30 WOZA activists still in detention, babies released
Spokesperson Annie Sibanda said the women, including 4 members of Men of Zimbabwe Arise and a Presbyterian priest are expected to appear in court Friday. 36 activists who were arrested in Bulawayo have been charged under two sections of the notorious Criminal Law and Codification and Reform Act, although 6 of the women who were arrested with their babies were released Thursday afternoon.

Agriculture secretary fired over fertiliser deal
Simon Pazvakavambwa, the man who famously bragged last week that he would ‘spill the beans’ if he is fired from his job, has now developed cold feet. Pazvakavambwa was fired Wednesday over the high profile botched deal involving sub-standard fertiliser from South Africa . When contacted by Newsreel he said; ‘I’m not in a position to give a comment now. Lets give it a few more days.’

Moyo lawsuit exposes Zanu PF’s worst kept secrets
Some of Zanu PF’s worst kept secrets came out as two senior party members began defending themselves against a Z$200 million dollar lawsuit by Tsholotsho MP Jonathan Moyo. Zanu PF chairman and speaker of parliament John Nkomo and politiburo member Dumiso Dabengwa face defamation charges brought by the former information minister. He claims they falsely accused him of using a gathering in Tsholotsho to plot a coup against Mugabe.

Registrar-General short of cash to produce passports
The man largely credited with helping Robert Mugabe ‘win’ elections, Tobaiwa Mudede, has run out of money to issue new identification cards and passports. As the regime fights to keep the country afloat many state enterprises and ministries are now slowly sinking due to serious forex shortages. The World Bank recently described the country’s economic situation as the worst in the world outside a war zone.

WOZA protesters and babies brutalised on Human Rights Day
At least 63 members of Women Of Zimbabwe Arise, 6 babies and 4 Men Of Zimbabwe Arise were arrested in Bulawayo Wednesday. Police used brutal force to break up a peaceful launch of the group’s Peoples Charter. WOZA spokesperson Annie Sibanda said an ambulance had to ferry people to the hospital after they sustained serious wounds from police beatings. Police are said to have embarked on a vicious attack on the demonstrators who merely sat down as they arrived.

Over 430 gold panners still being held by army near Kadoma
Accused of illegal gold panning at a farm owned by the army in Battlefields near Kadoma, the 430 are still in custody and being forced to fill up the trenches they had dug up. A Zim-Online report says 10 children who had been arrested with their parents last Friday have since been released. Conditions at the barracks are said to be deteriorating with the soldiers barring friends and relatives from bringing food or clothing.

CIO officer commandeers bus with 60 church women in Mutoko
The women were travelling to a prayer convention in the Kotwa area of Mutoko but endured harassment from a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation who commandeered their bus to a police station. The officer identified only as Nyagura picked a fight with the women Friday afternoon and accused them of singing opposition songs. The bus was ordered to go to a nearby police station with the women made to sit down on the ground outside the station.

Zanu (PF) hijacks anti-malaria health project in Bikita
A health project funded by a United Nations aid agency in Bikita, Masvingo province has ground to a halt after villagers refused to accept mosquito nets following claims Zanu (PF) had facilitated the project. Thousands of mosquito nets meant for villagers in this malaria prone region are still being stored at Negovane clinic after the ministry of Health sourced the materials from the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund.

ZCTU files 2 billion-dollar lawsuit over police beatings
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has given notice to the Home Affairs ministry and the Police Commissioner of its intention to sue for over Z$2 billion over police beatings of their members. Union leaders were beaten up using baton sticks during a demonstration in September this year. The ZCTU had called for a march to protest against the lack of access to anti-retroviral drugs and an improvement to the wages and standard of living for workers.

Army says mobile phone companies compromising state security
An army director in charge of signal communications has criticised all three mobile phone companies in Zimbabwe saying their operating licences compromise state security. Colonel Livingstone Chineka made the remarks while giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communicatio,n on the Interception of Communication Bill.

Jacob Zuma calls Mugabe ‘monster’
South Africa’s former deputy president Jacob Zuma has rejected charges that he is a new Robert Mugabe in the making describing the 82 year old dictator as a “monster.”  Zuma, who is tipped to succeed Thabo Mbeki as South African president, was speaking during an interview with the UK Sunday Telegraph. Political commentator Dr John Makumbe said it’s quite surprising that Zuma has spoken like this as Mugabe has largely been supported by members of the ANC.

China makes US$3 billion bid for ZISCO
A Chinese company has put in the bid for a 60% stake in financially struggling Zisco. The state controlled Herald newspaper said this follows a meeting between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Metallurgical Corporation of China officials in October. Economist Eric Bloch says this is a positive move as Zisco needs rescuing.

No agreement yet on lifting South African visas for Zimbabweans
State media reports suggesting the South African government had agreed to waive visa restrictions on Zimbabweans have been dismissed as untrue. Jacky Mashapa the acting head of communications in the South African Home Affairs department denied that a decision to waive visa requirements was made last week at a meeting of the Zimbabwe-SA joint permanent commission on defence and security.

Police threats to transport operators dismissed as propaganda
Transport operators hiked their fares by 60 percent over the weekend citing the increase cost of fuel and spare parts. With ssome economic analysts already calculating that two of the three zeroes slashed by the Reserve Bank have already sneaked back into the currency via inflation, the latest increases provide ample evidence that Gono’s measures are falling flat on their face.

Christian Alliance Bulawayo office raided by police
Police raided the offices of the Christian Alliance in Bulawayo Friday, another indication of increased suppression of democratic space. Pastor Ray Motsi said authorities were looking for subversive material but found none. They were looking for the source of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, the weekly ‘noise’ campaign started Wednesday, to get people involved in some form of expression that shows they are not happy with the economic and political crisis.

Mugabe’s loyalty to corrupt cabinet allies intensifies infighting
Cases of corruption involving top officials within the ruling party are piling up as Mugabe refuses to sanction their arrests. His loyalty to some of them, especially retired General Solomon Mujuru, has been unquestionable to date. And the hold they have over him is strong because his continued protection in the midst of mounting evidence is beginning to tear ZANU-PF to pieces.

ZANU-PF running out of begging options as fuel supplies dwindle
The Independent newspaper reports that Mugabe’s recent trip to Iran was a desperate bid to secure fuel by mortgaging Zimbabwe ’s mineral resources. The paper also revealed that China and Russia had received mineral rights in exchange for trade and investment deals shrouded in secrecy. But both countries have reportedly not given Mugabe any credit lines.

Students arrested while govt denies abuses to African Commission
A total of 54 students were arrested in Harare , Bulawayo and other centres as they marched peacefully but making a noise, beating pots and singing on Wednesday. They were participating in the first of several planned “noisy” protests organized by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.

WOZA to embark on 16 days NOISE protests
The Pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise has announced that from 25 November to 10 December they will also embark on a ‘noisy’ protest campaign, dubbed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The group invites all Zimbabweans to bang pots, whistle or honk their car horns and make noise for two minutes at 8pm every evening during those days.

Retribution against MDC activists worsens in Masvingo
Scores of MDC activists from Gutu South, Bikita East and West in Masvingo province have fled their rural homes and sought refuge in Masvingo town following threats to their lives by Zanu (PF) supporters.
Traditional chiefs are spearheading the campaign to get rid of all MDC elements from their areas.

Zimbabwean refugees injured during disturbances at Lindela
There were near-riots at Lindela holding camp in Johannesburg last week when authorities fired tear-gas into confined cells leaving several refugees, including 10 Zimbabweans, injured in the pandemonium. Tension is mounting at the camp over the way refugees are being treated. Last week’s disturbances were triggered when authorities tried to quell noisy dissent by a group of people who claimed they had been wrongly arrested for allegedly possessing fake asylum papers.

Africa continues to ignore humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe
The African Commission on Human and People's Rights currently meeting in The Gambia has revealed the agenda for its next meeting in July 2007 & Zimbabwe was nowhere on the list. Only three reports from Zambia , Nigeria & Ghana will be discussed and no reason was given for excluding the serious situation in Zimbabwe.

‘Three million Zimbabweans short of food’- says Tsvangirai
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai said on Tuesday that corruption and bad planning will see another failed agricultural season. He said as a result of the destruction of the agricultural sector an estimated three million people are short of food today.

Bishop Verryn urges SA government to assist with refugees
We reported Monday that 40-50 refugees who were evicted from the Methodist church in Braamfontein are camping on the streets & in the rain. This includes women with babies. Bishop Paul Verryn who is caring for 600 others at his church in Johannesburg said the South African department of home affairs contacted him after the evictions offering assistance with xenophobia.

Robert Mugabe’s cabinet divided over fertiliser scandal
All is not well in Robert Mugabe’s cabinet following a series of personal clashes between rival cabinet ministers over the acquisition of sub-standard fertiliser by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Last week The Zimbabwe Standard revealed that over 70 000 tonnes of fertiliser worth US$300 000 was imported from South Africa.

Botswana president attacks xenophobia in state of nation address
Speaking to parliament last week during his 4th state of the nation address President Festus Mogae urged his countrymen to be more cooperative with foreigners if Botswana is to develop economically. From Gaberone Oscar Nkala said it was clear Mogae was referring to the attitude towards Zimbabweans. Mogae urged the Tswana to abandon their “go it alone” attitude that is hindering the formation of business partnerships.

‘Army lying about soldier’s disapperance’
Zimbabwe National Army Captain Alfred Chiukira, who has been in detention for allegedly aiding a plot to assassinate Mugabe, has escaped from the military barracks where he was being held. But MDC MP for Mutare North Giles Mutsekwa said he finds it difficult to believe that he escaped from King George VI barracks last week Friday, considering that he was being held inside a military fortress which is more secure than Chikurubi, the country’s top security prison.

Opposition supporters denied food in Makoni East
Zimbabwe has been breaking international records – but all for the wrong reasons - the fastest shrinking economy in the world for a country not at war - the highest inflation at over 1000% and t he United Nations has just announced that Zimbabwe has the highest ratio of orphans to population of any country in the world. And as if this is not enough the country has the lowest life expectancy in the world.

Mugabe’s CIOs infiltrate church and donor organizations in S.A.
Some pastors in Zimbabwe are fed up with the political and economic situation and have been applying to leave and go to South Africa . This is according to Steven Chiadzwa of The Zimbabwe Pastors Forum who has been trying to encourage the church officials to stay. Chiadzwa said the church in Zimbabwe has long been infiltrated by the CIO and this is why the suffering parishioners have no voice.

Militia enrolment in media school has caused exodus of lecturers
The government is extending its control of the media by forcing the Harare Polytechnic to enrol students in it’s journalism school, who have undergone the National Youth Service training. This has resulted in an exodus of lecturers. Sandra Nyaira, the co-ordinator of the exiled journalists network in the UK , said many lecturers left because they could not teach or talk openly.

Save Zimbabwe Campaign introduces noisy protest Wednesdays
Zimbabweans who want the government to know they are suffering are being urged to participate in a 5-minute protest Wednesday by making as much noise as possible. This unusual form of peaceful protest has been organised by several organisations under the Save Zimbabwe banner.

Government’s compensation offer to white farmers meaningless
A four-page notice has appeared in the government controlled Herald offering compensation to white farmers who were evicted illegally. But a farmers’ organisation paints a different picture of the situation. Emily Cookes from the Commercial Farmers Union said this is not the first time compensation lists have appeared in government newspapers. The last was published in May & there were others in previous years.

Army Generals want Mugabe succession discussed
Zimbabwe ’s top Army Generals have reportedly confronted Robert Mugabe about his retirement plans. Freelance Journalist Gift Phiri says the commanders of the Joint Operation Command met Mugabe during one of their regular briefings and told him to put a clear succession plan on the table saying this was necessary to curb the factionalism and infighting that is threatening to destroy the ruling party.

A displaced child headed family loses 2nd home to torrential rain
The roof of a home occupied by a family of five children was blown away and property destroyed this week by torrential rains that swept through parts of Mashonaland West. The head of this particular family is 17 years old. Preferring not to be identified, the teenage boy said the room they were living in was located “kwa Bob”, meaning in the Zvimba area near Robert Mugabe’s rural home.

Zimbabwe refugees given 24-hour ultimatum to leave church in S.A.
Nearly 100 Zimbabwean refugees sheltered at the Methodist Church in central Johannesburg have up to Thursday afternoon to pack their bags and vacate the premises. Most of these asylum seekers were part of a large group of about a thousand Zimbabweans temporarily sheltered at the church since last year.

Soldier breaks up kitchen tea party
Is Zimbabwe increasingly becoming a police state? We received news from Hatcliffe Extension that a kitchen tea party was recently disrupted by a soldier who said the women had not sought permission. A fuming Trudy Stevenson, who is the Member of Parliament for that constituency said since September women in this area of Harare North have been holding kitchen tea or ‘top up’ parties to socialise and share much needed groceries.

The Zimbabwean to pay school fees for 100 contest winners
Good news rarely makes it into the headlines these days. But it does happen. Inspired by the Women Of Zimbabwe Arise who took to the streets protesting unaffordable school fees, The Zimbabwean newspaper is running a short story writing contest that gives students in grades 5, 6 and 7 a chance to express themselves about any important thing that has happened in their lives.

Tour operators break law & move elephant from National Parks
Individuals and organisations are defying laws meant to protect wildlife & the environment in pursuit of foreign currency. Last month 4 elephant died out of a group of 15 that had been separated from their family units. They had been darted and transported to a holding area to be trained to carry tourists.

Mugabe’s minister accused of being CIO operative
Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu faces allegations that he is a CIO operative spying on his fellow senior government officials. Mpofu, one of the first Zapu officials to defect to Zanu (PF) in the early 1980’s, has long been viewed with suspicion dating back to the days before he switched allegiances.

MDC activists facing retribution in Manicaland
Several MDC activists from Nyamajura area near Odzi, Manicaland province have been injured in a series of attacks carried out by Zanu (PF) supporters as retribution for voting for the opposition in last month’s rural district council elections. Giles Mutsekwa, the MDC legislator for Mutare North, said Zanu (PF) supporters led by their local councillors have been on a rampage, razing homes to the ground.

Women to launch 50-50 equality campaign
The Women in Politics Support Unit will march in Harare on Thursday to launch the 50-50 campaign that demands 50% women representation at all levels of political leadership and decision-making. Group director Rutendo Hadebe said the idea is to introduce qualitative women in leadership who can influence the legislation and suit those at voter level.

Church document not what I signed up to says Pius Ncube
Bulawayo Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube has described the church discussion document as “soft as decaffeinated tea”. The outspoken cleric said it’s not the original document that they agreed upon as churches. He alleges that some areas were altered and pages were removed.

Arrested students released in Harare and Masvingo
The students who were arrested last Wednesday after demonstrations in Harare and Masvingo were all released on Friday. The two detained in Harare were released without charge and the Masvingo group were released on bail.

Highlanders set sights on CAF champions league
Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibanda is setting his sights on reaching the knock-out stages of the Confederation of African Football’s champions league competition. After that he says the ‘sky is the limit.’ But he also called upon the football authorities in the country to change the league format.

Minister Bright Matonga's graft case
Junior information minister Bright Matonga has denied charges of seeking a bribe, in his court case which began Monday.

Tsvangirai sees Mugabe as obstacle to church initiative
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has welcomed an initiative by church leaders who created the document the ‘ Zimbabwe we Want,’ aimed at finding a solution to the crisis. But he warned that Robert Mugabe remained an obstacle to the resolution of the national crisis. The MDC president was speaking Friday after his meeting with the church leaders.

MDC activists evicted from irrigation scheme in Beitbridge
An MDC activist who contested the rural district council elections in Beitbridge recently has been evicted from a thriving irrigation scheme together with her two election agents. Josephine Mkwananzi who stood against Zanu (PF)’s Chipo Nyathi in ward 6 and lost, was told Thursday that her presence and that of her agents Sibusiso Hove and Rosina Dube at River range irrigation scheme was causing problems because of their allegiance to the MDC.

Mugabe cronies first to receive 99-year leases
A high court judge, a journalist with the state media, retired army officials and resettled black farmers were among the 125 individuals who received the first batch of 99-year land leases at a ceremony presided over by Mugabe on Thursday. A couple of white farmers seen to be sympathetic to the ruling party were also beneficiaries.

Civic groups hold public meeting on ZISCO corruption
Members of the public took part in a debate on Tuesday focusing on the controversial ZISCO corruption case. The event was hosted by Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the corruption watchdog Transparency International- Zimbabwe Chapter.It has been alleged that top government officials engaged in wholesale looting at the government run steel giant

Lawyer: No deportations of failed asylum seekers from UK
A lawyer working with asylum seekers in the United Kingdom has moved to quell speculation that massive deportations of failed asylum seekers are taking place quietly away from the public glare. In an interview on Thursday, Newsreel was told that failed asylum seekers have been granted permission to take their case to the Court of Appeal where they are trying to get Zimbabwe declared an ‘unsafe destination.’

Paul Themba Nyathi accused of trying to incite army to revolt
A senior opposition official appeared in court Wednesday facing charges of allegedly distributing a document inciting the state security forces to rise up against Robert Mugabe. Paul Temba Nyathi from the Mutambara MDC is being charged under the draconian Criminal Law and Codification Act, for trying to persuade the army and the police forces to rebel.

18 students arrested after demonstrations in Harare and Masvingo
There were student protests Tuesday at the University of Zimbabwe where lecturers & non-academic staff are on strike. Washington Katema, coordinator for the Zimbabwe National Students Union said they marched in support of the striking staff , denouncing unaffordable university fees & bungled exam papers.

Government welfare officer selling donated goods at Hopely Farm
An employee of the ministry of labour and social welfare is allegedly selling food, blankets and other goods donated to victims of last year’s disastrous Operation Murambatsvina, which displaced nearly one million people. Many families from Porta Farm outside Harare whose homes were bulldozed were forced to relocate to the squatter camp at Hopely Farm.

Chamisa says united MDC would be ideal Christmas present
Speculation continues to grow over alleged moves by the divided MDC party to build bridges and unite the opposing camps. Nelson Chamisa a spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC said Wednesday that reunification would be an ideal Christmas present for Zimbabweans.

Court acquits man accused of saying “Mugabe Must Go”
A Rusape magistrate has acquitted an opposition supporter charged with undermining the authority of Robert Mugabe. Charles Zinyembe was arrested in March after staging a one-man demonstration with a banner written, “Mugabe Must Go.” Zinyembe’s lawyer said it is very hard to convict someone on that basis because the man could refer to anyone called Mugabe, not just Robert.

MDC candidate summoned to court for contesting against Zanu (PF) An MDC activist has been summoned to stand trial in a Kangaroo court for defying an order by the local chief not to contest against a Zanu (PF) candidate in the recently held rural district council elections. Sylvester Matizanadzo the MDC’s losing candidate for ward 6 in Mhondoro-Ngezi, was shocked Monday to receive an order to appear before Chief Nyika and answer charges of insubordination.

Farmers organization skeptical of government’s new 99-year leases
The State controlled media reported Saturday that government will begin to issue 99-year land leases to resettle black farmers under a new fast track land reform scheme. The Herald newspaper said Mugabe will preside over a special ceremony Thursday where the first of these leases will be issued.

Victory for WOZA in Bulawayo
152 members of the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were acquitted by a Bulawayo magistrate on Tuesday. This is the fourth court victory in less than two months and the eighth time that the state has failed to convict the women since 2003. They have never been convicted.

Private mobile networks challenge new traffic law in the High Court
Zimbabwe ’s two private mobile phone companies, Econet and Telecel, have both approached the High Court challenging a new law that will force them to share international traffic with the government owned Tel One network. The government had given the networks up to 1 November to route their traffic through Tel One’s international gateway even though they have their own gateways.

