Southern Eye

By Southern Eye Reporter

19 August 2013

THE government has been urged to urgently look into the plight of the San community who are wallowing in poverty.

The San, popularly known as the Tshara-Tshwao or Khoi-khoi gathered at Gariya Dam in Tsholotsho on Saturday to celebrate the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, whose objective is promoting the non-discrimination and inclusion of indigenous peoples in the design, implementation and evaluation of international, regional and national processes regarding laws, policies, resources, programmes and projects.

The San are mostly found in Tsholotsho and Plumtree and their population currently stands at about 2 000, a worrying figure that has jolted some organisations to action in offering a helping hand to the group.

Creative Arts and Education Development Association (Caeda) spearheaded by Davie Ndlovu, is one such organisation which is working with the group, assisting them to document the Tshwao language which is facing extinction.

According to Ndlovu, there are about 14 members of the San community in Tsholotsho who are conversant with the language.

The rest hardly speak the language and have adopted Ndebele, the dominant language in the area.

Addressing over 100 members of the group, Ngcoli Sibanda — a community leader — appealed to the new government to assist them with food and farming implements.

“We are wallowing in poverty. We, therefore, appeal to our government to assist us with food parcels and farming implements so that we can be able to fend for our families,” Sibanda said.

“We are such a small number and we hope the government and non-governmental organisations will come to our aid.”

Sibanda revealed that they were still finding it difficult to assimilate into other tribes and this had worsened their plight.

“We are used to living in the bush and surviving on hunting, but nowadays we can no longer do so because of laws that are prohibiting us. We survive on doing menial jobs in exchange for food.

“We have no cattle or farming implements and, therefore, it is difficult for us to provide food for our starving families,” he said.

In an interview with Southern Eye, Ndlovu said Caeda had approached some government ministers during the unity government era who had promised to assist the San people.

“We had approached Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart and Water Resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo. They had expressed a willingness to assist the San people,” he said.

“Now that we have a new government, we are not sure whether these people will still offer their assistance. However, we will be sending a petition to the new government soon,” Ndlovu said.

“We also hope that they will get farming implements before the commencement of the rainy season.

“These people are willing to start farming if they get all the necessary equipment and implements.”

Ndlovu said while they were happy that the government had recognised Tshara-Tshwao as an official Zimbabwean language in the new Constitution, there was a need for extensive work to be done to save the dying language.

“Our major worry at the moment is that the Tshwao language is dying and something must be done to preserve it,” he said.

“We have engaged the University of Zimbabwe which is assisting us with documentation.

“The other problem is that the education system does not cater for the San.

“There is no-one among the San who is educated enough to be able to teach this language in schools,” Ndlovu added.

“Right now their children who are fortunate enough to go to school are learning Ndebele and are fast losing touch with their own culture.”

Jabulani Nkomo — the son of the late Vice-President John Nkomo who was supposed to be guest of honour — failed to turn up for the event.

. . .as community opens up

MORE than 100 members of the San community in Zimbabwe gathered at Gariya Dam in Tsholotsho North on Saturday to celebrate and revive the dying Tshara-Tshwao culture and launguage.

The cultural fiesta also commemorated the United Nations International Indigenous People Day.

The day is celebrated annually on August 9 as the world turns its attention to the diverse cultures and people in neglected parts of the world.

On Saturday, the group opened up to the world to observe at close proximity how they live in their most natural habitat, the bush.

They chose a secluded part close to Gariya Dam, named after one of their chiefs Gariya Moyo who led a group of San people from Botswana to Zimbabwe in the 16th Century, according to one of the leaders who spoke to Southern Eye.

The celebrations kicked off with a leadership meeting in the morning where various community leaders addressed a plethora of problems faced by the San people.

Chief among them was the issue of selection of one leader to represent them in various fora.

The meeting also resolved that a petition will be sent to the government detailing all their grivances, which they want addressed.

Unlike other tribes, the San lived in small groups of between 20 to 50 people, led by a kraal head.

After the meeting it was time to celebrate. What a colourful celebration it turned out to be!

Various groups took to the stage to showcase their vocal abilities and dancing prowess.

The stand-out dance was the bhoro, a cultural dance usually performed at night during healing sessions.

Most of the dancers and singers were elderly people who still know how to speak the Tshwao language.

The dances comprised songs accompanied by rythmic handclapping routines and complicated footwork.

There was a small museum on display that showcased the various artifacts that the San people used. Since the San were nomadic people, they never built any permanent structures.

They carried the simplest of tools and utensils that they used in their day-to-day activities.

Their food comprised mainly game meat which they hunted. They also ate various fruits and plants, which were also used for medicinal purposes.

Now that they have been integrated with other tribes in Zimbabwe, their culture and language is under serious threat and if nothing is done to preserve it, it will soon die out.

The San community, found in parts of Matabeleland North and South, are said to number about 2 000 people.

In Tsholotsho alone, only 14 elderly people can speak the Tshwao language, the rest speak Ndebele the dominant language in the area.

The Herald

By Jeff Murimbechi 

19 August 2013

ZIMBABWE’S right arm fast bowler Kyle Jarvis has revealed that after turning down a number of overseas offers, he could not resist the three-year offer from English County cricket side, Lancashire, and the chance to play on the Twenty20 circuit around the globe. The 24-year-old seamer, one of the leading players in the national team, was part of a group of key players with central contracts with Zimbabwe Cricket.

ZC announced on Saturday that Jarvis had pulled out of the squad preparing for the tour of Pakistan to take up his country cricket deal with Lancashire but the organisation said Jarvis had not closed the door on his international career.

In  fact, ZC believe that Jarvis will use his stint in England, where there is a possibility he could play alongside England’s pace spearhead James Anderson, to turn himself into a better player and expect him to come back a better player for the national team.

“He told Zimbabwe Cricket authorities that he has received a lucrative offer from Lancashire County Cricket Club in England, and has decided to take it up moreso as it also offers him an opportunity to grow his game by playing alongside the likes of England international James Anderson and former South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince,” the ZC said in their statement.

“Jarvis said that he has not turned his back on international cricket and that given his age, the three-year contract provides a unique opportunity to mature as a player who would then give back more then than he has been doing now. The 24-year old seamer, whose father Malcolm also played for Zimbabwe and then served as a member of the technical staff for the national team, will leave for the United Kingdom early next month.”

Jarvis said he will always be supportive of the Zimbabwe team.

“Zimbabwe will always be my home, and I would just like thank everyone for their continued support over the past few years,” said the bowler.

“I wish my teammates and coaching staff the best of luck for the forthcoming Pakistan series and know what the players giving the right support and environment are capable of.”

The outgoing Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, who has been caught in the political battles that have raged within the ZC before, said he was hopeful this would not be Jarvis’ last appearance for Zimbabwe.

Southern Eye

By Sukoluhle Mthethwa and Fortune Mbele

19 July 2013

BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province resident minister and governor ambassador Cain Mathema yesterday officially opened the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games in a colourful ceremony held at White City Stadium.

Mathema read a speech on behalf of the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart, who said he could not attend the ceremony due to other commitments as he was only notified that he would be the guest of honour, late.

“It is my pleasure to officiate at the 11th edition of the Youth Games which were coincidentally incepted in this province some 11 years ago.

“When the Games were started in 2003, part of the objectives were to increase young people’s accessibility to sport and recreation and to also use the Games as a platform by which young talented athletes could be identified by the National Sport Associations and nurtured further.

“As the government we are happy to note that we have managed to host these Games on an annual basis. To add to this, all the 10 provinces have been afforded an opportunity to host the games on a rotational basis thus contributing to the attainment of balanced development of sport in the country,” he said.

He said sport was important because it can be an effective tool for community development and can contribute to social equality notwithstanding colour, race, creed, religion or economic status.

The governor also said the games were important as they had produced some of the country’s top athletes.

“I am informed that the Zimbabwe National Youth Games are beginning to pay dividends in the form of athletes who have been identified and nurtured through them. It was pleasing to note that one of the athletes identified through these games recently competed in the athletics World Championships in Russia — Gabriel Mvumvure,” he said.

He added that the games were also used as a platform to identify athletes like Ngonidzashe Makusha who won bronze at the athletics World Championships in 2011 in South Korea, Angela Makaha who is on an athletics scholarship in the United and Vitalis Chikoko who is now playing professional basketball in Germany.

Speaking during the ceremony principal director in the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture ministry, Paul Damasane, highlighted the crucial role the games play.

“The government takes the Youth Games very seriously because they are a platform for sport development. Today (yesterday) is special to the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture because next year we will be in Bulawayo for the regional Under-20 Zone VI Games.

“This is going to be a dress rehearsal for us to see how well Bulawayo will prepare for the games,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by athletes from the country’s 10 provinces as well as different stakeholders who included Sport and Recreation Commission board chairman Joseph James, Bulawayo Local Organising Committee members led by Raj Modi, Zimbabwe Olympic Commitee (ZOC) chief executive officer Anna Mguni and president Admire Masenda, Child President Ntando Moyo as well as representatives of various sport codes.

Mathema lit the games lamp towards the end of the ceremony to officially declare the start of the Games.

Entertainment was provided by Black Umfolosi who perfomed their famous song Unity, Iyasa, Thandanani Women’s Ensemble, Harsh Touch and Zimbabwe National Army band. Drum majorettes also put up a splendid display while there was also a display of wushu.

News Day

By Veneranda Langa

19 August 2013

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe (RM) says he is not interested in forming a political party yet as he has other major things to achieve at the PTUZ and in his private life.

The following are excerpts of an interview with NewsDay Senior Parliamentary Reporter Veneranda Langa (ND) on issues to do with workers and politics.

ND: The PTUZ is known for being very aggressive when it comes to dealing with issues of workers. Is that kind of approach going to continue now that elections are over?
RM: The truth is that the PTUZ is a very political organisation in that we fight for political relevance to address political socio-economic ills in our country without any apology. Trade unions are there to create a better life, welfare and better salaries for citizens and how else are we going to do that if we do not engage or confront politicians. Our decisions are informed by political reality.

ND: Your recent statements after the elections sounded as if you were happy the MDC-T led by Morgan Tsvangirai lost to Zanu PF. Is there any bad blood now?
RM: We just made a statement that we were congratulating the party that was made a victor by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The truth of the matter is, this is a political reality and we were never going to say congratulations to anyone else. Whether we like it or not President Robert Mugabe is now President and life has to go on as we cannot be in election mode forever. There is no bad blood between me and Tsvangirai. I respect the man and I am one of the few people who met and spoke to him and I gave a lot of unsolicited advice to the MDC-T which was rejected as they were not interested in what we were saying.

ND: Are there any chances of working together now that the elections are over and how do you see the future of MDC-T?
RM: The MDC-T did not show us respect. During the 2008 elections teachers and civil servants assisted the MDC-T because they wanted change. After the elections they did not go back to the same people to ask what they had not done in 2008 that they could improve. They went into the 2013 elections casually and forgot that the Zanu PF military machine was out there in the country campaigning. They forgot that in 2008 it was a protest vote, but Zanu PF had introduced indigenisation, community share ownership schemes, they had destroyed their structures of violence and had apologised to the people. They went to churches like Vapostori sect which has one of the biggest followings in Zimbabwe and also engaged trade unions.

The MDC-T failed to make themselves a relevant political entity, especially the attitude of some of their ministers in particular Lucia Matibenga. There was no strategic thinking and there are too many young people — lawyers in the party.

They associated themselves with non-existent NGOs (non-governmental organisations) on the ground and their campaign material in 2013 had no depth while Zanu PF had re-branded and strengthened its resolve. My prediction is that Mugabe will stand again in 2018 and Harare and Bulawayo are under threat. I pray we do not have MPs dying because if there are any by-elections we will see the MDC-T losing more seats. This election was never going to be won through the internet by concentrating on characters like Baba Jukwa.

ND: Are there any chances that you will re-engage with the ZCTU led by Japhet Moyo so that there is one strong workers’ union in Zimbabwe?
RM: We tried to engage them in several ways and even used mediators, but they refused. They kept saying we lost during an election which was illegitimate. They created a fictitious voters’ roll and after winning the elections they told us to go to the courts. This is where our problem with the MDC-T came from. However, the same thing has happened to them as they were cheated and they are now being told to go to court. We have, however, decided to move forward and we have plans underway to have a new labour centre whose name I cannot give now. It is an unstoppable process and we remain tall and resilient.

ND: You took sides with the National Constitutional Assembly during the constitution-making process. Are you happy with how the new Constitution deals with the issue of teachers?
RM: I have qualms with Section 203 of the Constitution because the issue of collective bargaining is not included. It gives the President powers to appoint public service commissioners. We also wanted a teaching services commission, but it is not there

ND: How do you want teachers to be treated by the new government?
RM: There is need to be cognisant they have suffered for a long time. We want monetary and non-monetary incentives, for example land for teachers’ houses and vehicle loans with importation being duty free. We want security for teachers so that they are not harassed along political lines. Schools should be politically free zones. The plight of rural teachers, female teachers as well as disabled teachers should be looked at. We also want a sober minister and not mavericks or madmen like Aenaes Chigwedere. David Coltart was level-headed and we want to believe from Mugabe’s arsenal he has people to pick.

ND: You are said to have political ambitions and there is rumour you want to form a political party?
RM: NCA (National Constitutional Assembly) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku came out to say he was forming a political party, but I have not said that. I am only 42 years old and why would I rush to form a political party now? At 42 years I do not have a house or property and there are things I have to get right first before I realise my political potential. If the time comes for me to declare political interests, I will do so and no one will stop me. I am still with the PTUZ and we have not yet completed our task. People say I do not want to go, but Mugabe has been there since 1977 (when he formally took over as Zanu leader in Mozambique) and I started participating in PTUZ in 1997.

The Chronicle

By Takudzwa Magudu

17 August 2013

THE Government has given teachers who left the service in 2009 but continued getting paid 21 days to pay back the money.

The Government recently sent letters demanding repayment of amounts ranging between $900 to $1 500 to a number of former teachers around the country.

A number of teachers left for the so-called greener pastures, without formally resigning, resulting in the Government continuing to pay them.

A former teacher from Bulawayo who preferred anonymity said the system had failed them by demanding that kind of money within a short period of time.

He admitted that he simply left his teaching post without going through the normal formalities. “The letter was handed to me by my former school headmaster on Wednesday. I was requested to remit the amount I owe to the Government within 21 days from receiving the letter.

“Instead of the Government liaising with us in these times of economic hardships, it is demanding $1 033.

“Where do they expect me to get that kind of money? I earn $330 and l take home $280 before l even pay rentals, bills and school fees for my two daughters,” said the man who is now employed by a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Another former teacher said she was unable to pay back the money because she no longer had any source of income. She said she was now dependent on her children for survival.

“As you can see I am old and I can not work any more. I rely on my children who also have got their families to look after. Asking for such an amount would be a burden,” said the woman aged 60.

The teacher said although she had submitted resignation papers, the Government continued paying her for three months.

A copy of a letter, which was received by a former teacher aged 46 who left the education system in 2009, read: “Reference is made to the above surcharge that was raised against you due to late notification of termination resulting in over payment to you of salary and allowances for the period 03 February 2009 to 31 September 2009.

“You are therefore requested to remit the amount $1 200 to the provincial accountant Matabeleland North Province within 21 days from the date of this letter.”

It had a date stamp of 17 April 2013 but the man said he received it this week.

“I had already been notified by my colleagues about the letter. The Government should be for the people and by the people, why can they not cancel the debts? I was forced to abscond work by the challenges I encountered as a family man in 2009, l had to search for greener pastures for survival,” he said.

Contacted for comment, the outgoing Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, said he was not aware of the development.

“I am not aware of this development. This directive did not come from my office, check with the Minister of Public Service,” he said.

The outgoing Minister of Public Service, Lucia Matibenga could not be reached for comment.

Zimbabwe Teacher Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu confirmed the development, saying the directive was issued after an audit was carried out by the Treasury.

It was pointed out that it is far easier in this modern digital age to burn a CD than it is to print out a paper version of any document. It is also far easier to attach an electronic copy of a voters roll and send it by e mail to candidates than it is to transport bulky paper rolls countrywide. That is all self evident. Accordingly the excuse given by ZEC a day before the election that it could only provide paper copies, not electronic copies, due to “logistical difficulties” was, with respect, simply hogwash.

The provision of a searchable and analysable copy of the voters roll has been a key concern for over a decade. When I was Legal Secretary of the united MDC we applied to the Supreme Court to get an electronic copy of the roll in 2001 but were denied. The reason we did so then was because we knew that it provided the key to unravelling and exposing the manipulation of the roll by the Registrar General’s office. Not surprisingly our case failed – not because it was devoid of merit but because some things never change. But the point is that this issue has always been key.

Accordingly when the GPA in 2008 mandated us all to agree on a new Constitution and new Electoral Laws, pivotal to that process was the need to agree on the provision of an electronic copy of the voters roll. Through a painstaking process of negotiation we eventually agreed on section 21(6) and (7) of the Electoral Act. Even this year, after the law had been passed, there were a succession of discussions held in Cabinet concerning compliance with these provisions. Because of the clear and unambiguous wording of the Electoral Act despite some in Cabinet opposing the provision of the roll, Cabinet reiterated that the roll should be supplied and that is how earlier versions of the roll in electronic format were obtained.

