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PRIMEPRIME MINISTERMINISTERThe Newsletter from the Office of the Prime Minister www.zimbabweprimeminister.org 01 March 2013

WalkPM thetells Mugabe talk… Prime Minister has challenged President Robert Mugabe to rein in his violent lieutenants who were perpetrating heinous crimes against the people countrywide. Addressing thousands of mourners at the funeral wake of Christpowers Maisiri who was burnt by Zanu PF militants last Saturday, PM Tsvangirai said the death of the 12-year-old boy marked a defining moment in the struggle for democratic change. “This is a defining end to the struggle we have waged as a people. His death is defining the last line that never again should this happen in this country. Zanu PF has a spirit of shooting itself in the foot. People are now saying ‘honayi Mugabe atanga’,” the Prime Minister said. Christpowers, son to aspiring candidate for Headlands, Shepherd Maisiri, was burnt beyond recognition when the house he was sleeping in with three other siblings was petrol-bombed by Zanu PF supporters. ‘I am not going to be part and parcel of a leadership that subverts the will of the people. I will do everything in my power to ensure a free and Mai Tsvangirai could not contain her emotions as she consoled Mrs Maisiri, Christpowers’ mother “These are desperate acts. These acts point the people, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said he “I am not going to be part and parcel of a fair election’ to the culpability of some of the Zanu PF would not be part of a coterie of leaders who leadership that subverts the will of the people. While the other siblings escaped with burns, the leaders in this constituency,” said Prime are determined to undermine the people’s will I will do everything in my power to ensure a free roof of the hut curved in before Christpowers Minister Tsvangirai. As a man who stands by through violence. and fair election,” said PM Tsvangirai. could escape. Mugabe ‘shrunk’ when he was told about the horrendous murder and shown pictures of the dead boy. PM speaks against oppression “I saw him after the Cabinet meeting and he said what he had been told earlier was totally different,” The draft constitution promises to pave way for democratic elections that as a noteworthy player among other nations, accepts gender equality and the Premier said. will lead Zimbabwe into a new political dispensation. inclusive human security as necessary constitutional safety nets in line with universal norms and standards,” he added. “He (Mugabe) said I think Mutasa must answer The remarks were made by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Seoul, for his actions. I will not believe Mugabe’s calls South Korea at a World Summit facilitated by the Universal Peace Federation PM Tsvangirai said the country was still at risk from violence but he was for peace unless we implement what was agreed (UPF), a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to foster putting in place mechanisms that ensured peaceful polls. in Cabinet,” he added. and promote peace in the world. His calls came after a 12-year old son of MDC MP aspirant Shepherd Maisiri, Cabinet resolved that all perpetrators of violence The summit, running under the theme “Peace Security and Human was burnt to death by Zanu PF thugs in Headlands. “However, even with must be arrested. It also resolved that the Joint Development” brought in leaders from different parts of the world. these tentative steps towards a new culture of constitutionalism, Zimbabwe Monitoring and Implementation Committee is a country that is still at risk. As we approach another election period this (JOMIC) investigates the matter and many other “Today a new constitution is currently up for public analysis and scrutiny. year, we seek to put in place institutions, legislation and mechanisms that acts of violence recorded countrywide. This charter, as a covenant, promises to open the way for democratic will deal with the generic inhibitions of patriarchy and other negative social elections, leading to a new dispensation, in a new Zimbabwe,” said constructions that breed instability and lead to war,” he said. “We have to put a stop to violence. Give the names PM Tsvangirai. of the suspects to the police. We want those people “The year 2013 offers us, SADC and Africa, a defining moment for to answer for the death of this child. If we do not “I must emphasize that for the first time in our history, we fully recognize Zimbabwe. We must accept the imperative and manage the final stretch do that we will be perpetuating impunity and the role of women in our society. This charter, which identifies Zimbabwe with care and maturity in order to insulate our people from decades of encouraging those who are possessed by blood- political uncertainty,” added PM Tsvangirai. thirsty demons. No one should die in vain,” the Prime Minister said. PM Tsvangirai urged the world leaders at the summit to assist Zimbabwe as she goes through the transitional phase. He said that Zimbabweans yearned “Remember that just before our 1980 for the day when the State stopped oppressing its own subjects. independence, (army general), Josiah Tongogara died, in South Africa just before the majority “Zimbabwe is today standing at the cross road. Your solidarity with us as rule, Chris Hani, died. I lost Susan, but I decided we pull down the years of inequity and injustice will help us to achieve real to continue with the struggle until final victory,” sustainable peace where every Zimbabwean man, woman and child, can not Prime Minister Tsvangirai said. only be secure , but also enabled to live the life that God ordained for them. With your help we can achieve that society,” he said. “Uku kutyisidzira kwekupedzisira. (These are the last kicks of a dying horse.) The death of “Zimbabweans yearn for the day when the State ceases to be a source of Christpower is a game-changer,” he said. political volatility, confining itself to an enabler rather than a first choice player in the conduct of ordinary people’s lives.” “MDC is not under siege, it is Zanu PF which “Africans have languished for so long under the shadow of the State, is under siege. Only a dog that is cornered will The Premier being honoured with an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration for his often unnecessarily. This has eroded confidence and affected institutional fight back. They know they have lost the will of transformation initiatives,” he added. the people.” the Premier said. efforts towards democracy and peace in Zimbabwe at Sun Moon University, South Korea

