January 7-14, 2015

Mazowe farm evictions rattle Zanu PF

Independent Media

Daily News, January 8, 2015

“Police boot out villagers to make way for Grace” by Lloyd Mbiba

• On January 7, armed police raided Manzou farm in Mazowe and demolished dozens of homes. This has allegedly been done to make way for Grace Mugabe. The property is adjacent to the Mazowe orphanage run by Grace Mugabe.
• Grace Mugabe has identified the land for the expansion of her ‘business hub’ in Mazowe.
  
• Grace has expressed her wishes to build a University in Mazowe which will be named after her husband. She also wants to build a secondary school and a hospital in Robert Mugabe’s honour.
  

Daily News, January 9, 2015

“Tsvangirai tears into First Lady” by Fungi Kwaramba

• Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition MDC-T has described the forced eviction of hundreds of poor families from a Mazowe farm as ‘disgraceful.’ He said this in the context of the evictions being executed at the behest of Grace Mugabe.
  
• Despite heavy rains, an estimated 300 families have been evicted from their homes, many of them having their houses razed.
  
• Tsvangirai commented that Grace Mugabe is clearly insensitive to the plight of the poor and that her ‘madness’ must end. The Daily News further claims that the evictions are in violation of Zimbabwean legislation.
  
• Last year, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) obtained a High Court order to stop such evictions.
  

NewsDay, January 10, 2015

“Outcry over Grace’s land grab”

• Human rights defenders and opposition political parties have condemned Grace Mugabe’s land grab in Mazowe.
• Rights campaigners called Grace Mugabe’s land grab, forcing the eviction of over 200 families and threats to kick out about 600 more families in the area, a gross human rights violation.
  
• The violations are being carried out in contravention of a standing High Court order.
  
• Human Rights Commission chairperson Alec Muchadehama said that the fact that it is the First Lady who is flaunting the rule of law is disturbing.
  
• Grass-thatched houses were set ablaze by armed police. The affected villagers claimed that Grace Mugabe wanted to turn part of the land in question into a private wildlife sanctuary.
  
• Obert Gutu of the MDC-T said that, ‘Grace Mugabe has unlawfully and selfishly taken over the entire Mazowe Valley which is one of the most fertile farming areas in Zimbabwe.’
  

State-owned Media

The Herald, January 10, 2015

“Govt clears air on Manzou Farm” by Felix Share

• Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate, Martin Dinha said the First Family has nothing to do with Manzou Farm in Mazowe, nor with the eviction of hundreds of illegal settlers.
  
• He said the area was not for human habitation and Mashonaland Central Province was going to return the land to its former status as a national heritage site.
  
• Manzou Farm was a game park and national heritage site years ago. It was however invaded by illegal gold panners.
  
• 48 families, and not 600 as reported by the private media, were giving the government headaches.
  
• Certain politicians were influencing the settlers to stay and continue their illegal gold panning.
  
• Dinha also claims that settlers were offered an alternative place to live, but wished to continue illegal gold panning on the site.
  

The Sunday Mail, January 11, 2015

“Zanu PF speaks out on Manzou Farm evictions”

• The Zanu PF has denied that Grace Mugabe is in any way involved in the evictions that occurred on Manzou Farm in Mazowe.
  
• The Zanu PF’s information and publicity department said the claims were utterly baseless and an onslaught on the good name of Dr. Grace Mugabe. The information and publicity department went on to praise Grace Mugabe with two paragraphs filled with positive adjectives such as ‘caring’ and ‘magnanimous.’
  
• Minister Dinha said the area in which the farm is located is not designated for human habitation. It was invaded by illegal gold panners.
  

The Herald, January 13, 2015

“Court bars Manzou Farm evictions” by Daniel Nemukuyu

• The High Court has barred the government from evicting families occupying Manzou farm. The court ruled in favour of six settlers who claimed they were allotted the land by the government under the land reform programme.
  
• The government is interdicted from destroying the property of the settlers.
  
• The police forcibly evicted the settlers from their farms and destroyed their homes without a court order several days ago.

Didymus Mutasa writes a revolutionary letter

Independent Media

Daily News, January 13, 2015

“New war breaks out in Mugabe’s Zanu PF”

• Many leading members of the Zanu PF have decided that it is time to confront Robert Mugabe head-on. Led by former Presidential Affairs minister, Didymus Mutasa, some party members have called the December 2014 congress ‘null and void.’
  