China pledges billions to Africa but criticism remains
The official Xinhua News Agency reports that the China-AfricaForum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by 50 African countries including heads of state & business officials. It said16 deals worthUS $1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese & African governments & companies. T he Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans & $2 billion in export credits.

Police officers complain over UN selection criteria
There are allegations Police commisssioner Augustine Chihuri is excluding officers from United Nations peacekeeping duties because they sympathise with the opposition MDC.ZimOnline reported Monday that the long serving commissioner has barred about 150 junior officers from taking part in lucrative peacekeeping duties in Kosovo because of their ‘questionable loyalty’ to Robert Mugabe’s regime.

Malawi president appoints Zimbabwean to top diplomatic post in South Africa
There are reports that Malawi ’s president Bingu Wa Mutharika defied his parliament recently and appointed a Zimbabwean as Malawi ’s high commissioner to South Africa . Agrinna Mussah, who is a Zimbabwean by birth but has one parent from Malawi , is already in South Africa representing Malawi while the controversy over her appointment intensifies. Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us she left Zimbabwe after Mutharika came to power and worked in his office for some time.

Zimbabwean student heckles SA High Commissioner
Lindiwe Mabuza was delivering an address on the state of post apartheid South Africa when a student stood up to challenge her. Recently South Africa ’s foreign affairs minister Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma also had her speech in London interrupted by a radical group known as Free-Zim Youth UK.

ZESA doubles rates for electricity
The regulatory board of the ZESA approved drastic increases in electricity charges Thursday. They went up 95 % for residential use and a shocking 270 % for businesses effective November 1. The head of the Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Commission said the increases were due to fast-rising costs involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity & should lead to fewer blackouts.

Hitschmann denied bail
Peter Hitschmann will stay in custody indefinitely after the High Court, which ended its circuit in Mutare on Friday, refused to grant him bail. Lawyer Trust Maanda said the court dismissed the bail application saying the charges Hitschmann faces are serious and therefore he is not a candidate for bail. The arms expert could stay in police custody for months as the High Court will only sit in Mutare again in March 2007.

Madhuku and two others released on bail
The National Constitutional Assembly trio, including Chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku, who were arrested on Wednesday during demonstration for a new constitution were released on bail on Friday. Lawyer Alec Muchadehama said Madhuku was facing allegations of not giving notice of his intention to demonstrate to the regulating authority.

Malawi president accused of diverting donated maize to Zimbabwe
An opposition official in Malawi has accused President Bingu Wa Mutharika of sending tonnes of free maize to Zimbabwe, which had been donated by the United Nations. Kamlepo Kalua, leader of the opposition Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), said they have discovered maize is disappearing from the strategic grain reserves in Malawi, heading for Zambia and from there to Zimbabwe.

Madhuku remains in custody as students threaten solidarity demo
The leader of the National Constitutional Assembly Dr Lovemore Madhuku remains in police custody following his arrest Wednesday. Madhuku and two NCA officials, Frank Nyagumbo and Marko Shoko, were arrested following a demonstration demanding a new constitution. The three are being held at Harare Central Police station in the capital.

Vermeulen charged with arson attack on cricket headquarters Controversial Zimbabwe Test batsman Mark Vermeulen has been formally charged with arson in connection with attacks earlier in the week on both the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and an office at Zimbabwe Cricket’s headquarters. Police spokesman Andrew Phiri told our source in the capital that Vermeulen is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of setting alight and destroying property belonging to Zimbabwe Cricket.

15 villagers summoned to chief’s court for attending MDC meeting
Officials at The Zimbabwe Peace Project report that 15 villagers from Konyesai village in Manicaland have been summoned to the Community Court of Chief Marange. They are being charged with attending a meeting in the village without the permission of the village head. MDC spokesman for Manicaland Pishai Muchauraya said villagers are not required by law to seek permission from any traditional leader before attending a political meeting.

Zimbabwe cricketer picked-up over arson attack
A fire destroyed the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy in Highlands on Tuesday night and police are treating it as an arson attack. They’ve picked up former test cricketer Mark Vermeulen for questioning. The academy was burnt to the ground and damage is expected to run into many millions of dollars.