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After polls, can Mugabe rig the economy?

After the polls, the question people are asking is whether Mugabe has started to rig the economy following claims and counter claims about price increases and rate cuts, as economists predict a bleak future. The Herald, on Tuesday claimed …

Published: 07 Aug 2013 at 12:10hrs | 4 | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Zimbabwe: Is the electronic voters' roll the smoking gun?

Despite President Jacob Zuma's rather premature congratulatory message to Robert Mugabe (89) as validly elected in Zimbabwe's sham election, attention should focus on an analysis of the electronic voters roll rather than obsess with the ab…

Published: 04 Aug 2013 at 12:50hrs | | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London

Zimbabwe should ignore David Smith and Miles Tendi

As the country finds itself forced into elections without reforms by a tyrant who is desperate for legitimacy to visit London, Zimbabweans should vote for change tomorrow and ignore David Smith's sanitisation of Mugabe's dictatorship.In an…

Published: 30 Jul 2013 at 16:49hrs | 2 | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Coming soon, 'Robert Mugabe: A Tyrant's Quest for Legitimacy'

Preface The purpose of this book is to interrogate the classic authoritarianism of Robert Gabriel Mugabe as Zimbabwe enters an uncertain future after the expiry of the Global Political Agreement amidst squabbling within the coalition gover…

Published: 28 Jul 2013 at 10:29hrs | 1 | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

A ballot and a prayer

Given the chaos that characterised Day 1 of the Special Vote yesterday with one station receiving only ballot paper at one stage, it's fair to say that ZEC will be on 'a ballot and a prayer' come polling day 31 July.Despite attempts by the…

Published: 15 Jul 2013 at 17:41hrs | 2 | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Inertia seems to be Zimbabwe's worst enemy

News that Zimbabwe's House of Assembly sat for only fifteen minutes on 18th June without transacting any business or giving any official explanation of developments related to the recent SADC Summit is a matter of serious concern.Given tha…

Published: 20 Jun 2013 at 03:27hrs | 2 | by Dr Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Is Jonathan Moyo eligible for Zanu-pf primary elections?

While it is subject to confirmation, Jonathan Moyo seems not eligible to contest all forthcoming Zanu-pf primary elections based on guidelines published Friday 14th June 2013.The rules and regulations were released by Zanu-pf Chairperson S…

Published: 15 Jun 2013 at 11:07hrs | 1 | by Dr. Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Is Zanu-PF reading too much into London visit?

For more than 10 years, no senior Zanu-pf official has had the privilege of being hosted by the UK Government until this week's visit by justice minister Mr Patrick Chinamasa. He is a co-guest of the Friends of Zimbabwe in London alongside…

Published: 25 Mar 2013 at 16:07hrs | 1 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Is China funding Zimbabwe's referendum and elections?

All of a sudden Zimbabwe's cash-strapped coalition government has funds for polls despite making an appeal for help from the United Nations to foot its US$250m election bill only a fortnight ago. Ironically, in April 2011, Zanu-pf turned d…

Published: 24 Feb 2013 at 17:48hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Zimbabwe: Constitution and Electoral laws are not cast in stone

The reported âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨Ã€Ãºplan' by Zanu-pf  to âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨Ã€Ãºtorpedo'  Eric Knight and Eric Sibanda's intentions to run for parliament (NewZimbabwe.com, 11/02/13) deserves comment.News that Zanu-pf activist Jonathan Moyo sug…

Published: 12 Feb 2013 at 09:09hrs | 3 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Diaspora Vote: Can NCA come to the rescue!

 Given that the Diaspora Vote is not provided for in Copac drafts backed by the MDC formations and Zanu-pf, could the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) be the Diaspora's last hope? That hope has heightened after SADC facilitat…

Published: 28 Aug 2012 at 21:07hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London

Before President Jacob Zuma leaves for Zimbabwe

Before President Jacob Zuma leaves for Zimbabwe, he should pose a few questions to his advisers: "Is it worth it?", "Where are we getting it wrong?"; "How can we make a difference this time?", and so on.Answers to these questions should ar…

Published: 24 Jun 2012 at 18:08hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

UN's Navi Pillay failed to press Mugabe on key issues

UN's Navi Pillay failed to press Mugabe on key issues Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 27 May 2012One would be excused for feeling short-changed by the UN human rights chief Ms Navi Pillay after she âˆšÃ‰Â¬Â¢âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ„Ã¶Â¬Â¨âˆšÃ£â‰ˆÃ¬failed' to p…

Published: 28 May 2012 at 13:35hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Genuine Press Freedom - Not in Mugabe's backyard

Despite being hailed as a "liberatorâˆšÃ‰Â¬Â¢âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ„Ã¶Â¬Â¨âˆšÃ‡Â¬Ã¹ in 1980, Robert Mugabe was named by the international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders as one of Africa's 7 worst press freedom predators in 2011. Little, if an…

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 âˆšÃ‰Â¬Â¢âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ„Ã¶Â¬Â¨âˆšÃ£â‰ˆÃ¬they' will not tell you," New Zimbabwe.com, 28 March 2012, raises more questions than answers. In an apparent trivialisation of Operation Hakudzokwi (No R…

Published: 24 Apr 2012 at 20:47hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London

Can Mugabe order elections like a take-away!

By pushing for âˆšÃ‰Â¬Â¢âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ„Ã¶Â¬Â¨âˆšÃ£â‰ˆÃ¬elections without reforms now' President Robert Mugabe may have realised his mistake of leaving the succession issue up to the last minute.Despite the regime's diversionary tactic of playin…

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 been puzzled because the imminent death of an Af…

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 thousands of farms Mugabe seized from white commercial…

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 turncoat and Zanu-pf politburo member Jonathan Moy…

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. It would be synonymous with a military coup bec…

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 âˆšÃ‰Â¬Â¢âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ„Ã¶Â¬Â¨âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨â‰ˆÃ¬ great and small, who would have liked to see you, could not make it for reasons we shall not get into now, at least until a…

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 the most embarrassing, stressful and frustrating…

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 important to clarify that nobody should be prose…

Published: 15 Dec 2011 at 13:32hrs | 1 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London

When will Mugabe return Libya's 4 camels to the NTC?

Contrary to high expectations that Mugabe would rein in party stalwarts including most Cabinet ministers implicated in the WikiLeaks disclosures, the octogenarian avoided tackling the explosive issue in a show of poor leadership and hypocr…

Published: 09 Dec 2011 at 12:46hrs | 1 | by Clfford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Aanalyst

BAZ is better challenged through courts than via Mugabe

The concerns of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe over the recent granting of commercial radio licences to two organisations with Zanu-PF links are understandable but should be channelled through the courts than via Ro…

Published: 01 Dec 2011 at 10:14hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

Marange Diamond Revenue: A Clueless Jigsaw Puzzle?

The statistics or estimates of proceeds from Marange diamonds are so mind-boggling in their discrepancies that at the end of the day, one is left with a clueless jigsaw puzzle, if not a headache. For instance, following the lifting of the …

Published: 29 Nov 2011 at 15:01hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

I applaud Bulawayo residents for Zesa money clubs

I have been following with interest the hardships that ordinary Zimbabweans are facing with electricity bills that I am even writing a book which includes Zesa. But, please donâˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨â€šÃ‘Â¢t rush me to finish it soon!!However, I was …

Published: 16 Nov 2011 at 12:51hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

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 real drama is arguably only beginning.Medi…

Published: 26 Oct 2011 at 06:40hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London

Wikileaks âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨â€šÃ„Ãº What will George Charamba say now?

Wikileaks âˆšÂ¢â€šÃ‡Â¨â€šÃ„Ãº What will George Charamba say now?Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, 08/09/11After 'Zanu-PF welcomed Wikileaks as propaganda manna', according to Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba in December last year, is it now a ca…

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 salt.It is pre-mature to celebrate the ag…

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.Zimbabwe's diamond civil society will be just…

Published: 11 Aug 2011 at 10:41hrs | 1 | 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 hypocrisy, 08/08/11). It is clear that Moyo a…

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 (BBC.co.uk, Marange diamond field: Zimba…

Published: 08 Aug 2011 at 15:31hrs | 1 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London

Is Jonathan Moyo regretting his anti Mugabe stance?

Yes it's true that Jonathan Moyo hates his past because proof lies in his writings in which he passionately castigated Robert Mugabe, the President of Zanu-PF. Moyo said and did things that he now wishes he should never have said or done. …

Published: 15 Jul 2011 at 16:16hrs | | 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 are starving and struggling to make end…

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 bloggers (writers of internet articles) and jus…

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 possibility that the offending Bill could be fa…

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 Zimbabwe must promote transparency and fair …

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 is mandate for SADC intervention; b) ther…

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 we will focus on 5 key reasons.Firstly…

Published: 16 Jun 2011 at 10:43hrs | | 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 the moment. For instance, do SADC leaders k…

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. Hopefully, there will be no false alarms this …

Published: 08 May 2011 at 14:20hrs | | 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 nothing on the Diaspora vote or monitoring by …

Published: 29 Apr 2011 at 19:07hrs | 1 | 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 parties publicly endorse that position. Regre…

Published: 28 Apr 2011 at 16:26hrs | 1 | 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, by 15 April, a total of 22 publications h…

Published: 19 Apr 2011 at 14:28hrs | | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst, London

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 Robert Mugabe's ally Jonathan Moyo. Poured s…

Published: 12 Apr 2011 at 18:45hrs | 1 | 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 except to give him a breathing space. S…

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 getting off a chartered Air Zim flight to …

Published: 05 Apr 2011 at 10:06hrs | 2 | by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri | Political Analyst London

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