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Injustice in Zimbabwe

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Written by: Basil Kamombe

Category: ZEXIT

Published: 31 May 2024

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Zimbabwe has turned into a full blown banana republic because of one man holding the country hostage with his authoritarianism as if he is even above the constitution himself. Mnangagwa has done worse in a short period of time he has ruled Zimbabwe, from seeing the tanks rolling in the streets of Harare for the first time on August 2018.

On the 30^th of May 2024 he appeared at an event in Chikomba where he openly acknowledged a slogan that he will be ruling in 2030. What does the constitution say? According to section 91(2) of the constitution: “A person is disqualified for election as President or appointment as Vice-President if he or she has already held office as President for two terms, whether continuous or not, and for the purpose of this subsection three or more years is deemed to be a full term.”

By 2028 the President would have served his two terms so he will not be eligible to stand as President or Vice President. However, we are likely to see the President going further his term but as the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora we have organised to seek the international intervention through petitioning relevant organisations to stop the constitutional injustice.

I was part of the organising team in the UK that wants to see reversals and changing of the worst laws created by Mnangagwa, We held a successful demonstration, handing over  the petition to PM at 10 Downing Street on the 30^th of May 2024. Joining myself in organising was John Burke of ZHRO,  supporting the 5 other petitioners; Ronald Mutumbi, Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu, Greatman Makipa, Diana Machingauta, Christian Tendai Mapfumo. Also joining were other Zimbabwean Activists who want this abuse of law, human rights, and violence to stop in Zimbabwe. These were included Xoliso Sithole, Vengai Mutsawu, Evelyn Chigaro; Dickson Chikwizo; Mashama P Mause; Jane Mundangedfupse; Xoliso Sithole; Tryness Ncube; Sibangani Sibanda; Kelvin Mhlanga; Pelly Ziramba; Josephine Jenje; Chido Shamu; Xolisani Masuku and Johnson Bhila

What happens next? Petitioning other foreign offices in the UK, and the new PM or the government after July 4^th 2024, holding protests the same time the SADC Summit is taking place in Harare in August as we are concerned on the ‘deaf ear’ which SADC has turned to solve the crisis in Zimbabwe. Or perhaps, we could say the whole SADC was bribed by Mnangagwa as we have heard allegations that the ANC party in South Africa was given a token of $3 million for the elections.

If Mnangagwa extends his term until 2030 it is likely he will go beyond that and his two terms has been disastrous with creating a parliamentary ‘crime scene’, introducing the Patriotic Act which is already law and soon to sign the PVO Bill just to suppress Human Rights Activists and Citizens.

Will Mnangagwa succeed in amending the Constitution? It is evident he will, but however if he succeeds in amending the constitution the amendment will not apply to Mnangagwa. Section 328(7) was designed to make it difficult for Presidents to extend their terms of office:

 “Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision.[Note: section 91(2) is a term-limit provision] the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, at any time before the amendment.” 

We have seen the PVO hearings, violence took place, no one was allowed to object as the Zanu-PF youths were brought in, to ‘support’ this bill. Myself and ZHRO have written abount the PVO Bill and its implication for opponents of the Zimbabwe regime {Zanu PF - effectively now a "One Party State"} See below for links to previous information;

Zexit Platform

Take2Zimbabwe Platform

Write up of the 30th May

Photo Log of the Event

Constitutional Injustice

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Written by: Basil Kamombe, Moses Mbano and John Burke

Category: ZEXIT

Published: 20 May 2024

Hits: 1329

• PVO Bill
• Injustice
• Zanu PF Chaos

UPDATE: Demo and Petition confirmed by Diplomatic Police Unit for 14:00 on Thursday 30th May 2024.

**This will be subject to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, calling for a General Election NOW CONFIRMED for 4th July 2024, and thus drastically increasing the 'activity' around 10 Downing Street including a "media circus" of reporters and photographers in the next week or so. Therefore we have also alerted the Zimbabwe Desk at the FCDO to receive the Petition as well.

AS ZIMBABWEANS BASED ACTIVISTS IN THE UK PLAN FOR A DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON, UK.

The Zimbabwean President must not sign the new law proposed; which is the PVO Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill. #STOPPVOBILL

Responding to the PVO hearings which took place last week in Zimbabwe, Basil Kamombe a UK based Activist has condemned the violence which likely shows that a number of people present were bussed-in by Zanu-PF ‘elites’ and politicians. Cases of violence were recorded during the hearings.