Incremental gains in the Draft Constitution - Page 2 A million jobs in 5 years - PM - Page 4 Incremental gains in the Draft Constitution The new COPAC constitution draft, that was agreed upon in January, parents or any of their grandparents was a citizen by birth or descent; or 2013,is actually a victory for the MDC led by Prime Minister, Dr. either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen by registration. Morgan Tsvangirai. Fundamental human rights and freedoms are also enshrined in the One of the key result areas that define the main objectives of the new Constitution. Sections 48 to 78 clearly set out these rights. MDC was to come up with a new, democratic constitution for Of particular interest is the fact that the rights of women,rights Zimbabwe. Thus, it is a major victory for the forces of democracy of children, rights of the elderly and the rights of persons with that, finally, there will be a referendum on 16 March, 2013. disabilities are now set out in the new draft Constitution. This will help tremendously in transforming Zimbabwe into a modern As MDC, we have always been against a Constitution that gives developmental nation state. unlimited terms of office to the President. The COPAC draft constitution,stipulates that a person can only hold office as By creating an independent National Prosecuting Authority, the President for a maximum of two(2) five(5) year terms; effectively Draft Constitution takes away all prosecutorial powers from the meaning that we are not going to have a virtual life President as is Attorney-General. This is in line with international best practice in the case presently. that the Attorney-General will remain as the chief government legal adviser but not as the top public prosecutor. The draft constitution also curtails the draconian powers that are presently vested in the President in terms of the Lancaster House The new draft constitution also establishes various constitution. For instance,in terms of section 88 (2) of the draft independent commissions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Constitution,executive authority of Zimbabwe vests in the President Commission,Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission,Zimbabwe who exercises it, subject to the Constitution,through the Cabinet. The Gender Commission,Zimbabwe Media Commission and the President can no longer unilaterally declare war or a state of emergency National Peace and Reconciliation Commission. These independent without involving Cabinet and/or Parliament. In terms of section 111 of constitutional commissions will assist in establishing a progressive the draft,the President has the power to declare war and make peace, nation state that promotes and values the rule of law as well as the and must advise the Senate and the National Assembly within seven respect for fundamental human rights. sitting days. This effectively means that the President no longer has virtual carte blanche to declare war or to commit Zimbabwe’s troops to By establishing the concept of devolution, the draft constitution war as happened some years ago when the President unilaterally sent also brings power to the provinces. Thus, the days when power Zimbabwean troops into the DRC to fight on behalf of Laurent Kabila. was solidly vested in only one man, i.e the President, are over. In terms of section 264 of the draft constitution,wherever appropriate, The draft Constitution also clearly defines the concept of Zimbabwean governmental powers and responsibilities must be devolved to citizenship. Thousands of people were previously treated as aliens and provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities. This as such, they could not vote in national elections simply because is major victory for the people of Zimbabwe who have always either one or both of their parents were born in a foreign country. clamoured for more localised control of their resources and This meant that these people couldn’t exercise their right to responsibilities. This will encourage the nurturing of grassroots vote because they were essentially considered as foreigners. In terms democracy and accountability. of Section 43 (2) of the draft Constitution,every person who was born Hon. Obert Gutu in Zimbabwe is a Zimbabwean citizen by birth if one or both of his or her Section 206 of the draft sets out the provisions for national parents was a citizen of a country which became a member of SADC security. Of significance is the provision that stipulates that the the constitution, it brings a breath of fresh air to issues of governance, established by the treaty signed at Windhoek, Namibia,on 17 August, security services are subject to the authority of the Constitution, the accountability and transparency. The imperial Presidency that we 1992. Thus, all those people who were previously considered as aliens