Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch : Issue 26

In March 2011,logging of media reports relating to violence seem to suggest that reports of violence are decreasing, but one must be cautious to assume this means that levels of intimidation and violence in areas not covered by the press . In the month of March, the number of media articles collected and catalogued for the Zimbabwe Inclusive Government (ZIG) Watch dropped from 132 to 123. Each recorded article signifies a unique breach of the terms set out in the GPA. By categorising these articles according to the nature of the breach, we have generated representative statistics.

This month, surprisingly, violations in the form of legal harassment of perceived opposition politicians and supporters, rose to our most prominent category of violations, with 46 recorded articles (37.4% of total). This change pushed cases of violence, intimidation, hate speech, threats, abductions and brutality into second place with 33 articles (26.8% of total). Cases of corruption, or efforts to entrench corrupt practices, remained third with 13 instances (10.6%), whilst denial of freedom of speech remained at fourth place with 9 articles (7.3%). In total, these four categories of breaches accounted for 82.1% of the total analysed.

Within these four categories, Zanu-PF was accountable for 98.0% of the violations.

Below we list ten articles that are representative of this March’s media activity in relation to breaches of the GPA. We should note that whilst the latter are representative, they do not represent the enormity and volume of human rights violations being committed with impunity against the people of Zimbabwe. We therefore invite all our readers to review the summaries (or original articles) of all 123 articles (and if possible, previously captured articles) on the webpage http://www.sokwanele.com/zigwatch and appeal to you to share this information with your colleagues and other interested parties.

We begin our report with articles detailing violations in the form of legal harassment of perceived opposition politicians and supporters. One of the high-profile cases which remains unresolved from last month is that of Munyaradzi Gwisai and his colleagues who are accused of plotting an “Egyptian-style” uprising in Zimbabwe. State prosecutors seem to be deliberately delaying progress on the case. The group was arrested several weeks ago for attending a lecture on North African anti-government protests. Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba said he needed more time to prepare before the March 7 hearing. Defence lawyers say the suspects are not guilty and should be released immediately. It is alleged that some detainees have been tortured in police custody.

In an obvious attempt to increase Zanu-PF influence in the House of Assembly, the Supreme Court overturned the election of the MDC’s Lovemore Moyo as Speaker of Parliament, on the premise that the vote electing the MDC-T Speaker was not secret, violating parliamentary rules. President Mugabe’s ailing health was given as the main reason for overturning the Speaker’s election. Zimbabwe’s current constitution states that in the event that the President dies in office, the Speaker of parliament assumes the presidency, and should call for an elections within a period of 180 days. Zanu-PF do not want that power to reside with the MDC.

Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma was arrested on charges of corruption. Mangoma blamed President Robert Mugabe for his arrest involving a fuel supply tender, saying he was shocked that after a friendly meeting with the president two weeks previously he was then arraigned. Mangoma said his arrest was malicious because he had explained the issue in Cabinet on March 1 and to Mugabe on March 3 satisfactorily. Mangoma insisted he had acted in the “national interest” in an emergency, only to be arrested and detained for five days.

Three MDC-T youths were remanded on bail for allegedly possessing a cartoon of President Mugabe and Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono. Gift Mlalazi, Mpumulelo Donga and Kevin Ncube are charged with “Causing hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President.” Bail was set at $50 each. One of the accused allegedly picked up the cartoon on the street and showed it to his friends. While they were laughing at it, police apprehended the accused. ZLHR lawyer, Lizwe Jamela, argues that picking up the caricature on the road does not constitute an offence.

Our first case of violence documents violence against women. Three women participating in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) protest march were forced to strip off their clothes on the street in the centre of Bulawayo by police. One of the three was heavily pregnant. The women were part of a march to commemorate International Women’s Day, which saw members of the group being arrested despite a High Court order saying the march was legal. The police began dispersing the crowd, and three of their members were apprehended. Plain-clothes police officers ordered them to remove their ZCTU t-shirts, leaving them half-naked in their bras. They were then told to disperse when the three women were taken to the police station.

Zanu-PF is continuing its attempt to get three million signatures for its anti-sanctions petition. Members of the police and army are being forced to sign the petition. , In Harare state journalists have been forced to do the same. Police officers from the province’s seven districts have been ferried to the provincial headquarters, Masvingo, and forced to put their signatures on the lobbying document.

Our final case of violence shows soldiers setting up camps in rural Lupane, Matabeleland in order to campaign for Zanu PF. Many soldiers were deployed from Gwampa Ward and are intimidating villagers. The soldiers organised Zanu-PF meetings but when most villagers refused to attend, they were threatened with a repeat of the 1980’s massacre ‘Gukurahundi’. . The villagers attended the meetings and have been instructed to create new Zanu PF structures within their wards.

Moving on to the topic of corruption, (MDC) Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu has called for an inquiry into allegations that Attorney General Johannes Tomana used his powers to suppress criminal charges against four of his close friends. Transparency International Zimbabwe charged that Tomana advanced the acquittals of former Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga, former Zimbabwe United Passenger Company Chairman Charles Nherera, mine owner Patrick Mavros and Bindura doctor Beauty Basile who were facing various criminal charges. Tomana has stated that if he has committed a criminal offense by abusing his office he should be prosecuted, but warned that Gutu risked committing a crime by questioning his integrity.

The MDC-T party convened a press conference at which they accused Zanu PF head of propaganda Jonathan Moyo of trying to bribe MDC-T MP’s to vote for the Zanu-PF candidate for Speaker of Parliament, Simon Khaya Moyo. MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said five of their MPs received $5 000 each from a coordinator of the syndicate, Senator Gaule. The MP’s quickly handed over the money to Gonese and fellow MP Dorcas Sibanda. “We are in possession of $25 000 which our MPs have surrendered,” Gonese said, “the people coordinating the campaign are Jonathan Moyo, Senator Believe Gaule and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.”. The MDC-T said it was investigating 10 other MPs who were also believed to have been approached.

Finally, Zanu-PF continue to work against freedom of speech, privacy of communication, despite their work with SADC and the members of the government on the “Roadmap” to free and fair elections. Construction of the government’s electronic information and monitoring complex outside Harare is on track to be completed soon. The alleged intention is that the compound will, amongst other things, be used to monitor internet use and telephone calls in Zimbabwe. The Chinese, who are constructing it, are equipping the project with a programme which enables most security agencies to monitor emails, website visits, social networking and phone calls via Skype. The complex is also to be an intelligence academy, operated by the CIO and local military intelligence.

Zimbabwe court keeps alleged plotters in jail

Times Live (SA): 01/03/2011

State prosecutors said Tuesday they were not ready to present their case against the group arrested last month for attending a lecture on North African anti-government protests. They are accused of plotting an Egyptian-style uprising in Zimbabwe. The group says it was an academic lecture and denies wrongdoing. Treason carries a possible death sentence. Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba says he needs more time to prepare before the March 7 hearing. Defense lawyers say the suspects are not guilty should be released immediately. Lawyers say some suspects have been tortured in police custody.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

· ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Supreme Court nullifies election of MDC parliament speaker

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 10/03/2011

On Thursday the Supreme Court overturned the election of the MDC’s Lovemore Moyo as Speaker of Parliament. Jonathan Moyo claimed the August 2008 vote that elected the MDC-T Speaker was not secret and violated parliamentary rules. A lawyer explained Zanu-PF was desperate to manage the succession problem, given Mugabe’s ailing health, and that was a main reason for overturning the election of an MDC-T speaker of parliament. “Zimbabwe’s current constitution says that in the event that the president dies in office, the speaker of parliament assumes office and calls for elections within a period of 180 days. Mugabe is very ill, that’s why they want to take away that power from the MDC,” the lawyer said.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

Mangoma blames Mugabe for arrest

Zimbabwe Independent, The (ZW): 17/03/2011

ENERGY and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma Friday blamed President Robert Mugabe for his arrest on corruption allegations involving a fuel supply tender, saying he was shocked that after clearing the air with the president two weeks ago he was still arraigned. Mangoma said his arrest was malicious because he had explained the issue in cabinet on March 1 and to Mugabe on March 3 to everyone’s satisfaction. Mangoma insisted he had acted in the “national interest” in an emergency situation, only to be arrested and detained for five days. “He (Mugabe) is involved in it. This issue was discussed in cabinet recently and the matter was cleared before him,” Mangoma said.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

MDC youths in court for laughing

Zimbabwean, The (ZW)Published: 02/03/2011

Three MDC-T youths were remanded on bail until March 10, for allegedly possessing a cartoon of President Robert Mugabe and Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono. Gift Mlalazi, Mpumulelo Donga and Kevin Ncube are charged with …. “Causing Hatred, Contempt or Ridicule of the President.” …. Bail was set at $50 …. each ….. …. on February 20 one of the accused allegedly picked up the cartoon on the street and showed it to his friends. While they were laughing at it, the accused were apprehended by police …. However, ZLHR lawyer, Lizwe Jamela, argues that, “Picking up the caricature on the tarred road does not constitute an offence.”

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

ZCTU women protestors ordered to strip by male police

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 08/03/2011

Three women participating in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) protest march were forced to strip off their clothes in the centre of Bulawayo by police. One of the three is heavily pregnant. The women were part of a march to commemorate International Women’s Day, which saw a total of 34 members of the group arrested, despite a High Court order saying the march could go-ahead. The police appeared and began dispersing them, and three of their members were apprehended. Plain clothes policemen ordered them to remove their ZCTU t-shirts, leaving them half-naked in their bras. From there they were told to disperse, but the three women were taken to the police station.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

· ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

· ARTICLE XIX : FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION

Soldiers, Police, Journalists Forced To Sign Mugabe’s Anti-Sanctions Petition

RadioVOP: 17/03/2011

Masvingo – In a desperate bid to get three million signatures Zanu (PF) has taken the anti-sanctions petition to the army barracks and police stations here where it is forcing all officers to sign it. In Harare state journalists have been forced to do the same. Junior officers here have expressed disgruntlement after they were allegedly forced by their chefs to sign the petition under their supervision. Police officers from the province’s seven districts have been ferried to the provincial headquarters, Masvingo central police station, since Monday and forced to put their signatures on the petition. The same operation is also said to be going on in all army barracks in the country.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

Soldiers Force Villagers To Set Up Zanu (PF) Structures

RadioVOP: 26/03/2011

Soldiers who have been deployed in Lupane to campaign for Zanu (PF) have moved from Gwampa Ward to other areas where they are intimidating villagers, most of them MDC supporters. According to MDC-T councillor Kenny Mpofu of Gwampa Ward, the soldiers organised Zanu-PF meetings but most villagers refused to attend. The soldiers then told the villagers that if they did not attend their meetings they would be given a preview of what happened during the early 80s in Matabeleland. “ The villagers decided to attend after being threatened with the return of the Fifth Brigade, ” said Mpofu. He said the soldiers ordered the villagers to set up new Zanu-PF structures in their wards.

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

· ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Zimbabwe Deputy Justice Minister Calls for Investigation of Attorney General

VOANews (USA): 22/03/2011

Zimbabwean Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu has called for an inquiry into allegations by Transparency International that Attorney General Johannes Tomana used his powers to suppress criminal charges against four close friends. Transparency International Zimbabwe charged that Tomana advanced the acquittals of former Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga, former Zimbabwe United Passenger Company Chairman Charles Nherera, mine owner Patrick Mavros and Bindura doctor Beauty Basile who were facing various criminal charges. Attorney General Tomana responded that if he has committed a criminal offense by abusing his office he should be prosecuted, but warned that the MDC deputy justice minister risked committing a crime by questioning how he discharges his duties.

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

· ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Jonathan Moyo accused of bribing MDC-T MP’s

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 29/03/2011

MDC-T convened a press conference at which they displayed thousands of US dollars. They accused ZANU PF apologist Jonathan Moyo trying to bribe MDC-T MP’s to vote for ZANU PF candidate for Speaker of Parliament, Simon Khaya Moyo. MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said five of their MPs received $5 000 each from a coordinator of the syndicate, Senator Gaule. The MP’s quickly handed over the money to Gonese and fellow MP Dorcas Sibanda. “We are in possession of $25 000 which our MPs have surrendered…,” Gonese said. “…, the people coordinating are Jonathan Moyo, Senator Believe Gaule and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti…” Gonese said. The MDC-T said it was investigating 10 other MPs who were also.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE VIII : RESPECT FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EVENTS

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

China helps build state intelligence complex for Mugabe

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 03/03/2011

Construction of the government’s secret electronic eavesdropping complex just outside Harare is moving at a ‘very fast pace’ …. It’s believed the complex will, amongst many other things, be used to monitor internet use and telephone calls in Zimbabwe. The ‘snooping’ project, according to a source, is to become the government agency that monitors communications around the whole country. …. the Chinese, who are constructing it, are … equipping the snooping project with a programme … which enables most security agencies to spy … on emails, website visits, social networking …, and phonecalls over the internet…. … the complex, …, is also an intelligence academy … operated by the CIO and local military intelligence.

· ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

· ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY

· ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY

· ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS

· ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

In March 2011,logging of media reports relating to violence seem to suggest that reports of violence are decreasing, but one must be cautious to assume this means that levels of intimidation and violence in areas not covered by the press . In the month of March, the number of media articles collected and catalogued for the Zimbabwe Inclusive Government (ZIG) Watch dropped from 132 to 123. Each recorded article signifies a unique breach of the terms set out in the GPA. By categorising these articles according to the nature of the breach, we have generated representative statistics.

 

This month, surprisingly, violations in the form of legal harassment of perceived opposition politicians and supporters, rose to our most prominent category of violations, with 46 recorded articles (37.4% of total). This change pushed cases of violence, intimidation, hate speech, threats, abductions and brutality into second place with 33 articles (26.8% of total). Cases of corruption, or efforts to entrench corrupt practices, remained third with 13 instances (10.6%), whilst denial of freedom of speech remained at fourth place with 9 articles (7.3%). In total, these four categories of breaches accounted for 82.1% of the total analysed.

Within these four categories, Zanu-PF was accountable for 98.0% of the violations.

 

Below we list ten articles that are representative of this March’s media activity in relation to breaches of the GPA. We should note that whilst the latter are representative, they do not represent the  enormity and volume of human rights violations being committed with impunity against the people of Zimbabwe. We therefore invite all our readers to review the summaries (or original articles) of all 123 articles (and if possible, previously captured articles) on the webpage http://www.sokwanele.com/zigwatch and appeal to you to share this information with your colleagues and other interested parties.

 

We begin our report with articles detailing violations in the form of legal harassment of perceived opposition  politicians and supporters. One of the high-profile cases which remains unresolved  from last month is that of Munyaradzi Gwisai and his colleagues who are  accused of plotting an “Egyptian-style” uprising in Zimbabwe. State prosecutors seem to be  deliberately delaying progress on the case. The group was arrested several weeks ago for attending a lecture on North African anti-government protests. Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba said  he needed more time to prepare before the March 7 hearing. Defence lawyers say the suspects are not guilty and should be released immediately. It is alleged that some detainees  have been tortured in police custody.

 

In an obvious attempt to increase Zanu-PF influence in the House of Assembly, the Supreme Court overturned the election of the MDC’s Lovemore Moyo as Speaker of Parliament, on the premise that the vote electing the MDC-T Speaker was not secret, violating parliamentary rules. President Mugabe’s ailing health was given as the main reason for overturning the Speaker’s election. Zimbabwe’s current constitution states  that in the event that the President dies in office, the Speaker of parliament assumes the presidency, and should call for an elections within a period of 180 days. Zanu-PF do not want that power to reside with the MDC.

 

Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma was arrested on charges of corruption. Mangoma blamed President Robert Mugabe for his arrest involving a fuel supply tender, saying he was shocked that after a friendly meeting with the president two weeks previously he was then arraigned. Mangoma said his arrest was malicious because he had explained the issue in Cabinet on March 1 and to Mugabe on March 3 satisfactorily. Mangoma insisted he had acted in the “national interest” in an emergency, only to be arrested and detained for five days.

 

Three MDC-T youths were remanded on bail for allegedly possessing a cartoon of President Mugabe and Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono. Gift Mlalazi, Mpumulelo Donga and Kevin Ncube are charged with “Causing hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President.” Bail was set at $50 each. One of the accused allegedly picked up the cartoon on the street and showed it to his friends. While they were laughing at it, police apprehended the accused. ZLHR lawyer, Lizwe Jamela, argues that picking up the caricature on the road does not constitute an offence.

 

Our first case of violence documents violence against women. Three women participating in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) protest march were forced to strip off their clothes on the street in the centre of Bulawayo by police. One of the three was heavily pregnant. The women were part of a march to commemorate International Women’s Day, which saw members of the group being arrested despite a High Court order saying the march was legal. The police began dispersing the crowd, and three of their members were apprehended. Plain-clothes police officers ordered them to remove their ZCTU t-shirts, leaving them half-naked in their bras. They were then told  to disperse when the three women were taken to the police station.

 

Zanu-PF is continuing its attempt to get three million signatures for its anti-sanctions petition. Members of the police and army are being forced to sign the petition. , In Harare state journalists have been forced to do the same. Police officers from the province’s seven districts have been ferried to the provincial headquarters, Masvingo, and forced to put their signatures on the lobbying document.

 

Our final case of violence shows soldiers setting up camps in rural Lupane, Matabeleland in order to campaign for Zanu PF. Many soldiers were deployed from Gwampa Ward and are intimidating villagers. The soldiers organised Zanu-PF meetings but when most villagers refused to attend, they were threatened with a repeat of the 1980’s massacre ‘Gukurahundi’. . The villagers attended the meetings and have been instructed to create new Zanu PF structures within their wards.

 

Moving on to the topic of corruption, (MDC) Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu has called for an inquiry into allegations that Attorney General Johannes Tomana used his powers to suppress criminal charges against four of his close friends. Transparency International Zimbabwe charged that Tomana advanced the acquittals of former Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga, former Zimbabwe United Passenger Company Chairman Charles Nherera, mine owner Patrick Mavros and Bindura doctor Beauty Basile who were facing various criminal charges. Tomana has stated  that if he has committed a criminal offense by abusing his office he should be prosecuted, but warned that Gutu risked committing a crime by questioning his integrity.

The MDC-T party convened a press conference at which they  accused Zanu PF head of propaganda Jonathan Moyo of trying to bribe MDC-T MP’s to vote for the Zanu-PF candidate for Speaker of Parliament, Simon Khaya Moyo. MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said five of their MPs received $5 000 each from a coordinator of the syndicate, Senator Gaule. The MP’s quickly handed over the money to Gonese and fellow MP Dorcas Sibanda. “We are in possession of $25 000 which our MPs have surrendered,” Gonese said, “the people coordinating the campaign are Jonathan Moyo, Senator Believe Gaule and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti.”. The MDC-T said it was investigating 10 other MPs who were also believed to have been approached.

Finally, Zanu-PF continue to work against freedom of speech, privacy of communication, despite their work with SADC and the members of the government on the “Roadmap” to free and fair elections. Construction of the government’s electronic information and monitoring complex  outside Harare is on track to be completed soon. The alleged intention is that the  compound will, amongst  other things, be used to monitor internet use and telephone calls in Zimbabwe. The Chinese, who are constructing it, are equipping the project with a programme which enables most security agencies to monitor emails, website visits, social networking and phone calls via Skype. The complex is also to be an intelligence academy, operated by the CIO and local military intelligence.

 

Zimbabwe court keeps alleged plotters in jail

Times Live (SA): 01/03/2011

State prosecutors said Tuesday they were not ready to present their case against the group arrested last month for attending a lecture on North African anti-government protests. They are accused of plotting an Egyptian-style uprising in Zimbabwe. The group says it was an academic lecture and denies wrongdoing. Treason carries a possible death sentence. Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba says he needs more time to prepare before the March 7 hearing. Defense lawyers say the suspects are not guilty should be released immediately. Lawyers say some suspects have been tortured in police custody.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

 

Supreme Court nullifies election of MDC parliament speaker

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 10/03/2011

On Thursday the Supreme Court overturned the election of the MDC’s Lovemore Moyo as Speaker of Parliament. Jonathan Moyo claimed the August 2008 vote that elected the MDC-T Speaker was not secret and violated parliamentary rules. A lawyer explained Zanu-PF was desperate to manage the succession problem, given Mugabe’s ailing health, and that was a main reason for overturning the election of an MDC-T speaker of parliament. “Zimbabwe’s current constitution says that in the event that the president dies in office, the speaker of parliament assumes office and calls for elections within a period of 180 days. Mugabe is very ill, that’s why they want to take away that power from the MDC,” the lawyer said.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

 

Mangoma blames Mugabe for arrest

Zimbabwe Independent, The (ZW): 17/03/2011

ENERGY and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma Friday blamed President Robert Mugabe for his arrest on corruption allegations involving a fuel supply tender, saying he was shocked that after clearing the air with the president two weeks ago he was still arraigned. Mangoma said his arrest was malicious because he had explained the issue in cabinet on March 1 and to Mugabe on March 3 to everyone’s satisfaction. Mangoma insisted he had acted in the “national interest” in an emergency situation, only to be arrested and detained for five days. “He (Mugabe) is involved in it. This issue was discussed in cabinet recently and the matter was cleared before him,” Mangoma said.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

 

MDC youths in court for laughing

Zimbabwean, The (ZW)Published: 02/03/2011

Three MDC-T youths were remanded on bail until March 10, for allegedly possessing a cartoon of President Robert Mugabe and Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono. Gift Mlalazi, Mpumulelo Donga and Kevin Ncube are charged with …. “Causing Hatred, Contempt or Ridicule of the President.” …. Bail was set at $50 …. each ….. …. on February 20 one of the accused allegedly picked up the cartoon on the street and showed it to his friends. While they were laughing at it, the accused were apprehended by police …. However, ZLHR lawyer, Lizwe Jamela, argues that, “Picking up the caricature on the tarred road does not constitute an offence.”

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

 

ZCTU women protestors ordered to strip by male police

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 08/03/2011

Three women participating in a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) protest march were forced to strip off their clothes in the centre of Bulawayo by police. One of the three is heavily pregnant. The women were part of a march to commemorate International Women’s Day, which saw a total of 34 members of the group arrested, despite a High Court order saying the march could go-ahead. The police appeared and began dispersing them, and three of their members were apprehended. Plain clothes policemen ordered them to remove their ZCTU t-shirts, leaving them half-naked in their bras. From there they were told to disperse, but the three women were taken to the police station.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XII : FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE
• ARTICLE XIX : FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION

 

Soldiers, Police, Journalists Forced To Sign Mugabe’s Anti-Sanctions Petition

RadioVOP: 17/03/2011

Masvingo – In a desperate bid to get three million signatures Zanu (PF) has taken the anti-sanctions petition to the army barracks and police stations here where it is forcing all officers to sign it. In Harare state journalists have been forced to do the same. Junior officers here have expressed disgruntlement after they were allegedly forced by their chefs to sign the petition under their supervision. Police officers from the province’s seven districts have been ferried to the provincial headquarters, Masvingo central police station, since Monday and forced to put their signatures on the petition. The same operation is also said to be going on in all army barracks in the country.

 

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

 

Soldiers Force Villagers To Set Up Zanu (PF) Structures

RadioVOP: 26/03/2011

Soldiers who have been deployed in Lupane to campaign for Zanu (PF) have moved from Gwampa Ward to other areas where they are intimidating villagers, most of them MDC supporters. According to MDC-T councillor Kenny Mpofu of Gwampa Ward, the soldiers organised Zanu-PF meetings but most villagers refused to attend. The soldiers then told the villagers that if they did not attend their meetings they would be given a preview of what happened during the early 80s in Matabeleland. “ The villagers decided to attend after being threatened with the return of the Fifth Brigade, ” said Mpofu. He said the soldiers ordered the villagers to set up new Zanu-PF structures in their wards.

 

• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

 

Zimbabwe Deputy Justice Minister Calls for Investigation of Attorney General

VOANews (USA): 22/03/2011

Zimbabwean Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu has called for an inquiry into allegations by Transparency International that Attorney General Johannes Tomana used his powers to suppress criminal charges against four close friends. Transparency International Zimbabwe charged that Tomana advanced the acquittals of former Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga, former Zimbabwe United Passenger Company Chairman Charles Nherera, mine owner Patrick Mavros and Bindura doctor Beauty Basile who were facing various criminal charges. Attorney General Tomana responded that if he has committed a criminal offense by abusing his office he should be prosecuted, but warned that the MDC deputy justice minister risked committing a crime by questioning how he discharges his duties.

 

• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XVIII : SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

 

Jonathan Moyo accused of bribing MDC-T MP’s

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 29/03/2011

MDC-T convened a press conference at which they displayed thousands of US dollars. They accused ZANU PF apologist Jonathan Moyo trying to bribe MDC-T MP’s to vote for ZANU PF candidate for Speaker of Parliament, Simon Khaya Moyo. MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese said five of their MPs received $5 000 each from a coordinator of the syndicate, Senator Gaule. The MP’s quickly handed over the money to Gonese and fellow MP Dorcas Sibanda. “We are in possession of $25 000 which our MPs have surrendered…,” Gonese said. “…, the people coordinating are Jonathan Moyo, Senator Believe Gaule and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti…” Gonese said. The MDC-T said it was investigating 10 other MPs who were also.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE VIII : RESPECT FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EVENTS
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS

 

China helps build state intelligence complex for Mugabe

SW Radio Africa (ZW): 03/03/2011

Construction of the government’s secret electronic eavesdropping complex just outside Harare is moving at a ‘very fast pace’ …. It’s believed the complex will, amongst many other things, be used to monitor internet use and telephone calls in Zimbabwe. The ‘snooping’ project, according to a source, is to become the government agency that monitors communications around the whole country. …. the Chinese, who are constructing it, are … equipping the snooping project with a programme … which enables most security agencies to spy … on emails, website visits, social networking …, and phonecalls over the internet…. … the complex, …, is also an intelligence academy … operated by the CIO and local military intelligence.

 

• ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
• ARTICLE VII : PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
• ARTICLE X : FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY
• ARTICLE XI : RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
• ARTICLE XIII : STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS
• ARTICLE XIX : FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION

 

 

· ARTICLE XIX : FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION