Zimbabwe crisis worsens as parties continue bickering over control of ministries

JOHANNESBURG - Human rights abuses are going unpunished and the food crisis is worsening in Zimbabwe while President Robert Mugabe and the opposition MDC bicker over forming a government, Amnesty International said on Friday.

New findings by the London-based rights group on Friday painted a grim picture of Zimbabwe, as Robert Mugabe, the country's president, and Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader, fight over forming a unity government.

Zimbabweans are struggling to survive amid chronic shortages of meat, milk and other basic commodities as a result of the collapse of the agricultural sector. The country is dependent on food handouts and malnutrition is on the rise.

"We are disappointed that the parties have continued bickering over who controls what ministries and not looked at finding a long-lasting solution to the human rights crisis in Zimbabwe," Simeon Mawanza, the rights group's Zimbabwe expert, said at a news conference in Johannesburg.

"Human rights was never at the center of those talks."

London-based Amnesty said no one had been held accountable for the beatings, torture and other rights violations that occurred before the June presidential election even though it said most victims it interviewed could identify their attackers.

Amnesty said the election-related violence had worsened the food crisis and that many Zimbabweans were on the verge of hunger, in some cases surviving on wild fruit and rotten food suitable only for animals.

"The bulk of the people targeted in rural areas were subsistence farmers," Mawanza said. "They had their arms broken, their legs broken. They will require food aid."

The situation in Zimbabwe makes me so sad and angry. People have no food and other basic necessities, within a month I have lost three relatives because of lack of medical care. The health delivery system has collapsed all because of Zanu PF's destructive policies. Even though they lived in Harare, they ended up dying at Howard Hospital in Chiweshe were they hoped to get better medical attention, but unfortunately it was too late.

Zimbabwe politicians need to know that they are responsible for the suffering of the citizens of Zimbabwe, and all those who have died because of this crisis in the country.

Enough is enough! God help us!

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Zambia Election Results: Sata in early lead

Lusaka - Zambia's electoral commission says the first results of a presidential poll put opposition leader Michael Sata in the lead.

Commission head Florence Mumba says results from 19 of 150 constituencies have been counted from Thursday's vote to replace President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August.

The majority of votes counted so far are from Zambia's copper mining area and the capital, which are both Sata strongholds. Analysts suggest the contest will be close but predict victory for acting President Rupiah Banda.

Mumba told a news conference Friday that Sata had gained 187 863 votes while Banda had 96 325 votes.

Sata has hinted he will protest if Banda wins, but there has been little evidence of rigging and there was no violence on polling day. - AP

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Baked Beans - This is too good not to share

This little story about baked beans was email to me by one of townshipvibes.com readers.

Baked Beans - This is hilarious! Enjoy! Be sure to grab a tissue, I think you'll be laughing so hard you'll cry! One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work.

Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the aroma of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans.

All the way home, I made sure that I released ALL the gas. Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight!" He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang.

He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call. The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.

Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage!!! keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.

My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not. At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused:

"Happy Birthday!" I fainted!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad.....that's why I don't like surprises!

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Mobile TV Licence - Did you know that you need a licence to watch mobile TV

Did you know that you need a TV licence if you watch live TV on your mobile phone or laptop? This is something that I didn't know and was surprised when I read in the newspaper that you face a £1000 fine if you are caught watching mobile TV without a licence.

Londoners watching TV on their mobile phones or laptops without a licence now face increased scrutiny from the licensing authority.

The TV licensing authority says, "There is a clear number of people watching TV channels via other means, and we need to make them aware of the rules. Many TV channels are now available to watch over the Internet. The rules are straightforward: If you are watching programmes on a computer or laptop as they are broadcast, then you need a TV licence."

But, I guess I don't need to worry much since I don't watch mobile TV. But if you do, then you need a licence.

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Best Irish Joke!

The joke voted the best Irish loke for 2007! Funny!

John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life!, between the legs of me wife! 'That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night! He went home and told his wife, Mary, 'I won the prize for the Best toast of the night' She said, 'Aye, did ye now. And what was your toast?'

John said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife.' 'Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!' Mary said. The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, 'John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary.' She said, 'Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come.'

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Zambia elections: Tension high as opposition accuse government of vote rigging

Zambia's main opposition leader of the Patriotic Front, Michael Sata casts his vote in Lusaka on October 30, 2008. Picture by AFP
African politicians are all the same after all, but we just hope Zambia will not go the same way as Zimbabwe.

Lusaka - Polls opened in Zambia early on Thursday to elect a new president, with police and soldiers on alert for fear of violence by opposition supporters who accuse the government of planning to rig the ballot.

Doors to the polling stations opened at 06:00 am (04:00 GMT) for the election called to choose a successor to president Levy Mwanawasa, who died in August.

Police and the military fear the election could spark unrest after opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front accused election officials of planning to rig the ballot in favour of acting President Rupiah Banda.

Sata, 71, had urged his supporters to sleep outside polling stations to prevent any attempts at fraud, and has already warned that he will not accept the results if he loses and suspects vote-rigging.

The fiery populist, whose rhetoric earned him the nickname "King Cobra", lost the last election in 2006 to Mwanawasa. His supporters rioted for days afterward, although he insists he never condoned the violence. - AFP

Africa politicians need to stop their obsession with power and let people democratically elect a leader of their own choice. Africa will never develop as long as we have these power hungry, greedy and corrupt politicians.

Feel free to add your views by posting your comments.

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Sweets and Glue for sex, some man make me sick

Some man are really 'sick', cruel and do not deserve to be part of our civilised society. I get so angry every time I read stories like this.

Marble Hall - Four Limpopo men aged between 27 and 68 have been accused of having sex with girls aged 11 to 15 and giving them glue to sniff and sweets to eat in return.

"The girls were also allegedly paid R20 each in exchange for having sex with the men," said police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Jackson Tlemo.

He said three of the girls recruited two others, who alerted the police.

The men, who come from Maklerekeng village near Marble Hall, were not asked to plead to charges relating to having sex with minors when they appeared in the Moutse magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

They are expected to apply for bail on November 7. - African Eye

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Harare hit by cholera outbreak

Harare - Health authorities say the first person has died from cholera in Zimbabwe's capital Harare after outbreaks elsewhere in the country.

At least 27 people have died from cholera, mostly in impoverished districts, across the country in recent weeks and hundreds have been treated for the highly infectious intestinal disease spread by contaminated food and water.

Doctors have reported at least 120 preventable deaths from cholera and diarrhoea this year as sewer and drainage service collapse in the nation's economic meltdown.

Infrastructure has been left to crumble for months with politicians deadlocked first over disputed elections and now over forming a power sharing government. - AP

For how can this humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe be allowed to carry on? As politicians continue to dilly dally on the way forward many more citizens of Zimbabwe are going to die. Do these politicians care about the welfare of the people? Hell NO! They have eyes to see, but they pretend to be blind to all the suffering in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's politicians should be tried in the international courts for crimes against humanity, they are a disgrace and a cruel lot!

Feel free to add your views by posting your comments.

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Zimbabwe Grade 7 Exams

Grade 7 Zimsec Shona Paper1- October 2008

Vana ava vakanyorei nhai? This was the question that one townshipvibes.com reader asked in an email I recieved this morning. Checkout the extract from the Zimsec Grade 7 Shona paper:

17. Mudengu makange muine nyoka. Nyoka dzaiwe ngani mudengu?
A. Imwechete
B. Zhinji
C. Nhatu
D. Shanu

18. John akasangana naPeter achienda kumunda. Aienda kumunda ndiani?
A. John
B. Peter
C. Vose
D. Hapana

19. Gudo rakakwira danda rikadonha. Chakadonha chinyi?
A. Gudo
B. Danda
C. Hapana
D. Zvose

So what do you think about the Grade 7 Shona paper? When I wrote my Shona exams, I don't remember coming across these types of questions. Feel free to add your views by posting your comments.

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Barack Obama - Yes we can!

Barack Obama wins presidential election! It seems to be only a few days until we see this headline in most newspapers come polling day.

With only a few days to go to the American presidential elections, Barack Obama seems to be the real deal. John McCain does not seem to have a chance. Barack Obama the senator from Illinois is six points ahead in the latest opinion polls.

Even when it comes to souvenirs, Obama is streets ahead of McCain.

But can he do it?

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SADC must take 'decisive' action on Zimbabwe

Manila - African leaders must take "decisive" action to end the deadlock between Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday.

Both men remained deadlocked over who will control Zimbabwe's powerful home affairs ministry, which oversees the police, despite efforts to end the crisis early this week in a high-level security meeting.

An urgent summit of the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) has now been called to help end the problem.

"Now that the SADC has decided to convene their full summit meeting, I hope these leaders - considering their responsibility to see peace and stability maintained in their region - should take very decisive measures to help resolve this crisis," Ban told reporters on the sidelines of a UN forum on migration in Manila.

"This has been taking too long," Ban said, referring to calls that Mugabe agree to power-sharing.

The SADC has for the past seven years tried to press Mugabe into compromise with Tsvangirai, but its members are deeply divided over Zimbabwe.

Some leaders are strong allies of Mugabe, respected by many as a liberation hero, while others blame him for leading the country into economic ruin, causing waves of migrants to cross its borders to seek work. - AFP

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R.I.P Fortune Muparutsa

Fortune Muparutsa video, thanks to Gerri.

The Zimbabwe Music industry has just lost another artist. It was so sad to read about the death of Fortune Muparutsa, the popular musician is said to have died in the United Kingdom.

Fortune passed away at a time when he was making a stunning comeback in the UK.

May his soul rest in peace.

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MDC demands passport for Morgan Tsvangirai

Where else in the world does the government refuse a passport for the country's Prime Minister? Welcome to Zimbabwe!

Harare - Zimbabwe's main opposition party on Tuesday demanded that the government give its leader Morgan Tsvangirai a passport to attend an upcoming summit aimed at saving a troubled power-sharing deal.

Southern African nations are set to hold an emergency summit on Zimbabwe in the coming weeks, after key regional leaders failed to broker a compromise to save the plan for a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.

The chief negotiator for Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tendai Biti, told reporters that if the summit is held outside Zimbabwe, the opposition leader will not attend unless he receives a passport.

Tsvangirai has not had a passport for months and must seek an emergency travel document (ETD) each time he leaves the country.

"We will not travel on an ETD. We want a passport," Biti said.

"The passport issue is the crudest form of lack of sincerity" by Mugabe's long-ruling Zanu-PF, he added.

Tsvangirai refused to attend a summit in Swaziland last week in protest at long delays in receiving his travel papers.

Biti said it was "regrettable" that SA President Kgalema Motlanthe and other key regional leaders had failed to broker an agreement during the summit in Harare on Monday.

"In our view, an urgent summit towards the resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis is paramount," Biti said. "At the core of our differences, in our view, is the lack of sincerity and good faith on the part of Zanu-PF."

Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed a power-sharing agreement on September 15, but the deal threatens to collapse over disputes about who will control the home affairs ministry, which oversees the police.

The date and location has not yet been set for the summit of all 15 leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).- AFP

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Eneas Tanyongana shows how dumb criminals can be!

Eneas Tanyongana, 21 from Harlow, Essex, was arrested after he gave his mobile phone to a victim as compensation for the phone he was taking. The mobile phone contained Tanyongana's contact details and photos.

St Albans Crown Court heard how Tanyongana approached his victim on a train between Ware and Rye House station around 10pm and threatened to stab the victim if he didn't hand over his mobile phone.

Detective Constable Jon Pine, of British Transport Police's Robbery Squad said: "The boy was obviously very scared and handed over the phone without argument.

"When the boy asked what he was to do without a phone, Tanyongana decided to hand over his own phone, complete with contact details and photos. It's a nice boost to the investigation when key pieces of information have already been laid out for you."

The victim reported the robbery to police and investigators used the information contained in the phone to arrest him. They also used CCTV evidence to identify him as the culprit for two other offences.

