BY CONSTANTINE CHIMAKURE- Harare
THE Attorney-General's Office has revealed the names of some of the members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and the police who were allegedly involved in the abduction of human rights and MDC activists last November.
Eighteen MDC and human rights activists, among them Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko, were allegedly abducted, kept incommunicado and tortured between November and December last year by state security agents.
Notices of indictment for trial in the High Court served on some of the activists this week revealed the role the CIO and the police played when the activists were reported missing last year.
They also revealed that the activists were in the custody of state spies, though the police professed ignorance of their whereabouts until late December when they issued a press statement saying the abductees were in their custody facing banditry charges.
A perusal of the notices revealed that Assistant Director External in the CIO, retired Brigadier Asher Walter Tapfumanei, police superintendents Reggies Chitekwe and Joel Tenderere, detective inspectors Elliot Muchada and Joshua Muzanango, officer commanding CID Homicide Crispen Makedenge, Chief Superintendent Peter Magwenzi, and Senior Assistant Commissioner Simon Nyathi were involved in some of the abductees' cases.
In the notice of indictment served on Regis Mujeye, the Attorney-General's Office said Tapfumanei would tell the High Court when the trial opens on June 29 that on November 29 last year he "caused" the accused "to be collected from a secure place" where he was being held in connection with banditry allegations.
Mujeye, freelance journalist Shadreck Andrison Manyere, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's former aide Gandhi Mudzingwa, MDC-T security director Kisimusi Dhlamini and party members Zacharia Nkomo, Chinoto Zulu, and Mapfumo Garutsa, are facing five counts of twice bombing Harare Central Police Station, Manyame River Bridge and Rail Bridge and Harare CID headquarters at Morris Depot.
"He (Tapfumanei) will state that he captured the 1st accused (Dhlamini)'s statement on video in which he narrated his involvement, especially the bombings and implicated the 2nd accused person (Mudzingwa)," read the notice. "The 1st accused's statement which was captured on video was given freely and voluntarily."
Chitekwe will tell the court that he was requested by the CIO on November 25 2008 to assist them in "conducting a search at the residence" of Dhlamini where he allegedly recovered a cordtex and a safety fuse in his tool box in the bedroom underneath the bed.
The police officer will also testify that he interrogated Dhlamini who then implicated Mudzingwa, Zulu, Manyere, Nkomo and Mujeye.
Chitekwe will also testify that he was requested by the CIO to assist them in searching Mudzingwa's home and on December 13 last year the security agents asked him to search Manyere's house.
The police officer will claim that they recovered a tear smoke grenade from Mudzingwa and 48 rounds of ammunition of 9mm cartridges at Manyere's residence.
The notice revealed that the seven accused persons were officially handed over to the police on December 22 last year who had kept them in their custody since they were allegedly abducted in November the same year.
"On December 22 2008 he (Makedenge) was handed over the seven accused persons by state security agents who were holding them at a safe place whilst conducting investigations into acts of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism which the accused had committed," the notice read. "On the same date he was handed the following exhibits by state security agents: i) a cordtex and a safety fuse; ii) a tear smoke grenade; and iii) 48x9mm rounds of ammunition."
The following day, Muchada recorded the accused persons' warned and cautioned statements in the presence of Muzanago.
In another indictment notice served on MDC-T youth chairman for Zvimba District, Collen Mutemagau, Tapfumanei and Nyathi were involved in the case.
Mutemagau is jointly charged with MDC-T national executive member Concillia Chinanzvavana and fellow party members Fidelis Chiramba and Violet Mupfuranhewe on allegations that between July 1 and October 30 last year they recruited Tapera Mupfuranhewe and other party youths to undergo military training in Botswana for the purpose of committing acts of
banditry.
The AG's office said Tapfumanei would tell the High Court when the case opens on June 8 that he used Tapera as an informer in the alleged recruitment of the youths.
Nyathi will testify that on October 31, Chiramba and Violet were arrested by Magwenzi on the banditry allegations and their warned and cautioned statements recorded. They were released on November 4 from police custody.
The two accused persons, according to their lawyers, were then abducted.
"He (Nyathi) will state that on 22 December 2008 accused persons were handed over to Chief Superintendent Magwenzi by state security agents and on 23 December 2003 he interviewed them and later recorded warned and cautioned statements," the notice read.
In another notice of indictment served on MDC-T activist Manuel Chinanzvavana, who is jointly charged with Mukoko, Audrey Zimbudzana, Brodrick Takawira and Pieta Kaseke, Magwenzi will testify that the five accused persons were handed over to him by the CIO on December 23, while Tapfumanei will confirm that he interviewed the suspects and recorded a video in connection with their case.
Chinanzvavana, Mukoko, Zimbudzana, Takawira and Kaseke will face trial in the High Court on July 20 on allegations that between April 2008 and October 31 2008 they recruited Ricardo Hwasheni to undergo military training in Botswana for purposes of banditry in Zimbabwe.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Jestina Mukoko rearrested among a new wave of human rights violations
Jenny Booth
A prominent Zimbabwean rights activist caught up in a terrorism case widely denounced as a sham has been taken back to prison after prosecutors formally laid charges.
Jestina Mukoko appeared stunned as she heard that her bail was being revoked, standing wordlessly in the dock staring at Harare Magistrate Catherine Chimanda, as her supporters burst into tears. Fifteen others accused in the case also had their bail rescinded.
Ms Chimanda said today that she was ordering them back to prison because a formal indictment had been filed a day earlier. The indictment accuses Ms Mukoko and the 15 others of sabotage, terrorism and banditry.
The activists, who also include several opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members, say they were abducted by state security agents from their homes in a series of raids that began last October and held incommunicado in secret locations for weeks.
They were not charged, but say they were beaten on the feet, subjected to simulated drownings, locked in freezers and hung by their wrists to extract false confessions that they had trained as terrorists to overthrow Mr Mugabe.
Supporters had originally feared for Ms Mukoko's life and were relieved when she appeared in court on Christmas Eve, three weeks after she was taken from her home in her nightdress. Zimbabwean police disobeyed the magistrate's order to release her.
Her fate and that of the other detainees has become symbolic of the battle for the heart and soul of the country between Mr Mugabe, who has ruled for 28 years, and Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader whom he was forced to accept as Prime Minister after last year's general election and political stalemate.
Ms Mukoko's Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded incidents of alleged political violence by the Mugabe regime. Between January and September last year, it catalogued 20,143 incidents, including 202 murders, 463 abductions, 41 rapes, 411 cases of torture and 3,942 assaults.
On his first day in office in February, the Prime Minister used his new powers to enter the Chikurubi maximum security prison in Harare to see Ms Mukoko and the other detainees, in a move meant to assert his authority and rebut the perception that he is subordinate to Mr Mugabe.
The suspects were eventually freed on bail at the beginning of March, still without charges having been filed against them.
Defence lawyers today pledged to appeal against the loss of bail.
“We were surprised by the magistrate’s decision as we were making prior arrangements with the state. She just said the matter was now outside her jurisdiction and remanded them in custody,” Alec Muchadehama, one of the defence lawyers, said.
He added that the detainees had been indicted for a trial which starts next month. Lawyers were preparing to apply for bail at Zimbabwe’s High Court later on today.
Mr Tsvangirai's political party expressed its concern. “As the MDC we are very concerned with this matter as it adds to a long litany of breaches to the Global Political Agreement (signed by Mugabe and Tsvangirai on September 15),” said an MDC official.
Sharp differences still remain between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai and their factions over issues such as the review of the posts of central bank governor and attorney general.
Mr Mugabe has yet to swear in Roy Bennett, a senior white MDC member, as deputy Agriculture Minister. Mr Bennett was locked up in prison for a month in February on charges of plotting terrorism.
Western donors, who have demanded that the unity government carry out wider political and media reforms and called for the release of all political prisoners before committing funding, are likely to raise concern
A prominent Zimbabwean rights activist caught up in a terrorism case widely denounced as a sham has been taken back to prison after prosecutors formally laid charges.
Jestina Mukoko appeared stunned as she heard that her bail was being revoked, standing wordlessly in the dock staring at Harare Magistrate Catherine Chimanda, as her supporters burst into tears. Fifteen others accused in the case also had their bail rescinded.
Ms Chimanda said today that she was ordering them back to prison because a formal indictment had been filed a day earlier. The indictment accuses Ms Mukoko and the 15 others of sabotage, terrorism and banditry.
