Wednesday, 31 July 2013

Zimbabwe Election: The 11 Weirdest Tweets ZANU-PF

We came across this article and have had looked on twitter. We hope it is a Parody Account though knowing ZANU-PF we think IT IS probably their twitter account.


Millions of Zimbabweans are heading to the polls Wednesday to vote, either for him or his political rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
As head of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Mugabe, who is 89 years old, has been in power since Zimbabwe's internationally recognized independence in 1980, ostensibly "winning" multiple elections since then (some of which were generally regarded as being rigged).
If he loses, Mugabe says he will step down. There's evidence of voter roll-rigging, and observers are concerned about possible post-election violence. So far, voting seems calm and relatively orderly, without the violence that occurred last round, in 2008.
It's a serious election with serious implications for a country that has faced multiple human rights abuses, the near-complete collapse of its public health system, and  remarkable economic decline while Mugabe has been in office. 
ZANU-PF's social media manager is having quite the day, though, and has posted some truly strange and shocking tweets:
1. This Time is Different — Promise!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
All are hoping this is the case, and that the election is unusually peaceful. So far, so good.
Unusual, because it would be in contrast to 2008's pre-election violence, which saw Tsvangirai drop out weeks before the vote due to violence against his supporters.
2. We Know Who You Voted For...
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
ZANU-PF has made good on this threat before.
In 2008, citizens were forced to vote, in a futile attempt to make the one-person contest seem legitimate. 
3. We'll Beat the Opposition. You Don't Want to Be Beaten, Do You?
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
See #2
4. "Car Accidents"
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
Have to give ZANU-PF credit for the panoply of thinly-veiled threats they've publicized. 
5. Vote for Us! Because: Sex. Or Something.
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
Presumably, this is in reference to Mugabe's clear and consistent condemnation of homosexuality, and Tsvangirai's support of gay rights. From the article:
"Mugabe, who has ranted about homosexuality for years, has previously branded gays ‘worse than dogs.’"



6. Or Else Your Wife Will Marry Another Woman!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
Tsvangirai reversed his previous condemnation of homosexuality, claiming that he would support gay rights if elected president. Here's what he said to the BBC:
"It's a very controversial subject in my part of the world. My attitude is that I hope the constitution will come out with freedom of sexual orientation, for as long as it does not interfere with anybody," he told Newsnight's Gavin Esler.
"To me, it's a human right," he said.
7. Want to Last Longer? Vote For Us!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
We're moving past the explicit and implicit threats and the anti-homosexual ranting. Now we're at just plain... strange. 
8. Think Of the Men!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
Because if anyone needs to be supported more, it's men. 
9. Vote For Us, Win a Farm!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
Earlier, they were also offering a "free diamond from the conflict free soil of Zimbabwe" and a "Mystery Prize. Under the table."
Unfortunately, the prizes must have already been given out, as they deleted those tweets. 
10. "I'm Not Saying He Eats Children, I'm Just Saying..."
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
11. Twitter is Rigged by Imperialists!
zimbabwe, election:, the, 11, weirdest, tweets, from, its, ruling, party, ,
This would also explain why Twitter says I only have 196 followers, instead of the 1,240,483 I'm sure wait on bated breath for my next 140 characters of wit and wisdom. 

Remember Zimbabwe - Change means improvement! - by Melusi Sibanda

This morning I go under anaesthesia for a minor medical procedure. I hope to wake up to change and transition in my beloved Zimbabwe. REMEMBER Zimbabweans that change is not only about unseating ZANU PF, it also involves us improving our treatment of all people. By this, I mean we must PROGRESS as a nation through programs like reintergrating 'white' Zimbabweans into the populous, accepting gay and trans-gender people in to our society; and facing the fact that we are not all religious - everyman has the right to believe or not to believe. These are our human rights obligations!
Good luck!! They say change is essence of life, lets prove it... HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL!!!!

Melusi Sibanda  Information & Publicity Secretary - ROHR Zimbabwe - Bradford Branch

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

12 Hours to Zimbabwe Elections!! (by Justice Sibanda

12 Hours to go! Anyone else have butterflies in their stomach?

We will be waiting and watching with baited breath as the results come and beyond on what will hopefully be a new beginning for the people of Zimbabwe.

Melusi Sibanda @ Unity Day Leeds

Justice Sibanda @ Unity Day Leeds

We came across this banner this past weekend and I believe this an apt message from us to all Zimbabweans voting tomorrow -  it is time to reclaim the power. Time to liberate Zimbabwe.


WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Friday, 26 July 2013

5 Days to Zimbabwe Elections!!

http://zimbabweelection.com/2013/07/26/ffze-zimbabwe-election-violence-this-week-3/

Cases of politically-motivated violence continue to be reported daily and observers have questioned Mr Mugabe’s sincerity in calling for a peaceful poll as ZANU-PF supporters continue intimidate their opponents. Most  political analysts believe that Mugabe cannot win the election fairly. Further evidence Mugabe is pulling out all the stops to win mounted this week as it emerged his loyalists are now using the police to serialise ballots, adding to several already exposed election preparation scandals, in a move that is likely to spark outrage just a few days before polling day.

Police were also reportedly printing ballots. Senior government officials told the Zimbabwe Independent this week police’s controversial involvement in ballot printing and inserting of serial numbers may well be unconstitutional and unlawful. Five days to elections and our mood is one of cautious optimism that these elections despite all odds will be free and fair. Very doubtful that ZANU-PF will do the right thing.

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Monday, 22 July 2013

How to watch Zimbabwe 1st TV on the internet

Zimbabwe 1st TV went live on Friday the 21st of July. In addition to beaming to free-to-air satellite TV decoders, the channel is available for online viewing. The channel can be viewed as streaming service you Ustream, viewed as recorded shows on YouTube, and followed on Facebook for some social interaction on the content they are beaming.


The video streaming service can be accessed here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/zimbabwe-1st-tv. While the channel is “Off air” you can watch recorded content. While the channel is live viewers can pose questions to panelists via Twitter and Facebook. Currently streaming is an interesting piece interviewing Businessman Mutumwa Dziva Mawere where he is questioned about his reasons for endorsing Morgan Tsvangirai for the presidency, whether he owes his fortune to ZANU PF and the issue surrounding his citizenship, it is well worth seeing. 


WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Thursday, 18 July 2013

Keep up the good work Baba Jukwa - by Melusi Sibanda

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/10185686/Robert-Mugabes-Zimbabwe-cannot-survive-an-era-of-internet-openness.html

Baba Jukwa has them by the scrotum! They have never had to deal with anything or anyone like him before! This is absolutely gripping - like a John Grisham novel!

WHO IS BABA JUKWA?

How brilliant would it be if it turned out Baba Jukwa was a total insider like Bona Mugabe, hahaha dreams!

As I stated in my blog (Technology and social networking - our eye in sky in this Election) earlier in the year
'.....whatever happens the world is watching and the news keeps rolling. Anything and everything that’s said and done will be recorded and reported, whoever you are or you think you are...) Read it below..

How on earth did we manage to live without the internet? One thing’s for certain, the information is out there, and when it comes down to the crunch nothing can be swept under the carpet. No vote rigging, violence, false arrests or corruption will go unseen and unreported.

The good news is that internet is covering all aspects of the Zimbabwean election, from on the ground voter registration blogging to campaigning and even neutral observations. The blogs are colossal and illimitable and some of the websites tremendous. The reservoir of information is so extensive and boundless that one has to be careful how they take it all in. There will always some dodgy reporting, but it’s up to the reader to be intelligent enough to sieve through the data and eliminate the rubbish.  It is important that both the writer and reader are able to differentiate between opinion and fact. A note to all writers - We can all have our own opinions but we can’t have our own facts!

On the campaign circuit there has been a change in campaign strategy, with ZANU PF trying to sell RGM as ‘Mr Nice Guy’ through his Facebook campaign and even appearing Dali Tambo’s People of the South Show. I’m not sure how this direction has worked-out for ZANU however one senses that it may have back-fired as it has drawn a lot of ugly debate within and outside Zimbabwe. Meanwhile Morgan has held what seems like a dignified and softer Facebook campaign, however I’m not sure if this will be enough to gain him victory over the ZANU campaign, especially when it switches to aggressive mode.

Then we have the issue of the incongruous court ruling stating that the Election must be held before August 2013. But again as Zimbos nothing shocks us anymore – who knows, this could work as an advantage for the common man on the ground with ZANU PF not having too much time to set up the ground-work for their physical assault on the masses.

As I’ve already stated, whatever happens the world is watching and the news keeps rolling. Anything and everything that’s said and done will be recorded and reported, whoever you are or you think you are...

