Zimbabwe Election Watch : Issue 2

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The second issue of Zimbabwe Election Watch highlights further examples of breaches of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections by the Mugabe regime. The South African-led SADC initiative to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis is reported to be in danger of collapse as President Mugabe has insisted that his ruling Zanu PF party will not discuss a new constitution with the opposition. Zanu PF representative Patrick Chinamasa said the politburo cabinet has decided instead to press ahead with plans to amend the constitution through Parliament.

In an extract from the latest Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum report, the group recorded an escalation in the number of cases of abuse by state agents: 373 in May compared to 318 the previous month. They include torture and the curtailing of freedom of expression. The government’s ongoing crackdown on activists from the National Constitutional Assembly and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change is of grave concern.

A survey released on 25 July by Amnesty International (AI) reports that the political manipulation of food distribution persists, particularly of GMB (Grain Marketing Board) maize sold in rural areas. The organisation notes that in 2004, “food aid was often withheld from those who did not hold a Zanu PF loyalty card, and was used in attempts to influence election results.” The UN World Food Programme estimates that 4.1 million people will require food aid during the first three months of 2008.

Although there is no legislation barring foreign-published newspapers from being sold in Zimbabwe, plans for the government’s all-out propaganda campaign ahead of the 2008 elections will include blocking distribution of The Zimbabwean newspaper.

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Mbeki-led SADC talks hang by a thread
Source Date: 20-07-2007

Citing a top Zanu PF and government offical, ZimOnline reported that the South African-led SADC initiative to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis looked in danger of collapsing as President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party insisted it would not discuss a new constitution with the opposition.

South African President Thabo Mbeki - who will report back to SADC leaders in August - has previously said progress was being made in the search for a negotiated solution, while reports in Zimbabwean and regional media suggested Zanu PF and the MDC had agreed on a formal agenda of talks, with the issue of a new constitution topping the list.

However, sources on Thursday said Zanu PF representatives, Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche, earlier this week met the South African team of mediators led by Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi to tell them they had instructions from their party not to discuss a new constitution.

Rev Frank Chikane, director-general in Mbeki’s office, also attended the meeting at which Chinamasa said Zanu PF’s powerful politburo cabinet had decided the ruling party should press ahead with plans to amend Zimbabwe’s constitution through Parliament.

“He (Chinamasa) told them that the MDC rejected constitutional reforms in 2000 and that the politburo had now resolved to push the 18th Amendment to the constitution to allow for joint presidential and parliamentary elections next year,” said a top Zanu PF and government official.

Constitutional Amendment No. 18, which the government has tabled in Parliament, will in addition to harmonising elections, empower the House - in which Mugabe enjoys sweeping support - to elect a successor in the event that he dies or plans to step down. The MDC says the amendment is a ploy by Mugabe - who will extend his rule to 33 years if he is re-elected next year and finishes the five-year presidential term - to hang on to power for life.

Source: Zim Online (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.4: Regular intervals for elections…
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections

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Zimbabweans told to register to ‘defend the president’
Source Date: 18-07-2007

Opposition and civic society have criticised the way the voter registration exercise, that is currently underway, is being conducted.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Dr Lovemore Madhuku said there can never be a credible voter registration process under the present conditions. He voiced deep concern that his organisation was being prevented from having access to rural areas where many voters live.

The civic leader said Zanu PF goes there and misrepresents the purpose of the voter registration process.

“I actually have information,” said Dr Madhuku “from the NCA structures in Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central that people are being told to go and register to defend President Mugabe from being taken out of power by the west. So you go and register and you are told that the purpose of your registering is that when the time comes you must go and defend the President! Not that you are registering so that you exercise your right to elect the leader of your choice.”

Source: SW Radio Africa (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.8: Voter education.
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…

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Food crisis: a disaster waiting to happen
Source Date: 22-07-2007

Estimates are that in the first three months of 2008 — an election year — 4.1 million people, a third of the population, will require food aid. Most of it will be provided by the United Nations, but so far the government is said to be in a state of “denial”, refusing to make the obligatory appeal to the UN.

The government has already declared 2007 a drought year but is yet to send a formal appeal to the United Nations to allow it to institute an international appeal for assistance.

According to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET), (a USAID initiated and funded program which monitors hunger, food availability and shortages across the globe), Zimbabwe is facing its worst food shortages yet, with this harvest having only met just above 30 per cent of national requirements.

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNFP) predicts that around 2.1 million people will face serious food shortages by the third quarter of this year, due to crop failures and escalating poverty in both rural and urban areas.

