And the scandal goes on and on

So I was sitting in my office waiting for my boss to come and guess what I was seeing, some people talking on FB about the case of the Prime Minister’s marriage. Truth be, told I was very upset by the turn of events when this story started unfolding. I could not believe the level of ignorance nor should I say the total lack of eloquence in political culture that the PM showed in this whole saga.  What man makes a woman pregnant, decides to do things traditionally, in the wrong traditional month, and then lets a media circus rage, before he finally decides to give a media statement stating that  - I quote,  “The “marriage” has been hijacked and there is an apparent active political hand that is now driving the processes. State security agents have also weighed in to force and direct proceedings which has resulted in everything regarding this relationship now taking place in camera, with the public media journalists in tow”. Surely how indecisive can a man become? Needless to say this is the same nonsense a whole lot of women in this country and the world over go through. One minute a man is telling you that they are with you, the next minute, because his mother told him or his friends said this, you are no longer relevant.

I would like in this case , to take a look at the Prime Minister’s supposed marriage saga and try and get into the lives of the ordinary Zimbabwean women, or even the women from the world over, who have suffered the same kind of abuse. Ladies and gentleman, emotional abuse is real! There is nothing worse than suffering the psychological trauma of losing a loved one just before you look to spending the rest of your life with them, just like the trauma many have suffered in miscarriages, losing a child or through an abortion! It’s just really sad that Ms Locadia here has to go through this nonsense at the hands of our very own PM, I mean what example are we setting here for the young people? Are we saying it’s okay to make a woman pregnant and not do right by her just because you have been unable to make a decision whether you want to pursue the relationship or not? Is the PM saying that it is very okay for men all over the place, especially if they are in a position of power, to change women like their underwear, and while at it, marry for a few days and refuse responsibility and blame it on someone else, in this case the state media?

I am appalled at this level of thinking and especially reminded of my own circumstances when a man I truly loved blamed me for breaking our relationship up, needless to say he is the one who had moved on and started dating another woman. Do our words as humans matter anymore? Do we not care about the feelings of others and the images of the people we love? Whatever happened to our moral fabric that even the PM does something as stupid as marrying a woman, then changes his mind eventually blaming it all on the state security? I bet the state security was there holding the candle when he was busy fufting the woman, hell they probably even suggested that he start dating this particular woman!

 We should start taking responsibility for our own actions, and stop crying the victim every time.  This seems very typical of the men in this generation, they sleep around and they are not willing to be responsible for the consequences, in fact they end up dubbing women prostitutes, or blaming it on circumstances, alcohol or some other vice! As far as I am concerned, if you are a political figure, you need to understand that your life ceases to be your own. After all is said and done, we will look at the small things, the good the bad, and the ugly( Like this marriage scandal) and decide whether one is fit for political office and frankly speaking my doubts about the capability of this man have been confirmed. I am sorry to say that all those who support the Prime Minister’s actions must really have no respect for women, because I believe his actions show he never cared for Locadia to begin with. If he remotely cared what would happen to her, he would have let her down quietly. I am not in support of the fact that he could not even decide what he really wanted to do.According to his own statement; no one coerced him to go and pay damages or whatever he paid for, for a woman who is pregnant with his babies.  This sentiment then just disappears because of interference from the state, media and her family?  Surely if the man had any “balls” (excuse my French), then he would have been able to deal with this and make a decision based on what he thought was right and not because he felt under pressure to do what others thought was right. Despite his promise to run with the vision for change, I, like many people, doubt his capability as a leader for a country like ours that has diverse cultures. How about annoying the women of this country Mr Prime Minister with your actions? Yet we actually constitute more than 52% of the country’s population.

Anyway, I have said my bit, and it goes without saying that what goes around comes around, do not be deceived, Karma is when God deals with those people who have wronged you and you are very lucky He lets you watch! A good politician in the eyes of a layman like me is decisive, does not let the influence of those around him deter him from his planned course of action and above all he thinks of the needs of others, the Prime Minister and my ex boyfriend might have come from the same mother. Shame on you guys!

Human trafficking: Chipinge’s unsolved challenge

By Thomas Madhuku
Nomatter Machona (17) a student at Vheneka Secondary School in
Chipinge met a group of men recruiting workers for “an Indian-owned
supermarket in South Africa”. “The Indian tycoon also runs a chain of
fast foods outlets and each worker is paid R5000 (US$450) per month
plus accommodation and overtime allowances,” she was told.

She was also promised she could take up courses that her prospective
employer would pay for if she so wished. Machona could not wait for
her poor and struggling parents’ approval, this was ‘manna from
heaven’ and she grabbed it with both hands.

Together with 16 other girls of her age they left for Johannesburg,
South Africa. On arrival, the recruiters handed them over to a brothel
owner falsely introduced as the wife of the Indian tycoon before they
disappeared. For six months the girls were abused, raped and assaulted
by countless male patrons of the brothel. She was saved by one of the
men who smuggled her out of the brothel to his house and gave her
money to come back home.

Nomatter’s story is typical of numerous such cases in Chipinge.
Because of its proximity to South Africa and Mozambique, the district
has fallen prey to human trafficking as notorious syndicates rake in
thousands of dollars from uninformed and poverty stricken villagers
keen to follow up on promises of employment, education and marriage.

“It is all because of our limited knowledge and lack information on
such dangerous activities,” lamented headman Chisumbanje.

He said the problem has resulted in the loss of manpower as boys and
girls are blindly flocking to South Africa leaving parents without
anyone to help in the fields.

The conmen are unperturbed as they continue to employ new and creative
tactics to convince poor and desperate Zimbabweans that they can make
a fortune in South Africa and other neighboring countries.

Rosemary Sidhuna (22), also a victim of human trafficking, said she
was promised a R4 000 (US$350) per month job in Cape Town only to find
herself stuck on a farm in Musina. For six months she worked without
being paid. “I only escaped with the help of a farm security guard,”
Sidhuna said. She has since returned home and has ventured into cotton
farming in Chipinge.

Many people interviewed claimed to know people who left for South
Africa, Botswana and Mozambique in the company of strangers.

Sarudzai Mhlanga, a Chisumbanje villager said some of the victims had
since established themselves as full time commercial sex workers in
South Africa after undergoing what she termed a ‘mentoring’ process.

Another village head, Karakadzai Machona of Madhuku village said, he
was aware of the activities of human traffickers whom he said always
employed new tricks making it difficult to address the problem.

“I always stress on the need to deal with trusted people when going to
South Africa but frequently we come across different experiences,”
Machona said.

Many men and women currently working in South Africa said they
underwent nerve wracking experiences on their way to South Africa.
Tafadzwa Sarimana who came home for the Christmas holidays said he
managed to escape after the human trafficking syndicate that recruited
him was ambushed by South African police at Musina in South Africa.

“They took all my money leaving me stranded without food and bus fare
to complete my journey, I gave myself up to the South African Police
so I could get back home,” he said. Sarimana later applied for a
passport before returning to South Africa, where he is now working as
a security guard.

Other girls said traffickers assisting people to cross the Limpopo
River into South Africa often rape and rob their victims before
handing them over to South African employers who often abuse them.

A Vheneka Secondary School teacher, Idea Sithole said schools were
losing a considerable number of students who are heading to South
Africa as a result of dubious job promises.

Sithole added that their fathers and forefathers went to South Africa
where they worked mainly in mines and the trend continues. Sithole
appealed for combined efforts in fighting human trafficking.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Media and Public
Information Assistant, Folen Murapa noted that Zimbabwe’s geographical
position lends itself to be used as a transit point for both human
trafficking and human smuggling for persons trafficked from Asia,
Europe and from other African countries.

“In Zimbabwe, young women, men and children are being lured to South
Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, Egypt, Europe and Asia
with false promises of employment, education or marriage,” said
Murapa.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the absence of specific
provisions on human trafficking in Zimbabwean law made it difficult
for them to address the issue. “We only deal with breaches of the
Children’s Act, the Sexual Offences Act and the Criminal Law
Codification (Reform) Act when confronted with trafficking cases in
Zimbabwe,” says a statement released from ZRP.

Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) a human rights non-governmental
organization views the absence of such provisions on human trafficking
as a legal deficit that makes it difficult to prosecute those
involved.

“Despite the fact that the Zimbabwean Criminal Code criminalizes
sexual exploitation, the absence of specific provision on human
trafficking creates a huge deficit in the legal framework,” a RAU
report says.

The United States Trafficking in Person report for 2011 notes that
Zimbabwe is a source, transit and destination country for women and
children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual
exploitation in South Africa, Botswana, Asia, Europe and many other
countries.

No specific data has been availed on the number of people trafficked
because of the clandestine nature of the business.
Since the inception of Counter Trafficking programme in September
2006, IOM has assisted 43 victims (25 female and 18 male) who had been
duped into leaving Zimbabwe on promises which proved to be false.

IOM’s Murapa said the organization is conducting mass public awareness
campaigns, disseminating Information Education and Communication (IEC)
material, training and holding workshops to raise awareness about
human trafficking.

Zimbabwe’s economy burdens the elderly.

Rising poverty levels owing to the poor performance of the economy has seen the breakdown of the extended family system in Zimbabwe with families resorting to old people’s homes to care for the elderly, a development which is not only alien, but unfortunately wreaking havoc and turning the society into something unfamiliar and emotionally unhealthy to its most senior members.

Traditionally, the well-being and welfare of the elderly was the responsibility of their children. But this is slowly dyingdue to changing lifestyles, pride, illness and downright nonchalance. There are now homes, something which was an anathema and a preserve of the white community.

The economic factors, coupled with the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is wiping out the younger generation, has meant that children are no longer able to take care of the elderly.

Since the introduction of multi-currency system in 2009, things have gone worse compared to the 80s when children could afford to take up the responsibility of their elders’ welfare, or at least the elderly depending on their pensions.

The struggling economy has brought about a valueless pension scheme that is seriously failing to sustain its intended beneficiaries.

Pensioners, have, according to a survey, been seen earning a paltry USD70 monthly, against a highly inflationary environment with the Poverty Datum Line, ranging from USD300- USD600.

One well known sign of a bad economy is “donor dependency syndrome” which is shown by the increase in donor-funded organisations that have emerged to help the elderly in this country.

This Reporter visited Melfort Old People’s home in Marondera and discovered that most of the people were at the homes not out of their own volition but because of a cocktail of issues and the most dominant being economic factors.

Martin Tambudzai (82) from Chivu is one of the many residents at the home who was brought in by his son who said he could not afford to take care of him.

“I feel neglected and this is against the African culture. Our children are supposed to take care of us but my son cannot,” Tambudzai said.

“This is because of the current economic hardships, my pension could not sustain me and my son could not afford me also. It is sad to see this tradition falling away and witness the suffering and neglect of the elderly and to see some of them being reduced to destitute.

“When we were growing up the elders were there to lead with all their wisdom they would have gained but this has all been washed away since the elderly are now kept in homes away from the society they should lead, this is because our little incomes cannot afford us to stay in the society,” said Tambudzai, adding that there was nothing he could do as his son was also struggling to make a living.

 The 82-year old was devastated by his situation of failing to lead a normal life with his children taking care of him.

Most of these elderly revealed that the biggest problem they are facing is the shortage of food, the lack of clothing and general up keep which landed them in homes.

Anna Muchena who settled in Zimbabwe in the 80s, from Mozambique said she came to the old people’s home following the death of her son and husband in 2007.

“My husband, who used to take care of me passed away in 2000 and two years later my son who had taken over the responsibility of looking after me died in a car accident. After that I had no one to look after me until some well wishers brought me here so I must say I am grateful for the support we receive here,” she said.

Garikai Francis, the administrator at Melfort Home said there was a critical food shortage at the home forcing residents to forego some meals.

‘We lack consistent support from the government through the Social Welfare Act of which under this Act, the government is supposed to provide administration grants and grants for individual older persons for their up keep. However due to economic challenges, the government is not able to meet this as often as it is supposed to,” said Francis.

“Apart from food, older persons need proper housing facilities, comfortable beds, support in income generating projects, clothing, blankets and adequate health cover but in most cases we can not afford to give them that, “he added.

Melfort Old People’s home has 22 residents. Nineteen of them are immigrants from the neighbouring countries like Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland and Mozambique..

“These people came into the country looking for employment but they never managed to have stable jobs and families, thus they did not have children who can take care of them, “said Priscilla Gavi, the executive director of Help Age, one of the organisations that supports Melfort Old People’s home.

Gavi also revealed that huge amounts of money are required for them to be able to cater for these elderly.

Zimbabwe has over 50 old people’s homes and each home caters for about 30 people. However, with the prevailing economic situation, it has been increasingly difficult to adequately meet their needs.

Gavi added that without public support it would be an uphill battle to take care of the elderly.

“We are therefore appealing for donations on behalf of these elderly people’s homes. We are appealing to the well wishers for donations so that we can be able to continue supporting these people, “she said.

The Organisation works hand in hand with both local and international donors by initiating income-generation projects meant to sustain old people’s homes.

Help Age Zimbababwe supports a number of Old People’s homes in the country, which include Mazowe, Bridge Old People’s Home in Rushinga and Mutikizizi in Bikita.

The Minister of Labour and Social Services Hon Paurina Mpariwa revealed that the Bill, to make the government responsible for the well being of the elderly, is now with Parliament.

 “It is my wish for the parliament to take into consideration the sailing through of the bill into legislation because older people are assets in the community hence they deserve honour,” said Mpariwa.

Popular traditionalist Prof Gordon Chavhunduka also said: “Although the economy is not allowing it is taboo to send your elders to a “home” where they can’t impart knowledge to the young ones.

These elderly should not lead a difficult life like this because they are the leaders of this nation, but this economy is depriving them.

Tradition does not allow people to take their parents to these homes but due to the economic hardships and changes in the living conditions in the country, older people are now left to leave alone in homes or left with the grandchildren because of many challenges including poverty and HIV and Aids pandemic that has affected the young generation

Diana Ngondonga              

Society a two Edged Sword

Customs and values in our society are stronger than the law, stronger than religion and pave way for male domination over females.  Some things apply to men and if the same happens to be done by a woman there are all sorts of connotations attached to the very same activity.  We can argue the finer points about this issue and we may even get to a place where some people can believe that men and women are equal.  To the contrary, this is not true.  The only statement that rings true in our African society is the fact that “men are more equal than women”.  There is nothing more and nothing less to it.  We live in a patrilineal society, where a man can force his partner or spouse to have intercourse, and can never be charged for it.  This is unlike the newspaper headlines screaming “women rape man at gunpoint”.  A man can have multiple partners and it is called “barika” but a woman in the same position “ari kuhura”.  Double standards? Yes  and it does not end there.

Zuma's Three Wives

 I read a story once about a woman in a rural part of Zimbabwe who had multiple husbands and there was a great outcry from the village in which she lived.  Many people expressed “disgust” at her behaviour and her son is even said to have disowned his mother.  I found it very interesting that a whole village would make it their business to speak about this -her delicate situation.  At the same time the fact that this was an even newsworthy story speaks volumes of what our society thinks about women in polygamous relationships.  Apparently there is a term for this and it is called polyandry.  It goes without saying though that for many men, there is no excuse for having many women at his beck and call.  I have heard the statement a million times that no woman should ever think they are alone in a relationship.  Our society allows men to have multiple partners and its okay, women cannot do the same as it ultimately makes them a prostitute, and a horde of other names I can think of but will not dare to write in this forum.  We are ignorant to the fact that in some Tibetan societies, polyandry is common.  The widely marketed reason for this practice is the general belief that any child should be financially secure, and one father might not be able to provide for that particular child sufficiently. This therefore results in a woman carrying out multiple relationships openly so as to support her children.  Unfortunately for us, African women, particularly Zimbabwean women, we cannot have the best of many worlds.  We stick to one partner, sometimes not because that is what we want, or because there are sexually transmitted infections out there, but because society says so.

My mother often talks to me about the major differences between courting and dating. She has given me enough the lectures about staying “pure’ until I get married, and that I can achieve this by staying away from situations that can potentially lead me to temptation.  It is a fact that rings true lately that more and more, young girls are sexually active before they get married, in fact statistics show that at least 45% of girls between 12 and 18 are sexually active.  I am sure that many parents are actually unaware of this fact, unless something goes horribly wrong and their young wards get pregnant.  Why are parents unaware of their children’s extracurricular activities? It is because they do not talk to them, and they want to believe that all girls get married virgins.  Our society has many expectations of the female child and we often expect that to be the path that they follow.  Funny how after the wedding night, in some parts of our country people still expect that the bride’s sheets be paraded around the household so that they can establish that she was indeed pure. If we however take a good look at this practice, it might be no surprise that it is flawed and one sided- the bridegroom was probably responsible in his hey days, for deflowering many girls.  Who then gets to marry those ones? If society applauds the young man for exploring his sexual capabilities, while restricting the young woman, how do we expect things to really turn out? Is this not then the very reason why many marriages are founded on deception and lies? As women try to maintain a saintly appearance to her in-laws and the society at large?

