Links ~ 4 June 2008
Zim cops let Tsvangirai go (24.com)
Harare – An opposition party official says police have released the Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai spokesperson George Sibotshiwe says Tsvangirai and a group of about 14 officials from the MDC were released after being held for eight hours at a police station in Lupane, north of the city of Bulawayo. No charges have been filed.
Germany demands Tsvangirai be freed (Africasia.com)
Germany has condemned the detention of Morgan Tsvangirai leader or the MDC and demands his immediate release. A spokesman for the German foreign ministry said that it was another example of how the Zimbabwean government is attempting to intimidate the people ahead or the run-off for the presidential poll.
U.S. says Zimbabwe must free Tsvangirai “unharmed” (Reuters)
The United States said that the Zimbabwean government should release Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC “immediately, unharmed, untouched.†State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, “States like South Africa need to use the leverage that they have. It is a tragic situation.â€
EU’s Solana condemns Tsvangirai detention (M&C)
Javier Solana the EUs top foreign policy official has issued a statement condemning the arrest of Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC and has called for his release. The arrest ‘will heighten further the fears of the Zimbabwean people and the international community about the conditions under which this poll, crucial for the future of Zimbabwe, will be held,’ the statement said.
Sharp crackdown on political opponents in Zimbabwe (AI)
Amnesty International (AI) condemns the detention of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and said that the Zimbabwean government should release him immediately or charge him with a recognisable criminal offence. AI said that the Zimbabwe government should ensure the safety and security of Morgan Tsvangirai and others at risk in the dangerous crackdown on those deemed a political threat to the government.
Three MDC officials killed in army petrol bomb attack (SWRadio)
Zanu-PF militia has petrol bombed an MDC office at Jerera growth point in Masvingo. Three MDC officials have been killed in the attack. A truckload of militia, dressed in army uniforms, arrived at the MDC premises at 24h00 on Tuesday. The militia fired shots into the building and then petrol bombed it. The office also served as refuge for MDC supporters fleeing the violence. 4 Activists are missing and presumed dead, 2 activists sustained critical injured and are under detention at St Anthony’s Musiso Hospital. The charred remains of 3 activists were found in the building, all had bullet wounds.
Zimbabwe’s Tsvangirai Says Army Expanding Role In Presidential Run-Off (VOA)
The military junta has staged a de facto coup d’état in Zimbabwe. The army has taken control of large areas of the country, declaring it no-go areas for the MDC. The MDC had to cancel another rally, which would have been held in Manama Mission, a village near Gwanda in the Matabele South province. An advance MDC campaign team were told by the police that they could not guarantees the team’s security, due to the presence of potentially hostile military units.
Human rights lawyers flee Zimbabwe ‘death plot’ (Business Day)
Andrew Makoni, a prominent Zimbabwean human rights lawyer had to flee the country after receiving credible information that the state agents plan to kill him. Makoni has seen 4 of his clients murdered in the past 2 weeks. The South African Litigation Centre (SALC) said that leaked intelligence indicated that Zanu-PF plans to kill at least on human rights lawyer to serve as a deterrent for other lawyers to represent victims of the Zanu-PF campaign of violence.
Another MDC MP’s family attacked in Chivhu (SW Radio)
The family of Piniel Denga, elected MDC MP for Mbare in Harare, were attacked on Sunday, by a group of Zanu-PF supporters at the Daybroke resettlement scheme in Chivhu. Denga’s elder brother and several nephews and nieces were taken to a torture camp at Chipisa. The victims were told to denounce the MDC and were then beaten with logs. Denga’s brother has a fractured leg, a niece has a fractured hand, and the others suffer from lacerations inflicted because of the beatings.
Intensified violence claim two more lives in Kezi (The Zimbabwean)
Ananeas Nyathi former senator of the Matabeleland North Province and a group of war veterans have allegedly unleashed a reign of terror on villagers in the Kezi district. The group targets key MDC leaders and newly elected MPs. Alexander Phiri newly elected MDC councillor for Ward 2 in Matobo had to go into hiding after war veterans threatened to kill him. The war veterans assaulted Phiri’s 14-year-old daughter and she has sustained serious injuries after they have beaten her. Six youths have also been beaten for allegedly being MDC supporters. Luis Ndlovu another MDC activist has also had to go into hiding after being attacked by war veterans.
15 arrested as police clash with students at BYO Polytechnic (SW Radio)
Police and students clashed at the Bulawayo Polytechnic College on Tuesday. Students were protesting peacefully, when the College administration called in the police to disperse the students. The students explained to the police that they needed to have their grievances heard as a decent life has become impossible at the institution. The police had however called in reinforcements and running battles ensued between them and the students. 3 Students sustained severe injuries in the conflict and 15 students were arrested.
The students were protesting about:
- An order from the College to pay top-up fees of Z$75 billion – Students had already paid Z$140 million the previous semester.
- There is only 1 toilet for 3000 students – the campus has become a health hazard.
- Students have no food and rarely any water on the campus. The water is unfit for human consumption.
