In this important statement below, WOZA makes several good points including the need for Zimbabwe to have a professional and non-partisan police force. And watch their Valentines Day footage on YouTube (see the link at the end of the statement):

Persecution by prosecution of Human Rights Defenders continues: Court appearances; Williams and Mahlangu avoid persecution; Release our comrades

SEVEN members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) appeared in Tredgold Magistrates Court today 16 March, they will reappear again on 23rd of March 2011. The 3 women and 4 men arrested on 28 February in two separate incidents in Entumbane and Mabutweni. Although reporting conditions were relaxed and they now only report once a week, charges were not dropped as there is resistance from the police officers.

Before they appeared in Court, the Defence lawyer Matshobana Ncube met with the provincial area prosecutor and the Attorney general’s office Mrs Cheda who indicated that they have formally requested a meeting with the District Commanding Police Officer Inspector R. Masina to obtain understanding as to the significance of the Supreme Court ruling to prevent the continued arrest of WOZA members by the police officers in defiance of the ruling. The Supreme Court ruling was obtained by WOZA leaders Jennifer Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu from a 16 October 2008 arrest and 3 week detention at Mlondolozi prison.

An update on the three women, Eneles Dube, Janet Dube and Selina Dube arrested during the 7th March protest were followed home and brought  to court to be formally charged.

On the 10th of March 2011 Lizwe Jamela of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights was advised by Bulawayo Central Police Station from Constable Runesu that District Commanding Police Officer (DISPOL)  Inspector R Masina had demanded that the three Eneles Dube and others  be formally charged. They appeared in court on 11th of March 2011 with Defence lawyer Kossam Ncube. They were charged with criminal nuisance as defined in paragraph 2[v] of the Third schedule to the Criminal Law [ Codification and Reform] Act, Chapter 9:23 as with section 46 of the said Act which basically means ‘blocking the pavement’.

They appeared before Magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa and Public Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa, where they were remanded on free bail out of custody to the 21st of March 2011. Lawyer Kossam Ncube indicated to the court than on the 21st he will note an application of refusal of further remand.

WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are currently on a speaking tour of the United Kingdom and United States of America. In the last month after the Valentines Day protests, Police officers launched regular visits to their homes and sent messages through members that they tortured to reveal the whereabouts of the leaders. Police officers also contacted a Human Rights lawyer, demanding he bring the leaders to Bulawayo Central Police station indicating that they ‘must prepare themselves for a long detention’. As a result of the supreme Court ruling which police are obviously ignoring, it was determined that they  of this heightened harassment and obvious ignoring of the Supreme Court ruling, Williams and Mahlangu have not voluntarily presented themselves to this persecution.

WOZA call on the all officers Zimbabwe Republic Police to professionalise and shake themselves from the choke of their political masters.  The days of reckoning will come soon and they will be faced with the guilt of their torture alone. They must not blindly follow the dictates of politicians to arrest and detain human rights defenders but should interrogate as decent human beings the letter of the law and the principle of investigate to arrest not arrest to investigate. We call on them to free all human rights defenders in custody including our Comrades Gwisai, Gumbo, Tafadzwa and others.

Please watch this rough footage of the Valentines’ Day protest that has got the state shivering http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2-PrFvmwQs

The war may have happened thirty years ago, but the scars have yet to heal.

Mass graves containing thousands of bodies suspected to have been killed during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle in the 1960s and 1970s have been discovered at a mine in Gwanda, capital of the province of Matabeleland South.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu told journalists here Tuesday the bodies were discovered at Blanket Mine.

“I was in a meeting with an official from Blanket Mine who informed me that areas they are mining have mass graves. They found the graves beneath six to 10 feet when they were blasting in a shaft.”

Mpofu said the bodies were believed to be of people massacred by Rhodesian forces during the liberation struggle.

“These bodies should have been as a result of massacres of the 1960′s,” he said.

He said exhumation of the bodies had begun.

As I watched last night’s extensive coverage about the mass grave on ZBC-TV I recalled an argument I had once with a war vet when in frustration he shouted:

“Where was your ‘human rights’ when they were bombing us at Chimoio?”

Honestly, I don’t know, and, I suspect, neither does the Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation. Maybe we never had them to begin with.

The police raided the office of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition on Tuesday 15 March.

“The police, who were armed with a search warrant signed by Chief Superintendent Peter Magwenzi said they were looking for anything subversive such as T-shirts, documents and fliers or anything incriminating.” (ZLHR press release)

You really have to laugh at them – there’s nothing else left to do. This incident reminded me of something I read recently. Some food for thought for civic organisations in Zimbabwe . . .

Faking it

Slobodan Miloševic, Serbia’s warmongering leader during the 1990s, was a master of manipulation in the former Yugoslavia. But, as the endgame approached, even Miloševic lost his touch.

He and his henchmen had little idea how to cope with the mischievous Otpor (“Resistance”), the student movement that proved more effective in energizing opposition to Miloševic than his political foes had ever been. Even as Otpor’s members were arrested and beaten, they mocked the authorities. As one of Otpor’s leaders pointed out later, the regime found itself in a bind. “I’m full of humour and irony and you are beating me, arresting me,” Srdja Popovic said in an interview for Steve York’s and Peter Ackerman’s documentary Bringing Down a Dictator. “That’s a game you always lose.”

In advance of elections in September 2000, the authorities became increasingly enraged at Otpor’s success. Police raided the group’s offices in the Serb capital, Belgrade, confiscating computers and campaign materials.

Otpor exacted sweet revenge. On phone lines which they knew would be tapped, they discussed how they would receive a large quantity of additional supplies of election stickers and other materials at a certain time and day. They invited news photographers to witness the delivery. Then, at the appointed hour, volunteers began unloading boxes from a truck, staggering toward the Otpor office, apparently weighed down by the weight of all the pamphlets and posters.

The waiting police triumphantly moved in to seize the boxes. As they did so, they realised that the cartons were not heavy at all, but strangely light. They were empty – as empty as the police action itself.

Orders were orders, however. The police could not stop confiscating what they had been ordered to confiscate. Under the mocking eyes of reporters and other onlookers, the police impounded a large quantity of empty cardboard boxes.

Source: Small Acts of Resistance – how courage, tenacity, and ingenuity can change the world
Authors, Steve Crawshaw and John Jackon

Hello out there.  Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Strategic Planning Specialist (HEAD – RCO)
Deadline: 16 March 2011

Location: Harare
Type of Contract: FTA International Post
Level: P-4
Languages Required: English
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Apr-2011
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 Year

Background

The role of the United Nations in Zimbabwe has become increasingly important, as both the Government of Zimbabwe and its Development Partners consider the United Nations Country Team to be a key strategic partner and as playing a vital role in coordinating and channelling support to the country.

The country is currently in a complex and rapidly changing context of transition, which increasingly engages the UNCT as a significant partner in Zimbabwe’s development. Moreover, ongoing humanitarian needs, as well as varying shifts to recovery, posit the UN as a considerable player in supporting and leading the transition to a sustainable state of recovery, from relief to development.

In order for the UNCT to successfully fulfill its mandate, increased capacity is needed to respond to these circumstances. The United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit (RCO) is supporting the UNCT in these processes. Accordingly, this Unit is working under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, providing comprehensive support in his role as convener of the UNCT. Consequently, the United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit is also working to provide a platform between the activities of OCHA, UNDP, UNDSS, and UNIC, all functions falling within the mandate of the UN Resident Coordinator.

Therefore, with the enhanced role of the United Nations, and the ensuing increased role of the United Nations Inter-Agency Support Unit to support the UNCT, a strong, flexible and versatile support office with strategic policy, advisory, planning and advocacy skills is required.

The Zimbabwe UNCT is seeking to recruit a Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO to advance UN coherence efforts in order to improve the impact of the UN’s activities. The Strategic Planning Advisor / Head of RCO, will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator and in close collaboration with the UNCT. The post is a Management Project Funded position.

For more information and to apply, please visit http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=22051

Variety of positions: USAID project
Deadline: 18 March 2011

Chemonics International, a U.S. based international development consulting firm, is seeking professionals for an anticipated four-year USAID-funded project in Zimbabwe that will promote economic growth. The project’s objective is to promote poverty reduction and increased employment within a supportive macro-economic environment. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

We are seeking technical specialists in the following areas:

- Macroeconomics/applied economics
- Economic policy /business enabling policies/ pro-poor or inclusive growth policies
- Labor market economics
- Public finance
- Private sector competitiveness and governance
- Financial sector regulation and sector-specific policy: extractive industries, agricultural, energy
- Regional trade and integration
- Monitoring and evaluation & data management
- Communications & public outreach
- Gender and human rights
- Human capacity building, professional training
- Institutional capacity building and strengthening
- Legal drafting and training
- Finance manager/ accountant
- Grants/Contract/Office Management Specialist

Qualified candidates will have:
- An advanced degree preferred in a related field (i.e. macroeconomics, education, or Juris Doctor);
- Proven record in successful delivery of technical assistance and ability to provide capacity building;
- Proven managerial/supervisory experience and strong writing and interpersonal skills;
- Experience with USAID highly preferred;
- Experience working collaboratively with the government of Zimbabwe, international donors, and local organisations;
- At least 5-10 years of experience promoting economic growth, capacity building, and/or policy reform;
- Fluency in English is required

Application Instructions: Send Curriculum Vitae, cover letter, and at least 3 professional references to ZimbabweSERArecruit [at] chemonics [dot] com

Please indicate area of technical specialty or position title in the subject line. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chief Social Policy, National Officer: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Deadline: 21 March 2011

Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2011:07
NOD Level based in Harare, Zimbabwe (Fixed Term Post)

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for passionate and committed professionals who want to make a lasting difference for children in Zimbabwe. We are seeking people with a commitment for women and children, high drive for results, demonstrable embracing of diversity, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good self-awareness and self-regulation.

Purpose of the Job:

Under the supervision of Representative, this position is accountable for effective engagement in social policy dialogue with the Government for programme development, advocating for increased public resource allocation and budgeting towards the social sectors and sustainable decentralization of social services and local capacity building in support of the goal of universal coverage of essential social services and the creation of a protective environment for children. Conducts data collection and analysis to fill information gaps and to strengthen capacity for advocacy for children’s rights, and to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

1. Current information on state budget and spending patterns and decentralization status of social services are monitored and updated on an on-going basis to support advocacy for decentralization and universal coverage of essential services.
2. Decentralization of social services is made sustainable through adequate local support, keeping decentralized services both accessible and effective. Programme plans of action are developed for children at provincial and district/municipality levels; coordination between sectors is increased and links between different levels of government structures for policy implementation are strengthened.
3. Data-driven analysis is provided for effective prioritization, planning, development, and results-based management for planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policy initiatives.
4. Advocacy efforts are effectively made to raise awareness on children’s rights with both the general public and with policy makers and to ensure local buy-in and continued relevance of UNICEF programming.
5. Effective partnerships with the Government, international financial institutions, UN agencies and other agencies established to enable sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the Millennium Development Goals for continuing worldwide progress of the UNICEF mission.
6. UNICEF social policy programme effectively planned, implemented and managed in support of the country programme.
7. Support to government capacity in child-friendly budgeting.
8. Assistance to government in aid coordination and aid effectiveness.
9. Support to all of UNICEF program sections in sector policy and budget analysis.

Qualifications and Competencies:

- Advanced university degree in Economics, Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, International Finance, or other relevant disciplines.
- At least eight years of relevant professional work experience.
- Developing country work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO).
- Good analytical and organizational skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application quoting vacancy notice number to the following address.

HR Specialist
(Vacancy Notice No. 07: Zim-2011)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

Two (2) Regional Finance Officers: VSO
Deadline: 21 March 2011

Based in: Nairobi, Kenya OR Lusaka, Zambia
Salary: £26,000 – £29,000 per annum

VSO is a leading international development organisation that fights poverty through people. We deliver relevant and cost effective work that promotes volunteering to fight global poverty in over 50 countries around the world.

We currently have two vacancies, one covering East Africa (based in Nairobi) and one covering Southern Africa (based in Lusaka). With principal responsibility for restricted funding in each region, the Regional Finance Officer plays a key role in supporting and advising programme offices in managing their donor grants, budgets and reports, and building up programme office capacity in finance and donor contract related matters. The role also covers general financial management work relating to country offices where priorities and time allows.

The position is part of a matrix management structure, working closely with the Finance Manager International Programmes, Regional Director and members of the Regional Management and Support Team.

We are looking for a person who is:

- Part or fully qualified accountant
- Has experience of donor-related financial management and reporting
- Able to develop strong and effective relationships with programme staff in different countries and work in a regional support team that is spread across the world
- Organised and self-motivated and able to achieve results

Substantial travel within the region and to/from the UK is expected. Please visit http://www.vso.org.uk/job/30668/regional-finance-officer-%28×2%29 for more information. When applying please include details of your current compensation package and salary expectations. Please include the Equal Opportunities Form with your application.

5 (Five) vacancies: Parliament of Zimbabwe
Deadline: 27 March 2011

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the following positions:

1. Counsel to Parliament

Location: Counsel’s Office
Reports to: Clerk of Parliament

Main Job Purpose
To provide legal services to Parliament Administration and Committees

Job Description
The Counsel to Parliament, Deputy Clerk/Principal Director level will be responsible for providing the following legal services to the Parliament of Zimbabwe:
- Advising Parliament on all legal matters pertaining to the execution of its mandate
- Rendering written and oral legal advise
- Statutory interpretation and legislative analysis
- Analysing and advising on service agreements and other legal documents
- Ensuring regulatory compliance in all the operations and dealings of Parliament
- Providing secretariat services to the Parliamentary legal Committee
- Attending to litigation, including instruction and liaising with external Counsel
- Performing any other duty assigned b the Clerk of Parliament

Personal Attributes
- Demonstrated maturity and ability to work in a multicultural and political setting
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Professionalism and personal integrity
- Demonstrated solid work ethic
- Ability to work under pressure

