Some Zachimalawi readers asked for a review of News on Zimbabwe, with special emphasis on May. Here is a sample compilation:

The ZIMBABWE Situation
An extensive and up-to-date website containing news, views and links related to ZIMBABWE - a country in crisis
Return to INDEX page
Please note: You need to have 'Active content' enabled in your IE browser in order to see the index of articles on this webpage
________________________________________
• IMF Board Takes Up Zimbabwe Case As Harare Seeks to Restore Standing
• Zimbabwe Education Minister, Backed by Donors, Fends Off Teacher Strike
• Zimbabwe's economy and business slowly pick up
• Malawi to export maize to Zimbabwe, Goodall confirms
• Press Expert Will Discuss Giving Local Media a Voice
• Throwing good money after bad
• Civic groups call for overhaul of Zim's electoral system
• Church briefs PM on chaos besetting Harare diocese
• Mugabe keeping eye on the chronometer while delaying resolution of outstanding issues
• JAG - farm situations communique - dated 4th May 2009
• Tsvangirai becoming a lame-duck PM
• ICT Will Improve Education and Employability in Zimbabwe
IMF Board Takes Up Zimbabwe Case As Harare Seeks to Restore Standing
http://www.voanews.com/

By Jonga Kandemiiri
Washington
04 May 2009

The International Monetary Fund board on Monday examined the case of
Zimbabwe based on a report from an IMF team that visited the country in
March for so-called Article IV consultations on the state of the economy and
government policies.

A report issued by that team said more than 70 percent of Zimbabweans are
still in need of food aid amid an "uncertain" economic outlook for the
country. It says Zimbabwe needs at least $200 million in budgetary support
and at least another $200 million for humanitarian relief in the areas of
food aid, health, and education.

A statement from the board was awaited late Monday. But the panel seemed
likely at least to put its stamp of approval on technical support for
Zimbabwe, proposed by the top IMF official for Africa, as the country takes
initial steps toward recovering full membership.

Zimbabwe's IMF voting rights were suspended in 2003 over the non-payment of
arrears. The institution had cut off economic aid in 1999, citing a lack of
political will to reform.

Zimbabwe owes some US$135 million in debt service arrears to the IMF.

Economist Prosper Chitambara of the Labor and Economic Development Research
Institute of Zimbabwe told VOA reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that he doesn't see
Zimbabwe recovering its membership quite yet because it still has
substantial arrears to the fund.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Zimbabwe Education Minister, Backed by Donors, Fends Off Teacher Strike
http://www.voanews.com/

By Patience Rusere
Washington
04 May 2009

Zimbabwean Education Minister David Coltart on Monday staved off a strike by
teachers on the eve of a new school term with help from international donors
including the United Nations Children's Fund, which promised to appeal for
funding for underpaid instructors.

Officials of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association had threatened to launch a
new strike if the government did not review the monthly US$100 paid to
teachers like other civil servants.

When introduced in March by the unity government installed in mid-February,
the sum was intended to be a supplement to public service salaries paid in
Zimbabwean dollars. But the government has since abandoned all use of the
worthless national currency.

Coltart said UNICEF promised to launch an appeal by month's end through the
office of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for funds to help increase
Zimbabwean teacher salaries.

The meeting was attended by European Union and Swedish Development Agency
officials who said they wanted to help but as a matter of policy were
monitoring political conditions.

Coltart told told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe
that he has a five-point plan to rescue the education sector, but warned the
initiative is only short-term.

Secretary General Richard Gundani of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association said
his members were touched by the good will demonstrated by the education
minister and international donors and would review the situation at a later
date.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Zimbabwe's economy and business slowly pick up
http://www.moneyweb.co.za

Where shop shelves were virtually empty last year, stock levels have
significantly improved.

Tawanda Karombo
05 May 2009 03:09

Harare - Business and the economy at large in Zimbabwe is beginning to pick
up - as evidenced by improved availability of goods and commodities on shop
shelves and the firming in value of foreign currency in the country.

Yet the local currency, having been suspended for at least a year, will not
be used any time soon until industrial capacity utilization reaches 60%.

At the moment, latest statistics show, industrial capacity and utilization
has meagerly climbed to 20 percent as funding for the economic turnaround is
still not yet forthcoming because of the political stalemate.

Zimbabwe's economy, which has stagnated at a record low over the past eight
years, has slowly come to life after Zimbabwe's long standing President
Robert Mugabe and arch-rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the opposition Movement
for Democratic Change formed a coalition government.

And now, barely three months after the unity government became functional,
the economy and business are showing improvements.

"While people were skeptical of the unity government, things do appear to be
falling into shape and confidence in the economic sector of the country is
beginning to pick up," said Jeffrey Kasirori, an economic and research
analyst with a local bank.

Where shop shelves were virtually empty last year, stock levels have
significantly improved.

"You will notice that all supermarkets are fully stocked at the moment as a
result of the lifting of pricing and other controls by the government," said
a spokesperson at the Zimbabwe Retailers Association (ZRA).

Zimbabwe's Consumer Price Index showed inflation at 94, 6% compared to last
year whilst prices dropped over 3% in the last month. The South African Rand
and the United States Dollar have firmed up in value and competition amongst
businesses is driving the downward trend in prices of goods and commodities.

This month, the country's Central Statistics Company (CSO) said Zimbabwe's
monthly inflation (the consumer price index) fell to minus 3.1 percent in
February after the government allowed the use of multiple currencies.

Economic commentators in Zimbabwe say the best is yet to come as the country
has the potential to overtake several countries in the Southern African
region as a leading economy.

But this, they say, will not happen any time soon and until aid in financial
assistance flows Zimbabwe's way.

And with the leaders in Zimbabwe's inclusive government still dead-locked in
some aspects, the little economic gains that have been notched up until now
might disintegrate.

Both the country's Industrial and Mining indices rose by healthy margins.

However Stock Exchange trading volumes are still small and investor
confidence remains low and this is expected to continue until there are
definite signs of economic stability.

Despite all this negativity, international investors are waiting by the
sidelines to enter into Zimbabwe. The latest being MTN which, as reported by
South African media yesterday is mulling plans to enter into Zimbabwe.

South Africa's African Rainbow Minerals is also sizing up its options for
entry into Zimbabwe; hence the Patrice Motsepe headed minerals firm has
registered a company in Zimbabwe.

The mining sector has over the past couple of weeks witnessed some good
developments as several mines that had shut down resumed operations.

Businesses continue to be constrained by the lack of cash and funding from
financial institutions whilst fierce competition reduces profit margins.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF's) Africa Department Director,
Antoinette Sayeh highlighted that recent actions taken by the inclusive
government were 'encouraging'.

She said in a statement: "It's the context in which we think there is a
window of opportunity in Zimbabwe that is worthy of support by the
international community."

The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) has promised to
help neighbor Zimbabwe raise $US2bn required to bring back the economy on
its feet trade partners SA and Botswana pledging credit lines and budget
support of $800m and $70m respectively.

The funding to date, which includes $200m from SADC and another $200m from
the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, is intended to meet
urgent working capital requirements for local companies, but is a drop in
the ocean of need.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who has clashed with central bank governor
Gideon Gono over economic policies, has predicted inflation will fall to 10%
by the end of 2009.

Of Late, the country's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been
rocked by scandals after a unity government probe into operations of the
central bank unearthed startling revelations of graft at the institution,
forcing senior management officials to flee the long arm of the law.

The probe into the operations of the central bank in the past few years
comes at a time when Zimbabwe's coalition government is trying to bring the
country's devastated economy back on its feet following years of
mismanagement and ill conceived policies of political expediency by the
Mugabe government.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Malawi to export maize to Zimbabwe, Goodall confirms

Nyasa Times/AfricaNhttp://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/


Tuesday, 05 May 2009
Richard Chirombo

Malawi could this year export the stable food, maize, to Zimbabwe
again following Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security indications of
another bumper harvest, Malawi's Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe has hinted.

The country has for the third year running registered another pumper
maize harvest at 3.661 million tonnes- representing more than 1.461 million
tonnes of excess requirement. Malawians need 2.2 million tonnes to satisfy
their domestic maize requirement.
Agriculture and Food Security Principal Secretary, Andrew Daudi, has
attributed such excessive production to the subsidized fertilizer programme
and increased use of organic fertilizers by farmers.
Gondwe said Malawi would be duty-bound to export some of the maize
excess to domestic requirements to Zimbabwe, where he said another hunger
situation looms this year following poor harvests.
Zimbabwe, like Malawi, is a member state of the Southern African
Development Community (Sadc), which compels it and other member states to be
the first line of call to fellow members in cases of national calamities
including hunger.
"It is a very positive thing, and shows how committed this
administration has been in many areas including economic development and
food security. This year, we have again produced some hamper maize harvest
part of which we may export to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has not harvested enough
this year," said Gondwe.
The Finance Minister did not elaborate on the actual figures that
could be exported.
Analysts have linked the persistent food shortages in Zimbabwe to the
seizure of white owned farms, a development they cite for leading to
decreased crop productivity. The situation has prompted the World Food
Programme to initiate various interventions in the bid to save people from
starvation.
In a related development, Gondwe revealed that government was in the
process of establishing a public food storage company whose main goal would
be to provide extra space for crop storage.
Gondwe said, under the arrangement, people would be able to deposit
their maize and other crops at the storage facilities for safe keeping,
after which they will be getting a receipt.
"They will, then, be able to use the receipts (as evidence of property
ownership) as collateral with commercial banks. But we are still discussing
the modalities, which are at an advanced stage, and will announce the
modalities later," said Gondwe.
This follows concerns from some quarters, including the Council for
Non-Governmental Organisation (Congoma) and the Malawi Economic Justice
Network, who want the country to invest in food storage mechanisms because
pumper crop yields end up rotting due to inadequate and poor storage
facilities
Congoma's Executive Director, Ted Nandolo, for instance, claims that
over half of last year's bumper maize yield got lost through rotting, or
couldn't be properly stored due to lack of space and ended up catching
moisture.
"We really feel that we need to invest in storage facilities for us to
be able to retain our maize crop harvests. This problem creates problems for
people and could be responsible for the reports of hunger we get from
various communities when government maintains we still have maize stocks,"
queried Nandolo.
ews
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Press Expert Will Discuss Giving Local Media a Voice

