Leaders in the West say Robert Mugabe is a demon, that he has destroyed Zimbabwe and he must be gotten rid of – but this demonising is made by people who may not understand what Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his fellow freedom fighters went through, says former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.

In 1960, Harold Macmillan, then British prime minister, made a statement in Cape Town referring to what was taking place in southern

Africa as “the wind of change.” He had correctly read the feelings of the black masses.Eventually, the British government abolished the Federation of Rhodesia and

Nyasaland. In 1964, Northern Rhodesia became Zambia and Nyasaland became Malawi.But white people in

Rhodesia rejected that wind of change and, in November 1965, Ian Smith, by force, took over in a “Unilateral Declaration of Independence”. It was treason against the colonial ruler, the British monarchy. Soon Smith had arrested a number of African leaders, including Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo. By now Harold Wilson was the British premier, but he showed signs of hopelessness. He called meetings aboard the Tiger and Fearless navy ships. But neither meeting showed tiger claws, and both were fearful of the rebels in Rhodesia. I spoke with Wilson myself, but there was no progress. And, sadly, Smith’s rebel regime went on. White train Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe freedom struggle was continuing, but handicapped because its key leaders were locked up. Even talks with another British prime minister, Edward Heath, did not help. I could see clearly that no matter who became prime minister of Britain, they would do nothing about the Rhodesia situation. It was South Africa that was in charge. I concluded that the settlers were interested in keeping Southern Rhodesia under white rule so that they could have a buffer against advancing African independent states. In 1974, I decided to meet John Vorster, South Africa’s then-prime minister. We met at the bridge between Zambia and then Southern Rhodesia, in Vorster’s white train, for three nights. He had to leave on the third night because he was not feeling well. But as a follow-up to our discussions, he freed our colleagues in Zimbabwe’s liberation movements. There was, of course, not a single dull moment in the struggle for independence in our region. In August 1979, Commonwealth countries from all over the world met in Lusaka to consider many issues – but the most serious one was the Zimbabwe situation. In the end it was Britain’s new prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, who agreed Britain would hold a conference on the future of Zimbabwe in London. She asked me to be around at what became known as the Lancaster House talks, in case difficulties arose in the negotiations. Waiting At the talks, the people of Zimbabwe were assured that they were going to be independent the following year, 1980. But that wonderful news was conditional. The new government of Zimbabwe was not to deal with land issues but was to “leave that in the hands of the British government”. Nationalists from Zimbabwe accepted this rather harsh and complicated condition. The Thatcher government had begun to deal with the land issue, as did her successor, John Major. But when Tony Blair took over in 1997, I understand that some young lady in charge of colonial issues within that government simply dropped doing anything about it. I ask you to consider the implications of the long struggle. The nationalists, who had the regaining of land as a key objective of their struggle, were now being told the British government, which promised to look after that issue themselves, was not going to go ahead with it. The Zimbabwean government waited patiently for more than 10 years, but the British government defaulted. We must remember the occupation by Cecil Rhodes. Rhodes removed African people from fertile lands to hilly and unfertile lands in favour of settlers. And remember that, later, while neighbours became independent, Southern Rhodesia was grabbed by white settlers, led by Smith. In the struggle, many people were killed. There have been allegations of corruption in relation to land allocation. Well, the corruption should have been dealt with by all. Stopping the land programme, and doing nothing, was not the solution. I do not believe it is right to demonise Robert Gabriel Mugabe. It is notable that he and his colleagues have not expelled from Zimbabwe people who did terrible things to them. A star is born Of course, there are some things which President Mugabe and his colleagues have done which I totally disagree with – for example, the police beating of Morgan Tsvangirai.

Thatcher began to deal with the land issue in Zimbabwe

It is not that I think Tsvangirai can make a good leader – I see him as the [former Zambian leader] Frederick Chiluba of

Zimbabwe – but beating him or even sending him to prison will not be the right thing.On the other hand, given their experience, I can understand the fury that goes through President Mugabe and his colleagues. Now, let me reveal that when Blair was elected British prime minister, I wrote a poem in his favour, called A Star Is Born To Us. Indeed, his feelings for

Africa have been very good.But then came the two Bs, Blair and George Bush, and their terrifying act of March 2003 – the invasion and occupation of

Iraq. I condemned the two Bs publicly, denouncing the criminal invasion. Now my prayer is that the Zimbabwe issue will be treated differently by Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown. It is also my humble prayer that South African President Thabo Mbeki and his regional colleagues will meet Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who will be ready in his soul, mind, and body to respond to the advice they give him and the people of Zimbabwe.

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How should Western leaders treat President Mugabe? Has he been demonised unfairly? A selection of your comments will appear below. Unfairly treated is an understatement and he and the Zimbabwean people are not isolated in this issue. If you’re not liked by Britain and the

US, then you and your people are in for a lot of suffering. This is the new form of bondage and colonialism that has always characterized the relationship between the west and the rest of the world. I firmly believe that just as minority voices gained momentum in centuries past to cry against slavery and other forms of bondage and just as we are appalled at the brutality of westerners of those years, so will future generations judge the Tony Blair and George Bushes of our time.
Saiku M Bah, Freetown, Sierra Leone I myself live in the west. The redistribution of the land seemed only to be done to provide the regime’s backers with a payoff for loyalty. But the Land issue is irrelevant now, and people that continue to discuss it only show how out of touch they are. The issue now is the security. The government has passed law after law restricting personal freedom. Reports coming out of the country are of a security forces out of control. With rape and murder everyday events for those who even hint of straying out of line. This, the clearance of the slums and the stifling of the opposition are what needs to be discussed now!
Nich Hill, Portsmouth UK President Mugabe surely has been unfairly by the west, led by the UK over the land issue. Unfortunately the land has been given back to its rightful owners, the black majority. And for those who had a regime change agenda, Mr Blair has failed to affect it in Zimbabwe. The same for Mr Bush. What a combined failure by these two in Zimbabwe and Iraq. Simeone Rumhiba, Zimbabwe The comments by Kaunda are ramblings. How on earth can anyone in their right mind excuse what Mugabe has done? Let’s face it, the land deal with the British has never been withdrawn, but Mugabe will not abide by the conditions of fair and sustainable land distribution. Instead it is parcelled out to mostly government supporters, ministers and military officials in order to stay in power. It really is that simple. Mugabe has got off very lightly, and I pray that one day he will face justice for the thousands of (mainly black) victims of his Gukurahundi massacres and subsequent “clamp downs”. Let’s not mention the more than four million of us of have had to leave the country as a result of the madness going on there.
Alex Nhando, Zimbabwean in Budapest If Mugabe had more than his share of troubles when fighting for independence, he should have learnt from his experiences and become wiser and more humane and just. Instead he has become far worse than his former colonial masters in mistreating and misruling his people. What is deeply disturbing is the deafening silence on part of other African leaders when it comes to criticising their counterparts and their misdeeds. One has the impression that black African leaders, in general, have entered a conspiracy to slowly send Africa to hell.
Jai Singh, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland It is only people who have read the history of Zimbabwe in depth are able to understand the current situation in Zimbabwe. From the time Zimbabwe was occupied the issue of contention was land. The land was parcelled among the whites with impunity. The Africans were relocated to the wastelands. For your own information African cattle were not even allowed to mate with whites cattle or even allowed to graze in so called white lands. The only solution is to share the fertile lands equally.
Louis Mpande, Lusaka, Zambia BBC

THE National Democratic Focus (NDF) has called for patience and understanding among stakeholders involved in the Constitution-making process.
NDF president, Ben Mwila said in Lusaka yesterday that his party was impressed that there was understanding among stakeholders regarding the need for a new Constitution before 2011 elections.
The party is also in favour of holding an indaba as it was a sure way of fostering peace and unity in the face of the current impasse over the roadmap to adopt the Constitution.
Mr Mwila, who is Nchelenge member of Parliament said the indaba should be able to discuss the roadmaps provided by the Government and the civil society organisations.
Mr Mwila said Zambia had come a long way in developing the Constitution that would stand the test of time and it was imperative that stakeholders came to round table discussions to reach consensus.
He said Zambians had managed to resolve several complicated matters in the past and was certain that a lasting solution to the Constitution process would be found.
He said stakeholders should work together so that the peace that the country continued to enjoy was not disturbed.
“These differences are capable of being harmonised. Let us summon the will and determination and the patriotism to do so,” Mr Mwila said.
The NDF had carried Constitution consultations among its members in six provinces where the majority supported the enactment of the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly as recommended by the Constitution Review Commission (CRC).
“We should rekindle the spirit that characterised our return to multi-party politics in the early 90s. There were differences between the Government and the opposition but a serious crisis was prevented through the church brokered talks.
We were able to achieve compromise which paved way for the immediate desired amendments to the constitution,” Mr Mwila said.

Former President Frederick Chiluba must surrender his house to the government as partial payment on the $58 million he was ordered to pay in a corruption case, the attorney general said on Monday.

British Judge Peter Smith issued the forfeiture order on Monday during a hearing to determine how Chiluba would pay the money that a British court ruled he stole while in power from 1991 to 2001, Attorney General Mumba Malila told state media.

“(The court has ordered) that the former president gives up possession of (his house) together with all chattels purchased on 14th December 2001 in the sum of $297,580,” Malila said.

Judge Smith raised the amount that the ailing former Zambian leader must pay last week from $41 million, the original sum set when the verdict was handed down earlier this year, to account for interest and legal costs.

Zambia had brought the civil case against Chiluba in Britain in the hope of recovering properties allegedly purchased with stolen funds in Britain and other European nations. A separate case in Zambia has yet to go to trial.

The charges against Chiluba stem from an anti-corruption campaign launched by his successor, President Levy Mwanawasa. Chiluba has said he is the victim of a political witchhunt and can never get a fair trial in Zambia.

He has also said that he does not recognise the authority of the British court and would block the registration of its ruling in Zambia

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Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) President Micheal Sata has sued Defence Minister George Mpombo for libel in the Zambian High court.

Mr. Sata has sued Mr.Mpombo for damages contained in the Post NewsPaper dated May 18 2007 headed Zambia won’t transer Political Terrorism to Malawi on page 3 while another one headed “we wont let political misfits misbehave in Malawi” on the front of the Zambia Daily Mail.

This is contained in a writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court.

Mr. Mpombo is quoted as having said the government would not allow the Zambian soil
to be used by misguided politicians.

He is further quoted as having said over the past few months, there have been attempts to interfere with peace through political conduits to Malawi.

Mr. Sata claims that the ordinary and natural meaning of the words uttered by the
defendant are understood to mean that the plaintiff is a political terrorist and a bandit.

The Plaintiff also says the words means that Mr Sata had attempted to interfere with
peace in Malawi,and also involved in illicit or illegal activities in Zambia which he also attempted to extend to Malawi.

The Plaintiff also points out that the statement also attributes him as a political misfit who has no credibility to be a leader and is unpatriotic and lacks integrity by reason of his terrorist and banditry activities.

Mr. sata said these words were published to the general public who include electorates and are damaging to his character, reputation in both his private and personal capacity as well as in his political life as a president of a Patriotic party.

He claims to have suffered loss and damage because he heads a political party with a
large following in Zambia which has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.

ZANIS

The mining sector declared a paltry K35 billion mineral royalties out of a staggering profit of about K1,589,196,180,000 it recorded in the financial year of 2005 to 2006.

Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande, said in Lusaka yesterday that the mining sector had a profit of US$397,299,045 last year.
The profit is based on the mineral royalty tax of the current 0.6 percent.

However, Government has informed mining companies that would increase the mineral royalties to 3 per cent
Mr Magande said last year’s profit margin was a significant improvement on the US$242,452,534 declared in the year 2004/2005.

He said this also reflected a tremendous leap in the profits following losses of US$274,486,745 in 2002/2003 and US$43,251,785, recorded in 2003/2004.

“In 2005/2006, mineral royalty receipts improved to a level of K35,749,042,707. The contribution of the mining sector in form of mineral royalties has been positive,” Mr Magande said.

He said mining sector declared K3,633,795,469 as mineral royalty for the 2002/2003 period while in 2003/2004, the State only collected K792,168,131.

The minister attributed the paltry declaration in the 2003/2004 financial year to low copper prices on the world market and the withdrawal of Anglo-American Corporation from the mining sector in Zambia.

”A positive outcome was experienced in 2004/2005 with mining companies contributing K6,308,022,604 as mineral royalty,” Mr Magande said.

And Mr Magande said there was a process in place to ensure that tax audits were conducted to verify the profits declared by mining companies.

He said the audits covered company tax, value added tax, mineral royalty and pay-as-you-earn.

Mr Magande also explained that there were no tax-free imports in the development agreements with mining companies.

He, however, said the Mines and Minerals Act provided for companies with large-scale mining licences to submit approved programmes of mining and metallurgical processes, which were technically scrutinised within the law.

He said when the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development was satisfied and approved the programme, the importation of materials and equipment for the purpose of implementation of the programmes were then given tax concessions.

”Note that the concession in this case is for materials and equipment. The materials and the values to be considered are specified.

During execution of the implementation, the quantities and values are monitored to check compliance with the agreed and approved quantities and values,” he said.

Mr Magande said Government had made it clear that the development agreements would be renegotiated as provided by the clauses of the development agreement and that the nation would be informed as and when the process had been firmed up.

And Mr Magande said the mining sector continued to perform well in 2006.

He said real gross domestic product growth in the mining and quarrying sector increased to 19.6 per cent from 7.1 per cent in 2005.

Mr Magande attributed this to the rise in mineral production, investments in rehabilitation of infrastructure and technological innovations in existing mines, the coming on board of new mines and increase in small-scale copper mining activities.

He said copper production increased by 11.5 per cent from 461,748 tonnes in 2005 to 515,010 tonnes in 2006.

Mr Magande said cobalt production, however, dropped from about 5,537 tonnes in 2005 to 4,658 tonnes in 2006.

He said Government was happy that direct employment in the mining industry was now close to 50,000 employees.

Mr Magande said Government would continue to promote both large and small-scale mining by providing a conducive business environment, updating current legislation and providing more geological information to allow for extensive exploration work.

He said Government would provide support to the small-scale mining sector, given its potential in employment creation and poverty reduction.

Mr Magande said through the use of the mining revolving fund, small-scale miners would continue to be assisted with funds for, among other things, hire of plant and equipment.

Meanwile KALUBA BWALYA reports that the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has welcomed Government’s decision to temporarily suspend new applications for mining rights for six months.

MUZ president, Raymond Mbulo, said in an interview yesterday that the decision to suspend applications for mining rights was good, as it would accord Government a chance to adequately scrutinise some applications.

“MUZ will always support any Government decision that is well intended and also that addresses the plight of miners in the country,” he said.

Mr Mbulo said having a computerised system was a good development, as it would ensure that applications were processed faster and more transparently than the manual system.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr Kalombo Mwansa, announced on Saturday the intended suspension of the issuance of mining rights.

This would be effected from July 1, to December 31,2007.