Zimbabwe Weekly update – week ending Tuesday 25 May 2010
Posted by ZDN on May 26, 2010
Politics
- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has commended President Mugabe for resisting alleged political interference by the Western powers, pledging Tehran’s continued support for Zimbabwe.
- Dr Simba Makoni, interim leader of the newly launched Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn political movement, has called for massive demonstrations similar to the Red Shirt protests in Thailand against the inclusive government, which he says has failed.
- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has called for fresh elections to choose the country’s next leader, citing “lack of progress” in the inclusive government.
- Job Sikhala, who on May 8 launched a new political party, the MDC-99, was arrested Friday by heavily armed police. He is to be charged under Section 20 of the discredited Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
- Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch, a document which monitors violations of the GPA and is published by the Sokwanele website, reported that from April 2010:In cases of violence, intimidation, hate speech and abductions, Zanu PF was accountable for 90.9 percent. In cases of subversion of legal processes and of harassment through the courts of MDC supporters and politicians, Zanu PF was accountable for 100 percent of the breaches.
- The MDC-T leadership addressed thousands of supporters at more than 30 “Real Change” rallies held across the country to update the nation on key national issues.
- The MDC-T said that moving its deputy Minister of Agriculture (Designate) Roy Bennett to another ministry would be a serious breach of the GPA. Under the GPA neither the President nor his party can veto Bennett’s appointment.
- The MDC-T has expelled five youths, allegedly behind the assault of MDC Director General Toendepi Shonhe at its Harvest House headquarters in Harare.
Governance
- The Norwegian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Gunnar Foreland, has criticized the three leaders for delaying full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
- The GPA provides for an anti-corruption commission, but 15 months down the line the commission has still not been formed and the ruthless plundering of the country’s resources by President Mugabe’s inner circle continues.
Economy
- ZESA currently cannot meet domestic power needs with industry and commerce almost crippled by inadequate electricity supplies. The state-run utility is producing 1,100 megawatts compared with a national requirement of 2,000 megawatts and is obliged to import electricity from Mozambique and Zambia.
- Mining company RioZim, which is sitting on 1.3 billion tonnes of coal reserves, said Tuesday it had teamed up with South African investors to build a US$3 billion thermal power station in central Zimbabwe. The proposed power station would have a capacity of 1,400 megawatts, sufficient to meet Zimbabwe’s electricity demand.
- State-owned National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM), now operating at 30 percent capacity and laying off thousands of workers, is planning to sell a 49 percent share stake in an effort to raise capital to pay US$270 million in debt.
- NOCZIM is also negotiating with the government to retain a controlling 51 percent stake in the enterprise after raising equity capital.
- The Development Bank of Southern Africa on Tuesday availed a US$500,000 grant to the Zimbabwean government to fund a feasibility study of the Harare-Chirundu highway dualisation. Carrying the bulk of traffic between South Africa and countries to the north of Zimbabwe, it is set to cost an estimated US$1.3 billion.
- Prime Minister Tsvangirai has urged SADC water ministers meeting in Bulawayo to expedite signature and ratification of the Zambezi Commission protocol so the region can tap the potential of the Zambezi river for the benefit of all.
- Tsvangirai travelled to Seoul this week on a three-day official visit. It is expected that the high-level meetings will result in the signing of a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).
- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has raided a car dealership in Harare and stopped the auction of 75 cars as part of investigations into alleged tax evasion by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Business
- Zimbabwe has finally ratified a BIPPA signed with South Africa last November.
- Indigenization Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has extended to end June the deadline by which all businesses must submit plans on increasing black ownership.
- The business community and the MDC have proposed that the requirement for a 51 percent indigenous stake in all companies be replaced with a level of participation determined on a sector-by-sector basis.
- Zimbabwe’s hotel group Meikles Africa will spend $53 million by end-March 2011 to revamp its hotels and supermarkets, the company’s chairman said Wednesday.
Mining/Diamonds
- Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Thankful Musukutwa has asked the Finance ministry to slash the pre-exploration levy for new mining projects as the US$100 000 charged for Exclusive Prospective Orders (EPO) is inhibiting new investment in mining, especially under-capitalised local miners.
- The Chamber of Mines on Wednesday proposed a compromise in the government’s drive to force foreign firms to give 51 percent stakes to locals, saying 15 percent local shareholding for mines was enough.
- Although power cuts and lack of funding slowed down recovery of the country’s mines – most of which closed in 2008 at the height of the economic crisis – the chamber says gold output will be significantly higher than last year’s 4.2 tonnes. At its peak, Zimbabwe produced about 29 tonnes of gold annually.
- Impala Platinum’s Zimbabwe unit, Zimplats Holdings, is considering setting up the country’s first metals refinery, where its plans a US$500 million mine expansion.
- The government is illegally exporting Chiadzwa diamonds through the back door to Dubai in violation of a Supreme Court ruling.
- Government and controversial diamond firm Canadile Miners have established a joint venture for the construction of a multimillion-dollar Diamond Technology Centre for processing of the gems in Zimbabwe.
- African Consolidated Resources (ACR)’s prospecting programme is yielding positive results. CEO Andrew Cranswick says gold, diamond and base metals prospecting is ongoing.
- Jonathan Samkange, the lawyer representing Africa Consolidated Resources CEO Andrew Cranswick, was briefly arrested by police in Harare on Monday, in a move he says is continuing harassment by the police.
- ACR official Ian Harris is still out on bail after being arrested for allegedly fraudulently acquiring the Chiadzwa diamond claim, through an ACR subsidiary.
Land/Agribusiness
- The loss-making state-run Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has no money to pay farmers who delivered their produce during the just-ended season. Furthermore, seed and fertiliser stocks at depots countrywide are inadequate for the crucial winter cropping season.
- The Zimbabwean Government will have to pay out at least US$70 million should a renewed claim by three applicants against President Mugabe’s government and its “unlawful land-reform programme” succeed in the SADC Tribunal.
Tourism
- The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is processing requests for loans amounting to over US$30 million from local tourism operators.
New Constitution / Political Violence
- Security for the outreach process has become a major concern amid reports from various provinces that alleged Zanu PF supporters are intimidating and assaulting those who may resist adoption of the Mugabe-backed Kariba draft constitution.
- Members of the Zimbabwe National Army are leading a campaign of violence and intimidation in the Manicaland province. Soldiers, with the help of war veterans and Zanu PF supporters, are using threats and physical violence ahead of the delayed constitutional outreach exercise.
- Members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zanu PF top brass are instructing local traditional leaders to bar constitutional reform process meetings organised by civic society and non Governmental Organisations in Mashonaland Central Province, traditional leaders have reported.
- The government will provide US$350,000 to the partisan Zimbabwe Republic Police to fund “security arrangements” for the outreach phase of the constitutional revision process now scheduled to begin June 15.
- The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) said on Thursday it is considering pulling out of the country’s constitutional making process because politicians have taken over the process.
- Dozens of people in Epworth near Harare have been savagely beaten, many raped and others forced to flee their homes in a tide of low-key violence perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters against the MDC.
Elections
- In Johannesburg, a legal case regarding the release of a report by two of South Africa’s top judges on the fairness of the 2002 presidential election in Zimbabwe is underway. The Mail & Guardian newspaper has applied for access to the report.
- The financially crippled Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), sworn in on March 31, has resolved to source funding from international donors.
Health/Humanitarian
- Norway is to increase its humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe in 2010 by NOK 10 million, to NOK 30 million since up to 2.5 million people will need food aid in 2010.
- Zanu PF officials and war veterans in Mberengwa district in the Midlands province are blocking food aid to HIV/AIDS orphans demanding that they should first join the party’s youth league.
- The government supported by Hellen Keller International, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF on Monday launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign. More than US$8 million has been spent to on vaccines and logistics to ensure the campaign reaches remote populations. Immunisation points have been set up at all hospitals, clinics, community centres, churches and schools.
- May 18 marked the fifth anniversary of Operation Murambatsvina when the Zanu PF government began demolishing informal settlements across the country, leaving more than 700 000 people without homes or livelihoods, or both. Five years on, the victims are still struggling to survive in plastic shacks or tents without basic essentials.
Legal
- President Mugabe has unilaterally appointed three High Court judges, including controversial former elections chief George Chiweshe, who presided over the flawed 2008 elections, to head the country’s High Court. As this violates the GPA, Prime Minister Tsvangirai has protested strongly and wants a meeting with Mugabe this week.
- According to legal monitor Veritas, the law allows the State to appeal to the Supreme Court against Roy Bennett’s acquittal, but only if given permission to do so by a Supreme Court judge. The hearing is likely to be held during the next few weeks.
- Lawyers for Bennett are planning to sue former information minister Jonathan Moyo and state media journalists for allegedly peddling falsehoods against him.
- A Harare court has ordered an investigation into the alleged torture of two former soldiers accused of stealing weapons at Pomona Barracks last year.
- The Deputy Sheriff of Cape Town will proceed to auction Zimbabwe government properties after Harare failed to defend a R400 million lawsuit by German development bank KFW Bankgruppe.
Media
- Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he would this week summon the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) to ascertain why it hasn’t issued a single licence since it was appointed nearly three months ago.
- Donors are said to be refusing to financially back the newly created Zimbabwe Media Commission due to the appointment of Zanu PF sympathiser and media hangman Tafataona Mahoso as CEO.
- Concern has been expressed over the increasing range of the state broadcaster after new transmitters were installed last week.
- Police in Gweru have clamped down on a community radio station by denying them clearance to hold a road show this weekend.
Education
- UNICEF has provided over US$50 million to improve the pupil-textbook ratio.
Environment / Wildlife
- A six-nation wildlife crime crackdown across southern Africa, and including Zimbabwe, has resulted in the seizure of nearly 400 kilos (882 pounds) of elephant ivory and rhino horn with a market value of more than US$1 million, the location and closure of an illegal ivory factory, and the arrests of 41 people.
- Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said at the weekend that the export of six animal species, including two infant elephants, to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was a “purely business” transaction. An international campaign to save the elephants has been launched by Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force and Elephant Voices.
Sport
- North Korea will not be preparing for the World Cup finals with a visit to Zimbabwe, ending fears over a potentially controversial trip.
- The International Football Federation (FIFA) says it is preparing to bus Zimbabweans into South Africa next month to fill up empty seats in the new Polokwane, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth stadiums during World Cup.
The Good News
- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) handed over 693 housing units on May 13 to nearly 700 families, all victims of the 2008 floods in the eastern Chipinge district. The homes were built in partnership with government’s Civil Protection Unit.
- A Zimbabwean wine maker has scored a first by making two of the three official World Cup wines. Tariro Masayiti, 37, works for Paarl-based wine-maker Nederburg.
Source: Zimbabwe Democracy Now
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