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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00HARARE1970 |
MDC TO OFFER AMNESTY TO KEY MILITARY FIGURES [...] (C) A SMALL DEPUTATION OF MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) MEMBERS LED BY HARARE BUSINESSMAN CLIVE PUZEY CALLED ON AMBASSADOR MCDONALD APRIL 10 TO INFORM HIM OF A PLAN TO OFFER AN AMNESTY DEAL TO APPROXIMATELY CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 01970 121839Z TE [...] |
2000-04-11 16:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE2734 |
MDC STILL LIKELY TO WIN AT LEAST 20 PERCENT OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: DESPITE A STATE-SPONSORED CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE, AND THE RULING PARTY'S CONTROL OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) STILL IS LIKELY TO WIN AT LEAST 20 PERCENT OF THE 150 PARLIAMENTARY SEAT TOTAL (OR 30 SEATS) IN THE ELECTIONS NOW SCHE [...] |
2000-05-23 08:17:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ELAB PINR ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE3779 |
AMBASSADOR'S CALL ON MDC LEADER TSVANGIRAI [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A JULY 10 MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR, MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) LEADER MORGAN TSVANGIRAI AND MDC PARLIAMENTARY LEADER GIBSON SIBANDA OUTLINED THE PARTY'S PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES LAND REFORM, THE ECONOMY, AND THE CREATION OF MECHANISMS FOR HOLDING THE [...] |
2000-07-12 18:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE5187 |
RAID ON MDC HEADQUARTERS; ZIMBABWE POLICE [...] (C) SUMMARY: AN OPPOSITION ADVISOR AND RELIABLE EMBASSY CONTACT REPORTED TO THE AMBASSADOR SEPTEMBER 14 AN UPSURGE IN POLICE HARASSMENT OF THE OPPOSITION. AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WAS A RAID ON THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) HEADQUARTERS TODAY AND AN ATTEMPT TO ARREST TWO SENIOR MDC [...] |
2000-09-14 14:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE5302 |
ZIMBABWE MINISTER'S STATEMENT PRELUDE TO MORE [...] (C) IN A PARLIAMENTARY SESSION ATTENDED BY POLOFF, HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER JOHN NKOMO READ A BRIEF GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON THE POLICE RAIDS AGAINST THE MDC LAST WEEK (REFS B AND C). AFTER READING WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A POLICE REPORT ON THE BOMBING OF THE MDC HEADQUARTERS TWO DAYS BEFORE THE RAIDS [...] |
2000-09-19 15:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 00HARARE5346 |
FORMER ARMY COMMANDER REPORTEDLY APPROACHES MDC [...] (C) SOLOMON MUJURU, RETIRED COMMANDER OF THE ARMY, RECENTLY SENT AN EMISSARY TO THE MDC, WITHOUT PRESIDENT MUGABE'S KNOWLEDGE, ACCORDING TO A SENIOR MDC OFFICIAL. THE EMISSARY INFORMED THE MDC OF THE GOZ'S INTENTION TO PROVOKE VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS NATIONWIDE AS A PRETEXT FOR CRACKING DOWN [...] |
2000-09-21 16:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE5461 |
ZANU-PF REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN DEAL WITH MDC [...] (C) ACCORDING TO A SENIOR MDC ADVISOR, THE OPPOSITION PARTY HAS RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FEELERS FROM ZANU-PF ABOUT MAKING A DEAL THAT INVOLVES PRESIDENT MUGABE'S DEPARTURE FROM OFFICE. MDC PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI IS REPORTEDLY WILLING TO AGREE TO A GRACEFUL EXIT FOR MUGABE BECAUSE IT IS IN ZIMBABWE [...] |
2000-09-27 14:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 00HARARE5581 |
MDC PRESIDENT TSVANGIRAI CALLS ON AMBASSADOR [...] (C) IN A SEPTEMBER 29 MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR, MDC PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI CALLED THE BOMBING OF MDC HEADQUARTERS AND SUBSEQUENT RAIDS ON ITS OFFICES "AMATEURISH." THE GOZ HAS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST THE MDC LEADERSHIP BUT WOULD CONTINUE TO TRY TO PAINT THE PARTY AS A SUBVERVISE ORGANIZA [...] |
2000-09-29 15:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 00HARARE5666 |
AMBASSADOR WARNS MDC NOT TO USE VIOLENT [...] (C) AMBASSADOR MCDONALD DELIVERED REF A DEMARCHE TO MDC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN ISAAC MATONGO, WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MORGAN TSVANGIRAI'S POLITICAL ADVISOR AND RIGHT-HAND MAN, GANDI MUDZINGWA, IN THE ABSENCE OF MDC PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, WHO IS CURRENTLY OUT OF THE COUNTRY. WE DO NOT EXPECT H [...] |
2000-10-05 17:15:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ZI MDC |
| 01HARARE628 |
RULING PARTY PUTS OUT A FEELER TO THE [...] (C) MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) SENIOR ADVISOR CLIVE PUZEY (PROTECT) INFORMED POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF ON FEBRUARY 2 THAT OVER THE JANUARY 27-28 WEEKEND, GOODSON NGUNI, REPORTEDLY A RELATIVE OF SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT AND SENIOR ZANU-PF POLITBURO MEMBER EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, INVITED THE O [...] |
2001-02-02 11:14:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PHUM PINS ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 01HARARE655 |
ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT EXTENDS CRACKDOWN ON [...] (C) SINCE FEBRUARY 1, THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE (GOZ) HAS INTENSIFIED AND EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF ITS INTIMIDATION CAMPAIGN IN URBAN AREAS. IT HAS SENT ARMY AND POLICE UNITS INTO TOWNSHIPS NEAR HARARE TO INDISCRIMINATELY BEAT PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND PUBLIC PLACES. ON FEBRUARY 3, POLICE SQU [...] |
2001-02-06 16:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS PINR ZI MDC |
| 01HARARE754 |
MUGABE SAID TO BE BEHIND OVERTURE TO OPPOSITION [...] (C) PRESIDENT MUGABE IS BEHIND OVERTURES MADE TO THE OPPOSITION MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) IN LATE JANUARY BY SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, ACCORDING TO A SENIOR MDC ADVISOR. THE SECRET CONTACTS ARE CONTINUING BETWEEN ENVOYS FROM BOTH SIDES AND MIGHT LEAD TO A MEETING B [...] |
2001-02-15 12:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 01HARARE760 |
BRITISH REPORT ON ZANU-PF OVERTURES TO THE MDC [...] (C) ON FEBRUARY 16 THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION HERE SHARED WITH US THE TEXT OF THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE SENT TO LONDON FEBRUARY 15 REPORTING ON MORGAN TSVANGIRAI'S OBSERVATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ZANU-PF OVERTURES TO HIS PARTY. 2. (C) BEGIN TEXT: SUBJECT: ZANU-PF OVERTURES TO TSVANGIRAI S [...] |
2001-02-16 09:29:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 01HARARE930 |
MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE LEADERSHIP TAKES [...] (C) THE OPPOSITION MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) HAS MOVED TO ADDRESS SERIOUS ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS BY HIRING A RESPECTED CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST TO BE NATIONAL COORDINATOR TO MANAGE THE PARTY'S AFFAIRS AND A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL TO RUN ITS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT. THE PARTY I [...] |
2001-03-06 15:48:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR ZI MDC |
| 01HARARE969 |
MEETING WITH LEADERS OF THE MOVEMENT FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: ON MARCH 9, ACTING PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY MARK BELLAMY HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI ON THE STATE OF ZIMBABWE'S POLITICAL CRISIS SIPDIS AND WHAT CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE THE U.S. COULD PLAY, IF ANY, TO HELP RESOLV [...] |
2001-03-09 15:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ZI SA MDC |
| 02HARARE1151 |
MDC LEADER TSVANGIRAI ON THE WAY FORWARD [...] (C) Summary: MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai told us his party is pursuing a four-pronged strategy in the election aftermath: participating in the (now stalled) inter-party dialogue; challenging the election result in court; organizing mass action; and encouraging increased international pres [...] |
2002-05-14 14:24:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC ZI MDC |
| 02HARARE1448 |
ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT, RUNNING SCARED, RENEWS [...] (C) Summary: In the last week, the Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) has renewed its crackdown on the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which is still considering some sort of mass action to force the GOZ to rerun the flawed March presidential election. Police have arrested hundreds [...] |
2002-06-18 14:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ASEC ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 02HARARE2401 |
GOZ VIOLENCE AGAINST MDC TARGETS COUNCILORS [...] (C) Since the September 28 - 29 Rural District Council elections, ZANU-PF supporters have carried out a violent campaign of retribution against winning MDC councilors and MDC supporters in districts that elected MDC councilors. At least one MDC supporter was beaten to death. Winning (and los [...] |
2002-11-04 14:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL EAID ASEC ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 02HARARE2560 |
AMBASSADOR'S CONVERSATION WITH MDC [...] (C) MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube told the Ambassador on November 15 that the treason case against him and his party compatriots has no legal merit, but it could be assigned to a judge who is inclined to give more weight to political considerations. He described growing resentment w [...] |
2002-11-18 13:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 02HARARE2805 |
MDC UNHAPPINESS WITH SOUTH AFRICA GROWS [...] (C) Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai told a visiting staffdel that Zimbabwe needed a 12-18 month transitional period during which critical national issues must be resolved to lay the foundation for a new election and long-term political stability. He predicte [...] |
2002-12-17 10:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 02HARARE2829 |
TSVANGIRAI LEVELS ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BRITAIN AND [...] (C) In a move that could create quite a firestorm, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai issued a press statement on December 18 accusing the British and South African governments of working in cahoots with certain elements of ZANU-PF to maintain the ruling party's ho [...] |
2002-12-18 14:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 02HARARE315 |
MDC PLANNING FOR TRANSITION [...] (C) THE MDC HAS ESTABLISHED A FOUR-PERSON TEAM THAT IS QUIETLY WORKING ON THE TRANSITION PERIOD, DRAWING UP AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE FIRST 100 DAYS, AND DEVISING A LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR KEY POSITIONS. IF ELECTED, MDC PRESIDENT MORGAN TSVANGIRAI WOULD GIVE THE FINANCE MINISTRY PORTFOLIO TO PROM [...] |
2002-02-05 14:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR ZI MDC |
| 02HARARE731 |
MDC WILL ONLY TALK TRANSITION [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE MDC SHARPLY DEFINED ITS WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN FACILITATED DIALOGUE WITH ZANU-PF AS LIMITED TO A TRANSITIONAL FORMULA TOWARD NEW ELECTIONS AND REJECTED A UNITY GOVERNMENT. THIS PUTS THEM ON A CONFLICTING COURSE WITH ZANU-PF WHICH SEEKS TO FORCE MDC AND THE NATION TO ACCEPT [...] |
2002-03-20 13:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1076 |
TSVANGIRAI TALKS ABOUT MASS ACTION, REGIONAL [...] (C) At a meeting on May 28, 2003, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC deputy Secretary General Gift Chimanikire SIPDIS discussed the impending mass action, the status of the Mbeki-Muluzi-Obasanjo initiative, the court cases, and transitional period needs. Tsvangirai seemed confident that [...] |
2003-05-30 06:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1171 |
TSVANGIRAI FACES NEW TREASON CHARGES, AWAITS BAIL [...] (C) AFTER A WEEK OF MASS ACTION WHICH PRODUCED LESS THAN THE OPPOSITION WOULD HAVE LIKED, MDC LEADER, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI FOUND HIMSELF UNDER ARREST FOR TREASON ONCE AGAIN. SIPDIS HE SPENT THE WEEKEND IN JAIL AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING A RULING IN A BAIL HEARING. PRESIDENT MUGABE SOUNDED TR [...] |
2003-06-09 14:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1207 |
MDC LOOKS TO THE FUTURE; TSVANGIRAI SPENDS ANOTHER [...] (C) MDC leaders worried that President Mugabe might try to influence the judiciary to keep their president, Morgan Tsvangirai, in jail for a month or more. They welcomed the SIPDIS reported visit of President Bush to the region and hoped that it would step up pressure for dialogue. They j [...] |
2003-06-12 13:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1233 |
MUGABE STILL PACKS A PUNCH [...] (C) Robert Mugabe went on the offensive last week following the previous week's mass action by the opposition party, the MDC. Mugabe was pugnacious and triumphalist and used every opportunity to demean his political rival, MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai. At the same time he took to his p [...] |
2003-06-16 14:52:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 03HARARE1252 |
MDC MAKES PLANS WHILE WAITING FOR ITS LEADER TO BE [...] (C) Although the MDC is clearly missing its leader who continues to be imprisoned on new treason charges, it remains united and strong according to Special Presidential Advisor Gandi Mudzingwa. Criticisms leveled against the MDC leadership are just that, criticisms, not indications of any sp [...] |
2003-06-19 14:20:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1256 |
TSVANGIRAI FREE ON BAIL; TREASON TRIAL CONTINUES [...] (C) After two weeks in prison, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai was today granted bail on fresh treason charges. SIPDIS Bail conditions are high for Zimbabwe but should be doable. Tsvangirai's trial on old treason charges resumed this week SIPDIS as well. Under cross examination Central [...] |
2003-06-20 10:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1267 |
MDC LEADER TSVANGIRAI WELL AND DETERMINED TO MOVE [...] No summary [...] |
2003-06-23 12:58:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1351 |
MDC REQUESTS MEETINGS WITH POTUS DELEGATION IN RSA [...] (U) This is an action request; please see paragraph two. Summary and Action Request: --------------------------- 2. (C) MDC Presidential Advisor, Gandi Mudzingwa, requested meetings with member(s) of the POTUS delegation at whatever level would be appropriate for an MDC delegation that wi [...] |
2003-07-02 14:56:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1359 |
MDC OFFICIALS REFLECT ON MASS ACTION - SUCCESSES [...] (C) MDC Presidential Advisor Gandi Mudzingwa and MDC MP Roy Bennett both said recently that the June mass action was a success overall, but suffered from organizational problems that the party is resolving. Mudzingwa thought the problems were due to too many MPs becoming involved in key decis [...] |
2003-07-03 14:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1360 |
MDC LEADER TSVANGIRAI SAYS THAT NO CURRENT [...] (U) MDC Delegations ----------------- (C) MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai outlined for the Ambassador his party's plans for upcoming meetings and various mediation efforts underway. Tsvangirai said that the MDC would be sending a small team to Pretoria next week headed by spokesman Paul The [...] |
2003-07-04 11:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SF ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1711 |
TALKS ON TALKS: MOMENTUM TOWARD ZIMBABWE POLITICAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: A series of meetings between political players here and HIRC Africa Subcommittee staffer Malik Chaka illuminated the tentative state of play of various efforts to get ZANU-PF/MDC talks resumed. ZANU-PF Chairman John Nkomo highlighted improvements in the political atmosphere and [...] |
2003-08-28 14:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 03HARARE1792 |
TSVANGIRAI ON MDC'S OVERSEAS OUTREACH, TALKS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a September 10 meeting with Ambassador Sullivan, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai voiced continued frustration with ZANU-PF's lack of urgency on resuming talks and recounted efforts by MDC principals to engage with regional SADC leaders in that regard. He sought USG support f [...] |
2003-09-11 14:33:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1805 |
Tsvangirai Treason Trial Postponed Until [...] (SBU) Lawyers for Morgan Tsvangirai advised the Embassy on September 12 that by mutual agreement of the parties, resumption of Tsvangirai's treason trial was postponed from September 15 to September 22. Presiding Justice Garwe approached the parties on September 11, noting that he had schedu [...] |
2003-09-12 10:26:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM SOCI ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1892 |
MDC SECRETARY-GENERAL ON SADC OUTREACH, TALKS, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube on September 16 reported to Ambassador Sullivan on meetings with selected SADC heads of state. He advised that the bishops troika remained active as an informal intermediary between MDC and ZANU-PF but that the ruling party continued to stall. [...] |
2003-09-17 15:14:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1971 |
MDC SHADOW MINISTERS PREVIEW PARTY'S ECONOMIC [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: MDC shadow minister for economic affairs and MDC MP Tendai Biti on September 23 summarized to emboff the elements of the party's economic plan, called RESTART. The plan, which he cast as essentially a social democratic platform, was being circulated for comment and could be exp [...] |
2003-09-29 15:22:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON EFIN ETRD SOCI ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE1993 |
MDC ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGY [...] SUMMARY. (SBU) On September 30, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai briefed the diplomatic community on the MDC's SIPDIS position on various current issues. While Tsvangirai did not reveal anything earth shattering, he did acknowledge that some contact with ZANU-PF was ongoing but said that the [...] |
2003-10-01 08:39:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2094 |
MDC OFFICIAL ON POSSIBLE CIO INVOLVEMENT IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: The MDC's Chairman for Harare Morgan Femai related to poloff on October 20 a first person account of the shootings at MDC's Harvest House headquarters on October 18. The senior MDC official present when the events took place, Femai alleged that the shooter, Ronnie Chihota, was as [...] |
2003-10-21 09:18:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC PHUM ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2123 |
MDC LEADERSHIP ON COURT CASES, TALKS, VIOLENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and Secretary General Welshman Ncube on October 23 confirmed to SIPDIS the Ambassador that court consideration of the party's election petition would commence November 3 and that Tsvangirai's treason trial would be postponed until next SIPDIS [...] |
2003-10-24 10:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2179 |
GOZ BLAMES HARARE CITY COUNCIL FOR WATER [...] (C) SUMMARY: For the past several weeks, the government press has blamed Harare's MDC-dominated City Council for myriad woes and has depicted a Council mired in personnel conflicts and improper procedures. It is possible the GOZ is gearing up to dismiss the entire Council and replace it with [...] |
2003-11-03 09:27:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2204 |
MDC LEGAL AFFAIRS SECRETARY ON RECENTLY CONCLUDED [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary for Legal Affairs David Coltart on November 4 confirmed to the Embassy the party's expectation that the court would delay issuance of judgment on the election petition (hearings on which concluded November 4) before eventually rejecting it. He outlined to Ambassado [...] |
2003-11-05 15:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2225 |
MDC SECRETARY GENERAL ON CARROTS AND STICKS [...] (C) SUMMARY. MDC Secretary General Welshman Ncube on November 6 told poloff that he intended during his planned visit to Washington next week to urge the USG to be more vocal in its criticism of the GOZ. At the same time, he concluded that the time had come for a more explicit elaboration b [...] |
2003-11-10 10:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2286 |
MEETING WITH BROKERS OF POLITICAL RECONCILIATION [...] (SBU) Summary. Disparaging remarks about "talk about talks" between the ruling Zanu-PF party and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have replaced hopeful reports of imminent breakthroughs. A meeting on November 19, 2003, between Ambassador Sullivan, Director of USAID Paul Weisenfeld, [...] |
2003-11-24 13:39:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 03HARARE2287 |
OPPOSITION LEADER ON OBASANJO VISIT, POLITICAL [...] (C) Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on November 21 confirmed to Ambassador Sullivan the essential details related by associates to the Embassy last week (reftel) of his meetings with Nigerian President Obasanjo on November 17. He clarified that Obasanjo had said that Mugabe indicated agr [...] |
2003-11-24 14:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2313 |
MASS ACTION IN THE OFFING? [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary for Presidential Affairs Gandi Mudzingwa on November 25 advised poloff that the opposition party was laying the groundwork for another "mass action" in late January or early February 2004. He predicted that the bishops would soon publicly declare their mediation e [...] |
2003-11-28 10:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2332 |
ZANU-PF TAKES PARLIAMENTARY SEAT FROM MDC - TWO [...] (C) SUMMARY: ZANU-PF took a parliamentary seat from the MDC in a by-election held on November 29 - 30 in Kadoma Central. Neither candidate articulated a campaign message in interviews with poloff who visited the area the day before voting began. The MDC candidate alleged intimidation and vot [...] |
2003-12-02 15:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 03HARARE2412 |
MDC MEMBERSHIP DESPONDENT AT PERCEIVED LACK OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Various MDC Officials have commented that there is increasing despondency and frustration within the party rank and file. The MDC is planning mass action for early in the New Year, but much homework remains undone, and with an increasingly resigned public, it is unclear whether [...] |
2003-12-15 14:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2437 |
LETTER FROM MORGAN TSVANGIRAI TO SECRETARY POWELL [...] No summary [...] |
2003-12-18 12:03:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE2455 |
MDC CONSOLIDATES PLATFORM AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Under the firm leadership of Party President Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC's national conference in Harare December 20-21 yielded a comprehensive policy platform and "blueprint" for national recovery. The party reiterated its commitment to unconditional ta [...] |
2003-12-23 15:27:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON PHUM SOCI ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE322 |
GOVERNMENT INTENSIFIES ANTI-MDC VIOLENCE AND [...] (C) In the past three weeks police have arrested and detained four MDC MPs, arrested 28 other MDC officials, beaten three, tortured at least one and denied permission, and / or halted at least four planned gatherings. As the opposition attempts to organize for upcoming parliamentary by-electi [...] |
2003-02-14 08:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ASEC ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 03HARARE600 |
MUGABE INCITES BRUTALIZATION OF MDC SUPPORTERS [...] (C) In the wake of the successful March 18 - 19 MDC stayaway the GOZ has embarked on a massive retribution campaign against lower-level MDC officials, and some MDC MPs. Police, suspected CIO officers and soldiers have arrested, beaten, raped and tortured several hundred MDC supporters. The GO [...] |
2003-03-24 16:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE628 |
MDC ELEMENTS STILL CONTEMPLATING VIOLENCE [...] (C) On March 26, MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube assured the Ambassador that the party remains committed to peaceful change, while acknowledging that some party elements had been planning bombing attacks prior to the March 18-19 stayaway. Solomon Chikowero, the MDC Head of Intelligence s [...] |
2003-03-27 15:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 03HARARE954 |
MDC BOMBER CONFESSES [...] (S) MDC activist Sedweak Munyaradzi Mupazviripo Munya (protect) has informed embassy officer that he had made and thrown nine petrol bombs at three different ZANU-PF meetings-in-progress on about April 25. It is likely that MDC security head Solomon Chikowero is the highest MDC official aware [...] |
2003-05-19 08:38:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1009 |
MDC QUIETLY CULTIVATING DOMESTIC ALLIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Discussions with MDC officials reveal continued hope within the party for the success of mass action and a broad alliance of civic groups. Discouraged by unsuccessful efforts in court and in recent elections, the party leadership plans to press the ruling party through mass actio [...] |
2004-06-16 14:48:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1112 |
ATTACK ON MDC PROVINCIAL MEETING [...] (C) SUMMARY. ZANU-PF youths on July 2 attacked an MDC provincial assembly attended by several MDC leaders, including Morgan Tsvangirai, in Mashonaland Central. The youths destroyed property and injured MDC supporters. Police blamed the incident on MDC members, while MDC leaders believe the CI [...] |
2004-07-06 14:33:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 04HARARE1197 |
ANOTHER OPPOSITION MP ARRESTED [...] (U) GOZ police arrested MDC MP for Glen Norah, Priscilla Misihairambwi - Mushonga on July 15. Misihairambwi was asked to present herself to the Law and Order section at Harare Central Police station at 9:30 am. Charged under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, she is accused of having breached the [...] |
2004-07-20 14:57:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1201 |
OPPOSITION GIRDS FOR TREASON TRIAL VERDICT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The MDC is preparing for the possibility that its President, Morgan Tsvangirai, will be found guilt of treason in a verdict scheduled to be issued July 29. Tsvangirai told the Ambassador July 19 that the party woul SIPDIS boycott elections and not negotiate with the ruling part [...] |
2004-07-20 16:00:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1205 |
TREASON VERDICT REPORTEDLY DEFERRED [...] (SBU) MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai's lawyers informed the Embassy July 20 that the High Court had advised them that day that judgment in Tsvangirai's treason trial would not be rendered July 29, as earlier expected. The court did not indicate a new date for the judgment's release or a reas [...] |
2004-07-21 14:34:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1224 |
LAWYERS ELABORATE ON TSVANGIRAI CASE [...] (C) Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's lawyers told the Embassy on July 22 that the court advised them that announcement of the verdict had been postponed until August, date to be determined. The reason given was that the assessors had requested full transcripts of the trial for further r [...] |
2004-07-23 10:19:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE124 |
TREASON TRIAL CONTINUES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai's treason trial resumed in the High Court on January 19. The defense concluded its direct examination of Tsvangirai on January 22 and the case now moves to Tsvangirai's cross- examination by the prosecution. The trial will likely conclude [...] |
2004-01-22 13:06:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM SOCI ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1444 |
OPPOSITION REITERATES TENTATIVE BOYCOTT OF [...] (U) The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) announced August 25 that the party,s National Executive had decided to suspend participation in elections. In a briefing to the diplomatic corps the same day, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai said the GOZ,s proposed election reforms were n [...] |
2004-08-26 15:15:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1526 |
OPPOSITION FIGURES ARRESTED, OFFICES RAIDED [...] (SBU) Zimbabwean police on the evening of September 8 arrested MDC MP and Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Nelson Chamisa and 13 of his constituents at his home in Kuwadzana, a high-density suburb of Harare. Chamisa,s lawyer told us that he expected Chamisa to be charged under the Public Ord [...] |
2004-09-09 16:19:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1562 |
ZIMBABWE'S ELECTION SPACE OPENING? [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary for Presidential Affairs Gandhi Mudzingwa told poloff on September 14 that the party was finding it easier to conduct rallies around the country, although no-go areas remained. In a surprise move, Mudzinga said Election Registrar General Mudede had agreed to share [...] |
2004-09-17 08:17:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KPAO ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1571 |
TSVANGIRAI VERDICT DATE SET - OCTOBER 15 [...] (C) Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's lawyers informed the Embassy on September 17 that the High Court had told them it would render a verdict in the Tsvangirai treason trial on October 15. The case concluded in February 2004, more than a year after it started. 2. (C) Originally, the c [...] |
2004-09-20 11:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1587 |
MDC READOUT OF MBEKI MEETING [...] (C) Summary: DCM met September 21 with Gandhi Mudzingwa, Director of Presidential Affairs for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Mudzingwa confirmed that the MDC had met over the weekend with President Mbeki, who had asked what, short of pressure, he could do to help manage Zimbabwe,s [...] |
2004-09-23 08:52:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1593 |
MDC HEAD DISMISSES GOZ MOVES; CALLS FOR MORE [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador and DCM met September 17 with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who said that the GOZ was making cosmetic changes in the face of internal and external pressure but that the situation on the ground had yet to change and until it did the [...] |
2004-09-23 14:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1600 |
MDC SHADOW MINISTER OF JUSTICE RECOUNTS PARTY [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a September 20 discussion with the Ambassador and USAID Director, MDC MP and Shadow Minister for Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs David Coltart urged the USG to exert strong pressure on the international community to engage the GOZ meaningfully on its election administ [...] |
2004-09-24 08:08:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM EAID ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1722 |
OPPOSITION LEADER ACQUITTED [...] (U) To a packed courtroom in the late morning of October 15, High Court Justice Paddington Garwe pronounced Movement for Democratic Change President Morgan Tsvangirai not guilty on a charge of treason. The verdict brings to conclusion a trial that commenced more than a year ago in which the [...] |
2004-10-15 12:18:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1787 |
MDC MP BENNETT JAILED [...] On Thursday morning, October 28, police at Harare International Airport arrested Chimanimani MDC MP Roy Bennett on charges of obstruction of justice. According to Bulawayo MP and MDC Secretary for Legal Affairs David Coltart, Bennett was on his way to a business meeting in Johannesburg, South [...] |
2004-10-28 15:26:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE1842 |
MDC SECRETARY-GENERAL ON PARTY TRAVEL, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Movement for Democratic Change Secretary-General Welshman Ncube on November 4 updated poloff SIPDIS on the developing itinerary of opposition party leaders, including regional travel and a planned trip by him and Party President Morgan Tsvangirai to the United States in mid-No [...] |
2004-11-08 14:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE188 |
MDC UPDATE ON PROGRESS IN TALKS [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube on January 30 told the Ambassador that he expected to engage his ruling party interlocutor, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, soon on key issues relating to prospective talks. A new electoral law would address many issues, while the fate of [...] |
2004-02-03 04:37:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SA ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2034 |
ZCTU HEAD: OPPOSITION NEEDS BETTER ORGANIZATION [...] (C) Summary: Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General Wellington Chibebe told the Ambassador on SIPDIS December 13 that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and civil society in general had to organize better to win what was now likely to be a long-term strug [...] |
2004-12-15 08:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB ECON PGOV EAID ZI ZANU PF MDC ZCTU |
| 04HARARE2035 |
COMMISSION APPOINTED TO RUN HARARE [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a clear--and possibly illegal--power grab, the GOZ appointed a commission December 9 to run the City of Harare, replacing the Harare City Council. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had dominated the Council until earlier this year when the GOZ engineered th [...] |
2004-12-15 09:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2036 |
MDC OFFICIALS ON ELECTION PLANS, INTER-PARTY [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a lunch at the Residence on December 8, MDC National Campaign Coordinator Ian Makoni and MDC MP (Mutare) Innocent Gonese updated the Ambassador on MDC election plans and inter-party relations. They reported that the MDC was better organized than it had been in previous el [...] |
2004-12-15 10:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2049 |
MDC ON MARCH ELECTIONS; FUTURE EFFORTS [...] (C) Summary: Over dinner on December 8, Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC leadership laid out their plans for contesting the March parliamentary elections, should they decide to participate. The Ambassador said the SADC countries appeared ready to bless the March elections regardless; Tsvangirai a [...] |
2004-12-16 15:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2055 |
MDC AWAITS NEW PARLIAMENTARY BOUNDARIES [...] (U) On December 15, Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa announced that the Delimitation Commission, which establishes new boundaries for parliamentary constituencies, had completed its work in preparation for the March elections and would soon be presenting its report to President Mugabe. Ch [...] |
2004-12-20 16:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2062 |
MDC DEFERS BOYCOTT DECISION, PARTY CONGRESS [...] (U) In a circular distributed to the diplomatic community on December 20, the MDC announced that it would defer until January a decision on whether to participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for March. The missive reported that the party would continue to canvass its membership [...] |
2004-12-21 08:41:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE2071 |
MDC OFFICIAL ON POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS, CHALLENGES [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary for Presidential Affairs Gandhi Mudzingwa on December 15 updated poloff on MDC priorities and activities in the run-up to the March parliamentary elections. He identified steps ZANU-PF had taken that were leading to a more open political environment, but said the p [...] |
2004-12-23 13:03:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE268 |
CONVERSATION WITH MDC'S MORGAN TSVANGIRAI AND [...] (c) Summary. Ambassador and DCM dined with MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and Secretary General Welshman Ncube on February 12. The MDC leaders commented on Tsvangirai's ongoing treason trial. Ncube and Tsvangirai both confirmed that putative talks with ZANU-PF are going nowhere despite wh [...] |
2004-02-13 07:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE334 |
TSVANGIRAI TREASON TRIAL NEARS COMPLETION [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 24, the State concluded its case in the treason trial of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The Defense was expected to complete its concluding arguments on February 26, but we would not expect a decision from the judge for some time. END SUMMARY. 2. (C) On Febru [...] |
2004-02-25 13:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE397 |
OPPOSITION LEADER ON TALKS STALEMATE, POSSIBLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador on March 2 that MDC and ZANU-PF delegations in South Africa March 1 each rebuffed South African government efforts to convene a meeting between the two. He was encouraged by President Mbeki's meeting with the MDC delegatio [...] |
2004-03-04 08:57:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE401 |
MDC PRESIDENT APPEALS TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 3, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai briefed some 30 Harare-based diplomats on the MDC's perception of the crisis in Zimbabwe, the status of interparty talks, and the party's strategy for upcoming elections. He appealed to the international community to continue pressure [...] |
2004-03-04 15:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ASEC EAID ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE47 |
OPPOSITION LEADER UPBEAT ON 2004 [...] (C) SUMMARY: With qualified optimism, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai offered an assessment of Zimbabwe's political landscape to Ambassador Sullivan during lunch on January 7 at the Residence. Tsvangirai identified mobilization of membership, coordination with civil society, and improving th [...] |
2004-01-08 14:38:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ECON ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE530 |
HOTLY CONTESTED URBAN CONSTITUENCY UP FOR GRABS IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sporadic violence and intimidation has characterized the campaign period in an important parliamentary by-election to be held in Zengeza (a high-density suburb of Harare) March 27-28. The opposition MDC selected a candidate rumored not to be the choice of the MDC membership in Ze [...] |
2004-03-26 12:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE54 |
MDC PLANNING TO SUPPORT NON-MDC MASS ACTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: An MDC official described plans for a prayer vigil on January 11 as the first in what the MDC hopes will be a series of similar (mass) actions in the coming weeks or months. The events would be held under the auspices of the church rather than the MDC. The official recounted MDC [...] |
2004-01-09 10:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE540 |
MINISTER REPORTEDLY SHOOTS OPPOSITION MEMBER AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two eyewitnesses identified Minister without portfolio Elliott Manyika as a shooter in an incident on the second day of voting in Zengeza that left one dead and 11 injured. Emboffs observed several instances of voting irregularities during the voting days: double voting lines, as [...] |
2004-03-29 13:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ASEC ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 04HARARE553 |
VIOLENT RULING PARTY VICTORY SETS TONE FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a demoralizing blow to the opposition, ZANU-PF took an MDC stronghold in the March 27 - 28 by-election in the urban high-density constituency of Zengeza. The government press reported that Minister Elliott Manyika, rumored to be involved in the shooting of an MDC youth (Ref), [...] |
2004-03-30 15:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 04HARARE580 |
WIDE RANGING DISCUSSION WITH SENIOR MDC OFFICIALS [...] (c) Comment. On April 2, the Ambassador and DCM met with MDC Secretary General Welshman Ncube and MDC Spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi to discuss, inter alia, South African President Mbeki's effort to broker interparty talks between the MDC and ZANU-PF. Ncube detailed March 1 meetings with Mbe [...] |
2004-04-05 14:45:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE634 |
POLICE, MILITARY SEIZE OPPOSITION MP'S FARM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The seizure of MDC MP Roy Bennett's Chimanimani farm by police and military on April 9 represents the climax of a long-standing GOZ effort to deprive the prominent opposition figure of his economic and political base. The forces evicted farm management from the property and g [...] |
2004-04-13 15:05:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE649 |
MDC RESTRUCTURING ITSELF FOR ELECTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 15, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai reported to the Ambassador that the party was radically restructuring itself with a focus on contesting elections, despite the fact that the party had not made a final decision to contest the March 2005 polls. Tsvangirai asserted that [...] |
2004-04-16 10:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE680 |
HARARE MAYOR FIRED IN LATEST GOZ ATTACK ON MDC [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 16 Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo fired the suspended MDC Mayor of Harare Elias Mudzuri without apparent legal justification. The Mayor said he intended to appeal to the High Court to overturn the dismissal, but we hold little hope for his success. END SU [...] |
2004-04-21 14:59:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE682 |
MISCHIEF IN MANICALAND: VIOLENCE ON FARMS, MUTARE [...] (U) SUMMARY: Credible sources report that ruling party supporters who have seized farms in Manicaland are beating farm workers suspected of loyalty to the opposition. International Organization for Migration (IOM) is preparing to care for farm workers who are being displaced by the seizures a [...] |
2004-04-21 15:34:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV ASEC PREF EAGR EAID ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 04HARARE693 |
MDC MP MASAITI ARREST [...] (U) MDC Member of Parliament for Mutasa Evelyn Masaiti was arrested in Mabvuku on April 17 on her way back from her constituency for allegedly looting a shop owned by acting Harare Mayor Sekesayi Makwavarara. Masaiti told poloff on April 22 that she was driving from her constituency in Manica [...] |
2004-04-23 09:32:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE716 |
CONTROVERSIAL MDC MP JOB SIKHALA ARRESTED AFTER [...] (U) On April 25, police arrested Job Sikhala, MDC MP for St. Mary's (a high-density suburb of Harare) and five of his supporters. Three were released without charge on April 27, but Sikhala and two others were still in custody on April 28. Sikhala was arrested at his house in St. Mary's after [...] |
2004-04-28 12:52:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE752 |
WHITHER THE MDC [...] (C) SUMMARY: The fledgling opposition MDC is suffering from some basic but critical problems: infighting within the higher ranks, insufficient communication and consultation with the broader membership, despondency, and increasing criticism from within the party. These factors coupled with ZA [...] |
2004-05-05 11:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR EAID ASEC ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE765 |
MDC MP JOB SIKHALA DENIES SPLINTER PARTY PLOT -- [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 4, maverick MDC MP Job Sikhala denied rumors that he planned to create a splinter party with other high-level MDC officials. Whether or not that rumor is true, Sikhala and MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai currently appear to be at odds -- yet another example of internal conf [...] |
2004-05-07 09:23:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SF ZI MDC |
| 04HARARE843 |
ZANU-PF WRESTS MP SEAT FROM MDC IN RURAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Along with Harare based diplomats from ten other countries, Poloff observed a May 15 - 16 parliamentary by-election in the rural Matabeleland North district of Lupane -- a traditional MDC stronghold. ZANU-PF narrowly won the seat by a margin of over 800 votes in an election chara [...] |
2004-05-18 15:12:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR ASEC ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 04HARARE858 |
ZANU-PF STAGES DEMONSTRATION AGAINST MDC MP ROY [...] (U) SUMMARY: On May 20, ZANU-PF staged a demonstration in downtown Harare against MDC MP Roy Bennett. The demonstration came two days after Bennett assaulted Minister of Justice Patrick Chinamasa in Parliament when the latter commented on the government seizure of Bennett's farm. END SUMMARY [...] |
2004-05-21 08:53:00 | Embassy Harare | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINR ASEC ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 05HARARE1034 |
OPPOSITION LEADER ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, POLITICAL [...] MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai on July 26 told the CDA that he supported efforts by outside parties, including the AU and the UN, to get more engaged on Zimbabwe. He complimented the recently released report of UN Envoy Tibaijuka and called for the appointment of a UNCHR rapporteur for Zimb [...] |
2005-07-28 12:07:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1105 |
TSVANGIRAI,S SECOND TREASON TRIAL CHARGES WITHDRAWN [...] (U) The GOZ on August 2 dropped the remaining treason charge against MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai. The latest charge stemmed from Tsvangirai's role in mass demonstrations against the ruling party in June 2003. (Note: Prosecution on a first treason charge ended with Tsvangirai's acquittal [...] |
2005-08-03 15:07:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE113 |
MDC SECRETARY-GENERAL ON TSVANGIRAI TRIP, ELECTIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Ambassador on January 18, MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube reported that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai planned to lead an opposition delegation to Washington February 6-9. Ncube noted that ZANU-PF's internal turmoil was opening space for opposition el [...] |
2005-01-20 13:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1146 |
MDC WINS BULAWAYO MAYORAL POLL [...] (U) In an August 13 election, Bulawayo MDC Mayor Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube retained his mayoral seat over ZANU-PF challenger Dickson Solman Abu Basuthu by a margin of 29,575 to 5,509. Barely ten percent of Bulawayo,s 331,447 registered voters cast ballots. ----------------- ZESN Observations - [...] |
2005-08-17 13:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1209 |
MDC MP COLTART ON PLANNED U.S. VISIT; REQUEST FOR [...] (C) MDC Shadow Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs David Coltart on August 25 told the CDA that together with Zimbabwean exiled businessmen Strive Masiyiwa and Nigel Chanakira, he was employing church connections in the United States to seek a meeting with President Bush in Oc [...] |
2005-08-29 16:03:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1271 |
TSVANGIRAI INVIGORATING BASE TO CAPITALIZE ON GOZ [...] (C) Summary. In a September 8 meeting with the Ambassador, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai said that ZANU-PF's hold on power was fragile and that he envisioned a more confrontational MDC as a means to boost the public's confidence in the opposition and to expl [...] |
2005-09-09 10:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1357 |
TSVANGIRAI WALKS TO PROVE RELEVANCY, TEST WATERS [...] (C) Summary. For the past two weeks MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has walked the 16-kilometer roundtrip journey to SIPDIS and from work as a means to highlight the failure of the GOZ,s economic policies and to demonstrate solidarity with average Zimbabweans struggling to cope with the pressi [...] |
2005-09-30 10:55:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1420 |
MOYO WEAVES TALE OF PARTIES IN DISARRAY [...] (C) In an October 13 meeting with the Charge, Independent MP and former Minister of Information Jonathan Moyo said that both the opposition MDC and ruling ZANU-PF were significantly weakened since the March parliamentary elections. The MDC, he said, had been focused inward since the elections [...] |
2005-10-18 13:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE1421 |
TSVANGIRAI ON SENATE ELECTIONS; MDC DIVISIONS [...] (C) MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai on October 18 told the Ambassador that there was division within the MDC over participation in Senate elections but no split of the party. The party leadership was effectively divided in half, but the party,s supporters strongly favored his position in favor [...] |
2005-10-18 14:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1446 |
VIEWS FROM BULAWAYO [...] (C) Zimbabwe Desk Officer and PolOff visited Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, October 14 and 15. Eric Bloch, a local economist, detailed his insider's understanding that the GOZ had sourced its US$120 million arrears payment to the IMF solely through "voluntary" payments. In discuss [...] |
2005-10-20 15:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1455 |
TSVANGIRAI GAINING UPPER HAND IN SENATE DEBATE [...] (C) MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai appears to be emerging on top in the intra-party debate over participation in the Senate elections. Tsvangirai,s stance has clearly resonated with the MDC,s rank and file, which believes that participation would only legitimize a corrupt and powerless inst [...] |
2005-10-24 14:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1467 |
FAUX-MDC CANDIDATES THROW HATS INTO SENATE RING [...] (C) At Monday's nomination court hearings, 26 individuals registered as MDC candidates for the Senate elections on November 26. As expected, MDC leaders in the three Matabeleland provinces went forward with contesting the election, accounting for 15 of the candidates. However, the other ele [...] |