President and the Cabinet and are subject to parliamentary oversight. presently have under the much amended Lancaster House now qualify to vote as Zimbabwean citizens. Naturally, this will have a Presently, the security services are a law unto themselves. By constitution has been effectively dismantled. major positive impact for the MDC, particularly in urban areas as well introducing parliamentary oversight into the activities of security as the former commercial farming areas. services,the draft constitution helps in enhancing and sustaining accountability and transparency in the security services sector. Written by: Obert Gutu The draft constitution also allows dual citizenship. For instance, in terms of section 37 of the draft,persons born outside Zimbabwe are Generally, although the new COPAC draft constitution does not Senator for Chisipite, Deputy Minister of Justice & Legal Affairs Zimbabweans by descent if,when they were born,either of their contain everything that the MDC would have wanted to be included in and MDC Harare provincial spokesperson. Women speak on AU International Women’s day As the world commemorates the International going children. I survive on vending. I have tried At a public discussion that was held at a local hotel lauds Women’s Day in March, Zimbabwean women face to get a job without success,” she said. Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) Director a myriad of challenges ranging from politically Jenni Williams urged women in Zimbabwe to motivated violence to poverty. Tracy Mashamba, (24), said that she had heard remain active and participate vigorously as they about the International Women’s Day and said; fight for democracy. The International Women’s Day, set aside by the JUICE United Nations (UN) in 1977 to commemorate and “I have heard about International Women’s During the discussion women such as the late recognize women across the globe, is marked each Day and as a young woman, it doesn’t have Rosa Parks of the United States of America th year on the 8 March. This year commemorations any meaningful significance in my life. Here in (USA) were brought under the spotlight and her The African Union has praised the are held under the theme; “The Gender Agenda: Kadoma it is very difficult for myself and other method of passive resistance during the 1955 bus Movement for Democratic Change’s Gaining Momentum”. women to enjoy a better life since most of the boycott was emulated as one of the most powerful economic blueprint, JUICE describing it as things are expensive and scarce. I struggle daily to weapon that women can use in advocating complementing the organisation’s vision to The local theme is “Peace begins with me,peace go to college since I have to pay the commuter fare for change. create more jobs on the continent. begins with you ,peace begins with us all. Act now as well as monthly fees. I will commemorate the to end violence against women and girls.” International Women’s Day but there is nothing Rosa Parks was an African American who refused At a meeting recently held in Ethopia much to celebrate.” to sit at the back of a bus in what was coined as Zimbabwe goes to the polls later this year where member States were deliberating on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and this contributed the AU’s Action plan, member States said under a new constitution widely expected to Amai Gladys Makiwa, (54), told the PM immensely towards the granting of civic liberties be ratified in a referendum set for mid-March. the creation of jobs under JUICE would end Newsletter that women in Zimbabwe had to to black Americans to this day. high levels of unemployment in Zimbabwe. Elections, especially in the last decade, have been take the commemorations seriously since they characterised by abuses of women, which Prime Recently scores of WOZA members were arrested were facing a myriad of challenges that hindered “MDC-T’s JUICE is in line with the AU’s Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been working progress. She cited cases of Typhoid as a classic in Bulawayo on Valentine’s Day after holding a hard to put a stop to. peaceful love march in the city center. vision to create more jobs on the continent example that exposed the daily challenges that and end high levels of unemployment,” women in Kadoma were facing. The Prime Minister is currently making all efforts Another peaceful march in Harare on that day Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe told the delegates at the AU meeting. to dismantle institutions of violence. “As a mother, my message is that women was dispersed by the police as scores of WOZA in Zimbabwe have to commemorate the day members attempted to march towards parliament Women interviewed by the Prime Minister’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last year since it is important in their lives. It actually officially launched the Jobs, Upliftment, Newsletter called on the authorities to ensure acts as a day when women see how they are “I urge all women in Zimbabwe to keep on women were protected and said that much needed fighting for their rights .The police can arrest us Investment Capital and Environment struggling daily as they take care of the family. (JUICE) aimed at setting the platform to be done to make the International Women’s It is our day despite the challenges that we face as but that will not break our spirit of advocating for Day popular. our democratic rights and freedom of expression. for job creation. PM Tsvangirai said that Zimbabwean women,” Makiwa said. his government would create more than a Some women interviewed by the PM Newsletter We will keep on using peaceful methods and that million jobs in the period between 2013 said they were too poor and busy to spend time “Here in Kadoma typhoid cases have been on the wont stop us achieving our goals,” she said. and 2017. commemorating the International Women’s Day increase and this has resulted in many families being affected. Women bear the brunt of taking whilst others expressed concern that women were Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and “One of the social crisis facing Zimbabwe being used as pawns especially during elections. care of the sick and this affects us on a daily basis. Community Development Jessie Majome said that is unemployment and job creation is one As we celebrate International Women’s day 2013, the theme for 2013 is opposite for Zimbabwe as of the main priority for the new MDC led Regardless of being referred to as the City of Gold, we call upon the government to address the issue the country is preparing to go for elections. government and we will create one million a number of women in Kadoma are reeling under of waterborne diseases since it is affecting many jobs between 2013 and 2017.” a heavy load of daily challenges ranging from families here in Kadoma,” she said. “This year’s theme of preventing and ending all failure to access clean water and threat of water- forms of violence against women and girls is “Our youths are the biggest population in borne diseases such as typhoid. The day does not Agnes Rwafa (33) (not her real name) of particularly opposite for Zimbabwe as we are in Nyamapanda in Mashonaland East said that the country yet they spend much of their mean much to them. election year, because our elections are prone to time in the streets roaming around with it was her first time to hear about the day but violence, which terrorizes women in a particular said she was experiencing some hardships as a nothing to do. This has to be addressed Poverty in suburbs such as Rimuka is visible way”, she said. urgently,” said PM Tsvangirai everywhere with women carrying buckets of water rural woman. She said that since the principals in government announced the calls for elections, she and firewood. According to Nyasha Makusha, “Women are disproportionately affected by He added that the country had the resources (31), the International Women’s Day is not of any was now living in fear since there were Zanu PF political violence because after everyone is beaten members harassing her family. and infrastructure necessary for job creation meaningful significance. up, their home looted, ransacked and burnt, there but Zanu PF had destructed everything in are still more things to be done to women that the past 32 years. “Water is a problem here in Kadoma and everyday “I am now living in fear with my family because can’t be done to men. I have to travel to the borehole to fetch water. This I was labeled an Anti Zanu PF member since my has been happening for a long time and I am now husband is active with the MDC. We are now Women were raped in Zimbabwe’s political The AU has said growth requires a tired of this kind of lifestyle,” she said being barred from even fetching water from the violence and most of the rapists are still marauding, peaceful, secure and enabling environment. local borehole and we are also being denied access roaming free. Let’s use this year’s commemoration It states that, “growth which excludes the “I have never heard about the International to food aid. It is my first time to hear about the day to ensure that we take all measures to stop all majority of the people in the continent Women’s Day and don’t see its relevance in my and there isn’t much significance in my life since I forms of violence against women and girls of all is meaningless”. life. I am struggling to pay fees for my two school am living in fear,” she said. ages”, she added. 2 Care for people living with disabilities For some African families, bearing a disabled child is regarded as a curse. This stigma results in parents hiding away such children from the public eye.

The stigma results in the disabled children being denied basic rights to education and freedom of movement, thus negatively impacting their lives.

Added to the stigma, in Zimbabwe schools for the disabled are beyond the reach of many especially those in rural areas, most of whom are plagued by poverty.

In Domboshawa village, Mashonaland East province, 64-year Josephine Chipurunyenye, a mother with a mentally challenged son who has taken it upon herself to raise awareness to parents with disabled children said that they should treat them just as they would do any other child.

Gogo Chipurunyenye started the awareness campaigns after realising that she had a disabled child who had failed to attend school many years ago as a result of the stigma and lack of funds. But after overcoming the stigma around disability, she has been conducting door-to-door campaigns mobilising disabled children in Domboshawa to attend school.

Her awareness campaign received a major boost when a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Leonard Cheshire Trust Zimbabwe, assisted primary schools in Goromonzi district with resources to promote inclusive learning of disabled children.

Schools that have benefitted include Zimbusi, Munyaviri, Molefe, Domboshawa, Nyamande and Chogugudza Minister Mpariwa handing over a food hamper to one of the physically challenged pupils, together with gogo Chipurunyenye (in blue suit) “I started this campaign because of the passion I have in assisting disabled children. The parents are now grateful that their children Premier Tsvangirai has said he accepted to be “As patron I will push for the government to ratify the Convention are now attending school and this has assisted especially towards Ambassador of people living with disability in SADC on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United their socialisation with other children. Even those parents who because he believed in the cause of the disabled people. Nations general assembly in 2006. We want the Disabled Persons were hiding their children are now bringing them out,” she added. The Premier has committed himself to helping the disabled. Act to be implemented in full.”

According to the Deputy Headmaster of Zimbusi Primary School, Dzotizei Jackson, the opening of such learning facilities has resulted in the influx of physically challenged children attending school like never before. So far the school has 19 disabled students. One million jobs in five years “We are very pleased as a school with what Leonard Cheshire Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai has said youth more worrying: seven out of 10 highly educated and ambitious has done for the school and community. This initiative has unemployment remains a major challenge in Zimbabwe and young people are unemployed, the bulk are women,” he said. greatly contributed towards the increase in numbers of physically poses a risk to political stability. challenged pupils who are now attending school,” said Dzotizei. Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate hovers around 80% with The Premier said this while addressing world leaders at a peace hundreds of school leavers roaming the streets. This has also “Unlike before, many parents were hiding away their children in summit hosted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Seoul, resulted in brain drain as job seekers cross borders to neighboring their homes but that stigma is fast fading away,” he added. Korea. He said that he was worried with the high numbers of countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in search young people who were struggling to make ends meet as a result of employment and other opportunities. This has resulted in even Dzotizei said some of the community members could not afford to of unemployment. educated Zimbabweans doing menial jobs in foreign lands. send their disabled children to schools that cater for such children because of the fees that are charged. “I am very concerned about the presence of hordes of active young Late last year Prime Minister Tsvangirai launched the people roaming the streets without hope for a decent future. The Jobs, Upliftment, Investment, Capital, Environment “It was indeed a double tragedy for these parents,” he said. “With dilemma is that this is either an untapped resource or a ticking (JUICE), an economic blue print seeking to create time bomb; an opportunity or a source of political instability in about one million jobs in the next five years. the inclusive education model, parents are now appreciating that waiting,” said PM Tsvangirai. JUICE guarantees investor friendly policies that are opposite to these children can be educated like others. They should not feel President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF’s indigenization program alienated,” he said. “Four out of five young people under 30 are leading asemi that has scared away potential investors from bringing in capital nomadic life in search of work. The continental average is even to start businesses in the country. Ezwell Fume (48) a villager and a member of the Zimbusi Primary School development committee (SDC) welcomed the program and said that it was an advantage to both the child and the parent to bring the children to attend school.

“This is a good program since it gives the parent an opportunity to conduct other chores whilst the children are at school. Many times parents of disabled children have to give attention always to their children which inhibit them from performing other chores,” he said.

Recently the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who is the Patron of the disabled in SADC, through the Minister of Labour and Social Services, , donated foodstuffs to children with disabilities at the various primary schools. During the hand over ceremony Mpariwa said that society should stop stigmatizing children with disabilities and said;

“People should work towards assisting children with disabilities and assist towards their welfare. I will keep on fighting towards the upliftment of children with disabilities.”

“Parents should not hide away children with disabilities and have to bring them to my Ministry for registration so that they get some sort of assistance,” she said. PM Tsvangirai addresses delegates at the Universal Peace Forum in Seoul, South Korea

Kadoma City Council has refurbished water supply construction of a power line dedicated to its water Blue Rangers. We are hoping that we improve around the city which are providing residents with Kadomasystems in line with the Prime Minister Morgan pump station and purification plantscores in a move service delivery to the residents who have suffereda water treatmentfirst tablets. Tsvangirai’s Government Work Porgramme aimed at easing water shortages that have dogged for too long,” said Matambo. (GWP) to improve service delivery to the people. the town. Suburbs which include Rimuka and “We have 22 water pumps, three of which are Mhunhumutapa have relied on open water sources The GWP, launched by the Premier when he Kadoma Mayor, Peter Chandafira Matambo, new pumps while the rest were refurbished. We and boreholes sunk by donors at the height of the formed the inclusive Government, set milestones told the PM Newsletter that he believed the need to provide clean water to the residents if we cholera outbreak in 2008. for the various sectors of government. Prime refurbishment of the water plants with the help are to win the fight against cholera and typhoid,” Minister Tsvangirai believes local authorities of development partners would ease the water Matambo said. The city is also facing several other challenges performance fed directly into changing the problems that had resulted in residents using including failure to refurbish roads as the council people’s lives. productive industrial time to look for water. Matambo however said like any other council does not have construction equipment. in Zimbabwe, their water and waste reticulation In an effort to provide clean and safe water thus “Zesa has committed not to switch off the grid system was aged and needed to be upgraded. The Mayor bemoaned the closure of companies eradicating water-borne diseases such as cholera which supplies power to the pump station at Kadoma has recorded more than 22 cases of such as David Whitehead that employed over and typhoid, Kadoma Council had completed Claw Dam and our water treatment plant at typhoid and the council had dotted mobile clinics 4000 residents. 3 Dismantling apparatus of violence Mabo Ndenga (58) has been hoping that she “These peace calls are just a cover up. Zanu PF Zanu PF militia has been disbanded and when Johannes Tomana and Police Commissioner would get justice after the murder of her activists are still instilling fear in people with the application of the law is not selective”. General, Augustine Chihuri but to date, no husband, Cephas Magura, who was stoned to their threats,” Magura said. arrests have been made. death by Zanu PF activists in May last year. Kinniard said; “Zanu PF knows that they would lose a free and fair election.” These cases are just a mirror of the failed justice victims of political violence have cried out for. In Chiweshe, several families were still waiting for justice after the murder of their loved ones Despite the peace calls by President Mugabe, in 2008 by a group of Zanu PF militia led by facts on the ground show that ZanuPF is not Major Cairo Mhandu and Major Maravadza sincere in wanting peaceful elections. who went on a rampage, mercilessly killing MDC supporters. On Saturday a 12-year-old son of an MDC-T aspiring candidate for Headlands, Shepherd Murdered in the attacks were: Gibbs Tayengwa Maisiri was burnt to death. Chironga, Joel Ngowani, Joel Lewis Musiiwa, Chironga Hama, Dofo Fushirayi, Godfrey Christpowers Simbarashe Maisiri was burnt Jemedze, Remember Kanyemba, David beyond recognition when the house he was Mapuranga Tachiwa and Doreen Marufu. sleeping in with three other siblings was petrol bombed by ZanuPF supporters. Arthur Matombo, Partson Madzuramhende, Rumbidzai Samhu, Runyararo Mugauri, , MDC secretary General said the Runyararo Musoni and Fungisai Ziome, are party had recorded 120 cases of political violence some of the MDC activists who lost their lives against its supporters since the beginning of the in the violent June event. The 14 are part of year. Biti who is also Finance Minister said the nearly 500 MDC supporters killed by the Zanu MDC was extremely enraged and wants regional PF regime in 2008. leaders to intervene before elections that are expected in July. Biti has accused the police of In recent interviews with the PM’s Newsletter, siding with ZanuPF. victims of political violence in Chiweshe, doubted the peace calls by Mugabe. Prime Minister Tsvangirai is fighting apparatus of violence to ensure that the coming elections “We hope the new constitution will enable are violence free. Zimbabweans to vote in peace. It is our prayer that Mugabe will not change goal posts and will To dismantle apparatus of violence, PM continue to preach peace,” said Hilton Chironga Tsvangirai said the Principals in the inclusive who survived sustained attempts on his life. Government have drafted a Code of Conduct for the security forces to curb their involvement Mabo Ndenga demands justice for her murdered husband Chironga was lucky to survive after he was in violence ahead of the watershed elections. Magura, the MDC-T Ward One chairman in Some of those arrested for his father’s murder ordered to take a herbicide and was shot in the The Premier also wants traditional chiefs Mudzi North, Mashonaland East, who was 67 at who were still threatening perceived MDC arm. His brother Gibson Tayengwa, was not barred from political activities. The move the time of his death, was killed by a gang of supporters in Mudzi include Zanu PF branch so lucky. He died as a result of the attacks. by the Principals led by Prime Minister Zanu PF activists who attacked MDC supporters chairman, Passmore Rwodzi, Patrick Chitomba, who had gathered for a rally at Chimukoko Smart Kamwaza, Antony Madzinga, Tashinga Business centre. Kazingizi, Christopher Charlie, Patson Chamukonza and Gumisai Nyahwa. Ndenga said the murder case had stalled, and the seven Zanu PF activists have been released While the Magura family was living in fear, the and were now campaigning freely for a violent MDC Midlands North treasurer, John Kinnaird party as the country prepares to go for the (57) and his wife Jacky (47), the other victims watershed elections. of political violence, wtold the PM’s Newsletter that he had decided to protect his family as the “They are still threatening my family. I have police had failed to do so. known no peace. They force us to attend their cell meetings only to humiliate my family,” Kinnaird said that despite following up on the Ndenga said. case reported under CR 93/10/12, the police did not want to investigate the matter. “I am not allowed to draw water from the community borehole drilled by a non- “The case has only one detective identified as governmental organisation. I want justice to be Sergeant Mpofu. He called this week to instruct done following the killing of the bread winner of me to go to a Government medical officer to my family,” she said. get a medical report, yet I have already healed (from the injuries sustained after the horrendous Ndenga said as a result of sustained threats attack),” Kinnaird said. from Zanu PF activists, she is now living in perpetual fear. “I failed to farm this season because I am afraid to go to the fields alone. Our fields are far from here and we used to go and camp there with my husband while we farmed. I cannot do it anymore because I do not know what these people are thinking about my family,” she opened up to the PM’s Newsletter. Ndenga accused the police for failing to act. She said despite the rhetoric peace calls by President Robert Mugabe, she knows that callous murders would again blight the coming elections. “They are still proclaiming that this country got independent through blood. It’s exacerbated by the fact that we have a partisan police force,” Ndenga said. To her amazement, Ndenga said she was shocked that while waiting for justice, her son, Mike Magura, was arrested on assault charges, tried and sentenced to one and half years in jail for allegedly attacking the Zanu PF thugs who murdered his father. Kinnaird and his wife Jacky were left nursing broken arms by Zanu PF thugs Gibson had won the councillor’s seat under the Tsvangirai follows reports that the security “I am in pain and I feel betrayed by the justice MDC T ticket. Their 78-year old mother was not forces were mobilizing to intimidate and system because my father’s murderers are out,” John Kinnaird showing injuries he sustained spared during the torture. unleash violence as the country prepares Magura told the PM Newsletter. for elections. “The doctor who attended to us has not been Gogo Evelyn Masarura, (55), mother of interviewed or asked to give a medical report. murdered activist, Joel Musiiwa, who could “We have received reports of deployment My neighbours, some whom heard our screams not hold back her tears said; “These murderers of security forces in constituencies. We are have not been interviewed. The police did not should be judged for their actions. I want to going to investigate and take measures,” PM even attempt to take fingerprints on the iron know why they killed my son. I want them to be Tsvangirai said. bars that were used to attack us nor our credit held responsible for their actions.” cards that were stolen by the attackers and later The Premier has implored President Robert found. It only shows that the police do not want At Jerera growth point in 2008, Zanu PF Mugabe, who is the patron of the War Veterans to investigate the matter,” he said. members, in army uniforms petrol bombed Association, to rein in war veteran chairperson, MDC offices killing two party activists, Crison Jabulani Sibanda, who has continued to terrorize Emotionally affected Kinnaird, said they were Mbano and Washington Nyangwa. A truckload villagers around the country. still traumatised by the near fatal attack. of Zanu PF thugs besieged the offices at midnight and first shot at the victims before “We implored him to take decisive action against “We are afraid to go out,” he said. bombing their offices. The offices had become one Jabulani Sibanda. I think he is a lone ranger home to displaced victims of political violence because the war veterans themselves would like On the pending elections, Kinnaird said; “I from surrounding areas. to have respect and dignity,” the Premier said. am worried about those who do not have the capacity to protect themselves.” Those who survived the arson like Edson The Premier has also scheduled a meeting Gwenhure, Kudakwashe Tsumele and Isaac with the chiefs to determine their role in the Kinnaird said free and fair elections were Mbanje have been incapacitated to work. In 2009 forthcoming elections. Some of the chiefs are Mike Magura laments over the selective application possible only “when the uniformed forces are the MDC-T compiled a list of the perpetrators reported of banishing MDC supporters from of the law non-partisan, the judiciary is independent and and handed it over to the Attorney General their areas and openly campaigning for Zanu PF.

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