"Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace thereby transforming this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of harmony." Dr Martin Luther King Jnr in 1963 during the march on Washington DC
The MP for Mutare West in Manicaland province, Hon. Shuah Mudiwa, was on Saturday sentenced to seven years in prison on false charges of kidnapping.
Allegations against the MP are that he and two other MDC supporters kidnapped a 13 year-old girl in his constituency during the run-up to the 27 June, 2008 presidential run-off.
Two and a half years of the sentence were suspended.
Hon. Mudiwa, today filed papers at the Mutare Magistrates’ Courts appealing against his imprisonment.
The MDC views the sentencing of Hon. Mudiwa as an attempt by Zanu PF and other retrogressive forces in the inclusive government to whittle down the party’s majority in parliament.
The MDC is the majority party in parliament after winning 100 seats in the House of Assembly in 29 March 2008 harmonised elections.
Several other MDC MPs are also facing trumped-up charges on various allegations.
The MDC Youth Assembly on 20 June 2009 called for the immediate resignation of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe , Gideon Gono and Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana.
Addressing at the Day of the African Child commemorations at Africa Unity Square Gardens , the MDC Youth Assembly chairperson, Hon. Thamsanqa Mahlangu said the MDC youths were concerned by the insincerity that was being shown by Zanu PF.
“The inclusive government should ensure that students also get an opportunity to go tertiary education and have free access to drugs,” he added.
Over 10 000 MDC youths from across the country converged at the venue to celebrate the event.
The guest speaker at the commemorations, Hon. Nelson Chamisa, said the youths of Zimbabwe should demand their rights.
“The drafting of a people-driven Constitution gives you an opportunity to have your voice heard. In 18 months time, we will have an opportunity to hold elections and as youths your voice will be heard,” he said.
The commemorations were attended by among other delegates, the Minister of Energy, Hon. Elias Mudzuri and the MP for Sunningdale, Hon. Margret Matienga.
The MDC youths also took a moment of silence to observe MDC youths who have died in the struggle for a new Zimbabwe who include Tonderai Ndira, Godfrey Kauzani, Better Chokururama and Mthokozisi Ncube and Batanai Hadzizi among others.
From 13 to 18 June 2009, Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan will lead a high level mission to Zimbabwe, during which she plans to meet human rights activists, victims of human rights violations and senior government officials, including President Robert Mugabe.
The mission will conclude with a press conference in Harare on 18 June, during which she will present preliminary findings from the mission, and be available to answer questions and conduct individual interviews.
All media are welcome to attend.
Who: Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan What: Press conference on findings of mission to Zimbabwe When: 10.00 am local time (08.00 GMT), Thursday, 18 June 2009 Where: Mirabelle Drawing Room (Ground Floor), Meikles Hotel, Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare
Refreshments will be served.
On 19 June, Secretary General Irene Khan will be available for interviews from London, including in-studio appearances, to discuss the findings of the mission and the results of her meetings with government officials.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Amnesty International’s Africa Press Officer, Eliane Drakopoulos, on Zimbabwe mobile: 023 842 322 or UK +44 7778 472 109. For London interviews, please call Judit Arenas on mobile: +44 7778 472 188.
From 13 to 18 June 2009, Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan will lead a high level mission to Zimbabwe, during which she plans to meet human rights activists, victims of human rights violations and senior government officials, including President Robert Mugabe.
The mission will conclude with a press conference in Harare on 18 June, during which she will present preliminary findings from the mission, and be available to answer questions and conduct individual interviews.
All media are welcome to attend.
Who: Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan What: Press conference on findings of mission to Zimbabwe When: 10.00 am local time (08.00 GMT), Thursday, 18 June 2009 Where: Mirabelle Drawing Room (Ground Floor), Meikles Hotel, Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare
Refreshments will be served.
On 19 June, Secretary General Irene Khan will be available for interviews from London, including in-studio appearances, to discuss the findings of the mission and the results of her meetings with government officials.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Amnesty International’s Africa Press Officer, Eliane Drakopoulos, on Zimbabwe mobile: 023 842 322 or UK +44 7778 472 109. For London interviews, please call Judit Arenas on mobile: +44 7778 472 188.
From 13 to 18 June 2009, Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan will lead a high level mission to Zimbabwe, during which she plans to meet human rights activists, victims of human rights violations and senior government officials, including President Robert Mugabe.
The mission will conclude with a press conference in Harare on 18 June, during which she will present preliminary findings from the mission, and be available to answer questions and conduct individual interviews.
All media are welcome to attend.
Who: Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan What: Press conference on findings of mission to Zimbabwe When: 10.00 am local time (08.00 GMT), Thursday, 18 June 2009 Where: Mirabelle Drawing Room (Ground Floor), Meikles Hotel, Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare
Refreshments will be served.
On 19 June, Secretary General Irene Khan will be available for interviews from London, including in-studio appearances, to discuss the findings of the mission and the results of her meetings with government officials.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Amnesty International’s Africa Press Officer, Eliane Drakopoulos, on Zimbabwe mobile: 023 842 322 or UK +44 7778 472 109. For London interviews, please call Judit Arenas on mobile: +44 7778 472 188.
High Court Judge, Justice Tendai Uchena today postponed to June 22 the application by four MDC abductees who are seeking a referral of their case to the Supreme Court as they are contesting that their constitutional rights were violated when they were abducted by State security agents last year.
Today, Justice Uchena has had to postpone his judgement for the third time as the State is contesting the referral of the case to the Supreme Court.
The four MDC activists, Concillia Chinanzvavana, the MDC Mashonaland West province Women Assembly chairperson, 72-year old Fidelis Chiramba, Zvimba South district chairperson, Violet Mupfuranhewe, district Women’s Assembly secretary and Collen Mutemagawu, district youth chairperson are facing trumped-up charges of banditry.
They were abducted together with over 40 MDC activists between October and December and had to spend weeks in illegal detention before they were brought to court on 24 December.
The trial of the four started on Monday and the MDC lawyers filed a petition to refer the case to the Constitutional Court because the rights of the accused were violated. The lawyers also wanted the Constitutional Court to determine whether or not the abductees’ abduction constituted lawful deprivation of liberty.
On Tuesday the State argued that the submissions by the defence lawyers were “frivolous and the lawyers were playing with the court’s time.”
The MDC lawyers also want the Supreme Court to determine whether or not the abductees can be compelled to go on trial in circumstances where their appearance at court was facilitated by a criminal act of kidnapping or abduction sanctioned by the State.
Two other groups of MDC and civic society abductees are expected to appear before the High Court later this month.
The MDC acknowledges the important role played by legislators in both the upper and lower houses on issues of community development, feedback forums in their constituencies and the frequent consultative processes that are required to keep their constituents info rmed about what their representatives are doing in Parliament.
As a party, we are aware of the need for MPs to have instruments of delivery such as offices, computers and vehicles. The issue of their vehicles should be handled by through the Vehicle Loan Scheme put in place by Parliament and the government of Zimbabwe. We have not heard that Parliament is no longer handling this scheme to the extent that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe could once again become a central player in dishing out and distributing largesse when the government is now agreed that the Central Bank should not engage in quasi-fiscal activities.
It is disturbing to note that the RBZ continues to be abused and to abuse itself by continuing to engage itself in quasi-fiscal operations when such operations should migrate to the government through the Ministry of Finance. Engaging in distribution of capita l products is in itself a quasi-fiscal activity.
The MDC has a strong position against quasi-fiscal operations which have ground our once vibrant economy to a virtual standstill . We do not have any report as a party that any of our MPs has collected a vehicle from the RBZ but if there is any that have done, then they have acted against the party position. Their case will be brought before the National Executive and the National Council and these party organs will take a final decision on the matter.
The MDC be lieves that national institutions must refrain from those activities that have run aground our economy. The RBZ cannot continue to dabble in nefarious activities that have since been condemned by the inclusive government.
The nation wants to start afresh. The MDC is a party of excellence. We believe the inclusive government must open a new chapter of prudence, accountability and honesty. We cannot at this juncture begin to puncture the people’s hopes and aspirations by scoring cheap popularity points on serious national matters. The Central Bank cannot be allowed to corrupt and poison the legislature.
This poem was written by Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada. It has been recited at the House of Hunger poetry slam, Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights poetry forum, Harare International Festival of the Arts, Regional Youth Hearing in South Africa, The Info-Activism Camp in India and The Africa Cultural Night in Senegal.
Ragged and funny In dire need of money I bruise the pot-holed streets of the city Maiming the waste-filled alleys and dirty Daily I play twinkle-twinkle with death on the razor-sharp edge of humanity. Once I had a home Now I cannot pay the dues Once Iwent to college Now I cannot pay the fees Once I had a wife Now I cannot afford the price Poor the result of no economic emancipation Bound to the street because some people's creation In a vacuum-filled belly I try the robber's invention Oouch! I cry in incaceration This cry , my cry, I cry Bound to the street, is it God's case Bound to the street, the street my place Bound to the street, the street I hate
Eyes closed, tears drop The drama of my sleeping mystery unfolding before my mental eyes like a tapestry I ravish and languish in hunger Feediong on left-overs Left by generous shoppers Hungry I was, am and still will be The history but of the hiterto societies is a history of class struggle and exploitation. How shall I leave the street struggle In such a society tailor-designed to suffer the helpless Where the should-be-helpers Are the pioneers of the exploitation, Suppression and oppression of the defenceless As for me and my street-mates We will travel along singing a song The song, my cry. Bound to the street, is it God's case Bound to the street, the street my place Bound to the street, the street I hate
I come from far further Iam not a bird of your further You are a son to your father You are your mother,s daughter I have non to call father or mother Nither to call sister nor brother But pay no attention to criticism like weather Rather lets read the holy book together Ang gather as a congregation together The bread as you gather Lets break share and eat together. Until we harness a new philosophy I will always cry This cry my cry. Bound to the street, is it God's case Bound to the street, the street my place Bound to the street, the street I hate
MISA- Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights commemorate World Poetry Day As part of its mandate to promote freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, MISA-Zimbabwe together with Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights on 21 March, commemorated the International World Poetry Day in a poetry session dubbed Weapons of Mass Instruction.
The poetry session, which featured twenty four poets from Harare and attended by approximately 200 people, was held at the First Street mall and paid tribute to late poets, Dambudzo Marechera, who during his time performed his poetry at the same venue and the late Solomon Mutsvairo who wrote the popular poem, Nehanda Nyakasikana, recited by the late Vice-president, Simon Muzenda during national events. In a commemorative message, MISA-Zimbabwe advocacy officer, Tabani Moyo, emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in a democracy and raised concern over the continued incarceration of freelance journalist, Anderson Shadreck Manyere is charged for acts of insurgence, banditry, sabotage or terrorism under Section 23 (1), (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act The poetry performances touched on the themes of love, culture, the daily life challenges of the ordinary Zimbabwean and the need to be able to speak out. ZPHR Programmes Manager, Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada lamented the way in which poetry has been playing second fiddle to other artforms and so encouraged everyone to respect poetry as a form of expression. "Poetry has been part and parcel of our Zimbabwean culture since time immemorial as evidenced by bits use in traditional rituals like thanks bgiving and brain-making." said Shoeslambada 63-year old poet, Julius Chingono who performed an unpublished piece, My uniform, that described the advantage that uniformed police officials had over ordinary Zimbabweans during the food shortages when they skipped the queues, was briefly detained by the police who alleged that the poem was offensive. He was released after convincing them that the poem reflected what happened in the past.
The commemoration went on with an evening cocktail that was at the Gallery Delta from 1700hrs to 2000hrs. The evening programme saw the award winning Edene Timbe introducing the session with her touching song entitled "One Heart." Chirikure Chirikure was the guest of honour as well as the guets performer. Lexta Dapi Mutasa was also part of the performers at this event together with Julius Chingono. MISA
MISA- Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights commemorate World Poetry Day As part of its mandate to promote freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, MISA-Zimbabwe together with Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights on 21 March, commemorated the International World Poetry Day in a poetry session dubbed Weapons of Mass Instruction.
The poetry session, which featured twenty four poets from Harare and attended by approximately 200 people, was held at the First Street mall and paid tribute to late poets, Dambudzo Marechera, who during his time performed his poetry at the same venue and the late Solomon Mutsvairo who wrote the popular poem, Nehanda Nyakasikana, recited by the late Vice-president, Simon Muzenda during national events. In a commemorative message, MISA-Zimbabwe advocacy officer, Tabani Moyo, emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in a democracy and raised concern over the continued incarceration of freelance journalist, Anderson Shadreck Manyere is charged for acts of insurgence, banditry, sabotage or terrorism under Section 23 (1), (2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act The poetry performances touched on the themes of love, culture, the daily life challenges of the ordinary Zimbabwean and the need to be able to speak out. ZPHR Programmes Manager, Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada lamented the way in which poetry has been playing second fiddle to other artforms and so encouraged everyone to respect poetry as a form of expression. "Poetry has been part and parcel of our Zimbabwean culture since time immemorial as evidenced by bits use in traditional rituals like thanks bgiving and brain-making." said Shoeslambada 63-year old poet, Julius Chingono who performed an unpublished piece, My uniform, that described the advantage that uniformed police officials had over ordinary Zimbabweans during the food shortages when they skipped the queues, was briefly detained by the police who alleged that the poem was offensive. He was released after convincing them that the poem reflected what happened in the past.
The commemoration went on with an evening cocktail that was at the Gallery Delta from 1700hrs to 2000hrs. The evening programme saw the award winning Edene Timbe introducing the session with her touching song entitled "One Heart." Chirikure Chirikure was the guest of honour as well as the guets performer. Lexta Dapi Mutasa was also part of the performers at this event together with Julius Chingono. MISA
He is a Zimbabwean poet, stage and tv actor.A sagittarian born in the dusty township of Martin Spur, he did his primary and secondary education at Martin Spur Primary and Secondary before joining Jameson high school for high school studies.He was born in a family of three boys and he happens to be the youngest.
As a poet he has perfomed at various foras like the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA), Zimbabwe International Book Fair and others. He is the Programmes Manager of Zimbabwe Poets For Human Right (ZPHR).
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