Sokwanele Article: 15 May 2007

That is because it has already been over colonised starting with the British who swapped flags with us on 18 April 1980, followed by the North Koreans who helped us decimate our population by 20 000 people, then very briefly the Malaysians. After that, there was a lull until Ghadaffi took a short walk to colonialism across the bridge at the Chirundu border post. Driving to Harare, his beady eye caught sight of rolling farmland after rolling farmland. He even stopped along the way to announce to bemused peasants that he was now lord of the revolution. By the time he reached Harare the ink was barely dry on the deals that mortgaged Zimbabwean land for oil that never provided the much-touted panacea to self-inflicted Zimbabwean economic ills.

Then Ghadaffi let down our dear leader by selling out to the west and going to bed with Blair.

So our dear leader turned for the final run to a "tried and trusted" friend in China whose economy is growing at a tremendous clip. As we looked east into the sunrise at the end of the racetrack, announcements of impending deals threw the nation into a frenzy as major deal after major deal galloped our way. Or did it? The Chinese, of course, reciprocated by not making it to the finish line and the Zimbabwean ambassador to China became the fall guy. Our dear leader, desperate for friends, has continued to woo China who are only too happy to colonise us at arms length. This colonisation has taken two forms:

First, the flooding of cheap and poor quality Chinese products into our market to the detriment of our own production. This has led to the closure of a wide range of businesses in Zimbabwe - from small shops who cannot compete against the deluge, to the loss of thousands of jobs in the textile industry. Our leaders prefer to support jobs in China than jobs at home.

The second impact has been the second mortgage bond on mines, farms and various industries for a few tractors that find their way on to the chefs' farms rather than to the people in whose name the chaotic and ruinous land reform was carried out.

Our dear leader has proved once again that he is ready to buy cheap tractors that do not last long but, that is not all, the tractors are destined to benefit a few fat chefs.

Has China colonised Zimbabwe? Big time! Has this colonisation benefited the people? Small time! Even "Comrade Mbeki" has warned Africa against being fodder for China's economic growth. The traffic is one way, the chefs benefit in a very large and private way, and the people continue to grind out a miserable living while the chefs wine and dine the Chinese at the Sheraton.

There is worse to come. A country whose name did not feature in the Zimbabwean press for over twenty five years is now flavour of the year: Equatorial Guinea. We bet 99% of the population would be hard pressed to locate Equatorial Guinea on the map. This little backwater led by a tyrant with impressive credentials in the top ten hit-parade of dictators and mad men is waiting in the wings to become Zimbabwe's next coloniser. It is fashionable.

Yes, it is true that Zimbabwe will never be a colony of Britain again; that title has been passed on to more like-minded friends who kill their uncles to get into power, crush revolutions by killing up to five thousand people a day in places like Tianamen Square, and form a solidarity ring with our mad men as long as it helps all sides stay in power.

By the time our mad men leave office, Zimbabweans will be saddled with a huge debt plus interest for the next three generations. It is time to take back our country or remain colonised for the rest of our lives.

Zimbabwe officially refuse neutral venue

Sydney Morning Herald

May 15, 2007 - 10:31AM

Cricket Australia have today abandoned any hope of playing Zimbabwe at a
neutral venue, officially ending speculation that the three match one-day
series scheduled for September would go ahead.

The chief executive of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland, this morning
contacted his opposite number at Zimbabwe Cricket, Ozias Bvute, at which
time the Zimbabwean informed him his board would not consider shifting the
series outside of his country's borders.

Sutherland had apparently been trying to contact Bvute unsuccessfully for
the past two days before speaking to him this morning.

This latest development closes the chapter on Australia's scheduled tour of
Zimbabwe under the International Cricket Council's Future Tours program.

Cricket Australia had hoped to play Zimbabwe in South Africa following
Federal Government intervention on Sunday that made it illegal for
Australian players to play in Zimbabwe.

The chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, Peter Chingoka, declined to the comment on
these developments last night when contacted by the Herald.

However, Australia is still scheduled to play Zimbabwe in their opening game
of the Twenty20 World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa, on September
12.

MISA-Zimbabwe Statement and Submission on the Interception of Communications Bill

The Zimbabwean

(15-05-07)
MISA-Zimbabwe implores Honorable Members of the House of Assembly to
seriously consider the constitutionality of the proposed Interception of
Communications law when the Bill goes for its expected second reading in the
Chamber on 15 May 2007.

 In debating this Bill, Honorable Members should conscientiously examine and
enquire into the constitutionality of the interception of citizens' private
mail and telecommunications-related activities by the government as
proposed.

 It is MISA-Zimbabwe's objective view that the revised Bill still falls far
short of meeting the democratic benchmarks expected in a free and democratic
society. The House of Assembly should, therefore, take into serious and
objective consideration the concerns raised by citizens and the
telecommunications industry during the public hearings conducted by the
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications on the
impact of the ICB on constitutionally and universally enshrined fundamental
rights and freedoms and the civil liberties of ordinary citizens including
the right to free communication and privacy.

Of particular concern are the powers bestowed on the Minister who is an arm
of the Executive to authorise the interception of communication.
MISA-Zimbabwe notes with concern that security chiefs, all appointed by the
Executive, have to liaise with the Minister also appointed by the Executive
in deciding on what individuals and/or organisations to target using this
proposed law. Besides MISA-Zimbabwe's objections to the unclear intentions
of this law, there are glaring gaps as far as checks and balances are
concerned in the application and administration of this law.

MISA-Zimbabwe believes that security agents have means and ways already in
place to track, arrest and seek the prosecution of criminal elements without
making every citizen a suspect subject to privacy invasion through
Ministerial certificates.  MISA-Zimbabwe further notes with concern the
implications this law has on the development of the telecommunications
industry, which as stated in the ICB would be required to install equipment
and systems to monitor communications at their own costs. This industry is
already struggling as evidenced by the serious challenges being faced by
mobile and fixed telephone service providers, an underdeveloped internet
industry among other mediums of communication, would be further damaged and
any prospects for growth doomed. Public confidence in this industry will be
undermined and the enjoyment of freedom of expression rights further
repressed.

 MISA-Zimbabwe asks Hon Members of Parliament whether they and their
families and business interests feel free communicating and conducting
business under the blanket glare of security agents where no offence is
being committed.

 We therefore appeal to Honorable Members to critically examine the
provisions of the Bill in a non-partisan manner by reflecting on the
reasonableness of the proposed law in a democratic society and its impact on
the viability of the telecommunications sector which employs thousands of
Zimbabweans at a time when the majority of the citizens are struggling to
make ends meet.

Given the existing litany of punitive measures enshrined under restrictive
legislation such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(AIPPA), Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Broadcasting Services Act
(BSA) among others, it is MISA-Zimbabwe's humble submission that to pass
this Bill in its present form will be a great disservice by an august
institution that is mandated to protect the citizens' constitutionally
guaranteed rights and freedoms. MISA

Exiles Demand Say in SADC Mediation

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Plans underway for series of demonstrations and petitions demanding their
inclusion in the process.

By Zakeus Chibaya in Johannesburg (AR No. 112, 15-May-07)

The Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, initiative to solve the
socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe is coming under pressure
from representatives of the estimated four million Zimbabwe exiles lobbying
to have their say in the mediation process.

Zimbabwe civic organisations based in South Africa are busy preparing
position papers for the exiles. Although the groups are sceptical about the
likely success of the mediation efforts led by South African president Thabo
Mbeki, they are nevertheless pushing for involvement in the talks and are
keen to see pre-election constitutional reforms.

Mbeki has thus far been involved in several mediation processes to solve the
Zimbabwean crisis without yet managing to get President Robert Mugabe to the
negotiating table.

Plans are underway for a series of demonstrations and petitions at the Union
Buildings, Mbeki's offices in the capital Pretoria, to demand his attention.
Activists in the diaspora have started a mobilising mission to confront
Mbeki on their proposed participation in the talks. National Constitutional
Assembly, NCA, a volatile pressure group calling for a new constitution in
Zimbabwe, has made it clear that any process that excludes exiles would be
invalid.

Position papers from exile groups have already been sent to Mbeki demanding
a new constitution as part of the road map to end a seven-year-old impasse
between the ruling ZANU-PF party and opposition groups.

Tapera Kapuya, the co-ordinator for NCA-South Africa, said that unless the
mediation process facilitated an inclusive "national process of building
sustainable democratic systems, based on respect of fundamental rights and
dignity of all Zimbabweans, negotiations or mediation efforts serve nothing.
[Instead they] buy time for those strangling the nation and its people".

At an urgent SADC summit held in Tanzania in March, Mbeki was appointed as
mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis. The constitutional question is central to
this mediation: the ZANU-PF push to have legislative, administrative and
executive elections in 2008 necessitates an amendment to the constitution.
ZANU-PF wants the latter to simply harmonise parliamentary and presidential
elections in 2008, but the opposition wants a complete overhaul of the
constitution to safeguard democracy and human rights and curb the powers of
the ruling party and president.

"Whilst supporting the mediation efforts being led by South Africa, the NCA
believes that without [ensuring that] all Zimbabweans establish a
people-driven and democratic constitution as a basis for . democracy the
culture of anti-democratic practice will persist at extreme human cost to
Zimbabwe and the region. The exiles are part of Zimbabwe and their concerns
must be addressed during the mediation process," added Kapuya.

Millions of Zimbabweans have fled the country to neighbouring countries,
particularly South Africa, because of political persecution and economic
turmoil. The number of exiles swelled after the population displacements in
the wake of the government's Operation Murambatsvina (Drive Out the Rubbish)
in 2005.

The exiles have for the past seven years been sidelined from taking part in
national issues. They make substantial contributions to the country's ailing
economy by sending foreign currency back home to relatives - although most
of the money ends up on the black market. The Mugabe-led government has not
hid its hatred of the exiles who have been called saboteurs and terrorists
bent on destroying the country. In the 2002 presidential election, the
exiles were denied their right to cast votes outside the country.

The People Policy Committee, a network of Zimbabweans in exile, has already
submitted a position paper to Mbeki on the way forward to solve the crisis.
The committee is urging Mbeki to broaden his scope to include the exiled
community in his mediation process.

"The position of the PPC is that the genealogy of the current problems in
Zimbabwe is traceable to the national constitution. Any diagnosis and
prescription of the crisis which precludes the constitution is flawed and
therefore irrelevant," the PPC said in a statement.

Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum, a network of South African organisations
supporting the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe, are providing Zimbabweans
exiles with a platform to come up with strategies to fight against the
regime and are working on a project to unite all Zimbabwe exiles and get
them to speak with one voice.

Muchaneta Kucheka, now based in Durban, South Africa, who fled a Zanu-PF
orgy of violence in 2002, believes that exiles should be given more clout,
"We are the ones who escaped Mugabe's persecution and we should be included
in the talks to air our views. Any negotiated settlements in the mediation
talks should take into account the millions of Zimbabweans who have left the
country because of the crisis.

"They should look at how the exiles are going to resettle in the country and
participate in the elections.

"We are going to gate-crash the talks because the exiles have been watching
from the sidelines for too long. The constitution should cater for all
Zimbabweans whether you are in the country or outside."

But the exile community may hit a brick wall as Mbeki is focused on ZANU-PF
and the MDC. He has already set the mediation process rolling by initiating
contact with the two parties. Since the start of the Zimbabwe crisis seven
years ago, Mbeki's office has not given an ear to the millions of
Zimbabweans in exile, despite the fact that they have flooded into the
country, says Kucheka.

Mbeki's conduct over Zimbabwe has been criticised by many local and
international organisations who perceive him to be siding with Mugabe.

The secretary general of the Zimbabwe Political Victims Association, Oliver
Kubikwa, said, "We are going to push for Mbeki to lay down the groundwork
for constitutional discourse. The past has taught us there is nothing Mbeki
can do against Mugabe repression.

"In fact Mbeki is supposed to draft a programme on how the Zimbabwe
political players can come up with a new constitution before the election. A
new and well-drafted constitution will definitely solve the whole conflict
facing the country. It will provide a platform for fair and free elections
and there will an independent judiciary to arbitrate on issues of conflict
arising from elections," said Kubikwa.

The exiles are calling on Mbeki to expedite the process as the Zimbabwe
crisis continues to cause untold suffering of Zimbabweans, both inside and
outside the country. Thousands of Zimbabweans are still flooding to South
Africa, putting their lives at risk by crossing the crocodile-infested
Limpopo River. Some Zimbabweans have lost their lives to lions in South
Africa's Kruger National Park in their bid to escape their crisis-ridden
country.

Once in South Africa, most Zimbabwean exiles face difficult circumstances.
They live in poverty and are exploited by employees who pay them paltry
wages. Professionals such as nurses, teachers, engineers and journalists
have had to abandon their careers to do menial jobs. Those who are activists
also face the long arm of Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO,
according to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Speaking from a safe house in Johannesburg during a short visit to the
country last week, Tsvangirai said agents from the CIO were targeting
activists in exile and were responsible for at least one kidnapping.

Zakeus Chibaya is a regular IWPR contributor.

School Fees Soar

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Parents struggle to meet spiralling education costs as conditions in schools
deteriorate.

By Nonthando Bhebhe in Bulawayo (AR No. 112, 15-May-07)

Linda Mushava, a secretary, shook her head in disbelief as she looked at the
prices of winter uniforms.

"Where am I supposed to get the money from? Please tell me where I am going
to get the money. What makes matters worse for me is that I don't have to
just buy the winter uniform but I also have to buy shoes," said Linda, whose
monthly pay of 350,000 Zimbabwean dollars, ZWD, worth 14 US dollars at the
black-market rate accessible to most people, is just above the average
salary.

"The ones my daughter was using last term are now too small and it will be
cruel for me to ask her to squeeze into them."

With her salary, Linda also has to pay rent, buy food, meet transport costs
and school fees. To add to her woes, when the new term started last week,
schools fees had gone up by between 600 and 1,000 per cent.

Government primary schools had been charging between 200,000 and 300,000 ZWD
(between eight and 20 US dollars) in term fees, while secondary schools
levied between 500,000 and one million ZWD (20 to 40 dollars).

This, at a time when conditions in schools only seem to be deteriorating.
Parents often have to buy exercise books for their kids. Schools commonly
have no running water, soap or cleaning fluids; classrooms are dilapidated
and there's a lack of teaching materials and teachers.

The Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe said recently that Zimbabwe has
lost 4,500 teachers this year alone; last year, the figure was 6,000. Some
have emigrated; others cannot afford to teach and look for jobs in commerce
and industry. The profession has also been hard hit by HIV/AIDS.

What makes the new term even worse is that the children will have to endure
what meteorologists are predicting will be one of the coldest winters ever.

One distraught parent said, "Imagine a grade one pupil - or just any child,
for that matter - with no school shoes, no school jersey, trousers or socks,
walking to school on a cold day. In a few weeks' time, this is going to be
the reality."

A full winter uniform for one child now costs up to five million ZWD, in a
country where only very senior managers earn that kind of money.

"Normally, we buy two jerseys, a blazer, two pairs of trousers, two pairs of
gloves, at least two pairs of stockings and two scarves, " said Linda
Mushava. "This means I need more than four million Zimbabwean dollars [160
US dollars] and in my whole life I have never held that kind of money in my
hands. Zimbabwe is mad; there is nothing normal in this country."

The cost of living for a family of five, according to the country's consumer
watchdog, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, is now more than 1.5 million
ZWD - about 60 dollars at the black-market rate - in a country where
unemployment is more than 80 per cent.

Thandi Ncube has been forced to transfer her two children to a school in a
poor suburb to cut down on school fees and transport costs.

"Just thinking about how cold it is going to be, I feel like crying -
because what are my kids going to wear? My son's shorts are already too
small and I can't afford to buy new ones, let alone a pair of trousers," she
said. "Transferring them also means that I have to buy new jerseys and I
just don't have the money to do so. I fear that my children might freeze to
death this winter if I don't get help from my relatives."

With the rise in fees and winter on its way, many children, particularly
girls, will be expected to drop out of school to help earn money for the
family in various ways, such as selling vegetables and, for the unluckiest
ones, even prostitution.

Nonthando Bhebhe is the pseudonym of an IWPR reporter in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe Tries to Forge Ties with Business

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

The president seems to be feeling his way towards a social contract with
business leaders, and perhaps also the trade unions.

By Norman Chitapi in Harare (AR No. 112, 15-May-07)

It has been a long time since Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe sounded as
conciliatory towards the business sector as he did when he officially opened
the showcase Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo in late April.

Mugabe seems to have recognised that the state of the economy is now his
political weak point, and to be seeking allies to mitigate the worst effects
of the crisis. Unfortunately for the president, analysts interviewed by IWPR
suggest he will have a lot of work to do to win businessmen over to his
cause.

At the opening of the April 24-25 trade fair, Mugabe called for a "strong
and genuine partnership" between government and business. In conciliatory
mood, he told his audience that everyone needed to "subordinate narrow
sectarian interests to the broader national good".

Political analysts in the capital Harare said Mugabe was reaching out to the
business community because the deepening economic crisis had gone beyond the
point where government policies and controls could reverse it. Annual
inflation is now put at 2,200 per cent, unemployment is estimated at 85 per
cent, and there are persistent shortages of even basic commodities.

The trade fair itself, which in the past brought together companies from
across the world, has shrunk to a localised affair at which most of the
exhibitors are government departments.

"The chickens are coming home to roost," said the manager at a commercial
bank, who did not want to be named. "It is becoming clear to Mugabe that his
[ZANU-PF] party and government alone cannot solve the country's myriad
problems.

"These have indeed become the greatest threat to his hold on power - hence
his appeal to the private sector to help."

The banker noted that government policy had changed to become more
accommodating to both the business sector and the trade unions in the past
few weeks.

In January, for example, a number of business executives were arrested for
increasing the prices of basic foodstuffs. They were accused of colluding
with the opposition by using the price hikes to provoke anti-government
sentiment. More recently, however, the government simply turned a blind eye
when the price of bread rose.

Trade unions, too, have found the government more tolerant of their
activities. Even the combative Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, ZCTU, was
allowed to hold a May Day rally unhindered, contrasting with demonstrations
held earlier this year and last year which were broken up by police.
Significantly, the May Day event was allowed to go ahead even though it took
place in the poor Harare suburb of Highfield, the same area where police
used brute force to prevent opposition leaders and supporters from attending
a mass prayer meeting in March.

The bank manager said Mugabe must have realised that his government needs to
engage the support of both labour and business.

In January, Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono called for negotiations to
draw up a "social contract", where business, labour and government would
work together as partners in resolving the country's problems. So far
nothing has happened.

"Gono must have told Mugabe that there is no movement towards a social
contract," said the banker. "He must have been told that the hostile
rhetoric by government was being met with equal, if silent, hostility and
resentment."

Another analyst said it would be difficult for business leaders to take up
Mugabe's offer of an olive branch, given that they felt they had been
treated badly in the past. Trade unions, too, nurse many grievances since
many of their leaders have been beaten up for demanding better conditions
for their members.

"There is a lot of mutual mistrust between government and the other would-be
social partners," concluded the analyst.

"Business blames government for undermining its viability by controlling the
prices of commodities without reference to cost structures. They cannot get
foreign currency on the official market [and] are forced to charge
sub-economic prices."

The Zimbabwean government, through the central bank, has held the official
exchange rate steady at 250 Zimbabwean dollars, ZWD, to one US dollar. But
because this rate massively overvalues the Zimbabwean currency, access to
foreign currency purchases been severely restricted.

Those with good contacts in the regime can buy foreign currency and either
sell it on, or use it to buy scarce goods which they can sell at a mark-up.
But most importers and other firms are disadvantaged by having to buy
currency on the black market at the going rate of 25,000 ZWD to the dollar.

In April, the Reserve Bank announced a more realistic rate of 15,000 ZWD to
the dollar, which would seem likely to open up access to foreign currency
purchases and create a more level playing field. But this rate comes with
the caveat that it is accessible only to exporters that themselves generate
foreign currency - for example the mining sector, farms and tour operators.

The government has always been suspicious of both labour and business,
regarding them as supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic
Change, MDC.

But it is not the case that the business sector, represented by the
Employers' Confederation of Zimbabwe, and unionists affiliated with the ZCTU
represent a common front.

Addressing members on May Day last week, ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo
accused business of "profiteering", saying that while most workers lived
below the poverty line, business leaders continued to live well.

Matombo said the ZCTU would lead street protests against business in the
near future if workers' salaries were not raised substantially, or at least
enough to come up to the poverty line.

Most workers in Zimbabwe earn between 300,000 and 600,000 ZWD a month,
hardly enough to purchase a month's supply of groceries for the average
family, let alone pay for transport, clothing and school fees.

Another Zimbabwe-based analyst said Mugabe's attempt to re-engage with
business and the trade unions would be severely hampered by the legacy of
mistrust.

"Mugabe might be genuine in his desire for a change of course, but we all
know there is no love lost between him and the ZCTU because of its close
links to the MDC."

"Business will also want to. test his commitment to their welfare. So long
as there is this tug-of-war and lack of trust, the crisis will persist.
Unfortunately, the ordinary Zimbabwean is always the biggest victim of the
political impasse and the economic meltdown."

Norman Chitapi is the pseudonym of a journalist in Zimbabwe.

The stateless are "life's passengers"

BINDURA, 15 May 2007 (IRIN) - Thousands of children who fled across the
border to Zimbabwe during Mozambique's 17-year civil war are stranded in a
stateless existence, without access to identity documents and social
services in their adopted country.

Most Mozambican nationals have settled in northeastern Zimbabwe's
Mashonaland Central Province along the border with Mozambique, where they
have set up their own homesteads or were adopted by local families.

Martin Dinha, mayor of the provincial capital, Bindura, said during the
recent launch of a child rights campaign that his office was overwhelmed by
the number of people who could not obtain birth certificates.

"It is worth noting that Bindura ... being closer to the border with
Mozambique, has many people who ran away from Mozambique during the war and
have settled here. Many of them have not had the opportunity to get
Zimbabwean citizenship and have no identity documents from their country,"
he commented.

Mozambique was torn by civil unrest that pitted the ruling FRELIMO against
RENAMO from 1975 to 1992. Antonio Namburete, now 36, fled to Zimbabwe in the
mid-1980s as a teenager but, even after the first elections were held in his
homeland in 1994, preferred to remain in Muzarabani district, about 70km
from the Mozambican border, where he had married and fathered two children.

"When the war ended, I crossed back to Mozambique but my family members were
no longer there; even the village had been destroyed and I opted to return
to this place, where the local villagers had received me well," he said.

"Mozambique brings back sad memories but, unfortunately, I sometimes feel
like I don't have a home anywhere on this earth because I do not have
anything to identify myself with after my Mozambican birth registration
certificate got lost when our area was raided during the war," the now
widowed Namburete told IRIN.

After fleeing to Zimbabwe he was employed as a herdsman by a ranching
family, who gave him a piece of land on which to build a house but because
his employer did him that "favour" he does not receive any wages.

His wife, also a Mozambican national, was blown up by a landmine while
fetching firewood two years ago but Namburete could not get a death
certificate for her. The police refused to process the papers because she
did not have an identity document, and suggested he seek help from the
Mozambican embassy in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, to repatriate her body
to his home country.

"But how on earth could that be possible? Even officials in Mozambique would
tell me that I am not from that country because there is nothing to prove
it," he said. His wife was buried without police clearance, which means
there is no record of her death, a situation that applies to most refugees.

No future

Namburete's 12-year-old son cannot read or write and spends most of his time
herding cattle or tending fields with his father, but sometimes earns a
packet of sugar or a bottle of cooking oil working part-time in a grinding
mill owned by a local businessman.

His nine-year-old daughter has been adopted by his employer's son, who works
in Mount Darwin, a town 60km away, where she helps with household chores on
the promise that she will go to school next year.

"It is painful that my son, and most probably his sister, will grow up just
like their parents, lacking identity and with nothing meaningful to do in
life. It is even more unfortunate that that will be the case just because of
our inability to obtain a simple paper, something lucky people take for
granted," said Namburete.

According to officials at the registration offices in Mount Darwin and
Bindura, Namburete's children cannot be registered because the parents do
not have identity documents.

Although there are organisations that help immigrants register, illiterate
refugees like Namburete are reluctant to approach them, or cannot afford the
travel expenses to reach them.

Simon Masiiwa, a village headman, told IRIN, "The situation is worrying
because the failure by the Mozambicans to obtain identity particulars means
that they cannot even get married legally."

Zimbabweans have been accepting

Local communities have largely accepted immigrants as part of their society,
but Mozambicans are excluded from a number of social services. "Even
hospitals sometimes turn them away ... despite having chosen to make
Zimbabwe their country, they cannot exercise their voting rights; they are
life's passengers," Masiiwa commented.

Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party government recently announced that people of
foreign origin, mostly from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, who had been
mainly employed on commercial farms, would be allowed to vote, but observers
have pointed out that a significant number of them would still be excluded
because they lacked the required documents.

Life is difficult for people who cannot produce identification papers when
confronted by militias in politically volatile Mashonaland Central Province,
which is dominated by the ruling party and strangers are treated with
suspicion.

Acquiring birth certificates for orphaned children of foreign origin was
even more difficult, Masiiwa said, because there was no one to assist them
or support their applications.

James Elder, spokesman for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in
Zimbabwe, described the lack of birth registration documents, particularly
for children, as "a real problem", and said around 40 percent of children
aged under five were not registered.

"Although systems are in place to facilitate the acquisition of birth
certificates, there are too many bottlenecks, as people have to move from
one department to another," he said. "This becomes quite taxing,
particularly at a time when the majority of the people are operating in a
challenging economic environment."

Most people in Zimbabwe are struggling to survive: inflation has topped
2,200 percent, unemployment is around 80 percent, and the aftermath of
President Robert Mugabe's fast-track land reform programme, combined with
successive droughts, has severely reduced food security.

In February, 21 nongovernmental organisations signed an agreement to improve
the living conditions of 350,000 orphans and vulnerable children, including
helping them register their birth. The initiative is being funded by United
Kingdom's Department for International Development, New Zealand AID, Swedish
International Development Aid and the German government.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

Beneath the Zanu PF, MDC feud - notes for Mbeki

New Zimbabwe

By George Mkhwananzi
Last updated: 05/16/2007 02:09:13
IN THE Sudan until 2003, it had always been assumed that the resolution of
the feud between the Arab-led government of that country and the
Southern-based separatist SPLM would effectively lead to peace and
tranquillity.

Little did the world suspect that the people of the Darfur region harboured
deep-seated grievances whose enormity would sink the country into one of the
most catastrophic crises right on the stroke of a political deal that
exclusively involved the Arab government and John Garang's movement.

In Zimbabwe today, the assumption is that any mediation exercise intended to
resolve the national crisis should be treated as a bilateral quarrel between
the ruling Zanu PF and factions of the opposition MDC. This is an extremely
tragical approach to the country's future stability as it is wrongly
premised on the fallacy that Zimbabwe's problems started in 1999.

When the MDC euphoria swept across the country in 2000, there was already a
resolve in Matabeleland to review the region's status as a province of
Zimbabwe and it was becoming increasingly clear that its marginalisation
emanated from a unitary constitution that concentrated all power to the
Mashonaland provinces.

The formation of the Forum Party in 1994 and the revival of ZAPU in 1999
strongly reflected this aspect as they both advocated a federal
constitution. More importantly, the MDC storm found in Matabeleland a hard
layer of discontentment that stretched beyond the 1990s issues of economic
mismanagement and bad governance. These were issues of a misdelivered
independence and the genocides perpetrated against the people by the Zanu PF
regime.

It should be clear that the white settler regimes took many decisions on
behalf of the indigenous people which in most instances were unpalatable.
They are the ones who decided that Matabeleland and Mashonaland be merged
into Rhodesia in 1895. They are the ones who decided that Rhodesia should
not join the Union of South Africa in 1923. They are the ones who decided to
form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953. They are the ones who
decided that Salisbury be the capital. They are the ones who decided that
the country's constitution be centralist (a bambazonke constitution). All
these decisions were being made for the convenience of colonial
administration and capitalist exploitation without regard to African
preferences.

Regrettably, the desire to acquire independence tended to overlook these
historical factors resulting with gruesome experiences being witnessed after
independence. Signals during the course of the struggle indicating that
there was a divergence of visions amongst the nationalists on tribal grounds
were ignored. When ZAPU split in 1963, it was an illustration that not even
such a grand cause could unite the two peoples. Other such abortive attempts
to unite included the 1972 ZLP fiasco, the 1976 ZIPA collapse, the 1979 PF
disaster, the 1980 GNU break-up, the 1995 Forum Party split, and the 2005
MDC split.

All these are symptoms of an incompatible nation pretending that it is one
when in fact pursuing fundamentally different agendas. There is clearly an
unresolved colonial question which politicians appear to be too embarrassed
to countenance. There is no proof that before colonisation, Matabeleland and
Mashonaland were one country. Inheriting a colonial legacy of a one Rhodesia
was double standards for Zanu PF and its British handlers in 1980. Without
proper appreciation for historicity, the British handed over the colonial
status of Matabeleland to black colonisers and called it independence.

When Robert Mugabe created the Five Brigade in August 1980, three months
after being granted independence in April, he was very clear that this was a
campaign to subjugate a historically independent nation and prepare it for a
new colonial status under his government. Zanu PF rule in Matabeleland or
any other future Harare-head quartered party remains illegitimate. Reality
has demonstrated that such parties are unanimously agreed that access to
power, resources and opportunities should be barricaded from a Matabeleland
man or woman.

Now that President Mbeki has decided to engage only these 'opposam' parties,
will Zimbabwe's crisis be explored beyond the manufacture date of the MDC?
Zanu PF and MDC curiously exude the same order. They are both centralist.
They are both tribalistic (no Ndebele qualifies to lead the respective
parties). They are both suffering from an ideological crisis. They are both
linguistically chauvinistic (their presidents address meetings in
Matabeleland in Shona).

There seems to be a dangerous political hallucination amongst some Ndebele
people in thinking that issues of justice should wait until Zanu PF is
removed from power. They forget that Chief Khayisa Ndiweni was told the same
story by Joshua Nkomo before Ian Smith was removed only to discover that
they had aided a much more brutal, hungrier and numerically superior
adversary into power.

The Zimbabwe crisis should not be considered resolved until it is forced to
accommodate the Matabeleland question. Part of the package should include
adopting a federal constitution that recognises that Matabeleland is an
equal partner with Mashonaland

The constitutional framework should ensure that resources, opportunities and
power are distributed equally between the two regions regardless of
population and size. There should be a 50-50 representation in parliament as
in the case of the Hutu and Tutsi in Burundi. The presidency should be a
rotational one between the two territories. These are notes that President
Mbeki ought to familiarise himself with before he could possibly turn
Zimbabwe into another Sudan.

George Mkhawanazi is the National Vice Chairman of the National
Constitutional Assembly and writes in his personal capacity

Let's look beyond MDC, Zanu PF

New Zimbabwe

By Lloyd Msipa
Last updated: 05/16/2007 00:47:00
THE SADC extra-ordinary summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has come and
gone and Zimbabweans are not any better off than before. All the
expectations of possible censure of Harare have disappeared.

What we have is a promise by the South African President Thabo Mbeki to
mediate between the feuding parties in Zimbabwe.

There seems to be a lot of faith from both MDC formations in this process of
mediation judging by the media reports. Both camps seem to genuinely believe
that since President Mbeki has been given this task by the SADC heads, he is
likely to carry it through.

The naivety of both MDC camps was aptly put into context by the NCA Chairman
Dr Lovemore Madhuku, who seems to be the only person whose head is screwed
on right.

Madhuku has clearly said in his view, Thabo Mbeki's negotiation initiative
is not in good faith.

Folly is sometimes defined as doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting a different result. Mbeki's initiatives on Zimbabwe have been
relied on in the past, and the outcome has been the same -- nothing. How
soon we forget!

The MDC is now eight years old and it seems as the years go by, its
prospects of becoming the governing party are slowly drifting away. The MDC,
it seems, has failed to transform from its civic movement status that saw it
draw membership from academics, trade unionists, students, professionals and
others into a properly constituted political party.

With both the MDC and Mbeki's latest initiative looking very much doomed,
what then is the way forward? Fellow Zimbabweans it seems we have put all
our eggs in one basket.

We are ten months away from the next decisive election in Zimbabwe and under
the current political scenario, what are the prospects of an MDC victory? I
put them at zero. I think it is time we came up with a more viable political
option that will meet Zanu PF at next year's polls and win.

Both MDC factions as currently divided are over reliant on the goodwill of
President Mbeki and the international community. We currently have the
Secretary Generals of both parties shuttling back and forth to South Africa
all in the name of negotiations. What they do not seem to realise is that no
prospects of any Constitutional reform exist in Zimbabwe without the masses.

Both MDCs have failed to launch a people's revolution within Zimbabwe
itself. That is the source of constitutional reform, not South Africa,
Britain, Australia or the United States. Power comes from the people, not
the international community. Prime Minister Tony Blair has come and gone,
and of course, he did not assist the MDC in its ambition to replace Zanu PF.

President Mbeki, it appears, is playing for time and before the MDCs know
it, the elections will be a few weeks away. It is not difficult to see that
the two MDCs have run out of options. Why would they be bickering over a
name, for instance, if they were serious political players? Besides, the
speeches they give now are largely rehearsed and repetitive. The factions
have become elitist with both leaders spending their time abroad instead of
being in Zaka, Gwanda, Murobedzi canvassing. It is common knowledge that 70
percent of Zimbabweans live there.

A new political party, which is not Zanu PF or MDC, but possibly with
elements of the two and other progressive minds, at this juncture of
Zimbabwean politics has the potential of causing an upset. This new
political party should be prepared to take advantage of progressive former
Zanu PF parliamentarians who are already knowledgeable about the
machinations of the governing party. After all, who among us can claim they
were never affiliated to Zanu or Zapu at some point in their lives?

They will use this information, plan within this new political party the
downfall of Zanu PF in the March 2008 poll. The MDC has failed to take
advantage of this resource covertly or otherwise. We have currently a
situation where civic groups agitating for a New Zimbabwe have no other
political party to work with except the two factions of the MDC. What is
required is a wider choice of political organisations to jerk the MDC and
Zanu PF off their comfort zones. Surely there are more potential players out
there.

Lloyd Msipa is a lawyer resident in the United Kingdom and can be contacted
at lmsipa@virtalukandco.com

Mbeki has failed Zimbabweans

New Zimbabwe

By Abigail Mphisa
Last updated: 05/16/2007 00:47:19
WHEN I first read the opening paragraphs of Dr Sehlare Makgetlaneng article,
'Mbeki a scapegoat for MDC's failures', I thought he was just one of many of
President Thabo Mbeki's praise singers because of its lack of balance and
substance.

I rushed to the bottom of the article and was astounded by the fact that the
author heads the Southern Africa and SADC programme at the Africa Institute
of South Africa. The astonishment immediately transformed to deep sadness.

I was saddened by the fact that an intellectual at an institute whose vision
is, according to their website, "to become the independent authoritative
center of excellence for the production of knowledge on AFRICA and to
promote awareness as well as the importance of unity, peace, prosperity and
democracy on the African Continent" can write up such a one sided article.
Researchers are usually renowned for their ability to give both side of the
story. Not so in the case of Dr. Makgetlaneng.

Firstly, I wish to make it clear that I do agree that the MDC does have some
very serious shortcomings and many a Zimbabwean has been disappointed by the
party's failure to mobilise a disgruntled population into action. However,
to claim that Mbeki is being used as a scapegoat for MDC failures is taking
the matter to extremes.

The simple truth is, irrespective of how highly Dr. Makgetlaneng thinks of
Mbeki, where the Zimbabwe issue is concerned, Mbeki has failed to hide his
bias towards Mugabe. It is also mind-boggling that Dr. Makgetlaneng believes
that the African leadership is without blame - much as it must be
acknowledged that it is our responsibility as Zimbabweans to resolve our
problems.

Dr. Makgetlaneng talks about unique and theoretical problems of the MDC
which he does not explain and then goes on to say "the task of African
political leaders and the people of other countries through their
organisations is to support Zimbabweans in their efforts to resolve their
national problems".

He needs to tell us exactly how the African leadership has given support to
the people of Zimbabwe. Indeed there is ample evidence of support for Mugabe
but none for the oppressed ordinary person. Mbeki, for example, has never
even acknowledged that there is serious political repression in Zimbabwe and
that activists have been and continue to be killed, maimed, tortured and
raped for their political beliefs. He refuses to give the ordinary person
refugee status - the same kind of support extended to ordinary South
Africans by other African countries prior to 1994.

Let us just go back to the 2000 parliamentary elections. Without even
bringing into the equation the issue of the much loathed Western observers,
the SADC parliamentary forum and Commonwealth observer teams categorically
stated that the elections were neither free nor fair. They provided
overwhelming evidence that Mugabe stole the election. The South African team
came to Zimbabwe - as was going to be the case in subsequent elections in
2002 and 2005, with clear instructions to endorse them, irrespective of the
shortcomings.

I recall how in 2000 the head of the South African team literally sweated
during a press conference, struggling to come up with the right phrases for
the endorsement of an election that his team was condemning behind closed
doors. They also confessed to being pressured by their government never to
acknowledge that Mugabe had stolen the election. The names of the team
members are for the public record. Dr. Makgetlaneng should feel free to
check with them. In the end the South African team coined a phrase whose
meaning they have failed to explain up to this day: "NOT FREE AND FAIR BUT
LEGITIMATE".

Granted, the MDC failed to take advantage of popular anger at the time, but
that should not excuse Mbeki's betrayal of the ordinary person who had voted
to get rid of a repressive regime through peaceful means. He endorsed a sham
election and told the world, very loudly and clearly, that he would go to
the ends of the earth in support of Mugabe's murderous regime.

Dr. Makgetlaneng keeps saying there are people, without mentioning them, who
say the task of resolving Zimbabwe's problems is primarily that of African
leaders. Indeed various commentators have talked about the need for African
leaders to assist. Being called upon to assist does not imply primary
responsibility.

If, as Dr. Makgetlaneng seems to believe, Zimbabweans are not doing anything
to liberate themselves, we would not have witnessed the kind of reaction
from Mugabe that we have seen in the last seven years. The SADC emergency
meeting that resulted in the assignment of Mbeki as mediator to the crisis
came about as a result of Zimbabweans seeking to liberate themselves, hence
the backlash from Mugabe.

The author then goes on to quote David Bullard of the Sunday Times as saying
that the South African government's stand on Zimbabwe is "an international
disgrace, particularly for a party that fought for racial equality and
justice". He then proceeds to effectively rubbish this view without the kind
of analysis one would expect from the head of department of a research
institute.

As a black Zimbabwean who has been adversely affected by the negative
developments of my country I have asked myself the same question so many
times - how can a party that fought against injustice (read the ANC and
therefore Mbeki) support a man whose hands are literally dripping with the
blood of his people? I do not ask these questions because I seek to
camouflage the inadequacies of the MDC. I do so because I do not understand
the following;

Mbeki's endorsement of stolen elections. (By the way, we hear he has already
endorsed the Nigerian election - the one where BBC cameras captured gunmen
running away with ballot boxes amongst many other theatrics). I was
particularly puzzled by how in 2005 when Mauritius was chair of SADC South
Africa maneuvered its way into heading the SADC observer mission. Not
surprisingly, the verdict was that the election was free and fair. The South
Africans attributed the massive reduction of polling stations in urban areas
(opposition strongholds) to an "administrative oversight". We were not told
how at all that could have happened in a country which had run countless
elections before.

Following the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth over the issue of
stolen elections and human rights violations, Mbeki was made part of the
troika of Commonwealth leaders set up to dialogue with Mugabe. Mbeki fought
tooth and nail to have Zimbabwe re-instated even though the conditions that
had resulted in the suspension had in fact deteriorated.

Various motions have been brought before UN bodies to censure Mugabe's
excesses. This is one way of Zimbabweans seeking to highlight their plight
at international forums in the same manner that South Africa did under
apartheid. At every turn South Africa has jumped to Mugabe's defense,
arguing that the situation in Zimbabwe is not a threat to international
peace. In other words, to hell with those being tortured, maimed, raped and
killed. It is all good because the neighbours have continued to enjoy peace
and quiet in spite of it.

At the end of March upon his return from Tanzania, Mugabe jubilantly
announced that none of his colleagues had expressed displeasure at his
barbaric treatment of opposition activists. One Gift Tandare lost his life.
We did not hear even a murmur of protest from the SADC leaders. In fact,
Mugabe specifically singled out Mbeki for his understanding since according
to Mugabe he understood that in future the west could target him too for
regime change. A few weeks later during a visit to Zimbabwe, Zambian vice
president Rupiah Banda declared Mugabe one of the best leaders the world has
ever seen.

I was stunned by one of the points of the communiqué issued at the end of
the SADC special summit on Zimbabwe at the end of March. The SADC expressed
solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe while at the same time expressing
support for Mugabe and calling upon the West to lift sanctions. How does one
sympathise with both the dictator and those at the receiving end of his
baton sticks?

As for Bullard's call for Mbeki to provide legal sanctuary to ordinary
Zimbabweans fleeing political persecution and a collapsed economy, I am not
exactly sure how this translates to support for the MDC. Dr. Makgetlaneng
concludes: "It is a tragedy of Zimbabwean politics of opposition that as the
leading opposition party, the MDC continues regarding such individuals as
its supporters."

Quite how such a conclusion was reached is a mystery. He is irked by the
fact that white people look out for each other's interests. Why shouldn't
they? That partly explains why they are so much ahead of us in terms
socio-economic development. They support and hold each others' hands while
we are busy pulling each other down. African leadership was in the forefront
of cheering Mugabe while he ran Zimbabwe's first world agriculture industry
to the ground. In the meantime, they were falling all over each other to
attract the Zimbabwean white farmers to their own countries.

Ironically, while Dr. Makgetlaneng berates the MDC for apparently being
supported by people like Bullard (even though he fails dismally to provide
the evidence), he does not seem to be aware of the fact that Zanu PF does
have white friends whose interests in Zimbabwe have been protected by none
other than the African hero, Robert Mugabe.

One such example is Billy Rautenbach, a man wanted in South Africa for all
manner of crimes ranging from theft to fraud. For some strange reason, our
rabid war vets did not invade this gentleman's farms even though they
invaded and vandalized those of blacks who were not perceived Zanu PF
supporters. And by the way, one of Zanu PF's main financial supporters was
the late Tiny Rowland. Thus, it does appear as if this notion of MDC being
demonised for having white friends needs further research.

Lest the good Dr. has forgotten, while the determination of black South
Africans to rid themselves of white minority rule is well documented, it
took the ANC a good 85 years to dislodge the whites. The MDC, without
seeking to make excuses for it, is seven years old. The party is trying to
fight a very well resourced repressive machine which has shown that it will
not hesitate to kill. True, they have blundered and continue to blunder
along the way and deserve to be criticised for it.

But, to exonerate African leaders from their failure to even condemn the
tyranny that is going on is unforgivable, especially when it is coming from
an institution called the Africa Institute of South Africa. We cannot run
away from the fact that our leaders find black on black repression
acceptable and that ought to be condemned with the contempt that it
deserves.

The fact that those who yesteryear used to shout from hill tops for the
whole world to hear about the evils of white minority rule now tolerate
similar evils in their midst is a sad indictment of Africa's leadership. One
would have hoped that it is the job of people like Dr. Makgetlaneng to
highlight such despicable tendencies which have been a drawback on the
development of democracy in Africa instead of condoning them.

Come on Dr. Let us have a bit of balance. You owe us that.

Abigail Mphisa is a Zimbabwean national and writes from Lilongwe, Malawi

Opposition poll boycott rattles Zanu PF

By Lance Guma
15 May 2007

An election boycott of the Zaka East parliamentary by-election by the
opposition has rattled the ruling Zanu PF party who responded with jibes
that the MDC was running scared and feared another electoral loss. The seat
fell vacant following the death of Deputy Mines Minister Tinos Rusere, a
Zanu PF member of parliament. Both factions of the MDC however say the
by-election is a waste of time and resources since parliament is set to be
dissolved within a few months to make way for harmonised presidential and
parliamentary elections in 2008. It effectively means whoever wins the seat
will only serve for less than 8 months before parliament is dissolved.

Zanu PF's Masvingo province however took a swipe at the MDC saying the
decision was driven by cowardice. The comments however have been described
as an attempt to mask their disappointment at the boycott. As if to
highlight the point an unknown candidate from an unknown party registered at
the nomination courts in Jerera last week Friday. Lameck Batirai from the
Zimbabwe People's Democratic Party (ZPDP) threw his hat into the ring. The
move immediately raised accusations the party is a Zanu PF creation meant to
legitimize any election in the event of opposition boycotts, as has happened
in Zaka East. Another candidate Nicholas Shanga from the United Peoples
Party (UPP) will also contest the election.

Zanu PF is once again fielding a serving soldier with Zimbabwe Defence
Forces director for communications, Colonel Livingstone Chineka. This also
follows the election of Colonel Callisto Gwanetsa in the Chiredzi South
by-election this year. Last year in November Chineka gave evidence
supporting the Interception of Communications Bill in parliament. He argued
that the country's mobile phone operators were threatening national security
by using independent gateways for their phone networks. Analysts say the
nomination of Chineka and many others is part of a broader strategy to
militarize state institutions and involve army figures in the legislature.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Moral squalor at U.N.: Repressive states head prime posts

Boston Herald

By Peter Brookes
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development last week elected Zimbabwe as
its chair. It's obscene: The panel is supposed to facilitate economic growth
as well as environmental integrity, while Zimbabwe's government has
transformed Africa's breadbasket into Africa's basket case due to gross
economic mismanagement.

    And this week at the U.N.'s theater of the absurd, the Human Rights
Council is likely to choose as its chair Belarus - one of the world's most
repressive states.

    It might be a good time to reconsider the U.S. contributions to these
U.N. bodies.

    First, let's look at the U.N.'s lunacy on Zimbabwe.

    The former British colony was once an outstanding example of African
development. But then dictator Robert Mugabe began to fear losing his grip,
setting out to destroy domestic threats to his rule through land seizures
and redistribution. The once-prosperous country's economy has shrunk 40
percent since 2000. Years of negative growth and inflation (over 2,000
percent annually) are the world's highest; 80 percent of the populace is
unemployed and/or lives below the poverty line.

    And a nation that used to be Africa's prime food exporter now faces
widespread hunger. As many as 4 million have left the country.

    Life expectancy has plummeted. A population that should be 18 million to
20 million is just 11 million, with a reported 1.3 million orphans.

    Genocide? Depends on your definition. But it seems obvious that Zimbabwe
is the last country you'd want to make chair of any body that has anything
to do with economic development.

    Of course, such logic carries little weight at the United Nations, which
regularly awards positions and chairs based on quotas or a country's
influence in Turtle Bay rather than how members act in the real world.

    What about Belarus, set to lead the U.N.'s Human Rights Council?

    Well, the country is so repressive that a coalition of 40 top
human-rights groups have called on the United Nations to keep it off the
human-rights panel altogether.

    The government of Belarus' president, Alexander Lukashenko, is
"supremely unfit" to help monitor human rights around the globe. The State
Department's annual human-rights report called Belarus' record "poor."

    And Freedom House warns that Lukashenko's dictatorial rule is getting
nastier - moving to "eradicate the remaining spheres of political and social
autonomy that could potentially challenge Lukashenko's aspirations for
unlimited and lifelong rule."

    This sort of insanity is same-old, same-old for the United Nations:
Libya was elected chair of the old Commission on Human Rights in 2003; Iran
got named vice-chair of the Disarmament Commission, a body charged with
preventing nuclear proliferation, last year and was re-elected last month.

    What to do?

    Well, the United States can refuse to play along. Because of past U.N.
human-rights farces, we've already declined to take a seat on the Council.
We could resign our post on the development panel.

We gave $439 million to the regular U.N. budget last year; $4 million of
that went to the Human Rights Council. As a statement, we could deduct that
amount from what we fork over next year.

    But Congress would have to actively choose to withhold that portion of
our U.N. dues - which means convincing a lot of congressional Democrats to
send a tough message to the United Nations. Realistically, unless U.S.
human-rights groups (and the relevant activists on sustainable development)
come out strongly in favor of the move, it won't happen.

    Which means that the United States will wind up conferring legitimacy on
rogue regimes - and more moral squalor at Turtle Bay.

    Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow Peter Brookes served at the U.S.
Mission to the U.N. in 1992. This column was first published in the New York
Post. Talk back at peterbrookes@heritage.org.

Health Insurance Plan Stalled As Zimbabwe Labor and NSSA Feud

VOA

      By Jonga Kandemiiri
      Washington
      14 May 2007

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is defending its position for opposing
the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme, saying "workers
were never consulted," about its formation.

However, the National Social Security Authority or NSSA, disputed this claim
saying it held consultations with the government and the ZCTU when it was
headed by now MDC founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.

The Acting General Manager of NSSA Amod Takawira, said the ZCTU had "either
jumped the gun" or is acting in it's own "self interest" by rejecting the
proposal, which he said all parties had agreed to.

ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo, who is demanding proof of signatures on the
approved documents, told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for
Zimbabwe that the leadership would have never signed on to something workers
had opposed.

NCOP shocked by Beitbridge situation

SABC

May 15, 2007, 19:00

In Limpopo officials at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and
Zimbabwe told the NCOP that rampant corruption, crime syndicates, lack of
facilities and proper control are making it impossible to stop the influx of
illegal immigrants from the north of the country.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is one of the two houses of
Parliament that represents the provinces to ensure that provincial interests
are taken into account in the national sphere of government. Members are
currently on a fact finding mission after reports of custom officials who
were arrested for helping illegal immigrants to cross the border and
smuggling of contraband cigarettes into South Africa.

The delegation will focus on service delivery, ranging from long queues to
corruption at the border, and is expected to make recommendations after the
visit.

No equipment to conduct searches
Border officials lament that there are no devices to search people and
vehicles going through the border and also say that trains are used to
smuggle goods in and out of the country as border officials do not have
authority to search trains.

Crime syndicates called Magumbagumba make a living out of smuggling people
into the country. Officials say deporting people back to Zimbabwe is a
futile exercise as the deportees return almost immediately.

Members of the NCOP were not impressed by these revelations and have vowed
to look at policy measures to remedy the situation.

Why do people put their faith in the UN?

Independent, UK

Dominic Lawson
It faithfully represents all that is good among the nations - and also all
that is corrupt and self-serving
Published: 15 May 2007

It has been an excellent few days for Robert Mugabe KCB, the 83-year-old
President of Zimbabwe. Not only has he celebrated the resignation of Tony
Blair, but last Saturday his environment and tourism minister, Francis
Nhema, was voted in as the leader of the UN's Commission on Sustainable
Development.

The leading article in the state-controlled Zimbabwe Herald declared: "We
totally agree with progressive Britons that Mr Blair has been a complete
disaster, whose departure was long overdue." Robert Mugabe's mouthpiece,
however, did not mention Iraq: Blair's real crime, said the Herald, was to
have been the root cause of all the "political and socioeconomic problems in
Zimbabwe ... [by] roping in his allies in the EU and the US who imposed
ruinous sanctions".

In fact, as even the author of that article will know, the few sanctions
that are in place apply only to the ability to travel of a hundred or so
leading members of Mugabe's Zanu-PF party - and those are frequently
flouted.

No, to Robert Mugabe, rather than Tony Blair, must go the distinction of
reducing the former "bread basket of Africa" to near-starvation and the life
expectancy of the average Zimbabwean from 63 to 35. Times are still good for
Mugabe's associates, however, as they sell their ever-more privileged
allocations of petrol and maize via the black market.

