Finally the state media in Zimbabwe got it right. In a rare display of professionalism that we last saw in the decades gone by, the Sunday News of the 19th of August 2007 in a story headlined “Porn peddlers abuse Sandra, Joyce” published what could be an own goal by the desperate government of President Robert Mugabe that has tried to tarnish the iconic and illustrious image of Archbishop Pius Ncube. Reporter Nothando Ndlovu wrote that the market has been flooded with fake pornographic pictures of celebrities Sandra Ndebele and Tinopona Katsande. The paper admits that Zimbabwe has legislation against the production and possession of pornographic material, irrespective of age. “Provisions of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act Chapter 10:04 prohibit the possession of such material be it a
publication, picture, stature or record. It is considered indecent and obscene,” admits the paper in an article that nails its sister Zimpapers publications and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television who are not only in possession of such illegal pictures and publications on the alleged illicit affairs by Archbishop Ncube but have also published and displayed in violation of the said laws among others. Selective application of the law, the absence of the rule of law and violation of the laws of the country could not have been more brazen and opportunistc.
Said the papers on the depicted pornographic characters: “At first glance, one would mistake the woman clad in black as our own Sandra Ndebele but on the second glance it is definite that she is not the one. The pornographic material which is the copycat ‘Sandra’ stars is run for at least 20 to 25 minutes showing the woman with two different men. However, experts have said that although it was clear from the clips that the character was not Sandra they said it was possible to superimpose someone’s head on a body. Aaron Dhawa, a graphic designer with a local company, Graphic Arts, showed how this could be done and actually went on to demonstrate how a face could be pasted on another body that is not his.”
Yes it is doable, you can paste Archbishop Pius Ncube’s head on a naked body and pass it for something genuine. The state, through its Central Intelligence Organisation(CIO), had not only a clear motive to do so but also the technology for it. The state media did not investigate the matter because it wasn’t their case but that of the CIO. It had the CIO odor from start to finish. Hence government silence on the violation of the laws of the country by such publications.
A rare diligence by a journalist revealed what all of us have been saying, which is that by publishing and/or displaying pornographic material on Archbishop Pius Ncube and others, the state media violated the laws of the country. But what is even more interesting is that the pornographic material itself may well be fake. And we want to allege that the state media did what it did on behalf of the Zimbabwean regime. They got the pictures from the CIO which directed them to publish them.
Armed with this “new discovery” the Sunday News then approached the Zimbabwe Republic Police for comment. The police through Assistant Inspector David Nyathi, Police Bulawayo Spokesperson said the police “were not aware that such soiled clips were in circulation but pointed out that being in possession of such material was a crime not only against the individual concerned but against the state”. The police called on all people with information that would enable them to smash the syndicate to come forwrd. “We are not aware of such an issue but I would like to draw our people’s attention because being in possession of such material(pornographic) is a crime, not only against the individual but against the state”.
This is hypocrisy of monumental proportions. The state media has not only published pornographic material of unprecedented nature but also continued to publish articles bragging about its possession of “tonnes” of pornographic material. Where are the police? Why double standards? Why selective enforcement of the law? Is the state media exempt from laws governing pornography? All of a sudden the police want to arrest and prosecute those who possess and distribute pornography! According to Assistant Inspector Nyathi the state media, by possessing and publishing pornographic material on Archbishop Pius Ncube and others concerned, has committed a crime not only against the Archbishop and others concerned but also against the state. As the APN Solidarity Coalition we believe the Assistant Inspector had the correct interpretation of the law. We now wait for the police to take action against the state media for possessing and publishing pornographic material on Archbishop Pius Ncube and others concerned.
In the light of the Sunday News story, the Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition demands:
· That the Media and Information Commission, Zimbabwe Republic Police and other law enforcement authorities immediately take fearless and concrete steps to punish the responsible media for the possession, publication, and display of pornographic material on what the alleged illicit love affairs by Archbishop Pius Ncube in violation of the laws of the country;
· That the Government of Zimbabwe immediately take steps to permanently end the selective application of laws.
The APN Solidarity Coalition believes that the Archbishop’s case demonstrates the manifest absence of an environment conducive for free and fair democratic elections. A climate of selective application of laws, smear campaigns against political opponents, concocted charges designed to silence dissenting voices together with a whole host of undemocratic laws like POSA and AIPPA can never be expected to produce a democratic election. Archbishop Ncube’s case and the role of the state in it and the subsequent publication of pornographic material on him and others and the brazen violation of their rights guaranteed under the laws of the country clearly demonstrates that Zimbabwe is far from being a democracy that many paid with their lives for. The Archbishop is being victimized for his stand on democratic institutions, values and principles. For the first time the Sunday News had it right: (a) laws governing pornography were violated by the state media when it published pornographic material on the Archbishop and others; (b) it is highly possible to create fake pictures of sexual nature using modern advances in technology.
Until proven guilty by a truly impartial and independent court discharging its mandate in accordance with international judicial practices and human rights instruments, the APN Solidarity Coalition will always hold that the Archbishop is innocent and is just being targeted in a smear campaign by the Zimbabwean government desperate to divert the attention of the people to trivia and silence democratic voices.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Open letter to the president of Zimbabwe
By Tanonoka Joseph Whande
GABORONE
Dear Sir,
I am tempted to address you as ‘Your Excellency’ but I don’t want to lie. I love you, though. And I’m sure you have never doubted that, have you? Enough of that!
I still have those pictures I took of you in the late 70s when you visited us students in the United States. You came looking for money but now you are printing it in your backyard.
Congratulations!
You spoke about freedom - One man, one vote, self-determination and all that nonsense. Oh, you looked just right: rugged, weather-beaten and tired as if you were a real freedom fighter.
The yokels in the US actually thought you were in the forefront of the fight, dodging Ian Smith’s gunfire with as much ease as you kill your citizens today.
When you became Prime Minister, those same yokels, in unexplained euphoria, put your name forward for the Nobel Peace Prize. Oh, Bob, you are better than a chameleon.
We wish we didn’t know now what we didn’t know then. I still have memories of my visits to State House, remember? Once, a diminutive female operative in your security detail tried to stop me from chatting with you although I was there by invitation.
She was very protective of you, sir. Her name was Margaret and you did not promote her. Might as well not have because she soon discovered you were no good and left your employment.
She formed her own political party and harassed your stooges in parliament. Remember pocket-sized Margaret Dongo?
Surely, you remember Bob; she is the one that Solomon Mujuru wanted to demolish in Parliament after she publicly voiced that all male ZANU PF parliamentarians were your wives.
Even today, Bob, they remain as spineless as chocolate éclairs. Dear old Solomon is retired now and is busy counting the bundles you allowed him to make.
Ironically, Solomon is now using your money to see that his wife Joice replaces you. To my knowledge, you and Joice are the only ones who have never been out of the cabinet since Independence Day in 1980.
You at least achieved disaster but Joice has never achieved anything. And she wants to lead who?
Anyway, as I was saying, I still have memories of my visits to State House. The tea and the biscuits were out of this world, literally.
Your wife was such a gracious hostess. I mean your real wife.
I enjoyed the late Sally Mugabe as a news subject and as a mother. She almost tolerated democracy better than you, Sir.
She hid her bitterness well after the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) saved her from imminent defeat when my late sister, Julia Zvobgo, challenged her for the leadership of the Women’s League at that scandalous congress.
Sally was always nice to us since we always brought those old Thompson television cameras with us. Well, a gracious hostess she was although she rapped me on the knuckles once.
That’s when I found out that Sally didn’t like us editing her speeches or paraphrasing them. I also recall your visits to the television studios at Pockets Hill, a place you made sure was staffed by most who knew less.
Professionals were shoved aside in favour of those kids who you were with during the war. And I see one of those kids now represents you here in Botswana. He is now called ‘His Excellency.’
And I have a nuisance of a relative who prides himself with a photograph of you and me shaking hands and mumbling something to each other in 2004 when you came to pay your respects at my sister’s funeral.
I welcomed you well, didn’t I? But only a few months later did your CIO goons pick me up in Masvingo, accusing me of defilement because I had written that the late Edison Zvobgo was better than you in every respect.
Your goons intercepted the article twice but I still managed to get it to my editor (Zimbabwe Independent, September 10, 2004). They detained me in your name for four hours, Bob.
They didn’t give me tea but they told me that it is illegal to compare you to anyone. They also warned me to stop writing about your wife Grace.
And do you recall when ZTV suspended me after I took a bit too long to remove my cap as you stood right behind me in the Harare International Conference Centre during the Non-Aligned Movement meeting of 1986?
It was sneaky of you to materialise behind me in the auditorium as I was bent over assisting the crew with the television cables.
The bumpkins in the gallery reacted to your sudden appearance and started singing the national anthem catching me off-side. I tried to deny the charges but, with you as witness, I had no chance.
Television footage strangled any further arguments. It was two weeks without pay. That was serious. You should have tapped me on the shoulder, Bob. And, years later, why was I “asked to resign” from the broadcasting service, Bob?
At that time, there were certain political realities that made it rather difficult for them to fire me without your knowledge, especially since, earlier on, you had personally directed that I be part of the trinity sent to China. (The trip and stay in China were superb; thanks).
Or should I just ask ‘His Excellency’ at the embassy here in Botswana? He is a former workmate and, given his ties to you, might give me the scoop. Ah, well, forget about that.
Let’s talk about you for a change. For the first time in a long while, I see pictures of you with genuine smiles. I thought maybe you were just happy to see people suffering because of your ill-advised decree on prices.
Then I thought maybe you and the young lass are expecting another unnecessary one.
Then someone told me you are smiling to yourself all the time because your nemesis, Archbishop Pius Ncube, is reported to have been caught with his cassock up around his waist.
And you offered to pray for the Archbishop. You are only crying over Pius Ncube’s wounds because you are trying to get some salt into the wounds, aren’t you?
You are throwing a drowning man both ends of a rope, Bob. But you need to be a little careful though. When it comes to infidelities and people’s wives, don’t you think you should keep clear?
It sounds so much like a president the world has heard about. This president, we are told, had an affair with someone’s wife as his own wife lay dying. He then went on to marry the woman and seduced a Catholic Archbishop to solemnise the marriage.
The Catholic Church, of which I am a member, latent as I may be, disappointed me and millions of others by assisting this president in wrecking someone’s marriage.
No wonder the Vatican is paying millions to men and women abused by priests in California. But why do they have to abuse anyone, Bob? Can’t they negotiate like you did?
Well, even if the reports about Pius Ncube are true, it does not make you any better. Commenting on Ncube’s alleged transgression is drawing attention to the origins of your own marriage.
I am your man on the doorstep, Bob, and am advising you to keep mum on Ncube’s alleged transgression because you are reported to have done worse.
Anyway, keep in mind that Pius Ncube is not Zimbabwe and the people’s attention is not going to be diverted from removing you. You, Bob, are the grim problem, not Ncube’s escapades.
Don’t read too much into Ncube’s misdemeanour, Bob. Ncube is human, just like you and me. He is only one of millions disgusted by your rabid behaviour and if he faltered, it does not mean you are any better.
Unlike you, Ncube is not accused of murder and human rights violations or crimes against humanity. Nevertheless, which is better: Ncube’s skeletons in the wardrobe or skeletons in your mineshafts, Bob?
Now let me whisper in your ear: You are squatting in the vegetable garden, Bob; manure is not applied that way!
In our Karanga folklore, we have a proverb that says that only old people are afraid of the sound of sticks breaking, for they fear it might be any of their fragile old bones giving in.
The meaning behind it is that ‘only the guilty are afraid.’ I note you now hear twigs breaking all the time, Bob. I am sorry but the sound you hear is not folklore.
Your time is up, Bob, and the world, not Pius Ncube, is out to get you.
I am, Your man on the doorstep.
GABORONE
Dear Sir,
I am tempted to address you as ‘Your Excellency’ but I don’t want to lie. I love you, though. And I’m sure you have never doubted that, have you? Enough of that!
I still have those pictures I took of you in the late 70s when you visited us students in the United States. You came looking for money but now you are printing it in your backyard.
Congratulations!
You spoke about freedom - One man, one vote, self-determination and all that nonsense. Oh, you looked just right: rugged, weather-beaten and tired as if you were a real freedom fighter.
The yokels in the US actually thought you were in the forefront of the fight, dodging Ian Smith’s gunfire with as much ease as you kill your citizens today.
When you became Prime Minister, those same yokels, in unexplained euphoria, put your name forward for the Nobel Peace Prize. Oh, Bob, you are better than a chameleon.
We wish we didn’t know now what we didn’t know then. I still have memories of my visits to State House, remember? Once, a diminutive female operative in your security detail tried to stop me from chatting with you although I was there by invitation.
She was very protective of you, sir. Her name was Margaret and you did not promote her. Might as well not have because she soon discovered you were no good and left your employment.
She formed her own political party and harassed your stooges in parliament. Remember pocket-sized Margaret Dongo?
Surely, you remember Bob; she is the one that Solomon Mujuru wanted to demolish in Parliament after she publicly voiced that all male ZANU PF parliamentarians were your wives.
Even today, Bob, they remain as spineless as chocolate éclairs. Dear old Solomon is retired now and is busy counting the bundles you allowed him to make.
Ironically, Solomon is now using your money to see that his wife Joice replaces you. To my knowledge, you and Joice are the only ones who have never been out of the cabinet since Independence Day in 1980.
You at least achieved disaster but Joice has never achieved anything. And she wants to lead who?
Anyway, as I was saying, I still have memories of my visits to State House. The tea and the biscuits were out of this world, literally.
Your wife was such a gracious hostess. I mean your real wife.
I enjoyed the late Sally Mugabe as a news subject and as a mother. She almost tolerated democracy better than you, Sir.
She hid her bitterness well after the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) saved her from imminent defeat when my late sister, Julia Zvobgo, challenged her for the leadership of the Women’s League at that scandalous congress.
Sally was always nice to us since we always brought those old Thompson television cameras with us. Well, a gracious hostess she was although she rapped me on the knuckles once.
That’s when I found out that Sally didn’t like us editing her speeches or paraphrasing them. I also recall your visits to the television studios at Pockets Hill, a place you made sure was staffed by most who knew less.
Professionals were shoved aside in favour of those kids who you were with during the war. And I see one of those kids now represents you here in Botswana. He is now called ‘His Excellency.’
And I have a nuisance of a relative who prides himself with a photograph of you and me shaking hands and mumbling something to each other in 2004 when you came to pay your respects at my sister’s funeral.
I welcomed you well, didn’t I? But only a few months later did your CIO goons pick me up in Masvingo, accusing me of defilement because I had written that the late Edison Zvobgo was better than you in every respect.
Your goons intercepted the article twice but I still managed to get it to my editor (Zimbabwe Independent, September 10, 2004). They detained me in your name for four hours, Bob.
They didn’t give me tea but they told me that it is illegal to compare you to anyone. They also warned me to stop writing about your wife Grace.
And do you recall when ZTV suspended me after I took a bit too long to remove my cap as you stood right behind me in the Harare International Conference Centre during the Non-Aligned Movement meeting of 1986?
It was sneaky of you to materialise behind me in the auditorium as I was bent over assisting the crew with the television cables.
The bumpkins in the gallery reacted to your sudden appearance and started singing the national anthem catching me off-side. I tried to deny the charges but, with you as witness, I had no chance.
Television footage strangled any further arguments. It was two weeks without pay. That was serious. You should have tapped me on the shoulder, Bob. And, years later, why was I “asked to resign” from the broadcasting service, Bob?
At that time, there were certain political realities that made it rather difficult for them to fire me without your knowledge, especially since, earlier on, you had personally directed that I be part of the trinity sent to China. (The trip and stay in China were superb; thanks).
Or should I just ask ‘His Excellency’ at the embassy here in Botswana? He is a former workmate and, given his ties to you, might give me the scoop. Ah, well, forget about that.
Let’s talk about you for a change. For the first time in a long while, I see pictures of you with genuine smiles. I thought maybe you were just happy to see people suffering because of your ill-advised decree on prices.
Then I thought maybe you and the young lass are expecting another unnecessary one.
Then someone told me you are smiling to yourself all the time because your nemesis, Archbishop Pius Ncube, is reported to have been caught with his cassock up around his waist.
And you offered to pray for the Archbishop. You are only crying over Pius Ncube’s wounds because you are trying to get some salt into the wounds, aren’t you?
You are throwing a drowning man both ends of a rope, Bob. But you need to be a little careful though. When it comes to infidelities and people’s wives, don’t you think you should keep clear?
It sounds so much like a president the world has heard about. This president, we are told, had an affair with someone’s wife as his own wife lay dying. He then went on to marry the woman and seduced a Catholic Archbishop to solemnise the marriage.
The Catholic Church, of which I am a member, latent as I may be, disappointed me and millions of others by assisting this president in wrecking someone’s marriage.
No wonder the Vatican is paying millions to men and women abused by priests in California. But why do they have to abuse anyone, Bob? Can’t they negotiate like you did?
Well, even if the reports about Pius Ncube are true, it does not make you any better. Commenting on Ncube’s alleged transgression is drawing attention to the origins of your own marriage.
I am your man on the doorstep, Bob, and am advising you to keep mum on Ncube’s alleged transgression because you are reported to have done worse.
Anyway, keep in mind that Pius Ncube is not Zimbabwe and the people’s attention is not going to be diverted from removing you. You, Bob, are the grim problem, not Ncube’s escapades.
Don’t read too much into Ncube’s misdemeanour, Bob. Ncube is human, just like you and me. He is only one of millions disgusted by your rabid behaviour and if he faltered, it does not mean you are any better.
Unlike you, Ncube is not accused of murder and human rights violations or crimes against humanity. Nevertheless, which is better: Ncube’s skeletons in the wardrobe or skeletons in your mineshafts, Bob?
Now let me whisper in your ear: You are squatting in the vegetable garden, Bob; manure is not applied that way!
In our Karanga folklore, we have a proverb that says that only old people are afraid of the sound of sticks breaking, for they fear it might be any of their fragile old bones giving in.
The meaning behind it is that ‘only the guilty are afraid.’ I note you now hear twigs breaking all the time, Bob. I am sorry but the sound you hear is not folklore.
Your time is up, Bob, and the world, not Pius Ncube, is out to get you.
I am, Your man on the doorstep.
Message of solidarity
by Jeffery Fenwick; formerly Dean of St John's Cathedral, Bulawayo
Dear Archbishop,
I have for many years admired your stand for human dignity and justice in Zimbabwe. Having failed to convict you for telling the truth, ZANU PF is now fabricating charges of moral misconduct. ZANU's own criminal activities are many and manifest. I am sure that you will be vindicated - and I hope that soon.
Dear Archbishop,
I have for many years admired your stand for human dignity and justice in Zimbabwe. Having failed to convict you for telling the truth, ZANU PF is now fabricating charges of moral misconduct. ZANU's own criminal activities are many and manifest. I am sure that you will be vindicated - and I hope that soon.
Message of solidarity
by Hugh Phillips in England
Wish to express complete support for Bishop. If he has erred, it is wholly understandable viewed in the context of his stressful and heroic stand for the peoples of his country. If a man be not guilty, let him cast the first stone. If this case ever reaches the courts, it will be a further example of the collapse of the rule of law and a complete travesty of true justice.
Wish to express complete support for Bishop. If he has erred, it is wholly understandable viewed in the context of his stressful and heroic stand for the peoples of his country. If a man be not guilty, let him cast the first stone. If this case ever reaches the courts, it will be a further example of the collapse of the rule of law and a complete travesty of true justice.
EVIL!
by Graham and Pat Townshend
The forces of evil are gathering, and growing, and they strike hardest where goodness and righteousness stand firm in opposition. The current slander of + Pius is designed to unseat one of the fiercest critics of those forces. We pray that God will give Pius the fortitude, the courage and the will to endure this attack on his priestly calling, and so eventually to emerge triumphant over all who seek the destruction of that which is good, noble and godly.
The forces of evil are gathering, and growing, and they strike hardest where goodness and righteousness stand firm in opposition. The current slander of + Pius is designed to unseat one of the fiercest critics of those forces. We pray that God will give Pius the fortitude, the courage and the will to endure this attack on his priestly calling, and so eventually to emerge triumphant over all who seek the destruction of that which is good, noble and godly.
MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY
By Debra Mabunda in the United Kingdom
I love being a catholic, I love the church and I love the leadership in particular our Archbishop who in the last few years has become the voice of the voiceless. I am not surprised therefore that those who are perpetrators of the strife in Zimbabwe would stoop so low as to do what they have done to Pius. What the church should not forget is that this is not meant to destroy Pius, it is meant to destroy the Church in Zimbabwe and also make Zimbabwe loose hope. Its written, “I will strike the shepherd and the flock will be scattered" (Mathew 26: Verse 31)
Therefore brethren in Christ take heart, for we know what is happening and we are ready for it. It is our task as lay people to refuse to be scattered, divided more so made to question our faith.
The Archdiocese of Bulawayo is one of the best guided and United Dioceses in Zimbabwe and no one should be allowed to destroy that. We will carry the cross together and march on to Zion and no one can stand in our way. This is the time when roles are reversed; The Laity standing up for its clergy and protecting them against adversity. I pray and strongly believe together we will march through.
May the mother of god together with her spouse Joseph be with the Archdiocese at this time.
I love being a catholic, I love the church and I love the leadership in particular our Archbishop who in the last few years has become the voice of the voiceless. I am not surprised therefore that those who are perpetrators of the strife in Zimbabwe would stoop so low as to do what they have done to Pius. What the church should not forget is that this is not meant to destroy Pius, it is meant to destroy the Church in Zimbabwe and also make Zimbabwe loose hope. Its written, “I will strike the shepherd and the flock will be scattered" (Mathew 26: Verse 31)
Therefore brethren in Christ take heart, for we know what is happening and we are ready for it. It is our task as lay people to refuse to be scattered, divided more so made to question our faith.
The Archdiocese of Bulawayo is one of the best guided and United Dioceses in Zimbabwe and no one should be allowed to destroy that. We will carry the cross together and march on to Zion and no one can stand in our way. This is the time when roles are reversed; The Laity standing up for its clergy and protecting them against adversity. I pray and strongly believe together we will march through.
May the mother of god together with her spouse Joseph be with the Archdiocese at this time.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Mugabe's marvelous foe
by TRAVIS KAVULLA Archbishop Pius Ncube, Zimbabwe's senior Catholic cleric, has toldhiscountry's sad recent history so many times that his description hasbecomemethodical. In the past decade, he recounts, "the GDP has shrunk by40percent. Farmers have left the country. Inflation has been phenomenal, around 9,000 percent now. Joblessness is over 80 percent.
The government makes only cosmetic changes, like striking off zeros from thedollar - lastyear, they chopped off three."Rarely has a country lost so much, so quickly. Once relativelyprosperous,Zimbabwe today holds two unenviable world records. The first is itsinflation rate: Prices more than double with each passing week. Theresulting scarcity, together with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS,hasaccorded Zimbabwe its other record: the world's lowest lifeexpectancy. Afemale born today can expect an average lifetime of 34 years; amale, 37years."If you came to Bulawayo tomorrow I could bring you to cemeteries that areoverflowing," says David Coltart, an opposition member ofparliament whorepresents Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and the seat of Ncube'sarchdiocese. "I imagine they look like the battlefields of theSomme must have looked like - miles and miles of earth, freshly dug andfreshly filledin."In recent months, as the economy went into freefall and the crisisgrew,Mugabe's regime became only more paranoid and prone to violence. Archbishop Ncube is one of the few Zimbabweans whose high profiles allow themto speak,if not unmolested, then with the prospect that their injury ordeath wouldcause a sensation. He has grown increasingly strident, calling fora popularuprising, and telling the *Times *of London that, in light of the"massiverisk to life" within the country, a British invasion would be justified."Zimbabweans need a bit of courage," he says. "There is so much fear. People are afraid of the cruelty of the state. People are afraid that ifthey go onthe streets in protest they will be beaten and jailed, or evenkilled.Villagers in rural areas are afraid that they will be denied access to food if they speak out. . . . The Church needs to show by example that freedom is worth risking death for."An early critic of the Mugabe regime, the archbishop has a longhistory ofputting himself in danger. In 1983, Ncube was a parish priest attheepicenter of Gukurahundi, the fanciful name (it means "the rain which washes away the chaff") given to the ethnic slaughter of 20,000 of Zimbabwe's minority Ndebele people, carried out by a North Korea-trained brigade that were directly to Mugabe. Coltart credits the young priest with"bringing in the news and writing reports when most of the church, CatholicandProtestant, was mute and petrified."In the intervening years, neither Mugabe nor Ncube has muchchanged. Mugabe remains driven by his will to hold unchallenged power, saying recently of his political opponents, "The police have the right to bash them."Thepolice did just that on March 11, beating and jailing dozens at aprayergathering called by the parliamentary opposition. Later in the day,theruling party's youth brigade stormed a hospital where some of thewoundedwere being treated and brought them at gunpoint to police stationsto betortured.The crackdown in March sent a loud warning that most Zimbabweans quietly heeded. But the Catholic Bishops' Conference broke the silence the next month, issuing a pastoral letter on Easter weekend to be read atMass andposted in all churches. Citing John Paul II's injunction to "give aname tothe root of the evils which afflict us," the bishops' letter frankly diagnosed Zimbabwe's political situation and pointed a finger at the government. Each parish was directed to hold a "Prayer Service for Zimbabwe"every Friday, indefinitely. Much of the pastoral letter was clearly the handiwork of Ncube, who has loudly blamed Zimbabwe's crisis onMugabe's"egocentricity and megalomania."Visibly enraged that the Church had not toed the line others had,Mugabeappeared soon afterwards on state television, declaring, "This is an area wewarn them not to tread." In the months since, the state press hasupped itspropaganda offensive against Ncube, labeling him "arrogant" and "apuppet"of Western powers, and accusing him of various far-fetchedmisdeeds, fromrape to distributing homosexual pornography. Catholic clergymenhave taken aplace among the foremost targets of the Central Intelligence Organization(CIO), Zimbabwe's formidable spy agency.Mugabe is nothing if not a cunning politician, and, throughout hisrule, hehas intimidated and co-opted not just politicians and industrialists, butmany clergymen as well. A report compiled by Ncube, Coltart, andothers thatdetailed the 1983 atrocities was withheld from publication by aChurch hierarchy wary of publicly challenging Mugabe. And for years,ArchbishopPatrick Chakaipa of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, remained silent inthe faceof the regime's depredations, allowing Mugabe to claim (at Chakaipa'sfuneral Mass, no less) that Ncube had committed a "satanic"betrayal,"siding with the enemy . . . the farmers and the British."Today, the Vatican seems to have endorsed Ncube's approach, and has filled vacant bishoprics with clerics critical of the regime. But other high-ranking religious figures owe their livelihood to Mugabe. A text book example is Nolbert Kunonga. After teaching "African Christianity"at a NewYork seminary owned by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, Kunonga returned toZimbabweas chaplain of Africa University, the country's first privatecollege."Because he was a man of the cloth, the university wasn't thinking he could be a state informer," says Liberty Mupakati, a former CIO agent who worked with the chaplain and now lives in England. In this role Kunonga excelled,dutifully informing on students and faculty. When the Anglican bishopric of Harare became vacant, the regime was determined to emplace its ownman inthe pulpit. Amidst a torrent of bribes, Kunonga was elected. In hisyears asbishop, he has been a reliable mouthpiece, firing dissentingclergy,speaking of the need to "baptize children the Zanu-PF [the rulingparty]way," and loudly promoting the government's policy of land seizure.Kunonga himself has received a large farm for his troubles. But he has alsobecome agaudy emblem of the Zimbabwean elite's excesses, calling off Sundayserviceson one occasion and telling priests to bring their flocks (andtithings) tohis 33rd wedding anniversary instead.This "worship of power" is something Ncube sees everywhere in Zimbabwe's ruling circles, and he has attempted to combat it by example.Coltart describes him as "a simple person. He doesn't have any airs. Though he's anarchbishop, you rarely see him in his role. He often drives himselfaroundin a battered old car."The archbishop's humble demeanor and decades-long reputation as anuncompromising voice for human rights make him the regime's "mostproblematic critic," Coltart says. "His comments are not viewed aspartisan,and he's been extremely difficult to attack. . . . [The government has]been pretty desperate to do something about it, because his commentshave been incredibly damaging, in Africa in particular."Hours after I spoke to the archbishop by phone, the deputy sheriffofBulawayo arrived at St. Mary's Cathedral to serve Ncube with asummons. Intow was a gaggle of media personnel from the state-controlled (andonly)television channel, as well as the two state-controlled (and only)nationalnewspapers. The next day's banner headline read: "Pius NcubeShamed."Photographs were printed - nine in all, the most damaging showingthe fuzzyimage of a man claimed to be Ncube with a woman in various statesofundress. The stories claimed that the photographs were taken by a hidden camera installed in the archbishop's bedroom.Evidence-tampering and politically motivated prosecutions arehardlynovelties in Zimbabwe. In 2004, Morgan Tsvangirai, the oppositionleader,was found not guilty on treason charges after a judge found thatthe centralpiece of evidence, a video recording made by CIO agents inMontreal, hadbeen doctored.Still, it is hard to tell what impact the allegations, if proven orperceived to be true, will have. Some are not optimistic. Mupakati,theformer CIO agent, says, "He's a church leader, and his credibility exists onmoral grounds. I think he's more or less finished." The hopeful argue thegovernment's tactics will be seen as desperate and hypocritical.
RobertMugabe, after all, fathered two children with his secretary Grace,a marriedwoman 35 years his junior, while his first wife was succumbing to cancer.Coltart says the cleric enjoys an "enormous well of support," and points toa parishioner, interviewed by Voice of America, who noted thatNcube "hasnever condemned human frailty, but he has always condemned evil."On the day the scandal breaks, Ncube sounds exhausted. "It isimpossible tovote out Mugabe," he replies when asked about the elections scheduled fornext year. He says many Zimbabweans are simply too physically weakto resistthe government, and acknowledges that his hopes for foreign intervention amount to wishful thinking. Asked to predict how Zimbabwe's crisis will end, the archbishop sighs. "I don't know. I just don't know."
Mr. Kavulla is Associate Editor of National Review and a 2007-08 Gates CambridgeScholar in African History.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
We shall conquer through Pius Ncube
by Kudazi Kwangwari
The issue of Archbishop Pius Ncube’s alleged sex scandal again like many other cases of this nature, that are concocted by a dictatorial government which has run out of ideas, is political strategy for ZANU PF. The way it’s alleged to have happened leaves a lot to be desired. It is no longer a civil matter that should only be decided in a court of law. That the government through its mouth pieces decided to have a field day breaking many other laws that are provided in the constitution with reckless abandon, violating even children’s rights should communicate to all Zimbabweans that we have a senseless, ruthless and careless government. It should also send a signal to all progressive Zimbabweans that this government’s approach is no longer based on the rule of law but rule by law, that is if any.
ZANU PF has decided to use everything at its disposal as political capital and it is up to us to either allow this to continue or to stand up and say ‘NO’. That ZANU PF can reduce the person of our Bishop to a simple political tool for political mileage, cannot and should not be allowed for anything. We stand with our Bishop not for any other reason apart from the fact that we subscribe to his values and principles of democracy and good government, air treatment of citizens and social inclusion. These values should motivate and inspire us all to stand up against the senseless and barbaric machinations of a government whose leader is now in a state of dementia and gone gaga.
Forget about the legal issues surrounding the allegations. No. It is about an attempt to silence dissenting voices sothat we will all zip our mouths and exercise a lot of self-censorship when expressing ourselves. Archbishop Pius Ncube has been speaking out for the marginalized in Zimbabwe and he should remain the voice of the voiceless.
Lastly, it should be noted that the whole issue comes as a blessing in disguise as it provides a platform for us to fight dictatorship, to fight discrimination and all other forms of injustices. The process of democraticisation of Zimbabwe should gain momentum motivated by this development.
The issue of Archbishop Pius Ncube’s alleged sex scandal again like many other cases of this nature, that are concocted by a dictatorial government which has run out of ideas, is political strategy for ZANU PF. The way it’s alleged to have happened leaves a lot to be desired. It is no longer a civil matter that should only be decided in a court of law. That the government through its mouth pieces decided to have a field day breaking many other laws that are provided in the constitution with reckless abandon, violating even children’s rights should communicate to all Zimbabweans that we have a senseless, ruthless and careless government. It should also send a signal to all progressive Zimbabweans that this government’s approach is no longer based on the rule of law but rule by law, that is if any.
ZANU PF has decided to use everything at its disposal as political capital and it is up to us to either allow this to continue or to stand up and say ‘NO’. That ZANU PF can reduce the person of our Bishop to a simple political tool for political mileage, cannot and should not be allowed for anything. We stand with our Bishop not for any other reason apart from the fact that we subscribe to his values and principles of democracy and good government, air treatment of citizens and social inclusion. These values should motivate and inspire us all to stand up against the senseless and barbaric machinations of a government whose leader is now in a state of dementia and gone gaga.
Forget about the legal issues surrounding the allegations. No. It is about an attempt to silence dissenting voices sothat we will all zip our mouths and exercise a lot of self-censorship when expressing ourselves. Archbishop Pius Ncube has been speaking out for the marginalized in Zimbabwe and he should remain the voice of the voiceless.
Lastly, it should be noted that the whole issue comes as a blessing in disguise as it provides a platform for us to fight dictatorship, to fight discrimination and all other forms of injustices. The process of democraticisation of Zimbabwe should gain momentum motivated by this development.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Civic groups rally behind embattled cleric
By Nqobizitha Khumalo
BULAWAYO – Zimbabwean civic groups and political parties on Tuesday launched the Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition to help raise funds and counter government propaganda against the embattled cleric who is facing a Z$20 billion lawsuit for adultery.
The coalition, which is made up of about 30 civic groups, political parties, church groups and student movements, says it will offer spiritual and moral support to Ncube as he fights the damaging lawsuit.
In a statement released at the launch of the coalition at the City Hall in Bulawayo yesterday, the coalition said it was outraged by the manner in which the state media handled the Ncube affair.
The coalition said the coverage of the Ncube allegations by Zimbabwe’s state media was in clear violation of the country’s laws such as the Censorship Act, the Children’s Adoption and Protection Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
“The state contravened a number of its own laws which include among others the Censorship Act, AIPPA, Telecommunications Act, Children’s adoption Act and the Broadcasting Services Act.
“The coalition would like to register its unwavering support for all the democratic values that the Archbishop stands for. He is the voice of the voiceless who has distinguished himself in this struggle for a new democratic dispensation.
“We see this whole operation for what it is, that is to cow down democratic forces, silence dissenting views and divert attention from glaring misgovernance,” said the coalition.
Effie Ncube, the chairperson of the Ncube solidarity coalition said President Robert Mugabe’s government had a history of framing concocted charges against its political opponents citing the cases of Zimbabwe nationalists Joshua Nkomo and Ndabaningi Sithole who were falsely accused of plotting to topple the government.
“As a coalition, we strongly stand by Archbishop Pius Ncube and we are saying a political attack on the Archbishop will not solve the crisis in this country,” said Ncube.
The Zimbabwe government media has since last week been awash with lurid pictures and images of Ncube with Rosemary Sibanda, the woman at the centre of the lawsuit. Rosemary’s husband, Onesimus is suing Ncube accusing the archbishop of having an adulterous relationship with his wife. - ZimOnline
BULAWAYO – Zimbabwean civic groups and political parties on Tuesday launched the Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition to help raise funds and counter government propaganda against the embattled cleric who is facing a Z$20 billion lawsuit for adultery.
The coalition, which is made up of about 30 civic groups, political parties, church groups and student movements, says it will offer spiritual and moral support to Ncube as he fights the damaging lawsuit.
In a statement released at the launch of the coalition at the City Hall in Bulawayo yesterday, the coalition said it was outraged by the manner in which the state media handled the Ncube affair.
The coalition said the coverage of the Ncube allegations by Zimbabwe’s state media was in clear violation of the country’s laws such as the Censorship Act, the Children’s Adoption and Protection Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
“The state contravened a number of its own laws which include among others the Censorship Act, AIPPA, Telecommunications Act, Children’s adoption Act and the Broadcasting Services Act.
“The coalition would like to register its unwavering support for all the democratic values that the Archbishop stands for. He is the voice of the voiceless who has distinguished himself in this struggle for a new democratic dispensation.
“We see this whole operation for what it is, that is to cow down democratic forces, silence dissenting views and divert attention from glaring misgovernance,” said the coalition.
Effie Ncube, the chairperson of the Ncube solidarity coalition said President Robert Mugabe’s government had a history of framing concocted charges against its political opponents citing the cases of Zimbabwe nationalists Joshua Nkomo and Ndabaningi Sithole who were falsely accused of plotting to topple the government.
“As a coalition, we strongly stand by Archbishop Pius Ncube and we are saying a political attack on the Archbishop will not solve the crisis in this country,” said Ncube.