A shout-out to Trevor Ncube and his team for starting up the latest independent newspaper in Zimbabwe – The Southern Eye. You are true pioneers!


We are Watching...


Melusi Sibanda – Information & Publicity Secretary ROHRZim/Bradford Bunch

Independent Zimbabwe poll monitors foresee more poll chaos, call for election postponement (by Justice Sibanda)

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/17/independent-zimbabwe-poll-monitors-foresee-more-poll-chaos-call-for-election/

An independent Zimbabwe election monitoring group said Wednesday many of the nation’s 6.2 million voters will not be likely to cast their ballots if elections are not delayed. Less than 10 percent of police and officials eligible for a special vote ahead of crucial national polls managed to cast their ballots in early polling “fraught with irregularities,” the Election Resource Center said. About 80,000 police, soldiers and officials will be on duty during the July 31 vote.

We are all thinking it and the opposition have also been saying it - the chaotic organisation of the special vote shows that Zimbabwe is not ready for the July 31 Election in which over 6 million people are expected to vote. It all points to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) being ill-prepared. ZEC has since issued an apology to those that were unable to vote blaming "logistical challenges". I have since found out from Newsday.co.zw that "Thousand of members of the uniformed forces and other civil servants who failed to cast their ballots in the just-ended two-day special voting window are no longer able to exercise their voting rights come July 31 because the law does not give them that alternative".  - SO WHAT NOW??

These ongoing logistical problems along with allegations of massive vote rigging already on the special vote are likely to undermine the credibility of the election result.


WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Yes we ARE watching!!!


http://zimbabweelection.com/2013/07/16/the-world-is-watching-zimbabwe-sadc//

What are we about? (by Melusi Sibanda)

We are the Bradford Branch of Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe. We were established in November 2012 to work towards the some aims and objectives as stated on our mother organisation's website http://www.rohrzim.org.

This blog is a mouth piece for the Bradford branch's campaigns particularly focusing on human rights issues relating to the up and coming elections in Zimbabwe.

We hope to raise the volume of this particular campaign by bringing attention and awareness to the brutal crack downs currently being experienced by Human Rights activists, lawyers and even opposition party leaders and members that is currently happening in Zimbabwe.

Our aim is to let the Zimbabwean authorities and people know that the world is watching as we approach the elections. We intend to run a campaign to secure accountability for the respect for human rights legal standards. This will involve our branch lobbying the authorities in order to advocate the UK authorities to apply more pressure on the Zimbabwean state to implement the international human rights obligations it has accepted on various occasions.

It is widely known and reported that the Zimbabwean authorities (police) and ZANU PF supporters and leaders are the major perpetrators of violations against human rights in Zimbabwe. Through their gangs and surveillence agents they terrorise lawyers, activists, politicians and anyone who speaks against them through excessive force, violence, arrests, false imprisonments and even murders. THIS HAS TO STOP!

This blog is not here to quote anyone or plug reports by journalists because we all know or have an idea about what is happening in Zimbabawe. Neither are we here to to write flawless papers or grammatically correct thesis on the goings on in Zim. We are here simply to run a campaign to let it be known to the Zimbabwean authorities that 'THIS TIME, WE ARE WATCHING'. If you you don't take us seriously all we can say is 'Gbagbo, Taylor, Ntanganda'...need we continue? Let the campaign begin...

We ARE Watching

Melusi Sibanda Publicity & Information Secretary - ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Monday, 15 July 2013

It's Time to let the people make their Choice Mr Mugabe! - Melusi Sibanda

Withholding information is tyrannical & the control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.
“Time and time again does the pride of man influence his very own fall. While denying it, one gradually starts to believe that he is the authority, or that he possesses great moral dominion over others, yet it is spiritually unwarranted. By that point he loses steam; in result, he falsely begins trying to prove that unwarranted dominion by seizing the role of a condemner.” 
― Criss JamiSalomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile



“Within a system which denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family, property or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure. A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity. It is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule of the principle that might is right to free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear. Yet even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilized man.” 

― Aung San Suu KyiFreedom from Fear

We are Watching 

By Melusi Sibanda Information & Publicity Secretary - ROHR Zimbabwe Bradford

ZANU-PF leads in human rights violations - by Justice Sibanda

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2013/07/14/zanu-pf-leads-in-human-rights-violations/

According to a Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) analysis between January and June this year,ZANU PF supporters and State security agents contributed to 55% of the major human rights violations in the past six months, a report by a local non-governmental organisation has revealed. Broken down further it was found that Zanu PF supporters contributed to 29% of the human rights violation cases in the country. At least 13% of the violations were attributed to police and intelligence personnel with 10% each to war veterans and soldiers. The other contributors to violations were identified as youths. Zanu PF and MDC-T accounted for 19%, traditional and political leaders 16% and officials from the Registrar General’s Office accounted for 3%.

There are widespread reports of increased violence are coming as the country prepares for elections on July 31. We call on all election observers to meticulously document human rights violations, and urge SADC to ensure that all parties are aware that human rights violations will not be tolerated.

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Friday, 12 July 2013

Back To The Usual Dirty Tactics- By Kwanele Khupe

http://thezimbabwemirror.com/police-ban-mdc-rallies/

The state run police are trying every dirty trick to try and stiffle the opposition. They are banning MDC rallies because they claim to have not enough resources to man these demonatrations.



These can only be the desperate measures for a state run organisation at the twilight of its existance. Democratic change is imminent in Zimbabwe and cheap dirty tactics wont stop it.

Kwanele Khupe

Yet another-other damning report - (By Justice Sibanda)

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_23286.pdf

Zimbabwean police are continuing to target and intimidate human rights defenders ahead of elections later this month according to a new report published by Amnesty International today.

This report highlights human rights concerns that need to be addressed by the Government of National Unity (GNU), political parties in Zimbabwe, the Southern Africa Development Community and the African Union in the run up to the 2013 harmonized elections. It is based on interviews with human rights defenders, political activists, and victims of human rights violations and government officials which were conducted in the first half of 2013. It also incorporates human rights monitoring and documentation conducted by Amnesty International since September 2008 to date. Amnesty International has conducted 15 trips to Zimbabwe since September 2008 including a visit to the country by the organization’s Secretary General in June 2009 soon after the GNU was set up.

WE ARE WATCHING!!!  
  
Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Yet another damning report - (By Melusi Sibanda)

'President Mugabe, the military, police, and security sector have abridged the human rights of the
Zimbabwean people with impunity. Those who challenge President Mugabe’s directives are
routinely branded “enemies of the state and agents of regime change' .

Such are the words used to describe the current political situation in Zimbabwe in the latest report by the Robert F Kennedy Centre for Justice & Human Rights. The report is entitled  'A Promise in Peril - How widespread rights violations undermine Zimbabwe's elections.'

It is a truly fascinating read although predictive...

http://rfkcenter.org/images/attachments/article/1956/RFK_Zimbabwe_Report-130708_LR.pdf

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

'We Are Watching' Campaign - 6th of July Report (by Justice Sibanda)

On the 6th of July members of Bradford ROHR Branch namely Lorraine Mudjgiwa (Chairperson), Justice Sibanda (Organizing Secretary), Melusi Sibanda (Information & Publicity Secretary), Gladys Jinjika (Vice Chairperson)  and Peter Jaure (Secretary) took the campaign back to Bradford city center. With the Elections in Zimbabwe only three weeks away our aim was to highlight to members of our community concerns that the violence and vote rigging that accompanied elections in Zimbabwe in 2008 will not be repeated. We set up at 10am, the session involved talking to members of the public that stopped to enquire and giving them as much information as possible of the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe of leading up to the elections. For those that we were willing to show support, quite a few asked if there was anything they could do to help, we asked them to sign a petition requesting for the United Nations to send observers to Zimbabwe to monitor the elections.

It is worth mentioning that the Bradford community in large seems to be warming up to us, we were asked on a few occasions when we would be back in the city campaigning, we believe that this interest will stand us in good steed and work to our advantage in future campaigns. Photos of the event are available below;
Zimbabwe Election "We watching campaign" ROHRZim Bradford City Centre 









Justice Sibanda, Melusi Sibanda and Lorraine Mudjiwa @ROHRZim Bradford City Centre

Peter Jaure, Justice Sibanda and Lorraine Mudjiwa @ROHRZim Bradford City Centre








Melusi Sibanda @ROHRZim Bradford City Centre

Peter Jaure, Gladys Jinjika and Lorraine Mudjiwa @ROHRZim Bradford City Centre












Peter Jaure, Gladys Jinjika and Lorraine Mudjiwa @ROHRZim Bradford City Centre