Previous news stories March 2010

News stories for Wednesday 31 March

Mugabe makes it clear to Zuma he is not sharing power
Robert Mugabe has reportedly said he will not appoint provincial governors from the MDC, that Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and central bank boss Gideon Gono are going nowhere and that he will not appoint Roy Bennett to a ministerial position.

Terror breaks out in Muzarabani
The pressure group Restoration of Human Rights reports that terror has broken out in Muzarabani resulting in 16 families fleeing their homes. Unidentified ZANU PF youths also burnt down the Charunda village AFM church and a house belonging to an MDC member at the weekend.

Bennett faces new charges as judge defers terrorism ruling
Roy Bennett, the MDC-T Treasurer General and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, was hit with a summons to appear at the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court in April, on a new charge of allegedly hoarding maize in 2001. He faced these new charges on the same day that he was appearing in the High Court to hear the judgement on his terrorism charge.

Victory for farmers as Zim property seized in South Africa
Zimbabwe’s embattled commercial farmers had a small taste of victory this week, after a multimillion rand property owned by the Zimbabwe government in South Africa was seized by their lawyers, in the first significant legal move against ZANU PF over unlawful land ‘reform’.

NGO’s seek meeting with Zuma over upsurge in violence
A grouping of NGO’s, under the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, say they are seeking an audience with South Africa’s mediating President Jacob Zuma, over the rising levels of violence and harassment in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans living in squalor in South Africa
Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa are still living in desperate squalor, in a country that offers them no official sanctuary.
ZWNEWS to close again
The 200,000 readers of the daily email news bulletin ZWNEWS received their last email on Wednesday.

News stories for Tuesday 30 March

No agreement in sight as talks deadline passes
An agreement meant to be thrashed out by Zimbabwe’s political parties has remained out of sight, with a deadline for an agreement to be reached passing on Monday. The deadline was set by South African President Zuma when he intervened in the dispute over outstanding issues in the GPA.

Gukurahundi artist released as ZimRights moves exhibition to Byo
Owen Maseko, the artist who was arrested last week for staging an exhibition in Bulawayo about the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres, was finally released on bail of $100 on Tuesday. He has also been ordered to report to the police station every Friday.

Over 33 students arrested during countrywide demos
Around 33 students were arrested countrywide Monday after they staged a series of protests against high tuition fees and the political deadlock. The protests were held in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Masvingo.

Villagers face eviction to make way for biofuel cultivation
The construction of a US$600 million ethanol plant in Chisumbanje, Manicaland province has ignited a storm of protests and claims that it could result in thousands of families being evicted from the area.

Bennett ‘acquittal’ ruling set for Wednesday
High Court Justice Chinembiri Bhunu is expected to deliver his ruling Wednesday on whether or not Roy Bennett should be acquitted.
German business delegation to Zimbabwe cancel trip
A German business delegation has cancelled its trip to Harare because of a controversial law that will hand over majority ownership of all businesses to ‘indigenous’ Zimbabweans.

News stories for Monday 29 March

CIO order art gallery to ‘cover up’ Gukurahundi exhibition
Artist Owen Maseko appeared in court Monday for a bail hearing, after spending the weekend in detention at Bulawayo Central Police station. He was arrested Friday for his Gukurahundi Exhibition at the National Art Gallery.

Leaked police document exposes bias for sacked Bishop
A leaked police document has exposed the brazen police bias for sacked Anglican Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, whose small band of violent supporters has been harassing rival parishioners.

GPA talks expected to be concluded on Monday
The country’s rival political parties were expected to conclude their talks on the remaining issues in the Global Political Agreement, exactly two years to the day since the MDC-T became the largest party in the House of Assembly.

Concern high as SA’s Malema heads to Zim
Concern is being raised this week ahead of a pending visit by South Africa’s controversial ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema. Malema, who is at the centre of South Africa’s current ‘hate speech’ debate, is arriving in Zimbabwe on Friday for a three day visit to be hosted by the ZANU PF Youth League.

Mpofu faces parliamentary quiz on spending spree
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu is set to face more questions from a parliamentary committee probing mining operations at the controversial Chaidzwa diamond fields, in the wake of the minister’s property buying spree.
Zinasu president arrested
The President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), Joshua Chinyere, was arrested Monday along with 39 other students, during nationwide, peaceful demonstrations. Chinyere’s whereabouts remain unknown.

News stories for Friday 26 March

Talks heading for deadlock as ZANU PF vow no concessions
Talks aimed at resolving the political deadlock appeared heading for another collapse after ZANU PF’s politburo on Wednesday resolved it would not make any concessions until sanctions targeted at members of Mugabe’s regime are lifted. A new climate of optimism had developed following last weeks visit by South African President Jacob Zuma.

Gallery manager and artist arrested over Gukurahundi exhibition
Well known artist Owen Maseko and Voti Thebe, who is in charge of the Bulawayo National Arts Gallery, were arrested Friday, a day after they launched an exhibition of paintings about the Gukurahundi era. Human rights activist Shari Eppel, who spoke at the opening launch, said the ceremony went ahead with no problem but the police went to the art gallery Friday and started filming all the installations and pictures, and then arrested the two.

Two more MDC activists arrested in Bindura
Human rights group ROHR has criticized Bindura police for going on a witch-hunt for MDC supporters, after two activists were arrested Thursday, in separate incidents, on allegations of undermining the office of the President.

AfriForum rolls out campaign to seize Zim assets
South African civil rights initiative, AfriForum, has rolled out what it calls a ‘Civil Sanction Campaign’ in support of Zimbabwe’s farmers and farm workers, the first step of which is to seize Zimbabwean assets in South Africa.

High Court rules against Malaysian investors in land case
The High Court has ruled against investors from Malaysia in a dispute over an invaded property, in a move that will further sour diplomatic relations between the two countries.

News stories for Thursday 25 March

Biti attends talks, despite Tuesday car crash
MDC-T chief negotiator Tendai Biti is attending talks that are hoped will bring finality to the remaining issues in the Global Political Agreement.
Biti’s presence was in doubt after he persistently complained of chest pains following his lucky escape from a car crash near Chegutu on Tuesday night. The Finance Minister only left hospital on Thursday morning.

Zuma continues to sit on army general’s report on Zim violence
In 2008 former South African President Thabo Mbeki commissioned a fact finding mission into state sponsored violence in the run up to Zimbabwe’s one man presidential run-off. Mbeki sent six retired South African army generals on two fact-finding missions to investigate.

SADC court snubs farmers’ urgent bid
The human rights court of the Southern African Development Community has snubbed an urgent bid by Zimbabwe’s commercial farmers, who have been trying to force the government to honour a landmark ruling that land ‘reform’ is unlawful. Farmers had returned to the Tribunal this week to force the SADC to intervene in the land crisis.

ZimRights forced to abandon photo exhibition after launch
A photo exhibition organized by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association went ahead in Harare Wednesday evening after the High Court ordered police to return the photographs they had seized the previous day. But that same evening the police returned to the art gallery to try and confiscate the pictures again. The photos showed the violence of the 2008 election period.

News stories for Wednesday 24 March

Court orders police to release confiscated torture photographs
High Court Justice Samuel Kudya on Wednesday ordered police to release the 65 photographs of victims of the 2008 political violence that had been confiscated from Gallery Delta. This was after an urgent application was filed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Marondera rocked by fresh crackdown on MDC activists
There has been a new wave of political arrests in the volatile Mashonaland East province. The Mayor of Marondera Farai Nyandoro, was arrested on Sunday, along with Carlos Mudzongo, the MDC councilor for Nyameni in the town and Freddy Munemo, a former policeman who was dismissed in 2008 for being sympathetic to the MDC.

ZCTU accuse govt of misleading international labour body
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has accused the unity government of deliberately trying to mislead the International Labour Organisation by convincing them that there is now respect for trade unionism in Zimbabwe.

Bishop wants Christians to speak out against persecution
The caretaker Anglican Bishop of Harare from November 2007 to July 2009, has challenged Christians from other denominations to speak out against the persecution of Anglican parishioners. Bishop Sebastian Bakare expressed his surprise at the lack of Christian solidarity with persecuted Anglicans in the Harare diocese.

Biti’s lucky escape after horror car crash near Chegutu
Finance Minister Tendai Biti had a lucky escape after being involved in a car crash on Tuesday night near Chegutu in Mashonaland West province, which left him ‘badly shaken.’
Zuma lobbies on behalf of Mugabe….again
South African President Jacob Zuma has once again lobbied for the removal of international targeted sanctions still in place on Robert Mugabe and his allies, proving yet again his allegiance to the ageing dictator.

News stories for Tuesday 23 March

15 MDC supporters under arrest
David Chimhini, the MDC-T MP for Mutasa North, has said politically motivated violence and partisan policing are getting worse in his constituency. 15 MDC supporters, including a heavily pregnant woman, are in police custody for singing while marching past a ZANU PF gathering. 10 are in their second week in Mutare remand prison.

Zimrights director arrested
Zimrights National Director and a board member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Okay Machisa, was arrested and later released by Harare police on Tuesday as reports of arrests of rights activists and MDC supporters grow.

MDC campaign to name and shame perpetrators of violence
The MDC-T has said it is supporting the fight for justice for victims of the 2008 election violence and demanding the prosecution of people who committed acts of rape, murder and torture.

Opulent casino opens as Zimbabwe faces massive hunger
The casino has opened on the site of the old Ascot Race Course in Bulawayo and was reportedly financed by Mines Minister Obert Mpofu and his brother.

IMF calls for more reforms of central bank
The international financial lending body, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has renewed calls for more reforms in the country’s central bank, saying new loans are still not available for Zimbabwe.

News stories for Monday 22 March

Mutambara says talk of elections for next year is misplaced
Addressing a one day retreat for ministers and parliamentarians Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said talk about holding elections next year was misplaced.

War Veterans group splits into three factions
The Zimbabwe National Liberations War Veterans Association has split again, after deputy chairman Joseph Chinotimba and his group boycotted a weekend congress that re-elected Jabulani Sibanda as chairman.

Knives out as ZANU PF turn on Gideon Gono
Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono’s enemies in ZANU PF have moved swiftly to denounce him for his scathing attack against the controversial indigenization bill, and want him removed from his job.

Indigenisation law set to be revised
A controversial indigenisation law that has threatened to further destroy Zimbabwe’s reputation as a safe investment zone, could be revised within the next few days.

Mpofu admits issuing mining permits without ‘proper procedure’
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu has admitted he didn’t follow proper procedure when he allowed two mining firms to operate in the controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields, confirming reports that the mining permits were issued fraudulently.

News stories for Friday 19 March

Has Zuma managed to persuade Mugabe to implement GPA?
The Global Political Agreement was signed in 2008. On Thursday South African President Jacob Zuma announced that the main political parties in Zimbabwe had finally agreed to implement what they had signed up to, after more than a year of haggling.

MDC youths in Harare demonstrate & demand justice
Over 500 MDC-T youths marched through the streets of Harare on Friday, demanding the arrest and prosecution of ZANU PF thugs responsible for violence, murder, rape and arson in the run up to the 2008 elections.

Media Commission finally begins work
The chairman of the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Godfrey Majonga, on Friday pledged that his new board will move with speed to license new independent newspapers, TV and radio stations. This follows the board’s inaugural meeting in Harare.

Switzerland urged to stop global trade in Zim blood diamonds
Human rights campaigners have turned to Switzerland to end the ongoing global trade in Zimbabwe’s blood diamonds, as the European country prepares for the worlds largest jewelry show next week.

News stories for Thursday 18 March

Zuma says Zim leaders agree to a ‘package of measures’
South African President Jacob Zuma concluded his two day visit to Zimbabwe on Thursday. He held a press briefing in Harare in which he said the rival political parties had agreed to a package of measures that would be implemented ‘as per the decision of the SADC Troika in Maputo’.

Zaka police stop victims of political violence demo
A demonstration by victims of political violence, meant to take place on Thursday in Zaka, was blocked by police who claimed that the participants had not followed proper procedures.

ZANU PF faces new accusations of preparing for violence
South African President Jacob Zuma has come under fire for his failure to denounce the resurgent political violence in the rural areas, spearheaded by ZANU PF supporters. Zuma ended his ‘mediation’ visit to Zimbabwe without mentioning the escalation in violence or calling on the political leaders to rein in their supporters.

Typhoid on the rise in Harare
The number of cases of typhoid are increasing, raising fears of another serious health crisis in the country. More than 140 cases have been reported in the Mabvuku-Tafara suburb of Harare, up from 40 cases last week.

Mpofu blames UK mining firm for Zim diamond crisis
Mines Minister Obert Mpofu has gone on the offensive in the midst of a probe into the country’s diamond crisis, saying the UK firm with the legal title to mine the controversial Chiadzwa claim is to blame for the same crisis.

News stories for Wednesday 17 March

Government principals meet with Zuma
South African President Jacob Zuma kick-started his three day visit to Zimbabwe Wednesday by holding talks with the coalition government’s three leaders. He held one-on-one talks with Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in the morning and a lunch break was followed by joint talks with all the leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.

No election possible without major reform
There are growing concerns over the holding of elections next year, as announced recently by both the leaders of ZANU PF and the MDC-T. Robert Mugabe even went further saying ‘elections will be held next year with or without a new constitution’. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has warned against the holding of elections before real reforms have been made in the country.

Concern over upsurge of political violence in rural areas
A leading Zimbabwe Human Rights lawyer on Wednesday called for urgent regional action to save the country from sliding back into chaos, amid growing fears of a major upsurge in violence and tension in the rural areas.
Dewa Mavhinga said the escalation of violence should be one of the central issues discussed by President Jacob Zuma and the three principals to the Global Political Agreement.

Huge crowds throng burial of Sam Mtukudzi
Hundreds of mourners thronged Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare on Wednesday to witness the burial of Sam Mtukudzi, son of legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi, who died in a car crash Monday morning.
Government ministers from across the political divide, family and friends, including fellow musicians like Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo, Mechanic Manyeruke, Charles Charamba and other celebrities, came to support the Mtukudzi family.

News stories for Tuesday 16 March

Little expected from Zuma as he jets into Harare
South African President Jacob Zuma jetted into Zimbabwe on Tuesday in a visit that marked his first official trip as chief mediator to the deadlocked power sharing talks.

Billy Rautenbach fingered in escalation of violence in Manicaland
Billy Rautenbach, the 51 year old multimillionaire businessman with close links to ZANU PF, has been accused by the MDC of hounding and intimidating its activists in Manicaland as political tension builds ahead of the constitution making programme.

Constitutional outreach to begin without repeal of repressive laws
The outreach programme meant to gathers people’s views on a new constitution is set to begin in April, without the repeal of repressive laws likely to be used by ZANU PF to frustrate the process.

Mining firms snub parliament for 3rd time, on ministry orders
Two diamond mining firms, given government approval to mine the controversial Chiadzwa diamond fields, have snubbed a parliamentary probe into their operations for a third time, apparently under mining ministry orders.

Detained Zim asylum seeker starts hunger strike in UK
A detained Zimbabwean asylum seeker in the UK has embarked on a hunger strike, to protest alleged racism and mistreatment at the hands of detention centre employees.

News stories for Monday 15 March

Zuma expected in Harare Tuesday
South African President Jacob Zuma is due to fly into Harare on Tuesday at the start of a three day visit aimed at ending the political gridlock between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai.

‘Significant deterioration’ of human rights slammed
A prominent German trade unionist has decried the deteriorating state of human rights in Zimbabwe, saying he is ‘deeply concerned’ by the government’s disregard for the rights of workers.

Lecturers get pay hikes
Doctors, teachers and other civil servants in Zimbabwe have been on strike demanding better wages but most of them had been forced to trickle back to work because the government insists it has no money.

Oliver Mtukudzi’s son Sam dies in car crash
Sam Mtukudzi, the son of legendary music icon Oliver Mtukudzi, died in a car crash in the early hours of Monday morning. Police confirmed that Sam and his sound engineer Owen Chimhare died on the spot after sustaining serious head injuries.

New Zealand cancels cricket tour to Zimbabwe
The New Zealand Cricket board has cancelled its team’s planned tour to Zimbabwe which had been set for June this year, because of the ‘unstable environment’ in the country.

Swiss renews Zim targeted sanctions
Switzerland has joined the European Union (EU) and America in extending targeted sanctions against Robert Mugabe and his inner circle, in the latest indication of the international community’s growing impatience with the lack of progress made by the unity government.

News stories for Friday 12 March

Politically motivated violence erupts in Mudzi
The MDC says ZANU PF is unleashing violence against its supporters in the Mudzi area in Mashonaland East, despite the fact that there is now an inclusive government which should have seen an end to hostilities between the former rivals. The MDC’s welfare department said Zanu PF thugs were raiding the homes of MDC supporters and taking their livestock.

Tsvangirai asks how you confront a dictator using democratic means
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has stated for the first time what many Zimbabweans quietly acknowledge – how do you confront a dictator using democratic means? Speaking at the launch of a damning report on the use of torture by Mugabe’s regime Tsvangirai said it was difficult to come to an occasion of this nature and not feel the cries of the victims.