Reuters’ photographer sentenced in Zimbabwe (Zimbabwejournalists.com)
Howard Nicholas Burditt a Reuter’s photographer has been sentenced to pay a fine of Z$20 billion for contravening Section 27(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act. A further two months imprisonment was suspended with the provision that Burditt did not contravene the broadcasting Act within the next 5 years. Burditt was arrested when it was found that he had a satellite phone in his possession.
MDC challenges postal ballot (The Zimbabwean)
The MDC has said that they will take legal action against the increased number of postal ballots for the presidential run-off. Information received by the MDC indicate that the police have applied to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to have the number of postal ballots increased to 60 000. Only 8000 postal ballots were requested for the March 29 elections. The Electoral Act stipulates that only those police officers and civil servants who are away from their voting constituencies may vote by postal ballot.
Many Zimbabwean households face hunger: UN agencies (ZimOnline)
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a report that the situation in Zimbabwe was extremely serious because of the decline in food availability and accessibility. An unusually large proportion of Zimbabwean households face hunger and have insufficient stocks to provide for their food in the coming year. The UN agencies will release a full report on Zimbabwe next week.
Millions face hunger as government bans 30 humanitarian groups (SW Radio)
30 NGOs have suspended their programmes in Zimbabwe after the Zimbabwean government has summoned their representatives. The government accused the NGOs of campaigning for the MDC and said they were politicising their resources. Millions of Zimbabweans depend on assistance from these agencies and the government lack the resources to replace the suspended programmes. The government will however be in a position to seize control of basic commodities and use it to force voters to support Robert Mugabe.
Exposing the evil of Zanu-PF terror campaign – A report from Bulawayo (The Zimbabwean)
A report that details statistics for Internally Displaced People (IDP) as recorded by ROHR in Bulawayo for the period 26 May to 30 May 2008. Information regarding Zanu-PF torture camps or “campaign†camps is given for the following areas: Matabeleland North – Umguza district, Nyamandlovu, Lupane district and Hwange district; Matabeleland South – Matobo district, Insiza district, Gwanda district and Umzingwane district; Midlands – Gokwe district.
June 5th, 2008 12:20
The psychology of all this mayhem and Zanu-PF terror campaign can be put in very simple terms. Sections of the party and ruling forces are afraid. They are afraid of how they will lose out if Morgan wins. The advantages which they have manipulated out of the country are now so in-bred that they will try to hold on to them come hell or high water. But, generally, I think this is only an elite, and most of the perpetrators are simply being pulled along. It is that majority who will have to be reasoned with and made to see sense.
Once that is achieved the turning tide will be unstoppable.
June 5th, 2008 13:42
Why are the zimbabwians still suffering – please can the UN intervene and get some order in the country. The government violence must be stopped to enable a free and fair election.
June 5th, 2008 14:06
Time is running out for many Zim people who wants top make an honest peacefull living in Zim.
US, Germany and others, please help and intervene before more innocent children, woman and men are being bruised, BATTERED AND KILLED LIKE ANIMALS
June 5th, 2008 16:06
Carmelita, you’ll have to ask South Africa about that… they blocked the UN from even discussing the situation in Zimbabwe. Pretty sad, huh.
The people who should be intervening is the SADC… but only Botswana and Zambia even seem to notice there’s anything wrong under Mugabe and ZANU-PF. Is that amazing, or what..!
June 5th, 2008 18:03
I agree where are the people to help get this whole sad inhumane suffering to an end. Are the people only going to act when it is too late. Just chatting to some people from other African countries to the west of Zim, they really have had a nightmare in their country as well. Please can someone protect Morgan and the people of Zim so they can have peace and get on with their lives. They are so hard working loving and humble people. They deserve the best and my prayers are daily with them.
June 5th, 2008 18:59
According to news reports, President Mbeki was instumental in obtaining the release of Morgan Tsvangirai. If Mbeki can influence matters in Zimbabwe at top level, why doesn’t he put enough pressure on Zanu-PF to halt the violence and lawlessness in the country ahead of the run-off.
Meanwhile, I see today that Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has branded Mugabe a Dictator and said in Cape Town that Zimbabwe’s run-off campaign was an embarrassment to the continent’s efforts to promote democracy. Well said sir! It’s about time more African leaders started speaking up like this about the pariah in their midst.
June 5th, 2008 19:10
Anyone know any more about the attack on the diplomats in Bindura? Sky news is buzzing. Diplomats threatened, Zimbabwean driver beaten up by a gang of 40 war vets, cops etc.
Mr Matongo says Zimbabweans dont behave like that!!!!
June 5th, 2008 21:24
This link has information about the attack on diplomats, and reuters also has news on the governments suspension of all aid groups in Zimbabwe….
http://africa.reuters.com/country/ZW/news/usnL05781383.html
June 6th, 2008 10:25
We look forward to the day when Mugabe is fined and thrown in solitary confinement for attracting too many people around him on his lunch break.. in prison.