Dear Friends:

Here is Cathy Buckle's weekly email, sent while I was in
the field in KwaZulu Natal. It is a sad and worrisome
account of the frantic eforts of impoverished Zimbabweans
to till roadside plots and scratch out a few extra cobs of
maize during what looks like - there as well as here in
South Africa - an excellent growing season. Early rains
have small-holder farmers here already into their fields
plowing and planting. But Zimbabwe seems to be forbidding
any extra food production by poor men and women.

The other disturvbing comment in here is about children ...   more »

Dear Friends:

Here is a touch email from Cathy Buckle in Zimbabwe.
Reading this only 400 km from the Zimbabwe border, I am
struck by the fact that concern for that desperate nation
rises here, too. Last weekend I spent time with friends
near Johannesburg and they were also outraged at conditions
in Zimbabwe and the South African government's laissez
faire policy toward Mugabe. But change will come -- as 7
November at home may demonstrate - although sometimes not
as fast as people wish.


Jack Shepherd



--- Forwarded Message ---
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 14:50:10 +0200
From: Cathy ...   more »

Dear Friends:

The following is from Eddie Cross in Bulawayo via Peter
Soal in South Africa. It's a very interesting story about
lowveld fsarming and its political (not to mention economic
perils)in Zimbabwe.

Regarding yesterday's "coup" email. After some thought I
pass along the observations that such a report may reflect
an internal power struggle within Mugabe's government, or
currying for money/favors, rather than an actual fact or
possibility. Perhaps the CIO is contesting the military for
favor and money? It sounds very familiar to Americans and
Europeans who watch their own internal government power and
budget struggles.

Jack Shepherd


...   more »

Dear Friends:

Here is a report from inside Zimbabwe (from the
government's Central Intelligence Organization) regarding a
possible coup - including a military coup-- against the
president. Do consider the report carefully, especially
concerning its source within the government and the
possible reasons for releasing such a report now.


Jack Shepherd

zimonline
Zimbabweans ready to topple Mugabe: spy agency

Wednesday 18 October 2006






THE army has consistently backed Mugabe in the
past
BULAWAYO - The government's spy Central Intelligence
Organisation (CIO) believes Zimbabweans are readier than
ever before to overthrow President Robert Mugabe and all
they need is a "united ...   more »