Zimbabwe Independent

21 December 2012

JOURNALISTS in Zimbabwe have long been fighting for greater access to information, especially from public institutions.

Misa-Zimbabwe says the right to know or freedom of information is a fundamental human right that is imperative for both citizens and the media. Affirming this principle, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights under Article 9 states that “Every individual shall have the right to receive information…”

Below, Zimbabwe Independent journalists assess the level of accessibility of ministers and party spokespersons and the usefulness of information they provided to them in 2012. Here is how we rated them, along with comments on how some of them can be more useful.

Most accessible:

Patrick Chinamasa: The Justice and Legal Affairs minister even returns calls and is always ready to comment on matters under his jurisdiction. Very honest in his comments.

David Coltart: The Education, Sport and Culture minister is commendably professional and well informed about issues in his ministry. He is also available on Tweeter, Facebook and other social networks.

Welshman Ncube: The Industry and Commerce minister is also available on social networks where he shares information with the public. Always willing to comment on issues that come under his ministry.

Walter Mzembi: The Tourism and Hospitality minister is always readily available and willing to comment on issues pertinent to his ministry.
Eric Matinenga: The Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs minister is extremely professional and honest, and returns calls. Very well versed with what is happening in his ministry.

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga: The Regional Integration and International Cooperation is always ready to comment. Pity she has very little on her plate.

Rugare Gumbo: The Zanu PF spokesperson is professional and does not hold grudges no matter how much you write criticising his party. He never takes things personally and is readily available to all media houses.

George Charamba: The Presidential spokesperson does not hold grudges and takes criticism in his stride.

Nhlanhla Dube: The MDC spokesperson has rectified his weakness of posting comments which would have been solicited exclusively.
Luke Tamborinyoka: The Prime Minister’s spokesperson is very approachable.

Fairly accessible:

Saviour Kasukuwere – Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister

Francis Nhema – Environment and Natural Resources minister

Herbert Murerwa – Lands and Rural Resettlement minister

Samuel Sipepa Nkomo – Water Resources, Development and Management minister

Henry Madzorera – Health and Child Welfare minister

Webster Shamu – Media, Information and Publicity minister

Kembo Mohadi – Home Affairs minister

Ignatius Chombo – Local Government Urban and Rural Development minister

Obert Mpofu – Mines and Mining Development minister

Giles Mutsekwa – National Housing and Social Amenities minister

Lucia Matibenga – Public Service minister

Joseph Made – Agriculture minister

Olivia Muchena – Womens’ Affairs Gender and Community Development minister

Douglas Mwonzora – The MDC-T spokesperson needs to be reliable.Sometimes he switches off his phone for long periods and does not honour appointments. He should be a man of his word and give factual and credible information, something he has failed to do on several occasions.

Accessible only to certain journalists:

Tendai Biti – Finance minister

Elton Mangoma – Energy and Power Development minister

Nicholas Goche – Transport and Infrastructure Development minister

Emmerson Mnangagwa – Defence minister

Accessible when it suits:

Tapiwa Mashakada – The Economic Planning and Investment Promotion minister used to be one of the most accessible leaders in the MDC-T but this suddenly changed when he was appointed minister.

Nelson Chamisa – Information Communication Technology minister

Gorden Moyo – State Enterprises and Parastatals minister

Theresa Makone – Home Affairs minister

Least accessible:

Sydney Sekeramayi – As State Security minister we assume it is due to the nature of his ministry

Gabbuza Gabuza – The Public Works minister is not helpful at all.

Paurina Mpariwa – The Labour and Social Welfare minister ducks and dives and gives the impression she knows little about the goings on in her ministry, and always refers questions to junior officers.

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi – The Foreign Affairs minister refuses with his cellphone number. He even claims that he does not give his number to relatives. Thankfully there is Ambassador Joey Bimha in his ministry; otherwise there would be a complete blackout of official information.

Rarely asked to comment:

Heneri Dzinotyiwei – Science and Technology minister

Sithembiso Nyoni – Small and Medium Enterprise and Cooperative Development minister.

