Links ~ 17 July 2008
EU to widen Zimbabwe sanctions – diplomats (Reuters)
Countries of the European Union have agreed to widen sanctions of Zimbabwe, which will include more travel bans, the freezing of assets of Zanu-PF supporters and measures against companies. A EU diplomat said that it has been agreed in principle by members of the EU to reinforce sanctions. Another diplomat said that for the first time there would be the freezing of assets of companies with links to Mugabe and a ban on activities of such companies in Europe. The targeted sanctions aim to avoid doing anything that could harm the people of Zimbabwe. The existing EU sanctions entail an arms embargo, visa bans, and the freezing of assets of 100 Zanu-PF officials, which includes Mugabe.
Statement by The Elders on the situation in Zimbabwe (The Elders)
A statement issued by the Elders at their meeting on July 16-18 2008.
As the Elders meet in Johannesburg, in the wake of a Zimbabwean election that African observers deemed to be neither free nor fair, the people of Zimbabwe are living in an atmosphere of continued political violence, their economy is in a freefall, and uncertainty is a central feature of their daily lives.
This crisis of governance must not be allowed to continue, for human lives and livelihoods are at stake. We all have an interest in and all share a responsibility for its resolution.
The Elders therefore call for a speedy and robust mediation to resolve the political crisis, create a democratic and effective government and start a process of reconciliation and healing.
That mediation effort should have but one master: the Zimbabwean people. And they in turn should know that they have the support of the international community. They do not stand alone.
Progress requires certain conditions to which all parties must agree and upon which responsible parties must act;
- The political violence must stop.
- Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai must be able to enter into a dialogue on an equal footing, as two leaders.
- Political prisoners must be released.
- The duly elected Parliament must be convened.
- Humanitarian agencies must be allowed to resume their work of assisting the people.
- And the current interim Zimbabwean government must meet its responsibility to protect its citizens.
The Zimbabwean people deserve security, true democracy and a process of reconciliation upon which lasting peace can be built. Set aside the political ambitions of a few, and work to achieve the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people.
Zimbabwe Crisis Talks Pause Pending Clarification Of AU Mediation Role (VOA)
Preliminary talks between the MDC and Zanu-PF have been suspended pending the outcome of consultations between South African President Thabo Mbeki and African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping in Pretoria, on Friday. Morgan Tsvangirai President of the MDC said that he has asked Ping to obtain a promise that the African Union (AU) would name an envoy that would participate in the mediation process alongside Mbeki. According to informed sources, reports that state that the breakaway MDC faction under leadership of Arthur Mutambara has signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) are misinformed.
Mugabe breaches constitutional deadline (The Zimbabwean)
Robert Mugabe is in breach of the constitutional deadline that states that the Sixth Zimbabwe Parliament should have been sworn in by Tuesday, July 15. No dates have been determined for the swearing in of the MPs and Senators. Dates have to be set for the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, and for the President and Deputy President of the Senate.
Mugabe to call for more elections? (The Zimbabwean / Washington Times)
The Washington Times said that they were informed by a senior CIO agent that Mugabe may be considering a third poll before the end of 2008 to ensure that the MDC loses its current majority in Parliament. According to their source, the second option was to jail or murder enough MDC legislators as to reduce the MDC lead. The second option was however considered impractical as it would take too long and would not provide Zanu-PF with a sufficient margin. Lawyers say that under the current constitution Mugabe would be able to order a third poll.
Swiss banks vow to expose junta assets (The Zimbabwean)
The Swiss government is investigating dozens of Zanu-PF officials who have possibly stashed assets and foreign currency in Switzerland. Five army generals are among those who are being investigated. The Swiss investigation follows close on the heels of the British investigation ordered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Brown has instructed his Treasury to search high and low for any assets held by those close to the Mugabe regime.
The Swiss investigation was launched this week and it is too early to know if any assets or foreign accounts are held in that country. The Swiss government has also asked its attorney general to investigate any suspicions, that banks or officials could be working with targeted Zimbabweans to either hide or export money from that country.
