Living Zimbabwe

Author: Citizen Journalist

  • Jam Signal: that Zimbabwean Urban House Fusion band you need to know about

    Jam Signal: that Zimbabwean Urban House Fusion band you need to know about

    On a night when most of the people in Harare were scattered around town, Carnival was ending and downtown looked like a scene from a post apocalyptic movie, Longchen Plaza’s Deep House gig was turning out to be a flop event and Old Georgians Club which was hosting Beer Fest was surely packed even with their ridiculous cover charge, in other words, Harare had plenty events at in one night.

    A chance stop at Pariah State Borrowdale (after being rejected from another bar for wearing shorts) led me to enjoy the a 3 man band covering some of the well known songs. They consisted of a Saxophone player, a drummer and a fellow on the keyboard.

    Saying they were playing to a small crowd would be an overstatement but the few people that were there were surely feeling the tunes., though the crowd was small the band did not dial down on the energy and the talent was surely there as most of the bar was on their feet dancing along.

    One can only wonder how many hours they had spent practicing, and being in Zim, its tough out here for artists and everyone in the town had plenty of other options to enjoy their night, but i thank these guys for at least saving my evening as it was surely bound to be a dead night.

    I salute them, I do hope they continue and if they do release their own music, i just hope its good..

    This has been a submission by an anonymous contributor.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Zimbabwe hopelessly obsessed with politics

    Zimbabwe hopelessly obsessed with politics

    After the unspectacular purge that characterised the lead up to the discredited ‘congress’ of 2014, we thought we had seen the last of retrogressive political drama which proved a nasty and messy divorce. The nation looked ready to move on and it looked like 2015 was going to be the year for policy implementation. With ‘sanctions’ and so-called corrupt ministers fired, Zimbabwe was hypothetical on the verge of success. We were wrong. Today we are forced to watch the catfight escalate.

    Reports are doing the rounds that Occupy African Unity Square leader, Itai Dzamara was abducted from his neighbourhood. It prompted former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to issue a statement, “The demon is back!” I feel the demon never left us, we are just waking up from our slumber to realise that we have changed nothing since the 2008 massacre. The demon of politics and the impunity that accompanies it in this land continues to haunt us even when it is becoming clearer that politics will not solve our problems because it is part of the problem.

    Yes, politics affects our daily lives but when it eclipses other aspects of human life, it becomes nothing less than obsession. It is not too early to conclude that the political leadership in Zimbabwe suffer from a condition that presents as a compulsive obsessive disorder, COD. Politburo meetings have become more important than parliament that ministers would rather dodge parliamentary sessions to spend the day engaged in unending meetings adopting resolutions that are never implemented. It is not only has the legislature that has been rendered useless. The judiciary will be under the spotlight now that expelled members have lodged a case against Mugabe. Inasmuch as the case looks like a waste of time, it will serve to prove that our judicial system is not as independent as we believe..

    When Mujuru and company were ousted albeit under controversial circumstances, we were convinced the whole anti-Mujuru campaign was over but we were stunned when birthday boy took a while at the Victoria Falls bash to admonish his former deputy. Judging from the way Bob vilified Mujuru’s widow; it became difficult to distinguish the event from Heroes’ or Defence Forces Day celebrations. With as much vitriol and anger the president disregarded all diplomacy and respect for women when he ‘stripped down’ Mujuru in public view. Politics without reasoning has driven down this ground.

    Pronouncements that government intends to kick out the remaining white farmers whom they allege were protected by Mutasa and Kaukonde prove the land reform was neither about righting the wrongs nor economic empowerment. It was all about weakening political opponents. The invasions in the early 2000 were meant to choke the MDC as it was believed that white farmers were the brains and funders of the opposition. Now that he believes the remaining farmers are propping the Mujuru camp, Bob in all his wisdom has seen it fit to destroy the residuals of an agricultural system he successfully wrecked.

