13,75 million. Properties in that area sell for at least $60 million, more like $100 million.
2.It is said that there is a standing resolution that she would only have to pay 40% of that under-valued figure, i.e. $5,5 million, as Mayor or Acting Mayor of Harare. That is misuse of one’s position to enrich oneself at the cost of the majority of residents and ratepayers of Harare. We residents were not consulted on the decision to give officials, whether elected or not, discounts on property and other goods and services from our city. Municipal officials need to understand that they are our employees and answerable to us, be they the Mayor or the lowliest street-sweeper. Had we been consulted, I believe most residents would have refused such perks.
3.Sekesai Makwavarara is not the elected Mayor of Harare. She was elected Deputy Mayor for ONE YEAR by the other councillors on her initial election as councillor in 2002. When the substantive Executive Mayor, Elias Mudzuri, was removed from office she became Acting Mayor only until her year expired around August 2003. Sadly, political interference ensured that there was never another election for Deputy Mayor internally, or indeed Executive Mayor in a city-wide plebiscite, therefore she was thrust upon us and we have not been able to remove her! She certainly does not deserve any perk which may be accruing to an elected Mayor or Executive Mayor.
4.Sekesai Makwavarara is not the “sitting tenant” since she does not reside at 19 Nigel’s Lane. She resides in the Mayor’s Mansion which is more than adequate for her needs. It therefore appears that she is misusing her position for financial gain, letting out the property on a commercial basis.
5.She already owns a property in Harare in Mabvuku, most probably the one at 744 Tingini Street, Old Mabvuku, which she owned when she was elected councillor for Mabvuku on an MDC ticket in 2002. As such, she is not eligible to be a beneficiary of a municipal property in terms of Harare Municipality’s conditions for beneficiaries of Municipal housing and stands.
6.She has yet another property, as she is also the beneficiary of an A2 farm under the Government’s land redistribution exercise. She was allocated Tinto Farm, part of the Sipolilo Estate near Raffingora in Mashonaland West, in 2004, apparently through an Offer Letter from the Minister of Local Government, Dr Ignatius Chombo. This farm is some 800 hectares in extent, and she also took over everything inside the house, even granting an interview to the press “reclining in her comfortable lounge”, as I recall. She therefore does not need yet another property in Harare.
7.Now a member of the ZANU-PF party, Makwavarara has contravened the ZANU-PF Leadership Code by using her position for financial gain, and if she is allowed to purchase 19 Nigel’s Lane as well, it will compound her misdeeds in terms of her own party.
8.The fact that Makwavarara already paid a deposit of $1,4 million for the property on 1 September 2006 by cheque number 000428 Barclays Pearl House A/C number 2527746 which was receipted at Sunningdale on 033184 indicates that the process of calling for objections from ratepayers and residents is a mere formality. If Makwavarara has paid a deposit, the inference is that the property is already hers and she only has to pay in full. This is a very serious issue, to which I object most vehemently.
Frankly, “Harare Circus” is a total disgrace to the entire nation, even ZANU-PF itself! This proposed sale is but one small manifestation of the very deep and far-reaching malaise in the City of Harare which will only be resolved when residents can freely elect the Council of our choice and when our elected officials cannot be interfered with or removed undemocratically.
TRUDY STEVENSON, Harare
Sick and tired
SIR -We Exiled Youth of Zimbabwe won’t sit and watch our civic and political leaders being victimised and oppressed for our future. When there is a situation where security services constitutionally mandated to serve and protect the interests of the people, including the upholding of civil rights and liberties of the people, are personalised or tailored to serve the interest of a political party, we have an imbalance in social and political interest.
We are sick and tired of the Mugabe regime using the security forces to crush and silence our “No confidence” in his Government. We demand our civil liberty, you don’t ask liberty from a Dictator but you demand it.
Alois Phiri Mbawara and Wellington Chibanguza, Free-Zim Youth
True heroes of Africa
SIR – It is shameful, the Zimbabwean government is even scared of ordinary South African youths. The deportation of Buti Manamela and his team is disgraceful in the face of SADC. Unfortunately not even one of the regional leaders could boldly condemn such barbaric behaviour by the Mugabe regime.
We condemn such inhuman behaviour by a sitting government of a so-called sovereign state. To Buti and his team, we say “You are true heroes of Africa. You have shown true African Brotherhood. Do not give up to fight for what is right. The effects of the Zimbabwean crisis is affecting all of you directly. The suffering of your fellow youths up North cannot go unchallenged and we hope all the other youths in the region will follow your footsteps.”
On behalf of all peace-loving people of Zimbabwe, we apologise over the barbaric reception you received in our country. You are not enemies of Zimbabwe and you are not prohibited immigrants in our country.
Jay Jay Sibanda, SA
Become unpredictable
SIR – If we want to be successful and beat ZANU-PF, we have to change the game plan and become unpredictable, more fluid and more serious. Why do they keep hitting their heads against a brick wall? To bring change, we have to change ourselves. We have to change the way we behave, we have to change the way we think, we have to change the game plan.
Why is WOZA so successful? Why did Morgan successfully march to Parliament and successfully drop a petition last week?
Concerned Zimbabweans, SA
Milk and money mujiba
Sir – The press reports that Gideon Gono’s Russian Central Bank associate – Andrei Kozlov – was shot dead recently.
I think that Gideon – Mugabe’s most favourite “milk and money mujiba” might do well to take time to give some thought to “self awareness.” In Covey’s words “lose your self awareness and you become like grovelling animals who live primarily for survival and propagation.” One could be forgiven for thinking that Covey was referring to Zanu PF.
Gideon could also give some thought to the trillions that he has stolen from the people, as well as spare a thought for his late friend, Andrei Kozlov. George Bernard Shaw puts it somewhat differently “Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.” Once a person has stolen trillions – “living primarily for survival” appears to be the next preoccupation.
GONOLOGIST, Australia
Silent voices cry out
SIR – As we wait to see Robert Mugabe either leave the position of power voluntarily, stampeded out or otherwise, it is fittingly this very time that we should start deliberating on the prospects of a new constitution with intense resolution. In such a debate, the issue of ethnic imbalances must not be left out.
A regular columnist of this valuable publication made mention recently of the launch of a book titled ‘Silent Voices’. The author laments the struggle by minority groups to have their children taught at school in their respective languages. It has always disturbed the minds of many to be coerced to learn Ndebele or Shona in 26 years of our independence much to the chagrin of their mother languages. But why has this remained the case? The current constitution is flawed to the extent it does not fully reflect the will of the people.
Tonga, Kalanga,Venda, Nambya, Xhosa, Nambya, Sotho and Shangaan people had been kept on the sidelines for years. We have ample evidence to acknowledge that the regime of Robert Mugabe is adept as dividing people over the years as a strategy to cling to power. The current constitution is designed in such a way that minorities must remain suppressed.
The paralysis imposed on these people takes many forms. They have been strategically impoverished and have no access to sound education. Again the dictatorship has ensured that it is entirely not easy for them to partake in political, economic and social issues pertaining to our country. What baffles the mind is that the rare occasions that the government has been cognisant of these people is when election time came. Yet they are dumped after their much-needed vote has been cast. I must correctly assert that we all desperately need to break loose from the absurd thinking that minority tribes are inferior.
What makes this problem more complex is that the particular ethnic groups are devoid of the attacking ambitions to highlight their plight. But we must realise that they where born into a country they did not choose and have love for their country just as any body. We therefore need to make up for the lack of a killer instinct in these silent voices by lending the necessary support.
JAY-ZAT, Jozi
Out, but ready to go back
SIR – ZINASU wishes to express its profound solidarity with those almost maimed by this satanic government which now needs international intervention for redemption. The students of Zimbabwe are seriously disturbed by the unlawful arrests and barbaric attacks on labour leaders. We commit ourselves to write letters to International Labour Organisation, Thabo Mbeki, United Nations, European Union, African Union, SADC and all other relevant international bodies urging them to act on Mugabe and compel him and his rogue regime to comply with the principles that espouse the respect, protection and promotion of human rights as articulated in the numerous human rights covenants to which Zimbabwe is a party.
We salute and are inspired by the courage and resolve of the ZCTU leadership and the workers. The regime fears its misdemeanors and knows the hour is late. The people have decided they want to be free and nothing will stop them now.
Meanwhile the petition to be submitted to the President by ZINASU will go on unabated. The students are not afraid, they are more determined than ever and as their President I shall be the first to step onto the battlefield and shall be the last to step out, but we will all come back home together.
Promise Mkwananzi, President Zimbabwe National Students Union, Harare
Sport
Vermeulen banned
LONDON – Former Zimbabwean test cricketer Mark Vermeulen has been banned from cricket in England after allegedly throwing a ball at a fan in a recent Lancashire club match.
Footage taken by the BBC shows Vermeulen being restrained after he lost his temper with a fan who had heckled him during a cricket match. It was believed that he had returned to Zimbabwe after the incident however this is not the case and he now faces a disciplinary hearing in England on his actions.
Vermeulen’s lawyer told the BBC “Mark is devastated to find himself in this position and understands that his behaviour at the match in question was far from acceptable. Naturally he wishes to offer his heartfelt apologies not just to those who witnessed the incident, but to the league and his team-mates.”
Vermeulen is no stranger to drama on the field, he was banned from schools cricket in Zimbabwe in 1996 after knocking out his stumps when he disagreed with an “out” decision given by the umpire. – KJW
Mutasa an ‘asset’ in Qatar
JOHANNESBURG -Zimbabwe’s international under-20 acrobatic goalkeeper, Kundai “Chief” Mutasa (19), who signed a three year contract at A1 Rayyan Football Club in Qatar last month, has been described by the club technical department as an “essential assert”.
Qatar officials are even contemplating offering the former CAPS United junior and Eastern Highlands Academy player Qatar citizenship with a view to having him play for their national soccer squad.
Mutasa gets a monthly salary of US$12 000, US$3000 winning bonuses, US$500 allowances, US$150 medical, accommodation and own transport.
Before being snatched by A1 Rayyan FC in Qatar, Mutasa briefly trained with Wits University Football Club in Johannesburg but the club asked for “too much papers”, a move that forced Mutasa to leave the club as he felt the South African soccer side was xenophobic.
Mutasa, who in the off-season was included in the squad that toured Europe and played in the East Europe Tournament before rubbing shoulders with big names in the six tournament tournament that featured Real Madrid (with David Beckham), Barcelona, Valencia, Sagan from Japan, Perak from Indonesia and Pohang Steelers from South Korea. -CAJ News
SA coach wants limit on foreign players
JOHANNESBURG – Carlos Alberto Parreira, the recently appointed South African national soccer team coach, wants the number of foreign players in that country’s top flight league reduced to three per club.
Current rules allow five foreign players to be fielded at the same time. If Parreira’s recommendation is taken on board by the South African Football Association (SAFA) it will spell doom for the multitude of Zimbabwean players who ply their trade in that country.
At least 20 top Zimbabwe players, including eight national team members, have established themselves in the PSL and some have over the years won numerous accolades, including PSL player of the year and top goal scorer of the year awards. Countless more play in lower divisions.
South Africa are hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Parreira wants the PSL to be flooded with local talent, a strategy he hopes will help him by having a big player base to choose from. Worringly that country’s football players union has thrown its weight behind Parreira’s efforts to reduce the number of foreign players in the Premier Soccer League.
The problem with this is that many Zimbabwean players will be affected if this quota system is introduced. Football authorities are expected to call for an indaba to discuss this controversial topic. – Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa
Greg Lamb man of the match
LONDON – Greg Lamb, 26-year-old Zimbabwean all-rounder, emerged as an unlikely man-of-the-match as Hampshire kept alive their promotion hopes in the Pro40 League with a dramatic five-run win over Yorkshire at Headingley.
Recalled by Hampshire and playing for a new contract, Harare-born Lamb top-scored with 64 in Hampshire’s 220-9.
Then, the sixth bowler used with Shane Warne ruled out by injury, the off-spinner took two wickets in a tense last over to finish with 4-38 as Yorkshire collapsed from 201-5 to 215 all out.
Hampshire will now host Glamorgan on Sunday in English cricket’s first-ever play-off to decide who joins already promoted Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in Division 1 next season.
Ex-Zimbabwe star Andy Flower scored 81 as Essex, the new Division 1 champions, recovered from 12-3 to total 201-8 at Durham. But Essex lost by six wickets, with Durham relegated along with Middlesex. -John Hughes
Adebayor strike sinks Unite
LONDON – An 85th-minute goal by Emmanuel Adebayor earned Arsenal their first Premier League win of the season as Manchester United’s 100 per cent record was ended by a 1-0 home defeat watched by a crowd of 75,59. Didier Drogba scored the only goal as Chelsea, the champions, won 1-0 at home to Liverpool, but Michael Ballack, Chelsea’s new German midfield ace, faces a three-match ban after being red-carded for the first time in his career.
Congo star Lomana LuaLua clinched table-topping Portsmouth’s 1-0 win at Charlton and new Nigerian signing Obafemi Martins scored his first Newcastle goal in a 2-0 scoreline at West Ham. South Africa’s Benni McCarthy was among the Blackburn scorers in a 4-2 home win over Manchester City, while Austria midfielder Paul Scharner twice equalised for Wigan in a 2-2 draw at high-flying Everton.
In Scotland, leaders Celtic laboured to a 1-0 home win over Dunfermline. But Rangers slipped up 2-1 at Hibernian where Chris Killen struck twice before being sent off just before the final whistle.
This weekend, newly-promoted Reading, who lie in sixth place, host Manchester United on Sunday. The day before, Celtic are at home to Rangers in the big Glasgow derby. -John Hughes
Warriors booted out of Cosafa Castle Cup
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Warriors were booted out of the Cosafa Castle Cup after narrowly losing 2-1 to Angola in a closely fought semi-final tie at the National Sports Stadium in Harare at the weekend.
Zimbabwe used a largely developmental side but they found the going tough against the more experienced Angolans. The Angolans will now travel to Lusaka for the final against Zambia.
The Warriors dominated play but were let down by lack of penetration inside the Angola box. The visitors were the first to settle down and scored in the first half through midfielder, Gazeta who took advantage of some terrible defending by Zimbabwe to slot home past goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
There was nothing he could have done as he was left all alone to face the Angolan man.
But Zimbabwe were not intimidated and came back a rejuvinated side in the second half. They grabbed the equaliser through hard working midfielder, Francis Chandida.
The talented midfielder responded faster than everyone in the box to level the scores.
But Zimbabwe were to lose towards the end of the match when goalkeeper Dube made a blunder which resulted in Angola’s goal.
The Masvingo United goalminder unnecessarily rushed out of his goal area and striker Lebo was on hand to place a header in an empty net. – ZimOnline
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