The Sunday News

15 December 2012

THE Zimbabwe Netball Association president Leticia Chipandu says the 2012 netball season was a good turning point for the sport as it saw players nurtured from grassroots level.

However, the netball boss was quick to advise local clubs in the local Super League to be more competitive if they are to match Southern Africa’s best in tournaments such as the regional Zone X1 games.

Responding to e-mailed questions, Chipandu, challenged local clubs to work hard in 2013 so that the nation can become a force to reckon with in regional club competitions.

“I am truly satisfied with the way the 2012 Super League was played. All the clubs showed great commitment and I am so overwhelmed by that. I would like to commend all the 12 teams for their dedication, determination and discipline,” said Chipandu.

“But I would like to urge most of the clubs to come up with more competitive teams that will attract sponsors. Like for instance we have had one or two clubs dominating the elite league and when they go for regional games they tend to falter because they square up against stiffer opposition,” added Chipandu.

She went on to say that by having more competitive teams in the league, clubs must set up structures for development that start from the grassroot level.

“The challenge of having more competitive teams in our league can be overcome by having clubs set up structures from grassroot level. There is so much talent out there especially from schools and such talent must be nurtured and developed,” said Chipandu.

The 2012 netball calendar was hugely a successful one that saw Zimbabwe securing the rights to host the 6th edition of the Supreme Council for sport in Africa Zone Six Youth Games in 2014.

The council, represented by its Secretary General Mvuso Mbebe, last week signed a protocol agreement with the Government, which was represented by Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, David Coltart.

It is yet to be decided on whether Bulawayo or Harare will host the 6th edition of the Games as only one city can play host.

Voice of America | Zimbabwe

By Tatenda Gumbo and Ntungamili Nkomo

13 December 2012

WASHINGTON — Education Minister David Coltart says those he calls “hardliners” in the unity government are blocking Zimbabwe’s ratification of the Rome Statute because they fear ratification might expose them to prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for human rights violations.

Nonetheless, Coltart said he is hopeful that Zimbabwe will eventually sign the statute.

Speaking during a Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC in Rome this week, the minister added that while political violence has decreased in Zimbabwe, more fundamental human rights violations continue.

The minister told VOA that the fear by some Zimbabwean politicians to sign the Rome Statute is unfounded.

“It’s clear that there are some in our society who don’t want to ratify,” said Coltart, adding that “what they don’t seem to appreciate is that the ICC does not have retroactive jurisdiction.”

Coltart said this statute can’t be used to prosecute people who committed atrocities during the liberation struggle or against people who committed genocide during the Gukurahundi era, as it is a forward-looking statute to protect citizens.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was formed and has statute to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity crimes of aggression and war crimes.

Zimbabwe is a signatory of the Rome Statute but is yet to ratify it under the country’s laws.

Speaking at this week’s Human Rights Day commemorations, Justice and Legal Affairs permanent secretary, David Mangota, told a gathering in the capital city that Zimbabwe had made strides in addressing women and children’s rights but noted that it is lagging behind in enhancing economic rights because of sanctions.

Mangota said Zimbabwe is committed to upholding the rights of citizens and agreed to work with the United Nations to maintain a strong human rights record.

But Minister Coltart is not alone. Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya of the Liberal Market Solutions agreed that Harare should sign the statute and commit itself to the rule of law.

“It is understandable that they would be reluctant because they would want to err on the side of safety they are aware that there have been many violations”, said Ngwenya.

He still maintains Zimbabwe has an obligation to its citizens to allow for due process in cases of human rights violations.

News Day

By  Veneranda Langa

12 December 2012

AT LEAST 70 000 trained teachers fled Zimbabwe to neighbouring countries due to political violence that rocked the country between 2000-2008 resulting in permanent closure of about 82% of farm schools, a think-tank has said.

According to a research by the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU), most of the teachers who fled the country’s political upheavals were now based in neighbouring South Africa.

