There are occasions when I read articles referencing Zimbabwe and it’s as if there is a massive distance between my sense of myself as Zimbabwean, and the words I am seeing on the paper. Today is one of those days.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quotes a Libyan activist based in London as saying that reliable sources have informed him that Gaddafi has a plane loaded with gold bullion and currency, ready to take off for sanctuary in Zimbabwe:

“Gaddafi’s own private plane is loaded with gold bullion and lots of hard currency, mainly dollars, and is preparing to flee to Zimbabwe to stay there with his friend Robert Mugabe,” he said.

“We think this could happen very shortly because the Security Council is threatening to impose a no-fly zone and we think that Gaddafi will try to escape before this no-fly zone is imposed, possibly by tomorrow.”

Whether this is true or not is debatable, but what is not debatable, is the fact that Zimbabwe has a record of harbouring some fairly awful people. (more…)

ZLHR Press Release: Detained social justice activist Munyaradzi Gwisai on Thursday 24 February 2011 lamented the torture sessions to which suspects are subjected by state security agents as tragic and inexpressible.

Gwisai, who testified before Harare Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi during an application for refusal of placement on remand for the 45 human rights activists filed by defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama disclosed in court that he, together with other activists, were subjected to torture sessions during their detention by the police at Harare Central Police Station.

Gwisai said the torture sessions were aimed at securing confessions from the activists which would implicate them in the commission of treason, a charge which they are facing in court.

In narrating his ordeal, Gwisai said he was tortured together with five other detainees in a room in the basement at Harare Central Police Station by nine state security agents who included some police officers who had arrested them.

During the torture sessions, which were recorded on video, the detainees were asked to recount what had transpired during their meeting which was held on Saturday 19 February 2011 in central Harare. (more…)

ZLHR Press Release: Police on Wednesday 23 February 2011 charged International Socialist Organisation (ISO) coordinator Munyaradzi Gwisai and 44 social justice and human rights activists with treason.

Prosecutors sneaked in the charge of treason as defined in Section 20 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] or alternatively contravening Section 22 (2) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, that is attempting to overthrow the government by unconstitutional means. Lawyers for the 45 were only advised of the charges minutes before the court convened.

If found guilty of treason, the activists risk being slapped with a sentence of death or life imprisonment.

State prosecutor Edwin Nyazamba, who was assisted by one Mthombeni accused the activists of convening and attending a meeting in a boardroom at Cross Roads House along Julius Nyerere Way in Harare on Saturday 19 February 2011, where they allegedly organized, strategised to implement the removal of a constitutional government of Zimbabwe by unconstitutional means, in similar fashion to the Egyptian revolution, which resulted in the ousting of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. (more…)

21 February 2011: Gaddafi appears on Libyan state television clutching an umbrella

This poem by Shari Eppel was first published on the Solidarity Peace Trust website.

Bulawayo cooling towers

Finally there is some good news in the power supply drama that engulfs the lives of each and every Zimbabwean.  Congratulations go to the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association for spearheading demonstrations over Zesa’s extortionate rates and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for their successful application to reduce tariffs.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply authority has been in disarray for close to a decade and the supply of energy a massive deterrent to investors and an almost insurmountable challenge to local industry, commerce and mining in particular.  Private consumers are overwhelmed with bills that range from $2000 a month to $5000. (more…)

Via MDC Press Release: Ladies and Gentlemen, The purpose of tonight’s event is to mark the second anniversary of the formation of the transitional Government. I think that it is appropriate that we mark this event rather than celebrate it.

From the outset, it is important to state that the GPA sought to achieve economic stability and growth in the country and to implement democratic and Constitutional reforms that would pave way for free and fair elections to restore the country to a legitimate government.

Today, my reflections will be centered on evaluating how far we have gone in implementing the agreement that we signed and in charting a new political direction for the country that we all love. Although we implemented policies in the first months of the formation of this Government that brought about, and continue to bring, positive change to the lives of all Zimbabweans, there is much more that the people of Zimbabwe demand and deserve in terms of both service delivery and democratic reforms. (more…)

I am sick to death of turning on my radio in the morning to be bombarded by the nauseating jingles that infect the airwaves. Added to Zanu Broadcasting Corporation’s venomous hate speech, skewed news items and inane ranting, we have the praise singers fawning over ZanuPF. Now with the 21st February looming I am forced to participate in the celebration of the 87th birthday of the decrepit octogenarian who, like Mubarak, has used his power to enrich himself to a degree beyond my wildest dreams. I retch over the oft repeated jingle wishing the bastard a happy birthday, “makorokota, amhlope”. Congratulations for what? For driving Zimbabwe to ruin?

I dread driving into downtown Harare where the giant screen will certainly be exhorting us to remember the 21st February.

What incenses me even more is the fact that my hard earned US$ taxes are paying for the drivel coming over the airways. (more…)

‘Democracy is the tunnel at the end of the light’: these words, attributed to Vaclav Havel, were posted on Twitter yesterday by an Egyptian who went on to reflect that Egypt was exiting the light after their remarkable days of protest, and now entering the tunnel leading to democracy.

The quote struck me as brilliantly appropriate for Zimbabwe, but unlike the Egyptians, I find it hard to identify the moment of light that occured before we entered our long gloomy tunnel towards democracy. Surely we are not expected to celebrate and rejoice the GPA, signed two years ago, as a moment of ‘light’ in our history?

Stalwart supporters of the GPA will point to isolated examples of progress in an attempt to convince Zimbabweans that democracy is indeed closer; however, not even they can deny that the GPA has failed to deliver on the most basic demands dear to the hearts of Zimbabweans: extensive security reforms, electoral reforms, media reforms, a new constitution, basic human rights to be protected and upheld by a non-partisan police force. All other achievements seem paltry – an insult even – when measured against the things we still crave and believe are necessary for freedom. (more…)