International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe

Zim Treason Trial.Cross-examination of state witness commences.

2011-11-01T16:20:00.000+02:00

The cross-examination of key sate witness ,a state informer who claims to be Detective Sergeant Jonathan Shoko commenced today at Rotten Row Court in Harare.Defence Attorney Alec Muchadehama seeks to prove the unrealability of Shoko's evdidencev which was presented last week.The state is heavily depending on iots informer in the trial of our comrades Munyaradzi Gwisai,Tafadzwa Choto,Tatenda Mombeyarara,Hopewell Gumbo and others.Meanwhile the trial has been adjourned to Friday the 04th of November 2011.

Zim. Socialists Trial Has Begun. Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

2011-09-15T17:13:00.000+02:00

The trial of International Socialist Organisation General Coordinator Munyaradzi Gwisai, National Librarian Tatenda Mombeyarara, NCC member Tafadzwa Choto and other comrades namely Hopewell Gumbo and Edison Chakuma has kicked off in enerst.However today the matter was postponed to the 20^th of September 2011.

The state key witness Rinos Chari turned the state case into a farce yesterday when he complained of police brutality throwing eggs into the bourgeois state enforcement machinery. Hundreds of leftists were out in force at the Harare Magistrates’ Court both today and yesterday. The trial was presided by Regional Magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini and the state with Edmore Nyazamba.

Defense Attorney Alec Muchadehama of Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni failed to come to court today for reasons beyond his control. What is important is that the trial has begun and the state is now merely giving the last kicks of a dying horse.

The struggles of 2011 carried out by the working classes of Egypt, Tunisia, and the Middle East and all over the world remain our inspiration. In their defence outlines, the six comrades are rightfully arguing that the 19^th February meeting where 40 of our comrades were cruelly tortured and detained was meant to discuss lessons from the Egypt and Tunisia revolts as well as to commemorate the death of our late comrade HIV and Aids activist Navigator Mungoni. Hence we maintain that the charges were nonsensical, meaningless, baseless and an attempt by the State to persecute human rights defenders.

Let’s smash capitalism and all the other elements of this dying system though mass mobilization and the fight for socialism from below.

Comradely

Vladimir Mashayamombe (mashayamombe1290@gmail.com)

http:// isozim.blogspot.com

TRIAL POSTPONED ONCE AGAIN!

2011-09-07T14:44:00.000+02:00

Our comrades who were facing trial today have had their trial postponed to the 14^th of September 2011 .The future of our comrades Munyaradzi Gwisai, Antonnater Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Hopewell Gumbo, Welcome Zimuto and Edison Chakuma hangs in the balance. Scores of socialists and fellow activists who had come in solidarity waited for nearly two hours for the trial to finally kickoff at the Harare Magistrates Courts however the due process was once again frustrated. Magistrate William Bhila then recused himself and the trial will be presided by Magistrate Esthere Chivasa. Meanwhile defence attorney Alec Muchadehama has made an application for refusal of further remand. Magistrate Bhila is the second magistrate to recuse himself .Indeed the recusal by this second Magistrates to preside this baseless case shows that the state attorneys are clinging onto a case without professionalism or reason. Meanwhile solidarity forever!

Vladimir Mashayamombe

http://isozim.blogspot.com

Update on Zim Socialists Treason Trial

2011-08-22T17:51:00.001+02:00

The trial of six International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe comrades, Munyaradzi Gwisai, Antonatter Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Hopewell Gumbo, Edison Chakuma and Welcome Zimuto that should have started today has been postponed to Wednesday 24^th August 2011. The state alleges that it has failed to secure a magistrate for the trial. However that is mere nonsense considering that the state had a full month since the 18^th of July up to now with which to have found a presiding officer. Meanwhile we still call for solidarity on August 24.

Lenin Ti Chisaira

isozim.blogspot.com

Update on Zimbabwean Socialists’ Treason Trial

2011-07-18T18:19:00.000+02:00

(TOP) The coffin bearing Cde David's body is draped with Satrurday's copy of The Hearld (BELOW)Munya Gwisai and Tatenda Momberara at the court today(Pics: Lenin Ti Chisaira)

The six comrades facing trial at the Harare Magistrates Court have been remanded to the 22nd of August 2011.The six are Munyaradzi Gwisai, Tafadzwa Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Hopewell Gumbo, Edison Chakuma and Welcome Zimuto. The trial had been originally pegged for the morning but it only kicked of at 1500hrs.The prosecution has come up with a new charge, that is, Inciting Public Violence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

We are not satisfied with this development. We remain committed to our resolve that there should have been no charges in the first place. The meeting of the 19th of February was legitimate and a democratic right. These fake and trumped up charges are coming at a great cost. Already one of the original 45 treason trialists, David Mpatsi has died following a rapid deterioration of his health arising from his incarceration and denial of medical treatment. We hold the regime responsible for this death and the fate of his three children that he has left behind. He indeed has paid the death penalty.

Comrades this is a ruthless regime which will not stop at anything to maintain its illegitimate hold on power and serve the interests of the ruling class. Our comrades still face a serious charge of up to 10 years imprisonment in the regime’s horror prisons where many have died. Only international solidarity backed by militant mobilisation locally will stop this regime. We therefore call for your continued support.

We would like to thank the scores of activists who attended court today and those who sent solidarity messages. Aluta continua!

National Coordinating Committee

International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe

ISO Comrade Dies after Solitary Confinement and Treason Charge-Fascist Regime in Zimbabwe 100% Guilty! No need for Hangman in Zimbabwe!

2011-07-17T11:59:00.000+02:00

(Pics by Lenin Ti Chisaira,ISO)

The International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe announces with a heavy heart the death of Cde David Mpatsi who passed away in the late hours of the 14th of July 2011 at Chitungwiza General Hospital. He succumbed to a lung infection after his health deteriorated after the unjust February-March imprisonment. Cde David was one of the 45 socialists who were maliciously arrested and detained by the unrepentant fascist Zimbabwean dictatorship for more than two weeks at Harare Central Prison in February and March 2011.
He joined the ISO (Z) in at the beginning of 2010 and was one of the 17 comrades placed in solitary confinement in prison. As the ISO we do not hesitate to say that the fascist regime in Zimbabwe in the service of the IMF and capitalist blood-suckers is responsible for his death. What with malicious arrests, torture and lack of medication in state prisons and hospitals. It is noteworthy also that this same fascist regime that has recently frozen 8000 nurses’ posts in Zimbabwe.

The International Socialist Organisation thanks the staff and nurses at Chitungwiza General Hospital and Counselling Services Unit (CSU) and all comrades and family members who looked after Cde Mpatsi but we condemn this so-called inclusive Government for his death in the strongest of terms. And the best way to honour comrades like Mpatsi and many others who have languished is to go for an all out mobilisation against dictatorship and the underlying inhuman system of capitalism that it serves. How many more will have to die? Indeed we are inspired by the rising masses of Egypt and Tunisia who have stood up to capitalism

Indeed Cde Mpatsi faced fake and trumped up treason charges and today he indeed has received capital punishment. This regime does not need any hangman.

Meanwhile Cde Mpatsi was laid to rest yesterday (16/07/11) at Unit L Cemetery in Chitungwiza in a burial attended by hundreds of socialist, MDC activists and family members. Cde Mpatsi is the third ISO (Z) comrade we have lost this year. In February we lost Cde Navigator Mungoni from our Mbare District and in March we lost Cde Gabarinocheka Sirinji also from Mbare

ALUTA CONTINUA

The struggle continues and we call on all comrades, activists, workers and students to attend court in solidarity with the six remaining treason trialists on Monday 18th July 2011 at Rotten Row, 0830hrs in Court 18.The solidarity must also continue with the trial of Cynthia Manjoro, Last Maingehama and the Glen View comrades facing trial for the death of a police officer.

CALL FOR DONATIONS

Cde Mpatsi leaves a wife and three children who are in need and if there is anyone wishing to offer assistance, please feel free to contact the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe on details below:

Post: P.O. Box 6758 Harare

Tel: +263-4-704 209

Fax: +263-4-704209

E-mail: iso.zim@gmail.com

Web: www.isozim.blogspot.com Facebook: International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe OR Socialist Zimbabwe

OR visit us: 1st Floor, Crossroads House, 43 Julius Nyerere Way, Harare

Inserted By

National Coordinating Committee

International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe -17 July 2011

ZIMBABWE SOCIALISTS FACING TREASON CHARGE CALL FOR SOLIDARITY! TRIAL 18 JULY 2011

2011-07-07T15:45:00.000+02:00

The International Socialist Organisation [ISO] Zimbabwe wishes to update all progressive cadres, socialists, revolutionaries and democrats who have been in solidarity with us since the unjust February 19th 2011 arrest, detention and torture of ISO comrades, student leaders and human rights activists that the case of State v Munyaradzi Gwisai and 6 Others goes to court on the 18th of July 2011 .The trial will take place at the Rotten Row magistrates Court Regional Court 18 in Harare, Zimbabwe at 0830hrs.

Our National Coordinating Committee comrades Munyaradzi Gwisai, Tafadzwa Choto and Tatenda Mombeyarara will be standing trial together with trade unionist Edison Chakuma, debt rights activist and ex-ISO comrade Hopewell Gumbo and student leader Welcome Zimuto.

We fully understand that the evil alliance between the state and the entire capitalist establishment should be resisted by all means. We are together in the struggle. Furthermore, the capitalist regimes of the world realize that their time is up and they have decided to give their last kicks, be it in Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UK, Tunisia, Egypt, and Swaziland and even here in Zimbabwe where our comrades are facing similar charges for defending democracy and freedom of expression.

Your solidarity messages condemning our arrests were important in increasing the political cost on ZANU PF for keeping us detained. You indeed fought for our freedom. They can beat us, kill us and detain us. But they will not survive the revulsion of the intrinsic contradictions of capitalism that we are exposing. Workers will always stand up and revolt. We won’t stand by while rampant corruption and crass materialism disable both government and private sector. We will shout at the top of our voices when we detect abuse of power and political intolerance. Egypt and Tunisia are lessons for the poor and an opener to another Russia 1917. However the workers and the oppressed masses of the present world if united can easily make capitalism history as well as turn all past revolts into tea-drinking sessions. Jambanja Ndizvo!

As revolutionary socialists we remain committed to the resolve and commitment that there is only one solution to capitalism. That solution is a revolution.

Fire the last time !!

Please sent messages of solidarity to iso.zim@gmail.com, solidarity@freethemnow.com, editor.socialistworker@gmail.com OR visit the websites www.freethemnow.com, www.isozim.blogspot.com OR our facebook page International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Zimbabwe.

MORE ACTION

You can also put pressure on the ruthless, counter-progressive Fascist State machinery of Zimbabwe by calling the following numbers:

 Ministry of Justice +263 4 734920/24

 Attorney General +263 4 774586/7;772987/8;772992

 Ministry of Home Affairs +263 4 703641/3 E-mail: moha@gvt.co.zw

 0ffce of the President & cabinet +263 4 707091/7

Smash Capitalism! Viva Socialism!

Solidarity Forever

National Coordinating Committee (NCC)

FREE MALAYSIA 30 SOCIALISTS! RESIST FASCISM!

2011-07-06T16:16:00.000+02:00

The International Socialist Organisation [ISO] Zimbabwe extends solidarity to the 30 Malaysian comrades unjustly arrested and held at Penang Police Headquarters and Kepala Batas detention centre as well as to the entire Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) who are suffering the onslaught of the fascist police of the out-dated tsarist Malaysian regime.

We fully understand that the evil alliance between the King and the forces should be resisted by all means. We are together in the struggle.
Your struggle is not isolated as many across the globe are also flames up against the rotting capitalist system which has detained humanity to abduct poverty and unworthy wars. Presiding capitalist regimes of the world realize that their time is up and they have decided to give their last kicks, be it in Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, UK, Tunisia, Egypt, and Swaziland and even here in Zimbabwe where our comrades are facing similar charges for defending democracy and freedom of expression.

As revolutionary socialists we remain committed to the resolve and commitment that there is only one solution to capitalism. That solution is a revolution.

Smash Capitalism! Viva Socialism!

Solidarity Forever

National Coordinating Committee (NCC)
INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANISATION (ISO) ZIMBABWE

Treason charges poured on Gwisai and activists

2011-03-12T18:20:00.000+02:00

AT LEAST FORTY FIVE opposition activists led by socialist protagonist Munyaradzi Gwisai were slapped with treason charges Wednesday as their lawyer complained that he was being denied access to his clients.
The group will spend a fifth night in jail on allegations they attended a dedicated lecture about the mass uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
At a hearing late Wednesday, Harare magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi rescheduled the detainees to reappear Thursday.
Treason in Zimbabwe carries a possible death sentence.
Gwisai is also the Zimbabwe chief representative for the International Socialist Organisation.

The list of ISO activists arrested for plotting an ‘Egypt’ include:

1 Munyaradzi Gwisai (46)
Zimbabwe Labour Center
2 Antonater Choto
Zimbabwe Labour Center
3 Tatenda Mombeyarara
Zimbabwe Labour Center
4 Michael Sozinyu
Medical Professionals and Allied Workers Union
5 Edson Chakuma
United food and Allied Workers Union
6 Hopewell Gumbo
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
7 Welcome Zimuto
3rd Year student, Chinhoyi University
8 Philip Magaya
Unemployed
9 Prolific Simbarashe Mataruse
Unemployed
10 Godknows Biya
Zimphos
11 David Mupatse
Unemployed
12 Douglas Muzanenhamo
Unemployed
13 Reki Jimu (40)
Chitungwiza Central Hospital
14 Ganizani Nunu (41)
Unemployed
15 Josphat Chinembiri Terenyika (44)
Unemployed
16 Strutton Nyaya Muhambi (42)
Unemployed
17 Trevor Chamba (21)
Unemployed
18 Clarence Mugari (39)
Zimbabwe Graphical Workers Union
19 Munyaradzi Maregedze (35)
MARS
20 Willie Tinashe Hlatswayo (25)
4th year Student, UZ
21 Ian Muteto (23)
2nd years Student, Bindura University
22 Tinashe Mutazu (24)
Unemployed
23 Pride Evidence Mukono (age not given)
2nd year Student, UZ
24 Lenard Kamwendo (30)
Kubatana Trust
25 Tinashe Chisaira (24)
Zimbabwe Labour Center
26 Trust Munyama (25)
4th year Student, Harare Poly
27 Peter Garanewako (22)
Unemployed
28 Elizaberth Chipo Makume (53)
Unemployed
29 Megline Malunga (47)
Unemployed
30 Daison Bango (29)
Unemployed
31 Malvern Hobwana (24)
Unemployed
32 Tashinga Mudzengi (24)
Org not given
33 Ednar Chabalika (24)
Unemployed
34 Thokozile Mathe (34)
Unemployed
35 Francesca Thomson (41)
Unemployed
36 Masline Zvomuya (23)
Crossroads House
37 Nhamo Kute (36)
Unemployed
38 Annie Chipeta (42)
Unemployed
39 Tabeth Chideya (63)
Unemployed
40 Charles Mbwandarikwa (42)
Mutasa Pri School, Highfields
41 Thomas Chibaya (31)
CPL PVT (LTD)
42 Fatima Manhando (50)
Unemployed
43 Blessing Muguzaya (33)
Unemployed
44 Robert Muhlaba (54)
Seke Teacher’s College
45 Tinashe Muzambi (22)
Unemployed
The ACTIVISTS – who include students, trade unionists and political activists – were arrested when they gathered in Harare to watch Al Jazeera and BBC news reports on the uprisings that brought down autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt.
Police accused them of participating in an illegal political meeting where they watched videos “as a way of motivating them to subvert a constitutionally elected government.”
The evidence seized by the police included a video projector, two DVD discs and a laptop.
“The illegal meeting’s agenda, police said, was ‘Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia: What lessons can be learnt by Zimbabwe and Africa?’
Police found the topic incriminating, but many Zimbabweans have been asking themselves that very question as democratic revolutions have swept Arab nations.
Mugabe, who turned 87 on Monday, and his Zanu PF party ruled Zimbabwe single-handedly from 1980 until 2009, when regional leaders pressured him into forming a power-sharing government with his opposition rivals.
Gwisai, a socialist and iconoclast whose wife said he was expelled from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change in 2002 for supporting an aggressive land reform programme at a time when Zanu PF was encouraging violent seizures of white-owned commercial farms, has like many of his countrymen been watching the unrest in Arab nations.
His wife, Shantha Bloemen, who works for the United Nations in Johannesburg, said: “Obviously, all the happenings in Egypt And Tunisia have been taking center stage. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss what’s happened, especially for people who don’t have access to the internet or cable TV, both to express solidarity and to discuss the implications for Zimbabwe.”
Said lawyer Muchadehama: “This is a message that ‘If you attempt anything, we’re going to arrest you, assault you, incarcerate you, lay false charges against you, deny you bail, and occupy you with false trials. ... Read more at www.freethemnow.com

Marxism 2010 uncover emergent force of Marxist ideas in Zimbabwe

2011-01-27T16:10:00.000+02:00

On Saturday December 11, 2010, the International Socialist Organisation in Zimbabwe held its one day annual Marxism event which was a truly remarkable congress, characterized by awesome energy, enthusiasm, and confidence united with an exceptionally high level of political discussion and debate. Above all, there was a firm willpower to rebuild the ISO in the coming time. It was also quite fascinating in the sense that it was held in the shadow of a split that separated opportunists from real revolutionaries a year and half ago .
The venue for the Marxism conference was our national office.
Sensibly, Marxism 2010 was held under the theme DEFENDING THE REAL MARXIST TRADITIONS AND THE FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM IN THE 21st CENTURY. The conference enthused a whole new layer of young revolutionaries who are committed to defending Marxist ideas as the only answer to the crisis of capitalism. Over 70 young workers, students, and trade unionists gathered to discuss the effects of the capitalist crisis and how to mobilize resistance to the bosses’ neoliberal attacks on the working class.

For the second time in the conference’s history, we had comrades from the redundant Left Wing who stayed the whole afternoon enjoying the discussions.
The conference opened with ISO National Treasurer Comrade Mike Sambo and Socialist Worker Editor comrade Lenin core-speaking on the Real Marxist Traditions .They both gave succinct presentations on what are the real Marxist traditions as opposed to other innumerable divergent and conflicting "Marxisms" proliferated by other individuals and coalitions.
Two separate sessions on building the party followed. The one on “role of workers and trade unions in a revolutionary party” was presented by three comrades , comrade Simukai ( National ISO librarian) ,comrade J Chirenje -President for the Medical professional and Allied Workers Union (MPAWUZ) and ISO member ) and comrade Khumalo president for Zimbabwe Graphical Workers Union (ZGWU) and ISO member in Bulawayo. They all gave glowing presentations on the concept of dictatorship of the proletariat and why workers have to be on the forefront of revolution. The other separate session on “the role of students in a revolutionary party” was led by former Zimbabwe National students Union president and also former ISO national coordinator (Msavhaya) co-presenting with ISO UZ branch member Katsuro .This session attracted most of the young comrades mainly from universities and colleges .
In the afternoon there was a plenary debate on the Global economic crisis and working class responses which was led by comrade Gwisai. Comrade Gwisai spoke on World Perspectives citing revolutionary movements that erupted in Iran, Nepal, Thailand etc ; and the case of Iceland going bankrupt; and the eruption of the working class in Greece in response to austerity cuts being demanded by the European capitalists. This all having happened in a very short space of time the comrade pointed out that this shows how unbalanced the world situation currently is, and how the progressive aspects of capitalism have become history. He said no one corner of the world is immune from the nastiest affects of the capitalist crisis; even the advanced capitalist countries of Western Europe are on the point of default and their workers up in arms. The comrade pointed out it is not the actual crisis that is going to have the greatest effect on workers, but the “recovery” from it as workers will be forced to pay for the bosses` mess. That is then the role of Marxists to mobilise the working class to reject.
Other very interesting topics like “Women and the fight for Socialism” and “ Is there socialism in Cuba”, China and Venezuela” were also discussed in the afternoon .
The closing rally was a powerful one where comrade Taffy led a discussion on the current state of politics in Zimbabwe, the constitutional reform process and the view of socialists on elections .She discussed weaknesses of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which gave birth to the current coalition government which has failed workers by all standards.
Participants also expressed how hopeful they were with the GPA and how much they feel forsaken now as it all turns out to be just unity of the elites to protect their common interests. People under no uncertain terms expressed disillusionment with any elections as it has come out clear that an entrenched dictatorship like the one in Zimbabwe can never be removed by elections .
There was so much interest in the debate on elections as Mugabe has already pointed that he wants elections mid 2011. The question being , are people ready for elections or not?
The conference ended with a passionate and cheerful singing of the Internationale. All young comrades present left the conference fully convinced that the capitalists and the reformists can only offer workers more attacks and our solution is to take control of the productive forces for our gain. Most interestingly, although the vast majority of participants were youth, who are still in colleges, the unemployed and very low income workers , the comrades demonstrated their commitment and devotion by buying some ISO T- Shirts which were being sold for $5 each .That allowed us to raise over $100 that helped us meet some conference expenses .
We are still confident that in the period coming ISO will be able to reach out to new workers and young people with ideas that can bring down this dragon called capitalism .
Shinga Mushandi Shinga
M Sambo ( For National Coordinating Committee)

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE - A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM!

2010-11-30T17:44:00.000+02:00

Several significant events on the political and constitutional framework of the country have occurred in recent months. Firstly have been the controversies surrounding the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) outreach exercise carried out from June 2010 to date. Secondly is the crisis in the Government of National Unity (GNU) following various unilateral state executive appointments by President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

Political Crisis in Zimbabwe
The GNU is facing its biggest crisis since its inception, following the unilateral re-appointment of provincial governors and Ambassadors by Mugabe. This has been one of the main outstanding issues of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which was supposed to be resolved by SADC and the AU, the guarantors of the GPA. The prime minister and MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai responded by declaring that he and his party did not recognize not only such appointments but others that Mugabe had unilaterally done in the last 18 months, including appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor; Attorney General; five High Court and Supreme Court Judges and several ambassadors to the UN, Europe and SA. He has since written to these various authorities formally informing them of his position. Mugabe and the state media have ridiculed Tsvangirai, with Mugabe saying this is why it was now mandatory to have elections by mid- 2011 and do away with the GNU that has become to him an unbearable hindrance.
The growing arrogance of Mugabe and ZANU-PF and the crisis facing the GNU is not surprising and we had predicted right from the inception of the GPA in September 2008:
“… (The MDC – T leaders’) primary preoccupation is towards reaching a sell out agreement with the Zanu PF dictatorship that will not benefit the poor and working people … the opposition is dominated by the petite bourgeois elite, who long ago prostrated themselves before western neo-liberal forces and are now eager to get into state power, even as junior partners, and accumulate as a neo-colonial dependent capitalist class...”
“On the other hand Tsvangirai, supported by a duplicitous and largely cowardly civic society, actively undermined any attempt at serious mass action solely relying on western sanctions. Not surprising they have been forced into a deal which gives a desperate dictatorship breathing space to renew itself, whilst laying the foundations for massive long term assaults on the living conditions of working people. Make no mistake, despite the above concessions; MDC is the definite junior in this deal with very unclear chances of success whilst the future of the deal itself is very uncertain...
“…Thirdly, unlike the Patriotic Front, MDC has no real fallback position if the deal collapses. Its only guarantor is a mediator who has now been ousted. Having consistently neutralized the mass action route, MDC has solely relied on the western sanctions. But MDC is not in full control of this. Locked in a hotel room and virtually coerced by Mbeki and Mugabe to sign there and then or risk immediate collapse of the negotiations, Tsvangirai seems to have signed a deal that does not meet the full approval of his western allies...
“With economic siege continuing, especially in an environment of global economic crisis, the deal looks very fragile and may unravel sooner rather than later. Popular acceptance of such an expensive and over bloated coalition government, proportionately the biggest in the world in a country with the world’s highest inflation, is likely to wane rapidly if the promised economic recovery fails to take place, with the draft national constitution a possible flash point. At such stage Mugabe’s continued control of the security apparatus, the state and treasury will be decisive and the opposition’s nakedness and foolishness in signing such deal exposed.”
Socialist Worker (Z), January 2009
The above prediction has indeed come to pass. The GNU saved the Zanu PF dictatorship from an impending social, economic and political implosion as foreshadowed by collapsing public utilities and rioting junior soldiers. The hyper-inflation dragon was tamed and Zimbabwe’s international isolation largely removed. Tsvangirai himself went the world over, as recent as September 2010 in an interview with South African E-News, preaching about how Mugabe had reformed, was a well-meaning statesman worried about his legacy and so forth. He has now turned and is bleating a different song!
We now in fact seem to be reaching the point predicted when Mugabe, no longer needing the GNU would flex his muscles and wee on the GNU. With a fairly stabilized economy, and Tsvangirai having de-mobilized and confused his supporters, the hardliners in the Mugabe regime are now again on the ascendancy and clearly on the offensive, using the constitutional question as the launch-pad. Mugabe has now called for elections saying the GNU has become intolerable for him and his Zanu PF. Prime Minister Tsvangirai has also told his supporters to prepare for elections in 2011, although he is insisting that these will be under a new constitution. Although Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has said this is grandstanding, events in the last few weeks show that the momentum for elections might be gathering its own pace and with increasing possibility could in fact happen.
Why Elections in 2011
Why is Mugabe pushing for elections when he lost in March 2008 and when recent polls show the MDC-T winning with 32% and Mugabe at 18%? It would seem following the COPAC outreach exercise, the hardliners in Zanu PF have become convinced that the system they put in place with devastating effect in June 2008 is still intact and that threats of return to such violence could land them victory. Moreover, they calculate the impact of the protest vote for the opposition arising from the massive economic crisis of 2008 has gone down whilst MDC-T seems to be focusing on their factional fighting.
The recent events show that Mugabe and Zanu PF have no desire to leave power soon or peacefully. The discovery of diamonds, the growth in agriculture and the economic indigenisation programme will require an appropriate enabling political framework that can only be provided by untrammeled Zanu PF control of the state. Even though Zanu PF is talking about peaceful campaign next year’s elections are likely to be characterized by state orchestrated violence, intimidation and the manipulation of the results to ensure a Mugabe victory.
What this means is that the struggle for democratization in Zimbabwe is far from being won. What is now required is a united force of all progressive forces to build independently and renew both political and economical struggles against the Zanu PF dictatorship as well as the neoliberal capitalist agenda of the ruling class in Zimbabwe. This movement must also not have any illusions in the MDC-T or MDC-M, whose leaders have shown themselves not only to be greedy self-interested and cowardly junior partners of the dictatorship but also have been at the forefront of pushing massive neo-liberal policies that attack ordinary people. They are a cowardly and vacillating lot, one day wining with the dictatorship and the other mourning about victimization. It is hoped that the latest events will show increasing layers of ordinary MDC-T supporters of the need for a resolute and decisive battle for democracy against the regime and capitalism.
The proposed Referendum can be used as a launch-pad for a bitter fight with the system of neo-liberalism and tyranny which must clearly go beyond the constitutional making process. Given the dominance of the COPAC Outreach programme by Zanu PF through manipulation and intimidation, it is likely that its positions on an all powerful executive president and non-inclusion of socio-economic rights will prevail. In any case both MDC formations are now calling for a negotiated constitution, which is likely to be based on the anti-working people Kariba Draft which contains neoliberal anti-working class provisions. If the MDC-T was really sincere it would have called for contentious provisions to be put directly as questions for decision in the Referendum. But it isn’t and seeks to lie to the people that it will facilitate the writing of a new constitution on getting into power. For the above reasons, now that we have exposed in practice the hypocrisy of the elites, we should now start preparing to reject the likely elitist, neoliberal and undemocratic constitution they are brewing…. As we argued in our posters with our interests not included we must mobilize for a Vote No in the Referendum as part and parcel of building a general and united anti-dictatorship and anti-capitalist uprising in this country. It is time we learn from our mistakes as ordinary people that our struggles were hijacked when the MDC was formed. This time we have to do away with the capitalist system and join hands with other fighting working peoples of the world such as we see in France, Greece and South Africa who are also revolting against the system this day. Viva Socialism!
Cde T. Sando

WORKING CLASS BEWARE OF A BOGUS BUDGET.

2010-11-30T17:42:00.001+02:00

Elitist Budget is not for us, it is for Politicians, the Rich and the Elites.
The 2011 national budget by Minister of Finance Mr. Tendai Biti had positive gains for the social services, i.e., health and education. But it would be naïve to pretend not to see the thinly veiled attack upon the poor unleashed in the Budget presentation on Thursday 25 November 2010. We seek to expose the hypocrisy behind the publicity that was so over-zealously praised by the bourgeoisie media and politicians as pro-poor especially basing on a paltry handout that was promised civil servants and the nation.
The salary increments to public sector workers did not come on a silver platter neither does it fool anyone to think Biti and the ruling class have any benevolence in them especially after the minister gained notoriety for advocating for a wage freeze early this year. Indeed the 100% salary increase came as a result of massive struggles carried out by civil servants for the major part of this year. As a comparison the private sector workers whose struggles were less keen only saw at most a 10% salary increment. To further expose Biti’s cunning, he set the tax-free threshold at $225.Predcisely that’s where him and his fellow ruling class scum desired the salary scale to be (if only it weren’t for next years polls and the militants demonstrated by government employees this year.)
The conclusion is that action works. Jambanja ndizvo. Now further action is more necessary than ever if we are to beat the Poverty datum line which is still a further $200 away. Furthermore Biti’s Budget statement has remained virtually silent on the salaries of MPs and Judges. These were just removed from the civil servants’ Salary Services Bureau but we were not told their salaries. We Demand fairness, transparency and justice, Mr Biti!
Student Loan Fund. The birth pangs of privatisation
Biti promised to resuscitate the Student Loan scheme, to that end he set up $15 million. Never could he have found a more explicit way of privatising tertiary education than what he exposed in his budget presentation. Students might celebrate but they need only question why the government has decided to partner itself with a bank if it was so sympathetic. From experience banks would be vey crucial when it comes to following up on creditors (read poor students) .And we need not mention commercial bank rates!
DESIRABLE BUDGET
Frankly, the budget allocations for the crucial social services sector of education and health are far from desirable neither do they meet the crucial needs of these sectors. Education demands in Zimbabwe go beyond $400m, likewise with Health where no provision was made for the availability of Anti-retroviral Drugs. Penga Murwere Penga. But the budget was never funded by people who rob the nation of its wealth, ie, the rich capitalists and pro-imperialist multinationals. The 2010 budget is being funded by the poor while the rich benefits. So the Budget is being openly funded by the working class and the poor as they go to buy their daily bread(vat) and w2hen they earn their salaries(pay as you earn) and not capitalists who have stricken it rich in our diamond fields of Chiadzwa or past opposition sponsors, the western imperialists..The class war is advancing in Zimbabwe but unfortunately the working class has not been militant enough. Time is now ripe for the formation of a socialist workers party in Zimbabwe that is rooted in the day to day struggles of the poor, workers and students
Cdes Lenin Chisaira & Oscar Simbi

WORKING CLASS BEWARE OF A BOGUS BUDGET.

2010-11-30T17:42:00.000+02:00

ISO SPLIT: MUTERO AND TIGWE AT EACH OTHER’S THROATS...OUTGROWTH OF OPPORTUNISM

2010-11-30T17:34:00.000+02:00

Cunning hypocrisy!

Although we do not want to waste any time on the counter- revolution that split our International Socialist Organisation (ISO) in late 2008, recent happenings in the turncoats camp merit some comments.
Were there any convincing ideological reasons for Cdes Mutero and Tigwe to lead a split from the ISO or it was merely high time for opportunists to leave and hunt for their plunder elsewhere? Recent events utterly expose the slanders and cunning hypocrisy that preceded their departure from ISO.
What`s happening to the “pure revolutionaries” now?
Within two years the breakaway comrades have “hitch-hiked” from one tendency to another. What are they looking for? They left ISO to form what they called ISO Zimbabwe. Then they joined the Leninist International Fraction (FLTI),then the Revolutionary International League –Fourth International ( RIL-FI) in their nomadic chase for money and opportunities.

Now they have split again, the Mutero faction has remained RIL-FI whilst and the Tigwe, Manjonjo and Chidavaenzi led faction has turned ISO –ZIM again. What confusion! Reasons for the split are none other than monetary gain and political opportunism. Mutero accuses Tigwe of stealing US$6 000 from a poor people’s housing co-operative in Glen Norah, as well as being an MDC-T front and hitching up with a splinter grouping of the FLTI in the USA and New Zealand in order to get money. Tigwe in turn accuses Mutero of unilaterally changing the name of the organisation to RIL-FI in order to get a salary as part of the FLTI African secretariat, and also getting money under false pretence that he had been evicted from his house for political reasons and that he is a leading member of a reformist outfit called Zimbabwe Action.
Before the 2008 split we suspended Tigwe from the ISO for secretly remaining as a leading member of MDC-T in Glen Norah against ISO resolutions. On readmission he was again soon re-suspended for stealing organisation money, triggering the December 2008 split. At the time of the split we made it clear that the real reasons why Mutero and Tigwe were leading the split were crude opportunism, greedy and taking advantage of a serious unevenness of ideological development in our organisation. The two wanted to turn ISO into a quasi pro-MDC NGO to be used mainly as a vehicle for accumulating money from imperialist donors and unsuspecting left international organisations because of the Zimbabwe crisis. Hence Tigwe is still in the MDC-T Glen Norah district structures and even worked in the MDC Constituency office there.
One needs to go no further than the recent flood of Mutero-Tigwe correspondences on the internet to realise thatl there is nothing fundamentally different between the two other thsan concerns of who should have the most advantageous position to plunder and loot from unsuspecting regional or international left organisations and western imperialists.
.We shoulder the blame for having provided a breeding ground for such opportunists by failing to adequately develop our comrades ideologically.
Firstly: The social composition of the ISO. Before the year 2000 the ISO used to recruit many of its members from organised labour, i.e. trade unions and colleges and universities. From the year 2001 to 2009, which was a period of extraordinary economic catastrophe in Zimbabwe, the ISO went through a massive change in terms of its social composition. We could not continue depending on recruiting from colleges and trade unions for such “institutions” were largely decimated by the crisis. At the height of the economic and social crisis in 2008, many colleges became virtually closed or non-functional whilst many “worker activists” left employment going into the informal sector, rural areas or leaving the country.
This posed huge challenges for a tiny revolutionary organisation, with an even more tiny cadreship base, that is losing its few cadres at a time that was ripe for working class resistance struggle .For survival we had no option than to look for alternative “islands of life” that is social movements which mostly were constituted of the unemployed women, youths and AIDS/HIV activists, who whilst very enthusiastic for struggle were very weak politically and ideologically and particularly vulnerable to the politics of commodification of resistance or bribes from donor – funded civic society groups. This meant we had a mixture of a very small and ever decreasing layer of experienced comrades and a bigger layer of quite inexperienced comrades.
The new situation posed on us two challenges : that is attempting to train this newer and politically weak membership in a context of very low class struggles and at the same time trying to be visible in the broader democratic struggles against the Zanu PF dictatorship.
Secondly, such high levels of ideological unevenness combined with rampant poverty amongst comrades due to unemployment and hyper-inflation and in the context of rampant bribing of activists by the bourgeois opposition and civic society groups, “commodification of resistance,” provided a fertile breeding ground for opportunism, i.e. increasing pressure that ISO be like the other social movements and civic groups by providing “something” for sustenance or survival for its members, especially income generation projects and payment for attending meetings and activities.
Thus it became very much easier for a clique of opportunists in ISO to take advantage of the desperation and underdevelopment amongst many comrades to mobilise against the ISO leadership and its revolutionary programme in an attempt to turn around the ISO into an NGO which they would use to lure donor money. This is the context in which the October 2008 elections which were won by the opportunists were done. However, the ISO principled leadership was able to subsequently win back the support of the majority of members and branches, leading the opportunists to split. In this they were helped by the Cape Town based WIVL, which took an unprincipled and opportunist position to back them, in the hope of recruiting a Zimbabwean section, a decision have lately come to regret.
For our part in our desperate fight to get back hard-won asserts necessary for revolutionary work but now in danger of being sold for a penny by these opportunist renegades , we made some mistakes such as getting the comrades who had stolen virtually all our property, arrested and taking the disputes before the bourgeois courts. However, this was a desperate temporary manoeuvre and we withdrew the charges at the earliest possible opportunity. Remember even, Bolshevik leader V.I.Lenin was once travelled to Russia in a sealed train under an arrangement with the Germany imperial state in 1917.
The ISO has continued with its revolutionary work of rebuilding a socialist, anti-imperialist and anti-neoliberal movement in Zimbabwe against a rapacious and neoliberal ruling class represented in both parties of the rich and capitalists, Zanu PF and MDC. Today our focus is on rebuilding a new cadreship increasingly drawn from a new radicalising layer of students and workers as well as developing the ideological consciousness of the best of activists from the social movements who were unshaken by the winds of opportunism.
Don’t confuse the working class please. Viva Socialism!
National Co-ordinating Committee,
International Socialist Organisation (ISO)

17 November 2010

Statement

2009-01-19T16:27:00.000+02:00

National Central Committee Statement on Recent Happenings in ISO

1. The National Central Committee of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) met in an emergency meeting on Wednesday 13^th January 2009 to look at recent events in the country and organization including the purported expulsion from the organization of the ISO general co-ordinator, Munyaradzi Gwisai, as announced at a press conference on 11^th January, by a section of the ISO national leadership led by the national co-ordinator Ady Mutero and national treasurer, Fortune Tigwe.

2. The National Central Committee (CC) is the supreme decision-making body of ISO in between its National Members Conferences. The meeting was attended by 18 of the body’s 25 constitutional members, and apologies given by two.[1]

3. After receiving reports and exhaustive debate the National Central Committee noted that:

a. The press conference and expulsion were unproceedural and illegal having been done outside the parameters of the organisation’s constitution by a small clique within the recently elected national leadership. Contrary to press reports that the expulsion had been authorized by a National Members Conference on 9 January 2009, no such meeting had occurred, but what had taken place was a kangaroo factional meeting of the National Co-ordinating Committee, the executive arm of the Central Committee, attended by less than five of its ten members and convened without due notice to the other members, as had similarly been the case with the press conference.

b. The accusations against Gwisai are incompletely unfounded and without substance: Whilst one of its longest serving and most experienced members, Gwisai has never in fact occupied the highest position in ISO of national co-ordinator as alleged, but has been a member of ISO’s collective leadership as its librarian; regular elections have been held with office holders properly elected, with the previously elected national co-ordinators of ISO being: Briggs Zano, Luke Bhukarin, T Sando, Tom Msvhaya, Briggs Bomba and Mike Sambo. At the latest National Members Conference in Novemebr 2008, Gwisai was nominated by virtually all the branches to occupy the newly created position of general co-ordinator of ISO, but due to time constraints the exact terms of the position were deferred to the National Central Committee. Subsequently the full National Co-ordinating Committee, chaired and attended by members of the Mutero-Tigwe clique placed Gwisai in the position of general co-ordinator, pending the National Central Committee. This position was endorsed by all the branches of ISO. No property of the organisation has been seized by Gwisai, nor was the organisation’s e-mail passwords changed by Gwisai. Problems there are in ISO, like in many other organizations in these trying times in Zimbabwe, but the ISO collective leadership in the National Co-ordinating Committee had agreed to refer all such problems to the higher organ of the National Central Committee in mid January 2009. Yet before such meeting, the Mutero-Tigwe clique calls a public press conference before the bourgeois press to give lies and falsehoods – a practice most inconsistent with revolutionary socialist traditions.

c. That the real reason behind the little rebellion, shown in the purported expulsion of Gwisai and threatened expulsions of other longstanding members, is the reactionary and counter-revolutionary alliance the Mutero-Tigwe clique has entered into with a cross-section of right-wing and imperialist-funded NGOs. The later along with similar-minded elements in the opposition MDC leadership, have historically opposed the ISO for its resolute and consistent position that the struggles against the Zanu PF dictatorship must be fought from an anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist and anti-neoliberal basis that prioritises both the political demands and the bread and butter demands of the poor. And that the way forward is direct mass action from below and not talks or sanctions or fake elections before a new people driven constitution. These forces insist that the struggle must be solely restricted to the regime-change - “Mugabe must go” agenda of their paymasters and not raise the anti-neoliberal demands of the poor, and they oppose the militant route of peoples power or jambanja. They hate us for insisting that the western imperialists and capitalists who fund and control these NGOs in civic society and the political opposition are not genuine allies of the democratic movement. This is why there were sharp differences between them and us at the Peoples Convention in February 2008 and ongoing in the social forum processes, and before that in the MDC, when we expelled in 2003. In its political perspectives the Mutero-Tigwe clique now argues the same class nonsense and clap-trap as these right-wing forces, arguing that the ISO must re-orientate to “these comprador bourgeoisie organizations” and abandon all ideological fights with them “for the sole objective of removing Mugabe, thereafter we renew our different fight(s), ideological fights.” In other words they seek to liquidate the ISO as a revolutionary socialist organization and abandon its principled united front approach whereby it can work in alliance with other groups around agreed minimum demands but never renouncing its right to articulate its ideological positions for socialism and criticisms of capitalism and reformist - reactionary leaders. Instead they want to turn ISO into a compliant nominally left but well paid lackey in a popular front run by the right-wing NGOs and right wing opposition leaders in MDC, where we hide our politics, ideology and criticism of capitalism and the reactionary reformist leaders. In other words they want to follow the old Left Wing position of returning the ISO to MDC hegemony, even when the role and space of working people and militants has become even much less now than when it was in 2003 with the capitalists and imperialists in much greater influence. We rejected this in the MDC in 2002 -3 when it was being pushed by the now defunct Left Wing splinter group, and reject it now, especially when the MDC leadership has shown such contempt for its ordinary membership and civic society partners by going into an elitist deal with the Zanu PF dictatorship without consulting them. We acknowledge the very significant contributions Mutero and Tigwe have made to ISO and the revolutionary struggle over time, but it is clear that now they have succumbed to the temptations of opportunism, whether because of the dollars being flushed in their faces by the right-wingers or because of mere exhaustion, or both, we do not know. Either way they have today become renegades in the struggle, working with and under the control of the class enemies of the working classes and the poor in general.

d. This is why it has become necessary to expel Gwisai and other longstanding leaders of ISO as has been threatened, for without that this the renegades cannot succeed in their designs to liquidate the ISO into popular front politics and opportunism. Indeed so crass has been their betrayal that the press conference was facilitated and mobilized by the imperialist-funded Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) through Thabani Moyo, formerly of the Crisis Coalition. The very same MISA whose executive director Takura Zhangazha vigorously led the opposition of the inclusion of anti-neoliberal and anti-capitalist demands in the Peoples Charter and who despite being a leading figure in the Peoples Convention still went behind everyone’s back to join the MDC-T technical team in the MDC-Zanu PF talks in South Africa despite that such talks had been roundly rejected by the Peoples Convention as a useless elitist platform. Today it is a network of such forces that have become the closest friends of the Mutero-Tigwe clique, funding them and pushing their propaganda. We ask whether it is a mere coincidence that the Mutero-Tigwe clique seeks to destabilize ISO, so conveniently near the elective Zimbabwe Social Forum annual strategic meeting where Gwisai is being supported by ISO and many progressive movements to stand as chairperson, but being massively opposed by the very same right-wing NGOs?

e. These renegades had assumed that in the context of escalating massive poverty of ordinary people, including our membership and a relatively largely new membership recruited in the last three years and not yet fully familiar with socialist politics and traditions, the few crumbs of bread they were offering from their paymasters, would turn the membership against its principles, values and politics and sell out its soul to the capitalist enemies, but they have received a rude shock by the resoluteness and class solidarity the overwhelming membership of the ISO has shown in rejecting them and their naked attempts to destroy the only functional revolutionary socialist organization in Zimbabwe. It is not for nothing that the slogan of ISO is “Shinga Mushandi!”; “Qina Msebenzi”! Even in the most difficulty and adverse of positions, including such crass betrayals, we will preserve in the struggle against dictatorship, capitalism and for socialism.

RESOLUTIONS

4. Taking the above into account the National Central Committee resolved by an overwhelming majority of EIGHTEEN votes in favour of and ZERO against that:

a. The five under-mentioned persons who convened the unconstitutional press conference and responsible for various counter-revolutionary activities are hereby and immediately expelled from the International Socialist Organisation, and that the ISO shall henceforth not be responsible or liable for any actions, statements or activities arising from them – :

i. Ady Mutero, formerly the national co-ordinator;

ii. Fortune Tigwe, formerly the national treasurer;

iii. L. Manjo, formerly the national youth co-ordinator;

iv. E. Chida, formely the national gender co-ordinator;

v. S. Shere, formerly, the Harare Province gender co-ordinator.

b. The meeting affirms that Munyaradzi Gwisai is and remains the General Co-ordinator of ISO and that Mike Sambo and Sando shall act in the capacities of National Co-ordinator and National Treasurer, respectively, pending the next National Members Conference.

c. That the ISO reaffirms its support for the candidature of Munyaradzi Gwisai as chairperson of the Zimbabwe Social Forum at its coming January 2009 elective Annual Strategic Meeting and calls upon all progressive movements and organizations to continue their support of the same despite the falsehoods and insinuations made by the expelled clique and their allies.

Smash the dictatorship! Smash capitalism! Viva Socialism!

ISO National Central Committee[2]

15^th January 2009, Harare

[1] The meeting was held at the ISO National Offices and was attended by: of the ten national heads of departments in the National Co-ordinating Committee – NCC, six attended; of the eight members of the Harare Provincial Executive Committee five attended and two gave apologies; of the seven branches of the ISO of Mbare; Highfields-Glen Norah; Chitungwiza; Kadoma and Mutare, five were represented by their branch co-ordinators, whilst the co-ordinators of the Budiriro-Glen View and Bulawayo branches sent apologies but were represented by members of their branch committees.

Newspapers

2008-07-26T15:32:00.001+02:00

Copies of our last 2 newspapers, Socialist Worker, can be downloaded by clicking here or by going to http://iso.zim.googlepages.com

UNDER SEIGE

2008-06-07T12:50:00.000+02:00

OUR OFFICES IN CENTRAL HARARE HAVE BEEN RAIDED. POLICE CAME IN THE MORNING AND DEMANDED TO SEE SEVERAL LEADERS OF OUR ORGANISATION. THEY REMOVED FILES FROM OUR OFFICE.

THE POLICE CLAIM THAT OUR LAST NEWSPAPER ISSUE WAS "INFLAMATORY" OR "INCITING".

THEY ALSO DEMANDED TO KNOW WHO WRITES FOR OUR NEWSPAPER, WHERE IT IS TYPED AND WHERE IT IS PRINTED.

OUR COMRADES MANAGED TO JUST ESCAPE WITH OUR ONLY COMPUTER.

SOLIDARITY MESSAGES CAN BE TEXED OR PHONED THROUGH TO +263 912 908 847 OR +263 11 875 976 OR +263 23 295722 OR E-MAIL iso.zim@gmail.com or socialismfrombelow@gmail.com or keepleftct@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANISATION
P.O. BOX 6758, HARARE

Crisis in Zimbabwe after the March 2008 Elections: Crisis in Zimbabwe after the March 2008 Elections:

2008-05-02T17:42:00.000+02:00

What now after the elections

2008-05-02T17:35:00.000+02:00

The massive performance of MDC (T) partly vindicates those who were arguing that something was happening in the electorate and therefore necessary to participate in the elections.
However, our central positions remain intact. If MDC (T) is correct that it won the presidential elections by an absolute majority, yet Zanu PF is insisting that there will be a run-off, this confirms our basic argument that the regime would remain in power by hook or crook, unless otherwise compelled by mass mobilization. Further our other basic position of the likelihood of an elitist and neoliberal deal around a government of national unity remains most likely. Despite the massive vote for change and removal of the Zanu PF dictatorship by the masses, the elites who now dominate MDC (T) are likely to cut a deal with the regime.
The number of elites such as business people, bankers and top professionals and lawyers amongst the newly elected MDC parliament representatives is staggering, with no less than fourteen senior lawyers! At the same time the elections have produced a hung parliament which gives disproportionate power to the similarly elitist dominated MDC (Mutambara) / Makoni factions whose 7 – 10% vote will be necessary for both the presidential run-off and to pass laws and budgets in parliament. In Zanu PF itself the best performing areas where in the Mashonaland provinces dominated by the pro-business Mujuru faction. These factors point to the strong likelihood of an elitist deal, under pressure from business and the imperialists, especially with the sword of Mugabe’s black indigenization law hanging over their heads. As Minister Chinamasa points out, there is immense pressure of a government of national unity in international and regional circles, with threats of escalation of the sanctions if this fails to materialize.
This is why one cannot dismiss off-hand the claim by Zanu PF that MDC (T) has already made proposals for cancellation of the run-off and for a government of national unity. As we earlier warned the MDC elites were desperate to get into government at any cost. The MDC officials that Zanu PF claims have approached them are the same in Tsvangirai’s infamous kitchen cabinet. We should also not forget that this is the same MDC that went into secret talks with Zanu PF and signed Amendment 18. In any case Tsvangirai has made no secret his intention of creating a government of national unity "with elements from Zanu PF."
Thus MDC (T)’s new position of boycotting the run-off, after initially stating it would contest "under protest", would be commendable and consistent with our earlier argument of rejecting the fake elections, but is suspect in the circumstances. Instead of mobilizing the masses who have overwhelmingly voted for it, as did its counterpart in Kenya, MDC (T) has focused on calling for so-called "international community" intervention – code words for the western countries; sending its leaders on futile regional – international "diplomatic offensives"; and most damning pacifying its members and civic groups by calling for restraint and not doing anything to provoke the regime and the party again going to Mugabe’s courts for relief, giving the regime cover to draw out the dispute and consolidate its positions.
The behavior of the regime in refusing to announce the results has more than vindicated the position of those who said that without a democratic constitution and mass mobilization, the March elections would not deliver change and that Mugabe was not joking when he warned Bulawayo residents – "You can vote for them (MDC), but that will be a wasted vote. You will be cheating yourself as there is no way we can allow them to rule this country… The MDC will not rule this country. It will never, ever happen. Asisoze sivume."
Now emboldened by the cowardice and opportunism of the elites who now dominate the opposition, Zanu PF is arrogantly insisting on a run-off that on every count it should lose, given that the combined opposition vote in the parliamentary elections was around 53% to Zanu PF’s 43%. Zanu PF is likely to launch a vicious and brutal scotched earth campaign in the rural areas for the run off, but even this is unlikely to surpass the significant numerical advantage the opposition enjoys, unless Zanu PF fiddles with the figures.
Although one can’t discount the possibility of a deal being struck off before the run-off, the more likely possibility is that of Zanu PF still pushing for the run-off, "winning" it and establish the legitimacy it yearns for and thereafter after softening of MDC, still entering into an elitist western-backed neo-liberal deal with the opposition to deal with the economic crisis. What should revolutionaries and radicals in civic society and organized labour do in the circumstances?
In the first place we welcome the route that MDC (T) has now taken, under pressure from its radicals and the masses, namely that MDC (T) will not participate in the fake run-off or re-count and calling for mass action. This stops the confusion and inconsistency that they have been showing. If MDC (T) is genuine in saying it won the elections and has been rigged why participate in a second round, where you are likely to be rigged again, as we had earlier on warned? However, it is not enough to merely boycott and do nothing or try and rely on useless methods like regional or international talks etc, for the regime will only use the space to consolidate itself or the international community, with the support of the cowardly and opportunistic elites in the party, will force MDC (T) into a sell out government of national unity with the regime.
A boycott to be effective, must be followed by mass mobilization and a campaign for civil disobedience – jambanja! MDC (T) had already lost valuable momentum immediately after the elections, when it could have initiated mass action together with civic society in the full glare of the regional and international media. But the current situation, where the elites have become entangled in the elections results issue, re-opens new possibilities for mobilization of mass action. The real way forward then is to immediately plan and mobilize for mass resistance to the electoral fraud, as the brave women of WOZA have shown.
This can be multifaceted starting with less confrontational methods that build confidence such as pressure on ZEC to resign, especially those seconded by the opposition, regular mass prayer meetings, cascading into stayaways and general strikes and demonstrations, if the regime refuses our deadlines, especially ahead of Independence Day on 18 April. On the day of the general strike and demonstration regional and international solidarity marches should be called for. The key demands remain rejection of the fake elections and demand for free and fair election under a new democratic and people driven constitution together with the demand for a tax-free living wage for workers and other demands in the Peoples Charter. This action cannot be left to the MDC (T) leadership alone, as the elites who now dominate such party do not have the capacity nor courage to do such action. The way forward is action led by a democratic united front of the opposition parties, civic society and labour, with every party agreeing not to make individual and separate deals with the regime.
At all times radical civic society must keep its autonomy from the opposition parties. The groups around the Peoples Convention must urgently re-group an dlike their Kenyan counter-parts start this process. For as we earlier warned – "unlike previous alliances like the Broad Alliance and Save Zimbabwe, such united front must be autonomous of MDC … The experiences from 2000 teach us that ‘any strategy of fighting the dictatorship based on a movement dominated or controlled by the MDC will remain prisoner to the glaring ideological and strategic confusion it has shown since 2000 and is bound to fail …
Even if it should engage in some action, its primary pre-occupation is towards reaching a sell out settlement with the Zanu PF dictatorship …" However, given the obvious chicanery around the current results, the isolation of the regime, the massive and still escalating economic crisis, and the massive courage and confidence shown by the working people in the March elections and the confusion around the elections, the ground is more than fertile for mass resistance and action that can defeat the regime.
However, the dominance of business elites in MDC (T), points out to the fact that the party may still eventually enter the run off, despite current contrary proclaimations. If that happens then the radical forces will have to decide the advantages of an unconditional but critical vote for Tsvangirai as opposed to a boycott of the elections in order not to legitimize them as we had earlier called for. Contrary to our earlier position we now believe that given the failure to build an autonomous united front of labour, radical civic groups and the revolutionary left, after most such groups went into bed with MDC (T) in the harmonized elections an din the absence of left radicalization in Zanu PF itself, the possibility of the people power scenario, is highly reduced. Unless there is an elitist deal, and in the context of an escalating economic crisis, the greater likelihood becomes of a full scale Zanu PF – military dictatorship or a failed state, both eventualities that would crush the democratic , opposition and left forces given their current weaknesses.
In such circumstances, and in view of the massive support for MDC (T) in the March elections from working people, the way to go is to call for a vote for Tsvangirai without illusions about the regime going peacefully, but for the masses to use the period around the vote to remobilize for mass action, if as is likely the regime again steals, rigs or kills its way to victory. Further even in the eventuality of an MDC victory for the masses not to have illusions as to the nature of an MDC government but to be open and clear of what it would stand for – full restoration of a brazenly corrupt neoliberal dictatorship over the poor including privatization and significant reversal of the land reforms.
However, the call for its victory is premised on the basis that such a regime would still offer greater democratic space for the working classes, anti-capitalist movements and the left than under a military dictatorship or failed state. It is also likely to stabilize the economic crisis in the short to medium term, as the sanctions are lifted, increased tourist inflows. It is highly likely that there will be a fairly significant degree of imperialist aid and investment and balance of payment support, as they try and stabilize the new regime, to avoid the earlier fate of a similar regime in Palestine. Already the British government has promised a package of around $US billion as part of an overall package seen as one of the highest in recent years. Thus economic recovery albeit on an elitist basis and premised on resumption of a full-neoliberal programme is likely. Yet this would still arrest the hemorrhage the masses are now suffering, including of activists and cadres. As of now the masses are roasting on a fire, with a Mugabe victory sending them to hell, whereas an MDC government, like in Zambia and Kenya after Kaunda and Moi, likely to remove them from the fire into a pan next to the fire! Again as in those countries, the effects of the MDC neoliberal programme are likely to be felt towards the end of the first term of the regime. The key being that the left, organized labour and the anti-capitalist movement must continue their struggles right at the inception of an MDC government or government of national unity centred around anti-neoliberal bread and butter demands containe din the People Charters and sme promised by MDC (T) in the elections, as well as a new democratic constitution. They must use the intervening period to build their forces and cadreship and establish an effective united front to lead the masses when they start revolting against the neoliberal regime that succeeds the Mugabe dictatorship. This is what did not happen in Zambia and Kenya and allowed elements of the same regimes to again hijack the people’s movements.
Finally it is clear that the hold that Tsvangirai and MDC have on the urban poor and increasingly the generality of the working people can only be broken if the Mugabe dictatorship is broken and Tsvangirai ascends into power for his true characters to be fully exposed. Without that the illusions the masses have in him, derived from the leadership role he played in the initial round of revolt against neoliberalism and the dictatorship in 1997 – 99 and in the absence of a significant left united front alternative, will persist to the detriment of building a true mass anti-capitalist and revolutionary movement, especially in the context of the economic meltdown and unprecedented poverty we now face in Zimbabwe. He therefore must be given the long rope… the sooner the better. But at this momentous stage in the history of Zimbabwe, as the conflicts amongst the elites open a window, it is paramount that the democratic, opposition, progressive and revolutionary forces urgently come together around a programme of mass action from below, the only real way to defeat the dictatorship and stop a neoliberal elitist deal.
ISO Zimbabwe (11 – 04 – 2008)

ISO Analysis of the March 29 elections

2008-05-02T17:24:00.000+02:00

Analysis of March 29 Elections
In the March elections, MDC (T)has performed much better than we had anticipated, maintaining its urban strongholds and defeating Zanu PF in some of its previous strongholds in particular in Manicaland and Masvingo.1
The combined opposition will control the House of Assembly including appointing the Speaker. And contrary to our projections, if the two MDC factions had run united they would actually have won the March elections. However, our analysis remained valid in so far as the results show the continuing support for Zanu PF in the majority of rural supporters.
Thus unlike what happened to other regimes that had implemented neoliberal programmes and were subsequently virtually wiped out such as UNIP in Zambia, Kanu in Kenya or MCP n Malawi, Zanu PF still remains a substantial party in Zimbabwe despite the unprecedented economic crisis. Indeed the presidential results are going be decisive, for whichever party wins, will also control the legislature as the president will not only enjoy executive powers but also directly appoint 15 senators and influence the eighteen chief senators. Nonetheless the opposition did very well. What factors explain the above?
First and foremost is the massive poverty induced by the escalating economic crisis, now extending to the rural poor and the obvious inability of the state to address this. Whilst factors like corruption, inefficiency and agriculture decline partially explain the economic crisis, the fundamental reason is the strangulation of the economy by the capitalists and the western countries through direct and indirect sanctions. These include denial of access to international credit to the Zimbabwean state and companies under laws like the US Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act; travel warnings to tourists; massive reduction in investment and aid with for instance Zimbabwe now receiving less than US$10 for every person affected by AIDS/HIV when the regional comparison is over US$100.
Whilst strangulating the national economy and capacity of the state to deliver welfare, the western countries poured significant amounts of money into food relief for peasants in most rural areas through the WFP and international NGOs. Faced with another disastrous agricultural season the peasants, especially in the drought-prone provinces, voted with their stomachs for the party they felt was closest to those who were feeding them.
This is the "soft rigging" Zanu PF is now harping on and will possibly use as justification for rejecting the results.
Secondly and related to the above is the continued working class and urban poor support for MDC (T), in the absence of viable left alternatives and growing poverty. Further many workers retrenched as a result of the crisis and those displaced by Operation Murambatsvina provided the critical mass around which MDC (T) was able to campaign around in the rural areas. This was especially so in the context of probably the most peaceful electoral environment since 1980 due to the SADC/Mbeki Initiative, a sleek, deceitful and massively funded MDC (T) campaign, which for the first time since 2000 emphasized on the bread and butter issues affecting the masses such as education, health and food. Finally were the immense divisions within Zanu PF stalked by the succession question, which saw unpopular candidates imposed from the top.
Finally, Mugabe also paid the price the failure of his regime to radicalize further in response to the economic siege. The regime’s only probable alternative to deal with the current crisis and onslaught by business and the imperialists was to move towards expropriation of the main businesses that produce the necessities of life, in other words a state capitalist model similar to Cuba or North Korea. Instead the business elites in the regime led by Reserve Bank governor G. Gono, successfully fought the June 207 price freeze measures advocating for free market policies and bribes for the electorate through tractors, ploughs etc. Without the economic wherewithal the Zanu PF state remains weak and unable to meet the basic needs of the population. It is of course debatable whether under the current global political and economic environment, even a state capitalist model, would have saved the regime, rom a determined onslaught by the forces of global capital, as we see the retreat that regimes like Libya and N. Korea are now makng(
1 MDC (T) got 99 seats in the House of Assembly compared to 97 for Zanu PF, 10 MDC (Mutambara) and 1 Independent (Jonathan Moyo); and in Senate MDC (T) got 24 seats, Zanu PF 30 and MDC (Mutambara) 6. In terms of the popular vote for the House of Assembly, Zanu PF won 45.9 percent of the total vote, MDC (T), 42.8 and MDC (Mutambara) 8.3, and independents
– 2.7 percent. Of the ten provinces Zanu PF won in six provinces five absolutely, compared to MDC (T)`s four, two absolutely. These results were mirrored in Senate were Zanu PF won 45.4 percent of the popular vote, carrying six provinces, five absolutely, whilst MDC (T) won 43.5 percent, carrying four provinces, two absolutely .

ZSF Mobilising for a living Social Forum

2007-09-25T10:20:00.000+02:00

ZSF has now assumed a living character and is now probably the most organized Social Forum in the region if not the whole of Africa. This has largely been because of serious ideological and strategic debates and fights in the ZSF over the way forward. The growing success of ZSF has vindicated the arguments of the radical social movements and revolutionary socialists that rather than follow the model of a mere annual talk show or space run from above by loose, un-elected and unaccountable leadership structures dominated by NGO elites characteristic of most social forum processes on the continent, the way to go for ZSF was to become a radical living Social Forum with defined, accountable and democratically elected leadership structures rooted in the social movements and ordinary masses and one which actively supports and facilitates, in action and not just talk, the daily bread and butter struggles of the poor against neoliberal capitalism and the Zanu PF political dictatorship. The historic ZSF Annual Strategic Planning meeting of 10 March 2007 adopted the later approach and obliged all ZSF structures from regions, clusters and commissions to renew, democratically, leadership structures as well as accelerate campaigns of resistance.
So far many clusters and regions have met electing leaderships and adopting campaigns of resistance, as shown below. Unfortunately a few clusters, regions and NOC commissions are still lagging behind.
HIV and AIDS Cluster
The cluster had its first meeting this year on the 3rd May where they selected their AIDS Council Committee led by cde Douglas, deputized by cde Sibongile. They adopted three key campaigns on health, education and running consumer co-operatives to ensure the availability of affordable and subsidised food and other basics. Citing the articulated government policy stating that no pupils should be suspended for non-payment of fees, they wrote letters to several school heads demanding reinstatement of pupils whose parents are HIV and AIDS patients who had been suspended from schools because of non-payment of fees and levies.
The campaign was indeed a success for most school heads and the ministry of education had no objections to the idea but only expressed that it needs to be done early in the year before schools open so that they have a comprehensive list of pupils who need such exemption . The campaign must grow to include a right to education for all children and run in conjunction with other clusters like the youths, disability and gender clusters. The cluster also agreed to run community health forums in the townships demanding the right to free treatment and free ARVs drugs to all HIV and AIDS patients. These are yet to kick off. The cluster also successfully organized this year’s commemorations on the Global AIDS commemorations week in Chitungwiza
Labour Cluster
They had their initial cluster meeting on the 25th April and agreed to let cde Canwell, the ZCTU nominee to the ZSF continue being the convener of the cluster but deputized by cde Ady from the ZLC. Ever since then they have been meeting fortnightly .The cluster also agreed to fully subscribe to the ZCTU calendar of events in particular the campaigns and stayaways for a living wage. Comrades in the cluster also attended the ZCTU Health and Safety day.
Informal Trade
They had their inaugural cluster meeting on the 19th of April with .cde Augustine from the cross borders association selected the convener. A well –attended teach-in was done in May. The key challenges facing this cluster and campaigns adopted included those of: the right to free trade in the SADCC region especially the removal of restrictive visa requirements in SA and the right to trade for vemusika and vendors in the urban areas. A new and recent challenge that the cluster needs to fight are the new laws imposing requirement that traders pay in forex for their imports.
Gender
Had a cluster meeting on the 12th of May. Cdes from WOZA, HIV and AIDS support groups, PADARE, ZCTU and ISO attended the meeting and backed cde Tabeth to be the convener and cde Tecla as deputy. The cluster adopted the following key campaigns: for food security and income generation through setting up consumer co-operatives under the Consumer Council and fighting for the right to trade of vendors ne vemusika; campaign to resist the privatization of water under ZINWA; a campaign for the right to education campaign by ensuring that no pupil is sent from school for not paying fees and levies; and to support the ZCTU WAC campaign for the right to dignity for girls and women by ensuring free or subsidized and affordable pads. The cluster resolved to run community forums in the townships to build up these campaigns.

Social Service Delivery
The cluster re-affirmed cde Mabhoo from CHRA as its NOC representative deputized by cde Taderera from CHIRRA. Members attended an extra-ordinary convention of residents associations in Masvingo over the ZINWA – water crisis and set up a National Task-Force chaired by cde Mabhoo to lead a national resistance campaign against ZINWA. CHIRRA held a powerful Chitungwiza report back meeting in June on the corruption in the MDC-Zanu PF run council in June in which resolutions for action were adopted. CHRA had earlier on a successful meeting in Harare on the need to fight water privatization and ZINWA. Already various groups in Budiriro have started local actions demanding that ZINWA dig boreholes and provide water bowers at selected points or face a rates boycotts. Similar demands have been placed on local business to help fund the construction of boreholes. The challenge is now to get the water campaign fully off the ground starting with community forums, rates boycotts and actions. As Hosia Chipanga says – “Ndakambokutaurirayi kuti mvura haitengeswe…”
Governance and Human Rights
The cluster is led by cde M. Chivasa from the NCA. Meetings have been sparse but a successful teach-in in conjunction with ZESN was done in late August attended by representatives from all clusters. ZimRights had a well attended public meeting on the 2008 elections in Harare. The key challenge of the cluster is now co-ordination and mobilization of resistance to the attempts by elites in the political parties to run fake and rigged elections under an imposed elitist new constitution on Zimbabwe without the involvement of the people. Civic society must re-mobilise for a Second Working People’s Convention to reject this and demand democratic elections in 2008 but only under a new, people driven and anti-ESAP constitution that would have been approved in a free and democratic referendum.

Generally as we write there are intense mobilization for the social forums in Chitungwiza - 22 September; Mutare – 29 September and Bulawayo - 6 October, which are all promising to be the most powerful and focused up to date and setting firm foundations for mobilizing resistance campaigns in the coming period. Thus the ZSF has mutated in all aspects from clusters, commissions, regions, the NOC and National Council gearing for playing a lead role in the unfolding struggles in Zimbabwe and SADCC. Now the way forward is to link all cluster activities in different townships and regions and have joint activities and campaigns. We must use the coming regional social forums and SASF in Mozambique on 17 – 19 October to sharpen our understanding of the crisis and forge effective new tactics and strategies so as to immediately roll out our campaigns of resistance. So its action full time after the forums!
Mike Sambo

No. 18 amendment ...the Great betrayal ...Working People`s convention now !

2007-09-25T10:13:00.000+02:00

For the first or second time, at least known publicly, the two main political parties agreed on constitutional amendments supposedly meant to resolve the crisis in the country. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, No 18 was unanimously passed by, “amid thunderous applause from both Zanu –PF and MDC legislators.” The Bill harmonises presidential, parliamentary and local authority elections next year to be done in one day, increases the number of MPs and a few other cosmetic changes. 111 MPs voted for the Bill and none voted against. Speakers from ZANU PF and MDC spoke vociferously, applauding the coming together of the enemies for a decade. The ZANU PF chief Whip Joram Gumbo had this to say,
“We from this side of the House want to say the chickens have come home to roost. We realise now that we are Zimbabweans. We, as Zimbabweans, are able to come together and solve our issues."
The MDC (Tsvangirai) deputy president, Thoko Khupe stated:
"We supported the Bill because we do not want to see Zimbabwe burning.. It does not mean we have abandoned our demand for a new people-driven Constitution. It is our understanding that this will be delivered in due course."
Welshman Ncube, of the MDC (Mutambara) was even more forthright …
"Zimbabweans are faced with a national crisis. We may differ, but we agree there is a crisis. Some where along the way we lost each other. This is our attempt to find each other.”
Another opposition leader stated - “Today is the beginning of a historic moment in this house....We are in the process of making history and finding solutions to the crisis."
Quiet stunning from viciously warring parties in the last few years, including in the opposition. Tuesday the 18th of September was the outcome of the secret ongoing Mbeki talks between the two MDC's and ZANU PF led by Chinamasa and Goche for ZANU PF and Tendai Biti and Welshmen Ncube for the two MDC's.
“Treachery” – varombo kuvarombo vapfumi kuvapfumi
This deal is not for the poor and oppressed who have bravely withstood the hard times we have been going through and have been the necessary fuel to the existence of the MDC. Now the last decade of inspiring work by labour, civic society and social movements has been sacrificed by leaders only interested in getting into power and accumulating wealth. Indeed on that Tuesday 18 September 2007, while ‘they’ took Zimbabwe through this ‘historic moment’, labour and students activists were in police cells over the ZCTU stayaway. Truly the moment was historic. A turn in the direction of where the struggle for liberation is going. Yesterday showed us that "varombo kuvarombo, vafumi kuvafumi," must now be the slogan of the day and that the opposition leaders have accepted Mugabe’s invitation at the tractor feast that “Nyaya yekudya inyaya yedu tose … kana toita politics tinenge taguta.” The ideological mist that masked a false unity of purpose in the opposition forces has now been blown away.
Virtually all key civic society groups and the ZCTU have rightly denounced it. Arnold Tsunga, the chairman of Crisis Zimbabwe Coalition and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights director said – “We think the MDC has sold out, and it will be very difficulty to work with them in future, taking into perspective the minor adjustment they and ZANU PF have agreed to.”
Lovemore Madhuku and the NCA were even more blistering in their attack:
We are disgusted by the MDC. I don’t see myself sitting under the same tent with both Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara discussing the future of this country. We are severing ties with the MDC over their going into bed with ZANU PF... The MDC’s decision to abandon the principle of a people driven Constitution and opting for a process driven by political parties in Parliament is an act of treachery.”
The NCA gave other reasons to reject the deal, including that: (1) it allows Mugabe to appoint his own successor through Parliament, instead of there being elections; (2) the size of parliament has been massively increased beyond the capacity of the country and economy, from 150 to 210 MPs and Senate from 66 to 93 – all these will be given brand new 4 x 4 double cabs! (3) it does not provide Zimbabweans in the Diaspora with the right to vote as in other SADC countries; (4) the appointment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission remains under the control of Mugabe, who also retains his massive executive presidency powers and control of the state, courts, security arms and media; (5) the Bill of Rights remains the same not guaranteeing the rights of workers, the poor and oppressed or effective freedoms of movement, association and expression. There can be no free and fair elections under such conditions.
As some have already commented, this is a sick deal in which the MDC has got even less than Muzorewa got from Smith! Like Smith, Mugabe is today in a tight corner as the economy collapses, and instead of escalating resistance with other forces as the Patriotic Front did in 1978, the MDC is giving the Mugabe regime a life-saving boat!
Reasons behind Betrayal
However, progressive Social Movements, Labour and Civil Society, must celebrate this event as a refreshing moment which has vindicated a whole decade of ideological analysis of how to deal with the Mugabe dictatorship. Since at least 2001, we in the ISO have warned about how the opposition MDC has been hijacked by elitist capitalist forces and the need to construct an autonomous alternative anti-neoliberal united front to carry on the struggle, with the MDC, but independent of it if need be. We argued – “Thus any strategy of fighting the dictatorship based on a movement dominated or controlled by the MDC will remain prisoner to the glaring ideological and strategic confusion it has shown since 2000 and is bound to fail… its primary preoccupation is towards reaching a sell –out settlement with the Zanu PF dictatorship that will not benefit the poor and working people… The possibility of an elite political settlement between the ruling party and opposition around a western supported full neo-liberal programme is thus real. This will be centred around the neo-liberal economic turn-around programme of ESAP 2 that has been spearheaded by Gono since 2003. The drive towards a settlement is driven by several factors including the ruling classes’ fear of an economic-social implosion because of the worsening economic crisis with unforeseeable political implications, and the fact that both parties are now dominated by elites who subscribe to neo-liberalism and are exhausted and fearful of the crisis of the last decade…. (ZANU PF) elites now want the peace to grow and launder the wealth acquired in the last decade but cannot do so in the context of a crisis ridden state under siege from the west. But to ensure that Zanu PF elites do not relapse as they did in 1997, the forces of global neo-liberalism demand a political guarantee in the form of co-option in government of their trusted agents in Zimbabwe, the MDC and (the exit of Mugabe). On the other hand, the opposition is dominated by the petite bourgeois elite, who long ago prostrated themselves before western neo-liberal political and economic forces and are now eager to get into state power, even as junior partners, and accumulate property as a neo-colonial dependent capitalist class”
It is such elitist settlement to pre-empt social-revolution, that the Mbeki Talks and Const Amendment 18 are designed to achieve supported by Mbeki and the west, with, as Mukundu of MISA aptly puts it - Tsvangirai likely to be “the unwilling sacrificial lamb, sacrificed at the altar of quiet diplomacy and the quest for power by those inside his ‘cabinet,” and as a price for Mugabe to agree to retire – a price not only the opportunist elites in MDC will be willing to pay but also the west, who have always seen Tsvangirai as naïve and dispensable. The West’s interests in Zimbabwe may be summarised simply - Re-launch of the Free Market dictatorship in Zimbabwe. The West would want to be vindicated that the SAP's under the IMF work but were mismanaged in Zimbabwe, besides banishing forever the “bad precedent” set by Mugabe on the land question. Mbeki wants to ensure that Tsvangirai does not set an example for COSATU/SACP to follow as Chiluba did in Zambia. So they will be prepared to ooze from all their financial tanks into the "New Zimbabwe" as soon as the new deal succeeds. SAP's have had a history of dismal failure and in the Latin Americas they have been shoved off by resurgent anti-neoliberal forces. It will only be wise to sanctify them with a Zimbabwe renewed and re-engaged. This explains the ICG, EU and McKinnons of the Commonwealth now wanting dialogue with Mugabe.

Working People Convention and Jambanja now!
But the elites in power and in opposition may not have it all their way. Now that the talks have been lubricated by the Number 18 Amendment, and vice versa, the driving seat seems to have been secured. But the major question remains the destination. Number 18 represents a political crisis and storm coming down. This is however still veiled by an unpredictable Mugabe trajectory, momentarily shrouded in speculation. It remains to be seen how Mugabe will manage his political campaign for the coming elections. The economic crisis that has threatened Mugabe's political power is still pending. Price hikes may be well on their way back to madness. So the economic crisis resolution is yet to be propounded. Neither is it all clear in MDC (Tsvangirai). There are stirrings of serious opposition, with reports that the youths, the women section, key provinces like Harare and Bulawayo, the Diaspora and other radicals are opposing the sell – out deal, with support coming mainly from the self-seeking MPs. Indeed over the week-end, Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba, had revealed such stirrings and predicted that whilst the MDC (Mutambara) executive would easily support the deal, it was going to face stiff and insurmountable resistance in the Tsvangirai one, sending Biti into oblivion.
The above provides a historic moment for the progressives in labour, civic society, revolutionary socialists and MDC radicals to reclaim the initiative, smash this sell –out neoliberal elitist deal and re-launch the struggle to smash the dictatorship and the attempts at accelerating ESAP. These forces must urgently convene a 2nd Working People’s Convention which will discuss the treacherous Mbeki Talks and Amendment 18 and the way forward. Central will be that harmonised elections be done in 2008 but only under a democratic, people driven and anti-ESAP constitution. If the regime rejects this, then the struggle must be shifted to all out mass action – jambanja or civil disobedience in which there is no co-operation whatsoever with the regime but a determined struggle to throw it out as has happened elsewhere. The ZCTU has already started the ball rolling, but to succeed we need united action of labour and civic society. Like Smith in 1978, the regime is now cornered, which is why its making concessions. History teaches us that success is possible. For instance the March 1961 Zhii – Zhanda strikes forced Nkomo to abandon the sell –out constitutional deal he had made with the British giving blacks 15 out of 65 parliamentary seats. In 1978, after ZANU refused to accept the Internal Settlement deal, Nkomo also withdrew from any further deals with the Smith- Muzorewa regime and opted for continuing with the struggle under the Patriotic Front. In 2005 Tsvangirai gave in to pressure not to go into the Senate elections. The same can happen today if we are resolute! Jambanja Ndizvo!

slogan

2007-08-16T10:00:00.000+02:00

shinga mushandi shinga

Graphical workers union congress

2007-08-06T10:13:00.000+02:00

Its permanent struggle for the Printing workers

June 16 saw an end to a protracted fight in the Zimbabwe Graphical Workers Union between the rank and file workers and right wing bureaucrats. Workers finally convened an extra-ordinary congress amidst several attempts to jeopardize them by the bureaucrats who went as far as calling the state to disrupt the congress .The congress was magnificent and one of its kind in the history of the union, it was basically run on a shoe string budget but workers sacrificed all the way from all regions to save their union from collapse.
The congress marked the beginning of a new era, an era of building a real strong union deeply rooted in workers with progressive socialists now in control of the union unlike the previous leadership which had long broken ties with its members. But its hard won freedom for workers for the history of the union fights tells us more and bears a lot to be learnt. Critically that, in the absence of strong organized rank and file organization, chances of trade union bureaucrats ultimately selling is very high .The last five years of the Zimbabwe Graphical workers union have it all .
In 2002 when with guidance from ISO comrades; workers formed a rank and file group called Reflections after the union had failed workers for over a decade. The union was then led by a bunch of sellouts who neither bothered accountability nor a congress to choose new leaders .The rank and file group historically managed to push for a congress in 2002 which swept away the entire previous leadership.
The 2002 congress brought new life in the printing industry, within a year workers in the printing industry were amongst the top paid industrial workers .The union organized two industry wide strikes which completely halted the whole industry forcing bosses to make major concessions to the advantage of workers. Situation suddenly changed altogether after their second successful strike when bosses victimized and fired most of the militant workers who had together with the union officials helped organize the strike.
Unfortunately most of the fired workers constituted a section of the union rank and file, which provided direct leadership in the factories and again played a watchdog role in the union.
Their departure from active participation in the union in a way gave birth to the rise of bureaucrats who found no reason at all for accountability to workers. They established ties with bosses negotiating starvation wages reversing worker’s hard won gains.
It is against the deteriorating conditions again in the industry that concerned workers led by remnants of the previous rank and file of 2002 organized for an extra-ordinary congress on the 16th June, which saw the last kicks to the bureaucrats and sellouts.

It was possible for the sellouts to sell out because workers behind them were no all that organized to demand accountability from their leaders, a lesson which the current leadership should learn and always maintain that rank and file base. Strengthening the rank and file workers backed by socialists now in the leadership will provide the necessary bases for the formation of a RED union which will together with three orfour others in the near future will help strengthen the working class of the country .
Aluta Continua !! Shinga Mushandi , Bury Capitalism !!!
By M Sambo

Create an alternative voice to ZANU PF and MDC

2007-08-06T10:10:00.000+02:00

Build a United Front
Create an alternative voice to ZANU PF and MDC
The now obvious right wing shift of the MDC has seen a growing number of workers, students and youths and the radical middle classes becoming disgruntled and questioning the direction of the party .The question which confronts these people , is what is the way forward ?Zanu PF , despite its populist posturing , especially on the land issue , remains firmly embedded as the bosses party , a process strengthened by the death of Border Gezi and Hunzvi .The black bosses in the party now controls all key provinces in ZANU PF and its other key organs like the politburo and Parliament .
But on the other hand the deepening crisis of capitalism locally and internationally, is again making a real possibility of the return of the radical mass based struggles of 1997, as the current nationwide students demonstrations against privatizations how .At an international level , there is developing an anti-capitalist movement shown by major demonstrations in North America , Latin America and Europe in the past two years .
As way forward we argue for the re-groupment of the left and the working class movement in Zimbabwe, and regionally on the bases of a principle of united front, as alternative to the two bosses parties ZANU PF and MDC.
United front
“March separately but strike together”, is the slogan of the united front – a theory developed by the Russian Bolshevik revolutionary, Leon Trotsky on how to deal with situations that confront us in Zimbabwe today. This means revolutionary organizations; radical reformist organizations, trade unions, students and others can enter into temporary alliances around specific issues. When Trotsky at the end of the 1920s, he was concerned about the emergence of the fascism in Europe and he called upon revolutionary socialists to enter into united front alliances with centrist or reformist parties and organizations to smash the then emerging threat of fascism in Italy and Germany .This was in opposition to the Stalinists who opposed such alliances with slogans like “after Hitler ,Our turn” on the eve of Hitler’s victory! Trotsky argued for the unity of democratic forces against rising Fascism , but nonetheless argued even in such unity the socialists must maintain their independence and identity and not be swallowed ,ie March separately but strike together !”.
After the NAZI victory , the Stalinists made a dramatic u-turn going into alliances with such reformist organizations but entirely subordinating themselves to such popular fronts , only to be betrayed by their new allies , sometimes with massive tragic results like in Spain in 1936 , France in 1934 and subsequently Indonesia in 1965 and Chile in 1973.

United front against ZANU PF
The same issues confront us today. ZANU PF and Mugabe today constitutes the biggest threat to the working class as shown by their draconian Labour bill and other legislation and trampling of basic bourgeois rights ahead of 2002 elections. This therefore calls for unity in a united front of all radical forces concerned about democracy in the country to ensure free and fair elections next year and the respect of its results .This means a unity of all radical sections of Labour, constitutional movement , student movement , civic society and those disgruntled with the right wing shift of the MDC and ZANU PF
However such united front should not bind or subordinate itself to the MDC , but each and every individual organization in the front should be allowed to maintain its political and organizational independence , including the right to attack and expose the right wing nature of the MDC even if it is the sole electoral alternative to ZANU PF in the coming elections .
In particular for revolutionary organizations like ISO it is imperative to maintain absolute political independence throughout, if they are not to abandon the very politics that could win real gains for the working class, as happened to the SACP in the ANC popular front.
Socialists must know that their primary role in such alliances is to advance workers ideas within it and seek to win a broader audience for the revolutionary ideas within it .The role of the revolutionary party is to lead and influence workers in the united front so that in the process of the united struggle , workers can see for themselves that the revolutionary politics offer a way forward as opposed to the dead end reformist politics of parliament and courts .
But revolutionaries must always bear in mind that a policy aimed to secure the united front does not of course contain automatic guarantees that unity in action will be attained in all instances .On the contrary , in many cases and perhaps even the majority of cases , organization objectives will only be half – attained if at all .
Freedom of expression uncompromisable

In the vent that reformists in the united front begin putting brakes on the struggle to the obvious detriment of the movement and counter to the situation on the ground and the mood of the masses , we as an independent organization always reserve the right to lead the struggle to the end , and this without our temporary semi-allies .
This precisely describes the position of ISO in the MDC , which give imperatives of democracy movements in the country and the mood of the working class , we entered a united front bases , and continue to offer support on that bases , contrary on the ultra – leftist positions of many of our critics in the regional and international socialist movement who had wanted out .But through out we have fought for and returned complete freedom of expression in order to expose the betrayal , indecisions and halfway spirit of the reformist leadership of the MDC .For that reason any sort of organizational agreement which restricts our freedom our criticism and agitation is completely unacceptable to us , hence we have been prepared to make a complete break with the MDC should such conditions become imposed on us .We stand on that position today which has won us grow audience amongst sections of the radical workers .As Lenin urged in the Left – wing communism – an infantile disorder” it is only through direct experience gained in the course of actual struggle that the broad masses learn that we as socialists fight better than the cowardly reformists , that we are more audacious and resolute that the others .The united front is the form through which we participate in such struggles with the masses and those whom we might agree with on 60% of the objective but disagree on the rest and the form in which we will be able to expose the bankruptcy of the middle class reformists groups and build our own forces .In this way , we shall bring closer the our of the united revolutionary front under undisputed socialist leadership .
By T Sando

Social contract---ZCTU Pull out and call for general strike

2007-08-06T10:07:00.000+02:00

Social Contract: ZCTU Pull Out and call for General Strike Now!

On 1 June 2007, the leaders of the unions led by the ZCTU signed the Incomes and Pricing Stabilisation Protocol with government and business. Also signing were APEX for public servants and the Zanu (PF) yellow dog “union federation”, the ZFTU.
The ZCTU says it only signed this protocol and not the other two or a social contract, but the protocol is the most important of the three, the very heart of the social contract that RBZ Governor has been pushing since March. The idea was to reduce inflation to 25% by year end from the then 3 700%; to stop the massive increases of prices of basic goods with businesses promising to increase prices of goods only within agreed parameters; stabilize the economy and give workers a living wage consistent with the Poverty Datum Line. National Employment Councils were supposed to do a one off collective bargaining bench-marked on the April PDL of $1.7 million per month and thereafter monthly collective bargaining based on the inflation rate, whilst government undertook not to tax employees earning below the PDL. The labour leaders in turn promised to ensure “industrial peace” for the six months duration of the protocol, i.e. stop workers from going on strike including the stay away in July earlier on resolved by the ZCTU General Council and affirmed only a week before and at May Day by militant ZCTU president, L. Matombo. They also surrendered their historic role as the leaders of the poor and downtrodden by signing an agreement that said nothing about them. Giving up their most powerful weapon even at a time their South African and Nigerian counterparts were executing huge strikes in defence of the poor.
But the Zanu PF regime and capitalists deceived the labour leaders. Less than three weeks since the signing of the social contract, there has been a huge wave of price increases of everything from transport to food to medicines that we have not seen in the last decade. Indeed the state is now frantically calling for an emergency TNF meeting to address the issues. In any case bosses had not really given much away, with the June PDL already over $3.5 million whilst there was no provision compelling the state to give immediate statutory status to the Protocol, leaving it as a legally non-binging set of promises by government and employers.
Considering the history of other countries in particular Italy, France, Spain, Indonesia and South Africa, the social contract theory - strategy has always been used by governments and bosses when their system of capitalism is in deep crisis and in danger of being overthrown by revolution from the poor to buy time, co-opt labour and the radical movements and later on launch vicious attacks against the working people when things stabilize. In Zimbabwe, the Mugabe regime, despite the rhetoric to the contrary, is now in a corner, battered and bruised by the general crisis of Gono’s neoliberal capitalism, sanctions and near collapse of the agriculture sector. There is real danger of a total economic collapse by December as predicted by the Group of 34 international NGOs in Zimbabwe, if not the 1 million % inflation rate predicted by the chief imperialist representative in Zimbabwe, US ambassador Dell. Such a situation creates ripe conditions for massive riots, strikes and revolts from below, which as we saw in apartheid South Africa, Argentina, Madagascar, etc can topple even the most intransigent and brutal of regimes. Already there are growing signs of uneasiness amongst the lower ranks of the army and police. The regime knows this, which is why it has imposed a virtual state of emergence in the main cities and towns.
But that will not be enough. To stop possible mass revolts, the regime will have to neutralize and co-opt its most potentially powerful enemy, organized labour under the leadership of ZCTU from leading general strikes in the next few months, that are likely to be joined by other sections of the urban and rural poor. In the meanwhile the political elites in government and opposition will try and sort out their current differences and problems, including the tricky issue of Mugabe’s succession and unity of MDC, to eventually create an anti-working people and western supported government of national unity accelerating the neoliberal programme already initiated by Gono. This is the real objective of this dangerous social contract, the Mbeki talks between Zanu (PF) and MDC leaders and the activities of the imperialist-funded and controlled Save Zimbabwe Campaign. This is what Mugabe meant when recently offering the opposition leaders bribes of farms and tractors -“Nyaya yekudya inyaya yedu tese, hapana asingararame nekudya. Kana toita politics dzekutunguna tinenge taguta.” (When it comes to eating the national cake, we eat together, and only engage in party politicking and insult one another after we are full).

