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 inclusive government, the inclusive government has erred through various evils that have continued to manifest in the face of hope and anticipation. The confusion which still surrounds why a management committee that comprises of the chief negotiators from the three political parties was set up, where the Parliamentary Select Committee is supposed to account to, also contradicts the functions of The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) which was set up to monitor the functions and implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Don’t the negotiators themselves think that the GPA has been undermined and compromised simply because this will mean that JOMIC is malfunctioning and irrelevant? The so called outstanding issues that range from a whole gamut of media reforms to the issue of provincial governors have continued to stall the progress of the inclusive government. These outstanding issues have over the months continued to incapacitate the success of the inclusive government. It is not important especially to the common man as to which political party is in retrogression, however, what everyone wants is a bit of transparency. It is preposterous for the three political parties to suggest that they are making progress in resolving the outstanding issues while at the same time shelving the fact that the people of Zimbabwe deserve to also know the progress made. There was also need to empower bodies like JOMIC so that they really deliver. The SADC deadline set up was not met and yet the negotiators have remained defiant by continuing to deliberate leaving the people completely in darkness in terms of what is the situation on the ground. While the intervention of South African president, Jacob Zuma is most welcome, what then is the purpose of JOMIC?Was it just the brain child of desperate politicians who wanted to just put in place a toothless and malfunctioning body which they would continue to defy time and again? It is true then that JOMIC is truly a toothless dog which is incapable of penalting defaulters. The three political must acknowledge their shortcomings as novices in this government and maybe take the safer route of maybe SADC or the African Union (AU).This will save the people of Zimbabwe the time and energy they would have spent trying to find out if the negotiators have agreed. One of the gaffes resolved or changed anything. What the parties are also forgetting is that their mandate is to bring change and improve the livelihood not for themselves only but more importantly, for the people of Zimbabwe. Also of interest is the constitution making timeframe which has suffered still birth before even outreach teams could be deployed. The continued postponement of the process has thrown a lot of doubt whether we are truly going to have a new constitution. The continued bickering over the issue of funding is nonsensical because not less than two months ago, the Parliamentary Select Committee revived people’s hopes when it announced that the funding needed has been availed through the Ministry of Finance. This whole mumbo-jumbo over the constitution making process reveals schizophrenia in the Parliamentary Select Committee. The inclusive government tottered on the brink of collapse especially when opposition members were being arrested one after another. All this was in direct violation of the GPA.The perfunctory role that the inclusive government has played ever since its formation truly reveals that it has failed dismally especially in its first year. I don’t know if we can say there is lack of political will on the part of all the parties or it’s just the fact that most of the inept and destitute politicians who found themselves in the new dispensation have settled comfortably in their new portfolios and have neglected their key responsibilities of making the inclusive government a success. As we start another chapter in 2010, maybe there is need for a paradigm shift in terms seriousness, commitment and transparency within the inclusive government. The arcane “dealings” that characterized 2009, must be abolished as we start a new year. The evil that manifested themselves in the form of human rights violations and reform procrastination among others must be put off with immediate effect. As we look ahead, one still asks whether 2010 which has already started to beckon, will bring change in tactic and progress in the inclusive government. We just have to wait and see. By Rawlings Magede.

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 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 through various evils that have continued to manifest in the face of hope and anticipation. The confusion which still surrounds why a management committee that comprises of the chief negotiators from the three political parties was set up, where the Parliamentary Select Committee is supposed to account to, also contradicts the functions of The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) which was set up to monitor the functions and implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Don’t the negotiators themselves think that the GPA has been undermined and compromised simply because this will mean that JOMIC is malfunctioning and irrelevant? The so called outstanding issues that range from a whole gamut of media reforms to the issue of provincial governors have continued to stall the progress of the inclusive government. These outstanding issues have over the months continued to incapacitate the success of the inclusive government. It is not so much important especially to the common man as to which political party is in retrogression but what everyone wants is a bit of transparency. It is preposterous for the three political parties to suggest that they are making progress in resolving the outstanding issues while at the same time shelving the fact that the people of Zimbabwe deserve to also know the progress made. There was also need to empower bodies like JOMIC so that they really deliver. The SADC deadline set up was not met and yet the negotiators have remained defiant by continuing to deliberate leaving the people completely in darkness in terms of what is the situation on the ground. While the intervention of South African president,Jacob Zuma is most welcome, what then is the purpose of JOMIC?Was it just the brain child of desperate politicians who wanted to just put in place a toothless and malfunctioning body which they would continue to defy time and again? It is true then that JOMIC is truly a toothless dog which is incapable of penalting defaulters. The three political must acknowledge their shortcomings as novices in this government and maybe take the safer route of maybe SADC or the African Union (AU).This will save the people of Zimbabwe the time and energy they would have spent trying to find out if the negotiators have agreed. One of the gaffes resolved or changed anything. What the parties are also forgetting is that their mandate is to bring change and improve the livelihood not for themselves only but more importantly, for the people of Zimbabwe. Also of interest is the constitution making timeframe which has suffered still birth before even outreach teams could be deployed. The continued postponement of the process has thrown a lot of doubt whether we are truly going to have a new constitution. The continued bickering over the issue of funding is nonsensical because not less than two months ago, the Parliamentary Select Committee revived people’s hopes when it announced that the funding needed has been availed through the Ministry of Finance. This whole mumbo-jumbo over the constitution making process reveals schizophrenia in the Parliamentary Select Committee. The inclusive government tottered on the brink of collapse especially when opposition members were being arrested one after another. All this was in direct violation of the GPA.The perfunctory role that the inclusive government has played ever since its formation truly reveals that it has failed dismally especially in its first year. I don’t know if we can say there is lack of political will on the part of all the parties or it’s just the fact that most of the inept and destitute politicians who found themselves in the new dispensation have settled comfortably in their new portfolios and have neglected their key responsibilities of making the inclusive government a success. As we start another chapter in 2010, maybe there is need for a paradigm shift in terms seriousness, commitment and transparency within the inclusive government. The arcane “dealings” that characterized 2009, must be abolished as we start a new year. The evil that manifested themselves in the form of human rights violations and reform procrastination among others must be put off with immediate effect. As we look ahead, one still asks whether 2010 which has already started to beckon, will bring change in tactic and progress in the inclusive government. We just have to wait and see. By Rawlings Magede.

