Links ~ 29 September 2008
September 29th, 2008
Struggling Zimbabwe issues new banknotes (Reuters)
Zimbabwe’s central bank introduced higher denomination banknotes on Monday in another sign of the hyperinflation that has shown no sign of abating despite this month’s power-sharing deal. The printing of 10,000 and 20,000 Zimbabwean dollar notes, worth $100 (55 pounds) and $200 officially but 10 times less on the black market, came as government and opposition officials tried to break an impasse over cabinet posts.
Air Zimbabwe leaves passengers stranded at Gatwick (Zimdaily)
The only direct flight into Harare by the economically marooned country’s national airline Air Zimbabwe left almost 100 passengers booked on its flight to Harare on Sunday 28 September 2008 stranded at London’s Gatwick Airport. The only direct flight into Harare by the economically marooned country’s national airline Air Zimbabwe left almost 100 passengers booked on its flight to Harare on Sunday 28 September 2008 stranded at London’s Gatwick Airport. The direct flight’s schedule was altered at short notice to stopover in Egypt Cairo where it was expected to connect with a USA flight with President Mugabe’s shopping retinue of 54 (revised figure) that accompanied him to the 63rd United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting in New York.
Speaker Moyo Turns Tables On Jonathan Moyo, Coltart and Ncube (Change Zimbabwe)
The Secretary General of the Mutambara splinter group of the MDC, Welshman Ncube, Independent MP Jonathan Moyo and and its Legal Secretary David Coltart, stand to be humiliated by a court action they caused to be brought to the High Court to impeach the MDC Speaker of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe, Lovemore Moyo who was elected on August 25.
Zimbabwe teachers threaten exodus as work conditions tighten (APA)
Zimbabwe’s largest teachers union declared war on the government Sunday, threatening a mass exodus of educators to neighbouring countries unless the working environment is improved. In an unprecedented departure from its usual conciliatory approach to government, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) warned that its members would not be reporting for work unless the authorities addressed their grievances, which included meager salaries, poor conditions of service and a biting shortage of cash.
Mugabe driving Zimbabwe into the ditch (Zimbabwe Times)
A WEEK ago, I met a South African woman, a professor at Columbia University, in a pub in Manhattan, New York. We immediately started talking politics, the effectiveness or lack thereof, of South African President Mbeki’s role in mediating efforts in Zimbabwe. Finally, she just said, “You know what? You Zimbabweans are a little passive. In South Africa we don’t mess around. Mugabe would have gone a long time ago.” A week later, she was proven right. Mbeki was forced to resign.
New farm invasions show instability in Zim (Zimonline)
At least 35 white farmers have been evicted from their properties in a fresh wave of farm invasions that highlights continuing instability in Zimbabwe despite a power-sharing deal signed two weeks ago.
Home affairs turn down asylum seekers (IOL)
Refugees in the Blue Waters camp in Strandfontein are furious after being told they have 30 days to leave the country. Letters delivered by the department of home affairs on Saturday stated that applications for asylum were “rejected as unfounded”. “Everyone I know who applied for asylum was failed,” refugee spokesperson Prosper Tafa from the Democratic Republic of Congo said.
Waiting for signs of real change in Zimbabwe (Cape Argus)
Zimbabwe has undergone intense political, economic and social anarchy for nearly a decade, so any intervention that can help restore calm is more than welcome.
Zimbabwe’s evil genie is still zapping the system (Business Report)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has sent a loud, clear message to the world: subvert market forces at your peril. Though it was not his intention, the man who has run Zimbabwe since 1980 has demonstrated the danger of replacing reality with fantasy and the folly of fiddling with a working economy.
Farmers call for removal of restrictions on withdrawal limits (Chronicle)
FARMERS have called on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to support the agricultural sector by removing restrictions on withdrawal limits to access cash to buy inputs for the coming season. In an interview, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union Matabeleland region manager, Mr Samuel Mpofu said farmers were facing difficulties in purchasing inputs required for their farming activities, as the withdrawal limits were not enough.
Mugabe’s Plea for Lifting of Sanctions (Ohmynews)
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe pleaded with the international community Thursday to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe. Mugabe, who was speaking at the United Nations conference in New York, said his country did not pose any threat to world peace. But his plea was overshadowed by his attack on Britain and America. And as if to outshone and outsmart other world leaders, he attacked the Western countries for their involvement in Iraq, accusing them of genocide. But his speech concealed terrible and indelible memories of Gukurahundi atrocities blamed on him for which thousands of Ndebele people were massacred by his militia.
“Finance, Home, Foreign and Infor For MDC” (Change Zimbabwe)
The implementation of the transitional government agreement is said to be stuck on the distribution of senior cabinet posts – Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Information and Publicity among the different parties. If all parties are genuine in finding a power-sharing formula, then an objective way of doing the allocation can easily be found in the objectives laid out in the agreement itself.
Where to From Here? Zimbabwean Migrants and the Future of Southern Africa (SACSIS)
With Robert Mugabe begrudgingly accommodating Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara at the bridge of Zimbabwe’s sinking ship, there is at last hope that the once proud country will soon find its way to calmer waters. Although anxious of snags ahead, no one is more relieved than the millions of Zimbabweans both in and outside the country who have suffered through more than eight years of violence, persecution, and economic tragic-comedy.
Differences between Bush and Mugabe (Zimbabwe Times)
MUGABE may call for Bush to be tried for violations but these two cases are very distinct from each other. Bush’s people are not afraid to speak out and there are no militias beating people and the country feeds itself and feeds Zimbabwe as well. Bush’s people can wear opposition T-shirts without persecution and they can mock him in his face on TV without consequences. They can also hold rallies and protests almost at will. None of these can be said for Mugabe.
President Pleads for Zim Rescue (New Era)
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has asked the United Nations Secretary General to use the influence of his office to secure international bailout packages for Zimbabwe. Pohamba said the international community should extend both financial and humanitarian packages to Zimbabwe.
