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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

ANTI-HIJACK UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 2010

ANTI-HIJACK UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 2010


November has been a busy month and as we head into the Festive Season … please ensure you have all security plans for home and business premises in place well in advance … do NOT leave it till the last minute as then it just may be too late!

It’s a busy time for all with the build up to Christmas and 2011 … and it’s also ‘shutdown’ for many companies after a long and eventful year! As we start winding down to spend time with family and friends and head out to relax make sure it is with a peaceful mind. We must remember that this is the prime time for good picking for the underworld and we have a high rate of unemployment with many desperate families so be sure to not leave temptation in view or your guard down when it comes to security ….. Let’s make sure it WILL be a Happy Christmas for us all.

There have been a few armed robberies reported mainly in the Avondale area … please be warned. Money being the main objective and at this time of the year we can least afford to lose it … it’s never a good time! Gate motors, swimming pool pumps are still on the hit list … and with all the long power cuts we have been experiencing this month, its difficult to have a backup system that can cope with it all. With the rainy season also upon us, there will be the usual if not more faults so be prepared the best way you can.

Please be careful when parking in open car parks … attending funerals, church, or any function etc as there have been reports of attempted break ins and robbery. Hopefully this will be kept in mind and security in these areas stepped up. Smash and grabs are still ongoing … so be vigilant at all times when approaching traffic light intersections. Keep alert on trips to the airport as this is an ongoing area of crime - both to and from the airport. Keep all luggage etc out of view and do not have anything on the seats or back shelf in the vehicle.

With all this in mind let’s head into the Festive Season with confidence of a happy time with our families and friends… support your local neighbourhood watch units and keep security as an important part of the agenda.

Let’s ALL fight this crime together - stay ALERT and SAFE

The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray on Tuesday condemned Wiki-leaks

Harare, November 30, 2010 - The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray on Tuesday condemned Wiki-leaks disclosure of diplomatic communication by a former US ambassador to the country which castigated Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as an 'indecisive' leader with questionable judgments while President Robert Mugabe was described as a 'bully."


Wiki-leaks, an international news organization dedicated in providing information to the whole world in publishing the truth behind events released classified information on the communication by US former ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell in his report to the US government on Zimbabwe political landscape.

Dell described Tsvangirai and his MDC party as 'democrats' but far from being ideal.Dell further said Tsvangirai, a former trade union leader as "a flawed figure, not readily open to advice, indecisive and with questionable judgment."


Dell who was in Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2007 in his communication to Washington said "Mugabe and his henchman are like bullies everywhere: if they can intimidate, you they will. But they're not used to someone standing up to them and fighting back."


He advised Washington that Mugabe was on his way out in the communication titled, "The end is Nigh." Dell, heavy critic of Mugabe brushed feathers several times with the then regime of President Mugabe


The US has been under heavy criticism from all over the world for having double standards on global politics. Wiki-leaks says it is sitting over 250 000 classified information US documents that it will release in the near future. The documents include diplomatic communication, US documents on war in Iraq and Afghanistan among others.


Current US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ray on Tuesday issued a statement saying President Barack Obama is working to 'reinvigorate' US relations across the globe , strengthening existing partnerships and says the US regrets the release of classified documents by Wiki-leaks.


"I cannot vouch for the authenticity of any one of these documents. But I can say that the United States deeply regrets the disclosure of any information that was intended to be confidential. And we condemn it," Ray said.


"Diplomats must engage in frank discussions with their colleagues, and they must be assured that these discussions will remain private. Honest dialogue—within governments and between them—is part of the basic bargain of international relations; we couldn’t maintain peace, security, and international stability without it."

Ray, however, said people must realize that diplomats reports do not represent the official US foreign policy adding that his government is committed to maintain diplomatic ties with Harare.

"I do believe that people of good faith recognize that diplomats’ internal reports do not represent a government’s official foreign policy,"Ray said.

"For our part, the U.S. government is committed to maintaining the security of our diplomatic communications. We will continue to work to strengthen our partnership with the people of Zimbabwe and make progress on the issues that are important for our two countries. We can’t afford anything less."

Sunday, November 28, 2010

From Ben Freeth

There is a fellow called Mr. Schoons from Sussex University in the UK who has recently put out some statistics trying to prove that the land reform program In Zimbabwe has been OK. He suggests the new system is efficient and it is working.


I don't know whether he has ever taken a drive around the former commercial farms and seen what is actually happening? Is the infrastructure improving? Are the cropping areas thriving? Are the cattle sale pens full at the sales? Are the people looking better off?
Are the agricultural towns blossoming with new growth?

Perhaps he discounts the realities and has closed his eyes to the truth.

What is per capita income compared to ten years ago? What has the tax base fallen too for the funding of education, health etc. since land reform began? Why have nearly a third of Zimbabweans fled the country?

Is the fact that we have needed more food aid per capita in the last ten years just a myth?

Mr. Schoons has always been an apologist for ZANU PF policies. It is sad that clever academics can massage statistics to support dictatorship and prolong the suffering of ordinary people who need to be free from fear and the system of feudal patronage that has been set up to control them.

I wonder if Mr. Schoons has ever tried to farm himself under a feudal system with no security?

Africa doesn't need academic idealists. We need practical people who are going to help create an enabling environment for the poorest continent on earth to break out of its poverty and feed the world. That is our great challenge; and we all need to take it up if the African people are going to stop getting poorer and realize their potential.

Ben Freeth

Tony Lampard - Some research notes.

Indiginization Regulations
Recourse to International Law.

The Zimbabwe government appears to have the mistaken belief that sovereignty gives them full protection against international crimes.

Many of these crimes arise from the violation of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments that set out the human rights that include civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights and form part of international law.

By simply producing laws and constitutional amendments that legalise locally international crimes I believe merely provides protection within the country's boundaries. In today's Global Village it is very difficult for society to exist in isolation.

"indigenous Zimbabwean" [any person who before 18th April 1980 was disadvantaged by unfair discrimination on the grounds of his or her race, any descendant of such a person, and any company, association, syndicate or partnership in which such persons hold the controlling interest or are the majority of the members]. This is clearly a distinction as to race and clearly implies (as read with the rest of the Act and regulations) that any person who before 18th April 1980 was advantaged by unfair discrimination on the grounds of his or her race, and any descendant of such a person will be disadvantaged by unfair discrimination by this legislation on the grounds of his or her race. Now in terms of the constitution discrimination black against white or women against men is regarded as "fair discrimination". It is therefore unlikely for any recourse within the sovereign bounds.

However

Non-discrimination is one of the most accepted principles of international human rights. The government should treat society without discrimination on grounds of race, colour, creed, age, gender or political persuasion, and to cultivate a positive approach to diversity as a factor for change. Everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights irrespective of their colour, race, gender, religion, ethnic, social or national origin, political or other opinion, property, poverty, disability, birth, lack of citizenship, sexual preference, or other status, for example, severe illness such as HIV / AIDS. Decisions on the conditions for promotion, the availability of products or the allocation of supplier contracts should be taken without discrimination or regard to arbitrary preferences. The state should respect everyone's right to own property, alone or in association with others and should fairly compensate property owners for their intellectual and physical property.

Recruitment, training and promotion should be based on qualifications, skills and experience and not on any of the following criteria: race, colour, gender, religion, political affiliation, nationality or social origin.

Human rights are acknowledged as being universal, that is they apply everywhere, and inalienable, which means that they cannot be taken away from the person even with his or her agreement.

An organization may be regarded as complicit if it in some way authorizes, tolerates or knowingly ignores abuses committed by a connected organization or Zimbabwe state agents that do not respect human rights.

While case law is developing that is clarifying the legal liability of private organizations or businesses for complicity in international crimes most of what society, business and human rights advocates understand as complicity goes beyond its present legal definition and application.

Example

Let us say A Another owns a business in Zimbabwe and because he/she is regarded as non-indigenous because of colour, race, ethnic, social or national origin, has to part with the majority shareholding to comply with racist laws. Because rights are inalienable A Another may consent to part with the majority shareholding without losing rights under international law. Realistically recourse will have to be outside the sovereign bounds and this should be made possible because human rights are acknowledged as being universal, that is they apply everywhere.

Let us say the transaction requires the services of a bank. For a bank to be complicit the key word appears to be "knowingly". It should therefore be merely incumbent upon A Another to ensure potential for legal liability of the bank for complicity in international crimes arising from these services is recognized and understood.

Extracted from an e-mail from Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe.

"Standard Chartered Bank ("SCB") is incorporated in England with limited liability by Royal Charter 1853, under reference ZC18. The Principal Office of SCB is situated in England at 1 Aldermanbury Square, London EC2V 7SB. In the United Kingdom, SCB is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority under FSA register number 114276."

Extracted from The Economist "Governments are taking an ever keener

interest: in Britain, for example, the 2006 Companies Act introduced a requirement for public companies to report on social and environmental matters."

Recently published International Standard ISO 26000 - Social

Responsibility standard. This is a guidance standard and of special
interest is the "responsible for the wider sphere of influence". What this essentially means as it effects Zimbabwe and the indig regs (as I understand it) is - to comply with this standard organizations may be risk averse as violation of human rights is not in their business interest. I queried the "compliance with law"
with the ISO executive. In the event, like we may have in Zimbabwe, local laws are in violation of international laws, especially those on human rights, which law prevails - they replied International Law prevails.
Kind Regards
Tony Lampard

Saturday, November 27, 2010

That the date of the implementation of SI 154 of 2010 has been postponed until June 2011

From: Kelvin Weare [mailto:weare@telfordmica.com] Just to keep you informed...


That the date of the implementation of SI 154 of 2010 has been postponed until June 2011. "This letter serves to inform you the implementation date of the statutory 154 of 2010 has been moved to June 2011. Please note that the following still remains: That the reflective triangle has to be reflective on both sides and all the initial requirements That the fire extinguishers has to be approved by SAZ." We will advise once we have in stock the necessary Fire Extinguishers and Triangles that meet the Statutory Instrument. Regards Kelvin Weare Cell: +263 77 2326687

CARMEN ORFORD

CARMEN ORFORD It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Carmen Orford. Beloved wife of Charles and loving mother of Siobhan and David.Carmen died suddenly of a heart attack on the morning of 18th November.  The memorial service will be held at St Georges Chapel on Wednesday 24th November at 4pm followed by a wake at Royal Harare Golf Club

Danielle Shannon Pattenden

The Memorial Service for our beloved Danielle Shannon Pattenden, precious daughter of Gary and Brenda and loving sister to James, will be held on Friday 26 November 2010 at Chisipite Senior School at 2pm. To be followed by tea at the Chisipite Girls Pavilion.  Donations in lieu of flowers to S.O.A.P may be either dropped at Paddington’s Insurance Agency – 5 Leeds Close, Highlands (Tel: 776579/253256/7) Bank details can be given on request.

US$100 spot fine for hosepipe use

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=19554&cat=1

Municipal Reporter

Harare residents caught using hosepipes for any purposes will have to pay a US$100 spot fine, the City Council has warned.

The city will confiscate the hosepipe and if the user does not have the fine, his/her water supplies would be disconnected until it is paid.

Harare Water distribution and customer service manager Engineer Hosiah Chisango yesterday said: "We will fine the user US$100, confiscate the hosepipe and close supplies if the fine is not paid."

The ban has been in force for years.

In an advertisement published on Monday, the city advised that the ban on hosepipe use was still in force.

Council has a standing resolution on the ban of hosepipes after realising that residents were abusing water through uncontrolled irrigation of their gardens and lawns.

"The City of Harare wishes to advise members of the public that it is a serious offence to use hosepipes.

"A hefty penalty will be charged on anyone found using a hosepipe at anytime of the day."

Harare produces around 600 megalitres of water daily against a demand of 1 200 megalitres. The hosepipe ban is part of mechanisms to keep water demand within check.

However, the ban does not affect residents with boreholes though they are expected to register these with the council at Cleveland House.

Council has reactivated its hosepipe monitoring teams and has called on people to whistle-blow violators.

Eastern and Northern suburbs that have traditionally suffered unreliable water supplies have this year generally had a steady supply.

These include Mabvuku, Tafara, Highlands, Hatcliffe, Chisipite, Grange, Kambanji, Greendale and Glen Lorne.

Companies that sold water in these suburbs are reportedly folding up as residents access cheaper city water.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Gillian Mary Travers

Gillian Mary Travers passed away peacefully on Monday 8th November in Borrowdale Trust. Dearest and most cherished wife of Norman, beloved mother of Barbara, John, Simon and Alastair. Her devoted family and grandchildren will miss our most gracious Mum beyond words. The Burial Service will be beside Norman at Castle Kopje on Imire at 11.30 am on Friday 12th November. All are welcome.

HELP IS NEEDED ALONG THE BORROWDALE ROAD.

AS A COMMUNITY OUR URGENT HELP IS NEEDED ALONG THE BORROWDALE ROAD.


• The road verge is overgrown/tar damage.

• The drains are broken and blocked.

• The rain water cannot run off the roads and heavy rains are predicted.

• THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS HAVE INCREASED.

THIS IS AN AREA APPEAL TO ALL HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT DEPTS. CHURCHES, DOMESTIC GARDENERS, WORKERS AND ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO HELP TO MEET ALONG BORROWDALE ROAD WITH A SHOVEL (IF POSSIBLE PLEASE BRING A NEON JACKET) ON SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER AT 8.30AM.

• Soil and Foliage will be placed on the island and on the verges for collection by City of Harare who will be working with us.

• Bags, gloves, masks, spikes and water will be on site.

• Suggest working in teams of 3 with 2 collecting and 1 holding the bag open.

• Full bags of rubbish to be placed in delegated area on the verge of the road for collection by City of Harare.

COLLECTIVELY WE CREATE A CLEANER CITY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY OF HARARE.

PHONE SHARON HOOK 04 870877/0772240442 hooknook@yoafrica.com

ROY BENNETT'S SPEECH

ZIMBABWE

ROY BENNETT'S SPEECH
HOUSES LORD'S & COMMON'S
UK Parliament - House of Commons and House of Lords
10 November 2010
This is what Roy Bennett had to say in Paris on Wednesday when he gave the key-note speech before Morgan was awarded his Democracy award.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

For us in Zimbabwe, elections have brought us 30 years of torment, torture and death. What I want to give you now is not an academic analysis, but rather a personal, real life sense of the pain that this period has brought—to give you an idea of what elections mean for the ordinary Zimbabwean. I also want to explain how this nightmare has evolved and from it, urge that all opinion-makers are mobilised throughout the international community as yet another ‘election’ is to be held in Zimbabwe.

Unlike many countries in Africa, Zimbabwe has held many elections. We have held them on time and managed the mechanics of voting relatively efficiently. This poses an obvious question: why would a regime which believes it has a God-given right to rule in perpetuity bother with elections? The answer to this has its roots in an election which took place in February 1980 and in turn provided the basis for the formation of an independent Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe and his party, Zanu, had been fighting a war of liberation from colonial domination supported in that cold war era by China. Zanu’s leaders were deeply sceptical about participating in elections because it believed these would be rigged against them. Zanu was forced into this election by their main guerrilla host sponsors, Mozambique and Tanzania. Zanu participated reluctantly and angrily—yet they also came up with a plan to ensure a manufactured majority of Zimbabweans would vote for them. Advised and trained by Peking at the time, they did this by terrorising and brutalising the rural population which, then, as now, constitutes the bulk of our people.

Terror was not new to Mugabe’s army, Zanla. These guerrilla forces operated largely in the Shona-speaking areas of Zimbabwe, during the liberation war. They relied heavily on Mao Tse Tung’s strategy of terror. Arbitrary killings were the chosen means of putting the fear of God—or, more correctly, the fear of Satan—into innocent, defenceless rural peasant people. One of many techniques was to force so-called “sell outs” or ‘collaborators’ to lie on the ground while their family members were forced to beat them to death. Others were tied with wire and shot at point blank range. One terrible instance remains raw in my mind. These ‘Liberation heroes’ took a metal bar, heated it red hot, made a crook on its end, and disembowelled a woman. Her young daughter was buried alive alongside her. The whole village was forced to watch.

Under the ceasefire agreement at that time, Mugabe’s Zanu was obliged to lay down arms and gather its forces at pre-designated assembly points. Instead, Zanu assembled only a portion of its cadres and instructed the rest to remain at large to intimidate the people and thus guarantee the rural vote. These combatants moved among the villages and the people were told that they would be shot, or have their throats cut, if they did not vote for Mugabe’s Zanu. Against the background of the war, and its sickening violence, people needed little convincing that the threat of death was real. But this did not prevent Zanla from reinforcing the point: many more alleged collaborators or ‘sell-outs’ were butchered during the ceasefire. Shona rural areas in Zimbabwe were made no-go zones for other political parties. In one of many examples, Francis Makombe, a candidate representing the rival nationalist party, Zapu—which was supported by the Soviet Union and, ironically, South Africa’s African National Congress—was last seen having hot coals shoved down his throat.

Mugabe ‘won’ a majority. To his surprise and delight Zanu inherited the ‘Bread Basket of Africa’. International recognition, admiration and aid followed. He and his party learnt a lifelong lesson: elections confer legitimacy, no matter how they are won. Put otherwise, violence could always guarantee power in a so-called democracy, just as it does during war. Before assuming office, the commander of Zanla forces in the field died under suspicious circumstances in a ‘car accident’ in Mozambique. The remains of the charismatic Josiah Tongogara have never been exhumed, despite his family’s requests for an independent autopsy. He was at the time a credible rival to Mugabe. Murder and assassination have never been far from Zanu’s leadership.

After its success in 1980, Zanu embarked on a second objective that it hoped to be achieve by a sweeping victory at the next elections, Mugabe’s ZANU had power—but it lacked the element that had underlined the war effort. Zanu wanted not only to rule, but to rule alone. Zanu decided Zimbabwe should become a North Korean-style personalised one-party state. But there was a problem in the form of Joshua Nkomo and his party, Zapu. Zapu enjoyed overwhelming support from the regionally-based minority Ndebele tribe. Zanu had to manufacture a pretext for wiping out Zapu and its support before the next election was held. A bandit problem in the Zapu heartland of Matabeleland provided this pretext. In January 1983, Zanu deployed to Matabeleland the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade of the army. The Brigade was called Gukurahundi,—which in Shona means the ‘rain that washes away the chaff’. The Gukurahundi was ostensibly mobilised to deal with bandits, known locally as dissidents. Zimbabweans knew then what Mugabe was to embark on. This world needs to now recognise the Gukurahundi massacres for what they were, a shameful act of despicable ETHNIC CLEANSING.

The deployment of the Fifth Brigade brought with it the worst sustained bloodletting ever seen in Zimbabwe. In scale—and in its grotesque, sadist nature—the likes of it had never been seen before. Many, many thousands died; the number will never be known. But this address is not about statistics or numbers. It is about suffering and the need for justice. It is about bringing to justice those who inflicted inconceivably brutal, savage murders on innocent people. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters deserve nothing less. The following are eyewitness accounts, some of which have never been published before:

[They] found him milking. They shot him and broke off his lower jaw and cut off his tongue. He ran away ... They fired again and broke his left arm below the elbow. We found him on the 2nd day ... We brought him home but [he] died the following day.

We were made to sing ... we were then beaten indiscriminately ... Large sticks were used ... Some young men were made to dig a large hole about 2 meters deep ... [three] were asked to jump into the hole ... Six [soldiers] then fired several shots ...While the three were still moving villagers were made to cover up the hole.

We were made to lie with our faces down and they worked on us. Sticks used for roofing were used in torturing us. I was unable to move until the next morning ... [a soldier then] pulled out a pistol and shot Mable and Kate. [Another] tore open Kate’s womb. They laughed when they saw the foetus moving and said, “the dissident wants to run away”.

[He] was thatching his home when the armed men came. They shot him when he was on the roof ... The wife ... had gone to fetch some water at a borehole. She was shot on the way back to her home by the same people who shot her husband. [He] and his wife ... were buried at their home. The grandmother, who had taken care of her from youth until the time she got married, took care of the grandchildren.

The Gukurahundi has left a huge, festering wound in the Ndebele psyche; it hangs over Zimbabwe like a dark cloud. Not one of the architects of the Ndebele ethnic cleansing has been brought to justice—not a single one. Instead, many have been promoted for their loyalty to Mugabe and Zanu. The commander of the Fifth Brigade, Brigadier Perence Shiri, was later promoted to the head of the Zimbabwean Air Force.

He now sits on the Joint Operations Command, a junta which effectively runs Zimbabwe to this day in spite of my party’s victory in parliamentary elections of March 2008—a victory that was even grudgingly acknowledged by Mugabe.

Zanu expected the general elections of 1985 to bring victory in Matabeleland and the obliteration of Zapu as a political entity. But the Ndebele people delivered a rude shock to Zanu, electing Zapu candidates in all 15 Matabeleland seats. The Ndebele people initiated what has become a proud and thoroughly brave tradition among Zimbabweans: continual, peaceful democratic resistance to Zanu tyranny. As they were to do in later years, the Zanu leadership reacted with rage to Ndebele defiance in 1985. They incited mobs to attack Zapu supporters in urban areas. Mugabe made a radio broadcast in Shona saying: ‘Endai munobvisa sora riri mubindu menyu’—which translated means ‘go and uproot the weeds from your garden’. If ever there was a call for vicious retribution, this was it. The Zanu-PF Women’s League—at the time headed by the now Vice-President Joyce Mujuru and deputised by Mugabe’s wife Sally—rampaged through Harare’s suburbs, destroying the houses of Zapu supporters and hacking to death a Zapu candidate with an axe. Two pregnant women were brutally killed. It was a shocking and visible reminder to URBAN Zimbabweans of Mugabe’s brutality, regularly inflicted upon rural peasants for years. Casualty numbers were substantial.

By 1987, Zapu had been thoroughly decimated. Its leaders were completely overwhelmed. They conceded to a so-called unity agreement, (sound familiar?) which allowed Zanu to swallow them whole. Mugabe had achieved his de-facto one-party state.

Unchallenged for more than a decade, Zanu-PF was content to leave the people of Zimbabwe to their own devices. The party leadership then devoted itself wholeheartedly to corruption and the systematic looting of state resources. But the fundamental character of Zanu did not change. It remains a hybrid North Korean-style dictatorship centered around Robert Mugabe. Zanu PF boast: ‘Zanu ndeyeropa’—‘Zanu is a party of blood’. When Mugabe’s Zanu PF is not under pressure, it is happy to let things adrift. But it always returns to its violent roots when the heat is on. We would do well to remember that now, in 2010! Zanu is Zanu and will always be so; the party’s politburo is overwhelmingly comprised of individuals who are serial HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSERS.

Growing out of the trade union movement and civil society—and rooted in the Zimbabwean people’s resentment of Zanu’s self enrichment and corruption—the Movement for Democratic Change was formed in 1999. Zanu-PF faced its most serious challenge since Zapu. Indeed, MDC was always an even greater threat, because it drew support from all tribal and racial groups in Zimbabwe. Our first objective in the MDC was to mobilise the people to vote ‘NO’ in a constitutional referendum which Mugabe hoped to manipulate to give him even more control around his personalised presidency. The MDC’s second objective was parliamentary elections due to take place during 2000.

