Links ~ 15 May 2008 (2)
Zim veterans ‘recruiting youths’
Amnesty International has called on the Zimbabwean government to publicly denounce violence. They ask that the perpetrators of human rights abuses be arrested and that victims have access to humanitarian assistance. International human rights monitors should also be allowed to investigate the current human rights violations in Zimbabwe. They say that Zimbabwean youths are being forcibly recruited to commit acts of violence. People living in remote rural areas are particularly vulnerable as human rights abuses are committed away from the spotlight. Humanitarian organisations and ngo’s are furthermore also targeted and prevented from giving aid to victims.
Zimbabwe’s Opposition Calls for Urgent Meetings
The MDC called for urgent meetings with the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The MDC says that foreign intervention is needed to curb the escalating violence and to prevent it from developing into civil war. Tendai Biti, secretary general of the MDC said that should diplomacy fail “the next thing is war.” The SADC must act before the situation deteriorates any further. Zimbabwe’s problems now have a regional impact as is shown by the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
Another trade unionist arrested in Zimbabwe: lawyer
Raymond Majongwe the secretary general of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe has been arrested. The police have not charged him. It is believed that his arrest may be linked with announcements made in The Standard, an independent Sunday newspaper. The newspaper chronicles the numbers of teachers who have fallen victim to violence.
Zimbabwe: Trade unionists in detention at risk of torture
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of two trade unionists held in detention by the police. The president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Lovemore Matombo and the secretary general Welling Chibebe have been in arrested on 8 May and are in danger of torture whilst in custody.
‘These two men have been arrested for exercising their basic human rights. This is absolutely unacceptable and they should be released immediately. We will work tirelessly, alongside the global trade union networks to achieve this end.’
Shaun Enright – Amnesty International
Zimbabwe: Hackers Target the Financial Gazette Website
The hacker known as “r4b00f” has hacked the website of the Financial Gazette only days after launching a similar attack on the website of The Herald. The headlines on the front page was replaced and a redirection link added taking users to the website of Sokwanele, a civic action group. This form of hacking is known as “hacktivism” and attacks like these, are on the increase.
Zimbabwe government defends run-off poll delay
The Zimbabwe government defends its decision to delay the second run-off for the presidential poll for 90 days as lawful, saying that the ZEC has the authority to do so. A final date has yet to be announced by the ZEC. The MDC is outraged by the decision and says that it is illegal and nothing but a ploy to ensure that President Robert Mugabe stays in power.
Not enough shelter for ‘township’s refugees‘
South Africa – Xenophobic attacks on foreigners in Alexandra (Johannesburg) has resulted in hundreds of people being left without food or shelter. The only temporary shelter available to all is at the Alexandra police station. The South African government admitted that there was a problem in finding a location, which would be big enough to accommodate all of the homeless. The situation in the area remains tense.
Violence in Alex ‘could spread’
South Africa - Cosatu and the SACP has warned the South African government that xenophobia-related violence could spread to other parts of the country. It is estimated that a 1000 foreigners have taken refuge at the Alexandra police station after attacks from locals.
Zimbabwe adds 500 mln dollar note as prices rocket
The central bank of Zimbabwe has launched a new half-a-billion (Z$500m) Zimbabwe dollar note on Thursday. The latest denomination has been introduced just ten days after the launch of a Z$250m note. In conjunction with the launch of the new denomination note, the central bank has introduced special agricultural cheques to facilitate payments to farmers. The cheques are issued in 5 billion, 25 billion and 50 billion Zimbabwe dollar denominations.
Zim wants probes into violence
The Zimbabwe government extended an invitation to the opposition to form cross-party teams, which would be tasked to probe the violence, which has racked the country since the March 2008 elections.
Mugabe “worse than Smith”
Many people of the older generations are now of the opinion that the current situation in Zimbabwe is the worst they have ever experienced, worse even than it was during the struggle days against the Smith regime. It seems that life has become increasingly unbearable. With the daily struggle to survive, they have come to believe that life under the rule of Robert Mugabe is worse than anything experienced before…
Prices Shoot to Record Highs, Government Approaches with Caution
With prices of commodities soaring to unprecedented levels, the Zimbabwe government has resorted to desperate measures in an attempt to pacify voters ahead of the run-off for the presidential poll. The National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) states that although the new foreign currency rules and regulations may be beneficial for businesses it will be consumers who will pay the price.
Elections were not Free and Fair - ZANU PF
Zanu-PF has stated that the recent parliamentary and presidential elections have not been free and fair, resulting in a loss of votes for the party and its president, Robert Mugabe. They feel that the MDC has had an unfair advantage, as it has used the escalation of inflation and prices, as well as the drought, to campaign against Zanu-PF.
Parallels Between Gukurahundi Genocide And The Current Zanu PF Violence
As violence in Zimbabwe escalates, people are reminded of the past, the launching of Gukurahundi, a terror campaign, which has interesting, parallels with the current reign of terror. Garikai Chimuka reflects on the similarities of these two campaigns and wonders if history will repeat itself.
SADC won’t use force over Zimbabwe crisis, says Mwanawasa
Zambia – According to Levy Mwanawasa, chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), force will not be used as a means to solve the problems of Zimbabwe. The SADC feels that the use of force would affect ordinary Zimbabweans. The SADC will not expel Zimbabwe from the group, as it would be counter-productive to finding a solution.