The most affected provinces include Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland North and South.

In Matabeleland South, the San community who still survive as hunter gatherers, are reportedly the most affected by the crisis. Acting Tsholotsho District Administrator, Lydia Ndethi-Banda, warned recently that the San would die of hunger if donors did not intervene urgently.

Meanwhile the government scoffed at food aid pledges by the United States and Canada last week, saying they were meant for opposition parties.

The Minister of Agriculture, Rugare Gumbo, said the government was still carrying out an assessment of the food situation before making a formal appeal to the UN, but the world body warned last week that time was running out to launch a major appeal. Zimbabwe requires about two million tonnes of maize for annual consumption but estimates show that this year Zimbabwe harvested a mere 400 000 tonnes of maize, the country’s main staple.

Source: Zimbabwe Standard, The (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …

Additional comments on this event in relation to SADC standards:

The Zanu PF government has a history of using food as a political weapon, especially during elections. Their failure to take action in the face of the looming crisis, combined with polices which actively reduce food supplies even further, is a cause for major concern.

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place - Women Human Rights Defenders at Risk
Source Date: 25-07-2007

This survey, conducted by Amnesty International and released on 25 July 2007, states that Zimbabwean women are suffering increasing repression as they mobilise to confront the government in the face of a spiralling economic and social rights crisis in Zimbabwe.

Amnesty International reports that, in 2004, the organisation documented the political manipulation of food aid, noting that ”food aid was often withheld from those who did not hold a Zanu PF loyalty card, and was used in attempts to influence election results.”

In 2007, Amnesty International found that “the manipulation of food distribution persists, particularly of GMB (Grain Marketing Board) maize sold in rural areas.”

Under the heading: “Denial of access to subsidised maize in rural areas”, the report notes:

“The government of Zimbabwe has permitted discriminatory distribution of maize in the rural areas as part of its strategy to retain its political support base since the emergence of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Over the last seven years, Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) politicians have used maize sold through the state-owned Grain Marketing Board (GMB) as a tool to silence perceived opponents. In order to buy maize from the GMB, needy households in rural areas are registered at the local level. The registration process is conducted by councillors who are, in the majority of cases, members of Zanu PF. These councillors omit names of perceived and known MDC supporters, reportedly stating that the “government should not be feeding its enemies.” Women human rights defenders have been labelled MDC supporters and are also discriminated against in the sale of GMB maize.

Under the heading “Recommendations to improve the operational environment for the promotion and protection of public rights”, the report states:

“In respect of violations of economic and social rights of women human rights defenders, the government should: Ensure that food is distributed to all on the basis of need, irrespective of real or perceived political affiliation, or any other factor or criteria.”

The full report is available at the link below.

Source: Amnesty International
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens

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Mugabe stepping up abuses, says Human Rights Forum
Source Date: 16-07-2007

Zimbabwe human rights groups have accused President Robert Mugabe’s government of continued abuses against opponents and have urged Harare to respect judicial officers and court rulings, adding that it was worrying that lawyers have been harassed while carrying out their duties.

“Abuse of state power by state security agents, disregard of court orders by the police, harassment of lawyers, intimidation of opposition and civic society activists continued unabated in May,” the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, a grouping of over a dozen rights groups said in its latest monthly report.

“The Human Rights Forum continues to deplore the heavy-handedness with which peaceful demonstrators are treated and the criminalisation of political and civic activity by the government of Zimbabwe,” the report states.

The rights group recorded a total of 373 cases of abuse by state agents in May compared to 318 the previous month. These included torture, unlawful arrest and detention, assault and curtailing of freedom of expression.

Source: Zim Online (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…

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More NCA officials arrested in Manicaland
Source Date: 20-07-2007

The crackdown against activists from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) continues. The group’s acting Youth Chairperson for Manicaland, Manex Mauya, was arrested together with two other activists on Friday (20 July). The group said in a statement that no reasons had yet been given for the latest arrests.

This comes three days after the police arrested provincial chairperson Elisha Makuyana, for allegedly insulting Robert Mugabe during a discussion on the controversial price reductions. This was the third time that Makuyana had been arrested in two weeks.

He had previously been arrested for possessing shortwave radios that were meant for distribution to rural areas. The police later raided the NCA offices in Mutare and confiscated 21 radios. The government aims to restrict access to information in the rural areas by seizing radios and preventing distribution to residents there. Makunyana was finally released on Friday after spending three days in police custody.

