SA police arrest Zimbabweans and the homeless at church
South African police on Wednesday raided the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg that has been sheltering Zimbabwean refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people. Some of the police were heavily armed as they stormed the church compound around midnight, claiming they were searching for drugs and guns. Although they found nothing they arrested 1500 people.

MDC to hold freedom marches in Mutare and Rusape
Thousands of people in Manicaland are expected to participate in freedom marches scheduled for Mutare and Rusape on Friday. Pishai Muchauraya, the spokesman for the MDC in the province, said both marches have been given the green light by the police. Last week police in Harare fired teargas and charged several hundred demonstrators who were demanding a democratic constitution, water, electricity and the right to draw money from banks without queueing.

USA adds more Zanu PF officials to targeted sanctions list
The United States government on Wednesday added more Zanu PF officials and companies to a growing list of those under financial and travel sanctions. Robert Mugabe’s nephew Leo Mugabe, Happyton Bonyongwe the head of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and two companies with links to Zanu PF are the new additions.

Government orders Universities to remain closed till after elections
Government has ordered all state run universities and colleges to remain closed until after elections on March 29th. This means the University of Zimbabwe, the Midlands State University and the National University of Science and Technology will not be starting lectures in February. Our Harare correspondent spoke to lecturers and student leaders who confirmed that the order had come from the Ministry Education.

Face-to-face talks between Tsvangirai and Mugabe scuttled
A face-to-face meeting between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai to try to resolve the talks has been scuttled - by Angola and Mozambique. The meeting was due to take place on Friday but the two countries blocked South African President Thabo Mbeki’s initiative that was to see the two protagonists under the same roof in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mbeki dispatches envoy to Harare to rescue talks
South African President Thabo Mbeki has sent his chief negotiator Sydney Mufamadi to Harare in last-ditch attempts to rescue the stalled talks before he declares a deadlock to SADC and the African Union. It is believed Mbeki has confided to close aides he is ready to call ‘a spade a spade’.

High Court judge orders Van Hoogstraten release
High Court judge Samuel Kudya has ordered the release of British property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten who is facing charges of violating foreign exchange regulations and censorship laws for the possession of pornographic material. His lawyer George Chikumbirike told journalists the state had failed to bring the businessman to court within the stipulated 48 hours.

Voter registration and inspection deadlines approach
With the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections set for March 29th, all individuals who have turned 18 are being urged to go and register to vote. The deadline for voter registration and for altering any details such as address and name is Friday, February 8, 2008. This is also the closing date for the nomination court for all candidates seeking to run in the elections.

MDC factions set to unite
Officials from both factions of the MDC spent the weekend locked in intense discussions to unite the party ahead of the March 29 elections. Under the deal Morgan Tsvangirai will lead the party with Arthur Mutambara being given one of the senior positions. Although party officials remain tight-lipped on the arrangement sources say an announcement will be made within the week.

Teachers on strike as union blasts government for corruption
Teachers have gone on strike after rejecting a 1000% wage hike offer by government. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe said its members would not report to work until their demands are met. They are demanding a minimum salary of Z$1.7 billion per month, including a monthly transport and a housing allowance. They also want regular salary reviews in order to keep up with inflation, unofficially estimated to be 150,000%.

Zim youth group to petition for Diaspora vote at embassy in South Africa
The Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement has added its voice to the list of organisations campaigning for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to be allowed to vote in the March elections. The group plans to present a petition with thousands of signatures to the Zimbabwe High Commissioner in Johannesburg, Simon Khaya Moyo, during a demonstration on Tuesday.

Election date finally fixed as March 29, 2008
The date for the harmonised elections that are the subject of much controversy in Zimbabwe was finally announced late Thursday in an Extraordinary Gazette. Robert Mugabe set the poll date as Saturday, March 29th. Parliament will be dissolved on March 28th and the nominations will be on Friday, February 8th. There is consensus among civil groups and observers that the atmosphere is not conducive to free and fair elections and more time is needed to prepare.

