October 29 - November 05, 2014

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe

Posted on November 5, 2014

Compiled by – MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor

The Herald, November 1, 2014
“Tsvangirai defends demo calls”

The MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, defended his call for mass action and demonstrations to address key grievances.
He also said that some elements of the Zanu PF agreed with his party on the need for national convergence and working together. The Herald translated this as a confirmation that he and Joice Mujuru were plotting to overthrow the regime.
The MDC-T gave Joice Mujuru a standing ovation in Parliament during the opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament.
Tsvangirai also reiterated his desire to work more closely with Western countries.

*Independent media did not focus on this issue.

Zimbabwe Situation, October 31, 2014
“Top SA court orders Zim torture probe”, by ZimSitRep_M

South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that South African police have a duty to investigate Zimbabwean officials accused of torture committed seven years ago. The torture was allegedly committed against political opposition.
Police had earlier refused to investigate the incidents which were alleged to have occurred during the run up to the 2008 elections. They had cited political concerns.
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) and the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) would like South African officials to arrest and prosecute Zimbabwean torture suspects should they enter South African territory.
Lawyers claim that the victims were tortured in March 2007 by police acting on instruction of Robert Mugabe and other Zanu PF party officials.
The torture allegedly occurred after a raid on the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) headquarters. The result was the alleged torture of over 100 individuals.
Sworn statements were presented to the South African court claiming individuals were ‘beaten with iron bars and baseball bats, water-boarded, had electric shocks applied to their genitals, and subjected to mock executions.

*State-owned media did not focus on this issue

Daily News, October 31, 2014
“Mugabe takes side”, by Fungi Kwaramba

Daily News allege that hundreds of Zanu PF youth and women loyal to the ‘enemies’ of VP Joice Mujuru were bussed into Harare to agitate for the removal of the Vice President.
The protest was done to coincide with an intense politburo meeting following weeks of Grace Mugabe’s public accusations against Mujuru.
The youths were subsequently supported by Robert Mugabe in a speech to them. He also indicated support for his wife’s entry into politics.
Mugabe implied that the VP may be on her way out of office. The crowd then began hurling insults to Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri who is seen as an ally of Mujuru. The crowd demanded that soldiers be placed in charge of the rally instead of the police. This may indiate factional divisions between security forces.
Mugabe also indicated that a war veteran leader opposing his wife was ‘possessed by Satan’. Other opponents were issued disparaging remarks.
Analyst Shephered Mutungwa indicated his belief that factionalism could degenerate into violence in consideration of the party’s past.

Daily News, October 31, 2014
“Mugabe fingers Mujuru, Mnangagwa in factionalism”, by Fungi Kwaramba

Robert Mugabe laid the blame for Zanu PF factionalism of VP Joice Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa during a politburo meeting.
The Daily News was informed via a briefing that Mugabe was asked why he had not decided on a clear succession plan. He was allegedly taken aback and replied that he had not yet found a suitable candidate for succession.
During the politburo meeting, a decision was made to set up a commission to investigate allegations of the [outgoing Woman’s League leader] Muchinguri report. The report alleges misconduct of Mujuru and her faction. Mujuru also vociferously defended herself at the politburo meeting.

The Standard, November 2, 2014
“Mugabe to blame for Zanu PF fights”, by Feluna Nleya

Factionalism reached new heights recently when Grace Mugabe said Joice Mujuru was unfit for the Vice Presidency.
Political analyst, Ibbo Mandaza claims the Zanu PF is ‘at war’ because of Mugabe’s failure to organize his succession.
He claims that public support is on Mujuru’s side with the help of the popularity of her deceased husband, Solomon Mujuru.
He implies that there is widespread Mugabe-fatigue and that his exit from politics is desirable.
Analyst Charles Mangongera claims that Mugabe set up the faction and will crush it when he sees fit.
He claims that Mujuru has a ‘soft spot for the West’ and this has warranted alienation between her and Mugabe.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, October 30, 2014
“President Mugabe hits back at faction leaders”

Robert Mugabe has saluted party supporters who gathered en masse at the Zanu PF headquarters. The crowd had gathered in support “of the First Lady, Dr. Grace Mugabe”.
He declared that those conspiring against him ahead of the Zanu PF party congress were aiming for higher positions.
Mugabe than proceeded to question why certain war veterans were distraught about Grace Mugabe’s entry into the political arena.
He accused war veteran leader Jabulani Sibanda of corruption.

The Herald, November 5, 2014
“Congress to end factionalism: President”, by Mduduzi Mathuthu

Zanu PF factionalism will be ended at the Sixth National People’s Congress, Robert Mugabe declared in Vienna where he is attending the Second Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
He addressed a crowd of Zimbabweans at the Zimbabwean mission.
He proceeded to indicate that Zimbabwe would never give in to imperialist designs through sanctions.
Mugabe said accusations that Zimbabweans had been denied freedoms had been discredited because free and fair elections came to Zimbabwe only after the end of ‘British’ rule.
The EU maintains travel bans on Robert and Grace Mugabe although Mugabe was allowed to travel to Vienna because the conference is a function of the UN.

The Herald, November 3, 2014
“Zanu-PF in demos against leaders”

Zanu PF leaders in Manicaland opposed to Grace Mugabe’s entry into politics have organized youths to ‘disrupt a provincial co-ordinating [sic] committee meeting’.
The Herald states that it is the same group of youths who attempted to disrupt Grace Mugabe’s Meet the People tour.
This comes a day after demonstrations forced the cancellation of a Masvingo provincial coordinating committee.

Montreal Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies