THE BULAWAYO AGENDA BLOG

Bulawayo Agenda is a civil society organisation that deals with advocacy and democracy issues. It is committed to providing a platform for people to express their views and to engage and debate on issues that affect their lives. It has active chapters in Gweru, Gwanda, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matopo, Lupane, Nkayi and Tsholotsho. The Daily Agenda is prepared using alerts from these chapters.

26 August 2008

BULAWAYO. The Federal Democratic Union (FDU) has sent its congratulations to the newly elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Lovemore Moyo and his deputy, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo. In a statement, the party said that they would like to associate itself with the democratic forces in Zimbabwe’s new parliament that have invested their trust and hope in voting for the two.

“We note and recognize with great satisfaction that the two are the first from the opposition in the history of this country to occupy to these honorable offices. We congratulate and offer our best wishes to Mr. Moyo and Ms Khumalo for having been elevated to the honorable offices of the August House and sincerely believe that their elevation was well deserved and hope the two shall serve the same with humility, honour and dignity and advance the cause of democratizing and federating Zimbabwe” the FDU said in the statement.

The FDU went on to say that this single step by the MDC political formations in parliament, was a great leap by broader democratic forces.

Meanwhile, the Federal Democratic Union (FDU) President, Paul Siwela, issued a statement expressing his and his party’s solidarity with the president of the MDC-T Party (Morgan Tsvangirai) and his team for solidly standing for justice, fairness and democracy by refusing to sign an agreement of political power sharing and standing foursquare for power transfer.

In the statement, Mr. Siwela emphasized that on 29 March 2008 the people of Zimbabwe voted for power transfer and not power sharing, hence, the MDC had to be mindful of the suffering of the people and refuse to betray those who paid the supreme sacrifice, lost their properties, livelihoods and dignity in their quest to democratize politics in this country.

“The only constant permutation in the negotiation process that must guide the democratic forces should be political change that should lead to political power transfer. Anything besides that would be a miscarriage of democracy,” Mr. Siwela said.

LUPANE. Villagers are yesterday celebrating the nomination of their senator Dalumuzi Khumalo for the post of President of the Senate. He was nominated for the prestigious post and got a sizeable number of votes despite the fact that he ultimately lost to ZANU PF’s Edna Madzongwe in the Upper House dominated by Mugabe supporters and appointee. The people of Lupane were pleased by the fact that a leader from their area had ably represented them by vying for a post in the august house.

25 August 2008

BULAWAYO. Bulawayo Agenda held a meeting on Saturday 23 August at Rainbow Hotel whose theme was “Interparty Talks: Deal Sealed or Deadlock?” The speakers were Pastor Goodwill Shana, Morrison Sifelani and Peter Baka Nyoni while Anastasia Moyo moderated. Dr Shana said the talks were a potential deadlock and that since no political party had conclusively won the 29 March elections, power sharing was best for the country. Morrison Sifelani, an activist, on the other hand said a power transfer was the best option as ZANU PF had been a failure for the past 28 years and there was no hope that it would do any better in a new dispensation. He said that as long as we are failing to face the problem head on there was no way the Zimbabwean crisis would be resolved. The last speaker, Peter Nyoni, the ZANU PF provincial deputy information secretary, differed in that he believed that there was no deadlock in the negotiations but that one party had adjourned to go and consult. He added that the talks would not stop in the absence of Tsvangirai as it was important that the negotiators moved on to attend to other state issues.

Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) held two meetings during the weekend which were attended by the mayor of the City of Bulawayo, Thaba Moyo, BPRA board members, respective councilors and residents. The first meeting was at Nkulumane were service delivery was discussed. The residents suggested that council introduce staff retention incentives to stem the debilitating brain-drain. The second meeting held on the same day was at Njube where residents restricted their issues to those affecting vendors. The last meeting that was scheduled for Sunday morning did not take place as the venue was booked by a Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA), a rival association. The meeting was rescheduled to another date.

PLUMTREE. Crowds of people assembled in the border town on Monday, eager to purchase maize that was delivered there last Friday. However, by the end of the day, there was little hope that it would be sold to individuals. The price of the maize has gone up from ZW$25 to ZW$150 a bag which is quite expensive for most villagers. Lorries, loaded with maize also left town headed for rural areas to deliver the precious commodity where villagers were can start buying with immediate effect. Due to the fact that the town has one grinding mill only a single wagon was given to them and the rest sent to the rural areas. According to some the maize is not enough to sustain all of them.

Meanwhile, the Plumtree offices for the BACOSSI food scheme have been shut down for no apparent reason. The scheme, which has been the mainstay of the government’s stuttering relief programme, is mired in controversy with some areas saying that they have been left out. Villagers have expressed dismay over the closure and fear that it would result in their being overlooked.

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By Gorden Moyo and Rodrick Fayayo
A discussion paper prepared by Bulawayo Agenda

1. Introduction
The protracted conflict in Zimbabwe between the ruling elite and the democratic forces has taken a heavy toll in terms of loss of human life, economic meltdown and erosion of its democratic credentials. Contrary to the pontification of the Mugabe administration presenting itself as a victim of the Western conspiracies, the events of the past few months have shown that the ‘emperor has no clothes’ after all. In the bid to reclaim what was lost in the March 29 election, the regime threw all caution to the wind and went on a killing spree. Arguably, the current situation in Zimbabwe can only be described as a ‘complex political emergency’. It is an incontrovertible fact that the Mugabe regime is struggling to survive against the torrential wave of public anger. Its preferred method of survival defies all trappings of democracy. The opposition pulled out of the Presidential runoff citing a constellation of factors inter alia the hydra of violence meted against its supporters, hostile electoral environment and the uneven playing field. Contemporaneously, a number of African countries finally seem to appreciate the problems the country is facing. In fact, the ‘one man election’ has been described as shameful and illegitimate. As the drama of the presidential runoff result unfolds, it is critical for the African leaders, with support from the wider international community, to step in to stop the violence and resolve the deepening political crisis. People’s expectations and demands for change have heightened and profound uncertainty about what form change would take has raised the political stakes for all concerned. The gestation period has taken longer than optimists had hoped. It is therefore, the object of this discussion paper to inspire the debate on the strategic options for the breaking of the mutually hurting electoral logjam thereby ushering in a new constitutional, political and economic dispensation.
 
2. Façade of democratic legitimacy
The contemporary world is increasingly becoming a democratic one, where even tyrants are required to go through the exercise of multicandidate and multiparty elections to preserve a semblance of domestic and international legitimacy. The pull out by Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition candidate, from the runoff elections rested on popular hopes of shattering the regime’s facade of democratic legitimacy thereby triggering a process that would eventually lead to genuine elections. Thus, the opposition bravely and unambiguously expressed its position which aimed at denying an iota of legitimacy to the Mugabe administration and this has resonated very well with the broad spectrum of the population in Zimbabwe . Predictably, the insistence by Zanu PF to continue with the runoff election, and consequently declare Mr Mugabe as a winner, has been met with widespread condemnation from the region and internationally. The decision to continue with the elections was a leap in the dark, an action that was as ruinous to Zimbabwe ’s political gains as was the violence that had embedded itself in the regime. It was a blow beneath the belt for democracy. Subsequently, Mr Mugabe faces a hostile parliament, growing public discontent, mounting international pressure and increased isolation. The consequences of his staying in office would be catastrophic, not least that the economic decline would intensify, with more Zimbabweans fleeing across borders while inflation plummets to unprecedented levels.  Appropriate regional and international action must be taken against the rogue regime. Examples of such actions would be declaring his government illegitimate, tightening existing targeted sanctions on known hardliners and establishing a Security Council Commission to investigate reports of torture, murder and widespread violations of human rights.
  
3. African Union resolutions on Zimbabwe
The 11^th African Union (AU) summit at the Egyptian Red Sea resort on 1 July adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) for Zimbabwe through dialogue. The text also expressed support to the SADC facilitation process on the issue while calling for continued mediation efforts in order to assist the people and leadership of Zimbabwe to resolve its problems. The resolution further appealed to states and all parties concerned to refrain from any action that may negatively impact on the climate of dialogue.  In the resolution, the AU expressed confidence that the people of Zimbabwe will be able to resolve their differences and work together once again as a nation, provided they received undivided support from SADC, the AU and the world at large. As a result of the tense situation in Zimbabwe , the African Union (AU) decided on a Government of National Unity (GNU) as the ideal mechanism for conflict resolution to the Zimbabwean crisis. Instead of condemnations, the Union’s leaders gently urged Mugabe to engage in some sort of power-sharing agreement with Morgan Tsvangirai, along the lines of a deal that ended violence in Kenya earlier this year. While the AU is lauded for its efforts, though feeble, to end the political impasse in Zimbabwe , its prescriptive approach to the crisis will unfortunately lead to a further complication of the crisis than transformation. The ‘copy and paste’ solution will prove disastrous for Africa in general and for Zimbabwe in particular. The Kofi Anan GNU solution imposed on Kenya has set a dangerous political precedence for despots and dictators on the continent. Unpopular regimes such as the Kibaki and Mugabe administrations have found means of survival through a GNU against the will of their populations. The GNU that was pushed by Kofi Annan in Kenya stopped the violence by pacifying the various political players through rewarding them with political posts. The Government of National Unity only served to silence the guns but did not address the fundamental grievances of the masses. While in the interim, the GNU approach may seem to be an easy panacea to the crisis, in the mid and long terms the crisis will indeed resurface. With regards to Zimbabwe, it should be noted that any conflict resolution approach should be guided by the outcome of the March 2008 harmonized election result which demonstrated the will of the people of Zimbabwe . The struggle in Zimbabwe is not of power but for democracy. The AU diagnosis of the Zimbabwe problem is flawed and its prescription poisonous. This simply means that a power-sharing deal as signified by the Kenyan model is not only inappropriate but also retrogressive for Zimbabwe . The African leaders should refrain from rewarding regimes which cling to power through violence and undemocratic means. It is on record that Mugabe’s administration was fraudulently elected hence the solution to Zimbabwe crisis should comprise measures that shall allow for the preparations of a truly democratic process of constituting a government.

4. Interim government
While bad governance, democratic deficit, and a blatantly flawed electoral process coupled with gross violation of human rights have eventually stripped the Mugabe regime of all the democratic pretenses, the launching of a  comprehensive negotiation process seem to be the first step towards the resolution of the crisis. Given the current political dynamics in Zimbabwe , it is clear that a negotiated political solution is not only important but inevitable. However, if dialogue is to be initiated, it is essential that the ruling elite stops the violence, the persecution of activists and, releases all political prisoners, disbands the militia bases and concentration camps. Political normalcy should prevail on the part of the Mugabe regime for any mature political dialogue to take place. The question that all Zimbabweans should be grappling with is, ‘what kind of political settlement is viable, relevant and acceptable to a large swath of political and national interests?’ In generic terms, an ‘Interim Government’ (IG) is the most ideal approach towards the breaking of the political impasse in Zimbabwe . There are many types of interim governments, thus, it is the responsibility of the people of Zimbabwe to determine the conceptual and operational frameworks of the typology that is relevant to their context. The ensuing sections outline five options of interim government that need thorough debate amongst the various players in the country.

i. Transitional Executive Council (TEC)
A Transitional Executive Council (TEC) is a form of an Interim Government (IG) that is led by an impartial individual. The mandate of the TEC is to facilitate the creation of a conducive environment not just for future free and fair elections but also for the unhindered transfer of power to the winning party. The TEC is an all inclusive forum whose members are drawn from a broad sector of the population. The authority should be led by someone who is highly respected and has the confidence of the people of Zimbabwe across the board. It can either be a retired judge, member of the clergy or any other individual of good standing in the eyes of the public. The TEC would be a time-limited authority, whose life span should not exceed approximately 6 months, oriented towards constitutional reform, the democratization and the professionalization of state institutions. Partisan, ethnic and other interests should not be allowed to take precedence over the Zimbabwean Agenda. This council should also respect the 29 March election results and make use of the various institutions like parliament. In fact, parliament would play its customary role of coming up with legislation that will be used in facilitating the respect for democracy. The TEC would address the modalities for ensuring military loyalty to a new civilian government. Senior military commanders strongly opposed to the MDC have been instrumental in preventing a demo­cratic transition following the 29 March election. Indeed, this is one reason why priority should be given to a negotiated settlement. The TEC must accordingly address the loyalty of the security services as a priority, including the handover of military power in a transi­tional government arrangement. The TEC will need to be complemented by the regional and wider international community’s strong commitment to providing resources for reconstruction and recovery. Urgent steps would be needed to guarantee a free and fair vote. These include immediate cessation of violence and intimidation; strong monitoring and organisational roles for SADC, the AU and the UN; and massive deployment of independent national, regional and international observers.
 
ii. Provisional Government
A Provisional Government is a type of Interim Government that is opposition–led. The proposal for a provisional government is based on the results of the 29 March election. It recognizes the parliament, senate and the local authority results. These institutions should be left to carry out their mandate from Zimbabweans. However, when it comes to the issue of leading the provisional government, the proposal dictates that the winner of the 29 March elections should lead the provisional government for a period of twelve months. The government should include all stakeholders like the business, civic society and the churches, as a way of keeping checks and balances. A cloud of fear and uncertainty is currently all over Zimbabwe because of the orgy of violence that has been unleashed by the bogus war veterans and the youth militia. Homes have been burnt, people displaced and brutalized by these state apparatus. Villagers can only have access to basic commodities if they declare affiliation to Zanu PF. Corruption has become so deeply entrenched in almost all forms of the system of governance. It is therefore incumbent upon the provisional government to restore confidence in national institutions like the police and the army that have been abused by the ruling party. Subsequently, the government will have the duty of coming up with a people driven constitution which shall be used to run the presidential runoff. The entire process should be under the strict supervision and monitoring of regional and international bodies. 
    
iii. Caretaker Government
A Care-taker Government is a type of Interim Government that is incumbent-led. This proposal has its basis on the 29 March harmonized election but nullifies the June 27 sham. The elected parliamentarians, senators and councillors are allowed to operate under the leadership of the incumbent. This type of government is ordinarily not allowed to carry out any projects especially in preparation for elections as it gives the incumbent an unfair advantage.  However, for the purposes of the Zimbabwean context, this type of government can be given special mandates.  Its immediate task would be to deal with the war veterans and the youth militia who are butchering people in the rural areas. At the same time the care-taker government has to depoliticize the institutional framework running the elections. The input into the composition of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should be made by all stakeholders and not just one party. The dismantling of the structures of violence is expected to lift the confidence of the people with regards to national processes and inspire them to participate actively in the drafting of a new constitution. The polarization in the nature of the politics requires a complete paradigm shift which should see the depoliticisation of the military forces in Zimbabwe .  The role of the military in respect to the political players should be clearly outlined. In preparation for the election, the care-taker government should not only invite friendly countries but anybody who is a friend of democracy.  No one should have the prerogative of deciding who should or should not observe the elections. Regional bodies like the SADC, AU and the United Nations should play a central role in the observation and monitoring of elections. The care-taker government would work on a time frame of six months to fulfill its mandate.

iv. International Interim Government
An International Interim Government is a United Nations led government. The political environment in Zimbabwe is so polarized to the extent that there is likely to be a stalemate on who would lead the transitional authority. There is a lot of distrust among the political players in Zimbabwe and that is likely to derail the transitional arrangements. This leads to the option of an International Interim Government (IIG) led by the United Nations. Under this arrangement all the players in the conflict should agree to place Zimbabwe under the Trusteeship of the UN.  The UN mission in Zimbabwe will then have the task of restoring peace by dismantling the institutions of violence in a county ruined by state sponsored violence against ordinary citizens. In addition to that, the UN mission, aided by the existing structures of democracy like parliament, will prepare a new constitution which will lead to the holding of a free and fair presidential runoff. The rehabilitation of the battered economy and image of the country will also be the responsibility of the United Nations. It shall also supervise or have control of all aspects of government, including public security, information and protection and promotion of human rights.

v. Power sharing government
A power sharing government is a type of Interim Government that is composed of the regime and the opposition elements. The AU summit in Egypt summit is advocating for a Government of National Unity. This recommendation has been largely influenced by the Kenyan power sharing deal initiated and concluded by Kofi Anan. The GNU arrangement dictates that the two political parties that are at loggerheads share power as a way of resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe . The   problem with the GNU is that it deals with power sharing and not the basic issues that are espoused by the ordinary citizens and hence can never be the answer to Zimbabwe ’s current political conundrum. It reduces the Zimbabwean crisis to a power struggle rather than the fight to ensure that democratic processes and principles are not only upheld but also respected. Therefore, a Government of National Unity forged for sharing power among rival political parties, is not only a great betrayal but a losing proposition for the long suffering Zimbabwean masses.

Whatever type of Interim Government is finally adopted it should, by matter of principle attend to the following issues;

1. Drafting a new democratic, Constitution for Zimbabwe
2. Provide security and maintain law and order throughout the country.
3. Establish an effective electoral system in preparation for the elections
4. Create conditions for holding free and fair elections
5. Assist in the establishment of conditions for sustainable democracy.
6. Setting up of an independent human rights commission to investigate all alleged rights abuses
7. Allow the international agencies to distribute food aid to the suffering masses.

5. Principles of Engagement
For the negotiations to be fruitful and bear meaningful results for the ordinary people there are some principles that should be respected

• Any talks that are to be held in the country towards the resolution of the crisis should respect the democratic processes. The people of Zimbabwe voted on 29 March and their voices should be respected in any negotiations.
  
• Negotiations should be directed towards the preparation for another Presidential runoff. A new constitution should be prepared as a basis for a rerun of the Presidential runoff.                                                           
  
• The Zimbabwean problem has since ceased to be the problem between the MDC and Zanu PF, it has become a problem for everybody hence all groups of the society should be consulted and their input respected. The negotiations should not be confined to political parties alone but should include the input of other stakeholders like civil society, business and the church.
  
• Cessation of violence and harassment of opposition leaders and activists is critical in the process of resolving the problem in Zimbabwe .
  

• Immediate abrogation of draconian legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA)
  

6. Third Party intervention
The mediation efforts led by South African president Thabo Mbeki have yielded minimal results for the ordinary Zimbabwean for several reasons. The efforts seem not only to be secretive but also to other SADC heads who mandated Mbeki to mediate on behalf of SADC. The insistence by President Mbeki that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe when people are being killed has damaged his reputation as a mediator. There is, therefore, need for the mediation efforts to be broadened so that, apart from the SADC, the African Union can also be involved. That broadened mediation, supported by additional international actors, should focus on the formation of a transitional government that will deliver the country from the current challenges. The mediation of the Zimbabwe crisis should not be towards the Kenyan Model Government of National Unity as it will only serve to temporarily stop the violence without dealing with the root causes. Engagement efforts should be directed towards coming up with a transitional arrangement that will prepare the environment for free and fair elections and national healing.   The AU/SADC sponsored talks should lead to clear procedures for the consensual appointment of electoral commission members with secure tenure as well as civilians retained as polling officers and the repeal of Electoral Commission Act provisions that allow the secondment of military, police and prisons service personnel for election tasks.

7. Role of Various Players in Zimbabwe
Zanu PF should negotiate with the MDC on a constitutional framework, transitional arrangements, detailed agenda and benchmarks for a political settlement. Zanu PF has the responsibility of dismantling the structures of violence that have been planted all over the country. War veterans and the youth militia that have been used to terrorize Zimbabweans should be stopped from carrying out such heinous acts. The military should go back to the barracks and the police force depoliticized. Thus, Zanu PF should engage in such talks without reservations and should support the Interim Government in order to provide Zimbabweans with a free and fair Presidential rerun of runoff elections that will lead to the end the political and economic crisis.

MDC: - The MDC also has a critical role to play if the negotiations are to bear any meaningful results for the ordinary Zimbabweans. As a way of bridging the divide that was experienced as a result of the decision by the political parties in ratifying Amendment 18, there is a need for the MDC to consult widely. It should maintain a united front in the talks and rebuild consensus with civil society organisations on a joint strategy to promote democratic change.

Civil society and Church: - Zimbabwe has benefited immensely from a vibrant civil society even in the midst of the deterioration of the political and social fabric and the regime’s dictatorial tendencies that has not hesitated to silence any voice of dissent. Civil Society organizations and churches have continued to carry out their activities against the background of persecution. They have an equally critical role to play in the quest to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe . Many of the civic organizations maintain strong membership bases and hence have the responsibility to help the citizens to understand the terms and implementation of the transitional arrangements as a way of advancing peace and reconciliation in the country. The organizations also play a pivotal function in overseeing the implementation of the transitional process and the performance of the interim government. CSOs and faith-based organisations should be allowed to carry out civic education, promotion of human rights, gender equity and the eventual monitoring of electoral processes. The CSOs/churches have a role of rebuilding the country through promoting programmes of reconciliation in this battered country. They should disseminate information as a way of encouraging transparency and building public confidence and participation.

Regional and international intervention: - These have a pivotal role to play in as far as the monitoring and observation of the talks and the Interim Government is concerned. They also play the role of overseer and make sure that all parties are committed to the negotiation process. They can also apply pressure in the form of sanctions or international isolation. The AU should both maintain pressure at this crucial point and increase support for democratic forces. Increased pressure and intervention, including that from regional organisations, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the West is a categorical imperative at this stage. Concessions to ZANU-PF should only be made in exchange for true restoration of democracy. The UN/AU should intensify planning for an economic and political recovery package guided by principles of good governance that is designed to promote institutional change.
                    
7. Conclusion
An Interim Government should be set up to work towards the creation of a democratic Zimbabwe . The African Union, SADC, International community and the civic society should all play the pivotal role of being the watchdog. Only political will and a deep sense of patriotism, in the face of a collapsing nation, is required to overcome the immense socio-economic difficulties facing Zimbabwe today. The transitional mechanism has the capacity to elevate Zimbabwe to a higher pedestal of political, economic and cultural progress. It offers the opportunity for the process to reflect the enthusiasm of a national populace that yearns for better life and dignity from a motherland dogged by a history of economic recession, political intolerance and cultural erosion. If the talks fail to produce a transitional mechanism that will lead to free and fair presidential elections, the mediators should candidly and promptly acknowledge failure, and SADC-AU should refuse to endorse any government that will not be a product of the mediation and be prepared to isolate Harare .
NB. It is not the object of this paper to outline in detail the normative framework for change in Zimbabwe ; rather, its key interest is to provoke some thinking and debate around the issues raised. Likewise, the document is not a position paper but a discussion one.

By Gorden Moyo and Rodrick Fayayo (Bulawayo Agenda)

Bulawayo Agenda is a civil society organisation whose core business is to provide a platform for public debate, dialogue and discussion on topical issues of human rights, governance and democracy.
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4 July 2008

GWERU
People in Mkoba suburb were severely assaulted by Zanu PF youth and were taken to Gweru General Hospital. There are fears that they may have been followed to the hospital by their attackers. Hospital authorities are reluctant to release any information on the case.

Reports are reaching us that 6 people were assaulted and 4 are said to have died in an attack yesterday. The bodies were found at the Mucheka Ndumba area along the Gweru-Kwe Kwe Highway and taken to Gweru General Hospital where relatives were denied access to the bodies for identification. It is alleged that a state security operative was among those killed after he tried to stop his colleagues from carrying out the callous act.

Lloyd Ndaba, the Midlands president of the Leather and Allied Products Workers Union, was been severely assaulted by police in Gweru, today, and is undergoing treatment. The reason for the assault is unknown. Gweru City Council worker, Veronica Ngwenya, was taken to a Zanu PF base in Mkoba 20 and badly beaten on Wednesday.

LUPANE
Hundreds of Zanu PF supporters were today gathered at their provincial headquarters chanting slogans and singing liberation songs. The situation was reported to be tense at the time this report was received and there were fears that it could degenerate into violence.

3 July 2008

VICTORIA FALLS
Police and other civil servants have been loitering around the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission command centre since morning, waiting to be remunerated for the services they provided during the runoff election period. They eventually dispersed after lunch without getting their paid.

LUPANE
Six days after the presidential election runoff, police officers and people in Zanu PF regalia were seen having holding a meeting at a ZEC command centre. It is yet to e established what the meeting was about.

HWANGE
The Hwange Town Council has targeted a group of residents accusing them of taking information to the opposition. They are reported to be denying them services claiming that they had passed complaints about how badly the town council had been affected by councillors not having been sworn in and deteriorating service delivery. The comments were made at a meeting organized by Hwange Agenda. Council employees who attended the same meeting are being victimized by their employer with some having appeared at a disciplinary meeting.

1 July 2008

GWERU
Nkosilathi Mangena, an MDC activist from Zvishavane, has fled the country after he was assaulted and left for dead by war veterans and suspected state agents. Activists from Midlands have been targeted for elimination and these include Peter Muchengeti, Zansi Mabunda, Charles Chikozho, Isaac Thebethebe and Nkosilathi Mangena. NGOs remain closed in Midlands even after the controversial runoff victory. Courts are yet to give ruling on a challenge on the closure of NGOs and CSOs. Activists remain the targets of violent attacks.

GWANDA
The GMB depot in Gwanda is selling mealie-meal only to those with indelible ink on their fingers. Bhokisi Sibanda, a Zanu PF activist is said to have been standing guard at the gate checking for those without the ‘red finger.’

NKAYI
On Monday the local people’s shop located at Sesemba ward was selling cooking oil only to those with a red indelible ink on their fingers. At Nkayi Centre, however, at the same commodity was sold to everyone without favour. This did not go down well with Zanu PF aligned war veterans who wanted it sold only to the ruling party supporters and a scuffle is said to have broken out at the shop.

30 June 2008   

BINGA
Most people in Binga refused to go and vote on the 27^th June citing that they voted in March.

LUPANE
There was a low voter turn-out in Lupane as the majority of people took heed of the MDC call to boycott the run off. There was intimidation from Zanu PF supporters as they threatened to persecute those who did not vote. At 10 stations an average of 50 people in each one had voted by 3pm. Some of the MDC supporters said they went to the polls for their safety but spoilt their votes while others said they were agitated because they did not know that Morgan Tsvangirai had pulled out. They said had they known they would not have turned up to vote. More than 80 people were turned away from different polling stations for varying reasons. Some are said to have deliberately gone to the wrong polling station or wards in protest, and some without identity cards. In Gomoza, targeted villagers are reported have fled their homes following threats and violence unleashed by Zanu PF supporters on Sunday.  

NKAYI
Most polling stations recorded a number of spoilt papers written ‘Phuma’ (get out) and other strong language. The actual number is yet to be ascertained. The local District Co-ordination Committee of Zanu PF had a members sitting alongside the Presiding officer in most polling stations. These officials are said to have been writing down the names of those that voted. This is in addition to the presence of one or two polling officers who were known war veterans of Zanu PF activists. Meanwhile, ZEC officials at Nkayi are reported to have been known Zanu PF officials. The officials were comprised of the women’s league chairperson, secretary and commissar. On the other hand, Sikobokobo Ward was an exception being the only polling station with MDC election agents. An MDC youth who sought refuge at Gwelutshena police station after he was assaulted by Zanu PF activists was told by a Constable Mahlangu that he would only be assisted when Tsvangirai is ruling.

GWERU
A vehicle that was part of a Zimbabwe Election Support Network convoy to Gokwe had its tyres slashed as it was mistaken for international observers. The rear wheels of the vehicle driven by Nkosinathi Mangena’s car were slashed by Zanu PF youths. He was also accused of ‘driving without permission’ and made to pay a ‘fine’ of ZW$90 billion for not respecting the thugs.

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Bulawayo Agenda is compiling Election Updates from reports and alerts from its network of contacts located in areas served by its chapters monitoring the 27 June run-off and by-elections.

Election Update No. 3

MPOPOMA/PELANDABA
There are fears that the turn out for this highly contested by-election has been lower than in March 29. Meanwhile, reports say that the MDC-Mutambara candidate in the Mpopoma/Pelandaba by-election, Dhumani Gwetu, went around distributing fliers that claimed that the MDC Tsvangirai candidate Samuel Khumalo had withdrawn from the contest. This has been interpreted as part of a smear campaign to garner votes for the Zanu PF candidate.

BUBI - Matabeleland North
Villagers were today forced to go to vote by Zanu PF militia wearing party regalia. They (the villagers) said that despite this they had spoiled their papers.

QUEENS PARK, BULAWAYO
Soldiers in uniform and travelling in an army truck have been giving out compact disks with Mugabe’s speeches in the suburb of Queens Park. Residents interviewed said that they were now living in fear since are in fear.

NKAYI
A ZBC crew arrived at Nkayi Growth Point this afternoon and told people that they should vote and those not doing so would be beaten up. The same crew sent a dispatch to their Pockets Hill studios that appeared in afternoon news bulletins, claiming that there were long and snaking queues in Nkayi, contrary to the reality on the ground.

Zanu PF youths were spotted parading at Tohwe Centre, 20 km from Nkayi. It is not known why they are there and there are fears that they might be preparing to exercise retribution on those who did not go to vote. Meanwhile, reports say that a war veteran known only as Ndlovu was yesterday pushed into a fire by MDC activists, 6 km from Nkayi growth point, along the Bulawayo Road. He is said to have lost one of his eyes.

PLUMTREE
People were ordered to register at the Zanu PF base that was established in the border town after voting. In Bulilima and Mangwe districts, people understood the withdrawal of the MDC presidential candidate but were afraid that Zanu Pf activists would later check for the mark and for this reason they went to vote.

SHURUGWI
Very few people turned out to vote in this chrome mining town in the Midlands. Those who voted highlighted that they had been threatened that their fingers would be cut off under an operation called “Chigunwe Chavota Ndechipi?” (Which finger voted?), referring to the red indelible ink that voters have to dip their fingers into.

Bulawayo Agenda is compiling Election Updates from reports and alerts from its network of contacts located in areas served by its chapters monitoring the 27 June run-off and by-elections.

Election Update No. 2

BULAWAYO
Zanu Pf youths are reported to be forcing people Egodini bus terminus in central Bulawayo and surrounding areas to go and vote. The area around Tredgold Magistrates courts, haven for black market foreign currency traders was cleared after the youths demanded to have a look at their fingers to see whether they had voted.

More than 30 commuter omnibuses still have posters of Robert Mugabe adorned on them contravening the Electoral Act well into the election. They have to keep the posters on in order to receive cheap fuel.

MPOPOMA
Less than 2000 people had voted in 15 out of 18 polling stations in the Mpopoma /Pelandaba by-election by 1p.m. today.

By 11.30am, at Minyela Hall, 200 people had voted though most refused to collect the Presidential ballot while others said they had spoiled the paper.

Two activists, bringing food for election agents, have been arrested in Mpopoma where a by-election is taking place. The charge is not known. They are detained at Western Commonage police station

NJUBE
The residents of Njube in Bulawayo have taken heed to the announcement by the MDC not to go and vote.  Most people seem relaxed at their homes while a good number are at Njube Beer Hall.

GWERU
The Midlands city of Gweru was deathly quiet this morning and residents preferred to stay at home. At polling stations visited, there were no more than 8 people queued to vote. However, as the day wore on, people began to venture out assured that no harm would visit them. Gweru has experienced unprecedented intimidation and beatings by police and people in military uniform in the period preceding the run-off.

VICTORIA FALLS
At Chinotimba Primary School, 75 people had voted and 10 turned away by 11am this morning. At Chamabondo School, 250 people had voted by lunchtime and there were no observers at the polling station. Only Zanu Pf election agents were in attendance.

NKAYI
Yesterday in Qhubuthando, the home of an MDC activist whose name has not been disclosed was burnt down by suspected Zanu PF supporters in retaliation for an attack on a Zanu PF member last week who was allegedly axed by suspected MDC activists. The axed victim was then carried in a vehicle accompanied by a doctor that later overturned its way to Bulawayo injuring the doctor. They were both admitted into a hospital in Bulawayo.

ZANU PF polling agents were yesterday telling the villagers in Nkayi that Morgan Tsvangirai had announced that his supporters should go and vote.

Contact:
Bulawayo Agenda Information Department
E-mails: byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Web: www.agenda.org.zw
Phone/Fax: +263-(0)9-88821      Mobile: 0912516724   

THE DAILY AGENDA 24 -25 June 2008

Bulawayo Agenda compiles the Daily Agenda from reports and alerts from its network of contacts located in areas served by its chapters. It offers an alternative source of information from the mainstream media that is often restricted in terms of reach and its focus on the grassroots.

25 June 2008

Bulawayo
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been forced to recruit more teachers as polling officers after they failed to get the number required to man polling stations. ZEC had avoided employing teachers for the voting exercise preferring other civil servants instead. This was after Zanu PF accused teachers for ensuring an MDC victory in 29 March harmonized election. Teachers, along with election agents and observers have borne the brunt of politically motivated attacks in many parts of the country forcing most of them to flee to the safety of towns and cities.

Mpopoma
Zanu PF bases have been set up in Mpopoma and Entumbane suburbs ahead of Friday’s By-election in the constituency. It is alleged that at one of the bases at Msiteli Secondary School, girls as young as 15 years old are staying there with Zanu PF youth. A senior leader of the War Veterans association has been linked to the bases which Zanu PF claims to be part of their campaign strategy. In a related event, people believed to be linked to the bases have been seen recording the addresses of houses with satellite dishes. One of the individuals was on Sunday, accosted by residents revealing that he had been instructed to do so by his seniors in preparation for ‘Operation Dzikisayi Ma-Dish,’ an exercise that will force residents to remove them (satellite dishes). It is not known when this operation would take place. Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, former minister of Information and Publicity faces 4 other candidates in the hotly contested poll.

Plumtree
Shops were forced to close on Wednesday forcing people to attend a Zanu PF meeting held in the border town. The meeting, addressed by war veterans, was to remind the people to go to the polls on 27 June and to vote overwhelmingly for Robert Mugabe.

Gweru
Zanu PF youth militia in full party regalia on Wednesday, set fire to DeBruynnes Service Station in Gweru. The youths try to prevent fire brigade from putting out the fire until they are dispersed by riot police. The filling station supplies Direct Fuel Imports to the Midlands city. Meanwhile, scores of followers of Reverend Obediah Msindo’s church wearing Zanu PF regalia gathered in the city centre on Wednesday disrupting morning traffic. Army and Air force details were then positioned along Gweru’s main street as the crowd later marched to Gweru Theatre for a meeting to ‘Pray for President Mugabe’ in the 27 June run-off. A Bishop Mahwende is alleged to have organized the event and some 20 local pastors have been forced to attend the meeting since, it is alleged, “they had previously prayed for the country and that they had to pry for Mugabe this time around.”

24 June 2008

Bulawayo

Sauerstown residents have been asked to name MDC supporters in exchange for a 10kg bag of mealie-meal. This follows a weekend of political violence in the suburbs of Richmond, North End and Sauerstown where vendors and other residents were assaulted by a mob driven around by Zanu PF’s Joshua Malinga’s son and who were deceptively wearing MDC T-shirts. Malinga is a former senator.

Harare
MDC’s Elias Mudzuri’s rural home was attacked and destroyed by a group of armed men in military uniform. Mudzuri’s 80-year-old father was badly injured while two other people were shot in the legs. The men went on to looted Mudzuri’s brother’s property.

Hwange
The MDC chairlady for Hwange central, Mrs. K Mbewe was abducted by Zanu PF thugs from her house on Sunday and released later that same day. The thugs gave her an option of either surrendering her colliery house or to wear Zanu PF regalia whenever she was at her flea market stall in the town. MDC activists that include Rhoda Sibanda and Befnart Dube have also received similar threats.

Meanwhile, Jerum Mpofu was assaulted by Zanu PF militia after being seen disembarking from MDC MP-elect, Tose Sansole’s car on Sunday. Mpofu fled to a relative’s home 40km away from Hwange after the assault.

An MDC activist, Dimion Tshuma, from Chibala,dogseg to Zanu PF militia and and  was sentenced to 8 months in jail after being accused of allegedly referring to Zanu PF militia, ZRP Support Unit and even neighbors who support Zanu PF as “Mugabe’s dogs.” He claims he was ‘framed’ after a mob of 50 Zanu Pf supporters cornered him.

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority employees in the coal mining town have been threatened with dismissal if they do not vote for Robert Mugabe in the 27 June election. It is alleged that a message has been circulated that says that since it was due to Mugabe’s generosity that they were employed at the power utility, they should show their appreciation by retaining him as their president.

Lupane
Violence is intensifying in Gomoza. At the moment some MDC supporters were injured by Zanu PF militia and kept at the police station as the police claim not to have transport to ferry them to St Luke’s Hospital. Villagers are also being given 5kg of maize per homestead as inducements to go and vote. This has irritated them since the amount is not enough for their families and they have vowed not to go to the polls.

Reliable sources in Lupane have revealed that Zanu PF intends to use its officials and war veterans as presiding and polling officers in the 27 June run-off. A number of them have already gone for training by the Zimbabwe Electoral Authority.
 
Contact:
Bulawayo Agenda Information Department
E-mails: byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Web: www.agenda.org.zw
Phone/Fax: +263-(0)9-88821      Mobile: 0912516724   

BREAKING NEWS - Bindura - Officials of the American Embassy were arrested at gunpoint today in Bindura whilst on their way to visit victims of political violence in the area.

Matobo
The MDC councillor for Ward 15, Priscilla Sibanda is in hospital after being assaulted by so-called war veterans for attending a Matobo Agenda meeting yesterday. She received severe head injuries. These are the same war veterans who caused the abandonment of the consultative meeting that was cleared by the police.

Murambinda
Seventh Day Adventists in the area are being assaulted by Zanu Pf war veterans after being accused of being MDC sympathizers. They are also being denied food assistance.

Gweru
Zanu PF political Commissar Elliot Manyika invades the Midlands city on Wednesday with over 90 youths forcing people to wear Zanu PF campaign t-shirts. Soldiers have been matching through the city singing war songs while jets from the Airforce of Zimbabwe have been buzzing the Gweru in a show of force. Meanwhile, senior police officers from Police General Headquarters behave like Zanu PF political commissars gathering officers at Gweru Central and making them chant Zanu PF slogans and sing political songs.

Thugs Disrupt Matobo Agenda Meeting
Matobo police details watched helplessly as Zanu PF hooligans disrupted a consultative meeting called by Matobo Agenda in Silozwi to discuss the Presidential Run-off. Hundreds of villagers had turned up for the meeting when they were scared away by the hooligans who were milling around the shopping centre clad in t-shirts emblazoned with the image of the Zanu PF presidential candidate. People were visibly scared even to discuss among themselves fearing that they would be targeted. The meeting had been cleared by the police. The disruption follows the assault on Tuesday 2 June of Precious Ndlovu, the Matobo Agenda chairman for putting up posters for the meeting. Ndlovu is reported to be among those people targeted by war veterans. He had to flee to Bulawayo after concerns were expressed about his safety. Bulawayo Agenda had earlier vowed to go ahead with the meeting but later backed down after assessing the situation which had grown tense. Silozwi is one of the areas were war veterans have set up base camps to spearhead a fear campaign ahead of the Presidential run-off on 27 June. They have already confiscated Freeplay radios from the villagers claiming they were listening to regime change propaganda from pirate radio stations. The police have failed to act in both cases.
 

Bulawayo gears up for run-off
Civic society should mobilize people to go and vote in the coming Presidential run-off and also to pressurise the government to provide a conducive atmosphere for the June 27 poll. This was one of the resolutions agreed to by 23 Bulawayo based civic organisations that met over last Saturday. Over 180 activists agreed on a set of resolution that will guide the organisations in how they are going to approach the run-off. Among the most critical resolutions was the need for a co-ordinated approach that will allow for the organisations to combine their resources and services for an effective campaign.

Various speakers tackled issues related to the post 29 March period as well as laying the foundation for the run-off campaign. It was agreed at the meeting that the dismantling of terror camps throughout the countryside would be the first logical step. The church, civic society representatives and MPs were encouraged to visit the affected areas in order to instill confidence in the people as well as talking to the perpetrators of the violence. They also pledged to facilitate the voting of persons displaced by the political violence currently affecting the rural areas.
 
Civic society came out strongly on the aspect of protecting the vote while at the same time reactivating the sleeping vote. This would entail encouraging those who missed the opportunity of exercising their right to vote, to do so this time around. The focus would be on urban areas where far less people than those registered voted on March 29.

It was revealed that there was concerted effort by the authorities to close up democratic space in the period leading to the run-off. Civic society would in this case provide alternative means of information dissemination in order to counter the restrictions on the media. It was further resolved that the role of civic society would not be restricted to the run-off but would extend beyond the elections. This meant that the role of organisations should be for the defense of human rights and be the vanguard of democracy in a post-election dispensation.
 

MDC Leader held in Lupane
Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC president, Thokozani Khupe (Vice-President), Lovemore Moyo (National Chairman) and senior party leaders were detained for over seven hours in Lupane in what has been interpreted as an attempt to derail their presidential run-off campaign schedule. Tsvangirai and his party were on their way to Tsholotsho for a rally after he was denied the opportunity to address the Lupane community last Tuesday. Tsvangirai, who had resorted to a walk-about in the Matabeleland North provincial capital, was stopped at a roadblock on his way to Tsholotsho and taken back to Lupane for questioning. About MDC 14 activists arrested in the at the same time as Tsvangirai town were instead taken to Sipepa police station in Tsholotsho and they had not been formally charged at the time of going to press. They included Lupane Agenda programmes officer Vumani Ndlovu. The MDC leader who has been on a campaign tour of Matabeleland North has failed to address a single rally after authorities denied him permission to hold meetings in Hwange, Victoria Falls and Lupane, and Tsholotsho. In Hwange and Victoria Falls, riot police occupied the venues where rallies were scheduled to take place and Tsvangirai resorted to walk-about meeting people in the streets like he eventually did in Lupane. Another rally that was supposed to take place in Plumtree on Thursday had been barred from taking place at the time of going to press.

Lupane Agenda Officer arrested
Vumani Ndlovu, the Lupane Agenda programmes officer was arrested and taken to Sipepa police station along with 15 MDC activists after they were arrested in the Matabeleland North capital on Wednesday.  Ndlovu was picked up in Lupane as police swept through the town looking for anyone who was associated with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s visit where he was scheduled to address a rally. Tsvangirai’s rally was barred from taking place. Ndlovu and the MDC activists were then taken to Tsholotsho after being threatened by their captors that they would be handed over to war veterans in Sipepa. However, it was later confirmed that they were being held by the police but without charge. The arrest of Ndlovu comes hardly a week after Plumtree Agenda programmes officer Helijah Moyo was arrested along with MP-elect Norman Maphosa and Lutho Tapela, the senator-elect for Bulilima-Mangwe and released without charge. These events follow reports that some senior security officers have called for the surveillance of activists. There has been a noticeable increase in the harassment of civic society activists.