As in 1985, Zanu-PF was complacent and underestimated the depth of resentment among the people. Another rude shock was delivered. Mugabe’s draft constitution was rejected. He appeared on TV pretending to be the conciliatory statesman, but reliable sources confirm that inside he was seething and filled with hatred after the MDC’s successful mobilisation. Mugabe’s response this time around was to ethnically cleanse white farmers and their labour force. Zanu-PF used the emotive ‘Land Restitution Programme’ as a cheap, cynical electoral gimmick. White Zimbabwean farmers were to be punished for supporting MDC and their farm workers and dependents, who constituted a bloc of around a million opposition supporters, were driven off the land and left destitute. The pain and human suffering inflicted upon Zimbabwean farm workers—and their resulting circumstances are almost too painful to describe.

Zanu-PF-sponsored anarchy descended upon the vibrant farming community. The prospect of being killed on any day was totally real. Groups of Zanu-PF youth militia began to forcibly evict farmers off their property, beating and killing them and their workers in a classical program.

Remarkably, after less than a year in existence—and in the face of institutionalised vote rigging—MDC still managed to capture 57 of the 120 contested seats in the 2000 elections. In reality Zanu-PF’s Mugabe has never ceased the war it declared on us, the Zimbabwean people. Many outside Zimbabwe do not realise that land invasions have continued for years—and are still continuing. Farmers and their workers, many who had maintained remarkable life-long relationships, became the wretched of the earth: shot, raped, and beaten with chains and logs. Many died long and agonising deaths, without medical care of any kind. For those of us who lived through it, we can never forget. These things are seared on our memories.

The country has been ruined by those whose only interest is retaining power through the barrel of a gun.

On my own farm, so called war veterans, but nothing more than HITLER-STYLE BROWN SHIRT HOOLIGANS invaded six weeks before the 2000 elections where I had been asked by the local community to oppose a Zanu-PF candidate. My workers were savagely beaten. My wife, five months pregnant, lost her baby. The ‘militia’ returned a year later after I was elected to office as the local MDC Member of Parliament. Over the next three years, my coffee estate was looted and plundered. My workers were continuously beaten. Various court orders counted for nothing. The intensity of these attacks increased in early 2004: two teenage girls were raped, and two employees, Shemmy Manyenyeka and Joseph Kaitano, were shot by a soldier. Shemmy was shot in the face at point-blank range. Imagine, if you can ladies and gentleman, people whose lives, circumstances and families were so part and parcel of mine, being killed, tortured, and humiliated simply because of their support for me and the MDC.

Finally, in April my family, management and staff were forced off our farm. We were left with nothing. But we were better off than my workers and their families. They had neither shelter nor prospects and were forced to flee. One study estimates that of the one million farm workers and their dependents, nearly 400,000 have died since 2000 from the effects of malnutrition and lack of access to medical care and attention. The effect of this ethnic cleansing of the agricultural sector of Zimbabwe constitutes a massive series of human rights violations, deserving a full INTERNATIONAL investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, more pain and death was brought by the elections of 2002 and 2005 as a result of steadfast and growing support for my party, MDC. In the urban areas, +-700,000 people lost their livelihoods, or had their homes demolished in mid-winter, during 2005’s Operation Murambatsvina—a term that means ‘drive out the rubbish’. This disgusting Zanu-PF initiative was embarked upon in response to MDC’s total

control of the urban electorate. By demolishing MDC’s urban support base, and forcing destitute Zimbabweans to flee to neighbouring countries, primarily South Africa, Zanu-PF resorted again to terror in the elections of 2008. It was these elections that took us to the brink of another Gukurahundi. In spite of the all-too-obvious consequences, the people of Zimbabwe courageously voted in numbers,

defeating Zanu-PF in the parliamentary elections of March. At the same time, Mugabe lost the the presidential election to my colleague and President of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai. With their backs to the wall, Zanu-PF, aided and abetted by South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki, bludgeoned their path to a forced presidential electoral run-off. The presidential runoff was characterized by unprecedented violence. It was co-ordinated

by the same individuals who organised the Gukurahundi. This was a military operation organised by Joint Operations Command. Let me give you one example of this junta’s involvement: On 5 May, a group of 300 ‘Green Bomber’ militia organized a meeting in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central. They told people forced to attend that

they needed ‘re-education’. The people were ordered to confess their support for MDC. When no-one came forward, a 76-year-old woman was selected and beaten for 10 minutes. Three brave men chose to save her by stepping forward. Around 70 people were indiscriminately selected thereafter for punishment. Men and women were made to lie on their stomachs and were beaten with rods. Some had barbed wire tied to their genitals and were told to lift logs with them. Two died immediately and four others died later. This is a microscopic picture of retribution meted out the length and breadth across Zimbabwe. Of more than 4,000 documented victims of political violence between March and July 2008, a very large proportion were lined up face down and beaten on the buttocks and back with hoe handles and other solid objects.

Apart from fractures, the deep bruising which invariably resulted led, in turn, to the development of necrotic tissue—essentially, people’s flesh rotted and those that were saved had to have huge chunks cut off from their bodies. Others were burnt alive. As you can see, we have ample photographic evidence of these atrocities. And these Zimbabweans are the lucky ones! Many more Zimbabweans were murdered. It is also worth noting there is a sickening pattern of continuity in the torture methods employed across decades by this vengeful Zanu-PF politburo led by Robert Mugabe—a Pol Pot in a Saville Row Suit! A case study of Gukurahundi activities in the Nyamandlovu–Tsholotsho area of Matabeleland North records 70 mass beatings in 1983 and notes that the ‘most common beating technique was the victim(s) would be forced to lie down on the ground, and then would be repeatedly beaten … with thick sticks or gun butts’.

None of the violence that has occurred in Zimbabwe since 2000 represents anything new—Zanu PF reverts to the tried-and-tested methods which have worked for them in the past. Far from fearing regional and international consequences, this thoroughly discredited nationalist liberation organisation has always been rewarded for its savagery. This culture of impunity from any form of punishment, in any forum, let alone at The Hague, grows in evil and cynicism each year that the ringleaders escape punishment. The naked truth is that we as Zimbabweans must rid ourselves of this cancer with the help of our friends. Appeasement will not do. Attempts to achieve a permanent peace with Zanu-PF are predicated on the naive assumption that these people will return the favour. But the appeasement of evil has—and always will—fail. Chamberlain’s appeasement failed in the face of Nazi megalomania. Appeasement will fail in Zimbabwe under the weight of Zanu’s insatiable lust for power. But more than anything, the appeasement of Mugabe and his party is immoral. It offends all the basic laws and instincts of human decency and dignity. The time has come for justice to be served. The value of lives lost and lives ruined must be restored.

The democratic will of the Zimbabwean people must finally be respected. We call on you, ladies and gentleman, to reflect on the sufferings of our people, their desire for freedom. Their desire to re-construct our beautiful country and to rejoin the community of nations, with their heads deservedly held high. We know that the key to unlocking our future rests largely within ourselves—and, beyond that, with President Zuma and South Africa. We know that Zanu-PF, this rag -tag discredited party headed by tyrants is now an acute embarrassment to South Africa, to President Zuma’s party, the ANC, to the ANC’s Alliance partners and to South African civil society. But every one of you can, and must, play a vital role. I ask please that you lobby political, civil society and religious bodies in your representative countries. Please assist us with resources and show us how to raise them for ourselves. Finally, help us in lobbying for a democratic transfer of power. The results of the forthcoming elections MUST NOT once again bring shame on our beloved continent of Africa. There must be a transfer of power to the inevitable victors—MDC. I thank you, as a humble spokesman for the people of Zimbabwe. It has been a privilege addressing everyone today and to know that our suffering will be more vigorously brought before the court of international public opinion.

Senator Roy Leslie Bennett

November 2010
CLARK VALERIE.