Union movement condemns Mugabe trade union arrests
The global union movement has condemned the recent arrest of leading trade unionists of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. In a letter to President Robert Mugabe, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has expressed their concern over the arrests and urges the Zimbabwe government to release and drop all charges against them.
May 16th, 2008 01:12
Finally the diplomats stand up against Mugabe’s thugs:
The Times (UK) has reported (14 May) that a convoy of diplomats and journalists, investigating atrocities in the Zimbabwe countryside, has broken through roadblocks and sent Mugabe’s thugs and security officials scurrying for cover.
The American, Japanese and EU Ambassadors have led an 11 vehicle convoy - which also included the deputy ambassadors of Tanzania and The Netherlands – to a rural area about 150km north of the capital, Harare, to view evidence of state-sponsored terror against the rural population. The Times reports as follows:
“The diplomats, accompanied by journalists, saw an interrogation and command centre run by ruling Zanu PF party militias on a farm in the district, and visited two run-down local hospitals where scores of people were recovering from wounds sustained through beatings.
“The convoy of 11 diplomatic vehicles had finished its tour yesterday when it was stopped at a police roadblock. The ambassadors were told that their vehicles were obstructing traffic and they were ordered to follow the police to the station. The diplomats refused.
“Two police vehicles parked across the road to stop the convoy and were quickly reinforced by senior police officers and state security agents. Kevin Stirr, the US Embassy’s democracy and governance officer, was asked by a security agent what the group had been doing. “Looking at people who have been beaten,” he said. The Central Intelligence Organisation agent replied: “We are going to beat you thoroughly, too”, before turning away and returning to his car. Mr Stirr pulled open the door and shouted at him. The two agents in the vehicle tried to flee, but James McGee, the US Ambassador, stood in their path. When they tried to push him away with the car, he sat heavily on the bonnet. He went on to take photographs of the agents, who were trying to hide their faces. Earlier, at Mvurwi hospital, another state security agent had tried to order Mr McGee to the station “to verify some information.”
“The hospital gates were closed by three officers armed with automatic rifles. These instructions were also firmly rejected by Mr McGee. He then pulled the gate open to let the convoy drive through. At Rhimbick sawmill near by, the ambassadors surprised a senior lone war veteran by entering the house commandeered as the “command centre” from where a mob of about a hundred youths has been dispatched to brutalise villagers almost nightly since April 28. In a large empty room the diplomats found four well-thumbed exercise books filled with names, many of which had been designated as “war collaborators”. The war veteran snatched away the books but only after a cameraman had filmed several pages. “Clearly, questioning was done here,” Mr Pocock said. Mr McGee said that the threats would not deter the ambassadorial mission. “We are eager to continue this type of thing, to show the world what is happening here in Zimbabwe. It is absolutely urgent that the entire world sees what is going on. The violence has to stop.””
This incident shows two things:
that under the protection of a large group enjoying diplomatic immunity, it is possible for journalists to travel into the heartland of Zimbabwe to document the full scale of the disaster unfolding there.
Mugabe’s cowardly bullies know they are in the wrong. As soon as a camera is pointed in their direction, to avoid future prosecution they will try to hide their identities and will flee.
Clearly diplomatic immunity is now the weapon of choice we need to use against Mugabe. Let’s call on every country that has an embassy in Harare to lead fact-finding convoys of African and other journalists into Zimabawe’s rural areas. Then by swamping the mass media, especially in neighbouring African countries, with enough evidence and images of torture and destruction, there is finally a chance to turn the tide of African opinion unequivocally against Mugabe.
May 16th, 2008 09:43
Dear Sokwanele,
I see that you refer to the MDC as being “the opposition”. Last time I looked the “opposition MDC” won a combined 109 seats against Zanu PF’s 97 - we are therefore no longer the “opposition” but the “majority party”. I think it is important that all we democrats change our mind sets and the language we use to reflect that mindset. Zanu PF is now in reality the opposition/minority party.
Regards,
Senator David Coltart
PS Keep up the great work - this is a great site.
May 16th, 2008 10:04
Thanks Senator. Congratulations on your recent win.
The red links in this link round-up post reflect the titles given by the media to articles we are linking to.
We agree that the MDC are clearly the the winners. Conversely, we should perhaps start all start referring to Zanu PF as the opposition and, more significantly given recent events, to Robert Mugabe as the head of the military junta.
May 16th, 2008 14:56
Sokwanele & David Coltard,
Exactly - just what I was saying in a comment I made somewhere elsewhere in this blog last evening.
Refering to ‘the Government’ when speaking of Zim is WRONG. There is no government until the newly elected one gets into those seats. So - no credance to the old one.
Likewise, Mugabe is no longer the President - whether he agrees or not. So no calling him “President”.
If enough people start calling it as it really is, we will find power in those words. Morale climbs, along with courage, and a balanced sense of right & wrong.
Those who are in Bob’s enemy camp will start getting confused with what they think of as the President, and Government, and it’ll all become double speak to them.
These are things we all need in times of difficulty to help outlive this terrorist, Mugabe.