The activists, who also include several opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members, say they were abducted by state security agents from their homes in a series of raids that began last October and held incommunicado in secret locations for weeks.
They were not charged, but say they were beaten on the feet, subjected to simulated drownings, locked in freezers and hung by their wrists to extract false confessions that they had trained as terrorists to overthrow Mr Mugabe.
Supporters had originally feared for Ms Mukoko's life and were relieved when she appeared in court on Christmas Eve, three weeks after she was taken from her home in her nightdress. Zimbabwean police disobeyed the magistrate's order to release her.
Her fate and that of the other detainees has become symbolic of the battle for the heart and soul of the country between Mr Mugabe, who has ruled for 28 years, and Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader whom he was forced to accept as Prime Minister after last year's general election and political stalemate.
Ms Mukoko's Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded incidents of alleged political violence by the Mugabe regime. Between January and September last year, it catalogued 20,143 incidents, including 202 murders, 463 abductions, 41 rapes, 411 cases of torture and 3,942 assaults.
On his first day in office in February, the Prime Minister used his new powers to enter the Chikurubi maximum security prison in Harare to see Ms Mukoko and the other detainees, in a move meant to assert his authority and rebut the perception that he is subordinate to Mr Mugabe.
The suspects were eventually freed on bail at the beginning of March, still without charges having been filed against them.
Defence lawyers today pledged to appeal against the loss of bail.
“We were surprised by the magistrate’s decision as we were making prior arrangements with the state. She just said the matter was now outside her jurisdiction and remanded them in custody,” Alec Muchadehama, one of the defence lawyers, said.
He added that the detainees had been indicted for a trial which starts next month. Lawyers were preparing to apply for bail at Zimbabwe’s High Court later on today.
Mr Tsvangirai's political party expressed its concern. “As the MDC we are very concerned with this matter as it adds to a long litany of breaches to the Global Political Agreement (signed by Mugabe and Tsvangirai on September 15),” said an MDC official.
Sharp differences still remain between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai and their factions over issues such as the review of the posts of central bank governor and attorney general.
Mr Mugabe has yet to swear in Roy Bennett, a senior white MDC member, as deputy Agriculture Minister. Mr Bennett was locked up in prison for a month in February on charges of plotting terrorism.
Western donors, who have demanded that the unity government carry out wider political and media reforms and called for the release of all political prisoners before committing funding, are likely to raise concern
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Zimbabwe Tourism Minister Berates Media over Mugabe Henchman
BULAWAYO - Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has castigated the media for covering a demonstration organised by war veterans' leader Joseph Chinotimba, saying Zimbabwe was trying to repair its battered image which had seen tourism decline rapidly.
Joseph Chinotimba, one of the most prominent terror figures was also blasted for continuing to tarnish the image of the country when the government was fighting to attract tourists ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Chinotimba, a leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association, organised war veterans last week to protest against the drive to repossess farms and farming equipment given to new farmers by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from those who were productively using them.
This is the first time a Zanu-PF official has publicly censured the activities of the war veterans who have been in the forefront of the land invasions going back over the past 10 years. Chinotimba a former municipal security guard, whose credentials as a veteran of Zimbabwe's war of liberation have been openly questioned, has climbed the ladder of success within Zanu-PF merely for the role he has played in spreading the violence which has tarnished the country's image abroad.
Speaking at a business conference organised by the National Economic Consultative Forum at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair yesterday, Mzembi said his ministry was doing everything to take advantage of the 2010 soccer World Cup to he held in South Africa.
He called on the business community to capitalise on this mega event because the next event of its size in Africa would only be held in 2034.
Mzembi said his ministry had lobbied strongly for the lifting of travel warnings by the West. So far, the United States, Britain, Germany, Sweden and Japan had lifted these travel warnings. The European Union was likely to follow suit in a week or two.
"We are now regarded as a free, very safe and secure destination. We don't need the kind of publicity we are getting from my own brother Chinotimba. We do not need this now," he said to applause from the business people attending the conference.
At one time 45 airlines were flying into the country but this was now down to seven. Tourism had also become one of the major contributors to gross domestic product but last year it was down to five percent.
Mzembi said the country had two million tourists last year, down from 2,5million the previous year. It earned US$294 million compared to US$365 million in 2007.
The minister said tourism was critical for every sector in the country. The 2010 World Cup offered opportunities for the construction industry, the manufacturing sector and the service industry.
