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i j t i n r i o h C The Real Change Times Movement for Democratic Change A Party of Excellence! The Official Mouthpiece of the MDC

Wednesday 7 March MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Issue 096 2012 Hon. Chitsa buried President Tsvangirai has said the MDC He said that in his days as the Secretary Hon was at a loss of management committee and two weeks and Zimbabwe have lost a dedicated General of ZCTU, he had been words. ago, she said she was ready for work. and determined heroine, Senator Enna controlled by the likes of Mai Chitsa, It was such a shock to hear that she Chitsa whom he described as unshaken who were his elders. “Here, I have lost a strong pillar of was gone. This woman was strong, even in her fight against an unrepentant support. Those that know me know that she was resolute, she was a Christian regime. “We have lost a pioneer in the struggle I have my own shortfalls but Senator and she was a servant leader. She was for change. We must remain united Chitsa, as my deputy, made up for those everything you want to see in a leader. I She was 66. and promote those values that all our to make me look whole,” she said. hope we all have learnt something from departed leaders like Chitsa, Gombami, her that you can be firm with a smile; Speaking at the Assemblies of God Sibanda, Matongo and many others “I have done everything because of her. you can lead against all adversities with Church in Luveve, Bulawayo on upheld,” he said. I do not know what I am going to do. a smile but with strength. Monday shortly before the burial of I do not trust myself to make decisions the Masotsha-Ndlovu Senator at Lady Hon. Thokozani Khupe, the MDC that are made by a leader without Enna “I know she was at peace with her God Stanley cemetery, President Tsvangirai Vice President said she knew Mai Chitsa,” she said. because she served him well while she said it was because of the wisdom of Chitsa since 1992 and they had worked lived. She lived by her faith. I cry that I the likes of the late Mai Chitsa that together since then. Hon Makone said that Mai Chitsa had am missing a friend, a leader, an advisor leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of been ill for some time and the Women’s and a mother but I also know that I am Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the MDC “We have come a long way together. Assembly management committee mourning a child of God,” said Hon. “Mrs Chitsa worked tirelessly to ensure got guidance. We were together at the first congress of had visited her. On this visit, she had Makone. that women participation is raised in the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council. indicated that she was recuperating. the MDC. We are at pains to accept this He said personally, he had lost a At that congress, Hon. Mrs Sibusisiwe Masara, the Women’s loss but we know what our mother and responsible leader who was determined was elected the chairperson and Mai Mai Chitsa breathed her last on Friday Assembly Secretary General said the fellow colleague stood for. to see change in Zimbabwe. Chitsa was elected the vice chairperson, at her Luveve home. Women’s Assembly is bleeding as they while I was voted the Secretary General. had lost an advisor, leader of astuteness “The people’s struggle for democracy in At the general council of the ZCTU of “We saw her when she was ill as the and a Christian. To Page 2 this country will not be written without 1995, she was voted 3rd vice president,” the mention of people like Enna Chitsa. she said. She represented that crop of leaders that was very principled and determined Hon Khupe said when the MDC was even, against all odds, to see that this formed in 1999; Senator Chitsa was country achieves democratic change,” appointed the interim vice chairperson Hero’s welcome for VP Khupe he said, while addressing thousands of of the party. She encouraged the Hundreds of MDC Women’s Assembly mourners gathered for the burial. senator’s children to celebrate the life members last Friday congratulated of their mother and to grieve with hope. Vice President Thokozani Khupe who President Tsvangirai said he was at is also the Deputy Prime Minister, a great loss as members of his team “In the Bible, we hear the story of for winning the African Achiever’s Award and successfully completing continued to pass on. Abraham. When he was told to sacrifice her cancer treatment. his child, he could have asked why “In this struggle, I am at a bigger loss me? But he did not, so today, Patience, Hon Khupe said she was moved by the because every time a cadre passes away, Victoria and Nicodemus, celebrate the support from the women who were at I lose those soldiers who have backed life of your mother because she is a Harare International Airport to receive me from the beginning to the end. heroine. The Lord knows why,” Hon her. She pointed out that the award The generation that saw it worthy that Khupe said. was an indication of the support and change was necessary in this country is women’s commitment to development the generation that is passing away. Hon. Lovemore Moyo, the National in Zimbabwe. Chairperson said Hon. Chitsa was a “I hope the party and those who are mother who had love and was a unifying “This award is for you all. My alive today will not let these people force. He said that he had never heard conscience is very clear because we down, the struggle of the people will of her being involved in any conflicts in have been working very hard for the upliftment of women and this award continue until the goal of democratic the province and at national level. is evidence to that