COSATU TO LEAD DEMOS AGAINST ZIM AND SWAZI OPPRESSIVE REGIMES!!

Free elections and democracy in Zimbabwe and Swaziland now!

COSATU, SACP, civil society and solidarity organisations to march to
the High Commissions

Friday 7 March 2008 in Tshwane

No one can claim not to know, by now, that SADC is facing a serious
problem, arising from the political and socio-economic crisis facing
the twin-sister countries of Zimbabwe and Swaziland. These countries are
a menace to the spreading trend towards democracy in Africa.

The world has at best lamented and at worst collaborated with the
aggressor regimes of the two countries: the Mugabe and Mswati
oppressors. This is why the new initiative, called the South African
International Solidarity Front, currently convened by COSATU has
taken the bold initiative to confront these two countries and demand
justice for the sister peoples of these countries.

2008 is a year of elections in both countries, with the Zimbabwe
elections to be held on 29 March, whilst the date for the Swaziland
one is yet to be announced, sometime towards the end of the year. But
what stands out clear is that the conditions for elections in both
countries militate against free and fair elections, with political parties
officially banned in Swaziland, and the Zimbabwean people forced to
make choices within ZANUPF-set frameworks.

We shall therefore be holding a march to the High Commissions of the
two countries on Friday, 07 March 2008 in Tshwane (Pretoria), starting at
10h00. This march will bring together all activists and organisations
working for democracy and social justice in these two countries and
beyond.

We call on all progressive peoples of the world to do something now
to end the looming disaster and stop the suffering of our sister peoples
of Zimbabwe and Swaziland.



Zimbabwe -- What went wrong?

In recent weeks the crisis in Zimbabwe has scaled new heights.

It has now become a norm for police to raid the offices of the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and of other political activists,
particularly of MDC, harassing, threatening and beating staff, searching offices
and seizing fliers, files and videotapes. They have arrested union
activists campaigning in support of democracy and social justice in the
country.

The government is stopping at nothing to crush the resistance of
opposition parties, civil society organisations and the trade unions
and ruthlessly trample on human rights.

Meanwhile the economy has collapsed. Annual inflation is now around
66000% - the highest in the world, according to latest indicators.
Unemployment is around 80%. Many people survive on grain handouts and
around 28% of the population, many of them highly skilled, have fled
into neighbouring countries looking for work.

There are regular shortages of food, fuel and foreign exchange. Maize
production has dropped to less than half the amount people need to
survive. The government cannot afford to maintain roads and railways.

Average life expectancy is now the lowest in the world - less than
37.The country is among the worst hit by Africa's HIV/Aids pandemic,
with 18% of the adult population HIV positive.

But the underlying social problems of poverty, unemployment and
inequality remained and were made even worse by the IMF and World
Bank-inspired economic structural adjustment programmes (ESAPs),
which eft the government without a coherent economic strategy. To this
were added the unfair terms of trade, which hit all developing countries.

The government began to move away from redistributive economic
policies towards measures to attract foreign investment. Investment in health,

education and other social services was cut. Privatisation and public
service downsizing led to retrenchments.

The government also failed to address the land question, which had
always been at the core of the liberation struggle. The land was
largely in the hands of whites, but for 20 years the government did nothing.
Then, to deflect attention from its growing economic problems, it
suddenly launched its chaotic land grab campaign, to mask its
previous failures and to shift focus from other government failures.

It flagrantly disregarded the law and unleashed a wave of violence by

pro-ZANU-PF hooligans, much of it directed at farm workers. It was
also a well-timed electoral gimmick by a leadership that had run out of
ideas. It became a policy that discredited the whole land
redistribution process.

Meanwhile the government became increasingly heavy-handed, intolerant
of dissent and political plurality, expressed in the tendency to label
anyone one who criticises government as counter-revolutionary and an
enemy of the revolution. The government has ruthlessly repressed the
trade union movement - the mainstay of the forces calling for change.

Meetings and demonstrations have been banned; leaders have been
arrested and beaten and the government has tried to infiltrate their stooges.
Yet it has nevertheless has stood firm against the most intolerable
attacks.

If transformation does not change the material conditions of the
formerly oppressed - replacing white with black rulers - then it is a
cosmetic change. Failure to resolve the pressing issues of the
society leads to disillusionment, disenchantment and a lack of interest in
the
transformation project. The government for a long time failed to
address critical issues facing the masses. But, in Orwellian fashion, turns
up
the revolutionary rhetoric to try to whip up support. It embraces
neo-liberalism one moment, only to discard it towards elections, and
then immediately after the elections readopts IMF-World Bank-type
ESAPs.

Does this mean that it is inevitable that liberation movement
leaders,once they have tasted power, get corrupted and bureaucratised? Is it
inevitable that they become aloof from the masses and talking above
their heads? We do not believe that the bureaucratisation of
democratic movements is inevitable but to keep the democratic movement vibrant
and democratic it must retain its link with the people. There are no
quick-fix solutions for Zimbabwe's economic, political and social
woes,but the key to any solution has to be the broadest possible mass
movement, led by the organised working class, in support of democracy
and human rights.

The aim of progressive forces should be to assist the process of
building unity for the people of Zimbabwe, which should aim to build
a broad-based government of national unity, with a development strategy

focusing on investment in infrastructure, job creation and political
democracy. Having said this, the solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe
must emerge from within rather than imposed from outside. Zimbabwe is
supposed to be going for elections next month, yet there is little to
show regarding an environment conducive to free and fair elections,
let alone the space for the active consolidation of democracy for
development and national stability.

The SADC process, according to the MDC has failed, and has been a
sheer waste of time. We too are not yet sure what concrete deliverables can
be pointed to from this process, let alone the fact that it is not
transparent and all-inclusive for the all-round participation of the
Zimbabwean people, through their democratic representative organs of
civil society.



Why Swaziland has escaped the international human rights radar for so
long?

Swaziland got its independence from Britain in 1968 under King
Sobhuza.
However, this was merely a transfer of power from the British
colonial masters to a neo-colonial monarchy, through which the British sought
to re-establish its domination and exploitation. The nature of this
monarchy was defined the King's 1973 proclamation to the nation:

"Now, therefore I, Sobhuza 11, king of Swaziland, hereby declare
that,in collaboration with my cabinet ministers and supported by the whole

nation, I have assumed supreme power in the kingdom of Swaziland and
that all legislative, executive and judicial powers is now vested in
myself and shall, for the meantime be exercised in collaboration with
my cabinet ministers.

"I further declare that to ensure the continued maintenance of peace,
order and good government, my armed forces have been posted to all
strategic places and have taken charge of all government places and
all public services. All political parties and similar bodies that
cultivate and bring about disturbances and ill-feelings within the nation are
hereby dissolved and prohibited."

This decree laid the basis for the current political architecture,
where politics are the exclusive preserve of the ruling royal elite. In
1978 they introduced a system of called tinkhundla, which sought to
entrench the hegemony of royal supremacy and deepen the semi-feudal and
neo-colonial character of Swazi society. It fragmented Swazis into
competing localities called tinkhundla in the name of "unique and
home-grown democracy", which is directly in conflict with the
universal principles of democracy.

The role of apartheid South Africa was conspicuous in this
development. The Afrikanerbroederbond played a critical role in the proclamation
of the state of emergency in 1973, because it was also threatened by
emerging progressive forces, particularly organised workers. There
was also a steady substitution of British by South African capital, which
plays a critical role in the economy.

The security forces were also largely integrated into the apartheid
security strategy, with open collaboration between the two states
that led to the deaths of numerous cadres of the liberation alliance on
Swazi soil.

The abduction, kidnapping, murder and systematic persecution of
political activists of both the Swazi and South African liberation
movements intensified after the secret 1982 pact between the two
governments, and the 1984 extradition treaty.

The world has conveniently remained silent about Swaziland and
allowed the ruling royal regime to get away with murder. The world remains
silent, after a regime has been allowed to enforce a state of
emergency for more than 34 years.

Amnesty International raised, on several occasions, the issue of
extreme police brutality in Swaziland. Its fact-finding mission's report was
terribly damning on the Swazi security forces. So the situation in
Swaziland has escaped the international human rights and democracy
radar for far too long and there is an urgent need to put it back under the
international spotlight.

Why does the Commonwealth and Britain apply double standards when it
comes to Swaziland? Why does it not apply smart sanctions against the
stubborn regime for refusing to unban political parties and political
activities in general?

Why would the Commonwealth see fit to support and heap praises on a
constitution that entrenches the power of the ruling aristocracy and
to affirm the state of emergency, yet unequivocally demand clear
guidelines for democracy elsewhere? Could this be the reason for the confusing
role of Commonwealth and the British government, including the allegations
that they objected to the application of smart sanctions against
Mswati at the EU level?

Poor people are on the receiving end of the regime's viciousness,
with more and more Swazis being forced to cross the borders into South
Africa in search of jobs, yet the country is well endowed with abundant
natural resources that have become a preserve of a tiny ruling minority.

Finally, the following conditions obtain as regards the royal
elections:

Political parties remain banned, with the exception of the royal
broederbond, which is the only legal political force that has
monopoly over the entire political life of our country as an organised force.

The new constitution of the monarchy, itself a direct off-shoot of
the king's decree of 1973, bans political parties and criminalises all
forms of political activity and the basic rights to associate and organise,
not to mention demonstrations and marches·

It has no power to determine anything that is not in the interest of the
royal family and the monarchy, aside the fact that it is largely
comprised of royalists and their apologists·

The media and judiciary are extensions and auxiliaries of the royal
establishment, independence is a luxury they cannot afford.


Political activists are regularly detained for their peaceful
political activities, which are in anyway, illegal even according to
the new constitution proclaimed by the king recently



Summary of lessons from the two countries:


The paths are different, the scales are uneven, but the effects are
the same - the continued exploitation and oppression of the poor as under
colonialism. The prime lessons from these three comparisons indicate
the following factors:

The political structures of these countries and their post-colonial
configuration vary, but the fundamentals of parasitic accumulation
and growth path.


The elites that drive neo-liberalism in these countries differ on how
they developed, with some emerging from the ranks of anti-colonial
struggles, whilst others were off-shoots of surrogate accommodation
with colonial interests, but they all became fully integrated into the
orbit of global capital accumulation and parasitism as junior partners of
the powerful forces of global capital, transforming them into elites
acting to protect their own interests and those of global capitalism in
general.


Britain as the former colonial power is partly responsible for the
continuing crisis in these countries, cannot just play an innocent
angel or honest opinion-maker on the situation in these countries. In fact,

Britain, through the Commonwealth and on its own accord, plays double
standards, outrightly condemning Zimbabwe, but doing all it can to
protect the Swazi monarchy in Swaziland, though uncomfortably
condemning the recent electoral outcomes in Kenya.

The ideological arsenal of these different elites take different
forms with some of them resorting to patriarchal, narrow semi-feudal values
in the name of culture and tradition, whilst others resort to
anti-imperialist rhetoric blended with revolutionary phrase
mongering.

This is not to undermine instances where, for whatever reason, some
of these forces have really threatened imperialism, but essentially,
they facilitate imperialist accumulation in general. The deployment of
reactionary ideologies to demobilise society and destroy organs of
social revolution and intensified patronage have characterised the
essence of all their approaches.


Finally, they (ruling elites) all are determined to maintain,
whatever the cost in human and other terms, their power and privileges. In
other words, they are prepared to go to any extent to keep themselves in
power. Elections therefore, are an integral part of renewing their
legitimacy and tightening their hold on the whole of society.

Our demands

## The Zimbabwean and Swazi governments must create conducive conditions

for free and fair elections, by:

# Free multiparty electoral contest on the basis of universally
acclaimed democratic principles and standards, as set out in various
international protocols

# Ensuring a free and independent electoral commission runs the
elections, without fear or favour

# Ensuring that all organisations and political parties are able to
canvass their opinions freely and have full access to the media,
judiciary, security and other institutions of society

# Ensuring that all candidates have access to all social institutions
and that the police do not act as a private army of the ruling regime,
but serve all the people equally


## We urge SADC to stop being too accommodative to the machinations and
manipulative tendencies of Mswati and Mugabe, but take serious steps
to demand a clear process without firm timeframes and drastic measures
to enforce all these requirements.

For more information, please phone Bongani Masuku, COSATU
International Relations Officer, on 011 339 4911 or 079 499 6419.

Simon Khaya-Moyo feels the heat : Ambassador protests at protests

http://www.thezimbabwetimes.com/page642.htm

HARARE, Mach 4, 2008 (thezimbabwetimes.com) - The Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa was scathing about a series of protests staged by pro-democracy groups at the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria.

“I hesitate to give an iota of dignity to these misguided malcontents,” Simon Khaya Moyo told The Zimbabwe Times. He was responding to a series of protests by Zimbabwe Youth Network and National Constitutional Assembly members who picketed the embassy four times inside one week.







They were protesting against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. They asked that an observer mission be allowed into Zimbabwe immediately to investigate the state of affairs in the run-up to the elections on March 29.

They are also demanded that millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora be allowed to vote. Khaya-Moyo speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Zanu-PF manifesto in Harare Friday denied that there was any abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe and said the forthcoming elections would be free and fair.

“What basic human rights are being undermined?” he asked.

He said the pro-democracy groups were acting like “spoilt brats”, and that they did not want to answer to anybody.

“They seem to have forgotten that they are Zimbabweans first of all,” he said.

He said the protestors would never accept that any election was free and fair as long as Mugabe wins.

“To them a free and fair election is one in which our President loses,” he said. “That is just unacceptable.”

At a recent protest, Revolutionary Youth Movement of Zimbabwe president Simon Mudekwa is quoted as having demanded that the Zimbabwean general election should be postponed, as it would not be free and fair under current legislation.

He says Zimbabwe must be forced to comply with regional guidelines governing the conduct of elections in SADC.

The youths have threatened to shut down the Zimbabwe embassy in South Africa.

“We have done all we could, tried to go via the SADC member states and the African Union but this dictator called Mugabe does not take heed,” Mudekwa said in a statement sent to The Zimbabwe Times. “The only practical means of dealing with him is to use minimum force such as closing of Zimbabwe embassies throughout the SADC region.”

He said his group wanted the Zimbabwean people to be liberated from oppression just as South Africans had been.

“The playing field before the elections still favours Zanu-PF, as the opposition is denied coverage by publicly funded State media,” Mudekwa said.

ZYM and NCA-SA planned to continue picketing the embassy in the run up to the March 29 election, he said.

He said the protests would culminate in a vigil at Beitbridge on the South African-Zimbabwe border on the night of Friday, March 28, before Zimbabweans go to the polls.

"A Revolution is sweeping in" by Vincent Chikwari

                       

 

The  Youth Of Zimbabwe today note the continued deterioration of the political situation in our country with sadness.

The political events which unfolded in the past weeks are a cause for great concern to all progressive Zimbabweans.The announcement of the election When the South African mediated talks are still underway is evidence enough that there is no political will to end the downward spiral that our once placid nation has experienced for the past ten years or so.The level of hypocracy exhibited by ZANUPFis to bitter  a pill for Zimbabwean to swalow.

Surely Minister Chinamasa must have gone insane.For him to claim that the constitution is a seriuos document that needs the participation of all and saundry and should therefore not be hurried is an insult which has gone for close  to three decades without that 'serious document'.The continued human rights violation by the Zimbabwean government is also of concern.The brutal beating of ordinary Zimbabweans and MDC members on 23 January 2008 is enough evidence that the Harare regime will do all it takes to stay in power against the wishes of the people.We the youths of Zimbabwe vehemently condemn such kind of barabaric action to poor and suffering Zimbabweans by the state sponsored agents.

As youths we have recognised the political ,economic and social quagmire that our country has lead into by the ZANUPF regime have taken a pledge to reverse and stop this political madness.We thus have commited ourselves all to see a new Zimbabwe,a new beginning and new democratic dispensation.The truth is that Zimbabwe does not belong to Mugabe and ZANUPF only it belongs to all citizens of Zimbabwe.Its now time for the storm to reclaim our motherland country Zimbabwe.

Thus we call all the powers that be to heed the call of the youth of our land to stop politicking with peoples lives.The level of political chicanery we are seeing in our motherland have to stop forthwith.We are very conscious of scared mandated that is on our shoulders as a generation and thus we have commited class suicide to see a better Zimbabwe not only for ourselves but the country at large.

As youths we demand the SADC mediation talks to be a national agenda with all Zimbabweans being engaged,that the poll be delayed to ensure that reforms being made have enough time to take effect,a new people driven constitution that allows for propotional representation of citizen electoral expression be put in place before a general election is held.As youths we demand  the above mentioned requests to be met before the general election is held and if the government fails to abide by this it will willingly open its doors to unorthodox means of having these demands met.

We have agreed  that once the government defiantly chooses to go ahead with the elections before a new costitution is in place appropitae action will be taken and the youths of Zimbabwe have vowed to pay  the price in making sure that their quest for a democratic dispensation is realised in their lifetime"When the future of our country is at stake,it behooves on everyone to step back and reflect on what needs to happen in Zimbabwe for hope to take centre stage as a volunteer driver in nation building".

In our case the has been, the decision has been made,the direction is clear...a new Zimbabwe,a new democratic dispensation,the restoration of the dignity of the people of Zimbabwe.We are guided by the masses of The Zimbabwe legions that have stood against all odds.against hope they have remained hopeful.We will not disappoint them .Zimbabwe will be free.The last hour of dictatorship,autocracy and tyranny has struck.

The people are awakening to a new life"OUR COUNTRY  OR DEATH"A massive revolution is sweeping across the country.The enemies of the give way.Change is inevitable.

 

By John Vincent  Chikwari-Secretary General

Revolutionary Youth Movement Of Zimbabwe

+27 72 254 3486

ZIM PRETORIA EMBASSY DEMO:21/02/2008 (REPORT BY MR LUKE ZUNGA)

21 02 2008

Today I participated in a demo organized by the revolutionary youth. Many people attended including journalists from as far as Canada and Germany .

I was humbled that so may people attended. Taking into account that a similar demo is going on in the USA at the Zimbabwe embassy, I think the message is delivered. Our message was that the Diaspora Civic Society organizations, and many others, will not recognize the result of an election in Zimbabwe where we did not participate.

Some people argue whether it is necessary to do these demos on this question of Diaspora vote, since it is unlikely to be heeded to at this stage. Le me say that,

South Africa and SADC want to paint success of the negotiating process and that the Zimbabwe question will be settled by a free and fair election. Indeed they state that all the issues for negotiating were agreed to and the difference is timing of implementation, with Mugabe preferring to implement after the elections and rest are either docile, unclear or going along. One MDC faction was clear that there was no agreement and preferring to implement the items agreed before the elections.

Mugabe cannot agree to pre-election implementation as he will lose control of the rural people and the electoral system. SADC want a free and fair election as the starting point for their assertion that the Zimbabwe question is resolved. So the elections will be held. Mugabe is likely to force a win, then turn to SADC that he is ready to implement what was agreed at the negotiations, and demanding an economic rescue package in exchange for him stepping down by handing power to his chosen successor under provisions of constitutional amendment 18. SADC will announce that all issues are resolved and the Zimbabwe question is cleared off their desks. The objection of MDC will be ascribed as puppet.

What it means is that Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, particularly in SADC, will now be asked to go back to their country. Forced to go back on UN trucks lined to load people with their meagre belongs. Mote than a million people will be dumped on Zimbabwe , with no economic hope. SADC and South Africa will cancel all arrangements currently negotiated for the Diaspora. These are

Petition for SADC to give Temporary Residence Permits to Zimbabweans on their soil until the problem of Zimbabwe is resolved. This petition by Disapora CSO Forum is on SADC desk now and has a deadline for an answer of 28 February 2008, failing which the civil society will take SADC to court to lay evidence of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and SADC countries. This matter will be stuck off.


In South we are negotiating that Zimbabweans be allowed to engage in business and prepare them for reconstruction of Zimbabwe . The work is being by Diaspora Dev Chamber based in South Africa . Training is going on now and the Zimbabwe Development Chamber is conducting classes to teach on these economic matters. The classes in Johannesburg , Durban and Pretoria are so popular that they are fully booked. Participants write a test and receive a certificate for passing.


Other regions in South Africa are opening up for training as well. What is clear is that Zimbabweans do not know the issues, especially that only Production will turn the economy around, not simply the act of elections. While democracy is essential it needs to be backed by citizens owning factories to produce otherwise there in no recovery. For more details how to turn around the economy of Zimbabwe and who can do it, book for training on 011 339 3629 or 0791383896 or send an sms to 0730941139(they will contact you) . This matter will be scuttled.


Meanwhile in all fairness the Zimbabwe issue will be largely worse, not better. Zimbabwe needs US$50 billion to turn around. The Diaspora program can raise it, from outside Zim but this program will be closed. The suffering of returnees and the country will continue.

The demo then is necessary to state our position now, not after the elections results are out. We will then be able to contest these matters, even going to court.

SADC want an legitimate government based on reformed ZANU. We argue that Zimbabwe economy is controlled by SA and they will have easy pickings while we rot. We want to be able to prepare ourselves in SA, then go back. Zimbabwe has no international rating and will be unable to raise serious money on the global markets.

Only the citizens in rated countries can and SADC has our Diaspora development plan.

L D ZUNGA

PRELIMINARY REPORT : 21st of FEBRUARY, 2008 DEMO AT ZIM EMBASSY, PRETORIA : .

It is of great significance that we have done the biggest demo ever at the so-called Zimbabwean Embassy on the birthday (84th) of our local Dictator, Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

 

The demo had the largest number but was struck me most was the attendance by "veteran activists" eg Daniel Molokele, Luke Zunga and others.

 

The full report will be given by journalists (and this time we had many from various News Agencies.) This time I had that "rally" feeling.

 

I will give my own report after I have got the photos from my reliable friends.

 

But I thought it would be of strategic importance that I inform you why we must agitate for a Diaspora Vote (besides the fact that we deserve it anyway.)

 

If we in the Diaspora reject the 2008 Polls on the basis that they were not free and fair, then whoever "wins" in that restricted exercise will lack legitimacy and Zimbabwe will not get the recognition accompanying investor confidence etc.

 

For your information, I'm on the Board of the Diaspora Chamber that Cde Luke Zunga was talking about (    http://zimdiscussions.blogspot.com/2008/02/mr-luke-d-zunga-pleads-for-practical.html)

 

For now lets read together the mails in my In-Box:

 

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Dear Rev Mufaro,

 

I very much admire the work Zimbabwean Revolutionary Youth Movement is doing to try and bring about change in Zimbabwe.

 

I am currently based in the Uk and would like to support your efforts in any way that I can.

 

I have a website called Baobab Comrades www.baobabcomrades.com which is an online community of creative and enterprising Southern Africans.

 

I think the members on the website would very interested in your views and what you are trying to achieve. I can feature a link to your website on the Main Page if you sign up.

 

Please have a look at the website if you have a chance and sign up if you think we could develop a good partnership.

 

Kind regards,

 

Nyasha Munjoma

Web Administrator

Baobab Comrades

http://www.baobabcomrades.com

 

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From zimnews@mail.com

 

Zimbabwe: Urgent Call for Prayers and Action, Raymond Majogwe of PTUZ abducted

 

l have received information from  Ms. Khumbulanzimnews@mail.comi Ndlovu of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU), that Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ), General Secretary, Raymond Majogwe and other members of PTUZ have been abducted by ZANU PF youth.

ZANU PF government is notorious especially towards presidential election scheduled end of March 2008. Many opposition members are being tortured for their beliefs. Millions of Zimbabweans have fled the country. Tens of thousands (in Zimbabwe) are starving to death due to state made starvation.

 

Please urgently pray for Ms. Kumbulani Ndlovu and others who were arrested with her.You may write a letter of  protest to Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria Fax: +27 (0) 12 342 5126 , Tel: +27 (0) 12 342 5125, Email: zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au,

 

Your support will be greatly appreciated. For further information on the atrocities or humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe write to; Email: zimnews@mail.com, Fax: +27 86 6502 828

Yours For freedom & justice,

 

Collen Makumbirofa

Foundation of Reason & Justice
http://forjustice.atspace.org/
zimnews@mail.com

http://www.zimjustice.blogspot.com/

 

 

PTUZ activists abducted

 

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has been informed that a number of activits from the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ), including general secretary, Raymond Majogwe were abducted this morning by Zanu PF youths and were reportedly taken to the party offices along fouth street were they are being tortured. Reports we are getting is that some of them may have been beaten seriously. All their telephones have been taken away from them.

The PTUZ, an affiliate of the ZCTU, was distributing flyers on the State of the education system in Zimbabwe and were demanding that authorities act on the collapse of the education system.

 

At the time of this writing, lawyers are trying to have access to them   

 

Khumbulani Ndlovu (Ms)
Information Officer
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
P.O Box 3549
Harare, Zimbabwe

Telephone 263-4-794702/794742
Cell 263 11 620 232
Fax 263-4- 728484
E-mail info@zctu.co.zw
Website www.zctu.co.zw

 

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DEMO AT THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT BY THE ZIMBABWE REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH MOVEMENT!! MORE DETAILS WILL BE POSTED AT THIS SITE!!

FOR THE REST OF THE PHOTOS AND THE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE!!!

THE LEADERSHIP ZIMBABWE REQUIRES

 

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

The entering of Dr Simba Makoni into the Presidential Race has generated a great deal of excitement. The equation is now more complex and whether you like it or not, the debate has been made wider. Certain factors still remain eg the rigging, the State-Sponsored Violence, the Propaganda and the related ZANU-PF mischief. The only difference is that Mugabe has a wider sphere to charge at and a greater battle to fight.

The people of Zimbabwe have a greater puzzle to solve and the analysts are now more confused than ever.

1. Is Simba Makoni genuinely against ZANU-PF? What exactly is he against? What does he continue to support? Why does he not come out clearly and either start a new Movement or immediately join the existing Formations?
2. What is his relationship to the existing Opposition Leaders, Tsvangirai, Mutambara and others? Does he communicate with them? Has he ever communicated with them? Is he prepared to communicate with them? Can anyone help these leaders to communicate?
3. Which sector of the Zimbabwean society has he "destabilised" most by his arrival? Will Mugabe suffer most or is it Tsvangirai or is it Mutambara? Is Makoni serious or is he just making a point? What value, therefore, has he added by his announcement?
4. With our experiences of the past 28 years and (more recently) of the past 8 years, what can we urgently do to get the best out of Dr Makoni's offer to lead Zimbabwe? In other words, what is Zimbabwe's best way forward?

WHAT LEADERSHIP DID ZIMBABWE HAVE UP TO NOW?

It must be made perfectly clear that Zimbabwe has never had a Democratic Leadership since its supposed Independence in 1980. Mr Robert Mugabe was regarded as some super-human even before 1980 and he controlled ZANU-PF and Zimbabwe as if it was his personal kite where no other input from any other source had any hope of being acknowledged.

The problems Zimbabwe faced were not really of bad judgement only. The greater problems were due to the fact that Zimbabweans were always taken for granted and were therefore not able to support and defend any decisions that the Executive President made.

With time, Zimbabweans then learnt to oppose even correct decisions made just out of frustration that they had been taken for lifeless dolls for too long and were therefore not going to stand with the man they saw as not respecting them and who was not seeing the value in consulting them before strategic decisions were made.

The decision to send troops into the DRC is a case in point. Without much detail, many Zimbabweans have never forgiven Robert Mugabe. Many believe the resources of the country bled to an extent where our present woes can be traced back to that point. Then Mugabe failed to fully convince his people that looting did not occur during that difficult period. Who knows how many soldiers were lost during that misadventure? Was the then Minister of Defence Moven Mahachi assassinated and was it because he was working on leads that Emmerson Mnanangwa was heavily involved in the looting of minerals in that war-torn country?

The issue is not only the rumours etc. The real issue is the lack of a Leader at the very top who could stand for truth, transparency and intergrity.

Robert Mugabe has always pretended to be vocal and firm only to let the Nation down when he was supposed to stand up to offer Leadership.

A typical example is the case in the formative years of Zimbabwe when Cabinet Ministers and Mrs Sally Mugabe were involved in corruption involving Cressida vehicles. Senior journalist Geoff Nyarota ran into serious problems when he exposed that scandal and we don't remember Mr Mugabe taking that investigation to its very logical conclusion. We only remember the strange death of Senior Minister Maurice Nyagumbo and up to now we don't know whether he committed suicide or the Intelligence Personnel actually forced him to drink a poisoned chalice at gun point.

I've written numerous articles eg "Is Robert Mugabe the Master-Assassin?" and "Appeal to all journalists and writers" and the links to those articles (among others) are available at www.finalpushzim.blogspot.com .

My argument therefore is: We have never had a transparent, democratic leadership in Zimbabwe.

We've had trickery, arrogance, corruption, propaganda, assassinations, patronage etc as our National Menu.

WHAT LEADERSHIP DOES ZIMBABWE NEED?

The entrance of Dr Simba Makoni (as everyone must be observing) has completely destabilised the Zim Political Landscape. This must lead us to seriously ask ourselves: What do we expect of those offering themselves to lead us?

Here are my humble suggestions:

