- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s plans to craft a new home grown constitution have derailed after Zanu PF resolved not to participate due to lack of allowancies for their members of parliament. All Zanu PF members of parliament, at their caucus meeting on Wednesday reached a decision to stay away from the exercise after they learnt that they would not be paid. A late Thursday meeting to salvage the process only pushed forward to June 24 the start of the process. Meetings to gather views from the public where due to commence Saturday, in a process that would led to a new constitution by September next year. said co-chairperon Paul Mangwana " We resolved to push…

The African trade group, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on Monday passed a shocking resolution stating that a military intervention could be an option to restore democracy in Madagascar. - COMESA, a 19-member organization condemned the military-backed opposition revolt which ousted Madagascar's leader Marc Ravalomanana in March by Andry Rajoelina. "We welcome and agreed, as pronounced by the AU, to support SADC as they take a lead in efforts to restore constitutional order in Madagascar by examining all options, including the possibility of military intervention," COMESA said. Ravalomanana, at the weekend told the Zimbabwean press that he still be…

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe A HIGH Court Judge in Zimbabwe, Judge Patel today afternoon postponed to Friday the case of four freelance journalist who filed and urgent chamber application challenging the legality of the Media Information Commission (MIC). He had to postpone after the defecne council indicated that they where served with papers a few hours before teh case was due t be heard. The four freelance journalist, Stanley Gama, Valentine Maponga, Stanley Kwenda and Jealous Mawarire filed an urgent chamber application on Wednesday with the High Court arguing that the MIC was abolished in January 2008 after amendment to the draconian Access to Information and Protecti…

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe A high level of greed by Zimbabwe hoteliers has cost the bankrupt nation a rare opportunity of cashing in on the 2010 World Cup soccer fiesta after Fifa representatives abandoned hotels for charging exorbitant rates of up to US$3 000 per night. Instead the tournament’s official accommodation company, Match Events Services, has turned to neighboring Botswana. A team from Match Events, led by Ms Vivian Voets, was in the country last week to finalize contact with Zimbabwe. Fifa presented a proposal of about US$500 per night for a five-star hotel but hoteliers, especially in Victoria Falls, rejected the offer, demanding between US$1 000…

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe TOBACCO auction floors outside premises in Harare have been turned into a flee market of some sort as enterprising businesspeople have set up stalls to lure free spending tobacco farmers who are paid in hard currency. The black farmers, most of them are earning the American dollar for the first time are having a luxurious life in Harare as they do not hesitate to part with the dollar on anything available. A majority of black farmers are beneficiaries of the chaotic land reform. But a few white farmers could be seen driving off after being paid and are ot lured by the traders who have swarmed the auction floors. Auction floors opened last mont…

Senior army officials in Zimbabwe have told their commander in chief President Robert Mugabe that they are now afraid to review parades at army barracks as they risk being shot. A crisis meeting with Mugabe on Thursday at the Defence Forces Headquarters revealed that there is growing indiscipline among the junior ranks. - "Army commanders are now afraid to review parades saying junior solders are plotting to kill them, so they sort guidance from their commander in chief Mugabe," said an army source at the headquarters. Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander, Phillip Valerio Sibanda, Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) comma…

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe THE court case of two journalists arrested in Zimbabwe took a dramatic twist this morning after an investigative officer failed to turn up in court Harare magistrate Catherine Chamanda was left with no choice but to set 16 June as trial date for Vincent Kahiya (editor) and Constantine Chimakurethe an, news editor of Zimbabwe Independent. No explanation was given for no show up. They are been charged for publishing information that is meant to undermine public confidence in law enforcement and security agents. The journalist lawyer Innocent Changonda has sort to apply for refusal of further remand but he was turned down. However their bail conditi…

A humanitarian aid agency in Zimbabwe on Tuesday said cholera infection rate could fast hit 100,000 "any time" next week. The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, in a report said: "It is likely that at some point in the coming week, the 100,000th case of cholera will be officially reported in Zimbabwe." - Cholera outbreak hit Zimbabwe October last year but the government initially denied it saying it is "a biological warfare by the West." But to date 98,309 cases have been reported, with some 4,283 deaths. The causes of the outbreak still needed to be addressed, according to the aid agency in its report. "The outbreak was born largely as a result of the country&…

Zimbabwe's struggling national airline, Air Zimbabwe has resolved to introduce short working hours in a bid to reduce the wage bill by 50 percent after it emerged this week that it was facing operations constrains. It takes effect from June 1. - In an internal circular number 26 of 2009 written on May 19, Air Zimbabwe said: "The situation has not improved quickly and Air Zimbabwe is now unable to meet its expenditure including salaries. In discussions held with representative employee bodies, it has been agreed to reduce the salary bill by 50 percent in addition to other costs reduction and revenue generation measures already implemented." It added: "In order to give e…

