I recently spoke to a friend of mine who lives at Nkulumane and she’s very amused by what is happening there.

Nkulumane has not had water now for some months. The only place residents can get water is in a dirty hole they call a watering point. Fortunately for my friend her house is not too far from this place.

She is very amused though that the police compound is not getting any water either, but they have to walk four kilometres to fill their buckets every day.

There is some justice in a funny way, and we just sit back and smile.

They have been making life so difficult for us, now they are having a little bit of their own troubles.

Zimbabwe, Poverty, Police, Water

We apologise to readers for the disturbing picture which accompanies this short news piece. The fact is that this is the ugly reality that Mugabe has created in our beautiful Zimbabwe, once a land of peace and harmony in which innocent citizens like the one in the picture were protected from violent and lawless thugs. Now the thugs roam our streets freely, inflicting terrible suffering on a defenceless civilian population, confident in the knowledge that, provided they have the right political connections to the ruling ZANU PF elite or to the politicized law-enforcement agents, they will never be held to account for their dastardly acts.

The man with the terrible head injuries was a game scout employed on a ranch in the Lowveld, just outside Chiredzi. Earlier in the month he was out on light patrol duties on the ranch when he came across three AI settlers from the area. They obviously objected to the work in which he was engaged protecting game from poachers, and did not want to have him around, so they attacked him there and then, viciously, with an axe. They very nearly killed the scout who was rushed to Chiredzi hospital for treatment. The horrific injuries shown in the picture speak for themselves of a barbaric attack.

The incident was immediately reported to the local police. The victim is able to identify his assailants who deserve to face the full force of the law. To date however no arrests have been made. Indeed there is no indication that the police intend to investigate the matter any further. All of which prompts the simple question – on whose side are the police now acting? On the side of innocent civilians or violent criminals? On the side of the people of Zimbabwe or the lawless clique that now rules the country?

Zimbabwe, Mugabe, Lawlessness, Violence

It is nearly two weeks since robert mugabe controversially addressed the United Nations in Rome, and the state-controlled press here at home are still trying to milk as much political mileage out of it as possible.

An article appearing today in The Horrid (state-controlled Herald newspaper) (link), chortles away at how mugabe and hugo chavez, the president of Venezuela “emerged as the most critical voices at the just ended 60th anniversary commemorations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)”.

The article goes on to describe chavez as one of Latin America’s most popular leaders and as mugabe’s “new comrade and solidarity”. Mugabe’s speech was “rousing” and captured the “political chemistry” and “rainbow spirit” between the two leaders. Apparently the warmth generated by the speech “radiated to all other world leaders” present.

According to The Horrid, the two “uncompromisingly principled” men “had the guts to say what many other people throughout the world would want to say but don’t and can’t afford to because they fear the wrath of the powerful nations.”

No one is clapping in Zimbabwe; no one is impressed. Why? Because we’re starving, and we’re not fools. We know, because of Operation Murambatsvina, that the combative words mugabe hurled from the podium had less to do with his “concerns of the poor” and more to do with trying to find something to say – anything at all – at a conference where everyone else was talking about famine and starvation in the world.

What else could mugabe say? ‘I am a dictator who destroys my people’s homes, deprives them of their income, and then does nothing while they starve’…?

Hardly likely!

This is what he did say:

“I have a soul, I have a heart, I have a conscience and I dare not allow anything that is untoward to happen to my people”

Excuse me while I fall about laughing my head off!

Zimbabwe, Mugabe, Chavez, United Nations, Famine, Propaganda

We had a bit of a cool, windy day yesterday in Bulawayo – quite a relief from the normal stinking hot October weather! It warmed up by lunchtime, but started cooling off quite rapidly from there . By the time I got home it was pretty chilly. As I sat down at my PC, I rummaged back in my mind over memories of this year’s winter.

Those thoughts were quite miserable really – a series of events and experiences best forgotten. I can only liken that winter to a night out in the cold with no blankets. At first you’re too cold to sleep, then too tired to stay awake, then you’re waking up every half hour, legs aching, arms aching, waiting, dozing, waking, waiting, until dawn mercifully slips over the horizon.