The report – titled Fragility And Education In Zimbabwe: Assessing The Impact Of Violence On Education by Lloyd Pswarayi and Tony Reeler – showed that the education sector was under siege as violence was rearing its ugly head again ahead of possible elections sometime next year.

“The reasons for the attacks, it has been established, have been politically motivated, and research has revealed that violence is State-sponsored, or at least State-condoned. Hence children not only had their education disrupted, but also experienced politically-motivated intimidation and witnessed political violence.  However, violence in schools and against teachers was not confined to commercial farms, but was widespread,” the RAU report said.

“Since 2000, Zimbabwe has lost nearly 70 000 trained teachers mainly to neighbouring South Africa; the reasons were associated with the state of the economy, but politically-motivated violence against teachers was also an important factor.”

As a result, Zimbabwe was now among 31 countries in the world – including Iraq, Palestine, Ivory Coast, and Burma/Myanmar – where attacks on educators had been documented.

“Many commercial farms had primary schools for the children of their workforces, and these schools (and especially their teachers) became foci for political violence and intimidation.  One study estimated that 82% of the schools on farms had been closed or downsized.”

The report also claimed that three-quarters of farm workers and schoolchildren were forced to attend political meetings.

Teachers were targeted because  they were perceived to be educated and influential members of local communities.

Their involvement as polling officers during elections was also cited as another factor that contributed to their victimisation.

Education minister David Coltart has repeatedly urged political parties to stop conducting rallies at schools to safeguard teachers.

News Day

By Prosper Ndlovu

6 December 2012

The marking of the 2012 grade seven examinations has been completed and schools are expected to start receiving the results today. Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) chairman, Professor Norman Maphosa confirmed the development saying the examinations body delayed marking as it was waiting for the Ministry of Finance to release the $1, 5 million to pay the markers. Cabinet had to intervene by ordering ZIMSEC to use its own resources to fund the exercise. Meanwhile education, sport, arts and culture minister senator David Coltart has reassured the nation that Ordinary and Advanced Level Examination results for this year will be released on time.

The Zimbabwean

By Kundai Marunya

5 December 2012

Renowned actor, theatre guru and playwright Walter Mparutsa, who died in April, has been honoured by Rooftop Promotions.

A bust of the actor by sculptor Chenjerai Mutasa was unveiled at Theatre in the Park last week at the premiere of “Protest”. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education Sport and Culture David Coltart, Mayor of Harare Muchadeyi Masunda, members of the diplomatic corps and Mparutsa’s family.

“Mparutsa was a staunch advocate for artistic freedom and democracy who died aged 72 after a brave fight with cancer,” said Rooftops PRO LesleyMoyo.

He began his acting career way back in the late 1960s when he founded the Chiedza Drama Club in the then Harare (now Mbare).

Around the same period, he also founded and chaired the Anglican Young Peoples Association at St. Michaels in Mbare, which staged religious plays. He adapted plays from Shona novels and wrote scripts, rehearsed, directed and toured plays around greater Harare.

In the 1980s he won the award for Best Actor in the National Winterfest Theatre Festival for his role in Athol Fugard’s Nongogo, as adjudicated by RADA Theatre Practitioners from the UK. In 1983 he shared the Best Actor Award with stage compatriot Dominic Kanaventi in Andrew Whaley’s play Platform Four.

News Day

By Khanyile Mlotshwa 

5 December 2012

EDUCATION minister David Coltart has revealed that the government will soon launch a satellite educational television and radio channels to enable it to reach out to some of the country’s remote schools.

In a statement yesterday, Coltart said the channel will be operating from the Education Training Centre (ETC) in Mount Pleasant where refurbishments have reached an advanced stage.

Coltart said the German government was funding the rehabilitation of the centre that will include radio and television studios.

“The ETC is one of the most critically important components of Zimbabwe’s education system in that in the past it has generated a wide variety of educational materials to supplement and complement the work of teachers in the classroom,” he said.

