Minister denies that the CIO abducted activists
State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi on Wednesday stunned a Harare Court by denying that the CIO was involved in the abduction of opposition and human rights activists last year. This is despite his predecessor in the ministry, Didymus Mutasa, admitting earlier this year that he had sanctioned the operation, as a matter of state security.

Mike Hitschmann released from jail
Michael Peter Hitschmann, who was initially arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Mugabe at his birthday bash in Manicaland in 2006, was released on Thursday. Although the assassination charges were dropped, Hitschmann went on to serve 40 months in jail after police said they found an arms cache at his home and he was charged with possession of firearms without a licence.

Teachers renew strike threat over pay
Just two months after a potentially crippling teachers strike was averted, teachers have once again renewed their threat to down tools over salaries. In May the Education Ministry managed to prevent a nationwide strike by persuading teachers’ unions that they were doing everything they could to raise money for the education system, and as an incentive allowed the teachers’ own children to have free schooling.

Roy Bennett remanded to October for trial
A Mutare magistrate remanded Roy Bennett, the MDC Deputy Agriculture Minister nominee to 13 October, for the commencement of his trial. Bennett was arrested in February and spent a month in a Mutare remand prison on terrorism and sabotage charges. Bennett denies the charge. On Wednesday Bennett’s lawyer, Trust Maanda told SW Radio Africa he was not happy with the date given for the commencement of trial.

ZANU PF militias back in action in rural areas
There are reports suggesting ZANU PF backed militias have been reactivated to play a pivotal role in mobilising people in rural areas to actively participate in the constitution making process. While they might have ‘laid down’ their weapons, their mere presence has raised tensions and fears that they might be resuming the type of violence that plagued the MDC during last year’s presidential elections.

Tsvangirai under fire for glossing over unity govt problems
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is facing criticism from his own party MP’s who accuse him of playing down simmering tensions and cracks within the 4 month coalition government. Harrison Mudzuri, the MP for Zaka Central, complained to journalists in Masvingo that the PM was ignoring violations of the unity deal being perpetrated by ZANU PF.

Suspended Mutambara MDC MP’s to face weekend hearings
Five MP’s from the Mutambara MDC are due to appear before a disciplinary committee this weekend. Abednico Bhebhe, Norman Mpofu and Njabuliso Mguni were suspended from the party several months ago on charges of campaigning for the main wing of the Tsvangirai MDC.

Zimbabwe to receive almost a billion dollars in credit from China
Prime Minister Tsvangirai announced on Tuesday that the government has managed to secure US$950 million in credit lines from China. Briefing journalists and diplomats in Harare, Tsvangirai said during his recent tour to Europe and the United States he also managed to raise over $US500 million, to go towards the provision of health and education.

Mugabe to take centre stage on food security at AU summit
Robert Mugabe is set to take centre stage at the African Union Summit of heads of state this week where he will, ironically, be speaking about food security, despite Zimbabwe being the most food-aid dependent country in the world. The summit of African leaders, which is set to get underway in Libya on Wednesday, is gathering under the theme: ‘Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security.’

MDC boycott cabinet meeting
Despite claims by Prime Minister Tsvangirai that things are running smoothly between the MDC and ZANU PF, more cracks emerged Monday, exposing serious divisions. MDC Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe issued a blistering statement explaining why her party boycotted a Cabinet meeting, which had been unilaterally brought forward by Mugabe from Tuesday, to Monday, as Mugabe would be traveling. Khupe said the decision by Mugabe reflected disrespect, contempt and a refusal to recognise the letter and spirit of the Global Political Agreement.

Truth of diamond murders threatened as MDC MP jailed
An MDC MP who was set to reveal the truth about the mass murders in the Marange diamond fields last year, was this weekend jailed for seven years, on trumped-up charges. Shuah Mudiwa, whose Mutare West constituency covers the Marange diamond fields where the killings occurred, was expected to disclose details of the massacre that took place there to a delegation from the Kimberley Process, a certification scheme aimed at preventing the sale of conflict diamonds.

Tsvangirai back home after three-week visit to Europe & USA
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai arrived home Monday after a three week visit to’ re-engage’ with the international community. His spokesman, James Maridadi, said that during the tour the Prime Minister raised over $US200 million, which will go towards basic services such as health and education – but this is an amount far short of the estimated US$8 billion needed to rebuild the country.

Attorney General to ‘formally’ charge Biti with treason
There are reports that the Attorney General is ready to formally charge Finance Minister Tendai Biti with treason, and to also arrest Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma on kidnapping charges. A highly placed source in the MDC said that AG Tomana has already crafted the indictment charge sheet.

MDC Director-General freed on bail
The MDC’s Director-General,Toendepi Shonhe, was finally released on bail by High Court Justice Felistas Chatukuta on Friday. Shonhe was arrested last Tuesday on allegations of perjury and had been granted bail last Thursday, but remained in remand prison after the Attorney General’s office blocked his bail.

Mugabe hints at bringing back Zimbabwe dollar
On Friday Mugabe said he wanted to bring back the Zim dollar, in place of the current system of multiple currencies. He said dollarization had failed to help ordinary people, who did not have access to forex. The Zim Dollar was dropped 4 months ago because it had become worthless after years of economic decay and corruption.

State concedes Mukoko’s abduction was illegal
A state prosecutor on Thursday conceded that the way human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko was abducted by state security agents, was illegal. The former news reader has taken her case to the Supreme Court, seeking a permanent stay of her prosecution.

Gov urged to reveal truth about Chiadzwa diamond murders
The government has been urged to reveal the truth about the mass murders at the Chiadzwa diamond fields, after an MDC minister this week denied that any killings had taken place. There have been widespread accounts from survivors and human rights groups about brutal killings, severe rights abuses and even mass graves at the eastern Marange diamond fields, after the army moved in last October to disperse thousands of illegal diamond hunters.

Tsvangirai in France on last leg of three week tour
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is in Paris, France appealing for investment and political support, but was told the unity government isn’t moving fast enough towards reform. Reports said the French Foreign Minister met Tsvangirai Thursday and reminded him of the need to respect human rights, to have a free media and to respect property rights.

ZANU PF & MDC headed for clash on new constitution
The MDC and ZANU PF are heading for a potential clash over the framework for a new constitution. Mugabe has told his ZANU PF Central Committee that the inclusive government will come up with a new constitution, in line with the widely criticized Kariba Draft document. But the MDC issued a statement saying they will reject any attempts to have this draft adopted as a roadmap, saying it wants a people-driven process.

Media hangman Charamba crafts new regulation laws
Concern is being raised over the future of media freedom as two new media laws, which are set to replace the controversial Access to Information and Privacy Act, are said to be the brainchild of media ‘hangman’ George Charamba. The proposed laws are currently being crafted and will be placed before Parliament for adoption.

MDC Minister denies mass killings in Chiadzwa diamond fields
Deputy Mining Minister Murisi Zwizwai has denied there were any killings in the Marange diamond fields last year, when speaking to a meeting of the Kimberley Process, the international scheme to curb the sale of ‘blood diamonds’. He said the claims were a result of ‘unsubstantiated reports’.

Amnesty to monitor Zim human rights crisis
Human rights organisation Amnesty International says it will closely monitor the human rights situation for the next 100 days, to test the commitment of the unity government to real reforms in the country. Amnesty’s Secretary General, Irene Khan, met with Prime Minister Tsvangirai in the UK on Monday, after wrapping up a six-day visit to Zimbabwe last Thursday.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu denied UK visa
The British Embassy in Harare has refused to grant a travel visa to Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, to attend an investment conference in London. The ZANU PF MP is one of a number of senior party officials under targeted financial and travel restrictions, initiated in response to gross human rights violations by Mugabe’s regime. The embassy does not traditionally comment on visa issues and it was left to the state owned media to run the story.

