Tuesday, July 22, 2008

MDC wins major talks concession

By Vusumuzi Sifile and four other colleagues

THE chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, flew into Harare yesterday afternoon, providing impetus to the talks between the MDC and Zanu PF aimed at resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe amid speculation that substantive talks could start as early as tomorrow (Monday).

Ping met Morgan Tsvangirai at the residence of the South African Ambassador, Professor Mlungisi Makalima. A meeting with President Robert Mugabe is expected today (Sunday). No media was allowed near yesterday’s meeting.

Tsvangirai who snubbed a face to face meeting with Mugabe, Mbeki and Arthur Mutambara at State House recently, had demanded an expansion of the negotiating team before he could participate in a negotiated settlement.

"I can confirm that there has been contact, interaction and an exchange of views between the AU Commission Chairman Mr Jean Ping and President Tsvangirai," said MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.

It was not immediately clear when Ping would meet the other leader of the smaller MDC formation, Professor Arthur Mutambara.

On Friday Ping, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative on Zimbabwe, Haile Menkerios, and a representative of the SADC Organ on Defence Politics and Security, George Chikoti, met President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa in Pretoria.

After the meeting, Mbeki, who has been criticised for his handling of the Zimbabwean crisis over the past year, announced that he had formed a "reference group" with which he will liaise as he tries to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Mbeki said that "all parties agreed with the framework" which he had proposed. They had also endorsed his role as SADC’s mediator and "pledged to support his efforts".

Tsvangirai’s MDC yesterday welcomed the inclusion of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in the mediation process seeking to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Political commentators yesterday read the inclusion of the AU and UN in the "reference group" and Ping’s arrival here as "positive developments that could unlock the logjam" in the talks.

Professor Eldred Masunungure, the director of the Mass Public Opinion Institute, said Friday’s and yesterday’s developments would serve to unlock the impasse and pave the way for full blown discussions regarding the Zimbabwean political crisis.

"It is a good development. It has been accepted by the MDC," said Masunungure, who is a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. "I have not heard the reaction of Zanu PF, but reading The Herald Zanu PF and the government do not have strong objections to the developments. To that end, both parties can proceed to the substantive discussions on how to deal with the problem."

Masunungure believes there is a real sense of urgency on the part of all stakeholders — the MDC, Zanu PF, SADC through Mbeki, the UN, AU, the EU and Zimbabweans.

"I would be surprised if the Memorandum of Understanding is not signed in the next two days," Masunungure said. "Logic dictates that the MoU is signed very quickly so they can get on with the nuts and bolts issues.

"I think the process will be short, sharp and precise."

He believes final agreement could be reached as early as a month’s time.

"The economy is the major pressure point for Zanu PF, but having been rescued from the UN Security Council — the veto weakened Zanu PF. It is therefore indebted to those who vetoed the resolution. Zimbabwe has to repay the debt because the US and UK will say to Russia and China, ‘see how your client is behaving’ and that they have been vindicated."

Chamisa said the inclusion of UN and AU officials "positions us in a ready to take-off position". He said the inclusion gives the talks the seriousness and international stamina that the MDC has been calling for.

"It’s a welcome and positive development that gives impetus, adds seriousness and urgency to the matter. It also eliminates the grey areas around the mediation," said Chamisa, without saying when they will sign the MOU. But he said they awaited the next stage in the negotiations.

Chamisa however said the challenge that still has to be overcome is the catalogue of bad faith on the part of Zanu PF. He said Zanu PF continues to commit acts of violence, rubbishes MDC leaders and has refused to disband torture camps.

"Statements by Zanu PF leaders as well as Grace Mugabe (President Robert Mugabe’s wife) are not helpful. They have not behaved responsibly," Chamisa said.

Last week Grace Mugabe accused Tsvangirai of being an unrepentant puppet of the country’s erstwhile colonizers.

Tsvangirai had said that he wanted an AU envoy to join the mediation before his MDC agrees to more substantial talks.

The agreement announced on Friday in Pretoria appears to strike a compromise which confirms Mbeki’s leading role in regional diplomatic efforts but which would subject his mediation to wider scrutiny.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who has criticised Mbeki for favouring President Robert Mugabe and had called for his replacement, said Friday’s development had demonstrated that "our brothers and sisters in Africa, from SADC to the AU", continue to stand with the people of Zimbabwe.

Three weeks ago Tsvangirai told The Standard that his party preferred Ping to be the permanent mediator of the talks between his party and Zanu PF.

"As a result of this meeting, we welcome today’s appointment of a reference group of eminent Africans who will work with President Mbeki and the main parties in Zimbabwe to find a peaceful negotiated
solution to the Zimbabwean crisis," Tsvangirai said on Friday.

The AU has urged both sides to negotiate a power-sharing deal that would pave the way for a unity government, seen by many African leaders as the only way to avert further violence and total economic collapse.

Mbeki’s mediation efforts are now aimed at forming a coalition government. Both the opposition and Mugabe’s party say they are open to sharing power. But while Zanu PF says Mugabe should lead any coalition, Tsvangirai’s party insists Mugabe should have no role in the country’s political future.

The National Executive Committee of the Tsvangirai MDC met on Thursday for a briefing on the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed upon by the main political parties, but waiting for signing. The MOU lays out conditions for talks that are supposed to lead to a resolution of the crisis.

Violence is continuing, although all three parties agreed to put a clause in the MOU for an immediate end to the violence.

Last week 14 MDC supporters were assaulted and villagers were forced to flee their homes in Headlands, Manicaland on Tuesday while more than 30 MDC youths were arrested for distributing fliers in Bulawayo on Thursday. Other members of the MDC executive committee gave reports on the level of violence in their areas during Thursday’s meeting in Harare.

Angola’s foreign minister said on Friday said the region was divided over how to deal with Mugabe’s disputed re-election and that Zimbabwe’s crisis was weakening the unity of the SADC.

Several African nations, including Zambia and Botswana, have broken ranks and condemned Mugabe’s landslide victory in the 27 June poll run-off, which Tsvangirai boycotted because of attacks on his party’s supporters.

"The SADC region is experiencing an unprecedented situation vis-a-vis the situation in Zimbabwe," Joao de Miranda said at the opening of a summit of the Southern African Development Community in Durban.

The Angolan foreign minister said that regional unity and cohesion had become more fragile because of the problems in Zimbabwe, where the collapse of the economy has sent millions of refugees into neighbouring states.

This was the lead story in The Standard, 20 July 2008

Students See No Future In Zimbabwe - Envoy

By Vusumuzi Sifile

A top United States envoy last week said the current situation in Zimbabwe was discouraging many students from applying their education to the development of the country.

Speaking on Thursday last week at an orientation of a group of students awarded undergraduate scholarships to study at various American universities, the Deputy US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Katherine Dhanani, said many students "see no future" in Zimbabwe. The students will be leaving the country next month.

"Today, too may of Zimbabwe’s brightest students, after they complete their studies, see no future for themselves applying their learning back home in Zimbabwe," Dhanani told the students.

Most of the students were assisted in their applications by the United States Achievers Programme (USAP).

"I am quite sure that one element of Zimbabweans’ aspirations for their future is for the nation to once again become a country to which students hurry back after graduation. A country in which their education is a major force for development, and a country in which returning students feel their contribution is valued and rewarded."

Dhanani commended the students for achieving so much under difficult conditions. A number of students were affected by the government’s Operation Murambatsvina in 2005. Their plight was worsened by the mass exodus of teachers from schools and the economic challenges facing most ordinary Zimbabweans.

"It’s quite an achievement that you have reached this point. I would like to congratulate you for your excellent results which earned you acceptance," she said. "Your achievement is all the more impressive given the difficulties of the last years and especially of recent months."

First published in The Standard, 20 July 2008

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Public confusion over unity government

By Vusumuzi Sifile and Jennifer Dube

MEMBERS of the public view the much touted power-sharing deal that could result in a government of national unity (GNU) between Zanu PF and the MDC with a mixture of hope, suspicion and in some instances, disappointment.

Some believe the only way out of the current crisis lies in a power-sharing agreement between the two parties, but others think the arrangement will only benefit Zanu PF.

Although agreeing in principle that there is need for dialogue, both Zanu PF and the MDC also appear to differ on some issues regarding the GNU.

Before and after the widely disputed 27 June presidential election run-off, which had President Robert Mugabe as the only candidate following opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s withdrawal, Southern African leaders and the international community called for a GNU.