    I do not deny that land reform was necessary as a means to create space for the marginalised. Had that been the sole aim and had it been implemented in such a manner to achieve a win-win result, Zimbabwe would have conducted a successful economic empowerment program. By now, we would be regarded as a model nation in terms of empowerment and we would be renowned for that. Instead, we are seen either as cowards too afraid to rise against a failed leadership or as obsessives who believe in the wrong politics of then era. It is not sanctions that have brought Zimbabwe to her knees, it’s obsession with politics.

    Zimbabwe has successfully politicised every aspect of citizen’s life from arts, sport, and culture to education and health. Promotions, official appointments, tenders and even radio licenses are awarded after political considerations. Unfortunately, it is not politics that will fix Zimbabwe. It is not politics or birthday rants that will build schools and refurbish dilapidated hospitals. It is the economics. Politics and policy pronouncements will not fix the roads or expand our energy generating capacity. It is through implementing sound economic policies that will lead to increased FDI inflows and not speeches about how a former deputy employed the services of Nigerian spiritualists to unsit a man who is fast losing grip of the reigns with each passing day.

    We are sick and tired of diplomatic visits by a Chinese delegation or some dignitaries from little known countries whose contribution towards people’s livelihoods goes from minimal to zero. Yes political or diplomatic allies are important (everyone needs friends) and we are better with more but we do not need political relations that don’t put food on the tables of ordinary citizenry (we don’t need friends who steal food from our tables). It is futile to suck up to political allies that will not add value to our nation at the expense of our economy.

    Politics may have gotten us into this pit but as it stands, it will not get us out of it. Zimbabwe definitely needs another way. Politics and the politicians have failed us.

    We need a rethink.

    IMG_20150520_122454

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai Bryan via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/ibmatteu, http://fb.com/ibmatteu.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • My Pride

    My Pride

    I have lived in Zimbabwe all my life so I have seen a bit, or a whole lot of what being a Zimbabwean means. Growing up I have learnt how hardworking my people , how dedicated they become to what ever they are applying themselves. I have seen how united we are when it comes to matters that matter the most, noticed how we acknowledge the fact that God does love this country. Being Zimbabwean is knowing what is right and wrong, being able to look at a situation and knowing how to react appropriately. No matter how painful the attacks in SA on our brothers are, we know better, we know how to react better because we understand and value laws of our country, and obviously need the food. God Bless Zimbabwe.

    This has been a submission by Taff.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • How some titles have lost meaning in Zimbabwe

    How some titles have lost meaning in Zimbabwe

    Zimbabweans regularly fall into a frenzy for titles (tiltle-phoria) where everyone within the upper echelons of power wants to put that title either as a suffix or prefix to their name. In the end everyone becomes an entrepreneur, farmer or quite recently the trending doctor or prophet.

    Here are several titles that has been overused and abused in Zimbabwe that they have almost lost meaning altogether.

    1. Prophet

    The ‘bloodshed’ profiters have made their names by mesmerising their followers with tricks. At one point, they refereed to themselves as pastors before elevating themselves to apostles. As their arrogance grew, they anointed themselves as bishops before they found another title: prophet. Nowadays they stand at street corners uttering words they claim to be prophetic. They are yet to contribute solutions to Zimbabwe’s challenges but enjoy scaring people with their ‘bloodshed’ prophecies.

    2. Entrepreneur

    With the economy in a comatose condition, and slipping back to the horrendous 2008 levels, people have been jolted into seeking other money making ventures to complement earnings. Thanks to ZimASSET, almost everyone is selling something. Everyone has become a hustler offering products/services that almost everyone is else selling. The entrepreneur has become but the airtime vendor (a direct casualty of the economic meltdown) who is struggling to put food on the table. Propagandists and spin-doctors seeking to justify ZimASSET have abused the word and distorted its meaning. In 2008 everyone was a billionaire but with little to show for it, in 2014 everyone is an ‘entrepreneur’ but with little to show for it.

    3. New farmer

    It is now almost 14 years after ‘land distribution’. At most, some of the resettled farmers are over 10 years on their plots yet they are still referred to as new. Although they feel and look new, these farmers are not new at all. A president who has been at the helm for ten years cannot be referred to as a new president. The ‘new’ farmer Waits for the beginning of the rainy season to descend on his plot accompanied by at most two labourers equipped with hoes, a few sacks of fertilizers and nothing more. The farm is more of a summer vacation for the dude to escape from the wife and family.

