ZimEye:ZEC Boss Dies ‘In Mysterious Circumstances’

A cloud of mystery hangs over the sudden death of a senior Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) official, Mr. Shupikai Mashereni whose departure came barely a week after demanding his dues for his service in ZEC. It is alleged that he began pestering a named official from the ministry of State Security for a farm measuring 70 hectares that he had been promised soon after the 2013 Zimbabwe elections.

Click here and read the rest of story by Audrey Charowa

ZimEye: Audrey Charowa

Click here and read the latest news from MDC Southend On Sea cadre, Audrey Charowa

Angelbert Munjanja

Blog/Webmaster

MDC Southend Branch

Welcome Note 2014

Happy New Year and welcome to our first branch meeting on the 26^th of January 2014.

We will congregate to reflect on last year’s developments to try to understand the way forward. MDC Southend On Sea will add value to the struggle, will come up with a number of proposals to steer the Diaspora and also reach out to the international community.

You are all invited to bring your suggestions and views, bring friends and families.

Shiellah Sibanda

MDC Southend On Sea Branch Treasurer

Together we can make a change 

♪♫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

Zimbabweans Unite in Protest against Resumption of Deportations to Zimbabwe

On a beautiful summer day they came from different parts of the country to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters. From as far flung as Scotland they came. By air, by road, by train and on foot they made it to the beautiful and peaceful beach town of Southend-on-sea! That was the passion and zeal of the protesters against the United Kingdom Border Agency’s (UKBA) decision to resume deportations to Zimbabwe.

This demonstration was inspired by the incarceration of Josephine Chari who as I write is in detention at Yarlswood Detention Centre in Bedfordshire. She was taken in while complying with reporting conditions set by the Border Agency at the reporting centre in Southend-on-sea. The soft spoken, law abiding and humble Josephine is a known MDC supporter and like all other refugees whose cases have been thrown out by UKBA, face persecution, torture and abuse if returned to Zimababwe.

The protest at the Southend-on-sea Civic Centre started promptly at 2pm on 28 July 2011 initially, with an assemblage of about over fifty MDC party cadres. All protestors were welcomed by the Branch Chair, Mr Stanford Biti whose brother and Finance Minister Tendai Biti escaped a bomb blast in June. By 3pm the party had swelled to almost 200 strong crowd. They came with placards that left the immediate community without a doubt why they were gathered, to protest against the return of “failed” refugees back to the hands of the tyranny, Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Many residents of Southend-on-sea were appalled at the gruesome pictures of civilians including children that were victims of torture and abuse of Robert Mugabe’s government. In support of the protest, they signed a petition addressed to the Prime Minister against the deportations which will be presented to the relevant minister at a later date.

As with all protests, police officers uniformed and plain clothes were deployed to make sure that public order was maintained and seemed to enjoy the songs and dance that marked the protest. It was refreshing to see the police being friendly to protestors and letting people use their freedom of assembly in peace, in the end there was mutual respect.

The local media covered the protest.

The South East District Executive was well represented as was the Women’s assembly and Youth Assembly. Of note were the District Chair - Mr Khama Matambanadzo, Vice Chair – Mr Washington Ali, Vice Secretary – Tendai Mhondiwa,  Vincent Mashakada, District Treasurer, Women’s Assembly Vice Chair Gladys H Meck, Secretary Mauleen Machiri, Organising Secretary –  Hlengwa Mahlangu and Audrey Charowa – Vice Secretary, District Youth Acting Chair, Mandla Ncube..  

The District Chair, Khama Matambanadzo echoed the words of the Branch Chair, Mr Stanford Biti and pointed out that Josephine’s arrest amounted to an arrest of all Zimbabweans, he challenged the new Zimbabwe country guidance case dismissing it as a joke and called upon the coalition government to urgently review their position in light of the numerous cases of harassment, victimisation, false arrests and torture of innocent and peace loving Zimbabweans whose only crime is supporting the MDC. He pointed out that should the coalition government pursue the deportations and our colleagues returned to Zimbabwe end up victims of Mugabe’s suppressive mechanism, we shall hold this government culpable. He urged all Zimbabweans to remain united and speak against the resumption of the deportations with one voice, “Zimbabwe is another Libya South of the Equator”.

