Um, excuse me … so, like, what’s a constitution good for?

Our Constitution as well provides for a minimum 30-day period of campaigning to a maximum of 42 days before the election date. This means that after the nomination court sitting of the 24th July 2013, the earliest that the election could be held is the 25th August 2013. The point being made is that President Mugabe has acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally and is deliberately creating and precipitating an unnecessary Constitutional crisis. The Constitution makes the President the chief upholder and defender of the Constitution. It is therefore regrettable that the chief defender and upholder has become the chief attacker and abuser of the Constitution. - Morgan Tsvangirai, Press Statement 13 June 2013

“Unilateral” is a word that must be trending in Zimbabwe’s Twittersphere today after President Robert Mugabe took the country back to 1965.

Despite all the “magnanimity” he seemingly had extended to Morgan Tsvangirai in the past weeks, he brews this shocker.

There’s been near-punch ups in the virtual world of the World Wide Web as peeved Zimbos trade barbs, stuff that a revolution would be made of were such energy channeled towards the source of that anger.

In today’s Herald the presidential spokesman is quoted as saying “the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces would not be persuaded to violate the laws of the country” by defying the ConCourt’s ruling compelling to hold elections by 31 July.

Of course this was after reports emerged that some political parties were petitioning the President of the Republic to oppose the declaration.

I am always surprised when Zimbabweans are surprised by such developments!

Perhaps people have very short memories, but this is the Zanu PF modus operandi, and for anyone to expect anything else from this party would be a case of inveterate naivety. The thing is, where do we go from here, what with SADC also expected to be the ultimate arbiter of this political circus?

One certain thing about this latest declaration is that it entrenches apathetic attitudes to electoral processes as some say if Mugabe can unilaterally call for polls despite Tsvangirai’s own earlier declaration that he holds the keys to elections, what is to stop him (Mugabe) from declaring himself a winner in the elections, or as he did in 2008 refuse to accept defeat.

Yet that should be motivation enough for Zimbabweans who have heeded the call to register and also check the voters roll to exercise their franchise to the fullest and show the power mongers who is in charge, or else attempting to kick Zanu PF in the butt will equate to just another fool’s errand.

Look who’s laughing now. Democracy, what democracy?

Above: On Ridgeway South as it crosses Enterprise Road alongside Nazareth House rows of trees have been cut down. The stumps (in this case ranging from ankle to knee height) and all the leafy off cuts have been left on site. In addition, in the last few days trees are being felled alongside Nazareth House on Enterprise Road.

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.
- proverb

The Forest Act, Chap 19.05, Section 78, prohibits the damage or cutting of any tree in Zimbabwe without a permit from the Forestry Commission. Even in a ‘private forest’ (any private land). There are 120 forestry officers nationwide, and an application must be made to one of them two weeks in advance. The officer will inspect, and recommend removal or not. Including on private land.

The forestry officer may recommend the removal of stumps, and brush, but there is no legal obligation. That is to say, the law does not force any removal.

There are three particular and serious concerns that we as active and concerned citizens must consider:

1. Trees that are felled by the City of Harare or by the individual/company that requested the trees to be felled, must be replanted.

2. Why are areas that are being left hacked up by City of Harare tree fellers not being rehabilitated by the City, or by the individual/company that commissioned the destruction?

3. Why do we not see local environmental and residents associations advocating more vocally about stopping the systematic looting of trees in our cities and towns?

Like Ashton said in his article about litter, there are many ways in which a city is kept viable both as a tourist destination, as well as a place that offers beauty and good quality of life for its residents. Soon our city streets will be stump lined instead of tree lined – unless we all commit to seriously questioning the removal of any trees, as well as taking out stumps and replanting trees.

If you are worried about local tree felling, get involved!

1) The law is clear. No one may cut a tree down without Forestry Commission permission.
2) Talk to the Forestry Commission, get to know your neighbours, ask if they have a permit. There is a clear procedure to follow to get one. If they have not done this, it is illegal.
3) Any land within Harare City limits that is not private belongs to you and is managed for you by the City of Harare. They are cutting Your trees, and you have every right to know why. And by all means, challenge it. You and you community need that tree living more than some individual needs it dead.

Couldn’t agree more with Ashton Bumhira who sent us this story and photograph:

The problem of litter can be addressed through the provision of accessible bins to communities and education is an important tool in raising a sense of community ownership and responsibility. But people have to desist from vandalizing the infrastructure for litter management.

People who are aware of the dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash in the correct place. Every Zimbabwean has to spread the word to those they see littering, and teach them to dispose of garbage the right way. It is very important for the City authorities to quickly remove litter as this helps to keep it from growing into an unmanageable dump site.

It is a myth that litter control is not important. I strongly believe that litter control may not be the most dramatic, or exciting of the many problems that threaten the quality of our environment, but it is a problem which affects everyone in the community. Litter destroys the beauty of a community. People come from all over the world to see the beauty of our countryside, towns and cities. When litter mars their enjoyment, Zimbabwe loses valuable tourist dollars.

“Litterbugs” can be found among people of every age, sex, race and ethnic origin, at every level of society and in all geographic locations. The control and eradication of littering calls for the broader participation of people from diverse backgrounds – captains of industries, churches, schools and the community at large. Recently at the officially launch of the Bin It Zimbabwe Program Minister Nhema said that the problem of litter has led to the outbreak of various waste and water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Litter is a breeding ground for fire and disease and it is a breeding ground for rats and disease-causing bacteria. Litter needs to be controlled, and it requires Your participation.

 

Photo by Ashton Bumhira

Zimbabwe is currently undergoing a 30-day mobile voter registration exercise, in preparation for elections to be held later this year.

We’ve taken the schedule of dates and locations for the mobile voter registration exercise and put them onto a map to make it easier for Zimbabweans to know where to register to vote.

You can pan and zoom on the map to get to your area, then click on it to pull up the list of where and when the mobile voter registration teams will be in your area. If there will be more than one location in your ward, the teams will be at the first location on the list on the first dates listed, the second location on the second dates, etc.

This still picture of the map below gives you a teaser. To make use of it, view it full screen.

View map full screen

To find out more about voter registration, visit the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission website

If your area is not on the map or there are no centres listed for your ward let us know. Also, we want to hear about your voter registration experience! Have you already registered to vote? Have you gone to a registration centre this month? Email info [at] kubatana [dot] net and let us know.

Please note that the deadline for this opportunity has been extend to 24th June! Check it out below: