Links ~ 5 June 2008

U.S. envoy: Zimbabwe forces threaten to burn diplomats (CNN)
The Zimbabwean police, soldiers, and war veterans stopped a convoy of US and British embassy vehicles on Thursday. US Ambassador James McGee said that although the situation had been resolved, it would not be forgotten. It is believed that the order to intimidate the diplomats came directly from Mugabe.

UN Security Council to meet on Zimbabwe detentions (AFP)
The UN Security Council will hold consultations on Thursday with regard to the detention of US and British envoys in Zimbabwe. US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said that it is hoped that the council will express its “outrage” over the incident.

Zimbabwe police say they “rescued US diplomats from mob” (M&C)
Wayne Bvudzijena spokesman for the Zimbabwean police claimed on national radio, that the police had rescued the US and British diplomats from “a mob”.

[Bvudzijena’s statement differs from Bright Matonga’s statement: see below.]

Diplomats ‘were at opposition gathering’ (IOL)
Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said that the diplomats who were detained by the police on Thursday were addressing a gathering of MDC activists in a house in Bindura. The police was called in, as there was a commotion and the envoys then fled. The envoys were stopped at a roadblock and when they refused to cooperate with the police, the police deflated the tyres of one of the vechiles.

Ban gains Mugabe’s permission to send UN envoy to help with Zimbabwe election (AP)
United Nations – Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has obtained Robert Mugabe’s permission to send an UN envoy to Zimbabwe to assist with free and fair elections during the presidential run-off. Ki-moon will send Haile Menkerios the UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs as soon as Menkerios can obtain a visa.

Tsvangirai returns to campaign trail after outrage at detention (AFP)
Worldwide outrage has not yet abated regarding the detention of the leader of the MDC Morgan Tsvangirai and his entourage. Tsvangirai has vowed that he will push on with his bid to topple Mugabe in the presidential run-off. “We are convinced of the justness of our cause, and we will not waiver until we restore the dignity of all the people of Zimbabwe,” said Tsvangirai. The police has impounded Tsvangirai’s vehicle.

President Thabo Mbeki’s office has informed the media that Tsvangirai’s release was a direct result of Mbeki’s intervention.

Zimbabwe introduces 24-hour roadblock ahead of presidential run-off (The Zimbabwean)
24-Hour roadblocks have now been introduced on all major roads leading into Zimbabwe’s towns and cities. The roadblocks may be another ploy of the Mugabe regime to net MDC activists, as there has been an increase in the number of arrests of MDC officials and supporters in recent weeks. The police claim that they are just being vigilant but sources say that the roadblocks were meant to apprehend journalists who might be sneaking into the country ahead of the run-off for the presidential poll.

Soldiers take over water reticulation services in Bulawayo (The Zimbabwean)
Bulawayo – A two week long strike of council workers over a pay dispute has resulted in the Zimbabwean National Army taking over the reticulation services of the city. One Brigade deployed its engineering and maintenance department staff to the waterworks. Bulawayo governor Cain Mathema blames the MDC for the strike of the council workers saying that it is an act of sabotage to overthrow the government.

Zimbabwe’s currency crashes, prices rocket (Reuters)
The Zimbabwean dollar has plummeted to a new record low trading at an average of 1 billion to the US dollar, triggering massive price hikes. The rapid weakening of the currency is driven by the critical shortages in foreign currencies and by inflation expectations. Experts say that unless production and exports are restored, the Zimbabwean dollar will continue its depreciation.

Zimbabwe vote should be called off says Makoni (SwissInfo)
Simba Makoni former finance minister who defected from Zanu-PF has told reporters that Zimbabwe cannot afford another election. Makoni said that the election would not end the political crisis or the economic collapse. Makoni was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Cape Town. The Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is also attending the WEF meeting had called Mugabe a dictator and an embarrassment to the continent’s efforts to promote democracy.

Nguni, Mzembi and Kaukonde speak out against Mugabe (The Zimbabwean)
Three of Mugabe’s trusted cadres have joined forces with those concerned with Mugabe’s hold on power:

• Sylvester Nguni – Minister for Economic Development
• Walter Mzembi – Deputy Minister of Water Resources & Masvingo South MP
• Ray Kaukonde – Governor of Mashonaland East

The trio now sides with Simba Makoni former Finance Minister and Dumiso Dabengwa a Zanu-PF Politburo member. Nguni said that Zimbabweans were facing, hunger, unemployment and a life expectancy cut by half, it was a matter of urgency that these needs are addressed. Nguni said that he had no problem working with a MDC government as long as the needs of Zimbabweans are met and everybody can live in peace and harmony again. Kaukonde said that Zimbabwe had crumbled because of failed production and the bad policies, which was pursued by the Zimbabwe government. It is alleged that a number of Zanu-PF MPs are secretly meeting with the MDC to secure cabinet posts when the MDC comes into power.

Australia condemns Tsvangirai detention (The Daily – Australia)
Australian Foreign Minister Steven Smith has condemned the detention of Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC. Smith said the consistent course of conduct from the brutal Mugabe regime has been harassment and intimidation.

Canada Condemns Harassment and Arrests of Opposition Leaders in Zimbabwe (GC)
Canada condemns the temporary detention of Morgan Tsvangirai and the arrest last week of Arthur Mutambara. Canada calls upon the Zimbabwe government to “show respect for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law by allowing Zimbabweans to participate freely in the upcoming runoff election.”

Zimbabwe’s Reign of Terror (NYT)
Betting on the indifference of his neighbours and the rest of the world, Robert Mugabe continues his cynical and bloody bid to hang on to power, says The Times. The detention of Morgan Tsvangirai being only the latest outrage, amongst many, that was committed by the Mugabe regime. The spectacle of Robert Mugabe attending the UN food summit in Rome is especially shameful in the light of Mugabe’s own destructive policies that have reaped havoc in Zimbabwe. President Thabo Mbeki, who has the most potential influence on Mugabe, has abdicated his responsibility. The time has come for other African leaders to take charge.

What Mugabe doesn’t want the world to know (The Scotsman)
An interview with human rights lawyer Andrew Makoni, who had to flee Zimbabwe, upon receiving credible information that he was about to be killed by a state-sponsored death squad. Five of Makoni’s clients, now known as the “Tonderai Five” were systematically murdered and Makoni was probably the next victim on that list. The “Tonderai Five” are Godfrey Kauzani, Cain Nyere, Better Chokururama, Tonderai Ndira and Shepherd Jani.

Makoni firmly believes that Morgan Tsvangirai will win the presidential run-off, it is the aftermath he fears…if one considers the remarks made by the army generals and Grace Mugabe.

Zim poll: Mugabe plays dirty (The Times & Reuters)
An overview of Mugabe’s bag of dirty tricks before the run-off election, such as MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s 8-hour detention and the arrest of Arthur Mutambara leader of the MDC splinter group. Mukoni Ratshitanga spokesman of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa said that Mbeki would not comment on the detention. The Times had published a letter from Tsvangirai to Mbeki demanding that he step down as mediator in Zimbabwe. Mbeki says that he never received any such letter and that it was part of a disinformation campaign. The Times has asked Chikane of the Mbeki presidency how he could verify the authenticity of the letter if they have not seen it. Chikane answered that there have been no communication with the MDC about the letter and no enquiries will be made into the matter.

Mpofu accuses companies of creating economic chaos (The Zimbabwean)
The Industry and International Trade Minister Obert Mpofu said his ministry was compiling a list of white-managed companies which are closing down parts of their businesses, allegedly to create economic chaos in the country. The business community counters that given the present economic conditions they have insufficient foreign currency with which to operate. The tourism industry has had to lay off staff as tourism has come to a standstill because of the ongoing political violence. The critical shortage of foreign currency has led to erratic fuel supplies. The continuing occupation of white-owned commercial farms has disrupted agricultural exports. Yet, Mpofu insists, that the timing of the “rampant” closures could not be just coincidence…

Zimbabwe Vigil Protests (zimbabwejournalists.com)
Dates and venues of vigils to be held against the violence in Zimbabwe and the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Steal an ID – steal a vote (The Zimbabwean)
Villagers of Mvuma have been under attack of marauding Zanu-PF militia and war veterans. The militia set fire to at least two houses and destroyed personal belongings of the villagers. Most importantly, it seems to be identity documents that are stolen. People without ids will not be able to vote in the presidential run-off election. Several villagers have sustained injuries in the attacks and many more have fled the village. The police were called and ignoring witness accounts, they have arrested 5 MDC youths for allegedly burning down the houses. The youths have been released on bail.

Election staff undeterred by run-off threats (The Zimbabwean)
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said that the threat of violence would not deter teachers from serving as polling officers. PTUZ has warned that if the ZEC should send teachers to serve as polling officers in districts where they are not registered, they should rather stay to ensure that they would be able to vote.

ZRP forces wives to register for postal voting (The Zimbabwean)
The wives and dependents of police officers and youth militia are allegedly being registered as neighbourhood watch committee members in order to qualify to vote by postal ballot. The registrations are forced upon the families of police and are those living in police camps are threatened with eviction or the loss of their jobs if they do not comply. A senior police officer said that it is estimated that this process would give Mugabe at least 20 000 votes.

Pope refuses to see Mugabe (The Zimbabwean)
Pope Benedict XVI has refused a request to give Robert Mugabe a private papal audience. Top Catholic sources said that it would have been highly inappropriate to adhere to the request in the light of Mugabe’s repressive rule. Meanwhile, Mugabe and his entourage are confined to a 25 km radius of the luxurious five-star Ambasciatore hotel in Rome.

Tsvangirai mobbed by his supporters on tour (The Zimbabwean)
Morgan Tsvangirai’s ‘meet the people’ tour has been a great success in Bulawayo where people flocked to see him. Tsvangirai and his entourage of MDC officials walked amongst the people starting at the vegetable market, proceeding to the Entumbane bus terminus and on to several other areas. At the Nkulumane Shopping Mall, a large crowd mobbed Tsvangirai chanting “President. We need a new Zimbabwe. We will vote for change and you should know that Bulawayo will vote for you, President Tsvangirai,”

Zimbabwe elections: Defiance turns to fear as Mugabe turns screw (Guardian – UK)
A truck from the state-run Grain Marketing Board, loaded with imported maize meal arrives in Mutiweshiri village for a Zanu-PF rally. The maize meal is for the villagers, but only those who pledge to support Zanu-PF will get any. If you have been labelled an MDC supporter – you will not eat, it is as simple as that. An article by Sophie Shaw (pseudonym), which explores the situation in Manhicaland ahead of the presidential run-off.

Kenyan PM describes Mugabe as a dictator (Reuters)
“As a pan-Africanist, I think that I would be failing in my duty if I did not point out that what is happening in Zimbabwe is a big embarrassment to the entire continent of Africa,” Odinga added.

“We cannot be speaking about democracy and democratisation of the continent when we condone what is happening in Zimbabwe.”

Raila Odinga – Prime Minister of Kenya

“Spurious” charge in Zimbabwe (Denver Post)
The MDC said that Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC, who was detained by the Zimbabwean police, for 8 hours on Wednesday, was charged for drawing a big crowd. In effect, he was arrested for attracting crowds of people. Tsvangirai was charged under the Public Order and Security Act.

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