THE MEDIA REMAINS SCEPTICAL

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 leaving the people completely in darkness in terms of what is the situation on the ground.One  of the mistakes that the MDC made was that they never  consulted the people whether they should join the Unity government.If they did they really did it as a formality because they had already decided.What many should ask is are the people being represented fully?Idont think they are because what we have been seeeing is that peoples' views have been shelved and discarded and yet at the end of the day all the political parties claim to represent and serve the people.

THE MEDIA REMAINS SCEPTICAL

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>

THE MILLSTONE AROUND WOMENS’ NECKS

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 rather disheartening.Women continue to be victimized just because are women.
One disturbing story that i once read from the press involved a 13year old minor who was raped by MDC legislator for Kwekwe central,Blessing Chebundo.To my surprise he was found not guilty of the charge.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 acquittal was because the the young girl took 5months to report the case.Chebundo dismissed the rape charges saying they have been "manufactured" by his political opponents.
This whole drama that transpired forces one to question the efficiency of our judiciary system today.Our judiciary is very magnamious with criminals who abuse women.The truth of the matter however is that Chebundo had sex with a minor which is a form of child abuse since the girl was below the age of 18.
This same tragedy also makes one want to question the role of None governmental organisations that deal with women and children rights.I thought that the following morning i was going to hear a furore over the injustice that has prevailed but there was surreal silence.For once,satire has disappeared from these organisations that claim to deal with with issues that affect  vulnerable children and women.When you claim to serve the interests of girls it is not only confined to equal rights.Sexual abuse is also a serious issue to advocate against even if it means challenging court rulings.
Chebundo took advantage of the girl in the sense that he might have used his position or money to lure the girl into bed.Either way it was a violation of the her rights.NGO's that deal with chidren must not just be vocal when it comes to politics aand gender issues but they should adhere to their core business of protecting childrens' rights.Girl Child Network where are you?Shouldn'n you have at least condemned the ruling or challenged it.Which girl child are you protecting?
This injustice that now characterises our judiciary is going to encourage more men to to sexually abuse young girls because they know that stifferb penalties are not in place.Our judiciary now is in a state of confusion and disarray and a lot of people have since stopped taking their cases to court because failure to get a lawyer will result in them loosing the case.
The relegation of women to second class citizens is not only confined to the judiciary and courts but it cuts across politics,media and economy.In politics we have 7female Ministers who are full time ministers.This numer is against more than thirty male ministers who occupy leadership positions and are usually head of ministries..The number of female ministers explicitly reveal that the seven female ministers might not represent the views of more than eight million women in the country.
The global  political agreement was negotiated merely by men though there is Priscilla Mushonga from MDC-M whose input into the talks might be thwarted by male figures.So it can be said that the agreement was negotiated by male figures who have continued to dominate it,who will also "engage" and "disengage" while women play a spectator's roleDoes this mean that women cannot input any meaningful suggestions?In my view i think they can if afforded the chance.
Whenever journalists want a comment on any topical issue,they always quote a male figure and the last and hopeless resorty will be a female?This is because the media also is biased towards gender equality.Does this mena that women cannot comment on anything or ti is just gender segregation.A lot of campaigns have been done  but their contribution have been futile and void because of lack of political will especially upon government to put in place sound legislation that promote and improve the ststus of women.
Women are as important as men and one fact that a lot of people forget is that they outnumber men.For example in the current constituion making process,women are rarely given a voice even though they have a deciding voice in the coming referendum.Repugnant legislation that degrade the role of women must be repealed but the question that many ask is"are women willing to be liberated from the gallows of patriachy?"Only they can speak for themselves.