John is a political activist in the UK, where he has been living for more than 30 years. He says although he does not have problems with balancing work and activism, he can understand other less fortunate Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, but that should not be an excuse for inaction. He chats to John M.

While the regional leaders continue to insist that all is well in Zimbabwe the numbers of Zimbabweans flocking to neighbouring countries to escape the diabolical situation at home is rising rapidly. Virus is a former member of the ZRP and he is one of the thousands now living in South Africa. He talks to Mandisa about life in South Africa, and how his former colleagues back home who are still in the security forces are doing.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/callback060507.mp3

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/callback050507.mp3

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/itb020507.mp3

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/callback020507.mp3

 MDC national chairman Isaac Matongo dies
MDC national chairman and one of the founding fathers of the party, Isaac Matongo, has died at age 60 from suspected heart failure at his home in Chisipite, Harare . He had a history of diabetes and blood pressure problems. Party President Morgan Tsvangirai, who was scheduled to leave the country Wednesday morning for a business trip was one of the first to be informed of his death just after 3am .

IMF blasts Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for destroying economy
A working paperreleased by the International Monetary Fund has strongly criticised the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and its governor Gideon Gono for pursuing monetary policies that have destroyed the economy. The report blames the RBZ for creating losses by supporting government policy. Top economist John Robertson agreed, saying the Reserve Bank lacks independence because it is ordered by government to find money to meet some of its obligations.

Zimbabwe Youth Movement attacks divided civic society
The interim president of the Zimbabwe Youth Movement,Collen Chibango has criticised what he called a divided civic society in Zimbabwe that has helped to prolong Mugabe’s grip on power. This he said was why several groups in the country were not willing to coordinate their activities in unison with others. Chibango said there are several individuals benefiting financially from civic operations and these people were holding everyone else to ransom.

No celebrating for Zim journalists on World Press Freedom Day
May 3 marks World Press Freedom Day, but for many journalists in Zimbabwe this is far from a day for celebrations. Since March alone Zimbabwe has seen at least four journalists arrested and tortured and one cameraman abducted and murdered.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/newsreel020507.mp3

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/rf020507.mp3

 On the programme ‘Hot Seat’ journalist Violet Gonda talks to MDC President Mr Morgan Tsvangirai followed by a teleconference with another MDC President Professor Arthur Mutambara and Civic Leader Dr. Lovemore Madhuku.

Broadcast on 01 May 2007

Violet: Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is the guest on the programme ‘Hot Seat’ today. Welcome Mr Tsvangirai

Morgan Tsvangirai: Thank you Violet

Violet Gonda: Now people have experienced a wave of brutality in recent days in Zimbabwe and you were one of those who was brutalised recently. Are you surprised at how brutal the regime has become?

Morgan Tsvangirai: Things that you need to make an assessment Violet is that all dictators reach a point where they have to reach a point of no return and actually raise up the stakes in the confrontation between the state and the people. We are not surprised that the regime has upped the ante in response to peoples’ genuine concerns by resorting to this kind of brutal violence, but it’s indicative of a regime which is under siege, which is not able to respond to the demands of the people.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/hotseat010507.mp3

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John is a political activist in the UK, where he has been living for more than 30 years. He says although he does not have problems with balancing work and activism, he can understand other less fortunate Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, but that should not be an excuse for inaction. He chats to John M.

While the regional leaders continue to insist that all is well in Zimbabwe the numbers of Zimbabweans flocking to neighbouring countries to escape the diabolical situation at home is rising rapidly. Virus is a former member of the ZRP and he is one of the thousands now living in South Africa. He talks to Mandisa about life in South Africa, and how his former colleagues back home who are still in the security forces are doing.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/callback010507.mp3

 Government hikes price of maize meal seven-fold
On Monday the Minister of Agriculture Rugare Gumbo announced that farmers will now get Z$3 million per tonne for their maize from government. The GMB will then sell to millers at $3,1 million per tonne. The new price applies to maize deliveries made from April 1, 2007 . Gumbo said the wholesale price for a 5 kg bag of mealie meal goes up from $2977 to $19,885.81 and the retail price goes up from $3,200 to $21874, 40.

ZCTU leaders threaten strike at May Day rally in Harare
The ZCTU held May Day celebrations in 27 different venues countrywide. But the labour union had to cancel rallies in Marondera, Norton and Bindura following threats from Zanu PF supporters. The main rally was at Gwanzura stadium in Harare where ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo demanded higher wages for workers living below the poverty line.

Lawyer denied access to detained opposition spokesperson
A human rights lawyer has expressed concern for the well-being of detained opposition official Pishai Muchauraya, who has allegedly been tortured. Alex Muchadehama said police officers confirmed the Tsvangirai-MDC provincial spokesperson had been detained, but he was denied access to him on Tuesday by the CID Law and Order Division at Harare Central.

SA overwhelmed by new arrivals of Zimbabwean refugees
There are reports South African authorities are being overwhelmed by the mass new arrivals of Zimbabwean refugees fleeing the current crackdown by Robert Mugabe’s security forces. According to Solomon Chikohwero, vice chairman of Zimbabwe ’s civic society organisations in Johannesburg , the latest victims of the turbulent situation back home have stretched the resources offered by the South African government.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/newsreel010507.mp3 

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/05/dpv010507.mp3