He said Zimbabwe should improve its water and sewerage systems because tourists were scared by the recent cholera epidemic. It should also improve its health services as well as the availability of accommodation.
South Africa had indicated that it would need 40 000 rooms for the World Cup which is now exactly 12 months away but a survey had indicated that only 10 000 rooms were available. It was therefore up to business to provide the additional rooms needed, Mzembi said.
He also called on the financial sector to reintroduce the use of plastic money because it was inconvenient for tourists to travel with cash.
Joseph Chinotimba, one of the most prominent terror figures was also blasted for continuing to tarnish the image of the country when the government was fighting to attract tourists ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Chinotimba, a leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association, organised war veterans last week to protest against the drive to repossess farms and farming equipment given to new farmers by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from those who were productively using them.
This is the first time a Zanu-PF official has publicly censured the activities of the war veterans who have been in the forefront of the land invasions going back over the past 10 years. Chinotimba a former municipal security guard, whose credentials as a veteran of Zimbabwe's war of liberation have been openly questioned, has climbed the ladder of success within Zanu-PF merely for the role he has played in spreading the violence which has tarnished the country's image abroad.
Speaking at a business conference organised by the National Economic Consultative Forum at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair yesterday, Mzembi said his ministry was doing everything to take advantage of the 2010 soccer World Cup to he held in South Africa.
He called on the business community to capitalise on this mega event because the next event of its size in Africa would only be held in 2034.
Mzembi said his ministry had lobbied strongly for the lifting of travel warnings by the West. So far, the United States, Britain, Germany, Sweden and Japan had lifted these travel warnings. The European Union was likely to follow suit in a week or two.
"We are now regarded as a free, very safe and secure destination. We don't need the kind of publicity we are getting from my own brother Chinotimba. We do not need this now," he said to applause from the business people attending the conference.
At one time 45 airlines were flying into the country but this was now down to seven. Tourism had also become one of the major contributors to gross domestic product but last year it was down to five percent.
Mzembi said the country had two million tourists last year, down from 2,5million the previous year. It earned US$294 million compared to US$365 million in 2007.
The minister said tourism was critical for every sector in the country. The 2010 World Cup offered opportunities for the construction industry, the manufacturing sector and the service industry.
He said Zimbabwe should improve its water and sewerage systems because tourists were scared by the recent cholera epidemic. It should also improve its health services as well as the availability of accommodation.
South Africa had indicated that it would need 40 000 rooms for the World Cup which is now exactly 12 months away but a survey had indicated that only 10 000 rooms were available. It was therefore up to business to provide the additional rooms needed, Mzembi said.
He also called on the financial sector to reintroduce the use of plastic money because it was inconvenient for tourists to travel with cash.
Friday, May 1, 2009
"Zimbabwe is Broke" - Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai tells unions country broke, can't raise wages
By Nelson Banya Harare
ZIMBABWE'S new unity government is broke and cannot meet union demands for higher wages, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said today.
Addressing a May Day rally, Tsvangirai said the government he formed with President Robert Mugabe in February to try to end a political and economic crisis that has brought Zimbabwe to ruin would maintain the current monthly salary of US$100 (RM360) that it is paying its workers.
“This government is broke, and we are only able to pay the US$100 allowance, but when things improve, we want this allowance to graduate into a proper salary,” he said. “For now, everyone, all of us, including President Mugabe, is getting US$100”.
Tsvangirai, a fiery former trade union chief, pleaded with Zimbabwe’s Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to give the new government time to fix the economy before pressing its demands for a minimum wage of US$454.
“We have been in office for less than three months. I plead with you to please give us time,” he said. “Your demands must be realistic, taking into account that your government is broke and that industry has not been performing.”
Earlier, ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo told thousands of cheering workers at the rally that the labour movement would call national strikes and protests to press its case.
“If this is not met, the workers are going onto the streets,” Matombo said, without giving any deadline.
Tsvangirai said although Mugabe was not an easy person to work with, both his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the veteran President’s Zanu PF wanted the government to succeed in repairing the economy and achieving peace and stability.
“We have our arguments, our quarrels but we want this country to succeed,” he added.
On the wage demands, he said: “You know we would want to pay ... but this has to be a process and we are working to resuscitate the economy.”
