U N I T E D   N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network for Southern Africa

Tel: +27 11 880 4633
Fax: +27 11 880 1421
e-mail: irin-sa@irin.org.za


SOUTHERN AFRICA
IRIN-SA Weekly Round-up 163
17 - 23 January 2004


CONTENTS:

SOUTH AFRICA: Govt provides assistance as drought bites
ZIMBABWE: EC helps plug food gap
ANGOLA: National plan to deal with rights violations proposed
LESOTHO: IMF grants concessional loan
MALAWI: Vice president changes parties as elections approach
SOUTH AFRICA: Lack of support for land reform beneficiaries
ZAMBIA: Unionists threaten strike action
SWAZILAND: Donors condemn palace building programme
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Humanitarian agencies on a learning curve 


SOUTH AFRICA: Govt provides assistance as drought bites

The South African government on Thursday announced it would release R250
million (US $35.5 million) to assist 18.8 million rural people affected by
one of the worst droughts in recent decades.

Toffee Mokgethi, director of the National Disaster Management Centre, told
IRIN that R100 million (US $14.02 million) would be used for the provision
of drinking water; more than R60 million (US $8 million) on food, and R30
million (US $4.9 million) would go to the department of agriculture to
supply animal fodder.

IRIN visited the Free State, south of Johannesburg, one of seven out of
the country's nine provinces declared a disaster area by President Thabo
Mbeki last Friday.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39105


15 million could be affected by drought

As many as 15 million South Africans could be affected by one of the worst
droughts in 10 years. According to Toffee Mokgethi, head of the country's
National Disaster Management Centre, "Of those ... at least four million
are in need of immediate assistance."

Among them are three million communal or subsistence farmers and their
dependants. "We have worked out an average of five dependants per
household, which, multiplied by three, gives us the 15 million figure,"
Mokgethi told IRIN.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39035

 
Lack of support for land reform beneficiaries

The lack of sufficient post-transfer support for beneficiaries of land
redistribution in South Africa could derail the country's land reform
programme, say researchers.

Two recent studies have pointed to a gap between land redistribution and
agrarian development, as the country attempts to address the land
ownership imbalances of apartheid.

The first report, a scoping study of freehold and farming communities in
South Africa, was conducted on behalf of the British Department of
International Development (DFID) Southern Africa. The second was conducted
by the Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), based at the
University of the Western Cape. Both studies were concluded in September
2003.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39049


ZIMBABWE: EC helps plug food gap

A European Commission (EC) donation of US $25 million to the World Food
Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe has "come at just the right time", the UN food
agency told IRIN on Tuesday.

"The EC donation has plugged a serious shortfall we would have had [in the
food pipeline] for February and March," said WFP spokeswoman in Zimbabwe,
Makena Walker.

Walker said WFP was at the moment buying an estimated 55,000 mt of maize
in South Africa with the EC donation. "It's hand-to-mouth - as soon as we
get funds, we're pumping [food] out because the needs are very high. In
March we expect to be feeding 4.5 million people."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39037


Police vacate Daily News offices

Zimbabwe's largest selling newspaper, The Daily News, was back on the
streets on Thursday, after winning a High Court order compelling the
police to vacate its premises and stop interfering with its publishing
operations.

The police reportedly complied and left the pro-opposition newspaper's
offices on Wednesday afternoon.

In papers filed with the High Court, the police argued they had occupied
the offices and printing press of the privately owned daily in order to
comply with a directive by the regulatory Media and Information Commission
(MIC), which had refused to issue a publishing license to the paper.

But Justice Tendai Uchena ruled that, based on presentations by the
newspaper's legal representatives, he saw no reason why he should not
grant an order compelling the police to vacate its premises.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39050


Analysts cautious about inflation rate decline

Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate, one of the highest in the world, dropped
by 21 percent in December but analysts regard this as a "temporary
reprieve" and not a sign that the economy is on the mend, IRIN reported on
Wednesday.
 
The government-run Central Statistical Office (CSO) released figures
indicating inflation had dropped to 598.7 percent in December from 619.5
percent in November.

Economist John Robertson explained to IRIN: "It does not mean that the
prices are not increasing - they continue to rise. The new figures
indicate that while prices of commodities had gone up by 33.6 percent in
November, the increase was reduced to 11.2 percent in December."

He noted that while the drop in the inflation rate might "seem as the step
in the right direction, our inflation rate at 598.7 percent is much too
high."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39048


Tackling gender violence

Zimbabwe's women are doubly disadvantaged by the country's four-year-old
economic crisis. They are not only expected to manage dwindling,
inflation-hit household budgets, but many are also victims of a
corresponding rise in domestic violence, IRIN reported on Tuesday.

"We see an average of 10 new clients a day - and of these an average of
three are seeking peace orders in matters of domestic violence, and some
of the reasons have to do with financial issues," Emilia Muchawa of the
Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association told IRIN.

The Musasa Project, which seeks to empower abused women through support
groups and counselling, has seen a steep rise in women using its
counselling services, from 3,259 in 2001 to 4,338 in 2002.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39036


Concern over STI infections among street kids

On Tuesday IRIN reported that each month as many as 150 children sleeping
rough in the capital, Harare, are being treated for sexually transmitted
infections (STIs).

This underlined their extreme vulnerability, according to a local NGO.

Streets Ahead, an organisation trying to improve the welfare of Harare's
5,000 street children, said they discovered the STI outbreak when the
children visited their offices for counselling and other support
programmes.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39026


Tsvangirai takes the stand in treason trial

On Monday Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai took the
witness stand for the first time in his 11-month treason trial and denied
charges that he had plotted to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.

Court proceedings got underway after presiding Judge Paddington Garwe
granted a prosecution motion to partially amend the charges against
Tsvangirai.

The charges now include allegations that Tsvangirai had begun planning
transitional arrangements and discussed military support after Mugabe's
intended assassination.

"We were astounded that Judge Garwe had granted the motion, but maintain
that these new charges are just as spurious as the initial charge. At no
point was Mr Tsvangirai involved in a plot to eliminate President Mugabe
or engage in any discussion regarding military support," David Coltart,
legal advisor to the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC), told IRIN.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39009


"Green Bombers" deserting poor conditions in camps

Some volunteers to the Zimbabwe government's controversial youth service
programme are deserting because of the poor conditions and allegations of
brutality, according to former recruits and human rights NGOs.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39106


ANGOLA: National plan to deal with rights violations proposed

On Thursday IRIN reported on efforts by the government to improve the
country's human rights record.

The authorities and United Nations representatives have started working on
a national plan to establish mechanisms that deal with human rights
violations.

"Since the end of the war the [human rights] situation has improved. There
is more space for free public debate on human rights issues and civil
society groups feel confident to speak out against injustices. The
government has also said it is committed to finding a solution to some of
the current problems," UN Commission for Human Rights (UNHCR) national
officer, Lerena Pinto, told IRIN.

Although international rights groups have acknowledged an improvement in
freedom of expression, they have called for a greater respect for human
rights, especially by the security forces.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39083


Farm production slowly increases

Food insecurity is still an issue in post-war Angola, but farmers who have
been able to return to their fields are beginning to see results after
nearly two years of peace.

One success story is the farming association Hua Kinga-mbote Kadissuku
("The one who waits for the good never stumbles" in the local language,
Kimbundu) in the northern province of Malanje, led by a charismatic and
powerful woman, Maria de Fatima Coimbra.

"One year ago we were desperately running toward visitors asking for food.
Now we greet them with smiles. We dance and clap our hands," she told
IRIN.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39038


Food distributions stalled after rain takes out key bridges

Some 200,000 aid beneficiaries in central Angola are without food rations
after recent heavy rains destroyed two main bridges in Bie province, the
World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.

The two key bridges on the road between central Huambo province and Kuito
city in Bie collapsed two weeks ago due to torrential rains. The road is
also the main artery between the port of Lobito in Benguela province and
Kuito city, the site of WFP's regional warehouse.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39034


LESOTHO: IMF grants concessional loan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a US $5.2 million
disbursement to impoverished Lesotho after a review of the country's
economic performance.

The disbursement was granted under the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility (PRGF) - a concessional loan facility for low-income countries -
and brings the total amount drawn under the arrangement to US $31.1
million, the IMF said in a statement.

"Lesotho has made commendable progress under the PRGF-supported programme.
Economic growth has remained satisfactory, benefiting from strong textiles
exports to the United States under the U.S. African Growth Opportunity Act
(AGOA). Consumer price inflation has declined, in line with developments
in South Africa. Nevertheless, Lesotho faces many serious challenges in
the years ahead, including falling agricultural productivity, the
potential loss of trade preferences, and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS,"
Shigemitsu Sugisaki, deputy managing director and acting IMF chair, was
quoted as saying.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39084


MALAWI: Vice president changes parties as elections approach

The defection of Malawi's Vice-President Justin Malewezi to an opposition
party has led to media reports that the country could be facing a
constitutional crisis.

Malewezi left the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and joined the
Peoples' Progressive Movement (PPM) in early January, resulting in calls
for him to resign the vice-presidency.

But political analyst Rafiq Hajat, of the Blantyre-based Institute for
Policy Interaction, told IRIN on Thursday that "constitutionally speaking,
he has done nothing wrong".

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39077


ZAMBIA: Unionists threaten strike action

Trade unionists in Zambia have threatened industrial action if the
government goes ahead with plans to impose a six-month freeze on civil
servants' salaries.

Earlier this month the authorities said the austerity measure was part of
broader economic reforms aimed at reining in government overspending.

"We are saying a wage freeze is a recipe for industrial unrest. As
workers, we are seeing no benefits from the sacrifices that workers are
being asked to undertake. Already civil servants are poorly paid in this
country - a freeze on wage increments will deal a severe blow to those
already struggling to keep a roof over their heads. The government should
look first at the hefty salaries enjoyed by ministers and deputy
ministers, instead of junior workers in the civil service," said Zambia
Congress of Trade Unionists general-secretary, Sylvester Tembo.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39047


US renews AGOA status

Zambia is hoping to see a significant increase in its exports to the
United States under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Under AGOA, which was signed into law on 18 May 2000, eligible countries
are allowed tariff preferences when exporting to US markets by expanding
duty-free benefits to a range of products, from agricultural goods to
textiles.

The chief economist for foreign trade in the Department of commerce, Peggy
Mlewa, told IRIN on Monday that Zambia's agricultural produce exports
could expand considerably. Zambia was currently exporting snow peas to the
US, but awaiting clearance for other agro-products such as baby corn,
courgettes and carrots.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39007
 

SWAZILAND: Donors condemn palace building programme
 
International donor agencies and Swaziland's pro-democracy groups have
expressed dismay over government plans to spend more than R100 million (US
$14 million) to construct new palaces for each of King Mswati's 11 wives
in the midst of a drought emergency.

"Swaziland will be a harder sell when it comes to fundraising because of
this publicity," a senior aid worker at an international health
organisation told IRIN.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39011 


SOUTHERN AFRICA: Humanitarian agencies on a learning curve - new report

An independent audit company has revealed that while the work of British
charities during the 2002/03 southern African food crisis had eased
suffering and prevented the loss of millions of lives, in some cases the
scale of the crisis may have been exaggerated.

Valid International (VI) said the handling of the humanitarian crisis was
"generally good", but was "overstated in terms of the threat of famine".

Richard Miller, a spokesman for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC),
an umbrella body for the charities, told IRIN: "The southern African
crisis was a complex crisis, and conveying the seriousness of the
situation was equally challenging. Admittedly, as in any complex
humanitarian situation, mistakes are made. However, in the case of
Zimbabwe we do not think the message was alarmist at all. As soon as the
word spread about what the situation was really like in Zimbabwe, tonnes
of food aid poured into the country."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39008


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 880-4633
Fax: +27 11 447-5472
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za

[This Item is Delivered to the "Africa-English" Service of the UN's IRIN
humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views
of the United Nations. For further information, free subscriptions, or to
change your keywords, contact e-mail: IRIN@ocha.unon.org or Web:  
http://www.irinnews.org . If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this
item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Reposting by commercial
sites requires written IRIN permission.]

Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2004


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Southern Africa                  www.cidi.org/humanitarian/irin/safrica