The occasion was also graced by none other the Provincial Women Assembly Vice Chair, who thanked all who had gathered in support of this worthy cause and reminded all of the important role of a mother at all times, happiness or turbulent quoting a Bible verse in Luke. David Kadzutu the South West District Organising Secretary was present, he informed the protestors that what the British government forgets is that it is not by accident that Zimbabweans head this way for political asylum, Cecil John Rhodes headed for then Rhodesia now Zimbabwe and was granted asylum on health compassionate grounds in 1890 when his health had deteriorated due to the British weather, thus the relationship dates back to the days of Lobengula, hence Cecil John Rhodes today lies on Zimbabwean soil in Matopo Hills.

We at Southend were deeply humbled by the show of support exhibited by almost all South East Branches and most of all Oxford Branch. 

Thank you all!

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

MDC South East District

A Measure of Good Sense Required

At the Leeds Congress on 2 April 2011 the Minister of Home Affairs, Theresa Makone, spoke of her fear of the Zimbabwean Police as they intended to incarcerate her without cause. She reported that she had been in hiding in the run up to her UK trip and emphasized that Zimbabwe was not safe as yet.  Speaking on 7 June 2011 to the Irish Times just after a petrol bomb was thrown at his home Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, likened the situation in Zimbabwe to Rwanda on the eve of the genocide. On June 3, 2011 Bill Corcoran, reporting for the Irish times quoted impeccable sources reporting the re-establishment of notorious militia bases in Zimbabwe. In the run-up to the 2008 election, bases were used by the Mugabe regime as headquarters to intimidate, rape, torture, maim and in some instances kill those associated with the MDC. Bases also sprung up during operation “Operation Mavhoterapapi (How did you vote?)” a time when Zanu PF militias and war veterans assaulted, intimidated and withheld donated foodstuffs to people they believed did not vote for their Party. On 12 June 2011 the Daily Mail reported that a self-confessed torturer CIO Agent Phillip Machemedze had been accepting money from the CIO for his work in providing his masters on opposition activities in the United Kingdom as recently as April 2011. Speaking to the Daily Mail on 11 June 2011, Kate Hoey MP, who is chairperson of the All Party Group on Zimbabwe, called on the Home Office to arrest Machemedze, stating she knew of other “asylum seekers” in this country who are also suspected of maintaining links with the CIO. ‘Machemedze is clearly a dangerous man,’ she told the paper. To this date Machemedze remains in the United Kingdom with full refugee status.

On April 5 2011, the UK Border Agency published country guidance on Zimbabwe which insinuates that Zimbabwe is safe. This assessment was arrived at following a visit to Zimbabwe by a contingent sent to Harare in 2010 that purportedly stayed at plush hotels in the city centre and went on guided tours to a few areas of the country.

In June 2011 Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba proclaimed that those in the army were prepared to die to keep Mugabe in power while labelling Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, a national security threat. This speaks volumes of the armed forces intent to forsake the ballot result and maintain Mugabe’s hold on power through the use of violence.

It is well documented that Mugabe unleashes his dogs of war in the run up to any election. In the run-up to the 2008 election torture, murder and rape were his weapons of choice. The youth brigade (green bombers); war veterans and militias have been deployed across the breadth of the country in preparation for the much talked about elections. It is widely known that Zanu PF wants the elections to be held in December 2011 although early 2012 seems more likely.

With this terrifyingly tense environment in mind it boggles the mind that the UK government is resolute on deporting Zimbabweans. Forced removals have started and yet Zimbabwean newspapers are awash with stories of MDC activists in Zimbabwe, being arrested, molested and going into hiding. How can known activists critical of the regime who have been away from Zimbabwe for long periods return safely back to Zimbabwe. This move is treacherous and requires a serious re-think on the part of the British government lest they end up with blood on their hands. Zimbabwe will never be safe with Mugabe at the helm and with CIO operatives like Machemedze in our midst.

On the 1^st July 2011, fellow party cadre and renowned activist Josie Chari was taken to Bedfordshire detention facility. She was not permitted to take any personal items like medication or toiletries. Today she remains detained in a cell as if she were a criminal. Her crime you may ask? Denouncing the atrocities of Mugabe’s regime.  Josie is a valuable member of her community and a staunch member of the Movement for Democratic Change Southend-on-Sea Branch. She is much loved and admired because of her kind and gentle nature. Stanford Biti, the MDC Southend-On-Sea Branch Chairperson has called for an anti-deportation protest on 28 July 2011. The address is Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ER.   We are calling upon all Zimbabweans, friends and those who support the cause to converge on Southend and send a loud message to UKBA to release Josie and many others in detention and at the same time lobby for reconsideration of the position to deport Zimbabweans. The National coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) has supported this call to stop deportations to Zimbabwe.

As women of Southend-on-Sea branch we, implore the British government to reconsider their position. Not just for our comrade in the struggle against Mugabe, but for the other unfortunate souls that face deportation to a land where they will be treated with contempt at best or as enemies of the state.  A great Briton, Winston Churchill once said “Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense”. I beseech the British Government to exercise good sense in this matter.

Audrey Charowa

MDC Southend 

Hausunde

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

The Wall Street Journal reported on May 28, 2010 that “Abbey Chikane, the Kimberley Process monitor for Zimbabwe, said he will recommend that diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange field be sold as certified, conflict-free diamonds.”

On May 6, 2010 Mr Boaz Hirsch of the Kimberley Process in Israel in a letter to KP member states, expressed concern over diamonds from the Marange (Chiadzwa) area being exported out of Zimbabwe using falsified Kimberley Process documents. He makes no mention of what course of action would be taken by KP to punish offenders. In 2008 Partnership Africa Canada and Global Witness “argued that the Kimberley Process should be more proactive in monitoring infringements, and tougher in curtailing this illicit trade. The situation today is getting worse.”

On June 26, 2009 Human Rights Watch reported that “Zimbabwe’s armed forces, under the control of President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), are engaging in forced labour of children and adults, as well as torturing and beating local villagers on the diamond fields of Marange district. The military seized control of these diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe after killing more than 200 people in Chiadzwa, a previously peaceful but impoverished part of Marange, in late October 2008. With the complicity of ZANU-PF, Marange has become a zone of lawlessness and impunity, a microcosm of the chaos and desperation that currently pervade Zimbabwe.”

Mr Chikane’s decision and indeed that of the Kimberly Process was a kick in the face for the many women who have been raped and men who have been beaten and the 200 unidentified murder victims. On July 15, 2010 in St Petersburg KP Chair Boaz Hirsch described the Kimberly Process’ decision to allow the sale of Marange Diamonds as “a victory for the Kimberly Process”. Which Zimbabweans did the Kimberley Process invite to these negotiations? According to a KP press release “a senior delegation from the government of Zimbabwe, including Minister of Mining Obert Moses Mpofu, and Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Johanne Tomama, travelled to St. Petersburg for the meeting” All are ZANU-PF agents handpicked by the despot Mugabe himself. Where pray-tell was the minister of Finance, the honourable “Tendai Biti”

Zimbabweans have lost faith in international organisations that help keep corrupt governments in power in exchange for diamonds. The once respected Kimberley Process has become a cog in the distribution of “blood” diamonds. By October 2010 there should have been money remitted to the treasury for the sale of these diamonds under the KP’s “watchful” eye. In January 2011 the minister of Finance’s ministry had not received any proceeds from the sale.

Where’s the money?

The Zimbabwean on April 15, 2011 reported that the Centre for Research and Development (CRD) said there has been a sharp upsurge in state-sponsored violence in the Marange area over the past five weeks and called on the government to immediately establish a special tribunal to deal with the resurgent human rights abuses. The CRD, headed by prominent diamonds researcher Farai Maguwu, said security forces have assaulted and tortured panners caught digging for diamonds.

The Centre for Research and Development strongly condemned the state sponsored violence in and around Marange diamond fields and calls on the Zimbabwe government to immediately bring to an end the human rights abuses taking place in Marange diamond fields and investigate state security agents that have been accused of committing human rights abuses in Marange diamond fields," the CRD said.

