zimscoop

US Media Expert Says Zim Can Learn From US Broadcasting

2009-10-06T08:10:00.002-07:00

Harare, September 24, 2009: An American media expert says Zimbabwe can learn from the experience of the U.S. to provide a platform for under-represented and specialist communities through community broadcasting.

“It took nearly 30 years before both the government and the American population discovered that there was an unheard voice, an unheard community, a niche not being filled and reported about and community radio was going to help cover those communities,” said Stephen Coon, Emeritus Associate Professor at Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.

Coon was in Zimbabwe on a Visiting Speaker Program sponsored by the U. S. Embassy in Harare. The Visiting Speaker Program allows U.S. experts and personalities to meet directly with foreign publics through lectures, workshops and seminars to discuss American policies, society and culture.

The U.S. government granted its first commercial radio license in 1920, but it was in 1949 that the first community broadcasting station went on air.

Coon said the impetus for community broadcasting in the U.S. was assisted by enabling legislation noting that the U.S. government set aside a specific portion of the FM band frequency ‘exclusively and specifically’ for non-commercial radio stations.

“What we are doing with community radio in the U.S. is trying to meet the needs of specific groups and communities. Since 2000, the U.S. government has…encouraged individuals to apply for low power FM stations. The coverage is really small compared with commercial radio stations but it reaches the targeted audience,” Coon told participants at a discussion forum organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA- Zim) Harare Advocacy Committee at the Book Café’ last week.

Zimbabweans expect community radio stations to start operating following the liberalization of the broadcasting sector in 2000 which culminated in the promulgation of the Broadcasting Services Act. The law was revised in 2007 and in August this year Parliament submitted a list of names to the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity for consideration into the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. The BAZ is expected to invite and consider licenses from broadcasters, as well as allocate frequencies. The delays have been criticized by civic media groups.

“Although Zimbabwe got its independence in 1980, its constitutional claims of being a democracy have been dented by government’s failure to facilitate the licensing of private players including community radios,” said Kumbirai Mafunda, chairperson of MISA Zimbabwe Harare Advocacy Committee. MISA Zimbabwe has for the past several years been lobbying the government to relax restrictive provisions of media laws to allow alternative broadcasters in the media sector.

Coon chronicled the specific challenges facing community radio broadcasting, chief among which are sustainability, competition and professionalism.

“Sustainability of these media remains a key challenge throughout the world,” said Coon. In the U.S., said Coon, community radio stations receive financial support from an independent federal agency- the Corporation for Public Broadcasting - but these funds are limited due to increasing demand. As a result, a number of community broadcasters have devised a variety of fundraising initiatives to sustain their operations.

In addition to funding challenges, community radio often do not have as high of professional standards as those found in commercial broadcasting, said Coon.

“Many community radio stations operate on limited budgets. Most rely on volunteers and the challenge is to keep volunteers motivated. The quality of the news reporting and production is not as quite competitive as the commercial radio stations. That can be overcome,” said Coon who conducted training sessions for radio production training sessions for aspiring community radio stations in Harare and Bulawayo.

Despite the proliferation of different media including new media, community radio remains popular in the U.S. because “we still have voices, we still have issues, we still have topics that are still being reported on. We have communities that want to say something, have something to say, and have issues and concerns that need to be reported about. The mainstream media in the U.S. are simply not doing that,” said Coon.

This report was produced and distributed by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section. Comments and enquiries should be directed to the Tim Gerhardson, Public Affairs Officer, Tel.+ 263 4 758800-1, Fax: +263 4 758802, E-mail: hararepas@state.gov, http://harare.usembassy.gov

Frank Chikowore eyes top ZUJ post

2009-04-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

I am offering myself for the position of Secretary General in the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.

I have travelled to several parts of the country on a consultative process and the majority of the Union's membership has given me the thumbs up.

I wish to point out here as I launch my campaign that the time for corrupution at ZUJ is over, the time for personal agrandisement is over, the time for favouritism is over, say NO to segregation in union business and Vote Frank Chikowore for Secretray General.

Time is now for generational change! Time is now for leadership renewal! Time is now to reclaim our Union! Time is now to reclaim our profession!