US Says Mbeki Owed No Apology on Zimbabwe (VOA)
The critical remarks of US Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad aimed at South African President Thabo Mbeki’s handling of the political crisis in Zimbabwe have raised tensions between the US and South Africa. South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said that his government would seek a formal apology from the United States. The US State Department says however that it can see no reason for an apology to Mbeki. Sean McCormack spokesperson for the State Department said that he had read a transcript of ambassador Khalilzad’s comments and found nothing that would merit an apology.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has depicted the Mugabe regime as a page in history that Africa must turn. Rice said that the peaceful aspirations of Zimbabweans must be respected and reflected in their government – or else, the region will face perennial instability.
Workers urged to boycott Zimbabwe bound goods (Newsreel)
Workers from around the world have been urged by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) to refuse to handle goods destined for Zimbabwe. Patrick Craven spokesperson for COSATU said that the plan for a global workers’ boycott against Zimbabwe would be approved at the solidarity conference in Johannesburg in August. COSATU and regional trade unions are already following a policy that refuses assistance to the “illegitimate” government of Zimbabwe. The aim is however that workers and progressive citizens, from across the globe, work towards the total isolation of Mugabe’s regime.
Trade unions and civil society - mass protest and rally
COSATU, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, and the Swaziland Federation of Labour have also decided to work with civil society and stage a mass protest and rally during the SADC heads of state summit to be held during August, in South Africa.
Zimbabwe Opposition Buries One Slain Activist while Another Succumbs To Injuries (VOA)
The funeral of Gift Mutsvungunu was attended by senior MDC officials and hundreds of MDC supporters in Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare, on Thursday. Mutsvungunu, a polling agent and was abducted on July 5 and was found murdered five days later. His body showed signs of brutal torture and it is believed that state security agents may have abducted him. Tendai Biti Secretary General for the MDC, told mourners that the continuing killings and violence by alleged state operators was obstructing the path to peace in Zimbabwe.
Reuben Muteke
Reuben Muteke, a MDC activist, has died on Saturday from the injuries inflicted by Zanu-PF militia. Muteke was abducted on June 30 in Muteve village, Buhera Central constituency. The militia assaulted him with machetes, axes and iron bars and eventually left him for dead. A post mortem was conducted at the Mutare General Hospital. Muteke’s body is still being held at the Murambinda hospital mortuary.
MDC officials rescue four MDC members
MDC officials have succeeded in extracting four MDC members from the Gokwe General Hospital in the Midlands province. The four patients were denied medical attention despite the severity of their injuries. Zanu-PF militia who tortured the activists caused the injuries. They have been taken to another hospital for treatment. MDC officials said that two previous attempts to extract the patients were thwarted by the police and state security agents. Sources said that a new torture base have been established in the local District Development Fund office.
Violent thugs order villagers to flee in Headlands (SWRA)
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has reported that, on Tuesday, violent Zanu-PF thugs have forced MDC supporters in Village 4C Chiendambuya in Headlands, Manicaland to flee their homes. It is said that 14 MDC supporters have been assaulted, two of which have been hospitalised. Many of the victims have fled to the bush and are in hiding, they have taken no food or other possessions with them. They have lost all their material possessions because of the attack.
Famine stalks villages in Masvingo Province (Harare Tribune)
Shortages of food are reaching a crisis point in the arid southern province of Masvingo. Many of the families in the province are now unable to access even basic commodities. The total ban on relief aid in Zimbabwe has led to a situation where the state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is the sole provider of staple maize meal. The GMB outlets have however failed to keep up with the demand and should supplies be available, it is only sold to Zanu-PF supporters. There is widespread corruption within this system and in some cases senior Zanu-PF officials and soldiers buy maize in huge quantities and then sell it at inflated prices to poor villagers. A health worker said that most of the children and the elderly are malnourished. Due to malnutrition, more people are now dying of HIV/Aids related causes.
With almost 2 million people, Masvingo has the largest population of any province and it accounts for 27% of Zimbabwe’s land area. The province also has the lowest rainfall.
Zim cost of living shoots past ZW$13 trillion mark (ZimOnline)
According to the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), the cost of living has escalated to more than Z$13 trillion compared to Z$3 trillion last month. PTUZ made the statistics available to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for consideration in current negotiations for higher salaries. The figures show that a lower income breadwinner would in the first two weeks of July need Z$13.8 trillion to buy basic commodities. The average employee in Zimbabwe earns Z$100 billion per month. PTUZ had the figures verified and approved by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZC). The CCZC is a state-sponsored consumer watchdog in Zimbabwe.
