Questions over constitutionality of removing 3 zeros from Zim $
The Reserve Bank has slashed three zeros from all banknotes in the country as Mugabe’s regime grapples to contain the effects of a 1,200 percent inflation rate on the economy. Governor Gideon Gono announced that the new measures were meant to help consumers deal with the high number of zeros in their transactions. Tendai Biti a Harare based lawyer who is also the MDC Secretary for Economic Affairs questioned the constitutionality of removing zeros from the currency. He says this was equivalent to stealing value and the regime had to address the economic problems and not its symptoms.

Budiriro residents call for removal of illegal Harare commission and say Mugabe must go
At a meeting organised by the Crisis Coalition last Thursday the residents of Budiriro resolved to demonstrate peacefully for the removal of the illegal commission running Harare and called for Robert Mugabe to go. They also urged civic and opposition leaders to lead from the front and resolved to boycott the exorbitant rates being charged by the commission. Israel Mabhoo, vice chairman of The Combined Harare Residents Association who was one of the panellists, told us these strong opinions were expressed despite the presence of Zimbabwe republic police.

ZESA cheating customers by estimating consumption
The Zimbabwe Power Supply Authority (ZESA) is reported to be making a lot of money by generating bills for electricity that do not reflect the customers’ usage and using threats to shut off power as a way to force them to pay. Due to corruption and a lack of resources the power company is failing to send workers out to read the electric meters that determine how much power was used within a given period. Instead ZESA officials are billing residents using estimated figures that are supposed to be based on the previous billing amount. But residents in Harare’s low and high density areas say the numbers are so inflated they more than double the actual meter readings....

Tsvangirai and Mutambara embrace as opposition parties meet to debate a possible coalition to unseat Zanu PF
The Presidents of the two MDC rival factions, Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Arthur Mutambara on Saturday embraced, shook hands and pledged to work together to unseat the ruling Zanu PF. Tsvangirai and Mutambara were meeting in public for the first time and were joined by the presidents of three other opposition political parties as signs of a tentative broad alliance against Zanu PF began to show. The unexpected development took place at a Harare convention organised by the Christian Alliance to debate the future of the country..

MDC Manicaland spokesman arrested over Mugabe fees remark
Pishai Muchauraya the MDC Manicaland province spokesman was arrested in Rusape on Friday over a statement he made at a rally regarding Mugabe’s failure to pay son Chatunga’s school fees. He is alleged to have remarked that Mugabe did not pay the fees at Hartman House in Harare because he was too old to count the money.

Armed ZESA employees stealing cable and components
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has been under siege for years now losing electric cables, transformers and other valuable components due to theft. It has long been suspected that much of the loss was due to insiders who know the location of key equipment and have access to security information. Armed gangs of ZESA employees have been seen at night by residents in and around Harare stealing from their own employer.

Government accused of funding more youth militia training
Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa’s supplementary budget has ear-marked Z$250 billion for what it terms a youth development fund but the opposition MDC says it’s meant for youth militia training. Nelson Chamisa the party spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC says the fund ‘is a ploy to seek parliamentary approval to provide funds for Zanu PF’s notorious merchants of violence, through the Border Gezi youth programmes.’

MDC: Gokwe rally marks significant shift in rural support
Isaac Matongo, the National Chairman in the Tsvangirai MDC, has said a rally they held in Gokwe on Thursday clearly demonstrated a significant shift in the rural areas towards supporting the opposition. According to the MDC over 10 000 people attended a rally in an area called Kwa Sahayi, in Gokwe, and the fact that they attracted such a crowd bore testimony to the ever increasing disaffection with Zanu PF and a search for new solutions to the country’s problems.

Zimbabwean youth in UK petition Tony Blair over Mkapa
A group of Zimbabwean youths in the UK organized a demonstration Friday against Mugabe’s selection of former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, as the mediator to handle Zimbabwe’s crisis. The youth formed an organization called Free Zim earlier this year and vowed to become active on the political landscape.

Court documents disappear as Matonga released on bail
Bright Matonga, the deputy minister of Information in Robert Mugabe's government, was released from police custody on Wednesday night on Z$15 million bail. Matonga, who is also Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Ngezi, had been arrested on Tuesday together with Chinhoyi University of Technology’s Vice Chancellor Charles Nherera on corruption charges involving the alleged soliciting of a bribe during his time as CEO of the state owned Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).

Supreme Court rules electoral court improperly constituted
The appointment of judges to the electoral court by the Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku last year has been struck down as null and void. In a landmark ruling this week, Supreme Court justices, Maphios Cheda, Luke Malaba, Wilson Sandura, Sandra Elizabeth Gwaunza and Vernanda Ziyambi unanimously agreed that the appointments were inconsistent with the country’s constitution. The latest development means all the decisions made by that court no longer stand and that section 162(1) of the Electoral Act, which empowered the Chief Justice to appoint judges to this special Court has also been struck down.

Zimbabwe dollar hits a million to one to the pound
More doom and gloom for Zimbabweans as money transfer agencies announced the Zimbabwe dollar reached the 7digit mark, on the parallel market. Several companies involved in currency exchange confirmed that the Zimbabwean dollar hit the ZW$1 000 000 mark to the pound sterling, Thursday, putting a huge burden on Zimbabweans both at home and in the diaspora.

Opposition calls for dialogue between doctors and government
The MDC Secretary for Health, Dr Henry Madzorere has called upon the striking doctors and government to sit down and resolve the impasse as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the health delivery system.The country’s junior doctors have been on strike for the last three weeks demanding better remuneration, improved working conditions and a repeal of a new law that instructs the medical and dental practitioners’ council not to issue them certificates of good standing..

Deputy Information Minister detained over bribery scandal
Brighton Matonga, the Deputy Minister of Information is reported to be in police custody after he was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of corruption.Speaking on condition of anonymity, a journalist following the case said the arrest comes after the state acquired fresh evidence – a recording of Matonga allegedly soliciting money from an Asian businessman. This was in connection with a bribery scandal at the state-run Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).The website Newzimbabwe.com also reports that the police were looking for the Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo.

Outrage over Mugabe's extravagance as parliament opens
In a report about the opening of the Zimbabwe parliament on Tuesday, The Scotsman newspaper in the UK said: “When in doubt, decorate.” This was in reference to the expensive new decor in parliament that has been criticised by Zimbabweans who watched Robert Mugabe address the opening of the new session of parliament on state television. The lavish new design was described as “cultural” by the state media, but our correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us ordinary Zimbabweans were angered by the extravagant amounts of money spent on redecorating while they starve. The new look parliament now features a royal chair for Robert Mugabe that is covered in leopard skin. Huge ivory tusks are on each side of this throne and stuffed animal heads hang on the wall. A chair for his wife Grace floats over zebra skin.

Archbishop of Canterbury asks Kunonga to step down
The Head of the Anglican Church, Archbishop Rowan Williams has asked Bishop Nolbert Kunonga of Harare to step down from his position. A report by The Rev George Conger published by The Living Church Foundation quotes Williams as saying Kunonga should step down while the misconduct charges against him are pending before the church courts of Central Africa. This is the first time the Archbishop has had to intervene in the affairs of an Anglican province outside the Church of England.

Doctors' strike continues as government ignores ultimatum
The government has been warned it should be prepared to face the consequences if it decides not to engage the striking doctors to resolve the crisis. The doctors resolved today to continue with the strike amid suspicion that government has adopted ‘a wait and see attitude’ in the belief the industrial action will crumble.President of the Hospitals Doctors Association Dr Kuda Nyamutukwa said Health authorities have ‘stretched their patience to the limit’ and as a result they agreed unanimously to fight to the end regardless of loss of human life. He said they regretted any casualties as a result of the strike, but said if government cared about the welfare of its citizens, they should swallow their pride and look at the doctors’ grievances as a matter of urgency

Coalition of women harassed by ZANU PF youth at parliament
The 2nd session of the 6 th parliament was opened by Robert Mugabe on Tuesday under controversial circumstances for the ruling party. All opposition members of parliament from the Tsvangirai led MDC boycotted the event and about 9 women from a loose coalition calling for peace and tolerance were scared away from the event by a group of ZANU-PF youth.MDC secretary general Tendai Biti told us there was a 100% boycott by their MPs because Mugabe is not the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean tycoon released on bail
John Bredenkamp, the business tycoon who was arrested on Friday, was released on ZW$5 million (£5) bail on Tuesday. The state mouthpiece The Herald newspaper reported early last month that the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI) raided Bredenkamp’s companies to investigate cases linked to economic crimes. He was accused of flouting exchange control regulations, tax evasion and contravening the Citizenship Act.

How Zimbabweans in the diaspora are helping foreign economies
Themba Nkosi our Bulawayo correspondent has just spent a week in South Africa and when he crossed the border into Zimbabwe he says he suffered a culture shock. When he travelled to Johannesburg, the exchange rate to the British pound was hovering just above Z$800 000. Five days later at the Beitbridge border post, he discovered that the Zimbabwe dollar had hit the Z$900 000 mark.

MDC MP's to boycott opening of Parliament
The Tsvangirai led MDC Members of Parliament have announced that they will not be present at the official opening of parliament on Tuesday, because Mugabe’s usual speech at the occasion has nothing to do with the people of Zimbabwe. MDC vice president Thokozani Khupe said: “I think everybody is aware that the people of Zimbabwe have gone through untold suffering for the past 26 years and we can’t be seen as MPs to be gracing this occasion while the people out there are suffering.”

Some Zimbabweans arrested in South Africa released
Someof the Zimbabweans arrested by the police in Johannesburg, South Africa last week during anti-crime raids have been released from custody. They were picked up during the launch of an intensified anti-crime campaign and most of those arrested were from the crime-infested Hillbrow area.At least 500 Zimbabweans were picked up in midnight raids in the first week of an operation that is expected to be rolled out over the next six months.

How Zimbabweans in the diaspora are helping foreign economies
Themba Nkosi our Bulawayo correspondent has just spent a week in South Africa and when he crossed the border into Zimbabwe he says he suffered a culture shock. When he travelled to Johannesburg, the exchange rate to the British pound was hovering just above Z$800 000. Five days later at the Beitbridge border post, he discovered that the Zimbabwe dollar had hit the Z$900 000 mark.

500 Zimbabweans arrested in South African police raid
Police in Johannesburg have launched an intensified anti-crime campaign and the first victims of the crackdown were Zimbabweans arrested in the crime-infested Hillbrow area. At least 500 Zimbabweans were picked up in midnight raids this past week in an operation that is expected to be rolled out over the next six months.

2 journalists and 17 demonstrators arrested in Harare
A total of 19 people including were arrested by armed police Wednesday during demonstrations against the illegal commission running Harare & against a 1,000% increase in water charges. The 17 protestors are members of The Combined Harare Residents Association. The 2 journalists are Ndamu Sandu of The Standard newspaper and freelancer Godwin Mangudya.

Tsvangirai meets Botswana president over Zimbabwean crisis
MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai today met Botswana’s president Festus Mogae in Gaborone to discuss the crisis rocking Zimbabwe. Mogae is the current SADC chairman and it’s understood Tsvangirai is lobbying the group to put pressure on Mugabe for reforms that would help solve the crisis.

SA delegates push for more pressure on Zimbabwe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), especially South Africa, were urged at a seminar in Pretoria on Wednesday to take more decisive action on Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s future lies in the hands of its citizens

The secretary for International Affairs in the Tsvangira led MDC has expressed deep surprise and amazement over comments made by former Namibian President Sam Nujoma that he will intervene militarily if anyone tried to remove Robert Mugabe from power.

Suspect in Mabvuku violence case denied bail

The latest suspect arrested in connection with the assault on five officials from the Mutambara MDC which took place on July 2 has been denied bail by a Harare magistrate. Lawyer Douglas Mwonzora told us Wednesday that his client, 31 year old Francisco Zhuwau, was arrested by police at Matopos National Park in Bulawayo where he had gone to enquire about a job.

Government makes formal notice to withdraw Mudzuri’s passport
As the dust settles over the episode in which former mayor Elias Mudzuri’s passport was impounded at the airport, it has emerged he was using a diplomatic passport issued while he was still Harare’s mayor. The Registrar General’s office argued in court that because Mudzuri was dismissed by the local government minister, he was no longer entitled to use the passport.

Nujoma defends Mugabe & warns against British intervention
The former head of state Sam Nujoma has reaffirmed his loyalty to Mugabe & made threats against the British while boasting about Namibia’s atomic capabilities. Speaking Saturday, Nujoma said: " If the English imperialists make a mistake today to occupy Zimbabwe, I will instruct Swapo to go fight for the Zimbabweans.”

Last Friday the state controlled paper The Herald admitted that the country’s new farmers have failed to meet the targets set for wheat production this season. The Herald report said the farmers are expected to produce even less than last year. The paper has been used consistently by the government to contradict any reports that show the failure of the chaotic land reform programme. So last Friday’s admission that the farmers had failed dismally is important as a sign that the truth about agriculture can no longer be kept secret.

Scores of activists from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in Harare, Mutare and Bulawayo are still in police custody and have refused to pay admission of guilt fines. They were arrested after the pressure group held demonstrations for a new constitution in 5 major cities. The defiant activists say to pay the fines would be admitting what they did was wrong, so they prefer to take the matter to the courts.

Canadian MP seeks Mugabe indictment for crimes against humanity
A Canadian member of parliament, Dr Keith Martin, has been able to get the Foreign Affairs Committee in that country to pass a motion calling on the government to use its ‘crimes against humanity legislation’ and try to bring bring Robert Mugabe to justice.

Former intelligence operatives give evidence in asylum hearing
The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the AA test case in London was on Tuesday given a chilling account of how state security agents ‘deal with undesirable elements’of the opposition MDC party in Zimbabwe.

MP Trudy Stevenson and MDC officials severely assaulted
The MP for Harare North Trudy Stevenson and 4 other MDC Provincial Executive Members were on Sunday attacked by a mob of about 40 youths. The MP alleges the group were from the Tsvangirai MDC. Speaking from the Avenues hospital where she is receiving treatment Stevenson said she recognised one of the thugs from the MDC.