The first was an attempted robbery from a disabled man between Hertford East and Ware stations in May 2007 and the second took place on a train between Broxbourne and Harlow Town in January.

Tanyongana pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery.

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Zanu PF not ready to enter into genuine power-sharing government

Harare - Zimbabwe's opposition MDC said on Tuesday President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF was not ready to enter into a "genuine" co-operative government under a power-sharing deal.

MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti said the allocation of ministries was still being discussed in talks on forming a cabinet. He said the opposition party was committed to reaching an agreement, but would not accept a bad deal.

A regional meeting failed to break a deadlock threatening Zimbabwe's power-sharing accord on Monday, prompting the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) to call for an urgent full-scale summit on the crisis.

Officials said the meeting could be held this week or next week in an attempt to persuade Mugabe and opposition factions to implement the accord, widely seen as vital to any effort to pull Zimbabwe out of economic meltdown.

SADC said on Monday the allocation of the interior ministry, which oversees the police force, was a sticking point in negotiations. - Reuters

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No breakthrough in Zimbabwe talks -

HARARE - The SADC summit has failed to break a deadlock threatening a power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe, an opposition source said Monday.

"There is no agreement in there (in the talks), and that is what you are going to hear soon," the source close to the talks told Reuters.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said earlier was confident the emergency regional meeting would salvage the power-sharing agreement between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the MDC opposition.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened the meeting amid fears the September 15 deal was about to unravel after weeks of fruitless negotiations between ZANU-PF and two Movement for Democratic Change factions.

The accord is seen as key to any effort to pull Zimbabwe out of a deep economic crisis. Inflation is out of control and food and fuel shortages are widespread in the once prosperous nation.

Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a presidential election on March 29 but by too few votes to avoid a run-off in June. Mugabe won the second round after Tsvangirai pulled out, saying his supporters had been subjected to violence and intimidation.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a small MDC faction, signed an agreement to form a unity government last month after mediation by Mbeki. The parties then locked horns over control of ministries.

Mbeki and the leaders of Mozambique, Angola, Swaziland and South Africa held talks with Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara.

Tsvangirai, set to become prime minister, accuses ZANU-PF of trying to make the MDC a junior partner with responsibility for lesser ministries. He boycotted a summit in Swaziland last week, saying Mugabe's government refused to give him a passport.

In turn, ZANU-PF accuses Tsvangirai of wanting to seize power rather than share it and of stalling the talks to try to drag in the United Nations to mediate. - Reuters

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Chimurenga musician Farai 'Pio' Macheka committed suicide

One of Zimbabwe's popular chimurenga musician, Farai 'Pio' Macheka committed suicide and did not die after a short illness as earlier reported, his relatives said.
Macheka is said to have committed suicide by drinking a pesticide, 'Roga' and died on admission at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

However, both the police and hospital officials could not disclose the actual cause of Macheka’s death.

However the Herald reports that Macheka is said to have been already dead when he was brought to Chitungwiza Hospital.

The chief executive officer of the hospital Dr Obadiah Moyo said when Macheka was brought to the hospital for treatment, he was already dead.

"We assisted with the provision of mortuary services for Pio as he was brought here already dead.’’

Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Memory Pamire said he was also not aware that Macheka had committed suicide.

However Anna Macheka (44), his elder sister and the artiste’s wife Eusebia Garisayi (24) said Macheka committed suicide.

"Pio was complaining that the royalties he was receiving for his music were a pittance as compared to the effort and resources he had invested.

"He was always complaining that his type of music, Chimurenga, was not receiving enough airplay on national radio and also that music promoters were shunning him.

"This made him bitter, though we did not think that his disenchantment with the state of the entertainment industry would lead him to commit suicide," said Anna.

Macheka’s wife said: "He often complained about the current radio’s fixation with sungura music saying that this was killing the music industry as other types of music were being sidelined, but we never expected him to take his life over that."

Yet another loss to the Zimbabwe music industry, may his soul rest in peace.

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Liquid Smoking to go on sale in the UK

Liquid Smoking - the drink that will recreate the cigarette sensation.

British pubs are to start selling 'Liquid Smoking' a drink containing nicotine to help boozers cope with the smoking ban. The drink comes in 275ml cans and contains 15 per cent nicotine, all from natural sources.
The drink has a "slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation, like the satisfaction of your cigarette," its manufacturer, the United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, claims.

"It tastes like a fruity herbal drink," Martin Hartman of the manufacturer said.

The nicotine-free Liquid Smoking drink claims to give the same buzz as cigarettes.

It is aimed at those who struggle to cope with the smoking ban in pubs or long plane journeys.

"It's for smokers on trains, public places, planes – anywhere where smoking is prohibited and people want to fulfill the need of nicotine," Hartman said.

But is Smoking Liquid really a healthy alternative as the manufacturers want us to believe? Personally I think it's better to give up, that seems to be the only health option, rather than start experimenting on these other new products.

Feel free to add your views by posting your comments.

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Riot police arrest women protesters in Harare

Harare - Dozens of women activists were arrested in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare on Monday for protesting over the suffering caused by a severe economic crisis.

Riot police broke up a demonstration by at least 300 women from the Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe outside a hotel, where southern African leaders were meeting to discuss Zimbabwe's political impasse with the country's rival leaders.

At least 11 women were treated for injuries after being beaten by the police and 47 women were arrested, according to the coalition. "It is the women of this country who have to carry the burden of the suffering," Coalition spokesperson Emilia Chawa said.

The women were calling for the talks between President Robert Mugabe and prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai on the formation of a unity government to be concluded urgently to allow the rebuilding of the tattered economy to start. - Sapa-dpa

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Fears Tsvangirai could pull out of Zimbabwe deal

Harare - New talks aimed at salvaging Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal were due to get underway in Harare on Monday, amid fears the Movement for Democratic Change of prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai could pull out of the agreement.

SA President Kgalema Motlanthe and his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, arrived in the Zimbabwean capital on Monday for talks with Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe.

Arthur Mutambara, leader of a minority faction of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), is also involved in the talks.

Six weeks after agreeing to form a unity government, Mugabe and Tsvangirai are at loggerheads over which ministries should go to which party.

The MDC accuses Mugabe of keeping all the most important ministries for his Zanu-PF. The dispute is riveted on control of the home affairs ministry, which the MDC is demanding, but Zanu-PF is reluctant to relinquish.

Monday's meeting of a sub-group of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the regional grouping that is currently chaired by Motlanthe, takes place a week after a first summit in Swaziland ended in failure.

Tsvangirai boycotted the meeting, giving as his reason the Mugabe regime's refusal to renew his passport. MDC members say privately the MDC was unhappy with a report Mbeki compiled on the situation in Zimbabwe, which the party deemed biased towards Mugabe.

On Sunday, Tsvangirai warned the former South African leader he would pull out of the deal unless Mbeki showed more impartiality.

"We will abandon it (the deal) if we see that quite diplomacy is leading to quiet approval of wrong things," he warned.

The power-sharing deal is seen by many as the only way of rescuing Zimbabwe from economic meltdown. The once-prosperous nation is experiencing acute shortages of all essentials, including fuel, electricity, cash, food and drugs.

Inflation officially stands at more than 200 million percent, though independent analysts put it at more than one billion percent. - Sapa-dpa

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Mbeki 'very optimistic' on Zimbabwe Unity government talks

Harare - Former South African president Thabo Mbeki said he was hopeful that power-sharing talks in Zimbabwe would produce a breakthrough as he arrived on Monday in Harare for a regional summit.

"Progress on the talks is very good," Mbeki told reporters, adding that he was "very optimistic" about finalising plans for a unity government in the talks on Monday.

Mbeki brokered the unity agreement signed six weeks ago, calling for Zimbabwe's long-time leader Robert Mugabe to remain as president while opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai becomes prime minister.

But the deal threatens to collapse over bitter disagreements about how to divide control of the most powerful ministries - particularly home affairs, which oversees the police.

Key regional leaders are meeting in Harare to try to salvage the deal, seen as the best hope for ending Zimbabwe's political turmoil and pulling the country from economic ruin.

SA?s new President Kgalema Motlanthe arrived earlier Monday for the talks, which will also gather Swaziland's Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini and Angolan foreign minister Assuncao dos Anjos.

Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza was also expected to attend the meeting. - AFP

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Chinamasa warns Tsvangirai ahead of key talks in Harare

Harare - Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF chief negotiator in the power-sharing talks issued a stark warning to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai ahead of key talks on Monday on a unity government.

"If Tsvangirai does not stop campaigning for sanctions against Zimbabwe to further cripple the country's economy, then we are headed for trouble," Patrick Chinamasa told AFP.

And he warned Tsvangirai against a boycott of the talks, after he failed to attend last Monday's meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Swaziland.

"We trust that Tsvangirai will not treat Monday's troika meeting with the same contempt and utter disrespect that he did with the Swaziland meeting."

"Another boycott by him will irreversibly strain ZANU-PF's patience and will be the last straw that broke the camel's back," said Chinamasa.

Cautiously optimistic

Tsvangirai stayed away from the SADC meeting in protest at the government's failure to issue him a passport.

This obliges him to seek emergency travel documents, valid for a single trip, each time he leaves the country.

The southern African leaders had agreed to hold new talks between the rivals in Harare this Monday in the hope of salvaging an agreement on power-sharing between Zanu-PF and Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Despite his warning, Chinamasa added: "With respect to prospects of Monday's meeting we are cautiously optimistic that the meeting will yield a positive outcome."

Monday's talks are aimed at breaking the stalemate over the allocation of key cabinet ministers between the two parties in a unity government, which in principle had been agreed in a power-sharing deal on September 15.

The deal, brokered by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, was hailed as a breakthrough in ending months of political deadlock and long-term economic melt-down in the former regional breadbasket. - SAPA

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SADC leaders to meet in Zimbabwe

Godfrey Marawanyika

Harare - Leaders of a Southern African bloc will meet on Monday in Zimbabwe to try and salvage the country's agreement to form a unity government which has been deadlocked over the allocation of key ministries.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) troika summit comes after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the meeting last Monday in Swaziland, in protest at receiving his travel documents at the last minute.

"The issue is not just about home affairs, there are about ten ministries which need to be clarified, we will negotiate through the facilitator on Monday," said Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.

"We have long rejected co-sharing, once we start to share it would be messy and chaotic," said Chamisa.

Talks to form a power-sharing cabinet had been stalled since the signing of a landmark September 15 unity deal brokered by former South African president Thabo Mbeki.

More than a month later and despite several meetings, President Robert Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara who leads an MDC faction have failed to reach an agreement on allocating key ministries including defence, home affairs, finance and local government.

Unresolved cabinet

Earlier in September, the three rivals agreed to call the mediator to break the impasse, but after four days of marathon meetings Mugabe and Tsvangirai locked horns over the ministries of home affairs and finance, prompting Mbeki to refer the matter to SADC.

Under the deal, the 84-year-old Mugabe retained his position as president while Tsvangirai assumed the role of prime minister.

The deal left unresolved the formation of a cabinet, except to declare how many posts each party would receive, and that ambiguity threatens to sink the entire deal.

The Zanu-PF was allotted 15 portfolios, Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and three for the smaller MDC faction led by Mutambara.

Mbeki is expected to brief the summit which is currently chaired by Swaziland on developments of the talks.

Swaziland king Mswati III, who last week dispatched a jet to fetch Tsvangirai from Zimbabwe after he failed to arrive for the talks, will be represented by his Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini.

At least three key leaders from the 15-nation bloc are set to attend the summit.

Newly appointed South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and Foreign Minister Nkosazana Zuma will be part of the meeting.

"The meeting takes place against the background of ongoing efforts by SADC to help the people of Zimbabwe in their endeavour to find a lasting solution to their political and economic challenges," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

After initially threatening to skip this Monday's summit as well, Tsvangirai has agreed to attend, but warned that his party will not accept a bad deal for the sake of furthering Mbeki's so-called "quiet diplomacy".

'Important to change things'

"We have a high respect for SADC and regional leaders," Tsvangirai told a rally on Saturday. But he warned: "Quiet diplomacy has its limits."