“Twenty-five years ago it had cutting edge technology and facilities which were the envy of Africa, including two radio broadcasting and recording studios and one TV studio.

“It also had art studios which produced magnificent teaching aids.”

Coltart said the studios were under renovation “using cutting edge Apple computer technology” and will be completely refurbished in the next few months.

“This exercise has come at a critical moment in the stabilisation and redevelopment of the entire education system in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“We are just about to embark on a major exercise to review and reform the curriculum which will entail, amongst other things, the development of an array of new textbooks and other teaching materials.

“These new education applications, together with old existing materials, which will be converted from analogue to digital format using the new equipment, will be disseminated to all schools.

“ In this regard, I hope to start a pilot “school-in-box” project next year which will use tablet computers and solar technology to take these applications to the most remote Zimbabwean schools which do not have electricity or access to the Internet.”

The minister said part of the plan was to start education broadcasting.

“In years gone past, materials produced in the ETC were broadcast to remote schools and communities throughout Zimbabwe,” Coltart said.

“The new studios will enable us to do that again and now we are going to take broadcasting a step further by using modern satellite technology to have our own dedicated education channel.”

News Day

1 December 2012

EDUCATION, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart has bemoaned the lack of use of Queens Cricket Sports Club for international matches by the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

Coltart said this at ZC franchise Matabeleland Tuskers/Lobels Partnership launch at Queens on Thursday night.

“It’s been over a year now since we have had international cricket at this venue and it’s a shame. I have issued a directive to Zimbabwe Cricket to ensure that all international matches that will be played be spread nationwide.” Coltart said.

This is the second time Coltart has made that call after he wrote a letter to the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) in June directing the sports body to have international games in all sporting disciplines spread throughout the country where there are suitable venues.

“All sports associations recognised by the SRC will immediately advise the SRC of the venues which are accepted/recognised for international fixtures by the relevant international sporting body . . . With effect from 1st August 2012, the SRC shall only authorise international sporting events (in terms of Section 19(d) of the SRC Act) on condition that all sporting associations hold all matches involving representative Zimbabwean teams, including both friendly and official matches, at all internationally accepted venues on an equitable and alternating basis . . . The purpose behind these directives is to ensure national equity and fairness,” Coltart wrote in June.

The minister took time to applaud the Tuskers/Lobels Youth Development partnership and stated that the government was in a tight spot and therefore was in no position to launch such initiatives, encouraging the business community to continue showing their support for the promotion of youth development in sport.

Lobels are the first company to sponsor Matabeleland Tuskers in their bid to promote the development of cricket in disadvantaged communities among the youth.

The confectionery unit made available a sponsorship deal of up to $5 000 for the Champion of Champions Schools Tournament.
Lobels have been sponsors of a local women’s soccer team, New Orleans, for the past three years and have been involved with local schools around Bulawayo.

The finals for the junior boys and girls’ competitions were played with Magwegwe Primary School emerging winners in the girls’ finals.

Mtshingwe Primary School were the winners in the boys’ category of this year’s Champion of Champions.

The Independent

30 November 2012

There has been much controversy of late over the source of funds President Robert Mugabe uses when distributing farm inputs worth US$20 million.

Mugabe recently launched the Presidential Well-Wishers Special Agricultural Inputs Scheme with maize and fertilisers being distributed through Zanu PF structures, according to newspaper reports.

The campaign, however, is becoming a tad scruffy with Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba telling state media Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai finds enough money to “atone for his carnal excesses”. He claimed Mugabe raised the money he needed for distributing farm inputs by carrying a food hamper to save money from his travel and subsistence allowance.

The MDC-T hit back, NewsDay, reported, saying Charamba’s remarks were a clear indication Mugabe had failed.

“For Mugabe who is repeatedly and monotonously referred to as head of state and government by state institutions to concede that the same government he is head of failed to support its farmers is not only astonishing but self-defeating…”

While this is clearly a serious matter, Muckraker couldn’t help but chuckle at Charamba’s claim the president carried a food hamper around with him to cut costs from his travel and subsistence allowance. Does this include Air Zimbabwe meals we wonder?

