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Joyce Mujuru in South Africa for crisis talks
There was a hive of activity in South Africa Friday as leaders from ZANU PF and the two MDC factions held separate talks with South African government officials. Vice President Joyce Mujuru held crisis talks over Mugabe’s leadership with her South African counterpart Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. The two Secretary Generals of the MDC factions, Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube also met the SA government Friday.

State agents raid home of MDC chairman ahead of rally in Mutare
The Tsvangirai MDC report that 2 agents from the Law and Order Division raided the home of their provincial chairman for Manicaland Godfrey Mafa in Zimunya on Friday morning. He was in Harare so the agents went to Sakubva where they arrested the youth chairman Knowledge Nyamhunga and detained him briefly over the alleged petrol bombing of a police station.

Government threatens journalists & western media
The government has turned its eye on the media as the crackdown on the opposition and democratic forces continues. The Information ministry and the state sponsored Media and Information Commission have issued threats to foreign correspondents working in Zimbabwe and also accused CNN of biased reportage on the situation in Zimbabwe .

Bus rank marshals being trained to join militia squads
A member of the Combined Harare Residents Association based in Mbare has said that bus rank marshals from the suburbs are being picked up by Zanu PF officials every Wednesday for militia training in the city centre. Zanu PF has an office in Harare ’s 4 th street , with a notorious reputation for being used as a torture base.

Famine stalks Zimbabwe’s rural areas
The MDC has urged the international community to commit critically needed food aid to Zimbabwe to avert a large scale humanitarian crisis amid reports that people are starving and dying in rural areas.

MDC weekend rallies to go ahead despite police threats
The government has intensified its oppressive campaign against the opposition in recent weeks fearing major uprisings in the face of a rapidly deteriorating economy and public protests by Zimbabweans. Observers say the ruling party is using violence to intimidate people in order to avoid any serious public action by the MDC.

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Rumours have been circulating that Kuwadzana Member of Parliament and Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa has died in hospital. But reports of his demise are premature as he is joining Lance on the programme, Behind the Headlines! Lance speaks to Chamisa about his injuries sustained at the hands of a suspected militia hit squad wielding metal bars at the airport. Even in hospital the state continues to harass him with unscheduled visits.

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http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/03/callback220307.mp3

20 MDC supporters arrested & police raid homes in Chitungwiza
On Thursday morning about 20 MDC supporters were arrested after they took to the streets of Harare to protest the killing by police of MDC member Itai Manyeruke. They say police tortured Manyeruke to death after the blocked prayer rally in Highfield, then stashed his body at a morgue without the family’s knowledge. Those arrested are being held at Harare Central.

Bakers close as government insists on controlled prices
The baking industry has announced they are operating at only 30% capacity as a result of the government’s price control exercise. Vincent Mangoma, acting chairman of the National Bakers Association, said many people have lost their jobs and serious bread shortages have developed around the country.

ACP-EU MPs resolve to investigate Zim rights abuse
A political committee of the Africa , Caribbean and Pacific – European Union joint parliamentary assembly, resolved Wednesday to send a mission to Zimbabwe to investigate the recent attacks on members of the opposition and civic groups. The Vice President of the Tsvangirai-MDC Thokozani Khupe, who attended the meeting in place of Nelson Chamisa who was viciously attacked by suspected state security agents last Sunday, said the ACP-EU parliamentarians also issued a resolution condemning the brutal attacks on the political activists in Zimbabwe .

ZCTU to go ahead with stay away
A stay away being planned by the ZCTU will go ahead despite government attempts to destabilize the union and its protest plans. The stay away on the 3 rd and 4 th April is meant to press government to address the economic meltdown. Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe said a group of ‘so-called unions’ met with Zanu PF structures in Marondera Saturday and are trying to mobilize people in the rural areas who will be offloaded in Harare to intimidate people into going to work during the strike.

Police raid CHRA offices in search of leadership
On Thursday morning 8 uniformed and 6 plain clothed police officers are reported to have raided the offices of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) in Harare. Staff members who were present said they were threatened by the police who came looking for CHRA’s top leaders in connection with a demonstration they conducted Wednesday on the steps of City Hall.
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Police brutality claims another life
One more person has died from police torture in Harare . 30 year-old MDC member Itai Manyeruke was abducted and severely beaten by police on 11th March during the disturbances that claimed the life of Gift Tandare . He was abducted in Highfields during the Save Zimbabwe Campaign prayer rally and must have died the following day from injuries sustained during the beatings.

MDC activists stage protest inside Zim embassy in London.
MDC activists in the UK Wednesday staged an hour long sit-in protest inside the Zimbabwe embassy demanding an end to government’s crimes against humanity. They intended handing over a petition calling on the regime to stop killing and brutalising innocent civilians. When the group identified itself they were surprised to see embassy staff bolting away and hiding themselves in the building.

Anti-Mugabe chants at Human Rights demo in South Africa
Zimbabwe became the focus of a Human Rights Day demonstration in Johannesburg , South Africa Wednesday as hundreds gathered to mark this national holiday. On March 21 st every year South Africans commemorate the1960 Sharpeville Massacres, when troops opened fire on innocent civilians leaving 67 dead.

Zambia urges rethink on ‘sinking’ Zimbabwe
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa broke ranks with fellow African leaders and urged Southern Africa to take a new approach on Zimbabwe . Mwanawasa likened Zimbabwe to a ‘sinking Titanic’ saying millions of people are fleeing the economic and political turmoil.

Court orders police to return Holland & Kwinjeh passports
A court has ordered the police to release MDC officials Sekai Holland and her colleague Grace Kwinjeh, who were being held under armed police guard at the Avenues Clinic. The two, who were part of the group of pro-democracy activists who were arrested and assaulted recently, were being blocked from travelling to seek urgent medical treatment in South Africa.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/03/newsreel210307.mp3

The MDC’s chief diplomat in the United Kingdom Hebson Makuvise is the guest on Reporter’s Forum. Soon after Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa urged a rethink on the approach by SADC to Zimbabwe the forum asks why the shift? Makuvise regularly meets European and African diplomats in the United Kingdom. Does he sense a shift in policy by the other African leaders in light of these meetings?

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/03/rf210307.mp3

Dear Family and Friends,
This week the country came to a virtual standstill when we learned that a large number of the top leaders of civic society and opposition groups had been arrested. Everyone, everywhere was talking about it and the world began watching us again.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/03/lfz210307.mp3