Lance Guma hosts another press review looking at the week’s top stories and ropes in political commentator Musekiwa Makwanya and journalist Brilliant Pongo. Stories analysed include the persecution of former state prosecutor Levison Chikafu, accusations by the Zimbabwe government that South Africa is training MDC activists to carry out terrorist plots and whether efforts by Mbeki to broker a political solution in Zimbabwe are viable or not.

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Mandi chats to Limbo about his reaction to the SADC response to the crisis of governance in Zimbabwe. John’s guest is Percy, a political acyivist in Durban, South Africa, who says Zimbabweans abroad are now much more conscientised about events in Zimbabwe and groupings of are now mushrooming everywhere.

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Babies among WOZA activists assaulted in custody
Four babies are among the scores of WOZA activists who were assaulted while in police custody. A six mouth old baby sustained a swollen leg after she was beaten while her mother was trying to remove her from her back. 10 babies aged from six months to two years were detained together with their mothers on Monday.

Two lecturers fired as govt shuts down Masvingo State University
The state controlled newspaper The Herald reported that 2 lecturers were fired and 2 student leaders were dismissed at Masvingo State University on Tuesday as the government shut down the institution indefinitely. This follows a strike by lecturers demanding a 200% hike on their salaries. Takavafira Zhou, president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe was one of the lecturers that were fired.

Chikafu case highlights intimidation of the judiciary
A Mutare court on Tuesday ordered the release of former state prosecutor Levison Chikafu from police custody. Chikafu hit the headlines last year after pursuing two cabinet ministers in a case involving political violence. On Thursday last week the tables were turned on him by a vindictive Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa who allegedly engineered a set of corruption charges that led to his arrest.

MDC says, no negotiations – no election
Roy Bennett, the treasurer general of the MDC, said they would not be pushed into participating in next year’s elections, and a decision would only be made at the conclusion of mediation talks between the MDC and Zanu (PF). Bennett admitted the MDC was extremely worried at the slow pace of the mediation efforts by President Thabo Mbeki, adding that despite the setback they hope there is still a way forward.

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On the programme Hot Seat Violet brings you the concluding debate with 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. The teleconference centers on the nature of resistance the Church should be taking right now in Zimbabwe. In this part of the discussion the church leaders also make some powerful comments concerning the opposition.

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Our South African correspondent Themba talks to John about life for Zimbwbaweans in South Africa today.
Mandisa discusses the thorny issue of Zanu PF big wigs’ children who are out in the diaspora with Tendai.

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Kuwadzana WOZA activists severely beaten in custody
The pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise reports that several members were severely assaulted while in police custody. 56 activists and 10 babies were detained Monday for protesting at the ZESA offices in Kuwadzana. They were transferred from Kuwadzana police station to Harare Central where some of them were beaten.
 
Four MDC activists denied bail again
Four MDC activists facing charges of allegedly petrol-bombing several targets in the country have been denied bail by a Harare magistrate. Bertha Chikururama, Friday Mleya, Raymond Baki and Washaya have been in police custody for the last four weeks. MDC MP for Budiriro, Emmanuel Chisvuure, said the four were denied bail when they appeared before a Harare magistrate on Monday.
 
Anglican Bishops blasted for supporting Mugabe
In what appears to be a response to the Pastoral letter issued by the catholic Bishops last month criticising the Mugabe regime for its greed and brutality, the Anglican bishops issued their own version during Independence Day celebrations. The letter blamed the crisis on targeted sanctions imposed on the Mugabe regime, claiming they had affected poor Zimbabweans.
 
Free-Zim youths to confront Zuma at London embassy
The UK based group plans to demonstrate against South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dhlamini Zuma, at that country’s high commission on Wednesday. This will be the second demonstration against Zuma following last year’s disruption of her address in London . 
 

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On Different Points of View, Duane Udd looks at the need for outside help, as well as help from above, in assuring a just resolution of the conflicts in Zimbabwe.

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