Say No to de-facto ZUJ president Matthew Takaona's leadership style. I wish to remind him that ZUJ is not a dynasty, neither is a tuckshop or Animal Farm. All I need is your vote to provide capable leadership at ZUJ.

I assure the Union's membership that all ZUJ business would be conducted in a democratic and transparent manner in line with the mandate of Congress.

Vote Frank Chikowore for S-G.
Change Starts Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hotline: 0912 963 673

Reporters Without Borders Calls On Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai

2009-02-20T06:10:00.001-08:00

Dear Prime Minister,

Reporters Without Borders would like to congratulate you on taking office on 13 February as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe’s new government of national unity.

As you know, our organisation is very concerned about the many violations of human rights and press freedom that have taken place in Zimbabwe in recent years.

Reporters Without Borders therefore calls on you as Prime Minister to demonstrate a genuine political will to restore the rule of law. We think that the Zimbabwean government currently being formed should, as a matter of urgency, take the following three measures.

Firstly, we urge you to take effective action to obtain the release of all political prisoners, including journalist and human rights activist Jestina Mukoko and press photographer Shadreck Manyere. Your government should guarantee that no journalist is henceforth imprisoned in connection with their work.

Secondly, we ask you to adopt thorough reforms that guarantee press freedom and commit Zimbabwe to democratisation. We think that it is essential that your government should repeal that press law known as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), which was adopted in 2002. The Interception of Communications Act should also be repealed in order to guarantee Zimbabweans’ civil and political freedoms. Adopted on 3 August 2007, this law allows the government and the police to tap phone calls and intercept email messages and faxes without requesting permission from a judge.

Finally, we urge you to do everything possible to ensure that the Daily News, which was Zimbabwe’s leading independent newspaper, is able to resume publishing. The previous authorities always managed to prevent this, despite several court rulings in its favour. This newspaper’s reappearance on the newsstands would send a clear signal of the government’s determination to promote media diversity and independence.
Reporters Without Borders stands ready to make its expertise available to the Prime Minister’s office in achieving these goals.

We thank you in advance for giving our requests your careful consideration.

Respectfully,

Jean-François Julliard
Secretary-General

Award presentation at Syracuse

2009-01-30T04:34:00.000-08:00

It comes with a lot of hard work, commitment and passion for the profession.

(Pic: Nikky Allem and the Dean of the university present the award to Frank Chikowore)

Frank scoops the Free Speech Award

2009-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

I was honored with the Tully Center Free Speech Award here in the United States on Tuesday night.

I would like to thank the Tully Center, the people and organizations that nominated me for this award, not forgetting the panel of judges that saw it fit to recognize my work in poor Zimbabwe as well as all the people who braved the snowy weather to attend the awarding ceremony in the auditorium. It was "fantabulous".

I owe the award to the Zimbabwean people whose right to express themselves has been taken away. Freedom of expression is curtailed with impunity yet citizens continue to be exposed like a defenseless chick besides a hawk.

I must also say that there is freedom of speech in Zimbabwe but there is no freedom after the speech. Thanks again to the Tully Center and I would want to urge to continue the struggle for speech throughout the world.

Students Campaign for Mugabe's Deportation

2009-01-27T11:53:00.000-08:00

The Zimbabwe National Students Union yesterday, the 26th of January 2009 launched a campaign dubbed "Bring Bona Mugabe back to Zimbabwe". Please find below the petition to the Chinesse Embassy demanding the immediate return of President Mugabe''s daughter Bona back to Zimbabwe who is advancing her education at Hong Kong University.

27 January 2009
Chinese High Commissioner
Chinese Embassy
Baines Avenues
Harare,
Zimbabwe
c/o
Bona Mugabe
Corner J.Tongogara and 7th Avenues
Harare
RE: BRING BONA MUGABE BACK TO Zimbabwe Campaign
The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), representing the students of Zimbabwe calls for the return of Bona Mugabe, the daughter of the President- designate Mr Mugabe back home to come and suffer with other patriotic students studying in the State Universities. It is disheartening to note that the first family insolently sent daughter Bona Mugabe under an assumed name to the University of Hong Kong, China to further her studies while students in Zimbabwe suffer. Colleges and Universities in the country have failed to open since 2008 amongst other reasons, exorbitant and dollarization of fees, lecturers striking over poor remuneration, serious brain drain of staff resulting in students failing to sit for examinations.
It is the obligation of the Government to oversee that education is accessible to all. The failure by the Mugabe led Government to administer the education sector has seen the once prestigious education sector dilapidated from being one of the best in Africa. According to a UNDP 2006 report, Zimbabwe's literacy rate was at 86% in 1996 but has fallen to 46%. The state of education system is so deplorable that the President has seen it fit to trust the Chinese for the education of his daughter whilst ordinary students are failing to get decent education. The following issues have hit hard on the education system and the Mugabe led Administration has to take immediate action in resuscitating the education system:
· Dollarization of education
The proposed new fee structure quoted in foreign currency has forced thousands of students to drop out of college as a result of failure to pay fees.

· Brain drain
The mass exodus of teaching personnel has resulted in many colleges operating below capacity. Lecturers have migrated to neighboring countries in search of greener pastures and this has had led to the deterioration of the quality of education as many colleges were left with less qualified lecturers resulting in the manufacturing of half baked graduates.

· Academic freedoms
Academic freedoms have ceased to exist in the institutions of higher learning. The imposition of suppressive laws like the Ordinance 30 at colleges has led to the violation of the freedom of expression. Student leaders have been expelled, suspended, arrested for staging peaceful protests against the college administration and the Government over the deteriorating education system.

· Examinations
Lecturers have been on industrial action the greater part of the 2008 academic year and up to date and this has resulted in students failing to write end of semester examinations. 2008 can be declared a non academic year as no meaning learning took place . Grade 7, Ordinary and A Level students were forced to write final examinations without learning the whole year.

In conclusion, ZINASU demands the return of Bona Mugabe as a way of mounting pressure on President Mugabe to resuscitate the once prestigious education system.

Yours Faithfully
Blessing Vava
ZINASU Spokesperson
+263 913 022 456

ZINASU is a national union of students representing all institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe. Its vision is to see a robust education system in a democratic Zimbabwe. And its niche is to defend academic freedoms in Zimbabwe.-- Zimbabwe National Students Union353 Samora Machel Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe,+263912471673/ +263913010369http://us.mc1113.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=zinasu@gmail.com http://www.zinasu.org/ZINASU is a national union of students representing all institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe. Its vision is to see a robust education system in a democratic Zimbabwe. And its niche is to defend academic freedoms in Zimbabwe

Full Text: SADC Communique on Zimbabwe Crisis Talks

2009-01-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

The Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government met at the Presidential Guest house in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, on January 26-27, 2009. The Extraordinary Summit met to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.

2. The Extraordinary Summit was chaired by H.E. Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of South Africa

3. The Extraordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:
Botswana H.E. President Lt. Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Lesotho Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
Mozambique H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Namibia H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba
South Africa H.E. President Kgalema Motlanthe Chairperson of SADC
Swaziland H.M. King Mswati 111, Chairpeson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
United Republic of Tanzania H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Zambia H.E. Rupiah Banda
Zimbabwe H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
Angola Hon Assuncao Dos Anjos, Minister of External Affairs
DRC Hon Alexis Thambwe Muamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Seychelles Honourable Patrick Pillay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Malawi Hon George Chaponda, Minister of Local Governmnt and Rural Development
Madagascar Hon Dr Denis Andriamandroso, Madagascar Ambassador to South Africa
Mauritius Mr Anund Priyay Neewor, GOSK, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
4. The meeting was also attended by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and SADC Facilitator on the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, Leaders of MDC Formations, Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister Designate and Professor Welshman Ncube, representing Professor Arthur Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister Designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão.

5. In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe, Chairpeson of SADC and President for the Republic of South Africa welcomed all delegates to the meeting and re-affirmed SADC’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the implementation of the Zimbabwe global political agreement.

6. The Extraordinary Summit noted that the people of Zimbabwe are faced with difficult challenges and suffering that can only be addressed once an inclusive government in in place.

7. In view of the above, the Extraordinary Summit decided as follows:
(i) the parties shall endeavor to cause parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment 19 by February 5, 2009;
(ii) the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in by February 11, 2009;
(iii) the Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on February 13, 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government;
(iv) the Joint-Monitoring Implementation Committee (JOMIC), provided for in the Global Political Agreement shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of JOMIC shall be convened by the Facilitator on January 30, 2009, and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;
(v) the allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on November 9, 2008, shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the inclusive government;
(vi) the appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the inclusive government after its formation; and
(vii) the negotiators of the parties shall meet immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of the Provincial Governors;

8. the Extraordinary Summit expressed its appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, Former President of the Republic of South Africa and the Facilitator of the political dialogue on Zimbabwe in helping to find an amicable solution to challenges facing the Republic of Zimbabwe and encouraged him to continue with his facilitation efforts.
9. the Extraordinary Summit commended the political parties to the Global Political Agreement for their openness and constructive engagement in finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe.

10. SADC shall remain seized with the Zimbabwe situation in keeping with its obligations as guarantor of the Global Political Agreement.
11. the Extraordinary Summit directed the chairperson of the SADC to present the African Union at its forthcoming summit a progress report on the implementation of the Sham- El-Sheik Resolution.

12. the Extraordinary Summit received a brief on the prevailing security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and supports the government efforts to finding a lasting solution to the conflict in the Eastern part of the country. The government of the DRC expressed it gratitude to SADC for the support thus far rendered.

13. the Extraordinary Summit also urged the international community to continue providing the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo with humanitarian assistance.

14. His Excellency President Kgalema Motlanthe officially closed the extraordinary summit.
Pretoria, Republic of South Africa

January 27, 2009

2009-01-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

Frank in Syracuse, New York

2009-01-25T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have just arrived in Syracuse, New York and it's snowy here. I have met Barbara Croll Fought and Nichole Allem of the Newhouse School of Communications at the Syracuse University. They are both sociable and very accomodative.

I must say that I am pretty tired but I will be giving you more details when I get up; that is if the snow does not kill me.

I guess you are asking yourself what I am doing here! Just watch this space.

Tsvangirai returns from exile

2009-01-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to Zimbabwe today from self-imposed exile and immediately challenged President Robert Mugabe to respect the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people.

"I would like to emphasize that the MDC would be bulldozed into entering into a deal that does not reflect the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe", said Tsvangirai.

He was referring to participation in an inclusive government with Mugabe and MDC faction leader Arthur Mutambara.

The MDC says it will not take in the coalition government if key ministries such as Home Affairs, Local Government and Defence, were distributed equiatably amongst political parties.

Dhiziri Satire Earns Majongwe Award

2008-12-18T03:09:00.001-08:00

Saturday, 13 December 2008
HARARE - RAYMOND Majongwe’s controversial song Dhiziri KuChinhoyi won the human rights song of the year award at the Zimbabwe Human Rights Festival held in Harare last week.
The festival, organised by upcoming theatre production company Vhitori Entertainment, saw outstanding human rights defenders in different categories walking away with certificates and sculptures in recognition of their work.
Dhiziri KuChinhoyi talks of how a Grade 3 drop out, Nomatter Mavhunga, duped President Robert Mugabe’s entire Cabinet into believing that refined diesel was oozing out of a rock on the outskirts of Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West’s provincial capital.
In his acceptance speech, Majongwe said he was happy that people appreciated his music although it was not getting airplay from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
“I am happy that people love and appreciate my music even though it is not being played by ZBH,” the stocky trade unionist said. “Artists should be given a platform to express their views without fear of being victimised or harassed.”
Jenny Williams from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) scooped the woman activist of the year award at the same function. Woza also won the civic society award, while the legal activist of the year award went to Alec Muchadehama.
Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore was honoured as the human rights reporter of the year, while the religion award went to Anglican Archbishop Sebastian Bakare. UK ambassador Andrew Peacock, USA ambassador James McGee and Stan Rylander (Sweden’s ambassador) were also honoured as outstanding campaigners for the rights of Zimbabweans.
The late MDC activist Tonderayi Ndira, who was killed during the run-up to the June 27 presidential election run-off, was also given an award posthumously. The festival was expected to run until yesterday, with a showcase in Harare’s Kuwadzana high-density area.
Source: The Standard - www.thestandard.co.zw

Bring back Jestina Mukoko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

Jestina Mukoko was abducted December 3, 2008 by armed men in a pre-dawn raid of her home in Norton, about 40 kilometers south of the Zimbabwean capital Harare and her whereabouts remain unknown.

The government of President Robert Mugabe should do all it can to ensure the safety of Jestina Mukoko and ensure that the human rights monitor and former broadcaster is reunited with her family.

To me as a journalist, Jestina's abduction is an attack on press freedom in Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community as well as the African Union should press the Mugabe administration to release Jestina Mukoko unconditionally.

Free but not free

2008-07-19T02:26:00.000-07:00

I may have been removed from remand on July 14 together with 13 MDC activists on spurious charges but I continue to recieve threats from the state machinery. I now fear for my life.

Zimbabwe is my country, mine and for us all. I have nowhere to run to. But I believe everything has an ending.

Free at last

2008-07-19T02:20:00.000-07:00

A Harare magistrate removed me from remand together with 13 MDC activists on July 14 after the state failed to kickstart the trial for the fifth time.

This means the state will now have to proceed by way of summons , if it's necessary at all.

Armed policemen and state security agents arrested me April 15 and concocted charges of public violence against me and MDC activists in order to justify a crackdown on the opposition parties and undermine press freedom.

I was in the line of my journalistic duties when I was nabbed.

I am under siege

2008-06-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

Zanu PF supporters and war veterans besieged my Harare home Tuesday and abducted my 14 year-old nephew and took her to a ruling party base where the abductors forced the teenager to sing revolutionary songs as well as denounce MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. They also quizzed her on my whereabouts.

My life is now at risk.

House of Assembly Final Results

2008-04-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

MDC (Tsvnagirai) - 99
Zanu-PF - 97
MDC (Mutambara) - 10
Jonathan Moyo (Independent) -1

Results as at 1830 hours

2008-03-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

Mhangura
ZANU PF 11 042
MDC 1647
MDC 716

Kadoma Central

MDC (Tsv) 8 180
ZANU PF 2 738

Zvimba West
ZANU PF 7 281
MDC 3 801

Chitungwiza North

MDC (Tsv) 7 539
ZANU PF 2 073
MDC (Mut) 734
UPP 47

Zvimba East

ZANU PF 5 197
MDC (Ts) 3 554

Zaka West

MDC (Tsv) 4734
ZANU PF 4 030
PAFA 347
Indep 307

Mudzi South

ZANU PF 8 202
MDC (Tsv) 2 735
MDC (Mut) 1 370
UPP 180

Mazowe Central

MDC (Tsv) 5 573
ZANU PF (Chimutengwende) 4 136
UPP 119
ZPDP 79

Maramba-Pfungwe

ZANU PF 14 916
MDC (Tsv) 1 947
Indep 46

Kuwadzana

MDC (Matibenga) 8 763
ZANU PF 2 048
UPP 198
ZDP 58

Goromonzi North

ZANU PF 5 626
MDC (Tsv) 4 845
Zaka Central
MDC (Tsv) 5 972
ZANU PF 4 974
MDC (Mut) 1 255
Indep 289
Gutu West
ZANU PF 5 054
MDC (Tsv) 4 082
ZANU PF 2 384
Masvingo Central
MDC (Tsv) 4 905
ZANU PF 4 793
Indep 327
ZDP 293
UPP 250
**************************************************
Southerton
MDC (Tsv) 6092
ZANU PF 1 334
MDC (Mut) 900
UPP 99
Murehwa North
ZANU PF 7 104
MDC (Tsv) 6 468
Mabvuku-Tafara
MDC (Tsv) 7 677
ZANU PF 1 901
Indep 543
Indep 261
UPP 93
Mutoko South
ZANU PF 10 795
MDC (Tsv) 2 897
MDC (Mut) 762
UPP 200
Highfield West
MDC (Tsv) 7 532
ZANU PF 1 328
MDC (Mut) 907
ZPPDP 74
Murehwa South
ZANU PF 9 032
MDC (Tsv) 3 410
UPP 287
Kuwadzana East
MDC (Tsv) 8 381
ZANU PF 1 388
Indep 150
UPP 85
Masvingo South
ZANU PF 6 365
MDC 3 707
Indep 500
Mt Pleasant
MDC (Tsv) 3 875
ZANU PF 1 738
MDC (Mut) 1 426
ZCDP 152
Harare South
ZANU PF 7 111
MDC (Tsv) 4 389
MDC (Mut) 819
Sunningdale
MDC (Tsv) 7 071
ZANU PF 980
MDC (Mut) 834
ZANU PF 634
UPP 87
VP 63
Hwedza North
ZANU PF 6 267
MDC (Tsv) 3 586
Makoni Central
MDC (Tsv) 7 060
ZANU PF 4 055
Indep 1 305
Uzumba
ZANU PF 13 396
MDC (Tsv) 2 156
MDC (Mut) 814
Hatfield
MDC (Tsv) 9 575
ZANU PF 1 450
Indep 589
ZDP 54
Indep 0

Marondera East

ZANU PF 6 514
MDC (Tsv) 2 268
MDC (Mut) 788
Indep 201

Chipinge East

MDC (Tsv) 7 038
ZANU PF 4 131

Marondera West

ZANU PF 4 284
MDC (Tsv) 2 132
Indep 1520

Chegutu West

MDC Tsv 6772
ZANU PF 3 713
MDC – Mut 750

Goromonzi West

MDC Tsv 5 931
ZANU PF 6 193

Mutoko North

ZANU PF 6 922
MDC Tsv 3163
Indep 3023
MDC Tsv 1065

Mutasa South

MDC Tsv 8 207
ZANU PF 3 409
Indep 412

Mutare Central

MDC Tsv 7 284
ZANU PF 2 322
MDC Mut 639
Indep 117
ZPPDP 21

Chipinge Central

ZANU PF 6 377
MDC Tsv 5 862

Latest Election Results

2008-03-31T00:04:00.001-07:00

Chegutu West

MDC (Tsv) 6772
ZANU PF 3 713
MDC (Mut) 750

Goromonzi West

MDC (Tsv) 5 931
ZANU (PF) 6 193

Mutoko North

ZANU PF 6 922
MDC (Tsv) 3163
Indep 3023
MDC (Mut) 1065

Mutasa South

MDC Tsv 8 207
ZANU PF 3 409
Indep 412

Mutare Central

MDC (Tsv) 7 284
ZANU PF 2 322
MDC Mut 639
Indep 117
ZPPDP 21

Chipinge Central

ZANU PF 6 377
MDC (Tsv) 5 862

please visit this blog for more results as we get them.

MDC takes early lead, Chinamasa out!

2008-03-30T05:46:00.000-07:00

Information reaching Zimscoop suggests Morgan Tsvangirai is leading the pack in votes counted so far. Mugabe is second while Simba Makoni is a distant third. The MDC led by Tsvangirai has also won several seats in Harare and Bulawayo but we dont have the figures at the moment. Zimscoop will publish the full results as they come.

So far:

Patrick Chinamasa out

Job Sikhala out - lost to Marvellous Khumalo of the Tsvangirai faction

Information reaching us also says WEelshman Ncube is trailing behind Thokozani Khupe of the Tsvangirai faction

Elliott Manyika reportedly arrested in Bindura for violence.

please keep checking this blog, we will be giving yoiu updates as we get official results from the national command centre in Harare

MDC defies Chihuri

2008-03-29T04:19:00.000-07:00

HARARE- The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has defied the state saying it will announce the results of the ongoing elections “as they come”.

The party’s secretary general Tendai Biti told journalists this afternoon tha
t it was not unlawful for political parties to announce the results of the polls.

“There is nothing wrong for anyone to announce the election results”, said Biti. “What would be wrong would be to announce incorrect figures and I would want to challenge anyone to question us if we release incorrect figures”.

Biti’s remarks come a day after the Commissioner General of the Police, Augustine Chihuri, had decreed that no party would be allowed to announce the poll outcome. Chihuri said the results were only going to be made public by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, Biti said his party had unearthed elements of vote- rigging in the ongoing synchronized presidential and legislative polls.

Biti claimed there were a lot of assisted voters in several parts of the country while hundreds of people have since been turned away because “they are said to be alien”.

The opposition official also alleged that his political formation had received a report from independent parliamentary candidate aligned to former finance minister Simba Makoni’s project, Ibbo Mandaza, that six boxes containing postal ballots had been discovered in Mazowe.
The Zimbabwe Guardian had yet to verify these claims at the time of going to press.

