Student leader abducted and assaulted, others barred from exams
The Students Representative Council President at the Bulawayo Polytechnic, Blessing Vava, says he was abducted by state security agents in Bulawayo on Saturday. Writing in an e-mail sent out to various news agencies, Vava said four men bundled him into a Jeep vehicle and drove along the Gwanda road. The men allegedly interrogated him inside the vehicle while accusing him of being on the payroll of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

More productive farms seized in Midlands and Manicaland
The government has shown no desire to stop illegal farm invasions despite repeated public pronouncements by top officials that they would take action. The Zimbabwe Standard newspaper reported last week that violent farm invasions had resumed in the Midlands province where two productive commercial farms were seized by Zanu-PF supporters from Kwekwe. Another productive farm in Manicaland is also reported to have been invaded. .

Electric shocks for Tafara residents after cables break
Residents in the Tafara high density suburb of Harare have had no consistent running water for over 3 years now and have been struggling with random availability. Last week the situation got worse when electric cables under a local pub snapped and exposed live wires to a wet environment. Our resident Tafara contact reports that many people got very strong electric shocks when they touched water taps and other metal appliances. She said no warning was issued by local council officials or the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), which is responsible for power supplies and repairs.

Bennett meets with Zimbabwean refugees in Johannesburg
Exiled MDC treasurer-general Roy Bennett on Sunday met with a group of Zimbabwean refugees sheltered at the central Methodist church in Johannesburg , South Africa . Bennett who relocated to South Africa early this year fearing for his safety in Zimbabwe , became the first senior member of the MDC to visit the refugees in Johannesburg . ‘My visit to the church was to show solidarity with the refugees, to show them that we are together in this struggle to fight Zanu (PF) and Robert Mugabe,’ Bennett said.

Government grabs mine from British listed company
A company has paid the price of investing in Zimbabwe by losing a valuable diamond claim in the Marange communal lands. The UK Daily Telegraph reports that the African Consolidated Resources company was granted title to the diamond mine by the Ministry of Mines. The government has now ordered the company off the mine with reports that soldiers protecting it from illegal panners are now mining the diamonds themselves.

Zimbabwe Bakers Association request price increase
Just a day after we covered the 60 percent increase in the cost of public transport, the Zimbabwe Bakers Association confirmed that they have put in a request to government to increase the price of bread by 140 percent. If approved bread will shoot up from the current Z$295 to Z$700. The association says more increases might be on the way if the price of flour goes up again.

Massive membership drive from MDC in the UK
The MDC-UK province, under the leadership of former trade unionist Ephraim Tapa, now has over thirty branches throughout the United Kingdom . The new executive committee elected into office three months ago, promised to prioritise the recruitment of new members and the formation of new branches.

Court delays appeal hearing by spies
Three men convicted in Zimbabwe of spying for South Africa will spend another Christmas in prison after their appeal hearing at the High Court in Harare was delayed indefinitely.

MDC allege police & CIO confiscating shortwave radios
Nelson Chamisa spokesperson for the Tsvangirai MDC, says police and CIO have begun a campaign to confiscate shortwave radios from people in rural areas. Monday we said how police in the Mataga growth point confiscated radios distributed by the Radio Communication Project, a scheme meant to help remote rural communities access radio broadcasts, independent of state propaganda.

African civic leaders urge regional action on Zimbabwe
Pressure is mounting on regional leaders to act. Representatives from 7 African countries went on a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe last week, and expressed serious concern at the ongoing crackdown on freedoms of expression, association and assembly.

Calls for Zimbabwe Cricket board to resign after conviction
The reputation of officials running cricket in Zimbabwe was left in tatters Monday when a Harare magistrate convicted the board for breaching the country’s strict foreign currency laws. Zimbabwe Cricket pleaded guilty to making unauthorised payments to a foreign television company without the knowledge of the Reserve Bank.

18 students arrested after demonstrations in Harare and Masvingo
There were student protests Tuesday at the University of Zimbabwe where lecturers & non-academic staff are on strike. Washington Katema, coordinator for the Zimbabwe National Students Union said they marched in support of the striking staff , denouncing unaffordable university fees & bungled exam papers.

Government welfare officer selling donated goods at Hopely Farm
An employee of the ministry of labour and social welfare is allegedly selling food, blankets and other goods donated to victims of last year’s disastrous Operation Murambatsvina, which displaced nearly one million people. Many families from Porta Farm outside Harare whose homes were bulldozed were forced to relocate to the squatter camp at Hopely Farm.

Chamisa says united MDC would be ideal Christmas present
Speculation continues to grow over alleged moves by the divided MDC party to build bridges and unite the opposing camps. Nelson Chamisa a spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC said Wednesday that reunification would be an ideal Christmas present for Zimbabweans.

Court acquits man accused of saying “Mugabe Must Go”
A Rusape magistrate has acquitted an opposition supporter charged with undermining the authority of Robert Mugabe. Charles Zinyembe was arrested in March after staging a one-man demonstration with a banner written, “Mugabe Must Go.” Zinyembe’s lawyer said it is very hard to convict someone on that basis because the man could refer to anyone called Mugabe, not just Robert.

MDC candidate summoned to court for contesting against Zanu (PF) An MDC activist has been summoned to stand trial in a Kangaroo court for defying an order by the local chief not to contest against a Zanu (PF) candidate in the recently held rural district council elections. Sylvester Matizanadzo the MDC’s losing candidate for ward 6 in Mhondoro-Ngezi, was shocked Monday to receive an order to appear before Chief Nyika and answer charges of insubordination.

Farmers organization skeptical of government’s new 99-year leases
The State controlled media reported Saturday that government will begin to issue 99-year land leases to resettle black farmers under a new fast track land reform scheme. The Herald newspaper said Mugabe will preside over a special ceremony Thursday where the first of these leases will be issued.

Victory for WOZA in Bulawayo
152 members of the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were acquitted by a Bulawayo magistrate on Tuesday. This is the fourth court victory in less than two months and the eighth time that the state has failed to convict the women since 2003. They have never been convicted.

Private mobile networks challenge new traffic law in the High Court
Zimbabwe ’s two private mobile phone companies, Econet and Telecel, have both approached the High Court challenging a new law that will force them to share international traffic with the government owned Tel One network. The government had given the networks up to 1 November to route their traffic through Tel One’s international gateway even though they have their own gateways.

China pledges billions to Africa but criticism remains
The official Xinhua News Agency reports that the China-AfricaForum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by 50 African countries including heads of state & business officials. It said16 deals worthUS $1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese & African governments & companies. T he Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans & $2 billion in export credits.

Police officers complain over UN selection criteria
There are allegations Police commisssioner Augustine Chihuri is excluding officers from United Nations peacekeeping duties because they sympathise with the opposition MDC.ZimOnline reported Monday that the long serving commissioner has barred about 150 junior officers from taking part in lucrative peacekeeping duties in Kosovo because of their ‘questionable loyalty’ to Robert Mugabe’s regime.

Malawi president appoints Zimbabwean to top diplomatic post in South Africa
There are reports that Malawi ’s president Bingu Wa Mutharika defied his parliament recently and appointed a Zimbabwean as Malawi ’s high commissioner to South Africa . Agrinna Mussah, who is a Zimbabwean by birth but has one parent from Malawi , is already in South Africa representing Malawi while the controversy over her appointment intensifies. Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us she left Zimbabwe after Mutharika came to power and worked in his office for some time.

Zimbabwean student heckles SA High Commissioner
Lindiwe Mabuza was delivering an address on the state of post apartheid South Africa when a student stood up to challenge her. Recently South Africa ’s foreign affairs minister Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma also had her speech in London interrupted by a radical group known as Free-Zim Youth UK.

ZESA doubles rates for electricity
The regulatory board of the ZESA approved drastic increases in electricity charges Thursday. They went up 95 % for residential use and a shocking 270 % for businesses effective November 1. The head of the Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Commission said the increases were due to fast-rising costs involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity & should lead to fewer blackouts.

Hitschmann denied bail
Peter Hitschmann will stay in custody indefinitely after the High Court, which ended its circuit in Mutare on Friday, refused to grant him bail. Lawyer Trust Maanda said the court dismissed the bail application saying the charges Hitschmann faces are serious and therefore he is not a candidate for bail. The arms expert could stay in police custody for months as the High Court will only sit in Mutare again in March 2007.