But of course we never received the final version of the roll as were entitled to in terms of section 21(6). I need to also emphasise that this final electronic version of voters roll is in existence, if not available. In my own constituency there was a copy of it on a computer at the command centre at Hillside Teacher College and was routinely referred to in the course of election day. When we asked for a copy of that roll our request was refused of course.

I have now read the following paragraph of the affidavit filed by Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday in withdrawing his electoral petition:

“11. By way of example, despite my petition raising serious issues concerning the voters roll, I still do not have a copy of the electronic voters roll to date. In other words the Second Respondent (ie the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) has deliberately taken a position which is inconsistent with a just determination of this matter and which position obviously prejudices me. The fact that the position it has taken effectively aids the First respondent (Robert Mugabe) makes it completely futile to pursue this petition”.

It goes without saying that I am absolutely astounded to read that an electronic copy of the voters roll has still not been provided to Morgan Tsvangirai to enable him to prosecute his case. Whilst I hold no brief for Morgan Tsvangirai it is simply incomprehensible why two weeks after the election an electronic copy of the voters roll cannot be provided.

One asks the question – what is ZEC hiding? One would have thought that if they were so confident that this election was free and fair that the roll would have been readily provided and yet it is treated as if it is a State secret.

Zanu PF also needs to address the following question. If their victory in these election was as comprehensive – a landslide – as they argue it was then why are they being so coy about releasing this information? The Chairwoman of ZEC is a Zanu PF member so there is no doubt that she would comply with their bidding. One would have thought that if they were so confident of their victory that they would have nothing to hide and would do everything possible to ensure that their victory could be savoured in broad daylight. If they have in fact managed to mobilise their supporters better than the MDC parties and got them to register then that will be reflected in the voters roll and they should have nothing to fear.

However the reluctance of the ZEC to release this critical document in my mind is the surest evidence that it is covering up a monumental fraud. Furthermore because the electronic roll goes to the heart of the entire electoral process it will be difficult if not impossible to conduct a viable electoral challenge to the result without it. In the circumstances the decision made to withdraw Morgan Tsvangirai’s petition is fully understandable.

Senator David Coltart.
Secretary for Legal Affairs
MDC

Bulawayo
17th August 2013

Zimbabweland

By Ian Scoones

5 August 2013

Zimbabwe’s trauma continues. The Zimbabwe Election Commission has announced a landslide victory for ZANU-PF. ZANU-PF reportedly took two-thirds of the parliamentary seats and President Mugabe won 61% of the presidential vote, with Morgan Tsvangirai picking up 34%. MDC-T has called the elections ‘a sham’, ‘a farce’, ‘null and void’. GNU education minister, David Coltart, argued that “Zimbabwe has been subjected to electoral fraud on a massive scale”. Tendai Biti called it all a ‘loquacious tragedy’.

Meanwhile, the official observers from SADC and the AU have called the election ‘peaceful, credible and efficient’, ‘free and peaceful’, reflecting ‘the will of the people’, with high turnouts and orderly voting. Some have called for a rejection of the ballot and the staging of mass resistance. Baba Jukwa, the massively popular Facebook avatar with 350k ‘likes’ who claims he is a disaffected ZANU-PF insider, has declared war.

We will never know the ‘true’ results, although as last time there was probably a rural-urban and regional split, with more of a balance overall than any political grouping claims. Both main parties naturally proclaimed before the poll that they were likely to be certain victors. Results of prior opinion polling were mixed, although pointing towards a rehabilitation of ZANU-PF and disillusionment with the MDC’s performance in government. Meanwhile, the MDC and the allied NGO groups long before the elections pointed to the potential for electoral fraud, and the cynical manipulation of the vote. While unlike 2008 there was thankfully minimal violence during the election period, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network argued that there were major problems with the process, including:

•  Voters’  roll discrepancies
• Intimidation
• Late  opening of polling stations
• Slow pace of assisting aspiring voters in some urban polling stations
• High number of assisted voters recorded in rural areas
• Shortage of ballot papers in some wards
• First time voters denied the chance to vote as they were not appearing in the voters’ roll and their registration slips had missing ward details.

A joint statement from the NGOs rejected the election results. The AU observer team also expressed ‘grave concerns’. The UK and the US have also called the elections ‘flawed’. China, India, South Africa and others have remained silent so far, although this is how it was reported in the China Daily and The Hindu.

The scale and implications of the problems remain unclear. Claims and counter claims are being made. In a small country, rigging the vote by over a million is a hell of lot, especially consistently across presidential, parliamentary and council elections. The turnout was high at around 3.5m, making it even more challenging. Maybe they did win as many had expected, but perhaps not by as big a margin as declared.

However, suspicions of foul play are running high. ZANU-PF is a sophisticated and ruthless operation. Such suspicions are increased by bizarre rumours about dodgy security companies, Israeli pens in the voting booths where the ink disappears, special ballot papers with watermarks with crosses against ZANU-PF already inserted and a specially imported Chinese solution for removing the pink ink from voters’ fingers. No-one really knows what happened; and we probably never will.

The final tallies are being published, but the scale of the ZANU-PF win is clear. What is for sure is that the disputes over the results will run and run, with legal challenges to follow. If the confusion and uncertainty persists, the tentative recovery that had been nurtured since 2009 may be quickly wiped out if a new government does not move quickly to assure investors, donors and others.

What to make of it all? I am unsure, but here are a few quick reflections and some links to some interesting sources and commentaries that I have found over the last few days.

The rehabilitation of the image of ZANU-PF and President Mugabe in particular has been striking. For example on a flight from Addis to London, a colleague of mine was handed a copy of the New African, with a special glossy insert feature on Zimbabwe. It had articles from all the leading presidential candidates, but in the small print you could see that it was produced by the Ministry of Information. The message was clear: Zimbabwe was back on track, and Mugabe was in charge.

The MDC formations meanwhile were floundering. While having some successes in government – notably on the economy (under Tendai Biti) and in education (under David Coltart) – in many people’s eyes they had been tainted by power, lacking ideas and vision, and reverting to the corrupt practices that they had criticised in opposition.

The election manifestos of the main parties (ZANU-PF, MDC-T, MDC and ZAPU) were predictable enough, but none really fired people’s interest. The issue of land was of course ever-present in the electioneering discourse, deployed in particular by ZANU-PF to bolster its nationalist and rural credentials. The MDC groupings, even after over a decade, sadly still failed to offer a convincing alternative narrative on land and rural development.

Of course the elections were not being fought on such policy issues. Those opposed to ZANU-PF however failed to broker a coalition of opposition, and the vote was often divided, particularly in Matabeleland, but also in some urban centres, including Masvingo. David Coltart of MDC-N for example lost his seat to a MDC-T candidate. Political and personal differences, combined with narrow regionalism and factionalism, provided a perfect opportunity for ZANU-PF, despite it also being divided and weak.

This was Zimbabwe’s first electronic, Internet age election. There was hope that these mechanisms – checking voter registration, crowd mapping election violations, posting votes, monitoring election sistes and mapping results  – would bring greater transparency and accountability. There was an impressive array of engagement, from the 7000 ‘citizen monitors’ deployed by the ZESN to the websites of  Sokwanele, MyVote and Simukai. Twitter and Facebook pages have gone wild, with intensive commentary and debate not least via the Baba Jukwa pages.

But, in the end, it didn’t seem to have an impact on the legitimacy and credibility of the process. Too many questions remained unanswered, and confusion still prevails, as the various ‘independent’ observers and monitored contradicted each other, declaring either the elections broadly free and fair or discredited by foul play.

The international media has as a result of all this also been deeply confused. No-one is quite sure what to make of it all. As Andrew Harding of the BBC commented, there is now a battle over the narrative of the election, not the specific results. Some of the media had decided what the narrative was before it was held, but there has been some thoughtful commentary too. Lydia Polgreen of the NYT was typically nuanced, bringing in the land dimension into one of her pieces. The FT had a good article on the key role of the military. David Smith of the Guardian had a few good pieces too. Also, African Arguments posted several good commentaries in the build up, including by Brian Raftopolous and Simukai Tinhu. And then there were the bloggers and the twitter sphere, with #zimelection carrying all sorts of commentary and links; some sensible and sound, some weird and whacky.

The political uncertainty that these elections have delivered means that, sadly once again, the immediate future is in the balance. Whoever individual Zimbabweans voted for, the final overall outcome may not be what anyone wanted – which was peace and stability. As a friend commented on the phone from Gwanda just now: “It’s trouble again”.  Let’s hope that a spirit of accommodation and compromise prevails.

