WEEKLY POLITICAL & SOCIAL NEWS (AUGUST 24
th- AUGUST 28
th)
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Politics
South Africa awaits JSC decision on Judge Hlophe
Questions continue around Oilgate saga
ANC cracks whip at party’s municipal councillors
Arrest of Sandi Majali on hold as he aids prosecution in Oilgate scandal
President Zuma meets leaders of opposition political parties
JSC expected to issue statement on Judge John Hlophe
Foreign Relations
President Zuma pays a working visit to Zimbabwe
Calls for President Zuma to resolve Zimbabwean crisis
Crime
Police investigate rape and murder of Pretoria mother
Cape Town metro cop killed - possibly for his service pistol
Johannesburg police may have bust garage robberies gang
Pretoria rocked by another violent and fatal robbery
Other Social Issues
Team South Africa celebrates medal victory
Taxi association adamant that strike will go ahead
Alarming increase in swine flu deaths in South Africa
South Africa’s champion athletes meet President Zuma
Gauteng Premier – province will not be held to ransom by taxi industry
SANDF members protest over salary increases
Face masks will not protect people from H1N1 virus
Defence Minister condemns illegal march by soldiers
SACTWU rejects latest wage offer
Neighbouring Countries
Malagasy rivals committed to power-sharing
Lesotho Prime Minister attack case postponed
Malagasy leaders discuss top posts in transitional government
Former Malagasy president rejects Andry Rajoelina as transitional leader
Malagasy talks end without agreement
POLITICS
South Africa awaits JSC decision on Judge Hlophe
This week, pressure continues to mount on the Judicial Service Commission ((JSC - a watchdog parastatal agency which advises the national government on any matter relating to the judiciary or the administration of justice) to announce its decision on Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe.
Since its meeting on 15 August to take a decision on the matter, the JSC still cannot confirm when its decision on whether it will continue with the investigation against Judge Hlophe will be announced. At issue is whether the JSC Disciplinary Committee believes there is prima facie evidence that Judge Hlophe interfered with Constitutional Court cases relating to President Jacob Zuma (before his election as the country’s president).
Several senior legal figures say they are not going to comment on the matter because of the sensitivity around it but renowned South African law professor, Shadrack Gutto insists the inquiry should continue. Professor Gutto says, “It would be surprising if it was found there was no legal basis to continue the investigation.”
Almost every legal person contacted on the issue considers it vitally important. University of Cape Town Law Professor Hugh Calder says, “What is hanging in the balance is the future independence and impartiality of the highest court (the Constitutional Court).”
The JSC will only say that it is taking so long to reveal its decision in the Judge Hlophe matter because it is the most important decision that it has ever had to make.
Questions continue around Oilgate saga
The official opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), will bring up the Oilgate issue directly with President Jacob Zuma when the DA’s parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip meets the President later this week. Several parliamentary opposition leaders will meet President Zuma on Thursday and the DA says it wants the President to release the Donen Commission Report for public scrutiny.
Advocate Michael Donen was appointed in February 2006 by then President Thabo Mbeki to head a commission of inquiry to determine whether South African companies, linked to the ruling African National Congress (ANC), abused the Iraqi Oil-for-Food (OFF) Programme under the auspices of the United Nations. The DA’s Mr Trollip says this is an issue that could set the tone for Mr Zuma’s presidency, commenting “We are going to be asking President Zuma what he is going to be doing about this. I believe it is a golden opportunity for him to show the difference between his style of presidency and that of his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki and to see if he is serious about taking action against corruption.”
[The man at the centre of the Oilgate saga, Sandi Majali is reportedly facing arrest. Reportedly, the arrest has nothing to do with his oil dealings - instead a warrant of arrest has been issued for Mr Majali in connection with fraud, corruption and money laundering. The charges are related to tenders issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department. The charges are also linked to those faced by Durban businessman, Jabulani Mabaso who won a multimillion rand contract to distribute stationery to schools.]
ANC cracks whip at party’s municipal councillors
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe has ordered the party’s municipal councillors in Gauteng to start accounting to citizens, saying a lack of accountability was the cause of recent service delivery protests. On Wednesday, Mr Mantashe told municipal councillors at a workshop on service delivery in Alberton that they must hold public meetings immediately to inform residents about government plans.
