Links ~ 18 July 2008

Morgan’s Minders (SWRA)
Morgan Tsvangirai’s home is in Strathaven, Harare.

There are two cars parked on a daily basis either side of his road - about 500m to 1 km away, distance varies. His security guards are aware of these vehicles.

The drivers are aggressive and rude and monitor Mr. Tsvangirai’s and his visitor’s every movement.

Registration Nos. AAM 4531 - ABD 3803 - AAW 6286 - AAR 6537

Zimbabwe crisis has weakened regional unity-Angola (Reuters)
Angolan Foreign Minister Joao de Miranda said, at the opening of a summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), that the crisis in Zimbabwe has weakened the unity of the SADC. “The SADC region is experiencing an unprecedented situation vis-à-vis the situation in Zimbabwe,” said de Miranda. He added that regional unity and cohesion was more fragile because of the problems in Zimbabwe, with the collapse of the economy that has sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states.

Mbeki meets AU Chair over Zimbabwe crisis (SWRA)
South African President Thabo Mbeki met with African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping in Pretoria on Friday to discuss the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Mbeki also met with the United Nations’ envoy to Zimbabwe, Haile Menkerios. Discussions were held behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, the SADC troika on politics, defence and security had a meeting in Durban, South Africa and had the crisis in Zimbabwe on their agenda for discussion. A group of Zimbabwean activists staged a demonstration at the venue of the SADC meeting. The group had placards with ‘A Brave Africa can Save Zimbabwe’ written on it. The demonstrators wore white T-shirts splattered with red ink, symbolising the bloodshed in Zimbabwe.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan leader of the Africa Progress Panel reportedly urged Mbeki to ensure a speedy and robust resolution to the crisis. Annan said, ‘Zimbabwe shames most Africans.’ It seems that Annan would be willing to help with mediation efforts should he be asked. Annan said in an interview with the UK Observer, “Of course I would help because I am an African. I have talked to people involved and I would of course offer advice and my services.”

ZIMCET offices raided (SWRA)
Peter Muchengeti, the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) Midlands Province representative and Director for Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET) Gweru was arrested, on Friday, July 18. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had raided the ZIMCET offices and has arrested Muchengeti. CID confiscated all records of victims and perpetrators of politically motivated violence since the March 29 elections. Muchengeti was being detained at the Gweru Central Police Station.

CID has also raided the offices of the Catholic Development Mission (CADEC) in Gweru. CID has confiscated all documentation related to the victims and perpetrators of politically motivated violence.

Recent victims of violence (SWRA)
Photos of recent victims of political violence in Zimbabwe can be viewed at the above link.

• Petra Tambudza of Rusape Petra was beaten by Zanu-PF militia in Rusape. She had a miscarriage due to her injuries.
• Kenny Machekete (66) of Chipatsura School, Marange Kenny was attacked by a group of 60 Zanu-PF militia. He was taken to a torture base at Chipatsura School, where they had beaten him and had burned the soles of his feet with burning ashes. He was warned that he would be killed if he did not return to the base everyday and showed that he was a Zanu-PF supporter. The militia destroyed his tomato seedlings.
• Beula Kuhudzai (60) of Zarawa School area, Marange. Beula was beaten by a group of Zanu-PF militia led by Avias Munyonho.
• Memory Mufambi of Buhera Central Bitira. Memory was attacked by more than 30 Zanu-PF militia, who had beaten her on the back and buttocks. She was raped, at least 20 times. The militia took her food, a goat, 5 chickens, mealie meal, groceries and ground nuts. Memory is severely traumatised and remained speechless and stared into space for several days after her admission to hospital. She is a devout Christian and is most responsive when praying. Her children is with her mother. She is in a lot of pain and needs counselling by professionals. Memory is being visited by Hospice councillors and is improving.
• Clemance Nongai of Nyanyadzi Clemance was attacked by a group of more than 100 Youth militias. They took him to a torture base near the Nyanyadzi police station where he was held for 3 days. Clemance was severely beaten during this time. He was released the day after the June 27 presidential run-off election. Clemence was told that the fighting was over, as Mugabe has won, and everybody could be friends again.

Zimbabwe: Woza 14 Remanded to Trial on 26 Aug 08 (WOZA)
The 14 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) who had been arrested on May 28 were remanded to trail on August 26, as the State was not ready to prosecute them. The women were arrested when they participated in a peaceful procession.

