By Blessing Zulu
Washington
11 July 2008
Discussion With Mulegeta Abai & Charles Mutama - Download (MP3) audio clip
Discussion With Mulegeta Abai & Charles Mutama - Listen (MP3) audio clip
Critics of the government of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe at one time used to make references to George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm.” But now a more appropriate reference according to some observers is the author's grim “1984,” in which Big Brother exercises total control over a subdued population through the mechanism of fear.
Political analysts say fear is the predominant emotion in Zimbabwean society today: fear of political violence, fear of being identified as a member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and thus being targeted for punishment, even death.
Nongovernmental organizations and even church leaders are pulling back in the face of mounting governmental pressure.
In addition there has been a proliferation of informants, making many Zimbabweans afraid of each other, for fear that criticism of the government might be reported to the authorities or, worse, the ZANU-PF militia, leading to abduction, torture and possibly death.
Harare observers say society is deeply traumatized and that there is need for national healing to help it recover from the shock of the wave of violence since March 29 elections.
For a closer look at the fear factor in today’s Zimbabwe, reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe turned to torture survivor and political activist Charles Mutama, now exiled in the United States, and Mulugeta Abai, executive director of the Canadian Center For Victims of Torture, who said the Mugabe government is using violence to retain power.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Commemoration of June 26- United Nations Day Against Torture
Survivors gathered at the White House in Washington DC on Saturday to commemorate the United Nations Day Against Torture. The event was hosted by the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC International). Mr Mutama gave a testimony of his torture ordeal at the hands of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in 2003 when he was arrested alongside former Member of Parliament, Job Sikhala, and human rights lawyer, Gabriel Shumba. The event was characterized by a mock jail cell, testimonies from survivors, lighting of candles in remembrance of those who suffered the ordeal, poetry, music and a 24 hour vigil outside the White House at Lafayette Park. Mr Mutama recorded the names of some Zimbabwean survivors of torture on the wall of remembrance and one of the most prominent was of Tonderai Ndira who was abducted and tortured to death by ruling ZANU PF militias after the March 29 joint Council, Parliamentary, Senatorial and Presidential elections in Zimbabwe.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
African Union urged to take stern measures against Mugabe
By Tichaona Sibanda
29 June 2008
Most Zimbabweans believe the African Union should intervene to resolve the crisis in the country and there are many calls on the African body to unite in rejecting Robert Mugabe’s new term as president.
Political analyst Isaac Dziya said the AU should be tough with Mugabe, saying the credibility of the African body was at stake, considering that most of the world leaders have discredited the elections.
Dziya said the AU should be encouraged to take a cue from what the U.S plans to do next week, which is to introduce a UN resolution seeking tough action against Zimbabwe to send ‘a strong message of deterrence’ to the regime - according to the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
‘The AU can start by calling for new free and fair elections that are monitored by the international community, after which they should consider sanctions against Mugabe if he refuses to comply,’ Dziya said.
But on Sunday China balked at US calls for a UN arms embargo on Zimbabwe, despite an appeal by Rice for immediate strong international action to end the political violence.
Reports said Rice and her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, met in Beijing to discuss US plans to introduce both an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mugabe’s regime.
Rice told a press conference that the situation in the country had deteriorated to a very grave level. ‘We believe that it is really now time for the international community to act strongly, but we are consulting about what measures might be taken,’ she said.
29 June 2008
Most Zimbabweans believe the African Union should intervene to resolve the crisis in the country and there are many calls on the African body to unite in rejecting Robert Mugabe’s new term as president.
Political analyst Isaac Dziya said the AU should be tough with Mugabe, saying the credibility of the African body was at stake, considering that most of the world leaders have discredited the elections.
Dziya said the AU should be encouraged to take a cue from what the U.S plans to do next week, which is to introduce a UN resolution seeking tough action against Zimbabwe to send ‘a strong message of deterrence’ to the regime - according to the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
‘The AU can start by calling for new free and fair elections that are monitored by the international community, after which they should consider sanctions against Mugabe if he refuses to comply,’ Dziya said.
But on Sunday China balked at US calls for a UN arms embargo on Zimbabwe, despite an appeal by Rice for immediate strong international action to end the political violence.
Reports said Rice and her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, met in Beijing to discuss US plans to introduce both an arms embargo and a travel ban on Mugabe’s regime.
Rice told a press conference that the situation in the country had deteriorated to a very grave level. ‘We believe that it is really now time for the international community to act strongly, but we are consulting about what measures might be taken,’ she said.
Cosatu urges Africa not to recognize Mugabe ‘win’
By Tererai Karimakwenda
Sun June 28, 2008
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Sunday announced the results of the presidential runoff between Robert Mugabe and - Robert Mugabe. MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the race a week before the poll, citing massive violence and intimidation, including the assassination of nearly 100 of it’s key officials.
Even before any of the ‘results’ were out Mugabe was claiming an overwhelming win. According to ZEC, Mugabe won the election with 85.51 percent of the vote, receiving 2,150,269 votes compared to 233,000 for Tsvangirai, whose name had been left on the ballots. There were 131,481 spoilt ballots.
Announcing the winner, the chief elections officer Lovemore Sekeramayi said: "I therefore declare the said Mugabe, Robert Gabriel, the duly elected president of the Republic of Zimbabwe," As soon as results were announced, the Congress of South African Trade Unions released a strongly worded statement urging African countries to refuse to recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate head of state of Zimbabwe. COSATU appealed to them to bar Mugabe from attending any meetings of the African Union or SADC.
COSATU spokesperson Patrick Craven explained that Africa should not legitimise the rule of a dictator who is imposing his will through violence and intimidation.
He said: “The African leaders should recognise an interim government that would organise proper elections that are free and fair. Mugabe lost his mandate on March 29 and they should not invite him to any AU meetings.”
Sun June 28, 2008
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Sunday announced the results of the presidential runoff between Robert Mugabe and - Robert Mugabe. MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the race a week before the poll, citing massive violence and intimidation, including the assassination of nearly 100 of it’s key officials.
Even before any of the ‘results’ were out Mugabe was claiming an overwhelming win. According to ZEC, Mugabe won the election with 85.51 percent of the vote, receiving 2,150,269 votes compared to 233,000 for Tsvangirai, whose name had been left on the ballots. There were 131,481 spoilt ballots.
Announcing the winner, the chief elections officer Lovemore Sekeramayi said: "I therefore declare the said Mugabe, Robert Gabriel, the duly elected president of the Republic of Zimbabwe," As soon as results were announced, the Congress of South African Trade Unions released a strongly worded statement urging African countries to refuse to recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate head of state of Zimbabwe. COSATU appealed to them to bar Mugabe from attending any meetings of the African Union or SADC.
COSATU spokesperson Patrick Craven explained that Africa should not legitimise the rule of a dictator who is imposing his will through violence and intimidation.
He said: “The African leaders should recognise an interim government that would organise proper elections that are free and fair. Mugabe lost his mandate on March 29 and they should not invite him to any AU meetings.”
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Botswana sets up Zim Refuge Camp
Local
Saturday, 03 May 2008 18:12
Botswana has set up a temporary refugee centre to receive Zimbabweans fleeing politically-motivated violence which began after the disputed 29 March election results.
In a statement released on Friday, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, said there had been an influx of Zimbabweans seeking refuge and international protection in the aftermath of the polls.
"For some time we have been receiving illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe seeking economic opportunities who have been crossing at un-gazetted entry points into Botswana," he said.
Few of these people sought asylum, Seretse said.
"But, since the elections, we have received a number of people actively seeking political asylum and international protection and alleging they feared for their lives," he said, adding there was a probability the numbers would grow.
The government’s decision to set up the temporary facility comes amid growing fears in the international community that the situation in Zimbabwe was edging towards a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
Last week, Western countries, including Britain and the United States, urged by the MDC, successfully put Zimbabwe on the United Nations Security Council agenda.
They tried to steer the council to adopt a common strategy on the situation in the country where the delayed announcement of the results of the presidential election have sparked a political crisis.
But the government’s allies such as China and Russia blocked the move, saying the election impasse in Zimbabwe was an internal issue not warranting UN intervention.
Both countries sponsored the liberation struggle against white rule, with arms, ammunition and training.
The MDC says 10 of its supporters have been killed and thousands more displaced by marauding Zanu PF militia and war veterans protesting President Robert Mugabe’s defeat at the polls.
A spokesman for presidential candidate Simba Makoni’s Mavambo/Kusile project, Joshua Muhambi said a number of their supporters from Plumtree were last weekend forced to cross the border into Botswana by war veterans terrorising villagers.
Earlier in the week media reports in Botswana cited officials as saying hundreds of Zimbabweans were entering Botswana through undesignated entry points, forcing the authorities there to set up a temporary camp inside the Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Francistown.
Under normal circumstances, Botswana accommodates hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers at the Dukwi Camp near its border with Namibia but authorities said due to the sudden influx, the temporary centre would now be used to screen new arrivals.
The independent Mmegi newspaper quoted Francistown district commissioner, Richard Oaitse, as saying refugees, including children, were being accommodated at the temporary shelter and more were expected last week.
"A tent has been erected within the Centre for Illegal Immigrants so that they don’t mix with other nationalities that are currently at the centre for various reasons," he said.
In the mining town of Selebi Phikwe, which is close to the Zimbabwean border, the district officer, Khumo Keeng, told the paper the refugees were being relayed to Francistown for screening.
Since 2000 about 100 refugees from Zimbabwe have been staying at Dukwi and the centre’s administrator, Ephraim Sekeinya said during the past two years they had not received anyone escaping political persecution.
The camp also housed Zimbabwean refugees during the liberation war.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai who beat Mugabe to the presidency has sought temporary refuge in Botswana, saying his personal security was at risk.
This forced Botswana’s new President Seretse Ian Khama to plead with Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa to call an urgent Sadc summit to discuss the political impasse.
Botswana MPs introduced a motion calling on Mugabe to respect the election outcome.
By Kholwani Nyathi
Saturday, 03 May 2008 18:12
Botswana has set up a temporary refugee centre to receive Zimbabweans fleeing politically-motivated violence which began after the disputed 29 March election results.
In a statement released on Friday, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, said there had been an influx of Zimbabweans seeking refuge and international protection in the aftermath of the polls.
"For some time we have been receiving illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe seeking economic opportunities who have been crossing at un-gazetted entry points into Botswana," he said.
Few of these people sought asylum, Seretse said.
"But, since the elections, we have received a number of people actively seeking political asylum and international protection and alleging they feared for their lives," he said, adding there was a probability the numbers would grow.
The government’s decision to set up the temporary facility comes amid growing fears in the international community that the situation in Zimbabwe was edging towards a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
Last week, Western countries, including Britain and the United States, urged by the MDC, successfully put Zimbabwe on the United Nations Security Council agenda.
They tried to steer the council to adopt a common strategy on the situation in the country where the delayed announcement of the results of the presidential election have sparked a political crisis.
But the government’s allies such as China and Russia blocked the move, saying the election impasse in Zimbabwe was an internal issue not warranting UN intervention.
Both countries sponsored the liberation struggle against white rule, with arms, ammunition and training.
The MDC says 10 of its supporters have been killed and thousands more displaced by marauding Zanu PF militia and war veterans protesting President Robert Mugabe’s defeat at the polls.
A spokesman for presidential candidate Simba Makoni’s Mavambo/Kusile project, Joshua Muhambi said a number of their supporters from Plumtree were last weekend forced to cross the border into Botswana by war veterans terrorising villagers.
Earlier in the week media reports in Botswana cited officials as saying hundreds of Zimbabweans were entering Botswana through undesignated entry points, forcing the authorities there to set up a temporary camp inside the Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Francistown.
Under normal circumstances, Botswana accommodates hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers at the Dukwi Camp near its border with Namibia but authorities said due to the sudden influx, the temporary centre would now be used to screen new arrivals.
The independent Mmegi newspaper quoted Francistown district commissioner, Richard Oaitse, as saying refugees, including children, were being accommodated at the temporary shelter and more were expected last week.
"A tent has been erected within the Centre for Illegal Immigrants so that they don’t mix with other nationalities that are currently at the centre for various reasons," he said.
In the mining town of Selebi Phikwe, which is close to the Zimbabwean border, the district officer, Khumo Keeng, told the paper the refugees were being relayed to Francistown for screening.
Since 2000 about 100 refugees from Zimbabwe have been staying at Dukwi and the centre’s administrator, Ephraim Sekeinya said during the past two years they had not received anyone escaping political persecution.
The camp also housed Zimbabwean refugees during the liberation war.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai who beat Mugabe to the presidency has sought temporary refuge in Botswana, saying his personal security was at risk.
This forced Botswana’s new President Seretse Ian Khama to plead with Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa to call an urgent Sadc summit to discuss the political impasse.
Botswana MPs introduced a motion calling on Mugabe to respect the election outcome.
By Kholwani Nyathi
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
URGENT APPEAL
TO: THE US STATE DEPARTMENT
My name is Charles Mutama and I am Zimbabwean national living in the United States who is concerned with the ongoing state- sponsored violence in my home country. Recently, this brutality claimed the life of one brave woman activist who attempted to rescue her colleagues from a ZANU PF torture chamber. She belonged to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which just won a majority in the Zimbabwean Parliament. This courageous heroin lived in Gunda Village, Makoni West in Zimbabwe and was laid to rest there.
The perpetrator of this violence is unfortunately believed to be posted at the Zimbabwean Embassy in the United States of America. He has been identified as Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma who was allegedly responsible for the shooting of a defenseless and unarmed civilian identified as Tabitha Marume.
As a survivor of torture and organized violence in Zimbabwe, I am urging you to immediately institute an investigation into the presence of Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma, a perpetrator of organized violence and torture, at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington DC and institute legal proceedings towards his arrest or deportation from the United States.
It is my hope that this individual will face justice for the alleged commission of this crime against humanity.
My name is Charles Mutama and I am Zimbabwean national living in the United States who is concerned with the ongoing state- sponsored violence in my home country. Recently, this brutality claimed the life of one brave woman activist who attempted to rescue her colleagues from a ZANU PF torture chamber. She belonged to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which just won a majority in the Zimbabwean Parliament. This courageous heroin lived in Gunda Village, Makoni West in Zimbabwe and was laid to rest there.
The perpetrator of this violence is unfortunately believed to be posted at the Zimbabwean Embassy in the United States of America. He has been identified as Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma who was allegedly responsible for the shooting of a defenseless and unarmed civilian identified as Tabitha Marume.
As a survivor of torture and organized violence in Zimbabwe, I am urging you to immediately institute an investigation into the presence of Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma, a perpetrator of organized violence and torture, at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington DC and institute legal proceedings towards his arrest or deportation from the United States.
It is my hope that this individual will face justice for the alleged commission of this crime against humanity.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Vanhu Vogara Vakaratidzira paMuzinda weZimbabwe muAmerica Na Carole Gombakomba
02/05/2008
Hurukuro naVa Charles Mutama - Download (MP3)
Hurukuro naVa Charles Mutama - Teererai (MP3)
Vana veZimbabwe vari kugara muAmerica, pamwe neshamwari dzavo dziri munyika iyi dziri kurwadzikana nezviri kuitika muZimbabwe, varatidzira neChishanu pamuzinda weZimbabwe muAmerica, uyo uri muWashington DC. Vanhu ava vanoti vari kushungurudzika zvikuru nekuurayiwa kuri kuitwa vanhu muZimbabwe.
Mumwe wevataura pachiitiko ichi, ndimuzvinafundo wepa American University, Professor George Ayittey, avo vanorwira kodzero dzevanhu, pamwe nekuongorora zvematongerwo enyika. Va Ayittey vatsoropodza zvikuru zviri kuitwa nehurumende yaVaMugabe, vachiti zviri kuitwa naVaMugabe, zvinhu zvinonyadzisa vanhu vose venyika dzose dzemu Africa.
Vatiwo kupondwa kuri kuitwa vanhu, pamwe nekuramba kwanga kuchiita ZEC kubiditsa zvakabuda musarudzo yemutungamiri wenyika, kunoratidza pachena kuti Va Mugabe vazvitadza, naizvozvo vanofanirwa kusiya chigaro chemutungamiri wenyika.
Mumwe wevaratidzira ndiVaCharles Mutama, nhengo yeMDC Washington Branch. VaMutama mumwe wevanhu vakabuda munyika mushure mekunge vatocherwa nyaya dzezve matongerwo enyika.
Svondo rapera, mutungamiri weWOZA, Amai Jenni Williams, vakaratidzira pamuzinda uyu nevamwe vavo vatatu, apo vaishanya muWashington. Mwedzi wapera zvakare, VaMutama, vakaratidzira pamuzinda uyu vari vega, vachikurudzira kuti mumiriri weZimbabwe muAmerica, Ambassador Machivenyika Mapuranga vasvitse shoko kuna VaMugabe rekuti vaburitse zvakabuda musarudzo yemutungamiri wenyika, uye kumisa kupondwa pamwe nekushungurudzwa kuri kuitwa nhengo dzeMDC.
Mutori wenhau dzeStudio7, Carole Gombakomba, aita hurukuro naVaMutama, avo vanoti kuratidzira kwavo inzira yekuudza mumiriri weZimbabwe muAmerica, Ambassador Machiwenyika Mapuranga, kuti vaudze VaMugabe kuti zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe zviri muAmerica, hazvisi kufara nezviri kuitika munyika.
Hurukuro naVa Charles Mutama - Download (MP3)
Hurukuro naVa Charles Mutama - Teererai (MP3)
Vana veZimbabwe vari kugara muAmerica, pamwe neshamwari dzavo dziri munyika iyi dziri kurwadzikana nezviri kuitika muZimbabwe, varatidzira neChishanu pamuzinda weZimbabwe muAmerica, uyo uri muWashington DC. Vanhu ava vanoti vari kushungurudzika zvikuru nekuurayiwa kuri kuitwa vanhu muZimbabwe.
Mumwe wevataura pachiitiko ichi, ndimuzvinafundo wepa American University, Professor George Ayittey, avo vanorwira kodzero dzevanhu, pamwe nekuongorora zvematongerwo enyika. Va Ayittey vatsoropodza zvikuru zviri kuitwa nehurumende yaVaMugabe, vachiti zviri kuitwa naVaMugabe, zvinhu zvinonyadzisa vanhu vose venyika dzose dzemu Africa.
Vatiwo kupondwa kuri kuitwa vanhu, pamwe nekuramba kwanga kuchiita ZEC kubiditsa zvakabuda musarudzo yemutungamiri wenyika, kunoratidza pachena kuti Va Mugabe vazvitadza, naizvozvo vanofanirwa kusiya chigaro chemutungamiri wenyika.
Mumwe wevaratidzira ndiVaCharles Mutama, nhengo yeMDC Washington Branch. VaMutama mumwe wevanhu vakabuda munyika mushure mekunge vatocherwa nyaya dzezve matongerwo enyika.
Svondo rapera, mutungamiri weWOZA, Amai Jenni Williams, vakaratidzira pamuzinda uyu nevamwe vavo vatatu, apo vaishanya muWashington. Mwedzi wapera zvakare, VaMutama, vakaratidzira pamuzinda uyu vari vega, vachikurudzira kuti mumiriri weZimbabwe muAmerica, Ambassador Machivenyika Mapuranga vasvitse shoko kuna VaMugabe rekuti vaburitse zvakabuda musarudzo yemutungamiri wenyika, uye kumisa kupondwa pamwe nekushungurudzwa kuri kuitwa nhengo dzeMDC.
Mutori wenhau dzeStudio7, Carole Gombakomba, aita hurukuro naVaMutama, avo vanoti kuratidzira kwavo inzira yekuudza mumiriri weZimbabwe muAmerica, Ambassador Machiwenyika Mapuranga, kuti vaudze VaMugabe kuti zvizvarwa zveZimbabwe zviri muAmerica, hazvisi kufara nezviri kuitika munyika.
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