Mr Nhema, who was educated at Strathclyde University, in Scotland, is one of
those who also benefited from being handed a once-thriving farm expropriated
by Zanu-PF. According to recent reports, its more than 1,000 hectares are
now largely idle. Mr Nhema is also in charge of the country's national
parks, where the wildlife has been allowed to be all but be wiped out by
poachers. This is just the chap, apparently, to be nominated to run the UN's
sustainable development programme.

It was, in the way of these things, Africa's "turn" to take the chairmanship
of this UN body, and Zimbabwe's fellow African nations voted en bloc to
ensure Mr Nhema's election. The strident opposition of the EU, Canada and
the US appears to have had the entirely predictable effect of enhancing Mr
Nhema's campaign. As the Ambassador to the UN of Sudan, a regime which could
teach even Mr Mugabe a thing or two about dealing with internal opposition,
said: "This is not good: it is the right of regional groups to choose
whoever they want."

Such countries may not be great enthusiasts for democracy in their own
backyards, but at UN headquarters in New York the noble principle of "one
delegate, one vote" is rigidly adhered to. This was the system which a few
years back elected Libya to the chairmanship of the UN's Human Rights
Commission. Amnesty International could express as much outrage as it
wanted; but it could do nothing about the UN's reliably cynical way of doing
business.

Try as I might, I find it hard to feel a similar amount of outrage at the
nominations of Libya and Zimbabwe to apparently important roles at the UN.
Perhaps that is because I don't regard these commissions as much more than a
generous waste of time. There are some UN bodies -such as the various aid
agencies - which are genuinely important and which have the power to act in
a way which can change people's lives for the better; but who other than
those on it, who draw tax-free salaries and other delightful perks, really
benefits from the Commission on Sustainable Development? Leave aside the
fact that we already know what poorer countries need: access to clean water,
cheap energy, an absence of corruption and barriers to trade. What can
members of such a commission agree upon in principle, let alone in practice?
Can they even agree on what is actually meant by "sustainable development"?

On the day that Mugabe's Minister for Tourism (whose slogan is "Zimbabwe: an
African Paradise") was nominated, the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development had a meeting described as "the culmination of two years' work".
After many days of negotiation, however, it was unable to agree on a text,
let alone what to do next. The EU and Canada rejected the proposed form of
words on the grounds that it was "so weak as to be meaningless". When the
German environment minister declared that he would vote against it - "on
behalf of the world's poor" - apparently half of those present applauded.
When the minister from Pakistan, who presumably knows something about
poverty, spoke in favour, the other half of the delegates clapped. Then the
whole thing broke up. Over to you, Mr Nhema, and good luck.

One of the almost charming things about the left - in this country, at
least - is its undiminished faith in the institution of the United Nations.
In the 1930s, the British left manifested a similar idealism about the
League of Nations, an idealism which the Nazis demonstrated to be mere
naivety. Sixty years later, the massacres in Rwanda and Srebrenica - both
under the noses of UN "peacekeepers" - did little to dent faith in the UN
among the bulk of the British Labour Party and Liberal Democrats. Indeed, an
impression is sometimes given that the greatest sin of the US and Britain
over the invasion of Iraq was not that it was incompetently carried out, but
the fact that it was not approved by the UN. That, after all, was the
principled objection of those, such as Clare Short and Robin Cook, who
opposed the invasion long before its practical shortcomings became apparent.

Interestingly, however, both Short and Cook approved the Anglo American
bombardment of Serbia, despite the fact that it was not authorised by the
United Nations Security Council and was, therefore, in clear breach of
Article 53 of the UN Charter. Nonetheless, Ms Short became known as "Bomber"
Short, so enthusiastically did she back Mr Blair and that nice Mr Clinton in
this military campaign.

For the record, I shared her enthusiasm: like her, I regarded it as
intolerable that no force had been brought to bear against Slobodan
Milosevic earlier in his campaign to cleanse tracts of Greater Serbia of
"ethnic undesirables". Russia, however, would have used its Security Council
vote to veto any such international military action--as it had the legal
right to do. In this context, faith in the UN would have meant nothing more
than acquiescence in Vladimir Putin's veto.

The UN is not, as so many want to believe, the repository of all that is
virtuous and high-minded on the international stage. It is no better and no
worse than the sum of its parts, which is to say that it faithfully
represents all that is good among the nations of the world - and also all
that is corrupt and self-serving. So its election of Robert Mugabe's
henchman to a leading position is exactly what you should expect.

d.lawson@ independent.co.uk

Britain urged to follow Australia's lead

Zim Online

Wednesday 16 May 2007

Nigel Hangarume

HARARE - The British government has been urged to follow Australia's lead
and impose cricket sanctions on Zimbabwe as a way to protest against
President Robert Mugabe's human rights record.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday banned his national cricket
team from fulfilling a one-day international tour of Zimbabwe, scheduled for
September, to "send a strong signal of disapproval" of Mugabe's excesses.

Former UK sports minister Kate Hoey on Monday tabled a motion urging the
British government to "adopt a similarly unequivocal stance towards
forthcoming England cricket fixtures against Zimbabwe until such time as the
people of Zimbabwe are accorded their fundamental human rights and
democratic freedoms".

England's cricket team was under serious pressure to boycott a tour of
Zimbabwe in 2005.

Former British premier John Major regretted the British government had not
been decisive in stopping the tour.

"I don't think the England team should have gone but they had no choice as
they stood to lose a great deal of money and I think the government should
have stood behind them and indemnified them for the cost," Major told the
BBC.

"It's ancient history, but the pictures Mugabe meeting the England team are
a little uncomfortable to look at."

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket has broken its silence over the Australian
government's ban, calling the decision "unacceptable."

Zimbabwe Cricket yesterday also ruled out the possibility of the series
being moved to a neutral venue.

"We have now received correspondence from Cricket Australia that their
national team has been stopped by their government from touring Zimbabwe in
September," Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement signed by spokesman
Lovemore Banda.

 "The situation is unacceptable and unfortunate.

"Equally so is the proposal that the tour be moved to a different venue
because we are entitled to our home tours and in, our view, there is no
reason why this tour should not be held here as scheduled under the
International Cricket Council Future Tours Programme."

Mugabe's government has slammed Howard's ban, saying it was a ploy to unseat
the veteran leader. - ZimOnline.

JAG Classifieds dated 15 May 2007

As a JAG member or JAG Associate member, please send any classified adverts
for publication in this newsletter to:

JAG Classifieds: jagma@mango.zw
JAG Job Opportunities: jag@mango.zw

Rules for Advertising:

Send all adverts in word document as short as possible (no tables, spread
sheets, pictures, etc.) and quote your subscription receipt number or
membership number.
Notify the JAG Office when Advert is no longer needed, either by phone or
email.
Adverts are published for 2 weeks only, for a longer period please notify
the JAG office, by resending via email the entire advert asking for the
advert to be re-inserted.

Please send your adverts by Tuesdays 11.00am (Adverts will not appear until
payment is received.). Cheques to be made out to JAGMA.

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1.  For Sale Items
2.  Wanted Items
3.  Accommodation
4.  Recreation
5.  Specialist Services
6.  Pets Corner
7.  Social Gatherings

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1. OFFERED FOR SALE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.1 Generators & Inverters for Sale

The JAG office is now an official agent for GSC Generator Service (Pvt) Ltd
and receives a generous commission on sales of all Kipor generators and
equipment.  Generators are on view at the JAG office.

The one stop shop for ALL your Generator Requirements SALES:
We are the official suppliers, repairs and maintenance team of KIPOR
Equipment here in Zimbabwe.  We have in stock KIPOR Generators from 1 KVA to
55 KVA.  If we don't have what you want we will get it for you.  We also
sell Inverters (1500w), complete with batteries and rechargeable lamps.  Our
prices are very competitive, if not the lowest in town.

SERVICING & REPAIRS: We have a qualified team with many years of experience
in the Generator field.  We have been to Kipor, China for training.  We
carry out services and minor repairs on your premises.  We service and
repair most makes and models of Generators - both petrol and diesel.

INSTALLATIONS:  We have qualified electricians that carry out installations
in a professional way.

SPARES: As we are the official suppliers and maintainers of KIPOR Equipment,
we carry a full range of KIPOR spares.

Don't forget, advice is free, so give us a call and see us at: Bay 3,
Borgward Road, Msasa.
Sales: 884022, 480272 or admin@adas.co.zw
Service: 480272, 480154 or gsc@adas.co.zw

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1.2 For Sale

So Far and No further! Rhodesia's Bid for Independence during the Retreat
from Empire 1959-1965 by J.R.T. Wood

533 pages; quality trade paperback; pub. Trafford ISBN 1-4120-4952-0
Southern African edition, pub. 30 Degrees South : ISBN 0-9584890-2-5

This definitive account traces Rhodesia's attempt to secure independence
during the retreat from Empire after 1959. Based on unique research, it
reveals why Rhodesia defied the world from 1965.

Representing Volume One of three volumes, Two and Three are in preparation
and will take us to Tiger and thence to 1980;

To purchase:

Zimbabwean buyers contact Trish Broderick: pbroderick@mango.zw

RSA buyers: WWW. 30 degreessouth.co.za or Exclusives Books

Overseas buyers see: http://www.jrtwood.com
and a link to Trafford Publishing http://www.trafford.com/04-2760

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1.3 Pet Food for Sale

Still supplying pets food which consists of 500g of precooked pork offal and
veg costing $5000 and 250g of pigs liver or heart costing $7000 for 250g.

Collection points:      Benbar in Msasa at 10.00
Jag offices in Philips Rd, Belgravia at 11.30
Peacehaven which is 75 Oxford St at 13.00

This is on Fridays only. Contact details: phone 011 221 088 and E mail at
claassen@zol.co.zw

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1.4 For Sale (Ad inserted 08/05/07)

Boat
Cougar 16' Hull on trailer with Mercury redline 125 motor, electric start,
ride glide steering system, two built in fuel tanks, one carry tank.