Job Specification
- Bachelor of Law Degree
- At least 5 years working experience, preferably in a public office
- An interest in and thorough knowledge of Constitutional and Administrative law
- Competence in legal drafting
- A post graduate legal qualification in law or public administration is an added advantage
- Sound knowledge of Parliamentary Practices and Procedures

2. Deputy Clerk

Location: Procedural Office
Reports to: Clerk of Parliament

Main Job Purpose
To carry out specific procedural and administrative duties

Job Description
- Management of assigned departments
- Providing procedural advice to Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament
- Undertaking Table duties in the Houses of Parliament
- Performing any other duties as may be assigned by the Clerk

Personal Description
- Demonstrated maturity and ability to work in a multicultural and political setting
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Professionalism and personal integrity
- Demonstrated solid work ethic
- Ability to work under pressure

Job Description
- A Social Science, Arts or Law degree
- A relevant Masters’ degree would be an added advantage
- A minimum of 8 years relevant working experience, of which 3 years must have been spent at a senior management position
- Sound knowledge of Parliament Practices and Procedures

3. Research Officers x 3

Grade: 8
Location: Information Services Directorate
Reports to: Director Research

Main Job Purpose
To provide research and analysis services.

Job Description
- Providing proactive and reactive research and analysis to Portfolio Committees
- Conducting research on socio-economic and political issues as they impact on Zimbabwe
- Preparing speeches for Presiding Officers and Senior Officials of Parliament, as required
- Attending workshops, seminars and conferences
- Assisting MPs with information pertaining to the development of their constituencies
- Preparing Bill digest and fact sheets
- Creating and updating databases, including Informatics Project
- Writing reports
- Liaising with relevant government agencies, institutions, institutions of higher learning, research institutions and other stakeholders

Job Description
- An honours degree in Economics, Rural and Urban Planning / Geography / Environmental Studies and Sociology
- Demonstrable research or policy formulation or implementation experience at university, government department or institution of similar standing
- Advanced verbal and written skills in English
- Sound interpersonal and organisational skills
- Candidates with Masters Degree or other postgraduate qualifications are preferred

Conditions of service and other benefits will be disclosed to short listed candidates. Female candidates are encouraged to apply for Posts of Deputy of Clerk and Counsel of Parliament.

Applications together with detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of certified educations and professional certificates, three referees and contact details can be sent to:

Clerk of Parliament
P. O. Box CY 298
Causeway
Harare

According to an article in The Zimbabwean “Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is to embark on a diplomatic offensive to seek greater support from the SADC regional bloc, following an intense blitz on his party officials and activists by ZANU PF.”

He’d better include a national offensive as well. Many Zimbabweans are questioning the MDC’s effectiveness, and they’re losing support hand over fist (so to speak).

ZINASU recently gave Tsvangirai and the MDC this advice:

To the M.D.C we advise you to divorce yourself from this government of many names either in a smart or a dirty way and come back to the people. The people shall not spare you of their wrath as we launch a protracted struggle against tyranny and an anti-people government. The nation demands an immediate dissolution of that government you are part of to pave way for a genuine revolution that shall leave power in the hands of the working people. The roadmap that Zuma is proposing shall see the same fate as Thabo Mbeki’s initiatives that were stalled by the cunning Mugabe regime.

Here’s a statement from the Harare Residents Trust. This is just one example of the City of Harare’s incompetence:

The City of Harare has let down the residents of Sunningdale and nearby Hatfield by failing to deal decisively with the problem of a seriously damaged water reservoir in the Old Mutual (Truworths) complex, commonly known as the Prospect Industrial Park, located at corner Seke Road and Cranborne West Road.

HRT officials on Monday 14 March 2011 visited the scene of the burst and it was established that the reservoir burst out on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in the morning. A report was made to the City of Harare by the services department at Truworths complex. The City of Harare is said to have visited the spot on Tuesday in the afternoon and failed to stop the water link. The burst worsened to the extent that the residents of Sunningdale and Hatfield started experienced serious water shortages. Water supplies for the residents of Sunningdale were cut on Saturday 12 March 2011 in the afternoon. On Sunday the water cut continued which saw most residents fetching water from strange water sources.

Many residents walked a distance of about a kilometer to fetch water from the damaged reservoir which has developed into a deep pool. Millions of treated water liters have been lost and up to now water is still flowing along Cranborne West Road. Truworths workers claimed they had to divert the water from continuing to flood their premises into the road. This is treated water that is being lost, the same water that the City of Harare is claiming to be costing them millions of dollars to purify and treat for human consumption. The engineers who came to the site of the burst failed to repair the burst and left without indicating when they would return. Officials at the complex stated that the reservoir is losing out so much water and that a three follow-up reports have been made but nothing has been done.

Who pays for all this lost water?