Columnist / Clifford chitupa mashiri
Zanu-PF's new draft... now what!!!
Without being too simplistic, there appears to be yet another opportunity for a breakthrough on the Zimbabwe constitution drafting crisis since Zanu-PF has finished its "new" draft (see Daily News, ...Published: 19 Aug 2012 at 10:29hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
A Commentary on Zimbabwe's Current Affairs
It could be argued that Zimbabweans may have to brace for more contradictory statements, buckpassing, half truths and vague draft constitution.Interestingly, the MDC formations have repo...Published: 01 Aug 2012 at 13:00hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
EU conditions laudable, draft constitution a fraud
The conditions set by the European Union (EU) for the suspension of targeted restrictive measures against some Zimbabweans and entities are laudable.The EU sent an unambiguous message to all t...Published: 24 Jul 2012 at 19:08hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
A commentary on Zimbabwe
News that securocrats have recruited manpower without Treasury approval is frightening ahead of what looks set to be a bloody sham election if Mugabe gets his way. Despite announcing last year...Published: 14 Jun 2012 at 12:19hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Genuine Press Freedom - Not in Mugabe's backyard
Despite being hailed as a "liberator” in 1980, Robert Mugabe was named by the international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders as one of Africa's 7 worst pr...Published: 03 May 2012 at 08:57hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Marange diamonds - questions remain unanswered despite spin
The document entitled, "Mbada Diamonds: The Facts ‘they' will not tell you," New Zimbabwe.com, 28 March 2012, raises more questions than answers. In an appare...Published: 24 Apr 2012 at 20:47hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Zimbabwe at 32 - toasting to looting, lies and hunger
Zimbabwe's 32nd anniversary of independence is sadly no cause for celebration as it comes at a time of deeper crisis of governance and the rule of law.It is sad that Zimbabwe is toasting to "l...Published: 17 Apr 2012 at 19:37hrs | 7 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Can Mugabe order elections like a take-away!
By pushing for ‘elections without reforms now' President Robert Mugabe may have realised his mistake of leaving the succession issue up to the last minute.De...Published: 12 Apr 2012 at 07:00hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
From protests to prophets - Is this what dictators fear!
It could be argued that the recent sudden death of Malawi's Bingu WaMutharika has left many people puzzled as they thought someone other than him was meant by TB Joshua's prophecy. They have b...Published: 09 Apr 2012 at 16:30hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Miss Alex Duval Smith is ill-informed about Zimbabwe
Miss Alex Duval Smith is ill-informed about Zimbabwe to suggest that Robert Mugabe has won over a nation (The Independent, 16/03/12).The British journalist may want to know that of the thous...Published: 19 Mar 2012 at 16:22hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Zanu-PF seems to be shooting itself in both feet this time
By losing its composure and resorting to 'abusive remarks' directed at the SADC mediator, South African president Jacob Zuma, Zanu-pf could be committing political suicide.Serial political tur...Published: 07 Mar 2012 at 12:59hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Would SADC and the AU endorse a military coup in Zimbabwe?
Media reports that Mugabe and his Zanu-pf party are again pushing for elections before the end of the year despite lack of key electoral reforms point towards what looks like a military coup. ...Published: 11 Jan 2012 at 21:06hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Dear 2012, Will you promise to be better than 2011?
It was a great delight and privilege to meet you on Sunday, because many – great and small, who would have liked to see you, could not make it for reasons we s...Published: 03 Jan 2012 at 13:51hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
2011: The year Jonathan Moyo may want to forget quickly
If there is a year that political serial flip-flopper and arguably architect of Zimbabwe's media revenge laws, Jonathan Moyo would NOT like to be reminded of, it is 2011.The year 2011 proved ...Published: 30 Dec 2011 at 17:50hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Tomana is not fooling anyone about Wikileaks
Zimbabwe's Attorney General Johannes Tomana should not think that we are fools by making a u-turn on WikiLeaks just because the accused are now Zanu-pf top brass.Right from the outset, it is i...Published: 15 Dec 2011 at 13:32hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Will Gaddafi's family settle in Zimbabwe?
While the burial of Muammar Gaddafi at an unidentified desert location early Tuesday 25/10/11 might bring closure after unease in the West over the display of his decomposing body in Misratah, the r...Published: 26 Oct 2011 at 06:40hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Zanu-PF's culture of intolerance regrettable
Reports that Zanu-PF MPs are allegedly making frantic moves to block further prosecutions of their party youths accused of killing political opponents in previous elections (The Standard, 16/10/11) ar...Published: 18 Oct 2011 at 10:50hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri
Wikileaks – What will George Charamba say now?
Wikileaks – What will George Charamba say now?Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 08/09/11After 'Zanu-PF welcomed Wikileaks as propaganda manna', according to Mugabe's spokesm...Published: 08 Sep 2011 at 16:40hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Diaspora vote deal hangs in the balance
The disclosure that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and his Zanu-pf counterpart, Robert Mugabe have reached a deal on the diaspora vote (The Zimbabwe Mail12/08/11) has to be treated with a pinch of sa...Published: 13 Aug 2011 at 23:28hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Is the EU trivialising human rights abuse in Zimbabwe?
News reports that the European Union is to lift its ban on Zimbabwe's 'blood diamonds' despite torture claims (Telegraph.co.uk, 08/08/11) are very disturbing and could have serious implications....Published: 11 Aug 2011 at 10:41hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Jonathan Moyo's hypocritical lecture on democracy
While I hold no brief for the British Government, I personally think Jonathan Moyo should be the last person to lecture people on democracy and a free press (ZBC.co.zw, Violence exposes British hypo...Published: 09 Aug 2011 at 16:24hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Marange diamonds torture exposure vindicates civil society
Attempts to cover-up human rights abuses in Marange diamond fields have dismally failed after the BBC Panorama programme found that a torture camp run by Zimbabwean soldiers is operating in the area (...Published: 08 Aug 2011 at 15:31hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Chiadzwa: Can Parliament make a difference!
It is very frustrating to know that Zimbabwe's diamond wealth could be the key to turnaround the economy, but is instead the preserve of smugglers, powerful cliques and syndicates. Ironically, people ...Published: 13 Jul 2011 at 20:32hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
The desperation of Mugabe's CIO
Mugabe's Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents abroad are on a mission abroad to instil fear and disrupt the anti-Mugabe movement in the Diaspora. Among tactics they use are stalking blogger...Published: 09 Jul 2011 at 16:53hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst
Before Elections - Abolish Presidential Temporary Powers
It was shocking to learn that Zimbabwe's coalition Cabinet has approved the Electoral Amendment Bill which bars those in the Diaspora from voting in the next elections. Even more scary is the possibi...Published: 02 Jul 2011 at 22:09hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
New Diamond Act must promote transparency and fair compensation
The proposed Diamond Act (Daily News, 26/06/11) must rectify the problems which have dogged Zimbabwe for years in the exploration, safe mining and secure sale of diamonds. The new Diamond Act of Zimb...Published: 27 Jun 2011 at 15:05hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Mugabe cannot leave SADC and survive politically
As more information is coming to light on what really transpired last week in South Africa, it is becoming clearer that Mugabe cannot leave SADC and survive politically. We say so because: a) there i...Published: 17 Jun 2011 at 15:46hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Cancel Chinese USD98m loan or turn it into a grant
What is left now is for the Parliament of Zimbabwe to cancel the Chinese US$98m loan or turn it into a grant. There are overwhelming reasons for taking such a drastic move in the national interest but...Published: 16 Jun 2011 at 10:43hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Machemedze could spark a serious crisis in Britain and the EU
There is understandable anger at the granting of asylum by a UK judge to Phillip Machemedze, a CIO spy in Mugabe's regime, who admitted smashing an MDC supporter's jaw then pulling out his tooth. In m...Published: 06 Jun 2011 at 08:02hrs | 1 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Does SADC know that Mugabe scorns 'totem-less aliens'?
When SADC leaders eventually discuss the Zimbabwe crisis sometime in June, it is hoped they will tackle the issue of citizenship and nationality because the new constitution seems a pipe dream at th...Published: 06 Jun 2011 at 11:27hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Zimbabwe's anxious moment
Zimbabweans are anxiously watching developments in the endless GPA (Global Political Agreement) talks on the election roadmap which adjourned on Friday 6th May 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. Hopefu...Published: 08 May 2011 at 14:20hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
SADC - Zanu-pf roadmap to nowhere
At a time when we thought SADC leaders had redeemed themselves at Livingstone, Zambia and were now focused, instead the regional bloc is back to its comfort zone – babysitting the di...Published: 05 May 2011 at 18:23hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Draft roadmap for Zimbabwe - a big joke
The publication of the 'Draft roadmap for Zimbabwe' by the Newsday on Thursday 28th April 2011 confirms our worst fears about the so-called 'agreement reached by the GPA negotiators'. There is nothi...Published: 29 Apr 2011 at 19:07hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London,
Is Zanu-pf snub of elections funding official Zimbabwe policy?
The recent snub of EU and UN funding for elections by Zanu-pf should not be taken as official Zimbabwe policy because it was not sanctioned by the coalition government, at least until the other partie...Published: 28 Apr 2011 at 16:26hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
When will Robert Mugabe free the airwaves?
Pressure is building up on the Zimbabwe regime to free the airwaves amidst the dishing out by the Zimbabwe Media Commission of newspaper licences like confetti than previously anticipated. Notably, b...Published: 19 Apr 2011 at 14:28hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
Zanu-pf's damage control on SADC and Pres Zuma - too little, too late
Sadly, Zanu-pf has dismally failed an important test of credibility and sincerity in its belated damage control on the recent attacks on Sadc and South African President Jacob Zuma by its propagandist...Published: 14 Apr 2011 at 20:03hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst
Does Jonathan Moyo know that Gbagbo was finally captured
The humiliating capture of Laurent Gbagbo in a white vest on Sunday by forces loyal to his rival Alassante Quattara who won presidential elections in Ivory Coast must have come as a big shock to Rober...Published: 12 Apr 2011 at 18:45hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst
Zimbabweans seem to put too much trust in tripartite negotiations
When he realized that his regime was under pressure from SADC's Troika, Robert Mugabe immediately seized the opportunity to convene negotiations on the election roadmap which he knew would go nowhere ...Published: 09 Apr 2011 at 18:14hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London
The beginning of the end of Robert Mugabe has started
Like it or hate it, the truth is that the countdown to the end of Robert Mugabe's iron fist rule of Zimbabwe has just started, albeit unofficially. Going by reports that Mugabe had difficulties in ...Published: 05 Apr 2011 at 10:06hrs | 1 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst London
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