The Deputy PM of Zimbabwe Arthur Mutambara said the Zimbabwe dollar is not "dead" and should be continue to be used. "This discussion or debate around the Zimbabwe dollar is work-in-progress. It does not make sense to say the Zimbabwe dollar is dead because pensioners are being paid in Zimbabwe dollars." - He said such claims are ridiculous. He added that: "So, it is a nonsensical and unacceptable concept to even say the Zimbabwe dollar is dead or dead for a year. We must make sure we honour the amounts in the banks which is in Zimbabwe dollar, we honour the amount being paid to people in Zimbabwe dollar." Early this year, the multiple foreign currencies …

Zimbabweans traveling to neighboring South Africa have increased since the scrapping off of restrictive Visa's from 3 000 per day to 7 000. Immigration officials at Beitbridge Border Post at the weekend said the number of locals who visit South Africa was swelling daily. - South Africa removed visa requirements and introduced 90-day visitors permit two weeks ago. South Africa used to demand 2 000 rand (about $231) for a visa application, a move that barred many from travelling to that country. But the influx has bought problems at the busy entry point. Traffic jams have increased. At the weekend Custom and immigration officials at the post complained about being short-staffed t…

Prisoners locked up in Harare jails with little or no food have received a temporary reprieve after a local bakery pledged to supply bread every day for six months. This comes amid reports that since May last year more than 700 prisoners died due to starvation at the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Prison. - Zimbabwe has 42 prisons around the country housing criminals and political detainees. Prisoners who have no relatives to bring them extra food are virtually guaranteed a slow and very painful death. Bakers Inn handed over the bread to the ZPS as part of their efforts to assist the department until the economic situation in the country stabilizes. Harare Central Remand Prison, Harare Ce…

- BRUCE SIBANDA, HARARE, ZIMBABWE In a shock move, Zimbabwe’s current information minister has castigated the pre-inclusive government regime for wasting resources to purchase expensive equipment to jam private radio stations. Webster Shamu said the international condemned Mugabe regime bought sophisticated equipment from China to jam private radio stations broadcasting outside Zimbabwe saying its was waste of financial resources. The government using technology acquired from China has been able to jam signals from the Voice of America (VOA)'s Studio 7 radio station, the London based SW Radio and the Cape Town based Radio Voice of the People (VOP). “We waster carce reso…

The two Zimbabwean journalists arrested on Monday were detained on the orders of the Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana, the Minister of Home Affairs Giles Mutsekwa has revealed. Mutsekwa's revelation is contained in the Parliamentary Hansard in response to a Member of the House of Assembly, Blessing Chebundo's inquiry. - Mutsekwa said Tomana had admitted to him that he gave orders for the arrest of the Zimbabwe Independent editor Vincent Kahiya and his news editor Constantine Chimakure. He said: "The two were arrested on instruction from the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General in particular. I have asked the AG to put it in writing and I will take up the matter…

Minister of State in the PM's office Gordern Moyo has castigated 'residual elements' in the inclusive government who are keen to see it collapse. Moyo said the 'residual elements' were directing farm invasion, motivating hate language and arbitrary arrest of MDC members including journalist. - "The selective arrest of people is against the spirit of the global agreement. We know that this is directed by residual elements who are keen to see the month old inclusive government being muted, castrated and eventual collapse” Moyo said, all this scars the international community. “Just this morning (Wednesday) I was in conversation with the head of the …

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe VISITING North Korea on its Pyongyang's number two leader, Kim Yong Nam in Zimbabwe has been told to leave the country within 48 hours. Job Sikhala, who was last week suspendd from the breakaway MDC faction said the visit was not welcome since North Korea helped train Mugabe's 5th Brigade which was responsible for the massacre of over 20 000 people in Matabeleland and the Midlands in the 1980's. Sikhala, issued a statement saying he lost his aunt 'in that horrendous and hellish crime against humanity' now commonly referred to as the Gukurahundi Massacres. Said Sikhala, 'North Korea represents the most satanic outpost…

Two journalists arrested in Zimbabwe on Monday have been granted US$200 bail each by the Harare magistrate Catherine Chamanda. Vincent Kahiya the editor of Zimbabwe Independent and the paper's news editor Constantine Chimakure have been charged for publishing information that is meant to undermine public confidence in law enforcement and security agents. - Kahiya and Chimakure spent a night in custody. The court room was packed with fellow journalists and international media which included the SABC. AfricaNews’ correspondent said the two looked tired but relived. Chimakure said: "It is good to gain my freedom again and I am going straight to work to prepare for the Friday …

Two journalists arrested in Zimbabwe on Monday have been charged with publishing information that is meant to undermine public confidence in law enforcement and security agents. - Vincent Kahiya the editor of Zimbabwe Independent and the paper’s news editor Constantine Chimakure will appear at the Harare Magistrate court Tuesday after spending a night in custody. The newspaper last Friday carried a story about the alleged abduction and torture of MDC-T functionaries and human rights activists by security and law enforcement agents. Police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed the arrests, saying investigations were in progress. "The a…

- BRUCE SIBANDA, HAHARE Police have detained Zimbabwe Independent editor Vincent Kahiya and news editor Constantine Chimakure for naming members of the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) believed to be involved in abductions of activists of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and officials of a human rights organisation. No charges have been preferred against the two journalist and they would appear in court on Tuesday. Briefly speaking through a telephone while at Harare Central Police Station, Chimakure said they have been made to sign warned and cautioned statements. “We have singed the warned cautioned statements and told that we will spend the night…

- Bruce Sibanda, Harare, Zimbabwe POLICE have beefed up security at all tobacco auction floors in Harare to protect farmers who are being paid in foreign currency from been robbed. Auction floors opened last Thursday and farmers are paid in Americana two hours after selling their golden leaf. But with the use of multiple currencies of the economy there has been a massive increase in armed robberies on business premises countrywide and tobacco farmers are being targeted. ZITAC Public Relations Manager, Kudzai Hamadziripi said farmers raised the isue of security with them and they are now working with police. " We realized that farmers are in danger of been robbed of their m…

Zimbabwean police on Monday picked up two journalists from the Zimbabwe Independent for questioning after exposing State security agents responsible for the abduction and torture of MDC-T officials and human rights activists late last year. - ZimInd editor, Vincent Kahiya and the author of the story Constantine Chimakure, were taken by three officers from the Law and Order department situated at the Harare Central Police. This is the first raid on the country's independent press since the coalition government between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC was sworn in on February 13. Last Friday a publication in the newspaper n…

- BRUCE SIBANDA, HARARE, ZIMBABWE Monomotapa United, Zimbabwe’s current soccer champions have been handed a tricky draw in the CAF Champions league mini league stage. They have been drawn in Group B with Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe, Nigeria’s Heartland FC and 2007 African champions Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel. Group A features two Sudanese sides El Merrirk and Al Hilal, Zesco United of Zambia and Nigerian side Kano Pillars who booted the defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt. Monomotapa became the second Zimbabwe side to reach the mini league stage after Dynamos. Monomotapa beat Ivory Coast champions Asec Mimosas 2-1 on aggregate. Dynamos…

- BRUCE SIBANDA, HARARE, ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has been invited in South Africa for Saturday's Jacob Zuma inaguration clearing speculation that his rival Prme Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had been prefered ahead of him. Media reports from South Africa on Thursday say its foreign affairs department, which is responsible for inviting foreign dignitaries said that only heads of states can be invited and they had in accordance with state protocol invited Mugabe only and not Prime Minister Tsvangirai. “The invitations are for heads of states. There is only one head of state in Zimbabwe so the invitation goes to the head of state, that’s it,” foreign…

South Africa's immigration minister Nosiviwe Mapasi-Nqakula on Monday announced shock policy changes that would allow Zimbabweans to enter South Africa without visas. - Under the new directive, Zimbabweans would have to apply for a free 90-day visitor's permit at the border of entry. It also allows Zimbabwe citizens to apply for casual work while in South Africa. Mapisa-Nqakula made the announcement in Beitbridge together with two Zimbabwe's co-home affairs minister Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa. It is estimated that as many of the 8,000 or so Zimbabweans who apply daily for asylum status will now opt for the visitors permit. Mapisa-Nqakula said the new regulations cam…

Cholera ill Zimbabwe is prepared to deal with the deadly swine flu should it hit the country, officials at the health ministry say. - The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare on Thursday said in partnership with World Health Organization country team, personnel have been deployed at the country’s ports of entry to check for any suspected cases of swine flu. Harare International Airport, Joshua Nkomo Airport and Beitbridge, Forbes Border Post have all seen health teams deployed there. Deputy Health Minister, Douglas Mombeshora said the country is preparing itself for the swine flu. "There is no need for people to panic. we have not detected any symptoms on anyone. Swine flue …

A South African court has issued an arrest warrant for a former Zimbabwean football legend, Peter Ndlovu, after he failed to take a paternity test and skipped a court appearance in a maintenance battle with his ex-wife, Carol Dlamini, popularly known as Sharon Dee. Ndlovu has two children with Dlamini. - A DNA paternity test in South Africa averages R2, 350 (about $267) for one child and the alleged father. In total, Ndlovu would have paid just under R5, 000 (about $367) for tests on him and the two children. Sharon divorced Ndlovu in November last year citing his infidelity, is seeking R36,000 monthly for their two children, R10,000 for herself and a further contribution towards her mort…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) at Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe has reportedly sent employees on unplanned leave following sharp reduction in the number of Zimbabweans deported from South Africa. - According to a weekly publication based in Southern part of Zimbabwe - Sunday News -due to reduction in the number of deportees, the organization is now concentrating on various projects it had not been paying much attention to. Workers say they are now concentrating on outreach programmes, information dissemination to the communities and mobile populations, raising awareness and updates on HIV and AIDS, safe migration, cholera and human trafficking. The information …

Plans by Zimbabwe's all inclusive government to introduce toll gates countrywide has been criticized by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara saying motorist risks being "milked." Mutambara said the roads are in bad state and they have to me upgraded first. - He is quoted as saying in Masvingo that “You do not milk people on roads with potholes. You do not do that. You have to fix the roads first." Government in March announced that it would introduce toll gates on all major highways countrywide. The money to be collected government said would be used to maintain the roads but motorist are doubtful. The entire road network is in poor state and most accidents …

Botswana on Thursday pledged an amount of USD$70 million financial aid to its economically crippled neighbor, Zimbabwe, but it has to meet certain conditions. A delegation from Botswana was in Zimbabwe Thursday for consultative talks with Zimbabwean authorities on how the money would be availed. - Before the pledge only South Africa had committed R800m as part of promises that SADC undertook. The secretary for Economic and Financial Policy, Taufila Nyamadzabo who led the delegation met Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Tendai Biti in Harare to discuss details of the financial package. Speaking after the meeting, a senior Zimbabwean official told reporters that Botswana had pledged to he…

Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Andy Flower, who once wore a black armband while playing for Zimbabwe in protest at the policies of the country's president Robert Mugabe, has been announced as England's new full-time team director of cricket. - Flower, 40, played 63 tests for Zimbabwe and was an assistant coach with England for the past two years. He replaces Peter Moores who was sacked in January after a breakdown in his relationship with former captain Kevin Pietersen. According to Cricinfo, his salary would be about £250,000. His first major job will be to help select the squad for the first Test against West Indies, at Lord's, which begins on May 6. "There are …

Zimbabwe's ICT Minister Nelson Chamisa threatened to resign from the fragile inclusive government if President Mugabe does not reverse his decision to take some department from his ministry. "I would not hesitate to resign if Mugabe does not reverse his unilateral move to strip me of some departments." - Mugabe stripped Chamisa of key functions of his ministry and gave them to a ministry controlled by one of his Zanu PF loyalists. According to the state controlled Herald newspaper the chief secretary to the cabinet, Micheck Sibanda, sent letters to Chamisa and the Information and Publicity Minister, Webster Shamu, outlining the functions of their two ministries after they b…

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has openly admitted that it raided Foreign Currency accounts for companies and individuals. It said it will repay some of the funds that it took from Foreign Currency Accounts belonging to some exporters about two years ago. - RBZ deputy governor, Mashiringwani is quoted by the sate controlled Herald that the money that was taken from the FCAs was accruing interest. "We urge those that were affected to approach their respective banks because they have received communication from us," he said. He was responding to questions raised by some operators in the tourism sector who were affected when the RBZ took money from their accounts. The issue has been …

Security around Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai who recently survived a horrific car crush will be bolstered this week. A state of the art ambulance, a lead police car fitted with a beacon to warn off other motorists will be allocated to him. Sources at his office at the weekend have said. - The sources said all has been put in place for the beefing up of his security when traveling anywhere in Zimbabwe. This came after Tsvangirai's office had written to State Security Minister, Sydney Sekeramayi, requesting that the Prime Minister's security be tightened following the death of his wife in a road accident three weeks ago. At present, Tsvangirai travels in a three…

Former Zimbabwe cricket coach Phil Simmons is demanding a whooping 292 500 pounds in compensation from the broke Zimbabwe Cricket organization (ZC). Simmons signed a three-year contract in September 2004 but barely a year after (August 2005) he was axed. He said he was unlawfully fired. - Trinidadian born Simmons whose contract fell under England Law was on a 12 000 ponds monthly salary in addition to other benefits. Simmons’ lawyer, Harbotte& Lewis of London has written to ZC through Zimbabwean correspondent firm Byron Venturas & Partners demanding payment of US$ 112 500. The figure has since been revised to 292 500 pounds. In the papers Simmons said he is demanding payment…

Four of President Robert Mugabe's security aides were on Thursday night robbed at gun point by an AK 47 totting gunman before speeding of with their vehicle and goods valued at US$10,000. However, the gunman identified as Goerge Ndeya aged 38 was later shot dead by the police. - The acting provincial police spokesperson Masvingo and Assistant Inspector Tinaye Matake confirmed the incident on Friday morning. They said Ndeya attacked while the spies where relaxing at Bhuka business centre, near Masvingo town. The quartet was travelling in a car marked Gushungo Holdings, a company believed to be owned by Mugabe and were coming from South Africa. Gushungo is Mugabe's totem. Matak…