Denford Magora's Latest Zimbabwe News Blog

JUSTICE Chigumba, the ZEC Chair, briefing observers at the Harare International Conference Centre earlier today, doubled down on a trend of refusing or failing the transparency test. She is within the law on everything she has done, but ignoring the key test of transparency impacts massively on the credibility of this poll, to the detriment of whoever end up winning this election. We have always defended ZEC against the baseless accusation thrown against them by an opposition that is bent discrediting the election in the hope of it being declared not free and fair and thereby, hopefully, forcing a Government of National Unity with Nelson Chamisa as Prime Minister, but the needless lack of transparency by the electoral body is now wildly carvoting in sabotage territory. Take Justice Chigumba's briefing with Observers today at the Harare International Conference Centre. One thing that has raised alarm bells is her announcement that the electoral body will not be using indeli...

While Morgan Tsvangirai was busy enjoying himself at the Davos World Economic Forum (above), back home in Zimbabwe, he was having the rug pulled from under him by Mugabe, who has instructed all ministers, including Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, to report to the two Vice presidents of Zimbabwe. Harare, Zimbabwe, 05 February 2010 First of all, apologies to Isaac and other avid readers who have fired off emails DEMANDING that I update the blog!!!! (I appreciate your keen interest). The lapse in updating the blog has been the result of a few developments over here in Zimbabwe that took me away from my computer for a few days - out in the bush, my other means of connecting are not as reliable as the broadband in Harare. Now to today's story. In a stunning development revealed by The Independent here today, one of the men I have previously identified as one of the three most powerful men in Zimbabwe, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, has written to all Minister...

While Robert Mugabe was busy making faces in Copenhagen (where he delivered his predictable broadside at the West, Britain "and its allies and also moaned about sanctions), back home, his Acting President was busy accepting gifts from the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, who publicly declared yesterday that they will now intensify their efforts to woo Zimbabweans with direct aid in the form of food hampers and clinics Harare, Zimbabwe, 18 December 2009 It used to be that the Americans and the West were worried about the "Red Menace". Southern Africa was the final battleground of the Cold War, with apartheid South Africa citing Communism as the reason for its existence. But now, it appears the new Cold War is between Christianity and Islam. Day before yesterday, the Islamic Affairs Council of Zimbabwe handed over goodies out in Bindura, the home province of Vice President Mujuru (Acting President, who is not referred to as "Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces...

Robert "Morgan Tsvangirai's Solution" Mugabe receives the Honour Salute at Entebbe Airport in Kampala, Uganda upon his arrival for the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit on Refugees. Mugabe had just left Zimbabwe where he huddled publicly with his Defence Minister and top commander for last minute instructions at Harare International Airport. It is ironic that he should be attending this summit after having caused the fleeing of countless Zimbabweans who have claimed refugee status in South Africa, Britain, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other countries. But we have always known that the dictator has no shame. Harare, Zimbabwe, 22 October 2009 Those of you who are not in Zimbabwe would not have seen this, but I was surprised that even the people here in Zimbabwe missed the significance of an occurrence at the airport yesterday, where Mugabe was preparing to fly out to Uganda to attend yet another useless Summit and line his pockets with even m...

Robert "The Solution" Mugabe, and The Solutioness, Grace Mugabe, seen here at Heroes Acre about a month ago. His ministers revealed at Heroes Acre yesterday that they haven't the foggiest where the old man is. It just goes to show just hos supremely confident he is in his position. Any other leader as unpopular with the people as he is would not dare pull such a stunt Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 August 2009 Robert "The Solution" Mugabe was on the lips of even his ministers yesterday at the Heroes' Acre, where Vice-President Mujuru presided. Confirming what I told you a couple of days ago that not even his ministers are sure where Mugabe is, I was stunned to hear one of them talking to another and saying Mugabe was in Ethiopia. When asked what he was doing there, the Minister replied "I don't know"!. A Central Committee member contradicted him on the spot, however, saying Mugabe was in Singapore and then would go to Hong Kong to see his daughter...!! H...

Vice-president Mujuru, also Acting President of Zimbabwe at this point, today officiated at the burial of national hero Richard Chemist Hove, who was ZANU PF Secretary for Economic Affairs. Mujuru had to step in because Mugabe is still out of the country, reportedly in Dubai, where he is either receiving treatment or getting a check-up Harare, Zimbabwe, 25 August 2009 Vice-president Joice Mujuru, who is Acting President in Zimbabwe while President Robert Mugabe receives treatment in Dubai has just finished officiating at the burial of National Hero Richard Chemist Hove at the Heroes Acre. The burial ceremony ended about two hours ago as I write this. Mujuru used the occasion to pile more pressure on Morgan Tsvangirai with regards the issue of sanctions. Mujuru told the gathering that it is imperative for Britain and "her allies" to remove the "illegal sanctions" imposed on Zimbabwe, adding that she was hopeful that the establishment of the Unity Government with Morg...