Links ~ 7 – 8 August 2008
UN envoy told he ‘is not welcome in Zimbabwe’ (Business Day)
Despite negotiations on a power-sharing deal progressing well, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has barred a United Nations (UN) envoy from visiting the country to assess the talks between Zanu (PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The blocking of the visit this week by UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs Haile Menkerios is likely to heighten tensions between Harare and the world body.
Mbeki fails to arrive for talks in Harare (SWRA)
South African President Thabo Mbeki was expected to meet Zimbabwean political leaders in Harare on Thursday and the red carpet was rolled out for him, but it was rolled up again when Mbeki did not show. Reports now say he is expected at the weekend. Iden Wetherell, the projects editor of the Zimbabwean Independent and Standard newspapers, said Mbeki’s non arrival indicates that not everything is entirely in place, and wants to be satisfied that there is sufficient consensus. Other reports say the South African leader is waiting for the negotiators to brief their principals. The negotiators for the political parties were heading back to Zimbabwe late Thursday.
Zimbabwe power-sharing deal close-report (Reuters)
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will hold a make-or-break meeting in Harare on Sunday aimed at finalising a power-sharing deal, a South African newspaper reported on Friday. It is understood the two are not “too far apart”, although the central issues remain unresolved, Business Day reported, citing unnamed sources. Mugabe said on Thursday that the talks were going well, but dismissed media reports about a draft agreement as nonsense.
MDC Wants Gono Removed From RBZ (Zimbabwe Independent)
Gideon Gono’s future hangs in the balance as opposition negotiators at the talks in Pretoria demand that he should be booted out of the envisaged new government for allegedly propping up President Robert Mugabe’s regime. Sources said the opposition wants Gono to be replaced in the new government because it was unhappy with his quasi-fiscal activities and funding of government operations, especially security ministries whose organs have been accused of perpetrating political violence during recent elections.
AIDS Group Cites Rapes in Zimbabwe as Terror Tool (New York Times)
Betty Makoni, director of Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe, said at the news conference, “Rape is being used as a weapon of political intimidation to instill fear in us, our families and communities.†Youth militias have raped an estimated 800 girls on bases, she said. Other rape victims include the wives, sisters, mothers and grandmothers of political opponents, Ms. Makoni said. Some were teachers, ward leaders and clergy members, she said. Some were raped in front of family members and some men were forced to rape their mothers-in-law. The victims were often forced to say they would never support the opposition, she said.
War vet Kazangarare continues reign of terror (SWRA)
Jawet Kazangarare, a notorious war veteran accused of stabbing to death MDC activist Tapiwa Mubwanda, continues his reign of terror in the Hurungwe District of Mashonaland West, despite the ongoing power sharing talks. Despite being briefly detained by police Kazangarare, who is still a serving soldier, was released on the orders of Zanu PF senator Rueben Murumahoko and former Zanu PF governor Peter Chanetsa. Newsreel spoke to Gift Konjana the MDC Secretary for Mashonaland West who confirmed that violence in the area continued. Five families that had camped in Harare after fleeing violence in the area attempted to go back home a few days ago, only to come back saying nothing had changed.
Red Cross appeals for US$26m to help Zim (ZimOnline)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Wednesday launched a US$26.6 million emergency food security appeal for Zimbabwe. The world relief agency said up to 5.1 million people in Zimbabwe face hunger by the beginning of next year if current harvest projections are accurate.
Officials In Harare, Zimbabwe, Say Diarrhea Outbreaks Spreading (VOA News)
New outbreaks of diarrheal disease are affecting thousands of residents of the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, according to local officials who blame the failing water system.
Riddle of Zim man’s mystery Merc solved (Pretoria News)
It has been learnt that the police’s probe showed the bullet-proof S600 is not a South African state-owned car. It was privately bought by Justine Chiota – founder of the murky Zimbabwe Peoples’ Party (ZPP) – in 2006 from a local dealership. With the armour, it may have cost close to R2-million.
August 8th, 2008 12:13
The Star newspaper (6th Aug) has reported that the draft MDC/ZANU PF agreement includes a ‘blanket amnesty for each and every Zimbabwean “who in the course of upholding or opposing the aims and policies of the Government of Zimbabwe, Zanu PF or either formation of the MDC, may have committed crimes within Zimbabwe”.’
This clause will once again entrench the bad and the guilty in their fat cat positions and will even let those responsible for mass murder under Gukurahundi off the hook.
In Mandela’s South Africa, even apartheid’s criminals were liable to prosecution unless, after a full and public disclosure, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission pardoned them.
Zimbabwean politicians should not be allowed to negotiate their own amnesty. If Perence Shiri and his ilk fail to fully disclose their past crimes then they should not benefit from any amnesty. Only a Zimbabwean Truth and Reconciliation Commission should have the power of pardon.
August 8th, 2008 12:52
Boniface Chidyausiku, Zimbabwe’s permanent representative to the UN, a pea brained member of the Mugabe party. I suggest the UN expels this idiot as soon as possible.
Then there’s George Charamba, the information minister, or should we say the disinformation minister. Another pea brain.
This whole talks thing is just a sham, the Mugabe JOC cronies have absolutely no intention to let go.
August 8th, 2008 23:35
I don’t see how a unity agreement can work. The MDC are in a corner because they don’t have the support of key nations like SA and China, and people are dying everyday. The JOC are not going to give up. Mbeki needs to stop accomodating Mugabe and take positive action to bring Mugabe and the JOC to justice for their despicable crimes and let Zimbabwe move forward to democracy and peace.