My beautiful Wife passed away 11 November 2010 at Mater Dei Hospital.
Will always love you my darling. You were my inspiration and love.May God take good care of you until we meet again.
Tony

CLARK VALERIE
Our Wonderful Mum suddenly taken away from us on 11th November 2010. You gave us advice, you gave us help, you gave us direction,you taught us to be honest, but MOST of all you gave us LOVE. Sleep well Mum.
Love Darren,Debbie,Heidi, Deirdre, Jim, Peter, Grandchildren, Roisin, Caitriona, Enya, Caelan and Holly

++++++++

"Habakkuk, Margaret. Deepest sympathy to her family, particularly Aunt Nancy. We remember Auntie Margaret with much affection and gratitude for all the splendid school holidays and the loving care received from her and Auntie Rita. Their influence was far greater than they could have known. Maureen and Christopher Biljon and their families."

+++++++

Condolences
Ordman- Cindy
Passed away peacefully on the 9.11.10 after a long illness.
Your courage will always be remembered.
We will miss you. deepest sympathy to Bernard,
Colin, Merle, Bridget, Matt and Olivia.

Ordman- Cindy
My loving wife, no more pain,
Gone to rest, always remembered
Bernard

Ordman- Cindy
Deepest sympathy to Bernard.
We will always remember her.
Ordman Family- Canada

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CONDOLENCES - BERYL CASTLE-WARD
A great lady gone to rest. She never forgot anybody, always had a smile on her face, and a welcoming heart. Gone to be with her beloved Bill. I'm sure I can speak on behalf of any Regimental Association members who are in the UK by sending our sincere condolences to the family. Carol MacKenzie.

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CASTLE-WARD BERYL
Passed away suddenly on Friday the 5th November in Johannesburg in her 95th year. Mother of Nigel and Caroline, Aunt, Great Aunt, Grandmother and Great Grandmother to the Castle-Ward, Blackman, Waddy and Stewart families. Beryl was born in Bulawayo, the daughter of Gus and Bertha Osmond, attended Eveline High School and was well known for her involvement in the community of Bulawayo, including WI, Red Cross, RAPT, City Council of Bulawayo and the Church of the Ascension.

She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all her knew her including all her Bridge friends. What a wonderful example she was to us all. Rest in peace.

+++++++++

BULAWAYO WILL BE SO MUCH THE POORER WITHOUT THAT INCREDIBLE LADY BERYL CASTLE WARD.
BERYL DIED ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER IN HER 95TH YEAR.
THERE WERE FEW PEOPLE WITH SUCH PRESENCE, SUCH COMPASSION, SUCH POISE AND DIGNITY AS THIS AMAZING LADY WHOM WE WILL ALL MISS SO MUCH.
REST IN PEACE GRACIOUS LADY.
REST IN PEACE GRACIOUS LADY.

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Beryl Castle-Ward passed away peacefully in Johannesburg on the 5th November after a short illness. Very dearly loved mother of Carolyn and Adrian, Nigel and Ann. Baw Baw to her grand children Graham, Tan, Vaughan, Ashleigh, Michael and their spouses and to her great grandchildren Donna, Rick, Aaron, Wyatt, Heath and Madison. We will all miss her so much. Memorial service to be arranged at a later date.

+++++++++++
SMITH - MARGARET passed away in London 25 June 2010
MEMORIAL SERVICE TO CELEBRATE MARGARET'S LIFE
Gavin, Colin & Alison invite friends to join us to celebrate Margaret's Life (dress casual)
MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2010 at THE BOMA HILLSIDE DAMS at 1 PM

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Ian Arthur Matheson
A memorial service will be held in Harare at the Arundel School Chapel on the 20th Nov. at 11 am. to commemorate the life and passing of Ian Arthur Matheson.The family extend a warm welcome to all friends and associates.

Barry Brinton

Subject: Barry Brinton died in Australia last Tuesday - Some may have heard this news:


THE fisherman who drowned off Point Arkwright on Tuesday was 60-year-old local father Barry Brinton. It was the first time Mr Brinton had fished off rocks at the point, just south of Coolum.

The father of four from Peregian Springs is believed to have lost his fishing rod and dived in ...to retrieve it about 1pm.Witnesses at Point Arkwright watched helplessly as Mr Brinton struggled and drowned. Mr Brinton’s body was swept away from the shore. It was recovered about 100m out to sea by life guards and Sunshine Coast Water Police .Initially, police thought Mr Brinton might have been swept off the rocks by a wave. Conditions at Point Arkwright on Tuesday were dangerous for rock fishing. An autopsy is being performed on Mr Brinton’s body

Revised implementation date

From: phoenixzim@gmail.com [mailto:phoenixzim@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Sean Quinlan Subject: SI154 - Revised implementation date As advised by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe today: "This letter serves to inform you the implementation date of the statutory 154 of 2010 has been moved to June 2011. Please note that the following still remains: That the reflective triangle has to be reflective on both sides and all
the initial requirements That the fire extinguishers has to be approved by SAZ." (Our comment: It is still a current requirement that every vehicle carry at least one warning triangle, however the triangle specifications referred to in SI154 only come into effect in June 2011. Various fire extinguisher manufacturers have applied for SAZ approval and these units should become available within weeks). Big Sky Supplies – We prepare you for your journey 9 Pomona Shopping Centre Pomona, Harare

News from JAG

Ben Freeth - Crimes Against Humanity

Dear Jag
Crimes Against Humanity dressed up as a Land Reform Program - what must we do to undress it?
In the recent case in the Upper Tribunal [Immigration and Asylum Chamber] in the UK, another very important Judgment was made exposing the Land Reform program in Zimbabwe for what it is: "Crimes Against Humanity." It is another big step towards truth and accountability in Zimbabwe.
It is important for us to understand what "Crimes against Humanity" are that each victim can be involved in undressing this monster some persist in calling land reform. Justice Ouseley was only asked to look at [K] below; but is clear to anyone that has been a victim of land reform in the last 10 years, that [h] was an overriding factor throughout.
Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court says:
"1. For the purpose of this Statute "crime against humanity" means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:
Murder;
Extermination;
Enslavement;
Deportation or forcible transfer of population;
Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;
Torture;
Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;
Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, radical, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;
Enforced disappearance of persons;
The crime of apartheid;
Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.
Article 30 deals with the mental element of the crime. Guilt requires both intent and knowledge which are elaborated as follows:
"2. For the purposes of this article, a person has intent where:
In relation to conduct, that person means to engage in the conduct;
In relation to a consequence, that person means to cause that consequence or is aware that it will occur in the ordinary course of events.
In this important case Justice Ousley looks at the evidence regarding the farm invasions that "SK" was involved with. It is very familiar to almost every farmer and farm and worker who has lived on a Commercial Farm in Zimbabwe over the last ten years:
"16. In April and October 2002 appellant was involved in two
farm invasions which she had explained in detail and which involved her being part of a large group of Zanu PF activists who attacked two white owned farms. The first attack took place at a place called Manzou Farm where a white farmer had been given an eviction order which he had disregarded. The appellant was with a mob of perhaps one hundred twenty people, including members from different areas and trained youth members and senior leaders.
17. The group was split into two and the senior members which
included the appellant's uncle went to the farmer's house and beat him up. The appellant in the other group was involved in going to the farm workers' houses, beating them up and burning their houses down. The appellant admitted that she was one of those carrying a stick or "chamu", but she was not involved in burning any of the houses. She found the situation very scary and although she did hit people she did not use excessive force.
18. The appellant disliked what she had to do, but was afraid of
the repercussions if she left the youth militia. Rumours abounded about how another girl had tried to escape, had been caught and severely punished."
26. Her evidence about the second was this:
"20. In early October 2002 she and others were involved in
another farm invasion at a place called Bellrock Farm where the white farmer had been given orders to leave the farm and had ignored it. Again she went with a large mob which might have included over one hundred youth members. Her uncle was amongst the senior members of the group.
When they got to the farm her group was ordered to beat the farm workers in the fields and everyone joined in, including the appellant. They chased the farm workers and if they caught up with any worker they beat them until they left the farm. The appellant remembered that she had beaten one woman in particular and she felt very guilty about this. She felt horrible as to what had happened. She stopped hitting the woman when she saw what distress she had caused and the woman scrambled away.

Farm Workers' houses were set on fire but the appellant was not involved in that. But she did witness the Zanu PF leaders questioning the white farmer when she saw him being beaten badly and his property being destroyed."
Justice Ouseley finds that:
"The violent occupation of farms and forcing people, including farm workers from their houses, was part of the State violence, formal and informal, used to crush opposition and those who were not regime supporters."
"We are satisfied that the intention behind these invasions in general, and it applies as well to the two in which the Appellant participated, was to cause great suffering or inflict serious physical or mental injury. The aim was to drive people from their homes and their work, and to do so in such a way that they would be so cowed by their experience that they would neither return to their homes nor foment opposition outside. It would also deter resistance on other farms or in other potential areas of opposition. The aim was achieved by the mob violence of beatings administered to men and women, burnings and lootings in a deliberately brutal and terrifying experience.
"We are satisfied that these two farm invasions were part of widespread systematic attacks against the civilian population of farmers and farm workers, carried out not just with the full knowledge of the regime but as a deliberate act of policy by it, with the intention of advancing its grip on power, suppressing opposition, and helping its supporters.
"These acts were obviously inhumane, and were, in our judgment, of a similar character to those in sub-paragraph (h) of Article 7. These acts were clearly persecutory acts against an identifiable group, farmers and farm workers. They were undertaken for political reasons, the suppression of perceived opposition and for the financial advancement of the regime members and supporters. There was a clear racial element in the attacks on the farms, and the farm workers who were a necessary part of the white farmers' ability to benefit from the farm.
"...we are satisfied that the two farm invasions were crimes against humanity. No doubt, these actions could have been charged in a variety of ways, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent, affray, violent disorder, and arson. But such an exercise would distract from the true question: did these two farm invasions, with their specific aim, intent and effect fall within Article 7 sub-paragraph (k). In our view, they did."
Justice Ouseley then looks at SK's own criminal part in the Crimes Against Humanity she was part of:
"We now turn to whether the Appellant's participation in them makes her criminally responsible. The Appellant was a participant in serious mob violence. The intention of the instigators and participants, including her, was that the farmer and farm workers be driven from their homes, by violent beatings and burnings, never to return and to deter them from opposition to the regime. The intention was that the farms would then be available for regime supporters....
"The Appellant was not merely present. She was on each occasion a voluntary, even if reluctant, actual and active participant in beatings; even taking her evidence at face value, beating many people hard as part of the aim of driving them away. She specifically tried to demonstrate her loyalty to Zanu-PF in her actions.
"She is plainly criminally liable on a joint enterprise domestic law basis.
"If there is an additional requirement that, in these circumstances, there be a substantial contribution to the crime, we consider that she provided it. That expression is not intended to exclude all but ringleaders and major participants. Each of those who guard extermination camps, for example, make a substantial contribution to genocide.
"Active participation in mob violence which itself falls within sub-paragraph (k) makes a substantial contribution to that crime against humanity..."
There are some farmers and farm workers that feel for whatever reason that they do not want to bother with truth, justice and accountability.
There is a feeling that we should make a deal with those that have committed the Crimes Against Humanity and allow the status quo to persist.
Almost exactly 4000 years ago a big thing happened between Abrahams
grandsons: Esau came back from the bush very hungry. Jacob was
cooking. In Genesis 25 it says:
"He said to Jacob "Quick let me have some of that red stew!
I'm famished."
Jacob replied "first sell me your birthright."
"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"
But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew.
There are some in `organised' agriculture that would sign away our rights like Esau for a bowl of stew because they are desperate and without vision. We need to counter this and build a solid foundation for the future of agriculture and our country by ensuring that title doesn't get swallowed up like Esau's stew; and that justice and the rule of law is able to triumph over wicked ways.
If anyone knows who the owners of Manzou and Bellrock farms are they need to come forward. We need to build on this case with urgency as a start.
At the same time it is critical that each individual victim records his or her own ordeal for the bigger picture regarding the Crimes Against Humanity that have been committed. Together we can all show the "widespread systematic attack," that the land reform program is - and start to bring accountability to the architects. As the truth is exposed and the mosaic comes together, it will become harder and harder for the acts of wickedness to continue.
Ben Freeth. [ freeth@bsatt.com ]
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2. Eddie Cross - The Cost of Bad Political Leadership
Dear Jag
Last week the United Nations stated that three countries, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Congo, have a "Human Development Index"lower than they had in 1970. This represents 40 years of lousy leadership and failed economic policies in all three countries. Strangely, all three are enormously rich in natural resources and have great potential.
I was not at all surprised by the Congo and ourselves, but the inclusion of Zambia in this group of three global failures was a surprise. It suddenly made me realize how long it takes to get back ground lost in periods of poor governance and economic collapse. I remember the Zambia episode because I had family in Zambia at the time. It was five years after Independence when Kaunda announced that all companies that employed more than 100 people had to have majority Zambian ownership (sounds familiar!).
The result was immediate, economic activity just crashed, investment fled and Zambia slid into a donga of stagnation and failure. >From a peak when they produced a substantial proportion of the global demand for copper, the newly nationalized mines slumped into insignificance and the former owners took their dollars and invested elsewhere.
When finally, after 30 years, the Zambian people were able to cast off the corrupting mantle of Kaunda, the new government was slow to put things back on their feet. It took another change of government after Chiluba to start things moving and they reversed the policies of Kaunda and sold off the mines. That was in the first years of the new Century and for the past five years, Zambia has been growing rapidly. So much so that they have watched the collapse in Zimbabwe with a sense of justification in their own political and economic actions and policies.

Where once they suffered from snide remarks by Zimbabweans about the Zambian Kwacha, they gasped as we went even further and more rapidly than they had, down the slope of inflation and collapse.
Once economic growth resumes, people relax and think that times are better and they can look forward. However, they seldom count the real cost of the wasted years and here is the United Nations reminding them of just that, Zambians are worse off today than they had been after Independence in the early 60's. What a tragedy and what a waste of all the hopes and aspirations of the struggle for democracy and independence.
In Zimbabwe the failure has been even greater than it was in Zambia and more precipitous. The foundations of the collapse were laid in the first two decades of Independence when the new Government could do no wrong and was allowed to get away with both economic and political violations that in other areas of the world would have wrought instant condemnation.
Poor macro and micro economic policies retarded growth and distorted incomes, the budget deficit ran at unsustainable levels through the whole period increasing public debt, which at Independence had been a paltry $700 million, to $6 000 million equal to two years exports or 80 per cent of GDP. When finally the State went just too far, the collapse was instant and dramatic. Mr. Mugabe ordered the payment of Z$3,5 billion to war veterans - unbudgeted and completely beyond the capacity of the economy. Punishment by the markets was immediate and the Zimbabwe dollar crashed.
10 years later the inflation peaked at world record levels, a loaf of bread cost a billion Zimbabwe dollars and salaries were worthless hours after they were paid. All savings were destroyed - the accumulated surpluses of a century of hard work and effort by the entire nation, wiped out. All banks, building societies, all pension funds and other financial institutions were bankrupted. Tax revenues were essentially worthless. Zimbabweans were beggars and 75 per cent of the entire population was being fed on a daily basis by a consortium led by the United States in the largest food aid programme in any country at any time in history.
Rescued by South Africa and the region, the Transitional Government was negotiated and came into being in February 2009. The Zimbabwe dollar was abandoned, the Reserve Bank isolated and rendered ineffective and the economy completely liberalized - no exchange controls, no price controls. What remained of the economy was kept afloat by nearly a billion dollars of aid and over a billion dollars of remittances from the 5 million Zimbabwe refugees that had fled the chaos into other countries, especially South Africa.

In February 2009, the total tax collected was $5 million. The Minister had to borrow funds from a local company to pay the 250 000 civil servants $100 a month irrespective of seniority. Our international debt had soared to $7,6 billion - ten times the debt in 1980 and equivalent to 5 years of exports and 150 per cent of GDP. Zimbabwe was suddenly in the lowest quintile of the poor in the world, surrounded by the debris of 100 years of conflict, hard work, development, aid and hopes. The most educated people in Africa with one of the most highly qualified (in academic terms) governments in the world were on the bones of their backsides.
It was the consequence, not of "sanctions" as the Zanu PF propagandists would argue, but of poor government and bad policy. First, by Ian Smith who took us into the political morass of UDI and then a futile war where we would win all the battles and lose in the end. Then the flawed process leading to the formation of a Zanu PF government with all the promise of a new start, only to find ourselves caught in a savage struggle for complete political control that was to persist through the demise of Zapu in 1987 and the elimination of all the attempts at democratic plurality in the 90's to the struggle against the MDC after 2000.
In the process we have destroyed what was once a diversified and vibrant economy, we had wrecked our agricultural system - not just the farming industry but the support infrastructure and organized marketing that carried it through the years of UDI and was the backbone of growth from 1980 to 1997. Our manufacturing industry lies in shreds and our financial sector is still very fragile. We are heavily indebted and have little to show for it. Our people are poor, marginalized and humiliated and it will take us many years to recover to where we were at Independence in 1980.
The extent of this collapse is still not fully appreciated by Zanu PF.

However it is clear that they fully understand the reasons and the remedies. This collapse was a deliberate act of national economic suicide and the so-called "indigenisation" laws are simply an extension of this economic sabotage and subversion. The reason? Any economic recovery will be attributed to the MDC and its team of Ministers and quite rightly so.
Since Mr. Mugabe simply refused to implement agreed GPA based reforms some three weeks ago, Mr. Tsvangirai has been engaged in an exercise to bring the influence of regional leaders into the crisis. He has refused to meet Mr. Mugabe and is touring the country holding report back meetings. He has written to all African leaders who have a role to play and this past week MDC raised the temperature by closing down the Senate when the illegally appointed Governors tried to enter the Senate Chamber.
This has now triggered a response from the region and a SADC summit has been called and some SADC leaders are pushing for the immediate deployment of a SADC team to oversee the reform and electoral process.
Mr. Zuma has also come in with a strong message calling for the immediate implementation of all outstanding agreed GPA reforms and the holding of an election as soon as possible.
Eddie Cross
Bulawayo, 13th November 2010
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4. J.L Robinson - Zimbabwe
Dear Jag
Senator Roy Bennett has adequately explained the political landscape in Zimbabwe and Zanu's plan to win the next election to legitimise their next proposed five year plan.
Political Science Professor John Keane has a political term for the new normal state of Zimbabwe - "Despotic Capitalism."
He goes further and sums up Iran (whom Zanu is befriending) as "the thuggish, populist dictatorship of Ahmadinejad that hallucinates on brute secular power. It climbs Jacob's Ladder only because it hopes religious rhetoric will camouflage its foolish mistakes."
Zanu emulates Iran in terms of brute secular power but with an odd Zanu Bishop here and here to pray for them.
In the global context his summary of the global trend of countries "wilfully ruining their ecosystems. It's as if they are performing an experiment to see which one will be the first to be ruined by environmental catastrophe."
A Zanu governed Zimbabwe appears to be hell bent on delivering both "despotic capitalism and environmental catastrophe."
J.L. Robinson

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Zimbabwe is the worst country to live in the world

Zimbabwe is the worst country to live in the world, according to the United Nation’s human development index released Thursday, November 4th. This report—based on prosperity, health and education—ranks nations based on development over the last 40 years. Unlike many other sub-Saharan African countries that landed on the bottom of the chart, Zimbabwe’s human development has decreased significantly.


According to a Reuters Africa report, Zimbabwe’s position comes as hardly a surprise, stating that the southern African nation’s “inflation reached 500 billion percent two years ago.” The UN Development Program’s assessment attempts to gain a comprehensive survey of the quality of life of 169 countries with measuring levels like health, life expectancy, education, gender quality, and political freedom. Zimbabwe, along with Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Burundi, and Mozambique received the highest hits for the lowest marks.

The report has not sat well for the country’s leaders, including Zimbabwe’s Regional Integration and International Cooperation Minister Pricilla Misihairabwi. Claiming the UN assessment was distorted, Misihairabwi looked to comparing Zimbabwe to other African nations not on the bottom.

“Is it true, for instance, that a Malawian lives longer than a Zimbabwean on average? How credible is a finding suggesting that Liberia has better schools than Zimbabwe? As of today, can someone seriously say our economy is worse than Somalia’s?” she told New Zimbabwe.

Minister Pricilla Misihairabwi tells the New Zimbabwe the UN report is "distorted".

“I know it’s not a measure of greatness to compare yourself to Malawi, Somalia and Liberia, but I have used those examples to just show you that whoever has done this research has a twisted view about Zimbabwe and its people.”

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and his government have been widely criticized by the international community and the country continues to be both politically and economically isolated. With one in seven adults living with HIV, Zimbabwe’s AIDS epidemics is one of the worst in the world.

Daily life in Zimbabwe was not always this devastating.

Things changed significantly in July 2005, when Operation Murambatsvina—which literally translates to “operation drive out trash”—was initiated to redistribute people from urban to rural areas. Great numbers of business and homes were demolished by this project, displacing some 700,000 people. Mugabe’s Zanu-PF government claims the project was a necessary response to curb increases in crime, illegal housing, and sexually transmitted disease that flourish in urban areas. Critics, on the other hand disagree, describing the initiative as “a direct attack on the poorer sections of society that represent the main opposition to President Mugabe. Mugabe himself labeled it an ‘urban beautification’ program” (Advert.org).

Few seem to be reporting on the actual quality of life in this once-esteemed African nation. With all media on Zimbabwean soil under state-run governmental control, there is little if any information on the living conditions of the nation’s people struggling to survive in such brutal conditions.

Internal media coverage appears solely focused on political matters. However, there are obvious concerns to be considered in Zimbabwe. According to a Worldpress report, suffering is a far-reaching reality:

“Contrary to testimonies of people who have visited the country and mass media reports that Zimbabwe is righting itself, people continue to suffer greatly. Between 2002 and 2009, hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans have lost their lives due to political murders, starvation and AIDS.”

Zimbabwean children search for food in the rubbish piles. Photo courtesy of Foreign Policy Blog Network

Zimbabweans are forced to pan for gold in a country that must operate without a currency. Frequently the U.S. dollar or South African rand is used, but these bills are scarce. Simply buying groceries is a difficult task with a severe lack of change or coins.

Xoliswa Sithole is one of few working to expose the reality of Zimbabwe’s misery. Producer of Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children, a documentary that aired on BBC in March of 2010, was filmed undercover from the Zimbabwean government.

Sithole grew up in Zimbabwe when it was the “breadbasket of Africa,” receiving a world-class education and relative economic prosperity.

“It is startling how quickly a society can fall apart,” she writes in a BBC article about her film. “Zimbabwe has become a very hard place to be poor, and poverty is ugly. Conspicuous consumerism is very evident, and greed is also very visible.”

Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children has brought a voice to Sithole’s voiceless Zimbabwean countrymen struggling to survive in the “worse place to live”. The film exposes a country in which there is immense fear and doubt. A doubt of the government’s ability to care for its people coupled with fear to speak out against the government.

This is the same country where Zimbabwe’s Regional Integration and International Cooperation Minister Misihairabwi says “[The UN] must leave us alone, we are fine. We don’t need their research or endorsement to see that our country is going in the right direction.”

“The system was supposed to take care of its people, but it has failed. In less than a generation, the country has changed beyond all recognition,” Sithole laments.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Tim Price.

