Doctors & nurses on a go slow-strike over salaries
The strike began last week Friday. A visit to Harare Central Hospital on Wednesday by our correspondent confirmed that hundreds of patients have been left stranded as a result. At the centre of the latest grievance is a government decision to cut allowances for doctors from Z$8 million to Z$5 million per month without notice. Doctors are currently earning around Z$12 million a month after allowances way below the Z$90 million they are demanding.

‘MDC will never participate in flawed elections’—Tsvangirai
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai has told diplomats in Harare that his party will not participate in next year’s elections if the hostile political environment persists. Since 2000, elections in the country have been marred by threats, intimidation, harassment and violence and naturally this raises questions about the fairness of these elections.

Civil society draws divergent views
Zimbabwe’s civil society groups meeting in Bulawayo Saturday, appear to be headed for a showdown after they expressed varied views concerning the ongoing political talks between the opposition and ruling Zanu PF party. Coming in the wake of a contentious agreement by the ruling party and the MDC to see through the constitutional amendment #18 two weeks ago, the all-stakeholders civil society meeting has been set to map out the groups’ position on the country’s political situation.

Chipinge rocked by political violence
Scores of terrified people in Chipinge have fled the area in fresh political violence that has resulted in the arrest and assault of opposition MDC activists. Ruling Zanu-PF youths, armed with stones and sticks, have been attacking activists in the isolated district. The crackdown on the MDC has spread across the south eastern district, reportedly leaving one seriously injured and at least 15 others injured in a number of separate attacks.

Army general threatens coup if Mugabe loses election
As Zimbabweans digest the implications of talks between Zanu PF and the MDC, army Brigadier General David Sigauke sparked a reality check after threatening a military coup if Mugabe loses the coming election. According to news site Zimonline Brigadier General Sigauke told soldiers at a graduation ceremony over the weekend that Zimbabweans should vote wisely to defend their ‘sovereignty’ failing which the army would intervene.

Zanu PF pushes for racial empowerment legislation
Zanu PF party stepped up its campaign to see a racially biased Bill turned into law after Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Munyaradzi Mangwana, challenged white Zimbabweans to prove they were disadvantaged by colonialism. The planned legislation would place a 51% shareholding of all listed firms in the hands of “indigenous people”.

MDC youth leader who called Mugabe ‘senile’ released on bail
A Chipinge magistrate on Wednesday released MDC youth leader Lloyd Mahute on Z$500 000 bail after he spent two nights in police cells for allegedly insulting Mugabe by describing him as senile. Mahute was arrested on Monday from his Mutare home. Police accused the MDC youth secretary of denigrating the office of the President by saying Mugabe should be relieved of his duties because he was ‘insane and mad’.

Dry Bulawayo hit by diarrhoea outbreak
Bulawayo’s water crisis has worsened following revelations Tuesday that Zimbabwe’s second largest city has been hit by a diarrhoea outbreak. Figures released by Bulawayo’s authorities indicate that the city recorded 431 diarrhoea cases since the beginning of September, up from 350 diarrhoea and two dysentery cases in August.

Desmond Tutu compares Zimbabwe situation to apartheid
South Africa’s Nobel peace prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has criticized Mugabe’s regime saying the treatment of the opposition is similar to what happened during apartheid. He said that harassment of political opponents, detentions without trial, torture and the denial of medical attention are reminiscent of experiences at the hands of the apartheid police.

NCA chairperson denies he was assaulted
National Constitutional Assembly chairperson Lovemore Madhuku has denied he was assaulted, as reported in many sections of the Zimbabwe media. The constitutional expert said he sees no reason why he should be assaulted in Zimbabwe, by people attending pro-democracy activities.

Zanu PF plans to send green bombers into people’s homes
There are fears that Zanu PF could soon be using the Green Bombers to seize basic commodities from ordinary people’s homes, as part of the government’s discredited price control policy. Last week Zanu PF secretary for youth Absolom Sikhosanais, reportedly urged the green bombers to sniff out people “hoarding basic commodities" at their homes and "bring the goods to the formal market".

Government threatens Edgars and BP with takeover
Retail giant Edgars joined the list of companies being targeted for takeover by Mugabe. Reports indicate the company wants to close down 19 of its 55 stores owing to the effects of the price-cut policy imposed by government in June.