“This bill is disastrous and especially a time where the Zimbabwean government is just passing laws that are shrinking the democratic space in Zimbabwe.”

How would something that likely benefit the country, but have a group of people singing

“Asingade ngaabude muZimbabwe” meaning if you don’t, want leave Zimbabwe or slogans like “tengesa uone mashura” (sellout and see what happens) it is the language of Zanu-PF and the language of violence to instil fear to those against the Bill,”

We managed to track down other Activists who have joined hands to organise a number of demonstrations in London including petitions for the international community to see the injustice of the constitution taking place in Zimbabwe. Greatman Makipa shared his concern on the impact of the PVO Bill on how it will be made difficult for Human Rights Organisations to be registered in Zimbabwe, ZHRO also expressed their concern as the support coming through for development fund in Zimbabwe is close to a billion dollars and Zimbabwe will likely lose all that funding because of this absurd law if it is passed, these organisations have been helping the lives of many Zimbabweans since the government does no little help to its own citizens.

Ronald Mutumbi also made his comment on how about 4 members of the CCC were arrested in Masvingo for disrupting PVO Bill hearings of which the Zanu-PF youth militia, who are the real culprits, are walking scot free. It is evident that the Bill itself is a ‘criminal’ bill to the Citizens who are already suffering in the hands of the regime. As part of the demonstration we have Human Rights Activists who will be joining in who shared their concern over the ongoing constitution injustice in Zimbabwe.

Like Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu, Diana Machingauta, Tendai Christian Mapfumo, Xoliso Sithole, Simbarashe Jingo, who are based in the UK who are fearlessly speaking out against the regime which is endangering their lives. We also saw Job Sikhala was threatened last week with Zanu-PF government to charge him with the Patriotic Act after speaking at the Human Rights Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

Read more: Constitutional Injustice

The Ghost of Zimbabwean Gold

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Written by: John C Burke

Category: ZEXIT

Published: 10 April 2024

Hits: 1545

• Fraud
• Fake Currency
• GOLD Mafia

What is ZiG? According to the new 'clown' {oops, Governor} of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe [RBZ] it, {Zimbabwe Gold - and other Reserves(?) in "support"} has been shoe-horned into Zimbabwe to replace the previous failed currency and currencies "initiatives". The Previous iteration was launched in an equally exciting fanfare at a claimed exchange rate of 1Zim$ to 1 USD, yes One-to-One!  On the black market recently, it was trading around 40-45,000 Zim$ to 1USD and in supermarkets at 25,000:1. So an utter failure with the added {bonus} for Zanu PF looters/plunders/thieves that it has stolen the USD wealth of the Nation in exchange for literally worthless 'paper'.

Whilst Bloomberg has reported "success" and commentaries welcomed it {??? how}

Others have cried "Scam" or worse; see below

5th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""ZIM's latest financial gamble: ANOTHER "currency" backed by gold tokens, scheduled to be launched late this week. The tokens aren't convertible into gold or gold coins. It looks like another ZIM financial scam. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mushayavanhu = CLUELESS, CROOK, OR BOTH?""

9th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""Zimbabwe has introduced a new currency – the ZiG – the 6th in TEN YEARS. The ZiG is supposed to be backed by gold. BUT WHERE’S THE GOLD? Where there’s a ZiG, there’s a ZAG.""

10th April 2024: Dr Walter Mzembi {Ex Zimbabwe Minister} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG exemptions for some sectors are an indictment . Its a cousin currency of the Bond , RTGS as long as it can't buy fuel . Secondly the decision to exempt fuel sector reeks of conflict of interest, where the elite want to save their businesses from collapse but are prepared out of their own decisions to see everything else in Commerce collapse.
Why did you launch this currency then if you didn't have your act together?""

9th April 2024: ZBC News Online {Regime captured News Channel} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG currency will not be weakened by any form of manipulation," says RBZ governor, as illegal forex traders "spend days basking in the sun...""

9th April 2024: ZHRO on Twitter/X in Reply to @ZBCNewsonline: ""On the contrary ZiG is itself “manipulation”, based on empty promises, empty vaults & empty minds. From an illegal regime with a proven history of looting! Of looting Gold, Zimbabwe Gold!

Read more: The Ghost of Zimbabwean Gold

Bad governance, not drought

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Written by: Tendai Ruben Mbofana

Category: Take2Zimbabwe

Published: 24 February 2024

Hits: 1126

Bad governance, not drought, causing hunger in Zimbabwe!

It can not be denied that the 2023/24 agricultural season is one of the worst in Zimbabwe. This is largely due to the frighteningly low rainfall experienced as a direct result of the El Niño weather pattern that has affected most parts of the southern African region. It is a painful sight watching the miserable dry shriveled crops in most fields throughout the country.As a result, according to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), an estimated 3.5 million Zimbabweans, mostly in rural areas, are facing acute food insecurity this year.

The government of Zimbabwe is already in panic mode, seeking food assistance from several partners to help circumvent any potential disaster. Already, countries such as Russia, the US, China, and UN agents are in the process of sending food aid, mainly in the form of grains and cereals.

However, we need to be brutally honest with one another.

• What is the real reason millions of ordinary Zimbabweans are facing starvation?
• Can we genuinely blame the El Niño induced drought
• – or is the cause somewhere else totally divorced from the weather or climatic change?

For this, we need to look at a few case studies.

How are countries located in deserts faring when it comes to food security.

Let us remember that most places in the Middle East, for instance, receive far much less rain than we do here in Zimbabwe.

• In fact, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) gets an average 140 – 200 mm of rainfall per annum.
• Qatar receives less than 100 mm each year, and Saudi Arabia has less than 150 mm.
• On the other hand, in a normal season, Zimbabwe gets between 550 – 900 mm each year.

Yet, despite the fact that the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia perennially receive such little rainfall, their populations are never under any danger of hunger.

Actually, the UAE is ranked first in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and 23rd in the world in its food security [based on the GFSI (Global Food Security Index)]. Qatar is number one in the entire Arab world and 24th in the world.

What about Zimbabwe?

In most seasons – not just this year when there is a drought – we are ranked somewhere near the bottom.

• In other words, it really does not matter whether we have a good rainfall season or not, Zimbabweans are always in danger of hunger.
• During the 2022/23 season, more than 3.8 million people in rural areas faced food insecurity at peak.
• Remember, the 2022/23 rainfall season was arguably one of the best this country has witnessed in years – with the Zimbabwe government even boasting of bumper harvests, particularly of wheat.

Why, then, are we seemingly always facing starvation?

Yet, those in deserts are considered some the most food secure in the world?

This all boils down to the quality of leaders in power.

These countries, as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, are governed relatively well, as their leaders ensure that their national resources are utilized to uplift the citizens’ standard of living. They really do not have much in terms of these resources, largely depending on petroleum and natural gas. Nevertheless, these are managed faithfully and for the good of the entire population. In so doing, the government (together with the private sector) import more than enough food for everyone – which every citizen is able to easily afford due to their high standard of living.

In Zimbabwe, nonetheless, in spite of massive deposits of platinum, lithium, diamonds, gold, black granite, chrome, nickel, and many others – we are some of the poorest people on the planet.

In the same breath, we have the highest inflation in the world – making basic commodities overly expensive for millions. We have some of the best farming land in the world, yet millions of Zimbabweans still rely on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather.

The ZANU PF administration has practically done nothing in ensuring that our rural folk have productive land that is adequately serviced, particularly with reliable water supply.

• Where are our vast mineral resources going?
• Who are they benefitting?
• Each year, Zimbabwe loses over US$3 billion to smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other corrupt activities.
• In all this, very few, especially in the ruling elite (and those connected to them), are ever brought to book.
• They can live in insulting opulence whilst flaunting this ill-gotten wealth in front of poverty-stricken Zimbabweans.
• That is why doling out highly expensive luxury cars to friends is never a problem for them!

Is it then surprising that Zimbabwe is ranked the 149th least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International? Those are shameful statistics, for which our leaders should be very embarrassed… if they had any conscience at all. On the other hand, the UAE is ranked 26th in the world – with Qatar at 40th and Saudi Arabia at 53rd.

As much as these figures are far from impressive, however, they should tell us why, even with very limited resources, they are more developed than Zimbabwe. That is the reason, despite being in a desert, their citizens are never food insecure. In other words, whether a nation has plenty to eat or is on the verge of starvation has very little to do with rainfall patterns.

It has, nevertheless, a lot to do with the quality of leaders in the particular country. Zimbabweans are staring starvation in the face because of a corrupt and incompetent regime.

El Niño or not, we will still be hungry.