AFRICAN EYE

INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT: “PUT OFF THE EVIL DAYS” The ongoing briefing and updating on the progress made in resolving the "outstanding issues" by the three main political parties to the facilitation team from South Africa has reduced the media to play a speculative mandate and this truly undermines the core business of the media which includes informing the public even though Article 19 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) recognizes the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy. The black out in terms of information on the progress made, undermines democratic peoples' rights such as their right to receive and access information. As provided for in the GPA, the media was supposed to be informing people especially on the marathon of talks which has been the order of the day since the inclusive government came into effect in February 2009. Besides the neglect of the media especially in covering the progress of the

The ongoing briefing and updating on the progress made in resolving the "outstanding issues" by the three main political parties to the facilitation team from South Africa has reduced the media to play a speculative mandate and this truly undermines the core business of the media which includes informing the public even though Article 19 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) recognizes the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy. The black out in terms of information on the progress made, undermines democratic peoples' rights such as right and access to information. As provided for in the GPA, the media was supposed to be informing people especially on the marathon of talks which has been the order of the day since the inclusive government came came into effect in February 2009.Besides the neglect of the media especially in covering the progress of the inclusive government, the inclusive government has erred

The ongoing briefing and updating on the progress made in resolving the "outstanding issues" to the facilitation team from South Africa has reduced the media to play a speculative mandate and this truly undermines the core business of the media which includes informing the public.The black out in terms of information on the progress made, uundermines democratic peoples' rights such as right to information.The setting up of a management committe that comprises of the chief negotiators from the three political parties also contradicts the formation of The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee(JOMIC)  whose function is to monitor the function and implementation of the Global Political Agreemenrt(GPA).Dont the negotiators themselves think that the GPA has been undermined and compromised?There was need to empower bodie like JOMICso that they really deliver.The SADC deadline set up was not met and yet the negotiators have remained defiant by continuing to deliberate lea

The ongoing updating and briefing of the resolutions to the outstanding issues in the Inclusive government has reduced the media to play a speculative role in  disseminating information and fulfilling its mandate.Do you think the media should be informed on any progress made by the negotiating teams?Is this in line with democratic principles such as the right to information by every citizen?Feel free to leave your comments.Speak out your mind.information is an aphrodisiac for change.So do it now>

A millstone in ancient times was one of the largecircular stones used in the grinding of corn.The phrase alludes to a method of executing people by throwing them into deep water with a heavy stone attached to them,a fate believed to have been suffered by early Christian martyrs. The above idiom is reflective of the severe impediments and disadvantages women in Zimbabwe are facing.Are we still living in a patriachal era?This question appears more poignant with eachday that passes and continues to haunt many women today.For example there has been lack of legargy especially in government over the promotion of women's rights.Of course one can argue but in my own view the sycophantic retort that government promotes the role of women is misleading.What we have witnessed in the past are promises that never translate into action.This is not to overlok the progress made especially in promoting women's rights but the snails' pace with which the empowerment of women is moving is rath

To nominate Nkomo and Mujuru is something that a lot of people within ZANU PF never liked.Who do you think deserved the posts.You can leave your comments.

When the MDC was formed in 1999 it received unflinching support from supporters who were frustrated by Mugabe's rule characterised by human rights abuses,looming poverty and the absence of the rule of law.This was an opportune time for people to voice out their concerns through a swift and democratic vehicle called the MDC.The MDC became such a formidable force to reckon with through extolling efforts and support from its supporters.Tsvangirai did not rise to power simply because he had any political clout but because the people were frustrated by void and null promises made by Mugabe that have not been fulfilled after independence.The inclusive government has offered  the MDC a platform where they can fulfill their democratic struggle of improving the lives of many people who have sufferered political and economic neglect by the self enriching regime of Mugabe and his cronies.Pulling out of the inclusive govenrment is an ill-advised step and a gaffe.Morga

Since independence there has not been tangible or evident peace of mind in any Zimbabwean's mind.Right from independence abductions,torture and murder embraced people who had just thought were free from white minority.The Gukurahundi atrocities caused a major dent on the image of the new government.For the first time blacks were now governing themselves.The fissure on the new government horizon was far from being mended.The 1987 unity accord never did justice  in that it never addressed the issue of reconciling  opposing groups.So it was just a an agreement that overlooked a lot of unresolved issues and the new government never offered some form of assistance to the victims of this genocide.Given the fact that Matebeleland is a semi-arid region,the people there continued to live under dire conditions because  the government never sought to address the isssue of food and water in that region.Zimbabweans never enjoyed the taste of true independence that most of them have dreamt of.Th

On Tuesday 11 November i was shocked to see a headline that said that Kwekwe Central Legislator,Blessing Chebundo was found guilty of raping  a 13 year old minor.The story went on to say that Magistrate William Bhila cleared him of the charges after the complainant was found to have been an unreliable witness in the case.The reason for his acquital was because the young girl took 5 months to report the matter to the police.Chebundo dismissed  the rape charges saying that they had been "manufactured" by his political opponents.This whole drama that transpired forces one question the efficiency of our judiciary system today.The fact of the matter however is Chebundo slept with someone young enough to be his own daughter.That alone is a form of abuse since the girl is way below the age of 18.This same incident also makes one want to question the role of Non governmental Organisations that deal with women and chidren's rights.I thought  the following morning,i was going to se

When i received the news that the constitutin making process has finaally resurrected,i began to question why the constitution making process had become an anathema to the top echelons in the ZANU PF camp and why it was met with stiff opposition among Mp's.The answer to this is not hardfind.When you have a senior member of the Parliamentary Select Committee Paul Mangwana,reiterating every time that he doesn't want to cut his term of office short because the new constitution will have ushered in a time for new elections,it prevaricates and contradicts the Committees commitment to the constitution making process.There is a high posibility that he will not dedicate himself fully to the success of the process because of his own parochial interests.For several months the arcane maneuvres of the committtee has left the population in the dark in terms of full comprehension of the process which has roared back into life.Many people still have a hard time defining Machiavellian terms su

The recent visit by SADC mission really raised hopes and optimism in every peace loving Zimbabwean but what a lot of people dont understand is that their happness and expectations are shortlived because as already proven ijn the past,SADC is a toothless dog that is incapable of monitoring the regions peace.It's chairmanship is currently being hold by the inept and youthful Kabila who is  heavily indebted to Mugaber in terms of loyalty after his father was helped by Mugabe to consolidate power.Mugabe might surely agree that the communique has a bounding effect but him granting concessions to the MDC that are likely to secure the MDC's victory in the next elections is a lie.He will always manouvre his way out knowing that SADC can do nothing even if he defies their ruling

To honestly think that SADC or the AU can bring an end to the deadlock in inclusive government will be a lie.What these organisations lack are selfless leaders who do not have parochial interests.For example the new SADC chairman  the inept and youthful Kabila is indebted to Mugabe very much.He has a loyal obligation to fulfil by remaining less critical to Mugabe.His late father and himself have Mugabe to thank for their continued plutocratic rule in the DRC.Mugabe has foresight in 1998 when he sent our troops there and what Joseph can do is to pay the loyalty and support back.For comments and alterations please you are free to leave your comments.

 ZANU PF’s plutocratic rule many thought, was the main prognosis of the ailing Zimbabwean economy. This assertion was somehow true but with the coming into effect of the inclusive government, the MDC, many, thought was yet to challenge and reverses this anomaly. But were the parties going to stick to the provisions of the GPA? Was ZANU PF’s terror campaign coming to an end? Only time was going to tell. However this did not turn out to be the case because hardly a month after the deal, Jestina Mukoko was abducted by state agents from her Norton home only to later appear in court later in December even if the state had denied having abducted her .This was to injure and cripple the new marriage. Several journalists were also arrested further enlarging the dent on the agreement When the inclusive government was formed in February 2009,many anticipated media reforms, the return of the rule of law and new legislation as agreed when the GPA was signed. People’s hopes were never high like t

How can the MDC say that Gono and Tomana are really the outstanding issues in the inclusive government?What the MDC should do is shift its focus from such parochial sentiments and focus on rather important issues such as the Constitution making process..The removal of these two wont get them into power as long as Mugabe's powers remain intact.The new constitution which in my own view will seek to reduce Mugabe's powers and bring the much needed reforms in justice and defence will surely create a conducive environment for free and fair elections.Gono and Tomana might go but this wont guarantee reforms and the much needed reforms.