Three MDC officials abducted in Chipinge South
An aspiring MDC parliamentary candidate and two other party officials were abducted from their homes Thursday in Chipinge South and are being held at a police post manned by war veterans at Checheche growth point. The opposition officials were bundled into a white B1800 truck with no number plates by six heavily built men in broad daylight. Before startled onlookers could help, the truck was driven away at high speed.

Mugabe refused sale of anti-riot gear by South Africa says MDC
Zanu PF plans to acquire anti-riot gear to use against the opposition have been foiled, according to the MDC. Allegations that proposals had been made to the South African government to buy US$1,5 million worth of military equipment came to light at a meeting convened by Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi with officials from the MDC. The MDC says the equipment would be used in crushing any form of opposition to Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party ahead of the general election scheduled for next March. But according to MDC intelligence the South Africans have refused to clear the sale.

Hundreds protest against new water tariffs in Mutare
There was a peaceful protest march by hundreds of Woza and Moza members in Mutare late on Wednesday, against the huge increases in water tariffs recently introduced by the government.

MDC activist attacked with machete.
The MDC ward chairman for Mutare central, Tobias Gundavakura, on Thursday told of his terror after his head was sliced open by a machete-wielding attacker believed to be a Zanu-PF youth. Gundavakura 35, suffered serious injuries to his head and hand and was treated at Mutare general hospital. He told Newsreel he was undergoing scans at a private surgery to determine the extent of his head injury.

Chief bans MDC rally in Rukweza, Manicaland
A chief with strong Zanu-PF links has banned the MDC from holding a rally at Rukweza business centre in Makoni East, Manicaland province on Friday. The MDC has however said it would defy Chief John Rukweza’s ban and go ahead with its planned rally because he does not have the powers to ban or stop a political rally.

Opposition meets Home Affairs Minister over political violence
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi has told opposition officials he will investigate allegations of political violence directed at MDC activists by state security and Zanu PF supporters. MDC officials including Sam Sipepa Nkomo, Innocent Gonese, Nelson Chamisa and Welfare secretary Kerry Kay met the minister at his offices in Harare.

Police ban Crisis Coalition meeting to allow war vet rally
The Crisis Coalition has reported that police in the Guruve area of Mashonaland Central have at the last minute banned an outreach meeting scheduled for Wednesday, in order to facilitate war veterans who are marching on the same day to support Mugabe. Pedzisai Ruhanya, a programmes manager with the Coalition, said police had sanctioned their meeting in accordance with the Public Order and Security Act, while war vets do not need to apply for permission.

EU and African MPs agree to invite Mugabe to Portugal Summit
The controversial issue of whether Robert Mugabe should be invited to the European Union-Africa Heads of State Summit in Lisbon Portugal in December has surfaced again. A delegation of EU MPs reportedly visited the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa last Friday, and after discussing the issue agreed it was better to invite Mugabe and engage him rather than snub him altogether.

Power outage causing chaos in Zimbabwe
A catastrophic power failure has plunged most parts of the country into darkness, amid widespread anger as the few remaining businesses are now being forced to shut down because of the blackout. A blackout that struck the capital city on Monday last week continues to leave more than 200 000 households and businesses without power, for the second week running.

Zimbabwe farmer’s case a test for SADC tribunal
The situation on Zimbabwe’s farms has been violent, chaotic and lawless, with top military and government officials ignoring court orders. Government has also passed legislation that is deemed unconstitutional, including Amendment 17 which denied the remaining white farmers their rights to contest evictions.

Bulawayo Mayor says government bullied him to accept Zinwa
Bulawayo Mayor Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube is adamant that the Zimbabwe National Water Authority is unfit to assume responsibilities of the city’s water and sewage system, despite press reports that he had agreed to a takeover last week. Ndabeni-Ncube rubbished reports in the state-controlled Chronicle newspaper, which accused him of making a “u-turn” following his supposed earlier endorsement of Zinwa a week ago.

More leaders join protest over Mugabe invite to Portugal summit
Sweden and Finland have joined the list of countries opposed to an invite for Mugabe to the EU-Africa summit in December in Portugal. Denmark’s Prime Minister and Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs have all expressed concern at Mugabe attending but are yet to make a boycott decision should Mugabe show up. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown set the tone by making it clear he will boycott the meeting.

World record inflation ravages Zimbabwe
The country’s official inflation figure rose to a new world record high of 7,982.1 %. Going by disputed figures from the Central Statistical Office released on Wednesday this is an increase of over 38 % from August. But those running businesses in the country put inflation at over 20,000% based on their company accounts. Analysts confirm the crisis has been created by bad political decisions that have played havoc with the economy.

Free Zim Youth plan demo on Zimbabwe abuses
The UK based pressure group Free Zim Youth has organised a demonstration Friday to commemorate Africa Human Rights Day. They plan to petition African States to use more leverage on the Zimbabwe authorities, who are not complying with the African Charter on human rights. October 21st is the day set aside by the African Union to celebrate human rights on the continent, but the demonstration is set for Friday because embassies are open.

Reserve Bank takes over foreign currency accounts
A mid-year monetary policy announcement by the Reserve Bank, effectively taking over foreign currency accounts held by exporters and NGO’s, is now being implemented. Last week some banks, including Barclays, sent out circulars to their corporate clients indicating that all forex accounts held by exporters and NGO’s were now under the Central Bank.

Police arrest more students
Police in Masvingo on Wednesday brought to a halt a court session involving detained student activist Edison Hlatshwayo, when they arrested three students for allegedly protesting against the continued detention of their leader. Hlatshwayo who has been incarcerated for the past three weeks, was yet again denied bail and further remanded in custody.

Lawyer assaulted by senior police while assisting WOZA members
The lawyer representing the 75 activists from Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise who were arrested in Harare on Monday says he was assaulted by a senior police official while attending to his clients. Lawyer Tafadzwa Mugabe said he was patiently waiting in the station for Inspector Shumba who was processing arrest sheets. Superintendant Tendere arrived with riot police and began interrogating the lawyer.

More people resort to barter trade for basic commodities
A report by seven key organisations on Zimbabwe’s agricultural situation says most people have resorted to barter trading to acquire basics, as shops continue to be empty. Details in the report portray a dire picture of how millions of people in the countryside are trading their staple maize for casual labour and other basic needs such as soap and sugar.

Police assault Masvingo students as Hlatshwayo is further remanded
Two students are in a critical condition after police in Masvingo assaulted students at the city’s Polytechnic College, as they met Monday evening to discuss the case of detained student leader Edison Hlatshwayo.

Police ban another play in Bulawayo
A new satire titled “Overthrown” was due to open in Bulawayo on Friday but was banned by the police as Mugabe arrived in the town to cap graduating university students. The play is the latest by Amakhosi Theatre’s producer & director Cont Mhlanga and it had been approved by the Censorship Board.

Ailing student denied bail again
Edison Hlatshwayo, the secretary general for the students union at the Great Zimbabwe University, has been in custody for nearly three weeks for allegedly defying police authority. On Monday he was further denied bail by a Masvingo court. Hlatshwayo has been incarcerated and tortured at Mutimurefu prison and was remanded in custody until Wednesday, after a magistrate ruled that the police still need to investigate the case.

Students fail to write exam due to water and electricity woes
Students at a Harare high school on Friday failed to sit for an examination due to lack of power and water, forcing authorities to push forward the test into the weekend.

NCA member organisations to demonstrate in Harare
The National Constitution of Assembly (NCA) has announced there will be a peaceful demonstration in the capital this week by some of their member civil organisations.

Anglican Church moves to seize control from Bishop Kunonga
The controversial reign of Harare Bishop Nolbert Kunonga might be coming to an end if the Anglican Church has its way in court. Following the decision by Kunonga to withdraw the diocese from the province over a feud on homosexuality the Church will now seek court intervention to seize control of its assets from Kunonga.

Government in price climb-down
The government raised the prices of basic commodities in shops on Thursday, signalling a major climb-down from the ill-fated price freeze policy instituted by Mugabe three month ago. Announcements by the government-appointed National Incomes and Pricing Commission will see most basic commodities rise in price as the country’s economic meltdown continues.

Tortured MDC activists claim Z$3.8 trillion in damages
Tortured Movement for Democratic Change activists, accused by the government of petrol-bombing public institutions in March this year, have sued the State for a record 3.8 trillion dollars.

Sekai Holland’s visit to New Zealand described as successful
Members of Parliament from the Maori party of New Zealand have withdrawn their support for Robert Mugabe’s regime, after it was explained to them that the land redistribution exercise has only benefited an elite few from Zanu-PF.

MDC demands compensation for freed activists
The MDC has demanded compensation now that terrorism charges have been dropped against dozens of activists who spent nearly four months in custody. MDC supporters were rounded up in raids in March when the police claimed to have thwarted plans for a campaign of petrol-bombings.

MDC to dispatch peace envoy to resolve differences in MDC-UK
The standing committee of the Tsvangirai led MDC is sending a high-level mission to London Friday, including national chairman Lovemore Moyo, to talk to the leadership of the UK national executive, which has split into two camps. According to Jaison Matewu, the organising secretary for the MDC-UK, the national chairman will first meet the management committee of 10 congress elected officials.

Vice President helps minister’s wife skip murder charge
The patronage system that keeps Mugabe’s regime together came out clearly this week when Vice President Joseph Msika helped a minister’s wife escape the murder charges she was facing.

Mugabe’s candidature causes further rift in Zanu-PF
Over 2000 war veterans led by suspended former leader of the group, Jabulani Sibanda, marched through the streets of Bulawayo on Thursday in support of Robert Mugabe.

Lessing wins Nobel Prize
Author Doris Lessing on Thursday won the Nobel Literature Prize for her epic literary works that cover feminism, politics and her youth in Zimbabwe.

Tsunga scoops human rights award
Arnold Tsunga, the Chairperson for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, has won the prestigious Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Defenders Award.

Several people hurt in fresh Chipinge unrest
At least 10 MDC supporters have been injured and several had their houses and cars damaged in Chipinge in a fresh wave of violence reportedly ignited by Zanu-PF councillors in the southeastern district. Trouble started when a local Zanu-PF councillor for ward one stormed the Gaza business centre on Saturday and tried to disperse the over 300 MDC supporters attending a rally that had been sanctioned by the police.

WOZA launches new report on violence against members Johannesburg was the location for the launch Tuesday of a new report by the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise, hilighting violence and abuse by state agents against their members. Several victims related their experiences, with some breaking down as they recalled severe beatings and torture. WOZA coordinator Magodonga Mahlangu said they launched the report in South Africa to show their displeasure at comments by officials in that country who said elections in Zimbabwe next year will be free and fair.

Bulawayo residents refuse polluted water from Khami dam
Bulawayo residents have spurned moves by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to draw the city’s water supplies from the heavily polluted Khami dam. The country’s second largest city is in the throes of a seven month water crisis after all but 2 of its main water reservoirs dried up. To compound the situation government & the city council are tussling for control of the city’s water management, with the state-run authority, ZINWA, insisting it has the answer to the crisis.

Schools in crisis as teachers resign and head South
The deal for Z$14 million salaries agreed to by government and leaders of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association last week has failed to get the teachers back to work. Union officials prematurely called off the strike which is threatening to disrupt grade 7 & O level exams that start this week. The strike has now turned into a permanent stay away due to many teachers taking sick leave & looking for better opportunities outside the country. Some schools reported closed after hundreds of teachers resigned.

Confusion as some teachers stay home despite deal
As of Monday some teachers from ZIMTA said they were not returning to their posts until the agreed Z$ 14 million for September was in their accounts. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe blasted ZIMTA for making the deal, saying the money offered was still below the poverty datum line. Grade 7 students showed up to write their external examinations Monday, and it is not clear whether there were enough invigilators to man the exams.