The government has appealed for billions of dollars from the West to help revive Zimbabwe’s shattered economy, but Western donors such as Britain want to see further progress in implementing a power-sharing agreement before considering any large-scale aid.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who held talks in London on Thursday with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Africa Minister Mark Malloch-Brown, said his country was receiving US$400 million in credit lines from African states to revive its ailing industry.
Although the funds from African states may help, Zimbabwe is in dire need of aid from Western donors, who have demanded broad economic and political reforms, including ending a new wave of farm invasions targeting the few remaining white farmers.
Mugabe, 85, Zimbabwe’s ruler since independence from Britain in 1980, says the southern African country’s economy has been sabotaged by “racist” enemies of his policy to seize white farms for landless blacks. – Reuters
By Nelson Banya Harare
ZIMBABWE'S new unity government is broke and cannot meet union demands for higher wages, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said today.
Addressing a May Day rally, Tsvangirai said the government he formed with President Robert Mugabe in February to try to end a political and economic crisis that has brought Zimbabwe to ruin would maintain the current monthly salary of US$100 (RM360) that it is paying its workers.
“This government is broke, and we are only able to pay the US$100 allowance, but when things improve, we want this allowance to graduate into a proper salary,” he said. “For now, everyone, all of us, including President Mugabe, is getting US$100”.
Tsvangirai, a fiery former trade union chief, pleaded with Zimbabwe’s Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to give the new government time to fix the economy before pressing its demands for a minimum wage of US$454.
“We have been in office for less than three months. I plead with you to please give us time,” he said. “Your demands must be realistic, taking into account that your government is broke and that industry has not been performing.”
Earlier, ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo told thousands of cheering workers at the rally that the labour movement would call national strikes and protests to press its case.
“If this is not met, the workers are going onto the streets,” Matombo said, without giving any deadline.
Tsvangirai said although Mugabe was not an easy person to work with, both his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the veteran President’s Zanu PF wanted the government to succeed in repairing the economy and achieving peace and stability.
“We have our arguments, our quarrels but we want this country to succeed,” he added.
On the wage demands, he said: “You know we would want to pay ... but this has to be a process and we are working to resuscitate the economy.”
The government has appealed for billions of dollars from the West to help revive Zimbabwe’s shattered economy, but Western donors such as Britain want to see further progress in implementing a power-sharing agreement before considering any large-scale aid.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who held talks in London on Thursday with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Africa Minister Mark Malloch-Brown, said his country was receiving US$400 million in credit lines from African states to revive its ailing industry.
Although the funds from African states may help, Zimbabwe is in dire need of aid from Western donors, who have demanded broad economic and political reforms, including ending a new wave of farm invasions targeting the few remaining white farmers.
Mugabe, 85, Zimbabwe’s ruler since independence from Britain in 1980, says the southern African country’s economy has been sabotaged by “racist” enemies of his policy to seize white farms for landless blacks. – Reuters
Monday, April 27, 2009
Zimbabwe Unity Government: The big cover-up
Is Tsvangirai covering up Mugabe's misdemeanours?
By Violet Gonda
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been making statements that people find hard to reconcile with events on the ground. There is speculation as to whether he is trying too hard to make this controversial unity government work.
This weekend he told thousands of party supporters: "We respect each other, although we may disagree. There's nothing (Robert) Mugabe does without me approving and there is nothing I do without him approving."People are questioning what could have made the Prime Minister make such a statement, at a time when his own Director of security, Chris Dhlamini, and former aide Gandhi Mudzingwa, are being hounded by the police and are under an illegal arrest. And to what extent has the Prime Minister been consulted on the ZANU PF led violent farm invasions campaign?
Observers say the trouble is by saying such things Tsvangirai makes himself equally responsible or accepting liability for ZANU PF's wrongdoings. If it is the case that the two leaders respect and consult each other, did Mugabe consult Tsvangirai when he appointed his own governors and permanent secretaries? If it is true that there's nothing Mugabe does without Tsvangirai approval, why are the political rivals locked in a stalemate over issues to do with appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General?
Political commentator Professor John Makumbe said: "I think it's an
exaggeration of the reality on the ground in the sense that there are things that Mugabe has done without consulting either Morgan or Arthur (Mutambara) and these things have been challenged by Tsvangirai and Mutambara. So I think he is really covering for Mugabe's misdemeanours - which is really not necessary. He should tell it like it is, that it is a daily battle and that Mugabe would like to run the country as if the MDC or the GNU do not exist."