Speaking at his inauguration, Mugabe invited the opposition to negotiations to end the country’s crisis. He repeated the call on Friday on his return from the 11th

session of the African Union summit in Egypt, saying the opposition should "disabuse" themselves of their claim to power and invited them to dialogue instead.

At the summit, African leaders supported a Kenya-style deal between Zanu PF and the MDC, saying this would promote "peace, stability, democracy and the reconciliation of the Zimbabwean people … "

But in random interviews, residents of Harare said a GNU would not solve the current economic and political crisis. They feared this could see representatives of the different political formations pushing the agendas of their parties, or individuals positioning themselves, which could worsen the political impasse. What the country needs, some said, is a transitional arrangement with a limited lifespan.

Some said they feared Mugabe would cow the opposition into silence, allowing him to continue presiding over the ongoing political and economic crisis.

"People have not forgotten how Mugabe cheated (the late Vice-President Joshua) Nkomo under the guise of a Unity Accord," said Bryant Mdhara of Dzivaresekwa high-density suburb. "Although people choose not to talk about it, they are aware that Mugabe assumed total control of the country after rendering Nkomo powerless through that pact. Nothing can stop him doing to the MDC what he did to PF Zapu."

There have also been calls for fresh polls, under a new constitution.

"We cannot be talking of a GNU after that controversial run-off," said Oripa Mwaita from Warren Park. "Most people would agree that we need fresh polls which will be free and fair, and then we can start charting the way-forward."

This call has been supported by civil society organisations.

Others urged Tsvangirai to continue fighting saying the only way out is a complete change of government.

Petros Chaumba also of Warren Park said: "Mugabe has failed the country and should just give way to new minds. Tsvangirai should disregard this talk about unity and continue lobbying the international community for help so we can conduct fresh polls. This would allow us to freely decide the fate of our country, rather than have a few individuals making some costly compromises."

The deputy secretary general in the MDC Mutambara faction, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, said dialogue would be the best solution to the current impasse.

"Dialogue is the only solution to the country’s problems," she said.

"We need a national solution that is acceptable to all parties and the generality of the people of Zimbabwe. Whether that solution would be a government of national unity or whatever arrangements are issues of dialogue. We want to seek a national solution."

She would however not be drawn into indicating whether her party, which boycotted Mugabe’s inauguration last Sunday, would take up any offers of positions in government.

On Wednesday, Tsvangirai – who has agreed to negotiate with Zanu PF if certain conditions are met – said "a GNU does not address the problems of Zimbabwe or acknowledge the will of the Zimbabwean people". He called for negotiations that will lead to a "transitional agreement".

"Our commitment to a negotiated settlement is not about power sharing or power deals but democracy, freedom and justice," Tsvangirai said. "The principle is a transition, but it must be a transition that is going to soft-land this crisis leading to elections … for us it’s very simple, either they engage in negotiation or there is no engagement. They have elected themselves, they have inaugurated themselves, and they can as well run the country."

But constitutional lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku said there was no way Tsvangirai could say he is rejecting a GNU but call for a transitional government.

"Any transitional government can also be a government of national unity. What makes it transitional is the purpose and lifespan. It is transitional because it has to lead us into something else within a given period, in this case the writing of a new constitution, by the people," Madhuku said.

He said once established, the transitional arrangement should guide the writing of a new constitution leading to a referendum and fresh elections.

"That can be done perfectly under the current constitution. Whatever format they take, they should not abandon the principle that the constitution has to be written by the people," Madhuku said.

Before the 29 March elections, Madhuku encouraged the MDC to take part in the elections on condition that they would support the campaign for a new, people-driven constitution that would lead to "fresh elections before the end of this year".

There are however some who felt the two parties should reconcile their differences for the sake of ordinary Zimbabweans.

"Whatever happens, talk of sanctions or a continuation of the prevailing economic and political hardships, affects us the ordinary people and not them," Tariro Gomo said. "They should work together for our sake...Tsvangirai has to compromise and enter the pact, Mugabe may be cheating him but he has to do it for us...If he pulled out of the run-off to save the people’s lives, why not agree to a fake marriage to save the same people?"

Before he was fired from his position as a spokesperson of the MDC Mutambara, Gabriel Chaibva told The Standard "dialogue is the only way out".

"The way forward is to be realistic and face the facts as they are. There is no way out of dialogue. The MDC should realize their point of weakness, which is that the seat of government is now owned by Zanu PF," said Chaibva, who performed dismally in his last two bids for a seat in the House of Assembly.

"It is impossible for Zanu PF to continue governing this country without the opposition," he said.

"The way forward is: we have to talk. The people of Zimbabwe are suffering. It is time for the opposition to show leadership than to depend on international goodwill. There is no alternative to dialogue."

Published on 6 July 2008 in The Standard

Mugabe, Tsvangirai to meet this week

BY Vusumuzi Sifile, Bertha Shoko, and Davison Maruziva

THE proposed new full-time mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis, AU Commission chair Jean Ping, and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa are expected in the country this week amid speculation they will be seeking to bring MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe together.

African diplomats told The Standard last week that the two would be expected to arrive from the G-8 Summit in Japan and that they will be in Zimbabwe as part of efforts to get the MDC and Zanu PF to begin talks on a transitional arrangement.

Mbeki flew into Harare yesterday on his way to the G8 nations’ summit, which runs in Japan from tomorrow until Wednesday, when he and Ping are expected to travel to Zimbabwe.

During his two-hour stop over, Mbeki met Mugabe and representatives of Arthur Mutambara’s MDC formation, which was represented by Mutambara, Professor Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga at State House.

Ncube told The Standard that there had been no discussions and that the meeting had been for the leaders to mandate their negotiators to seek a settlement to the impasse.

Tsvangirai and his negotiators did not attend the meeting. They have said they will meet Mugabe in the presence of Ping.

Last week, the AU’s 11th Summit in Egypt passed a resolution enjoining the two Zimbabwean political parties to begin talks as a first step towards efforts to resolve the country’s eight-year-old crisis. The resolution also supported the proposal for a government of national unity.

Hopes of an accord between the two main political gladiators came in a week which saw prices spinning out of control, demonstrating for the first time the colossal nature of the problem facing the government and the urgency required to resolve it.

Prices of goods soared last week and for the first time since the political crisis, basic commodities were being quoted in the US dollar or the rand in what analysts said was an emphatic loss of confidence in both the government and the local currency.

Diplomats who spoke to The Standard saw this turn for the worse as one factor that could force the two parties to sit down and hammer out an acceptable means of running the country during the transitional period.

"One of the conditions is that Mugabe and Tsvangirai meet face to face," said one of the African diplomats. "Unlike Mbeki’s mediation, there will be a memorandum of understanding and a framework within which the talks will take place. The government is looking for a way out (of the crisis)."

Attempts to deal with the crisis came as more than 200 internally displaced Zimbabweans sought refuge at the US embassy in Harare, with the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee stressing that his country was and would continue to be "a friend of the suffering people of Zimbabwe. . ."

McGee was speaking in Harare on Friday during celebrations to mark the 232nd anniversary of the Independence of the United States. He said Zimbabweans deserved better.

Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai have expressed their willingness to open dialogue, but have each set conditions for participation in the talks. Tsvangirai says Mugabe should stop the violence against MDC supporters and "deZanuise" state institutions.

Tsvangirai last Wednesday said "the MDC remains committed to negotiations" based on results of the March 29 elections, not the run-off. He set conditions for dialogue.

"Our commitment to a negotiated settlement is not about power-sharing or power deals but about democracy, freedom and justice," said Tsvangirai.

"Significantly, the conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe today are not conducive to negotiations. If dialogue is to be initiated, it is essential that Zanu PF stops the violence, halts the persecution of MDC leaders and supporters, releases all political prisoners, disbands the militia bases and torture camps and that the security services halt their partisan operations."

He said he "will never compromise to betray these ideals".

"We cannot just go into those discussions or negotiations for the sake of it … The principle is a transition," Tsvangirai said. "But it must be a transition that is going to soft-land this crisis leading to elections … it should provide for a period in which a new constitution is hammered out, the deZanuisation of all these (state) institutions has to take place.

"For us it’s very simple, either they engage in negotiations or there is no engagement. They have elected themselves, they have inaugurated themselves, they can as well run the country. But we are saying we wish them good luck if they have to pursue that kind of self -destructive delusion."

In a measure indicative of the treacherous terrain the talks will need to negotiate Mugabe told a rally in Chitungwiza 12 days ago before the 27 June poll: "A Zanu PF victory does not mean we would push opposition parties into oblivion. The MDC won a considerable number of seats in Parliament, there is a role they would play in Parliament… Victory for us does not mean the death of MDC or any other party that wants to participate in our electoral process… We want our brothers in the MDC to come to us to discuss our problems…"

But speaking on his arrival from Egypt on Friday, Mugabe appeared to set conditions for talks saying the MDC should accept him as Head of State and that they should get the West to remove targeted sanctions.

Published in The Standard on 6 July 2008

Chaibva suspended over Mugabe links

By Vusumuzi Sifile

THE MDC formation led by Arthur Mutambara yesterday suspended its spokesperson, Gabriel Chaibva, from the party for attending President Robert Mugabe’s inauguration and openly supporting the ageing leader’s highly disputed re-election nine days ago.

The suspension is the party leadership’s second blow to Chaibva within a week, after relieving him of his duties as spokesperson on Monday.

In a statement, the party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Edwin Mushoriwa said: "MDC wishes to advise that its National Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Lyson Mlambo has suspended the former spokesperson of the party, Gabriel Chaibva, from the membership of the party with immediate effect, pending appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee on charges of conduct likely to bring the party into disrepute."

Last Sunday, Chaibva attended Mugabe’s inauguration at State House and later told journalists that the two MDCs had to recognize Mugabe as the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe.

The party immediately distanced itself from Chaibva’s remarks and the following day relieved him of his duties as party spokesperson. The fallout worsened two days later when Chaibva attended the burial of Lloyd Gundu at Heroes’ Acre.

In an interview on Friday, Chaibva said his actions were part of efforts to "build bridges" between Zanu PF and the MDC. He said the crisis in Zimbabwe now required leaders to "make unpopular decisions popular".

"It’s called building bridges. . .I have provided an opportunity for dialogue," Chaibva said.

On his party leadership’s decision to relieve him of his duties, Chaibva said he would soon bounce back in the same position: "I am still a member of the MDC. The leadership did what is constitutionally possible for them. I am now free to air my own views … I foresee myself getting back to my position."

Chaibva’s appearance at the inauguration and Heroes’ Acre have also fuelled rumours that following his trouncing during two parliamentary bids in Budiriro and Sunningdale, and his party’s poor performance in the March elections, Chaibva could eventually re-join Zanu PF. He is a former member of the party’s youth wing.

Chaibva dismissed the speculation.

"I am the longest-serving opposition leader in Zimbabwe. I am a committed opponent of Zanu PF with an impeccable record. . .," he said. "Let those who accuse me of being Zanu PF not think they are giving me a heavy tag."

Published in The Standard on 6 July 2008

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Tsvangirai Withdrawal Exposes Law Loopholes

By Vusumuzi Sifile

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s withdrawal from the disputed presidential run-off election held on Friday could expose loopholes in the country’s electoral laws, as evidenced by different interpretations of the legality of the move by legal experts and the authorities.

The government, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and some legal experts argued that the withdrawal was "a legal nullity" as Tsvangirai registered his consent to take part in the election by contesting on 29 March, knowing the election could result in a run-off, an "irreversible process". ZEC went ahead with the election on Friday.

But others believe the withdrawal "is in compliance with the national laws and regional and international human rights standards relating to elections", and that Tsvangirai "can be said to have substantively complied with the requirements of the electoral law".

The conflicting interpretations, it was argued, also show "that the drafters (of the Electoral Act) overlooked the need to ensure that comprehensive provisions were included to deal with the procedure of the run-off”.

Tsvangirai pulled out of the run off against President Robert Mugabe citing the killing of more than 90 of his supporters, violence, intimidation and the disruption of his campaign rallies by State security agents and Zanu PF militias.

He said the run-off was “illegally delayed” as it was held after the 21 days from the date of announcement of results prescribed in the law, and that certain requirements, such as the payment of a deposit by candidates, had not been met.

In a letter to ZEC chairperson George Chiweshe on 24 June, Tsvangirai said he withdrew because “the conditions presently obtaining throughout the country make it virtually impossible for a proper election to take place”.

On the legality of his move, Tsvangirai said Section 107 of the Electoral Act which deals with the withdrawal of candidature from a Presidential election “was clearly not designed for a presidential run-off”.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) backed Tsvangirai’s argument, saying “Section 107 referred to the withdrawal of a candidate from any single presidential election, but not for withdrawal of a candidate from a presidential run-off”.

Said the ZLHR: “Therefore, since there is no provision for withdrawal from a presidential run-off in the Electoral Act, one would have to look to the withdrawal procedures for a candidate in either parliamentary (Section 49) or local government (Section 126) elections: both of these provide that a candidate can withdraw ‘at any time before polling or the first polling day, as the case may be’. In this situation, the candidate merely has to provide written notification to the constituency elections officer.”

The organisation said that “by submitting his written notification of withdrawal three days before polling day, he can be said to have substantively complied with the requirements of the electoral law and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is required to take measures to publicize this withdrawal in terms of the law”, adding that Friday’s election with only one candidate was “an absurdity”.

Section 110 (3) of the Electoral Act provides that when no candidate receives more than 50% of the total votes cast, there has to be a second election featuring the top two candidates within 21 days from the date of announcement of results. As such, Tsvangirai said, “it would not make sense to expect a candidate from a presidential run-off election to give 21 days’ notice of his/her withdrawal where such election has to be held within 21 days anyway”.

The MDC leader also argued that “there have been no rules prescribed for the conduct of a presidential run-off election and in particular the notice period set for the withdrawal of candidature by a participant”.

“Accordingly, any candidate wishing to withdraw his candidature is free to do so at any time before such an election.”

But ZEC chair Chiweshe insisted the withdrawal was null.

“It was unanimously agreed that the withdrawal had inter alia been filed well out of time and that for that reason the withdrawal has no legal force or effect.

Accordingly, the Commission does not recognise the purported withdrawal.”
The ZLHR argued that the matter should have been “referred to a court of law for determination” before ZEC could make that decision.

“The election management body cannot simply state that the conditions exist and proceed unilaterally when clear facts supporting a disparate view have been put to it . . . and proceeding with an election, therefore could be argued to result in ZEC acting outside the boundaries of the law.”

Despite being among the first lawyers to say Tsvangirai could not withdraw because “candidature for the run-off or the second election is not a voluntary exercise, you give your consent when you contest the first election”, National Constitutional Assembly chairperson, Lovemore Madhuku on Thursday led civil society organisations in endorsing Tsvangirai’s pullout.

“The acts of brutality that have occurred over the last three months have made any semblance of a free and fair election impossible. We therefore urge the people of Zimbabwe not to vote,” says a civil society statement read by Madhuku.

The law, said ZLHR, only states that Tsvangirai is “eligible” for the run off as he received the highest number of votes, but it was “not mandatory” for him to contest.

UK-based Zimbabwean lawyer, Alex Magaisa, also argued that “eligibility does not mean that you must take part in the process”.

“It simply means you meet the necessary conditions but you can choose not to take part . . . eligibility does not make participation fixed and mandatory.”

Published in the front page of The Standard on 29 June 2008

ZIMSEC Salary Dispute Puts Exams In Doubt

By Vusumuzi Sifile

ORDINARY Level and Advanced Level public examinations for this year were plunged into further uncertainty last week following an ongoing salary dispute at the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC).

The Standard was told last week that although ZIMSEC staffers are still reporting for duty, they have not started preparing logistical requirements for the June examinations, which should have been written early this month. As a result, workers’ representatives say the institution is running four months behind schedule.

ZIMSEC administers public examinations twice every year, in May/June and October/November Earlier this month, ZIMSEC announced that this year’s May/June examinations would be delayed because of Friday’s presidential election run-off.

But sources at the government department said "even if there was no run-off, ZIMSEC was not ready to hold the examinations".

Mathias Guchutu, the spokesperson for the National Education Union of Zimbabwe (NEUZ), which also covers ZIMSEC workers, confirmed there was a salary dispute at the national examiner, resulting in workers not preparing for the examinations.

"Management has told workers that they can only award them the 1 047% increment based on their April salaries, but the workers are proposing more. Members of staff are very disgruntled," Guchutu said.

Among other things, The Standard understands statements of entry for the examinations have still not been prepared.

"This will inconvenience mostly private candidates as they will have less time to correct mistakes on their statements," Guchutu said. "As it is, the institution is running more than four months behind schedule."

