Links ~ 15 July 2008

Zimbabwe opposition leadership meet over talks (AFP)
The leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is meeting to discuss if it should enter fully-fledged talks with Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF. A special negotiations task force is meeting with the leadership of the MDC behind closed doors. MDC representatives have met with their Zanu-PF counterparts on Monday, to discuss a framework agreement that would allow negotiations between the political parties to begin.

Morgan Tsvangirai had said in reaction to rumours in the South African media that negotiations may begin as early as Thursday, that such a timetable was unrealistic. A source within the MDC said that there was pressure from South African mediators to have the MOU signed and to start negotiations before the arrival of Jean Ping, the chief of the African Union Commission.

‘Mbeki on good terms with all in Zimbabwe talks’ (SABCnews)
South African Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said that President Thabo Mbeki has a good relationship with all the Zimbabwean parties involved in talks to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

New Zim mediator a ‘fake issue’ (Sapa)
South African Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said an additional mediator to facilitate discussions around the Zimbabwean crisis was a “fake issue”.

“It is a fake issue….. I don’t know of any formal position on this, except in the media,” said Pahad. He said that talks between the political parties were continuing and he was unaware of any indication that an additional mediator was needed and neither has he received proof of such an allegation.

“I don’t believe that any new body….simply to be sitting there is what is required.”

Pahad said that rumours that AU Commission chairperson Jean Ping was coming to South Africa for an “emergency meeting” was also untrue. Pahad said that if there were an emergency, Ping would have come the previous week.

MDC says 500 activists may have died in political violence (SWRA)
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said that there is a ‘very frightening trend’ of more and more bodies of ‘missing’ MDC supporters being found in shallow graves countrywide. Early indications are that in the aftermath of the March 29 elections the death toll for MDC activists may well be over 500. MDC MP elect for Warren Park in Harare, Elias Mudzuri, said that it will take some time for the MDC to determine the exact number of the victims who died as a result of state-sponsored violence.

‘They simply abducted people, tortured them, killed them and disposed of the bodies either in shallow graves or just left them in the bush. The government knows better the number of people it has killed but it’s unfortunate they might not disclose the figures, Mudzuri said.

Mudzuri reiterated that negotiations can only take place between the political parties if the violence is stopped, Zanu-PF dismantles its militia bases and orders its army back to the barracks.

“You can’t have a gun wedged at your throat and asked to talk peace. What we are looking for is a peaceful transition where people can start talking to each other as brother and brother and not as enemies,” said Mudzuri. “What Zanu-PF has done is to create animosity and hatred between relatives. This is why we are calling for a transitional period to heal the friction between families in rural areas.”

3rd election foreseen for Mugabe’s party (Washington Times)
A senior member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has told the Washington Times that Mugabe’s regime is considering a third election before the end of the year to ensure that the MDC loses its current majority in Parliament. Talks between the MDC and Zanu-PF are scheduled to continue on Wednesday. Mugabe has declared himself willing to negotiate, but has at no stage mentioned plans for another election.

Last week the South African newspaper Beeld has claimed to have seen documents from sources within Zanu-PF which lays out a strategy for “no-go areas” where the MDC would not be able to campaign or maintain party structures. Beeld said that the key organiser of the plan was former Bulawayo mayor Joshua Teke Malinga who is a member of Mugabe’s inner circle. Beeld has also accused Malinga of establishing a torture centre near the Bulawayo central police station.

Lowveld News 44′ (SWRA)
Lowveld News 44’ reports that Zanu-PF officials are telling people in the Bikita area that there will be another parliamentary election in August. The officials said that the government does not recognise the results of the March 29 elections.

Children have returned to school in the Bikita constituencies but there are no teachers. Teachers have either fled and are afraid to return or have been fired for supporting the MDC.

Maize meal has become unobtainable in the area, increasing the suffering of the poor.

Zimbabwe’s Christian churches reject Mugabe victory (Reuters)
Churches in Zimbabwe have in a statement, denounced Mugabe’s re-election saying that it was marred by violence and intimidation and that the churches supports the formation of a government of national unity.

“We, the churches of Zimbabwe, stand ready and committed to partner with all efforts that will result in a transitional authority and subsequently a government of national unity, to bring peace stability and reconciliation within the nation,” the statement said.

The Heads of Christian Denominations said in the statement, “People were subjected to the most traumatic forms of violence that included torture, murder, abductions, displacement and psychological trauma.”

They said that, “Based on the reality of the conditions prevailing on the ground, our conclusion is that the will of the people of Zimbabwe was not given authentic expression during these elections.” It was also said in the statement that the violence is continuing.

NCA’s position on ‘talks about talks’ (SWRA)
The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) said in a statement that it took note of the preliminary talks between the political parties and the mediation efforts of South African President Thabo Mbeki. The NCA is “aware” that the South African government is supporting a negotiated settlement, which may not, in the end, reflect the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe. The NCA said that it was not worried whether negotiations would result in a government of national unity or a transitional authority, but that it was imperative that there must be “respect for the people’s wishes” in these processes. The NCA reiterates that it is worried about the failure of regional countries to defend democracy.

To see the full statement, please follow the above link.

Starvation, AIDS and violence wreak havoc in Zimbabwe (SWRA)
On Tuesday, Farai had sat on a large rock near his family’s homestead and there he died. Relatives said that he had not eaten in days and may have starved to death. On Thursday, Mai Maki, his brother’s wife died of complications linked to HIV. On Friday, Farai’s brother died and his aunt, who lives just 100 meters away from their homestead, also died. At least 12 orphans remain behind and have to fend for themselves.

A deadly combination of starvation, AIDS, and political violence are wreaking havoc on local communities.

Zimbabwe: Chikowore closer to freedom (AfricaNews)
Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore has been removed from remand on Monday, by a Harare magistrate. Chikowore was arrested with 26 other MDC activists on April 15 and charged with inciting public violence. Chikowore’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama said that they had successfully applied for refusal of further remand as the state had failed to provide a trail date for the fourth time.

Zimbabwe: Bakers close down (ZimDaily)
About 80% of Zimbabwe’s baking companies have temporarily ceased operations, as there are serious flour shortages in the country. Leading bakers, Lobels, Bakers Inn and Superbake, which employs 50% of the industry’s labour force, have stopped operations. ZimDaily has learned that 368 bakers, all members of the National Bakers’ Association (NBA), have not received adequate supplies of flour from the millers. A spokesperson for the NBA said that it was very possible that bread could disappear from the shelves altogether.

SA church leaders speak out on Zimbabwe crisis (SABCnews)
South African church leaders have urged for the swift resolution of the political crisis in Zimbabwe as thousands of refugees are crossing the border into South Africa. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had warned the South African government that there would be an increase in the number of refugees seeking asylum. South African President Thabo Mbeki is to meet the African Union Chief Jean Ping later this week.

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