MDC Women’s Assembly executive dissolved
The MDC led by founding President Morgan Tsvangirai has dissolved the 24 member Women’s Assembly executive led by trade unionist Lucia Matibenga. This follows allegations of repeated personality clashes between Matibenga and her Secretary General, Evelyn Masaiti. The party set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the alleged non-performance by the assembly, and some of the findings revealed what have been described as an unworkable relationship between the two.

Archbishop Ncube assigned new job
The Catholic Church has assigned the former Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube a new job, nearly a month after he resigned over an alleged adultery affair. Father Martin Schupp, the Apostolic Administrator of the vacant Archdiocese appointed Ncube to be in charge of pastoral programmes in Bulawayo. Archbishop Ncube who retains his title will be coordinating pastoral work, structures and training courses.

ZBC Broadcast monopoly case delayed by government tactics
The Supreme Court on Thursday decided to delay hearing a case against the broadcast monopoly held by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation after government challenged the suitability of the lawyer representing the company that brought the challenge. Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu made a chamber application which claimed lawyer Terrence Hussein should not represent Manala Limited, a company owned by Ndabenhle Mabhena, because there was a conflict of interest.

Police disrupt Tekere meeting
Police in Mutare on Friday disrupted a public meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association to discuss the forthcoming elections, after veteran politician Edgar Tekere attacked Robert Mugabe's human rights record. Security agents stormed the public meeting venue ordering everyone out and accusing organisers of the meeting of abusing the platform to “attack the person of the President”.

Zimta condemned as teachers to return to work
Teachers are to return to work after government and leaders of the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association agreed on a salary arrangement that was swiftly condemned by another teachers union. A Zimta statement released to the state media Wednesday said the teachers’ union had agreed to an unspecified “improved salary” for teachers. It is however understood that the country’s largest teachers’ union, with a membership of 58 000, only settled for a salary increment of Z$14 million, Z$4 million shy of what the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe is demanding.

Zimbabwe refugee sues SA defence minister over border shooting
Pretoria’s High Court has ruled to allow a Zimbabwean refugee the right to sue the country’s defence minister, Mosiuoa Lekota, after South African soldiers shot him in the arm near the border in 2005. Tobby Mpofu who now lives in South Africa’s Hillbrow suburb is suing for R500 000, after a group of soldiers opened fire on a truck he was travelling in.

Teachers threaten to continue strike as examinations loom
Leaders from Zimbabwe’s two teachers’ unions have urged members to continue with their on-going strike despite the approaching annual final examination season that begins on Monday. The unions say the teachers’ job action, now approaching its fourth week, must continue at the expense of students’ examinations as they argue that the teachers’ welfare is more important. They insist that if government does not give in to their demands, no examinations will be taken..

Geldof blames China for abetting rights abuses in Zimbabwe
Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof says China is behaving irresponsibly in its trade relations with Africa and that they are pursuing money without regard to the political stability or welfare of the countries they do business with. During a corporate aid event in Finland, Geldof urged the Chinese as a new superpower to adhere to international trade standards. He said the Chinese are everywhere and invest huge amounts of money.

Finance Minister’s wife accused of murdering Masvingo villager
Tecla Mumbengegwi, wife of Finance minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi is facing charges that she fatally assaulted a Masvingo villager with the help of about 10 soldiers. The villager was accused of stealing from a farm owned by the Mumbengegwis. Zimonline reports that Tecla was arrested at the weekend along with the soldiers, who are based at 42 Infantry battalion in Gutu.

Wade to head for Harare for possible mediation role
Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade will finally meet Robert Mugabe this month to recommend multilateral mediation by African heads of state to try to solve the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Wade, revered as a beacon of democracy across Africa, made public his opinions last week that South African President Thabo Mbeki alone could not handle negotiations between the ruling Zanu PF party and the opposition MDC.

Reserve bank to launch new currency
According to Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono the country’s central bank will soon launch a new currency in a bid to curtail the widely-used black market for foreign exchange, and fight the world’s highest rate of inflation. Speaking on Monday Gono also announced that the central bank would raise its main lending rate from 650 percent to 800 percent to tame the ‘angry and formidable’ inflation. The opposition MDC described the plan to introduce a new currency as ‘madness’ and a dream by the government.