I wonder if women have duty placards written on their foreheads.  She cooks, she cleans up after him, she does the laundry, she nurtures the children and sometimes she is responsible for all this after she has been through an eight hour working day.  It is nevertheless of note that women are still below her male counterpart in the workplace. The entry level is very different from the working conditions, despite the many calls for equality in business circles.  How can I, the single woman compete with my male colleague who can attend meetings after work with the company seniors, over drinks to discuss business, while I have to rush home and help my mother prepare the evening meal?   Most women in the work places can be admired, humoured and tolerated at most but usually never taken any more seriously, unless they fight for what they believe is rightfully theirs.  It also goes without saying that in most work places, women are victims of their own sexuality.  We can suffer sexual violence from our bosses and justice can be very hard to come by. There is no chance that the business sector is equally competitive for both men and women.  Men have an upper hand without doubt.  It is seen as their domain, while women are expected to perform miracles, mergers and decrease interest rates in the kitchen.

Bachelors are common place in our societies and yet bachelorettes are not very welcome.  Any young woman looking to living by herself, becoming independent, while waiting for Mr Right to come along is not taken seriously.  The common view is that she wants to exercise her freedom and start being naughty, hence the vehement discourage.  What then is the difference between a young man and a young woman who is growing up in the same society and probably got the same education?   Why does he seem to get ahead and while she struggles and lag behind?   The main reason why anyone would want to leave home is so they can grow up and be more responsible. Many a time we are very comfortable staying at home, that we come very dependent.  Harsh reality usually hits us when the parent dies, leaving us to fend for ourselves, the very reason why prostitution seems to be on the increase.  Economic freedom is something that everyone wants, but at times our people make it very difficult for a girl to attain it, while handing the keys on a silver platter to any young man.

I can spend the whole day, talking about how independent women are seen as controlling freaks who probably got some concoction from a witchdoctor to make their husbands submissive, how trousers are generally seen as disrespectful when worn by a woman.  If one then chooses to wear a skirt that shows her figure, it is seen as an invitation to be raped or harassed by men.  We can even talk about the idea that women seen in night spots and pubs are all prostitutes that should not be taken seriously, unlike the fact that most of them are just a bunch of people out having a bit of harmless fun.  So there we have it. Society is just but a two edged sword, encouraging men to do as they please while condemning women to silence and misery!

Gertrude Bvindi

I am an administrator by profession.  I have a first Degree in Political Science, and I started the first year of my Masters  in International Relations but i am yet to finish it. I am a sports woman, and have participated in Rugby and Basketball at National level. I did my primary school in Mutare, Chancellor Junior and high School in Domboshava, at a Catholic mission.  I am passionate about women issues.

I would like to know your views and please do not hesitate to comment below your thoughts, suggestions and views.

Category: Latest , living , Tafadzwa Bvindi , Top News

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Goes Electronic

A company has been engaged to supervise the transition of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange to electronic trading. A document on the change has been presented to Cabinet and issues around setting up a Central Securities Depository including the shareholding structure. According to a report in the Government’s Herald newspaper, Finance Minister Tendai Biti told a breakfast meeting organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe and the ZSE that the CSD could be in place by year-end.
The aim is to improve stakeholder relations and explore possibility for other capital or financial markets to be set up. Minister Biti said the CSD was a critical part of a modern capital market system as it reduced the payment cycle, enhanced transparency and helped monitor the shareholding thresholds of foreign investors participating on ZSE.
He said that the CSD would help prevent irregularities. Apparently the minister said that currently only about 20 investors accounted for most of the trading in the 79 listed counters. He claimed that the CSD will improve liquidity, promote market integrity and transparency while minimising market manipulation, fraud and financial crime.
According to a report in a South African newspaper called “Sunday Times Zimbabwe”, the Minister would also like to modernize the ZSE Act and the Securities Act and possibly introduce a “super regulator”, similar to the UK’s Financial Services Authority (in June 2010 the UK Government announced plans to abolish the FSA and split its functions). This report claims that 20 of the “shadowy players” were virtually controlled by the same individuals, and Renaissance Financial Holdings Limited was accused of wrongdoing because of insufficient measures to detect insider dealings.
According to the Herald, the Minister said: “The main issue being dealt with is the shareholding structure of this systematically important institution (CSD), which should reflect national ownership by both the public and private sector players.” He said that the National Social Security Authority, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe or the ZSE would own at least 51% of the CSD company. Another significant shareholder will be Chengetedzai, a local private firm which is overseeing the establishment of the electronic trading system (the website http://chengetedzai.com/) appears to be just a title page.
The government seeks to demutualise the bourse, which it believes will enhance accountability and speed modernisation. Currently the bourse is still an association of stakeholders while demutualization would mean turning the exchange into a company driven by the profit motive or other goal. Minister Biti said demutualisation was critical to prevent cartels of members from dictating the affairs of the bourse, which created credibility crises and could put off investors. There has long been tension between the ZSE and the SEC over jurisdiction and self-regulation.
ZSE trading is done in daily “call-over” sessions when brokers gather around a table and bid against each other. However, trading is more active than on many more automated neighbouring exchanges.
According to the report, the Minister said: “When you go to the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and see the way they trade it gives the impression that we are still stuck in 1950. It is as if someone pressed a pause button on the TV and everything stopped. We have to modernise and part of it is coming up with a CSD,” he said.
SECZ chairperson Mrs Willia Bonyongwe said the country wanted to set up more securities and capital markets and challenged innovative Zimbabweans to come forward with proposals. She suggested markets could assist in trading equities, bonds, quasi or hybrid financial instruments, asset securitisation and unitisation, hedging or risk commodity markets and private equity instruments, or even trade in agriculture and mining products. The ZSE is the only active capital market.
In early August the ZSE website (www.zse.co.zw) was hacked twice in early August and used phishing and has currently disappeared.

Details of Joyce Mujuru Secret Meeting with US Ambassador Charles Ray

             In an informal and introductory meeting, which circumvented Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) protocol, the Ambassador and Vice President Joice Mujuru discussed sanctions, the Global Political Agreement (GPA), and ZANU-PF.

Mujuru hewed to the party line on sanctions, claiming that sanctions on institutions were hurting ordinary Zimbabweans. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. was looking for progress on the GPA as a predicate to lifting these sanctions. On the GPA, Mujuru maintained that ZANU-PF had made significant concessions; the most critical outstanding issue was sanctions. Without separating herself from President Robert Mugabe, Mujuru said that new and younger leadership was entering ZANU-PF and the party would gradually evolve. The meeting was friendly and, at a minimum, opened up a channel of communication. END SUMMARY.

2. ZANU-PF government officials normally will not meet with us unless a request is sent out to the MFA. The MFA then schedules the meeting and sends a note taker. Through a Mujuru advisor, David Butau, we requested an informal meeting to better establish a relationship and facilitate an exchange of views. Three days after the conclusion of the ZANU-PF Congress, Mujuru agreed to a meeting, but it was only at the last minute that logistics were arranged. Mujuru, who is acting president while Mugabe is in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, wanted to ensure that the meeting with the U.S. ambassador was private and undisclosed.

3. The meeting took place in an unoccupied house owned by Mujuru on the outskirts of Harare. The affluent and powerful are not immune from frequent Harare power cuts, and the neighborhood was dark. While the house had electricity, irregular power had shorted most of the lights. A Mujuru employee who led us through darkened grounds to an unfurnished living room (except for chairs and a plasma television) where Mujuru and Butau were waiting already. The Vice President had managed to shed all of her (presumably CIO-infiltrated) security. She herself poured tea. The meeting was friendly and respectful; at the end, Mujuru said she would like to meet again and continue the conversation.

4. Not surprisingly, Mujuru began the discussion with sanctions. She argued that while she and others were targets, they were not hurt. Rather, ordinary Zimbabweans were suffering because of sanctions on institutions such as ZB Bank and Agribank, which had historically provided loans to small businesspersons and farmers. Now, because of sanctions, they were illiquid and could not lend. The Ambassador acknowledged that sanctions were an emotional and pervasive issue. There might be willingness in Washington to look at non-personal sanctions, but this was not a one-sided process. With progress on GPA issues, the U.S. would consider responding. How did she see progress, the Ambassador asked?

5. Mujuru stated that the most critical GPA issue was Q5. Mujuru stated that the most critical GPA issue was sanctions. ZANU-PF thought that by signing the GPA and agreeing to a government with the MDC it had given more than the MDC. The MDC had made a number of unhelpful “pronouncements.” At various times, according to Mujuru, it had urged Zimbabwe’s neighbors to withhold electricity and fuel. It had asked western countries to maintain personal sanctions. ZANU-PF officials, according to Mujuru, were becoming “unsettled” and wanted to see MDC movement on sanctions. (COMMENT: The Ambassador noted that the MDC could not remove sanctions — this was up to western governments — and Mujuru did not dispute this. But she wanted the MDC to cease its “pronouncements.” We expect an announcement on December 21 by the GPA principals on GPA issues that have been resolved, probably commissions and the appointment of governors, and it would not be surprising for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at that time to suggest that at least some non-personal sanctions be removed.

6. Mujuru continued that there was a distinction between politics and government. While efforts were on going to resolve political differences, the government was making progress. A bill to limit the powers of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s governor was close to passage, and Zimbabwe had just signed a bilateral investment treaty with South Africa. She pleaded for U.S. help to restore Zimbabwe’s economy.

7. After commenting that the U.S. was providing substantial assistance (food and medical) to the people of Zimbabwe, the Ambassador replied that, sanctions or no sanctions, Zimbabwe could begin to regrow its economy. This would require restoring external and internal confidence — investors needed to know there was security of contracts and no excessive government interference in the economy. In other words, businesses would accept economic risk, but it was necessary to remove political risk.

8. Turning to politics, Mujuru said the ZANU-PF old guard was giving way to “young blood.” She noted that she (55 years old) and new Party Chair Simon Khaya Moyo (64 years old) are on the younger side and form one-half of the ZANU-PF presidium (along with Mugabe and new vice president John Nkomo). The presidium would be together for five years. Mujuru concluded, “Let’s work together.”

9. While Mujuru is inculcated with ZANU-PF ideology, evidenced by her views on sanctions, she and her husband, General Solomon Mujuru, are business people who understand that a friendlier and more stable business environment requires political change. She also would like better relations with the U.S., which she views as essential for Zimbabwe’s economic growth. This no doubt motivated her desire for a non-official meeting with the Ambassador immediately after the ZANU-PF Congress. The fact that she was impelled to have a clandestine meeting is reflective of the power of Mugabe and hard-liners and the fear they engender. It also shows the weakness of the party, in that it will not tolerate its second highest-ranking official having a private meeting with the U.S. ambassador. (Tsvangirai had no qualms about informally and openly meeting the Ambassador. Ref A.)

10. Because of her gender, Mujuru is an unlikely successor to Mugabe (Ref B). But she occupies a prominent position in ZANU-PF and will likely be part of the power structure after Mugabe. We know from other sources that she and her husband would like to see Mugabe move on. She was cautious in her first meeting with the Ambassador, but we will pursue the relationship both to gain insights into ZANU-PF and to encourage reform efforts. ENDS

Gideon Gono Confirms that Robert Mugabe has Prostate Cancer and has 2 years to live (wikileaks)

Robert Mugabe has prostate cancer and has been told by doctors that he could be dead by 2013, WikiLeaks documents have revealed.

Zimbabwe's 87-year-old president was apparently diagnosed with the condition several years ago and warned in 2008 that it could kill him within five years.

Details of his sickness were confirmed in secret U.S. diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

It provides the first confirmation that the end of Mugabe's rule could be in sight.

He was told to stand down amid concerns about his failing health, according to the cables. When his death comes, it is expected to cause a serious internal power struggle.

The documents show that America's former ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee was informed of Mugabe's condition on June 4, 2008 during a private meeting with Gideon Gono, a close friend and governor of Zimbabwe's reserve bank.

In a cabled summary of the meeting, Mr McGee reported: 'Gideon Gono, governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, told the Ambassador on June 4 that President Robert Mugabe has prostate cancer that has metastasised and, according to doctors, will cause his death in three to five years.

'According to Gono, Mugabe's doctor had recommended he cut back on his activities.

'(NOTE: Gono told us last year that Mugabe was ill and that his doctor had urged him to step down immediately. Mugabe had told his doctor, according to Gono, that he would leave office after the election).'

Confidant: Gideon Gono, Mugabe's close friend, apparently told the U.S. diplomat about Mugabe's diagnosis

Mr McGee's cable was entitled 'Ambassador's meeting with Gideon Gono' and sent to Washington from Harare on June 6, a few weeks before 2008's contested Zimbabwe elections.

In his note, the ambassador speculated that given Mugabe's rapidly faltering health, it was likely that even if the aging Zanu-PF leader won the upcoming poll that he would stand down by the end of the following year.

He wrote: 'Given Mugabe's health, and the desire of many within Zanu-PF that he step down because of the state of the economy, it is likely the latest date Mugabe will stay in office, assuming he wins on June 27, is December 2009.

'This is when Zanu-PF will hold its scheduled Congress to re-elect officers.

'It is also quite possible that after a June win, Zanu-PF will begin the succession game resulting in a departure for Mugabe earlier than December 2009.'

The diplomatic cable was marked 'confidential' but published online last week as part of Wikileaks's huge dump of unredacted notes.

The dictator has appeared increasingly frail during recent years and was widely believed to have been suffering from cancer.

This year alone he has made at least five trips to Singapore, where he is believed to be receiving treatment at a top private clinic.

However those around the leader have maintained a wall of silence over his health, and his spokesman has repeatedly claimed Mugabe's hospital visits were to receive treatment for a problem with his eyes.

Today local media in Zimbabwe reported that Gono had denied telling Mr McGee about Mugabe's sickness.

In a brief statement given to the New Zimbabwe website, he said: 'It's a lie. I wouldn't even dare talk about that.'

Despite his illness, Mugabe makes significant effort to ensure he continues to be seen as a powerful figure.

His Zanu-PF party has ruled Zimbabwe since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.

Since then the Mugabe has been condemned for a litany of human rights abuses and for allowing the economy to collapse.

The two leaders later formed a unity government, with Tsvangirai serving as prime minister since February 2009.

However Mugabe has repeatedly signaled his intention to call fresh elections, and said last week that the country would return to the polls early next year.

MARANGE DIAMONDS SALES CLEAN - JACOB ZUMA

THE PRESIDENCY:  REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Private Bag X1000, Pretoria, 0001

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 59
DATE PUBLISHED: 10 February 2011
DATE DUE: 24 February 2011
59. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he has been informed of reports that diamonds mined at the (a) Marange and (b) Chiadzwa diamond fields in Zimbabwe are being sold outside of the Kimberley Process to fund the operations of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the Government's position in this regard;
(2) whether the Government has taken an official position on human rights abuses that took place at these diamond fields; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW69E
REPLY:
(1) Our information is that the said sale of both Marange and Chiadzwa diamonds was effected, following an agreement within Kimberly Process Certification System, that the requisite level of compliance had been attained for specific mines in the Marange and Chiadzwa area, subject to such sales taking place under the supervision of an independent monitor appointed within the Kimberly Process.
Our position therefore is that Zimbabwe has fulfilled the known and stated Kimberly Process requirements and that sales of diamonds takes place within that context.
(2) The Government of South Africa is aware of the allegations of human rights abuses that were leveled against the Zimbabwean Government and that such abuses took place at these diamond fields.  The implication of these allegations being that Zimbabwe was non compliant with Kimberly Process as a result.

Whilst human rights abuses do not form part of the Kimberly Process requirements as stated in the Kimberly Process founding documents, we are further aware that the Zimbabwean government, in response to these allegations, allowed unfettered access to the Kimberly Process monitoring team in Zimbabwe and specifically in the Marange and Chiadzwa mines.
In our capacity as the Chairperson of the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA), South Africa also led a delegation of members of the association and visited these mines and the surrounding communities to verify for itself the level of compliance. During these visits, we were impressed as ADPA at the level of compliance with the Kimberly Process Certification System process and soon after these monitoring visits, Kimberly Process approved exports of diamonds in Zimbabwe, took place under the supervision of a Kimberly Process monitor. Such sales took place via auction in August and November 2010, respectively.
Issued by Parliament, August 29 2011

Rampant Abuses in Marange Diamond Fields Police, Private Security Guards Attacking Miners