Mr Mantashe says if municipal councillors had held regular public meetings some of the problems facing communities could have been detected earlier and a crisis averted. Mr Mantashe says municipal councillors belonging to the ANC must report to the party’s branches and the branches have to arrange public meetings to inform residents. Mr Mantashe says municipal councillors must stop being dismissive when genuine delivery grievances are raised, as such tendencies will deepen the crisis facing local government. Mr Mantashe also spoke out against the deployment of unqualified “comrades” to top management positions in municipalities and against laziness and corruption. He says the ANC will conduct a performance assessment of all its municipal councillors between now and December 2009 and another one in the middle of next year.
The assessment will include whether municipal councillors attended council meetings and ANC caucus meetings. It will also assess whether the councillors called public meetings and took steps to further improve their knowledge of issues around development. This assessment will help the ruling party to prepare for the 2011 local government elections and assist with the selection of suitable candidates. The ANC will provide feedback to municipal councillors so that the bad performers can improve and those who have failed are kicked out. Mr Mantashe says the ANC must retain experience to ensure continuity. About 67% of current ANC municipal councillors are in their first terms, 28%
in their second term and only 5% in their third term or more. Mr Mantashe says this is an indictment against the ANC and, in future, when the ruling party elects public officials, it must take a conscious decision to retain experience and continuity.
Arrest of Sandi Majali on hold as he aids prosecution in Oilgate scandal
The businessman at the centre of the Oilgate scandal, Sandi Majali, has not been arrested as he has made representations to the prosecution. It was reported earlier this week that the police were poised to arrest Mr Majali in connection with a R200-million corruption probe related to a tender issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department.
Mr Majali was meant to have been arrested last month, but the warrant was not executed when the prosecutors gave him an opportunity to answer questions. This week, the prosecution gave Mr Majali another chance to furnish it with the answers it required. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined to comment because it says the matter is still under police investigation and does not want to jeopardize the case.
It is alleged that Mr Majali assisted fraud and corruption between a Durban businessman and the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department. Mr Majali was in charge of Imvume Management, which used an R11-million advance from state oil company, PetroSA to help the African National Congress (ANC) fund its 2004 election campaign. The independent weekly Mail & Guardian newspaper printed several articles in 2005 exposing how the money had flowed from PetroSA to the ANC through empowerment oil company, Imvume Management. The Public Protector, Advocate Lawrence Mushwana, subsequently found no wrongdoing by PetroSA. However, last month the North Gauteng (Pretoria) High Court set aside Advocate Mushwana’s report and ordered him to re-investigate the allegations.
President Zuma meets leaders of opposition political parties
President Jacob Zuma has promised to regularly meet opposition party leaders to discuss issues of national and international importance, while also revealing that he is awaiting legal advice on the findings of the Donen Commission into alleged breaches of the UN oil-for-food (OFF) programme in Iraq.
On Thursday, President Zuma held his first meeting with leaders from 13 opposition parties at Tuynhuys (the President’s office in Cape Town) since assuming office in May. After the meeting, the President said the discussions had been frank and a starting point for future engagement on a range of issues affecting the state. President Zuma, who committed himself to improving relations with opposition parties soon after his election as President, also surprised Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi with a chocolate cake to mark the veteran Member of Parliament’s 81st birthday on Thursday.
President Zuma says although Parliament offers opposition political parties the opportunity to express their views, he feels there is a need to talk to party leaders outside Parliament. The President commented, “It is important that we accord these parties the respect and consideration that we accord to the people they represent. We will be meeting not just once, but on a continuous basis so that government can brief the political parties. For example, if we go to international conferences, we do not represent the ruling party, we represent South Africa and these political parties represent a good percentage of the South Africans who voted for them and they have a right to be briefed and to contribute views that government could articulate in those meetings.”
On Thursday, when President Zuma was asked about reports that the Donen Commission had implicated Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (for having knowledge of South African businessman, Sandi Majali’s oil deals with the Iraqi government), the President replied that he still has to act on the matter because state legal advisers are currently applying their minds to the report. The Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip described Thursday’s meeting with President Zuma as a positive step in strengthening the country's constitutional democracy. However, Mr Trollip says he is disappointed that President Zuma has not committed himself on how soon he will get legal advice on the Donen Commission's report.
JSC expected to issue statement on Judge John Hlophe
On Friday (28 August), the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is expected to issue a statement on whether hearings into the conduct of Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe will continue. A JSC spokesman, Advocate Marumo Moerane says that after weeks of deliberations the decision will be announced on Friday. However, Advocate Moerane says Judge Hlophe will be notified before the decision is made available to the public.
By late on Thursday afternoon, Judge Hlophe’s lawyer Barnabas Xulu said he had not heard anything yet from the JSC. The much anticipated decision comes after a 3-member JSC sub-committee hearing was held early in August.
The hearing was held to consider claims made by several Judges of the Constitutional Court that Judge Hlophe attempted to improperly influence the judgment in a matter related to President Jacob Zuma (who was then ANC President and not yet country President). After this complaint was laid by the Constitutional Court Judges in May 2008, Judge Hlophe filed a counter-complaint. A hearing by the JSC in April this year heard testimony from Judge Chris Jafta and Judge Bess Nkabinde, but Judge Hlophe successfully applied to the North Gauteng (Pretoria) High Court to declare these hearings null and void because he was ill at the time. Earlier this month, the 3-member JSC sub-committee called Judge Hlophe to testify and said it would make its decision public once the entire JSC had discussed the matter.
[Cape Judge President John Hlophe no longer faces the threat of impeachment. On Friday morning, the daily newspaper, The Star, reported that the JSC's complaints committee has decided not to proceed with the gross misconduct complaint against Judge Hlophe, finding that there is no prima facie case against him. Judge Hlophe is expected to return to work on Monday next week, just days before he will again face the JSC, this time as a nominee for a Constitutional Court position].
FOREIGN RELATIONS
President Zuma pays a working visit to Zimbabwe
President Jacob Zuma will travel to Zimbabwe during the period 27-28 August for a working visit. He will be accompanied by International Relations Minister, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Evaluation and Monitoring Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane and Presidential Advisors, Charles Nqakula and Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu.
President Zuma's visit to Zimbabwe comes within the context of South Africa's commitment to assisting the Inclusive Government to implement the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed on 15 September 2008. Under Article 22.6 of the GPA, South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) are the guarantors of the Agreement. During his visit to Zimbabwe, President Zuma will also be the Guest of Honour at the 99th Harare Agricultural Show on Friday (28 August).
In his capacity as Chairperson of the 15-nation SADC, President Zuma will meet the leaders of the ZANU-PF party (Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s political party) and the two opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations, where he will be briefed on the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
The Global Political Agreement (GPA) paved the way for the formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe in February 2009. However, the inclusive government has been plagued by contentious and unresolved issues which have hampered progress so far. President Zuma's trip (his first to Zimbabwe since he was inaugurated as President in May) comes less than a month after he met with the country's new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, in Johannesburg.
Calls for President Zuma to resolve Zimbabwean crisis
Zimbabwean expatriates living in South Africa are calling for President Jacob Zuma, as SADC chairperson, to ensure the implementation of their country’s political agreement. The agreement was signed between Zanu-PF and the two opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions in Harare last September.
President Zuma is scheduled to meet both parties during a two-day visit to Zimbabwe starting on Thursday this week.
Despite the agreement, numerous issues remain unresolved. They include the continual harassment and detention of MDC Members of Parliament (MPs) and the crucial filling of the posts of the Auditor-General and the Reserve Bank Governor. It is unclear whether President Zuma will meet with President Robert Mugabe who is currently receiving medical treatment in Dubai.
CRIME
Police investigate rape and murder of Pretoria mother
The South African Police Service (SAPS) have opened an investigation after the body of a young mother was found in Eersterust (a predominantly Coloured township east of Pretoria) last Saturday morning. It is believed Ms Leandre van Greunen was attacked last Friday evening while on her way home.
Authorities suspect the mother of seven children was dragged into an open field behind a police station in the area and raped before her throat was slit. The police have already questioned one person in connection with the rape and murder but it is unclear whether he has been charged. Police officials are also uncertain how many suspects they are hunting for and anyone with information about the attack can send an anonymous SMS to Crime Line on 32211.
Cape Town metro cop killed - possibly for his service pistol
Western Cape Community Safety MEC (Member of an Executive Council – a provincial cabinet minister) Lennit Max has condemned the killing of a Cape Town metro police officer. Mr Charles Komba was gunned down while issuing a fine in Nyanga (a Black township outside Cape Town) last weekend. Law enforcement officials believe that Mr Komba was targeted for his service pistol.
Mr Komba’s death comes just weeks after a police officer and a reservist were shot dead in Phillipi East (a Coloured township outside Cape Town), also allegedly for their service pistols. MEC Max says he is shocked at Mr Komba’s death and says it has become clear that criminals do not hesitate to use deadly force against police officers. The Safety MEC has appealed to members of the public with any information about the incident to come forward.
Johannesburg police may have bust garage robberies gang
Johannesburg police are optimistic they have bust a gang responsible for violent petrol station robberies. Three filling stations in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs have been robbed within the last week. One person died and five more were wounded during these attacks but it is still unclear whether the same gang was behind all three incidents.
Police say the robberies all followed the same pattern with four armed men storming the convenience store before opening fire on innocent bystanders while making their getaway. However, one suspect was wounded during the last attack and the police say investigators are questioning the man about his possible involvement in the spate of armed robberies. Meanwhile, police officers in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs remain on high alert and maintain they are doing all that they can to arrest the suspects before another attack takes place.
Pretoria rocked by another violent and fatal robbery
A third Pretoria resident has been killed this week, during an armed robbery at his home in Doornkloof, north east of the capital city. It is still unclear how the victim died on Monday night because no gunshot wounds were found on his body. It is suspected that he may have been strangled or suffocated, however, the exact cause of death will be determined by a post-mortem examination.
A gang of robbers set fire to their victim’s property and when he returned from extinguishing the blaze five gunmen were waiting for him in his home. The gang ransacked the house after tying up the man and his family members and they used his car to transport their loot. When the man’s relatives managed to untie themselves they found him dead.
Last weekend, an Eersterust (a Coloured township north-east of Pretoria) mother of seven, Ms Leandre van Greunen, was raped and killed, while pensioner Willie Pretorius was found murdered in his home in Villieria (a suburb in the northern part of Pretoria).
OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES
Team South Africa celebrates medal victory
South African athletes, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Khotso Mokoena are in a celebratory mood after winning medals at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany last weekend. The competition has been marred by controversy over the gender of 18-year-old middle distance sensation, Ms Caster Semenya, who won the 800m women’s final by a significant margin.
Mr Mulaudzi won the men’s 800m race after nearly crashing out of the race when another runner appeared to try to push him out of the way. Olympic silver medalist, Khotso Mokoena won a medal in the long jump at the championship and despite the controversy he said the mood in the South African camp has been great. Mr Mokoena commented, “It’s excellent. The camp is great and the mood is wonderful. I think we are doing well for South Africa and I think the sport is changing for the country.”
Taxi association adamant that strike will go ahead
The United Taxi Association Forum says it is pressing ahead with plans for a nationwide strike over the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Taxi drivers are angry that the controversial transport project will begin operating in Johannesburg in one week’s time (as from 1 September).
The taxi industry has threatened to go to court to prevent the system from getting off the ground. Taxi operators have vowed to do whatever they can to do this. Earlier this year, taxi drivers in Johannesburg and Cape Town staged violent protests. The United Taxi Association Forum says government has not done enough to negotiate with or inform taxi associations about the BRT system. The Forum has also questioned why government approached individuals who do not have a mandate, as well as why a meeting was not called to address issues raised by member of the taxi industry. Meanwhile, commuter representatives have pledged their support for the BRT system, which it is hoped will improve public transport in Johannesburg.
Alarming increase in swine flu deaths in South Africa
Swine flu in South Africa could well outlast the winter season and kill more people than a seasonal flu virus, a virologist said this week. Professor Robert Bragg of the University of the Free State was reacting to a statement released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Monday, confirming that 18 people have died so far after contracting the H1N1 virus.
Professor Bragg says, “It is a worrying factor that the mortality rate is picking up so quickly. If the virus progresses beyond the winter season, it might go above the level of normal seasonal death. So far, indications are that the virus is gaining strength.”
Professor Bragg says people have to realize the virus is becoming a potential danger to lives and that they should be in touch with their medical practitioners. On Monday, the NICD confirmed that 5118 people have been infected with swine flu in South Africa. Nine of the 18 victims who died were pregnant woman, most of them in the third trimester of pregnancy. The NICD says that pregnancy has been identified as a particular risk factor for severe H1N1 illness in many other countries and it is critical that an infection receives particular attention in any pregnant woman with an influenza-like illness. The NICD says other risk factors may include asthma, diabetes, any chronic heart and lung condition and any cause of weakened immunity.
South Africa’s champion athletes meet President Zuma
On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma met with South Africa’s three medal winners who returned from the Athletics World Championships in Berlin, Germany. Gold medal winners, Ms Caster Semenya and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and silver medal winner, Khotso Mokoena spent about an hour with President Zuma at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
Ms Semenya, dressed in her South African tracksuit, displayed little emotion as President Zuma spoke of the South African government’s displeasure at the way the issue around her gender was handled by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). President Zuma says Ms Semenya has reminded the world of the right to human dignity and privacy which should be enjoyed by all human beings. The Minister of Sport and Recreation, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile has written to the IAAF, expressing South Africa’s disappointment. President Zuma says even though it is reasonable to ascertain whether or not an athlete has an unfair advantage over other athletes, it was quite wrong to have publicly humiliated an honest professional and competent athlete like Ms Semenya.
Gauteng Premier – province will not be held to ransom by taxi industry
The Premier of Gauteng, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane has warned taxi operators not to disrupt the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to be launched in Johannesburg next week. Premier Mokonyane says, “The taxi industry cannot be a law unto themselves. The BRT system is about the government facilitating an opportunity for all South Africans. We are going to be tough and cannot be held to ransom by the taxi industry. If they want to rule this country, they must register as a political party and contest in the elections.”
Premier Mokonyane says if taxi operators want to protest next week, they should not break the law. If they embark on a stay-away, then they must stay at home and not disrupt traffic on the province’s roads. The South African National Taxi Council announced last week that a nationwide taxi strike would commence on 31 August. The taxi industry says the BRT, an improved bus service, will adversely affect its business and has complained that it (the taxi industry) was not an active player in the planning stages of the BRT system. Johannesburg commuters will be allowed a day of free rides when the BRT buses start operating on 30 August.
SANDF members protest over salary increases
Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) unions have lashed out at government, accusing it of neglecting the rights of its members. The South African Security Forces Union (SASFU) and the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) are both embarking on separate rolling protests, demanding better salaries for all defence force members. SASFU officials picketed outside Parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday this week, commenting “We, as soldiers, are the worst paid members of the security cluster. What we are demanding is parity so that our salaries can be equal to those of our colleagues in the security cluster.”
SANDU Secretary, Pikkie Greeff says his union’s members are growing increasingly frustrated with the Defence Ministry. Mr Greeff says, “Soldiers are now left in limbo as to whether there will be any increases at all, when it will take place, if at all, and these are things that are really starting to irritate members of the SANDF.”
However, the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans says union leaders are being mischievous, commenting “It is very irresponsible and highly unnecessary for the unions to mobilise the soldiers who are responsible for national security to go and participate in an unnecessary protest march.”
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu has urged defence force unions to return to the bargaining chamber and abandon their protest march this week.
Face masks will not protect people from H1N1 virus
Health officials say that wearing face masks will not protect people from becoming infected with the H1N1 virus.
Twenty people have died from the virus, more commonly know as swine flu. More than 5,000 cases have been confirmed in the country so far.
Many school children and people at airports have been seen wearing masks, apparently under the notion that it will prevent them from contracting the virus. However, health officials say a face mask offers a false sense of protection.
People around the world have resorted to wearing face masks in the hope that they will not get the disease that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says this is not a protective measure and is only advisable for affected people so they can avoid coughing and sneezing on others. The Institute says South Africans are under the misconception that there is a higher risk of contracting the disease at airports. Because the disease has spread significantly within the past two months it is now more likely for people to become infected in a community-based environment.
Defence Minister condemns illegal march by soldiers
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, has condemned in the strongest terms possible the acts of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who protested in Pretoria on Wednesday, despite an interdict against the march.
Minister Sisulu has condemned the sheer acts of vandalism and the threat to human lives by members of the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) and she says that anarchy and lawlessness have no place in the Defence Force. The Minister says this represents the worse form of criminality in a democracy.
Thousands of SANDF Union members went ahead with their planned march from the Pretoria City Hall to the Union Buildings on Wednesday, with the full knowledge that it was illegal. SANDU is demanding a 30% wage increase for its members. The protesting soldiers had been informed by their Commanders and the Minister's Office that the march was illegal and the Minister says this lawlessness is a very serious breach of the nation's trust, especially those charged with the protection of state security. Minister Sisulu has requested the Chief of the SANDF and the Minister of Police to look into the matter, and to ensure that the full might off the law is applied against any offenders who took part in Wednesday’s protest action.
The protest turned violent when marchers arriving at the Union Buildings were not allowed access. According to media reports, police fired rubber bullets when protesters tried to gain access to the property. SANDU says the police fired rubber bullets at their members while they were waiting to hand over their memorandum of grievances and two people were reportedly slightly injured. SANDU insists that it received permission to embark on the strike and that it was legal, having followed the correct procedures. SANDU denies reports that some of its members threw petrol bombs at several police and military vehicles during Wednesday’s protest action. Two SANDF soldiers were arrested for public violence during the protest action and have been handed over to the military. They will appear before a military tribunal very soon.
[Thousands of soldiers who clashed with police on Wednesday in running battles outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria are to be dismissed. This was the promise by a visibly outraged Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu at a press briefing after a meeting with the armed forces commander-in-chief, President Jacob Zuma, and the military command council on Thursday. The threat of dismissal comes as senior SANDF officers say they no longer recognise the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) and will no longer negotiate with them. The protest action, which left 18 soldiers injured, has prompted military analysts to call for a possible board of inquiry to determine the underlying issues which led to this week’s violence].
SACTWU rejects latest wage offer
The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) says it will continue negotiations in an effort to avoid strike action in the clothing industry. Sixty thousand clothing workers are expected to down tools next week as wage negotiations between the union and employers remain deadlocked.
An offer of a 5% wage increase was rejected by SACTWU on Wednesday this week. The union says strike action is a last resort, commenting “We have kept ourselves open to meet with the employers next week because under these circumstances, a recession, our first preference would be to have a settlement but the employers’ offer is so ridiculous that we will have no option other but to go on strike.”
SACTWU says clothing and textile workers deserve a wage increase.
NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
Malagasy rivals committed to power-sharing
Madagascar's political rivals remain committed to a fair division of power within a government of national unity, mediators said last Sunday before a second round of talks in Mozambique. Malagasy power-brokers are midway through a 30-day deadline to nominate a president, a prime minister, three deputy prime ministers and 28 cabinet ministers under the terms of a deal they signed following the first round of talks on 9 August.
A statement issued by the mediation team led by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) says the key players have unconditionally committed themselves to support the spirit and objectives of the national transitional charter. Mistrust and brinkmanship have dominated the run-up to this week’s 2-day talks in Mozambique's capital Maputo after Andry Rajoelina, who led a coup in March to oust ex-President Marc Ravalomanana, said only he could lead the transition. The chief mediator, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano says no political offices have been allocated yet. During this week’s talks, referred to as Maputo II, the distribution of posts, primarily among Madagascar’s four political movements, will take place. Mr Rajoelina's military-backed take over in March unnerved foreign investors and cut economic growth. Foreign governments condemned the coup, froze aid and called for a roadmap to fresh elections.
Political analysts have described the initial Maputo agreement (signed by Mr Rajoelina, Mr Ravalomanana and former Presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy) as fragile and question whether the four leaders can work together.
Madagascar's armed forces, which are seen by analysts as pivotal to the success of an eventual agreement, are generally satisfied with the 9 August accord. Madagascar’s armed forces have called for a single clause paving the way for a multi-party committee on defence and national security to be scrapped but Mr Chissano, the SADC-
appointed mediator, has told the country’s military chiefs that the clause will not be removed. Mr Ravalomanana, who saw charges of abuse of political office against him scrapped under the deal, has promised to play no direct role in the transitional government but he has not ruled out standing for president in future elections.
Lesotho Prime Minister attack case postponed
Eight men sought in Lesotho for an alleged attempted assassination of Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili in April appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court this week. The case was postponed to 9-10 September for formal bail applications by seven of the eight men. The case was postponed because the legal representative of three of the men withdrew from the matter due to a break in trust between him and the men he represented. The attorney of another accused was in bed with flu and would only be available to appear in court within two weeks.
The State attorney on the case was also in bed with flu.
One of the accused is already out on bail but he has been warned to appear again in court in September. The other seven accused men all remain in custody. The case relates to gunmen who opened fire on and stormed Prime Minister Mosisili's residence in Lesotho's capital city, Maseru on 22 April this year. Lesotho’s Communications Minister later described the attackers as South African and Mozambican mercenaries who had been hired to stage a coup d’etat. The Minister also indicated that four attackers were killed during the incident. The men who appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court were arrested in South Africa’s Free State Province after the attack. One of the alleged masterminds of the Maseru attack and a former Lesotho soldier, Makotoko Lerotholi, was later arrested in Gauteng and has since appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. The Lesotho government issued warrants of arrest against all the men and had asked for them to be extradited. Charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, theft and the illegal possession of firearms are being investigated against the men by the authorities in Lesotho. South African authorities are also looking into additional charges for crimes committed while in that country.
Malagasy leaders discuss top posts in transitional government
On Wednesday, Madagascar's power brokers met in the Mozambican capital of Maputo to tackle the thorny question of who will lead a new transitional government meant to guide the island nation to elections. Madagascar fell into crisis in March when Andry Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, overthrew President Marc Ravalomanana in a coup d’etat.
The rival leaders, together with former Presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, began meeting in Maputo on Tuesday to divide up the top posts in the new government. Under the deal, the rivals will establish a transitional government in Madagascar and hold democratic elections by the end of next year. The four leaders represent Madagascar's main political parties and each has set out its own proposals, which are being mediated by former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano. Under the 9 August agreement, the four leaders must name an interim government by 8 September. No member of the transitional government except its president will be eligible to run in the expected 2010 presidential election.
Former Malagasy president rejects Andry Rajoelina as transitional leader
Madagascar’s former President Marc Ravalomanana has refused to accept Andry Rajoelina’s nomination as president of a transitional government tasked with guiding the country out of months of political turmoil. Crisis talks in Mozambique were extended into a 3rd day on Thursday after Madagascar’s power-brokers disagreed on who would lead the country increasingly of interest to foreign companies for its oil, bauxite, nickel, cobalt, gold and uranium.
Mr Rajoelina, who toppled Mr Ravalomanana in March after weeks of violent street protests, has demanded the presidency. Mediators say he has the backing of one of the three other negotiating parties but Mr Ravalomanana has vowed to reject his nomination. A written statement issued by Mr Ravalomanana’s camp says, “The Ravalomanana movement will never depart from the respect for the right of citizens to vote. Therefore, it will never accept and legitimize the author of an unconstitutional change by appointing him head of the Presidency.”
Regional blocs and foreign powers including the United States and the European Union condemned former radio DJ Rajoelina’s rise to power and key foreign donors subsequently suspended aid to the country.
Malagasy talks end without agreement
On Friday, Madagascar's power-brokers ended talks in Maputo, Mozambique without reaching agreement on the composition of a transitional government to lead the country out of its political crisis. A statement issued by the mediators read, “The international joint mediation team regrets to inform that the heads of the movements have found it impossible to come to a consensus on the key posts of the transition.”
Madagascar's rival leaders have agreed to name an interim government by 4 September and several institutions of the transitional government have already been decided upon. Former President Marc Ravalomanana, who was ousted in March, and current leader, Andry Rajoelina will each get to decide the leader of one of the Houses of the Transitional Parliament. The two rivals will also pick one vice-prime minister each. Other institutions of the interim authority will be decided by former Malagasy President Albert Zafy and members of civil society.
Madagascar's rival leaders, together with former Presidents Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka, agreed on 9 August in a previous round of talks to name a transitional government that will return the country to constitutional rule and organize democratic elections by the end of 2010. This week’s 2-day talks were extended by an extra day to give the four factions time to settle their differences on the top posts in the transitional government but negotiations stumbled over the issue of who would be the country’s interim President. Under the 9 August agreement, the President will be the only member of the transitional government eligible to run for election in 2010 and Mr Rajoelina says that only he can lead the transition. However, Mr Ravalomanana, who has pledged not to seek a direct role in the interim government, has rejected giving the presidency to Mr Rajoelina and says the post should go to a member of his movement.
The 9 August agreement gives the Malagasy leaders 30 days to name their new government. Mediators say the four Malagasy factions have agreed to settle their differences by 4 September in order to present the new government at the next summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which starts on 6 September in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.