MDC youth leader arrested for calling Mugabe ‘senile’
An MDC youth leader was on Monday arrested by the police in Mutare following reports that he used derogatory remarks against Robert Mugabe, when he described him as ‘senile’. Lloyd Mahute, the MDC youth secretary for Manicaland, is alleged to have told a party rally in Gaza, Chipinge north two weeks ago, that Mugabe should be relieved of his duties because he was also ‘insane and mad’.

Civil groups say MDC/ZANU-PF deal betrayed Zimbabweans
There is general consensus among civil groups, currently meeting at an annual conference, that the deal reached between the opposition and ruling party over Constitutional Amendment 18 is a betrayal of the Zimbabwean people. Fambai Ngirande, spokesperson for the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, said there was no broad consultation of Zimbabweans and civil groups were sidelined from the process.

Students to launch national class boycott over increased fees        
The Zimbabwe National Students Union is mobilizing its membership for a national class boycott after authorities raised tuition fees for the second year running. From paying Z$60 000 a semester, students will now have to fork out Z$10 million. Students were already failing to pay the fees increased last year. Although the ZINASU national executive has already endorsed plans for the class boycott, several of its leaders remained mum on when it will begin.

Police hold labour leaders brother and worker as ransom
Police arrested and held Kenneth Matombo, the brother of labour leader Lovemore plus one of his workers, for two days to try to exchange their freedom for the capture of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union President. Police have been trying to apprehend Lovemore Matombo and his entire leadership since Monday, for their role in organizing a two-day job boycott on Wednesday & Thursday.

Tough task for Tsvangirai to explain deal to party executive
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai faces one of his greatest leadership tests on Friday when he faces his party’s national executive to explain the decision by MDC MP’s to reach an agreement with Zanu-PF on constitutional amendments, to facilitate joint presidential and parliamentary elections next year.

British PM to boycott EU-Africa summit if Mugabe attends
The issue of whether Mugabe will attend the European Union-Africa summit in Lisbon in December has again received headlines worldwide after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown threatened to boycott the event if Mugabe is invited.

Government withholds water to Bulawayo
Government has been accused of holding back water supplies from Bulawayo, after revelations that a nearby dam would have enough reserves to serve the city for 18 months, if plans were made to access the water. Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo had assured Bulawayo city elders at a meeting in August, that construction of a pipeline to draw water from Mtshabezi dam to Bulawayo was in progress.

MDC-Zanu-PF constitutional deal raises concern
Many worried Zimbabweans raised their concerns after both factions of the MDC announced they had struck a deal not to oppose the amended constitutional amendment number 18. There were suggestions from concerned activists that the party would go the same way as Zapu, which was swallowed up by Zanu-PF after striking a peace deal in 1987.

Arrested WOZA activists released
The 3 WOZA women who were arrested Tuesday by police in Bulawayo were released Wednesday without paying fines. The 3 women, coordinator Magodonga Mahlangu, Rosemary Siziba and Sitshiyiwe Ngwenya were charged under the Criminal Codification Act for malicious damage to property owned by the State. The charges relate to messages that say “choose love over hate” written on roads in Bulawayo’s western suburbs.

African Commission agrees to hear Zimbabwe torture case
After 4 years of battling to get the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights to hear his torture case against the government of Zimbabwe, lawyer and human rights activist Gabriel Shumba has finally scored a victory. He received a communication from the Commission acknowledging that his case will be heard at the next session.

Tutu urges tougher action on Mugabe regime
Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of Cape Town, has urged the international community to take tougher measures to end the Zimbabwe crisis. Speaking to BBC Television in London, Tutu criticised the so-called “quiet diplomacy” approach that South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki has applied to Zimbabwe so far, saying it had failed.

Bakers Inn closes main plant and several outlets
Bread shortages that were already critical due to a serious shortage of flour are to become even worse after the 2nd largest baker shut their main plant Monday. Our correspondent said Bakers Inn sent workers home for 2 weeks while they reassess the situation. The company was spending Z$70,000 to produce a loaf of bread but was forced to sell at the gazetted price of Z$22,000, less than half the cost of production.

New report urges global support for SADC mediated talks
A renowned think tank, the International Crisis Group, has produced a new report that pins hopes of a resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis on the talks mediated by South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki. The report urges the international community to fully support the regional initiative, but stresses that Mugabe should be isolated if he fails to conduct free and fair elections under regional guidelines.