effect. Women are change is achieved,” he said. not going to pay user fees when they on farms, factories and everywhere but no such facilities here in Zimbabwe. I The Women’s Assembly chairperson, go to the clinic. We are advocating we do not enjoy the benefits. Its about want to set up a foundation to ensure for a women’s bank and it is going to time women invest in something big so women have access to these facilities happen. Our problems are going to be that they are drivers of economic activity because early detection of cancer a thing of the past,” she said. in the country,” she said. makes it curable,” she said. Hon Khupe said she had been given On user fees for pregnant mothers and Hon Khupe said she initially ignored more ammunition and strength by children under the age of five, Hon the symptoms of the cancer. When she the award and will be working very Khupe said it was prudent that the eventually sought medical attention hard to ensure women enjoy the full process begins to run as the funds have it was then that she learnt she had benefits of their hard work. been made available. breast cancer. She believes that when information is readily available, breast “This award is about women “The money is available and the process cancer can be avoided. empowerment and democracy. It is should have started now. My thoughts not acceptable that women should die were that the process was already taking “I thank God because at the last visit while giving birth. We want to create a place because the funds have been to the doctor’s no signs of cancer cells scenario where the women are owners secured,” she said. were detected in my body,” she said. of the means of survival. We want to see 50 percent of women being Hon Khupe, who came from a successful Hon Khupe received the African represented in Parliament,” she said. cancer treatment process said she will set Achiever’s Award on 22 February up the Thoko Khupe Cancer Foundation 2012 at King’s College in London, She said the award was an honour to which will make sure women have access United Kingdom. She joins the likes Zimbabwe’s women and recognition to information and cancer treatment of former South African Anglican of their role in national development. within our country. Archbishop, Desmond Tutu who have “Women are the drivers of the previously been honoured with the economy. We are the ones who work “The reason most people go to South same award. Africa for treatment is because there are

The people’s struggle for real change: Let’s finish it!!

1 Day dreaming Chinamasa at the UN Human Rights Council By a Special Correspondent addressed the condemn anyone who behaves the world as far as human rights violations are not happy with, for instance, the “Our honest efforts to promote and Human Rights Council’s 19th session same way they do, for to condemn are concerned. age and term limits on a presidential protect the human rights of our people recently in Geneva where an urgent others would be tantamount to candidate or abandon the whole process have been and continue to be impeded debate was held on the escalating condemning themselves. It is too much “In this regard,” Chinamasa continued, altogether. This Zanu PF, given the by the illegal sanctions imposed on grave human rights violations and the to expect Chinamasa to have out rightly “Zimbabwe is currently working chance, would fire the drafters who our people by some western countries. deteriorating humanitarian situation in condemned the situation in Syria. towards putting in place a people- were each seconded by the parties to These illegal sanctions are a blatant the Syrian Arab Republic. driven constitution following extensive the GPA. violation of the human rights of In other words, Zanu PF would like outreaches involving all political parties our people, especially the right to At the end of the debate the Council the world to watch and keep quiet at in the Global Political Agreement. The MDC, on the other hand, is fully development,” said Chinamasa while adopted a resolution condemning the its gross human rights violations. Too Efforts to operationalise the Human committed to this process and would addressing the controversial issue of continued widespread and systematic many cases abound where people are Rights Commission are nearing like to see its completion, mapping the restrictive measures. violations of human rights as well as jailed for offences they did not commit completion.” way forward for a second stakeholders’ expressing concern at the humanitarian and kept in remand prison and their conference which will culminate Either Chinamasa was making attempts situation. constitutional right to bail denied. It is a joke that Chinamasa actually into the holding of a referendum and at being funny or he does not know referred to the constitution making ultimately, free and fair elections. that the people of Zimbabwe are more The resolution calls for the Council A case in point is that of the 29 MDC process that his party is trying so hard to than just those individuals who find to remain seized with the matter and members who were recently indicted, derail. Someone should have reminded This is because the MDC is alive to themselves on the so-called ‘sanctions’ to take further action. This includes some of whom after having spent him how his party is pushing for the the popular national demand for the list. action after the forthcoming interactive close to a year in prison with their bail abandonment of the process so that they necessity of affording the people of dialogue with the commission of application being postponed time and can hold elections in an environment Zimbabwe the opportunity to create Coming to the International Criminal inquiry on the situation of human rights time again for no valid reason except that is not conducive for free and fair and found the constitution they desire Court, “The ICC remains, in our view, in the Syrian Arab Republic. that they are MDC members. elections. It is Zanu PF’s supporters, - a constitution that enshrines freedom, a glorified Kangaroo Court lacking first and foremost, who disrupted the democracy, transparency and good impartiality,” the Zanu PF minister said. At the council meeting, 37 votes were Many private media journalists have outreach programmes. governance. in favour, three - China, Cuba, and the had their human rights abused for It is only fair that Zanu PF bigwigs such Russian Federation voting against while expressing their opinions. Zanu PF’s war veterans disrupted Copac On Marange Diamonds, the Zanu PF as Chinamasa be given their chance to India, the Philippines and Ecuador meetings in Milton Park. It is Zanu mad man had the following to say: air their grievance regarding the ICC as abstained. Angola, Burkina Faso, Some members of civic organisations PF and its supporters who disrupted this is where they are all headed, come Kyrgyzstan and Uganda did not vote. have been jailed under the repressive sessions of Copac in Vumba. “Despite opposition from some quarters, the victory of MDC in the watershed Burkina Faso, however, after the vote laws, AIPPA and POSA. Had the clearance by the Kimberley Process elections. stated that had it been present it would Chinamasa been clever, he ought to It is the same Zanu PF which continues Certification Scheme allowing my have voted in favour of the resolution. have kept silent on issues to do with to leak confidential information on country to sell its diamonds is just the The MDC, however, believes in a violations of human rights. the incomplete draft constitution to beginning of a long journey towards the Zimbabwe that will be governed in line Chinamasa is quoted as having said the the public media, the agenda being to empowerment of our people who had with the law of nations and in particular following on the situation in Syria: On committment to human rights influence the electorate into believing been denied the right of benefiting from in accordance with all the international Chinamasa said: “Zimbabwe is and that the constitution, if completed, will one of our many God-given resources.” standards it has agreed upon or acceded “In our view, the current situation will continue to do its uttermost in the not carry the views of the people. to. When Zimbabwe accedes to in Syria requires first and foremost, promotion and protection of human Chinamasa must have forgotten to international conventions and treaties, the efforts of the Syrian people to rights for the benefit of its people.” Chinamasa ought to get his head inform those present that not a single Parliament will pass appropriate laws to peacefully resolve their differences examined. Which Zimbabwe is he cent of the money coming from the sale enshrine them. without any foreign interference. One wonders what Chinamasa is talking about? Had Obert Gutu gone to of the God-given resources has seen talking about when he says his country Geneva the world would have been told its way into treasury which, had that The MDC recognizes that it is futile “Secondly, it requires diplomacy, is promoting and protecting human the true facts on the ground. The facts happened would have translated into to ignore international standards and dialogue and international co-operation, rights for the benefit of its people. are that there is danger the constitution the government paying its civil servants laws as those aggrieved may go beyond taking full cognisance of the sovereignty making process may be abandoned if a decent wage. domestic courts. The party considers and territorial integrity of Syria.” When Chinamasa talked about the SADC allows Zanu PF to continuously the ignorance of international law as people of Zimbabwe, perhaps he disrupt a legitimate process. Chinamasa was selective with the truth wrong and unsustainable in the modern This statement is clear testimony that was referring exclusively to Zanu PF as all Zanu PF people are known to be, world. Chinamasa and his Zanu PF party members, for it is a known and well- and his Zanu PF that the local people are not benefiting misconstrue sovereignty to mean documented fact that Zimbabwe is will do everything in their power to significantly except a few in his party. impunity and will, therefore, not amongst the worst countries in the either change certain clauses they

Bail application postponed again Hon.From Page 1 Chitsa buried in Bulawayo The High Court bail application pending trial by the 27 MDC members who are facing false charges of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare was postponed for the second time to Thursday. The matter was postponed after the State prosecutor; Edmore Nyazamba failed to turn up for the hearing as he was attending another bail hearing for the MDC Youth Assembly chairperson, Solomon Madzore. The MDC members were taken back into custody last Thursday after being indicted for trial which starts on Monday. Among those in custody are; the MDC National Executive Committee member, Last Maengahama, councillor for Ward 32, Glen View, Tungamirai Madzokere and Oddrey Chimombe, the councillor for Ward 33, Budiriro. Efforts are being made by the lawyers to obtain a written judgement on Paul Nganeropa alias Rukanda’s bail application to enable an application for leave to appeal to be filed on his behalf. Rukanda was arrested early this year in connection with the same case.

Jepheas Moyo’s bail appeal It was a sad moment for the MDC family, the Women’s Assembly, residents of Masotsha- Ndlovu and the Chitsa and Mandizha families when Hon Enna Chitsa was buried on Monday at Lady Stanley Cemetry on the subsequent charge of vice chairperson of the Women’s public violence is also being “She was, is and will always be our dedicated woman who fought for a education at Mtshedi Primary School Assembly at the Congress of 2006 processed. heroine. As the Women’s Assembly, better life for the workers and thus in Bulawayo before going to St and re-elected in 2011. In 2008, she we shall ensure what she stood for is the majority of Zimbabweans. Senator Augustine’s Mission in Penhalonga, was elected Senator for Masotsha- The police officer was murdered fulfilled. She was a woman of peace and Enna Chitsa was born on 14 April 1946 Mutare for her high school. Ndlovu Constituency. The Senatorial by unknown revellers at a night we need her strength to take us through. in Chivi, Masvingo province and passed club in Glen View last May. constituency covers Pumula and May her soul rest in peace,” she said. away at her Luveve home in Bulawayo One of the pioneer leaders of the Magwegwe. on 2 March 2012. MDC, she was the vice chairperson of Justice Felistas Chatukuta is Other colleagues from the ZCTU who the ZCTU Women Advisory Council presiding over the fresh bail She is survived by three children – application. were present said Mai Chitsa was a Senator Chitsa did her primary before she was elected the substantive Victoria, Patience and Nicodemus.

2 MDCstarted makingMinisters profits. The restructuring at any given time so that the importer the tenderin board. Kariba’s action expansion reduce electricity bills because less power was faced with internal resistance. can access his fuel immediately without will be funded through loans while that will be consumed. The long awaited pre- unnecessary delays. of Hwange through loans and equity. paid electricity meters for all consumers Hon Mangoma said: “Although jobs were These expansions will ensure adequate will soon be available. The way these will lost as a result of the exercise, a lot more To boost confidence and transparency electricity for the future. This kind of long work is that a household will pay for its jobs were saved.” in the fuel sector, SOCOTEC, a private term planning will generate employment electricity before consumption and will, company, audits and verifies fuel and bring investor confidence to the therefore, only use what has been paid When Hon Mangoma came onto the availability and its position. country. for. scene, NOCZIM was struggling to pump 30 million litres of fuel per month but The Ministry of Energy and Power Hon Mangoma initiated an agreement Hon Mangoma said the Rural Extension now the pipeline is operating at 120 Development has introduced blend fuel with Zambia to build the Batoka project Project will see schools and clinics being million litres per month. which has strict specifications. along the Zambezi gorge. The project electrified. He said those who paid for will produce hydro-electricity which is electrification during the Zimbabwean The importation of fuel was regularised Previously, small and big players paid a cheaper source of electricity. This will dollar era will not be prejudiced because with the quality of the product checked the same trading licence fees which likely have an advantage of reducing ZESA will honour the agreements. and approved before pumping. disadvantaged the small players against the cost of power. Other power projects Government levies are now properly the likes of BP and Shell. Hon Mangoma’s ministry is working on The ministry is also encouraging the use accounted for and government coffers include the Lupane colbate methane gas of solar lamps even in schools. These are boosted by the levies. Smuggling was There are now different fee structures which could start generating this year. lamps will be assembled in the country. rampant before Hon Mangoma took over to encourage the establishment of small He said the cost of a unit will be ten and this has since been checked. fuel stations across the country. Hon Hon Mangoma says his ministry will be dollars or less and his ministry will agree Mangoma’s ministry holds regular giving compact fluorescent lamps for free on these terms with schools which opt for There are storage facilities with a meetings with players so that he is to encourage people to use these energy this programme. capacity of 560 million litres that were kept abreast with their issues and can, saving bulbs. He said these would help Hon took over not being utilised. These are now being therefore, attend to them. the Ministry of Energy and Power fully utilised. Development on 1 July 2010 having been The Energy Regulatory Authority was the Minister of Economic Planning and Fuel consumption has gone up but fuel established to make sure that all people Hon. Biti to speak on elections Hon. , the MDC Secretary General will be one of the main speakers on Investment Promotion. His ministry is supplies are adequate and prices have are treated equally, standards set and mainly responsible for fuel and electricity Wednesday at a New Zimbabwe Lecture Series to be held at Cresta Jameson Hotel been stable for quite some time because adhered to. It also keeps order in the fuel in Harare. supplies. market forces of supply and demand have sector. been used. The first thing that Hon Mangoma did The topic will be whether Zimbabwe is able to have elections this year. According Hon Mangoma says a lot has been done to Mr. Fortune Gwaze, who will be chairing the meeting, the debate comes at a time when he came into office was to disband There was a time when importers were in maintaining the infrastructure to ensure when elections in Zimbabwe have proved to be a very contentious issue. the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe shunning the pipeline because there continuity in providing electricity. (NOCZIM), an entity which was not would be stories from NOCZIM of how “What are the reforms needed to create a conducive environment? Is it possible to performing at all. their fuel was always said to be between Lack of planning in the past has caused have elections without a new Constitution and given the current conditions, will the Beira and Feruka. There was, therefore, the shortages being experienced in election be free and fair? These are some of the topics that will be debated on the He split NOCZIM into an arm responsible no confidence in NOCZIM. the country, Hon Mangoma said. He day” said Mr. Gwaze. for infrastructure and another for trading. added that there is going to be physical This entity was reformed in a very short Hon Mangoma has ensured that there are expansion of Kariba and Hwange Other speakers will be from Zanu PF and ’s formation. space of time into companies which 15 million litres of fuel in the pipeline power stations and proposals are with Our record in leadership …as we move together with the people “We needed the security wall as what School furniture was bought for Mukai we had was dilapidated, so when the High School and Mhofu Primary School wall was redone for us, we were quite to the tune of US$ 14 200.00. excited that the residents took our plea to the MP who in turn delivered for us,” The headmaster of Mukai Primary she said. School, Mr Friendly Chigande said the school had a problem with furniture and Three boreholes were drilled at Mutasa was in need of urgent intervention. ,Mhizha and Chengu Primary Schools at a total cost of US$20 690.00. “We received 135 chairs and 90 desks from the MP and we are greatly happy Mrs Locadia Katehwe, the headmistress about it because we had a serious of Chengu Primary School said she problem of furniture in the school,” he was happy about the development as said. the school needed to improve its water supply for the children. Hon Mungofa said: “Furniture at the schools was broken down. Some was “We now have an electric borehole, just in bad shape and needed urgent Having done extensive consultation which means we are able to supply the attention. This problem of inadequate with residents on what projects needed school with water even when there is furniture has been addressed in the A boreholes done under CDF at Part of the furniture donated in schools to be done in the Highfield East no tap water. We had an outbreak of interim. It is however important to Chengu Primary School constituency and what were the top cholera in the neighborhood in 2009 ensure that furniture renewal becomes priority areas, residents agreed that and with improved water supplies, we an important part of each school schools and the clinic had the most are sure that will become a thing of the budget”. urgent need for capital injection. past. We are confident that with what we received through CDF, we will be In the two wards, 24 and 25, Hon With the Constituency Development able to go far,” she said. Mungofa bought school board chalks Fund (CDF) of US$50 000.00, Hon which he distributed to the five schools Pearson Mungofa of Highfields East, Hon Mungofa said the taps at the in his area at a cost of US$ 2 400.00. undertook projects which cost a total of schools had become dry and students US$ 50 259.00 . had to bring water from home for their He said that the donation was done so use at the school. that the schools are able to teach the The first port of call was the Highfield children effectively with all tools in poly clinic which had a dilapidated wall “The parents wanted us to put boreholes place. that compromised the operations of the at these schools because taps had long clinic and its needed quietness. dried up and children risked their lives “Chalks were a challenge in the as they crossed busy roads to search for schools, so we bought the chalks to aid The construction of the pre-cast wall water. our teachers. cost US$ 12 969.00. The garden projects were put on “The teachers were quite happy with Sister Chimanikire of Highfield hold and given the perennial water the chalks we got them since they Polyclinic said the wall was an urgent challenges, the boreholes are now were using some of poor quality,” Hon need that was met by the MP and assisting. Even the residents now get Mungofa said. the place was now more secure and their water from the schools,” said Hon The Security wal erected at Highfield polyclinic under the CDF. conducive to work in. Mungofa.