SADC summit has ignored MDC unity government complaints
SADC held an extraordinary summit in South Africa on Saturday at which the outstanding issues in Zimbabwe’s unity government were ignored. Despite the MDC saying they referred the remaining disputes over the appointment of Central Bank governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana to the group, SADC met and only dealt with the political crisis in Madagascar.

Zim UK exiles show they’re not happy with the unity government
Prime Minister Tsvangirai came face to face with disgruntled elements of Zimbabwean society in the UK when he urged the Diaspora community to go back home where there was now “peace and stability.” Hecklers drowned out the rest of Tsvangirai’s speech and blocked attempts by Finance Minister Tendai Biti to rescue the disastrous situation that unfolded in London on Saturday, forcing Tsvangirai to abort his speech.

MDC abductees granted referral to Supreme Court
Four MDC activists facing charges of terrorism are allowed to challenge their prosecution in the Supreme Court, after a ruling Monday by High Court Justice Tendai Uchena. The defence team filed an application when the trial of the abductees started earlier this month, asking the High Court to refer the case of their clients to the Constitutional Court as their rights had been violated.

Clash looms over Prime Minister’s newsletter
A glossy free newsletter, published by Prime MinisterTsvangirai’s office last Wednesday, and meant to counter negative publicity from the state owned media, has unnerved officials within ZANU PF. The state owned Sunday Mail newspaper quoted Ministry of Information permanent secretary George Charamba saying they had seen the publication and its circulation figures and are looking at what the law says in relation to it.

Magistrate & prosecutor fail to turn up for Shonhe hearing
A Harare magistrate and prosecutor did not turn up for the hearing of jailed MDC Director-General Toendepi Shonhe on Friday, because they said they had to attend a mental health seminar. The MDC senior employee, who was arrested on Tuesday and granted bail Thursday, remains in prison after the State blocked his bail.

Beaten WOZA members released on bail
Four members of the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise, who were beaten and arrested in Harare on Thursday, have been released on bail after being locked up overnight. The four were denied medical treatment despite injuries received at the hands of the police, who launched a vicious attack on protesting WOZA members in the capital.

Media pressure group says commission should be temporary
Friday was the deadline for applicants wanting to sit on the proposed Zimbabwe Media Commission, which is due to replace the now defunct Media and Information Commission. It’s reported the number of applications was ‘overwhelming’ but no names of the applicants have been released.

Tsvangirai to address Zimbabweans in London Saturday
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to address thousands of Zimbabweans at Southwark Cathedral in London on Saturday.

Journalist among arrested group, as police crackdown on WOZA
A journalist, in Harare for a press conference by rights organisation Amnesty International, was arrested along with a group of protesting members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise after police launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful demonstration on Thursday. The WOZA members were marching through the capital as part of the group’s traditional commemoration of International Refugee Day on Friday.

MDC Director General granted bail, but remains in police custody
Toendepi Shonhe, the MDC Director General, who was arrested on allegations of perjury on Tuesday, was granted bail by a Harare magistrate on Thursday. But he remains in police custody as the State immediately opposed the magistrate’s ruling by invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which suspends a bail order for seven days.

WOZA members beaten & arrested during peaceful demo
A peaceful march by members of the pressure group Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise ended in chaos in Bulawayo Wednesday, after the group came under attack by police. The march consisted of four different groups marching simultaneously from various points across Bulawayo, all set to converge outside the offices of the state-owned Chronicle newspaper.

ZANU PF youths set up militia ‘bases’ in schools
ZANU PF youths have set up bases in at least two schools in the Zvimba West constituency in Mashonaland West. The province’s MDC chairman Jephat Karemba said that up to 20 youths in each school, wearing ZANU PF regalia, have set up base. There are fears among the teachers that violence could flare up at any time.

MDC Director-General Shonhe arrested
The MDC Director General, Toendepi Shonhe was arrested Tuesday by the police on a charge of perjury. The MDC CEO is accused of having lied under oath when he swore to an affidavit that three members of the MDC had been re-abducted by State security agents. MDC Director of Information Luke Tamborinyoka says these are trumped up charges.

Tsvangirai addresses Swedish parliament
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai capped off a busy two day visit to Sweden on Tuesday by addressing the Swedish parliament in Stockholm.

Obama praises Tsvangirai’s fight for freedom
On Friday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai became the second African leader to meet Barack Obama since he moved into the White House. Analysts say many world leaders would cherish the opportunity to be in the Oval office with Obama and the world media. President Obama acknowledged Tsvangirai’s fight for freedom in a profound way last Friday by giving him a personalised autographed copy of ‘Stride Toward Freedom’ by Dr. Martin Luther King.

Tsvangirai holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
The German government on Monday pledged close to 30 million euros to Zimbabwe to be used to improve the education, health and farming sectors. The pledge followed a meeting between the Chancellor and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Berlin, where the German government assured him of its full support for his pro-democracy work in Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai arrived in Berlin on Sunday from Washington and before Monday’s talks he was received with full military honours.

Chegutu farmer denies verbal abuse of PM’s ‘niece’
The Cremer family has categorically denied allegations that they used racially abusive words against the family of the woman attempting to take their farm. On Wednesday Dr Chihombori, who said she is Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s niece, said her sister and a lands officer were extremely abused by the Cremer family when they went to the farm with an offer letter.

SADC ruling ignored again as farmers fight to keep their land
A ruling by the human rights court of the Southern African Development Community to put a stop to the current wave of farm attacks, is being openly ignored once again and farmers are still fighting to keep their land.

Finance Minister Biti to address World Economic Forum
Finance Minister Tendai Biti will address the World Economic Forum in South Africa on Friday. He is expected to use his speech to make an appeal for financial aid to fund the coalition governments ‘Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme’. Biti will be part of a panel that includes Deputy South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and Kingdom Meikles Africa group CEO Nigel Chanakira.

Tsvangirai holds meetings with IMF and World Bank in Washington
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has held high level meetings with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in the build-up to his Friday meeting with US President Barack Obama. James Maridadi, Tsvangirai’s spokesman, said the Prime Minister is trying to establish ways of re-engagement with members of the international community.

Prime Minister’s ‘niece’ speaks about Chegutu farm invasion
Dr. Arikana Chihombori, the woman related to Morgan Tsvangirai and accused of attempting to invade a Chegutu farm, has spoken for the first time. The US medical doctor told SW Radio Africa that she was indeed related to Prime Minister Tsvangirai and said she was given an offer letter to ‘take over’ part of the Cremer farm in Chegutu. She said she is Zimbabwean and has a right to land and was given an offer letter because she had proven she had the resources to take up farming.

Journalists sue Minister for contempt of court over accreditation
Four journalists who were barred from covering the COMESA summit at the weekend will sue Information Minister Webster Shamu and his permanent secretary George Charamba, for contempt of court. This follows Friday’s ruling by High Court Judge Bharat Patel that the Media and Information Commission was a defunct body and no journalist was required to register with it. But as the journalists found out on Sunday, High Court orders are just pieces of paper in Zimbabwe’s law of the jungle.

MDC source denies that land invader is Tsvangirai relative
Dr. Arikana Chihombori, the ‘mystery woman’ seen with the Prime Minister at South African President Jacob Zuma’s inauguration last month, is reported to be trying to seize a Chegutu farm owned by the Cremer family. At the time of the discussions around who it was with Tsvangirai in South Africa , the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement identifying the woman as his niece.

Tsvangirai in Washington for 2 nd leg of tour
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai arrived in Washington late Monday for a 5 day visit that will culminate in a meeting with the US President Obama at the Oval office. Tsvangirai’ spokesman, James Maridadi, told us from Washington that the Prime Minister has a busy schedule ahead of his meeting with the US President at the White House on Friday.

Journalists barred from Comesa summit despite High Court order
Four journalists, who last week won a landmark case against the government over the legality of the Media and Information Commission, were this weekend barred from covering the Comesa summit, for not being accredited. High Court Judge Bharat Patel on Friday ruled that the media commission no longer existed and no journalist was legally required to register with it.

Journalists arrested & assaulted for covering demo
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalist reports that two of its members were arrested and assaulted by police for covering a demonstration last Friday. Chris Mahove, a senior reporter with The Worker– a newspaper run by the Zimbabwe Congress Trade Unions – was arrested while covering a demonstration by the Harare City Council Workers’ Union.

Tsvangirai begins 8 nation tour to re-engage with the West
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai began his eight nation tour of Europe and the United States on Sunday, by visiting the Netherlands. His three-week state visit will take him to France, Sweden, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and the US.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai expected to meet Barack Obama
Mr. Tsvangirai is set to leave Zimbabwe on Saturday for his inaugural overseas tour to the USA and parts of Europe and Scandinavia. It’s reported that the Prime Minister will meet US President Obama and other leaders in Europe.

Another farming family evicted as invasions continue
Yet another farming family in Chegutu have been forced to turn their backs on their land and livelihood, after being forcibly and illegally evicted in the name of so called land reform.

Journalists win landmark case against government
Four Harare based journalists on Friday won an historic court case against the government after they challenged the legal status of the Media and Information Commission.

Journalists take government to court over accreditation
Four Harare based journalists on Thursday took the government to court, challenging the legal status of the Media and Information Commission The Information Ministry last week said all journalists wishing to cover the COMESA summit in Victoria Falls, had to be accredited by the commission.

Deported Kwekwe mine owner narrates abduction ordeal
Lee Johns, an Australian businessman who has lived in Zimbabwe for over 12 years, was deported last month after winning a US$1 million claim against the Reserve Bank for unpaid rentals. In an exclusive interview on our Behind the Headlines program, Johns told us he was arrested a day after the High Court granted him an interdict against the bank.

Zuma faces criticism for not taking tough stance on Zimbabwe
South African President Jacob Zuma is already facing criticism for not taking a hard line with Robert Mugabe in his State of the Nation address on Wednesday. Analysts are already criticising Zuma’s speech for failing to inspire hope that he can set South Africa on a new, positive course and the public address focused almost entirely on domestic issues, with only passing mention being given to the crisis across the border in Zimbabwe.

ZANU PF officials expected to join Tsvangirai on US & EU tour
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is embarking on a 3 week trip to the United States, Europe and Scandinavia, next week. The tour is part of his 100 day plan to re-engage with the international community after years of isolation.

Army units deployed in rural areas last year, are still there
Over 200 senior army officers, deployed countrywide to help secure the violent re-election of Mugabe in last year’s one-man presidential run-off, are still deployed in the villages. The MDC raised their concern in a statement issued after their 9th annual conference over the weekend.

ZANU PF official harassed for supporting farmer
A senior ZANU PF official has found herself on the receiving end of state sponsored intimidation, after testifying in court in support of a commercial farmer. Celina Pote, a ZANU PF politburo member and the former legislator for Chiredzi North, has been called in as a defence witness in a case against Chiredzi farmer Digby Nesbit – who is being charged with being on his land illegally.

SADC will not convene full summit to discuss issues in GPA
SADC will not convene a full, extraordinary summit, to tackle the outstanding issues plaguing the unity government, according to Tomaz Salomao, the secretary-general of the regional bloc. Salomao would not elaborate as to why SADC would not do this, or how the issue was going to be dealt with.

ZANU PF governor’s son arrested for killing MDC activist
On Tuesday the MDC announced that 5 ZANU PF supporters, including the son of a governor and two soldiers, had been arrested in connection with the murder of an MDC Gokwe district organising secretary. The politically motivated murder took place in March, a month after the political parties had formed the unity government.

Zimbabwe considers making the Rand the official currency
Finance Minister Tendai Biti says the government is weighing up the prospect of using the South African Rand as the official currency, permanently. With the death of the Zimbabwe dollar Biti says they are exploring 3 different options, including the Rand, bringing back a redenominated Zim Dollar or sticking with the current multiple currency system. He said a decision will be made by the end of the year.

MDC calls for urgent SADC summit
The MDC used a national conference over the weekend to call on SADC to convene an immediate extraordinary summit, to tackle the outstanding issues plaguing the coalition government. Over 1000 party delegates converged on Harare for the first national conference since the MDC entered into the shaky coalition government with ZANU PF.

Tsvangirai concerned about delay in implementing GPA issues
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is reported to be deeply concerned with the delay in implementing the issues agreed to in the Global Political Agreement. His spokesman, James Maridadi, said the Prime Minister was expected to meet Mugabe on Monday for their weekly meeting and would again raise these issues.

Court frees lawyer Muchadehama
Prominent human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama was on Monday removed from remand by Harare magistrate Catherine Chimanda. The lawyer was arrested on May 15th for allegedly ‘conniving’ with Justice Bhunu’s clerk, to facilitate the release of his clients on bail - abductees Chris Dhlamini, Gandhi Mudzingwa and Shadreck Andrison - after the State had been given leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the granting of bail.

Shocking video shows Zimbabwe police beating recruits
SW Radio Africa has obtained exclusive video footage showing a number of police recruits in Zimbabwe being tortured and beaten in a series of sickening assaults by what appears to be their instructors. In one horrifying attack, a recruit is pinned down by six officers with one stepping on his back as laughing instructors whip and kick the defenseless man.

SA Presidency accused of hiding Zim violence report
The South African Presidency has been accused of deliberately hiding a suspected controversial report on the Zimbabwe security forces role in last year’s deadly post-election violence. President Jacob Zuma’s office has rejected numerous requests for the report, which was compiled last year by retired army generals, to be made public.

More prisoners die as hunger stalks Zim jails
Prisoners locked away in Zimbabwe’s nightmare jails are still dying from hunger related diseases, as the widespread food crisis continues to cripple the country. This week alone, six inmates at the Mutimurefu prison in Masvingo died, adding to the more than 900 prisoner deaths already recorded this year.

Zimbabwean journalists & lawyers brought before the courts
There was much activity in the magistrates’ courts in Harare on Thursday when human rights lawyers, two senior journalists and WOZA activists appeared in court on separate, routine, remand hearings.

Army threatens war over Gono removal
The country’s security chiefs have taken the current political fight over the reappointment of Gideon Gono a step further, threatening to take up arms to prevent the removal of the Reserve Bank Governor.

Tsvangirai and Mutambara have officially asked SADC to intervene
Prime MinisterTsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara have finally sent a letter to SADC, officially asking them to break the talks deadlock over the appointments of the central bank chief and the attorney general.

MDC still to officially ask SADC to intervene
MDC President Tsvangirai will only officially notify SADC of the talks deadlock the end of this week, a party source told SW Radio Africa on Wednesday. Almost all leaders in the region have been briefed informally by the MDC about the deadlock. Following these consultations, the MDC will now officially invite SADC to arbitrate.

Abducted Pastor released unharmed
On Tuesday information was received from an MDC official that another person had been abducted by unknown assailants. The official said Pastor Berejena had been a close spiritual friend of Prime Minister Tsvangirai and a spiritual strength to many victims of political violence and that he was abducted Monday afternoon by suspected CIO operatives.