Way Forward and our Demands
Well now that the capitalists and government have reengaged on their promises, labour must immediately pull out of the social contract and mobilize for action this July, taking a leaf from the unions in South Africa and Nigeria. The general strike must be accompanied by general demonstrations by all sections of the working people and poor.
But to succeed we need a campaign that unites the factory with the township, the growth point and school and college campuses; that unites the workers with the unemployed, housewives, youths, students, vendors, informal traders and combi drivers, peasants, the human rights activists, political party militants and revolutionary socialists and their different organizations and movements, such as those assembled under the Zimbabwe Social Forum. Thus this action cannot be unilaterally run and controlled by the ZCTU leaders alone as in previous stayaways if it is to succeed, but must be a genuine democratic united front with all these movements, including in the formulation of strategies, tactics and demands, even if organized labour remains the leading player.
We must have full scale mobilization through leafleting, posters, labour forums in industry as well as labour – residents forums in the townships and setting up joint labour-activists teams operating in the industries, colleges, and townships. Our demands must be comprehensive and holistic – a Working People’s Charter demanding:
· An immediate statutory national minimum living wage adjustable every fortnight consistent with the rate of inflation and pegged to the bread basket or USA dollar and which is tax free, with employment councils only negotiating top ups;
· Mandatory jail sentences for managers, directors and owners of businesses that unilaterally increase prices of basic goods and services or offload goods on the black market or violate the minimum wages;
· Immediate take-over of businesses and enterprises by workers of enterprises that violate minimum wage provisions or violate price controls or off-load goods on the black market;
· a special levy into a worker controlled fund, on all Stock Exchange listed companies, multinationals, pharmacies and large businesses like retailers like mines, OK and TM to fund our collapsing health, education, transport and peasant agriculture sectors as well as emergency food aid for those in need and the needs of the disabled and those infected and affected AIDS/HIV.
· Immediate stopping of harassment of vendors and informal trade and the right to trade in town centers and other desirable areas;
· The immediate lifting of the de facto state of emergency that the regime has imposed in our cities and towns,; repeal of POSSA and AIPPA;
· A new people-driven democratic and anti-ESAP constitution; free and fair elections under such constitution within six months and trial of those guilty of crimes against humanity and compensation for the victims.

The situation and timing has never been more ripe. The ZCTU leaders and militants today have a historic duty on their shoulders to provide leadership and call for and lead mass action without further delay – Failure to do so, history will judge them very harshly.
Shinga Mushandi Shinga! Penga mushandi ! Another Zimbabwe is Possible! Now is our time!

As economy collapses

2007-08-06T09:56:00.000+02:00

As economy collapses …

Imperialists predict regime collapse & Mugabe threatens nationalization
We say … Mass Action now to kick out Regime & Imperialism!!!

Zimbabwe is at cross-roads as the economy rapidly heads for implosion. In June 2007 a Group of 34 International NGOs in Zimbabwe warned of economic collapse within six months. Outgoing US ambassador, “regime change” specialist, C. Dell, went further -
“We are closer to seeing change in Zimbabwe today generated from within than at any time since Independence... The acceleration of the economic collapse signifies an end-game for President Mugabe. The country’s inflation has doubled every month. In February independent analysts revealed that inflation was at 3 000%, while in March it doubled to 6000%. In April it was at 12 000% and currently it’s at 20 000%. By year-end the inflation rate will be at 1.5million percent…world-wide no government has survived presiding over inflation that had hit over seven digit levels.”
This is not mere talk by “imperialists.” In calling for an urgent Social Contract in February 2007, Reserve Bank Governor, G. Gono said the country was facing an unprecedented abyss. In the last two weeks of massive price increases of basic goods, such predicted economic now seems imminent, prompting the government to order the slashing by 50% of prices of all goods and services and impose a prize freeze. At the burial of Brig. General Gunda at the National Heroes Acre on the 27th June, conveniently chosen as it was the day of departure from office of Tony Blair, Mugabe threatened to nationalize all business that flout the price controls and jail the owners:
“Zvatirikuuya nazvo iyezvino tavakuomeserana. Kana to tinha, touya, whether you are bakers, producers, industry or commerce, take note, tinokuteverai. Ende hausi mutambo uchaitwa zvakanaka, it will be a rough game. Tavakusungana, you will be jailed. We will not be defeated by these tactics of regime change of the British …we will seize the mines and companies. We will nationalize them if they continue with these dirty games… we will take all the companies. Tinogona kuritambawo game iroro, ende tichimwisa futi, ne rough iyoyo.”
The question is whether this is just another toothless bark by the Mugabe regime or it means business this time or indeed the end-game has finally arrived for Mugabe?

Mugabe’s two choices
In the February 2003 issue of Socialist Worker we predicted that the main factor that would determine the future of Zimbabwe was the worsening economic crisis and how the main political actors would respond to this. We stated then that whilst Mugabe “was an intelligent and ruthless operative, capable of sophisticated and tactical shifts and the wrong-footing of his opponents, he and Zanu – PF are not immune from the tensions arising from the economic crisis, to which they have no solution.” We stated that the Mugabe regime had two choices: enter into a compromise deal involving a neo-liberal government of national unity of elites in Zanu PF and MDC supported by the West with Mugabe himself retiring or refuse to compromise politically, even as it proceeded with Gono’s neo-liberal programme and increased repression. We warned – that “the deepening of the neo-liberal agenda by a Mugabe government especially without the co-option of the MDC as a junior partner and acquiescence of the west would accelerate the economic crisis to the proportions seen in Argentina at the end of 2001 as local and international capital lay siege on the beleaguered regime…” As it were Mugabe chose the second option, especially with his decision to run again in 2008. And with it the climaxing economic crisis we see today. But does that mean he is finished?

Mugabe not finished
The imperialists have probably spoken too prematurely. Although in a corner the regime can still wiggle out by whipping business into line of complying with its social contract and not raise prices dramatically until elections next year. Mugabe is unlikely to want to nationalize as such given that his government is after all predominantly made up of bosses. But if business resists, as it has immediately done now by taking goods off the shelves, more radical measures are likely to follow. These may include a combination of nationalization, seizing some foreign businesses to give to his cronies under the guise of indigenisation or letting out Zanu PF hordes into selected shops. But Mugabe counts on the fact that business is likely to play ball being afraid of a repeat of the farm invasions and knowledge that he has the necessary two thirds parliament majority to amend the constitution. Given that the capitalists have been profiteering most will be prepared to weather a price control regime until election time rather than lose everything, giving the regime a powerful campaign tool. If Mugabe does not do the above indeed he is finished.
Not that Mugabe is totally averse to some kind of elitist compromise deal, for his retention of the neo-liberal Gono and his doling out of tractors to MDC leaders shows that he too is ready to compromise, but in a deal that leaves him and his party as the senior partners. But should business not co-operate or even should he lose the elections, one cannot discount the possibility of him hanging on to power by force and proceed to nationalize key sectors of the economy and try and survive on the basis of the N. Korean and Cuban models as he today threatens.

Struggle only way forward
So whilst the economic crisis in Zimbabwe is climaxing it is naïve to think it will lead to automatic regime change or election victory in March 2008. As we earlier stated: “It is not all that obvious which way Zimbabwe will go or that the bourgeois elites will have their way. The country is at unprecedented crossroads, a virtual precipice…It is quite possible that if the local elites fail to urgently strike a settlement …including the resolution of the Mugabe succession issue, Zimbabwe could easily go the way of the growing number of neo-colonial failed states, notably Cote D’Ivoire…”
But also equally important is that the present situation is pregnant with another possibility that the Dells, Mugabes and MDCs don’t talk about but is probably the most powerful method of dealing with the crisis: “On the other hand it is also possible that the working class could again, as it did in 1996 – 98, inspire the rest of the working people and sections of the middle classes into massive social and political struggles against the entire neo-colonial and neo-liberal capitalist state as we see happening in the anti-capitalist struggles in Latin America today. But such struggles require that the working class build appropriate organizations to lead the struggle and develop an independent revolutionary socialist class ideology that guides them to victory. Critical to this, is the transformation of trade unions into more democratic, united and accountable organs of workers and the building of a political united democratic front of all progressive sections of the working people, urban and rural, with clear class and ideological lines, unlike the broad church dominated by the bourgeoisie of 1999… The worsening economic situation will continue to trigger small to significant revolts centred around bread and butter issues … The challenge is to generalize and link such different small actions into broader, bigger and specific campaigns supported by all the various forces still ready to fight, whilst also linking these to the struggle for a new democratic and anti-capitalist constitution…In the immediate, the objectives of such struggles would include complete constitutional reform to expand democracy, legal institutions, nationalization of the commanding heights of the economy, land re-distribution and general subordination of private property to society’s needs. A central demand of the movement must be that harmonized elections be done by 2008 but only under a democratic, people driven and anti-ESAP constitution. If the regime rejects this … then the struggle must be shifted to all out mass action – jambanja or civil disobedience …a determined struggle to throw it out as has happened elsewhere. This must be the basis on which co-operation with the opposition parties must be built, but on the basis of an autonomous movement of working people and other radicals, so that when the political parties betray the struggle by entering deals with the dictatorship, as they are likely to, the struggle will continue…”
It would be a huge mistake to surrender leadership of such action to the opposition leadership, for “ … any strategy of fighting the dictatorship based on a movement dominated or controlled by the MDC (like the Save Zimbabwe Campaign) will remain prisoner to the glaring ideological and strategic confusion it has shown since 2000 and is bound to fail... Even if it should engage in some mass action …its primary pre-occupation is towards reaching a sell out settlement with the Zanu PF dictatorship that will not benefit the poor and working people… In other words to quote ZCTU president L. Matombo: ‘our goals are different. We see the product of this process as social revolution. They don’t.”
ISO Zim June 2007

British Workers Give Blair The Boot

2007-05-11T16:50:00.000+02:00

Now Give Mugabe The Boot

May Day Celebrations

2007-04-27T13:10:00.000+02:00

Workers meet on Tuesday 1 May 2007 for Workers Day commemorations in the background of worsening poverty.

The Mugabe regime has used the excuse of sanctions for this and a deteriorating economy. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Excluding South Africa, 38% of the top 50 companies in the region are from Zimbabwe. 19 are from Zimbabwe, 13 are from Botswana and 8 are from Zambia.

On top of this, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange was rated the best performing in Africa last year. For the first three months of this year it was ranked the best performing stock exchange globally.

If we look at the figures of the highest valued companies, we can see who is really suffering in Zimbabwe. Among the top listed companies are:
Delta Corporation – owner of Delta Beverages
Innscor Africa – owner of Bakers Inn, Chicken Inn and others
Meikles Africa – owner of TM Supermarkets.
Hippo Valley Estates – biggest sugar producer
OK Zimbabwe – the supermarket chain
National Foods – food producers
Zimbabwe Sugar Refinery Corporation – refines Hippo Valley sugar cane
Dairibord – milk producers
Seed Co – produces seed for agricultural crops
Cotton Company – produces spun cotton for clothing and school uniforms.

In its 2006 financial year TM Supermarkets provided 75% of the net profit for the entire Meikles Africa group! Food companies, clothing manufacturers and banks are the top valued companies in Zimbabwe. These are the companies that handle important basic needs.

Yet is precisely the same bosses that are paying workers an average of $ 200,000 per month when the poverty datum line (PDL) is easily $ 1,200,000 – six times the average wage! The PDL inflation was 2,800% at the end of February 2007 whilst the general inflation figure was 1,700% at the same time.

It is precisely these same bosses that can afford to import vechicles from Britain at up to 175,000 British Pounds each – a staggering seven-and-a-half trillion dollars on the parallel market. They spend 400,000 US Dollars (nearly nine trillion dollars) every single day on importing vechicles from Dubai.

It is exactly these same bosses that refuse to pay import duties in foreign currency.

Enough is Enough! Zvakwana! Sokwanele! May Day must be the time to plan for mass class war on these blood-ducking parasites!

In Harare, the venue is Gwanzura in Highfield. For other venues please contact you local ZCTU offices.

2007-04-27T11:05:00.000+02:00

On Monday Morning 23rd April WOZA`s `Power to the People` campaign spread to Harare when protesters assembled at ZESA offices in Kuwadzana, Warren Park and Zengeza to hold simultaneous 'tough love' protests. Over 470 members from 10 differentareas of Harare took part.

The protests at Warren Park and Zengeza took place without incident and the participants were able to disperse before police arrived but in Kuwadzana eye witnesses reported that the police arrived brandishing guns and 56 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) - 36 women, 20 men and 10 babies – were arrested.

Lawyers have been denied access and WOZA supporters trying to take in food were only allowed access at 9pm yesterday evening. When they did they noted that many members had blood on their heads and clothing and had clearly been assaulted by police. Threats of beheading were made against those bringing food but no-one who delivered food this morning was harmed.Many thanks to all those who have been phoning in support of WOZA`s Power to the People campaign. Feedback indicates that Luveve and Tshabalala quickly stopped answering calls although some managed to get through on Thursday night; no- one seems to be getting through to Bulawayo Central.

Here are some alternative numbers for your to try.
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri +263-04-250008 / 792621 / 700171
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi on +263-11-605424 / +263-4-430422 / 794628 / 703695
State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa on +263-11-200532 / +263-4-774189
Harare Central Police Station on +263-4-777777

2007-04-24T09:33:00.000+02:00

(copyright/credit ZAPIRO from a south african newspaper)

Mass Action The Way To Solve The Crisis

2007-04-20T12:02:00.000+02:00

Since the beginning of the year, working people struggles in Zimbabwe has risen. The year opened with the Zesa workers, doctors, nurses and teachers strikes and the civil servants industrial action. The continued sharp rises in the prices of food and transport going up twice every week has given confidence to unemployed township youths and women and has put pressure on the opposition leadership to take some action.
Women vendors in Mufakose and other townships resisted the continued harassment from municipal police by raining stones on them - though the acts were isolated and easily crushed by the police. The Zanu PF government in response has imposed a state of emergency banning rallies in towns where the opposition enjoys support and where the pinch is being felt most by ordinary people.
This has led to debates among the opposition leadership as to whether the time has come for a head on with the government or whether foreign intervention is the way to end the crisis or to wait for the masses to come out on their own. When MDC Democratic Resistance Committees (DRCs) demonstrated in support of the teachers and doctors leading to the arrest of demonstrators, Tsvangirai attacked the demonstration saying it was not the time to be involved in “reckless” acts.
As the situation continues to open, the pressure from below for action continues increasing. When the police stopped
Tsvangirai’s Highfield rally from going ahead the youths responded by fighting back so fiercely that police had to call in
extra support and use riot water cannon that where bought from Israel. The arrest and beatings of the opposition leaders climaxed it all that everyone is now calling for removal of the current regime
On the other hand, Zanu PF, just as in 2000, has now gone on the campaign trail to consolidate its power in face of the
crisis. Mugabe’s consolidation of his power is not just aimed at the opposition but also within his party against the Mujuru faction. Mujuru’s faction, realizing how bad the economy has gone, also called for Mugabe to step down and started having meetings with diplomats assuring them that if they take over, stable economic environment is guaranteed.
This has forced Mugabe to defend himself and come out in the open to say that he is standing again next year. He
has managed to silence the growing resistance within his own party by isolating the Mujuru faction. Though Mugabe, through his campaign that he has kicked off for 2008, is talking radical, his RBZ appointee Gono is viciously attacking the ordinary people through his policies. The economic crisis has deteriorated. Life has become difficult for ordinary people.
Whilst Tsvangirai, Madhuku and others were still in hospital there were talks over the issue of the Social contract with
government and bosses, the very same government that is unleashing violence on leaders and ordinary people in the
locations. But the social contract is not the solutions to ordinary people’s problems. What ordinary people want is action for prices, rates, rents, school fees to go down, and the availability of drugs. Under the social contract, bosses will not freeze prices but will only freeze wages.
When the government imposes price controls, commodities suddenly disappear from supermarkets only to
reappear on the parallel market at higher prices, the same will happen under social contract. If the social contract is to be signed today the wages will be frozen or controlled below what is needed for workers to survive. Instead there should be demands for a minimum wage linked to the Poverty Datum Line. There are calls for workers to be paid on a fortnightly basis because of the ever increases of prices. This is what the labour leaders should be calling for to cushion workers in this environment not social contract.
MDC and the crisis
Though the crack-down and the brutal murder of Gift by police has somewhat revived the MDC, the leadership is still not convinced that the time for change is now. They were very reluctant to attend the Save Zimbabwe rally. They made a Uturn on hearing that Mutambara had been arrested and drove to Highfield police station, leading to their arrests and beating.
The masses under MDC have been revived their resistance mood. However, the leadership is slow to move with the
masses. An MDC activist said “Tanzwa nekuchekereswa (we now tired of their sell out)”. This is the frustration that is being experienced by many who are angry with the MDC’s lack of decisive way forward in challenging Mugabe. They are totally opposed to mass action and wear also reluctant to have the mass memorial service of Gift taking place. This is why the memorial service was held in Borrowdale, safe from the police. Although people were bussed from locations it was different if it had been held in Highfield or Glen View. This would have radicalised more people including forcing the labour leaders to join in.
What is now happening out of the frustration to publicly call for action is that other leaders are now engaging in
bombings as the way forward. The DRCs are now sponsoring youths to engage in violent acts of provoking the police and government which will eventually lead to mass uprisings as they are hoping. The recent bombings of 5 police stations and Zanu PF activists businesses and houses is all part of a plan of how to fight back. This has had a negative impact with Zanu PF retaliating in the same manner with the attack on Chamisa at the airport and the kidnapping of Maengahama at the on his way from the memorial service. However, they still believe that if they increase their attacks it will eventually work.
The crisis in Zimbabwe cannot be solved by merely engaging a few dedicated activists. There is need to take
advantage of the rising resistance mood of residents, vendors, ordinary women, HIV activists and link it in with the ZCTU stay away. Already there is the idea of renting activists to stop commuter buses from ferrying people to work, blocking roads and attacking the police so that there will be violence and people will not go to work. This must be stopped as it promotes the idea that only a few can solve the crisis. This idea does not recognize the role that workers, students, vendors and the urban poor can play in unseating a dictator and changing the system.
Another weakness currently is that though the masses are making demands that challenge Mugabe and Gono’s neoliberal free market policies the MDC leadership have narrowed it down only to democratic, anti-dictatorship demands. It is interesting to note that Mutambara leader of the other faction, who is now aligning himself more with Tsvangirai faction and wants reconciliation with, is the one taking an anti imperialist stance in his speeches.
Foreign Intervention?
There have been calls from several regional civic society bodies and individuals in an advert in the private Sunday press calling for some sort of foreign intervention to solve the Zimbabwean crisis. But the crisis is more than a political crisis. The political crisis in Zimbabwe derives from the economic and social crisis. This economic social crisis is as a
result of the drive of the investor classes, both local and foreign, to make money. The barbaric price rises of 300% in just 2 weeks this month are testimony to this fact. Any intervention will be to safeguard the system of exploitation and profit.
The calls for military intervention are mere dreams. The horrific reports of interventions in Somalia, Sudan, the DRC and others show what kind of “liberation” will be offered – intervention will be to further the aims of the elite and the ruling class. Following interventions across the globe; Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf implements the worst neo-liberal policies in Liberia; Karzai oversees construction of the most modern building in Kabul to cater for the whims of the elite while those outside the capital still lack reliable water and electricity; thousands are fleeing Mogadishu while Ethiopian soldiers unleash “peace, stability, law and order”; UN troops are involved in child sex trading in the DRC. In all these cases, and more, the disastrous neo-liberal policies demanded by ruling classes are carried out on the same scale or worse than before. Furthermore, the SADC meeting in Tanzania this month also shows what kind of people are being called on to intervene. Further, intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq based on ruling class agendas leads to more of the same.
Intervention must be called for by the struggling masses of Zimbabwe themselves on the basis of assisting the masses – not the investors whose ruinous policies caused the crisis in the first place. The cry of “Viva Zimbabwe Viva!” by liberals simply masks the class nature of the crisis in Zimbabwe. The rich investors still go on their boat cruises on Kariba, while ordering live prawns and crabs from Spar Borrowdale Brooke and other shops in Sam Levy’s Village, while the rest of us walk to work.
Mujuru or Mnangagwa?
A brief mention must be made here of the ZANU-PF Politburo meeting of Friday 30 March 2007 as it surprised a few
observers.
At the ZANU-PF December 2006 Congress, Mugabe failed to get support for an extension of his stolen term to 2010.
The provincial delegates refused to ratify his proposal. Yet Mugabe managed to do so at the 30 March Politburo meeting. The answer is that both main factions in the party are headed by a business elite - neither of whom is able, or rather willing, to mobilise popular support. This is why Mugabe, on the other hand, turned up with bus loads of supporters. Mnangagwa having concerns in the DRC while Mujuru has diamond concerns locally and is allied to big business in this country. Both factions leaders prefer a quicker solution to the economic crisis facing the country.
Similarly, Mugabe will have his way over the 2 factions in the campaign for the Parliamentary and Presidential elections next year when Parliament is reduced to a span of 3 years. All this means that the radical genuine anti-neo-liberal activists and fighters in the Zimbabwe Social Forum will have the better hand in the fight against neo-liberalism in this country. But to be effective, these activists must link up with genuine anti-neo-liberal activists in both the MDC and ZANUPF to lead a truly mass movement in both the towns, cities and country-side to unseat capitalism in Zimbabwe and provide an inspiration to others in the region and beyond.
What then is the way forward?
April 3 & 4 are very critical in the way forward of the current wave of resistance that has emerged. We must go all out to mobilize for ZCTU stay away – for participation of workers and ordinary people in it not just the paid youths. This way the resistance will be sustained as it will move to another action in follow up. This movement will talk about bread and butter issues, also saying no to current police brutality and state of emergency that Zanu PF has declared. Already radical structures of ZSF are mobilizing for the stay away, supporting the ZCTU call. This is the only way to counter the bombing campaign that is being encouraged. With ZCTU and ZSF leading the masses will follow with broadened demands that are on the left of what Mugabe is saying. Radical MDC activists must also join in this campaign. This action will stop Mugabe from running next year and provide concrete, working class based arguments, to solve
Zimbabwe’s crisis permanently. Mass Action ndizvo.
ISO National CO-Ordinating Committee

Mobilise for ZCTU 3 and 4 April Strike!

2007-03-27T15:11:00.000+02:00

* Working Class On The Rise
* Street Battles From Bulawayo to Budiriro, Dulibadzimu to Dangamvura
* Prices Rise Daily By Over 1,000% - No To Wage Freeze
* No To Social Contract
* Reverse School Fee Hikes
* ZINWA and ZESA Hike Charges But No Water or Electricity
* Exhorbitant Kombi Fares
* Health Delivery In Shambles
* Councils Deliver Sewerage Pools and Rubbish Heaps in Residential Areas
* Immediate reversal of price increases to Dec 2006 levels. Open The Bakeries
* No to extension of Mugabe’s Presidential term. MUGABE CHIENDA NHASI
* Wages linked to the Poverty Datum Line. GONO CHIENDA NHASI
* Democratic Constitution before any further Presidential or General elections
* Repeal POSA and AIPPA. MOHADI NA SEKERAMAYI CHIENDA
* Reverse College Tuition Fees and Supplementary Exam Fees. Open The Colleges and Universities. Pay The Lecturers.
* Decommission Riot Water Cannon
* Fire The Entire Cabinet – Including The One Who Hired Them In The First Place

MOBILISE FOR 3 AND 4 APRIL NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE! QINA MSEBENZI QINA! – PENGA MUSHANDI PENGA! – AHOY UNION AHOY!

Organise For Nationwide ZCTU Strike On 3 and 4 April

2007-03-27T09:40:00.000+02:00

The ZCTU Naiowide Strike is still on for Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April - just days away.

Workers Committees and Trade Unions must organise flying pickets in the industrial and commercial areas.

Residents Associations must organise pickets to stop ZUPCO's and kombis from oerating.

TATAMBURA – USADHERERE – We Are Starving – We Are Going To Eat Your Tear Gas!!

2007-02-21T07:54:00.000+02:00

18 Feb 2007 – Highfields, Harare
The MDC (Tsvangirai group) obtained a High Court Order the previous day allowing them to go ahead with a planned rally at Zimbabwe Grounds. On the day of the rally (18 Feb) Zimbabwe Grounds was sealed off by riot police. They fired tear-gas at the 200 MDC members already inside preparing the venue.
Street fights and pitched battles then erupted. Tear-gas was fired at women and children leaving a church sparking fierce clashes. In retaliation a group of Highfield residents waited for police to move down Nyandoro Drive. They then stormed Machipisa Police Station and shut it down for a couple of hours.

17 Feb 2007 – Budiriro, Glen View and Glen Norah
Residents of the south-western townships march. Protesters carry placards reading “No To Extortionate Council Budget Charges”, “Why No ZESA” and “Your Term Is Up – You Have Stayed Too Long”. Riot Police responded with tear-gas. A police car is burned.

16 Feb 2007 – Epworth, Harare
A pick-up truck carrying 6 Harare Council police turned up at a shopping centre for the routine arrest of vendors. But this was no ordinary day. Within minutes the cops came under a barrage of missiles and stones. Kombi drivers parked their kombis around the cops truck and prevented it from leaving. The cops had to flee on foot to safety.
City-Centre, Harare
A demonstration of NCA and opposition members against the extension of the Presidents term in office was met by support unit riot police. This too was no ordinary day. The protesters baved tear-gas and police batons to charge at the police. Minutes later a police wooden post in the main shopping mall of First Street was lying in pieces. Four cops inside had to flee. One hospitalised.

13 Feb 2007 – City Centre, Harare AND city Centre, Bulawayo
The annual WOZA Valentine demonstration against bigotry and oppression takes place. 3,000 protesters in total take to the streets. 274 women and 20 babies are arrested in Bulawayo. In Harare, the police had grown weary of arrests and decided to use tear-gas. Thick clouds of smoke erupted and a handful were arrested.

* It is only by fighting that we can win. Following the launch of the TV Licence Fee campaign, the regime has had to respond by cancelling the increases. Now we must go further until final victory. Mugabe is not the only criminal in this country – all of his neighbours kuBorrowdale Brooke and so forth are the same class dzeMbavha neTsotsi.

SEND IN YOUR REPORTS FROM THE STREETS AND WORKPLACE. E-MAIL iso.zim@gmail.com or rosazulu@cooltoad.com or fax (04) 704209 JAMBANJA UNTIL FINAL VICTORY!! PASI NEMABOSS!! PASI NEMACHEF!!

No To TV Licence Fee Hikes

2007-02-02T08:24:00.000+02:00

SAY NO TO THE EXTORTIONATE TV/RADIO LICENCE FEES OF $ 150,000

SEND AN SMS TO MR LUWIZHI (Harare Licence Department) ON 011 873 254.

TELL THEM WE DONT WANT TO PAY FOR THEIR MERCEDES BENZ E250's, PAJEROS, DOUBLE CABS, DSTV, CURTAINS, FURNITURE AND STINKING ZANU-PF PROPAGANDA.

(Those over 65 do not need to pay as per Act 244 of 2003)

59 killed by military in Guinea

2007-02-02T08:13:00.000+02:00

At least 59 people have been killed by the military in Guinea since a general strike started on 10 Jan 2007.

Moktar Ba, a reporter for Radio France International in Conakry, the capital, says the real reason for the general strike is the people's growing poverty. Most people survive on less than $1 a day, whilst the implementation of neo-liberal policies has seen the total collapse of service delivery basics like health, water and electricity.

Guinea is the world's second biggest producer of bauxite, the source of aluminum. Aluminium is the major component of aircraft wings. Guinea possesses about one-third of the world's reserves of bauxite. It also is a major producer of gold.

The trade union movement called two successful general strikes last year.

17 people were killed on 22 January when soldiers opened fire on street protesters in Guinea in the deadliest day since the start of the mass uprising against the regime of West Africa's longest-serving president.

Trade unions and opposition parties are protesting against the autocratic 23-year rule of Lansana Conté.

"We have total support," Rabiatou Serah Diallo, the leader of the

National Confederation of Guinean Workers, said. "The resolve of the people is enormous. You can see that because they are prepared to continue turning up for peaceful marches despite the fact that the security forces now clearly have orders to open fire."

