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April 22-29, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe
Posted on May 4, 2015

Contents

Compiled by – MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor

  1. A week of protests, political violence ahead of Harare SADC meeting
  2. Looming agriculture crisis
  3. Economy
1)  A week of protests, political violence ahead of Harare SADC meeting
Independent Media

The Zimbabwean, April 27, 2015
“Mliswa’s farm invaded ahead of by-election” by Edgar Gweshe

  • Zanu PF youths invaded Springfield Farm, owned by former Zanu PF MP Temba Mliswa. Mliswa’s workers were violently attacked during the invasion and Mliswa’s vehicle was destroyed.
  • Mliswa was recently expelled from Zanu PF after allegedly undermining party leadership. Mliswa is currently campaigning as an independent in his riding of Hurungwe West. By-elections will be taking place on June 10, 2015.
  • Mliswa commented on the fact that although police were contacted regarding the invasion, there was no response from the authorities. Mliswa has also said that Zanu PF has set up torture camps in Hurungwe West. His supports have ostensibly fled their homes in fear of the Zanu PF youths and agitators who appear to be engaging in intimidation tactics.

Zimbabwe Daily, April 25, 2015
“MP battles for life after terrorist Zanu PF attack” by Obey Manayiti

  • Budiriro MP, Costa Machingauta is fighting for his life after the group he was in was violently assaulted by suspected Zanu PF youths. Machingauta is a member of MDC-T.
  • He was coming from a No Reforms, No Elections rally which was addressed by Morgan Tsvangirai  (Desk officer’s note: The rally is part of a campaign demanding reforms which would guarantee free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. MDC-T is not running candidates in upcoming by-elections in protest).
  • A police spokesperson confirmed that there was an attack, but indicated that there was no mention of Machingauta. The spokesperson also said that there was no mention of Zanu PF in reports of the attack.
  • The youths allegedly beat the MP after confronting him about an MDC-T shirt that he was wearing. 

New Zimbabwe, April 26, 2015
“Cops foil bring back Dzamara demo, impound cars”

  • A planned “car protest” by the friends of pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara has been shut down by police. A demonstration was planned for the Harare suburb of Glenview. The intent was to put pressure on authorities to make a better effort in locating Dzamara.
  • The National Police claimed that the protest was illegal and three vehicles were impounded. The demonstration was inhibiting the free movement of others and was therefore against the law, according to a police spokesperson.
  • The vehicles, covered in posters featuring Dzamara’s image, were impounded for dangerous driving and disrupting public order.

Daily News, April 29, 2015
“4 opposition protestors detained before SADC summit” by Thelma Chikwanha

  • On April 28, four MDC youths were detained for protesting Robert Mugabe’s rule ahead of a summit of SADC leaders.
  • The demonstrators were part of a group of about 100 protestors who were manifesting at a hotel where SADC leaders are planning to meet.
  • Riot police were observed clamping down on the protest. The protestors were demanding jobs and waving anti-Mugabe signs. The protestors were also denouncing the disappearance of political activist Itai Dzamara who has been missing for over a month.
State-controlled Media

The Herald, April 29, 2015
“Police dismiss Mliswa’s claims” by Walter Nyamukondiwa

  • Police have denied that two supporters of Temba Mliswa were beaten because they support the former Zanu PF MP who is campaigning as an independent in a by-election.
  • Mliswa made the allegations and said that the two “headmen” are still missing. The allegations appear to be designed to coincide with the SADC meeting currently under way in Harare.
  • Mliswa filed two police reports in Harare on Monday. One report was regarding the invasion of his farm and the other was regarding the pulling down of his campaign posters.
  • The police said that Mliswa should have reported his missing headmen to the police and not to the newspapers.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, April 24, 2015
“MDC-T official killed in hit and run accident”

  • Pepukai Mudzimbiri, a Zaka MDC-T official has been killed in a hit and run accident. He was sleeping at the roadside while waiting for a bus when he was killed. The accident has been linked to political violence on social media sites.
  • In another case of suspected political violence, Costa Machingauta has been assaulted by unknown attackers. Machingauta is MP for Budiriro.
  • Zanu PF Harare province political commissar, Shadreck Mashayamombe said in response to the deaths that his party cannot be bothered by a disintegrating party that cannot afford to run in by-elections. Masayamombe hinted at MDC-T infighting being suspect in the violence.
2) Looming agricultural crisis
Independent Media

The Standard, April 27, 2015
“Starvation looms in Zimbabwe” by Moses Mugugunyeki

  • There is potential for starvation in Zimbabwe after widespread crop failure and economic policies which have not brought about economic growth.
  • A survey conducted by The Standard, has asserted that this year’s maize crop is a write-off. Irrigation schemes which were designed to alleviate problems have been rendered obsolete after years of abuse, vandalism and neglect. Rainfall was below normal during this growing season. The south of Zimbabwe was the hardest hit.
  • Sory Ouane of the World Food Programme (WFP) has said that the levels of crop failure could be well beyond what current government reports indicate.
  • According to the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union, 75% of the crops in the country did not perform well and few of those involved in the irrigation scheme produced acceptable crop yields.
State-controlled Media

The Herald, April 29, 2015
“Maize imports to double”

  • With a tight domestic supply, maize imports are expected to double this year. Poor weather led to a paltry yield in parts of Zimbabwe.
  • Zimbabwe requires an estimated 1.8 million tonnes of maize for domestic consumption and for livestock feed. An import ban on maize imposed in 2014 was lifted earlier this year.
  • The 2015 harvest is expected to have a yield of less than one million tonnes. Poor levels of rain in the south have been blamed in the loss of 300,000 hectares of crop. Most of the imports are expected to come from neighbouring South Africa. Other countries in the SADC are also expected to have a lower maize output for the 2015 harvest.
3) Economy
Independent Media

The Source, April 29, 2015
“IMF lowers Zim’s growth projection to 2,8pct, sees further weakening in 2016”

  • The international Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged continued economic pressure in Zimbabwe and has lowered the GDP’s projected growth to 2.8% in 2015 and 2.7% in 2016.
  • Zimbabwe has been categorized with a group of other “fragile” countries in Africa, including Eritrea, the DRC, Burundi and the Central African Republic.
  • Deflation appears to now be entrenched, according to an IMF observation. Government debt was also noted as being excessive.  The IMF also said that a continued decline in commodity prices, fiscal challenges and policy implementation difficulties would negatively affect Zimbabwe’s economic growth.
  • Zimbabwe owes almost $10 million in external debt. It has not received financial aid from the IMF, the World Bank, or the African Development Bank since 1999. Foreign investment is in a down-swing and expensive loans worsen the situation. Cheap imports have forced many domestic enterprises to collapse.
State-controlled Media

The Herald, April 24, 2015
“Zim’s trade deficit continues to widen: Zimstats”

  • Zimbabwe’s trade deficit has widened as exports for March declined by 27.6% from February. The country has recorded an $856.3 billion trade deficit for the first quarter.
  • The balance of payments situation is getting worse year on year. The economy is relying heavily on imports to satisfy domestic demand for goods and services. The continuing collapse of domestic companies and a strong US dollar have been cited as the reason for the most recent deficit increase. There has been a significant decline in tobacco exports.
  • South Africa is Zimbabwe’s leading trading partner in exports followed by the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Zambia. Despite trade deals, exports to China were a paltry $47,000.
  • Leading import markets are comprised of Singapore, followed by China, India, Mozambique, Zambia and Japan. Fuels comprise a large portion of Zimbabwean imports.
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