The Zimbabwe government media has since last week been awash with lurid pictures and images of Ncube with Rosemary Sibanda, the woman at the centre of the lawsuit. Rosemary’s husband, Onesimus is suing Ncube accusing the archbishop of having an adulterous relationship with his wife. - ZimOnline
Thursday, July 26, 2007
WELCOME TO ARCHBISHOP PIUS NCUBE'S SOLIDARITY COALITION
The Archbishop Pius Ncube(APN) Solidarity Coalition is a broad-based non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan, independent and non-political coalition of civic society organizations, political parties, faith –based organizations in their diversity and individuals united by the following objectives:
Immediate Objectives
(a) To mobilize and give moral, spiritual, mental and physical support to Archbishop Pius Ncube in the matter of his alleged illicit love affairs.
(b) To ensure that Archbishop Pius Ncube gets a fair hearing consistent with international human rights and judicial standards.
(c) To counter the outrageous and heartless disinformation and misinformation campaign by the state and its propaganda organs both in as far as the Archbishop and the struggle for a free and democratic society are concerned.
(d) To mobilize and coordinate resources for the Archbishop’s legal expenses.
Long-term Objectives
(a) To provide a convergence platform for all democratic forces so that they can share ideas and experiences, debate and dialogue on the struggle for a new democratic dispensation, collaborate and network, and review strategies and progress with a view to find a common way forward and continue the struggle for a free, just and democratic society.
(b) To assist the Archbishop to continue being the voice of the voiceless, persecuted and down-trodden masses in the struggle for a free society.
It is envisaged that both the immediate and long-term objectives will help not only the Archbishop but also the broader struggle for a democratic society free from corruption, bad governance, human rights abuses, poverty, hunger, injustices and misery in all its different forms.
Approaches and Activities
(a) Fundraising and resource mobilization.
(b) Networking and collaboration.
(c) Awareness campaigns, research and information dissemination.
(d) Civic mobilization, workshops, conferences and seminars.
(e) Mobilisation of legal assistance.
(f) Spiritual support gatherings and prayers.
(g) Community and other public gatherings.
Membership
Membership in the APN Solidarity Coalition shall be open to individuals and corporate bodies in accordance with rules and regulations and other guidelines that may be appropriately determined.
No person or body which does not subscribe to the objectives of the APN Solidarity Coalition shall be admitted into its membership.
Mission
To campaign for a free and democratic society meeting international human rights and judicial standards of fair hearing and/or trial.
Vision
A free and democratic society meeting all its obligations under international human rights instruments and practices.
Organization
The APN Solidarity Coalition has, among other structures of governance, a policy-making General Council, where corporate members of the coalition are represented, an Advisory Board of experts in various fields, and a General Secretariat tasked with the day to day operations and management of the coalition.
Finances
Finances of the APN Solidarity Coalition are from the generous contributions of its membership and other persons of goodwill. Highest forms of accountability, integrity and transparency are assured by a very strict management and financial accounting system.
When Was it Established?
The APN Solidarity Coalition was established on the 18th of July 2007.
Immediate Objectives
(a) To mobilize and give moral, spiritual, mental and physical support to Archbishop Pius Ncube in the matter of his alleged illicit love affairs.
(b) To ensure that Archbishop Pius Ncube gets a fair hearing consistent with international human rights and judicial standards.
(c) To counter the outrageous and heartless disinformation and misinformation campaign by the state and its propaganda organs both in as far as the Archbishop and the struggle for a free and democratic society are concerned.
(d) To mobilize and coordinate resources for the Archbishop’s legal expenses.
Long-term Objectives
(a) To provide a convergence platform for all democratic forces so that they can share ideas and experiences, debate and dialogue on the struggle for a new democratic dispensation, collaborate and network, and review strategies and progress with a view to find a common way forward and continue the struggle for a free, just and democratic society.
(b) To assist the Archbishop to continue being the voice of the voiceless, persecuted and down-trodden masses in the struggle for a free society.
It is envisaged that both the immediate and long-term objectives will help not only the Archbishop but also the broader struggle for a democratic society free from corruption, bad governance, human rights abuses, poverty, hunger, injustices and misery in all its different forms.
Approaches and Activities
(a) Fundraising and resource mobilization.
(b) Networking and collaboration.
(c) Awareness campaigns, research and information dissemination.
(d) Civic mobilization, workshops, conferences and seminars.
(e) Mobilisation of legal assistance.
(f) Spiritual support gatherings and prayers.
(g) Community and other public gatherings.
Membership
Membership in the APN Solidarity Coalition shall be open to individuals and corporate bodies in accordance with rules and regulations and other guidelines that may be appropriately determined.
No person or body which does not subscribe to the objectives of the APN Solidarity Coalition shall be admitted into its membership.
Mission
To campaign for a free and democratic society meeting international human rights and judicial standards of fair hearing and/or trial.
Vision
A free and democratic society meeting all its obligations under international human rights instruments and practices.
Organization
The APN Solidarity Coalition has, among other structures of governance, a policy-making General Council, where corporate members of the coalition are represented, an Advisory Board of experts in various fields, and a General Secretariat tasked with the day to day operations and management of the coalition.
Finances
Finances of the APN Solidarity Coalition are from the generous contributions of its membership and other persons of goodwill. Highest forms of accountability, integrity and transparency are assured by a very strict management and financial accounting system.
When Was it Established?
The APN Solidarity Coalition was established on the 18th of July 2007.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
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