The real little man

How the mighty have fallen! On Tuesday excommunicated Anglican Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and his surrogates were told they had up to 4pm to vacate all Anglican Church properties.

The Daily News reports the Church of the Province of Central Africa obtained a “Warrant of Ejection” from the High Court for which Kunonga was liable. He was reportedly in contempt of court for failing to abide by the court ruling and thus liable to arrest.

This is a far cry from the Kunonga of years past who bristled with confidence following High Court judge Justice Ben Hlatshwayo’s ruling granting him ownership of all Anglican Church property in Zimbabwe.

In September the boisterous Kunonga told the Sunday Mail’s Munyaradzi Huni: I don’t have anything against (Bishop Chad) Gandiya. He is a little man. I have never considered him to be significant. I don’t know where he came from and there is nothing personal between us . . .”

“It’s an insult that people say I am fighting Gandiya. Even Bakare, he is no equal to me. I am fighting Rowan Williams. That’s where these people are making a mistake. I am not fighting any black man. I am fighting Britain and America. I am not petty. This is where they misunderstand me,” bellowed Kunonga. Who is the little man now Cde Kunonga?

Chickens home to roost

Here’s another quotable quote from Kunonga: “One of the reasons why I succeed is that I don’t operate outside the law.” Except this time around the law did not work out in his favour and Kunonga is crying foul.

Following his loss, Kunonga said his concern was now with the “level of moral decadence” affecting Zimbabwe.

Oh, puh-leeze! Kunonga cannot claim any moral high ground considering allegations several churches he had seized had been desecrated with some being turned into bedrooms and brothels. He had once crowed “I am not controversial. I am the controversy”.  It seems the controversy has finally come back to bite him.

Tomana loses the plot

Attorney-General Johannes Tomana says he will crack down on what he calls saboteurs of state interests.

Replying to a question from what sounded like an interested party in the diamond sector, Tomana said things would be done differently from now on.

“If we truly want this country to experience the hope that we are a secure country, an orderly country, we need to upgrade our law enforcement side …

“Things are now going to be done differently. That level of tolerance is now suspended. I wish to advise accordingly.”

A delegate had asked at the Victoria Falls indaba if the country did not have sufficient laws to punish those that had campaigned against Zimbabwe’s Marange diamonds which resulted in the international community questioning the cleanliness of the gems.

“For the record, I am sure you remember those from civic society, they have gone on record to actually say that those laws that protect us are bad laws and because they are bad laws they can be ignored, and that is the reason you would see people violating those laws in the name of democracy…”

Tomana appears not to understand the basics of democratic rule. The public are entitled to describe bad laws as such if they impinge upon people’s rights. Billions of dollars in diamonds have reportedly been syphoned from the Marange diggings. Should that claim be ignored? Newspapers and civil society surely have an obligation to fulfil a watchdog role in this regard?

Instead of threatening civil society, Tomana should be thinking of ways to enhance democratic safeguards for the nation’s minerals output. Zimbabwe has a bad record of sweeping inconvenient problems under the political carpet. And what of the human rights violations in 2008 which have not seen the light of day? Jestina Mukoko may have a view on the state’s level of “tolerance”!

Selous Scout by force

Jonathan Moyo, it seems, refuses to accept that David Coltart was never a Selous Scout. He has an explanation for his error. “Any Rhodie who served any organ of Rhodesian forces was a Selous Scout in letter or spirit or both and so the difference was in detail and not in orientation or purpose,” he declared.So there you have it. We can count on Moyo not allowing inconvenient facts to get in the way of his agenda.

Back to ‘Dark City’

Of late Zesa Holdings had given its tortured customers a reprieve from its incessant load shedding which had earned Harare the infamous “Dark City” monicker.

Zesa had finally turned a corner, or so we thought, before Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira –– without warning –– announced the useless utility would once again embark on massive load-shedding until the beginning of next year effective this Monday.

