Six political activists in Zimbabwe who gathered last year to watch and discuss television news broadcasts of the Arab Spring protests were convicted on Monday of conspiring to commit violence in an effort to overthrow the government. The penalty could be 10 years in prison. They are to be sentenced on Tuesday.
About 45 activists, students and trade unionists were arrested last February while attending a meeting convened by Munyaradzi Gwisai, a lecturer at the law school at the University of Zimbabwe and a former member of Parliament for Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, to discuss the antiauthoritarian uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Prosecutors claimed that Mr. Gwisai and the others were planning to start a similar uprising in Zimbabwe aimed at toppling President Robert G. Mugabe, who has been in power for three decades. Most of the defendants were later released, but six, including Mr. Gwisai, were charged with serious crimes. Lawyers for the accused said the meeting was an academic discussion, not a planning session for a revolution.
The judge in the case, Kudakwashe Jarabini, said in court that while watching videos of the Arab uprisings was not a crime, the organizers had intended to incite hostility toward the government by playing them, according to people in the courtroom.
Mr. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party has been in a tenuous unity government with the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, since the 2008 election. Mr. Tsvangirai won the most votes but dropped out of the race because of violence against his supporters. International pressure led to the creation of a unity government. But Mr. Mugabe retained the most crucial government posts, particularly those that control the police and the army.
Mr. Mugabe’s party has been pushing hard for new elections, hoping to retake power while Mr. Mugabe, 88, whose health has grown more fragile, remains alive. But the Movement for Democratic Change and many activists and analysts have argued against holding elections before a new constitution is drawn up and crucial institutions, like the election commission, are reformed. An estimated 350 people died in violence during the 2008 election.
Shortly after the 45 activists were arrested last year, a lawyer working for them reported that a dozen had been tortured to try to force them to testify for the state and that six had been lashed. The accusations prompted a letter of concern from the United Nations torture investigator, Juan E. Méndez.
Dewa Mavhinga of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, a collection of hundreds of civic groups, said it appeared that the window for change in Zimbabwe was closing. “It is an indicator that we are really going towards elections and that the democratic space that was previously somewhat open is quickly closing down,” Mr. Mavhinga said. “There is no crime that has been committed. It is a political issue that is being dealt with by a politicized and severely compromised judiciary.”
Source: New York Times
Showing posts with label Morgan Tsvangirai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morgan Tsvangirai. Show all posts
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bulawayo Man Arrested Over Facebook Message
A Bulawayo man has become Zimbabwe's first "Facebook arrest" over an innocent comment he posted on the social networking site on the 13th February.
Vikas Mavhudzi of Old Magwegwe, is being charged with "subverting a constitutional government" after he posted a message on a Facebook page allegedly belonging to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Mavhudzi's message simply read: "I am overwhelmed, I don't want to say Mr. or PM what happened in Egypt is sending shockwaves to dictators around the world. No weapon but unity of purpose worth emulating, hey."
The court was told that police arrested Mavhudzi on February 24th, after receiving an anonymous call that claimed he had sent a 'security threat' via his mobile phone. It was only after the arrest that police went through his phone and discovered the message in the sent folder.
Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa accused Mavhudzi of "advocating or attempting to take-over government by unconstitutional means". And the state opposed bail when he appeared before a city magistrate on Thursday. Mavhudzi was remanded in custody till March 9th.
Protests against dictators in North Africa appear to have rattled Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF, as any discussion of the events there is now considered a crime in Zimbabwe. A group of activists who gathered to watch video footage of the protests were arrested on February 19 and are still in detention. Lawyers said suspected ringleaders have been brutally assaulted.
Meanwhile there are signs that the Mugabe regime intends to increase its ability to spy on innocent civilians. As we reported on SW Radio Africa this week, the government is allegedly moving at a 'very fast pace' with the construction of a secret electronic eavesdropping complex just outside Harare. A trusted source said that the Chinese, who are building the complex, have a system that enables most security agencies to 'spy at will' on emails, website visits, social networking sessions, and telephone calls made over the internet on a massive scale.
Source: AllAfrica
Vikas Mavhudzi of Old Magwegwe, is being charged with "subverting a constitutional government" after he posted a message on a Facebook page allegedly belonging to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Mavhudzi's message simply read: "I am overwhelmed, I don't want to say Mr. or PM what happened in Egypt is sending shockwaves to dictators around the world. No weapon but unity of purpose worth emulating, hey."
The court was told that police arrested Mavhudzi on February 24th, after receiving an anonymous call that claimed he had sent a 'security threat' via his mobile phone. It was only after the arrest that police went through his phone and discovered the message in the sent folder.
Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa accused Mavhudzi of "advocating or attempting to take-over government by unconstitutional means". And the state opposed bail when he appeared before a city magistrate on Thursday. Mavhudzi was remanded in custody till March 9th.
Protests against dictators in North Africa appear to have rattled Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF, as any discussion of the events there is now considered a crime in Zimbabwe. A group of activists who gathered to watch video footage of the protests were arrested on February 19 and are still in detention. Lawyers said suspected ringleaders have been brutally assaulted.
Meanwhile there are signs that the Mugabe regime intends to increase its ability to spy on innocent civilians. As we reported on SW Radio Africa this week, the government is allegedly moving at a 'very fast pace' with the construction of a secret electronic eavesdropping complex just outside Harare. A trusted source said that the Chinese, who are building the complex, have a system that enables most security agencies to 'spy at will' on emails, website visits, social networking sessions, and telephone calls made over the internet on a massive scale.
Source: AllAfrica
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Zimbabwe Attorney General slapped with US sanctions
The United States (US) on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe's Attorney General -- a top Robert Mugabe ally -- for his alleged role in undermining the crisis-ridden African nation's democracy. The Treasury Department said Johannes Tomana's "targeting of selected political opponents threatens the rule of law", and a fragile power-sharing deal between the country's rival powers.
The sanctions mean American citizens are prohibited from doing business with him and his US assets are frozen. But they also point to further tensions between long-time President Robert Mugabe and his political foe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. In 2008, the two leaders entered into an uneasy power-sharing deal, following months of political turmoil over the outcome of a violence-marred presidential run-off. The often testy relationship between the pair has been strained recently by tussles over government appointments, with Mugabe accused of routinely bypassing Tsvangirai when tapping officials for high office.
Last week, Mugabe stirred fresh conflict when he appointed ambassadors to the United Nations, the European Union and South Africa without consulting Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Tsvangirai has asked the United Nations and the European Union not to recognise the ambassadors named solely by Mugabe. The United States stepped into the fray on Tuesday, questioning Tomana's appointment, in a clear shot at Mugabe. "Tomana's appointment was made without consultation with MDC leaders and against the spirit of Zimbabwe's Global Political Agreement signed on September 15, 2008," the Treasury Department said.
Tomana has been in the post since December 2008, shortly after the power-sharing deal was reached, but before the unity government was sworn in. The US government, along with European allies, have often criticised Mugabe for rights violations. According to leaked US diplomatic cables, the United Nations had even offered Mugabe a retirement package and safe haven overseas in 2000 if he agreed to stand down.
But 10 years on, Mugabe's exit looks as unlikely as ever. This month the 86-year-old was selected as his party's candidate for presidential elections expected next year, pitting him once more against long-time foe Tsvangirai. Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader, who has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980, was officially endorsed by Zanu-PF followers as their presidential candidate at the ruling party's annual conference this week. That could see Mugabe stay in office until well into his nineties if he wins a new ballot that for months he has insisted must take place next year because the deal with Tsvangirai -- current prime minister -- is not working.
But both men on Monday appeared to urge their supporters to shun violence ahead of the elections. "What we would want to get to our people is our voice and our command that there should be no violence, but that does not mean that everybody will listen to us," Mugabe said at a joint end-of-year news conference with Tsvangirai. "Yes, there are incidences of violence and we have witnessed it and we are committed as leaders to ensure that the next election is certainly not characterised by a culture of violence," said Tsvangirai. "That demon must be ostracised, it is a demon that no-one wants," he added.
Source: Mail & Guardian
The sanctions mean American citizens are prohibited from doing business with him and his US assets are frozen. But they also point to further tensions between long-time President Robert Mugabe and his political foe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. In 2008, the two leaders entered into an uneasy power-sharing deal, following months of political turmoil over the outcome of a violence-marred presidential run-off. The often testy relationship between the pair has been strained recently by tussles over government appointments, with Mugabe accused of routinely bypassing Tsvangirai when tapping officials for high office.