(May 6 global webchat with Internews Network president David Hoffman) (235)
How can local media across the world ensure that the public is receiving the information it needs? Please join David Hoffman on May 6 at noon EDT (16:00 GMT) as he discusses the need for independent journalism in order to raise public awareness on pressing global issues.
David Hoffman is the president of Internews Network, a global nonprofit organization that fosters independent media and access to information worldwide. Co-founded by Hoffman in 1982, Internews Network has worked in 70 countries and currently has offices in 23 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Hoffman has written about media and democracy, as well as the Internet, and his articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and more. He has also testified before U.S. House and Senate committees on issues of press freedom and access to information.
If you would like to participate in this global webchat, please go to http://statedept.connectsolutions.com/journalism/. No registration is needed. Simply choose "Enter as a Guest," type in your preferred screen name and join the discussion. We accept questions and comments in advance of, and at any time during, the program.
The transcript of this webchat will be available on America.gov's webchat page ( http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html ), where information about upcoming webchats is also available.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Throwing good money after bad
http://www.mg.co.za/

JASON MOYO - May 05 2009 06:00

US ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee slams Zanu-PF for their continued mismanagement during the move to a unity government



What must happen before you can extend development aid to Zimbabwe?
We want to see a government that can take care of its own people. Zimbabwe is a very rich country, with abundant natural resources and excellent human resources. They've all been squandered and they continue to be.

We want to see all the Government of National Unity partners observing the letter of the agreement. That means improvements in the rule of law, which is not happening. Farm invasions are continuing; in fact, two farm workers were shot by police two days ago -- two black farm workers trying to make a living. Now what kind of rule of law is that? You're told by one group of authorities you can return to the farm and you're shot by another set of authorities.

We're pleased by a return to a market economy. [Finance Minister Tendai] Biti is doing a great job trying to figure out where the revenue streams are, cutting back the quasi-fiscal activities assumed by the Central Bank and trying to pay civil servants an allowance. These are positive things, but we need to see more.

Do you think the MDC has enough clout in government to push for more reforms?
Zanu-PF controls the Central Bank and the security apparatus, and that's very important. The MDC controls Parliament, finance and local governments. Zanu-PF still has the ability to say "we will do what we want", and there's nothing the MDC can do about it. This is where I talk about the lack of political will. And what can the MDC do about it? Their options are limited.

There have been various reports, the most recent by the International Crisis Group, that Zimbabwe could slide into anarchy without international support. Shouldn't you support this government?
We've put $1.5-billion into Zimbabwe since 2000 and donor countries combined have brought in a total of $5-billion. In the last year alone the US gave $250-million to Zimbabwe and we want to increase that funding this year. So it's not fair to say the US is not doing enough to assist Zimbabwe. We are doing a hell of a lot. At some point Zimbabweans are going to have to say, "This is our country, we're going to do what's right for it." It's not the US taxpayer's responsibility to take care of Zimbabwe. We're more than happy to assist, but Zimbabweans are going to have to take care of themselves.

The government wants the US to lift sanctions, especially the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, which prevents Zimbabwe from accessing aid from international financiers.
Even if we voted for Zimbabwe in the major international finance agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the African Development Bank, Zimbabwe still cannot access any assistance from these institutions until it pays back its arrears. What the government of Zimbabwe doesn't want you to know is they owe these institutions $1.5-billion. Why would these institutions extend money to a debtor that won't repay its debt?

Do you have confidence in the reserve bank?
Just yesterday, [bank governor] Gideon Gono said it himself: "I stole, I didn't take, I stole money from NGOs, I stole money from private accounts that I used to keep this government going." We don't know what that means, "to keep this government going", do we? But what we do know is he stole money that wasn't his. So, if you have that kind of operation, how can you trust this government?

