15-22 July 2015

1. Dzamara case brings Zimbabwe into international spotlight

Independent Media

The Standard, July 19, 2015. “Govt sincerity on Dzamara questionable” by Veneranda Langa

• Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has suggested that missing activist Itai Dzamara’s disappearance may have been stage managed. He also defended President Robert Mugabe’s silence over the issue.
• Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights spokesperson Kumbirai Mafunda said that police reports were “scanty” after a court order instructing the police to issue updates on the matter. Mafunda says that the reports indicate that the police are not taking the case seriously.
• MDC Renewal spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that the police work in the Dzamara case is a shoddy “imitation of Hollywood and Nigerian movies.” He criticized the police’s lack of independence and reliance on Zanu PF for instructions.

NewsDay, July 17, 2015. “Mugabe called to order over Dzamara” by Moses Matenga

• Itai Dzamara’s family has said that President Robert Mugabe’s position regarding the missing activist is “irresponsible and unfortunate.” Regardless of official statements from Zanu PF, the family continues to see the state as the primary suspect.
• Dzamara led the Occupy Africa Unity Square group – an anti-Mugabe lobby group. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said that the government could not be blamed for Dzamara’s disappearance.
• Charamba said that if Mugabe were to speak on the matter, it would become political. As it is not political, according to Charamba, there is no need for Mugabe to speak about Dzamara.
• Dzamara’s brother said that the position of the presidential office is unfortunate.
• State media has defended the government and police position on the matter, even indicating that the disappearance may be part of an MDC-T conspiracy to bring negative attention to the Mugabe regime.

State-controlled Media

The Herald, July 17, 2015. “Govt summons French envoy” by Felex Share

• The Zimbabwean government summoned French ambassador Laurent Delahousse after he proposed a toast to MDC-T activist Itai Dzamara who has been missing since March.
• Jonathan Wutawunashe of the Foreign Affairs Ministry protested the French ambassador’s act. Delahousse reportedly said that Dzamara was a “symbol and he would not let him down.”
• The remarks came as the French community in Zimbabwe celebrated “the French National Day” in Harare. Delahousse “paraded Dzamara’s wife and child” and claimed that “he was abducted for his fight for freedom of expression.”
• Wutawunashe reportedly criticized the ambassador for infringing on Zimbabwean sovereignty. Wutawunashe commented that Europeans have a tendency to take a patrimonial approach to African countries and thought themselves justified in “meddling” in African affairs.
• Police have interviewed “several people although nothing concrete has come out [in the Dzamara case].” Delahousse said his position is that of the French Government.

The Herald, July 17, 2015. “Dzamara investigation timeline revealed” by Daniel Nemukuyu

• Police have been submitting bi-weekly updates on the investigation into the disappearance of “journalist-cum-MDC-T activist” Itai Dzamara.
• The reports are submitted to the High Court. Police are also working closely with human rights lawyers in compliance with a court order.
• According to a High Court report, eight submissions have been given by police indicating progress in the investigation. No tangible evidence has been obtained by the police.
• These revelations come amid allegations “from some quarters” that police have not been doing anything to establish the whereabouts of Dzamara.

Sunday Mail, July 19, 2015. “Dzamara Case: Govt cracks whip on foreign diplomats”

• Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister, has said that diplomats engaging in political activism risk being deported. He said that taking such a stance contravenes standards of global diplomacy.
• This follows the ‘inference’ made by French ambassador Laurent Delahousse that state officials abducted activist Itai Dzamara.
• Delahousse commented that Dzamara was arrested for “trying to uphold freedom of expression.” Foreign Affairs subsequently “read the riot act to [Delahousse].”
• Mumbengegwi said that such comments raise the suspicion that Dzamara’s disappearance was organized by the West.
• The French ambassador ostensibly made “feeble attempts to explain himself.”
• Zimbabwean police have announced a reward for information leading to Itai Dzamara’s whereabouts.

2. Grace Mugabe

Independent Media

New Zimbabwe, July 17, 2015. “Organizers call for ‘generous’ cash donations to celebrate Grace Mugabe’s 50th birthday”

• Festivities are being planned for the 50th birthday of Zimbabwean First Lady, Grace Mugabe. Five months ago, Robert Mugabe celebrated his 91st birthday.
• Organizers are asking sponsors for ‘generous cash donations’ to fund the celebration.
• Well-wishers are asked to donate to one of the charities that Grace controls.
• Grace’s political career has been on the upswing of late. She appears to be backed by a young and wealthy group of politicians known as ‘Generation 40’ which is seeking to take power once President Robert Mugabe leaves politics.
• Her party will be held at the Mugabe mansion known as the Blue Roof Residence in Harare.
• The Mugabes are known to hold lavish parties. At Robert Mugabe’s 91st birthday celebration in Victoria Falls, the meat of wild animals native to Zimbabwe was served.

Daily News, July 17, 2015. “Mugabe slows down Grace” by Fungi Kwaramba

• Robert Mugabe took a stand against his wife and other politicians as they pleaded for late military chief Stephen Hurungudo to be declared a war hero. This occurred at a politburo meeting in Harare.
• Mugabe apparently believes that party members are trying to manipulate him through his wife Grace.
• Mugabe also appears to be keenly aware of the designs that the so-called “Generation 40,” a young Zanu PF faction, that is pushing its agenda forward through Grace Mugabe. The faction ostensibly includes national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.
• Another Zanu PF faction is loyal to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose rise was backed by Grace Mugabe in 2014. Generation 40 seems to be trying to block Mnangagwa through their control of Grace Mugabe.

The Standard, July 19, 2015. “Muchinguri in quandary as Zanu PF infighting escalates” by Obey Manayiti

• Supporters of First Lady Grace Mugabe have begun pushing for the ouster of Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri. She is accused of plotting the downfall of senior provincial party members.
• At a provincial coordinating committee in Mutare, factions accused each other of destabilizing the party. The factions are divided in their loyalties to Grace Mugabe and Muchinguri. An anonymous provincial executive said infighting had reached levels surpassing that of the period where Grace Mugabe took on former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
• Another provincial coordinating committee meeting was cancelled due to the threat of violence.

State-controlled Media

The Sunday Mail, July 19, 2015.“Zanu PF youth boss under fire”

• Secretary for youth affairs in the Politburo, Kudzanai Chipanga is under fire for allegedly causing party disunity and bringing Grace Mugabe’s name into disrepute. Zanu PF Manicaland youth executive Washington Zihwihwi is leading the charge against Chipanga.
• Zihwiwi claims that Chipanga is bringing the name of the First Lady into disrepute by saying that she instructed him to fire certain members of the youth party institution.
• Chipanga indicated that he wants to focus on ZimAsset (Zimbabwe’s economic action plan) and hold the First Lady and President in the highest regard