SA police use rubber bullets on Zimbabweans in Johannesburg
Scores of Zimbabweans were injured Thursday when South African police indiscriminately opened fire with rubber bullets on travelers boarding buses to return to Zimbabwe at Johannesburg Park Station. The police brutality, that included baton-charging the passengers, has provoked widespread outrage and anger.

Biti says donors unlikely to help Zimbabwe
Finance Minister Tendai Biti provided a dose of reality on Thursday when he admitted that it is unlikely foreign donors will chip-in to help finance the projected US$810 million budget deficit. Western donors are reluctant to pour money into the shaky coalition government - and the continued rights abuses and the controversial indigenization law have not helped matters.

News stories for Thursday 11 March

Violent clashes escalate between student factions
Clashes between two factions of the Zimbabwe National Students Union are threatening to spiral out of control after students loyal to a faction beaten up over the weekend, retaliated on Tuesday.

Zuma plans mediation trip to Harare next week
South African President Jacob Zuma is reportedly planning a trip to Harare, for the first time in his capacity as the mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis since he took over from Thabo Mbeki in November last year.

Deadly TB hits Epworth amid worsening health crises
One case of the deadly multi-drug resistant TB strain has been confirmed in Epworth and two more people in the same area are suspected to be infected. The Red Cross has issued an urgent warning about impending widespread hunger, paying particular concern to people living with HIV.

US Secretary of State honours Jestina Mukoko
Jestina Mukoko, the Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, has been honoured by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the annual International Women of Courage Award ceremony. Mukoko was abducted from her home by state agents in December 2008 and tortured.

News stories for Wednesday 10 March

Reserve Bank reform bill approved by Senate
A bill to trim the excessive powers of the Reserve Bank governor sailed through the Senate on Tuesday, despite ZANU PF having threatened to scupper it. Analysts are divided over who has come out the winner from the power struggle after both ZANU PF and the MDC-T had to trade concessions to have the bill approved.

Tsvangirai and Mugabe deadlocked on ministerial functions
The Principals to the Global Political Agreement on Monday failed to come to an agreement concerning the unilateral re-assignment of ministerial functions that were gazetted by government last week Friday.

Damning report on torture to be launched Thursday
A report outlining how Mugabe’s regime used torture and imprisonment to manipulate elections and other political processes will be launched at the Book Café in Harare on Thursday.

IMF chief says aid for Zim not possible yet
The head of the global financial lending body, the International Monetary Fund, has said his organisation is still not prepared to offer Zimbabwe any new loans, because of the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Judge reserves ruling on acquittal in Bennett case
High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu reserved his decision to 31st March, on whether or not Roy Bennett should be acquitted. This was after hearing submissions on Wednesday from the State, which opposed an application made by the defence to have their client acquitted.
Malaysia expresses anger over seizure of Zim farm
The Malaysian government has officially protested the seizure of a Malaysian-owned banana plantation in eastern Manicaland, in a move which threatens diplomatic ties between the two countries.

News stories for Tuesday 09 March

Jonathan Moyo & others lose case against Speaker of Parliament
High Court Judge Bharat Patel has dismissed with costs an application by Tsholotsho North MP Jonathan Moyo and three MDC-M legislators, who were seeking to nullify the August 2008 election of Lovemore Moyo as Speaker of Parliament.

State to oppose Roy Bennett’s acquittal
State prosecutor Johannes Tomana closed his case against MDC official Roy Bennett on Monday after he finished calling his witnesses. The MDC Treasurer General is facing terrorism charges, which he denies.

Civil service unions threaten more demonstrations
Leaders from the various civil service unions have resolved to begin a series of hunger strikes and other forms of protest, at the offices of the Public Service Commission, until their wage demands are addressed.

Diamond mining firms face stern Parliament rebuke
Two state authorised diamond mining firms, who have been mining the controversial Chiadzwa alluvial fields, could face a stern parliamentary rebuke for avoiding two consecutive parliamentary hearings on their activities.

The forgotten plight of Zimbabwe’s xenophobia victims in SA
At least 1,500 Zimbabweans who fled their homes in the De Doorns farming area in the Western Cape, after they were attacked by South African mobs, believe they have been overlooked by authorities and aid agencies.
ZINASU factional fighting turns ugly
The battle between two factions of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) turned nasty over the weekend with accusations that MDC youths allegedly assaulted leaders from one faction opposed to the constitution making process.

News stories for Monday 08 March

Mugabe shrinks MDC Ministers’ powers – again
The MDC-T has criticised the latest moves by Mugabe to reassign roles from ministries belonging to the MDC, to ZANU PF. A government gazette published Friday reallocated and diverted responsibilities and portfolios from various ministries and the MDC’s Nelson Chamisa accused Mugabe of trying to reverse the spirit of power-sharing.

Tsvangirai calls for peacekeeping force to monitor elections
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will call on the African Union and SADC to deploy a peacekeeping force to protect voters in elections, expected to be held in Zimbabwe next year. He told supporters at a rally in Chitungwiza on Sunday that he would stand as candidate.

Grace Mugabe orders destruction of 100 homes in Mazowe
First Lady Grace Mugabe is launching her own version of Operation Murambatsvina, this time targeting 100 homes for destruction in a Mazowe suburb. Her aides claim she wants to make way for the expansion of an orphanage and according to the Zimbabwe Standard newspaper the residents have already been given notices to vacate their premises.

Zimbabwean documentary wins an Oscar
‘Music by Prudence’, an inspiring documentary about a group of handicapped Zimbabwean musicians, scooped the best prize for a short documentary at the 2010 Academy Awards held in Los Angeles, on Sunday night.

Zim assets in SA face seizure over land ruling
Four properties in South Africa that belong to Zimbabwe’s government could be sold to compensate farmers, who have lost land as a result of Robert Mugabe’s chaotic land ‘reform’ campaign.
Biti calls for new diamond laws in Zim
Finance Minister Tendai Biti has called for a complete overhaul of the laws governing the country’s diamond trade, saying all the mining leases that the government has awarded to firms in the Chiadzwa diamond field should be cancelled.

News stories for Friday 05 March

Zuma urged to arrange early Zim elections
South African President Jacob Zuma has been urged to organise early elections in Zimbabwe, because of the failure of the unity government to implement reforms. Zuma was greeted by an estimated 100 demonstrators outside the South African High Commission in London on Friday, who expressed their anger over the South African leader’s refusal to take a tough stance on Mugabe and for calling for targeted sanctions to be lifted.

Mugabe says elections next year with or without new constitution
Briefing journalists at a news conference in Harare on Thursday Mugabe said the Global Political Agreement has a two year lifespan. He said; ‘If the constitution-making process succeeds there will be an election and if it fails that too would lead to an election.’ He also revealed that he would stand for re-election if his party decides to nominate him.

Stock exchange suffers big losses over indigenization law
Trading on Zimbabwe’s stock exchange plummeted from a daily average of US$2 million to US$500 000, since a controversial empowerment law was published. The law requires all foreign investors to cede 51 percent of their investment to 'indigenous' people. It was passed through parliament in 2007 when ZANU PF still had a majority in parliament.

PM narrowly escapes serious car accident
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai narrowly escaped a potentially serious car accident when a tyre burst on his recently issued government vehicle two weeks ago. Tsvangirai had gone to assess the food security issue in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces and his office says preliminary investigations showed the Toyota Land Cruiser had multiple faults, even though it was supposed to have been new.

News stories for Thursday 04 March

UK resists Zuma’s pressure on Zim sanctions
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that Zimbabwe’s unity government needs to make more progress before targeted sanctions against the Mugabe regime are lifted, resisting pressure from South African President Jacob Zuma. The two leaders met on Thursday in London, where Zuma is in the middle of a three day state visit.

MDC requests SADC to mediate in deadlocked negotiations
The national executive council of the MDC has resolved that SADC should be called in to mediate in the long running stalemate between parties in the Global Political Agreement. Party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said his party had evaluated the political landscape currently prevailing in the country and found out ‘things were going backwards instead of forward.’

Civil society warns of worsening rights abuse
Civil society organisations have warned of worsening human rights abuse at the hands of state security agents, explaining that in the last three months there has been an escalation in the number of threats, intimidation and harassment against its members.

Education Minister says no child should be sent home over fees
Education Minister David Coltart has said no child should be sent home because their parents or guardians have failed to pay school fees. Responding to shocking revelations in a BBC documentary charting the lives of orphans struggling to survive in the country Coltart said that although the law was very clear, school authorities were defying the policy.

PM narrowly escapes serious car accident
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai narrowly escaped a potentially serious car accident, when a tyre burst on his recently issued government vehicle two weeks ago. Tsvangirai had gone to assess the food security issue in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces.

News stories for Wednesday 03 March

Crisis group say Mugabe loyalists still blocking reforms
The International Crisis Group has warned that Zimbabwe could slide back into turmoil if the military leadership and others loyal to Mugabe are allowed to continue blocking reforms necessary for economic and political stability.

International Labour Organisation urged to intervene in Zim
The International Labour Organisation has been urged to intervene on behalf of Zimbabwe’s General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union as the union’s leadership remains in hiding over police threats and harassment. The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations has made a written appeal to the ILO to intervene.

UK labour group urges Zuma to remain firm on Zim sanctions
A British labour group has urged South African President Jacob Zuma not to call for targeted sanctions against Robert Mugabe’s inner circle to be lifted, saying that a relaxation of the measures would be seen as a relaxation of support for human rights in Zimbabwe. Zuma began his state visit to the UK on Wednesday and is expected to raise the sanctions issue with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday.

Indigenisation law to dominate Council of Ministers meeting
The dispute between ZANU PF and the MDC over the recently gazetted indigenisation regulations is set to dominate Thursday’s Council of Ministers, which is to be chaired by the Prime Minister. Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe met on Monday during their weekly meeting and agreed the regulations would not be enforced until they were brought and approved by Cabinet, as per procedure.

News stories for Tuesday 02 March

MDC officials to declare assets every year
The MDC led by founding President Morgan Tsvangirai has requested all of its elected or appointed officials to declare their assets ‘in and outside Zimbabwe’ every year with a ‘known’ legal firm. The requirement is part of a new anti-corruption code of ethics.

Obama administration extends sanctions by another year
United States President Barack Obama announced on Monday he was extending US sanctions on Robert Mugabe’s regime by another year. The US President said the reason for extending the targeted sanctions was that ‘Zimbabwe’s deep political crisis remained unresolved.’

Outrage as journalist arrested for third time in five weeks
The constant harassment of a freelance photojournalist in Zimbabwe has sparked anger from an international press protection group, after the same journalist was arrested for the third time in five weeks on Monday. Andrison Shadreck Manyere, an award-winning photojournalist, was hauled away by Prison Service officers, while he was filming in court in Harare.

Diamond monitor arrives in Zim
An independent monitor ordered by the international diamond trade watchdog the Kimberley Process, has arrived in Zimbabwe to determine if human rights standards are being met at the controversial Chiadzwa fields. The Kimberley Process has given Zimbabwe until June to fall in line with international trade standards by following a set of guidelines.

News stories for Monday 01 March

Critics slam Mugabe’s ‘senseless’ birthday party
Critics have slammed this weekend’s lavish celebrations held in honour of Robert Mugabe’s 86th birthday, calling it a ‘senseless’ extravagance in light of the ongoing civil servants strike and critical food shortages. The party, which started with an all night musical gala on Friday night and ended with a sumptuous feast on Saturday, is believed to have cost close to US$300 000.

Entire union leadership in hiding over police threats
The entire leadership of the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union has gone underground after a series of police raids, arrests and threats against them. According to lawyer Trust Maanda, the raids have been a direct response to the release of a shock report and documentary last year which the union produced exposing violent abuse of workers on farms seized by the Robert Mugabe regime.

Controversial ‘indigenisation’ law takes effect
The controversial indigenisation law that forces foreign-owned companies to sell a majority stake in their businesses to indigenous people comes into effect on Monday. The Indigenisation and Empowerment Bill was passed by Parliament in 2007 and signed by Mugabe in 2008 before the creation of an inclusive government.

Zuma urged to take ‘decisive stand’ on Zim
South African President Jacob Zuma is being urged to take a decisive stand on Zimbabwe, as he heads to the UK for a visit during which the Zimbabwe crisis is set to be high on the agenda. Zuma is on his way to the UK for an official visit and he has indicated that he will fight on Zimbabwe’s behalf for targeted sanctions against the Mugabe regime to be lifted.

ZANU PF councillor victimises Crisis Coalition team
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has accused a ZANU PF councillor of victimisation after an outreach meeting conducted by the pressure group was disrupted by ZANU PF youths last week.

Zimbabwean makes fresh plea for detention release
A 24 year-old Zimbabwean man who has been languishing at an immigration detention centre in the UK for close to two years has made a fresh plea for his freedom.

Zimbabwe shock West Indies in Twenty20 cricket match
Zimbabwe won an extraordinary Twenty20 cricket match at Port of Spain by 26 runs as West Indies, chasing just 106, were limited to 79 runs for seven wickets.

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