Last week, Mugabe stirred fresh conflict when he appointed ambassadors to the United Nations, the European Union and South Africa without consulting Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Tsvangirai has asked the United Nations and the European Union not to recognise the ambassadors named solely by Mugabe. The United States stepped into the fray on Tuesday, questioning Tomana's appointment, in a clear shot at Mugabe. "Tomana's appointment was made without consultation with MDC leaders and against the spirit of Zimbabwe's Global Political Agreement signed on September 15, 2008," the Treasury Department said.
Tomana has been in the post since December 2008, shortly after the power-sharing deal was reached, but before the unity government was sworn in. The US government, along with European allies, have often criticised Mugabe for rights violations. According to leaked US diplomatic cables, the United Nations had even offered Mugabe a retirement package and safe haven overseas in 2000 if he agreed to stand down.
But 10 years on, Mugabe's exit looks as unlikely as ever. This month the 86-year-old was selected as his party's candidate for presidential elections expected next year, pitting him once more against long-time foe Tsvangirai. Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader, who has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980, was officially endorsed by Zanu-PF followers as their presidential candidate at the ruling party's annual conference this week. That could see Mugabe stay in office until well into his nineties if he wins a new ballot that for months he has insisted must take place next year because the deal with Tsvangirai -- current prime minister -- is not working.
But both men on Monday appeared to urge their supporters to shun violence ahead of the elections. "What we would want to get to our people is our voice and our command that there should be no violence, but that does not mean that everybody will listen to us," Mugabe said at a joint end-of-year news conference with Tsvangirai. "Yes, there are incidences of violence and we have witnessed it and we are committed as leaders to ensure that the next election is certainly not characterised by a culture of violence," said Tsvangirai. "That demon must be ostracised, it is a demon that no-one wants," he added.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Zimbabwe seeks R3bn loan from SA
Zimbabwe is seeking R3,2 billion in an overdraft and credit facility from South Africa as the country battles to reverse the effects of a decade-long political and economic crisis, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said yesterday.
A power-sharing government set up last year by bitter rivals President Robert Mugabe, pictured, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has stabilised an economy ravaged by hyperinflation, which peaked at 500 billion percent in December 2008. But the government says it needs at least R72 billion for reconstruction. Biti told business executives in Harare that the government was looking to negotiate with South Africa's government for financial assistance after agreeing terms for a R509 million credit line with Botswana.
Zimbabwe has so far failed to attract significant funds from Western donors, who are demanding more reforms before providing aid to the unity government.
Source: Sowetan
A power-sharing government set up last year by bitter rivals President Robert Mugabe, pictured, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has stabilised an economy ravaged by hyperinflation, which peaked at 500 billion percent in December 2008. But the government says it needs at least R72 billion for reconstruction. Biti told business executives in Harare that the government was looking to negotiate with South Africa's government for financial assistance after agreeing terms for a R509 million credit line with Botswana.
Zimbabwe has so far failed to attract significant funds from Western donors, who are demanding more reforms before providing aid to the unity government.
Source: Sowetan
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Zim police crack-down on photo exhibition
Zimbabwe police on Tuesday seized all the photographs from an exhibition depicting repression under President Robert Mugabe, and arrested the chief of the human rights body that organised the show, officials confirmed. The incident is another instance of the harassment of human rights groups by Mugabe's police, which has continued despite the formation of a power-sharing government between the 86-year-old autocrat and his former opponent, pro-democracy leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who is now prime minister.
Tsvangirai was due to open the exhibition Wednesday at the capital's well-known, private Delta Gallery of 62 framed photographs, which showed Mugabe's brutal crackdown on Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). A spokesperson for Tsvangirai's office said the prime minister was "adamant that the exhibition will go ahead", and that he would be opening it as scheduled. "What these people [Mugabe's Zanu-PF party] don't understand is that by showing these photographs you are not reopening wounds, you are trying to heal wounds," Tsvangirai said.