Press Release: Zimbabwe police and private security guards employed by mining companies in the Marange diamond fields are shooting, beating and unleashing attack dogs on poor, local unlicensed miners.
The evidence gathered by Human Rights Watch contradicts claims that areas controlled by private mining companies, instead of by the Zimbabwe government alone, are relatively free of abuses.
Over the past six months, police and private security personnel have attempted to clear the fields of local miners whom they accuse of illegally mining diamonds. Human Rights Watch research found that in many cases, the police and private security guards used excessive force against the miners. The violence follows claims, in June, by the government and the head of an international industry monitoring body that conditions in the Marange fields are sufficient for it to be allowed to resume exports of diamonds from Marange.
''Shooting defenseless miners and unleashing dogs against them is inhuman, degrading and barbaric,'' said Tiseke Kasambala, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. ''The diamonds from the Marange fields are tainted with abuse.''
Local civil society activists told Human Rights Watch that the government has granted six international mining companies concessions in the Marange fields. The companies’ private security guards carry out joint patrols of the mining areas with Zimbabwe police. Local miners said that most of the companies have built electric fences around their mining concessions, while security guards with dogs regularly patrol the concessions. However, local miners are still able to reach the fields and sometimes stray into areas under the companies’ control.
Some members of the international diamond monitoring body, known as the Kimberley Process, have tried to argue that conditions in the areas controlled by joint ventures are not abusive, and that those diamonds should be certified and allowed onto international markets. But Human Rights Watch has found, on the contrary, evidence of serious abuse by private security guards patrolling the joint venture territory.
Human Rights Watch researchers interviewed 10 miners in Mutare and towns close to the Marange diamond fields who had been beaten by guards and attacked by their dogs after being caught by mine security in the past six months. During patrols, police would also fire live ammunition at the miners as they fled, the miners said.
''I was attacked by all of them,'' one of the miners told Human Rights Watch. ''The dogs were biting me and I was screaming. It was terrible.''
Medical personnel who treated the miners at neighboring clinics and the main provincial hospital confirmed that they had treated wounded miners.  An official at a local clinic told Human Rights Watch that he had treated between 15 and 20 victims of dog attacks a month since April, many with serious wounds. Clinic officers also reported seeing people with gunshot wounds, including people who had been shot in the head.

Many of the miners were reluctant to report the incidents to the police, miners and local activists said, as they were afraid of being arrested for digging in the fields because they were unlicensed. The government has conducted no investigations into these abuses.
The Ministry of Mines and Development, other relevant Zimbabwe authorities, and the mining industry in Marange need to take immediate measures to stop these abuses and ensure accountability for abuses by members of the police force and the private security guards, Human Rights Watch said. At a minimum, the companies should follow internationally recognized standards on security, such as the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, investigate any allegations of abuse, and urge investigations of those acts.
Human Rights Watch urged the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an international body that oversees the diamond trade, to suspend all exports of diamonds from the Marange fields and asked retailers to refuse explicitly to buy Marange diamonds. The Kimberley Process has not adequately addressed the abuses in Marange.
''The ongoing abuses at Marange underscore the need for the Kimberley Process to address human rights instead of capitulating to abusive governments and irresponsible companies,'' Kasambala said.
On June 23, Mathieu Yamba, the Kimberley Process chairman, announced that he had made a unilateral decision to lift the ban on exports of diamonds from the Marange fields. He took the decision even though independent monitoring, including the organization’s own investigation, had confirmed serious human rights abuses and rampant smuggling at the Marange fields. This decision, if implemented, would mean that the export of Marange diamonds is now permitted, without any monitoring for human rights abuses or credible evidence that Zimbabwe is complying with the Kimberley Process standards.
However, the Kimberley Process operates by consensus, and members such as the European Union, the United States, Israel and Canada criticized Yamba’s position. Others, such as South Africa, supported it. As a result, the organization remains deadlocked over whether to allow exports of diamonds from Marange.
''The Kimberley Process appears to have lost touch with its mission to ensure that blood diamonds don’t make their way to consumers,'' Kasambala said. ''By ignoring the serious abuses taking place in Marange, it is losing credibility as a global diamond regulating body and risks misleading consumers too.''
Abuses by Police and Security Guards
Human Rights Watch interviewed miners in July, 2011, who were mauled by dogs and beaten by private security guards. They reported that the majority of incidents involved security guards working for Mbada Mining, a South African and Zimbabwean owned joint venture. The guards were identifiable by their black uniform. One miner said: ''The Mbada guards are the worst. They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon you and they also beat you up.'' Human Rights Watch was unable to interview Mbada Mining officials during the mission, because they were not reachable by phone.
In one incident, private security guards working for Mbada set four dogs on a handcuffed artisanal miner caught digging for diamonds close to the fields mined by Mbada. ''I was attacked by all of them,'' said the man, who is in his 20s. ''The dogs were biting me and I was screaming.  It was terrible.''
A clinical officer in the town close to the fields told Human Rights Watch: ''We have so many people coming to the clinic with dog attacks. It’s easy to tell they’ve been bitten by dogs. You see the marks. During the week we treat around five or more miners with dog bites. They tell us that private security guards are the ones who set the dogs upon them. They say that it’s guards working for Mbada.''
Human Rights Watch’s research found that in many cases dogs were used not just to restrain the victims, but apparently deliberately to inflict as much injury as possible. One miner told Human Rights Watch that security guards would shout at the dogs to “attack” even if the miners had surrendered or stopped running.
A provincial hospital clinical officer told Human Rights Watch that he had seen at least 15 victims of dog attacks since April. In one case, the victim died from his injuries. Local miners and civil society activists reported that the numbers of dog attack victims could be much higher, but that the majority of the victims chose not to go to the hospital to receive treatment as hospitals often required a police report. Most victims preferred to recover at home without medical treatment, increasing the risk that their wounds would become infected.
Local civil society activists reported that police often carry out joint operations with private security guards in advance of visits to the fields by senior government officials or foreign delegations. For example, police and private security guards carried out operations to clear the fields of diggers in advance of visits to the fields by President Robert Mugabe in March and delegates from the African Diamond Producers Association in April. Some of the worst incidents occurred in the days before these visits.
A clinical officer at the main provincial hospital told Human Rights Watch:

''From March to June we have had many people coming to the hospital with gunshot wounds. They get shot at. Some of them have head injuries, some shot in the legs, arms, shoulders. We have one man who is in a coma. He was shot in the head about three weeks ago. There were four of them who were shot but one of them was serious because of the head injury. He was brought in by the police from Chiadzwa. They didn’t explain who he was.''