Farmer prosecuted for being on his land
A commercial farmer based outside Mutare has become the latest farmer to be prosecuted and sentenced by Zimbabwe’s courts, raising fears that the fast track court prosecution of the country’s remaining farmers is underway. Ian Guy Campbell-Morrison spent Tuesday night in a Mutare jail after he was found guilty of farming, on land he legally owns.

Mugabe says Gono will stay on as RBZ governor
Robert Mugabe on Monday told state TV that Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono will retain his job, despite pressure for him to go. Mugabe blamed critics in the UK and elsewhere for being the source of the pressure.

Ministry orders journalists register with non existent commission
Last Thursday Prime Minister Tsvangirai told journalists that the Media and Information Commission ceased to exist in January as a result of the agreements in the GPA.

Zim most food aid dependent country in the world
Zimbabwe has been rated as the most food-aid dependent country in the world, a title that comes as the unity government continues to refuse to act on the ongoing land invasions.

Prime Minister plays down farm attacks
Members of Zimbabwe’s farming community have reacted with outrage to comments by Prime Minister Tsvangirai in which he played down the severity of the recent spate of land invasions. In an interview about the 100-day milestone of the unity government last week, Tsvangirai called the recent attacks ‘isolated incidents’ that have been ‘blown out of proportion’.

Tsvangirai to ignore Gono letter
Prime Minister Tsvangirai has still not received an acrimonious letter, allegedly written by Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, complaining of victimization by Finance Minister Tendai Biti. But even if the letter does eventually arrive Tsvangirai plans to ignore it. Officials have confirmed that this is because the MDC does not recognize the appointment of Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

No electricity for Harare high density suburbs for 4 days
Harare suffered a major breakdown of power delivery on Friday, resulting in most high density areas having virtually no electricity for the past four days. Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said that places such as Mbare, Glen Norah, Mufakose, Kuwadzana and Warren Park were affected by the breakdown of the power grid in Harare.

Tsvangirai says he never received Gono letter
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai did not receive a letter said to have been written to him by the Reserve Bank Governor, in which Gono complained about alleged victimization by Finance Minister Tendai Biti. The letter accused Biti of pursuing a personal vendetta against Gono because the central bank was investigating allegations that Biti’s law firm, Honey and Blanckenberg, ‘externalized’ forex.

Workers assaulted as Headlands farm faces intensified attacks
The attacks on Karori Farm in the Headlands district have intensified, with two of the farm’s workers being assaulted this week. Brigadier General Justin Mujaji shut down the whole farm in an effort to plant his own wheat seed in farmer Charles Lock’s cultivated tobacco lands, using Lock’s manpower, equipment and fuel.

Succession debate raises tempers in ZANU PF politburo meeting
The succession debate in ZANU PF turned ugly on Wednesday, when members of the politburo demanded that the issue of who will take over from Mugabe be dealt with once and for all. The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported that tempers flared at the meeting, after the simmering succession crisis exploded into a charged debate.

Tsvangirai gives details of talks progress
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai held a press conference Thursday, where he said the Principals to the unity government had reached an understanding on a number of issues. But he said the government remains deadlocked over the post of Gideon Gono as Central Bank Governor and Attorney General Johannes Tomana. Tsvangirai said these two issues would be referred to SADC , who would be approached to mediate.

No movement on media reform despite government pledges
Promises by the unity government to reform the repressive media environment in Zimbabwe are proving hollow, with no evidence of any action being taken. The Prime Minister on Thursday said there have been “significant improvements in media freedom in the country.” But improvements, in the form of pledges, are not translating into action.

Gono accuses Biti of corruption
Gideon Gono, the controversial governor of the Reserve Bank, wrote a blistering letter to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last week in which he accused Finance Minister Tendai Biti of victimising him and also of corruption. Gono claims a law firm in which the Minister was a senior partner externalised more than US$1 million in forex in contravention of Exchange Control regulations.

Government silence on land attacks continues
The deafening silence from the unity government on the ongoing and increasingly violent land invasions has continued, despite promises by government leaders that the rule of law will be respected in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe refuses to budge on issue of Gono and Tomana
Robert Mugabe has apparently refused to budge on his re-appointment of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana amid reports the 3 principals have decided to declare a deadlock on these two issues.

Australian gold mine owner in Zimbabwe forcibly deported
Lee Johns an Australian businessman who used to own the Globe Phoenix Mine in Kwekwe was forcibly deported from the country on Tuesday. This follows reports he was locked in a fierce dispute with the Reserve Bank, who through their subsidiary Carslone (Private) Limited had taken over his mine.

Zimbabwe lawyers protest harassment
On Tuesday the Law Society of Zimbabwe held a peaceful demonstration in the streets of Harare protesting the continuing harassment of members of the legal fraternity. Two years ago several lawyers were assaulted by the riot police during a similar demonstration by the Law Society.

MDC to press ahead with SADC and AU intervention
The MDC will press ahead with referring all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement to SADC and the African Union for arbitration, despite ZANU PF’s objections. Mugabe’s ZANU PF rejected the move by the MDC to refer their dispute to African leaders, describing it as ‘premature’. Nicholas Goche, the ZANU PF negotiator in the dialogue that led to the GPA, told the state media discussions had not yet reached a stage where there was need for arbitration.

Diamond massacre victims buried in Chitungwiza mass graves
The bodies of 85 people killed by the army during the Marange diamond massacres were allegedly buried in 37 shallow graves in Chitungwiza this year. Journalist and blogger Denford Magora says he has reliable information that some of the dead include victims of the violent June 27th one-man presidential run-off.

Elderly woman beaten and detained as farm attacks continue
The elderly mother of a commercial farmer has become the latest victim of violent attack, as the countrywide offensive to remove the remaining farmers off their land continues. The 80-year-old mother of Chinhoyi farmer Murray Potts was severely assaulted by police on Monday when they arrested her son for being on his land ‘illegally’.

MDC appeals to SADC and AU to break talks deadlock
The MDC on Monday officially notified SADC and the African Union of their national council resolution, which calls on African leaders to intervene to address the outstanding issues so negatively affecting the country’s fragile three-month-old coalition government. The top leadership of the MDC met Sunday in Masvingo and resolved to write to AU leaders and South African President Jacob Zuma, the current chair of SADC.

WOZA protest failures of unity government
About 1,000 members of the pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise took to the streets in four separate demonstrations that merged at the government complex in Bulawayo on Monday. WOZA spokesperson Annie Sibanda said the aim of the protests was to highlight the failures in the first 100 days of the power sharing government and the fact that very little progress had been made in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

15 MDC youths arrested after clashes with ZANU PF
A second attempt to hold elections for the Zimbabwe Youth Council ended in violence between ZANU PF and MDC youths at the Mhlahlandlela government complex in Bulawayo this past Friday. Last week similar but controlled tensions forced a postponement of the government sponsored council, after ZANU PF youths climbed on top of tables, shouting obscenities at the MDC youths.

Announcement on outstanding GPA issues postponed
The eagerly awaited statement about the talks to resolve the remaining issues in the unity governent, has been postponed to a later date. The principals had been scheduled to issue a statement Friday. There are reliable reports that Mugabe is refusing to budge over the appointments of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and AG Tomana.

Tsvangirai stopped from attending State House function
Robert Mugabe held a state banquet for a North Korean delegation on Monday and although Tsvangirai had an invitation his spokesperson, James Maridadi, said guards at State House said the Prime Minister couldn’t enter, because one of his lead security cars had not been cleared.

Lawyer Alec Muchadehama released on bail
Prominent human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama was released on bail on Friday, a day after being arrested and charged with obstructing the course of justice, in a case involving three abductees. He was remanded to 28th May.

Lawyer Alec Muchadehama arrested
The lawyer representing the political detainees, Alec Muchadehama, was arrested Thursday, accused of obstructing the course of justice. We spoke to the detained lawyer on the phone before he was locked up and he said he was being accused of ‘conniving with a judge’s clerk’ to get some bail orders filed, which led to the release of three of his clients on 17th April.

Private sector set for boost as billion dollar credit lines secured
The country’s private sector, which will play a critical role in rebuilding Zimbabwe, is set for a boost, with more than US$1 billion in credit lines being secured. Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma announced the news Wednesday, saying the pledges have come from African financial institutions and neighbouring South Africa and Botswana together have chipped in with US$150 million in credit lines.

MDC powerless to deal with ZANU PF hardliners
The MDC is aware that some of the top civil servants and cabinet ministers from ZANU PF are working against the unity government, but are powerless to deal with them. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday said that hard-liners left over from the old regime were endangering the country's future.

Abductees finally granted bail, again
Abductees Gandhi Mudzingwa, Chris Dhlamini and Shadreck Manyere, were finally granted bail of US$1000 bail each by a High Court Judge on Wednesday, a month after they were first released on bail, then re-arrested. They three had been in police custody for five months, prior to their first release, on 17th April. Defence lawyer Charles Kwaramba said it was a good judgment because Justice Mtshiya said there was no direct evidence, only circumstantial evidence.

Tsvangirai says government facing problems with hardliners
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Wednesday that hardliners from the old regime are endangering the lives of all Zimbabweans. He said the hardliners’ violations of the rule of law and of the agreement that created the inclusive government were holding up foreign aid. Political analyst Glen Mpani said since Tsvangirai has admitted that the new government is being thwarted by hardliners from ZANU PF he should move ahead and start identifying the culprits.

Foreign press team harassed as media reforms remain elusive
A group of foreign journalists last week became the latest media victims of harassment in Zimbabwe. The four Spanish journalists, who were visiting Mount Carmel farm in Chegutu, to document the ongoing illegal land invasion there, were terrorised, along with the farm’s owners, by a group of thugs working for ZANU PF top official Nathan Shamuyarira.

Principals to make announcement on GPA issues, Friday
Tsvangirai spent the day in meetings on Tuesday, first in cabinet and then with Mugabe and Mutambara, to try to iron out the outstanding issues still facing the inclusive government. Maridadi confirmed to us that the principals had met and tabled all outstanding issues on the Global Political Agreement. He said the principals have taken a position on all the issues and they were going to make an announcement on Friday.

Newspaper editors released on bail
Zimbabwe Independent editors, Vincent Kahiya and Constantine Chimakure, were released on US$200 bail after appearing in court on Tuesday, a day after they were arrested for publishing a story that quoted from a court document. They are facing charges of publishing a story that undermines public confidence in the police.

Judge to rule on 3 detainees’ bail application Wednesday
The three individuals still in police custody, on charges of plotting to overthrow the Mugabe regime, will find out on Wednesday whether or not they will be freed on bail. On Tuesday High Court Justice November Mtshiya said he would give his judgment after going through the arguments. This is a day after the judge ruled that MDC officials Chris Dlamini and Gandhi Mudzingwa, plus freelance journalist Shadreck Manyere, could make a fresh bail application.

MDC MP jailed for 10 months, with hard labour
The MDC MP for Chipinge East, Mathia Mlambo, was convicted and sentenced to ten months in jail with hard labour by a Chipinge magistrate on Monday. Mlambo, who was arrested in April, was found guilty of allegedly obstructing the course of justice and inciting violence at a funeral.

Zimbabwe Independent newspaper journalists arrested
On Monday two journalists from the private media were arrested for publishing a story containing the names of police officers and state agents implicated in the abductions of civic leader Jestina Mukoko, journalist Shadreck Manyere and others. This is despite the fact that the information was gathered from public documents, contained in court papers.

Cabinet to be briefed Tues on unity govt outstanding issues
A full cabinet meeting on Tuesday will be briefed on the outcome of the talks between Tsvangirai, Mugabe and Mutambara which have been aimed at ironing out the outstanding issues still facing the power-sharing pact. The three principals to the Global Political Agreement met again Monday, in what insiders said was probably their last round of talks on outstanding issues.

High Court delays ruling on detainees’ bail: clerk of court arrested
The 3 political detainees still in custody will spend some more time not knowing their fate, after High Court Justice November Mtshiya deferred a ruling on their matter to Monday. The ruling is also not going to be on whether or not the accused persons are entitled to bail, but merely on whether or not they should be heard. Meanwhile, the saga concerning the three detainees reached new heights Friday when a clerk of court, working for High Court Justice Bhunu, was arrested for allegedly assisting defence lawyers in paying an earlier bail for the three.

Anger over Mugabe’s presence at SA presidential inauguration
Robert Mugabe’s planned presence at Saturday’s inauguration for South African President elect Jacob Zuma has sparked an outcry from human rights activists. Pressure group Afriforum has urged the South African authorities to drop its invitation for Mugabe to attend the multi-million rand event. The group took the protest a step further this week, putting up posters around the Union Buildings, where the inauguration ceremony will take place.

MDC-M suspends 3 MPs and 3 others, including Job Sikhala
The MDC-M, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, has suspended three of its MPs for allegedly ‘pushing a motion of no-confidence’ against the leadership of the party. Abednico Bhebhe of Nkayi West, Norman Mpofu of Bulilima East and Njabuliso Mguni from Lupane North were alleged to be increasingly at odds with the part and were officially suspended on Friday.

Media conference postponed to Fri pending Manyere bail hearing
A government media conference that was meant to start in Kariba on Wednesday hung in the balance Thursday, after the majority of journalists stuck to their boycott threat. The journalists grouped under the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe have said they will not attend if fellow journalist Shadreck Manyere is not released from detention where he is facing spurious banditry and terrorism charges.

ZANU PF governors to get compensation for standing down
The three principals to the Global Political Agreement have agreed to compensate ZANU PF governors who will step down to make way for new ones from the MDC formations, Newsreel learnt on Thursday. A highly placed source told us that during their Tuesday meeting, Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara agreed that six out of the ten governors appointed by Mugabe on 24th August last year would have to step down.

Land audit gets green light as farm attacks continue
The unity government is reportedly set to press ahead with a land audit that will ultimately uncover the depth of land related corruption in Zimbabwe, as well as put a stop to the ongoing farm invasions across the country. The decision comes on the back of a report by a ministerial delegation tasked to investigate the recent wave of farm attacks, which have left the remaining commercial farming community reeling.

Journalists boycott media conference over Manyere detention
The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe has stuck to its guns and boycotted a government media conference that was meant to start Wednesday in Kariba. The national chairman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Loughty Dube, said they made it clear to government that as long as any journalist remained in detention, under the same laws that are meant to be discussed at the conference, their members will boycott.

MDC gives five-day ultimatum to resolve outstanding issues
Tendai Biti, the MDC secretary-general, delivered an ultimatum to the inclusive government Wednesday, and demanded that all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement be dealt with by Monday next week. This was the first admission by the MDC in nearly two months that things were not going smoothly.

Fresh violence on Chegutu’s Mount Carmel farm
There has been a fresh outbreak of violent attacks on Mount Carmel farm, with invaders viciously beating a farm worker and destroying the property, all in retaliation to a court order demanding they leave the land. The court order was handed down to the invaders Monday, as part of ongoing efforts by the farm owner’s, Ben Freeth and his parents-in-law, to have the invaders removed.

Unity government in turmoil after re-arrest of abductees
The inclusive government was on Tuesday thrown into turmoil after the re-arrests of the MDC and civil society members, on trumped-up charges of terrorism. The ruling was immediately condemned by the MDC who issued a statement calling for an urgent meeting of their national executive to discuss the latest crisis.

Journalists protest re-arrests and boycott govt media conference
Its reported that in an unprecedented move Zimbabwe’s embattled journalists took to Harare city streets Tuesday to protest the re-arrests of Jestina Mukoko and her 17 co-accused, including photo-journalist Shadreck Manyere. The group marched, sang songs, and chanting slogans for Manyere’s release.

JAG challenges MDC over arrests and farm invasions
Justice for Agriculture has lashed out at the MDC, for the party’s ‘complicity’ in the ongoing farm invasions and the re-arrest of the political activists. These are all clear violations of the Global Political Agreement that formed the basis for the unity government.

Media ‘talibans’ set to dominate Kariba conference
A government organized conference set for Kariba this week, to look at reforming the media, has drawn criticism for ignoring most of the major stakeholders and having an unclear agenda. Not only has the conference ignored exiled media organizations forced out by repressive laws, but the same people at the forefront of persecuting the media, have been selected to be keynote speakers.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara now set to meet Tuesday
The three principals to the Global Political Agreement met briefly in Harare Monday, but deferred until Tuesday any discussion on the outstanding issues that have been threatening the three month old inclusive government. It was reported last week that Mugabe,Tsvangirai and Mutambara, would meet again Monday, after 5 unsuccessful meetings in the past couple of weeks.

Teachers urged to return to work as donors take up salary fight
Teacher’s unions are encouraging their members to return to work at the start of the new school semester Tuesday, after a crisis meeting to avert a mass strike action proved successful Monday. Education officials and representatives from the international donor community met with union leaders in efforts to avoid the threatened strike over salaries.

Joice Mujuru faces ouster as ZANU PF infighting intensifies
In yet another sign that the coalition government is far from unified, it has emerged that top ZANU PF official and Deputy President, Joice Mujuru, is under threat from within her own party. According to the Zimbabwe Independent the move against Mujuru is being led by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is alarmed by strong alliances being formed by some ZANU PF heavyweights with the Tsvangirai MDC.

ZEC and ZANU PF boycott conference on electoral reforms
Despite confirming that they would be there, no one from the Zimbabwe Election Commission or ZANU PF attended a two day regional conference on electoral reforms in Victoria Falls this week.The workshop was organized by ZESN in conjunction with the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa. It was attended by senior government officials, MPs and members of civil society.

Government and teachers to meet Monday to avert strike
Government officials and teachers’ unions have agreed to meet again on Monday, in an effort to avert a possible strike by teachers at the start of the new school semester next week. Schools reopen Tuesday and the meeting will see Education and Finance ministry officials trying to sway teachers away from the mass action.

Tsvangirai says he will not adopt ‘megaphone’ approach to talks
Prime Minister Tsvangirai spent 2 hours with the MDC provincial structures in Bulawayo and spelt out the party’s policies on a variety of issues, especially the shaky coalition government. According to our correspondent Tsvangirai noted several transgressions of the unity deal by ZANU PF, but insisted the MDC will not adopt a megaphone approach towards solving the problems. He said coalition governments the world over are problematic.

Education Minister and teachers meet as strike action threatened
An ultimatum set by the country’s teachers unions for a proper salary structure for teachers, ran out on Thursday. This sets the scene for an anticipated strike when schools reopen on Tuesday. The Zimbabwe Teachers Association and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe have both threatened mass action. Shortly after the unity government was formed in February teachers and other civil servants were given a US$100 monthly payout, but with the dollarisation of the economy this is not enough.

Harare City Council rocked by corruption scandal
The Town Clerk of Harare, Tendai Mahachi, has been plunged deep into a corruption scandal after the Harare Residents Association – CHRA - implicated him in the disappearance of huge amounts of council funds.CHRA’s chairperson, Simbarashe Moyo, said they were demanding the immediate suspension of Mahachi following reports of massive corruption and mismanagement at the Town House.

Gono sponsors Herald ad admitting he stole money from farmers
Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, battling to block an investigation into his alleged illegal activities at the bank, has splashed out cash to sponsor a 20 page supplement in the state owned Herald newspaper on Monday. In the advert Gono, who is accused by Finance Minister Tendai Biti of running a parallel government structure, admitted raiding US$18 million that was meant to go into the accounts of tobacco farmers.

Who should write Zimbabwe’s constitution?
The making of a new constitution is slowly turning into one big fight. That our country needs to revitalise itself is not in doubtm and the fact that it needs a constitutional overhaul is also a well known fact.

Mugabe agrees to swear in Bennett BUT only after court acquittal
The three principals in the unity government have met five times recently to discuss the controversies surrounding the implementation of the GPA. But have still failed to come up with a solution.

IMF agrees to set up multi donor fund for Zimbabwe
Finance Minister Tendai Biti was expected to leave the US on Tuesday evening, following a fundraising trip to try and get financial rescue packages from the US government, the IMF and the World Bank. Although there was no sign of an immediate bail out, the IMF has reportedly agreed to set up a multi donor fund to be run by itself, the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank.

Zimbabwe Prison Services needs complete overhaul
The Ministry of Justice is facing fresh pressure to overhaul its prison facilities, after the International Committee of the Red Cross has finally been ‘allowed’ to begin work on improving conditions at the prisons. The organization began work two weeks ago at Chikurubi Maximum Security and Harare Central prisons, and would soon extend its work to other jails across the country.

Elephants flee Zimbabwe as poaching increases
Zimbabwe’s endangered elephants have become the latest ‘refugees’ fleeing the country, moving in their hundreds across the border to the relative safety of Zimbabwe’s neighbours. According to the independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, as many as 400 elephants have crossed the Zambezi River into neighbouring Zambia in recent months.

Analyst says Tsvangirai is covering up Mugabe’s misdemeanors
Morgan Tsvangirai has been making statements that people find hard to reconcile with events on the ground. This weekend at a rally he told thousands of party supporters that Mugabe does nothing without Tsvangirai’s approval and there is nothing Tsvangirai does without Mugabe’s approval.

Wounded Chegutu farm worker arrested
A Chegutu farm worker, who was wounded after police opened fire on Stockdale citrus farm last week, has been arrested. The farm worker and a colleague were both struck in the legs when police fired random shots at the vehicle the workers were travelling in on the farm property last Tuesday.

Mutambara MDC deny suspending former MP Sikhala
The MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara has denied suspending its Secretary for Defence and Security, Job Sikhala, for organizing an ‘unsanctioned’ rally at which he attacked the party president. The maverick former St Mary’s MP has so far held 3 rallies in which he has accused Mutambara of being too close to Mugabe, to the detriment of the party’s image.

Cabinet set to discuss tuition fee protests on Tuesday
Months of clashes between students and police over exorbitant forex fees might come to an end, if a planned discussion of the matter in cabinet next Tuesday is followed through. MDC officials in the coalition government have confirmed meeting student leaders during the week to get their side of the story and one minister said the cabinet meeting will seek to tackle the controversial issue once and for all.

Stockdale farm owner released
The owner of the Stockdale citrus farm in Chegutu was finally released on Friday, after four days behind bars. Peter Etheredge was taken into custody Tuesda, after conducting an inspection on his farm, which he has been forced to leave by President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe.

How is Zuma going to deal with Robert Mugabe?
In two weeks time Jacob Zuma will be confirmed as the new President of South Africa and Zimbabweans are anxious to see if he will bring with him any policy changes towards Zimbabwe. South Africa’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ towards the political and economic crises in the country has stoked the fury of ordinary Zimbabweans who, in the last ten years, could see no results from this approach.

