Zimbabwe: Demonstration against the corrupt Savuour Kasukuwere (13.09.2016)

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Zimbabwe: Notice of Proposed Prohibition Order (13.09.2016)

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Press Release: President Mugabe’s attack on Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission uncalled for (12.09.2016)

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Harare –The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) takes seriously the recent attacks by President Robert Mugabe on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) as reflective of the Head of State and Government’s worrisome and negative attitude towards basic human rights in the country.

Following a report of investigations by the ZHRC on human rights violations concerning partisan food aid distribution, the President launched personal attacks on the Human Rights Commission’s chairperson, Mr. Elasto Mugwadi, and other Commissioners and deployed language meant to denigrate them and discredit their important work.

The President should be reminded that the independent constitutional Commission does not report to individual politicians, but to the Parliament of Zimbabwe which is a separate arm from the executive.

The Human Commission should be allowed to carry out is mandate without being subjected to unwarranted abuse, interference, and naked threats from political actors in evident disregard of the requirement that the constitutional body should conduct its public business independently.

As a Head of State and Government who is sworn to defending the people-driven Constitution of Zimbabwe, President Mugabe’s utterances betray a knee-jerk inclination to defend his political party, Zanu-PF’s officials who are accused of perpetuating discrimination than his constitutional duty and the public good to serve all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

Sections of 56 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe ensures equality and non-discrimination, and Section 77 guarantees the right to food, and the acts of partisan distribution of food aid and agricultural inputs grossly violate these fundamental human rights.

The revelations by the ZHRC are not new as many similar cases of discrimination in food aid and agricultural inputs were repeatedly reported by various civil society organisations, including ZimRights, the media and certain Members of Parliament over the past months, since and even before the onset of the current drought affecting many parts of the country.

This wave of concern from various stakeholders prompted earlier remarks from the President and Labour and Social Welfare Minister clarifying the position that government policy did not endorse discrimination in social welfare programs.

Given the importance of the human rights matter during the ongoing El-Nino induced drought affecting over 4 million people in the country, and the relief efforts by the government and humanitarian agencies, the ZHRC had a clear duty to investigate the continued concerns of discrimination brought to it by members of affected communities.

If President Robert Mugabe was true to his earlier word against discrimination the report by the ZHRC should move the government to discipline officials who are involved and perpetuating the human rights violations against government policy, the Constitution’s Bill of Rights and international human rights and humanitarian principles.

ZimRights is therefore concerned that despite spirited efforts by other stakeholders and of late the ZHRC, the utterances to the effect that these reports are false by the President encourages rather than discourage public officials who are behind such a clearly unconstitutional and inhuman practise that violates Ubuntu/Unhu.

For further inquiries contact:

National Chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba 0772 339 159 email: pnyakureba@maungamaanda.co.zw

National Director, Okay Machisa: 0772 135 882 email: omachisa@zimrights.co.zw

Zimbabwe: Press Statement – “Linda Masarira and continued human rights abuses” (11.09.2016)

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NERA strongly Condemns the continued Human Rights abuses by the Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF led Government. We call for the immediate release of Linda Masarira and other Activists.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for Freedom of Speech without Government Reprisal. It is become increasingly evident that Robert Mugabe, Vice President Mnangagwa,Vice President Mphoko, the Attorney General and ZANU PF government have little to no respect for the rules that are supposed to govern the Country.

It is becoming very clear that Neither Robert Mugabe nor Vice President Mnangagwa, Vice President Mphoko are fit to run the country. This Government continues to demonstrate its incompetency as they escalate in their aggression against the Citizens of Zimbabwe.

On 9 September 2016, Government sanctioned Zimbabwe Republic Police to teargas peaceful protestors. On 10 September 2016, the Government sent Riot Police to Chikurubi Prison to deal with Female Prisoners mostly political Activists who sang freedom songs as they were protesting the Unfair Judiciary System and the physical and verbal abuse they are receiving from Prison guards. Now they have placed Linda Masarira in the Men Section of the Chikurubi Prison. This is illegal and a gross human rights violation.

Neither Robert Mugabe or Heir apparent Vice President Mnangagwa,have demonstrated that ZANU PF has any reformers. This Government continues to use abuse and threats as a form of dealing with opposition. This government instead of paying salaries or improving conditions in the country has purchased more police cars , more teargas, more guns in-order to continue their oppression of the Zimbabwean People.

NERA is calling upon the Government of Robert Mugabe and His Vice Presidents to show some modicum of respect for the laws and Constitution of Zimbabwe. For Thirty Six (36) years Robert Mugabe with the help of Emmerson Mnangagwa has presided over a government with one of the worst human rights records and one of the most corrupt. How can they claim to be leaders when they have failed to lead by example.

NERA hopes that for once ZANU PF will air on side of doing whats right and Release Linda Masarira a Mother of Five, whose family this Government evicted from National Railways Home. NERA hopes all other activists are released and that Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deal and stop the Abuse of prisoners at the hands of prison guards.

NERA also hopes Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa begin to encourage a non politically motivated judiciary and fire politically tainted judges like Judge Bhunu.

NERA stands UNITED with the Citizens of Zimbabwe fighting for a free and Better Zimbabwe

Opinion: President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF blaming the West again for their problems!

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Again, the mighty West is involved in internal squabbles in Zimbabwe. I am surely that the tourist from the West who goes to Zimbabwe comes with teaching of violence and comes with knowledge of the infamous book ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ of Gene Sharp. Because the tourists are not coming to look at the beautiful nature apparently they come to counter the draconian government of President Mugabe and his ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).

President Mugabe plan is to counter “an elaborate Western plot to destabilise Zimbabwe via opposition-led protests and anarchy” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Dr Ignatius Chombo who is Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration told state media that President Mugabe laid the essential framework to guide Zanu-PF and the whole nation during the ruling party’s Politburo and Central Committee meetings in the Capital city Harare last week. Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration said, “As the party’s Secretary for Administration, I want to remind party members and the rest of Zimbabweans of the 10 exhortations which were made by the President during the Politburo and Central Committee (meetings) last week” (…) “These exhortations are what will guide the party accordingly as we prepare to go for the December Conference as well as position ourselves against the threats posed by the West” (…) “Firstly, there is need to Organise the party from cell, village, branch, district and provinces. We should also truly bring the people together under the banner of Zanu-PF. We should also undertake to shun factionalism, divisions, nepotism, tribalism and regionalism” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Because the West is the reason for the public demonstrations, not that the government themselves have made policies that gives the Police Force more new Anti-Riot Gear, but doesn’t pay salaries. It is the Western sanctions wrong that the Zimbabwe Government have paid the elites and their businesses, instead of paying salaries to the Army and Health Care Workers. It is the West fault that the infrastructure projects have been embezzled from. I am sure that it is the West fault that the drought came and that the rain isn’t falling steady.

But as President Mugabe is supposed to be a biblical leader he should pray and this all should be solved like snap of his fingers and with the might of his powers. With the biblical powers of President Mugabe the Western Powers shouldn’t have the ability to influence and change the outcome of the political dissidents in Zimbabwe. Still, they are the problem; not themselves?

President Mugabe and Dr. Ignatius Chombo are using the West as a scapegoat from their own misgivings and maladministration. As the Cash-Strapped and deficit is man made by the Zanu-PF who are there for the interest of themselves and not the citizens. The Citizens are tired of taken for granted and used as pawns for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to get bail-out and debt-relief as the Central Government are borrowing ever more money without getting revenue in the same levels of the expenses. Well, I guess that is the West fault as well.

So #ThisFlag #Tajamuka #NERAdemo and #NoBondNotes are the West fault. It is not internal problems as the Zimbabwe Police Force brutality and the aggressive government to silence the activists in ways of arresting and detaining them, even get them to hospital by the force used on the streets. This is the entire West fault, as they support the Police with Tear-gas and batons to hit the citizens like they are baseballs. Not the mismanaged social policies and deficiencies over time together with the tiredness of a regime who doesn’t value their citizens. It is the West who has created these demonstrations.

If the current leadership of Zanu-PF together with the President Mugabe believes the West is behind it. Than they are blind behind their wealth as fog of ignorance of the reactions that can come by continuing policies and economic stagnation without any clear indication of catering to the unemployed, educated and average citizen as they struggle with their day-to-day. While the Zanu-PF are riding luxurious cars and living in mansions or hotels while the citizens cannot take out needed funds to pay for rent. That is not the West fault, that is the economic fragmented and economic policies made by the Zanu-PF; and when the citizens of Zimbabwe cannot pay their bills even as they have money in bank shows the legitimate reason for demonstrating against their regime. This is not a problem created by the West, this a problem created by the Harare and Mugabe Administration.

It is time for the Zanu-PF to man-up and take responsibility for their actions. Instead of blaming the West; I am just waiting for the President Mugabe saying that Evan Mawarire being hired by CIA and MI6 to Coup his regime. I shouldn’t write it, the Zanu-PF minions might use this as proof. Because, the West is always the behind everything that creates problems for the Zanu-PF; not that Zanu-PF creates their own problems. Peace.

Reference:

Zimbabwe News Day – ‘Mugabe Announces the Strategy to Counter Peoples Challenge’ (11.09.2016) link: http://zimbabwenewsday.co.uk/2016/09/11/mugabe-announces-strategy-counter-peoples-challenge/

ACIE LUMUMBA | Mugabe I’m Suing You (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDSTil13gvU

World Bank Statement on Zimbabwe (08.09.2016)

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The World Bank Group is committed to work with all partner countries, including Zimbabwe, to achieve their long term development goals. We care deeply about the well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.

Contrary to what has been reported in some media, Zimbabwe is not currently eligible for financing under IDA’s turnaround facility. The Zimbabwe Turnaround Eligibility Assessment Note that was leaked to some outlets is an unofficial draft document that has not been approved by the Bank.

The World Bank will only resume direct lending to Zimbabwe when the issue of arrears is resolved. This approach is standard to all International Financial Institutions.  Upon arrears clearance, Zimbabwe would be eligible as a borrowing member of the Bank to a broad range of financing instruments.

Footage: In Harare today the Riot Police disperse the #Tajamuka demonstration!

“A group of #Tajamuka/Sesjikile protestors demonstrated in Harare today 09/09/16 against Statutory Instrument 101A. The protest is against an attempt by the executive arm of the state, to usurp judicial powers and compromise the independence of the judiciary. The political judgement by Injustice Bhunu which attempted to convict human rights defenders is one symptom of judiciary compromisation.Riot police fired teagas to disperse #Tajamuka/Sesijikile protesters” (Tajamuka/Sesjikile TV, 2016).

Second Clip:

Zimbabwe: Hon. Chinamasa paints a dark economic picture in the 2016 Mid-Year report!

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Hon. P.A. Chinamasa had to report about the current state of Fiscal and Economic Status in the Zimbabwean Parliament today. The report of his speech and numbers are not a wonderful picture. I have quoted the numbers that is most interesting.

The Agricultural and Mining shows how the different economic place the output is. Especially the loss of output and the yields of grain in the current year in Zimbabwe have been dire. The levels of debt, payments of the debt and the loans can be seen as “vicious cycle” from the Government and how they will act upon this. Let’s take a look at the numbers!

Gold Mining:

“Already, notable gains were registered in the gold sector during the first half of 2016, also benefitting from capacitation of small scale miners through the US$100 million mechanisation facility organised by Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” (Chinamasa, P:12, 2016).

Currency Vows:

“Honourable Members will also be aware of recent initiatives by the Reserve Bank to ease tight liquidity constraints through promotion of plastic money, e-banking services, and broader use of multi-currencies, among other measures” (Chinamasa, P:13, 2016).

Maize Program:

“During the first half of the year, Government introduced a US$500 million Special Maize Production Programme which targets utilisation of 400 000 hectares of land, with registration of interested qualifying farmers currently underway” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

More on Grain:

“This year’s estimated maize grain harvest of 511 816 tons falls short of the normal national grain requirement of 2.2 million tons” (…) “Government interventions to provide for the national maize grain deficit of 1.7 million tons are being complemented by private sector and development partners’ imports” (Chinamasa, P:75, 2016).

Brazil food program:

“This complements such other facilities as the US$98 million More Food for Africa Programme supported by Brazil, under which farmers’ access, on a cost recovery basis, farm equipment and implements. This includes tractors, disc harrows, fertilizer spreaders, boom sprayers, among other equipment” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

National Budget 2017:

“Government will take advantage of the forthcoming 2017 National Budget to propose some of the necessary measures to address any emerging gaps in order to remain on course towards the realisation of the further advancement of our Zim Asset agenda” (Chinamasa, P:18, 2016)

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Economy 2016:

“the economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 National Budget anticipated” (Chinamasa, P:19, 2016).

Reasons for the struggling economy:

“Depressed international commodity prices, particularly for our minerals” (…) Limited domestic and foreign direct investment, also associated with our debt overhang” (…) “The growing fiscal deficit, also impacting on the liquidity of the financial system, as well as on business activity” (…) “The resultant overall fall in incomes and weakening of domestic aggregate demand” (Chinamasa, P:18-19, 2016).

The Reversed projections of worrying numbers are -4.2% on Agricultural Output in 2016, the same with the Electricity and Water Output -21,8% and also the -5% Public Administration. Instead of scheduled GDP on 2.7; it’s projected instead to be 1.2; which is about the same as the 2015 numbers, but really shaved since 2013-2014 (4.5 and 3.8) – (Chinamasa, P: 19, 2016).

