Another MDC MP arrested, this time for playing ‘anti Mugabe’ song
Another MDC legislator has been arrested for allegedly playing a song that denigrates Robert Mugabe, on his car radio. The MDC said in a statement that Stewart Garadhi, the MP for Chinhoyi, was driving from Harare to Chinhoyi on Friday morning when he was stopped by police officers who accused him of playing the song that denigrates Robert Mugabe. There are at least 8 MDC MPs including a Deputy Minister who have been arrested and some of them convicted in recent weeks, following the formation of the inclusive government in February. Meanwhile, Deputy Youth Minister Thamsanqa Mahlangu, who was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of stealing a cell phone, will remain in custody until August 13th, after the State opposed bail on Friday.

Cautious hope for media reform as Daily News un-banned
Zimbabwe’s media fraternity have this week been given cause to cautiously hope for real media reform, after the publishers of the banned Daily News and Daily News on Sunday were approved for an operating licence. Media rights groups have welcomed the decision, saying the way is being paved for an active free media to operate in Zimbabwe. Pierre Ambroise from the Africa Desk of the France based Reporters Without Borders, which has been advocating for media freedom in Zimbabwe for several years, called the move ‘fantastic.’ But the Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa on Friday said the move should be greeted cautiously. MISA-Zimbabwe Chairman Loughty Dube said the un-banning of the Daily News ‘does not give any reason for hope,’ explaining that committees and councils should not be the judge and jury of media freedom.

Tsvangirai in South Africa to meet Zuma
The Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday ahead of a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma. Tsvangirai’s spokesman James Maridadi told SW Radio Africa the Prime Minister had several engagements lined up in South Africa, starting with an investment dinner at Sandton Convention Centre on Friday night. Maridadi said Tsvangirai was also scheduled to meet Zuma sometime this weekend to appraise him on the inclusive government, but MDC sources told us Tsvangirai wants Zuma to pressure Robert Mugabe to reverse the appointments of the Attorney General and Reserve Bank Governor. The MDC leader is said to be frustrated by the lack of progress in solving the outstanding issues in the GPA, after Mugabe refused to budge on his re-appointment of Gono and Tomana.

Rush to clear outstanding issues as SADC summit looms
A SADC summit in August which is meant to review the progress of the unity government has put Mugabe’s regime under pressure to clear outstanding issues, political commentators have said. The week has seen a flurry of developments including the un-banning of the Daily News newspaper, and the Information Ministry allowing CNN and the BBC to resume reporting inside the country for the first time in almost 8 years. In addition, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday met the country’s security chiefs for the first time under the National Security Council, something that was supposed to have happened several months ago when the bill creating the council was first passed into law. Analyst Glen Mpani says Mugabe and Zanu PF want to create the perception they are committed to the deal but will revert back to the normal behaviour after the SADC review next month.

Tsvangirai meets Generals in groundbreaking meeting
The Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the country’s powerful service chiefs met on Thursday in Harare, the first such meeting at the highest political level since the formation of the inclusive government. A highly placed source in government told us the two hour meeting, which was chaired by Robert Mugabe was ‘very cordial.’ Up until Thursday, there has been fierce resistance to the formal constituting of the National Security Council among the service chiefs, who see the establishment of the new security organ as a threat to their hitherto unchallenged power. Dismissing advance predictions that the meeting would be confrontational or tense, our source told us the meeting was very good and that Tsvangirai and the service chiefs joked with each other after the meeting.

MDC Minister accused of cell phone theft appears in court
Harare Magistrate Kudakwashe Njerambini reserved a bail ruling for MDC-T national youth Chairman and Deputy Youth Minister Thamsanqa Mahlangu to Friday. The official, who was arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone belonging to war veteran leader Joseph Chinotimba, appeared in court on Thursday with his co-accused personal assistant Malvern Chidamoyo. The two, who were arrested on Tuesday, are being charged with theft.

Campaign to prevent mass Harare evictions to get underway
A campaign to prevent the threatened mass evictions of thousands of people in Harare is set to get under way this week, after the Combined Harare Residents Association and other key stakeholders came together against the planned action. The groups, including the Zimbabwe chapter of rights group Amnesty International have objected strongly to the plans by the Harare City Council to carry out forced evictions of people in informal settlements around the city. The pending evictions have generated restlessness and panic among residents of Harare who feel that the move is unfair and violates residents’ right to shelter. CHRA’s Chairman Simbarashe Moyo said there has been a total absence of consultations and agreed solutions with the members affected, and the evictions are coming as mere directives, saying it is a disregard for human rights.

Enos Nkala says Mahachi was killed over DRC diamonds
Controversial former Defence Minister Enos Nkala has claimed that his successor, the late Moven Mahachi was assassinated at the behest of Robert Mugabe because he opposed the looting of diamonds in the DRC. Mahachi died in May 2001 after his Range Rover vehicle collided with a small car along the Mutare to Nyanga road. In an interview with the Zimbabwe Times website at his home Nkala said Mahachi was opposed to the illicit trade in diamonds from the DRC which involved senior government and army officials. A United Nations report fingered current Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa and the late army General Vitalis Zvinavashe as some of the individuals involved in the plunder. Nkala claims Mahachi was an obstacle in their quest to amass wealth using the pretext of fighting a prolonged war to restore sovereignty in the DRC.

MDC MP Meke Makuyana released from jail on bail
MDC MP for Chipinge South Meke Makuyana who was earlier this month sentenced to 18 months in jail after being found guilty of kidnapping was on Thursday released on $100 bail.
Pishai Muchauraya, the MDC spokesman for Manicaland province told us Makuyana denies the charges and has since appealed against both conviction and sentence.

Tsvangirai set to meet security chiefs on Thursday
The first ever meeting between the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the country’s service chiefs is set for Harare on Thursday. The National Security Council (NSC), which was constituted six months ago upon the establishment of the inclusive government, will have its first meeting in the capital following several failed attempts. The NSC replaces the shadowy Joint Operations Command (JOC), a committee of the service chiefs said by analysts to be the real power behind Robert Mugabe. Parliament passed the National Security Council Bill in February which analysts believe, once up and running, will trim the excessive powers of the country’s security chiefs. Since the formation of the unity government there has been fierce resistance to the formal constituting of the NSC among the service chiefs, who see the establishment of the new security organ as a threat to their hitherto unchallenged power.

Chinotimba suing arrested Minister for US$19 million
Self styled war veteran and ZANU PF member Joseph Chinotimba is suing Thamsanqa Mahlangu the MDC Deputy Youth Minister for US$19 million for loss of business. Mahlangu was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of stealing a cell phone belonging to Chinotimba two weeks ago. Lawyer Charles Kwaramba told SW Radio on Wednesday that his client was issued the summons in his prison cell. Kwaramba said Chinotimba is claiming in excess of US$19 million for loss of business. He alleges that he lost business during the time he didn’t have his cell phone. The allegations are that Mahlangu took Chinotimba’s phone at the Harare International Conference Centre and he is being charged with theft of a cell phone. He denies the allegations. Meanwhile two women, involved in the case, who have been in detention since last week appeared for an initial hearing on Wednesday. Mahlangu who was not brought to court on Wednesday is being held at Rhodesville Police Station.

NGO sector concerned over Mugabe threats
NGOs have voiced serious concern over comments made this week by Robert Mugabe about the ‘advisability’ of having NGOs operating in the country. Speaking at the Global 2009 Dialogue conference in Uganda, Mugabe said the government might have to reconsider whether such organisations are desirable, saying they act as a kind of shadow government. NGOs have been constantly harassed and threatened by the Mugabe led government for several years and were last year banned from operating in the country. NGOs were also earlier this month blamed for the disruption at the All Stakeholder Constitutional Conference, a disruption that was in fact caused by ZANU PF thugs and their party legislators. Fambai Ngirande from the National Association of NGOs said Mugabe’s threats are ‘unfair’ and ‘unfortunate,’ as such organisations have been ‘picking up the pieces for the government because it has failed its people.’

Exiles lash out as SA plans to redeploy army border patrols
The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum has lashed out at the South African government’s plan to redeploy the army to patrol the border with Zimbabwe, saying the move will pose a serious risk to Zimbabwean exiles still fleeing the country. The proposed move follows calls by the country’s main opposition, the Democratic Alliance, for army redeployment after the party toured the unmanned, damaged borders. The military was pulled out of border patrol last year after civil society groups such as the Exiles Forum reported numerous accounts of rape and torture of refugees at the border. ZEF Director Gabriel Shumba said on Wednesday that army officials ‘are not properly equipped in terms of human rights to deal with the sensitive issue of immigrants,’ arguing that redeploying the army so soon will create more problems.

MDC MP & Dep Minister Thamsanqa Mahlangu arrested
Another MDC Member of Parliament has been arrested, making him the eighth MDC legislator to have been arrested in recent months. Thamsanqa Mahlangu, who is also the MDC Youth Assembly Chairperson and Deputy Youth Minister was arrested on Tuesday and detained at Harare Central Police. Although a statement by the MDC states he was detained in unclear circumstances, the website NewZimbabwe.com said he was allegedly arrested over the theft of a mobile phone belonging to the self styled war veteran Joseph Chinotimba.

Party negotiators endorse use of controversial Kariba Draft
An advert in a Sunday paper placed by the negotiators to the Global Political Agreement revealed the six member group representing the three parties in the coalition agreed to use the controversial Kariba Draft as a point of reference for a new constitution. This is in contrast to statements by the MDC-T last month that it was deeply concerned by attempts by ZANU PF and Robert Mugabe to impose the Kariba draft as the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The statement that appeared in the newspaper was signed by all the members of the negotiating teams, except for the MDC-T Secretary General and Finance Minister Tendai Biti. But Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma purportedly signed the document. MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa reiterated that his party does not endorse the Kariba Draft and want a people driven constitution.

Tsvangirai to meet MDC MPs Wednesday over arrests
The Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai will meet his party’s Parliamentary caucus in Harare on Wednesday to discuss their concerns over the recent arrests and convictions of MDC MPs. Mathias Mlambo the MDC MP for Chipinge East confirmed that Tsvangirai will be meeting the MPs in the morning. Mlambo was himself suspended from Parliament after he was recently sentenced to 10 months in prison by a Chipinge magistrate on trumped up charges. Mlmabo said they met Tsvangirai last week but only briefly, so Wednesday’s meeting is expected is expected to look at all the concerns raised by the MPs in recent weeks.

Mawere saga simmers as Chinamasa & Mnangagwa hold firm
Defence Minister Emerson Mnangagwa and Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa are holding firm in blocking the return of the Shabani Mashaba Mine conglomerate to its owner, South African based businessman Mutumwa Mawere. The companies were seized from Mawere in 2004 under the pretext that they were indebted to the state. But a chance meeting between Mugabe and Mawere engineered by South African President Jacob Zuma at his inauguration in May this year has opened a can of worms. Mawere handed a pile of documents on the matter to Mugabe who in turn sought the advice of Gideon Gono the country’s controversial Central Banker governor. In a stunning u-turn Gono advised Mugabe that the takeover of Mawere’s companies was done illegally.

Top ZANU PF official escapes prosecution in diesel fraud case
Top ZANU PF official and Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede has escaped prosecution despite being implicated as an ‘interested’ party in a diesel fraud case, which this weekend saw the conviction of a Chinoyi medicine women. Mudede, who has repeatedly denied falsifying voting records to ensure Robert Mugabe stayed in power, was implicated in the case against the medicine woman, who conned the government out of an estimated US$1 million through a diesel fuel scam in 2007. The woman, Rotina Mavhunga, who goes by the alias of Nomatter Tagirira, bamboozled a government delegation by convincing them she could procure diesel out of a rock. Over the weekend Mavhunga was found guilty of defrauding the government, and named Mudede as an ‘interested party’ in the fraud. The judge revealed that Mudede had supplied 125 litres of diesel used during the scam, but said Mudede was not acting out of ‘self interest’.

Residents outraged as Harare starts disconnecting water
Harare residents are up in arms this week after the City Council started disconnecting water supplies to both domestic and commercial users on Monday, because of unpaid water bills. City officials said this week, they had resorted to water disconnections after residents failed to respond to letters of final demand and to Press notices released earlier this month. Residents, who have refused to settle their bills in the absence of services, reacted with anger when they started receiving the final letters of demand from the local authority.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti sent bullet in mail
Finance Minister Tendai Biti on Monday morning received a live bullet and a handwritten note in a khaki envelope addressed to him at his Harare home. Biti’s aide Nqobizitha Mlilo, confirmed that the 42 year-old secretary-general of the MDC, and MP for Harare East constituency viewed this as a death threat on his life after receiving the 9mm bullet and handwritten shona note. The note stated: ‘raira nhaka’ or ‘prepare your will.’ The envelope containing the bullet and the note is believed to have been dropped at his house. The Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was informed of the incident and so was the acting President Joice Mujuru. The Minister made a report to the police as he viewed this as a serious threat.

Peace days marred by arrests as police clamp down on protesters
As Zimbabweans united to pray for peace in the country this weekend, 15 people were arrested merely for wearing black in protest at the government’s campaign towards national healing. The 15 members of the pressure group ROHR Zimbabwe were hauled into custody in Harare on Saturday, after police were apparently tipped off about a planned, peaceful ROHR protest. The group had urged members to wear black in protest against the three ‘Peace days’ gazetted by Robert Mugabe last week. But on Saturday a bus loaded with 12 black-attired ROHR members on their way to the demonstration in the city centre, was rerouted to Mbare police station. Three other people, not associated with the ROHR group, were also arrested en-route, because police thought they were part of the demonstration.

Vehicle ploughs into Crisis in Zimbabwe coalition offices
A vehicle ploughed through the Harare offices of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in the early hours of Sunday morning. Chairperson of the Coalition Mcdonald Lewanika told us the building was extensively damaged when a landcrusier veered off the road and smashed through the Crisis offices destroying at least two rooms used by the group’s Information and Networking department. He said there was serious destruction to property, including damage to computers, desks, chairs and other furniture. Lewanika said the driver of the vehicle and another passenger were injured, and were hospitalised at the Avenues Clinic in Harare.

NCA hold constitutional convention in Chitungwiza
The National Constitutional Assembly who are opposing a government controlled constitution making process held their own convention at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on Monday. NCA spokesman Madock Chivasa told Newsreel they had over 6 000 people from 68 different groups attending the convention. Speakers included Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions President Lovemore Matombo and Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe, as well as NCA Chairperson Lovemore Madhuku. Chivasa denied the convention was the beginning of a parallel constitution-making process by the NCA, saying instead they were putting pressure on government to take stock of their concerns and change the process. Two weeks ago a government sponsored convention was disrupted by Zanu PF supporters at the Rainbow Towers hotel in the capital.

Shock figures reveal thousands of Zims deported from Botswana
New figures released this weekend have revealed that thousands of Zimbabweans, including innocent, legal travellers have been deported from Botswana, as their impatience with the Zimbabwe crisis grows. The figures show that an estimated 13 thousand Zimbabwean nationals were deported between April and June this year, according to information received by the NewZimbabwe.com online news website.

Tsvangirai postpones talks with Zuma to next week
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has postponed his trip to South Africa for a meeting with SADC chairman and South African President Jacob Zuma, because of ‘pressing commitments’ in Harare. The Prime Minister wants to push the regional bloc to convene an urgent meeting and deal with the remaining issues in the Global Political Agreement.

MDC official’s mother viciously attacked with iron bar
The mother of top MDC official Nqobizitha Mlilo was savagely beaten over the head with an iron bar and left for dead in Mvuma on Wednesday evening. The attack on defenceless Athanancia Mlilo, a 63 year old nurse, has left the small community shell-shocked. She had been walking home from work around 8pm when she was set upon from behind. She is now receiving treatment at a hospital in Harare.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai, Mutambara call for an end to political violence
The Principals in the coalition government called for an end to political attacks, at the beginning of three days of prayer this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the pressure group Zimbabwe Restoration of Human Rights has invited the public to wear black clothng during these days of prayer to remember those who lost lives, property and homes in the political violence that preceded the June 27 sham elections.

PTUZ to consult teachers on continuing class boycotts
The Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union, Raymond Majongwe, says his union will next week go out on a ‘consultative blitz’ to find out if their members still want to continue with the current Friday class boycotts. Teachers and other civil servants have said the 40 percent salary increases offered by government last week were not adequate to cover their needs.

ZCTU lash out at Government over decision to import MPs cars
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union has lashed out at the government over a decision to import cars for parliamentarians, instead of buying locally assembled vehicles. The union said it was “perturbed” that the Ministry of Finance would facilitate the importation of vehicles for the over 300 lawmakers.

Another government official implicated in poaching crisis
Yet another government minister has been implicated in Zimbabwe’s poaching crisis. An un-named minister is said to have ordered the illegal shooting of an elephant in Hwange National Park recently. The minister allegedly told the park’s staff to shoot the bull elephant and then instructed that the meat be sent to Harare. This minister joins the ranks of other government officials already implicated in poaching cases, which have dramatically increased in the past year.

