning without fear of intimidation. The DA said that if Mbeki did not interfere it would underscore the MDC’s allegation that Mbeki was biased towards Zanu-PF.Protests at Iran, Zimbabwe leaders’ presence at FAO summit (AFP)
The presence, of Robert Mugabe in Rome where he will be attending a UN food summit, has caused condemnation and protests from all over the world and in Italy. Not only politicians, but also activists, have added their voices to the protests. The Radical Party of Italy plans to stage a sit-in on Tuesday. Anita Friedman spokesperson for the Radical Party said: “We are against all dictatorships.†The sit-in will be held at Rome’s city hall under the slogan, “We hunger for Freedomâ€.
Mugabe, Ahmadinejad excluded from UN dinner (Herald Sun – Australia)
Robert Mugabe and his Iranian counter-part Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were not invited to the opening dinner of the UN food summit. Neither received an invitation to the official dinner, which was hosted by the Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and Ban Ki-Moon Secretary-General of the UN. Douglas Alexander, British International Development Secretary said that 4 million Zimbabweans had to starve because of Mugabe’s policies. Alexander said, “This is not a man with any credibility or any contribution to a discussion on international food.”
Health Minister implicated again as 2 more die in Murehwa (SW Radio)
SW Radio has received reports that 2 people have died, because of state-sponsored violence. Reports say that during the weekend, there were severe assaults from Zanu-PF gangs on MDC supporters in Chemapango and KuDombwe in Murehwa North. The 2 MDC supporters were beaten severely and had died because of their injuries. Their identities have not yet been verified. Sabhuku Choruwa and Sabhuku Musakwa, two traditional leaders, were also attacked. Other villages attacked were Mutsvairo, Chingono, and Chinake, which are located in Chemapango in Murehwa North.
Local villagers said that Murehwa David Parirenyatwa Minister of Health and MP for Murehwa, was coordinating attacks in the region. Others named, as being part of the campaign of violence against the villagers is, a war veteran named Muvhungire, Simba Mutarikwa MP for Uzumba and Bright Makonde Senator for Murehwa. Zanu-PF attacks in this area are launched from a base at Makonde Complex.
14 WOZA members arrested Wednesday still in jail (SW Radio)
The 14 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), who were arrested on Wednesday last week are still being held in custody and have been refused bail. Amongst those arrested are two WOZA coordinators, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.
WOZA is asking Zimbabweans to help their case by taking specific actions. They are urging people to send a short text message to the Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa saying WOZA members are peaceful human rights defenders that should be released from custody immediately. Chinamasa’s contact details are 263-11-605523.
Another action that people can take would be to phone the office of the acting Attorney General Bharat Patel, also urging him to release the WOZA members immediately as they have committed no crime. The number at the Attorney General’s office is 263-4-774587. Faxes can be sent to the Ministry Of Home Affairs at 263-4-707231.
70 held over attacks on Mugabe supporters in Zimbabwe (AFP)
The Herald, a state-sponsored newspaper in Zimbabwe, has said that more than 70 people have been arrested in connection with alleged attacks on 6 war veterans and Zanu-PF activists in a village in the southwestern Buhera district. Zanu-PF is blaming the MDC for the outbreak of violence in the country.
Foreign media workers convicted (MISA)
The 3 journalists allegedly employed by Sky News a British broadcaster, were convicted by Matabeleland provincial magistrate, John Masimba. Bernet Hasani Sono, Resemate Boy Chauke and Simon Maodi alias Musimani were jointly charged with Craig Markram Edy under Section 33 of the Post and Telecommunications Act. The men pleaded guilty to the charge. Masimba had not sentenced them yet, due to legal issues that needed to be considered before the sentences could be passed. Dan Williams the Johannesburg bureau chief of Sky News said that the men were not Sky News staff and that they were investigating the matter.
Zimbabwe faces worst wheat shortage (Afrique Enligne)
There will be severe bread shortages in the coming months, as Zimbabwean farmers have only managed to plant 13% of a planned wheat hectarage. Shortages of fertilisers, power cuts and lack of tillage machinery had resulted in farmers abandoning the wheat production for this year. Zimbabwe needs approximately 400 000 tonnes of wheat per year for domestic consumption.
Stand down– Order all military operations against civilians to cease (Harare Tribune)
Phil Matibe writes an open letter to Lt-Gen Philip Valerio Sibanda, asking for clarification with regard to a speech given by Maj-Gen Chedondo, at a ZNA target-shooting competition. Chedondo allegedly told the soldiers that they have to vote for Robert Mugabe.