Wind surfer
Various '94 Peugeot 405 body parts
Windscreen - cracked
Rear window (with heater lines)
Bonnet
Boot
4 Doors (one bit of a dent)
3 glasses for the doors
Door panels
Headlights
Grill
Rear tail lights
Back seats
Rims x3
Front & rear suspension

Boat motors:
Mercury Blue line 40hp motor, running but needs minor attn, complete with
controls, plus many spares

Contact:  Sandy on 660535 for further details.  Cells are a problem

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1.5 THE WEAVERY (Ad inserted 8/05/07)

Going Overseas or down South? Why not take hand woven gifts for your friends
or family?
These super articles which are light, easy to pack, take or send, and fully
washable.
Contact Anne on 332851 or 011212424.Or email joannew@zol.co.zw

Crocheted oven gloves--$255,000.
Cotton oven gloves--$240,000.
Small woven bags--$210,000.
Large woven bags--$255,000.
Crocheted bags--$300,000.

Queen(approx.250x240cms) size bedcover--$1,920,000.
Double(approx.250x210cms) size bedcover--$1,730,000.
Other sizes to order.
Single Duvet cushions(open into a duvet)--$1,290,000.
Other sizes to order.
2x1 meter Throw--$915,000.
Baby Blanket(1x1meter)--$555,000.

3 piece toilet set--$510,000.
Bath mat--$360,000.(small rug).

Decorated cushion covers--$255,000.

Table runner--$150,000.
Set(4)Bordered table mats + serviettes--$510,000.
Set(6)Bordered table mats + serviettes--$765,000.
Set(4) crocheted table mats only--$405,000.
Set(6)fringed table mats + serviettes--$765,000.
Lots of other combinations.

Small(approx.105x52cms) plain cotton rug--$360,000.
Medium(approx.120x65cms) plain cotton rug--$510,000
Large(approx.150x75cms) plain cotton rug--$765,000.
Ex.Large(approx.230x130cms) plain cotton rug--$1,650,000.
Small patterned cotton rug--$510,000.
Small rag rug--$360,000.
Medium rag rug--$510,000.
Medium patterned cotton rug--$765,000.
Large patterned cotton rug--$1,020,000
Ex.Large patterned cotton rug--$2,030,000.
Small patterned mohair rug--$1,010,000.
Medium patterned mohair rug--$1,270,000
Large patterned mohair rug--$1,650,000.
Ex. Large patterned mohair rug--$2,790,000.

Lots of other articles.
PLEASE be aware that prices may change without
notice and orders take some time as they have to be woven and sent from
Gweru to Harare.

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1.6 Woodwork Machinery / Tools for sale (Ad inserted 08/05/07)

MACHINERY
10" CIRCULAR SAW - (Taiwan) + spare  blades, spindle moulder attachment etc
260mm PLANNER/THICKNESSER(260 x 160) Inca + spares, lubricant, belt etc
220mm PLANNER & THICKNESSING Inca attachment, blades , ' v ' belts
260mm wide x 145mm wide BANDSAW Inca + spare blades
ML8 WOOD LATHE Myford 1metre bed, int. & ext. face plates & tools + boring
attachment
PEDISTAL DRILL (tall) 4 speed+ 3 size square hole morticing attachment +
spares
belt, bearings & drum sanding attechment

HAND MACHINERY
Ingersol/rand COMPRESSOR 800 KPA +10m hose and attachments
450W Bosch ELECTRIC DRILL
350W Bosch JIG SAW + blades
Bosch P20 ORBITAL SANDER

750W Elu ROUTER + guide & bits
600 W Elu BELT SANDER 75 x 480 + 20 spare belts & spares
Stanley ROUTER (imperial)
950W Rockwell 7.5" hand held CIRCULAR SAW + spare blades
double ended BENCH GRINDER
Bosch CORDLESS DRILL  PSR  12 VE - 2  with 2 cells

HAND TOOLS
4 X extra long SASH CLAMPS
9 x medium SASH CLAMPS
1metre& 500mm  STEEL RULES
1,1metre SPIRIT LEVEL
600mm x 300mm TRI-SQUARE & 1 x 170mm & 1 x 250mm
HAND PLANES trying, smothing, spoke shave
SAWS: panel, rip, cross cut, tenon, dovetail
FRET SAW X 2 + spare blades
COPING SAW + spare blades
PAD SAW 7 5 BLADES
HACK SAW
JUNIOR STEEL SAW + spare blades
RATCHET BRACE & 20 Twist bits
16 SCREW DRIVERS
10 piece STANLEY WOOD CHISEL set
6 assorted WOOD CHISELS
assorted wood chisels and gouges
assorted steel and masonary chisels and punches -wood & steel
100W (pistol) electric SOLDERING GUN
 POP RIVET GUN
SPIRIT LEVELS X 4 - 1 sliding & 1 line level
2 X wooden MALLETS
1 X rubber MALLET
5 x small sharpening stones , cilindrical, triangular
3 x OIL STONES
5 x SCAPER BLADES
BENCH HOOK
1,7metre  PIT SAW
set of LETTER & NUMBER PUNCHES
TAPE measures
CIRCULAR HOLE SAWS X 3
3 sets DRILL, 13 MASONARY,4 ROSE HEAD & 10 GRINDING bits

AND MANY OTHER ASSORTED TOOLS AND EXTRA'S - SCREWS, NAILS, FINISHES, ETC.
Please phone : 0912 266526

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1.7 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE (Ad inserted 08/05/07)

ZNSPCA IS SELLING GOODS DONATED FOR RESALE TO HELP WITH OUR WORK.
ZNSPCA HQ 156 Enterprise RD, tel 497574/ 497885

ROCKING CHAIR - OREGON PINE
$600 000

WOODEN TRUNK
OREGON PINE (NEEDS ATTENTION)
$500 000

WOODEN OLD CASE
$300 000

PINE COFFEE TABLE GLASS TOP 2mtr X 1mtr
$ 3. MIL

OLD/ NEW BOOKS - GALORE

1940's /50's TRANSISTOR RADIO- RELIC FROM THE PAST
OFFERS

STEEL COUNTER DOOR WITH LOCKING MECH.

GARAGE DOORS
3MILL

FENCING

DRIVE WAY GATE

OLD ASBESTOS ROOFING

FIRE WOOD
$80 000 PER BAG

ZNSPCA HQ156 Enterprise Rd, or tel: 497574/497885 or 882566

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1.8  Horse Items for sale (Ad inserted 08/05/07)

Bridles - $150,000 ea
Reins- $100,000
Numnas - $150,000
Flyguards - $50,000
Jods small - $100,000
Soft halters  - $50,000
Hard hat - $l00,000
Long riding boots size 6 - $200,000
Rope Hay feeders - $50,000 ea
Windsuck collar  - $50,000
Pelham bit - $350,000
Rubber snaffle - $200,000
Stirrup Irons - $350,000
Girths - $200,000

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1.9 Miscellaneous for sale (Ad inserted 08/05/07)

Flippers and goggles                                      $50,000 for both
Water wings, small tyre for child                     $50,000
Hockey sticks                                                  $200,000
Roller blades size 6                                        $200,000
Saddle horse about 2 yards long                    $l00,000
Brown Poof                                                     $50,000
Sockets set (some missing)                            $l00,000
Various girls bathing costumes and caps, also
belts, handbags, garden hats
Offers Contact 073 3399 or 011 423614

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1.10 Boat for Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

BASSBOAT, WRANGLER X 13, complete with as new 60HP Yamaha, Electric start,
Trim and Tilt, Live Well, Boat Cover, Motor Cover. Price equivalent of
USD5500. Phone 741913

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1.11 For Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

GENERATORS AND INVERTERS

Following units ex stock: Generators -
5 Kva Silenced, 15 Kva Silenced, 40 Kva Silenced, 60 Kva Silenced, 60 Kva
Open Frame

Inverters:
1500 Watt complete with 1 x 100 Amp Hr battery and charger
5000 Watt complete with 4 x 100 Amp Hr Batteries and charger

Large Range of Generators available from 5 - 2200 Kva ex import (some in
Bond South Africa)

Please phone:- Radium Africa, Tel + 263 4 335848 / 307740
Sean Bell: + 263 11 600389, Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859, Derrek Fachet + 263
11 611717

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1.12 For Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

HARROW DISCS

We will have imported Harrow discs (24", 26" and 28") available June, 2007
book now to avoid disappointment.

Please phone:- Radium Africa, Tel + 263 4 335848 / 307740, Sean Bell: + 263
11 600389, Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.13 For Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

FORAGE HARVESTERS

Single Row forage harvesters available ex stock

Please phone:- Radium Africa, Tel + 263 4 335848 / 307740, Sean Bell: + 263
11 600389, Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.14 For Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

AGRICULTURAL SPRAYERS

Tractor Mounted 12 Metre / 600 Litre tank Boom sprayers and Canon sprayers
in stock.

Please phone:- Radium Africa, Tel + 263 4 335848 / 307740, Sean Bell: + 263
11 600389, Keith Lowe + 263 11 800859

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1.15 HORSE BOX FOR SALE (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

DOUBLE AXLE, TAKES TWO HORSES, BACK RAMP ONLY.
OFFERS PHONE JOHAN CRUGER ON 011 605 166 OR 885014

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1.16 Items for Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

T.V. and video recorder.
Satelite dish and decoder
Free-standing asbestos electric heater
Small portable fan-heater
Wrought iron security panels (different sizes) and burglar bars
Decorative polystyrene, insulated ceiling panels (40 X 40cm.)