Econet to launch 3G service in August
The country’s largest mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless, will finally be launching its commercial 3G service. Chief Executive Douglas Mboweni said the service would be launched in Harare, before being rolled out to all the major cities by the end of the year. Capacity for the service will initially be limited to 55 000 subscribers. 3G is a short way of saying ‘third generation mobile telephone communications systems technology’ and improves the efficiency of data transferred through cell phones.

Herald newspaper still trying to discredit Tsvangirai
Political analysts and various commentators on Thursday dismissed as baseless and mischievous an article carried by the Herald, accusing the Prime Minister of trying to seize control of government. The state controlled Herald reported that Morgan Tsvangirai had challenged the role of Cabinet and was seeking to strengthen the functions of the Council of Ministers, which he chairs.

Tsvangirai set for talks with Zuma over outstanding GPA issues
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is set to meet SADC chairman and South African President Jacob Zuma over the weekend, in an attempt to push the regional bloc to convene an urgent meeting and deal with the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement.

MDC activist brutally assaulted
A female MDC activist in Uzumba, Ebba Katiyo, is said to be battling for her life in hospital following a brutal attack by ZANU PF thugs last week. Katiyo has now been attacked twice in the space of 2 weeks, after being accused of supporting the MDC.

Teachers’ union bosses slam Biti & Mukonoweshuro
Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, the Minister for Public Service, announced on Tuesday an increase in allowances for civil servants starting this month. Teachers will see their allowances go from $100 to $145 - after bank charges and taxes, while doctors will receive $170.

Zimbabwe: Second most failed state in the world
Zimbabwe is second on ‘The Failed States Index’ 2009 which is compiled by the US based ‘Foreign Policy Magazine’. Somalia takes the top spot. The award winning magazine uses what it calls ‘12 indicators of state cohesion and performance, compiled through an examination of more than 30,000 publicly available sources.’

Bhebhe dismisses his expulsion from MDC-M as null and void
The MDC-M MP for Nkayi South, Abednico Bhebhe, has dismissed his expulsion, and that of two other colleagues from the party, as null and void, claiming the move to oust them is a conspiracy by the party hierachy. Bhebhe, together with the MP for Lupane East Njabuliso Mguni, and the MP for Bulilima East Norman Mpofu, was being accused of ‘undermining’ the party’s authority.

Government dedicates three days to national healing
The inclusive government has dedicated Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week as days for renouncing political violence and promoting national healing. Sekai Holland, the co-minister of National Healing, said that the three days will not be national holidays but dedication days, earmarked for individuals to take spiritual time to pray for national healing, reconciliation and integration.

Attorney General refuses to release Bennett passport
Tensions in the unity government rose dramatically after Attorney General Johannes Tomana refused to hand back Roy Bennett’s passport. In February police arrested the MDC Treasurer General and Deputy Agriculture Minister designate, and detained him over widely discredited charges of possessing illegal weapons of war, to commit acts of terrorism.

Another Gweru farmer murdered
The Gweru farming community is mourning the loss of yet another farmer who was murdered last week. 76-year-old Ray van Rensburg died last Wednesday after he was attacked in his home by intruders during the night. It’s understood the intruders broke into the house and repeatedly struck the sleeping van Rensburg on the back of the head. They then fled with the farmer’s wallet containing just US$25.

Rule of law still ignored as Minister implicated in village attack
Workers employed by the co-Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi, are facing attempted murder charges after severely assaulting 11 villagers this year. Mohadi and the villagers are said to be fighting for the ownership of a herd of cattle, a fight that led to the brutal attack after villagers drove the beasts off Mohadi’s homestead, claiming they’d been stolen.

Teachers’ union lashes out over meager salary adjustment
The Progressive Teachers Union has lashed out at the government’s civil service salary adjustment, which will see them receive a monthly wage of an estimated US$140. They called the increase ‘insulting’. Finance Minister Tendai Biti, in his mid-term fiscal policy review on Thursday, increased the civil service wage bill by 41%. But a simple calculation of the money set aside for the salaries showed that civil servants would get an average of US$140 monthly.

Biti lifts import duty on newspapers to mark start of media reforms
Finance Minister Tendai Biti used his Thursday budget presentation to signal the government’s intention to reform the media, by scrapping import duty on newspapers. The ZANU PF led government in June last year imposed an import duty on foreign press, claiming ‘hostile foreign newspapers’ were coming into Zimbabwe. Newspapers, journals, magazines and periodicals, were classed as luxury goods and attracted import duty of 40%.

Political leaders meet to chart new national vision for the country
Political, business, civil leaders, church leaders and the academia began a two day workshop in Harare Friday, aimed at developing a comprehensive national vision for the country. Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa said speakers highlighted the need for the country to cultivate an enduring foundation for genuine democratization. Speakers challenged the inclusive government to ensure the observance of justice and the rule of law.

Biti announces salaries for civil servants
Finance Minister Tendai Biti used a budget presentation Thursday to announce that civil servants will now be paid salaries in place of the current US$100 allowance. He also scrapped import duty on information technology products like computers and cell phones. Duty on capital investment equipment is also scrapped and is waived on basic commodities until November.

Police still detaining MDC activist after Monday’s chaos
MDC activist Patrick Danga, who was arrested by the police while restraining ZANU PF MP Patrick Zhuwawo from manhandling an MDC MP, is still detained at Harare Central police station. Zhuwawo is also Robert Mugabe’s nephew and the MDC MP for Mutare Central, Innocent Gonese, said that the real criminals, who threw bottles and disrupted proceedings at the All-Stakeholders constitutional conference, remain free.

Chegutu farmer laments government’s denial of land attacks
A beleaguered Chegutu farmer, whose farm has been over run by land invaders working for a top ZANU PF official, has lashed out at the government for repeatedly denying that the current wave of land invasions are happening. Tsvangirai has played down the land attacks, calling them ‘isolated incidents’ blown out of proportion by the media. JOMIC has now reportedly followed in the footsteps of the government by denying that the land invasions have taken place.

Suspended Mutambara MDC MP’s take case to court
Three MP’s suspended several months ago on charges of undermining their party have now taken their case to the High Court. Nkayi South MP Abednico Bhebhe, Norman Mpofu from Bulilima East and Njabuliso Mguni from Lupane East want the High Court to set aside the outcome of a weekend disciplinary hearing, because they feel the party did not follow proper procedures.

MDC MP Mathias Mlambo suspended from Parliament
The MDC MP for Chipinge East, Mathias Mlambo, has been suspended from parliament after he was recently sentenced to 10 months in prison by a Chipinge magistrate, on trumped up charges of public violence.

Safe environment needed for constitutional process to succeed
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga said the priority now in the constitution making process is to create a safe environment for the outreach programme. He said the process was entering a critical phase, that of consulting the people.

Jestina Mukoko to receive international human rights award
Rights activist Jestina Mukoko has been announced as the 2009 recipient of a prestigious international human rights award that will be presented to her later this year.

Sanity returns to All-Stakeholders Constitutional Conference
The conference aimed at drafting a new national constitution resumed in Harare Tuesday, amid unprecedented security. The police, who were accused of letting things get out of hand Monday without intervening, responded by throwing a ‘ring of steel’ around the venue on Tuesday.

Orchestrated conference chaos reveals lack of unity
The chaos that ended the first day of the All Stakeholders Constitutional Conference has been described as an orchestrated plan by ZANU PF, which observers say has further revealed the disunity in the coalition government. Trouble had already started last week when the event was postponed from the original date of 11-12 July.

ZANU PF accused of hypocrisy over national hero Ackim Ndlovu
Founding Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army commander Ackim Ndlovu was declared a national hero last week, despite living the life of a pauper after being neglected by government. Our correspondent told us he met the 77 year old Ndlovu in Mpopoma in 2003 and he was battling high medical bills after losing his leg to cancer.

Drama as ZANU PF thugs disrupt constitutional conference
The drama unfolded Monday when the thugs disrupted the all-stakeholders meeting at the Harare International Conference Centre, hurling abuse at Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo and bringing chaos. In his opening address Moyo had told the delegates that a constitution is about the people deciding how they are governed.

ZPF militia crackdown on teachers in wake of class boycott
Many teachers in Masvingo have been forced to flee their posts, after ZANU PF youth militia launched a retributive crackdown on teachers this weekend. The crackdown, in the form of harassment and violent threats, comes in the wake of a class boycott on Friday. Over 200 teachers under the Progressive Teachers’ Union took to the streets of Masvingo Friday morning, demonstrating for a review of their US$100 monthly allowances.

Proceeds from Marange diamonds not benefiting Zimbabweans
Months ago it was reported that there were buckets of rough diamonds kept inside the vaults of the Reserve Bank, and it became clear the diamonds helped Mugabe stay in power by allowing him to keep the army happy, at a time when government had no money to pay proper salaries. With the soldiers turning the diamond fields into a lawless ‘wild west’ there continues to be, no accountability over proceeds.

Security forces will not withdraw from Chiadzwa diamond fields
The army and the police will not withdraw from Chiadzwa, but will remain there to maintain ‘law and order’, a state controlled newspaper said on Friday. The weekly Manica Post in Mutare said the security forces will maintain their presence at the diamond fields, despite recommendations by the Kimberley Process team that visited the country last week to demilitarise the fields due to mass human rights abuses.

Teachers demonstrate in Masvingo
Over 200 teachers with the Progressive Teachers’ Union took to the streets of Masvingo Friday morning, demonstrating for a review of their US$100 allowances. Earlier in the week the union had called for a class boycott on July 10th, to be repeated on the 17th July. President Takavafira Zhou said the campaign was code-named Operation Friday and further boycotts would stretch to the 23rd July if government did not increase their allowances.

Leaders say farm compensation is Britain’s problem
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday admitted the government cannot compensate any farmers for land acquired in the land ‘reform’ programme, echoing Mugabe’s sentiments that the British need to foot the bill. Tsvangirai and Mugabe were both speaking at the opening of the Investment Conference in Harare on Thursday, where the land issue and property rights dominated talks.

Leaders issued ultimatum by cabinet over outstanding issues
Zimbabwe’s political leaders have been issued an ultimatum by the power sharing Cabinet, to resolve the outstanding issues still straining the fragile relationship between the two MDC formations and ZANU PF.

MDC outcry as another MP convicted on trumped up charges
The MDC MP for Chipinge South, Meki Makuyana, was on Thursday convicted on ‘trumped up charges’ of kidnapping. Magistrate Samuel Zuze sentenced Makuyana to an effective 12 months in prison, with hard labour. This brings to 4 the number of MDC MP’s, all from Manicaland Province, who have been convicted and sentenced to jail by magistrates on the ZANU PF payroll.

Constitutional conference delayed by ZANU PF bickering
A constitutional conference scheduled to be held this Friday has now been moved to Monday, amid reports of serious bickering within ZANU PF and their last minute bid to have it postponed indefinitely. Several ZANU PF MP’s are complaining that MP’s in the Tsvangirai MDC have hijacked the constitution making process.

MDC factions in unity govt divided over Gono & Tomana
The two MDC factions are divided over how to deal with the controversial appointments of Reserve Bank governor Gono and Attorney General Tomana. The Tsvangirai MDC is adamant both officials were appointed by Mugabe without their consent. But deputy Prime Minister Mutambara, who leads the smaller MDC faction, has said Tsvangirai should work with Gono and Tomana to ensure the country’s economic prosperity.

CFU shocked at violent murder of local farm leader
The commercial farming community has been left reeling at the violent murder of a Midlands Province farm leader this week. Bob Vaughan-Evans, a respected conservationist and agriculturalist, was attacked along with his wife in their Gweru home late Tuesday, by an intruder wielding an axe. Bob died as a result of serious head wounds while his wife Jean, who had just turned 80 years old, has remained in a coma after being viciously assaulted.

MDC activist survives deadly axe attack in Muzarabani
A victim of last year’s political violence is lucky to be alive after surviving another political motivated attack in which he was struck with an axe two weeks ago. The man was walking home after he had served a summons on a ZANU PF supporter who burnt down his homestead and looted livestock and household property last year. His attackers have been identified as Reason Kadira and Funny Chigogo, both from Muzarabani.

Teachers set to boycott classes from Friday
Teachers across the country are set to boycott classes on Friday, with the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe warning that the action will intensify in coming weeks. The PTUZ told a press conference in Harare that its members would start boycotting classes every Friday, a boycott that will continue until the Education Ministry responds to teachers’ demands for improved salaries and working conditions.

Process to select independent commissioners’ runs into trouble
The selection of candidates to fill posts in the new independent constitutional commissions faces problems,, despite reports of ‘huge interest’ in these jobs. Masvingo urban MP Tongai Matutu, chairman of the Parliamentary Legal and Procedural Committee, said no progress has been made since the deadline to receive applications.

Investors to get chance to question unity government
Tsvangirai, Mugabe and Mutambara will on Thursday share the stage at a two international investment conference in Harare. The event is being held to try to lure investors, despite mounting problems within the 5 month old unity government.

Anti-blood diamonds team implicates Zimbabwe army
A visiting delegation from the Kimberley Process has concluded a week long investigation into Zimbabwe’s controversial diamond mining trade and found that the country’s military and police were major contributors to the murders and gross human rights abuses in the Marange diamond fields, despite denials by government.

US$950 million deal with China – is it on, is it off?
Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s office has denied reports that he contradicted Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s announcement of a US$950 million credit line from China. News agencies quoted Biti telling a press conference that the country had not received money from the Chinese. This was in sharp contrast to Tsvangirai’s announcement Tuesday in which he confirmed receiving the credit lines.

Tsvangirai dismisses ZANU PF attempts to impose Kariba Draft
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai on Sunday dismissed attempts by ZANU PF to force the Kariba draft constitution on the people, saying it is up to the people to decide and no one should impose a solution. He said the process to draft a new constitution was not about individuals or political parties, but a people-centred initiative, which should involve everyone.

Nyanga villagers in court to recover seized property
Villagers in Nyanga have approached the Magistrates Court, seeking the return of property seized by ZANU PF thugs in the run-up to last year’s bloody, one-man presidential election run-off. At the height of that campaign MDC villagers were targeted and lost cattle, goats, chickens, ploughs and food stocks.

Civil Society constitutional convention rejects use of Kariba draft
The co-chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on constitutional reform, Douglas Mwonzora, on Friday said Mugabe’s comments that the new constitution must be anchored in the Kariba Draft just reflected his personal view. Mwonzora told 2,000 delegates attending the ‘people’s constitutional convention’ that Mugabe’s views were not binding on the constitution-making process.

Journalists in court to make media commission order binding
The freelance journalists who were barred from covering the COMESA summit recently, have made an application in the High Court to make a court decision legally binding. Jealous Mawarire, Stanley Gama, Stanley Kwenda and Valentine Maponga had successfully challenged the legality of the Media and Information Commission, and it’s requirement that journalists needed to register with the commission.

Minister denies that the CIO abducted activists
State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi on Wednesday stunned a Harare Court by denying that the CIO was involved in the abduction of opposition and human rights activists last year. This is despite his predecessor in the ministry, Didymus Mutasa, admitting earlier this year that he had sanctioned the operation, as a matter of state security.

Mike Hitschmann released from jail
Michael Peter Hitschmann, who was initially arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Mugabe at his birthday bash in Manicaland in 2006, was released on Thursday. Although the assassination charges were dropped, Hitschmann went on to serve 40 months in jail after police said they found an arms cache at his home and he was charged with possession of firearms without a licence.

Teachers renew strike threat over pay
Just two months after a potentially crippling teachers strike was averted, teachers have once again renewed their threat to down tools over salaries. In May the Education Ministry managed to prevent a nationwide strike by persuading teachers’ unions that they were doing everything they could to raise money for the education system, and as an incentive allowed the teachers’ own children to have free schooling.

Roy Bennett remanded to October for trial
A Mutare magistrate remanded Roy Bennett, the MDC Deputy Agriculture Minister nominee to 13 October, for the commencement of his trial. Bennett was arrested in February and spent a month in a Mutare remand prison on terrorism and sabotage charges. Bennett denies the charge. On Wednesday Bennett’s lawyer, Trust Maanda told SW Radio Africa he was not happy with the date given for the commencement of trial.

ZANU PF militias back in action in rural areas
There are reports suggesting ZANU PF backed militias have been reactivated to play a pivotal role in mobilising people in rural areas to actively participate in the constitution making process. While they might have ‘laid down’ their weapons, their mere presence has raised tensions and fears that they might be resuming the type of violence that plagued the MDC during last year’s presidential elections.

Tsvangirai under fire for glossing over unity govt problems
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is facing criticism from his own party MP’s who accuse him of playing down simmering tensions and cracks within the 4 month coalition government. Harrison Mudzuri, the MP for Zaka Central, complained to journalists in Masvingo that the PM was ignoring violations of the unity deal being perpetrated by ZANU PF.

Many dead in Zimbabwe bus crash
At least 33 people were killed and several injured when an overtaking bus hit an oncoming truck on a notorious road in Zimbabwe.