3 Memorial service for Mai Tsvangirai held New ideas, thinking necessary people and her desire to see a new which project has been adopted by her and democratic Zimbabwe made children since her promotion to the next in response to challenges - Chamisa her become one of the most popular glory,” he said. personalities in the MDC. “We all recall when the whole stadium “She was a woman of enormous would stand up during our rallies and significance to the MDC, a woman who chant “Mother, Mother” every time she on many occasions managed to give accompanied her husband,” he said. comfort and brought together wives of detained MPs. The service was attended by President Tsvangirai and children, family “This was to be augmented by the members, senior MDC officials, establishment of the Susan Nyaradzo ministers, government officials and Tsvangirai Foundation to help uplift members from different churches. women and children in Zimbabwe, Amai Susan Tsvangirai A memorial service for the late Mai Susan Nyaradzo Tsvangirai, the wife Women are ready for change: Assembly of President Tsvangirai was held on Tuesday at the Tsvangirai residence in The MDC Women’s Assembly joins school dropouts, early marriages, teenage Harare. the world in celebrating International pregnancies, child-headed households, Women’s Day. child labour, commercial sex work with young girls being the mostly affected,” Treasurer General, Senator Roy Bennett, National Organising Secretary, Hon and Women’s Assembly chairperson, Mai Tsvangirai died in a car accident Hon Theresa Makone in Birmingham recently along the Harare-Masvingo Highway The Assembly says it celebrates women as said the Assembly in a statement. agents of real change, working tirelessly The MDC National Organising economy and overcome strident political on her way to Buhera on 6 March 2009. towards a New Democratic Zimbabwe. Most rural women MDC activists and the Secretary, Hon. Nelson Chamisa oppression. She was with her husband when the leadership are disenfranchised because addressed hundreds of party members accident occured. “The role of women in their diversity is their identity cards were stolen and in Birmingham, United Kingdom and “We have to be a party that is open to critical for sustainable development and their children have no birth certificates urged them to remain resolute in their new ideas and new thinking so we can The service was attended by hundreds peace. The future of Zimbabwe remains ensuring that they cannot get identity fight for real change. best respond to the challenges of an ever of people from all walks of life. an area of concern as women continue to cards and they cannot vote. be vulnerable to all forms of violence and changing MDC. We want to be leaders discrimination with impunity. More than “As the country prepares for the next In what was described as one of the most to a party where every member is valued MDC national chairperson, Hon. 70% of the population of women lives in election women are registering to vote important addresses to an MDC External equally and every member can make Lovemore Moyo described the late Mai rural areas and continue to have limited and want an environment that guarantees Assembly structure, Hon. Chamisa their own distinct contribution to what Tsvangirai as a person who played a access to land, health, education and the security of the person, the security of said the party was ready to meet the our party stands for,” Hon. Chamisa said. very significant and symbolic role in justice,” a statement read. the vote and the security of the people’s challenge of winning the next elections her family, the MDC and the country at will. in Zimbabwe. Hundreds of delegates and party large. The Assembly said there are laws and members from throughout the UK had policies that Zimbabwe has committed “To women of Zimbabwe, be assured The Organising Secretary who was the chance to engage Hon. Chamisa, “She possessed immense strength and to promote and advance women’s rights the Movement for Democratic Change is have not been implemented. Time is now ready to deliver real change and that for accompanied by Senator Roy Bennett, Senator Bennett and Hon. Makone on courage,” said Hon. Moyo. for prioritisation and ensuring women the first time you will experience a new the MDC Treasurer-General and various issues. access and control of equal opportunities democratic Zimbabwe with jobs, food, Women’s Assembly chairperson, Hon. “I vividly recall how she stood by her and resources. upliftment and equal representation in Theresa Makone, pleaded for unity The leaders briefed the supporters on the husband when he was facing false decision-making. within MDC-UK structures. MDC’s accomplishments in the inclusive treason charges; how she supported “There are women and girls who government, highlighting that when they the party on 11 March 2007 when she experienced politically motivated rape “Work is in progress on the finalisation The three leaders implored party joined government; the economy had would provide food to those in police since 2000 and continue to