Analysts said that Tsvangirai has little choice but to push ahead with the deal, if the MDC hopes to have any chance of reforming the government or salvaging the economy, which is beset by the world's highest inflation rate, believed to be at least 231 million percent.

"By attending the summit, this is a realisation by the MDC that despite all the obstacles being put in place by Zanu-PF hardliners, it is important to change things from within," said political analyst Bornwell Chakaodza, a respected former newspaper editor. - AFP

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Mbeki should be impartial

Marondera - Zimbabwe's prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday said former South African president and mediator Thabo Mbeki had to show impartiality or the political power- sharing deal being negotiated would not materialise.

Addressing a Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) rally in a farming town of Marondera, about 70 kilometres east of Harare, Tsvangirai said: Mr Mbeki, there is only one message: when you have started a job finish it well."

Tsvangirai warned that "... the danger is that quiet diplomacy has its limits," adding, "We will abandon it if we see that quiet diplomacy is leading to quiet approval of wrong things."

The power-sharing deal for a government of unity entered between Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe on September 15 is deadlocked because of disagreements on the distribution of Cabinet posts.

Tsvangirai accuses Mugabe of taking all the 'key' ministries such as defence, information, home affairs, finance and foreign affairs.

Last week, Tsvangirai stayed away from a meeting in Swaziland of the security troika of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), saying he did not have the required travel documents.

The meeting has since been moved to Monday in Harare. Mbeki, the SADC mediator, was due to report back to the 15-member regional grouping on his failed attempt last week to end the deadlock.

Confirming that he would attend the meeting, Tsvangirai told his supporters: "When it comes to negotiations we fear no one. We have serious respect for SADC and African institutions, but they must learn to reciprocate that respect."

"We want this issue not to be solved beyond Africa. When they (SADC leaders) come on Monday we will show respect for them. We want to bring finality to this stupid thing. We want this deal to work for the people of Zimbabwe," he added.

The power-sharing deal is seen by many as the only way of rescuing Zimbabwe from economic meltdown. The once-prosperous nation now faces acute shortages of all essentials such as fuel, electricity, cash, food and drugs.

Tsvangirai also said at the rally that those responsible for the violence in the run-up to the controversial presidential election in June must face the wrath of law. Tsvangirai eventually withdrew from the race, allowing Mugabe to win an uncontested run-off vote.

The MDC says it lost more than 200 of its supporters to violence perpetrated by Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and its security agents. - Sapa-dpa

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President Mugabe in Uganda

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attending EAC-COMSA-SADC summit in Kampala Uganda Wednesday Oct. 22, 2008.

He joined the presidents of Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya who all gave speeches outlining ideas for increasing economic and political alliances among three of Africa's major trading blocs.

But was President Mugabe listening or in deep sleep?

Whatever happened, how I wish he could do the reasonable thing that will end the suffering in Zimbabwe. Step Down! Probably we will see and end to all this suffering in Zimbabwe.

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Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe accussed of using security forces to hide starvation crisis from the world

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is reported to be using security forces to hide evidence of the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. Sky News has found evidence of children dying of starvation because of food shortages, in a hospital in Manicaland they found 15 children suffering from severe malnutrition.

Here is what Sky News had to say about what they found in Zimbabwe:

Filming secretly inside the country, we also found proof that Robert Mugabe is using his security forces to try to hide the crisis from the world.

In one hospital ward in the eastern province of Manicaland we saw 15 children suffering from severe malnutrition. Mothers clutching their thin infants told us they were getting sicker in the hospital because there was no food there, just milk.

One girl, aged four, could no longer stand because she was so weak.

The hospital is one of several across the country which have been targeted by Zimbabwe's police force as part of an organised campaign to "cover up" the true impact of Mugabe's rule.

One officer, speaking to us anonymously, told us he was among a team ordered to "intimidate and harass" the senior staff into concealing the number of starving children they are treating. He said the nurses were warned they faced arrest if they admitted to anyone that there were malnourished children on the wards.

Robert Mugabe banned aid agencies from giving food to starving villagers, accusing them of supporting the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the run up to the June elections. The ban was only lifted when Mugabe probably realised he was not going to be able to feed all those starving Zimbabweans.

But according to Sky, a police officer even admitted that they are being used to harass aid agencies.

The police officer who spoke to Sky News said that aid agencies were also being targeted by a campaign of harassment.

"There are roadblocks and we are ordered to search all of their vehicles and we take some of the food that is meant to be used as aid," he said.

In large areas of Zimbabwe most families are now surviving on one meal a day and some have resorted to eating poisonous tree roots and unripe fruits to try to fill their stomachs.

Inflation in the country has topped 231 million per cent and staple foods like maize meal are now too expensive for most to afford, even those with jobs.

The nurses treating the malnourished children in the hospital we visited were earning the equivalent of 10p a week.

Something should be done to stop this humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. Mugabe will never admit that he is the real cause of our suffering neither will he agree to step down. But should innocent people continue to die while the whole world watch and do nothing? African leaders will continue to hold summits where they dine with Mugabe, whilst people starve to death in Zimbabwe. Surely something can be done to stop this madness.

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Zimbabwe Crisis: UN Envoy and King Mswati to discuss the Zim situation

Mbabane - Top UN envoy Haile Menkerios was set on Thursday to discuss the political crisis in Zimbabwe with Swaziland's king, who currently heads an African security body, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Whilst politicians continue with these never ending summits and crisis talks, citizens of Zimbabwe face death from starvation. Maybe they should just tell Mugabe to GO. Many Zimbabweans know he is the cause of their suffering.

The talks come just three days after King Mswati III led a failed effort by African leaders to rescue a faltering power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe.

A new summit is set for Monday in Harare, where southern African leaders will try to break an impasse on forming a unity government in Zimbabwe, seen as the best chance for ending the country's political turmoil and halting its economic decline.

Menkerios also plans to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other regional security issues, foreign ministry spokesperson Clifford Mamba said in a statement.

"He will be consulting with the king on the issues of security and peacekeeping in (southern Africa), especially on Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo," Mamba said.

The king chairs the security organ of the 15-nation South African Development Community (SADC).

King Mswati had gathered the presidents of South Africa, Mozambique and Congo in Swaziland's capital on Monday in hopes of ending the deadlock in Zimbabwe.

President Robert Mugabe attended the meeting, but Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai refused to attend.

A new summit has been set for October 27 in Harare in hopes of settling differences between the rivals over control of powerful ministries - particularly home affairs, which oversees the police force.

Menkerios on Tuesday voiced confidence that a deal would be reached in Zimbabwe.

"I am confident that a deal will be reached between the two because both sides know by now that there is no other way, but to sit down and reach an agreement," he told AFP in Addis Ababa.

Menkerios was also expected to discuss renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the UN said on Tuesday that more than 50 000 people fled their homes following intense fighting between government and rebel troops in the northeastern Ituri region.

Fighting in late August in nearby Nord-Kivu province has also displaced another 100 000 people.

More than one million people have been forced to flee their homes in the region, aid agencies say. - SAPA

Like all the suffering citizens of Zimbabwe, I just hope and wish a solution can be found soon. It seems the solution is to remove the current Zanu PF government, or maybe their is no government in Zimbabwe. It's so sad what Mugabe has done in Zimbabwe. Situations like this should not be allowed to continue, but how can we end the suffering in Zimbabwe?

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Harare firefighters strike over food

Zimbabwe - Firemen in the capital, Harare, are so hungry they have gone on strike, according to state media.

The state-controlled daily Herald reported that firemen downed their hoses on Tuesday after their employer, the Harare city council, stopped issuing them with food while at work.

"Only two firefighters and two officers reported for work yesterday (Tuesday)," the Herald said. "The officers alleged that the city had reneged on an arrangement to provide them with food while on duty."

The country is in the grip of severe food shortages that the UN says by January will see 5.5 million people - about one in two -dependent on food aid, after a series of failed harvests.

Churches and aid agencies blame President Robert Mugabe's disastrous land reform programme since 2000 for triggering a collapse of the country's once thriving agricultural industry.

Despite evidence of widespread malnutrition, aid agencies have not been able to launch full-scale relief operations after Mugabe banned them for three months around violence-ridden elections in June.- SAPA

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Walkie, Talkie Freebie with Skype on your 3 mobile

3 Skypephone, Call the world on the move for free. A mobile phone with Skype included, now there is a range of new stylish phones to choose from. Pick any of these phones from mobile operator 3 and you can call, send and receive text messages Skype-to-Skype from your mobile - free.

Phones are available on Pay As You Go or free on a six month contract. With Skype you can also make great value overseas calls by using Skype Credit to lower call costs when calling abroad.




Skype has also announced their brand new arrival – the 3 Skypephone s2. It’s the latest mobile from 3 with Skype at the touch of a button.

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Argos Voucher Code - Get Gift vouchers and Free delivery voucher code

Argos has launched a voucher code available to all customers. When you spend £50 at Argos you will receive a £5 voucher and when you spend £100 you will receive a £10 voucher. This offer is only available until the 4th of November.



On top of this great voucher Argos is also offering free delivery on all orders over £100. All you need to do is enter the Code AFD10 for this discount to be applied. Hurry this voucher code expires 28th October.

In addition Argos has also launched ‘This Week’s Top Deals’ including the following;

- Save 25% on selected Toy Brands including Star Wars, Aquadran, Peppa Pig, Barbie, Beanstalk, WWE, Fisher-Price, Jungle in my Pocket, Hot Wheels, Puppy in My Pocket

- Free game and accessory kit with a Nintendo DS White or Black

- Save £100 on Acoustic Solutions 37in television, now £349.99

Don't Shop for it, Argos it!

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War veterans threaten Tsvangirai over Zimbabwe deal

Zimbabwe's war veterans have threatened to take action against MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and urged Robert Mugabe to form a government without him.
Jabulani Sibanda, who chairs the militant grouping of the 'veterans' of Zimbabwe's war of independence, said the Movement for Democratic Change leader was stalling a power-sharing deal, which has hit deadlock over cabinet posts.

Once again these misguided thugs are showing us that they will never reform. If they want to speak on behalf of Zimbabweans they should direct their anger at the people who are responsible for the current mess in Zimbabwe, Zanu PF and it's supporters.

"He(Tsvangirai) is leaving the people of Zimbabwe with one option: to take action," he told the official Herald newspaper. "If he behaves the way he is behaving, this nation will take action to defend itself from him." said Jabulani Sibanda

The MDC, which has accused the war veterans of attacking its supporters, said Tuesday Tsvangirai could boycott power-sharing talks next week and that fresh elections may be needed to break the political impasse.

Jabulani Sibanda is right.......Zimbabweans need to take action, real action and decide their own destiny. For how long shall the citizens of Zimbabwe continue to suffer? We are being held to ransom by a regime determined to hang on to power at all cost.

Sibanda thinks Zimbabwe needs to defend itself from Tsvangirai! Where do these guys live? No wonder they can be bought easily with a few Zimbabwean kwachas, beer ne chimonera. This is the same Jabulani Sibanda who was embarrassed and humiliated when he tried to address the Zanu PF conference. Sibanda at Zanu PF congress

Maybe the only way out of this cabinet deadlock is to call for fresh elections. As for the so called 'war veterans' they have killed and destroyed many families, they are part of the problem as much as the Zanu PF government. Where do these thugs get the power to threaten the country's Prime Minister?

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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MDC may seek fresh elections to resolve Zimbabwe Cabinet dispute

Harare - Zimbabwe's main opposition party said on Tuesday that only fresh elections would resolve a dispute over who controls key cabinet posts, a make-or-break issue under a power-sharing pact signed with President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, have clashed over control of ministries and weeks of face-to-face talks have failed to break the deadlock.

The political impasse has raised fears that last month's power-sharing deal may collapse and plunge Zimbabwe's economy deeper into crisis.

"The preferred trajectory is to conclude the negotiations, but in the absence of the ideal, Zimbabweans have no other way out, but to decide who should have power through an election which is credible," MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said.