A local clinical officer described a joint operation between the police and private security guards to drive away miners in late May and early June. He told Human Rights Watch:

On the day they started the operation a lot of guys were bitten by dogs and a few came to the clinic for treatment. Three came on one day. The guys came with wounds similar to tears – not just teeth punctures. The injuries showed that the dogs were tearing the flesh and not just biting to restrain the miners. Such wounds are difficult to treat. I also treated three guys who were shot by the police. They were shot from the back and behind their legs. We tried to operate on them but their injuries were serious and we transferred them to the provincial hospital.

Testimonies
Blessing G., 21There were six of us who went to mine in the fields. We were digging in the bush when we were caught by these private guards led by a white man. They had four dogs. One of the guards had a gun. When they saw us they released the dogs. I tried to run away and fell. My friends escaped. Three dogs attacked me. One caught me on the leg and the other one on my hand. The other dog bit me on the stomach.  I lay on the ground still begging them to call the dogs off. After two or so minutes, it felt like a long time they called off the dogs and told me, “We don’t want people like you mining illegally for the diamonds.”  I couldn’t walk for several days because of my injuries.

James T., 27I was busy digging for the diamonds next to the Mbada area when I heard a shout, “Catch.” The guards were with a white man. There were four dogs and I was attacked by all of them. The dogs were biting me and I was screaming. One of the guards came, pulled off the dogs and then handcuffed me and then he shouted, “Attack” and the dogs came back and started biting me as I lay on the ground. It was terrible. After a few more minutes they grabbed the dogs off and marched me to their diamond base where they bandaged my wounds and then drove me out of the fields. I didn’t go for further treatment. I just went home.

Peter N., 20During one operation we were caught by private security guards and police. There were many of us. The guards had dogs but they also had teargas, which they threw at us. We started running, and then they let the dogs loose. Many of us were bitten on that day. They had many dogs. The guards were wearing dark uniforms. The police were also there and they had guns. At some point they started shooting. I kept running but when the police started shooting I stopped and surrendered. That’s when the dogs came and started biting me. I know that some of the others were shot by the police because I saw them fall. I don’t know if anyone died.

Richard L., 22I haven’t gone back since I was bitten by the dogs and hit by the guards. It was around May and there were around 10 or 15 of us. We were working in a syndicate with the soldiers and they had told us which area to dig for the diamonds. Suddenly we heard shouting and the security guards came running after us. They were not armed. They shouted at the dogs, “Attack” and then we all started running. I was caught by one dog. I don’t know how many dogs they were. The dogs bit me on the legs and stomach. Afterward some of the guards came and started kicking us saying we should learn not to dig for diamonds in that area. The Mbada guards are the worst. They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon you and they also beat you up. I didn’t go to the hospital I just went home and healed by myself.

Fambai  K., 30Going into the fields is dangerous for us these days. The soldiers are better because we now work with them. But the security guards all have dogs and they work with the police. I was attacked by dogs in June. As you can see my wounds are still fresh. I don’t know who the security guards belonged to but they wore a black uniform. Some say they are Mbada but I don’t know. The first dog caught my leg and I fell.  Then the guards came and started hitting me. They were kicking and punching me. Then another dog attacked me. I was trying to hold its mouth. It went on for a few minutes and when they saw I was bleeding they took me to a place called diamond base. They stitched me up there then handed me to the police.

 By Human Rights Watch
Rapaport News is not responsible for, and does not endorse, the content of any press release. Press releases are not written by us and are provided only as additional information for our clients. 
 

DEAR GARRY

Many times we have a host of things that we want to tell that one guy who you really like spending time with and being with, yet we barely know what to do. More often than not we end up saying all the wrong things and scaring the poor guy away. I understand men like to know how you feel, but not in all entirety, until such a time when they are ready for it! Someone even went on to say that for most men, anything that spells commitment from your mouth can easily be a turn off. I am no guru when it comes to relationships but here is just a little something i think you can do. So, I am calling this my “Like Letter” as opposed to the popular Love Letter. Read on and tell me if I’m going crazy!

Dear Garry
I pride myself in being able to communicate my feelings and in expressing my thoughts. I realise now that i am not very successful, when it comes to you. I like the thought of being in a relationship, but it’s a prospect that scares me a lot. I have therefore decided to just let you know what i think about you. This is not a love letter, just a note to say i appreciate you are a part of my life.
“I like you”. I like you for who you are. You are not pretentious, you are honest and hardworking. Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart. For when words fail me, I start to rumble incoherently. I just lose sight of what I want to say. I like how you are spontaneous and how you make everything easy. You make me want to tell you everything about me, but I will not- not just yet anyway, lest I overwhelm you. I like strawberries and blackberries. I like your smile, I like that you laugh with me, that we laugh at my jokes that are not always funny. I like that you make me feel great about myself. I like the way you tell me I am beautiful, the way you appreciate me, and the appreciative glances you throw my way. If I could reach for a star for every time you made me smile, I would have the whole sky in the palm of my hand.

“I trust you”. I trust that whatever decisions you make concerning me are the best. You respect me; you make me feel that you have a reverent regard of me. You care enough to say things that i want to hear, as long they are not lies. We connect in many ways than one. You listen to me, and make me hang on to every word you say. I trust that you care for me, that you teach me what i do not know about myself, I trust you" I am so lucky I met you" You are warm hearted, there is no one like you at all. You give me a better outlook on life, you challenge me and you make me rethink my priorities. I now better appreciate the word family and there is so much more i can do with myself. Sometimes, you do not even have to say anything. Thank you for being a part of my life.


Trudy

Gertrude Bvindi

I am an administrator by profession.  I have a first Degree in Political Science, and I started the first year of my Masters  in International Relations but i am yet to finish it. I am a sports woman, and have participated in Rugby and Basketball at National level. I did my primary school in Mutare, Chancellor Junior and high School in Domboshava, at a Catholic mission.  I am passionate about women issues.

I would like to know your views and please do not hesitate to comment below your thoughts, suggestions and views.