Police and soldiers beat and arrest commuter drivers over fares
The government sponsored price war against businesses has intensified in Harare . The main targets being transport operators. Scores of commuter drivers were arrested during a blitz that started Wednesday. Security forces are also accused of beating up the drivers and forcing operators to ground their fleets because of the price cuts.

Mugabe orders wage freeze as price reduction campaign flops
Private or public sectors cannot raise salaries, rents, service charges, prices and school fees without government approval for the next 6 months. The new measures were announced this week in a government gazette. All decisions related to salaries or fees will now be made by the National Incomes and Prices Commission, led by Mugabe himself.

China to withdraw support for Mugabe regime
Mugabe’s close ally, China , has announced they are dropping all assistance except humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe . The Chinese government has enjoyed lucrative business deals in Zimbabwe for years now as Mugabe pursued his “Look East” policy. But Friday’s UK Daily Telegraph said China has changed direction and British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown said that Chinese officials had confirmed this to him.

Health crisis feared as Bulawayo schools open without water
Schools open Tuesday and students will not only have a tough time securing transport, but they also face health risks due to severe water cuts. Without water to flush toilets and drinking water being stored in containers, there is a great risk of water borne diseases, particularly for students who attend boarding schools.

Rights activist Betty Makoni arrested again
We reported on Thursday that Betty Makoni, the Director of the Girl Child Network, and talk show host Rebecca Chisamba, were arrested on allegations of violating the Child Protection Act.

Tortured journalist Gift Phiri acquitted
On Thursday journalist Gift Phiri was acquitted of contravening a section of the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). Magistrate Stanley Chimedza ruled that the section used to charge Phiri was inappropriate for the alleged offence cited.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/newsreel310807.mp3

Fresh songs: Pukunyu from Kuligan and Kalabash, Wilderness (Begotten Sun), Vadzimu Zimbabwe (Peace of Ebony ft Chiwoniso) and Handiende (Zubz). If you are stressed by the depressing news coming from Zimbabwe, well this is the show to remove your sorrows. There are plenty of jokes as well, as Lance Guma and Brilliant Pongo serve up the usually banter.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/otp310807.mp3

Joseph who is lucky to be one of the few Zimbabweans granted asylum in South Africa cahts to Mandisa. He is very angry at the recent statement by the SADC leadership that Zimbabwe’s problems are ‘exaggerated!’ He sees nothing ‘exaggerated’ in the hundreds of Zimbabweans virtually living in a queue outside Home Affairs in Pretoria; or the thousands who are forced to sleep on the floor of a church in Johannesburg; or the hundreds that have lost their lives crossing the Limpopo through drowning or being eaten by crocodiles.
Then John chats to Hebson Makuvise MDC (Tsvangirai) representative in the EU about the ever-widening division between the MDC factions, and also on the significance of Morgan Tsvangirai’s stance on smart sanctions made during his recent visit to Australia.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/callback310807.mp3

Musenje McLeod, a Zambian born journalist, is in the studio with John looking back at the just ended SADC heads of state meeting in Zambia. She shares her thoughts on Zambian leader Levy Mwanawasa’s forthcoming year at the head of this organisation.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/aoz310807.mp3

The opposition is calling for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to be allowed to participate in next year’s elections is news discussed when Michael talks to Mandisa. He also talks about the recent statement by the UN backing the South African refusal to grant Zimbabweans refugee status.
Then John speaks to Phil who works in the tourism trade in South Africa. He notes just how well the country is doing from the industry and says Zimbabwe’s loss has been South Africa’s gain, in more ways than one.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/callback300807.mp3

Czech Republic closing Zim embassy over ‘crazy’ policies
The weekly Financial Gazette reports that the Czech Republic is closing its embassy in Zimbabwe because of what its foreign affairs minister described as ‘crazy’ policies by Robert Mugabe’s government. Karel Schwarzenberg is reported to have addressed members of the Czech chamber of deputies last Thursday disclosing that the government would also close embassies in Uruguay and Singapore .
Rights activist Betty Makoni & broadcaster Amai Chisamba arrested
Last week Betty Makoni was arrested for allegedly smuggling 2 US nationals into Zimbabwe to make a film about the country’s crisis without accreditation. On Thursday the Director of the Girl Child Network was back in detention, this time on charges of violating the Child Protection Act. Makoni was arrested together with talk show host Rebecca Chisamba of the popular Amai Chisamba Show.
Mugabe tells war vets he is going nowhere
Addressing a group of war veterans that had marched through the city streets to his party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday, Robert Mugabe declared he was not going anywhere and scoffed at the idea of an “exit package”. The march was organised by the Zimbabwe War Veterans’ Association, a controversial group that spearheaded the government’s chaotic and violent farm invasions back in the year 2000.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/newsreel300807.mp3

Zanu PF’s Gutu South MP Shuvai Mahofa recommended the closure of youth militia training centres. A damning report presented to parliament described conditions as appalling. MDC Member of Parliament for Mkoba, Amos Chibaya, was part of the committee on Youth, Gender and Women’s Affairs that went on a national tour of the centres. Lance Guma talks to him about what they saw.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/bth300807.mp3

Anna Moyo, a projects lawyer with Zimbabwe Exiles Forum in South Africa joins Gugulethu Moyo In The Balance this week to discuss the ongoing debate about Zimbabwean refugees in that country. There are contradicting views about the responsibilities of the South African government as defined by the country’s constitution. And the authorities there are now considering plans to offer Zimbabweans temporary residency. What is the law now and what is being planned.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/itb290807.mp3

A month ago I received an email from one of the last few commercial sugar farmers still hanging on in Chiredzi. She described how in April a convoy had arrived at the farm and announced that the government were taking over their property and that the family had until September to wind up their business, give up their livelihood, get out of their home and off the land
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/lfz290807.mp3

Our largest ever panel of journalists join Lance Guma on Reporters’ Forum to dissect the week’s top stories. TalkZimbabwe.com editor Itayi Garande, NewZimbabwe.com editor Mduduzi Mathuthu and journalist Brilliant Pongo join the forum.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/08/rf290807.mp3