A subscriber saw this paraffin queue in Hatcliffe this weekend and sent in the above picture, commenting:

As the people in Hatcliffe gather to buy paraffin at the service station, the seller seemed to be ignorant and could not feel any passion for these people. Is it not because of the prolonged loadshedding?

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has launched a Vote Yes campaign for the new Draft Constitution for Zimbabwe. But what are they doing about the fact that Zanu PF seems to have a very different draft in mind? Ignoring the reality of the political impasse the Constitution-making process has reached isn’t going to get us to a 2nd All-Stakeholder’s Conference, Constitutional Referendum or new elections any quicker.

You can bet your butt that these things only happen in Zimbabwe: expecting mothers moaning and groaning as they wait their turn to deliver – doing the writhing not on a bed, but a hospital bench! And this week I met some nurses who recently finished their training and they said they were looking for jobs, wait for this, not as nurses but temporary teachers because government isn’t hiring! I was told some of their “fortunate” colleagues are working as till operators at some supermarkets in Bulawayo! And we vividly recall President Mugabe lambasting Australia and the UK for reaping where they did not sow by luring Zimbabwean nurses! Crap by any other name.

So police stopped my husband and me after crossing Fourth Street along Herbet Chitepo for “failing to stop at an amber light”. The officer who pulled us over was unnecessarily aggressive right off the bat harshly telling us ‘green is a caution to stop so you’re not allowed to proceed on amber’. I wasn’t happy with his attitude and asked for his unit number, rank and name all of which he refused to give and asked us to pull over. Basically, the whole thing devolved into threats to open a docket and us argue our case in court simply because I asked for unit number, rank and name none of which were ever given to us. The second officer then diffused the situation and let us go but not after trying to open the front passenger door so he could let me out “so we could talk”. I locked my door, told him I’m pregnant and it’s hot so no thank you but I was stunned that he was so forward and intent to “talk” and I wasn’t even the driver. It was an aggravating situation to be in and the blatant abuse of power and manipulation (twisting facts and threatening us with court) had me reduced to tears. – Kubatana subscriber, Harare

Action: Get informed. According to the Highway Code, you must stop at an amber light, unless you are too close to the stop line that you cannot stop safely, in which case “the vehicle shall proceed subject to due precaution being taken.” According to the February 2012 Traffic Fine Schedule, the fine for proceeding against an amber light (where you could have stopped safely) is $10. You can get the Traffic Fine Schedule here

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information, as well as civic and human rights updates, by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Please note that the job vacancies we carry are related to the NGO and civil society sectors only.

Information Officer: Local performing arts venue
Deadline: 15 September 2012

A performing arts venue is seeking an individual for the position of Information Officer to be based in Harare.

Basic Function of Position

To be responsible for and coordinate the following:
-Website content management
-Production and dissemination of press releases
-Design and production of daily press and internet advertising including social media
-Design and production of weekly print and email advertising
-Design and production of in-house posters and flyers

Requirements
-Experience in computer graphic design/advertising
-Conversant with standard design software – CorelDraw, Photoshop etc
-Needs to be creative, fast, accurate, able to work under pressure and as a team, and proactive with attention to detail

To Apply
Interested applicants for this position should submit the following:
-Letter of Application
-A current CV/resume, with contactable referees
-Portfolio/samples of design work

To: themanager.feb2012 [at] gmail [dot] com

Remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.

The organisation provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Zimbabwe / Southern Africa Researcher: Human Rights Watch
Deadline: 16 September 2012

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is one of the world’s leading independent organisations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, the organisation gives voice to the oppressed and holds oppressors accountable for their crimes. Its rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For more than 30 years, HRW has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.

HRW seeks to recruit a Researcher, based in Johannesburg with frequent visits to Zimbabwe and other locations, after a period of training in HRW’s New York office.

The candidate will monitor the human rights situation in Zimbabwe/Southern Africa. This position will report to the Deputy Director in the Africa Division.

Responsibilities
-Monitor, investigate, and document human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa by collecting and analysing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others in the field
-Write and publicise reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to national and international bodies on human rights concerns in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa as needed in a concise and accurate manner, with a quick turnaround time
-Develop and implement local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa
-Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community
-Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media
-Work closely with colleague non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local human rights organisations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work
-Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities
-Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events
-Travel domestically and internationally, as required, to conduct fact-finding and advocacy missions
-Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa Division; and
-Carry out any other duties as required.

Requirements
-An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, history or the social sciences is highly desirable. An undergraduate degree is required
-The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience working on human rights issues in Southern Africa
-Firm knowledge of political dynamics in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa
-Background in field-based human rights work in the region
-Ability to identify, research, analyse and effectively communicate important human rights developments in a timely and sophisticated fashion
-Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses
-Experience working in a politically sensitive environment
-Ability to efficiently distil information about Zimbabwe and Southern Africa so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced
-Ability to produce written material under tight deadlines
-Ability to identify and advise the Africa Division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities
-Ability to respond quickly to crises and conflicts as they may occur, often under tight deadlines
-Oral and written communication skills in English
-Ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals
-Strong interpersonal skills, in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, African Union officials, UN officials, policymakers, media contacts, and others
-Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law
-Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, and a dynamic public speaking ability
-Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organising skills and ability to work under pressure; and
-Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions.

HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.  HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorisation, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

To apply, send a CV, salary requirements, motivational letter, a brief writing sample (unedited by others) and three references to africajobs [at] hrw [dot] org Use ‘Zimbabwe/Southern Africa Researcher Ref AFR-12-1050-B’ in the subject of your e-mail. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.