In the next period at least, ZANU-PF can organise the succession from Mugabe from a position of strength, and the opposition will have to regroup again, probably under new leadership. The political landscape has certainly changed with this election, but the full implications still remain unclear.

News Day

Bu Moses Matenga

16 August 2013

TWO words can only describe some of Zimbabwe’s new lawmakers — hilarious and shocking.

Amazing how history shapes events. Only in 2000, a virtually unknown Joseph Chinotimba made international headlines when he championed the chaotic land invasions – undoubtedly the most caricatured character in Zimbabwe when it comes to issues both comic and depicting educational deficiencies.

But fast-forward to 2013, the same Chinoz, as Chinotimba is most commonly referred to, must now be officially addressed as Honourable Joseph Chinotimba, Member of the House of Assembly for Buhera South!

His immediate intent is to take indigenous languages to Parliament to enable him to debate freely. His ambition, however, is to land a Cabinet post as Lands minister “to finish his business of taking land”. He is, however, overly secretive about his family and personal life.

Chinotimba, the MP-elect for Buhera South in Manicaland, can’t wait to make his maiden appearance in the House of Assembly and is enthusiastic about his recent election after several misses in the past elections.

A lot is expected from Chinotimba, but not on the serious side though, given his comic character which has made him the butt of jokes, mocking his broken English.

In an interview with NewsDay on Wednesday, Chinotimba proved to be quite a canny character in his own way. Despite his evident lack of education, he is one man who tries every trick in the book to convince anyone of his ideas no matter how crude.

Asked which ministry he would wish to have in the coming Cabinet, the self-confessed commander-in-chief of farm invasions said: “I don’t care about any ministerial post. It’s up to (President Robert) Mugabe and not me. I don’t need to answer that question. What I want are the people. I said I wanted to be Education minister because I had seen that (Education minister David) Coltart was not up to the task and I wish to be there. You know it’s impossible to get a ministerial post, but you are asking me about that.

“If they want, they can give me the Ministry of Lands so that I finish off what I had started (taking over land). What are you waiting for? You don’t even have a farm and the MDC people are angry with (Morgan) Tsvangirai because they don’t have farms.”

The former security guard with Harare City Council said those claiming that elections were rigged were “sick in the head”.

“Now they want to go to court. They lost, but now they say the X they put on Tsvangirai went to Mugabe, ask the X why it went to Mugabe when they put it on Tsvangirai,” Chinotimba said.

“They say Chinoz stole the election, that’s nonsense, bhora rakapinda mugedhi (referring to Zanu PF 2013 campaign slogan). We are like fish and the people are like water so we stay with the people. I did not go to Buhera for camping, I stay there and only come here (Harare) to see people like you.”

Quizzed on what plans he had for the people of his constituency, the militant Chinotimba said: “I don’t want to lie to them, so let them come with what they want.

I did not promise them anything. I gave them what they wanted in schools and clinics. Don’t ask me that here, just go to Buhera and see for yourself what I did for the people.”

Given challenges in conversing in English, Chinotimba said that won’t be a problem when he goes to Parliament given that he was good in Shona.

“I can use Shona, Ndebele or any indigenous language. Why English only? I don’t work for (Tony) Blair (former British Prime Minister). Ask me what I should do if I can’t speak Shangani? We don’t need English in Parliament,” he said.

On his personal life, Chinotimba said he would keep it a private until he dies hinting that he had several wives and children.

“I won’t tell you about my personal life, it’s my secret and you will only hear about that when I die. All my wives and children will be there.”

Chinotimba said no white man would be removed from the farms, but they should work with others.

“He (white man) will only have to work with others. It doesn’t help for one to occupy huge tracts of land and refuse to share with others. No white man will be removed from the farms, but if he refuses to share, the people will take the land,” he said.

Asked on his plans for journalists if he goes to Parliament, Chinotimba chose to dodge the question saying: “Which organisation do you work for? Do you agree that Chinotimba won the elections? Do you agree that Mugabe won the elections?

“I sent more than 600 Zanu PF T-shirts to the UK where I know they don’t like me, but people will be putting them on. I will be there in the UK through my T-shirts.

“It doesn’t matter whether I went to school or not, I learnt how to hold a gun without going to school. What does being an MP or a minister have to do with going to school? I don’t care which committee I will be in.”

Chinotimba pledged to work with councillors in his constituency.

“I will work with MDC-T councillors in my ward, they are two of them and I will work with them otherwise people will say I am a stupid leader. I will use the money to develop even their wards,” he said.

Morning Mirror

14 August 2013

I use the term “pathological optimist” with the utmost warmth, respect and admiration.

David Coltart refers to himself as a pathological optimist too, although always with that wry, lop-sided smile.

Still very much alive and kicking, and ready for his next challenge, is the Honourable Senator David Coltart – Minister of Sports, Arts, Education and Culture, lawyer, human rights activist, Christian Leader, founding member of MDC, Member of Parliament and Member of the House of Assembly.

David Coltart – Devoted husband and father and friend.

Friend to millions of Zimbabweans who have followed him, watched him, listened to him and loved him.

Mr Coltart “lost” his seat narrowly in the 2013 Zimbabwean “elections” along with many worthy candidates, and hundreds of thousands of people in his constituency and indeed in the entire world, were absolutely gutted.

Countless Zimbabweans home and abroad, will always remember David as having represented his country with great integrity and pride and he has left a fine legacy that will be in place for a very long time.

Rick, Robyn and my own memories of David include so many that were fun, so many that were extraordinarily traumatic, tense and frightening and so many that were supportive and encouraging.

I will always treasure the sight of David, meandering along the road outside our home, hat and sunglasses in place, running shoes afoot, putting himself in danger to see that our family was safe, after my spell in Sauerstown Police Station.

David Coltart has assured us all, that having been in this struggle for 30 years to bring democracy to Zimbabwe, he is not going to end that now. This long, hard struggle to bring freedom, transparency, decency, tolerance and democracy to Zimbabwe has been dealt a major set back this past week, but his determination to work towards achieving that vision for our beloved Zimbabwe, is undiminished.

This is the perennial hope and determination that he takes into Zimbabwe’s future.

We salute you David Coltart, for your strength, integrity, courage and determination against amazing odds.

“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support  of a cause we believe to be just”- Abraham Lincoln

Southern Eye

By Southern Eye Reporter

13 August 2013

A ZANU PF official has called for an audit of ministries run by the MDC formations during the era of the inclusive government, raising fears President Robert Mugabe’s party is plotting a witch-hunt.

Psychology Maziwisa, deputy director of information in Zanu PF, exposed the manoeuvres on Twitter at the weekend, but when pressed by Southern Eye, he claimed they were his personal opinion.

Maziwisa, who once wrote that Zanu PF refused to hand over power when it was defeated by the MDC-T in 2008, is considered a mouthpiece of hardliners in Mugabe’s party.

He refuted charges that Zanu PF was plotting a witch-hunt against its former coalition partners saying there was evidence MDC-T and MDC formations were corrupt.

“What witch-hunt? If these guys end up being pursued, it will be by the relevant authorities and not by Zanu PF,” he said in response to questions from the Southern Eye.

“The law is very clear about how public funds ought to be used.

“If you look back five years, it’s clear certain ministers from the MDC were acting outside the precepts of the law. And I’m not just talking about isolated cases of abuse of funds; I’m talking about a pattern — a culture of corruption. In my view, Finance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Education, Energy and Industry and Commerce (ministries) would be good starting points.”

MDC-T’s Tendai Biti is the outgoing Finance minister while Nelson Chamisa headed the ICT ministry and Elton Mangoma headed the Energy portfolio. MDC leader Welshman Ncube is the outgoing Industry and Commerce minister, while his party’s legal affairs secretary David Coltart headed the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture ministry.

Coltart, considered to be the best performing minister during the life span of the inclusive government after he helped resuscitate the education sector, was the only minister singled out for criticism in the Zanu PF manifesto for the July 31 elections.

Ironically, only in 2010 Maziwisa wrote: “When Nelson Chamisa telephones me and speaks about how he has given everything for the advancement of democracy in Zimbabwe, my heart aches.

“Tears come to my eyes when I juxtapose the sacrifices he has made and the selfishness displayed by his Zanu PF counterparts and, to be fair, some within his own party. Instead of bringing something to the table, they take, take and take again.

“Zimbabwe has been undone by Zanu PF’s lust for power and money.”

He added: “Unlike Zanu PF, the MDC has several politicians of integrity and determination.”

Early this year, Zanu PF was accused of using its influence over the police to block the investigation of several of its ministers fingered by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in scandals around indigenisation and mining deals.