 Gerry describes Zimbabwe as a nation in a state of ‘despair, despondency and deterioration’. Whilst most Zimbabweans are struggling to feed themselves and their families Robert Mugabe and his ‘select few’ will no doubt be spending millions tomorrow on ‘their’ independence celebrations. Gerry talks to Mandisa about what 27 years of independence has brought to him.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/callback170407.mp3
 This week on Different Points of View, Duane Udd interviews Aaron Lee, one of the organizers of The International Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe which is to be held April 18th, Zimbabwe’s 27th Independence Day anniversary.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/dpv170407.mp3
On the programme Hot Seat Violet takes a look at the role of the Church in Zimbabwe in finding a solution to the crisis. The guests this week are Bishop Trevor Manhanga, head of delegation of the Zimbabwe National Vision Document that was launched last year, Pastor Ray Motsi, the spokesperson of the Christian Alliance (the conveners of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign) and Pius Ncube, the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo. What has happened with the National Vision document initiative? Does the church have the moral authority to summon ZPF & MDC to the negotiating table? These and other questions are discussed on the programme Hot Seat.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/hotseat170407.mp3
Government withdraws NGO licences as crackdown widens
The Zimbabwe government has cancelled licences for Non Governmental Organisations alleging that they are being funded by the west. But critics say this is the usual paranoia and a ploy by the regime to silence critics. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said this is an illegal act and a violation of the law as it stands while other c ivic groups say it is a political move meant to intimidate people.
Three more arrested as concern grows for detained activists
Police continued their violent campaign of arresting and assaulting opposition officials and supporters over the weekend. In the Sizinda suburb of Bulawayo on Saturday they arrested MDC activists Nqobile Mguni, Pius Mpofu and Thubelihle Siwela. Police did not specify charges and transferred them to Harare .
Demonstrations lined up in the diaspora to mark Independence Day
Activists all over the world have lined up a series of demonstrations to express their condemnation of Mugabe’s crackdown on the opposition. UK protesters will march to the British parliament in Westminster and a petition will be handed over asking the UK to put pressure on African leaders and use their influence to solve the country’s crisis.
ZEC plans to deny millions of Zimbabweans right to vote
The Zanu (PF) led regime has set it’s rigging machinery in motion by announcing that it will deny close to 5 million Zimbabweans living in exile the right to vote in next year’ presidential and parliamentary elections. Zimbabwe Election Commission spokesman Utloile Silaigwana told the state controlled Herald that only those on official government duty outside the country would be eligible to vote.
Opposition leaders say nothing to celebrate on Independence Day
On the eve of Zimbabwe’s 27th Independence Day celebrations, the two leaders of the country’s divided opposition united in acknowledging there was nothing to celebrate. Newsreel on Tuesday spoke to both Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara to get their thoughts on the celebrations.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/newsreel170407.mp3
 Zim Alive this week goes to the rural district of Murehwa where one of our regular contacts Kumbirai explains why many people are finding it necessary to travel in pairs. He says a large number of youth militia was dispatched to the area after local church officials read aloud the Pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Bishops criticizing government officials.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/zimalive170407.mp3
In the Hidden Story on Monday Tichaona speaks to Ephraim Tapa, the MDC UK national chairman whose province is working on proposals that would see millions of Zimbabweans living in the diaspora having a say in any future talks concerning a new Zimbabwe and possibly taking part in the voting exercise itself. This latest initiative comes after concerns were raised by people living in the diaspora that they might be left out of the voting process, which they believe is part and parcel of their democratic rights as Zimbabweans to choose their leaders.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/hs160407.mp3
 In today’s Letter from AmericaDr. Stan Mukasa discusses how the sheer resilience by Zimbabweans against dictatorship and repression may be having an impact on Robert Mugabe.
http://www.zimaction.com/LFAAPR1607.htm
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/lfa160407.mp3
There have been so many different reactions to the recent SADC resolutions on Zimbabwe. Limbo is one of the many who feels sadly let down. He believes SADC has washed it’s hands of Zimbabwe, and the leaders have demonstrated through their attitude towards Mugabe that they will always protect ‘one of their own’. He says that Mbeki’s so called quiet diplomacy is just another way of defending his inaction.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/callback160407.mp3
 Save Zim Campaign prayer meeting successfully held in Bulawayo
The Save Zimbabwe Campaign prayer meeting scheduled for Saturday 14 th April, went ahead relatively peacefully in Bulawayo. According to one of the organisers, Pastor Lucky Moyo, this well attended meeting saw the unification in purpose of clergy, civic leaders, opposition parties and the general population, with scores of speakers from home and beyond.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/04/nr150407.mp3