Reports from Human Rights organisations have highlighted the high level of state security in the Marange Chiadzwa area. How then were 2 foreigners Zohra Desai (53) and Prema Desai (49) able to get their hands on a 48 663-carat (9,72kg) consignment of rough diamonds valued at about US$2 million, sourced from Zimbabwe. They were caught trying to sell them in Surat the state capital of Gujarat in India and one of the world’s leading diamond trading centres. This is not this first time India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested foreigners with diamonds from Zimbabwe. In December 2010 two Israelis were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, in possession of rough diamonds worth $140 000 believed to be from Chiadzwa.  Could it be that these foreigners are on the payroll of some powerful politician with incredible access who wants to circumvent remittances to the treasury? Could the proceeds be used to buy weapons to kill & intimidate members of the opposition ahead of an election?

According to the Kimberley Process website, “The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments.” By its own definition the Kimberley process cannot act against rogue governments if they appear “legitimate”.

Many commentators agree that Zimbabwe has sunk into the economic cow mire with the help of international organisations that choose to turn a blind eye to stark human rights abuses, when they hold the key to punishing the guilty. Respectable international organisations like the Kimberley Process that choose to go to bed with tyrannical governments with a poor Human rights record have contributed to the chaos and desperation that is Zimbabwe today.

Audrey Charowa

South East District Women's Congress

Vice Secretary

MDC Southend Hausunde

Dark Forces At Play But Light Prevails

Hon. Lovemore Moyo

In an historic turn of events MDC’s National Chairman Hon. Lovemore Moyo was re-elected Speaker of the House on 30 March 2011. Hon. Lovemore Moyo had 105 votes, defeating Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF candidate who received only 93 votes.
  
It bears special mention that the election of Mr Moyo in 2008 was nullified by the Supreme Court three weeks ago after a Zanu-PF official complained that the vote had been "disorderly". What is astounding here comrades is that there was one spoilt ballot which means that 3 Zanu-PF MPs voted for the MDC candidate. These Zanu-PF MPs have decided to be found on the right side of history. The BBC reports that “Hours before the vote, five MDC MPs said they had received bribes of US$5,000 (£3,000) each from a senior Zanu-PF official.” The 5 honourable MDC MPs even paraded the blood money at a press conference held in the capital Harare. If Mugabe’s henchmen thought £3000 was enough to buy democracy they were sorely mistaken.

As we go to Congress in Leeds this Saturday may we be strengthened in our resolve to flush corruption down the toilet where it belongs. I would like to take this opportunity to salute the 5 MPs that refused to take blood money. You did us proud guys. I’m sure all MDC Party Cadres join me in congratulating Hon. Lovemore Moyo on this great victory! Dark forces tried to undermine democracy but the light prevailed.

Audrey Charowa

Vice Secretary

South East District

Women's Assembly

Southend-On-Sea Branch Elections Held on 13 February 2011

MDC Southend New War Cabinet

The Southend on Sea branch elections held on 13 February 2011 at St Helen’s Church. The meeting had an impressive turnout of observers so the venue had to be changed to a larger one that could accommodate everyone. The Outgoing Chairman, Stanford Biti opened by apologising for the late start caused by the venue change. He gave a stirring discourse on the outcome of the elections going either you would win or you would lose but the fundamental truth was that we would not cease to be MDC members. He stressed that voters should vote for only the committed.  There were only six members of the outgoing committee present. It was sad to note that other members of the committee left their posts after regularising their stay in the United Kingdom. The attendance was extraordinary, present were Provincial Representatives, South East District Representatives and South East Branch Chairpersons. The Interim District Chairperson, Mr Matambanadzo explained that the purpose of the elections was for the setting up of a war cabinet to get rid of the despot Gabriel Robert Mugabe. After 31years of authoritarian rule it was time to get serious about getting Mugabe out of power. He echoed Mr Biti’s sentiments that the people to be elected must be dedicated to the liberation of Zimbabwe. There were grunts of agreement throughout the room.

The New  Branch Committee (War Cabinet) for Southend On Sea is:  

Branch Chairperson: Stanford Biti

Vice Chairperson:  Jameson Mashakada     

                       

Branch Secretary: Joao Matandirani

                       

Organising Secretary: Charles Dhliwayo

                                   

Treasurer: Vincent Mashakada

                                   

Women’s Chairperson: Ottilia Guvamombe

                                   

Youth Chairperson: Lyna Mutambanuki

                                   

Committee Members: Angelbert Munjanja, Emily Madamombe  & Patrick Nyamwanza  

After the results of the polls were announced and the process was declared free and fair Mr Matambanadzo then proudly presented the new “War Cabinet” for Southend-On-Sea to much jubilation and cheering. It was clear to those who attended that the entire branch was satisfied with the results that had been achieved.All the Provincial representatives in attendance then congratulated the newly appointed Branch Committee aka The “War Cabinet” for Southend-On-Sea thus:

Tonderayi Samanyanga proudly congratulated Southend-On-Sea branch for being organised and knowing exactly what we wanted.

Jeff Sango took the opportunity to lament the existence of corruption in the party. On a positive note he encouraged the committee members to focus on action over talk.

Suzett Kwenda the Portfolio Secretary for International Affairs warmly congratulated the War Cabinet. She enthused about the reception she had been given by the branch and its leaders.

The returning Chairperson, Stanford Biti enthused that what the branch had achieved was amazing; to thunderous applause. All the members of the new Southend on Sea branch committee made a pledge to work for the advancement of the Party. The excitement and expectation in the air was almost palpable. The entire process was untainted, organised and conducted in a spirit of political maturity.  The War Cabinet chairperson, Mr. Stanford Biti adjourned the meeting at 2115hrs. There was much feasting and celebration after the official proceedings. There were congratulations all round. Oh how the spirits of democracy, unity and progress must have danced the night away!

Audrey Charowa
MDC Southend Hausunde

Branch Meeting 30 January 2011

VIP Guests: Khama Matambanadzo (The Interim District Chairperson)

                     Ian Gilbert (Leader Of The Labour Group Of Councillors Southend On Sea)

                     Judy McMahon (Labour Councillor Candidate)

The meeting was well attended. Mr Biti suggested that he and his leadership team would stay on in their current positions to avoid a power vacuum between now and the elections. This was met with approval all round. The Treasurer, Vincent Mashakada, gave Branch financial report and the account statements circulated. 

Ian Gilbert

Councillors Mr Ian Gilbert and Ms Judy McMahon of the Labour Group Councillors graciously attended the meeting. Mr Gilbert opened by highlighting the strong relationship that Labour and the MDC share. The MDC was born out of a labour movement.  Mr Gilbert told those present that the Coalition Government intended to cut at least £15million from Southend council’s budget. This figure represented a tenth of the already overstretched budget. He also reported that among others the hardest hit services would be the Youth services, Sure- Start centres, 178 council jobs, Safer-Stronger Communities which caters for deprived youth and the homeless.  Mr Biti asked the councillors for their support on a number of issues:


WORKING VISA
Mr Biti asked that the councillors recommend to the government that those people that are going through the process of regularising their stay in the United Kingdom be given a working visa as is the norm in countries like Australia. This would reduce the financial burden on the taxpayer. Both Mr Gilbert an Ms McMahon pledged their support.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Mr Biti asked that those people that have leave to remain in the UK be automatically given dual citizenship. Both Mr Gilbert an Ms McMahon pledged their support.

ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Mr Biti reported to the councillors that at present those in the process of regularising their stay in the UK had access to primary and secondary education. When it came to higher education they are left behind.  The University of Essex does not take the ARC card which Newham College does. This means that those living in Southend on Sea are at a disadvantage to their counterparts in London. Mr Gilbert promised to table this during council sessions.

LOCATION FOR CLINICS
Washington Ali noted that there wasn’t a place for the Southend – Zimbabwe Network to meet during the week and get information. Ms Judy McMahon suggested the facility at Chase Road could be used for clinics and community meetings. She said she would be glad to speed up the process. This was well received.

Matambanadzo

The Interim District Chairperson, Mr Matambanadzo arrived after a fraught journey on the public transport system.   He arrived in good spirits and congratulated the outgoing branch leaders for a job well done.  He implored branch members to not grow weary in well doing. Mr Matambanadzo so admired the branch that he stated he wanted to become a member of Southend Branch. There were cheers all round. The minutes of the previous meeting were adopted. It was announced that in the next 2 weeks we’d be having branch elections. The posts on offer are:

• Branch Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Organising Secretary
• Secretary
• Youth Chairperson
• Women’s Chairperson
• 3 Committee Members

In closing the Outgoing Treasurer Mr Mashakada said that the qualities that were needed in those to be elected are respect accountability and transparency.

Audrey Charowa
MDC Southend Hausunde