MDC Polling Agents Barred From Polling Stations

2008-03-29T02:11:00.000-07:00

Opposition polling agents have reportedly been denied access to voting stations in Bikita West constituency amid reports that the anti-riot police squad has been deployed and allegedly victimizing suspected opposition voters.

This follows the arrests of 10 activists in the area yesterday. Reports suggest that one of the activists, Simba Chivasa suffered a fractured leg after he was allegedly assaulted in custody at Bikita Office Police Station.

“The riot police stationed in Bikita are reported to have been deployed from Masvingo, leading to their arbitrary threats on the polling officers”, according the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. “The polling agents had to flea for their dear life, deserting the polling stations”.

At the time of going to Press, the agents had not returned to their polling stations while voters continued to cast their ballots.

The coalition said the denying opposition polling agents access to polling stations was clear evidence that President Robert Mugabe’s administration was “determined to manipulate the already flowed process in its favour”.

Gospel musician Elias Musakwa of Zanu PF is contesting the Bikita West constituency seat against Heya Shoko of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mugabe is also contesting the presidency against his former finance minister Simba Makoni and long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the main opposition MDC. Little-known Langton Towungana is also vying for the country’s top job

In Harare, meanwhile, some potential voters decided not to join the polling queues but were instead queuing for basic commodities such as bread and sugar.

Harare, like many urban areas, is believed to be an opposition stronghold.

Some polling stations in Highfields – the ceremonial home of people power – opened some minutes late while some voters said the had joined the queues as early as 0400 hours. Others complained that the voting process was slow with polling officials saying this was because they only had one voters’ roll at every polling station.

It was taking about two minutes per voter to cast four ballots.

Zimbabweans today are electing councillors, members of the House of Assembly, the Senate as well as the president.

Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.

ELECTION WATCH: SMS Mockery For Mugabe

2008-03-29T02:04:00.000-07:00

Zimbabweans are using the Short Message Service (SMS) to mock the longest serving President in Africa, Robert Mugabe as the crisis-riddled country began one-day polls to elect a new head of state, senators, parliamentarians and councilors.

Despite the high cost of sending text messages, Zimbabwean people are sending each other various messages depicting Mugabe as an opposition after April 1.

One of the messages read: “News Headline on 1 April 2008 – Mugabe has begun his new life as the leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition. The 84 year-old former president has vowed to fight back into office in elections due 2013”.

Another message read: “Do you know of anyone offering four bakkies for hire? Someone offering huge sums in US dollars wants to hire the trucks to relocate from State House to Zvimba”

Zvimba is Mugabe’s rural home.

A number of Zimbabweans have in the past been arrested and charged under the Criminal Law and Codification Reforms Act for insulting the person of the presidency.

Eyes on Lusaka Summit

2007-08-16T02:22:00.000-07:00

I am in Johannesburg, South Africa. All eyes and ears are on Lusaka, Zambia. What's there? Nothing but the SADC Summit. What will come out of it? Is it the same old story where Southern Africa's bulldogs continue to give each other a pat on the back even if things are not so rosy in their countries, like the situation in Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe?

What will Mbeki tell the SADC leaders on the situation in Zimbabwe? how far has he gone in terms of facilitating dialogue? What would be the reaction of the SADC leaders?

I hope the meeting is not gonna be a damp squib.

Lets wait see...its only a few hours away... I hope to get feedback from a colleague on the ground

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slip Sliding Away

2007-08-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

I am not dead yet.

I am on vacation....but I will be dead one day

Zacras born

2007-07-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Frank Chikowore

Community radio initiatives in Zimbabwe formed an umbrella organization called the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) on Saturday.
ZACRAS will represent the interests of community radio stations at national level. The organization will also push for community radio stations to be given licenses by the government as required under the Broadcasting Services Act.
Since the promulgation of the Act, no single community radio station was granted a broadcasting license leaving the state-controlled public broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, to enjoy monopoly of the airwaves.
Radio Dialogue submmitted its application to the regulatory authority but it has since been turned without reason.
The private owned Capitol Radio was banned while Radio Voice Of the People had its equipment confiscated by the state for allegedly operating without a license forcing the station to relocate to South Africa.