The trade unions called the strike after Conté last month ordered the release of two of his friends who had been jailed for corruption.

"That arrogant show of impunity was just too much for the people,"

Jean-Marie Doré, the leader of the opposition Union For The Progress of Guinea, said. "They are fed up with living in a country where nothing works even when there is not a general strike. People have nothing to lose."

Since it started on 10 January, the general strike has spread rapidly beyond the capital, Conakry, to the railways and its mining industry.

The similarity between Guinea and Zimbabwe means we must watch events there to learn lessons in our own struggle to get rid of the Mugabe regime and neo-liberalism.

Please Note...

2007-01-30T16:10:00.000+02:00

Due to intermittent and bad so-called service from state capitalist monopolies Tel-One and Dat-One, connection to this site has been awful since December last year.
The rotten ISP service has resulted in a couple of the articles below having been posted to the site twice. Please bear with us. Thanks!
Editor ISO

Mugabe Extends Dictatorship to 2010 as bosses declare war on the poor - Jambanja only way forward!!

2007-01-25T07:37:00.000+02:00

At its December Conference, the Zanu PF regime, resolved to cancel the presidential elections due in 2008 and defer them to 2010, ostensibly to harmonise them with the parliamentary elections, purportedly to cut costs. Yet this is the same regime that only six months ago imposed a hugely unpopular and costly senate election on the country! Similarly the regime
has extended Sekesai Makwavarara‘s term as unelected Mayor of Harare for a fifth record term. What is clear is that the regime has been emboldened to do this by a cowardly and weak opposition movement led by the MDC and its hangers on in civic society and the labour movement. As late as November the Tsvangirai MDC, through its de facto shadow prime
minister Eddie Cross, announced that it was convinced that Mugabe was retiring in 2008 and elections due and that it was therefore renouncing mass action or the jambanja route or the “winter of discontent” that Tsvangirai had promised, in favour of mobilisation for the coming presidential elections! In view of such cowardice and in the context of a worsening economic situation with official inflation rates over 1 200% the regime has decided to dispense with any pretences of
democracy rule but go into open dictatorship as it launches, in conjunction with the bosses, a virtual war on the poor, workers, peasants and the middle classes through Gono’s IMF endorsed neo-liberal economic turn-around programme or ESAP 2, to try and survive.
There is no doubt that the Zanu PF dictatorship and the bosses have declared a virtual war on the poor and majority of this country. It started with Reserve Bank Governor Gono in his last Monetary Policy announcing the removal of price controls and all subsidies on goods and services offered by the government, local authorities and parastatals. They
were ordered to charge market rates and survive on their own. Thus ZINWA and ZESA have increased water and electricity charges by over 1000% whilst local councils across the country have massively hiked rates, by as much as 5 000%, and schools allowed school fees to be increased at the inflation rate, i.e. 1,280%!
On its part business has imposed savage unprecedented increases on the prices of basics like food, clothing, education, drugs and health services, farming inputs and transport. Transport by combis has trebled from $300 to $1000 in less than two months. The Poverty Datum Line is now over $360 000 a month for an average working class family, yet workers on average earn not more than $60 000.
Of course the state and parastatal fat cats and bosses are doing well. Gono splashed half a trillion dollars on a
Mercedes Benz – enough to supply 10 000 AIDS patients with ARV drugs for six months. Judges and MPs have been given increments of over 1 000% when teachers, nurses and doctors on less than $60 000 have been given a miserly 300%. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange was reported amongst the top three performers across Africa in the past year, meaning bosses made huge profits as they give workers peanuts. But the bosses and the state have gone too far, and have provoked a rising anger amongst the masses. The opposition parties seeking to hijack our struggles only in order to sell out to Zanu PF and bosses in the near future.
A democratic united front of activists and social movements under accountable and recallable leadership must be built with a clear anti- ESAP, anti-capitalist, antidictatorship and anti-imperialist programme to push forward the emerging struggles. The social forum provides a powerful platform to start this. On the other hand in unions workers must boot out cowardly and sell–out leaders and replace them with militants and push for action, strikes, leading to general strikes and demonstrations against the bosses and the state, working hand in hand with the social movements. We must seek to build regional and international solidarity from other movements of the poor and oppressed of the world, starting with the World
Social Forum in Nairobi in January.
Jambanja Ndizvo! Smash the Dictatorship! Smash Capitalism!

Struggles in Printing Union

2007-01-25T07:30:00.000+02:00

Serious internal squabbles have erupted in the Printing union. One faction is led by old Reflections members (a rank and file group of workers which successfully mobilized and took over the union from the old corrupt ZGWU leadership. The other side is a mixture of old ZGWU supporters, some who contested the 2004 Congress and lost and a few currently in the national
council by virtue of cooption .The latter are a bunch of right wingers intent on holding workers conditions and wages down while cavorting with printing industry bosses.
Reflections was formed around 2003 as a rank and file group to get rid of the old unaccountable ZGWU leadership which had presided over the union for over 15 years without having any elections to change leadership. In 2004 Reflections managed to push for a congress where they scooped most potions in the leadership save for a few which were retained by the old
leadership . After winning congress they embarked on a serious grass roots empowerment programme where they formed industrial structures organized in zones which had total control of the union . With this kind of operation the union became very strong and delivering .They managed to transform the entire industry wiwthin a short space , lifting wages from the least paid to the top paying industries in the country. In a space of only two years they organized two very successful industry wide strikes with the full backing of workers.
Squables began after their last strike, which left most union activists and most national council members victimised leading the strike ..That was a very unfortunate situation because could not be active anymore on the shopfloor ..To cover up for the vacuum the union had to create some extra executive posts and full time office positions to keep the expelled comrades whose experience the union could not afford to loose whilst co-opting other activists into positions. In short
the previous union leadership were turned into union bureaucrats without any powers to vote or implement decisions at the same time giving such powers to new comers who did not go through that rank and file activism
of Reflections.
Some remaining elements of the old leadership ousted by congress in 2004 successfully managed to take advantage of the situation and get the sympathy of the new leaders to purge out all progressive leaders from the union using their executive powers. High on target was the union Secretary General whom they crafted false allegations of serious misuse of funds and subsequently reported him to the police who, after investigations, found him not guilty. However they proceeded to unilaterally, without the mandate from the national council, fire him. But the GS as ordered and mandated by the national council members of three regions and the general membership refused to honor the expulsion and kept on reporting for work. Now they are seeking a peace order to stop him from reporting to office.
Late December last year the Harare region members called for a meeting where they had elections on the vacant positions in the National Council and mandated the Secretary general to move to all other regions and have similar elections aiming to hold an extra-ordinary congress early this year to immediately stop the regrouping of old right wing elements of the union now causing chaos. So far Harare has had its fine full council that has since petitioned the President of the union and his crew. It’s a very sad situation in the union now especially that it was a union which rebuilt out of struggles and had all the support from its members .
As we go to press the Secretary General is on a country wide campaign covering all regions preparing for an extra ordinary
congress.
Viva vashandi .
M Sambo

Mugabe Extends Dictatorship to 2010 as bosses declare war on the poor - Jambanja only way forward!!

2007-01-24T11:31:00.000+02:00

At its December Conference, the Zanu PF regime,
resolved to cancel the presidential elections due in
2008 and defer them to 2010, ostensibly to harmonise
them with the parliamentary elections, purportedly to
cut costs. Yet this is the same regime that only six
months ago imposed a hugely unpopular and costly
senate election on the country! Similarly the regime
has extended Sekesai Makwavarara‘s term as unelected
Mayor of Harare for a fifth record term.
What is clear is that the regime has been emboldened
to do this by a cowardly and weak opposition movement
led by the MDC and its hangers on in civic society
and the labour movement. As late as November the
Tsvangirai MDC, through its de facto shadow prime
minister Eddie Cross, announced that it was convinced
that Mugabe was retiring in 2008 and elections due
and that it was therefore renouncing mass action or
the jambanja route or the “winter of discontent” that
Tsvangirai had promised, in favour of mobilisation for
the coming presidential elections! In view of such
cowardice and in the context of a worsening economic
situation with official inflation rates over 1 200% the
regime has decided to dispense with any pretences of
democracy rule but go into open dictatorship as it
launches, in conjunction with the bosses, a virtual
war on the poor, workers, peasants and the middle
classes through Gono’s IMF endorsed neo-liberal
economic turn-around programme or ESAP 2, to try
and survive.
There is no doubt that the Zanu PF dictatorship
and the bosses have declared a virtual war on the
poor and majority of this country. It started with
Reserve Bank Governor Gono in his last Monetary
Policy announcing the removal of price controls and
all subsidies on goods and services offered by the
government, local authorities and parastatals. They
were ordered to charge market rates and survive on
their own. Thus ZINWA and ZESA have increased
water and electricity charges by over 1000% whilst
local councils across the country have massively hiked
rates, by as much as 5 000%, and schools allowed
school fees to be increased at the inflation rate, i.e. 1
280%!
On its part business has imposed savage
unprecedented increases on the prices of basics like food, clothing, education, drugs and health services,
farming inputs and transport. Transport by combis has
trebled from $300 to $1000 in less than two months. The
Poverty Datum Line is now over $360 000 a month for an
average working class family, yet workers on average earn
not more than $60 000.
Of course the state and parastatal fat cats and bosses
are doing well. Gono splashed half a trillion dollars on a
Mercedes Benz – enough to supply 10 000 AIDS patients
with ARV drugs for six months. Judges and MPs have
been given increments of over 1 000% when teachers,
nurses and doctors on less than $60 000 have been given
a miserly 300%. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange was
reported amongst the top three performers across Africa
in the past year, meaning bosses made huge profits as
they give workers peanuts.
But the bosses and the state have gone too far, and
have provoked a rising anger amongst the masses. The
opposition parties seeking to hijack our struggles only in
order to sell out to Zanu PF and bosses in the near future.
A democratic united front of activists and social
movements under accountable and recallable leadership
must be built with a clear anti- ESAP, anti-capitalist, antidictatorship
and anti-imperialist programme to push
forward the emerging struggles. The social forum provides
a powerful platform to start this. On the other hand in
unions workers must boot out cowardly and sell –out
leaders and replace them with militants and push for action,
strikes, leading to general strikes and demonstrations
against the bosses and the state, working hand in hand
with the social movements. We must seek to build regional
and international solidarity from other movements of the
poor and oppressed of the world, starting with the World
Social Forum in Nairobi in January.
Jambanja Ndizvo! Smash the Dictatorship! Smash
Capitalism!

Fight Erupts in Printing Union

2007-01-24T11:27:00.000+02:00

Social Forum: Another World is Possible

2007-01-24T11:16:00.000+02:00

The rallying slogan of the World Social Forum WSF of another world is possible .This slogan expresses the yearning of the vast majority of society of for a different society from that of today. A society where three multinational capitalists
like Bill Gates have more wealth than three billion people, where the IMF, World bank and WTO demanded that the last dollars of poor countries be used to pay off debts accrued by local elites when hospitals are collapsing and millions are
hungry, a society where tens of thousands are killed in Iraq, Lebanon, DRC and Somalia, so that the oil and mining barons can make more dollars. A society where RBZ governor G Gono splashes trillions on a Mercedes Benz whilst three thousand people die weekly of AIDS because of lack of ARVs . In short the demands of this country’s and world’s people are for an alternative to the barbarism of the system of capitalism and imperialism. This is what motivated the formation of the WSF in Brazil in 2001 and the Zimbabwe Social Forum in 2003 .To create an open space for working people, the poor , the oppressed and exploited to discuss and strategize on how to link up our struggles and liberate ourselves , just as the capitalists and the governments, annually meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos and other national, regional and international forums.
Along with the WSF the ZSF has grown .This year the WSF meets for the first time in Africa in January .Locally, whereas in 2003 less than three hundred people attended our first event in Harare in 2004 we hosted the Southern Africa Social Forum attended by three thousand people and in 2006 they were regional social forums in Chitungiza, Mutare and Bulawayo . In 2005 we started on the road to becoming a living social forum of struggle, with the ZSF massively supporting the ZCTU called anti poverty demonstration on 8 November.
Challenges and way forward
However , the Social Forum process faces many challenges .The most urgent challenge is the transformation of the process into a truly living Forum facilitating the struggles of working people locally and internationally against dictatorship,
neoliberalism , imperialism and capitalism in general .We recommended a few ideas on the way forward • Adoption of campaigns : Some have referred to the Social Forum process as a trade fare of politics ideas ;indeed they are leading elements in the Social Forum process who would like to keep it like that as a safety valve or talk shop for working
people to vend out the anger every now and then ,but leaving the structures exploitation , oppression and violence of global capitalism intact .These elements dominate amongst many of the middle class dominated NGOs and reformists parties like the Brazilian workers party which initiated the social Forum process and still controls it up to date with
PT ‘ S LULA , once in power become a darling of the IMF and multinationals. Our actions must go beyond protests and marches but decisively general strikes that hurt the system where it hurts the most –the process of production and source of profits. The global proletariat must thas become a key part of the Social Forum process.
At the Nairobi WSF concrete resolutions on the regional and international actions shoulkd be adopted , whilst locally the ZSF should come up with a few well selected agreed campaigns and actions , which all clusters and organizations will mobilize for and support.
• Build a democratic , accountable and non commodified Social Forum .Today the Social Forum process locally continentally and internationally , is disproportionally and undemocratically controlled by NGOs and other elites at the exclusion of grass roots movements , activists and revolutionary left .The WSF charter prohibits voting and election insisting on consensus , whilst political parties are excluded .This leaves the administrative and political leadership structures of the Social Forum process controlled by un elected and un accountable self appointed middle class elites from the NGOs of their allies .Many of these become specialists in plane – hotel activism and spicing meetings with rented crowds from the poor .We call for a complete overhaul of the Social Forum structures so that leaders are elected and recallable , whilst decisions are made democratically , which means elections and voting where consensus fails .Representation at regional , continental and international structures must represent the different segments of the Social Forum process including thematic , regional and national constituencies with due and elected mandate for their constituencies. The ban on political
organizations and parties must go as they already participate but in disguise.
* Decentralise: The Social Forum process must go down right to the grass roots. If the campaigns , demonstrations and general strikes are to be successful , mobilization has to start right at the grass roots in urban , industrial and rural areas
* Unconditional open space: The demands of the SF process confine it within an ideological straightjacket. It is not for fat cats, bosses, multinationals or bourgeois politicians. Indeed most of these accept this but the agenda is non the less carried out in the Social Forum process by various of their agents and friends especially amongst the middle class run and
bourgeoisie funded NGOs or right wing lobour officials. This requires extensive educational and cultural teach ins and programmes amongst participants in the SF process to understand that its goals can only be achieved by a movement which is
agains neoliberalism , imperialism , dictatorship , multinationals – indeed against capitalism. And only but a fighting and living SF rooted in the struggles of working people and not in talk shop jamborees dominated by agents and friends of the rich and powerful. Contrary to the reformists and bourgeois NGOs they try and trick the masses saying “ there is
one bug no but many yes” – we argue that the only alternative to capitalism is the overthrow of national bourgeois states and private property internationally and bring the world’s wealth and resources under the democratic control of the working people of the world whereby production will not be for profits of the few but for the human need –that world can only be communism.
Finally , despite the above weaknesses of the SF process , it offers a very important platform , locally and internationally , bringing together many of those who are being radicalized by the failure of neo-liberal globalization and capitalism and its violent wars and who have not traditionally participated in socialist politics. It is with such strata that the revolutionary left will have to build relationships with, if it is to rise to its fundamental challenge of building a truly global mass revolutionary movement of working people that can take over global capitalism and build a new society.
by M Gwisai

Perspective of the Global anti capitalist movement

2007-01-24T11:01:00.000+02:00

AS we gather for the WSF in Nairobi, we need to look at where the global anti-capitalist movement is going. To do so, we need to look at the experiences of some countries.
Brazil: A mass movement sees in Lula of the Workers Party (PT). His first reforms ended workers social pensions. Yet when in opposition PT opposed pension reform. Heloisa Helen (a PT senator) opposed the scrapping of pensions and was expelled. Hundreds of PT activists resigned from PT in protest and formed the Party of Socialism and Liberty (PSOL). 2 years later a corruption scandal involving leading PT members saw thousands more PT activists and MPs defect to PSOL. Helen stood for President last year (2006). While she lost the first round of voting, she gained 12% of the vote and forced run-off elections. Lula continues with neo-liberal attacks.
Argentina: An economic collapse in 2001 led to a mass uprising in December. Ordinary people took over the streets of the capital Buenos Aires. In 14 days they forced out 4 Presidents. Popular assemblies were formed to help people survive the crisis – they focused on food distribution and what resources could be forced from the state. The level of organization made many on the left believe there was no need for
political organisation. Once stability had been reestablished, the popular assemblies ceased existing. Political bureaucrats who ran the 2 main trade union federations endorsed the 5th president after a month of uprising. Using state resources they gave unemployment benefits to weaken the movement. Today the centre-left president Nestor Kuchner maintains the neo-liberal policies of his predecessors.
Mexico: After the fraudulent Presidential elections in July last year, a province in Mexico came near to a state of insurrection. Teachers in a union branch went on strike for wage rises, new text-books and classrooms. The strike spread. Mass demos of 800,000 took place. The provincial governor responded with teargas. Demonstrators responded by blocking roads and occupying shopping centres. The state responded by hinting that the military may be called in. The losing opposition candidate eventually asks the protesters to call off their action saying that alternative action is being planned. To date nothing has happened.
Bolivia: In October 2003 came news that the government was to privatise newly discovered reserves of gas. Sporadic demos against this decision erupted into mass strikes and demos demanding the
nationalisation of the gas to alleviate poverty. President Lozada fled leading to an uneasy stability. After social peace appeared to set in, Lozada’s deputy, Mesa, continued with the programme and neo-liberalism. The law that was drawn up to privatise the gas reserves ignited the June 2005 rebellion that saw dynamite thrown at police by strikers. The country was shut down, roads were closed, the government was sacked. Morales secretly intervened by engaging in negotiations to form an interim government. The movement suddenly ended. Strikers returned to work, demos were called off. The movement paralysed the corridors of power but (1) posed no alternative and (2) failed to plan and organise to feed its own supporters. After 3 weeks of struggle and food shortages, people were tired.
Venezuela: The mirror of mass struggles globally. The struggle there has led to a split in the main trade union federation. There are those who see the government of Chaves as the answer. Then there are those who see the ordinary people them selves as the answer - and who argue that Chaves has not lead people to taking over factories, mines and shops.
The Way Forward
There are 2 different components to the struggle of the left. The one is centred around intellectuals and middle class layers (including some army officers) who identify with populist movements in townships and slums. They see nationalist or state capitalist development as the way forward. But it leads them to look at the popular movement as something they should dominate. The other is a popular insurgency against neoliberal policies on workers, peasants, urban poor and indigenous peoples.
Neither route of nationalism or state capitalism is the answer. Regimes from Chile to pre-1994 South Africa, Britain, Cambodia and Russia have tried them. It was only the members of the classes that dominated society or those who led movements that benefitted. The struggle for a new society must be in the hands of ordinary people.
by Rosa Zulu

Ethiopia, Kenya, US invade and bomb Somalia

2007-01-24T10:53:00.000+02:00

Last month the Ethiopian military invaded Somalia. Hours after marching into the capital Mogadishu, US AC-130 “Spectre” Gunship war aircraft bombed villages in eastern and southern Somalia killing over 100 civilians – several of them fouryear
old children. The US military then announced it was sending an aircraft carrier off the Somali coast. The reasons that the Addis Ababa and Washington regimes claimed for doing so was to stabilise the country and make it safe as part of the war on terror. Nothing could be further from the truth. The back-ground to the invasion is the takeover of almost all of Somalia by militias of the United Islamic Courts (UIC) last year. The militias drove out western backed warlords who had
dominated Somali politics for the last 15 years.
The militias victory was based on genuine popular support. Weary of the violence and brutality of the warlords, many ordinary Somalis supported the UIC. In addition several key leaders of Somalia’s clans were prepared to back the UIC in order to stabilise the country. The Bush regime had been growing closer to the warlords who were prepared to act as Bush’s agents in his “war on terror”. These warlords had a bloody record who also bitterly divided Somalia.
All this was forgotten by Bush because they would boost US military presence in the region – just across the Gulf of Aden lies the Middle East.
The UIC takeover and success was a blow to US plans for the region. The takeover was also a defeat of the Somali “transitional” government that had been formed in 2004 in Kenya. The “government” existed in name rather than fact.
As even Britain’s state owned BBC stated “President Yusuf’s administration made up of former warlords, often struggled to control its own members…Its forst 18 months…were spent squabbling over where to set up its base, eventually settling for the town of Baidoa”
Although Ethiopian forces have occupied most of the UIC strong-holds, the war may be far from over. Ethiopia has superior military arms and UIC fighters cannot openly confront tanks and planes, the US has discovered in Iraq that irregular resistance can be very effective against occupiers.Ordinary people’s interests have been trampled beneath the US’s desire to ramp its control of the Horn of Africa. Instead of dealing with Somalia’s terrible poverty and the present flood
emergency, resources have been poured into arms of war.
Although Ethiopian forces have occupied most of the UIC strong-holds, the war may be far from over. Ethiopia has superior military arms and UIC fighters cannot openly confront tanks and planes, the US has discovered in Iraq that irregular resistance can be very effective against occupiers.

Ethiopia, Kenya, US invade and bomb Somalia to quell polular UIC

2007-01-24T10:37:00.000+02:00

Press Statement by the NCA on the attempted murder of its Chairman

2007-01-02T11:01:00.000+02:00

The National Constitutional Assembly is deeply disturbedby, and strongly condemns, the attempted assassination of its National Chairperson, Dr Lovemore Madhuku on the morning of December 31st, 2006 by what we suspect to be members of Zimbabwe’s intelligence.

The attack happened at about 0030hrs whilst Madhuku, his family and visiting relatives were sleeping. The assailants doused Madhuku’s house and his car, which was parked in a garage attached to the house, with petrol (gasoline). A thread dipped in gasoline was then drawn from the house to the gate and used to light the house without causing injury to the assailants. The professionalism with which the act was organized and executed suggests the work of government’s intelligence services. Indications show that the intention was to get the car to explode during the burn and if succeeded the plan could easily have passed for an electric fault.

The family was woken up by the crackling of glass and the smoke, only managing to escape ten minutes later with minimal casualty. Madhuku’s children are receiving treatment for chemical pneumonitis - post smoke inhalation.

This is the third time Madhuku has managed to escape his state sponsored murders. In 2002, he survived an induced accident after his vehicle’s brakes had been tampered with. Again in 2004, he was abducted, tortured and left for dead near the National Sports Stadium in Harare. In 2003 during one of his several arrests was warned by one of his jailers that he ‘would die the same way as Chitepo had died’.

The attack comes at a time when the National Constitutional Assembly is mobilizing its supporters and our compatriots to defend the future of our country from the effects of the Zanu PF regime’s treasonous machinations of extending Robert Mugabe’s term of office by a further two years. This affront to the dignity of our nationhood and people will be resisted.

The attack on Madhuku should be seen as an attempt to break the resilience of Zimbabweans in their struggle to build a democratic, free and just society based on a people driven democratic constitution. Brutal campaigns against leaders of our democracy movements are meant to intimidate and cow the multitudes of our people forcing them into passive supporters of their own repression.

The NCA warns those who are being used to commit these and other attacks on our people that history will not forget or forgive them for standing in the way of the inevitable liberation of Zimbabwe. The future will demand justice for those who have and continue to suffer.

Issued: 01 January, 2007
National Constitutional Assembly
Information Office

Solidarity or support messages can be extended to Dr Madhuku on +263 11 608 692 or email: chairperson@ncazimbabwe.org, info@ncazimbabwe.org

Dennis Brutus on the crisis in Darfur

2006-10-16T16:23:00.000+02:00

“You shouldn’t send in killers to stop the killing”
DENNIS BRUTUS is a veteran of the South African liberation struggle, a leading figure in the global justice movement and a world-renowned poet. Imprisoned along with Nelson Mandela, Brutus led the movement to isolate racist South Africa from international sports--and since the fall of apartheid, he’s been a prominent opponent of the African National Congress (ANC) government’s neoliberal, pro-market policies.
Brutus spoke with LEE SUSTAR (Socialist Worker USA) about the political situation in Africa today--focusing especially on the crisis in Darfur, where African Union (AU) troops are already deployed, and which has prompted calls for U.S. or United Nations (UN) intervention.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
IS THERE A CASE for humanitarian intervention in Darfur?
WELL, there are people dying, and at a very great rate. Some of it is starvation, some of it is a lack of water, but some of it is killing by gangsters on both sides. The question is trying to identify the elements in the struggle, and right now, I don’t think there are any good guys. But the presence of the African Union troops, plus the possibility of the UN troops, is not going to solve the problem. My position is that you don’t send in the military. You don’t send in killers to stop the killing, when they themselves are, in some ways, implicated in the process.
I keep saying--and I am glad to see it finally beginning to appear as part of the debate--that one of the central issues in the Sudan is that: a) the Chinese are in there; and b) the Chinese have got more franchise rights for oil exploration in the Sudan than any of the Western powers. So, of course, to the West, the government in Khartoum are the bad guys.
Certainly, it appears that the Khartoum military have allowed the development of paramilitary forces, so they can do things and still claim not to be guilty. This is where the Janjaweed militia comes in.
This is the usual trick of the West. You create a monster, whether you call it Vietcong or Mau-Mau, or something else. Once you’ve chosen your side, you start demonizing the other side, particularly if you intend intervention.
I wish I could say there is a just solution in Sudan at this stage. But I think there are very suspect figures on both sides. The problem is very complicated, because it is very old and involves all kinds of tribal loyalties that we don’t even understand.
There are also very ancient conflicts that derive mainly from that fact that some people are pastoral, but other people are nomadic. In the past, these people worked out arrangements among themselves, which were largely territorial, but also seasonal--that is, when you could move your cattle or whatever.
But the modern conflict is about resources, and who is going to be in power to give out the franchises to exploit the oil.
It seems to me that, dominant on the whole agenda, are three elements. One is the notion of the New American Century, in which the U.S. is supposed to dominate the globe and control access to the resources. Point two: Everybody recognizes that China is the next superpower on the horizon. The third, and perhaps most significant point, is that China knows it will have the biggest, most gluttonous appetite for oil the world has ever seen.
Afghanistan is a neighbor of China, and, of course, the U.S. is there. One of the big fights is access to the energy in the Caspian Sea basin.
Also, the U.S. is nervous that it can’t predict how Saudi Arabia will behave in the future. And there are now reports that oil deposits in the Sudan are even greater than in Saudi Arabia. So clearly there is already competition for resources in the area, however large or small they may be.
Tellingly, one of the strongest voices for intervention, for sending increased UN troops and increased U.S. involvement, has been the pro-Israel lobby.
We have to go back to the Project for a New American Century document, which says that it’s not sufficient for Israel to be sitting on a portion of the land in the Middle East. They see the U.S. dominating a region that includes Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.
As messy and bloody and murderous as the situation is, I don’t believe we should endorse an increased military presence in Sudan if it will have the effect of giving the U.S. an even stronger position there. Already, the United States is now setting up a military operation for Africa on the scale of what it calls its “Mediterranean operation.”
WHAT ARE the African states doing in regard to Darfur?
AFRICAN UNION troops are functioning as the peacekeepers in Sudan, but they also operate as peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the whole of the African Great Lakes region.
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa is often seen as the principal negotiator for whatever peace settlement is arranged. So clearly, there is evidence of South Africa having a sub-imperial role.
This may also explain why South Africa has spent billions on arms, when it doesn’t have money for food, housing, water or roads. The priorities are military, but they are not justified by any military threat to South Africa itself. It is as if South Africa is being armed to be the principal military actor on behalf of the U.S. in Africa.
South Africa has a presence in Sudan and the DRC, through the AU, and Mbeki recently had a public intervention in peace negotiations in Côte d’Ivoire. Côte d’Ivoire was the crown jewel of the French empire in Africa. Suddenly, the French are out, trying to get back in, and the old imperial structure is clearly crumbling in that area.
My feeling is that you will have so-called rebel groups challenging legitimate governments. The real question becomes who is empowered to become the one who distributes the franchises which enable Western corporations to come in--whether for cocoa, oil or, in the case of the DRC, uranium.
In all these cases, there are armed groups fighting it out, often armed by Western powers. Britain, Germany and France are involved. Ultimately, these struggles are for Africa’s resources, and who is going to control the disposition of those resources.
In that, Thabo Mbeki and South Africa, via the AU, become a major player in deciding who’s going to win.
HOW DOES THE World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi in January fit into this picture?
THE WSF could be an event that will challenge globally the corporate agenda and insert, in a very significant way, a grassroots global agenda.
We don’t have money, and we don’t have resources. But I think we can have 100,000 in Nairobi and 100 countries represented there. And there is quite serious thinking about the WSF going on in Francophone Africa--in Mali, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
My own feeling is that we have an enormous possibility to effect global political thinking the way the Seattle protests of the World Trade Organization and the way Zapatistas contributed to the way we see the world and how we see struggle. Our major problem right now is to make more people globally aware of the WSF.
WHAT ABOUT the left’s political positions at the WSF?
THERE IS a tendency in Europe, South America and, of course, in Africa that instead of being left, you begin to shift toward the center. For me, the most troubling example is not South Africa. I am even more disappointed by [President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva] in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Mbeki is more and more a leader in Africa. Even countries that could be taking an independent position, like Algeria, are happy to let South Africa spell out positions for them.
Most governments in Africa, via South Africa’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), have agreed to take their orders from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. So when grassroots groups are annunciating their positions in Nairobi, they are not only taking on the international financial institutions, they are also taking on their own governments.
NEPAD is supposed to be the backbone of the AU. Unfortunately, my own sense of African organizations--even though they are saying they are against NEPAD--is that they are still rather vague about how to perceive the AU.
At the WSF in Brazil in 2005, there was a program put forward by the Group of 19, called the Porto Alegre Manifesto. At this year’s polycentric WSF in Bamako, Mali, there was the Bamako Appeal. At a recent conference in Durban, South Africa, the main presentation was given by [Egyptian author and activist] Samir Amin, the main spokesperson for the Bamako group.
There is a tendency in the Bamako group to say that you can’t go only with spontaneity, insisting on more centralized organization. My own view is that the success of the WSF has been precisely because it’s a forum, open to many conflicting points of view, rather than having a particular view adopted or imposed.
This doesn’t exclude decision-making. Remember the marvelous action before the war in Iraq, when an estimated 13 million marched around the world? Part of that came out of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre.

http://www.socialistworker.org/2006-2/605/605_04_DennisBrutus.shtml

Third World used as a dumping ground for toxic waste

2006-10-12T16:33:00.000+02:00

by Emmanuel Kocou
People in one of Africa’s poorest countries are recovering from being flooded with toxic waste. The recent emergency in Ivory Coast has highlighted the way companies and governments dump waste in the Third World to evade controls and save money.