To some extent it is natural for a politician to put a spin on government policies, to remain consistent with the principle of collective responsibility. Makumbe also believes that to some extent the Prime Minister is left with little choice, saying a collapsed government of national unity could mean going straight back to violence.
But the commentator added that Tsvangirai does not have to try so hard to sanitise Mugabe's appalling behaviour.
International donors are not fooled by this inclusive arrangement and have sepeatedly said they will only increase the flow of aid to Zimbabwe when the government respects the rule of law and property rights.
By Violet Gonda
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been making statements that people find hard to reconcile with events on the ground. There is speculation as to whether he is trying too hard to make this controversial unity government work.
This weekend he told thousands of party supporters: "We respect each other, although we may disagree. There's nothing (Robert) Mugabe does without me approving and there is nothing I do without him approving."People are questioning what could have made the Prime Minister make such a statement, at a time when his own Director of security, Chris Dhlamini, and former aide Gandhi Mudzingwa, are being hounded by the police and are under an illegal arrest. And to what extent has the Prime Minister been consulted on the ZANU PF led violent farm invasions campaign?
Observers say the trouble is by saying such things Tsvangirai makes himself equally responsible or accepting liability for ZANU PF's wrongdoings. If it is the case that the two leaders respect and consult each other, did Mugabe consult Tsvangirai when he appointed his own governors and permanent secretaries? If it is true that there's nothing Mugabe does without Tsvangirai approval, why are the political rivals locked in a stalemate over issues to do with appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General?
Political commentator Professor John Makumbe said: "I think it's an
exaggeration of the reality on the ground in the sense that there are things that Mugabe has done without consulting either Morgan or Arthur (Mutambara) and these things have been challenged by Tsvangirai and Mutambara. So I think he is really covering for Mugabe's misdemeanours - which is really not necessary. He should tell it like it is, that it is a daily battle and that Mugabe would like to run the country as if the MDC or the GNU do not exist."
To some extent it is natural for a politician to put a spin on government policies, to remain consistent with the principle of collective responsibility. Makumbe also believes that to some extent the Prime Minister is left with little choice, saying a collapsed government of national unity could mean going straight back to violence.
But the commentator added that Tsvangirai does not have to try so hard to sanitise Mugabe's appalling behaviour.
International donors are not fooled by this inclusive arrangement and have sepeatedly said they will only increase the flow of aid to Zimbabwe when the government respects the rule of law and property rights.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tsvangirai, Madhuku meeting fails to heal rift
By Lebo Nkatazo
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai "agreed to disagree" with National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman Lovemore Madhuku at a crisis meeting on Wednesday to defuse simmering tensions over the process to draw up a new Zimbabwe constitution.
Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is a member of the NCA, and he was the vocal lobby group’s first chairman.
The meeting, called by the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga on one side, and Madhuku, the NCA’s director Ernest Mudzengi and NCA spokesman Mardoch Chivasa on the other.
“The meeting was called by the Prime Minister’s Office. We had previously requested to meet him in his capacity as the MDC leader. Nothing came out of it. We agreed to disagree but consultations will continue,” said Madhuku.
Madhuku said the NCA differed sharply with the Prime Minister as the constitutional reform advocacy group wants an independent panel to lead the constitutional making process as opposed to having parliament taking a leading role.
Last month, Parliament’s Standing rules and Orders Committee recommended to President Robert Mugabe, Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, to appoint a non-PM to chair a 25-member committee that will steer constitutional reforms.
On Wednesday Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo said the three leaders have not responded to their recommendation, and as an interim measure, they had appointed Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Paul Mangwana (Zanu PF) as co-chairman.
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai "agreed to disagree" with National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman Lovemore Madhuku at a crisis meeting on Wednesday to defuse simmering tensions over the process to draw up a new Zimbabwe constitution.
Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is a member of the NCA, and he was the vocal lobby group’s first chairman.
The meeting, called by the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by Tsvangirai, his deputy Thokozani Khupe and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga on one side, and Madhuku, the NCA’s director Ernest Mudzengi and NCA spokesman Mardoch Chivasa on the other.
“The meeting was called by the Prime Minister’s Office. We had previously requested to meet him in his capacity as the MDC leader. Nothing came out of it. We agreed to disagree but consultations will continue,” said Madhuku.
Madhuku said the NCA differed sharply with the Prime Minister as the constitutional reform advocacy group wants an independent panel to lead the constitutional making process as opposed to having parliament taking a leading role.
Last month, Parliament’s Standing rules and Orders Committee recommended to President Robert Mugabe, Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, to appoint a non-PM to chair a 25-member committee that will steer constitutional reforms.
On Wednesday Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo said the three leaders have not responded to their recommendation, and as an interim measure, they had appointed Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Paul Mangwana (Zanu PF) as co-chairman.
ZANU PF, MDC fail to resolve contested power sharing issues
MDC has expressed concern over delays in resolving outstanding issues to the power sharing pact signed last September with President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, President Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara -- met three times over the last week to resolve contested issues but failed to reach any agreement.
“The MDC is concerned that the delays by the three main political principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in resolving outstanding issues have created a vacuum that has left Zimbabwe without a fully constituted government,” Tsvangirai’s MDC said.
“The MDC is deeply worried by the continued delay in resolving the pertinent but outstanding issues, which should have been resolved soon after the formation of the inclusive government on February 13, 2009.”
It said critical issues that need to be “urgently resolved” include the appointments of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, the Attorney General, provincial governors, ambassadors and permanent secretaries.
The party said the re-arresting of senior MDC officials Ghandi Mudzingwa and Chris Dhlamini on terror charges, delays in swearing-in Roy Bennett as the Deputy Agriculture Minister and the withdrawal of telecommunications by President Mugabe from Nelson Chamisa’s Information Communication Technology Ministry are all acts of bad faith by Mugabe’s party.
“Failure to resolve the outstanding issues means that the GPA and the inclusive government have not been fully consummated,” the party said. “We believe as a party that brazen acts of unilateralism, unbridled stubbornness, politically motivated chaos on the farms and the failure to take decisive action on the outstanding issues pose a real threat to the life and health of the inclusive government.”
Arthur Mutambara, in his maiden speech in Parliament on March 25, said if President Mugabe makes unilateral decisions he would be challenged “institutionally, politically and in the courts.”
“There are only three things that the President can constitutionally do without consulting the other two centres of power, that is; declare war, declare martial law, and appoint his two deputies. On any other decisions there has to be discussions with the Premiership and Cabinet. Any behaviour outside this framework is illegal, and will be challenged, institutionally, politically and in the courts,” Mutambara said.
Further meetings are planned for Monday between the three leaders.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, President Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara -- met three times over the last week to resolve contested issues but failed to reach any agreement.
“The MDC is concerned that the delays by the three main political principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in resolving outstanding issues have created a vacuum that has left Zimbabwe without a fully constituted government,” Tsvangirai’s MDC said.
“The MDC is deeply worried by the continued delay in resolving the pertinent but outstanding issues, which should have been resolved soon after the formation of the inclusive government on February 13, 2009.”
It said critical issues that need to be “urgently resolved” include the appointments of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, the Attorney General, provincial governors, ambassadors and permanent secretaries.
The party said the re-arresting of senior MDC officials Ghandi Mudzingwa and Chris Dhlamini on terror charges, delays in swearing-in Roy Bennett as the Deputy Agriculture Minister and the withdrawal of telecommunications by President Mugabe from Nelson Chamisa’s Information Communication Technology Ministry are all acts of bad faith by Mugabe’s party.
“Failure to resolve the outstanding issues means that the GPA and the inclusive government have not been fully consummated,” the party said. “We believe as a party that brazen acts of unilateralism, unbridled stubbornness, politically motivated chaos on the farms and the failure to take decisive action on the outstanding issues pose a real threat to the life and health of the inclusive government.”
Arthur Mutambara, in his maiden speech in Parliament on March 25, said if President Mugabe makes unilateral decisions he would be challenged “institutionally, politically and in the courts.”
“There are only three things that the President can constitutionally do without consulting the other two centres of power, that is; declare war, declare martial law, and appoint his two deputies. On any other decisions there has to be discussions with the Premiership and Cabinet. Any behaviour outside this framework is illegal, and will be challenged, institutionally, politically and in the courts,” Mutambara said.
Further meetings are planned for Monday between the three leaders.
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