1. We need a simple human being first and foremost. We have not had a human being leading us since before 1980. We had a racist white before 1980 and a magician of sorts after 1980. A very senior respected writer and journalist by the name of Tanonoka Joseph Machenjera Whande once asked; "What kind of a person is Robert Mugabe? Why does he appear angry when others are relaxed and happy and why does he seem to get great joy when others are mourning and sad?" Interestingly, Robert Mugabe himself recently asked; "Do you really know me?" (at that Ceremony where a certain road was being named after him in Malawi.) Dear God, we need just a simple human being this time.
2. We need someone who works with a team. We need someone who respects the team that he works with. We need someone who trusts the team that he works with. A President should be able to be out of the public eye for a long time while his team interacts with the Press, the General Public etc. The overall father of the Nation should not suffer from an inferiority complex which leads him/her to over-expose themselves like Robert Mugabe has done in the past 28 years. Mugabe is not respected! Mugabe is feared! What a tragedy!
3. We need an honest person. We need someone we can depend on. We need someone who answers our questions. Tsvangirai has left lots of people wondering why Ms Lucia Matibenga was unceremoniously expelled from her position. Who today has the answers? Tsvangirai you have let us down in many respects. Thank God your other partners (now under Prof Mutambara) failed to endorse you as the single Presidential Candidate representing the two so-called factions. Let me leave this point at that for now there is another "kid on the block."
4. We need a humble approachable person. We need journalists, bloggers, analysts etc to able to say: "I spoke to the President and he said this..." , " Yesterday I was with the President and he answered the following questions..." etc. We are tired of mysteries and unanswered and unanswerable questions. Tsvangirai began well (probably) but of late we were hearing murmours and grievances. Is Makoni like that, too we wonder?
5. Last but not least, we need a person who gives others value and acknowledges the efforts and inputs of others. I will not belabour this point because I would destabilize the campaigns of some . The Zimbabwean Politics is such that if you criticise Tsvangirai, you lose a certain chunk of friends. If you criticise Mutambara, you similarly lose another chunk.

Oh come on Zimbabweans: its true Makoni was there when all evil was done by ZANU-PF. But can't we now have a single large team that unites to, at least, beat Robert Mugabe? Can't we have a leadership that comes from the widest spectrum to remove Robert Mugabe?

As a parting shot: Did you notice that Simba Makoni waited until after the MDC clearly showed complete failure to re-unite? Is there no signifance in that? On the other hand, does Makoni not attach any value in the work done so far by the two MDC formations?

Finally, is it completely wise for Makoni, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to offer themselves to the Zimbabwean peoples as separate entities? Who of them best offers the leadership Zimbabwe requires? As a collective, can they not between them offer the leadership we require?

Respectfully submitted,

Rev Mufaro Stig Hove.

www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT DEMONSTRATION

4th Floor Noswal Hall Tel/Fax. +27 11 339 3629
3 Steimens Street Cell. 0027 78 730 3844
P.O.Box 32038 E-mail:rymzim@yahoo.com.au
Braamfontein 2017 website: www.zimrevyouths.blogspot.com
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May I take this opportunity to inform you that the undersigned movement will be having a demonstration at the Pan-African Parliament offices on Tuesday, 12 February 2008.These demonstrations are so important as they will also help in keeping the World Cup here in SA.With the current situation we are heading for disaster as FIFA is consulting extensively on whether the lucrative tournament is supposed to be shifted to Australia because of Zimbabwe situation. We are going to highlight all this on this day.

What it means is that collective efforts is the only solution in bringing Zimbabwe back to normal and then have our World Cup for the first time in Africa. It is a very sensitive issue which might take too long for ordinary people to see and by the time we will realize it, it will be too late.

The demonstration will start at 10 am and ends at 12 noon.

For more information please contact the President on 079 619 2955.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Pan African Parliament.

Yours in the struggle of liberating Africa

Simon Mudekwa

President-Revolutionary Youth Movement of Zimbabwe

Global Zimbabwe Forum Protest on Feb 21-22

We have now finalized our program for Feb. 21 – 22. For details   please go to : http://www.zimaction.com/zimdiaspora/index.htm    We need to contact  as many Zimbabweans as we can reach to come to   the demonstration. Please contact by email or by phone as many   friends as you can reach.    We need to know by Wednesday next week how many people  we can   expect at the demonstration.    The following have  been tasked with coordinating recruitment   efforts:    New York.  Fungisai and Alice (516) 967 4613/(646) 577 5289    Pennsylvania  Nick Mada (610)2469462 nmada@msn.com  Stan Mukasa (724) 467 0001 mukasa@iup.edu    Ohio/Michigan  Zvidzair Ruzvidzo/Allan Banda?  Phone :614 622 0427  zvidzair@yahoo.com    Washington DC  "Robson Nyereyemhuka"robson55@yahoo.com      Indiana  Alan Bako (317) 345 2368    Accommodation arrangements are being made byMaswela at    Maswelas@aol.com (513) 410 9495      Scheduled speakers for the protest are  Ralph Black  Handel Mlilo  Ruzvidzo Zvidzair  Nassar Rusike    The Event MC and also in charge of publicity will be  Briggs Bomba    The  next conference call will be on Thursday, February 14,   starting at 9 p.m. Conference details:  Number to Call ---: 1-605-475-6000  Access Code---- : 875057#   Time----------:9.00PM (Eastern Time)  

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Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

EMBASSY GETS ULTIMATUM (29/01/2008)

by Trust Matsilele

The Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria today was issued with an ultimatum by the Revolutionary Youths Movement of Zimbabwe to start seriously consider allowing Diaspora vote or risk extreme action.

Speaking at the embassy today the RYM ,President Simon Mudekwa said it was time up for the Robert Mugabe regime to continue brutalising citizens and start implementing some democratic reforms.

"We are issuing at ultimatum to the Zimbabwean Embassy here up to 28 February to implement some democratic reforms or risk facing the unbearable action from youths.

"As much as we can not be seen condoning violence like what is happening in Kenya, as Zimbabweans we feel we will end up doing the same in the interest of our self defence," said Mudekwa to a rapturous applause.