    4. Doctor

    Whether medical or academic honorary, the title has lost its meaning. The 80’s frenzy when everyone scrambled to be recognised as fundi seems to have returned. This time no longer do people have to study to attain the degree. Now it is about money and power. The title ‘Doctor’ is now about prestige rather than to contribute towards social good. Unsurprisingly, the list of PhD holders in government and public offices keeps rising but the list of solutions to the nation’s crisis keeps dwindling.

    5. Comrade

    Comrade is Portuguese friend but the title has been ‘reserved’ for and to mean only veterans of the liberation struggle. In that way, it has been used to alienate the rest of the society. However, there is a new crop of comrades (Young Turks) who have managed to smuggle themselves into the system with no other intention but to steal and plunder.

    The new “comrades” are but looters and opportunists have outwitted the old guard, sliding through the backdoor to get a chance to bite the national cake that has now become a preserve of the few. In the end, the comradeship that existed during the struggle has since been lost and the true comrades who carried the struggle have been forgotten and replaced by elite (black Smith regime).

    Its really a circus when one begins to be addressed as “doctor-comrade-amai” so and so or when they referred to as “doctor-prophet.”

    I therefore call upon those with the might to return to sanity and restore the dignity especially of our academic titles.

    Even Michael Jackson had a doctorate

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai Bryan via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/ibmatteu, http://facebook.com/ibmatteu.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Government and the Indigenous Church battling for control

    Government and the Indigenous Church battling for control

    Government vs. mapostori: the battle for followers

    The news that a sect of the white garment churches brutalised riot police officers, ZBC journalists and a ZANU PF ordained bishop of the mapostori has captivated many. What has caught the people’s attention is not the mapostori’s blatant disrespect for media personnel or law enforcement agents. Rather it is the way the men and women in white garments stood up to authority. People are marvelling at their courage and speculators have been quick to conclude that the white garments have become the new regalia for the opposition movement.

    Government to blame

    For years, the ZANU PF government has sided with mapostori overlooking their wrongs and praising them as indigenous churches. Despite the sects’ record of abusing women and children and their anti-education doctrine, government has supported them all the way. The sects enjoyed unfettered attention and airplay on radio and always had reserved seats at all national events like Heroes’ Day. The rest of the churches were seen as pursuing a regime change agenda.

    The battle for control

    For years, government has been desperately trying to assert its authority over the church. Their desperation was highlighted when intelligence agents carried out a covert mission to expose and disgrace the then Archbishop of Bulawayo Archdiocese, Pius Ncube. The plot was to silence him as Ncube was a fierce critic of government’s abuse of power and was vocal about Gukurahundi.

    Before the dust settled, government through disgraced ex-bishop Nolbert Kunonga grabbed the reigns of the Anglican Church using homosexuality as an excuse. For years, Anglicans were persecuted and banned from their churches and denied access to their Bernard Mizeki shrine until government realised the futility of its actions.

    Orthodox Church or state controlled doctrine

    Upon realising, they could not win the battle to control the western churches, government turned to the locals: mapostori. What government is seeking is to impose its bigoted political views as the central dogma of the sects. By sowing ideologies that border on racism and promote distrust of foreigners, they seek to establish a church that follows a toxic anti-Western doctrine. They are trying to create a church on the lines of the Russian Orthodox that derives power from government and legitimises government policies.

    Radicalisation and religious extremism

    The way the mapostori reacted to the police paints a gloomy picture of the future of religion in Zimbabwe. When one takes into cognisance, the fact that mapostori were complicit in the 2008 election violence that left more than 500 dead, it is not outlandish to believe that they are turning into religious extremists. Their views on women, children and western education and health are no different from the views of Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Somalia’s Al Shabaab. As they wake up to the reality that they have a significant population behind them, there is a possibility these sects will seek to expand their power and influence beyond their current boundaries. It is no surprise if decades from now Zimbabwe will be in Nigeria’s position facing religious extremists.

    The misguided ZANU PF thugs

    They are referred to as youths but I see nothing in them to celebrate as a youth. They are social misfits who offer themselves to be used as political pawns all for a sip of opaque beer ‘Chibuku or Ingwebu.’ In idiotic fashion, these vigilantes took to the streets in defence of the riot police. Its mind boggling that sane people will seek to defend the police from the people. What are they getting from the police? Whom are they representing: the people or the junta? Instead of demonstrating against corruption, high unemployment, collapsing education and health delivery systems, the brain dead saw it fit to waste their energy toy toying in solidarity with the police.

    All have sinned and none is pure

    The mapostori just like the spiritualists of this generation are taking advantage of people in desperation. They follow skewed doctrines that degrade women and children and glorify racism. Their views on western education and health are retrogressive. The mapostori are radicalising into religious extremists. However, this does not give the police or government the right to control the followers. The police are not a law unto themselves. They are mere enforcers and they must stick to that. As for the ZANU PF thugs, they stay out of the feud and stop escalating the situation. They are better if they go to Ngungunyana building and apply for farms so they can do something productive with their lives.

    Let the Human Rights Commission do the job. Give the commission the adequate resources and necessary legislative backing to investigate and prosecute human rights violators in a non-partisan manner.

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/ibmatteu, http://fb.com/ibmatteu.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Corrupt Temba Peter Mliswa Hon MP

    Corrupt Temba Peter Mliswa Hon MP

    On the 18 December 2009 Temba Peter Mliswa (now MP) came to my company Noshio Motors incorporating Benbar/Tromps (Zimbabwe’s Number One choice) and said “In line with indiginization I now own this company.” “I have a “Banda Trust” in my hand of which I am the Chairman.”! My lawyer Victor Zobgo at the time did a search at the deeds office in February 2010 and NO such trust exists!

    My business partner is Hammarskjold Banda (Was a Senior Pastor at the church he brought me to, where in fact I got “Born Again”) and his wife Brendaly Banda (Also Pastor of the same church) was finance and administration manager (but acted like the Chairman of the board) at the company. It was when I suspended her on 22 October 2009 the Hammarskjold and his wife started plotting a way how to get out of this massive they were up to! They were deducting money from the workers, but DID NOT pay relevant authorities (Nassa, N.E.C. P.A.Y.E etc) and converted the money for their personal gain!! They also defrauded SARS and ZIMRA (I gave ALL proof to the Police, Public Prosecutor (who mysteriously died 48 hours after he was released from jail as he was charged with obstructing justice and colluding with state witnesses!) This is why Temba Peter Mliswa was brought in as I had called for a forensic audit, but Bredaly Banda had to make sure this DID NOT happen. Hammarskjold Banda, the Managing Director and public officer held the company to ransom and did not come to work until 18 December 2009!!( What a coincidence) Temba used his uncle, Didymus Mutasa (As Martin Mutasa Didymus’s son was also involved) to make sure they would be “aquitted”. (BROWN ENVELOPES were definitely used to make sure my case went away in a hurry!!

    I was defamed by Mliswa and the state closed the case without 3 other very important witnesses testifying, (A lady from the deeds office, the investigating officer (who Hammarskjold confessed to and my wife who was at the company when this terrifying ordeal was taking place. Even though Brendaly Banda was still suspended she started running the payroll and awarded herself and her husband a bonus along with other family members working at the company). All the proof the court needed to hear was prevented by Temba Mliswa and his “behind the scenes meetings” with the magistrates involved! The Attorney General at the time Johannes Tommana (who was Temba Mliswa’s lawyer in 2000 during the land invasion where Mliswa ruthlessly beat up people) purportedly ordered the state to close the case as I had too many facts and evidence to back the charges.

    Hammarskjold Banda and His wife Brendaly fled the country to South Africa with his daughter and son but there still charges pending against them! I am led to believe interpol are looking for them and are staying in Johannesburg nearAmalgam off the R41 having left Port Elizabeth.

    These are the facts I present to you “the jury” as to why Hon MP Temba Peter Mliswa was brought to my company! This Hon MP lied as he claimed he had “permission” from Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, (Then Minister for indiginisation) but worst of all he claimed His Excellency President R.G. Mugabe “sanctioned” this illegal takeover!

    I have faith that this time Hon MP Mliswa will be held accountable for his wrongful actions and decisions and the TRUTH WILL come out! Justice is near.

    Paul Westwood

    This has been a submission by Paul Westwood.
    You can connect with Paul via the following: http://twitter.com/PaulPaulus13/status/464388746599620609.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Exposing Baba Jukwa: Our right to privacy

    Exposing Baba Jukwa: Our right to privacy

    Exposing Baba Jukwa: Our rights to privacy

    On several occasions, state media namely the herald and Sunday mail have published ‘leaked’ emails and information exchanges by prominent politicians and socialites in Zimbabwe. Several names like Eddie cross, Tendai Biti, Elizabeth Macheka and Obert Gutu have been victims of the leaks. Questions arise as to who leaks this information? How do they do it and for what reasons?

    We are aware of the US whistle-blower Edward Snowden, who leaked many NSA documents that show the US government, has been spying on citizens globally. It revealed the agency spied even on allies like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It is not the US government alone that spies on citizens. Recently there were reports that Ethiopian government was acquiring spy technology (to spy on citizens).

    We have two possibilities: ether the state media fabricates these stories (propagandist machinations) or the information is true. If it is true, then the state media accessed the information from another state department. Whichever way it goes, the state knows who leaks the people’s information and how they do it.

    Last week I attended a workshop that touched on digital security, which proved to be a revelation to the majority of us participants. As I was just digesting what I learnt from the workshop the media was awash with news that baba Jukwa had been caught. I have not much sympathy for Baba Jukwa especially now that he is no longer relevant as elections are over but what grabbed my attention is how they claim they caught him. They (whoever they are) are said to have successfully hacked into his/her email account. The news is spine chilling to someone who values his or her privacy. Those hackers purport that Baba Jukwa is Mxolisi Ncube a journalist with the Zimbabwean.

    Mxolisi Ncube denies the accusations and says he only interviewed the faceless Facebook character. He admits to have corresponded with the Baba Jukwa. Whether Mxolisi is the real baba Jukwa or he is being set up, it is not much of an issue compared to the methods used to try and expose the Baba Jukwa. I wonder how many accounts of ordinary citizens have been hacked so far. How much of our private information has government accessed illegally?

    In the movies, hacking seems a lot of fun and exciting but truth be told; it is an infringement on our basic human rights. Section 57 of the new constitution states that, “every person has the right to privacy…” and part (d) specifically provides for privacy of data or communication. What it means is that no one has the right to access your private and personal information without your consent. It is an infringement for one to browse through my phone (snooping) without my consent. It is our fundamental right yet someone is bragging that he/she successfully hacked Mxolisi Ncube’s emails. Their excuse for hacking is defending national security. We are the people. We are the nation. There is no way they can protect us by hacking into our accounts.

    However, part of the blame lies squarely on us. Many of us are reckless with how we share our personal information online. As I learnt at the workshop, a few things will help us be more secure online.

    1. Always think twice before you accept any friend requests, open strange emails, or download those viral files on apps like WhatsApp. Some of it is carrying spyware.
    2. Have different passwords for your different accounts and only you must know them. A strong password must contain symbols and numerals.
    3. Think before you click on those pop-up ads. Many of them will lead you to unsecure sites where you are asked to type in your personal information.
    4. Never give personal information online. Many of the sites relay the information to hackers.
    5. Always log out from all your open accounts and delete history and cookies after you use a device that is not yours or that is available for the public. Hackers and/or other criminals can use this history can use to enter into your accounts.

    So even if whether we are fans of baba Jukwa or not, the way he has been exposed must worry us. When ordinary citizen Mxolisi Ncube has his right to privacy infringed upon, we all must get vocal or the vices will not stop. After Mxolisi, it is you or I.

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Workers’ Day: Celebrating a dwindling labour force in Zimbabwe

    Workers’ Day: Celebrating a dwindling labour force in Zimbabwe

    Trade unions like ZCTU and ZIFTA annually organise Workers’ Day celebrations on May Day. For a time workers have struggled to have their grievances addressed.

    Low wages
    As many companies close or scale down operations, most are struggling to give their workers the gazetted salaries.
    Workers are in debt as they get loans from loan sharks in a bid to meet their financial obligations.
    As a result many workers are sinking in debt.

    Job insecurity
    Corporates realising the benefits of hiring contractors have resorted to offering workers short term contracts lasting 6months or 1year.
    By this, workers are spending their days on a prawl looking for the next job.
    Some contracts are silent on medical and life insurance policies or pensions.

    Accommodation
    The majority of workers in Zimbabwe are tenants.
    Some have been on hiding lists for a long time and several have been duped by housing cooperatives and land barons.
    The zimbabwean workers are looking for affordable houses to buy.
    For this cause, government and corporates must work together to avail decent accommodation for the workers.

    Individual freedoms
    It’s enshrined in the Bill of Rights that all citizens have the freedom of expression, association, etc.
    However, government has come down heavy on workers effectively banning demonstrations and disturbing workers meetings.

    Chronic joblessness
    Its said when one door closes, another opens.
    But not in Zimbabwe.
    When the contract expires, workers have a torrid time searching for new job.

    Yes entrepreneurship and enterprise development are part of the solution to workers problems but judging from the nature of the problems, workers feel let down by both government and private seer

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai Bryan via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/ibmatteu, http://fb.com/ibmatteu.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Don’t blame the youths for their indifference towards Independence Day

    Don’t blame the youths for their indifference towards Independence Day

    By mentioning places like the National Heroes Acre, Nyadzonia, Wha Wha and Sikombela, Zimbabwe’s state media has tried to sensationalise Independence Day that falls on 18th April. Other countries have these national monuments where they honour the heroes and heroins who sacrificed for their countries like the USA has the Arlington National Cemetery which have gained popularity to rank amongst tourist sites. Zimbabwe has failed to raise our historical sites because of the way ZANU controls and manages the monuments.

    Every year, a few select loyalists of the ruling party to go visit shrines like Chimoio. They have turned the shrines into their retreat camps where they regroup periodically to strategize on party policies. The National Heroes Acre is not national in the actual sense. The youth in Zimbabwe view the national shrine as but a burial site for ZANU crooks. It sounds ridiculous when names like Border Gezi and Elliot Manyika who have no documented war credentials are mentioned alongside Jason Moyo and Joshua Nyongolo Nkomo yet ZANU founder Ndabaningi Sithole was denied the hero status.

    Independence Day has lost its lustre because the youth who make up >60% of the population are struggling to get the basics. Many youths anxiously watch as their dreams are shattered despite their academic, sport, or artistic talents. With high unemployment and lack of opportunities for income generating projects, youths concentrate on these more pressing issues other than celebrate an event that has been personalized by a select few. It is difficult to create hype around an event where the background history, information, and event organization is left exclusive to a few. Party loyalists use the event to enjoy what the rest of Zimbabwe is lacking.

    Easter and related paschal events like Judgment Night have overshadowed this year’s Independence Day because no one can personalize Easter.

    As long as government wants to personalize these shrines, we will let them but they should be rest assured that it is them and their fanatics that will attend those ceremonies. There is no reason to create hype around an event where one has to endure either scorching sun or cold winter drizzle packed at the National Sports Stadium for the whole of the official proceedings. It unfathomable to get excited about a happening where the same man says the same rhetoric he has shared for the past 3 decades like a broken record. The attendees return home empty handed, unchanged to reawaken to the harsh realities of poverty that faces them.