Chamisa said there was lack of trust between Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the MDC, which was reflected by the government's failure to issue Tsvangirai a new passport after he filled up his old one several months ago.

Tsvangirai failed to attend a regional emergency summit in Swaziland on Monday after authorities only gave him an emergency travel document.

Monday's meeting, called by the Southern African Development Community, a 15-nation regional body, to seek a breakthrough in efforts to form a joint cabinet, was postponed until October 27. It will take place in Harare.

Zanu-PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa on Tuesday accused Tsvangirai of stalling on the September 15 power-sharing deal.

"Tsvangirai's failure to come to Swaziland seems to us to reflect his own reluctance or hesitancy to finalise and conclude discussions on the formation of an inclusive government," Chinamasa told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

In an editorial, the Herald urged Mugabe to form a cabinet without Tsvangirai, adding that the MDC leader should renounce Western sanctions before being issued a new passport.

The MDC said on Tuesday that Tsvangirai would address "report back" rallies in Zimbabwe over the weekend to update supporters on developments since the deal was signed.- Reuters

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Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai passport fiasco! The Facts!

Zimbabwe's MDC has released a statement of facts regarding Morgan Tsvangirai's passport fiasco which saw him 'boycot' the SADC summit in Swaziland. Here is the full statement from MDC Secretary for Information and Publicity, Nelson Chamisa:

The MDC wishes to make it clear that while there is no valid legal or logistical reason why President Tsvangirai should not be issued with a new passport, the significance of this issue is far greater than the travel document in question.

For purposes of clarification, and for the avoidance of doubt, President Tsvangirai neither refused nor boycotted the meeting in Swaziland. It is Zanu PF, which stopped the President from attending this meeting. Zanu PF’s behaviour is an affront to African institutions and processes.

The failure by the Zanu PF-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a passport to President Tsvangirai is a stark illustration of the lack of trust and goodwill exhibited by Zanu PF towards the MDC and towards the political agreement the main Zimbabwean parties are meant to be implementing.

The insistence by Zanu PF on issuing President Tsvangirai temporary travel documents limiting the countries to which he can travel puts the entire political agreement in jeopardy. It showcases Zanu PF’s lack of sincerity in implementing the political agreement signed by the three political principals on 15 September 2008.

While every Zimbabwean is entitled to a passport under the country’s constitution, President Tsvangirai, having the mandate of the majority of Zimbabweans, should be issued with such a document in order that he can represent the people of Zimbabwe regionally and internationally.

Several political events on the ground serve to illustrate Zanu PF’s lack of genuineness and commitment to the political settlement. These include the unilateral appointment of provincial governors, the convening of Parliament without consent of the MDC, the unilateral allocation of key ministries to Zanu PF, the swearing-in of the two Vice Presidents, the continued use of hate speech and hate language by the public media. It also includes the politicization of food aid and the deployment of soldiers in preparation of by-elections even though the political settlement has frozen all by-elections in the interim.

The history of President Tsvangirai’s application for a new passport just goes to show the condescending and petty-minded attitude of Zanu PF towards the MDC, with which it is meant to be forging a new political reality, and the individual who is now the Prime Minister designate.

President Tsvangirai’s previous passport was full and no longer valid for travel and thus he applied for a new passport in June 2008.

Many other Zimbabweans have applied and have already been granted passports since the date of President Tsvangirai’s application.

After months of waiting for his new passport, President Tsvangirai took his case to the High Court and then the Supreme Court, where he was told that the matter was not an urgent one.

In the meantime, if he wants to travel, despite being the leader of the largest party in parliament and the Prime Minister designate, President Tsvangirai has to apply for a temporary travel document on a case by case basis. This is despite the fact that the MDC has learnt that his passport was ready weeks ago and is awaiting authorization from President Mugabe before it will be released. Indeed, in a democracy, as Prime Minister designate, President Tsvangirai would have been issued with a diplomatic passport as a matter of protocol.

This does not bode well for the implementation of the political agreement that is under negotiation. If the two parties cannot learn to trust one another, then working together for the betterment of the Zimbabwean people may prove impossible. Indeed, if Zanu PF cannot trust President Tsvangirai with his own passport in his pocket, how can it be expected to work with him as the Head of Government of Zimbabwe?

While the MDC thanks the SADC and the African Union for continuing to focus on the Zimbabwe crisis and for rescheduling their meeting from yesterday in Swaziland to next week in Harare, this may be in vain if Zanu PF continues to display such a blatant lack of trust. The failure to issue a new passport to President Tsvangirai prior to next week’s meeting will be taken as an indication that Zanu PF is not willing to proceed in the spirit of the agreement and therefore, the attendance of President Tsvangirai at next week’s meeting will serve only to present a false impression of the relationship between Zanu PF and the two MDCs.

Meaningful negotiations cannot proceed while Zanu PF continues to hold Mr Tsvangirai hostage and prisoner in his own country. President Tsvangirai, like any other Zimbabwean, is a prisoner in his own country. As the saying goes, “Prisoners don’t negotiate.”

Hon Nelson Chamisa, MP
Secretary for Information and Publicity

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Tsvangirai may boycot Zimbabwe Cabinet talks summit

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai could boycott power-sharing talks next week and an election may be needed to break the deadlock over control of cabinet seats in a new government, his MDC said Tuesday.

The deepening impasse has raised fears that the September 15 power-sharing deal between Tsvangirai, President Robert Mugabe and the leader of another opposition faction may collapse and plunge Zimbabwe's economy further into crisis.

Tsvangirai, set to become prime minister, has accused Mugabe's ZANU-PF of trying to seize the lion's share of important ministries to try to relegate the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) to the role of junior partner.

The MDC won a March parliamentary poll.

Tsvangirai's discontent with weeks of fruitless face-to-face talks bubbled over Monday when he snubbed an emergency Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Swaziland that was to address the issue.

He cited Harare's refusal to give him a new passport.

The summit has been moved to October 27 in Harare, but there already are signs it will fail.

"Meaningful negotiations cannot proceed while ZANU-PF continues to hold Mr. Tsvangirai hostage and prisoner in his own country," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said in a statement. It repeated Tsvangirai's demand for a new passport.

His old passport is full and he has only been issued temporary travel documents for trips abroad. The MDC says Mugabe's government is trying to control Tsvangirai's movements and curtail his contact with international officials. - Reuters

But how can we continue to be held to ransom in our own country? Why should Zanu PF leaders be allowed to starve innocent Zimbabweans to death? They don't care about us, so they should not be our leaders. It is better to call another election as surely the 'Unity' government will not work.

Is Zimbabwe cursed? What did we do to deserve such leaders? Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Lovers warned of poisoned chocolate spread

A chocolate spread for sex has been removed from shelves because of fears it is tainted with a toxic chemical. Lovers were warned it could be contaminated with melamine, the poison at the centre of a food scare in China. The Willy Spread and Nipple Spread novelties were sold at Ann Summers stores.

Ann Summers said they have withdrawn the spreads from the shelves. The industrial chemical melamine, which can cause kidney failure, sparked a major alert in China after it was found in milk products.

Melamine was detected in an Ann Summers' 'I Love You' pen set. It contained a chocolate body pen, chocolate willy spread and chocolate nipple spread.

It's always nice to be aware of what's happening, might just save you from some health problems.

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Tsvangirai being unreasonable, says the Herald

Harare - Zimbabwe state media on Tuesday condemned opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for boycotting a regional summit aimed at rescuing a power-sharing deal, accusing him of bad faith in the negotiations.

The government-mouthpiece Herald newspaper accused him "of working towards state paralysis" by stonewalling efforts to form a unity government under a five-week-old agreement.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and four other African leaders met in Swaziland on Monday for a summit meant to clear the deadlock, but Tsvangirai refused to attend, citing delays in receiving his travel documents from the government.

"The demands he has been making are unreasonable, and seasoned leaders were on hand to make him see the error of his ways," the paper said in an editorial.

Tsvangirai has not had a normal passport for months, and insisted on receiving one before joining the talks. Instead, the regional leaders agreed to hold the summit in Harare next Monday.

"The prevailing situation of endless talks bodes well for Tsvangirai's agenda of working towards state paralysis. This fits well with the West's long-desired collapse that would see them install a puppet regime to serve their interest," the Herald said.

"His Western allies have made it clear that they want the talks to collapse as they are itching to have Zimbabwe on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council where they hope to ... facilitate invasion," it said.

"To this end, we urge Zanu-PF and the president to proceed with forming a new government with or without Tsvangirai."

Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed a deal on September 15, agreeing that the 84-year-old could remain as president while the opposition leader takes the new post of prime minister.

But Tsvangrai has threatened to pull out of the deal after Mugabe unilaterally moved to give his long-ruling Zanu-PF party the most important posts in cabinet. - AFP

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Morgan Tsvangirai flexes political muscels

Johannesburg - Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai flexed his political muscle in shunning a regional summit on Monday, but the move could backfire if he is seen as a spoiler, analysts say.

Talks to break a five-week deadlock on a unity government for the economically shattered state were postponed after Tsvangirai refused to meet rival President Robert Mugabe and four other regional leaders in Swaziland.

His Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) pulled out the meeting after Tsvangirai got his emergency travel papers late on Sunday, calling the delay an "insult" to the man designated prime minister in the unity accord.

Analysts say the boycott was a show of power and frustration from the former trade union leader who has not been granted a normal passport for nearly a year, and is only able to leave Zimbabwe on documents valid for a single trip.

"I think it is in many ways a power-game because they understand that Mugabe can't have any legitimacy without the MDC," said Siphamandla Zondi of the Institute for Global Dialogue.

"By withdrawing their presence they undermine the legitimacy of the Zanu-PF government and what it is trying to do," he said.

Losing patience

Tsvangirai's move follows tough negotiations in Harare last week where former South African president Thabo Mbeki failed to break a deadlock after Mugabe unilaterally awarded disputed cabinet posts to his ruling Zanu-PF.

Tsvangirai's refusal to attend Monday's Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting without his passport was a departure from his usual acceptance of the regional body's role, said Dirk Kotze of the University of South Africa.

"I think it's an early indication that he's started to lose patience with SADC," he said.

"It's (also) a clear indication that the basis of trust, confidence in the peace-process itself, is absent," Kotze added.

However, a snub against the regional body which brokered the power-sharing agreement through Mbeki on September 15 after a drawn out stand-off could come back to haunt the MDC later, analysts say.

"It would be a dangerous mistake for him to be labelled as a spoiler by both SADC and the AU (African Union) ... but at the same time he is sending a clear message that he should be taken seriously in these negotiations," said Eldred Masungure, a lecture of political science at the University of Zimbabwe.

The spoiler label had long been associated with Zanu-PF which "has been dilly-dallying when Zimbabwe is burning", Masungure added.

Harare-based political analyst Takura Zhangazha agreed, saying a snub was not in the MDC's best interests.

"If they hold out it is essentially to make SADC realise that the MDC is no longer just an opposition party, but a party of any government that would be formed," he said.

Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in a first-round presidential vote in March, forcing the 84-year-old into a parliamentary minority for the first time since independence in 1980.

Failing to win an outright majority, Tsvangirai then pulled out of a run-off election in June over claims of state-sponsored violence.

Fragile deal

The political deadlock has dimmed hopes for halting Zimbabwe's stunning economic collapse, with the country buckling under the world's highest rate of inflation at 231 million percent.

Nearly half the population needs UN food aid, while 80% of the people are living in poverty.

For Sydney Masamvu of the International Crisis Group, the latest setback between the bickering leaders on Monday pointed to the deal's fragility.

"What it actually shows is that it's not a question of if this government will collapse, it's of when," Masamvu said. "It will take off but the marriage won't last. There's no chemistry in the relationship." - AFP

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MDc want UN and AU to mediate Zimbabwe talks

Harare - Zimbabwe's opposition MDC said on Friday the UN and AU should step in to mediate between the country's rivals if talks aimed at rescuing a power-sharing deal remain deadlocked over cabinet posts.

