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

Tuesday 10 November MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Issue 008 2009

Distributed free of charge Mugabe given 30-day ultimatum - President

President addresses a rally at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza Sunday Thousands who thronged the rally in Chitungwiza Sunday

CHITUNGWIZA - President Morgan “As a result we are going back into reversal of the unilateral appointment of “We believe and trust that it is a solution Meanwhile, more than 5 000 people Tsvangirai on Sunday warned President government and during this period we the partisan Attorney-General, Johannes that offers Zimbabweans and the GPA attended an MDC rally at Shawasha Robert Mugabe that his attempts to will see if Zanu PF is sincere.” Tomana and the Reserve Bank of a fresh impetus and a new opportunity grounds in Mbare on Saturday. treat the MDC as a junior partner would Zimbabwe governor, Gideon Gono, who for a restart,” Hon Biti said in the backfire, reminding the octogenarian The rally was President Tsvangirai’s has plundered the national economy. statement. “It is for this reason that we The rally was meant for the party dictator that the MDC had the first public address after calling off a have accepted the summit appeal for leadership to brief the people on mandate of the people from elections three week disengagement from all Other oustanding issues include the suspending our disengagement until the issues affecting Mbare residents convincingly won by the party last year forums that the MDC interacted with delay in swearing-in Senator Roy process is concluded.” such as the controversial issue of in March. Zanu PF, namely Cabinet and the Bennett as Deputy Agriculture minister- the Mupedzanhamo flea market, council of ministers. designate. Five MDC officials must Hon. Biti added: “It would be a sad where Zanu PF bigwigs are resisting Addressing over 30 000 MDC also be appointed provincial governors. day indeed if the next four weeks are a transparent rationalisation of the supporters at Chibuku Stadium in The MDC’s disengagement, had to be wasted. Indeed we should not be allocation of market stalls. spawned a critical constitutional crisis forced to consider the re-imposition of Chitungwiza on Sunday, President President Tsvangirai also bemoaned the and immediately thrown Mugabe into the disengagement.” Tsvangirai said the MDC expected all continued persecution of MDC officials Speaking at the rally, Senator Komichi an embarassing legitimacy crisis, which outstanding issues which were affecting At the rally, President Tsvangirai applauded the people of Mbare for threatened to torpedo the nine-month citing the recent incarceration of MDC the inclusive government would be was accompanied by the top MDC fighting for democratic change through old fragile inclusive government. transport manager, Pascal Gwezere resolved within 30 days as directed on trumped-up charges of stealing leadership who included Vice President non-violent means. He dismissed claims by the troika summit held in Maputo Hon. Thokozani Khupe, the secretary- by Zanu PF that the party was linked to President Tsvangirai said the weapons of war. last week. general, Hon. Biti and his deputy, Hon. constitutional crisis spawned by 20 AK-47 rifles that have disappeared Tapiwa Mashakada. the disengagement of the MDC from the highly-secured Pomona President Tsvangirai, who was from all executive forums over the Army Barracks. th Also present were the national addressing the 10 anniversary past month was enough proof that “We are going back organising secretary, Hon. Elias provincial rally, said the SADC troika the party was not a junior partner “Why do we need guns?” Senator meeting held in Maputo, Mozambique, in government. into government Mudzuri and his deputy Hon. Morgen Komichi said. “The MDC will never and attended by Mozambique President and during this period Komichi, party spokesperson, take up arms against the people who Armando Guebuza, Zambia President “If you want this inclusive government Hon. and Women’s voted for them, and these are the Rupiah Banda, King Mswati III of to deliver hope to the people of we will see if Zanu PF Assembly chairperson, Hon. majority of Zimbabweans. We do not Swaziland, SADC chair and DRC Zimbabwe, then you must regard the is sincere.” . need guns, we need the ballot,” he said, President Joseph Kabila and South MDC as an equal partner not as a junior amid applause. Africa President Jacob Zuma last partner,” President Tsvangirai told Addressing the rally in Chitungwiza Thursday to review the performance of cheering supporters in Chitungwiza, Hon. Biti said the MDC had come Speaking at the same rally, the Secretary the inclusive government, had been a a dormitory town 25 km southeast “We have remained resolute,” he said. a long way since its formation 10 for Labour, who is also the Minister major success. of Harare. “Zanu PF will never succeed in putting years ago. for Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. fear into the people and last year we said the inclusive “The MDC was formed to give people President Tsvangirai said all outstanding “We are not a junior partner when we went into an election and won that government had brought hope to the dignity and not to privatise the country issues should be agreed within 15 days have the mandate of the people. If Zanu election,” said the President, adding: people of Zimbabwe especially the like what Zanu PF has done,” Hon. and implemented within 30 days. Within PF thought that we were not serious, “We have come a long way, both as a youth