More information emerges on airport road murders
As more information emerges from the tragedy that struck along Harare’s airport road last week it turns out it was one university student Tafirenyika Magwidi, and 2 other men, who were murdered by unknown assailants. The Zimbabwe National Students Union on Monday issued a statement saying 3 students were caught up in the suspected ambush but Sidney Chisi, a youth leader in the Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe, was however able to shed more light on the incident Tuesday. He revealed how the naked body of Magwidi, a Humanities student at the University of Zimbabwe, was found between the Catholic University in Hatfield and the One Commando army barracks on the other side of the road. The group had decided to walk after failing to secure transport and Magwidi in particular was in temporary accommodation in Hatfield after over 4000 students were evicted from the UZ campus halls.

Senior police officer dismissed for ‘supporting’ MDC
A senior officer with the Zimbabwe Republic Police was last week dismissed from the force, allegedly after it was discovered she had ‘links’ with the MDC. It still remains unclear how she is involved with the opposition party. There are reports however that this is a message from Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri that any MDC sympathisers within the force would not be tolerated. Assistant Commissioner Kudzai Sibusiso Ndawana was practising as a dentist at Morris Depot training school. There are reports that she had to be forcibly dragged out of her official residence at Chikurubi support unit base by fellow armed colleagues after refusing to leave.

ZANU-PF calls for Mugabe to be president for life
The IRIN news agency on Tuesday said ZANU-PF’s central committee and politburo held a meeting on March 30 where they called for party leader Robert Mugabe to be installed as president for life. IRIN said minutes from the meeting were leaked to their correspondent by a senior official who was present at the time. The report comes just a day after it was revealed that army chiefs had agreed to help Mugabe win the presidential election next year, with the promise that he would step down soon after. The ZANU-PF Women's League, led by Oppah Muchinguri, is said to be pushing for Mugabe to be awarded the position. And Vice-President Joseph Msika was the only one who opposed it. It appears the ruling party is making moves to strengthen and maintain its hold on Zimbabwe’s political landscape, rather than opening up democratic space in preparation for elections next year.

ZINASU says 3 students murdered along Airport road in Harare
The Zimbabwe National Students Union says 3 students from the University of Zimbabwe were murdered by unknown assailants on airport road in Harare’s Hatfield suburb. One died on the spot and two others passed away the following day. A fourth is said to have survived, but is struggling for life in a local hospital. The victims were coming from writing examinations on campus and fell prey to assailants after they failed to secure transport to their temporary accommodation in Hatfield. Additionally, two student activists have been abducted and tortured by police for allegedly working with pro-democracy groups. Wellington Zindove and Innocent Kasiyo were picked up at the behest of an army captain attached to 2 brigade and detained at army barracks Cranborne

MDC unity talks collapse
Many people had pinned their hopes on the divided MDC reuniting to give democratic forces more strength to fight the dictatorship, but chances of that have been quashed. Opposition leader Arthur Mutambara announced at a press conference that the unity talks had collapsed and was scathing about Morgan Tsvangirai. He also announced that his party was no longer part of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign. In response Tsvangirai told his supporters at a Kuwadzana rally that it was pointless spending energy attacking Mutambara, as the real enemy was Mugabe. NCA chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku said it’s unfortunate that things have turned this way but he said for the sake of progress the groups should finalise the process of separate identities.

Four arrested as police ban ZCTU AIDS workshop Kadoma
On Friday police disrupted a workshop on HIV/AIDs organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions in Kadoma and arrested 4 officials, claiming the meeting was “illegal.”3 were released without charge late evening Friday, but the president of the Pulp and Paper Workers Union, John Ngirazi spent the night in police cells and was released Saturday morning. Information officer Khumbulani Ndlovu said Ngirazi was due in court Monday but police failed to make a case against him and decided to proceed by way of summons. The Public Order and Security Act requires police to be notified ahead of any gathering, but it has been used to ban rallies by the opposition and pro-democracy groups.

Army promises to help Mugabe win elections
Press reports say that Mugabe promised earlier this month that he would step down after elections if the army helped him to win and shame Western governments. The UK Sunday Telegraph says Army chiefs met last week and a senior officer at the meeting said the generals agreed the army would have a "heavy" presence at polling stations and ‘assist’ with counting the votes. But on Sunday South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki told reporters only free and fair elections will produce a government acceptable to everyone. The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum applauded Mbeki for his statement, but expressed concern that he did not talk about the 5 million Zimbabweans living in exile who are denied the vote.

WOZA hold peaceful demonstrations in Bulawayo
Pressure for the government to reform is mounting in Zimbabwe. Last week scores of activists from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) took to the streets countrywide calling for a people driven constitution and this week it was the turn of the Women/Men of Zimbabwe, who took part in peaceful street actions in several areas of Bulawayo. The activists were demanding food on the shelves and meaningful economic reforms. No arrests were reported.

Price control crackdown backfires as stocks dry up in supermarkets
The country’s major wholesalers are now virtually empty as the current pricing crackdown by Robert Mugabe to rally support ahead of next year’s elections starts to backfire as stores run dry. Since the high-stakes gamble by the government to order businesses and retailers to slash their prices in half on 26th June, leading chain stores have run out of beer, cool drinks, and other basics such as soap, sugar, rice, flour, matches, salt, cooking oil, and margarine. Meat and maize meal are also unobtainable.

NCA Harare & Gweru offices sealed off by heavily armed police
The headquarters of the National Constitutional Assembly in Harare and provincial offices in Gweru were still under police guard on Friday, two days after police embarked on a violent crackdown on the organisation. The pressure group reports that the offices are closed and guarded by heavily armed police and soldiers. NCA coordinator Tapera Kapuya said arrests are continuing as more activists are being hunted down countrywide. Scores were also arrested in the other towns. Several people are still in hospital and the NCA coordinator said the atmosphere was extremely tense especially in Harare.

Police faked evidence in MDC ‘terrorism’ case
It took a High Court Judge a few minutes to say what many have been saying for almost 5 months. That the arrest and detention of over 32 MDC activists without trial was based on fake evidence from the police. Justice Lawrence Kamocha delivered the criticism Wednesday after freeing 15 activists who were facing terrorism charges. He threw out all the police evidence submitted, saying they had failed to show on a map the location of a farm in South Africa where the alleged banditry training was supposed to have taken place. The judge concluded the farm was ‘nonexistent’ and that state witnesses were ‘fictitious persons.’ Despite the new development two other officials, Morgan Komichi and Dennis Murira, remain in custody facing allegations they were responsible for recruiting the group freed this week.

Aid distribution blocked by government blitz on business
The ongoing price blitz has complicated matters for organisations that distribute critically needed aid to remote areas. The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations spokesperson Fambai Ngirande said the ban on fuel coupons last week caused an administrative nightmare and the distribution of life saving anti-retroviral drugs and food was disrupted. The fuel ban was taken so seriously by branches of the United Nations that they threatened to leave the country. Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono intervened and organised a meeting between the UN agencies and Mugabe. They were reassured that they would have access to fuel with one international company.

Demo at Wits University over Zanu (PF) kids
Over a hundred protesters from the Zimbabwe Youth Movement Friday held a demonstration against children of top Zanu (PF) officials, studying at Universities in South Africa. The peaceful protest took place in Johannesburg, where the demonstrators walked from the Braamfontein Methodist Church to Wits University. Spokesman Remember Moyo said they presented a petition to the Wits University Vice-Chancellor Loyiso Nongxa, calling for the South African government to expel children of senior Zanu (PF) officials. He said the expulsions would be based on the fact that senior ruling party officials have destroyed education in Zimbabwe while their children are attending good schools in South Africa, America and Europe.

MDC youth activist arrested for taking voter registration pictures released.
The opposition youth official who was arrested on Thursday in Hatcliffe, Harare for taking pictures at a voter registration center was released on Friday afternoon. Brighton Chiwola, from the Mutambara-MDC had taken pictures of potential voters who were scrambling to register on the last day of registration, when he was arrested.

UK based Zimbabwean pressure groups pledge united front
Leaders of several UK based Zimbabwean pressure groups have resolved to forge a common platform which will see them coordinating their activities in a united front.

243 arrests 170 hospitalised after police crackdown on NCA demo
NCA chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku said the Mugabe regime has once again shown it does not care about international opinion or regional efforts, after carrying out a vicious crackdown on NCA activists on Wednesday. He said 243 people were arrested in the afternoon and spent several hours at Harare Central police station being brutalised. They were released close to midnight. Madhuku was speaking from the Avenues clinic where more than 170 activists were receiving treatment for injuries sustained whilst in police custody. The pressure group had staged a series of demonstration in all the major towns. Scores of people were also arrested in Masvingo, Mutare, Gweru, Midlands and Bulawayo. They are all still in police custody.

MDC youth secretary arrested for taking photos of voter registration
Elections are expected next year and reports of arrests and victimization of opponents have already started to emerge. The Mutambara MDC reports that their Secretary for Information and Publicity for the Youth Assembly, Brighton Chiwola, was arrested Thursday afternoon for taking photos at a voter registration center in Hatcliffe. The opposition party echoed complaints from the Zimbabwe Election Support Network over the way the whole voter registration exercise has been handled. The MDC said chaos reigned as hundreds of potential voters spent days in queues, jostling to register on the last day of registration Thursday.

ZimOnline editor shot in crime ridden Johannesburg
Abel Mutsakani, editor of the South African based Zimbabwe internet news site ZimOnline, was seriously wounded Monday night when an unidentified gunman shot him in the chest with a single bullet at close range. The bullet ruptured his left lung and remains lodged near his heart. Doctors have decided against surgically removing the bullet. Mutsakani was released from hospital Thursday and has been ordered to get bed rest from home. Spokesman for ZimOnline Daniel Molokela said Mutsakani was attacked after he had confronted three unidentified individuals who approached him as he parked his car at his home in western Johannesburg.

Over 5000 arrested so far in price blitz.
Over 5000 business executives, shop owners and store managers have been arrested since a controversial crackdown on prices was launched last month. On Wednesday another 23 shop owners and managers were arrested for what the state claims is overcharging. The group was rounded up in Harare’s central business district and are set to appear in court on Friday. The majority of those who have already gone to court have on each occasion been fined. It’s now reported that a cabinet taskforce on pricing and incomes stabilisation is meeting manufacturers who have stopped production owing to the pricing chaos.

Amnesty report shows Zimbabwean women activists face increasing repression
Amnesty International has released a report on Zimbabwe, focusing on the political repression faced by women activists. The report entitled Between a rock and a hard place – women human rights defenders at risk, looks at factors that have driven women to go into human rights activism, like the socio and economic conditions in Zimbabwe, and the challenges these women are facing as a result of being activists. Scores of women are also struggling to provide for their families after being evicted from their homes during Operation Murambatsvina in 2005.

Scores of NCA activists arrested and beaten during countrywide demonstrations
Scores of activists from the pressure group National Constitutional Assembly were arrested on Wednesday, during countrywide demonstrations to raise awareness of the need for a new constitution. It’s reported police used force to disperse the crowds and many people were assaulted. NCA coordinator Tapera Kapuya said there were protests in Harare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo and Marondera.
He said in Masvingo 23 people were arrested and charged for public disorder.

Lawyers seek to have Zimbabwe declared unsafe for deportees
Defence lawyers in an asylum and immigration tribunal in London are hearing arguments on the a case that is being referred to as the HS case. They want to have deportations to Zimbabwe halted indefinitely, in response to the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. The asylum and immigration tribunal decided to drop another case known as AA, the initials of the asylum claimant, as a test case for Zimbabwe following marathon appeals and counter-appeals.

Total chaos as government does U-turn on some prices
Shops and informal traders are reporting more confusion on the ground in Zimbabwe after state media reports announced that the government had relaxed price controls on some items such as bread and cooking oil. The information has not been widely circulated by the officials so prices on the same goods are varying from one place to another. Harare based journalist Angus Shaw said this is the most confusing period since the authorities ordered businesses to cut their prices by 50% several weeks ago. Shaw added that there is nothing on paper allowing the price increases so people, the media, the police and the government are all confused.

8 shop owners remanded in custody as price control chaos continues
The state controlled paper The Herald reports that 8 shop owners were on Monday remanded in custody until Wednesday for sentencing, after they were convicted of over charging in the government crackdown on businesses dubbed Operation Dzikisa Mitengo (reduce prices). The shop owners were arrested on July 20th, allegedly for overcharging on items such as fruit juice, tea, soap and toothpaste. One business is based in Harare’s city centre and the other seven are based in the high-density suburb of Epworth.

MDC MPs attend opening of Parliament
MDC MPs from the Tsvangirai faction, on Tuesday, attended the opening address of Parliament by Robert Mugabe for the first time in four years. Tsvangirai described their presence in parliament as being in the spirit of the SADC Heads of State initiated dialogue between Zanu (PF) and the MDC. He said: ‘It is my sincere hope that Zanu PF and Mugabe will also show restraint and maturity.’

High Court orders release of 15 MDC activists, 2 remain
The High Court on Tuesday ordered the release of 15 MDC activists who spent over 4 months in remand prison without trial. Two other activists, Morgan Komichi and Dennis Murira, are still to have their bail applications considered. Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama confirmed the development saying he has already paid the Z$10 million bail for each of his clients.

Zimbabwe democratic forces stand by Archbishop Pius Ncube
Leaders from several pro-democratic organisations held a press conference in Bulawayo on Tuesday to show their solidarity with the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube, who has been at the end of a vicious government media attack over an alleged adulterous affair.Thokozani Khupe the Vice President of the Tsvangirai MDC, Paul Themba Nyathi the election director for the Mutambara MDC, ZAPU leader Paul Siwela, NCA officials and church leaders from the Christian Alliance attended the press conference, which was held under the banner The Archbishop Pius Ncube Solidarity Coalition (APN).

Two seriously injured during food stampede in Bulawayo
Desperate residents who tried to seize much needed mealie meal from a moving truck on Thursday, were seriously injured during a food stampede. Basic commodities are in serious short supply as food stores are empty as a result of disastrous price reductions imposed by the government. An eyewitness said about 300 people were queuing for sugar at TM hypermarket in Bulawayo city centre.

Fuel coupons banned as war on business community intensifies
Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who send money, fuel and groceries home woke up to a new reality Thursday as government announced a ban on the sale of fuel coupons. The coupons have allowed Zimbabwean exiles to send fuel to their loved ones, helping to beat perennial fuel shortages. The new directive adds to the ban on the importation of groceries that begins on 1st August.

Voters encouraged to register despite rigging mechanisms
The SADC initiated talks being mediated by South Africa ’s Thabo Mbeki are supposed to lead to free and fair elections but Mugabe and ZANU-PF are going ahead with their own preparations, using the same system that the opposition is urging Mbeki to dismantle. The mobile registration of eligible new voters is in progress until August 18 th and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network is urging voters to registers.

SA opposition to investigate Zim refugee crisis at Beit Bridge
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s main opposition party, has said they will be visiting the Beitbridge border crossing in order to assess the situation with regard to Zimbabwean refugees crossing into South Africa . The DA has been critical of the South African government and its policy towards the millions of Zimbabweans now living there.

NCA provincial chairperson arrested for insulting Mugabe
The pressure group reports that their Manicaland Chairperson was arrested on Tuesday on charges of insulting Robert Mugabe. NCA leader Dr Lovemore Madhuku said Elisha Makuyana was arrested when he was debating with other people and criticizing the controversial price cuts that were imposed by the government recently. According to the NCA, this is the third time Makuyana has been arrested in just two weeks when he was arrested on charges of possessing shortwave transistor radios without a Zimbabwean import license.

Court still to make decision on bail application by MDC detainees
17 MDC activists have now been locked up in remand prison for 114 days (4 months), while over 4 weeks have passed with the High Court failing to make a ruling on a bail application by their lawyers. Alec Muchadehama expressed his frustration Wednesday saying the state was clearly determined to ensure his clients remain in custody. Justice Lawrence Kamocha is currently sitting on the matter.

Bulawayo issues health warning after cutting water supply
A health risk warning has been issued to residents of Bulawayo after the authorities cut off the supply of water. Pathisa Nyathi, spokesperson for the Bulawayo city council said this was the direct result of the insufficient inflow of water after they decommissioned another dam on Sunday. Nyathi said there would be no water in the country’s second largest city until 3:30 PM on Friday.

Double standards as elite gain from price controls
Although many ordinary shoppers may have bought a few reduced items during the government enforced price controls over the last three weeks, the so-called Operation Dzikisa Mitengo has been an even greater opportunity for the elite in the country to loot with impunity. The Zimbabwean newspaper reported that the former Zimbabwe National Army Commander Vitalis Zvinavashe blocked senior police officers from impounding 30 tonnes of his cement which was selling above the stipulated price.

Politburo recommends an extension of price crackdown
The state controlled Herald reports that a meeting of the ruling party's politburo on Monday decided to extend the 3 week old price reduction exercise, saying it had yielded positive results. This is despite the obvious fact that businesses lost billions and shops are empty, since they were ordered to cut prices in half. There are now serious shortages of basic goods and a transport crisis has developed.

University defies High Court order reversing evictions
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe Levi Nyagura is defying a High Court order reversing the eviction of students from residence, claiming he fears for his life. Last Friday Justice Ben Hlatshwayo ordered that students be reinstated into their halls of residence until the end of the extended semester.

Plan for mass Zimbabwean deportations from SA and Botswana
The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum report that they have conducted investigations into the alleged plan by the South African and Botswana governments to deport unprecedented numbers of Zimbabweans over the next few weeks. Director of the forum, Gabriel Shumba, said they discovered the idea was the brainchild of the South Africa Police Service and Defence Forces and is under consideration at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Archbishop Pius Ncube – Mugabe’s distraction of the year
Once again Robert Mugabe, the master of propaganda, has the whole country talking about adultery allegations that have been brought against Roman Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube, rather than the price controls that threaten to destroy the country. The Archbishop’s lawyer Nicholas Mathonsi described the allegations as an orchestrated attempt to discredit his client.

Kirsty Coventry strikes 4th gold medal at All Africa games
Zimbabwe’s Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry won a record 4th gold medal at the All Africa Games in Algeria on Monday. The swimmer also boasts a silver medal to add to her collection. She has taken the 9th edition of the games by storm, breaking several records along the way.

Soldiers attacking street vendors in Harare
Residents in Harare ’s high-density suburbs, including Mufakose, Budiriro, Kuwadzana, have reported that soldiers are attacking street vendors and confiscating their goods as they flee for safety. This is clearly linked to the ongoing price reduction campaign by government. Reports say the uniformed units do not announce themselves - they arrive suddenly and start assaulting vendors without showing any identification.

Shoppers feel backlash of forced price reductions
Public euphoria over reduced prices is turning to panic as the reality becomes clearer. Faced with long queues and empty shelves Zimbabweans are waking up to the fact that the government’s forced price reductions have destroyed business, as predicted by experts. Operation Dzikisai Mitengo (reduce prices) was welcomed by consumers three weeks ago when businesses were first ordered to reduce prices by 50% but by the time regulations were published by government a week later, specifying profit margins, most shelves in the shops were empty.

South Africa denies Mugabe is snubbing talks
Contradictory information continues to come out of South Africa due to the secrecy surrounding the SADC led talks. The latest conflicting evidence is that ZANU PF had abdicated from the negotiations and had dumped Thabo Mbeki as mediator – but then South Africa denied these reports and said plans were underway to set a new date for the facilitation process.

US government to deport children of Zanu PF officials
A campaign by online news site ZimDaily, to expose the children of senior government and Zanu PF officials living outside the country, received a major boost last week. Outgoing United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell told the weekly Standard newspaper that his government will this year deport all the children of senior figures in Mugabe’s regime who are living in the United States.

Thousands walk to work after public transport protests in Harare
Minibus operators protesting the arrests of their drivers and the vehicles impounded by police decided to pull their fleets off the streets on Friday as the government’s price control exercise intensified. The police confirmed that at least 100 drivers had been arrested in Harare alone and were detained at Mbare police station. Thousands of people walked to work Friday as only a few traditional buses remained in service. Business managers and owners who have been arrested are allegedly being treated harshly in prison.

SA business and labour groups criticise price freezes in Zimbabwe
The deepening crisis in Zimbabwe has raised fear in South Africa , where the umbrella labour and business unions expressed deep concern for the people of Zimbabwe and the threat posed to South African businesses. The Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Business Unity South Africa released separate statements this week expressing concern for South African owned companies in the country and urging their president Thabo Mbeki to ensure that dialogue between the ruling party and opposition in Zimbabwe continues.

High court declares eviction of UZ students illegal
High court Judge Charles Hungwe on Friday ruled that the brutal eviction of more than 5 000 University of Zimbabwe students by riot police on Monday was illegal. The Zimbabwe National Students Association on Wednesday filed an urgent High court application challenging the eviction. Heavily armed police gave students 30 minutes to remove their possessions from the hostels. ZINASU President Promise Mkwananzi told Newsreel they have already started working on returning the students back to campus. He said they will not wait for the authorities to comply with the order.

17 MDC activists still in prison without trial, 4 months on
The political detainees have been in remand prison since March 26 and still no trial date has been set by the state. The detained, including Glen View Member of Parliament Paul Madzore, were arrested shortly after the police blocked a Save Zimbabwe Campaign gathering in Harare four months ago. Initially 32 opposition activists were arrested on terrorist charges. 15 people have so far been released after police dropped charges because of lack of evidence. Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama said his clients are being unfairly treated like bandits and terrorists.

Businesses lose billions to task force looting
The government’s price monitoring task forces are forcing businesses to reduce their prices beyond the levels stipulated by the new law. A Makro store in Bulawayo lost billions Thursday after it was ordered to sell televisions, deep freezers and other imported goods at low prices. And imported goods are not covered by price controls. Police in Harare also impounded 49 commuter omnibuses and arrested the drivers for overcharging. They are being held at Mbare police station.

“Human tsunami” hits South African borders
Between two and three thousand people are crossing the border every night now as result of the price cuts crisis. Hunger, combined with years of difficulties, has finally pushed people over the edge. Journalist Geoff Hill said whereas people used to cross just by the Beit Bridge area, people are now going across the entire length of the South Africa which is almost 200km, and they are using the whole river to come into South Africa.

New government measures on abattoirs will destroy beef industry
90% of the country’s butchers have closed down in the last two days after government cancelled licenses of all private abattoirs and instructed the butchers to deal directly with the Cold Storage Commission. Government says the new policy is to ensure all farmers selling beef products would do so at the controlled price to consumers. But former chief executive of the CSC, Eddie Cross, said the move signals the beginning of the end of the beef industry.

Catholic Commission providing meals for evicted students
Online news site Talk Zimbabwe.com reports that the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace is helping evicted students at the University of Zimbabwe by providing them one meal a day. On Monday the students were given 30 minutes to vacate their halls of residence but with some having to write exams the evictions could not have come at a worse time.

17 arrested as NCA continue with protests for a new constitution
17 people were arrested Wednesday morning in Mutare in street protests organized by the NCA. NCA director Ernest Mudzengi said more than 150 people took part in the demonstration calling for a new constitution, despite Mugabe saying recently there was no need for a new one. The pressure group said police embarked on a witch-hunt shortly after the protests began resulting in the arrests.

Hundreds more arrested in price war as police setup roadblocks
Police on Tuesday accused businesses of moving their goods to rural areas to avoid reducing prices, and in response roadblocks are reported to have appeared everywhere. Police spokesperson Oliver Mandipaka said the roadblocks had also been been set up to prevent farmers from moving maize to urban areas. But our contacts say they are raiding minibuses and impounding them for overcharging.

Government cancels licences for private abattoirs
The government is reported to have cancelled all licences for private abattoirs to force butchers to order their meat products from the state controlled Cold Storage Commission.MDC MP for Kadoma central Editor Matamisa said all butchers in her constituency were told they would not be able to slaughter any animals as of Tuesday because only the CSC would do such operations.

Students challenge evictions in the High Court
Students at the University of Zimbabwe Wednesday filed an urgent application in the High Court challenging the eviction of over 4000 residents who were living on campus. On Monday armed police gave students 30 minutes to remove their possessions from the hostels. This followed violent protests on Sunday, which saw the destruction of property estimated to be over Z$2 billion.

Prisons full of company directors as price war continues
The lawyer representing the most of the big companies facing charges of failing to comply with government’s price controls has said more owners and directors were being arrested Tuesday and his telephone was ringing every half hour. Lawyer Jonathan Samkange confirmed that the price monitoring exercise is continuing with vigor and that after a new law was gazetted legalising price freezes, at least 133 directors and owners were arrested.

University students threaten more protests over evictions
Over 4000 students at the University of Zimbabwe were left homeless after armed police gave them 30 minutes to leave their halls of residence Monday. The students union is meeting Wednesday to map out a response. Zwelithini Viki an Information and Publicity Secretary in the SRC said thousands of students, some of whom come from places like Bulawayo, Mutare and Beitbridge, are stranded in the capital and many are already sleeping out in the open.

Regional church leaders say Mugabe regime has lost legitimacy
The Solidarity Peace Trust, a church-based non-governmental organisation, launched a new report on the crisis in Zimbabwe on Tuesday stating there has been increasing state repression against dissenting voices. The church leaders said the ruling party has also lost its political legitimacy. They say the increase in the number of violations in private homes and public spaces and the attacks on civic and political leaders, indicate a clear intent to destroy such structures and spread an atmosphere of fear throughout the country.

CHRA wants Harare Commissioners on sanctions list
The Combined Harare Residents’ Association has officially requested the European Union to place nine Harare commissioners on the travel ban list, alongside Zanu PF heavyweights. In a letter to the European Commission office in Harare, CHRA’s acting chairperson Israel Mabhoo urged the EU to apply travel restrictions on Sekesai Makwavara the chairperson, and eight other members of the commission who are held partly responsible for ruining the once prosperous city.

ZANU PF fail to turn up for SA led talks
The Mbeki mediated talks between ZANU PF and MDC did not take place this weekend after the ruling party delegation failed to turn up for the planned meeting in Pretoria. Eddie Cross, an official from the Tsvangirai MDC confirmed the MDC delegation of Tendai Biti and Professor Welshman Ncube, ended up returning to Zimbabwe on Monday after waiting around for two days .

Over 1300 arrested in price control chaos as new law enacted
Shop owners and managers have been arrested as Mugabe attempts to enforce price controls. Most of those arrested have been fined while 33 company executives picked up Friday appeared in court Monday. Mugabe has ordered that all prices should be slashed by half and economists say the new policy will only create shortages. A new law was enacted Saturday making it an offence to defy the price cuts. Businesses need written approval for any price changes. Wholesalers and retailers can only use a flat mark up of 20%.

Businesses grinding to a halt and thousands lose jobs
There are reports that thousands of firms countrywide are grinding to a halt despite threats by Robert Mugabe that government would seize firms that stop producing basic goods. Already a number of companies are laying off workers as a result. Elton Mangoma, a businessman and acting treasurer-general of the MDC , said the majority of companies were scaling down operations following the campaign to force businesses to lower prices. This move sparked frenzied buying from shoppers leaving most shops with empty shelves.

Police evicting University of Zimbabwe students
Six student leaders were arrested while more than 500 resident students were beaten by police Saturday following protests. Today police have been continuing with evicting the students. The demonstrations were over the authorities' decision to increase fees for resident students by Z$1million, payable last Friday.

Thousands laid off as shops close due to price freeze anarchy
The ongoing government campaign to monitor prices and arrest those who do not comply has resulted in thousands of workers being laid off as businesses shut down around the country. After being forced by the authorities to cut prices by 50% last week, many businesses ran out of stock within days. They have not reordered fearing further losses and this has meant nothing to do for the workers.

Govt bans bulk buying & cabinet meets with business leaders
Members of the cabinet are reported to have summoned business managers from various sectors for an emergency meeting over the ongoing price chaos late on Wednesday. We were not able to determine the outcome of that meeting, but on Thursday the state paper The Herald reported that all shops have been banned from selling basic items in bulk.

Zimbabwe Dignity! Period campaign hits UK stores
Action for Southern Africa and a UK sanitary product manufacturer called Bodyform have joined forces to support the ‘Dignity! Period.’ Campaign, to raise funds for women in Zimbabwe who are unable to afford sanitary protection. Millions of women are being forced to replace hygienic sanitary protection with newspapers and rags, a practice which can cause severe infections for which there is no available medication.

Libya plans to rescue regime with US$2 billion loan
The isolated regime in the country is negotiating a US$2 billion loan with Libya to help stabilise the crisis-hit economy, according to the Financial Gazette. Government sources told the weekly newspaper that the loan deal was discussed during Robert Mugabe’s trip to Tripoli last month where he met with the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Shops empty as price war confusion intensifies
Reports from around the country indicate that people desperate for cheap products have emptied the shelves in most shops since government ordered businesses to cut prices by 50%. Price-control units are forcing shops to put out all their stock and price it as they watch. Forced to sell at a great loss, many businesses will not restock.

200 participate in WOZA demos in Mutare
The pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise held a peaceful protest in Mutare Wednesday, as part of a nationwide campaign for better electricity supply. The group says about 200 activists marched for 4 blocks through the eastern city to the local headquarters of the power utility, where they delivered protest notes to the ZESA officials.

Labour union resolves to strike over worsening economic crisis
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has resolved to mobilise for a strike in July to protest the worsening plight of workers. ZCTU Deputy Secretary General Japhet Moyo said the labour body’s regional leaders met Saturday to consider several issues, one of which was that nothing had changed in terms of demands to government. The ZCTU put forward demands for a living wage for workers above the poverty datum line of Z$5,5 million a month.

Hitschmann cleared of assassination plot against Mugabe
Pete Hitschmann who has been detained for over a year on charges of attempting to assassinate Mugabe, has been cleared of the plot by a High Court judge. But Judge Elfas Chitakunye on Tuesday convicted him on a lesser charge of possessing weapons of war and slapped him with a 3 year jail term. His lawyers are appealing.

Msika threatens businesses as shops run out of stock
Speaking at the burial of Retired Major General Gideon Lifa at the National Heroes Acre on Monday, Vice President Joseph Msika threatened businesses that do not comply with the new price freezes ordered by government. He said government would take over businesses that do not reduce prices by 50 percent as ordered. But with inflation the highest in the world at well over 5,000%, businesses are struggling to keep up with supply costs and salaries.

Former Zanu PF MP Mbalekwa joins MDC
Former Zanu PF Zvishavane MP Pearson Mbalekwa has joined the Movement for Democratic Change and was formally introduced to party supporters at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru at the weekend. Mbalekwa remained unreachable Monday through to Tuesday but Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman in the Tsvangirai MDC , confirmed the development.

One million wild animals killed since farm invasions began
The Zimbabwe Conservation Taskforce estimates that close to a million wild animals on farms, private game ranches and conservancies, have been slaughtered since the farm invasions began in 2000. Chairman of the animal welfare group Johnny Rodrigues said that farm seizures ordered by Robert Mugabe’s regime seven years ago triggered a massive attack on wildlife on private farms and conservancies.

Countrywide chaos as armed police and violent inspectors enforce price reductions
Pure chaos is being reported around the country as government inspectors, armed police and youth militia are reported to be forcing shops to comply with the 50% price reductions ordered by government last week. Many businesses have been reluctant and some because suppliers have not reduced their prices, meaning businesses would operate at a great loss. But those hired to enforce the price controls are using brutal force to make it happen.

Ncube says stronger nations should invade Zim in worst-case scenario
Pius Ncube, the outspoken Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo is making headlines in the western press over reports that he is calling on Britain to invade Zimbabwe to remove Mugabe from power. There has been mixed reactions to the Archbishop’s words. Some say the statements are damaging for the Archbishop and that they play into Mugabe’s hands while others say it's a statement of frustration that shows how desperate things are in the country.

University students forced to cough up after lecturers strike
Students at the University of Zimbabwe face eviction from their halls of residence following demands by the institution that they pay Z$1 million in top up fees for the remaining month of July. Students reacted angrily arguing the semester was extended by 7 weeks because of a strike by lecturers and yet government was making them meet the financial consequences of its own incompetence.