Contact:

Bulawayo Agenda
E-mails: byoagenda@hotmail.com; byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Phone/Fax: +263-9-888211

Today 30 May 2008

Police cast postal ballots
There are reports that police officers in various parts of the country are conducting postal ballots for the 27 June 2008 Presidential run-off in direct contravention of the Electoral Act. In Bulawayo, police officers were being bussed to Drill Hall from various police stations in the city. The Electoral Act states that postal votes should be conducted a week before Election Day and in the presence of election observers. Police officers are made to vote in front of the Officer Commanding the province and those who went through the process allege that the officer wanted to see exactly how they voting and had resignation forms ready for those who voted for Morgan Tsvangirai.

Meanwhile, all police officers residing in police residences in police camps have been ordered to take down their satellite dishes. Apparently, the order does not affect those who reside outside police camps.

Harare
15 Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) activists including leader Jenni Williams have been in police custody since Wednesday after they were arrested for demonstrating in the Harare City centre.

    
29 May 2008

Police officers begin voting in run off
Gwanda - A meeting was convened today for all heads of sections where all police officers were urged to apply for postal ballots so that they cast their votes in favour of Zanu PF. A senior police officer (name supplied) warned that if they dared spoiled the ballots, they would be dealt with accordingly.

Lupane - Over 200 police officers were bussed into the town overnight to begin voting through postal ballot. They are assembled at Kusile Rural District Council

Gweru
Six MDC activists were arrested in Chirumhanzu after repelling an attack by a ZANU PF mob. The activists appeared in court in Gweru yesterday. The case was postponed to Friday next week and they are currently in custody.

Gokwe
A base was set up yesterday at Tsungai by alleged war vets led by one Musaradada and a Zanu Pf councillor Mrs Moyo. The alleged war vets told the villagers to pay them two Billion dollars or one goat and those that had neither been asked to bring nor less than two chickens. Villagers have been paying for fear for their lives.

Hwange
State security operatives are visiting Hwange Colliery workers’ representatives telling them to advise their colleagues to vote wisely unlike what happened during the March 29 elections.

28 May 2008

Gweru
Youths in the Sogwala area of Lower Gweru are being taken from their homes and made to run long distances by soldiers and Zanu PF militia.

Senior police officers in the Midlands have been instructed to ‘tighten the screws’ on MDC and civil society activists in the province. They were also ordered stop arresting alleged war veterans and Zanu PF thugs perpetrating acts of violence with immediate affect. The names targeted activists read out at a

meeting of top security officers include Peter Muchengeti of Zimcet, Zansi Mabunda (the Gweru Agenda programme officer), Isaac Thebethebe, Charles Chikozho and Nkosinathi Mangena. They were instructed to keep a close track of them.

27 May 2008

Binga community under pressure to vote Zanu PF
State Security, Zanu PF militia and pseudo war vets have been holding successive meetings which villagers are being forced to attend. At one of these meetings on Monday, one of the war vets told the villagers that, “This is the first stage and the next time we come here we will beat you up. You should know who the leader of this nation is.”

In Sianvundu, a village in Binga, war vets threatened villagers warning them that voting for Tsvangirai would lead to bloodshed. However, villagers have declared that they knew who to vote for and would not change their minds even if they were beaten up because they had suffered enough.

Matopo
On 25 May 2008 villagers at Silozwe, Business Centre, Ward 16, were addressed by alleged war veterans who told them that Mugabe would never hand over power to Morgan Tsvangirai even if Tsvangirai won the election. The meeting was addressed by the Zanu PF councillor for Ward 23.

Plumtree
Plumtree Agenda Chairman Edwin Ncube, the programmes officer, Helijah Moyo, Senator-elect for Bulilima Mangwe, Lutho Tapela, and the MDC MP-elect for Bulilima West, Norman Mpofu, were arrested and detained on Saturday 24 May and released 3 days later without charge. Police accused the four of holding a public meeting without clearance. However, the Electoral Act is clear that police only need to be informed of a public meeting and that in any case the

meeting in question was an internal one.

Contact:

Bulawayo Agenda
E-mails: byoagenda@hotmail.com; byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Phone/Fax: +263-9-888211

On 29th March 2008 Zimbabweans voted in parliamentary and presidential elections. In spite of the many difficulties that faced the opposition during the campaign, ZANU PF lost its majority in the House of Assembly. Since then a campaign of terror is being used to intimidate voters while the government is freely manipulating the electoral process and flouting legal norms. There have also been numerous attacks against teachers who acted as polling agents in the March elections and violence against other trade union leaders and activists. There is an urgent need for the African Union to act to end the Zimbabwe crisis. Zimbabwe can be helped back onto a positive path, but African human rights and democratic standards must be restored if the region is to avoid the risk of conflict and insecurity.
 
We call upon the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and the United Nations to act to achieve the following:
 

1. An immediate end to State sponsored violence against civilians and the protection of the Zimbabwean people;
 

2. Survivors and victims of violence to receive immediate medical, humanitarian and legal aid;
 

3. Unrestricted humanitarian aid be allowed into the country to meet these needs;
 

4. The African Union to send a team of Eminent Persons to Zimbabwe to investigate the violence, and work towards ending the political crisis;
 

5. SADC under the direction of the African Union to ensure that an environment which allows a free and fair presidential election free from violence and intimidation and free campaigning by all parties to exists before and during the presidential run off;
 

6. African and international human rights monitors and electoral observers and monitors to be admitted to the country and allowed to travel freely and assess and report on conditions. The electoral observers and monitors must be composed of a large number of skilled electoral experts, with a high standing in their countries and on the continent;
 

7. The electoral observers and monitors to remain in Zimbabwe to observe the counting and the announcement of the result;
 

8. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commissions to run and manage the forthcoming presidential elections in an impartial manner as it is obliged to under Zimbabwe constitutional and electoral laws;
 

9. In the event of an electoral dispute where one candidate refuses to accept the result of the run-off, the African Union to take the lead in negotiating or mediating the impasse to reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
 

10. Trade unions and other civil society organisations should be allowed to carry out their legitimate activities in accordance with international legal standards, including the fundamental ILO Conventions.
 

We demand that the African Union and the United Nations live up to their responsibility to protect the people of Zimbabwe.

For the African Union We Demand Action Now to give meaning to May 25 as Africa Liberation Day.