who are now getting employed. Biti said. “Zanu PF does not show any 15 days, South Africa President Zuma they have experienced a lesson,” party and as prime minister, we will not remorse and that is the tragedy of that will check on progress and review. If in the President said amid thunderous be shaken.” party, of not accepting failure. “Now that we are in the inclusive another 15 days there is no conclusion, applause. “We are not a junior partner government, young people are going to the troika will intervene and assist. in the inclusive government as we have The decision by the MDC to suspend “This country should be led by the work as more companies are re-opening President Tsvangirai said he hoped and the mandate of the people. We did not disenagement last Thursday followed a and operating,” she said. get into government because of the people of Zimbabwe not from Zanu PF trusted that all parties were genuine crippling boycott of three consecutive headquarters,” said Hon. Biti. and that a satisfactory conclusion will generosity of Zanu PF.” cabinet and council of ministers’ She urged the women and the youth to be reached by 6 December, 2009, the meetings with Mugabe and his Zanu He said the MDC valued the system participate in the Constitution-making deadline set by SADC. He said the SADC Troika had concurred PF party. process to ensure that it reflects the will with the MDC and said the party was of clean government and not a corrupt national adminstration. of the people of Zimbabwe. “I want to assure you that in the next justified in disengaging as a number of Earlier, secretary general Hon. Tendai outstanding issues in the GPA and the 30 days all the outstanding issues Biti had said in a statement issued after “We want a 50-50 representation of 27 January SADC Communiqué. “This country has been ravaged by affecting the operations of the inclusive the SADC troika summit that the MDC corruption,” he said. “The MDC has women on all platforms of decision- government should be resolved,” believed that the process of resolving no tolerance to corruption. The local making. So we need to pen that President Tsvangirai said. “We have Under the two legally binding outstanding issues within 30 days councils that we run have to maintain a down in the new Constitution,” said tasked SADC to take over the crisis. agreements, Zanu PF is stalling the should be given a chance. zero tolerance to corruption.” Hon. Mpariwa. Bennett trial adjourned to Wednesday HARARE - MDC Senator and deputy Several cases of ammunition and rifles of evidence from the State’s star Hitschmann says he implicated from self-imposed exile to take up his Agriculture minister-designate Roy were brought into the High Court as witness, Mike Hitschmann, a registered Bennett in the alleged coup plot after post in the inclusive government, and Bennett had his terrorism trial at the evidence with the partisan Attorney arms dealer who was convicted of the he was viciously tortured by State was only released on bail in March. Harare High Court adjourned yesterday. General Johannes Tomana telling the security agents. court that the case was “a very serious illegal possession of weapons in 2007. Bennett was then re-arrested on the The malicious prosecution of Senator matter which must be treated with the same charges last month, only to be Bennett, who is accused of terrorism, seriousness it demands”. Bennett, who was in court with his wife “He (Hitschmann) has disowned released on bail. insurgency, sabotage and banditry Heather, is facing charges of plotting that statement and does not want in a case that is clearly politically Bennett, 52, who pleaded not guilty to kill President Robert Mugabe in to testify for the state,” one of Bennett’s malicious prosecution is motivated, will now take place through a previous hearing, is being 2006, and has been accused of being Bennett’s lawyers Trust Maanda said. one of several issues which led the tomorrow, Wednesday. represented by leading human linked to an arms cache security forces “The judge is expected to make his MDC to cut off communication with rights lawyers Beatrice Mtetwa, claim to have unearthed in Mutare. The ruling on Wednesday.” Mugabe and Zanu PF in the coalition “The matter is provisionally postponed Trust Maanda and Harrison Nkomo. government. The three-week boycott to Wednesday,” said Judge Chinembiri State claims Bennett and Hitschmann Bhunu at the close of submission by On Monday the case was adjourned after wanted to use the arms to destablise Bennett was arrested on the weapons was called off last Thursday, after the both State and defence lawyers. legal arguments over the admissibility the government. charges on February 13 as he returned intervention of regional bloc, SADC. Gwezere’s remand hearing Wednesday MDC MP dies HARARE - The State will on he suffered when he was kidnapped Wednesday respond to a bail two weeks ago, limped into application that was filed by jailed the courtroom. MDC transport manager, Pascal Gwezere, facing fake charges of He has been denied medical stealing AK-47 rifles from Pomona attention at the Harare Remand Army Barracks. Prison. Attempts to have him in tragic crash receive medical attention have State lawyers said yesterday they been rebuffed by prison authorities, HARARE - The MDC has learnt needed time to respond to an who have now transferred him with shock and sadness the untimely application for refusal of further to Chikurubi Maximum Security death of Makoni Central MP, Hon. remand filed by Gwezere’s lawyer Prison, where again he is not John Nyamande. Alec Muchadehama. receiving medical treatment.

Hon. Nyamande died in a car accident Magistrate Archie Wochiunga Lawyer Muchadehama said granted the State time, and Gwezere’s left leg was becoming in ruwa along the Harare-Mutare adjourned the case to Wednesday. septic because of the infections. highway on Saturday morning. Gwezere is facing trumped-up The rights lawyer also protested at He was on his way to Harare when his charges of stealing arms of war the appearance in court of his client car rammed into the back of a stationary from Pomona Army Barracks in leg irons and handcuffs - a practice Mazda T35 truck at around 2.00 am in Borrowdale and another which he said was not necessary, at the 25 km peg along the Harare- laughable charge of receiving and which is unprocedural for Mutare road. military training in Uganda 10 an accused person. Despite years ago. Muchadehama’s remonstrations, Hon. Nyamande was born on 10 The late Hon. John Nyamande The mangled wreckage Gwezere sat through his hearing in September 1952. He joined the MDC He appeared at the Harare leg irons and handcuffs. in 1999. He left the country for the UK He returned home in 2007 and subsequently of Zimbabwe at this time Magistrates’ Courts with an escort in 2000, where he continued serving contested in the March 2008 elections on an of bereavement. Mourners are of 14 armed prison officers. Despite Yesterday, Muchadehama placed MDC ticket, defeating Zanu PF heavyweight the MDC as Information and Publicity gathered at number 35 Casterns the ominous armed guard, he was complaints of torture before . The exiled community also in handcuffs and leg-irons. secretary for Southern branch. He was received news of his death with shock. Road Belvedere, Harare. Magistrate Wochiunga and applied to be elected to the position of MDC for refusal of further remand. Gwezere, who had visible scars A determination in the matter is chairman for the combined UK and The MDC mourns with the He is survived by his wife Ireland branches. Nyamande family and the people and five children. sustained from the grievous torture expected tomorrow, Wednesday. Masaiti urges 50-50 gender balance in leadership GWERU - The MDC National Women Assembly executive team has urged women to fully participate in the revived Constitution-making process so that their rights are incorporated in the new governance charter.