2005-10-26 15:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1490 |
MDC LEADERS LOOKING TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES, TAKE [...] (C) In an evening meeting on October 27, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador that his meeting earlier that day with the MDC,s other leaders had gone well. They had not resolved as yet the issue of participation in the Senate elections but had agreed that the struggle against P [...] |
2005-10-28 11:19:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE1508 |
MDC TALKS INCONCLUSIVE; SPLIT LOOMING? [...] (C) Brian Raftopolous, mediator in the opposition MDC's efforts to bridge the schism in the party over the Senate elections, told poloff on November 2 Party President Morgan Tsvangirai had won the battle for popular support for an SIPDIS election boycott but that his opponents in the party [...] |
2005-11-03 13:17:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC SOCI ELAB PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1512 |
TSVANGIRAI AIDE ON PARTY RIFT, CIVIL ACTION, PITCH [...] (C) MDC Secretary for Presidential Affairs Gandhi Mudzingwa on November 2 told poloff that opposition President Morgan Tsvangirai would stand his ground in the intra-party conflict, even if it meant driving the party's current Ndebele leadership away. He said that Tsvangirai would make his c [...] |
2005-11-04 09:20:00 | Embassy Harare | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV ASEC PREL PHUM ELAB ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1537 |
TSVANGIRAI ASCENDANT AS MDC STRUGGLES CONTINUE [...] (C) At a meeting with diplomats at party headquarters November 10, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai confirmed the party's planned boycott of scheduled November 26 senate elections but left the door open for reconciliation with the Ncube faction that had supported participation. However, despi [...] |
2005-11-10 12:03:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1578 |
TSVANGIRAI EMERGING ON TOP IN MATABELELAND [...] (C) MDC President Tsvangirai,s successful November 13 rally in Bulawayo - and the "pro-Senate" faction's poor showings in contrast - confirmed the ascendancy of the Tsvangirai faction in Matabeleland, according to MDC and SIPDIS civil society figures in Bulawayo. A former moderator in the [...] |
2005-11-17 14:12:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1603 |
ZIMBABWE,S NOVEMBER 26 SENATE ELECTIONS: [...] (C) November 26 marks election day for the newly-recreated Senate. Few observers expect the institution to produce much beyond 66 new offices to be handed out by the government as patronage. Given voter apathy, the calls for a boycott from MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, and lackluster ZAN [...] |
2005-11-23 13:54:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 05HARARE1608 |
TSVANGIRAI "SUSPENDED", PREPARING FOR PARTY [...] (C) Following the &non-event8 Senate elections on November 26 (septel), opposition MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai received a letter from party Vice President Gibson SIPDIS Sibanda, a leader of the pro-election faction, purporting to suspend Tsvangirai from the party. At a meeting with the [...] |
2005-11-28 15:17:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1620 |
MDC Split Gets Nastier [...] (C) With the campaign for and against the Senate behind them, the two rival MDC factions have begun the battle for control over the party's institutions and assets. The Ncube faction drafted a legal application on November 28 seeking to bar party president Morgan Tsvangirai from speaking for t [...] |
2005-12-02 11:44:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ECON ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1673 |
COURT SIDES WITH TSVANGIRAI, OPPONENTS PLOT NEXT [...] (SBU) High Court Justice Yunus Omerjee on December 9 dismissed the court case seeking to bar Morgan Tsvangirai from conducting MDC party business (reftel). Omerjee also ordered that former MDC deputy secretary general Gift Chimanikire ) in whose name the application was submitted ) pay the c [...] |
2005-12-12 14:20:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE1715 |
MANICALAND VISITORS SIGNAL POSSIBLE RESURGENCE OF [...] (C) In separate meetings at the Embassy on December 19, the Mutare "bishops troika" and recently elected MDC Chairman for Manicaland Roy Bennett laid out for the Ambassador their separate efforts to rejuvenate "people power" in Zimbabwe, especially in Manicaland. The bishops said church leade [...] |
2005-12-20 15:50:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC SOCI ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE180 |
OPPOSITION LEADER POSTPONES WASHINGTON VISIT, [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador on February 2 that he needed to stay in Zimbabwe to focus on the upcoming parliamentary elections instead of traveling to the United States and Canada next week as earlier planned. Tsvangirai was optimistic about the party's ch [...] |
2005-02-04 11:11:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE229 |
MATABELELAND RESTIVE AS CAMPAIGNS COMMENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During the Ambassador's visit to Bulawayo February 7-8, MDC and civil society figures reviewed the election environment in surrounding Matabeleland, a historically marginalized region that is the principal home to Zimbabwe's leading minority Ndebele tribe (about 15 percent of th [...] |
2005-02-15 05:04:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE250 |
OPPOSITION BESET BY FACTIONALISM [...] (C) SUMMARY: At a February 9 breakfast with the Ambassador, MDC MP for Masvingo Central Silas Mangono gave an account of the February 8 intra-party violence and his ouster as MDC candidate for his current seat in the upcoming election. According to Mangono, his supporters were unsuccessfully [...] |
2005-02-17 09:27:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE310 |
BULAWAYO AND MASVINGO'S MDC MAYORS ON CHALLENGES [...] (C) Summary: During a recent trip to south-central Zimbabwe, the Ambassador met with the mayors of Bulawayo and Masvingo on February 8 and 9 respectively. Both mayors are members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Mayor Japhet Ncube of Bulawayo criticized the central go [...] |
2005-02-23 14:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE311 |
CIVIL SOCIETY LEADER RELENTS ON ELECTION BOYCOTT, [...] (C) The Ambassador met February 18 with Lovemore Maduhku, head of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA). Madukhu said his organization and other civil society groups regarded the upcoming elections as a sham and had unsuccessfully tried to convince the opposition Movement for Democratic C [...] |
2005-02-23 14:38:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE318 |
PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT POSITIVE BUT MIXED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The election campaign period for the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 31 is in full swing with the peaceful launches of the ZANU-PF and MDC campaigns. The environment is notably less violent than in past elections, although the opposition continues to experience spo [...] |
2005-02-25 13:32:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE383 |
ZIMBABWE'S ELECTION -- WHAT'S A SUCCESS? [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 31 parliamentary election cannot deliver a change of government, which under Zimbabwe,s constitution is appointed by President Mugabe. That said, the stakes are high for both parties. ZANU-PF's objective is an election that secures it a 2/3 majority of 100 seats, incl [...] |
2005-03-09 15:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE384 |
MDC CANDIDATES OPTIMISTIC [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met February 23 with three MDC officials: sitting Ministers of Parliament Willias Madzimure and Job Sikhala who are defending their seats, and MDC candidate for Parliament Goodrich Chibaira. The candidates were optimistic that the MDC would do well in the election [...] |
2005-03-10 06:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE428 |
ELECTORAL COURT HOLDS BENNETT ELIGIBLE [...] (U) In its first decision since it was appointed last month, Zimbabwe's Electoral Court announced March 15 that MDC MP Roy Bennett will be permitted to run for his Chimanimani seat. Electoral Court Judge Tendai Uchena overturned the Chimanimani nomination court's refusal on February 18 to ce [...] |
2005-03-16 15:19:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE469 |
OPPOSITION LEADER UPBEAT IN ELECTION STRETCH DRIVE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a dinner at the Residence on March 24, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai confidently predicted to the Ambassador and a visiting Congressional staff delegation that his party would win a majority of the contested seats in the March 31 parliamentary election. Tsvangirai said Z [...] |
2005-03-28 12:34:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE488 |
MDC HEAD PREDICTS VICTORY AND ASKS SUPPORT [...] (C) In a midnight meeting with the Ambassador on March 30, MDC leader Morgan Tsvagirai predicted that his party would win a majority of the contested seats in the next day,s parliamentary elections. He said he would hold a press conference on Friday afternoon, April 1, to claim a democratic m [...] |
2005-03-31 15:09:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE492 |
MDC TAKES EARLY URBAN LEAD BUT ALLEGES FRAUD; [...] (C) Summary: Early election returns show that the MDC has won 28 of the first 32 announced seats. However, almost all of these wins were in urban areas, taking all 7 seats in Bulawayo and 16 of 17 announced in Harare. Despite the early official results, MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai was [...] |
2005-04-01 12:43:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ZI PGOV MDC |
| 05HARARE501 |
INTERIM RESULTS INDICATE NET SHIFT TO RULING PARTY [...] (C) As of 9:30 p.m. local time, the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) had reported 49 seats won by ZANU-PF and 35 seats won by the MDC. More importantly, the results so far represent a net shift of ten seats to the ruling party's favor from the 2000 election. The opposition MDC has also fa [...] |
2005-04-01 20:31:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 05HARARE502 |
FRAUDULENT LANDSLIDE "WIN" FOR ZANU-PF [...] (C) Nearly complete results show ZANU-PF cruising to an overwhelming win in Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections amid mounting (and credible) allegations of fraud by the MDC and civil society. With five seats remaining to be announced, ZANU-PF has taken 74 and the MDC 40, with one independent [...] |
2005-04-02 12:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ZI SF PGOV PREL MDC ZANU PF |
| 05HARARE508 |
TSVANGIRAI BOUNCING BACK: DETAILS FRAUD AND NEXT [...] (C) A more upbeat MDC Head Morgan Tsvangirai told the Ambassador late Saturday night that his contacts inside the CIO had told him the MDC had won over 90 seats in the March 31 Parliamentary elections. Tsvangirai said his next step was to go after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and f [...] |
2005-04-04 17:21:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE588 |
MDC Post-Election Plans Taking Form [...] In an April 14 meeting with the Ambassador, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai laid out in more detail his party's plans for challenging the GOZ in the wake of a third successive stolen election. Tsvangirai said Mugabe would never leave power by democratic means. The Zimbabwean people would have [...] |
2005-04-16 08:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE672 |
POST ELECTION VIOLENCE YIELDS FIRST POLITICAL [...] (C) MDC spokesperson for Mashonaland West Biggie Haurobi confirmed to poloff on May 9 the circumstances surrounding the April 29 murder of MDC activist Moffat Ebrahim, which had been reported by the local press. According to Haurobi, ZANU-PF supporters in the Kashimhure Village near Karoi were [...] |
2005-05-11 05:13:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI ZANU PF MDC |
| 05HARARE713 |
DUST-UP AT MDC,S HARVEST HOUSE [...] (U) According to local press reports, a gang of youths occupied the MDC's Harvest House headquarters May 16-17 and demanded the removal of party Secretary-General Welshman Ncube, Deputy Secretary-General Gift Chimanikire, Treasurer Fletcher Dulini-Ncube and other senior executives. President [...] |
2005-05-20 07:01:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE741 |
MDC HEAD ON GROWING UNREST; WASHINGTON TRIP [...] MDC Head Morgan Tsvangirai met with the Ambassador May 27 to discuss the growing unrest in the country. Tsvangirai said the GOZ seemed to be trying to provoke a response that it could crush but may have miscalculated given the numbers of people involved and their desperation. He said the op [...] |
2005-05-27 11:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE774 |
MDC OFFICIAL ON PARTY TACTICS, INTERNAL TURMOIL [...] (C) SUMMARY: MDC Secretary for Presidential Affairs (and principal aide to Party President Morgan Tsvangirai) Gandi Mudzingwa on June 1 told poloff that the party was working closely with civil society to foment protests over the GOZ crackdown against the informal sector. Mudzingwa asserted [...] |
2005-06-03 10:10:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE788 |
STAY-AWAY PLANNED FOR JUNE 9 AND 10 [...] (C) The "Broad Alliance" of civil society and opposition groups, including the MDC, is organizing a mass work stoppage for June 9 and 10, as a first step toward possible later mass protests. However, the National Constitutional Assembly's (NCA) Lovemore Madhuku appears to the stay-away's drivi [...] |
2005-06-07 12:26:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE803 |
DAY ONE OF STAY-AWAY [...] (C) June 9, day one of the Broad Alliance-led two-day stay-away, appeared to be a partial success. The greatest impact was in Harare where Embassy staff observed slightly reduced vehicular traffic and significantly reduced pedestrian traffic. Some businesses reported that the majority of the [...] |
2005-06-09 14:46:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ECON ASEC ZI MDC |
| 05HARARE868 |
MDC HEAD PREVIEWS MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR FRAZER [...] MDC President Morgan Tsavngirai met with CDA June 21 to discuss his June 22-24 trip to South Africa and his meeting with Ambassador Frazier. Tsvangirai said the purpose of the trip was to meet with IRI,s communications expert and discuss the party,s message in the wake of another stolen elec [...] |
2005-06-22 15:24:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE11 |
GOZ INTENSIFIES ASSAULT ON MDC MUNICIPAL [...] (C) All 19 of Mutare's MDC city councilors resigned on January 4 in response to their December 29 suspension by Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo over alleged mismanagement. The Minister appointed an acting council of ruling party loyalists to run the city. Chombo also suspended [...] |
2006-01-09 05:30:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM ZI MDC ZANU PF |
| 06HARARE124 |
GOZ CASTS MDC'S ZAMBIA EXCURSION AS USG PLOTTING [...] (C) Following Zambia's expulsion of a delegation of senior MDC officials on February 2 (refs A, B), Zimbabwe's state media has alleged that the U.S. Embassy had arranged a meeting in Zambia between the delegation and "officials from US-funded Freedom House". The articles appear to be part of [...] |
2006-02-06 13:53:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAO ASEC PHUM PGOV ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE159 |
MDC MP COLTART: GOZ WEAKENING [...] (C) In a meeting on February 8 with the Ambassador, MDC MP for Bulawayo South David Coltart said the GOZ was beginning to show signs of crumbling under the strain of economic deterioration. The inner circle of the regime was getting rich but patronage was no longer reaching second tier membe [...] |
2006-02-13 13:25:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE185 |
SUPREME COURT REJECTS TSVANGIRAI ELECTION CHALLENGE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Supreme Court on February 12 rejected MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai's application to have it take over his 2002 presidential election challenge from the High Court, where it has languished for years. Strapped for resources, the MDC will likely scale back its strategy of ch [...] |
2006-02-17 09:47:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |
| 06HARARE215 |
FORMER STUDENT LEADER EMERGES AS PRO-SENATE [...] (C) On February 19, former student leader Arthur Mutambara, who now resides in South Africa, announced his decision to run for president of the pro-senate faction of the MDC. A number of pro-senate MDC MPs expressed strong support for Mutambara and said he would breathe new life into the part [...] |
2006-02-23 13:42:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ZI MDC |