live with of the constitution making process, key supporters to rally behind President collapsed but they have helped nurture it cells and hospitals, including President trauma and sexually transmitted diseases reforms for free and fair elections. We Tsvangirai, saying that helping secure into “one that is starting to grow again”. including HIV. Poverty and hunger hope that this will enable Zimbabwe to be his election as President of Zimbabwe is Tsvangirai, who had been assaulted by continue to negatively affect the living counted amongst the free nations of the the police for holding a prayer meeting standards of many with Zanu PF in a world and our country will shed the pariah the best way to turn around a sluggish at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield, crusade of partisan distribution of food, status once and for all,” the Assembly Harare,” he said. resources and economic empowerment said. grants. There is an increase in girl child He said Mai Tsvangirai’s love for the President Tsvangirai salutes the late Chief Makumbe Buhera – President Tsvangirai last from the same community, said Chief last people to visit the late Chief week paid his last respects on the Makumbe was a strong advocate for Makumbe in hospital last week, late Chief Makumbe whom he peace, stability and development for the described him as a man of the people, described as a peace-loving leader. area. a straightforward leader and an embodiment of exemplary leadership. President Tsvangirai who is also Chief Makumbe, according to the Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, joined President shunned violence and always He said Chief Makumbe’s reign was senior government officials, traditional urged the community to live in peace. beyond reproach and respected by all. leaders, politicians and the local community at the burial of Chief President Tsvangirai reiterated the Government ministers, MPs, who Makumbe at Marenga village in Buhera. position of the Principals that there included the local parliamentary should be no violence in the country representative, Hon. , Chief Makumbe, who took over the and urged the Buhera community to Senators and senior government reins in 1986, died in Harare at the live in harmony and to tolerate each officials attended Chief Makumbe’s weekend after succumbing to cancer. other despite their political differences. burial.

President Tsvangirai, who comes The President, who was one of the

Part of the people who attended the Birmingham meeting Institute media reforms now, Shamu told Hon Settlement Chikwinya is Zanu PF already has a strangle hold on Hon Chikwinya added that BAZ expected to summon the Minister of the public media which it uses to de- charged exorbitant fees for local Media, Information and Publicity campaign and denigrate other political commercial radio broadcasting Webster Shamu to appear before the parties. At the same time, no-one else services. Parliamentary Portifolio Committee except members of the sunset party on Media to answer on the irregular is given air space on both radio and “One can pay about $10 000 before issuance of broadcasting licences by the television. operating a radio station only for Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe processing and issuing a single licence. (BAZ). The same is also the modus operandi at This can draw back potential players. State publications like The Herald, The The executive is to call Webster Shamu Hon Chikwinya said this while Sunday Mail and The Chronicle where to address this matter because it has addressing journalists at a conference stories to do with opposition politics do crippled media operations,” he said. organised by the Media Institute of not see the light of day. Southern Africa (MISA) in Kwekwe The MDC legislator said there is recently. a lot to be done on media reforms especially when journalists are being “I have been appointed to chair this persecuted for exposing corruption. committee by the party, replacing Hon MDC is pushing for a new constitution Seiso Moyo who was elevated to a with media reforms before the general ministerial post last year. election.

“As an executive, we noted that the The party believes in a plural media issuance of commercial broadcasting environment with many players and the Those who have names of perpetrators of violence in your constituencies licences to Zimpapers and AB opening of air waves. The Zimbabwe feel free to phone or write to Communications is aligned to Zanu Media Commission is, therefore, MDC Information and Publicity department. Telephone: 04-770708 PF. We want the minister to dissolve challenged to foster democracy by Email: [email protected] the BAZ board which was unilaterally promoting and upholding freedom of Postal Address: Harvest House, 4th Floor, appointed on September 2009,” said expression. 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare. Hon Chikwinya. Hon Settlement Chikwinya

MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe • Tel: +263 4 770 708 www.mdc.co.zw

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