Gwasira said load-shedding had been caused by “extensive maintenance programme at Hwange and Kariba power stations”.

“The original plan was to implement the maintenance works between April and May, but we realised that it is the winter peak period so we decided to postpone to December where demand is low considering companies would have closed down for the festive period,” Gwasira said.

Why consumers were not warned of this impending blackout only Zesa knows. And we are unimpressed by the way it suddenly “realises” something like when winter falls.

As if to rub salt in the wound Gwasira claimed Zesa would “put in place measures to reduce the load-shedding”.

“Our aim is to ensure that the consumer is not affected adversely by our attempt to improve power supply so we have put in place measures which are within our jurisdiction to alleviate the situation,” Gwasira bleated offering cold comfort to households and businesses already plunged in darkness. For Zesa the adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” is certainly apt.

Bank loan mogul

Mines deputy minister Gift Chimanikire recently took time to exonerate his boss Obert Mpofu from accusations his vast wealth has been amassed through misappropriating proceeds from diamonds. Mpofu had made his fortune through his sweat, Chimanikire declared at the Victoria Falls diamond conference.

This realisation had been made after working with Mpofu at the Mines ministry, we were told.

“When I joined the Mines ministry, Mpofu had been there for a year. He already had that kind of wealth,” Chimanikire said as if Mpofu had not been in government before.

This is despite Mpofu being among Zanu PF officials fingered as multiple farm-owners still clinging onto the farms they grabbed ignoring the one-man-one-farm policy as well as restrictions on farm sizes.

In September we carried a story which revealed Mpofu was still holding on to three farms.

Mpofu once claimed to have acquired much of the property he now owns through a bank loan.

If anyone believes that they will believe anything!

Too close for comfort

Though they were from different political parties, Chimanikire said, he had worked very well with his boss whom he went on to describe as “King of  Matabeleland”.

The Daily News reports MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the party is demanding an explanation from Chimanikire as he “does not have the capacity to determine the wealth that is in the hands of Mpofu”.

Mwonzora said Chimanikire is trying to “provide flattery to Mpofu” but does not have the “ability nor means” to determine sources of Mpofu’s wealth.

A report released in London by Partnership Africa Canada detailing corruption in the Marange diamond fields makes interesting reading. “His (Mpofu) unexplained wealth is emblematic of wider problems of revenue transparency associated with this promising national resource,” the report stated.

The Chronicle

28 November 2012

MTSHINGWE Primary School and Magwegwe Primary School were the winners of the Lobels Bread sponsored Matabeleland Tuskers Champion of Champions schools cricket tournament in their respective finals played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

In the boys’ section, Mtshingwe clobbered Milton Junior by 10 wickets while Magwegwe were crowned the girls’ champions when they defeated Luveve by 10 runs. The boys final was played over 20 overs with the girls playing each other in a 10 over affair.

Coached by Matabeleland Tuskers off spinner John Nyumbu, Milton Junior thought they had done enough to win the match when they posted 90 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Mtshingwe, under the guidance of former Matabeleland B player Vincent Dururu, lost no wicket in scoring 94 runs in 13 overs to romp to victory.

Magwegwe made 29 for two wickets in their allotted 10 overs and restricted Luveve to 19 for five from the same number of overs.

For their efforts, Mtshingwe went home $250 richer while Milton Junior received $100. Magwegwe got $300 with $100 going to Luveve.

Lobels Bread provided all the teams with playing kit, refreshments and transport.

This afternoon will see the official unveiling of the Lobels Bread and Matabeleland Tuskers sponsorship deal at Queens Sports Club.

Tomorrow, the secondary schools boys and girls finals take place at the same venue with Mpopoma High School from Bulawayo taking on Gebuza Secondary School from Hwange. The girls final is between Emakhandeni Secondary School from Bulawayo who take on Mosi-Oa-Tunya from Victoria Falls.

David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture is expected to grace the awards ceremony to be staged after the two matches tomorrow.