Senator’s men beat Chegutu farm workers
Violent threats against innocent farm workers are escalating. In Chegutu, five workers from Twyford farm are recovering from injuries they received after brutal beatings by a gang of thugs, working for the ZANU PF Senator that has forcibly taken over the land. Senator Jamaya Muduvuri has led the campaign against the farm owners since February when he moved onto the property, and ongoing looting and large-scale theft has continued ever since.

Journalists blast government media stakeholders’ conference
The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe & the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe have heavily criticised a proposed government media stakeholders’ conference. The Ministry of Information sent out invitations for the conference, titled, ‘Towards an Open, Tolerant, and Responsible Media Environment’, scheduled to be held in May.

Parliament should investigate Gono
An economic analyst has urged the country’s parliamentarians to institute a commission of inquiry, to investigate the Reserve Bank Governor for raiding private accounts and those of aid donors. Gono used the hard currency to finance the ZANU PF led government. London based economist Isaac Dziya said Gono is no longer fit to remain as the central bank governor, because he abused the trust of his office.

Stockdale farm owner still behind bars as land attacks escalate
The owner of Chegutu’s Stockdale citrus farm, who has been forced to leave his land after violent invasions, is still being held behind bars after being arrested on Tuesday. Peter Etheredge was taken into custody after visiting his farm, which has been forcefully taken over by the President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe.

Crisis group warns of risk of military coup in Zimbabwe
The International Crisis Group has warned of what it called the ‘real risk’ of a military coup. It said this would be initiated by military leaders whose influence is beginning to wane and whose patronage system is being eroded by the coalition government.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to meet again Thursday
The three principals to the Global Political Agreement are meeting again on Thursday. A highly placed source told us that Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara all agreed that the unresolved outstanding issues in the unity government had to come to some finality.

3 farm workers injured after police open fire on Stockdale farm
Three farm workers from Chegutu’s Stockdale Farm are recovering from gun shot wounds after police opened fire on them Tuesday morning. One of the victims had his foot amputated as a result of his injuries.

Thirteen students arrested after Masvingo protests over fees
At least 13 student leaders at the Masvingo Polytechnic were arrested soon after a demonstration at the nearby Great Zimbabwe University. 8 were later released. Close to 600 students at the university staged a peaceful protest against what they describe as exorbitant forex fees.

Chamisa likely to retain communication portfolio
Nelson Chamisa is likely to retain control of the communication portfolio, after it was generally agreed that Mugabe had no authority to unilaterally dictate terms in the inclusive government. Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara had met on Monday and clarification was sought during the meeting about Mugabe’s powers, under the unity government, from Welshman Ncube and Emmerson Mnangagwa, both seasoned lawyers.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara meet again
The three principals to the unity government met in Harare Monday to try and finalise a variety of outstanding issues. Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara discussed the swearing in of the provincial governors, the appointment of the Governor of the Reserve Bank and the Attorney General, plus Permanent Secretaries and Ambassadors.

Biti orders Gono to take cars back from legislators
The saga over the distribution of vehicles to members of parliament took a new twist Monday when Finance MinisterTendai Biti ordered parliamentarians to return the cars they had been given by the Reserve Bank, by Monday.

Shock as govt refuses to take action in renewed farm attack
A Chegutu farmer who had a personal visit from a ministerial team investigating the farm invasions last week, has described his shock that within an hour of the visit, he came under fresh attack from land invaders.

Mbeki recalled to define Mugabe’s powers
It’s been reported that discussions on Thursday between Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, over the outstanding issues in the unity government, have hit a brick wall, with Mugabe insisting that he has a right to make independent decisions. We could get no official comment but sources close to the discussions said the principals were supposed to meet again on Friday, but that didn’t happen.

Prosecutors granted permission to block detainees bail
On Friday a High Court Judge granted the Attorney General’s office permission to appeal in the Supreme Court against the granting of bail to three political detainees. MDC officials Gandhi Mudzingwa and Chris Dhlamini, plus freelance journalist Shadreck Manyere will remain in jail as the political games over their detention continue.

MDC MP remains in Chipinge remand prison
Mathias Mlambo, MDC MP for Chipinge East, is being held in police custody after his arrest Monday for allegedly inciting violence at a funeral of an MDC member. The MP was granted bail Tuesday but remains in prison because of a disagreement by the legal teams over his bail conditions. Meanwhile 12 MDC activists, who were arrested in early April on charges of extortion and assault in Buhera, were finally granted bail of US$10 each on Friday.

Ministerial team set up to probe land attacks
A Chegutu farmer, who has come under recent attack by land invaders, says he is encouraged by the government’s decision to set up a team of ministers to probe the recent wave of farm attacks. The ministerial team, which is being led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, was announced by Mutambara on Thursday.

MDC confirm participation in Independence Day celebrations
For the first time the MDC will take part in Independence Day celebrations this weekend, with ZANU PF. Following a decision to enter the coalition government with ZANU PF two months ago the party said they now felt they could attend the April 18th celebrations. Previously their argument against participation was that ZANU PF had privatised the occasion, to suit their own political interests.

Botswana pledges credit line as SADC funding deadline expires
Botswana’s government has pledged a US$70 million credit line to Zimbabwe, days after a deadline set by SADC for members to pledge financial aid to Zimbabwe ran out on Tuesday. Botswana said the global financial crisis, which has seen the purse strings of most government’s tighten, was keeping Botswana from doing more.

Chegutu farm workers still behind bars as invasion continues
Seven farm workers from Chegutu’s Mount Carmel Farm are still behind bars this week, more than ten days since their vicious and wrongful arrest. The group was hauled into custody by Chegutu police the day after the farm invasion began in earnest earlier this month. They were all brutally tortured by police in an effort to force false statements from them and are now facing trumped up charges of kidnapping.

MDC Home Affairs Minister Mutsekwa survives car accident
Recently appointed Home Affairs co-Minister Giles Mutsekwa, survived a car accident Monday, after his official Mercedes Benz was rammed from behind. Mutsekwa said he was traveling from Mutare to Harare but near the Macheke turnoff he encountered a long convoy of vehicles heading to the capital. This forced him to slow down and a speeding pick up slammed into the back of his car.

MDC Chipinge MP remanded in custody
Mathias Mlambo, the MDC MP for Chipinge East, was arrested Monday for allegedly inciting violence at the funeral of an MDC member who died recently. The MP was granted bail but remains in prison after the State and the defence disagreed over bail conditions. It’s alleged that last Friday ZANU PF supporters went to the funeral in Chipinge and started mocking the MDC, resulting in the fight. Police were called and an officer fired a shot.

NCA rejects government constitutional process
At the weekend Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo announced the formation of a 25 member committee, drawn from the three political parties, which will look into the drafting of a new constitution. But now a showdown is looming between the government and the National Constitutional Assembly, which has announced it will continue to advocate for a new, democratic and people driven constitution, but not through the government sponsored process.

State determined to deny bail to political detainees
After his swearing in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai stated that political prisoners were not going to remain in prison for another day. But more than two months after that statement his Director of Security, his former personal assistant and a freelance journalist are still in police custody, over trumped up political charges.

Arrested prison officials lose jobs
Three prison warders who were arrested after the screening of a shock documentary exposing Zimbabwe’s prison horrors, have all lost their jobs, despite being acquitted of the charges levelled against them. Thabiso Nyathi, Bhekinkosi Nkomo and Siyanai Muchechesi were arrested two weeks ago following the screening of the TV documentary in South Africa.

Veteran editor & Mugabe critic offered Herald job
Veteran editor Bill Saidi, who once worked as an Assistant Editor for the banned Daily News newspaper, has been offered the job of Deputy Editor in Chief at the state owned Herald newspaper. Saidi also worked for publisher Trevor Ncube’s Zimbabwe Standard newspaper, but retired in 2008. He is effectively being tempted out of retirement to come and join a paper long associated with the brutal regime of Mugabe.

Mugabe confirms support for farm invasions
Robert Mugabe on Wednesday once again condoned the fresh wave of farm attacks across the country, saying the land reform will continue. Over 100 farms have been targeted for seizure seized since the renewed campaign against the commercial farming community and more than 100 farmers are facing prosecution on various trumped up charges. The list of farmers who will likely have their cases fast tracked through the courts includes Chegutu farmer Martin Joubert, who along with seven workers from the Mount Carmel farm, has been remanded in custody. Meanwhile, in Rusape, farmer Charles Lock has been forced into hiding because of violent threats against him by Army Brigadier Justin Mujaji and his soldiers.

Former prison guard describes Chinamasa as a ‘lunatic’
Former Zimbabwe Prison Service guard, Shepherd Yuda, on Thursday described as ‘lunatic’ the denials by Justice Minister Chinamasa that recent video footage of shocking prison conditions was filmed inside Zimbabwe. Three prisons officers have now been arrested on allegations that they helped film the shocking conditions in two of the country's prisons. Yuda famously risked his life by secretly filming how members of the security services were forced to vote under supervision during the 2008 one-man presidential run-off. He said the arrested men would have had nothing to do with the clandestine filming, and will just be scapegoats.

State set to divert humanitarian aid to pay salaries
In a highly controversial statement the Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara this week announced that the coalition government had resolved to divert humanitarian aid, in order to support the government’s core functions – chiefly paying the salaries of the country’s civil service.

Respect for property rights at core of investment for Zimbabwe
At the opening of the ‘Stakeholders Summit’ in Harare recently Dr. Albrecht Conze, the German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, said securing donor and investor confidence hinged on respect for property rights. He warned that countries far bigger than Zimbabwe have broken down in the 20th century because their ideology had abolished respect for property rights and that the continued farm disruptions are sending out the wrong message to the rest of the world. The Ambassador’s comments have been echoed by a group of 22 top South African business leaders who were in Zimbabwe to explore business opportunities. The South Africans said they are very interested in investing in Zimbabwe, but want guarantees of property rights.

Rival Anglican factions agree to share premises
Rival Anglican factions, one led by excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and the other by the man who replaced him, Bishop Sebastian Bakare, have agreed to stick to the different worshiping times previously set out by the High Court. This was as a result of a meeting between the two factions and the two Home Affairs Ministers, to discuss violence affecting the church. But Bakare said it could not be described as a new agreement because it only confirmed an earlier judgment. In January 2008 Justice Rita Makarau ruled that the two groups share premises until such time as the dispute over the property was resolved. But clashes became prevalent most Sunday’s, as Kunonga’s small but violent group of followers, with help from the police, prevented Bakare’s people from worshipping.

Improved internet access expected as 3G services approved
The country’s biggest mobile phone operator, Econet Wireless, is reported to have secured frequencies for its 3G service from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). Econet purchased the equipment 2 years ago but had been waiting to get the 3G frequencies from POTRAZ. The new Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa has now instructed the regulator to make the frequencies available and allow the networks to expand their services.

Lawyers file another Court bail application for political detainees
Human rights lawyers defending the political detainees who have been in police custody since December last year, filed yet another urgent bail application in the High Court Tuesday. This was a day after the Supreme Court upheld a High Court decision denying bail to MDC officials Chris Dhlamin and Gandhi Mudzingwa, plus freelance journalist Shadreck Manyere. The new bail hearing will be on Thursday. Arnold Tsunga, the Africa Programme Director for the International Commission of Jurists, said this case exposes the fact that the coalition government still has a long way to go in terms of ensuring that the organs of the State operate in a manner that is accountable and that ensures effective separation of powers.

Civil groups slammed for ignoring violence against Anglicans
Civil groups have been criticised for their silence over the state sponsored violence rocking the Anglican Church. Thugs aligned to ex-communicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, with the help of a partisan police force, have for months been blocking genuine parishioners from using their church premises. This is despite the High Court ordering a sharing of the churches, until such time as the dispute over property is resolved. Human rights academic Pedzisai Ruhanya criticized civil society groups saying they have not spoken out in defence of the religious rights of parishioners who are loyal to Bishop Sebastian Bakare, the man now recognized as Harare’s Bishop by the Anglican Church worldwide.

Seven arrested after NUST university demo over fees
Seven students were arrested at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo on Monday following a demonstration over fees pegged in foreign currency. According to our correspondent Lionel Saungweme the students were being held at Bulawayo Central Police Station. Police allege the group stoned a car belonging to a visitor on campus during the demonstration. ZINASU President Clever Bere said he was unaware of the stoning incident but confirmed that students are not happy with the exorbitant fees which are pegged in foreign currency and beyond the means of most parents.

Farm worker in critical condition after violent Chegutu invasion
A Chegutu farming family has been left shaken after spending the weekend defending their farm from land invaders, who viciously beat several staff members and left one of them in a critical condition. On Friday afternoon, Ben Freeth and his family came under siege by a group of roughly fifteen invaders, who arrived on their Mount Carmel farm and announced that the family had five minutes to leave the property. The invasion turned violent on Saturday night when the thugs returned and assaulted six of the family’s farm workers. One worker is still in a critical condition in hospital, while another seven have been locked up on charges that have been described as ‘ludicrous’.

Farmers under siege as Didymus Mutasa implicated in attacks
The renewed campaign against the country’s remaining commercial farmers continued unabated on Friday with a fresh farm attack. On Friday Chegutu farmer Ben Freeth and his family came under siege by a group of roughly fifteen invaders who arrived on their Mount Carmel farm and gave the family 5 minutes to leave. .

Civil Society says government not focused on change
In late February key civic groups in Zimbabwe established an independent Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism, which is looking into the implementation of the Global Political Agreement. Next week the group will launch its first monthly monitoring report, which will help the general public understand the political process so far, in order for people to demand accountability in an informed manner.

Missing journalist Kudzai Musengi released after abduction
A Gweru-based freelance journalist who was abducted on Tuesday by suspected members of the CIO was eventually released Wednesday evening. Three unknown men bundled Kudzai Musengi into their car and blindfolded him, before speeding off to a bushy area where they subjected him to intense interrogations. His captors accused him of covering stories on the ongoing farm invasions on behalf of Voice of America’s Studio 7.

ZANU PF farm invader arrested
A staunch ZANU PF stalwart who instigated, and in most cases led, violent farm attacks against sugarcane farmers in the Lowveld for almost a decade, has been arrested. Admore Hwarare, the chairman of the Commercial Sugar Farmers Association of Zimbabwe, along with two top officials within the association, were all arrested this week for embezzling hundreds of thousands of US dollars from other members of the sugar association.

Outcry as Zimbabwe cabinet prepares for Vic Falls retreat
Desperate civil servants are up in arms over poor salaries, prisoners are dying every day from starvation in the prisons and the entire nation is still reeling under the economic collapse that has crippled all essential services, including health and water. But barely two months have passed and the government has planned a weekend retreat in the resort town of Victoria Falls.

UN human rights commissioner set to visit Zimbabwe
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Judge Navanethem Pillay, set herself on a collision course with Mugabe in February when she voiced concern over the disappearance of MDC officials, the use of torture to extract false confessions and the lack of human rights. After this the authorities blocked efforts by her team to visit the country for a fact finding mission.