Dear Brooke members, It is with a very heavy heart that I write to advise you all of the sad passing of one of the Brooke’s finest supporters and founding fathers, Mr. Tim Price. Tim passed away peacefully yesterday morning at his home in Borrowdale after a battle with cancer. Tim’s was a gentleman golfer, and his influence can, and will always, be seen and felt in every part of Borrowdale Brooke. He was the Brookes best friend and his fun spirit and presence will be sorely missed around the club. I personally will always think of the tall man every time I drive into the car park, seeing him out on the driving range doing what he loved most, passing on his knowledge. Rest in peace Ye Olde Pro. On behalf of all the members of the Brooke can I send our deepest condolences to Felicity, Tim’s sons and Natani. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.




Yours faithfully, CARL VARGA CLUB CAPTAIN

Safeguard breaking report

BREAK-IN REPORT OCTOBER 2010


On 27/09/10 at 2043hrs in Belvedere, intruders forced open the main gate and entered the premises, the client saw them and pressed his panic button, the alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed. Property has burglar bars and durawall.

On 28/09/10 at 0234hrs in Groombridge, armed intruders ordered the guard to lie down, broke the front glass door and entered the shop. The guard managed to press his remote panic button, the alarm triggered and they ran away with a few goods from the shop.

On, 28/09/10 at 0450hrs in Greendale, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, they broke the back windscreen of a vehicle parked in the yard, the car alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed. Property has burglar bars and a durawall.

On 04/10/10 at 0215hrs in Msasa, intruders broke durawall panels and entered the yard, they were picked by the outside sensors, the outside alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed. Property has burglar bars and a durawall.

On, 15/10/10 at 0030hrs in Msasa, intruders cut razor wire, removed 2 durawall panels and entered the yard, as they were approaching the building the outside alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed. Property has burglar bars, electric gate, durawall and razor wire.

On, 18/10/10 at 0043hrs in Town, intruders cut mesh wire surrounding the shed and gained entry and stole 4 bags of fertilizer. The alarm triggered and the reaction team arrived in time forcing the intruders to run away leaving the bags of fertilizer behind. Property has a fence boundary

On 19/10/2010 at 0245hrs in Greystone Park, intruders opened a window which was not properly closed, cut burglar bars to gain entry into the house. They stole $180.00 and an empty hand bag by the window. The alarm triggered and they ran away. Property has a durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 22/10/10 at 0200hrs in Emerald Hill, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, they stole two garden water taps. They were seen by the client who pressed his panic button. The alarm triggered and they ran away. Property has burglar bars and a durawall.

On 23/10/2010 at 0450hrs in Highlands , intruders threw a brick and broke a gate lamp and one of the electric fence wires. The fence alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed. Property has burglar bars, durawall, electric gate and electric fence.

CHARLES JEFFREY GURNEY

The memorial service for Charles Jeffrey Gurney will be held on Saturday 6th November at 72 Beeston Avenue at 11am. The family asks friends and colleagues to bring their memories of Charles to share. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Cancer Association, 60 Livingstone Ave, Harare or to the Zambezi Society, P.O. box HG 774, Highlands, Harare

Vicki - sfs@yoafrica.com
04-885947

Ben Freeth - the new CFU magazine

Ben Freeth - the new CFU magazine

Dear Jag
I was recently given a copy of the new CFU magazine entitled AgriZim. I learnt a few things about cat fish and floods in Nigeria and other rather nebulous subjects like insurance [that doesn't mention whether state assisted theft of assets as has happened to over ninety percent of former CFU members is covered].
There is no news in the magazine at all of the main issues that hamper us all in our quest to want to farm and be a part of rebuilding Zimbabwe:
lawlessness; corruption of the judiciary; complicity of police; the complete lack of accountability of the ZANU thugs; the refusal of the state to comply with court orders; what is going on with the Tribunal; test legal cases; illegal evictions; farm murders and assaults; the financial desperation of our old people; the humanitarian disaster amongst our farm workers; the national budget for compensation - in short the "crimes against humanity" that continue to happen to the farming community with no let up.
There is no room for open comment in the magazine and there appears to be no editor to it either?
Anyone reading the magazine who didn't know, would be reassured that farming is all now fine in Zimbabwe now that we are under a GNU.
The ZANU PF JOC leadership must be rubbing their hands in glee at this "official publication of the Commercial Farmers Union." I am afraid I am in a state of shock. Are we so slow to learn from history that unless we shout from the roof tops the things that are wrong the things that are wrong will continue to get worse. I wanted to write a congratulatory message on the opening of a new magazine after the last one was suddenly silenced. Unfortunately I cannot do so until the magazine speaks out with the truth of what is really happening.
Plato once said "we can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer in NAZI Germany was more explicit:
"Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
And so the tragedy continues to unfold and will carry on unfolding until we are able to overcome our fear of shining the spotlight on all that is evil and exposing it for all to see, in every way that we can.
Kind regards,
Ben

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Green Zambezi Alliance Launch and Africa Green Fund Fundraiser.

Green Zambezi Alliance Launch and Africa Green Fund Fundraiser.


“Our nations wildlife and communities are in crisis ... we cannot turn a blind eye’

Years of economic instability in Zimbabwe has had a devastating impact on the environment. The collapse of the commercial farming industry, poverty, indiscriminate slaughter and poaching of wildlife, wide scale deforestation and poor farming methods, have contributed to the critical state of our natural resources and wildlife. If we do not act now, there will be no legacy for future generations.


The need for a holistic, long term environmental management plan to address these critical issues inspired the formation by Environment Africa’s CEO, Charlene Hewat, of the Green Zambezi Alliance (GZA); a trans-boundary environmental management initiative which will open the way for long term conservation strategies to protect and conserve the regions on both sides of the Zambezi River, unique in its biodiversity.


The GZA Green Zambezi Alliance, will embrace the successful model of PPCP’s, a Public Private Community Partnership approach to conservation and communities in the Zambezi Valley. The commitment and participation of all stakeholders is imperative for its success. Environment Africa, an NGO which has a 20 year track record of commitment to environmental conservation and to empowering communities to be self sustaining in harmony with our unique natural resources, will be a facilitating partner in laying the foundations for projects and programs together with strategic partners.

We already have a core group of partners actively working towards protecting, conserving, and restoring our devastated wildlife stocks. Collectively with the Tikki Hywood Trust, we are currently setting up wildlife environment protection units WEPU, together with wildlife breeding sanctuaries to re stock areas and gene pools within the GZA, including our beloved endangered black rhino. We are making this possible by building Community Based Projects with a business approach of moving from AID to TRADE, in line with our principle of self sustainability. We will also be launching the innovative ‘Buy an African Green Acre’ which will work together with local Green Funds in localised areas.

The Green Ball is the inaugural launch of our first project, the Songo Wildlife Management Area and the Sengwa Wildlife Sanctuary. These two areas together represent over 280000 acres within the Binga district and 22kms of Kariba lake frontage. This beautiful piece of paradise, was once home to 1500 buffalo, sadly these numbers are now down to less than 100, impala were around 10,000, today, there are less than 80 and the one ofharshest realities, is that lion no longer exist in this area!

We could turn a blind eye to the uncomfortable truth, but we choose not to . As Environment Africa, we call on all fellow Zimbabweans to stand together, to take collective responsibility. We are a proud nation and together we can rebuild, restore and preserve this beautiful country of ours, but we cannot do it alone.

We appeal for your support in this initiative and extend an invitation to your Organisation to attend the official Launch of the GZA at the Green Ball, 13 Nov 2010 and would ask that you please buy a table for 10 people.

RSVP by 8th November 2010: Bernie Styles 00 263 4 745717 / 744699 00 263 772 285 691
bernie@chapungusafaris.co.zw

Avril de Lange nee McIntosh

Avril de Lange nee McIntosh


21/02/1940 - 30/10/2010

Loving wife to John and mother to Kevin and Melanie, after a long and brave fight against cancer she finally lost the battle and passed away peacefully. Our special times and memories will be greatly treasured. She will be sorely missed