The NCA said in a statement: “Makuyana was given a tough time by the police who accused him of undermining the office of the President… He was told in no uncertain times that the police (were) going to follow him up closely and that if he wants to live a normal life he should desist from the NCA.”

Source: SW Radio Africa (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …

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Court still to make a decision on bail application by MDC detainees
Source Date: 18-07-2007

Seventeen MDC activists have now been locked up in remand prison for 114 days (four months), while over four weeks have passed with the High Court failing to make a ruling on a bail application put forward by their lawyers. Human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama said the state was clearly determined to ensure his clients remain in custody. Up until now no trial date has been set, with the MDC activists being remanded in custody to 13 August.

Despite the unconscionable delays already experienced under Zimbabwe’s deeply flawed justice system and the fact that some of the detainees require urgent medical attention, there is still no end in sight to activists’ ordeal. Week after week the defence is told to expect a ruling the following week.

In March this year 32 opposition activists were arrested on charges of petrol bombing government targets, with half that number facing separate charges of terrorist activity. After 60 days in detention the courts ordered the release of 14 activists due to lack of evidence. This left 18 in custody to face charges that they were involved in banditry training in South Africa.

The MDC says quite simply that all the charges were trumped up to justify a brutal crackdown on its supporters.

Hospital sources estimate 600 opposition activists were hospitalised during a countrywide crackdown by the security forces. Mounting evidence in the last four months suggests members of Mugabe’s elite presidential guard have been behind the majority of abductions and the torture of activists.

Source: SW Radio Africa (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.7: Independence of the Judiciary and impartiality of the electoral institutions …
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …

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Police officers demoted for setting free MDC activists
Source Date: 20-07-2007

Six senior police officers in Masvingo town are facing demotion after they set free several opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party activists who were arrested during a government crackdown last March. The six will be demoted from the rank of superintendent to inspector with effect from 31 July 2007.

The officers were last month hauled before the police disciplinary board for releasing the MDC supporters who had been arrested for protesting against the arrest and torture in police custody of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and othere in March.

Human rights groups accuse the Harare authorities of weeding out police officers suspected of being sympathetic to the opposition and replacing them with pliant, brainwashed youths from the controversial youth militia programme.

Source: Zim Online (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …

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Government plans to block ‘The Zimbabwean’
Source Date: 19-07-2007

As it prepares to launch an all-out propaganda offensive ahead of the watershed 2008 elections, the ruling Zanu PF government is planning to block the distribution of one of Zimbabwe’s largest independent weeklies, The Zimbabwean, inside the country.

Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu recently met with the Media and Information Commission’s chairman Tafataona Mahoso to discuss ways of preventing the newspaper from entering the country.

Un-named sources within the Ministry of Information are understood to have confirmed that the government fears exposure of its election rigging process by this paper.

In the meeting Mahoso and Ndlovu are said to have agreed to find a mechanism to block the weekly paper which many Zimbabweans now read following the government’s closure of the popular Daily News and its sister paper Daily News on Sunday.

As there is currently no legislation barring foreign-published papers from being sold in Zimbabwe, Ndlovu is understood to favour the urgent drafting of new legislation so that Mugabe can sign it into law before Zanu PF chooses its 2008 presidential candidate in December.

Identified perpetrators: Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Tafataona Mahoso

Source: Zimbabwean, The (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…

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Zanu PF forcing teachers off schools
Source Date: 22-07-2007

Zanu PF supporters and war veterans in Matabeleland North have allegedly embarked on a campaign to intimidate village heads and teachers suspected of being Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists ahead of next year’s elections.

One school in Nkayi District is reportedly facing closure after the ruling party activists forced the entire staff to seek transfers to other schools, accusing them of being MDC supporters.

Teachers and general staff at Ngwalade primary school in Nkayi were forced to seek transfers after they failed to attend a recent rally addressed by Sithembiso Nyoni, the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development. Sources said the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) had deployed its agents to spy on teachers suspected of having opposition links.

Since 2000, Zanu PF has lost consecutive parliamentary elections and the 2005 Senate polls in the area to the MDC.

Abedinico Bhebhe of the MDC, who is the MP for the impoverished constituency, said: “There is heightened intimidation of MDC sympathizers in the area… We cannot tolerate a situation where our schools are left with no teachers by overzealous Zanu PF supporters. At the same time, chiefs in the area are threatening to kick out village heads accused of MDC links”.

Source: Zimbabwe Standard, The (ZW)
Link to source

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.1: Full participation of the citizens in the political process;
• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…

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