11 brutalised and detained for 3 days after peaceful Harare march
11 members of a new human rights group were severely assaulted by police and arrested Friday as they gathered for a peaceful march. Stan Zvorwadza, vice president of Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe, said 500 members of their group were gathering for the march when heavily armed police arrived and assaulted them with baton sticks and booted feet.

Mbeki briefs Tsvangirai and Mutambara over talks
South African President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday held an hour long meeting with the Presidents of both factions of the MDC at his Union Building offices in Pretoria. While no-one would comment from either of the two MDC factions, a source said both sides expressed satisfaction at the way the talks have progressed so far.

Conflicting reports over constitutional changes ahead of elections
A report in the Zimbabwe Independent claims that the Mbeki mediated talks had produced some agreement on several fronts, including a surprising concession by the MDC to participate in elections without a new Constitution. The report said both parties had agreed a new constitution was not a priority because there was not enough time left before the elections.

Teachers vow to continue strike despite government offer
The Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union, Raymond Majongwe, said the government offer to increase their salaries from Z$2,9 million to Z$6,9 million a month is not serious. By the time teachers get the increment in October inflation will have eroded it.

Key domestic suppliers stop production
Virtually all companies that supply goods and services to the domestic market have stopped production due to the price controls introduced by government. Bulawayo businessman Eddie Cross said major companies such as Olivine Industries, Unilever, National Foods, Blue Ribbon Industries and Victoria Foods have all stopped production. He believes it is government’s strategy to reduce the urban population ahead of elections next year.

Zimbabwe brought down to earth by England
Obviously still celebrating Wednesday’s stunning victory over world champions Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 match, our ‘tired’ boys were brought down to earth by England in their second match in less than 24 hours.

Masvingo student leaders released
Six student leaders who were arrested by police at the Great Zimbabwe University on Tuesday and Wednesday have all been released from custody.

Six student leaders on hit list arrested in Masvingo
A hit list allegedly drawn up by a state sponsored group, the Zimbabwe Congress of Student Unions, has led to the arrest of 6 student leaders in Masvingo. On Tuesday Great Zimbabwe University SRC president Whitlaw Mugwiji, Mukudzei Shoko and Ogylive Makora were arrested during an orientation programme on campus.

CIO intimidate striking teachers
Over 80 % of teachers under the 12 000 strong Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe have heeded a call to down tools this week to press demands for a 500 % salary hike. Harare Province Chairperson Jacob Rukweza says teachers in Hatcliffe, Chitungwiza, Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku, Epworth, and other western suburbs like Warren Park, are clocking in at work but refusing to teach.

Unconfirmed reports say Archbishop Pius Ncube to resign
Several weeks after the state media ambushed the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube, with pictures of an alleged affair with a married woman, we have received unconfirmed reports that the much respected clergyman is due to resign on Tuesday.

Teachers go on strike
Teachers under the Progressive Teachers Union went on strike Monday pressing government for a 500 % salary hike. Teachers in Harare reported for duty at their respective schools but soon after clocking in, refused to teach. PTUZ Harare Provincial Chairperson Jacob Rukweza said this will be the strategy until the strike builds momentum.

ZCTU calls for job boycott
Zimbabwe’s main labour union, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, said on Monday that Mugabe has pushed them into staging a two-day strike next week, following his Presidential decree barring wage increases. Mugabe banned all pay rises late last month and handed himself extra powers in a new bid to curb the world's highest inflation rate.

Mutambara MDC national chairperson arrested
The chairperson of the Mutambara led MDC, Jobert Mudzumwe, was on Monday picked up by the police from his offices in Masvingo and spent five hours at the Law and Order section. He was released without charge.
Mudzumwe told Newsreel he believes he was picked up for organising a meeting that was eventually held at a secret location in the town. He said the meeting had been sanctioned by the police.

Skepticism over talks despite reports of progress
Not many Zimbabweans are convinced that the mediation talks being led by South African President Thabo Mbeki will yield any positive results, despite reports of progress in the media. While both Zanu-PF and the MDC have not uttered a word to the media about the talks, there is speculation that the two sides have agreed on several aspects of the contentious electoral process, ahead of next year’s critical elections.

Police confiscate MDC files and campaign material in Manicaland
Heavily armed riot police from Rusape on Friday stormed the home of the MDC district secretary for Makoni West in Manicaland, and took away party files and campaign material. After ransacking Bonnie Kandini’s house, the police officers searched his garden for weapons and found nothing.

Mugabe had tantrum at SADC meeting
The heads of state were all smiles in a group photo on the last day of the SADC summit in Lusaka last month. But new information has revealed that Mugabe launched into an angry tirade at Zambia ’s president Levy Mwanawasa for suggesting that the Zimbabwe crisis be discussed during a closed session.

Security and defence gobble up half the budget
Budget presentations in Zimbabwe have always been drawn out affairs full of hype and rhetoric but offering nothing new. On Thursday Finance Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi went through the motions to present a supplementary budget critics say exceeds the original by almost 800 percent.

Government asks for new deportees reception centre
The government has conceded there is a migration crisis in the country after asking the International Organisation for Migration to establish a second reception centre in Zimbabwe . Millions of Zimbabweans are exiled across the globe owing to the Mugabe regime’s political repression and economic mismanagement, and thousands more cross illegally into neighbouring South Africa and Botswana everyday, seeking to fend for their families back home.

Experts says ‘don’t panic’ as snooping equipment is installed
There are reports that mobile and internet service providers in the country have already begun installing surveillance equipment to comply with the controversial snooping bill passed last month.

‘Food crisis beyond imagination’—Gasela
Agriculture expert Renson Gasela predicted on Friday that many people will die in the country if food shortages are allowed to continue unresolved.

Tsvangirai charged with disorderly conduct
MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai has been charged with ‘disorderly conduct’ over a tour he undertook assessing shops affected by the controversial price freeze. The tour took place over a month ago but the charge is only being raised now. Observers have noted that it is two days after the deportation of police commissioner Augustine Chihuri’s son Sylvester from Australia .

Soldiers attack innocent civilians and vendors in Glen View
With thousands of workers losing their jobs as companies shut down, police and soldiers are targeting street vendors who are trying to earn a living selling scarce products on the black market. In Glen View Wednesday uniformed soldiers descended on residents and vendors at Tichagarika Shopping Centre. A local resident who witnessed the attacks said he heard screams and saw people running in every direction to find safety.

Students asked to bring water to school as country runs dry
Students in primary and secondary schools in some parts of Harare are being asked to bring at least 2 litres of water a day to school, since the resumption of classes after the August holiday. The water is for personal use since most areas in the capital have gone for months with disrupted water supplies. Our Harare correspondent told us Thursday that government has ordered headmasters to keep the schools open despite the threat of disease outbreaks.

Civil groups & industry discuss strikes to protest price freezes
Thousands have lost their jobs and many more will follow soon as company closures and takeovers continue. There are reports that the army has been mobilised as government makes moves to offset any planned mass action over the price freezes that were extended for the next 6 months by Robert Mugabe.

Opposition candidate murdered in Marondera
Jabulani Chiwoka, an MDC candidate in next year’s rural district council elections, died from stab wounds after suspected Zanu PF thugs attacked him at a beerhall in the Svosve communal area of Marondera on Friday. Another activist, Tafiranyika Ndoro, is in a Marondera hospital recovering from stab wounds. Reports quote Kerry Kay, a deputy health secretary in Tsvangirai’s MDC , saying Chiwoka attended a local Zanu PF meeting Thursday where delegates branded him a trespasser.

Bakeries shut as Zimbabwe runs out of wheat
The Bakers' Association of Zimbabwe revealed Wednesday that the country has run out of wheat, and without wheat you don’t have flour. This has forced many bakeries to stop operating. Acting chairman Vincent Mangoma confirmed there was no bread in most shops. Mangoma said bakers approached government regarding shortages and were told there is some wheat on order at Beira .

Bindura university introduces degree programme for CIOs
The Zimbabwean government has stepped up its transformation of the Bindura University of Science Education into an institution devoted to training state agents following the introduction of a new degree programme in intelligence. According to the state-controlled Herald’s report on Wednesday, the programme is set to commence soon as part of an agreement between university, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and the CIO.

MDC and Zanu PF claim headway at SA mediation talks
There are reports that the latest round of talks in Pretoria over the weekend might have come up with a number of agreements aimed at resolving the country’s crisis. According to a source, negotiating teams representing Zanu-PF and the MDC agreed on a number of issues that will set the agenda for roundtable talks between the two parties. The two parties met on Saturday and Sunday after a three week break.

Australia deports 8 students with parental links to Zanu PF
A campaign started by online publication ZimDaily.com, to secure the deportation of children studying abroad, has delivered it first casualties. On Monday a total of 8 students caught the same flight with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was travelling back to Zimbabwe from a trip to Australia.

Desperate Bulawayo residents appeal to authorities for water
The water shortages in Bulawayo have gone beyond critical. Residents from many areas are walking long distances in search of help from those who may have boreholes. Winos Dube, chairman of the Bulawayo United Residents Association, said residents have appealed to the President himself for help because Bulawayo is dying.

Mbeki working against democratic elections in Zimbabwe
A leading opposition figure in South Africa on Tuesday told parliament that there must be constitutional changes before next year’s general elections in Zimbabwe . The MP said instead South African President Thabo Mbeki appears to be working against democratic elections.

Zambian ruling party divided over Mugabe
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa’s hold on the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy party looks headed for a test after former foreign minister Mundia Sikatana vowed to challenge his position, due to his increasingly public support of the Mugabe regime. The maverick Sikatana was recently sacked by Mwanawasa, who gave the official reason that the former foreign minister’s health was failing.

Woman and child die in stampedes at Harare Agriculture Show
A WOMAN and a child were killed in two separate incidents involving transport and food stampedes at the Zimbabwe Agriculture Show. Reports say a throng of hungry people charged to grab free food and snacks that were distributed at the closure of the week-long exhibition on Saturday. An official of the Harare Agriculture Society on Monday confirmed the accident but quickly distanced the group from any responsibility. He denied suggestions that it was the scramble for food that was at the centre of the mad dash that killed the two. He insisted the stampedes were caused by an overwhelming turnout at the annual event. Our sources said at least 10,000 people passed through the gates on Friday alone.

Government takes over Olivine Oil
The state media announced Monday that the government has taken over the Olivine Oil company by acquiring a 49% stake in the U.S. food group H.J. Heinz Company. This is major news in that it signifies the beginning of Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF’s takeover of private industry. If agriculture which government took over is anything to go by, it is feared business in Zimbabwe has seen its last days. Chaotic farm invasions created severe food shortages. Now it is believed government wants to control the manufacture of certain basic commodities in order to keep prices low and gain support ahead of the elections due next year. Economist John Robertson said they will soon discover the price levels they want will bankrupt Olivine and the goods might disappear completely unless they massively subsidize operations.

No progress or clarity on SA permits for Zimbabweans
Last week South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula raised the hopes of millions of Zimbabweans living in that country after suggesting her government might consider granting them temporary residence permits. Her suggestions are now the talk among Zimbabweans. Nixon Nyikadzino of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said the issue of permits was still ‘water in the bottle,’ and a lot of things were still unclear. Temporary residence permits for example may not necessarily entitle someone to work. Even the ZCTU was cautious in welcoming the proposal. Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe told reporters they hoped it would stop Zimbabweans being exploited by unscrupulous employers who pay them below stipulated minimum wages.

Karoi goes dry for 2 months as water crisis worsens
Most of Karoi has now gone for 2 months without water, prompting residents to resort to digging up open wells and the nearby Karoi Dam for fresh water. Karoi residents who spoke to SW Radio Africa today, spoke of how a major health crisis in Zimbabwe’s northwestern town is looming as they have been reduced to fetching water from unprotected sources. Many, the residents said, they have to walk long distances or drive to suburbs such as Chikangwe to get clean drinking water. Joshua Zvavahera of Chiedza high-density suburb laid the blame entirely on the government for giving absolute authority for the control of urban water to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.

Former Harare Mayor Mudzuri injured in car crash
Elias Mudzuri, the MDC national organising secretary, was injured on Sunday night when the vehicle he was traveling in was involved in an accident near Chegutu. Three other people traveling with the former Mayor of Harare were also injured when the vehicle collided with a herd of cows that was crossing the road on the Bulawayo to Harare highway.

Mediation talks two months behind schedule
South African President Thabo Mbeki insists talks between the ruling Zanu-PF and MDC are still on track despite lack of evidence they are making any headway. Unconfirmed reports said the talks resumed in Pretoria on Saturday. MDC policy coordinator Eddie Cross said while the talks are now two months behind schedule, painfull progress was being made.