"They (the UN and AU) are the guarantors of the (power-sharing) agreement. If Zanu-PF continues to be intransigent, then those institutions should step in," MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said.

President Robert Mugabe, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara of a splinter MDC faction have failed to reach a deal on forming a cabinet in three days of talks.

Supporters of Mugabe earlier accused the MDC of "bad faith" and of stalling to try to bring about UN mediation, while the MDC blamed the delay on Zanu-PF's "inflexibility".

The power-sharing deal, brokered by former SA President Thabo Mbeki a month ago, is seen as Zimbabwe's best hope for rescuing an economy where fuel, food and foreign exchange are scarce, and inflation stands at 231 million percent.

Tsvangirai threatened to pull out on Sunday after Mugabe allocated powerful ministries such as defence, finance and home affairs - which controls the police - to his Zanu-PF party.

Chamisa said the MDC was ready to compromise, but "not to the point of betrayal", and would not settle for being the junior partner in a Mugabe-led government.

"Once they start to show they are willing to show sensitivity to the suffering of the people, I have no doubt we will be able to pull through," he said by telephone when asked about the prospects for a deal.

A hidden agenda

Mutambara said "flexibility and pragmatism" must force the rivals to end the impasse.

"We share the pain and suffering of our people. Surely, this must force us to agree on this debate on cabinet and move on to the core business of running our country," he told reporters.

The official Herald newspaper quoted Zanu-PF sources on Friday as saying Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - which it calls MDC-T - had a hidden agenda.

"Insiders privy to the discussions told the Herald it appeared as if the MDC-T was negotiating in bad faith and angling for a deadlock in the hope that the mediation would be taken out of the hands of comrade Mbeki and assumed by the AU and the UN," it said.

The paper's sources said Tsvangirai was acting under pressure from the US and Britain. - Reuters

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Nigerian jailed for bringing shame onto family

A Nigerian man has been sentenced to 30 strokes of the cane and six months in prison after his dad said he was 'idle'. Sama'ila Tahir, took his 20-year old son to an Islamic court in northern Nigeria for idleness, asking that he be sent to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities, state news agency NAN said on Friday.
"He is not listening to words and he is bringing shame to my family.

"I am tired of his nefarious deeds. Please put this boy in prison so that I can be free," the market trader, from Bauchi, was quoted as saying.

Tahir told the court that his son had refused to go to school and accused him of belonging to a criminal gang.

The court sentenced the son to six months in prison and 30 strokes of the cane - which were immediately administered on the premises - for being disobedient to his parents, NAN said.

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Mugabe and Peaches Geldof

"We match make celebrity odd couples" says Metrolife. So what is this all about?

Well, the guys at metrolife reckon this is a 'star date' Mugabe and Peaches Geldof. One is a leader of an African country accused of human rights violations and also destroying the once vibrant economy of Zimbabwe. The other half is a not so talented Peaches Geldof.

So why does metrolife think this is a 'Star Date'?

This is what metrolife has to say: Brat Peaches Geldof has apparently made a show of herself - as usual - on an MTV reality show in which she edits a bogus magazine. In her reign of terror, she swans off on freebies and nabs the best interviews for herself. 'This is my vision and if they can't deliver they'll be sacked,' she pouts. Someone else who won't be criticised is African despot Robert Mugabe. Oppose his plans and face death!

Metrolife also talks about why this may not be every one's 'Star Date': Mad Bob's mates probably wouldn't be happy with him shacking up with an uppity Brit like Peaches. His wife Grace and Peaches' so-called stunt husband Max wouldn't be happy either. Still, she'd be continuing her family's proud history of charity work in Africa and she'd raise her profile across the world.

But, Metrolife forgets that Bob is now an old man now. He doesn't have time for young girls, young enough to be his daughter.

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Zimbabwe talks deadlock

Harare - Talks between President Robert Mugabe and pro-democracy leader Morgan Tsvangirai over the share of government ministries between them were due to resume Friday for the fourth successive day, with no sign the deadlock could be resolved.

Even the usually optimistic Herald, the daily propaganda newspaper of Mugabe's Zanu-Pf party, said in a headline, "Cabinet talks hit brick wall" after Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leader of a lesser faction of the MDC, disbanded late Thursday after eight hours of fruitless debate.

"They (the MDC) maintain their position, as we do," Mugabe said as he left the conference venue.

Since the three parties signed a power sharing agreement on September 15, the stumbling block is the ministry of home affairs, which includes control of the police force.

Mugabe last week unilaterally allocated all the key ministries in the proposed "inclusive government" to his Zanu-PF party, including the defence ministry and home affairs, which would give him total control of the country's security forces.

Tsvangirai insists that control of the uniformed forces has to be balanced, and has conceded the control of the defence ministry to the 84-year-old Mugabe.

The MDC inflicted on Zanu-PF its first electoral defeat in parliamentary elections and the first round of the presidential ballot in March.

The second round presidential vote collapsed in a wave of brutal attacks launched by Mugabe's military and police commanders on the MDC.

Sources said that Mugabe on Thursday night agreed to cede control of the finance ministry to the MDC.

Under his control for the last 28 years since independence, the country's economy has collapsed with inflation conservatively put at 231 million percent, while the currency yesterday continued its headlong crash, reaching Z$50m to the US dollar on Thursday, from Z$100 to the US dollar in early August, when the regime redenominated its currency by slashing off 10 zeroes.

Tsvangirai last week declared he would walk away from the negotiations if the MDC was not allocated the home affairs ministry - one department of which is responsible for refusing to issue him with a new passport.

MDC sources said on Friday he had been made an offer on Thursday night of a new home affairs ministry with control revolving between the two.

"Morgan rejected it," said the source. "He is resolute, and so is his negotiating team. It's home affairs or nothing. Zanu-PF has nothing new to offer. They are just trying to wear him down into accepting. Morgan says he cannot deliver to the people without home affairs."

The source said that Tsvangirai was happy to refer the stalemate to the Southern African Development Community, the 14-nation regional political alliance which set the talks in motion, for mediation.

"Let them see if they think it's fair that the losing party in the elections should appropriate almost total control of cabinet posts," said the source.

Observers say the impasse is dramatically aggravating a humanitarian catastrophe, as famine begins to claim the lives of hundreds of starving children whose parents have no food.

By January almost one in two people will be dependent on food aid, although famine relief operations have barely resumed after a three-month ban imposed by Mugabe.

Late on Thursday, James McGee, the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe said aid - except humanitarian - would not be resumed, nor would targeted sanctions against members of Mugabe's power clique be lifted until there was "evidence of long-term political and economic reform. "Until then, it will not happen," he said. - Sapa-dpa

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MDC President Tsvangirai to address rallies in Bulawayo and Masvingo

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change President, Morgan Tsvangirai will this weekend address two major report-back rallies in Bulawayo and Masvingo.

In a Press Statement the Department of Information and Publicity said that the President, who addressed a huge rally in Harare last Sunday, will address a rally on Saturday at White Cuty stadium in Bulawayo. The following day, he will address another rally at Mamutse stadium in Masvingo.

The President’s report-back rallies are meant to up-date the nation on the on-going dialogue between the three principals of the country’s major political parties.

President Tsvangirai told the 40 000 strong crowd in Harare last week that the MDC will not be stampeded into getting into the inclusive government as a junior partner without key ministries that will enable the party to change the lives of crisis-weary Zimbabweans.

Last Friday, President Mugabe unilaterally allocated himself all key ministries, further undermining the effort of SADC and the African Union who have proposed an inclusive government as a way of moving the country forward.

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Zimbabwe rivals deadloacked on allocation of Cabinet posts

HARARE (Reuters) - Talks on forming a Zimbabwean cabinet hit deadlock on Thursday with political parties still fighting over who should control 10 ministries, but negotiations will resume on Friday, the opposition said.

"We have reached a deadlock over the issue of the allocation of ministries. We have referred the matter to the facilitator," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said, referring to former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating.

Tomorrow the process will continue," he told reporters after the end of a third day of talks aimed at rescuing a power-sharing deal which analysts say is Zimbabwe's best hope for ending a devastating economic crisis.

President Robert Mugabe and heads of the Movement for Democratic Change's two factions, including its main leader Morgan Tsvangirai, resumed talks on Thursday to try to resolve a dispute over cabinet posts threatening the power-sharing deal signed on September 15.

The talks have stalled over the allocation of powerful ministries. Chamisa said 10 ministries, including two crucial ones -- home affairs and defense -- were still in dispute. Tsvangirai left the talks venue without speaking to reporters.

A senior government source said earlier the parties had agreed the MDC would control the finance ministry, which is crucial for reviving Zimbabwe's ruined economy and attracting foreign investment.

"I understand the Ministry of Finance has been settled in favor of the MDC, but that proposals on how to handle the Ministry of Home Affairs are still being discussed behind closed doors. We have no details on that," the source told Reuters.

Whilst politicians continue to argue over the allocation of power, the citizens of Zimbabwe continue to suffer from food shortages and the economic crisis in the country. If these politicians do have any interest in the welfare of the people, could it be difficult to agree on the best way to solve the current political crisis?
Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Mugabe may give key Cabinet posts to the opposition

Harare - President Robert Mugabe may allow Zimbabwe's opposition to control key Cabinet positions in an effort to save faltering talks aimed at striking a power-sharing deal, a state-run newspaper reported on Thursday.

The Herald newspaper quoted an unidentified official from Mugabe's ruling party as saying compromises could be made in the Cabinet lineup Mugabe unilaterally announced last week.

A negotiator for a small opposition faction said during a break in the talks that negotiators had reached a compromise on the finance and police ministries. He offered no details, but said the deal could be completed on Thursday. The talks continued into the evening without new announcements.

Mugabe had claimed the most powerful Cabinet posts for his own party, including the ministry in charge of police, seen as the enforcers of his rule in a country in the middle of an economic meltdown.

The opposition denounced the move and threatened to abandon talks on forming a unity government after disputed elections.

Former SA president Thabo Mbeki has been mediating the discussions with Mugabe, main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and Arthur Mutumbara, leader of the smaller opposition faction whose negotiator, Welshman Ncube, said a compromise was in the works.

Without a political agreement, Zimbabwe has been rudderless as its economy deteriorates. Inflation is 231 million percent. Food, medicine and most other basic goods are scarce. The UN estimates 45% of Zimbabwe's population, or 5.1 million people, will need food help by early 2009. - SAPA

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Police use sticks to beat women Bulawayo

Harare - Police used sticks to beat women in southern Zimbabwe who were urging politicians to resolve their differences and turn their attention to their suffering people, organisers of Thursday's demonstration said.

The police could not be reached for comment

While the demonstrators rallied in the city of Bulawayo, President Robert Mugabe and his chief political rivals were in their third day of talks aimed at saving a power-sharing deal signed a month ago. The opposition says the deal is threatened by Mugabe's insistence on keeping the most powerful Cabinet posts.

The stalemate over Cabinet posts has left Zimbabwe rudderless as its economy deteriorates. Inflation is 231 million percent. Food, medicine and most other basic goods are scarce. The UN estimates 45% of Zimbabwe's population, or 5.1 million people, will need food help by early 2009.

The Bulawayo demonstrators were carrying a statement from the civil rights group Women of Zimbabwe Arise, accusing politicians of offering empty promises in their September 15 agreement.

"How many more Zimbabweans must die before you act?" the statement said. "This is a national disaster and we demand food for all Zimbabweans now."

The group said in a later statement that as about 200 of its members sat outside local government offices waiting for officials to come and hear their demands, riot police arrived and arrested two of its leaders, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, and dispersed the other protesters by beating them with sticks. The women's group said at least one protester required medical attention.

Repeated attempts to reach the national police spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful.

Police regularly crack down on protests by this and other groups critical of the government. Williams and Mahlangu were jailed for five weeks earlier this year after being arrested during a peaceful protest in the Zimbabwean capital. - AP

The overzealous Zimbabwe police who don't know any other way than to use brutal force against innocent demonstrators is one of the reasons why the police ministry should not be governed by a Zanu PF minister. What happened to freedom of expression? Since when did it become a crime to demonstrate peacefully?