• They also expressed disdain for all party moves and appointments leading up to, during and after the December Congress.
  
• Mutasa signed a letter calling for the nullification of the entire process of the December congress. The faction called the congress constitutionally flawed.
  
• The statement also said that ‘leaders’ energy should be channeled towards enhancing democracy, freedom and unity within the party. Constructive criticism and self-criticism are some of the positive core values of the liberation movement and should be encouraged and embraced.
  
• The group also said that it was determined to restore the image of the Zanu PF. They further denounced the allegations against Joice Mujuru and other members of the Zanu PF.
  
• They said that a true Zanu PF congress must be elective, free and fair platform but instead that the December Congress was shrouded in fear, threats, and no access to individual free expression.
  
• The letter concluded that given the illegality of the congress, there was “neither the constitutional nor moral authority for it to form structures that can lead both the party and the government.”
  

State-owned

Media Chronicle, January 14, 2015

“War vets want Mutasa’s head” by Nduduzo Tshuma

• War veterans said that Mutasa’s press release condemning Robert Mugabe’s recent behavior was the shamed leader’s farewell speech. The veterans say that Mutasa’s speech borders on rebellion and that he is no longer fit to represent his constituency in parliament. Mutasa said he and his faction were going to court to ‘reclaim the leadership of the party from the jaws of political vultures.’
  
• Mutasa’s statement proves that he was plotting to assassinate Robert Mugabe. War veteran leader Matemadanda said Mutasa would not cause a leadership crisis because the party is in the hands of able leaders.
  

The Herald, January 14, 2015

“Mutasa lets cat out of the bag”

• Former secretary for Administration, Didymus Mutasa all but confirmed allegations that there was a cabal working to depose Robert Mugabe.
  
• The press statement Mutasa released comes ahead of the African Union’s 24th summit, where Mugabe is set to assume the chairmanship of the union.
  
• Mutasa alluded to this indicating that Mugabe may be looked down upon at the summit because of his recent actions. He signed the document on behalf of all past members of the Zanu PF who either resigned or were expelled from the party.
  
• One politburo member indicated that ignoring a fiery Mutasa was the best way to deal with him.  

Zanu PF tries to keep it together

Independent Media

The Zimbabwe Independent, January 9, 2015

“Zanu PF fighting a national security threat” Herbert Moyo

• A Central Committee Report says that fighting over the succession of Robert Mugabe is becoming the country’s biggest threat to national security. Robert Mugabe turns 91 next month.
• The last four months have seen the most brutal and public factional fighting in the Zanu PF. The threat from the factionalism is seen as a greater threat than opposition party actions and NGO maneuvers.
  
• The report said the factionalism could ‘be the party’s undoing of monumental proportions.’
  
• The report also accused the Mujuru faction of vote-buying in various instances. Mujuru was replaced as Vice President by Emmerson Mnangagwa, her long-time rival in the succession battles.
  
• The report also said that the MDC was still striving for regime change even though they had lost the favour of the people. NGOs had gone underground but could resurface for subversion when the time calls for it.
  

State-owned Media

Chronicle, January 9, 2015

“Zanu PF warns defiant party members” by Farirai Machivenyika

• Zanu PF members defying an order to stop suspensions of alleged sympathizers of former VP Joice Mujuru will be punished. The comment came from the secretary for the commissariat, Saviour Kasukuwere.
  
• Some party members and war veterans are in favour of a total purge of all Zanu PF elements sympathetic to the cause of former VP Mujuru.
  
• The Matabeleland North Zanu PF executive has already begun motions to suspend several individuals associated with Mujuru.
  
• Central power wants to avoid the chaos of an immediate mass purging of the party, fearing a further degradation of structures.
  
• All changes must now be approved by the Politburo and Robert Mugabe.
  

The Herald, January 9, 2015

“Stop suspensions or else: Zanu PF” by Farirai Machivenyika

• Report Author’s note: This article, published by Chronicle’s sister paper, The Herald, was written by the same reporter as the above article; content is a rearrangement of paragraphs.
  

The Sunday Mail, January 11, 2015

“Police silence on key probe raises stink”

• The investigation into the plot to assassinate Robert Mugabe has seen no breakthroughs. The Sunday Mail is under the impression that something tragic may happen before the police make any arrests.
  
• No major progress has been made on the case of the assassination plot and the alleged break-ins at government offices leaving government officials living in fear.
• Former party administration secretary Didymus Mutasa allegedly told an individual that the president would be shot. Former VP Joice Mujuru and Ministers Rugare Gumbo and Nicholas Goche are all implicated in the investigation.

Violence at MDC gathering

Independent Media

Facebook Post by MDC-T Zimbabwe, January 12, 2015

“Zanu PF at it again”

• Three MDC members were hospitalized and six others were arrested after being attacked by a mob of Zanu PF loyalists at an MDC youth mobilization exercise in Budiriro on Sunday.
  
• Victims of the attack were arrested by the police who lacked impartiality. They sided with the Zanu PF attackers.
  
• 100 youth had been recruited into the MDC during the mobilization exercise. Later, they were attacked with sticks and iron bars.
• The Zanu PF youth who attacked were reportedly led by Godfrey Gomwe. MDC youth were ordered to remove their MDC t-shirts.
  
• Six MDC members were kidnapped and were later surrendered to police stations by their abductors where the kidnapped and not the kidnappers were arrested.
  

Daily News, January 13, 2015

“Zanu PF supporters bash MDC followers”

• Zanu PF youths violently attacked MDC supporters in Budiriro and were ostensibly led by the leader of the Zanu PF’s Harare Province youth league, Godfrey Gomwe.
  
• To add insult to injury, the victimized MDC members were the ones arrested by the local police. The MDC said three members were hospitalized as a result of the attacks.
  
• Six party members were kidnapped, and then delivered to the police for arrest. Another MDC member, national youth chairperson Stan Manyenga, has received negative attention from the police for rescuing two of the three who were hospitalized by taking them to the hospital. The police were looking for him afterwards.
  
• Gomwe has been noted for his participation in violent activities in the past. He is a devout follower of Grace Mugabe. He allegedly beat up and left for dead Jim Kunaka, a Mujuru supporter and former Zanu PF youth chairperson for Harare.
  
• Gomwe has also been accused of extorting transit operators. He was making up to $3,000 per day in protection money. Gomwe denied this and he also denied that his extortionist colleagues had the blessing of Grace Mugabe.
  

*State-owned media did not comment on these events.

Tsvangirai blasts Mnangagwa

Independent Media

Daily News, January 9, 2015

“Tsvangirai blasts Mnangagwa” by Wendy Muperi

• Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition MDC-T called the appointments of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko ‘façade reform’ which would not halt Zimbabwe’s economic and political chaos.
• Tsvangirai said that the appointments were ‘a cosmetic change without any substantial impact on the direction of the country.’
• Mnangagwa served as Zimbabwe’s State Security minister during the 1980’s when a revolt against Zanu PF rule in Matabeleland ended in the slaughter of thousands of protestors. An estimated 20,000 to 80,000 died in the Gukurahundi massacres.
  
• Tsvangirai said that the appointments were a part of the same policy failure which has been in place since Mugabe came to power in 1980.
  

NewsDay, January 9, 2015

“Tsvangirai blasts Mnangagwa, Mphoko” by Paidamoyo Muzulu

• Tsvangirai blasted Vice Presidents Mnangagwa and Mphoko, calling them ‘clueless’ when it comes to the economy. He also called them pseudo-reformists and unrepentant hardliners.
  
• Tsvangirai said that Mugabe also left his new ‘green lieutenants’ in charge in a time of crisis while taking a month’s leave.
• The MDC-T leader also noted that Mnangagwa and his followers have been trying to present themselves as reformers while having dubious histories. Mnangagwa is inextricably implicated in the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980’s.
  
• Lastly, Tsvangirai called on all opposition members to put aside their differences and to come together at a ‘convergence conference’ organized by the MDC-T. The conference is set for the end of March 2015.

*State-owned media did not report on these events.

Mugabe chooses by-election date

State-owned Media

The Herald, January 12, 2015

“President sets by-elections date” by Felix Share

• March 27 was the date set by Robert Mugabe for by-elections to take place. Two seats are vacant following the promotion of Emmerson Mnangagwa to the vice presidency and former VP Joice Mujuru’s expulsion from the party and her position as VP.
  
• Mugabe also announced that nomination courts would sit on January 29 to receive nomination papers of interested candidates.
  

*Independent media did not report on this event