We will never put money where it can be taken by the Central Bank. As the steward of American funds coming into Zimbabwe, I would be a fool to allow this administration to lay its hands on it.

How much contact do you have with Zanu-PF?
A lot has been said about Jim McGee playing golf with Morgan Tsvangirai. But I have relationships with senior Zanu-PF officials. Just this last week I was playing golf with two senior Zanu-PF figures. And if you keep your eyes open in early May you might see two Zanu-PF ministers, Morgan and Jim McGee, playing golf together in a charity tournament.

Everybody wants to talk about lifting sanctions and I keep asking why we should lift individual sanctions? They say "we need to go to the US to lobby". To lobby for what? If you have something to say, that's my job. I am the president's representative here.

The US has lifted travel warnings on Zimbabwe and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has congratulated Zimbabwe on steps taken so far. Is US policy shifting?
I saw a story saying Obama is taking a different direction and that's why I'm leaving. That's not true. The president re-signed the laws that said we will maintain sanctions on Zimbabwe. Is that a different line?Lifting travel warnings does not represent any real change in US position on Zimbabwe.

Where is your next posting after Zimbabwe?
I'm going back to the US military, and my speciality will be Zimbabwe.

What do you mean?
You'll find out.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Civic groups call for overhaul of Zim's electoral system
http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Andrew Moyo Tuesday 05 May 2009

HARARE - Zimbabwean civic groups have called for an overhaul of the country's
electoral system to minimise conflict, ensure transparency, fairness as well
as wider participation of women and minority groups.

"There is need for a paradigm shift and for Zimbabwe to embrace more
inclusive and participatory electoral systems," a joint report by the
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) and the Electoral Institute of
Southern African (EISA) released on Monday said.

"These should result in a win-win situation that minimises the occurrence of
electoral conflict and maximises the participation of women and minority
groups, such as the Proportional Representation and the Mixed Electoral
Systems."

The civic groups recommended that an independent impartial body be appointed
to ensure among other things the "professionalisation" of Zimbabwe's
security forces so that they are restrained from taking a partial role in
the country's elections and confine themselves to monitoring peace and
security during the election period.

"There is need for professionalisation of security forces and their role in
elections should be confined to the maintenance of peace," said the
statement, issued after a post-election review conference in Victoria Falls
last week.

"There must be zero tolerance of political violence from any source and law
enforcement agencies must impartially apply the laws criminalising violence
and intimidation."

Zimbabwe's security forces have for long been accused of supporting
President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU PF party during elections and have
been involved in intimidation, abductions and torture of opposition
supporters, giving the veteran leader an unfair advantage over his
adversaries.

More than 100 Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party supporters were
killed and at least another 200 000 displaced in political violence after
last year's presidential and parliamentary elections in which the opposition
party and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe and ZANU PF.

Tsvangirai, whose victory fell short of the margin required to take power,
pulled out of a June 27 presidential run-off election because of political
violence blamed on Mugabe's supporters and security forces.

EISA and ZESN called for an end to abuse of state resources to campaign for
a political party and urged openness in the financing of political parties.

"Abuse of state resources for party political purposes should be prohibited.
The election management body should undertake a comprehensive overhaul of
the voters' roll including an independent audit of the roll. The financing
of political parties should be revisited to ensure equity and openness and
funds should be managed by the election management body and not government,"
the joint said.

The two NGOs said with a view to achieving parity in decision-making
institutions in line with the 2008 SADC Protocol on Gender and Development
it was critical that women were empowered to participate fully in elections.

This would also be achieved through the formation of an independent,
non-partisan, transparent, accountable, credible and efficient election
management body appointed in an open and inclusive process.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which runs the country's elections
was appointed by Mugabe and stands accused of bias, manipulation of
electoral processes such as voter registration, custody and maintenance of
the voters' roll.

ZEC has also courted controversy in the way it makes its invitations and
accreditations of foreign and local observers, which ZESN and EISA say
should be done by the impartial election management body.

The NGOs also recommended that voter education should be a comprehensive and
continuous exercise that involves the election management body, political
parties and civic organisations without any unreasonable restrictions.

They added that media laws should be reformed to ensure media freedom, media
pluralism, diversity and access to information. There must also be
unfettered and equitable access to the media by all political parties.

"There is an immediate need to transform the state media into a truly public
media. Special voting should be conducted in a manner that ensures secrecy,
integrity, inclusively and transparency. The entire results management
process should be transparent and should be clearly defined in the relevant
legislation such as including a constitutional provision setting a deadline
for the announcement of results," the statement added.

They said electoral conflict management mechanisms should be further
enhanced to make them more effective. - ZimOnline
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Church briefs PM on chaos besetting Harare diocese
http://www.zimonline.co.za

by Nokuthula Sibanda and Patricia Mpofu Tuesday 05 May 2009

HARARE - The Anglican on Monday briefed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on
the chaos currently besetting the church in Zimbabwe in which
ex-communicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga is allegedly clinging to the church's
financial books and properties.

The regional synod, officially known as the Church of the Province of
Central Africa (CPCA) and comprising Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe
dioceses, told Tsvangirai that Kunonga was no longer a bishop or member of
the Anglican church as he had been ex-communicated after deciding to
withdraw from the church together with Manicaland Bishop Elson Jakazi, a
former army chaplain.

Albert Chama, a Zambian bishop who led the delegation that held discussions
with Tsvangirai, told journalists at a press conference that the meeting
with the Prime Minister was also meant to convey the church's condolence
message in the wake of the death of Susan Tsvangirai and nephew Shaun
Tsvangirai.

"We came here to pay our condolences to the Prime Minister after the two
tragic deaths in his family," said Chama.

"We also used the opportunity for the Prime Minister to hear from the horse's
mouth what is happening in the Anglican church in Zimbabwe where Kunonga and
Jakazi are clinging to church property."

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been embroiled in controversy over the
control of the church's properties and finances, amid allegations that
Kunonga was illegally occupying the properties as well having access to the
church's funds.

"It was a good opportunity to brief him especially on our two friends that
have left the church," he said.

Tsvangirai spokesman, James Maridadi, confirmed the meting with the Anglican
bishops.

"They came to pay their condolences and discussed other issues to do with
that church in Zimbabwe," said Maridadi.

Meanwhile Bishop Sebastian Bakare who has been running the rift-ridden
church diocese is resigning from the group, and will be replaced by Chad
Gandiya.

An assembly of the Anglican Church on Saturday elected Right Reverend
Gandiya to replace retired Bishop Bakare.

Gandiya who is currently in England would be ordained the substantive Bishop
of the Harare diocese on July 25.

Bakare, who has been at the helm of the Harare diocese over the past two
years, was appointed following the decision by Kunonga to pull out of the
church claiming that the CPCA condoned homosexuality.

"As a bishop I am passing on the responsibility," Bakare said at a press
conference.

"I was here on a caretaker basis, I was here because of Kunonga's behaviour.
I was a shepherd looking after its sheep."

During his tenure, Bakare administered a divided congregation, which critics
blamed on political interference in support of Kunonga who always had police
protection, although he had no meaningful support.

"Kunonga doesn't even exist in these churches, he claims to have people.
Riot police at times threw teargas at several of our churches such St Faith,
Budiririo and others. It was so serious that they got to the extent of
trying to use live ammunition," Bakare said.

Last month, Bakare and Kunonga were summoned to a meeting by Home Affairs
co-Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutseyekwa in a futile bid to find a
solution to the problems. - ZimOnline
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Mugabe keeping eye on the chronometer while delaying resolution of outstanding issues
http://www.hararetribune.com

Monday, 04 May 2009 20:29 George Chirikure

The outstanding issues are those issues the last SADC Extraordinary Summit
in South Africa acknowledged through its communiqué as key components of the
political settlement in Zimbabwe yet to be resolved.

The three signatories to Global Political Agreement (GPA) namely President
Mugabe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara fully
acknowledge as well on the existence of such outstanding issues and need to
resolve them sooner than later.

The issues include the apportionment and appointment of governorship,
permanent secretarial and ambassadorial posts, freeing of political
prisoners and halting what some observers mistakenly refer to as farm
invasions instead of thuggery and criminal activities.

These outstanding issues therefore without doubt form the very basis of the
concept of sharing power within the context of a genuine inclusive
government so as to normalize and stabilize Zimbabwe's political, social and
economic situation.

Few months back there was a cartoon depicting President Mugabe confessing to
a female reporter his ignorance about the meaning of the word "sharing".

Probably if we are to view the SADC leaders and Zimbabwe's three political
principals' open acknowledgement that there are still outstanding issues
then it may be more suiting to further portray President Mugabe's dilly
dallying as a clear confirmation that he also does not understand or know
the meaning of the word "inclusiveness".

During his Independence Day interview President Mugabe tried to demonstrate
his understanding of these terms, but it was obvious to many of us that he
is simply interested in proving to his supporters that he is still much in
charge.

It may be somehow unfair to blame President Mugabe for everything. Prime
Minister Tsvangirai has some responsibilities to take the blame as well.

It is understandable to argue that after the SADC Summit the Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai was forced to refer to outstanding issues as work in
progress inadvertently playing into President Mugabe's power game.

We all remember the fiasco and embarrassment witnessed at the swearing in
ceremony of cabinet ministers in February, when President presented a larger
than previously agreed list of Zanu PF ministers.

Later on Prime Minister Tsvangirai was quoted as having quickly agreed to
let Zanu PF appoint extra ministers of state in exchange for 5 posts of
governors.

To date it is difficult to understand the political logic of this high
propensity to make quick concessions and nodding on the part of MDC
leadership when dealing with a person of Mugabe's character.

Common sense would point to a hard trade off there and there, thus ensuring
that is swearing in of governors was supposed to done simultaneously with
ministers of state.

Three months after ministers of state were sworn in, the MDC is still
haggling with Mugabe over things they hurriedly agreed to.

The MDC leaders seem not to learn from experience and now look determined to
use quiet diplomacy to protect Mugabe's open violations of GPA.

They seem more than prepared to give away easily on the face value of Mugabe's
manipulative hyena like concessionary skills.

Off course Mugabe knows fully well his responsibilities both in the context
of GPA and as an under fire Zanu PF leader.

He clearly understands the expectations of his SADC and AU colleagues and
that of the international community, but he seems for now obliged to test
the intelligence and temerity of his GPA partners.

We can not deny the painful fact that Mugabe has the political upper hand in
terms of both power and human wisdom to outwit his former foes at each turn.

Thus for the time being, Mugabe is monitoring his watch, because he knows
that SADC Summit set six months as the time to evaluate the viability of the
inclusive government.

Mugabe has been good at playing patience game with SADC leaders, making some
concessions at breaking point.

For example the formation of the inclusive government was only made possible
at the eleventh hour because Mugabe did not want SADC to go to the last AU
Summit empty handed or the UN Security Council impose wholesome sanctions.

Everything had looked like in the event there was no SADC solution the AU
was going to take over, something Mugabe did not want to see happen.

Having said all this there is real possibility that Mugabe shall finally
concede on many of the outstanding issues few weeks to the end of the six
month period.

Remember there is still the issue of the allocation of powerful ministries
which is subject to further review as such Mugabe will not want to see the
MDC using lack of progress on these relatively less important issues as
enough proof of his insincerity.

George Chirikure is a Senior Political Analyst at GMRI CAPITAL. He can be
reached at george@gmricapital.com
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
JAG - farm situations communique - dated 4th May 2009


Email: jag@mango.zw : justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw

JAG Hotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799410. If you are in
trouble or need advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here
to help!

To subscribe/unsubscribe to the JAG mailing list, please email:
jag@mango.zw with subject line "subscribe" or
"unsubscribe".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The latest update on Karori Farm Headlands and Charles Lock

2. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Ref. BLOOD MANGOES:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The latest update on Karori Farm Headlands and Charles Lock

The situation is still tense on the farm with any number from 4 to 10
soldiers occupying the farm under the orders of Brigadier General
Mujaji. All the papers to have Mujaji arrested for contempt and for the
removal of the soldiers from the farm have been served on the relevant
people including the Police Head Quarters.

Police Head Quarters insist that they have given the order to the PROPOL
and DISPOL to have the orders enacted however the DISPOL on the ground
have told us they cannot enact the order unless it is given in writing by
the PROPOL, who refuse to do this. The DISPOL phoned Brigadier Mujaji
and told him to remove the soldiers but instead where threatened by
Mujaji if they attempted to do so.

It is now clear the Police have become part of the problem in not
recognising any Court order.

We have received a number of reports from various sources that one of the
soldiers on the ground at the farm has a directive to ensure that Lock is
killed should he pitch up to the farm. The hit is to be made to look
like an accident such as a bungled robbery, or car accident.

The soldiers remain armed some with hand guns and their presence there
can only be construed as sinister as the crops and equipment belong to
Lock who has been acquitted of unlawful occupation and any attempt to
take these is straight theft. If the State is attempting to acquire the
land through the Courts then how can it allow the army to be used as the
personal instrument of Mujaji to force this issue. Who is the law here.
The farm has already lost over US$100,000 in lost tobacco as a result of
stoppages caused by Mujaji's soldiers on the ground.

The land was allocated in 2004 legally and through the correct forums of
the land programme, however Mujaji insists that his Offer letter issued
by Mutasa in 2007 gives him the right to ignore this and take the land by
force despite numerous High Court orders to the contrary.

Obviously Lock is now concerned about his personal safety especially as
the Police refuse to act on Court Orders from the Highest Court in the
land which would effectively ensure his safety.

Regards

Charles Lock

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Ref. BLOOD MANGOES:

Please be advised that all mangoes that are currently being sold around
Zimbabwe are a late variety called Keitt and that there is only one farm
with that variety left hanging on the trees in Southern Africa. This is
Mount Carmel Farm in Chegutu belonging to Mike Campbell.

On the 3 April 2009 Mike Campbell's farm was invaded by agents of Nathan
Shamuyarira. On that date, Mr. Campbell still had approximately 170 tons
of these mangoes left to harvest. Since that date he has been unable to
reap a single mango despite being protected by his SADC Tribunal
Judgement and a High Court Order on the 20 April 2009. Every mango being
sold today anywhere in Zimbabwe is consequently a stolen mango.

Mr. Shamuyariras agents have beaten up Mr. Campbell's workers including
fracturing one of the workers skulls. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been
evicted their home and can not get near any of their crops. By buying
these mangoes you are supporting violence, lawlessness and theft. Please
desist from doing so.

All supermarkets with mangoes should please stop all payments to their
suppliers and contact Bruce Campbell on 0912 115485. All people see
mangoes for sale should please protest to the sellers that they are
dealing in stolen property.

Thank you.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
Tsvangirai becoming a lame-duck PM
http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/?p=16218

May 5, 2009

By Our Correspondent

HARARE - Sources in the government of national unity's corridors of power
say evidence is mounting that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has become a
lame duck Premier, struggling to assert his authority in Zimbabwe's troubled
three month-old inclusive government.

They say Tsvangirai now displays signs of reluctance to tackle an
increasingly intransigent President Mugabe head-on even behind closed doors.
It was not possible to establish whether this was a political strategy or
plain fear to confront the recalcitrant octogenarian leader.

It has emerged that it is actually deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara
who is emerging as the dark horse of the coalition government, often calling
an errant Mugabe to order, especially in behind closed door meetings. It is
also Mutambara who is demanding finality to outstanding issues much to the
annoyance of Mugabe.

Official sources say Tsvangirai hardly challenges Mugabe in Cabinet or other
meetings and his approach to molly-coddle the recalcitrant President is
increasingly causing despondency among his top lieutenants.

Sources say Mutambara is actually emerging as the real thorn in Mugabe's
flesh.

In the stormy April 28 cabinet meeting, it is Mutambara who charged at
Mugabe after he attempted to throw out a motion by Finance Tendai Biti to
discuss the controversial issue of auditing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Apparently Tsvangirai sat through cabinet meeting quietly as Mugabe tried to
play headmaster, according to one source. It was the bombastic intervention
of Mutambara that forced cabinet to put the matter on the agenda.

Mutambara is said to have confronted Mugabe, telling him that "that is your
opinion; there are many opinions in this room; that is why it's an inclusive
government".

Sources within the MDC suggest Tsvangirai may have returned to work too soon
after the burial of his spouse, Susan, saying he should perhaps have taken a
longer compassionate leave to enable him to cope with the devastating loss
of his wife of 31 years and the subsequent death of his grandson, Sean.
Sources close to the Prime Minister claim the second tragedy emotionally
devastated him, perhaps, even more than the death of his wife.

"Maybe he needs more rest," said a senior MDC official requesting anonymity.
"What we are seeing now is not the real Save we know. He has changed and we
are wondering whether it's a strategy not to be confrontational."

"Save" (pronounced Sah-vey with a soft "v") is Tsvangirai's totem. He is
affectionately called by his totem in MDC circles.

And, it would also seem Tsvangirai has also become somewhat desperate to
convince a skeptical international community that Mugabe is no longer a
problem in a desperate attempt to persuade the same international community
to unlock crucially needed financial assistance. Already he has made two
disingenuous statements that have sparked controversy, apparently attempting
to put spin to his difficult relationship with Mugabe.

"We respect each other, although we may disagree," Tsvangirai told bemused
supporters in Chinhoyi two Saturdays back. "There's nothing Mugabe does
without me approving and there is nothing I do without him approving."

But there are a number of moves that Mugabe has made apparently without any
consultation with the Prime Minister - the continuing land seizures, the
continued incarceration of Tsvangirai's former personal aide Gandhi
Mudzingwa, the contemptuous refusal by Mugabe to swear-in Roy Bennett,
Tsvangirai's choice for deputy Agriculture Minister.

Mugabe has also refused to address a host of other outstanding issues such
as his unilateral appointment of discredited Reserve Bank governor Gideon
Gono and that of politically biased Attorney General Johannes Tomana. Mugabe
is also refusing to sign into law the National Security Council Bill, giving
his Joint Operations Command carte blanche to continue to plot against the
MDC.

The National Security Council is expected to replace the JOC, but has not
met since Parliament passed the law constituting it on February 10.

Mugabe has, in fact, deliberately undermined the Prime Minister at every
turn. He has shown clear contempt and disdain for him and openly treats him
as a junior partner.

Tsvangirai nevertheless insists he is an equal partner in the inclusive
government.

Sources in government say Mutambara, who is less diplomatic with Mugabe,
despite earlier perceptions that he was a lackey of the President, has
actually asserted his authority and Mugabe is increasingly getting alarmed
with Mutambara's hostile attitude.