Banking industry facing fresh cash crisis
Customers thronged to their banks on Friday after reports suggested that most financial institutions in the country were on the verge of collapsing because of serious liquidity problems. Reserve bank governor Gideon Gono claimed this week that major commercial banks and other financial houses are facing a critical liquidity crisis largely caused by unlawful speculative investments, which are now threatening to ruin the stricken institutions.

Makoni denies reports linking him to new party
After weeks of mounting speculation on the formation of a Zanu PF breakaway party led by Simba Makoni, the former finance minister has distanced himself from the alleged plot. Reports say Makoni addressed a Zanu PF Manicaland Provincial coordinating committee meeting and effectively endorsed Mugabe’s candidacy. Those who attended the meeting say they were in shock over some of Makoni’s hard line views.

MDC notifies police of another protest march
MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti on Thursday said his party had written a letter to the Police notifying them that they are organising another peaceful, non-violent march to take place in the capital city soon. Biti told Newsreel that since POSA and AIPPA were amended, they are no longer required to apply for permission to hold rallies but are now simply ‘notifying’ them in advance. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai also reiterated this when he briefed diplomats in the capital Thursday. He said that freedom marches were going to be held countrywide in the next few weeks. On the issue of the ongoing inter-party dialogue, the MDC leader said the situation on the ground was abundant evidence that the ruling party was not sincere in the process.

White farmer vows to challenge Muzorewa farm grab
Former Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Prime Minister Bishop Abel Muzorewa is at the centre of a legal wrangle after taking over a farm belonging to a white farmer in Mutare. Muzorewa moved onto Cavalla Farm 4 months ago, even though the owner Lodewyk Van Rensburg bought the land in 1989, nine years after independence. The Bishop who led the country in 1979 under a short-lived coalition government with Ian smith is said to have produced an offer letter from State Security and Land Resettlement Minister Didymus Mutasa. This however is despite Vice President Joseph Msika ordering the cancellation of all offer letters issued after January 2007. Reports say at least 75 farm workers at Cavalla Farm have already lost their jobs to make way for the Bishop and his people. Van Rensburg’s lawyers have already written to the police seeking Muzorewa’s eviction but nothing has happened so far.

Civil groups to set common agenda for resolving Zimbabwe crisis
A broad coalition of civil society organisations has convened what they are calling the People’s Convention, which will take place on Friday and Saturday in Harare. The aim is to assess the critical situation the people of Zimbabwe are facing and map the way forward in resolving the political crisis that has crippled the country. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the umbrella National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations are among the groups involved. NANGO spokesperson Fambai Ngirande said the SADC initiated talks had failed to resolve the crisis and the Convention is an attempt by civil society to determine the kind of Zimbabwe people want to see, and the kind of political dispensation they want in the March 2008 elections.

Defiant MDC call for peaceful protest, despite police ban
The MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai has announced that the protest march organised for Wednesday will go ahead as scheduled, despite the fact that police have banned the event. The party was informed on Monday that they would not be allowed to proceed with their “freedom march” even though they had notified the police weeks in advance.

Retired army generals call on Mugabe to step down
Former army general Vitalis Zvinavashe is reported to have called on Mugabe to step down. The Zimbabwe Times website quotes Zvinavashe as saying that Mugabe had betrayed the liberation struggle. Our sources say that politburo member Zvinavashe said this at a meeting of constituents in Gutu on Monday. At the same meeting another retired senior army official, Major Kudzai Mbudzi, also called on Mugabe to resign before the elections.

Mugabe blocks Gono from naming corrupt officials
Media reports claim that Mugabe has blocked the parliamentary committee on Finance and Economic Development from questioning RBZ Governor Gono about the country’s serious cash shortages. Gono had offered to name individuals who were hoarding money and engaging in illegal activities on the black market, including senior government and ruling party officials that he called “cash barons.”

Zimbabwe power cuts worsen as Eskom cuts supplies
Zimbabweans had no electricity or water again this weekend after nationwide power failures led to the shut down of basic services. This is only 2 weeks after a similar blackout hit the country due to breakdowns at Hwange and Kariba power stations. Shops were forced to close and water supplies, traffic lights and automated teller machines were badly affected.

Police ban MDC demonstration calling for new constitution
Harare was reported to be tense Monday after police banned a demonstration planned by the MDC Wednesday, to call for a new constitution. Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa vowed to press ahead with the march, despite the ban. Last week the opposition announced it would launch a series of protests against the crumbling economy and to demand a new constitution and fresh voters roll, to ensure free and fair elections.

Zimbabweans stage demonstration in London
On Saturday a cross section of Zimbabweans from all walks of life in the United Kingdom gathered outside Zimbabwe House in central London for nearly four hours, to protest against Mugabe’s tyrannical regime. The demonstration was organized by the MDC-UK and has been described as the biggest public protest ever held by Zimbabweans in the UK.

MDC aims for unity after Mbeki fails to break talks deadlock
There is consensus among political activists and analysts that mediator Thabo Mbeki has failed to break the talks deadlock. Mbeki held separate meetings in Harare Thursday with Mugabe and MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara. Diplomats monitoring events said Mugabe refused all options presented by Mbeki on the issue of a new constitution and postponement of elections.

Ousted Bishop Kunonga goes berserk in church
As more information filters through on the dramatic clashes within the Anglican Church last weekend, it turns out that ousted Bishop Kunonga personally resorted to violence, to disrupt one of services in the capital. The Zimbabwe Independent reports that a service in Greendale was interrupted when Kunonga, his wife and bodyguards entered the church before the start time. A parishioner said Kunonga walked to the altar, grabbed the wine, cups and wafers, threw them on the ground, grabbed a chair, placed it in front of the altar and sat cross-legged, defiantly gazing at the stunned congregation.

Building societies fail to get delivery of new notes
Most building societies in the country were unable to dispense the new denomination notes after failing to get delivery of the new bearer cheques from the Reserve Bank. The new notes hit the streets Friday but were only available from banks like Standard Chartered, Stanbic and Barclays. Our Harare correspondent witnessed many people failing to withdraw money, after being told by building society officials that there was none to give out.

Mbeki flies to Harare
The SADC initiative to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis went into high gear as mediator Thabo Mbeki arrived in Harare on Thursday. The South African President met separately with Robert Mugabe and leaders of both MDC factions, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara. The opposition has said that it is Mugabe’s refusal to implement changes agreed to at the talks, that is delaying progress.
It appears Mbeki is now under pressure to deliver, and this may explain the urgent trip to Harare.

New political parties mushroom as March election nears
With elections about 6 weeks away the number of political parties mushrooming across the country continues to grow. In a week that saw speculation over a new party to be led by former finance minister Simba Makoni, another political party in Gweru has been formed. Former town councilor Ruyedzo Mutizwa is reported to have formed the People’s Democratic Party to contest the presidential election.

RBZ introduces larger denomination bearer cheques
The Reserve Bank has introduced the highest denomination banknotes in the world. Starting on Friday one, five and ten million-dollar bearer cheques will be issued. Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono told journalists in Harare that the new denominations would help eliminate the long queues at the bank. The central bank also announced new withdrawal limits for customers, who can now withdraw Z$500 million daily, up from Z$50 million.

Zanu PF using flood relief centres for political rallies
As parts of the country battle rising flood waters Zanu PF is being accused of manipulating relief aid distribution centres to campaign for the March elections. Party leaders who have been dispatched to the affected areas are holding impromptu rallies and telling desperate villagers the aid is coming from Zanu PF. Most of the aid has come from humanitarian organisations but Zanu PF officials insist on presiding over the distribution.

Deputy Minister for Labour implicated in Gwanda murder case
Sources in the Gwanda district of Matabeleland have revealed that police investigating the abduction and murder of a civil servant in 2002 are preparing to bring charges against some ZANU-PF officials, including Deputy Minister for Public Service and Labour, Abednico Ncube. The victim, a civil servant named Tumelo Makhurane, disappeared the day after presidential elections in 2002. His remains were found in July 2007.

MDC to press ahead with demands for a new constitution
In contradiction of reports of an imminent breakthrough at the South African brokered crisis talks, the MDC has said that it will press ahead with demands for the introduction of a new constitution and will be holding a protest march next Tuesday. News outlets have led with reports that there is a ‘real movement forward’ in talks to end the country’s crisis and reach a deal to pave the way for elections.

Villagers flee police backlash in Nyanyadzi, Manicaland
A police backlash in Nyanyadzi has forced hundreds of villagers to flee their homes and seek refuge in the nearby mountains. On Sunday heavily armed police went to the business centre to flush out suspects responsible for the death of CID Detective Sergeant Robert Katini. He was stoned to death last week during an undercover operation in the area. The surrounding areas have been cordoned off and all shops were closed Monday. The area is deserted and police have imposed a curfew.

Schools chaos as parents battle cash shortages & fee hikes
There were scenes of chaos around most banks as frantic parents battled long queues to get cash to pay school fees and buy new uniforms. With the economy in spectacular collapse banks are struggling to supply enough notes to service an inflation-ravaged system. A parent said he had been in a bank queue since 4am and all he managed to get was Z$30 million. But school fees for his child are Z$180 million.

Parliament summons Gono amidst reports of missing trillions
Abednico Bhebhe, MDC MP and a member of the parliamentary committee on Finance and Economic Development, has confirmed that RBZ Governor Gideon Gono is to give evidence to the group regarding the serious cash shortages gripping the country and other issues concerning RBZ operations. The hearing comes at a time when information about illegal forex dealings on the black market and trillions of missing local currency are making headlines.

Priests & parishioners arrested as police disrupt church services
At least 3 priests and an unknown number of parishioners were arrested Sunday after police disrupted services held by priests aligned to Bishop Bakare, the newly appointed Anglican head of the Harare Diocese. This follows the refusal by ousted Bishop Kunonga, (Mugabe’s Bishop) to accept the church’s decision to remove him. Police said priests were conducting services without permission from Kunonga, who announced that he had formed his own Church of the Province of Zimbabwe.

No water for Harare and Chitungwiza
Residents of Harare and Chitungwiza discovered that they would be without water supplies for a week, starting Monday. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority announced in the Sunday Mail that the water termination was due to power cuts at the Morton Jaffray Waterworks in Harare. Millions of residents will now be scrambling for safe drinking water, adding to an already critical situation.

Mediation talks resume under chairmanship of Mbeki
Negotiators from Zanu-PF and the MDC resumed talks in Pretoria on Saturday, under the chairmanship of South African President Thabo Mbeki. There are reports of a ‘significant development’ from the talks, although both sides remained tight-lipped. A source told us that Mbeki managed to get both sides to agree to some concessions on the two contentious issues - the date for elections and the adoption of a new constitution.

New political party led by Makoni & Mandaza dismissed as a farce
A report in the Independent newspaper on Friday that a new splinter party from ZANU-PF will announce a candidate to run against Mugabe in the elections has created a buzz. The report said former Finance Minister Simba Makoni will be the presidential candidate in the polls while others involved are the former ZANU-PF permanent secretary and academic Ibbo Mandaza, war veteran Wilfred Mhanda and retired army Major Kudzai Mbudzi.

Zimbabweans mobilising to pressure for a diaspora Vote
Zimbabwean organisations in the diaspora are intensifying efforts to pressure the Mugabe regime to allow those living outside the country to vote in elections. Several groups have launched campaigns including the Zimbabwe Vigil in London, the Diaspora Vote For North America and the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum in South Africa. Additionally, a new organisation was formed last month to provide a platform for Zimbabwean groups in the diaspora.

ZAPU to forge poll alliance with MDC
The ZAPU-Federal Party, led by Paul Siwela, will forge an alliance with the Tsvangirai MDC to fight the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Siwela said they decided to form an alliance with the MDC because they shared similar views on issues related to the dire political and economic situation in the country.

Talks on hold to accommodate Chinamasa holiday
Zanu PF has requested the postponement of mediation talks between itself and the MDC, because chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa is on holiday. Earlier in the week South African president Thabo Mbeki personally took charge of the talks in an attempt to save them from collapse. Sources say he intended to chair this weeks meeting in person and try to use his influence to clear outstanding issues.

Testing time for MDC as they line-up 300 rallies countrywide
The MDC, led by its founding President Morgan Tsvangirai, is to hold 300 rallies across the country in the next few weeks. The majority of them are planned for rural areas. Sam Sipepa Nkomo, the MDC Secretary for Home Affairs, said they have alerted authorities about their planned rallies but they could face problems as recent amendments to POSA and AIPPA have not been signed into law.

Transport chaos in Harare as fuel runs out
Thousands of commuters were stranded in Harare on Thursday after most bus operators took their vehicles off the road, due to a lack of fuel. Reports said that people travelling to work were struggling to find private vehicles willing to carry passengers. The few minibuses that still had fuel were overwhelmed by demand. Our sources in different areas of the capital said no filling stations had any fuel supplies.

South Africa’s opposition party urges universities to reject ZANU-PF students
The Democratic Alliance has expressed concern over a recent decision by Rhodes University to enrol 60 Zimbabwean students who are closely related to top ruling party officials of the Mugabe regime. MP Joe Seremane, the DA spokesperson on Africa, said the Universities in South Africa should reject students whose parents are responsible for the disastrous educational situation in Zimbabwe.

Teachers awarded 1000 percent salary hike
Government has awarded the pay rise with immediate effect. With schools set to open in a few days, a strike by teachers looked likely given the country’s galloping inflation. In November last year teachers served notice they would strike if their Z$15 million per month salaries were not reviewed. Under the new pay structure a junior teacher will earn Z$260 million while senior teachers will earn Z$330 million. Transport and housing allowances will be exempt from tax.

MDC will not recognise new constituency boundaries
The head of the MDC’s election directorate, Ian Makone, his party will not support the Zimbabwe Election Commission’s delimitation exercise because it is seriously flawed. Makone said they would not recognise the exercise that is almost complete, mainly because of the dialogue process which is still continuing. The opposition had already rejected new constituency boundaries announced in December.

Mbeki expected to take direct control of mediation talks
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa is expected to take direct control of the stalled mediation talks between Zanu-PF party and the MDC. Before the deadlock the talks had always been chaired by Mbeki’s point man, Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi. But Professor Welshman Ncube, secretary-general of the MDC formation led by Arthur Mutambara, said that Mbeki was now actively engaged in trying to find a suitable date to resume dialogue between the two parties.

Mozambique suspends power to Zimbabwe over unpaid debt
Zimbabweans can expect to spend more time in the dark after a Mozambique power utility company suspended supplies to Zimbabwe over an outstanding debt of US$26 million. There was also a major breakdown at Hwange Thermal Power Station and a minor fault at Kariba Power Station over the weekend.

Ousted Bishop conducts church service under police protection
There was a tension filled atmosphere at St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral in Harare after ousted Bishop Nolbert Kunonga held a service under police protection. The Bishop, who openly supported Mugabe’s violent land grab, is refusing to leave office after being dismissed by the main church. This followed his controversial decision last year to withdraw the diocese from the Province of Central Africa over a dispute over homosexuality in the church.

Government steams ahead with March election plans
The state run Sunday Mail newspaper reports that the country’s electoral agency has concluded the delimitation of constituency boundaries for the March elections and there will be no postponement of the polls. George Chiweshe, chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, said the preliminary report on the exercise would be presented to Mugabe soon.

Zimbabwe’s economic collapse almost complete
Zimbabwe’s drift to total economic collapse is edging closer to reality as just about all sectors of the economy go into meltdown. Doctors, nurses, magistrates, prosecutors and other court staff are on strike while the entire population battles a crippling cash shortage that has denied people access to their own money in the banks. Additionally banks are failing to dispense money as their machines rely on electricity for transactions.

Zanu PF forces traditional leaders to head rural party structures
Traditional chiefs in most parts of the Midlands province are being forced to take charge of cell branches of the ruling Zanu-PF party in an attempt to coerce villagers in rural areas to vote Zanu-PF. Blessing Chebundo, the MDC MP for KweKwe, said that headmen and chiefs are being forced to join all ruling party structures.

CIO killed Christmas reveller over alleged MDC link
A known state security agent in Chimanimani allegedly beat to death a Christmas reveller after accusing him of showing off with ‘MDC money.’ Brighton Mashopeka Muchuwa, a sidekick of wanted murderer and fellow CIO Joseph Mwale, assaulted Charles Sigauke and his father at their home on Christmas eve. Sigauke who worked in South Africa and had come back for the holidays with his dad.

Floods cause havoc across the country
Torrential rains have left thousands of villagers in low-lying areas homeless after floods destroyed their homes. The incessant rains over the past four weeks have destroyed crops and damaged roads and bridges. The worst affected areas are in Muzarabani district in the north and the Lowveld area in the southeast. At least twelve people have died while thousands more have been forced to abandon their homes.

Doctors and nurses deny calling off strike
The president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association, Amon Siveregi, has denied state media reports that they have called off their strike action. Siveregi said some doctors had gone back to work but the majority remain on strike for better pay. He said about 40 percent of the doctors had gone back to work to alleviate the plight of suffering patients.

Top MDC strategists meet to plan for 2008
Top strategists from the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai met in Harare on Friday and unanimously agreed the party would only take part in the joint parliamentary and presidential elections under a new constitution. This confirms media reports that the party was ready to boycott the elections, unless Zanu-PF implements all the resolutions agreed to at the mediated talks.

Mawere exposes Gono propaganda
Exiled businessman Mutumwa Mawere claims that the recent escape to the UK of Guruve North MP David Butau, exposes the plot by Reserve Bank Governor Gono to shift the blame for the current economic mess onto western countries. Mawere said the victimisation of several high profile individuals, allegedly for forex violations, fits in with a propaganda campaign to blame the cash shortages on the west.

NCA takes voter education programme to Zanu-PF strongholds
The National Constitutional Assembly has sent out what it terms ‘an expedition team into uncharted waters to educate potential voters in rural areas of the need to register for this year’s elections. NCA spokesman Maddock Chivasa acknowledged the danger of the mission and said the whole exercise was being done discreetly so as not to attract the attention of Zanu-PF activists.

JAG says white farmers under intense pressure to leave farms
The 400 white farmers in the country who are still on their properties are under intense pressure from the government to leave, according to Justice for Agriculture. John Worsley Worswick of JAG, said traditionally it’s quiet over the Christmas and New Year holidays but things start to happen again as soon as the festive season is over.

Currency u-turn fails to solve cash shortages
The extension of a deadline for the exchange of old Z$200 000 notes has failed to solve the crippling cash shortage. The Reserve Bank made a spectacular u-turn just hours before a deadline to remove the old notes from circulation and re-introduced them back on the market. This has created scenes of chaos as thousands of people attempt to change their money any way they can.

Election date remains sticking point between Zanu-PF and MDC
Negotiators from Zanu-PF and the MDC involved in the mediated talks, are expected to meet in Pretoria soon to try to settle their differences over the election date. Mugabe has said elections will go ahead as scheduled in March, while the opposition insists the date for the polls should be considered only after all resolutions agreed to at the talks have been fully implemented.

UK supermarket in controversy over fish from Zimbabwe
Waitrose supermarket could face a series of protests from activists who are unhappy at it’s imports of fish from Zimbabwe . The supermarket chain is buying tilapia fillets from a company in Kariba. Campaigners say the supermarket should not be flying fish for over 5000 miles, from a country on the brink of starvation. Dennis Benton from the ZimVigil in London says they are planning to visit the Waitrose headquarters and hand in a protest petition.