Inflation:

“Annual headline inflation remained negative, albeit accelerating from -2.19% in January 2016 to -1.4% in June 2016. The continued decline in prices in 2016 was driven by both food and non-food inflation, underpinned by the sustained depreciation of the South African rand; subdued international oil prices; and waning domestic demand” (…) “Annual food inflation, which averaged -4% over the period January to June 2016, was weighed down by declines in the prices of meat; bread and cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats; and vegetables, among others, owing to improved supplies and competition from cheaper imports” (…) “Declines in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furniture and household equipment; transport; clothing and footwear among others, however, continued to weigh down on non-food inflation” (Chinamasa, P:20, 2016).

Budget deficit:

“During the period January to June 2016, revenue under-performance against over-expenditures resulted in a cumulative budget deficit of about US$623.2 million, far above the full-year target of US$150 million”. By June the total revenue: $1.692.4 billion and the total expenses: $2.315.6 billion; which means the target by June 2016 is $623.2 million that is over $475 million deficit (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016).

Projected Deficit:

“Failure to contain the budget deficit in the shortest possible time will worsen the deficit to an estimated year-end level of over US$1 billion” (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016)

Vicious Cycle:

lack of capacity to service domestic debt has also seen roll-overs, which are posing some financial risks on domestic debt instrument holders and domestic financial institutions” (…) “This situation, unfortunately, is not tenable and is undermining the stability of the financial sector and overall economy” (…) “Government borrowing is also crowding out lending to the private sector and, hence, stifling new domestic investment and growth” (…) “This is creating a vicious cycle, whereby excessive Government borrowing leads to poor performance of the private sector and, in turn, diminished future tax revenues” (Chinamasa, P: 38, 2016).

Government Salaries:

“During the first six months of this year, pay dates of the public service, grant-aided institutions and pensioners have had to be periodically rescheduled from normal programmed pay dates as a result of resource constraints“ (…) “the staggering of 2015 bonus payments that stretched into July 2016 resulted in difficulties in paying the June salaries on time, thereby forcing Government to shift the pay dates into July” (…) “The Public Service pay dates cycles have since been modified by spreading payment of the monthly wage bill over six payment dates from the previous four payment dates” (Chinamasa, P: 39, 2016).

Government debt:

“The country faces a huge external debt overhang of around US$7.5 billion as at end of June 2016, with arrears accounting for almost 80% of the debt” (…) “the debt overhang is militating against the country’s efforts to mobilise reasonably priced long-term lines of credit” (…) “Clearance of arrears and unlocking of new financing will require that Zimbabwe builds capacity to honour old and new debt obligations to IFIs and other bilateral and new lenders” (Chinamasa, P: 40-41, 2016).

“Total external debt of Public Enterprises that has been guaranteed by the Government is estimated at USD$2 billion as at end June 2016. Public Enterprises are failing to service their debt and all the guarantees of US$2 billion have been called up” (…) “This has contributed to an increase of Government arrears by US$1.75 billion (25% of total external debt), further worsening the country’s low credit worthiness” (Chinasa, P:211, 2016).

Cash Strapped:

“the banking sector was exposed to cash shortages, largely as a result of macro-economic challenges facing the country, including lack of fiscal space and the current account deficit” (Chinamasa, P:45, 2016).

Import-Level:

“The still relatively high import level has also meant a high current account deficit, which is estimated at US$2.5 billion during the first half of the year, and constituting 12% of GDP” (Chinamasa, P: 67, 2016).

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This numbers are showing how bad it really is, the debt and loans. The deficit of earning and the burden of the expenditure towards the fiscal revenue show the lacking fiscal responsible economy.

The fiscal deficit and the cash-strapped economy show the legitimate worry, together with the current monthly loans and debt. Not only adding debt when also having enough economy to pay the old debt. Together with issues gathering possible new loans as the Low Credit Worthiness.

The other is also the inflation of prices and such is a reaction towards the missing cash and debt burden. As also the problems of fiscal funding and creates more debt for the Republic of Zimbabwe.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. Don’t you think? Peace.

Reference:

Hon. P.A. Chinamasa – ‘THE 2016 MID-YEAR FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT “Improving Investor Confidence to Enhance Productivity” PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 (08.09.2016)

Zimbabwe: Opposition leader Tendai Biti urges for ‘broad coalition’ as 2018 poll approaches (Youtube-Clip)