The team, which was led by Women’s Assembly secretary, Hon. Evelyn Masaiti, held several rallies in the Midlands South province at the weekend to conscientise women on the Constitution-making process. Senator Morgen Komich addresses a rally at Shawasha grounds in Mbare Saturday MDC Women’s Assembly Hon. Evelyn Masaiti addresses a rally at Tongogara growth point (story on Pg1) Speaking at one of the rallies at sharp differences on the choice of the “As women we should not be sidelined Tongogara growth point in Shurugwi, document to be used as the template. in farm and mine ownership, we should Hon. Masaiti, said women should fight Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF want take leading roles and break patriarchal for equal representation with men in all the Kariba Draft, which bestows dominance,” said Hon. Matienga. electoral processes. extensive executive powers on Mugabe The Women’s Assembly executive MDC condemns arrest of ZCTU officials and relegates women’s rights to the team also included Hon Lynette Kore, “Women representation remains a HARARE - The Zimbabwe Congress union officials,” MDC spokesman periphery to be used as the template for Chimanimani West, Sunningdale MP, patriarchal affair with less than 14 the new governance charter. Hon. Ennah Chitsa and other members. of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Nelson Chamisa said. percent women being appointed into Lovemore Matombo was on Sunday Cabinet and less than 20 percent going to The MDC is calling for this to be a Hon. Kore, urged women to take night arrested in Victoria Falls while “As a labour-backed party, the MDC Parliament,” Masaiti said. “As women addressing members of the ZCTU genuine public process - with ordinary up income generating projects so that respects the rights and freedoms of we should fight for 50-50 representation people given a real say in drafting they also contribute to the upkeep of Victoria Falls District. workers. The arrest of Matombo if not more in all electoral processes.” is an indictment on the inclusive the document. their families rather than to wait for husbands to take the lead role. Matombo was arrested together with government especially coming at a time Masaiti spoke as Zimbabwe was the whole ZCTU District Executive when investors and the international Beginning this week, 860 field officers community had begun to have resuming the long process towards will be deployed to gather the people’s “Be economically empowered, stand and the labour union’s staff members, creating a new constitution, after Michael Kandukutu and Percy Mcijo. confidence in the economy.” opinions countrywide. Speaking at the up as mothers, build up the nation,” government agreed to inject US$11,3 same rally, Women’s Assembly Deputy she said. South Africa’s umbrella trade union million in tranches. Secritary Hon. Margret Matienga, The Changing Times understands body, Congress of South African Trade said women had a major challenge The Women’s National Executive they were transferred to Unions, COSATU, also described the The new governance charter is expected in ensuring that the new Constitution team also held rallies in Zvishavane, Hwange police station, where arrests as “an outrageous attack on the to replace the existing document empowered women to access control Chirumanzu, Zibagwe and Chiundura they remained held yesterday. trade union movement and democracy. authored at British-brokered all-party and ownership of land and other natural and will be touring other provinces to talks at Lancaster House in London resources as the present dispensation encourage women to participate in the The ZCTU President was on a tour “They confirm that the state forces in in 1979. gave first preference to men. new Constitution-making process. of the country meeting the umbrella Zimbabwe, regardless of the existence labour union’s structures. The Victoria of a ‘government of national unity’, are In February, the process of writing a still brutally imposing their dictatorship Falls meeting was the first meeting of new post-independence Constitution The MDC as a people’s project, values your opinions. his tour. over those who are struggling for democracy and workers’ rights,” said began amid frenzied participation Please feel free to send news, alerts or letters expressing your views Patrick Craven, COSATU spokesman. after the formation of an inclusive “The MDC roundly condemns the government. and comments to MDC Information and unwarranted arrest of Zimbabwe “We demand the immediate Publicity Department or email: Congress of Trade Union President, and unconditional release of all But the process hit a snag three months [email protected] Lovemore Matombo, and other labour those arrested.” ago because of a funding shortfall and

MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe • Tel: +263 4 793 250 www.mdc.co.zw