It wasn’t the worst of winters, but with things as they are in Zim at the moment, it seemed colder and more miserable than most I have lived through. I got sick for the first time in several years. A really bad cold was knocking people to their knees in Bullies this year, and
I just had to catch it, didn’t I! It took me nearly a month to shake it off. Yes – this winter showed me that I’m not a youngster any more – even if I still don’t act my age!

But that wasn’t the worst of it, nor was it the fact that I had had virtually no increase in salary for the best part of a year, while inflation crept behind me, ready to pounce at the first sign of any spare cash. It wasn’t because my kids put on brave smiles when we presented them with birthday presents that were so much smaller than most of their schoolmates got. Yes, that hurts … but nothing like the sheer cold-hearted inhumanity of our so-called leaders and their willing mercenaries who planned and perpetrated, and still continue, operation murambatsvina – an undeclared war on the poorest of our people. Can you believe it?

After months of international condemnation from most of the world, it still continues!

Now the rainy season is almost upon us – and if the signs are anything to go by, it will be quite a good season. That means torrential rains pouring from massive black clouds, thunderstoms with awesome earth-shaking thunder rolling from horizon to horizon, and lightning lashing out at anything brave enough to stand in the storm’s way. And here I sit in the relative luxury of my old house with it’s leaky old roof and think of those whose humble little shacks were bulldozed by mugabe’s thugs. Those whose homes, livelihoods, and families were trashed for nothing more than political muscle-flexing by a dictator well past his sell-by date! These people are still living out in the open, still being attacked and driven on by the so-called officers of the law!

Where will they find shelter from the rains? I think of the frustration and mental agony of all of those who care – those who are trying to provide for the needs of those displaced, those who are raising money and basic needs for these people – ducking and diving and dodging the “law”, risking assault and arrest – just to help those in need. This is what real people are made of!

“They” say that hardships bring out the best in people. I have to agree. Some months ago, we sat the kids down and explained to them the bleakness of our financial situation. The sat and listened, and took it all in without a single word of complaint.

Afterwards I retreated to my study, feeling thoroughly deflated. A couple of minutes later, my eldest son came through. He presented me with a handful of notes – all of the money he had received for his birthday. He wanted to help us, and it was okay, he didn’t want it back. I had wanted to cry during our talk, but now I couldn’t hold back the tears. Dear Lord – they are such wonderful kids, and I am so very proud of my son!

Zimbabwe, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees, Children

I haven’t put pen to paper (figuratively speaking) in a while. I guess the depression has been getting the better of me.

For some months now, my mental picture of Zim’s future has been a blank, literally non-existent. Curiously enough, other people have come out with very similar thoughts as myself – that we can’t see anything beyond the end of the year. It’s really weird – as if Zim doesn’t exist beyond midnight on 31st December! I’ve been trying to figure it out, but it’s one of those thoughts that you can’t quite get a clear picture of. It doesn’t feel
bad, but then it doesn’t feel good either – it’s so very frustrating.

Zim has been my life for so long now – the wonderful people, the beautiful country, the great climate. Yes, things have changed – from the carefree school days of the sixties, the heartbreak and destruction of the war years, to the great hopes at Independence, and now into the decline. I can’t remember a holiday or trip outside the country that wasn’t better the moment I crossed the border back home.

Home! That just about says it all. Home – somewhere to celebrate your greatest joys, to share your sorrows, a place to settle and build great things, a place to love and be loved, to nurture justice and democracy …… and a place to stand and defend – shoulder to shoulder with your own – against that which would destroy you.

Well, we’ve been there and done most of that. Now it’s the stand and defend bit – together with our friends of all races, colours and creeds. We are know what we’re fighting for and we’re ready to see it to the end. We just don’t know what the future holds for us. All I know is, that whether we win or lose, we have been true to ourselves, to our people and to God, and in that we are – and will remain – truly blessed.

Zimbabwe

Friends and family abroad always ask me why I choose to live in Zimbabwe. “Leave now, start afresh, there is nothing left for you there.” When I see friends who I have not seen for some time, the common greeting is “You still here?” followed by “Are you going?” and then the usual pros and cons of living abroad. So, why do I choose to stay here? Its simple. I was born here and this is my home; I will not be forced out against my will.

But living in a country like this, where there is poverty and sickness and mass starvation all around you is not easy. The people are suffering, the animals are suffering – we’re all innocent victims of one pathetic old man; robert mugabe! Some days the pure sadness is overwhelming. My darkest day happened about a year ago. I was in my car, parked outside a bakery just getting ready to drive off. A scuffle took place inside the shop and I witnessed the security guard who was manning the door physically throw a lady out of the bakery. She was middle aged, dirty and dishevelled. In one hand she held an assortment of scruffy plastic bags filled with her possessions, and in the other she clutched a LARGE bundle of $100 bills. Standing on the pavement about a meter away from the bakery, she collapsed into great big sobs. Gut wrenching cries came from deep down inside her.

I realised what had happened (which I later confirmed with the bakery staff). She had saved up her money (acquired probably through hours of begging on the streets) and proudly went into the bakery to purchase a loaf of bread. Not realising that the price had increased, she did not have enough cash with her and she argued the price. They physically threw her out. On that day, I was able to help: I purchased two loaves of bread for her and we both stood on the pavement outside the bakery and cried together.

I don’t have much to give but that day, I had enough to change that lady’s life (if only for a few hours). I have never seen her again; I often wonder where she is today. Did she become one of bob’s starvation victims or has she found sanctuary somewhere? In my heart I hope she is alive and well, but my brain tells me otherwise. Realistically, I know her chances of survival are slim. This is the cruelty of life under the rule of mugabe. When I have any doubt as to whether I should be living in Zimbabwe, I think of that day and remember how fortunate I am in life. I look forward to the day when we get beyond this evil bitter little man robert mugabe.

Zimbabwe, Mugabe, Poverty, Exile

Beatrice Mtetwa has been awarded one of the 2005 Press Freedom Awards by the New York-based campaign group the Committee to Protect Journalists. Congratulations Beatrice – we’re very proud of you!

The Zimbabwean lawyer has defended the rights both of Zimbabwean journalists and of foreign correspondents working in the country, and the CPJ award reflects the fact that internationally, Ms Mtetwa is best known for her work in defence of the media.

But she says she also takes a lot of cases involving constitutional law, mostly in the area of human rights.

“My most important work never gets near the media,” she told the BBC News website, adding jokingly: “You guys just like to report on yourselves.”

Full story here on the BBC

Zimbabwe, Human Rights, Press Freedom, Beatrice Mtetwa

“Aaah, no – not again!” That was my youngest this morning. He was not at all happy! “Dad – why do we have semolina for breakfast every morning?”

I corrected him – we alternate between semolina one day, and mealie meal porridge the next.

“But Dad, come oooon! – why can’t we have fruit hoops (his favourite) or something else?”

“Because we can’t afford them, that why! And if you don’t eat up, I’ll put it on your sandwiches for school!”

“Yeah, right Dad”, was the retort, but that did the trick – he finished the whole bowl. Semolina sandwiches? There was a thought dark enough to dissuade the stoutest of ten-year-olds! Even I cringed at my own cruel humour.

But – that’s what Zim is coming to. Inflation is destroying lives and livelihoods right across the social spectrum. We, as part of a fast-disappearing middle class, are being driven to save money wherever possible. Breakfasts are just one small example.

Good old basic cornflakes are Z$90,000 to 130,000 a box, and fancier breakfasts are even worse. Oats are not even available, but you can buy imported breakfasts for over Z$200,000 a box.

Well, no – that is just a figure of speech isn’t it?

Only the rich are able to buy it! A quarter of a million dollars for a box of breakfast cereal !! And by Christmas?? Maybe we might just have to get down to semolina sandwiches – that is supposing that we can still afford bread, if it it is still available!

Zimbabwe, Inflation,