Addressing a crowd that showed extreme support of the Morgan Tsvangirai led faction the patron of the youths, Reverand Mufaro Hove said ambassodors needed to acknowledge the extend of the crisis and not defend the tyrranical regime.

"The time for backing dictatorship is over we expect Zimbabweans all over including those serving in the embassies like ambassodor Simon Khaya Moyo in South Africa to start denouncing dictators.

"All Zimbabweans here in South have already started engaging in a liberational mood and the spirit is rising sooner than later we will deliver change," said Mufaro Hove who is one of Mugabe's fiercest opponents and critics.

"My message to Simon Khaya-Moyo" by Rev Mufaro Hove

In a few hours' time I will join all patriots that will make speeches at the Zim Embassy in Pretoria.

My own message to Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo will be:


My brother you have been a freedom fighter all your life. You are now part of Robert Mugabe's unfortunate project to humiliate and urinate on the dignity of the Zimbabwean peoples.

Please quickly leave that evil project and join us to fight the one devil among us ie Robert Mugabe.

You owe that to Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, Cde Sidney Malunga, General Look-out Masuku and all the gallant fighters who died fighting tyranny.

Black tyranny has a habit of being worse than white tyranny!

That's the theme of my key-note address this morning.


God bless us all!


Rev Mufaro Stig Hove.

Patron: ZIMBABWE REVOLUTIONARY YOUTh

Diaspora vote

I am signing for a Zimbabwean diaspora vote

 

Susan and Per Christiansen
Per ++258 82 4140205
Susan ++258 82 5650205
E-mail: christiansen.susanper@gmail.com or sueperch@tvcabo.co.mz

06>>LOGISTICS OF PRETORIA DEMO (29/01/2008)!!!

WE MEET IN FRONT OF THE UNION BUILDINGS AT 09.00HRS.

 

WE MARCH WITH POLICE ESCORT TO THE ZIM EMBASSY TO START DEMO AT 10.00AM.

 

DEMO ENDS AT 12.00HRS.

 

CONTACT: 0791463039 / 0796192955/0722543486/0787303844 RSA.

 

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05>>SA POLICE GUARD ZIM EMBASSY!

Thursday, 24 January 2008 17:07

PRETORIA- ZIMBABWE ambassador to South Africa, Simon Khaya-Moyo sought the support of South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to protect the country's embassy in Pretoria following threats by the Revolutionary Youth Movement of Zimbabwe to stage massive protests against suspected election rigging that appear will not be free and fair in Zimbabwe.

FOR MORE PLEASE CLICK HERE!!!

04>>PRESIDENT DREADMAN UPDATES THE WORLD ON WHY THE DEMO WAS POSTPONED!

Comrades

 

Please be advised that due to the latest developments of the arrest of the MDC President this morning the Zim embassy demo has been postponed to 29 January 2008.We have been advised on this by the Police because they said that Simon Moyo called and expressed fear that it turn out violent and we totally disagreed with the police but they insistedthat if the ambassador feels threatened then there is nothing they can do because they have to protect.They said we have to let the dust settle first and then we can go on Tuesday.

 

Lets all support the fight for a free Zimbabwe.Nobody owns the struggle.We are all equally important.

 

I salute you all.

 

 

A REVOLUTION IS INEVITABLE

 

bigdhara4real@yahoo.co.uk

 

Simon Mudekwa

 

President-Revolutionary Youth Movement of Zimbabwe.

 

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03>>@@@>>>URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT : PRETORIA DEMO POSTPONED TO TUESDAY, 29th JANUARY, 2008!<<<@@@

 

 

THOSE IN JHB AND PRETORIA, PLEASE LIAISE WITH THE ORGANISERS TO GIVE THE DEMO A RESOUNDING SUCCESS! TOGETHER WE WILL COMPLETE THE CHANGE!!

 

MAITIRO AKO...CHINJA/ GUQHULA IZENZO ZAKHO!!! Rev M S Hove...Patron

Cell:0791463039 

 

(pp S Mudekwa,President, ZIMBABWE REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH MOVEMENT!!!

Cell: 0796192955.)  

 

02>> Solidary Message from Cde Giyani Dube!!!

Dear All

Ladies and Gentlemen lets all unite under one umbrella and support one another to free our country.We support any progressive Zimbabwean struggle,we will join you, aluta continue.

Giyani Dube
0744346008

01>>MESSAGE TO THE ZIM EMBASSY STAFF IN PRETORIA!

WE, ZIMBABWEAN CITIZENS RESIDENT IN SOUTH AFRICA HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE FROM HERE, IN SOUTH AFRICA. ON THURSDAY, 24th JANUARY, 2008; WE ARE BRINGING A PETITION FROM OURSELVES TO INFORM YOU THAT IF WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE IN THE DIASPORA; THEN THERE WILL BE NO ZIMBABWEAN EMBASSIES IN THE WHOLE DIASPORA!

MORE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!

Rev Mufaro Stig Hove (Patron, Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement.) Cell: 0791463039 RSA..

Cde Simon Mudekwa (President, Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement.) Cell: 0796192955 RSA.

www.zimrevyouths.blogspot.com

www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

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