    To many, Independence Day brought no meaningful changes to their lives. The same oppressive laws and organs that existed before 1980 still exist today. The masters simply changed faces, General Peter Walls and Ian Smith may be gone, but Zimbabweans still feel unsafe in their own country. To many youths, Independence Day is a commemoration of the day when slave master turned black. In the rural areas, local political leaders target civil servants (whom the government underpays) when it comes to fund raising for the event. On the day of this event, the same civil servants are sidelined at the festivities. The day to celebrate freedom is to most the day when the slave master manifests.

    Yes, we may try to create hype around the 18th of April and the day deserves as it came after a protracted struggle. However, the way independence (history, celebrations and shrines) has been handled or mishandled has dampened the spirit of most Zimbabweans. The blame is not on the youth for their indifference to the day but on the ZANU PF-led government for treating the event as a party issue.

    This has been a submission by Ittai Bryan.
    You can connect with Ittai Bryan via the following: http://ibmatteu.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/ibmatteu, http://fb.com/ibmatteu.
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe
    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.

  • Bullied By ZIMRA At Harare International Airport

    Bullied By ZIMRA At Harare International Airport

    The following is a letter that one of readers wrote to the The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) in response to unpleasant experiences at the hands of their officers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP):

    I would like to report two consecutive incidences that made me feel like I was being bullied by those who think they have the power to oppress others.

    I am a Wits student so I fly often. The first incident was when I was with my pregnant sister who had come to SA to buy stuff for her baby. It was on XX November 2013, SAA flight that had left SA at 1930hrs.

    After passport control we managed to get our luggage and because I had big bags ZIMRA people stopped us surprise surprise. We didn’t have receipts for the baby’s stuff only a tax statement listing the stuff since we had left them with SARS. They then told us to go to a room where x-x-x (name censored) (ZIMRA) lady acted like she was doing something but really they were telling us to open our bags. We didn’t want to keep our father waiting and feeling like we were being picked on we only opened my sister’s bag which only had the new things.

    An argument then started and then a guy who used to work at Kariba came. He heard our surname and immediately called my father, who he knew. If I’m NOT mistaken he used to get bribes in BREAD during the economic depression. My father then came and they started acting like they had been nice to us. They told us we were allowed new things under $300 and since we were under that we left.

    “Coincidentally” the police stopped us outside and said they also wanted to open our bags surprise surprise again. They then told us the duty free limit was $100 lower than what ZIMRA had told us. They then said we should go back inside with them, mind you everyone else had left.

    They then made us go through the departures way and had to scan our bags and go through some door back to where we had been. The people scanning our bags continuously said “we are different departments, we don’t work with these guys” having seen that laws were being broken and didn’t want to be mentioned in my complaint.

    The police now joined and insisted we open our bags. We gave them the permission to do so but they weren’t doing anything. All the while my pregnant sister was standing. We asked for their names because they said we could write a complaint if we wanted but they refused to give us their names.

    One policeman and the Kariba ZIMRA guy went to a room and they talked about something. My dad then shook then policeman in the forefront of it all’s hand and they let us go just like that. We ended up leaving at midnight.

    I’m NOT saying he accepted a bribe but that’s how money is usually passed on when people bribe the Police.

    We were only allowed to leave the airport at midnight when everyone including employees had left.

    The 2nd time I was coming from registration on the XX of January 2014 on SAA25, stopped by ZIMRA again I had two small bags. They opened my stuff and they didn’t find anything, again I was the last one to leave. Once I said I was on SAA she immediately told me to go to a room to be searched.

    I am studying actuarial science and randomness is what we study. ZIMRA claims it picks people at random and seeing as it happened to me consecutively I highly doubt that paradigm is feasible because estimating the number of people on each flight and assuming randomness that you claim, the probability of me being picked twice is very close to 0, meaning its highly unlikely to happen in any normal system.

    I am now forced to fly to Lusaka then drive to Kariba because of this bullying, this is another expense I have to incur just to avoid being bullied. How can the management allow the staff to treat people like this?

    Kind regards

    x-x-x (name censored)

    Your turn; what are your thoughts on what this reader experienced and have you been through something similar at the hands of ZIMRA?

    This has been a submission by Anonymous.
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    The views expressed in the article are those of the author and not necessarily Living Zimbabwe.