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Sanganai Travel and Tourism Africa Fair kicks off in Bulawayo

The Sanganai/Hlanganani Travel and Tourism Africa Fair which begins in Bulawayo today provides Zimbabwe with a great opportunity to market itself and re-establish the country as a top tourist destination. About 750 exhibitors are at this years Fair.
There are great expectations that the tourism fair will be the perfect launch pad on which Zimbabwe re-enter the international tourism market.

In an interview with the Herald, one of the local exhibitors Showman Tours and Leisure Services said the company was proud to be associated with Zimbabwe’s best ever fair.

"The tourism industry has shown resilience of the highest order and the boom of the century is now beckoning. Exhibiting at the 2008 Sanganai/Hlanganani edition serves as an endorsement of our belief in this industry," said Ms Ivonnie Dhliwayo, Showman Tours and Leisure Services marketing manager.

She also added that the Travel and Tourism fair presents opportunities for local business people in the country’s tourism sector to market their products and create new lines for the country’s products.

"Apart from the exhibition presenting us with an opportunity to mingle with our target market, this fair also holds a lot of opportunities for us to advertise and create synergies for ourselves," she said.

The travel and tourism fair gives the local tourism industry the opportunity to build business leads, and take advantage of the increased tourists in the region ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 due to be held in neighbouring South Africa.

However the government should also be working hard to resolve the current economic and political crisis in the country for Zimbabwe to become a preferred tourist destination in the region. Rebuilding the country's infrastructure should also be a top priority, otherwise all the marketing efforts during the tourism fair will go to waste.

Zimbabwe has some of the top tourists attractions in the world such as the Victoria Falls, adventure seekers can go white water rafting and bungee jumping plus we have such a diverse wildlife in a number of National Parks in the country. But, is the government doing enough to improve the image of the country and marketing Zimbabwe as a tourist destination?

Feel free to share your views.

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Hiding from the credit crisis by getting into bed!

How do you hide from the current global economic crisis? Every time you listen to the news that's what is being talked about, everywhere you go people are talking about it. But, it seems people in Britain have found a way to hide from the doom and gloom of the credit crunch. SSL International, the consumer health care group that owns condom company Durex, have reported an increase in sales over the last six months. It's either the people in Britain have just decided to get more into bed to avoid the credit crisis or maybe they have decided they can't afford to have more children.

An salesman added that people are diving under the covers to avoid hearing bad news on the economy.

"Despite all that's going on people are still looking to have fun judging by sales of our Durex Play products that help people have better sex," said the salesman. He also added that one of the popular brands is one which makes the fun last longer, and hopefully the news will be finished by the time the fun ends..Lol....the crisis will still be around, you can not run away.

Probably this will explain why poor people tend to have more children than rich families.

I wonder how SSL could explain the increase in the sales of Cracked Heel Repair Cream.....hope it's not what I'm thinking. Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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International buyers arrive for Zimbabwe Tourism Fair

International buyers arrived in Zimbabwe ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Africa fair that showcases the country's hospitality industry.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, organisers of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair, said the biggest contingent of buyers arrived Sunday when 48tourism players from China and the Asia Pacific region jetted into the capital
Harare. The fair starts on Wednesday in the second city of Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Area Manager for China Mr Takaruza Munyanyiwa said the travel fair has generated a lot of interest in the Asian market and the authority is confident that the buyers will disseminate accurate information on Zimbabwe as a safe tourist destination.

ZTA Executive Director Destination Marketing Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi who was at Harare International Airport to welcome the buyers said Sanganai/Hlanganani world travel fair is set to start on a high note after the event received overwhelming response from the international community.

Sanganai/Hlanganani world travel and tourism Africa fair is designed to provide among other things a platform for stakeholders in the tourism sector to update their destination information data bases.

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Zimbabwe Street Theater - Kapfupi

With the doom and gloom in Zimbabwe today, we do need something to cheers us up. Let's enjoy 'Kapfupi' as the two guys discuss what they are going to buy with the $100 000 they don't even have.

Funny Funny Funny! Ndaseka hangu!

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Eating MELONS can do wonders for you in the Bedroom

Now there is an even better reason for you to eat Melons. Research has revealed that eating six slices of Melons has a Viagra-like effect. According to scientists, melon contains a chemical which affects the blood vessels in the same way like those sex-enhancing drugs. But, does the watermelon really work as an aphrodisiac?

The best way to find out is to try it. I hope I will get some feedback on the powers of watermelons.

But there is nothing wrong in sharing your views on what you thing about sex-enhancing drugs, watermelons and more.

A number of fruits have been found to give you that viagra effect, fruits like pormegranette. So, eating fruit is not only good for your health, but also works wonders in the bedroom.

Feel free to share your views, always interested in what you have to say.

Date a Millionaire today. Find them at Sugardaddie.com, as seen on TV.

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Robert Mugabe and the Times adverts

Zimbabwe President Mugabe is featured in advertising posters for The Times which I have seen in some places in London. Is it proof that 'brand Mugabe' sales? Just like the Beckham brand?

For us Zimbabweans everyday we think of the pain and suffering that our dear leader has brought upon the innocent citizens of Zimbabwe. We think of all our relatives who have died because they could not get any health care in the country, we think of our families who do not have food and do not know where their next meal is going to come from. And now we have to live with Robert Mugabe's large poster in our faces. Reminding us every time we get out of the house, of who is responsible for all the pain we are going through.

The Times may achieve their objective of putting up these big posters with Robert Mugabe's face on them, but to me I would rather not be made to see these posters everyday. But how can you avoid it when it's right in front of you at most bus stops, train stations and other public places.

With the humanitarian and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. And Mugabe still showing signs of not caring about the welfare of the Zimbabwean people, I would rather not be reminded of this man everyday I get out of the house.

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Zimbabwe set to fire Warriors coach

Result: Namibia 4 Zimbabwe 2

The Zimbabwe Football Association(ZIFA) is set to fire national football team coach, Jose Valinhos after the Warriors failed to qualify for both the Africa Cup of Nations and the SA World Cup 2010. Zimbabwe lost a must win game to Namibia over the weekend.

Zimbabwe were favourites to go through from group two at the beginning of the tournament, but crushed out after a humiliating defeat to Namibia in Windhoek. Zimbabwe needed an outright victory to qualify as one of the best runner-ups.

A Zifa official has said that the association will meet this week and discuss on what course of action to take over Valinhos.

Speaking to KickOff, a ZIFA official said: “We are yet to decide what to do with him, but I think the time has come for us to re-shuffle the technical department, for the good of the Warriors.

“Remember that we have also dropped tremendously on the Fifa rankings since the current coach took over,” the official added.

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President swear in Zimbabwe's Vice-Presidents

Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has sworn in two vice-presidents ahead of talks on forming a cabinet, a government official said on Monday, a move that could endanger power-sharing negotiations.

Can we trust Mugabe anymore? Not so sure about that!

"The two vice-presidents were sworn in this morning because their positions are not in dispute," a senior government official said.

The opposition MDC expressed doubt that the ruling Zanu-PF would compromise in talks on forming a cabinet despite mediation by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki's visit on Monday comes after Mugabe allocated a number of important ministries to his own party, angering the MDC.

"The visit provides a platform and opportunity for Zanu-PF to reverse its unilateral action," MDC spokespeson Nelson Chamisa said.

"The Zanu-PF mindset is not consistent with power-sharing. It cannot be power-sharing when one party controls all key ministries."

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai warned on Sunday that his party could walk away from a power-sharing deal he signed with Mugabe if the latest mediation effort failed to end a deadlock on how to divide key ministries.

Mbeki, who scored his biggest diplomatic coup last month when he nudged Zimbabwe's bitter political rivals to sign a power-sharing deal, is expected in Harare later on Monday.

A government notice on Saturday showed Mugabe had allocated three key ministries to his Zanu-PF party, drawing fire from the opposition and threatening the fragile pact.

Mugabe handed his party the ministries of defence, home affairs - which is in charge of the police - and finance which will be strategic in reviving the collapsing economy.

But the official Herald newspaper has suggested that the finance post was the only outstanding issue.

Chamisa said there was no agreement on all powerful ministries, including, justice, foreign affairs, information and local government. - Reuters

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New $50 000 bank note for Zimbabwe

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is introducing a new $50 000 dollar bank note with effect from Monday as part of it's measure to help the banking public as we approach the festive season. The central bank has also raised the daily withdrawal limit for individuals from $20 000 to $50 000. The central bank is continuing with it's policy of introducing new bank notes every month, but is this helping the country?

I just wonder if there is any other country in the world which introduce new bank notes every month like what Mugabe is doing in Zimbabwe.

"With effect from Monday, the 13th of October, 2008, the cash withdrawal limit for individuals has been more than doubled from the current $20 000 per day to $50 000 per day," the central bank announced in a statement.

However, the withdrawal limit for companies remains at the current level of $10 000 per day as a way of encouraging companies to use alternative non-cash means of payment such as cheques and various forms of plastic money.

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Zimbabwe's Key Cabinet Post go to Mugabe's Zanu PF

Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe has allocated Zimbabwe's key cabinet posts, including the security ministries to his own party Zanu PF in a move that threatens the fragile power-sharing agreement with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change(MDC). Nelson Chamisa of the opposition MDC has called the surprise move by Mugabe, "a giant act of madness which puts the whole deal into jeopardy."

"The elite in ZANU-PF is not interested in addressing the current challenges in the country," Chamisa said. "Instead, they are obsessed with power retention at all costs."

Zimbabwe Cabinet Posts Allocation is as follows:

Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF:

1. Defence

2. Home Affairs

3 . Foreign Affairs

4. Transport

5 . Local Government and Urban Development

6 . Mines and Mining Development

7. Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement

8. Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism

9. Higher and Tertiary Education

10. Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development

11. Justice and Legal Affairs

12 . Media, Information and Publicity

13. Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development

14. Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment

MDC- Morgan Tsvangirai

1. Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs

2. Economic Planning and Investment Promotion

3. Energy and Power Development

4. Health and Child Welfare

5. Labour and Social Welfare

6. Water Resources Development and Management

7 . Public Service

8. Sport, Arts and Culture

9. State Enterprise and Parastatals

10 . Science and Technology Development

11. Information Communication Technology

12. Public Works

13 . National Housing and Social Amenities

MDC- Arthur Mutambara

1. Regional Integration and International Co-operation

2. Education

3 . Industry and Commerce

So, is this what this power-sharing government is all about? Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF have clearly showed that they are not interested in the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe, neither are they interested in finding solutions to the current crisis. They are just obsessed with power retention, it's so sad!

What next then for Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC? Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Zimbabwe Cabinet: Mugabe allocates three key cabinet posts to Zanu PF

HARARE - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has allocated three important government ministries to his ZANU-PF party, angering the opposition and threatening a power-sharing deal.
A government notice on Saturday showed Mugabe had allocated to his party the ministries for defence, home affairs -- which is in charge of the police -- and finance, a crucial portfolio for the resuscitation of Zimbabwe's devastated economy.

