Links ~ 16 July 2008

ZANU PF, MDC fail to sign talks agreement (ZimOnline)
President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party did not sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on future talks on Wednesday apparently because the opposition refused to append its signature on the document unless certain conditions it has put forward were met.

Sources close to South African-led preliminary talks between the feuding Zimbabwean parties had told ZimOnline on Tuesday that the MOU would be signed today notwithstanding demands by the MDC that President Robert Mugabe acts to end political violence and that an African Union envoy be appointed to help President Thabo Mbeki in his mediation efforts.

Civil society rejects GNU proposal (Zimbabwe Times)
Influential civic society organisations in Zimbabwe have on Tuesday, rejected Zanu-PF backed initiatives for a Government of National Unity (GNU), and have called for the formation of a transitional government instead. The organisations include the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the Zimbabwe National Students Unions (ZINASU, the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), and other civic organisations. They demanded that a neutral person who is not a member of either the MDC or Zanu-PF should lead the transitional government. The civic organisations said in a statement that they would support the formation of a transitional government on the condition that Zanu-PF stops its campaign of violence, which targeted their members, and supporters of the MDC. Political analysts have warned that a GNU could destroy MDC politics and weaken the party.

Calls mount for Zimbabwe to form transitional govt (SABCnews)
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zimbabwe has called for a public campaign of defiance and disobedience, to pressure negotiators to forge a transitional government. The call follows a meeting of 43 civil society organisations, to discuss the way forward following the controversial June 27 run-off election.

The organisations have rejected the proposal of a government of national unity, instead suggesting a transitional authority headed by a neutral person.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have held a meeting with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Cosatu has vowed to mobilise all of its workers and that they will not touch any goods destined for Zimbabwe next month.

Mbeki has failed to solve crisis in Zimbabwe: Vavi (SABCnews)
The General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, of the Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu), said that South African President Thabo Mbeki has failed as mediator in the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Vavi said that Mbeki has been involved in the crisis in Zimbabwe for eight years, scoring only one victory, which was a conducive environment for free and fair elections during the March 29 elections.

Zimbabwe trade unions condemn Mugabe re-election (Reuters)
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has on Wednesday, condemned the re-election of Robert Mugabe, and has called on the African Union (AU) to appoint a high-profile envoy to assist with mediation efforts between the political parties. ZCTU said that the June 27 presidential runoff elections were not free and fair and did not represent the will of the people. ZCTU suggested that a retired African president could be delegated as full-time mediator.

Cosatu statement on Zimbabwe situation (SWRA)
For full text of statement by Cosatu, ZCTU and SFTU, please follow the above link.

Zim Inflation Rises to 2,2million% (RadioVOP)
According to figures released by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on Wednesday, the rate of inflation in Zimbabwe has surged to 2,2 million percent. Governor Gideon Gono said that inflation was driven by high energy and food prices and amplified by the devaluation of the local currency. This is the first official rate announcement since February, when the rate stood at 165 000 percent.

Mugabe launches “cheap food” hampers but food aid ban stays (DPA)
Mugabe’s regime has launched new cheap food hampers whilst maintaining a total ban on famine relief by aid organisations. The ‘basic commodities accessibility programme’ will sell hampers of basic goods to households in Zimbabwe at “affordable” prices. Mugabe is quoted as saying that the project would ‘bring relief to the people’ who were suffering the ‘effect of illegal sanctions imposed by Western countries’.

Governor Gideon Gono of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe said that it would proof to manufacturers that goods could be produced and sold at ‘affordable prices and still make a profit’. The launch of the project on Wednesday had resulted in huge queues forming outside stores. In many cases, the hampers bought were later sold at inflated prices on the black market.

Gono has announced that inflation was at 2.2 million percent. Analysts estimate that the rate at ten times that of the official rate.

Tortured Zim family won’t bow to pressure (The Star)
An elderly white Zimbabwean farmer who was abducted and tortured for nine hours on June 29, with the purpose to force him to withdraw an international legal challenge to Mugabe’s violent farm seizures, will proceed with his case. Mike Campbell (73), his wife, Angela and their son-in-law were abducted by a group of Zanu-PF militia, from their farm in Chegutu, west of Harare. During the torture, Angela Campbell was forced to sign an “agreement” that they would withdraw their case from the Windhoek tribunal. Lawyers said that the ‘agreement’ was not valid as it was signed under “severe duress”.

Mugabe is a signatory to the treaty, which has set up the SADC tribunal. The tribunal has authority to hear appeals from any of the Southern African Development Community’s 14 members. Campbell and 77 other farmers are challenging a law which was introduced in 2007 and which denies the farmers the right to appeal to a court of law, should they be evicted.

SADC churches back Zim sanctions (SAPA)
Southern African Development Community (SADC) churches have expressed overwhelming support for targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe. Church leaders attended a meeting in Benoni, South Africa. The church leaders said that the sanctions would be a practical strategy to loosen Mugabe’s “illegitimate” rule and would promote a negotiated political settlement. Churches from across the region were urged to provide sanctuary to displaced persons.

Tax on foreign newspapers is crippling The Zimbabwean (SWRA)
The ‘luxury’ tax imposed by Mugabe’s regime on foreign newspapers is crippling the UK-based Zimbabwean newspaper. The newspaper is now running at a loss. Editor Wilf Mbanga said that he is now paying more than 40% of the value of the newspaper in tax. Mbanga said that it was the regime’s way of ‘jamming’ newspapers, as the regime was also ‘jamming’ radio stations.

The Zimbabwe Times under attack (Zimbabwe Times)
The website of the Zimbabwe Times have experienced several downtimes. It would seem that malicious and determined attacks have been directed at the website of the Zimbabwe Times. Measures have been taken and will continue to be taken to secure the web site.

NPA to study Zim torture docket (Pretoria News / SAPA)
South Africa – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is reviewing the content of a “torture docket” which implicates 18 Zanu-PF officials in crimes against humanity. Should the NPA decline to investigate the matter, it would be held accountable to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The Southern African Litigation Centre (Salc) submitted the “torture docket” to the NPA on March 16. South Africa has, because of the Rome Statute, the capacity, and the jurisdiction to prosecute alleged international criminals in South Africa, for crimes committed elsewhere. The Zanu-PF officials indicated in the docket have been known to travel to South Africa.

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