MONITORING REPORT ON HURIDETSA G/TIP GRANT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000307

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF/S FOR BWALCH
DRL FOR NWILETT
G/TIP FOR JLARSEN, RYOUSEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF PGOV KTIP ZI
SUBJECT: MONITORING REPORT ON HURIDETSA G/TIP GRANT

Ref: 08 STATE 104501


1. (U) On March 30, poloff visited the local non-governmental
organization Human Rights and Development Trust of Southern Africa
(HURIDETSA) to evaluate progress on a US$300,000 grant that was
awarded by G/TIP on September 25, 2008.


2. (SBU) The answers below are keyed in response to questions posed
in reftel.


A. Political officer met with the following persons at the HURIDETSA
office in Harare: Emma Gweshe, Executive Director; Hope-Mary Nsangi,
Senior Program Officer; Shonhiwa Bakare, Assistant Program Officer;
and Farai George Chiweshe, Research Consultant.


B. This project aims to determine the extent to which corruption
contributes to human trafficking in the SADC region with the intent
to identify possible strategies to address the problem and to build
capacity to fight both corruption and trafficking. Specifically,
the objectives of the two-year project are to: (1) conduct a
situational analysis of the magnitude and forms of corruption that
promote human trafficking through organized crime in the SADC
region, (2) conduct a training needs assessment with anti-corruption
and anti-trafficking institutions, (3) hold meetings with
governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in anti-trafficking
and anti-corruption to discuss the outcomes of the two studies and
to identify ways forward, and (4) provide training - based on the
research and consultations - for law enforcement, anti-corruption
agencies, and anti-trafficking agencies.

HURIDETSA has nearly completed its first objective, a situational
analysis of corruption and TIP in the region. HURIDETSA's findings
to date indicate anti-TIP legislation in the region is weak, not
comprehensive, and does not contain provisions that recognize the
relationship between corruption and human trafficking. At the time
of our meeting, they had met with officials in Zimbabwe, South
Africa, and Botswana and were preparing to travel to Mozambique.
They found that officials from Zimbabwe's neighbors were fairly
forthcoming with information on trafficking, legislation, and
progress in rooting out corruption. The Zimbabwean government,
however, particularly the Zimbabwe Republic Police, has proven
reluctant to share information on its efforts in arresting,
charging, and prosecuting traffickers. HURIDETSA has not been able
to obtain statistics on trafficking in Zimbabwe. (NOTE: Post also
requested this information for the TIP report but has not yet
received any data. END NOTE.) HURIDETSA staff also noted concerns
that some immigration officials and police, particularly in
Zimbabwe, do not understand the difference between trafficking and
smuggling.

HURIDETSA accessed its funds in October and admits it is behind its
target dates. The situational analysis was scheduled to take three
months, but is now entering its sixth month, largely due to the
difficulty in obtaining data.


C. Obtaining information from government authorities has proven more
difficult and time consuming than anticipated, putting the project
back several months. Zimbabwean government officials resist
providing information and have demanded more details about
HURIDETSA's funding. HURIDETSA has not disclosed that the U.S.
government is funding the research, preferring to say that they
receive funding from a "basket" to which several donors contribute.

Like most organizations in Zimbabwe, HURIDETSA has encountered
challenges in preparing and following its budgets, first in a
hyperinflationary environment and now under dollarization. The
Qhyperinflationary environment and now under dollarization. The
current budget reflects infrastructure costs that are no longer
accurate as dollarization has caused rent and utility bills to
skyrocket. In addition, all but one of HURIDETSA's other projects
have ended, leaving a shortage of salary funds. HURIDETSA has
several applications pending with other organizations that may ease
some of the salary and infrastructure burdens. HURIDETSA plans to
submit a revised budget to G/TIP to reflect budgetary changes.


D. The operational environment for NGOs in Zimbabwe is significantly
improved versus a year ago. Nonetheless, HURIDETSA remains
cautious. Zimbabwean authorities frequently question the source of
its funding and HURIDETSA staff fear retribution or a further
reduction in information if GOZ officials learn the project is
funded by the USG.


E. Staffing appears to be adequate both in terms of technical
knowledge and management to carry out the project. HURIDETSA is
based in Zimbabwe and does not have external headquarters.



F. G/TIP may consider helping HURIDETSA revise its budget and
timeline to reflect the changing budgetary conditions and the

HARARE 00000307 002 OF 002


potential need to extend the grant with a no-cost extension at the
grant's completion.


G. This project advances current deficiencies by providing vital
information on the legal framework for TIP in Zimbabwe and in the
region, which will help lawmakers improve anti-TIP and
anti-corruption laws and law enforcement. Under the transitional
government in Zimbabwe, HURIDETSA and Post hope that official
information and statistics may be more forthcoming.


H. Overall, HURIDETSA is making progress towards implementing this
project. HURIDETSA is a viable candidate for continued funding,
although it may benefit from further assistance developing work
plans and budgets that allow flexibility in Zimbabwe's continued
uncertain political and economic environment.

MCGEE