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Source: Editorial Comment: Mnangagwa jaunts raise eyebrows – The Standard

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s revelation that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) paid for his recent trip to Abu Dhabi has raised more questions than answers.

Zimbabweans have been demanding answers from government for the past week after revelations that Mnangagwa hired an expensive private jet to fly him to the UAE.

A few days after returning home he hired the same private jet — a VIP Airbus A318 — for his one-day trip to Bulawayo from Harare.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba told this publication last Sunday that the government had paid for the president’s trips to Abu Dhabi and Bulawayo.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube also said the same when he was quizzed about the president’s penchant for expensive travel by senators last week.

However, Mnangagwa’s version of the story at the Zanu PF central committee meeting on Friday brought a new dimension into the debate about his foreign jaunts.

One obvious question that arises from the crown prince of Abu Dhabi’s alleged benevolence is: What has Mnangagwa given or promised in return for these trips where he uses luxurious jets?

It would be naïve to assume that a country would splash millions of dollars on a foreign leader’s luxury trips and expect nothing in return.

Mnangagwa’s explanation must be read in the context of earlier pronouncements by Charamba and Ncube.

The top government officials spoke about money being drawn from the government to pay for these trips.

Granted, the generous crown prince paid for the UAE trip, but Zimbabweans deserve to know where the money to hire private jets for the other trips the president has undertaken since coming into power after the November 2017 coup came from.

Mnangagwa has travelled outside the country at least 30 times and most of those travels were made using luxurious private jets.

Zimbabwe is struggling to feed its own people and recently the United Nations sent out a $234 million appeal to feed millions of people that are facing starvation this year.

At the time Mnangagwa was flying to Abu Dhabi, Cyclone Idai was wreaking havoc in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces — killing hundreds of people, displacing thousands and destroying infrastructure.

Again, the country has no capacity to provide food, shelter and medicines for the displaced, a void that is being filled by donors.

This is the time for the government to walk the talk on austerity measures and there is no better person to demonstrate that than the head of state.

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Source: Bums to the wind – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 30th March 2019

The Zimbabwean economist Tony Hawkins has urged President Mnangagwa to hold talks with the MDC leader Nelson Chamisa on the way forward for the country

Hawkins said: ‘Ultimately the solution to Zimbabwe’s problems is political.  You can fiddle around with the economy as much as you like but you are not going to get a lasting solution without some form of political and social consensus.’

Mnangagwa has so far rejected bilateral discussion with Chamisa, insisting that the MDC should join in the joint talks he is having with other opposition parties. But Professor Hawkins, speaking at a meeting of the Institute of Directors, said there was no point in the MDC being grouped with people who got less than 0.5% of the vote last year whereas the MDC, he said, took something like 44%.

Hawkins said an agreement between Zanu PF and MDC had become inevitable because of the deteriorating economic situation and predicted an economic collapse if Mnangagwa government failed to build national consensus.

‘We have a very serious issue. We have an extremely fractured and polarised society. We have a rural electorate which supports government and we have younger and urban voters demanding change. How this plays out no one can tell. All we can say is I think the social and political climate will probably worsen as unemployment rises and it will, as poverty increases and it will.’ (See: https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/economic-analysis/solution-to-zimbabwes-problems-is-political/.)

Everyone at the Vigil, even if their families at home are not in danger, has been anxiously following news of the cyclone disaster, which has been given wide coverage here. We have been inspired by those who have rushed to help the victims and the generosity of so many others.

Some Zimbabweans who are now living in Mozambique have kept in touch with the Vigil over the years and we have been worried about their horse sanctuary in Vilanculos near Beira. They report: ‘Thankfully for us and the horses we were totally unaffected but Pat had survived the cyclone in 2007 and during the 250 knot winds he had to untether the horses and let them go. Interestingly enough they made their own plan they moved to higher ground and formed a V formation with their bums and withstood the wind.’ Their website is http://www.mozambiquehorsesafari.com/.

Other points

• A more optimistic view than Professor Hawkins’s of Zimbabwe’s situation is expressed by the former MDC MP Eddie Cross (see: http://www.eddiecross.africanherd.com/190330.html).
• Anyone interested in Britain’s policy towards Zimbabwe should look at an article by Rahul Nagvekar in Yale University’s political publication The Politic (See: http://thepolitic.org/not-free-not-fair-not-credible-did-britain-back-a-zimbabwean-autocrats-re-election/).
• Business people in the UK worried about trade prospects after Brexit will be reassured by a new order from Zimbabwe for 64 judges’ wigs costing more than $155,000 (see: https://zwnews.com/gvt-imports-judge-wigs-worth-us155-000-from-london/).
• Vigil co-ordinator Rose Benton was very touched by the kindness of people at the Vigil who gave her flowers and chocolates for Mothers’ Day.
• The Vigil continues to mourn the loss of our good friend Arnold Magwanyata. A reminder that a gofundme page has been opened for those who wish to donate to Arnold’s repatriation, check: https://www.gofundme.com/help-repatriate-arnold-magwanyata-to-zimbabwe&rcid=r01-155346313999-af1335f3a2034edb&pc=wa_co_campmgmt_m.
• Thanks to those who came early to help set up the front table and put up the banners: Piyo Choga, Patrick Hale, Jonathan Kariwo, Rosemary Maponga, Joyce Mbairatsunga, Bianca Mpawaenda, Richard Munyama, Fungisai Mupandira, Tapiwa Muskwe, Sihle Sibanda and Spiwe Zimunhu. Thanks to Rosemary and Sihle for looking after the front table, to Bianca, Fungisai, Bigboy Sibanda, Abigail Chidavayenzi, Simon Nyanhi, Collen Mupazviriho and Reuben Waretsa for handing out flyers and to Jonathan and Bianca for photos.
• For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

FOR THE RECORD: 25 signed the register.

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

• ROHR general members’ meeting. Saturday 13^th April from 11 am. Venue: Royal Festival Hall. Contact: Ephraim Tapa 07940793090, Patricia Masamba 07708116625.
• ROHR fundraising dinner. Saturday 27^th April from 6 – 11.30 pm. Venue Zazas, 108 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JE. Contact: Sipho Hobane 07400566013, Esther Munyira 07492058109, Fungisai Mupandira 07468504393, Casper Nyamakura 0757766912, Margaret Munenge 0739211743, Bianca Mpawaenda 07400566013 and Patricia Masamba 07708116625.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• MDC London Branch meeting. Saturday 6^th April from 12 noon – 2 pm. Venue: Royal Festival Hall. Contact: Netsai Makarichi 07592619201 and Flemming Diza 07960838847.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil for £10. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:
  
  Vigil: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil
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Source: Cyclone aid looters to face the music | The Sunday Mail March 31, 2019

Lincoln Towindo in Chikomba

Government will decisively deal with irresponsible individuals who abuse or distribute aid along partisan lines, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.

The Vice President said this yesterday to scores of villagers at Masasa Primary School in Chikomba at the handover of food aid to affected communities in Mashonaland East.

Cde Chiwenga also said the President and Head of State, Cde Mnangagwa will this week lead a delegation of all political parties participating in the ongoing national dialogue to Chimanimani to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Idai.

He said President Mnangagwa will tour all the four provinces — Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Masvingo and parts of the Midlands — that were affected.

“Next week, all the parties that are participating in the national dialogue agreed to accompany the President and visit Chimanimani in order to assess and try to assist with solutions to the tragedy that devastated that area.

“Those who refuse to participate in the dialogue will show that they do not care about the people of Zimbabwe.

“This is why you should ask them when they come here looking for votes where they were when disaster was on your door,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said there was urgent need to provide aid to affected families, especially those in the worst affected areas, as their burden had been compounded by the drought-plagued 2018/2019 agricultural season.

“When aid is being distributed, we plead with all Government workers, councillors and all those involved in the distribution not to steal any of the donations, but to take them to the appropriate beneficiaries,” said VP Chiwenga.

“The donations must reach the most affected areas.

“Our bad situation has been compounded by the drought, but we want to assure you that no one will die of hunger.

“All households will be given aid coming from Government.

“But when this aid is being distributed, we do not want you to look at the beneficiaries’ totem or political affiliation, we want it to be given to every Zimbabwean.”

The Vice President said after assessing the extent of devastation and quantum of resources needed to repair the damaged infrastructure, Government will devise a plan of action to start the rehabilitation works.

“The President has committed to visiting all those areas, including coming here, to assess the devastation and see how we can coordinate and assist those affected, as well as see how we can start rebuilding our infrastructure that was damaged.

“Already, Government has set aside $90 million to deal with this.”

Zanu-PF, the governing party, also agreed at its 111th ordinary session of the Central Committee meeting on Friday that each member of the organ should make a contribution towards relief of the affected communities, said the VP.

He said each member of the Politburo was directed to make a minimum donation of $200 towards a fund to help the affected communities.

He thanked local corporates, religious organisations, individuals and NGOs that have contributed towards relief efforts.

VP Chiwenga acknowledged the enormous task ahead to help rebuild communities and provide long-term safety nets for victims.

Earlier, the Vice President had visited Murove Bridge, which was damaged by flooding. In Ward 17, Chikomba district, the VP visited a family whose house was damaged by strong winds and flooding and pledged to rebuild the house.

The family of five — a blind mother and three children who are also all blind — lost most its belongings to the cyclone.

He said the family will be first to live in a house constructed under the new rural housing model being crafted.

Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi told the same gathering earlier that 624 houses were destroyed, while 21 tobacco barns, nine toilets and five schools were damaged in the province.

Over 700 kilometres of roads and nine bridges also bore the brunt of the cyclone-induced torrential rains.

Cyclone Idai also claimed the life of an 83-year-old man, while two cattle died after drinking contaminated water.

The post Cyclone aid looters to face the music appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

A DRUNKEN 54-year-old shebeen queen from Bulawayo allegedly stabbed a man to death in Pumula East suburb after a misunderstanding on Saturday night. Marshal Mkwananzi (21) originally from Zvishavane was visiting his siblings in Bulawayo when he met his end at Zenzele Bottle Store. Sithembiso Mzizi allegedly smashed a beer bottle and used the jagged ends to stab Mkwananzi in the neck.  

Zimbabwe’s economy is on a recovery path, with the target of becoming a middle income economy by 2030 set to be achieved, President Mnangagwa has said. The President said this in a speech read on his behalf by Zanu-PF Secretary for Finance Cde Patrick Chinamasa at the inaugural India Diaspora Convention yesterday. “The country is on a path to economic recovery,” he said. “We have set