DOCSLIB.ORG

Examining Zimbabwe's Protracted Social Conflict Through The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Examining Zimbabwe's Protracted Social Conflict Through The Conflict in Perpetuity? Examining Zimbabwe’s protracted social conflict through the lens of land reform Bryan M. Sims Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Pierre du Toit March 2015 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. 22 February 2015 Copyright © 2015 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ! ii! Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT This dissertation analyses the relationship between civil society and political leadership within the context of Zimbabwe’s protracted social conflict, particularly through the lens of land policy. Through the use of strategic informants, it yields important insights into the origins, form and impact of political leadership and civil society in a way that will expose the dynamics of elite and grassroots mobilisation and the political context in which land policy is either made or obstructed. Specifically, this dissertation examines two research questions. First, if political leadership is not representative of the citizenry, is land policy more likely to engender overt conflict? Second, if civil society has an autonomous role in the public sphere, is land policy more likely to benefit citizens? This dissertation also confronts an emerging empirical problem: the absence of descriptive data in regards to how civil society and political leadership have engaged in reforming land policy in Zimbabwe during the period of transition from 2008 to 2013. By measuring representation and autonomy – indicators of human needs satisfaction– this dissertation traced each phase of the protracted social conflict as it both helped to create the conditions for a liberation model of representation while simultaneously further exacerbating protracted social conflict within Zimbabwe. ! ! ! iii! Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za OPSOMMING! ! ! Hierdie tesis ontleed die verhouding tussen die burgerlike samelewing en politieke leierskap veral deur die lens van grondbeleid, binne die konteks van Zimbabwe se uitgerekte sosiale konflik. Dit het ten doel om belangrike insigte op te lewer in die oorsprong, vorm en impak van politieke leierskap en die burgerlike samelewing. Die word blootgestel in 'n manier wat die dinamika van die elite en mobilisering op grondvlak in ag neem soweel as die politieke konteks waarin grondbeleid óf gemaak is of belemmer word. Hierdie tesis konfronteer ook 'n opkomende empiriese probleem: die afwesigheid van beskrywende data met betrekking tot die betrokkenheod van die burgerlike samelewing en politieke leierskap tydens die grondhervorming proses in Zimbabwe gedurende die tydperk van oorgang tussen 2008 en 2013. Deur die meting van verteenwoordiging en outonomie - aanwysers van menslike behoeftes bevrediging - word elke fase van die uitgerekte sosiale konflik ondersoek met betrekking tot hoe ‘n bevryding model van verteenwoordigheid beide gehelp het om die voorwaardes te skepvir die eindeiging van die PSC; maar terselfdertyd het dit ook die sosiale konflik in Zimbabwe verder uitgerek. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! iv! Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my wife Jean, for without her never-failing support and encouragement this dissertation would have carried on for eternity. To the memory of IDASA, and the guidance and examples of Karin Alexander and Yvette Geyer. And finally, to my parents and the entire Scrimgeour family for their constant encouragement and for helping me to maintain a semblance of sanity throughout this endeavour. ! v! Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents Abbrevations ................................................................................................................................ x! List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ xii! List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ xiii! List of Maps............................................................................................................................... xiv! Chapter One Introduction! 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1! 1.1.1 Rationale for study ............................................................................................................... 1! 1.1.2 Problem statement ................................................................................................................ 2! 1.1.3 Research aims ....................................................................................................................... 3! 1.1.4 Research questions ............................................................................................................... 3! 1.1.5 Theoretical framework ......................................................................................................... 4! 1.2 Research Design ..................................................................................................................... 6! 1.2.1 Research framework ............................................................................................................. 6! 1.2.2 Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 6! 1.2.3 Data sources ........................................................................................................................ 19! 1.2.4 Validity and reliability ........................................................................................................ 21! 1.3 Limitations and Delimitations ............................................................................................ 22! 1.3.1 Limitations .......................................................................................................................... 22! 1.3.2 Delimitations ...................................................................................................................... 22! 1.4 Chapter Outlines ................................................................................................................. 23! Chapter Two! Human Needs, Protracted Social Conflict and Land Ownership:! a conceptual framework! 2.1!Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 25! 2.2 Overview of Human Needs ................................................................................................. 26! 2.2.1 Need typology .................................................................................................................... 26! 2.2.2 Need satisfiers .................................................................................................................... 29! 2.3 Human Needs and Protracted Social Conflict .................................................................. 30! 2.3.1 Preconditions of protracted social conflict ......................................................................... 31! 2.3.2 Process-level dynamics and the genesis of overt conflict .................................................. 34! 2.3.3 Protracted Social Conflict and the decay of state and civil relations ................................. 36! 2.4 Protracted Social Conflict and the politics of transition and land policy ...................... 37! 2.4.1 Power-sharing as a means of solving PSC ......................................................................... 37! 2.4.2 Land policy, transition, and PSC ........................................................................................ 39! 2.5 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 42! ! vi! Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Chapter Three! Anatomy of a Conflict: Segregation and Subjugation of Africans in Rhodesia! 3.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 44! 3.2 Seeds of Conflict: Company Occupation of Southern Rhodesia ..................................... 44! 3.2.1. Occupation and early land policy ...................................................................................... 44! 3.2.2 The First Chimurenga (1896-1897) .................................................................................... 49! 3.3 Consolidation of the Settler State ....................................................................................... 50! 3.3.1 Settler identity .................................................................................................................... 51! 3.4 Land Segregation and Settler Domination ........................................................................ 55! 3.4.1 Rhodesian Apartheid under the Land Apportionment Act
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Zimbabwe News, Vol. 26, No. 6
    Zimbabwe News, Vol. 26, No. 6 http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuzn199506 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org Zimbabwe News, Vol. 26, No. 6 Alternative title Zimbabwe News Author/Creator Zimbabwe African National Union Publisher Zimbabwe African National Union (Harare, Zimbabwe) Date 1995-11-00? Resource type Magazines (Periodicals) Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) Zimbabwe, South Africa, Southern Africa (region) Coverage (temporal) 1995 Source Northwestern University Libraries, L968.91005 Z711 v.26 Rights By kind permission of ZANU, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front. Description Editorial. Letters. National News: ZANU PF urged to draw up election guidelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Africana: a Journal of Ideas on Africa and the African Diaspora
    MASS DECEPTION OR REALITY: REFLECTIONS ON THE POLITICS OF SANCTIONS IN ZIMBABWE, 2000-2012 RICHARD S. MAPOSA, TASARA MUGUTI & DAVID TOBIAS KEY TERMS: Deception, justice, peace, reality, sanctions, crisis, MDC, ZANU (PF). ABSTRACT: Discourses on the politics of sanctions continue to be lauded in Zimbabwe and even beyond, largely because of the contentious land reform programme which has sent diplomatic shockwaves across the globe. The ‘Zimbabwe crisis’ that ensued after 2000, and that manifested itself through economic meltdown, social misery and political instability, has also made the quintessential thrust and goals of sanctions prickly to understand to many people of different political and ideological across the divide inside Zimbabwe. This study examines the ZANU (PF) and MDC perceptions on the politics of sanctions in the light of the international (western) responses to the Fast-Track Land Reform programme in Zimbabwe. In essence, the study is addressing whether the issue of sanctions is real or is a matter of mass deception. Accordingly, the study posits that the subject of sanctions warrants serious examination as it may offer practical insights for the prospects of political reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Zimbabwe. In our conviction, the study recommends that the government, in full faith, must engage the international community in effort to restore durable peace and justice which will sustain integral development for Zimbabweans. INTRODUCTION Critical discourses on the politics of sanctions continue to grow both in Zimbabwe and internationally. Beginning from the time of chaotic land seizures in February 2000, Zimbabwe has been subjected to the imposition of sanctions, whether they are targeted individuals or the AFRICANA MARCH 2013 country as a whole.
    [Show full text]
  • Zimbabwean Government Gazette
    A I SET ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE Published by Authority Vol. LXXI, No. 44 2nd JULY. 1993 Price $2,50 i General Notice 384 of 1993. Zimbabwe United Passenger Company. ^^0/226/93. Permit: 15723. Motor-omnibus. Passenger-capacity: ROAD MOTOR TRANSPORTATION ACT [CHAPTER 262] Route 1: As d^ned in the agreonent between the holder and Applications in Connexion with Road Service Permits the Harare Municipality, approved by the Minister in terms of section 18 of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 262]. IN terms of subsection (4) of section 7 of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 262], notice is hereby given that Route 2:' Throu^out Zimbabwe. the applications detailed in the Sdiedule, for ue issue or Route 3: Harare - Darwendale - Banket - Chinhoyi - Aladta amendment of road service permits, have been received for the Compoimd - Sheckleton Mine - lions Den. consideration of the Controller of Road Motor Transportation. Condition: Any person wishing to object to any such application must Route 2: lodge with the Controller of Road Motor Transportation, (a) For private hire and for advertised or organized P.O. Box 8332, Causeway— tours, provided no stage carriage service is operated (a) a notice, in writing, of his intention to object, so as along any route. to reach the Controller’s ofiSce not later than the 23rd (b) No private Hire or any advertised or organized tour July, 1993; shall be operated under authority of this permit, (b) his objection and the grounds therefor, on form RAl.T. during ^e times for which a scheduled stage carriage 24, together with two copies tiiereof, so as to tetaxHa.
    [Show full text]
  • From Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.Pdf
    THE S.A. ' "!T1!TE OF INTERNATIONAL AFi -! NOT "(C :.-_ .^ FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE Ah Analysis of the 1980 Elections and an Assessment of the Prospects Martyn Gregory OCCASIONAL. PAPER GELEEIMTHEIOSPUBUKASIE DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE INSTITUUT MN INTERNASIONALE AANGELEENTHEDE THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Martyn Gregory* the author of this report, is a postgraduate research student,at Leicester University in Britain, working on # : thesis, entitled "International Politics of the Conflict in Rhodesia". He recently spent two months in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, : during the pre- and post-election period, as a Research Associate at the University of Rhodesia (now the University of Zimbabwe). He travelled widely throughout the country and interviewed many politicians, officials and military personnel. He also spent two weeks with the South African Institute of International Affairs at Smuts House in Johannesburg. The author would like to thank both, the University of Zimbabwe and the Institute for assistance in the preparation of this report, as well as the British Social Science Research Council which financed his visit to Rhodesia* The Institute wishes to express its appreciation to Martyn Gregory for his co-operation and his willingness to prepare this detailed report on the Zimbabwe elections and their implications for publication by the Institute. It should be noted that any opinions expressed in this report are the responsibility of the author and not of the Institute. FROM RHODESIA TO ZIMBABWE: an analysis of the 1980 elections and an assessment of the prospects Martyn Gregory Contents Introduction .'. Page 1 Paving the way to Lancaster House .... 1 The Ceasefire Arrangement 3 Organization of the Elections (i) Election Machinery 5 (i i) Voting Systems 6 The White Election 6 The Black Election (i) Contesting Parties 7 (ii) Manifestos and the Issues .
    [Show full text]
  • Bulawayo City Mpilo Central Hospital
    Province District Name of Site Bulawayo Bulawayo City E. F. Watson Clinic Bulawayo Bulawayo City Mpilo Central Hospital Bulawayo Bulawayo City Nkulumane Clinic Bulawayo Bulawayo City United Bulawayo Hospital Manicaland Buhera Birchenough Bridge Hospital Manicaland Buhera Murambinda Mission Hospital Manicaland Chipinge Chipinge District Hospital Manicaland Makoni Rusape District Hospital Manicaland Mutare Mutare Provincial Hospital Manicaland Mutasa Bonda Mission Hospital Manicaland Mutasa Hauna District Hospital Harare Chitungwiza Chitungwiza Central Hospital Harare Chitungwiza CITIMED Clinic Masvingo Chiredzi Chikombedzi Mission Hospital Masvingo Chiredzi Chiredzi District Hospital Masvingo Chivi Chivi District Hospital Masvingo Gutu Chimombe Rural Hospital Masvingo Gutu Chinyika Rural Hospital Masvingo Gutu Chitando Rural Health Centre Masvingo Gutu Gutu Mission Hospital Masvingo Gutu Gutu Rural Hospital Masvingo Gutu Mukaro Mission Hospital Masvingo Masvingo Masvingo Provincial Hospital Masvingo Masvingo Morgenster Mission Hospital Masvingo Mwenezi Matibi Mission Hospital Masvingo Mwenezi Neshuro District Hospital Masvingo Zaka Musiso Mission Hospital Masvingo Zaka Ndanga District Hospital Matabeleland South Beitbridge Beitbridge District Hospital Matabeleland South Gwanda Gwanda Provincial Hospital Matabeleland South Insiza Filabusi District Hospital Matabeleland South Mangwe Plumtree District Hospital Matabeleland South Mangwe St Annes Mission Hospital (Brunapeg) Matabeleland South Matobo Maphisa District Hospital Matabeleland South Umzingwane Esigodini District Hospital Midlands Gokwe South Gokwe South District Hospital Midlands Gweru Gweru Provincial Hospital Midlands Kwekwe Kwekwe General Hospital Midlands Kwekwe Silobela District Hospital Midlands Mberengwa Mberengwa District Hospital .
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights Research Monitor
    HUMAN No. 19 October 2001 RIGHTS MONITOR THE ABUJA AGREEMENT commitment to restore the rule of law to the process of land reform; Editor’s Introduction commitment to freedom of expression as With the May issue, we sent readers a questionnaire. guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and So far, about 300 readers have responded. Thank you to take firm action against violence and for letting us know how you view the Monitor. We intimidation.’ hope others will reply later. The Abuja communique lacked any specific Early this month (October), an evaluation protection for the human rights of farmworkers. workshop recommended certain improvements to Since January 2001, nearly 14 000 farmworkers and make the Monitor more ‘reader-friendly’. The ‘first their dependants, 70 000 people in all, have become fruits’ are our banner headline for our special focus, destitute. Minister Chinamasa told Parliament that the bigger print, and Shona and Ndebele versions in resettlement would not cater for all displaced farm- the Financial Gazette Supplement. workers. GAPWUZ strongly condemned the wanton Our focus this month is the Abuja accord. Abuja destruction of farm villages which after Abuja left 70 stressed human rights and the rule of law. These are Macheke farmworkers without their right to shelter. also specified in the Harare Declaration and the Abuja also said nothing specific about Millbrook Programme. The Abuja communique compensating previous owners for land acquired in a referred to both Commonwealth documents. In this legitimate and orderly land reform programme. It was issue we will examine Government’s observance of silent about systematic political violence, the position Abuja and the human rights it agreed to uphold.
    [Show full text]
  • The Electoral Authoritarian Regimes and Election Violence: the Case of Manicaland Communities in Zimbabwe 2008-2013
    The Electoral Authoritarian Regimes and election violence: The case of Manicaland Communities in Zimbabwe 2008-2013. Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde der Philosophischen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i. Br. vorgelegt von Alexander Chimange aus Kwekwe (Zimbabwe) SS 2015 Erstgutacher: Prof. Dr. Reinhart Kößler Zweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Heribert Weiland Vorsitzender des Promotionsausschusses der Gemeinsamen Kommission der Philologischen, Philosophischen und Wirtschafts- und Verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Fakultät: Prof. Dr. Hans-Helmuth Gander Datum der Fachprüfung im Promotionsfach: 19.01.2016 ABSTRACT The Zimbabwean elections have been marred by unprecedented acts of election violence, intimidation, coercion, harassment and manipulation and this has systematically disenfranchised the citizenry from the much-desired democratic transition. These acts of violence have reversed the government’s efforts and commitment to democratize the country which had been under an autocratic colonial regime for almost one hundred years. This localized empirical research study explores and unpacks the dynamics of the 2008-2013 election violence in the communities of Manicaland in Zimbabwe. The study also examines the socio-economic and political effects of election violence on the lives of the people. The aims and objectives of the study have been achieved basically through an in-depth empirical exploration of the people’s election violence experiences in three Manicaland communities, namely Nyamaropa, Honde Valley and Mhakwe. The data collection process was carried out in 2013 from May to December. This period also covered a crucial general election that marked an end to the Government of National Unity established in 2009 after the bloody 2008 election violence. The primary data was collected through qualitative in- depth interviews in the three communities with people with impeccable experience and vast knowledge of state-sponsored election violence.
    [Show full text]
  • CAP. 10:14 Names (Alteration) (Amendment Of
    Statutory Instrument 167 of 2020. Names (Alteration) (Amendment of Schedule) Notice, 2020 S.I. 167 of 2020 [CAP. 10:14 Names (Alteration) (Amendment of Schedule) Notice, 2020 City/Town Old Name New Name Hellet Street Shuvai Mahofa Street IT is hereby notifi ed that the Minister of Local Government, Hughes Street Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Public Works and National Housing has, in terms of section 4(1) of the Names (Alteration) Act [Chapter 10:14], made the following Mutare Aerodrome Road Kumbirai Kangai Road notice:— First Street Maurice Nyagumbo Street Edgar Peacock Road Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa 1. This notice may Be cited as the Names (Alteration)(Amendment Second Street Moven Mahachi Street of Schedule) Notice, 2020. Jelf Road Edgar Tekere Road 2. The Schedule to the Names (Alteration) Act [Chapter 10:14] is amended in Part VII by the repeal of certain names of roads and substitution of the following— “PART VII ROADS, SQUARES, BUILDINGS, ETC., IN URBAN AREAS City/Town Old Name New Name Bulawayo 9th Avenue Simon Muzenda Avenue 12th Avenue Joseph Msika Avenue 6th Avenue up to end of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa 6th Avenue Extension Way 8th Avenue Liberation Legacy Avenue 3rd Avenue Nelson Kutshwekhaya (N.K.) Ndlovu Avenue 4th Avenue through to 7th John Landa Avenue Street up to King George 5th Avenue Maria Msika Avenue 1st Avenue Lazarus Nkala Avenue 10th Avenue Nikita Mangena Avenue 11th Avenue Daniel Madzimbamuto Avenue 13th Avenue to include Clement Muchachi Road Anthony Taylor Ave 14th Avenue George Nyandoro Avenue Connaught Avenue Cephas Cele Avenue Cecil Avenue continuing Albert Nxele Way up to Wellington Road Fife Street and Queens Queen Lozikeyi Street Supplement to the Zimbabwean Government Gazette dated the 17th July, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the 2000 Parliamentary Elections Zimbabwe 24 – 25 June 2000
    Report On The 2000 Parliamentary Elections Zimbabwe 24 – 25 June 2000 Zimbabwe Election Support Network ZESN 2000 Parliamentary Elections Report 1 Acronyms ANP African National Party CSO Civil Society Organisation ED Election Directorate ESC Electoral Supervisory Commission LPZ Liberty Party of Zimbabwe MDC Movement for Democratic Change MOP Multi – Racial Open Party NDU National Democratic Union NGO Non Governmental Organisation NPA National People’s Alliance NPP National People’s Party PDF Popular Democratic Front UP United Parties ZANU Zimbabwe African National Union ZANU PF Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) ZAPU Zimbabwe African People’s Union ZBC Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation ZCP Zimbabwe Congress Party ZESN Zimbabwe Election Support Network ZIP Zimbabwe Integrated Party ZPP Zimbabwe Progressive Party ZUD Zimbabwe Union of Democrats ZESN 2000 Parliamentary Elections Report 2 Table of Contents Members of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network ………………………… 5 Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………6 Executive Summary ………………………………………………………………...8 Introduction ………………………………………………………..……………….10 The Report …………………………………………………………………………10 The Zimbabwe Election Support Network ………………………………………11 Working Methods ………………………………………………………………….11 The Election Context ……………………………………………………………...13 1. Constitutional and Legal Framework of the 2000 Parliamentary….….14 1.1 Constitutional Provisions ...……………………………………………….14 1.2 The Delimitation Commission and its Functions ……………………….15 1.3 The 2000 Delimitation Commission Report ……………………………15
    [Show full text]
  • African Union Election Observation Mission Report: Zimbabwe 2013
    AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION REPORT OF AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 31 JULY 2013 HARMONISED ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE DISTRIBUTED BY VERITAS Veritas makes every effort to ensure the provision of reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied. African Union Election Observation Mission Report: Zimbabwe 2013 CONTENTS List of Abbreviations ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 3 II. OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY OF THE MISSION ..................................................... 3 Objective ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 3 III. BACKGROUND TO THE 31 JULY 2013 ELECTIONS ...................................................... 5 IV. LEGAL CONTEXT ................................................................................................................ 9 The Constitution ............................................................................................................................. 9 The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act .................................................................................... 9 Political Parties
    [Show full text]
  • Dismantling the System of Mugabeism
    Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. ISBN 978-3-00-059482-3 First Edition © 2018 1 Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism Dedication. To my fellow Zimbabweans, we defeated Mugabe the person but Mugabeism is still intact. We must dismantle this system and bring total democratization of our country Zimbabwe. My children Lilly, Tanaka and Nkosilathi,Jr you don’t deserve to grow up in such a collapsed country which is now a shadow of itself. This is the little contribution I can make towards challenging a regime which is putting your future at stake. ‘This is the history of a failure’ (Che Guevara, The African Dream) 2 Dismantling The System Of Mugabeism Foreword. I feel refreshed and motivated to write this book in this new-old political dispensation. New in the sense that, this is the first time ever since I was born to see this country having another President who is not Robert Gabriel Mugabe and old in the sense that those who are now in power are the same people who have been in charge of this country for the past four decades working alongside Mugabe. Yes Mugabe has gone but the system he created is still intact. Are the Mnangagwas of this world going to reform and become ambassadors of peace, tolerance, democracy and respect of the rule of law? Or they will simply pick up the sjamboks from where Mugabe left them and perpetuate his legacy of brutality? Is corruption going to end considering that a few former Ministers who were arrested by Mnangagwa’s administration were being used as scapegoats, most of the criminals and kleptocrats who committed serious crimes against humanity and corruption are still serving in the post-Mugabe ZANU PF government? The same old people who bled Zimbabwe dry serving in the kleptocratic regime of Robert Mugabe are the same people who are serving under Mnangagwa.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Advice
    Country Advice Zimbabwe Zimbabwe – ZWE37147 – Illegal Currency Trading – Imputed MDC support – House Detention – ZANU-PF Children Studying in Australia – Tsvangirai Daughters – Returnees 09 August 2010 1. Please provide information regarding how a person might be treated where they are related to and living with a person accused of black market currency crimes, including whether they would be detained and then placed under de facto house arrest indefinitely. Is such an accused crime likely to result in such an extreme response? Would detention also result in the person being forced to confess to being pro-MDC? Since 2005 there have been periodic crackdowns on unauthorised foreign currency traders. In 2004 the law in relation to unauthorised currency traders was strengthened, allowing authorities to detain suspects for up to 28 days without charge, however most detentions appear to last no more than three days. Persons charged and found guilty of illegally buying and selling currency have been sentenced for up to six months in prison. No reports have been located that indicate that family members of unauthorised currency traders are placed in home detention for any length of time. Furthermore, there is no evidence that authorities impute unauthorised currency traders with political sympathies for either of the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Most traders appear to be economic opportunists in a country with an unemployment rate estimated to be between eighty and ninety five percent. Indeed, it is reliably reported that factions within the ZANU-PF party use the black market to raise funds and that some traders are ZANU-PF operatives.
    [Show full text]