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The AfricaNews articles of bruce
Madagascar: COMESA opts for military action
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 believes that one…Zimbabwe: Army commanders live in fear
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) commander, Air …Zimbabwe: Cholera to reach 100,000
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's almost entirely collapsed water, …Air Zimbabwe cuts working hours
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 effect to this arrang…Zimbabwe dollar still strong - Dep. PM
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 where adopted with the South A…More Zimbabweans flood border post to SA
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 to han…Zim: Starving prisoners get bread
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…Zim: AG ordered arrest of journalists
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 with my collea…Zim: Minister castigates retrogressive forces
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 European Union delegation and …Zimbabwe: Journalists freed on bail
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 edition."
…Zimbabwe: Detained journalists in court
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 articl…Zimbabwe: Police pick up two journalists
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 named retired Br…SA scraps visa for Zimbabweans
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 came into effect M…"Zimbabwe can cope with swine flu"
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 was d…