But on Friday, a ZIMSEC official who only identified himself as Chikandiwa said the June examinations would commence on 7 July. Asked how this would be possible since statements of entry have still not been printed, he said: "One can write an examination without that (statement of entry)."

Chikandiwa refused to elaborate, referring questions to the institution’s public relations department. Calls transferred to the department went unanswered. Last month, the department did not respond to questions sent by The Standard on the examinations.

Zanu PF Sets Up Terror Bases In Harare

By Vusumuzi Sifile and Sandra Mandizvidza

PEOPLE claiming to be Zanu PF supporters have set up bases in Harare’s high- density suburbs, raising fears that the reign of terror so far limited to villages has spread to cities.

Harare residents reported the terror campaigns in Dzivarasekwa, Mbare, Sunningdale, Epworth, Mabvuku-Tafara and Chitungwiza.

The MDC last week alleged there were at least two bases in every constituency in Harare and Chitungwiza. Zanu PF has denied the allegation.

The party said it had set up what it called "information centres". But The Standard was told by independent sources in some cases, the "base commanders" had usurped the powers of the police and local authorities.

On Thursday, Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman, Amos Midzi claimed they had set up "information centres, not bases".

"Anybody is free to visit those information centres," said Midzi, who nevertheless failed to clarify what takes place at the so-called information centres.

Although some of the reports could not be immediately confirmed, the MDC and civil society organisations said in some cases "there appears to be some camaraderie between the police and the militia at the bases".

Over a week ago, a group of students from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) came across one such base while conducting an assignment in Mbare.

"We were interrogated and when we told them that we were students," said one of the students, who asked not to be named, "and that we had permission from the police and the council, they told us they were more powerful than the police and the council.

"Some of them wanted to beat us up and confiscate all our research material, but we pleaded with them and in the end, they sympathised with us."

After their plea for mercy, and having convinced "the commander" they were on a genuine study mission, the students were given another letter, allowing them to proceed with the assignment.

MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said the existence of the bases was "not politics but war".

Chamisa said: "Every constituency has at least two bases. We are not in a war but they are setting up military bases. This is out of the ordinary. What shocks us is that the police are not doing anything about them. It now appears there is some form of camaraderie between the police and the militia at the bases."

Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena could not be reached for comment. Zanu PF Political Commissar Elliot Manyika refused to talk to The Standard.

The existence of the bases emerged at a time when Zanu PF militias have embarked on a door-to-door campaign in some Harare suburbs, intimidating people and instructing them to vote for President Robert Mugabe on 27 June in the presidential election run-off.

On a number of occasions, militias have been seen leading Zanu PF supporters on a door-to-door campaign, mostly in high-density suburbs.

In Mbare on Thursday, they moved from door-to-door at houses near Tsiga grounds, carrying sticks and ordering people to attend Zanu PF meetings.

Similar groups of people were seen in other suburbs.

"I was at home last week when some people claiming to be war veterans came to my house and asked for my name and that of my husband. They said we should vote for Mugabe only," said a woman from Glen View, who requested anonymity.

In the upmarket Chisipite suburb, the militias are said to be going from house to house calling all housemaids and gardeners to their meetings. This has also been the pattern in Chitungwiza.

"My housemaid went to these so-called meetings when I was at work," said Dorcas Munyoro, whose maid was summoned last week. "On top of being told to vote for Mugabe they were also told to demand a minimum monthly salary of $100 billion and if they got fired to report back to these war vets."

Munyoro said after attending the meeting, her maid had become "big-headed".

"How can I pay her a salary more than mine?" she said.

Mugabe has threatened to go to war if Tsvangirai wins the run-off, saying he would not let the MDC take over power, which he said would be "tantamount to giving back the country to the former colonial master and insulting the virtues of the liberation struggle".

An Epworth resident, who spoke to The Standard on condition he was not identified, said Zanu PF supporters had not eased up on their terror campaign since Sunday. He estimated as many as 100 houses belonging to suspected MDC supporters had been destroyed.

While previously the destruction had been at night, this was now taking place during the day.

Road blocks had been set up on roads into Epworth, where residents were asked to chant a Zanu PF slogan – "100% empowerment", "Pamberi nehondo, izvozvi, Pasi naMorgan" — failure of which got one into real trouble.