Reply: mhowarth@zol.co.zw

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1.17 FOR SALE (Ad inserted 15/05/07)

Ladies Giant Boulder mountain bike as new.  $12 m ONCO.  Ph Maeve 851897
or 011 871743

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.18For Sale (Ad inserted 15/05/07)One large solid wood 6 drawer desk ... $2 500000One office chair ... $1 500 000Panasonic World Space Digital Receiver...$1 350 000 "Push Me On" lights(6v)...$ 70 000Wall Brass strip lights forhighlighting paintings.. $150 000Desk mounted Anglepoise lamp.. $245000Large book cases 2m high... $1500 000Glass cabinet 1.3x1.2m...$3 000000Small bar (1.1 x .9m) with tot measure collection 1 300 000Filingcabinets ... $1 200 000Makita 12mm electric drill.. 1 500 000Spanner sets... $500 000 - 750 000Kettle (not auto switch) .. $200 000Toaster manual ..$ 50 000Variety of wine glasses .. $12 000 eaPrices fixed until 25 MayPhoneTim on 011 201 231 or 301646------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.19 For Sale (Ad inserted15/05/07)Grader-champion 1999 under 4000hrs excell! en!t condFord courier d/cab 3.4lt 4 by 4 1999 120000km good condAce craft 17ftwith mercury black max 200hp-500hrs good condInvader cat 16ft no motors needslight att and new trailer0912235465, 04-308551chippy@ecoweb.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.20 For Sale (Adinserted 15/05/07)Four plate gas stove, eye level grill with timer, warmingdraw, oven and50kggas bottle.  $10million, make Monanch five years old.Prestcold fridge $5million. Contact Joe Lewis bus no 755149 or 0192363471------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.21 Items for Sale (Ad inserted15/05/07)Relmo 15kw electric Motorc/w 10" salweir centre fugal boosterpumpPhone Yvonne cell: 0912237180 or work667429/0------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.WANTED-----------------------------------------! --!-----------------------------------------------------------------2.1WantedSheila Macdonald (Sally in Rhodesia) - If you have any of SheilaMacdonald'sbooks for sale, please let JAG know the details includingcondition etc withyour name, telephone number and price wanted.TelephoneJAG - 04 -799410------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.2 Wanted - Short break in CHIRUNDU.(Ad inserted 08/05/07)Does anyone have any idea of lodges or time shares inChirundu. A group ofabout 6 want to spend 5 days in Chirudu fishing eitherfirst weekend orsecond weekend of November.Please contact: Mel - 055 20044or 011 405879------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.3 Maid in Avondale (Ad inserted08/05/07)Maid needed for Avondale West area. We are looking for a maid tohelp withhousework, for a "growing" family. She needs to have her ownaccommodation.Plea! se! call 091-2-300 059 or e-mailmbav@zol.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.4 Small family car (Adinserted 08/05/07)Small family car needed for a "growing" family. Pleasecontact Chantelle on091-2-300 059 or Vincent on 091-2-887783------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.5 Cartoonist (Ad inserted08/05/07)Looking for a book illustrator who can do Spud typecartoons.Contactkockott@zol.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.6 Vehicle Wanted (Adinserted 15/05/07)Mazda Pick-up single cab, petrol B1600- B1800 or 2000type.Top price paid for good vehicle. Phone: Harare 750775 Working hours,Harare882620Home.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.7 Wanted Maid (Ad inserted15/05/07)Lookin! g !for a maid, would prefer someone that can do basic cooking,accommodationavailable, to start immediately.  References required.  Pleasecontact:  0912238204------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. ACCOMMODATION WANTED ANDOFFERED------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.1 HOUSE-SITTER WANTED (Ad inserted08/05/07)Bromley - 50 kms Harare - Attractive thatched cottage in farmgarden.  Twobedrooms and nice garden, plenty of room for vegetables ifrequired.$400,000per month   Tel. 073 3399 or 011 4236l4I am looking for ahouse-sitter for July, August and part of September.  Iam not farming, buthave four dogs (3 daxis and a collie) and two cats.  Ihave good servants,one in the house and two gardeners.  I also have alovelyhome and garden.  Weare 50 kms from Harare in a quiet area   Tel 011 423614or 0733399.-----------------------------------! --!-----------------------------------------------------------------------3.2Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted 08/05/07)Daughter of ex-farmer seekssecure suitable accommodation in a flat orcottage at reasonable rent as soonas possible.  Please contact Antoinetteon 0912 365515 or Eugene on 0912363970------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.3 Accommodation Wanted (Ad inserted08/05/07)Ex farmer and his wife need accommodation for themselves and 5horses.2/3bed-roomed house on 5 hectares or more.If you can help pleasephone Malcolm 0912315375 or Shirley0912367304------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.4 Accommodation Wanted (Adinserted 15/05/07)Christian family of 5 looking for 3/4 bed-roomed, 2bath-roomed house, withdomestic quarters to rent in Marlborough, Emeraldhill, Mt pleasant, Goldenstairs area. Preferably with borehole and swimm! in!g pool. Please call on 011863 456 or 091 2 917845.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.5 SHARED OFFICE/WHAREHOUSE FACILITY inLusaka Zambia (Ad inserted15/05/07)We have an office in Lusaka that operatesfrom the Industrial sites offLumumba Rd. The available space is approx25m2 - 35m2, with an office andtelephone line/fax/answering machine.Shouldyou be interested in shared usage/rental, or, perhaps have a productthat is"low volume/high value" that would suit this type of facility pleasemail thewriter on grant@mmp.co.zw.If you have any ideas that could be pursued,please let me know and we canarrange a meeting to discuss further.GrantEvans. MMP/Mr sachet Enterprises12 Hood rd, Southerton, PO Box CY 1327Causeway, Harare.Tel- +263 4 664224/666235/666923/666169, Cell- +263 11 402122------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.6 Wanted P! re!mises for RentWe are still looking for premises measuring 70 - 120 sq metresin cameron,kaguvi or charter rd areas.If you know of any available pleasecontact tony rowley on 0912 201 606 or443503 or sherry rowley on 852027/8 or0912 724595------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.RECREATION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.1 Need a break? (Ad inserted8/05/07)Getaway and enjoy peace and fresh air at GUINEA FOLWS RESTOnly 80kmsfrom Harare, Self-catering guest-houseSleeps 10 people, Bird-watching,Canoeing, Fishing, DSTVREGRET: No day visitors.  No boats or dogsallowed.Contact Dave: 011 600 770 or Annette 011 600 769or 091 22 55 653 oremaildapayne@zol.co.zw---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.2Calling all Kariba Lovers... (Ad inserted ! 08!/05/07)Looking for an Affordable, Comfortable Houseboat with an ExcellentCrew?Try the LIBERTY BELL!Sleeps 8 passengers2 x twin cabins and 2 x doublecabins each with own shower, toilet andhand basin.Air conditionedsaloon/dining areaSplash Pool2 tender boatsSelf Catering or Full CateringavailableAirport TransfersNow privately managed by Kiara Hammond (KaribaResident).Website up and running soon!For bookings and enquiries telephone061 2282 (during office hours) or 011208 718 (poor signal) or emailkiara@zol.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. SPECIALISTSERVICES------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.1 Vehicle RepairsVehicle repairscarried out personally by qualified mechanic with 30 yearsexperience. Veryreasonable rates.Phone Johnny Rodrigues:  011 603213 or 011 404797,email:galorand@mweb.co.zw---------------------------! --!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.2 Borehole PumpsInstallation of borehole pump, piping and pressuretank.  Connections towater mains and garden mains.  Steel cage and necessarycabling.T M Lambert (Pvt) Ltd, P O Box GT 629, Graniteside, HararePhone 494796; 091 288448------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.3 SpeedWorx - WYNN'S (Ad inserted 15May 2007)Intelligent Car Service has arrived!Why pay ridiculous prices andbe without your car for days.Our services are done while you wait & cost afraction of the normal repair.At SpeedWorx we will:Service your carIncreaseyour engine's performance and improve your fuel economyCompletely flush yourengine oil to prolong your engine lifeRestore your Power steeringperformance and stop it leakingRestore your Automatic Transmissionperformance and stop it leakingCompletely flush your brake system and makeyou safeStop y! ou!r car overheating and reduce the risk of leaksRemove bad odours from theinterior of your car and keep it freshServices done at your home oroffice.Contact: Bryan 011 612 650 or Russell 011 410525.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.4 Buying or Selling a Vehicle (Adinserted 15/05/07)Buying or selling a vehicle? We've been in the procurementand sales ofpre-owned vehicles for over 12 years. Let us seal the deal! Witha widerange of vehicle for sale at the moment, we also have ready waitingbuyersfor your vehicle. For the best wheels and deals Call in at THEMOTORINGSHOW, situated at the Avondale Plaza Flea Market upstairs or call on011 863456 / 091 2 917 845 / 091 2 462076.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.5 Vehicle Servicing (Ad inserted15/05/07)Looking for better, quality and personalized services for all yourvehicleneed! s.! Call us at KAR TORQUE (Pvt) Ltd No. 6 Nuffield Road, WorkingtonHarare,opposite Sadie Motors 011 863 456 or 091 2 917 845. Specializing in3 tonsand below, we do mechanical services, repairs, and engine overhauls.AlsoNEW! NEW! Complete valet service leaving your wheels looking like therealdeal, shining and sparkling. Call now to find out our competitivepricing.Come in and let'storque!!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.6 VIDEO PRODUCTION (Ad inserted15/05/07)Filming & Editing of Weddings & Special Events. DVD Production,BroadcastQuality. DVD & VHS transfers. Call Greer on 744075 / 0912 353047Greer Wynn, Focused Video Productions, 0912 353 047 /744075------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.7 BUILDING CONSULTANT (Ad inserted15/05/07)Available to oversee construction operations and additions ormodifications;assess and monit! or! quality control; submission of appraisals for repairs andmaintenanceundertakings, security and other associated tasks.For further informationplease reply to the followingcontact,mhowarth@zol.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.8 PLANT PLANINDOOR PLANTS HIRE MAINTENANCE SERVICE (Ad inserted 15/05/07)4 STOKESAYCLOSECOLNE VALLEYCHISIPITEWE SPECIALISE IN HIRE & MAINT OF INDOOR POTPLANTS.WE ALSO HAVE VARIOUS OUTDOOR PLANTS & SEEDLINGS ON SALE. COME IN &BROWSEBUT PHONE FIRST AS THE GATE IS LOCKED.CONTACT SHERRY ON 0912 724 595OR852027/8------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. PETSCORNER------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.1 Puppies looking for a home (Adinserted 8/05/07)2 puppies, 6 weeks old, are looking for lovable and caringhome/homes.  1male and ! 1 !female ready to go.Contact Chere - 011 631546.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.2 WANTED (Ad inserted 8/05/07)FEMALETERRIER around 2 yrs old to keep our little Jack Russel malecompany.Contact:townsend@zol.co.zw------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.3 Wanted (Ad inserted15/05/07)Please we have just lost our Doberman bitch. We are desperate tofind apuppy. She does not need to have papers. We are a good home on 15acres. Ifanyone knows of any puppies please phone us on 0912 201 606 or 0912 724 595or 852027/8 ask for Tony orSherry------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.  SOCIALGATHERINGS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.2 Country Juke Box (Ad inserted 8/05/07)CountryJuke Box Family Dances in a Fam! il!y Environment. Bring the wholefamily for an evening out and enjoy good clubmeals, reasonable bar pricesand reasonable entrance charge. Dance to 60's,Tiekkie Draai, Country, 80'setc.Contact Joe on 0912 338414, after 5pm on339378 ore-mailcountryjukebox@hotmail.com------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JAGHotlines: +263 (011) 610 073, +263 (04) 799 410.  If you are in troubleorneed advice, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!Toadvertise (JAG Members): Please email classifieds to: jagma@mango.zwwithsubject "Classifieds".xap