PRESS STATEMENT!!!!!

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The Movement For Democratic Change Southend  On  Sea branch is inviting you all to a fundraising  beach party of its own kind at the Shoeburyness East Beach on the 26th of August 2012. Proceeds will be in aid of the in twinning programme and assist in the drafting of the Zimbabwe Education model particularly in challenging disabilities and the provision for Special needs.

 We urge all Zimbabweans and friends to come and support us on this big day. There will be a variety of traditional food and a lot of different activities for both adults and children.

For more information see flyer.

Shiellah Sibanda

MDC Southend on Sea Treasurer

MDC UK AND IRELAND COUNCIL MEETING

The MDC council meeting held in Headington, Oxford held Saturday August 4, 2012 convened to clarify the contentious restructuring demanded by Article 6.10 of the new constitution. The meeting promised fireworks and did not disappoint. Southend-on-Sea Branch sent the following representatives: Stanford Biti, Washington Ali, Sibangani Machingauta, Shiellah Sibanda, Maidei Ali and Audrey Charowa,

Tonderai Samanyanga the Provincial Chair of the UK and Ireland External Assembly informed meeting attendees that the purpose of the meeting was to consult on the way forward in light of the changes to the Party’s constitution. The major bone of contention was that the new constitution does away with the District structure as well as the Provincial executive. The new Constitution which appears to give more autonomy to the Branches states that branch will have Wards and can nominate an External Coordinating committee which will then be elected by the National Council in Harare.

6.10.7.3 Election of the External Coordinating Committee

The External Coordinating Committee shall at a special meeting called by the National Council elect directly from nominations made by Branches and Wards, the Chairperson, Treasurer, Organising Secretary and Secretary for the Main Wing, Assembly of Women, and Assembly of Youth.

Before long it was clear to those in attendance that there was a skew towards keeping the Samanyanga executive running as is, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.  What added fuel to the fire was an email purportedly sent by MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti telling the Samanyanga executive to continue as is. Basically the old structures would just change their titles and remain as they are. This idea was rubbished by Southend-on-Sea Chairman, Stanford Biti who pointed out that the coordinating committee had 7 positions but the current provincial executive has over 20 positions. “How do you select who stays and who goes?” he enquired.  Bristol’s Mrs Mutasa concurred with this view.

Mr Samanyanga reported that Harare had not given him any transitional procedures to follow in implementing these changes.  The guest of honour was outspoken Bulawayo MP and former MDC-T spokesperson, Hon Thabitha Khumalo. Impeccably dressed in an olive-green knee length office dress Hon Khumalo arrived as the debate got heated. She urged all to follow the party’s constitution.  She pointed out that the Party’s constitution could not be altered or varied by the pen stroke of one man. She urged Samanyanga & his team to act quickly and decisively to get the matter sorted out. Hon. Thabitha Khumalo observed that the UK and Ireland was a major powerbase of the MDC-T party and should be telling Harare the grassroots supporters’ aspirations.

Hon Thabitha Khumalo also addressed the matter of her “demotion” from party spokesperson. She noted that the MDC party was at war and on the battlefield cadres can be moved around by their general. With great jollity she said she was being reassigned and was looking forward to her new role.

While the issue seems pretty straightforward that the coordinating committee must be selected by the branches;  what may be interpreted as the of the hogging of office and dithering by the Samanyanga Executive  may be another divisive issue that  has the capacity to cause a deep chasm of mistrust in the external assembly. Mugabe –weary Zimbabweans want transparency and progress

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

MDC South East District

Stanford Biti, Audrey Charowa, Sibangani Machingauta, Charles Dhliwayo, Margret Gotora, Carryon Kamba, Clara Mhlaba,  Anna Kudinga - Kumwenda, Patty Murwira, Edinah Madamombe, Shiellah Sibanda, Maidei Ali, Gladys Helen Meck, Jameson Mashakada, Ralph Manyere 

More Photos available here: Branch Meetings

More MDC UK Photos here: MDC UK

Branch Meeting: What's in Store?

On Sunday the 24^th June our branch Southend on Sea will celebrate Prince William’s birthday and will send him a life time birthday wish to save Zimbabwe which is poised for another bloody election. We have high expectations that Prince William when he had his last working holiday in Southern Africa it was regrettably that he shunned Zimbabwe a pariah state.

We strongly believe Prince William has zest to act on Zimbabwe’s political situation which has historical origins of British Empire.

 

Shiellah Sibanda 

MDC Southend on Sea Treasure

VIOLENCE AS WE PREAPARE FOR ELECTIONS

As preparations for elections get on, it seems history is repeating itself as we read and hear about a lot of violence and disturbances caused by the police and other Zanu PF thugs. Therefore, it goes without saying that this party is very comfortable in doing what they know better, that is intimidating members of the MDC so as to dishearten them while they are preparing for the next elections.

The Zanu PF leader, as old as he is wants another five year term as the president of Zimbabwe and therefore the police are up in arms to intimidate and force people to support his party which seems to be having division problems already at the moment. The old leader believes in his same old style of violence to force people to vote for his party.

 As it is, we read about how the police tried to disturb the MDC meeting held in Kambuzuma which was addressed by National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nelson Chamisa, and another meeting that was held in Highfield was also marred with violence and intimidation. With all these disturbances going on, we hear Robert Mugabe talking about shunning violence, but if he is really against violence, why is  that his militia are still harassing MDC supporters and again why is that nothing is being done about it so as to stop these disturbances.

If this continues, it shows that Zimbabwe will never hold free and fair elections as long as Zanu keeps on using its old barbaric ways of campaigning which leaves people with no freedom to choose what they want. It has worked for them for the past three decades as it has helped them t o stay in power, and they still believe that the same thing will happen in the next elections, that is why they will not stop it even though they are aware that the people of Zimbabwe are fed up with Zanu PF which has destroyed our beloved country.

Shiellah Sibanda

Treasurer 

Southend On Sea

Zim exiles: We'll take Hawks to The Hague

Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za

Zimabawean activists have threatened to refer several members of the Hawks to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity if they are not brought to justice in South Africa.

The threat from the Johannesburg-based Zimbabwe Exile Forum was made a day after Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa told parliament that an investigation into several Hawks officers was nearing completion.

The Sunday Times published damning allegations in October that South African officials were cooperating with the Zimbabwean authorities in abducting Zimbabweans in South Africa, including former Movement for Democratic Change organiser Gift Nhadzi and his wife, who were tortured after he was repatriated.

Also said to have been sent back to Zimbabwe against his will was Witness Ndeya, who is alleged to have killed Zimbabwean police officers. He was returned to Zimbabwe along with two other citizens and murdered.

Mthethwa's announcement on Wednesday was made a day after the Pretoria High Court ruled that the South African authorities were obliged to arrest Zimbabwean officials linked to torture when they visited South Africa.

Zimbabwe Exile Forum chairman Gabriel Shumba said of the renditions yesterday: "This is a crime against humanity and includes assaults in which people have had parts of their bodies doused in diesel before being set alight. Despite complaints, nothing has been done. This is the first time we are hearing of this probe and we are afraid the allegations will be covered up.

"South Africa has ratified and domesticated the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and if investigations establish that South African police are involved they must be prosecuted," Shumba said.

He warned that failure to prosecute would lead to the forum taking the Hawks to The Hague for crimes against humanity .

Shumba said the forum had interviewed six Zimbabweans who had escaped from army or police bases in that country after being abducted and smuggled across the border and tortured.

He and a senior source within the Hawks alleged that such "renditions" were continuing unabated.

Shumba, who called for an independent commission of inquiry comprising Zimbabwean and South African civil society organisations, said there was an increase in the number of reports of intimidation by Zanu-PF supporters and Zimbabwe police agents operating in South Africa.

This has led to the forum receiving requests from Zimbabweans for help in leaving South Africa.

Shumba said the forum was currently processing 20 such requests and had already assisted two Zimbabweans to leave for the US and Canada.

"I have personally witnessed uniformed Zimbabwe police, alongside South African officers, searching and beating Zimbabweans in Musina. These assaults are widespread and flout international humanitarian law.

"The widespread allegations of disappearances, torture, beatings, killings and assistance provided to Zimbabwean law enforcers coming to this country to kidnap Zimbabweans is repugnant," Shumba said.

The Hawks source confirmed that a team of at least eight of the unit's members was still taking part in such operations.

"They are above the law. Completely untouchable. For their work, several have been promoted to senior ranks. They have links right to the top, including politicians and senior officers.

"Several, who are from the Hawks Tactical Operational Management Services, are known to be linked to the murders of at least six Zimbabweans abducted from across Gauteng, and others have been linked to the murders of South Africans, including fellow police officers," he said.

Mthethwa told parliament's police portfolio committee that the allegations had been noted and had been referred to Hawks boss Anwa Dramat.

"The Civilian Secretariat for Police is almost through with a preliminary report on the allegations, which suggests further action is required," he said.

When asked about the arrests, Mthethwa's spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said he did not want to pre-empt the inquiry's outcome.

"We will keep the public informed once the final investigation has been completed."

Mnisi confirmed that the South African authorities were working with their Zimbabwe counterparts and the justice cluster of state departments.

Justice Department spokesman Tlali Tlali declined to comment, saying it was a police matter.

Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za

32nd Independence Celebrations 2012

♪♫KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR♫♪

The 9^th April 2012 headline on The Daily Mail screamed:  BREAKING NEWS: Robert Mugabe reportedly 'fighting for his life' in Singapore hospital due to undisclosed illness.  What was actually alarming about this article is the report attributed The Tehran Times claiming that Mugabe had entered into “a gentleman’s agreement” which would see Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa taking over the leadership of Zimbabwe.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the current Minister of Defense was Minister of State Security from 1982 to 1988. This means he oversaw the Gukurahundi massacres in which over 20 000 Ndebeles were brutally murdered. Mnangagwa also showed his propensity for brutality in the run up to & after the 2008 elections in which people were beaten, tortured, raped, murdered, others disappeared and scores were left homeless. Mnangagwa was Mugabe’s campaign manager in the highly contentious 2008 election. Mnangagwa has made it a point to portray Mugabe as vital so pictures of him looking frail are brutally censored.  It seems highly illogical to entrust a fragile nation to someone whose given middle name means trouble or distress. If The Tehran Times report is to be believed then this causes one to question whether Mugabe was compos mentis when he made the decision?

It is reported that Mugabe’s medical condition is said to be “critical”.  His family has reportedly chartered a flight to Singapore to be at his side. If diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks are to be trusted then the 88year old has prostate cancer which has metastasized (spread to other organs). Mugabe’s health (or lack thereof) has been the subject of much speculation over the last 5years. There have even been religious leaders predicting the demise of an African head of state which has been taken to mean the Zimbabwean octogenarian. Many people expressed great disenchantment after the death of 78year old Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi over Easter. Zimbabweans reacted with disappoinment & humour. One post on Facebook reads “I guess divine instructions were lost in translation, "And the Lord asked, if we take him who will lead the troubled nation in the transition?"  And the angel said "Joyce my Lord”.  And the Lord said "Take him then."  Moments later the Lord asked "Is he here yet? Bring him in he has a lot to answer to for the torment of my children." The Lord looks with utter surprise and disappointment and says "I said the 88 year old one not 78year old, and I meant Joyce Mujuru not Joyce Banda to take over. Ooops. (Act 2 scene II: enter Prophet Makandiwa)”

There is much worry that in the event of the death of Mugabe the two ZANU factions led by Vice President Joyce Mujuru and Mnangagwa would plunge Zimbabwe into civil war.  Mnangagwa’s hold on the army and State Security machinery is a great source of disquiet. At conception the Government of National Unity agreed that an election road map would be drawn up for free and fair elections after the bloody 2008 elections.  This has not been done as ZANU PF is holding the negotiations hostage by refusing to co-operate. Civic organisations have seen a sharp increase in politically motivated crimes. Opposition members are being assaulted and kidnapped. In the last three months reports coming out of Zimbabwe stated that the infamous torture camps were being revived in preparation for the rushed 2012 elections. These events do not bode well for the future of Zimbabwe.  Perhaps this would be a good time to send UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a smoke signal requesting for peace keepers before genocide occurs?

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

MDC South East District

MDC YOUTH STALWARTS OF THE STRUGGLE

It was my sincere hope that 2012 would usher in greatness as we closed 2011 on a sound note, bearing in mind that, the Province and South East District finally put the issues separating them behind and are working together for the good of our Party, the MDC, and investing in the future of the youth!

MDC South East District youth must rise and lead from the front slot. Our Provincial Youth Assembly Chair has reportedly not been in the country to give direction to our structures.  Our District structures need to make up the difference. There will be a District Youth meeting on 18 February at a venue to be advised. The meeting’s purpose will be to set up structures and charting the way forward for our District.

We are also planning a demonstration on 21 February 2012 at Zimbabwe House against the continued incarceration of the MDC Youth Assembly President Solomon Madzore.  Madzore has been in jail since October 2011 on trumped up murder charges.  Interestingly he has been arrested every year since 2000. Our protest will also be about the continued brainwashing of our youth into committing atrocities in the name of ZANU-PF. We will also protest against the folly of Mugabe spending US$8mln on an 88th birthday bash in a country where 800 people have died from typhoid and millions are without water and electricity

We cannot stand by and watch another Gukurahundi unfold in our time. We cannot expect western governments help our people as some are complicit in the Mugabe regime in its rendition.

I learnt last Sunday of the detention of MDC South East London Branch Vice Chair, Patrick Chatukuta, a committed cadre.  Patrick was due to be deported on Tuesday, however the will of the people prevailed, he continues to be detained at Heathrow. This confirms the UKBA’s unrelenting stance regarding the Zimbabwean situation unperturbed by the massacre of MDC activists that continues unabated. Our own brothers, sisters and parents continue to die daily at the hands of ZANU PF youths and we cannot continue to watch with our hands folded.

The time has come for all our youth to pick themselves and be ready to demand the people of Zimbabwe’s freedom at whatever cost!

Let us finish it the struggle we started! 

Mandlenkosi Mandla Ncube
Youth Chair

MDC South East District

The Talk of Legacy

Many politicians approaching the end of their tenure look for something meaningful to accomplish so they can leave a great legacy. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo, MP for Bulawayo East, is not one of those politicians.  This fearless MDC cadre’s work ethic demands that she leaves a Legacy in every place she is found. She challenges all the people that she meets to do and be better, to care about those living under the oppressive regime of Robert Mugabe. While softly spoken, this diminutive woman has achieved something that her more flamboyant peers have been unsuccessful at.

In September 2011 Southend-on-Sea branch took the unprecedented action of inviting Hon. Tabitha Khumalo. She was met at Gatwick airport by a contingent from the South East District. She was whisked away to the Labour Party conference upon arrival.  During her visit she met with members of the South East District that had been removed from the MDC UK & Ireland website for querying the process of the Leeds elections. The MDC UK & Ireland Provincial executive then created a non-elected parallel structure for the South East. There was major division in the party because of this. The matter was not dealt with by Harare which caused a further rift. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo met with Branches in the South East. In a stirring speech delivered in Oxford she beseeched South East District branches to work with UK & Ireland Executive to further the interests of the Movement of Democratic Change.  She explained that her work as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) representative in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) involves her working with people who do not embrace the principles of democracy and respect for human rights. JOMIC was created January 2009 to oversee the implementation of the 27 articles of the Global Political Agreement.  She said if she could get up every morning to work with members of ZANU-PF, the MDC in the UK and Ireland could work together. She reminded all that there was only one MDC-T.

Hon. Tabitha Khumalo, met and spoke to many leaders all over the UK. She talked about her vision of a united MDC-T that worked for the people of Zimbabwe. She challenged people that voted to hold their leaders accountable. She also met with apolitical groups that represent the interests of Zimbabweans in the UK like Southend Zimbabwe Network (SZN) where she explained what was happening in Zimbabwe and the challenges the people faced. She challenged all Zimbabweans in the UK & Ireland to create a blueprint of how they wanted to contribute to getting Zimbabwe back on her feet again.

Hon. Tabitha Khumalo’s visit culminated in the MDC UK & Ireland Provincial Executive engaging with the South East District that resulted in the restoration of South East District Executive. She met with the Mayor and council leaders in Southend-on-Sea where she secured scholarships to the University of East Anglia valued at about £48,000.

Hon. Tabitha Khumalo has left the MDC UK & Ireland a legacy of unity. We are transfixed on the task ahead of liberating Zimbabwe from the violent grip of  ZANU-PF. The party is strong and enjoying a surge in membership. More Branches are being created. People are positive and passionate about working for a better Zimbabwe. All this is a result of one remarkable woman’s vision for her party and her country. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo is a woman I am indeed proud to work alongside with. May she live long and prosper!

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

MDC South East District

Hon Thabitha Set To Return To UK 2012

Preparations are all set for the return of Honourable Thabitha Khumalo to finalise her business trip to Uk last year. Sibangani Machingauta ,Mdc Southend on sea Chief Security and logistics manager can confirm that the partnership between Zimbabwe and NHS Southend University Hospital will be finalised during her return to the United Kingdom.Sibangani has been in constant communication with Rushkin  University authorities and the Mayor of Southend On Sea on the issue of  scholarships to benfit Zimbabweans here and back home.