Mugabe and main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been deadlocked over how to share key ministries and have agreed to call in Thabo Mbeki, the former South African president, to mediate the crisis.
Mbeki's spokesman said he would travel to Harare on Monday.
The cabinet impasse has outraged Zimbabweans who had hoped a September 15 power-sharing agreement would end an economic meltdown.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the opposition had not agreed to the allocation. "This is ZANU-PF's arrogant wish list that puts the whole deal into jeopardy. It is unilateral, contemptuous and outrageous," he said.
"The MDC totally and absolutely rejects this nonsense. ZANU-PF is taking people for a ride and there is a price for that."
The official Herald newspaper said no cabinet appointments would be made before Mbeki returns to Zimbabwe, but added there was disagreement only over the Ministry of Finance.
Chamisa dismissed this as "ZANU-PF propaganda." Tsvangirai is set to hold a political rally in Harare on Sunday where he is expected to make his first public comments on Mugabe's move.
The power-sharing deal allows Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980, to retain the presidency and chair the cabinet. Tsvangirai, as prime minister, will head a council of ministers supervising the cabinet.
ZANU-PF will have 15 seats in the cabinet, Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara three posts, giving the opposition a combined majority.
The government gazette said Mugabe's ZANU-PF would be in charge of the foreign affairs, justice and the media and information ministries. The MDC would take the health, public service and constitutional and parliamentary affairs portfolios.
Zimbabwe's economy is imploding with official inflation at a new record 231 million percent, while shortages of food, foreign currency, water and electricity have hit many the hardest.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe introduced a new higher denomination 50,000 Zimbabwe dollar note on Saturday, barely two weeks after launching 10,000 and 20,000 dollar notes.
Zimbabweans will now be able to withdraw Z$50,000 (167 pounds) from their accounts daily, enough to buy three loaves of bread. Previously people could take out Z$20,000 after the central back capped daily withdrawal limits, blamed for long queues at banks.

-Reuters

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Zimbabwe Warriors face Namibia in 2010 World Cup qualifier

Zimbabwe national football team face Namibia in a 2010 AFCON/World Cup qualifier on Saturday in Windhoek. Zvenyika Makonese will captain the Warriors in the absence of of injured skipper Benjani Mwaruwari of Manchester City in England.

Zimbabwe, already out of World Cup qualification, need to thump Namibia, the only side they have beaten, in Group 2 and hope that group leaders Kenya complete a double over Guinea by beating the hosts in Conakry.

Kenya are all but assured of getting a place in the next round, leaving Zimbabwe and Guinea to fight for best runners up spot from the 12 groups.

Platinum Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini is expected to guard the posts ahead of Energy Murambadoro of Wits, with David Kutyauripo, Onismor Bhasera, James Matola and Makonese forming the defence line.

Esrom Nyandoro, Joel Luphahla and Tinashe Nengomasha will play in the problematic midfield, while veteran Orlando Pirates striker, Gilbert Mushangazhike, scorer of a brace that sunk Namibia in the first fixture at Rufaro, will lead the attack.

The Zimbabwe squad is:
Goalkeepers: E. Murambadoro, T. Kapini

Defenders: D. Kutyauripo, O. Bhasera, Z. Jambo, Z. Makonese, O. Moyo, J. Matola

Midfielders: E. Nyandoro, T. Nengomasha, C. Matawu, J. Luphahla, O. Karuru, P. Tafirenyika, M. Mwanjali

Strikers: C. Malajila, G. Mushangazhike, Q. Antipas
-kickoff

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Zanu PF and MDC agree to fresh mediation by Thabo Mbeki

Harare - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his rivals have agreed to fresh mediation by former South African president Thabo Mbeki to end a deadlock over a new unity government, the ruling party's chief negotiator said on Friday.

"The meeting was held. The outcome was that all the principals have asked the facilitator to come and assist in overcoming the impasse," on the sharing of cabinet posts, Patrick Chinamasa told AFP.

Earlier on Friday, state-run Herald newspaper quoted Chinamasa as saying that the political leaders did not need to invite Mbeki - who had brokered a power-sharing accord - to mediate again over the composition of the new government.

"We should learn to overcome our challenges and as negotiating parties we feel that we should not find easy ways to avoid taking hard decisions," Chinamasa was quoted as saying.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC ) has consistently called for the mediation of the southern African regional bloc, SADC, which mandated Mbeki, to resolve the political deadlock.

The MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, on Thursday denounced the logjam in talks with the ruling party on the composition of a new government.

Since the power-sharing accord was signed on September 15 in Harare, the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC have met several times without resolving the key issue of the allocation of ministries.

Mbeki's spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga, told AFP earlier on Friday that "he (Mbeki) has accepted that he is going to continue with the mediation efforts," either in South Africa, in Harare or over the telephone.

Ratshitanga, however, did not say when Mbeki's fresh intervention would begin.

Mbeki painstakingly got the power-sharing accord signed last month between Mugabe, Tsvangirai and the head of a smaller MDC faction, Arthur Mutambara to end the country's ruinous and dragging political crisis and economic meltdown. - SAPA

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Dynamos too good for Railstars

Dynamos 5 Railstars 0: DEFENDING champions Dynamos ran riot as they stormed into the CBZ FA Cup quarter-finals after seeing off the token challenge of former Premiership side Railstars in a one-sided second round affair at Rufaro yesterday, the Herald reports from Harare. Norman Maroto led the line well scoring four goals, bringing smiles back on the Dembare supporters who had seen their team lose to Cotonsport in the African Champions league over the weekend.

Fringe striker Norman Maroto hogged the limelight with a four-goal haul that helped bring back the smiles on the Dynamos faithful following their team’s disappointing show in a 1-0 African Champions League semi-final first leg defeat by Cotonsport of Cameroon.
Maroto has been on the fringes of the Dynamos attack, often being thrown in to play a cameo role either in the Champions League or the Premiership campaigns.
But yesterday, he reminded the Dynamos family that he still has his scoring touch when firing home four goals in the first half that effectively sealed the match as a contest.

Good old days are back in the capital Harare, with DeMbare again dominating the local football seen there can not be a better time for DeMbare supporters.

Feel free to share your views, always interested in what you have to say.

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Zimbabwe inflation rises to 231 million percent

Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate has soared to a record 231 million percent in July from 11.2 million percent in June, the Herald reported citing the official government statistics. Price rose by 1760.9 percent in the month mainly because of increases in the prices of bread and wheat, say the state controlled Herald newspaper.

The Zimbabwe government blames the record hyperinflation on the 'illegal' sanctions imposed on the country by Britain and it's allies. Several measures that have been put in place by the government, have so far failed to control the runaway inflation and the economic crisis in the country.

Zimbabwe's economy has shrunk by almost 50 percent in the last 10 years. This is due to the pathetic performance in all sectors of the economy coupled by rampant corruption in both the public and private sector, said the newspaper.

Feel free to share your views, we are always interested in what you have to say.

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Mugabe the ideal figure for Television?

Robert Mugabe has been described as a good example of somebody who's an appalling man who loves talking and showing you he's clever than you, he is the ideal character for television, according to John Simpson, BBC World Affairs editor.

John Simpson, the big man from the BBC who sneaked into Zimbabwe in the run up to the presidential elections in March was speaking in an interview with the metro newspaper.

Simpson says the most memorable person he has interviewed is Nelson Mandela. He says "he is he only leader who really is what you'd want him to be. He is genuine."

So, do you think our dear leader is a reality television actor? Feel free to tell us what you think by posting your comments.

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Footballer drowns during ritual cleansing ceremony

Harare - A Zimbabwean soccer player drowned in a crocodile infested river during a ritual to cleanse his team of bad spirits before a match, a state newspaper said on Tuesday.

So sad that this footballer lost his life this way. Professional sportsman still believe in Juju? I thought they should know it's all about talent, training and hard work. Read more about how this guy lost his life.

The Chronicle quoted unnamed sources as saying about 16 players from second division side Midland Portland Cement were told to swim in the Zambezi river in the resort town of Victoria Falls ahead of a soccer match on Sunday.

"The technical team told every player to get into the river so that they could be cleansed of bad spirits," it said.

The paper quoted local police commander Peter Rodzi as saying that after the swim, the other players had noticed that one of the team was missing.

"The area where the team was swimming is prohibited as the current is strong. The river is also infested with crocodiles and hippos," said Rodzi.

Belief in the power of spirits is widespread in Zimbabwe and many African countries.

- Reuters

Does Juju work in sports? I find it strange people still believe about juju in sport, I don't think this works at all. You are welcome to share your views, always interested in what you think.

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Power-sharing the Robert Mugabe way!

Well, cartoons are supposed to makes you laugh or maybe not depending on how you see it. Every Zimbabwean knows who is responsible for all the problems in the country, even though some do not want to admit it. One month after signing the power-sharing agreement, there is still no cabinet in Zimbabwe, Why?

Thanks to Kick Mugabe Out for the cartoon.

Just in case you thought these guys were genuine, you might have to think again. Mugabe and his close circle of friends, never wanted to give power to Morgan. It was a political gimmick so they get the all important international aid.

Are you angry about what is happening in Zimbabwe? Feel FREE to express your anger about what is happening in our country.

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Zimbabwe's MDC says Unity deal was a 'mistake'

Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa has expressed regret that the party signed a power-sharing agreement with Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF, without agreeing first on the make-up of the Unity government.

Do I hear anyone saying we told you so? My friend Sdhula once said the MDC made a mistake in getting into talks with Mugabe his Zanu PF party. They can not be trusted, and now they are just showing us that they don't even care how much Zimbabweans are suffering because of their mismanagement of the country's resources. (MDC yaka kikiswa bhora re simbi)

Read more from News24 on what Chamisa had to say on South African Radio:

Speaking on South African radio about the three-week delay in the implementation of the historic September 15 agreement, MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said he thought the party's "big mistake" was to have signed a deal before the negotiations had been concluded.

Hopes for an end to Zimbabwe's economic and political crisis had been high when autocratic President Robert Mugabe agreed to share power with his long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai in a deal brokered by former South African president Thabo Mbeki.

Under the deal, Mugabe remains president with reduced powers and Tsvangirai becomes prime minister.

Three weeks later, fears that the deal could fall apart are mounting as Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC remain at loggerheads on how to share ministerial posts between them.

The bare-bones September agreement merely states that Zanu-PF is to get 15 ministries in a 31-ministry cabinet, Tsvangirai's MDC is to get 13 and a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara gets three.

Despite widespread reports before the signing that the parties had agreed that the MDC would gain control of key ministries such as home affairs, which controls the police, and finance, and that Zanu-PF would retain defence, among others, the MDC says there was never any such agreement.

Early last week, Mugabe had said he expected the government to be finalized by the weekend and that only four ministries were still in contention. But later talks between the 84-year-old leader and Tsvangirai, 56, ended without a breakthrough.

Accusing Zanu-PF of wanting to retain its stranglehold on power, the MDC has referred the disagreement to the Southern African Development Community, which deployed Mbeki as a mediator.

"We are very clear that there hasn't been any progress," Chamisa said.

"Zanu-PF are resorting to propaganda, misinformation, misleading the public, trying to portray a kind of picture where things are moving," Chamisa accused.

Since the agreement, Mbeki has been ousted by the ruling African National Congress as South Africa's president.

SADC has endorsed him to remain on as mediator in Zimbabwe, but Mbeki has not yet returned try to shore up the deal, which is seen as crucial to salvaging Zimbabwe's battered economy.

Western governments are standing by to inject millions of dollars of aid and investment into Zimbabwe but only if a credible MDC-dominated government is installed. - Sapa-dpa

So sad isn't it. Why are politicians so heartless? Are they living in a different Zimbabwe from everyone else? If they can see all this suffering, why can't they put aside their political differences for the sake of the poor Zimbabweans?

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How are you sending your money to Zimbabwe?

So many companies and individuals are now offering money transfer services to Zimbabwe. There is Western Union, MoneyGram, Money Bookers just to mention a few. I have used Western Union and MoneyGram before. Of the two companies I prefer Western Union since it's cheaper to send money with them than using MoneyGram. However there are also other service providers that others may be using to send money to Zimbabwe.

Which other companies offer a fast and reliable money transfer service to Zimbabwe?

We welcome your contributions, feel FREE to share with our other readers which other companies offer a reliable money transfer service to Zimbabwe.

We understand service providers maybe different depending on which country you are sending money from. It will be important to let others know if the money transfer company is available only in specific countries or it's an international company.

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Dynamos FC 0 Cotonsport 1

Zimbabwe soccer champions Dynamos FC lost to Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon in a Caf Champions league semi-final first leg match at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday. The Cameroonian giants Cotonsport stole away a crucial lead to set up a potentially explosive second leg semi-final encounter in two weeks time.

The Cameroonian side stunned the Zimbabweans to take a comfortable victory ahead of the return leg to be played at the Stade Omnisport de Garoua in Cameroon.

Daouda Kamilou smashed a firm header past a stranded Dynamos goalkeeper Zondai Nyaungwa following some sloppy marking by the home side’s defence.

The defeat will now complicate Dynamos’ Champions League final dreams as Cotonsport showed enough character and some class about them.

The two sides will clash in the second leg in Cameroon in a fortnight and Dynamos will have to perform much better than they did yesterday.

Dynamos Team: Z. Nyaungwa; L. Mapuya; R. Mhlanga; B. Tuwaya; S. Mutenheri; T. Sweswe; C. Gomba; B. Marere (D. Maringwa 67th minute); P. Marufu (D. Shoko 82nd minute); M. Murape (L. Muhoni 80th minute).

Let's DeMbare will show some character and overturn the 1-0 loss in the secong leg in Cameroon. They have beaten some of the best football teams in Africa in this years champions league.

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Zimbabweans will continue to suffer whilst politicians fight for power

Zimbabwe's rival parties could reach an agreement on the final allocation of cabinet posts in a government of national unity today (Sunday), according to a report in the Standard. But why is it taking this long for MDC and Zanu PF to agree on the allocation of these cabinet posts? Is it difficult for the parties to agree on the best candidates for any particular ministry? Or the parties are just fighting for power? Power to exploit the poor citizens of Zimbabwe.

The leaders of three political parties to an agreement brokered last month by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, met yesterday to resolve differences over who should be in charge of which government ministries.

President Robert Mugabe met MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Arthur Mutambara yesterday morning at State House in Harare and spent two hours trying to overcome the hurdle that has stalled announcement of a Cabinet. It appears the obstacles are over who should get the ministries of Home Affairs and Finance.

The Standard understands that stalling over surrendering the two key ministries to Tsvangirai’s formation was founded on "baseless fears", attributed to hawks within Zanu PF. In an unwritten clause of the 1987 Unity Accord, Zanu PF and PF Zapu agreed that the Home Affairs should go to a member of the former PF Zapu.

The political parties should work for what's best for the electorate, the ordinary Zimbabweans who vote them into office. It's unfortunate that in Zimbabwe, this does not seem to be the case. If these politicians do care about the people, surely they should have resolved their differences a long time ago and end all this suffering in Zimbabwe.

There is determination on the part of the three leaders to bring closure and finality," a source close to the leaders said yesterday. "If there is goodwill we will see agreement. Morgan wants to see the agreement working."

This view was shared by Western diplomats, who told The Standard last week they believed Tsvangirai was "very disappointed" by the delay in agreeing on government ministries.

"Morgan wants this agreement to work because the people are suffering. He wants something positive for the people of Zimbabwe."

It is precisely because of Tsvangirai’s ability to connect with Western governments and international financial institutions that it is being argued he should get the Ministry of Finance, expected to be critical in unlocking international aid inflows to Zimbabwe.

The Zanu PF government has failed the people of Zimbabwe over the past 28 years. What is it that they can offer now after failing all these years? It is very clear Zanu PF officials are only fighting for their political survival. If it's for what's best for the people, surely they don't need a rocket scientist to tell them they are the cause of all this suffering on the people of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe needs a new leadership wish fresh ideas, not to recycle the same old guard responsible for destroying the country.

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Sex worker and client killed while having sex on railway line

South Africa - Kinross police are patrolling the streets to try to prevent prostitutes from returning to the small Mpumalanga town after a sex worker and her client were killed while having sex on a railway line.

Why are people this desperate?

The couple had ignored warning hoots from the goods train that hit them while they were having sex on the railway line on September 19.

"We found the place littered with used condoms shortly after the incident. The disused railway station has also been described as a haven for hookers," said Kinross police spokesperson Constable Esther Nhlapho on Friday.

She said some prostitutes picked up clients at taverns and took them to the deserted station for sex at night.

She said the situation had improved since police started Operation Hlasela (hunt) a week ago.

She said there had been an influx of prostitutes from other areas to service motorists and truck drivers passing through Kinross, mainly at night.

"During the day they are nowhere to be seen in town, they operate mainly at night and on the outskirts of town, where they are not known," she said.

- News24

As if the risk of HIV/Aids is not enough, I can not believe people can think of having sex on the railway line. Could this be the most stupid place people have chosen to have sex? I remember a security guard and his prostitute being electrocuted a few years back while having sex in a ZESA power station box.

Feel free to share your views.

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FIFA 09: The best FIFA footbal game ever

FIFA 09 is the coming together of a game engine now supremely confident that it is the most realistic representation of the game of football the industry has to offer. And it is the best FIFA game ever made. One of the key things about the new FIFA 09 game is that the football has become more slicker. Football simulation is taken to a new level in the must have new FIFA 09.

FIFA 09 is one of the most talked about and one game many video gamers have been waiting for.

FIFA 09 has been described as the best FIFA game ever made so far, and the only way to experience it is to buy your copy of FIFA 09.

Buy FIFA 09 from:




Read more about FIFA 09 and other video game reviews Here.

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Zimbabwe crisis worsens as move to put more cash into circulation backfire

Harare - Zimbabwe's financial crisis lurched into a new phase on Thursday, as efforts to put more cash into circulation appeared to backfire into a new round of higher prices for basic goods. Government officials threatened to arrest any shop owners found to be gouging.

Zimbabwe's Prices and Incomes Commission said it has seen "rampant and unjustified price increases" since the start of the week, when the government introduced higher denomination currency and raised the daily limit on withdrawals from bank accounts.

The measures aimed to help ordinary Zimbabweans, who are struggling with the world's highest inflation rate. The country's official inflation rate is 11 million percent a year, but private financial institutions estimate it is far higher.

Godwills Masimirembwa, head of the price commission, told state radio that inspectors were out in the street on Thursday to make sure that businesses were sticking to prices approved by the commission on or before September 26.

"Any businessperson charging prices that have not been approved will be arrested and prosecuted for unscrupulous business practices," he said. "This is a serious matter."

He said the offense carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

"Everything is crazy around here," complained Joey Austin, a Harare salesperson handling wads of old and new money on Thursday.

Political uncertainty

A letter to the Herald newspaper, a state mouthpiece, pointed out on Thursday that if a Zimbabwean put the equivalent of US$10 into a bank by electronic transfer at the official rate, it would take him at least a year and a half to withdraw it at the government's daily limit of Z$20 000.

But if that person went to the black market with the money he withdrew from his account, he could buy more US dollars to underwrite another electronic transfer for a huge profit.

The letter writer said this created "madness in the financial sector" and explained why so many people are flocking to the banks.

Indeed, huge crowds have been lining up at banks since Monday to withdraw money, spilling off sidewalks and blocking traffic.

Edward Mungofa, a private business consultant, said the economy is suffering because of political uncertainty over Zimbabwe's stalled negotiations on forming a new power sharing government.

"The financial markets are on a roller coaster," Mungofa said.

President Robert Mugabe and the opposition led by Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai signed a power-sharing deal September 15, but have since been unable to agree on which party should control key Cabinet posts - among them that of finance minister.

- AP

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Zimbabwe money-burning: Is it a moral business?

"Lets not burn our economy," says the Herald reporter in reference to the phenomenon that has taken over people's lives in Zimbabwe. The money-burning concept in simple terms means you buy foreign currency at cash rate and sell it through RTGS at a higher price. Many enterprising Zimbabweans are making a living from money-burning, in fact it's better than going to work.

However this form of business is not only making millions for some, but it is also causing a lot of suffering to some innocent Zimbabweans. So, how much of an issue is ethics and morality in business?

Is there anything wrong in finding an opportunity and making the most out of that opportunity? This kind of business is probably not new in the country but maybe only a few people were doing it. Now because of the current crisis in the economy, people are finding other means to survive.

The Herald reporter also added;

"The dangerous assumption by the shops and service providers is that everyone who is swiping or writing cheques must have traded foreign currency and yet there are many instances in which this is not the case.

How else can we explain an instance where last week, a week’s dosage of panadene tablets were going for $8 000 for cash and $750 000 if swiping?

The innocent people have to suffer because of the sheer greediness of others. Furthermore, the attitude by these shops also implies that they have legitimised the RTGS foreign currency transaction system or is it that they are just being "realistic"?

But, who is to blame for all this current crisis in the economy? The poor people have no cash, they can not even get it from the banks. If they are to use their bank cards in the shops, they will pay more. Is it because of the greedy, enterprising Zimbabwe money-burners?

But "vakuru vakati nhamo yemumwe hairegererwi sadza" and "kakara kununa hudya kamwe". The law of the jungle is now the order of the day in Zimbabwe, it seems. People will now do nearly anything to survive, but is there anything wrong in these forms of business?

Or is it time to change our mindset Zimbabwe? Are we responsible for our own suffering through our actions or failure to act? I think we should address the problems, people taking advantage of the system are not the problem but a result of the problem.

Feel free to share your views by posting your comments.

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Air Zimbabwe now charging airline tickets in foreign currency

Air Zimbabwe has started charging air fares for local and international business class in foreign currency. Air Zimbabwe board chairperson Mr Jonathan Kadzura said it was only logical for Air Zimbabwe to charge it's business flights in foreign currency as 90 per cent of the company's operational expenses are incurred in foreign currency.

Air Zimbabwe is facing serious foreign currency shortages to buy spare parts and service it's external debts estimated at more than US$20 million.

"The latest move is aimed at recovering most of our expenses and we have also strategised to ensure that ordinary Zimbabweans are catered for by paying local currencies in the economy class.

It has come to our attention that most Zimbabweans who board foreign airlines from the country pay in foreign currency so there is nothing unusual in the latest development," said Mr Kadzura.

Travellers to China will now have to pay US$880 for return ticket on the Harare-Beijing route, Harare-Johannesburg with return US$180, for those going to Dubai they will now have to part with US$550, and Lilongwe(Malawi) now costs US$250.

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Married Man's Prayer: Why married man have girlfriends

Dear Lord

Thank you for opening my eyes to realize that there are beautiful women out there. You know God, when I met Grace, I thought she was meant for me but I've come to realize that water and oil do not mix. It is true that I like to look at other women but I only do that to appreciate the beauty of nature's creation. But sometimes I just can't resist these women. After all I have my weakness.

Grace calls me 'Baba va Panashe', I often feel like a pensioner. Other women call me Darling, Sweetie, Dear, then I feel young, energetic and moja. She likes complaining and nagging and she is always too tired to go out with me.

Every weekend she goes to attend so and so's funeral and go straight to society or prayers. Women outside are wild, grooving and can do a thorough job when it comes to Huuuuuuuu.

Another problem with Grace, dear lord is she is good at spending my hard earned money. When we talk about budget she is referring to my salary. Her salary is her secret and its confidential. She has appointed herself my minister of finance but my economy is not improving.

Her family comes first in everything. When I bought my mother a jersey during this chilling winter, she complained that I know our financial problems but I keep giving people our money. When she bought her mother a pair of boots, jacket, blanket and a heater, she said that I know her mother is struggling. (Varikutambura!). I visit my parents once in a lifetime but her family needs her.

God, I met her at a party. But these days she wants to remain indoors. No friends should visit us without appointments. I must sit and watch the Bold & Beautiful, Days of of lives and later Generations/Muvhango, Studio 263.

But Lord you know I am a Catholic to the bone. Grace doesn't understand anything. Every Sunday she drags me to this Nigerian Christian Church. I had to part with $1 million as an offering to the Pastor.

Heavenly Father you will realize that I have lost some weight. I will spare you the details. Its all rice, Corn Flakes and Chicken Licken everyday. My favourite MaBhonzo ne Guru is a thing of the past. She will never allow such nonsense in our Town house.

Oh God I yearn for my favourite Lion and also Castle Lager,Black Label and Hansa Pilserner, the only beers with surnames,these days I only drink mineral water. So God, as Mufesi, I hope you know why I always look at those ladies and wish that I could spend more and more time with them. Ndipei plan, Musanyarare Mwari.

Amen

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