MDC MP Meki Makuyana gets 18 months jail term

A member of parliament for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDc) was sentenced to 18 months in prison, six of them suspended on Thursday after conviction on charges that he committed violence in the post-election period of 2008.

The MP for the Chipinge South constituency of Manicaland province in the House of Assembly Meki Makuyana, is the fourt MP from the MDC to be convicted and sentenced this year.

According to VOA News;

Mutare West MP Shuah Mudiwa was recently handed a seven year sentence for kidnapping.

Chipinge East member Mathias Mlambo got 10 months for committing public violence, and lawmaker Lynette Karenyi of Chimanimani West was found guilty of electoral fraud.

Karenyi, Mudiwa and Mlambo have appealed their convictions, and lawyers for Makuyana are also filing an appeal. The MDC issued a statement calling all the charges “trumped up.”

MDC Manicaland spokesman Pishai Muchauraya told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that such convictions reflect an attempt by the former ruling ZANU-PF party and loyalists in the judiciary to whittle down the MDC's House majority.

Is Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party committed to this government of national unity? What is the Tsvangirai and the MDC doing about these arrests? Why is it that Zanu PF MPs are not being send to jail? Is there one law for the majority and another for Zanu PF members?

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Benjani Mwaruwari to re-join Pompey?

Zimbabwe football captain Benjani Mwaruwari says he would relish the chance to return to Portsmouth. The Zimbabwe international has struggled to make an impact at Manchester City, mainly due to injuries. Recent reports have also linked him with a move to Stoke City. However Benjani has suggested that he may prefer to return to Portsmouth if City decide to sell him.

"I have good memories and I have a special relationship with the Portsmouth supporters," he said in The News.

"I left on a good note and I have nothing but good feelings about them, that's for sure.

"I'd love to play for them again, but at the moment I'm contracted to Manchester City.

"I have a job to do here until I'm told anything else.

"There is a lot of talk about my future, but at the moment I'm still a Manchester City player.

"Obviously there is always speculation in football, though. I am happy to stay unless the club declare they do not want me anymore.

"In football, you never know what is around the corner."

Moving from Manchester City will probably be in the best interest of Benjani. With the mega bucks at City and big name stars set to come in, his opportunities will be very limited next season. I wish him all the best in the coming season, hope he will get the opportunity to show his talent.

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Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai speaks to African Voices

I got an email from Ali Merifield, that I think is of interest to all you Zimbabweans. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is speaking to ‘African Voices’ on CNN this weekend - http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/africanvoices/ African Voices airs again today Sunday June 28th at 19.00CAT for those in Zimbabwe and (1800GMT). Tsvangirai talks about his childhood in a small village and eight brothers and sisters, and what inspired his political consciousness. He describes the hard work in the mine and with the trade unions, to the romance of love at first sight when he met his wife, Susan.

Tsvangirai discusses his early political career, his subsequent disillusionment with ZANU PF in the ‘80s, from thinking of Robert Mugabe as his hero, and the shock at the transformation and deterioration of his leadership. He speaks about representing the real working classes through his party the MDC, keeping the faith through the years, and the circumstances that led to the Unity Government.

Also on the programme Morgan Tsvangirai talk about the challenges ahead, his hopes and fears for the future of his country, the role of the international community, and the evolution of Zimbabwe.

Don't forget African Voices airs today Sunday June 28th at 19.00CAT for Zimbabwe and (1800GMT).

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Response to the booing and hackling of Prime Minister Tsvangirai in London

Here is a response by one of the readers of Townshipvibes in the post To Boo or not to Boo?
Just to comment on the booing of the PM in London.

As one of those on the meeting (but did not boo the PM), l sympathised with those booing because, like me, people expected the PM to give an honest and detailed update of the current situation in the country. What impediments, if any, is the MDC facing in trying to functionalise the tripartite arrangement? Its in the public domain that the MDC is seeking recourse of SADCC on issues of disagreement with ZANU PF (e.g the Gono, etc issues). What are the implications of these referrals on progressive engagement of the tripartite phenomenon?

Why are MDC MPs (not ZANU PF) being heckled before the courts at a time when mutual trust should be prevailing? For goodness' sake, why is MDC (with the majority of Legislators in parliament) sitting on the fence whilst ZANU PF thugs continue to evade commercial farms and kill the backbone of our economy? Is the PM myopic enough to see what these acts of none governance and total disregard to the rule of law translate in the minds of those in the diaspora.

Is he aware we are living in a world where even Gordon Brown or Barrack Obama can be told off or their policies openly and publicly criticised without victimisation, etc.

Unfortunately the diaspora has widened people's horizons to the extent they will expect assurances in basic freedom, economic recovery, human rights for everyone and mostly, to be treated with dignity and respect by leaders and the institutions they control, among others. How does the PM think the diaspora will take it if we read that some stupid Ex-combatants are declaring (not negotiating) that Gono will stay as Reserve Bank Governor and that land invasions will continue unabated, not to mention Mugabe will never GO!!! Its provided that in18 months' time, constitutional reforms will be enacted and elections held. Is the PM aware that opposition supporters could still be tortured, killed and/or detained by the same institutions he is not controlling now (Police, CIO, ex-combatants and Solgers).

When this happens and we have returned home enmasse, is MDC going to be there for us when its not even there today for those supporters
currently detained or awaiting fabricated trials (MDC Legislators included)???? l think the diaspora is now wiser enough to seek reason and commitment than emotion. l still wish the PM does not get carried away by the current fiasco and request that he puts opposition principles and determination before power. ZANU PF is still the same old monster that swallowed ZAPU and its own patriotic individuals.

In concluding, l consider that the PM saw it fit to fail to engage his audience (sp); address some of the above, and critically, to remember that he was not addressing a rally in (with due respect to our colleagues back home) in Harare, Bulawayo, etc. He failed to read through the implications of his unfortunate call (for us to return home) 18 months down the road or what message it sends to the British government. If anything, it was indeed the PM who failed to utilise this opportunity to tell it as it is, and leave it open for everyone in the diaspora to make personal decisions on whether to return or not based on honest and unpatriotic update. Leaving the meeting, l concluded participates were right in advising and declaring to the PM "Chinja, maitiro chinja" (Change) or else change will surpass him. All the same, we still love and behold Tsvangirayi and the MDC, don't get us wrong on this one!!!!

Feel free to respond and share your views on the booing and heckling of Prime Minister Tsvangirai in London.

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