December 31-January 7, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe

Posted on January 7, 2015

Compiled by MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor

Daily News, January 1, 2015

“Daily News under siege”, by Mugove Tafirenyika

A Zimbabwean court has authorized the police to search and seize documents at the Daily News. The documents they are authorized to seize are those that relate to the ownership of the Daily News by its parent company. That company is the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ).
This comes after Grace Mugabe claimed that former Vice President Joice Mujuru had interests in the company. Mugabe had criticized the newspaper and Mujuru repeatedly on her Meet the People Tour in late 2014.
Two police officers ‘stormed’ the Daily News on Tuesday, December 30, armed with a warrant.
The Daily News denies that Mujuru has a 10 percent stake in the company and cynically commented that they appreciate the publicity that Grace Mugabe has been affording them of late. Grace Mugabe has claimed that Mujuru owns 10 percent of ANZ.
The warrant demanded a list of company shareholders. The Daily News plans to challenge the warrant as neither the accused nor the complainant in the case was officially named.

Independent Online (South Africa), January 2, 2015

“Zim police storm newspaper’s offices”, by Peta Thornycroft

Police stormed the Daily News’ office on Tuesday, December 30 to prove that former VP Joice Mujuru is a shareholder in the company.
Grace Mugabe claimed that Mujuru owned 10 percent of the paper during her Meet the People Tour. Mujuru is also accused of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.
The police could have retrieved the information at the Registrar of Companies or the state’s Media Commission, but chose instead to descend on the Daily News offices.
The Daily News has taken ‘incessant pressure and threats from the Zanu PF’ said ANZ group editor, Stanley Gama. State-owned Media The Chronicle via MISA Zimbabwe, January 1, 2015 “Kasukuwere Raps Private Media”
Saviour Kasukuwere, national secretary for the commissariat, dismissed reports that VP Mnangagwa was under attack from within the party and such suggestions were mere ‘gutter journalism’.
Kasukuwere was referring to a recent Newsday article in which the paper published an article entitled, “Daggers drawn against Mnangagwa.” The article referred to a group of four ministers loyal to Grace Mugabe who were plotting to sabotage Mnangagwa’s vice presidency.
Kasukuwere stated that all members of the Zanu PF were content with Mugabe’s appointment of Mnangagwa and that things would stay the same over the next five years.

Daily News, January 6, 2014

“Zanu PF bigwigs want Mugabe out”, by Gift Phiri

The prospect of Mugabe leaving office before his current term is up and infighting within the Zanu PF indicate that many senior party members desperately desire that Mugabe leaves office.
Analysts for the Daily News also mentioned that it was very unlikely that Mugabe would willingly give up power.
Fraud-accused businessman and Zanu PF member Energy Mutodi claimed this week that Vice President Mnangagwa would replace Mugabe by March.
Analyst Shepherd Mntungwa said that there is “a growing sentiment within the party that perhaps it is time president Mugabe handed over the reins of power to one of his lieutenants.”
Mntungwa also noted that Grace Mugabe’s rise to power last year indicated that the family has a vested interest in holding on to power.

*State-owned media has not commented on this story.

The Herald, January 1, 2015

“Plot to oust Chamisa thickens”, by Lovemore Mataire

MDC-T national executive members plan to hold a vote of no confidence on Nelson Chimasa, the party’s former organizing secretary. He stands accused of plotting to unseat Morgan Tsvangirai. The information comes from anonymous ‘sources’ in the MDC-T.
In a phone interview with The Herald reporters, Chimasa said that there could be a plot to oust him, but he did not have time to deal with trivialities.
In a shot at the Zanu PF, Chimasa said his party was mature and professional, neglecting to engage in infighting based on personal ambitions.
Chimasa also declined to acknowledge rumours that he was planning to go to the MDCRenewal team, saying that there has been much misinformation spread about him.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu also said that the allegedly planned vote of no confidence that was to take place was news to him.
An anonymous source told The Herald that this is not the case and that Chimasa and another senior MDC-T member, Douglas Mwonzora were not on speaking terms.

*Independent media did not comment on this story.

New Zimbabwe, January 5, 2014

“Minister Matiza threatens white farmers”

Newly appointed Mashonaland East provincial Minister of State, Biggie Matiza has threatened to evict the remaining white farmers in the Mashonaland East province. He claims that they are farming illegally through corrupt dealings.
Matiza supports the demands of Zanu PF members and war veterans who want the remaining white farmers in the province evicted. The veterans and Zanu PF members claim that the farmers were protected by recently ousted minister for Mashonaland East, Ray Kaukonde.
Matiza said he plans to rectify the situation by the end of January. He is currently in the process of gathering information on white farmers.

The Herald via allAfrica.com, 31 December, 2014

“Giving back land to whites unacceptable”

Zimbabwe celebrated when the government began to reclaim land from 4000 white commercial farmers for allocation to the people. The people who now live on the confiscated land have experienced social empowerment. Farming the land is a tool for empowerment.
Tobacco and maize production has experienced remarkable growth. However, it has come to the attention of the population that some are renting out their land to white commercial farmers instead of farming the land themselves. These individuals are ‘fighting [against] the revolution.’
Instead of allowing these individuals to rent out the land to white commercial farmers, the land should be given back to the state to keep the white commercial farmers from prospering.
Many black Zimbabweans are eager to farm productively so the land that is being rented out to whites should be given to them.

Montreal Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies