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May 6-13, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe
Posted on May 8, 2015
1) Zanu PF to impose rent on land acquired during land reforms
Independent Media

New Zimbabwe, May 12, 2015
“White Farmers skeptical over payout”

  • Evicted white commercial farmers are not expecting any ‘real’ compensation following the Zanu PF announcement that ‘new’ black farmers would begin paying rent for the land they were given following land reforms.
  • Some of the rent money would go to white farmers who are dispossessed. The farmers say that the amount they expect to receive is too small to be taken seriously.
  • Douglas Mombeshora, Land and Rural Resettlement minister made the announcement of the plan to charge rent. Those who inhabit land in question would be expected to pay about 60 Rand per hectare per year. The state technically owns the land taken from white farmers during the land reforms after 2000.
  • The Commercial Farmers’ Union said the plan was excessively flawed. Firstly, small-scale farmers would not be able to afford the rent. Secondly, the payments expected could amount to little more than token compensation.
State-controlled Media

The Herald, May 9, 2015 
“Cabinet okays land rentals for farmers” by George Maponga

  • Beneficiaries of the land reforms will begin paying rent for the land they live and work on. The money from the rentals is destined to compensate white farmers who made way for the new inhabitants.
  • A2 (commercial) farmers will pay $5 per annum per hectare in rental fees. Apart from supporting former white farmers, the fees will help support the government in conducting land audits.
  • Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora, said that those who do not comply with making payments risk losing their farms.
2) Mugabe’s visit to Russia
Independent Media

Daily News, May 8, 2015
“Mugabe to join Putin in Russia’s Victory Day”

  • Robert Mugabe will join his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba said that Mugabe was invited in his capacity as African Union chairperson.
  • Charamba would not say when the president was travelling citing security concerns.
  • Mugabe has been criticized by opponents over the millions of dollars that he spends in foreign trips that occur with great frequency.
  • Mugabe voiced his support for Russia by saying that sanctions over the Ukraine Crisis were illegal.
  • Last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced a $3 billion investment in a planned platinum mine in Zimbabwe. Mugabe has been looking towards China and Russia for investments as relations with the West remain soured.

News24, May 11, 2015 
“Russia vows to thwart Western hostility against Zim”

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to protect Zimbabwe from Western aggression. Mugabe spent an hour with Putin during a meeting where the Russian President announced that he would thwart any Western hostility towards Zimbabwe.
  • The West has been at odds with the Mugabe regime since land reforms in 2000 and subsequent alleged human rights abuses. Mugabe and his inner circle are faced with travel restrictions from the West.
  • Mugabe met with Putin while attending celebrations of the end of the Second World War. Mugabe was seeking increased investment from Russia during his trip. Zimbabwe has been looking towards China and Russia to help solve its economic problems.
State-controlled Media

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, May 8, 2015 
“President Mugabe in Moscow”

  • At the invitation of the Russian Federation, Robert Mugabe is in Moscow to attend the 70th anniversary celebration of the USSR’s victory over Nazi Germany.
  • Mugabe is expected to attend the victory parade in Moscow, which is expected to be one of the biggest such parades in Russian History. Other heads of state expected to be in attendance include the leaders of Armenia, Serbia, Vietnam, China, North Korea, Kazakhstan and India.
  • Several nations at odds with Russia over the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have decided not to attend the parade.

The Herald, May 9, 2015 
“President watches Russia victory parade” by Mduduzi Mathuthu

  • Robert Mugabe arrived in Moscow to witness the commemoration of Nazi Germany’s surrender to the Soviet Union in 1945.
  • Robert Mugabe was invited by Vladimir Putin in his capacity as chairman of the African Union. Moscow invited 68 heads of state to attend the celebrations, but only 26 confirmed their attendance.
  • Mugabe is expected to meet with Putin to secure trade and investment agreements after the celebrations. Mugabe wants to strengthen Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector while securing investment in natural resources.
  • Russia-Zimbabwe economic ties are significant for Zimbabwe. Russia invested in a $4 billion platinum mine planned for Darwendale. This is the largest investment in Zimbabwe since 1980.
  • Mugabe is also expected to hold talks with several independent Russian investors. Mugabe will spend four days in Russia.

The Herald, May 11, 2015 
“Russia to offer Zim protection” by Mduduzi Mathuthu

  • President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia stands ready to thwart any Western aggression against Zimbabwe. In 2008, Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe.
  • Mugabe and Putin met for an hour. Mugabe pressed for increased Russian investment in agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
  • Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister announced a $4 billion investment in a platinum mining project in September 2014.
3) Diamond Smuggling hurting government revenue
Independent Media

The Zimbabwean, May 6, 2015 
“Marange gems sent to Asia on private planes” by Kenneth Matimaire

  • Private airplanes frequently leave Zimbabwe without inspection of their cargo, often containing minerals. This operation is costing Zimbabwe millions in last tax revenue. The operation was exposed by the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU).
  • The ZFTU, using its contacts inside of Zanu PF, has obtained the information concerning the illegal removal of gems from the Marenge diamond fields. Marange diamonds are being fraudulently sold in Dubai and Hong Kong, according to the ZFTU.
  • Recently, an Italian cartel was also exposed illegally transporting diamonds when they were caught with gems worth a reported $450 million destined for the international market.
  • The looting of diamonds has had a negative effect on Zimbabwean government revenues. Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidhakwa said the low revenues were due to a decrease in royalties being paid by mining companies.
  • The ZFTU accused Chidhakwa of lying. It also threatened to expose and flush out ministers complicit in the looting of diamonds.

*State controlled media did not report on this issue.

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