Madhuku and two others released on bail
The National Constitutional Assembly trio, including Chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku, who were arrested on Wednesday during demonstration for a new constitution were released on bail on Friday. Lawyer Alec Muchadehama said Madhuku was facing allegations of not giving notice of his intention to demonstrate to the regulating authority.

Malawi president accused of diverting donated maize to Zimbabwe
An opposition official in Malawi has accused President Bingu Wa Mutharika of sending tonnes of free maize to Zimbabwe, which had been donated by the United Nations. Kamlepo Kalua, leader of the opposition Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), said they have discovered maize is disappearing from the strategic grain reserves in Malawi, heading for Zambia and from there to Zimbabwe.

Madhuku remains in custody as students threaten solidarity demo
The leader of the National Constitutional Assembly Dr Lovemore Madhuku remains in police custody following his arrest Wednesday. Madhuku and two NCA officials, Frank Nyagumbo and Marko Shoko, were arrested following a demonstration demanding a new constitution. The three are being held at Harare Central Police station in the capital.

Vermeulen charged with arson attack on cricket headquarters Controversial Zimbabwe Test batsman Mark Vermeulen has been formally charged with arson in connection with attacks earlier in the week on both the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and an office at Zimbabwe Cricket’s headquarters. Police spokesman Andrew Phiri told our source in the capital that Vermeulen is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of setting alight and destroying property belonging to Zimbabwe Cricket.

15 villagers summoned to chief’s court for attending MDC meeting
Officials at The Zimbabwe Peace Project report that 15 villagers from Konyesai village in Manicaland have been summoned to the Community Court of Chief Marange. They are being charged with attending a meeting in the village without the permission of the village head. MDC spokesman for Manicaland Pishai Muchauraya said villagers are not required by law to seek permission from any traditional leader before attending a political meeting.

Zimbabwe cricketer picked-up over arson attack
A fire destroyed the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy in Highlands on Tuesday night and police are treating it as an arson attack. They’ve picked up former test cricketer Mark Vermeulen for questioning. The academy was burnt to the ground and damage is expected to run into many millions of dollars.

ANC youth leader’s praise of Mugabe an insult to Zimbabweans
African National Congress Youth League president Fikile Mbalula has been told to spend some time in rural Zimbabwe and not some 5 star hotel, before opening his mouth in praise of Mugabe. The comments were made by Patricia de Lille, leader of the opposition Independent Democrats in South Africa . She was responding to the youth leader who had told an ANC rally that Mugabe was ‘doing good work,’ and that they love him for redistributing the wealth and land to the people.

African countries to gain nothing from China-Africa Forum
Next week the city of Beijing will host officials & heads of state from over 40 African countries at a China-Africa Co-operation Forum. Among the invited guests are dictators & controversial leaders who have been criticised for serious human rights abuses against their own people, including the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir & Zimbabwe ’s Robert Mugabe.

ZINASU leader arrested as over 12 students expelled
The police clampdown on student activism continued Friday with the arrest of Promise Mkwananzi, president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union. He was arrested outside the Bulawayo Magistrates court for taking pictures with his camera-phone, during a protest by students who were marching in support of 43 colleagues.

WOZA members released on bail
Members of the pressure groups Women of Zimbabwe Arise who were arrested in Bulawayo Wednesday were finally released on Friday. Four women appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate and were granted Z$500 bail each while charges against a fifth woman were dropped after police failed to prove that she had been part of the protests against illegal evictions and poor service delivery in Bulawayo.

Churches to launch “way forward” document
In a bid to find a solution to the crisis in the country, church leaders will launch a document entitled "The Zimbabwe We Want: Towards a National Vision" in Harare on Friday. Senior clergymen representing the three main Christian groups in Zimbabwe : the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, presented the draft document to Mugabe at State House on Wednesday.

WOZA arrests update
The five WOZA women who were arrested during Wednesday’s peaceful protest against housing evictions are still being detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station. The women, who included a seventy five year old grandmother have been charged under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and are expected to appear in court on Friday. If found guilty, they are liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.

Brave widow’s court victory sets precedent on state brutality
A woman who sued the government for damages after her husband and two others were killed in gunfire during a workers strike 5 years ago won a significant judgement in the High Court on Wednesday. Joyce Mwachinduka, who lost her husband Samuel Masiyatsva, accused the police and army troops of firing teargas and live rounds as they attempted to disperse thousands of protesting workers at ZISCOSTEEL on August 7, 2001.