Initially Mutambara led Mugabe to believe he was his ally.
________________________________________
Click here or ALT-T to return to TOP
ICT Will Improve Education and Employability in Zimbabwe

Chris Dube is a reader in Information Systems and Computing. He is a PhD student in ICT and E-learning in the UK.

In the mid 90’s Zimbabwean government prioritized education and became envy of Africa with highest education standards in the continent. Today, it is a nation characteristic of unending university closures and perpetual striking teachers. Zimbabwe government of national unity together with its educationists and academics should start moving towards an approach of recognising, developing and rewarding talents to those who have been affected by the previous poor education system. This is the time to empower the talent of every member of society, regardless of background, beliefs or education. Empowering the talent in this case will simply mean to provide free and fair Information and Communications Technology (ICT) opportunities to every Tom, Dick and brother Harry. The new government has to ensure our learners get the best ICT training possible to fulfil employers’ requirements especially during this looming global recession. There is currently no robust strategy to address this issue, not that I know of, which is why our children suffered consequences of long stay away by teachers as well as other constraints like lack of transport. If there was plan B in place, like E-learning and ICT, no examination was going to be postponed hence no academic year was going to be lost. E-learning and ICT would have played a pivotal role in filling up these skills gaps and shortages.

ICT will recognise and develop required global technical standards and qualifications for the work force in our ever advancing technology. This will in turn generate benefits for employers and other stakeholders, such as giving the workforce externally recognized credibility and esteem, responsibilities and competencies. ICT allows people to enhance their skills or learn new ones. It would be ideal to begin these skills at primary education to secondary up to universities and from independent training providers to colleges, community centres and Libraries or Learning Resource Centres. Thus it is essential and beneficial to inspire a positive ICT attitude towards them at a younger age.
Therefore on that note, ICT education should not be a special kind of activity that happens from time to time, but a ubiquitous feature of life.

A few weeks ago the Honourable Zimbabwe ICT Minister talked of digitalizing Zimbabwean communities by developing a country website ‘in order to put Zimbabwe back on the world map’. Apparently, for all we know every single person in this planet has seen Zimbabwe ‘on the world map’. Why swallow before chewing? This article serves to remind our honourable Minister that as far as ICT is concerned, we have some way to go before we can claim to walk the talk.

Taking ICT qualification as its starting point, education will be really meaningful and serving its purpose of preparing young people with skills and knowledge for work. What they learn for one purpose can be deployed in another. What they will learn in ICT will be deployed in other subjects, like doing a Power Point presentation of the ‘causes and effects of Chimurenga War’ in History. The same power point skills will be deployed in the work place. They will be able to produce a globally recognised Shona or Ndebele dissertation or thesis in word document. They will integrate and interact with each other on intranets and blackboards as and when they want to.

However, this government of national unity will have to lead by example and exercise readiness to change. There is an urgent need for publicly funded ICT education and training to learners by making them more productive and employable. The best programmes could well start at schools, colleges, universities and training centres. ICT specialists and consultants should be allowed partnership with the entire education curriculum. These will help in improving and re-skilling our schools. Question, are there right people in the right place to nurture flexible skills and ICT talents? In learning to learn, there is need to train trainers and educate educators. It is the government’s obligation to promote ICT training of staff and ensure they become accomplished ICT practitioners. These trainers will identify urgent ICT needs on staff development and work on those needs to provide cohesion.

If the new government was to set an ICT standard to every new teacher perhaps the repercussions of moves to put the training and qualifications of teachers, tutors, lecturers, trainers and instructors onto a more professional footing would be minimal. If every new teacher would work towards an ICT Standard Verification endorsed qualification, there would be no need to re-skill or provide professional development. Teachers and trainers should undertake a minimum of 1 year continuing professional ICT development as a prior requirement. But even then, this government has to stand firm on ensuring that erratic power supplies, weak ICT infrastructure, poor educational funding and an absence of experts would be things of the past. Despite ICT’s potential to help meet Zimbabwe’s educational and manpower needs, the above problems will continue robbing the country of a vital chance at improving its stake in the digital economy.

If ICT is to become a key element of Zimbabwean education, the government will need to provide a major program for professional staff development and training. ICT skills are necessary for implementation of ICT in education. The need towards ICT should put special accentuation towards teacher training. This calls for an urgent prepared professional development program to be established to support teachers and lecturers in the effective implementation of ICT. The professional development training required is one that facilitates and ensures that ICT is successfully integrated into the daily routines as well as ensuring that its use will be efficient and effective. This will only be developed with wide consultation. These ICT consultants should be hired to work with education sector to facilitate the adoption of ICT in education.

Teachers and lecturers will be offered training and support through their subject areas alongside that for ICT skills.
Back to the Top
Back to Index
________________________________________