The scandal began with the arrival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s largest city, of a ship chartered by the Dutch company Trafigura Beheer BV. It unloaded 500 tonnes of petrochemical waste into a number of trucks which then dumped it at 15 or more sites around Abidjan.

The UN news service reports that the waste contained a mixture of petroleum distillates, hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans, phenolic compounds and sodium hydroxide.

A few days later, thousands of people started complaining of ill health and seeking medical help.

Symptoms have included nosebleeds, nausea and vomiting, headaches, and skin and eye irritations as well as respiratory distress, dehydration and intestinal bleeding.

More than eight deaths have been attributed to the waste.

Ivorian emergency medical officials said more than 74,000 people have gone to hospitals and clinics for evaluation.

The government then resigned—although all ministers were reappointed to the same posts, except for the ministers of transport and environment.

Such scandals are far from uncommon. Throughout the 1980s, African regimes allowed themselves to become European companies’ most popular dumping ground.

In 1987, an Italian ship dumped waste on Koko Beach, Nigeria. Workers who came into contact with it suffered from burns and partial paralysis, and began to vomit blood.

Thereafter, the UN drew up plans to regulate the trade in hazardous waste through the Basel Convention.

By 1998, the European Union had agreed to implement the ban, which prohibited the export of hazardous wastes from developed countries to the developing world, but the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand refused to sign up.

In any case, the laws are often flouted. Inspections of 18 European ports in 2005 found that 47 percent of all waste destined for export was illegal.

The December 2004 tsunami resulted in massive quantities of toxic waste washed on to the shores of Somalia. It was presumed that these illegal toxic waste products, which had been buried in the Indian Ocean for some time, largely came from Europe.

In Europe the disposal of one tonne of toxic waste will cost over US$1,000, but the same operation in Africa will cost no more than US$8.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=9903

Korean Nuclear Bomb: the nightmare created by Bush

2006-10-12T16:30:00.000+02:00

North Korea’s decision to conduct a nuclear weapons test on Monday of this week drew condemnation from all the world’s major powers. Across the globe people rightly fear a nuclear conflagration.

Socialist Worker opposes all nuclear weapons, but there is immense hypocrisy in George Bush and Tony Blair’s sabre rattling at North Korea.

Bush has been threatening North Korea ever since he named the country as part of the “axis of evil” in 2002. The country’s decision to go nuclear is a direct consequence of that.

The Bush regime recently discussed plans for a nuclear attack on Iran - plans that were only blocked by a near mutiny by US generals.

Bush has made clear he is ready to use tactical nuclear weapons. Meanwhile,
the British government is set on commissioning a replacement for the Trident
nuclear weapons system at the cost of £76 billion.

The warmongers are now using North Korea’s nuclear test as an excuse to pile on pressure for an attack on Iran.

Dan Gillerman, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said in reaction to the test, “What is happening with North Korea is the ‘coming soon’ occurrence in Iran, and we must not let that happen.”

The US is now pushing for the United Nations to impose sanctions against North Korea.

This is likely to target civilians already suffering from a regime which puts weapons above feeding its own people. Such sanctions will do nothing to make the world safer or to encourage nuclear disarmament.

That can only be achieved by halting the US’s war drive - a war drive that this week took a step closer to going nuclear.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=9917

Another World is Possible…Through Struggle

2006-10-07T12:45:00.000+02:00

The rallying slogan of the Zimbabwe Social Forum is “Another Zimbabwe is Possible”. This follows from that of the World Social Forum (WSF) of “Another World is Possible.”
This slogan expresses the yearning of the vast majority of society for a different society from that of today – A society, internationally where 3 multinational capitalists like Bill Gates have more wealth than 3 billion people, where the IMF, World Bank and WTO demand that the last dollars of poor countries be used to pay off debts accrued by local elites when hospitals are collapsing and millions are hungry, a society where tens of thousands are killed in Iraq, Lebanon and DRC so that the oil and mining barons can make more dollars…
A society where government and the Reserve Bank splash billions of dollars on fighter jets, Pajeros and newspaper adverts whilst 3 000 people die weekly of AIDS because of lack of ARVs, where hundreds of thousands of children drop out from school because they cannot pay school fees and levies; a society where bosses pay workers starvation wages whilst they pocket billions, a society where capitalists close down factories and bakeries retrenching thousands of workers when millions are without jobs or food. A society, where when women and workers come out in the streets to say they are hungry, they are instead fed with police buttons, truncheons and teargas and the head of state boasts – “vamwe vaakuchema kuti takarohwa, ehe unodashurwa” - as if tens of thousands did not sacrifice their lives so that we could have a free and democratic society.
In short the demands of this country’s and world’s people are for an alternative to the barbarism of the system of capitalism and imperialism.
This is what motivated the formation of the World Social Forum in Brazil in 2001 and the Zimbabwe Social Forum in 2003. To create an open space for working people, the poor, the oppressed and exploited to discuss and strategise and share ideas on how to link up our struggles and liberate ourselves, just as the rich, the capitalists and their governments, annually meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) and their various national, regional and international forums.
Along with the WSF, the ZSF has grown. Whereas in 2003 less than 300 people attended our first event in Harare Gardens, in 2004 we hosted the Southern Africa Social Forum (SASF) attended by nearly 3 000 people. In 2006 we have had regional social forums with over 500 attending in Chitungwiza and 200 – 300 in Mutare and Bulawayo. Whereas in 2003 and 2004 we only discussed and mourned about our problems, in 2005 we resolved to become a living social forum of struggle, with the ZSF massively supporting the ZCTU called Action Against Poverty of 8 November 2005 and scores arrested. So was the support on the World AIDS Day on 1 December 2005.
Challenges and Way Forward!
However, as we again meet in Harare Gardens on the 29th September 2006, many challenges we still face. The most urgent challenge is to accelerate the transformation of ZSF into a truly living forum that relates to the bread and butter struggles of the ordinary people as well as the struggles against dictatorship in our country and for a truly people driven and anti-ESAP new constitution. To meet these challenges, we recommend a few ideas on the way forward:
-Adoption of Campaigns / Action Programme: Instead of various organisations doing individual little demonstrations, we need to unite our forces – united we stand divided we fall. We should come with a few well selected agreed campaigns, which all clusters and organisations will mobilise and support, just like we did with the ZCTU Anti-Poverty Demonstrations of 8 November. An example is a possible big demonstration on or around Budget Day in November when the chefs decide on how to share the money they have looted from the povo instead of using it for social services, drugs, housing, education and removing taxes on workers below the PDL. Besides these big campaigns we should also do small cluster based campaigns and actions including the guerrilla ones that residents and WOZA have been doing.
-Build Township and Industrial Social Forums: The social forum process must now go down right to the grass roots. If the big campaigns, demonstrations and general strikes are to be successful, mobilisation has to start right at the grass roots, where the poor live and work. The experience from South Africa in the 1980s is that the way forward is regular social forums in the townships and industrial areas, combining the different clusters, supported by festivals of art, culture and sports.
-Build regional and international solidarity: Whenever we organise the big campaigns and demonstrations we must mobilise for progressive solidarity actions regionally and internationally especially through the coming Southern Africa Social Forum in Malawi and World Social Forum in Kenya in January.
-Build a democratic, accountable and non-commodified ZSF. The culture of buying activists and plane – hotel activism has seriously undermined our struggle. Like during the war of liberation, we must promote commitment, discipline and sacrifice as the true qualities of cadres. Leaders must be accountable and decisions made democratically by the decision of the majority in meetings. Structures of regions and clusters must be revitalised.
-Ideology! Ideology! Ideology! The social forum is an open space but with an ideological straight jacket. It is a platform for the poor, for peasants, for workers, for women, for youths for those denied health, education, housing. It is not for fat cats and chefs. It is against capitalism, against neo-liberalism, against imperialism, against dictatorship against the multinationals, the capitalists. We argue that only socialism offers the way forward for the vast majority of humanity. The challenge is to organise teach-ins, video shows and educational materials for members to learn more about these things and past struggles and not just shout slogans.
Shinga Murombo! Penga Murwere! Ahoy Union! Qina Msebenzi! Penga trader!
Pasi ne Capitalism! Amandla Awethu! Forward to Socialism!

AIDS/HIV Struggles Fire the NAC Board!

2006-10-07T12:44:00.000+02:00

Gure rabuda — the cat is out of the bag! AIDS / HIV activists and workers have always argued that the chefs are looting the AIDS Levy and other money meant for people suffering with AIDS under the National Aids Trust Fund. The government has always denied this.

Now that the chefs are fighting amongst themselves on how to divide the money looted from workers, the truth is coming out. Edwin Muguti, the deputy minister of Health revealed that the National Aids Council was wasting money on expensive hotel workshops, cars, furniture, trips and salaries whilst no drugs are being bought for the sick. Drugs are available only for 42 000 people whilst over 1.8 million need them. When the chefs realised how gure ravo had been exposed they put pressure on Muguti to retract his statements saying donors would withdraw funds, and spoil their party!

Enough is enough AIDS/HIV activists, workers and the poor in general must urgently organise demonstrations at the Ministry of Health and NAC offices demanding the immediate dissolution of the NAC Board and its replacement by one whose majority of members must come from people living with AIDS/HIV and the labour movement. Such Board must ensure free drugs and ARVs for all, together with support for subsistence. There must price controls on drugs and take-over of companies that make super-profits on drugs essential for life. ARV’s have gone up from $10 000 in July to $25 000 in September. We must organise pickets at such companies demanding lower and subsidised drugs just as we must at big supermarkets in our communities to give subsidised food and goods.
Penga Murwere!

Why Rand And File Activism

2006-10-07T12:42:00.000+02:00

The daily struggles waged by workers against capitalism and dictatorship open their minds to be more conscious about the society in which they live in. But their development is not even, they develop on different paces causing the whole working class to be a multi layered class according to workers political development .In our case in Zimbabwe we have a layer of workers who were directly involved in the successful late 90s ZCTU struggles against the effects of ESAP and have from then been fighting both the effects of neo-liberal ESAP and dictatorship. Most of these are now in powerful political positions and some have just remained factory activists in their unions not necessarily being leaders anywhere. These people are indispensable, as they constitute a very fundamental portion of the working class them as simply potential trade union and political leaders trained and groomed by struggle.
In the current scenario where it has become extremely difficulty for unions to negotiate meaningful wages due to ever-spiraling inflation, ordinary workers and that layer of potential leaders feel that unions are not simply doing enough to protect them. Confronted with an uneven up and down working class mood to fight the Mugabe‘s dictatorship because of the long way and time it have taken workers are prompted to slightly shift that fighting spirit from not just fighting Mugabe only but to their immediate oppressors (bosses) , causing them again to cast a more focused eye on their unions . They begin to see life through their unions only hence the need for proper unions administration..
Workers are beginning to demand their space and full accountability in unions and at several times in many unions they have been at crossroads with union leaderships. Unfortunately these rising workers have not been taken well by their union leaders as they fail to recognize where they are coming from alleging them to be puppets used by ZANU PF to disturb ZCTU affiliates. Some of them are undisputedly puppets of course but some are genuinely products of the past struggles, which trained them to be leaders and therefore feels responsible for building better unions .
The idea of organizing grass roots workers to fight for their involvement in their unions is quite noble as it averts the degeneration of militant trade union leaders into bureaucrats far distanced from their constituencies they are supposed to serve. Ideally rank and file worker organizations should not be formed by disgruntled members but rather are a necessity even under normal circumstances.
They are groups of conscious independent union members to provide guidance or be a watchdog to the union, providing a link between leadership and ordinary workers in factories. They should not in any way serve as a substitute for the union. As socialists we support such groups of workers in as much as they are not forming splinter unions or causing disunity in the ZCTU as the labour mother body as we believe in workers unity.
At the same time we strongly oppose those groups masquerading as genuine rank and file groups representing the interests of workers whilst in reality they are being used by ZANU PF to weaken workers unity realized in ZCTU

TATAMBURA! USADHERERE!

2006-10-07T12:40:00.000+02:00

NO APOLOGIES FROM US!

Archbishop Pius Ncube has said that the term dictatorship is too good to apply to the ZANU-PF regime. He is absolutely right.
Days after several ZCTU protesters were viciously and savagely attacked by the thugs in grey and blue, another 27 NCA protesters suffered the same fate on the last Monday of September.
As this was happening, Mugabe urged the police to dish out more whilst bakery bosses created a “shortage” of bread demanding prices rises of 75%. Even when wheat was available, the bosses were waiting for their money from government before they started milling flour.
Anti-Retriviral (ARV) drug prices rose from $ 10,000 for a month’s course in June to $ 20,000 for a months course in September – a rise of 100%. On top of this the government has catered for 42,000 people to receive ARVs – yet 600,000 people need it. Despite the governments claims, only 1 in 7 people living with HIV are catered for.
Cities and towns across the country have seen water cuts. People in Mabvuku and Tafara have now gone for 2 straight weeks without water. Yet the regime continues to employ mbavhas like Makwvarara.
Resistance
But the masses of Zimbabwe are not taking this lying down.
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) successfully staged a protest over sky-rocketing water charges and rates charges. Hundreds went into Town House to protest. They were backed by the UHURU students freedom movement.
A day after hundreds more led by the militant Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) staged a second protest at Town House over the failure of Harare Council to deliver services. They also demanded an elected council and the re-stocking of medical drugs at Council clinics. Currently only pain-killers are available
Over 60 women – some with babies on their backs – were arrested and thrown into police stations. In Harare Central and Braeside, they were made to stand in an exposed fenced area for 48 hours. In the crowd were 13 to 17 year olds as well.
CHRA has organised for garbage to be thrown into council offices in Budiriro, Glen View and Dzivaresekwa. The Council has responded by falsely claiming that 2 CHRA officials “abducted” council employees – when in fact all they did was to stop an illegal water disconnection at a residents home.
No Apologies!
The masses of this country have no apologies to make either!
As the bosses, along with their puppets in government and councils, continue with their neo-liberal onslaught against us we will respond.
Our ZCTU’s, WOZA’s, UHURU’s, ISO’s and CHRA’s have opened with warning salvos. We will not end there. This is just the beginning of OUR battle! It is OUR turn now. We are starting to fight!
Workers in Britain have gotten Tony Blair to hand in a year’s resignation notice. Now it is our turn to give notice that in the next year the class temperature in this country will rise! Either you are with us or against us in the streets! Qina Msebenzi Qina! Shinga Mushandi Shinga!

Pope Joins War on Terror

2006-09-28T07:32:00.000+02:00

Pope Benedict XVI’s speech last week supported George Bush’s propaganda line on the Middle East. The pope’s comments about Islam and violence last week have provoked outrage. They were more than simply misjudged.

The most striking aspect of Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks on Islam at Regensburg on 12 September was the way they harmonised with George Bush and Tony Blair’s propaganda line on the Middle East.

This cannot have been an accident. Nor can it be entirely coincidental that he delivered his message so close to the fifth anniversary of 11 September 2001.

These men are defending intervention in the Muslim world to sort good Islam from bad Islam.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2001 atrocity, Benedict, then Cardinal Ratzinger, declared on Vatican Radio, “It is important not to attribute simplistically what happened on 11 September to Islam.

“It is true that the history of Islam also contains a tendency to violence, but there are other aspects, too - a real openness to the will of God.

“It is thus important to help the positive line... to prevail and to have sufficient strength to win out over the other tendency.”

Justification

At Regensburg, Benedict drew a more basic distinction between Islam as a whole, which “is not bound up with any of our categories, even that of rationality”, and Christianity, in which “not to act in accordance with reason is contrary to god’s nature”.

Compare these comments with Tony Blair’s speech in Los Angeles in August, which was his most comprehensive justification to date of the US/British “war on terror”.

Blair said, “What is happening today out in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and beyond is an elemental struggle about the values that will shape our future.

“It is in part a struggle between what I will call reactionary Islam and moderate, mainstream Islam.We want moderate, mainstream Islam to triumph over reactionary Islam.”

More broadly, said Blair, the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon were part of “the wider struggle for the soul of the region”.

The Independent’s longtime Iraq correspondent Patrick Cockburn commented on this speech, “I only hope Al Qaida, Hizbollah or Hamas do not translate [the] speech into Arabic.

“Every paranoid paragraph confirms their claim that they are battling a Western crusade against Islam.”

The same can be said of Benedict’s remarks on 12 September.

This is the reason many Muslims around the world are outraged. It has nothing to do with the supposed irrational sensitivity of religious fundamentalists. It has to do with the war.

Aggressors in all wars lie in order to elevate their own purpose while demonising that of their enemy.

Benedict’s specific charge at Regensburg was that, historically, Islam has justified “spreading the faith through violence”.

The dishonesty is not unexpected, but is nonetheless breathtaking.

Destruction

It was in the context of Western invasion of what we now call the Middle East that the notion of suicide killers being rewarded by instant paradise was sucked from the thumb of a pope a thousand years ago.

Pope Urban II raised an army in 1009 to avenge the destruction by the caliph al-Hakim of the Church of the Sepulchre in Jerusalem (built around the tomb from which Jesus supposedly rose up from the dead).

He promised a plenary indulgence to any volunteer who died in battle.
In 1198, Pope Innocent III extended the offer to those who chose not to go to war themselves but who donated enough money to pay the costs of somebody who did.

Not even the most demented imam in Islam has endorsed the idea of sponsoring suicide bombers as a fundraiser. Nor is the idea of killing for Christ in the hope of salvation a quaint episode from dusty history.

There’s scarcely been a Western army gone into battle in the last millennium without some version of “Onward, Christian Soldiers” speeding them on their way.

Some of us can remember Cardinal Spellman of New York ceremonially blessing US warplanes on the runway before they set off to napalm villages in Vietnam.
In the meantime he invited US forces to see themselves precisely as “warriors for Christ.”

All religions are religions of peace, in that they can provide the personally troubled with an artificial sense of ease.

They are all, too, and more importantly as far as the rational world is concerned, ideologies of war, supplying a justification for slaughter transcending all earthly considerations.

Institutionalised religions have ever been available to endorse the wars waged by their patrons.

Benedict’s Regensburg speech cannot meaningfully be seen other than in the context of the invasion and occupation of Muslim lands by Western armies.
He’s a war propagandist for imperialism.

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=9726

2006-09-22T07:27:00.000+02:00

The Rule of Law

2006-09-21T08:36:00.000+02:00

ZCTU President, Lovemore Matombo, Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe (Pic above) were shown democracy, Robert Mugabe style, last week.

Before they and others could even attempt to start a peaceful march, the regime's lawful, armed, thugs, the ZRP, descended on 30 demonstrators and whisked them away.

While Mugabe was globe-trotting as usual, his dogs in blue and grey savaged several ZCTU demonstrators, including women officials of the ZCTU. They ended up with cracked skulls, broken arms, hands, feet and ribs.

Now we know what Mugabe meant when he talked about "Stupid" Democracy.

It is when you stupidly believe you can exercise your rights to protest about the lack of Anti-Retrovirals because bosses have raided the state-owned NatPharm.

It is when you stupidly believe you can protest about daily falling conditions of living while bosses like Philip Chiyangwa import the latest American Hummer vehicles or can still go boating on Lake Kariba.

Real Democracy is when the kombis have no fuel to carry workers to work yet bosses like Chiyangwa and others have more than enough fuel to globe-trot and drive fuel-guzzling American and German limousines.

It is when "Zim 1" and his family spend thousands of US Dollars on each shopping trip to Singapore and Malaysia while there is "not enough" foreign currency to import desperately needed ARV's or water treatment chemicals or ZESA components.

It was shown brutally clearly last week exactly what this regime thinks of the poor and how it will keep them in line. Its message was clear - "Organise your tea-parties and we will bloody them".

As the ZCTU has rightly proclaimed "This is just the beginning"

Proud to be ZCTU! Qina Msebenzi Qina! Shinga Mushandi Shinga!
(pic above: ZCTU Info Dept)

20 Arrested in Bulawayo

2006-09-13T14:19:00.000+02:00

The mood of the late 90's is back. We saw it live in today's protests. The
last few years of police repression have taught the workers to fight on. As
early as 11:30 workers had started to gather at the assembly points for
the planned action. All those there were in a mood to fight. However
not to be outdone were the police who were on high alert were busy milling around
the venue. Nevertheless, the mood to fight is on and it is time to build on
it.

The police have just picked up about 20 cdes and are still rounding up more. Among the arrested are a number of young workers, the Regional ZCTU Chairpersons, Reason Ngwenya and Gertrude Mthombeni. They have been taken to the Central Police Station in Bulawayo. Lawyers have been alerted but protest messages ca n be sent to the police station on Phone +263 9 72515, or +263 9 61706.

For more updates, contact Pesy on +263 11 416374 or Tom +263 23 780066

******************************

* The protest venue in Harare was cordoned off by police. As the time of publishing (2:15pm local time) the protest had not yet started.

Heavy Presence of Armed Thugs

2006-09-13T13:28:00.000+02:00

A heavy presence of police armed with AK-47 guns are in place around the venue of the protests in Harare. A unknown number of ZCTU leaders were arrested last night at a temporary co-ordinating cente in the city centre.

Details will be published as soon as available.

Socialist Worker

Action Against Poverty - Jambanja Ndizvo!

2006-09-12T07:33:00.000+02:00

ZCTU NATIONAL PROTEST
OPERATION TATAMBURA – USADHERERE MUSHANDI !!
OPERATION SESIHLUPHEKILE – UNGADELELI ISISEBENZI !!

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) will be organizing processions country-wide on Wednesday 13 September 2006 from 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM to show government and employers that workers have gone this far with their suffering and cannot go any further. 80% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty because workers “take home” salaries cannot even take them home. Now is the time to SAY NO!

The ZCTU demands the following;

* Minimum Wages and Salaries linked to the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) (currently $96,000) Reduction of Income Tax to a 30 % maximum. Workers earning below the PDL (96 000 as at end of Aug 2006) should not be taxed.
* Availability and Free Access to Anti Ritro Virals (ARVs)
* Government to address economic meltdown and allow democratic space to civic society
* A stop to harassment of Informal Economy Workers by local authority police and the ZRP

The ZCTU leadership will lead processions in the following centres
HARARE, BULAWAYO, GWERU, MUTARE, CHINHOYI, MASVINGO, Chitungwiza, Bindura, Marondera,Norton, Redcliff, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Mvuma, Mvuma, Chivhu, Gokwe, Kwekwe, Hwange, Plumtree,Victoria Falls, Gwanda, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Nyanga, Rusape, Chiredzi, Gutu,Beitbridge,Triangle, Mashava, Kadoma, Kariba, Karoi and Chegutu

(All from 12:00 pm - 2:00pm Wednesday 13 September 2006)

In Harare the Procession will leave from the Construction House to deliver a petition to the Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, the Minister of Finance and to EMCOZ while in other centres the petitions will be delivered to the offices of the Chief Labour Relations Officer who in turn has to forward them to the Ministry of Finance.

BREAKING THE CHAINS OF EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION
Shinga Mushandi Shinga !! Qina Msebenzi Qina

For more information on the action please contact the ZCTU Information and Organising Departments on (04) 794742 / 794702 / 793093 E-mail, info@zctu.co.zw

Details of local ZCTU offices:
Bulawayo (09) 882093 / 61737 – 129 George Silundika Ave
Chinhoyi (067) 24246 – 9 North Drive
Gweru (054) 223312 – 3rd Floor, CABS Building, Robert Mugabe Way
Kadoma (068) 27895 / 23365 – 40 Union Ave
Kwekwe (055) 24448 – 52 Third Street
Masvingo (039) 265857 – 12 Guni House, Herbert Chitepo Street
Mutare (020) 60083 – 115 Herbert Chitepo Street

Proud to be ZCTU

Police arrest and torture 220 NCA marchers

2006-07-14T07:35:00.000+02:00

Police have arrested, beaten and tortured over 220 protesters in Bulawayo, Harare and Mutare as they marched to demand a democratic constitution. 2 other marches took place successfully in Masvingo and Gweru.

Over 1,100 people took to the Harare demo before it was savaged by the ZRP. 125 of them were arrested.
After being arrested marchers, including 60 women and 16 babies, were attacked using dogs, teargas and batons. They are all still being held at police stations in appalling conditions.

Phone the following stations to demand the release of the protesters:

Bulawayo Central Police Station +263-9-72515, +263-9-60358, +263-9-61706

Harare Police Station +263-4-777777, +263-4-721212, +263-4-742668

Mutare Police Station +263+20-64281, +263-20-64289, +263-20-64212, +263-20-66881

Police Headquarters +263-4-700171

Send solidarity e-mails to isozim2004@yahoo.com

Setback for Imperialism in Somalia

2006-07-14T07:33:00.000+02:00

For the first time for many years there is a sense of relief and hope among many people in Somalia.
The takeover of the capital, Mogadishu, on 4 June by the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) removed a political class of clan-based extortionists and dealers in everything from drugs to people, known as “warlords”.
They have divided and ruled the country since the collapse of the central state in 1991.
The UIC’s military victory, triggered by popular revolt against the warlords, achieved what international military intervention and peace talks have failed to accomplish since 1991.
Unable to neutralise or control the warlords, the Western powers ultimately resorted to working with them.
Fifteen rounds of internationally sponsored peace talks in 2004 resulted in the establishment of the present Transitional Federal Government.
But it has never had any control in Mogadishu and is recognised by only a minority of the country. The UIC’s success is a heavy setback for US policy in the region.
As analyst Larry Chin points out, “The Bush aadministration has secretly been supporting a group of Somali warlords, who were battling Islamic groups for control of Mogadishu.
“US leaders have long considered Somalia as a ‘terrorist haven’, as well as a potential ‘hotbed of Al Qaida activity’.
“Somalia is of strategic interest to the Bush administration, and its resources have been eyed by Western powers since the days of the British empire.
“US oil companies were positioned to exploit Somalia’s rich oil reserves during the reign of pro US president Mohammed Siad Barre (who ruled 1969 to 1991).
“The infamous and murderous Somalia military operation of 1993 was not a humanitarian mission, but an undeclared UN/US war launched by George Bush senior’s administration, and inherited by the Clinton presidency.”
After the defeat of the US in this war, it was forced to come to an accord with the very warlords it had been fighting against. But the alliance with the US further blackened the warlords’ names in the eyes of most people.
Key to the success of the UIC was the fact that it was already an established and accepted presence in local communities, with a demonstrated social welfare policy.
Apart from bringing security to areas under its control, through its own militia and justice system, it had also set up farms, schools, water points, health clinics and orphanages.
Although the UIC did not initially have strong popular support, there was a feeling that it upheld moral standards and discipline, and had a unifying and familiar ideology in Islam.
This ensured the UIC received popular backing during the battle for Mogadishu.
The main turning point was the announcement of the US-backed “counter-terrorist” alliance, which was seen as an alien construct and a common enemy - it threatened a new lease of life for the warlords.
It remains to be seen how far ordinary people can take charge of their own futures. The West may attempt to use the Ethiopian regime of Meles Zenawi to tame or attack the new forces.
But there is no doubt imperialism has suffered a blow.

Stop Water Charge Hiikes

2006-07-13T08:05:00.000+02:00

Join the Combined Harare Ratepayers Association campaign to stop the Makwavarara led “commission” and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) from imposing massive water charge hikes.

Copy and paste the letter below (the letter), print it out and fill it in. Make a copy.

Send one copy to: CHRA, Room 103, Daventry House, South Avenue corner Angwa Street.

Send the second copy to Town House.

ITS THAT SIMPLE

This is the letter:
****************************************

Your Address:

.......................

......................

HARARE

3rd July 2006

The Chairperson of the City of Harare Commission
Attn: Sekesai Makwavarara
Town House
Harare

Dear Madam,

Re: OBJECTION TO PAYMENT OF NEW WATER RATES

I am Mr/s…………………………………………… and I live at House. No. ……………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………. Harare.
I am a resident and rate payer in the city of Harare and am aware that in terms of the law, and more specifically the Urban Councils Act, I am entitled to at least thirty (30) days’ written notice before any levies, rates and or tariffs payable by me to the City of Harare may be reviewed.

I am also aware that I am entitled at law and right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and fair. The Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] especially Section 3 thereof refers.

I am further aware that there is an implied contract between myself and the City of Harare whereby the Council provides me with appropriate water services and I pay for the same on appropriate invoice for the said service.

Having stated the above I wish to put on record, as I hereby do, my objection to my payment of the amounts due for the month of June 2006 as calculated using the new tariffs because:

1. The statutory Notice in terms of the Urban Councils Act has not been honoured and as such the rates review is tainted with irregularities insofar as lawful procedure is concerned. Because of that it is a legal nullity as are the new rates it purports to introduce.

2. The principles of natural justice which the Council is legally obliged to observe in terms of the law have been flagrantly disregarded and as such the decision to review the rates is unlawful, unreasonable, and as such a legal nullity which I feel I cannot consciously pay.

3. The rates review also amounts to a unilateral variation of the implied contract between me and council seeing as it was done without notice to me and or any representations from me. You will no doubt appreciate that that in itself is also unlawful and makes the rates review also a legal nullity and therefore of no force and effect.

Also note that I object to the revised water charges as top council officials are squandering rate-payers money on curtains, DSTV, double-cabs, cellphones and guest lodges. The same officials are also looting subsidised council houses through contracts of “sale”.

Be guided accordingly.

Yours etc,

Cc: The Minister – Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development - Ignatius Chombo
Cc: CHRA

Stop Water Charge Hikes!

2006-07-12T15:49:00.000+02:00

Join the Combined Harare Ratepayers Association (CHRA) campaign to stop the Makwavarara led commission and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) from imposing massive water charge hikes.

Copy and paste the letter below (the letter), print it out and fill it in. Make a copy.

Send one copy to: CHRA, Room 103, Daventry House, South Avenue corner Angwa Street.

Send the second copy to Town House.

ITS THAT SIMPLE!

This is the letter:
*******************************************************

Your Address:

HARARE

3rd July 2006

The Chairperson of the City of Harare Commission
Town House
Harare

Dear Madam,

Re: OBJECTION TO PAYMENT OF NEW WATER RATES

I am Mr/s…………………………………………… and I live at House. No. ……………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………. Harare. I am a resident and rate payer in the city of Harare and am aware that in terms of the law, and more specifically the Urban Councils Act, I am entitled to at least thirty (30) days’ written notice before any levies, rates and or tariffs payable by me to the City of Harare may be reviewed.

I am entitled at law and right to action that is lawful, reasonable and fair. The Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] especially Section 3 thereof refers.

I am further aware that there is an implied contract between myself and the City of Harare whereby the Council provides me with appropriate water services and I pay for the same on appropriate invoice for the said service.

Having stated the above I wish to put on record, as I hereby do, my objection to my payment of the amounts due for the month of June 2006 as calculated using the new tariffs because:

1. The statutory Notice in terms of the Urban Councils Act has not been honoured and as such the rates review is tainted with irregularities insofar as lawful procedure is concerned. Because of that it is a legal nullity as are the new rates it purports to introduce.

2. The principles of natural justice which the Council is legally obliged to observe in terms of the law have been flagrantly disregarded and as such the decision to review the rates is unlawful, unreasonable, and as such a legal nullity which I feel I cannot consciously pay.

3. The rates review also amounts to a unilateral variation of the implied contract between me and council seeing as it was done without notice to me and or any representations from me. You will no doubt appreciate that that in itself is also unlawful and makes the rates review also a legal nullity and therefore of no force and effect.

Also note that I further object to the revised water charges as top council officials are squandering rate-payers money on curtains, DSTV, double-cabs, cellphones and guest lodges on weekends. The same officials are also looting subsidised council houses through contracts of “sale”.

Be guided accordingly.

Yours etc,

Cc: The Minister – Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development - Ignatius Chombo
Cc: CHRA

Ruling Class Offensive Can Be Stopped

2006-07-07T07:59:00.000+02:00

The last 7 weeks has seen the regime and its investor allies launching the most barbaric attacks on our living conditions.
Food prices, rents, water and electricity charges and school fees have all more than doubled while kombi fares are set to rise to 140,000. As Socialist Worker goes to press the parallel market rate for the US had crashed to anywhere up to 600,000 – the same for a litre of fuel.
At the same time the regime has stepped up the repression. Civic Society and opposition leaders have been arrested and held without charge. Countless roadblocks have been mounted.
The police broke up a public meeting in Highfield that began the commemoration of Murambatsvina. Further planned meetings and demonstrations were banned outright.
All this is in the name of the “Economic Turnaround” policy being implemented by the bosses and investors who run this country in the name of the IMF and World Bank – policies that the Mugabe ZANU-PF regime implemented.
Some civic society “leaders” have instead tragically chosen to put their tails between their lags in typical middle-class fashion and hide. The rest of the commemoration of Murambatsvina had been cancelled.
But as the actions by WOZA over the last 4 months have shown, this barbaric regime can be stopped. WOZA have staged several demonstrations at schools from Mutare to Insiza.
Several parents and school-going children have been arrested. WOZA leaders have been threatened with death. Parents and students who are WOZA members have been victimised by schools. The thug who is MP for Insiza, Andrew Langa, insulted WOZA women on their last demonstration in Insiza.
But despite all this the actions planned by WOZA continue unabated. In the week ending 07 July 2006, 500 women demonstrated at the Bulawayo City Council Mayors Office without permission and told a senior policeman to piss off.
This is the kind of leadership and action that is needed to confront this murderous regime and to begin fighting for and end to the poverty oppression that we face.
isozim2004@yahoo.com, +263-4-704209, Box 6758 Harare, Zimrights House 90 4th Street

Ruling Class On The Offensive

2006-07-07T07:54:00.000+02:00

Under the guise of the unfolding economic crisis over the last 18 months, bosses have been making massive attacks on ordinary people. School Fees doubled overnight for the second term; bread prices rose 53%; milk prices rose; rice prises rose 50% - all this in the space of 4 weeks. Inflation is expected to reach 2,000% by year end. Bosses are now planning retrenchments.
Yet simultaneously these same bosses were continuing with their lavish lifestyles. Philip Chiyangwa acquired the latest Mercedes Benz with internet. Other bosses continue to enjoy house boating on Kariba.
The main reason that the bosses use for all this is the economic crisis. Yet there is no crisis for the bosses’ living standards. They still use company benefits to pay for their children’s school fees and their trips to Kariba.
The real reason for the attacks on ordinary people is the mess that the bosses themselves created in the first place. The ZANU-PF regime implemented the IMF/World Bank economic reforms. The reforms led to the price rises and planned job losses we see today.
To ensure that their programme succeeds the bosses and international ruling class have gone on an offensive. They want to ensure that the continued implementation of their neo-liberal programme succeeds. In order to do so they have to create the conditions for it.
One of the main ways is to attack the radical elements in the opposition. Currently their biggest target is the NCA’s Lovemore Madhuku. The NCA under Madhuku has led countless protests and is in the forefront of active opposition to the ZANU-PF regime.
Prior to this, the Themba-Nyathis, Ncubes, Stevensons, Mutambaras and Chihwayis attempted to destroy the MDC. But their own project is unravelling with defections and resignations.
As Socialist Worker goes to press a flurry of “diplomatic” activity is taking place. UN boss Koffi Annan is pressurising to “visit the country”. Former and Current Tanzanian bosses Benjamin Nkapa and Jakaya Kikwete are messengers between Mugabe and Britain’s Blair while the British ambassador to Zimbabwe is on a tour of the country talking to “citizens” (bosses) on the way forward. At the same time South Africa’s Mbeki has renewed his “quiet diplomacy” campaign because the economic crisis here is once affecting South African bosses and the Rand.
While all this has been going on, the state and much of the so-called independent media are vilifying Madhuku and the regime has also issued a threat to the leadership of ZCTU under the guise of its so-called forex abuse probe.
As we called for in the last issue of Socialist Worker, we must give unconditional support to the real (Tsvangirai) MDC and ZCTU. In the meantime WOZA has been staging big and successful protests across the country against school fee increases that has seen the arrest of 14 and 17 year-old school children.
Ordinary people will not benefit from any “intervention” or packages that lead to the retirement of Mugabe – whether before, in or after 2008. Neither will we benefit from Tripartite negotiations with the regime that implemented the economic policies that put us in poverty in the first place.
The only way forward is to organise action like WOZA is doing to ensure that whatever happens, we have access to decent and affordable education, health and ARVs and living wages linked to inflation – and an end to oppression.
Phantsi/Pasi/Down With Capitalism – Qina Msebenzi Qina – Shinga Mushandi Shinga
by Rosa Zulu

The Social Forum Process

2006-07-07T07:50:00.000+02:00

The world we live in is completely unjust. There is massive accumulation of wealth for a tiny rich elite – glass buildings, shopping complexes like Westgate and Sam Levy’s and 45 Billion dollar Mercedes and Cherokees – contrasting with an equally unimaginable impoverishment of the vast majority of the world’s population haunted by famine and utter destitution - donkey drawn scotch carts, pit latrines, slums, and utter poverty. The historic mission of capitalism has been development for the few and underdevelopment for the many.
This crisis has totally worsened under neo-liberalism. Under the IMF/World Bank’s disastrous economic policies millions of poor have been condemned to conditions of abject poverty, job loses and collapse of social service delivery systems such as health, education, housing and public transport. This reality and a hopeless future for millions has resulted in the total breakdown of the social fabric of poor communities shown in sharp increases in domestic violence, violent crime, prostitution, street kids, and homeless people. The worsening crisis of neo-liberalism has also led to state regimes responding to mass resistance through curtailing democratic space and repression.

The Rise of the Social forum Process
The rise of the social forum process expresses a rejection and challenge to policies that put profit before life. The rallying slogan of the social forum, Another World Is Possible expresses this. We must go beyond simply rejecting the current set-up to fighting for a better way of organizing society that puts needs before greed and profit.
The social forum has emerged with massive potential to advance the struggles for socio-economic rights. To this end the Social Forum process must play a very crucial role in organizing the regrouping anti-neoliberal forces. It has made tremendous achievements in creating solidarity networks for those committed to social justice. The process has also played a key role in sustaining hope and in fostering amongst activists a sense of belonging to a global progressive force committed to change the world for the better. The emergence of a bipolar world marked on one hand by a crisis ridden free market agenda and on the other hand the growing global anti-capitalist/anti-imperialist movement of which the social forum is one of its platforms.
The context within which the Social Forum emerges and takes root poses questions - whether the process will fulfill its historical mission and serve as a functional platform to advance and resolve the tasks of the social justice struggle. This becomes a decisive question in light of the ‘commodification of resistance’ syndrome. A concern has already emerged on whether this will not turn out to be more of serial meetings/talk shops and plane activism with no action at all and in that way actually become a platform to co-opt, divert and disarm the building resistance against capitalist globalization.
There are also questions on the structure of the social forum process. The ‘open’ non-voting and non-committal ‘space’ limits the capacity for decisive collective action that reduces it to a non-acting jamboree of NGOs. While some horizontality and consensus is necessary in a democratic relationship amongst diverse groups that are just beginning to learn to work together, this should not be taken to levels where it completely cripples the process. Many attempts for collective action have been scuttled on the grounds that “the forum is a space and not an organization”.
While the social forum process has built an excellent critique on neo-liberalism, it has not done so on the national democratic question. Social forum arguments tend to focus exclusively on neo-liberal policies, IMF, World Bank, WTO etc and in a way sideline national democratic questions. This is particularly problematic in the African context where the lack of democracy is worse and imperialist plunder assisted by the local state is unchecked. Raising the national democratic question carries more risks than chanting down the IMF and other international financial institutions since this brings movements and organizations into the direct firing line of undemocratic regimes, but nonetheless it is a struggle that must be waged. .
The other key question is the marginal role of organized labour in the whole Social Forum process on a global level. This makes the Social Forum process a challenge to capitalism through numbers but lacking structural impact. Mobilization of organized labour remains one of the key outstanding tasks of the social forum process. The social forum process will be infinitely powerful if, as a platform, it can unite working class struggles and the vast mass of resistance to neo-liberalism represented by community based organizations, Social movements, and progressive NGOs.
The Next WSF: NAIROBI 2007
WSF comes to Africa when the social forum is faced with consolidating the achievements made so far and crucially taking the next step. Fatigue has already crept into the routine cycle of annual world social forum meetings in ‘far away’ places that only those with enormous resources can attend. To consolidate the process it is important to decentralize it to national and regional social forums. It is at this more local level that actions can best be coordinated and executed. This has already happened in some places with vibrant national forums such as the Zimbabwe Social Forum. Within national frameworks it is important to further decentralize to the most local level through community/township based social forums and thematic social forums.
In taking the next step, action is of vital importance. ‘A Time to Act’ must become part of the social forum slogans. The social forum can now utilize the networks that have been formed in the past four years to launch campaigns on specific social justice issues as determined by the most burning questions of the day. Anti-eviction campaigns, campaigns against water and electricity cut offs, anti-privatization campaigns, right to education campaigns, access to land campaigns and living wage campaigns etcetera. These are the kind of collective actions that will bring relevance to the social forum process and take it into the next chapter. Acting together on a particular issue coordinated through the social forum networks will be infinitely more powerful than a thousand isolated actions.
The next WSF will have achieved much if activists, movements and organizations gathered there go beyond the talk shop and adopt one or two social justice campaigns for collective action. This could even be a boycott of a particular corporate brand such as Coca –Cola for example or an anti-apartheid style collective campaign to bring down a specific dictatorship. With Africa as the setting, it is vitally important that activist, movements and organizations revisit the question of continued imperialist plunder on the continent and the unfinished business of national democratic struggles.
Taking the next step must also include going beyond agreeing to say ‘No to Capitalism’, to a united voices on an alternative to the capitalist system. In this era of the resurgence of the radical democratic agenda and the cracking of capitalism under its own contradictions activists must seize the opportunity to argue now for international socialism as the ultimate alternative to the failed capitalist system.

Another Africa is Possible! Another World is Possible! – In Our Lifetime!

By Briggs Bomba
isozim2004@yahoo.com
+263-4-704209, +263-11-403930, +263-11-637484, +263-91-908847
P.O. Box 6758, Harare – Zimrights House, 90 4th Street

The Social Forum Process

2006-07-07T07:41:00.000+02:00

NGO's or WGO's

2006-07-07T07:35:00.000+02:00

The Karachi Social Forum
By TARIQ ALI in Karachi, Pakistan. 28/03/2006

While we were opening the World Social Forum in Karachi last weekend with virtuoso performances of sufi music and speeches, the country's rulers were marking the centenary of the Muslim League [the party that created Pakistan and has ever since been passed on from one bunch of rogues to another till now it is in the hands of political pimps who treat it like a bordello] by gifting the organisation to General Pervaiz Musharaf, the country's uniformed ruler.

The secular opposition leaders, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, who used to compete with each other to see who could amass more funds while in power, are both in exile. To return home would mean to face arrest for corruption. Neither is in the mood for martyrdom or relinquishing control of their organizations. Meanwhile, the religious parties are happily implementing neo-liberal policies in the North-West Frontier province that is under their control. Incapable of catering to the real needs of the poor they concentrate their fire on women and the godless liberals who defend them.

The military is so secure in its rule and the official politicians so useless that 'civil society' is booming. Private TV channels, like NGOs, have mushroomed and most views are permissible (I was interviewed for an hour by one of these on the "fate of the world communist movement") except a frontal assault on religion or the military and its networks that govern the country. If civil society posed any real threat to the elite, the plaudits it receives would rapidly turn to menace.

It was, thus, no surprise that the WSF, too, had been permitted and facilitated by the local administration in Karachi. It is now part of the globalized landscape and helps backward rulers feel modern. The event itself was no different from the others. Present are several thousand people, mainly from Pakistan, but with a sprinkling of delegates from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea and a few other countries.

Absent was any representation from China's burgeoning peasant and workers movements or its critical intelligentsia. Iran, too, was unrepresented as was Malaysia. The Israeli enforcers who run the Jordanian administration harassed a Palestinian delegation. Only a handful of delegates managed to get through the checkpoints and reach Karachi. The huge earthquake in Pakistan last year had disrupted many plans and the organizers were not able to travel and persuade people elsewhere in the continent to come. Otherwise, insisted the organisers, the voices of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo and Fallujah would have been heard.

The fact that it happened at all in Pakistan was positive. People here are not used to hearing different voices and views. The Forum enabled many from repressed social layers and minority religions to assemble make their voices heard: persecuted Christians from the Punjab, Hindus from Sind, women from everywhere told heart-rending stories of discrimination and oppression.

Present too was a sizeable class-struggle element: peasants fighting against the privatization of military farms in Okara, the fisher-folk from Sind whose livelihoods are under threat and who complained about the great Indus river being diverted to deprive the common people of water they had enjoyed since the beginning of human civilization thousands of years ago, workers from Baluchistan complaining about military brutalities in the region.

Teachers who explained how the educational system in the country had virtually ceased to exist. The common people who spoke were articulate, analytical and angry, in polar contrast to the stale rhetoric of Pakistan's political class. Much of what was said was broadcast on radio and television with the main private networks---Geo, Hum and Indus--- vying with each other to ensure blanket coverage.

And so the WSF like a big feel-good travelling road show came to Pakistan and went. What will it leave behind? Very little, apart from goodwill and the feeling that it has happened here. For the fact remains the elite dominates that politics in the country. Little else matters. Small radical groups are doing their best, but there is no state-wide organisation or movement that speaks for the dispossessed. The social situation is grim, despite the massaged statistics circulated by the World Bank's Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The NGOs are no substitute for genuine social and political movements.

They may be NGOs in Pakistan but in the global scale they are WGOs (Western Governmental Organizations), their cash-flow conditioned by restricted agendas. It is not that some of them are not doing good work, but the overall effect of this has been to atomize the tiny layer of left and liberal intellectuals. Most of these men and women (those who are not in NGOs are embedded in the private media networks) struggle for their individual NGOs to keep the money coming; petty rivalries assumed exaggerated proportions; politics in the sense of grass-roots organisation is virtually non-existent. The Latin American model as emerging in the victories of Chavez and Morales is a far cry from Mumbai or Karachi.

Tariq Ali is author of the recently released Street Fighting Years (new edition) and, with David Barsamian, Speaking of Empires & Resistance. He can be reached at: tariq.ali3@btinternet.com

WOZA Appeal

2006-05-05T15:30:00.000+02:00

Over 120 women are being detained without access to food. Thus far (11.15 Friday morning) they have been denied food. Supporters and fellow WOZA women are currently trying to get food to the police stations and are particularly concerned for the mothers with babies still in custody.

Police Staion Numbers to phone:-
Bulawayo Central - +263 9 72515
Hillside + 263 9 241161
Donnington + 263 9 474005
Mzilikazi + 263 9 74439

73 Child Protesters Arrested

2006-05-05T08:07:00.000+02:00

NEWS UPDATE - 4TH MAY
Thursday evening

The 73 children, ranging from age seven to eighteen,
that were arrested this morning were finally released
this evening into the care of their lawyers. They are
now all at home in the care of an adult family member.
The adults remain in custody, including approximately
five mothers with young babies. It is still not clear
exactly how many are still in custody as police are
still processing them and due to the lack of
sufficient accommodation at Bulawayo Central, the
remaining group have been split between four police
stations, including Hillside and Mzilikazi. They have
still not been charged. Lawyers were in attendance
this afternoon.

Further details will be given as soon as they become
available.

BREAKING NEWS.

Over 100 WOZA women and 73 children arrested in
Bulawayo today (Wednesday 03 May)

Hundreds of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members -
men, women and children - marched for eight blocks
through central Bulawayo today to the government
offices at Mhlanhlandlela, calling for a reversal to
crippling school fee increases of up to 1000%. Having
completed their march, the peaceful group were
beginning to disperse when riot police arrived.
Initial reports suggest that approximately 200 people
have been arrested including 73 children. Jenni
Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are amongst those
arrested. Lawyers have been contacted and are en route
to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

There was an almost carnival atmosphere to the
procession with the singing marchers handing out the
May edition of the newsletter, Woza Moya, which were
eagerly accepted by passersby. Many children were in
school uniform, signifying the fact that this may be
the last time that they will be able to wear it as
they may not return to school next week.

More details will be released when they become
available. Photos also available on request.

For more information please contact Annie Sibanda on
+263 91 898 110/2.

Reclaim The Working Peoples Agenda!

2006-03-31T13:23:00.000+02:00

Today, progressive forces are confronted with the question of recovering lost momentum and taking the struggle to the next level. Since the 1999 Working People’s Convention the crisis in Zimbabwe has plunged to deeper depths and the imperative for change have never been more compelling. Change in both the undemocratic political framework and the neo-liberal economic policies that have condemned working people to conditions of destitute poverty. More than ever before the Mugabe dictatorship and its ESAP must go.
There are a lot of important lessons to be learnt on how the broad opposition forces advanced the agenda for change since the 1999 Working People’s Convention. Today’s most important task is to reclaim the spirit and agenda of the nineties as expressed in the agenda of the 1999 working people’s convention. High on the agenda of the 1999 WPC was the inability of the economy to address the basic needs of the majority of Zimbabweans; The severe decline in incomes, employment, health, food security and well being of people; The unfair burden borne by working women and the persistence of gender discrimination in practice. The decline and collapse of social services like education, health and municipal services; Lack of progress in resolving land hunger and rural development; Human rights, the constitution, corruption etc.
The convention went further to note that the ‘Agenda for Action that arises from [the resolutions] will not be realised without a strong, democratic, popularly driven and organised movement of the people’.
Looking back it is clear that our movement became weaker when it was hijacked by elitists who pushed to the periphery the radical democratic agenda that characterised 1999 and imposed a limited neo- liberal reformist agenda that reduced the crisis to just a question of governance. This is high time to reconvene all working peoples and reclaim the working people’s agenda. It’s high time to regroup the scattered radical democratic forces and reclaim the working people’s traditions of struggle. It is time to move away from the hotels and conferences and reclaim the streets. We have an opportunity to build a much more ideologically richer second wave of struggles and the ISO/ ZSF/ZCTU demands from the Action Against Poverty of last November must form the basis of a Working People’s Charter that must be driven through a United Democratic Front. The key demands are; non taxable living wage in line with PDL, free ARVs, price controls, affordable food, right to trade for informal traders and flea markets, affordable sanitary pads and baby milk, reversal of privatisation of education and an end of victimisation of student leaders, repeal POSA and AIPPA and a new democratic constitution that guarantees political and socio-economic rights. We must also demand that the government stops all payments to the IMF and other international banks and use the foreign currency to buy food, ARVs, fuel, fund education and provide clean drinking water to communities.

Whither The Social Forum?

2006-03-31T13:21:00.000+02:00

SASF Oct 2005 in Harare and WSF Jan 2006 in Venezuela have provided activists with three serious questions that need addressing to prevent the Social Forum from degenerating into yet another debacle.
The background of Venezuela led to questions being asked about the future of the WSF. The symbols of what was wrong with Venezuela before Chavez still exist today – the rich still in control, desperate poverty and right-wingers controlling the police - despite the social reforms leading many to receive education and health delivery for the first time. The movement that defended Chavez thrice has given confidence to workers fighting factory closures who often take over the factories and run it themselves. The recent election of centre-left Evo Morales in Bolivia after mass struggles and uprisings provided further background.
It is against this background that WSF 2006 delegates warned of the danger of WSF meetings becoming “a discussion forum with debate but no conclusions”. They warned that the WSF must move beyond critiquing and protesting the existing society to talk about how to bring about a new society. Leading global social movement activist Emir Sader wrote that the WSF “is leaving the phase of resistance…and is moving to actively participate in the struggle for another possible world”. In other words the Social Forum must move from being a commentator to an actor – move away from being yet another talk-shop.
Addressing this question means we have to look at how the Social Forum is organised – and by whom. Commenting on the WSF in Bamako, Mali, Peter Dwyer expresses disappointment at the low numbers and the heavy NGO presence. Geoffrey Players gets more to the point when he comments that “…the local population is very often not informed of this meeting…it is limited essentially to those coming from the elite…and who are often little in contact with popular movements”.
It is, unfortunately, also this same elite that funds the Social Forum – and dictates how the funds are to be used and corrupts activists through the commodification of resistance. Two examples in the run up to the SASF show this. The APF in South Africa did not send the contingent it was supposed to because the comrades were locked up in “debates” over the funding that was “offered”. Secondly, comrades in Zimbabwe democratically came to an agreement as to how to use funds from one of the NGOs. Then one of the middle-class “chefs” of the ZSF ran to the NGO to squeal. The NGO then made it clear that the funds were to be used as per their dictates. After this, other funding was “cut” meaning that hundreds of Zimbabwean activists could not travel to Harare for SASF. This was the most brutal example of the undemocratic nature of the elites and NGO’s.
This is one area of organisation that is critical for activists to discuss in the coming weeks and months. Financial accountability must become one of the priorities. Members of the social forum must know the budget of the ZSF in terms of income and expenditure and have the right to make decisions on the same.
It is also non-accountability in general that leads to the Social Forum becoming an event rather than a process. It means that the ZSF must become a living organ. After the Peoples Summit in September and SASF in October, there was much enthusiasm generated by the social forum process, as shown by its massive involvement in the ZCTU 8 November Anti-Poverty Action. But after there was a demobilisation of the process. Some of the reasons include that the ZSF is still too dependent on its ‘leadership’ structures; relies on an undemocratic decision-making method and focuses on events rather than a living process. And with many of these leaders, busy globe-trotting, nothing much has been happening since November. Further the insistence that we do not vote in social forum meetings as per the World Charter, is undemocratic and gives a few individuals the right to veto decisions supported by the majority. The origins of this principle lie in the desire of middle class NGOs to dominate the social forum process, but were afraid of democratic principles because they were few in numbers compared to the ordinary people and social movements. The result of denying the method of voting and majority rule is that decisions are made clandestinely by small cliques of people who are not accountable to anyone other than the donors who give the money. We suggest four ways to deal with this. Firstly, as ZSF we must adopt democratic methods of decision-making. Decisions must generally be made by consensus but if this fails voting must occur and the decision of the majority becomes binding. Secondly we must go back to our ZESA 2004 position that co-ordinators of the thematic clusters must also sit in the National Organising Committee. Most of these are militant rank and file activists who spend their time engaged locally in struggles and would be therefore be more available for ZSF work continuously. Further this would bring the necessary balance between the middle class – NGO technocrats who currently dominate NOC and ZSF and rank and file activists from the social movements. Such balance is absolutely essential if ZSF is to be a democratic and living process advancing the interests of the ordinary working people. Thirdly there is need to strengthen the movement away from focusing on date events, such as the October ZSF event, but to come up with ongoing programmes of thematic clusters and regional and township social forums. We need to urgently de-centralise and have township based social forums which will run active programmes of teach-ins, cultural and musical events, community activities like clean – ups and demonstrations. this means that we must adopt a Calendar of Resistance which we will run along with other progressive forces in society as the way forward to dealing with the current crisis of dictatorship and neo-liberal poverty.
ZSF is ours. It must be transformed into a living organ – not a forum for parrots who claim it is not an organisation but a space, but proceed to act exactly in the way of an organisation, not a platform for mere talking – but a platform for action.
Rosa Zulu

Rates hike batters Zimbabwean povo

2006-03-31T13:17:00.000+02:00

In May last year, 70-year old pensioner, Yotamu Mwale watched helplessly as bulldozers razed his three backyard shacks in Mbare in Harare. For Mwale - and many other retirees in this old suburb - the shacks were a source of critically needed additional income to augment a small pension that has virtually lost all value due to rising inflation. But barely a year after the military-style home demolition campaign, the regime is at it again - this time sanctioning an astronomical hike in rates that has hit hard defenceless pensioners.
With no steady income after the demolition of his backyard shacks, Mwale says his life is miserable as he battles to eke a living in what has turned out to be an inhospitable city. "I can now hardly afford to pay my monthly rates let alone buy enough food for myself," he says dejectedly.
A government appointed commission running Harare last month arbitrarily hiked rates by more than 1 000 percent, to levels well beyond the reach of most people. Mwale, who retired some five years ago, says he gets a pension of Z$3 000 a month – enough to buy 4 slices of bread at its current cost of 65,000 a loaf. Residents must now fork out Z$5 million for water and services, up from an average of Z$700 000 that they used to pay last year. "When the postman delivered my water bill for the month, I could not believe it. I thought he had delivered it to the wrong address. I also thought it could have been a computer error. But when I heard a widow down the street wailing in protest over her bills, I knew I was not the only one with such a huge bill," says Mwale.
"There is no way I can pay the amount with the $3 000 pension I receive every month," added Mairos Gawura. A spokesman for the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Precious Shumba, said residents must take collective action against the commission running Harare over its arrogance and insensitivity to the plight of the poor. CHRA says it is still planning to calling for a rates boycott or demonstrations against the rates increases.

Questions and Answers on The MDC, crisis in Zimbabwe and the way forward

2006-03-31T08:23:00.000+02:00

Q. Is the MDC split final?
A. The holding of a congress by the Ncube-Sibanda faction, including election of officials and the impending Tsvangirai faction congress signal a permanent split.
Q. What are the causes of this split?
A. The immediate reason behind the spit was the insistence of the Ncube middle class faction to participate in the Senate elections, and the refusal of Tsvangirai, under pressure from below, to continue legitimizing the regime though participation in rigged elections. However, the origins of the split are much deeper. They lie in the hijacking of the MDC by the middle classes and capitalists in 2000. After the elections, under the leadership of Ncube, they used the money from western donors, NGOs and Mbeki to commercialise the struggle, to boot out radical workers, activists and socialists and to reduce the role of the ZCTU, which had formed the party, to nil. They cancelled the 2000 December mass action in favour of elections, courts and western sanctions, fearful that the jambanja route would further radicalize the masses against both Mugabe and capitalism. They won control because the masses allowed themselves to be bribed by their money and failed to develop their own working people ideology which would see the party being led by working people themselves and fighting for the interests of working people against dictators, bosses and capitalists.
But by 2005 with the worsening economic crisis and the failure of the elections route, threatening radicalized mass revolts, capitalist elite forces in both MDC and Zanu PF, supported by Mbeki, felt that they had to move rapidly, take control of their parties and strike a compromise deal, that would have the sanctions lifted, accelerate Gono’s IMF ESAP policies and stop the persecution of the MDC as a ‘loyal opposition.’ In Zanu PF, middle class - capitalist forces around the Mujuru –Msika- Nkomo camp seized power after Tsholotsho, and fearful of past events in Serbia and Ukraine, accelerated the drive for compromise with their colleagues in MDC. The army commander, General Chiwenga, concerned that Operation Murambatsvina had failed to destroy the spirit of resistance in the masses, pleaded with Gono and the politicians “to do anything possible so that my soldiers won’t have to meet hungry protestors in the streets.” To reach their Muzorewa – type settlement, it was necessary that in both parties, radical and nationalist forces had to be crushed or removed. Thus in Zanu PF the war veterans were silenced and placed under the army; Chinotimba and his ZFTU were castrated; nationalist middle classes like Jonathan Moyo crushed and Mugabe, assured of both his political legacy and his personal and family’s safety, promised to retire in 2008 to be replaced by the Mujurus -John Nkomo faction, which is very close to multinationals. In MDC the remnants of the radical unionists and activists were kicked out and Ncube, Coltart and Chinamasa under Mbeki’s tutelage, secretly drafted and signed a new constitution which excluded persons without degrees from becoming presidents. i.e. Tsvangirai. This is when Tsvangirai woke up and stared fighting, supported by the MDC rank and file, calling for a radical paradigm shift including boycotting elections, leading to the split.

Q. But won’t Arthur Mutambara make a change?
A. No he wont make much of a difference for several reasons:
i. He is now part of an MDC faction totally controlled by middle class elites like Ncube, Nyathi and Gasela, who are committed to collaboration with the Zanu PF dictatorship, including participating in fake elections under a rigged constitution. This is why they were given the $8 billion by the government, which was released just in time for their congress! This is why Chimanikire was rejected as president. Mutambara has been away for 12 years and lacks a support base to control the party. His statement that he was opposed to participation in elections is just empty talk, for he did not fight for that position at the Congress, nor was such a resolution passed. If he insists on this he will be immediately kicked out, which is why they have amended their constitution to say it is not the party president who will be its presidential candidate.
ii. Secondly, despite his heroic leadership role in the 1980s struggles against dictatorship and ESAP, the Mutambara of 2006 is a different person. He has abandoned the side of the poor and working people and joined the side of the rich and capitalists. He has worked and continues to work in his own business for huge multinationals and international banks responsible for ESAPs throughout Africa and the 3rd world. He is trusted enough by USA and UK imperialists to work in their most sensitive institutions like NASA. In his acceptance speech, he outlined his vision of what he saw as the mandate of his generation – and it is one for the black elites and rich and not one for working people. His vision is no longer as it was in the 1980s in his student days, which was one of abolition of capitalist private property and the redistribution of wealth so that the poor may eat, have houses, land, education or living wages. Now he talks of a vision of “commercial farmers, innovative entrepreneurs, productive workers and creative managers,” who will compete with other global capitalists in screwing the poor. Instead of redistribution of land to the poor peasants he now calls for title deeds in land, so that the chefs who looted the farms are protected for ever. Unlike before when he used to denounce ESAP, the IMF and so forth, today, like Gideon Gono, he supports NEPAD and calls for restoring ties with the “international community” – i.e. the IMF and multinationals and the Group of 8 led by Bush and Blair. Mutambara is now part of the elite and exploiter classes who fear jambanja of the masses which is why Ncube & co. invited him. This is a reality recognized even by the CIO fronted - Financial Gazette, which observed: “Analysts and those who went to college with him, however, said despite his militant words, Mutambara was not going to be confrontational. He was looking for a compromise…”

Q. So are you saying the Tsvangirai faction is the solution?
A. By calling for a paradigm shift and spearheading the boycott of the Senate elections, including risking the split of the MDC, we commend Tsvangirai. However, we must not forget that it is Tsvangirai himself who played a key role in inviting and protecting the middle classes – capitalists who ended up hijacking the party, and the party still continues participating in municipal elections, after the boycott of Senate elections. He must now correct this by spearheading the total cleaning out of the MDC of remnants of such forces such as capitalists like Eddie Cross and placing its leadership squarely back into tried and tested working people activists and leaders, who are ideologically clear. It is now time to walk the talk of a paradigm shift, which is in fact a full ideological and strategic paradigm restoration of our vision of the late 1980s. This means four key things: (i) a vision of democracy and society where the wealth of society is used to fulfill basic human needs like food, health, housing, education and leisure and not the profits of the few capitalists. This requires that the wealth of society is democratically owned and controlled by the majority and not as the private property of the few. This means rejection of the IMF and ESAP, i.e. neo-liberalism and capitalism; (ii) no to continued participation in rigged elections – no to collaboration with the regime and capitalist – imperialist forces and yes to mass popular resistance – jambanja ndizvo! Current MPs, mayors and councilors should remain in office only as long as they are prepared to participate in and lead the jambanja. (iii) yes to resistance based on a Working People’s Charter of Freedom demanding things like a living wage, right to strike, full subsidies for and reversal of the massive increases in costs of food, education, health including ARVs, farming inputs, transport and housing, restoration of services like water, sewerage and electricity; an immediate end to payments to the IMF and international banks; jailing of those responsible for state murders, corruption and seizure of their properties; redistribution of land to the poor and peasants; and a people driven new constitution guaranteeing these rights and truly democratic elections. (iii) no to commodification and commecialisation of the struggle and resistance. Yes to cadres and no to rented crowds and mercenaries! (iv) the building of an effective engine to spearhead this popular resistance, namely a united democratic front of the Tsvangirai MDC and all radical and democratic forces and social movements, modeled on the UDF in SA in the 1980s built by the ANC, COSATU, SACP and civic society. This calls for the immediate convening of a 2nd Working People’s Convention to map the way forward in terms of ideology, strategy and tactics, in particular the Charter and a Working People’s Calendar of Resistance for 2006 and in the long term.
We hope the MDC will consider these ideas at its forthcoming congress and come up with a new transformed leadership and resolute resolutions in favour of mass resistance.
Munyaradzi Gwisai

Leprosy patients face death in worsening crisis

2006-03-31T08:20:00.000+02:00

At the Mutemwa Leprosy Settlement in Mutoko, 90 km from Harare, the patients are desperately in need of food, clothing and financial assistance as the centre's coffers are empty. The centre also urgently needs money for bedding, repairs and maintenance of the facilities. An official at the settlement said the situation could become disastrous if no solution to the centre's financial problems was found within the next month (by mid-April).
The already critical situation at the settlement has been worsened by the current economic crisis. Basics such as fuel, food and medical supplies are scarce and galloping inflation, currently at 782 percent, has made what little stocks are available inaccessible to the poor. A patient at the settlement said donations that used to come in have dried up. Another patient said she had been surviving on a small helping of sadza every day.
Mutemwa Leprosy centre is home to 50 patients who have suffered severe deformity and are disabled and destitute - some have lost limbs and others have been blinded by the disease.
A drug as simple as Dapsone treats leprosy and it can be administered in a home.
The regime has instead opted to spend money on buying K8 fighter jets and water cannon, whilst its commissions spend billions on curtains and double cabs.

WOZA News 16 Feb

2006-02-17T07:34:00.000+02:00

ISO Zimbabwe
UPDATE - 16TH FEBRUARY 2006
Evening Update

Approximately 150 women remain in custody for a third night in Harare Central Police station. Police remain uncooperative with regard to taking the women to court and continue to exert pressure on them to pay admission of guilt fines. Lawyers are finalising a court application for them to be brought to court tomorrow as they are now illegally detained. One woman has been hospitalised suffering from stomach problems.

It has been problematic to obtain accurate numbers of those in custody and the following has come to light. Firstly police officers have blocked the access of lawyers to their clients. Secondly, it transpires that as women made their way to the demonstration starting point they were 'netted' by the police and council's 'Operation Valentine' and ended up in custody. Those that made it through the net to the starting point conducted the protest and were only arrested as they dispersed. Police acting on an inaccurate tip-off were at the wrong location - Causeway Post Office and had to divert to Parliament; arresting the women outside the Anglican Cathedral. It was only when the protestors got to the police station that they saw their colleagues and heard this news. As lawyers have
had limited access, this news has only come to light as women have been released.

More reports confirming the assault of women by Mhondoro and other police officers have also been received. On Wednesday evening, when Williams was delivering food in the presence of a lawyer, Officer Mhondoro indicated that he had been attempting to contact Williams to dialogue and asked her to visit his office and to come alone (i.e. without a lawyer). He gave her his mobile number +263 11 513 364. This is the same man who has routinely beat WOZA women for the last year.

One of the women released today testified that on Tuesday Mhondoro told women that Williams had been arrested on Monday in Harare and was still in custody and 'had promised to stop demonstrating in Zimbabwe' so all the women should do the same - to which there was a chorus of replies that they were not demonstrating for Williams' rights but for their own rights and would continue to do so!

Williams was in fact in custody in Bulawayo and spent over an hour being 'lectured' about how she should 'dialogue' with police officers. Legal advice is being sought about the safety of Williams to attend these 'dialogue' appointments. Consultations are also being made with the leadership of WOZA as it if they should be taken as genuine attempts to dialogue.

Meanwhile WOZA is inviting activists to send text messages to Officer Mhondoro advising him to cease assaulting innocent women. Friends wishing to offer advice can also email us on wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com.

Afternoon update
A disturbing report has been received from a WOZA woman who had been in custody but who had such bad stomach pains that she paid a fine to be released. She was taken to a doctor and en route gave the following details:
'When Williams and Mahlangu were seen bringing in food yesterday, they asked to be given the food but were told, 'you must know that this is a struggle and learn to starve'. Only some of the women were given food at 11pm last night. Today lunch was not allowed into the police station. The women were also told by police that they preferred to give water to prostitutes and vendors rather than WOZA women. Access to toilets is also being denied. Reports are also being received that several women were assaulted on Tuesday by a PISI officer, Mhondoro, who has beaten WOZA women in custody on several occasions in the past. Some were slapped with an open palm across the face; others were kicked in their sides by booted officers as they sat on the floor in detention. (Names of some of these women are available.) 38 women spent Tuesday night standing in one tiny cell. Those on ARV treatment were unable to take their medication because they were denied food. From 2 to 6pm yesterday, women were made
to sit in the hot sun just out of sheer malice, it seems. Because of these conditions and the
intimidation and pressure being applied by police officers, some women, including those pregnant and with babies, paid admission of guilt fines of $25 000 and were released. These number approximately 30. At 2 pm today police suddenly decided to raise the fine to $250 000 and lawyers are querying if this is legal. A conversation was also overhead by the woman that Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri had called to order the women to be released. A senior female officer was also said to have come to the detention room and in front of women asked the officers why the women were still in custody and demanded that they be accorded their right to be heard in a court of law or
released.'

Meanwhile WOZA leaders are pressing the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to submit a court application as the 48 hours time limit has now expired that they are legally allowed to be held.

UPDATE - 15th FEBRUARY 2006
Evening Update

Police in Harare continue to give lawyers the run-around regarding the charges against the women in custody. The Attorney General's office is alleged to have dissuaded the state from proceeding with charges under POSA; so police have switched charges to Section 7 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (MOA) – public nuisance/disturbing the peace charges. As the government has no money to feed prisoners, WOZA has had to buy food for those arrested. The women have been denied this food all day however and at 8pm still had not been given their lunch or supper. Their strategy is to pressure the women into paying admission of guilt fines to get out of the deplorable conditions. Finally the mothers with babies were permitted to pay fines and were released, whilst the
rest look to another night in detention.

WOZA News Update

2006-02-15T07:40:00.000+02:00

ISO Zimbabwe
WOZA NEWS UPDATE - 14th FEBRUARY 2006
Contrary to early estimates, 181 WOZA women and male
members were arrested yesterday along with 14 babies.
They were held at Bulawayo Central and due to flooded
cells, the group were kept in a cage outside in the
courtyard with only standing room until 10.30pm in
heavy rain. Three women, Jenni Williams, Magodonga
Mahlangu and Emily Mpofu, were taken aside,
fingerprinted, made to give statements, despite their
protestations that they wanted their lawyer present,
and charged under Section 24 of the Public Order and
Security Act (POSA). The three women were taken to
court in the late morning where the prosecutor refused
to allow them to appear before court, instructing the
police to release them and proceed by way of summons.
The other 177 women and men, including babies, are
still being held at Bulawayo Central out in the open.
Lawyers are trying to secure their release.

Early reports also suggest that a WOZA march in
Harare, which took place at lunchtime today, continued
for several blocks before being broken up by police
and arrests were made. At least seven vehicles were
used to transport those arrested and a lawyer
attending at the scene was handcuffed. Lawyers are in
attendance.

Further details will be given as soon as they become
available.

WOZA Women Arrested

2006-02-14T09:04:00.000+02:00

ISO Zimbabwe

BREAKING NEWS - 13th FEBRUARY 2006

Over 100 WOZA women arrested in Bulawayo today! WOZA
supporters please see end of message for how you can
help.

Hundreds of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members and
students marched for eight blocks through central
Bulawayo today to the government offices at
Mhlanhlandlela, calling for 'bread and roses' - the
need for daily survival and the right to a dignified
life. Having completed their march, the women were
beginning to disperse when riot police arrived.
Initial reports suggest that over 100 women, including
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, and at least
two men and a 14-month old baby have been arrested.
Jenni Williams has also reportedly been separated from
the others, many of whom have been left outside in the
courtyard in torrential rain. Lawyers have been
contacted and are en route to Bulawayo Central Police
Station.

The women marched with solidarity messages from
Amnesty International chapters around the world and
during the procession, they distributed red roses,
valentine cards, and the February edition of the
newsletter, Woza Moya, which were eagerly accepted by
passersby.

More details will be released when they become
available.

If you would like to express your outrage here are some numbers to try:-

Bulawayo Central (+263-4)972515

Kembo Mohadi - Minister of Home Affairs
Phone: (+263-4)723635, 703642, 703644

Patrick Chinamasa - Minister of Justice
(+263-4) 777054 or 774620-7
Home: (+263-4) 860006
Or send him a text message on: 263 11 605 523

Vumela iWOZA ikhulume ikhululekile
Regererai WOZA ichitaura yakasungura

Police Crush World AIDS Day March in Zimbabwe

2005-12-02T13:22:00.000+02:00

In an act of outrageous callousness and barbarity the Zimbabwe Republic Police descended on yesterday’s World Aids Day march and ordered the marchers to disperse, just hours after the regime's president, Mugabe, vowed to keep the promise. Five of the organisers of the protest are in police custody since midday Thursday. These are Munyaradzi Gwisai of ISO, Mao Nyikadzino (NCA), Sostain Moyo of Zimbabwe Activists Against Aids), and Anna and Gladys from the Women Aids Support Network (WASN)

The police had given clearance for the World Aids Day march and the gathering in the Africa Unity Square. They then suddenly turned around, outlawed the procession and arrested people. This is clearly a matter of setting up a trap and waylaying people on the way.

The success of yesterday’s action is very inspiring. Hundreds of us marched on the streets of Harare singing and raising our banners for over 30 minutes. People carried banners demanding access to ARVs and demands from the Action Against Poverty. These included living wage for workers, fuel, affordable sanitary pads and baby milk and reduction of taxation. People were also calling for transparency on the AIDS levy to which workers painfully contribute but some heartless regime bureaucrats are looting. There was also significant presence of NCA activists calling for a new people driven constitution.

Lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are busy trying to get the arrested comrades released. We are asking cdes to bombard the police station with calls and faxes demanding the release of those in police custody.

DETAILS:
Harare Central Police Station
Phone: (+263 4) 733033, 721212, 736931, 725903
Minister of Home Affairs
Phone: (+263-4)723635, 703642, 703644

ISO Zimbabwe
(+263-91)719717, (+263-91)908847, (263-4) 704209
isozim2004@yahoo.com

From ZCTU Info Dept

2005-11-09T12:38:00.000+02:00

Reports we have now are that at least 120 people have been arrested in Harare alone and they are held at the Harare Central Police Station and hopefully they will appear in court tomorrow
The total figure of those arrested countrywide is at least 200. No charges have been pressed against them and the indications from police in Harare is that they will only start processing their papers tomorrow (Wednesday).

Three other ZCTU members were arrested by soldiers. namely Mlamleli Sibanda, Last Tarabuku, Leonard Gwenzi and Thabitha Khumalo a general council member They were later released after the soliders handed them over to the Police law and order section. The four were arrested four allegedly photographing an army truck.

The demonstration was organised by the ZCTU against high price increase, high taxation levels, shortages of medical drugs, high transport costs and the general economic decay in the country.

Official Inflation is currently at 360 percent while unemployment is pegged at 80 percent. Generally 80 percent of the population live in abject poverty and most households can no longer afford a decent meal a day. School fees are now beyond the reach of many ordinary Zimbabweans.

Those who participated in the demonstration included those from the infomal economy who were affected affected by Operation Murambatsvina.

The ZCTU has orgainsed this demonstration to remind government and employers that workers in Zimbabwe including civil servants can no longer make ends meet.

The ZCTU appreciates the solidarity it has received so far and hopes you will put more pressure on the government for the release of the trade union activists.

***The 120-ZCTU activists including Wellington Chibebe and Lovemore Matombo the ZCTU President are still in Police custody but have all been transfered to Chitungwiza 25 Kilometres outside Harare. Reports we have received but not yet verified indicate that Wellington Chibebe and a few others were tortured last night. The Police have not given any reasons for transferering the activists to Chitungwiza, neither have they charged anyone yet. The paperwork still has not been done. Lawyers are still fighting with the police.

Among the people arrested are about 20 people living with HIV/AIDS who can not assess treatment at the moment and five women with babies and other disabled people. This situation is particularly worrying as we now fear that there might be some fatalities because of the conditions these people are in.

* Several other arrested activists have been moved to Makoni, Dema and Mbare police stations. The phone numbers are:
Dema: +263-70-23142, +263-70-21928
Makoni +263-70-22006, +263-4-22001
Mbare +263-4-706401,

ZCTU Information Department
Mlamleli Sibanda
Information Officer
ZCTU Box 3549
Harare
Tel: 263 4 702517
Cel: 263 11 620 232
Fax: 263 4 728484
E:mail: info@zctu.co.zw
Web : wwww.zctu.co.zw

STATEMENTS FROM WORKERS DEMOCRACY, THAILAND AND REVOLUSTAS, BRAZIL

Workers' Democracy Thailand are very concerned about the arrests of comrades Aaron Dhliwayo, John Bomba and Munyaradzi Gwisai. They are special friends of the comrades here as they have spoken at our meetings on a number of occasions.
We wish to send a warm message of solidarity and hope that they will be released as soon as possible.

Giles Ungpakorn
Workers' Democracy
Bangkok, Thailand

----------------------------------------
Dear comrade,

We learnt about the arrest of several activists in Zimbabwe, including 3 comrades of ISO Zimbabwe. We will publish a note and a solidarity appeal in our website and magazine. Please let us know more details about the arrests.

In comradeship

Rui Polly
www.revolutas.org
(Brazil)

IF YOU CANNOT GET THROUGH ON THE NUMBERS LISTED IN THE SECOND POSITNG BELOW, THEN TRY +263-4-733033, +263-4-721212
OR POLICE HEQDQUARTERS ON +263-4-700171, +263-4-700172
OR THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE ON +263-4-774539, +263-4-781769
ALTERNATIVELY THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE ON +263-4-781063, +263-4-781064

From ZCTU Info Dept + Ststements

2005-11-09T10:21:00.000+02:00

Reports we have now are that at least 120 people have been arrested in Harare alone and they are held at the Harare Central Police Station and hopefully they will appear in court tomorrow
The total figure of those arrested countrywide is at least 200. No charges have been pressed against them and the indications from police in Harare is that they will only start processing their papers tomorrow (Wednesday).

Three other ZCTU members were arrested by soldiers. namely Mlamleli Sibanda, Last Tarabuku, Leonard Gwenzi and Thabitha Khumalo a general council member They were later released after the soliders handed them over to the Police law and order section. The four were arrested four allegedly photographing an army truck.

The demonstration was organised by the ZCTU against high price increase, high taxation levels, shortages of medical drugs, high transport costs and the general economic decay in the country.

Official Inflation is currently at 360 percent while unemployment is pegged at 80 percent. Generally 80 percent of the population live in abject poverty and most households can no longer afford a decent meal a day. School fees are now beyond the reach of many ordinary Zimbabweans.

Those who participated in the demonstration included those from the infomal economy who were affected affected by Operation Murambatsvina.

The ZCTU has orgainsed this demonstration to remind government and employers that workers in Zimbabwe including civil servants can no longer make ends meet.

The ZCTU appreciates the solidarity it has received so far and hopes you will put more pressure on the government for the release of the trade union activists.

* Several arrested activists have been moved to Makoni, Dema and Mbare police stations. The phone numbers are:
Dema: +263-70-23142, +263-70-21928
Makoni +263-70-22006, +263-70-22001
Mbare +263-4-706401

ZCTU Information Department
Mlamleli Sibanda, Information Officer
ZCTU Box 3549, Harare
Tel: 263 4 702517, Cel: 263 11 620 232
Fax: 263 4 728484
E:mail: info@zctu.co.zw
Web : wwww.zctu.co.zw
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STATEMENTS FROM WORKERS DEMOCRACY, THAILAND AND REVOLUSTAS, BRAZIL

Workers' Democracy Thailand are very concerned about the arrests of comrades Aaron Dhliwayo, John Bomba and Munyaradzi Gwisai. They are special friends of the comrades here as they have spoken at our meetings on a number of occasions.
We wish to send a warm message of solidarity and hope that they will be released as soon as possible.

Giles Ungpakorn
Workers' Democracy
Bangkok, Thailand

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Dear comrade,

We learnt about the arrest of several activists in Zimbabwe, including 3 comrades of ISO Zimbabwe. We will publish a note and a solidarity appeal in our website and magazine. Please let us know more details about the arrests.

In comradeship

Rui Polly
www.revolutas.org
(Brazil)

From ZCTU Info Dept

2005-11-09T09:51:00.000+02:00

115 Arrested Including Women With Children

2005-11-09T08:06:00.000+02:00

(we could not get this up sooner. The regime sabotages internet connections whenever there is a protest – they are the single regulating body)

The ZCTU demonstration against poverty was broken up by the police yesterday afternoon. About 115 demonstrators have been arrested. They are still detained at Harare Central Police Station and no charges have been brought against them. Muchadehama the lawyer was still there late yesterday.

Some of those arrested are:
Lovemore Matombo - ZCTU President
Wellington Chibhebhe - ZCTU Secretary General
Netsai Dzinoreva – NOC Member Zimbabwe Social Forum
John Bomba – National Co-ordinator ISO
Aaron Dhliwayo – Harare Branch Co-Ordinator ISO
Munyaradzi Gwisai – National Co-Ordinator ISO
Canwell Muchadya - President ZGAWU (Printing Union)
Regis Mututu - Chairperson Zimbabwe Social Forum
Rita Nyamupinga - NOC member Zimbabwe Social Forum.

More than 115 activists including the HIV/AIDS activitists, the disabled and women with children. About 6 women with children on their back, and the disabled have been move from one of the conjested cells into the other one but they are still detaining them. So far no charges have been brought against them and it is likely that they will spend the night in the congested cells. Your solidarity is needed to put pressure for them to be brought to court tommorrow. Phone Harare Central Police Station demanding the immediate release of the arrested. See the phone and fax details in the article immediately below this one.

* We have just learned (10.00 last night) that some were moved to either Dema or Marondera police stations. We mwill make a follow up and post the details as soon as we have them *
Also go to http://www.kubatana.net

Dozens Arrested

2005-11-08T13:53:00.000+02:00

Several protesters were arrested this morning in central Harare.

An eyewitness described a “truck-load” of protesters being driven off.

Once inside the police station they will most certainly be subject to physical beatings.

They were arrested for daring to protest over the fast deteriorating living conditions in Zimbabwe and the anti-social policies of the ZANU(PF)/Mugabe regime.

Protest these arrests and trampling of workers rights in Zimbabwe by phoning:
+263-4-724668, +263-4-777777, +263-4-721212, +263-4-736931, +263-4-725803

and faxing +263-4-771420

for the attention of Harare Provincial Officer Commanding (Commissioner Edmore Veterai)

State Mounts Armed Road Blocks

2005-11-08T11:09:00.000+02:00

(Posted 11:00am)

First eye witness report

The ZANU(PF) state has mounted road-blocks on all roads leading out of Harare’s townships and on all roads leading into the city centre - hours after revoking permission for the march to go ahead.

All public transport vehicles (buses and kombis) are being pulled over, passengers made to disembark and thorough searches made on every single passenger and vehicle.

Armed police and soldiers are patrolling and demanding IDs from pedestrians. Anyone caught without an ID is being severly beaten up.

More to follow later…

watch this space

JOIN THE ZCTU Action Against Poverty 08/11/05

2005-11-07T15:40:00.000+02:00

Demonstration starts at Construction House, L.Takawira, Harare at 12:00 Noon
Demands:
* We want food: We are starving
* We want water and have gone without water for months
* We want fuel: And affordable public transport
* We want affordable sanitary pads nemukaka wevana wanyanya kudhura ngauderedzwe!
* We demand a non taxable living wage for all workers in line with PDL (10 Meter), tatambura nemaslave wages
* We demand free ARV’s and stop looting AIDS Levy!
* We want jobs and the right to strike
* The right to trade for informal traders. Misika, maflea markets nematuckshop should be opened now! Mapurisa ngaarege kutora zvinhu zvema vendors! Stop harassment of Cross-Border traders, close down Lindela Centre!
* We demand the right to rebuild our cabins, and cottages destroyed by murambasvina
* Marates anyanya kudhura, mvura nemagetsi ngazvidzikiswe
* Tsvina yanyanya murukisheni, kanzuru ngaitakure marara
* Right to education and Decent payout for students
* Stop victimization of student leaders especially at UZ by Nyagura
* Repeal POSSA & AIPPA. A new democratic constitution now!
* Stop all payments to IMF – Use the forex for food, ARV drugs, education, water, fuel
* Food, food, food, we want food we are starving. Tafa nenzara today marara here?

If you can't be there, bang your empty pots and pans!! Make noise

Shinga Mushandi Shinga! Qina Msebenzi Qina! Kusvika Zvanaka!
ABASHA CAPITALISM! FORWARD TO SOCIALISM! IMF OUT OF ZIMBABWE AND AFRICA!

ZCTU Protest On 8 November 2005

2005-11-04T11:21:00.000+02:00

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade unions has called for a Day of Action on Tuesday 8 November.

On this day, Protest marches will take place from 12.00pm to 2.00pm countrywide.

In Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Harare and Mutare, the ZCTU leadership will lead the protests and hand in Petitions to the Ministry of Labour Offices.

The Protest Marches are being called to protest over the worsening levels of poverty in Zimbabwe whilst bosses, managers and investors continue to live their obscene lifestyles in Borrowdale, Highlands, Chisipite and others.

The ZCTU demands are:
* An immediate raise in the minimum wage. The current Poverty line is $ 10 million
* A reduction in PAYE to a maximum of 30%
* A reduction in VAT
* Provision of affordable anti-retrovirals (ARVs)

Other demands to raise are:
* Allow the building of cabins to ease the housing crisis
* Allow markets for Traders
* Compensation for victims of Murambatsvina
* A People Driven Democratic Constitution
* Student Grants Not Loans
* Infrastructure for A1 Farmers
* Water and Electricity supplies, Garbage Collection, functioning Sewerage system
* Food, Jobs, Affordable medical Drugs, Affordable Education

Contact your local ZCTU office to get the details of the march in your area.
QINA MSEBENZI QINA!!
SHINGA MUSHANGA SHINGA!!
AMANDLA AWETHU!!