The images showed victims of violence, Tsvangirai with head injuries from an assault, police breaking up peace demonstrations, as well as Mugabe praying, and ended with pictures of members of the coalition government, said Cynthia Manjoro, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (Zimrights) that was holding the exhibition. "The aim was to make people look at where we have been, and to try to make sure we don't go there again," she said. "It is about national healing, and that we are begging for a truth and reconciliation commission."
Manjoro said police first arrived and took photographs of all the pictures. Later about 20 officers, including riot police, removed the pictures from the walls and dumped them in a police pick-up truck. Zimrights director Okay Machisa tried to intervene and was arrested. Lawyers later said Machisa had been released, but it was not clear what, if any, charges had been pressed against him. Manjoro said police gave no reason for removing the pictures.
In the last 10 years of harassment since Tsvangirai's MDC emerged as the first real threat to Mugabe's nearly 30 years in power, police have regularly closed down theatres featuring critical and satirical drama, arresting actors, producers and audiences, and shut down music concerts with a political theme. Observers say it is the first time they have interfered with an art exhibition. The show coincided with a swell of demands for acknowledgement, particularly by Mugabe's side of the coalition government, of a decade of violent intimidation, with murders, rapes, torture, assault, arson, looting and destruction of homes on a vast scale, which human rights organizations claim have been committed almost entirely by Mugabe's security forces and party vigilantes.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Tsvangirai was due to open the exhibition Wednesday at the capital's well-known, private Delta Gallery of 62 framed photographs, which showed Mugabe's brutal crackdown on Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). A spokesperson for Tsvangirai's office said the prime minister was "adamant that the exhibition will go ahead", and that he would be opening it as scheduled. "What these people [Mugabe's Zanu-PF party] don't understand is that by showing these photographs you are not reopening wounds, you are trying to heal wounds," Tsvangirai said.
The images showed victims of violence, Tsvangirai with head injuries from an assault, police breaking up peace demonstrations, as well as Mugabe praying, and ended with pictures of members of the coalition government, said Cynthia Manjoro, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organization (Zimrights) that was holding the exhibition. "The aim was to make people look at where we have been, and to try to make sure we don't go there again," she said. "It is about national healing, and that we are begging for a truth and reconciliation commission."
Manjoro said police first arrived and took photographs of all the pictures. Later about 20 officers, including riot police, removed the pictures from the walls and dumped them in a police pick-up truck. Zimrights director Okay Machisa tried to intervene and was arrested. Lawyers later said Machisa had been released, but it was not clear what, if any, charges had been pressed against him. Manjoro said police gave no reason for removing the pictures.
In the last 10 years of harassment since Tsvangirai's MDC emerged as the first real threat to Mugabe's nearly 30 years in power, police have regularly closed down theatres featuring critical and satirical drama, arresting actors, producers and audiences, and shut down music concerts with a political theme. Observers say it is the first time they have interfered with an art exhibition. The show coincided with a swell of demands for acknowledgement, particularly by Mugabe's side of the coalition government, of a decade of violent intimidation, with murders, rapes, torture, assault, arson, looting and destruction of homes on a vast scale, which human rights organizations claim have been committed almost entirely by Mugabe's security forces and party vigilantes.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Defiant Mugabe presses Tsvangirai treason charge
Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Zimbabwean opposition, was charged with high treason by President Robert Mugabe's government yesterday: a defiant response to Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth. Earlier this week the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, and other neighbouring African leaders urged Mr Mugabe not to press the charge, to create a more conciliatory political climate after last week's bitterly contested presidential election. By going ahead with it Mr Mugabe seems to be showing that he is not interested in negotiations with Mr Tsvangirai.
Since Mr Mugabe was declared the winner on March 13 he has signed into law a repressive press bill and his supporters have begun a campaign of violent retribution against the opposition. Four supporters of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change have been killed, and a white farmer.
In a courtroom packed with his supporters, Mr Tsvangirai pleaded not guilty to the charge that he sought to hire Canadian political consultants to assassinate Mr Mugabe. His lawyer, Eric Matinenga, said told the court that the charge was "a kneejerk reaction" to Zimbabwe's one-year suspension from Commonwealth membership. "Mr Tsvangirai's stake in this country is too high to think he would run away from allegations that are very weak indeed," Mr Matinenga said.
The MDC's secretary general, Welshman Ncube, who is also charged with treason, said the charges were "an attempt to continue the harassment of the leadership of the MDC and to make it impossible for us to continue to resist an illegitimate government". He said the suggestion that the MDC should enter into a government of national unity with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party "was always out of the question", adding: "You cannot negotiate a government of national unity with a government you believe to be illegitimate."
Mr Tsvangirai was remanded until April 30 and released on bail of Z$1.5m (£20,000) in cash and Z$3m in property surety. He had to surrender his passport and must appear at his local police station every Monday. Renson Gasela, an MDC MP and the shadow agriculture minister, was also charged with treason and released on bail of Z$500,000. The state said it would produce six witnesses, a videotape and other evidence against Mr Tsvangirai.
Legal experts dismiss the evidence as "unconvincing and circumstantial, at best". But Zimbabwe's judicial system has lost a great deal of its independence and lawyers say that Mr Tsvangirai may not get a fair trial.
As he went to court, most Zimbabweans went to work, ignoring the three-day strike called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. Virtually all shops and banks were open, but about half the country's factories were closed. Factory workers said the ZCTU had not explained the reasons for the strike. "No one told us what this strike is about," said a machinist who did not want his name used. "I missed work last Monday to vote. If I missed three days this week I would not have enough pay to feed my family. But if the unions had called a protest against the elections and said that clearly, we would have all supported it."
International pressure on Mr Mugabe is continuing to grow. His party's violent retribution against the MDC was criticised yesterday by the Norwegian election observers. "Following the election it quickly emerged that Zanu-PF supporters had embarked on systematic reprisals against opposition members and supporters," said Kare Vollan, the leader of the group, which reported that Mr Mugabe's followers were carrying out arson, beating, torture and killing with "impunity".
Source: The Guardian
Since Mr Mugabe was declared the winner on March 13 he has signed into law a repressive press bill and his supporters have begun a campaign of violent retribution against the opposition. Four supporters of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change have been killed, and a white farmer.
In a courtroom packed with his supporters, Mr Tsvangirai pleaded not guilty to the charge that he sought to hire Canadian political consultants to assassinate Mr Mugabe. His lawyer, Eric Matinenga, said told the court that the charge was "a kneejerk reaction" to Zimbabwe's one-year suspension from Commonwealth membership. "Mr Tsvangirai's stake in this country is too high to think he would run away from allegations that are very weak indeed," Mr Matinenga said.
The MDC's secretary general, Welshman Ncube, who is also charged with treason, said the charges were "an attempt to continue the harassment of the leadership of the MDC and to make it impossible for us to continue to resist an illegitimate government". He said the suggestion that the MDC should enter into a government of national unity with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party "was always out of the question", adding: "You cannot negotiate a government of national unity with a government you believe to be illegitimate."
Mr Tsvangirai was remanded until April 30 and released on bail of Z$1.5m (£20,000) in cash and Z$3m in property surety. He had to surrender his passport and must appear at his local police station every Monday. Renson Gasela, an MDC MP and the shadow agriculture minister, was also charged with treason and released on bail of Z$500,000. The state said it would produce six witnesses, a videotape and other evidence against Mr Tsvangirai.
Legal experts dismiss the evidence as "unconvincing and circumstantial, at best". But Zimbabwe's judicial system has lost a great deal of its independence and lawyers say that Mr Tsvangirai may not get a fair trial.
As he went to court, most Zimbabweans went to work, ignoring the three-day strike called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions. Virtually all shops and banks were open, but about half the country's factories were closed. Factory workers said the ZCTU had not explained the reasons for the strike. "No one told us what this strike is about," said a machinist who did not want his name used. "I missed work last Monday to vote. If I missed three days this week I would not have enough pay to feed my family. But if the unions had called a protest against the elections and said that clearly, we would have all supported it."
International pressure on Mr Mugabe is continuing to grow. His party's violent retribution against the MDC was criticised yesterday by the Norwegian election observers. "Following the election it quickly emerged that Zanu-PF supporters had embarked on systematic reprisals against opposition members and supporters," said Kare Vollan, the leader of the group, which reported that Mr Mugabe's followers were carrying out arson, beating, torture and killing with "impunity".
Source: The Guardian
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