MDC confident of doing well in rural district council elections
The Movement for Democratic Change believes it has done enough groundwork to sway rural voters to their side but say their biggest threat will come from Zanu (PF) rigging the forthcoming elections. The party has been engaged in an intensive nationwide rural campaign to drum up support ahead of this weekend’s poll.

SADC economic deal ignores lawlessness in Zimbabwe
SADC heads of government held an extraordinary summit outside Johannesburg Monday where Zimbabwe signed onto a finance deal to harmonise finance, investment & economic policies in the region. The deal is described as a first step towards a common economic union. But the leaders are being criticised for ignoring Zimbabwe ’s human rights record & the policies that keep away investors.

Suspended Chitungwiza mayor survives assassination attempt
Misheck Shoko, the suspended Chitungwiza mayor survived an assassination attempt after unidentified gunmen opened fire at his house early Saturday morning, after smashing the windows. Shoko said he is lucky to be alive after the assailants he suspects to be from Zanu (PF)’s security organs fired three shots at him from close range but missed.

ZESA’s new meter requirement to leave thousands in the dark
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority which has long been referred to as the Zimbabwe Electricity Sometimes Authority, appears to be making more moves to live up to its nickname. Beginning 2007 it will charge for electricity based on actual usage instead of an estimate. All households are required to purchase a meter and pay ZESA to install it.

Villagers barter diamonds for food and water as frenzy intensifies Thousands of people are flocking to remote Chiyadzwa communal lands in the Eastern Highlands after villagers were given the go-ahead to mine diamonds from claims owned by Consolidated Resources Africa last month.
Kids are skipping school and villagers are rushing to the area in search of the precious stones.

Free-Zim youth threaten demo against Zuma during her London tour
A planned address by South Africa ’s Foreign Affairs minister Nkosazana Zuma in London on Wednesday promises to turn into an ideal opportunity for Zimbabwean activists to vent their anger at her governments so called ‘quiet diplomacy.’ Zuma is scheduled to address a public meeting at the London School of Economics on reforms for the United Nations to adopt.

Companies face closure due to government harassment
The majority of supermarket managers who were arrested in Bulawayo on Tuesday & Wednesday appeared in court Thursday & were released on Z$ 30,000 bail each. They are being accused of flouting price control regulations. A small number remain in custody but it is not clear what charges they face. The arrests came just weeks after senior managers in the private sector were detained in similar action over prices.

African Union official snubs Zimbabwean rights groups
The AU has showed again that the Zimbabwean crisis is not on its top list of priorities after a senior AU diplomat snubbed the country’s human rights groups during a visit to Zimbabwe last week. Alpha Omar Konare, the chairperson of the African Union is reported to have snubbed the rights groups who had been lobbying the continental body for a resolution on Zimbabwe.

MDC election campaign trail hits brickwall
The MDC is facing massive logistical problems as a result of fuel shortages in the run-up to next weekend’s Kadoma mayoral and rural district council elections, a senior party official said Friday. The party is also having to fight the authorities over what it says are ‘blatant attempts’ by Zanu (PF) to deny them the right to address their supporters.

ZANU-PF using donated food & threats to sway voters in Murehwa
The ruling party is reported to be harassing opposition candidates and suspected supporters in Murehwa district ahead of the rural council elections due next week. A ZANU-PF candidate is also accused of using food donated by USAID and the Catholic Relief Services to sway voters away from the MDC. The reports accuse police of failing to act on violent incidents and allowing ZANU-PF thugs to operate with impunity.

Mass arrests of wholesalers and retailers in Bulawayo
A team of unidentified agents arrested the managers of most major wholesale and retail outlets in Bulawayo , beginning Wednesday morning. Managers from large chains like TM, OK, Makro, Trade-all and Jaggers are in police detention at stations around the city. Bulawayo businessman Eddie Cross said they have not been charged and no reasons have been given for their detention. He said residents are angry and business in the city was “very subdued.”

Bredenkamp UK home raided on corruption charges
Wealthy business tycoon John Bredenkamp, believed to be among those who bankroll the Mugabe regime, has found himself at the wrong end of the law again, but this time in the United Kingdom . The Guardian newspaper reports the UK Serious Fraud Office raided his British home and headquarters in connection with corruption allegations against Britain 's biggest military exporter, BAE.

Zanu PF sowing seeds of a breakaway Anglican church
There are allegations that Zimbabwe ’s ruling party is sponsoring moves for a breakaway Anglican church that will have no links to the Church of England. A senior priest within the church says Harare Bishop Nolbert Kunonga is the key to driving this breakaway agenda. Statements by the Archbishop of Central Africa Bernard Malango accusing the head of the church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, of interference have also added to the speculation.

Corruption now endemic in Zimbabwe
MDC acting treasurer-general Elton Mangoma claimed Thursday that not even Robert Mugabe has the power or strength to end corruption. He said the problem is not new but high profile corruption is growing in leaps and bounds as recent events with the Ziscosteel saga show. The MDC finance chief said since independence in 1980 Zanu (PF) officials have been looting the treasury with impunity.

Mugabe accused of protecting murder suspect Joseph Mwale
The man regarded as the most violent criminal in Zimbabwe Joseph Mwale is still free despite his alleged involvement in the murder of 2 MDC activists who were campaigning for MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai. Witnesses say Mwale & two ruling party thugs set Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika on fire after beating them with iron bars during the 2000 elections. Police were accused of watching then failing to pursue them.

CIO believe Zimbabweans could revolt against Mugabe
The Central Intelligence Organisation believes Mugabe is in danger of being toppled by an uprising because of his immense unpopularity. In a leaked security document, the spy agency says that all that is needed to topple Mugabe is a united and brave opposition to lead a popular revolt. The 15-page document was handed to the Mugabe last week.

Mabvuku MP says he accepts suspension but will defend himself in hearings
Timothy Mubhawu the MP for Mabvuku-Tafara who was suspended over sexist remarks and violence in his constituency has said he will accept the suspension from the MDC and looks forward to defending himself before a disciplinary committee. He likened the MDC to a parent, with him being the child, and says if they feel he erred they have every right to discipline him.

Farm equipment vandalised by war vets
Farmers inthe sugar growing lowveld area have reported that their farm equipment which was taken illegally by the police last year was returned damaged and not in working order. The farmers say assistant police commissioner for Masvingo Mrs Ndanga and her crew seized the equipment by force and sold most of it at auction to war veterans and resettled A2 farmers. The white farmers went to court to demand it back and won.

Police still to investigate ZCTU assaults as trial is postponed again
The trial of 31 trade union members accused of holding an ‘illegal’ demonstration last month was postponed for a second time this Tuesday because the state has yet to provide details of the charges. The next court date has been set for 30 October. Alec Muchadehama the lawyer representing members of the ZCTU says the police accused his clients of ‘carrying placards and shouting political slogans’ and that some of them ridiculed Robert Mugabe.

Water rate boycotts beginning to bite in Harare
The widespread boycott of water rates launched by the Combined Harare Residents Association as part of their ongoing struggle against the tyranny at Town House has had a huge impact on the operations of the city of Harare. As residents of the capital city continue to withhold payment of their water rates, officials at the Town House have issued threats of water disconnections against the residents.

Zimbabweans denied right to work and education in South Africa The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has been urged to investigate why a group of at least 40 Zimbabweans who applied for legal documents at the Rosettenville centre were issued asylum-seekers’ permits denying them the right to work or study in South Africa. The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum says the permits were issued from October 9 th & so far no other nationality seems to have been affected. Refugees are legally entitled to a means of survival and to education in the host countries they live in. South Africa’s own constitution provides for this and so do several international statutes.

Zimbabwe trade unionist wins UK “Women of the year” award Thabitha Khumalo, of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union has been awarded the Women of the Year Window to the World Award. She was among 4 recipients of the annual award by the Women of the Year organisation, which recognises women who offer true inspiration, compassion and who strive to make the world a better place.

MP Mubhawu suspended by MDC over sexist remarks & violence
Timothy Mubhawu, the MDC Member of Parliament for Mabvuku, has been suspended from the Tsvangirai MDC as a result of chauvinistic statements he made in parliament two weeks ago. MDC officials told us that the suspension was not only about the primitive comments he made in parliament but also to do with the violence that broke out in his constituency in July.

Youths dump coffin outside SA embassy in London over weekend Over 200 Zimbabwean activists joined the Free-Zim Youth UK group in a demonstration at the South African embassy in London on Saturday. The youths who were dressed in military gear to symbolise what they call their renewed fight for democracy in Zimbabwe dumped a coffin at the embassy.

Shocking judicial delays as 10 prisoners go 9 years without trial
Zimbabwe’s judge President Rita Makarau has criticised the judicial system in the country for allowing at least 10 inmates to stay in remand prison for up to nine years without trial or being sentenced. Justice Makarau made the remarks while on a tour of Harare Central Prison last Friday.

Thousands of students sent home before O-level exams
Many students whose parents failed to pay school fees for the third term were sent home Monday by school officials, who are insisting they cannot operate under a fees structure stipulated by education minister Aeneas Chigwedere. The O-level exam fees went up to Z$7,200 on the average, up from last term’s average of Z$5,200.

Government accused of ignoring killing of endangered species
A symposium on sport hunting organised by Safari Club International attracted a large gathering at the London Zoo on Friday, including safari operators, hunters and government officials from Zimbabwe, who are accused of ignoring the illegal killing of endangered species. Several experts made presentations promoting hunting as a sport and its supposed benefits to the local communities.

37 Serbian fans arrested after racially abusing Zimbabwean striker Former Caps United striker Mike Temwanjiri has spoken out about his heartache at being racially abused by supporters of his own football club Borac. The Belgrade media reported that fans in the central Serbian city of Cacak racially abused striker Temwanjira at a first division match.

Prominent Zimbabweans barred from speaking on SABC
A South African commission of inquiry probing an alleged political gagging by the South African Broadcasting Corporation has revealed a blacklist of commentators. Under the instructions of the news and current affairs managing director Snuki Zikalala, Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube, media mogul Trevor Ncube and activist Elinor Sisulu are among the prominent Zimbabweans on the blacklist of commentators not to be consulted by the public broadcaster.

Police ignore order to arrest Joseph Mwale over MDC deaths
A state security agent who petrol bombed two MDC activists to death 6 years ago continues to walk the streets a free man because police are scared to enforce an order from the Attorney General’s office. The Zimonline website reports that Joseph Mwale could face trial for the murder of Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika in the run up to the 2000 general election.

Zimbabweans caught out in SA nightclub drama
Police in South Africa have been accused of brutality and ‘stealing’ after a team of heavily armed special forces stormed a nightclub in Kempton Park, Johannesburg looking for wanted criminals and illegal immigrants.
The nightclub, Ocean bar, is owned by a Zimbabwean businessman and at the time of the raid, was packed with a hundred revellers, most of them Zimbabwean citizens working in South Africa.

Zimbabwe and South African embassies in London face busy weekend On Saturday pressure groups ZimVigil and Free Zim Youth UK will be holding demonstrations at the embassies. Alois Mbawara who heads Free-Zim Youth UK says they will be demonstrating at the South African mission to voice their disapproval of Thabo Mbeki’s stance on the Zimbabwean crisis. The Zimbabwe Vigil on the other hand are marking their 4 th anniversary and will be joined in the usual vigil at the Zimbabwean embassy by members of the MDC in the UK.

ZANU-PF threaten The Zimbabwean newspaper vendor in Murehwa Three ZANU-PF officials visited the home of a distributor of The Zimbabwean newspaper in Murehwa last Saturday and threatened him with harm if he continued spreading the independent paper. He told us the ruling party officials accused him of influencing people to vote for the opposition and said they had also visited one of his friends with the same message.

Violence continues to mar rural council elections build-up
Incidents have been reported across the country. In Gokwe and Shamva where the MDC managed to field candidates uncontested, the party alleges their candidates are being hounded out and live in fear of their lives. A provincial executive member for the Tsvangirai MDC, Masimba Ruzvidzo said police and soldiers in Mashonaland East are beating up and harassing party supporters.

SA labour body to show Mbeki ZCTU torture video
Recent video footage showing last month’s brutalisation of labour leaders by the police has sent shock waves around the world. Leader of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) Mary Malete is reported to have said she would use the footage to urge President Thabo Mbeki to break his silence on Zimbabwe after giving him the film.

Kadoma residents drinking untreated water
The municipality of Kadoma has gone for months without treating its drinking water posing a great health hazard to the thousands of residents in the town. Jonas Ndenda, the MDC mayoral candidate, said the incumbent Zanu (PF) Mayor Fani Phiri has failed dismally to run the town’s operations.

Concerns over Kadoma mayoral elections
There are allegations that hundreds of people from outlying areas of Kadoma are being registered to take part in the forthcoming mayoral elections. Only those who live within the town’s boundaries are eligible to vote but it emerged Wednesday that Zanu (PF) activists under Kadoma’s rural district council boundaries are being registered to vote on the 28 th October.

ZimVigil to hand petition to the United Nations via British Labour MP The Zimbabwe Vigil in London is celebrating its 4 th anniversary on Thursday and will hand over a petition to British labour party MP Kate Hoey. The petition, which has been signed by thousands of people across the world who have attended the vigil will then be handed over to the United Nations representative in London.

Zimbabweans deported from UK living in Malawi squalor
Thousands of Zimbabweans are reported to be living in squalor near Chileka airport after they were deported from the UK. Activist Patson Muzuwa from the Zimbabwe Association, a group that assists asylum seekers, confirmed the removals and said the group included women and children who had used Malawian passports to get into the UK.

The tragedy of child-headed households

The funeral of one 16-year old girl from the Tafara high density suburb of Harare was held Wednesday afternoon. We will call her Nomsa to protect her remaining siblings. Both their parents died from AIDs and Nomsa had been under the care of her 17-year old sister. It became clear that she too was ill and started needing medical attention frequently. But things got worse for this teenager.

Soldiers run amok in Kadoma
Scores of Kadoma residents were injured when soldiers from the nearby Suri-Suri defence forces base ran amok and assaulted civilians in retaliation for an attack on a soldier. The orgy of violence left several people with broken limbs. The attack on the soldier allegedly took place in the morning when he failed to pay for a ride on a commuter omnibus from Rimuka to the town centre. The soldier told the crew that he had no money.

Scuffles erupt after Reserve Bank bans money transfer agencies
Thousands of people countrywide were left stranded at post offices and banks around the country after being told they could not access money sent to them by relatives abroad. The Reserve Bank Monday closed a total of 16 money transfer agencies with immediate effect accusing them of abusing their licences by dealing on the black market.

Women’s Coalition demonstrate over MP’s sexist comments
About 50 women from the women’s coalition took part in a protest march, Tuesday, to demonstrate their anger over statements made by opposition legislator Timothy Mubhawu. During a debate on the Domestic Violence Bill he told Parliament that it was against God’s principles that men and women should be equal. The women marched to MDC Headquarters Harvest House and were addressed by opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

ZESA announce massive power cuts
Zimbabweans are facing power cuts much worse than those they are already experiencing. ZESA announced a huge reduction in generating capacity at Hwange Power Station with all six generators said to be out of order. Damage from vandalism to a line that imports electricity from the DRC has added to the problem.

Outcry over sexist remarks by opposition MP
Timothy Mubhawu, the MDC MP for Mabvuku has sparked an outcry over comments he allegedly made about women during a parliamentary debate on the Domestic Violence Bill. Mubhawu is reported to have stated that it is against God's principles that men and women are equal. He went on to say that the Bill should address the proper dressing by women because some of the dressing by women is too inviting.

MDC celebrates 7 th anniversary but loses 2 by-elections
It was good news and bad news for the Tsvangirai MDC this weekend as the party celebrated its 7 th year in Zimbabwean politics with a huge rally in Highfield while participating in by-elections in Rushinga and Chikomba. MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa described the mood at the stadium event on Sunday as jubilant. Party president Morgan Tsvangirai told thousands of supporters the party was still mobilising for mass action but would not be rushed into it.

Bread prices and phone tariffs up again
Just over a week after we reported that bus fares and food prices had gone up, the price of bread is reported to have increased again by almost 90%. Last week a loaf cost about Z$295. Our Harare correspondent says that shops in the capital are now selling loaves for Z$560. The cost of communicating by telephone has also gone up.

Disastrous sporting weekend for Zimbabwe teams
It was not a good weekend for sporting Zimbabwe fans when on Saturday the Zimbabwe Warriors suffered a shock one-nil defeat to Malawi at the Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre on Saturday setting themselves a difficult task of qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals. On Sunday, the Cricket squad in India for ICC Champions Trophy lost to the West Indies by nine wickets in one of the worst performances by a Zimbabwe one-day side.

PTUZ leaders detained by police blocking World Teachers Day in Masvingo
The entire leadership of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe were detained Friday by police in Masvingo as they prepared for World Teachers Day commemorations. The event was to take place at the offices of the ZCTU but teachers were blocked from reaching the venue & were threatened by police. PTUZ secretary general Raymond Majongwe said police cordoned off the streets making it impossible to continue & said they would shoot & make them disappear if they insisted.

Violence breaks out in Chikomba & Rushinga ahead of by-elections Political violence has erupted in the Chikomba and Rushinga parliamentary constituencies days before two by-elections are held in the areas. MDC and Zanu PF candidates are running for vacant seats created by the death of Zanu PF legislators Tichaona Jokonya and Sandra Machirori. A spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC, Nelson Chamisa says ruling party mobs are turning the two constituencies into no go areas. The MDC candidate in Chikomba reportedly had his garage and shop vandalised by suspected Zanu PF supporters.

Seventh anniversary celebrations for MDC set for Sunday
The Movement for Democratic Change, founded in 1999 celebrates its seventh anniversary at Zimbabwe grounds in Highfield, Harare on Sunday. Formed as a party embracing liberal & other democratic principles on the 11 th of September 1999, the MDC will celebrate 7 difficult years under an unrepentant dictatorship, its party spokesman Nelson Chamisa said Friday.

Hospital fees go up again
Consultation fees for city clinics and hospitals in Harare have gone up again forcing more people to seek alternative methods of treatment. As of October 1 st consultation fees were increased by 140% from Z$500 to Z$1200. Maternity fees went up as well from Z$ 10,000 to Z$ 16,000- an increase of 60%. The hospitals themselves have scarce resources.

ZINASU leaders arrested as students hold surprise demo in Harare Promise Mkwananzi, President of the National Students Union and several members of the executive were arrested Wednesday evening soon after a protest march in Harare by students demanding better education. Over 800 students are reported to have marched through the streets after catching the security forces off guard. The union had not disclosed the date of the action fearing police would prepare to crush it.

Government too broke to print plastic I.D.s and passports
The Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede revealed last week that his office does not have enough funds to print passports and identification cards. Mudede made the comments on state television last Wednesday. Our Harare correspondent told us the problem is so serious that Zimbabweans who applied for I.D.s or passports in mid 2005 are still waiting to be issued their documents. And the average waiting time is now 6 months to 3 years.

Role of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora put under the spotlight
Alois Mbawara from the Free-Zim Youth UK pressure group and Duran Rapozo from the Zimbabwe Development Network based in Manchester started off the debate last week, and feedback has revealed a very divided community. Rapozo had strong words of criticism for the opposition whom he feels ignored the diaspora for too long without recognising their political potential.

Zimbabwe face daunting task at ICC champions trophy
The Zimbabwe cricket squad, who were the first side to arrive in India for the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy that begins this Saturday, look set to become the first team to fly back home from the tournament. The young and inexperienced Zimbabwe team captained by 21 year-old Prosper Utseya face the defending champions, the West Indies in the first of three preliminary round matches of the tournament.

Police raid The Zimbabwean newspaper’s distributor in Harare
Harassment of government critics continues as state agents this week raided the office of the distributor of The Zimbabwean newspaper. The UK-based publisher Wilf Mbanga said 4 detectives from the Law and Order section visited the premises asking how the paper is brought into the country & whether duty had been paid. They were particularly interested in a headline story from that exposed tensions between the army and the police. Documents and copies of the paper were taken away.

Warriors ready for Malawi in Nations cup clash
Zimbabwe national soccer team captain Benjani Mwaruwaru joined the rest of the squad in Harare Tuesday night after missing a connecting flight in Johannesburg from London. Warriors team manager Ernest Sibanda told us from Harare that the arrival of Mwaruwaru was a major boost for the squad, especially to the young players who look up ‘to their captain for inspiration.

'Murambatsvina' returns to Porta Extension-
Despite assertions by the Zimbabwean government that there would be no more evictions of people from their homes, residents were being sent packing on Monday at Porta Extension just outside Harare. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reports that 32 households were served with 24-hour eviction notices by the Kuwadzana District Office.