Two members of WOZA who on July 15 were charged with distributing materials which could cause a breach of peace, were remanded to trail on September 16, as the State was not ready.

Radio station helps independence (Metro)
The London-based SW Radio Africa (SWRA) is one of only three independent radio stations broadcasting to Zimbabwe. Gerry Jackson and her team of nine are on a mission to get the news out to people living in Zimbabwe. With the political violence decimating Zimbabwe, it is more important than ever for Zimbabweans to have access to independent news sources. ‘It’s hard for people in the West to understand what it’s like not to get any information,’ Jackson says. ‘We’re just trying to keep people aware of what’s happening, so they know about the issues affecting their lives, such as the UN resolutions, talks, whatever.’

We’re trying to keep a sense of hope alive,’ says Jackson. ‘Because Zimbabwe is a destroyed country.

‘It’s far worse than people outside can understand. I’d like people to remember that these are individuals – mothers, wives, children – who are suffering, and suffering profoundly.’

Braving peril to reach South Africa (Al Jazeera)
This article by Rhodri Davies details the journey of Zimbabweans, fleeing the political violence and economic collapse in that country, illegally crossing the border in order to seek refuge in South Africa. They face many dangers on such a journey and yet, increasingly people decide that it is the only option left to them. [Recommended reading]

Zimbabwe Opposition Reviewing Camec, Other Permits (Update1)
MDC Treasurer Roy Bennett said that the MDC will review licences issued by the government to local and overseas companies and it may cancel those, which are found to be unfair. Bennet named Central African Mining & Exploration Co. (Camec) as one of the companies that have links to Zanu-PF.

“There is a tangle of business intrigues involving foreign and local companies tied to Zanu-PF, Camec among them. All these need to be investigated thoroughly and where wrong-doing or corruption are found, we’ll cancel contracts and re-tender them legally,” Bennett said.

[See link below for Camec’s response.]

Camec’s Zimbabwe platinum project threatened (miningmx.com)
Camec’s response to the MDC statement that licenses of local and international companies, with links to Mugabe’s regime, will be scrutinised for irregularities and revoked if such irregularities are found.

Camec MD Andrew Groves replied: “Assuming the MDC gets into power then let them try. That deal was done in accordance with all the laws of Zimbabwe. The US$100m loan provided was used to pay off Zimbabwe’s external creditors.

“They will find the deal very difficult to undo and we will take the issue to international arbitration if necessary. This kind of thing was tried on us before in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

There are questions as to the circumstances under which Camec acquired mineral rights to the Unki Platinum project, previously owed by Anglo Platinum. According to an industry source, Camec had acquired the mineral rights in mid-April, immediately after it was surrendered by Anglo Platinum - due to the new indigenisation legislation - to Zanu-PF. Reportedly Anglo Platinum was subjected to extreme pressure by Zanu-PF as it was in dire need of cash. Some of the money was allegedly used to fund Mugabe’s election campaign.

China’s Jiangxi to Develop Zimbabwe Chrome Mines, Gazette Says (Financial Gazette)
Jiangxi Corp. for International Economic and Technical Cooperation of China agreed to spend $200 million digging two chrome mines in Zimbabwe, the Financial Gazette said, citing documents in its possession.

The company will develop one mine in Midlands Province and another in the Zambezi Valley, the Harare-based weekly newspaper said on its Web site. Both mining deposits are currently held by the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corp. and the Zimbabwean company will have a stake in the operations.

Zimbabwe: President Hails Zim Friends for Support (The Herald)
Mugabe has expressed his gratitude to those countries that support his regime. The Russian investment company, Afritrade has supplied the basic goods that are distributed under the National Basic Commodities Supply Enhancement Programme that was launched in Harare on Wednesday.

“May I express gratitude to the Ukrainian company for coming to our assistance as I also thank our local companies. We thank you for this . . . it’s a magnanimous act, an act of charity, generosity at the highest level and Zimbabwe will never forget the historical relationships with those that supported us to gain our independence and the same are supporting us to defend our independence.”

“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” he said.

Tatiana Aleshina representative of Afritrade said that the company is committed to the programme and to supporting Zimbabwe in general. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has entered into partnership with Afritrade in June. Other companies involved in the programme is Dr Raymond Chamba’s Family Choice Holdings and National Foods.

Mavambo To Adopt New Profile (Zimbabwe Independent)
Simba Makoni’s Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn national coordinating committee will finalise the transformation of the project into a fully-fledged political party on Friday. The new party will be known as the National Alliance for Democracy (NAD).

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